A Little Background

Taos is about an hour and a half drive north from Santa Fe, an ideal spot to stop on a New Mexico road trip. Though people have lived in the area for a thousand years, the most famous of them was Kit Carson. His home is still here, which is open to the public. There is also a museum nearby in Cimmaron along the Santa Fe National Historic Trail.

It is a town with a rich history in art. For years, artists working in a myriad of mediums have made Taos their home. For centuries, the native people honed their skills making beautiful works of pottery and fabric, but Taos took off in the early 1900’s when a group of artists formed the Taos Society of Artists. They were drawn there by the stunning landscape, a place that would give unlimited inspiration for their hearts and minds. Since then, it has been one of the premier art destinations in the Southwest. Today, it is full of shops and galleries showing off the work of local artists.

Taos is a high-altitude town, sitting right at 7,000 feet. However, it is surrounded by mountains making it an ideal place for skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer. Taos Ski Mountain has some incredible slopes, and it sits at 10,000 feet. Near there is Mount Wheeler, the highest point in New Mexico sitting at 13,161 feet. You don’t always think of mountains when you think of New Mexico, but this town and the surrounding areas are up there. Pro tip – make sure you get acclimated to the elevation, drink plenty of water, and wear protection from the sun.

So what should you do? Where should you stay? What are some good places to grab a bite to eat? We went during the summer months, so skiing was definitely off the table. However, there are plenty of other things you must do in Taos when you visit.

Rio Grande Gorge Bridge

The Rio Grande River flows right by Taos and on this section of the river stands the Rio Grande Gorge. This gorge runs for about 50 miles from the Colorado border to the north all the way past Taos on the south. About 10 miles outside of the city limits, you can find the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. This massive bridge spans 1,280 feet across the Rio Grande Gorge. The gorge in this area is massive, with a 600 foot drop from the bridge, making this the seventh highest bridge in the United States.

There are parking areas on both sides of the bridge where you can get out and walk across the bridge or along the nearby trails overlooking the gorge. We recommend driving across the bridge from Taos and parking on the far side with the bathrooms. There is much more parking available there and vendors are set up selling homemade crafts and goods. The walk across the bridge is not for the faint of heart, but it is completely safe and gives you some spectacular views. And the best part? It is totally free – unless of course you spend money at the vendors, which you know Meg will always do. This is definitely a must do in Taos.

Taos Plaza

In the heart of Taos is the Taos Plaza. If you were to close your eyes and picture a high desert town plaza, this is what would appear in your mind. It is simply beautiful. There is a great green space in the middle of the plaza with statues commemorating the history of the town and plenty of seating and spots to relax. All around the plaza are great stores where you can get anything you may need. There are the touristy spots where you can get the t-shirts and magnets along with higher end galleries and boutiques for something a little more special. It is a fun way to spend an afternoon. There is a nice little coffee shop on the corner, and a couple of restaurants – the Gorge and La Luna were two of the many places in Taos that are highly recommended.

The shopping is not limited to the plaza. As you walk out farther from the city square, you will find plenty of specialty shops along the alleyways and avenues. We enjoyed exploring and stumbling upon so many wonderful shops. This is a really special place to just get lost, enjoy the scenery and shop.

The Historic Taos Inn

When we were looking for places to stay in Taos we really struggled. We struggled because there were so many cool places that we wanted to try out. Ultimately we landed on the Historic Taos Inn and we were not disappointed. We chose this place because it is within walking distance from the plaza, great food, and other shopping. It also was decently priced for the room we got, which is always a bonus.

Even though it is a historic hotel, the rooms are incredibly large. The bathrooms are tight and dated, but it fits the feel for the room. A lot of the rooms have a sweet adobe fireplace in the corner that makes you feel very welcome in New Mexico. Most of the rooms that are not in the main building are situated around peaceful courtyards, so you have a relaxing spot for your morning coffee.

There is no pool at the hotel, but they have a great restaurant and large bar on property. But again, you want to stay here because you are so close to the action of downtown. It is a great place to get some rest to head back out.

Places To Eat In Taos

We had three meals in Taos, all of them were great. The night we got in we ate dinner at Taos Mesa Brewing. This was one of the funniest experiences we have had at a restaurant. They have wood fired pizza here, and it was really good. However, the wait staff was just out there. We had four different people take our drink order, three different people take our food order, and the food or drink never came until we asked for it. It was just a strange experience. Not dogging anyone, just a funny memory we took from the place. The pizza though was straight fire and the atmosphere was very chill.

We had breakfast the next morning at Michael’s Kitchen. This place was perfection. Everything you want in a breakfast place in a fun town. Plenty of greasy food and healthy options, so they have something for everyone. They are known for their bakery. The cinnamon rolls, donuts, and other pastries are all fantastic (and dangerous). A great place for an early breakfast or brunch. We were there on a weekend morning and walked right in and got a seat at 9 am. When we left, the line was out the door and it was probably an hour or more wait, so plan appropriately.

We had another great meal at the Farmhouse Cafe and Bakery. This place is outside of the city center, but is worth the drive. It is in between downtown and the gorge, so it is a great place to eat when you head that way. This is a farm to table restaurant that makes everything from scratch daily. It is sourced by over 20 local farmers and you can taste the freshness with every bite. The best part about the restaurant may be the bakery, make sure you try something sweet before you leave. There is a great outdoor seating area with beautiful plants and flowers. If you want to sit out there though, you will have to wait a little longer.

And where to get amazing Ice Cream you may ask? That would be the Taos Cow. We love finding a local and homemade Ice Cream spot and this one did not disappoint. One of the best ones we have found! Can’t go wrong with any flavor and the scenery is cool too.

Taos Pueblo

People have been living in the Taos Pueblo for close to 1,000 years. It is considered the oldest continuously inhabited community in the United States. Today, around 150 people still live in and around the Pueblo. This is a self-governed community that has their own elementary school. The main way the members of the community make money is through tourism. This is definitely the biggest tourist destination in the town. There is a fee to enter the Pueblo ($25 for adults, $22 for students, $22 for seniors) and once inside you can purchase handcrafted arts and crafts at the various home shops. Most of the people that live there are super engaging and love to talk to people visiting, just don’t go knocking on doors that are closed.

The Enchanted Circle

If you like to drive, there are few drives more scenic in New Mexico than the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway. It circles some of the most beautiful areas in the state – deep into Taos Canyon and circling Wheeler Peak. It takes about 2.5 to 3 hours to drive the circle. However, if you are planning making multiple stops, you may want to give yourself a little more time. Museums, scenic overlooks, and the first Vietnam Veterans Memorial in the U.S. are on the loop. For a detailed driving plan, check out Taos’ website. This is a must do in Taos.

Have you visited Taos, New Mexico and what were your favorite places to check out? Share with us in the comments!

If you are looking for more fun US towns to visit check out these other posts: Tucumcari, New Mexico San Antonio, Texas or New Orleans, LA

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Dry Tortugas is one of the least visited parks in the whole system. Over the last five years it is averaging around 66,000 visitors per year. That means on average, only 180 people come to this park per day, that is crazy. It is a great place to find solitude in a beautiful setting. A lot of people don’t know about this park, and many who do don’t think they will ever be able to go. Hopefully, this post will be helpful in showing you that you can do this and will prepare you with everything you will need to know.

Where Is Dry Tortugas National Park?

Dry Tortugas is roughly 70 miles west of Key West in the Gulf of Mexico. In total, this park is about 100 square miles, but nearly 98% of the park is underwater. There are seven small islands that are in the park boundaries. The biggest island is home to Fort Jefferson, which is the largest brick structure in the Western Hemisphere. The fort used to be a prison during the Civil War. Samuel Mudd, the man who set John Wilkes Booth’s broken leg, was imprisoned here. A lot of history and natural beauty. This park is a little slice of paradise. Beautiful views, crystal clear water, incredible snorkeling, and so much more.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Dry Tortugas National Park?

When we were doing our research, everything we read said go between October and March. Our trip to Florida was right in the middle of summer, end of June to early July. Because of that, we were worried about afternoon storms and extreme heat. We were wrong on both counts.

We were told that because of where Dry Tortugas was located, most of the afternoon storms that plague Florida in the summer do not hit them. As a matter of fact, even if there is a storm in the Keys, chances are that it is clear at Dry Tortugas. That actually turned out to be true in our case. So, make sure you check the weather for the Park and not Key West.

It definitely was hot, but it wasn’t unbearable. And if you pack plenty of water to drink and get in the water from time to time to swim, you will be fine. If you are going to only visit the fort, we definitely recommend going in the fall or winter.

How Do You Get To Dry Tortugas National Park?

There are two main ways that you can get to the park from the mainland – the ferry or the seaplane. Both of these have their benefits. Of course, if you have your own private boat, you can get there on your own.

Ferry Boat

The ferry boat is the transportation that most people use to get to Dry Tortugas. The Yankee Freedom is the name of the catamaran that gets you from Key West to Fort Jefferson. The ferry takes off daily at 8 am and drops you off at Dry Tortugas around 10:15. It is a pretty long trip, so make sure you pack some activities for the ride. The ferry leaves Dry Tortugas around 3 pm, so you have close to 5 hours on the island. That will give you plenty of time to explore and hang out at the beach and in the water. Typically, the ferry returns to Key West right at 5:15. It lets you out in an area full of restaurants which makes it really great.

It is expensive to take the ferry – $190 for adults and $135 for kids 4-16. You get more than just a spot on the boat with your ticket, which helps justify the hefty price tag. Included with your ticket is breakfast and lunch, entrance into the National Park, a 45 minute narrated tour of the fort, and complementary snorkeling equipment. These are all really great perks to go along with the fun boat ride and day on the island.

If you are going to take the ferry, it is recommended that you make a reservation 6 months in advance, though you can find spots open a couple of weeks out from time to time.

Seaplane

If you think that the cost for the ferry was expensive, you might want to sit down for the seaplane. They have two options, the full and half-day excursions. All excursions take off from Key West International Airport. The full-day costs $634 for adults and $508 for kids 2-12. The half-day is $361 for adults and $289 for kids 2-12. However, there are some pretty big benefits to doing this if you can.

For starters, if you are on the first plane or the last plane you will get the island all to yourself with the exception of the handful of overnight campers. The reason for that is the plane takes a shorter time to get there than the boat, it is a 35 minute flight. So, if you are the first plane out you get to the park about an hour and 45 minutes before the ferry. If you take the last plane out around 2, you will be arriving while the ferry is loading up to leave and pretty much your whole time at Fort Jefferson is by yourself.

In addition to that, you get a cooler stocked with drinks. We recommend just asking for water, you won’t want soda out there. Also, everyone who wants it can get snorkeling equipment thrown in.

Is it Worth it?

This was a special trip for us so we opted for the half-day option on the seaplane leaving in the afternoon. When we spend a lot of money on something, we always worry we will feel like we wasted our money. As soon as we checked in at the airport we knew this was going to be an experience of a lifetime. Walking out on the runaway to the seaplane was so exciting for all of us and we were hooked. We cannot recommend this option enough.

There is something special about flying right over the water searching for sharks and sea turtles. We counted well over 15 sharks and lost track of the amount of giant sea turtles after we hit 50. It was a spectacular trip. Not only that, the feeling of circling Fort Jefferson and getting that view from the plane followed by landing on the water is something we will never forget. Oh, and if you have never taken off from the water, that is a crazy experience. If you can save for this or not do other experiences on your trip to do this, do it.

What Can You Do At Dry Tortugas National Park?

Snorkeling

Some of the best snorkeling in the United States is found at Dry Tortugas. This is one of the main reasons why you come here. This park is the perfect spot to see all sorts of incredible coral and fish. We couldn’t believe how many we saw everywhere we turned. There is so much to see, simply incredible. Seriously, we have been snorkeling all throughout the Carribbean and Gulf and have never seen as many fish as we saw there.

On the back end of the park is a small beach that is about 40 feet long. This is a perfect spot for you to go if you are new to snorkeling. We took our son for the first time ever and he had a blast. The key is to stay near the fort. That is where the coral and fish are.

On the front side of the fort where the ferry boat and seaplane dock, there are some old pier beams that stick out of the water. This is another great spot to snorkel. This is a little deeper, but still great. If you can, try and snorkel from the back beach all the way around the perimeter of the fort. So much fun! Make sure you wear your life jacket and have fun exploring.

Exploring The Fort

Fort Jefferson is massive. Like we said earlier, it is the largest brick building in the Western Hemisphere. The crazy thing about it is it never got finished! This fort is right in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico, something to behold. When you visit Dry Tortugas, you need to make sure you take time to walk around the fort.

The visitor center to Fort Jefferson is located right inside the main gate (Sally Port). To the left is the office for the Park Rangers. There are 8 Park Rangers that live on site during the year. We had a really great conversation with one of them. They get off the island a couple of days a month, but mostly they are living at the fort.

The right side holds the visitor center with plenty of great information about and artifacts from the fort. Here you will learn all the history and get to know the wildlife. It isn’t the biggest visitor center, but it is helpful. This is also where we found the Passport Stamp on our trip.

Make sure you walk around the fort and get all of the way to the top level. There is nothing like the views from up there. It is incredible to be so high up yet surrounded by water everywhere you look. There are no railings up there, but if you stay on the worn down trail you will be fine.

Our favorite part of the fort might have been the wall along the water that kind of set up the moat along the back side. It was kind of like a trail out in the middle of the Gulf. Make sure you take a couple of minutes to check that out. It is a really great spot for pictures too!

Hanging Out At The Beach

There are a couple of really great beaches at Dry Tortugas. We already mentioned it earlier, but our favorite one was on the backside of the fort. The water is calm everywhere on the island, but especially here. We didn’t see anyone the whole time we were there, had the whole place to ourselves. there are a couple of other beaches that we checked out, but it wasn’t where we stayed for the majority of our time. You are definitely coming here for the beach, so make sure you plan accordingly.

We flew in with a family who just wanted to check out the fort. After about an hour they wished they had brought their beach apparel. Don’t be that family.

Camping

We did not do this, but we hope to one day. We don’t typically write about experiences we didn’t have, but this one is probably worth talking about. If you can, try and get a reservation to camp here. If you do this, you will have to take the ferry and bring all of your own equipment. We heard over and over form the Ranger there that this is the absolute best way to experience the park. You are out 70 miles in the ocean with absolutely no other light around you. It is you, a handful of other campers, and stars galore. Going to Dry Tortugas has always been on our bucket list. Now, camping there is.

What To Pack For Dry Tortugas National Park?

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The biggest takeaways for us after spending the day at Dry Tortugas is to know it goes by super fast and you will be hot from walking around the fort and wet from getting in the water. There are very limited facilities on the island. They have a changing room, a national park type bathroom (if you know you know!) and little visitors center. This is also a no waste Park so you need to be prepared to take any trash home with you. You can’t buy any water or food on the island. The seaplane company provided us with a cooler and two drinks per person – you will need them all! They also provided our snorkeling gear. Here is what we brought additionally for our few hours there, we tried to pack minimally but also be prepared. The seaplane could accommodate with any bags we wanted to bring!

• Big Water Bottle – our favorite one
• Beach Bag – we needed a rather big one, bogg bags are waterproof and awesome!
• Beach Towels – these are nice
• Sunscreen – make sure to use a reef safe sunscreen!
• Bugspray – I don’t think we needed this but you never know!
• Snacks – Especially for the ride back
• Change of Dry Clothes
• Bathing Suits (we wore them under our clothes going and changed to dry clothes leaving.)
• Big Sun Hats (there is minimal shade and lots of bright sun!) – Men’s Option, Women’s Option
• Mini Backpack with our ids, keys, hair ties, chapstick, phones, sunglasses, etc (all those little things) – Meg’s Fave
• We just wore decent sandals that could get wet – Tevas for Meg, These for Silas, These for Justin

Junior Ranger At Dry Tortugas National Park

We try and take the time to do the Junior Ranger program at every National Park unit we go to. At Dry Tortugas you can actually get two Junior Ranger badges – the regular park badge and the underwater explorer badge. This is one of five National Park units where you can get the underwater explorer badges.

Because time can be limited on this island, you might not be able to squeeze it into your day at the park. We highly recommend printing this out at home from the National Park website and doing as much as you can before your visit. If you are taking the ferry, you will have plenty of time to work on it on your way in to the park. If you are on the seaplane, you will not be able to do it on the flight. You will be too busy looking for sea turtles and sharks.

We actually didn’t get the books until we got to the park, but we were able to complete it as we were checking out Fort Jefferson. Some activities have to be done on site, but in hindsight it would have been better for us to have done as much as possible before we got to the park. It took about 15 minutes of extra time so it wasn’t terrible, but every minute at this park counts.

Takeaways

Dry Tortugas National Park is a place we will never forget. Even if you aren’t on a mission to visit all of the National Parks – this should be a place you consider coming to! Since it’s a little more difficult getting out there it was worth it to us to splurge and do the seaplane. That experience alone really put the whole day over the top. If you do take the seaplane know that it’s pretty hot inside the plane (we were sweating a lot before even getting out there). When you hear a half day that seems like tons of time on such a small island but we were so surprised how quickly it all went! We could have stayed many more hours there.

You definitely want to take advantage of the snorkeling gear the Ferry or Plane serve provides for you – the snorkeling was simply incredible. We are so glad we opted for that! If you get a chance to talk to a Ranger – do it! We had a fun time learning about the island and hearing about their fun lifestyle on the island.

PS! If you enjoy checking out beautiful National Park beach destinations check out our post about Cape Lookout National Seashore and Canaveral National Seashore. Both of these National Park sites are incredible!

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Booker T. Washington National Monument is located on the site of the plantation owned by James and Elizabeth Burroughs. Booker T. (sorry wrestling fans) is located just outside of Hardy, Virginia – about a 20 minute drive from Roanoke. It is the place where Washington was born and where he was when he heard the Emancipation Proclamation read, freeing him from slavery. This was such a powerful park to visit and one where we left changed. Here is what you can do in and around this impressive National Monument.

Learn About The Life Of Booker T. Washington

One of the reasons that this site left such an impression on us is because they did such a good job of transporting you to the life of a slave in pre-Civil War Virginia. There is no way that we could ever fully comprehend the pain, hurt, and fear that these men and women went through every day but we left with a little bit more understanding. Washington was nine years old when he was freed, about the same age of our son now, and it tore up our hearts to think of our kid in his shoes. In a strange way it brought us together as a family and allowed us to see how lucky we are to have each other.

There is a great fifteen minute video on the life of Washington in the welcome center/museum. It is a great place to start. After you watch that, check out the statue of young Washington at the age of nine when he was freed. Silas wanted to stand next to it and it really gave him some perspective. From there you can go through the interactive museum where you can learn what it was like to be a slave on the farm. After doing some of the labor that Washington was forced to do, our son had a new appreciation for everything that he went through. It really was a great learning experience.

Walk The Farm

This property is an actual working farm. It is a re-creation of an 1850’s tobacco farm. The farm has a small tobacco field, vegetable gardens, and a flower garden. You can learn about the farming techniques used during the time of Washington.

You can also check out some of the animals that were around the farm back in the 1800’s. There are some humongous pigs who were busy wallowing in the mud when we were there. They have a herd of sheep in a pasture, a couple of horses, and a bunch of chickens. The animal that rules them all is the turkey. That thing is loud and knows its place at the top. That thing cracked us up the way it was walking around. All of the animals are in fenced in areas, so don’t worry about being attacked by a turkey.

Take A Hike at Booker T. Washington National Monument

Booker T. has about two miles of trails. The first trail is a short quarter-mile loop that takes you through the historic area of the park. You can walk through the re-created farm area and buildings of the Burroughs Plantation. There are numerous buildings that you can check out that are open for you to explore. We had a good time checking out the blacksmith area and handling the 19th century tools. They do historical reenactments where people are in full costume working around the farm. Check the website for times and dates.

Make sure you grab a Junior Ranger Workbook if you are with kids for even more interactive fun (and who doesn’t love that Junior Ranger Badge). You can ring the bell that Washington ran out to ring when the Emancipation Proclamation was read, check out the kitchen, or the old tobacco barn.

The other trail is the 1.5 mile Jack-O-Lantern Branch Heritage Trail. This trail takes you through the woods and through open fields. You can check out a super old cemetery while you are walking around. There are also guides that you can pick up in the visitor center so you won’t miss a thing.

Grab A Bite At The Farm Market

This is not on the National Monument property, but everyone needs to eat here. We asked the Park Rangers where the best place to grab a bite and in unison they both said The Homestead Creamery Farm Market. It was about a ten minute drive from Booker T. and we would have driven ten times that for this experience. They have incredible sandwiches and sides that are made with the freshest ingredients straight from the farm. They also have a little general store section where you can buy all sorts of goodies for the road.

The highlight of this place though is the ice cream. This is seriously some of the best ice cream we have ever had. Megan especially loved it because the mint chocolate chip didn’t have the fake green dye in it. It was all fresh and incredibly good. We were told that the line can get long here. We went after the lunch crowd and didn’t wait too long. All of the food is made fresh to order but it is well worth it. Definitely check this place out if you are in the area.

We did Booker T. Washington National Monument while on an epic Southwest Virginia Day trip. Our day trip travel guide is packed with ideas for a visit to this area and a full day plan!

What are some National Parks you have visited where you have walked away changed? What are some stories through the National Park Service you have learned that have inspired you?

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Where is Natural Bridge State Park?

Natural Bridge State Park is in Virginia in the Shenandoah Valley, just off 81. The town it is located in is actually called – Natural Bridge! The land was once owned by Thomas Jefferson and is a National Historic landmark. There is all sorts of history and lore about George Washington visiting here (more on that below). We were driving in from NC and it was a great final stop for our epic Southwest Virginia Day Trip! One thing we loved about this visit is how accessible this beautiful historic and natural wonder is to our East Coast people. You might not have the time or money right now to visit some of the well known parks out west…but Natural Bridge is a great place to experience something similar (and right in your backyard!)

What Details Do I Need to Know Before Going?

There are a few details to know before you go! There is a fee per person to enter the State Park, $6 for ages 6-12 and $8 for 13 and up. The park is open from 8am – 9pm! The late open time really makes it a great final stop along our Southwest Virginia Day Trip plan. You have plenty of time to get there and do everything the park offers. Also, there is a nightly light show you can view at 9:30pm called The Drama of Creation. Check on dates and times as this show seems to come and go throughout the seasons! There are several places to stay nearby if you are planning on doing an overnight trip and also campground sites available. It is also a very quick drive to Lexington which is a great place to visit as well with tons of shops and places to eat!

What to do at Natural Bridge State Park

Upon arriving you are greeted by a huge welcome center with plenty of people onsite to help with any questions you might have! There is a cafe, huge store and little museum to check out. Make sure you pay the entrance fee in the visitors center as they will check your receipt down the trail! The trail to the Natural Bridge is a pleasant and beautiful downhill walk along Cedar Creek. We were surprised by how quickly we arrived at the Natural Bridge viewing area! Take time to sit, walk around and gaze at this breathtaking site.

After spending time at the Natural Bridge site the trail continues on to a living history Monacan Indian Village exhibit. This exhibit closes at 5pm daily. There is a lot to do here so make sure that you take the time to check it out. You can walk in and out of the different types of Native American shelters and gain an understanding of how people lived in the valley 300 years ago. You can learn about hide tanning, basket weaving, hunting, farming, tool-making and food prep. We absolutely loved speaking with the pottery makers here so make sure you take some time to actually talk with the friendly and knowledgable people on site.

Finally the trail will lead you to a small cavern to check out (which is amazingly cool on a hot day) and then to Lace Falls – a 30 food cascade. You aren’t able to get close to the falls, its more of a viewing area but still nice! The trail is not terribly difficult, but it does have a slight incline heading to the waterfall. It was a hot and humid day when we went which made it a little more tough. As with all hikes, bring some water!

A good point to note is that this trail is not a loop so you will have to walk there and back. There are stairs leading down to the Natural Bridge so on your back you will have to climb them! If you are out of gas, they offer a free shuttle to get you back to the gift shop!

Legend Has it…

One of the interesting aspects of Natural Bridge are the legends about George Washington that surround it. As history/legend goes George Washington came to this site when he was 18 years old and threw a rock from the bottom of the creek to the top of the bridge – 215 feet up. Most impressive if you ask me! I love a good George Washington legend. It was also known that George Washington was a surveyor and in 1927 a stone was uncovered that was carved with the initials G.W. and an official surveyors cross. Did George Washington scale these magnificent stone walls and carve his initials there for all of us to view today? Who knows? But it is sure fun to imagine! Make sure you take some time hunting down the iconic GW initials and imagining him throwing a rock over this impressive bridge!

Around Town

Besides visiting the park there are many other little stops around and along the way. We spent some time checking out the nearby downtown of Lexington, VA. There are more historical sites here and a lot of beautiful homes to see. There is also a zoo nearby which we heard was a lot of fun! Natural Bridge has a lot to offer! You could easily spend all day here and even make this a weekend trip! Or, do what we did and make a day trip out of it! Options are good.

This is one of those places that after considering our time here we would definitely come back one day! Its worth a trip to see it, especially if you are within a days driving distance! Have you ever been to Natural Bridge? What are some of your favorite and unexpected natural landmarks you have visited?

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Starting in NC – Mayo River State Park

Ok, what? You thought this was a post about southwest Virginia? It totally is and our first stop was right along the border of NC/VA. Mayo River State Park is part of the NC State Park system but is so close to Virginia you can actually hike right across the border! This was an excellent first stop for us coming from the Triangle area of NC. Its a quaint and beautiful park that kind of surprised us! There are nice trails and a pretty waterfall to explore. We have a whole guide for visiting Mayo River State Park so be sure to check that out! We would recommend Mayo River State Park for any and all ages!

Booker T. Washington National Historic Site

On our way to the original destination of Natural Bridge, VA we totally did a brown sign detour stop. This was one of those brake and exit moves. We are so glad we did! Booker T. Washington National Historic Site is one of the lesser visited National Parks – but don’t let that keep you away! It’s so well done. Immediately we were taken by the friendliness of the staff. They offered tons of history lessons and info about the site. It was a great stop for all three of us and prompted great conversations during and after. We spent about an hour exploring which was enough time to fully experience the park!

Homestead Creamery Farm Market

Not too far from the Booker T. Washington site is an amazing little farm/restaurant location called the Homestead Creamery Farm Market. This place is bomb. That is, if you like freshly made delicious food. This was recommended to us by the park ranger at Booker T. and she was totally right. One thing we try and do when traveling is to ask the locals where the best places to eat are..they won’t steer you wrong!

The Farm Market not only serves fresh local food in store but also loads of other freshly made local products to purchase; including fresh local flowers and amazing ice cream! The chicken salad croissant was amazing – I can’t say enough. And, if you like real sweet tea and fresh made lemonade…just stop here. In a lot of ways this was a highlight of our trip as we enjoyed the food and also the friendliness of the local community there.

Natural Bridge State Park

Natural Bridge State Park is located in well, Natural Bridge, VA (about 14 miles south of Lexington). This was actually the inspiration for this day trip and our ultimate stop along the way. We could post pictures all day long and not be able to convey the beauty and grandeur of this park. It really is an awesome thing to see.

This park is a Virginia State Park but affiliated with the National Park Service. So, if you are a stamp collecting person- don’t forget to ask the front desk for the stamps! There is an admission fee – $6 for ages 6-12 and $8 for 13 and up. Also, the park closes at 9 pm so it makes a great stop for a day trip!

Upon arriving, there is a huge welcome center with a cafe, store, and little museum to check out. There is a walking path (and shuttle if you need one) down to the Natural Bridge. Its a really pretty and quick walk down – making it a straight uphill walk with plenty of stairs when you are done (just remember that!) After you see the bridge there is a trail that continues on and leads you to a Native American exhibit, a river, small cavern and finally, a waterfall. We spent several hours exploring this state park!

Spend some time in Historic Lexington Virginia

Our last little stop on our epic southwest Virginia day trip led us to Lexington. This is a really quick drive from Natural Bridge. Here we made a quick side stop to see Stonewall Jackson’s grave and memorial. We also checked out the quaint and beautiful downtown. The beautiful historic homes alone in this area could keep you for hours! There were plenty of little shops and places to eat. A great little stop if you like cute and historic downtowns!

This was one of those last minute trips that proved to be tons of fun. We had no expectations, which made it a great day of discovery and adventure. For me, that is what going the adventure way is all about. We enjoyed the beauty of God’s creation, learned an important part of our nations history, enjoyed community with new people and shared those memories together as a family. I hope this encourages you to take that spontaneous day trip together! And always go the adventure way!

Want more more ideas for visiting historical US locations? Check out our post on 5 Fun Things to do in Baltimore! Its full of history and National Park locations! Or spend a day in Edenton, NC – a beautiful historical town on North Carolina’s Inner Banks.

What are some last minute trips you have gone on? Have you ever made a detour on your way to the destination? What was your favorite?

The post Historic Southwest Virginia Day Trip Plan first appeared on Go The Adventure Way.

Where Is Mayo River State Park

Mayo River State Park is about a 30 minute drive north of Greensboro on Highway 220. The park is split up into two parts, the Mayo Mountain Access and the Mayo Beach Access. You will need to drive between the two access points. It is about a 12 minute drive between the two locations.

Mayo River is one of the newer parks in the state park system. It became a state park in 2010 but it has been around since 1948. It was originally a private corporate park for a local mill. The state has done a great job renovating the existing buildings and has plans for plenty of future development.

What To Do At Mayo River

Even though Mayo River is a newer park, there are still several activities for your family to enjoy. Our favorite thing to do at the park was to visit the Fall Creek Falls at the Mayo Beach Access. The hike to the falls is a quick quarter of a mile walk from the parking lot. It is mostly gravel and downhill on the way there, with plenty of shade. If you follow the trail past the waterfall, it will take you all the way into Virginia.

The falls are way bigger than we thought they would be. They weren’t too high, but they were really wide. The water was really cold at the bottom of the falls and made for a great little spot to put our feet in and cool off. There were multiple levels to the falls which made it fun to climb the rocks. Be careful though, it can be very slippery where the water flows. It is a great spot to sit and relax even if you are just stopping by for 15 minutes.

When we went we were the only people there. There are a couple of picnic tables at the trail head, a grill, the trail and the waterfall at this access point. At this time there are no state park facilities, though there are plans for expansion in the future.

The Mayo Mountain Access is where the welcome center is. Make sure you stop by here to get your N.C. State Park Passport Book stamped along with getting any maps or other information you might need. There is a 1.8 mile trail to hike and a pond where you can go fishing. Fun fact, they also have a really great picnic shelter that was designed by a protege of Frank Lloyd Wright.

What Else Is Around Mayo River State Park

In the immediate vicinity, there is the Town of Mayoden, but it is also a great stop on a day trip to Greensboro or Southwest Virginia. Check out our detailed guide for day trips to Greensboro and Southwest Virginia with ideas for a fun day of exploring! Hanging Rock State Park would be the best state park to pair with if you are trying to do multiple state parks in a day.

Takeaways From Our Trip To Mayo River State Park

Mayo River is a little gem of a park surrounded by natural beauty. It is a nice little retreat away. It is a great park for beginners, especially kids or people who are just starting to get out into nature. Even for those of us who are a little more experienced with the outdoors, we still loved it. It is pretty and quaint.

Make sure you bring your own food and water. Bring a towel if you want to get in the river for a bit. Also, make sure you use the restroom before you get to the falls. Have so much fun going the adventure way at Mayo River State Park!

Have you been to Mayo River State Park? What are some of your favorite things to do around the area?

Looking for more North Carolina State Parks to explore? Check out our guide for visiting South Mountains State Park, one of our favorites!

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Visit the Roanoke Lighthouse

Did you know that there are river lighthouses in North Carolina? We didn’t either until this trip. As a matter of fact, this is what brought us to Edenton in the first place. We were touring all of the lighthouses on the coast of NC when we found out that if we wanted to go to all of them we had to go inland as well. Roanoke Lighthouse was originally located about 6 miles away in Plymouth but was moved to Edenton after it was decommissioned. The town has done a great job restoring and sharing this treasure with the public.

This is an incredibly unique place to visit and you can take a tour for a small price ($2.50 for adults and $1.50 for children 3-12). It is open Tuesday – Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm. On the tour you can see the living conditions of the keeper of the light and their family. There is a member of the historical society with you to answer any questions you might have. We had a blast on the tour and Silas especially enjoyed going to the lantern room where the light once stood. You can get an incredible view of the sound from there.

If you want to check out the other lighthouses on the Albermarle Sound take a look at the Albermarle Riverlight Trail – the 1st Riverlight Trail in the country. This is a great weekend trip that is really unique. It will take you on a relaxing tour of some of the most beautiful little towns in North Carolina.

The lighthouse area also has a really nice waterfront. You can check out some boats, find a bench in the shade to relax on, or play on the town playground. A great place to spend some time.

Feel Welcomed at the Penelope Barker House

The Penelope Barker house serves as the town welcome center and is home to the Edenton Historical Commission. It is situated right on the water and has great views and a beautiful garden. This is a good place to start your time in Edenton because you will find so much friendly help on where to go and what to do. We spent 30 minutes talking with the wonderful people volunteering there. By the time we left them we had an invitation to stay at their home for a long weekend – and we think they were serious.

It is free to go into the house and look around. When you go in it is like walking back in time to a different era. If you like 200 year old furniture, this place is for you. They also have a gift and book shop and plenty of information on and maps of Edenton.

Take a Ride on the Trolley

The best way to take in all of Edenton is by taking a tour of the town on the the trolley. The trolley runs Tuesday – Saturday with tours departing at 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, and 2:30. During the summer months the trolley operates on Sundays at 10:30, 11:30, and 12:30. The trolley cost $12.50 for adults, $2.50 for kids 6-12, and is free for kids 5 and under. You can purchase tickets at the Penelope Barker House. The price is a little expensive but we found it had a good value. We learned a lot about things we otherwise would have missed and did it in a fun, comfortable way.

The trolley tour lasts about an hour and takes you through the Cotton Mill and Mill Village as well as the major locations in the Historic District. A couple of our favorite items on the tour were learning the story of Harriet Jacobs, – who was one of the heroes of the Underground Railroad, visiting St. Paul’s Episcopal Church – the second oldest church in the state, and the Lane House – believed to be the oldest house in North Carolina, dating back to 1718.

Grab A Bite In Downtown Edenton

There are so many great places to eat downtown and there are plenty of options based on your budget. For lunch check out the Downtown Cafe and Soda Shop. This is your classic North Carolina small town diner. The food is great, the staff is friendly, and the prices are reasonable. Megan loved it because they had orangeade, and any restaurant with orangeade is good in her book.

We also stopped by the Edenton Coffee Shop in downtown and had some really great coffee. Throw in some of their fresh pastries and you have a great spot to rest and recharge mid-morning or afternoon. There are plenty of smoothie options for kids as well.

Go For A Walk In Historic Edenton

Sometimes it is good to go your own way wherever your feet lead you. There is so much history in Edenton that you can’t walk too far without finding something else to look at. There are plenty of historical markers to help guide you, but it is still a good idea to pick up a map at the Penelope Barker House. We had such a fun time strolling through the parks at the waterfront, walking in and out of the shops downtown, and walking through some of the older neighbors in the surrounding areas. A great way to get some exercise and see the sights at the same time.

We had a great day in Edenton and are hopeful to go back soon. For more information and to plan your trip check out the Visit Edenton website. What are some things that we missed? What would you add for us to do next time?

Looking for me fun day trip ideas? Check out our day trip guide to Greensboro and Baltimore!

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