Texas may be renowned for being home to Dallas (city and TV show), the Longhorns, George Bush and much more, but did you also know that there is an awesome local coffee shop scene in a number of locations across the state? During our recent visit to Texas, we headed to Austin for a conference and after exploring more epic street art in Austin, we headed north to the city of Waco to experience not only the iconic Magnolia Market at the Silos but also the coffee shop scene. If you love coffee, you will want to keep reading as we check out the best coffee in Waco, Texas.
Local coffee shops are appearing in pretty much every destination around the world and certainly for good reason. Not only do they offer locals and visitors alike the opportunity to sample local coffee, it is also the perfect “hangout” spot for folks to gather, catch up on work or simply socialize with friends and family. Whether you are a fan of chain establishments such as Starbucks or you prefer to visit local coffee houses, you can be sure that most locations you visit will have somewhere that you can find that perfect “Cup of Joe”!
Texas is a state renowned for many things but coffee is probably not one of the first things you think about when associating the Longhorn state. Hopefully, after reading this post, you will be convinced to head to the vibrant city of Waco and check out some of the most distinctive and unique coffee shops that we have stumbled across anywhere in the world.
Let’s take a look at Waco’s coffee shop scene and find out why it didn’t take us long to fall in love with the best local spots.
Best Coffee in Waco
Home to the Dr. Pepper Museum, Waco Mammoth National Monument and of course, the various locations that iconic TV series Fixer Upper is associated with, you could be forgiven for thinking that Waco is a city with plenty of things to experience without needing to check out a variety of local coffee shops.
But what better way to keep you energized than by visiting a couple of local coffee houses that provide delicious espresso beverages, unique characteristics that make them so aesthetically pleasing and cool spots to relax with friends or your favorite book.
Waco has several local coffee shops and just like any other destination, it’s an ever-changing landscape. Here are the coffee shops we visited and which we consider to be the best in Waco.
Common Grounds Waco
Dichotomy Coffee & Spirits
BRU Artisan Coffee Works
Cafe Cappuccino
Pinewood Coffee Bar
Magnolia Press
Whether you prefer coffee shops that roast their coffee in small batches or perhaps you love the experience of a French press, this collection of locations in Waco offers something for every preference. From seasonal lattes to traditional Americano’s and much more, you can be sure your personal favorite will be available at one of these awesome local spots.
Common Grounds Waco
Waco is home to Baylor University and with that is a large student population that frequently find their way to Common Grounds coffee shop. With two separate locations across the city, Common Grounds is a hip, vibrant coffee shop offering decadent and creative espresso infused beverages.
The main location can be found on South 8th Street, just a short walk from the Baylor campus and offers the perfect spot to catch up on school work or relax among friends while enjoying a friendly ambiance and delicious coffee.
Head outside around the back to sit on the balcony overlooking a space that has been transformed into a live music stage and amphitheater style seating around the edge. Renowned as the “premier music venue in Waco,” this is the perfect area to enjoy local musicians while indulging in a variety of beverages and freshly baked pastries.
The infamous “secret sauce” (no one quite knows what goes into this “syrup” but be sure to ask locals and I’m sure they will give you a few ideas!) is one of the popular reasons for visiting Common Grounds, so be sure to ask for a drink with this included. I opted for the Caramel Coffee Crunch but perhaps the legendary Cowboy Coffee which can only be found at Common Grounds will be too tempting to resist.
Before you leave Common Grounds, be sure to take a selfie in front of the Waco sign at the top of the coffee shop. This is frequently known as one of the best locations to grab a selfie or simply take a picture of this iconic coffee house.
Check out Common Grounds Waco for further details on menu options and upcoming live concerts.
Dichotomy Coffee & Spirits
If you visit coffee shops with the intention of spending quite a bit of time there, one of the best spots in Waco is the wonderfully named Dichotomy Coffee & Spirits, located in the heart of the historic downtown area. This urban environment offers a “vintage-chic” space with plenty of seating to relax while enjoying one of the perfectly hand-crafted beverages.
One of the main benefits of visiting this coffee shop is that it is combined with a cocktail bar, creating the perfect combination for everyone to enjoy dependent on personal preference.
Whether you are looking to sample the delicious cookie butter latte (seasonal favorite for sure!) or perhaps visit Waco’s premiere spot for indulging in your favorite cocktail, Dichotomy is undoubtedly one of the best places for all your needs.
The coffee house side of Dichotomy offers all of your traditional favorites but it’s those seasonal concoctions and the locally inspired “1885” drink that are likely going to intrigue you. How does a Dr. Pepper combined with espresso, served over ice sound? If this doesn’t sound too appealing, we can assure you that any beverage that you choose here will be meticulously prepared and you won’t leave disappointed.
The cocktail bar epitomizes everything there is to love about Waco’s speakeasy neighborhood with the local menu here reflecting this – perhaps the Pre Prohibition Old Fashioned or the Dichotomy Old Fashioned will spark your interest. Regardless of your taste, the cocktail bar is the perfect transition after a long day catching up on work in the coffee bar space.
Check out Dichotomy Coffee & Spirits for details about the coffee shop and cocktail bar menus along with much more information on this historic location.
BRU Artisan Coffee Works
Have you ever visited a coffee shop that is located primarily in a vintage elevator? We hadn’t either until we experienced BRU Artisan Coffee Works just a short walk from Dichotomy Coffee & Works.
Who would have thought that a former elevator could be transformed into a coffee bar, creating the perfect space for the baristas to create their perfect masterpieces for all coffee and tea drinkers.
Take a moment to think about a traditional coffee shop setting before you walk into the historic Praetorian Building in downtown Waco. The moment you enter and see the friendly barista waiting to take your order, you will realize that any preconceptions of a coffee shop are completely reversed at BRU Artisan Coffee Works.
BRÛ serves espresso made from locally roasted beans right here in Waco
BRÛ ARTISAN COFFEE WORKS
The difficult choice will be deciding what to order because although coffee is a prevalent choice here, the wide variety of teas on offer (including seasonal specialities such as apple pie flavor!) are likely going to be too tempting to resist.
With seating available inside and outside, BRU Artisan Coffee Works is certainly a place with a very European feel to it. But even the most iconic European coffee shops would struggle to compete with the uniqueness of this place.
It’s one of those spots that you won’t forget given the distinctive features that make this so appealing (in addition to delicious coffee and tea!).
Cafe Cappuccino
Downtown Waco is a hub for coffee shops with several located within close walking distance. Instead of picking one, why not visit all three because each one is unique and worthy of a visit! Next stop on your downtown adventure is Cafe Cappuccino which is the perhaps the best option if you are looking to enjoy breakfast or lunch to accompany your preferred espresso.
When it comes to extensive latte and cappuccino options, Cafe Cappuccino is certainly one of the best in Waco with a plethora of menu options to make your decision incredibly difficult. Whether you have a sweet tooth or simply want to enjoy delicious coffee, Cafe Cappuccino has something for everyone.
From a butter rum latte to a gingerbread seasonal favorite, the list is almost endless…just like the bottomless cup of coffee which is also an option for the traditionalists visiting. The downtown location is one of three scattered across Waco (Uptown and Hewitt neighborhood locations are also available).
Check out Cafe Cappuccino for menu details of beverages, breakfast and lunch choices.
Pinewood Coffee Bar
For those that love the genuine taste of freshly roasted coffee, there are not many better places to visit than Pinewood Coffee Bar located along Austin Avenue in Waco.
Transformed into a coffee shop from a former dental office, Pinewood may not be the first place you think about visiting to sample delicious coffee. When you hear that Pinewood is focused on two concepts – coffee and hospitality, you quickly realize that this is a coffee shop worth visiting to enjoy a relaxing cup of coffee while embracing the atmosphere inside this location.
It’s all about creating a family friendly experience Pinewood. Everything from green coffee farmers, to the local baristas and extended to the patrons that visit this location are taken care of to the best of Pinewood’s ability. No detail goes untouched and this is apparent as you walk through the door and admire the quirky yet detailed decor that creates the perfect environment for visitors to enjoy their favorite coffee.
When I say quirky, the layout of tables and chairs surrounds the central bar area which is perfectly located to ensure everyone’s attention is on the focal point of this coffee shop – the bar where all of the magic happens to create these delicious drinks. It’s no surprise that Pinewood Coffee Bar was featured on the shortlist for the best coffee in every state 2019 courtesy of Food+Wine.
The adjacent Pinewood Public House offers yet another perfect location to enjoy both a coffee and a beer later in the day. The patio area in between is the perfect spot to enjoy the best of both locations.
Check out Pinewood Coffee Bar for more details on this popular spot in Waco.
Magnolia Press
A visit to Waco wouldn’t be the same without experiencing an area of the city that has evolved in recent years. Thanks to Joanna and Chip Gaines and their infamous TV show, Fixer Upper, Waco is now home to the amazing Magnolia Market and accompanying locations. In fact, Waco is home to a myriad of locations all affiliated with the Magnolia brand.
It’s fitting that our final recommendation for coffee shops in Waco is of course, associated with Magnolia given that Joanna Gaines has proudly opened the Magnolia Press coffee shop.
We believe that there’s a familiar and worthwhile pause waiting for us in a good cup of coffee.
Magnolia Press Coffee Co.
Magnolia Press epitomizes everything there is to love about Joanna and Chip Gaines. Joanna’s creativity in decorating homes is certainly on show as you enter the doors to this coffee shop. The vibrant, friendly, airy atmosphere is the perfect coffee shop environment.
Get ready to enjoy the perfectly manicured “French press” and you will soon realize why the name Magnolia Press came to fruition through the idea of creating a space where people can relax, slow down and enjoy their coffee.
Enjoy a fresh selection of pastries while indulging in your chosen coffee and admiring the beautiful architecture and design throughout this coffee shop. Check out Magnolia Press Coffee Co. for further details on opening hours, seasonal menu items and much more.
Summary
With cities such as Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin, it’s no surprise that Waco frequently sits in the shadow of some of these larger destinations in the state of Texas. But that should take nothing away from a location that is rapidly growing, largely due to the impact of the Magnolia brand.
However, visitors to Waco should also be inspired to explore the awesome coffee shop scene and we hope that you are intrigued to experience some of the best local establishments across the city courtesy of our recommendations. As we mentioned, coffee shops are constantly evolving and with the inclusion of the recently opened Magnolia Press, it proves that this landscape is always changing.
We are always excited to hear feedback and suggestions on other local spots to find the best coffee, so please don’t hesitate and leave your comments below. We look forward to returning to Waco in the near future and experiencing more of these epic coffee houses.
If you love coffee as much as we do, you may be inspired by the following coffee related posts in other destinations around the world:
Christmas is all about spending time with family, enjoying seasonal festivities and of course, experiencing annual traditions that makes this time of the year such a special occasion. But depending on where you are in the world will determine exactly what traditions are common. We have been fortunate to experience Christmas in several countries but we wanted to dive deeper into this and find out the best family Christmas traditions around the world.
Whether you are taking a trip to London to enjoy the Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park or perhaps heading to Iceland to learn all about the folklore associated with the Christmas yule lads, there is something magical awaiting wherever you are in the world. We decided to seek some fellow experts in the travel industry to share their thoughts and experiences on the iconic traditions that make Christmas such a special time of the year.
Let’s take a look at the best traditions across the globe and perhaps you will be inspired to visit another country at this time of the year to experience these traditions for yourself.
Best Family Christmas Traditions
Christmas traditions around the world generally involve plenty of festive fun. You may be surprised at some of the unique traditions that many countries celebrate, while others are less unusual yet equally special.
Here is a list of the nations we are going to cover and hopefully inspire a few of you to add these to your Christmas bucket list itineraries in years to come.
England
USA
Argentina
Canada
Iceland
New Zealand
Lithuania
Denmark
Colombia
Poland
France
Zimbabwe
Portugal
Czech Republic
Australia
Netherlands
Japan
Montenegro
Malta
Italy
With almost 200 nations around the world, this is by no means an exhaustive list of festive traditions but this at least gives an insight into the unique characteristics on offer across the globe.
Whether you are looking to find where the best places to spend Christmas in Europe are or looking for something a little more innocuous, every nation has distinctive characteristics that make them appealing during the Christmas season.
Japan
If you spend Christmas in Japan you will soon realize that many things are different here. For example, Christmas is not a family holiday. Rather, couples will go on a romantic date on Christmas Day, have a nice dinner and exchange presents.
You will, however, hear lots of Christmas songs in the stores and see Christmas decorations all around. European-style Christmas markets have also become more and more popular in recent years and you will find one or two in the big cities.
The one thing I love most about Christmas in Japan is the amazing winter illuminations that take place all around the country during Christmas time. Most of them have Christmassy themes but not all of them. The one in the picture was at Tokyo Dome City a few years ago. I visited with my then-boyfriend (now-husband) and it was very romantic riding the Ferris Wheel, sharing a hot drink and admiring the illumination.
The most amazing Christmas illuminations I have visited was in Kobe, where a whole city block is decorated in the most beautiful Christmas designs that come to life after sunset. This event with millions of lights happens every year and is a must if you are in the region around Osaka or Kyoto at Christmas.
The number one place to visit for a winter illumination is Nabana no Sato, just a short trip from Nagoya. This yearly illumination has a different theme every year (usually nothing Christmassy because the event goes on from October to May). But it is still an amazing place to visit during Christmas time with the whole family.
Thanks to Lena Scheidler from Nagoya Foodie for highlighting some of the best reasons with Japan should be on all of our radars to enjoy an upcoming festive season.
USA
As the roasted turkey, savory sides, and whipped cream-topped pumpkin pie is cleared from the Thanksgiving table, Americans seamlessly transition from one family-and- friends-filled holiday to the next. And nothing kicks off Christmas in the US quite like a tree lighting ceremony! From New York to LA, a rainbow of sparkling lights and other decorations brighten the long dark nights of early winter with holiday cheer.
While tree lighting and other family-friendly holiday celebrations can be found in all 50 states, here are some of the most notable tree lighting ceremonies in the US:
Rockefeller Center in New York City – Standing tall above the iconic outdoor ice rink, a decorated Christmas tree has adorned Rockefeller Center for more than eight decades
Country Club Plaza Lighting Ceremony in Kansas City – In America’s heartland, 280,000 multi-colored bulbs stretch more than 80 miles to outline every window and tower of the Country Club Plaza in Missouri
Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting in Beverly Hills – On the west coast, palm trees and birches are adorned with twinkle lights and decorations instead of evergreens along one of the most famous streets in the nation.
The US will always be a place that celebrates the festivities in grand style…it wouldn’t be America otherwise.
Whether you are enjoying one of the aforementioned iconic locations or you plan to visit a smaller festive party such as the Dickens of a Christmas festival in Franklin, Tennessee (just south of Nashville), you can be sure that during November and December, everything will be all about the Christmas season!
Thanks to Sage Scott from Everyday Wanderer for sharing some of the most iconic Christmas traditions across the United States of America.
The Netherlands
Sinterklaas is the biggest Christmas tradition in the Netherlands that is enjoyed by all families throughout the country. For young children, this celebration is more important and prominent than Christmas Day! The traditions that come along with Sinterklaas are quite unique and last for a few weeks.
In mid-November, Sinterklaas – who is a Santa looking Dutch character – arrives in The Netherlands by boat. He has a grand arrival that involves a huge parade in Amsterdam all around the city. After the arrival, children leave their shoes out before bedtime, along with water and carrots for his horse. The shoes are either filled with gifts for good kids or coal for bad kids.
The main gift-giving day of Sinterklaas falls on December 5th, where Sinterklaas himself drops off gifts at your doorstep before heading back to his homeland in Spain. This is when families get together, read poems, eat Dutch treats and spend quality time together.
This Christmas tradition is a Netherlands favorite that families have enjoyed for hundreds of years.
Thanks to Samantha Karen from Sam Sees World for highlighting the unique Dutch tradition that certainly makes us inspired to visit in the near future.
Australia
Christmas in Australia is unlike anywhere in the world. Although Australians still implement most Christmas traditions from the cold northern hemisphere, there are still some traditions that are only unique to Australia and our barmy Summer weather.
Besides a hot roast turkey, warm Christmas pudding or building snowmen, Australians have adopted more Summer-friendly traditions. Due to Australia being the largest island in the world, and surrounded by sea, seafood is one of the most popular foods used at Christmas.
For weeks leading up to Christmas day, local fish markets and groceries are stocked with fresh and local prawns (shrimps). Prawns are normally served cooked but cold, and dipped in a cocktail sauce as an entrée before the main meals. In comparison to a warm pudding, dessert is normally cold as well, such as slices, cheesecakes or the local dish of pavlova.
After lunch, families and children normally enjoy the weather with a game of backyard cricket, either on the beach or quiet street. This is a great game for the whole family to get involved, and build excitement to watch the cricket test on TV during Boxing Day the next day!
Thanks to Breanna Smith from Chalkie and The Chippy for highlighting some of the best things to do in Australia for Christmas.
Czech Republic
Czech Republic has many Christmas traditions, which may slightly differ region to region. But there’s one that lives on no matter where people live in the country: Fasting on the main Christmas Day. See, for Czechs the main festive activity – the Christmas dinner and the subsequent opening of presents – happens on the evening of December 24th.
It is said that if you don’t eat the whole day, and your first meal is the Christmas dinner, you’ll see a golden piglet. It’s like a fairy tale that we tell children. Of course nobody is left starving, eating little things here and there is fine.
If there are small kids in a family, all members usually stick to the ‘fasting’. Kids and their imagination do the rest. I myself remember ‘seeing’ the golden piglet on our balcony. Nowadays, it’s also very easy to buy chocolate piglets in golden wrapping. Imagine the joy and wonder in children’s eyes when such a ‘golden’ piglet appears on the window sill!
Thanks to Veronika Primm from Travel Geekery for sharing how the Czech locals celebrate the festive season – a unique experience for sure and definitely something we would love to see for ourselves.
Portugal
Public nativity scenes aren’t a common feature in most Western countries these days, but Portugal continues this tradition with gusto.
During the month of December, you’ll find large life-size nativity scenes everywhere you look – particularly on roundabouts and in town squares.
In some cases, these nativity scenes are live nativity scenes where locals residents take part in the nativity scene and play a character like a wise man or a shepherd. Portugal loves live nativity scenes so much that, in 2012, the town of São Paio de Oleiros entered the Guinness Book of Records for the largest moving nativity scene in the world.
Nativity scenes are also a common feature in people’s homes, and people go a lot further than just putting out the figurines. They collect moss, bark, and stones to make it more authentic, and often add additional and more Portuguese characters, like farmers, to the nativity scene as well.
Although nativity scenes is something many of us will have seen before, it’s interesting to see this tradition continued in Portugal and just how much effort is put into them.
Thanks to James Cave from Portugalist for sharing a local tradition that many Western countries are familiar with, yet unfortunately have failed to continue. It’s great to hear that Portugal has continued this tradition and after spending 24 hours in Lisbon, we definitely look forward to a return trip to experience this historic festivity.
Zimbabwe
Have you ever wondered what it is like spending Christmas in another country far away from home? How about experiencing an African Christmas in Zimbabwe, one of the safest places to visit in Africa?
Even though Christmas is mostly known to be a European event, Zimbabweans still celebrate it wholeheartedly and enjoy traditions like Santa Claus, Christmas trees, and carols. The only real difference is that in Africa, Christmas is in summer, and it is usually hot, so you will need that flip flops.
For people in Zimbabwe, Christmas Day starts with a church service. After this, most families will have a party at their homes and eat a meal of fresh roast ox or goat and cornmeal porridge. Although chicken is very expensive in Zimbabwe, it is often cooked with rice as a special treat for Christmas. They also drink potent homemade beers, which is the highlight of many village celebrations.
After dinner, everyone sits together, relaxes, and sings gospel songs. Some will go from house to house, visiting their family and friends. Others will get their stereo speakers out and put it on the front porch of their home and play loud Christmas carols and popular African hits music.
If you enjoy trying out new cultures, an African Christmas is something you should experience once in your life!
Thanks to Lydia from Africa Wanderlust, a destination resource for travelers to explore the untapped beauty of Africa. Zimbabwe may not be the first place you think about visiting for Christmas but these distinctive traditions certainly make this an appealing location.
France
While North Americans might have their Christmas turkey, in France we have the Coquilles Saint Jacques (scallops). French dinners are usually a long drawn out affair, and Christmas dinner is even more special.
The Christmas meal can last anywhere from 4-5 hours, with each course carefully brought out by the hosts. Several starters, meat dishes, wine, cheese, and desserts, we usually focus on the food, not the gifts. And one of the stars of the show is inevitably the scallops.
In France, the fishing season for scallops starts in October, so they are peak freshness in December. The tradition also goes back to the pilgrims of Saint Jacques de Compostela (hence the name) who crisscrossed France and Spain with the shells around their neck. Since the scallops tend to be a bit expensive, it is reserved as a treat for Christmas.
There are many ways to prepare the scallops: raw, marinated, fried or grilled. But my favorite has to be au gratin, where it is cooked with a creamy sauce and breadcrumbs, and served with a glass of champagne. Bon appetit!
Thanks to Nassie from Snippets of Paris for highlighting a tradition that is certainly unique to France but definitely an experience everyone should enjoy at least once in their lifetime…you will likely want to return time and time again!
Poland
One of the most beautiful Polish traditions is Christmas Eve dinner. For us, this is the most important part of Christmas. The whole family meets at the table and will start eating when the first star shows in the night sky.
This dinner is vegetarian, and comprises twelve dishes following a traditional pattern, one for each month. Everyone will try each dish. There is no excuse for kids: if they don’t eat, they won’t get presents.
But before we start eating, all the guests circulate as we break a communion wafer together with every other guest. As the wafers are broken, we exchange personal good wishes for the coming year. Also by tradition, the table is always prepared with one extra place for the unexpected guest or a hungry person who may turn up. On this day, no one may be turned away from the feast.
All these traditions are so deep and strong for all Polish people that wherever in the world I am, I will always prepare this dinner as my mum and grandma did when I was living in my hometown Lodz. Even if I might fail on the number of dishes there will always be an extra plate at the table.
Thanks to Ania James from The Travelling Twins for highlighting an iconic Polish tradition at Christmas…don’t forget to eat all your food, otherwise no presents for you!
Colombia
Depending on which part of the world you’re in, the family Christmas traditions can change drastically. Some of the most exciting family Christmas traditions I have seen on my travels across the world are in South America.
One Christmas I spent the month of December in Medellin in Colombia. I was surprised by how many Christmas lights they use. All the lights are part of the event which is called Los Alumbrados. During the whole month of December, you can go to different parts of the city to view the lights.
Statistics show that every year up to 4 million people visit Medellin to see the Alumbrados Navideños Christmas lights. The main even though is at Parque Norte, where the primary light display is open to all the city.
Throughout the evenings of December, thousands of people including many tourists, go to witness the spectacular light show, amusements and festive treats on offer.
Thanks to Daniel James from Layer Culture for highlighting a South American festive tradition in Colombia that will surely inspire you to add this to a future Christmas trip.
Denmark
The Christmas season in Denmark is full of tradition and merriment. Danes celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve. The Christmas Eve meal includes a traditional roasted duck or goose and sometimes roasted pork as well.
The meats are stuffed with apples and prunes and served with potatoes and cabbage. Dessert is usually rice pudding and there are a number of pastries that are popular on Christmas Eve and throughout the Christmas season. The night concludes with candles on the Christmas tree, competitive gift exchanges, and family sing-a-longs.
Most workplaces and clubs will hold a Julefrokost or Christmas luncheon. It’s not as innocent as it sounds and is often an alcohol-fueled party that goes into the next morning. The meal at a Julefrokost is slightly different and includes fried and pickled fish as well as pork and side dishes.
During the Christmas season, families will visit local Christmas Markets. The markets in Copenhagen are fantastic and the best of all is at Tivoli Gardens. The Tivoli Gardens Christmas celebration is a favorite of locals. It includes light shows, concerts, parades, performances, elaborate decorations and a Christmas village inside of Tivoli gardens.
Walking the grounds of Tivoli with a warm cup of Gløgg is exactly what you need to get in the holiday spirit. It’s a warm mulled wine with nuts and raisins that locals love at Christmas. Wherever you celebrate the holiday – Merry Christmas or Glædelig Jul as the Danes say.
Thanks to Derek Hartman from Everything Copenhagen for highlighting the best Christmas traditions in Copenhagen. We have been fortunate to experience Christmas in Tallinn, Estonia and sample the delicious Gløgg, so we are intrigued by the thought of visiting Denmark at this time of the year.
Lithuania
The Christmas Eve in Lithuanian is called Kūčios. Both in the capital city Vilnius and in the rural areas, Christmas is traditionally spent at home with a family with the Christmas Eve dinner as the main event of the evening. The dinner consists of 12 dishes – no more no less. This tradition dates back to the pagan times, but in Christian interpretation, the 12 dishes represent the 12 apostles of Jesus.
No meat is served during the Christmas Eve dinner, but there are some typical traditional dishes, which you will see on almost any table on Christmas in Lithuania. One of them is “kuciukai” – little pieces of baked dough, similar to cookies, just less sweet. They are served with or without poppy-seed milk and can be either homemade or bought in any shop in Lithuania starting from November on.
During the dinner, some hay is normally put underneath the tablecloth. If there was a recent death in the family, a plate for the deceased family member would normally be put on the table, so the soul of the person can join his family for celebration dinner.
Thanks to Ana Rozanova from Merry Go Round Slowly for highlighting a lesser known destination in Europe that has unique Christmas traditions. If you are also looking for the best things to do in Vilnius, check out our visit while exploring the Baltic nations.
New Zealand
Christmas Day waking up to snow on the ground…..not in New Zealand! Christmas Day is in the middle of summer in New Zealand and it is celebrated accordingly. Instead of a large roast meal, we have a BBQ outside and play cricket on the beach.
Christmas is a very relaxed time as most businesses close down for two weeks over Christmas because of all the public holidays. The kids are on their summer holiday as well so it is family time. After a BBQ, most people go to the beach to walk off all of the food or play a friendly game of cricket.
We also have the New Zealand Christmas tree known as the Pohutakawa Tree which has red flowers that bloom each year around Christmas. It really is a perfect day, even if all of the Christmas carols don’t make sense!
Thanks to Nicole LaBarge for highlighting why the Southern Hemisphere, in particular New Zealand, is such a unique experience during the Christmas season.
Iceland
Icelandic Christmas starts on the 11th of December and lasts all the way till the 6th of January. Iceland doesn’t have a traditional Santa Claus or Father of Christmas. Iceland has 13 Yule lads – something like Santa Clauses, but originally they were supposed to scare kids. However, lately they soften up and they leave gifts for kids in their shoes.
The Christmas Yule lads live in the Icelandic mountains with their parents and their big cat, waiting for the month of December to arrive when they head down to the local towns. Each of the Yule lads have special names like Door Slammer, Window Peeker, Bowl licker and so on, given due to their unique characteristic.
The first one, Gulla Gawker, arrives 12 days before Christmas, which is when the real Christmas in Iceland starts. The last one leaves on the 6th of January and Christmas leaves with him. Visitors to Iceland during the Christmas season may be fortunate to have a Yule lad visit during their stay…the question is, which one will visit?
Thanks to Albina Mrazova from Ginger Around The Globe for highlighting one of our favorite destinations around the world. We have been fortunate to visit Iceland during the Christmas season and we did experience a local Yule lad visit us…we can 100% attest this is definitely worth justifying a visit to Iceland during the winter months!
Canada
One of Canada’s greatest family Christmas traditions is writing a letter to Santa Claus. While other countries also have this tradition, Canadians are luckythat Santa actually lives in Canada! Some might say that Santa is a citizen of the world, but our Canadian government has conferred official citizenship on Santa Claus, making him one our very own.
Children in Canada are encouraged to write to Santa, addressing the letter as:
Santa Claus North Pole H0H 0H0 Canada
Postage is not required, although Mrs. Claus is known to be fond of stickers. If your letter to Santa is on it’s way by the middle of December, the writer will get a personal response from Santa. I can’t describe how excited my children were each year to write to Santa with their wishes, and to receive their personal letters back in the mail.
Santa’s letter-writing program has been active for more than 35 years, and averages over 1 million letters each year. It is rumored that volunteer elves from Canada Post help Santa with his mail.
Thanks to Lesley from Freedom56Travel for sharing why Canada’s tradition is such a popular experience for all the family to enjoy.
Argentina
I always loved Christmas movies. The snow, knitted mittens, kids singing Christmas Carols…everything was oh-so North-Pole-style. But then, when I’d look around, all I could see -and feel- was the humid, hot and sweaty Argentinian Christmas Spirit instead!
So how do we Argentinians celebrate a Christmas that is everything but white?
As Argentina has so many European immigrants, many traditions kept going but were reinvented to suit the weather. It’s very likely that if you visit Buenos Aires around the festive season, you’d see grand decorations, huge Christmas trees, and kids lining up at the mall to speak with Santa Claus -we call the ol’ chap Papá Noel.
The major celebrations happen on Christmas Eve when many people go to mass and then gather with family and friends to have a feast. The funny thing though is that in Argentina we dine quite late so it’s very likely to start eating around 10.30 or even 11 pm.
The classic dish is the Vitel Toné. An Italian recipe that’s served cold, and consists of sliced meat covered with a sauce of anchovies and mayonnaise. Some say it’s not Christmas without it! Finally, as shortly after dinner is time for the big toast, we wait for the countdown to midnight. We toast, kiss, hug and go out to see the fireworks. Once back inside, kids start opening presents and after they’ve gone to bed, the real party begins! Many people go out dancing, clubbing or chilling with the family.
On the following day, we all wake up late and gather again to eat all the leftovers! I love it when everyone is half-sleep -not to say hangover- hungry, close to a heat stroke and, of course, as sweaty as a Southern Hemisphere Christmas gets!
Thanks to Martina Grossi from The Global Curious for sharing why Argentina’s Christmas traditions make this such an attractive destination to visit at this time of the year.
Montenegro
In Montenegro, Christmas Eve is on January 6th and Christmas Day is on January 7th because the main Orthodox Church still uses the old ‘Julian’ Calendar. Christmas Eve is called ‘Badnji Dan’ and is considered a holiday where Christianity is interwoven with paganism and medieval traditions with modern realities.
On January 6th, the day before Christmas begins, every man goes to the forest in the early morning to get a log of a fallen young oak which is called ‘Badnjak’. At the same time, the wife and the rest of the family stay at home to cook food for Christmas. Nowadays, since a lot of people live in towns and cities, they can go to a beautifully decorated market to buy a Badnjak from there.
Almost all churches around the country set bonfires where people gather in the early evening on Christmas Eve to watch Christmas plays, performances and throw a log of oak into a bonfire. It is believed that the more sparks the burning log gives – the more successful and happier the following year will be.
Montenegro mountains are one of the best places to be during the Badnji Dan and Christmas. This part of the country sees a lot of snow and with lights and decorations, it looks magical.
Thanks to Anya Kay from Road is Calling for highlighting why Montenegro is a place worth visiting in early January if you are looking to enjoy multiple Christmases each year!
England
Christmas Pudding is an important Yuletide tradition for families in England. Christmas pudding is a rich, cake type dessert eaten after the traditional Christmas Day dinner of roast turkey and vegetables. Despite eating a filling roast dinner, we complete the meal by eating an even heavier pudding!
A perfect Christmas pudding is cooked 5-6 weeks before Christmas day. Dried fruit and sugar is soaked in alcohol and left overnight. The next day we add spices, nuts and flour and mix to make a cake. The pudding is slow cooked and then wrapped in cloth and left to mature until Christmas. On Christmas Day, the pudding is slow cooked (for approximately six hours) in its bowl in boiling water.
After all this preparation, we soak the pudding in alcohol again and set fire to it! The pudding is served whole onto the dining table awash with the blue flames of burning alcohol. When the flames have burned out, the pudding is divided into portions and served piping hot with fresh double cream or brandy butter.
Making a Christmas pudding is a time consuming process but it is well worth it for the delicious pudding you will enjoy!
Thanks to Sinead Camplin from Map Made Memories for sharing one of my personal favorite Christmas traditions in England. Christmas pudding with brandy sauce is unlike any other festive dessert in the world and combined with a mince pie (another British tradition!), this is the perfect sweet treat during the holiday season.
Malta
Although a white Christmas is not possible on the island, Malta offers a varied mix of traditions that appeal to all. It is a festive time with the city’s main streets and squares all lit up and adorned with trees, lights, and garlands. As the air gets slightly colder outside, the people start preparing for the season.
Christmas still retains a strong religious element for the locals. Participation in churches increases around this time and a special attendance on Christmas Day, with Midnight Mass being the main event. One of the oldest traditions would be The Sermon of the Child, believed to have started in 1883. A young boy or girl usually aged between 7 and 10 years old is chosen to replace the priest in delivering the sermon on this special event and is awaited with great anticipation.
After Midnight Mass, it is also a custom for the local parish priest to offer traditional Maltese coffee and imqaret to the members of the community. Taking part in these festive traditions is one of the best things to do in Malta to get a better understanding of the place and its people.
Thanks to Rai from A Rai of Light for sharing this unique tradition associated with the beautiful island of Malta.
Italy
Christmas is the most important holiday in the Italian calendar, and this had been the case for centuries. Before Italy became the seat of the Catholic Church, the Romans had a holiday of unknown origins called “Sol Invictus” which was celebrated on December 25th. In Italy, preparation for Christmas starts on December 8th, traditionally, when the families and the municipalities arrange light decorations in the houses and in the streets.
Christmas decorations in private houses aren’t complete without a nativity scene, even if it’s a very simple one. The custom of building nativities is especially felt in the city of Naples, where it also happens the most spectacular New Year’s Eve festival in Italy.
Christmas Eve is the favorite day for Italian children and grandparents. Christmas Eve’s dinner excludes meat products. Italians usually eat seafood and vegetables fried in batter on December 24th.
After dinner, kids open their presents and the family spends a few more hours at the table having panettone and pandoro (we can find those soft cakes only during the Christmas holiday season), and nuts and playing the Tombola. Tombola is a board game that resembles the Bingo but is more colorful and includes more prizes. There are quick card games which are popular during Christmas and use characteristic Italian cards.
Italy is a country where paganism has continued permeating life in the countrysides and small villages. Only a small percentage of Italians go to church on Christmas Eve, while the big majority focuses on having abundant, slow meals and exchanging gifts with family and friends. If you desire to go to church though, you can join hundreds of others in Saint Peter’s Cathedral in Rome where the Pope is celebrating the Christmas Mass.
Thanks to Annalisa Franceschini from Travel Connect Experience for highlighting some of her favorite traditions in Italy during the Christmas season.
Summary
Christmas is a time of the year that every country celebrates in their own unique way. Thanks to an amazing collection of bloggers from across the globe, we hope that there are a few destinations that have sparked your interest because of their distinctive traditions that make them such an awesome place to visit during the Christmas season.
From iconic locations such as the UK, USA, France and more, to lesser known destinations such as Zimbabwe and Montenegro, we have a collection of nations that should be on everyone’s radar. Where are you most intrigued to celebrate the festive fun in the near future?
Thank you to all the travel bloggers that have contributed to this collaboration highlighting the best traditions during the Christmas season around the world.
Fall is the perfect time to enjoy the great outdoors. Whether you love experiencing epic hiking trails around the world or simply want to enjoy the breathtaking foliage, this season is definitely the best time to put on your favorite walking shoes and venture out to explore. Arkansas may not be the first place you think about visiting to enjoy natural beauty, but after taking the Falls Creek Falls hike in Lake Catherine State Park, we would argue that this can challenge any place for breathtaking scenery.
Although our travels have seen us experience the amazing Delicate Arch hike in Arches National Park in Utah and the beauty of Huka Falls in New Zealand, there is something quite magical about stumbling across an epic hike close to home, especially when there are waterfalls involved. When TLC spoke those infamous words…I really don’t think they realized what they were saying!
Don’t go chasing waterfalls, Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you’re used to…
TLC, 1994
I ALWAYS head in the direction of a waterfall, whether it be because they are a spectacular natural attraction or perhaps because of the inherent beauty and relaxation they offer.
From the best waterfalls in Iceland to this gorgeous sight in the heart of our home state of Arkansas, we tend to head towards the relaxing sound of a waterfall. Let’s take a look at what makes Falls Creek Falls such an enticing prospect that will likely make you want to book a trip to Arkansas in the near future.
Lake Catherine State Park
Located in the heart of the Ouachita Mountain region of Arkansas, Lake Catherine State Park is only a short drive from Hot Springs National Park and about 40 minutes from the capital of the state, Little Rock. Whether you are planning a camping trip to this part of the Ouachitas or you are taking a day trip from a nearby location, Lake Catherine State Park epitomizes everything there is to love about Arkansas.
Boat rentals are available all year-round and with numerous pavilions scattered across this state park, it’s no surprise that this is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike to enjoy family picnics or reunions. But it’s the hiking trails here that helps set this aside from many of the other locations you could choose to explore in this part of Arkansas.
Intrigued by the thought of arriving at a spectacular waterfall? Ready to taking a relaxing stroll along the banks of Lake Catherine? Looking for a more strenuous mountain hike? All of these are available courtesy of the three gorgeous hiking trails available inside the state park, accessible from the same starting location.
Hiking Trails
Visitors to Lake Catherine State Park should head along the road towards the lake at the back of the park. Head past the amphitheater and you will arrive at a parking lot which signals the start of the trailhead for the following three trails. Be sure to take a bottle of water (or two) regardless of the time of year you are visiting.
We experienced these trails during fall which we consider to be the best time to explore Arkansas. If you visit in the middle of summer, be prepared for searing hot temperatures and humidity. In winter, you can expect freezing cold weather, hence the reason why spring and fall are perhaps the best time to hike.
The following three hikes are all considered to be “intermediate” by resident hikers and after exploring the Falls Creek Falls hike, we would agree that there are some spots that are a little more challenging than a standard hiking trail.
Falls Branch Trail – 1.7 miles – Follow the red blazes
Dam Mountain Trail – 3.1 miles – Follow the white blazes
Horseshoe Mountain Trail – 2.7 miles – Follow the yellow blazes
Three distinctive trails with varying distance and so it’s all about personal preference and how much time you choose to spend in Lake Catherine State Park. But regardless of which trail you choose, visiting Falls Creek Falls is something you simply cannot afford to miss. We opted for the Falls Branch Trail which despite being the shortest, offers a myriad of gorgeous natural landmarks along the route before you arrive at the pièce de résistance around 75% into the trail.
Falls Creek Falls Hike
If you are looking for the ultimate, family-friendly hiking trail, Falls Branch Trail is definitely the best option and one that you can easily experience in less than two hours (the trail itself won’t take that long but you will likely want to stop on several occasions to take pictures, particularly when you arrive at the waterfall).
A word of warning before you venture out on this trail is that you should be aware of what the weather has been like prior to your visit. The more rainfall that has occurred in the lead up to your visit will certainly help provide a more impressive flow over the edge of the waterfall. Regardless, this is a hiking trail that is well worth visiting at any time of the year.
After you leave the parking lot, head south on the same trail as if you were hiking the Horseshoe Mountain Trail. Pay close attention to the blazes on the trees as you will want to follow the RED markings throughout your adventure.
The first half mile has a gentle incline with a few switchbacks but nothing that any standard of hiking ability should be concerned about. There are a couple of bridges to cross streams which just adds to the overall beauty of the hike and there are even benches available on the hike to the summit if you want to rest for a few minutes or admire the scenery.
At the half way point, the hike starts a gentle descent though there are a few spots where you are navigating rocks which requires a little more attention. Before you arrive at the waterfall, there is a spot where you can look upstream and enjoy gorgeous views of the sunlight passing through the deep woodland. By the time you arrive here, you will likely be able to hear the sound of the waterfall.
You actually arrive at the waterfall from the top and you can clamber across the rocks to peer over the edge (don’t get too close to the edge as you never know how slippery the rocks can be!). The waterfall is only 12 feet in height but don’t let that fool you because the sight of this waterfall with the gorgeous surroundings makes this a breathtaking natural attraction.
Spend some time sitting on the rocks overlooking the waterfall, head across the stream to capture a unique view from the other side or for the kids in your party, perhaps taking a quick swim will appeal. You cannot help but fall in love with this waterfall and this is the perfect spot to really test your photography skills with some long exposure shots (top tip – use your iPhone in “live” mode to take a picture and then change it to long exposure to create that magical shot!)
The remainder of the trail leads you along the banks of Lake Catherine. I will admit that there are several spots along this part of the trail that offer breathtaking views across the lake but many of them are spoiled because of the sight of a power station on the far side of the lake. Regardless, if you can ignore this, there are plenty of panoramic scenes to enjoy.
Summary
Lake Catherine State Park is a location that should be on everyone’s radar when planning a visit to Arkansas. This is one of many locations in the Natural State that we have failed to visit until recently and we hope that by sharing our highlights on this visit, we will encourage a few more folks to explore this state park. Although the highlight is Falls Creek Falls, there are plenty of other reasons to enjoy a visit to this state park.
We are by no means avid hikers but we thoroughly enjoyed the Falls Branch hiking trail and honestly this alone has encouraged us to get out and explore more of our home state. You frequently think about traveling far and wide across the globe but the reality is that there is breathtaking beauty right on your doorstep…you just have to be willing to do some research and find these hidden gems!
If you are interested in exploring other parts of Arkansas, why not consider a trip to Petit Jean State Park or Mountain Magazine, both of which are a relatively short drive from Lake Catherine State Park.
What are your experiences in the state of Arkansas? Do you “chase waterfalls” around the world? Share your thoughts in the comments section below and the next time you are contemplating a trip to Arkansas, please let us know!
Whether you love lounging on the beach or simply enjoy visiting a destination on the coast, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach is the perfect location to experience a little bit of everything. From fun in the sun to a myriad of both indoor and outdoor activities, the Gulf Coast of Alabama is a haven for every type of traveler. For those of you that have visited this part of the state, you will know that it is famous for having 32 miles of pristine, sandy beaches. Although life at the beach on the Gulf Coast is pretty epic, we want to celebrate these 32 miles by heading away from just relaxing on the beach and instead, looking at 32 other awesome things to do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
If you love the great outdoors, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach will certainly not disappoint with a plethora of activities waiting for you to experience. Kayaking, sailing, biking, hiking, golfing among many others will keep you occupied all year round. The beauty of this part of Alabama is that you can visit any time of the year and enjoy many of these outdoor activities.
Best Things to Do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach
When you hear that Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are all about “Keep on Summering” you know that this is a part of the US where you can visit and enjoy gorgeous weather all year round. But even in the heart of winter when it gets a little chilly, there are plenty of indoor activities to entertain all the family. Highlighting 32 experiences and activities may sound like a lot of things to do but when you realize that this barely scratches the surface of reasons to visit this stretch of coastline, you know you are visiting a destination that immediately captures the imagination.
From the best outdoor activities to indoor experiences that all the family will love, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach really does have it all. We also want to feature some of our favorite places to stay and places to indulge in local cuisine because we would argue these are both reasons alone to justify visiting this part of Alabama.
There is a reason (or two…or three…or more!) that we love returning to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, so let’s share 32 of our favorites and see if we can inspire a few of you to visit this part of the world. We are convinced you will not be disappointed! Whether you are spending one, two or three days in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, you will not be short of things to do.
1. Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trails
Experience a diverse collection of wildlife, gorgeous natural eco-systems, and breathtaking panoramic views when you explore the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trails. Whether you hop on a bike or choose to walk along the pathways, there are 25 miles of distinctive trails that will not only give you the opportunity to keep fit while on vacation but also explore six unique eco-systems that thrive along the Gulf Coast.
Our preferred method of exploring these trails is hopping on a bike courtesy of Beach Bike Rentals (see more below). Shortly after leaving the rental spot, be prepared to be on the lookout for various specifies of wildlife including alligators, bald eagles, snakes, and many others.
Don’t worry, if you choose to venture along Rattlesnake Ridge, you may see an armadillo or hear a woodpecker leaving its mark but probably won’t see too many rattlesnakes! If you see the resident alligator “lefty” be sure to take a quick selfie.
2. Beach Bike Rentals
From exploring the backcountry trails to cruising around Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, there is no better way to experience all of the hidden gems on the Gulf Coast than by bike. Visit Beach Bike Rentals, located on Perdido Beach Boulevard and grab your preferred bike to venture out on a fun-filled day of experiences around the bike-friendly neighborhoods.
If you choose to stay on the backcountry trails, you will have 15 unique trails to experience, covering 25 miles of distinctive ecosystems. But the real benefit of renting a bike here is for only $25, you can experience a full day exploring the Gulf Coast. Ride along Coastal Scenic Byway and of course, take some time to admire those gorgeous beaches that epitomize the beauty here.
Prefer to explore with a little more style? Why not hop on a tandem with your loved one and experience everything there is to see in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach!
3. Golf Around the Gulf Coast
The Gulf Coast may not be the first place you think about visiting as a golfing destination but after playing Kiva Dunes and Peninsula (two of several courses in this area), you will quickly realize that Gulf Shores and Orange Beach should be near the very top.
Other courses in the area that are worth visiting include Craft Farms and Gulf Shores Golf Club but for us, Kiva Dunes is definitely a highlight along the Gulf Coast. With immaculate course conditions and affordable green fees thanks to the dynamic pricing adopted (depending on how many tee times are available each day will drive the price of the green fees!), Kiva Dunes is frequently renowned as one of the best courses in Alabama.
The links-style golf course at Kiva Dunes is perfectly manicured and utilizes the natural landscape to create a golfing experience any standard of golfer will enjoy. On the other hand, if you prefer a more US parkland-style course, Peninsula is the perfect place to test your skills at the 27-hole complex. Golf in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach is a challenging yet rewarding experience for all the family to enjoy.
4. Kayaking Excursions
Visiting Gulf Shores and Orange Beach is all about the great outdoors, in particular heading out on the water to enjoy the gorgeous waterways that come together to create the spectacular Gulf Coast. What better way to experience this than by getting “up close and personal” with the waterways on a kayak (or stand-up paddleboard if you prefer).
Although there is a myriad of kayaking excursions awaiting you along the Gulf Coast, perhaps the best experience is to enjoy a guided tour of a local waterway with Coastal Segway Adventures. You never quite know what wildlife you will stumble across and what better way to interact with coastal animals than by enjoying their natural habitat. From a myriad of bird species to fish, turtles and more, those that love wildlife experiences cannot help but fall in love with kayaking around the Gulf Coast.
Some of the most popular areas for kayaking along the Gulf Coast include Bon Secour River, Little Lagoon, Lake Shelby in Gulf State Park and Perdido Pass.
5. Parasailing Adventures – Sail Wild Hearts
Feeling adventurous when you head to the Gulf Coast? Why not overcome any fears you have about parasailing and enjoy an adrenaline rush courtesy of an excursion into the Gulf with Sail Wild Hearts. As you are lifted into the sky, your fears will subside and you will be left admiring the inherent beauty of the Gulf Coast from a birds-eye view.
If you have never been parasailing, this adventure quickly shifts from fear to relaxation in a matter of seconds. As you float along in the sky after that initial rush, the beauty of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach can be seen through the turquoise waters in the Gulf and the gorgeous natural landscapes that create this beautiful stretch of coastline in Alabama.
Sky Surfer is a 35ft parasailing boat and renowned as one of the best along the Gulf Coast. With this vessel, you can be sure your parasailing experience is safe, secure and comfortable. With Sail Wild Hearts, you are “sky surfing” as opposed to parasailing. Want to know the difference? Think about luxury, comfort, and safety and that’s what you will enjoy when you venture out into the Gulf with Sky Surfer.
6. Sunset Cruise – Sail Wild Hearts
After visiting Gulf Shores and Orange Beach on several occasions, we have realized this destination is home to amazing sunsets. What better way to experience these than by heading out on board a 53-foot open catamaran courtesy of Sail Wild Hearts to enjoy an epic sunrise experience while also admiring local wildlife in the Gulf. A 90-minute cruise out into the Gulf is the perfect wildlife and sunset encounter, before heading back into the quiet, calm back waterways to create the epitome of a coastal paradise.
Pods of dolphins can frequently be seen enjoying their natural habitat while guests on the catamaran can enjoy a selection of snacks and beverages before the pièce de résistance – the Gulf Coast sunset can be admired from a plethora of awesome viewpoints. Those adventurous enough will head out on the “netting” to kick back and relax while being mesmerized by the beauty of mother nature creating a magical sunset experience.
7. Historic Fort Morgan
The Gulf Coast is certainly recognized as a beach paradise but it is also a historic location dating back over 150 years when Fort Morgan was a masonry fort and part of the Battle of Mobile Bay. The Siege of Fort Morgan dates back to 1864 when this fort was under attack and today, visitors can learn all about the strategic location and how this played an integral role in the American Civil War.
For a small admission fee, visitors can enjoy a self-guided tour throughout the fort, exploring some of the iconic fortifications and learning about the rich history that continues to be preserved to this day. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach may not be a destination you think about visiting if you are a history buff, but Historic Fort Morgan certainly offers an experience every historian will appreciate.
8. Espionage at Mobile Point Escape Room
If walking around and learning about the history of Fort Morgan isn’t enough and you need a little more hands-on experience, why not participate in the Espionage at Mobile Point Escape Room? Step back in time to 1864 as a federal spy that has been captured and get ready for 60 minutes of fast and furious fun as you embark on a series of clues to locate two maps that will allow you to escape execution.
Use your decision-making skills and come together with friends and family to build trust as you attempt to solve cryptic puzzles to find more clues and piece together the map that will lead to your escape. Be sure to use all of your resources, including finding a series of coins scattered across the room that will allow you to “buy” clues from the individual charged with watching over you.
9. Charter Fishing Excursions
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach take fishing to the next level. From angling excursions in the Gulf of Mexico to cruising the backwater bays of the Gulf in search of snapper, the opportunities for fishing adventures are endless. For those of you that prefer to stay on dry land, you can head over to Gulf State Park Pier to learn all about the basics during an Angler Academy. But it’s the charter experiences where the fishing aficionados will spring to life as you venture out deep into the Gulf in search of a myriad of fresh fish.
From beginners to seasoned anglers, there are over one hundred unique excursions available to satisfy every level. Captains on board the vessels will take you to the optimal locations in the Gulf where you can sit back and relax before capturing your “catch of the day”. Check out this collection of fishing charters and tours in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach to find the perfect experience for your next visit to the area.
10. Retail Therapy at The Wharf
Take time to visit the hub of entertainment along the Gulf Coast by heading over to The Wharf, home to a variety of local boutique stores, an AMC movie theater and an iconic ferris wheel. Whether you are looking at purchasing local products to remember your time in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, or perhaps wanting to visit one of the various national brands, you can be sure that your visit to The Wharf will give you much needed retail therapy.
Head over to The Southern Grind Coffee House to grab an espresso before exploring the collection of nautical themed decor that will likely entice you to rethink your design at home. With a variety of local restaurants to choose from, the difficult decision will be determining exactly where to eat while you “shop til you drop” at The Wharf.
Don’t forget to return to The Wharf at night to enjoy the spectacular sight of the light show that frequently can be seen here. The ferris wheel illuminates the night sky and visitors can enjoy a vibrant, lively atmosphere as they wander around the various stores.
11. Bath Boldly – High Cotton Bath Company
If you are looking for the perfect girlfriends getaway experience or even something for you and a loved one to enjoy, head over to High Cotton Bath Company located at The Wharf for the ultimate Bath Boldly encounter. Learn all about a plethora of fragrances, chemical free product bases and much more before creating your very own product that you can take home.
Whether you want to create a hand soap, body wash, shampoo or even salt scrub, the Bath Boldly signature experience gives you the opportunity to find your favorite fragrance (or combination of fragrances) from over 250 different options. To make life a little easier, there is a selection of popular combinations to choose from to suit both male and female but perhaps you will be adventurous enough to create your very own magical fragrance.
12. The Clay Studio
Get ready to showcase your arts and craft skills at The Clay Studio at The Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach by learning everything there is to know about creating the perfect bowl or something similar. Start at the beginning by learning the basics of “throwing” on a pottery wheel before glazing with your favorite color and creating the perfect masterpiece.
Take a self-guided tour around the art gallery inside The Coastal Arts Center and be sure to leave your address so your magical work of art can be shipped to you. If you ever contemplated creating something that would sit perfectly on your fireplace or side table, now is the time to visit The Clay Studio. Don’t worry though, the resident professional will ensure you leave satisfied with your creation!
13. Attend Seasonal Festival
From Shrimp Fest to the annual Oyster Cook-Off, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach is home to a variety of festivals and events that attracts visitors from all across the globe. Local chefs love to showcase their delicious dishes during these events and it’s an opportunity for locals and visitors alike to sample a collection of offerings while enjoying live entertainment.
The Fall season is a great time to visit Gulf Shores and Orange Beach with a number of festivals taking place, including the National Shrimp Festival (aka “Shrimp Fest”) in October and the Oyster Cook-Off at The Hangout in early November. Regardless of what time of the year you visit the Gulf Coast, you can be sure there is an event or festival right around the corner.
The Lodge at Gulf State Park is a truly unique lodging accommodation located within the state park in Gulf Shores. After the original location was destroyed in a hurricane, they decided to come back better than ever with a sustainable hotel that truly is walking the walk.
With turtle-friendly rules, using collected rainwater, locally sourced food, and locally focused and sourced furniture and artwork, this one of a kind place is definitely worth a stay.
As part of the Hilton brand, this hotel epitomizes everything there is to love about the movement towards the “Leave Only Footprints” ordinance and typified by the large wall in the heart of lobby which represents the sea turtle footprints that are prominent in this part of the Gulf Coast.
Thanks to Ashley from Wild Hearted for sharing her thoughts on why the Lodge at Gulf State Park is heading in the right direction with sustainability initiatives along the Gulf Coast.
15. Stay in Luxury at Turquoise Place
All-inclusive resorts are generally associated with the Caribbean islands but if you are looking for a close alternative in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, consider staying at the gorgeous Turquoise Place by Spectrum Resorts. Located in the heart of Orange Beach overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, this state of the art condominium complex offers breathtaking accommodations, top-class amenities, and private beach access.
Stay in ultimate luxury at Turquoise Place and feel like you are in your “home away from home” as you utilize SubZero or Wolfe appliances in the kitchen, a jacuzzi tub in every condo’s balcony and a gorgeous jet tub in the master bathroom. Head down to the lazy river for a relaxing float before venturing to the gorgeous pool. With a variety of other on-site amenities, you could easily spend your vacation relaxing at Turquoise Place without ever needing to leave.
Whether you are intending on spending spring break in Alabama or perhaps considering a family getaway later in the year, Turquoise Place has everything covered for the perfect luxury vacation. Don’t let the price tag convince you otherwise, as it’s worth every penny! Check out our top tips on where to stay in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
16. Relax at The Beach Club
If you prefer a more secluded environment, consider staying at another of Spectrum Resorts’ properties – The Beach Club. Located between Gulf Shores and Fort Morgan, this resort offers exclusive amenities and gorgeous condominium options for visitors. Focused on delivering high-quality service to every guest that stays at The Beach Club, Spectrum Resorts delivers a “clean bed guarantee” (freshly laundered duvet for every new guest) which helps set aside this condo complex from other competitors along the Gulf Coast.
On-site amenities include access to a gorgeous beach, a private pool for each condominium tower, an indoor pool, tennis courts, sauna, and steam room, among many others. A variety of dining options are available including The Village Hideaway where you can also test your golfing skills at the indoor simulator.
The Beach Club is the perfect relaxation spot in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. While you are only a short drive from the heart and soul of the Gulf Coast, you are far enough away to make you feel as if you are in a secluded environment.
17. Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo and Safari Club
Before associating the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo with other stereotypical zoos around the world, take a moment to learn about the story that has captured the hearts of so many people that have visited this iconic attraction. For 30 years, Patti Hall has been volunteering and showing passionate leadership for a zoo that was highlighted on Animal Planet’s “The Little Zoo That Could”. Patti has not only helped guide the growth of this zoo, but she also has shown love and compassion for animals, unlike many others.
During the tragedy of Hurricane Ivan that struck the Gulf Coast in 2004, Patti transferred many of the animals to her own backyard and for 7 weeks following the mass destruction of this natural disaster, along with several other volunteers she took care of the animals before they were able to return.
In late 2019 and early 2020, a brand new larger site will host the Zoo and prior to the grand opening, visitors are strongly encouraged to visit The Safari Club to enjoy the delicious local cuisine. Catering to vegans, vegetarians unlike anywhere else along the Gulf Coast, this restaurant is unique with regards to being “green certified” given the efforts that are taking place to create a sustainable, eco-friendly environment thanks to the leadership of head chef Greg Buschmohle.
18. Sand Castle University
Take a few minutes to reminisce about your childhood years when you were at the beach trying to build that magical sandcastle…how did it turn out? Ok, fast forward to the present day and when you hear about the possibility of attending Sand Castle University to learn the tricks of the trade and master the crafting techniques to create a masterpiece, I am sure you will be as excited as we are about that thought.
Regardless of where you are staying, the professionals at Sand Castle University will bring their equipment to your chosen beach location and help you create a memorable work of art. Sand Castle 101 is a one-hour session giving you the basic techniques before giving you all the tools needed to design your preferred castle. An advanced session is also available for those that have already mastered the basic techniques but regardless of your skill level, this is a family-oriented experience that everyone cannot help but love!
19. Enjoy a 50s Themed Diner
“Hey Cool Cats, Welcome to the Sunliner Diner!” – these were the first words we heard as we took a step back in time to the 1950s by visiting this quintessential diner in the heart of Gulf Shores. When you think about everything associated with American culture in the 1950s – listening to music on jukeboxes, stereotypical American cars and of course, traditional fare including hamburgers and milkshakes, Sunliner Diner has it all…and more!
Take a spin down Beach Road in one of the Sunliner Diner convertibles that are available to rent in front of the restaurant but it’s the experience inside that will likely make you want to return time and time again. Delicious food and decadent milkshakes create an irresistible menu while listening to your favorite hits from previous decades will certainly bring back many childhood memories and stories shared by previous generations.
20. Picnic Themed Beach BBQ
If you’re looking for a spot to eat within walking distance to the beach that has a fun and welcoming atmosphere, Picnic Beach is definitely the place. Picnic Beach offers a large welcoming outdoor space and bright interior space equipped with green “grass” flooring and fun decor.
The best thing about Picnic Beach is its welcoming menu. No matter the dietary needs of your entire group, there are plenty of options for everyone.
Thanks to Ashley from Wild Hearted for highlighting why the Picnic Beach in Gulf Shores is a great outdoor and indoor dining option for everyone.
21. Breakfast in Gulf State Park
Start the day in fine style by taking a stroll around Gulf State Park or taking advantage of the bike-share program that is available. But before any of this, why not head over to Woodside Restaurant at Gulf State Park to enjoy breakfast from a menu created from locally sourced ingredients. Whether you are intrigued by the South Island Parfait or perhaps Brad’s Breakfast, you can be sure that you won’t leave Woodside hungry.
Sit inside the screened-in porch area or main dining area to enjoy freshly prepared food and admire the meticulous attention to detail that is given to serving your chosen dishes. There are weekday specials available every morning while visitors later in the day can also enjoy a lunch and dinner menu that is equally appealing.
22. Hang Out at The Hangout
The Gulf Coast isn’t short of places to enjoy live entertainment but perhaps the most popular among locals and visitors alike is the infamous Hangout in the heart of Gulf Shores. Fresh seafood from the Gulf is a popular menu item while live music is frequently on offer. Renowned for being the home of the annual Oyster Cook-Off event, The Hangout is always a fun-filled venue for all the family to enjoy.
Every day is action-packed full of activities, events, and experiences for everyone to enjoy. Perfectly located on Beach Boulevard overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, visitors frequently take a stroll along the beach before venturing inside this location to enjoy a nightcap (or two). The kids will love the foam hour that takes place every hour until 6 PM daily while there are plenty of other outdoor activities including ping-pong, foosball and a large picnic area for all the family to experience.
23. Indulge at The Yard
Experience the ultimate indulgence by visiting The Yard Milkshake Bar in Gulf Shores for a gourmet milkshake, topped full of your favorite sweet treats. Don’t let the price tag convince you otherwise because this is a once in a lifetime experience (ok, maybe after visiting the first time you will be convinced to return!) where you can enjoy a magical concoction of ice cream combined with sweets, candy and much more.
Be prepared to wait your turn as there is frequently a 45 minute or longer wait time. It’s well worth the wait to capture not only that perfect Instagram shot in front of the neon sign but also indulge in a magical sweet delicacy. The Birthday Cake Shake is a definite favorite as are all of the other pre-defined milkshakes. However, if you are feeling really adventurous, maybe you will design your own masterpiece. Be sure to share on Instagram and most importantly, enjoy every last bite!
24. Waterfront Dining at GT’s on the Bay
With so many amazing restaurants to choose from in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, it’s a difficult decision to know where to visit. If you consider cuisine, well it’s still a pretty tough choice. However, when it comes to location, there is one in particular that in our opinion stands out from the competition – GT’s on the Bay. Located overlooking Wolf Bay, GT’s offers outdoor seating with gorgeous views of the bay while offering a unique indoor dining area with a large, open fish tank in the middle.
Offering a diverse variety of menu options, ranging from a blend of local, seafood favorites to “create your own” pizza, GT’s on the Bay is a family-friendly atmosphere that will surely entice you to visit. The spacious outdoor area is the perfect spot to capture a late evening sunset while indulging in delicious cuisine. The Cajan Empanadas are a definite favorite as is the Firecracker Shrimp for those that enjoy a little extra kick in their cuisine.
25. Healthy Deliciousness at Soul Bowlz
If you are looking for healthy breakfast options in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, look no further than Soul Bowlz, a vegan-friendly establishment that creates delicious acai and other nutrient-packed bowls of deliciousness. The difficult choice will be deciding what blend to choose but regardless of your decision, you can be assured that it will be a fresh, delicious and truly fulfilling experience.
Renowned as a “bowl of heaven found on the Gulf Coast”, Soul Bowlz is the perfect way to start your day with plenty of nutrients, exotic superfruits and the optimal blend of Omega-3 and Omega-6 essential fatty acids. The real enjoyment is that along with knowing you are eating healthy, this bowl is flavorful and refreshing.
26. Visit a Nautical Themed Coffee Shop
When it comes to the best coffee in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, there are not many better than The Southern Grind Coffee House. With two locations at The Wharf and along Perdido Beach Boulevard, this coffee shop represents the Gulf Coast perfectly through the nautical-inspired decor, gorgeous turquoise color throughout and of course, delicious coffee and cuisine options.
Both locations are worth visiting but The Wharf is conveniently located if you are staying in the condos there or if you are visiting for a little retail therapy. With a myriad of menu options to choose from, you can be sure your favorite espresso drink will be hand prepared to perfection.
Enjoy stereotypical southern fare at breakfast or lunch before picking out a few decorative items that are the perfect souvenir to take home and recall your trip to the Gulf Coast.
27. Enjoy a Stereotypical Southern Breakfast
As you have probably established already, breakfast in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach is a pretty awesome experience with so many cool spots worth visiting. If you are ready to sample traditional southern breakfast fare, head to The Ruby Slipper to enjoy the signature Eggs Benedict dishes. The Peacemaker, Eggs Cochon, and Shrimp Boogaloo are all Eggs Benedict dishes that are popular for good reason.
Enjoy an eye-opening cocktail with your southern breakfast and you will leave The Ruby Slipper knowing that you have experienced the ultimate combination to start your day. Originating in New Orleans, The Ruby Slipper has opened this location in Orange Beach and it’s no surprise that it has become an immediate fan favorite among locals and visitors alike.
28. Visit Lucy Buffett’s Waterfront Hangout
A trip to the Gulf Coast wouldn’t be the same without experiencing Lucy Buffett’s LuLu’s in Gulf Shores. This festive waterfront hangout is more than just a restaurant, in fact it’s an experience that you can enjoy for several hours with a plethora of fun-filled family entertainment options available throughout this location. Enjoy live music, delicious freshly prepared cuisine and have a whole bunch of fun!
Enjoy spectacular views of the waterways as you indulge in the fresh catch of the day before sampling Key Lime Pie or Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding for dessert. Head over to the rope course for a post-meal experience before exploring LuLu’s store to find apparel, trinkets and other branded merchandise to recall your visit to this attraction that is so much more than a restaurant. Check out a collection of the best places to eat in
29. Stay in Luxury at The Wharf
The beauty of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach is that there is a myriad of accommodation options available to suit every preference and budget. For those of you that prefer to stay away from the beachfront properties, why not head to The Wharf and stay in a luxury condo overlooking the Intracoastal waterway.
We recently stayed in a property courtesy of Young’s Suncoast Realty and immediately fell in love with the decor and overall location as it overlooked the waterway from the balcony and from the front door, the gorgeous Wharf. When it comes to premier resorts along the Gulf Coast, you really are spoiled for choice but if beach life just isn’t your thing, perhaps staying close to the Gulf Coast’s entertainment hotspot will be the perfect alternative.
30. Sample the Best Pastries on the Gulf Coast
Visit BuzzCatz Coffee and Sweets in Orange Beach to sample the best local, home-made pastries along the Gulf Coast. Locally crafted pastries will leave you salivating as you admire the collection available, ranging from traditional chocolate chip cookies to salted caramel cupcakes and scones.
Signature pastries here include the award-winning cinnamon roll, the BuzzCatz pop-tart, and blueberry infused biscuits. Enjoy one or more pastries while drinking your favorite coffee or tea. When you have visited BuzzCatz Coffee and Sweets, you will remember exactly why home-style cooking is the best.
31. Hike Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
Similar to the Backcountry Trails, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is another great eco-friendly area worth exploring with your favorite hiking boots. Four distinctive trails are available throughout this wildlife refuge covering six miles. Alligators, armadillos, red fox and bobcats can all be seen here dependent on the time of year you visit.
Visitors can learn all about the wildlife and sustainability practices taking place inside this refuge courtesy of the interpretative signs that are displayed throughout the area. If hiking isn’t really your thing and you prefer to hit the open waters, grab a kayak (or bring your own) and explore Bon Secour from a different angle.
32. Enjoy 32 Miles of Beaches
You didn’t think that we would write about the best 32 things to do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach without saving the best until last! That’s right, you simply cannot visit the Gulf Coast without allowing some time to enjoy the gorgeous beaches that line this stretch of coastline.
Whether you are staying at a condo with private beach access or simply want to visit one of the many public access points, the beaches along the Gulf of Mexico are arguably some of the most spectacular anywhere in the US. Words will never do enough justice to these beaches and although we are fond of the photographs we have taken, there is really only one way to experience the inherent beauty and that is by stepping on the gorgeous sands for yourself.
Summary
32 reasons to visit Gulf Shores and Orange Beach…are you convinced yet? We LOVE visiting the Gulf Coast and each time we find something different to enjoy. The beaches are always a highlight attraction and we think it’s only appropriate that we celebrate these 32 miles of coastline by highlighting a variety of other reasons that should entice you to book a trip in the near future.
Whether you choose to visit in Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter, you can be assured that there will be something indoors and outdoors to capture your imagination. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach just has a way of making you want to return time and time again…we certainly cannot wait to enjoy our next adventure on the Gulf Coast!
With 32 miles of pristine beaches, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama is the perfect location for a relaxing getaway. Home to a collection of fresh seafood restaurants and a variety of indoor/outdoor activities, it’s no surprise that the Gulf Coast is a popular destination. However, one thing that may surprise you is that Gulf Shores and Orange Beach is a haven for delicious coffee. During our recent visit to the Gulf Coast, we set out on an adventure to experience the best coffee in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach and we can 100% attest that this stretch of coastline does not disappoint.
When it comes to local coffee shops, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach offers a number of awesome options which we will cover throughout this post. Forget chain coffee shops such as Starbucks and instead, indulge in a collection of vibrant, relaxing coffee shops that epitomize everything there is to love about this part of Alabama.
We have been fortunate to visit a number of local coffee houses in both Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, and the difficult choice is picking which is our favorite because every one has a unique characteristic that makes it an appealing place to visit.
Best Coffee in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach
Let’s take a look at the best coffee shops in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. We have visited the Gulf Coast on numerous occasions and only on our recent trip did we decide to explore the coffee scene.
We spoke to several locals and they admitted that they were unaware of several of the newly opened coffee shops and we look forward to hopefully encouraging more folks to visit these awesome spots during their trip to the coast.
The Southern Grind Coffee House
The Happy Pappy
Beach Girl Coffee
Our Coffee
BuzzCatz Coffee and Sweets
Foam Coffee
From The Southern Grind Coffee House that perfectly represents the nautical theme we associate with the coast to Foam Coffee which has an open-air, relaxing ambience to it, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach has a collection of coffee shops that could quite easily fit into any other destination that celebrates the coffee scene.
For a destination that is all about the beach, backcountry trails and other outdoor activities, there is something quite magical about the coffee shops in this area, making this the perfect destination for a long weekend getaway, even if the weather isn’t cooperating. As always, this is by no means an exhaustive list of coffee shops in the area and we strongly encourage you to post your recommendations in the comments section below.
The Southern Grind Coffee House
Have you ever visited a coffee shop and immediately felt at home? That’s the feeling you get the moment you walk into The Southern Grind Coffee House. Whether you are visiting the location at The Wharf or along the coast on Perdido Beach Boulevard at Hotel Indigo, you can be sure that you will leave having experienced an amazing coffee shop. Both locations are on the Orange Beach side, but even if you are staying in Gulf Shores, the short drive is well worth the effort…you will not leave disappointed!
From a variety of delicious espresso beverages and accompanying flavors, to a wide menu offering breakfast and lunch options, The Southern Grind offers a diverse collection of items to satisfy every tastebud.
When you think about Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, or any destination on the coast for that matter, you will likely think about seafood, boats and a general nautical theme. The Southern Grind perfectly represents everything there is to love about this theme with the decor, and turquoise colored vibe throughout the design elements in the shop.
“The House of Turquoise” as it is known among locals and visitors alike never fails to satisfy every customer that walks through the doors. While staying at the condominiums by Young’s Suncoast overlooking The Wharf, we took the short stroll to The Southern Grind on several occasions to enjoy a Salted Caramel Latte, Vanilla Creme and even a decadent “southern style” breakfast.
There is nothing quite like southern biscuits and gravy, topped with fried eggs or a Hawaiian roll breakfast sandwich to start the day.
You never know what unique array of gifts and home décor you will find in our old antique boat.
The Southern Grind Coffee House
If you are looking for the perfect place in Orange Beach to catch up on work or enjoy reading your favorite book, The Southern Grind is perhaps the best place in town to achieve this. The difficult part will be avoiding the temptation to browse the decor that is available for purchase but should you avoid this, you will enjoy the perfect setting while indulging in delicious coffee.
The newest coffee shop to open in Gulf Shores is the wonderfully named Happy Pappy’s Coffee House. After opening their doors to customer in early October 2019, this coffee shop has immediately captured the attention of locals and visitors alike, not only because of the gorgeous interior but also through the delicious coffee that is served by the resident baristas.
Located in the midtown area of Gulf Shores, this new construction has a spacious interior with plenty of seating ranging from an area with a sofa to a variety of tables and chairs throughout the modern space. With plenty of windows offering a myriad of natural light, Happy Pappy’s is definitely going to continue to grow as a popular social spot for folks to enjoy a latte while catching up with friends.
If you are looking for the signature drink at Happy Pappy’s, consider sampling the frozen hot chocolate. Heather couldn’t resist the temptation and she indicated it was just as good as the barista suggested it would be.
I enjoyed a caramel latte and with a plethora of fresh pastries to choose from, there is definitely a wide menu to satisfy everyone looking to enjoy a late morning snack or early afternoon tea.
Coffee and Friends make the perfect blend
When I read the above quote on an ornament shaped like a coffee mug, I immediately realized the philosophy Happy Pappy’s is trying to adopt. They are creating the perfect social space for friends and family to enjoy coffee and I am convinced they have already achieved this. Given that they are such a new coffee shop in the area, it will be interesting to see how they grow in the near future.
Beach Girl Coffee
For those of you looking to enjoy a quick visit to a coffee shop, Beach Girl Coffee is likely to be your best option. Serving a variety of espresso and non-coffee beverages through Gulf Shores’ only drive through coffee shop, Beach Girl is the perfect place to visit if you are heading out of town or simply want to grab your favorite drink before heading on to your next adventure exploring the area.
Offering a mixture of standard and seasonal drinks, Beach Girl Coffee caters to every visitors need. Whether you are looking for a Pumpkin Spice Latte or perhaps a frozen smoothie, there are plenty of options on the menu at affordable prices. Heather couldn’t resist the cotton candy smoothie and I enjoyed an iced white chocolate latte. The location combined with friendly service creates the perfect environment for a quick coffee shop visit.
Serving freshly roasted coffee, every beverage at Beach Girl Coffee is individually handcrafted and meticulously created to satisfy every customer that passes through the convenient drive through location.
I think Beach Girl Coffee could consider adding a “seated area” outside this location and a walk-up window, as I truly believe more people would enjoy hanging out here while enjoying the plethora of drink options.
Our Coffee
Our journey around the best coffee shops in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach continued when we visited Our Coffee, located inside Tambo’s Surf Shack in Gulf Shores. In terms of location, this may not be the usual spot where you would expect to find a coffee shop but after walking inside this surf and dive shop, we immediately fell in love with the coffee house.
If you are looking for the perfect Instagrammable coffee shop, look no further than Our Coffee. With a variety of gorgeous decor, including a swing with the turquoise wall as the backdrop, Our Coffee is a vibrant, hip environment for coffee connoisseurs to enjoy their diverse espresso offerings.
Our goal with our coffee is to pour love into our super rad beach community.
John & Brooke Davis, Co-Owners – Our Coffee
Pay an extra $2 to take home one of the Our Coffee mason jars which you are served with any iced or frozen beverage. The selection of seasonal favorites, including the Maple or Pumpkin Spice lattes in Fall are definitely worth experiencing.
Our Coffee have created a relaxing atmosphere in this space to either read your favorite book or catch up on work. The blend of nautical, natural and eco-friendly decor works well in this coffee shop and creates an idyllic location for those focused on sustainable travel.
BuzzCatz Coffee & Sweets
Is there any better combination that delicious coffee combined with freshly prepared pastries and other sweet treat delicacies?
BuzzCatz Coffee & Sweets are solely focused on creating the optimal experience for visitors by creating delicious, freshly baked sweet treats, ranging from traditional cupcakes, scone and cookies, to local favorites including the BuzzCatz poptart.
Local chef, Kimberly Asbury, is the pastry chef and general manager at BuzzCatz and has over 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry. Her focus is to create anything that people truly enjoy and it’s no surprise that many of her masterpiece pastries are some of the most popular along the Gulf Coast.
Visitors to the Gulf Coast will know that experiencing the best places to eat in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach epitomizes the local tradition of having an “unforgettable dining experience.” BuzzCatz perfectly continues this tradition by uniquely serving a collection of pastries and espresso infused beverages that inspire visitors to return time and time again.
So, the million dollar question is…what do you order at BuzzCatz Coffee & Sweets? The simple answer is anything! You really cannot go wrong with any of the menu items and it’s purely personal preference. From the freshly baked chocolate chip cookies to the salted caramel scone and cupcakes, you will leave satisfied regardless of what you order.
Perhaps the cinnamon rolls or southern inspired biscuits will tempt you but the difficult decision will be knowing when to stop ordering…why not just try a little bit of everything!
For details on what you can expect to find, check out BuzzCatz Coffee & Sweets website for more information.
Foam Coffee
Do you love clean, spacious, airy coffee shop environments? If the answer is yes, Foam Coffee in Gulf Shores is likely going to jump to the top of your bucket list of coffee shops to visit along the Gulf Coast. As you enter this local establishment, you immediately notice the bright, open environment, combined with plenty of seating and a counter with a cool looking menu board behind it.
Foam Coffee is all about perfecting the details when it comes to creating your preferred beverage. Whether you are opting for a Fall classic, such as the Bourbon Caramel Cortado, or perhaps sticking with a more traditional flavor, you cannot help but admire the barista carefully manipulating your preferred milk choice into the cup. The end result – a decadent concoction that could easily compete with the best coffee options among the competitors in the area.
With plenty of breakfast options to choose from, Foam Coffee is more than just a coffee shop. But for those of you wanting to hang out in a welcoming atmosphere with your favorite latte, this is certainly one of the best choices in the area.
Check out full details on Foam Coffee to learn more about seasonal menu offerings.
Summary
Before starting out on this adventure to explore the coffee scene in Gulf Shores and Orange, I honestly would never have guessed that this area would have so many awesome options for those that love local coffee shops. After visiting six unique coffee shops in both locations, we are 100% convinced that this is a thriving area and it wouldn’t surprise me if more local establishments decided to open their doors in the near future.
We love visiting coffee shops to not only experience the best local roasts in the area but also to relax and use the space to catch up on blog work. Aside from Beach Girl Coffee which is the perfect spot to just grab a drink while on the go, each of the other coffee shops have unique characteristics that make them an appealing environment to visit and spend several hours enjoying the atmosphere while sampling delicious beverages and fresh food.
I don’t think it’s fair to pick a favorite given that we feel all of the aforementioned coffee shops are worth visiting and we are already excited about our next trip to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach to experience each and every one of these again.
If you love coffee as much as we do, you may be inspired by the following coffee related posts in other destinations around the world:
If you really want to experience the true vibe and feel of a city, we strongly encourage you to check out the local street art scene as it frequently represents the plethora of neighborhoods that make up the metropolis. We have been fortunate to experience artistic creativity in the US by visiting the best street art in Memphis, awesome collection of Nashville murals and the myriad of districts in Atlanta that are home to artistic masterpieces. During our recent trip to Florida, we decided to experience a collection of Orlando murals in search of the best local street art across this eclectic city.
For those of you that have never visited Orlando, you could be forgiven for thinking this city is all about the theme parks. You are partially correct but there is also so much more to this city that should attract your attention. From the best coffee shops in Orlando to a plethora of other things to do in Orlando, we also recently found this vibrant city is home to a diverse street art scene that epitomizes the creativity you expect to see from local street artists.
Location: Washington Street, Thornton Park
But does the Orlando street art scene truly represent the city that many people fall in love with? Well, you may be disappointed to hear that Orlando’s street artistry isn’t solely focused on Harry Potter or Walt Disney World but what it does offer is an awesome variety of murals that are unique, colorful and certainly represent the dynamic neighborhoods where they can be found. Let’s take a look at Orlando’s street art scene.
Location: Track Shack, North Mills Avenue
Orlando Murals Neighborhoods
We hope the following guide not only highlights the best street art spots in Orlando but is also a useful guide if you are intrigued to explore some of these murals for yourself.
We are going to look at a wide collection of murals across various neighborhoods in Orlando, including:
Mills 50 District
Downtown Orlando
WestArt/Parramore District
Kissimmee
Exploring Orlando’s street art scene is an amazing experience and following the tragedy in 2016 at the Pulse nightclub, there is an apparent push by local artists and even those that have come to the area to really promote the LGBT community and ensure the solidarity among every culture continues to thrive.
Location: Bites & Bubbles, 912 N. Mills.
There are many other areas where you can stumble across cool street art and this is certainly by no means an exhaustive list. The beauty of street art is that it is constantly evolving, so please feel free to share your favorite locations and murals in the comments section below.
Location: Opposite Track Shack, North Mills Avenue
Mills 50 District
When it comes to street art in Orlando, the Mills 50 District is the “Rolls-Royce” neighborhood across the city with a myriad of amazing murals to experience. Whether you are intrigued by the Pulse mural by Andrew Spear or perhaps you cannot help but fall in love with the Lamp Shade Fair mural by Boy Kong, the Mills 50 District is a thriving area of artistic creativity.
Location: 1336 N Mills Ave
For those of you that love capturing selfies with street art (personally, I prefer to admire the creative works rather than spoiling them with a selfie), the Mills 50 District will likely be an area you will want to spend quite some time. Despite being an ever-changing landscape, which is unsurprisingly the frequent nature of street art scenes, the beauty of this neighborhood is that the majority of the murals can be found scattered along both sides of North Mills Avenue.
The iconic mural depicting an alligator and oranges is the perfect representation of not only Orlando but also the state of Florida – there are probably not too many more iconic symbols of the state (Mickey Mouse being the exception!). Located on the side of Rise Above Tattoo shop, this mural is one of our favorites throughout this neighborhood.
Location: 1009 N Mills Ave
Established local artist Andrew Spear can be seen throughout the Mills 50 District with his works of art. In 2014, Spear began his adventure creating a variety of murals, in conjunction with Red Bull. The #WingstoWalls project can be seen along North Mills Avenue and the mural featuring DJ M-Squared is perhaps the most popular among visitors to the area.
Location: N. Mills Avenue and Lake Highland Drive
Another of Spears’ iconic masterpieces in conjunction with Red Bull is a collection of breakdancers showing their skills in the Mills 50 neighborhood. For the local musicians and artists out there, this is definitely a way to bring both cultures together to create an environment of inclusion.
You could easily spend several hours wandering around this neighborhood as it seems there is a different mural around every street corner and what is so unique is that each one has its own distinctive meaning. For example, the “You Mattered” mural depicts 49 birds in LGBT colors to represent the birds that flew over the Pulse nightclub following the tragic shooting in 2016.
Location: iFixYouri, 1200 E. Colonial Drive
Downtown Orlando
After exploring the Mills 50 neighborhood, you could be forgiven for thinking that this part of Orlando is the area where all of the best street artists showcase their work. Although there may be some truth to this, at least in our opinion, given that we love the Mills 50 area and all the amazing works of art, downtown Orlando is definitely not short of spectacular murals.
There is street art at ground level around corners and on the sides of buildings but also a few amazing pieces of creativity on high-rise buildings.
Let’s take a look at the “Greetings From Orlando” mural – every city has to have one of these, right? Colorful, vibrant, and perfectly representing the city with all of the various components that you can see in the mural. This is definitely one of those murals where it’s ok to take a selfie but we still think admiring it without the camera in front of you first is a little more appealing to the eye.
Location: Uncle Tony’s Donut Shoppe, 703 N. Orange Ave
A short walk from this mural is a couple of great coffee shops – Craft & Common and Deeply Coffee. Grab your favorite espresso here before heading over to another cool looking mural – aptly named, the “Penguin Mural”.
Location: 319 N. Magnolia Avenue
WestArt/Parramore District
The WestArt district in Orlando, west of the downtown area, is another thriving community for street art work. Located within the Parramore neighborhood, this eclectic collection of murals can be found along alleys and around a myriad of street corners. The goal of having local artists and well-recognized artists from across the globe visiting this area, is to try and bring a positive perspective to the Parramore district.
In recent years, the Parramore neighborhood has seen some gentrification, largely due to the opening of the Orlando City soccer stadium. The WestArt district offers an additional cultural element to the area and certainly adds some color to the architecture around the neighborhood.
Many locals have already considered this to be Orlando’s equivalent of Miami’s Wynwood Walls district, but we personally think it’s a little too soon to go that far. Having these ambitious goals will definitely help grow this neighborhood and only time will tell if this grows into a renowned global area of street art mastery.
When you hear that a neighborhood has seen a reduction in crime and littering due to the development of such initiatives, it’s great to see how street art can help put a positive spin on a district. This has certainly been achieved in the Parramore district courtesy of the WestArt initiative.
Kissimmee
Ready to venture outside of Orlando’s central neighborhoods? Let’s head south to the town of Kissimmee, just a short drive from the aforementioned neighborhoods. One of the best reasons to visit Kissimmee, aside from having a plethora of awesome, culturally infused restaurants, is this neighborhood is relatively quiet in comparison to the rest of Orlando.
Location: 16 Broadway: Main Street Pizza
If you are looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life in Orlando or theme parks, head to Kissimmee to enjoy delicious cuisine and amazing street art. That’s right, Kissimmee is yet another area in this part of Florida that is home to a collection of awe-inspiring murals that will get those creative juices flowing inside you.
Kissimmee hasn’t always seen the creative side of local artists. However, in recent years, thanks to the ARTisNOW initiative at Osceola Arts, this area is now home to a number of murals that are arguably some of the most impressive across any of the Orlando neighborhoods.
The idea was to bring mural art to the downtown to liven up and engage the community
Marylin Cortes-Lovato, Osceola Arts Director of Visual Arts
The “Burrowing (or Cosmic) Owl” mural is a vibrant and symbolic representation of Kissimmee while opposite this mural is a a rather complex depiction of two iron horses. Regardless of your street art preference, you cannot help but admire the beauty of these two murals.
Location: 8 Broadway: Hansen/Walter Building
I envision this to be just the start of several more works of art moving into Kissimmee and it will be interesting to see how this culture evolves in the near future. Whether you consider Kissimmee to be part of Orlando or a separate town, it’s well worth visiting if you are taking a tour of the best street art in the area.
Summary
The more time we spend in Orlando, the more we realize there is so much more to this city than just theme parks. We had an amazing time exploring the diverse collection of murals across the city and we hope that you will agree that Orlando is definitely a place that should be recognized for having an eclectic street art scene.
Location: 520 South Magnolia Ave
Although we highlighted only four neighborhoods, this is just a small area of Orlando that we discovered. Thornton Park is another neighborhood that could easily be included as a separate area to explore, particularly because of the iconic “Swan” mural that you cannot help but fall in love with.
Location: The Falcon Bar and Gallery
We look forward to having the opportunity to explore more street art in the future and for anyone intrigued by street art across any city, you will know that the beauty of this is the ever-changing landscape that continues to flourish.
Do you love street art? Which cities across the globe do you consider to be the best for creative murals?
Orlando is all about the theme parks, right? Whether it’s Disney World, Universal or Sea World, it’s a common stereotype but just how accurate is this? Despite being recent annual passholders at Disney, we have decided to start visiting this wonderful city in search of everything else that makes Orlando such a popular destination for both locals and visitors alike. I am not going to try and convince you that a trip to Orlando shouldn’t include one of these parks but we would like to share another of our passions that we have recently discovered in this part of Florida…coffee shops! That’s right, finding the best coffee in Orlando is something we have loved exploring and we want to share our findings.
We would argue that it’s a common misconception that visiting Orlando should be all about theme parks. Disney World is an amazing place and rightfully renowned as “the happiest place on earth.” Universal Studios is everything you could wish for if you are a Harry Potter fan…but what about if you are wanting to experience the “other” side of Orlando?
Visiting a wide collection of local coffee shops across the city and surrounding neighborhoods is a great way to experience the local culture and enjoy a modern, trendy vibe that epitomizes the melting pot environment that is present throughout Orlando.
Best Coffee in Orlando
While visiting every local coffee shop in Orlando is on our radar (this post will just continue to grow as we develop the ultimate guide to coffee in Orlando!), we of course have only visited a small number but we hope that you are as intrigued as we are by this eclectic selection of coffee houses that we truly believe reflect the thriving coffee scene in the heart of Florida.
If you are looking for the best things to do in Orlando that are NOT Disney or Universal, starting out with a decadent espresso or French press will give you plenty of energy to explore the city.
Ok, But First Coffee
Allegro Coffee Company
iCafe de Paris
Craft & Common
Holy Grain Coffee Shop
Braz Coffee Shop
Paloma Coffee Co.
Deeply Coffee
This is by no means an exhaustive list of local coffee spots as there are plenty others but this is definitely a great selection representing the best of Orlando’s coffee scene. As always, we are going to review these coffee shops not only in terms of the quality of coffee (and food where applicable) but also the overall atmosphere and ability to work.
We love visiting coffee houses that are spacious and provide free WiFi, so we can catch up on work and we feel this is an important aspect to consider when providing reviews of these.
Let’s take a look at some of our favorites and hopefully you are inspired to check these out during your next visit to a city that is so much more than theme parks! We are going to review each of the following coffee shops and as always, we encourage you to share your experiences and favorite coffee shops in Orlando in the comments section below.
Ok, But First Coffee
Is there any better place to start than the wonderfully named, Ok, But First Coffee? Start your day the best possible way by visiting this local coffee shop located on Sand Lake Road close to International Drive. This location is famous not only for a variety of coffee options but also a diverse collection of cupcakes that once appeared on Cupcake Wars (under it’s previous name of La Sweetz!).
Whether you are intrigued by the decadent looking cupcakes or simply want to enjoy a caramel macchiato or seasonally inspired S’Mores Latte, you can be sure that Ok, But First Coffee is the perfect way to start your adventure exploring Orlando. If you are looking to enjoy breakfast with a little more substance than just a cupcake or fresh pastry, there are several other options to choose from including a freshly prepared Acai bowl that is the perfect accompaniment to your morning coffee.
This coffee shop isn’t the largest in Orlando and so there is limited seating but you can still enjoy your coffee in the comfort of this location. If you are looking to catch up on work, this may not be the ideal spot but in terms of beverages and food, this is definitely a place worth visiting.
Check out Ok, But First Coffee for more information on location, hours and menu options.
Allegro Coffee Company
When it comes to finding sustainable coffee shops, Allegro Coffee Company is definitely one that is worth experiencing. Located inside Whole Foods Market, this coffee bar epitomizes a brand focused on sustainability and supporting a healthy planet for all of us to enjoy.
Since the 1980s, Allegro has been roasting organic coffees across various locations. Although this is not technically a local coffee shop specific to Orlando, the location here is definitely one that is worth paying a visit to while you wander around Whole Foods Market.
we remain committed to supporting a healthy planet today, and promoting the ongoing fertility of land for use by future generations.
Allegro Coffee Company
For the non-coffee drinkers, there is an eclectic tea offering available ranging from black teas to herbal teas and even loose leaf teas from across the globe. The distinctive flavors of both tea and coffee from Allegro help to create a unique experience for anyone visiting these locations. If you are in Orlando, take a few minutes to visit Whole Foods Market to see for yourself how Allegro is 100% committed to creating a sustainable environment.
Allegro Coffee Company in Orlando is not going to be the coffee shop environment where you can work or relax, rather it’s the perfect location to grab an espresso before walking around Whole Foods Market to get any groceries for your stay in the city.
Find out more about Allegro Coffee Company’s sustainability initiatives along with the diverse menu offerings available in Orlando and other locations.
iCafe de Paris
Orlando has a diverse collection of coffee shops, all in unique locations with great menu options. But there is one coffee shop in particular that if you are looking solely at location can surely not be beaten – iCafe de Paris. Located in ICON Park directly under the iconic Orlando Eye, this French inspired coffee shop is the perfect place to enjoy a morning, afternoon or evening beverage with an awe-inspiring backdrop.
Whether you choose to sit indoors and admire the delicious looking crepes being handmade or perhaps prefer to sit outside on the large patio while taking in the epic views of the ferris wheel that towers 400 feet into the Orlando sky, iCafe de Paris is a coffee shop that needs to be on everyone’s radar when visiting this part of Florida.
The coffee at iCafe de Paris is a little pricier than some of the alternatives in Orlando but honestly, you are paying for both the drink and the experience. Although the coffee is good, I would argue the various crepe options and other desserts are a little more intriguing. Heather opted for the Bananaberry Smoothie and I enjoyed a caramel macchiato, though resisting the temptation of the crepes was the most challenging aspect of our visit.
If you enjoy working outdoors, iCafe de Paris is a great option given its location. However, if you enjoy people watching or admiring architecture, you may find that your attention focuses on other things than work because there is so much going on in ICON Park.
Check out iCafe de Paris and the menu options available, or simply visit and take your pick while admiring the beauty of the Orlando Eye.
Craft & Common
Take a few minutes to think about the ideal coffee shop setting…what comes to mind? For us, it’s a spacious, modern setting with a wide variety of menu options. The moment we walked into Craft & Common in the heart of downtown Orlando, we knew that we had found our ideal space.
This welcoming neighborhood space has everything you need to enjoy coffee and delicious cuisine while creating the perfect work environment to catch up on e-mails, blog posts (it was for us!) or read your favorite book.
Craft & Common is all about the intricate details. From the freshly made cakes to perfectly crafted beverages, combined with the fresh, relaxing atmosphere created throughout this space by the light and airy decor, this coffee shop is everything we look for and more.
After reading that Craft & Common’s desire was to “create a “SoCal vibe, with a fun, social and cohesive setting,” I think it’s fair to say this has been achieved throughout the vibrant space.
Think Williams-Sonoma with an espresso bar
Lindsay Duensing, Co-Owner
Heather is not a coffee drinker but fell in love with the Vanilla Chai while I couldn’t resist sampling the Draft Latte (Nitro cold brew, Butterscotch and half and half). The hibiscus and raspberry cake was too tempting to resist and provided the perfect late morning sweet treat.
If you are visiting Orlando, parking downtown can be tricky but there are plenty of street parking options available and if you download the ParkMobile app (available on iTunes and Android), you can pay per hour and extend your stay without having to return to your vehicle.
Check out Craft & Common’s website for details on seasonal food and beverages available.
Holy Grain Coffee Shop
Looking for a cozy, contemporary coffee shop experience? Look no further than Holy Grain Coffee Shop, located along Conroy Road in the heart of Orlando.
Inspired by a Brazilian owner who wanted to add a little flair along with the traditional Brazilian coffee shop experience where it’s all about a friendly, welcoming atmosphere, Holy Grain opened its doors and today offers the ultimate experience for visitors to the area.
Our passion is to serve great coffees while providing a comfortable environment for you to relax in, either by yourself or with friends.
Lilian Trevisan, Owner – Holy Grain Coffee Shop
Sample a variety of unique, Brazilian inspired beverages or opt for a more traditional espresso but perfectly manicured and handcrafted by the local baristas. Whether you are a latte connoisseur or prefer to sample the local pièce de résistance – the Brazilian cappuccino, you can be sure there will be something on this vast menu that will intrigue you enough to visit. Heather is always excited to see a menu that offers various options outside of coffee, and the iced lavender latte was an instant hit.
Smoothies, sandwiches and salads are available so it’s more than just a cafe where you can enjoy coffee. In fact, this place offers the perfect environment to enjoy a late morning snack or even lunch while catching up on some work and admiring the decorative pieces and design throughout this coffee shop.
Seja bem vindo e aproveite! (Welcome and Enjoy)
Lilian Trevisan, Owner – Holy Grain Coffee Shop
Check out Holy Grain Coffee Shop for menu details and more information on this location that was inspired by a traditional Brazilian coffee house.
Braz Coffee Shop
With the way technology is going, it’s not going to be long before we see fully automated restaurants and coffee shops. Braz Coffee Shop in the neighborhood of Kissimmee, Florida (just south of downtown Orlando) has made the first step at achieving this with the introduction of Jibo, a robot that sits on the counter and learns all of your actions and movements.
Through the use of artificial intelligence, this coffee shop adds something different to the traditional experience you expect in these types of locations. Braz Coffee Shop itself offers visitors a diverse menu to choose from, whether it’s a traditional espresso or something a little more complex.
The “bubble waffles” are a popular choice while the frap”e”ccino’s are equally delicious and the caramel mixed with ice cream and espresso was something I couldn’t resist. With indoor and outdoor seating available, this coffee house offers the perfect environment to relax with friends or if you are flying solo, it’s a quiet, cozy space to read your favorite book and send some e-mails.
Coffee is undoubtedly the mainstay item here but that should take nothing away from the various cuisine options available here. Delicious looking waffles, bagels, paninis, omelettes and sandwiches are all available, making Braz Coffee Shop a great location to visit at any time of the day.
The selection of freshly made pastries are incredibly appetizing and the tough choice is going to be what to order. Perhaps your new friend Jibo can help make this choice a little easier!
Check out Braz Coffee and Tea for details of the widespread menu along with the location in downtown Kissimmee.
Paloma Coffee Co.
If you love exploring the ritzier neighborhoods of a city, the area of Windermere in western Orlando is a spot you will want to spend some time exploring. Renowned as being an upper-class community, home to various celebrities including PGA golfers, Windermere is also an area where you will find a bright, local coffee shop by the name of Paloma Coffee Co.
Located in the heart of the quaint and quirky historic district, Paloma Coffee Co. is one of the more aesthetically pleasing coffee shops in Orlando. The bright, vibrant colors inside the coffee shop provide the perfect backdrop to enjoy a morning espresso or perhaps you prefer to sit at the bar peering out of the front window to watch locals and visitors alike exploring the neighborhood.
From a variety of teas to your regular coffee offerings, Paloma Coffee Co. represents the traditional coffee shop setting but focuses on quality. The meticulous nature at which tea and coffee is prepared by the barista is certainly a focal point here, so regardless of personal preference you can be sure you will enjoy a perfectly manicured beverage among a friendly atmosphere and relaxing environment.
Paloma Coffee Co. is definitely a location where you could spend a few hours catching up on work or having a conversation with friends, while enjoying a delicious latte (or two!)
Deeply Coffee
It’s probably no surprise to hear that downtown Orlando is home to a plethora of awesome coffee shops. Deeply Coffee was another experience that we immediately fell in love with as we walked through the doors and admired the large, open-air setting offering plenty of seating options.
The menu may be relatively small but don’t let that fool you – you will be rewarded with an amazing experience regardless of which beverage you choose.
Heather was sold by the seasonal Hot Apple Cider and when you see how this is served, well…this just adds another layer to the quality of this drink. Every last detail is meticulously addressed while the artwork on my latte was definitely one of the better designs I have seen.
Deeply Coffee has a real Apple-esque feel to the interior with maple tables and stools, but it’s definitely the creativity of the baristas and focus on presentation that really helps set this coffee shop apart from its counterparts in Orlando.
Simple, elegant, crisp, relaxing…all words that I would use to describe both the architecture and decor throughout Deeply Coffee. When you combine this with appetizing coffee and tea selections, you have created the perfect coffee house and we 100% attest that we feel like Deeply Coffee has achieved this.
Disney Springs…Starbucks
Does the heading look a little out of place among a collection of local coffee shops in Orlando? Don’t worry, I am not going to start recommending a myriad of Starbucks locations across the city (though there are plenty) but I am going to give a special mention to a unique location at Disney Springs.
If you are planning a trip to experience the best things to do at Disney Springs, we would argue that adding a trip to the Starbucks there should be on your radar. Unlike your regular Starbucks, this has a diverse, customized menu with a variety of options to choose from.
I really think that if more Starbucks adopted this approach, they would be on to a huge winner. Yes, there is the secret menu at Starbucks but why not advertise these awesome concoctions?
Check out the #Thanksamillion Frappuccino to celebrate Disney Springs’ one million followers. A standard strawberries and creme Frappuccino has been taken to the next level by adding a confetti cookie and topped with blueberry whipped cream. A variety of other specials are frequently available and this gives the local baristas the opportunity to show their creativity and develop the next magical Starbucks beverage.
Summary
Coffee shops are quickly becoming one of our favorite experiences when visiting a new city. Having spent a lot of time recently in Orlando, we decided it was time to highlight the diverse options available across the city…and yes, there are plenty to choose from!
Whether you love visiting coffee shops solely for sampling the best coffee in the area or perhaps you want to find the perfect space to allow your creative juices to flow, Orlando is home to a variety of options that will surely meet everyone’s preferences. We quickly fell in love with both Craft & Common and Deeply Coffee, both located in the downtown area but this again was our own personal preference.
All of the above coffee shops are worth visiting and we would love to hear your feedback on other coffee shops that we may have missed in Orlando. We cannot wait to return and explore more of the coffee shop scene! As we always tell people…there is way more to Orlando than just Disney World!
If you love coffee as much as we do, you may be inspired by the following coffee related posts in other cities around the world:
When it comes to exploring the very best of the United States, there is no better way to accomplish this than by taking an epic road trip. We LOVE packing our car with the essentials and then heading out on a long weekend road trip to enjoy new parts of the US. From the east coast to the west and everything in between, the US is the perfect location and epitomizes everything there is to love about road trips. If you read our post on the best east coast road trips, you will know that we are very fond of the New England corridor. What better way to celebrate this beautiful part of the country than by highlighting the very best northeast USA road trips.
We are grateful to a collection of our friends in the travel blogging world for contributing to this epic post. We have been fortunate to enjoy a couple of amazing road trips in northeast USA over recent years, but when it comes to putting together a post highlighting the “best of the best”, we figured it was appropriate to call in the experts. Let’s take a look at some of the best road trips you can experience this year and of course, in years to come.
Best Northeast USA Road Trips
Whether you are exploring the neighborhoods of Boston or heading along the coast to explore the iconic lighthouses near Portland, the New England area is the perfect spot to enjoy a spectacular road trip. Breathtaking fall foliage, picturesque wintry scenes, gorgeous national parks and much more typify why this part of the US is such a popular region for road tripping.
Here is a collection of road trips that we are going to highlight throughout the post but this is just a small sample of the myriad of endless opportunities that exist in the American northeast.
Boston to Montreal – In 2014, we took a similar road trip from Boston to Quebec taking in all of the states in this part of the country before crossing the border into Canada.
Providence to Newport (Rhode Island)
Boston Figure of Eight – Cape Ann, Salem, Plymouth, Cape Code etc.
Scenic Route 100 Byway (Vermont)
Boston to Portland
Portland to Acadia National Park
New York City to Cape Cod
Hudson River Valley – head a little further inland from the New England corridor and the state of New York offers a collection of amazing road trip options, including this epic journey.
Finger Lakes (New York) – this is the “exception” to this list of New England road trips but it’s a short distance from this region offering spectacular scenery and so well worth including in this post.
On your way to Montreal drive up to New Hampshire and into the white mountains. Pull off the road to enjoy the views, hikes, and waterfalls of New Hampshire. If you have kids along enjoy Santa’s Village or Storyland and the cute ski town of Lincoln.
Take time to placate your sweet tooth with the world’s longest candy counter at Chutter’s in Littleton. Right before you reach the Canadian border you will find the Derby Line – you are halfway between the North Pole and the equator! You can even cross the border by walking through a library. This is the kind of kitschy stuff road trips are designed for.
After visiting Montreal, head back to Boston through the artistic, rural state of Vermont. Take a tour at the Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory. Stop by the most charmingly New England town of Woodstock where you can shop, walk the town green and see its covered bridge. Also, stop by the nearby artists’ studios and farms; Hike the famous Quechee Gorge to see the best of fall’s colors. This drive will take about 10 hours and is the perfect way to experience New England.
Thanks to Jamie Italiane from The Daily Adventures of Me for sharing this awesome road trip. Read on for more details about this road trip from Boston to Montreal.
New England is filled with history and great outdoors experiences, providing a plethora of travel opportunities to fit any nomad’s preference. But during the fall, the North Eastern coast of the United States erupts in beautiful hues of orange, brown, and every autumn shade imaginable.
More specifically, Rhode Island acts as a perfect example of what the North East has to offer, and a short road trip from Providence to Newport allows you to take it all in. This is a short trip taking you through the more rural regions of Rhode Island and allowing you to take in all the foliage.
Your destination in Newport is where the fun begins, with some of the best seafood and eateries that you’ll find in the U.S., such as the Red Parrot Restaurant.
When you decide to eat is on you, but maybe you’d prefer to explore the mansions on the Newport shores first? Regardless, be sure to take in both no matter how you plan it, as nothing beats an autumn scenic drive ending in engorging seafood and amazing architecture!
Thanks to Casey LaClair from Viraflare for sharing her thoughts on this scenic road trip in Rhode Island.
Boston offers so many intriguing road trips that the best thing to do is to loop a few together in a figure of eight on a map. Start by heading north to Cape Ann, the quieter side of New England. Look for breezy promenades, squat light houses and the home of deep fried clams.
Return to Boston, stopping in at Salem to look at the witch trials that featured in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, then continue south. Stay overnight in Plymouth and grapple with the history of the Mayflower and the arrival of the pilgrims amid tranquil marinas and polished lawns.
From there continue into the hook of Cape Cod, her salty sand banks and calm waters. If time allows, take the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, two different glimpses of life in America, each with their own charm.
Finally, return to Boston, with a quick detour to see the deep blood red of the cranberry bogs that lie along the side of the road. For further details on this journey, check out this road trip from Boston.
Thanks to Abigail King from Inside the Travel Lab for sharing this road trip featuring some of the best things to do in the state of Massachusetts.
There are endless opportunities for road tripping in Vermont. The state has more dirt roads than paved and more cows than people. Route 100, which is Vermont’s longest state highway, runs 216.6 miles through the Green Mountains, from north to south. If you’re looking for a quintessential Vermont road trip, then Route 100 is the perfect place to start.
Begin your journey in the small mountain town of Wilmington and head north through the Green Mountain National Forest. The road passes pristine mountain lakes, cascading waterfalls, secret swimming holes, and quite campgrounds. It is an awesome Vermont road trip for fall when you can take full advantage of the gorgeous fall colors and outdoor adventures in the mountains.
Somerset Reservoir in Green Mountain National Forest by Tara Schatz
Highlights of a Route 100 road trip include Jamaica State Park, where you can rent a cabin on the West River, the iconic Long Trail Brewing Company in Bridgewater Corners, and the beautiful mountain town of Stowe. Be sure to drive up the Mt. Mansfield Toll Road at Stowe Mountain Resort. At 4,395 feet, Mt. Mansfield is Vermont’s tallest peak, and the views from the top are incredible.
Kelly Stand Road off of Route 100 by Tara Schatz
After 216 miles of driving, Route 100 ends in the bustling little city of Newport, where you can take a sunset cruise on Lake Memphormagog, eat traditional Thai food at Dusit Thai Cuisine, and shop the local boutiques on Main Street.
Thanks to Tara Schatz from Back Road Ramblers for highlighting some of the lesser known spots worth exploring in the New England area in the state of Vermont.
Many have heard of Salem, Massachusetts because of its’ haunted history of witchcraft hysteria in the 1690s and witch trials. With hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, there is no doubt that this is a must on your road trip from Boston, Massachusetts to Portland, Maine.
With many haunted happenings no matter the time of year, the best time to visit Salem is in the fall for the biggest effect. No visit to Salem would be complete without visiting at least one of the following three attractions. The Witch History Museum is where to go to hear all the stories of witch trials and witch craft in Salem.
Following your visit to the museum head to the Witch House, which is the only building in Salem still standing with direct ties to the Salem Witch Trials. The house was owned by Judge Jonathan Corwin who was the judge of the Salem witchcraft trials. It is believed that some interrogations even took place here!
On a less spooky note, Salem is also home to Nathanial Hawthorne’s “The House of the Seven Gables” which offers tours and gives you a picture into what life was like in the 1800s. Salem is a culturally rich and haunted gem of the USA definitely worth your time.
Thanks to Sarah Fay from Travels of Sarah Fay for highlighting why the iconic town of Salem is a must-see during your road trip from Boston to Portland. When you arrive in Portland, don’t forget to explore the historic Portland Head Light along with other lighthouses along this stretch of coastline.
If there’s one thing Maine is definitely good for its road trips and after road-tripping the entire Maine coastline, I’d highly suggest driving from Portland, Maine to Acadia National Park in Maine. There are plenty of things to do along the way, plenty of sites to see, places to eat, and much more that you could spend weeks along this route and still not see it all. But, of course, there are always highlights.
Starting in Portland, make sure to check out one of the most beautiful lighthouses, Portland Head Lighthouse, eat at Green Elephant in the city, grab donuts at Holy Donuts, and walk around Mackworth Island.
Next stop is Damariscotta to grab a bit and check out the small town before heading to Pemaquid Lighthouse (make sure to go up in the lighthouse – it’s one of the few you can!). Then head to Marshall Point Lighthouse to see the lighthouse from Forrest Gump!
Keep heading along the coast stopping in Rockland for cool street art, shopping and restaurants and then head up to Camden Hills State Park for beautiful, panorama views and hiking. The last leg of this road trip includes a stop in Deer Isle for a unique and off the beaten path vantage of Maine – drive around the entire island making leisurely stops along the way and soak up what feels like a step back in time – and a stop in Bangor to scope out all the cool Stephen King locations and a cool, sleepy New England town.
While in Acadia National Park, make sure to check out all the amazing hikes (I highly suggest the Wonderland and Ship Harbor Trail), take day trips to Bar Harbor to explore this adorable town and take a whale watching tour, and go kayaking around the many little islands.
Thanks to Ashley Hubbard from Wild Hearted (also, Oddities and Curiosities) for sharing this amazing road trip along the Maine coastline.
A road trip from New York City along the coastline of Connecticut, Rhode Island and the Cape Cod section of Massachusetts in the autumn is a great idea because the weather is still pretty warm yet the crush of the summer tourist season is finished. Autumn color blooms along this route by mid-October as well.
There are quite a few historical places to visit on this road trip. In Connecticut be sure to visit New Haven which is famous for Yale University (and Louis Lunch which is the reputed birthplace of the hamburger) and Mystic which has a renowned aquarium and living history museum. Mystic skyrocketed to fame in the 1980’s for the movie, Mystic Pizza, which was one of Julia Roberts’ first major hits. Mystic Pizza still exists and is totally worth a visit.
In Rhode Island, be sure to stop off in Newport and visit the summer “cottages” of the super rich elite of the Gilded Age. Newport also has a charming harbour and is home to the International Museum of Tennis.
In Cape Cod and the Islands (Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket), you will find autumn is a great time for cycling, hiking, and fishing – pretty much every outdoor activity available during the more expensive summer months except for beach going.
Make sure not to miss the cranberry bogs in the area as well. Some of the local fall festivals include the famous Wellfleet Oyster Festival, Oktberfest in Chatham or the Martha’s Vineyard Food and Wine Festival in Edgartown.
Thanks to Shobha George from Martha’s Vineyard Tourist for sharing this awesome road trip along the New England coastline.
When it comes to fall leaf-peeping destinations, New England tends to get all the attention. But as a native New Yorker, I promise the Empire State’s fall foliage is just as gorgeous. The best way to do a New York State fall road trip is to do a big loop, starting and ending in New York City.
Along the way, you should visit the cutest towns along the Hudson River. The best town for hiking and antiquing is Cold Spring. Before heading out on a hike, stop at Hudson Hill’s, famous for its chocolate french toast.
Another great town is Beacon, where you can find Dia Beacon, a contemporary art museum as good as any in New York City. After the museum, eat at Brother’s Trattoria, a cozy Italian restaurant. If you feel like getting into the Halloween spirit, stop by Tarrytown. The author of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Washington Irving, lived here, so the town goes all out with pumpkins, skeletons, and headless horsemen every year.
Finally, history buffs and foodies shouldn’t skip Poughkeepsie. Tour the home of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and then dine at the Culinary Institute of America, where Anthony Bourdain studied cooking. The Hudson River Valley has something for everyone.
Western New York is especially beautiful in the fall. The weather gives way from hot summers to crisp mornings and evening and temperatures ready for jeans and t-shirts on a warm day or light sweaters in early fall. You can spend just about a week on a road trips to the Finger Lakes with two days in each of these these locations: 1) Corning, 2) Watkins Glen, 3) Chemung County. If you have time, add Hammondsport to your Finger Lakes itinerary.
Corning
The Corning Museum of Glass and Rockwell Museum are a must before leaving Corning to explore the beauty of the Finger Lakes region.
Watkins Glen
This is the perfect city in the Finger Lakes for a romantic weekend getaway. Their state park is a must see experience! It’s absolutely stunning and you can take an enjoyable, easy hike there. A sunset sailboat ride with Schooner Excursions around Seneca Lake is a great idea if it’s the right time in the season.
Chemung County
The National Soaring Museum is incredibly interesting and if you visit at the right time, you can take a hang glider ride from the same location in Elmira. This area is also deemed “Mark Twain Country,” where he spent many summers writing and enjoying the area.
He famously wrote The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn at his study, which is available for the public to visit at Elmira College. For those of you that have visited Twain’s boyhood home in Hannibal, Missouri, this will be a perfect place to visit to learn more about his iconic works.
Hammondsport
If you have time be sure to travel the short distance to nearby Hammondsport as well. Dr. Frank’s is a winery that offers tastings and a beautiful view of their vineyards in the area. We recommend taking a seaplane ride with Finger Lakes Seaplanes over Keuka Lake too. It’s especially splendid during fall!
Thanks to Mikkel from Sometimes Home for sharing a part of New York that we are particularly excited about visiting in the near future.
Summary
Road tripping around the New England states offers a little bit of everything, with an eclectic blend of urban beauty mixed in with breathtaking rural bliss. Whether you are intrigued by the myriad of lighthouses along the coastline or perhaps want to learn all about the history of the Salem witches, planning a road trip around northeast USA is always going to offer plenty of opportunities for amazing experiences.
We think the above collection of road trips offers a diverse blend of experiences and we want to thank each and every travel blogger for contributing to this post. We look forward to adding other northeast USA road trips to this post in the future, so please feel free to share your favorite trips in the comments section below.
Experiencing the beauty of Yellowstone National Park is perhaps the pinnacle of all 60 USA national parks. Breathtaking panoramic landscapes, a myriad of wildlife residing in their natural habitats and a plethora of geothermal activity makes Yellowstone one of the most frequently visited national parks across the US. If you are visiting the states of Wyoming, Idaho or Montana, Yellowstone should be on your radar. During our recent visit to Montana, we decided to embark on an ambitious day trip from Billings to Yellowstone to explore not only the beauty of this national park but everything in between.
If you are heading south from Billings or other nearby location, we hope the following itinerary will intrigue you to check out some of the iconic landmarks along this route, including the infamous Beartooth Highway. Let’s take a look at why we think this day trip is one that will long live in your memory.
Billings to Yellowstone National Park
With five different entrances into the park, there are unique experiences waiting for you in every direction. If you read what has turned out to be our most popular post when we highlighted an epic road trip from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone, you will know that entering the park via the Grand Tetons and Jackson Hole is an incredibly scenic route.
However, we wanted to focus on another area which we now consider to be equally spectacular. It’s fair to say that regardless of the direction you enter Yellowstone, you are in for a real treat because the inherent beauty of this national park is what makes it such a popular attraction.
If you are staying in Billings and intrigued by the thought of heading to Yellowstone, you will be faced with a couple of different options in terms of reaching the national park. This will likely be dependent on which entrance you want to enter Yellowstone.
For us, there is really only one route worth taking and that is via the iconic Beartooth Highway. Before we go into detail on this route, please be aware that you will be traveling to elevations of over 10,000 feet and so it’s always worth checking before you venture out to see if the road is open. Here are the highlights worth exploring along this route:
Billings, Montana
Red Lodge, Montana
Beartooth Highway
Lamar Valley – Yellowstone NP
Hayden Valley – Yellowstone NP
Old Faithful
Billings, Montana
Before venturing on this road trip, why not head over to one of many amazing local coffee shops in Billings to provide energy for what will turn out to be a long day exploring this part of the US. Billings is home to your traditional chain coffee shops such as Starbucks, but it’s the local establishments such as Mazevo, MoAV, City Brew Coffee and more that should attract your attention.
If you have some time to explore Billings before heading out on your road trip, take the scenic drive north of the city to the bluffs (also known as the “Scenic Rimrock Road”) to enjoy spectacular landscape scenery overlooking the urban area and beyond. Pictograph Cave State Park is a popular spot among visitors to the area, as this is where you can learn all about the life of Montana’s ancestors from over 2,000 years ago.
Riverfront Park is an area of green space in this predominantly urban region of Montana. This is the perfect spot to go for an early morning stroll along the banks of the Yellowstone River…later on, you will find out where the Yellowstone River runs through and creates iconic waterfalls in the national park! Don’t worry, the solitude of the river makes this an idyllic and relaxing environment for locals and visitors alike.
Red Lodge, Montana
Ready to set out on your adventure exploring the very best of Montana and the beautiful state of Wyoming? Hop on I-90 and head west until you reach exit 434 (Laurel and Red Lodge) and wave goodbye to the interstate as the rest of your journey will see you hit the back roads of Montana and the alpine passes across the Beartooth Highway.
Before you arrive at the gateway to what is frequently renowned as the “most beautiful drive in America” (Charles Kuralt), you can fill up with gas, grab a bite to eat and explore the small town of Red Lodge. This is the perfect town to be recognized as the “Gateway to Yellowstone National Park”, with a quaint feel and the locals offering a truly welcoming experience for anyone that passes through the town.
Home to the iconic Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary that houses a variety of species that you can usually find in the wild in Yellowstone, but are now being rehabilitated after being rescued due to injury. Those that remain within the confines of this sanctuary have been deemed to be “non-releasable” back into the Yellowstone ecosystem but despite not being able to head back to their natural habitat, they will enjoy the rest of their life in the knowledge that they will be cared for by a team of volunteers and staff that only have one goal in mind – to show love and care for these animals!
For over 30 years, Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary has been maintaining the highest level of care for 30+ animals and visitors can experience this collection of animals before hopefully having the opportunity to see their friends and family in the wild after passing through the entrance of Yellowstone National Park.
If you are interested in finding out more information, including hours of operation and exactly how you can help this organization, check out the following website for further details – Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary. Wildlife in Yellowstone is one of the key reasons why we LOVE this national park and to see a sanctuary thriving like this epitomizes everything there is to love about this region.
Beartooth Highway
If you are looking to experience 68 miles of pure bliss and natural beauty, look no further than the incredible Beartooth Highway that connects the southern tip of Montana with the north-east entrance of Yellowstone National Park.
For those fortunate enough to experience this route (another reminder to check the road conditions before attempting to cross the Beartooth Highway as it is frequently closed due to inclement weather at the higher elevations on this route), you are in for a real treat and an experience that will long live in your memory.
The extraordinary Beartooth Highway is a seasonal indulgence
The first part of the drive is a progressive climb deep into the Absaroka and Beartooth Mountains. There are several spots along this climb where you will want to get out and admire the scenery from the various overlooks on the side of the road. As you venture deeper into the mountains, the breathtaking plateaus offer irresistible views of the Northern Rockies and you continue to climb until you reach an elevation of 10,350 feet in the state of Montana. After crossing into Wyoming, you will climb slightly higher to a summit of 10,947 feet and it’s no surprise that this is the highest roadway in the Northern Rockies range.
The most notable aspect other than the picturesque scenery is the ever-changing climate change throughout the Beartooth Highway. During our journey, we left Red Lodge at a temperature of 70 degrees and by the time we reached the summit of the Highway, it was below 40 degrees. In such a short timeframe, you will see a dramatic temperature change, so be prepared with various layers of clothing before venturing out into the open landscape at over 10,000 feet and exploring the inherent beauty of the Beartooth Highway.
As we continued the journey into Wyoming and dropped elevation, we started stumbling across a series of mountain lakes, with crystal clear water that provided the perfect backdrop for a relaxing hike before continuing towards Yellowstone. In fact, the naked eye may only see a few of the mountain lakes, rivers and streams in this part of the US, but there are well over 10,000 in the region, varying in shape and size yet all with a common asset that they epitomize the natural beauty of the area.
Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park
Welcome to Yellowstone National Park! The moment you pass through the north-east entrance and drive a short distance, you immediately enter the Lamar Valley region of the park which is infamous for being a haven for a diverse range of wildlife that chooses this area as their natural habitat.
If you have never seen bison, be prepared to be amazed by the amount that will likely be grazing close to the road that passes through the Lamar Valley. You may even need to stop as the bison cross the road or just decide to get “up close and personal” with your vehicle. Always take your time through this part of the park because you never know when you will need to stop or when you will need to be ready to capture that perfect wildlife sighting.
Bison are not the only wildlife in the Lamar Valley region, in fact, this is just the start of the many wildlife sightings you can anticipate experiencing. If you are fortunate enough to arrive in this area between the hours of 7 AM and 9 AM, this will increase the opportunities of seeing grizzly bears, the Junction Butte, and Lamar Canyon wolf packs, pronghorn deer and many more.
Even if you are not an early riser and venture into the Lamar Valley late morning as we did, you can still expect a diverse collection of wildlife to be residing in this area – we saw bison, coyotes, and deer before arriving at Tower Junction and heading south towards Canyon Village.
Hayden Valley, Yellowstone National Park
The most frequently visited area of Yellowstone National Park for wildlife sightings is the Hayden Valley area, close to Yellowstone Lake.
Renowned as being home to various herds of bison, grizzly/black bears, bull elk, bull moose among many others, the Hayden Valley landscape is the perfect habitat for these diverse species to thrive. You will find a number of spots along this drive where you can pull over and admire the wildlife at a safe distance. Always be aware of your surroundings and PLEASE understand that you are entering the habitat of these animals, rather than the opposite.
One of the highlight experiences that we encountered was watching a large herd of bison grazing by the river and just a short distance from the parking lot where we stopped. A Yellowstone National Park ranger was on hand to give everyone directions about staying close to their vehicles but willing to allow us to admire these beautiful creatures relax and capture a myriad of photographs.
When it comes to a wildlife paradise, Hayden Valley is perhaps the one spot you won’t want to miss if you are visiting Yellowstone. The beauty of this valley is that it is centrally located and easily accessible for all five entrances to the park. Part of the “loop” with Old Faithful, West Yellowstone, and Canyon Village, this is a stretch of road where you will likely want to allocate several hours to enjoy the wildlife sightings that you are pretty much guaranteed to encounter.
Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park
Driving from Hayden Valley will lead you across the Continental Divide and towards perhaps the most iconic landmark in Yellowstone – Old Faithful. A geothermal geyser that is one of the most predictable yet equally spectacular natural formations that erupts every 45-120 minutes. Located in the Upper Geyser Basin, an area that is full of geothermal activity, Old Faithful is the most infamous geyser on show but there are plenty others that don’t erupt quite as frequently but still offer awe-inspiring shows if you are fortunate to be in the right place at the right time.
Visitors to Old Faithful have the opportunity to experience the visitor center to learn all about the geothermal activity in the region while also learning about why Old Faithful was named as such in the late 19th-century. Head outside the visitor center to the viewing area and grab a seat to get the best seat in the house to enjoy a show that will last anywhere between 1 to 5 minutes. The eruption is anywhere from 100-180 feet but generally will be in the 130 feet region.
If you are visiting Old Faithful between the hours of Noon and 6 PM, please be prepared to experience large crowds and visitors from all across the globe see this as the highlight “pièce de résistance” attraction inside the national park.
A quick tip, head to other areas of the Upper Geyser Basin because there are several other spots where you can get much closer and enjoy amazing geothermal activities. We would argue that Old Faithful is not the best geyser in Yellowstone as there are several others that we consider to be more spectacular but in terms of status, no others can match this geothermal formation.
Summary
Having taken the iconic road trip between Salt Lake City and Yellowstone, we honestly didn’t think that the approach to America’s finest national park could get any more spectacular. However, after recently driving this route between Billings and Yellowstone across the iconic Beartooth Highway, we have found an alternative drive that is equally spectacular. Neither Montana nor Wyoming may be US states that you immediately think about visiting but after reading this post, we are convinced you may well be changing your opinion…the beauty of both is something that you cannot afford to miss.
It goes without saying, Yellowstone’s wildlife encounters are an unforgettable experience. I would argue that having the opportunity to see bison and bears in their natural habitat is almost as enjoyable as an African safari but wildlife sightings aren’t the only reason why this day trip is so enjoyable. The panoramic landscapes from over 10,000 feet along with the calming solitude of the mountain lakes on the Beartooth Highway is something we could appreciate for hours.
We hope you have the opportunity to experience this amazing drive and look forward to hearing about your experiences. Have you experienced the Beartooth Highway before? What are your favorite Yellowstone National Park wildlife sightings? Do you think Old Faithful is the best geyser in Yellowstone? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
When you are traveling the world, there are certain things that are pretty standard wherever you go – coffee is certainly one of these. After traveling to 35 countries across the globe and all 50 US states, it’s fair to say that we have been fortunate to sample some of the best local coffee shops in a myriad of locations. Over the last few years, we have decided to venture away from the mainstream “chain” coffeeshops such as Starbucks, Costa and Lavazza, and instead, experience the very best local spots in each destination. During our recent visit to the North-West state of Montana, we just had to find the best coffee in Billings, the largest city in the state.
Whether you consider yourself to be a coffee aficionado or simply love to find the best local espresso when in a destination, this guide to the best coffee shops in Billings will give you an idea as to why this part of Montana has quickly risen to the top of our favorite destinations for enjoying a latte or two. After exploring the best coffee shops in Memphis, our “home” city, we have quickly realized that every city around the world has a unique and diverse offering of coffee shops…it’s just a case of finding them.
Best Coffee in Billings
Although our primary focus is finding the best coffee, we also have a keen interest in identifying the best coffee shops given that we love to hang out, relax and catch up on work when we find the right location. Without a doubt, Billings far exceeded our expectations in terms of a diverse blend of coffee shops and we hope this guide will be beneficial for your next adventure in this area of Montana.
Let’s take a look at five of our favorite coffee shops in Billings.
City Brew Coffee
MoAV Coffee
Mazevo Coffee
Ebon Coffee Collective
Black Dog Coffee House
As with the majority of our posts featuring recommendations, this is certainly not an exhaustive list of coffee houses in Billings, rather it’s an eclectic selection that we were fortunate to personally experience. We are always intrigued to hear other recommendations so please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments below if you have visited any in Billings.
City Brew Coffee
It’s a little ironic that the first coffee shop that we want to recommend in Billings is part of a collection of locations around Western USA. Given that this can only be found in three states (Montana, North Dakota and Wyoming), City Brew Coffee has found its way on to our list of the best local coffee shops in Billings. We visited here during our first morning in Billings and immediately fell in love with both the aesthetic appearance inside the coffee shop and of course, the delicious offerings available here.
If you love spacious, modern coffee shops, City Brew Coffee is going to be a place you won’t want to miss. Plenty of seating is available throughout the indoor space and this is definitely one of those locations where you could spend several hours reading your favorite book or writing your next inspirational blog post.
With an eclectic menu of hot and cold beverages to choose from, including the infamous Montana “huckleberry” flavor drinks, City Brew is a coffee shop that everyone will fall in love with.
Since 1998, City Brew Coffee has been roasting and brewing the best coffees available anywhere.
I opted for the seasonal Sea Salt Caramel Macchiato, a decadent blend of espresso, aroma and flavor all combined into one beverage. Whether you choose a more basic latte or something a little more adventurous, you can be sure the menu will have something for every coffee drinker (or not if you are like Heather and prefer the non-caffeine drinks).
Visit City Brew Coffee for a full list of available locations, hours and even options to purchase coffee online.
MoAV Coffee
MoAV Coffee is a local Billings establishment focused on highlighting why the coffee shop experience is the perfect place for friends to hang out and enjoy their favorite local blend. With two locations across the city, MoAV epitomizes everything there is to love about the trendy, modern-day coffee shop experience. We visited the newer of the two locations and instantly fell in love with the decor and overall vibe in this shop.
Established in 2015, MoAV is proud to be positioned in the Billings area as a speciality coffee shop, serving everything from natural roasts to more decadent concoctions (coffee and non-coffee available).
We are a coffee shop and roasting company that seeks to create a meaningful impact with the people we get to serve.
After ordering a Caramel Latte and the barista’s recommendation for favorite non-coffee drink, the Lavender Lemonade, we enjoyed perusing the interior of this space and sampling two delicious beverages.
We can attest that MoAV has high quality baristas that are focused on providing both the best experience and beverages for customers. We were greeted with friendly service and a real desire to provide knowledgeable advice on the best drinks, especially for Heather who always tends to look at coffee shops a little differently given that she is always looking at the alternative menu options.
I really believe that the best local coffee shops are those that cater for everyone and MoAV is definitely one that passes this criteria with flying colors.
Visit MoAV Coffee to find out more information and also check out their blog that details a little more information on what they have planned for the two coffee houses in Billings.
Mazevo Coffee
Heather and I have been fortunate to visit a plethora of distintive coffee shops across the globe but I have to admit, we both feel like Mazevo Coffee in Billings is one of our favorites…for many reasons! The moment you walk inside this coffee house, there is a welcoming feel both by the contemporary decor and also the friendly baristas.
Mazevo…a Greek word that means “Gather” – a perfect word to describe this coffee shop as it is clearly focused on creating a community within the confines of this location.
To gather together and inspire people to love one another one cup at a time.
With a spacious outdoor area, highlighted by a centerpiece of a fireplace that is the perfect accompaniment for an evening beverage, Mazevo Coffee is definitely going above and beyond as they aspire to be the “next level” coffee house, not only in Billings but also beyond. I can 100% confirm that they are achieving this because this place is something else.
If you are planning a visit with a group of friends working on a project, head inside the designated conference room space while enjoying your favorite beverages. There are several areas inside Mazevo offering unique seating, dependent on personal preference. If you are looking to relax, hop over to the comfortable armchair seating while for those looking to catch up on work, there are several tables and benches.
Did I almost forget to mention the menu at Mazevo Coffee? That’s right, it’s one of those menus that just has far too many amazing options. From seasonal favorites such as Apple Cider in Fall to the traditional favorites such as Hot Chocolate and a Toffee Crunch Latte, Mazevo definitely has a myriad of options to satisfy every tastebud that walks through the door.
Although we are focused on promoting “local” coffee shops, I really wish Mazevo would consider opening an alternative location in our hometown, just so that we can experience this more frequently.
Visit Mazevo Coffee to purchase local favorites and find out more information on why this is such a popular spot for locals and visitors alike.
Ebon Coffee Collective
There is something quite intriguing by the sight of watching a barista carefully create the perfect latte. I have always wondered why some are more meticulous than others but ultimately it’s those that take real pride in creating the perfect beverage that are the ones you want to create your drink.
At Ebon Coffee Collective in the historic downtown area of Billings, you can be assured that each and every barista will create the perfect beverage.
In terms of local coffee shops, Ebon Coffee Collective is perhaps the most “local” and you will immediately understand why when you walk through the doors in the downtown neighborhood. Renowned as a “hub for rad people to collaborate”, Ebon offers the perfect environment for like-minded individuals to enjoy a perfectly manicured espresso while indulging in the diverse selection of home-made pastries.
I love how Ebon Coffee Collective offers a diverse blend of both local roasters and those from far and wide. For the coffee connoisseurs, there are not many better spots in this part of the US that offers a more authentic experience. I tried a White Chocolate Latte and thanks to the wonderful barista at Mazevo, Heather sampled the home-made apple cider at Ebon and again, this didn’t disappoint.
Are you an animal lover? Do you love coffee? We have the perfect coffee shop that embraces both of these. Welcome to Black Dog Coffee House! If you read our post on the best coffee in Nashville, you will know that we are fond of Fido, a converted pet shop that is now a vibrant coffee house. When we heard about Black Dog Coffee House in Billings, we knew this was a place we had to visit.
Located in the Westend neighborhood of Billings, Black Dog is another spacious and comfortable coffee shop offering a wide variety of beverages, pastries and their pièce de résistance menu item – doh-dohs (mini donuts).
Enjoy a rich and flavorful espresso while interacting with the local baristas to learn all about Dante – the Black Dog that perfectly represents this brand.
Black Dog Coffee House follows the above mantra with everything they do and this is clear to see when you spend time inside. A relaxing vibe can be felt throughout, while the importance of delivering high-quality beverages is clearly at the forefront of each barista’s mind.
Whether you prefer the coffee here or at any of the other alternatives in Billings is certainly down to personal preference but we can assure you that you won’t regret spending time here.
Visit Black Dog Coffee House to learn more about Dante (the black dog) while exploring the diverse menu offerings.
Summary
Billings, Montana may not be the first destination you think about visiting to sample a collection of local coffee shops but after spending several days here for a conference, we can 100% attest that this place is home to a diverse array of awesome locations. We both agreed that Mazevo was our favorite but the fact that Billings has so many high-quality spots to visit, shows that having an eclectic local coffee shop scene is something that this city can be proud.
If you are planning a trip to Montana to experience Glacier National Park or the surrounding states for other parks, please consider adding Billings to your itinerary. With such a great collection of coffee shops, you will surely have enough caffeine inside you to ensure you are energized to explore the beauty around this region.
Here are a couple of other locations around the world with great, local coffee scenes:
