Matt and Katie’s Favorite Things to Do (And What Tourists Like to Do)

Nashville has a rich history and it revolves around country music. From museums and record  labels to concert venues and artist-owned bars, it lives up to its nickname: Music City. Matt and I  know the popular sites and while we’re over the tourist traps, we want to help you navigate  these hot spots. Plus, share a few of our local favorites. This list is divided by neighborhood so  you can plan more efficiently. 

BROADWAY

Bar Hopping & Live Music

Broadway is like a mini-Vegas strip with neon signs welcoming you to enjoy honky tonks and live country music. Celebrity bars have taken over so if you’re fans of Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Florida Georgia Line, Luke Bryan and Kid Rock, check those out. Old favorites are Tootsies and The Stage. If there’s a line at the stage, go around back to the alley and get in that way. FYI, this place gets packed. If you’re looking to enjoy the scene without as many people, go during the day. If you don’t mind the crowd and want to party, go at night. If you want to karaoke, we recommend the Wild Beaver just off Broadway. Plus, you can ride a mechanical bull!

Ryman Auditorium

The Ryman is best known as the home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 to 1974. It’s still a live performance venue, but if you don’t have time for a concert, you can tour the historic location. Self-Guided Tours are $25.95 per adult and $16.95 for children. This is a cool venue to see a show, but I personally don’t think the tour is worth the money. 

Johnny Cash Museum (& Patsy Cline)

This museum features the largest and most comprehensive collection of Johnny Cash artifacts and memorabilia in the world. Tickets are $21.95 per adult and $17.95 for kids. If you’re a big fan, go for it. If not, I recommend Country Music Hall of Fame so you can see multiple artists featured. 

Assembly Food Hall 

This is a new venue, and I haven’t been. It’s Nashville’s largest rooftop with 30 eateries and bars and three stages. 

Bridgestone Arena

This is home to the Nashville Predators. The season starts in early October, so there’s a chance you could catch a game or maybe a musical act while you’re here.

Country Music Hall of Fame

This museum has a major collection of artifacts from all sorts of musicians. It also has specific exhibits that run for a period. At time of writing this (June 2021), there’s the American Currents, Brooks & Dunn, and Country’s Roaring 70’s. To me, this is the most comprehensive museum in Nashville so if you like country music, check it out. You can also bundle a trip here with a Hatch Print Show Tour and a tour of RCA’s famous Studio B on Music Row. For just the museum, it’s $25.95 for adults, $15.95 for children. 

Frist Art Museum

This is an art exhibition hall housed in the historic U.S. Post Office building. If you’re an art fan, this is the place to go. There’s always something unique on display. Tickets for adults are $15 and guests 18 and younger get in free. 

MUSIC ROW AND MIDTOWN

Music Row Record Labels

Just a mile or so from Broadway sits the historic Music Row. It’s home to record labels, radio stations and recording studios. Walk down the street to see iconic studios like RCA’s Studio B where Elvis Presley and Dolly Parton recorded their hits. You can also see the home of the Bobby Bones Show and Matt and I’s place of work, RFD-TV. If you’d like a tour of RFD-TV, let Katie know and she can put you in touch with someone. 

Midtown Bars

A couple blocks from Music Row are some other great Nashville bars with a few less people than Broadway. We suggest checking these out if you’re trying to get away from the super crowded area downtown. 

Parthenon

The Parthenon in Centennial Park, in Nashville, Tennessee, is a full-scale replica of the original Parthenon in Athens. It was designed by architect William Crawford Smith and built in 1897 as part of the Tennessee Centennial Exposition. You can see the outside for free or check out the inside for $10 per adult, $8 per child. 

OPRYLAND

Gaylord Opryland Resort

This is my favorite place to take people because it’s free and it’s a gorgeous place to walk around. You can explore 9 acres of airy, indoor garden atriums, a wide selection of award-winning restaurants & bars, and if you’re a guest, SoundWaves, the indoor water park. 

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Grand Ole Opry

This has been the place to see live music in Nashville for 95 years! It’s famous and every singer wants the chance to play the Opry. You can see a show or take a tour. If you’re a fan of country music, I thought this tour was a good one with a nice history and a chance to walk on stage. However, it is pricy. Adult tickets are $35 and children are $30. Make sure you book in advance. 

Opry Mills Mall

This mall is full of shops of course, but there’s also plenty of classic family themed restaurants like the Rainforest Café, Dave & Buster’s and the Aquarium Restaurant. You can also check out the German themed Bavarian Bierhaus and Madame Tussauds wax museum. 

General Jackson Showboat Tour

I have never done this tour because it’s expensive, but I’ve heard it’s a blast. Take a ride on one of the largest showboats ever built. With a dinner of southern style cuisine and excellent musical acts, it’s a unique adventure. For the cruise & show only it’s $55 per adult, $42 per child. For the cruise, show and meal, it’s between $86-$122 per ticket. 

Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage 

Home of President Andrew Jackson, experience the historical mansion, museum and grounds of The Hermitage. A grounds pass is $18 per adult; $11 per child. 

BELLE MEADE

Cheekwood 

Cheekwood is a 55-acre botanical garden. It features art galleries, seasonal festivals and is the place Matt and I had our engagement photos taken. Tickets are $20 per adult, $13 for kids. If you want to tour the mansion on property it’s an extra fee. 

Belle Meade Mansion Tour

I’ve never been here, but this is a place where you can learn about Tennessee’s history while enjoying a glass of wine or bourbon. Tours are $28 for adults, $15 for kids.  The food pairings are more expensive starting at $50. 

JUST OUTSIDE NASHVILLE

Jack Daniels Distillery Tour

There are several distillery’s within a quick drive from Nashville, but the most famous is Jack Daniel’s in Lynchburg, Tennessee. I liked this tour so much I’ve done it a few times. Tours range from $20-$125 per person. Plus, you can explore the quaint town of Lynchburg and all the great shops they have there. It’s about 90 minutes from Nashville and definitely worth the trip if you have the time. 

Hiking & Waterfalls

Tennessee is home to beautiful outdoor scenery with many great hikes and waterfalls within two hours from Nashville. The list I linked has 10 and I’ve been to many of them. My top three are Cummins Falls, Foster Falls and Greeter Falls. If you decide on Cummins, I say you make a day of it and visit Burgess Falls too since they’re close to one another. Or, if you make the trip to Jack Daniel’s, you can make a day of that and add Foster Falls or Greeter Falls to the trip. Make sure you look up the difficulty of the hike or ask Matt and I for advice. 

Downtown Franklin

Franklin is just south of Nashville and a key site of the American Civil War. You can check out Carter House and Carnton Plantation or visit downtown’s main street with galleries, antique shops, restored Victorian buildings and, of course, some great southern food. 

Arrington Vineyards

If you’re a wine enthusiast, you should checkout Arrington Vineyards, co-owned by country music artist Kix Brooks. It’s just 25 miles outside of town and a cheap place to have a picnic and buy a bottle of wine. 

OTHER

There are plenty of other adventures to be had in Music City including activities like Top Golf, Axe Throwing, Escape Rooms, Bowling, Barcades and more. One of our favorite bars is Two Bits which features board games, video games and more!  

Matt and Katie’s Favorite Nashville Restaurants

Nashville is full of excellent dining options. Matt and I have lived here several years and feel like we’ve barely scratched the surface. Even so, we’ve compiled some of our favorites in case you don’t know where to start! Leave us a comment if you try a suggestion and like it.  

BRUNCH

Nashville is all about brunch with many lasting until 3 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. We could probably list a million options, but here are our top two:

The Sutler

This is a classic taste of the south mixed with the traditional Nashville atmosphere. With live music and bottomless mimosas, you’re sure to have a good time. Try out any of the biscuit dishes or a sweet potato pancake.

Party Fowl

You can’t come to Nashville without trying hot chicken so why not cross it off the list at breakfast? Party Fowl’s unique dishes include hot chicken benedict and hot chicken & stuffed French toast. Beware: the heat level runs hotter than most. I have to wimp out and get mild here, but Matt can handle the hot.

BBQ

The south is known for BBQ and these two top choices take the cake for Matt & I. If you’ve been to visit us, we’ve probably taken you one of these places. 

Edley’s

Edley’s is a favorites because it boasts a diverse bar selection while offering all the classic BBQ staples. Try out the brisket nachos and a Bushwacker adult beverage for dessert. Avoid the 12 South location if you can, it’s the busiest.

Martin’s

Martin’s is also excellent with a line up of BBQ sauces that keep things interesting. Matt likes their spicy version and I enjoy the Alabama White on the brisket tacos. Avoid the Broadway (downtown) location, it’s the busiest.

(BETTER THAN) BAR FOOD

Think bar food with a twist, these are some of the places Matt & I frequent the most. They tend to have something for everyone. 

Subculture

This is in our neighborhood and boy, are we lucky! They will soon be featured on Food Network and we’re afraid this hole in the wall will become even more popular. Try out the award winning hot chicken dishes or their burger (also award winning).  

Tavern

This is near work and it’s a great place to grab brunch, lunch or dinner. We have yet to be disappointed, but really enjoy their buffalo cauliflower, burger and the Seoul bowl. 

Burger Republic

We have a location near our house and always take guests here. They have yummy burgers, local tap beer and adult milkshakes. This is also a brunch favorite, but it’s a limited menu, so check it out before you choose it as your brunch pick.

HOT CHICKEN

Like we said, you can’t leave Nashville without trying hot chicken. These are the originals of the famous dish so pick one and give it a go. 

Hattie B’s

I don’t have a big stake in the hot chicken fight, but Matt thinks Prince’s wins over Hatti B’s. However, he still enjoys it and many people rave about it. Avoid the midtown location, it’s crazy busy. 

Prince’s

The original Prince’s burned down, but there are other locations. Matt says Prince’s wins and I agree they have better flavoring for their heat. Check it out! 

MEXICAN

Nashville may not be known for Mexican, but it’s one of our favorite cuisines and seems like an easy choice when you have a hungry crowd to feed.

Saint Anejo

This is a unique Mexican restaurant in that it’s a little more upscale. It features some really fresh and delicious ingredients in the dishes and the drinks. Try the cilantro lime steak tacos or make a brunch reservation.

San Antonio Taco Co.

This is a hole in the wall near our office. Matt & his best man, Jon, go there about once per week. If you need a quick lunch spot, this would be a great place to check out!

SUSHI

When we’re on the road, people tend to want to try a new sushi place, so make this your vacation splurge meal and enjoy these top contenders.  

Sushiyobi

This is near work and a go to before we head to an event downtown. It’s usually not very busy and provides a quiet escape in the bustle. The prices are mid-range for Nashville.

Virago

This is a fancy sushi restaurant, but definitely worth checking out if you want to splurge. We were celebrating and went for the chef’s choice. We had an amazing experience, including a flight of their various sake. 

UPSCALE DINNER

Matt and I have had a few celebratory dinners in our years of dating and we have a couple favorites. If you’re taking the family or your sweetie out for a fancy dinner while you’re here, check these places out. 

Darfons: A great place for a steak!

Darfons

This is our go to place for a good steak and a nice night out. We’ve yet to be disappointed in any of their drinks, appetizers or desserts either! 

Yellow Porch

This is a place we went to on one of our first dates. We enjoyed delicious salmon and butternut squash risotto, but the main attraction: the Brussels sprouts. This is the restaurant that turned us on to them and now we cook them every week. 

VEGAN

Matt and I aren’t vegan, but we’ve taken some of our vegan guests out. It turns out, Nashville has an excellent vegan scene so for those who want to try a few different places, try HERE and HERE for some great lists.

Avo

Matt and I would recommend Avo to anyone, even if you aren’t vegan. They have delicious lentil and walnut burgers, spring rolls and yummy drinks.

Graze

I went to Graze when my bridesmaid Sam was in town. We had breakfast here. I got the breakfast burrito and it was absolutely delicious.

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Hopefully this guide will be helpful as you navigate Nashville. We didn’t include any restaurants down on Broadway because we don’t really spend time down there. There are plenty of places to try and I’m sure any Yelp search would give you a good rundown of what to get down there. Thanks again for making the trip to our wedding! Again, leave us a comment if you try a suggestion and like it.  

Australia: All Over Sydney

Day 8 – Cairns to Sydney

Our last leg of the trip started with a three-hour flight from Cairns to Sydney. When we arrived, we had a little trouble finding our driver. Prince Harry and Meghan had just arrived in the city and we think he was late because he wanted to wave at them! This was evidenced by the hard to see video he showed us of the royal couple waving out a car window as they passed him in the crowded street.

We got to our hotel, Park Regis City Center, and showered up to go out on the town. Our first stop was the noodle festival held in Hyde Park about a block from our hotel. This festival was a great introduction to the many cultures of Sydney. It had tons of vendors with different noodle-based foods including Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese and more. We grabbed several things, chowed down and took a walk to the harbor for our first look at the famous Sydney Harbor Bridge and the Sydney Opera House.

This picturesque place is all it’s cracked up to be and I loved taking it in. There was a chill bar on the edge of the water near the opera house where we sat and relaxed. We saw about a thousand tourists take about a million selfies and watched the seagulls try and steal food. These birds are legit, and the bar knows it. They serve food with a lid to avoid accidental mishaps.

 

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After some drinks and some photos, we made our way back toward the hotel and found a unique basement bar called Ramblin’ Rascal Tavern. They had a cool, dark vibe and sold cheap shit beer (their name for it) and crafty cocktails. We finished our night there and went back to the hotel for some rest.

Day 9 – Sydney Museums & Wildlife

There wasn’t a breakfast option at our hotel and nothing but a Starbucks close by, so we saw a sign for a food court in the train station and found a local coffee shop. We grabbed breakfast sandwiches which also featured the classic hot tomatoes that Australians love so much. These were good though because it was a tomato relish on the sandwich along with bacon, egg and cheese.

Next, we went to fill an Opal card, Sydney’s public transport card. We took the bus to the Maritime Museum where we had seen signs for an exhibit about James Cameron’s deep-sea explorations. The extended entry gets you into that exhibit, but also lets you tour several ships in the harbor. The first was a submarine. This tour isn’t for the claustrophobic, but the vessel was amazingly sophisticated, and every inch of space was accounted for. I can’t imagine living there for months at a time with several other people. Matt and I were in there less than an hour and that was enough.

 

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After that we boarded a war ship which was huge and took us quite a bit to make our way around. One of my favorite ships was the last one we toured. It was a replica of Captain Cook’s boat, one of the British explorers known for finding Australia. (Britain’s finding at least.) This was neat because it was so old. We found out how they went to the bathroom, stored their food and slept in hammocks. The volunteers at all these exhibits were so knowledgeable and it was cool to get an Australian history lesson.

 

Eventually, we made our way to the James Cameron exhibit. The experience showed his many explorations through props and video clips. However, the videos were the best part. I guess if I could just watch a documentary on it, that would have served the purpose. But, I always loved the Titanic and the exhibit featured some props from the movie so that was cool.

After the museum, we found the Pyrmont Bridge Hotel, a renovated restaurant with a great balcony view and plenty of beer. We got some Bangers and Mash and went on with our day.

I knew I wanted to see and learn about Australia’s wildlife during our trip but didn’t know the best approach. Sydney has a few choices. Besides trying to see them in their natural habitat, there’s Featherdale Wildlife Reserve located a little way outside the city, Taronga Zoo, the city’s main zoo and a ferry ride from downtown or Wildlife Sydney – a smaller zoo that gives you the main staples of Australian Wildlife.

We chose Wildlife Sydney due to our own time constraints and loved it. However, the other two choices are supposed to be better according to reviews, but they say you need several hours to see them, and this took us under two. The tickets were cheap, and we saved with a combo to visit the Tower Eye.

 

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This zoo was easy to get around. Plus, it had a kangaroo experience allowing you to get up close and personal. We also participated in a bird feeding, stared at a huge saltwater crocodile, and checked out several koala displays. We even got to see a mother and baby koala pair and they were adorable. My only caution is, this isn’t a very big zoo so if it were busy, I think I would have been miserable. Luckily, it was a rainy day and there weren’t very many people there.

 

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The zoo is in Darling Harbor and we finished in time for happy hour. We stopped at an Italian restaurant with a sweet patio to have a few beers and then set off to find a nice restaurant closer to our hotel.

“O” Rotating Restaurant

We landed on “O” which is a very fancy restaurant in the sky. We were out of place when we walked in because we were just in our day clothes. This place is a rotating restaurant with several courses on the menu. We went with a three-course meal and while it was very tasty, it wasn’t the best thing ever for the money we paid. However, we got some awesome dessert there and I’m happy we chose it.

Day 10 – Last Day in Australia

We had yet to have a particularly satisfying breakfast (compared to Nashville brunches at least) and I wanted to find one. We took an Uber to Balmain, a suburb of Sydney, and ate at a little café called Kafeine. They had some unique dishes and I got a hash that was superb. It was a crowded little place because it was so small, but we ended up chatting up a local couple. They gave us some tips and told us to walk around their little town.

We came upon the London Hotel, an old place with a historic feel, including a big square bar. We grabbed an early beer and then decided to take the ferry back to the city. I didn’t realize the ferry was also part of the Opal public transportation card. Once we got it figured out, it was easy. It also gave us a nice tour of the area and a chance to get some out at sea shots of the opera house. I would recommend using this instead of spending money on an actual boat tour because you get the same view on the cheap.

 

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We got off the ferry, grabbed some food at the opera bar and decided to check out the Royal Botanic Gardens. This is a breathtaking place. Sydney is a huge city and like Central Park in NYC, it has a huge green space right near the harbor. The gardens are much prettier than Central Park and feature so many different plants, flowers, trees and more. It was really a treat.

 

On our walk, we ended up getting caught by some rain and took shelter in one of the few cafes within the gardens. We met a couple Americans in there and gave them some tips since they had just arrived.

 

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Once the rain died down, we decided to go make use of our tickets to the Tower Eye. This was similar to the tallest building tour we did in Melbourne, although the Tower Eye is taller, I believe. Tower Eye was way more touristy and featured a dumb video. It also really wasn’t as carefree and fun as the Melbourne one. It was obviously great to see the city way up high though, so I can’t complain.

After our view, we grabbed some pizza and beer and headed back to the hotel to pack up and get ready for our trip home.

Day 11 – Australia to U.S.A.

I wanted to give you an idea of our long trip at the beginning of this post, but I won’t bore you with all the details of our way home. It was basically the same. We had a very long flight, got back to the U.S., had a long layover and finally, after a very, very long, long time, we made it back to Nashville.

Thanks for reading about Matt and I’s Australia adventure. The goal is to share our experience so you can plan one for yourself one day. If you ever have any questions, feel free to reach out!

 

Australia: Paradise in Cairns

Day 5 – Melbourne to Cairns 

Australians have it easy when it comes to flying. They have self-tag and self-drop for baggage, you keep your drinks full and shoes on through security and nobody even checks your I.D. The other cool thing: Qantas serves meals on domestic flights so you can save some money on meals. Not a bad way to start our escape to tropical Cairns. 

Cairns is like other beach paradises with worn down facades from the saltwater, beautiful public parks, wide sidewalks and plenty of tourists. We settled in at the Cairns Plaza Hotel, which wasn’t fancy at all, but close to everything, making it another great place to stay. 

That evening, we walked along the bay to find a seafood dinner. We pegged Red Prawn, a slightly swanky and somewhat pricey venue with delicious food. Matt had swordfish with a yummy green salsa topping and I decided to see how Australian beef lives up to Nebraska’s. My steak was awesome, but there’s just something about corn-fed beef. Nebraska remains on top for best steak.  

Day 6 – Great Barrier Reef 

Our Cairns hotel was the only one with a continental breakfast during our trip, but it wasn’t a full spread. We enjoyed toast and fruit and waited for our bus to the Great Barrier Reef.  

While some reef tours leave from the Cairns docks, Quicksilver left from Port Douglas, about an hour from Cairns. The drive was gorgeous, hugging the coast and winding through forests the whole way, but it was rough. I highly recommend some motion sickness meds for this one.  

We arrived at the dock, grabbed our boarding passes and hopped on the huge boat that would take us 1.5 hours out to the reef. 

I have to say; Quicksilver has their shit together. Our pre-booked package included the bus ride to and from the hotel, the boat ride to and from the reef, complimentary tea and lunch, complimentary snorkel gear and three full hours at the reef. They also had medicine for my motion sickness and stations for groups to sign up for reef extras.  Those included renting a waterproof camera, riding a helicopter, a certified dive, a beginner’s dive and/or an ocean walk. 

Matt is a certified scuba diver so it was a must he dive the reef! I wanted to do the beginning diving course, but I filled out their form too honestly. Since I have asthma, they wouldn’t let me dive. Obviously, it’s important to practice safety first, but my asthma rarely bothers me so I probably should have lied about it. Instead, I opted for the ocean walk. 

After paying for our extras, we enjoyed the rest of the boat ride. It featured some great commentary from a marine biologist about the reef and marine life we would see. Matt and I’s extras started later in the day, so we ate a yummy buffet lunch as soon as we docked.  

Next, we suited up in our gear and started to snorkel. We saw so many cool things! There were big huge fish and little tiny ones with tons of different colors. This part of the reef was deep so we couldn’t get too close to them, but it was amazing to see a rainbow under the sea! 

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After a while, it was time for my ocean walk. Matt had to wait for his dive, so he continued to snorkel, and I joined my group. I had to put on an extra layer of wet suit since we were going down deeper into the water. Mine had a surprise inside. I looked down while suiting up to see a huge cockroach. I pulled it off and somehow didn’t scream. Those pests really do live everywhere. I mean, we were 1.5 hours out on a dock in the middle of the ocean! 

Next, they weighted me down, and put a huge helmet full of pumping air on my head. It looked like an astronaut helmet. The pumping air was loud and a bit disorienting as I submerged. I walked slowly down the steps popping my ears as we lowered. My group spent about 15 minutes down there and even got to touch and feed some of the huge fish. It was an underwater wonderland! 

I came back up, snorkeled some more with Matt and he got ready to dive. It was his first time in four years, and he did awesome. He was able to get right up on the reef and spend some quality time with the fish. He saw everything from Nemo to a large clam. After our extras, we shed our wetsuits, grabbed some celebratory drinks, and talked about all the creatures we saw on our journey back to the hotel. This was an experience to remember for both of us. 

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Maybe it was because we looked at fish all day, but we chose Grill’d Healthy Burgers for dinner. These were delicious, but I guess false advertising isn’t something they’re worried about in Australia, because they were anything but healthy. We also had some amazing fried zucchini. We scarfed our food, stopped at an ice cream shop for dessert and went back to the room. We decided we had to watch Finding Nemo in honor of our reef day, but passed out about 15 minutes into the movie. 

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Day 7 – Fitzroy Island 

Our second day in Cairns was reserved for an island paradise. We walked along the water down to the wharf to meet our boat. The cruiser would take us 45 minutes to Fitzroy Island. The boat was almost as big as the Quicksilver one and we piled on noticing the flotation devices labeled RFD and being reminded of where Matt and I met. 

The island was huge and covered in tropical forests and beaches. We signed up for the afternoon turtle tour and made our way to Australia’s number one beach so we could beat the crowds.  

It was a one of a kind hike to get to Nudey Beach. The path through the forest had tons of lizards and birds moving about. It led to a clearing of absolute paradise. We climbed over to the rocky side of the beach for more privacy and took in the gorgeous scene. Blue blues stretched from sky to water. Vibrant greens of neighboring lands shone across the sea and white rocked sand lined the shore.  

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We gathered our snorkeling gear and set out to the water. The sight below the surface was as or even more beautiful than above. We saw so much marine life with a spectrum of color. While the Great Barrier Reef was a sight, this reef was in shallow water and allowed us to see so much more. We spent a couple hours snorkeling, relaxing and admiring the view. 

We hiked back to the island bar and restaurant called Foxy’s. The choices were minimal, but they had Barramundi, a popular Australian fish. I’ll give it a B-. It wasn’t my favorite and I feel cod or other “staple” types of fish taste better. But I’m glad I gave it a try.  

Once finished, we had a short period before our turtle tour, so we headed to the other side of the island for a quick swim. This was gorgeous as well and we enjoyed the view and some more swimming before meeting our tour guide.  

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Now, this tour of the turtle rehab center is totally just an extra way for them to get money, but at less than $8 Australian per person, it was still worth it. The tour mostly consists of walking from the island hotel to the rehab center. The center itself is tiny and you only get to meet one of the recovering turtles. Even though it was short, it was informative and Francis, a turtle recovering from starvation, was friendly. I think this is a take it or leave it activity. If you like being on the beach all day, just do that. If you love turtles, take the tour. 

After our fun with Francis, we had just 1.5 hours before our boat home, so we snorkeled some more. We were hoping to find a wild sea turtle, but didn’t have any luck. We did get to see an eel which was both creepy and cool!  

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When we made it back to Cairns, we decided to do dinner on the wharf at Boatshed. This was one of best meals of our trip. We had a fried mac and cheese ball, lobster cakes and a seafood pasta dish. They were all amazing! For good measure we got a molten lava cake on the walk home and headed to bed, dreaming of our island exploration. 

Up next, we go all over Sydney. We cozy up with Australia’s wildlife, feel the tight spaces of submarine living and find a cool suburb just a ferry ride away. Keep an eye out for my next post! 

Australia: Journey to Melbourne

Day 1 and 2 – U.S.A to Australia

It’s quite a task to travel almost halfway around the world. We woke up early on Tuesday, October 9, 2018. Matt was in Astoria, Oregon and I was in Nashville. The two of us met in L.A. after a five-hour flight for me and two-hours for Matt.

We had nearly 10 hours before taking off to Melbourne. We didn’t want to stay at the airport, but we also didn’t want to lug 10 days’ worth of luggage around. Luckily, we found the not-too-fancy, but oh-so-convenient L.A. Luggage Storage. Our Uber let us pit stop at this locker room of a business and our bags were in safe keeping until we needed them again. It was well worth the $10-$12 per suitcase.

Next, we headed to a quiet, quaint and aptly decorated bar called Casey’s Irish Pub. It was about 15 miles from the airport. Probably the furthest we wanted to journey due to traffic. We spent several hours there and tried out some Irish beer and a fresh blueberry sour from a local brewer.

Eventually, we called an Uber to head back to LAX. Our driver was an energetic middle-aged woman. She found us a pit stop for a bathroom break, waited on us to get our luggage back from storage and treated us like old friends when she dropped us off. That was mostly because she took us to an area where Ubers aren’t allowed. She even had Matt pull down her signage to avoid a fine.

Once through security, we still had three hours until flight time. But after a movie and a quick snooze, it was finally time to fly. We boarded our huge Qantas airbus complete with three entrances and no more leg room than your standard domestic flight. Luckily, the seats had a generous recline, because it was our home for the next 15 hours.

The pattern went: movies, sleep, bathroom, movies, sleep, bathroom with a couple sub-par airplane meals in the middle.  We took some ZzzQuil, lost Wednesday and made it to Melbourne around 9 a.m. on Thursday, October 11.

After a quick push through Customs, we were officially ready for our Australian adventure.

Day 3 – Melbourne Skyline Views & River Eats

On our drive from the airport, we learned about Melbourne. The city, just like Nashville, has a skyline full of cranes and is also experiencing an influx of growth.

Our hotel, Travelodge Southbank, turned out to be in a perfect location. As soon as we cleaned up, we walked a few steps to the tallest building in the city. We took the “lift” 88 floors to the Eureka Skydeck for some fabulous city views. I highly recommend this starting point because it helped us get the lay of the land and pick out what we wanted to see. We also opted for the bonus “Edge” ticket. This elevator, encased in glass, slides out sideways from the building. It was fun experience with a different perspective but could be terrifying for some. Plus, I’m not sure it was worth the extra money.

Next, we headed toward the Yarra River (about a block from our hotel) and found a long line of riverside shops and restaurants. We climbed up to the 2nd floor for a balcony view at HopHaus. Matt opted for a burger, I got a hot dog and we both slurped some German beer. The food wasn’t any different than most bar food, but we enjoyed it.

After filling our bellies, we started our self-guided walking tour. We found St. Paul’s Cathedral and Federation Square right away. The square is architecturally unique and a great place to walk around. It also has a life-sized chess board. Matt gave me lessons and we played a game in the sunshine. Then, we found Melbourne’s famous alleyways of street art, including Hosiers Lane. Its walls are lined with thousands of impressive and vibrant works of art. You could repeatedly walk up and down it and probably catch something new each time.

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Melbourne has free inner-city transportation, so we decided to hop on the brown, green and rickety tram. We stopped at Port Melbourne in time for a colorful picture. There were pastel apartment buildings lit up in the sunlight and waterfront bars with big patios. We picked one called Berth for a quick beer and watched a huge wedding party gather by the docks for pictures. As the sun sank, we took the tram back to the hotel and fell asleep with no dinner. Jet lag is real.

Day 4 – Melbourne Museums, Piers & Parks

After a long night’s rest, we needed a big breakfast to start our day, so we went back to the riverfront for a truly authentic “brekkie.” Both of us picked Australian twists on eggs and toast. We liked everything but the cooked tomatoes, something that shows up on almost every Australian breakfast plate.   

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Next, we grabbed a Myki card so we could ride the tram outside the free zone. Our first stop was the Melbourne Museum. We started out looking at fossils and reading about dinosaurs. Matt and I are huge Jurassic Park fans, so this was right up our alley. Next, we took a trip through the Mind and Body exhibit. This examined the history of psychology and the way our brain works. It was my favorite exhibit, but a close second focused on the Aboriginals. I didn’t know natives in Australia also had their lands violently invaded by colonists and it was interesting to learn about their history.

After the museum, we made a pit stop at the beautiful Carlton Gardens and took the tram back toward the city center.

Matt researched some nerdy things to do in Melbourne. We enjoyed some beers and some old games at an alley way bar called Bartronica and perused a huge comic store called Minotaur.

For our evening plans, we decided on St. Kilda Pier. The pier is famous for a little flock of penguins who return to their homes at sunset. We got there early and found a beach front bar called Republica – with a pretty good people watching experience.

Apparently, they now host dance parties where everyone gets their own personal pair of headphones. So, the DJ plays the music, but it doesn’t come out of loudspeakers. Now, maybe this sounds smart because it cuts down on noise pollution. Let me assure you, it looks stupid. We drank our beer and laughed as we watched dozens of people silently jamming and dancing in unison next door.

When the sun finally started to drop, we walked down to see the penguins, only to find a big crowd and barely any room left for a good view. If you really want to be up close, you probably need to get there early and wait for the sun to set. However, we tucked in on the edge and got to see one penguin come up to shore. It was fast and hard to see, but as someone who had never seen penguins in the wild, this really was a treat.

Next we had some retro entertainment at Luna Park – a place that could have come straight out of the movie “Big”. It had creepy jesters and weird carnies, but we bought a one ride pass and settled on the ghost train. We were the only riders and it was anything but scary. We laughed the entire time.

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Our trip to the Pier didn’t get us back to the hotel neighborhood until 10 or 11. We were starving and even though it was Friday, most of the places transitioned to just drinks. We decided to try Uber Eats, waited forever for some fast food, and put a wrap on our visit to Melbourne.

Up next, paradise in Cairns. If you love Finding Nemo, chances are you won’t want to leave this place. I’ll tell you about our underwater adventure, a cockroach surprise and an island paradise with computer wallpaper views!

MK in UK: Campuses & Upper Class

Author’s Note: One year ago, I decided to purchase tickets for the play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, even though I knew I’d have to travel to London to see it. I bought two tickets, not knowing who my travel companion would be. By some random chain of events, one of my best friends from high school decided to join me on the journey. Below is our experience, written in third person in hopes of making it feel more like a story and less like a blog post. All the accounts below are true, accurate and hopefully entertaining.

Day 7 – Cambridge and Oxford – Bus Tour

Megan and Katie wanted to get as much out of the trip as they could so they decided on a day excursion to Cambridge and Oxford. They each purchased a Golden Tours bus ticket and woke up early to make their way to the station. The girls stopped for coffee on the way and with it still burning hot in their hands, their rude tour guide said they couldn’t bring hot drinks on the bus. They threw them away, boarded the bus and sleepily enjoyed the nearly two-hour drive to Cambridge.

The group was given two hours on campus which wasn’t nearly enough time to see everything. The girls wander around to get some pictures of the historic buildings and stumbled upon a flea market. It had tons of cool local stands with interesting souvenirs and other items. It was a highlight of the short trip.

As Megan and Katie boarded the bus once again, they were handed the provided boxed lunch to eat on the drive to Oxford. Boxed lunches aren’t ever really that great, but this one was especially bland. It featured a cheese and cucumber sandwich, some chips (or crisps as the English call them), cookies and raisins. The girls were hungry so they made do.

Oxford was another beautiful and historic campus, but again they lacked enough time to explore. The tour guide made them follow him for the first hour so Megan and Katie only had one hour to sight see on their own which didn’t work out too well. They did get to see the main dining hall which inspired the Great Hall set in the Harry Potter films and the entrance to it was actually featured in the first film.

The “day tour” costs $120 and only amounted to two hours on each campus. Megan and Katie both felt doing the trip on their own would have warranted better sightseeing results.

Day 8 – London –Sightseeing and Aladdin

While Megan and Katie had been go, go, go the entire trip, they still hadn’t seen the bulk of London. The girls started the day with the Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace.

Buckingham Palace

Katie remembered this being slightly boring from her trip in high school, but figured it was because she was much younger and didn’t really care. Instead, it was just as boring and packed with people. It was still cool to see the palace and experience the long-time tradition.

St. James’s Park

The walk from the palace to Westminster Abbey was short and beautiful. They went through St. James’s Park which features trees, water and wildlife. It’s worth a stroll. Megan and Katie bought their tickets to the Abbey and found the architecture and the detail gorgeous. They skipped the audio tour so it didn’t take much time to make the rounds, but they were glad they got a look inside.

The Abbey is close to the aquarium so the girls decided to cash in on their combo ticket. They figured it would take a while to get through and thought it would be a fun experience, but when you’re used to the likes of the Omaha Zoo and its aquarium, nothing compares.

It was lunchtime after the aquarium and they chose a restaurant near it called Ba Fao Garden. The venue featured delicious Chinese dishes and plenty of food for the money. They also tried out the strawberry lime cider with their meal which was yummy and reminded them of a fruit soda.

Next, it was time for a nap at the hotel and another train ride to attend the Aladdin musical. Disney knows how to entertain both on screen and on stage. The play was slightly different from the film, but all the well-known songs were there and the genie stole the show. It was cheap, fun and made for an entertaining Friday evening.

Day 9 – London – Cave Bar and Relaxation

Megan and Katie were excited for their final day in the city, but they were also ready to go home. Luckily, Megan’s friend Kelsey told them to try out a bar she enjoyed during her time living in London. Gordon’s Wine Bar is in Westminster on the edge of a park. It has a long patio area and the actual bar is located underground in a cave. It’s old, damp and dark down there, but so cool. They have a huge variety of wine to choose from as well as cheese plates and other fare.

The bartender was welcoming and asked if they’d just finished a yoga class as both girls were wearing active wear. Once they told him they hadn’t been working out, he laughed and said “Oh, you must be American.” Megan and Katie got their first round free out of the deal and proceeded to spend a couple of hours there before heading to the Tower of London.

Unfortunately, it started to rain and they weren’t really in the mood to run around the fort. They took the “fast tour” by getting in line to see the Crown Jewels which were pretty and expensive-looking. After a quick peek and an attempt at souvenir shopping in the pouring rain, they headed back to the hotel to relax for a minute.

The girls had walked past Theo’s Simple Italian several times on their way to the train station and decided to give it a try on their final night. Megan and Katie enjoyed awesome bruschetta and pasta and some delicious gelato for dessert.

Day 10 – Travel – Luxurious Treatment

It was an early morning to get to the airport the next day, but as soon as Megan and Katie checked in – the fun began. They’d been bumped up to Upper Class on Virgin Atlantic and got to spend their two hours wait in the Upper-Class lounge. All the drinks and food were included and they enjoyed Bloody Mary’s and a big breakfast. Once they boarded the plane, they found their seats which were individual pods. They were offered champagne or orange juice to start and the 9-hour flight began. They could choose from several different dishes for the in-flight meal, had their own foot rest and headphones, and could drink as much as they wanted. It was a glorious end to a wonderful trip.

 

MK in UK: London & Harry Potter

Author’s Note: One year ago, I decided to purchase tickets for the play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, even though I knew I’d have to travel to London to see it. I bought two tickets, not knowing who my travel companion would be. By some random chain of events, one of my best friends from high school decided to join me on the journey. Below is part two of our experience, written in third person in hopes of making it feel more like a story and less like a blog post. All the accounts below are true, accurate and hopefully entertaining.

Day 4 – London – Warner Brothers Studio Tour

Katie and Megan had an early start to catch their train from Edinburgh to London Monday morning. Their first step was another cab to Armadale Station. Since these two apparently couldn’t get anything right, they found themselves stuck in the hotel lobby, the doors locked from inside out. Just as they began to panic, they spotted the large, easy to read sign on the front desk – “Push button for overnight assistance.” Another non-crisis was resolved.

Tower Bridge

Surprisingly, the 4-hour trip commenced without delay and they arrived at Kings Cross, finally in the city. Once they made it to their hotel, it was time to move out and make their way to the Warner Brothers Studio Tour to see the sets of the Harry Potter movies. Since they’d spent most the morning traveling, the girls hadn’t realized they really needed to eat. They had just enough time to grab a quick sandwich at the train station. Unfortunately, the sandwiches were served by a man with extremely pungent B.O. Trying to hurry and get away from the smell, Megan accidentally grabbed a bottle of carbonated water. She didn’t like it and was left slightly parched, but they both filled their bellies and made their way to the tour. 

The tour is housed in two stage buildings with high ceilings and plenty of props and sets. If you’re a fan of Harry Potter or a fan of television or movie production, you need to see it. It’s expensive, but you get to take as much time as you want to make your way through the two buildings. You get to see everything from the Gryffindor common room to the Ministry of Magic set. You can learn about the special effects, the make-up, the costumes and other behind the scenes “magic.” The tour takes about 3 hours for most people and in the middle, lies the best part: Butterbeer ice cream. Butterbeer is a drink from the books and movies and is available exclusively at only five retailers in the world. Katie and Megan both agreed it was totally worth the trip.

After taking a step into the sets of one of Katie’s favorite tales, they headed back to the train station. Katie and Megan had received Oyster cards from one of their friends. These cards are an easy way to use the trains in London. The girls filled one card with money, thinking they could both utilize it throughout their stay. Once again, they didn’t know that each person needs their own card so they spent the first day or two sneaking one person onto the train. 

The girls made their way back to Earl’s Court and sat down at the Blackbird Pub – a traditional London pub with quirky signs out front. They chose to eat fish and chips which turned out to be HUGE, but also delicious.

Another long day was over and finally, no plans were in sight. Katie and Megan slept for hours, missing breakfast altogether.

Day 5 – London – Sightseeing

Katie and Megan took their time getting ready and decided to continue their hop on hop off touring. They bought a two-day pass with Big Bus London. The double-decker tour featured several stops and great views. They took in a few sights and hopped off for lunch at Wellington. The bar featured local cask ales and a mac and cheese dish that was to die for.

After lunch, the tour continued and there are plenty of photos to show for it. The girls then headed for Tower of London, but discovered it was too late to get a proper look. Instead, they went for the docks and a river cruise. The boat tour was short and sweet, but the guide was witty and knowledgeable. You could purchase beverages and were able to see key London monuments. The boat docked up near the London Eye so the girls decided it was time for a bird’s eye view of the city. On their way, a couple in a pair of large sombreros asked Megan if she would take their photo. After two normal pictures, they asked for one more, turning their heads to the side so they could make out in their large hats. They hoped their several seconds of discomfort made for a photo masterpiece for the lovebirds.

The London Eye and County Hall

After some laughs and a short walk, they purchased a London Eye and Aquarium combo ticket and got in line. The combo tickets are a good deal. They include several options and allow you to visit the other venues within 90 days of purchase. The only thing: the London aquarium is sparse, but more on that later. The London Eye line is always long, but it really does move fast. Megan and Katie only waited 30-45 minutes to board the large Ferris wheel. The 30-minute ride was a spectacular view that allowed them to see up to 20 miles around London. It was a worthwhile experience, although after boarding the one in Vegas twice, Katie noticed this wheel was missing one thing: booze.

Once the ride was finished, the girls headed back to Earl’s Court for dinner. They settled on Zizzi’s, a cute Italian restaurant they found out was a popular chain. The pizza and spaghetti were excellent, but the best part was dessert. Megan and Katie scarfed down a white chocolate raspberry blondie with gelato on top. It was fabulous. After dinner, they grabbed a drink in the hotel garden bar, their new favorite hangout. Then it was time for bed and another day.

Day 6 – London – Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

The whole reason for Megan and Katie’s adventure overseas was finally here. It was the day they would see the Harry Potter play. This play is the 8^th Harry Potter story taking place 19 years after the 7^th book. The play is the only way to see this tale, minus buying the play script. London is currently the only place showing it, but it will open in NYC in 2018. Katie purchased these tickets in August 2016, 11 months before their trip. Thus, she was extremely excited to finally be seeing the show.

After collecting the tickets, the girls headed for a quick tour of St. Paul’s Cathedral – a beautiful place with hundreds of steps to climb to get to the top. It was well worth it to see the detail of the church and the view from way up high. The only thing that wasn’t worth it was the amount of sweat that came with climbing that many stairs and the fact that they would be sitting next to people at a play in just a few hours.

After airing out a bit, they went back to Palace Theatre to get in line for the play – two hours early. In fact, they watched the staff put out the barriers for the queue and were told to wait by the fire exit. The two-hour wait was long, but featured some entertainment along the way. A woman who was clearly disgruntled caught the attention of a theatre staff member and proceeded to loudly proclaim that their queue barriers didn’t leave enough room for a wheel chair to pass through. She continued her protest, telling staff they should be ashamed and generally causing quite a stir. 

Eventually Katie and Megan were allowed inside the gorgeous and historic theatre. They kicked off the afternoon with two delicious Bloody Mary’s and found their seats. Ahead of the play they still had two seats in front of them that hadn’t been filled, but it was wishful thinking to hope they’d remain empty. Instead, two obnoxious British 20-somethings sat down – discussing various things in a very loud manner. This included the fact that one of the girls had to hide two bags of M&Ms in her armpits to sneak them into the play. Fortunately, the annoyance stopped when the play started besides her rustling through the M&Ms bag a few times.

After Part One, Megan and Katie decided to get a quick bite at The Spice of Life right across from the theatre. The bar featured small plates and the two enjoyed some potato skins and other delicious fare. They still had some time before Part Two so they headed to Mina Lima the gallery that houses the prints featured in the Harry Potter films. Mina Lima created all the graphic design for these movies. The gallery had several floors of exhibit space and plenty of gift items to buy for their friends. Katie and Megan then headed back to the theatre for Part Two.

The play is a total of 5 hours and 30 minutes, is a magical experience and features some special effects never seen on stage before. That’s about all that can be said as the creators ask the audience to #KeepTheSecrets and not to give anything away.

Up Next: Watch for the next post recapping Cambridge and Oxford, a cave wine bar and a high-class trip home.

MK in UK: Delays & Downtowns

Author’s Note: One year ago, I decided to purchase tickets for the play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, even though I knew I’d have to travel to London to see it. I bought two tickets, not knowing who my travel companion would be. By some random chain of events, one of my best friends from high school decided to join me on the journey. Below is our experience, written in third person in hopes of making it feel more like a story and less like a blog post. All the accounts below are true, accurate and hopefully entertaining.

Day 1 – Travel – Delays, Delays

Katie and Megan were ready to experience a 10-day excursion overseas, but their trip wouldn’t begin as planned. Since the two didn’t live in the same state, they had different routes before hitting the skies to Scotland.

Katie flew out of Nashville on time, but when she arrived in New York City, she realized Megan was delayed in Atlanta. Megan’s flight was supposed to leave at 5 p.m., but the delay clock kept ticking and Megan knew she wouldn’t make the 9 p.m. flight to Scotland. Thus, both Katie and Megan would be stuck in New York City for the night. Delta had rebooked them to leave a whole 24 hours later, cutting in to their 2-day trip to Edinburgh.

Katie waited and waited for Megan in NYC, booking a hotel room in Manhattan and hoping for the best. Regrettably, while Megan had finally boarded her plan and pulled away from the gate, she was also forced to wait and wait. After an hour of idling on the tarmac, she finally took off, landing at JFK at 11 p.m.

From there, these two tired and frustrated girls just wanted a warm bed. A ‘short’ Uber ride into Manhattan finally got them there with barely any luggage and a full day of travel behind them. After buying some gift store toothbrushes, they headed to their room. As they walked down a hallway like the ones in The Shining, they found a bellhop pushing a cart out of their room. Behind him was a disgruntled woman with dirty blonde hair and an adorable ‘service dog.’

The girls book a room at the Wellington Hotel in Manhattan after flight delays.

“Um, this is our room.” Katie said to the bellhop. The bellhop took her ticket and radioed the front desk. Megan started laughing hysterically, not believing this streak of bad fortune.

“You’ll need to return to the front desk,” said the bellhop as the woman explained she had switched rooms because her air conditioning didn’t work.

Another trip to the front desk, some more waiting in line and one more elevator ride found them in an empty hotel room with a king-size bed they had to share. The day was finally over and Katie and Megan fell promptly asleep, just shy of 3 a.m.

Day 2 – NYC – Sightseeing

Katie and Megan had time to kill before their evening flight to Edinburgh, so it was time for some NYC sightseeing. The girls dined on New York style pizza, enjoying huge slices of pepperoni, buffalo chicken and spinach and feta. With a busy day ahead, they finished their food and headed to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.

The 9/11 Memorial

The monument was beautiful and left them with heavy hearts. However, it was the museum that brought the emotions of that horrific day screaming back, almost as if they were there. Anyone could spend hours reading, watching and listening to the accounts of that day. Katie and Megan, however, had to move on.

The two made their way to 30 Rock for some entertainment, including posing for pictures with some life-sized Minions. They continued their route by walking through Times Square and Central Park. The girls didn’t have much time, but they took a second to enjoy the beauty of the park by relaxing on a jagged rock that turned out to be fairly comfortable.

Just a few hours later, they were at their gate waiting to board and hoping to end their streak of misfortune with a smooth flight overseas.

Day 3 – Scotland – Edinburgh

After 6 hours of flying and an hour in customs, the hope became reality and with bags in hand, Katie and Megan called an Uber and headed to their hotel.

Edinburgh, Scotland

It was 1 p.m. when the girls had freshened up and ordered a cab to get to the train station. While they’d already let out sighs of relief, the hiccups didn’t cease. The first cab did not take credit cards, so they hopped out, deciding on an Uber instead. Livingston doesn’t have the service, so the front desk had to order them another cab. That driver took them to an ATM, then dropped them at the station in Armadale.

Armadale Station is tucked back, several yards away from businesses and has a very desolate feel to it. The girls were immediately solicited for money, but that wasn’t the real concern. As they waited for the next train to Edinburgh, a group of loud, teenage boys approached. They kept passing both Katie and Megan closely and it seemed as if the group grew from two to six in no time. Although they kept to themselves, their vulgar language and demeaner made the minutes before the trains arrival seem longer. While the worry seemed a little silly, they were relieved to hop on the train once it arrived.

Edinburgh Castle

Once in Edinburgh, the vacation began with a beautiful city to explore. The hop on-hop off bus tour was cheap and allowed the girls to see everything. There are many sights to describe, but Megan and Katie spent most of their time touring three places. Holyrood Palace is the home of the Royal Family when they visit Edinburgh. It featured vintage and decadent décor along with creaky floors and tiny stairwells.

Along the Royal Mile

The World’s End Pub

Down the Alleyway

Next, they walked the Royal Mile, home to hundreds of shops and restaurants. It’s overwhelming and full of tourists, but it combines historic buildings with modern shopping. One of their favorite aspects  were narrow alleyways that always held some element of surprise including hidden stores, apartments and even garden areas.

It was hard to find space to write their names on the bathroom walls.

The main event for Katie was The Elephant House, the place J.K. Rowling wrote part of Harry Potter. The café was quaint, but also busy and you must donate money if you want to enter without ordering something. Their donation was worth it though and the two of them signed their names on the bathroom walls, just like thousands of others before them.

Several hours later, they returned to Prince’s Street near the train station. They ate dinner in a Scottish Pub and caught a train back to Armadale. The problem with trains is, when you aren’t used to them, you may or may not realize you must push a button to open the door to get out. Thus, these two stupid Americans missed their stop, creating even more distress. A Scottish couple said going one stop further would only add 15 minutes, but by the time they reached Armadale, their cab had gone. After what amounted to nearly an hour extra commute time, the girls were in their hotel room and able to clean up and go to bed, extremely exhausted.

Up Next: Watch for the next post recapping the Harry Potter studio tour, sightseeing in London and the Harry Potter play.