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A Madison, WI Long Weekend Itinerary (Plus Taking The Bus To And From Chicago)

Kevin | Caffeinated Excursions — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 17:00:00 +0000

A Madison, WI Long Weekend Itinerary (Plus Taking The Bus To And From Chicago)

Published June 19, 2025
Last updated November 21, 2025

This blog post was proudly created without the use of generative AI. It was 100% written and edited by a human, for humans. Enjoy, and thanks for your support!

Ever since I moved to Chicago four years ago, I have loved taking trips up north to Wisconsin. My visits to Milwaukee and my day trips to Kenosha have always been packed full of delicious food, refreshing beer, and outdoor adventures! That’s why my expectations were high for my recent three-day weekend getaway to Wisconsin’s capital city. I’m happy to report that Madison surpassed those high expectations!

In addition to being Wisconsin’s state capital, Madison is home to the University of Wisconsin’s flagship campus. As such, the city has a very youthful vibe. It’s also pretty compact and walkable, in part because of the city’s unique geography. Take a look:

According to a bunch of sources online, Madison is one of only two US cities built on an isthmus (the other being Seattle, which happens to be where I’m from)! With Lake Mendota to the northwest and Lake Monona to the southeast, Madison boasts miles and miles of stunning waterfront.

This blog post will feature the following subtopics pertaining to Madison. Click or tap any of the links below to jump down to the corresponding section!

Update Nov 2025 In August of this year, I spent another weekend in Madison with my friend Ismael, so this page contains fresh content! Most of this blog post was written in the spring, but I've updated a few sections after my second visit in the summer!

Attractions in Madison
Food & Drink Ideas
Taking the Bus to and from Chicago
Where I Stayed
- Hilton Garden Inn Madison Downtown
- DoubleTree by Hilton Madison Downtown

Attractions in Madison

Wisconsin State Capitol

Address: 2 E Main St, Madison, WI 53702
Website: https://legis.wisconsin.gov/about/visit/

Madison’s focal point is the Wisconsin State Capitol, which towers over the rest of the city. It’s open to the public (even on weekends) and free to visit, so you won’t want to miss it!

Visiting the Wisconsin State Capitol can easily take half a day for travelers who want to explore in depth. Group tours are offered, but I wandered around on my own. The building forms a square cross with four different wings in the cardinal directions. Eight streets radiate out from the State Capitol in an octagonal pattern, which forms the basis for the grid system on the isthmus.

The interior of the building has lots of earthy tones that stand in contrast to the white granite exterior. As you can see in the photos below, the inside of the State Capitol is ornate and seems to draw inspiration from Wisconsin’s natural beauty.

Perhaps the most incredible part of the Wisconsin State Capitol is its dome. The center has a circular painting that depicts Wisconsin’s natural resources. The state government website says that “the Capitol dome is the largest dome by volume in the United States and one of the largest in the world.”

When you visit the State Capitol, be sure to go up to the observation deck (click or tap here for hours and more info). From this deck, you can peer into the dome from a much closer vantage point and see “Resources of Wisconsin” more clearly. There’s also a history museum that wraps around the base of the dome.

Furthermore, the observation deck has an outdoor balcony, which offers up-close views of the statues, columns, and ornamentation on the exterior of the dome. You can also look out over the city in 360 degrees! This is a great place to see both Lake Mendota and Lake Monona.

Dane County Farmers' Market

Locations: multiple (I visited “Saturday on the Square” by the Wisconsin State Capitol)
Website: https://dcfm.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DaneCoFM/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danecofm/

To be honest, I don’t visit a lot of farmers markets when I travel. However, the Dane County Farmers’ Market is worth checking out! It drew a giant crowd on the Saturday I was in Madison, and it wrapped all the way around the State Capitol on “the Square.” A portion of it also extends onto State Street.

I didn’t buy any food here, but I did get some locally-produced Madison spirit wear. The sweatshirt I found at the Dane County Farmers’ Market has gotten lots of compliments back home in Chicago!

University of Wisconsin–Madison Campus

Location: click or tap for Google Maps link
Website: https://www.wisc.edu/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UWMadison/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uwmadison/

Is it weird that I enjoy walking around college campuses whenever I’m traveling? There’s something nostalgic about it, even if it’s a university I’ve never been to. The University of Wisconsin’s main campus in Madison is not only a cornerstone of the community, but it’s also a really picturesque (not to mention massive) place to stroll around.

I don’t follow college athletics at all, nor did I go to university in the Midwest. As such, I didn’t really know much about the University of Wisconsin before visiting. I quickly learned that their mascot is Bucky Badger, and you’ll see him everywhere on campus!

In terms of architecture, the University of Wisconsin has some really impressive lecture halls. If you’re short on time but still want to see the campus, I would say some of the best architecture is clustered around Library Mall, which sits at the far eastern edge of the campus close to the State Capitol.

Perhaps the best thing about UW Madison is that it’s right on the shore of Lake Mendota! It must be amazing for students here to be able to finish class and unwind with a walk along the water.

Lake Mendota

Location: click or tap for Google Maps link

This lake has already been mentioned a number of times in this post, but it really is one of Madison’s best attractions. I made an effort to walk along it, but unfortunately there’s no public lakefront path along the isthmus portion of Madison.

With that said, there are lots of scenic viewpoints of Lake Mendota, which include Tenney Park Beach and Breakwater, Giddings Park, James Madison Park, and UW Madison. Since Lake Mendota is northwest of the city, sunsets over the water are an incredible sight!

Lake Monona

Location: click or tap for Google Maps link

On the opposite side of the isthmus from Lake Mendota is Lake Monona. There’s a lakefront path from Brittingham Park up to South Blair Street known as the Capital City Trail. After walking along it, I continued further north on Spaight Street, Rutledge Street, and Morrison Street until I finally reached the Yahara River. Those residential streets are lined with beautiful historic homes, so it’s a scenic walk even though it’s not lake views all the way.

The most prominent landmark you’ll encounter along the Capital City Trail is the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center. There’s a huge outdoor public terrace here that’s elevated four or five stories above the lake, so the views are great! Looking in the opposite direction, the terrace also has an unobstructed view of the Wisconsin State Capitol. A few other scenic viewpoints of Lake Monona include B.B. Clarke Beach Park, Morrison Park, and all of the side streets that terminate right at the water’s edge (such as South Few Street, Orton Court, and South Dickinson Street).

Tenney Park

Address: 402 N Thornton Ave, Madison, WI 53703
Website: https://www.cityofmadison.com/parks/find-a-park/park.cfm?id=1357
Madison Parks Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madisonparkswi/
Madison Parks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madisonparkswi/

This tranquil park can be found where the Yahara River meets Lake Mendota. Tenney Park has a small rocky beach on the lake, a lagoon, a lock and dam, and a breakwater pier you can walk out onto.

Food & Drink Ideas

One of the main reasons to visit Madison is to eat! The food scene here is a perfect mix of classic Wisconsin favorites, contemporary American cuisine, and international options. Below are some of the places I tried during my two weekend getaways to Madison!

Breakfast & Brunch

Mickies Dairy Bar

Address: 1511 Monroe St, Madison, WI 53711
Website: https://mickiesdairybar.com/#/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mickiesdairybar/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mickiesdairybar/

Mickies Dairy Bar in an old-school diner on the east end of downtown. They’re famous for their “Scrambler,” a mountain of classic, savory breakfast ingredients. This dish is made with yanks (hash browns), eggs, a choice of meat, cheese, gravy, and toast. It’s an indulgent, quintessentially Midwestern feast; I savored every last bite!

I should’ve known that the Scrambler would be more than enough food, but I also ordered a side of French toast (shown in the background of the picture above). It didn’t look or taste similar to French toast I’ve had elsewhere. I’m pretty sure they cooked it with egg, giving it an unusual combination of flavors and textures. To be honest, it just wasn’t for me. Maybe try their coffee cake or cinnamon rolls instead if you’re craving something sweet.

Lunch & Dinner

Dotty Dumpling's Dowry

Address: 317 N Frances St, Madison, WI 53703
Website: https://dottydumplingsdowry.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dumpette/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dotty_dumplings_dowry/

An alliterative name like Dotty Dumpling’s Dowry is more than enough to draw me in. But don’t let the name fool you! This bar and grill doesn’t actually serve dumplings. Instead, they specialize in burgers!

Placards on the tables here have the name’s origin story on them, explaining that Dotty Dumpling is a fictional character that dates way back. The original owner, Jeff Stanley, added “Dowry” at the end to give it a bit more flair. I’d say it worked!

I tried the “Melting Pot” burger, which comes with cheddar, Swiss, and provolone cheeses, smoked bacon, and an English garlic sauce. To get the full Wisconsin experience here, I also ordered cheese curds and beer. As you might imagine, a burger with three different kinds of melted cheese on it was very rich. The garlic sauce helped tie everything together and kept this burger from being too heavy. It’s no wonder the Melting Pot is their best seller!

The Harvey House

Address: 644 W Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53703
Website: https://www.theharveyhouse.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHarveyHouseRestaurant/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harveyhouse/

The Harvey House offers an upscale dining experience in an old converted train depot. The inside of the restaurant was beautifully designed, with lots of modern elements that still paid homage to the building’s historic significance as a railway station. I sat at the bar, where the service was phenomenal! When I went, they were offering complimentary sampler versions of their famous relish tray! It was very refreshing treat that set the tone for the rest of the meal.

Since most of my other meals in Madison were fairly heavy, I went with something slightly lighter for dinner at The Harvey House: the Superior walleye. I’m not usually one to rant and rave about fish, but this one (which was named because it’s from Lake Superior) was indeed superior! It came with toasted rye, Savoy cabbage, spätzle, and horseradish sabayon. I still can’t get over how masterfully all those flavors and textures came together!

The cocktails I had at The Harvey House were just as impressive as the food. I started off with a “Hotel Washington Punch,” which had rum, grapefruit, lime, and Door County cherry. It was tart yet refined and balanced. To end the meal, I had a white Russian. This is a drink I’ve enjoyed for years now, so my standards for them are high. The bartender here knocked it out of the park! In terms of texture, flavor, and consistency, everything about this drink was ten out of ten.

Mint Mark

Address: 1874 E Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53704
Website: https://www.mintmarkmadison.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mintmarkmadison/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mintmarkmadison/

This chic, modern spot offers a “produce-forward” menu “showcasing the best of Wisconsin’s bounty,” according to their website. Upon stepping inside, I really liked their tropical pink and green color scheme. A lot of their menu is veggie-based small plates, and prices for these are up there. However, the Roasted Vitruvian Mushroom I ordered was absolutely incredible.

When a mushroom like this is cooked well, it can encompass a full range of flavors and textures. Different parts of it tasted meaty, woody, fruity… there were so many different flavors and undertones going on! After tasting it, I had no issue paying top dollar for this perfectly seasoned mushroom.

I also ordered an espresso martini here and a fig pizzetta with brie and thyme. This mini pizza was okay, but not nearly as good as the roasted mushroom. If I come back, I would probably order two or three of the veggie-based small plates here and skip the pasta, pizza, and meat-based sections of the menu.

Sardine

Address: 617 Williamson St, Madison, WI 53703
Website: http://sardinemadison.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sardinemad/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sardinemadison/

On my last day in Madison, I tried Sardine for brunch. It was a pretty standard menu, so I ordered a burger with fries and a beer. But my favorite thing here was the raw oysters that came before my main plate! You order them per piece, so I got to try four different ones. I don’t remember where they were from, but they were delicious nonetheless.

The Old Fashioned Tavern & Restaurant

Address: 23 N Pinckney St #1, Madison, WI 53703
Website: https://theoldfashioned.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theoldfashionedmadison/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theoldfashionedmadison/

Located right on the Square, this local institution is easy to visit before or after touring the State Capitol. It’s a lively, bustling spot that serves half a dozen different variations of the classic drink they’re named after.

I tried two different old fashioneds here, some cheese curds, and a single brat (their default is a double brat). I’d say the drinks and cheese curds were the highlight of my lunch at The Old Fashioned, and the brat was decent. The fries that came with the sandwich were not amazing. With that said, I think it’s fine to skip a full meal here and just do cocktails and appetizers.

Little Tibet Madison

Address: 827 E Johnson St #1506, Madison, WI 53703
Website: https://www.littletibetmadison.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Littletibetmadison/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dlittletibet/

When I say that Madison has an impressive international food scene for a city of its size, I’m talking about places like Little Tibet! I’ve had Tibetan food a couple of times, but it’s not a cuisine I’m extremely familiar with yet. With that said, everything here was incredible! We started off with momo (dumplings) and bhajiya (mixed veggie fritters) appetizers. For my main dish, I ordered one of their thali meal sets. It was a satisfying balance of meat, veggies, and carbs that I highly recommend!

Coffee

Fair Trade Coffee House

Address: 418 State St, Madison, WI 53703
Website: https://www.fairtradecoffeehouse.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fairtradecoffeehouse/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fairtrademadison/

Based on the fact that the line here was almost out the door when I went, I would venture to say this is one of Madison’s most popular coffee shops. It’s pretty close to the UW campus, so most of their customers are probably students. Despite the line being long, it moved relatively quickly. Their front patio was an ideal spot to sip an iced latte in the sun.

Wonderstate Coffee

Address: 27 W Main St, Madison, WI 53703 (see website for more locations)
Website: https://wonderstate.square.site/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wonderstatecoffee/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wonderstatecoffee/

Wonderstate Coffee is a small Wisconsin chain with a few locations that are sort of far-flung throughout the state. The shop in Madison was pretty busy on the morning I visited. It was raining that day, so I ordered an oat matcha latte to warm up. It was perfect for the overcast weather.

Michelangelo's Coffee House

Address: 114 State St, Madison, WI 53703
Website: https://www.michelangeloscoffeehouse.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichelangelosCoffeeHouse/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelangeloscoffeehouse/

I am never going to pass up an artsy coffee shop that feels like a throwback to the 90s! Michelangelo’s seems to be a popular study spot for local students. I ordered a peanut butter mocha with oat milk here, and it was pretty sweet. I love how many different flavor options they have here, but I’d probably request my next drink here to have fewer pumps of syrup than they normally do.

Bars & Breweries

Young Blood Beer Company

Address: 112 King St, Madison, WI 53703 (see website for more locations)
Website: https://www.youngbloodbeerco.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/youngbloodbeercompany/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youngbloodbeerco/

Young Blood Beer Company’s King Street Taproom juxtaposes a tropical theme with low lighting and candles. All of their beers have eccentric, long names. For example, I started off with a “Home of the Old 96er,” which was described on their menu as a “Maibock Kettle hopped exclusively with Montana Grown Saaz.” I’m no stranger to beer, but I don’t really know what any of that means. Regardless, this brew was tasty!

My second beer here was a “Dibs on Your Shacket,” an “oatmeal cookie brown ale with toasted oats, cinnamon, and vanilla.” This dark brew definitely evoked a feeling of a campfire in autumn! I think Young Blood rotates their draft list pretty frequently, so check the website for an updated selection.

Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co.

Address: 123 E Doty St, Madison, WI 53703 (There are also other locations)
Website: https://www.greatdanepub.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greatdanedowntown/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greatdanepub/

Right before getting on my bus to return to Chicago, I made a quick stop for some cheese curds and one last beer at Great Dane Pub. It wasn’t packed when I went, so it had a pretty laid-back atmosphere. The cheese curds here were extra crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Yum!

Mickey's Tavern

Address: 1524 Williamson St, Madison, WI 53703
Website: https://www.mickeysmadison.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MickeysTavern/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mickeys_madison/

I popped into Mickey’s Tavern on a whim while walking along the Yahara River, and I’m so glad I did! This unassuming bar ended up being the friendliest establishment I visited during my trip. I was planning on just stopping in for a beer, but ended up staying for two while chatting with some locals and regulars.

The people I met at Mickey’s Tavern gave me tons of additional bar and restaurant recommendations to check out around Madison. I ordered a few New Glarus beers here, which can only be sold in Wisconsin. Whether I’m visiting Milwaukee, Madison, or somewhere else in the state, I always try to enjoy at least one New Glarus beer since they’re not available in Chicago!

Taking the Bus to and from Chicago

I live in Chicago and don’t have a car, so I took Coach USA Van Galder buses to and from Madison. Their booking process is a little unusual in that you don’t actually reserve a specific date and time. Instead, your ticket is valid for any bus service within one year of the purchase date. I don’t know what the operator would do if you needed to board a bus that was already at capacity, but I didn’t run into that issue on my trip. I guess if that happened, you’d just have to wait until the next bus. They seem to run about every hour to two hours.

I boarded my bus to Madison at the O’Hare Multi-Modal Facility (MMF). Note that this is not O’Hare International Airport, but the two are connected by a people mover that’s free of charge. In Madison, I was dropped off at 250 North Lake Street, which is right in the heart of the UW campus. You could also get off at the Dutch Mill Park & Ride, but this is on the far southeast corner of Madison away from downtown. On the way back, note that Coach USA drops off at O’Hare, not the MMF. (For Chicagoans further south or west, there is also a pickup and dropoff spot by Chicago Union Station.)

In terms of amenities, the bus was very comfortable. There is a toilet in the back, which is nice since the total ride time is about three hours. Bring your own snacks and drinks though. The O’Hare Multi-Modal Facility has one convenience store inside that really only offers things like chips and cookies. There’s also a Farmer’s Fridge vending machine, which has sandwiches and prepackaged food like the pesto pasta shown below. If you have time to eat a full meal before your bus, I’d recommend doing so.

Where I Stayed

Hilton Garden Inn Madison Downtown

Address: 770 Regent St, Madison, WI 53715
Website: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/msnmugi-hilton-garden-inn-madison-downtown/

On my first trip, I stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn Madison Downtown. It honestly worked out perfectly, since it’s a five or ten minute walk from the Coach USA bus dropoff point. I only brought a backpack and a gym bag from Chicago, so I didn’t have any wheeled luggage to haul around.

The Hilton Garden Inn wasn’t super fancy, but I didn’t mind at all. I’m the type of traveler that really only uses hotels as a place to sleep. From morning until night, I was out and about exploring Madison on foot! From this hotel, I was able to walk through campus to the State Capitol, both lakes, and beyond. The location really can’t be beat, and the rate I paid was pretty reasonable.

DoubleTree by Hilton Madison Downtown

Address: 525 W Johnson St, Madison, WI 53703
Website: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/msndtdt-doubletree-madison-downtown/

The DoubleTree by Hilton Madison Downtown is where I stayed for my second trip to the city. It’s honestly very similar to the Hilton Garden Inn. Both hotels are about 0.2 to 0.3 miles away from the Coach USA bus stop.

I would recommend comparing prices at both the DoubleTree and the Hilton Garden Inn before booking one. I think their nightly rates are typically about the same, but you never know if one might have a promotion or sale.

One Weekend in Madison Isn't Enough!

If you can’t tell already, I’m a huge fan of Madison after spending two long weekends there. The lakes were beautiful, the University of Wisconsin campus was lively, and the food scene was phenomenal! I’m moving abroad at the end of this year, but I’d love to return to Madison someday. If I come back for a third time, I’ll update this post with any new findings! Thanks for reading, and enjoy your upcoming trip to Wisconsin’s state capital!

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This post was published on June 19, 2025
This post was updated on Nov 21, 2025

This blog post was proudly created without the use of generative AI. It was 100% written and edited by a human, for humans. Enjoy, and thanks for your support!

Hi, I’m Kevin! I’m a coffee addict from Seattle, and my life revolves around traveling! Caffeinated Excursions is a record of my trips over the past seven years. Since I started blogging, I’ve lived in Mexico, Vietnam, Brazil, and the US. I just moved to Australia and plan to be here a full year. Thanks for checking out my blog!

Bangkok (Sept)
Istanbul (Sept)

The post A Madison, WI Long Weekend Itinerary (Plus Taking The Bus To And From Chicago) appeared first on Caffeinated Excursions.

Amtrak Borealis Review: Round Trip From Chicago To Minneapolis St. Paul

Kevin | Caffeinated Excursions — Sun, 27 Apr 2025 17:00:00 +0000

Amtrak Borealis Review: Round Trip From Chicago To Minneapolis St. Paul

Published April 27, 2025

This blog post was proudly created without the use of generative AI. It was 100% written and edited by a human, for humans. Enjoy, and thanks for your support!

A few weekends ago, I took a round-trip journey on the Amtrak Borealis from Chicago to Minneapolis–Saint Paul. I’ve always loved traveling by train, so I was excited to try this route that began service in May of 2024. I’m writing up this review so that you’ll know what to expect when taking the train between the Windy City and the Twin Cities!

Overall, I was very pleased with the Amtrak Borealis. With travel time of about 7.5 hours each way, the Borealis is not as fast as flying. However, I personally find train rides so much more enjoyable than the whole airport experience. I’ll get into more detail about all of that in this blog post.

This review contains the following topics. To skip down to a particular item, click or tap the corresponding link below!

General Overview
Facilities Review
Food, Drinks, and the Cafe Car
FAQs
Final Tips

General Overview

The Amtrak Borealis is a route that runs between Chicago Union Station and Union Depot in Saint Paul, MN. As of April 2025, there is one run per day in both directions. The current schedule has the northbound train departing Chicago at 11:05 a.m. and arriving in Saint Paul at 6:29 in the evening. If you’re going in the opposite direction, the Borealis departs Saint Paul at 11:50 a.m. and arrives at downtown Chicago at 7:14 in the evening. Verify the schedule on your ticket as things could change.

For my trip, I left Chicago on a Saturday and came back on a Tuesday. In both directions, my train departed exactly on time. On Saturday, the train pulled into Union Depot at 6:55 p.m., so about 25 minutes late. On Tuesday, the train got to Union Station in Chicago within a few minutes of the scheduled 7:14 p.m. arrival.

Note that Borealis is not the only Amtrak route that runs between Chicago and Minneapolis–Saint Paul. The “Empire Builder” connects Chicago to Seattle, with an intermediate stop in Saint Paul. If the Borealis times listed above don’t work for you, be sure to check the ticket reservation section of the Amtrak website for additional Empire Builder schedule options.

Chicago, IL to Saint Paul, MN

As you can see in all of the pictures above, Union Station in Chicago is absolutely stunning. I got to the station about 50 minutes before my scheduled departure. That gave me more than enough time to admire the Great Hall, purchase some food, and find my gate. The Amtrak website recommends that “you arrive at the station no more than 30 minutes before your train departs, [or] 60 if you’re checking a bag or need ticketing/passenger assistance.”

Once I found my gate and boarded the train, I settled in for my seven-hour ride. It was pretty comfortable, and the time passed quickly. You can read more details about the onboard experience below.

Upon arrival in Saint Paul, I gathered my belongings and walked through Union Depot. It was quiet, clean, and beautifully maintained.

On this visit, I booked a hotel in downtown Minneapolis. Unfortunately, the Amtrak Borealis doesn’t go into Minneapolis, but Saint Paul is not that far (about 12 miles from one downtown to the other). You have two main options to get from Union Depot to Minneapolis: rideshares or the METRO Green Line.

I decided to take the Green Line to Minneapolis, which has its terminal stop right in front of Union Depot. One-way tickets only cost $2 as of April 2025, so it’s very cheap. However, I have to be honest: the light rail didn’t feel extremely safe to me right at dusk. I didn’t experience any problems, but I felt like I had to be on alert. It’s also pretty slow, taking about an hour to get from downtown Saint Paul to downtown Minneapolis. In hindsight, I probably should’ve just taken an Uber to my hotel; they’re fairly affordable in the Twin Cities.

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Saint Paul, MN Back to Chicago, IL

On my return trip, I knew more or less what to expect having already taken the Borealis in one direction. I used the METRO Green Line again to get from Minneapolis to Saint Paul, and it felt safer during daylight hours.

Union Depot in Saint Paul is significantly smaller than Chicago Union Station, so it’s unlikely anyone would get lost here. I boarded the train, and off we went.

The Borealis from north to south was basically the same experience as coming from Chicago except in reverse. After pulling into Union Station on schedule, I walked about 20 minutes to the Monroe CTA Red Line stop to head home. Other options for getting where you need to go in Chicago include: the CTA Blue Line Clinton station, CTA Green Line and Pink Line Clinton station, Metra trains leaving from Union Station, Metra trains leaving from Ogilvie Transportation Center (three blocks north), various buses, Lyft, or Uber.

Facilities Review

Superliner Car Configurations

The following review pertains to the Amtrak Superliner, which I rode on both halves of my round-trip journey. This type of train car contains two levels with passenger seating on the upper level. The lower level has luggage storage space, a cafe in one of the cars (more on that below), and restrooms. Note that future runs of the Borealis are not guaranteed to be done with Superliner trains, so the layout of your car may be different than what’s described here.

Accommodations for Disabilities

The Superliner did not seem to have obvious accommodations for passengers with limited mobility. To get from the lower to upper level, I only saw a fairly narrow staircase. The Amtrak website has more information, but I didn’t use any services related to accessibility on this trip.

Seats

For a seven-hour journey, I found the seats on the Superliner cars to be very comfortable. There was a lot of legroom, a retractable footrest, a tray table in front of each seat, and a seatback pocket. There was also enough space for me to keep my backpack below my feet without restricting my ability to stretch my legs.

As you can see in the pictures here, the configuration on my train was two seats on each side of a center aisle. There was an electrical outlet next to the window seat, but not on the aisle seat. At one point, a passenger who sat next to me wanted to charge his phone, which kind of awkwardly left a cord draped over me.

Bathrooms

The Superliner cars didn’t feel extremely dated, although I wouldn’t say they felt new or modern either. The part of the train that seemed to have the most visible wear and tear was the restrooms. Some of the restrooms were accessible, which had a lot more room. The other ones on board were pretty tight, and the walkway to get there was narrow as well. The biggest issue I noticed was that many of the locks on the bathrooms were broken, so double or triple check that the door is locked before doing your business.

Wi-Fi

I never used Amtrak’s Wi-Fi on either leg of my journey. Two days before my departure, I received an email saying the service would not be available onboard during my outbound trip. I don’t know if it was working on the way back, but didn’t need it since cell service exists along this entire route. I also downloaded Netflix and Apple TV+ shows before leaving. Some sources online warn that Wi-Fi on Amtrak isn’t super reliable, and it looks like they might be right.

Food, Drinks, and the Cafe Car

Let me just start off this section by saying that the cafe car on my train was not really what I envisioned. I pictured a dining car with booths where passengers could sit, relax, and enjoy the view while sipping on a beverage or eating a meal. Instead, it looked like this:

While the cafe car technically did have seats, most were occupied with boxes. They also awkwardly faced inward, instead of forwards or backwards like the rest of the seats on the upper level. There were no tables here either, whereas the regular seats up above did at least have tray tables. With that in mind, I always brought whatever I purchased back up to my seat.

The cafe is located on the lower level of one of the train cars. They serve a variety of food, drinks, and snacks, including beer, wine, bottled water, chips, coffee, and much more. (As far as I could tell, there was no free water fountain with potable water on the train, so I would recommend bringing some if you’re not interested in purchasing water bottles onboard.) Below are some notes on the beverages I tried:

Bottled water: standard
Coffee: served extremely hot. I was worried I would burn myself if it spilled even a little bit.
Wine: decent but nothing special
Beer: a highlight of the trip! I loved that they serve Elysian Brewing’s Space Dust IPA. This was one of my favorite beers back in college, and I’ve never been able to find it anywhere in Chicago.

I paid for all my food and drink on the train with card, but I believe cash is also accepted. In terms of meals, I tried one cold deli sandwich and one burger. The former was definitely better than the latter. The burger was warmed up in a microwave, and I was worried it might have some cold spots in the middle. Luckily, it was very hot (maybe a little too hot, honestly), but in terms of flavor and texture, it was on par with a school cafeteria burger….

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the views scenic?

This is obviously a subjective question, but I personally spent a big portion of my time on the train staring out the window. The main landscape you’ll see is classic Midwest farmland, but with stops in towns and cities at least once an hour, views are never static.

Two scenic highlights of this route are starting (or ending) in Chicago, and passing through downtown Milwaukee.

According to one conductor on the train intercom, the most scenic portion of the Borealis is the stretch that runs alongside the Mississippi River between La Crosse, WI and Saint Paul, MN. One side of the train offers better views than the other during this portion of the journey. Read on to learn more!

Which side of the train offers better views?

Throughout most of the ride, the views from both sides of the train are similar. However, there are a few portions of the journey where you may want to find a seat on the left or right side of the train car if possible.

Near Chicago

Passengers departing from Chicago Union Station will be treated to better views of the iconic skyline from the right side of the train in the direction of travel (half of the seats in each car face backwards). Before departing, it can be difficult to tell which way the train is going to move in, so ask a staff member if needed. People who are prone to motion sickness may also want to ask in order to try and find a seat that faces forward. I do get carsick occasionally, but I didn’t find the Amtrak to be rough or shaky. However, sitting backwards can still be disorienting.

Near Milwaukee

If you’re approaching Milwaukee Intermodal Station from the south, better views will be on the right side of the train in the direction of travel. From this side, you’ll be able to see Lake Michigan and the Milwaukee skyline.

Along the Mississippi River

Between La Crosse, WI and Saint Paul, MN, the Amtrak Borealis runs alongside the western bank of the Mississippi River. If you’re headed north, that means you’ll want to be on the right side of the train in the direction of travel. If you’re headed south, try to find a seat on the left side of the train car in the direction of travel.

How does luggage work?

Because I went to Minneapolis for a long weekend, I only brought a backpack and a gym bag (duffle bag). There is space for personal belongings above the seats on the upper level of the Superliner cars. My gym bag filled with clothes fit there without any issue, as did my backpack. On the lower level of each car was a storage spot for larger pieces of luggage.

According to current Amtrak policy, you can bring one “personal item” and two “carry-on items.” For definitions of each, see their website. For checked baggage, see their general baggage policy. I essentially brought one personal item (my backpack) and one carry-on item (my gym bag), so I didn’t have to check anything. As such, I can’t speak to what that procedure is like. Remember that if you plan to check luggage, they advise arriving to the station one hour before scheduled departure.

How does the Amtrak Borealis compare to flying?

The Amtrak Borealis is in no way quicker than flying direct between Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport. The Borealis essentially takes an entire day, whereas flying takes about 90 minutes (plus the time it takes to get to and from airports, etc). With that said, I feel like Amtrak is a much more enjoyable and relaxing experience than flying.

Because there is much more legroom on the train than on a plane, a seven-hour journey on Amtrak is significantly less tiring than a seven-hour flight. You can easily get up and stretch whenever you need to without potentially inconveniencing or waking up someone else. There is cell service throughout this route. The Amtrak coach seats are similar to business or first class seats on a plane (although they don’t lay flat, and the Borealis doesn’t offer sleeping cars or private rooms).

I’ve personally come to dislike flying more and more with each passing year. So often, it’s a really uncomfortable and unpleasant experience for me. So maybe I’m biased, but I personally love that Amtrak offers this alternative between Chicago and MSP. In terms of cost, my round-trip was $103. Just like airlines, Amtrak pricing depends on time and day, so check both options if you’re looking for the best deal possible.

How full was the train?

I traveled to the Twin Cities on a Saturday and returned to Chicago on a Tuesday. As you’d probably expect, the train was fuller on the weekend than on a weekday. However, capacity varied between the different stops along the route. For example, the Borealis from Saint Paul to Chicago on Tuesday was mostly empty until we reached Milwaukee. From Milwaukee to Chicago, the train was basically completely full.

With that said, I don’t think Amtrak ever overbooks their trains. In other words, you should be guaranteed a seat, but you may not get your pick of window or aisle, and you may have to sit next to a stranger.

Final Tips

Eat a full meal before taking the Borealis.

With a total travel time of over seven hours, I highly recommend eating a meal before getting on the Borealis in either direction. In Chicago, Union Station has a food court. I purchased a big slice of pizza and a side of pasta at the Sbarro there. Prices at the food court are relatively reasonable (especially compared to airport food courts), and there are lots of other restaurants within a block or two of Union Station.

In Saint Paul, Union Depot has one main restaurant called 1881 Eating House. It was open for dinner on the evening I arrived in Minnesota, but wasn’t open on the morning I returned to Chicago. Luckily, the Borealis’s 11:50 a.m. departure out of Saint Paul gave me ample time to enjoy a very hearty breakfast in Minneapolis before taking the METRO Green Line to Union Depot.

Bring your own snacks.

Although the cafe car offers decent snacks, and they’re not outrageously expensive, it is still more economical to bring your own food. Furthermore, the snacks offered there are mostly packaged and processed. I brought some bananas and oranges, which helped balance out some of the junk food I bought at the cafe. Note that the cafe doesn’t offer microwaves for food brought from home.

Sit in the car that Amtrak staff directs you to.

Conductors on the train will likely make this suggestion over the intercom multiple times throughout your journey. That’s because the doors on certain cars may not open depending on the stop. When you get on the train, Amtrak staff should ask you where your final destination is, and they will direct you to the appropriate train car based on what you tell them.

Now, you aren’t forced to stay in any car (they’re all connected via gangways on the upper level). You can also get off at an earlier stop than your ticket indicates if, for example, your plans change. Announcements about which doors will open are made before each stop, but ask an employee if you’re not 100% sure. Stops may only last for 30 seconds or a minute, which is not enough time to switch cars if you accidentally wait in front of a door that doesn’t open.

All Aboard the Borealis!

If you consider yourself an enjoyer of trains in any capacity, I highly recommend trying the Amtrak Borealis to get between Chicago and the Twin Cities in Minnesota. Even though a one-way journey does take an entire day, the experience is worth it (at least in my opinion).

Are you booked on an upcoming run of this Amtrak route? Have you taken it before? Leave a comment below to let me know! I’m curious to know if other passengers had a smooth experience like I did, or if you may have been delayed or had other issues. Thanks for reading Caffeinated Excursions!

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This post was published on Apr 27, 2025

This blog post was proudly created without the use of generative AI. It was 100% written and edited by a human, for humans. Enjoy, and thanks for your support!

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The post Amtrak Borealis Review: Round Trip From Chicago To Minneapolis St. Paul appeared first on Caffeinated Excursions.

Get To Know The Washington, D.C. Metro Area: Neighborhoods And Food Scenes

Kevin | Caffeinated Excursions — Sun, 04 Aug 2024 17:00:00 +0000

Get To Know The Washington, D.C. Metro Area: Neighborhoods And Food Scenes

Published August 4, 2024

This blog post was proudly created without the use of generative AI. It was 100% written and edited by a human, for humans. Enjoy, and thanks for your support!

Welcome to my first blog post featuring Washington, D.C. and its surrounding suburbs! I’ve been to the nation’s capital at least four or five times since I was a kid, and there is always something new to discover there. This time, I met up with my friend Ismael to explore some neighborhoods I had never been to, as well as try some excellent restaurants!

The main focus of this trip wasn’t landmarks, monuments, or museums. I feel like I’ve seen enough of those on previous trips to Washington. This time, I went with the intention to wander a little more spontaneously. It definitely worked out! Below are some of the neighborhoods we walked around, plus cuisines we sampled. To skip down to any particular section, click or tap the corresponding link below!

Neighborhoods We Explored
Food We Tried

Neighborhoods We Explored

On this trip, Ismael and I spent most of our time exploring NoVA (Northern Virginia) and D.C. beyond its downtown core. Here are the neighborhoods I found most noteworthy!

Old Town, Alexandria, VA

Alexandria is one of two major D.C. suburbs on the Virginia side of the Potomac River (the other being Arlington). Alexandria’s historic center is known as Old Town, and it’s directly across the river from Washington’s southernmost point. This district is quaint, walkable, and inviting!

My favorite thing about Old Town is its architecture. According to the city’s tourism website, “Georgian and Federal period architecture” are prominent. As a novice, I would say most of Old Town is colonial, but I don’t know if that’s the most accurate term. Regardless, I loved seeing the rows of townhouses with their pastel colors and uniform windows!

Old Town Waterfront

Because Old Town is situated on the west bank of the Potomac River, it has a lovely waterfront and harbor area. Here you’ll find parks, restaurants and bars, patios, walking trails, and much more. A visit to Old Town isn’t complete without a leisurely stroll down the public promenade on the river!

Pictured below is an art installation on the river walk reminiscent of a smoking meteorite. I’m not sure if this piece is permanent or temporary, but it was one of the many intriguing attractions we encountered in this area.

We also walked south along the river all the way to Jones Point Park. On the way, we passed by some picturesque residences. At the far end of the park, we checked out the Jones Point Lighthouse, a historic structure dating all the way back to the 1850s.

Torpedo Factory Art Center

Address: 105 N Union St, Alexandria, VA 22314
Website: https://torpedofactory.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/torpedofactory/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/torpedofactory/

This large, industrial building is the focal point of Old Town’s waterfront. At first, we weren’t sure what it was, but I’m glad we stepped in to find out! Torpedo Factory Art Center is free to enter, and it houses over one hundred artists’ studios. You can browse as if it were a museum, or you can purchase works that you want to bring home.

There is so much to see at Torpedo Factory Art Center that we spent at least an hour here. As you explore the various levels of the building, you will also see artists working in real time, which is part of why this is such a unique venue. Don’t miss it!

Georgetown, Washington, D.C.

In addition to Old Town, another beautiful neighborhood to check out is Georgetown. Located directly west of Downtown D.C., Georgetown is easy to get to. Nonetheless, it feels like its own little village or town center. This is reason enough to spend a morning or afternoon here!

Georgetown Waterfront

Georgetown is situated on the eastern bank of the Potomac River. We walked all the way from the Embassy of Iceland to the Francis Scott Key Bridge, and the public paths here offer an abundance of scenic views.

Across the Potomac from Georgetown is the neighborhood of Rosslyn in Arlington, VA. It has a decently picturesque, modern skyline. For this reason, I find the riverfront views in Georgetown to be slightly nicer than the ones in Old Town.

Georgetown University

Address: 3700 O St NW, Washington, DC 20057
Website: https://www.georgetown.edu/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgetownuniv/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/georgetownuniversity/

When we decided to visit this neighborhood, I knew right away that I wanted to see the university campus that shares the same name. For some reason, I always love to visit college campuses when I travel. Georgetown University did not disappoint!

Georgetown University is architecturally stunning, centered around Healy Hall, pictured in the two images above. According to Wikipedia, this building falls into the categories of “Neo-Romanesque and High Victorian Gothic.” It almost looks like a cathedral, and Georgetown is indeed a Catholic Jesuit university.

We wandered into Healy Hall, and the interior was just as ornate as the exterior. While we were here, I also got to peek through the door of the Riggs Library, which is famous for its cast iron railings and open, multi-floor design. Unfortunately, it was not open when we were visiting.

Other buildings on the Georgetown University grounds are worth seeing, but none are as grand as Healy Hall. The campus is relatively compact, so it didn’t take too long to explore the entire thing.

M Street Northwest & Wisconsin Avenue Northwest

These two streets are Georgetown’s busiest thoroughfares. M Street Northwest runs east to west, and seems to be a hub for shopping and retail. Wisconsin Avenue Northwest runs southeast to northwest, and it has a few more restaurant and bar options than M Street. Both M Street and Wisconsin Avenue are lined with colorful storefronts and boutique shops.

National Mall, Washington, D.C.

While D.C.’s National Mall isn’t really a neighborhood, I’ve included it here because we strolled around here multiple days in a row. The National Mall refers to a giant park that houses many of Washington’s most famous landmarks. Even though I no longer feel the need to visit museums when I’m in D.C., I always end up walking through the Mall. There’s definitely an element of nostalgic charm here because I’ve been back to the National Mall on all my visits to Washington.

Lincoln Memorial

At the time of writing (summer 2024), the Lincoln Memorial is under renovation. Despite this, it was still open to the public; its front side just wasn’t as pretty as it usually is. We stepped inside for a few minutes to admire the statue of Abe Lincoln in his chair before continuing our evening walk.

Washington Monument

This iconic obelisk sits at the center of the National Mall. Directly west is the Lincoln Memorial; directly north is the White House. To the east is the United States Capitol. Because the Washington Monument is surrounded by open, grassy fields, there’s always a bunch of people nearby playing frisbee, having picnics, or just hanging out.

World War II Memorial

The World War II Memorial is between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, at the eastern end of the Reflecting Pool. There’s a beautiful fountain in the center that’s surrounded by pillars engraved with the names of states and territories.

Other Things to See

Beyond the monuments listed above, there are so many attractions in and around the National Mall. We never walked all the way over to the Capitol Building, but we got close enough to see it in the distance. If you’re planning on visiting D.C. for the first time, I highly recommend scheduling an entire day to explore everything the Mall has to offer, including at least one or two Smithsonian museums. Admission is free!

National Harbor, MD

During this visit, Ismael and I only crossed into Maryland once. We briefly explored National Harbor, which is right across the Potomac from Old Town in Alexandria. National Harbor looks like it was developed and built relatively recently. The area has lots of street art, a Ferris wheel, a pier, and a variety of restaurants. The restaurants generally seemed to be chains, so we didn’t feel like we needed to eat a meal here.

Food We Tried

One of the biggest reasons I visited the DMV (D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area) was to eat! Furthermore, I was determined to enjoy a wide range of cuisines on a budget. I think we succeeded in doing that! Especially in NoVA, it is pretty easy to find excellent food for reasonable prices. Keep reading to see which meals we enjoyed the most!

Burgers: 7th Street Burger

Address: 1424 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007
Website: https://7thstreetburger.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/7thstreetburger/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/7thstreetburgernyc/

This burger chain from New York just opened their first store in D.C., so we went for a casual, early dinner one night in Georgetown. The menu here is pretty small, and they really only offer a couple variations on burgers and fries. I ordered their standard cheeseburger and regular fries, and both were decent.

According to their online menu, these burgers are made with Martin’s potato buns. They were noticeably softer than your typical flour buns. The single cheeseburgers here are admittedly petite, so next time I would consider ordering a double.

Cocktails

On this trip I was feeling a little under the weather, so I ordered mocktails whenever we went out. Below are two bars we tried that had mocktail offerings.

Barmini by José Andrés

Address: 501 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
Website: https://www.minibarbyjoseandres.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barminibyJose/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barminibyjose/

José Andrés is an award-winning chef with a massive following and an impressive portfolio of restaurants and bars throughout the US. Ismael suggested we visit Barmini, and it was an excellent idea! I tried a couple different mocktails, including a “2 Stops to Montilla” and a “Ticket to Nowhere.” Despite being nonalcoholic, both drinks were phenomenal! I liked how the first one had some bitterness to it, and the second one was unapologetically spicy.

We also tried some wagyu tartare, pictured above. It was only a small bite’s worth of food for each of us, but it was incredibly tender. The “shiso leaf tempura” it was served on provided a slight crunch to offset the texture of the beef.

Alice Cocktail Bar

Address: 724 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314
Website: https://alicecocktailbar.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alice_cocktailbar/

As we were walking around Old Town, we happened to pass by Alice Cocktail Bar. Their colorful menu piqued our curiosity, so we stopped in for a round of drinks. The interior is cute, with lots of references to Alice in Wonderland. The cocktails we ordered were sweet and refreshing! We didn’t get any food here, but it looks like they offer Thai and other Asian plates.

Coffee

With a name like “Caffeinated Excursions,” you already know this blog is going to include some coffee recommendations! Read this section to see some of the places we tried in D.C. and Virginia.

Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co.

Address: 3400 Payne St, Falls Church, VA 22041 (There are also other locations around the US)
Website: https://www.qamariacoffee.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/qamariacoffee/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/qamariacoffee/

As a coffee enthusiast, I have to admit that I’m not as familiar with Yemeni coffee as I should be. Qamaria was an excellent introduction to it though! They have locations far and wide (I think they even have some near Chicago where I live). The address listed above is a food truck, and when we arrived, we ordered two Iced Qamaria Lattes. According to their online menu, these include espresso, milk, cardamom, cinnamon, and honey.

I normally order all my lattes with oat milk, but I found that dairy milk really worked with all the strong flavors present in this drink. We also tried a couple of pastries from Qamaria, which were rich and moist.

Gute Leute

Address: 800 N Glebe Rd Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gute_leute_usa/

I think most people would be intrigued by a Korean coffee shop with a German name. (Apparently it means “Good People.”) Gute Leute is indeed making waves on social media, especially for their coffee omakase experience (read more about what that is here or book the experience on OpenTable here).

We didn’t do the omakase experience, but we did go to Gute Leute one morning to try a few espresso drinks and some pastries. Everything was pretty sweet, and I’d say the espresso drinks were more interesting than the cakes, which were good but not especially memorable.

Misha's Coffee House

Address: 6 Prince St, Alexandria, VA 22314 and 917 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314 (we visited the Prince Street location)
Website: https://mishascoffee.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Mishas-Coffeehouse-and-Roaster/100067162970721/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mishas4coffee/

With two locations in Alexandria, Misha’s is a nice spot to visit if you’re spending the day in Old Town. Ismael and I ordered a few lattes and a slice of cake here. The chocolate layer cake was better than the flavored latte I got, which was just a little too sweet for my taste.

Cortado Cafe

Address: 4543 Duke St, Alexandria, VA 22304
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CortadoCafe.VA/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cortadocafeva/

This cute little spot with a multilingual coffee mural in its dining room was right up my alley! I ordered a cold drink with foam on top, and I appreciated how rich and smooth the coffee was. It also wasn’t too sweet, which is a major plus in my book.

Japanese: Daikaya Izakaya

Address: 705 6th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
Website: https://www.daikaya.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Daikaya/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daikaya_izakaya/

Izakaya refers to Japanese small plates, often served with alcohol. After exploring the National Mall one early evening, we walked to Daikaya Izakaya for dinner. I would say most of the items we ordered here were good, but not amazing. The best one without a doubt was their cold ramen, which I believe was a special that night. The savory broth had notes of both wasabi spice and a slightly sweet aftertaste, which really rounded out the soup’s overall flavor.

Daikaya is located in D.C.’s Chinatown, so after dinner, we walked around for a bit. I loved seeing the ornate “Friendship Archway” which is built over H Street NW.

Kenyan: Swahili Village Bar and Grill

Address: 1990 M St NW, Washington, DC 20036
Website: https://swahilivillages.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SwahiliVillageDC/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swahili_village_dc/

I’m so glad we found this fun spot south of Dupont Circle! We were looking for a sit-down place that stayed open late in D.C., and Swahili Village was one of the first results we found online. We started off with drinks and then ordered an appetizer sampler and a marinated goat plate to share.

For my main dish, I got goat stew with plantains and jollof rice. Ismael got one of the beef options (I forget exactly which one), also with rice and plantains. These entrees were very large portions, and everything was cooked to perfection! I’m a big fan of Caribbean-style goat stew; I’d say my dinner was pretty similar. The plantains here were also fantastic, and these meals came with a very generous portion of them!

Korean: K Market International in Annandale

Address: 4239 John Marr Dr, Annandale, VA 22003
Website: https://www.kmarketusa.com/

If you’re looking for Korean food, your best bet is to head to Annandale. Here you’ll find the DMV’s Koreatown. It’s further west than Arlington and Alexandria, but I’m glad we went the few extra miles to visit one day for lunch! After browsing a few options, we settled on the food court at K Market International. This Korean grocery store has multiple restaurant vendors and cafeteria-style seating. The stall we ordered from was called K STREET (K 분식).

For lunch, we got bulgogi tteokbokki, a cold ramen dish, and a kimbap roll. I found the ramen to be refreshing, and the kimbap was also very satisfying. If you’ve never had tteokbokki before, consider getting it in Annandale. It’s a very unique dish made of rice cakes in a spicy sauce. These long, cylindrical pieces of rice cake have a spongy texture. I’ll admit, a written description of it doesn’t really do it justice. However, I think most foodies would be pleasantly surprised by it!

Mediterranean: Agora DC

Address: 1527 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
Website: https://www.agorarestaurants.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AgoraDC/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agoradc/

Dinner at Agora DC was one of the most memorable meals of this trip! According to their website, this restaurant draws inspiration from a number of different cuisines, including those from Greece, Lebanon, and Turkey. Agora serves mainly small plates, so you’ll be able to try a wide variety of things here without getting uncomfortably full.

We started off with drinks, and I decided to try a non-alcoholic beer. I was pleasantly surprised by how similar the flavor was to regular beer. Ismael ordered a few cocktails that were light and refreshing.

Our first set of plates that came out included saganaki, taramosalata (cod roe mousse), and bread. Agora flames their saganaki tableside, which is always fun to watch!

Next, we got a sucuklu pide (flatbread with spicy Turkish beef sausage and mozzarella cheese). It was reminiscent of a pizza for sure, but the unique shape and lack of tomato sauce made this a uniquely satisfying finger food.

At the same time, manti (beef dumplings) arrived to the table. I was very curious what these would be like since many different cultures in Asia have their own version of this dish. The manti from Agora DC were small, almost like ravioli. They were also drizzled with garlic yogurt and tomato sauce. I’ve had Afghan-style manti before with a similar dip, as well as manti from Central Asia (which are typically larger and don’t come with sauce). Nonetheless, these Turkish manti were excellent!

Our final set of dishes included grilled octopus, grilled kalamar (calamari), and grilled chicken served on pita. The chicken was juicy and went so well with the toum (a Lebanese garlic sauce) it came with. The octopus and kalamar were both phenomenal. Despite similar textures, the dishes had very different flavor profiles. The squid was prepared with garlic, roasted peppers, ginger, olives, and lemon. It had a summery, citrusy flavor. Meanwhile, the octopus was served in slightly sweet, viscous sauce. I highly recommend ordering both!

To end the meal, we ordered a spicy tuna tartare. I have to admit, this was the one item here that missed the mark. It was just kind of bland. It was made with avocados, the texture of which didn’t really complement the fish. This tartare might’ve been better if it had a little more acidity, like a ceviche. Service was generally good throughout the meal, but it took a while to get our check. Despite these minor issues, Agora was a fun culinary experience that I won’t soon forget!

Mexican

On this trip, we tried two different Mexican eateries. Learn more about them below!

Taco Bamba

Locations: various (we went to the Shirlington one)
Website: https://www.tacobamba.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TacoBamba/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tacobamba/

Taco Bamba has locations around the DMV, plus a few in places like North Carolina and Tennessee. They offer an extensive menu of unique taco creations. We ordered about half a dozen, including their Small Biggie Smashburger, Spicy ‘Shroom, Taco Bamba (skirt steak and chorizo), Bird’s Hit (Peruvian chicken), and Blackfeesh (black tempura grouper with ink aioli). We also tried an order of Bamba Fries, which can be seen in the top right of the picture below.

All of these tacos were delicious, and I loved the variety and creativity. If you’re having trouble choosing, the signature Taco Bamba is a great place to start. The Small Biggie Smashburger really does taste like a burger on a soft taco tortilla, and I’d say it worked. Taco Bamba also has “tacos tradicionales” such as carne asada and al pastor for a slightly cheaper price than their original menu items like the ones listed above.

El Centro

Address: 1218 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007
Website: https://www.eatelcentro.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elcentrodc/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elcentrodc/

While we were walking around Georgetown, we stopped into this Mexican restaurant to cool down for a bit. We got a few drinks, and I ordered their happy hour nachos. It was a light snack that had bold flavors, thanks to the melted cheese, beans, and pickled veggies.

Peruvian: Super Pollo Charcoal Chicken

Address: 550 N Quincy St, Arlington, VA 22203

Before this trip, I was not aware that Peruvian rotisserie chicken was a local favorite in the D.C. metro area! There are many places to get it, but Ismael recommended trying Super Pollo in Arlington. They offer quarter-chicken combo plates with a choice of two sides, so I got fried rice and fries. When compared to regular American rotisserie chicken, I’d say this one had more spice and flavor. It was also very tender and juicy, so I can see why people in the DMV love this Peruvian dish!

Pizza: &pizza

Locations: various (we went to the D.C. Chinatown one)
Website: https://andpizza.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LikeAndPizza/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andpizza/

This fast casual pizza chain has locations as far north as New York and as far south as Virginia. I discovered &pizza many years ago on a previous trip to the East Coast. It’s sort of like Subway or Chipotle, but for pizza. By that I mean that they offer some set combo options, but you can customize your order however you like. If you’ve ever been to MOD Pizza or Blaze Pizza, you’ll find &pizza to be a similar concept.

The thing that sets &pizza apart from its competitors is the shape of their pies. They’re long and rounded; the crust is thin, but not paper thin. On this trip, we split a single pie with pepperoni, olives, and hot dog slices. This place is great for a late night snack!

Spanish: Barca Pier & Wine Bar

Address: 2 Pioneer Mill Way, Alexandria, VA 22314
Website: https://www.barcaalx.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barcaalx/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barca_alx/

If you’re craving tapas in Old Town, be sure to check out Barca! They have two locations next to one another: a wine bar (which includes an indoor, sit-down dining room) and a pier (semi-covered patio vibes on the water). Since the weather was good, we reserved a spot out on the pier.

We ordered a bunch of different plates, including calamari, scallops, bacon-wrapped dates, and a bread that I’m pretty sure came topped with a mushroom-based spread. I loved all of these plates, but their seafood should not be missed. Both the fried calamari and the scallops were mouthwatering, especially with the latter served over a succulent “piquillo romesco” pepper sauce.

Uyghur: Dolan Uyghur Restaurant

Address: 3518 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
Website: https://www.dolanuyghur.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dolandc/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dolan_dc/

I will never pass up the opportunity to enjoy Uyghur food, and that’s because it’s not super easy to find in the US! I’ve featured two Uyghur restaurants in Chicago on my blog so far (learn more about Café Alif in West Ridge and Faiza Chicago in North Park), so Dolan is my third!

Uyghur cuisine is rich and hearty, incorporating ingredients such as lamb, beef, tomatoes, cumin, and onion. If you visit Dolan, be ready for a savory feast! Try a couple appetizers and share main plates to get the full experience. To start, we ordered a kawa (veggie) samsa and a regular (beef) samsa, as well as a wood ear mushroom salad.

After enjoying our appetizers, we split three entrees: korma chop (fried noodles), arlash korma (stir-fried lamb and veggies), and a goshnan (beef and lamb meat pie). All three were phenomenal, but the noodles were probably my favorite. The arlash korma was almost like a stew, with cooked tomatoes that went so well with the lamb.

If you look at Dolan’s menu, you’ll notice that another very prominent offering is laghman. This thick hand-pulled noodle can be prepared in many ways (I think Dolan offers five or six different varieties). I didn’t order it here because I’ve already had it a few times in Chicago. With that said, the fried laghman (“boso laghman”) I’ve had at other Uyghur restaurants seemed pretty similar to the korma chop at Dolan.

Vietnamese

If you’re visiting the DMV in summer like I did, chances are it is hot and humid! There’s no better cuisine for the heat than Vietnamese, which is always fresh and healthy. Check out a few places to get it below.

Hoang Viet Restaurant in Eden Center

Address: 6795 Wilson Blvd #32, Falls Church, VA 22044

Eden Center is a massive Vietnamese marketplace with dozens of restaurants and stores. I had fun walking around and browsing all the food options, but I found the number of choices to be a little overwhelming. Ultimately, we picked one called Hoang Viet Restaurant, and it was pretty good.

I ordered bún chả, one of my favorite Vietnamese dishes. It’s made up of rice noodles, a ton of herbs and veggies, and a dipping sauce that contains grilled pork. This version from Hoang Viet Restaurant was a little different from the bún chả I’ve had from other places, but it was still very tasty! Ismael ordered a rice combo plate, and we shared some fried spring rolls as an appetizer. After eating, we continued to explore the many vendors at Eden Center.

Pho 75

Address: 1721 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22209

As a foodie, I am absolutely obsessed with phở! I will savor this Vietnamese noodle soup anywhere I can find it, regardless of time or place. With this in mind, we simply had to get lunch at Pho 75, one of the DMV’s most famous spots.

From the moment we stepped inside, it was clear that this bustling restaurant runs like a well-oiled machine. The dining room was at capacity the entire time we were eating, with a long line of people waiting to be seated. Even though they were packed, I’m pretty sure there was only one waiter for the whole dining room! Despite that, he clearly had his process down to a science. We didn’t have to wait long for our food to come out.

What sets excellent phở apart from merely good phở? I tend to think it’s the broth, as well as the meat. The broth here was delicious, and I’d say it leaned a little more towards the sour/acidic end of the scale. (Sometimes phở broth is more aromatic or fragrant, and sometimes the saltiness is the most prominent flavor.) The cuts of meat at Pho 75 were good quality, which is another important thing for me. A casual lunch here was one of the culinary highlights of my visit!

Conclusion

Washington, D.C. is perfect for a long weekend trip in summertime! The city has a very unique character, unlike any other part of the United States. From quaint neighborhoods to a truly global food scene, the DMV has it all. Even riding the city’s Metro is an experience, with its signature underground platforms like the one pictured below.

At the very end of my trip, as I was waiting to board my plane at Reagan National Airport, I was treated to one of the most vibrant rainbows I’ve ever seen! It was the perfect way to say farewell to our nation’s capital (until next time)!

Have you been to Washington or NoVA before? Have you tried any of the restaurants, bars, or cafes mentioned in this post? If you have, leave a comment below and let me know! Thanks for reading, and have fun in D.C. if you’re about to embark on a trip!

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This post was published on Aug 4, 2024

This blog post was proudly created without the use of generative AI. It was 100% written and edited by a human, for humans. Enjoy, and thanks for your support!

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The post Get To Know The Washington, D.C. Metro Area: Neighborhoods And Food Scenes appeared first on Caffeinated Excursions.

The Best Places To Eat, Drink, And Caffeinate In Portland, Maine

Kevin | Caffeinated Excursions — Sat, 13 Jul 2024 17:00:00 +0000

The Best Places To Eat, Drink, And Caffeinate In Portland, Maine

Published July 13, 2024
Last updated September 15, 2024

This blog post was proudly created without the use of generative AI. It was 100% written and edited by a human, for humans. Enjoy, and thanks for your support!

Are you planning a trip to Portland, Maine? If you are, I’m giving you one mission: eat a ton of excellent food! My friend Ismael and I (Kevin) recently spent a week in this beautiful city, which gave us the opportunity to try so many restaurants, bars, and cafes. Portland is increasingly known as a top culinary destination in New England. After you read this blog post, you’ll understand why!

Unsurprisingly, Portland’s food scene revolves around lobster and oysters. But there are lots of other equally enticing options, including Thai and Japanese cuisines, a vibrant craft beer scene, cute coffee shops, and much more. To skip down to any particular section of this post, click or tap the corresponding link below!

Eat
Drink
Coffee, Breakfast, & Pastries
Prices & Final Thoughts

Eat

I was impressed by the wide variety of dining choices that Portland had to offer, as well as the generally high quality of the food. This section features over a dozen different restaurants to consider during your trip!

Seafood

If you’re visiting Portland for its food scene, rest assured that fresh seafood is available around every corner. During our week here, Ismael and I enjoyed seafood for roughly half of our meals. Lobster is the most prominent offering, and oysters are a close second. Scallops, crab, fish, and clams are all common, too.

Becky's Diner

Address: 390 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://www.beckysdiner.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Beckys-Diner/100064605436897/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beckysdiner207/

Becky’s Diner is great because it’s located at the far (western) end of the waterfront. This sets it apart from many of the waterfront restaurants a few blocks to the east that explicitly cater to tourists. Becky’s Diner feels more local. It’s one of my top recommendations for lunch in Portland.

I walked by Becky’s Diner a few times during my stay in town. Each time, I saw a crowd of people waiting outside for a table. That’s usually a good sign! Upon arrival, we put our names on the list and were given a buzzer that would vibrate when our table was ready. Unfortunately, there’s not a lot to do nearby, so we meandered around the adjacent wharf for about twenty minutes.

Once we got seated, I started off with a local beer and a cup of coffee. I had to try the lobster roll here, and Ismael ordered the “Fried Fisherman’s Platter,” which had clams, haddock, scallops, and shrimp. The lobster roll came with a choice of mayo or melted butter, and I asked for both on the side. We also shared one blueberry pancake and one regular pancake.

During my week in Portland, I probably had about six or seven different iterations of lobster rolls. With that said, the sandwich from Becky’s Diner was one of my favorites. It had a lot of meat, and the butter and mayo on the side was a nice touch. Everything at this cozy, nostalgic diner tasted great. It’s no wonder they always seem to be at full capacity!

DiMillo's On The Water

Address: 25 Long Wharf, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://www.dimillos.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/portlandmainelobster/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dimillos/

If you’re walking along the waterfront in Old Port, it’s hard to miss the giant sign for DiMillo’s On The Water. I waited until the final day of my trip, but I made sure to try a meal here before flying home. The most notable thing about DiMillo’s is that it’s housed in a giant boat anchored at the end of Long Wharf. Whether you’re seated at the bar, in the dining room, or on the open-air patio, you really will feel like you’re on a ship (because you are). It’s definitely a cool atmosphere!

Since this was the end of my trip, I had already consumed a bunch of lobster. Therefore, I decided to mix things up and order a scallop roll at DiMillo’s On The Water. I have to admit, it wasn’t as good as any of the lobster rolls I had. The fried batter, melted cheese, and bacon bits all made it a heavy sandwich. However, I was pleasantly surprised that the flavor of the scallops wasn’t completely overpowered by all these other ingredients.

Even though I didn’t love this fried scallop roll, I’m glad I tried it. In addition to DiMillo’s unique atmosphere, the service here was exceptionally friendly. I’d gladly go back to this boat-turned-restaurant to try another lunch plate!

Eventide Oyster Co.

Address: 86 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://www.eventideoysterco.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EventideOysterCo/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eventideoysterco/

Seafood enthusiasts won’t want to miss Eventide Oyster Company. Just like Becky’s Diner, Eventide always seems to be busy. Ismael and I were able to find bar seating on their outdoor patio, where we split a dozen and a half oysters from various locations around Maine. Be sure to try their “ice” accoutrements. They add a splash of flavor, but still allow the essence of the raw oyster to shine through.

I’ve always enjoyed oysters, but I’ve never done a deep dive into their flavor profiles or subtle nuances. This trip to Portland allowed us to talk to servers and learn the basics, including here at Eventide. If you’re curious about oyster tasting, you can read more about that here. I tried a wide variety of oysters during this vacation, but I wasn’t really able to discern notes of cucumber, mushroom, mollusk, etc. Maybe I need more practice.

In addition to oysters, Eventide serves other seafood, such as a brown butter lobster roll (pictured above). We also tried scallops on the half shell, a round of dirty martinis, and some oyster shooters. With regard to that last item, I wasn’t sure if we should eat the oyster first and then drink the shot, or use the oyster as a “chaser.” I think we went with the latter option.

Portland Lobster Company

Address: 180 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://portlandlobstercompany.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PortlandLobsterCompany/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portlandlobstercompany/

Portland Lobster Company was the very first restaurant I went to after arriving in the city. Its outdoor patio on the waterfront served as the perfect place to try my very first lobster roll in Maine and get acquainted with other local menu offerings.

This lobster roll was a nice introduction to the sandwich, with the meat served chilled and brushed with sweet butter. The lobster came on a toasted roll that wasn’t as dense as the bread at Becky’s Diner. After trying a bunch of lobster rolls, the amount of meat in this one seemed to be on the smaller side. In Portland, this sandwich is usually sold at market price. At least in theory, you should be charged more for a sandwich that has more meat. I can’t say if that’s always true.

Portland Lobster Company was the only sit-down restaurant in town that I visited twice. The second time, I got their Sea Burger. The menu says the filling of this sandwich is a clam cake patty. It definitely tastes “ocean-y,” especially after being fried and served with tartar sauce. If you’ve already had your fill of lobster rolls, this burger is a nice alternative.

Scales

Address: 68 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://www.scalesrestaurant.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScalesSeafoodRestaurant/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scalesrestaurantportland/

Scales was probably the most upscale (get it?) seafood restaurant we tried in Portland. We didn’t make a reservation, but we found open seats at their bar. I really didn’t mind, because we got very attentive service from our bartender/server. One cool thing about dining here is that a big groove is carved right out of the bar top. If you order oysters, they’ll be shucked in front of you and served in this little divot! Table seating at Scales doesn’t appear to come with this little extra perk.

The oysters at Scales were delicious, and so were all the other appetizers we tried. Everything from the rolls to the grilled octopus was fabulous. Perhaps the best small plate we got was the tuna crudo from the raw bar. It was incredibly tender and the lemon aioli sauce it was served over was phenomenal. A bit of pickle garnish and fennel chili crisp sprinkled on top rounded out the texture of each bite as well.

After being wowed by the appetizers, we had high expectations for our main plates. I ordered the Fried Whole Fluke with mustard greens and scallion vinaigrette; Ismael got the Stuffed Lobster Frites (lobster & scallop mousseline, buttered crumbs, dijonnaise). Both entrées were okay, but not spectacular. I found the back side of my fluke to be a little too oily.

For dessert, we split an order of Indian Pudding, and I sipped on a Quinta do Noval Tawny Port. I had never heard of Indian Pudding before, and that’s probably because it’s a New England delicacy. I liked how it had a lot of spice and was sort of reminiscent of Thanksgiving.

To sum things up, the appetizers at Scales were much better than the main dishes. If I went back, I would order enough appetizers and items from the raw bar to make a full meal.

The Highroller Lobster Co.

Address: 104 Exchange St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://highrollerlobster.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehighrollerme/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/highrollerlobsterco/

Highroller is a diner that specializes in lobster and has a fitting, distinctive red-and-white checkerboard design scheme. You’ll find it on Exchange Street, which runs right through the heart of Old Port, the city’s historic waterfront district. The Highroller Lobster Co. fits right in among Exchange Street’s lively bars and colorful storefronts.

I like that Highroller offers a highly customizable lobster roll, with over a dozen sauces to choose from that you can have drizzled over the sandwich or on the side for dipping. Ismael opted to add seared scallops on his, and once I saw it, I sort of wished I had done the same. Even without the scallops, I found this lobster roll to be very satisfying.

My one small complaint about The Highroller Lobster Company was their mac and cheese. It sounded so creamy and delicious on their menu, but came out disappointingly bland.

Finally, we got a dozen oysters at Highroller. These were the first of many I enjoyed during this vacation, and they served as a great first impression!

The Shop by Island Creek Oysters

Address: 123 Washington Ave, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://portland.islandcreekoysters.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portlandoystershop/

As you can probably tell from the name, this modern-looking spot is basically just a raw bar. It’s part of the food corridor on Washington Avenue, an up-and-coming dining district that forms the boundary between the neighborhoods of Munjoy Hill and East Bayside. A lot of the restaurants and bars here have an industrial chic vibe. It’s a great place to walk around, especially if you’re hungry but feeling indecisive.

At this spot, we ordered a total of two dozen oysters, largely because they sell them for $1.95 per piece (as of summer 2024). We got a variety of oysters from different farms and locations, and I tried my best to taste the subtle differences. While you’re here, consider trying a few oysters without any sauce to see if you like them on their own. After a week of enjoying oysters across Portland, I think I prefer them this way!

Asian Cuisine

When it comes to international cuisines, Asian food seems pretty popular in this seaside town. Japanese and Thai restaurants are common in and around Old Port, so we tried a few of them.

Crispy Gài

Address: 90 Exchange St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://www.crispygai.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrispyGai/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crispygai/

I love when restaurants have creative names that incorporate a play on words, and Crispy Gài delivers in this regard! “Gài” (ไก่) is the Thai word for “chicken.” The thought of crispy, Thai-inspired fried chicken? Say no more. Crispy Gài also has a bright pink storefront and a neon color scheme. It’s very eye-catching and likely to pique the curiosity of any hungry passersby.

After being seated for lunch, we immediately ordered a dozen raw oysters. These were served with bits of fried onions and Thai dipping sauces. I will always give kudos for originality when it comes to oysters. With that said, extra ingredients and strong sauces run the risk of masking the oysters’ flavor. It’s a fine line! I would recommend only a tiny dollop of this green sauce on the oysters at Crispy Gài. Like many Thai sauces, this one was full-bodied.

Since Crispy Gài offers so many different flavors of wings, we shared two: the “Hat Yai Wings” (extra crispy wings with fried shallots) and the “Sichuan Wings” (Thai-Chinese style with numbing spice). I have always loved Sichuan cuisine, so I was very happy to taste legit numbing pepper here! If you love unapologetic spice, you won’t want to miss this Sichuan seasoning!

In addition to excellent wings, this restaurant offers a few different dipping sauces to choose from. I know we got the “NJS Ranch,” and I’m pretty sure we got the “Nam Jim Jaew,” a spicy fish sauce. The creaminess of the ranch paired well with the Sichuan pepper, and the Nam Jim Jaew was great with the Hat Yai Wings.

Pictured above is one small area for improvement, in my personal opinion. We ordered some Siu Mai Dumplings, but found them to be the least impressive part of this meal. Despite that, Crispy Gài was a fun and memorable dining experience! And oh, before I forget, the cocktails here are bold, creative, and delicious! I absolutely loved the “Same Same But Different” with rum and coconut milk!

Dok Mali

Address: 47 India St Suite B, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://www.dokmalimaine.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dokmalimaine/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dokmalimaine/

Dok Mali is the other Thai restaurant we tried in Portland. I would say it’s a little more traditional than Crispy Gài, but their menu still featured some unique creations. For example, their “Dumpling Flight” pictured below allowed us to try seven different varieties.

I also appreciated their lobster bao, which was a nice change of pace after trying multiple traditional lobster rolls. I believe this small plate was a special, but maybe they serve it periodically. We also ordered a grilled okra appetizer. It was crispy, split down the middle, and served on skewers.

For entrées, Ismael and I split a “Crying Tiger” and a “Nam Khao Tod.” The former was marinated ribeye, served with sticky rice and veggie skewers. The latter was crispy curry rice mixed with fresh herbs, ground pork and som moo, topped with roasted peanuts and served with lettuce. The ribeye was incredibly tender, and the Nam Khao Tod was sort of like a rice and salad dish.

In general, I found Dok Mali to serve light and refreshing Thai food. It was probably good for us to have a generous serving of fresh veggies here. The lobster bao and Crying Tiger were my highlights at Dok Mali. The Nam Khao Tod was fine, but it would’ve been a lot better if all that lettuce was coated in just the thinnest layer of some kind of light dressing.

Mami Japanese Street Food

Address: 339 Fore St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://mamiportland.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mamiportland/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamiportland/

In case you can’t already tell, our modus operandi for trying restaurants is to order a bunch (perhaps too many) appetizers. I love tasting as many different dishes as possible in one sitting. And I highly recommend you do the same at Mami Japanese Street Food! We ordered the following “zensai” or small plates: nikuman (bao buns), yaki onigiri (rice ball), sunomono (salad), age nasu (fried eggplant), and pork belly. All were excellent, but the onigiri and eggplant really stood out.

Main dishes at Mami include things like okonomiyaki, a katsu sando, yakisoba, and donburi rice bowls. I got a pork katsudon donburi, and it was as delicious as the appetizers. This was a restaurant where every bite surpassed my expectations and the food was perfectly cooked and seasoned. Don’t miss Mami, especially if you’re looking for something other than lobster or oysters.

Other Restaurants

Even if you’re not the biggest fan of seafood, or if you’ve had too much lobster and need a break, Portland has lots of other great options. Check some of them out below!

Duckfat

Address: 43 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://www.duckfat.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/duckfatmaine/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/df.friteshack/

This popular Belgian-inspired restaurant is located on the eastern edge of Old Port. They specialize in frites fried in duck fat, as well as poutine and other plates. The concept is definitely intriguing, pulling inspiration from Belgium, Amsterdam, and Quebec while incorporating local ingredients from Maine.

I found the poutine here to be good, but it would’ve been even better if the cheese curds were larger. Great cheese curds in poutine are large enough to “squeak” in your mouth as you bite down on them, and these were a little small.

Flatbread Company

Address: 72 Commercial St #5, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://flatbreadcompany.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flatbreadcompanyportland/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flatbreadcompanyportland/

When we decided to try Flatbread Company for our final dinner in Portland, I didn’t realize that it was a chain with locations in far-flung places like Vancouver, BC and Maui. I typically try to stick to local businesses when I travel, but occasionally I’ll end up at a chain without realizing it. Nonetheless, this restaurant originated in the Northeast (out of Amesbury, MA), and their second store is the one we ate at in Portland, ME.

We ordered two Half-N-Half flatbreads (which are basically pizzas). This allowed us to try a total of four flavors. If I remember correctly, we ordered Pepperoni & Mushroom, Street Taco, Pesto Margherita, and Sausage. All four were good, although I found the maple-fennel sausage to be a little too sweet for my liking. The Street Taco was probably the most interesting recipe, and the Pesto Margherita was my personal favorite.

For dessert, we tried the Strawberry Rhubarb Crispy and the Mamma Santos Chocolate Chip Banana Bread. Both were decent, but I’d say dessert here is not a must.

Fore Street Restaurant

Address: 288 Fore St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://www.forestreet.biz/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/288forestreet/

According to their website as of summer 2024, “Fore Street is part of a family of restaurants and bakeries that include Street & Company, Scales Restaurant and Standard Baking Company.” After trying both Fore Street and Scales, I have to say that Fore Street was much more impressive than its sister restaurant. They’re only a block or two away from one another, and if Scales focuses more on “surf,” then Fore Street seems to focus more on “turf.”

Fore Street Restaurant offers a menu that changes daily based on fresh ingredient availability, so it’s ideal for adventurous eaters that don’t mind a bit of spontaneity. We started off with wine and bread, then tried a variety of appetizers, including foie gras, calamari, veal, and scallops. Everything was rich and full of bold flavors!

For my main plate, I ordered a rabbit leg pasta. This was undoubtedly my favorite part of this dinner! The noodles it came with were almost reminiscent of ramen. The combination of the rabbit, cheese sprinkled on top, and a light broth tied this dish together perfectly, both in terms of flavor and texture.

By the time dessert came, I was completely stuffed. I don’t remember exactly what the pastry on this plate was, but I know it had rhubarb and a dollop of cardamom ice cream. Even on a very full stomach, this dessert was the perfect end to one of our best meals in Portland.

Hot Suppa

Address: 703 Congress St, Portland, ME 04102
Website: https://hotsuppa.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hotsuppamaine/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hotsuppamaine/

Finding this southern kitchen on the western side of town was a pleasant surprise. Since it’s not anywhere near Old Port, Hot Suppa was perhaps the least-touristy restaurant I dined at on this trip. Regardless of that, I loved the murals here that reminded me of New Orleans, the diner vibe, and the friendly service.

After browsing the menu, I decided to try the cheesy shrimp and grits, plus a side of fried green tomatoes. It was a great, indulgent breakfast, and I appreciated that the grits came with a pretty generous amount of shrimp.

Papi Portland

Address: 18 Exchange St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://www.papiportland.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PapiPortland/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/papiportland/

The festive vibe at this Puerto Rican bar and restaurant overflows onto the street, which is how Papi Portland first captured our attention while we were walking along Exchange Street. We stopped in for dinner the next day and were seated at the bar.

Right off the bat, we ordered a few cocktails, which were sweet and strong. Most libations here are rum-based, but Papi Portland also offers a wide variety of drinks that draw inspiration from all over Latin America. Their menu includes tequila, mezcal, and cachaça, among other liquors.

For dinner, we got a few beef empanadas and tostones al ajillo as starters. We also ordered all four of their dipping sauces to use throughout the meal. My entrée was the Pincho, which are marinated skirt steak skewers. Ismael got the Pernil (not pictured below), and we split a Canoa. This sweet plantain filled with chicken picadillo and cheese is pictured last in the gallery below.

All in all, both the drinks and the plates at Papi Portland were awesome. My steak skewers were juicy and tender, and the Canoa was a delicious dish I had never had before. I’ll be keeping an eye out for it the next time I’m at a Puerto Rican restaurant!

Terlingua

Address: 40 Washington Ave, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://www.terlingua.me/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/terlinguarestaurant/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terlinguabbq/

Terlingua is mentioned on many Portland restaurant guides online, and they specialize in an admittedly unexpected combo: Mexican food and BBQ. While we were here, I figured we should try both. We started out with chips and salsa, and I ordered a bloody maria.

A good way to try their BBQ is to get a lunch or dinner board. It comes with a variety of smoked meats and classic BBQ sides. Check out the lunch board we got, pictured below.

To try the Mexican food here, we ordered two chicken tacos and a green chili. I was expecting the BBQ at Terlingua to be the highlight and for the Mexican dishes to be less impressive, but it actually ended up being the opposite. The BBQ was only okay, but the tacos and chili were more worthy of praise. All of the meats on the BBQ lunch board were decent, but none of them really stood out as being especially juicy, tender, or seasoned. In contrast, I found the tacos and the chili to be very satisfying, boasting more complex flavors. The meat in these Mexican dishes was also more tender and succulent than the BBQ cuts.

The Grill Room & Bar

Address: 84 Exchange St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://thegrillroomandbar.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GrillRoomBar/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegrillroomportland/

This restaurant is one of a handful that all fall under the umbrella of “The Rooms Portland.” We were drawn in by their appetizers, which included things like bone marrow and escargot. We ordered both of these, plus their roasted local oysters, and a banh mi-style rabbit dish. I think this last one was a special, because I don’t see it listed on their website.

I had high hopes for all these plates, and some were better than others. The rabbit was probably my favorite, and the bone marrow came in second. The oysters were decent, but I think after trying them roasted, I prefer this delicacy raw. The appetizer that could’ve been improved was the escargot. It tasted like it was missing salt, and that’s not a critique you’re going to hear me make very often.

Even if the escargot wasn’t amazing, my main plate made up for it. I got the duck breast, and it was so good! Not only did it taste amazing with local mushrooms, but it was a very generous portion. It’s always a little disappointing to order duck and only be served like, five pieces. That was not an issue here at all! On top of that, the meat was cooked to perfection. I am a huge fan of duck when it’s prepared well, and The Grill Room did an excellent job with this plate.

Drink

Portland’s craft beer and cocktail scene is undoubtedly booming. We got drinks at most of the restaurants we tried, but here are three additional bars to consider if you’re still in need of ideas.

Anoche

Address: 43 Washington Ave, Portland, ME 04101
Website: http://anoche.co/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anoche.portland/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anoche.portland/

This Basque-inspired bar appeared on nearly every Portland food guide I saw, so I had to check it out. Anoche can be found on trendy Washington Avenue, across from Terlingua and a few blocks south of The Shop by Island Creek Oysters.

I’ve never been to Basque Country, but I’ve heard great things about the food scene there. With that in mind, I ordered a Spanish gin and tonic at Anoche. The one I got came with Bimini Gin, hibiscus, lime, cardamom, mint, and bee pollen. As far as G&Ts go, this one was definitely a little on the sweeter side, but it worked. The most unique ingredient by far was the bee pollen, which didn’t really dissolve in the drink due to its cakey yet still powdery texture. Unsurprisingly, it had a strong floral taste.

In addition to their alcoholic beverages, Anoche serves “pintxos,” or Basque small bites. I wanted to try one so badly, but with all the eating we were doing on this trip, I just wasn’t hungry enough to try one. If you order some food at Anoche, leave a comment at the end of this blog post and let me know how it is!

Novare Res Bier Cafe

Address: 4 Canal Plaza #1, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://novareresbiercafe.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NovareResBierCafe/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/novareresbiercafe/

I’m a language lover, so I was very curious about this bar’s unusual name. Apparently, “novare res” means “to start a revolution” in Latin. Novare Res is sort of tucked away on Canal Plaza, and sipping a beer here feels like being transported to Europe. Their spacious, covered biergarten is quintessential summer!

Novare Res Bier Cafe has a draft list with a mix of local Maine beers as well as offerings from Belgium, Germany, and other countries in Europe. For my first glass, I tried a local Liquid Riot (it might’ve been the Persuasion?), and for my second one, I tried the De Ranke XX Bitter. This 6% ABV Belgian beer was very unusual, in a good way! It was hoppy for sure, but was much lighter than I expected.

Portland Beer Hub

Address: 320 Fore St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://www.portlandbeerhub.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PortlandBeerHub/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portlandbeerhub/

Portland Beer Hub is a cozy little spot on the corner of Fore Street and Pearl Street. Its bright interior and picturesque location almost make it feel more like a coffee shop than a bar. I got a flight of Maine beers here. They were all pretty light and refreshing!

Coffee, Breakfast, & Pastries

Before even trying any of Portland’s cafes, I could tell that this was a coffee-lover’s town. With that said, I visited a new cafe or pastry shop for breakfast each morning of this trip. They all had unique concepts, and each one offered smooth, rich coffee and delicious breakfast options.

Belleville

Address: 1 North St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://www.blvl.me/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bellevillemaine/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blvlme/

Ismael and I only stopped here for pastries, so I can’t comment on the coffee at Belleville. We bought a few strawberry and rhubarb-based treats, and they were as delicious as they look! The tartness and sweetness were perfectly balanced. Belleville also sells a variety of savory pastries. If we had an extra day in town, I would’ve probably gone back to try one or two of those.

Bom Dia Cafe

Address: 47 India St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://www.bomdiame.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bomdiame/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bom.dia_me/

If you’ve browsed around my blog, then you probably know that I lived in Brazil for over a year. When I saw Bom Dia Cafe, I simply had to stop in. “Bom dia” means “good morning” in Portuguese, so I figured this was a Brazil-inspired spot.

The vibe and color scheme in Bom Dia is absolutely on point. In particular, I loved the counter made out of white cinder blocks. Bom Dia Cafe sells coffee, açaí bowls, bagels, and more. If you’re in need of a fruit boost at the beginning of your day in Portland, look no further than the açaí! They offer tons of add-ons, including berries, bananas, granola, chocolate, and peanut butter sauce.

Coffee By Design

Address: 1 Diamond St, Portland, ME 04101 (I visited a branch on India Street location, which permanently closed in August 2024)
Website: https://coffeebydesign.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coffeebydesign/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coffeebydesign/

Coffee By Design is a traditional coffee shop that prides itself as being a community hub. Local artists’ work was displayed on the walls, which was a nice touch. I enjoyed sitting by the windows, watching pedestrians and traffic go by, and sipping on an iced coffee at this wholesome spot.

Coffee ME Up

Address: 221 Cumberland Ave, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://coffeemeupportland.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Coffee-ME-Up/100063279081841/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coffeemeupportland/

You’ll find this bustling cafe a few blocks inland from Old Port (walk up either Franklin Street or Pearl Street from the waterfront). I ordered a caramel iced latte with oat milk and a bagel with chive cream cheese from Coffee ME Up. The beverage was good, but the toasted bagel was phenomenal! I’d highly recommend both a coffee and a breakfast item here.

Double Great Coffee

Address: 100 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://www.doublegreatcoffee.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Double-Great-Coffee/61559793375261/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doublegreatcoffee/

If you’re staying in or around Munjoy Hill, Double Great Coffee is an ideal place to get your caffeine fix. The interior is bright and modern, and the dining area is a comfortable place to relax. This might’ve been the only place I ordered a hot latte on this trip, but it was smooth and delicious!

Moonday Coffee

Address: 93 Washington Ave Unit 1, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://www.moondaycoffee.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moondaycoffee/

If you love small businesses, consider getting your morning coffee at Moonday on Washington Avenue. The store itself is physically small, with no space for indoor seating. However, there are a couple tables on a small patio directly outside. Despite (or perhaps because of) Moonday Coffee’s cozy setup, there’s no shortage of charm here. In fact, they even sell jewelry here! I got an iced maple latte with oat milk, a refreshing coffee treat that wasn’t overly sweet.

The Holy Donut

Locations: multiple (I visited the Commercial Street location)
Website: https://www.theholydonut.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theholydonut/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holydonutmaine/

This donut and coffee shop has about half a dozen different locations, and they’re all in Maine. They sell “potato donuts,” which I found noteworthy right off the bat. I ordered one vegan pomegranate donut, an “Everything Bagel Holy Cannoli,” and a cold brew.

I will say, I couldn’t really taste the potato. Regardless, I liked the coffee here and the pomegranate donut. In contrast, the Everything Bagel Holy Cannoli really missed the mark. The cashier told me it was sweet and savory, and it looks interesting. But I found the everything bagel seasoning to be extremely salty, to the point that I couldn’t finish it. I would say stick with the sweet flavored donuts here, and you should be good.

Prices & Final Thoughts

I’m hoping this blog post has convinced you that Portland’s food scene is one of the city’s best features! There are so many great options no matter what types of cuisines you prefer. Now, the only caveat I’ll mention is that restaurants in the city are pretty pricey. I live in Chicago, and dining out in Portland was much more expensive than at home. I haven’t traveled much within New England (or even on the East Coast) in the last few years, so I’m not sure if that’s true for the entire region or not.

For what it’s worth, Ismael (who lives in the DMV) agreed that restaurants in Portland were expensive. I’m sure a major factor is the seafood. For example, all the lobster rolls I had were between $30 and $40 before tax and tip. However, it seemed like some non-seafood restaurants in town cost just as much as the touristy spots on the waterfront. Maybe they simply charged more, knowing that many patrons would be tourists.

If you’re planning on ordering drinks, appetizers, and/or desserts in addition to main dishes, budget between $50 and $100 per person for lunch. Most of our dinners ended up being between $100 and $150 per person after tax and tip. I know… it’s a lot. You could definitely bring those numbers down if you’re willing to just order main plates.

Have you been to any of the restaurants mentioned in this post? Are you planning a trip to Portland, ME soon? Or do you have any favorites in town that I missed on my trip? Leave a comment below and let me know! If you’re headed to Maine, enjoy the gorgeous scenery, and bon appétit!

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This post was published on July 13, 2024
This post was updated on Sept 15, 2024

This blog post was proudly created without the use of generative AI. It was 100% written and edited by a human, for humans. Enjoy, and thanks for your support!

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The post The Best Places To Eat, Drink, And Caffeinate In Portland, Maine appeared first on Caffeinated Excursions.

A Virgin Voyages Cruise Review: Riviera Maya (Miami To Cozumel And Bimini)

Kevin | Caffeinated Excursions — Sat, 18 May 2024 17:00:00 +0000

A Virgin Voyages Cruise Review:
Riviera Maya (Miami To Cozumel & Bimini)

A Virgin Voyages Cruise Review: Riviera Maya (Miami To Cozumel And Bimini)

Published May 18, 2024

My friend Ismael and I recently booked a five-night cruise on Virgin Voyages out of Miami. Since this was our very first ocean cruise, neither of us knew exactly what to expect. But once we boarded the Scarlet Lady, saw our cabin, and had our first drink, we knew it would be an amazing time! From start to finish, Virgin Voyages’ Riviera Maya cruise was an absolute blast!

My review of this cruise is broken down into the following topics. To skip down to anything that interests you, click or tap the corresponding link below!

Why Did We Choose Virgin Voyages?
The Cruise Itinerary
Food & Restaurants on the Ship
All About the Scarlet Lady
Final Verdict on Virgin Voyages Riviera Maya Cruise

Why Did We Choose Virgin Voyages?

We took this cruise at the end of March, which coincided with my spring break. I work in education, so I didn’t have a ton of flexibility with my time off. With that in mind, we basically had two cruise options: this one with Virgin Voyages (VV), or a Royal Caribbean cruise leaving Port Canaveral that went to CocoCay and Nassau in The Bahamas.

A couple of logistical details pushed us towards VV. First and foremost, the Riviera Maya cruise was one night longer than the Royal Caribbean one. In addition, neither of us had been to Cozumel or Bimini, but I had been to Nassau before. Finally, the VV cruise visited two countries, while the Royal Caribbean cruise only visited one. All of these factors convinced us to go with Virgin.

On top of that, Virgin Voyages is a newer company that markets itself as an innovator in the cruise industry. Eventually, I do want to try (and blog about) cruising with one of the big three cruise lines. However, Virgin Voyages seemed like a good fit for us this time.

Ismael and I are both avid travelers who lean towards off-the-beaten-path destinations. We also love amazing food from all over the world! Virgin generally gets high marks for cuisine offerings on board, so that enticed us as well. As a brand, VV seemed more aligned with our style of travel than Royal Caribbean.

What’s important to know about Virgin Voyages? First and foremost, their cruises are only for adults. As such, there are no venues or amenities on board the ship aimed at kids. Secondly, almost all food is included in the voyage cost. Finally, there are no gratuities that you are required to pay on board.

Beyond that, we were impressed by the stylish spaces on the Scarlet Lady. Each restaurant, bar, and entertainment venue was beautifully designed. It made exploring the ship so much fun!

The Cruise Itinerary

Below, you’ll find the daily itinerary for Virgin Voyages’ Riviera Maya cruise. It includes information about the port stops, “Shore Things” (excursions), and what we did during our days at sea.

Day 1: Boarding in Miami

The first day of our cruise was all about checking in on the Scarlet Lady and getting settled. I flew from Chicago to Miami the night before embarkation, and we stayed at a budget hotel by the airport. The next morning, we woke up, did some last-minute shopping, and got lunch at a Peruvian restaurant. After that, we took an Uber to Port of Miami.

To board a Virgin Voyages cruise leaving out of Miami, passengers have to head to Terminal V (located here). Setting this as the destination for our Uber worked for us; we were dropped off in the right place.

Our designated check-in time was 4:30 pm, and Virgin requests that Sailors (their term for passengers) don’t arrive early to avoid crowding. To be honest, we disobeyed and arrived around 3:00 pm. That’s because I can’t stand the stress of running late! On top of that, we weren’t familiar with the layout of the cruise terminal, nor did we know how long the check-in process would take. I figured at worst, we might have to hang out and wait for an hour or so.

Luckily, staff at the terminal let us check in about an hour early. I think their advice not to arrive before your designated time is meant for folks who plan to show up, like, six hours before their assigned embarkation slot.

Checking in was straightforward. It took about fifteen minutes for the two of us. Terminal V is also a gorgeous, spacious building! It made a very positive first impression on me and served as a preview of Virgin Voyages’ focus on beautiful design.

Stepping foot onto the Scarlet Lady was such a cool experience for me as a first-time ocean cruiser! There are so many bright, modern spaces on board, and the boat felt larger than life. Keep in mind, the Scarlet Lady has a capacity of 2,770 passengers, making it a very average-sized cruise ship. But to me, it still felt absolutely massive, especially on the first day of our trip!

We found our cabin, dropped off our belongings, then headed to the top deck for some champagne during the ship’s sail away party. The open-air deck is one of my favorite parts of the Scarlet Lady! It was an excellent place to relax, sip our drinks, and enjoy the views of the Miami skyline before dinner.

After dinner, we attended a drag show, got a midnight snack at the ship’s pizzeria, walked around the top deck, and finally called it a night. If you’re curious about food on the ship or the ship’s entertainment offerings, click the corresponding link to skip down to those sections of this post!

Day 2: At Sea

The second day of this cruise was entirely at sea. We spent hours exploring the ship, eating, drinking, lounging at the pool, and hanging out! Throughout Days 1 and 2, the Scarlet Lady sailed away from Miami, alongside the Florida Keys, and then alongside Cuba as it made its way towards Cozumel in Mexico. For a few hours in the afternoon, we were actually close enough to Cuba to see the island off in the distance.

During our days at sea, we participated in a number of organized events and activities. For example, we took part in things like coffee tastings, bracelet making, a cocktail mixing competition, and more. Some of these activities were free, and others required us to pay extra to participate. Some required reservations on the Virgin Voyages app, and others were first come first served.

Since these activities (or at least, other similar ones) should be offered on every Virgin Voyages cruise, I won’t be detailing all of them here. If you want to learn more about the ship and its offerings, skip down to that section of this post below!

Day 3: Cozumel, Mexico

On the morning of our voyage’s third day, we docked in Cozumel. This Mexican island is part of the state of Quintana Roo. This state is home to famous tourist destinations such as Cancún, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum. By the way, the name “Riviera Maya” refers to Mexico’s Caribbean coastline between Puerto Morelos and Punta Allen (plus the island of Cozumel).

Before disembarking the Scarlet Lady, I went up to the top deck to check the weather, and unfortunately, skies were completely overcast. This would last the entire day, but at least it wasn’t chilly. In fact, even with cloudy skies, Cozumel was noticeably hotter and more humid than Miami and the Caribbean Sea during Days 1 and 2.

Virgin Voyages uses the Punta Langosta Cruise Terminal (at least, they did on our sailing). The island has between three and five main piers depending on what source you’re looking at, and Punta Langosta is right in the center of San Miguel de Cozumel, the island’s main city.

A Review of Our Sailing and Snorkeling Excursions

We booked a Shore Thing in Cozumel about four months before the cruise, which meant we had a planned outing for Day 3. It was called “Sail, Snorkel, & Hidden Beach Escape” and cost $120 per person. This excursion included a catamaran ride to a snorkeling spot, followed by a visit to a private beach club near San José.

Checking in for our Shore Thing was easy, and it didn’t require us to leave the Punta Langosta pier. We were grouped together with people from other cruises on the catamaran. After everyone found a spot to sit, we took off. Our captain navigated around the Scarlet Lady, which provided an awesome 360-degree view of the ship.

As we approached our snorkeling stop, Ismael got his gear on and prepared to dive into the water. I decided to just hang out on the catamaran and try to get some pictures. Unfortunately, with the weather still pretty grey, the Caribbean waters here weren’t particularly impressive.

Ismael said the snorkeling was fine, and some fish were visible. However, it wasn’t the best snorkeling he’s ever done. The captains also warned all of us that you need to be a decent swimmer to participate. In spite of that, some people jumped in and basically needed to be rescued right away. Everyone is required to wear a life vest, but don’t try to snorkel here if you can’t at least tread water!

One of my biggest complaints about this Shore Thing is that the drinks sucked. The description provided by Virgin Voyages says adult beverages are included in the price. The catamaran had unlimited beer and margaritas, but both of those drinks deserve very emphatic air quotes around them. The so-called margarita was extremely watered down; it tasted like lemonade. I don’t even think it had the slightest hint of tequila in it, to be honest.

The beer was better than the margarita, but that’s not saying much. It was either the lightest beer I’ve ever tasted, or it was diluted with carbonated water. Now, I understand where they’re coming from: the tour company doesn’t want passengers to become extremely drunk or unruly during the excursion. However, I’d much rather have a two- or three-drink limit on real margaritas and bottled beer versus an unlimited supply of very low quality drinks.

With the snorkeling portion of our excursion complete, we sailed for a little longer and then anchored at the private beach club. This area was decent, but not spectacular. I ordered a fish sandwich for lunch but immediately regretted it. Their burgers fresh off the grill looked a lot more enticing. We ate, strolled along the water for a while, and relaxed. Finally, we got back on the catamaran, which returned directly to Punta Langosta.

My overall feelings about this Shore Thing were mixed, if I’m being generous. I don’t think it was worth anywhere near the 120 USD per person we paid. Especially in Mexico, an excursion like this is worth at most 50 USD. Unless you’re willing to book your own activities, you’re going to pay a premium for booking through your cruise line. Even with that in mind, I don’t feel like the experience was worth such a high price.

Maybe I would’ve felt differently if we had nicer weather. Nonetheless, I will probably skip booking Virgin Voyages Shore Things on any future trip I do with this cruise line. I’ll admit, it takes more work to research activities at ports of call with independent third parties. There’s also an increased risk of not being dropped off at the boat in time. But we spoke with other Sailors who booked activities externally, and they seemed extremely satisfied with their outings. I can’t necessarily say the same for ours.

Exploring San Miguel de Cozumel

After being dropped off at Punta Langosta, Ismael and I had a few free hours. We decided to walk around San Miguel de Cozumel for a little bit to see what the town was like. It was nice, but I wouldn’t call it especially charming. Maybe I’m being uppity, but I lived in Mexico in 2018, so I’ve traveled to some of the country’s best beach towns. I would not consider Cozumel to be one of them.

I’m not trying to be disparaging, but I think this sentiment is commonly shared among cruise enthusiasts. I distinctly remember overhearing an avid cruiser say that they never get off any cruise ship when it’s stopped in Cozumel because they just don’t like it that much. Now that I’ve seen Cozumel for myself, I don’t need to go back.

We wanted to try one local restaurant before getting back on the Scarlet Lady, so we got snacks and drinks at Cocomama Tiki Room (address | Instagram). My steak tacos here were good, but the highlight here was the rum cocktails! They were amazing, especially compared to the bad drinks we had during our Shore Thing. When we were done eating and drinking, we headed back to the cruise ship to rest a bit.

The Best Part of Day 3: Scarlet Night!

Even though Cozumel was a little underwhelming, our evening on the Scarlet Lady made up for it. That’s because we celebrated Scarlet Night on our third evening! In case you didn’t know, every Virgin Voyages cruise has one night where the entire ship becomes a party. Sailors are asked to dress in red, and for multiple hours after dinner, there are events, shows, dance parties, photo booths, and performances throughout all common areas.

I’ll write up a more thorough review of Scarlet Night in my ship overview blog post [coming soon]! But until then, know that this is the biggest event on board the ship. Be sure not to miss it or forget your scarlet attire!

Day 4: At Sea

On this day, the Scarlet Lady turned around and sailed north from Cozumel to The Bahamas. We spent Day 4 very similarly to how we spent Day 2. After having overcast weather in Cozumel, it was nice to have clear skies again out on the open water.

Day 5: Beach Club at Bimini, Bahamas

Our final full day on this cruise was spent in Bimini, a tiny archipelago in The Bahamas. This is the closest part of the country to Miami at a distance of only about 55 miles. I’ve wanted to visit Bimini for years, so I was very excited to finally do so with Virgin Voyages!

From what I can tell, almost every Virgin Voyages cruise based out of Miami stops at Bimini. I could be wrong about this, so double check your cruise itinerary if visiting this Bahamian island chain is a priority for you. VV owns and operates their very own private beach club in Bimini, which is probably why most (if not all) of their Miami-based cruises spend a day there.

On a side note, I’m a huge fan of The Bahamas in general! If I had unlimited time and money, I’d spend months exploring the country’s more remote islands. With that said, I had high expectations for Bimini, and this gorgeous destination was everything I had hoped for!

Virgin Voyages docks at the Bimini Cruise Port, which is located here on the island of North Bimini. The cruise terminal provides free shuttles that make a loop between the cruise pier and The Beach Club. The shuttle takes about ten minutes each way, while walking takes about 25 minutes. Shuttles run roughly once every ten or fifteen minutes.

Exploring Bimini on Foot

Since we didn’t book any Shore Things in Bimini, we had the entire day to explore on our own terms. I really wanted to see the local towns: Bailey Town in the north and Alice Town in the south. Ismael and I decided to walk the entire length of the developed portion of North Bimini, which is a narrow strip of land. It takes about an hour each way.

As soon as you leave Resorts World Bimini (where the Virgin Voyages beach club is located), you’ll find yourself in the “real” Bahamas. If you want to spend your entire day in Bimini relaxing on the beach at the club, that’s totally fine. But I would say adventurous travelers should explore further south. Golf cart rentals are available on the island, but I’m not sure how much they cost. Walking is an option, but give yourself about two or two-and-a-half hours to go all the way to the end and back.

Bailey Town and Alice Town are both quiet, residential areas. I enjoyed leisurely walking through these communities to see local homes, businesses, and street art. When Ismael and I got to Radio Beach, we stopped for a few rum cocktails at an outdoor bar stand with a view of the water. Then we began heading back north. The ocean side of the island (the west) is much prettier than the marsh-facing side (the east).

Eat a Conch Feast

One of my favorite things about The Bahamas is the national dish: conch! It’s a chewy type of seafood, somewhat reminiscent of calamari. However, the flavor is very light (and in my opinion, not fishy at all). This makes it easy to prepare in myriad ways, which is why you can enjoy it as a salad, in a burger, as a stew, and in many other ways.

While walking in Bimini, we passed by mountains of conch shells on certain parts of the coast (shown above). It’s an integral part of Bahamian culture. In fact, sale and trade is strictly limited in the US. Some sources online say that conch meat can be sold in the US, but that it must be imported. I’ve never seen it on a menu anywhere in Florida, which is why I savor it in the Bahamas, where it is very common and readily available.

Bimini has no shortage of conch stands, and each one specializes in different conch-based dishes. After comparing reviews and menus, we decided to get lunch at Joe’s Conch Shack. We went all out and ordered fried conch with fries, conch stew with rice and beans, conch fritters, and conch salad. We also ordered two rum punches that really packed a punch! Since we were walking and not driving a golf cart, it wasn’t an issue.

Every dish we got at Joe’s tasted amazing! The fried conch really stood out, especially with a pink sweet and savory sauce to dip them in. I also loved the conch fritters, and the conch salad was similar to ceviche.

In addition to great food, Joe’s Conch Shack has such a fun atmosphere. It’s decorated with dollar bills, plus there’s a pile of conch shells right next to the picnic tables you can eat at. If you are looking to try conch on Bimini, this is a great place to do it. Just be aware that Joe’s takes cash only (I’m pretty sure).

Despite an overload of conch for lunch, I still wanted more. Specifically, I craved a conch burger, which was not on the menu at Joe’s. We stopped one more time down the road at Bowleg’s Food Truck (location | Facebook), where I was able to order one. It came out piping hot! Conch burgers are a little tough to eat since the meat is so chewy, but that’s part of this unique experience!

The Beach Club at Bimini

Even after walking the entire length of the island and back, we still had a few hours to relax at Virgin Voyages’ private beach club. This venue is absolutely beautiful! This spacious club has pools, lounge chairs, bar service, and a pristine stretch of sand with clear blue water. It’s owned and operated directly by Virgin, not a third party partner. I consider that a good thing!

The Beach Club also serves lunch, and I’ve heard many people say it’s amazing. However, as far as I could tell, Virgin Voyages does not serve conch here. That’s why we left Resorts World Bimini and had lunch further south. If you want to try conch but don’t want to leave the beach club, check with VV staff to make sure. If they aren’t offering it at the beach club, the closest local restaurant that serves conch appears to be Smitty’s Beach Bar & Restaurant.

Our Day 5 began with partly cloudy skies. By mid-afternoon, however, the sun was shining brilliantly. This made the glistening blue sea even more spectacular!

After a refreshing swim in the ocean, it was time to head back to the Scarlet Lady. Setting sail and watching Bimini slowly disappear over the horizon was the perfect end to my favorite day on this itinerary. We were also treated to the most impressive sunset of our cruise right before dinner.

Day 6: Return to Miami

By the time we woke up on Day 6, we had already arrived in Miami. It was bittersweet for our cruise to come to an end! We finished packing, went to The Galley for coffee and breakfast, and I did one final walkthrough of the upper deck to admire the Miami skyline.

About a day or so before arrival, the Virgin Voyages app prompted us to pick a disembarkation time, so we chose the last one (which I believe was 10:30 am). This allowed us to sleep in a little bit and have a leisurely breakfast. If I remember correctly, the earliest you can leave the ship on Day 6 is 7:00 am or 7:30 am.

Disembarking was generally self-explanatory. Ismael and I just went to Deck 7 and left through the same door we boarded through back on Day 1. There was a line to leave that snaked through the lobby, but it never stopped moving. After a short and simple immigration procedure in the terminal building, we were free to go.

Since we didn’t have a rental car, Ismael and I called an Uber from Terminal V. We encountered a bit of a bottleneck with so many people trying to catch a ride at the same time. Luckily, we eventually found the right vehicle, and then we were off.

Our Day 6 on this cruise fell on a Friday, so Ismael and I spent the weekend in Miami before flying back home. If you’re also planning to check out the Miami metro area before or after your cruise, be sure to consult my separate blog post about things to do there!

Food & Restaurants on the Ship

As I’ve mentioned above, Virgin Voyages does a phenomenal job with dining on board the ship! It’s one of the top reasons to book a cruise with this company. There are some important details to know when it comes to VV restaurants. For example, food is almost always all-inclusive, but alcoholic beverages are extra.

Fortunately, I’ve written a separate comprehensive Virgin Voyages food review! It includes information on all the restaurants we ate at, all the meals we enjoyed, snacks, beverages, and more!

All About the Scarlet Lady

I wrote this blog post for travelers who want to know all about Virgin Voyages’ Riviera Maya itinerary. If you’re curious to learn more about the Scarlet Lady, check out my separate blog post [coming soon]! It will include the following:

Review of our stateroom
Common areas on the ship
Entertainment and activities

Final Verdict on Virgin Voyages Riviera Maya Cruise

Here’s my short answer: I wholeheartedly recommend this cruise, and I love what VV is all about! As a travel enthusiast in my late twenties who’s a newcomer to ocean cruises, I can say that Virgin Voyages was a great fit. I think Ismael really enjoyed it too, and I will admit I’ve routinely been browsing VV’s upcoming sailings and daydreaming about booking another one!

Here’s my longer answer: the reason I liked this cruise so much was because of what Virgin Voyages did, not because of Cozumel. This Mexican island is a hub for cruise ships. I found it to be a pretty unexceptional place to spend a day. Maybe it’s much prettier when the sun is out? If you’ve been to Cozumel on a sunny day, leave a comment below and let me know how it is!

In contrast to Cozumel, Bimini was stunning. Luckily, most Virgin Voyages cruises stop here, so you’ll probably get to see this amazing Bahamian island if you’re booking a VV cruise out of Miami.

I would gladly book another cruise on Virgin Voyages (and probably will someday within the next few years). For my next one, I have my eye on Roatán, an island in Honduras. I’d also be open to stopping in places such as Puerto Rico or Grand Turk.

Have you been on a Virgin Voyages cruise before? Are you considering booking one? Let me know in the comments below! Thanks for reading, and have an amazing cruise if you’re about to embark!

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This post was published on May 18, 2024

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The post A Virgin Voyages Cruise Review: Riviera Maya (Miami To Cozumel And Bimini) appeared first on Caffeinated Excursions.

The Weekend Getaway Guide To Charlotte, NC: A City Fit For A Queen

Kevin | Caffeinated Excursions — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 18:00:00 +0000

The Weekend Getaway Guide To Charlotte, NC: A City Fit For A Queen

Published January 22, 2024

Did you know that Charlotte is known as the “Queen City”? I think it’s a fitting nickname for North Carolina’s biggest metropolis. For one, it was actually named after Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. Beyond that, Charlotte has a gorgeous skyline, quaint neighborhoods, and lush parks. It’s no surprise that the Queen City was inspired by royalty!

Charlotte is one of my favorite American cities to visit for a weekend, but I have to admit I might be biased. That’s because I lived in South Carolina in 2017-2018; during that time, I drove up to Charlotte about a dozen times to eat, drink, and explore! That was right around when I started my travel blog, so I didn’t write a post about the Queen City back then.

Luckily, I found cheap flights to Charlotte for MLK Day weekend this year, so I made the trip back. I was overjoyed to find that many of the restaurants and bars I tried all those years ago are still going strong! The city has grown a lot since then, but it hasn’t lost that distinctive southern charm that makes Charlotte such a fun place to visit!

This weekend getaway guide is broken down into the following topics. To skip down to anything in particular, click or tap the corresponding link!

How to Visit Charlotte for a Weekend
Eat & Drink in the Mill District
Cultural Attractions in Uptown

How to Visit Charlotte for a Weekend

I’ve always loved the Queen City for its blend of southern hospitality and urban beauty. It’s got hints of Nashville and Austin, but Charlotte is more laid-back and budget-friendly. For short-term visitors, Charlotte offers fabulous local cuisine, endless beer options, modern architecture, and a vibrant art scene.

Neighborhoods to See

There are three main neighborhoods I’d recommend focusing on for a two- or three-day trip to Charlotte. They are Uptown, NoDa, and South End. Read on to learn more about each one!

Uptown (Center City)

According to this source, Charlotte is the only major American city to have an “Uptown” but no “Downtown.” In other words, Uptown refers to the entire central business district, which is also sometimes called Center City. Uptown is easily identifiable on a map: it’s the area bounded by I-277 and I-77 shown below.

The modern glass skyscrapers in Center City are genuinely picturesque. They form one of my favorite skylines in the US! Uptown’s high-rises are elegant and tasteful, and they form a cohesive group. I never get tired of exploring on foot and admiring the cityscape from various angles and vantage points.

It’s also quite an experience to watch Uptown slowly light up after sunset! The Queen City sparkles and shines at night, especially the Bank of America Corporate Center’s distinctive silver crown. Exercise regular safety precautions in Charlotte, but I personally felt fine walking around this area in the early evening.

NoDa

NoDa is named after the neighborhood’s most important street: North Davidson. In recent years, the area has boomed in terms of housing. Despite that, North Davidson’s “village vibe” hasn’t changed much over the last six or seven years. You’ll still find cute little mom-and-pop retail stores, pubs, and petite older homes on the main strip.

I think a lot of people would describe NoDa as artsy and quirky. There are a ton of public murals to discover if you’re walking around the area. In addition, North Davidson is a hub of dining and craft beer! That’s why I recommend staying nearby if you can.

South End

This large commercial district southwest of Uptown is another destination foodies won’t want to miss! On this trip, I didn’t spend a ton of time in South End, but on previous visits I’ve been to a number of famous breweries and restaurants down here.

I did go back to one restaurant in South End I remember from all those years ago. It’s called Seoul Food Meat Company (website | location). They serve fusion Korean and American-style barbecue; it’s not like traditional Korean barbecue with miniature grills directly on the tables. Since I was here by myself, I ordered a few Korean-inspired tacos.

The food I got was light and refreshing compared to some of the heavier meals I’ve had in Charlotte. The only kind of odd thing was that they had a DJ blasting club music at 5:30 pm on a Sunday, so it was a little too loud for me.

Use the Lynx Light Rail

I was excited to try Charlotte’s light rail system on this trip, and I’m happy to report that I was very impressed! Back in 2017 and early 2018, the system was still partially under construction. These days, the Lynx Blue Line connects Uptown with NoDa and South End. Thanks to Lynx, I only had to take two Ubers this entire trip: from the airport to my Airbnb and vice versa.

Locating Lynx stops on Google Maps is easy. Simply turn on the “public transit” filter (more on how to do that here) and you’ll be able to see both the Lynx Blue and Gold Lines with all of their stops. I never took the Gold Line during my weekend stay, but I imagine it’s straightforward, just like the Blue Line.

At any station, you can purchase one-way tickets for $2.20 or day passes for $6.60 (as of January 2024). One thing to note is that the day pass expires at 3:00 a.m. on the day after purchase, so it’s not like you truly get 24 hours worth of rides from whenever you buy it. Once you board the light rail, you don’t need to tap on or off. You will only need to show your ticket to a fare checker if they ask for it. During my three full days in Charlotte, I was never asked to show my ticket.

All the attractions, restaurants, and breweries mentioned in this post are accessible via the Lynx Blue Line (plus at most about fifteen minutes of walking). I am not usually complimentary of American public transportation, but this system really exceeded my expectations! The light rail makes Charlotte significantly more affordable and convenient. You definitely don’t need to rent a car here to get around!

Where to Stay

I reserved an Airbnb in NoDa and found that neighborhood to be a pretty good fit for me. That’s because NoDa has so many different bars and restaurants! It was easy to walk back to the house after dinner without needing to call an Uber or ride the light rail after dark.

I will say that I didn’t see many hotels in NoDa, so Airbnb might be the main option here. If you’ve fallen out of love with Airbnb in recent years, I don’t blame you. In that case, you should probably stay at a hotel in Uptown. Alternatively, you may be able to find budget-friendly lodging further north along the Blue Line, closer to UNC Charlotte.

I think it’s hard to go wrong staying in NoDa, Uptown, or South End. If you’re in one of these three neighborhoods, you’ll always be within walking distance of great food and craft beer at the very least.

Eat & Drink in The Mill District

The Mill District refers to four neighborhoods northeast of Uptown: Belmont, NoDa, Optimist Park, and Villa Heights. All of these areas were historically known for their cotton mills and textile manufacturing. Nowadays, the Mill District is home to many of Charlotte’s most iconic restaurants and breweries. It’s a perfect place for foodies and beer connoisseurs!

Restaurants

I ate almost all of my meals in the Mill District on my weekend trip to Charlotte. I’m sure there are great restaurants in Uptown too. However, I got the sense that some eateries in Center City are upscale yet lacking in local flair. With that in mind, here are some of the restaurants I tried.

JackBeagle’s

Address: 3213 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205
Website: https://www.jackbeagles.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JackBeagles/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackbeaglenoda/

This bar and grill in the heart of NoDa is at the top of my list because they’re famous for their gourmet mac-n-cheese! Order one of their local beers on tap, then take a look at their extensive food menu. Every meal looked mouth-watering, but I had to stick with their signature dish.

If you also want to try the mac, you can get it either on a burger (the “Jack Mac Burger”) or as its own plate. As you can see from the pictures below, I opted to do both! I was scared it would be way too much food, but I managed to finish it all. The mac-n-cheese platters come in a variety of flavors; the portion is basically a large side dish. I went with their “Blue-Black-Mac,” which comes with Gorgonzola, bacon, and cracked black pepper.

In case these pictures aren’t proof enough, JackBeagle’s mac-n-cheese is rich and creamy. Their different flavors are all pretty unique. I found the Blue-Black-Mac to be excellent with those pieces of bacon and the strong taste of melted blue cheese. The Jack Mac on the burger was also delicious! If I had more time in Charlotte, I would come back to try additional flavors (especially the Thai Mac). As of January 2024, there are eight!

Cabo Fish Taco

Address: 3201 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205
Website: https://www.cabofishtaco.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaboFishTacoNoda/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cabofishtaconoda/

Cabo Fish Taco and JackBeagle’s are both places I remember visiting pre-pandemic, so they’ve been a part of NoDa’s food scene for many years. I was especially happy to return to Cabo Fish Taco because this is where I met up with Andrea, an old friend of mine!

At this restaurant you’ll find classic Baja-style tacos, margaritas, beer on tap, and more. Their menu lists combo plates (e.g. two fish tacos with your choice of side), but you can mix and match. That’s what I did; I got one beer battered white fish and one beer battered shrimp. Both were cooked perfectly! If you’re craving good Mexican food in NoDa, Cabo Fish Taco won’t disappoint!

Haberdish

Address: 3106 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205
Website: https://haberdish.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/haberdish
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haberdish/

I would describe the brunch I had at Haberdish as a genuinely fun dining experience! They serve Southern cuisine and have a huge menu of original cocktails. My server and bartender also went above and beyond to offer an excellent customer experience. If I had an extra day or two in Charlotte, I would’ve probably gone back to Haberdish to try something off their dinner menu.

For brunch, I went with their Nashville hot chicken and waffles. I also tried two different cocktails, plus a side of their creamy cheddar grits with shrimp and bacon jam on the side. The chicken impressed me, but the shrimp and grits really blew me away. It was so deliciously rich, with just the right amount of cheese. It wasn’t watery at all, and the shrimp were just a little blackened on the grill. That little bowl was a taste of heaven!

The cocktails at Haberdish also stood out. I ordered one stronger floral gin-based drink to start, followed by an autumn-y spiced punch. Neither one was too sweet, and both had interesting mixes of flavors. All in all, Haberdish was a little pricey, but I walked away really satisfied with the drinks, the food, and the hospitality.

Benny Pennello's

Address: 2909 N Davidson St STE 100, Charlotte, NC 28205
Website: https://www.bennysva.com/locations/benny-pennellos/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bennypennellos/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bennypennellos/

This cozy pizza shop is located right next to Heist Brewery in NoDa. I popped in one night to order a casual slice of pizza and a beer, but I wasn’t really prepared for how big that slice would be! Their website says the pies they make are 28 inches. On a side note, you can order an entire pie if you want, and the box is truly massive if you do! They probably have to get them custom-made.

A single slice at Benny Pennello’s is so big that it’s served on two paper plates. I thought the pizza was tasty, but it did take a while to come out. I think they’re cooked to order, and this place can get busy.

Oh My Soul

Address: 3046 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205
Website: https://ohmysoulusa.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ohmysoulusa/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohmysoulusa/

This vegan South African restaurant immediately piqued my interest, so I had to check it out and get brunch here one morning. They’ve got a festive shop with pastel colors. It’s worth noting that their only seating is an outdoor patio area, but they had a covered heated tent (at least when I went).

The “Veggs Benedict” sounded appetizing, so that’s what I tried. I was surprised by how filling the dish was, given that eggs benedict is usually a light meal. It came with a lot of veggies, which helped balance out some of the more meat-heavy meals I had in Charlotte.

Phở @ NoDa

Address: 2100 N Davidson St suite A, Charlotte, NC 28205
Website: https://www.phoatnoda.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eatatphoatnoda
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phoatnoda/

After a three-day weekend of large meals and non-stop beer, I was really craving something lighter for my final dinner in Charlotte before flying home. I walked over to Phở @ NoDa (which is technically in Villa Heights), ordered a bowl of seafood phở, and found it to be a nice change of pace. I am a huge “phở-natic,” so I’m always willing to seek out this Vietnamese noodle soup whenever I travel!

Breweries and Bars

Once you explore Charlotte for an hour or two, one thing will become abundantly clear: breweries and taprooms are everywhere! Beer is a huge part of the Queen City’s food and drink culture. Breweries are generally family-friendly, and many have huge indoor and outdoor spaces to sit, sip, and socialize. All of this is especially true of the Mill District, perhaps Charlotte’s most beer-friendly area. Read on to learn about some of the breweries here!

Birdsong Brewing Company

Address: 1016 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28206
Website: https://www.birdsongbrewing.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/birdsongbrewing/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birdsongbrewing/

At Birdsong Brewing the neighborhood of Belmont, I tried two different beers. Their Honey Pie Double IPA and the Jalapeño Pale Ale were both delicious, and the latter is a classic that I highly recommend! In fact, I’m going to see if any stores sell it near where I live in Chicago. The slightly spicy aftertaste in a refreshing, cold beer is just divine!

Heist Brewery

Address: 2909 N Davidson St STE 200, Charlotte, NC 28205
Website: https://www.heistbrewery.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeistBrewery
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heistbrewery/

This huge, busy brewery in NoDa is hard to miss. I got a flight here and enjoyed all four taps I tried. I also saw other people eating meals at Heist, and the food looked amazing. Someone at a table nearby ordered a flatbread that made my mouth water. If you’re looking for a brewery with a top-notch food menu, Heist might be your best bet in NoDa.

Divine Barrel Brewing

Address: 3701 N Davidson St Suite #203, Charlotte, NC 28205
Website: https://divinebarrel.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivineBarrelBrewing
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divinebarrelclt/

Located on the far north end of NoDa’s little commercial strip, Divine Barrel is kind of tucked away. I figured it would be quiet when I went, but it was packed! They were hosting a chili competition, and everyone was given free samples of all the entries as well as tickets to vote for your favorite. Clearly, Divine Barrel knows how to attract a crowd!

I tried an “Ice Cream Paint Job” followed by a “There’s Been An Incident.” I must’ve been feeling adventurous that afternoon! They were admittedly both on the heavier side, but both pours were packed with flavor.

Free Range Brewing

Address: 2320 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205
Website: https://www.freerangebrewing.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreeRangeBrewing
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freerangebrew

I loved the farm-inspired décor inside the Free Range taproom, not to mention the fact that their brewing equipment was on display right next to the bar! I asked if they do flights, and my bartender told me, “not yet.” So I ordered two smaller glasses side by side: a Barracuda Bill’s and a Spruce Tonic. Both were light and satisfying, and the tonic had some herbal hints to it.

Idlewild Bar

Address: 424 E 36th St Unit 2, Charlotte, NC 28205
Website: https://www.idlewildbar.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/idlewildbar/

The most noteworthy thing about this trendy bar is that they don’t have a set menu. Instead, you tell your bartender what you typically like to drink, and they whip up something you may not have tried before. I was served a rum drink that had a bit of spice and not too much sweetness. It was cool to have that back and forth with the bartender to explain what spirit you’re in the mood for, then narrow down what flavor profile you want.

Coffee

Having traveled quite a bit, I feel like cities that love beer tend to also have high-quality coffee scenes! The Queen City is no exception to that rule. Here are a few different coffeehouses to try!

Smelly Cat Coffee

Address: 514 E 36th St, Charlotte, NC 28205
Website: https://www.smellycatcoffee.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SmellyCatCoffeehouse/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smellycatcoffee/

I distinctly remember trying Smelly Cat back in 2017, and coming back was such a treat! I ordered a spiced brown sugar oat milk latte. There was an open seat at the bar, where I savored each sip. Based on how busy it was, Smelly Cat seems like a favorite among locals. Luckily, the line moved fairly quickly.

The Hobbyist

Address: 2100 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205
Website: https://www.thehobbyistclt.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehobbyistclt/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehobbyistclt

I was pleasantly surprised by this chic, modern establishment in Villa Heights. They serve coffee, wine, and cocktails in a spacious setting. Although I only tried their coffee, I would’ve come back to try some alcoholic beverages in the afternoon or evening if I had more days in Charlotte.

Their black walnut latte sounded smooth and delicious, so that’s what I ordered. I always appreciate when lattes aren’t overly sweet, and that was definitely true at The Hobbyist. A sprinkle of black salt on top added an extra layer of complexity to the flavor profile of this drink.

Pepperbox Doughnuts and Coffee

Address: 2810 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205
Website: https://www.pepperbox.co/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pepperboxdoughnuts/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pepperbox_doughnuts/

I tend to prefer coffee without typical breakfast pastries, but I decided to give Pepperbox a try. If I remember correctly, I ordered a snickerdoodle doughnut. It was light, fluffy, and fresh! It went really well with a cup of black drip.

& Coffee (Inside Urban District Market)

Address: 2315 N Davidson St #300, Charlotte, NC 28205
Website: https://www.udmmilldistrict.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/urbandistrictmarket
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urbandistrictmarket/

This was an interesting find because “& Coffee” is one of many stalls inside Urban District Market. This is a massive food hall, store, and cafe located in Optimist Park. Many (but not all) of the vendors here serve Asian cuisine. The lavender oat milk latte I ordered at & Coffee was pretty good. I’m intrigued and would love to try some meals from this new food court next time I’m in town!

Cultural Attractions in Uptown

My favorite thing to do in Uptown is just walk around, but there are some museums and parks to check out as well.

Bechtler Museum of Modern Art

Address: 420 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Website: https://www.bechtler.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebechtler
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebechtler/

If you happen to walk by the Bechtler, it’ll almost certainly capture your attention. The building’s orange brick exterior is striking, but most passersby are instantly intrigued by the glistening mosaic statue out front. It’s known as The Firebird, a permanent installation that’s come to represent both the museum and the city in general.

What makes the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art amazing? Well, it’s got awesome pieces on display, but it’s not a sprawling museum that takes hours to see. If you’re looking for a little bit of local art and culture but don’t want to dedicate an entire afternoon to museum hopping, the Bechtler is a perfect choice!

Mint Museum Uptown

Address: 500 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Website: https://www.mintmuseum.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themintmuseum/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themintmuseum/

The Mint Museum is right across the street from the Bechtler, and both focus on modern art. I would say the Mint Museum is much more comprehensive though. There’s a bigger variety of media and styles spread out across large galleries. I felt like I probably spent half an hour at the Bechtler and about two hours at the Mint.

If you find museums invigorating or have a special interest in modern art, you should set aside some time to visit the Mint Museum in Uptown. Much of the art here is impressive at first glance, but reading the placards about how they were made reveals just how extraordinary these pieces are. There’s a lot of intricate, detailed work at the Mint Museum that takes time to appreciate.

NASCAR Hall of Fame

Address: 400 E M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28202
Website: https://www.nascarhall.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nascarhall/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nascarhall/

I will be completely honest: NASCAR is one sport I basically knew nothing about before visiting the Hall of Fame. With that in mind, I felt like entry here was a little pricey for a museum ($27 for a basic adult ticket with no add-ons as of January 2024). So is visiting the NASCAR Hall of Fame worth it for those who aren’t superfans?

I enjoyed the experience and learned a fair amount from going. It was a good mix of actual cars, uniforms, memorabilia, trophies, and other accessories. I wouldn’t call the NASCAR Hall of Fame an absolute must-see in Charlotte, but I do think that kids with even a mild interest in cars would find it to be pretty engaging. For an additional cost, you can purchase ticket packages that include racing simulations. I didn’t, so I can’t tell you if they’re worth it or not. All in all, plan about 90 minutes to see all of the exhibits here without rushing.

Parks

The Queen City is known for its nature, and Uptown has quite a few parks to enjoy if the weather is good.

Romare Bearden Park

Address: 300 S Church St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Website: https://www.charlottesgotalot.com/things-to-do/outdoors-adventure/romare-bearden-park
See also: https://uptowncharlotte.com/go/romare-bearden-park

In my opinion, this is Charlotte’s best park. It’s surrounded on three sides by towering buildings, so it’s one of my favorite places to view the skyline from within Uptown. Head to Romare Bearden day or night for an unbeatable view of the city!

The Green

Address: 425 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Website: https://www.charlottesgotalot.com/things-to-do/outdoors-adventure/the-green
See also: https://uptowncharlotte.com/go/the-green

A block or two away from Romare Bearden Park is “The Green.” Despite its name, this quaint little public courtyard is mostly concrete, brick, and pavement. I don’t think that’s a bad thing, though! There are quirky statues like the three fish below, and the entire space has a literary theme to it. You’ll find author’s names on signs, two huge bronze sculptures of stacks of books, and other references to the written word.

Marshall Park

Address: Marshall Park, 800 E 3rd St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Website: https://www.charlottesgotalot.com/things-to-do/outdoors-adventure/marshall-park
See also: https://uptowncharlotte.com/go/marshall-park

Marshall Park is off on its own, even though it’s still within Uptown. Because of this, it’s quieter than other parks in the area. There’s also a small pond and a fountain here. As far as I can tell, this is the only real body of water in Center City besides a few creeks that run to the north.

First Ward Park

Address: 301 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Website: https://www.charlottesgotalot.com/things-to-do/outdoors-adventure/first-ward-park
See also: https://uptowncharlotte.com/go/first-ward-park

Did you know Uptown is divided into four quadrants known as wards? That’s what this park’s name is a reference to. It’s a pleasant green space that offers a different skyline view from the other parks mentioned above. First Ward Park houses a few funky pieces of public art like the two shown below. It’s also right next to the Blue Line, so it’s easy to get to.

Enjoy Your Stay in the Queen City!

I hope this blog post provides all the info you need to have an amazing time in Charlotte, NC. In case you couldn’t already tell, the nostalgia factor is a huge reason I’m such a big fan of this royal gem of a city. Regardless, I’m pretty sure most visitors will agree that Charlotte is a great place to spend a few days!

Have you been to Charlotte before? Are you headed this way soon? Leave a comment below and let me know! I’m also curious if there’s anything I missed this time that I should make sure to see or do next time. Let me know about that as well, and thanks for reading Caffeinated Excursions!

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This post was published on Jan 22, 2024

Bangkok (Sept)
Istanbul (Sept)

The post The Weekend Getaway Guide To Charlotte, NC: A City Fit For A Queen appeared first on Caffeinated Excursions.

A Traveler’s Guide To Nashville And Brown County, IN

Kevin | Caffeinated Excursions — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 17:00:00 +0000

A Traveler’s Guide To Nashville And Brown County, IN

Published October 17, 2023
Last updated January 22, 2026

This blog post was proudly created without the use of generative AI. It was 100% written and edited by a human, for humans. Enjoy, and thanks for your support!

If you’re looking for small-town charm and an escape to nature, head on down to Brown County! Located about an hour drive south of Indianapolis or a forty-minute drive east of Bloomington, this quaint part of south-central Indiana is easy to get to. Visitors love Brown County for its lush forests, art community, and burgeoning brewing/distilling scene!

I recently spent a three-day weekend in Brown County to visit my cousin, Kailyn. She lives in the area (and also has her own travel blog that you should check out)! On this trip, I spent most of my time in Nashville, the county seat. Despite being a small town, Nashville is a bustling hub for shopping, dining, art, and entertainment. Most of the attractions mentioned in this post are located in or near Nashville.

This blog post is broken down into the following topics. To skip down to anything on the list, click or tap the corresponding link!

Activities Near Nashville, IN
Drive to Beanblossom, IN
Drive to Story, IN
- Stone Head Nature Preserve
- Story Inn
Food & Drink

Activities Near Nashville, IN

Nashville is located in the center of Brown County, so it definitely served as a “home base” for me during my visit. Read on to learn about what this lovely little community has to offer!

Explore Downtown Nashville on Foot

Let me start off by saying that you will need a car to get around Brown County. Despite this, downtown Nashville is very compact and walkable! I highly recommend finding a place to park and strolling up and down North Van Buren Street, Nashville’s main commercial zone.

You’ll encounter restaurants, gift shops, cafes, bars, and more in Nashville. It only takes about ten minutes to walk from one end of town to the other, but the entire place has such a lively energy. Downtown also an abundance of historic architecture to admire.

Brown County Visitors Center

Address: 211 S Van Buren St, Nashville, IN 47448
Website: https://www.browncounty.com/shop-list/brown-county-visitors-center/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ILoveBrownCounty/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ilovebrowncounty/

One of the first places you should visit in Nashville is the Brown County Visitors Center. It’s a cozy welcome center with a small souvenir shop, an information desk, and an Instagrammy mural out back where you can take pictures.

On my first day in town, I went and chatted with a friendly employee at the Brown County Visitors Center. I’m glad I did, because she provided tons of great insights and suggestions! I especially appreciated her recommendation to drive out to Story, IN in south Brown County. I probably would not have made it out there if she didn’t mention it.

Brown County History Center

Address: 70 Gould St, Nashville, IN 47448
Website: https://www.browncountyhistorycenter.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/browncountyinhistory/

This is another great place to see while you’re in Nashville! The Brown County History Center is more of a collection of historical relics than a formal museum, but I think that made it all the more endearing. They have a little room on one side that looked like a cabin where lots of antique toys are displayed. There’s also a replica (I think) of an old one-room schoolhouse on site that you can check out.

Pioneer Village

Address: Museum Ln, Nashville, IN 47448
Website: https://www.browncountyhistorycenter.org/pioneer-village.html
See also: https://www.browncounty.com/do-list/pioneer-village/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/browncountyinhistory/

Directly south of the Brown County Visitor Center, you’ll find Pioneer Village. It’s a small group of buildings that give a sense of what Nashville looked like in the second half of the 1800s. According to the Brown County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Pioneer Village consists of genuine buildings from that era (such as the log jail) and an “authentically restored” cabin.

The Pioneer Village seems like an attraction that’s great for kids. You can see what the interior of various buildings looked like at the time: a living space, a doctor’s office, a blacksmith’s shop, etc.

Brown County Art Gallery

Address: 1 Artist Dr, Nashville, IN 47448
Website: https://browncountyartgallery.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHistoricBrownCountyArtGallery
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bcartgallery/

Did you know that Nashville has been an art colony for well over a century? There are countless signs around town that point to the community’s love for art. I absolutely loved visiting the Brown County Art Gallery to see some of the things that local artists have produced. The best part is that it’s free!

Brown County artists create using a variety of styles, subjects, and media. With that said, much of the art in the gallery centers around serene depictions of rural landscapes and country living.

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Brown County State Park

Address: 1801 IN-46, Nashville, IN 47448
Website: https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/brown-county-state-park/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/INdnrstateparksandreservoirs
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indianadnr/

This expansive state park is arguably Brown County’s number one attraction. That’s because it’s only a five-minute drive from the heart of Nasvhille, but visiting feels almost like going off the grid. In fact, Brown County is known as the “Little Smokies” because of its resemblance to the Great Smoky Mountains.

It costs a few dollars to enter Brown County State Park, but it is absolutely worth it. There are a dozen different trails to choose from, not to mention numerous iconic lookout towers constructed from stone and wood. The park stands on high ground, so there are lots of places to get awesome views of the surrounding hills.

I hiked three different trails while visiting Brown County State Park, so I’ll mention each of them below. I would say all three were easy to moderate, with no major changes in elevation.

Strahl Lake Trail (Trail 6)

This short trail loop will take you all the way around Strahl Lake. If you want a quick and easy hike with waterfront views, this is the one for you! Strahl Lake is calm and glassy, offering beautiful reflections of the forest on its still surface.

Ogle Lake Trail (Trail 7)

This was my favorite hike of the three I did in Brown County State Park. Ogle Lake is slightly bigger than Strahl Lake, but I think the views are a little more impressive. That’s partly because the trail’s southern side is slightly elevated above the lakeshore, giving a better vantage point for views across the water.

Fire Tower Trail (Trail 10)

Fire Tower Trail is named for the lookout tower near its trailhead. This multistory structure was originally used to spot wildfires. According to a placard next to the tower, there were fire towers throughout Indiana back in the day.

I waited in line for a few minutes to climb the tower because only six people can be on it at once. I was hoping to take some stunning photos from the top, but found the view up there to be a little underwhelming. To be honest, I think every other designated lookout spot in the state park is better. Especially if you’re afraid of heights, I’d say you’re not missing much if you skip the fire tower.

Trail 10 was also the least interesting. It’s a calm, wooded trail that doesn’t offer much in terms of views. Unlike Trail 6 and Trail 7, Trail 10 does not encircle a lake. The early fall foliage here was pleasant but not amazing. I’d bet the Fire Tower Trail is more impressive when the leaves are fully red, orange, and yellow.

Drive to Beanblossom, IN

I went on two mini road trips during my three-day weekend in Brown County: one to Beanblossom (north of Nashville), and one to Story (south of the state park). Below are some of the things I found near Beanblossom.

Bean Blossom Overlook

Location: Click or tap for Google Maps link

This scenic viewpoint right off of State Road 135 is reminiscent of the ones in Brown County State Park. Luckily, this one is free! From the Bean Blossom Overlook, you can see for miles across the treetops looking west.

Bean Blossom Covered Bridge

Address: Covered Bridge Rd, Nashville, IN 47448

Tucked away on a gravel road, the Bean Blossom Covered Bridge could definitely be considered “off the beaten path.” It’s only a two or three minute drive from the Bean Blossom Overlook. Indiana is known for its covered bridges, so I’ll always go out of my way to check one out if I can!

Have a Delicious Meal East of Beanblossom

The reason I passed through Beanblossom was actually to get dinner. The Visitors Center recommended I try The Farmhouse Cafe and Tea Room, which is located out in the country a mile or two east of Beanblossom. The restaurant is set up in a historic home, and it’s also next to a plant nursery.

Both the restaurant and the surrounding yard were beautiful! Even though it’s not near anything else, The Farmhouse Cafe and Tea Room is its own little destination. The food was also amazing! To read more about that, click or tap here to jump down to my section on restaurants.

Drive to Story, IN

Driving from Nashville to Story is a great way to see more of Brown County’s winding country roads, forests, and farmland. I would say the drive to Story is slightly more interesting than the drive to Beanblossom.

Stone Head Nature Preserve

Address: 4643-5013 W Bellsville Pike, Nashville, IN 47448
Website: https://www.browncounty.com/do-list/stone-head-nature-preserve/

Stone Head Nature Preserve is an admittedly unusual spot halfway between Nashville and Story. It’s named after a literal stone head statue with a long history, including unfortunately being beheaded and stolen in 2016 (it’s still missing as of 2023).

This public nature preserve is marked with a large sign. However, a building at the entrance looks sort of like someone’s house. For a minute or two, it almost felt like trespassing to drive in. There are “trails” here, but they’re not gravel or dirt. Instead, they’re mowed grass. Kailyn and I got out here to look around, but we didn’t explore in depth.

Story Inn

Address: 6404 IN-135, Nashville, IN 47448
Website: https://storyinn.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Thestoryinn1851
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestoryinn

Story is a tiny village made up of just a few buildings. The main attraction here is the Story Inn, a hotel with a rusty façade. It looks a little funky, but it’s also intriguing. The Story Inn does function as a hotel, but as its self-deprecating motto proudly proclaims, this establishment has stood in “One Inconvenient Location since 1851.” It’s true: there’s really not much else around.

So if the Story Inn is not conveniently located, what draws people out here? There’s a couple different answers. One is that the hotel has its own restaurant and bar, so you don’t have to go into town to eat. We didn’t have time to eat a meal here, but I heard that the food is locally sourced and delicious.

The other reason to stay in Story is that the hotel is allegedly haunted. If spotting ghosts is something you’re interested in, this place is going to be right up your alley! Apparently, the “Blue Lady” has made many appearances here.

Food & Drink

One of the best things about Brown County is its vibrant culinary scene! It’s mostly classic American fare with hints of Southern flare. Nashville also has a number of breweries and distilleries that offer a full range of locally produced adult beverages. Below are some places to try!

The Farmhouse Cafe and Tea Room

Address: 5171 Bean Blossom Rd, Nineveh, IN 46164
Website: http://www.farmhousecafeandtearoom.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Farmhouse-Cafe-Tea-Room/100063744454691/

Despite being a little out of the way, The Farmhouse Cafe served my favorite meal during my weekend visit. You’ll have to drive to Beanblossom, then head east on Gatesville Road. It takes a little while, but it’s worth the trip out here!

Not only is The Farmhouse Cafe set in an idyllic little spot in the woods, but the food here is also top notch! I ordered a pork chop with mashed sweet potatoes, a side salad, and pumpkin soup. For dessert, I got their mixed berry cobbler. Each course seemed like it came straight off the farm, so I’d say the restaurant lived up to its name!

I enjoyed every bite at this cozy establishment, but the pork chop was especially scrumptious. The meat was super tender, topped with a sweet and savory glaze. I think this golden brown sauce had mustard seed in it, adding complexity to the flavor. If you only have time for one meal in Brown County, I’d recommend The Farmhouse Cafe and Tea Room!

Hobnob Corner

Update Jan 2026 According to multiple sources online, Hobnob Corner closed permanently in November of 2025.

Address: 17 W Main St, Nashville, IN 47448
Website: https://hobnobcornerrestaurant.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hobnobcorner
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hobnobcorner/

Conveniently located in the heart of downtown Nashville, Hobnob Corner is a popular spot to get breakfast. Their dining room feels like a blast from the past, with nostalgic diner countertops and spacious wooden booths.

When we went, we had to wait for a little while, but it wasn’t too long for a weekend brunch. I ordered their breakfast combo with eggs, sausage, grits, and toast. We also split an order of pancakes. It was a delicious way to start the day!

Casa del Sol

Address: 101 E Washington St, Nashville, IN 47448
Website: https://casadelsolnashville.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CASADELSOLNASHVILLE
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/casadelsol.nashville/

Are you craving Mexican food? If so, Casa del Sol has you covered! I was very impressed with the spicy margarita I ordered here, as well as the “enchiladas trio” I got for lunch on my first afternoon in town. It came with three sauces: green, white, and red, reminiscent of the Mexican flag. In addition, each individual enchilada had its own unique filling!

Rafters Food & Spirits

Address: 560 IN-46, Nashville, IN 47448
Website: https://raftersfoodandspirits.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raftersfoodandspirits/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raftersfoodandspirits/

Located inside The Seasons Lodge, Rafters is a large, modern restaurant with big windows looking south towards the Brown County Music Center. I tried their famous fried chicken, which came with mashed potatoes and green beans. The chicken was indeed phenomenal: crispy, golden skin on the outside and tender meat on the inside!

The meal also came with fried biscuits and apple butter. I was expecting regular old biscuits, but these really surpassed my expectations! This classic local pastry appears to have originated from the Nashville General Store & Bakery (according to one reputable source). The ones at Rafters were not coated in powdered sugar, unlike the original. Regardless, the apple butter added the perfect amount of sweetness!

Out Of The Ordinary and Hickory Bar

Address: 61 S Van Buren St, Nashville, IN 47448
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/outoftheordinaryrestaurant

Kailyn recommended we have lunch at Out of the Ordinary on my final day in Nashville. After a weekend filled with lots of chicken and pork, I found the Reuben sandwich here to be delicious and a nice change of pace.

Hard Truth Distilling Co.

Address: 418 Old State Rd 46, Nashville, IN 47448
Website: https://hardtruth.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HardTruthSpirits/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hardtruthspirits/

Prepare to be blown away by how big the facilities are at Hard Truth! The restaurant here was unlike any other I tried in Brown County. It’s located on a wooded corporate campus half a mile or so east of Nashville. The Hard Truth brand was created here in Brown County, and it also has ties to Big Woods Restaurants and “Quaff ON!” brewing.

At the restaurant here, we tried a few cocktails mixed with Hard Truth spirits and Quaff ON! beers. For food, I ordered a chicken sandwich and Kailyn got a pork chop. The food was good, but I’d say it’s fine to just come out here for a drink.

Brown County Winery

Address: 4520 IN-46 East, Nashville, IN 47448
Website: https://www.browncountywinery.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrownCountyWinery
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/browncountywinery/

The Brown County Winery was a fun place to visit out towards Gnaw Bone, IN. They offer a wide variety of red and white wines, and they even had seasonal holiday blends. Their front porch is ideal for sitting, chatting, and enjoying a glass or two.

Sweetea's Tea Shop

Address: 225 S Van Buren St, Nashville, IN 47448
Website: https://www.sweeteasbrowncounty.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SweeteasTeaShop/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweeteasteashop/

I love the clever play on words present in the name “Sweatea’s.” I ordered a seasonal flavored oat milk latte here on my first day in Nashville. At Sweatea’s, you’ll find friendly service and a comfortable place to sit and sip your caffeinated beverage.

Enjoy your Escape to Nature in Brown County!

Well, that’s my comprehensive guide to Brown County and Nashville, Indiana! I definitely didn’t have time to do everything the “Little Smokies” had to offer, but I felt like I covered quite a bit of ground!

As you can see from the photos here, I visited Brown County right at the beginning of fall (early October). The entire county is very famous for its fall colors, but it seems like peak brightness in reds and yellows only lasts for a few weeks in late October and early November. I sort of wish I had planned a trip closer to Halloween, but Brown County was still so pretty even with only a tinge of orange in the trees.

Have you been to Brown County or Nashville before? Are there any attractions I didn’t mention that visitors should know about? Leave a comment below and let me know! Thanks for checking out Caffeinated Excursions’ first of hopefully many Indiana blog posts!

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This post was published on Oct 17, 2023
This post was updated on Jan 22, 2026

This blog post was proudly created without the use of generative AI. It was 100% written and edited by a human, for humans. Enjoy, and thanks for your support!

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Kansas City: How To Spend A Weekend In Missouri’s Midwestern Metropolis

Kevin | Caffeinated Excursions — Sat, 09 Sep 2023 17:00:00 +0000

Kansas City: How To Spend A Weekend In Missouri’s Midwestern Metropolis

Published September 9, 2023
Last updated April 27, 2024

I have always loved taking advantage of three-day weekends to go explore a new city, and that’s exactly what I did for Labor Day this year! For one reason or another, Kansas City, MO was calling my name. Maybe it was the barbecue; maybe it was the city’s location right on the border of Missouri and Kansas. Either way, I’m glad I got to see a part of the Midwest that I had never been to before!

Kansas City is known for a lot of different things: football, jazz, and barbecue. I found that there was even more here to discover, including a vibrant coffee scene, amazing museums, and lots of lovely neighborhoods. A three-day weekend (or even regular weekend) in KCMO is the perfect getaway, and this guide will tell you everything you need to know!

Below are all the topics covered in this blog post. To skip down to any particular one, click or tap the corresponding link!

Food Ideas in Kansas City
Museums
Cultural Attractions
Neighborhoods to Explore

Food Ideas in Kansas City

Most visitors to Kansas City, MO are probably on the hunt for the city’s famous style of barbecue. Local cuisine was definitely a reason I wanted to go! Below are some of the places I found.

Barbecue, Of Course!

I’ll admit right off the bat that I’m no barbecue expert. Nonetheless, I had fun comparing smoked meats in Kansas City to the barbecue I’ve had in Texas and other parts of the US. Here is one resource that explains what makes KC-style unique. It seems like it comes down to the sweet sauce, the large variety of meats, and the sides: baked beans and slaw.

Although there are dozens of BBQ joints in Kansas City, I tried one per day on this trip for a total of three restaurants. I originally wanted to go to four or five places, but barbecue is too heavy for me to eat twice a day.

Joe's Kansas City BBQ

Address: 3002 W 47th Ave, Kansas City, KS 66103
Website: https://www.joeskc.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joeskcbbq
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joeskc/

Joe’s appears on basically every list of Kansas City barbecue restaurants that you absolutely must try. They’ve won a lot of awards, and there are a few locations to choose from. The flagship location is connected to a gas station, and I recommend going to this one if you can. Not only is it the original, but it’s also across the state line in Kansas City, KS (as opposed to Kansas City, MO). Joe’s was the perfect excuse for me to technically visit another state!

If you go to Joe’s, arrive about ten or fifteen minutes before they open to avoid a long line. In fact, my Lyft driver who brought me over here told me that they’ll often open a few minutes early to start letting people in. When I arrived a little bit before 11:00 a.m., there was a short line. By the time I left about an hour later, that line was out the door!

In terms of food, I ordered Joe’s two-meat combo with ribs and brisket. It came with Texas toast and one side, so I asked for their spicy slaw. I also got an extra side of dirty rice and a fruity vodka drink. Everything was delicious, but the ribs were probably the highlight of the meal. The dirty rice was also delicious; it tasted like it had some Cajun spices in it.

Joe’s is also famous for “The Z-Man Sandwich,” which I will have to try the next time I’m there. It’s a brisket and provolone sandwich that also has two onion rings on a Kaiser roll. I’m dreaming of a return trip to KC just to try this mouthwatering concoction!

Q39

Address: 1000 W 39th St, Kansas City, MO 64111
Website: https://q39kc.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Q39kc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/q39kc/

Q39 is named for their Midtown address on 39th street. Like Joe’s, Q39 also has an additional location, but you might as well go to the original. When I did, there was no line and I got seated immediately. A lot of BBQ places will require you to order at a counter and then find a seat. However, Q39 is a full-service sit-down restaurant.

One of the main highlights of Q39 is their beef brisket poutine, pictured above. I ordered that along with a two meat combo plate (again with ribs, brisket, and slaw). I was worried that this would be way too much food, but it actually wasn’t outrageous. I recommend doing the same, as long as you’re decently hungry. I didn’t finish every last bite, but I was able to eat more than half of both plates.

The poutine appetizer really stood out, especially with delicious cheddar cheese curds, gravy, and barbecue sauce. On the two meat combo plate, those big, tender pieces of brisket were amazing. I preferred them to the brisket at Joe’s, which was more thinly sliced and a little drier.

Wolfepack Barbecue

Address: 910 E 5th St, Kansas City, MO 64106
Website: https://wolfepackbbq.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wolfepackbbq
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolfepackbbq/

If you have three or more days in Kansas City, I suggest trying one or two of the most famous places (like Joe’s and Q39) along with a more local establishment. Some smaller BBQ houses in the city are relative newcomers, but some have been around for a while. A great way to tell quickly if a place is one of the big names is to see if they have thousands of reviews on Google compared to only hundreds. Wolfepack was an excellent local eatery that I’m glad someone recommended on Reddit!

At Wolfepack, I ordered the three-meat combo, which came with two sides. I got brisket, burnt ends, pulled pork, fries, and mac-and-cheese. It was a ton of food, and I especially loved the burnt ends. The mac-and-cheese was also really creamy, and those seasoned fries were delectable!

Other Cuisine Options

Since I ate barbecue for lunch three days in a row, I was never really hungry enough for a heavy, meat-based dinner during my visit to Kansas City. Instead, I went with Southeast Asian food in the evenings. All the veggies for dinner served as a counterbalance to those huge lunches! Here’s a few places I tried.

Pho Tower Vietnamese

Address: 3623 Broadway Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64111
Website: https://www.photower.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iphotower
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ipho_tower/

This restaurant’s name is a clever play on the words “Eiffel Tower.” When I went for dinner on my first night in KC, I ordered gỏi cuốn (fresh spring rolls) and a seafood phở. Both dishes were so tasty, and it was really refreshing after a BBQ feast for lunch. As a phở enthusiast, I am always excited to try this classic Vietnamese noodle soup in any city that has it. Pho Tower did not disappoint!

Lulu's Thai Noodle Shop

Address: 2030 Central St, Kansas City, MO 64108 (there are also other locations)
Website: https://www.lulusnoodles.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lulusnoodles/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lulusnoodleshop/

I saw this local Thai chain a few times and figured one of their vegetarian curries would be perfect for dinner on my second night! However, I was honestly a little disappointed with Lulu’s. If you’re craving Thai food, there are lots of other options around town.

I was excited to taste the wild mushroom curry at Lulu’s, along with a tom kha gai soup appetizer. Normally, I love how tom kha gai is a little creamy but spicy. Furthermore, it’s generally pretty light and not viscous. At Lulu’s, this soup was pretty thick, and it tasted like it was missing a lot of the spices that give tom kha gai its distinctive flavor.

The wild mushroom red curry similarly felt like it was missing a lot of flavor. It was really spicy, which I don’t mind, but that was about it. Great Thai curries have an aromatic mix of slightly sweet, spicy, and savory flavors, but this one just didn’t have any complexity to it.

I don’t know if this location of Lulu’s was having an off day, or if their recipes are always like this. Either way, I suggest eating Thai food somewhere else. The one thing I appreciated was that the red curry had a generous serving of broccoli, multiple kinds of mushrooms, and other veggies. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t that good…

Cool Local Coffee Shops

I was absolutely thrilled to discover that Kansas City has a vibrant coffee culture to go along with its decadent food offerings. Read on to learn more!

Anchor Island Coffee

Address: 4101 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64110
Website: https://www.anchorisland.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnchorIslandCoffee/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anchorislandcoffee/

This was the closest coffee shop to my Airbnb, so I stopped in to get a refreshing iced latte. I loved the décor and the theme, which really did make me feel like I was on a tropical island somewhere! The colorful murals on the walls were my favorite part of this cute little cafe.

Vested Coffee (Permanently Closed)

Update Apr 2024 According to multiple sources online, all locations of Vested Coffee permanently closed in December 2023.

Address: 310 W 8th St, Kansas City, MO 64105
Website: https://www.vested.coffee/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vested.coffee
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vested.coffee/

Vested Coffee’s name pays homage to the Garment District, which is where this cafe is located. It’s in the heart of downtown, and I loved how chic and bright the interior of Vested Coffee was. I tried one of their seasonal fall drinks, but ordered it iced since it was really hot the weekend I visited KC. The coffee was delicious without being overly sweet!

Oddly Correct

Address: 4141 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64110
Website: https://oddlycorrect.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oddlycorrectcoffee
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oddly/

I loved everything about this quirky, artsy cafe near Hyde Park! To match their memorable name, Oddly Correct also had an oddly specific theme: cats in space suits and octopus tentacles. I really enjoyed the iced sage caramel latte I got here. It had a distinctive smoky and floral flavor that really elevated the drink!

Broadway Cafe and Roasting Company

Address: 4106 Broadway Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64111
Website: https://broadwayroasting.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Broadway-Cafe-and-Roasting-Company/100052710945417/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/broadwayroasting/

Located in Westport, Broadway Cafe is the ideal spot to rest for a little bit while sipping a cold brew. The interior is cozy with lots of seating, and the surrounding neighborhood is a fun one to check out if you have time.

Museums

Did you know that Kansas City has a flourishing museum scene? I had no idea until I arrived! If you’re into art, music, history, sports, or all of the above, KCMO has a museum just for you. Below are all the ones I saw during my visit!

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

Address: 4525 Oak St, Kansas City, MO 64111
Website: https://www.nelson-atkins.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nelsonatkins
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nelsonatkins/

The Nelson-Atkins is undoubtedly the centerpiece of KCMO’s vast array of cultural institutions. It’s also a symbol of the city with its gorgeous open lawns, public outdoor art, and iconic giant shuttlecocks (the world’s largest, apparently).

The main building of the Nelson-Atkins is a beautiful example of Beaux-Arts architecture. Its prominent columns give it a very distinguished look. Take some time to walk all the way around the museum before heading inside. The beautiful lawns, sculpture gardens, and reflecting pool in the back are all worth seeing!

The interior of the museum is just as exquisite as the exterior. Its main foyer (Kirkwood Hall) is supported by massive black-and-white marble columns that complement the limestone ones outside. Rozzelle Court Restaurant, the museum cafe, is also very picturesque. According to the museum’s website, it was inspired by an Italian courtyard!

In terms of exhibits, the Nelson-Atkins has a very extensive collection. I’m not a huge museum buff, but I found the displays here to be top-notch. I really liked the hieroglyphics on display in their Egypt gallery, as well as the Asian art on the second floor.

Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art

Address: 4420 Warwick Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64111
Website: https://www.kemperart.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KemperMuseum
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kempermuseum/

This modern art museum isn’t too far from the Nelson-Atkins. It’s much smaller, and there weren’t many other visitors when I was there. Because of this, I found it easier to engage with each individual piece of art on display. The Kemper Museum took me about half an hour to explore in its entirety.

National WWI Museum and Memorial

Address: 2 Memorial Dr, Kansas City, MO 64108
Website: https://www.theworldwar.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theworldwar
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalwwimuseum

If you only have time to visit two museums in Kansas City, I’d say visit the Nelson-Atkins and the National World War I Museum and Memorial. Both are incredible, and they offer very different experiences. One of the coolest things about the latter is that you can actually take an elevator to the top of the memorial, which is the tower shown in the picture below.

As you might expect, parts of the National WWI Museum can be pretty depressing. Nonetheless, the museum (located below the memorial) provides a lot of historical context for the Great War. I liked the layout of the exhibits too, with the first half focusing on what was happening globally and the second half focusing on the US.

When you purchase tickets, you’ll have to decide if you want to visit the museum, the top of the memorial tower, or both. I think you get a small discount if you buy the bundle. For those interested in the memorial, there’s an elevator that will take you most of the way. Then, you have to ascend a few more stairs to get to the open-air observation deck. The top of the tower provides a stunning 360-degree view of Kansas City!

One thing that really surprised me about the memorial is that it was completed in 1926, before anyone knew that World War II would begin the following decade. The structure went through periods of decline since then; it even closed in 1994 due to disrepair. Luckily, the monument was restored and is in excellent condition. Today, the National WWI Museum and Memorial is an integral part of Kansas City’s cultural identity.

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum & American Jazz Museum

Address: 1616 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108
Website: https://www.nlbm.com/
https://www.americanjazzmuseum.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NegroLeaguesBaseballMuseum/
https://www.facebook.com/AmericanJazzMuseum/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nlbmuseumkc/
https://www.instagram.com/ajazzmuseumkc/

These two museums are housed in the same building, and you get a slight discount if you want to purchase tickets to both of them. The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM) provides a fascinating look at a time when sports were segregated in America. Even though I’m not really into sports, I really enjoyed learning about the Negro Leagues and one of their most important teams, the Kansas City Monarchs.

The NLBM is a captivating museum, with one long, winding hallway that acts as a timeline. The walls are covered in placards, artifacts, memorabilia, and more. At the end of the hallway, you’ll find yourself on an indoor model of a baseball diamond with life-size statues of famous players.

The American Jazz Museum is also a cool place to visit. I feel like it was kind of geared towards kids, but there were still great exhibits for all ages. Learn about the different instruments, what sets jazz apart from other genres, and the lives of famous musicians like Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington.

The American Jazz Museum and the NLBM are located in the neighborhood known as “18th & Vine,” a reference to the intersection where the city’s historic jazz clubs are clustered. In fact, this building is connected to a performance venue called The Blue Room with regularly scheduled concerts and public jam sessions. If I had more time in KCMO, I would’ve loved to do an evening out at one of the clubs in this part of town!

Cultural Attractions

In addition to its many museums and galleries, Kansas City is also home to a variety of other cultural attractions. There really is something here for everyone! Read on to discover what I found.

City Market

Address: 20 E 5th St #201, Kansas City, MO 64106
Website: https://thecitymarketkc.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCityMarketKansasCity
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/citymarketkc/

Most cities have some type of farmers market, but I was blown away by City Market in KCMO! It is a large, bustling venue with so many vendors. I walked around one morning and saw lots of fresh produce, flowers, crafts, souvenirs, and hot food.

Despite being early, I couldn’t resist trying a caipirinha from Taste of Brazil and chatting with the staff for a bit in Portuguese. It was a very tasty cocktail and a nostalgic throwback to my year and a half living in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro!

Kansas City Central Library

Address: 14 W 10th St, Kansas City, MO 64105
Website: https://kclibrary.org/library-locations/central-library
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kclibrary
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kclibrary/

There’s a neighborhood downtown called the “Library District,” which piqued my curiosity about this historic landmark. After visiting, I would say the Central Library is a beautiful building, but it’s not an absolute must-see. The first floor has pretty columns, chandeliers, and ornate high ceilings. There’s also a little rooftop garden with views of downtown.

Union Station Kansas City

Address: 30 W Pershing Rd, Kansas City, MO 64108
Website: https://unionstation.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UnionStationKCMO
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unionstationkc/

Union Station is the crown jewel in the Kansas City skyline, especially when viewed from the National WWI Memorial. Like the Nelson-Atkins Museum, Union Station was also built in Beaux-Arts style. I find it to be most impressive at dusk when the front is illuminated in bright colors!

After viewing Union Station and the skyline from the National WWI Memorial, walk over to the station to see what it looks like inside. The main hall’s most noteworthy feature is its intricately designed ceiling. There are also restaurants, children’s museums, and temporary exhibits.

Berkley Riverfront

The Missouri River runs directly north of Downtown KCMO, and there’s a pedestrian path on its southern shore known as the Berkley Riverfront. It feels a little industrial, but I still enjoyed walking here. Just know that on hot days, the Berkley Riverfront is very toasty! There’s not a ton of shade along the path.

Brush Creek

About six miles south of the Missouri River, you’ll find Brush Creek. This calm waterway also offers a lovely place to walk outdoors. Of the two, I liked Brush Creek a little more than the Berkley Riverfront. Brush Creek is within walking distance of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Further to the west, it runs through Country Club Plaza, an upscale shopping district.

Neighborhoods to Explore

One thing I loved about Kansas City is that it had a lot of distinctive neighborhoods! Below are a few parts of the city worth exploring.

Downtown

Since I live in Chicago, I’ll admit that downtown Kansas City felt pretty quiet. However, I really liked the architecture in the city center, and many of the attractions listed above can be found here (such as City Market, the Central Library, and the Berkley Riverfront).

Country Club Plaza

This fancy neighborhood directly north of Brush Creek is basically a huge outdoor mall. Walk along the water and enjoy the Spanish-style architecture. Country Club Plaza opened in 1923, so it’s actually celebrating its centennial this year!

Westport

This historic district is located between Downtown and Country Club Plaza. Originally, this was a major trading post near the starting point of the Oregon Trail. Due to its history, Westport has a distinctive western vibe. Today, this is one of the city’s most popular bar and entertainment districts.

East Crossroads

Located directly south of the heart of downtown, East Crossroads looks sort of like an industrial warehouse district. Despite being a little rough around the edges, this neighborhood has a lot of impressive street art.

In addition to its outdoor murals, East Crossroads is also Kansas City’s hub for beer and cocktails! There are tons of breweries and distilleries clustered around the intersection of Locust Street and East 18th Street.

I only had time to visit one brewery in East Crossroads, but I was very impressed! It was called Casual Animal Brewing Company (website | location), and I ordered a delicious beer flight here. I loved their bright, open seating area. It was so colorful, complete with plants hanging from the ceiling and fancy rugs on the floor.

Hyde Park

Hyde Park is a historic residential neighborhood located halfway between Downtown and Country Club Plaza. This is where my Airbnb was, and it was a pretty convenient location. I also enjoyed walking around Hyde Park and seeing the beautiful homes.

This large neighborhood seemed like an offbeat yet charming part of Kansas City. I think Hyde Park also has a local, under-the-radar coffee scene, which is awesome!

Enjoy KCMO!

I hope this blog post serves as a helpful blueprint for a weekend in the “Paris of the Plains.” And if you’re considering a getaway to Kansas City but are still on the fence, I’d say it really is worth visiting! Whether you love BBQ, architecture, museums, or coffee shops, KC has something for everyone!

Have you been to Kansas City before? Is there anything I missed this time that I should see on my next trip? Leave a comment below and let me know! I’d also appreciate additional BBQ recommendations for next time!

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This post was published on Sept 9, 2023
This post was updated on Apr 27, 2024

Bangkok (Sept)
Istanbul (Sept)

The post Kansas City: How To Spend A Weekend In Missouri’s Midwestern Metropolis appeared first on Caffeinated Excursions.

A Weekend Road Trip To Crater Lake, OR

Kevin | Caffeinated Excursions — Mon, 14 Aug 2023 17:00:00 +0000

A Weekend Road Trip To Crater Lake, OR

Published August 14, 2023

There’s no better time to visit the Pacific Northwest than in August or September! As someone who grew up in Seattle and now lives in Chicago, I can personally confirm this. I love going back home during the late summer months, especially when I have a local trip planned. This year, that excursion was a drive down to Crater Lake, Oregon!

My high school friend group has an annual tradition of getting together in late summer for an outdoorsy, PNW road trip. Dorian, Ismael, Matthew, and I have stayed in tents, rented cabins, and booked yurts. To learn more about where we’ve been the past few years, click or tap on one of the image links below!

Since we had already camped in Washington and Montana, Oregon seemed like a logical destination for 2023. My cousin, Kailyn (who is also a travel blogger), spent some time in Crater Lake National Park a few years ago. I think that’s what originally put the idea in my head. Click here to check out what she had to say about it!

A three-day weekend was enough time to go on a road trip from Seattle to Crater Lake and back. However, it was a pretty jam-packed schedule with long stretches of driving. This post will provide an overview of our itinerary, as well as my thoughts on this stunningly blue body of freshwater. To skip down to any particular section, click or tap on the corresponding link below!

Basic Information About Crater Lake National Park
Our Three-Day Weekend Itinerary
Highlights of Crater Lake
Things I Wish We Had Known
Where We Stayed

Basic Information About Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake National Park was established in 1902. Located in rural south-central Oregon, the lake was formed in a caldera. It’s the result of volcanic activity (not a meteor) that occurred approximately 7,700 years ago. Both the lake and its surroundings are strikingly pretty.

The most impressive thing about Crater Lake is the deep blue color of its water. It’s a shade of blue unlike any other body of water I’ve ever seen. I’m guessing this is because of its incredible depth. In fact, this is the deepest lake in the United States! From the surface, it goes down almost 2,000 feet!

No rivers or creeks feed into Crater Lake, and the steep walls of the caldera essentially shield the water from the wind. These factors cause the surface to be exceptionally still and glassy. It’s also very clear due to the lack of turbulence or flow.

Our Three-Day Weekend Itinerary

The following is a day-by-day breakdown of our road trip from Seattle to Crater Lake and back.

Day 1 (Friday): Drive From Seattle To Crater Lake

Early Friday morning, we departed Seattle and began our long drive towards Oregon. We took I-5 South until Portland, then drove along US-97 South through Bend. According to Google Maps, the journey is about 420 miles and takes 7.5 hours without stops. We left Seattle around 9:00 a.m. and arrived at Crater Lake around dinnertime. Our breaks included a stop for lunch and a stop for groceries in Bend.

Portland was an ideal place to get lunch; we passed through Oregon’s largest city right around noon. After some brief online searches, we decided to try the Portland Food Hall (website | location). They didn’t have a ton of vendors or seating, but it was sufficient for us. I ordered birria tacos from Mi Pueblito Magico and found them to be pretty tasty.

The Portland Food Hall is only a block or two away from the Willamette River, which runs through the center of the city. After eating, we stretched our legs for a few minutes in a park overlooking the urban waterway before getting back on the road.

Our next stop after Portland was Bend, a mid-sized city in Central Oregon with a population of about 100,000 people. Located about three hours south of Portland by car, Bend has become a popular destination in recent years, so I was excited to get a glimpse of it. However, our quick drive through (and stop at the local Fred Meyer for groceries) didn’t really reveal much about the city. I guess I’ll have to prioritize another trip to see what Bend has to offer!

The final stretch of driving from Bend to Crater Lake took about two hours. Cell service cut out for us along this rural section of US-97 South. A little before sunset, we arrived to our cabin in Fort Klamath.

Day 2 (Saturday): All Day In The National Park

This itinerary allowed us to spend an entire day at Crater Lake. This was enough time to enjoy the stunning views, do a few hikes, and drive around the rim of the caldera. A couple of attractions were closed during our visit (more on that below). If everything had been open, two days at Crater Lake might have made more sense.

We started off Day 2 with breakfast at the Crater Lake Lodge (website | location). From what I can tell, there are only three options for food in the park, and this hotel restaurant is probably the best of them. There’s also a sit-down restaurant at Annie Creek and fast food at the Rim Village Gift Shop.

At the lodge restaurant, we ordered breakfast combos with eggs, potatoes, sausage, and toast. We also shared some buckwheat pancakes. I’d say it was a pretty standard breakfast, comparable to your average diner. Those golden cubed potatoes were the best part of the meal! The menu here is not extremely extensive, but it worked for us.

After breakfast, we spent a few minutes looking around the Rim Village Visitor Center. Then, we got in our vehicle and began driving over to Cleetwood Cove. This is the only trail in the national park that will bring you to the water’s edge. I’ve written a little bit more about this moderately steep hike below.

By the time we were done exploring the lakefront at Cleetwood Cove, we were ready for a late lunch. We went back to the lodge (since there are basically no other sit-down restaurants). This time, I ordered fish and chips. It was good, but I think the breakfast here was a little better.

We were a little tired by this time, so we headed back to our cabin to rest for a few hours. In hindsight, I wish we had driven a little further counterclockwise along the lake to see the Phantom Ship Overlook or Plaikni Falls. We thought this portion of Rim Drive was closed, but that actually ended up not being the case. Nevertheless, it was probably good to rest and be out of the sun.

The final thing we did on Day 2 was return to the park for a sunset hike up Watchman Peak Trail. This was not excessively strenuous, but it was incredibly windy and chilly up there at dusk! Be sure to bring a jacket. It’s worth noting as well that the sun sets over the mountains to the west, not over Crater Lake.

Day 3 (Sunday): Drive Back To Seattle

On our third day, we cooked a quick breakfast in our cabin then checked out. The main difference between our drive to Crater Lake and our drive back was that we didn’t go through Bend on the way home. We could’ve, but the GPS was indicating that it would be a little quicker to take Oregon Route 58 to Eugene and then I-5 North.

We stopped for lunch again in Portland (this time at The Old Spaghetti Factory). After about four more hours of driving, we got back to Seattle just in time for dinner.

Highlights of Crater Lake

Below are some of the main attractions you should see during your time at Crater Lake National Park.

Rim Village Visitor Center

This quaint little shop next to the Crater Lake Lodge is a great place to orient yourself, ask a ranger for tips, or buy a souvenir. This is also a great place to get a first look at the water!

Cleetwood Cove Trail

If you’re only interested in doing one hike at Crater Lake, this is the one I recommend. Cleetwood Cove is the only place where you can approach the water’s edge or go for a swim. It’s a little steep, but not an especially grueling hike. The views on the way down are incredible!

If boat tours to Wizard Island were operating, Cleetwood Cove is where we would’ve boarded one. I still am not quite sure why they hadn’t been given the green light to operate during our visit. The weather was absolutely perfect!

Watchman Peak Trail

Unlike Cleetwood Cove, Watchman Peak Trail actually rises in elevation and offers views from a higher vantage point than Rim Drive. The hike is pretty short and not super strenuous. We heard that this hike was perfect for sunset, so we did it after dinner on Day 2.

At the top of Watchman Peak is a little house-like structure where you can rest and enjoy the view. Crater Lake was indeed pretty during golden hour, but I wish we had known just how cold it would be up here! The wind was fierce, and we really should’ve brought sweatshirts.

Wizard Island

One of Crater Lake’s most stunning attributes is Wizard Island. It’s not exactly at the center of the lake, but rather on the far west side. From the western half of Rim Drive, you’ll get amazing views of this landform that really does look like a (slightly flattened) wizard’s hat.

There is no land bridge or man-made bridge to get to Wizard Island, which means an organized boat tour is the only way to reach it. To board one of the tours, you would hike down to Cleetwood Cove, where the dock is. Unfortunately, these water taxis weren’t running during our visit. Which brings me to…

Things I Wish We Had Known

There are two main things I wish we had known before arriving. The first is something we could’ve looked up online; the second is something that was not clearly stated on the National Park Service website or the Crater Lake website.

First, the road that goes around the lake is not fully open right now (August 2023). The northeast quadrant of Rim Drive (also known as the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway) is closed for construction. This is clearly stated online, but it means that you can’t drive all the way around the lake until it reopens. According to the National Park Service website, hikers and bikers won’t be able to pass this way either. Hopefully construction will be done by this time next year!

Second, there were no boat tours operating when we went. This was a major disappointment because the official tour operator website says that they will run this season. However, we were told in person at the Crater Lake Lodge that the Coast Guard still hasn’t approved any boats on the water. Organized boat tours are the only way to get to Wizard Island in the middle of the lake.

We also called about a week before the trip, and the person who answered the phone implied that tours would be operating. I’m not sure if the park is intentionally being vague about it or what. The summer season is also almost over, so it’s not clear if the tours will be offered for only a few weeks in September or not at all this year. We still enjoyed our time at Crater Lake, but I feel like we missed out on the park’s most iconic offering.

Where We Stayed

The Crater Lake Lodge, which is within the boundaries of the national park, was fully booked by the time we were ready to reserve a place to stay (and we planned this trip well in advance). With this in mind, we instead booked a cabin at the Crater Lake Resort (website | location) near Fort Klamath, OR.

Driving from this campground to the south entrance of the national park took about half an hour, which was pretty reasonable. It was also a scenic drive. The cabin itself was absolutely amazing, with many more amenities than we were expecting. For example, the lodging came with a fully functional kitchen and a nice bathroom and shower in-room.

The Crater Lake Resort also had a little creek onsite and offered canoes. Unfortunately, we didn’t really have time to take advantage of them. They also have a convenience store, but prices did seem a little high there. Overall, this ended up being an ideal place to stay for us.

Enjoy the Marvels of Crater Lake!

Hopefully this blog post provides some helpful tips if you’re headed to Crater Lake soon! I loved that we were able to see much of the park in one day. However, I’d like to go back maybe in a few years to experience the boat tour and hike on Wizard Island. I hope the park is open in its entirety for your visit!

Have you been to Crater Lake? If you have, what was your favorite part of the park? Leave a comment below and let me know! Thanks for reading and see you next time!

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This post was published on Aug 14, 2023

Bangkok (Sept)
Istanbul (Sept)

The post A Weekend Road Trip To Crater Lake, OR appeared first on Caffeinated Excursions.

Discover Chicago’s Tranquil North Park Neighborhood: Urban Trails, Colleges, Etc.

Kevin | Caffeinated Excursions — Wed, 05 Jul 2023 17:00:00 +0000

Discover Chicago’s Tranquil North Park Neighborhood: Urban Trails, Colleges, Etc.

Published July 5, 2023
Last updated June 3, 2024

There’s something about Chicago’s Far North Side that I absolutely love. All of the neighborhoods that form the city’s northern boundary are captivating places to visit. They’re far enough away from the Loop that they’re almost suburban, but not quite. Each major street up here has its own distinct character, so exploring them is a lot of fun!

One of my favorite largely overlooked neighborhoods in Chicago is North Park. At first glance, this area may seem quiet and nondescript. But dig a little deeper and you’ll find a rich history influenced by Nordic heritage. North Park is also home to two universities as well as some top-ranked high schools, so the neighborhood serves as a hub for scholars.

This community area is not directly served by any CTA or Metra trains, which is partly why it feels hidden in plain sight. However, North Park is surrounded by other interesting neighborhoods and suburbs: Lincolnwood to the north, West Ridge and Lincoln Square to the east, Albany Park to the south, and Forest Glen to the west. You may have to take a bus to get here, but it’s worth the effort!

This blog post will be broken down into the following topics. To skip down to anything that interests you, click or tap the corresponding link below!

Basic Information About North Park
- North Park University
- Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU)
Parks to Visit in North Park
Enticing Food & Drink Options in North Park

Basic Information About North Park

As you can see from a map of the area, North Park is a large neighborhood with a lot of public green space. Historically, this part of Chicago was a popular destination for immigrants from the Nordics (Sweden in particular). There are still signs of this heritage, including The Sweden Shop and Tre Kronor Restaurant (both on Foster Avenue).

These days, North Park is a cultural melting pot, as evidenced by the wide variety of international restaurants that can be found here. It’s a small but vibrant food scene with lots of amazing options!

The heart of North Park is the intersection of West Foster Avenue and North Kimball Avenue. The neighborhood’s two college campuses are both within walking distance of here: North Park University and Northeastern Illinois University.

North Park University

Location: 3225 W Foster Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
Website: https://www.northpark.edu/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/npuchicago
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/npuchicago/

This Christian university has a student body of about 3,000. Sources online indicate that the neighborhood was named after this school, not the other way around. (I’ve always wondered if North Park was named for being directly north of Albany Park, but nothing online seems to verify that.)

The thing that stood out to me while I was exploring North Park U is how green the campus is. It’s also pretty small, nestled between Foster Ave and the North Branch Chicago River. The architecture here is a beautiful mix of traditional styles and a few modern halls. As far as I can tell, you don’t have to be a student at NPU to walk around the grounds.

Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU)

Location: 5500 N St Louis Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
Website: https://www.neiu.edu/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NEIUlife
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neiulife/

I have to admit, Northeastern (as it’s often called in Chicago, not to be confused with Northeastern University in Boston) is not as picturesque as neighboring North Park University. With that said, the campus is still pretty green, and a few of the halls have noteworthy architecture. NEIU has about 6,000 students, and there is a big focus on education and teacher training.

Parks to Visit in North Park

One of the best things about this community area is the fact that a huge percentage of it is made up of nature reserves. You will never be more than a few blocks away from a park while you’re exploring this part of Chicago! Below are some prominent ones.

North Park Village Nature Center & Peterson Park

North Park Village Nature Center

Location: Click or tap for Google Maps link
Website: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/North-Park-Village-Nature-Center/

This is perhaps North Park’s premier outdoorsy attraction. It has a small trail loop that traverses woodlands, wetlands, prairie, and savanna. The path has no change in elevation, so it’s a pretty easy hike.

North Park Village Nature Center is fenced in, and the main entrance is on Ardmore Avenue via Pulaski Road. I think you can also enter via Peterson Park (directly to the east), but I’m not sure. Although maps indicate that there’s an entrance on West Peterson Avenue, you may encounter a locked gate if you try to enter or exit this way.

This area is densely wooded, so it’s easy to forget that you’re still surrounded by residential blocks while walking the trails. However, the pathways are clearly defined and well-trodden. All in all, North Park Village Nature Center is a nice little retreat that feels a world apart from Chicago’s busy streets.

Peterson Park

Location: Click or tap for Google Maps link
Website: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/Peterson-Park/

Located right next to the Nature Center, Peterson Park is a standard city park. There’s a walking path here that you can access via Peterson Avenue and Central Park Avenue. You’ll also find various sports areas, a playground, and a field house.

North Park Village

If you look at a map of North Park, you’ll notice that there’s something odd about the area directly south of the Nature Center. It’s not developed into an urban grid system. Instead, a few roads seem to meander in random directions. This isn’t really a park, but there is a bit of history here that’s worth learning about.

While walking around North Park Village, I couldn’t tell what the area was for. Certain buildings have religious undertones. Others look like hospitals and medical facilities. Still others have a kind of collegiate vibe. Wide open lawns separate all of these structures. Was this a former campus of either NEIU or North Park? That was my initial guess, but I wasn’t correct.

It turns out that North Park Village used to be the city’s Tuberculosis Sanitarium. It operated from 1915 to 1974, and it basically served as a quarantine facility for people suffering from TB. Back when it was founded, the Chicago Municipal Tuberculosis Sanitarium was located at the edge of the city, which means it’s older than everything else further west.

According to one source, people believed that the best remedy for TB was sunlight and fresh air (before drug treatments were developed). This explains why there are so many lawns and so much space between the buildings here. These days, the former TB Sanitarium is known as North Park Village. It’s been converted into multiple retirement communities, a Chicago Park District field house, a gymnastics center, and the two parks mentioned above.

LaBagh Woods & Gompers Park

Location: Click or tap for Google Maps link
Website: https://fpdcc.com/places/locations/labagh-woods/

The large natural area of LaBagh Woods is managed by Forest Preserves of Cook County as opposed to Chicago Park District. It forms North Park’s western edge, and is easily accessible from the surrounding communities of North Mayfair and Forest Glen.

The North Branch Chicago River runs directly through here, so much of the trail system runs alongside the water. I’ll be honest: it’s not an extremely stunning view, but it’s still a nice place to go for a stroll.

La Bagh woods has two main trails: one that leads towards Forest Glen Avenue (the North Branch Trail) and one that goes all the way to Lincolnwood Town Center (the Weber Spur Trail). To be honest, I don’t love how isolated certain sections of the Weber Spur Trail are. In many places, the pathway is surrounded by thick vegetation, despite running parallel to residential streets. It’s pretty, but I’d exercise caution if you choose to hike or jog here.

Field Park

Location: Click or tap for Google Maps link
Website: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/Eugene-Field-Park/

If you’re looking for a quiet, under-the-radar park in the neighborhood, this might be it. It’s small, split into two different sections by the North Branch Chicago River. The portion of Field Park to the north of the river is basically a tiny little segment of trail surrounded by a grove of flowers that’s been allowed to grow wild. There’s also a wetland area that seems more like a bog than a pond that you can get up close to.

Enticing Food & Drink Options in North Park

Almost every neighborhood in Chicago I’ve explored has a thriving food scene, and that’s definitely true of North Park! Restaurants are a little spread out, but many of the places mentioned below are within a few blocks of North Park University.

Vietnamese Cuisine & Phở

I was surprised to learn that North Park is a hub for Vietnamese cuisine! Read on to see where you can get phở and other authentic Vietnamese dishes.

Phở Năm Lúa

Address: 6261 N McCormick Blvd, Chicago, IL 60659
Website: https://www.pho5lua.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pho5lua/

I have always spoken very highly of this cozy little spot with an artsy dining room. It is my favorite phở spot this far north, and is probably in my top two all throughout Chicago. (I’ve written a separate blog post about Chicago’s best phở joints, so be sure to check that out if you’re as obsessed with this noodle soup as I am!)

Everything I’ve eaten at Phở Năm Lúa has always been phenomenal. I’ve had the combo phở a number of times and it is always very fragrant with generous cuts of high-quality meat. Their gỏi cuốn (spring rolls) are also really tasty. I recommend visiting Phở Năm Lúa outside of peak hours. That’s because their dining room seems to fill up every day for lunch and dinner!

Hoanh Long Vietnamese & Chinese Cuisine

Address: 6148 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60659
Website: https://www.hoanhlongrestaurant.com/

I enjoyed trying the phở at Hoanh Long, although I did find that their bowl size was a little small. Despite this, the broth, noodles, and spring roll I had here were all pretty good. I need to go back and try one or two of their Chinese dishes.

Saigon Phở

Address: 3222 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Chicago, IL 60659
Website: https://chicagopho.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Saigon-PHO/100057608732710/

The first time I saw this restaurant’s name, I was immediately drawn to it. That’s because I actually lived in Saigon in 2019! I can only assume that the owners of this restaurant come from that amazing city. The best thing about the phở here is the broth. It is consistently rich and complex. The meat portions and quantity have been a little hit-or-miss, but I still find myself going back to this place every so often.

Pho Le 777

Address: 6257 N McCormick Blvd, Chicago, IL 60659
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Pho777
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phole777/

Did you know that Pho Le 777, Phở Năm Lúa, and Hoanh Long are all clustered at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and McCormick Boulevard? I’m not sure why, but this little commercial area is great for phở lovers! The thing that stood out to me about the bowl of soup here is that it had really good oxtail. Some restaurants don’t offer it, and some charge extra for it. As you can see, the portion size here is also pretty big.

Viet Fusion

Address: 3236 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Chicago, IL 60659
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/monanchoichicago

Viet Fusion is North Park’s newest Vietnamese restaurant, and I absolutely love it! They’ve got a stylish, modern dining room and an eye-catching storefront. When I went, I ordered bún thịt nướng (a rice noodle dish with veggies, pork, a fried egg roll, and a clear savory sauce). I also got an order of spring rolls. Both dishes tasted exceptionally fresh, and I assume they were made to order. The quality of the meat was excellent, and I’d say all of the flavors were very authentic. I can’t wait to go back to try the phở here!

Additional Asian Restaurants

In addition to all of the Vietnamese restaurants featured above, North Park has quite a few other places to get delicious Asian cuisine. Check them out below!

Midori Japanese Restaurant

Address: 3310 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Chicago, IL 60659
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MidoriJapaneseRestaurant/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midorijapanesesushi/

This place made an excellent first impression on me with their beautifully designed dining room. They have shoji doors and windows, private rooms with tatami mats, and a sushi bar that will make you feel like you’re enjoying a meal in Japan.

For my first visit, I decided to try their beef sukiyaki. It was a large bowl filled with tofu, meat, mushrooms, onions, cabbage, and clear noodles. All of those ingredients were stewed in a slightly sweet and savory broth. Before that dish came, I enjoyed a small salad with ginger dressing and a cup of miso soup. The main dish also came out with rice and fresh veggie sides. Needless to say, it was quite a feast!

When I went to Midori, I was surprised by how many regulars were there. The staff seemed to know many of the customers personally, and it’s easy to see why people keep going back. The service at Midori is truly top notch, and their menu is pretty comprehensive. I’m looking forward to trying their sushi next time!

Faiza Chicago

Address: 3315 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Chicago, IL 60659
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faiza.chicago/

Have you ever had Uyghur food before? It’s a Central Asian cuisine that I absolutely love! I was overjoyed to find a new Uyghur restaurant on Bryn Mawr, so I had to try it. The service was friendly, the food came out quickly, and the dining room is beautifully decorated!

I ordered a classic Uyghur dish called boso lagman (thick noodles with beef shown above) as well as a meat samosa (shown below). Both were delicious, although I have to admit I preferred the fried noodles over the samosa. Boso lagman is a flavorful and hearty recipe that includes green beans and red peppers. Faiza served it with red chili paste on the side. I added all of it to my plate, which gave the noodles a little bit of a zingy aftertaste.

Cozy Brunch Places

North Park is not a brunch destination per se, but there are a few places to try if you happen to be in the neighborhood early in the day.

Bryn Mawr Breakfast Club

Address: 3348 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Chicago, IL 60659
Website: https://www.brynmawrbreakfastclub.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Bryn-Mawr-Breakfast-Club/100063689944426/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brynmawrbreakfastclub/

This breakfast and brunch place has a kind of rustic farm theme going on. The atmosphere is great, and they always seem to be busy (even on weekdays). I’ve tried the bagel and lox plate, which is a colorful and healthy plate. Their fried potatoes are also excellent!

Tre Kronor Restaurant

Address: 3258 W Foster Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
Website: http://swedishbistro.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TreKronorRestaurant
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trekronorresto/

Not only is this restaurant an amazing place to get breakfast or lunch, but it’s also an ode to North Park’s Swedish roots! The establishment’s name means “Three Crowns” in Swedish, referencing the national symbol. Tre Kronor has a beautiful, cozy dining room that feels like a forest, adorned with hand-painted murals.

I wanted to try something new when I went, so I ordered their Stockholm Omelette. Tucked inside was falukorv sausage and Havarti cheese. I had never had falukorv before this, and it was such a treat! The meal was also served with a choice of toast, and I couldn’t pass up the Swedish limpa. It’s a variety of rye that really complimented the omelette and potatoes.

Other Great Restaurants to Try

Sissy's Sandwich

Address: 3224 W Foster Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
Website: https://sissyssandwich.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Sissys-Sandwich/100076073096911/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sissyssandwich/

This relatively new sandwich joint is a must-try if you’re in North Park! It’s conveniently located right across the street from North Park University’s main entrance. They offer standard breakfast choices as well as sandwiches with Latin flair. I tried their steak and plantain sandwich, which blew me away!

The steak was cut into thin strips, and the plantain was cooked perfectly. It was just crispy enough without being hard to bite. The meal was also served with fresh seasoned fries, as well as green and orange salsas. It was a pretty heavy and filling lunch, but it was so satisfying! The prices here were also very competitive. I’m jealous of NPU students who are just a minute or two away from this awesome diner!

Charcoal Delights

Address: 3139 W Foster Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
Website: http://www.charcoaldelights.com/

Charcoal Delights is North Park’s very own Chicago-style fast food establishment. They have burgers, fries, Chicago hot dogs, gyros, and other classic quick dishes. So far, I’ve only tried their double cheese burger with fries. The burger was extremely cheesy, and I have to agree with the owners: I think having it charbroiled makes a difference!

Enjoy Your Visit to North Park!

I hope this blog post inspires you to set aside a day or two to go explore North Park! It’s not a touristy part of Chicago by any means, but it definitely has its charm. There’s also a surprising amount of history here, not to mention local religious and cultural traditions.

If you’re visiting Chicago for the first or second time, North Park isn’t a neighborhood I’d say you absolutely have to see. But if you’re either a local resident or a traveler who’s been to Chicago many times, I highly recommend exploring the little “village” at the intersection of Foster and Kimball at least.

Have you been to North Park before? Are there any amazing restaurants here that I missed? Leave a comment below and let me know! Thanks for reading, and be sure to check out some of my other Chicago 360 neighborhood guides!

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This post was published on July 5, 2023
This post was updated on June 3, 2024

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The post Discover Chicago’s Tranquil North Park Neighborhood: Urban Trails, Colleges, Etc. appeared first on Caffeinated Excursions.

United States Archives - Caffeinated Excursions

A Madison, WI Long Weekend Itinerary (Plus Taking The Bus To And From Chicago)

Attractions in Madison

Wisconsin State Capitol

Dane County Farmers' Market

University of Wisconsin–Madison Campus

Lake Mendota

Lake Monona

Tenney Park

Food & Drink Ideas

Breakfast & Brunch

Mickies Dairy Bar

Lunch & Dinner

Dotty Dumpling's Dowry

The Harvey House

Mint Mark

Sardine

The Old Fashioned Tavern & Restaurant

Little Tibet Madison

Coffee

Fair Trade Coffee House

Wonderstate Coffee

Michelangelo's Coffee House

Bars & Breweries

Young Blood Beer Company

Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co.

Mickey's Tavern

Taking the Bus to and from Chicago

Where I Stayed

Hilton Garden Inn Madison Downtown

DoubleTree by Hilton Madison Downtown

One Weekend in Madison Isn't Enough!

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Amtrak Borealis Review: Round Trip From Chicago To Minneapolis St. Paul

General Overview

Chicago, IL to Saint Paul, MN

Saint Paul, MN Back to Chicago, IL

Facilities Review

Superliner Car Configurations

Accommodations for Disabilities

Seats

Bathrooms

Wi-Fi

Food, Drinks, and the Cafe Car

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the views scenic?

Which side of the train offers better views?

Near Chicago

Near Milwaukee

Along the Mississippi River

How does luggage work?

How does the Amtrak Borealis compare to flying?

How full was the train?

Final Tips

Eat a full meal before taking the Borealis.

Bring your own snacks.

Sit in the car that Amtrak staff directs you to.

All Aboard the Borealis!

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