Welcome to Side Quest & Wander

Hi, I’m Karlee! I’ve been traveling for the past seven years, collecting destinations, stories, questionable amounts of souvenirs, and more than a few side quests along the way.

I created Side Quests & Wander as a place to document the adventures that happen when you decide to take the scenic route—or completely abandon the route because you spotted something interesting. This is where I share the places I’ve explored across the world, from famous landmarks and big-city adventures to quirky museums, hidden gems, weird roadside attractions, great food, and those wonderfully random experiences that somehow become the highlights of a trip.

I’m also a huge reader, which means I have a tendency to think every trip needs a book. There’s something incredibly fun about finding the perfect story to accompany a destination. A mystery for a spooky city? Obviously. A historical novel while exploring an old town? Absolutely. A book set in the place you’re visiting? Even better. I’m always looking for ways to pair the perfect reading material with the perfect adventure.

And then there’s history. I love digging into the stories behind the places I visit—the people who lived there, the strange events that happened there, the buildings that have somehow survived for hundreds of years, and the little details you might miss if you only stop for a photo. Knowing the story behind a place makes wandering around it that much more interesting.

But not every adventure needs to be educational or carefully planned. Sometimes you just need to follow a weird-looking sign, visit the world’s most oddly specific museum, eat something you’ve never tried, or say, “Well… we’re already here. Might as well.”

Those are the side quests.

So whether you’re looking for travel inspiration, a weekend adventure, a fascinating piece of history, a restaurant worth adding to your itinerary, a wonderfully weird attraction, or a book to toss into your suitcase, you’re in the right place.

Consider this your invitation to wander a little farther, get pleasantly lost, and always leave room in the itinerary for a side quest.