Travelogy

My New York City Experience

I was always told that New York City has it all. Boy, were they right. I can’t even explain how alive I felt when I was there, always something new to see and something new to do. I remember, before I took my first trip, I was trying to read everything I could about the city for things to do during a 7 day trip with a group of my friends. I kept thinking to myself, is seven days there even enough? Nope! There are still SO many things that I haven’t been able to do there. I’m already planning my next trip! I will post my itinerary for some fun ideas and places to visit while you’re in the big apple.

(By the way, this trip was taken August of 2019 way before the COVID-19 hit.)

After a long 9 hour drive we finally made it to our AirBNB. We stayed at an AirBNB in Jersey City. The AirBNB we stayed in was great; however, we could not find a place to park for like an hour so we were riding all over Jersey City trying to find a place to park to walk to our AirBNB. The one thing I can suggest is to talk to your AirBNB host on where to park, because we forgot to do that very important step. Now we can look back and laugh, because we were the tourists who were carrying their bags all over the city walking what seemed like miles to our AirBNB after finally finding a parking spot forever away. I did learn a lesson though to always double check with your host on everything.

After unpacking, we all sat down to make an itinerary for the trip. We all decided to purchase the ‘CityPass‘ because we wanted to do everything that NYC had to offer. It was only $136 which was a steal! I highly recommend buying the CityPass because you can check a lot of things off your NYC bucketlist. These are just a few places that you have to visit on your NYC trip!

Grand Central Station. The first day in the city we decided to go check out Grand Central Station because we wanted to see about the transportation that we will be doing throughout the week. Grand Central Station’s ceilings were absolutely stunning. 21.6 million people pass through Grand Central Stations doors each year. Now I know why this is such a popular tourist destination.

Photo by: https://ny.curbed.com/2018/12/13/18123971/grand-central-station-nyc-map-hotels-address

Rockefeller Center. The “Top of the Rock” by far, had the best views of New York City. We decided to visit the top during the day so we can see NYC in the day time, and do the Empire State building at night. Once we got to the top of the observation deck, I was in pure awe. New York City is truly breathtaking and a lot bigger than I even thought from up there. I recommend this to everyone that goes to New York, because I don’t think my trip would have been complete if we did not go.

Times Square. Of course I had to visit Times Square to see all the hustle and bustle of New York City. It was an interesting experience to say the least. There were street performers everywhere, while some were good and some were absolutely terrible. Times Square is so bright it can be seen from outer space. We were able to visit a lot of the shops around Times Square and get a lot of pictures. I went with a group of 6 people, including myself, and one of the people I went with got scammed out of a lot of money at Times Square. One NYC word of advice to give, is to make sure you are VERY cautious with your money and hide it on you well. Another tip is to NEVER get any pictures with the characters around Times Square unless you plan on tipping them money. Our group was taking pictures together and Mickey mouse characters ran up and hopped in our pictures. We didn’t say anything because we thought that it was funny; however, afterwards they were demanding money from us even though we never asked for them to be in our picture. My friend was going to give them a small tip and the guy in the costume saw that he had $30 in his pocket and insisted on that and left. Trust me, those people are smart and will not leave until they get paid. At least we got a good picture out of it but it was not worth 30 bucks. Also, when you are walking around Times Square, especially at night, be prepared to learn how to ignore people. People were trying to sell us everything from fake Rolex watches, to their very own mixtapes, and everything you can think of. Just pretend like you don’t hear them and walk away, I learned that it was better to just walk away than saying no because these people will literally try to talk you into spending every dollar you have.

The 30 dollar picture that will forever go down in history.

Photo Credits to: https://www.businessinsider.com/facts-about-times-square-2017-3

Metropolitan Museum of Art. I have grown up watching all the celebrities dress up and attend the ‘MET Gala.’ Being able to see the beautiful museum itself and be able to tour it was amazing. I now have a better understanding and appreciation of Art.

If you have ever watched the show “Gossip Girl,” my inner Blair Waldorf came out and I had to get a picture on the MET steps.

Central Park. After a long day in the city we decided to go to Central Park. It is such a great escape from the city life and was great to take a hike and explore all that Central Park had to offer. There are so many things to do in Central Park such as catching an outdoor play, fishing, riding a boat, zoo, and see the statues. Before visiting, I was unaware of all the fun things to do in Central park and wish I was able to spend more time there.

View of the city from Central Park. Photo by: Me

The American Museum of National History. If you have ever seen the movie “Night at the Museum,” then you are aware of this museum. I have always wanted to go here and I wish the all students could all come here and learn instead of going to history class. Totally kidding, but it was a great learning experience and very fascinating. From our CityPass, we chose this museum because we didn’t want to miss it!

“Dum-Dum” from the ‘Night of the Museum’ movie

Empire State Building. As mentioned earlier, we decided to go to the Empire State Building at night to see the views of the city. It was unbelievable to see the city lights at night and how busy the city still was late at night. Now I truly see why NYC is called ‘The city that never sleeps.’

Photo of Me at the top of the Empire State building at night

Photo of the Empire State building by: https://www.viator.com/tours/New-York-City/Viator-Exclusive-Empire-State-Building-Experience-Top-Deck-Express-Pass-STATE-Grill-and-Bar-Dinner/d687-2194EXCL

Broadway. My NYC trip wouldn’t be complete without watching a Broadway show. I really wanted to see “The Lion King” but we were unable to get tickets that had all 6 of us sitting together. We ended up watching “Kong.” I was unsure of how I would like it, but it was a great performance! How they made King Kong move on stage was incredible. I highly recommend this show.

9/11 Museum. I don’t think anyone visiting the 9/11 museum had a dry eye. This was so eye-opening and sad. The memorial was outside with the names of people who passed away during this tragic event. Once we were inside I was able to take some pictures, but there were parts of the museum that no photos were allowed. The part that stood out to me the most was the voices of the people who left their loved ones voicemail messages. When I heard them I couldn’t help but cry, it gave me chills down my spine. There were bibles that survived, bloody shoes, papers with ‘SOS’ written on them, and multiple pieces of clothing that were on display. So many people lost loved ones that day, and I could not imagine. This museum I recommend to everyone but make sure to pack some tissues.

Statue of Liberty. The Statue of Liberty was a great experience! We got to ride the ferry boat over and see Lady Liberty. Some advice I can give to tourists is to go really early in the morning, because we went around noon and waited in line for over an hour. I am so glad the weather held off so we could see her. It started raining so we missed out on the Ellis Island Immigration museum, but I have a feeling I will be back one day!

These are just some of the few attractions that I was able to go to while in New York City. There are so many more that I would like to go back to see that I wasn’t able to on this trip. I hope you found ideas of places you want to visit on your NYC trip as well. If you are looking for great places to eat in NYC visit my blog post here.

I am so praying for New York City due to the COVID-19 outbreak there. I hope everyone gets better soon and the city heals so everything can be back to normal. I know that will be awhile from now but I am keeping my spirits high and wishing everyone good health, safety, and peace.

-Lauren Miller

Tips for Surviving a Road Trip

Some people absolutely dread road trips. Personally, they don’t really bother me at all. Sometimes driving can help you save money instead of flying all of the time if the destination is not too far. Here are some tips to make the most of your road trip and to survive long drives.

Start with a Clean Car. Always clean your car before going on trips. This makes it easier to pack up your car and have extra room for luggage. It also makes the car ride a lot more enjoyable with not stressing about the mess. I like to take some small trash bags or even Walmart bags to put your trash in during the trip. This avoids it laying around everywhere or having to clean it up when the trip is over!

Check your vehicle. This one is probably the most important. No one wants a road trip resulting in a flat tire or a broken down vehicle. I know some of these you simply can’t avoid; however, they are less avoidable if you check your car and make sure everything is up to par. Always remember to keep a spare tire on hand.

Prep before the trip. This one is essential. Make sure you know where all the stops are on the road such as food, rest areas, roadside attractions, gas stations, etc. Doing this will avoid going to a sketchy location on the side of the road (we’ve all been there) and planning your stops will allow you to read reviews. If you are time-crunched consider packing lunch and eating on the road.

Wear Comfortable clothing. When you are in a car for long hours, always dress in loungewear or comfortable clothes. Nothing is more uncomfortable than wearing jeans in a car! Also take a pillow or blanket to make the most of a long car ride.

Music. Find some music that the whole car will enjoy. Download music on your phone that everyone will sing to, plug in your aux or turn on the bluetooth, and have a car karaoke session with the family. Sometimes, I will even listen to an old CD.

Play Games. Find some car games to play to avoid boredom. When I was little, I used to love to play the license plate game and the alphabet game. I have some of the best memories growing up of playing games in the car with my family. This is a lot more fun than playing on your phone in the car, plus it gets the whole family involved! Here are some fun games below.

Take a break. Driving can be extremely tiring if you are doing it during the night or for a long period of time. Find a rest area to pull off and take a nap in or find a hotel and spend the night until the next day. Driving tired is very dangerous.

Take turns driving. If possible, try to take turns driving. This will help one person not be as tired of driving.

Pack for emergencies. Always pack for emergencies. Make sure to carry some cash in case something happens and they don’t take credit/debit cards. Also if the weather is bad and something happens to your car or your trip gets delayed, it is always good to pack a blanket or a warm pair of clothes. A first aid kit and map are also essential to have in your car.

Best Hiking Trails in Southwest VA

During the coronavirus, I have been hiking a lot to get in my exercise. I am fortunate to live in an area where I can go outside and hike without being exposed to people and go on my own little adventure. I might be a little biased because I live here; however, I think Southwest Virginia has some of the most beautiful trails and lookouts. Here are some of my favorites (in no particular order.

The Cascades. The Cascade falls is a waterfall in Giles Co., Virginia. It is about 3.8 miles trail that leads to this beautiful waterfall. Be sure to wear a swimsuit because it is a great area to swim as well. This one is absolutely breathtaking and is a great way to cool off after a hike. Need I say more?

The Cascades in Pembroke, VA. Photo by: Me

Barney’s Wall. This is a hike I like to do from The Cascades. This is a fantastic view of the New River Valley from above. From the Cascades to Barney’s Wall is about 8 miles. This hike is also minutes away from where the movie “Dirty Dancing” was filmed at Mountain Lake. Feel free to stop by there for lunch at their restaurant in the lodge. For more information about about Barney’s Wall and The Cascades trail click here.

Barney’s Wall in Giles, Co. Photo taken my my mom of me. I was 13 in this picture.

Grayson Highlands State Park. Grayson highlands is in Grayson Co, VA. This state park is unique with all of the 13 different hiking trails, but what really makes it stand out is the wild ponies. Yes, you heard me right! The wild ponies were amazing to see and I could watch them graze the park all day. Grayson Highlands has access to the Appalachian trail as well as the 68 miles long VA Highlands Horse trail. To read more about this beautiful place, click here.

Grayson Highlands : Photos taken by Me or by a Self Timer.

Molly’s Knob. Molly’s Knob is part of Hungry Mother State Park in Marion, VA. It is a trail that overlooks the beautiful park. Below is the Hungry Mother “beach” where you can go swimming after a day of hiking to cool off. There are a lot of trails on Hungry Mother including some great biking trails, but Molly’s knob is my favorite at Hungry Mother.

https://www.theoutbound.com/virginia/hiking/hike-molly-s-knob#photo-130553

High Rocks. High rocks in Wytheville, VA is a trail that is close to my home. This trail is an uphill (pretty tiring) trail that overlooks the beautiful town of Wytheville. I have hiked this trail so much that I probably could walk it with my eyes closed. Aren’t the views gorgeous?

Crystal Springs. Crystal Springs is in Wytheville, VA and has multiple trails to hike to as well. You can actually walk to high rocks from one of the trails at Crystal Springs. Wytheville is fortunate to have such a great place to hike and bike. Check it out here.

Seven Sisters. Seven sisters is a trail in Southwest VA on Little Walker Mountain that is great one to do to get out of the house and enjoy nature. Seven Sisters trail is known for its variety of terrain. Read about why Seven Sisters is called what it is here. It is truly a fascinating story.

Burke’s Garden. Burkes Garden (also known as God’s Thumbprint) is a beautiful place to visit that also has a hiking trail in Tazewell, Co. Even if you’re not into hiking this is still a great place to drive to and see the views. Burke’s garden is Virginia’s highest valley and looks like a moon crater in the Earth. It was actually Vanderbuilt’s first choice to build a house there, but they wouldn’t sell him the land. Look at how beautiful!

New River State Trail (Foster Falls). I have always enjoyed going to Foster Falls, VA to see the Shot Tower and go tubing down the river. There are also great trails to bike, walk, and go horseback riding. Click here to read more.

Creeper Trail. The VA Creeper trail is a 34.3 mile rail-to-recreation trail. I have never hiked the whole trail; however, I have hiked bits and pieces of it. It would take a while to do the whole trail. If you like biking, this is 100% the trail for you. Click here to read more!

#VIRGINIAISFORLOVERS

Socially Distant Spots

Due to the COVID-19 all of us travel bloggers have had to adapt to staying at home and not traveling. I live in Virginia, so there has been a stay at home order since April 1st. Unless you are an essential worker, you are required to stay at home, unless you have to go to the grocery store, pharmacy, exercise outdoors, or emergency situations. It has been difficult for people who struggle with their mental health of staying cooped up inside all day. However, there are some things that you can do to not be bored in the house and ease your mind off of all this mess going on around us.

Take a walk! I have been doing this every day since the lockdown has started. This is a great way to get some fresh air and some outdoor activity and exercise. The good thing about taking a walk is that you can do it just about anywhere! I have been taking walks by myself to clear my head and sometimes I will go with my family (whom I live with) because now is not the time to go with friends. I have been walking around the outdoor walking track near the recreation center in town as well as my neighborhood. Just make sure that if you see someone else walking to stay 6 feet away from them and to not shake hands or hug. Social distance people!!!

Hiking! This one also goes along with taking a walk. There are a lot of campgrounds closed; however, there are some hiking trails that are still open to go hiking on. Bring your dog out for some fresh air too and go hiking! Get some vitamin D on your skin.

Golfing. The golf course where I live is still open; however, I have heard that many are closed during this time. I have learned to enjoy not only just playing a round of golf, but also practicing hitting golf balls and working on putting. You can do this by yourself or with a family member (someone you live with.) A lot of people think you need a large group to enjoy golfing, but it is nice to go out and play a round by yourself. As long as you walk the course (to prevent spreading germs in a golf cart) and use your own golf equipment, then you are causing no exposure to anyone else and it is safe!

Fishing. Fishing is fun to do to get out of the house and relax. I have my VA Fishing license, so I like to go to the local pond and go fishing. I mostly catch and release but if where you go fishing allows you to keep the fish then cook it for dinner. It will save you a trip to the grocery store!

Outdoor Yoga. Finding inner peace and clarity during this time is essential. Destress yourself by doing some outdoor or even indoor yoga. Focus on your personal wellbeing. Also meditating is a good way to start.

Art Project. A big way to help manage my stress is doing an anti-stress coloring book. Those help me get my mind off the craziness and everything going on.

Do a home project. This one is a great idea! What better time to do home improvements when you’re stuck in your home? I have been watching HGTV like crazy, so I had some fire under me to fix up something. If you’re in need of supplies, instead of going to the store, order them online. I ordered supplies online to refinish a bookshelf and it turned out great!

Cook/Bake something new. Now that a lot of restaurants are closed, I figured this is the perfect time to polish up my cooking skills. I have been watching youtube tutorials on easy things to bake and I made a pretty darn good Banana Nut bread if I say so myself. I have also been cooking healthier and watching what I eat more so I don’t gain the Quarantine-15!

Game night. My family and I have been playing cards, board games, and the wii. This has helped us bond a little more and have fun while doing so. You’re never to old to play monopoly right?

Read a book. I honestly have to admit, I am not a big reader. But this is on my to-do list this quarantine is to read and finish a novel. A lot of people (myself included) have only been watching movies, so I need to switch it up and read some more.

Facetime loved ones. The hardest part of all of this is that I can’t go visit my grandparents or my dad. My dad is a Nurse Practitioner and could potentially be exposed to someone with the coronavirus. He has been putting his life on the line to help other people. Even the military has reached out to him for his help (he is a retired Lieutenant Colonel Nurse in the Army) during this time in states where the outbreak is bad. I can’t thank all the essential employees enough. I also have been FaceTiming my grandparents so I am able to see them. I have been wanting to visit them but I am too scared because I know their immune systems are not as strong as mine. FaceTime and Zoom are great technology to use during this time! Check up on your loved ones.

Support Small Businesses. This is so important!!! A lot of smaller businesses are struggling during this time so make sure to support them. Order take out or curbside delivery from small businesses or shop online from small businesses. Even if you do not feel comfortable doing those things, you can buy a virtual gift certificate and use it when this mess is over. Also, go and like their page on Facebook, or share their page, or even leave an encouraging comment. The smallest things help. #Supportlocal not just during this time, but every day!

Hopefully, you can use some of these tips into your ‘new’ daily routine. Even doing something as simple as watering your plants outside can help boost your mood. We are all in this together. Keep your faith and this will all be over soon. Just remember to wash your hands!!

-Lauren Miller

Do’s & Don’ts of AirBNB

This blog post is a little different than usual! Let me know what you think!

I hope you found some of these tips and tricks helpful when booking your next AirBNB. (Sorry about my country accent! haha)

Be safe and healthy. Remember we will all get through this together!

-Lauren Miller

Travel Update…

This blog post shatters my heart to write about. I had a completely different topic to write about and was so excited to be able to travel during my Spring Break, but unfortunately, a wrench was thrown into my plans of doing that. As you all know by now, the coronavirus (COVID-19) hit the United States pretty hard within the last couple of weeks and is continuing to spread rapidly daily. As a blogger, I was excited to travel and blog about where I traveled and give exciting content to my followers, but after watching the news I decided not to go. I do not regret my decision even the slightest bit, as I was able to help my mom run her business and avoid potentially catching the virus and spreading it to others. It was essential for me to stay home during this devastating time.

With all the self quarantining that I have been partaking in (which you should be too) has had me in a rut. I hate being in the same place all day long and this has taken a huge toll on my mental health; however, I know other people are in the same boat as me and we all have to be there for each other *while being apart.* Other than helping my mom’s business I have been trying to stay in as much as possible. One good thing about this time besides staying healthy, is that it has helped me plan some fun things to do for my next trip. Use this time to plan a trip for the future or make a traveling bucket list!

My next trip will be to Clearwater beach in Florida! I am so excited and can’t wait for everything to be back to normal and for me to be able to travel again. Don’t worry though, because this trip won’t be until the last week of June. If things are still bad than we will postpone to a later time.

A lot of people are wondering if traveling will be back to normal soon. Sadly, I do not have an answer for that yet, but once it does go back to normal, it will be essential to still take precautions. I would still be hesitant to take a cruise or a fly in a plane for awhile after this mess. Honestly, I am not looking forward to driving all the way to Clearwater beach, but I would rather be safe driving rather than flying with all the nasty germs.

To people who were planning on traveling within March or April who were staying in an AirBNB, good news is that they are refunding every person who have booked through their site during those months. This really showed me that they care about their users. I respected them a lot more for this, and once this mess is over, I will be using their site even more.

I also know that many of you have questions regarding traveling during this time. It is certainly not recommended; however, I know that there can be emergency situations where there is no other choice. Click here for more information about traveling during this time and what precautions you should take.

And to all the fellow travel bloggers out there, just know that you are not alone. Not being able to leave the area I am in is like a waiting game at this point. We don’t know when that day might be, but once we are able to start again, we will learn how to cherish every moment more…at least I will. I know this is a confusing and scary time for us all, but we can all get through it. Be safe, be happy, and stay healthy friends!

-Lauren Miller

P.s. Wash your hands!!!

The Ultimate Packing Guide

I get it, packing can be one of those stressful things you try to avoid doing until the last minute. If you’re anything like me, something is always left behind that needs to be packed. After reading about having a “packing guide,” it has truly saved me from procrastinating and so many headaches. Packing mishaps can happen to anyone, but here are some tips to avoid it.

The first step is deciding on the type of bag you need. This is determined by how many days you will be gone or how light the load needs to be. You also need to determine if you are taking a carry on bag or not. For me, I always put the necessities I need in my carry-on bag just incase of a layover or if my luggage goes missing. However, if you do plan to bring a carry on bag on your flight be sure to check online with the carry on bag restrictions. Some flights won’t allow you to bring a carry on bag at all. After this step, this will help you determine how much you need to pack in your bag.

The second step is if you’re going on a longer trip, you need to figure out if you will be able to do laundry on your trip. This will help your luggage be a little lighter and avoid overpacking if you think of this ahead of time. If you are unable to do laundry on your trip, make sure to pack a bag you can put your dirty clothes in. I always pack a trash bag so my clothes I wear throughout the trip can go in there instead of touching my clean clothes.

The third step is to always check the weather before your trip! After a personal experience with this, I cannot stress this step enough. A couple years ago I went to Florida to the beach and I didn’t check the weather thinking it would be warm in the summer and packed only short sleeves and shorts because of this. I ended up really regretting this decision when it was cold and rainy the entire time I was there and I had no warm clothes. I learned my lesson to pack accordingly to the weather no matter where I travel. This will save you from freezing to death or burning up! If you plan on staying on a trip longer than what the weather channels will show you, bring a mixture of both clothes for the warmer days and the cooler ones, just in case!

Another step is when is to roll up your clothes. This will save so much room in your luggage and look a lot neater too! If you have compression sacks or packing cubes those will work great too. This will allow you to pack more without having to use multiple bags and help you stay more organized in the long run.

Lastly, is to make a list of what you need to pack. You can either write your own or use this helpful guide I found from https://www.smartertravel.com/the-ultimate-packing-list/. This is essential to never forgetting what you need to pack. It is so hard to remember absolutely everything, so checking off the list as you go is a must.

I hope you find these tips useful and feel free to comment if you have any more to add. These tips have truly helped my traveling plans less stressful and I hope it does the same to you!

P.s. Click here for a great selection of luggage tags – this will help you be able to tell your luggage apart from everyone else’s.

Top 10 Places To Eat In NYC

New York City is famous for their delicious and diverse restaurants. After visiting there this summer I was able to truly partake in what it was like to be a ‘foodie’ for a week. I was able to eat some of my favorite restaurants of all time in New York without breaking the bank!

If you’re anything like me, I make sure I save a decent amount of money for food. But I know that restaurants, especially in New York, can be expensive. So here are my favorite places that I have been to (so far) that are affordable.

Joe’s Pizza. Seriously when I tell you after taking one bite of this pizza, I was on cloud nine, possibly even heaven. This is the best pizza (and I’m a huge pizza lover) that I have ever had. I would make a trip up to NY just for this pizza! http://www.joespizzanyc.com/
Living Thai. If you know anything about Thai food, this restaurant has the best Pad Thai. The owners were so sweet too and make everything homemade. You could tell that their food was made with love. http://www.livingthai.net/
Superiority Burger. This place is always crowded, and now I know why! Their burgers are perfectly made and will want you coming back for more. Did I mention everything is vegetarian! I was skeptical of trying a vegetarian burger but I was very pleased. http://www.superiorityburger.com/
Carlo’s Bake Shop. This one might ring a bell inside your head. This is Buddy’s bakery from the TLC show, “Cake Boss.” This list couldn’t be complete without adding a bakery. Their sweet treats are delicious and absolutely worth the wait to get them. https://www.carlosbakery.com/

5. Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Another place you might recognize if you’re a fan of Forrest Gump! If you’re in Times Square, you don’t want to miss this one. https://www.bubbagump.com/locations/new-york-city/

6. Los Mariscos. I think Los Mariscos might have the best fish tacos in NYC. It offers Mexican seafood and a raw bar. This is a good one for a quick-bite of yummy food for a time crunched day. https://www.losmariscos1.com/

7. Point Brazil. If you’re a fan of Brazilian food this is the place for you. This was my first time trying Brazilian food and I fell in love. If you have never ate at a Brazilian steakhouse it is a really neat experience. http://www.pointbrazilrestaurant.com/

8. The Halal Guys. I kept seeing this one advertised around New York City and decided to give it a try. It was very different food that I have never experienced before. I will be honest, it wasn’t my favorite food that I ate but it was a cool experience to get out of my comfort zone and try food that I have never tried before. https://thehalalguys.com/

9. Taiyaki NYC. Taiyaki is a japanese ice cream shop that serves great flavors in a fish-shaped waffle cone. The waffle cones are made fresh on site. I wish I would have taken a picture of how cool it really was. This is a great stop on a hot summer day in NYC! https://taiyakinyc.com/

10. Coffee Project NY. I can’t end this blog without mentioning a coffee house. If you’re anything like me, you can’t go a day without drinking a nice hot cup of coffee. Not only is the coffee 5 stars, but the atmosphere is so cozy. They also have a vast selection of wine. https://coffeeprojectny.com/

I wish I could try all the the wonderful restaurants that NYC has to offer! If there are any great ones that you like, feel free to leave a comment and I will check it out on my next NY trip!

A weekend in Charleston, SC

Charleston, South Carolina is one of the most charming towns in America. From the cobblestone streets, historic buildings, museums, magnolia trees, beautiful beaches, and carriage rides throughout downtown, what isn’t there to fall in love with? I might be a little biased because I was born here, but this truly is such a unique town!

Charleston is the perfect place to go for a weekend trip if you don’t live too far. I went last year for a weekend trip and I couldn’t have asked for better weather while I was down there. The key to having a successful weekend trip is to make an itinerary of the things you will be doing. This will help with your time management as well as not leaving anything out.

Places to Eat:

When you think of Charleston, you think of their signature dishes such as shrimp n’ grits, collard greens (which happens to be South Carolina’s state food) and she-crab soup. However, you will run into the occasional few tourists who visit Charleston for the first time and want pizza, but some people aren’t up to trying soul southern rich food and that’s okay. If you are looking for food recommendations…I got you covered!

The Boathouse is one of my favorite restaurants that I go to every time I visit Charleston. It would be unheard of if I went to Charleston without eating at The Boathouse. They are known for their fresh seafood, so if you’re not a big seafood fan this restaurant might not be for you. It is very pricey, so I have to make sure I save up my money before I go. However, my favorite part of this is the stunning view. I mean look at this…

Outside of The Boathouse restaurant : Lauren Miller

When I travel to new places, I try to eat at local restaurants instead of franchise/chain ones. However, I couldn’t help myself I had to eat at California Dreaming. It is another one of my favorites and it has an incredible view as well.

Lastly, if you’re looking to eat soul food, look no further! The famous Martha Lou’s kitchen is the best in the south! Martha Lou’s kitchen has been praised by the New York Times and The Travel Channel. From fried chicken to cornbread and collard greens they have the best home cookin’ in Charleston.

Things to do:

In Charleston, the atmosphere is so relaxing and fun. It is perfect for families who want to relax on the beach, a bachelorette trip for the nightlife, or tourists who want to stay active. There is plenty to see or do everywhere you go in Charleston!

Slightly North of Broad : Photo taken by Me

I am sure you are familiar with the “Rainbow Row” houses. These houses add the perfect southern charm to Charleston. One of the things I love about Charleston, is that no building can be taller than the church steeples, that is why Charleston is also known as “The holy city.”

I like to recommend tours to people who have never visited Charleston before. There are so many tours to choose from. There are walking tours, food tours, horse and carriage tours, and even speedboat tours! Not to mention if you are feeling extra spooky, you can even go on a ghost tour at night (I am always to big of a chicken to do this.) I highly recommend the speed boat tour. I did this last time I was in Charleston and it was one of the best experiences of my life. For a list of all of the fun tours, click here.

Street picture from the inside of a museum : Photo taken by Me

If you’re a history lover like myself, there are so many old plantations, houses, battleships, and museums to go to. My favorite was the USS Yorktown battleship. It was so big that I could have stayed there all day. It really gave me an insight on what it would’ve been like years ago on the ship. Fort Sumpter was also very neat to visit, which signified the start of the American Civil War. If you’re a history junkie, Charleston is your place!

I can’t forget about the salty air, palm trees, and ocean breeze in Charleston. The beaches are to die for. They are so relaxing and a nice getaway from some of the tourist attractions. I’ve always favored the beaches in Charleston the most in South Carolina because they’re not overpopulated like Myrtle beach is–but it’s not too quiet either.

As you know, Charleston is home to many old buildings. One of them being the oldest continuous liquor store in the United States. It is called “The Tavern,” established in 1686, and still is running to this day!

“The Tavern.” oldest liquor store in the nation : Photo taken by Me

This beautiful city is jam-packed with beautiful scenery, delicious food, and fun activities. I could honestly write about Charleston all day. Whether you are sun-bathing on the beach, shopping on King St., or walking along the cobblestone streets, Charleston has a fit for everyone who visits. When you visit, hopefully you can see why this city really is sweeter than sweet tea!

Traveling Bucket List

As you are beginning to travel, one of the most important things to do is to start a traveling bucket list. For me, making a traveling bucket list was essential to be able to keep track of where I have gone/want to go. Personally, I like to make lists of everything, so doing this was fun and easy!

As the new decade is upon us, I decided to make a bucket list on where I would like to go this decade. I tried to make this realistic as possible because I will be on a very tight budget the first couple of years of this decade due to paying off a car loan (adult-ing is fun right?) So with a small traveling budget, for the first couple of years I will travel inside the United States to save some money because international traveling can be pretty pricey.

One of the first places I would like to travel is to Nashville. It’s crazy to me that I have been all over the United States, but I have never been to Nashville. I have heard great things about it and I feel like I would fit right in with the culture and atmosphere! I’m a huge country music fan, so visiting the Grand Ole Opry is a huge dream of mine. Nashville is about 5 1/2 hours away from where I live, so driving there would save me money rather than flying. This is the first item on my list for 2020 and I have a feeling this wouldn’t break the bank!

What’s second on my bucket list for this decade is to go to Las Vegas. I have been to Reno, but never Vegas! This might not be ideal for me to go anytime soon because I would gamble all of my money playing poker, but who knows, I might win big one day?

There are so many places internationally that are on my traveling bucket list for the future, but I decided to narrow it down to be more realistic. Italy, is number one on my list for international travel. I have always been so fascinated with Italy. Their museums, landscapes, and culture is so interesting!

I have always dreamt of going to Greece as well. I remember being very intrigued with the beauty of Greece after watching “Mamma Mia.” Traveling to Greece would not be the cheapest on my list, so this might be a ‘later-in-life’ trip, but I am sure it would be worth the wait. I mean, look at this view!

Not only is it beneficial to have a destinations portion of your bucket list, but you should also have a portion dedicated to activities. What is traveling to somewhere new without having a little fun?

These are just some of the activities on my list that aren’t crossed off my bucket list quite yet are:

See the Northern Lights
Skydiving
Scuba dive
Visit a place I have never heard of
Volunteer abroad
Ride in a hot air balloon
Go on a safari

Be creative on your list! I catagorized my traveling bucket list by listing the most affordable activities and destinations first. I have mine stored on my laptop, so every time that I complete one of the activities or destinations on my list I can cross it out. Even when I am traveling to a new state, I like to make a bucket list of the things to do in that area. It gives me a sense of accomplishment and pride when I complete something. Whether you are starting your traveling bucket list alone or with someone, let your creativity run free, because a year from now you really could be swimming with the sharks in Bali.

“Stop dreaming about your bucket list and live it.”
-Annette White

So, where will this decade take you?