Alli Talley

November 2, 2019

Louisiana, USA

5 Must-Do's on Louisiana's Northshore

Alli Talley

November 2, 2019

Louisiana, USA

We’ll be perfectly honest. We had no idea what to expect when it came to St. Tammany Parish, aka Louisiana Northshore. We hadn’t heard much about it, and our knowledge of the region was pretty scarce. When planning our trip to Louisiana’s Northshore, we figured we’d try some good cajun food, maybe even see a crocodile - but beyond that we really weren’t sure! Located just 40 minutes from New Orleans’ French Quarter, we now wish we would have made it over when we visited NOLA last spring.

We love it when a destination takes us by surprise.

When a place that we’ve never been and don’t know much about instantly pulls at our heartstrings and embraces us in such a way that we leave saying, “That was SO cool!” That’s what happened with Luisiana’s Northshore. Sure, we ate our weight in cajun home cooking, and we even stumbled upon a few crocodiles (a novelty to us California folks), but it was SO much more than that! Louisiana’s Northshore is filled with charming towns, friendly locals, scenic activities and escapes, and just the kind of flavorful cuisine we’d hoped it would have (more on the food scene, here).

While we could’ve easily doubled this list, we’ve narrowed it down to five “Must Do’s” while you’re in Louisiana’s Northshore. Enjoy!

1. TAKE A SUNSET PONTOON RIDE

There’s no better way to see Louisiana Northshore than by boat, and not just any kind of boat… a pontoon! Our friend Captain Mike at Louisiana Tours and Adventures will not only give you a tour packed with history, random facts (ask him to point out Britney Spears’ old house!), and jaw-dropping sights, but he’ll make sure you’re in the best, most scenic spot just in time to catch the sunset! Make sure to pack a picnic, and plenty of “The Boot” - a Louisiana beer (ONLY Louisiana, because they don’t let this one go outside the boot, aka the state) that’s not to be missed!

Dinner and a sunset. See the sun about to dip below the horizon?

2. RIDE BIKES AROUND MANDEVILLE

Mandeville is one of the charming little towns nestled along the water, spacious streets and sidewalks make it perfectly bikeable. Rent a couple of cruisers from the friendly folks at Brook’s Bike Shop, and spend a morning (or an afternoon, whatever you prefer!) riding along the Tammany Trace, a 31 mile “rails to trails” conversion - connecting five Louisiana Northshore communities! After you’re done, do a little boutique shopping on Lakeshore Drive, and don’t forget to stop at The Candy Bank!

3. SEE A JAZZ CONCERT AT DEW DROP JAZZ AND SOCIAL HALL

If you’re an avid jazz fan, chances are you’re familiar with the Dew Drop Jazz and Social Hall. Not only is it the oldest jazz hall in the WORLD, it’s virtually unaltered, looking just as it did more than a century ago! Famous jazz musicians from around the world have played there, from Buddy Petit and Kid Ory - and it still attracts jaw-dropping headliners! Find their concert schedule here. (Oh, and if you’re hungry, grab dinner from the cute little church ladies at the Free Mission next door!)

4. GO CANOEING WITH CANOE AND TRAIL

Canoeing is always a good idea, especially in the Louisiana wetlands! Rent a canoe (or kayak) from Canoe and Trail, and leisurely float along the river… it’s peaceful, serene, and even dog-friendly, so bring your pup! When you’re done exploring, make sure to end the outing with fresh oysters at The Chimes Covington!

5. SHOP THE ANTIQUE STORES IN DOWNTOWN COVINGTON

Founded in 1813, Covington is a charming and historic little town bustling with galleries, boutiques, museums, cafes and you guessed it… antique stores! Located inside quaint converted cottages, Covington’s antique and collectibles shops are absolutely adorable… and you’re sure to find some amazing local gems! Pop into the posh English Tea Room or chic Cypress Bar at the Southern Hotel for a refreshment after!

Alli Talley

September 26, 2018

Missouri, USA

24 Hours in Kansas City

Alli Talley

September 26, 2018

Missouri, USA

Blitzing through Kansas City for a weekend can be overwhelming. The options are unlimited when it comes to what to eat, see, and do… Narrowing it all down can be impossible!! But don’t fret - we’ve compiled a 24 hour itinerary of our favorite KC spots that will keep you buzzed, full, and entertained. Be warned… following this itinerary will have you longing to come right back to KC!

9:00AM: COFFEE & A BOWL OF CEREAL AT THOU MAYEST

What better way to start your day then at hip coffee shop with a full-blown cereal bar?! $5 at Thou Mayest will get you a hot cup of coffee and a hefty bowl of Kix (or Froot Loops, Captain Crunch, Honey Bunches of Oats… heck, they’ll even mix them all together for you if that’s your style)!

10:00AM: TOUR THE NELSON-ATKINS

Fine art, iconic architecture, and free admission… The Nelson-Atkins Museum is one of the best in the country. Not only do they feature a strong collection of Impressionist paintings (Van Gogh, Cézanne, Monet), they’re also famous for their extensive Japanese collection of art. It contains more than 2,000 pieces ranging from the 7th century C.E. to the early 20th century! And don’t miss the gigantic shuttlecocks outside the building!

1:00PM LUNCH AT JOE’S KANSAS CITY BBQ

You can’t go to Kansas City without experiencing Joe’s Kansas City BBQ. This world-famous BBQ joint is known for its ribs, “Z-man” sandwich, brisket, and more. Oh, and did we mention that it’s in a gas station!? Get here early, as this place has a cult following - and the line can take awhile! (But trust us - it’s worth it.)

2:00PM SHOPPING & BREWERIES IN THE CROSSROADS

The Crossroads is one of our favorite areas in Kansas City. It’s filled with craft breweries, eclectic shops, and tons of tasty spots to eat. We suggest spending your afternoon here, shopping, drinking, and maybe even striking a pose or two by one of the dozens of murals! Four spots you should check out are, Casual Animal, Brewery Emperial, East + West and Christopher Elbow Chocolates.

6:30PM DINNER & DRINKS AT THE RIEGER

Since 1915, The Rieger has been a Kansas City institution. Once a hotel, it’s now one of the best restaurants in the city. The food is hearty and innovative and the cocktails are strong. Speaking of cocktails, make sure you book a table at Manifesto, the speakeasy in the basement of the Rieger (Sorry, no photos of the speakeasy. They ask you keep your phones away in this epic bar!).

10:30PM JAZZ AT THE GREEN LADY LOUNGE

There’s no doubt that the jazz scene in Kansas City is alive, thriving, and growing. Everyone we asked would tell us that the best place to catch a jazz performance is at the historic Green Lady Lounge. They’re open seven days a week, and you’ll never have to pay a cover charge. Obsessed yet? Wait until you get there. The decor inside will make you feel as though you’ve stepped back in time, and the music will have you bee-bopping in your seat!

10:00AM BRUNCH AT THE CLASSIC CUP

End your 24 hour tour through Kansas City with brunch at The Classic Cup. They’re a local favorite, and for good reason - their food is good. Bobby’s still dreaming about their egg sandwich! Need to walk off your brunch? Check out Made In KC, Baldwin, and Charlie Hustle!

There you have it. 24 hours in our new favorite city. We guarantee that by the end of your sprint through KC, you’ll love it just as much as we do!

Alli Talley

September 21, 2018

Missouri, USA

Kansas City Should Be On Your Radar... Here's Why.

Alli Talley

September 21, 2018

Missouri, USA

Every once and awhile a destination takes us by surprise. As we travel more throughout the US, we’re learning that the touristy, over-hyped cities and states aren’t always the coolest. Sure, NYC has a never-ending amount of amazing restaurants and the beaches in Maui are some of the best in the world… but everyone knows that. The word is out on those spots, and the prices for flights, hotels, and experiences reflect the tourism demands.

So what about the real hidden gems, the up-and-coming cities that haven’t become touristy or overcrowded yet? Those are what we’re after. These gems of cities are sprinkled all over our great country - and the first one on our list is Kansas City. Here’s why:

KC IS AFFORDABLE & ACCESSIBLE

Until recently, Kansas City has always been considered a “flyover city” - not necessarily a travel destination. Over the past couple of years they’ve worked hard to change that - and they’ve done a KILLER job. You’ll pay significantly less than other metropolitan cities, and chances are you’ll like it even better. Parking is easy, traffic is (usually) light, and the city is a breeze to navigate.

From stylish boutique hotels (stay at The Fontaine. We guarantee you’ll love it.), to free public transportation (the KC Streetcar was our favorite way to get around!), and shopping and dining options to fit everyone’s budget, Kansas City has it all. Which brings us to…

IT’S A FOODIE CITY

Oh, the food in Kansas City.

We should probably write a whole blog just about what we ate while we were there! When you think of Kansas City, chances are you think of BBQ. And rightfully so, there’s over 100 BBQ spots in the city - with new options popping up frequently. Two of our favorites are Joe’s and Q39. Joe’s is arguably the most iconic, as it’s located in a gas station, and its no-frills, hearty portions, and friendly staff brings in thousands of customers daily. Q39 is a little nicer than Joe’s, and takes reservations - which is always a plus in busy seasons. While we love the vibe of Joe’s, we’ll go out on a limb and say that the BBQ might be just a liiiiittle better at Q39 (we’ll probably offend some people)… Try both and let us know what you think. ;)

Although the BBQ was unforgettable (burnt ends were life-changing), we have to point out that there is SO MUCH MORE than BBQ here… There’s coffee shops that would put Portland to shame. Messenger Coffee (trendy vibe, insane baked goods) and Thou Mayest (they have a cereal bar… need we say more?) are two that can’t be missed.

Other restaurants we loved were The Jacobsen (their burger is one of the best in KC), The Reiger (fresh and innovative Italian cuisine), and The Parker (located on the rooftop of The Fontaine, with the best views and cornbread in town)!

And finally, if sweets are your thing (and if they aren’t, we’re worried about you), Betty Rae’s Ice Cream will have you in tears of joy. Alli had a scoop of Cereal Milk ice cream at approximately 11am one day, because cereal + milk = breakfast. Totally acceptable.

You’ll also want to hit up Christopher Elbow, Kansas City’s premier chocolatier. Their chocolates look like pieces of art, and they taste EVEN BETTER than they look. Trust us - we ate more than we should have!

ARTS, CULTURE, AND HISTORY… OH MY!

The creative arts scene in Kansas City is thriving - it’s sophisticated, eclectic, and brimming with history and tradition. They have some of the best museums in the country - many with world-famous art! The Nelson-Atkins Museum features several famous Monet’s, Van Gogh’s, and more.. and even the architecture of the building is incredible. Some of our favorite pieces of art were the giant shuttlecocks, strategically placed on both sides of the museum - making the whole property look like a badminton court, with the building being the net. Totally random, and totally cool.

Next time we’re in Kansas City we’re excited to tour the National World War One Museum and Memorial, the Arabia Steamboat Museum, and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum! We definitely couldn’t do it all in 4 days…

One of the highlights of our trip was visiting the stunning Kauffman Center to see the Kansas City Symphony. Words can’t describe how absolutely breathtaking the Kauffman Center is. The whimsical architecture and perfect acoustics make you feel as though you’re in a dream. We danced in our chairs to Beethoven’s Triple Concerto and Symphonic Dances, and marveled at the sheer talent of the musicians. It truly was the ultimate date night.

JAZZ BARS & SPEAKEASIES

While we’re on the topic of date nights, let’s talk about the Kansas City night life.

Did you know that Kansas City is famous for jazz? New Orleans may be the birthplace of jazz, but KC locals like to say that jazz “grew up in Kansas City”. There are several epic jazz bars in downtown KC, but our favorite, hands down, was The Green Lady Lounge. Totally unassuming, you’d easily walk past the entrance and never give it a second thought. But the moment you walk in, it’s as though you’ve stepped into a different world… The lights are dim, the decor is elegant, and the music is grooving - every night of the week!! Oh, and did we mention it’s FREE? (Just be sure to buy a drink or two!)

While we were tempted to spend EVERY night at The Green Lady, we spent time exploring other KC local hotspots - like the Tikicat. An underground tiki bar that serves Aloha vibes and tropical drinks, the Tikicat is probably not the kind of bar you’d expect to find in the heart of the midwest… and that’s exactly what makes it awesome. We were smiling from ear-to-ear the entire time we were there!

We have this thing for speakeasies. There’s something about discovering a “secret” bar - it just makes us feel instantly cool. And one of the best speakeasies we’ve been to thus far is in Kansas City. Manifesto is located in the basement of the Rieger, that was originally a hotel built in the early 1900’s. It was ran as a speakeasy during prohibition - and was even frequented by Al Capone! Needless to say, this place is the real deal. And their award-winning cocktails, cozy atmosphere, and friendly bartenders have only elevated this historic little bar.

“Flyover city”? More like FLY-TO city! We honestly can’t wait to get back to Kansas City - our list of places to eat, things to do, and sights to see next time we’re there keeps growing… and we have a feeling this city is going to continue to evolve in new and exciting ways. Take our advice and experience it before word gets out. ;