8 Must-Visit Detroit Museums

Because I live in Kansas and long ago tired of Wizard of Oz comments, I am not going to perpetuate another Midwestern stereotype. So I won’t open this article by saying how shocked I was that Detroit was more than a rusted-out city in the old Rust Belt.

While there are a few neighborhoods you’d do well to avoid (and aren’t there in every city?), the biggest city in Michigan faces Canada across the Detroit River and is full of truly beautiful places. The cuisine scene is out of this world, and the city’s many museums have enough exhibits to keep this nerdy girl busy for weeks.

From art to history and music to motors, here are eight museums you shouldn’t miss when you visit Detroit.

The Henry Ford museum in Detroit. — Aldo91 / Shutterstock

1. The Henry Ford

One of the largest history museums in the United States, The Henry Ford is located in the Detroit suburb of Dearborn, about 15 minutes northeast of the airport. The complex actually comprises three attractions: a museum dedicated to American innovation, a living history experience, and a factory tour.

Visiting The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation feels a bit like exploring a western campus of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. Both attractions contain exhibits that celebrate American inventions and cover the highs and lows of American history.

At this Detroit museum, you can climb aboard the bus where Rosa Parks refused to obey segregation laws and relinquish her seat to a white man. You’ll also see the limo that was carrying President John F. Kennedy when he was assassinated in Dallas. A Model T, the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, an early Volkswagen Beetle, George Washington’s camp bed, and Thomas Edison’s last breath (preserved in a sealed test tube!) are some of the museum’s other attractions.

Open seasonally, the Greenfield Village is a living history museum with seven historic districts. You’ll observe a turn-of-the-century working farm, tour the modest home where Henry Ford grew up, and explore the Menlo Park complex of Ford’s lifelong friend, inventor Thomas Edison.

Round out your visit with a Ford Rouge Factory tour that showcases the end-to-end assembly of a Ford F-150 pickup.

2. Detroit Historical Museum

You can explore centuries of history in one spot at the Detroit Historical Museum. From a fur-trading post to the last stop on the Underground Railroad to America’s Motor City, Detroit has worn many hats over the years, and this museum in Midtown covers them all.

Because the Detroit River is all that separates the U.S. from Canada, Michigan’s biggest city was once known as the Doorway to Freedom. In antebellum America, Michiganders hid enslaved people fleeing unspeakable conditions and helped them make the final leg of their journey to freedom. The Detroit Historical Museum’s Underground Railroad exhibit allows visitors to experience what that journey was like.

The museum also addresses Detroit’s rich legacy of music. The Kid Rock Music Lab is an interactive exhibit that allows guests to explore everything from gospel music and blues to techno and hip-hop.

The Motown Museum in Detroit. — James R. Martin / Shutterstock

3. Motown Museum

Speaking of music, you can’t visit the Motor City without visiting the legendary Motown Museum. At a time when many black Americans lived under the unfair burden of segregation laws, a young black songwriter established Motown Records in Detroit.

The record label behind legends like Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, Michael Jackson, and many others, Motown achieved tremendous success with more than 180 number-one hit songs. And by becoming the most successful independent record company in history, the business helped tear down racial prejudices.

It will take you about an hour to complete a guided tour of the Motown Museum, and you’ll get to see Stevie Wonder’s piano, the score to “My Girl” by The Temptations, and Studio A, where many of Motown’s biggest hits were recorded.

4. Detroit Institute Of Arts

With more than 65,000 works of art on display in more than 100 galleries, the Detroit Institute of Arts is often recognized for the diversity of its collection. This beautiful Beaux Arts building in Midtown houses artwork from around the globe, including Mexican artist Diego Rivera’s Detroit Industry Murals and Vincent van Gogh’s Self-Portrait, the first of van Gogh’s works to be part of a museum collection in the United States.

The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. — alisafarov / Shutterstock

5. Charles H. Wright Museum Of African American History

After visiting a memorial honoring World War II heroes in Denmark, Detroit physician Charles H. Wright was inspired to establish a museum dedicated to African American history. From its dedication in 1965 until recently, the Wright Museum of African American History was the largest museum dedicated to black Americans in the U.S. (When the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture opened in 2016, it bumped the Wright Museum down to second place.)

One of the most unique exhibits at the Wright is the Ring of Genealogy. With sunlight streaming through the building’s iconic glass dome, the rotunda floor art chronicles black history in America from slavery to upward mobility. And encircling the piece are bronze bricks engraved with the names of prominent black Americans, with new names added annually during the Ford Freedom Awards ceremony.

Pro Tip: Another neat Detroit experience chronicling black history is the Historic First Congregational Church of Detroit’s Flight to Freedom Tour, which shows visitors what it was like to be an enslaved person seeking freedom along the Underground Railroad.

6. Holocaust Memorial Center

In the Detroit suburb of Farmington Hills (about 30 minutes north of the airport), the Holocaust Memorial Center has explored the dark history of the Holocaust for more than 30 years. But it also reveals stories of strength and courage — stories of Jewish survivors and of members of the resistance movements who put their lives on the line to fight against the injustices of that era and rescue persecuted men, women, and children.

One of the most chilling exhibits at the Holocaust Memorial Center is the railroad boxcar displayed as if it’s set to depart the Hannoverscher Bahnhof station in Hamburg, Germany, for concentration camps in the east.

After walking through the Anne Frank exhibit, take a moment in the garden to reflect on your experience. The peaceful place is home to a sapling from the chestnut tree outside Frank’s hiding spot.

7. Arab American National Museum

Just a short drive from The Henry Ford in Dearborn is the Arab American National Museum. Opened in 2005, it is the first and only museum in the country dedicated to Arab American history and culture.

The exhibits share stories of immigrants from the Arab world, detail Arab life in America, and celebrate contributions made by Arab Americans. And since naturalized Arab Americans come from 22 different nations in Northern Africa and the Middle East, the objects on display represent all 22 countries in the Arab League.

If you’re wondering why Detroit is the site of such a unique museum, it’s because America’s largest Arab American community lives in Michigan.

8. Ford Piquette Avenue Plant

When you visit this late Victorian brick building located roughly halfway between Midtown and the North End, you’re not only visiting a national historic landmark, but also one of the most significant automotive heritage sites in the world. For it was here at the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant that the iconic Model T was designed, assembled, and shipped across the country by rail in the early 1900s.

As a former automotive plant, the building is massive and not necessarily designed with creature comforts in mind. If you visit on a cooler day, be sure to dress in layers. And no matter when you visit, be sure to take the hour-long guided tour to fully appreciate the cultural and historical significance of the plant.

Fun Fact: Have you ever wondered how the Model T got its name? Before Ford began naming its vehicles for fast animals, fun parties, and exciting activities, its products were simply named alphabetically. The Model T was the model that followed the Model S.

How To Spend A Perfect Day In Stinson Beach

Part quaint oceanside village, part gorgeous white-sand beach, and part stunning hiking trail, Stinson Beach in northern California ticks plenty of boxes when it comes to scenic and entertaining seaside towns.

Located within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) and the Point Reyes National Seashore, tiny Stinson Beach is situated right in the midst of all of the magnificence that West Marin County has to offer.

Local experts caution, however, that there are no hotels in Stinson Beach, and that parking is limited. And if the day is clear and warm, expect to share the beach with hundreds of other sun lovers.

Still, with a little preplanning, a visitor can spend a delightful day walking along the beach, perusing the rustic art galleries, taking in the beach views from above, and stopping for a lunch of roasted oysters.

On a recent visit to Stinson Beach, I was charmed by both the stretch of white sand dotted with interesting rock formations and the otherworldly views from above along the famed Dipsea Trail.

With its relatively easy access along California’s iconic Highway 1, Stinson makes for a great day trip from San Francisco.

Here’s how to spend the perfect day in Stinson Beach.

Summer time at Stinson Beach. — Cindy Barks

Swimming Or Surfing

As its name implies, Stinson Beach revolves around its lovely stretch of coastline. And although California’s Pacific Coast has countless pretty beaches, Stinson stands out for a number of reasons.

First and foremost is the crescent of soft, white sand. From the surrounding cliffs, the beach glistens in the distance, beautifully setting off the feathery, white-capped waves.

Gina Marr-Hiemstra, vice president of the Marin Convention & Visitors Bureau, points out that Stinson Beach’s moderate waves and soft sand make it an excellent spot for a variety of water sports.

“It’s a very usable ocean at Stinson Beach,” Marr-Hiemstra said.

Because of the sandy bottom and relatively shallow depths, the beach is known as a good spot for a dip.

“Stinson’s white sand and oceanfront make it one of the best swimming beaches in GGNRA and northern California,” states the GGNRA website.

Along with the swimmers and waders, the beach attracts plenty of surfers, boogie boarders, and wind surfers. And in the springtime, visitors can expect to see sea lions lolling along the beach as well.

For beach enthusiasts, a walk along Stinson Beach is pure pleasure. I loved strolling through the fine sand, dodging the gentle waves, and watching teenagers take turns climbing to the top of the craggy rock formations.

Pro Tip: The National Park Service cautions that although it is open year-round, Stinson Beach is only recommended for swimming from late May through mid-September, when lifeguards are on duty. Unexpected large waves called “sneaker waves” can wash farther up the shore than expected, the website says, and rip currents can also be present.

Dipsea Trail

While dipping your toes into the ocean is a not-to-be-missed experience at Stinson Beach, taking in the beach from above is equally gratifying. The popular Dipsea Trail offers both a great workout and stellar views and can be enjoyed in full or in part.

Entire Trail: Mill Valley To Stinson Beach

Fit and experienced hikers might want to try the entire trail, which starts in Mill Valley and ends at Stinson Beach. The trail takes hikers past the Muir Woods National Monument area and includes numerous sweeping views. But locals caution that the trail is rated as strenuous. It encompasses seven miles one-way and about 2,000 feet in elevation gain. Current detours are said to add to the total mileage. Allow half of a day to hike the one-way route and a full day for the out-and-back.

Out-And-Back

For those who want a taste of the Dipsea Trail without the massive mileage and climb, I suggest doing a quick out-and-back hike from Stinson Beach. By venturing a mile or two in, you will be able to take in some great ocean views and forest terrain. But remember that to get to the scenic overlooks, you will still have a steep climb that involves a series of rugged stairways. Expect to spend at least two hours on an out-and-back hike.

Dipsea Trail, Steep Ravine Trail, And Matt Davis Loop

Another option, rated as moderate, is the 7.8-mile loop that takes in a part of the Dipsea, as well as the Steep Ravine and Matt Davis Loop Trails. Although considered less strenuous than the entire Dipsea, the loop requires a 1,781-foot elevation gain, which includes a climb up a waterfall via a 10-foot-high ladder. Expect to take about 4 hours to complete the loop.

Art Galleries

Unsurprisingly, the beautiful scene has inspired a number of local artists to create their own interpretations of Stinson Beach.

Located in picturesque buildings along the beach are a number of art galleries, including Emmeline Craig’s Blissful Gallery, which features lovely seaside views in miniatures, prints, and books; and Claudia Chapline’s Contemporary Art, with its garden gallery and sculpture garden.

For upcycled denim works of art, check out the Sacred Tide shop located along the Shoreline Highway.

Best Restaurants With A View

Regardless of which activities you choose, exploring Stinson Beach is sure to work up an appetite. Luckily, the village is home to a handful of spots offering everything from casual beach fare to chic seafood with a view.

Here are several restaurants to try. Note that some of these spots have seasonal schedules.

Sand Dollar Restaurant

An institution in Stinson Beach, the Sand Dollar Restaurant was built nearly 100 years ago on three barges in nearby Tiburon. The restaurant’s website says that “the barges were floated into Stinson Beach and fused together to form the historic restaurant you can come visit today.”

The Sand Dollar specializes in fresh local seafood. Try the oysters roasted in garlic butter or the herbed mussels and pommes frites.

Parkside Cafe

Choose from a full-service seafood-focused restaurant, beach fare at a snack bar, pastries baked on-site, and a marketplace offering beach-themed household items at Parkside Cafe.

The snack bar dates to 1949 and is known for its burgers, fries, fish tacos, and half-and-half soft-serve ice cream cones. For an indulgence after a strenuous hike, try the snack bar’s decadent half-and-half milkshake.

Breakers Cafe

Billed as a nautical-themed breakfast and lunch cottage with a big patio, Breakers Cafe specializes in Latin-influenced American comfort food, such as shrimp quesadillas, carne asada burritos, Baja omelets served with shrimp, avocado, Monterey Jack cheese, and pico de gallo.

Siren Canteen

The website for the beachside Siren Canteen says the restaurant is currently offering a limited menu because of an ongoing remodel. But, it adds, “we still have icy beer on tap with a view!”

Point Reyes Lighthouse near Stinson Beach. — Lucky-photographer / Shutterstock

Day Trips From Stinson Beach

Although Stinson Beach has no hotels, it does offer dozens of vacation rentals. For those who choose to stay for more than a day, Stinson Beach makes a great base for exploring the rest of the area, including the bustling Point Reyes Station and the scenic Tomales Bay.

Point Reyes Station

Featuring an old creamery building, a livery stable, and a hay barn, Point Reyes Station is known as the historic and commercial center of the area.

“As the coast’s commercial anchor, Point Reyes Station has at least one — and usually just one — of everything: one hardware store, one grocery store, the only bank on the Marin coast, and likewise, the only feed story, and the only pharmacy,” says the West Marin Chamber of Commerce’s website.

Tomales Bay

Or, if fresh-from-the-farm oysters sound like a great picnic plan, head to Tomales Bay, where a number of spots sell fresh oysters. Tomales Bay Oyster Company offers wholesale oysters, while Hog Island Oyster Co. offers a Boat Oyster Bar and a Shuck Your Own Picnic Table.

Point Reyes National Seashore

While you’re in the area, be sure to explore the Point Reyes National Seashore, with its vast expanse of protected coastline and extensive trails through grasslands, through fir and pine forests, and up to the peak of Mount Wittenberg.

Stinson Beach in California. — Cindy Barks

Getting There

You have a few options for getting to Stinson Beach — one via public transportation, and others over somewhat white-knuckle highway routes.

Christine Bohlke, sales and marketing director for the Marin Convention & Visitors Bureau, suggests considering public transit first, noting that visitors could drive all the way to Stinson Beach and not find a parking place.

The National Park Service website points out that Stinson Beach parking lots often fill up before noon. On sunny summer weekends, Bohlke said visitors often arrive by 5 a.m. to get a spot at one of the picnic tables.

A number of shuttle options are available on the Marin Transit Stagecoach website.

Driving options are also available — either the hour-long drive from San Francisco to Stinson Beach via Highway 101 and Highway 1, or via Mill Valley and the Panoramic Highway. Either way, expect winding roads and heavy traffic.

10 Unique Bars In Phoenix

My introduction to the unique bars of Phoenix was walking down the stairs into the dark, cramped chamber of UnderTow. Lights were flashing as simulated thunder and lightning crashed in this makeshift ship’s belly. It was electric, and I’ve since sent friends to visit when they asked what to see and do in Phoenix.

As it turns out, UnderTow isn’t the only can’t-miss bar in Phoenix. There’s something for every taste: You’ll find cocktail-centric bars, speakeasies, and even a winery founded by a rock star.

Here are just a few of the city’s most inventive beverage spots.

1. UnderTow

You’ll need to be in the know to find UnderTow. Located in the basement of Sip Coffee & Beer in Phoenix’s Arcadia neighborhood, it doesn’t offer signs or any other indicators of its presence. But step inside and head for the stairs, and you’ll find a tiki-inspired cocktail bar that makes you feel like you’re in the belly of a turn-of-the-century clipper ship. Once the oil-changing bay of a quick-service auto shop, the underground bar features decor and a cocktail menu that change annually.

The cocktail menu at UnderTow is literally a book, and with the funky names and tales that go along with each drink, you’ll have a hard time deciding what to order. The tropical tiki environment, described by one of the owners, Jason Asher, as “escapism,” is delivered “through our stories, our menus, and our immersive environment.”

2. Century Grand

Another cocktail-centric and immersive venue is the Century Grand, a sister bar to UnderTow. Also located in the Arcadia neighborhood, this swanky bar opened in the fall of 2019 and offers a timeless cocktail and dining experience. Its luxurious textiles, art deco and industrial architectural elements, and ambient features will have you feeling like you’ve stepped back in time to the 1920s.

Century Grand proudly offers the most significant single-barrel spirits selection in the country. These spirits are available for retail purchase at the bar’s whiskey shop, the Grey Hen.

3. Bitter & Twisted

If you’re looking for an upscale cocktail destination in a low-key environment, head to Bitter & Twisted. Located in the heart of downtown Phoenix inside the Luhrs Building — which once housed the Arizona Prohibition headquarters — this award-winning bar has a globally recognized cocktail program, and the quality of the ingredients is unmatched.

Bitter & Twisted has also tested the boundaries of bar food, developing a small, eclectic, and evolving menu “full of the unexpected.”

4. Little Rituals

The sister bar to Bitter & Twisted is Little Rituals, located on the fourth floor of the Residence Inn in downtown Phoenix. The bar itself has its own “little rituals” that come from 150 years of cocktail tradition. Using only the highest quality spirits and mixers — the citrus juice is fresh-squeezed in house each day, and the dozens of syrups, infusions, tinctures, foams, flawless ice, and garnishes are also prepared in house — and seasonal produce and flavors, Little Rituals utilizes modern techniques and technology to create a unique drinking experience.

5. From The Rooftop

High atop the Cambria Hotel Downtown Phoenix is From the Rooftop, where you’ll find open space, striking views, and craft cocktails. The rooftop setting adds a certain romance to a night out.

In addition to the view, visitors enjoy a variety of events, including Cosmic Cocktails Night, where a specialty cocktail that aligns with the current zodiac sign is featured. A fortune teller and a guide with a telescope are on hand to help guests navigate the stars.

6. The Breadfruit & Rum Bar

At The Breadfruit & Rum Bar downtown, you’ll enjoy award-winning modern Jamaican cuisine, brave new rum cocktails, and a curated collection of premium rums and cigars. The menu items focus on wild-caught and sustainable seafood, locally raised meat, and local organic produce.

The restaurant and bar’s mission is to champion both good food and sustainable practices like zero waste, recycling, composting, and supporting local agriculture.

Both the bar and restaurant have won numerous awards, and the cocktails have been called the best in the area by Arizona Foothills Magazine.

7. The Churchill

Roosevelt Row, downtown Phoenix’s arts district, is home to The Churchill, a covered courtyard with 10 small local businesses. Each business is located inside a recycled shipping crate. The 9,000-square-foot courtyard is used for dining, drinking, socializing, and learning, and it hosts speakers, art classes, fitness classes, sports games, and pop-up art galleries.

The Churchill is community focused, hosting regular service outings and nonprofit fundraisers, and each of the tenants completes at least 4 hours of community service each month.

8. Merkin Vineyards

Located in Old Town Scottsdale, the Merkin Vineyards tasting room strives to deliver a 100 percent Arizona experience with regional and sustainable offerings. All of the wines are produced by Maynard James “MJ” and Jennifer Keenan (MJ Keenan is the lead singer for the bands Tool and Open Circle), Tim White, and their team in both the Verde Valley and Willcox, Arizona. The produce used to create the wines is farmed by Randee Larremore and MJ Keenan’s father, Mike Keenan, in Verde Valley greenhouses, gardens, and orchards. What they can’t grow themselves is sourced from local Arizona farmers.

The tasting room has a rock-star vibe, with photos and autographed bottles of wine for sale.

9. The Womack

In the 1960s, the Phoenix lounge Chez Nous was known for classic cocktails and soulful music. The Womack in Uptown Phoenix is a tribute to the legendary lounge and is named for the original Chez Nous owners, Andy and Maureen Womack. It’s a dimly lit vintage bar with live music in the cocktail lounge. The retro setting, signature Rum Runner cocktail, and skilled bartenders keep the memory alive.

10. Cobra Arcade Bar

Games and cocktails abound at the downtown Cobra Arcade Bar, where you’ll find vintage arcade games that require tokens. Tuesdays are Token Tuesdays, where you can receive free tokens with drink orders. You won’t find any food here, but from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday through Sunday, there are food trucks. If you’d like to reserve a table, reservations are accepted until 9 p.m.; after 9 p.m., it’s first come, first served.

What To Know Before You Go

Ask what’s in season. Most of these are craft cocktail bars that try to use local, seasonal ingredients to bring a special flair to their cocktails. They change out garnishes or tweak little things to bring a new edge to their drinks.

Due to limited seating and high volume, it’s best to make a reservation at most of these places. Without a reservation, you might be subjected to long waits or sellouts. Consider using Yelp Waitlist, where you can check out the wait times beforehand and get a spot in line.

Heading to Phoenix? Check out our other articles on the Arizona capital here.

The Best Things To See And Do In Fredericksburg, Texas

Located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, Fredericksburg offers wineries, charming shops, fine dining, and German heritage, all in a beautiful and historic setting.

If you visit during the spring, you’ll be treated to a spectacular show of wildflowers, including Texas’s famous bluebonnets.

I was recently invited on a press trip to Fredericksburg, and I had a wonderful time. Here are some of the many things visitors should do in this delightful area.

Learn About The Town’s Rich History

Founded by German immigrants in 1846, Fredericksburg has a remarkable history starring pioneers, Native Americans, and veterans of the Pacific theater. Upon settling in Fredericksburg, each settler received a lot in town as well as an additional 10 acres outside of town. The settlers made a peace treaty with several of the local Comanche tribes that allowed the townsfolk to farm the land along the Llano River. In return, the Comanche people were allowed to visit the town at any time.

Since many farmers would drive into town to shop on Saturdays and attend church services on Sundays, Sunday houses were built for use on weekends and religious holidays. Today, you can step back in time at the Pioneer Museum, where you’ll find a collection of preserved structures from the 19th-century German pioneer days, including the Webster Sunday House. The Gillespie County Historical Society runs the museum and hosts community events focused on education and historic preservation.

The National Museum of the Pacific War, the only United States institution dedicated exclusively to telling the story of the Pacific theater in World War II, draws more than 150,000 visitors annually. Join a guided tour to view the renovated Pacific Combat Zone, a realistic environment that gives visitors a deeper understanding of the momentous struggle between the Allied and Japanese forces that took place on the islands of the Pacific.

Several annual events also offer a taste of the city’s history, including the Gillespie County Fair, an Oktoberfest celebration, and various food and wine festivals.

The post office in Luckenbach (Photo Credit: Cire notrevo / Shutterstock.com)

Explore The Texas Hill Country

Whether you bicycle the backroads of Luckenbach, Texas, or take a scenic drive through the Texas Hill Country on a photography tour, you’ll see local wildlife and plenty of cacti. End your bike ride or drive at the watering hole made famous by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson’s 1976 country hit “Luckenbach, Texas.” Tour the local dance hall, post office, and beer joint, and take in some live music in a lively Texas atmosphere.

If you visit in the spring, you’ll see fields of colorful wildflowers — bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes, buttercups, and more — across the landscape. Stop at Wildseed Farms to walk the paved paths and view the gorgeous fields of wildflowers grown there.

If you’re an especially active traveler, hike to the top of Enchanted Rock, the second-largest granite dome in the U.S. An easier hike is the Enchanted Rock Loop Trail, where you can still enjoy the views from this rock formation.

Taste The Local Wines And Brews

Named one of the 10 best wine travel destinations by Wine Enthusiast, the Fredericksburg area is famous for its Texas Hill Country wines and hosts more visitors than any wine region in the country except Napa. There are more than 50 wineries and tasting rooms in Fredericksburg and Gillespie County. Wine Road 290 will take you to some of the award-winning wineries, but if you’re only in the area for a short time, plan to head to one of the town’s many tasting rooms.

If you prefer a stiff spirit or brew, head to Altstadt Brewery, which serves up German-style beer and food and offers tours and live music. In town, there’s Elk Store 1895 Winery and Distillery, where two Czech brothers produce small-batch gin, rum, whiskey, and more. At this wine and spirits bar, you can choose from craft cocktails made from distilled spirits or from more than 100 wines from all over the world.

Lyndon B Johnson National Historic Park. — Lyndon B Johnson National Historic Park (Photo Credit: EWY Media / Shutterstock.com)

Visit The Texas White House

Visit the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, known as the Texas White House, to see where the 36th president of the United States conducted much of his business.

Then continue your tour at the Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site, where you can visit the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm. This working farm takes visitors back in time to the pioneer days of the 1800s. Employees wear period clothing while carrying out day-to-day duties like curing meats, baking bread, and making soap. Visit to see what life was like for the average German-American farm family.

Eating In Fredericksburg

Great food and wine are everywhere you turn in Fredericksburg, and you’ll find a variety of American, Tex-Mex, and German restaurants from which to choose.

Here are some of my favorites.

Emma + Ollie

Rebecca Rather, known as the Pastry Queen, owns Emma + Ollie, a delicious breakfast and lunch spot. Stop by to pick up some pastries to go, or browse the full menu of sweet and savory items. I love the Tomato Toast, featuring fresh-toasted sourdough topped with CKC goat cheese, bacon jam, roasted tomatoes, arugula, and an over easy egg. Fresh beignets are available all day.

Tubby’s Icehouse

Tubby’s Icehouse is known for its Caribbean-style street food and laid-back atmosphere. An extensive wine and beer list complements menu items like the curry shrimp taco, with red curry, coconut shrimp, carrot slaw, herb salad, and peanuts. It’s like being on the islands — in the heart of the Texas Hill Country.

Farm Haus Bistro

Located at the Fredericksburg Herb Farm, the Farm Haus Bistro features an American menu with French and Italian influences. The meals are prepared using locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

German Favorites

Thanks to Fredericksburg’s German heritage, you’ll find numerous authentic German restaurants in town. A local favorite is the Auslander Restaurant and Biergarten, which has been serving up Bavarian cuisine for more than 20 years. Another solid choice is Otto’s German Bistro, which offers gourmet German fare made from locally sourced produce and meats.

Barons CreekSide in Fredricksburg. — Barons CreekSide (Photo Credit: Malachi Jacobs / Shutterstock.com)

Where To Stay In Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg is home to almost 800 lodging options, many of them bed and breakfasts. Each has its own charm. Visit the Fredericksburg tourism site to learn more.

Here are a few unique places to lay your head.

Barons CreekSide

Barons CreekSide, a log cabin village set on 26 rolling acres, is just a short drive from Main Street and features its own vineyard.

Hangar Hotel

The funky Hangar Hotel is located next to the Gillespie County Airport. Owned by a pilot, the hotel has an aviation theme, and you can sit on the patio and watch the planes land.

Fredericksburg Herb Farm

At the Fredericksburg Herb Farm, you can stay in a Sunday Haus Cottage set in a garden environment. Stroll the gardens, get a spa treatment in the 5,000-square-foot destination spa, or dine at the on-site restaurant. The property is located near downtown Fredericksburg.

Belle Maison

Located in the town’s historic area, just a short walk from Main Street, Belle Maison is a luxurious bed and breakfast with French perennial gardens in both the front and back.

Chuckwagon Inn

The Chuckwagon Inn, built in 1854, was originally a dogtrot structure with a dirt floor between a bedroom and the kitchen. The old milking shed and barn are now bed and breakfast suites. Enjoy a hearty made-from-scratch breakfast each morning at this rustic getaway, located just a few miles outside the downtown area.

Planning a trip to the Texas Hill Country? Make time for lively Austin and historic San Antonio.

Sheep, Raccoons, And Meerkats: Unique Animal Cafes In Seoul

Animal cafes — where it’s possible to pet raccoons, sheep, meerkats, reptiles, cats, or dogs while enjoying a coffee drink or smoothie — have become so popular in Seoul that their number has nearly doubled in the past two years.

Like many visitors, I was intrigued by the prospect of meeting a meerkat over my macchiato. In fact, I was so intrigued that I decided to visit as many animal cafes in Seoul as possible while I was housesitting for a month in Incheon.

But it’s not just tourists who visit the cafes: Koreans do, too. With Seoul’s population density double that of New York City, most city dwellers live in high-rise apartments, many of which don’t allow animals. And Korean culture’s emphasis on hard work means long hours; Koreans have the third-longest average work week in the world, leaving little time to care for pets. After dealing with the stresses of city life and a 60-hour work week, sometimes all Koreans want is to sip a cappuccino and cuddle a kitty. In fact, every cafe I visited had more locals than tourists.

I visited seven animal cafes during my trip. A couple of the cafes impressed me, but the others had me concerned about the animals’ welfare and about the cleanliness and sanitation of the food and drinks served. Here are the cafes I visited, in order, followed by a description of the controversy these cafes have raised in Seoul.

2 Cats Cafe in Seoul, South Korea. — Kelly Hayes-Raitt

2 Cats Cafe — Cats

My first visit was to 2 Cats Cafe in Insa-dong. For 12,000 won ($10), which included a coffee drink, I could cuddle with any of 20 cats. Several of the cats were munchkins, short-legged cats that are specially bred and suffer from painful spinal problems. This initially raised my skepticism about these kinds of cafes. The cats roamed freely about the cafe, including onto the counter and into the kitchen area where the drinks were made and served.

Sheep at Thanks Nature Cafe in Seoul. — Kelly Hayes-Raitt

Thanks Nature Cafe — Sheep

Next up was Thanks Nature Cafe, one of Seoul’s oldest animal cafes, that features sheep. Old photos on the web show the sheep roaming among the cafe’s tables, but in the cafe’s new location in the hip Hongdae District, the sheep are in a separate pen outside the cramped cafe. Patrons of the cafe can enter the pen and pet the sheep, who seemed to relish the attention.

The day I visited, I dodged the sheep poo to greet Tom and Jerry. This was more like a one-species petting zoo than a coffee cafe with animals roaming freely. For the privilege of entering the pen, I ordered a fantastic berry waffle for 12,500 won ($10). Since I could’ve stood outside the cafe and seen the sheep, the whole setup felt quite gimmicky. The dessert was worth the visit, though!

Meerkat Friends Cafe in Seoul, South Korea. — Kelly Hayes-Raitt

Meerkat Friends Cafe — Meerkats And More

By far, the most disappointing of the animal cafes I visited was the Meerkat Friends Cafe, located near the Hongdae District. As I was entering, I ran into a group of American and European tourists on their way out and asked their impressions. They complained about the pungent smell and expressed concerns about the animals’ welfare.

When I entered and removed my shoes (a requirement at most animal cafes), I was so overwhelmed by the smell and by how overfed and overhandled the meerkats were that I refused to pay the fee of 13,000 won ($11). Handlers enticed the meerkats onto the shoulders and heads of visitors who paid extra for treats. The animals had no places to hide or retreat to in the bare room. Small glass enclosures held a raccoon and a capybara — both looked listless.

I left wondering what type of oversight regulated these cafes. It was definitely not a place to lounge with a cappuccino. This was, by far, the bleakest cafe I visited.

Clouds In The Sky dog cafe in Seoul, South Korea. — Kelly Hayes-Raitt

Clouds In The Sky — Dogs

The Clouds in the Sky dog cafe was a welcome contrast. Although on the second floor, the canine exuberance could be heard on the street below this Hongdae District cafe. Sixteen mostly big-breed dogs roamed freely in a big room and responded enthusiastically (and noisily) to proffered treats. The unadorned room smelled and looked clean. The dogs could wander through a swinging gate into a back room that was off-limits to visitors, but the dogs I saw all seemed to want to interact with the several Korean visitors who sat on the floor while workers scurried around them with mops to clean up. There was a grooming/examining room off to one side.

However, I wondered how it was possible to properly exercise this many large-breed dogs. The cafe cost 9,500 won ($8), which included a latte. The scene was calm, especially in a closed room for non-dog-lovers to watch the action.

Table A cafe in Seoul, South Korea. — Kelly Hayes-Raitt

Table A — Meerkats, Raccoons, Turtles, Chameleons, And More

My favorite animal cafe was an actual cafe with individual tables to sit at and sip a coffee or surf the internet. Also located in the Hongdae District, Table A had three floors, each with different animals. I entered from the street through the kitchen, which was closed off from the where the animals roamed, making me feel like my latte would be fur-free. The entrance fee was 10,000 won ($8), and only drinks were served (extra cost).

The ground floor was decorated with comfy tables and greenery, giving the cafe a jungle feeling. By the time I arrived, several cats had already staked out their favorite spots. The downstairs featured roaming meerkats, while raccoons scampered along overhead ladders and vines. A small atrium on the third floor had several aquariums with hedgehogs, snakes, and parakeets.

The cafe was clean and had several workers interacting with the animals and overseeing visitors’ interactions. The animals had places to hide and seemed active and engaged.

Tortoises at Koopet Cafe and Pet Store in Seoul. — Kelly Hayes-Raitt

Koopet Cafe And Pet Store — Tortoises

Another of my favorites was Koopet Cafe and Pet Store, which featured a central landscaped aquarium for several tortoises. Visitors could reach over the edge and feed the reptiles lettuce suspended from tongs. The pleasant cafe had no cover charge and featured comfortable tables to relax at and enjoy a cup of coffee. In the back of the cafe was a pet store where you could buy snakes, chameleons, geckos, or tarantulas.

This was a proper coffeehouse with light sandwiches, snacks, and desserts prepared in a kitchen separate from where the reptiles were housed. It was charming and the least gimmicky of the animal cafes I visited.

A raccoon at Blind Alley Cafe in Seoul. — Kelly Hayes-Raitt

Blind Alley Cafe — Raccoons

Finally, I visited Blind Alley Cafe, one of the first animal cafes to feature exotics. For 8,000 won ($6) and the cost of one drink, you could visit the private back room where three raccoons roamed freely. They had private cubbies to escape interaction and a series of ropes and ladders to climb around on. There were no tables to relax at with your latte, however. Those unwilling to pay the raccoon cover charge could hang out in the main cafe with a skittish dog and two huge pigs.

The cafe was clean and roomy and conducive to lingering over coffee, sandwiches, or snacks.

A raccoon at Table A cafe in Seoul. — Kelly Hayes-Raitt

Controversies Surrounding Animal Cafes

These cafes are not well regulated, either for the sanitation of the food and drinks served or for the animals’ welfare. Since the Act on Management of Zoos and Aquariums applies only to establishments with 50 or more animals of 10 different species, these cafes operate in a legal loophole. There are no protections to prevent animal attacks on other animals in the multispecies cafes; to set standards for animals’ exercise or mental stimulation; to prevent specialty breeding (as in the case of the munchkin cats); to standardize space, light, and cleanliness; or to prevent overfeeding.

And there are no protections for visitors to the cafes. Stories abound in internet reviews of the cafes by patrons who have been bitten or scratched by raccoons or meerkats.

Furthermore, there are no laws providing for the animals of cafes that have closed. Galapagos Cafe’s publicized iguanas, the rabbits at Bunny Cafe, and Wanggwan House’s parrots have all disappeared, and their welfare is in question.

In fact, animal welfare groups have begun protesting the animal cafes and demanding more oversight. One lawmaker has proposed legislation to ban wild animals, such as raccoons, in cafes and restaurants.

I’ll admit, although it may be politically incorrect, that I was charmed by some of these cafes (such as Table A and Koopet), where I felt the animals were cared for, the place was clean, and I could relax with a latte. These are, after all, coffee cafes!

Cafe Off-Grid in Seoul, South Korea. — Kelly Hayes-Raitt

Cafe Off-Grid, An Alternative To Gimmicky Animal Cafes

The coffeehouse where I felt most at home, however, was Cafe Off-Grid. For a truly soul-enriching caffeine pick-me-up, recharge at Seoul’s only inner-city cafe that’s completely unplugged. Coffee beans are hand-ground on the spot, and a gas-powered central stove heats the water and milk. The cafe is run by a cooperative of 35 students experimenting with small-scale self-sufficient enterprises.

For a truly sensual experience, try the Aztec cacao hot chocolate for 7,000 won ($6). But don’t make the same mistake I did and show up expecting to work with a dead laptop battery. There’s no place to plug in!

Planning a visit to Seoul? Here are nine great ways to experience Korean culture in the city, plus 13 things you should know before visiting.

8 Incredible Reasons To Visit Glasgow

In the 1970s and early 1980s, Glasgow, Scotland, was knockabout industrial, with waning fortunes and high unemployment, and making headlines for culinary crimes like deep-fried Mars bars.

In 1983, Glasgow announced it would transform itself through culture. It wasn’t about increasing tourism, but creating a city locals could enjoy.

The results were outstanding. Glasgow was named a European Capital of Culture in 1990, a UK City of Architecture and Design in 1999, and a UNESCO City of Music in 2008. It hosted the 2014 Commonwealth Games and was named Europe’s top destination in The Cultural and Creative Cities Monitor in 2019 — ranking well above Edinburgh, the Scottish city most tourists prioritize visiting.

Here are just a few reasons to visit this underrated Scottish city.

1. Glaswegians Are Friendly And Funny

Glasgow is only a 45-minute commute from Edinburgh by train. Some of the first things you’ll notice are banners proclaiming People Make Glasgow. Edinburgh is clogged with tourists, but in Glasgow you’ll meet locals. Standing at a bar or in any queue, Glaswegians will chat away as if you were their next-door neighbor. When I didn’t have the change I needed for my bus fare, a Glaswegian paid for me. My Airbnb hosts not only met me at the station, but when I needed to rise at dawn, they brought up a breakfast tray and a completely unexpected packed lunch.

Glaswegians talk in rapid-fire, but concentrate or you’ll miss out on some great one-liners. Billy Connolly launched his career in Glasgow in the 1970s, honing his lines on his coworkers at the shipyards where he worked as an apprentice welder. His success encouraged generations to hit the stage, and today Glasgow is home to the Glasgow International Comedy Festival, the largest comedy festival in Europe.

Glasgow’s running gag is the statue of the 1st Duke of Wellington on his steed outside the Gallery of Modern Art. Instead of a hat, he sports a bright orange traffic cone. Some larrikin placed it there in the 1980s after a few drinks. The Glasgow City Council repeatedly tried to restore the duke’s dignity, but daring locals always climbed up to recrown him. The council gave in, and the cone lives on — a symbol of Glaswegian humor.

The Riverside Museum in Glasgow. — Glasgow Tourism

2. Glasgow’s Major Museums And Galleries Are Free To Visit

The palatial Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum features 22 themed galleries with 8,000 objects, from medieval suits of armor to Salvador Dali’s Christ of Saint John of the Cross (worth £60 million). I’m glad I took a guided tour of Kelvingrove’s highlights, or I’d still be there.

Glasgow is home to the Burrell Collection, one of the largest collections of artwork ever amassed by an individual. Sir William Burrell, a wealthy shipping merchant, collected everything from Chinese ceramics and tapestries to Rodin sculptures and Degas paintings, ultimately leaving it all to Glasgow. The site will reopen in the spring of 2021 after a £66 million upgrade, but highlights of the collection are on display at Kelvingrove.

The Riverside Museum was voted the European Museum of the Year in 2013. Architect Zaha Hadid’s wavelike design symbolizes Glasgow’s relationship with the River Clyde. Learn how Glasgow once thrived on industries like shipbuilding and locomotive construction. Clamber aboard buses and trains, and stroll down a replica of a 1930s street. Explore the tall ship Glenlee. In the summer, catch the free ferry to nearby Govan, a riverside district with a village vibe and traditional pubs.

The University of Glasgow in Scotland. — Glasgow Tourism

3. Glasgow Offers Historic Haunts

Glasgow Cathedral was once the hub of the medieval city, and today this Gothic masterpiece is only a 15-minute walk from central Glasgow. Sir Walter Scott wrote about this kirk (Scottish for “church”) in his novel Rob Roy. The cathedral offers audio or pay-by-donation tours. The Bring up the Bodies option takes you through the cathedral’s burial grounds. On Sundays, visitors can rejoice in choral Evensong.

Just above the cathedral is the Glasgow Necropolis, a hillside cemetery modeled on Paris’s Pere Lachaise. Without climbing too far, you’ll get spectacular views over Glasgow. The huge cenotaphs and mausoleums were built for wealthy merchants. Many made their fortunes trading in tobacco before the American Revolution disrupted trade. The Friends of the Glasgow Necropolis offer guided tours by donation.

About 2.5 miles away is the University of Glasgow; founded in 1451, it’s the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world. Take the free tour with your camera at the ready. With its evocative towers and cloisters, it was used as a filming location for the television show Outlander.

A crowd at the Barrowlands in Glasgow. — Glasgow Tourism

4. Glasgow Is Scotland’s Cultural Capital

The Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the National Theatre of Scotland, the Scottish Opera, the Scottish Ballet, and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra are all based in Glasgow, offering many cultural events. Glasgow also boasts nightly live music in venues like the Barrowlands and Glasgow’s temple to rock, King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut. You can also experience free live music across town.

Students make up a significant proportion of Glasgow’s population, so the culture is hip and vibrant. The Gallery of Modern Art is the most-visited modern art gallery in Scotland, and there’s an exciting street art scene. Follow the mural trail or tour it with a local. Doctor Who fans can check out the iconic police boxes (the TARDIS) that Glasgow has preserved.

The entrance to the Glasgow School of Art. — Electric Egg / Shutterstock

5. Glasgow Has Charles Rennie Mackintosh

Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868-1928) was an internationally celebrated architect and designer. There are lots of photos of this dapper fellow with his twirlable moustache scattered across Glasgow.

Like Frank Lloyd Wright, Mackintosh believed that architects should be responsible for everything, from the initial plans to the interior design. In some of his famous tea rooms, Mackintosh even designed the cutlery and the waitresses’ uniforms. His work, and that of his wife Margaret Macdonald, combined elements of the Arts and Crafts and art nouveau movements and became known as the Glasgow Style.

Mackintosh’s most famous building, the Glasgow School of Art, was gutted by fire in 2018, and Glaswegians must have felt like the Parisians did when Notre Dame went up in flames. But Glasgow still offers many Mackintosh gems. After a painstaking four-year renovation, the 1903 Mackintosh at the Willow tea rooms reopened in 2018 in time for the 150th anniversary of Mackintosh’s birth. There’s seating for 200, but the highlight is the Salon de Luxe, an intimate tea room with silver, gray, and pink accents and a mirrored frieze. Tours and meal packages are available.

Mackintosh believed a room should be a work of art, and at the Hunterian Museum, there’s a meticulous recreation of the interior of Mackintosh’s own home. The Style Mile, Glasgow’s high-end shopping area, is also home to a Mackintosh commission, The Lighthouse. Formerly the headquarters of The Herald, this building has a remarkable circular staircase, and visitors can enter for free. There’s an exhibition space, and you can purchase distinctive jewelry and scarves that incorporate Mackintosh’s flowing designs. The viewing platform (accessible by elevator) offers vistas over Glasgow. Paid guided tours are offered on Saturdays.

Other Mackintosh attractions include the Hill House and the House for an Art Lover, with its impressive cafe. See the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society’s website for details.

The entrance to Glasgow Central Station. — Christian Mueller / Shutterstock

6. Glasgow Preserves Its Industrial Past

While Glasgow’s cultural sector is booming, the city also prides itself on its industrial heritage. Guides on the hop-on, hop-off buses tell visitors about Glasgow’s illustrious shipbuilding legacy that includes both the Royal Yacht Britannia and the Queen Elizabeth 2 being built at the John Brown shipyard.

Tourists don high-visibility jackets and hats to tour Glasgow Central Station’s subterranean passageways and vaults. In 1916, the station platform became a temporary morgue where women came to identify what was left of their menfolk who had been killed on the Front.

To learn more about the women of Glasgow, visit the Glasgow Women’s Library, the only museum dedicated to women’s history in the UK. The library offers a program of walking tours and even bike rides. Or visit the People’s Palace, a Victorian-era building where there’s a replica of a tenement where a large family would live in one room.

Exterior of Rogano, the oldest surviving restaurant in Glasgow — cornfield / Shutterstock.com

7. Glasgow Serves Up Great Food

Glasgow is the UK’s top destination for vegan food. And while you might not be a vegan, this shows how the locals embrace food trends.

There are some excellent fine-dining establishments as well. The Gannet, a new award-winning degustation restaurant, celebrates Scottish produce such as halibut caught off the Isle of Gigha and Cairngorm red deer game sausage. Rogano, Glasgow’s oldest operating restaurant, is modeled on the Queen Mary, an art deco ship launched on the Clyde in 1935. Hutchesons City Grill in the historic Merchant City precinct (where those 19th-century merchants had their fine houses) is decked out like an old-fashioned gentleman’s club.

There are also budget-friendly options. Glasgow is known as Scotland’s unofficial curry capital, and it offers great takeout options. And yes, Glaswegians will fry anything. Remember that scene from Parts Unknown where Anthony Bourdain, eating chips covered in cheese and curry sauce and downing an Irn-Bru, mutters, “I’m pretty sure God is against this”? He was at the University Cafe.

Glasgow is a great place to try local food. Look out for haggis served with bashed neeps (turnips). The Ubiquitous Chip, a 50-year-old local institution, serves meat and vegetarian options. It’s a good place for the squeamish (such as myself) who balk at offal. Also, look out for tattie scones, made from potatoes; cranachan, a dessert of whipped cream and fresh raspberries fortified by Scottish oats and whisky; and cullen skink, a thick soup made of smoked haddock. Bar Gandolfi serves a few of these options.

The Harry Potter bridge in Scotland. — Nick Fox / Shutterstock

8. Glasgow Makes A Great Base

There are 90 golf courses in and around Glasgow. You are only 30 minutes from the famous Stirling Castle, and trains whisk you to the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond or to the seaside city of Ayr with its Robert Burns history in around 45 minutes. Glasgow also offers excellent access to the Scottish Highlands. The West Highland Railway Line from Glasgow is one of the world’s most scenic rail journeys.

I took a full-day bus trip to Fort William and Mallaig before boarding the Jacobite Steam Train to cross the Glenfinnan Viaduct (the Harry Potter bridge). All the Potterheads were so excited to be crossing the bridge that they blocked the train windows, but it’s another fascinating excursion easily accessible from Glasgow.