Travel used to be one of Craig and my favorite things to do. I say “used to” because having kids changes everything.
After we moved out of Memphis in 2007, we obviously never expected we’d move back 17 months later started to talk about how it was such a shame we didn’t go here or there, or never visited a certain place. You know, all the smaller local activities or other nearby places that aren’t big enough reasons to ever return to that city for a vacation but are kinda cool to see just the same?
With the girls both at an age where we can move around town without strollers and diapers, and with them both eating “big people” food and having an attention span that lasts longer than 2 minutes, a wonderful, refreshing, glorious new world awaits us!
I really want to make the most out of wherever we live. You truly don’t know what tomorrow is going to bring you, and I don’t want to leave Memphis again looking back at all the neat things we never made a point to see. Since Kate rocked out her first quarter of Kindergarten and brought home a perfect report card, we told her that we’d reward her in some way. So on Saturday, I woke them both from their naps a bit early and surprised them with our evening plans.
First, a horse and carriage ride around downtown Memphis in a Cinderella carriage! Karin was our fabulous driver and Bonnie was our hard-working Clydesdale.
Karin’s 2 female Chihuahuas became Craig’s newest fans.
Riding the trolley is still on our “Memphis To Do” list.
This fountain in Court Square came from France.
Looking out onto the Mississippi River.
Second, the girls had their first Rendezvous experience.
Can you say “Heaven on a Plate?”
Third, a jaunt over to the historic Peabody Hotel.
We missed the Peabody Ducks’ march from the lobby fountain up to their penthouse, but took the girls to see their digs (Seriously. Five ducks hang out in the fountain in the lobby all day, and walk a red carpet.).
While on the top of the hotel, we took in some Memphis views.
How often are you a tourist in your town? Do these photos make you want to come visit me in Memphis?
{This post is part of #iPPP (iPhone Photo Phun) and also linked up with Wordless Wednesday at Live and Love…Out Loud, Project Alicia, Angry Julie Monday and By Word of Mouth.}
Um, yeah, I totally want to visit!!
Such fun stuff. I seriously should do some touristy stuff in my town, there’s tons I haven’t done
I live outside of Boston and we so don’t take advantage of everything the way we need to. It was a little bit easier when the kids were younger, but now it seems like the only time we have a day with nothing scheduled is a “weather emergency” picture.
Totally want to visit Memphis now!!
This is such a great idea! The carriage ride looks like such fun. I so need to come watch the ducks march!
Of course my eye was drawn to the food picture. Ribs? Mmmmmm.
What a cool place to live and I love how you guys are exploring rather than just taking it for granted. Thank goodness you got a food pic in, I was worried for a minute.
A few years ago, I went to Memphis for a conference. I ate at Rendezvous and saw the Peabody hotel! That’s the extent of my fun. LOL
Of course it makes me want to come check out Memphis!!
We don’t play tourist where I live…. it’s a small town and would take all of 10 minutes. Pretty lame way to spend the afternoon if you ask me!
We do check out other areas in Michigan though. There really is a lot to see in do here!
Wow, I really do want to visit Memphis now. It looks incredible!
I am definitely don’t do enough tourism things when I live somewhere. The worst is having lived in AZ for the first 25 years of my life and never having seen the grand canyon.
I’ve never been to Memphis; so I’m very happy for the tour! I wish you could tweet those ribs — WOW!! I feel like a tourist in my coastal town every Sunday when I shoot the weekly beach video for my blog — it’s one of the reasons I started to post the videos! Love to remember to see where I live!
I really am so jealous that you got to ride in one of those carriages. I’m going to do that the next time I’m there. And that trolley. I swear.
Also? Is the pyramid not a tourist destination? LOL
Yes! Memphis looks like a super cool place…and that BBQ? I would like to judge for myself if it’s heaven on a plate…my guess is that it is. I love being a tourist around Detroit. Although many people are afraid to come here due to the news they hear, there are so many cool and unique things to do. Love it!
My kids think Portland, Or is an exotic location when it’s really just 40 minutes south because we do this every once in a while too. A ride on light rail is all it takes to excite my kids. Yay for no strollers and a fun day.
Great post, brought back lots of memories. Went to UT in Knoxville as exchange student, and loved being a tourist in Memphis when we visited. I do make the effort to be a tourist in my home town, London (UK). Are you going to take your kids to Graceland?
Kate’s hair is getting so long! The carriage ride looks like a blast. And, you’ll never believe this, but David confiscated my BBQ sauce so we could all enjoy it together.
Can you believe I’m not a fan of Rendezvous? I think they’re over-rated.. Yeah, the history of the restaurant is cool & the fact it’s been in Memphis forever.. but the food? Meh.
Can’t believe you haven’t ridden the trolleys. They’re so much fun.
I’d really like to visit. Especially to see those ducks!
I’ve been a stranger in my home town too. I moved from London to Toronto. Went back in the summer and it felt strange being a tourist in a place I lived most of my life.
Yes! It does make me want to visit. I love seeing cool places
There is no way being a tourist in my town is anyway close to as cool as being a tourist in yours!!
They look like little princesses!!!
I love doing touristy stuff, even if I’ve done it before a million times.
Far too few things in my life can be compared to Cinderella.
How terribly tragic.
How fun!!!!
I love visiting our city (Austin) as a tourist! We still have a little one in diapers and both kids are ridiculously picky eaters so we’re still a little limited, but there are always kid friendly things to do and see here. I wish we had a Cinderella carriage though!
I grew up very close to NYC . . . I always loved when people came in for a second time. The first time someone would come for a visit, we’d hit all of the big touristy things, because that’s what you do.
But the second time? Hole in the wall restaurants in Chinatown, finding knock-of Rolex watches, going through the parks that are just as pretty but aren’t as trafficked as central park.
It’s so great to hear that you make sure that you do those same things in Memphis
This totally makes me want to visit Memphis. I love cool downtowns with lots of history. We lament the fact that we never did as much cool stuff as we should have before we had kids. Looks like Kate loved the carriage ride!
Sorry. I got caught up on the fact that your kids have attention spans longer than two minutes, and it was hard to move past that. Needless to say, I am a little jealous of that, as well as the fact that you get to indulge in that delicious BBQ.
Also, don’t tell Craig this. But him posing with the Chihuahuas does not help his “metro-ness” meter any. Cute picture, though.
I’m horrible at this unless people come in to town. I really should get better about it.
so fun! we live in San Francisco, and we’re always doing the tourist stuff. there’s a reason people visit! might as well get in on the action yourself!
Yes and yes!
We have started taking our kids all over out city to see and experience all the fun things about it.
Liz:
with this post, I just feel you need to send it in to the chamber of commerce, or the local parenting guide, or the state travel bureau.
I’m not kidding. You’ve done another post like this, and it was just as charming.
Really. You’ve got to get this to someone.
“heaven on a plate”
mmmmmmmmmm
This is on my 101 in 1001 list. (to be a tourist in our own state, because our town is thisbig.) It looks like you guys had a blast!
The carriage ride will be something your kids will remember forever, I’m sure. And who doesn’t love a trolley!?
I totally agree that you should see and take advantage of all there is to offer in whichever city you live in! You know… you’re my kinda peeps…
Glad you all had fun!!
Why yes I can say Heaven On a Plate.
Maybe even in Spanish if I tried hard.
So I totally want to come visit. And you should come to LA because I live here and never ever (EVER) do touristy stuff.
Like visit the Hollywood sign or Beverly Hills.
Or go to rehab.
So we could skip that last one and have a glass of wine on the beach.
AND I eat “big people” food, too.
Bonus!
Looks like fun. We don’t usually do any touring in our own town but mostly because I don’t want to carry my toddler around.
That carriage ride looks like a lot of fun!
Mmm, ribs…
We’re not at a great touring family stage right now, so mostly my husband and I trade off. My girls would have LOVED the carriage ride. And I used to live right by the Mississippi too.
I would come just for those ribs. Seriously. And Craig w/ the Chihuahuas? Classic.
What a fun evening and a great idea! Still soooo many things to do in my city – which won’t get done anytime soon. Ah well.
Oh my goodness! I remember seeing the Peabody Ducks’ march when I was a kid. I forgot all about it until I saw your picture! Looks like you guys had a fabulous day. So cool! :^)
Some one sent my husband ribs from Rendezvous..yes. They do ship ribs. That’s about as close as I’ve come to Memphis. Does that count? And I’m sure living in a small town, there are still things that I haven’t done. Tourist in your own town. That’s a great idea. Glad you had a fun day.
You know, I’ve been to TN a million times, but have never been to Memphis. I’ll have to remedy that someday!
You know I want to come visit you! We are constant tourists everywhere we go and Charlotte is no exception. We love to get out and see things and well, the more we are out of our house the cleaner it stays!
I so wish we had a princess carriage – Sophia would adore it!
Yes, I so want to come visit! I went to school in Jackson for 2 semesters and always wanted to visit the tourist attractions in Memphis, but never got to. Will add to my bucket list!
What a beautiful city! I’ve only seen it as I drove by. I would love to visit someday!
I bet the girls adored that carriage ride!
Awesome! I think everyone’s guilty of taking for granted their surroundings. I rarely do touristy things in NYC unless I have visitors (or blogging events).
LOVE your pics and that carriage ride looks like so much fun! What a wonderful day-activity to do with the little ones
And yes, I haven’t been to Memphis yet, but it’s on my must-see list!
A cinderella carriage ride> my girls would be in heaven!!!
I’m from TN, but the far other side. So have never been to Memphis. I’ve always wanted to see those ducks!
We use visiting family (and now our kid) as an excuse to do tourist stuff in the ATL. It can be fun!
I’ve always wanted to see the ducks walk!