Road Trip: National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

Recently we realized that neither of us had been to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center! It's been open since I moved here in 2004 - so in my anniversary year - we decided to head to the Museum and finally check it out. 

The Freedom Center is located on The Banks between the baseball and football stadiums. Parking is available under the center in a fairly new parking garage that brings you right up to the main entrance.

The first floor has a lot of traditional slavery exhibits. This image of a slave boat is pretty startling - thinking about real people packed in like this.

This slave pen was built in the early 1800s in Mason County, Kentucky and was moved to the Freedom Center. It's also part of the Solomon Northup Tour experience and there are docents nearby to tell you more of the story.

There are a lot of interactive areas as well - this video experience was really fun. It's sort of a Choose Your Own Adventure path on trying to free yourself. We almost made it...blergh. While it is light-hearted - it's definitely a way to bring it the struggles they faced to light.

Upstairs is the Invisible Slavery: Today exhibit and it was incredible. Just like the rest of the exhibits - the reality hits you hard. I have been a supporter of Women At Risk for a long time now - so the stories aren't new - but still startling.

The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is educational and interesting - while not someplace I'm going to visit often - I'm glad we finally went.

Thanks to the Freedom Center for providing us tickets in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own. 

Restaurant Review + Giveaway: McAlister's Deli

The folks at McAlister's Deli sent me information about their Lenten options and I had to get out and try them! I'm not Catholic but I love fish - so I was all in! 

The cards give you a complimentary lunch or dinner which is good for a sandwich/salad/spud, beverage and a cookie! (Scroll down - you can win 2 of these yourself!)

Larry got a rice krispie treat instead of a cookie and loved it - it was huge! The cookie was big as well - really thin and soft - I took mine home and it lasted me a couple of days! Perfect when I needed a little sweetness.

Larry chose the Classic Italian which came with Black Forest ham, salami, provolone, lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, bell peppers and black olives topped with Italian Vinaigrette, salt, pepper and spicy brown mustard on a toasted baguette. For his side dish he chose the steamed veggies.

The sandwich was delicious - I snagged a bite and am reminded that every time I try an Italian sandwich how much I love them! I love the salami & pepperoni combo! The veggies went untouched - they didn't really look too exciting.

I knew exactly what I was going for - the Cajun Shrimp Po' Boy! Cajun-seasoned shrimp laid across a crunchy baguette with lettuce, tomato, coleslaw and remoulade sauce. I went with mac & cheese for a side.

This was all delicious! The po' boy was stuffed and huge! It was so creamy and delicious! I would get this again in a heartbeat. The mac & cheese was good also - the noodles were a bit soft - but that's often the case in this type of situation. The flavor though was great. I loved this sandwich!

Why Should You Go? McAlister's Deli has so many options - whether you want a salad, sandwich or even a loaded baked potato - there's something for you. I was impressed on this trip for sure - we both really enjoyed our sandwiches!

Now it's your turn to go to McAlister's - enter to win lunch for 2 right now! What do you want to try?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: McAlister's Deli provided me two free lunch cards in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own.