Newport Seafood & Wine Festival: 11 Tips to Know Before Your Go

Knowing what to expect and being prepared will make all the difference when you attend the Newport Seafood & Wine Festival.

It all started out like an adventure waiting to happen. My BFF Jenny and I packed up the car for some much needed girltime at the beach, where we planned to spend the weekend tasting some of the best wines around and eating piles of delicious seafood.

Well, we definitely made a memory – no question about that – but we also got a clear-cut reminder that, like Disneyland on a hot August afternoon, expectation and reality are not always the same thing.

Actual conversation that took place the weekend following our trip:

[Setting: Casual dinner gathering of local bloggers and foodies.]

Me: So, guess what I just did last weekend!

I went to the Newport Seafood & Wine Festival.

For the first time.

On Saturday.

Group: Whyeee? What were you thinking?!?

Me: I know. I should have known. I really should have known.

Group: [SMH]

Me: Total frat party.

Group: Accurate.

It’s a lot better if you’re prepared for it though.

True story, folks. Be prepared.

Jenny and I met these enthusiastic ladies while waiting in the shuttle line. They attend the Festival every year together to celebrate their friend’s birthday.

This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.

Let me be clear: the point of this post is not to discourage you from attending the Newport Seafood & Wine Festival – quite the contrary!

It is my hope that this post will give you the information you need so that, when you go, you can have a great time; and (most importantly) avoid having any big, unwelcome surprises along the way.

In other words, this is the post I wish I had read before I went.

? Newport Seafood & Wine Festival 2020 ?

11 Tips to Know Before Your Go

MOST RECENT POST UPDATE: January 18, 2020

Held annually on the 4th weekend of February, the Newport Seafood & Wine Festival in Newport, Oregon has been attracting visitors from around the world since 1978.

At the Festival, Pacific Northwest wineries pour their finest wines, culinary professionals serve up delectable seafood creations, and local artists and craftsmen showcase a variety of fine art, sculptures, photography, pottery, and jewelry.

Knowing what to expect and being prepared will make all the difference in your experience.

[Note that this is an over-21 event. Children are not allowed, nor are pets unless they are a service animal.]

This is the post I wish I'd read *before* I went to the Newport Seafood & Wine Festival {Newport, Oregon} ? ? ? #travel #traveloregon @seafoodandwine Click To Tweet

Pre-Festival Prep

1. Book your stay in Newport early.

Each year, the Festival draws some 25,000 additional people to this coastal community of 10,000, making overnight options scarce, so if you want to stay in town, be sure to plan ahead.

Better yet, plan your overnight stay in one of the many nearby coastal towns. Maybe it’s just my imagination, but Newport overnight accommodations during the Festival seem significantly more pricey than they are other times of the year. (Whaaa?!?!) You may find a better deal by staying 20 or 30 minutes north or south of Newport.

2. Purchase your tickets online to save.

You can save between 10% and 20% by purchasing your tickets for the Festival online. Note that Saturday entrance is by E-Ticket only. There is NO GENERAL ADMISSION on Saturday. Standby may be available after 1pm depending on capacity; however, standby tickets are considerably more expensive.

3. Eat a good meal before you go.

This is just common sense, especially if you plan to do a lot of wine tasting. You probably want to avoid spicy or heavily seasoned food in order to keep your taste buds neutral, but it’s a good idea to have something in your stomach.

Speaking of food, I think that the single biggest disappointment about the Festival for me when I attended was due wholly to my incorrect perception that because title of the Festival was Seafood & Wine, that there would be a balance of, well, seafood and wine. Logically, what followed in my mind was that I would have many luscious seafood options from which to choose for a midday meal.

The reality was, not so much. From my perspective, this Festival is all about the Wine: the seafood is just a nice opening act, and an overpriced one at that. With that said, the food vendor list for this year’s festival seems to have been significantly expanded over past years, so it might be a bit more balanced now.

Getting There

4. Take advantage of the shuttle service.

The Newport Seafood & Wine Festival provides a FREE bus shuttle to all patrons of the Festival. The shuttle stops at many of the local hotels, motels and popular Newport neighborhoods. Shuttles stop running 1 hour after the closing of the Festival. On Saturday the hours are extended for service to area restaurants.

Even if you are staying a ways out of town, I suggest parking at one of the shuttle stops and taking the shuttle bus to the actual event location, as parking there can be a significant challenge much of the time.

There are also many private groups that obtain a license to operate as a temporary cab service through the City of Newport. These cab services are available throughout the Festival weekend in addition to the regular cab companies in Newport.

Note that there is parking near the festival grounds, but it is quite limited, especially relative to the festival attendance. Parking at these lots is $5 per day.

5. Go early and leave early.

At peak times of the day (particularly on Saturday) there can be a bit of a wait to get in, so be prepared to chill in line for a little while. (And “chill” you will! Remember, this is the Oregon Coast in February, folks.) The upside to this is that you will have the opportunity to meet some truly interesting characters.

The best days to go to avoid the college partiers are Thursday night or Sunday, the later being the most “adult” day of the Festival. Sunday is also a good day for finding deals, as vendors don’t want to tote all that wine back with them.

11 Things You Need to Know Before Attending the Newport Seafood & Wine Festival | The Good Hearted Woman

This couple, like many, dressed up for the occasion.

When You Go

6. Do not drink all the wine. [Or as my Dad would have said: Don’t be a jackass.]

At one point while Jenny and I were threading our way through the crowds, it seemed as though wine glasses were falling to the ground around us like plates at a Greek wedding, due mostly to the fact that their owners had lost the ability to hold onto a glass properly.

Each time a glass popped and shattered on the asphalt floor, individuals in the nearby crowd expressed one of two distinct reactions: (1) clapping, cheering, and general appreciation for the glass owner’s achievement of apparent inebriation, or (2) head-shaking and eye-rolling at the glass owner’s achievement of apparent inebriation.

Personally, and at risk of sounding old and judgy, the truth is, if you drink all the wine, you will end up looking like a jackass to at least half the crowd. If you’re cool with that, great. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Mulled blueberry wine, made from a novelty wine from Springbank Farm in Lebanon, Oregon was one of my favorite things at the Festival. It was especially welcome on a crisp February afternoon.

7. Keep in mind that the Vendors are people, too.

Vendors can get cranky after a weekend of dealing with ~~drunken revelers and college carousers~~ wine tasters, so if they seem a bit frustrated at times, try to offer a little compassion and a kind word. (You might even get a free tasting out of it ?)

10 Things You Need to Know Before Attending the Newport Seafood & Wine Festival | The Good Hearted Woman

This Cardwell Hill Cellars vendor was very friendly, and such a good sport for posing for my “exhausted vendor” pic.

Good to Know

8. You probably don’t want to take your teetotaling friends.

I have a lot of friends who don’t consume alcohol under any circumstances. I also attend many food events at which alcohol is served to which I would feel completely comfortable taking them.

This ain’t one of ’em.

The focus of the Newport Seafood & Wine Festival is on Wine first and foremost, and as someone who abstained for much of my adult life, I can tell you: this event just isn’t geared for the non-imbibing demographic; not at all.

In addition to wine and seafood, there are a number of artisan & crafter booths at the Festival, and this was one of my favorites! Mugwump designs & creates handbags, wallets, & other fashion accessories using reclaimed/recycled materials.

9. Actual wine tastings are NOT INCLUDED in the price of your ticket.

If this is your first large-scale wine tasting event, this may come as a surprise. If you plan to do a lot of tasting, come prepared with a pocket full of small bills.

10. Wine awards are (apparently) like soccer trophies: everyone gets one.

However, (and I’m just guessing here) not all awards are created equal.

Now, I’m no wine expert by any stretch, especially when it comes to wine awards. All I can tell you is that practically every bottle I saw on display had some kind of ribbon or medal hanging around its neck.

The Newport Seafood & Wine Festival hands out Gold, Silver, Bronze and Best-In-Show awards, but beyond that there are tons of wine awards on display from countless other competitions.

11. There will be at least four times more people there than you imagine.

If you are one of those people who find crowds a little intimidating (or downright terrifying), I strongly urge you to avoid going on Saturday at all.

Saturday is the busiest day of the Festival (followed closely by Friday evening) and the one that attracts the most revelers as well.

The best time for crowd-shy folks is Thursday night (which is also the media night), or early in the day on Friday or Sunday.

10 Things You Should Know Before Attending the Newport Seafood & Wine Festival.

Image Credit: Oregon Coast Visitors Association [Used with permission.]

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Have you ever attended the Newport Seafood & Seafood Festival? (Or any large-scale wine festival?) Share your best advice or tips in the comments below.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they do help keep this site up and running. As always, all opinions and images are my own. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

Hattie B’s Nashville Hot Chicken {Step-by-Step}

November 10 By Renée 97 Comments

This amazing Nashville Hot Chicken recipe (adapted from Hattie B’s famous recipe) results in a crispy, tender, fiery fried chicken with a spicy kick that is positively addictive.

This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.

I love fried chicken. I don’t eat it often, but I love it. Back when I was a kid, my BFF’s Gramma Barbara made THE BEST southern fried chicken I’ve ever eaten, or ever hope to eat, in my life. Tender, juicy, crispy, and seasoned just right, Gramma B’s chicken was so finger-licking delicious that it tasted like it had been fried in heaven. It was Perfect.

My Southern Fried Sensei, Gramma Barbara.

As a young teen, Gramma B kind of adopted me. She was fun and irreverent, and to this day I love her like my own.

Gramma B taught me how to make fried chicken a couple of times, and I think I got the basics down fine, but I could never make it quite as good as she did. I don’t know if was her skillet, or the lard (of course it was the lard) or some other sublime combination of environmental and mystical factors, but her fried chicken was absolutely divine and mine was, at best, pretty darn good.

In my quest to scratch my fried chicken itch, I’ve ordered fried chicken at nearly every place from Portland to Memphis that serves it. While some places turn out a very decent chicken plate, nothing has ever come close to ringing that elusive Gramma B-worthy, southern fried chicken bell for me. There’s always something missing.

Then we went to Nashville and discovered Hot Chicken.

What is Nashville Hot Chicken, and what makes it so awesome?

Nashville Hot Chicken is a hyper-regional specialty with a long, colorful, sordid history involving a philandering man, a jealous woman hell-bent on revenge, and a whole lot ‘a hot pepper juice.

Nashville Hot Chicken is heaven and hell in a one transcendent bite.

The origins of Nashville Hot Chicken is a finely-woven tale that I simply can’t do justice and still keep this post under ten thousand words, so I’m not even going to try. (And I don’t need to, because The Bitter Southerner has done a bang-up job telling the story for us: when you have a minute or ten, I strongly encourage you to read about how Nashville Hot Chicken really came to be!)

The minute Mr B and I heard the term “hot chicken,” we were all over it like red beans on rice. We did a little research, and discovered that Nashville’s Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack is the acknowledged home of the original hot chicken, so we made plans to check it out. However, so many of the Nashville locals we asked pointed us toward relative newcomer Hattie B’s that we decided to try it instead. [Like slider-eaters in the Great Southern Slider Debate, hot chicken-eaters, we learned, have a fierce loyalty to their chosen chicken fryer!]

Hattie B’s has three locations in Nashville, and reviews said that the lines at West Nashville location (closest to where we were staying) could be very long at peak times. However, we arrived relatively late for a weekday (around 8:30 pm) and had a less than five minute wait: just long enough for us to check out the menu.

After studying the menu for a few minutes, we ordered two small plates, which turned out to be a ton of food! Each plate came with a whole chicken quarter (dark meat for Mr B, light for me) and two sides. Mr B got baked beans and I ordered the potato salad, and we both got coleslaw.

Our chicken arrived in less than ten minutes, stacked in a basket between the traditional slice of white bread, topped with a dill pickle. It only took me one bite to know that Hattie B’s Hot Chicken was absolutely amazing. Possibly addictive.

Hattie B’s Nashville Hot Chicken is the first chicken I’ve eaten in at least twenty years that even comes close to Grandma B’s fried chicken – with one important caveat: instead tasting like chicken sent from heaven, it tastes more like the devil himself cooked up a batch of fried chicken on his day off.

I need that fried chicken recipe!!!

When we got back to our hotel room, I immediately searched for a Nashville Hot Chicken recipe, and was absolutely thrilled to discover Hattie B’s recipe in Lee Brian Schrager’s cookbook Fried & True: More than 50 Recipes for America’s Best Fried Chicken and Sides.

Well, you can bet that it took me less than a Tennessee minute to order it. (Which, come to think of it, is probably substantially longer than a New York minute, but still…)

When my copy of Fried & True arrived, I opened it to find the pages bursting with great recipes, valuable tips and cooking methods, personal stories, and a true love of fried chicken.

How to Make Nashville Hot Chicken – Step-by-Step

The following Nashville Hot Chicken recipe, adapted from the aforementioned recipe in Fried & True, results in a crispy, tender, fiery fried chicken with a spicy kick that will keep you coming back for more.

The recipe itself is relatively straightforward, but after making hot chicken myself, I have some wisdom to pass along that will make the process go more smoothly.

For ingredients and amounts, please refer to the recipe card below.

Step 1: The Dry-Brine

In a medium bowl, toss together the chicken pieces, salt, and pepper. Cover and refrigerate overnight. (Up to 24 hours)

NOTE: The first time I made this chicken, I had a scheduling conflict and ended up dry-brining it for 3 days. (Stuff happens.) It was totally fine.

Step 2: The Dredge-Dip-Dredge

In a 9×9 pan or baking dish, whisk together the milk, eggs, and hot sauce. In a separate 9×9 baking dish, combine the four and salt.

[1] Drag the chicken through the flour mixture, coating evenly.

[2] Dip the floured chicken in the milk mixture.

[3] Drag once again in the flour mixture.
Shake off excess between each step. Allow chicken to rest on drying rack while you prepare the rest of the chicken pieces for frying.

Step 3: The Fry

For this step, you will need either a deep fryer, a large deep skillet, or a deep electric skillet. You will also need tongs, and a deep-fry/meat thermometer. I suggest using using a combination of canola and soybean oil for deep frying.

WARNING: Deep frying can be dangerous! Carefully prepare the area before you begin deep frying. Always make sure that whatever you are deep frying in is stable so that it won’t tip. Always use a tongs, a skimmer, or a deep-fry basket to add and remove chicken pieces from the hot oil. Chicken pieces can slip from forks or spoons and splash hot oil.

REMEMBER! When you add your chicken, it will displace a lot of oil. If you are using a frying pan or electric skillet, it is vital that you DO NOT OVERFILL it with oil or it may or it may overflow when you add the chicken.

KITCHEN TRICK: How to easily figure out the necessary level of the frying oil.

1. Put one batch/fryer full of chicken pieces in a large ziplock bag. Squeeze as much air out of the bag as you can and seal it shut.
2. Lay the bag of raw chicken pieces flat in the bottom of the frying pan.
3. Add water to the level that you want the oil to be when you deep fry.
4. Remove bag of chicken from the pan.
5. Note level of the water.
6. Pour the water out, and carefully dry out pan.
7. Add oil to that same level.
8. Now you’re ready to fry without fear of overflowing your frying pan!

(Thanks, Archimedes!)

IMPORTANT: The oil needs to maintain an optimal temperature of 325° while the chicken is frying. However, the oil temp will drop at least 25° when you add the chicken, so initially you need to heat the oil up to 340° – 350°.

It is important to maintain a consistent temperature for frying chicken of 325° F. If the temperature of oil in the pan drops down below 300°, the chicken will begin to absorb the cooking oil, resulting in greasy, soggy chicken. If it rises above about 340°, the chicken will cook too quickly on the outside, and not get done in the middle. When fried at the correct temperature, the chicken will come out golden brown, having absorbed very little oil.

Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or deep fryer until it is between 340°F – 350°F. The oil needs to be deep enough for the chicken to fully submerge. [If you don’t have a deep enough skillet for deep frying, see HELP below.]
Drop the coated chicken into the hot oil.
Turn the pieces as they brown and do not let them touch each other while frying.
The temperature will drop when you add the chicken. Keep the oil at 325°F while the chicken fries.
Working in batches, use tongs to carefully add the chicken to the hot oil and fry until crispy.

↓↓ This is what your chicken should sound like when it is frying. ↓↓

Estimated cooking times: 15-17 minutes for breast quarters; 18-20 minutes for leg quarters.

Chicken is done when it registers an internal temperature of 165°F. (Yes, I use a candy thermometer. It goes up to 400 degrees, and it works just fine.)
When done, remove chicken from oil and allow to drain on wire rack.

How to test for doneness without a meat thermometer: Cut into the thickest part of a drumstick. The juices should run clear and the meat should be opaque throughout. If necessary, you can pop slightly underdone fried chicken into a preheated 325°F oven until it is fully cooked.

TIP: I aim to take the chicken off the heat when it registers a temperature of 160°, and allow carryover cooking to bring it up to temperature as it sits on the wire rack.

HELP! What if my chicken isn’t completely submerged in the oil when I fry it?!
This is, technically, deep-fried chicken, so ideally the oil for The Fry needs to be deep enough for the chicken to fully submerge. However, sometimes it just doesn’t work out that way.

You may have noticed that my chicken is sticking out at the top in some of the process images. That’s because I don’t own a deep fryer (I only deep fry about twice a year), and prefer to make hot chicken in my electric skillet because I can control the temperature of the fry oil more accurately than in a stovetop skillet. Unfortunately, my electric skillet isn’t quite deep enough to allow most chicken pieces to completely submerge, so I end up turning the chicken pieces a few times in the process, and it takes a few extra minutes to cook.

If this is you, don’t worry – just use your meat thermometer to keep an eye on the internal temp, and you be fine.

Step 4: The Spicy Coating (Wet Application)

Ladle about a cup of hot frying oil into a heatproof bowl or pan. Whisk in cayenne, brown sugar, and spices. The hot oil will activate the spices. (I use a small saucepan for this in case I need to heat the oil up again before basting a second batch.)

Baste the hot spice mixture over the hot fried chicken. You want the hot oil mixture hot enough that when you baste it over the fried chicken, the skin stays nice and crispy.

**Just how Hot is this Nashville Hot Chicken recipe anyway?**

According to the recipe from which this one is adapted, the spice level for this recipe is gauged as MEDIUM HOT; however, in my experience, it is slightly hotter than medium. (I’d rate it about a 6 or 6.5 on a 1-10 heat scale.)

For one test batch, I used two tablespoons of cayenne instead of three, and the results were (for my tastes) perfect – not painfully spicy, but with solid heat and a decided kick. (About a 4.5.)

Step 5: The Serve

If you want to go traditional, serve your Hot Chicken up over a slice of white bread. Garnish with dill pickle slices.

5 from 5 votes

Nashville Hot Chicken

This amazing Nashville Hot Chicken recipe results in a crispy, tender, fiery fried chicken with a spicy kick that is positively addictive.

Prep Time20 mins

Cook Time40 mins

Dry-Brine Prep1 d

Total Time1 d 1 hr

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course: Main

Cuisine: Southern

Keyword: chicken, spicy

Servings: large servings

Calories: 372kcal

Author: Adapted from Hattie B's recipe in FRIED & TRUE; Lee Brian Schrager

Equipment

Ingredients

For the Dry Brine

1 whole chicken 3 pounds, washed, patted dry, and cut into quarters
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

For the Dip

1 cup whole milk
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon Louisiana-style hot sauce

For the Dredge

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons sea salt
Vegetable oil for frying

For the Spicy Coating

1 cup hot frying oil or hot lard
3 tablespoons cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Garnish

Dill pickle slices
White bread optional

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Step 1: The Dry-Brine

In a medium bowl, toss together the chicken pieces, salt, and pepper. Cover and refrigerate overnight. (Up to 24 hours)

Step 2: The Dredge-Dip-Dredge

In a 9×9 pan or baking dish, whisk together the milk, eggs, and hot sauce. In a separate 9×9 baking dish, combine the four and salt.
Drag the chicken through the flour mixture, coating evenly.
Dip the floured chicken in the milk mixture.
Drag once again in the flour mixture.
Shake off excess between each step. Allow chicken to rest on drying rack while you prepare the rest of the chicken pieces for frying.

Step 3: The Fry

PLEASE READ NOTES IN POST for additional notes and tips about this step.
WARNING: Deep frying can be dangerous! Carefully prepare the area before you begin deep frying. Always make sure that whatever you are deep frying in is stable so that it won’t tip. Always use a tongs, a skimmer, or a deep-fry basket to add and remove chicken pieces from the hot oil. Chicken pieces can slip from forks or spoons and splash hot oil.
Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or deep fryer until it is between 340°F – 350°F. The oil needs to be deep enough for the chicken to fully submerge. [If you don’t have a deep enough skillet for deep frying, see HELP in post.] The temperature will drop when you add the chicken. Keep the oil at 325°F while the chicken fries.
Working in batches, use tongs to carefully add the chicken to the hot oil and fry until crispy. If using a skillet, you will need to turn the pieces as they brown. Do not let them touch each other while frying.
Estimated cooking times [fully submerged in frying oil]: 15-17 minutes for breast quarters; 18-20 minutes for leg quarters.
Chicken is done when it registers an internal temperature of 165°F. (Yes, I use a candy thermometer, and it works just fine.)
When done, remove chicken from oil and allow to drain on wire rack.

Step 4: The Spicy Coating (Wet Application)

Ladle about a cup of hot frying oil into a heatproof bowl or pan. Whisk in cayenne, brown sugar, and spices. The hot oil will activate the spices. (I use a small saucepan for this in case I need to heat the oil up again before basting a second batch.)
Baste the hot spice mixture over the hot fried chicken. You want the hot oil mixture hot enough that when you baste it over the fried chicken, the skin stays nice and crispy.

Step 5: The Serve

Serve hot or cold. If you want to go traditional, serve your Hot Chicken up over a slice of white bread. Garnish with dill pickle slices.

Notes

The spice level in this recipe is gauged as MEDIUM HOT. Adjust spices according to your own tastes.

It’s important to maintain the correct temperature for frying chicken of 325° F. If the temperature of oil in the pan drops down below 300°, the chicken will begin to absorb the cooking oil, resulting in greasy, soggy chicken. If it rises above about 340°, the chicken will cook too quickly on the outside, and not get done in the middle. When fried at the correct temperature, the chicken will come out golden brown, having absorbed very little oil.

Nutrition

Tried this recipe?Mention @TheGoodHeartedWoman or tag #thegoodheartedwoman!

Can I make this Nashville Hot Chicken recipe in an Air Fryer?

Yes, you can make Nashville Hot Chicken in your Air Fryer. It is a slow process, because you can’t fit very many chicken pieces in the basket at one time, but it does work.

In order for the coating to brown, you need to spray the dipped and dredged chicken with cooking spray before placing it in the air fryer.

Air Fried Hot Chicken comes out of the air fryer with a decidedly different, less appetizing texture (imo) and color than that of oil-fried Hot Chicken; however, once you baste it with the basting spices, it is difficult to tell the difference.

If you choose to air fry your hot chicken, you will need to heat up some oil in a small cooking pot to mix with the basting spices.

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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they do help keep this site up and running. As always, all opinions and images are my own. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

UPDATED: This recipe was originally posted on this website on July 28, 2017.

Small Town Good Eats: Wyoming Edition

September 10 By Renée 6 Comments

If you find yourself traveling through Wyoming and feeling those hunger pangs, be sure to check out a few of these wonderful Wyoming restaurants!

Whenever Mr B and I go on a road trip, we make it a point of tracking down the best small town eats we can find. The smaller the town, the more Mom-n-Pop a place feels, the more the locals rave, the faster we come running. We make a week-long run through Wyoming every year: here’s a roundup of our favorite small town Wyoming restaurants!

Wyoming Restaurants

Small Town Good Eats at Reasonable Prices

UPDATED: September 2019

Buffalo
- Pie Zanos – Locally sourced, scratch made; traditional and new takes on Italian classics.
- Occidental Saloon – Old West tourist spot great for lunch and a cold drink.
Casper
- Pho Saigon – Thai food that will make you swoon.
- Sanford’s – Monster-size portions in a cool, vintage theme restaurant.
- HQ Southern BBQ – Some mighty fine BBQ.
Gillette
- Pizza Carello – “The Best Pizza in Wyoming”
- Pokey’s BBQ & Smokehouse – Texas-style BBQ in Texas-size portions.
- The Coop – Tasty Tex-Mex influenced rotisserie chicken dishes.
- Big Lost Meadery – Cool off with a horn full of craft mead and get Big Lost.
Sheridan
- Cowboy Café – Classic American faire with a decidedly western slant.
- Andi’s Coffee House – Luscious pastries, free Wifi, and lots of quiet spaces if you want a little alone time.
- Mint Bar – You can’t ride your horse up to the bar anymore, but you should stop in anyway.

^{This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.}

BUFFALO
Pop. 4,584*

Buffalo is at the top of our list of favorite Wyoming small towns: there seems to always be something wonderful happening whenever we stop in! One year it was the National Basque Convention, another it was a Longmire Days (Longmire author Craig Johnson is a local celeb). Who knows what the next year will bring?!

With all those festivals and community celebrations come some delicious smelling food carts to the town square, but these tasty, mostly barbecued offerings are available sporadically at best. There are surprisingly few sit-down restaurants in Buffalo, but we’ve found a couple of places that serve travelers an excellent meal.

BUFFALO WYOMING RESTAURANTS

Pie Zanos

17 N Main Street, Buffalo

Pie Zanos is currently our favorite place to eat in Buffalo. Speaking as one who actively seeks out cozy destinations, this place virtually breathes flannel shirts and boot leather. Some of the kitsch that fills the cabinets may be a bit cringy, but overall, the “cowboy tourist” meets “attic-cleaning baby-boomer” vibe seems to be working for them.

Pie Zanos’ menu offers scratch-made traditional dishes and new spins on Italian classics. Meats and produce are locally sourced, and the menu leans heavily on seasonal produce. There were a couple of good options for vegetarians, but it might tough to get a great vegan meal here (as is the case in most of Wyoming). Service was friendly and efficient, and the low sound level made it was easy to hold a conversation in the space.

I ordered the Pasta Primavera with Italian sausage because I was jonesing for veggies, and the fresh tomatoes and zucchini in the menu description sounded delicious. When it arrived, I noted that the vegetable to pasta ratio seemed a bit low, but other than that, it made for a quite satisfying meal. The dish as a whole was excellent, and the grilled marinated veggies were especially tasty.

Mr B ordered the meatball sandwich, which he described as “average to a little better than average. I’d give it a B, give or take.” (Mr B fancies himself to be a Meatball Connoisseur, which apparently roughly aligns to being a Master Sommelier, only with meatballs instead of wine.) The house-made meatballs themselves had a pleasant flavor and solid texture (as opposed to being spongy). The marinara sauce that topped the sandwich was thick, tasty, and nicely balanced with the meatballs. However, the best part about the meatball sandwich was – by far – the roll that it was built upon. It was Outstanding! If that roll is any indication of quality that their in-house bakery produces, we will be back next year with bells on!

We did note that Everything we ordered was in desperate need of salt, pepper, and any other tableside seasoning we could find. We run into this “blandness/lack of seasoning” often when we eat out in Wyoming, and it has us thinking that maybe Wyomingites as a whole prefer their food a little on the “less-seasoned” side.

FYI: Pie Zanos also has a wood fire pizza oven, and while Mr Band I didn’t order a pizza this time, the pizzas we saw going by our table during our visit looked and smelled delicious!

Pie Zanos

17 N Main Street
Buffalo, Wyoming
(307) 278-0161

Occidental Saloon

10 N Main St, Buffalo [Located in the Historic Occidental Hotel]

Founded in 1880, Buffalo’s Occidental Hotel has a long and colorful history. In its early years, it hosted such notable figures as Teddy Roosevelt, Buffalo Bill Cody, and Calamity Jane, as well as outlaws Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid, and famous cattle detective (yes, that’s a thing) Tom Horn. The saloon, located on the first floor of the hotel, became a bustling gathering place that stands as testament of the times to this day. In other words, it’s everything you’d expect of an Old West-themed tourist stop.

Mr B and I have stopped into the Occidental Saloon a number of times over the years, but it’s usually more for the air conditioning and the ambiance than the food. We’ve learned that it’s an excellent place to get a cold drink and cool off when the weather in town is too hot and muggy. (I’ve visited Buffalo about five or six times now; always in July, when it is always too hot and muggy.)

The service at the Occidental is always friendly and courteous, although on occasion, it is slower than dust settling on a breezy day. (But remember, folks – this is Buffalo! If you’re in a big hurry, you should probably go somewhere else anyway. Like Not Wyoming.)

When you mosey up to the 25-foot bar, you will be standing in the exact spot where cowboys, sheriffs, desperados and cattle barons gathered. You may almost hear them arguing and making deals. In your imagination, you might even hear shots ring out – and if you look around you and up at the ceiling, you can still count numerous original bullet holes!

– The Occidental Saloon

Occidental Saloon - Buffalo, Wyoming | Wyoming Restaurants & Good Eats | The Good Hearted Woman

You can enjoy live music Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at the Occidental Saloon.

Menu offerings at the saloon tend to run toward heavy comfort food, and include items like chicken fried steak, french dip sandwiches, bison burgers, and assorted deep fried fare. We’ve always been happy with the food we order here: it’s never anything I feel compelled to search out the chef about, but we’ve never left hungry or dissatisfied.

Occidental Saloon

10 N Main Street
Buffalo, Wyoming
(307) 684-0451

CASPER
Pop. 57,814*

CASPER WYOMING RESTAURANTS

Pho Saigon

12th & Beverly Streets, Casper

Before we go any farther, I need to apologize.

I’m sorry, Casper. I totally underestimated you.

Portland, my lifelong home, currently boasts more than two-dozen Vietnamese restaurants. I came of age at the same time Portland’s incredible Southeast Asian restaurant scene was beginning to gain momentum, and after eating my way through a couple decades of varied Asian cuisines, I guess I think of myself as something of a connoisseur. As it turns out, I’m apparently a bit of a food-snob, too: I really wasn’t expecting to find this level of quality in Casper, Wyoming.

I know this is a “pho” place, so we probably should have checked out the pho, but I went for my favorite: a combo cold vermicelli bowl with a spring roll. Mr B skipped his usual pho bowl and ordered one for himself as well. Wyoming Julys are simply too hot for eating steaming bowls of beef noodle soup.

Flavors were all spot on, and the lemongrass chicken, grilled shrimp, and rice noodles were all perfectly cooked. The spring roll was crispy and the seasonings felt familiar in all the right ways. The only thing it was missing was the fresh cilantro, bean sprouts, and fresh basil that are usually served on my vermicelli bowls back home, but this may be a regional garnish.

Prices are reasonable at Pho Saigon, but be forewarned: portions are huge! Mr B and I could have easily split one vermicelli bowl… if I had been inclined to share mine with anyone. Which I wasn’t because it was so freaking delicious!!

Pho Saigon

12th & Beverly Streets
Casper, WY 82601
(307) 472-5695

Sanford’s Grub & Pub

61 SE Wyoming Boulevard, Casper

If you are visiting Casper, Sanford’s is one of those places you really should visit at least once, if only for the experience. That experience starts long before you walk through the front door! A herd of dinosaurs greet you as you swing into the parking lot, and a 20-foot tall Bugs Bunny and equally towering Daffy Duck stand sentry to the entrance.

Sanford’s interior, with its cool, vintage gas station theme, reminded us a lot of Sparky’s Garage in Butte. (Think Red Robin meets Midwest BBQ.) And like Sparky’s, the menu is a balance of meaty “man-food” and deep-fried comfort, all served up in gut-busting portions.

Mr B ordered the Southern Fried Catfish with Crawdaddy Cream Sauce, while I chose to go with one of the lightest menu items I could find: a sheet pan-sized Southern Cajun Chicken Cobb Salad. The food was tasty and satisfying – not great, but a solid good – and needless to say, we had enough leftovers to last us for a couple of meals and then some.

While we waited for our food to arrive, we took the opportunity to check out the rest of the place, which is chock from bottom to top with memorabilia: classic cars and motorcycles, old gas pumps, and loads of colorful old advertising kitsch. So much fun!

Sanford’s Pub & Grub

61 SE Wyoming Boulevard
Casper, WY
(307) 315-6040

HQ Southern BBQ

70 S. Curtis Street, Evansville

HQ Southern BBQ opened in 2011 in a former gas station, and on the outside not a whole lot has changed since the days when folks were pumping gas there. The vibe is “rehabbed western truck-stop chic,” and the barbecue is fabulous.

For big appetites or friendly couples who share, Mr B and I highly recommend the Rib Sampler, which comes a full slab in three different preparations – spicy bourbon habanero sauce (much less spicy than it sounds), Memphis dry-rub, and HQ’s signature wet sauce. The platter also comes with two sides, and a platter of freshly made, warm cornbread served with fluffy honey butter.

Mr B and I first dined at HQ BBQ a couple of years ago, and loved it so much that we wrote up a whole post devoted to this local favorite!

HQ Southern BBQ

70 S. Curtis Street
Evansville, WY
(307) 315-MYHQ

GILLETTE
Pop. 30,560*

GILLETTE WYOMING RESTAURANTS

Pizza Carello

601 South Douglas Highway, Gillette

When we went through Gillette this summer, we asked everyone we met what they thought the best place in town was to eat, and nine times out of ten, the answer was, “Well, if you like pizza, Pizza Carello’s has the best pizza in Wyoming.”

“Best Pizza in Wyoming.” That’s a pretty big statement. We chalked it up to home-town hyperbole, but we also put it at the top of our “must-try” list, and as it turns out, it may not be all hockum.

While Mr B and I have certainly not eaten at every pizza place in Wyoming, so far it appears that all those Gillettites may just be right!

We ordered one of Pizza Carello’s Signature wood-fired pizzas – a “Sausage Bianco Balsamico,” which features garlic-infused olive oil, mozzarella, sausage, mushrooms, onions with a drizzle of balsamic reduction. It was, in a word, Amazing. The crust was tender and perfectly fired, and the toppings were fresh and generous.

The only thing better than the pizza at Pizza Carello was the service. Our server, Tiffany, was one of the most attentive, friendly, and intuitive servers I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. She made excellent recommendations, and she wasn’t afraid of giving us her direct opinion when I asked what her personal menu favorites were. (I cannot stand it when the server hems and haws for fear of offering an unwelcome choice.) Tiffany was absolutely the best!

Pizza Carella, Gillette, Wyoming | The Good Hearted Woman

SAUSAGE BIANCO BALSAMICO – Garlic-infused olive oil, mozzarella, sausage, mushrooms, onions with a drizzle of balsamic reduction.

Pizza Carello is open seven days a week, and serves brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 10am – 2pm.

Pizza Carello

601 South Douglas Highway
Gillette, Wyoming
(307) 363-1743

Pokey’s BBQ & Smokehouse

408 South Douglas Highway, Gillette

Three things that stand out from our visit to Pokey’s: the excellent service, the solid Texas-style BBQ, and the enormous portions.

We ordered the BBQ Sampler Platter for Two, which comes a quarter pound each of beef brisket and smoked turkey, a half pound of pulled pork, and a quarter rack of ribs. Mr B and I went for it and chose the Brisket Mac-n-Cheese and the Fried Green Tomatoes for our two accompanying sides.

The BBQ overall was very good – a solid 7.5-8 out of 10 with the smoked turkey being particularly succulent, and the brisket was tender to a fault. At $33, the sampler platter may seem a bit pricey for Gillette, but we both got a huge dinner, a midnight snack, and leftovers for lunch out of it, so I’m calling it a bargain.

Pokey’s BBQ & Smokehouse

408 S Douglas Highway
Gillette, Wyoming
(307) 687-7853

The Coop {Rotisserie House}

208 W 2nd Street, Gillette

Mr B and I always try to ask local folks for their restaurant recommendations, and after hearing so many rave reviews about this place, we decided to check it out. We were not disappointed.

The Coop is a small, family-friendly eatery specializing in Tex-Mex influenced rotisserie chicken dishes. “Fresh” is the daily anthem, and everything from soup to nuts is made in-house. Notably, in addition to their delicious chicken entrees, The Coop also some tasty-looking Lettuce Wraps for vegetarian eaters. (Veggie options are always a welcome surprise in Wyoming restaurants.)

I ordered the rotisserie chicken tacos – three homemade tortillas filled with fresh rotisserie chicken and topped with pico de gallo. They came with a side of classic Costa Rican black beans and complimentary cornbread. So good!

If you are swinging through Gillette looking for a quick, dependably satisfying meal without a lot of fanfare, The Coop is the place to go.

PRO TIP: Do not skip the cornbread!

The Coop

208 W 2nd St
Gillette, Wyoming
(307) 257-7460

Big Lost Meadery & Brewery

106 S Gillette Avenue, Gillette

(Technically, Big Lost Meadery & Brewery isn’t a restaurant. However, if hand-crafted spirits are something you enjoy, then you should definitely make time to stop in.)

I know bloggers throw around the term “hidden gem” like it was confetti at a surprise party, but Big Lost truly is. A hidden gem.

Big Lost Meadery & Brewery is currently the only meadery in Wyoming. (Mead is basically honey wine, and is made by fermenting honey with water. Like beer, mead is sometimes flavored with fruits, spices, grains or hops.) There is something for almost everyone here: the log cabin vibe is relaxed and family-friendly, and the space is easy to be in.

In addition to their seasonally changing rotation of craft meads, Big Lost Meadery produces some truly unique craft brews and mixed drinks. Big Lost doesn’t serve food, but they have menus from nearby cafes that deliver and will add the total to your bar tab for convenience so that it’s all on one bill.

First off, I cannot say enough good things about the service we received at Big Lost. It was outstanding! Our bartender was attentive, knowledgeable, and incredibly friendly. She made great recommendations based on our tastes, and as she carefully prepared our drinks, she enthusiastically schooled us about the history and mission of the Meadery, and its owner and driving force, Sam Clikeman.

One of my favorite things about our visit to Big Lost was the total absence of televisions and loud, blaring music. There is not one single TV in the place! This makes for a totally chill, relaxed vibe. (Kids are allowed everywhere except directly in the bar area.) I love the mission that drives this place!

Big Lost is something unique… we look to get Big Lost from our trials and stressors of life. Hang out in a cabin with no phones, televisions, heartless stimuli, and enjoy an opportunity for true fellowship with old friends and new friends alike. This concept transcends the time and space to let us always remember there’s a time and place to be lost to the rest of the world and focus on the humanity of mankind.

– Big Lost Meadery & Brewery

After chatting with the bartender for awhile, Mr B and I wandered downstairs to check out the game room, which we found well-stock with such vintage games as Giant Jenga, Pong, and Cornhole. Mr B and I ended up staying at Big Lost for over an hour, and spent most of our time talking with a sweet young couple and playing Giant Jenga with their kids.

We will definitely be returning next year to Big Lost!

Big Lost is currently open Wednesday through Saturday. (Check website for hours.)

Big Lost Meadery & Brewery

106 S Gillette Avenue
Gillette, Wyoming
(307) 660-3199

SHERIDAN
Pop. 30,210*

SHERIDAN WYOMING RESTAURANTS

Cowboy Café

138 N Main Street, Sheridan

I’ve probably eaten more times at the Cowboy Café more than I have at any other place in Sheridan. Unfortunately, I never seem to take pictures when I eat there; so instead, I’m using this adorable raccoon (one of Sheridan’s 100+ brass sculptures) to hold the place.

I don’t know why I don’t take pictures at the Cowboy Café. Perhaps it’s because I usually stop in after a very long, hot day on the road, and all I want is something cold with ice and a nice, tasty meal. Which is always exactly what we get.

The Cowboy Café menu runs toward classic American faire with a decidedly western slant: the breakfast menu includes offerings like chicken fried steak and elk sausage scrambles. Lunch is heavy with burgers and meatloaf sandwiches. Dinner includes wide selection of meat-focused meals: ribs, steaks, meatloaf, etc. There are, however, a number of decent vegetarian options as well.

The service at the Cowboy Café is always dependably friendly and attentive, the prices are reasonable, and the food arrives at the table quickly. The food itself is average in a good way (I’ll give it a B+), but dessert at the Cowboy Café is almost mandatory: they always have a case full of homemade pies, many flavors for which I can personally vouch. ?

Cowboy Café

138 N Main Street
Sheridan, Wyoming
(307) 672-2391

Andi’s Coffee House

738 Broadway Street, Sheridan

Lured by promises of free wifi, I stopped in at Andi’s for few hours while Mr B was working in town. This cozy neighborhood coffee shop is housed in a converted bungalow and filled with dried flowers, fresh succulents, and plenty of comfortable seating.

Andi’s is a cool, relaxed space. They offer a selection of carefully curated delicious freshly-baked pastries, and (judging from reactions of the patrons who came and went while I was there) an excellent cup of coffee. I’m not much of a coffee drinker myself, so I ordered a chia and an orange-cranberry scone (OMG! So good!), and spent the next two hours in a quiet cubby in the back, trying to get some work done, and another hour or so sitting out on the porch playing my uke.

The prices at Andi’s seem a tad high for Sheridan; however, the friendly, attentive staff, the comfortable workspace, and the free wifi more than made up for the extra pennies.

Andi’s Coffee House

738 Broadway Street
Sheridan, Wyoming
(307) 429-1390

Mint Bar

151 N Main Street, Sheridan

Last, but never least, is Sheridan’s historic Mint Bar. Every summer, Mr B and I stop in at the Mint Bar for a cool drink (usually a Huckleberry Mule) and our annual crash-course in Mountain Man interior design.

Like Big Lost Meadery in Gillette, Mint Bar is more of a watering hole than a restaurant, but if you are in the area and looking for an interesting place to relax and cool off, this is a good stop to make.

Part bar and part museum, the iconic Mint Bar stands as the oldest operating bar in Wyoming. Since 1907, the Mint has been the meeting place for cowboys, ranchers, and dudes from all around to kick back with a cold one at the end of the day. The interior is the very definition of rustic old-West decor, hung with panoramic photographs of ranch life, portraits of rodeo stars, trick riders, and Western celebrities, and nearly two-dozen animal mounts.

Far more interesting than dead animal heads (at least to me) are the actual walls of the Mint Bar, which are lined with cedar shingles and branded with over 9000 cattle brands from all over the state of Wyoming.

Mint Bar is open Monday through Saturday, 10am – 2am.

Mint Bar

151 N Main Street
Sheridan, Wyoming
(307) 674-9696

Do you have a favorite small town Wyoming restaurant? Let us know in the comments below!

[Population stats: 2017*]

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Shoshone Falls & Perrine Bridge {Twin Falls, Idaho}

July 2 By Renée 15 Comments

Whether you’ve got days to explore or are just passing through Twin Falls on your way to Somewhere Else, plan to stop for these two stunning destinations on your way – Shonshone Falls and Perrine Bridge!

You’ve heard of fly-over states, right? Well, if Idaho is a flyover state, then Twin Falls is a drive-thru town. Travelers tend to stop for gas, a bite to eat, and a short stroll to stretch their legs, but they don’t always stick around to enjoy the sights. However, just like those flyover states, if you take the time to explore instead of rushing on through, Twin Falls has some memorable things to offer.

Whether you’ve got days to explore or are just passing through Twin Falls on your way to Somewhere Else, plan to stop for these two stunning destinations on your way – Shonshone Falls and Perrine Bridge. They are totally worth your time!a

^{This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.}ll Travel]

Shoshone Falls – The Niagara of the West

Did you know that you can visit a waterfall in Twin Falls, Idaho that’s higher than Niagara Falls? It’s true! At 212 feet tall and 900 feet wide, Shoshone Falls – known as the Niagara of the West – is one of the largest natural waterfalls in the United States.

Shoshone Falls, Twin Falls, Idaho | The Good Hearted Woman

Located at the northern edge of Twin Falls along the Snake River, Shoshone Falls makes an impressive stop. The park at Shoshone Falls is a great place to relax and shake off the road dust. There is a lovely shaded picnic area and a view of the falls, perfect for lunch or a quick afternoon power nap before you get back on the road.

There are paved trails and several observation platforms and areas from which to view the Falls. The park is ADA accessible, and there are multiple places from which to view the Falls without having to go up or down any stairs.

Other recreational opportunities at Shoshone Falls include a children’s playground, hiking trails, a boat ramp, and a swimming area.

Did you know that you can visit a waterfall in Twin Falls, Idaho that’s higher than Niagara Falls? It’s true! ? #visitidaho #ShoshoneFalls Click To Tweet

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO ➞ SHOSHONE FALLS

Entry Fees: The vehicle fee at Shoshone Falls Park is $5.00 per car. The fee is in effect from March 1st through September 30th. Season passes are available for purchase at the Parks and Recreation office and at the ticket booth.
Hours: Shoshone Falls is open year round with the exceptions of temporary closures due to poor road conditions. The park hours are from dawn to dusk.
RVers: Park has five pull through RV spots that can accommodate most RV’s and Tour buses. No overnight camping.
Pets: Leashed Dogs are welcome in Shoshone Falls Park. The only exception is that dogs are not allowed in the grassy area of nearby Dierkes Lake.
Directions: If possible, use GPS to find the entrance to the Falls park, as the signage is not always obvious. Set the address to: 4155 Shoshone Falls Grade Road, Twin Falls, ID 833301.] Click here for a map.
Additional Facilities: There are restrooms and a small souvenir and snack shop on site.
Click here for more information about Shoshone Falls.

Perrine Bridge

We stopped at Perrine Bridge just in time to enjoy the sunset, which I highly recommend if you can time it right.

Perrine Bridge is an approximately 1,500 feet long truss arch bridge that spans the Snake River Canyon on the northern edge of Twin Falls, Idaho. The bridge deck sets 486 feet above the Snake River, making it the eighth highest bridge in the United States, and the 4th highest arch bridge in North America.

Time your visit to #PerrineBridge so that you can watch the sun set - the views of the bridge and #SnakeRiver Canyon at sunset can be stunning. ⁠#traveltips #idahotravel #visitidaho ? More travel tips and pretty pictures ➞ Click To Tweet

The pedestrian walkways across and around the bridge offer visitors access to majestic panoramas, with expansive views of the river, canyon cliffs, the Blue Lakes, and waterfalls, a park, and two golf courses.

At sunset, the view from the bridge was simply breathtaking. For a few brief moments, the Snake River looked like molten copper.

Perrine Bridge was named for I.B. Perrine [1961–1943] is credited as being the primary founder of Twin Falls. A statue of him can be found near the Visitor’s Center at the south end of the bridge.

Today, Perrine Bridge is not only the most famous bridge in Idaho, but it has become a BASE jumping mecca as well: jumpers use it year-round as a launch point for parachuting to the canyon floor. At this time, Perrine Bridge is the only bridge in the U.S. where BASE jumping is legal year round without a permit.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO ➞ PERRINE BRIDGE

Parking: Located on the south end of the bridge next to the Twin Falls Visitors Center. You will find a small park and access to the canyon rim trails there as well.
Walking: The current 4-lane structure has two 7-foot wide sidewalks on either side of the bridge, as well as walking paths under the approach spans.
Click here for more information about Perrine Bridge.

One of the things we love about traveling is the chance it give us to appreciate the beauty of our world, and both Shoshone Falls and Perrine Bridge more than delivered! If you are traveling through Twin Falls, take the time and give them a chance to dazzle you, too.

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Top 8 Things to Do in Nashville for Music Lovers {+ Travel Tips}

June 13 By Renée 39 Comments

Music lovers, here’s our list of eight iconic, must-see, don’t-even-think-of-skipping sites in Music City, along with our best Nashville travel tips to make your life a little easier along the way.

Mother Maybelle Carter If you don’t know who this woman is, you should study up fast, because she likely had an influence on the music you’re listening to now, no matter what kind it is. [Mural: Carter Vintage Guitars]

This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.

As a lifetime student of music and music making, there was a time when I thought I knew a lot about the history and evolution of music in America. However, our trips to Tennessee have taught me that I have far more to learn than I could ever have imagined.

As we visited these iconic Nashville music destinations, Mr B and I got a crash course in the varied cultural influences that formed American country music as we know it today. One of the things that became crystal clear was the intricate web of influence that has been woven over time to create what we now call “American” music – in all its many forms. If that had been the only thing I took away from Tennessee (it wasn’t!), it still would have been totally worth the trip.

If you love music and are traveling in Nashville, be sure to visit these eight spots!

Eight Iconic, Must-See Nashville Music Sites

1 . Ryman Auditorium

Originally built in 1892 at the Union Gospel Tabernacle, the Ryman Auditorium was home to the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 until 1974. Due in part to its religious roots as a house of worship, and in part to its place in American music history, the Ryman is known even today as “The Mother Church of Country Music.”

From the time its first stage was built, the Ryman has served as a venue for a wide variety of events, including religious revivals, jazz recitals, operas, ballets, political debates and Broadyway musicals. Mr B and I were both awestruck by the musical history the building holds. If you go, take the Backstage Tour. It is more than worth it.

2. Country Music Hall of Fame

This is the place where I finally started to internalize the profound impact and influence Nashville has had on the evolution of American music. The Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee is one of the world’s largest museums and research centers dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of American music, and houses the world’s largest collection of country music and artifacts.

? Read More about The Country Music Hall of Fame in our post “What We Learned from Bob & Johnny at The Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum.”

3. RCA Studio B

The historic RCA Studio B, Nashville’s oldest surviving recording studio, is birthplace to more than 35,000 songs, and more than 1,000 hits. This is where the Everly Brothers recorded “All I Have to Do is Dream” (a signature song for Mr B and me), Roy Orbison recorded “Only the Lonely,” and Dolly Parton set the tracks for her classic “Coat of Many Colors.” For anyone with musical roots, standing in this space is moving beyond words.

? Read More about RCA Studio B in our post “Home of 1000 Hits: RCA Studio B {Nashville}.”

4. Hatch Print Show

Hatch Show Print is one of the oldest working letterpress print shops in the U.S. Our tour of the print shop ended up being one of the biggest surprises of our trip, in a very good way. We’ll share more in a more in-depth post, but for now, suffice it now to say that this should not be missed. Such an extraordinary piece of music history.

5. Honky Tonk Highway

Take a walk down Lower Broadway in Nashville and you’re sure to hear music pouring out of honky tonks up and down the street at all hours of the day and night. (Well, almost all hours. Folks have to sleep sometime, you know. They are, however, open from 10am until 3am the next day. Every. Single. Day. 365.) There’s no cover charge (or at least I didn’t see any place that had one), so you can wander in and out of places until you find your heart’s desire.

The coolest part, aside from all the history and local color, is that you just never know who you’ll be listening to. Country music legends like Willie Nelson, Gretchen Wilson, and Deirks Bentley, along with so many others, all began their careers singing in the honky tonks along this famous street.

You know what that means, don’t you? You could wander into The Second Fiddle one night and listen to country’s newest rising star – before anyone even knows they’re on the horizon – all for the price of a beer.

6. Ernest Tubb Record Shop

It may be tucked between the honky tonks on Nashville’s Lower Broadway, but this cool little store gets its own line item. Why? Well, let’s start with the fact that it has a copy of virtually any country music recording ever made, from classic country to bluegrass to post-punk hillbilly.

Founded by Grand Ole Opry star Ernest Tubb in 1947, the staff is amazingly friendly – and boy-howdy, do they know their country music! While Mr B picked up a few Patsy Cline CD’s for his mama, the man we spoke with (who I believe was the current owner) chatted with him about the old-timers, easily moving back and forth between past and present singing greats with the ease of someone who lives for the music.

7. Carter Vintage Guitars

If you are a musician of any skill level, or have ever even held a guitar in your hands long enough to figure out a G-chord, then you need to make time to stop in at Carter Vintage Guitars.

Founded in 2012 by Christie and Walter Carter (I have no idea if they are related to the famous Carter family or not), this guitar shop aims to provide “a comfortable place for fine fretted instruments and the people who appreciate them.”

The place is filled with beautiful instruments at every price point, but even if you aren’t in the market for a new guitar, you’re sure to find something fun to play a few licks on. (Mr B tried out a very nice 12-string while we were there.) If none of that appeals, the mural on the outside wall is worth the trip all by itself.

8. Grand Ole Opry

DO NOT MISS THIS! This ain’t your great-grandma’s Grand Ole Opry (but she’d still feel right at home).

The Grand Ole Opry was founded on November 28, 1925, by George D. Hay as a one-hour radio “barn dance” on WSM, making it the longest-running radio broadcast in US history. Dedicated to honoring country music and its history, the Opry showcases an eclectic mix of famous singers, old-timers, and contemporary chart-toppers. Live performances include a little bit of everything: country, bluegrass, folk, gospel, and even comedy.

With a seating capacity of 4,400, the Grand Ole Opry House is considered the largest broadcasting studio in the world, but it is nevertheless still surprisingly intimate. There really isn’t a bad seat in the house, but if you plan to attend the Grand Ole Opry, order you tickets in advance for the best seats. Mr B and I went to the Opry on our last night in Tennessee, and it was the perfect way to end our vacation.

Nashville Travel Tips

1. Parking downtown costs a ton. Budget for it.

This was the most shocking traveler issue we ran into on our trip: the parking fees in downtown Nashville are exorbitant, and they can take a significant bite out of your budget. Daily rates run around $20, and in one location, it cost us $16 to park for two hours. There are a couple of less expensive parking options, which were unfortunately filled up at the time of our visit. (It probably didn’t help that we were there during the Stanley Cup finals!)

2. Everyone needs a valid ID to purchase alcohol in Tennessee.

In 2007, Tennessee became the first U.S. state to make universal carding mandatory. Clerks are held responsible and face huge fines and other penalties for not requiring ID, so no matter how many crow’s feet you have, you will need to have a valid driver’s license or other official form of ID to buy a drink. No exceptions.

3. Do NOT plan to stick to your vegan/paleo/vegetarian/points diet.

It’s just not happening. (To clarify, I’m sure that Tennessee residents can and often do eat a very healthy diet: this is strictly from a visitor’s point of view.) Granted, Mr B and I were eating at some rather touristy establishments; nonetheless, every menu we looked at consisted of three big, colorful columns filled with delicious-sounding descriptions of succulent, smokey meats and deep fried proteins (and I don’t mean tofu) and carb heavy sides.

{Actual Conversation}

Do you have any vegetables on the menu?

Why sure, honey. See here? We got green beans and bacon, collard greens and bacon, baked beans and bacon…

How ’bout a salad?

Down there in lower right corner. Under the sides and beverages. See that little box green box? No, lift up your thumb up. There it is! See, we have two salads – a House and a Caesar. Both come with cheese grits on the side. Y’all got all kinda options, honey.

All kidding aside, just embrace and enjoy the local cuisine, because it is so so so good. You can climb back onto your kombucha and kale chip wagon when you get home, if that’s your jam.

Speaking of which, you have got to try the Nashville Hot Chicken – crispy, spicy, and oh-so-addictive! Seriously. Just do it. Best thing we ate in Tennessee, hands down. It’s fabulous, and totally worth the line you’re probably going to have to wait in. (I wrote a whole post about Nashville Hot Chicken just so I could learn to make it at home! Be sure to check it out!)

More Helpful Nashville Travel Info: We aren’t not the only ones who have great ideas and tips on how to spend time in Nashville! If you have a few days in town, check out this great Nashville 3-day Itinerary for Music City, which includes some excellent suggestions for specific stops along the Honky-Tonk Highway, as well as ways to explore Nashville beyond the music.

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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they do help keep this site up and running. As always, all opinions and images are my own. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

Original Pub Date: June 28, 2017

Tennessee & Music Travel from GHW

Love Music? Then Add Tennessee to Your Bucket List!

Home of 1000 Hits: RCA Studio B {Nashville}

What We Learned from Bob & Johnny at The Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum

Top 7 Things to Do in Memphis {Music Lovers Edition}

Why You Will Love "The Guest House at Graceland"

How to Make Nashville Hot Chicken {Step-by-Step}

Tupelo, Mississippi {Day Trip from Memphis: Part 1}

50 Miles Along the Natchez Trace Parkway {Day Trip From Memphis}

A New Era at Graceland: Elvis Presley's Memphis

Nashville & Memphis for Music Lovers {Tips & Itinerary}

Camassia Nature Preserve: Wildflowers, Wildlife & Family-friendly Hiking

May 15 By Renée 3 Comments

The Camassia Nature Preserve is a 26-acre natural area known for its beautiful wildflowers, abundant wildlife, and easy, family-friendly trails.

This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.

For a few brief weeks every spring, wildflower fields along the Columbia River burst forth in a rhapsody of blue.

It is Camas Season.

Though it closely resembles a lily, the Camas plant (“Camassia quamash”) is actually a member of the asparagus family. It was unknown to science before Lewis and Clark made their Voyage of Discovery. The flowers grow in clearings along the Columbia River, and were once so abundant in the Pacific Northwest that that non-indigenous travelers would mistake the blue covered fields for distant lakes.

The quamash is now in blume and from the colour of its bloom at a short distance it resembles lakes of fine clear water, so complete is this deseption that on first sight I could I could have sworn it was water.

Meriwether Lewis, Personal Journal, 1806

It’s becoming more difficult to find those wide blue meadows in these modern times. Many are secreted away in elusive alpine meadows along the Columbia River Gorge, and you must do the work to find them. (And by work, I mean Hike, with a capital H, as in up-Hill.)

There is, however, at least one place you can go to easily experience the camas lilies in bloom, along with a host of other wildflowers, native plants, and animals – at the Camassia Nature Preserve in West Linn, Oregon.

WATCH OUR CAMASSIA NATURE PRESERVE VIDEO!

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The Camassia Nature Preserve is a 26-acre natural area owned and maintained by the Nature Conservancy. The nature area is renown for its beautiful wildflowers, abundant wildlife, and easy, family-friendly trails.

Named for the common blue camas that blanket its meadows each spring, the preserve holds something for visitors to experience year-round.

DID YOU KNOW? Camas was an important food source for the indigenousness peoples of Northwest. Bulbs could be fire-roasted and provided a nutritious, sweet-tasting, high-protein staple.

The rocky plateau upon which the nature area sits was originally formed by ice-age, glacier-fueled floods. It now provides a habitat for more than three-hundred plants, and is home to a myriad of meadow, tree, and pond dwellers as well; including deer, raccoons, skunks, hummingbirds, wood ducks, raptors, newts, osprey, salamanders, and a choir of songbirds.

I managed to get a super-short clip of a little red-headed woodpecker in action. ⬇️ (You’ll see him right under the arrow is when you hit Start.)

The 1 1/2 mile loop trail is well-maintained and family-friendly. Most of the trail is covered with bark chips, and some potentially muddy stretches are also lined with a composite boardwalk. Hikers are asked to stay on the trails to protect and preserve the wildlife.

If you are planning to hike the park with little ones, be aware that there are a couple of places where you are going to want to be extra vigilant, particularly on the short stretch of the trail that overlooks the river: there is a wide berth between the edge and the trail, but there are no guard rails. Also, while we’re discussing cautions, be sure to watch out for poison oak at the trail edges. We didn’t see any on our visit, but there are warnings about it all over the preserve.

When we visited, we saw hikers as young as two and as old as eighty. Despite the warning about the “big hill up ahead!” that we received form one particularly helpful five-year old as we passed her on the trail, there were only a few very slight uphill climbs, but nothing remotely demanding. (Note that while the hike rates an “Easy” in my book, the trail is not wheelchair accessible.)

The park os located directly across the Willamette River from downtown Oregon City, behind West Linn High School. The Conservancy partners with high school ecology students, who use the nature area as an outdoor classroom and help keep it litter-free.

Short, easy, family-friendly wildflower hike - Camassia Nature Preserve {West Linn, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

Did you happen to notice the cool lens-ball image at the top of this post? I bought an inexpensive photo-sphere last fall, and since then I’ve been have been having so much fun with it! It is one of the most inexpensive, easy-to-use photo hacks around, and the results are just so cool!

Check out how the photo sphere magnifies and highlights the flowers in the field in the image below.

Short, easy, family-friendly wildflower hike - Camassia Nature Preserve {West Linn, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

Glass Photo-Sphere Tips

When you take a picture through a glass sphere (i.e., lens ball), the image will appear inverted, much like the image you see when looking at yourself in a spoon. Many times, fixing this is as easy as simply rotating the whole image upside-down, as I did in the first image in this post. (You probably didn’t notice it, but all of the background foliage in the title image is upside-down! )

Other images require a bit more finessing. For example, this small image is the original shot for the image above. Note how the ground inside the sphere appears to be at the top of the sphere, which looks weird no matter how you turn it. To correct this visual dissonance, I cut out the original sphere image using a circle frame, flipped it 180°, and layered it back onto the original image. The result is a complete image in which everything appears right-side up. This little trick doesn’t require any special skill, knowledge, or expensive software – I skipped Photoshop this time and just flipped it on PicMonkey.

(If this doesn’t make any sense, don’t worry – I’m planning a longer post on photo spheres / lens balls later this year.)

Camassia Nature Preserve

5000 Walnut Street
West Linn, OR 97068
Map

There are several entrances to the nature area. The main trailhead is located in a small neighborhood parking area at the end of Walnut Street. There is also an entrance at West Linn High School, and another entrance in a nearby neighborhood.
Parking is limited to a small lot at the trail entrance at the end of Walnut Street. This can be very congested at peak times of the year.
During the spring and summer, volunteers lead guided hikes and teach visitors about the ecology of the preserve.
Hikers are required to stay on the trails in order to avoid disturbing the wildlife.
Dogs, bicycles, horses, camping, hunting, littering, fires, and motorized vehicles are prohibited on the preserve.

Wildflower season: Mid-April through early May.

Additional locations where you may find camas fields seasonally in bloom include:

Round Lake Trail in Lacamas Park, Camas Washington
Bush’s Pasture Park, Salem Oregon

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of The Good Hearted Woman. ? Be sure to PIN this post!

Short, easy, family-friendly wildflower hike - Camassia Nature Preserve {West Linn, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they do help keep this site up and running. As always, all opinions and images are my own. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

Discovering El Paso: One Day of FREE FUN!

April 24 By Renée 5 Comments

El Paso abounds with FREE fun! Explore the historic Plaza Theater, discover El Paso’s past at the Museum of History, take a scenic drive for an amazing view of three states and two countries – and even visit the downtown pool where live alligators once frolicked!

One of the things I like most about El Paso is the abundance of free fun to be had there. You can enjoy an entire day exploring this thriving city for just the price of lunch!

In two previous “Discover El Paso” posts, I’ve shared our experiences on the Mission Trail and at the historic Concordia Cemetery, both free activities. Today I’m tying our west Texas tour in a bow by sharing an itinerary (read: loose outline) for a completely FREE DAY of activities.

If you have one day to spend in El Paso, and you don’t want to spend a lot of money, you have come to the right place!

NOTE: Sometime during your day, you’re probably going to need to buy lunch and/or dinner, which are not free. To that end, I’ve listed a few El Paso Good Eats at the bottom of the post.

^{This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.}

ONE FREE DAY IN EL PASO

Take a Self-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown El Paso.
Explore the El Paso Museum of History.
Tour the Plaza Theater.
Check out the El Paso County Courthouse.
Grab some lunch at Rosa’s Cantina or Salt & Honey.
Wander through Concordia Cemetery.
Cruise up El Paso’s Scenic Drive & Overlook.
Drive El Paso’s historic Mission Trail **
Treat yourself to a dinner at Cattleman’s. (Be sure to go early and explore the grounds!)

** El Paso’s historic Mission Trail is well worth your time, and if you are visiting town for only one day, you can see it all in a couple of hours if you are dedicated. However, if you have more than a day in town, I suggest that you reserve an entire morning or afternoon for the Mission Trail and just take it casual.

Take a Self-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown El Paso

One of the best ways to explore a new city is boots on the ground. Get out there and walk!

This map illustrates our walking route through downtown El Paso, and will take you by all of the locations listed above.

If you take this route, plan for at least two hours, especially if you are lucky enough to score a tour of the Plaza Theater! This is an easy, level walk that covers just under one mile one way.

Be sure to see:

San Jacinto Plaza
Los Lagartos [Gator Statue] (in San Jacinto Plaza)
DIGIE – Digital Information Gateway in El Paso
El Paso Museum of History
Fray Garcia de San Francisco [Statue] (Right outside the Plaza Theatre)
Plaza Theater
El Paso County Courthouse

NOTE for Nervous Travelers: El Paso often gets a bad rap for its proximity to Juarez, Mexico; however, it actually has a crime rate significantly lower than the national average, and ranked as the 7th safest metropolitan city in the United States in 2018.

SAN JACINTO PLAZA

San Jacinta Plaza opened in 1883 in the heart of downtown El Paso as a place where visitors could relax amid a walled pond and gazebo, seventy-five Chinese elm trees, and a small congregation of alligators.

Because yes: there were alligators.

Live alligators.

Alligator Pool, San Jacinta Plaza, El Paso, Texas [postcard, circa 1913]

From the beginning, the alligators were the central attraction of the plaza, and at one time, the walled pond that served as their home held as many as seven of them.

The alligators were moved to the El Paso Zoo in 1965, and after a brief, failed attempt to bring them back in the mid-70’s, their pond was permanently removed.

The plaza is still fondly known to locals as “La Plaza de los Lagartos,” or Alligator Plaza. Today, a fiberglass sculpture by nationally acclaimed El Paso artist Luis Jiménez honors the original alligators.

Discovering El Paso: Top FREE Things To Do - San Jacinto Plaza | The Good Hearted Woman

Many interesting and historical building are just steps away from San Jacinto Plaza.

SAN JACINTO PLAZA TRAVELER NOTES

San Jacinto Plaza is located on the corner of Oregon and Mills in the heart of Downtown El Paso, Texas. Visitors should be aware that (to my knowledge) there are no restrooms in the Plaza. At the time of our visit, the nearest restrooms appeared to be the ones at the Starbucks across the street.

EL PASO MUSEUM OF HISTORY

The El Paso Museum of History is a small but interesting local museum that promotes the understanding and significance of the rich, multicultural and multinational history of the border region known as “The Pass of the North.”

Like all the attractions on this itinerary, the museum is free. It is also clean, air-conditioned, and has a public bathroom – making it a bargain at twice the price, as my dad used to say. (Especially on a hot day in August!)

The museum is very kid-friendly, especially on the ground floor, where you will find a number of interactive displays. We spent about forty minutes there, which is about all you will need.

We probably would have spent longer at the museum, but we didn’t know that there was a second floor. This, I came to learn after the fact, is where much of the historical information and artifacts are found. That brings me to my only complaint about the museum: it would be helpful to visitors to have clear directions or discovery paths so they don’t miss half the exhibits. But really, that’s on us for not exploring more.

DIGIE – Digital Information Gateway in El Paso

Immediately outside the entrance to the El Paso Museum of History, you will find The large touchscreen digital wall. Known as DIGIE [Digital Information Gatewayin El Paso] it is the second digital wall in the world and the first in the United States.

The wall is made up of five huge touch screens that offer an interactive view of the history of El Paso, with images, video, and information covering from present day back through the 1600’s.

This display is extremely well researched and curated, and we all enjoyed interacting with it immensely. (I definitely should have taken video. Next time!)

El Paso Museum of History
510 N Santa Fe St
El Paso, TX 79901-1145

Phone: 915.212.3120

HOURS

Tuesday-Saturday: 9 am to 5 pm
Thursdays: 9 am to 9 pm
Sunday 12 pm to 5 pm
Closed Mondays & City Holidays

More than a hundred brightly-painted murals can be found throughout El Paso. Reflecting a rich Mexican storytelling tradition, these pieces of public art depict El Paso’s history and community pride.

FRAY GARCIA de SAN FRANCISCO MONUMENT

Fray Garcia Monument honors the priest who founded the El Paso area’s first mission. Located the corner of El Paso and San Francisco Streets just outside the entrance to the Plaza Theater.

Sculpted in 1996 by El Paso native John Houser, the 14-foot bronze sculpture is a testament to the great legacy of this Spanish missionary who was known for his kind heart.

PLAZA THEATER

{Officially, The Plaza Theatre Performing Arts Center}’

The Plaza Theater is one of El Paso’s most iconic landmarks. This grand monument to old world elegance hosts two theaters: the 2,050-seat Kendall Kidd Performance Hall, and the smaller 200-seat Philanthropy Theatre. The Plaza hosts concerts, Broadway shows, individual performers, and the annual Plaza Classic Film Festival.

The ladies working at the theater that morning seemed almost excited to show us around.

Tours for the public are held every Tuesday at 12pm, and if you can work your schedule around that, by all mean, do so. Unfortunately, we were there on Friday morning, with no Tuesdays in sight. However, when my BFF Jenny asked at the ticket booth, we were immediately invited us inside.

From the outside, you would never know what awaits you beyond the doors. Once you enter, the opulence and grandeur of the space is stunning.

The Plaza Theater first opened September 12, 1930, with advertisements touting it to be the largest theater of its kind between Dallas and Los Angeles. Over the decades, it presented everything from burlesque shows to stage plays to movies.

In the 1950’s the theater began to fall into disrepair, and at one point in 1989 was scheduled for demolition before the community support was able to raise enough finds to save it. The theater was completely refurbished, with great attention and care given to preserving both its structure and history, and reopened in 2006.

One of my favorite spaces at the Plaza was the ladies lounge.

Additional Information

The Plaza Theatre
1 Civic Center Plaza
El Paso, TX 79901-1153

PHONE: 915-534-0600

Weekly public tours on Tuesdays at 12:00 pm. For information on tours of the Plaza Theatre, please call 915-534-0660.

EL PASO COUNTY COURTHOUSE

While I don’t typically make it a point to stop at the county courthouse when I visit a new city, in El Paso’s case I made an exception. Because their county courthouse is exceptional.

The mural inside the atrium of the El Paso County Courthouse are simply beautiful. Spanning three walls and protected by a glass ceiling, “Our History” depicts artist Carlos Callejo’s vision of El Paso’s history in a vibrant, dynamic blend of past, present, and future.

Justice in the life and conduct of the State is possible only
as it first resides in the hearts and souls of the citizens.

~ Inscription over the entrance to the US Dept of Justice, Washington, DC.

CRUISE EL PASO’S SCENIC DRIVE & OVERLOOK

“Not many cities have a mountain range right in the middle of their city,
and still fewer have a spectacular drive around the rim of their mountains.
El Paso has both.”

El Paso’s spectacular Scenic Drive winds along the southern tip of the Franklin Mountains, affording visitors a stunning view of El Paso, Juarez, Mexico across the Rio Grande, and just a bit of New Mexico.

Discovering El Paso: Top FREE Things To Do - Scenic Drive | The Good Hearted Woman

To get the most out of your drive, pull over at the small park and scenic overlook for a spectacular view across El Paso and Juarez. If you are driving, look for the US flag that will likely be flapping in the relentless wind – you will find a small parking lot at its base, and an extended viewpoint that is ideal for capturing that perfect panorama.

Be aware that the drive is closed to cars on Sundays, making for a pleasant pedestrian stroll or bicycle ride. On hot days, you may welcome the ice cream truck that is often parked there.

Also, and I cannot emphasize this strongly enough: dress for the weather. In cooler weather, it can be VERY windy! And for Pete’s sake, DO NOT (as I did) wear anything that even resembles a dress. (Thank goodness for leggings!!) We visited during the cooler months, but if you are there when it’s hot, be sure to bring sun protection.

Visit El Paso – More Info

Union Depot Visitor Information Center
400 W. San Antonio

(915) 534-0661.

Mon-Fri 9 am-4 pm
Sat 9 am-2 pm

Airport Visitor Information Center
El Paso International Airport – Main Lobby

(915) 534-0658.

Mon-Fri 8 am-8 pm
Sat-Sun 8 am-5 pm

VISIT EL PASO APP: El Paso has a handy “Visit El Paso” app, available for Android or IOS. The app provides up-to-date information about things to see and do in El Paso, and you can also get more information on El Paso’s culture, attractions, hotels, and restaurants.

EL PASO GOOD EATS

As promised, here’s a quick overview of three of the places we dined while visiting El Paso. One is a sentimental favorite, one is a West Texas institution, and one is a Must Try!

Must Try: SALT + HONEY BAKERY CAFE

When I walked into Salt + Honey for the first time, I felt like I had been transported to a new hip-n-trendy Portland brunch spot! Located in El Paso’s historic Five Points, the trendy local favorite is a modern bakery and café that brings together delicious, world-inspired cuisine in an urban-style cafe setting.

Owner Maggie Asfahani has crafted an innovative menu that embraces influences from both her Lebanese heritage and her El Paso roots, and the result is slow food at its best: beautiful, surprising, comforting, and delicious.

Salt + Honey’s offerings include [below, clockwise from upper-left] Baklava Pancakes with baklava nut streusel, vanilla bean ice cream, house spiced honey; Spicy Chicken Sandwich with honey gochujang sauce and sesame ginger slaw (like many menu items, this can be ordered vegetarian as well, substituting cauliflower for the chicken); homemade baklava; and Salt + Honey Burger with angus pattie, sharp cheddar, tomato, arugula, and gochujang mayo on a brioche bun.

I prefer a savory brunch over a sweet one, so I went with the Tacos Borrachos with Michelada-braised brisket, green chile cheese hashbrowns, tomato, and cilantro-lime crema on corn tortillas. The combination was which was amazing – and easily enough for two to share. Tacos Borrachos can be ordered with an egg, too, which I think I will do if I ever get another chance to visit.

My brunch buddy, Dottie, had the Hummus Avocado Toast with tomato, arugula, zaatar, crushed red pepper, maldon salt, olive oil, on whole grain bread. So of course I had to have a bite (because Research), and found it to be amazingly tasty, with a satisfying blend of textures and fresh, bright flavors.

El Paso Good Eats: Salt + Honey, EL Paso, Texas | The Good Hearted Woman

Hummus Avocado Toast with tomato, arugula, zaatar, crushed red pepper, maldon salt, olive oil, on whole grain bread

Service is friendly, prices are reasonable, and portions are generous to say the least.

Salt + Honey serves breakfast, brunch, and lunch all day, Tuesdays through Sundays, and offers locally roasted coffee and cold-pressed juices to compliment their pastries and cakes, which are all baked in-house. Be aware that this is hopping, especially for weekend brunch, so if you visit at peak hours, plan for a bit of a wait.

Salt + Honey
801 N. Piedras St. Suite 6
El Paso, Texas

PHONE: 915.313.4907

Restaurant Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Thursday: 7:00am – 4:00pm
Friday: 7:00am – 5:00pm
Saturday-Sunday: 8:00am – 4:00pm

Sentimental Favorite: ROSA’S CANTINA

C’mon in, folks! With a blog named “The Good Hearted Woman” and a husband who listens to Marty Robbins far more than the average Joe, I couldn’t very well visit El Paso without stopping in at Rosa’s Cantina.

(NOTE: If this reference is lost on you, you are probably too young to visit Rosa’s anyway.)

From the outside, Rosa’s looks a little rough around the edges, but don’t let that put you off. Once inside, the vibe is relaxed, the margaritas are top-notch, and you can listen to Marty Robbins sing about Felina from the jukebox all day long if you have enough quarters. Our Tex-mex scored a solid Good on the foodie scale, and our service was fast and friendly.

Rosa’s Cantina
3454 Doniphan Dr
El Paso, Texas

There is a little merch corner where you can buy Rosa’s branded t-shirts, shot glasses, and the like.

Restaurant Hours:
Tuesday – Friday: 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Saturday & Sunday: Noon – 7:00 pm

Bar Hours:
Tuesday – Thursday: 11:00 am – 12:00 am
Friday & Saturday: 12:00 pm – 2:00 am
Sunday: 12:00 pm – 12:00 am

PHONE: 915.833.0402

Texas Institution: CATTLEMAN’S STEAKHOUSE AT INDIAN CLIFFS RANCH

Cattleman’s is not just a restaurant – it is a Destination!

Cattleman’s Steakhouse is located at Indian Cliffs Ranch, an authentic, working ranch. Indian Cliffs has served as the location for many Hollywood movies, including The Border, Lone Wolf McQuade, Courage Under Fire, Glory Road, and The Jessica Lynch Story.

Apparently, there can be long waits at the restaurant at times, but we didn’t have any trouble getting in. We arrived at opening on a weeknight [5:00pm], gave our name to the front desk, and then spent about half an hour or so wandering the grounds. (To clarify, we didn’t have to wait to be seated – we wanted to see the grounds before it got dark.)

The ranch boasts an extensive petting zoo and an exotic bird collection, and there are free-roaming peacocks everywhere you look. During the day, they offer covered wagon rides that take you around to the areas where movies have been filmed. (The tour is free but the driver does accept tips. It is a first come first serve and leaves out every hour.)

When we finally went back inside to let them know we were ready to be seated, we were taken to our table immediately.

Service was friendly, efficient, and very prompt. I ordered my steak medium rare, and it arrived perfectly cooked. My meal came with a large baked potato, a delicious pineapple coleslaw, rolls, and baked beans. Portions are very generous, so you may want to share. (Or take some home for leftovers.)

While a steakhouse may be fancy by some standards, Cattleman’s has a very casual vibe. Dress up, dress down – either way, you’ll fit right in.

Also, before you leave, be sure to stop by the Movie Tribute Wall which showcases movie posters and other memorabilia from movies that have been filmed there.

Cattleman’s Steakhouse at Indian Cliffs Ranch
3450 S Fabens Carlsbad Road
Fabens, TX 79838

(Approximately 35 minutes from Downtown El Paso)

HOURS
Monday – Friday: 5pm – 10pm
Saturday: 12:30pm – 10pm
Sunday: 12:30pm – 9pm

Phone: (915) 544-3200

And finally, this – because when you have a legit reason to post a picture of Chuck Norris on your blog, you use it…

Thank you so much for being a faithful reader and supporter of The Good Hearted Woman. ❤ Be sure to PIN this post!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they do help keep this site up and running. As always, all opinions and images are my own. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

Discovering El Paso: Concordia Cemetery – El Paso’s “Boot Hill”

February 28 By Renée 5 Comments

Why would you want to spend your day roaming around an old, arid West Texas cemetery? At El Paso’s Concordia Cemetery, it’s all about the history.

Visiting a cemetery on vacation isn’t for everyone: I get that. It’s not something I do with any regularity myself, but when a town has cemetery like El Paso’s Concordia Cemetery and I have a few hours in my schedule, I often yield to my inner history buff.

Every Grave Holds a Story

From the perspective of one seeking to connect with West Texas history, Concordia Cemetery – known as El Paso’s “Boot Hill” – is the mother-load.

The cemetery’s fifty-two acres are the final resting places for over sixty-thousand Texans, including Buffalo Soldiers, gunslingers, Texas Rangers, and a handful of certified Old West outlaws. Concordia was designated a Texas State Historical Cemetery in 2006, and Winner of True West Magazine’s “Best Historic Cemetery” in 2010, 2013 and 2018.

^{This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.}

Buffalo Soldiers Monument

If you don’t stop at Concordia Cemetery for anything else, stop for this.

Just inside the main gate of Concordia Cemetery, you will find a beautiful monument of bronze plaques, granite memorial markers, and native stone dedicated to Buffalo Soldiers – war veterans from four regiments of African American soldiers who served on the frontier after the end of the Civil War.

The remains of forty-some Buffalo Soldiers are buried at Concordia, and the Buffalo Soldier Memorial commemorates both their military service and their contribution to the history of Texas.

It is believed that the name “Buffalo Soldier” began with the Cheyenne warriors in 1867. The Black Soldiers were ferocious and courageous in battle, even when outnumbered. Out of Respect, the Cheyenne referred to these hard-fighting Black men as “Buffalo Soldiers” – reportedly because their hair resembled that of the revered Bison. Because the Buffalo was a sacred animal to the Indians, the calvarymen accepted the title with great pride. The name became a highly respected American Legacy.

– Inscription on the Buffalo Soldiers Memorial, Concordia Cemetery, El Paso, Texas

I found this memorial inscription heartrending.

By my skill the West was tamed but today few know my name. From the plantations of Southern America we came to stake the plains of Texas.

The muddy waters of the Rio Grande we built forts and staked our claims under the command of Grierson and Hatch, we spilled our blood in pursuit of outlaws and indians to catch the 59th minute of the final hour for the honor of it.

We towered the Souix, Cheyenne, Comanche, and Apache bet their life against the Blacks in blue. And we in dress blues at reveille, boots and saddles and the Yellow Rose of Texas made us all that we could be.

After the battle, we became the eyes and ears of the pioneers from slavery to soldiering that took hundreds of years. They called our homes ghettos, but our trials are lauded by sonneteers – the Blacks in Blue, all volunteers. By many names I am called: Negro, Boy, Colored, and Soldier all.

In defense of freedom, we forsook all to heed the shouts of the wall. A hundred years ago and many fallen comrades we pursued Santana in Blue we were clad for the honor of it. And the lives we lost, we were sad. Darker the blue, and the Buffalo Soldiers, too.

We did what we had to do, for God and country. We are Americans, too.

– Inscription on the Buffalo Soldiers Memorial, Concordia Cemetery, El Paso, Texas

Beyond the Buffalo Soldier Memorial, much of the remaining cemetery landscape stands in bleak contrast. There are no flowing gardens or lush green lawns: just acre after acre after acre of regal concrete memorials, crumbling stone markers, and lonely, weatherbeaten wooden crosses.

While official literature suggests that at least sixty-thousand are interred in Concordia, nobody is really sure how many people lay buried beneath sandstone or wooden markers long decayed by the relentless dust storms, beating hot sun, and droughts of West Texas.

Everyone has a Story

This solitary marker called out to me.

What brought you joy, Antonio? How did you live? When did you die? Clearly, someone loves you. In my mind’s eye, I see a lonely figure hunched over a rough-hewn board late into the night, painstakingly carving his grief into each letter of your name. Your brother? Your father?

Who mourns you today, Antonio?

When you stop to think about the People who lay beneath, you start to understand that every grave – prince or pauper – holds a story.

On a lighter note, if I see your gravestone and your name is Cleopatra, I’m going to take a picture. I’ll probably make up a back-story about you, too. It’s going to happen.

Concordia Cemetery is home to a surprisingly broad assembly of folks. There sections in the cemetery dedicated to a wide variety of racial, national, religious, and fraternal groups, including:

Mexican Revolutionary Figures
Chinese Section
Jewish Section
Catholic Section
Mormon Section
Masonic Section
Masonic Veterans Monument
Jesuit Priests Section
Grand Army Republic Veterans
Oddfellows Section

One particularly poignant section of the cemetery is the “Infant Nursery,” filled with unmarked graves for babies who were victims of the Influenza epidemic of 1917-18.

Famous “Residents” of Concordia Cemetery

Notable burials in Concordia include:

James Biggs, for whom Biggs Army Airfield is named.
Moses Carson, younger brother of Kit Carson.
Benjamin S. Dowell, first mayor of El Paso.
John Selman (1839-1896), gunslinger, killer of John Wesley Hardin.
Ernest St. Leon (d. 1898), Texas ranger.

By far, however, the most famous individual interred at Concordia is notorious Wild West gunslinger John Wesley Hardin. Depending on perspective, Hardin is remembered as either a “a friend to the poor” or a murderous brute.

Known as a cowboy, gunslinger, poker player, and later in life a lawyer, Hardin courted trouble most of his life. He reportedly killed his first man when he was fifteen, and claimed to have killed forty-two men throughout his life, though that figure may have been inflated… like his ego. (And on that note, I’m going with murderous brute.)

To dissuade visitors from taking souvenirs (which apparently was quite a problem for awhile), the grave of John Wesley Hardin now fenced and secured by a lock. It also has a nice Texas State Historical Marker detailing Hardin’s life.

Today, many of those who visit Hardin leave trinkets at his gravesite. When we visited, we saw shot glasses, coins, bottle caps, and cartridge shells scattered inside the iron-barred enclosure.

A walking tour of Concordia Cemetery can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour or more. It all depends on what you want to take away.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

Bring a camera, drinking water, and good walking shoes.
The terrain is desolate, with little to no shade, so it can get very hot, particularly in the summer. Wear sunscreen and/or carry a parasol. (Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.)
Walking sticks are available at the cemetery.
Texas Red Ants are not a myth: they will crawl up your shoes and bite you if you stand in one place too long. Keep moving.
Guided night “Ghost Tours” are available if you’re into that kind of thing.

Concordia Cemetery

3700 E Yandell Dr.

El Paso, Texas

915-842-8200

Map of Concordia Cemetery

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Discovering El Paso: 3 Must-see Stops on the Historic Mission Trail

January 17 By Renée 12 Comments

The El Paso Mission Trail traces a nine-mile segment of the oldest road in North America – the historic El Camino Real [The Royal Road ], taking travelers on a journey that passes by three Texas missions and through 400 years of history.

When you think of West Texas history, what first comes to mind?

Perhaps it’s the Spanish Conquistadores, who arrived on the banks of the Rio Grande back in 1598. Or maybe it’s The Alamo (remember?), or the rich, colorful Mexican influence, or the relentless floods in first half the early Nineteenth Century that changed the course of the Rio Grande.

Or maybe everything you know about West Texas happened back in 1957 at Rosa’s Cantina. (Let’s save that one for another post though, shall we?)

Or maybe it’s El Paso’s historic Mission Trail. Have you heard of it?

The El Paso Mission Trail traces a segment of the oldest (and at one time, the longest) road in North America – the historic El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro [The Royal Road of the Interior]. The short, nine-mile route takes travelers on a journey that passes by three missions and about 400 years of history.

Recently, I had the opportunity to spend about five hours exploring the Mission Trail with my dear friend Dottie, where we got a crash course on the intriguing, tumultuous history of three of Texas’ oldest mission communities.

^{This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.}

Socorro

Socorro Mission

Our first stop on the El Paso Mission Trail was at Socorro Mission, the second oldest mission in the state, and home of the oldest relics in El Paso.

Piro Indians built Socorro’s first permanent adobe church in 1691 in what was then Socorro, Mexico. Originally dedicated as Nuestra Senora de la Limpia Concepcion de los Piros del Socorro [Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception of the Piros of Socorro], the exterior of Socorro Mission represents a thunderbird, while the interior is in the shape of a cross.

By 1766, the Socorro Mission was being referred to as La Purísima Concepción del Socorro. A series of floods between 1829 and 1840 changed the course of the Rio Grande from north of Socorro to south of the townsite. When the river was declared the US-Mexico boundary, Socorro became part of United States.

The original adobe chapel was damaged during the flooding and later rebuilt about half a mile to the west in 1843. The restored chapel retains the original hand -carved cottonwood and cypress vigas [support beams] from the original structure.

The cross-beams in the ceiling of the Socorro Mission are recognized as the oldest original relics in Texas.

Socorro Mission
328 S. Nevarez Rd.
El Paso, TX 79927

Hours: 10am-4pm (M-F); 9am-6pm (Sat); 9am-1pm (Sun)
Phone: (915) 859-7718

San Elizario

San Elizario Presidio Chapel

San Elizario Chapel and Presidio was established in 1789 as Spanish defense against foreign powers and Indian raids. The flood of 1829 destroyed the chapel, and a new one was built with new adobe bricks from the original Presidio walls in the 1840’s. It continues to be used as an active church to this day.

The present chapel decor dates from 1944 when the church was repainted to honor local soldiers who fought in World War 11. Beautiful stained-glass windows depict flowers, patriotic symbols, and religious symbols.

Note the colorful, decorative, pressed-tin ceiling, and that stunning interwoven hardwood floor.

The San Elizario Chapel was simply beautiful. Dottie and I loved that each contributor to the 1944 redecoration is listed on a mural in the back of the chapel. When you visit, be sure to take some time to fully appreciate all the finely painted images and beautiful woodworking created by those talented, faithful hands.

San Elizario Chapel
1556 San Elizario Rd.
San Elizario, TX 79849

Hours: 7am-9:30am (Mon-Fri)
Open for Mass (Sat/Sun)
Phone: (915) 851-2333

San Elizario Historic District

San Elizario’s Historic District is literally a stone’s throw from the chapel. There you will find restaurants, gift shops, six art galleries, 22 art studios,18 Historic sites, the San Elizario Chapel, The Presidio (fort), the Veterans’ Memorial, and the Old El Paso County jail, and a larger-than-life statue of Billy the Kid.

According to legend, famed outlaw Billy the Kid freed the only man to ever escape from the old El Paso County Jail, in late November 1876.

Be sure to stop by the Los Portales Museum & Info Center, adjacent to the San Elizario Chapel. The docent who was working there the day we visited was both passionate and well-informed about the history of the San Elizario, and excited to share her knowledge with us.

The museum, which is housed in an 1850’s Territorial-style building, features exhibits celebrating San Elizario’s rich and colorful history. Among other things, you’ll learn about the real “First Thanksgiving,” the Spanish presidio, the San Elizario Salt War of 1877, and the first county seat of El Paso county.

Los Portales Museum & Info Center
Admission is free
Hours: 10am2pm (T-Sat); Noon-4pm (Sun); Closed (M)

San Elizario Walking Tour

Ysleta

Ysleta Mission

Ysleta Mission – the oldest mission in Texas – was our final stop on the El Paso Mission Trail. Originally established in 1613 in what is now New Mexico, Ysleta Mission [officially, Corpus Christi de la Ysleta del Sur] was relocated to El Paso in 1680. That was just the beginning of its turbulent history.

After rampaging floodwaters destroyed the El Paso chapel in 1742, and again in 1829, the adobe-walled building was move to its present location 1851. It was rebuilt once again in 1907, after a fire destroyed most of the structure.

The current mission was built by the Tigua Indian community, and now resides in what is recognized as the oldest community in Texas. The Tiguas, who achieved official reservation status in 1968, changed the name of their church to Mission San Antonio de los Tiguas, in 1980 in recognition of their patron saint, St. Anthony.

Today Ysleta Mission is considered the second oldest continually active parish in the United States.

Ysleta Mission
131 S. Zaragosa Rd.
El Paso, TX 79907

Hours: 7am-4pm (M-Sat); Closed (Sun)
Phone: (915) 859-9848

Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Cultural Center

Practically around the corner from Ysleta Mission, you will find the Tigua Indian Cultural Center. The Tigua Indians are the oldest permanent settlers in Texas. In 1968, the State of Texas and the Federal Government recognized the tribe as a sovereign nation.

The cultural center aims to celebrate the rich culture of the local Tigua Indians through history, art, and dance in a variety of exhibits and events.

Dottie and I visited the during the week, so there wasn’t much going on beyond the static exhibits; however, we learned that on weekends, the Cultural Center stages social dance demonstrations in the courtyard; and on Saturdays, visitors can watch bread baking and taste fresh samples.

Tigua Indian Cultural Center
305 Yaya Lane
El Paso, Texas 79907

Hours: Wednesday – Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Closed: Monday and Tuesday

Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Cultural Center, El Paso, Texas | The Good Hearted Woman

This bronze statue depicts a Tigua woman named Nestora Granillo Piarote. It stands in front of the Tigua Indian Cultural Center.

Good Eats on the Mission Trail

Somewhere between San Elizario and Ysleta, Dottie and I found ourselves feeling hungry and wishing we had a little something. The brunch spot in San Elizario at which we had planned to eat had been unexpectedly closed, so we Yelped our way to this little family owned hole-in-the-wall in Socorro.

We arrived at Quesadillas Estilo Villa Ahumada just before noon, and were two of only a few in the dining area. The restaurant itself is nothing fancy, but it is clean, comfortable, and affordable. Oh, and the food is awesome, too.

Dottie and I sat down in a booth and looked through the laminated menu for a few minutes. After much discussion, I decided on the Gorditas de la Maiz. We ordered, and then settle into our booth to talk.

Mission Trail Good Eats, El Paso, Texas | The Good Hearted Woman

Gorditas de la Maiz

Our food arrived in less than 10 minutes – just in time for us to look up from our conversation to see the long line at the order counter that had formed since we first arrived.

Tables filled quickly with faded coveralls and worn Wranglers, dusty t-shirts, and heavy work boots: confirmation that we’d stumbled into a local working-class hot spot. We could expect reasonable prices, hearty portions, and most importantly, dependably good food.

That is exactly what we got, too. My gorditas were crisp on the outside and tender inside, and not a bit greasy. Both Dottie and I commented on the the refried beans, which were exceptionally good. (Do you know tasty refried beans have to be for someone to take note of them? Yes: they were that good.) Our meals were fresh, hearty, and delicious; and the portions were so generous that I ended up taking half my meal home to eat later at the hotel.

Quesadillas Estilo Villa Ahumada – 2
131 Horizon Blvd, Ste 5
Socorro, Texas 79927

Phone: (915) 790-0456

Final Thoughts

While El Paso may not be the top destination on your Travel Bucket List, if you get the chance to visit, take it! And if you go, the El Paso Mission Trail should definitely be on your itinerary.

Additional Information: El Paso Mission Trail

Notably, there is a fourth mission on the Mission Trail – Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission – located just across the US-Mexico border in Juarez, Mexico. Unfortunately, Dottie and I had neither the time nor the passports needed to make that visit on our trip; however, if you find yourself in EL Paso with both on hand, it might be worth a trip.

Additional Information:

All of the missions are open to the public, with exception of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which is only open for special occasions.

El Paso Convention & Visitors Bureau
One Civic Center Plaza
El Paso, Texas 79901

Phone: (915) 534-0600
Toll-free: (800) 351-6024
FAX (9150 534-0686

Mission Valley Visitors Information Center
9065 Alameda Avenue
El Paso Texas 79907

Hours: 9am – 4pm (Mon-Fri); 9am – 3pm (Sat/Sun)
Phone: (915) 851-9997

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Photographing Mesa Arch at Sunrise: What You Need to Know

November 8 By Renée 17 Comments

As it turned out, photographing Mesa Arch at sunrise was not only a shot of a lifetime, but a life-lesson as well.

Full disclosure: Before we arrived on the scene, I had no idea that photographing Mesa Arch at sunrise was such a big deal. Our photog-daughter, who organized our trip, simply told us that we were going to a really cool place to take sunrise pictures. Since she had been to this location a number of times before, I didn’t do my routine pre-trip research. Luckily, it all worked out great and I’m excited to share our adventure and tips for photographing Mesa Arch with you. But before I do that, I want to share a little story.

^{(Feel free to scroll down if stories aren’t your thing.)}

Photography Lesson: The Shot of a Lifetime

We arrived at the parking lot at the Mesa Arch Trailhead about an hour before the first hint of sunrise shrugged up the horizon.

Mr B and I made the short hike to Mesa Arch in about eight minutes. Our (mostly adult) kids were way ahead of us, and as we arrived, we found them momentary stopping under the arch for the requisite selfie.

As we maneuvered the uneven ground between the trail access and the arch to meet them, I passed an older man (older than me, at least) who was visibly agitated. His ire seemed to be directed at our kids, and I had no idea why.

“Get outta there!” he shouted at them, waving a hand in the air like an umpire calling out a batter. They were already moving away from the arch before he called out.

“Damn kids, trying to ruin my shot,” he muttered to me, by way of explanation. He had no way of know they were with us.

I should have just let it go, but I couldn’t help myself. “They’re really good kids,” I said quietly as we passed. (Sometimes I cannot make my inner mama bear shut up no matter how hard I try.)

He paused and looked back, face pursed, “They were going to ruin my shot.”

“Seems they were just catching the moment,” I replied, nodding toward the now empty Arch.

As I passed him, a young woman joined him on the trail. I overheard him say to her, “Damn kids were going to ruin my…”

“Dad…” she interrupted, using the same tender tone I once used with my own aging father in times of frustration.

“But I’ve been waiting a lifetime to take this shot.” I heard his voice break ever so slightly.

“I know, Dad.” She patted his shoulder, and his face softened. Together they went to set up before the inevitable crowd arrived.

We spent the next hour watching the crowd gather and set up. I kept an eye and ear on the old man, who seemed to snap to life when the camera equipment emerged. I watched him carefully set up his tripod, and adjust it so that he had a prime, unobstructed shot right through the arch. I watched him lean in to his daughter as they considered the optimal angles and adjusted their camera settings. By the time the haze on the mountains started glowing, he had every detail plotted out.

I was surprised when, as the sun began to rise over the mesa and light the La Sal mountain range beyond the arch, the old man motioned me over.

“You should shoot through right here,” he instructed. And then he stepped aside to share his carefully selected space with me. “See,” he pointed, “you can get a perfect shot of the cones rising up from the mesa right here.”

“You know,” he said, his eyes intent on the glowing skyline. “I’ve been waiting a lifetime to get this shot.”

I nodded, grateful for the lesson.

^{This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.}

Photographing Mesa Arch at Sunrise: What You Need to Know

Arrive Early

Set your alarm so that you can arrive at the trailhead at least an hour before sunrise. This will allow you to catch the first glow on the horizon. It also gives you plenty of time to adjust your camera settings, and figure out where you want to be when that much-anticipated sunstar pops through the arch.

Note that the trail into Mesa Arch, which will take you about ten minutes, is very dark before sunrise, so take something to light your way. A headlamp or flashlight are both good choices. Sure, you can use your phone, but don’t blame me if you run out of juice in the process.

Stake Your Claim, But Be Flexible

Crowds are inevitable. Arriving early will help you get ahead of them and allow you to find “your spot.” However, be flexible; if you manage to secure a prime location, be compassionate to those who didn’t. (Karma, my friends.)

Take a Tripod

A tripod is helpful for photographing Mesa Arch in two ways: first, it allows you to stabilize your camera in the low light conditions and take awesome pictures. Second, it helps you stake your claim.

There is something magical about a tripod placed. I can’t offer any guarantees here, but for the most part, people seem to respect the space a tripod takes up and won’t move it, even if you aren’t hovering over it every second. With your tripod securing your little square of Mesa Arch real estate, you can move around a bit without feeling like someone is going to “steal your spot.”

Change Up Your Space

If you watch the light when you are photographing Mesa Arch, it’s difficult to take a bad picture. Doing so, however, will require you to move occasionally.

Look Around

There are so many amazing shots at this location, and many do not include the Arch at all. If I had only been paying attention to the Arch itself, I would have missed this one entirely:

And this one.

And this one. (Those are two of our kids in profile on the left.)

Stay Late

If you don’t heed any other information here, do this. The biggest surprise I got while photographing Mesa Arch was the number of people who snapped the money-shot – that sunstar coming through the arch – and then immediately packed up and left. It’s literally like watching the first pop of fireworks on the 4th of July and leaving before the rest of the show.

Why would you take all the time and effort to get up early and drive out into the desert, just to snap one or two good shots and walk away? I don’t get it. My best advice: stay at least 45 minutes after you see that sunstar.

Be Alert

It just so happened that our visit to Canyonlands fell on the morning of July 4^th. Just as we were heading back on the trail to return to our car, I turned back one last time to take in larger scene behind us.

At that moment, someone standing on the rise next to the Arch rose up and stretched out, revealing the American flag they’d had wrapped around them. They then turned and hopped down to join their friends on the ground below. The whole movement took less than five seconds, but somehow I managed to capture it. The image is below, and is one of my favorites from this trip.

Finally, Put the Camera Down

There are two maxims I strive daily to follow. (I’m not always successful, but I try.) The first is, Be Kind. The second, Be Present. That means putting everything down and just being there in the place with the people. Take some time to put your camera down, and take in the spectacular show that the universe is putting on for you.

More information on photographing Mesa Arch:

Mesa Arch Photo Tips [Fototripper] – This post has some good technical info, including recommended equipment and panorama tips.
Mesa Arch Sunrise Photography Tips for Boomer Travelers [My Itchy Travel Feet]
Mesa Arch: The Southwest’s Best Photo Op? [Firefall Photography] – Great info on camera settings.

Mesa Arch at Sunrise: The Shot of a Lifetime ? #photographytips #CanyonlandsNPS #canyonlands #mesaarch

Knowing what to expect and being prepared will make all the difference when you attend the Newport Seafood & Wine Festival.

True story, folks. Be prepared.

This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.

? Newport Seafood & Wine Festival 2020 ?

11 Tips to Know Before Your Go

Pre-Festival Prep

Getting There

When You Go

Good to Know

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Have you ever attended the Newport Seafood & Seafood Festival? (Or any large-scale wine festival?) Share your best advice or tips in the comments below.

This amazing Nashville Hot Chicken recipe (adapted from Hattie B’s famous recipe) results in a crispy, tender, fiery fried chicken with a spicy kick that is positively addictive.

This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.

What is Nashville Hot Chicken, and what makes it so awesome?

Nashville Hot Chicken is heaven and hell in a one transcendent bite.

I need that fried chicken recipe!!!

How to Make Nashville Hot Chicken – Step-by-Step

Step 1: The Dry-Brine

Step 2: The Dredge-Dip-Dredge

Step 3: The Fry

↓↓ This is what your chicken should sound like when it is frying. ↓↓

Step 4: The Spicy Coating (Wet Application)

Just how Hot is this Nashville Hot Chicken recipe anyway?

Step 5: The Serve

Nashville Hot Chicken

Equipment

Ingredients

For the Dry Brine

For the Dip

For the Dredge

For the Spicy Coating

Garnish

Instructions

Step 1: The Dry-Brine

Step 2: The Dredge-Dip-Dredge

Step 3: The Fry

Step 4: The Spicy Coating (Wet Application)

Step 5: The Serve

Notes

Nutrition

Can I make this Nashville Hot Chicken recipe in an Air Fryer?

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If you find yourself traveling through Wyoming and feeling those hunger pangs, be sure to check out a few of these wonderful Wyoming restaurants!

Wyoming Restaurants

Small Town Good Eats at Reasonable Prices

BUFFALO Pop. 4,584*

BUFFALO WYOMING RESTAURANTS

Pie Zanos

17 N Main Street, Buffalo

Occidental Saloon

10 N Main St, Buffalo [Located in the Historic Occidental Hotel]

CASPER Pop. 57,814*

CASPER WYOMING RESTAURANTS

Pho Saigon

12th & Beverly Streets, Casper

Sanford’s Grub & Pub

61 SE Wyoming Boulevard, Casper

HQ Southern BBQ

70 S. Curtis Street, Evansville

GILLETTE Pop. 30,560*

GILLETTE WYOMING RESTAURANTS

Pizza Carello

601 South Douglas Highway, Gillette

Pokey’s BBQ & Smokehouse

408 South Douglas Highway, Gillette

The Coop {Rotisserie House}

208 W 2nd Street, Gillette

Big Lost Meadery & Brewery

106 S Gillette Avenue, Gillette

SHERIDAN Pop. 30,210*

SHERIDAN WYOMING RESTAURANTS

Cowboy Café

138 N Main Street, Sheridan

Andi’s Coffee House

738 Broadway Street, Sheridan

Mint Bar

151 N Main Street, Sheridan

Do you have a favorite small town Wyoming restaurant? Let us know in the comments below!

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Whether you’ve got days to explore or are just passing through Twin Falls on your way to Somewhere Else, plan to stop for these two stunning destinations on your way – Shonshone Falls and Perrine Bridge!

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of The Good Hearted Woman. ? Be sure to PIN this post!

**Just how Hot is this Nashville Hot Chicken recipe anyway?**

THANK YOU so much for being a faithful reader and supporter
of The Good Hearted Woman. • Be sure to PIN this Nashville Hot Chicken recipe!

BUFFALO
Pop. 4,584*

CASPER
Pop. 57,814*

GILLETTE
Pop. 30,560*

SHERIDAN
Pop. 30,210*

THANK YOU so much for being a faithful reader and supporter
of The Good Hearted Woman. ? Be sure to PIN this post!

THANK YOU so much for being a faithful reader and supporter
of The Good Hearted Woman. ? Be sure to PIN this post!

THANK YOU so much for being a faithful reader and supporter
of The Good Hearted Woman. ? Be sure to PIN this post!

THANK YOU so much for being a faithful reader and supporter
of The Good Hearted Woman. ? Be sure to PIN this post!