Memphis to Dallas - 4 Days of Fun

**FREE - Everything on this adventure was FREE except the hotel**
*packed food plus gas*

This trip is planned from about an hour north of Memphis, TN but it can be tweaked to work from other locations. If you want help with that, let me know. I find a lot of my fun places along the way at RoadsideAmerica.com

Day One:

7am - Leave Point A

11am - Old Mill Park - 3800 Lakeshore Dr, North Little Rock, AR more information
Hours are Sunrise to Sunset.  This attraction is Free.
I have allowed 2 hours to enjoy a packed lunch and time to stretch our legs while exploring this replica of an old water-powered grist mill dedicated to the memory of Arkansas' pioneers.  The park is decorated with sculptures of toadstools, tree stumps and has a tree entwined wooden bridge that takes you across the water to the mill.

Old Mill Park - November 1 2012

330pm - Half & Half Post Office - 500 Woods St., Texarkana, AR more information
The Post Office is Open Monday thru Friday 830am to 430pm.  However, you don't need it to be open to have a photo-op at the Arkansas/Texas State Line. This attraction is Free.
This is the only US Post Office that sits in 2 states.

Half & Half Post Office - November 1 2012

730pm - Entering Dallas/Fort Worth, TX

Lodging Options
Hotel - Priceline.com
Cedar Hill State Park Campground website
Camping - TexasOutside.com
Bed and Breakfast Inns - BedandBreakfast.com

We stayed at Super 8 Farmers Branch - 14040 North Stemmons Freeway, Farmers Branch, TX
It wasn't the best but it wasn't bad either.  We didn't spend much time at the hotel so it suited or needs.  And I only paid just over $160 for 3 nights.

Day Two:

Free Things to See/Do in Dallas/Ft. Worth Area:
Mustangs of Las Colinas - 5205 North O Connor Blvd #155  Irving, TX
Chromosaurs - 601 East Palace Parkway, Grand Prairie, TX
US Bureau of Engraving and Printing - 9000 Blue Mound Road, Fort Worth, TX

November 2 2012 - You can not bring cameras (and many other things) in the building so this is the only picture we got.  The BEP is really worth the visit, it was really interesting to watch the money making process.

Fire Station No. 1 - 203 Commerce St, Fort Worth, TX
Heritage Trails Walking Tour - Map available at 508 Main St, Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Water Gardens - 1502 Commerce Street, Fort Worth, TX
Public ArtWalk Dallas - Starts at Nasher Sculpture Center, 2001 Flora St., Dallas, TX
Adrian E Flatt Hand Exhibit - Baylor University Medical Center, Truett Building(1st Fl), 3500 Gaston Ave, Dallas, TX
Mary Kay Cosmetics Museum - 16251 N Dallas Parkway, Dallas, TX
Founder's Plaza Observation Area - Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), E Airfield Dr, Grapevine, TX
The African-American Museum - 3536 Grand Ave, Dallas, TX 
Cedar Ridge Park Reserve - 7171 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, TX
Fort Worth Botanical Garden - 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd, Fort Worth, TX

November 3 2012

Day Three:

Stockyards Station - 130 East Exchange Ave, Fort Worth, TX more information

November 2 2012

Historic Walking Tours more information
Hours: Monday thru Saturday 9am to 5pm, Sunday 11am to 5pm
$12 per family to rent GPS Ranger

Rodeo Zone more information
Hours: Monday-Thurs 10am to 6pm, Friday-Saturday 10am to 8pm, Sunday 1230pm to 6pm
$6 per ride

Fort Worth Herd more information
1130am and 430pm Daily, weather permitting
Free

November 2 2012

Cowtown Cattlepen Maze more information
Hours: Open Daily
$5 per person

Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame more information
Hours: Monday-Thurs 10am to 6pm, Friday-Saturday 10am to 7pm, Sunday 11am to 5pm
Family Package $15 for 2 adults and 4 children
Adults $5, Children(4-12) $3, Children 13-17 and Seniors $4, Military Free

Texas Trail of Fame more information
No Hours
Free

November 2 2012

Stockyard Stables and Horseback Riding more information
Hours: Open Daily 1030am to 530pm
Arena Rides $20 for 15 minutes  All Ages
Trail Rides $30 for 30 minutes, $50 for 60 minutes  Must be 12 or Older

Jersey Lilly Photo Parlor more information
Hours: Monday-Thurs 10am to 5pm, Friday-Saturday 10am to 6pm, Sunday 11am to 4pm
Basic Picture Package is $27.95 plus tax-One Person.  Each additional person is $5.95
Additional photo prints and CDs cost extra.
Photo slots fill up fast so book in advance.

Grapevine Vintage Railroad more information
February-May, September-November Train runs Saturday and Sunday Only
June-August Train runs Friday-Sunday
Train Departs from Grapevine Station at 1pm arriving at Stockyards Station at 215pm
Train Departs from Stockyards Station at 415pm arriving at Grapevine Station at 545pm
Round Trip $28 adults, $26 Seniors, $18 Children
One Way $20 adults, $18 Seniors, $13 Children
Trinity River Run - 1 hour round trip - Departs Stockyards at 245pm and returns at 345pm

Billy Bob's Texas - The World's Largest Honky Tonk more information
2520 Rodeo Plaza, Fort Worth, TX 76164-8208
Restaurant Hours: Monday-Wednesday 11am to 9pm, Thursday 11-10pm, Friday and Saturday 11am to 1am, Sunday 12pm to 9pm Closed on Friday and Saturday 5pm-6pm
Concert Ticket Prices Vary By Performer
Rodeo Every Friday and Saturday Night 9pm and 10pm $3

Day Four:

8am - Leave Lodging Option

930am to 10am - Audie Murphy Statue - America's Most Dedicated Solider
600 Interstate 30 East, Greenville, TX
The statue is located outside the Audie Murphy American Cotton Museum.  I chose not to go the museum in lieu of another destination but feel free to if you are interested.
The Museum is open Tuesday - Saturday 10am to 5pm
Admission is $6 adults, $4 Seniors, Veterans, Students, $2 Ages 6-18, Free Under 6

November 4 2012

1230pm to 1pm - President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace - 117 S Hervey St., Hope, AR
Hours: 9am to 430pm
Admission: Free

Standing in President Clinton's living room - November 4 2012

330pm to 4pm - Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site - 2120 Daisy L Gatson Bates Dr., Little Rock, AR
Visitor Center Hours: 9am to 430pm
Admission: Free

November 4 2012

4pm to 530pm - Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum - 120 Riverfront Park Drive, North Little Rock, AR
Hours Wednesday-Saturday 10am to 6pm, Sunday 1pm to 6pm
Admission: $6 adults, $4 Children, Seniors, Military

Inside the submarine - November 4 2012

4pm - Head for Point A

Natchez Trace Parkway #4 - 2 Day Trip

**FREE - Everything on this adventure is FREE**
*Packed food plus gas*

Natchez Trace Parkway - Mile Post 341.8 to Mile Post 444

This trip is planned from Jackson, TN.  It can be revised to fit your location.

For this trip it is imperative that you get yourself a Natchez Trace Parkway brochure/map.

One you learn how to navigate it, this is a really helpful site: Natchez Trace Travel

Day One:

7am - Leave Jackson, TN

9:30am to 10:30am - Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall - County Road 8, Lauderdale, AL

Hours: No hours are listed but this is on private property (Tom leaves on the property). I imagine it's a 7am to Sundown timeframe. We got there at about a quarter after 9am and he was out there working on the wall.

Admission: Free but donations are greatly appreciated.  All he really wants is your respect and time.

This memorial is really worth the trip.  It's not just bricks and stones, it is truely a piece of art.

On this trip, we started a new family adventure of Geocaching...this was our first find ever...

Micro Cache

The stops from here on do not have any hours or admission unless otherwise stated...however, most are trails are varying distance into wooded areas and wouldn't be much to see in the dark.

These stops all have turn offs or parking areas so you are not stopping in the road to see the attractions closer.

10:35am to 10:40am - Alabama-Tennessee State Line - MP 341.8

September 2 2012

There are a few other stops along the way that we chose to past for lack of time and interest. I will add those stops throughout this post in RED.

Mile Post 343. 5 - Cypress Creek

Mile Post 346.2 - Holly

Mile Post 350.5 - Sunken Trace

Mile Post 352.9 - McGlamery Stand

11:00am to 11:30am - Wayne County Visitor Center - 219 East Broadway St, Collinwood, TN

11:45am to 12:15pm - Sweetwater Branch - MP 363

We ate a packed lunch in the parking area before heading out on this trail.

The kids had a great time playing in this little creek and then we walked the short trail reading all the signs as we went.

12:20pm to 12:35pm - Glenrock Branch - MP 264.5

The photos of all these places don't really do justice to the surroundings.

MP 367.3 - Dogwood Mudhole

12:50pm to 1:00pm - Old Trace Drive - MP 375.8

This is a 2.5 mile drive on the original route.  The ride is a bit rough but the view is beautiful.

It was a bit rainy and dreary out today.

1:05pm to 1:20pm - Jacks Branch - MP 377.8

This place was really pretty and a great place to take pictures.

 

Mile Post 381.8 - Napier Mine

1:35pm to 2:30pm - Metal Ford and Buffalo River - MP 382.8

McLish Stand Exhibit and Steele's Iron Works

  

The kids could have stayed at this stop all day...because we had never been to any of the places on our trip I wasn't sure of the time to allow so we only stayed an hour but the kids were mad when I pulled them out.

This location also had a little trail but we didn't take it.  We got out of the car and they saw the water and were gone.  By the time they got out, they were too cold to walk a trail and there shoes were all wet anyway.













2:45pm - Meriwether Lewis National Monument - MP 385.9
Visitor Center Hours: Wednesday thru Friday 1pm to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am to 5pm
Admission: Free

This is the actual gravesite of Meriwether Lewis of Lewis and Clark.

Meriwether Lewis Campground - Free - First Come First Serve
This was our first time ever camping. I was all kinds of prepared though...even with the weather calling for a crazy storm coming.  I had a list of hotels that were within 30 minutes and another campground in case this one was full.  We were also only about 2 hours from home at this point so we weren't worried.

We set up our campsite, had dinner...


Then we headed out on what we thought was going to be a short hike...
 
But we let the 7 year old be in charge of the map and lead the way, then it started to rain and our map was virtually unreadable...and we ended up getting lost and it ended up to be a bit longer than we thought.  It was really only about an hour but an hour seems like a lot longer when you are lost in the woods in the rain and it's starting to get dark out.  But we soon found the road and walked back to our campsite to roast marshmallows and make S'mores.

Other Lodging Options:
Fall Hollow Village Campground -MP 391 - privately owned - 931-796-1480

Day 2:

8:00am - Leave Campground

8:05am to 8:20am - Phosphate Mine - MP 390.7

8:30am to 9:30am - Fall Hollow Waterfall - MP 391.9
There are actually more than one waterfalls here...2 bigger ones and a couple small ones.  The kids had a super fun time getting all wet right away in the morning.
 
Parts of the trail are sheets of limestone you have to walk on and limestone 'stairs'...some of which are really slippery so use caution.

MP 392.5 - Swan View Overlook
MP 394 - Devil's Backbone State Natural Area
MP 397.4 - Old Trace
MP 400.2 - Sheboss Stand

9:40am to 9:50am - Tobacco Farm - MP 401.4

  This is an currently working tobacco farm.  There is a small patch of tobacco plant growing and a barn used to dry out the tobacco once it is harvested.  There is also a 2 mile Old Trace Drive but we did not take it.

MP 403.7 - Old Trace Walk

10:00am to 11:00am - Jackson Falls - MP 404.7

This was our favorite stop of the weekend...at least it was mine.  It was way better than I imagines.  We would have stayed longer but a man came down with camera equipment and the kids kept getting in his way and we'd been there an hour already so we decided to continue on our adventures.

   

MP 405.1 - Baker Bluff Overlook

11:10am to 11:40am - Gordon House and Duck River Ferry Site - MP 407.7


You can't go in the Gordon House...this is all there is. A short walk will take you to the Duck River Ferry Site...where we learned to skip rocks.

MP 411.8 - Water Valley Overlook
MP 423.9 - Tennessee Valley Divide
MP 425.4 - Burns Branch

12:05pm to 2:00pm - Old Trace - MP 426.3

September 3 2012

Here we had a packed lunch in the parking area before heading out on the trail.  This trail seemed longer than I had anticipated and there is no maps to follow so we weren't real sure we were going the right way.  There is a worn patch but as it crosses under the road and through a stream, it was hard to be sure we were still on the path.  We ended up at Garrison Creek (MP 427.6) and walked the parkway back to our car (almost 2 miles).  By the end the kids were pretty tired and miserable but this was our 2nd to last stop anyway so it turned out fine.



2:20pm to 2:30pm - Birdsong Hollow and Highway 96 Double-Arched Bridge - MP 438

MP 444  - Northern Terminus

This was the end of our trip. We had originally planned on stopping at the Loveless Cafe (8400 TN Hwy 100, Nashville, TN) but we had not planned on it raining all weekend and being as wet and dirty as we were. So we went to McDonalds instead...then headed the 2 hours home.

Metropolis, Illinios

COMING SOON...

Mark Twain 2 Day Trip Hannibal, MO

*Trip Cost: $300 for 2 adults, 2 teens, 1 child for 2 days or $350 for 3 days + gas and packed food*

This trip costs a bit of money...But if you like Mark Twain like my other half does, it's well worth the cash and the memories. Mark Twain 5 journal (Google Affiliate Ad)

This trip works for anyone within 6 1/2 hours(approx 360 miles) from Hannibal, MO. Some major cities include: Memphis, TN; Jonesboro, AR; St. Louis, MO; Springfield, MO; Kansas City, MO; Des Moines, IA; Cedar Rapids, IA; Chicago, IL; Rockford, IL; Milwaukee, WI; Madison, WI; Lincoln, NE; Omaha, NE; Topeka, KS; Wichita, KS; Rochester, MN; Indianapolis, IN; Evansville, IN; South Bend, IN; Louisville, KY; Owensboro, KY.

*Arrival times will vary depending on when you leave Point A, bathroom or gas breaks along the way and driving speed. This trip is planned based on 360 miles at 6 1/2 hours.

Day One:

7am - Leave Point A

30 min gas/rest stop

1pm - Mark Twain Cave Campground - website
300 Cave Hollow Road, Hannibal, MO
Reservations 1-800-527-0304
Water and Electric $ 30 night

3pm - Mark Twain Cave - 300 Cave Hollow Road, Hannibal, MO website 

Hours are 9am to 6pm (open til 8pm June-Aug) 7 Days a Week
Admission varies according to age and tour choice. Basic Tour is $18.95 plus tax for adults, $9.95 plus tax for children 8-12 and $3.50 plus tax for children 7 and under.

The tour is approximately 1 hour.

($85.75 for 2 adults, 2 teens, 1 child)

430pm - Camp/Dinner

Lodging Options other than camping

Hotel - Priceline.com

Bed and Breakfast Inns - BedandBreakfast.com

Day Two:

9am to 1145am - Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum - 120 N Main St., Hannibal, MO website

Hours are 9am to 5pm Seven Days a Week

Admission is $11 for adults, $9 for Seniors 60+, $6 for children 6-17, Free 5 and Under

Allow at least 1 1/2 hours

Admission includes: Interpretive Center, Mark Twain's Boyhood Home & Garden, Boyhood Home Gift Shop, Huckleberry Finn House, Becky Thatcher House, J.M. Clemens Justice of the Peace Office, Grant's Drug Store, Museum Gallery, and Tom & Huck Statue.

*Tom's Fence
($40 for 2 adults, 3 children)

12pm to 1245pm - Mark Twain Family Restuarant - 400 N 3rd St., Hannibal, MO website

Open 7 Days a Week from 6am to 8pm

(approx. $60 family of 5)

1pm - Mark Twain Riverboat - 100 Center St., Hannibal, MO website

One Hour Sightseeing at 11:00 am, 1:30 & 4:00 pm (June-August), Daily 1:30pm (May, Sept., Oct.), Saturday and Sunday 4:30pm (Sept., Oct.)

Admission: $18 plus tax for adults and $11 plus tax for children 7-13

The tour includes commentary on river history, legends, and sights.
There is a concession stand on board with sandwiches, snacks, and beverages.
($83for 2 adults, 2 teens, 1 child)

3pm - Riverview Park - 2000 Harrison Hill Road, Hannibal, MO website

This park is free and has a statue of Mark Twain and a beautiful view of the Mississippi River. Amenities include shelters, picnic tables, a playground, restrooms, paved and natural trails.

4pm - Cardiff Hill Overlook - 505 N 3rd St., Hannibal, MO
Free
*Lighthouse
*Tom & Huck Statues

1030p - Home

or

Alternate Day 3

530pm - Mark Twain State Park - 37352 Shrine Road, Florida, MO
VC 8-430
*Trails
Campground: Badger $13, Puma $24
*Historic Birthplace Site, Daily 10-5, Free

Day 3:
 Explore

1pm - Leave park

7pm - Home


Other Hannibal Attractions: 

Molly Brown Birthplace & Museum - 600 Butler St, Hannibal, MO

Open 10-4
*Titanic Survivor

Hannibal History Museum - 217 North Main Street HannibalHistoryMuseum.com

Rockcliffe Mansion - 1000 Bird Street RockCliffeMansion.com

Sawyer's Creek Fun Park - 11011 HWY 79 South   sawyerscreek.com

Haunted Hannibal Ghost Tours -  217 North Main Street hauntedhannibal.com

Becky's Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor & Emporium - 318 North Main Street beckythatcher.com

visithannibal.com

Paris/Dover, Tennessee Day Trip

**FREE - Everything on this adventure is FREE**
*Packed lunch plus gas*

Today's choice adventure was taken from the Tennessee River Trail Self-Guided Driving Tour Brochure...We packed our lunches, got in the car and headed toward Paris, TN.

This trip works for you if you live within a hour or two of Paris, TN/Dover, TN.
(Examples: Paducah, KY; Nashville, TN, Jackson, TN, Cape Girardeau, MO, Metropolis, IL)

First Stop - Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge - Britton Ford/Sulphur Wells Area (Page 19)

This is located on the west side of Kentucky Lake.  It has the Britton Ford Hiking Trail and a driving tour of the Britton Ford Peninsula.  There is also the V.L. Childs Observation Deck, which has binoculars and guide for bird watching.

 
I think we found a blue heron and some ducks...

We didn't know about the hiking trail since some of us were wearing flip-flops so we decided to continue on our adventure.

Stop #2 Paris Landing State Park - 16055 Hwy 79N, Paris, TN (page 19)
Paris Landing has a lot to offer...camping and other lodging options, trails, a restaurant, a ton of activities and swimming...guess what my kids choice was.

Being the 1st of April, the water was pretty cold but it was nearly 90 outside so they got used to it fast.

After a couple hours in the water, I was hot and hungry so we corralled the kiddies and went in search of some beverages...we followed Hwy 79 east over the river and came to a McDonalds.  We got our drinks and decided we weren't ready to head home yet and we'd seen a sign for Fort Donelson National Battlefield so we kept on going...

Fort Donelson National Battlefield

Dover, TN

April 1 2012

Stop #3 - Fort Donelson National Battlefield - 120 Fort Donelson Rd, Dover, TN

First we headed into the visitor's center to get our driving tour brochure and see about getting a cheap souvenir. I usually get postcards or a patch for my scrapbook.

This battlefield is were the first major Union victory took place in the Civil War.

The visitor's center is open daily 8am to 430pm, they close the gates at 8pm so have at least your first 7 stops done by then.

There are 11 stops along this self-guided auto tour, the first 6 are within the NPS gates, the other 5 are through out the small town. Here are a few of the stops made...

Stop#3 Log Huts

Stop#4 Cumberland River

Stop#10 Dover Hotel

Stop#11 Fort Donelson National Cemetery