Compare Beignets

You can’t go to New Orleans without trying out some fresh beignets. This is an absolute must. There is a debate going around about where you can get the best beignets in the city. The competition comes down to two competitors – Cafe Du Monde and Cafe Beignet. Obviously, we had to try them both.

Cafe Du Monde

We went to the original Cafe Du Monde in the French Market right by Jackson Square. This place has been around since 1862 and it is quite the experience. We went on a Friday night and the place was jumping. We almost didn’t go because the line to get in was over 100 people long. After we waited about 5 minutes we realized it would move pretty quickly. All together we stood in line for about 20 minutes to get in.

We got two orders of beignets (6 total), Megan got a Cafe Au Lait, and Justin got a black coffee with chicory. In total we spent $16 (we got the take home mug). These things were ridiculously good. We were impressed that with such a big operation they came out cooked to perfection, not greasy at all. They piled a ton of sugar on these, so yummy. What made this so good was the combination of the bitter chicory and the sweet beignets. So good.

Cafe Beignet

We went to the Cafe Beignet located on Royal Street in the French Quarter for breakfast on Saturday morning. We beat the crowds there and had a nice breakfast in their outdoor seating area. The shop is located in a converted 1800s carriage house. It is super cool in there, plenty of character. We had the same thing there as at Cafe Du Monde – wanted to be fair – but Megan also got a breakfast plate. It was a good experience and the food was good. However, when it comes to beignets, there was a clear cut winner.

Cafe Du Monde definitely won the competition. Don’t miss out on going there. It is worth the wait and worth the money.

Visit Jackson Square

Maybe the most famous landmark in New Orleans outside of the Superdome is the iconic St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square. The square is surrounded by awesome restaurants, shops, and artists. Every time we went by there the place was completely packed. It is a great spot to really get a feel for the city and to take a quick break on a bench.

Check Out Some National Parks

We try and plan our travel around visiting National Parks. We do this because we are on a quest to visit all 360 located in the continental United States before Silas graduates. This actually makes for a great way to plan trips. Fortunately for us, there are two National Parks located in New Orleans – both of which are free.

Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve

Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve is one of the most unique National Park units in the country. One reason it is so unique is because it is split up among six different locations. These locations are not really even close to each other. The six locations are spread out throughout southern Louisiana. The reason these locations are one National Park unit is because together they collectively tell the story of New Orleans and Louisiana as a whole.

On this trip we visited the French Quarter site and the Barataria Preserve. The French Quarter focuses on the history of New Orleans and the different cultures that influenced it. The visitor center is located on Decatur Street and is a great place to stop in while checking out the neighborhood.

The highlight for us though was the Barataria Preserve. This is located about a 20-minute drive outside the city center and is just a beautiful site. We had one of our most memorable hikes ever at this park. It is simply beautiful. Everywhere you look there is a picturesque view. So many different shades of green and there is wildlife everywhere.

What really made it memorable was the incredible boardwalks through the swamp. It is a really weird feeling walking a couple of miles along boardwalks (with out rails) not knowing if a gator is going to be around the corner staring you down. On our walk we saw a couple of them, including a mama with her babies. Super cool and super freaky. It makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up.

If you are in New Orleans, get out to this park. You can do the swamp boat tour here, but this post is cheap or free – those tours are neither.

New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park

This park is located right in the French Quarter by the French Market. This park celebrates the history and influence of jazz on the city of New Orleans and all over the world. What makes this park unique is all of the Park Rangers are actually musicians who play throughout the day. Unfortunately when we were there, we just missed the show for the day. If you don’t go during one of those, it is pretty pointless to go at all. Not much else to it. We checked out the stage and the few exhibits they had, got the stamp and headed out. So, make sure you check the daily schedule of events and show up for one of those.

If you want to check out some of our other National Park adventure check out our post on Tuskegee National Parks, Gettysburg, Canaveral Seashore, Yosemite, and Mammoth Cave.

Ride The Streetcar

One thing that is really awesome about New Orleans are the streetcars that take you around the major points of interest in the city. You can get a one-way ticket for $1.25 or you can get a day long pass for just $3. It is a steal.

The streetcars themselves are something fun to do. We loved riding around, giving our feet a rest, and getting a different perspective on the city. The streetcars run throughout the day and night and take you into different sections of the city. Definitely take advantage of this system.

Listen To Some Music

You cannot go to New Orleans and without listening to some good music. Really it is impossible to do. The reason for this is because on every street corner there are people playing and singing for the crowds walking by. We heard a lady with one of the most beautiful voices ever singing. It drew us in and kept us listening. She was amazing. In addition, there are a ton of great places around the city with live music while you are eating. Music is everywhere. Remember, if you are listening to music and enjoying, even if you are on a street corner, throw a couple of dollars in the cup. Don’t be the people who film and take pictures and then walk away after you were entertained. Support a struggling artist.

Eat Some Good Food

Alright, so one of the main things New Orleans is known for is the food. People come from all over to eat the unique culinary offerings of the city. We weren’t able to try a ton of different places to eat. The main reason is because we were only there for 24 hours. We only had time for a breakfast, lunch, and dinner (and the Cafe Du Monde afternoon snack). For dinner we ate at the hotel because we were totally exhausted. At breakfast we had the previously mentioned meal at Cafe Beignet. For lunch, we feel like we had a pretty good New Orleans experience.

We went to Napoleon House on Chartres St. The restaurant is in a historic building that is over 200 years old. The mayor of New Orleans was the first resident of the building and offered the house to Napoleon as a place for him to live during his exile. Napoleon never made it but the name stuck. The inside is full of fun things to look at and there is a beautiful little courtyard like you find in a lot of places in New Orleans. Napoleon House Restaurant has been there since 1914 and the food there was bomb.

I (Justin) had a muffuletta and was definitely impressed. I wasn’t really sure about the olive spread, but it ended up being the key to the whole thing. The bread was incredible and it was just some salty goodness. Megan went with the shrimp po boy with red beans and rice – she was happy with it as well (though I think I liked mine more than she liked hers). We were out of there in an hour and spent less than $40 for all three of us. A great deal for a pretty expensive city.

Shop At The French Market

The French Market is a really cool six-block area that includes an open air market and various commercial buildings in the French Quarter. There is so much to do and see in this area. You can get pretty much anything you want there. Chocolate, jewelry, wood carvings, hot sauce, fresh fruit, coffee, and just about anything else – all for sale.

If you really looked around, you could find some pretty great items. Megan’s favorite purchase was a pair of earrings made in the ghetto – that is what the shop owner called them, not me. They cost $5 bucks and they are super cool. Grab a coffee with chicory and head down here for some great shopping.

Compare The Neighborhoods

What makes New Orleans so unique are the various neighborhoods that make up the city. All of them have their own identity, style, and culture. The architecture changes so much from one spot to the next you begin to think that you are in a different city all together.

On our trip we stayed in the Warehouse District. It is an old industrial area that has been renovated into an awesome area full of dining, shopping, and hotels. We were a three minute walk to the French Quarter which is simply stunning. The architecture and history down there are incredible. We took a trip through the Garden District and checked out the antebellum style mansions and checked out the super creepy (and historic) graveyards. If you have a car, take some time going through the various neighborhoods to get a good overview of the city (though stay out of some of them!).

Check Out The Mississippi

The Mississippi flows right through the middle of New Orleans. Now, it is just river but what a river it is. We just got done reading The Adventures of Tom Sawyer with Silas so we loved going down and checking out the river. We spent some time sitting and walking along the banks of the river. There were a ton of boats going up and down the river, including some really cool riverboats. There are a ton of river boat cruises you can go on – we didn’t do it because of time – but they take you up and down on tours. A couple even take you to some of the other areas of Jean Lafitte National Historic Park. Either way, if you are on it or beside it – make sure you spend some time learning about the Mighty Mississippi.

Takeaways From Our Time In New Orleans

Ok, we really wanted to love New Orleans – we always want to love everywhere we go. However, we are not big loud, crowded, party people so we were a little apprehensive. Here is what we are taking away from our time there.

• If you want to check out the city when it isn’t crowded, go in the morning. It really is a beautiful place but that gets lost on you with the crowds. We went to breakfast on Saturday morning and had so much fun checking out the different areas.
• If you are going with your kid(s) like we did, don’t go on a Friday night over Christmas break (like we did) or any other major party time (Mardi Gras). There is plenty to do with kids, but we had to do plenty of shielding of eyes and avoiding of areas.
• New Orleans is a pretty dirty city. After walking around for five hours my light green shoes were almost black. When we were walking around Saturday morning some of the stuff we saw from the night before was pretty gross.
• The Warehouse District is a really great place to stay, especially for families. You are close enough to walk everywhere (or get on the streetcar) and is a lot more quiet than the French Quarter.
• If you are only eating beignets at one place, make it Cafe Du Monde. The lines might look long but it will go fast.
• Plan to go to Barataria Preserve at Jean Lafitte. It was our favorite thing we did around New Orleans and is worth the Uber or time spent. Take the boardwalk trails as far as you can. We went in the colder months and bugs were not an issue.
• It is expensive in the city, so make sure you plan accordingly.

We were really glad we were able to experience New Orleans. Ultimately, we had a good time but we aren’t necessarily chomping at the bit to get back. We are glad we went and can say we have been there. If you haven’t been, we would absolutely recommend you going and checking it out. That is what going the adventure way is all about. Sometimes you love it and sometimes you just really like it. It is always an experience and always and adventure.

If you want to check out some other cities we have visited, take a look at Baltimore and Greensboro.

Pin it for later!

The post 9 Free Or Cheap Things In New Orleans first appeared on Go The Adventure Way.

The Tuskegee national parks do an amazing job of humanizing history and telling the story of the men and women who learned, served, and taught here. We recently went on an epic Southern U.S. road trip and we spent an afternoon at the two parks located here. We had a blast learning and exploring.

Tuskegee, Alabama is located in central Alabama right off of I-85. It is about 45 minutes from the Georgia line. Tuskegee has two National Park Sites – Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site and Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site. Both of these sites do an amazing job of explaining the importance of what happened here not just to African-Americans but the world as a whole.

Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site

The first of the Tuskegee National Parks is the Tuskegee Airmen site. Tuskegee Airmen is located just off I-85. This site celebrates the brave heroes who made up the Tuskegee Airmen. The Tuskegee Airmen were pilots during World War II. The term Tuskegee Airmen also refers to everyone who helped the various units – nurses, cooks, navigators, mechanics and others. The Airmen are credited with 1578 combat missions and 179 bomber escorts. The Airmen received 96 Flying Crosses, 14 Bronze Stars and 8 Purple Hearts. Simply incredible. The National Historic Site does such a great job of explaining the importance of these men and women. We really learned a ton and had a blast doing it.

There is a really large parking area on a hill overlooking historic Moton Field and the hangars below. This is where the Tuskegee Airmen trained. There is a nice open area where we ate a picnic lunch before we headed down the path. (No picnic tables but lots of benches and open areas!) The path to the hangars has numerous exhibits to learn as you go. When you get to the bottom there are a bunch of historic buildings, but you can only enter a few of them. You can go into Hangar 1, Hangar 2, and the adjoining Control Tower.

Hangar 1

Hangar 1 talks about the training that happened here and has three main sections. The first section is the orientation room. When you head down the path from the parking lot the signs tell you start here. There is a short orientation video in the room and you can grab a Junior Ranger book to start off. The next room has a couple of beautiful airplanes that have been refurbished. They are incredible. They have a bunch of other exhibits as well. The third part of the hangar are the various rooms that you can go in and out off. These are war rooms, offices, and diners that have been set up to show what it looked like.

Hangar 2 and Tower

Hangar 2 is the larger museum on property and spends more time talking about the Airmen during the war. There is an incredible Red Tail airplane hanging from the ceiling. They have a ton of really great exhibits here. These exhibits are awesome because they do such a great job of telling personal stories. You really get a feel for the men and women who served. There is a good video to watch here as well. It is almost half an hour, but you learn a ton. Hangar 2 is where the gift shop is. This is where you can grab your passport stamp as well. Take some time to climb the tower. From the top you get a really great view of the whole airfield.

Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site

The second of the Tuskegee National Parks is the Tuskegee Institute. The Tuskegee Institute site is located about 10 minutes from the airfield in the town of Tuskegee. The Institute was founded in 1881 by Booker T. Washington and others. This is still an actual college. We went over Christmas break and we had pretty much the whole place to ourselves. We were excited about going here because we have been to Booker T. Washington in Virginia. It is cool to see how all of the National Parks Sites connect to each other.

There are two main areas of this park. The Oaks, which was the home of Booker T. Washington and the George Washington Carver museum. You can also see the burial places of both Washington and Carver.

We spent most of our time looking at the Carver museum. The museum is in the building that used to be Carver’s lab. The park visitor center is here and there is a little gift shop. The museum is incredible. He did so much for so many. It was crazy to see how the man’s brain worked. He was a genius for sure. He didn’t invent peanut butter, though a lot of people think so, but he invented just about everything else. We spent about an hour and half there and we felt we got a really good overview. Main reason for this is the Junior Ranger book. You get a really good overview of most parks just by doing that.

Takeaways From Tuskegee

All around the Tuskegee sites were great. It is not a destination but a good place to spend an afternoon as part of a larger road trip. We all walked away with so much appreciation and a better understanding of this special place in history. There isn’t a ton in the town, though it looks like there is a push to see it restored. Make sure to take some time to tour around the downtown area a bit. The Macon County Court House was a beautiful building right in the middle of town, so don’t miss that! We loved our time learning about history and gaining a better understanding of the people who made this part of Alabama famous.

Have you ever been to the Tuskegee National Parks? What are some of the other smaller parks that we should visit?

If you are interested in visiting more National Parks check out our guides to Booker T Washing National Monument, The National Parks of the Outer Banks, Fort McHenry in Baltimore or Mammoth Cave in Kentucky!

Pin it for Later!

The post Tuskegee National Parks (Your Guide for a Great Visit) first appeared on Go The Adventure Way.

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?

The post Booker T. Washington National Monument first appeared on Go The Adventure Way.

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?

The post The Breathtaking Views at Natural Bridge Virginia first appeared on Go The Adventure Way.

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.