As I continue my quest to travel on credit card points, my list of personal best travel credit cards is constantly evolving. I’m big on my American Express cards as I get so much value out of them—the AmEx Platinum is my go-to with the Gold a close second—though the Chase Sapphire Reserve is always […]
When Scott and I travel, we’re always on the lookout for places that strike a balance with outdoor adventure and plenty of good food and cocktails—if there’s an arts scene, that’s a huge bonus. Ridgeland, Mississippi offers of all that. From paddling the Barnett Reservoir to wandering the boutiques of Renaissance at Colony Park, there […]
Growing up in a small town south of Nashville, we ventured out to Murfreesboro regularly: for summer camps, doctor appointments, shopping, you name it. What felt like a small town then, the home to Middle Tennessee State University now boasts 165,000 residents and has expanded at a rapid race, thanks to its central location. It’s […]
If you’ve ever road-tripped the Natchez Trace Parkway, you’ve likely breezed right past Ridgeland, Mississippi without realizing this vibrant city is one of the Trace’s best-kept secrets. Situated just north of Jackson along I-55, Ridgeland really leans into its outdoors scene: kayaking on the Barnett Reservoir, biking the local multi-use trail, picking flowers in the […]
Every September brings with it countless festivals in Tennessee, and one of my absolute favorites is Pilgrimage Music Festival in the impossibly charming town of Franklin. While other music festivals in Tennessee like Bonnaroo and CMA Fest are in the camp of “you’ve got to go at least once,” Pilgrimage reigns as one I would […]
One of the best things about living in Tennessee is the number of day trips available to us on any given week. We live just an hour south of Nashville, which affords us regular outings like a quick trip to the Smokies, an afternoon of waterfall hopping or a day trip to Franklin. Franklin factored […]
One of my favorite weekends getaways is Franklin, Tennessee. It’s just an hour from where we live, but sometimes it feels necessary to break up your routine and reset your mental battery for a weekend—the closer, the better. And with the opening of the Harpeth Hotel a few years back, we love to stay in […]
Long-time readers know that no one loves a good road trip quite like our pup Ella If she could, she’d go with us everywhere. The problem? Not everywhere is pet-friendly—well, not everywhere is pet-friendly like Franklin, Tennessee, I should add. This post was last updated in August 2025. Sure, there are plenty of trips she can […]
It’s no secret that Knoxville ranks high up on our list of must-visit destinations. Much of my family was born there, and I’m a proud graduate of University of Tennessee. But despite my extensive knowledge of East Tennessee’s largest city, the Knoxville arts scene is an ever-changing tapestry of color and innovation that keeps every […]
I don’t know what I expected Murray to be like, but a lake community with a college campus at its center and a thriving art scene anchoring it all was not it. A weekend in Murray, Kentucky combined so many different elements of what I look for in a three-day getaway: the outdoors, the public […]
