Connecticut

Home of Mark Twain!

Did a road trip through Connecticut on the way to Massachusetts but don't worry I made several stops to see a few things in this beautiful state!!

Hartford

Mark Twain's house is here and is where he wrote some of his best known works. Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer. You can only see it by a guided tour and admission in 20 dollars for an adult! 

New Haven

So if you are a Gilmore Girl fan like myself, New Haven and Yale are number 1 on your priority list. It is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen and I wish I would have gone to school here. The over 300 year old University is most impressive. Mostly when you are visiting Yale, take in all the colleges. Each one is a little different and the courtyards are the main hub of life!

Bluff Point State Park

In between New Haven and Mystic is this beautiful state park! As you can see from the photo above it's a little inlet that offers hiking, biking and fishing. We didn't go the entire way to the end of the inlet (the people I was with are not the athletic sort), but it's one of the most beautiful parks in America. 

Mystic

If you have seen Mystic Pizza (you know the amazing movie with Julia Roberts) then this is also a must - see on your Connecticut list! 

Firstly, there is a real place called Mystic Pizza and the pizza is delicious! 

Lastly Mystic Seaport is the largest maritime museum in the U.S. and boasts the only surviving wooden whaling boat. It has a replicated seafaring town as well. 

Definitely worth checking out! 

Mystic

Mystic

That's all I have for Connecticut for now!! 

Any questions let me know!!! 

graceparsons2023@gmail.com

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 D.C.

I've been to D.C. 3 different times and still have not seen everything there is to see here. If you are a history buff like myself you really need a full week to see everything. The main highlights can be done in a few days.
Bring comfortable shoes, unless you are mega-rich (or just too cheap) you will probably be walking or metro-ing everywhere. It is easier and cheaper than trying to cab.
Plan out what you want to see, even though the majority of the museums are free, sometimes during busy tourist seasons, you won't be able to actually get into the museums unless you have tickets (Example: Holocaust Museum).
Jason and I rented bikes and rode around, which turned out to be a way faster way to see the sights! There are a lot of bike stations around D.C.!

Now to the sights! I'm going to put a list of things that I think are important. This is by no means all-inclusive, but these are the things that I think should not be missed when you go!

1. White House - if you want to do a tour, make sure you plan ahead. For all U.S. citizens, you have to request a tour at least 3 months in advance from your congressman, for all out of country travelers, you must request a tour through your embassy. All tours are free, they just require planning! 
   
2. Lincoln Memorial and the Reflecting Pool 
   
3. Vietnam War Memorial
4. Korea War Memorial
   
5. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
   
6. FDR Memorial - my favorite memorial. It is all outside with statues and quotes from not only FDR but Eleanor too. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
7. Thomas Jefferson Memorial
   
   
8. Holocaust Museum-Get here early, like when it opens or earlier and stand in line for tickets. They are free, but they "sell-out" quickly. This is one of the best museums I've ever been to. I highly highly recommend it. 
9. World War II Memorial
10. Washington Monument
    
11. Captial Hill/Library of Congress/Supreme Court
    
     Capital
    
     Capital
    
     Library of Congress (above) Supreme Court (below)
    
12. National Archives
    
13. Smithsonian's 
    
1. American History Museum
2. Natural History Museum
3. Air and Space Museum
4. American Indian Museum
14. Newseum
    
    
    
    
15. Spy Museum
    
16. Theodore Roosevelt Island
17. LBJ Memorial
18. Arlington Cemetary
1. JFK's grave
2. Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
19. Marine Corps War Memorial

There are so so many more places that I could include/should include. But if you are going to go for a weekend trip. These are the things I feel you must hit! 

If you have any questions/comments/concerns let me know! 

graceparsons2023@gmail.com

happy traveling! :) 

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!