We stood in the middle of DC, our hearts still buzzing from the surreal moment of seeing our eyes transformed into vibrant, mesmerizing artwork.

The Magic of Iris Art in the Heart of DC

If you’re on the hunt for something that blends art, technology, and intimacy, Scio Art in Washington, DC, delivers. This studio takes the phrase “eyes are the window to the soul” to striking new heights. Using high-definition imaging, Scio captures the intricate patterns of your iris and turns them into personalized works of art.

You can go solo or create a composite design with up to four people, perfect for couples, families, or close friends. And yes, it makes a killer date idea.

More Than a Portrait: A Tech-Meets-Art Experience

From the moment we walked in, the vibe was sleek and modern, but the staff made it feel warm and inviting. The photo session itself felt like a creative shoot, a mix of science and soul. Choosing our final artwork took the most time (there were so many gorgeous options!), but that just speaks to the quality of the visuals.

The coolest part? They offer custom jewelry options, too, so you can literally wear your loved one’s eye (or yours) as a pendant. It’s art that stares back, and stays with you.

“The soul, fortunately, has an interpreter – often one eye, or both.” – Charlotte Brontë

Why It’s the Ultimate Romantic Date Idea

There’s something deeply intimate about locking eyes with someone and capturing that energy forever. Whether it’s an anniversary, a surprise date, or just a creative way to say “I see you,” this experience hits different.

Pro tip: Pair it with brunch nearby or a golden-hour walk along the National Mall. DCis full of charming spots to complete the perfect date day.

Tips to Make the Most of Your Visit

• Look for a Groupon deal before booking. You might snag a sweet discount.
• Arrive early to find parking (it can be tricky).
• Think about your look for the shoot: colors, reflections, and something you’d want in a frame.

Essential Info

Scio Art DC
933 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004
Visit Website →

We were in and out in under an hour, and the whole experience felt smooth, thoughtful, and incredibly special. Whether you’re a local or just passing through DC, Scio Art is a meaningful stop you won’t forget.

Would you ever turn your eyes into art?

Tags: Scio Art DC, iris photography, DC date ideas, personalized art, DC

Hashtags: #TravelnTasteJournal #HiddenGems #ArtExperiences #DCDateIdeas #ScioArt

The post Art That Stares Back: A Unique Experience at Scio Art in DC appeared first on Welcome.

Two Great Wolf Lodges, Twice the Adventure

When planning a family getaway, Great Wolf Lodge is consistently at the top of our list. This year, we decided to try two locations: Williamsburg in June, followed by Perryville in July. Each lodge offered its own flavor of family fun, making our choice far tougher than expected.

Williamsburg: Making Waves with Waterpark Wonders

The Williamsburg waterpark immediately felt like an inviting aquatic playground. The standout feature for our family was the expansive wave pool. It felt deeper, giving even older kids plenty of room to dive, float, and splash. Seating around the pool was abundant, comfortable, and well-placed, offering perfect sightlines for watchful parents.

Yet the true highlight was Williamsburg’s gigantic tipping bucket. Its colossal splash turned waiting moments into pure excitement. Our kids stood eagerly each time, squealing as gallons of water cascaded down, creating lasting memories of pure joy.

The layout of the water attractions felt natural and easy to navigate. From lazy rivers to thrilling slides, everything flowed smoothly, allowing maximum enjoyment with minimal stress.

Perryville: Dry Adventures and Magical Quests

Perryville surprised us with its impressive collection of dry activities. Our kids couldn’t stop talking about the indoor rope course. Suspended high above, it challenged their courage and boosted their confidence. We also spent hours in the mini ten-pin bowling alley, where friendly competition made for lots of laughter.

MagiQuest in Perryville offered a little extra magic, too. Wandering through enchanted hallways with interactive challenges kept the kids entertained well into the evening. The mirror maze provided an additional unexpected delight, as we navigated endless reflections and playful confusion.

One downside: Perryville lacked laser tag and virtual reality, two activities our kids loved in Williamsburg. Still, the activities here were more than enough to keep everyone busy and happy.

Dining Delights at Both Lodges

Food at both locations was consistently tasty. We appreciated the variety—from quick snacks to sit-down dinners. Williamsburg had one small advantage: slushies were included with the soda sipper cup, whereas Perryville charged extra. This small detail became a notable perk during hot afternoons.

Detailed Family Fun Ratings

Activity	Williamsburg	Perryville	Winner
Wave Pool			Williamsburg
Giant Bucket			Williamsburg
MagiQuest			Perryville
Rope Course			Perryville
Bowling			Perryville
Laser Tag		N/A	Williamsburg
Virtual Reality		N/A	Williamsburg
Mirror Maze	N/A		Perryville
Overall Layout			Williamsburg

Williamsburg emerged as our slight favorite due to its unmatched water features, but Perryville made a compelling case with its engaging dry adventures. Both locations offer frequent discounts and specials, ensuring a fantastic family vacation without overspending.

Our Top Tips for a Perfect Stay

• Always check for online discounts before booking your lodge stay.
• Opt for MagiQuest at either location. It’s a memorable experience your family won’t regret.
• Williamsburg’s soda sipper cup with included slushies is a must-have for families.
• Pack swimming goggles for the wave pool. We almost forgot ours but found these great goggles on Amazon at the last minute, and they saved the day: Best Family Swim Goggles.
• Don’t miss story time and dance parties—these unexpected moments made our evenings extra special.

Ultimately, whether your family prefers waterpark adventures or dry-land excitement, both Williamsburg and Perryville promise fantastic memories.

Does your family lean toward splashing in Williamsburg’s wave pool or conquering Perryville’s ropes course?

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Tim McGraw and pro rodeo lit up Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Here’s how to do Music City Rodeo right, including VIP tips and travel links.

We didn’t expect a rodeo to compete with a concert, but in Nashville, they don’t compete. They collide. And we were there for every bull ride and every lyric.

The Energy Hits Before You Even Find Your Seat

Held at Bridgestone Arena in the heart of downtown Nashville, the Music City Rodeo felt like a Southern Super Bowl: high-stakes, high-volume, and packed with energy. By the time the first cowboy mounted up, the crowd was already buzzing, thanks to the promise of a Tim McGraw concert to cap off the night.

VIP Access? Worth Every Penny

We sat in Section 105, Row KK, but the real win was splurging on Lexus Lounge access.

Picture this: private entrance, no lines, a full buffet, craft cocktails, and a sleek lounge scene with locals and travelers dressed to impress. The Lounge opens at 5:00 PM, come early, load up, and enjoy people-watching before the rodeo kicks off.

Bucking Bulls, Barrel Racers & Tim McGraw’s Mic Drop

The rodeo itself was a full-on, PRCA-sanctioned show with all the classic action: saddle bronc riding, barrel racing, team roping, and the ever-adorable mutton bustin’.

And then the lights dimmed.

Tim McGraw hit the stage with “Truck Yeah” and never let up. The whole arena sang every word to:

• “Something Like That”
• “Humble and Kind”
• “Live Like You Were Dying”

What to Know Before You Go

• Where: Bridgestone Arena, 501 Broadway, Nashville, TN
• Parking: Pinnacle Garage (150 3rd Ave S), 5-minute walk
• VIP Tip: Lexus Lounge opens at 5:00 PM and runs all night
• Dress Code: Cowboy boots, denim, and a hat with a little tilt

What We Brought (and What You Should Too)

If you’re looking to channel full rodeo glam, Amazon has some great deals on boots and cowboy hats that’ll get you arena-ready in style.

But even if fashion’s not your focus, these two were essentials:

• Clear stadium bag – A total lifesaver at check-in.
• Refillable water bottle – We were grateful to have one post-rodeo.

Coming In from Out of Town?

• Browse Nashville Hotels
• Book Tim McGraw Tours & Rodeo Tickets
• Find Flights to Nashville

Final Verdict: Go. Just Go.

Whether you’re a rodeo rookie or a country concert regular, Music City Rodeo + Tim McGraw is a Nashville experience we’d do again in a heartbeat. Book the lounge, wear the boots, and sing until your voice gives out.

Would you go for the rodeo, the concert, or both? Tell us in the comments!

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Uncle Nearest Distillery – A Story Worth Sipping

When your tour guide grew up a stone’s throw from Jack Daniel’s and used to play catch in the fields that now house a world-class distillery, you know you’re in for something special.

Welcome to Uncle Nearest, the small-town distillery in Shelbyville, Tennessee that’s capturing national attention and is well on its way to becoming a world-renowned destination for food, drink, and culture.

This place is doing everything right.

Uncle Nearest isn’t just another whiskey brand. It’s a legacy, brought back to life.

The story begins in the 1850s with Nathan “Nearest” Green, an enslaved man on a Tennessee farm who became the first known African American master distiller in the United States. He wasn’t just skilled, he was the teacher. He’s the one who taught a young Jack Daniel how to make whiskey using a charcoal filtering method that became known as the Lincoln County Process, now a defining trait of Tennessee whiskey.

“His name was almost forgotten. Today, it’s etched into history.”

But for over a century, Nearest Green’s contributions went unrecognized. That changed in 2016, when author and entrepreneur Fawn Weaver began a deep investigation into Green’s life. What she uncovered flipped the script on whiskey history, and in 2017, she founded Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey to ensure the name Nearest Green would never be forgotten again.

A Distillery Rooted in Purpose

In 2021, the Nearest Green Distillery marked Juneteenth with more than a celebration, it reopened after a yearlong pandemic pause with new expansions and a renewed mission. The Welcome Center got a major upgrade. The Family Tasting Room opened its doors. The Master Blender House joined the lineup.

Thousands came to witness the grand reopening. It wasn’t just about whiskey. It was about honor. History. Healing.

That commitment runs deep. Uncle Nearest launched the HBCU Old Fashioned Challenge, a nationwide effort that runs each year from Martin Luther King Jr. Day to Juneteenth. For every Uncle Nearest Old Fashioned sold in participating bars, and for every bottle purchased at retail, the brand donates $1 to a fund supporting Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

The goal? Fund one full in-state tuition scholarship at every accredited HBCU in the country. That’s not marketing. That’s mission.

The Woman Behind the Movement

So why this kind of passion? Why this kind of drive?

Two words: Fawn Weaver.

She’s not just the founder of Uncle Nearest. She’s the soul of it.

A bestselling author and businesswoman, Weaver took what could have been a footnote in whiskey history and turned it into a global movement. She didn’t just launch a brand, she built a legacy. Through the Nearest Green Foundation, she also provides scholarships and direct support to Green’s descendants.

Thanks to her vision, the story of American whiskey now includes the Black pioneers who built it. And Uncle Nearest is leading the way.

The Distillery: More Than a Place, a Tribute

The Nearest Green Distillery sits on over 400 acres in Shelbyville. It’s the first distillery in America named after a Black master distiller, and every inch of it reflects that honor.

There’s a museum. A bottling house. Beautiful tasting rooms and event spaces. And the attention to detail is clear: this isn’t just a site for whiskey production. It’s a place of pilgrimage for anyone who cares about heritage, craftsmanship, or the untold stories that shape what we sip.

Since its launch, Uncle Nearest has picked up more than 600 awards and honors, including multiple Best American Whiskey titles. But the most impressive thing isn’t on the shelf, it’s in the atmosphere. The people here believe in what they’re building.

What It’s Like to Visit

Some distillery tours leave you with tasting notes. Uncle Nearest leaves you with something deeper.

About an hour outside of Nashville, the distillery is more than a scenic detour, it’s a destination. Built to honor Nathan “Nearest” Green, the experience blends world-class spirits with overdue celebration.

From the gleaming copper stills to the 1884 blend we sampled in the welcome center, everything felt intentional. You’re not just sipping whiskey, you’re stepping into a story.

• The storytelling was sincere and well-paced
• The tasting felt generous and personal
• The shop had rare bottles and merch worth browsing
• The staff radiated pride in the mission

If you’ve got a car and a few hours, make the drive. Grab the single barrel if it’s available. Say yes to the tasting. You’ll leave with more than just a bottle, you’ll leave with perspective.

Pro tip: Make a reservation, especially on weekends. This is an ideal midday stop on a longer Tennessee road trip.

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This Friday, we had the opportunity to experience the 2024 Charlestown Classic Festival at Hollywood Casino in Charlestown, WV, and it’s safe to say it was an event to remember! The festival was buzzing with energy, bringing together racing enthusiasts, music lovers, and anyone looking for a good time.

The highlight of the weekend was, without a doubt, the live racing. The excitement on the track was palpable as horses thundered past, each race more thrilling than the last. The atmosphere in the stands was electric, with fans cheering on their favorites and enjoying the adrenaline rush that only live racing can provide.

Beyond the races, the festival offered a full lineup of entertainment, from live music to delicious food and drinks. Whether you were there for the betting action, the social scene, or just to enjoy a weekend out, there was something for everyone.

Hollywood Casino provided the perfect backdrop for the event, combining classic charm with modern amenities. The venue was well-organized, and the staff ensured that everything ran smoothly, allowing guests to focus on the fun.

If you’ve never been to the Charlestown Classic Festival, it’s definitely worth adding to your calendar. Whether you’re a racing fan or just looking for a unique weekend experience, this event offers the perfect mix of excitement, entertainment, and fun. We’re already looking forward to next year’s festival!

For more information about the event and venue, check out their website: Hollywood Casino Charlestown

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