Category: Unique Experiences
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Colorful lanterns of Zoolumination- Nashville Zoo {Tennessee}
We visited Nashville Zoo at Grassmere for their annual Zoolumination, where the zoo transforms after dark into a glowing world of larger-than-life Chinese lanterns. Every year is different, and while we didn’t know exactly what to expect this time, we knew it wouldn’t look anything like our last visit. That sense of anticipation only grew…
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Pavillons de Bercy – Musée des Arts Forains {France}
Paris is known for its iconic landmarks—but some of its most magical experiences are the ones you don’t hear about as often. For us, that hidden gem was Pavillons de Bercy, home to the enchanting Musée des Arts Forains. A family friend suggested we visit, and it quickly became one of our favorite experiences in…
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A Month of Food, Festivals, and Fall {Tennessee & Indiana}
Fall is my favorite time of year. There’s something about those first hints of color in the trees, the cooler air, and the feeling that everything is coming back to life after the long heat of summer. I love the details of the season—hay bale displays, deep orange and red flowers, and what feels like…
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Pumpkins & Stories – Exploring the Pumpkin Walk in North Logan {Utah}
My favorite season has always been fall. There’s something about the cool air, the shifting colors in the trees, and the sheer abundance of orange pumpkins that feels like a reset for the soul. When I lived in North Logan, one of my absolute favorite fall traditions was visiting the annual Pumpkin Walk in Cache…
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Visiting Monticello: the Home of Thomas Jefferson {Virginia}
We had spent the last few days diving into the beginnings of America, and our final stop brought us to one of its most influential figures—a visit to the home of Thomas Jefferson at Monticello. Located in Charlottesville, Virginia, Monticello is one of the most visited historic sites in the United States. As one of…
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Celebrating Independence Day in Colonial Williamsburg {Virginia}
Spending Independence Day in Colonial Williamsburg felt like stepping directly into the story of the country’s beginnings. With its preserved buildings, costumed interpreters, and living history demonstrations, Williamsburg offers one of the most immersive ways to experience colonial America—especially on the Fourth of July. A visit to Colonial Williamsburg on the Fourth of July includes…
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From Races to Blueberries- A Month of Summer Fun {Georgia & Tennessee}
This past month has been filled with the most unexpected mix of adventures—some planned, some stumbled into, and all of them memorable in their own way. On their own, each outing would have made for a great day, but together they tell a story of a summer that has been wonderfully unpredictable. This kind of…
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Gardens, Art, & Trolls-Visiting Cheekwood Estate & Gardens {Tennessee}
Tucked away among the rolling hills of Nashville, Cheekwood Estate & Gardens is one of the city’s most beloved places to experience art, nature, and history all in one afternoon. Spanning 55 acres, the estate combines botanical gardens, woodland trails, seasonal art installations, and a historic mansion that feels like stepping into another era. On…
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Celebrating Lunar New Year: Year of the Dragon at Middle Tennessee State University {Tennessee}
One of the great things about working at a university is getting to experience the wide variety of events and cultural programs that happen across campus. It also means being “in the know” about some truly special places that many people—sometimes even those who work here—don’t realize exist. One of those hidden gems is the…
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Cave Tour at Ruby Falls {Tennessee}
We have been to Chattanooga many times over the years, yet there are still places that remain on our list of things to see and experience. Near the top of that list has always been Ruby Falls on Lookout Mountain. We have visited the nearby attraction Rock City Gardens a few times, and each visit…