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

NYC

New York City, the city that is ever changing, ever growing and never sleeps. I have been here a few times and it always leaves me wanting a little more, but it also makes me never want to go out in public again. The last time I went there was for a weekend trip with my now Fiance to complete his dream of staying at the Waldorf. We lucked out because a good friend of mine lives there and became our tour guide or rather food guide to the city. And boy was she the best food guide ever.

Now there are so so many things to see and to do here, I'm really just going to hit the high points.

Statue of Liberty - There is one thing that I do think every single person should see is the Statue of Liberty. It astounds me that so many people who came here for a better life, that our Lady Liberty was the first thing they saw. How miraculous that would have been.
Make sure you book your tickets early especially if you want to go up in the crown or the flame.

Ellis Island - Again, to me this is one of the most important landmarks in not only NYC but all of U.S.A. It is even cooler if you can trace back an ancestor that walked through those halls.

Outside of Ellis Island

The Hall where they stood in line

The Record Book

How the process works. 

Central Park - Over 1 mile of open space is this gem of the city. Not only are there duck ponds, ice skating rinks, running trails and a zoo. You can take a horse and buggy ride for a not so small fee through the park. I've not done that yet, but I think it would be a great way to see the park and save your poor feet. One of my favorite places is the Alice in Wonderland Statue.



9/11 Memorial - I feel like this is just as important as the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. People should see exactly what happened to all those people in the Towers. The entire memorial is very well done.

The Memorial

The Memorial

There is also a Museum that examines the implications of 9/11 and memorializes the victims of the attack as well. It costs $24 to get in for an adult. I thought it was a great tribute to the victims. 

Empire State Building - Once the World's tallest building, it is now just office buildings and a tourist attraction. The 86th Floor is the highest open-air observation deck and the 102nd Floor is a glass observation deck with stunning views as well. Just to the 86th floor is $37 for an adult. For both 86th and 102nd Floors is $57 for an adult. Buying tickets in advance is recommended.

Empire State Building

Empire State Building

View From the Top

Times Square - Where the Ball drops every year on New Year's Eve. Right in the midtown of Manhatten is this beautiful square filled with billboards of various Broadway shows and movies. There are numerous places to eat and shop in this square too!

Broadway - Believe it or not, Broadway is an actual place in Manhattan! Most people just refer to "going to Broadway" as making it into one of the many shows! I am a musical girl and actually got to see my first actual show in NYC in Feb. 2017. I saw the Lion King, which was absolutely perfect! This is a must do and there are multiple shows that you can check out!

I've now seen Wicked, Mean Girls and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway as well and HIGHLY recommend all of them!!

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Wicked

Grand Central Station - The main transportation hub of NYC! This beautiful building that was opened in 1913 and by the 1950's more than half of the U.S.'s population had traveled through it!

Brooklyn Bridge - The beautiful iconic bridge that links Manhattan and Brooklyn. Completed in 1883, you can walk across it! :)

Rockefeller Center - A huge tourist attraction in midtown Manhattan. This is where the Ice rink and the huge Christmas tree is during the winter season. There are shopping and dining as well as the Top of the Rock which is a similar experience to the Empire State Building.


Chelsea Market - First time I've been here was this last trip to NYC and I loved it. I spent almost 3 hours roaming around this place. So many places to eat and shop! I can personally recommend Doughnuttery - because that place was fantastic!!

Coney Island - Where the rest of NYC comes to relax from the city life (well other than the Hamptons, obviously). This place was so amazing. I didn't get to experience it fully due to time constraints (Harry Potter on Broadway started at 2, didn't get to Coney Island til 12). But the beach is beautiful and the boardwalk is everything you need in a beach boardwalk. There is an amusement park called Luna Park. My friends rode the Ferris Wheel and totally recommend it!
Make sure you eat a Nathan's hotdog while there! They are world famous and host the hotdog eating contest every year!

The Strand Bookstore - if you are a huge book nerd like myself then this is your mecca. 18 miles of books, 3 stories tall and amazing.

FOOD


You have your choice of food in this huge city. Literally, there is everything available to you. But here are a few places I have enjoyed!

Do: (pronounced like dough) - it was one of the "new big things" that everyone found out about. It is edible cookie dough and let me tell you. Totally worth the 2-3 hour wait that you will probably have to endure.

Edi and the Wolf - the wiener schnitzel is absolutely fabulous! 

El Centro - by far my favorite place to brunch. The chilaquiles are TO DIE FOR! 

Max Brenner's - prepare for chocolate overload!! And it is worth every penny and calorie. Because calories don't count in NYC! 

The fondue sharing experience 

Any specific questions I'll try to answer as best I can! I am definitely not an expert but I will always try to help fellow travelers!! :)

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