Author: My Wandering Soul

Hey ya'll! My name is Kayla Albright. Just a little about me before I introduce you to my blog, I am a Travel Emergency Room Nurse from Georgia. I have been a nurse almost 5 years now and have loved every minute. I have an amazing family, supportive boyfriend, and the best friends a girl could ask for. I love traveling, and I LOVE me some red wine. Now the reason for my blog...in the last 6 years my life has had a lot of twists and turns. These twist and turns have taught me to stop rushing through life, stop worrying about others opinions of you, get your feet wet and your hands dirty, let the breeze blow your hair, and to find beauty in the ordinary and in everyone and everything. God made this beautiful world for us that is full of beautiful people. What a waste it would be to stay in our own corner of the world forever?

Denali, Alaska

Denali is one of my most favorite places I visited in Alaska! Being in Denali felt like you were on a whole other planet! It is so beautiful, so raw, and so wild and undeveloped! It is a place that must be on your Alaska or travel bucket list! Denali (also known as Mount McKinley, its former official name) is the highest mountain peak in North America, with a summit elevation of 20,310 feet above sea level. Denali is the name of the small town located right outside Denali National Park. Denali is a mostly seasonal town, with stores and restaurants open only during the peak summer season. Denali National Park is made up of six million acres of wild and untouched land. The park is only accessible via the National park bus and a specific tour group bus that operate only during May through September. Private vehicles are not allowed and there is only one 92 mile road that bisects the park. Private vehicles are only allowed along the first 15 miles of the road to the Savage River. Preventing the access of private vehicles and managing the amount of guest that enter the park helps to maintain and preserve the wildness of the park. This makes it one of the best places to see all types of wildlife from grizzly bears, caribou, moose, snowshoe hares, marmots, American bald eagles, dall sheep, and wolves. I’m going to fill y’all in on the best things to do in Denali, best places to eat, and where to stay on your visit to Denali!

What to do on your visit to Denali

1. White Water Rafting down the Nenana River

This was my first time white water rafting, and I would be lying if I said I was not a little bit (a lot) nervous! But, I am SOO glad I did it! It was so much fun and definitely got my adrenaline pumping! They offer different levels and types of rafting trips based on your comfort and experience level. You can choose a trip where each passenger paddles or a trip where the guide does the majority of the paddling and steering. The guide paddled trip would be better for first timers, older guests, or guests with smaller children. We rafted with Denali Raft Adventures. Our guides were so friendly, encouraging, and made our trip such a blast! Rafting trips run around $100/person, based on which type and how long of a rafting trip you decide on. Wet/water suits, helmets, and wet shoes were provided by the company, so our clothes stayed completely dry! Dress warm underneath the water suits though! The water in the river is melted directly from nearby glaciers and is super cold even in the summer time!

2. Husky Homestead Tours

You can not visit Denali without taking a visit to Jeff King’s Husky Homestead! Jeff King is often recognized as the “Winningest Musher in the World.” He holds four championship titles for the 1,049-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in 1993, 1996, 1998, and 2006. Jeff took first place in the 1,000-mile Yukon Quest in 1989 in addition to earning twenty-four other first-place titles in races across Alaska and other parts of North America. Jeff was inducted into the Iditarod Hall of Fame in 1999. In 2006, at age 50, he became the oldest musher to win the Iditarod. Sleg dog mushing is one of the most popular sports in Alaska and is a true part of the Alaskan culture! A visit to Husky Homestead allows you to learn about the history of the Iditarod Race, see how a husky homestead runs on a day to day basis, meet Jeff King, and best of all…. get to hold husky sled dog puppies!! Tours run around $60/person.

3. Bus tour of Denali National Park

A bus tour of Denali National Park is the one thing you MUST do on your visit to Denali. I mean come on… a chance to see the peak of Denali and numerous wild life sightings is what people really come for! As I mentioned before, private cars are only allowed into the first fifteen miles of the park to the Savage River. If you don’t take a bus tour into the park, you will only see a tiny, tiny piece of the park and all the beauty it has to offer. There are no stores or places to buy food inside Denali National Park, so you have to pack your own lunch, water, and snacks that you will need for the day. There is a $10 park entrance fee and the non-narrated bus tours are $55/ person for the day. The non-narrated tour allows you to jump off at certain stops and explore or hike and then catch the next bus back to the visitor’s center. The narrated bus tour does not allow hoping on and off, but provides you with a narrating tour guide for the day. It really just depends on what type of day trip you are wanting to do and what fits your schedule best. We opted for the non-narrated, hop on and off tour so that we could stop and do some hiking! Bus tour tickets are purchased at the Denali visitor center at least the day before your trip. Trips can last anywhere from 6-12 hours depending on your tour preference. We stopped at the Eielson Visitor center inside the park where they have a movie on Denali and where a couple of trail heads start for a few popular trails. We opted to hike the Alpine trail over Thorofare Ridge and were able to get some amazing views! Bring your bear spray though!! During our bus tour, we saw three grizzly bears, caribou, dall sheep, a lynx, snowshoe hares, and four moose!

4. Walk on the Moody Bridge over Windy Canyon

The Moody Bridge is NOT for the faint of heart or for those afraid of heights! Technically…crossing this bridge is not a tourist or planned activity, but was a local’s suggestion to us! You would never know about this if you weren’t told about it. There are no signs and you may miss it if you don’t look closely for the mile markers! You may or may not see some “No Trespassing” signs, but enter at your own discretion. Leaving Denali and headed towards Healy, AK stop at mile marker 243 right before crossing the Moody Bridge. There is a turn about located on the side of the road where everyone parks to walk down to the bridge. Park and take the trail that leads underneath the bridge where you can climb up and walk across. The bridge spans the entire Windy Canyon. It is absolutely and quite literally breathtaking! The bridge is 174 feet from the canyon bottom and the Nenana River. Winds have been clocked underneath this bridge up to 120 mph!

5. HIKE, HIKE, HIKE!

Denali, unlike most National Parks has very few defined trails, but more so just free wilderness hiking. You can basically hike wherever and in whatever direction you choose, and its quite honestly so freeing and liberating! There are a few defined trails though. These trail heads mostly start from one of the visitor centers located inside the park. Popular hiking trails are trails around the Savage River, Horseshoe Lake trail, McKinley Station trail, and the Mount Healy Overlook trail. Trail suggestions and maps can be obtained from the visitor center. Getting out and hiking is the best way to really take in and appreciate the park. I also HIGHLY recommend bringing bear spray and insect repellent.

6. Flight Seeing Tour of Denali

We, unfortunately, did not get a chance to do a flight seeing tour on our visit, but it is definitely on our list for our next visit! Airplane tours of Denali allow you to see the park from a whole new perspective and allow you to get up close and witness some of the best views of Denali. A few popular flight seeing tour companies are K2 Aviation, Talkeetna Air taxi, and Fly Denali.

Where to eat in Denali?

Prospector’s Pizza

Prospector’s Pizza is some of the best pizza you will eat in Alaska, and Alaskans LOVE their pizza! Our favorite pizza is the Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza, but they also have pizza with “Reindeer” sausage and other unique combinations! Prospector’s Pizza is owned by the same owner of the 49th State Brewery (which I’ll talk about later), so many of their beers are sold on tap! I’ll be honest. It was so good, that we ate there twice on our visit to Denali!

Rose’s Cafe

Rose’s Cafe, is your truly local and home cooked food stop! It is actually located right outside of Denali in the town of Healy, AK. I recommend stopping here for breakfast or brunch for some amazing hash browns, homemade cinnamon rolls, and hot and fluffy biscuits!

Denali Salmon Bake

The Salmon Bake is located right in town and is one of the biggest restaurants and only bars located in town! The bar was pretty busy the night we went and was a great place to meet locals and others traveling from across the country to visit beautiful Denali. The serve a wide range of food from Salmon and seafood to burgers. There is definitely something on the menu for everyone!

49th State Brewery

49th State Brewery should be on the top of your list! The brewery serves amazing food and has a huge beer and liquor selection! There is a beautiful beer garden located outside with an outdoor stage and a few fire pits! There is also a replica of the “Into the Wild” bus on site, which is super fun to go inside of and get pictures in front of!

Where to stay in Denali?

Thanks to Justin’s boss at 49th State Brewery, we were able to stay in his family cabin and didn’t have to pay for anywhere to stay while we visited! But I have some great options to recommend! The cheapest option is tent camping inside Denali National Park, but spots can book up fast. You should definitely book well in advance of your visit. Crow’s Nest Cabins and Denali Salmon Bake Cabins are a mid level option, and are super cute and cozy! A more expensive but beautiful hotel is the Grand Denali Lodge.

Denali was a highlight of our time in Alaska and one of the most beautiful national parks I have ever been to! The wildness and openness of the park allows you to feel so close to nature and to the heavens! His beauty is everywhere you turn and will fill you with so much gratitude and thankfulness! When you plan your trip to Alaska, make sure a visit to Denali is on your list, and I PROMISE you will not be disappointed! Denali National Park is truly a gem of the Last Frontier!

Cumberland Island, GA

Cumberland Island is one of my new favorite places!! I’m currently on a travel nurse assignment in Savannah, GA, which is only two and a half hours from my hometown. Even though I am close to home, I decided I wanted to take this opportunity to be a better tourist in my own home state and better explore and learn what Georgia has to offer! My first free weekend after moving to Savannah my boyfriend and I decided we would take a trip to Cumberland Island! It was a DREAM, and I can’t wait to tell ya’ll all about it!

Beautiful Cumberland Island – January 2020

What is Cumberland Island?

Cumberland is Georgia’s largest and southernmost barrier island. It is roughly 17 miles from the northern to the southern tip of the island. It is located right along the Georgia/Florida border and about two hours south of Savannah. Cumberland island is a designated wilderness owned by the National Park Service and is mostly all undeveloped and wild. It is full of wild life, a variety of plant life, and tons of history. Cumberland island has been inhabited by native american tribes, colonial farmers, american soldiers, freed slaves, and prestigious socialite families such as the Carnegie’s. The main residents of the island now include wild horses, hogs, deer, raccoons, armadillos, alligators, and sea turtles. There are no paved roads, but only one “main road” made of sand that goes from the north to the south of the island and miles of hiking and biking trails.

How to get to Cumberland Island?

Cumberland island has no bridges or road connected to the island. The only way to access the island is by either personal boat or the ferry that departs out of the St. Mary’s waterfront dock a few times daily out to the island. Since we don’t own a boat, we opted to take the ferry out and back to the island. The ferry is about a 45 minute boat ride and offers beautiful views of the Cumberland River. The Cumberland Island visitor center and ferry check in office is located in St. Mary’s, GA, which is the closest town to the island. We booked our tickets online on the Cumberland Island ferry website ahead of time, because we were told in busy months ferry tickets can sell out fast. The link for the ferry tickets and ferry schedule is attached below! The ferry departs for Cumberland Island at 9:00 am and 11:45 am daily with return trips from the island at 10:15 am, 2:45 am, and 4:45 am. Tickets are $15 each way/ person.

https://www.cumberlandislandferry.com/

Cumberland Island Visitor Center located in St. Mary’s

Ferry dock located in the St. Mary’s Waterfront

View of the ferry leaving Cumberland Island at sunset

Camping on Cumberland Island

Due to Cumberland Island being nearly all undeveloped, there is only one Bed & Breakfast located on the island, called the Greyfield Inn. The Greyfield is a historical mansion built by the Carnegie family, who owned vacation homes on the island, back in 1901. A stay at the Greyfield includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, transportation to and from the island, and provides entertainment for it’s guest. We took a look at rooms and although they were gorgeous, it was very much out of our price range! We opted for camping on Cumberland Island instead, and had so much fun!

There are five camp grounds located on the island, which include designated camp sites at Sea Camp and Stafford Beach campgrounds. Hickory Hill, Yankee Paradise, and Brickhill Bluff are wilderness campsites. A look at the amenities offered at the different campgrounds will help you pick which one is right for you. We decided to stay at Sea Camp due to it being a closer proximity to the main attractions we wanted to see and the beach. Sea Camp offers designated camp spots with a picnic table, fire pit and grill, and cache box to store food. There are also flush-able toilets, showers, and a charging station located at the main building on the camp ground. Because there are no cars on the island, campers must hike their own gear into their camping ground from the ferry dock. Sea Camp is the closest campground to the dock and only a half mile walk, which made it a lot more convenient carrying our gear. The ranger station located right at the dock did provide carts for campers to load to carry their gear, which was really helpful. There are no stores of any kind on the island so you must bring all food, drinking water, and fire wood that you will need while you’re camping.

There are not many campsites and camping on the island is so popular, campsites can be booked up to six months in advance and tend to fill up pretty quickly. I would recommend booking your camp site as soon as you know when you are planning on going to be sure you can get a spot. Camping permits are $22/night for individual sites that are good for up to six people.

Tips for camping:

Make sure you put ALL food and toiletry products in the cache box provided or raccoons WILL get into it! They will eat toothpaste!
Bring tonsss of bug spray! Mosquitos and ticks can be pretty bad. Thankfully, since we went in January, we didn’t have an issue with ticks or mosquitoes. I sprayed down with bug spray each day anyways just to keep any ticks away.
The showers don’t get warm and only provide cold showers, so don’t plan on showering unless you’re willing to brave the cold water!
Make sure to bring some food that doesn’t have to be cooked in the event of a rain shower or storm and you’re unable to light your campfire.
Bring a lantern, headlamp, or flashlights! At night, there are virtually no lights on the island except for the stars! Although its beautiful and peaceful, it doesn’t make getting to the bathroom in the middle of the night very easy.

Below is the link to book your camp site, pay for a camping permit, and more tips from the National Park service about camping on Cumberland Island.

https://www.nps.gov/cuis/planyourvisit/camping.htm

What to do on Cumberland Island?

Hiking/Biking around the island

The island has more than 50 miles of hiking and bike trails that take you to many different areas of Cumberland. Bikes can either be brought on the ferry or rented once you get on the island. We decided to hike the Southend Loop, a 5 mile mostly flat trail that takes you to the main sites of the southern part of the island. This trail was so much fun and included a walk along a boardwalk over the marsh where we spotted a wild hog feeding on the sea life the tide had brought in, a long serene walk on the abandoned beach, over large sand dunes, and through thick forests of live oaks, palmettos, and Spanish moss. We spent some time exploring Dungeness, the ruins of the beautiful mansion owned by Thomas and Lucy Carnegie. The mansion later burned down and the beautiful ruins are all that remain of the mansion. Many wild horses, deer, and armadillo can be found on the grounds around the mansion.

https://www.nps.gov/cuis/planyourvisit/hiking.htm

2. Lands & Legacies Tour of the North End of the Island

This tour will take up much of your day, but I highly recommend it! The Lands and Legacies Tour is a 5-6 hour tour in a van around the north end of the island. The north end is very hard to get to unless you are willing to hike 5-10 miles to see the attractions, which most visitors either don’t have time to do in a one or two day trip or physically can’t. We thought it was an enjoyable way to be sure we got the most out of our time on the island as we could. Visitors get to see both cultural and natural landmarks, including the remains of Robert Stafford’s plantation and cemetery, Plum Orchard Mansion, Cumberland Wharf, the Settlement, and First African Baptist Church. Make sure to pack some snacks or a lunch for your tour, as food is not provided. Our tour guide, Mike, was exceptional and had so much knowledge and history on the island to share with us. The tours are $45/person for the day.

Tour Highlights – Information from Cumberland Island Ferry

Plum Orchard Mansion

Built in 1898, Plum Orchard is a 20,000 square foot, Georgian Revival mansion. It was built by Lucy Carnegie for her son, George and his wife, Margaret Thaw. It is almost eight miles from the Sea Camp dock to visit Plum Orchard. Access is by foot, bicycle or the Lands and Legacies Tour. Plum Orchard is open when volunteer caretakers are on site and as a stop on the Lands and Legacies Tour. The free tours are offered on the hour and last about 45 minutes. Be sure to ask at the Sea Camp Ranger Station for more information.

First African Baptist Church in the Settlement

Located approximately 17 miles from the Sea Camp dock, visitors can explore the First African Baptist Church. During the 1890s, the Settlement was established for African American workers. The First African Baptist Church was established in 1893 and then rebuilt in the 1930s. It was the site of the September 1996 wedding of John F. Kennedy, Jr. and Carolyn Bessette.

Wild Island

Between visiting historic landmarks, get a glimpse of the wilder side of the island. Under a canopy of Spanish moss, single lane roads cut through the wilderness, showing the truly rugged side of one of the largest undeveloped barrier islands on the Atlantic coast. The island has one of the largest maritime forests remaining in the United States.

https://www.cumberlandislandferry.com/lands-legacies-tour/

First African Baptist Church- JFK Jr was married here

John F. Kennedy Jr was married here on Cumberland Island

3. Beach Combing

The beach on Cumberland island stretches for roughly 17 miles and is completely deserted with no hotels, condos, bars, and tourism set up along the beach. This makes a walk along the beach one of the most peaceful experiences, and because it is nearly empty, the beaches are covered in beautiful shells, starfish, and driftwood. It is one of the best places to go beach combing. There is so much untouched beauty. After walking along the beach and collecting as many shells as you can carry, I recommend getting your chair and curling up with a good book while you watch the Atlantic ocean waves roll in and pretend you’re on your own private beach!

4. Stargazing

The island’s beaches and open fields provide wonderful unobstructed views for stargazing. If you are camping on the island, you have the opportunity to head to the beach, lay in the sand and gaze at the night sky. The best star watching will be during a new moon and looking to the east from the beach. Give your eyes 30 minutes to get used to the darkness. If you want to preserve your night vision, use a red filter over your flashlight.

Campers are welcome to bring their telescopes.

Check for meteor showers during the time you are coming. The international space station can also be seen from the island.

https://www.nps.gov/cuis/planyourvisit/stargazing.htm

Other activities on Cumberland Island include fishing, kayaking, boating, hunting, and photography!

Cumberland Island is truly a gem of Georgia and a place I would recommend anyone living in or visiting the Peach State to see and spend some time. Very few places on this earth are still left untouched by commercialism like Cumberland Island. Cumberland is truly WILD and place where you can enjoy serenity and appreciate God’s masterpieces, unlike anywhere else.

Macon, Georgia

Have you ever thought about visiting Macon? Are you from Macon and want to get to know your city a little better? Well I am excited to tell you all about my hometown and why I love it and think it is worth a visit! Besides, it only felt right to spotlight Macon as my first official blog post. I can’t wait to tell you about all the history of the city, the must see and do places, the most delicious places to eat, the best bars for a night out or to just grab a drink, and of course, the best places to stay during your visit!

First, if any of you know me well then you know I am a nerd at heart and I love history and believe learning the history of a city you visit is vitally important to really understand the culture of that city. Macon, also called the “Heart of Georgia”, was founded in 1823 after many settlers moved here due to the development of Fort Benjamin Hawkins, which served as a trading post between the European settlers and the Creek Indians, while it also served to protect the growing community. This fort served as a major military distribution point during the War of 1812. The new city of Macon began to quickly flourish due to its location on the Ocmulgee River. It later served as the official arsenal of the Confederacy during the Civil War. Macon, also served as the temporary state capitol of Georgia in 1864. The Macon City Hall served as the capitol building and also as a hospital for wounded Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. Later in the 20th century, Macon continued to grow and flourish as a main transportation hub for the state of Georgia due to its large railroad system, which lead to the building of the well known, Terminal Station, which is still located downtown today. Over the years Macon has continued to grow and develop. The last five years have brought about many great changes for the downtown area, including many new restaurants, bars, museums, shopping, and increased safety for its residents and visitors. It is located in the middle of the state of Georgia and is about 1.5 hours from Atlanta and 2.5 hours from Savannah.

Things to do in Macon, GA

Ocmulgee National Monument

The Indian mounds are definitely a place to visit on your trip to Macon. Bring your tennis shoes! These grounds served as the settlement for many indigenous Indian tribes that occupied the area, now known as Macon. The large man made mounds served as ceremonial and burial grounds for these ancient tribes. The Ocmulgee National monument has a Visitor’s and Information center that can be visited for free. The Visitor’s center features historical information and films about the mounds, artifacts from the early tribes, and of course, a gift shop! The park has lots of beautiful walking trails, and you can even climb a stair case to the top of one of the larger mounds for a great view of downtown Macon! Every year during the month of September, the parks hosts the Ocmulgee Indian Celebration and Pow Wow. This celebration is the largest Native American gathering in the Southeast and features craft vendors, live demonstrations, and Native American dancers. This site is a must see when visiting Macon, and is completely free.

2. The Big House

My boyfriend and I in front of the Big House

Macon has been home to many notable musicians and artists such as The Allman Brothers, Little Richard, Otis Redding, and Jason Aldean. The Big House is where the original members of The Allman Brothers Band and their families called home from 1970 to 1973, while recording at Macon’s Capricorn Studios. The original band was made up of Duane Allman, Gregg Allman, Berry Oakley, Dickey Betts, Butch Trucks, and Jaimoe Johanson until the tragic deaths of best friends, Duane and Berry, one year apart from each other in 1971 and 1972 due to motorcycle accidents. The band went on to become one of the most well known and talented Southern Rock groups in music history. The Big House has been transformed into a museum that visitors can stop by to learn of the history of the band and Southern Rock, and to see the home, as it was then, of the band members, their wives, and their children. The entrance to the museum is $15/ person and allows you to tour the museum, enjoy the backyard gardens with a stage set up where performances are occasionally held, and to visit the gift shop to purchase some Allman Brothers apparel! “Soulshine is better than sunshine. It’s better than moonshine. Damn sure better than the rain. You gotta let your soul shine until the break of day.” – The Allman Brothers Band 1994

3. Rose Hill Cemetery

Alright, so I know that maybe a cemetery was not at the top of your sight seeing list, but the 80 acre Rose Hill cemetery should be. Rose Hill was first opened in 1840 and is the resting place for many notable Maconites throughout history, including 600 Civil War soldiers. It was also a hang out spot and music inspiration for the Allman Brothers Band. The cemetery is full of grassy fields, large beautiful trees and plants, and is situated right along the Ocmulgee River. Many locals come to the cemetery for morning jogs, leisurely strolls, and for peace of mind. Three members of the Allman Brothers Band, Duane, Berry, and Gregg, are buried here side by side, down close to the river, which brings many visitors to the cemetery. This is definitely a recommended stop and is a great place to visit around dusk for sunset views of downtown Macon.

Grave site of Duane Allman and Berry Oakley

4. Georgia Sports Hall of Fame

Photo courtesy of the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame

If your interested in sports, this would be a great stop for you and is located right in downtown Macon. The Georgia Sports Hall of Fame is the largest state sports museum in the USA. The museum displays over 3,000 artifacts of sports memorabilia. Admission is $8/per person for adults.

5. The Tubman Museum

The Tubman museum is also a must see attraction on your visit to Macon. The Tubman museum is named after Harriet Tubman, who is well known for leading hundreds of slaves to freedom via the Underground Railroad. In her later years, Mrs. Tubman was a strong activist in the struggle for women’s suffrage. Admission to the museum is $10/person.

6. The Cannonball House

The Cannonball House is a notable historic home located in downtown Macon. This house got its name from the cannon that was shot through the home during the Civil War. Tickets are $8/person and includes a 45 minute tour of the home, the two story brick kitchen, and the slave quarters in the back of the home. This museum gives the visitor a glimpse into what homes would have been like in the Civil War period, an extensive collection of Civil War artifacts, and a large collection of historical pieces and information on the establishment of the Alpha Delta Pi and Phi Mu sororities, which both began in Macon.

Other great places to visit in Macon include the Hay House, Museum of Arts and Sciences, Amerson River Park, and Lake Tobosofkee.

Best Places to Eat in Macon

H&H Soul Food Restaurant

H&H is without a doubt the best and most historical restaurant in Macon. H&H was found by Inez Hill and Louise Hudson, also known as “Mama Louise”, in 1959 and has been serving up delicious southern cooking ever since. H&H is well known for the relationship Mama Louise had with the Allman Brothers Band. Mama Louise had a very close friendship with the band and always made sure “her boys” were fed when they were just a young band trying to make it big and times were tough. H&H is open for breakfast and lunch and is a meal you will want to come back to Macon just to get.

2. The Rookery

So if we are being honest, the Rookery is my FAVORITE restaurant. My boyfriend knows to not even ask where I want to eat unless he wants to eat at the Rookery. The King Bee wrap is to die for, along with a tons of delicious burger choices such as the Jimmy Carter Burger, The Midnight Rider, the Big O burger, the Allman Burger, and the Johnny Jenkins Burger. They also have a full bar with lots of good drink choices and delicious milkshakes. You won’t go wrong grabbing lunch or dinner here.

3. Nuway Weiners

Nuway is a Macon staple, for sure, serving up delicious hot dogs, hamburgers, and biscuits . It was first opened on Cotton avenue in 1914 and now has nine locations around central Georgia. “I’d go a long way for Nu-Way!”

4. Downtown Grill

If your looking for something a little more upscale, Downtown Grill is the perfect place. It hosts a delicious menu of fine dining and a top notch wine list. It is noted to be the location where Gregg Allman proposed to Cher. This marker can be found out in the front of the restaurant. Parking can be a little difficult due to its location in an alley way, but valet parking is available.

5. Ingleside Village Pizza

Ingleside Village Pizza is a short drive from downtown and has some of the most delicious pizza, a good beer selection, and the most fun atmosphere. The inside is decorated with some of the most unique memorabilia and decor, making it a fun dining experience. It is located in Ingleside village which also has many cute little shops and is next door to the Society Garden, a fun outdoor garden with frozen wine slushies and outdoor music.

6. Taste and See Coffee Shop

Photo courtesy of Taste and See Coffee Shop

Hands down the best coffee shop in Macon! They serve delicious coffees, milkshakes, pastries, and sandwiches. The inside of the shop is so pretty and feels like your in a cabin. The inside has a large cozy fireplace and the outside patio has a fire pit for cool winter nights. It is my boyfriend and I’s favorite study spot. The staff are always so friendly and welcoming.

Other delicious restaurants to try on your visit to Macon include, the Bear’s Den, Fish’n Pig, Oliver’s Corner Bistro, and Decadent Desert Bar.

Best Bars and Nightlife in Macon

The Crazy Bull

Crazy bull is popular bar in downtown Macon that has live music every night on the weekends and has a lot of new and up and coming artist perform there. I have gotten to see Brett Eldridge, Sam Hunt, Luke Combs, Jon Pardi, and Frankie Ballard perform here. Of course, if you visit you will have to take a free ride on the mechanical bull!

2. Macon’s Dueling Piano Bar

One of the newest bars to Macon! Delicious drinks and a fun night of entertainment is sure to expected!

3. Reboot Retrocade and Bar

This is a fun bar to visit for tasty drinks and tons of arcade games, pin ball machines, and video games to play! It makes for a fun, but low key night out on the town.

4. Late Night

Another new bar to downtown Macon is Late Night. This bar is a little more upscale with a classy drink menu and a little tighter dress code. It is a beautiful bar with great music and a great crowd!

5. Just Tap’d

Just Tap’d is a popular tap room located downtown. They have a huge selection of beer on tap, yummy food, and weekly trivia nights!

6. The Society Garden

The Society Garden is a couple miles from downtown but features a beautiful beer garden area with outdoor seating, delicious drinks, yard games, and an outdoor stage with live music. Great place for a chill night out or for date night!

Other bars to visit include The Hummingbird Stage and Taproom, Barefoot Tavern, Ocmulgee Brew Pub, and Piedmont Brewery.

As you can tell, Macon has a special place in my heart and is a place I believe everyone should come for a visit! Let me know if your in town, and we can grab some coffee! Macon is a a city with abundant southern charm, deep history, and friendly and welcoming locals! I’m proud to be “Macon made”.

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The Journey Begins

Thanks for joining me!

Welcome to my first blog! This is something many people have told me I should do for years now, but I was never really sure “blogging” was the thing for me or if it was something I would even be good at. But, I decided that 2019 would be the year that I took the leap and started sharing the ends and outs of my adventures. I have a few goals and wishes for this blog. First, I look forward to sharing my adventures, my itineraries, budget traveling tips, and my favorite spots on this planet with my followers. Second, I hope to inspire a sense of Wanderlust in all those who take the time to read my words. I hope to show those who haven’t traveled much that no matter your responsibilities or your income that exploring this world and all that it has to offer isn’t impossible. For those who are reading that are well traveled, I hope to expose you to new places maybe you have not been yet, or to give you a new outlook and perspective if it’s a place you have been. Third, I hope to share with you the beauty found not only in God’s creation but in the people he loves. I hope to reveal his greatness and to brag on his masterpieces. I hope that my experiences can help restore your soul as they restore mine. I hope to help you see that there is always beauty to be found if only we take the time to really look for it. I would love to have you tag along on this new blogging journey with me! Here goes nothing!

“Maybe the journey isn’t so much about becoming anything. Maybe it’s about unbecoming everything that really isn’t you, so you can be who you were meant to be in the first place.” – Unknown