Tennessee

I've made it to this state several times over my lifetime and I think it is beautiful, but at the same time, I can think of lots of other places I like better!

There are really 3 touristy locations, Nashville, Memphis, and Gatlinburg. There are several other areas, but for the most part, those 3 are it. 

Nashville

The capital city and the home of Country Music. It's without a doubt my favorite city in Tennessee! 

1. Grand Ole Opry -

by far my favorite thing in Nashville. During one of my father/daughter trips, we took in a show! I thought it would not be my thing since it was a lot of country artists that I didn't know as well as gospel singers. I loved it. I would go all the time if I was down there. They put on an amazing show. 

You can also do behind the scenes tours during the day! Depending on when you go you may need reservations. My family did the tour on the 4th of July and didn't have to wait.

2. Ryman Auditorium - this is where the Grand Ole Opry used to be until 1974. There are still concerts and events there. You can also tour it as well!

3. Broadway Street - This is where all the bars, honkey tonks, and salons are! From 5th and Broadway down to the Cumberland River, are at least 35 different places to drink and listen to country music's next big things. Robert's Western World, Tootsies, and Wildhorse Salon are consistently listed as the best places to drink and listen to some music.

4. Centennial Park - a beautiful park that is on the opposite side of the city from Broadway. It is home to a Parthenon replica that houses an art gallery.

5. Country Music Hall of Fame - located just off of Broadway Street, is the home to researching and preserving country music. A must see for any country music enthusiast. 

6. Johnny Cash Museum - around $20 to get in and another wonderful country music museum.

7. The Hermitage - for all you history buffs, this is the home of our 7th President Andrew Jackson and is really beautiful. Not just the mansion, but the grounds as well.

The Bluebird Cafe is supposed to be an amazing place to eat.




Memphis

Blues City and really underwhelming.

1. Beale Street - very much like Broadway Street, except replace the country music with blues music.

2. Peabody Hotel  - This is probably my favorite part of the city. Every day at 11am and 5pm the Peabody ducks come down from their room in the hotel to the fountain in the lobby.

With a Peabody Duck! Obviously showing his best side :) 

3. Graceland - ELVIS! It is a beautiful house in the middle of a very sketchy area. $40 to get in, and I wish I would have been able to go.





Gatlinburg

Settled right up against the Smokey Mountains, this town has become the Myrtle Beach of the mountains. It is absolutely beautiful but really really touristy.
The main drag is full of shops, lots of places to eat, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, Gatlinburg Sky Lift, and Ole Smokey Moonshine.

There is an awful lot to do here. I only have been here once or twice and with so much to do and see, I know I may have missed a lot of things.

Right outside of Gatlinburg is Pigeon Forge and Dollywood. Home of Dolly Parton!
Dollywood is an amusement park and is pretty cool. There is some historical aspects as well as plenty of rides! But also some killer BBQ :)

Me with my brother and cousins at Dollywood

If you have any questions let me know!! 

graceparsons2023@gmail.com 

Washington State

Ok, let's talk about Washington State! You know the other Washington on the west coast! I made it to Seattle in June of 2016 to run a half marathon. I got sick on the plane on the way there, so I didn't get to see and do as much as I normally do, so I obviously have to go back! And times, I still have national parks and stamps to get! Also, this is one of Jason's favorite cities, so I don't have to twist his arm too much.

Seattle
The town of ferry boats, coffee, and the space needle. Oh and Grey's Anatomy (Tried to find Jackson Avery but to no avail).
Firstly, walk around this town. There are so many amazing and wonderful things to see. During our walk, we saw some art, some beautiful decor and adorable shops that I forced Jason into.

The hammer moves 

Totem Pole

Space Needle

The icon of Seattle and the most recognized building as well. I didn't get to go to the top when I was there, so it's number 1 on my list of things to do when I go back. They have an observation deck and a restaurant on the top :) 

Space Needle from the start line of my half

There is also the Museum of Pop Culture right by the Space Needle, which was inspired by Jimi Hendrix. 

Pike Place Market 

The farmer's market of Seattle since the 1900's! Make sure you carve out at least a half of a day for just this place! Also, make sure you get a map and don't just assume your Fiance knows where he is going..... because you will get lost. 

This place has so so many things to explore. From seafood shops, crafts, collectibles, unique foods and of course the farmers market. It is definitely worth your time! 

Original Starbucks

Who loves their coffee? (Not me). But if you are a coffee fanatic like most are these days, you would be remiss if you didn't hop into the original Starbucks. It is right by Pike Place Market so you have to while you are exploring! It opened in the 1970's and hasn't stopped since. The lines may be long (they were around the block on the day I was there), but for some that delicious brew is totally worth it. 

Starbucks

The Gum Wall

The most disgustingly awesome thing I think I have ever seen. The gum wall, right by Pike Place Market down Post Alley is where people will deposit their gently chewed gum onto a wall. Some creative people spell out names or draw symbols and shapes. I was just happy (?) enough to put my gum on the wall and walk on! 

The gum wall alley

The gum wall! 

Snoqualmie Falls

About an hour east of Seattle is this beautiful 270-foot waterfall! We made a stop there on our way to Mount Rainier! The falls have a lodge, observation deck, and gift shop :) I would definitely make a stop to see this! :) 

Snoqualmie Falls

Mount Rainier 

Mount Rainier is one of the world's most deadly volcanoes due to the glacier formations on it. So, of course, I had to see it! Mount Rainier stands at over 14,000 feet and Washington is known for its cloudy and dreary weather so not a lot of people get to see its summit. We didn't on the day we were there. As a National Park, there are all kinds of hiking that can be done. Just make sure if you plan to overnight hike, you obtain a permit from the rangers. 

That is all I have for Washington State for now!!!
If you have any questions or comments let me know!! graceparsons2023@gmail.com
happy travels!

West Virginia

My home state, and as I feel the best state in the union.... and the one that no one can seem to remember is actually NOT part of Virginia. Seriously y'all we've been separated since 1863.

I'm gonna give you the serious low-down on why my state is the coolest and why everyone should come here. This post will probably be the most updated one (you know because I live here and I need to do it justice)!! 

Ripley

I may be a tad biased especially since this is my hometown, but Ripley is an adorable little place. Lots of shops on the main drag to check out!

Things to See/Do
But the best time to come is for our 4th of July celebration. We have the largest small town 4th of July celebration in the USA! The parade is 2 hours long starting at noon with entertainment on the court house lawn the rest of the afternoon! Flea Markets and Craft shows are all throughout the county as well.

The last week of July is the Jackson County Jr. Fair, which has become one of the biggest and biggest money makers in our state. Now I could be extremely biased,  but it is by far the best fair in the world. Come check out the 200+ pigs, 150+ lambs, 100+ goats, and 100+ cows. Not too bad for a county boasting less than 30,000 people in it, and remember only kids under 18 can exhibit at the fair. So come on down and support our kids, but good luck trying to buy an animal. I've been trying for 4 years now :)
In September, we put on the Mountain State Arts and Crafts Fair at Cedar Lakes. I haven't been since they moved it to September (it used to be during the 4th of July) but the food was always on point so I would check it out if you are in town!! :)
If you like kayaking we have a 22-mile water trail starting at Cedar Lakes and finishing up at the Ohio River! It's called the Mill Creek Water Trail!

Food
The Fairplain Yacht Club is the main place to eat. It's a locally owned steak and burger place where you will see a lot of the locals on any given day!



Charleston
Our capital city, NOT to be confused with Charleston South Carolina, which again everyone seems to do. Charleston has our main airport, so chances are if you are coming to WV you'll be flying into CRW.
Things To See/Do
Make sure you at least do a drive-by of our capital. The dome is gold! And honestly, the views of it from across the Kanawha River are stunning!

Appalachian Power Park (a baseball field) is a great way to spend an evening in the spring/summer months! Games start in early April and continue until the beginning of September.

The Clay Center is also a highlight of Charleston. There are several Broadway shows that visit us every year, as well as a science/discovery center inside the complex!
Capital Market is next on the list of things to see! This is a half outside half inside farmers market. It has a really great Italian restaurant called SoHo's inside. Depending on the time of year you go, will depend on what is available outside. Example, in the spring there is lots and lots of flowers, in October there will be pumpkins :)

Pumpkins and Mums for fall! 

Kanawha Falls is not really in Charleston but it is on your drive to my next stop on this blog post and is worth seeing. It is really difficult to get photos of this place because it is a really wide waterfall. It's on RT 60 heading to Fayetteville so don't forget to stop and see this!

Food
SoHo's at Captial Market
Pies and Pints - in downtown Charleston, it's a pizza joint that is so good!


Fayetteville
Other than maybe Elkins, Fayetteville has the most to do surrounding it, especially for an adventure enthusiast.

Downtown Fayetteville

The Courthouse in Fayetteville

Things to See/Do

New River Gorge Bridge

New River Gorge Bridge

Firstly the New River Gorge Bridge should be number 1 on your list of things to see. When it was done in the late 70's, it was the largest steel spanning bridge. Now it's number 3 in the U.S. but it's still extremely impressive. You can do a bridge walk under the bridge for $75 dollars a person, or go to the National Park's visitors center and walk to the lookout for great photo ops. Also, don't forget to take the drive down the narrow road to the actual New River to watch the kayakers and white water rafters take the plunge.
Speaking of the plunge, you can kayak (make sure you actually know how to kayak before attempting this) or white water raft with a number of companies and don't worry no experience is necessary. Adventures on the Gorge is one that I highly recommend :)

Rafting the New River 

Lastly for our famous bridge is Bridge Day! It's always the 3rd Saturday in October and it is one of the biggest events of the year. Hundreds of Base jumpers come to jump off our bridge and it is the only day that the bridge is closed to traffic. There is also a 5k, but the main highlight is the chili cook-off. It also could be that I'm obsessed with food. It's only for 6 hours (9am-3pm) so get there early!
The New River Gorge Bridge area is a National Park (Y'all know how I feel about them) and has a lot of trails that are in the park! The best is Long Point Trail, it's about 3 miles total and offers some of the best views of the Gorge!

Hawks Nest State Park is another stop along Rt 60. Stunning views of the Gorge and the Lodge is a great place to stay as well! :)

Food
Pies and Pints - this is where they started!!
Cathedral Cafe - inside a beautiful old church
Secret Sandwich Society - long long wait normally but the food is really good (so I hear)
Gumbo's - Louisiana style food how can you go wrong?





Elkins
Like Fayetteville, there are so so many things to see and do in and around the Elkins area. You need at least a week I feel to do the whole place justice, but even if it's just for a weekend, you will find plenty of things to do here!

Things to See/Do

1. Blackwater Falls - now I could be biased since this is the place that my dad proposed to my mom (everyone say aww). But I believe that this place is so pretty in all the seasons. 
   
   
   
   

Blackwater Falls 

2. Seneca Rocks is next on my list! You can climb to the top (holy hills) orrrr you can be super smart and pay around $70 to horseback up the mountain! The view is the same, and you aren't nearly as tired! 

Seneca Rocks

View from the Top

3. Grafton, WV - There are several things to do in and around this cute little town. Firstly, this is where Mother's Day originated and there is a Shrine up by the church to commemorate this! yay moms! Secondly, this is where the Tygart Lake and River is. Kayak and boating are really common here and always a good time! 

4. Tygart Flyer - this is just one of trains that do various runs on the mountains. It normally takes half a day or so and is wonderful especially if you have little kids! They have dinner murder mystery trains as well as the "polar express" ones in the winter time! 

5. Dolly Sods - part of the Monongahela National Forrest and has stunningly beautiful landscapes perfect for hiking! 

6. Smoke Hole Caverns - used for moonshining back in the day! Now you can hike through this :) 

7. Skiing/Snowboarding - Canaan Valley and Winterplace are your two choices for skiing/snowboarding here! 

Harpers Ferry

This adorable old town is full of Civil War history and with it being only an hour from Baltimore and D.C., it is an easy stop on your road trip! It is a beautiful little town right where the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers meet. 

Harpers Ferry was put on the map when John Brown, an abolitionist, led 21 men on a raid of the armory. 

Where the Armory Stood

The engine house where John Brown took refuge

He was eventually overcome by Robert E. Lee and was hung for treason. 

Lewis and Clark even came here!

But one of the biggest selling points for most people is that this is where the Headquarters for the Appalachian Trail are. The trail encompasses states from Georgia to Maine and Harpers Ferry is the "middle point". There is really only 4 miles total however in WV (I've done, it is super hilly). 

Right by the Rivers in Harpers Ferry

The stone steps that are part of the trail (and are hell)

Ok! This will be constantly updated as I get more photos and updated info on locations around my beautiful state! 

Anything you need to see/want to know about? Email me! graceparsons2023@gmail.com 

Montana

Montana

So as much as I hate to admit it, I loved Montana. The only reason I hate admitting it is because Jason loves it so much and really wants me to move there and that's never gonna happen!
Again I haven't done everything in this state, but I did what I think is the most important and highly visited places in Montana.


Just a few things before we get into Glacier. Mainly because I know Glacier is what you want to hear about so I'm gonna either force you to read the rest of my thoughts before getting into it, or you just have to scroll down a bit to get to it.


Gardiner
Yellowstone is actually in a little part of Montana. The North Gate is actually in a town called Gardiner. Before we went horseback riding, we went to breakfast at this little place called Rosie's Bistro, which had a cute little French feel, with zero French food. But man was it pretty good breakfast.
From here we went to the Flying Pig Adventures. They offer rafting trips as well as horseback riding trips. Now in hindsight, people who do not ride horses should NOT DO all day long horseback riding adventures. Seriously. My booty is telling you to think about this before you book it. We were in the saddle for 6 hours and after 3, I was in near tears because I was hurting so bad. The ranch that we used were Hell's A Rollin'. Our guide was amazing and I would totally recommend them. We rode up through their property, through a National Forrest into Yellowstone. We took a break for lunch in a corner of Yellowstone by a ranger station.  Because of this, we can now officially say that we are the 1% of people that go off the beaten path in Yellowstone.

Bozeman 
We stopped in Bozeman for the night so Jason could go on an all day fishing expedition the next day. There are 2 things to do there, the Museum of the Rockies, that costs around $15 to get into and I'm not a fan of museums. So we went to Grizzly Experience that was $7. However, it was actually really sad. The 2 bears that were out looked miserable. For dinner, we did hit up Montana Ale Works, which was fabulous and I highly recommend it.

Helena
I was NOT a fan of Helena, maybe because we went to 3 different places looking for the white Mexican cheese dip and there was NONE TO BE FOUND!! what kind of town does not have the wonderfulness that is queso? Helena get it together!! We did drive through town and see the Last Chance Gulch Road, where the big gold rush started.

Glacier

Really this is what you are wanting to know about. How AMAZING Glacier is. It's literally the most beautiful place and I seriously think that everyone should go.
First things first. It is extremely difficult to get there. As you can see from the map above there is only one road that goes through the park and there is a road that runs along the bottom and the side of the park. The road that runs along beside of it goes through the Blackfeet Indian Reservation so just be prepared.
And as will the Wyoming Blog post, DO NOT PLAY OR GO NEAR THE WILDLIFE!! be prepared for colder conditions, pack appropriately and do research before hiking or anything. Just be safe, your life isn't worth you being dumb.
Finally believe it or not, there are several places for food around Glacier. I was pleasantly surprised about this. We ate at the motor inn restaurant in Many Glacier and it was so so so good. There are places to eat at almost all of the roads that turn into Glacier from the highway.
Now make sure that you check the road conditions before heading that way because sometimes the amazing Going-To-The-Sun road, is closed and that is what happened to us. We made it 15 miles into the road and had to turn around due to an Avalanche.
The Going-To-The-Sun road is the end all, be all part of Glacier. There are these vintage 1930's red buses that will take you on a tour of the road (if its open) and I BEGGED Jason to let me have one and he refuses. Just Google red bus tours in Glacier National Park and I'm sure you will find it.

Glacier 

Glacier

The one place that is an absolute must go is Many Glacier. It's absolutely beautiful and worth going to. Right off the road before you get to the hotel is a little spot to pull off. DO IT because this is the what you will get to see.

There aren't many places you can go wrong in Glacier. We only got to spend a limited time here and we cannot wait to go back! 

Any questions Let me know!!