Monday, April 23, 2012

Be a tourist in your own town.

On Good Friday, I spent the afternoon being a tourist in Cary, N.C.


If I were to give you this same tour, it would go like this... This tour begins in historic Ashworth Village with lunch at Serendipity Gourmet Deli with sandwiches and chips.


Then it's off to The Purple Polka Dot. This quaint shop carries wooden signs with cute sayings, "Under Carolina Skies" and "a fisherman lives here with the catch of his life."


Then let's take a nice walk to work off that lunch (and get ready for some sweet treats ahead). The main street is a lovely one lined with trees and historic places to note:


First United Methodist Church, 1871


Little Yellow House, early 1900s


First Baptist Church, 1968


Pink House, 1839 (a gorgeous classic Queen Anne Victorian mansion)

Not pictured but an interesting fact,
"Cary High was the very first public school opened in North Carolina, back in 1908."

Once you've reached the above 'Pink House,' it's time to head back to Ashworth Village. Ashworth Village has a few shops to peek into such as Vintage Vogue (antiques), Cute Buttons (stationary), Beautimous Beads (beads) as well as small art galleries.


Once in a Blue Moon Bakery & Cafe' is also located in Ashworth Village. I wouldn't order your sweet treat for the day just yet, but I would grab a menu and plan on ordering your next birthday cake there. My favorite cake is their 10" Milky Way (chocolate cake swirled with a cream cheese, chocolate chip mixture iced with chocolate buttercream and chocolate ganache). You'll see a photo of this cake from our engagement party along with their 9" Key Lime Pie here. This bakery even sells the candles so there is no way you can forget them.



Now the sweet treat wasn't ordered just yet because that's were Ashworth Drugs comes in.


Ashworth Drugs has an old-fashioned soda fountain with hot dogs, fresh squeezed lemonade and milkshakes. Milkshakes? Yes, a milkshake is definitely necessary to order so it can be enjoyed while walking through the drugstore to pick up a few souvenirs (postcards and notecards) as well as for enjoyment in the car on the way to the next location.


The next location is Ivy Cottage. It's a charming shop packed full of lovely decorations.



After that? It's La Farm Bakery for delicious bread and breakfast items for in the AM. 



Then there's always room for a bit more shopping at The Pink Alli for gifts.



The Pink Alli is located next to a Scout & Molly's for your clothing and accessory needs. 



I loved the Scout & Molly's open sign you'll see above. These are a few highlights that are local to Cary (with the exception of Scout & Molly's). Be a tourist in your own town!