Florida

Florida is amazing and one of my favorite states. Mainly because Disney World is there, but I will be doing a separate post about Disney World and Universal Studios at a later date. I have been here a million times (ok maybe not a million but still) and still am amazed by how beautiful this entire state is!!


Key West
The southernmost point in the US. It even has a buoy to prove it! This beautiful town is full of water activities to do, including snorkeling and diving! There is also an aquarium, a lighthouse, and Ernest Hemingway's house! All for a fee of course!

View of Key West From the cruise ship 

A fountain 

More sculptures in Key West

Southernmost Point - Don't worry you really can't miss it there are lots of signs showing you how to get there! This is showing that it is only 90 Miles to Cuba from this location!

Looking out searching for Cuba at the Southernmost Point

On the way to the southernmost point is Ernest Hemingway's House. It cost $14 for an adult to get in, but its well worth it because of the CATS! yes, you heard that right, the house is home to 40-50 cats that have at least 1 extra toe on 1 foot. They are all descendants of Ernest Hemingway's cat Snow White that was given to him by a ship's captain.

Ernest Hemingway House

Custom House 
Built in 1891, it has seen pirates and wreckers! It is now a museum and art gallery! I think it is one of the most beautiful buildings on the island

In front of the Custom House

That is pretty much it for Key West. I haven't eaten anywhere there to give you recommendations, but I'll have to go back soon!! 

Tampa
Now I'll be honest, I've only driven through here to get to Clearwater Beach (which I love) but there are still several things to do here if you want!

Busch Gardens - theme park complete with African Animals! They even have various events during the year, such as in the spring the Wine and Dine event in the park!

The Tampa Zoo and the Florida Aquarium - not together but for this instance I'm putting them in the same category. Both require separate entrance fees.

The BEACH - I love the beach, Clearwater Beach (actually any of the beaches on the islands around Tampa, are pretty much all inclusive. You can walk on the beach and there are plenty of restaurants in the area that you can walk to.



St. Augustine
When I was a kid, my parents took me here on a little day trip to see the castle and I fell in love with the town. For the longest time, I told everyone I was going to Flager college that was in St. Augustine.
They have a little town that is super touristy but awesome!

Old Town

Old Town

The City Gates

There is also the castle, which is not really a castle, more like a fort but still its super cool! It is from the 17th century when Florida was apart of the Spanish empire.

Castillo de San Marcos

Miami/Fort Lauderdale
"Welcome to Miami" -- as Will Smith says.

I really only spent time in Fort Lauderdale for a few days and I only went to the beach. But I can still give you a list of things to see!!

Everglades National Park
This is a National Park full of swamps, alligators and airboat tours! If you've been to New Orleans and did an airboat tour there (like me), I do not think it is worth spending the money to go again unless you really want to.

The Beaches 

View from our hotel (Atlantic Hotel and Spa) in Fort Lauderdale

The real reason to come to Miami and Fort Lauderdale besides the shopping is the beaches. 

Miami = South Beach 

Fort Lauderdale = Fort Lauderdale Beach

But be warned -- they are having real big problems with the red algae and there has been a swim advisory out! 

That's all I currently have for Florida
any questions let me know!
graceparsons2023@gmail.com

Georgia

Georgia. home of the peaches, pecans and some of the sweetest onions in the world. Also, probably my second favorite state in the USA, because you know WV is #1.

Savannah
The first time I made it to this town was a stop on my family's drive to Disney World in Florida. I fell in love with how beautiful everything was!

Horse and Buggy Ride
There are multiple companies that offer these horse and buggy rides through Savannah and I highly recommend it. It is a wonderful way to see the city!

Olde Pink House
Built in 1771, it is now a restaurant and tavern! It is also included in the ghost tours :)

Jones Street
voted the prettiest street from Better Homes and Gardens and I completely agree.

City Market 
Where all the best souvenirs can be found! Dated back to 1755, this is where fishermen and farmers would come sell their wares.

Waterfront 
The waterfront area used to be cotton exchanges and old factories but has now been transformed into hotels, bars, and various stores. What a great way to use history and make it something unique now!

Tybee Island
Just a short car ride away is this wonderful island! Complete with beaches, a pier and a lighthouse/museum what more do you need?



Atlanta
The capital of Georgia and one of the biggest cities in America. Also home of the 1996 Summer Olympic games!

Centennial Olympic Park
Right in between the CNN Center and The Georgia Aquarium/World of Coca-Cola, is the sight where the 1996 Summer Olympic Games were held! Various monuments including the flame from the games are in this park and is a must see!

World of Coca-Cola
Filled with all kinds of exhibits including a walk-through history of Coca-Cola. You can also taste various Coca-Cola products from all over the world. For $17, I think this is a must-do activity.

Coca-Cola Museum

A bar-back in a pharmacy

Hey WV! :) 

Braves Baseball Game

Now the last time I was there, it was Turner Field, which is now gone and SunTrust Park is where they play! Since I am a baseball fan! This is always a must-do when I'm in town!

Stone Mountain

Outside of Atlanta is Stone Mountain. Stone Mountain has Confederate Civil War Generals Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson as well as President Jefferson Davis. It is a huge park complete with trails and a trolley that will take you up the mountain. I did not go inside the park the last time because I was a broke college student and refused to pay to get in! 

Macon 

Believe it or not, Macon is known as the Cherry Blossom capitol of the World. It has WAY more than D.C. does and hosts its own Cherry Blossom Festival! The festival is normally in the middle of March, but as Mother Nature is super unpredictable there could be trees blooming anytime throughout the spring! 

Macon is also a stop on the Antebellum trail! It runs from Athens, Georiga to Macon and shows what some of the southern life was like before the Civil war and Sherman got to it. 

Athens

Home of the Georgia Bulldogs and where I spent 5 weeks living during pharmacy school rotations. I really fell in love with this town and could picture myself living here if it wasn't for all the college students. 

Firstly, it is the start of the Antebellum Trail, which was quite possibly my favorite thing about Georgia. 

Secondly, it has a tree that owns itself. Yes, you read that correctly. The story goes that this man loved this tree and had great memories of it and decided to deed it to itself so no one could ever chop it down or anything. THE ENTIRE TOWN WENT ALONG WITH THIS. 

Then a big storm came and the tree was knocked down. Another man saved an acorn and planted it where the original tree was. 

SO NOW: the son of the original tree is living and the town decided that the son of the tree had inherited this land so it's his too. 

There is also the Georgia state Botanical garden that is a beautiful place for an afternoon. 

Other Places in Georgia

Juliette, Georgia
If anyone has ever seen the movies Fried Green Tomatoes or read the book then this is a place you must see! I actually found this by accident while driving the Antebellum trail (pre-civil war).
Where the Whistle Stop Cafe is and where you can get fried green tomatoes (spoiler, they are so gross).

Eatonton, Georgia
If you've ever seen the Disney movie Song of the South, then you know who Uncle Remus is! It's an adorable little museum on the side of the road!

That is everything for Georgia!!
let me know if you have any questions!!
graceparsons2023@gmail.com

Missouri

Missouri famous for BBQ and the place where Lewis and Clark set out "officially" for their journey west. So technically Lewis and Clark officially set off from Pittsburgh, but since they just went down the Ohio River until it met up with the Mississippi and then went up to St. Louis (which was an established city) their real journey west didn't start until they made it to St. Louis.

St. Louis
Meet me in St. Louis! Not sure exactly what Judy Garland would think of St. Louis now, but I think it is a fabulous city and is one that I would actually live in if I ever felt the need to move from my hometown (Never going to happen :) 

The Arch and Jefferson National Expansion Memorial 
You can ride all the way to the top of this impressive structure and get a birds-eye view of the city and the Mississippi River. It was built as a symbol of the westward expansion for the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial and is now an internationally recognized symbol of St. Louis. 

The Arch

Old Courthouse

Dred Scott

Jefferson National Expansion Memorial is a national park that is in memory of Thomas Jefferson's work to expand our country. It is also a memorial of Dred Scott, the slave who sued for his freedom in the Courthouse where the memorial is now. 

St. Louis Cardinal's Game
Anyone who loves baseball knows that you have to check out a game! Since Jason and I are trying to go to every ballpark in America, this definitely is on my list of places to check out! Times who doesn't love a hotdog and beer at a ballpark? 


Six Flags St. Louis
Thrill-seekers rejoice! If you want some rollercoasters and whitewater rapids, look no further than Six Flags St. Louis. Tickets are around $67 a person at the park, but if you buy online prior to going, it is cheaper!

Budweiser Brewery Tour 
I am not a beer drinker, however, I would be remiss if I didn't include the Budweiser Brewery tour!
There are a few different tours of the brewery available as well as just going to the Biergarten (beer garden basically). Make sure you do a little bit of research as to what tour best suits your needs! I would choose the Bud Light Tour, mainly because you start with the CLYDESDALES! Tickets are $10 dollars and if it were me I would reserve ahead of time, just so you know what time your tour will be!

Grant's Farm

Named for Ulysses S. Grant and is right beside of his house that is now a National Park. It is now mainly used for the Clydesdales! That's right this is where you can go see the beautiful horses! It costs $12 to park (or may be included as part of the package for the Brewery tour), but that's worth it to see the horses! Also, you can see where President Grant lived too :) 

Grant's Home

City Museum - now you all know that I am not a museum person. But this is different. It is a huge playground inside an old factory that has mainly repurposed architectural components. It is amazingly beautiful inside and a great way to spend an afternoon. It costs $15 per person to get in, and then you have to pay to park as well but totally worth it, especially if you have kids. 

Just some of the beauty, photo does not do it justice

playing in one of the climbing things :) 

Forest Park - a beautiful 1300 acre park in St. Louis. There is much to do here including the history, and art museums and the St. Louis zoo!! This park is rich in history since it was the location for the 1904 World's Fair and also hosted some of the Summer Olympics in 1904 as well! 

World's Fair Pavilion in Forest Park

Kansas City
Blues, BBQ, and the Kansas City Royals.

Penn Valley Park
Originally part of the Sante Fe Trail, it is now 170+ acres in the downtown area of Kansas City.
It currently has the National World War I Museum and Memorial. It is officially the National Museum of the United States on everything about WWI. It is only open 10am-5pm Tuesday -Sunday and costs $16 to get in.

Kansas City Royals Game 
Same thing as before for a Cardinals game. Is there anything better than a hotdog and a beer at a ballgame?

Community Bookshelf Wall 
If you are a book nerd (like myself) then check out this wall! It's on 14w 10th Street in Kansas City. I loved it and took about 80 million photos of it :)

Power and Light District 
A new shopping, dining, and entertainment district in downtown Kansas City! It looked fun and hip when we drove through it! Definitely looked like some killer food options!

Branson
Welcome to the Gatlinburg of Missouri. Shows galore and so many tourist attractions that it almost hurts my eyes to look at the place.

Table Rock Lake
With over 800 miles of shoreline, what can't you do at this lake? Water skiing, fishing, swimming, boating, and even scuba diving is available here.

Silver Dollar City/White Water Branson
Silver Dollar City is an amusement park filled with rides for thrill-seekers of all ages. White Water Branson is a water park!

Shows
This is almost like Broadway, there are so many shows that you can see. Make sure to do a little bit of research about the shows for when you decide to go!

Other Locations in Missouri

Ozarks - This mountain range starts outside of St. Louis and runs all the way through parts of Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma. There is a lot of outdoor activities that can be done around these areas. Mostly hiking, biking, trails, and water sports!

Alley Mill in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways

Independence, Missouri
Known mostly now being the home of President Truman, it also has a Frontier Trails Museum and has some rich history here!

President Truman's House

Lamar, Missouri
Ok, the only reason why I am putting this out here is because I was so impressed with one shop in particular. Blue Top Quilt Shop was a fabulous experience for me. They drew me in because of their advertising "Scream until he stops!" Well, it worked because I stopped. I fell in love with the ladies that work there because they went above and beyond to help me. Wish I lived closer but looks like I will be ordering from them soon!!

That is all I have for Missouri!
Any questions shoot me an email!!
graceparsons2023@gmail.com