Vienna, Austria

Vienna is a gorgeous and historic city. They also do gardens really well if that's your thing!

Vienna Tips: 

• Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the street art throughout Vienna!

• If you're traveling during the summer it is HOT. Stay hydrated and be prepared for little to no air conditioning when it is 100 degrees + 

Adventures & Ales Top Vienna Recommendations: 

• Naschmarket: Warm pita and hummus from 50+ booths, along with clothing, restaurants, and more!

• Take a day trip to the Danube Valley. Explore the vineyards, cruise down the Danube River, be amazed at the Melk Abbey. Highly recommend, it is stunning. 

The Classic Tourist Spots in Vienna Actually Worth Visiting: 

• St Stephen's Cathedral: Stunning church in the main square. Must see interior 

• Schonbrunn Palace: Pretty grounds (especially the gardens). 

• Burggarten: In the Museum Quarter, an awesome garden that is the perfect place to sit and relax

Danube Valley

Other Things to do in Vienna:​

• Wieden Brau Brewery: Not far from the Naschmarket, solid beers and a beer garden

• Wander the Museum Quarter and decide which one(s) suits your fancy!

• Volksgarten: Another garden that is nice to hang around in with the locals

Budapest, Hungary

Pest > Buda, plain and simple. I loveeee Budapest and its Eastern European vibes. 

Budapest Tips: 

• Budapest is bigger than a majority of European cities but it is still walkable, just pack appropriate shoes!

• The city is a little grungier than most, with a relatively large amount of homeless people and a general feel of not super clean, but don't fret, it's part of the charm!

• It's a very "hip" place, not your traditional adventure.     

• Be prepared to eat extremely well. I had some of the best meals of my life here. Spinach and cheese "crepes", goat cheese and tabouli, food trucks, gourmet breakfasts, and so much more. 

• The city is at its best at night, be sure to go down to the river to see the castle lit up

Adventures & Ales Top Budapest Recommendations: 

• Do the free walking tour. You'll see a ton of the best spots all in a few hours with all of the local history and secrets. Much better here than in most other cities!

• Check out the ruins bars, most notably Szimpla Kert, and then go to Karavan for street food next door afterwards, nomsssss. 

• Eat breakfast at New York Cafe. My goodness I cannot recommend it enough. I ate all of the food pictured above in this gorgeous setting 

• Climb Gellert Hill to the Freedom Statue for the best views possible of Buda + Pest + the river

• House of Terror and Berlin Wall Memorial: On Andrassy Avenue, the museum is informative but engaging and the memorial outside is very cool to see. 

Breakfast at New York Cafe

The Classic Tourist Spots in Budapest Actually Worth Visiting: 

• Walk the Chain Bridge! It is one of a few bridges that connect Buda and Pest and is gorgeous, the lions are pretty sweet.

• Go up to the Buda Castle for great views of Pest and the river

• Matthias Church and Fischerman's Wharf near the Buda Castle are both gorgeous, definitely check them out while you're up on the hill. 

• Go to Danube Promenade to see the shoes memorial then keep walking to the Parliament Building, an incredible architectural feat

Budapest Parliament Building

Other Things to do in Budapest:​

• Wander the Jewish Quarter: The Great Synagogue, the Holocaust Memorial Tree, Gozsdu udvar, and the Orthodox Synagogue are worth checking out

• Spiler Bar in the Jewish Quarter

• Akvarium Klub: Hang out outside on the water with the locals, it's the perfect place to just chill during sunset, pictured above (the inside is lame)

• District VIII: Wander the streets, end up at The Tasting Table for cheese and wine! 

• Heroes Square and the City Park--home to one of the most famous baths of the city

• The Central Market: Tons of pop-ups: clothing, souvenirs, fruit, veggies, meat, all sorts of things

Czech Republic

We've all dreamt of the fairytale city of Prague, but have you heard of the statue in Brno? The castle in Cesky Krumlov? The beautiful national park? The Czech Republic is more than just Prague, don't miss out! 

Czech Republic Tips:

• The Czech Republic is dirt cheap. Half liter of beer? 1 euro. Room at a super nice hostel during peak season? 15 euro. Do not overpay at toursity places (I'm looking at you, Prague 1 neighborhood).

• RUN across the crosswalks. They change SO FAST.

• Chimney cakes are everywhere. Not just Prague. Not just Brno. Not just Cesky Krumlov. Heck, not just Slovakia. Don't listen to people. It is a pretty tasty dessert overall that is a combination of cinnamon/sugar/dough/ice cream

Prague Tips:

• You can essentially walk the entirety of Prague, so don't waste money on tram passes

• A lot of people really love Prague. I do not fall in that category. Sure, it's beautiful. But there are a lot of other places in the world that are beautiful that are not overrun with tourists and quite simply, boring [yikes]. I would recommend 2-3 days in Prague if you decide to go, and then roll out. 

Adventures & Ales Top Prague Recommendations: 

• Beer garden in Lentenske Sady, the park on the top of the hill. There is a bar near the metronome and there is a beer garden further along in the park. Highly recommend the beer garden. Fantastic views and not yet discovered by tourists!

• Take a day trip to the Bohemian and Saxon National Park! The gorgeous sandstone area on the German side, the famous gate and bridge on the Czech side (+ a victory beer after hiking up to it!)

The Classic Tourist Spots Actually Worth Visiting in Prague:

• The Charles Bridge: Go either very early or at night to avoid the crowds and marvel at the beauty that is the bridge and the view from the bridge in every direction

• The Astronomical Clock: Shockingly cool to see and understand. The 'shows' are not worth your while to wait for

• The Prague Castle: Absolutely gorgeous. You have to go. That is all. 

Other Things to do in Prague:​

• The Dancing House: A house that is curving, right near the river

• Pivar Narodni: Beers and food, nice outside patio

• Pivovarsky Dum: Good mixed beer and classic Czech food

• Lennon Wall: Graffitied wall, nothing too special

• Cafe Savoy: Classy brunch spot

• Old Town Square: The center of the buzz, home to the Astronomical Clock and other historical buildings

• Old Jewish Cemetery: Located in the Jewish Quarter, it’s super old (no way right?) and pretty cool to see

• Memorial to the Victims of Communism: an interesting memorial to check out

  • Get gelato at the place across the street!! I went 3 times while in Prague​ (shh…)

• Check out Bakeshop for a quick breakfast​

• The Petrin Hill Rose Garden: Relax and sip on a delicious lemonade while taking in the beautiful scenery 

  • Petrin Tower: At the top of the hill you can go up for views of the city

• River Cruise: Probably the most touristy thing you can do in Prague. Overpriced and nothing that you can't see from the land. But, it's still always nice to be on a boat and see things!​

Eggenberg Brewery

Cesky Krumlov Tips: 

• Cesky Krumlov is pretty touristy, but it's a cool spot to explore. It's essentially adorable + old!

• Do it as a day trip from Prague or spend a night!

Adventures & Ales Top Cesky Krumlov Recommendations: 

• Eggenberg Brewery: Pictured below, need I say more? 

• Honestly just wander the streets. It's a beautiful town with historical, winding streets

The Classic Tourist Spots Actually Worth Visiting in Cesky Krumlov:

• Cesky Krumlov Castle: Fantastic views of town + mini astronomical clock!

• Check out the churches, there are a ton and they're all old and gorgeous 

• Wander the market in the main square for lots of art, clothing, and more

Other Things to do in Cesky Krumlov:

• ​Plague Monument: Pretty basic, most European cities have one

• Sip something on the river :) 

Brno Tips: 

• Brno is quite small and incredibly walkable

• There are very few/essentially NO tourists!! [Cue the salsa dancing lady emoji]

• People pee in public. A lot. It's shocking. You've been warned. 

• It's totally acceptable to take lots of pictures, even inappropriate ones, of the statue. The locals make fun of it constantly too. It's nickname is the cock clock...

Adventures & Ales Top Brno Recommendations: 

• Starobrno Brewery: Brno's main brewery, yummy beers, awesome patio

• Brno Lake: You can take the train to the Lake and then walk around it, there is a bar, about a mile after the Carnival/Circus near the train stop. Very beautiful and relaxing. 

The Classic Tourist Spots Actually Worth Visiting in Brno:

• The Main Square: Home to the cock clock and the main hub of the city

• The Town Hall and Cabbage Market Square: there was a beer festival AND a wine festival housed here when I was in town!

Other Things to do in Brno:​

• Breakfast at Kafec: Near the universities, quite tasty

• The 10-Z Bunker: Honestly I found this to be incredibly creepy. This bunker was built to protect officials during the Cold War. You can walk through it and there are some very informative videos

• Spilberk Castle + Church: The Church is gorgeous, the castle is average 

• Check out the pink tank

• Zemecky Pivovar: Near the Town Hall and Cabbage Market Square, restaurant and brewery with classic Czech food and good beers

Munich, Germany

The land of Oktoberfest and the heart of Bavaria 

Munich Tips: 

• Drink all the beer. Duh. 

• Munich is super diverse, far more than most European cities. Take it in, talk to the locals, get to know different cultures. 

Adventures & Ales Top Munich Recommendations: 

• Head to the English Gardens to see people surfing the river, locals soaking in the sun in the summer (some naked, heads up!), and the beer garden in the center

• Augustiner Keller: Hugeeee beer garden, really delicious beer, and an isolated atmosphere away from the crowds and heat of summer. Probably my favorite! 

• Go to Dachau. The concentration camp is jarring but it's a must. It's an easy train and bus ride combo from Munich, plan to spend at least half a day. 

• Lowenbrau Brewery: Another great brewery, slightly off the beaten path which is a nice reprieve 

• Spend a day at Lake Starnberg. A quick train ride takes you to the lake, then jump on the boat where you can get on and off at the different little lakeside villages. My favorite was Seeshaupt, don't miss the tiny little beer garden on the lake! 

Marienplatz

The Classic Tourist Spots in Munich Actually Worth Visiting: 

• Hofbrauhaus Brewery: Touristy but a must! 

• Marienplatz: The main square of the city, home to the gorgeous New Town Hall, Old Town Hall, and the Column of St. Mary

• Karlspatz: The old city gate and fountain are a nice place to sit in the evenings and relax. Pro Tip: the gelato place to left of the gate has delicious gelato that makes your time sitting by the fountain fantastic 

• Schlobpark Nymphenburg Palace and Gardens: Classic European Palace!

Dachau

Other Munich Things To Do:​

• Stroll along the river, but beware of the naked sunbathers! 

• Explore the Glockenbachviertel Neighborhood. A more local area, home to lots of restaurants and a cozier vibe

• Vitalmarkt: A pretty large market filled with all kinds of food!

• The Beer and Oktoberfest Museum: Don't get your hopes up, this is super cheesy and ridiculous, BUT I still recommend it. I learned a lot about Oktoberfest and the beer culture in Bavaria. It is extremely small so don't plan on it taking too long. No worries, that means more time for drinking the beer instead of learning about it!

• Paulaner Brewery: One of the Munich locations for Paulaner is right around the corner from the Beer and Oktoberfest Museum. There are several throughout the city so take a seat and drink up

• Der Pschorta Brewery: Right off the Vitalkmarkt, another traditional German beer garden

Berlin, Germany

You know that emoji with the heart eyes? That's how I feel about Berlin. GO.​

Berlin Tips: 

• The city is quite large so be prepared for lots of trips on the various Bahns

• Berlin is very upfront with it's negative history, so be prepared to see memorials and museums telling it exactly how it was everywhere you turn

• My best advice is go see history, go to a beer garden, go see history, go to a beer garden. Repeat until bedtime. 

• This is weird but don't go to a neighborhood called Wedding. I had heard it was up and coming and trendy. It is not. 100% not worth your time. 

Adventures & Ales Top Berlin Recommendations: 

• Cafe Neur See Beer Garden in the Tiergarten Park: Wander through the Tiergarten then find yourself at a beer garden on the water in the middle of nature

• The East Side Gallery: Check out the Berlin Wall and the art that is has become

• Jockel Beer Garden: One of the best beer gardens in the city! Cash only.

  • Walk along the river after! There are lots of locals just hanging out enjoying the evening, creating a very cool atmosphere​

• Jewish History Museum: ​An incredibly interesting museum spanning multiple centuries

• Brunch at Allan's Breakfast and Wine Club: So. Delicious. 

• Prater Beer Garden: Classic beer garden

• Schleusenkrug Beer Garden: A community oriented and family friendly beer garden!

The Classic Tourist Spots in Berlin Actually Worth Visiting: 

• Topography of Terror: A really well done memorial with pieces of the Berlin Wall and stories of survivors and victims

• New Europe Walking Tour: I did a free walking tour here and it was quite informative. We started at the Bradenberg Gate and stopped at places such as the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, the site of Hitler's bunker, and more. There is no cost to join but they only operate on tips, so be sure to bring some cash to pay for your experience!

• Reichstag Building: Take a tour of the Dom. The security is very intense so be sure to bring your passport. The audio guide is really awesome as you walk up and back down the curving dome giving you history specific to the building but also on Berlin in totality 

Part of the Berlin Wall

Other Berlin things to do:​

• Mauerpark on a Sunday: Absolutely one of the wildest things I've seen. The park was packed to the brim, there is karaoke happening between hundreds of people (pictured below), and pop up artist shops with awesome pieces

• Checkpoint Charlie: The tourist haven. See the point where East and West Berlin were divided then roll out before you get taken over by the herds of Americans snapping selfies

• Museum Island: Hang out in the lustgarten, gaze at the Berlin Cathedral, and venture into the museums if they spark your interest! They have free museum nights so be sure to look into that before paying for admission

• Hackescher Market: A market with restaurants and vendors, pretty touristy but still decent. 

  • Weinhenstephan Beer Garden is located here and had good beer!​

• Palace of Tears: ​Where families were split during the Cold War 

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Amsterdam is an adorable city exactly how you are currently picturing it: canals, tulips, bikes, and all things promiscuous (don't fret, it's still family friendly and extremely safe). 

Amsterdam Tips: 

• You can walk everywhere which is really nice to save on transportation costs!

  • You could also rent a bike to be like super iconic Amsterdam, but see below--biking is very intense ​

• BEWARE OF THE BIKES! There are 3 bikes for every one resident of the city. They do not mess around. Look 6 times before crossing the street to avoid being run down. Also, please stop looking at your phone while trying to cross the street. If you haven't learned that yet in life, you will when you end up eating pavement in Amsterdam. 

• The weather is actually crazy. I grew up in Michigan where one day it's 32 and snowing and the next it's 65 and sunny, but this Amsterdam stuff was whack. Dress in layers, bring a rain coat, and be prepared for anything to occur within one singular hour. 

• Bring yo cash money. Amsterdam is surprisingly expensive. 

• Coffeeshops = weed shops. Totally casual and legal, but just a heads up there is not a latte in there

• If you want to go crazy and do all things that are illegal most places but legal in Amsterdam, you can. And you can do so very safely. There is very little crime and a very high level of acceptance in the country. 

• If you DON'T want to go crazy and do all the illegal things, you should still definitely go to Amsterdam. It is far more than just the Red Light District.   

Adventures & Ales Top Amsterdam Recommendations: 

• The Jordaan Neighborhood: trendy neighborhood with tons of delicious restaurants and bars 

• De Pijp Neighborhood: another cute neighborhood to wander around, it was quite packed around happy hour time!

  • Brouwery Troost​ is located in this neighborhood and has delicious beers! You can sit outside overlooking the square 

• Bagels and Beans: ​I don't know about you, but I LOVE bagels. Europeans do not love bagels. But, don't fret, Bagels and Beans has delicious bagels and coffee to satisfy your cravings.

• Museum of Dutch Resistance: a fantastic museum detailing the role of the Netherlands in the Holocaust

• Brouwerij't IJ at the Ooj Windmill: 1) brewery 2) Dutch windmill. Hello, winning! 

• Day trip to the Northern Sea! Zandvoort aan see is a quick train ride from Amsterdam. It's a classic beach town. You can hang out at the sea if the weather is nice, or just dip your toes and hop back on the train! 

  • I combined this with a day trip to Haarlem very easily!

• Day trip to Haarlem: a small town outside of Amsterdam that is a perfect escape from the tourists of the big city. 

  • Brewery Jopen: inside an old church, highly recommend ​

Top Touristy Spots in Amsterdam Actually Worth Visiting: 

• The New Europe Walking Tour was informative and worthwhile! They operate on tips only

• Red Light District: you've gotta at least see it during the day time! 

• Dam Square: the city’s classic main square

Other Things to do in Amsterdam:​

• The Cheese Museum: calling this a museum is extremely generous. It is free cheese samples and a silly "exhibit" downstairs. But as I said, FREE CHEESE SAMPLES!

• Anne Frank House: extremely historical. extremely touristy. The line can be multiple hours. You can buy tickets ahead of time online to shorten the wait but still expect to wait at least an hour outside 

• Heineken Experience: very touristy, but very informative. I don't actually like Heineken but I still enjoyed this. You essentially get the history of the company and get some beers to go with it. The rooftop bar at the end is cool to overlook the city

• Canal Tour: classic thing to do. If I had better weather it might be under a top recommendation, but I had a less than enjoyable time in the rain, cold, and wind on a boat. Keep in mind this was June when I was there, so again, prepare for anything. 

• Vondelpark: beautiful, large park filled with locals. I spent two evenings drinking wine next to the pond. Beware! The ducks are very used to people and get extremely close to you

Belgium

Belgium is a small country sometimes overlooked when planning a European adventure, but if you are a beer lover you absolutely cannot miss it!

I recommend staying in Brussels and taking day trips to Ghent and Bruges. Eat a Belgian waffle with chocolate. Or 8. We're not here to judge. 

Brussels:

The capital city of Belgium, Brussels is surprisingly tiny. You can walk the entire city center in probably 30 minutes. The gold shrine buildings make your adventures very pleasing to the eye. The city is very difficult to navigate with curving streets that go every which way, so be warned! I walked in approximately 15 circles. 

Adventures & Ales Top Brussels Recommendations: 

• Cantillon Brewery Tour: historic brewery making traditional lambic beers. A tour comes with tastings and a semi-guided tour of the facilities. 

• Moeder Lambic Brewery: just outside the main center of the city, Moeder has a huge patio, delicious food and incredible beer. 

• Palace Square: incredibly beautiful and the center of the city, this square is filled with gold encrusted buildings and historic architecture. 

• Delirium Campus: so. many. beers. The Delirium Campus is famous for it's vast array of beers from across the world. It is 8 beer bars all in one area where you can get a sample or the largest beer I've ever seen.

Other Things to do in Brussels:​

• Beer Museum: conveniently located right inside the Palace Square, the Beer Museum is popular with tourists. You can check out the "museum" which is really just a video and a couple posters and the drink a beer. 

• Mannekin Pis: the famous statue of the little boy peeing. He gets his costume changed frequently. Very strange little thing to be so famous.

Mannekin Pis

Ghent:

A cute little Gothic-style town outside of Brussels filled with cafes and historic buildings.

Adventures & Ales Top Ghent Recommendations: 

• Graffiti Street: exactly as it sounds--a street covered in graffiti. Very cool looking

• Meander the streets: the Gothic architecture and canal make for a beautiful city to just wander around by foot

• Check out the castle, the churches, and the Town Hall

Ghent’s Graffiti Street

Bruges:

Also a cute small town outside of Brussels, Bruges is definitely the more common destination for tourists. Overall it was too touristy for me, but still cute and they have some good beer! 

Adventures & Ales Top Bruges Recommendations: 

• De Halve Maan Brewery: solid beer, cool courtyard

• Bourgogne de Flandres Brewery: right on the canal, solid beers here as well (better than De Halve Maan in my opinion)

• Minnewater lake and park: a beautiful area to soak in some nature after a couple beers!

Other Things to do in Bruges:​

• Belfry Tower: the icon of Bruges, you gotta see it if you are in Bruges!

• The Markt: the center of the city, not actually a market as the title would seem. Belfry Tower is on one edge of the square

• Wall of Beers: literally a wall of beers. Near Bourgogne de Flandres so it is a quick stop if you visit the brewery.

Dublin, Ireland

All the stereotypes you have heard about Dublin? Accurate. Pubs galore. Whiskey galore. Irish accents galore. You don't need anything more to enjoy this fantastic city!

Dublin Tips: 

• One of the things I like most about Dublin is that it feels like a "lived in" city. There are people hustling to work every morning while you're off for a day of sightseeing, and personally I think that makes a city so much better. This does mean be aware of trying to go places during rush hour!

• Bring your raincoat/umbrella everywhere you go, you never know what the Irish weather will bring.

Adventures & Ales Top Dublin Recommendations: 

• Guinness Storehouse Brewery: Obviously a must! It's a pretty cool experience overall. You get to learn to pour a Guinness, check out the historical Guinness advertisements, and more!

• Grogan's Pub: Grab a beer and a toasty in this traditional Irish bar

• Library Bar: This secret little bar is super cute and very Sherlock Holmes

• JW Sweetman Brewery: Right on the river, this brewery has solid brews and a full food menu

• Mulligan's Pub: Another traditional Irish pub, definitely worth checking out!

Touristy Spots in Dublin Actually Worth Visiting: 

• Trinity College: Tour the college, gape at the library, and catch a glimpse of the Book of Kells

• O'Donoghue's Bar: Beer and a toasty, but with quite a few tourists

• Ha'Penny Bridge:Just a super cute old bridge!

• Christ Church: Simply stunning

• St. Patrick's Cathedral: THE St. Patrick y'all. Check it out! Lounge on the greens as well

Other Things to do in Dublin:​

• St. Stephen's Green: A cute park with lots of space to hang out in and enjoy a nice day

• Porterhouse Brewing: A large selection of beers

• Breakfast at Fumbally: Adorable little cafe with delicious food and coffee

Skip: ​

• Dublin Castle: When you hear Dublin Castle you picture something stupendous. Dublin Castle is not in fact anywhere near stupendous. 

• Temple Bar: Wow that's a lot of tourists. And extremely expensive drinks. Wander in, listen to the music, but don't stay for long

Cliffs of Moher

Day Trips from Dublin: ​

• Cliffs of Moher: A must. Absolutely AMAZING.  

  • I took the Paddywagon tour because it was the easiest way to deal with transportation for me. We went to Kinvara to see the Dunguaire Castle, then to the Baby Cliffs of Moher, stopped at a brewery—Fitzpatrick's—for lunch, then onto the Cliffs of Moher, and lastly Bunratty Castle​. It was a great experience!

• Howth: A cute little town just north of Dublin. A must if you are a seafood fan!

London, England

London is one of my FAVORITE cities I've been to. I would highly recommend it. London is absolutely huge so make sure you plan enough time! I would recommend at least 4 days. 

London Tips: 

[strangely both related to safety for this city] 

• Look both ways! That may seem obvious now but when you are just walking down the street your natural habits kick in and you forget you're in a country that drives on the opposite side of the road from most countries. I almost got hit by a car twice while meandering through London because I didn't look in the proper direction when walking--especially look out for the double-decker buses! 

• Mind the gap: you'll hear it 7,000 times on the underground, but there actually is a sizable gap sometimes when entering/exiting the train so be careful​

Adventures & Ales Top London Recommendations: 

• Camden Market: a hugeeee market filled with food, shops, antiques, all the things. Great spot for lunch, right on the river.

• High Tea: this is a classic afternoon to-do in England and I can't recommend it enough. Awesome experience and incredibly delicious. It can get very pricey though so be sure to pick a place that is in your budget--there are hundreds to choose from.

• Euston Tap: a beer bar right outside the underground station. Tons of options from all over the world with a small inside area and outside seating as well. 

• Craft Beer Co.: hopping beer bar popular with the after-work locals. Lots of options, good prices

Westminster Abbey

Top Touristy Spots in London Actually Worth Visiting: 

• Tower Bridge: wander along the bridge checking out the view

  • Be sure to snag the view of Tower Bridge from the London Bridge (the London Bridge is actually super unimpressive, but it provides a nice look of Tower Bridge)​

• Borough Market: a great place to get lunch! Warning: it will be crowded. Persevere and wander the stands, it is worth it! ​

• Big Ben & Westminster Bridge: walk along the bridge between the London Eye and Big Ben for great photo opportunities of both

• Westminster Abbey: a gorgeous church that is a must see!

King's Cross Station

Harry Potter London Tips:

• GO TO THE WARNER BROTHER'S STUDIO TOUR!!! All caps + 3 exclamation points = I cannot recommend this enough. It was one of the best days of my life and I quite literally cried at the end.

• King's Cross: Platform 9 3/4: I was there in the evening and waited approximately 15 minutes to get to the front of the line, but the folks working said they've seen the line take over an hour, so be prepared. Get your picture pushing your trolley into the wall! 

• Millennium Bridge: the bridge getting destroyed during the opening from the Half Blood Prince

• Tour For Muggles: Harry Potter Walking Tour. I had extremely high expectations and it didn't quite measure up, but it was still very cool. The Ministry of Magic, Millennium Bridge, and inspiration for Knockturn and Diagon Alleys are just a few of the stops along the way. 

Other Things to do in London:​

• Granary Square: go sit by the river and hang out with the locals. There are food trucks nearby usually as well!

  • You can walk along the river from Granary Square to Camden Market! 

• Shakespeare's Globe: either see a play or just check it out! You can't go inside without tickets but it is still cool to see. It is located right between the London Bridge and Millennium Bridge.

• Picadilly Circus: London's version of NYC's Times Square. Lots of restaurants and shops, very busy area. If you're on a budget avoid eating in this area.

• The British Museum: Free, but mediocre in my opinion. Extremely large and covering a vast expanse of time. You can see the Rosetta Stone here! 

• The Grapes: Classic English pub owned by Gandolf from the Lord of the Rings. Very local and cozy.

• The Shoreditch Neighborhood: artsy, 'hipster' area with art on the walls, coffee shops, and all things trendy.

• The London Eye: London’s giant Ferris wheel that is definitely worth seeing, but quite pricey if you actually want to jump on for a ride.

• St. James Park: near Parliament Square, a very large park to enjoy a picnic in.

• Buckingham Palace: the changing of the guards and the changing of the horse guards are both incredibly popular, be prepared to get there very early to get a spot that you can actually see from!

Boone, NC

Boone is a cute little mountain town in northwest north carolina!

Boone Tips: 

• You can definitely see this small town in a weekend! Fall is absolutely the best time to visit so you can leaf peep your heart out, but it is also the most crowded time to visit so keep that in mind!

• Boone is also home to Appalachian State University so just be aware of things like Homecoming and football games that can lead to traffic.

Lost Province Brewing

Adventures & Ales Top Boone Recommendations: ​

• Stay at Glamping Unplugged: I have stayed here twice and absolutely loved it! They have secluded domes on a peaceful river just 20 minutes from Boone!

• Lost Province Brewing: A great brewery right downtown with delicious food options! I love their pizza and that they have a dog-friendly enclosed patio space. They have a rooftop seating area as well with a fun atmosphere.

  • Their second taproom, Lost Province Hardin Creek, is home to their production facility and a small taproom. Coyote Kitchen is also owned by Lost Province with their beers on tap and Southwest Caribbean Soul Food.

• Stick Boy Kitchen: The best spot for breakfast in town! Get there early or order ahead online to avoid a wait.

• Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway: This gorgeous drive has numerous viewpoints, picnic areas, and trails to explore.

  • Rough Ridge via Tanawaha Trail: 5.5 miles long with 839ft of elevation and takes just under 3 hours. The Linn Cove Viaduct and Rough Ridge are both gorgeous but they are at the start and end of the trail, the rest of the time you’re just in the forest with no views.

  • Flat Top Mountain Trail: 5 miles with 593ft of elevation gain and takes just under 2 hours. It is only 13 minutes from downtown Boone. This trail is rated moderate but not bad at all, just a moderate incline the whole way up to a fire tower.

  • Bass Lake: There is a 1 mile flat loop trail around the lake or you can just stop for a good spot for a picnic or beer.

  • Skip: Green Knob Loop Trail which is 2 miles long with 528ft of elevation gain and takes just under an hour. There are no views aside from the pond at the trailhead (AllTrails address is incorrect, it is the next pull-off west of AllTrails). It is buggy and boring.

• Hike at Elk Knob State Park: I did the Summit Trail that was a little over 4 miles—2 of which are straight up and 2 of which are straight down. There were great views throughout the trail and at both viewpoints. The trailhead is about 25 minutes north of Boone.

• Booneshine Brewing: A solid brewery right on the edge of town with a full food menu and beer garden.

Glamping Unplugged

Other Boone Things to Do:​​

• Appalachian Mountain Brewery: Another brewery option located near ASU’s campus with a large tap list.

• Local Lion: A cute coffee shop with baked goods selection as well!

• Visit Blowing Rock! This is another cute mountain town just a few minutes from Boone. The picturesque downtown is full of restaurants and shops. Parking here can be awful as a forewarning.

  • Blowing Rock Brewing Company: A cute brewery in downtown Blowing Rock with a full food menu and outdoor seating. If the main taproom has a wait they have a back window for beer and snacks too.

  • Hike the Boone Fork Trail! This trail is less than 10 minutes from downtown Blowing Rock and right off the Blue Ridge Parkway. It ended up being about 6.5 miles and there were a couple of ladders and steep stairs to keep in mind for dogs/kids.

Want to explore more of the area? Here is my guide to a weekend along the Blue Ridge Parkway! It includes nearby Banner Elk and other great stops!

Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill, NC

Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill make up the Research Triangle in Eastern North Carolina, but don't fret, it's more than nerds doing computer science! There is a fantastic beer scene here as well

​Triangle Tips: 

• This area is pretty large, so be sure to plan ahead for your adventures.

• Chapel Hill is all centered around UNC’s campus, so keep in mind the college vibe and throngs of students as you plan.

• If you only have time to visit one of the cities definitely go for Raleigh, but each area has it’s own vibe so I’d recommend visiting all 3 if you have the time!

Adventures & Ales Top Recommendations in Raleigh:

• Burial Brewing: Burial is based in Asheville, NC and opened their second taproom in downtown Raleigh at Transfer Co. Food Hall. Burial has incredibly phenomenal beers, not visiting their taproom and bottle shop would be a mistake!

• Funguys Brewing: Some of the best Sours in the state! They’ve got a small little industrial taproom but their Fruited Sours and Juicy IPAs are worth the trip!

• Trophy Brewing and Pizza: Delicious pizza and a sweet brewery, what more do you need? 

• A Place at the Table: A great spot for breakfast sandwiches and you can support others through their pay-what-you-can model. Extremely delicious + doing good!

• The Morning Times: A super cute newspaper themed coffee shop that is the perfect way to start your morning. However, the bagels here are not great FYI.

  • If you’re looking for bagels in particular I would definitely recommend Benchwarmer’s Bagels located at Transfer Co. Food Hall. Be aware that it can be packed on weekends though!

• State of Beer: Owned by Trophy Brewing, this is a nice beer bar with a solid tap list and a large outside patio.

• Crank Arm Brewing Company: A bike themed brewery with lots of board games, a small patio up front, and quite a large beer list to choose from. I’d recommend a flight to try as many beers as you can!

• North Carolina Museum of History: I had low expectations for this museum but was pleasantly surprised. Extremely good exhibits on the Civil Rights Movement in particular. Free to enter!

• Boulted Bread: Delicious breads and pastries in a cute little bakery!

• Heyday Brewing: A new brewery in Northeast Raleigh with Louisiana vibes. They’ve got impressive beers, a great outdoor space, and yummy food.

• Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing: A great spot for brews, food, and a view! Their patio overlooks downtown and their food is absolutely delicious.

• Altered State Brewing: A new brewery in central Raleigh. Don’t be scared off by their tiny taproom they have outdoor seating as well and the beers are worth it!

• Stay at The Origin! This boutique hotel is conveniently located right downtown and is super cute. The staff goes above and beyond to ensure you are happy, they are super dog friendly, and they have a great onsite bar and restaurant Good Day Good Night that I would highly recommend!

• North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences: Dinosaurs and hands on activities galore. Perfect for kids. Free if you just want to pop in and wander for a bit!

Fullsteam Brewing

Adventures & Ales Top Recommendations in Durham:

• Fullsteam Brewing: Fullsteam has incredibly delicious food and a large variety of beers to choose from. They’ve got a large taproom and some outdoor space as well. I’d definitely recommend one of their North Carolina-shaped flight boards to try a few of their brews.

• Ponysaurus Brewing: Ponysaurus has a massive outdoor beer garden definitely worth checking out!

• Barrel Culture: Barrel Culture’s original taproom is in Southeast Durham. They specialize in Sours and Wild Ales and have a small patio as well.

• Hi-Wire Brewing: Hi-Wire is based in Asheville, NC and has a wide variety of beers to choose from. Their Stouts are my personal favorite style that they make!

Adventures & Ales Top Recommendations—Chapel Hill:

• Steel String Brewery: Yummy beers, a cute outdoor patio, and super friendly beer-tenders

• Stay at: The Carolina Inn—it was amazing. It was like traveling back in time to the 1920's. Highly recommend!

• Carolina Brewery: The traditional UNC brewery and restaurant, pop in for a UNC themed beer like the Sky Blue Golden Ale

• Top of the Hill Restaurant and Brewery: Plan ahead if you are thinking of checking out Top of the Hill, it is definitely the most popular spot in town so be sure to go during off-peak hours or make a reservation if you'll be visiting while school is in session

Breakfast Sandwich from A Place at the Table

Other Things to do in Raleigh:

• Raleigh Brewing Company: Your standard brewery with average beers. That have a lot of special events here though so be sure to check out their calendar!

• Clouds Brewing: They have several locations in the Triangle area, but I wasn’t super impressed with their beer or their food unfortunately.

• Lonerider Brewing: Average beer in a cowboy-themed space. The Shotgun Betty is solid.

• Gizmo Brew Works: Located right near the Northwest border of Raleigh and Durham, Gizmo did not live up to the hype. I found their beers to be mediocre at best, but their patio is nice, though it is in the parking lot.

• Humble Pie: A popular restaurant with a large patio in downtown Raleigh, but I found their food to be below average and the service to be mediocre at best.

Other Things to do in Durham:

• Durty Bull Brewing: They’ve got a large patio space and are in walking distance from Fullsteam!

The Outer Banks, NC

The Outer Banks of North Carolina are a series of barrier islands known for their beaches and wild horses

OBX Tips: 

• Try to stay near the middle of the island chain so that you can venture both north and south without having to drive forever.

• Don’t plan to leave on a Saturday morning or do much driving—most rentals are Saturday to Saturday so there is a mass exodus causing a lot of traffic and delays.

• If you’re traveling with a dog be sure to check individual beach regulations beforehand—each area has different rules during each season, but generally OBX is quite dog friendly.

Adventures & Ales Top outer banks Recommendations:

• Eventide: I am obsessed with this spot. They have cheese boards, sandwiches and salads alongside beer and wine. The water views are fantastic, especially for sunset. Located in Duck—don’t skip this one!

• Swells’a Brewing: A great brewery in Kill Devil Hills. Their Hazy IPAs are what they do best and they also serve wine, cider, hard kombucha and frozen slushies. It is a cute spot with an upper deck, outside yard space, and upper and lower seating inside.

• Duck Donuts: The original location for this fantastic donut chain is in Duck and worth visiting. They have tasty, customizable donuts served hot and fresh. This is a popular spot so go early or be prepared to wait.

• Barrier Island Bagels: Solid bagels in Kitty Hawk. They have dine in seated service or take-out. They offer bar drinks but no espresso. You can also order online.

• Art’s Place: A delicious restaurant and bar serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They have a cute spot and great back patio. They are best known for their burgers, which are absolutely delicious. The Sway Bar up top has ocean views. Located in Kitty Hawk.

Bodie Island Lighthouse

top Touristy Spots in obx Actually Worth Visiting:

• Explore Cape Hatteras National Seashore: The drive itself isn’t super scenic since the water is blocked by sand dunes, but this 67 mile long stretch is full of beaches surrounded by small towns. It is more quaint in this section of the Outer Banks than the central area. You can drive on certain sections of the seashore as well with 4 Wheel Drive and a permit.

  • Be sure to check out Bodie Island Lighthouse and Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, both of which you can climb up for a view.

  • The seashore allows dogs and alcoholic beverages, unlike some other beaches in the area.

  • Be forewarned that there are some crazy flies that tend to be wherever the wind is not blowing and they bite, hard.

  • Haulover on the sound side is a popular spot for paragliding and calm waters—there are also bathrooms and showers here unlike most of the seashore.

• See the wild horses on Corolla Beach: You’ll either need to sign up for a tour (numerous companies) or have a car with 4 Wheel Drive and get a permit to drive on the beach. Some folks say you can see them walking, that is not reliably accurate.

• Explore Manteo Island: This is a quaint little island to hop around with shops and restaurants. It was home to the first English-speaking colonists in America and there are historical markers throughout the island.

Barrier Island Bagels

Other things to do in the outer banks:

• Outer Banks Brewing Station: The first wind-powered brewery in the US! The beers here are average and they have a full food menu. Their backyard space is nice with frequent live music, a playground, and ample seating.

• Jeanette’s Pier: A popular spot for fishing. It costs $2 to walk out on the pier and $14 to fish. The beach around the pier is great for surfing and beach hanging.

• Hurricane Mo’s Beachside Bar & Grill: A solid spot for dinner or drinks. They have an upstairs bar that is dog friendly and has frequent live music. The food is tasty and the drinks are cheap. Heads up it is pretty loud both inside and outside here, so don’t plan on an intimate dinner.

Wilmington, NC

Wilmington is a fun beach town on the coast of North Carolina!

Wilmington Tips: 

• Wilmington has several distinct areas to explore so be sure to get out of downtown! The Cargo District, Wrightsville Beach, and Carolina Beach are all great to adventure around in. They are pretty close together, but plan ahead so you’re not going back and forth a bunch!

• Wilmington is super dog-friendly so bring your four-legged friends along!

• Expect very chill, beach vibes throughout the area. It’s also a college town so things are very laid back.

• Be conscious of fly season—the summer months mean the flies are everywhere making dining outdoors less than enjoyable.

• Expect to pay for parking nearly everywhere you go unfortunately.

Adventures & Ales Top Wilmington Recommendations: ​

• The Half: A stellar spot for sandwiches and craft beer. The cute little building has wildly good beers available on tap and in cans to pair with delicious sandwiches. The staff is all super friendly as well. Truly a delight!

• Fermental Beer and Wine: A nice beer and wine war with a back patio in a unique building. They have 12 taps and a nice selection of packaged beers.

• Drift Coffee & Kitchen: A great spot for breakfast, lunch, coffee, and smoothies. Delicious breakfast sandwiches and lattes and friendly staff. They have a few locations in the area.

• Wilmington Brewing Company: Another really fun brewery with a large taproom, outdoor seating, frequent food trucks, and a variety of beers to choose from.

• Cheese Smith: A restaurant with killer grilled cheese! They’ve also got other sandwiches and a few beers. Located a 3 minute walk from Fermental in the Cargo District.

• Savorez: A great spot for Latin American style food. Don’t skip their delicious margaritas!

• Stay at the Aloft! This beautiful hotel is right on the river and just a few minutes walk from downtown. The space is very nice and the location is perfect. The Aloft also has a fun rooftop bar with nice city and river views. It is open to the public and a great spot to catch sunset. Hotel Ballast is another nice hotel on the riverfront walkable to everything downtown.

• The Vine: A cute spot for charcuterie, wine, and cocktails! They’ve got a small food menu and chill vibes.

• Bespoke Coffee: A cute coffee shop in downtown Wilmington. They have pastries and also offer free refills on iced coffee!

  • Be sure to check out the iconic Second Street Mural right across the street!

• Palate Bottle Shop and Garden: A nice spot with beer, wine and spritzes with a great patio!

  • Boombalatti’s Homemade Ice Cream is right next door as well and serves up incredibly delicious ice cream!

• Beer Barrio: A fun spot for Mexican eats, craft beers and cocktails. 

• Outer Dunes Brewing Company: A solid brewery between Topsail and Wrightsville. They have a nice outdoor seating area to enjoy your brew in.

• Waterman’s Brewing Company: A restaurant-style brewery near Wrightsville Beach with a large outside patio. They have a delicious food menu that includes brunch offerings and solid beers.

• Front Street Brewery: A solid brewery in the heart of downtown Wilmington. They’ve got restaurant-style vibes and they also have an extensive whiskey selection.

• Ponysaurus Brewing Company: The Wilmington location of this Durham-based brewery is located in a converted house with a nice patio. They have a pizza-focused food menu and large beer menu alongside a few cocktails.

• Sauce’d: A solid cocktail bar on the water.

• GelaRto: Delicious gelato in a cool building on the riverfront!

Carolina Beach

Top Touristy Spots in Wilmington Actually Worth Visiting: ​

• Wrightsville Beach: The closer beach to downtown Wilmington. I personally love and prefer Wrightsville beach—the water is clear, the sand is soft, and it’s overly built up.

• Carolina Beach: South of Wilmington, this beach area is much more established than Wrightsville Beach with a boardwalk and a plethora of bars and restaurants.

  • Freeman Park: A section of Carolina Beach that is dog friendly and you can drive on the beach with 4WD.

• Wander Airlie Gardens: These beautiful gardens are truly stunning and make for the perfect stroll. Admission is $9.

• North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher: A beautiful aquarium with a wide variety of species to explore. Book your tickets in advance, $12.95 for adults.

• Cape Fear Rum Cake: A touristy but tasty stop in downtown!

• Take a sunset cruise with Cape Fear Riverboats. The cruise runs up and down the river with beautiful views.

• Take a food tour with Taste Carolina: The tour visits 6 local restaurants and spans 3 hours. It includes small bites and drinks with some history and general Wilmington information along the way.

Second Street Mural

Other Things To Do in Wilmington:​​

• Flying Machine Brewing Company: A large brewery with solid beers. They have frequent events and food trucks as well. They also have a location right near Wrightsville Beach that has a full food menu and bar. This spot has more restaurant-vibes than brewery-vibes but is still a fun spot and the food is delicious.

• Oden Brewing: A new taproom for the Greensboro-based brewery in downtown Wilmington. They have large tap-list and an airy space.

• Floriana: A nice Italian with terraces outside on the riverfront.

• Mad Mole Brewing: A smaller brewery with an outside patio. They are solar powered which is an awesome feature as well!

• Wrightsville Beach Brewery: A restaurant-style brewery with good pizza and solid beers.

• The Workshop: A nice little spot for coffee and sandwiches at Wrightsville Beach.

• Hi-Wire Brewing: The Wilmington taproom of this Asheville based brewery is spacious and full of games! Great vibes and solid beers here.

• Edward Teach Brewery: A brewery with frequent live music and a nice outdoor space with lounge vibes.

• Hopyard: A bottle shop and beer bar in the heart of downtown with a solid selection of beers.

• Broomtail Brewing: Broomtail has two locations in Wilmington but both are quite different from each other. Their original taproom is a small space in an industrial strip mall. Overall they are Sour focused and their beers are solid. The Pub & Arcade location (former the Sour Barn) is full of games and has a nice outdoor seating area in the back.

• Good Hops Brewery: Bringing the beach vibes, this brewery has lots of outdoor seating and is very kid and dog friendly. They’ve also got disc golf!

• Ironclad Brewery: A brewery in downtown Wilmington with average beer. They’ve got a large space with frequent events and super nice staff members. Be sure to check their social media ahead of time to ensure they are open due to how many events they host.

• Flytrap Brewing: Solid beers (Belgian heavy), lots of outdoor seating, board games, and frequent food trucks.

• Bill’s Brewing: A restaurant-style brewery with average beers and a full food menu.

• Waterline Brewing Co.: Average beers, chill vibes.

• The Fortunate Glass: A wine bar with an extensive selection alongside a small food menu.

• Panacea Brewing Company: A kombucha focused brewery with an all vegan food menu and a few house-made beers.

• The UnderFront Company: A cocktail bar that caters to the college student vibe. They have live music on the weekends and a back patio.

• Beach Bagels: Average bagel shop with several locations throughout the Wilmington area. The downtown location is right around the block from Bespoke so you can grab your coffee they head over for a bagel!

• Bagels on Pointe: Decent bagels but not overly impressive.

Greenville, SC

Greenville is a cute little growing city nestled in the northwest corner of South Carolina

GVL Tips: 

• I spend a lot of time in Greenville and it is a really nice city. It is kid friendly, dog friendly, pedestrian friendly and bike friendly.

• The city is pretty small, a weekend visit is the ideal amount of time!

Adventures & Ales Top Greenville Recommendations: ​

• The Eighth State Brewing: My favorite brewery in the Greenville area and arguably the best in the entire state! They have delicious beers, frequent events, lots of non-beer options, and rotating in-house food.

• The Whale: A fantastic craft beer bar with something for every palate! They have 20 taps and a huge selection of cans and bottles.

• Swamp Rabbit Café: I HIGHLY recommend visiting this cute little restaurant, the food is incredible! Located right on the Swamp Rabbit Trail if you are biking/running/walking it is a great spot to stop for lunch. I recommend you get a sandwich because the stecca bread is superb!

• The Community Tap: A fun beer bar with some killer beers on tap and wine and beer for purchase. Dog friendly!

• Sully’s Steamers: A great spot for bagels right in the heart of downtown.

• Lewis Barbeque: This renowned Charleston-based BBQ restaurant is superb. The food is delicious, bar drinks are great, and patio is lovely. Don’t miss happy hour from 4-6pm!

• Other Lands: A brewery and coffee shop with a small food menu. They have solid beers, but dirty glassware. The patio is nice + they are dog-friendly.

• Fireforge Brewing: A ton of beer options, smell menu of snacks, comfy seating options, outside space, really friendly bartenders, and it’s located right downtown!

• The Trappe Door: A restaurant and beer bar specializing in Belgian food and drink. This unique spot is in a dark basement setting in the heart of downtown Greenville. They have a great Belgian beer selection and tasty food.

The Eighth State Brewing Company

The Classic Tourist Spots in Greenville Actually Worth Visiting: ​

• Falls Park on the Reedy: A pretty park with lots of places to sit and relax or wander around. The quintessential ‘Greenville’!

• Paris Mountain State Park: About a twenty minute drive from downtown Greenville but worth it! It is a $6 entrance fee for the State Park to gain access to all of the trails. Brissy Ridge was a good hike but didn’t have as exciting of views as I’d hoped. The Lake Placid Loop is a very chill walk around the lake where you can also see the dam. Sulphur Springs was nice but a little boring.

• The Commons: A ton of small local businesses under one roof! The food hall has The Community Tap (above), Methodical Coffee, SC Bake Room, Automatic Taco, Golden Brown and Delicious and more. Located on the Swamp Rabbit Trail too!

• Gather: Another food hall concept made out of old containers and fully outside. Pasta Addict is my favorite! Greenville Beer Exchange also has a space here.

• Swamp Rabbit Trail: A 22 mile trail running through Greenville along the Reedy River and through city parks. This trail connects GVL and Traveler’s Rest!

• Stay at the Hampton Inn downtown: This is actually a super nice hotel in a fantastic location at reasonable rates. Pro-tip you don’t have to valet or park in a garage, there is free street parking all around.

Swamp Rabbit Café

Other Things to do in Greenville:​​

• Liability Brewing: Tasty beers and lively atmosphere, especially when the weather is warm and the garage-style doors are open.

• Greenville Beer Exchange: A bottle shop and taproom with a wide selection of beers.

• Traveler’s Rest: A cute little town north of Greenville! An easy detour to explore.

  • Swamp Rabbit Brewing: Solid beers and small town vibes located in Traveler’s Rest

• Tetrad Brewing: An average brewery with chill vibes.

• Smoke on the Water: A nice spot for BBQ in the heart of downtown. The food here is delicious and they also have a nice outside area.

• Biscuit Head: A delicious breakfast spot out of Asheville. All things biscuit!

• Southernside Brewing Company: A solid brewery with a large outdoor space, full food menu and tasty beers. They are located across the river from The Commons.

• Grateful Brew: A cute 60’s vibes coffee shop and beer bar that is dog friendly.

• Fork and Plough: A farm to table restaurant with solid eats. They also are a market and butchery.

• Double Stamp Brewery: A solid brewery with a rooftop patio.

  • Home Team BBQ, the popular Charleston-based BBQ spot, is located right next door as well.

• Yee-Haw Brewing: The Greenville outpost of the Johnson City brewery. Half of the beers on tap are brewed in GVL, half in Johnson City. A cute outdoor space, while the inside has more restaurant-style vibes.

• Shoeless Brewing: A brewery in the homebrew supply store Grapes and Grains on the east side of the city. The beers here are solid and it is a popular local hangout.

• 13 Stripes Brewing: Located Northeast of the city inside the old Taylor’s Mill, giving the brewery warehouse-y vibes. They have a large selection of beers, but no flights as a heads up.

• Brewery 85: A fun brewery with many German-style beers that come in fun mason jar pint glasses. Frequent events and food trucks!

• Tipsy Taco: A Tex-Mex restaurant with several locations in the area.

Paris Mountain State Park

Skip:

• Think Tank Brew Lab: A mediocre brewery near the downtown airport. They have large taproom and large outdoor space with a small food menu.

• Iron Hill Brewing: A chain brewery with a large menu of average beers.

• Spill The Beans: This is a coffee shop in downtown Greenville with bad coffee and worse service.

• Quest Brewing: A small little tap room with below average beers.

• Pangaea Brewing: A mediocre brewery in The Commons with a small food menu and average beers.

Asheville, NC

Asheville has repeatedly been ranked Beer City USA and is a cute little beer-centric town in the middle of the mountains.

AVL Tips: 

• Wear layers! The weather here fluctuates quite a bit with the elevation so be prepared to be hot one minute and chilly the next.

• The downtown area can get quickly overwhelmed with tourists and bachelor/bachelorette parties. Be sure to get out of ‘South Slope’ and see more of the city, you won’t regret it.

• Hiking isn’t as close as you would initially expect, you’ll need to drive a bit to hit the trails even though the city is nestled in the mountains

  • Check out my 2 day Asheville itinerary here!

• Asheville is unique in that there are ~30 breweries, but there are multiple outposts of some breweries that make that number as high as it is. Burial, Hi-Wire, Wedge, Wicked Weed, Green Man, Asheville Pizza & Brewing, Thirsty Monk, One World, and Catawba each have more than one location all within five or so miles, something that is not common in other cities. I would definitely recommend checking out each location individually if you have time because each atmosphere can be very different!

  • Check out my blog on The Best Breweries in Asheville here!

• Looking for more of a small town vibe? Hendersonville is a cute area just south of Asheville.

  • Check out my Hendersonville, NC guide here!

Adventures & Ales Top Asheville Recommendations: ​

• Burial Beer: The mecca of Asheville beer! This is a MUST. Expect it to be busy as a result of how fantastic the beers are, so try to visit on a weekday if you can. They are constantly changing things up but 100% of what they make is fantastic, especially their IPAs. Their original taproom is in South Slope with patio seating and a small food menu.

  • Forestry Camp is their second venture in the city. It is in the Biltmore Village neighborhood a bit south of downtown. They’ve got a food menu, cocktails and wine, guest taps, a rooftop patio, and chill vibes.

  • Eulogy is their music venue next to the South Slope taprooms. On Saturday afternoons it is open as a beer hall. The space has Burial beers, occasional guest beers, cocktails, Visuals wine, and Good Hot Fish inside. On top of Eulogy is Visuals Wine and Cocktail Bar. This rooftop bar is home to Burial’s wine line, cocktails, a handful of their beers, and a small food menu.

• Cellarest Beer Project: A great brewery in West Asheville. They are particularly focused on Farmhouse Ales and Lagers. Cassia is their onsite food truck with incredibly delicious Asian eats.

• Dssolvr: A killer brewery with delicious beers. They are located right downtown and you can get food delivered from nearby restaurants as well.

• The Whale: An awesome craft beer bar with a variety of taps, cans and bottles. They have three locations in the Asheville area: West Asheville, South Slope, and The Outpost in Haw Creek.

  • The Masters Park to Haw Creek Valley Overlook trail is located 3 minutes from their Outpost location. It is a great way to get in a quick workout with a view before your brew. The trail is 2.3 miles long with 551ft of elevation gain and takes about an hour to complete.

• Stay at The Glamping Collective: This is an amazing property with geodomes and glass cabins located 30 minutes west of Asheville in Clyde. The domes are incredibly luxurious with kitchens, full bathrooms, hot tubs, fire tables, air conditioning & heat, and so much more. The property has three onsite trails as well, so you don’t even have to get in your car to go for a beautiful hike. The Sunset Summit Trail was my favorite—the views are incredible, even not during sunset! Plus they even have Adirondack chairs at the summit to sit and relax.

  • Another great lodging option is Asheville River Cabins: These are cozy stays on the French Broad River right off the Blue Ridge Parkway. The cabins are complete with full kitchens, grills, hot tubs, fire pits, coffee nooks, and everything you could need for your stay. They are located 15 minutes south of Asheville proper. In addition to the cabins they have A-frames and RV spots.

• Max Patch: A fantastic loop trail about just over an hour northwest from Asheville. This is an easy trail at just 1.5 miles long and 308ft of elevation gain, but the 360 degree views are absolutely incredible. I would recommend starting the loop to the left for ideal views and a slightly easier climb.

• Taco Boy is a great spot for tacos, nachos and cocktails next to The Whale in West Asheville and in Biltmore Park.

• TRVE Brewing: A metal-themed brewery coming out of Denver with solid beers.

• Antidote: This cocktail lounge is located at Chemist Spirits, a distillery in South Slope. They have a nice front patio + a rooftop. The cocktails are delicious!

Dssolvr

• Zillicoah Beer: Located right on the French Broad River, this is the perfect spot north of town to relax on a beautiful day. It’s super chill, family friendly, and dog friendly outside. They specialize in fantastic Lagers.

• Sunny Point Café: A delicious spot for brunch every day of the week! This spot is incredibly popular so expect a wait and try to avoid it on Sundays. They are also open for dinner Tuesday-Saturday. Located in West Asheville.

• Biscuit Head: A tasty spot for—you guessed it—biscuits! They have sweet or savory options as well as drinks. There are 3 locations in Asheville: downtown, West Asheville, and Biltmore Park.

• Catawba Falls: Another great spot to hike just 30 minutes from downtown. This is very family friendly and relatively flat to the falls. If you’re feeling adventurous you can climb up the falls via a rope on the right-hand side. The trail is short and sweet but still provides great views!

• Taco Billy: Delicious tacos! Highly recommend their breakfast tacos but they’ve also got beers if you go for lunch or dinner. You can order online to avoid a line as well.

• If you’re looking for a more affordable spot to stay, this Airbnb just 10 minutes from Asheville in Candler is simple but nice, especially for the price point. It’s got a hot tub overlooking the peaceful backyard, and is quite spacious. Nothing fancy but clean and sufficient!

Summit Coffee Asheville

Top Touristy Spots Actually Worth Visiting in Asheville:​

• Blue Ridge Parkway: An amazing scenic drive with viewpoints to pull over and admire from. Bring snacks, take your time, and enjoy!

• Float the river with Zen Tubing! Bring your cooler and speaker and enjoy the relaxing journey along the river.

• Sierra Nevada Mills River: This is a HUGE outpost of the California-based brewery with a private drive, full kitchen and taproom, and concert space. The outdoor space is great, with a firepit, game space, dog space, kid space, and all nestled in the forest. Do not miss the pretzels with pimento beer cheese! The staff here is also super friendly and great!

  • Located right next to the airport so it’s a perfect spot on your way in or out of town if you’re flying! Driving distance from downtown Asheville is about 20 minutes.

• Highland Brewing: Asheville’s first brewery! This is a unique spot with shipping containers inside and out, frequent live music, cool artwork, and a meadow onsite. The also have hiking trails on their property and chill vibes all around.

• North Carolina Arboretum: A lovely outdoor space with gardens, trails, educational programs and events. It is $16 to enter the parking area.

• New Belgium Brewing: Based in Fort Collins, CO., New Belgium calls Asheville its second home. They are located right on the Catawba River and have a fantastic outdoor space. You can also tour the incredibly massive brewery.

• LaZoom: Bus comedy tours that share a bit of Asheville history, comedy skits, and a stop at a local brewery. They also offer haunted tours, band tours, and kids tours.

• The S&W Market: This food hall in the historic and beautiful S&W building downtown. Flour is a solid coffeeshop inside known for their biscuits.

Sierra Nevada

Other Things to do in Asheville:

• Lookout Mountain & Rattlesnake Mountain: Most of the hiking near Asheville is a solid hour drive from the city, but these trails are just 25 minutes away in Black Mountain, NC. Lookout is crowded and there are a lot of manmade steps, but the views are good from the top. I would highly recommend going over the back end of Lookout and continuing up to Rattlesnake where there is generally no one else on the trail and the views are even better.

  • Montreat Rainbow Road, Toll Road, Lookout Mountain Trail: This trail is 4.3 miles long with 889ft of elevation gain. If you go straight up to the Lookout Rocks you’ll gain all of that elevation in about half of a mile, if you end with the rocks it’s a gradual ascent. This trail is a bit boring at times but the Lookout Rocks are great—most folks just go straight up and back down. Parking is limited so avoid this trail on weekends if possible.

• Pop up to Weaverville, 10 minutes north of town and visit Leveller Brewing Company and Zebulon Artisan Ales. Leveller has a cute patio space and stellar Farmhouse-focused beers. Zebulon has funkier styles in a tucked away taproom a block away.

• Trombatore Trail: A solid hike up to a pasture-style view of the surrounding mountains. AllTrails listed it at 4.7 miles but it is actually more like 6 as a heads up.

• The River Arts District Brewing Company: RAD has a pretty rad outdoor space and a wide variety of beers on tap.

• Crucible: A cool little divey bar in the River Arts District with a nice patio.

• Terra Nova Beer Co.: A solid brewery with two locations in the Asheville area: South Slope and Swannanoa. At their South Slope location they have Mission Pizza inside serving up ‘za, a nice patio, and a large variety of taps including 4 Czech side pulls.

• Hillman Beer Co: Lots of outdoor seating and a full food menu. They’ve also got a location in Old Fort, east of Asheville.

• Mountain Madre: A great Mexican restaurant and Agave bar in downtown AVL. Their food and drinks are delicious and their patio is very cute.

• John Rock: This trail is closer to Brevard but still not too far from Asheville. You can either do the John Rock Trail at 4.7 miles long and 1,000ft of elevation gain or the Cat Gap to John Rock Loop Trail which is 5.8 miles long with 1,300ft of elevation gain. The bald has nice views, and Cat Gap adds a small waterfall—Cedar Rock Falls.

• Vortex Donuts: A great spot to grab a donut and coffee! If you go close to closing time it’s buy one get one free donuts! Highly recommend the peanut butter chocolate.

• Hi-Wire South Slope: A small little taproom with fun vibes and good beers.

• White Labs Kitchen and Tap: A production facility, education hub, and brewery based in San Diego with a second location in Asheville. This taproom has a variety of beers on tap and each style has two beers to choose from using different yeasts which is fun! They’ve also got a full food menu with wood fired pizzas that are delicious. Service is mediocre.

• Diatribe Brewing: This is a chill spot in West Asheville where the tap list is Lager and old-school styles heavy.

• One World Brewing: Two taprooms, one in West Asheville and the original is downtown in a basement setting.

• Green Man Dirty Jack’s: The historic original Green Man location with semi-grunge vibes (hence the name).

• Asheville Pizza and Brewing: 3 locations in town, each with solid pizza and solid beer. Their South Slope location also has a cute little outdoor patio. Their location on the north side of town has a full movie theater!

• Wedge Brewing at Wedge Studios: The original Wedge outpost. They have a large outdoor space but a small indoor space. Be sure to ask for peanuts.

• Outsider Brewing Company: An average brewery in the Woodfin area

Highland Brewing

• Hi-Wire Big Top: A really chill spot compared to their South Slope location. This is where their production happens so it is pretty industrial. They’ve got a permanent food truck onsite, Foothills Meats. The 10W-40 Stout series is delicious!

  • Hungry & don’t love the food truck options? Standard Pizza is a one minute walk away and has great pizza! The slices are huge!

• Archetype Brewing: A brewery in West Asheville with average beers. They have a nice rooftop patio and Pizza Mind is located next door for some ‘za.

• Asheville Retrocade: A game bar with craft beer! They’ve got Dance Dance Revolution, Pac-Man, Skee-Ball, and so much more! If you go after 9pm it is 21+

• The Brew Pump: A craft beer bar in a gas station! No, really. They’ve got $3 specials and well…gas!

• All Sevens Brewing: Another brewery in West Asheville, they’ve got a full food menu, a pool table, and basic beers that you can get pitchers of.

• Rattlesnake Lodge Trail: This is a close to town but pretty boring hike that is 4.3 miles long with 882ft of elevation gain and takes 2 hours to complete.

• Wicked Weed Funkatorium: Wicked Weed was bought out by Anheuser-Busch so I try to avoid their beers and drink small/craft. The Funkatorium specializes in farmhouse ales and barrel aged sour beers that are small batch.

• Thirsty Monk: Overhyped Belgian brewery and seltzery where neither the beer nor the seltzer is good.

Charleston, SC

Charleston is a gorgeous southern city with the best of both worlds: a fun downtown and the beach!

CHS Tips: 

• As with anywhere in the deep south, it is HOT in the summer, so plan ahead (or visit between September-May)

• If you're planning a trip check out my bestie's amazing business to help you celebrate any occasion! Girls weekends, birthdays, engagements, whatever it may be, she will help plan your perfect experience!

Adventures & Ales Top Charleston Recommendations: 

• The Whale: A fantastic craft beer bar with great taps and a cans/bottles to choose from. It is beautifully designed and has both indoor and outdoor seating.

  • Cleats is next door with delicious eats!

• Westbrook Brewing: A large brewery a bit outside the hustle and bustle in Mt Pleasant. They have a large variety of tasty beers, specifically their Stouts!

• Edmund’s Oast Brewing Company: Edmund’s Oast has two locations in Charleston—the brewery and the restaurant Both are great spots—they have chill vibes, nice patios, a wide array of taps, and tasty eats.

• Wine & Company: Seriously the best cheese plates I've ever had in my life (& I’ve had a lot of cheese plates). They have an extensive wine selection and a can/bottle list with select beers!

• Taco Boy: A fun Mexican restaurant with three locations—one on Folly Beach, one in downtown CHS, and one in Summerville. Get the Frozen Screwdriver, you won’t regret it!

• Folly Beach: A large beach and a cute strip of bars and restaurants—a great place to spend a day!

• Jackrabbit Filly: A delicious restaurant in Park Circle serving up “Heritage Driven New Chinese American”. Definitely recommend making a reservation.

  • Grab a glass of wine across the street at Stems & Skins before dinner!

• Lewis Barbecue: A delicious spot for eats and drinks! They have a nice patio and very popular BBQ alongside superb sides and nachos.

• Odd Duck Market: Located in Park Circle, this is a cute market with tasty breakfast, lunch and coffee options! Don’t sleep on the rosemary sea salt bagel!

• Revelry Brewing: Such a fun brewery with a wide variety of beers and two locations—downtown they have a cool rooftop space and on Folly Beach they have a perfectly beachy spot with great vibes.

• Brown Dog Deli: Mouthwatering sandwiches! Pro Tip: Grab a sandwich to go and eat it on the waterfront just a few blocks away

• The rooftop bar at Stars: a fantastic place to enjoy the outdoors and relax with a cocktail. Conveniently located right on King Street

• Baker and Brewer: From Evo Pizza and Holy City Brewing, this pizzeria and brewery has phenomenal pizzas and delicious beers! They also have nice outdoor seating options.

• Bowens Island Restaurant: A fantastic spot for fresh-off-the-boat seafood with lovely views and chill vibes! Get here early to avoid the line.

• Bodega: Such a cute spot for coffee, breakfast and lunch. They have great indoor/outdoor seating and are in the heart of downtown.

Magnolia Plantation

The Classic Tourist Spots Actually Worth Visiting in Charleston: ​

• King Street: You could wander up and down King Street for hours on end popping into shops, restaurants, bars, and people watching

• Magnolia Plantation and Gardens: Gorgeous grounds and a lot of history to soak in

• College of Charleston: A beautiful campus in the heart of downtown, it is definitely worth wandering through!

• Charleston City Market: Historical site filled with several shops full of good finds

• Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens: Gorgeous grounds & a ton of history

• The Battery: The park at the end of the peninsula on the water—a perfect spot for a picnic!

• Rainbow Row: Just a quick stop, but the houses are gorgeous! 

• Firefly Distillery: An awesome Firefly spirits tasting experience alongside fun cocktails and frequent live music and events!

Wine & Company

Other Things to do in Charleston: ​​​

• Sullivan's Island: Another beautiful beach!

• Low Tide Brewing: Located on John’s Island, this brewery has a variety of beers and a great outdoor space

• Charles Towne Fermentory: A brewery specializing in IPAs. They have 3 locations across town—my favorite is The Garden with a nice outdoor space; In West Ashley they’ve got a food window and board games; On James Island they have an industrial space.

• Snafu: A warehouse-style brewery in North Charleston specializing in tasty Sours!

• Hobcaw Brewing: A solid brewery in Mount Pleasant with a wide variety of beers + indoor and outdoor seating.

• Graft: A cute wine shop and wine bar that also has a small food menu

• Home Team BBQ: A delicious BBQ restaurant with locations downtown, in West Ashley, and on Sullivan’s Island. Their famous cocktail The Frozen Game Changer is delicious!

• Leon’s Oyster Shop: A fun restaurant set in an old garage specializing in fried chicken, oysters, and unique drinks.

  • Pro-tip: You can only make a reservation if you party is larger than 6, so if there is a long-ish wait, head around the corner to Graft for a glass of wine while you wait!

• Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit: A delicious biscuit shop located both on Upper King Street and in the City Market.

• Five Loaves Café: A tasty spot for brunch, lunch and dinner. They have locations in Mt. Pleasant and Summerville!

• The rooftop bar at the Vendue Hotel: Another great rooftop, highly recommend when it is dark outside so you can admire the well lit Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge.

• Frothy Beard Brewing: Tonssss of beers on tap here. Located in the West Ashley neighborhood.

• Azul: A solid spot for Mexican eats with multiple locations around town!

• Charles Town Landing: ​The original Charleston. Lots of history, lots of beautiful outdoor space

• Brunch at Shelter: cheap carafes of mimosas and a deep fried peanut butter french toast…. need I say more?

• Freehouse Brewery: Organic brewery in a scenic setting on the Ashley River. Very chill vibes

• Holy City Brewing: Solid beers, full food menu, and a large space.

• LoFi Brewing: A warehouse style brewery with a small tap list but solid brews!

• Ghost Monkey Brewing: Classic taproom vibes with a variety of beers available

• Fort Sumter: For the history geek, be sure to check out this famous battle site 

• Munkle Brewing: Belgian-style brewery with Trappist beers

• Fam’s Brewing: A strip mall brewery with a pizza menu and nice patio space.

• Kudu: A nice spot for coffee and craft beer just off a King Street.

• Palmetto Brewing Co: Solid beers and nice patio seating with frequent food trucks

• Pawley’s Island Brewing: A small brewery with solid beers—close to Freehouse Brewery

• Wyrd Sisters Brewing: Located in Park Circle, this is a small new brewery. When I visited they had 1 of their own beers on tap that was mediocre. They do have a solid guest tap list.

• Rusty Bull Brewing: A fun brewery in North Charleston with ax throwing connected to it as well!

• Tradesman Brewing: A brewery with extremely unique beers and an abundance of outdoor seating

• Isle of Palms is another great beach to check out! There is less parking and it’s a little less built up than the other beaches but still a gorgeous beach!

• Kiawah Island is less crowded than Folly, Sullivan’s, or IOP, but it is also a longer drive from downtown. If you’re up for the hike it’s definitely more peaceful!

  • Seabrook Island is located right next to Kiawah but it is a gated community—you have to have a pass to access the island or any of the beaches.

Charlotte, NC

Charlotte is where I’ve called home for a few years now so I figured it was time to write a beer & Travel guide for the Queen City! CLT is a large southern city with a plethora of breweries, great places to eat, and fun neighborhoods to explore!

CLT Tips: 

• The Queen City is distinctly organized into neighborhoods, each with different things to offer and different vibes. If you’re visiting try to organize your time by neighborhood so you’re not crisscrossing all over the place as traffic can be less than ideal.

• Charlotte is moderately large and somewhat spaced out but once you get to a particular neighborhood you can walk everywhere, so if you are visiting a car is not entirely necessary.

• What we call Uptown is what you think of as Downtown in any other city.

• As I said, I live in Charlotte so I could list out hundreds of places to go, but these are my top recommendations overall! Additionally, this guide is focused on the city of Charlotte itself, but there are lots of great options to explore in the suburbs of CLT too! Blog coming soon.

Adventures & Ales Top Charlotte Recommendations:

• Resident Culture Brewing Company: The best brewery in Charlotte, hands down. Their beer is top-notch no matter the style, but I would highly recommend their Hazy IPAs, Lagers, and Stouts. At their original taproom in Plaza Midwood they have a great patio, + frequent events and food trucks. At their newer taproom in South End they have a great BBQ menu and coffee bar.

• Burial Beer: The Charlotte taproom of this Asheville-based brewery has killer beers and a great space. Highly recommend checking them out in Plaza Midwood for their IPAs, Lagers, Stouts and rooftop patio.

• Salud Beer Shop & Cerveceria: The best beer bar in America. You don’t have to take my word for it, they’ve won the national title 3 years in a row from USA Today. They have a phenomenal tap list, huge can and bottle selection, and mouthwatering pizzas. If that wasn’t enough already they also have their own brewery and coffee shop upstairs with fantastic beers, particularly their Dairelynerweisse Fruited Sour series. The upstairs and downstairs are very different but both offer chill vibes and incredible food/beer. Located in the heart of the NoDa neighborhood.

• HopFly Brewing: A great brewery in the Gold District of Charlotte right by the Bank of America Stadium. Every style of beer they make is fantastic, they have a great rooftop patio, and for food Katsu Kart is usually onsite.

• Inizio: Some of the best pizza in the city! They are located in the Dilworth neighborhood and have a small patio and frequent specials.

• Supperland: A fancy restaurant with a killer cocktail list and a food menu designed for sharing. Their stunning building is a converted church in Plaza Midwood. They also have a bar next door for drinks and a speakeasy.

• Stable Hand: A coffee shop with beer, natural wine, food, and chill vibes. They are located in the South End neighborhood with some patio seating as well.

• Divine Barrel Brewing: A delightful brewery in the NoDa neighborhood with a wide array of beers and a fun patio space.

• Zada Jane’s Corner Café: A neighborhood spot for breakfast and brunch in Plaza Midwood. They have a diverse menu and patio seating.

• Dilworth Tasting Room: An adorable wine bar in the Dilworth neighborhood with cheese plates, tasting menus, and a fabulous garden space.

• Petty Thieves Brewing: A fun brewery located between Camp North End and the NoDa neighborhood with a spacious patio, frequent food trucks and events, and delicious beers.

• The Hobbyist: A lovely coffee shop, beer bar, and bottle shop in the NoDa neighborhood.

Fahrenheit

• Common Market: A convenience store, deli and bar with unique vibes. Their breakfast and lunch sandwiches are my top recommendation. They have locations in Plaza Midwood, South End, and Oakwold.

• Edge City Brewing: A beautiful brewery with top notch beers and a great patio. Located in the MoRa neighborhood off Independence Avenue.

• The Cellar at Duckworth’s: A classy restaurant in a basement cellar providing almost speakeasy-esque vibes. They have really tasty food, a huge beer selection, and craft cocktails. Located in Uptown.

• Pop the Top Craft Beer Shop: A great beer bar and bottle shop in South End. They have 24 taps and a large selection of cans and bottles to choose from as well.

• Rosie’s Coffee & Wine Garden: A stunningly gorgeous coffee and wine garden! Grab a drink and wander McGill Rose Garden.

• Fahrenheit: A rooftop bar and restaurant with incredible views located above Skye Condos in Uptown. Their food is superb and the vibes are unbeatable.

• Legion Brewing: A popular brewery with locations in Plaza Midwood, SouthPark, and West Morehead. Their brunch menu is super delicious and they have tasty beers as well. Juicy Jay IPA is the most popular beer in the city, but I prefer their Sours and darker beers..

• Rhino Market & Deli: A great spot for breakfast, sandwiches, soups, and salads. They also have a market for grab and go options as well as beer taps. They have locations in Uptown, NoDa, Wesley Heights, and South End.

• Not Just Coffee: A great coffee shop with several locations around town!

Fonta Flora at Optimist Hall

The Classic Tourist Spots Actually Worth Visiting in Charlotte:​

• Camp North End: A large outdoor converted space with a ton of different types of vendors and events. My favorite spots are: Leah & Louise, Free Range Brewing Bar, Babe & Butcher, Black Moth Bars, Bleu Barn Bistro, and Saru Ramen!

• Optimist Hall: A large food hall in the NoDa area with great options such as Papi Queso, The Dumpling Lady, and Suarez Bakery!

  • Fonta Flora Brewing is housed here as well and makes absolutely fantastic brews.

• Levine Museum of the New South: A fantastic modern history museum located in Uptown. Tickets are $10 for adults.

• Explore the Greenways: CLT is home to sprawling greenways to get out and explore the city. Check out my full guide here!

• The Whitewater Center: Massive recreation grounds with whitewater rafting, canoeing, kayaking, rappelling, rock climbing & more! They have a bar, restaurants, and frequent live music.

Camp North End

Other Things To do in Charlotte:

• Undercurrent Coffee: A cute coffeeshop in the Plaza Midwood neighborhood with patio seating, delicious drinks, and a small food menu.

• Triple C Brewing: A solid brewery in the South End neighborhood with an onsite food truck and nice patio space.

• Food trucks to hunt down: Studelteig, What The Fries, The Dumpling Lady

• Two Scoops Creamery: A fantastic ice cream shop located in the Plaza Midwood neighborhood.

• Ruru’s: Yummy Mexican food and a great patio. Located in the Myers Park neighborhood.

• Amelie’s French Bakery and Café: Incredible pastries, but also a full food menu of soups, salads, and sandwiches. Located in NoDa and on Park Road.

• Aqua e Vino: A small Italian restaurant with incredible food. This gem is located in Providence Park.

• Hawkers: A fun spot for Asian Street Food mainly in the form of small plates. This popular spot has a unique cocktail menu and is located in South End.

• Seoul Food Meat Company: A Korean Fusion BBQ restaurant with a plethora of delicious sides as well. They are located in the Gold District with a second location coming soon to NoDa.

• Moo & Brew: A fun spot for brunch or burgers in the Plaza Midwood neighborhood. They are best known for their Large Marge, a 20-ounce Bloody Mary with two shots of Tito's Handmade Vodka topped with a jalapeño firecracker, Wisconsin cheese curds, an angus burger slider, Applewood smoked bacon and a mini Miller High Life on the side.

• Pins Mechanical Co.: A game bar in South End with a ton of different activities to keep everyone entertained.

Brunch at Legion Brewing SouthPark

Dive Deeper into Charlotte with my other CLT blogs:

• My guide to the Plaza Midwood neighborhood

• My guide to the NoDa neighborhood

• My guide to South End, LoSo, and The Gold District

• The Best Breweries to Drink Outside at in Charlotte

• Charlotte Breweries with Heated Outdoor Patio Options

• The Best Hikes Near Charlotte

• The Best Weekend Hikes From Charlotte

The Best Breweries in the Midwest

The Midwest is full of great breweries—let’s be real there’s not much to do from November-March when you are snowed in other than brew and drink great beer. As a result there are some stellar spots spanning across these states!

The best breweries in the Midwest, in no particular order:

Phase Three Brewing Company: Lake Zurich, IL

Speciation Artisan Ales: Grand Rapids, MI

Pulpit Rock Brewing Company: Decorah, IA

Lua Brewing: Des Moines, IA

Forager Brewery: Rochester, MN

Side Project Brewing: Maplewood, MO

Jackie O’s Brewery: Athens, OH

New Glarus Brewing Company: New Glarus, WI

BlackStack Brewing: St. Paul, MN

Transient Artisan Ales: Bridgman, MI

Revolution Brewing: Chicago, IL

Drekker Brewing Company: Fargo, ND

Which of these have you been to? What are your favorites? Let me know in the comments! Cheers—Alexis

Johnson City, TN

Johnson City, Tennessee is a gem! The city emanates small town charm while still having plenty to do and some delicious spots for beer, cocktails, and eats.

The city is a hub for outdoorsy activities with its location nestled in the mountains, motorcycles with the Southern Dozen rides, and biking with numerous mountain biking trails and pump tracks. It is also a very dog-friendly city!

It is located in the Northeastern corner of Tennessee, 3 hours from Charlotte via the Linville Gorge or an hour north of Asheville.

Adventures & Ales Top recommendations:

• Stay at the Carnegie Hotel: This gorgeous, historic hotel was originally built in 1891. It is located across from the ETSU campus and a 20 minute walk from downtown. They have a seasonal pool and they are dog-friendly.

• Timber!: A stellar restaurant with a cute interior and dog-friendly back patio space. Their menu is divided in small, medium, and large plates alongside cocktails, wine and a handful of beers. The food and drinks are fantastic, highly recommend.

• The Atlantic Ale House: A beer bar with 16 taps, a small selection of cans, and frequent food trucks. They have a nice back patio overlooking Founders Park as well.

• Laurel Falls: This trail is 4.7 miles long with 620ft of elevation gain and is rated moderate. It shares the path with the Appalachian Trail and leads to a gorgeous waterfall. The trail is a lovely serene walk along the river in Cherokee National Forest. It takes about 2 hours to complete and the trailhead is 20 minutes from Johnson City in Hampton.

  • Appalachian Sun Brewery in Elizabethton is on the way back towards Johnson City but unfortunately their hours are quite limited.

The Carnegie Hotel

• Off Leash Social: A dog park and bar in North Johnson City with frequent food trucks and events. They have beer, wine and cocktails in a large outdoor space with shipping containers. The staff is super friendly and attentive to the dogs (and humans).

• BURG’r & Barrel: A cool spot for burgers and BBQ. The space is an old train depot and they have a nice interior space and a lovely patio.

• Pal’s Sudden Service: A Northeast Tennessee icon! You can’t miss their fun shaped buildings as you are driving through the area. This fast food drive thru specializes in biscuits, burgers and hotdogs. The cheddar rounds are absolutely superb and should not be missed.

• Nolichucky Ridge Cliff via Appalachian Trail: This trail is 2.6 miles long with 524ft of elevation gain and is rated moderate. It takes about an hour to complete and there are two very nice viewpoints at the top of your climb. It is known as “The Gorge” and sits along the North Carolina/Tennessee border—Caution is advised due to long-term recovery efforts post-Hurricane Helene.

• Tennessee Hills Brewstillery: A brewery and distillery combination with solid cocktails and beer. The tap list is quite large and they also have their own food truck onsite.

• Buffalo Mountain Park: A great park 7 minutes from downtown with several different trails. Huckleberry Knob is a great viewpoint to check out!

• King Commons: A nice park downtown spanning three acres.

Laurel Falls

Other ideas:

• Shop around downtown: There are plenty of cute stores to explore, but my two favorites are The Generalist and Terrarium.

• Great Oak Brewing + Southern Craft Barbecue: Great Oak is located inside of Southern Craft downtown. The food menu is expansive and tasty and the beer menu has selection of Great Oak taps + guest taps. They also have wine and cocktails. The team here is super nice!

• Tweetsie Trail: A walking, running and biking path that runs in the place of a former railroad line. In total it is 9.6 miles long and connects Johnson City to Elizabethton. There are bike rental spots at the trailhead in Johnson City as well

• Cranky’s Pump N Pints: A beer garden housed at the Tweetsie Trail start. They have 8 taps and a selection of cans with frequent food trucks. There is indoor and outdoor seating and a pump track.

• Label Restaurant: A popular restaurant in downtown with sushi, burgers, entrees, and bourbons. They have a front patio space and a fun interior. They serve brunch on Sundays with $3 mimosas and $6 Bloody Mary’s.

Timber!

• Tannery Knobs Mountain Bike Park: This mountain bike park has a pump track and biking trails along with a pretty overlook.

• The Moon Coffee and Tea House: A cute little spot on Main Street with plants and chill vibes for coffee, tea and a selection of pastries from nearby Lazy Lady Baking Co.

• Yee-Haw Brewing & White Duck Taco: These two spots share a building downtown with a front and back patio. Solid tacos, average beers, chill vibes.

• Founders Park: A spacious five acre park downtown with a sculpture exhibit.

• The Beauty Spot: A scenic viewpoint at the Tennessee/North Carolina border that is 35 minutes southeast of downtown. A forewarning: the road is closed with no notice at times—Caution is advised due to long-term recovery efforts post-Hurricane Helene.

• Johnson City Brewing: A brewery downtown with a massive tap list. The beers here were not my favorite.

New Mexico and Texas Road Trip Itinerary

For this trip I spent 6 days exploring 4 National Parks and 1 National Monument across Southern New Mexico and Western Texas. I flew in and out of El Paso, but you could also extend the trip to include Albuquerque or Phoenix/Tucson if you wanted.

To note: The time zones will flip throughout this journey between central (part of Texas) and mountain time (El Paso and New Mexico).

El Paso, Texas

• El Taquito: A popular spot for Mexican near the airport. A great spot to stop on your way in or out of town!

• Craftbox Fill Station and Bar: A solid beer bar with 19 taps in the suburbs. They have a cool shared beer garden space and it would be a great spot to watch sports.

• Scenic Drive: A nice, quick drive with nice mountain and city views. I actually prefered the views from Rim Road, right before the scenic drive starts, more.

• Franklin Mountains State Park: This park is right in the city and you can see the mountains everywhere you go.

• Stay at this Airbnb: It is a great little spot and super cheap that still has good amenities.

• Hope & Anchor: A solid bar near the UTEP campus. It says it is a craft beer bar but they did not actually have a beer menu and the bartender was unhelpful, but I enjoyed my tasty and cheap cocktail on their nice patio.

• Craft Rhythm & Brews: A woman and veteran owned brewery with a small snack menu and beer cocktails along with their tap list of average beers.

• To note: Dead Perezidents Brewpub is where I would recommend visiting based on my research but they were closed when I was in town.

• Absolutely skip Salt + Honey Bakery Café: The owner attacked me on Instagram after I said nice things about their business, but just wished the side options had something for breakfast, not 7am French fries. 0/10.

Organ Mountain Desert Peaks National Monument 

Pine Tree Trail: This trail is 5.3 miles long with 1,049ft of elevation gain and is rated moderate. The trailhead is 1.5 hours north of El Paso directly on the route to White Sands National Park. It takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes to complete and winds through the desert with some pretty views of The Needles and the surrounding area. It is a very quiet trail and a little boring.

White Sands National Park

White Sands is a smaller National Park with just one road and a handful of trails. A half day visit is plenty to soak it all in. Be sure to keep in mind that walking in sand is always harder than walking on a hard surface and you will tire faster, especially in the desert heat and sun. Bring a sled to the park for even more sand dune fun.

• Backcountry Camping Trail: This trail takes about an hour to complete the full loop, but you can do as much or as little as you’d like. It is a great spot to see the sunset!

• Dune Life Nature Trail: This trail is just over a mile long with two dune climbs and takes about 25 minutes to complete. It is a good introduction to the dunes but a little boring.

• Alkali Flat Trail: Another popular trail option going deeper in the dunes, this one is much longer and though it says “flat” in the name it is not a flat trail.  

Alamogado, New Mexico

Alamogado is 20 minutes from White Sands. This small town has a lot of chain restaurants and seems to exist mostly for the park tourists.

• 575 Brewing: A popular spot with frequent live music, a nice outdoor patio, a small food menu + frequent food trucks, a large tap list + wine and N/A options. The beer quality is not great, but the atmosphere is nice.

• Stay at the Hampton Inn: It’s a nice, newer hotel conveniently located on the way into town.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

It is just over 3 hours from White Sands to Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico’s two National Parks. There are a couple of surface trails here, but the main attraction is going into the cave itself. Plan on about a half day to take it all in.

Reservations are required—if you’d like to go on a ranger led tour these book up pretty far in advance, but even to go on a self-led walk you’ll need a reservation to enter the cave. Things to note: don’t bring anything into the cave that has been in any other cave, this is to protect the bats. They have dog kennels available if needed while you tour the cave so no pets are allowed.

• Natural Entrance Trail + Big Room Trail: This is the main route through Carlsbad Caverns. It is about 2.5 miles long and winds down the Natural Entrance through the cave and the loop of the Big Room and then back up to the visitor’s center via the elevator. Keep your eyes peeled for Whales Mouth and Green Lake Room, two of my favorite parts! Be sure to at least walk into the Big Room, even if you are not up for doing the full loop—it’s awesome.

• Carlsbad Caverns Visitor Center and Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail: This is a mostly flat ~1 mile trail near the Natural Entrance. It is a pretty boring loop but a good way to kill time if you arrive before your reservation. You start the trail via the visitor’s center, not the parking lot as indicated on AllTrails.

• Bat Flight Amphitheater: See the bats take flight and hear a talk from a ranger. This program starts in late May and runs through October.

Carlsbad, New Mexico

This is a small town with a lot of chain restaurants, heavy traffic, and heavy wind. It’s convenient to stay before or after visiting the cave, but otherwise it can be skipped.

• El Jimador Restaurant: A solid, popular spot for Mexican.

• Milton’s Brewing: The local brewery with frequent live music. The tap list is not personally my ideal with lots of Browns and Reds, but it is popular with locals.

• Stay at the Fairfield Inn: It is a little outdated but there is a pool which is great for the desert heat.

• Lake Carlsbad: A nice little swimming area and walking trails on the Pecos River.

• Grind Time Coffee: Solid spot to grab coffee in a food truck park.

• Guadalupe Mountain Brewing: This spot did not have a beer license for several months (including when I visited) so I can’t imagine the quality is very high. The staff was also quite rude when I asked about it since it was unclear that there was no beer at the brewery.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

This National Park is 50 minutes from Carlsbad, New Mexico just across the Texas boarder. It’s a small park with limited activities and trails.

Guadalupe Peak Trail: This trail is rated hard and is a grind at times over the 11ish miles with 2,949ft of elevation gain. It leads to the highest point in Texas with sweeping views. The first 1.5 miles are the hardest and most exposed to the sun. The trail is rocky and the trailhead parking is limited but there is overflow a half mile away at the visitor’s center. The trail takes about 5 hours to complete plus however long you’d like at the summit.

Marfa, Texas

Marfa is a little artsy town between Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Big Bend National Park. It is essentially in the middle of nowhere, but a nice spot to break up a drive.

• Convenience West: This restaurant is a James Beard Award finalist specializing in BBQ. They are only open Friday and Saturday from 5 until sold out, so go early and expect a wait. Really fantastic food and cool spot. They only have outdoor dining or to-go.

• Prada Marfa: A random “piece of art” 30 minutes outside of town on the way in from Van Horn

• Para Llevar: A cute little bodega with pizza, salad, and bread with a nice outdoor area. Pizza is average.

Terlingua, Texas

Terlingua is known as a “Ghost Town” because it was abandoned after the mining boom. The population here is 127 people, but it swells with tourists thanks to its location 10 minutes from the entrance to Big Bend National Park.

• Stargaze! This area is home to one of the darkest skies in the country so make sure to spend some time at night looking at the beautiful skies!

• Espresso y Poco Más: A cute little spot for breakfast, lunch, and coffee with a lovely patio. It is a little pricey for what you get, but expected for a tourist town.

• Starlight Theater: A popular spot in an old movie theater for dinner and drinks. They also have a patio space.

• I stayed at this Airbnb which was quite nice! It’s close to town and to the park with a nice little patio and thoughtful touches.

• Taqueria el Milagro: Solid spot for tacos, plates and apps with outdoor seating. They are BYOB.

• Canyon Brew Coffee/Bella Bean Coffee Shop: A quick spot for coffee and a small breakfast menu on the go. Also a little pricey, but a tourist town.

• El Gordo’s: A popular spot for tacos and burritos for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but their google hours are incorrect as a forewarning.

Big Bend National Park

Big Bend is the largest National Park in the country! It is divided into three main sections: Chisos Basin, Eastside, and Westside. Each section is a decent distance away from another so plan at least a couple of days to explore this big park.

Beware of flash flooding in the summer months and the dangerous heat in the park in most months. I visited in April and it would be 70 degrees when I entered the park in the morning and 100 degrees when I left in the afternoon. There is little to no shade in the entire park.

Chisos Basin:

• Lost Mine Trail: This lovely trail is 5.6 miles long with 1,131ft of elevation gain. It is rated moderate and takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes to complete. There are nice sweeping views along this trail and it’s not too difficult. I highly recommend going all the way to the tippy top at the end of the trail. There is very limited parking at the trailhead so try to go at an off time.

• The Window Trail: This trail is 6.4 miles long with 948ft of elevation gain and is rated moderate. There are some nice views along the way and towards the end there is a cool canyon to journey through. The trail leads to a little pop out view that is “the window". It is a descent trail, so keep in mind that you’ll need to hike back up after hiking out to the viewpoint, and it is a very exposed trail so the earlier you start the better. Overall it takes about 2.5 hours.

  • Window View Trail: This an alternative option that is just .4 miles long and flat, showing views over top of The Window Trail.

  • The Chisos Mountain Lodge, a visitor’s center, and a camp store all here at trailheads.

Westside:

• Santa Elena Canyon Trail: This trail is 2.4 miles long with 219ft of elevation gain and is rated easy. It travels along the Rio Grande River that divides the United States and Mexico. The trail heads up a few switchbacks before flattening out and ends when the canyon walls hit the river. It takes about 40 minutes to complete plus however long you’d like to hang out at the river. It is a nice spot to bring a picnic or a beverage and sit in the shade with the view. The trailhead is located at the end of the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive.

• Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive: A nice journey through the park, but nothing too epic—I think the drive into the park from Terlingua is more epic. The Sotol Vista Overlook and Mule Ears Viewpoint are both cool to see.

Eastside:

This area is known for the Rio Grande Village, Boquillas Canyon, and Hot Springs.