Thanksgiving is just around the corner! Nashville is home to many amazing restaurants to dine in or pick up meals for your family! Here are a few of my favorites!
Nashville Thanksgiving 2021
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been to! We stayed in Bar Harbor about 10 minutes from the park at Open Hearth Inn. While we honestly didn’t do much research or planning beforehand, I do have a few suggestions. We started our time in the park by stopping at Hulls Cove Visitors Center to pick up a map before heading on the Park Loop Drive.
- Reserve your entry pass in advance
- Wear comfortable clothes and shoes (layers are preferable)
- Pack a lunch, snacks and drinks as options are limited
- September through early October are said to be the best time to visit the park
- Hot spots to see in the park: Cadillac Mountain, the Park Loop Drive, Sand Beach, Jordan Pond to name a few
- Try a famous popover at Jordan Pond Restaurant
- Watch the sunset at Bass Harbor Lighthouse (This can be a very popular experience so get there early to parking and a good spot)
- Bar Harbor Whale Company offers whale watching tours throughout the year
We sadly only had one day in the park but could’ve easily spent 3 or 4 days! We also enjoyed strolling through downtown Bar Harbor. There were lots of cute shops and places to eat! We dined at Side Street Cafe. Side Street had a fun atmosphere, kid-friendly menu and don’t miss the Roasted Crab Dip! They didn’t take reservations but we were able to walk around the town while we waited.
We can’t wait to go back to the park again! Until then, enjoy these beautiful views.
Kennebunkport, Maine
Kennebunkport, Maine is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been! This bucket list destination has been worth the wait!
Once we arrived in this port town, our first stop was Walker’s Point. This rocky overlook not only has gorgeous views of the water but also of the Bush family’s compound. I loved reading Jenna Bush Hager’s Sisters First and Everything Beautiful in it’s Time. It gave me a different appreciation for Walker’s Point.
I could’ve driven around all day looking at the charming houses, the cedar shake siding is my favorite.
Seriously, every house has so much character!
And these gardens!
While many restaurants and attractions were already closed for the season, we had warm and sunny weather! Didn’t need any of the coats and sweaters we packed!
Can you even come to New England if you don’t have Lobster Stew? Arundel Wharf was the perfect spot with an outdoor patio overlooking the water for lunch.
Our next stop was Cape Porpoise! The kids loved exploring the beach area and seeing views of Goat Island Lighthouse, which is one of the oldest in Maine! We later learned the reason it’s called Goat Island is because at one point, all goats in the area were transported there by boat to keep safe from predators!
Cape Porpoise feels like a step back in time, an unhurried way of life.
So many festive decorations around town
We got super lucky and got to go for a sail on The Pineapple Ketch before they ended for the season! This was one of our favorite things from the trip! It was a calm day out on the water.
The guide told us about the history and interesting facts about the area
Owen even got to help put the sails up
A different view of Walker’s Point.
Her face says it all!
My fall loving heart dropped when we pulled up to Kennebunkport Inn! This quaint Inn was within walking distance to downtown, had cozy outdoor seating areas and even delivered chocolate croissants for breakfast!
The place we’d planned to eat for dinner was closed due to being short staffed and the places that were open had long waits! One of the local shopkeepers recommended Bull ‘N Claw, which was a short drive in Wells.
Seth had to try the surf and turf! Everything was delicious and even though we were stuffed, we somehow made room for dessert.
There was a park next to Kennebunkport Inn and the kids loved climbing this tree. It’s really the simple things like this!
While they still had their share or disagreements, these two had so much fun together on this trip! Holding hands, snuggling up to watch movies and playing games in the car. I hope that they’ll always think back on this adventure.
On our way out of town, we passed by Snug Harbor Farm and had to stop to see these beautiful mums!
We adored our time in Kennebunkport and wish we would’ve had more time there! We would love to go back in the summer! Add this dreamy destination to your travel bucket lists!
24 Hours in Memphis
My friends and I headed to Memphis for a short but memorable 24-hour trip!
We started our day at Graceland, decked out in Elvis gear! I wasn’t sure what to expect at Graceland but we all were so intrigued by his life and had the best time touring Graceland! Graceland has so much to see including Elvis’ cars, restaurants, shops and they are even home to a Disney exhibit! I’d love to go back for one of their many concerts!
It’s really hard to pick a favorite because we all truly loved seeing the inside of Graceland and all the memorabilia! However, seeing the Lisa Marie plane was definitely a highlight! Elvis had quite the set up and was quite the entertainer! The three of us were so enthralled that we’ve all ordered Elvis and Me by Priscilla Presley to learn more!
We headed to our hotel, Westin Memphis Beale Street, next to rest up for a little bit. The Westin is a Diamond AAA hotel all within steps to Beale Street, the Fedex Forum and The Memphis Rock ‘n Soul Museum! The hotel also has on site dining with Blue Restaurant, Starbucks and a bar in the lobby. The accommodations were comfortable, clean and such a convenient location! I also was glad there was a parking garage attached to the hotel.
We grabbed appetizers and drinks in the hotel lobby! I am still thinking about these fried green tomatoes!
Next up for dinner, we went to The Beauty Shop Restaurant in mid-town Memphis! The Beauty Shop was transformed from a former salon where Priscilla Presley had her hair done! Not only was this place adorable and nostalgic but the food was absolutely amazing! (My comfy fall dress)
Seriously, everything we tried was delicious but I have to say this coconut cake had to be my favorite! Worth every calorie! And our server was so friendly and showed true southern hospitality!
We only had a few hours before heading home so started our day with coffee and tea from Vice and Virtue. Located on South Main, Vice and Virtue is a must see for the atmosphere, coffee and food!
Served on Vice and Virtue’s homemade bread, topped with pumpkin seeds and spice, this avocado toast tops my list! Literally can’t wait to go back to Memphis just for this toast!
Just across the street is Lorraine Motel and the National Civil Rights Museum. Founded in 1991, the National Civil Rights Museum preserves the place where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spent his final hours. Not only does the museum serve as a memorial but a place to teach and continue to learn about equal rights for African Americans.
We browsed the shops on Main and even though we didn’t eat at Arcade Restaurant, we had to stop by to see Memphis’ oldest cafe! They served sweet potato pancakes all day and you can get a glimpse of Elvis’ favorite booth. (My $7 t-shirt dress)
We made one final stop in Overton Square to pop in a few shops before hitting the road. Sadly, many didn’t open until around lunch but there were some cute spots!
Memphis is just a three hour drive from Nashville and has some great places to check out! Plan accordingly to be in safe neighborhoods and know your surroundings. We had been warned to “be careful” while there but I never felt unsafe. Our family is hoping to head back to Memphis soon! Here are a few other ideas for Bluff City.
The Memphis Zoo is one of the best we’ve been too!
Tacos at Babalu!
See a Grizzlies game
Explore Bass Pro Shop at The Pyramid
See the ducks at The Peabody
Have you been to Memphis?
Nashville Fall Break Staycation Ideas
Stroll through Cheekwood Harvest
Enjoy the festivities at Goblins and Giggles at Opryland
Get a head start on holiday gifts and paint pottery at Third Coast Clay
Visit the animals at Nashville Zoo
Let the kids get their energy out at Urban Air
Hike the recreation trails at Edwin Warner Park
Learn all about Country Music history at the Country Music Hall of Fame
Keep the kids busy with hands on learning at Adventure Science Center
Check out the variety of cars at Lane Motor Museum
Pick your own pumpkins at a local patch
Take a picnic to Radnor Lake
What are you up to for fall break?
Fall Favorites
Tis the season to be fall-y! A few of my fall favorites are hot apple cider, colorful mums on the front porch (even though mine never make it very long!), all the pumpkins, fall-scented candles burning and cozy sweaters and blankets! We are gearing up for a trip to the Northeast this fall for leaf peeping! Here are a few things I’ll be bringing along with me! (All under $30.99)
Leaf Studs-on sale for $9.50
What’s on your fall wish list?