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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.

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

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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!

Bangkok (Sept)
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The post A Traveler’s Guide To Nashville And Brown County, IN appeared first on Caffeinated Excursions.

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)

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Why You Need To Visit Milwaukee, An Underrated Gem In The Midwest

Kevin | Caffeinated Excursions — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 17:00:00 +0000

Why You
Need To Visit Milwaukee,
An Underrated Gem In The Midwest

Why You Need To Visit Milwaukee, An Underrated Gem In The Midwest

Published June 6, 2023
Last updated November 19, 2025

Have you ever visited a city and found that it really surpassed your expectations? For me, that recently happened with Milwaukee! Since I’ve lived in Chicago for two years now, I figured it was finally time to take the short Amtrak ride across state lines to check out Wisconsin’s biggest city. I only wish I had made the trip up sooner!

Milwaukee, only an hour or two north of Chicago, is the quintessential weekend getaway for residents of the Windy City. However, I’m surprised that MKE (as it’s often abbreviated) hasn’t received more national attention, especially post-pandemic. It’s the kind of chill, affordable destination that I feel like Americans are looking for these days!

This blog post will highlight different neighborhoods, attractions to visit, and more. To skip down to any particular section, click or tap the corresponding link!

Initial Impression of Milwaukee
Neighborhoods to Explore
Noteworthy Attractions
Tips & Final Thoughts about MKE

Initial Impressions of Milwaukee

Since I live in Chicago, the first thing that stood out to me about Milwaukee is the two cities’ similar geography. First and foremost, Chicago and Milwaukee are located on the western shore of Lake Michigan. Both cities also have downtown cores situated on peninsulas that are separated from surrounding neighborhoods by rivers and creeks.

In contrast to Chicago, Milwaukee is undoubtedly less congested. Despite this, the city is pretty compact and walkable. Although Downtown Milwaukee doesn’t really have the scale or grandiosity of Chicago’s Loop and River North, it is home to a plethora of historic architecture. I loved seeing so many well-preserved ornate buildings alongside more modern skyscrapers.

What’s the number one reason to visit Milwaukee? I’d say the food and beer scene is basically unrivaled. In fact, beer is such an integral part of the heritage here that Milwaukee’s nickname is “Brew City”! The local professional baseball team is the Milwaukee Brewers, and there are countless other references to beer all over town.

Brew City’s dining scene is local, unpretentious, and centered around American classics. These plates generally go well with beer. You might be tempted to call Milwaukee’s most popular dishes “bar food,” but I don’t think that does them justice. Even the burgers and fries are carefully crafted, with delicious local cheeses and fresh ingredients.

Oh, one last thing: Milwaukee has a surprisingly vibrant coffee culture as well! Beer, food, and coffee really are the city’s trifecta! There are so many local coffee shops all around town, and each one is a gem worth discovering.

I’m so impressed with the beer, food, and coffee in Milwaukee that I’m writing a separate blog post about all of it. I’ll link that post here as soon as it’s online!

Neighborhoods to Explore

Despite being a smaller city, Milwaukee has a bunch of distinctive neighborhoods. Many of them are easy to navigate on foot. Below are my top recommendations!

Downtown Milwaukee

Milwaukee’s city center is compact, clean, and beautiful. I generally consider Downtown to be the area bounded by Lake Michigan on the east, the Milwaukee River on the west, Interstate 794 on the south, and East Ogden Street on the north. The heart of Downtown is closer to the river than the lakefront, and this is where the city’s most impressive historic buildings can be found.

The lakefront downtown is just as stunning as the city’s architecture. Here you’ll find two large parks: Veterans Park further north and Lakeshore State Park further south. A series of pedestrian paths connects the two, so it’s easy to spend a leisurely few hours strolling along the water’s edge.

In addition to its large public green spaces, Milwaukee’s waterfront is also home to the city’s most memorable structure. In contrast to the historical buildings a few blocks to the west, this one is distinctly modern and stands all on its own, both literally and figuratively. I’m talking about the Milwaukee Art Museum, which has become a striking symbol of the city’s dynamism and culture.

I’ve written about the Milwaukee Art Museum in more depth below since it is a cultural centerpiece of the city.

Lower East Side & East Brady Street

This neighborhood’s name can be a little misleading because the Lower East Side is actually directly north of Downtown. It’s a casual, residential part of Milwaukee with a vibrant restaurant and bar scene.

The focal point of the Lower East Side is East Brady Street. If you’re looking for a place to eat and drink, this lively street is where you should go. There are dozens of local hangout spots within just a few blocks.

Historic Third Ward

I will be honest: a lot of historic districts in American cities feel dingy and dilapidated these days. Some of them just haven’t been maintained and have become grungy (I’m thinking of Pioneer Square in Seattle, the Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego, etc). Luckily, Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward bucks the trend!

The Historic Third Ward is refreshingly pristine and lively. It feels like it’s been restored, like the city has intentionally converted the old warehouses into housing and retail. The overall vibe is pretty distinct from Downtown directly to the north. The buildings here are a little more cohesive stylistically, and the Historic Third Ward is home to a lot of trendy cafes and eateries.

The most prominent attraction in the Historic Third Ward is the Milwaukee Public Market. It’s the perfect place to pick up snacks, pastries, coffee, and other local products! I’ve written more about this charming spot below.

Westown (Old World Third Street Entertainment District)

Given Milwaukee’s love of beer, it should be no surprise that the city has a rich history of German migration. There’s even an entire Wikipedia article dedicated to that aspect of MKE’s history! It says that three distinct waves of immigration from Germany occurred between 1845 and 1893. Each wave was made up of people who came from different regions of the country: first the southwest, then the northwest, and finally the northeast.

The city’s German roots are prominently on display in the Old World Third Street Entertainment District. Located on the eastern edge of Westown, this compact German neighborhood runs north-to-south along Third Street between East Knapp Street and West Wisconsin Avenue. Note that Third Street is also called North Doctor M.L.K. Jr. Drive.

Take a quick walk up and down Third Street and you’ll notice lots of German architecture. Grab a beer, a giant pretzel, or both at the Old German Beer Hall (website | location). They have the distinctive blue umbrellas and signage proudly indicating that they serve Hofbräu München beer from Munich!

if you’re looking for a decadent sit-down meal in a dining room adorned with stained glass and other authentic decor, reserve a table at Mader’s (website | location). It’s the most striking building on Third Street, both inside and out! Pictured below is their pork shank, which is their signature dish. While you’re there, be sure to get a picture in their huge regal chair! It almost feels like a miniature throne!

Walker's Point & Harbor View

To get to this pair of neighborhoods, cross south over the Milwaukee River from either the Historic Third Ward or Westown. I haven’t tried a lot of restaurants in this part of the city, but from what I can tell, they form a pretty comprehensive international array of choices. I was blown away by the Jamaican food at Mobay Cafe (website | location) on South 1st Street!

Bay View

Further south of Harbor View is the up-and-coming neighborhood of Bay View. You can technically walk between Harbor View and Bay View along South Kinnickinnic Avenue (also known as 32nd Division Memorial Highway). I did it and had no issue. However, the “no man’s land” in between the two neighborhoods is sort of industrial and not super quaint.

The heart of Bay View feels like a little town village. There are lots of interesting bars and restaurants here that generally feel a little more laid-back than those in Walker’s Point and Downtown. I absolutely loved discovering Nonfiction Natural Wines (website | location), a bright and spacious natural wine bar which really embodied the overall vibe of the neighborhood.

I want to go back and dedicate an entire long weekend to Bay View. It feels like the kind of neighborhood that you could explore for days without running out of things to do!

Noteworthy Attractions

Now that we’ve looked at some cool neighborhoods in Milwaukee, I’ll introduce you to some individual attractions that you should see during your visit!

Milwaukee Art Museum

Address: 1872 N Commerce St, Milwaukee, WI 53212
Website: https://mam.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/milwaukeeart
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milwaukeeart/

There are only a few American cities where I’d say the local art museum is an absolute must-see, but that’s definitely true for Milwaukee. In fact, I’d argue that this is MKE’s top attraction. That’s because the museum is so architecturally stunning, and its location right on Lake Michigan makes it undoubtedly one of the most beautiful museums in the country.

There are a couple of things about the Milwaukee Art Museum that make it so unique. For one, it looks like a different building from various angles. Most notably, this structure actually has wings that can open and close! They’re technically called the Burke Brise Soleil, but many people refer to them as wings or a sail. The primary function is to allow sunlight into the museum’s main atrium. When the wings are up, the building almost appears to be taking flight from certain vantage points.

The Burke Brise Soleil is generally in the extended position when the museum is open, and it closes each night. However, the structure also has sensors to detect if wind is stronger than a certain threshold. If that’s the case, the sail will close during the day to prevent damage.

The interior of the Milwaukee Art Museum is just as impressive as the exterior. Windhover Hall, the main lobby, feels like a modern rendition of a cathedral, with an arched ceiling and lots of glass. In fact, the architect Santiago Calatrava drew inspiration from Gothic forms when he was designing the museum. He also incorporated nautical themes to pay homage to the lake.

Two long hallways connect Windhover Hall with the actual art exhibits. The Milwaukee Art Museum houses an impressive collection of modern and classical works from all over the world. I’m not the biggest museum aficionado, but I still loved spending a few hours getting acquainted with all of the paintings, sculptures, and artifacts here.

Milwaukee Public Market

Address: 400 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Website: https://milwaukeepublicmarket.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MilwaukeePublicMarket/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milwaukeepublicmarket/

Located conveniently on the border of the Historic Third Ward and Downtown, the Milwaukee Public Market is a convenient place to grab snacks, a meal, or a drink. I feel like the easiest thing to get here is a pastry or some coffee. There are multiple vendors selling mouthwatering cookies, cupcakes, and other baked sweets.

There are also a number of restaurants surrounding the market as well that generally seem popular. I had a delicious brunch one morning at Café Benelux (website | location), which is right across the street from the market on the corner of North Broadway and East St. Paul Avenue.

Milwaukee Public Library Central Library

Address: 814 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53233
Website: https://www.mpl.org/hours_locations/central.php
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Milwaukee.Public.Library
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milwaukeepubliclibrary/

The Central Library is a little less tourism-oriented than the other attractions listed above. It’s further west, not too far from Marquette University.

The main reason to visit the Central Library is to see its grand entrance hall. The building was built in the Renaissance style back in 1898, and both the lobby and its outer façade have been impeccably preserved.

Mitchell Park Domes Horticultural Conservatory

Address: 524 S Layton Blvd, Milwaukee, WI 53215
Website: https://www.mitchellparkdomes.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MitchellParkDomes/
Instagram (Milwaukee County Parks): https://www.instagram.com/mkecountyparks/

This stunning indoor botanical garden is not really within walking distance of downtown Milwaukee or the Historic Third Ward, but it’s worth the short drive or Uber trip (which should only take about 10 minutes). The structure is made up of three glass domes and a central hub that connects them. There’s the Floral Show Dome, the Desert Dome, and the Tropical Dome.

All three domes have their own unique theme, and they’re also climate controlled for the plants. Be prepared for high humidity in the Tropical Dome! The Desert Dome was pretty self-explanatory, and the Floral Show Dome showcases both plants and art. According to the Mitchell Park Domes website, the Floral Show Dome has rotating seasonal themes throughout the year.

After I explored the domes, I walked around Mitchell Park a bit. There’s a nice pond, but the domes are definitely the park’s main attraction. There’s not much around Mitchell Park in terms of restaurants or other things to do, so when I was done, I took another Uber back towards downtown.

National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum

Address: 170 S 1st St 2nd floor, Milwaukee, WI 53204
Website: https://www.bobbleheadhall.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bobbleheadhall/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobbleheadhall/

Visitors to Milwaukee who love quirky collectibles and sports memorabilia won’t want to miss this impressive museum located above a Colectivo Coffee! According to their website, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum has over 10,000 nodding figurines in their collection.

I would say most of the Bobblehead collection here is sports and college related. Pop culture and politics are also prominent. Within the sports sections of the museum, Wisconsin and the Midwest are most heavily featured. With that said, even as someone who really doesn’t follow any professional or collegiate athletics, I still really enjoyed spending an hour or so here. If you’re a millennial like I am, you’ll probably find this museum very nostalgic!

Go on a Brewery Tour!

If you’re headed to Brew City, you simply have to go on a tour of a brewery to see how the magic happens! There are lots of options, but a coworker of mine who used to live in MKE recommended the Lakefront Brewery tour (website | location).

This massive brewery and taproom is a destination regardless of whether you book a tour or not. Drink tokens are included with the tour, which showcases how this local beer producer overcame lots of hurdles to become a successful business.

The tour was witty and humorous, although I have to admit that it did feel a little long. Afterwards, we tried a few of their beers on tap and ordered cheese curds and fried pickles from the food counter. Lakefront Brewery is an amazing place to try some Wisconsin-style fried treats if you’re craving something delicious after a few drinks!

Tips & Final Thoughts about MKE

Hopefully this blog post provides some insight into why Milwaukee is an underrated gem! The city has a lot going for it; it feels like a regional hub of innovation and modernization. Even though Milwaukee never comes close to feeling crowded, it definitely has a vivacious energy!

In spite of all that, Milwaukee has a higher crime rate than Chicago. (In fact, Milwaukee made the Top 15 Most Dangerous American Cities for 2023, while Chicago did not.) You need to exercise caution in the Milwaukee metro area, but the good news is that all of the neighborhoods mentioned in this post are centrally located. I think the rougher areas to avoid are generally far from Downtown.

I can’t speak to how accurate it is, but here is one resource listing neighborhoods to avoid in and around Milwaukee. The closest one to the city center is Haymarket (north of Westown). I’ve had colleagues and acquaintances advise simply not going very far north or west as a good rule of thumb.

All in all, I’m glad I finally got to see what Brew City was all about! I’m sure I’ll be back every so often. I’ll also update this post if I discover anything new worth sharing. Thanks for checking out my blog, and enjoy MKE if you’re headed up that way!

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This post was published on June 6, 2023
This post was updated on Nov 19, 2025

Bangkok (Sept)
Istanbul (Sept)

The post Why You Need To Visit Milwaukee, An Underrated Gem In The Midwest appeared first on Caffeinated Excursions.

The Ultimate Three-Day Weekend Guide To San Diego, California

Kevin | Caffeinated Excursions — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 18:00:00 +0000

The Ultimate Three-Day Weekend Guide To San Diego, CA

Published February 28, 2023

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!

San Diego is the perfect destination for a long weekend getaway! First and foremost, this laid-back city offers lovely warm weather all year round. San Diego is also the perfect size. It’s not a gigantic, sprawling metropolis, but it’s not so small that you’ll get bored after one or two days.

This blog post is a three-day itinerary for “America’s Finest City.” It features a ton of outdoor activities, food ideas, and visits to the city’s most iconic neighborhoods! To skip down to any day or particular attraction, click or tap on the corresponding link below.

Basic Information About San Diego
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Tips & Final Remarks

Basic Information About San Diego

The city of San Diego is located on California’s southernmost stretch of Pacific coast, just north of the border with Mexico. It has a sunny and dry climate with relatively moderate temperatures in both summer and winter. While it may not be centrally located within the Continental US, a direct flight from Chicago only took about four hours.

A quick look at a map of San Diego reveals its main features: a rugged coastline, a massive park in the middle of the city (more on that below), and a waterfront downtown. All of these geographical aspects give the city a wonderfully unique vibe. It’s easy to explore all of this and more during a three-day visit!

Day 1

Balboa Park

Address: click for Google Maps link
Website: https://balboapark.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BalboaPark/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balboapark/

This huge park right next to the city center is a great place to get oriented after settling in to your hotel or Airbnb. It’s emblematic of everything San Diego has to offer: lots of nature, sun, and cultural attractions. El Prado, the main drive running through the park, is lined with about a dozen ornate museums and galleries.

Visiting all of the museums in Balboa Park would probably take at least half a week, but I decided to check out one: the Museum of Us (address | website), an anthropology museum housed in the exquisite California Quadrangle building. This museum showcased an interesting Mayan exhibit as well as Egyptian coffins, a history of beer, and more.

The other attraction I visited in Balboa Park was the Japanese Friendship Garden (address | website). It’s surprisingly large, and it’s built onto the side of a hill. I really liked the bonsai trees on display here as well as the series of ponds on the far end near the gift shop.

The Museum of Us and Japanese Friendship Garden both have entrance fees, but some of the museums on El Prado are free to visit! Check those out instead if you’re on a tighter budget.

Lunch in Hillcrest

After a morning of exploring Balboa Park, you’ll probably be pretty hungry! I recommend heading over to Hillcrest, a neighborhood directly to the northwest. Hillcrest is San Diego’s center of LGBTQ culture. Lots of great restaurants can be found along Fifth Avenue and University Avenue, the area’s two major cross streets. Below are some interesting places I tried.

Baja Betty’s

Address: 1421 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
Website: https://bajabettyssd.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BajaBettys
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mosuniverse/

I loved the fun vibe of this cute Mexican restaurant! Given the name of the establishment, I figured this would be the perfect place to try a fish taco, and it did not disappoint! The entire combo plate I ordered was tasty, and their margaritas and bloody marys pack a punch.

La Vecindad Neighborhood Tacos

Address: 3827 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
Website: https://www.clover.com/online-ordering/la-vecindad-san-diego
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lavecindadneighborhoodtacos
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lavecindadtacoshillcrest/

I’ve been learning Spanish off and on for a number of years, but I had to look up what this restaurant’s name means: vicinity or neighborhood. That really is a fitting name for this colorful Mexican restaurant! They have a large menu of tacos to choose from, so I got one fish, one shrimp, and one steak with nopales (cactus). All three were delicious and memorable!

Chiefy Cafe Hillcrest

Address: 1080 University Ave H105, San Diego, CA 92103
Website: https://www.chiefycafehillcrestca.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Chiefycafe
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chiefycafe/

This was a nice place to get a quick breakfast sandwich before heading out for a full day of exploring.

Explore Embarcadero

After lunch on Day 1, I went over to Downtown San Diego and spent a few hours on the waterfront. There’s an abundance of parks, museums, and public squares along Harbor Drive. I meandered through Waterfront Park, Ruocco Park, Seaport Village, and Embarcadero Marina Park. If I had extra time, I would’ve probably come back this way to visit the USS Midway Museum, which is housed in an old aircraft carrier.

Dinner Downtown

After leisurely exploring San Diego’s downtown waterfront, I was starting to get hungry. I decided to have an early dinner at The Lion’s Share, an eccentric, low-lit bar and grill with unique meat offerings and craft cocktails.

The Lion's Share

Address: 629 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: https://www.lionssharesd.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LionsShareSD
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelionssharesd/

Deciding what to order at The Lion’s Share was tough because so many of their plates sounded amazing! In the end, I couldn’t pass up their seared duck breast. The meat was incredibly tender, and the bed of green beans, eggplant, and mushrooms the duck was served on complimented it perfectly. To top it all off, this plate was served drizzled in a delicious tangy sauce!

The cocktails at The Lion’s Share were also masterfully mixed. I ordered two: a fruity rum-based drink and a moody pink libation with a pistachio rim. Their menu helpfully listed “Future Classics” in order from crushable to sippable. I believe this part of their drink menu is seasonal, but it’s also where the most interesting offerings are.

Day 2

Return to Downtown

One awesome thing about San Diego is that its downtown is pretty vibrant. In fact, according to one study, SD is at the top of the list of American cities when it comes to downtown post-pandemic recovery. This was pretty apparent to me as I was walking around the city center. Lots of people were out and about. It honestly felt safer than many other urban areas I’ve been to post-COVID.

One noteworthy part of Downtown is the Gaslamp Quarter. This historic entertainment district was interesting to walk through on Day 2, but it admittedly seemed quieter than the waterfront. I was told that it tends to come alive at night, but I didn’t make it back here during the evening to bar hop.

I will say the Gaslamp Quarter feels a little more grungy than other parts of downtown. However, the historic architecture here made up for that.

Lunch in Little Italy

San Diego’s Little Italy is a bustling, centrally located neighborhood that is absolutely worth exploring! It was fun to walk along India Street (Little Italy’s major north-to-south avenue) and see lots of people enjoying lunch or a coffee on one of many outdoor dining patios.

Filippi's Pizza Grotto

Address: 1747 India St, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: https://realcheesepizza.com/little-italy/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/filippislittleitaly
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filippis_pizza_grotto/

Choosing a restaurant in Little Italy is tough because there are so many enticing options. I eventually decided on Filippi’s Pizza Grotto, a California chain. Despite its name, I ended up trying the spaghetti (a lot of reviews online recommended it). The pasta was indeed good, but their garlic bread was the best part of the meal!

Dinner & Drinks in North Park

The neighborhood of North Park is named for its location directly northeast of Balboa Park. Given its distance from downtown and the waterfront, North Park feels more casual and local than other parts of the city. However, it still has a vibrant food and drink scene worth exploring! If I get a chance to go back to San Diego, I’d love to spend more time here.

Serpentine Cider

Address: 2311 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92104
Website: http://www.serpentinecider.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SerpentineCiderSD/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/serpentine_cider/

There’s no shortage of bars in North Park, and Serpentine Cider is an absolute gem! They had over a dozen enticing flavors of cider, so I had to get a flight. All five flavors were phenomenal, but the mango habanero and pumpkin pie really stood out. I really appreciated the fact that the ciders here have distinct, natural-tasting flavors without being overly sweet.

Underdog Food Truck

Address: 2404 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92104
Website: https://www.underdogsd.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/underdog.sd/

If you’re looking for a little snack after a few drinks at Serpentine Cider, consider crossing the street and checking out Underdog Food Truck! An old friend who used to live in San Diego recommended this vegan food truck, so I ordered a hot dog. It was delicious, especially with a warm toasted bun!

Shank & Bône

Address: 2930 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104
Website: https://www.shankandbone.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Shank-Bone/100063579610736/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shankandbone/

For dinner in North Park, I tried Shank & Bône. This Vietnamese restaurant serves classic dishes with unique meat-based twists. I ordered their phở, which came with oxtail and bone marrow. Oxtail is common in special (combo) phở, but bone marrow is not! I feel like it enhanced the soup more than anything.

Day 3

No San Diego itinerary is complete without some outdoor activities! Since I spent Day 1 and Day 2 exploring various parts of the city, I decided to spend almost all of Day 3 on the Pacific Coast. It was a long day, but I’m glad I did it!

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

Address: 12600 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037
Website: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=657
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TorreyPinesStateBeach/

This large nature reserve on the north side of the city may seem like it’s out of the way, but don’t let that stop you from visiting. The views from up here are well worth the effort! I recommend getting dropped off at Torrey Pines State Beach and working your way south on foot. There are a number of different trail loops to walk along in the park. I hiked almost all of them, and it took about four hours.

What makes Torrey Pines so special? Well, the natural beauty of jagged cliffs right next to the Pacific Ocean is a major factor. You can see miles and miles of rock formations that line the coast to the north and to the south. The weather was excellent on the day I went, and Torrey Pines was honestly the highlight of my entire trip!

Lunch near Torrey Pines & UCSD

The one thing I didn’t love about Torrey Pines is that there are very few restaurants within reasonable walking distance of the hiking trails. On the south end, there are a few options scattered across a few business parks, so this is where I ended up eating a late lunch on Day 3.

Farmer & The Seahorse

Address: 10996 Torreyana Rd Ste 240, San Diego, CA 92121
Website: https://farmerandtheseahorse.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FarmerandtheSeahorse/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farmerandtheseahorse/

This trendy restaurant with a large outdoor patio is a little walk west of North Torrey Pines Road along Callan Road. I’m glad it ended up being good, because there weren’t many other choices nearby! I got a floral cocktail and a cold brew along with a burger and fries off their brunch menu. Everything was delicious, although it felt a little odd to be eating on the ground floor of some random biotech office building.

University of California San Diego

After lunch, I made my way down to University of California San Diego. I love visiting college campuses when I travel, but in all honesty, UCSD was a little less picturesque than I was expecting. The one thing that was impressive was the Geisel Library. This intriguing structure with a relatively narrow base is somewhat reminiscent of a flying saucer. It is open to the public if you’d like to check out the interior.

Torrey Pines Gliderport

Directly west of the UCSD campus is Torrey Pines Gliderport. This panoramic cliff offers nice views of the coast looking north, along with paragliders. I liked the Gliderport, but I would say it is not an absolute must, especially if you’re exhausted after a long day at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. I found the latter to be more impressive.

Sunset in Point Loma

I ended my final day in San Diego with a visit to Sunset Cliffs Natural Park in the seaside neighborhood of Point Loma. This area felt a little similar to Torrey Pines, but it was less green and more residential. It really is a phenomenal place to watch the sun go down over the Pacific Ocean!

Here are a couple of tips for Sunset Cliffs Natural Park. There are steep drop-offs here with minimal barriers, and I noticed lots of people getting precariously close to the edge. Be aware of that and keep some distance! In addition, there’s only one residential street that provides access in and out of the park. Traffic will almost surely be bad directly after sunset, and there’s probably not much you can do about it.

Lastly, this area was the only part of San Diego I visited where my cell service cut out. If you need to call an Uber or Lyft to leave, you may have to walk at least a few blocks north to Hill Street.

Tips & Final Remarks

Check out this last section for a few tips on how to get around San Diego!

Getting Around: Do you need a rental car?

The short answer is no. I knew I would end up using Uber and Lyft and spent a total of about $100 on all my rides in SD. I tried to minimize using rideshares though and walked whenever possible during my long weekend visit. With all of that said, $100 is a lot less than a rental car would be for three days.

San Diego also has a trolley (light rail) system with three lines that surprisingly covers a lot of distance, especially north to south. Unfortunately, it doesn’t travel to Hillcrest, North Park, or El Prado in Balboa Park. I was able to use the trolley on Day 3 to get from Torrey Pines down to Old Town, but then had to take a Lyft to get from there to Sunset Cliffs.

Why no mention of the San Diego Zoo or SeaWorld?

I think it’s fair to say that many visitors come to San Diego to see one or both of these famous attractions. If you’re curious why I didn’t include them on this itinerary, it’s because I honestly feel like I’ve lost interest in animal-related tourism, especially when it involves animals in captivity. I don’t have extremely strong feelings about the issue, but San Diego clearly has so much more to offer! I’m guessing most travel blog posts about SD probably focus heavily on SeaWorld and the zoo, so I have no problem highlighting other things to do in the city.

Where to Stay

I stayed in Hillcrest and found it to be pretty central. It was nice to be relatively close to Balboa Park and technically within walking distance. In retrospect, I feel like maybe I should’ve stayed somewhere near a trolley station, but the system unfortunately doesn’t go to Hillcrest or North Park. Overall, Hillcrest is a nice place to stay as long as you’re willing to Uber or Lyft at least some of the time.

Go Soak Up the Sun in Lovely San Diego!

If you’re looking for beautiful weather, lots of outdoor activities, and delicious food, San Diego can’t be beat for a long weekend! Especially if you live in the Midwest like I do, a short trip to San Diego can make the winter months a little less dreary!

What do you think of this three-day itinerary? Did I miss anything critical? Where should I go next time I’m in this beautiful SoCal city? Leave a comment below and let me know! Thanks for checking out Caffeinated Excursions!

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This post was published on Feb 28, 2023

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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Fort Worth, Texas: A Weekend Getaway Itinerary

Kevin | Caffeinated Excursions — Thu, 26 Jan 2023 18:00:00 +0000

Fort Worth, Texas: A Weekend Getaway Itinerary

Published January 26, 2023
Last updated October 8, 2024

If you are planning a short trip to Fort Worth, you’ve come to the right place! My friend Ismael and I recently spent a three-day weekend in Texas’s fifth-largest metropolis. I was very impressed with Panther City’s food, architecture, and friendly vibe!

Fort Worth is a prime candidate for a weekend destination. That’s because it’s right in the middle of the US and is served by one of the busiest airports in the country. The city itself is large, but you can check out the main attractions in 48 or 72 hours. We didn’t do everything Fort Worth has to offer, but we did leave feeling like we had seen the major highlights.

Since it’s the start of a new year, I really want to change up my travel habits and do more long weekend getaways. That used to be my primary mode of travel back in 2017 and 2018, but the pandemic made short trips less feasible. Now that things are basically back to normal, I plan to get into it again!

This post is broken down into the following sections. While this itinerary is based on a three-day visit (Saturday morning arrival and Monday evening departure), we covered about 90% of what’s featured here within the first two days. To skip down to any section, click or tap the corresponding link below!

Explore Downtown Fort Worth
Other Neighborhoods to Visit
Fort Worth’s Food Scene
Drinks & Bars
Coffee Ideas
Transportation, Where to Stay, and Other Tips
Should You Visit Fort Worth or Dallas?

Explore Downtown Fort Worth

Some American city centers can be a little underwhelming, especially post-COVID. Luckily, that’s not the case for Fort Worth! Downtown is a compact and walkable district with some beautiful public spaces. This section will feature what I liked most about Downtown.

Amazing Architecture

Perhaps my favorite thing about Fort Worth is its very impressive architecture. This is something I wasn’t aware of before visiting, but Panther City is great if you love eye-catching, ornate buildings!

A variety of styles are represented Downtown. Apparently, many of the most prominent structures were built in the 1920s and 1930s. There are significant art deco elements, plus Southwestern stylistic motifs.

Sundance Square

This beautiful open-air plaza is the very center of Fort Worth. It’s a great place to explore first if you’re staying downtown. There’s a fountain, a mural on its north side, a giant shiny cowboy hat to take pictures with (although I’m not sure if that’s permanent or not), a stage for live music, and a pretty Art Deco building along its western edge.

Fort Worth Water Gardens

Insider Tip Please be careful if you visit this attraction! Read on to see why caution is warranted at the Fort Worth Water Gardens.

You can find this unique park on the south side of Downtown, but I recommend exercising caution if you decide to visit. That’s because the park actually seems pretty dangerous. We were shocked that the Water Gardens include massive steps and elevated sections with steep, multi-story drop-offs that have no guardrails.

In addition, one of the main attractions includes a fountain built into a depression in the ground with stone steps leading down into the center. It looks cool, but one misstep could easily result in injury. This part of the Water Gardens also has no handrails. Some of these steps are very small and wet due to splashing water. We saw parents carrying toddlers, elderly people, and women in high heels all descending precariously into the bottom of this basin.

The Fort Worth Water Gardens looks cool, and some of its pools and fountains are picturesque and serene. In spite of its aesthetic, I can’t wholeheartedly recommend this attraction.

West Lancaster Avenue (Fort Worth T&P)

This southern end of downtown feels pretty quiet, but I love the gorgeous architecture in this area. In particular, the Fort Worth T&P Station (Texas & Pacific Lofts), the Post Office, and the Old T&P Warehouse are three stunning historic structures all along the south side of West Lancaster Avenue.

According to Visit Fort Worth, the T&P Station is an example of Zigzag Moderne, a specific type of art deco. Both the station and the warehouse were originally built for the Texas and Pacific (T&P) Railway Company, dating back to the 1870s.

Other Neighborhoods to Visit

The city of Fort Worth is pretty spread out, so hopping between neighborhoods isn’t the easiest thing to do without a rental car. However, below are three additional areas that you could check out via Uber or Lyft.

Fort Worth Stockyards

The Stockyards are probably Fort Worth’s biggest tourist attraction. This area used to be one of the country’s biggest livestock markets along the old Chisholm Trail. Its history dates back to the 1840s, and its use has slowly shifted over the decades, especially once rail was replaced by trucking as a means of livestock transportation.

Today, the Stockyards are home to bars, restaurants, hotels, a rodeo arena, museums, and more. Centered around East Exchange Avenue, this district offers a fun but commercialized wild west experience. In all honesty, restaurants here seemed like tourist traps, so we never ate here. On top of that, the recommendation lists we saw online didn’t mention anything in the Stockyards.

However, we did happen to catch the cattle drive! Apparently, it happens at 11:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. every day. An announcer gave a brief introduction, then the cattle came through. Stand anywhere along East Exchange Avenue a few minutes before the scheduled time. Other visitors had already started clearing the streets and finding a place on the sidewalk to watch a few minutes before it started.

In terms of going out, the Stockyards just wasn’t my vibe. The western end where the bars are (at the intersection of North Main Street and East Exchange Avenue) felt rowdy and chaotic on a Saturday night. Someone spilled a beer on my leg out on the street. On top of that, we felt a little underdressed.

I’m sure many people would find the Stockyards to be a fun place to bar-hop, but I liked going out more on Magnolia (more on that neighborhood below) and Downtown.

Cultural District

This neighborhood west of Downtown feels like an up-and-coming area. We didn’t have time to visit any of the museums located along Gendy Street, nor did we go out for drinks on West 7th Street (which we heard was a popular area for nightlife). However, we did get lunch here one day. I also enjoyed seeing the Fort Worth Botanic Garden.

Fort Worth Botanic Garden

Address: 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107
Website: https://fwbg.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FortWorthBotanicGarden
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fortworthbotanicgarden/

Even though we visited in January when the trees were barren, this huge garden was still pretty cool. In particular, the Japanese Garden here is absolutely stunning. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more impressive Japanese garden anywhere else!

There are koi ponds where you can feed the fish, beautiful bridges, a gift shop, and lots of little nooks and crannies to explore in the Japanese Garden. I loved that it was still beautiful despite the mostly barren trees.

In addition to the Japanese Garden, the Lower Rose Garden is another highlight of the Botanic Garden. However, workers were landscaping it when we passed by. I’m sure it’s even prettier in spring when the flowers are blooming and no longer under construction.

West Magnolia Avenue

The commercial strip along West Magnolia Avenue between 8th Avenue and Hemphill Street has lots of interesting bars and restaurants. It’s got more of a laid-back vibe than the Stockyards, and it feels more walkable than the Cultural District.

If you plan to spend a night bar hopping on Magnolia, try to arrive a little early. Many places here seem to do last call around 11:00 p.m. or earlier.

Fort Worth's Food Scene

The two things I absolutely loved about Fort Worth were the architecture and the food! There are so many delicious, decadent Southern and Southwestern specialties to try here. Below are some of my recommendations.

BBQ

I will try barbecue almost anywhere I can find it. I love that so many US states and cities have their own unique style. The brisket and ribs we had in Fort Worth were excellent! We tried two different places: Panther City BBQ and Heim BBQ.

Panther City BBQ

Address: 201 E Hattie St, Fort Worth, TX 76104
Website: https://www.panthercitybbq.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/817PantherCityBBQ/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/panthercitybbq/

This BBQ joint ended up being our first impression of Fort Worth, and it was an excellent one! There was a somewhat slow-moving line to order, but it was absolutely worth the wait. I loved the ribs, brisket, pork belly burnt ends, mac and cheese, and smoked pecan bread pudding. Their collard greens were a little salty but still had a ton of flavor.

Heim BBQ

Address: 1109 W Magnolia Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76104
Website: https://heimbbq.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heimbarbecue
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heimbarbecue/

We ended up trying Heim because it’s centrally located on Magnolia, and they’re open longer hours and more days than most other places. However, we did encounter much of their menu sold out when we tried to go for a slightly late lunch. Nonetheless, we still managed to get some delicious smoked meats! As a general rule, it might be a good idea to go for an early barbecue lunch. Some other places are only open for a few hours on the weekends.

Burgers

Another classic Fort Worth specialty is a good old-fashioned cheeseburger. This is probably because the city’s history is deeply intertwined with cattle ranching! We only had time to try one place, but it was amazing!

Rodeo Goat

Address: 2836 Bledsoe St, Fort Worth, TX 76107
Website: https://www.rodeogoat.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RodeoGoat
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rodeogoatfortworth/

Rodeo Goat is a chain, but they only have locations in Texas. Their large menu of unique burgers made my mouth water, and we took a while to decide what we wanted. I got a seasonal one with jalapeño. It was so tasty and juicy! Ismael and I also split a “Cheese Fries Surprise” (pictured below) that was just as good as the burgs.

On top of amazing food, Rodeo Goat offered excellent, friendly service and delicious cocktails. We couldn’t stop ordering them (more on that below)!

Other Burger Joints to Consider

If we had an extra day or two, we probably would’ve also tried M&O Station Grill and Fuego Burger. Based on photos online, all of these burger joints seem to add their own flair to America’s most iconic meal, and all are highly rated.

Mexican & Tex-Mex

After researching Fort Worth’s food scene, we basically came to the realization that the three must-try dishes here are BBQ, burgers, and Tex-Mex. (I guess if you don’t eat meat, that’s something to keep in mind! We did see one or two vegan restaurants on Magnolia, but not a ton of options.) We had a delicious Mexican dinner at Los Asaderos, a little bit south of the Stockyards.

Los Asaderos

Address: 1535 N Main St, Fort Worth, TX 76164
Website: https://losasaderos.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asaderos
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asaderosfw/

This cozy place is known for their margaritas and tasty Mexican food. Both Ismael and I ordered the chicken and beef fajita combo with rice and beans. The meat was tender and flavorful, and their house margaritas were just right – not too sweet, which is a major plus in my book!

Local Fine Dining

I typically look for casual restaurants when I travel. But I’m always open to splurging at least once per trip, especially for a nice meal that you can’t get anywhere else. The obvious choice for a fancy dinner was Reata, which you can read about below!

Reata Restaurant

Address: 530 Throckmorton St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
Website: https://www.reata.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReataRestaurant
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reatarestaurant/

Reata’s website says that they specialize in “legendary Texas cuisine,” which immediately piqued my interest when we were looking for an upscale place to have dinner. Their menu is a nice mix of homestyle southern cooking, Mexican-inspired dishes, and steaks.

One appetizer here really stood out to me: the calf fries (pictured in the foreground below). The menu doesn’t explain what they are, but our waiter made sure to ask us if we knew what we were getting. We looked it up earlier, so we did! I suggest you do the same if you’re curious, because the name is definitely a euphemism. With that said, I am the type of adventurous eater that would have to try them!

They were a little chewy, but other than that, the dish sort of reminded me of popcorn chicken. They came in two giant onion rings (perhaps symbolically?) and were served with a sort of unusual gravy that looked like ranch dressing. We also shared a starter of bacon-wrapped shrimp that was deliciously crunchy.

For our main dishes, I got a blackened buffalo rib eye and Ismael ordered a cowboy bone-in rib eye. I honestly thought his steak was a little better, but I still liked my dish. Our waiter advised that buffalo is a leaner meat, and this was definitely true.

Pearl Snap Kolaches

Address: 4006 White Settlement Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76107
Website: https://pskolaches.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PearlSnapKolaches/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pearlsnapkolaches/

This rich Czech pastry is apparently a Texas thing, so we had to get some! Fort Worth’s best-known shop is Pearl Snap Kolaches, which is named after the type of button that can often be found on cowboy western shirts.

Kolaches come in sweet varieties (the four on the left with fruit filling in the picture above) and as a savory sausage roll (the two on the right). All of them were great and made for an excellent breakfast.

Drinks & Bars

In Fort Worth, we did our fair share of drinking, but the weekend didn’t center around alcohol. Instead, we used bars as a kind of baseline for getting a sense of some of the neighborhoods discussed above. Below, you’ll find some fun places to consider.

Cocktails at Rodeo Goat

Address: 2836 Bledsoe St, Fort Worth, TX 76107
Website: https://www.rodeogoat.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RodeoGoat
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rodeogoatfortworth/

All of the drinks we tried at this popular burger place tasted amazing and packed a punch! We tried a couple fruity and sweet cocktails, so they were all easy to drink. This is a great place to have a few rounds while enjoying a filling meal.

Refinery 714

Address: 714 Main St, Fort Worth, TX 76102 (Kimpton Harper Hotel Lobby, 24th Floor)
Website: https://www.theharperfortworth.com/restaurants-fort-worth/refinery-714/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kimpton/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimpton/

Refinery 714 is a rooftop bar that offers panoramic views of Fort Worth, located in the lobby of the Kimpton Harper Hotel. Look out the south windows to see the Fort Worth Convention Center, or peer north to see some of the impressive architecture surrounding Sundance Square.

Thompson's Bookstore

Address: 900 Houston St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
Website: https://thompsonsbookstore.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thompsonsbookstore/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thompsonsftw/

This book-themed bar with a speakeasy (which unfortunately was not open when we visited) is one of the more memorable places we found. I ordered a “From Dusk Till Dawn,” which included mezcal, cold brew, mole bitters, and a smoked chili. It was definitely complex, and its dark brown color was striking.

The Magnolia Wine Bar

Address: 1101 W Magnolia Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76104
Website: https://themagnoliawinebar.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMagnoliafw
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themagnoliafw/

When we realized that Magnolia has a few wine bars, we figured we’d try one. Their chardonnay flight seemed like an interesting option. I’m no wine expert, but trying to discern the different subtle flavors was fun!

The Chat Room Pub

Address: 1263 W Magnolia Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76104

The Chat Room Pub is a casual, cozy bar: the perfect place to get a few rounds of vodka soda. They have an outdoor patio and an indoor section with a sporty vibe.

Coffee Ideas

I’m always looking for cool coffee shops whenever I travel! I liked the two mentioned below that are both Downtown.

Pax & Beneficia Coffee

Address: 101 W 5th St Suite 105, Fort Worth, TX 76102
Website: https://paxandbeneficia.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paxandbeneficia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paxandbeneficia/

This modern cafe was right next to our Airbnb, so I got a cold brew here one afternoon. I loved that even in January, Fort Worth was warm enough for an iced coffee beverage! That simply isn’t the case for Chicago where I currently live.

Vaquero Coffee Co.

Address: 109 Houston St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
Website: https://www.vaquerocoffeeco.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VaqueroCoffeeCo/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vaquerocoffeeco/

This coffee shop near the Tarrant County Courthouse has a retro vibe and a lot of charm. I ordered an iced lavender oat milk latte here (yeah, I know, I’m basic sometimes). It was delicious!

Transportation, Where to Stay, and Other Tips

Allow me to be upfront: Fort Worth is lacking in public transportation (like many American cities). We used Uber and Lyft to get from one part of town to another, and found that this was significantly cheaper than renting a car. However, we never ventured super far (i.e. more than a twenty-minute drive) from the city center.

The one nice thing that Fort Worth has is a train (TEXRail Trinity Metro) that travels between Downtown and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. We took it both ways and enjoyed the ride! You’ll get to see some of the north suburbs on the way if you decide to try the train.

In terms of where to stay, we chose an Airbnb in the Kress Building. This beautiful example of art deco architecture is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s also in the very heart of Downtown, which meant we could reach any part of the central business district on foot within about ten minutes.

Other places you might stay include the Stockyards and the Cultural District. However, I’m glad we found a beautiful, spacious loft in the city center.

Should You Visit Fort Worth or Dallas?

I spent a weekend in Dallas back in 2019, and I have to admit that I liked Fort Worth more. Now, keep in mind that I’ve only spent one weekend in each city, so I’m basing this on first impressions. With that said, I found Fort Worth to have a more unique overall vibe. The food scene and the architecture really stood out to me.

If you’re a travel enthusiast like I am, you should eventually see both Dallas and Fort Worth. Someday I hope to become acquainted with all of Texas’s major cities, including San Antonio and Houston. I’m also intrigued by the geography of West Texas, and would love to check out the Rio Grande Valley at some point!

Enjoy Your Weekend in Fort Worth!

Hopefully this travel guide serves as a starting point for anyone who already has tickets to visit Fort Worth! And if you’re on the fence about a weekend here, I hope this blog post convinced you to go immerse yourself in Panther City’s unique buckaroo vibe.

Have you been to Fort Worth? Is there anything I missed that you recommend? Leave a comment below and let me know! Thanks for reading, y’all!

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This post was published on Jan 26, 2023
This post was updated on Oct 8, 2024

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The Camper’s Guide To Conconully State Park, WA

Kevin | Caffeinated Excursions — Thu, 08 Sep 2022 17:00:00 +0000

The Camper’s Guide To Conconully State Park, WA

Published September 8, 2022

If you’re considering a getaway to Conconully State Park in Washington, this is the blog post for you! Three friends and I just spent Labor Day weekend camping there, and I loved the dramatic landscapes and picturesque lakes in the area.

Washington State is one place I’ve wanted to include on my blog for years now. That’s because I grew up in the Pacific Northwest! I lived in Seattle for almost a decade (from 2008 to 2017). If you’re curious to learn more about the Emerald City, check out my Seattle Winter Guide!

This blog post will provide a short overview of Conconully, then provide some tips for camping there! To skip down to any particular topic, click or tap on the corresponding link below.

Where Is Conconully?
Why Visit Conconully?
Camping Tips

Where Is Conconully?

The tiny town of Conconully is located in the northern reaches of Central Washington, not far from the Canadian border. With a population of only about 200 residents, Conconully is nestled in the eastern foothills of the Cascade Mountains. The nearest major town is Okanogan, about a twenty minute drive to the southwest.

To get to Conconully from Seattle, we took I-90 east to Cle Elum, then got on WA-970 for a short while. From there, we headed north along US-97 until reaching Okanogan. The entire drive takes between four and five hours each way.

Why Visit Conconully?

To be honest, Conconully was one of only a few Washington State Parks with vacancy when we booked back in April. In other words, be sure to book your own trip as early as possible! However, I think we still lucked out. Below are some of the reasons Conconully is a great camping destination!

The Drive out to Central Washington

Our mini road trip started in Seattle, and the drive from west to east through the Cascades is reason enough to go camping in Central (or Eastern) Washington! You’ll pass dense evergreen forests that eventually turn into rolling hills of yellow grass with sparse vegetation.

On the final stretch from Okanogan to Conconully, there are a few places to pull off and enjoy the view. The climate out here is dry, with hot days and cooler nights than you’d find west of the mountains.

Conconully State Park

This is where we stayed, but there are multiple other campgrounds in town. Conconully State Park (website | location) is pretty small. It occupies the northern shore of the Conconully Reservoir, which is one of the town’s two major bodies of water.

The state park has flat, grassy fields and massive trees that provide ample shade. There is a playground, a small historic log cabin, and a park office.

Conconully Reservoir

The Conconully Reservoir is a large basin directly south of the town. If you’re camping at the state park, you’ll have beautiful views of this reservoir and the hills further south.

Despite Conconully State Park’s location on the reservoir, it doesn’t really offer water access to visitors. That’s because there is a large marshy area between the park and the water. If you want to check out the water’s edge, you can walk along a short trail down to Liar’s Cove Resort. However, the water here looked pretty stagnant and murky, so we never went swimming.

Conconully Lake and Sugarloaf Lake

Conconully Lake is the town’s other main body of water. It’s west of the town, and you can drive along its northern shore via Sinlahekin Road.

The lake is more picturesque at its midpoint than at the edge adjacent to town, so I recommend taking a short drive out there to check it out.

Sinlakhekin Road eventually turns from pavement to gravel, but it will take you to the lake’s northern end, which tapers off to a narrow point. Directly north of there is Sugarloaf Lake. It’s tiny, but has a calm, glassy surface that beautifully reflects the evergreen forest around it.

The Town

The small town of Conconully is mostly residential. There is a general store, two saloons, a post office, and a few other campgrounds, but not much else.

Camping Tips

The following tips are aimed at campers staying in the State Park, but some of them might apply if you’re staying at other campgrounds in the area.

Overview of Facilities

Overall, we were very impressed with how pleasant and clean the state park’s facilities were! There are five wood cabins that can be rented. Ours had a double bed plus a bunk bed (to fit a maximum of four people). It looked like all the cabins had the same size and layout, but I’m not completely sure if that’s true.

The interior of the cabin was cozy and well-maintained. It came equipped with a trash bin, a broom, a flyswatter, an air conditioning unit, and a door that locked with a key. The mattresses provided were a little soft and were covered in a plasticky cover (perhaps for bedbugs). We used sleeping bags on top of the mattresses.

Outside the cabin was a large picnic table that was great for playing board games and eating meals. The only thing I would note here is that wasps were relentless about food whenever we were eating, although they were never aggressive (e.g. trying to sting us). We bought a wasp trap on our second day, and although it helped, it didn’t fully draw the wasps away from our meals, snacks, and drinks.

I also really loved how clean the bathrooms were here. I don’t think I’ve ever seen cleaner camp bathrooms! Each bathroom was fully private with lots of space plus a shower. However, know that you will need quarters to operate the shower! This is especially tricky given that there is a national coin shortage.

Your best bet would probably be to see if you can get a roll of quarters at your local bank before you come out to Conconully. We tried to exchange dollar bills for quarters in Okanogan, but multiple businesses there said they had a two dollar limit for quarter exchanges. However, we were able to exchange more paper bills for quarters at Okanogan Laundry.

Where to Stock Up on Food

We actually did most of our grocery shopping for the trip at the Safeway in Cle Elum, but the nearest large grocery store to Conconully is the Okanogan IGA Market. We stopped there a few times to stock up on snacks and deli food. Conconully has a General Store, but it didn’t seem like it had a massive selection of food.

In terms of restaurants, Conconully has two bar-and-grill type places: the Red Rock Saloon and the Sit’n Bull Saloon & Cafe.

After lots of hotdogs and burgers on the grill, we wanted to eat something different for our final night in the area, so we passed those two places up. A Mexican restaurant called Los Agaves in Okanogan ended up being exactly what we were looking for! It’s in the back of a convenience store and definitely has a hole-in-the-wall vibe, but the enchiladas, tacos, burritos, and birria we got were all super tasty.

A Note on Campfires

During our visit to Conconully, the fire danger was rated as “extreme,” with a town burn ban in effect until further notice. Because of this, both wood and charcoal fires were prohibited. We brought a propane camp grill, and it’s a good thing we did, because there would’ve been no other way for us to grill our burgers, hot dogs, or breakfast sausages. The charcoal grill and firepit next to our cabin had plastic warnings zip-tied to the metal grating, so anyone brazen enough to defy the ban would probably have to answer to park rangers afterwards.

The aftermath of wildfires is apparent across Central Washington, where evergreen trees are charred and black and often missing lower branches, but still green on top. I honestly wonder if campfires will eventually become a thing of the past, since wildfire risk in dry areas seems to be high or extreme more often than not during the summer. That’s a little sad, but it is what it is. We didn’t get to make s’mores, but it’s not like our trip was ruined by the fire ban.

Wildlife

Most notably, we saw tons of deer at Conconully State Park! They don’t seem very afraid of people, but we never deliberately approached them. There are a number of “no hunting” signs near town, which suggests that there might be hunting grounds in the forests nearby.

The marshy ground around Conconully Reservoir also attracted lots of waterfowl. We didn’t see any signs warning of dangerous animals. Nonetheless, you can learn more about wildlife safety in Washington State by reading this article.

Cell Service

As of late summer 2022, no major carriers provide cell service to Conconully. It cuts out a few minutes or so after you leave Okanogan. I guess it’s good that we were able to disconnect more fully on our trip, but if you need to leave a message for someone, make sure to do it before you get to the state park.

Enjoy Your Camping Getaway!

If I’ve convinced you to book a weekend or longer at Conconully State Park, you can use this online portal to check availability! As I mentioned above, Washington State Parks seem to fill up quickly, so try to plan as early as possible. We might camp next year in Washington or we may go elsewhere. Either way, we’ll be sure to look even earlier than spring for Labor Day weekend.

Have you been to Conconully or Okanogan before? Are you heading that way soon? Leave a comment below and let me know! If you’re about to embark on a camping trip in Washington, have an amazing time, and thanks for reading!

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This post was published on Sept 8, 2022

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Things To Do In Miami Besides The Beach: Museums, Parks, Culture, And Cuisine

Kevin | Caffeinated Excursions — Sat, 05 Feb 2022 18:00:00 +0000

Things To Do In Miami Besides The Beach: Museums, Parks, Culture, And Cuisine

Published February 5, 2022
Last updated April 7, 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!

Let’s be honest: when people visit Miami, they usually go for the beach. Needless to say, South Florida’s Atlantic coastline is truly stunning. But if you’re reading this post, you’re probably curious about this tropical metropolis beyond its beaches. Miami is a treasure trove of cultural, non-beach activities for travelers who want more than just sand and sun!

My first visit to the Miami metro area was a long weekend in 2018. It was actually one of the first trips I blogged about! Two friends and I had a lot of fun exploring South Beach, but that short getaway was more about relaxing and taking it easy.

For this 2022 solo trip, I had a couple of goals in mind. First, I wanted to focus on museums, parks, and cultural attractions. Second, I wanted to explore more of the City of Miami (i.e. not only Miami Beach). In 2018, we only spent a few hours on the mainland to check out the Wynwood Walls.

Did I succeed with my mission this time? I feel like I did! I saw a lot of things I missed the first time, and I’m glad I decided to spend two nights in Miami Beach followed by two nights in Miami. To skip down to any of the sections of this post, click or tap the relevant link!

Update Apr 2024 I recently spent another weekend in Miami with my friend Ismael, so this page contains fresh content! Most of this blog post was written in spring of 2022, but sections that were updated or added in spring of 2024 are marked with a "new" emoji ().

Things to Do in (The City of) Miami
Things to Do in Miami Beach
The Culinary Scene in Miami & Miami Beach
Travel Tips
- Getting Around Without a Car
- Where to Stay

Things to Do in Miami

As mentioned above, one of my main goals on this trip was to get a better sense of Miami proper! And I’m so glad I did, because there are tons of interesting things to explore there! Read on to learn about some museums, neighborhoods, parks, and more!

Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

Address: 3251 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33129
Website: https://vizcaya.org/
Ticket price (Jan. 2022): $25 per person

This historic mansion was undoubtedly the highlight of my time in Miami! It was built in a Mediterranean style in the 1910s and 1920s by aristocrat James Deering, who had ties to New York, Chicago, and Paris. Every inch of the house is incredibly ornate, and each room has its own unique style with extravagant decorations and furniture from all over the world.

After you wander through the rooms and halls of the Vizcaya mansion, head outside to discover the massive botanical garden on the estate. This might be the most impressive garden I’ve seen in the United States so far! There are so many little hidden corners to explore, and the entire space feels very regal.

Finally, the Vizcaya Museum looks out onto Biscayne Bay, and this waterfront patio is just as stunning as the interior. Check out the gazebo and dock, then admire the massive stone sculpture of a ship sitting out in the water. Unfortunately, there’s no way for museum guests to get over there, but it’s close enough that you can see how detailed this life-size piece of art is.

Vizcaya Village Farmers Market

If you happen to visit the Vizcaya Museum & Gardens on a Sunday, consider grabbing lunch at the Vizcaya Village Farmers Market across the street from the main entrance. The museum has a cafe and restaurant, but the food there seemed pretty expensive. For less than ten dollars, I got three tacos from one booth at the market. Other vendors were selling pizza, coffee, desserts, and more.

Explore Brickell and Brickell Key on Foot

Miami’s towering financial district is known as Brickell. If you want to see the heart of the city, this is where you should go. Of particular interest is Brickell City Centre, an architecturally distinctive outdoor mall.

Although walking around Brickell is nice, you’re not actually going to see a panoramic view of the city skyline there since you’re in the middle of it. To get a better view of the city, head over to Brickell Key, a small, triangular island connected by a short bridge to the mainland.

A public pedestrian pathway goes all the way around Brickell Key, which offers unobstructed views of both Brickell to the west and Downtown Miami to the north.

The Barnacle Historic State Park & Coconut Grove

Address: 3485 Main Hwy, Miami, FL 33133
Website: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/barnacle-historic-state-park
Ticket price (Jan. 2022): $2 park entrance fee, $3 house tour fee

History buffs won’t want to miss The Barnacle Historic State Park! This long and narrow strip of wooded land is home to the oldest home in Miami-Dade County still standing in its original location, built in 1891.

I recommend the house tour, where you’ll learn about the life of Ralph Middleton Munroe, who built and owned the house. He was a ship designer and photographer; models of his ships and photos he took are displayed around the house.

The state park is also home to a small yellow boathouse built by Munroe on a short stretch of waterfront. The fact that the home and the boathouse have survived well over a century of hurricanes despite being so close to the water is testament to Munroe’s building skills!

After touring The Barnacle, check out Coconut Grove, the neighborhood where this state park is located. It seems like a lively little village that offers lots of interesting restaurants, street markets, and green space along its shorefront.

Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) & Maurice A. Ferré Park

Address: 1103 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132
Website: https://www.pamm.org/en/
Ticket price (Mar. 2024): $18 per person

Miami’s premier modern art museum is just steps away from the water’s edge north of downtown. The Pérez Art Museum features exhibits with a focus on Latin America and the Caribbean. There’s a nice mix of styles and areas of focus. While some pieces are more abstract, I found most of the art here to be accessible and engaging as a casual museum visitor.

Before or after visiting the PAMM, consider a stroll through Maurice A. Ferré Park. The art museum is located within this waterfront park that has its own sculpture gardens, which are open to the public free of charge.

Little Havana

Little Havana is one of the areas I was most interested in seeing on this trip, and I have to tell you the truth: it was sort of a let-down. Centered around Calle Ocho, the area just felt like a tourist trap to me.

I want to emphasize that this is just my opinion after spending an afternoon there. I would probably even be willing to give Little Havana another chance next time I’m in town. Perhaps an organized walking tour might be a better way to experience the area.

Wynwood

On my first visit to Miami in 2018, I took a very quick tour through this neighborhood. Wynwood is known as Miami’s hub for street art. I liked it back then, but I didn’t spent enough time here to fully enjoy it. I also skipped this area in 2022, but I’m glad I went back in 2024 to rediscover Wynwood’s prolific art scene!

Nearly every outdoor surface in Wynwood is covered in paint. Sides of buildings display murals that are multiple stories tall. Some pieces span entire city blocks. Even sidewalks and street signs serve as canvases for graffiti artists. There’s a wide variety of styles, but colors are typically vibrant. Themes are generally upbeat, paying homage to Miami’s natural environment and blend of cultures.

Wynwood Walls

Address: 2516 NW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33127
Website: https://thewynwoodwalls.com/
Ticket price (Mar. 2024): $12 plus tax

Established in 2009, this collection of outdoor art was instrumental in putting Wynwood on the map as a flourishing arts district. You have to pay to get in, but general admission is reasonably priced. If you’re on a tight budget, you can still get a sense of the neighborhood without visiting the Walls. With that said, this iconic attraction is worth seeing if you can!

Having been to the Wynwood Walls twice six years apart, I was curious if things inside would be totally different. It looked to me like most or all of the individual murals had been painted over. However, I recognized certain distinctive styles from my previous visit. I’m guessing there are resident artists that come back every so often to paint new pieces. It was cool to see that the overall vibe basically stayed consistent throughout the years!

Smorgasburg Miami

Address: 2600 NW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33127
Website: https://www.smorgasburgmiami.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Smorgmiami
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smorgasburgmiami/

If you visit Wynwood on a Saturday or Sunday, you’ll have the opportunity to eat at Smorgasburg Miami. It’s right next to the Wynwood Walls. This food stall market originated in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, but currently has locations throughout the world.

Wynwood has a wealth of food and drink options, so there are other great options if you visit on a weekday. However, Smorgasburg is appealing because the vendors serve local, Latin-influenced street food. Ismael and I got burgers, oxtail fries, some Brazilian pastries, Venezuelan steak, and drinks. Everything was spectacular!

Things to Do in Miami Beach

Miami Beach, despite its name, is much more than just a picturesque waterfront. Going to the beach is pretty self-explanatory, so here are some other things to see and do in this beautiful island city!

Art Deco Museum & Ocean Drive

Address: 1001 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Website: https://mdpl.org/welcome-center/art-deco-museum/
Ticket price (Jan. 2022): $5 museum fee, exploring Ocean Drive is free

All the art deco architecture on Ocean Drive was my favorite attraction in Miami Beach! Now, to be honest, the Art Deco Museum itself is pretty small and doesn’t have any breathtaking collections. But you should still check it out before walking along Ocean Drive. That’s because the museum has lots of information to help you recognize the most iconic elements of the art deco style.

After visiting the Art Deco Museum, I was able to identify and appreciate the architectural motifs throughout Ocean Drive. In fact, last time I was in South Beach, the art deco scene totally went over my head! Here’s a sampling of the kinds of buildings on this oceanfront strip.

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Jewish Museum of Florida - Florida International University (FIU)

Address: 301 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Website: https://jmof.fiu.edu/
Ticket price (Jan. 2022): $12 per person

This museum south of Fifth Street is stunning both inside and out! Come visit to learn all about Florida’s fascinating Jewish history, and see if you can spot some art deco elements in this synagogue that was converted into a museum.

The guided tour of the Jewish Museum of Florida was really enjoyable, so be sure to join one if you can. It’s a great way to learn about the history of this building and the community that built it. At one point, the synagogue was in disrepair and at risk of being demolished. Luckily, it’s been beautifully restored and is currently home to some stunning Jewish artifacts.

The Bass Art Museum & Collins Park

Address: 2100 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Website: https://thebass.org/
Ticket price (Jan. 2022): $15 museum fee, visiting Collins Park is free

Even if you don’t typically visit art museums while you travel, consider giving The Bass a chance! That’s because lots of the exhibits are interactive! It’s not just a collection of old paintings.

My favorite part of the museum is the main room on the first floor. It’s got an entire wall of flashing welcome signs in hundreds of different languages!

After visiting The Bass, spend a few minutes in Collins Park, where the museum can be found. This large oceanfront park also has a couple of pieces of outdoor art.

The Wolfsonian - Florida International University (FIU)

Address: 1001 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Website: https://wolfsonian.org/
Ticket price (Mar. 2024): $12 per person

One additional museum to consider in Miami Beach is The Wolfsonian. It’s housed in a striking white structure that almost resembles some kind of temple. Inside this Spanish Renaissance-style building, you’ll find an impressive collection of artifacts that (according to Wikipedia) were generally produced between the 1890s and 1940s.

The exhibits at The Wolfsonian have a strong focus on industrialization, built and natural environments, and art deco. Since this museum is not on Ocean Drive or Collins Avenue, it’s not as prominent as, say, The Bass. When I visited, I basically had the entire place to myself. The Wolfsonian provided a refreshing little break from the sun, not to mention the hustle and bustle of South Beach.

Miami Beach Botanical Garden & Holocaust Memorial

Botanical Garden address: 2000 Convention Center Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Holocaust Memorial address: 1933-1945 Meridian Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Botanical Garden website: https://www.mbgarden.org/
Holocaust Memorial website: https://holocaustmemorialmiamibeach.org/
Ticket price (Jan. 2022): Free

This small botanical garden and Holocaust Memorial can both be found at the corner of Meridian Avenue and Dade Boulevard. The botanical garden is small. Although it has some pretty orchids and a cozy little Japanese section, it really only took me about ten or fifteen minutes to walk through.

Miami Beach’s Holocaust Memorial, located next to the botanical garden, is an incredibly moving and emotional dedication to victims of the Holocaust. According to their website, South Florida had between 20,000 and 25,000 Holocaust survivors living in the region at that time, and a group of them commissioned this memorial in the mid-1980s.

The website also states that the commissioners faced opposition at the time of its proposal for bringing “gloom” to a cheerful vacation hotspot. Fortunately, the supporters of the memorial were ultimately successful. With so many Holocaust survivors and their families living in Greater Miami, it’s important for visitors to know that this atrocity is an inextricable part of this community’s history.

The memorial is centered around a massive bronze hand reaching towards the sky with intricately sculpted people clinging desperately to it. Walk all the way around the monument to find the tunnel to the center, where you’ll be able to see artist Kenneth Treister’s work up close.

The memorial is emotionally raw and provocative, and it was impeccably designed. The solemnness of this space sets it apart from the rest of Miami Beach, but don’t let that stop you from visiting. The Holocaust Memorial really should not be missed.

The Culinary Scene in Miami & Miami Beach

As a large, sprawling metropolis and a cultural melting pot, Miami boasts a multifaceted food scene. When I’m in South Florida, I always sample a variety of cuisines from the Caribbean and Latin America. I try to seek out specialty dishes that aren’t easy to find at home in Chicago. Read on to see what these two cities have to offer!

American Classics with a Latin Twist
Bocas Grill Brickell

Address: 2525 SW 3rd Ave, Miami, FL 33129 (Click or tap here to view other locations)
Website: https://www.bocasgrill.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bocasgrillrestaurant
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bocasgrill/

American favorites are easy to find in Miami. I couldn’t resist a burger and truffle fries from Bocas Grill. The fried breaded cheese on the burger was definitely the highlight of this plate!

Argentinian-Style Pizza
Banchero Miami

Address: 6995 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33141
Website: https://www.bancheromiami.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bancheromiami/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bancheromiami/

I was immediately drawn to Banchero because the pizzas they had on display in their window reminded me of the kind of pizza I had when I lived in São Paulo. The anchovy personal pan I got was pretty salty, but also really good!

Bandeja Paisa and Colombian Seafood
La Ventana

Address: 710 Washington Ave #2, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Website: https://laventanamiamibeach.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laventana_restaurant/

Colombian food is such a treat, and I highly recommend seeking it out wherever it’s available in the US! My go-to dish is bandeja paisa, a mixed plate that comes from the region of Antioquia (where Medellín is located). La Ventana’s take on this dish felt innovative and refined, with a flavorful bean stew and red sausage.

La Ventana offers lots of seafood options, so we shared some octopus and shrimp appetizers. Ismael ordered a fried fish with coconut rice and tostones (fried plantains). Their octopus reminded me of Mediterranean cooking; it was served with fresh veggies, baby potatoes on the side, and lime juice squeezed on top.

Don't Leave MIA Before You Try It: Cuban Cuisine

Cuban food is a must in Miami! There are countless places that serve it all over town, and some are better than others. Research your options before choosing a Cuban restaurant near you!

Sazón Cuban Cuisine

Address: 7305 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33141
Website: https://www.sazoncubancuisine.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SazonCubanCuisine
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/SazonCubanCuisine/

My Airbnb hosts recommended I try Sazón in North Beach for casual, local Cuban seafood. I really enjoyed the fried fish with rice and beans I had there. Be sure to get a mojito as well!

Esquina Cubana

Address: 710 Washington Ave Suite #1, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Website: https://esquinacubana.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/esquinacubana/

This colorful Cuban restaurant is located in the heart of South Beach, and has very positive reviews online. Ismael and I tried it for lunch one day.

Both of our main dishes (pulled pork and steak) were pretty tasty. I preferred the steak over the pulled pork, which came with black rice and steamed yucca.

The best dish we got here was their Caribbean Octopus starter. It came over a bed of garlicky mashed potatoes, and it was just phenomenal. I never would’ve thought these two items would go well together, but they absolutely did!

My only complaint about this place is that we were seated right after a large party, and it sort of felt like they were taking priority over everyone else in the restaurant. We had to wait a while for our food, so this restaurant is probably ideal if you’re not in a rush.

Miami Beach has a dining culture of 18% or 20% tips being included automatically (so always be sure to check the bill before adding additional tip). This is understandable, given the high number of foreign visitors who may not be aware of American tipping norms. However, service can be hit or miss here, especially as you get closer to Ocean Drive.

Japanese and French Fine Dining
Sérêvène

Address: 1920 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Website: https://www.serevenemiami.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/serevenemiamibeach/

If you’re looking to go all out and indulge in a high-end dining experience, Miami is the perfect place to do it! My friend and I decided to try “Sérêvène by Chef Pawan Pinisetti” because it was attached to the hotel we stayed at in Miami Beach.

Sérêvène offers Japanese and French-inspired izakaya small plates. We ordered a couple of things from each section of the menu, and I loved the focus on seafood and the creative way dishes were presented. The caviar push pops (pictured second below) were especially memorable. The lobster uni alfredo (pictured third and fourth below) was incredibly creamy after being mixed by hand at the table.

Even the vegetable dishes at Sérêvène were stunning! We ordered a “hen of the woods” (maitake) mushroom, which came out with an almost meaty texture. It was drizzled with a soy beurre noisette (brown butter) sauce that gave it a distinctive nutty, woody flavor. This was probably my favorite plate of the night.

Other noteworthy plates from Sérêvène include the lobster and prawn spring rolls (pictured first below) and the “octo fritto” (pictured second below). The latter was still chewy and tender despite being lightly fried, which is an unusual way to prepare octopus.

To end the meal, we enjoyed bison and black truffle meatballs, followed by fois gras and donettes. I’ve had fois gras before, but it’s always been savory. Trying it as part of a sweet dish at the end of the meal was a new experience for me.

Our waiter at Sérêvène informed us that they have a semi-rotating menu, with certain favorite dishes being permanent. So if you go, you may not see these exact items listed on the menu. Regardless, dining at this contemporary fusion restaurant is sure to be a culinary highlight of any trip to Miami and Miami Beach!

Peruvian Ceviche, Pasta, and Churrasco
El Pollo Inka Miami

Address: 7285 NW 36th St, Miami, FL 33166
Website: https://elpolloinkamiami.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elpolloinkamiami/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elpolloinkamiami/

This restaurant is close to Miami International Airport, so it’s a great option if you’re looking for one more meal before flying back home. My friend and I tried one of their ceviche platters as an appetizer, and we both ordered steak with pasta for our main plates.

Peruvian food is unlike cuisine from any other country in Latin America. The ceviche is light and refreshing, and “tallarines verdes” (green spaghetti) is a local pasta recipe made using pesto, basil, and other ingredients.

If you’re wondering why I didn’t get chicken at a restaurant with “pollo” in its name, it’s because everything else on their extensive menu looked so enticing! The chicken looked good too, but the dishes we ordered seemed a little more uniquely Peruvian.

Pupusas & Salvadoran Steak
El Atlacatl

Address: 3199 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135
Website: http://elatlacatlmiami.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElAtlacatl/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elatlacatlmiami/

Have you ever had pupusas? They’re a delicious flatbread delicacy from El Salvador, and they were a major highlight of my trip there in 2019! That’s why I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to have some at El Atlacatl in Little Havana. They make a great appetizer, so I also ordered a bistec salvadoreño, which ended up being a massive amount of steak, rice and beans, and grilled veggies for less than twenty dollars.

A Venezuelan Breakfast
Doggi's Arepa Bar

Address: 1246 SW 22nd St, Miami, FL 33145 (Click or tap here to view other locations)
Website: https://www.eatdoggis.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DoggisArepaBarMiami/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doggis

Venezuelan food is one of my top recommendations for international cuisine whether you’re in Miami or not. It is so full of flavor and every bite is such a treat! I went to Doggi’s Arepa Bar expecting that I might just grab a quick arepa to go, but I ended up getting an entire breakfast combo with not only arepas but also black beans, shredded beef, eggs, and avocado.

Travel Tips

Are you ready to head off to Greater Miami to see some of the amazing attractions listed above? If so, here are some additional tips to make sure your trip goes smoothly!

Getting Around Without a Car

Anyone who’s been to South Florida knows that the cities are spread out. With that said, your options are to rent a car for your trip, use ridesharing platforms, or utilize public transportation.

Since rental car and Uber prices have gone up recently, I opted to figure out public transportation while I was in Miami. And I have to say, it wasn’t as bad as Google Maps was making it look. That’s because Miami has an above-ground Metrorail system, and free trolley routes exist in both Miami and Miami Beach. Unfortunately, neither of these systems is fully integrated into Google Maps. You might have to do some research on your own to take full advantage of them!

Miami-Dade County Metrorail

The Metrorail was a great way to get from where I was staying in Coral Way up to Brickell, and I even took it all the way to Miami International Airport for my departing flight. The trains are clean and modern, and the wait time is generally only about ten minutes.

However, the Metrorail only has one-and-a-half lines plus some smaller loops near downtown (called the Metromover system). As such, you can’t really use it to get out into the suburbs. It doesn’t go over the bridges to Miami Beach either.

I rode the Metrorail a lot on this trip, but it wouldn’t have been as useful if I had stayed further inland in Miami. As a visitor, you can purchase an unlimited day pass for $5.65 (as of January 2022), which I believe works for city buses as well.

The Trolleys

Did you know that both Miami and Miami Beach have trolley networks? They are especially easy and intuitive to use in Miami Beach, where some routes make small loops (e.g. in South Beach or North Beach), and the Collins Express runs north to south.

Miami-Dade County trolleys are free to ride and don’t require the transit pass mentioned above. You just get on and get off, and you don’t need to swipe anything. The trolley is a great alternative to Uber that you should try at least once!

Taking the Bus

I actually never ended up taking the bus during this trip because the Metrorail and the trolleys got me to the places I wanted to go. If you’re headed further inland from Brickell or looking to head out to someplace like Key Biscayne, the bus will probably be your best option.

Where to Stay

Miami and Miami Beach are bigger than they look on the map, so I recommend staying as close as possible to the attractions you want to see. If you plan to spend four nights or more in the area, dividing your time between Miami and Miami Beach is a great idea. I’m really glad I did that this trip!

Miami - More Than Just the Beach!

Don’t get me wrong: I love the beach just as much as any other travel enthusiast! But I also really love exploring the cultural attractions in seaside cities and towns. As one of America’s most dynamic cities, Miami certainly has no shortage of them!

Have you been to any of the places mentioned in this blog post? Are there any I missed that I should go see next time? Leave a comment and let me know!

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This post was published on Feb 5, 2022
This post was updated on Apr 7, 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!

Bangkok (Sept)
Istanbul (Sept)

The post Things To Do In Miami Besides The Beach: Museums, Parks, Culture, And Cuisine appeared first on Caffeinated Excursions.

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

How to Visit Charlotte for a Weekend

Neighborhoods to See

Uptown (Center City)

NoDa

South End

Use the Lynx Light Rail

Where to Stay

Eat & Drink in The Mill District

Restaurants

JackBeagle’s

Cabo Fish Taco

Haberdish

Benny Pennello's

Oh My Soul

Phở @ NoDa

Breweries and Bars

Birdsong Brewing Company

Heist Brewery

Divine Barrel Brewing

Free Range Brewing

Idlewild Bar

Coffee

Smelly Cat Coffee

The Hobbyist

Pepperbox Doughnuts and Coffee

& Coffee (Inside Urban District Market)

Cultural Attractions in Uptown

Bechtler Museum of Modern Art

Mint Museum Uptown

NASCAR Hall of Fame

Parks

Romare Bearden Park

The Green

Marshall Park

First Ward Park