Best Areas to Visit

Some places just have lots of things to see and do in the area. These are ones where you can spend a long weekend or a couple of weeks enjoying the whole area.

8. Washington, DC

It’s crowded, but everyone needs to go at least once to the Mall and see the sites. The monuments, White House, Capital, and the Smithsonian are our heritage and ours to enjoy. 

7. Bourbon Trail – KY

This is a group of 10 different bourbon distilleries for tours and tastings. Some are big names like Jim Beam and some are smaller like Barton 1792.  It’s an interesting time to see the process and the differences between the distilleries. The samples don’t hurt!

6. Concord - MA

Amidst the traffic of Massachusetts, Concord is a quiet haven. Or, at least it’s a haven in my dreams. Concord has Walden’s Pond where Henry David Thoreau lived and wrote the book. The pond is a park now and fairly quiet. Orchard House is the home where Louisa May Alcott lived. Author’s Ridge in Sleep Hollow Cemetery has the graves of Thoreau, Alcott, Hawthorne, and Emerson. It is also the place where Paul Revere’s ride occurred. Boston is also an amazing place with Freedom Trail, but I’m not listing it due to the difficulties in getting around town.

5. Tombstone, AZ

The whole town is a fun throwback to the old West. Most places have minimal fees though walking through the town and seeing the Old West characters is completely free. The recreation of the OK Corral is a must-see. Boot Hill Cemetery has the most fascinating tombstone epitaphs (“Hung by Mistake”). Plus, I loved getting a drink at Big Nose Kate’s Saloon.

4. Fort Pickens – Pensacola, FL

Stay at Fort Pickens (part of Gulf Islands National Seashore). The beach is clean and not very busy at all. The Fort is within biking/hiking distance. Nature hikes include seeing osprey, owls, and herons. There are military batteries to visit. If you are there the right day, you can watch the Blue Angel practice. Several nearby places (forts, cemeteries, and the Lighthouse) are supposed to be haunted. Pensacola Village is also a good place to visit.

3. New Orleans – LA

Sure, this is a great party town, but I was surprised at all the other things to do in this town. Jackson Square was full of music. Restaurants had food like crawfish. We visited a rum distillery, different national parks and museums. A short trip out of town gets you to some wonderful hiking trails. Of course New Orleans cemeteries are incredible along with the architecture of the houses in French Quarter,

2. Natchez Trace Parkway – Nashville Tennessee to Natchez Mississippi

This is a great several day drive. There is so much to see along the way plus camping is free at the three campgrounds along the way. The over 100 stops include geological spots, Native American mounds, historical stops through multiple eras, metallurgical sites, some great hikes, and Elvis.

1. San Antonio Missions National Historical Park – San Antonio, TX

The Alamo is OK, but the other missions within San Antonio are wonderful. San Jose Mission is my favorite but I also loved bike riding to the other missions along Riverwalk. Each of the missions has a small museum along with a chapel. Of course later you can take a break by finding a restaurant along Riverwalk.