I know, I know. Summer is almost over, but does day trips or road trips have to be? Travelling is a guilty pleasure of mine, among other things such as writing and creeping on social media. For me, traveling helps me unwind. Sometimes you just need a day away from your hometown, or wherever you live, to take your mind off the week you had at work, school, etc. Of the following destinations listed below, I've been to five. However, the rest are definitely on my list of day trips to make with my girlfriends, so I figured I would share with you lovely humans as well for all your travel planning needs.
It's always fun to just drive around in cities without a destination, and pick one that looks interesting. That's where a lot of the most interesting stories come from and the best memories are made!
1. Atlanta, Georgia
There is never a shortage of things to do in Atlanta. There is an abundance of things to do for your whole squad to be satisfied with your trip. Whether it be a day trip or even a weekend trip. If you're looking for adventure and excitement, then Six Flags is always the go-to, especially if you are into theme parks. For the history buff in your group, there are several historical museums/destinations in the city such as Fernbank Museum of Natural History, Piedmont Park and Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site. For the animal lover in your squad, check out the Georgia Aquarium and Zoo Atlanta.
2. Chattanooga, Tennessee
My favorite destination in Chattanooga is Lake Winnepesaukah, but the best time to go in my opinion is during the month of October. If you're a Halloween enthusiast, then I highly recommend putting this theme park on your list of places to go while in Chattanooga. In the month of October, the theme park is only open on the weekends, and it is a blast! The staff dresses up, they dance to various Halloween tracks and it is always a good time.
Getting a light (or heavy) buzz before entering the theme park is always a good idea.
3. Jackson, Mississippi
I haven't been to Jackson, but it's definitely on my list. I keep seeing posts about Metrocenter Mall, and I think I can speak for maybe 90 percent of the female population when I say that a good shopping center is key to any good day trip. Being a science major, I would also love to check out the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science.
4. Knoxville, Tennessee
As a chemistry and a pre-med student, my first choice for medical school is the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, so naturally, I have to take a tour of the school and check out the area to see if I can really see myself living there throughout medical school. The first thing I want to check out while in the city is the Sunsphere, to get a complete 360 view of the city with a remarkable view! And for the outdoorsy scene, I'll be hitting up House Mountain for hiking and other outdoor activities.
5. Lynchburg, Tennessee
Anytime someone brings up Lynchburg, Tennessee the first thing that often comes to everyone's mind is the Jack Daniel's Distillery. The tour is free, and only ten bucks with a whiskey tasting -- what a steal! That is definitely on my list of to-dos with my squad. I can't wait to hit up Lynchburg and have that whiskey tasting before the distillery realizes what a horrible mistake they have made.
6. Memphis, Tennessee
For those of you who don't read my blog, Small Town Elite, I went to Memphis for Spring Break and had the nicest time. My love of Elvis overflowed and I felt at home. To say that Graceland was amazing is an understatement. Definitely, something everyone should check out at least once! While in the area, you should also check out Beale Street!
7. Mobile, Alabamba
Mobile made the list for the simple reason that it is the home of Mardi Gras, and how can a barfly socialite like myself turn down a visit to the city that birthed Mardi Gras? Mardi Gras is February 28, next year, will you be there? I most certainly plan to be.
8. Muscle Shoals, Alabama
On our way to Memphis, we made a stop at the Alabama Music Hall of Fame and had a grand time. They have a sound booth for anyone to go inside and record themselves sing just about any song you would like to record. They have Alabama's tour bus inside, along with other country music icons inside! It's definitely something to experience at least once.
9. Nashville, Tennessee
The squad and I took on the city of Nashville and we raised some hell for our best girl friend's 21st birthday. We checked out the shopping mall in the area Opry Mills. The main bars (that I remember) hitting up was Tequila Cowboys and Acme, and Tequila Cowboys was definitely the best one. I absolutely fell in love with the atmosphere of the city and I cannot wait to go back. I can legitimately see myself living there. We have definitely made plans to visit Nashville again in the near future.
10. Rome, Georgia
When in Rome, do as the Georgians do, or something like that. The nightlife in Rome seems to be popping with eight different bars in the city. Enjoy shopping and checking out the outdoor activities in the area such as camping and kayaking! There are also plenty of museums and cultural destinations to add to your list of places to visit.
11. Vicksburg, Mississippi
In this historic city where the South lost the war, there is plenty to do for -- dare I say it -- tourists. If you're a gambler for sport or leisure, then there is Lady Luck Casino. Because of the history the city holds, there's an abundant amount of museums. As a history buff, I cannot wait to check out this area where the South lost and the Civil War was over. And let's be real, I also can't wait to check out the shopping and spas in the area as well.
