TPD The Planned Detour Travel Stories + Discoveries

TRAVEL STORIES, PLANS & LITTLE DISCOVERIES

The places, the detours, and the details worth sharing.

The Planned Detour is for anyone who loves discovering where they could go next. From trips I’ve taken to adventures I’m planning, researching, or simply dreaming about, this is a place for itineraries, interesting finds, travel tips, and all the little details that make planning part of the adventure.

Explore Destinations Browse Tips & Tricks
✦ Weekend getaways ✦ History + museums ✦ Scenic road trips
Trips I’ve Taken

TUCSON, ARIZONA

Desert roads, mountain views, and a few unexpected stops

Explore Tucson + Tombstone notes →

Sometimes planning the adventure is part of the adventure.

TAKEN, PLANNED & DREAMED ABOUT

An adventure starts long before you leave.

For people who love planning the next adventure, whether it happens next month, next year, or never makes it past the itinerary. Travel planning can be a hobby in itself.

You don’t have to be constantly traveling to be a traveler. Sometimes discovering where you could go next is half the fun.

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Trips I’ve Taken

Firsthand travel stories, favorite discoveries, reviews, and itineraries—with the details I’d keep and the things I’d change.

02

Trips I’m Planning

Adventures in the works, like Savannah. Follow the research and itinerary ideas before a trip, what I actually did once I’m home, and what I’d change next time.

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Trips I’m Dreaming About

Places worth researching just because they’re interesting. Dream itineraries, unusual roadside stops, and restaurants to save, with no booking required.

START EXPLORING

Featured destinations

Explore places through their history, local flavors, scenic stops, and small details worth noticing.

Georgia · Trips I’m Planning

Savannah

A three-day trip in the works: researching historic squares, museums, architecture, and riverfront stops.

Explore Savannah planning notes →
Arizona

Tucson + Tombstone

Desert landscapes, Western history, mountain drives, museums, and unforgettable sunsets.

Explore destination ideas →
Massachusetts

Boston + Salem

Walkable history, art museums, coastal scenery, old streets, and atmospheric day trips.

Explore destination ideas →

TIPS, TRICKS & TRAVEL DETAILS

Little things that make a big difference.

From what to bring to what to notice, this is a place for useful takeaways and ideas for enjoying the journey.

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The practical bits

Keep offline maps handy, carry a portable charger, and check attraction hours directly before heading out.

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The discoveries

Look beyond the main attraction: side streets, small museums, local menus, and scenic stops can offer a different view of a place.

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The details worth keeping

Jot down place names, favorite dishes, and useful details while they’re fresh. A few notes can bring a whole day back.

Explore Travel Tips

FROM THE BLOG

Travel tips & ideas to take with you

MUSEUM DAYS · PRACTICAL TIPS

Make more of a museum day

A few small habits that leave more energy for the exhibits you came to see.

More museum-day tips

Start with the exhibits that interest you most instead of trying to see every room. Check bag rules and ticket requirements on the museum’s own website, wear comfortable shoes, and take a break when you need one. A slower visit can give you more to remember.

ON THE ROAD · LITTLE DETAILS

Leave room for the roadside discoveries

Scenic pull-offs, local stops, and practical details to keep in mind along the way.

More roadside tips

Download maps before driving into areas with limited signal. Keep water and a charger within reach, check road conditions, and use designated pull-offs for photos. When a local stop catches your eye, leave time to explore it safely.

WEEKEND ESCAPES · TRAVEL IDEAS

Find the little moments in a weekend away

A neighborhood wander, a local meal, or a quiet view can become the best part of a short escape.

More weekend ideas

Choose a neighborhood to explore on foot, try a local specialty, or look for a small museum away from the busiest sights. Keep a few notes about what you discover, and leave some time to enjoy a place without rushing to the next stop.

TAKE THE
SCENIC
DETOUR

ABOUT THE BLOG

I love traveling, but I also love everything that comes before it.

Finding a town I’ve never heard of. Falling down a rabbit hole of museums, historic sites, scenic roads, restaurants, and strange little attractions. Opening a map to see what else is nearby. Building an entire itinerary for a trip that may happen next month, three years from now, or never at all.

That’s what The Planned Detour is about.

It’s part travel journal, part collection of future adventures, and part excuse to keep discovering interesting places. You’ll find stories from trips I’ve taken, plans for places I hope to visit, destination ideas, useful travel details, and plenty of detours along the way.

Because sometimes planning the adventure is part of the adventure.

Explore the travel notes →

A CLOSER LOOK

Ideas for your next detour

A few starting points for exploring the destinations above.

Savannah: planning three days of squares, history & riverfront views

This trip is still in the planning stage. I’m researching historic squares, museums, historic homes, and time along the riverfront for a three-day itinerary. Opening hours, admission details, and walking distances are part of the research, too. These are ideas for the plan; firsthand stories and photos come after the trip.

Tucson + Tombstone: desert scenery & Western history

Look for desert landscapes around Tucson and historic sights in Tombstone. Check driving distances and seasonal weather before setting out: desert heat, limited shade, and changing road conditions deserve attention. Carry water and use designated scenic stops to take in the views.

Washington, DC: museums, monuments & the National Mall

Explore the Lincoln Memorial, walk along the National Mall, and leave time for the museums that interest you most. Check museum hours and timed-entry requirements before visiting, and plan breaks between stops along the Mall.

Boston + Salem: old streets, museums & coastal air

Explore Boston’s historic walking routes and museums, or look to Salem for maritime history and old streets. Check train or ferry schedules for the date of your visit, and allow extra time during busy seasons. Layers and comfortable shoes help with coastal weather and long walks.

KEEP EXPLORING

A little inspiration for wherever you wander next.

Browse Destination Ideas