Clark_T

In a world of museums it's easy to get lost, the DeWitt Wallace museum offers a new experience unlike any other. From the outside it looks like a tiny colonial building. HOWEVER, upon entering the museum opens up underground and becomes a sweeping, modern vault of vivid, well-lit exhibits. It's kind of like going through a secret passage into a government compound of artifacts. If you don't feel like Nicolas Cage from National Treasure I don't know what to tell you. Williamsburg is a treasure trove of historic buildings and themes. That's all a part of what makes this museum so unique and jaw dropping. Come soon to see the map exhibit and take a look at maps that were actually used (not replicas) in the late 1600's.

Blue Talon Bistro in a delicious experience in and of itself. The decor is friendly and welcoming and the wonderful staff is all to eager to make sure that your dining experience is a pleasant one. One could describe the Blue Talon cuisine as "comfort food with a twist". I would highly recommend the macaroni and cheese as it melts in your mouth and you find yourself craving more with every bite. Another strong dining choice would be the rich and creamy chicken and mushroom crepes. To keep yourself refreshed, be sure to try their Virginia root beer. It will quench your thirst as well as satisfy your taste buds. Make sure that you plan a trip to the Blue Talon Bistro if you ever find yourself in Williamsburg, Virginia.

If you're looking for an authentic dining experience in Colonial Williamsburg, look no further than King's Arms Tavern. It's there that you can find delicious fare that will rush you back to colonial America. The decor is a marvel in and of itself and there's plenty of seating- but be careful, as they do not take reservations and it is first come, first serve. It is easy to see why they are constantly full as they serve delicious culinary treats like a Norfolk pottage (pot)pie, scrumptious macaroni, and wonderfully crispy friend chicken. The King's Arms Tavern culinary prowess does not stop at food. Try a refreshing berry or fruit shrub- a blend of frosted juices topped with a scoop of sorbet. They also serve their King's Arms ginger ale, something not to be missed. If you're in the mood for a frosty beer, there are many different ales and lagers to choose from. Dessert at the King's Arms Tavern is in a realm of its own. Thomas Jefferson's Brandy-spiked bread pudding comes with the highest recommendation as does their chocolate fudge torte. While the dining is superb, it is the staff and attention to colonial detail that really puts the King's Arms Tavern on the map. It will feel like you're dining alongside the founding fathers, eating a piece of history.

The Aberdeen Barn located a few miles from colonial Williamsburg is a wonderful treat for any hardcore meat lover in the family. While all of their fare is simply divine, their succulent prime rib is one of their main attractions. One easily see their love for the perfect cut of beef as they prefer to cook them rare to medium. In honor of pleasing everyone who walks through their doors, they will serve beef that's well-done but they claim that it breaks their hearts as it will often lose a lot of its flavor. The Aberdeen Barn menu is extensive and offers food for everyone. Try not to fill up on the cheesy pretzel sticks and fresh from the oven dinner rolls- they are divine. You have your choice between classic prime rib, seafood, steak, and chicken. All entrees come with a fresh salad and your choice of sides. We'd recommend the mashed garlic red skin potatoes and their barn fries. What was our favorite part of our Aberdeen Barn experience? The superb food and the friendly staff. Be sure to say "hi" to Angelo for us. He made sure our glasses and stomachs were full. We think that their motto says it best, "When you've been around as long as we have, you know you're doing something right".

Peachtree might sound like a succulent name for a town, but it's not just known for their peaches. When in Peachtree, it is imperative that you stop by Partners restaurant. Not only are they renowned for their food, but they were also the first restaurant opened in the town of Peachtree. Their success lives on today and their remarkable reputation comes from their mind-blowing food. The starter menu is enough to make anyone drool as they offer mouth watering appetizers like hot soft pretzels with creamy cheese dip, cajun crawfish baskets, or beer battered and fried veggie baskets. Once the appetizer is finished, one has the choice between calzones, wraps, sandwiches, pastas, and 12 different kinds of salads. Did we mention their pizzas? You can have the option of making a pizza "your way" but why would you want to when they boast a full pizza menu? There's a buffalo chicken pizza topped with bleu cheese crumbles. Do you like chicken fajitas? Do you like pizza? You can have both- together! There's also the "It's Greek to Me" pizza that comes piled high with kalamata olives, spinach, fried eggplant, artichokes, grape tomatoes, garlic, herbs, AND feta cheese. We'll give you a minute to sop up your drool before we tell you about our favorite pizza. If you like baked potatoes you HAVE to try their "Potato Pizza". If a baked potato and a pizza had a love child- this would be it. It involves sour cream, sliced potatoes, bacon, green onions, and cheddar cheese baked onto a pizza pie crust. If we haven't sold you yet, we don't know what will. The staff was friendly and attentive and Partners restaurant is easily accessible by golf cart. If you ever find yourself in Peachtree City, Georgia you have to stop by!

Do you like hidden gems? Do you have a taste for southern cooking? If you answered yes to any of the aforementioned questions or ifyou enjoy eating whatsoever, you must stop by Cafe Pig. Cafe Pig is a quaint little cafe that will have you drooling at the door. They specialize in southern barbecue with an array of appetizing sides. They offer your standard chopped BBQ plates along with sandwiches, hot dogs, and combo plates. Tawny recommends the chopped pork plate while Chris can't stop raving about the ribs. Oh, and just listen to these sides! There's mac & cheese, fried okra, cole slaw, potato salad, collard greens, sweet potato casserole, brunswick stew, and about a half a dozen other sides. It'll be a difficult task, but if you manage to save room for dessert you can divulge in a fruit cobbler, key lime pie, coconut cream pie, banana pudding, or many other yummy treats. Food aside, our server was so welcoming and attentive. She had us keeled over with laughter and made sure we had an enjoyable experience. Thank you Cafe Pig!

Now listen to this- Sa Za chef, Joe DiMaggio Jr. (sound familiar?), is renowned around the area for his passion and zeal for food. He's spent countless years in Italy perfecting his craft and it comes through in the Sa Za menu. It's all in the name; Sa Za offers serious Italian food. Unfortunately for us, we were pretty full by the time that we arrived at the restaurant. We had eaten a big lunch only a few hours before but Linda at Comfort Inn & Suites told us that it was a restaurant that was not to be missed. She was right. After drooling over the menu we finally decided to split a creamy rigatoni. Like I said, we weren't even hungry but we were basically licking the plate once we were finished. The noodles were cooked to perfection and the sauce was absolutely divine. If you're not into pasta, Sa Za offers an array of pizzas and other Italian fare. We so wish that we could have sampled more, but we now have an even better reason to return. Please be sure to check them out if you find yourself hungry and in the area. The staff was so friendly and we had a blast!

Elbow is an amazing bar and restaurant for the adventurer in all of us. On first glance, Elbow can appear as a shady biker bar. However, upon closer inspection, Elbow is a place where one can find great food, friendly people, and a good time. We would highly recommend hitting up Elbow on a Thursday night as they offer a free buffet to all of their patrons. Don't forget to look up while you're there- the ceiling might baffle you!

Peppers is a wonderful bar and restaurant that doesn't only serve up wonderful food and drink, but also caters to the local active military and vets. On any given night one can find Peppers full with military personnel and the community that loves them. Peppers even offers special "MRE's" (meals ready to eat) that will be served up in 15 minutes or less. If you're in for a spicy treat, try their nitro wings. They're definitely spicy, but still retain their delicious flavor. If you don't go for their yummy food, at least stop by to sit and chat with the dedicated military patrons. They'll be happy to share their stories.

The name says it all. This wonderful restaurant serves up the featured fish in a variety of ways- most of them being fried. My eating partner even admitted after his meal that it was the first time he ever enjoyed eating catfish. That is a feat, my friends! The catfish are seasoned and breaded to perfection and come with hushpuppies and various other comforting sides. If catfish isn't your taste, indulge in a juicy burger of any other fresh seafood dish that they offer- their all yummy! We'd also highly recommend sampling their fried corn, fried okra, or friend pickle. When it comes to dessert, you MUST have a slice of caramel pie. It is heaven in your mouth. Make sure you visit the catfish house if you ever find yourself in Clarksville, Tennessee. You won't regret it!

Such a fun and unexpected stop on a trip through Missouri. The climb is manageable and fun for even the littlest family members. Make sure to take a picture at frog rock. It'll definitely be one for the fridge!

The Granada Coffee Company can be found right in the downtown area of Emporia, Kansas. It is nestled next to the Granada Theater- a perfect spot to enjoy your Granada Coffee. Not only is it the perfect location to sit back and relax, but it also boasts a variety of rich flavors and syrups. Our favorite is their 'milky way' mocha and their carmel lattes. If coffee isn't your taste, they also offer a wide range of teas. The baristas are friendly and treat you like old friends. It's a local hangout and a major stop for all coffee lovers in the area.

If you love Mexican food it is imperative that you visit Casa Ramos in Emporia, Kansas. The food is superb and will have you full long after you're finished scraping your plate. The enchiladas are to die for and the tostadas are about the size of your head! Each dish is extremely flavorful and comes packed with a lot of food. It's almost certain that you'll have some to finish off once you're back at home. Don't forget to try a lime margarita. They're so refreshing and should also satisfy your thirst. Try not to drink them too fast though, they don't skimp on the tequila. Make sure that you stop by Casa Ramos if you're ever in Emporia. Tell Carlos that Captain and Clark say "hi"!

It's a chocolate cafe! Need I say more? Not only is it positioned right next door to the famous Granada theater (movie treats anyone?) but it boasts an assortment of chocolatey treats sure to tickle your tastebuds. Indulge in chocolate covered strawberries, fresh fudge, decadent truffles, or even their sweet and salty chocolate popcorn. The staff will take good care of you and make sure all of your chocolate cravings are fulfilled. We'd highly recommend the chocolate covered smores. Our mouths are drooling just thinking about them! If you ever find yourself in Emporia, Kansas you MUST stop by The Sweet Granada. You won't regret it.

Mount Rushmore is not only a national monument, it's a slice of history. Learning about the history of the carving itself is a delight and you'll find a lot more respect for the men that spent up to 14 years carving out the faces of some of the U.S.'s most famous presidents. The park surrounding Mount Rushmore is a treasure and hold something unique for every member of the family. Mount Rushmore is something not to be missed on any trip to South Dakota! P.S. Make sure you stay for the lighting ceremony! You won't regret it!

Freedom Deli is an appropriate name for many reasons. Not only do their sandwiches liberate you from the confines of simple food, but they also cater to veterans, active military, and their supporters with the patriotic theme. Freedom Deli offers a wide selection of sandwiches- all of them made just they way you like. There's an array of vegetables and condiments that will be piled high onto your choice of bread and meat. The South may be known for their fried food, but Freedom Deli offers the same delicious taste, with a fraction of the calories. Be good to your heart, and to your taste buds. Stop in to Freedom Deli if you ever find yourself in Clarkville. You won't regret it.

Amanda serves up the best sandwiches, soups, and salads in town. Her menu features the freshest of ingredients and she makes her various breads fresh every morning. Make sure you beat the lunch hour rush as there’s often a long line straight out of the door. Try a greek salad or a big chicken salad sandwich. If you’re having trouble deciding, just ask Amanda for recommendations. As for us, we had salads but her sandwiches looked mouth watering. They’re also very big. You can order half sandwiches if you don’t think you’ll be able to muster the courage to finish a regular. Try to save room for one of her scrumptious brownies, complete with marshmallows, cream cheese, and creamy fudge frosting. It’s a dessert that you won’t want to miss!

J’s Carryout is the perfect place to stop on your way through town. It’s fast, easy, and satisfying. His burgers are extremely juicy and they come with all of the fixins. With the price of a burger and fries, you really can’t go wrong. They’re made as you order them and you’ll often get a complimentary ice cream on you way out. You’ll find J working his way around the shop, making sure everyone is happy and enjoying their burger experience . If you don’t have the time to stop in, no sweat. J’s also has a drive-thru that will get you your order in a jiffy. Make sure you stop in if you’re ever in Emporia. You won’t regret it!

Cheesy potatoes, broccoli salad, fresh cole slaw- and these are just the sides! When Bobby D does barbecue, he does it right. You have your choice of smoked turkey, chicken, and even meat loaf. The ribs will make you drool and they practically melt off the bone. Bobby D caters to every kind of eater and they even have daily dinner specials that go easy on your wallet. Bobby D is known to come by each and every table, offering a handshake and a smile. He also has great menu recommendations- he is the expert after all. His BBQ is the perfect dinner to compliment your night at Live in the Lot.

Custer State Park is the perfect place to take the family on a trip to South Dakota. It's a rare occasion where you'll actually get the chance to see a heard of buffalo up close and personal. The park is beautifully maintained and within close reach of Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Monument. There are great accommodations on site as well as great areas for camping. Be sure to set aside some time for Custer State Park the next time you're in South Dakota!

How could you go wrong with visiting the birthplace of America? This is one stop that you must take if you find yourself trolling around Jamestown. One of our favorite parts? You can actually watch Dr. Kelso and his crew of archeologists dig up and save remnants of America's start. You can see the spot where Pocahontas married John Rolfe. If that's not enough, you can even walk inside the Old Church Tower and stroll the shore underneath the statue of John Smith. It's a historical experience you won't soon forget.