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Passions and Places

A travel + outdoors blog

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5 Offbeat Road Trip Stops: Unique Places to Visit in Arizona

December 15, 2020 By Jen Ambrose 16 Comments

Desert landscape of shrubs and red rocks with a blue sky.

Take it from us – there’s so much more to Arizona than the Grand Canyon. For an off-the-beaten-path experience, put some of these stops on your itinerary!

Filed Under: Arizona, North America, Off the Beaten Path, Road Trips, U.S. Tagged With: national parks

Exploring the Best and Quirkiest Attractions in Jerome, AZ

July 19, 2019 By Ryan Victor 10 Comments

If you like offbeat towns, you’ll love Jerome, AZ. It’s home to a Claymation-esque museum and a massive stockpile of rusted out cars, among other unusual things – oh, and the town is purported to be haunted. It’s a quintessential road trip stop and an easy day trip from Phoenix, too.

Filed Under: Arizona, North America, Road Trips, U.S. Tagged With: abandoned places, ghost towns

Anaconda, MT: An Offbeat Stop on a Montana Road Trip

April 11, 2019 By Ryan Victor 13 Comments

An outdoor mural of buildings and the text “Historic Anaconda. Where Main Street Meets the Mountains.”

When we planned a road trip starting in Montana, we knew the little town of Anaconda would be one of our first stops. With some offbeat attractions and almost no other visitors, it was exactly the type of place we wanted to explore.

Filed Under: Montana, North America, Off the Beaten Path, Road Trips, U.S. Tagged With: abandoned places, ghost towns

Seeing History Repeat Itself: An Alabama Road Trip

June 7, 2017 By Ryan Victor Leave a Comment

This Alabama road trip was the final segment of a longer trip through the Deep South, focused on human rights and social justice. A historical itinerary like this one is a great way to travel through Alabama. Birmingham, Montgomery, and all Selma offer great museums and opportunities to learn about the Civil War, the history of slavery, and the Civil Rights Movement.

The final state on our road trip through the South was Alabama, home of a gigantic steel statue, some delicious bagels, and several amazing museums. From protests to voting rights to immigration, it turns out Alabama has a lot to teach us about history and about issues facing the country today.

Filed Under: Alabama, North America, Off the Beaten Path, Road Trips, U.S. Tagged With: American South

Learning about History and Culture on a Mississippi Road Trip

June 3, 2017 By Ryan Victor Leave a Comment

As part of a longer route through the Deep South, our Mississippi road trip included historical sites and museums that taught us all about slavery, race issues, the Civil Rights Movement, and even Muslim culture. This historical road trip itinerary includes Natchez and Jackson, MS, and follows part of the famed Natchez Trace.

Mississippi might not be high on your bucket list, but it’s a great place to learn about civil rights history. The state’s capital of Jackson also surprised us in a lot of ways, from its museum on Muslim culture to its delicious vegan restaurant.

Filed Under: Mississippi, North America, Off the Beaten Path, Road Trips, U.S. Tagged With: American South

Exploring Louisiana from Baton Rouge to Bayou Country

May 21, 2017 By Jen Ambrose and Ryan Victor 2 Comments

Many people who travel to Louisiana only visit New Orleans, but it’s not too representative of the rest of the state. As it turns out, Southern Louisiana is a great place to learn about history, politics, climate change, and oft-forgotten communities. Follow along on our road trip to see the best things to do in Baton Rouge and then explore the Louisiana bayou. Stops include Houma, Thibodeaux, Cocodrie, Montegut, and Isle de Jean Charles, the setting of the film Beasts of the Southern Wild.

As much fun as New Orleans is, there’s more to see in Louisiana. Our road trip took us to the highlights of Baton Rouge and then to Houma and the bayou, a place where land becomes water.

Filed Under: Louisiana, North America, Off the Beaten Path, Road Trips, U.S. Tagged With: American South

A Human Rights + Social Justice Road Trip in the American South

April 25, 2017 By Jen Ambrose 18 Comments

Road trips just might be the best way to travel in the American South. Our trip through Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama was focused on history, civil rights, human rights, social justice, and the environment. The route included New Orleans, Natchez, Birmingham, Selma, and more, with stops at some of the region’s best museums and monuments. See our full road trip itinerary, and get our best tips to plan your own visit to the South.

The South might not be too touristed, but it’s full of sites all Americans should see. Our Southern road trip taught us so much about this country’s past and about human rights and social justice, both historically and today. Relive the journey with us, and get some tips for planning a trip of your own.

Filed Under: Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, North America, Off the Beaten Path, Road Trips, U.S. Tagged With: American South

How to Eat Healthier and Save Money While Traveling

March 17, 2017 By Jen Ambrose and Ryan Victor 10 Comments

Eating out every day when you travel can get rough if you’re health-conscious or on a budget. Here are some of the best alternatives, including healthy road trip snacks, other cheap travel foods, easy recipes, and a food packing list.

When you’re traveling, eating out for every meal can seem inevitable – but it gets rough on both your wallet and your health. Here are all our best ideas for cheap and healthy travel foods, including grab-and-go snacks, super easy recipes, and things to bring with you.

Filed Under: Budgeting, Foodie Travel, Gear and Packing, Road Trips Tagged With: budget travel, travel tips

Touring the Local Businesses of Vermont

December 10, 2016 By Jen Ambrose 6 Comments

Vermont is known for its locavore movement and commitment to sustainability. The state has a vibrant local business scene, and many of its companies offer public tours. Visit a company like Ben & Jerry’s, Cabot Creamery, or Snow Farm Vineyard next time you travel to Vermont.

The commitment to sustainability and local production runs deep in Vermont, especially at the state’s small businesses. Witness it for yourself by visiting the Ben & Jerry’s Factory, the Cabot Creamery, or one of the many other Vermont businesses that make themselves open to the public.

Filed Under: Foodie Travel, North America, Road Trips, U.S., Vermont Tagged With: Burlington, New England, small businesses

Close-up of a white man and woman both wearing black with trees in the background, and an overlaying green banner that says "Welcome!"

Hi! We’re Jen and Ryan, an American couple on a journey to travel the world while working from the road. We’re passionate about outdoor adventure, responsible travel, and getting off the beaten path. Passions and Places is a space for us to share our stories and tips with you, but most importantly, we hope to inspire you to seek your own adventure.

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