PLACES

AFTER FORTY YEARS OF BEING A SLEEPY LITTLE TOWN, MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI, A HIDDEN GEM ON THE AMTRAK RAILROAD LINE, FINDS IT HAS AWAKENED TO A FAIRYTALE-LIKE REALITY.     The story begins when the Threefoot Hotel opened its doors in November 2021 in a festive grand opening in Meridian’s historic downtown. Decades in the making,

Fredericksburg invites you to come celebrate Texas Wine Country during Harvest Season 2021! Vineyards and wineries are preparing to reap the fruit of their vines, and visitors can be a part of this exciting season. Texas Wine Country is one of the United States’ most visited wine regions and part of the fifth largest wine-producing

Feel the Beat & Fill Your Belly   In Tupelo, finding a good meal and great live music is guaranteed. In fact, you’ll find both at many venues across town. Whether you’re looking for classic Southern food and country tunes, Italian fare paired with acoustic strings or the bold tastes and sounds of tomorrow, Tupelo

Planning a family getaway means finding a destination that pleases both grown-ups and children. That means kid-friendly activities and accommodations, of course. But how about a sophisticated restaurant scene for the parents? Throw in some natural beauty, a historical setting, and enough indoor activities to keep everyone entertained. Sounds a lot like Clarksville, Tennessee.  

If you have never been to carnival in New Orleans, then you have not been formally introduced. It begins on January 6, Twelfth Night, with nearly two months of pageantry where an endless theater of creative souls flaunt their laissez-faire attitude parading on rolling stages called floats. It’s a telling portrait of a complex city

  We’re one of those cute blogger couples you follow on Instagram.  I cover food. Ines covers travel. We write about restaurant openings and trending hot spots. We used to think our job required flying to big cities and foreign countries. Then, the pandemic hit and suddenly the American passport was useless. So, we rented

For those who have preconceived notions about sleepy little southern towns in America, nestled along the shores of the Barnett Reservoir (locally known as “The Rez”) and just off the Natchez Trace Parkway is the vibrant small city of Ridgeland, Mississippi. Ridgeland is bringing a fresh urban feel to the soul of southern living. Inside

From a bustling downtown to relaxing country drives framed by extravagant fall color, Clarksville, Tenn. is a favorite mid-south fall road trip. If your getaway wish-list includes off-the-beaten-path but convenient, affordable with plenty to do, natural beauty and not too crowded, Clarksville checks all your boxes.   Let these ideas inspire you to start planning

While Fredericksburg, TX boasts over 400 festivals and events annually, the fall season brings a few signature celebrations that many loyal visitors simply refuse to miss.   This year Fredericksburg’s Annual Oktoberfest, running October 4, 5 and 6, will celebrate 39 years. It’s the festival of all festivals in Fredericksburg, setting the standard for German-style

Whether you consider it a décor decision gone awry or a hobby that got out of hand, the allure of this mug covered cabin is unmistakable.   Located at the end of a dirt and gravel road, this cabin in the woods is not the expectation for rural North Carolina.  Well, maybe anywhere. While visiting

Part poet, part farmer, Bryon Herbert Reece was a riddle to the small mountain community in which he grew up.   Born in 1917 in a one-room cabin on Wolf Creek near Blairsville, Georgia, Reece was destined to be a farmer like his father before him. His family grew potatoes, beans, corn, rye, apples, chickens,

Like everything in New Orleans, Algiers Point celebrates a cast of characters in this historic hamlet across the river from NOLA.   From long-time locals with their own vernacular-style accents, one that can never be imitated, to the Europeans who paid a visit, fell in love and never left. Be it the Brits, Italians or

Texans are a stubborn lot.

A robust wine region

It all started with an unwanted boulder.  New road construction near the small community of Hollywood, AL. left a boulder deposited on the property of farmer Leonard Dawson. But as he looked at the boulder and pondered what to do with it, he saw a rooster take shape, instead.   Deciding to move it in front

Down to the basics

Near a cascading waterfall at Lula Lake on Lookout Mountain, Georgia, a long stretch of rustic gray wooden tables is tucked in a blissfully shady corridor between two high rock walls, waiting for the 150 guests who’ll be here soon. Late-afternoon shadows and patches of sun bathe the metallic gold tableware, bottles of wine, and

Jefferson, Texas   The flat bottomed skiff navigates the curves of the Big Cypress Bayou as the boat’s guide, Chase Vallery, a 24 year old Louisiana State University alumnus degreed in cartography, motions toward a standalone brick structure on an elevated bank as we round a bend. “Here was where ammunition was dropped off for the

Born in 1908, outside of Buena Vista, Georgia, a small community near Columbus, Eddie Owens Martin ran away to New York City in his early teens, where he worked odd jobs, delved into the drag queen scene, was a merchant seaman and even studied dance. While it’s quite the combination of experiences, nothing compares to his adventure with the

A slice of heaven

Memorial to the Coon Dog

Feels like a real cave

East Texas BBQ Near the Red River

Life on the Atchafalaya

Recalling simpler times

Andalusia, Alabama Much like the flower of the Southern Magnolia, Andalusia, Alabama, is a city in bloom. Nestled between the pine boughs and cotton fields of South Alabama, Andalusia is situated at the confluence of the Wiregrass and the BlackBelt. Mirroring the contrast of the milky white magnolia blossom against the waxy green leaves, Andalusia’s

To say Vent Haven is the only museum of its kind in the world would be an understatement. In this unique place you will find over 800 ventriloquist figures or “dummies”. Lining its walls are hundreds of publicity photos of vents (short for ventriloquists) and their dummies. It also houses a vast collection of vent-related books, some of which

Laurel, Mississippi The Lauren Rogers Museum of Art opened as Mississippi’s first art museum in 1923 and is nestled among the live oak trees of Laurel’s beautiful historic district adjacent to downtown.  Founded by the timber family, which settled the town, the museum boasts nationally known collections of American and European paintings, Native American baskets,

We need to do this

Where you’ll feel like family

A town in Virginia loves to tell lies.

Great steak in a place like no other

Maybe this Mardi Gras isn’t for you

Small batch, stone-ground, all natural grains.