Places to Visit

Planning a Weekend Getaway in New Orleans

March 2, 2023 By Anne

New Orleans is one of the most famous cities in the world, alongside the likes of Barcelona, New York and Paris. It is located along the great Mississippi River in the southeastern region of Louisiana, USA. With its diverse culture, incredible cuisines and magnificent architecture, the city should be at the top of your list as you plan your next weekend getaway.

The city is widely known for its distinctive culture, jazz music and for the iconic New Orleans streetcars, vintage-looking carriages have become a symbol of charm and romance for more than 150 years they’ve been operational. The 32-mile street railway starts in a street uptown and stretches all the way to Canal Street, making a few stops along St Charles Avenue, Loyola and Audubon Park.

If you need more reasons to visit New Orleans, here are a few of them.

Visit the French Quarter

The French Quarter is the oldest and most popular neighborhood in New Orleans. It is home to a few centuries-old buildings with beautiful little balconies wrapping around them. The neighborhood also serves as the roots of the city’s rich and unique culture, with museums, art galleries and amazing cuisines to go along with the soothing sounds of jazz music as you walk down the old streets.

Steamboat Tour on the Mississippi River

Like the streetcars, the Mississippi river boats have become permanently ingrained into the New Orleans culture. Your weekend getaway wouldn’t really be complete without a short cruise in one of these steam-powered paddle boats. They offer tour options for both night and day. Day tours generally involve sightseeing and learning more about the city’s history, while evening cruises are perfect for dinners, cocktails and live jazz music.

Jackson Square

If you are an art enthusiast, an afternoon stroll around Jackson Square would be a great way to start your weekend getaway. The park is located in front of the St. Louis Cathedral in the French Quarter and is just a few steps from the Mississippi river. It is surrounded by some of the oldest buildings in the city, housing various stores and restaurants. As you explore Jackson Square, you can take a few minutes to appreciate local artists who display their paintings, drawings and other works of art around the park.

St. Louis Cathedral

Founded in 1720, the St. Louis Cathedral is one of the oldest cathedrals in North America. It is one of the many architectural masterpieces in New Orleans and includes both Renaissance and Spanish Colonial architecture. Despite being over three centuries old, the cathedral is still in use, hosting masses every Saturday, Sunday and Monday. You can also visit the cathedral any other day for tours between 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.

Enjoy the Local Cuisine

If you get hungry after exploring the city, it might be time to try some fantastic local cuisine. The city has a few signature dishes, including Creole gumbo, beignet doughnuts and Cajun jambalaya. You can also try out a muffaletta and po’boy sandwich if you are on a tight budget. New Orleans has something for everyone – whatever cuisine route you choose; every mouthful will have a flavor of the city’s unique melting pot.

So, have you ever been to New Orleans? If yes, leave us some recommendations of the best places and things to see in the city!

Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!

3 Unique Vacation Ideas Every Traveler Will Love

February 17, 2023 By Anne

I mage Credit: Dennisflarsen from Pixabay.

The recent pandemic meant everybody was cooped up in their home and there was no opportunity to travel. With everything easing up, however, there’s no time like the present to book yourself a trip. Nobody wants to settle for something bog standard, though.

A few unique vacation ideas every traveler will love should more than fit the bill. Since there are countless options for this, it’s difficult to figure out where to start. Three top options stand out, as they’ll be more interesting than you’d expect, as well as being a lot of fun. It’s worth considering each of them.

Unique Vacation Ideas Every Traveler Will Love: 3 Top Options

1. Sporting Getaway In Georgia

If you’re looking for a more sport-focused vacation, then Georgia is always worth considering. The 100-acre Sandy Creek Sporting Grounds will more than fit the bill for all of your sporting needs. Add in the scenic beauty, and you shouldn’t have a problem enjoying yourself.

As a sporting fan, this should be a must-visit at some point, especially if you’re traveling on a budget. Even if you’re there for a week or two, you’ll have more than enough to do without needing to spend a lot on it. Put it at the top of your list.

2. Family Fun In South Carolina

South Carolina’s beauty knows no bounds, and it offers more than a bit of fun for the whole family. Look no further than Myrtle Beach to see that. It’s got more than a few activities that’ll keep you and your kids entertained for the entire time. From mini-golf to go-kart tracks, you’ll be spoiled for choice.

You wouldn’t need to break the bank with this, however, as it’s one of the more budget-friendly family vacations you can go on. The hotels will be more affordable than you’d think, and so will all the activities you can do. If you’re on a budget, it’s more than worth considering.

3. Zipline Through Branson

Branson is a beautiful place to visit for more than a few reasons. While it gets tourists, it isn’t one of the more well-known places to go, so you won’t need to worry about it being overcrowded. You’ll be free to enjoy everything without having to wait too long.

Coupled with that are the countless activities you can take part in. Branson Ziplines can be one of the more recommended, as you can get a much better view of everything while still having fun. With how beautiful the area is, it’s something you shouldn’t miss out on.

Unique Vacation Ideas Every Traveler Will Love: Wrapping Up

There are more than a few unique vacation ideas every traveler will love, some of which will be much more interesting than you’d think. That adds to the fun, and you shouldn’t have a problem making memories you’ll look back on fondly.

Ziplining through Branson, getting some sport in Georgia, and having some family fun in Georgia can all be recommended. With how affordable and exciting they could be, there’s no reason not to give them a go.

Anne

3 Practical Tips To Have The Best Family Vacation Possible

January 13, 2023 By Anne

Image C redit: Kruszyzna0 from Pixabay.

Everyone wants to make sure their family vacation is amazing, but that can often be tricky to do. You’ll have quite a few things to plan out and prepare for, which can often make everything a bit stressful. By knowing how to have the best family vacation, you can make this much easier.

All this could need is a few practical tips, each of which should have a massive impact on the planning process. Three family vacation tips stand out for this, as they’ll make sure you’re prepared and that everything goes smoothly.

Have The Best Family Vacation Possible: 3 Practical Tips

1. Be Prepared For Crowds

Crowds can often be an unfortunate part of a vacation, especially during certain times of the year. Even if you book for less busy times of the year, there could still be quite a few people. While you can minimize this by using a Disney World tracker and similar tools, you won’t be able to avoid all of the crowds and queues.

That could mean needing to book things early, especially when it comes to any activities that need tickets. Avoid disappointment by pre-booking as much as you can.

2. Share Responsibilities

Planning a family vacation should be a family activity, but it’s often left to just one person to plan everything out. That leads to a lot of stress for whoever’s doing the planning. Get rid of this by sharing the responsibilities with your family. Let the kids figure out where to go, while asking your partner to help book everything.

Not only does this get rid of a lot of stress, but it lets everyone feel much more involved. They’ll appreciate the vacation a lot better while making sure they start getting excited as early as possible. It could even avoid arguments about what’s booked and what you’ll be doing.

3. Maintain Family Traditions

Quite a few people love having routines. They’ll relax more with these and get a certain sense of comfort out of them. If you or anyone in your family crave this, then it’s worth integrating them into your family vacation. With how stressful it can be being somewhere far from home, it can even be recommended.

Your normal family traditions, such as having breakfast at the same time, can all be parts of this. Even reading a book to your kids before bed can be recommended if that’s something you always do. It lets you feel more comfortable when you’re away.

Have The Best Family Vacation Possible: Wrapping Up

If you want to have the best family vacation possible, you’ll naturally put a lot of time and effort into it. It doesn’t need to be a stressful experience, however. By using a few practical family vacation tips, you’ll make sure there isn’t any stress involved.

Sharing responsibilities, being prepared for crowds, and maintaining family traditions will all be part of this. Not only will they get rid of a lot of stress, but they could make the vacation even more enjoyable

Anne

Best Things to Do and See in Reykjavik

November 2, 2022 By Anne

Reykjavik is found on Iceland’s West Coast, the capital of Iceland and still its largest city. The city and its environs are exciting and fun for all age groups with its bustling life, culture, and history. Reykjavik and the surrounding area has multiple things to do and a lot to offer, including visiting the world-famous Blue Lagoon spa, just 40 minutes outside of the city.

Here are some of the best things to do and see in Reykjavik:

Reykjavík harbor

A visit along the dockside shows dependence of Iceland on the Atlantic. It has fishing trawlers that are checked and prepared for the battle against the waves. Moreover, by visiting Reykjavik harbour, you will get the chance to enjoy the whale-watching tours, which its departure point is at the harbour.

Hallgrimskirkja Lutheran Church

A great way to see Reykjavik city is by climbing Hallgrimskirkja Church’s tower. that offers a spectacular 360-degree view of Iceland’s capital city. Hallgrimskirkja Lutheran Church is dedicated to Hallgrimur Petursson, a nationally renowned poet. This church is famous for its beautiful organs, art exhibitions and its unique exterior design.

Laugavegur Street

This street is lively and cool, with many popular cafes, stores, restaurants, hotels, and bars. Laugavegur Street is one of Reykjavik’s busiest streets; you can enjoy visiting there if you are on a tight budget and cannot spend a lot of money.

Go on a Helicopter tour

Helicopter tours are one of the popular excursions in Reykjavik. They may not be cheap, but the dramatic scenery and views are unsurpassed.

Hike the Laugavegur Trail

This hiking trail is known to be among the best hiking trails worldwide. Laugavegur trail takes you through hot springs, volcanoes, mountains, and glaciers. On this trek, you will enjoy all the most beautiful landscapes of Iceland. The terrain is challenging, whereby it will push your limits, but at the same time, it is also safe even for solo travellers. The trail is usually open between June and August because of the weather. To hike the trail from the starting point to the end takes anywhere from three to five days.

Perlan Museum

Visiting a museum is a great way to learn about the culture and history of Reykjavik. Iceland is mostly chilly, so museums provide great entertainment that will allow you to enjoy your day indoors and stay warm. Perlan museum is among Iceland’s best museums: it provides an underwater exhibit, a Reykjavik observation deck, interactive exhibits related to Iceland’s geographical components and a Northern Lights planetarium. Enjoy the Perlan museum with the whole family and learn about geothermal energy, earthquakes, tectonic, and volcanoes.

Enjoy the Nightlife

Reykjavik has a unique nightlife experience with venues of a mic of cafes, bars, and dance floors. The venues are a little laid back, but it will be equally fun. People in this city enjoy bar-crawling, moving from venue to venue, which allows you to experience new scenes and meet new people. Whether you go drinking or just club soda, you will have a good time while enjoying the nightlife.

Before you leave Reykjavik, ensure you try out a few cuisines. It is a good way to know a city. Prepare your palate for Icelandic rye bread, horse, lamb, langoustine, and lobster soup. Some of the best restaurants Reykjavik offers are Sjavargrillid, Grillmarkadurinn, Fiskmarkadurinn, Saegreifinn, and Baejarins Beztu Pylsur.

Anne

The Secrets Of Enjoying Miami Like A Local

October 24, 2022 By Anne

Heading to Miami with the family is undeniably one of the most exciting trips you can enjoy with the kids, thanks to its range of beaches, theme parks, and other family-friendly attractions. However, Miami is a city rich in local culture and flavor that can really get lost when you’re hitting up all those family-friendly tourist attractions. It can be all too easy to lose sight of the real city in the process. As such, here are a few tips on how to see Miami like a local.

Image – CC0 License

Hit up the cultural hub of the city

Miami is a city of beach lovers and high-life enjoyers, it’s true. However, it’s also a city of artists, creatives, and sheer inspiration. One of the areas that are most often missed during those first visits is Wynwood. It’s not just the beating cultural heart of the city, it’s one of the most thriving creative hubs in the whole country, and the best way to see it is with one of the local beer and graffiti art tours. There’s always something new going on here so be sure to ask at your hotel about what the latest happening is in Wynwood. Festivals, gallery openings, and new street art exhibitions happen all year long.

Get your boots on

The city of Miami offers plenty of attractions, eateries, and activities to keep you plenty busy for however long you are there. However, the local landscape is just as much a part of the city’s soul, and, for that reason, you should take a look at some of the hiking routes you can enjoy throughout Miami. This can include the famous Everglades trail, but there are also great coastal hiking routes through Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, as well as some unique views like a historic lighthouse standing tall over the city’s coast. A little adventure can help you see that there’s a lot more to Miami than just the city alone, so go looking for it.

Get a real mix of culinary experiences

Miami is a huge blend of different cultures, which, amongst many things, means a huge mixture of cuisines, as well. There are over five thousand restaurants in the city, and some of them can seem particularly expensive, indeed. However, there are budget-friendly meals to be found. Get out of South Beach or the other high-flying touristy areas for some of the more authentic local dining experiences. There’s nothing more authentic to the city than hitting up a food truck or a stall so be sure to check out some of the best street food in Miami, as well. There are a lot of stall vendors in the city, but these recommendations can help you find the best of the best.

Check out some of the other beaches

South Beach is one of the most popular hotspots in Miami by far, and it is a truly gorgeous beach, even if it can get pretty crowded. However, it should never be the only beach you visit, by any stretch of the imagination. Spending the day at North Beach, you can enjoy a much less stressful afternoon at the beach, with soft sands overlooked by nice vintage rows of houses. Although it’s popular with the locals, it’s not as widely visited by tourists, so you can enjoy a more laid-back and authentic experience relaxing on a Miami beach, with plenty of eateries around so you can get a taste of the local flavor, as well.

Get around a little more smartly

Like many of the great cities of the country, trying to get around by car can be a real hassle. That said, Miami is quite a walkable city, especially if you’re near South Beach or Downtown Miami. However, if you’re not too excited at the prospect of walking just about everywhere, you can take advantage of the decent cycling infrastructure throughout the city, as well. Renting a bike to get through the city gives you access to hundreds of stops and biking lanes, and it’s not very expensive to rent a bike for the entire day, either. Definitely a lot less expensive than renting a car, not to mention a lot less likely to come with the hassles of city traffic and parking.

A great trip to Miami should balance the big touristy hotspots with some of the lesser-known delights and experiences that the city has to offer. Hopefully, the tips above help you see one of the greatest cities in the country like a local would.