Exploring Pigeon Forge As A Weekend Getaway

BY  Abdul Aziz May 17, 2021

Aside from the hassle of flying, jet lags, and carrying luggage around the airport and to your accommodation is a challenge– add up the worries about how you can look fashionable. When we say travel light, it does not mean you have to sacrifice your style and comfort during your trip. However, we want to encourage you to rethink and organize your luggage for traveling light. It is not impossible to travel light and maintain the fashion or style along with the essentials you want during your travel. Packing is an all-time complicated issue. But now it is becoming much more simple and easy to organize your necessary items. Whether you are looking for ways to travel with a hand-carry bag, or you simply want to cut down your budget trip, then check out these five secrets on how to travel light. 5 Secrets Tips On How to Travel Light – Travel Hacks: If you do not have the knowledge of how to pack. You have to focus on ultra-light travel trailers to travel Light. But if you have the knowledge of tricks and tips for luggage packaging, all your hard work becomes short and simple. Here are the five tips for traveling light. Secret 1: Use Smaller Luggage or a Suitcase Traveling light starts with the luggage you will bring. If you use a bigger suitcase, you have more space to fill, but there will not be enough space for unnecessary things if you choose smaller luggage. Consider lightweight suitcases for your travels. Manufacturers claim that luggage under 10 pounds is lightweight, while those around 7 pounds are claimed to be ultralight. If you choose a smaller suitcase, ensure that it has enough compartments and pockets that will help you organize your personal things. Ensure the weight of your bag before traveling. You can purchase a travel scale for accuracy. Do not rely on the weighing scale at the airport. It will be too late if you have packed too much. Secret 2: Stick to the Packing List One of the common mistakes why travelers pack too much– especially those who are first-timers, is because they did not use a packing list. A packing list will help you pack only the necessary things for the travel. Try packing all the things you like without the guide of the packing list. When you are done, get the list and take out those unnecessary ones that are not on the list. You realized you still have a lot of space, right? That’s why only take those you need for the trip. Do not bring too many clothes that you won’t wear. Not sure which are items are essential? Check some packing lists on the web. You might find a packing list that suits your travel destination! Secret 3: Pack Lightweight Clothes Remind yourself that you are not only packing clothes for your travel. You also have to pack some toiletries, electronics, and shoes. Thus, you need to pack lightweight clothes. Choose to pack clothes that are made from lighter fabrics. Wool or heavyweight fleece jackets are bulky and heavy.  Although these garments can keep you warm, some fabrics are lightweight but can still offer warmth. When it comes to shoes, bring a comfortable pair, flexible in style and not bulky, you can also pack one pair of shoe inserts if needed. But do not bring more than two pairs of shoes, be realistic enough. Bring another pair if you have a special occasion to attend during your travel. If you have a formal event to attend during your travel, bring one classy yet flexible outfit. Flexible outfits are those you can still wear for another evening but pair with a different outfit. Do not bring a bulky dress or full suit and jacket outfit. It will take up a lot of space in your luggage. Although we mentioned toiletries, you can pack none, depending on your accommodation. If you booked a hotel, it is expected that they will offer free toiletries. However, if you book at Airbnb or other rental places, ask the host first whether they have toiletries available. If not, bring the lightest options. Secret 4: Wear the Largest Wearable Item If you plan to bring large items like shoes, hoodies, or sweatpants– wear them. Exercise clothes have become fashionable recently, and if you are going on a long-haul journey, it is best to wear these large yet comfortable items. Most large items are shoes. Minimize packing more than two pairs of shoes on any trip. Women can go with comfortable sneakers, which are comfortable to walk around, and heels or sandals for formal wears. The same with men, it is best to pack sneakers and loafers only. Secret 5: Do Not Pack a Week’s Worth. Laundry Clothes You might be traveling for a business trip, or you want to spend more than a week at your travel destination, but even so, it is not reasonable to pack more than a week’s worth. If you will, you would pay a hefty amount for additional baggage. Here are a few things to remember when packing clothes: Use a dryer sheet to keep your clothes fresh in the luggage. Pack only outfits that you can mix and match. Limit yourself to two pairs of pants and shoes. Pack clothes that will go well in multiple outfits. Pack travel-sized laundry detergents to use when doing laundry at your travel destination. Speaking of doing laundry at your travel destination, you can do it in three methods– use laundry detergent from The Laundress or somewhere similar and hand wash your laundry in your bathroom sink, make use of the hotel laundry service, or go to the nearest laundry shop. If you do not have the time to hand wash your laundry or the budget to acquire the hotel laundry service, heading out to the laundry shop is the best option. Laundry services in laundromats are affordable. You can leave your dirty laundry and go back for it after your tour. It is best to search for a reliable laundry service and dry cleaning expert around the neighborhood of your travel destination, rather than plan it on the spot. You do not want to ruin your favorite clothes during travel, right? Wrapping It Up: If you are on business, it is expected that you will bring electronics with you. Ensure that you don’t forget its chargers. You can securely place them in the small compartments of the luggage. Traveling light is easy if you follow these secret tips. You may have limited the things to bring, but you haven’t compromised the fun and fashion you need on your trip. How you are going to pack your clothes, do not forget to share your funny packing experiences with us. Read Also: The Best Tips To Travel Around The World How To Prepare Yourself For The Perfect Vacation: Top 7 Tips Top 5 Ways To Spend Your Time During A Long Flight By A Wanderlust At Heart

BY  Barsha Dec 8, 2022

Why stick to the same beaches in the Nashville area, or even in and around? Have you thought about venturing out to beaches a little far away? Check out the closest beach to Nashville or even some of the closest beaches near Nashville.  Nashville is a popular tourist attraction on prestigious lists like the New York Times' 52 Places to Go. It has a colorful history, great heritage, and architectural excellence.  However, if you want some coastal fun and some sultry sunbathing seasons, the beaches around Nashville will be your ultimate call! Closest Beach To Nashville - Top 10 Beaches You Can Visit So here you are, searching for the closest beach to Nashville, TN! And here we are with a curated list featuring the best beaches near Nashville.  “The Music City” is the door to cool sand and water pursuits. Let’s check out the names. 1. Dauphin Island, Alabama: Dauphin Island in Alabama is fairly close to Nashville, and it will take you about 7 hours to drive to Mobile since the island is located in the southern part of Mobile. You can also fly to Mobile.  Spend time playing with the waves and collecting seashells, or take a ferry and visit the beautiful Fort Morgan to check out some dolphins.  Also, you must not miss out on other prime tourist spots nearby, like, Fort Gaines, Bird Sanctuary, and The Estuarium. It is quite idyllic and a family-friendly island with beautiful attractions such as the Alabama Aquarium, Mobile Bay Ferry, and others. Excitement, wildlife, and southern culture are quite apparent in and around Dauphin Island, which has white sand and blue water. 2. Gulf Shores, Alabama: While looking for beaches near Nashville, TN, there’s no way you can forget about the Gulf Shores in Alabama.  It’s pretty popular among tourists, especially Tennessee residents. Located only seven hours drive away from Nashville, the area boasts several lodging options, activities, and fresh seafood.  The area has amusement parks, entertainment zones, shopping opportunities, and more.  Plus, if you love educational activities and history, there’s much to do in this area. So just pack your bags already – because the beach awaits you! With its warm and soothing water, Gulf Shores also has bright white beaches. You can perform daytime activities such as dolphin-watching, hiking, and scenic cruises. There is an Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo and a recreation center with bumper boats called The Track, where you can visit with your family. Gulf Shores is about to get a Goodwill Center. The 50,000-square-foot facility in Foley will offer job and employment training to the local people. With time, it will likely be developed as a community development center. The center is likely to open its doors in the fall of 2025. Then, it will be an added attraction to the places of interest.  3. Pensacola, Florida: There are several beaches close to Nashville but Pensacola, located in Florida, stands out because it will take you less than seven hours to drive from Nashville! Popular for its charming historic culture and exquisite natural beauty, Pensacola is a must-visit. Spanning over eight acres, the historic village of Pensacola is timeless.  From golfing and go-karting to other fun activities, there’s so much to do when you are bored of the beach. Pensacola is also known as ‘the city of five flags’ since it was passed around in History - you will spot British, French, Confederate, American, and even Spanish flags all over this charming city. The beach is at the panhandle of Florida surrounded by coastline across 50 plus miles. There is crystal clear bay areas and emerald-green Gulf of Mexico waters; thus, when you visit the beach, you can find a vibe that mixes a bustling metropolitan center and a relaxing beach town! 4. Destin, Florida: Why aren’t you considering Destin, located in Florida? Driving to Destin from Nashville will take only around seven hours!  Destin has been a prime vacation spot for families! There are several places to eat – you could check out the popular chain dining, Whataburger! Then there are so many outlet stores for you to visit if you love shopping. If you are traveling with kids, then you have to check out the following places, The Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, Local Zoo, and  Big Kahuna Water Park (only if you travel to Destin during Summer!) Located in northwest Florida, the area of Destin Beach is called Panhandle! There are natural trails through the dunes of Henderson Beach State Park. There are beautiful oak trees and pine trees where they provide wildlife shelter. Also, there are waterfalls, pools, tall slides, and Big Kahuna’s water park, so you can explore all these places. The emerald-green waters of the beach are breathtaking, and the geology is unique! 5. Panama City, Florida: It’s not like there are no beaches in Tennessee. Of course, Tennessee has beaches, but sometimes, venturing a little away from home feels so much better!  And how can you ignore Panama City, located in Florida? Famed as a destination for Spring Break, it will take you about 7.5 hours to drive to Panama City from Nashville. You can also opt for direct flights. The beaches span 27 miles, and Panama City farther boats about a hundred public accesses. While you are in Panama City, you must visit Pier Park - you will spot several restaurants, playing areas, bungee jumping opportunities, bumper boats, sky wheels, passenger trains, and plenty of places to shop.  6. 30A, Florida: People in the Middle Tennessee area either have or know others with bumper stickers with 30A on them. This is because 30A has now become perhaps one of the most well-known getaway spots for most residents of Nashville! And that too throughout the whole year.  30A is not your regular Nashville beach! Instead, it's a pretty coastal highway with solid touristy spots, like, Miramar Beach, Rosemary Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, and Blue Mountain Beach.  Read More: 6 Things To Do At The Beach This Fall 7. Tybee Island, Georgia: Tybee Island might not be the closest beach to Nashville, but that doesn’t mean it’s that far away – you can either drive to Tybee Island in the Savannah region or even directly fly to Savannah.  If you drive, it will take you more than eight hours; if you take a flight, it will take a little less than two hours. An Atlantic getaway that’s historical – this is exactly what Savannah stands for! Steeped deeply in culture and history, there’s so much to see and do. Explore the local restaurants and shopping outlets at the lighthouse near Tybee Island to make the most of your stay here. 8. Gulfport, Mississippi: While looking up the closest ocean beach to Nashville TN, it's impossible not to stumble upon Gulfport, located in Mississippi. The entire Mississippi coastline is unforgettable. It takes about seven hours to drive from Nashville, or you could also do something adventurous and fly to New Orleans - it will be worth the trip! The area boasts miles of beaches known for their beautiful sand, fun attractions, and exciting water activities. Once you are done spending time on the beach, don’t forget to check out,  The Gulfport children’s museum, INFINITY Science Center, a space facility by NASA, A famous aquarium, Drag racing, Waterparks, and The railroad museum. 9. Charleston, South Carolina: Move any beach in Tennessee over, because it’s time for Charleston to shine! Yes, it will take you more than 8 hours to drive to Charleston, located in South Carolina, or a flight of 1.5 hours, but who cares? It will be worth the journey. Another coast town in the Atlantic steeped deeply in history, this place is perfect for visiting with your family, especially kids.  If you love visiting historical spots, you have to visit Fort Sumter. And that’s not all! Pamper yourself with some spa time and some golfing while your kids can enjoy the children’s museum and the aquarium. You will also get to see some world-class restaurants, sandy beaches, and cobblestone paths. The easiest way to enjoy South Carolina is to dip your toes in the white sand and enjoy the beautiful weather. It is perfect for frolicking as you can walk across the sand and visit the lighthouses. The beaches are wild hence, you gotta have a towel and a sturdy shoes to enjoy your best! 10. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina: It is not the closest beach to Nashville if you have a packed itinerary. It will take you about nine hours to drive to Myrtle Beach, but it’s so worth the drive.  We say keep at least three to four days in hand while going to Myrtle Beach in South Carolina!  From cheering the baseball team and Pelicans, riding the gigantic Ferris wheel, visiting New South Brewing MicroBrewery, or even having a night out at some local dinner theater, there’s so much to do here. Myrtle Beach has a subtropical climate, with 86 golf courses and 1800 restaurants to visit. The Myrtle Beach Area Fact Sheet states that around 17 million people visit Myrtle Beach annually. If you plan to visit the beach, you can take your family to the Kingdom amusement park. If you love adventure, the SkyWheel is the way to go, considering it is one of the tallest Ferris Wheels in the world. In 2024, Myrtle Beach was the top trending destination for the Memorial Day weekend in the USA, according to Booking.com reports. Tripadvisor also featured it as the second-most coveted destination for the Memorial Day weekend 2024.  11. Anderson Beach, Tennessee At just 17 miles from Nashville, Anderson Beach is a popular picnic spot in Tennessee. You will enjoy amenities like picnic grills, tables, and cheap parking sites at this closest beach to Nashville.  You must pay $5 to park your vehicle for the entire day. Also, restrooms and a shelter make your time at the beach more comfortable.  Further, on Percy Priest Lake, Anderson Beach is great for canoeing and kayaking. You can even swim in the lake water for a rejuvenating experience. The water here is tranquil, with allocated swimming areas.  You can relax in the wooded area if you are not in for adventurous outdoor pursuits.  Frequently Asked Questions!!! (FAQs): Check out the most frequently asked questions related to the closest beach to Nashville mentioned below.  1. What Is The Closest Ocean Beach To Nashville? Ans: The closest beaches to Nashville are as follows,➊ Pensacola,➋ Panama City Beach,➌ Tybee Island,➍ Hilton Head Beach, and➎ Gulf Shores. 2. What Is The Best Beach In Tennessee? Ans: The best beaches in Tennessee are as follows,➊ Big Ridge Lake,➋ Cheatham Lake,➌ Cherokee Lake,➍ Chickamauga Lake, and➎ Center Hill Lake. 3. What Is There To See Between Nashville And Gulf Shores? Ans: The top tourist spots between Nashville and Gulf Shores are as follows,➊ Lotz House Museum, ➋ Stones River National Battlefield,➌ Carnton,➍ Vulcan Park & Museum,➎ U.S. Space & Rocket Center, and➏ Jack Daniel's Distillery Visitor Center. 4. What Is The Most Beautiful Town In Tennessee? Ans: The most beautiful towns in Tennessee are as follows,➊ Gatlinburg,➋ Townsend,➌ Bell Buckle,➍ Rogersville, and➎ Jonesborough. And It’s A Wrap! Finding the closest beach to Nashville proved to be an adventure, considering we made sure that you are aware of all your options! So now what? What are you still doing here? Pack your bags and get this trip started! All you have to do is plan a kickass trip and make some memories to treasure forever. In the meantime, don’t forget to share your thoughts and if you have any related past experiences in the comments below. Read Also: A Complete Guide Of West Beach 10 Best Nude Beaches In The World What To Look For When Purchasing A Beach Tent For Vacation

BY  Sibashree Jan 10, 2025

Richmond, Indiana, was under the spotlight in early 2024, with people rushing to the place to experience the full eclipse. On 8th April 2024, the full solar eclipse was the first visible one (in the contiguous USA) after the full solar eclipse in 2017. (The USA will see the next solar eclipse in 2044.) Indiana, as one of the prime destinations to see the solar eclipse, capitalized on this tourism opportunity. With infrastructure development, food trucks, camping, and other activities, Indiana garnered a significant economic boost.  The overall tourism spending during this eclipse period was  $189 million, with the recreation and entertainment sections shouldering the highest percentage share (Source: Visit Indiana). Furthermore, the Meltdown Winter Ice Festival has been a great tourism event in Indiana since 2013.  The sudden boost in tourism here is great! However, as travelers and researchers, we know that Richmond, Indiana, has always attracted art and cultural enthusiasts. The art scene here is vibrant with museums, and even the historic sites here evoke great interest.  So, what are the most unique things to do in Richmond Indiana? Let’s explore!  Unique Things To Do In Richmond Indiana | Places Of Attractions You Must Not Miss  It’s a tough ask to enlist all the unique things to do in Richmond Indiana, in one guide. Hopefully, we will do another one of the things we are missing here. Nevertheless, today, I see a lot of focus on food when it comes to Richmond or Wayne County, Indiana.  I was just checking out socials and I found that the pork tenderloins and BBQs are just leaving everyone behind. And there is, of course, a celebration of Jazz roots and culture in the city. So, naturally, the Tour and Travel list of the unique things to do in Richmond Indiana has the Walk Of Fame.  We have also included a small section discussing the food here. So, what more awaits you here? Let’s check it out! 1. A Visit To The Richmond Art Museum Location: 350 Hub Etchison Parkway, Richmond Contact Number: 765-966-0256 Hours Open: Tuesday to Saturday (10 AM to 5 PM) If you want to see some brilliant examples of American impressionist artwork, the Richmond Art Museum will be your go-to destination. It also exhibits the works of the Early Indiana artists and women artists. William Merritt Chase, Guy Wiggins, and Childe Hassam are some of the American impressionists whose works are showcased in this museum.   2. Taking The Walk Of Fame Gennett Records in Richmond, Indiana, had a vital role to play in the foundation of Blues and Jazz in the city. Names like Jelly Roll Morton and Louis Armstrong have been recorded there.  Gennett Records was out of business in the 1940s. However, the city still pays tribute to this musical hotspot. You must take the Walk of Fame along South First Street as a connoisseur or a music lover. The plaques on the route will remind you of the musical geniuses in jazz, blues, and country music genres.  3. Plan A Day At Wayne County Historical Museum https://www.instagram.com/p/DAtkqVdJFUd/ Address: 1150 N A Street, Richmond Contact Number: 1 765-962-5756 Hours of Operation: 9:30 AM to 4 PM (Tuesday-Friday), Saturday - 12 PM to 4 PM, Monday and Sunday Closed Entry Fee: Free for Members and Children below 5 Years, $8 for Adults, $5 for Students from 6-17 Years, Seniors, Veterans, & Active Military $6.00 The Wayne County Historical Museum is a tapestry of human lives from the past. A 3000-year-old mummy resting in a painted coffin is the highlight of the collections here.  Another popular exhibit is the 1880 dollhouse that belonged to Caroline R. Jones, when she was 10 years old.  4. Soak In The Vibrant Art Scenario Of The City https://www.instagram.com/p/C-IaH92CTt7/ Along with the prominent performing art centers like The Richmond Symphony Orchestra and Richmond Civic Theatre, Richmond has many visual art trails.  After visiting the Richmond Art Museum, you can take a drive along the Mural Trail. Along the trail, you will discover more than 80 painted murals. These murals are the depiction of the art, culture and history of the city.  No wonder the Paint Quality Institute conferred the honor of America’s Prettiest Painted Places” to Richmond Art Trail in 2013.  Overbeck Art Pottery is another destination if you want to soak in the arty vibe of the city. Located in Cambridge City, which is again at the heart of the Antique Alley, it was started by four sisters in 1911.  Here, you will find painted porcelain vases, utensils, and figurines. You will also come across Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles of work.  5. Plan A Visit To The Antique Alley If you have an eye for everything antique and you truly want a meaningful experience in Richmond, Antique Alley is where you need to be.  The historic Cambridge City is at the heart of the Antique Alley. Here, the antique shops, malls, and dealers await you with the best antique sea glass, glassware, pottery, books, furniture, and whatnot! Larry's Antiques is one of the many antique mines in the Antique Alley of Indiana. It is located at 201 SW G Street, and you can reach out at +1 765-966-9010.  6. Explore The Joseph Moore Museum of Natural History  https://www.instagram.com/p/DDIr8S_RX3u/?img_index=5 Address: 801 W Nat'l Rd, Richmond Contact Number: +1 765-983-1303 Hours Open: 10 AM to 5 PM (Monday Closed) Entry Fee: Free The Joseph Moore Museum is a wonderland for people of all ages. Its collections are vast, covering areas of science like anthropology, mammalogy, ornithology, vertebrate paleontology, etc.  However, if you are adventurous enough, the collection of live reptiles here will be your favorite. Here, you will find reptiles of 684 species.  Recently, Zilla, the new green iguana, has been everyone's favorite at the museum.  7. Spend Your Day At Hayes Arboretum https://www.instagram.com/p/Cs_THZRO91Z/ Address: 801 Elks Road, Richmond Contact Number: +1 765-962-3745 Entry Fee: Free Hours Open: 9 AM to 5 PM (Tuesday to Saturday)  If you want to spend some time in nature and enjoy the company of plants, a visit to the Hayes Arboretum will be one of the best things to do in Richmond Indiana.  With an area of 466 acres, Hayes Arboretum is a natural heritage site with beech and maple trees, meadows, streams, woodlands, and native woody trees.  Exploring The Food Scene | Unique Things To Do In Richmond Indiana Though not as famous as Kansas City or Texas, Indiana has some brilliant BBQ joints. Here, you will find delicious southern-style BBQ dishes and chicken fry.  Wings and Rings at 500 Commerce Road is one of the most popular places to try BBQ in Richmond. You can contact them at (765) 756-5615 and must try the chicken wings there.  Further, as the melting pot of various cultures, Richmond, Indiana, will allow you to taste the best Mexican food and Italian delicacies. If you want to try Italian food in Richmond, Carlos Cuisine Family Restaurant at 1310 NW 5th Street will be your go-to destination. To reserve a table, call them at (765) 373-3746. It also serves delicious Mexican cuisine.  Also, the city believes in the philosophy of farm-to-table freshness. So, the dishes you eat here are a wonderful fusion of local ingredients and international flavors.  Willing To Try Unique Things To Do In Richmond Indiana? Know These Things Before Packing Your Bags Richmond, Indiana, is well connected to the other states of the USA and other parts of the world thanks to the Indianapolis International Airport. The Indianapolis International Airport Authority has its own transportation and car rental service.  Here, the taxi service is the cheapest option with the fare starting from $15.  Further, April to June is the best time to visit Richmond despite the city being a year-round attraction.  For example, during the fall season, you will find the warmest shades of orange and red in nature. In addition, in winter, the Christmas and New Year festivities attract many tourists to this part of the world.  Also read Ultimate Guide to Your Next Family Vacation in Israel. Boat Charter Miami: Essential Tips for a Great Experience. You Cannot Miss These Things To Do In Wilmington, NC (With Tour And Travel Tips And Tricks)