Frugal Family Travelers

Sunday, October 7, 2018

Natchez Mississippi for Families

Established in 1716, Natchez is one of the oldest European settlements is the lower Mississippi valley. The history alone makes this an amazing destination! However, the opportunities for exploration and hiking abound with the gateway to the Natchez Trace Parkway being nearby. In addition to the many historic homes that are open for paid tours, much of what our Frugal Family Travelers explored on a recent trip, were free. The pictures blow highlight these offerings and share the details needed to recreate the itinerary or some variation for yourself.

In the pictures below you will see us exploring the historic streets of downtown Natchez and then Historic Jefferson College.

St. Mary Basilica is a minor basilica, once the cathedral for the state diocese. The oldest Catholic building still in use in Mississippi, the church received its first blessing in 1843.

105 S Union St, Natchez, MS 39121

First Presbyterian Church, located at the corner of South Pearl and State Streets is home to "Natchez in Historic Photographs," a collection of photographs of early Natchez from the Gandy Collection. Open daily from 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Visitors may also tour the historic church through the chapel during these hours.

117 S Pearl St; Natchez, Mississippi 39120

Our walking tour continued with a visit to the William Johnson House which is run by the National Park Service. It tells the story of a freed slave who became a business owner in Natchez. Most importantly, he kept an detailed diary of his life which allows visitors a glimpse into the past. The picture below is just outside. We were having fun with the leaves!

210 State Street, Natchez, MS 39120

100 year old fountain in Memorial Park!

179 S. Union Street, Natchez MS, 39120

King's Tavern has long been regarded as the oldest building in Natchez ca 1789. It’s a great place to eat and visit! Ask about the ghost!
613 Jefferson Street, Natchez, MS 39120

After we completed our walking tour we headed back to the car for a short drive to Historic Jefferson College! This is an amazing place! What more can one ask for, free admission, history and great hiking! The trail was used by the cadets when the college was still open.

16 Old N Street, Natchez, MS 39120

Disclaimer:

All content provided on Frugal Family Travelers blog is for informational purposes only. The owners of this blog make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. The owners of Frugal Family Travelers blog do not share personal information with third-parties and are not responsible for the republishing of the content found on this blog on other Web sites or media without permission. As with all travel, operating days, times, costs, etc., should be verified prior to departure.

Tuesday, June 19, 2018

An Amazing Free Alternative to Chimney Rock

If you frequently read our blog posts, you may recall a recent entry entitled “8 Tranquil Spots not to Miss in North Carolina”. This post featured some amazing outdoor experiences in and around the Asheville area. On this same trip, we made a startling new discovery while pondering whether or not to visit the more touristy Chimney Rock attraction, known to so many. It is no secret that our Frugal Family Travelers often get excited when we find a new place “off the beaten path”. So, it was ultimately a pretty easy decision in the end to visit this spot!

“Jump Off Rock” in Laurel Falls, NC became the target of our next adventure! We drove up steep winding roads roads, through the beautiful Laurel Falls neighborhood and ultimately made it to the top of the mountain with ease. We parked the car and were pleasantly surprised to learn that the overlook was just a short distance away.

At 3,025 ft., the panoramic views from “Jump Off Rock” are truly some of the best you will find while traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway. Not only did we soak up the views but enjoyed a nice picnic lunch while trying to keep the blanket from sailing away from frequent gusts of wind. After our picnic, we explored the three hiking trails available. The trails were clearly marked and the signage explained the approximate hike times and difficulty ratings. The trails were also well maintained with diverse features which provided opportunities for discovery. Overall, our experience here was one we will never forget. Standing on “Jump Off Rock” to behold the beautiful mountain scenery, while at the same time experiening the wind on our faces, was an experience that mere words can not adequately express. So, if you find yourself in this area, add it to your travel itinerary. You won’t be disappointed!

Directions: 4433 Laurel Park Hwy, Laurel Park, NC 28739

Cost: Free

Note: Pack a pick basket and blanket! Be prepared to enjoy the breeze and the amazing panoramic views! The ease of access would make this an excellent point of interest for those traveling with small children as well as those with limited mobility.

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Saturday, June 9, 2018

Take a Walk on the Wild Side!

Recently, our Frugal Family Travelers did a little exploring on the Northshore just outside of New Orleans. We discovered the Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Headquarters. Positioned on the bayou in Lacombe, Louisiana, the headquarters is located on the grounds of a former Catholic Retreat Center. We spent our morning exploring the hiking trails and discovered many picturesque views of the bayou, as well as numerous fountains and springs. The grounds were teeming with wildlife of all kinds. Azalea and Camellia are abundant on the property and would therefore make this a great a place to visit again while in bloom. The headquarters also has a wildlife museum with all sorts of interactive exhibits and videos which showcase the diverse ecosystem of the refuge. It is no surprise why this place was chosen as the headquarters for the refuge. Sadly, Frugal Family Travelers find that many of these types of places are underutilized by the public, who seem to be seeking more fast paced activities. “Take a Walk in the Wild Side” and plan a visit here! You won’t be sorry!

Directions:

61389 LA-434, Lacombe, LA 70445

Cost: Free

Note: Pack bug spray and sunscreen! Don't forget pack a picnic lunch! This is a great place for a picnic!

Combine this with other hiking opportunities, just a short drive away, to creat a full day of adventure.... click link below for details:

Big Branch Marsh Hiking

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Thursday, May 24, 2018

Sequoia Trees in MS?

The Mississippi Petrified Forest is a natural wonder which contains ancient trees, including Sequoia! Many of these petrified trees are estimated to be at least a thousand years old at the time a massive flood deposited the log jam in the current location. Years of subsequent flooding and silt deposits covered what would become the petrified logs visitors see today! The process of erosion first exposed these logs in the 1800's. However, it was not until 1962 that real conservation efforts began when R. J. "Bob" and Shirl Schabilion purchased the forest. They realized that this Mississippi treasure needed to be preserved for future generation and their conservation efforts created what is seen today in the park. .

Our Frugal Family Travelers had heard of the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona but were quite surprised to learn of the existence of this petrified forest in Mississippi, just outside of Jackson. Upon discovery, we started planning our trip, which took place over Spring Break. We wanted to tent camp and were pleasantly surprised to learn that the forest had a small campground suitable for RVs and tent campers alike. Upon arrival we found the welcome center, where we were able to pay for our campsite and purchase tour tickets. One of the neatest parts of our camping adventure was the boxcar adjacent to our camp. We felt like we were truly in a scene right out of the "Boxcar Children" book series. Those who have visited Chimney Rock and Ruby Falls will likely be at home in this setting, as it has a very similar feel. If gem mining is something you and your Frugal Family Travelers enjoy, there is a station set up for this! There is also a neat museum with a collection of fossils. There is a lot to discover, especially if you like science! The pictures below will tell more of the story.......enjoy!

Directions:

124 Forest Park Rd, Flora, MS 39071

Cost:

$7 Adults; $6 Seniors and kids under 12 years of age

Camping:

$22 for full service hook up
$12 for primitive camp sites

Note: Pack bug spray and sunscreen!