Page 12 – A Brit and A Southerner

How to Start the Process of Buying Your First Home

Weekends at Home

-

Oct 6, 2018

We bought a house!!! We have rented for eight long years and enjoyed the flexibility it gave us to travel and not worry with routine maintenance, taking care of the lawn or buying our own appliances. The thought of a 30-year mortgage, new bills and upkeep wasn’t particularly appealing but just like with travel, taking this adventure together was an exciting prospect. Buying your first home is a daunting task and I’m not going to lie, we had no idea where to begin but this is one of the main reasons why we started our new “Weekends at Home” section on our site!

Buying Your First Home

For the past couple of years, we have been thinking about purchasing our first home and what that entails. We realized the time had come to stop “wasting” our hard-earned money and actually invest our money into something that we could eventually reap the benefits of in the future. The added responsibility wasn’t an issue, the price wasn’t an issue because our rent every month was high enough to almost be a mortgage and the hefty price tag of those one-time appliances didn’t weigh on us too bad.

Location was going to be our first major challenge. Having traveled to different states and countries we were very open to the idea of experiencing a new location. We narrowed down our search to either England or the United States. We started looking for houses around where we currently rented to gather an idea of what we wanted and what we didn’t want.

What we quickly found is the type of house here in Arkansas vs. the same type house in England or anywhere else in the states was on a very different price scale. Our priorities were simple we wanted to have something that was our own, to be able to travel and we compromised on the little things.

The benefit of purchasing a home in Arkansas was that the low cost of living would enable us to continue to travel as frequently as we did when we rented…a win-win situation right?

Something to Call Your Own

Renting for several years meant that we shared a floor and walls with strangers. Climbing three flights of stairs several times a day with furniture and groceries certainly grew old after a while. Smaller living areas and continuing to buy things we didn’t need just wasn’t working anymore.

Our journey into purchasing a home started on the weekends or after work, as we ventured out around town exploring some possible houses, just to get a better idea of the style and location that we wanted. We soon started to get excited at the thought of one day having something to call our own and that simply increased our desire that this was definitely something we wanted to continue to pursue.

We each made a list of all the things that we wanted out of a house, whether it was a huge walk-in shower or a large garage space. We crossed off the houses that had a few items that were on the checklist because ultimately, we wanted the right one. This is the largest purchase you will likely ever make in your life, so you want to make sure you are getting exactly what you want.

Now, coming from an apartment to a house we knew there would be differences but the minute we walked into some of the houses there was a feeling of what would we do with this space, do we really need that or was way to over budget.

Being Able to Travel

Another one of our priorities was that no matter what, we both still enjoyed traveling and we didn’t want to have a mortgage that was so crazy we wouldn’t be able to travel. We went to the bank and began to discuss our options and decided on a number that we felt comfortable with and confirmed what range we would be looking at, rather than just going to every open house we saw regardless of price.

Doing that led us to feel much more comfortable about continuing the process, I’ll admit that it was very stressful waiting to get a confirmation that we were approved.

Once we found out our price range we felt comfortable with, we began to budget what a month’s mortgage would look like with the traveling we would usually do. We adjusted the budget to fit our needs on what was important, what bills we could pay off and managed it to when we found the right house we would be ready to get the ball rolling.

We traveled most weekends and all holidays and time off work so beginning to look for a house was something that we knew some weekend travel would need to wait. The house hunting continued until we felt like we hit a wall of not finding anything that was our style or our budget.

Compromising on the Little Things

Having things on a checklist that we wanted and things that are a bit far-fetched was much easier to determine on paper rather than seeing it in person. I’m sure Chris was getting frustrated when I continued to add things to the list. We found houses that had items on the checklist but not everything and there was always something about them that just wasn’t us, for about two to three months we were looking that became stagnate.

We finally decided to call in an expert, I have a realtor friend that I have known my entire life and one night I messaged her. She was so responsive we had an account created within 20 minutes to pick out a variety of houses. We were able to quickly give her our list and she came back with about five houses right out of the gate for us to look at inside the first 24 hours.

The next day we met her and looked at eight houses after work. We found a house that checked all of our boxes and when we left we were placing furniture in rooms, needless to say, we were very excited.

Before we made an offer, we wanted my parents to check it out, so arrangements were made to go take a look the following evening. That same night we were still looking at more houses, and we actually found another one in the same neighborhood with a similar style to the one we loved.

The following day we showed my parents the house, and then walked over to the other house only to realize that it wasn’t finished and would take what looked like months to be finished. Being able to see what the potential of an unfinished house, that was more expensive than the initial one we looked was definitely challenging but at the same time created a difficult decision for us.

The Offer

The dilemma hit, we had two houses on our hands that we both loved, one we could see and the other envision the potential with very different price points. We re-grouped what our budget would look like as well as what the return on investment would be in the future.

We decided, celebrated, made an offer, celebrated, had a counter offer, celebrated, the offer was accepted and celebrated for several days. Throughout the construction process, we were involved, we were even checking in every day, which I am sure the builder loved. When it was finished we got the keys and began to make this house our home.

Weekends at Home

From renting to purchasing we kept to a budget, we never settled and we compromised on the important things to be able to get the house of our dreams and call it our own. We hope that you will enjoy reading about our “Weekends at Home” as much as you enjoy reading about our weekends on the road.

We would love to connect with more of you, whether it’s through your interest in traveling, or perhaps a desire to learn more about DIY projects and everything in between. This is the beginning of a new chapter for us and we are excited to take you along on the journey with us.

International Travel Insurance – Is It Really Worth It?

Travel Tips

Chris Boothman

-

Oct 1, 2018

10

International Travel Insurance – Is It Really Worth It?

Traveling the world without insurance is a little bit like traveling the world without your passport! It’s CRAZY to contemplate heading out on a trip overseas without having any type of international travel insurance in place. Let’s be honest, no one knows what may happen tomorrow or any time in the future. It’s all about preparation and taking appropriate measures to ensure you are covered in the eventuality that something happens.

Just like any insurance policy, it’s fair to say that you hope you will never have to use it! Many folks will think that insurance policies are a waste of money, particularly if you never use it but on that one occasion that you need it…well, it’s something that you will thank your lucky stars that you have such a policy in place. Here’s the difficult part…choosing the right travel insurance policy.

Do I Need Insurance?

Ok, let’s start with a few questions that you likely need to ask yourselves before choosing the appropriate policy (and company):

How frequently do you travel?
Are you traveling solo or with a spouse/family?
What type of travel are you planning on? E.g. adventure, relaxation etc.
Which destinations do you intend on visiting and how “safe” are they renowned to be?

I want to add a caveat right now that the answers to the above questions are just a starting point and will just give you a basic idea as to which plan you should consider.

If you have any lingering thoughts in your mind that you don’t need travel insurance, you may be questioning right now that the answers to the above questions justify NOT having a policy. Please, please, please…allow those thoughts to rest because regardless of the aforementioned questions, you NEVER know what may happen that will lead to you having an extortionate medical bill.

However, the beauty of travel insurance is that not only will this cover such eventualities (in the unfortunate event that something should occur of course), they also offer much more coverage. More on that later! As I mentioned, there are a lot of different options out there for travel insurance but ultimately, we think there is only one option worth using.

Welcome to Allianz Global Assistance

That’s right, Allianz Global Assistance is our choice for international travel insurance and we think after reading this post, you will be convinced to have this company as your preferred option for your upcoming travels.

Whether you are planning a round the world adventure or simply venturing overseas for the first time on a single trip, Allianz Global Assistance is undoubtedly the best provider for a variety of reasons.

Why Allianz Global Assistance?

From Seven Corners to Travelex and many more in between, consumers are spoiled for choice when it comes to travel insurance companies.

So, what exactly makes Allianz Global Assistance stand out from their competitors? It’s all about developing a competitive advantage and in our opinion, Allianz has achieved this on multiple levels.

Customer Service – A 24-hour emergency hotline is available for all those that choose Allianz as their provider but based on our experience, it’s the personalized service you receive that makes this such an awesome company. We can 100% attest to the amazing customer service offered throughout the organization, starting from the representatives offering assistance on the best coverage plans for each family to those working “behind the scenes”.
Cost-Effective – Given that Allianz is the world’s largest travel insurance company, it can offer extremely competitive rates, while still maintaining awesome coverage. Better insurance, lower costs…it’s the perfect combination for consumers!
Expanded Coverage – Allianz offers a diverse portfolio of options available to customers that purchase their plans. Coverage includes lost baggage, delayed/canceled flights, rental car coverage and more, in addition to the standard medical coverage that enables travelers to experience the world with the knowledge that any unforeseen sickness/injuries will be covered.

Single Trip vs Annual Plan Insurance

Take a look at the following awesome video courtesy of Allianz that assesses whether single trip or annual plans are the best options for your coverage. Ultimately, it’s dependent on how much you intend on traveling over the next 12 months. For us, we are always on the road and frequently travel overseas (back to the UK, mainland Europe and further if possible!), so it was a pretty easy decision to go with the annual plan.

Whether you are a frequent flyer or only have a single international trip to look forward to, you can be sure that Allianz will have something that perfectly fits your needs. Be sure to check out an overview of the various plans and simply click “Get A Quote” to find a great deal that will leave you with a peace of mind ahead of your travels.

Our Coverage – All Trips Premier Plan

Just to give you a brief idea of what you can expect to receive with a particular plan, we are going to take a look over our preference offered by Allianz – the All Trips Premier Plan! For $450, we are covered in the following ways:

Baggage Coverage – $2,000
Baggage Delay Coverage – $2,000
Collision/Loss Damage Insurance – $45,000
Emergency Medical and Dental – $50,000
Trip Cancellation Protection – $2,000
Travel/Trip Delay Coverage – $1,500
Trip Interruption Protection – $2,000
Travel Accident Coverage – $50,000

As you may have noticed, this travel insurance covers so much more than medical coverage. All too frequently, we associate insurance with medical situations and although that is a critical component when you are traveling overseas, there are other components listed above that are equally important.

Airlines have the unfortunate reputation of “losing” baggage and we have been in the situation where we traveled to Australia and our bag was “lost in transit” before being returned to us after three days in Brisbane.

Summary

If you are contemplating purchasing travel insurance, we strongly recommend that you follow through with it! All too frequently this is something that you forget about but honestly, it would be remiss of you to avoid this given the various events that could occur causing you extra expenses that are 100% avoidable.

Traveling the world is a challenging prospect without having to worry about the potential for getting sick and then having no way of paying for the medical bills. Purchase travel insurance and all of your worries are alleviated!

When it comes to travel insurance providers, there are none better than Allianz Global Assistance. We have had nothing but an awesome experience with them so far and highly encourage you to check out their various plans to see if there is an option that fits your travel style.

10 Things to Do in South Devon That Will Amaze You

England

Chris Boothman

-

Sep 24, 2018

4

10 Things to Do in South Devon That Will Amaze You

When you think about England, you could be forgiven for associating this beautiful, historic country with London, the idyllic rural villages around the Cotswolds or perhaps the ancient ruins at Stonehenge. However, if you have read many of our other posts associated with England, you will know that we try to focus on some of the “lesser known” destinations that we still think should be on everyone’s radar…this post is no different! Welcome to the best things to do in South Devon!

Located in the south-west corner of England just north of Cornwall, Devon is a county that is frequently left out of the limelight, primarily because it doesn’t have those high-profile attractions or cities that everyone immediately associates with the UK.

But don’t let that convince you to stay away from this area…in fact, we would argue that this should intrigue you to explore and after reading this post, we hope that you will have a few ideas as to the best spots worth experiencing in the southern part of the county.

From historic castles to spectacular waterfalls, from quaint seaside villages to delicious local cuisine, South Devon is home to pretty much everything you could wish for in a perfect vacation spot.

The iconic English Riviera is the focal point of South Devon, primarily renowned as such because of the direct comparison with the more infamous “French Riviera”. However, the collection of seaside towns featuring the likes of Torquay, Brixham, and Paignton are known locally as Torbay.

But as you will see, South Devon expands much further than just the coastal towns, so let’s take a look at some of the best attractions and experiences that you cannot afford to miss!

Torquay

Torquay is undoubtedly the heartbeat of South Devon with a vibrant seafront, gorgeous marina and a myriad of shops and restaurants that will leave you with plenty to experience during your visit.

Take a stroll up the main street to enjoy a little retail therapy while visiting Devon or perhaps you prefer to admire the collection of luxury yachts and fishing vessels that are docked in the marina.

Living Coasts is a zoo and sea life aquarium located along the seafront, offering an amazing experience with nature while admiring the spectacular views overlooking the bay. For those of you that are intrigued by the prospect of heading out to sea, there are plenty of daily excursions available, ranging from fishing trips to a cruise that takes you across the bay to the nearby coastal town of Brixham.

We highly recommend this not only because of the awesome cruise but also because Brixham is another town that we recommend visiting while experiencing South Devon. However, for the history buffs visiting Torquay, head over to Torre Abbey that dates back to 1196 when it was originally founded as a monastery. Today, it is renowned as the best preserved medieval monastery in Devon and Cornwall.

Back in the heart of Torquay, take a short stroll along the seafront before arriving at Abbey Park to test your golfing skills with a leisurely round of pitch and putt or perhaps enjoying the locals showcasing their crown green bowling skills.

Brixham

The fishing town of Brixham epitomizes the beauty throughout South Devon. If you choose to follow our above recommendation and hop on the cruise from Torquay, you will enjoy the ultimate arrival in Brixham because it’s the best way to appreciate the overall appearance of this town.

As you approach from the bay, you cannot help but admire the local residential areas scattered across the landscape, while the focal point is undoubtedly the harbor housing the local fishing vessels.

At the heart of Brixham’s fishing harbor is one of only two true replicas of the Golden Hind ship, recognized as the first ship to circumnavigate the globe courtesy of captain Sir Francis Drake.

Your adventure exploring Brixham begins the moment you step off the boat (or car if you choose to drive into town) and with a plethora of local shops and restaurants to choose from, this is the ideal spot to relax and enjoy lunch while interacting with locals who will certainly be happy to provide recommendations on the best things to do there.

Visitors to Brixham will be impressed by the selection of local Fish and Chip shops. Just like a cream tea is a staple for Devon and Cornwall, I would highly recommend sampling the local fish and chips!

There is nothing quite like finding the best local spot (again, interact with the locals and they will point you in the right direction) and enjoying the typical British meal while exploring Brixham town center.

Teignmouth

From the quaint and quirky to the family fun activities we all associate with a traditional British holiday, Teignmouth is a great spot worth visiting to experience a little bit of everything. During our recent trip to Devon, we made a quick trip to Teignmouth to experience the seafront and the River Teign estuary.

Take a walk along the beach to enjoy the gorgeous sands or try out your luck inside one of the arcades before relaxing with a game of crazy golf. All of this and much more can be experienced directly on the promenade.

Further inland, enjoy gorgeous historic architecture with a myriad of Georgian inspired buildings while those looking to sample local cuisine will be faced with a destination gaining a reputation for having a great gourmet selection.

“The Taste of the Teign food trail” offers visitors and locals alike the opportunity to sample “world-renowned mussel and oyster beds” along with local berry farms and craft breweries.

Babbacombe Bay

When it comes to idyllic landscapes, there are not many spots that offer more spectacular views than those available at Babbacombe Bay. Just a few miles along the coast from Torquay, Babbacombe is the perfect place to experience if you are looking for a tranquil setting yet still offering plenty of things to do.

Renowned as the “jewel in the crown of the English Riviera,” Babbacombe perfectly represents everything there is to love about South Devon. The history of Babbacombe suggests that this has always been a sought-after beach resort and by the end of the 19th-century, it established itself as “a classy Victorian holiday destination.”

Aside from the spectacular views across the bay, Babbacombe is known for the model village full of intricate details and a fun-filled experience for all the family.

The Babbacombe Cliff Railway is another iconic attraction, particularly given its history dates back over 90 years and offers the perfect way to reach those gorgeous beaches without having to worry about hauling your beach gear up and down the steep cliffs.

When it comes to places to eat, there are several cafes in Babbacombe that offer some of the best lunch options across South Devon.

The Cliff Railway Cafe has plenty of outdoor seating, offering majestic views across the bay while Babbacombe Bay Cafe is perhaps our favorite choice, with a variety of awesome baguettes, warm meals and much more to choose from!

Totnes

The historic market town of Totnes is a place you cannot afford to miss when exploring South Devon. Totnes Castle is one of the best-preserved examples of a traditional Norman motte and bailey castle and is definitely worth experiencing when you visit this part of the county.

The main street that runs through the heart of Totnes is a shoppers paradise, with plenty of local boutique establishments and brand name stores to explore.

Be sure you schedule your visit to Totnes on market day (Fridays and Saturdays) to experience the weekly market held in the Civic Hall Square. An Elizabethan market is also held every Tuesday morning and visitors can enjoy locals wearing their period attire.

As you leave (or when you arrive) Totnes, be sure to check out the views across the River Dart. You never know what wildlife you will spot and there are plenty of boats always meandering their way through the channel.

Dartmouth

When it comes to South Devon being renowned as the English Riviera, the beautiful town of Dartmouth is surely one of the main reasons for this recognition.

Whether you arrive in Dartmouth on board a cruise from Torquay or other nearby coastal town or perhaps you hop on the car ferry for the short ride across the River Dart, the Meditteranean style appearance of the town is what immediately captures your attention.

Dartmouth has a long history with the Royal Navy, primarily because of the naval college located just outside the town center. Officers have been trained here since 1863, indicative of the history throughout this part of South Devon.

The scenic river location of Dartmouth is perhaps the primary reason why so many visitors explore this area but the moment you step off the promenade, you have the opportunity to explore art galleries, museums, local shops and much more. There certainly isn’t a shortage of things to do in this coastal town!

Canonteign Falls

Ready to experience one of England’s highest waterfalls? That’s right, South Devon is home to Canonteign Falls, a 220-feet waterfall that is located among a forested landscape and ready for adventure seekers to explore.

For a small admission fee, visitors can enjoy a short hike through the heart of the Teign Valley and Dartmouth National Park before arriving at the pièce de résistance, Canonteign Falls!

Several hiking trails are available at Canonteign Falls but the most popular leads visitors through the bluebell woods and up the 70-meter waterfall until you reach the summit and experience epic views across South Devon.

The magical Victorian fern garden can be found around halfway through the hike and offers a unique collection of ferns that create a relaxing ambiance for visitors to enjoy before continuing on the adventure through the wooded area.

An abundance of flora and fauna can be enjoyed throughout your visit to Canonteign Falls and you can spend a few minutes inside the gift shop following your visit to find something that will remind you of your experience.

For us, the memories are the perfect tonic to remind us that a return visit is in order!

Cockington

Idyllic, quaint, picturesque and in many ways, perfection! This is really the best way to describe the charming village of Cockington just a few miles from Torquay.

The village is relatively small with just a few local gift shops and cafes but when it comes to inherent beauty across South Devon, there are not many spots more breathtaking than Cockington.

Many villages lay claim to being picturesque, but the delightful Devon village of Cockington is the real deal. (Englishriviera.co.uk)

Driving to Cockington could be described as a challenging experience, particularly if you are not used to the narrow roads that can be found throughout Devon.

I probably should have referenced this earlier but for folks (Heather is one of them!) that haven’t experience English country roads, they can be a little overwhelming! But trust me when I say, it’s worth the effort and can actually be a pretty exciting adventure in itself.

At the heart of the village lies the spectacular Cockington Court, a manor house dating back to medieval times and surrounded by acres of gorgeous country park.

Buckfast Abbey

The plethora of unique attractions across South Devon continues with a working Benedictine monastery in Buckfastleigh, just a few miles outside of Newton Abbot and Totnes. For those of you planning on spending a few hours in either of these aforementioned towns, take some time to visit Buckfast Abbey for a historic experience.

For the historians out there, Buckfast Abbey offers a real treat! Buckfast first became home to an abbey in 1018, while the first Benedictine abbey was followed by a Savignac abbey constructed on the site of the present day structure in 1134.

Spend some time exploring the grounds, visiting the gift shop and restaurant, before heading over to the tranquil setting of the Sensory, Physic and Lavender Gardens.

Newton Abbot

Camping in Devon is certainly one of the best ways to enjoy the very best of this county and we strongly recommend considering Ross Park Caravan Park as your preferred option. Located just outside of the market town of Newton Abbot in the small village of Ipplepen, Ross Park is perfectly located to explore everything South Devon has to offer.

For those of you that don’t want to venture too far away from the caravan site, head into Newton Abbot to enjoy this traditional market town. With plenty of indoor and outdoor markets to experience, this is definitely a great spot to find local produce and bargains. If you are visiting during horse racing season, Newton Abbot racecourse frequently hosts meetings throughout the summer months.

A number of country parks are easily accessible from Newton Abbot, including Decoy Country Park, Courtenay Park, and many others. There are plenty of shopping options available throughout the town so if you ready for the hustle and bustle of life in a small Devon market town, Newton Abbot is the place to go!

Summary

South Devon may not be the first part of the UK you think about visiting but we would argue that this richly deserves to be considered as a viable vacation spot.

Breathtaking panoramic landscapes, architecture steeped full of history and a variety of local spots that will immediately capture the imagination, are all reasons why South Devon should be on everyone’s radar.

Although we have highlighted ten of the best things to do in South Devon, this barely touches the surface. It’s a part of the UK that needs to be explored and we cannot wait to return in the near future to experience more of this.

I almost forgot to mention…South Devon is perhaps the BEST place in the UK to experience a traditional cream tea!! We can well and truly attest, it’s delicious. Devonshire Clotted Cream, Jam, and a Scone combined with either coffee or tea…are you guys sold now?? WE DEFINITELY ARE!

How to Get from Midway to O’Hare Airport with No Hassle?

Illinois

Chris Boothman

-

Sep 17, 2018

18

How to Get from Midway to O’Hare Airport with No Hassle?

Have you experienced the disappointment of finding an awesome deal on a flight only to find out it is to an alternative airport to the one you were planning on flying into? Flying into Chicago frequently offers such problems as the Windy City is home to two major airports – Midway and O’Hare. If you have a connecting flight in the ‘other’ airport, it’s plausible that you will need to travel between the two which is sometimes more difficult than it should be. We want to share a few of our top tips on how to get from Midway to O’Hare in the shortest and most efficient way possible!

Travel bloggers like us are always looking to find great deals on flights and will go to extremes to book different flight legs to maximize discounts that may be available. As we planned our epic round the world trip, our starting city was Chicago, primarily because flights from there were much cheaper than out of Memphis. However, the most economical airline to fly from Memphis to Chicago is Southwest but of course, they only offer flights into Midway.

Let’s take a look at how you can easily connect between the two airports.

How to Get From Midway to O’Hare

CTA Rail

The best way to get from Midway to O’Hare is to use the CTA rail system. It’s efficient, it’s cheap and most importantly, it’s easy to navigate as long as you follow a couple of simple steps to ensure you alight at the correct stops.

This is the transportation we have used a couple of times and one that we used recently. We will discuss this in more detail later.

Taxi

According to the TaxiFareFinder website, you can expect to spend over $72 to travel between Midway and O’Hare. The trip distance is 28 miles with an anticipated time of around 48 minutes. This may be the quickest of all transportation methods but I doubt is the most cost-effective.

If you have a large party traveling with you, perhaps this will be the best alternative as you can split the cost but if you are traveling alone or with only your partner, it can be an expensive option.

Uber

A simple alternative to a traditional taxi would be to take an Uber between the two airports. The online Uber estimatorsuggests that you will pay around $40 to travel the same distance but clearly this is a more affordable option if you are looking for a convenient option.

Car Rental

It may sound like a crazy idea but renting a car is another option to get between the two airports. For around $40, you have the flexibility of taking the short drive while perhaps contemplating paying a visit to your favorite restaurant in between. This is certainly a more viable option than I’m sure many of you would consider.

CTA Rail – The Efficient Route

$5…that’s how much it costs to get from Midway to O’Hare using the CTA Rail System. Let me repeat that, FIVE DOLLARS (when I initially wrote this post it was actually only $3 each way!!!). Forget all of the other options that you might think are convenient and keep reading to find out exactly how easy it is to get between the two Chicago airports using this method.

The directions I am going to provide are to take you from Chicago Midway to Chicago O’Hare but just follow these in the opposite direction if you are heading the other way.

Step 1 – Midway Terminal to CTA Station

Follow directions at Chicago Midway to ‘Trains to City’. You will be taken on a short walk to the CTA station and this will take about 10 minutes from pretty much any gate at Midway.

Purchase a single-ride ticket for only $5 and this is the only ticket you will need for the journey!

Take ANY train heading towards the city of Chicago.

Step 2 – Change at Clark Station (Orange Line)

The journey from Midway to Clark station will take approximately 30 minutes on the ORANGE line but be sure to keep an eye out for this station because it’s critical that you alight here to take another train.

At Clark, you will be transferring from the ORANGE to the BLUE line.

Follow the signs “to the blue line” and head down the escalator before heading to the blue line platform.

Be prepared to experience some of Chicago’s winter conditions but don’t worry, you won’t be outside in the elements for long at Clark/Lake as you will soon be boaring your next train to O’Hare Airport.

Step 3 – Clark Station to O’Hare (Blue Line)

Travel along the blue line for about 35-40 minutes until you arrive at O’Hare International Airport.

Once you arrive at the airport station, you will need to determine whether you are flying from the domestic or international terminal and take the short walk to the appropriate location.

It’s about a 10-minute walk to the domestic terminal (terminals 1, 2 or 3) and a 15-minute walk to terminal 5 for international departures.

For those leaving the country, you will be required to hop on the O’Hare Airport Transit System to take you to terminal 5 but the airport has plenty of signs to point you in the right direction.

Summary

Traveling from one side of a city to another can seem like a daunting task especially if you are visiting somewhere like Chicago for the first time. However, hopefully after following our 3 step guide on how to get from Midway to O’Hare, you will soon become resident experts in making this simple journey without a hassle.

For only $5 per person, you would be crazy to choose any alternative method though I certainly understand some people prefer the convenience and simplicity of a taxi or Uber to take you from one spot to another.

We will be sharing some other guides in the near future of other cities around the world that have multiple major airports because we really think this is something that many travelers struggle to find useful information on. This opens a gateway to many different flight options and it’s feasible that you will dramatically cut the costs of your airfares by being flexible enough to connect between multiple airports.

Have you flown into one airport and then flown out of another within the same city? Would you consider taking this approach if you knew you could save a substantial amount on your travel costs?

Street Art in Oklahoma City – How to Find the Best Murals

Oklahoma

Chris Boothman

-

Sep 10, 2018

5

Street Art in Oklahoma City – How to Find the Best Murals

Street art is increasingly becoming the number one way to regenerate and transform a neighborhood and this is certainly the case in a destination like Oklahoma City. During our recent weekend getaway to OKC, we quickly decided that heading out with our friend Ashley from A Southern Gypsy to explore the best street art in Oklahoma City was an experience we couldn’t miss out on.

We have quickly fallen in love with street art examples around the world and honestly, this is one of the first areas of research we look into before visiting a new destination for the first time. Although there is still a clear divide between those that argue street art is no more than harmful graffiti and those that love this modern form of art, there is certainly no argument against the fact that street art done well can produce a creative masterpiece.

When we first started exploring street art, we specifically researched this in the context of “street art vs graffiti”. What exactly is the difference between the two and where do you draw the line? The more street art you experience, the more you will appreciate the unique differences between the two.

In my opinion, graffiti equals vandalism and no intent on urban regeneration. On the other hand, street art is about telling a story through the depiction of urban art.

Best Street Art in Oklahoma City

What street art thrives in the area? Which global artists have decided to leave their mark on the city? What style resonates with locals and visitors alike in the location? All of these are questions that everyone should ask before venturing out and exploring what is out there. This is certainly true before experiencing the best murals across Oklahoma City and it’s fair to say, this city is not short of awesome masterpieces!

As you head out to explore the diverse neighborhoods in Oklahoma City, you will quickly understand why doing a little research ahead of time is a good idea. There is A LOT of street art in OKC but with some careful planning, you can ensure that you capture the best murals during your tour of the city.

Oklahoma City epitomizes this “modern city” vibe that we have started to see across many cities, particularly in the United States. Utilizing street art as a mechanism to promote neighborhoods, drive tourism to the city, expand economic development in areas and regenerate locales that perhaps needed a little ‘TLC’ is definitely something that Oklahoma City has achieved.

Let’s take a look at some of the finest examples of street art around Oklahoma City and as with any location, it’s a constantly changing landscape and we would appreciate any comments below as you stumble across new murals across the city.

Automobile Alley

Although some of the murals around Oklahoma City can be a little tricky to find, that is certainly not the case around Automobile Alley. This neighborhood epitomizes the transformation that Oklahoma City has seen in recent decades and is at the forefront of further regeneration in the near future. Visitors can enjoy an eclectic blend of restaurants, bars, local boutique stores and of course, amazing street art!

The aptly named building “The Womb” is a vibrant display of colors with a myriad of eye-catching designs on both sides.

Take a stroll across the street and admire more spectacular designs. From the innovative artistry to the plethora of creative masterpieces, Automobile Alley isn’t short of murals waiting to be discovered.

Plaza District

The Plaza District is undoubtedly the highlight neighborhood for street art in Oklahoma City. The Plaza Walls project is the focal point of this trendy, vibrant neighborhood and is such a popular spot that even Google has sponsored this particular project.

As you stroll around the back alleys admiring the majestic artistry, you can certainly see why Google collaborated with the artists here.

The Plaza Walls are an ever-changing landscape so dependent on when you visit will likely determine exactly which “works of art” will be on display. One thing is for sure, the artists participating in this project are some of the best around Oklahoma City, so you will have an amazing experience regardless of the murals available.

Launched in September 2015, the Plaza Walls project was developed courtesy of The Oklahoma Mural Syndicate in an effort to provide a creative space for spontaneous street art. The lead curator in developing these creative masterpieces is Kristopher Kanaly and it’s thanks to his endeavors that has enabled this neighborhood to grow and thrive in recent years.

Downtown OKC

If you are an NBA fan or in particular, an Oklahoma City Thunder fan, you will immediately recognize the New Zealander portrayed on this gigantic mural located in the heart of downtown OKC!

Steven Adams’ career in Oklahoma City dates back to 2013 when this feisty character started wearing the Thunder colors. His personality on and off the basketball court quickly made Adams a fan favorite not only in Oklahoma City but across the NBA league.

Graham Hoete, an artist from New Zealand, was traveling around the United States when he visited Oklahoma City and spray painted this huge mural of Adams. Although his trip to the US was primarily focused on painting a tribute to Prince in Minneapolis, he had a personal desire to visit OKC to create this stunning masterpiece – it’s fair to say, he made quite the impression on the city!

Their whole family, bro, is huge inspirations. Role models. I thought man I gotta get to Oklahoma. Just to show some love, bro. I can’t go to the U.S. and not do one of the bro. (Graham Hoete)

This mural is one of many examples of street art in the Film Row neighborhood of Oklahoma City.

Western Avenue

One of the hidden neighborhoods that we stumbled across that was scattered with amazing murals was Western Avenue.

Although our attention was focused on sampling some of the best coffee in Oklahoma City at spots like All About Cha and Stella Nova, we quickly realized that Western Avenue was a hotspot for artistic excellence.

We strongly recommend either planning your route along Western Avenue in search of the best murals, particularly if you are utilizing Uber or public transportation because this is a long stretch covering several miles which makes it critical that you look in the right spots.

There are so many unique examples of street art along Western Avenue, unlike anywhere else in the city which makes this one of the best neighborhoods that we highly recommend checking out, particularly if you have access to a car which makes it much easier to experience.

Bricktown

First-time visitors to Oklahoma City should certainly have the Bricktown neighborhood on their radar for many reasons. The awesome river cruise that meanders through the Bricktown district, the eclectic blend of local restaurants offering a variety of delicious menu options, the Oklahoma City Dodgers minor league baseball team and course, the street art!

Although the Bricktown area isn’t quite as blessed as some of the other spots for having an abundance of street art, there are still several examples that are worth visiting. Cruising along the river will give you the opportunity to admire some amazing work, while your tour guide may give you a detailed story on exactly how a university professor was able to craft the amazing design in such a short time.

The yellow centennial walls that run parallel to the canal offer more street art examples but just take a stroll or hop on the awesome rental bikes available from Spokies to explore the rest of the Bricktown neighborhood…you never know what hidden gem you will stumble across next because new murals are popping up all the time!

Midtown

Given the proximity to Automobile Alley, I really could have incorporated Midtown into that neighborhood but there are so many cool and unique murals that really justifies having this in its own category.

Head on over to the Bleu Garten open-air hub to enjoy a beer or two and sample some of the fine cuisine available at the food trucks.

As you are indulging, take a moment to admire the awesome murals that are on the side of the fencing around this area and then head across the street to enjoy some of OKC’s finest street art.

“Greetings from OKC” featuring Route 66 and the iconic Midtown Plaza sign is one of the best murals across the city and definitely one that you will frequently see promoting the city.

Ready for a bite to eat? Head over to Waffle Champion to sample the BEST breakfast, brunch or pretty much any meal you want but before heading inside, take some time to admire the iconic mural on the side of the building…

All you need is love and waffles

The perfect combination right…

Regardless of your desire to satisfy your sweet tooth, the Midtown neighborhood epitomizes everything that we LOVE about Oklahoma City!

Summary

The more time we spend in Oklahoma City, the more it surprises us! There are so many cool things to see and experience that you would never associate with this city.

From the amazing coffee scene to the variety of trendy, urban neighborhoods, OKC is a city you cannot afford to ignore any longer.

And then you have the street art…For those of you that love street art, this is a city you will quickly fall in love with. However, even if you have no desire to experience the concept of “street art”, we would argue that OKC is the ideal place to start with such a vibrant blend of murals that will surely entice you to explore more.

The beauty of Oklahoma City is that this is a city that offers way more than just street art if you have a fond interest in the arts and culture scene of a destination. We strongly recommend checking out this awesome post by our friends, Rob and Ann from TravelLatte, on the best places to see great art in Oklahoma City!

Do you love exploring street art? Which city would you recommend visiting to enjoy awesome street art?

Nashville Murals – Guide to the Best Street Art in Music City

Tennessee

Chris Boothman

-

Sep 3, 2018

4

Nashville Murals – Guide to the Best Street Art in Music City

For anyone that still thinks that street art has a detrimental impact on the look and feel of an urban environment, it’s time to start re-thinking that philosophy. Street art is undoubtedly playing an integral role throughout the world in helping local communities display their creativity and depicting an untold story of the city that perhaps would never have been given an opportunity to be shared previously. Nashville is one of many US cities that have seen major benefits out of the thriving street art philosophy that is present throughout Music City. After reading this post, we are convinced that you will be raring to explore the best Nashville murals and your appreciation of street art will be much greater.

We have been fortunate to explore some of the best street art examples around the United States. Memphis street art is something that we are passionate about, simply because of the way this city has so much rich culture and history embedded into the local artistry. From the civil rights movement to thriving neighborhoods, Memphis is the perfect example of a city that has utilized street art to its benefit.

The best street art in Atlanta is another perfect example of a city that has gone through many traumatic years yet some of the best street art murals can be found in neighborhoods that were once renowned as spots visitors would never want to experience.

Given that Nashville is really a “home away from home” city for us, we felt it was time to head “off the beaten path” so to speak and start seeing how local artists envision their city and portray this through their works of art!

ethnic arts will help Nashville create a diverse and vibrant place for talent to flourish and creativity to grow. (Off the Wall Nashville)

Where to Find the Best Nashville Murals?

Whether you are an avid art critic or simply want to enjoy local creativity, there is no doubt that street art plays a dynamic role in highlighting some of the lesser known neighborhoods throughout a city. It’s fair to say that most folks visiting a city for the first time will likely head to the iconic tourist attractions. Nashville is no different! The Grand Ole Opry, Broadway, the Parthenon et al. are all examples of attractions that you cannot afford to miss.

But what about those hidden gems that are frequently forgotten? Street art is one of the best ways to lure visitors to these neighborhoods because not only will folks enjoy admiring the majestic masterpieces, they will also have the opportunity to explore other features that will likely attract their attention…they certainly did for us!

In 2016, Nashville started their “Nashville Walls Projects” where iconic street artists from across the globe landed in Music City to set about inspiring local artists to create their personalized pieces.

The Nashville Walls Project complements local resident artists’ efforts to do the following:

place Nashville on the map as a destination for large wall paintings and will provide visitors and residents access to high-quality art in a purely democratic medium. (Nashvillearts.com)

As you follow our journey around the eclectic collection of neighborhoods in Nashville, I am sure you will agree that Music City is now well and truly on the street art map!

I am going to be perfectly honest, during our recent trip to Nashville we saw a whole new side to this city and what we saw…we LOVED!! It’s actually sad to think that we fell into the trap along with many others of not actually seeing some of Nashville’s best neighborhoods.

All too often you allow yourselves to be influenced by norms and the unfortunate reality is that many of these lesser-known gems are frequently missed. We are now inspired to share these with you and “hopefully” convince you to NOT follow our initial philosophy and instead, even if you are visiting Nashville for the first time, to add these to your upcoming itinerary. You won’t regret it!

Let’s take a look at some of the best neighborhoods in Nashville to experience this eclectic blend of distinctive street art.

The Gulch

Let’s start with perhaps the most iconic example of street art around Nashville. Whether you agree with this being the most creative and unique, it’s difficult to argue that there are many others that are more popular. The “What Lifts You Wings” known locally as the “Wings Mural” is a masterpiece created by Kelsey Montague located in The Gulch neighborhood, one of Nashville’s coolest up and coming communities.

The Wings are 20-feet tall and unsurprisingly attract visitors from across the globe to form a line as they prepare to capture the perfect picture. Once a thriving industrial location, The Gulch has been transformed into a trendy hotspot of bars, restaurants and of course, street art!

But the Wings are not the only example of street art in this neighborhood. The Nashville Walls Project that I referenced earlier saw The Gulch as the perfect community to introduce global street artists with their local counterparts and create a couple of huge murals that epitomize the vibrant colors adopted throughout Nashville.

As we continue our adventure around Nashville’s street art scene, you will see that these color schemes can be found in every neighborhood.

12South

For the “foodies” out there, you may well know that Nashville’s 12South neighborhood is one of the most popular culinary scenes throughout the city. The neighborhood is named after “12th Avenue South” which is the heart and soul of this area. Although you may be tempted to allow the diverse collection of dining options to sway your attention, the street art scene is definitely not something you can afford to miss.

Why not park your vehicle in the parking lot at Sevier Park and take a leisurely stroll through this urban greenspace before exploring the best of 12South’s artistic flair? The “Make Music Not War” mural will likely be the first one that you stumble across, directly opposite a floral collection that will surely put you in a positive mood for the rest of the day.

Reese Witherspoon’s Draper James store is not only a spot for visitors to enjoy a little retail therapy as the blue and white decor is the perfect backdrop for creative photo ops.

In the alley by Draper James is an artistic “I Believe in Nashville” mural while just a short walk along 12th Avenue back towards Sevier Park on the opposite side offers a “Nashville at Heart” rainbow design.

East Nashville

Head across the Cumberland River to East Nashville and you could be forgiven for thinking that this is yet another neighborhood that perhaps wouldn’t be too enticing to visitors. However, this is far from the truth and there are several spots in East Nashville that will immediately attract your attention, none more so than the areas along Gallatin Avenue, Five Points and the Shoppes at Fatherland.

For Heather and I, we stumbled across a mural that immediately jumped to the very top of not only our favorites in Nashville but perhaps anywhere in the world. The depiction of Microsoft’s Bill Gates and Apple’s former CEO, Steve Jobs, is perfect for “tech lovers” but if you are not all that enamored by the sight of the original Macintosh or Windows 3.1 operating system, there are plenty of other murals that will capture your attention.

East Nashville street art is honestly best explored by car, simply because there is a large area to cover and to try and attempt all of this on foot is a pretty tall order. After crossing the Cumberland River, take your time down Main Street before taking Gallatin Avenue and you will likely stumble across some other gems that we missed.

Don’t forget to share all of your favorites in the comments below because as you know, street art is constantly changing and as soon as this post goes live, there will likely be something new out there.

Hillsboro Village

The relaxing environment of Hillsboro Village is famous for being home to Nashville’s best breakfast spot – the Pancake Pantry! Because of this iconic location, it’s an incredibly popular neighborhood and although there is an eclectic blend of restaurants, coffee shops, and local boutique establishments, it’s the street art that we were most enamored by.

The large Hillsboro Village murals are a friendly and vibrant welcome to the neighborhood. The dragon mural is another of Nashville’s finest examples of street art but it’s the friendly feel throughout this neighborhood that attracts so many visitors.

We recommend getting to Hillsboro Village early and taking advantage of the parking lot behind the Pancake Pantry, otherwise, you will be fighting with plenty of other locals and visitors alike to try and find a spot along the street which is very limited.

Germantown

Perhaps the most symbolic of all the street art throughout Nashville can be found in the Germantown neighborhood, just a short drive from iconic attractions such as the Tennessee State Capitol and Bicentennial Mall.

The “Nashville Scenes” depict the story of Nashville in a series of murals painted on the metal walls of the buildings that line Rosa Parks Boulevard.

We parked outside Werthan Lofts which is a perfect location to cross Rosa Parks Boulevard and admire the infamous scenes we associate with Music City. Don’t forget to walk around the corner along Taylor Street to see the scene of the nearby Bicentennial Mall.

Charlotte Avenue

If you are looking for an area of Nashville where there is a whole bunch of street art in a small stretch, look no further than Charlotte Avenue. Park your vehicle in the AVO restaurant parking lot (next to the fitness center) and be careful crossing Charlotte Avenue to admire the incredible street art.

The collection of murals along Charlotte Avenue was created by the “Off The Wall” project when the decision was made to take advantage of the 1000-foot concrete wall that stretches along this corridor.

Here is the mission of this project:

The project’s goal is to contribute to the responsible vitalization of the Charlotte Corridor with the creation of a world-class outdoor urban contemporary art installation and to foster the diversified spirit needed for a community to thrive through arts participation and exposure. (Off The Wall Nashville)

As you stand along Charlotte Avenue admiring the undoubted creativity of the designs, it’s difficult to resist appreciating the fact that Nashville truly has a “world-class outdoor urban contemporary art” display in a plethora of areas.

Summary

Just like many people associate music with bringing people together, I believe that art has the same effect and Nashville epitomizes the way in which this can have a positive impact on local communities.

We barely touched the surface with the myriad of murals on display throughout Nashville and we were talking with our friend Ashley from A Southern Gypsy who resides in Music City because she is looking at putting together a full list of all street art locations around the city.

As she correctly noted, it’s an incredibly daunting prospect because there are so many new murals being created every week. The reality though is that this is a good thing because it helps foster local creativity and collectively creates a better city for everyone to appreciate.

Nashville’s eclectic street art scene is one that I think everyone will appreciate. From tech lovers to country music aficionados, you can be sure that there is a mural somewhere that will immediately capture your imagination.

Best Coffee in Oklahoma City – 5 Places Not to Be Missed

Oklahoma

Chris Boothman

-

Aug 27, 2018

10

Best Coffee in Oklahoma City – 5 Places Not to Be Missed

“A cup of coffee shared with a friend is happiness tasted and time well spent” – a quote that many of you may be familiar with and one that instantly resonates with us given our love of stumbling across coffee shops on our travels. Our recent trip to Oklahoma City was no different and having heard about all the best local spots in and around the city, we were anxious to experience this for ourselves. Searching for the best coffee in Oklahoma City is an experience you won’t regret and hopefully, our guide will give you an insight into some of the best local coffee shops that should be on your radar.

What do you look for in a coffee shop? Is it all about the quality of coffee? Perhaps you look for a relaxing atmosphere where you can enjoy your favorite book, catch up on some work or simply socialize with friends over a delicious cup of Joe! It’s fair to say that we search for all the above when exploring the best coffee shops. Whether you are a local coffee shop or Starbucks aficionado, we honestly won’t judge because honestly, we LOVE both experiences!

But this post is not about Starbucks or other chain coffee shops that you may stumble across in US cities, rather this is about finding the best local spots in Oklahoma City!

Best Coffee in Oklahoma City

We all have our own favorite beverage, whether it be a strong black coffee or a sweeter concoction such as a caramel macchiato or similar espresso, but when you visit a new coffee shop, the likelihood is that you will be interested in either comparing your favorite beverage or maybe sampling something unique to that location.

Oklahoma City is blessed to have a wide selection of coffee shops. Sure, the traditional Starbucks chain can be found across the city but again, this is all about the local establishments that are popping up around the heard of OKC and honestly, thriving due to local communities embracing their quality and overall experience the baristas offer.

We sampled five different coffee shops during our recent 48 hours in Oklahoma City (pretty crazy that we visited so many but we LOVE our coffee!) alongside our fellow coffee experts, Rob/Ann from TravelLatte (how cool is that for a coffee inspired blog name right?) and Ashley from A Southern Gypsy!

Elemental Coffee
Stella Nova
Leaf + Bean
Coffee Slingers
All About Cha

This is certainly not an exhaustive list of coffee shops across Oklahoma City but it gives a pretty good insight into the availability of trendy spots worth visiting around the city.

Let’s take a look at each of these spots and find out why each one is unique and appealing to locals and visitors alike.

Elemental Coffee

After spending an emotional and poignant experience at the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, we headed across the street to an industrial looking coffee shop that immediately captured our attention.

Elemental Coffee is the perfect spot to grab a coffee, a light snack or even lunch after experiencing Oklahoma City’s iconic attraction.

a community-driven company dedicated to producing the finest coffee while providing our customers with the best service imaginable

When you hear that Elemental Coffee’s philosophy is to produce the “finest coffee” yet still maintaining the best customer service, you know you are visiting a coffee shop that is full of potential. Let me tell you, both the quality of coffee and service does not disappoint!

Elemental Coffee is undoubtedly a popular spot for locals to “hang out” and catch up on work as you frequently see folks connected while enjoying their latte or selection of coffees brewed from the finest beans found across the globe.

From Nicaraguan to Ethiopian, Elemental Coffee has a diverse blend of beans to choose from!

If you are looking to enjoy Elemental Coffee’s piece de resistance menu item, be sure to order a salted chocolate chip cookie! I’m not a huge chocolate chip cookie fan but even I have to admit, this is possibly the BEST cookie I have ever tasted.

elemental coffee salted chocolate chip cookie

With a selection of muffins and other pastries to choose from, you will have a tough time choosing something but honestly, the cookie is something you won’t regret purchasing.

Address

815 N Hudson Ave,
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
Tel: (405) 633-1703
Website: http://elementalcoffee.com/

Stella Nova

Stella Nova is AWESOME…there really is no other word to describe this place but we instantly fell in love with it. Everything you could ever wish for in a coffee shop can be found inside Stella Nova, located on Western Avenue in Oklahoma City.

The only drawback is that if you are visiting OKC and planning on staying in the downtown vicinity, it’s a few miles away from the heartbeat of the city but let me tell you, it’s well worth the effort to drive or take an Uber there.

Relaxing, chic, ambient, modern, cozy…the list of superlatives to describe Stella Nova is endless! From the outside, you immediately realize you are at a pretty special place. The coffee mug that stands atop the building and the immediate vibe with the font and name itself is enough to entice you through the door.

It’s a combination of Starbucks and local establishment, creating the perfect environment to enjoy everything you could wish for in a coffee shop. I am not exaggerating when I say that you could easily spend all day relaxing here.

With a plethora of coffee options to choose from, light snacks and much more, Stella Nova epitomizes Oklahoma City’s coffee shop culture.

Our mission is to be your neighbor, your first item on your to-do list, and your favorite drink. Each drink is made specially for you.

Address

4716 N Western Ave,
Oklahoma City, OK 73118
Tel: (405) 605-2563
Website: http://www.stellanova.com/

Leaf + Bean

If you are looking for a simplistic coffee environment, Leaf + Bean is the ideal place to enjoy a quick espresso. The bright, open-space location is located in the heart of the Deep Deuce district of Oklahoma City, directly next to an area of apartments that appear to have been renovated by old shipping containers.

Leaf + Bean is designed perfectly to match the rest of the locale, both on the exterior and when you walk inside this urban coffee shop.

Good coffees.
Good peoples.
Good vibes.

It’s a pretty simple philosophy that Leaf + Bean aspires to and I think they are going the right way of achieving all of the above.

The atmosphere is conducive to both studying and mingling with friends and the coffee on offer is a pretty good standard.

Although Leaf + Bean wouldn’t be my first choice of coffee shops in Oklahoma City, it’s certainly a place worth visiting if you are in the neighborhood and are looking for a quick cup of coffee.

The barista was very knowledgeable in highlighting the various tea options available and having this friendly customer service is something that goes a long way when reviewing the overall experience.

Address

321 N Oklahoma Ave Suite 107,
Oklahoma City, OK 73104

2901 N May Ave,
Oklahoma City, OK 73112

Website: https://leafandbeanokc.com/

Coffee Slingers

Automobile Alley is one of the best neighborhoods in Oklahoma City in terms of how it has seen a recent transformation from historic auto dealers to an eclectic blend of restaurants, boutique local stores and of course, an awesome coffee shop known as Coffee Slingers.

When you look at the history of this neighborhood, back in the 1920s this was a thriving area for local auto dealers but in the 70s and 80s, this area fell into a state of decline until the recent revitalization took place.

Coffee Slingers epitomizes everything about the history of this neighborhood.

Relationship coffee + handcrafted beverages

The spacious interior of this coffee shop provides locals and visitors alike the perfect workspace, while at the far end of this shop, visitors can enjoy a roasting workshop.

A diverse menu is available, from the traditional beverages you can expect in a coffee shop to a variety of local specialties that may spark your interest.

Address

1015 N Broadway Ave,
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
Tel: (405) 919-0529
Website: https://www.coffeeslingers.com/

All About Cha

Why not save the best for last and head to the wonderfully named All About Cha coffee shop? In terms of creativity with menu options and beverage options, this is by far the coolest experience of any of the Oklahoma City coffee shops that we visited.

If the presentation is important to you when receiving your beverage/snack of choice, All About Cha goes above and beyond.

Take a moment to admire this cake we purchased. Is it the cake itself or perhaps the awesome design the barista added to the plate that makes this sweet treat irresistible? It’s the small things that are memorable and add value to your experience.

Ok, so this relatively small cake was $5 which isn’t cheap but when you see the extent to which All About Cha goes to provide you with the ultimate experience, it’s well worth indulging.

A variety of Korean specialty beverages are available, notably a diverse blend of green tea concoctions and “Freddos” which are infused sweet teas combined with honey, milk, and ice. Heather opted for the Lemon Freddo and I stayed with a more traditional iced Caramel Macchiato and it’s fair to say that both choices didn’t disappoint.

Address

7300 N Western Ave,
Oklahoma City, OK 73116
Tel: (405) 840-7725
Website: http://allaboutcha.net/

Summary

Oklahoma City may not be the first place you think about in terms of having a great coffee shop scene but after spending 48 hours exploring some of the best spots across the city, we would argue that this is a place that should definitely be on your radar if you love coffee.

Each location that we visited offered something unique but in terms of the overall coffee shop experience, we think that Stella Nova ranks as the best, at least in our opinion. You cannot go wrong with any of the five that we reviewed but ultimately, it’s personal preference and exactly what you look for in a coffee shop.

If you are simply looking to grab a morning coffee and read a book, Leaf + Bean is likely going to be a great choice, whereas, for those of you looking to do some work, Coffee Slingers, All About Cha and of course, Stella Nova are the best choices.

48 Hours in Oklahoma City – Enjoy the Best Things to Do and Eat

Oklahoma

Chris Boothman

-

Aug 20, 2018

4

48 Hours in Oklahoma City – Enjoy the Best Things to Do and Eat

Oklahoma City…what’s the first thing that springs to mind? It’s ok, you can be completely honest with yourselves and admit that there probably isn’t too much that immediately pops into your head unless you have visited this city previously. For those of you that do have something in mind, perhaps it will be the tragic events in 1995 that will long live in the memories of OKC locals. However, after reading this post, we are convinced that you will be raring to book a trip to the heart of Oklahoma and experience at least 48 hours in Oklahoma City for yourselves.

We have been fortunate to visit Oklahoma City on two separate occasions. Each time was completely different from the other, epitomizing just how this city has a diverse blend of neighborhoods, attractions and much more than will easily keep you occupied for several days.

Regardless of how you travel, what your interests are or what types of cuisine you love, we are 100% sure that Oklahoma City has something for everyone. A pretty bold statement to make but one that I believe after reading this post you will completely agree with.

Let’s take a moment to look at a stereotype that this city faces. Oklahoma City does not have the immediate glamor and wow factor that will attract millions of visitors from across the globe without a little effort. But that in itself is what intrigues us so much about this city.

The beauty of OKC is that it offers an eclectic range of things to do yet with a real local feel that welcomes every visitor to the city. Oklahoma City is one that you can easily enjoy a long weekend getaway (or even longer if you have time!), so let’s take a look at exactly what you can enjoy around this beautiful metropolis.

48 Hours in Oklahoma City

READY…SET…GO…that’s pretty much how you need to be prepared to experience Oklahoma City!! There is A LOT to do, a lot to see and a lot of epic places to eat and drink while hopping around the city.

If you only have 48 hours to experience the heartbeat of Oklahoma, well you should probably keep reading on and follow our recommended itinerary to enjoy the very best of this city. I will add the caveat right now, you cannot really go wrong with following our guide but should you prefer a little spontaneity, there are plenty more things to enjoy in OKC!

Day 1

Breakfast at Waffle Champion
Enjoy Art and “Urban Chic” decor in 21c Museum Hotel
Ride the Santa Monica Wheel in the Wheeler District
Evening Water Taxi Ride Through Bricktown District
Dinner at The Jones Assembly

Day 2

Brunch at Mary Eddy’s
Experience the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum
Explore Downtown Oklahoma City with “Spokies”
Dinner at Cafe do Brasil or Fassler Hall

The Waffle Champion Experience

If you are visiting Oklahoma City for the first time, there is a staple requirement that we feel everyone needs to experience – Waffle Champion. You could be forgiven for immediately associating this with the stereotypical “Waffle House” experience but this is anything but that type of place. In fact, I would argue that Waffle Champion is perhaps one of the best places to experience breakfast regardless of location.

A pretty high standard we have set but after you visit, I’m sure you will agree this place is awesome! Open daily between 7:00 AM and 2:00 PM and then late in the evening on Friday and Saturday, Waffle Champion is an urban eatery offering more than just your traditional waffle experience.

Be prepared to arrive early, otherwise, you can expect a pretty long wait as you wrap around the corner…don’t worry though, you will be entertained with the mural on the side of the building that is certainly appropriate for this location!

For those of you that want the stereotypical Southern fare, try the Chicken and Waffles but whether you prefer sweet or savory, you can be sure that Waffle Champion will have something that makes your taste buds salivate.

It’s fair to say that anyone with a sweet tooth won’t be able to resist the variety of delectable looking dishes at Waffle Champion. From the Raspberries and Cream to the Banana Cream Pie, you should probably be prepared to have an incredibly tough decision on what to devour.

Regardless of your choice, the moment the waffle touches the tip of your tongue, you will know that Waffle Champion is a place you will want to return to time and time again…perhaps even on the same trip to Oklahoma City!

You may have noticed in the above itinerary that on day 1, we skipped lunch…after eating Waffle Champion, you will quickly realize why we did this because you will be pretty full for the majority of the day.

Address

1212 N Walker Ave #100
Oklahoma City, OK 73107
Tel: (405) 525-9235
Website – http://www.wafflechampion.com/

21c Museum Hotel

Looking for somewhere to stay in Oklahoma City? Why not consider a hotel that has been transformed from the former home of the Ford Motor Company into an “urban-chic” and trendy accommodation option, combined with a modern art museum that has a plethora of exhibits on display that will challenge your imagination and creativity.

Whether you are an avid art critic or simply someone who enjoys perusing art galleries, 21c Museum Hotel in the heart of downtown Oklahoma City will surely entice you into admiring the art galleries throughout the building.

For those of you that opt to stay here, and we can 100% attest that this is an AWESOME option, you can enjoy gorgeous, high-ceiling rooms with huge windows that allow an abundance of natural light to flow through and create the perfect, relaxing environment to enjoy a good nights sleep before exploring more of the city.

Perfectly situated just a short walk from the Myriad Botanical Gardens, you can easily access many of Oklahoma City’s iconic neighborhoods from this hotel.

Contemporary art is the heart of the 21c experience.

If you prefer to stay elsewhere, take some time to explore the exhibits as many of these are unique and epitomize the contemporary art scene that they are representing.

Address

900 W Main St,
Oklahoma City, OK 73106
Tel: (405) 982-6900
Website – https://www.21cmuseumhotels.com/oklahomacity/

Wheeler Ferris Wheel

The Wheeler Riverfront Plaza is home to a Ferris Wheel, formerly located on the Santa Monica pier in California. Love a little bit of trivia? The Wheeler Ferris Wheel was purchased by Grant Humphreys in 2008 for a little over $130,000. There may be anything too unusual about that but when you learn that Humphreys purchased this by bidding on an eBay auction, well it adds a little craziness to the story!

Today, visitors to the Wheeler neighborhood can enjoy the gorgeous wheel for only $6 while admiring the breathtaking Oklahoma City skyline. Be sure to capture a selfie with the skyline and the large OKC letters that stand proudly in front of the Ferris wheel.

Visiting this part of Oklahoma City is more than just about riding the former Santa Monica Ferris wheel. A roofed area provides an opportunity for locals and visitors alike to test their skills on a ping pong table or perhaps a game of life-sized Connect 4 is a little more appealing.

Exhausted by the thought of spending an action-packed 48 hours exploring the best of OKC? Don’t worry, you can kick your feet up and hop on one of the hammocks while listening to typical fair music and enjoying the spectacular sunset beyond the OKC skyline!

Address

1701 S Western Ave,
Oklahoma City, OK 73109
Tel: (405) 655-8455
Website – https://www.wheelerdistrict.com/ferris-wheel/

Bricktown Water Taxi

Hop aboard the awesome Bricktown Water Taxi to enjoy a relaxing cruise through the heart of the vibrant Bricktown entertainment district. This neighborhood epitomizes the recent transformation of Oklahoma City and is now a hub of eclectic restaurants, bars and of course, the headquarters of Sonic can be found located along the banks of the canals that intertwine this area.

The beauty of purchasing a ticket to the Bricktown Water Taxi is that you will receive a day pass that can be utilized multiple times. We strongly recommend taking a tour during the day and for those of you that want to enjoy a romantic late evening cruise, why not head out again after dusk and enjoy the bright lights of OKC as you cruise around the canals.

Local guides will provide commentary throughout the 40-minute cruise, pointing out key landmarks and sharing a historical perspective on how the Bricktown neighborhood has evolved.

The water taxi dates back to the turn of the century and for many folks that haven’t been back to OKC in many years, this is definitely a part of the city that has seen huge redevelopment, the majority of which has been paid for by the local citizen taxation policy known as “MAPS” that was put in place in 1993 (voted for by locals!)

Address

111 S Mickey Mantle Dr,
Oklahoma City, OK 73104
Tel: (405) 234-8294
Website – https://bricktownwatertaxi.com/

The Jones Assembly

Renowned as an “industrial chic” location to enjoy dinner and late night entertainment, “The Jones Assembly” is the perfect place to experience some of Oklahoma City’s finest cuisine and beverage selections.

The moment you walk through the doors, you immediately realize you are in a pretty special place. Gorgeous decor throughout the restaurant highlighted by the collection of 8-track tapes on the wall is just the start of your experience.

Oklahoma City’s newest destination for food, spirits, and music is located on the west end of downtown on historic Film Row. (TheJonesassembly.com)

When it comes to browsing the menu, it’s fair to say the eclectic collection of cuisine options will surely entice your interest. From the appetizing sound of octopus or fried okra for an appetizer to a diverse range of entree options, the Jones Assembly is not short of options from across the globe.

Heather sampled one of the pizzas while I had to sample a little southern fare with the Nashville Hot Chicken. It’s one of those places that regardless of your palate, you can’t really go wrong with any of the menu options.

Enjoying the delicious cuisine is just part of the experience as the temptation of sampling one of the fine cocktails or other concoctions will surely be too strong to resist. How does the thought of a “Dagwell Dixie” sound? Or perhaps you are intrigued by the possibility of indulging in a “Fire Emoji”?

Whether you are a cocktail connoisseur or simply prefer the thought of sampling one of the many craft beers on tap, the Jones Assembly has unlimited beverage options to meet everyone’s taste buds.

Address

901 W Sheridan Ave,
Oklahoma City, OK 73106
Tel: (405) 212-2378
Website – http://www.thejonesassembly.com/

Brunch at Mary Eddy’s

If you followed our above recommendation of staying at the 21c Museum Hotel, why not head downstairs after a relaxing night’s sleep and enjoy a delicious brunch at the in-house restaurant – Mary Eddy’s. Even if you are not staying at this hotel, you are welcome to experience this modern restaurant. Offering an extensive menu of breakfast and lunch items, Mary Eddy’s showcases yet another unique side of Oklahoma City’s “foodie” scene.

Chef Jason Campbell’s bold and eclectic take on “New American” cuisine is definitely apparent throughout the menu and if you are looking for traditional breakfast fare, perhaps you should think outside the box and indulge in one of the appetizing brunch items.

Menus playfully combine bold, unexpected flavors and celebrate regional, seasonal products. (Maryeddy’s.com)

The Smoked Pork Hash offers a decadent blend of pimento cheese, pickled peppers, crispy potatoes, and a “coddled” egg in the heart of the dish, waiting for you to slide your knife through and watch the yolk explode across the rest of the ingredients.

This is arguably the ultimate “brunch” dish but if you are looking for something a little more traditional, the Eggs Benedict featuring chicken-jalapeno sausage, red chili hollandaise sauce, and a coddled egg is certainly a great choice.

The cocktail selection at Mary Eddy’s offers the perfect way to start your day with an early morning aperitif. The Boozy Blossom features prosecco, hibiscus, orange blossom, and orange juice but perhaps the more traditional Bucks Fizz (renowned as the “original mimosa”) is more appealing.

For the vegans out there, Mary Eddy’s has a number of options available, just like many other restaurants across Oklahoma City. If you are interested in finding out more about the available menu items here that are Vegan-friendly, check out this awesome guide to Vegan restaurants in Oklahoma City by our friend Ashley from Wild Hearted.

Address

900 W Main St,
Oklahoma City, OK 73106
Tel: (405) 982-6960
Website – https://www.maryeddysokc.com/

Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum

For the majority of Oklahoma City locals, there is one historic event that changed their perspective on life and today, the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum is an attraction that EVERY visitors to OKC should experience. On April 19, 1995, Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols committed an act of terror that killed 168 innocent individuals when they bombed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in the heart of downtown Oklahoma City.

Visiting the OKC National Memorial and Museum is just like any other tribute to a historic event that saw innocent people lose their lives. Poignant, somber, moving and even distressing are all words you will likely use to describe the experience inside this museum.

However, at the same time, this experience is all about another word – transformation! Oklahoma City will NEVER FORGET the people that lost their lives and all the thousands of individuals that helped on that tragic day but this is a city that exemplifies how a location can recover and move forward after such a catastrophe.

Address

620 N Harvey Ave,
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
Website – https://oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org/

Explore Downtown with Spokies

After spending much of your trip to Oklahoma City indoors, head downtown and explore the various surrounding neighborhoods on a bicycle courtesy of Spokies. The only bike share program in Oklahoma City offers locals and visitors alike, the opportunity to explore the very best of OKC’s neighborhoods.

We love exploring the local creativity on display through the various street art murals and hopping on a Spokies bike is an ideal way to accomplish this.

Throughout downtown OKC, various base stations are located where you can use the Spokies app and rent a bike. A 2-day pass is available and as long as you “dock” your bike every hour, you can take unlimited trips around the city.

Dinner at Fassler Hall or Cafe do Brasil

If you have been fortunate enough to travel to Germany, you will know that the German locals love to drink beer. What better way to celebrate the end of your Oklahoma City trip than by visiting a traditional German beer hall.

Fassler Hall epitomizes the German beer drinking culture and it’s the perfect place to enjoy a couple of pints with friends while listening to live entertainment.

Traditional German cuisine featuring Bratwurst among many other types of sausage, pretzels, Spätzle, and Schnitzel are all available on the diverse menu.

Even if you don’t intend on dining at Fassler Hall, be sure to enjoy an appetizer or two while sampling some of Germany’s finest beer selection right here in Oklahoma City.

german cuisine fassler hall oklahoma city

Although the live music at Fassler Hall offers great entertainment, if you are looking to chat among friends and reflect on your experience in Oklahoma City, take a short walk over to Cafe do Brasil to enjoy dinner or head upstairs to the Bossa Nova Caipirinha Lounge where you can enjoy tapas and a selection of Brazilian inspired beverages.

Fassler Hall Address

421 NW 10th St,
Oklahoma City, OK 73103
Tel: (405) 609-3300
Website – https://www.fasslerhall.com/

Cafe do Brasil Address

440 NW 11th St #100,
Oklahoma City, OK 73103
Tel: (405) 525-9779
Website – http://www.cafedobrazilokc.com/

Summary

Oklahoma City is one of the best cities to experience if you only have 48 hours. For many cities, 48 hours is barely enough to scratch the surface but although it’s feasible to spend much longer in the capital of Oklahoma, spending a weekend here is a great length of time to find out exactly why this is such an amazing city.

When you visit OKC for the first time, you cannot help but be pleasantly surprised and shocked by what you see. I will openly admit that during our first visit in 2015, I had no idea what to expect and I left the city realizing that any negative stereotypes surrounding Oklahoma City should be quickly dismissed.

Going back a few years later on our recent trip, this was the perfect opportunity to see how this city has developed, re-visit some old traditions that you cannot afford to miss on any visit (e.g. Waffle Champion, National Memorial Museum and the Bricktown Water Taxi) and share our personal experiences with some of our friends in the travel blogging industry.

Something called ‘the Oklahoma Standard’ became known throughout the world. It means resilience in the face of adversity. It means a strength and compassion that will not be defeated. (Brad Henry)

I’m sure that Ashley from A Southern Gypsy and Rob and Ann from TravelLatte will agree that this is a place that far exceeded any expectations they had prior to visiting.

We hope that you will be inspired to visit Oklahoma City in the near future and share your experiences in this beautiful city. We cannot wait to return and experience more of the “Oklahoma Standard” that this city has become notorious for…”resilience in the face of adversity” and definitely something you can see throughout the city!

SaveSave

10 Awesome Things to Do in Orlando Besides Theme Parks

Florida

Chris Boothman

-

Aug 13, 2018

10

10 Awesome Things to Do in Orlando Besides Theme Parks

Orlando, Florida…The home of Walt Disney World! It’s true, everyone that hears the word “Orlando” immediately thinks about Disney World and obviously for good reason. When you add Universal Studios and SeaWorld, it’s no surprise at all to hear that the majority of people associate Orlando with theme parks. But what about visiting Orlando without contemplating any of this? Don’t worry, it’s actually not that crazy at all and we want to highlight some of the best things to do in Orlando besides theme parks!

Millions of visitors every year visit these amazing theme parks. Many will try to experience Disney World in one day as we did while others will enjoy a week-long vacation on-site at either Disney or Universal.

The number of resources available on the web, in print and around Orlando for theme parks is unbelievable and honestly, it can be a little overwhelming because you have no idea where to begin. Add to the fact this makes it difficult to know what else there is to do in Orlando and well, it’s understandable why there is such a stereotype about “Orlando and its theme parks.”

Orlando is a city that we have fallen in love with for many reasons. Yes, we LOVE visiting Disney World and Universal Studios but there is so much more to this vibrant city in the heart of Florida and we are excited to share some of our other favorite experiences in a city nicknamed “The City Beautiful.” After reading our post, perhaps you will see why Orlando has such a nickname!

Things to Do in Orlando Besides Theme Parks

From exploring the great outdoors with the finest natural beauty in the area to a myriad of amazing experiences for all the family to enjoy, Orlando is 100% more than just a haven of epic theme parks! Whether you are heading to Orlando to enjoy a little retail therapy at the various outlet malls or simply want to enjoy the city’s fine local cuisine, you can be sure that any length of trip will be occupied with an abundance of things to do.

I could easily have put together a post highlighting 100 things to do outside of Orlando’s theme parks but to make this a little more user-friendly, I wanted to focus on just 10 of the very best experiences that we have encountered.

ICON Orlando Eye (Entertainment)
Experience I-Drive Orlando (Entertainment)
Enjoy a Mini-Golf Adventure (Entertainment)
Day Trip to Kennedy Space Center (Entertainment)
Old Town Orlando (Entertainment)
Orlando Premium Outlets (Shopping)
Mall at Millenia (Shopping)
Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve (Nature)
Harry P. Leu Gardens (Nature)
Explore Lake Eola (Nature)

A diverse blend of options for all the family to enjoy. Whether you are looking for entertainment, shopping or an opportunity to allow yourselves to embrace Orlando’s finest nature, we have put together a collection of the best spots to enjoy these three key themes.

Let’s take a brief look at why we think each of these should be on your radar for your next “Orlando trip sans theme parks!”

ICON Orlando Eye

What better way to start your Orlando adventure than by heading over to the infamous International Drive (more on this whole area later) and experiencing epic birds-eye views of Orlando and the surrounding area. Head to the amazing ICON Orlando Eye, a 400ft Ferris wheel that towers above Orlando and provides breathtaking panoramic scenes around the city.

The ICON Orlando Eye travels at a leisurely 1mph, so you don’t need to worry that once you are onboard one of the pods that you will be heading on an epic rollercoaster…you can save that experience for another Orlando visit to one of the theme parks! For 22 minutes, you will enjoy amazing landscapes of Orlando and have the opportunity to pick out your favorite attractions in the region.

Whether you choose to visit during the day or at night, you can be sure that your journey around the ICON Orlando Eye will leave you with many amazing memories.

The ICON Orlando Eye is open daily between 10:00 AM and 2:00 AM.

A number of ticket options are available for visitors. Although the $26 price tag for adults for a “one-time” visit may seem a little high for a 22-minute ride, take a look at the annual pass options because, for as low as $69, you can enjoy unlimited journeys around this awesome attraction!

Full details of the available ticket options can be found here: ICON Orlando Eye

I-Drive Orlando

Orlando may be spoiled with having not one but two amazing theme parks! But again, what about if you are inclined to visit this beautiful city and stay 100% away from them? Head over to the heartbeat of the city along International Drive. Nicknamed “I-Drive,” this popular street is home to a myriad of attractions, entertainment options, hotels ranging from budget to high-end luxury and of course, a variety of delicious restaurants.

You are already aware of the ICON Orlando Eye locating on I-Drive but what else can you experience here? The Escape Game is the ultimate experience for you and your team to try and find your way through a series of puzzles in order to escape. Do you have the quick-thinking skills, determination, will to win, patience and teamwork to escape?

I’m sure you have heard of 3D and even 4D experiences but what about a 7D encounter? That’s right, head over to I-Drive and enjoy the 7D Dark Ride Adventure where you will experience lights, sound, wind, and an interactive game.

The Ripley’s Believe It or Not is one of the coolest buildings along I-Drive and that’s just from the outside. If you are ready to enjoy all the weird and wonderful things associated with Ripley’s, this is definitely an attraction you won’t want to miss.

SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium can be found in the same spot as ICON Orlando Eye and is a great opportunity to learn all about an eclectic array of marine creatures from across the globe.

International Drive is also the perfect place to find a great hotel and we strongly recommend considering the Hilton Orlando International Drive if you want a luxury, yet affordable, accommodation option in the perfect location to enjoy “non-Disney” experiences!

Mini Golf in Orlando

Orlando is home to a number of awesome mini-golf courses which are always a great way for all the family to relax and enjoy a fun-filled couple of hours. There are several “branded” mini-golf adventures across Orlando, starting with Congo River which has locations in Kissimmee and on International Drive.

Pirate’s Cove is another “chain” with a location on I-Drive and also close to Disney Springs. The beauty of this adventure is that the intricate details of the course are such that you cannot help but admire these amazing surroundings, which in turn, can actually have a negative effect on your golf game.

Get ready for an exhilarating experience while you hit the links because these mini-golf courses across Orlando are both fun and challenging. They will test even the serious golfers out there and honestly, even the pros can be left looking like a fool on some of these “awkward” hole designs!

Kennedy Space Center Day Trip

One of the best reasons to visit Orlando is being able to head over to Cape Canaveral and enjoy an awesome experience at the Kennedy Space Center. It’s fair to say that you can easily spend a full day there and the hard part will be figuring out exactly what you want to experience because there are so many cool attractions there.

The Kennedy Space Center bus tour is the highlight experience as you are taken on a guided tour of the launchpads and Vehicle Assembly Building. That’s right, you have the opportunity to see with your very eyes where these amazing rockets and space shuttles are constructed before heading into outer space. For those of you that plan your visit to Orlando according to the launch schedule, you may be fortunate to have the opportunity to see one of these rockets live!

The Atlantis Space Shuttle experience is yet another awesome part of the Kennedy Space Center. Not only is this an opportunity to learn about the history of this iconic vehicle, it also enables visitors the chance to have several “interactive” experiences to find out exactly what life onboard a space shuttle was really like! It really puts into perspective what these astronauts go through.

Old Town Orlando

Take a moment to roll back the years and experience Orlando as a stereotypical Floridian town several decades ago. Head over to Old Town Orlando to enjoy an amusement park and outdoor shopping mall with vintage experiences awaiting you.

This is perhaps best visited at night when it truly comes alive with America’s longest running weekly car show providing visitors the opportunity to admire hundreds of classic cars.

Mortem Manor is not your stereotypical haunted house and is well worth visiting if you want to test your fear levels – I couldn’t convince Heather to head inside but I’m sure it’s well worth the experience!

For those of you that prefer a relaxing experience, head over to the Ferris Wheel for a leisurely journey while admiring the nearby attractions in this traditional Old Town location.

Harry Leu Botanical Gardens

For those of you that think visiting Orlando is all about the “urban experience”…think again! Home to the amazing Harry Leu Botanical Gardens, Orlando is a haven of natural beauty with an array of floral exhibits and local wildlife residing on this 50 acres of breathtaking landscape.

Visitors to this botanical garden will immediately feel a sense of solitude and relaxation as the hustle and bustle of city life is left outside the grounds. If you are enamored by the sight and smell of diverse floral collections, perhaps the Rose Garden and Herb Garden are areas you won’t want to miss.

At the heart of Leu Gardens is the museum which was the former residence of the Leu family and today is undoubtedly the focal point of the botanical garden. Guided tours are available daily but regardless of your desire to head inside, this is an architectural gem worth seeing on your journey around the gardens.

Orlando Premium Outlets

Shopping in Orlando is a pastime that many visitors will immediately fall in love with. The two Premium Outlet malls are undoubtedly the highlight attractions though as you will see, there are plenty of options for all budgets and styles.

Orlando International Premium Outlets and Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets offer similar experiences but unique enough to justify visiting both. Located with relatively close proximity to each other at either end of International Drive, it’s feasible to hop on the I-Ride trolley and visit both during the same day.

For the true retail therapists out there, perhaps you would consider spending a day at each one but we will leave that decision to you!

From 25% to 65% in savings across world-renowned brands, these Premium Outlets are definitely the best choice for any aspiring shopper looking for a great deal. The challenging part when visiting either or both of these locations is knowing where to draw the line because it’s fair to say it can quickly get out of hand with so many amazing deals to be found!

Both outlet malls are “open-air” but with an indoor food court offering an eclectic blend of cuisine options from around the world.

Mall at Millenia

Renowned as a “world-class shopping destination,” the Mall at Millennia is the ultimate, luxury upscale experience for those that want something a little higher profile than the outlet malls. Offering 150 of the world’s finest retail brands and eateries, this is definitely a place you can easily find your favorite luxury brand.

Whether you are looking for the perfect bag from Louis Vuitton or perhaps need the latest and greatest tech products from Apple, the Mall at Millenia offers a diverse blend of global stores. Two levels covering a 1.2 million-square-foot center epitomizes the grand scale of this shopping experience.

Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve

Exploring the great outdoors may not be at the very top of your list when you consider a trip to Orlando but if you head to Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve, you have the opportunity to experience gorgeous hiking trails just like you would if you visited a more iconic rural location.

The trail system at Tibet-Butler offers a distinctive blend of eco-systems local to the Orlando region. From the longleaf pine forest and scrub to cypress-lined lakeshore, Tibet-Butler is a great place for all the family to visit and learn about Orlando’s ecology.

If you are planning on spending just a short time at Tibet-Butler, we recommend taking the short trail across the boardwalk and keep an eye out for wildlife roaming around the swampland. Depending on what time of year you choose to visit will likely determine the accessibility around the trails but you will likely always find something intriguing to explore.

Downtown Lake Eola

Heading downtown Orlando doesn’t have to be all about the hustle and bustle of city life. Located in the heart of this part of the city is the breathtaking Lake Eola, a perfect haven to just get away and relax for a few minutes (or hours) and take in the beautiful scenery.

For those of you interested in taking a relaxing walk around the lake, you will travel just under one mile to walk the entire loop. If you are heading to Lake Eola with a loved one, perhaps a romantic cruise around the lake onboard a “swan-shaped” paddle boat (rentals are available for $15 for a 30-minute ride around the lake) will tempt you.

Architectural gems are scattered throughout the Lake Eola Park but perhaps the highlight attraction is the spectacular view of the Orlando skyline.

Summary

Are you convinced that heading to Orlando doesn’t have to be all about theme parks? As you can see, there are myriad alternative options available and honestly, we have barely touched the surface. We included the Kennedy Space Center as a viable “day trip” just because it’s such an amazing attraction but if you are willing to hit the road, you are just increasing the number of options available in the nearby vicinity.

If you are visiting Orlando and have no desire to visit Disney World et al, don’t worry, you won’t be the only one! There are plenty of options and we are convinced that you can put together a 24-hour, 48-hour or even 72-hour itinerary from all of the options we have listed above.

We would LOVE to hear your recommendations of places to visit and experiences folks cannot afford to miss when they next head to Orlando – please feel free to comment below!

SaveSave

8 Awesome Neighborhoods in Nashville You Need to Visit

Tennessee

Chris Boothman

-

Aug 6, 2018

11

8 Awesome Neighborhoods in Nashville You Need to Visit

Nashville is a city you cannot help but immediately fall in love with. From the amazing country music scene to the plethora of delectable restaurants offering local cuisine (did someone mention “hot chicken”?), “Music City” is a thriving metropolis that continues to grow and offer incredible opportunities for locals and visitors alike. During our recent trip, we decided to head away from the mainstream attractions, and explore some of the best neighborhoods in Nashville that normally don’t hit the major tourist spot headlines.

But don’t let that concept of “off the beaten path” fool you…these neighborhoods are (and have been!) developing at a rapid rate and as soon as you visit the first time, you will quickly realize why they play such an integral role in the overall make-up of this city.

Whether you are visiting Nashville for a long weekend getaway or perhaps contemplating moving here on a permanent basis, there is so much more to this city than you initially imagine.

Long gone are the days where Nashville is all about the Grand Ole Opry, Tootsie’s Bar on Broadway or even the Parthenon. Don’t get me wrong, these are all still awesome attractions that everyone visiting Nashville should have on their radar but it’s these lesser-known communities that deserve as much coverage, yet frequently are left in the shadow of these more infamous landmarks.

We want to share our experiences exploring the hidden side of Nashville and hopefully, after reading this post, you will be inspired to visit some of these areas that truly epitomize the heart and soul of this amazing metropolis.

Best Neighborhoods in Nashville

Nashville is a thriving city that continues to expand at a rapid rate. We have been visiting Music City for several years and the change has been incredible. Hotel rates throughout the city have soared and anyone considering a trip to Nashville should be prepared to pay a premium for this part of the US but without doubt, it’s worth it.

One of the best aspects of Nashville is that many of the neighborhoods we are going to highlight are relatively close together. Whether you are flying into BNA (Nashville International Airport) and then using Uber or renting a car, or perhaps road tripping as we do, this city is relatively easy to navigate and you can explore a lot in a short timeframe.

The urban sprawl throughout Nashville is such that nearby towns such as Franklin and Brentwood almost feel like they are part of the greater Nashville area. However, we are focusing our attention on those neighborhoods “officially” part of Music City including the following.

Hillsboro Village
The Gulch
12South
East Nashville
Downtown
Belle Meade
Germantown
SoBro

With communities and neighborhoods developing all the time, this is certainly not an exhaustive list of areas worth exploring across Nashville. However, it does offer an eclectic blend of everything to love about Nashville and as always, we encourage you to share your favorite neighborhoods with us in the comments below so that we can check it out during our next trip there.

Hillsboro Village

Why not start your adventure around Nashville’s collection of neighborhoods than one of the undisputed heartbeats of the city – Hillsboro Village? Situated in close proximity to both Belmont and Vanderbilt Universities, it’s no surprise that this is a bustling community full of college students, locals and visitors intrigued by the endless possibilities here.

The incredibly popular Pancake Pantry is the highlight attraction in Hillsboro Village and should you visit this neighborhood any time after 8:00 AM, you will quickly understand why.

Take one look at the line that wraps around the building each morning and you’ll get an idea of how integral the Pancake Pantry is to the culture of Nashville.

Renowned as one of the best breakfast spots throughout Nashville, be sure to arrive early in order to avoid queuing around the building. But regardless of the time you arrive, this is a place well worth the wait. We arrived bright and early to enjoy the eclectic variety of pancake options, though the really tough decision is choosing which pancakes to try.

Since 1961, the Pancake Pantry has been a Nashville tradition for locals and visitors alike. If pancakes are not really your thing, don’t worry because you will quickly be convinced otherwise. If you are just looking for an alternative option, the Pancake Pantry offers waffles, eggs, french toast, hash browns and much more!

Hillsboro Village is more than just the Pancake Pantry and after dining here early, we strongly encourage you to take a stroll around the neighborhood admiring the variety of local restaurants, boutique shops and of course, a vibrant display of street art that captures the imagination advertising the local community – Welcome to Hillsboro Village!

For those of you that need a little “pick me up”, hop inside Fido, a converted pet shop that is now an urban coffee shop and part of the Bongo Java Roasting Company that is popular throughout Nashville. The signature local latte is a great option while Heather opted for a little Harry Potteresque flavor with a Butter Beer!

The Gulch

After exploring the Hillsboro Village neighborhood, we were excited about continuing our journey around Nashville to find more hidden gems. It didn’t take long for us to stumble across yet another dynamic and lively community that has undergone much regeneration in recent years – the Gulch.

The beauty of many of the neighborhoods we explored during our recent visit is that they are all relatively close to each other, yet each of them offers a unique perspective on Nashville living. The Gulch epitomizes this through the collection of chic, boutique style hotels, luxury fashion stores and a variety of local restaurants that could easily be recognized as some of the finest in the city.

Historically known as an industrial area that has quickly been transformed into one of Nashville’s coolest neighborhoods, this is yet another example of an area that can easily be explored on foot.

Visitors experience this part of Nashville to enjoy the iconic “What Lifts You” wings mural and capture the perfect selfie but I was particularly impressed with the contemporary architectural design of the area combined with the rustic, industrial feel that is still present.

Today, the Gulch District has developed into a hotspot for young urbanites. The Gulch has perfectly combined its industrial background with a modern contemporary style (Visit Music City)

Some of our favorite spots in the Gulch neighborhood include Milk and Honey, a trendy coffee shop not only perfect to grab your favorite espresso but also to enjoy lunch or even an afternoon treat courtesy of the delectable gelato bar.

For those of you looking for a little more substance, Biscuit Love is another popular spot that will challenge Pancake Pantry for the title of best breakfast location in Nashville.

Visiting the Gulch in the evening? Head to The Pub Nashville to enjoy live entertainment, a typical pub style menu and a variety of draught beers available. If you prefer to prepare your own food, head over to the Turnip Truck and find a wide selection of fresh, local produce.

12South

If you read our recent post on the best Nashville murals for artistic street art, you will know that the 12South neighborhood is one of the most popular areas for creative and aspiring artists to showcase their work. Combine this with a plethora of restaurants that ensures an exciting culinary scene, 12South is yet another of Nashville’s “hottest neighborhoods”.

12South has emerged as the perfect one-stop destination to eat, drink, play, and socialize. (Visit music city)

Nashville’s local tourism board promotes 12South as the ideal “one-stop” destination and what isn’t there to love about a neighborhood like this. What could be better than visiting an area with the knowledge that everything you need to enjoy a relaxing afternoon or evening can be found here?

12South is the true epitome of a neighborhood in Nashville that has developed in recent years. Soaring housing prices means that this is one of the hottest neighborhoods in town. Historic and rather dilapidated residential areas have been replaced with trendy, hip-style apartments and homes, offering the perfect environment for the “urbanites” to locate here and enjoy the best of 12South’s thriving community.

High-end retail stores such as Reese Witherspoon’s Draper James are a popular attraction for visitors looking to enjoy a little luxury retail therapy while in Nashville. 12 South Taproom and Grill is the perfect spot to enjoy a quick bite to eat or sample a local craft beer before enjoying a stroll through nearby Sevier Park.

East Nashville

If Central and West Nashville doesn’t satisfy your appetite of exploring Music City’s best neighborhoods, why not head across the Cumberland River to explore East Nashville. You will first notice the towering Nissan Stadium, home to the NFL team, the Tennessee Titans.

Technically you are already in East Nashville once you arrive here though you may not know it, given that you are just a short distance from Broadway and all of the iconic glitzy and glamorous hotspots downtown.

Nashville’s version of New York’s East Village, the neighborhood has been gentrifying slowly as artists take over the Victorian houses and arts-and-crafts bungalows. (budget Travel Magazine)

East Nashville is frequently compared to New York City’s East Village, primarily because it is a thriving community that is now one of the most desired areas to live and explore. For the artsy folks out there, East Nashville is definitely the place to be.

From a myriad of amazing street art murals (our favorite is definitely the Apple/Microsoft combination featuring Bill Gates and Steve Jobs) to a number of local art galleries, the east side of the Cumberland River is the unequivocal epicenter of arts and culture in Nashville.

But art isn’t the only reason to visit this neighborhood. Head on over to the Shoppes on Fatherland to not only experience a little retail therapy or dine at some of the finest restaurants in the area, but also to interact with locals who have established these charming boutique establishments offering everything from local art to Nashville inspired food and drink.

Downtown

The most frequently visited neighborhood in Nashville is the heart of downtown along Broadway. Whether you are intrigued by the thought of popping inside a honky tonk bar or perhaps catching an NHL game with the Nashville Predators at the Bridgestone Arena, you can be sure that there will be something here to catch your attention.

Without a doubt, the highlight attraction along Broadway is to hop inside one of the many bars to enjoy your favorite beverage while listening to Nashville aspiring musicians looking to catch a break before going all the way to the Grand Ole Opry stage.

Don’t worry, you will be in for a real treat in most of these bars because many of Nashville’s iconic musicians started out here…you never quite know who you will see performing so be sure to keep your eyes and especially your ears peeled!

Broadway is more than just country music just like the rest of Nashville. Architecture lovers will find this part of Nashville particularly intriguing with the infamous “Batman” building among many others that will spark your interest.

Belle Meade

When it comes to historic neighborhoods around Nashville, it’s difficult to argue against Belle Meade being the most spectacular and renowned for vintage architectural beauty. Owned by five generations of the Harding-Jackson family throughout the 19th century, the breathtaking Belle Meade Plantation was once renowned as being the nations leading thoroughbred breeding grounds.

Various Triple Crown race winners can be traced back to Belle Meade, so spending some time here is a memorable experience.

With its rolling hills, larger home plots, and stately buildings, it’s the perfect picture of Southern Elegance (Nashville and Beyond)

Today, visitors can enjoy guided tours of the Plantation but in addition to the rich heritage here, this is also home to a winery which offers an eclectic blend of some of the finest wines in the region.

Although this relatively quiet neighborhood feels so unique in comparison to the trendier, urbanized neighborhoods mentioned throughout this post, the beauty of exploring (or even living if you are incredibly fortunate) Belle Meade is that you are just minutes from downtown Nashville! Just to reiterate, if you have any desires to relocate to this part of Nashville…well folks, homes here are some of the most expensive in the state.

Germantown

One of Nashville’s historic neighborhoods is Germantown, unsurprisingly referred to as such because of the large number of German immigrants that first resided here in the mid-nineteenth century. Another cool area for awesome street art displays but it’s the historic architecture, epitomized by a large concentration of Victorian building styles that makes Germantown such a popular neighborhood worth exploring.

Visitors to Germantown will likely want to sample the fine cuisine available here. Nashville is renowned for having delicious dining options and Germantown is certainly one of the best spots to find an eclectic blend of choices.

Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park is considered to be part of the Germantown neighborhood and whether you are inspired to visit the weekly Farmer’s Market or simply prefer to learn all about the history of Tennessee, this is definitely one of the best attractions not only in this area but throughout the city of Nashville.

SoBro

Although Broadway is perhaps the “iconic” stretch in Nashville, visitors should take some time to head to SoBro (South Broadway) to experience some of the city’s most infamous attractions. The Country Music Hall of Fame Museum can be found here and is definitely worthwhile experiencing, even if you have no interest in the country music genre.

The Johnny Cash Museum can also be found in SoBro while perhaps the most famous chocolate shop is located inside this neighborhood, the Goo Goo Shop & Dessert Bar. Don’t visit Nashville without sampling the amazing Goo Goo Cluster!

Visitors to Nashville will quickly find out that SoBro is a popular spot for some of the best hotels in the area. We have been fortunate enough to spend a couple of nights at the incredible Omni Nashville Hotel and can highly recommend this to anyone looking for a luxury hotel experience while in Nashville.

Summary

Nashville’s diverse blend of neighborhoods offers a unique perspective on this vibrant city through a variety of awesome attractions, delicious places to eat and much more. If you are planning a visit to Nashville in the near future, we hope you will consider visiting one or more of these neighborhoods to gain a much greater appreciation of why Music City is should an amazing metropolis to explore.

Eight very different neighborhoods throughout Nashville have helped transform this city through urban regeneration and a myriad of delicious local cuisine options. It’s difficult to pinpoint one particular neighborhood that stands above all the others and we recommend experiencing all of them to really understand how Nashville is developing.

Have you visited Nashville and if so, which of these neighborhoods are your favorite?