A Small Town Meets a Legendary Band

Picture it: small-town Michigan in the early ‘70s. Autumn weekends mean crisp air, changing leaves, and a packed stadium for Viking football. The community rallies behind its team, which just wrapped up a flawless season. Hopes are sky-high until the following year begins with back-to-back losses. Spirits sink, and coaches Dave Brines and Jim Neff know they need something different to fire up their players.

That’s when Jim Neff, the assistant coach with a passion for rock and roll, turns to music. Not just any music, though something bold enough to shake things up. His pick? A rising band called KISS. Their thunderous sound, explosive energy, and in your face style were unlike anything Cadillac had seen before. And as fate would have it, their name lined up perfectly with an old football saying: Keep It Simple, Stupid.

The effect was immediate. The locker room buzzed with adrenaline, the team roared back with new confidence, and Cadillac unknowingly carved its name into KISS history. What started as a coaching experiment soon turned into a legendary connection between a small Michigan town and one of the world’s biggest rock bands.

When KISS finally rolled into Cadillac in 1975, the town went wild. Fans lined the streets to see the band in full makeup, and the players got a once in a lifetime pep boost when the group joined them on the field. Autographs were signed, photos were snapped, and Cadillac suddenly found itself on the national radar, all thanks to a bold rock band and a small-town team looking for a spark.

Experience the KISS 50 Cadillac Reunion

Now, fifty years later, Cadillac is ready to celebrate that legendary connection. For four days this October, our little town in Northern Michigan will be filled with KISS spirit, music, stories, and plenty of rock and roll nostalgia. In between the events, you can soak in the fall colors, stroll downtown, or explore the lakes and trails that make Cadillac such a perfect autumn getaway.

Mark your calendars, KISS fans, because this is one reunion you won’t want to miss.

This October, we’re bringing that legendary energy back to life! From downtown displays and museum exhibits to live music, tailgates, and even a KISS-themed drone show, the KISS 50 Cadillac Reunion lets fans experience the spirit of 1975 all over again. Whether you’re reliving the memories or discovering Cadillac’s rock history for the first time, every moment of the weekend is packed with music, fun, and nostalgia.

All weekend long, take time to wander through the museum and check out the Kisstory Tour stops around town. Each stop has its own unique KISS-themed treat, from a bag of KISS coffee at Owl Eye Coffee Shop to KISS-inspired chocolate at The Sweet Shop. It’s the perfect way to sip, shop, and celebrate a piece of rock history.

Note, just about everything in Japan requires a reservation so make sure to book your experience.

What drew me to this kimono rental was the location near the temple and the fact that they offered tall and larger size kimonos! This is important if you’re a size 10 and up or over 5’7″ 🙂 We paid about $45 USD per person for the rentals.

We made an appointment for 9am and from start to finish it took about an hour. First, we picked out our kimono, belt, and purse and, since we opted for a hairstyle, we picked from one of about six styles. Trust me, pay for the hairstyle, it’s so cute and really completes the outfit.

After we had all the components for the kimono we went to the building next door to be dressed. In the entrance of the building we removed our shoes and were given a large tote bag. We then walked upstairs to a ladies only community dressing area.

We had worn a thin t-shirt layer which we left on under our kimono and we left our pants on until they got the first skirt layer on us which means we were never naked while being dressed by strangers. Because of the dressing situation we were not allowed to take any photos or videos so hopefully we can aptly describe the process.

As we were being dressed we put our clothes and purse (after removing important items) in the tote bag which was secured in a safe place until our return. The ladies that help you get your kimono on don’t speak much English, but they have translation cards that they show you if they need to share information with you. Honestly, the ladies are so efficient while getting you in the kimono but be prepared that there are many layers to the kimono and they cinch it tight! I kept on joking with my mom that corsets have nothing on Kimonos. About halfway through the kimono dressing we stopped to have our hair done.

Once our hair was styled all fancy, they finished getting the rest of the kimono components on us. The last step is to find a pair of sandals(flip flop style) that fit. We have large feet (size 9/10) so the sandals mostly fit but were a bit short, we made it work.

I can’t recommend this place enough! The ladies working there were so nice and helpful.

This location is so very close to the temple. It was simply a matter of walking down the alleyway to the main street then hanging a left. We then walked, uphill, less than a city block.

There are lots of places to take photos around the temple and we were fortunate to be there during the fall color change to have that added pop of colors. We didn’t walk all the way to the top of the temple because our shoes were not easy to walk in. We decided to play it safe and take photos at the base of the temple and not tempt the gods with the potential for a twisted ankle.

After we were done exploring the temple, we went in search of the matcha cloud cakes I kept on hearing about. As fate, or Japan, would have it, the cloud cakes were located half way down a very steep hill with, guess what, stairs. There is just no escaping the stairs in Japan so the best thing to do is embrace it with good shoes on or, in our case, Zori sandals.

Seating is a bit limited at kumonochi but we made our way up a narrow, steep staircase to the upstairs seating where we enjoyed a tasty cake, matcha tea, and a refreshing fruit drink.

After our matcha break it was back up the hill to the kimono rental to change back into our street clothes. Technically, we had until 6pm before we had to return our Kimonos but between the tightly cinched clothing and the uncomfortable shoes we decided our curiosity about what it’s like to wear a kimono was appeased. 

Update 2025- 

So we are getting ready for another trip to Japan this July and as I was researching what we wanted to do, I stumbled across this Kimono Shop in Kyoto that I thought I would share. 

Rikawafuku has multiple locations in Kyoto, one being in the Kiyomizu area. This shop has gorgeous kimonos to choose from. They can fit up to a 41 inch waist and about 5’.6” height. They do say if you are taller no worries the hem and sleeves just might be a little shorter. 

If you have other questions you want answered here are their FQA

Before going to the park we decided we didn’t want to wait in the long lines for the park to first open so we planned to arrive between 9-10 am. Now, Disney fanatics will tell you that is way too late to arrive at the park, but arriving an hour or two before opening for the chance to snag some standby passes held absolutely zero appeal for us.

With that being said, arriving a bit after opening meant we were unable to get any standby passes and to be honest it was kind of a bummer, but one we quickly got over it since we saved our feet all those standing hours. We did read later that you should check continually throughout the day to see if any standby passes have become available. We did check a few times for tickets, but I guess we should have been checking multiple times an hour.

Take it or leave it but here are some tips to help you with your trip:

Send A Letter Back Home to Yourself

• Send a letter from Disney! You can buy postcards / stamps inside the House of Greetings store in the World Bazaar area. There is a mail box right outside the store that you can drop the postcards in. By doing this, a special commemorative stamp will be used on your postcard! It’s a lot of fun to see it when it arrives in your mail box back at home.

Food

• Pre order your food on the Disney app. It makes it so much easier and you don’t have to wait long times to order or get your food.

• The popcorn lines can get crazy long at the carts so be prepared. We went to the Big Pop to look at all the popcorn buckets and probably waited 30 minutes to get in which I don’t find terrible . When you buy a bucket if you don’t want the bucket filled they will give you a voucher to use at any popcorn stand.

Parades

Don’t be like us and get stuck by the Parade route! We kept on trying to go around it and ended up wasting a good chunk of time. Our plan was to try and hit a couple rides during the parade hoping for a shorter wait time. It didn’t happen.

We found our first free stamp at ITM Osaka Airport and from there it was game on with us always on the hunt for stamps. We’d always try to build in time at the train stations just to have the opportunity to look for them. Sometimes they are easy to spot and other times they are tucked in a corner or even in the manned ticket booth (you can simply say “Eki Stampu” in a questioning tone to ask if there is a train stamp at the station).

In addition to the free stamps we also had fun participating in stamp rallies and layered postcard stamps, and saying a prayer at temples and then receiving a Goushin (which is a specific stamp/calligraphy blessing in a special book to prove that you visited the temple and offered a prayer). Both the stamp rallies, layered postcard stamps, and the Goushin cost a minimal fee from a couple USD dollars for the stamp rallies and postcards and up to 1,000 yen for very specialized and gorgeous Goushin, more on that later.

There are a few different types of free stamps in Japan you can collect:

• Eki/Train Station stamps
• Stores/Museums/Attractions stamps
• Stamp rallies
• Layered postcard stamps

Train Stations, Airports, Stores and More

Layered Postcard Stamps

These might change or be limited time on when they are available. You’ll want to double check if they are still happening before you go. We found layered postcard stamps at the following locations:

• Kyoto Botanical Garden
• Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
• Katsuo-Ji Temple
• Hello Kitty Exhibit at the Fukoku Friendly Forest

Side Quest: If you go to Disney be sure to visit the House of Greetings store and send yourself a postcard from the park, it will be stamped with a special Disney stamp before being mailed.

Stamp Rallies

We only did two stamp rallies when we were in Japan. Stamp rallies are where business or locations create a scavenger style hunt to collect stamps across a specific area. Once you collect all the stamps on the sheet you can turn it in to get a prize.

Disney Spark Joy: The Spark Joy Rally you didn’t have to buy the card they had them next to the first stamp and you walked around the mall to collect all 4. This one we didn’t turn in, but there was a prize if you did!

Mario: For the Mario Stamp Rally you did have to pay for your card I believe it was 500 yen and then you went around to all the locations listed to get the stamps (10 stamps total). After you collected all the stamps you could “turn it in” which really you just show a designated person that its completed and they give you a prize! For the Mario one we received stickers and a cool mini folder.

When finding stamp rallies we searched a lot on Instagram and even FB Groups. Be sure to follow Rainbowholic on IG as she was a good resource for all things stamping. I’m sure we missed a lot happening when we were there but I wasn’t too sure where to look so if you have any ideas let me know!

Find more fun in Japan:

Explore Kiyomizu-Dera Temple Area + Kimono Rental Experience

Discover the beauty of Katsuo-Ji Temple in Osaka, Japan

From there we wandered around until a local kindly showed us to the Katsuo-Ji bus stop. Be sure to look for signs on the sidewalk noting the direction to the bus stop as well. We figured that out after the local helped us.

The bus runs a couple times a day from the Senri Chuo station to Katsuo-Ji, but runs more frequently from the Minoh Kayano station (find details here). We had about a 30 minute wait for the bus and the line was long and growing. By the time for the bus arrived there was a significant number of people waiting. By the time we boarded the bus it was already pretty packed but luckily we were able to grab the last two seats. Everyone squished onto the bus and away we went. It’s about a 35 minute ride from Senri Chuo station to Katsuo-ji with one stop at Minoh Kayano station along the way.

A few logistical notes: We downloaded the Suica card to our iPhones and used that to pay for all transportation in the country. You simply tap your phone on the machine when you get on the bus and tap again when you exit the bus. It really is as easy as it sounds. Additionally, we entered from the middle door on the bus and exited at the front. Basically, we just followed the crowd and did what the locals did. Also, we did not find lockers at the Senri Chuo station to store our backpacks so we had to haul them around the temple with us. There are no lockers at the temple itself. If you can, you absolutely want to store your luggage at one of the stations because carrying it around is not any fun!

Once at the Temple, it was a quick wait to pay (500 yen) and receive our post cards to do the layered stamp around the grounds.

Once you are through the ticket area you’ll collect your first stamp immediately outside the doors and then start exploring.

There are lots of steps here and you will walk up and down. That being said it’s a, easy and enjoyable walk. The steps going up with the famous Durama Doll photos can get packed, if you don’t want to wait in the long line of people there is a back side that there are less people and still a great photo opportunity,

As you walk the grounds taking in the beautiful site don’t forget to look for all the Daruma Mikuji dolls placed around, there are so many to be found. You can also place your own. There is a kiosk at the top of the hill to purchase a Kachi-Daruma and also the Daruma Mikuji ( The ones that come with a fortune inside). If it’s a good fortune you take it with you but if it’s a bad fortune you tie it to a structure and leave that bad fortune behind.

Some Helpful Info:

The kiosk with the Kachi-Daruma (you fill in the eyes), the Daruma Mikuji (fortune) and charms are at the top of the grounds across from the Main Hall.

If you are wanting a Goshuin it is also at the top, it’s in the building to the right of the Main Hall its number 21 (Temple Office) on the grounds map. They do have Goushin books in there that you can buy, also remember that Goshuin are not free and usually cost around 500 yen (cash only).

Don’t miss Stamp #5 like us (gahhh ) we walked all the way to the bottom of the grounds just to realize stamp #5 was all the way back up top by the Temple Office ( where you get the Goshuin).

Inside the store where you buy your entrance ticket there are vending machines for drinks. Outside of that building they also had a food stand.

Leaving the Temple the same bus you took up will take you back down but just keep in mind they only depart a few times a day starting at 11am with the last bus departing at 4:18pm. They can also get really crowded so depending on when you are leaving you might have to wait for another bus to come. There are taxis that will take you where you need to go as well. We used the GO taxi app to request a ride when we were ready to go back and took that to the Minoh Kayano station. It was about $20USD for the taxi and well worth it. At Minoh Kayano we found the train

The Triple X Family Restaurant started serving Triple XXX root beer at a Thirst Station in West Lafayette back in 1932. During the height of popularity there were around 100 Thirst Stations in the U.S. and Canada. This Triple X Family Restaurant is the last remaining, original Thirst Station left and one of the few places that you can still buy the original, pure cane sugar Triple XXX root beer from 1895.

Thank goodness they are still serving up Triple XXX root beer because it is, hands down, fantastic. I’ve tried a lot of root beers and they are good, but Triple XXX somehow takes it up a notch. Of course, drinking it fresh out of the keg at the restaurant helped, but it was still good from the bottles I brought home.

The restaurant wasn’t added on to the thirst station until 2003, but they kept the vintage feel of an era gone by with decor reminiscent of vintage Route 66. Seating is around a U shaped counter as well as picnic tables outside.

Guy Fieri made an appearance at the Triple X Family Restaurant back in 2007 when he was brand new on the Food Network scene and tried a variety of menu items including the Duane Purvis burger.–“A burger for the more adventurous! A 1/4 lb. of 100% ground sirloin with thick,  creamy peanut butter served on a toasted sesame seed bun with melted  American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle, and onion. A very special treat!” Apparently, he is quite the character and the staff had a great time filming the episode.

I tried it and really liked it. I know, I know, you are probably wondering how peanut butter on a burger could be good, but you’ll just have to trust me. It’s a little different but no different than peanut sauce for Asian dishes. This is definitely a burger I would order again. Of course, if peanut butter on a burger isn’t your thing the menu has many other options.

As always be sure to save room for dessert because the Triple XXX Family Restaurant makes THE best root beer cake and serves it with ice cream!

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

When I visited Triple XXX Family Restaurant was cash only. I don’t know if that has changed, but go prepared with cash just in case.

Hours: Wed-Mon | 7am – 10pm

CLOSED ALL MAJOR HOLIDAYS

Need a place to stay while in West Lafayette, IN? Book one of our recommendations today!

The Union Club Hotel – An Autograph Collection Hotel <<–This is our top pick!

Hampton Inn & Suites

Comfort Inn

Homewood Suites

Now, I know the famous beach and the NASCAR races might be what brings you to Daytona Beach, with good reason, but there is so much more to do here. 

At minimum, you’ll want a long weekend, but if you can swing it a week would be best.

Use this post as a guide to help you craft the perfect weekend or week-long getaway. 

The Ultimate Guide to The Best Things To Do At The Beach In Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach is broken into two main areas, beach side and mainland.

The beach side is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the strip of land between the Atlantic Ocean and the Halifax River. 

The mainland is the area west of the Halifax River. 

Additionally, the Daytona Beach area includes the communities of Ormond-By-The-Sea, Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Shores, Wilbur-By-The-Sea, Ponce Inlet, Holly Hill and South Daytona. 

This post will focus on the beach side. More will be published soon about the mainland and other communities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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DAYTONA BEACH BOARDWALK AND PIER

You absolutely must check out the boardwalk and pier at the beach. From adrenaline pumping rides to salt water candy to the clock tower and band shell.

This is iconic Daytona Beach and a must-see.

BIKE OR DRIVE THE BEACH 

You can rent pedal bikes from Blue Coast Shop Bicycle Rentals, but if you have a car you’ll want to drive the beach as well.

The hard packed sand makes it easy to do either.

Biking is very popular activity on the beach and it’s easy to see why so many people enjoy it. 

The only downside, the wind can be strong and make the ride a bit more of a struggle than you might like.

Be sure to check weather conditions before renting.

Plus, there is just something really memorable about biking along the Atlantic Ocean on one of the best beaches on the East Coast.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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To drive along the beach, there are a number of entrances where you’ll pay a small fee.

Be sure to follow the signs and obey traffic laws the same as if you were on the road.

BEACH DAYS

One of the best things to do in Daytona Beach is to enjoy the beach.

Grab a good book, cooler packed with your favorite drinks, a beach umbrella and your beach chairs and plan an afternoon of pure rest and relaxation.

If it’s warm enough you could play in the surf, take a swim in the ocean, or even enjoy a paddle board adventure for a bit.

Personally, we spent a lot of time walking for long stretches along the beach. It was so relaxing and we’d walked miles without even realizing it.

SEE SEA TURTLES

From May – October is sea turtle season when these amazing animals head to the beach at night to lay their eggs in nests dug in the dry sand, then return to the sea.

Usually the nests are located up in the dune area of the beach and, most likely, have been roped off to save the nests. 

There is still plenty of beach to enjoy even during turtle season and the chance of seeing a sea turtle is the perfect reason to visit during the season.

ENJOY THE SPA AT THE SHORES RESORT AND SPA

Because you always deserve to pamper yourself when you’re on vacation. Order some chocolate covered strawberries to enjoy during your spa experience. 

We really liked the boutique spa at The Shores Resort and Spa. The entire staff was so friendly and accommodating. I would book another appointment here without hesitation.

If time allows plan an entire spa day with massage, facial and mani/pedi.

SIP AT SUNSET

Honestly, one of our favorite things to do is enjoy a cocktail while watching the sun kiss the horizon and say goodnight.

There are a couple great places to make this happen, Top of Daytona with 360 degree views from the 29th floor (the tallest buildings on the strip), Sky Rooftop Bar  with incredible views and NASCAR history, The Roof above Joe’s Crab Shack on the Daytona Beach Pier.

Additionally, any place along the Halifax River on the beach side or in the Ponce Inlet area along the water.

WHERE TO STAY IN DAYTONA BEACH

I’ll be sharing a longer post shortly, but we loved our stay at The Shores Resort & Spa. It is towards the Ponce Inlet end of the beach and was a bit quieter which I loved. 

The beach is gorgeous here and the pool deck at the resort is simply perfect with pools, swim up bar, fire pits and more.

At the resort they have everything you need. A  full service restaurant, boutique spa, Starbucks coffee, great location, oceanfront rooms and weekly evening entertainment.

Big THANKS to Daytona Beach for hosting my visit!

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The Pacific Northwest had been my siren song for so long and stepping foot on that soil was a balm to my soul. 

Our first task, pick up our Escape Campervan. Yes, part of the dream was to drive around Oregon in a decked out campervan, waking up in nature or to the sounds of the ocean and exploring. No hotels required. It was epic!

Renting the Escape Campervan was exactly the right decision!

5 Reasons To Rent An Escape Campervan for Your Next Epic Adventure

The Escape Campervan is Surprisingly Affordable

When we first started planning our trip I quickly realized that a car rental was going to be crazy expensive. Add that to hotel costs and I started to hesitate on my decision to vacation in Oregon. 

I’d always made the assumption that a Campervan would far exceed my budget even though I’d always wanted to travel in one. So, instead of guessing, I jumped on the site, put in my info and was pleasantly surprised. 

There are a couple different campervan models. We went with the largest campervan, the Big Sur model, with a pick up and return in Portland. We added a bedding and kitchen kit (more on that later) as well as a couple of camp chairs.

All told, we paid around $1800 for 9 nights/10 days.

While it ended up only saving us a couple hundred dollars it was worth it for the experience.

It’s a vacation home and rental car in one

The campervan comes kitted out with a queen size bed, a camp stove and a small sink. For additional fees, we rented a kitchen kit and bedding kit from Escape Campervan.

The kitchen kit included pots, pans, plates, cups, and utensils and worked perfectly well for our road trip. We bought a pour over coffee maker because for us coffee is life and an absolute must.

A solar panel on the roof powered the refrigerator so we didn’t have to lug around a cooler and worry about our ice supply and keeping things cold.

The bedding kit was a sheet, light comforter, and two pillows. We traveled in September and the nights were cool and in some areas it was COLD. The bedding kit did not work for us and we wouldn’t rent it again. 

Instead, we stopped at a large box store and bought a heavy duty blanket, a 2-inch memory foam topper (because the bed was way more comfy with it) and an extra pillow. Our nights were much cozier after that investment.

Now that we know we can pack accordingly for our next trip.

It’s A Picnic Every Day

Because we had a kitchen with us we were able to picnic at some really lovely locations. We simply found a spot we liked and set about making lunch or dinner. Sometimes, we simply stopped to make a cup of coffee and enjoy the view.

No waiting in line for a table, no crazy expensive food cost, simply find a spot, open the back of the campervan, and cook up your next meal. 

If there is inclement weather the queen bed can be converted back to seating and the van table set up to work or dine at.

I know for some that eating out is part of the travel experience and while we did go out a couple times we really enjoyed the experience of spending our time outdoors for our meals.

Sleep Under the Stars

We, unfortunately, visited the PNW while the wild fires were raging through the region which meant a LOT of hazy, smoke filled days and nights. 

However, spending our evenings tucked in the campervan (I would say around the campfire, but those were banned during our visit except for one location), reading a book, and falling asleep to the sound of nature is everything. Waking up in the trees and quiet is seriously everything for us. 

We mostly stayed in National Forest and State Campgrounds

If you love camping this is the way to go. We are not RV people (a whole list of reasons why, but for us, it just doesn’t feel like camping), however, the campervan is a great compromise between a tent and an RV. 

Traveling In The Escape Campervan Is A Lot of Fun!

It is perfect for long road trips as we proved during our epic trip around Oregon. We picked up our Campervan in Portland and from there we explored as much of the state, from mountains to shore, as we could over 10 days and drove about 1100 miles. 

Picnicking with epic views of the ocean, sleeping tucked in the woods under the shelter of some of the tallest trees, and driving to waterfalls was all part of our adventure.

Plus, the campervans all have unique and fun exterior designs. They are painted by local artists. You’ll find different designs on each van. Next time I’d love to pick my van based on the art work. 

 Where To Rent An Escape Campervan?

While they are very popular on the west coast of the United States (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, PNW, and Salt Lake City). There are locations on the East Coast as well as Canada.

Griffin is full of tree-lined, small-town charm, stately historic homes, diverse history and heritage and a thriving dining and arts scene in a commercial district full of restored and re-purposed buildings.

As the birthplace of Doc Holliday and the film site of over 100 movies and shows from “Fried Green Tomatoes” to “The Walking Dead,” there’s something around every corner to pique the interest of visitors and locals alike.

Historic downtown Griffin features many locally owned restaurants and cafes serving up Southern favorites, unique shops offering antiques, apparel and gifts and beautiful murals depicting the town’s history.

Located just 40 miles south of Atlanta, Griffin holds plenty of fun for leisurely loiterers as well as active sports enthusiasts.

All The Things You’ll Want To Do In Griffin, Georgia

Where To Get Outside

Outdoor enthusiasts will find no shortage of activities to enjoy. The Spalding County Pickleball Complex has positioned Griffin as a premier destination for both amateur and professional pickleball players, hosting nationally recognized tournaments.

For shooting sports aficionados, Cherokee Rose offers a top-tier experience with its well-maintained sporting clays courses, perfect for both novices and experts.

Golfers will enjoy the historic Griffin Golf Course, known for its challenging layout and scenic beauty, along with other local favorites like Cabin Creek Club and The Club at Shoal Creek.

Additionally, disc golfers can explore four highly rated courses set in picturesque locations around the city.

RELATED: 8 Things To Do Outside in Griffin, GA

Leisurely Excursions, Entertainment

Looking for a girls’ getaway or a generational getaway for ladies of many ages? Architectural driving tours, art, entertainment, a tea service and history make for a leisurely itinerary.

Take In A Show

From performances at Camelot Theatre to seasonal shows performed by the Griffin Ballet Theatre, there’s no shortage of entertainment in the way of performing arts. Local professional productions and national acts are big tickets here at reasonable ticket prices, and without the big-city crowds.

The venues–from the carefully restored Griffin Opera House to the sleek Griffin Auditorium–are intimate and welcoming, with free parking. Enjoy experimental black box theatre in a renovated Woolworth’s building, a choral society, family-oriented musicals and classic ballet along with dance styles for every taste.

See Amazing Architecture

Griffin’s architecture is another showstopper, featuring masterpieces by such greats as Neel Reed and Philip Shutze. Take one of the suggested self-guided driving tours that all start from the picturesque clock at the intersection of Hill Street & Solomon Street. One magnificent example is open for guided tours. Completed in 1862, the Greek Revival Bailey-Tebault House and was also used as a Civil War hospital and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Griffin-Spalding Historical Society owns and operates The Bailey-Tebault House where it continues its mission “to preserve and share the history of Griffin and Spalding County and to promote the preservation and use of their historic structures.” Guided tours are available by appointment at least 48 hours in advance; suggested $10 donation per person, or $25 for families, cash or card.

Take A Stroll Around The Garden

For garden-lovers, a visit to The University of Georgia’s 65-acre Research and Education Gardens is a treat. Bring a picnic, take a tour and select plants and designs for your own landscape, Take advantage of learning opportunities by checking The Garden Calendar for events, classes and workshops.

Best Restaurants in Griffin

Offering a wide variety of cuisines, visitors to Griffin are sure to find something to delight their taste buds.

From homestyle Southern cooking at Louise’s Cafeteria and local favorites at Bank Street Café to hot wings and cold brews at Uncle Bobby’s Wings and Beer and steaks at J. Henry’s, there’s something for everyone on the menu.

Indulge in authentic and fresh Mediterranean cuisine at Angelo’s Mediterranean Cuisine, located in the heart of Griffin’s historic district where owners Angelo and Diane Panousis have been serving up the finest Italian and Greek cuisine since 2008.

“Grandmillenials” will gush over The Emerald Chandelier, a fascinating tearoom housed in a circa 1870 home full of eclectic décor. Patrons will enjoy noshing on delicious bites in a cozy, welcoming setting. Created out of the owner’s love for the unusual and sentimental, it’s a must-see inside and out.

Where To Stay In Griffin, GA

Note – If you click on a lodging link and book a room the site earns a few pennies to keep it in business, but doesn’t cost you anything. A BIG THANK YOU for supporting what we do! We truly appreciate you!

There are a number of lodging options in the region. For a hotel stay we like the Holiday Inn. There are also a number of VRBOs in the area if you prefer more of a home stay.

Whether it’s a historic loft, a bed and breakfast or a traditional hotel experience, there are plenty of lodging options to make your trip memorable.

We love to show love by baking up some goodness to share with others.

Cookie recipes don’t have to be time consuming or elaborate. I have plenty of cookie recipes on the site and since I’m a pretty simple baker the recipes are easy, peasy.

You may need to make multiple batches of these to share, but thankfully the twist on these cookies is easy to whip up and bake in no time at all.

Check out another one of our favorites, Quick and Easy Sour Cream Cookies!!

Make sure to have a holiday cookie tray or serving dish. Our faves are from Mud Pie!!

Snickerdoodle Cookies

THE TWIST 

Grandma’s snickerdoodle cookies have been my favorite cookie since childhood.

I love the cinnamon flavor of the cookie but decided to add a little something to take the cookies up a notch.

I debated on adding caramel, which would be delicious, but didn’t have the ingredients to make caramel in the house and running to the store wasn’t an option.

So, I settled on my next favorite cookie ingredient, peanut butter. I used a bag of mini peanut butter candy in a crunchy shell and had a light bulb moment.

Just when I thought snickerdoodles couldn’t get any better the peanut butter candies take it up one big delicious notch.

GRANDMA’S SNICKERDOODLE COOKIES INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup of butter, softened
1 1/4 cup of All-Purpose Flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon of cream of tartar*
1/2 cup of candy-coated peanut butter baking chips
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon

*Note: If you see a snickerdoodle cookie recipe that does not include cream of tartar you simply have a cinnamon cookie recipe and not the awesome snickerdoodle cookie recipe.

Cream of tartar is the ingredient that makes this cookie great!

Quick science lesson: the acid in cream of tartar is what stops the sugar from crystallizing when baked giving snickerdoodle the soft, chewy cookie we all love.

It is also responsible for that bit of tangy flavor in the cookie.

GRANDMA’S SNICKERDOODLE COOKIES DIRECTIONS

In a medium mixing bowl whip the butter with a hand or stand mixer for about 30 seconds. To the butter bowl, add 1 cup of flour, sugar, egg, vanilla, baking soda, cream of tartar and peanut butter chips. Mix until all ingredients are well blended together. Add remaining 1/4 cup of flour and mix it in.

Cover with plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge for about an hour to chill it.

Combine the 2 tablespoons of sugar with the 1 tablespoon of cinnamon in a small bowl.

When the dough is chilled, roll dough into one-inch balls then rolls in cinnamon sugar mixture. Place on ungreased baking sheet. Cookie balls should be placed roughly two-inches apart.

Bake at 375 degrees for about 8-10 minutes (I check the cookies at 8 minutes, if the edges are turning brown I pull them out, otherwise I let them cook for 2 more minutes or until edges are a pretty brown color).

Cool cookies on a wire rack.

Makes approximately 22 small cookies.

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