Key West, Florida

Key West

Key West is a tropical island at the end of the Florida Keys where roosters roam free, flip flops are worn as dress shoes and beach vibes rule above all else. The key is home to many restaurants, bars, boutique hotels, historic sights, colorful wooden houses and waters dotted with sailboats. 

The Overseas Highway

The Overseas Highway is scenic stretch of road crossing the ocean and connecting the Florida Keys with mainland Florida. We made a day trip of our drive on the highway, stopping at multiple keys along the way.

Tiki Bar at Postcard Inn.  A hotel bar on Islamorada credited with inventing the Rum Runner cocktail. We stopped for a drink to find the restaurant under renovation. 

Robbie’s.  We ordered a Rum Runner here and stopped to hand feed the tarpon swimming around the restaurant’s dock. For $5, we bought a bucket of fish and dangled them over the edge of the dock. Soon after, a tarpon jumped from the water snatching the fish directly from our hands. 

Keys Fisheries.  A restaurant on Islamorada with all manner of fresh caught seafood. We stopped here for their famous lobster ruebens. 

Sea Turtle Hospital.  A sanctuary to rehabilitate rescued sea turtles on Marathon Key. Tour the facility and its tanks of sea turtles. I visited here on a trip to the keys years ago.

7 Mile Bridge.  A stretch of the overseas highway crossing 7 miles of open ocean. Stop at the 7 Mile Bridge Vista to walk onto the pedestrian bridge and overlook and the blue tropical seas. We spotted manatees swimming here. 

Bahia Honda State Park.  We stopped here for some afternoon sun and beach time. We lounged in the shallow waters of Loggerhead and Sandspur beaches.

Big Pine Key.  One of the last keys before reaching Key West. We kept an eye out for the Key Deer, an endangered species of tiny deer native to the island. 

The Conch Republic 

Key West, also called The Conch Republic, is truly an island paradise! While here, eat fried conch fritters and conch ceviche from one of the islands many restaurants, buy a conch shell from a souvenir shop and spot Conch Republic flags flying from local’s homes. 

Sights

Duval Street.  A famed and historic street stretching a mile across the key with seafood restaurants, cocktail bars, Cuban cafes, art galleries and souvenir shops.The north end is the most touristy while the south end is quieter and more local. 

The Old Town.  A historic area with colorful wooden house located at the north end of Duval street. 

Southern Most Point Buoy.  A striped concrete buoy and monument marking the southern most point in the continental US only 90 miles from Cuba. 

Bahamas Village.  A neighborhood in the south side of the key settled by immigrants from the Bahamas. Come to see the colorful houses and tropical gardens. 

The Hemingway Museum.  The former residence of American writer Ernest Hemingway. Tour his home and writing studio where he wrote many of his iconic novels and short stories. Walk through the grounds lush gardens and pet Hemingway’s cats. 

Key West Lighthouse.  A short white lighthouse with a spiral stair case leading to the crown with panoramic views of the key. The light house keeper’s house is a small museum dedicated the history of Key West.

Fort Zachary Taylor Beach.  A park with a coral beach, short nature trails and a civil war era fort. Come here to swim and sunbathe, walk the nature trails and explore the cannon lined red brick and black cement fortress. The beach has a snack & beverage hut renting umbrellas & lounges. Wear beach shoes to avoid the jagged coral lining the beach. Along the shore is a shaded park with picnic tables and grills. 

Higgs Beach.  A small but sandy beach between two piers for snorkeling, swimming and swimming. I came here several years ago on a previous trip to Key West.

Mallory Square.  No night in Key West would be complete without joining hundreds of people and watching the sunset from Mallory Square during the daily sunset festival. Arrive early with a drink in hand as the day ends and the night begins. 

Truman Waterfront Farmers Market. A Thursday afternoon market with vendors selling boozy popsicles, empanadas, samosas, honey, breads, cheeses, vegetables and tropical fruits like dragon fruit, pineapple, papaya, star fruit, lychee & star fruit. 

Where to Eat and Drink

Key West is where “it’s 5 o’clock somewhere” and “island time” meet.  There are many restaurants with laid back vibes and bars serving tropical cocktails. 

Tiki Bar.  A cocktail bar with classic tiki drinks like the Mai Tai, Jungle Bird, Zombie and Hurricane. There is live music nightly, a shop selling tiki mugs and hidden tiki bar in the back.

Eaton Street Seafood Market.  A seafood market and restaurant serving the day’s fresh catch. We came for conch ceviche, stone crab claws and beers from Islamorada Brewing. 

Schooner Wharf Bar.  Come here for the shrimp! They source their shrimp from Key West’s last shrimping boat docked in front of the restaurant. We devoured the coconut shrimp and drunken shrimp, a peel and eat shrimp boiled in beer and spices! 

Speakeasy Inn and Rum Bar.  An inn with several rooms and a rum bar with one of the largest collections of rum in the US. Sip on rum neat the at bar chatting with locals and other vacationers or sit on their porch overlooking Duval Street while enjoying a Painkiller. 

Hemingway Social Club.  A cocktail bar attached to the Hemingway Rum Distillery. Come here for cocktails like a Hemingway Daiquiri made with their house run while listening to the live music.

Cafelito.  A cafe with a walk up window selling iced Cuban coffees and Cuban pastries like the guava and cheese turn over.

Sally Frog’s.  A bar near Malloy Square with cocktails and local beers like the Crazy Lady Honey Blonde Ale brewed at The Waterfront Brewery.

Cuban Coffee Queen.  A small coffee shack by the harbor selling cups of Cuban coffee.

Cocomelon.  A juice bar and cafe selling ice cold fresh coconuts. Come here to sip coconut water from the tropical fruit while relaxing in their patio.

Kermit’s Key Lime Shop.  Come for the key lime pie! They sell it by the slice, whole and frozen on a stick. 

Dry Tortugas National Park

60 miles from Key West are the Dry Tortugas, a national park with several low lying islands, protected marine and avian reserves, a massive civil war fortress, a light house and a campground. 

Fort Jefferson.  An hexagonal three level civil war fort rising from the sea. The historic red brick fort is surrounded by a mote with a large interior court yard and the ruins of many military structures. 

We spent time exploring the 3 levels of the fort. The ground level houses many of the forts supportive facilities like a bakery, cistern and the barracks. The second level was dedicated to the prisoner’s cells and the hospital. The third level is overgrown with trails leading along the wall past cannons and to the fort’s lighthouse. 

Outside of the fort is a mote and wall designed to protect the main fort from the sea. Walk along it to admire its historic outer walls, look out towards the sea and spot tropical fish. 

Beaches.  Outside of the fort, there are two coral beaches to swim at with warm and shallow water. The South Beach was the calmest and clearest for swimming and snorkeling. There is some sea grass, fragments of broken coral throughout the bay. The North Beach was a little choppier with less visibility for snorkeling. 

Snorkeling.  Along the wall of the South Beach, we spotted smaller tropical fish, some living coral, sea anemones, pink jelly fish and the carcus of a giant spiny lobsters.  

Land Bridge.  Walk the tidal land bridge towards the avian reserve of Long Key. The shallow stretch of sand it covered in conch shells, sand dollars and broken coral. Come here to spot pelicans and sand pipers. 

Loggerhead Lighthouse.  A black and white lighthouse visible on the horizon from Fort Jefferson on Loggerhead Key, nearly two miles away.

Camping.  There’s something special about camping on a desert island in the middle of the sea! I camped here overnight on my last trip to Key West and the Dry Tortugas between some of the islands only few trees and bushes. 

Yankee Freedom.  The main company ferrying between Key West and the Dry Tortugas. The ticket includes transit, a tour of the fort, snorkel equipment, breakfast and lunch, cocktails for purchase. 

Getting Here.  It takes 2 hours 30min to reach the Dry Tortugas from Key West with 4 hours on the island. Book in August and September for $50 off an order of 2 tickets. Book here! 

Where to Stay

We stayed at the Speakeasy Inn & Rum Bar! The boutique inn on the south end of Duval Street has two floors of newly renovated rooms and is stumbling distance away from their rum bar. Our stay included free parking, a welcome cocktail and discounted drinks! 

Getting Around 

Key west is very walkable, especially along the mile long stretch of Duval Street. Even so, there are many rentals offering bikes, scooter and golf cart. 

• Bikes $10 / day 

• Scooters $35 / day 

• Golf carts $100 / day 

The Conch Train.  A multi car trolly that rides around the city passing most of the sights with a narrated guide. 

Good to Know 

Locals leave during the month of September to vacation elsewhere. As a result, some restaurants and bars are closed. However, as this is the slow season, many hotels offer deals making the island more affordable to visit.

For Next Time…

We loved our time visiting Key West! We hope to return for more rum cocktails, sunset views and the tropical atmosphere. Outside of Key West, we would love to spend a few nights exploring the other keys more. 

New Orleans, Louisiana

NOLA

New Orleans is a historic city with a lively, liberal and romantic atmosphere. We fell in love with NOLA so much so that it’s where we’re planning to get married in 2022. Between visiting venues and wedding planning, we spent time indulging in the city’s unique Cajun cuisine and Creole flavors, riding the street car down oak lined boulevards, walking through residential neighborhoods to look at the colorful cottages, listening to Jazz echo from the bars while drinking in the streets and learning more about the city’s past. Above all, New Orleans is a place to relax and celebrate, one of the many reason we can’t wait for our wedding day!

Things to Do

Jazz on Frenchman Street.  This is the place to be for dancing and live Jazz. There are a number of late night bars, creole restaurants and artist markets to make for a memorable night. It’s much tamer and more authentic than the famed Bourbon Street. 

Ride the St. Charles Street Car. The street car follows St. Charles Avenue, an oak tree lined street covered in Mardi Gras beads. The street car is the perfect way to get across town while admiring the historic homes and mansions in the Garden District.

Order a To-Go Daiquiri.  Almost every bar on Bourbon St. offers a selection of frozen daiquiris made to go. As long as it’s in a plastic container, it’s legal to publicly drink anywhere in New Orleans. 

Beignets at Café du Monde.  Visit the original location, located in the French Market, the most famous place to order a beignet and cafe au lait. We were lucky enough to visit while a brass band was playing out front.  

• Beignets are fried rectangular pieces of dough covered in powdered sugar.

• Cafe au lait is French for coffee with milk.

Enjoy Creole Cuisine. A mix of West African, Indigenous American, French and Spanish flavors. Some of our favorite dishes are gumbo, catfish po’ boys and charbroiled oysters. 

Watch the Sunset at Lake Pontchartrain. We visited Breakwater Park to watch the sunset. The calm shallow waters reflect every color in the sky. Afterwards, there are a number of seafood restaurants nearby to enjoy dinner.

Visit a Cemetery.  The dead in New Orleans are buried above ground in elevated plots or mausoleums because the city sits below sea level. We walked thorough the rows of St. Joseph Cemetery and Lafayette Cemetery No. 2. Both of which were open and free to tour. 

Walk down Crescent Park.  A riverfront park located along the Mississippi with a 1.4mile path. Watch the ships pass by and sound their fog horns. Afterwards, cross the “Rusty Rainbow Bridge” into the ByWater neighborhood. 

Cross the Mississippi.  There is a ferry located along the river front at the end of Canal Street that crosses the Mississippi to Algiers Point. It’s a quiet neighborhood to enjoy a po’ boy for lunch, look back at the skyline and walk the levy. 

Neighborhoods & Streets

The French Quarter.  The Quarter is the historic center of New Orleans with Spanish and French architecture, gas lit lanterns and cobble stone streets. It’s a hub for live Jazz, all night cocktail bars and Creole cuisine. We loved wandering its quiet side streets as well as bar hopping on Bourbon Street. 

Bourbon Street. The city’s most well known street located in the French Quarter. This street is often packed with people flaunting Mardi Gras beads, having the fortunes read and ordering to-go drinks from the colorfully lit all night bars. It gets a bit crazy but is worth visiting at least once.

The Garden District.  A residential district flanked between Magazine St. and St. Charles Ave. The neighborhood is home to historic mansions and cottages, large oak trees and leafy palms. It’s a beautiful neighborhood to explore on foot or along the St. Charles Street Car. 

Magazine Street.  One of the city’s Main Streets with restaurants, bars, boutiques, art galleries, vintage shops and creole architecture. It’s about 6 miles long, stretching from The French Quarter through The Garden District and into Uptown. Every stretch of it is well worth exploring.

Irish Channel.  Located between Magazine Street and the Mississippi River, this cute residential neighborhood has many of our favorites restaurants, cafes and bars. There are lots of great Airbnb’s to stay at here. 

Marigny.  This beautiful neighborhood, just outside of the French Quarter, is a charming place to walk through to look at the brightly colored Creole cottages and shotgun houses. There are also lots of great Airbnb’s here. Come for Frenchman Street, the artists markets and local restaurants. 

ByWater. Basically an extension of Marigny, this neighborhood is a little more bohemian/hipster with flea markets, cafes, cocktail bars and funky restaurants. 

Arts/Warehouse District.  A former warehouse district converted into a hub for cocktail bars, high end restaurants and art galleries. 

Uptown. A broad area on the Riverside of New Orleans. Visit Maple and Oak Streets for the restaurants and nightlife. Both areas are popular with Tulane and Loyola students.

Lavender Line. Not technically a street but it encompasses a number of gay bars in the French Quarter north of Bourbon Street, many along St. Ann Street. Some of our favorites are Café Lafitte in Exile and Good Friends Bar.

See Some Art

NOMA (New Orleans Museum of Art).  The museum has a great collection of Southern, French and Modern painting, historic and multi-cultural artifacts and a remarkable sculpture garden with beautifully landscaped grounds. There is also a rotating gallery, it had a LGBTQ+ photography exhibit when we visited. 

New Orleans Jazz Museum.  A museum teaching about the origin of Jazz, some of its most notable musicians and its importance in New Orleans. 

New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum.  A tiny but educational museum in the French Quarter with many voodoo artifacts and altars. It’s a great place to visit and learn more about the religion. They also offer cemetery tours and bone readings.

Shopping

Merchant House Collective.  An antique warehouse with mid to late 20th century furniture, home-goods and accessories. There is a plant shop and an upstairs with vintage tees, clothing and jewelry. 

Frenchman Street Market.  A nightly market located on Frenchman Street where artists sell illustrations, sculptures, jewelry, decor and perform live music. 

Second Line Art & Antiques. An antique market with old wooden furniture, vintage clothing and taxidermy insects. It’s courtyard also doubles as an artist’s market. 

Magazine Antique Mall. A classic antique mall located on Magazine Street with dozens of booths filled with miscellaneous items and treasures. We found some unique cookware and dishes. 

Voodoo Authentica.  A tiny shop in the French Quarter with a large selection of voodoo dolls. It’s an educational place to learn more about the modern practice of Voodoo. 

French Market.  A market under a series of sheds in the French Quarter with food stalls, flea market tables and souvenir vendors. Though nothing like a traditional French Market, we enjoyed walking through it after ordering beignets from the original Cafe du Monde.  

Taste Everything!

If you come to New Orleans for one thing, come for the cuisine! There are so many dishes and drinks unique to this city alone. These are some of favorites:

Crawfish Mac n Cheese.  A Cajun classic made with crawfish tails, rich gooey cheese and macaroni noodles. 

Shrimp and Grits.  A classic breakfast dish with creamy buttery grits and tender Gulf shrimp. 

Po’boy.  A classic Louisiana sandwich made on crispy bun with a fluffy center. It always has a protein, usually seafood, and comes “fully dressed” with lettuce, tomato, a pickle and mayo. 

Fried Catfish.  A slightly gamey and flaky white fish. We often ordered it on a Po’boy.

Gumbo.  A traditional soup to New Orleans often eaten from October through March. It’s a savory melting pot of flavors and cultures having influences from the Indigenous Choctaw, West Africans, French and Spanish. 

Chargrilled Oysters.  Gulf Coast oysters that have been grilled with herbs and cheese.

The Sazerac.  A sipping cocktail made from whiskey, cognac and absinthe usually garnished with a lemon peel. 

The Hurricane.  A sweet, fruity, tropical rum drink served in a tall curved glass. 

Hand Grenade.  A cocktail served on Bourbon St. by a few specific bars. It’s a very sweet drink served in a tall neon green plastic container with the shape of a grenade at the bottom. Basically a hangover waiting to happen…enjoy! 

Restaurants 

Commander's Palace.  Commander’s is an unmistakable teal and white wooden restaurant located across the street from Lafayette Cemetery No. 1. It’s a family run business offering the best of high-end Creole cuisine in New Orleans. We tried the slow cooked gumbo, pecan crusted gulf fish covered in lump crab and a version of the crawfish linguini. For dessert, the bread pudding soufflé. Be sure to make a reservation and come dressed up. 

Between dishes, the owner sat down with us to chat. She said “we go to the same church.” A discrete Southern way of identifying with other LGBTQ+ people. Needless to say, we felt very welcomed and even shared a dance in the courtyard towards the end of the evening. 

Jacques-Imos.  It’s hard to choose a favorite restaurant in New Orleans but this one is up there! Try the snail butter corn bread, Creole Bouillabaisse, Crawfish Étouffée and bread pudding. Make a reservation in advance and come ready to eat!

The Rum House.  Located on Magazine St. and a gem for á la carte tacos. We almost hired the restaurant to cater our wedding.  

Killer Po’Boys.  The best spot in the French Quarter for po’boys. In addition to the classic seafood options, they offer vegan Po’boys like roasted cauliflower or sweet potato. 

Effervescence.  Relax by the outdoor fountain with a glass of Champagne, oysters and caviar served with a mother of pearl spoon. 

Pechê.  Recommended to us by a few locals, this restaurant in the offers Cajun and Gulf style seafood. 

Green Goddess.  A vegan restaurant in a romantic string lit alley in the French Quarter. It’s a nice reprieve from some of the craziness. 

Basin Seafood & Spirits.  Come for the Po’boys and Chargrilled Oysters.

Juan’s Flying Burrito.  If you’re on Magazine St. and craving a burrito, Juan’s is the place to visit. They have two locations. One in Uptown and another in the Lower Garden District. 

Cafes

The Vintage.  A coffee shop with artisanal beignets by day and bar by night. We ordered a flight of 3, the matcha, pumpkin and raspberry.  

Café Beignet.  Another popular chain for beignets. Visit the Bourbon St. location for a beignet, cup of chicory and of course live jazz.

French Truck Coffee.  A local chain cafe with amazing coffee, biscuit sandwiches, breakfast toasts and croissants. If it’s fully brewed, try the Oji coffee. It’s Japanese method of slow brewing 1 drop at a time over 24 hours.

Bear Cat Cafe.  A breakfast and brunch spot with cajun meals, vegan options and fresh kombucha. We ordered the crab scramble and vegan biscuits + gravy. Make sure to try the breakfast potatoes. 

City Donuts & Cafe.  One of the best finds in the city. Come here for a donut breakfast sandwich! Literally egg and cheese sandwiched between two regular glazed donuts. 

Orleans Coffee Espresso Bar.  A great spot to relax with a coffee or cafe au lait. 

Bars 

Delachaise Wine Bar.  One of our favorite spots in town. Come here for a glass of wine and to watch the St. Charles street cars pass by.

QiQi.  A LGBTQ+ dive bar with inexpensive drinks, a laid back vibe and outdoor seating. 

Hot Tin.  A rooftop bar at the Pontchartrain Hotel with great cocktails and views of NoLa.

The Elysian Bar.  A former church turned into a restaurant and cocktail bar. The nave of the church is now the main dining room with multiple parlors located throughout the rectory. It’s a funky and unique experience!

Old Absinthe House.   A 200+ year old absinthe bar on Bourbon St. offering traditional absinthe drip cocktails. It stands out from the neon lit cocktail bars lining the street. The walls are covered in notes and business cards from generations of customers, 

Good Friends Bar.  One of the many gay bars in the French Quarter but also one of our favorites. The 2 floor bar is a hub for the gay community, locals and tourists. 

Café Lafitte in Exile.  Considered the oldest gay bar in the US. It’s a fun spot to grab a drink on Bourbon St. 

Mini Excursions 

Outside of New Orleans, there are a number of mini excursions to go on. We booked ours with Cajun Encounters, a local tour company. 

Swamp Tour. New Orleans is surrounded by swamps that have had a large influence on they city’s architecture, industry and cuisine. They are also natural buffers that offer protection from hurricanes. We visited the Honey Island Swamp where we saw wild bores, alligators, cypress trees and Spanish moss while boating through the bayous and past swamp houses. 

Plantation Tours. Educate yourself on the history of slavery. New Orleans’ past is one we chose to learn more about while visiting. About an hour up-river are a number of plantations offering tours. We visited the Oak Alley Plantation, named for its row of 300 year old oak trees. Here, we learned about the lives of the enslaved people that were forced to labor here, the conditions they lived in and the African influences they brought with them. There is also a great restaurant here. Order a Po’boys and a flight of Mint Juleps!

Pro tip: Book a tour or drive here yourself. Uber and Lyft don’t drive to this area. 

Getting Around 

Take the Street Car. There are 4 lines that branch out from Canal St in the city’s center to different neighborhoods. Streetcars are the easiest and most affordable way to get around town. 

Download RTAGoMobile2.0 app to buy tickets. 

• Single ride pass costs $1.25

• 1 Day pass costs $3

• 3 Day pass costs $9

• 5 Day pass costs $15

On Foot.  Grab a to-go cocktail and start walking. The city is so photogenic and great for exploring on foot. 

Lyft or Uber.  Overall, New Orleans is pretty easy and affordable to get around. 

• $10 for short distances

• $10-$20 to get across town

• $30 to/from the airport to Canal St.

Good to Know

• NOLA is short for New Orleans, Louisiana

• Dress casually chic to semi formal for higher end restaurants.

• Riverside refers to the south side or area along the Mississippi.

• Lakeside refers to the north side or area along Lake Pontchartrain

• Watch out for scam artists on Bourbon St. If any ones bets they can tell you where you got your shoes…tell them you’ve got them on Bourbon St.

Next Time in New Orleans 

With our wedding approaching, we will soon be back in New Orleans. We can’t wait to share our amazing experiences in this city with our family and friends! 

• We hope to return for Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest.

• Tour St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 and Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 after their repairs are complete.

• We would love to go sailing on Lake Pontchartrain.

• Eat and drink more! Two places we wanted to try are Bar Marilou in the Warehouse District and Elizabeth’s in By Water.

New York City

Favorite Things in NYC

New York City is an ever-changing landscape of cultures, histories, movements, styles and cuisine. It is a worldly city, both glamorous and gritty filled with people from all walks of life. The city attracts dreamers and offers an endless supply of inspiration as well as its own challenges. Having lived here since early 2018, we’ve had the chance to explore and experience so much of what makes NYC unlike anywhere else. In no particular order, we’ve curated a list of sights worth visiting, hidden gems to appreciate, mouthwatering food to try and activities to do. 

Urban Hiking

One of the best ways to see the NYC is on foot. We often spend our weekends walking down avenues, across bridges and though Burroughs to explore the neighborhoods, discover new restaurants and see areas we would typically pass under while riding the subway. Get lost wandering, as Alicia Keys puts it, “these streets will make you feel brand new.”

Eat at an All Night Diner

NYC is known as the city that never sleeps. This couldn’t be truer than at an all night diner. Characterized by their run-on menus, cake displays and signed photos of celebrities mounted to the walls, these comforting places are waiting to welcome you at any hour of the day. 

Empire State Building

The Empire State Building is easily the most recognizable sight in NYC. It defines the skyline and offers 360 views of the surrounding metropolis. Visit the observatory and outdoor deck on the 82nd floor then spend the extra $20 to visit the very top, at the 102nd floor. Views from both floors are well worth experiencing during day and night. At night, the building is illuminated in white or themed colorful lights. Try to spot the white lights twinkling! Other special times to see the building illuminated is during Pride, New Years Eve and Valentines Day. 

Visit a Fortune Teller

Fortune Tellers are all over the city. For around $10, you can ask one look into the crystal ball or read your palm and predict your future. 

Bagel Crawl

Go on a Bagel Crawl. The city is dotted with delis, bakeries, bodegas and food carts offering these quintessentially NY treats. Order from one and split it amongst friends. After your first bagel, set out for your second, third, fourth and so on…enjoying the moments in-between bites to walk off a few carbs and see the city. There is an abundance of bagel shops throughout the Lower East Side. If you only have one bagel in NYC, make sure it’s a bagel with lox (cured salmon).

Central Park

Nestled within Manhattan’s grid of concrete and skyscrapers, is Central Park. The park acts as a retreat space for every New Yorker to escape the busy life of the city, spread out and re-connect with nature. These are our favorite reasons to visit the park: 

• Picnic! Gather some friends, bring a blanket, drinks, snacks and have a picnic. The park is filled with all types of lawns, fields and rock formations to choose from, finding a spot is never difficult to do. A few of our favorites are Umpire Rock, Sheep Meadow and Cedar Hill.

• The Lake. With so many scenic spots nearby, the lake is one of our favorite areas in all of NYC. From here, you can listen to opera singers perform at Bethesda Terrace, share a kiss on the Bow Bridge, row across The Lake and get lost in the winding trails within The Ramble. 

• The North Woods. Located in the northwest corner of the park between 100th & 110th streets, The North Woods is a vast section of the park with old trees, rolling hills and plenty of roads and trails to hike. 

Eat NY Style Pizza 

Grab a slice of New York style pizza. Characterized by its crispy thin crust and wide slices, it’s a staple of NYC cuisine. Look out for pizzerias with long counters lined with dozens of pizzas all sold by the slice. Many of these shops are open 24 hours and constantly crank out new pies ensuring a fresh and delicious slice at any time of day. The East Village hosts a large number of pizzerias. 

The Cast Iron District

Spend an afternoon strolling through the cobble stone streets of the Historic Cast Iron District in SoHo. Hundreds of ornately designed cast iron clad buildings define the neighborhood, many of which are now home to high end restaurants, residences, boutiques and nightlife.

Skyline Drive-In 

A drive-in theater along the East River in Greenpoint, Brooklyn paying new releases and classics. The parking lot has multiple screens overlooking the skyline playing different movies every night. If you don’t own a car (like us) the theater has a separate screen with lawn chairs set up to 

Speakeasies 

In a city where something new lingers around every corner, some of the best surprises remain truly hidden. A few of these hidden gems are speakeasies. Here are a few of our favorites and how to get in. 

• Please Don’t Tell. The entrance is located through a phone booth inside Crif Dogs on St. Marks Place. After 6pm, enter the phone booth, pick up the receiver and dial 1. The other side of the phone booth will open leading into the bar. The bar itself is known for it’s mixologists, often crafting custom cocktails to your taste. 

• Basement. Located in Chinatown down a flight of stairs on Mott St is a Coca Cola refrigerator door. Behind the door is a basement bar with a subtle carnival theme, emphasized by a self serve popcorn machine.

• Employees Only. The entrance, hidden behind the curtains of a fortune teller’s shop in Chelsea, leads to this classy cocktail bar. The speakeasy is known for its experimental drinks and prohibition era vibes. 

• Fig 19. A speakeasy in the Lower East Side disguised as a white box art gallery. Once inside, behind a hidden door is a cozy cocktail lounge. Friday nights can get surprisingly busy.

The High Line

Walk The High Line in Chelsea and Meatpacking. It’s an old rail line turned into an elevated park surrounded by contemporary architecture. It’s beautiful year round but our favorite time to visit is during autumn. Midway through, stop by Chelsea Market and eat your way through the food stands and restaurants.

Essex Market 

Recently relocated into a modern food hall and market, this is one of best places to shop for groceries or experience many of the different flavors that make up the city’s diverse cultural and food scene. The market carries everything from vegan cheeses, imported seafood, Puerto Rican coffee, Japanese groceries, NYC bagels, Norwegian salmon and African spices. 

French Row

Relatively located along West 4th Street between 7th & 8th Avenues are a number of incredible French restaurants. The French style bistros dotted between the be beautiful brick town homes and duplexes makes this area a relaxing place to stop for a meal and drinks. 

Roof Tops

New Yorkers flock to roof top bars for weekend brunch, evening drinks and city views. Here’s a shortlist of some of our favorites:

• Savanna Rooftop. Located adjacent to the Queensboro Bridge in Long Island City at the Z Hotel, this fully outdoor rooftop offers delicious small plates amazing drinks and unobstructed views of Manhattan.

• Last Light. Located on Bowery at the Sister City Hotel, this rooftop offers craft cocktails, chill vibes and near 360 city views.

• The Boom Boom Room. Located at the top of the Standard Hotel, this iconic and ultra glitzy spot embodies the glamour of NYC. Come for the high end cocktails, live music and make sure to check out the restrooms.

• The Broken Shaker. Located on the roof of the Freehand Hotel, this 70s style tiki themed rooftop features multiple bars, tropical drinks and tasty small plates.

• The MET Roof Garden Bar. Located on the rooftop of the MET, this seasonal bar features outdoor art installations, skyline views and overlooks the treetops of Central Park.

• Spyglass Rooftop. This intimate rooftop with some of the best views of the Empire State Building. As it’s name suggests, it even has a viewing periscope pointed directly at the building. 

Admire the Brownstones

Take the subway to Brooklyn to see New York’s historic Brownstones. These architectural beauties are scattered throughout the city with large concentrations in Bed Stuy and Park Slope. Characterized by their brown stone facade, elevated stoops and narrow width, these homes exude urban charm. 

Janes Carousel 

It’s not just for children, for $2, take a spin on Janes Carousel in Brooklyn Bridge Park. 

Smorgasburg 

Visit Prospect Park in Brooklyn for Smorgasburg. This reoccurring food festival is held every weekend and occupied with tents run by dozens of local vendors, restaurants and micro breweries. It’s a great spot to enjoy so many of the cuisines and cultures NYC is known for. There’s a smaller version of Smorgasburg held during the weekdays in Williamsburg at the East River Park.

Coney Island

This nostalgic and eccentric place is a usual highlight of our summer. We often spend the day here riding amusement park rides, walking the boardwalk, relaxing on the beach and eating fried foods. If you’re in NYC during mid June, make your way out to Coney Island to witness or participate in the Mermaid Parade. 

See Some Art

With renowned museums, countless galleries and entire streets covered in murals & graffiti, NYC is home to some of the best art in the world. 

• Museums. Visit the Guggenheim and experience the museum as it was intended. Take the elevator to the top floor then walk down the spiral ramp viewing the art as you descend. Other worth while museums are MoMA PS1, The Brooklyn Museum, the MET, the Whitney and MoMA. 

• Graffiti Walking Tour. There are numerous free and self guided walking tours across the city to see murals, street art and graffiti. Two of our favorites are the Bushwick Collective and the Coney Art Walls. 

• Gallery Hopping. Galleries are found everywhere in NYC, with a high concentration in Chelsea. Spend an afternoon hopping between galleries keeping an eye out for specialty pop-up galleries and exhibits.

Tawk like a New Yawker 

Easily recognizable, the New York accent comes from the mix of ethnicities, social groups and cultural influences. It’s known for its combination of excitement, hand gestures, attitude, unique phrases, cursing and drawn out words. When you’re here, it’s hard not to notice and even harder not to try speaking. 

Christopher Street Pier

A wonderful spot along the West Side Highway to layout or picnic with the gays after Sunday brunch or before late afternoon cocktails in Greenwich Village. 

Restaurant Row 

If you haven’t figured it out by now, you’ll soon realize that NYC is known for its food scene. With thousands of restaurants across the city, representing every cuisine, good food is never hard to find. A vibrant spot to enjoy a meal is Restaurant Row located on 46th St. between 8th & 9th Aves. Here you’ll find numerous restaurants, hole in the walls and an array of nightlife.

Roosevelt Island Tram

Ride the cable car connecting the Upper East Side to Roosevelt Island. The cable runs parallel to the Queensboro Bridge and can be ridden with the swipe of the same Metro Card used on subways and buses. 

Ride the Subway 

There’s hardly anything glamorous about riding the subway but it’s part of the NYC experience. Take the trains across town, look and listen for performers and don’t be afraid to ask strangers for directions. 

Directions to keep in mind: 

• Uptown = Central Park/Harlem

• Midtown = Times Square

• Downtown = World Trade Center

• Most trains pass through Times Square or Grand Central. From either, you can transfer almost anywhere. 

Grand Central Station

An icon of NYC and well worth the visit with plenty to do and see outside of your typical commute.

• Wander The Great Hall, admire the celestial ceiling and check time on the Connecticut Clock. 

• Try a seafood tower or whole lobster at the Oyster Bar.

• Whisper sweet nothings in the Whispering Hall. Outside of the Oyster Bar is a vaulted ceiling with columns at each corner. Stand diagonally across from another person speaking directly into the column. You’ll hear each other’s voice carry across the noisy hall’s ceiling.

• Drink a cocktail at The Apartment Bar, an old school NYC style speakeasy behind the restaurant on the south east corner of the great hall. 

• Shop for produce or souvenirs at the Grand Central Market. We usually grab specialty items from here on our way home; such as spices, seafood and Murray’s Cheese.

• Buy Churros from the Churro Lady. Make your way to the 7 train platform and buy a paper bag of fresh churros for a few dollars. They’re always a delicious treat!

Manhattanhenge

Manhattanhenge is a rare spectacle when the sun lines up precisely with Manhattan’s east/west street grid. During this time, the sun rises and sets within they city’s canyon of buildings.

East River Ferry

For an inexpensive way to see the city by water, buy a ticket and hop on the East River Ferry. Ferries operate between Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and The Bronx for less than $3 one way. There’s also a bar on board and an outdoor deck. It’s an easy way to enjoy the waterfront, see the skyline and get to Rockaway Beach.

Long Island City Waterfront

The LIC waterfront is one of the most photogenic locations in NYC. This stretch of park provides sweeping views of Manhattan, especially at sunset. The north end is home to the Pepsi Cola Sign, a favorite spot of ours to picnic during the summer. The south end is a favorite for its contemporary pathways and semi-private alcoves. In-between is Gantry Plaza, where dozens of food carts line up during the late afternoon. 

Both north and south ends have their own East River Ferry docks making them easily accessible. In addition, the neighborhood is only one subway station east of Grand Central via the 7 and one north of Brooklyn via the G. The surrounding neighborhood is home to several breweries, MoMA PS1 and a variety of restaurants and cafes. Try Sweet Chick for (veggie) chicken and waffles, Tournesol for southern French cuisine, Sweet Leaf for coffee or cocktails and Rockaway Brewery for beer. 

If you happen to be in NYC during the 4th of July, anywhere along the LIC waterfront is the best location to watch the fireworks! It gets crowded so arrive early and bring water. 

Plant District

Where the concrete jungle meets a leafy jungle. This district is located on 28th St between 6th & 7th Aves. Come here to stroll the street, walk through the shops and maybe haggle over a plant to bring home. 

Bryant Park

This urban oasis is magical spot to relax and admire the city. Find an open chair or green patch of grass, sit back and listen to the hum of everything happening around you. The park is a few blocks from the energy and lights in Times Square and adjacent to the quiet and calm found within main branch of the NY Public Library. Bryant Park also hosts events year round from group yoga classes, to a square dancing and a seasonal ice rink.

Play Chess in a Park 

Almost every park in the city has a series of tables with chess boards designed into their tops. Come prepared with your own pieces or test your skills playing against one of the professionals patiently awaiting their next opponent.

Order Street Food 

Some of the best meals we’ve had have come from unassuming street vendors. Whether it’s tacos, falafel, kimchi or pretzels, there’s likely a street cart or food truck selling it. 

Chinatown

Go to Chinatown for the food! This area of the city is packed with countless Chinese and Southeast Asian restaurants. Eat dumplings and buns, slurp on ramen, drink bubble tea and savor a purple yam ice-cream cone. The neighborhood is also known for its well priced grocery stores. If you’re cooking, buy live lobsters from one of the seafood markets, exotic fruits from a street vendor or hard to find ingredients lining shops’ shelves. Visit during Lunar New Year and participate in the neighborhoods festivities and traditions.

Little Italy

That's Amore! From pasta to pizza, visit Little Italy for authentic homestyle Italian cuisine. While looking for a place to eat, you can expect to be invited into every restaurant on the street by their respective hosts. No matter the choice, you can’t go wrong. For dessert, order a slice of tiramisu or a cannoli with espresso. If you happen to visit during September, go during the Feast of San Gennaro, the neighborhood’s yearly food festival and street fair. 

Union Square Market

Cook a meal using spoils from the farmer’s market in Union Square. Saturday is the best day to buy in season produce, artisanal bread, Brooklyn honey and other specialties from local and urban farmers.

TWA Terminal

If you find yourself at JFK, visit the TWA Terminal and Hotel. This Mid Century masterpiece is an iconic symbol of the golden age of flying. With numerous things to keep you occupied during a layover or night’s stay, it is a destination in itself. Order a drink in sunken lounge or outside in a converted airplane bar, enjoy fine dining at the Paris Cafe and watch airplanes take off from the hotel’s rooftop pool. 

Southwest Roadtrip

The Southwest 

The Southwest is a playground of incredible rock formations, other worldly deserts and endless highways. The region overlaps several states, includes many Native American reservations and is home to some of the country’s most cherished National Parks. 

Road Trip

There’s something so freeing and spontaneous about road trips: listening to good music, driving with the windows down, stopping at roadside attractions and drive through meals. With Devin and his brother, Desmond, we booked a one way flight from NY to LA, rented a car once we landed and made the rest up as we went. For about 10 days, we drove though Southern California, into Nevada, Utah and all across Arizona. I even used this trip as an opportunity to roll out the retro vibes with my polaroid camera and fanny pack. 

Southern California 

Los Angeles

After landing in LA, we drove to where Route 66 meets the Pacific Ocean, Santa Monica, a fitting start to our road trip. We spent the evening walking the pier, listening to the electronic violinists perform and watching the ocean tide roll in. For dinner, we ate at The Lobster, a staple seafood destination overlooking the pier. Here we treated ourselves to some West Coast seafood while drinking a couple rounds of Pacifico before calling it a night.

Randy’s Donuts 

The next morning, on our way out of the city, we stoped at the original Randy’s Donuts in Inglewood for breakfast. Randy’s is a landmark donut shop easily recognized by the massive donut resting on top of the bakery. It’s been featured in video games, movies, tv shows and referenced across Hollywood. We ordered a half dozen classic glazed donuts and coffee. Randy’s took it a step further and gifted us another box of artisanal donuts including: fruit loops glazed, apple fritter, sprinkled, blueberry iced and devil’s food. They hardly survived the first day of driving. 

Cabazon Dinosaurs

Located just off the highway in Cabazon, CA, these dinosaurs captured our attention and imagination. This roadside attraction, considered to be one of the greatest, features two giant dinos: A pinkish brachiosaurus named Dinny the Dinosaur and a green t-rex named Mr. Rex. We reveled at, walked under, around and even climbed inside both of them. 

Palm Springs Wind Mills

We didn’t make it to Palm Springs but along our way to Joshua Tree, we passed a wind farm with thousands of spinning windmills. They’re hard to miss and mesmerizing to watch as you drive by. 

Joshua Tree National Park

The park is famous for its namesake, the Joshua Tree. The tree itself is a multi-armed, spike leaved, desert growing plant. They are a fragile and enduring symbol the the Mojave Desert where the park resides, thriving in harsh conditions with little water and persistent sunlight. In addition to the Joshua Tree, the park is home to many species of cacti, nocturnal animals and smoothed rock formations.

Hiking Trails 

There are miles of designated trails to hike throughout Joshua Tree. After entering the park through the west entrance, we drove a little ways and began hiking. I still can’t figure out what trail we hiked but I think it was a combination of several. We spent hours hiking through a forest of Joshua Trees, along some large rock formations and through an area with a wash where we saw a few desert tortoises. 

Willow’s Hole Trail

During our second day in the park, we hiked to Willow’s Hole. Considered to be one of the more difficult hikes in the park, we began late in the afternoon and ended at sunset to avoid the heat. The hike is mostly flat, stretches over 7 miles round trip and takes about 4 hours at a normal pace. This trail offers a variety of the entire Joshua Tree landscape ending at a desert oasis surrounded by willow trees.

The hike starts off through a flat terrain surrounded by large rock formations, Joshua Trees and all other kinds of cacti and fauna. Along this part of the trail we saw countless whitetail and jackrabbits. The second half of the trail, leading to Willow’s Hole winds through a canyon of incredible cliffs and washes. 

The closer we got towards Willow’s Hole, the wetter the path got. We had to climb over large boulders in order to avoid some the larger pools and streams of water. Near one of the pools, we noticed paw prints from a coyote. We eventually made it to the oasis, it was a serene and peaceful spot to stop and relax before making our way back. The hike back was just as beautiful as the way in, we enjoyed the golden glow of the sunset across the terrain before watching the sky show off its colors. 

Maps & Park Pass 

Pick up a map from one of visitor centers when buying your park pass. The park pass costs $25 per car and is valid for 7 days. Ask a park ranger where to hike. They often give great recommendations based on what you want to do or see. Click here for a map and list of trails.

Set up a free account with All Trails. Their platform offers detailed info on all of the parks routes from info curated by other hikers. 

What to Bring

• Water

• Food/Snacks 

• Sunblock/A Hat

• Flashlight 

• A Map 

Other Sights  

Skull Rock. One of the many rounded rock formations in the park. As the name notes, this one is famous for its skull shape.

Pinto Basin Road. This main road winds from the north to south end of the park and takes about an hour to drive. Most Joshua Trees are located in the High Mojave Desert to the north while the Colorado Desert to the south is known for its its cacti patches. 

Pinto Basin. A vast swatch of cacti covered desert surrounded by mountains. It’s easily viewed from the Pinto Basin Road. 

Chola Cactus Garden. Located midway along Pinto Basin road is this incredible cactus garden filled with Chola cacti. Watch your step along the trail and don’t touch them. 

Ocotillo Patch. Located near the south end of Pinto Basin road is an extensive patch of Ocotillo Cacti. These massive cacti grow several feet high and gracefully sway in the wind.

Night Sky. The High Mojave Desert is located far enough from any major cities making light pollution very minimal and offering incredible night sky views. 

Where to Stay

There’s no shortage of places to stay around Joshua Tree. The park itself has a few campgrounds. There are many quaint desert resorts, motels and unique Airbnbs outside of the park. We stayed in an Airbnb Airstream about 20 minutes from the park’s west entrance. It

Salvation Mountain 

Salvation Mountain is a massive art piece located in the California Desert started by Leonard Knight in the mid 80s. The site is inspired by the scriptural passages with the simple message, “god is love.” Love, in our opinion is the true theme of this place. The mountain is covered in colorful and peaceful imagery of waterfalls, flowers and the yellow brick road centered around the most prominent word, love, situated above a giant heart. The structure is built from a mixture of hay, packed clay and layers of paint. All materials used have either been donated or salvaged. 

While visiting, we met Ron, the preservationist of Salvation Mountain. He’s leads the repairs and preservation of the massive art piece in line with the artist’s original vision. Ron has been living onsite for several years and mentioned having repaired the entire landmark, area by area, at least twice over since beginning his work here. He reminded us that the desert is a very harsh environment. Something as exposed to the elements as Salvation Mountain requires a massive amount of patience and care. 

While we visited, the monument was off limits and only available for viewing. A storm had swept through the area a few days prior causing damage to one of the faces and interior rooms. Ron estimated it might take 6 months to a year to fully repair. Though damaged, this place will never loose its heart. Even from a distance, visiting this place felt special. 

Slab City & East Jesus 

Located just beyond Salvation Mountain are two off the grid alternative living communities, Slab City and East Jesus. We spent hours wandering, observing and talking with some of the locals to get a better perspective on the places they call home. If you visit Salvation Mountain, you need to come here with an open mind. There is no where else quite like it. 

Slab City. This community gets its name from the remnants of concrete slabs left behind after the demolition of a military training camp. The slabs are home to RVs, permanent trailers, make shift buildings and piles of debris. Many of the folks who live here have come to live off the grid while others are here as a result of poverty. There is no electricity, running water, waste management or government. Despite that, there is a certain since of community with its own library, golf course, clubs and music venues. 

East Jesus. A sustainable and habitable art installation focused on creative re-use. The experimental community is built from discarded materials and salvaged waste. It’s inhabited by artists, musicians, writers and other creatives.

Salton Sea & Bombay Beach 

Our route to Salvation Mountain lead us along a road with countless washes depositing agricultural runoff into the Salton Sea. Curious, we stopped at a state park and walked up to the sea’s edge, only to notice the decomposing remains of fish and dried clay leading up to the shoreline. Further down the road, we drove through the town of Bombay Beach, a once thriving seaside community catering to celebrities, retirees and vacationers during the mid century. The town, now mostly forgotten is a place stunted in its growth but still inhabited by a number of families and artists. We passed a man painting television screens on the street, two children seamlessly sweeping dirt for leisure and a woman sitting alone on a chair in the middle of an empty lot. Many homes have been left behind due to the toxicity of the sea and damage caused by the salinity in the air. A sobering place, the town and the sea has an incredible history that should’t be overlooked or looked down upon.

Northern Arizona 

The Grand Canyon 

The Grand Canyon is revered as one of the greatest natural sights on earth. Its size at 1 mile deep and up to 18 miles wide, reveals millions of years of layered sediments and colorful rock. After leaving Southern California and heading for Arizona we decided we had to visit. By the time we reached Flagstaff, it had began snowing. As we ascended further into the mountains, the snow turned into a blizzard. Once we reached the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, it was a white out. As we overlooked the canyon, all we could do was laugh, barely able to see a thing. One day, we’ll be back. 

Horseshoe Bend

Horseshoe Bend is a 1000 ft steep bend of the the Colorado River in the shape of a horseshoe. It’s an incredibly breathtaking sight and truly awe inspiring. We spent the late afternoon wandering the rim and admiring its beauty. It completely made up for not being able to see the Grand Canyon the day before. Located just off the highway outside of Paige, AZ and accessible by a 1.5 mile hike to the rim. The overlook is open daily from sunrise to sunset for an admission of $10 per car. 

Lake Powell & Navajo Canyon 

Lake Powell is a manmade lake created by the Glenn Canyon Dam with over 2000 miles of shoreline. We decided to rent a boat for the afternoon from Antelope Point Marina to explore Navajo Canyon. Navajo Canyon is 16 miles long with massive orange and brown cliffs ranging in height on all sides. The canyon is pretty wide but narrows in areas with tiny offshoots speckled throughout. We slowly and carefully explored one of these before pulling out and boating to the end of the Canyon. 

Navajo Cliff Dwellings 

On the way to Monument Valley we took a detour to visit the Navajo National Monument and overlook the Betatakin Cliff Dwellings. At its peak nearly 800 years ago, it was home to hundreds of people and contained over 120 sandstone structures, many of which still survive today. It can be viewed at the end of a short hike from the Navajo National Monument Visitor Center 

Antelope Canyon. A picturesque, narrow and winding sandstone canyon. It can only accessed via a Navajo tour guide. 

Vermilion Cliffs. A sweeping wave of orange and golden shades of sandstone 

Tower Butte. A towering 5000ft sandstone butte in the middle of Glen Canyon. There are helicopter companies offering rides to the top of the butte overlooking the sounding landscape

Utah 

Monument Valley 

Monument Valley offers views of the most quintessential western scenery and landscapes. The valley is made up of massive crumbling rock formations known as buttes. The buttes were formed millions of years ago by tectonic activity and erosion forming the structures visible today. 

As we drove towards Monument Valley, we could see some buttes rising above the horizon and the clouds becoming a tinted orange color. We learned this is due to red dust particles in the clouds as well as the reflection of the soil. 

The valley resides on the boarder of Utah and Arizona within the Navajo Nation. When we visited, the park had just closed due to the outbreak of Covid-19. However, many of the buttes and mesas are visible from roadside overlooks. Within the park is a loop of road that drives through the center of the three most famous buttes: West Mitten Butte, East Mitten Butte and Merrick Butte. 

Staying in Monument Valley, with a host on Airbnb, we were still able to hike around the valley outside of the park. Our host directed us to the nearby Sentinel Mesa which had a trail leading to its plateau. Lead by a local dog, we hiked and climbed our way to the top. The path was a bit ambiguous the steeper we hiked but we eventually found our way. Once we reached its plateau, we saw what I would say is the highlight of our trip. We stood overlooking the valley with picturesque views of the entire landscape. 

Hogan 

Staying within the valley was an unforgettable experience. We spent the night in a Hogan, a traditional Navajo home. The Hogan is a domed structure built from cedar trees and covered in sand and clay offering a level on insulation from the heat and cold. The interior was rustic and cozy with multiple beds and a wood burning stove. The one we stayed in was built in 1934 and has been maintained ever since. Today, most Navajo People live in modern homes but keep a Hogan on their property for guests and ceremonial purposes.

Forest Gump Hill 

Many movies and Hollywood scenes have been filmed in Monument Valley. One of the most notable, non-westerns, is a scene from Forrest Gump. Along the stretch of road through the valley is Forest Gump Hill. This is the spot Tom Hank’s character stopped running after 4 years crossing the country. 

Mexican Hat 

Mexican Hat is a rock formation named after A large flat rock, precariously balanced on top of a small vertical base protruding from the hillside. You can hike around the base and climb up to the underside of the “hat.” From here, there are beautiful views of the green and orange hillside carved out by the San Juan River.

Valley of the Gods

Near Monument Valley and Mexican Hat is another area famous for its rock formations, buttes and mesas. It is a smaller scale version of Monument Valley with grand views and hiking trails.

Navajo Frybread 

One of the staple foods we ate was Navajo Frybread. It is a flat piece of dough fried in oil. We had it served two ways. The first way was as a taco, covered in bean, tomato, lettuce, onion and cheese. The second way was lightly covered in a sugary syrup. Devin being a baker, bought a 5lb bag of Navajo Frybread to bring home.

Central Arizona 

One thing we learned across our road trip is that Arizona is massive. The climate and landscape changes from desert to mountain, cacti to pine forests and snowy to scorching heat. On our way to the southern side of the state we visited a number of roadside sights and national parks.

Holbrook, AZ

Midway through the state is the town of Holbrook. This town is famous for its roadside Americana charm and western history. Located off old Route 66, the downtown stretch is lined with old buildings surviving from the wild west, retro roadsigns and its famous tee pee themed hotel. The town is nearby the Petrified Forest National Park and has its share of rock shops and attention grabbing roadside dinosaurs. 

Wigwam Motel 

We stayed the night in Holbrook at the Wigwam Motel. This is the famous concrete and steel formed tee pee motel lined with vintage cars and a retro neon road sign. The motel has 15 tee pees, each acting as their own guest room. The stay was incredibly cute and felt like we had transported to a different era.

Petrified Forest National Park 

The Petrified Forest is a National Park covering a flat area of desert that was once home to an ancient rainforest. Preserved under the soil and exposed due to erosion are the remains of fossilized trees from the forest that existed over 200 million years ago. Some of the trees are so well preserved that you can count the rings and feel the grain of the bark. 

Located about an hour from west of Holbrook, we drove through the Petrified Forest. We stopped to explore the Blue Mesa, an area of the park eroded by rain revealing colorful bands of blue, purple, grey and red soil as well as the petrified wood. We drove around the exterior loop, wandered its interior then walked through the Blue Mesa trail. Throughout all areas are massive logs and fragments of the trees laying across the ground. It was crazy to think that we were walking across land where the dinosaurs roamed and a forest thrived over 200 million years ago. 

Barringer Meteor Crater

Midway through the state is a giant meteor crater formed over 50,000 years ago and measuring nearly a mile across and over 500ft deep. The crater is accessible to view through the park’s visitor center and has two decks that overlook the crater from its rim. Within the visitor center are a large number of meteorites on display as well as small fragments of it for sale.

Meteor City 

Further down the highway is the abandoned roadside attraction of Meteor City. It was started in the late 30s as a gas station, grocery store and souvenir stand along the old Route 66. It’s an eerie spot to walk around and watch trains pass by.

Southern Arizona

Saguaro National Park 

Located within in the Sonoran Desert outside of Tucson is Saguaro National Park, home to the Saguaro Cactus. The Saguaro is the classic symbol of the Southwest with its tall waxy green trunk and multiple arms. The park is divided into two separate districts located on opposite sides of Tucson. The Tucson Mountain District is to the West and the Rincon Mountain District to the East. We visited the east park and easily spent the whole day here. 

Throughout the day we drove around the park’s loop surrounding the Cactus Forest, stopping to explore multiple hiking trails. The hike through the Cactus Forest was our favorite. It took us through a desert terrain densely populated with mature saguaros. There was one main trail through the forest any many offshoots which made it easy to get lost while exploring. Luckily, we knew the forest was surrounded by road so we weren’t too worried about loosing our way. Though so close to civilization, it truly felt like the wild west. We even spotted a diamond back rattle snake slithering across our path.

Tucson’s Barrio Viejo 

A historic neighborhood with old adobe buildings, all painted vibrant colors and landscaped with desert cacti. Barrio Viejo is one of Tucson’s first neighborhoods, influenced by Mexican American heritage. It is a stunning area to explore and imagine living in. 

Getting Around 

For a road trip, you need a car and at least a half tank of gas at all times. Not owning one ourselves, we rented. Throughout the trip, we drove nearly 3000 miles, more than I’ve driven in the past 6 years combined. Once we began driving, the miles seemed to pass by. However, while driving long distances, it always took longer to get somewhere than expected. We found it best to allow extra time for roadside stops, detours and traffic. For our first road trip, we consider it a success. We can’t wait to revisit the southwestern highways and visit many of the other sights the region has to offer. 

If we had more time…

If we had at least two more weeks to aimlessly drive throughout the Southwest, I can guarantee there is so much more we would have stopped to see and do. Below is a short list of some of those places:

• Spent more time in LA

• Drove up the Pacific Coast Highway in California 

• Visited Sequoia and Death Valley National Parks

• Stuck around the Grand Canyon and hiked 

• Visited some of the sights we missed in Paige, AZ 

• Stayed the night in Sedona, AZ

• Spent time in Albuquerque and Santa Fe New Mexico

• Tried to track down the lightening rod project in New Mexico

• Visited the West District at Saguaro 

• Crossed the boarder into Mexico an afternoon