Whether you're traveling abroad or just across the town, there is adventure wherever you look! Check out this blog for travel destinations, ideas and experiences abroad as well as hidden food spots and activities in your very own city!
Category: North America
The Continent of North America is made up of a total of 23 countries. It includes not only the big three countries of Canada, America and Mexico, but also the Caribbeans AND Central America!
I would always joke with my husband that I could not be able to tell if I had symptoms from COVID because I have similar symptoms all the time. For no particular reason, on a weekly basis, I have things like runny nose, body ache, headache, coughing, sinus pain and all sorts of ailments. So when I had a sore throat in the morning, I gargled, drank some hot water and went on with my day. The next evening, I had serious sinus pain and pressure and it felt like there was something all the way past my nostrils and throat. I took some pain medication and thought nothing of it.
The third morning, I had several patients who are elderly and more vulnerable to catching the virus, including some who have cancer. I thought that I would quickly go get a test done to make sure it was negative and go back to work. That was the plan.
What happened next?
Hubby came back home from work and we went to a nearby urgent care to take the COVID 19 test. The Doc told me it sounded like a sinus issue and to wait for the results for ten minutes. I had already started making the rest of my schedule during the wait time, so I won’t be running behind on work. After 10-15 minutes, the doc comes back and says she was surprised by the results; it was positive!
So although this was only considered Day 3 of my symptoms showing, it was actually day 6 or 7. This was just the beginning of confusion on what day it is for us. I called in to all the places I worked for and cancelled all my patients. Hubby got off two weeks from work as well and this is how it went!
COVID days 1-15
Day 1-3: No symptoms Drinking the tumeric + the Emergen C infused drink that hubby makes every 2-3 days to boost immunity. (Also adds tamarind extract, ginger, garlic, black pepper, chili powder, honey and lime juice!)
Day 4-5: Throat pain Gargled with hot water and salt.
Day 6; Positive COVID test results. Sinus pain and pressure. (I don’t take medications unless I really have to, so all I took during this whole two weeks were a few Tylenol and a couple Aspirin tablets.)
Day 7; Lost my smell and taste Ordered a humidifier on Amazon to help me sleep better at night. The heat has been on all winter and it is drying up the air and ourselves. We figured now is a good time to get a humidifier to keep the air moist and our body feeling better!
Day 8-13; No changes; got better from here on out, but still quarantined for a whole week! I’ve drank over 10 x the amount of water I normally do this whole week!
Day 14-15: Got my taste back!
Fortunately, I just had a very mild case of corona and my husband had NO symptoms whatsoever. Both hubby and I were back to work after 2-3 weeks after the positive COVID test.
Mid way through the pandemic, when cases were plateauing, hubby and I needed to get away from all this craziness. We desperately needed a break from continuously working and not traveling. We decided to make a quick two day trip to Hot Springs, Arkansas to check out the town since neither of us have been there. It was only a quick four hour drive from Dallas, so we started early Sunday morning and headed straight to sight seeing!
Attractions
Garvan Woodland Gardens, Hot Springs
Our first stop and my favorite part of the trip was the Garvan Woodland Gardens. With over 200 acres of botanical gardens, ponds and greenery, this is great place to check out when you’re in Hot Springs. You can easily spend several hours here exploring the whole area. We took sunscreen, hat, plenty of water, and even a few snacks. The area was big enough to safely socially distance from others. Within the gardens itself, there is a beautiful chapel called the Anthony Chapel. Since there was a wedding set to take place there that day, we were not allowed in, but they do offer group tours to see the inside.
National Duck Tour Hot Springs
The next morning, hubby and I got a chance to see the whole town and learn about it’s history by taking a tour. We booked a trip with the National Park Duck Tour that takes us throughout the whole city on land and water. It was $20 per person and the rides are every 1.5-2 hours, unless it’s peak season, in which they leave every 15 minutes. You don’t need to book in advance, unless you want a specific time during peak season. We were able to get the tickets that morning, walk around town and come back in time for the tour. I would recommend this for anyone who is on a time crunch, but wants to see the whole town and learn a bit of history!
Downtown Hot Springs
A majority of our time was spent walking along the downtown strip. We got some popcorn from a local store, went in to several souvenir stores and took pictures of the street art. We also got to see some hot springs above ground there. The water was boiling hot with a temperature of around 143 degrees Fahrenheit!
Where To Eat?
We only spent one evening in Hot Springs and went out to a local pizza place named Grateful Head Pizza Oven and Beer Garden! It was such a long wait to place an order- also because they had many to-go orders and call in orders. But when we got the food, we realized why they are always so busy! Definitely worth the wait, the pizza was delicious. If we had a chance, we would have came back for another round. The setting and atmosphere was also perfect with outdoor seating and the family friendly, yet chill vibe.
After dinner, we took a stroll in the main street downtown and decided on a ice cream shop that was calling our name. We bought some homemade ice cream from Mamoo’s Paradice Cream and enjoyed the night lights of this small town. The town is so small that by the end of the evening, we were seeing the same familiar faces!
Accommodation
Hubby and I have always wanted to try out a bed and breakfast stay instead of going with a hotel. We chose to stay at the Hilltop Manor Bed and Breakfast and we enjoyed it! Of course, the personalized breakfast was the best part of the stay. We were able to pick what we wanted prior to the visit and there was always coffee and snacks available! It’s a bit pricier than booking a hotel; expect to pay between $200-300 per night. It’s great for people with young children or those who want a more private home type feel. It was also a safer option than a hotel during this corona season.
Would we choose a bed and breakfast again? Although we enjoyed our stay, we don’t think we will opt for a bed and breakfast next time around. Here are a few reasons; we already live in a house and my husband cooks extravagant breakfast every weekend. Secondly, we try to be out and about whenever we go to a new city and try to make most of our trip. Considering this, the price range is a little high for the time we spent there. And lastly, when we visit a new town, we want to try as much recommended food spots as possible! An ideal morning on vacation includes an early morning stroll/activity (at least for me!) and a brunch!
HOWEVER, this was an exceptional place for our first time bed and breakfast! We would give it a 5 star rating and would recommend this place to anyone who is looking for a bed and breakfast stay. It will also be a great option for a group of people who are vacationing together. The owners, Jennifer and Joanna were very welcoming and always available if we had any questions. Their quick responses made our check in, check out and our stay very smooth, even in the midst of Corona. There was a particular french cream breakfast item that we enjoyed SO much. After looking all over the internet to find the recipe and failed, I contacted them. They were so generous to share the recipe and it has been a hit dessert in the family since!
Check out the small video below for a sneak peek inside Hilltop Manor Bed and Breakfast!
What did we miss? We missed out on eating at the famous pizza spot there, called Rod’s Pizza Cellar because they were closed on Mondays! Guess we will save that for another trip!
If you are asking this question, you are not alone! We are in August of 2020 and most of us are ready to put this virus past us and get back to traveling abroad. Many travel plans have been cancelled because of the virus and we are ready to resume it! There are a handful of places that are allowing US citizens to enter, which include Mexico, Dominican Republic, Turkey, Maldives, Albania and a few more. (See full list on theofficial CNN website.)
However, is it safe to travel just yet? Just because some of these countries are opening it’s borders to the US, it does not mean it is completely safe to travel yet. CNN still advises against all non-essential travel for your safety and the safety of others. This will most likely last all until the end of 2020. (What a year!) If you decide to go, here are some factors that you may want to think through before you actually plan the trip!
1
Geography
Where you live plays an important role in determining if you should travel by air. If you live in a city with a big international airports like Chicago, Dallas or Atlanta, your airports probably won’t be empty at this time. There will be many people flying for essential needs, who have layover and flight changes within big airports such as these. What does that mean? More people equals more movement which means you have a higher chance of catching the virus from someone else. More people flying also means that the airplane will be more filled and there will be more interaction between you and strangers. Now, if you live in Nowhere, Oklahoma (believe it or not, there is such a place!) and fly out from a smaller airport, then your chances of getting the virus are considerably less.
2
Destination
Where you want to travel to also makes a huge difference. The countries listed above allow US citizens, but there is a longer list of countries that have strict requirements. Some countries like Aruba and Bermuda require you to have a negative Covid-19 test result within 3-7 days. Others like Croatia and Egypt require the test within the last 2 days. Even then, most of these countries are limited in which state you can travel from and some require a 14 day quarantine and self isolation. A few of these countries even require an additional fine you must pay to enter the country. Countries like Belize, who fully run on tourism, only requires you to show no symptoms within the past 3 days. (See a full list of what the requirements and limitations are in each country HERE. )
3
Your Age & Health
Although the virus is hitting ALL age groups at this time, it is highly affecting the elderly population and those with underlying issues. The fatality rate increases as age and underlying issues increase. If you are in one of these categories, then hopping on a plane is not the safest thing to do. If you are young and completely healthy, your risk of dying with the virus is low. However, you are still easily able to catch and spread the virus.
4
Field of Work
The field you work in also play a major role when deciding whether you should travel now or not. For example, if you work in the health care field and see elderly and immune compromised people often (like me!) then traveling right now may not be a good idea. If you work at home and don’t come in contact with other people as often, then you are at less risk of spreading the virus to others. After all, the pandemic is not only about you as an individual, its affecting the whole world!
5
Travel Companions
Another thing you need to consider while thinking about resuming travel is who you will be traveling with. Are you traveling with toddlers who touch EVERYTHING and then put their hands in their mouth for no reason? Unless there is an immediate need to travel with young kids at this time, I would highly recommend not taking young children on a plane. Even though kids have a less chance of catching the virus, they can still spread it. And we all know how easily kids can spread germs. If you don’t know, check out your local daycare!
6
Accommodations
Do you know where you will be staying after you get to your destination? If you are traveling to an elderly family member and plan on staying at home with them, you might be bringing home more than just souvenirs. If you must travel to visit family, get a hotel for the first two weeks, just to be on the safe side!
Or get an Airbnb home! Here,use my code to get up to $65 off your first stay!!!
Let’s all play a part and keep this virus on the low by making responsible decisions about travel! Is it really worth going through all this trouble and risk getting yourself and others sick? Although I cannot wait to get on a plane again myself, I understand the responsibilities that come along with working in the health field. Until everything dies down, hubby and I making plans for traveling locally.
Are you looking for alternative methods of travel that doesn’t require you to hop on a plane? Great idea! No matter where you live, I am sure you have not explored all parts of your own state or neighboring states. This is a great time to do so, which makes 2020 a good year for road trips. Check out all my local traveling within Texas &Oklahomafor a few ideas!
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We loved everything about Cancun, Mexico and it’s neighboring cities and people. Even though we only had a few days there, we made the most of each day. (Check out our adventures here!) I had done a good amount of research prior to the trip, all of which helped tremendously. However, there were many things I learned during the trip as well. I have compiled a list of things I wish I knew before going to Cancun. I am going to divide this list into two parts; one specifically for Chichen Itza, the world wonder and one generally for Mexico.
Mexico
1 Get your Mexican pesos before you land in Mexico or even before you fly out from your country. I made the mistake of thinking my local bank would have the pesos on hand since it’s a common currency and ended up not getting pesos prior to leaving the US. If you choose to pay in USD, which is what we did for majority of the trip, you loose so much value for the dollar. Instead of getting 17-20 pesos for 1 USD, you only get about 12. Along with having pesos, it’s important to have smaller USD bills. You will need small bills all throughout the trip, for tips, concession stands and small purchases.
2 The customs line in Mexico is ridiculously LONG! If you thought it was hard to get from Mexico to America, you should try traveling to Mexico from America. There are people from not only all over the US, but all over the world. So, how can you be prepared for this?
Always move to your left. Most people go to their right, which means less people on the left lanes.
Have a pen on you so that you can fill out the customs form before you get to the front (which is the only place they have pens and stations available)
Get in line ASAP and then go use the restroom one at a time. If you think the line will get any shorter if you wait, it won’t.
3 Don’t loose those custom forms you get when you enter the country. If you do, you will have to pay a fee and go through a longer process. You need that form to leave the country.
4 Book your transfer from the airport to your hotel and back with a transfer company. This will save you lots of time, money and worry in the long run. We booked our pick up with a company called USA transfers the day before we arrived. Right after exiting the airport, we were directed to them and they took care of us very professionally. They didn’t look at the payment or talk about it until we were settled and relaxed in the car. Would definitely recommend them to anyone!
They sent me this picture when I asked for where to find them when arriving at the airport 🙂 And it was pretty close!
5 When booking trips, confirm the timing of the pick up with your tour company. It’s much earlier than the actual tour time and if you are not aware of it, they may leave you! Also, this will give you a time frame to fit in your resort breakfast, which you wouldn’t want to miss! I communicated through wattsapp and found out the timings for our trips the day before.
6 Book your stay within the Hotel Zone of Cancun. Although areas outside the hotel zone didn’t appear to be too unsafe, you don’t want to be in the downtown or non touristy areas late into the night. If you are staying in a local area for a few days, it’s likely that your departure and arrival times will be noticed by others. We ventured out to the mercado 28 area during the evening once and felt a little uncomfortable. We walked over to the market 28 and talked to the guides there and asked for directions to the bus that goes to Hotel Zone.
7 IF you decide to take the local bus within Hotel Zone (which I think you should!), you can always ask your bus driver to let you know where your stop is. The drivers know enough English to understand and are very helpful to tourists. Sit towards the front of the bus if you can and keep your belongings close to you. The bus costs only 12 pesos per person (or 1 dollar if you use USD), which is considerably less than a taxi and much more fun!
8 Only drink bottled water. Although both my husband and I both have strong stomachs and try all kinds of different food, we both don’t play when it comes to plain water. We only drink bottled water wherever we go and from unopened bottles. Depending on which package you choose, you might have free water bottles that come with the tour. If not, avoid paying ridiculous prices for water and get some earlier from the local supermarket! Or hey, you can always sip on their vitamin C drink (see picture for reference).
Chichen Itza
1 Book your trip EARLY in the morning. It gets pretty hot during the day time in Chichen Itza since the sun is bearing down on you. The earlier you go, the better. If you book an early morning tour (see where to book in my Cancun blog post), you will get to visit before opening hours and beat the crowd.
2 The state of Yucatan, in which Chichen Itza is located, is one hour behind Cancun. Make sure you are aware of the time difference especially if you are planning to go by yourself.
3 Drones, tripods and any fancy photography equipment are NOT allowed. You can bring DSLRs, but anything more than that and you won’t be allowed to take it in. You also cannot take in big backpacks or luggage.
4 Once you enter the gates, you cannot buy water or drinks. Even though there hundreds of souvenir stations inside, there is not a single one that has water, drinks or snacks. Make sure you get what you need prior to going inside. You will need at least a bottle of water because it can get pretty hot, especially during the peak hours.
5 If you go with a group tour, you don’t have to stick to the group. We left our group to explore the place on our own and to take lots of pictures. We were able to get to the side where there were less people and get some great shots of the monument without anyone in the background. Also, there is more to Chichen Itza than the one monument. Take the time to go around and see all the other monuments, statues and ruins.
Have you visited Chichen Itza yet? It’s a world wonder that is so easily accessible to us in America. Especially if you live in Texas, like me! Do you have any tips or recommendations after visiting this wonderful site? If so, let me know below!
Cancun, Mexico
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When you hear of a trip to Cancun, most people think of resorts, night clubs and bars and partying. But there is so much more to do than just that. My husband and I finally decided to make a trip to Cancun, Mexico and we loved it. We had about five days there and spent all five days exploring the Mexican and Mayan culture. This is not the typical weekend trip to Cancun, but here are a list of great things you can do while there! I will also add information on where you can book these tours and a quick review of how our tour went with each company!
Chichen Itza, Yucatan
This is probably the most overlooked wonder of the world. Chichen Itza is a two hour drive from Cancun, but most people don’t make that day trip to see these great ruins. For us, it was a no-brainer. We love day trips and seeing this world wonder was definitely high on our list while in Mexico! Check out my list of things you should know before visiting Chichen Itza here!
We booked the Chichen Itza tour as a 2 day package, along with an ATV experience, through a company called Cancunatvtours. This day included pick up from our hotel, a short stop at a local Mayan town, drive through a Mayan village, lunch, a dip in the cenote and a two hour guide tour in Chichen Itza. Since Yucatan is a different state, located two hours away from Cancun, it took some time to reach there. The good news is that there is a time zone difference, which allowed us an extra hour of day time!
Would I recommend this tour with this company?
It depends. If you have already visited a Cenote and is only interested in going to Chichen Itza, I would not recommend this trip. We thought this day was a bit of a drag since we had done two tours prior to this, which included similar places. We booked this trip specifically because it came as a package deal with the ATV drive on another day, which hubby and I both really wanted to do!
So, any another options?
I would highly recommend doing this early morning tour to Chichen Itza. This trip takes off at 5 in the morning and is back by the afternoon, leaving you to enjoying the rest of the day to yourself. You beat the crowd and can enter before it opens to the rest of the public.
Cenotes
Cenotes, deep natural sinkholes, are very common throughout Mexico. Sometimes the depth of the pool can go up to 150 feet. Not all are open and safe for tourists, but there is a good majority that is. We were able to see three Cenotes during this trip. However because we did not know how to swim, we did not get out into the sinkhole. Even though they offer life jackets, this would not be the place and time to practice your swimming skills. Many other expert swimmers jumped, dived and even zip lined into the water from the top. We were content just watching them 🙂
During the Mayan civilization, the cenotes were used to offer sacrifices to their gods. They sacrificed people and would throw them into the cenote to make peace with god. Over time, this practiced ended and now the cenotes are used for tourists and locals for a quick dip in the pool.
Tip: Most cenotes are free on Sundays. If you are planning to go by yourself, go on a Sunday!
Mayan Civilization & Ruins
Visiting the Mayan Ruins in Mexico gave us a chance to learn a little about their history and culture. The Mayans worshiped many gods, performed sacrifices and lived a completely different lifestyle than what we see now. The Spaniards came to Mexico and took over, introducing Spanish, Christianity, western education and much more to the country. Many people know about the beautiful Mayan ruins, left from the Mayan civilization in cities like Tulum and Coba. Not everyone knows about the Mayan people that still live in villages throughout Mexico. They speak the Mayan language and live similar lifestyles they used to centuries ago. We were lucky to see a little bit of both during this trip.
Tulum
We booked a one day tour that took us to the ruins in Tulum for a few hours. Our tour guide here taught us the most about the Mayan culture and practices. Many of these ruins were temples and public places, where ceremonies were held. This was a beautiful location, with the ruins on one side and the beautiful ocean view on the other side.
Tip: It gets pretty hot, so don’t forget your sunglasses, hat and sunscreen!
Tip: You will see many iguanas sunbathing – they won’t hurt you. Don’t hurt or feed them either.
Coba
Coba was another stop during our day trip and we loved it. This was one of the few places we were able to climb the ruins. If you get a chance to visit Coba, climb to the very top! It’s a lot more difficult and steeper than it looks but definitely worth it! One of my biggest regret was not making it to the top of this ruins. I would go back just to climb it once more!
Tip: When booking a package, ask for the plus packages with free drinks and a bike. We had the plus package and got the bikes for free, which allowed us to enjoy our time here a little more.
Buggy Tours/ ATV drives
We booked a day of adventure with ATV drive and zip-lining in a small town called Puerto Morelos. The half day tour consisted of pick up from the hotel, an hour of ATV drive, a small zip line track, lunch and a dip in the Cenote.
We booked this tour with Cancunatvtours. We chose the shared ATV but soon realized that it was not a good idea. Sitting in the back of the ATV is not comfortable because of the bumpy ride. We did get a chance to switch off in between the drive and sitting in the front and driving was a lot more enjoyable! The zip-lining was a short 4 course one and not nearly as high as the one I have done previously, but still fun! The lunch was authentic, but not good as we had hoped it to be.
Would I book with this company again? Our main reason for booking this tour was for the ATV drive and would book it again only for the drive itself. The hour of ATV driving was the best part but the zip lining and cenote were good additions. The tour may have been a little overpriced considering all the other tours we have taken. If I find other ATV tours, I may opt out for something else next time.
Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is a smaller city south of Cancun and closer to Cozumel. We toured only a small portion of Playa Del Carmen, but this town also has a lot to offer. From amusement parks with zip-lining to caves and water sports, this is a less expensive and less crowded version of Cancun.
Mercado 28 & Market 28, Cancun
Mercado 28 is different from Market 28! Initially I thought Market 28 was it, but there was a whole Mercado 28 right behind that a few streets down. Though we did not buy many souvenirs in either of the places, Mercado 28 was a great place to walk around and enjoy. They also have many authentic restaurants, where we had some of our favorite meals in Mexico.
Beach & Hotel Zone in Cancun
Hotel Zone offers a variety of entertainment and safe late night attractions. Though we did not hit up the Congo Bongo, we walked around the Punta Cancun section of the hotel zone during the evening. We also enjoyed the sunset on the beach out-looking the Carribbean Sea.
Many people think Cancun is for young people and not family friendly. Cancun is very family friendly! It makes a great place for a weekend trip, whether you are traveling as a group of friends, couple for a honeymoon or a family. It’s also a very safe and fun destination for families with children. The people in Mexico are very friendly, informal and welcoming. We spend half our time in hotel zone and our other half on tours. We used public transportation outside of hotel zone during day time and within hotel zone even after dark and had no problems. People even offered help and gave us information about buses and directions. Of course, knowing a little bit of Spanish always helps. If not, having a genuine smile and a little love and respect for their people and ways is all it really takes to get by with no issues.
After our trip to Cancun, I finally understand why people make several trips to Cancun. There is just so much to do! If we had more time in Cancun, here are a few additional day trips and things we would have planned!
Having a late lunch at Mr. Habanero II in Market 28
Xcaret Park (amusement park with attractions)
Day trip to Isla Mujeres (ferries leave from Ultramar, Puerto Juarez and Punta Sam.)
El Rey Archaeological Zone (Ruins)
Day trip to Cozumel
Ventura Park (amusement & water park) *great for kids!
Xoximilco (floating fiesta on a boat) *great for a group of adults
Weekend getaways are the perfect way to step back, relax your mind and body, and get back to work feeling refreshed! Even if you can’t get two weeks off to travel across the world every year, you can still take a Friday off and do a whole lot over a weekend. Need ideas for places to visit and activities to do with family? Here is a list of cities in Texas with activities that might interest you to a small weekend getaway!
I’ll be adding to this list often, so check out the updates by following me on Instagram @ travelmania360!
Austin
As the capitol of Texas, Austin has a lot to offer to someone who needs a mini vacay. It’s filled with many hole in the wall food spots and activities to do left and right. Whether you go with your spouse, a group of friends or family, this is a place that everyone can enjoy.
1. Visit the Capitol!
The Capitol is a place you must visit at least once if you’re a Texan! Even though I have been a couple of times, my my first time entering the building was over this summer. It is free to enter, with a brief scanning at the entrance. It’s huge inside and there is so much to read and learn.
Address: 1100 Congress Ave Parking: On the streets; don’t forget to bring some quarters!
Would we visit again?
Yes! We did not get to go around and see everything or go to the upper floors because we were on a time crunch. We also did not get to walk down the front where all the statues are located. I would definitely love to go back and take my time and see everything at a slower pace.
2. Zilker Botanical Garden
I’ve been to the Zilker Garden a couple of times and I love it. There is so much to do and see within the garden alone that you have to plan to be there for several hours. They have beautiful rose gardens, koi fish ponds, small waterfalls, open areas for children to play, trails, and more.
Tip: In the summer, it can get quite hot. Ditch the cute sandals and dress and pull those walking shoes out. You will thank me later.
Many times over! It’s a great place to relax, walk around or have a picnic! And did you notice the ticket price?
3. Dinosaur Park
We went to the dinosaur park with my little nephews. But I think my husband enjoyed it more than they did. They had a trail set up outdoors, with different dinosaurs along the way. They also had a printed sheet of different clues and questions that help you to find dinosaur artifacts along the way.
There is a playground and a shaded area with tables for an outdoor picnic. This was a good resting spot for us while the kids played. They also had two big sandboxes, filled with sand, “dinosaur artifacts” and brushes. We spent a good deal of time here and I think my husband did most of the digging to find the artifacts.
Click herefor their website. Time: 10AM-4PM Tickets: Adults: $9, Children: $8, Under 2: Free
Would we go again?
Possibly! It was very educational and informative. The area was smaller than we had expected, but the kids still had a lot of fun. If we had the chance to bring any of our other nephews or nieces, then we wouldn’t mind going again. They also had a big toy/souvenir store when you enter, which the kids loved, of course.
Tip: Bring a hat, sunglasses, sun tan lotion, and water. Even though there are trees and shades, there are more open areas.
3. Kayaking in Lake Austin
The first thing we did in the morning was go kayaking. It’s best to go early in the morning or late into the afternoon so it’s not too hot. We rented a two seater kayak and it was great. (I left my life jacket on the whole time because I don’t know how to swim.) Besides kayaking, they also have many other water sports to choose from.
Would we do this again?
Yes! This picture is from a few years ago. It’s definitely time for a trip back! The prices were pretty decent for the time allotted. By the end of it, you’re tired and ready for some good food!
Click here to check out a few of our favorite food/drink spots in Austin!
San Antonio
Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch
This African Safari-Texas Style Ranch is a great place to see wildlife in their (almost) natural habitat. The animals were wonderful to see; most of them very active. When you enter, you get one bag of food for free and can buy more at the entrance or shops inside if you like. We just took the one bag and that was plenty (for one kid). We used it for the safari and the petting zoo, and still had more left.
There is an area designated for giraffes where you can walk to the gate and watch them. Make sure you go the extra few miles and check out the recently added section of the ranch. The petting zoo is also something not to miss while you are there. There are two buildings in the compound, with food, drinks, desserts, restrooms, and gift/souvenir shops!
Address: 26515 Natural Bridge Cavern Pricing: $24.50 (adults), $22 (seniors), $15.50 (aged 3-11), Free (under 3) The last entrance to safari is at 6pm and the entire ranch closes an hour and a half after this time. Click here for their official website!
Would we go again?
Probably not to this safari again since we have seen everything there already. But was it a great experience? Yes, I liked the fact that the animals have so much space to wander around and are not caged up or limited in any way. My only concern is for the few who come near the cars and people for the food, which is not natural. It would be better if we were not allowed to feed the animals for the safari portion of it. But then it wouldn’t be as much fun for the kids. I guess we have to loose somewhere.
Riverwalk
The Riverwalk in San Antonio doesn’t need an introduction. I’ve been there so many times and each time, did something different. There are many restaurants, bars & breweries, museums, tons of stores, a theater, and more. Depending on what time of the day you go, it has a different feel to it.
Would we go again?
Yes, it’s a lovely place to walk around and hang out. However, it’s not a great place if you have toddlers, as there are no barriers between the pathway and the water.
The Brackenridge Park is a beautiful area to walk around and enjoy. The Japanese Tea Garden located inside the park has a variety of plants, several koi-filled ponds and small stone bridges. Even though we went during the winter, it was still very beautiful. Can’t wait to go back during the spring to see all the Japanese cherry blossoms!
Would we go again?
Yes, of course! I would love to go see the cherry blossoms during the spring time. That is my favorite part of the Japanese tea gardens!
The Alamo
The Alamo is a big part of Texas History. As a Texan, it’s a place you should visit at least once. The line to get in might be longer than expected, but it’s worth it. It has so much history behind all the things inside, so be sure to read up a little on Texas history before you go!
More things to do in San Antonio: Natural Bridge Caverns SeaWorld (I have been; although I have mixed feelings about this) Government Canyon State Natural Area Aquatica San Antonio Theme Park Ripley’s Believe It Or Not
New Braunsfel
Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo
Check out the full review for this awesome family-owned,Snake Farm Zoo that we visited in New Braunsfel!
More things to do in New Braunsfel: Explore the Landa Park Tube along the Comal River Walk around the Gruene Historic District Go horseback riding near Canyon Lake Check out the local winery
Houston
As someone who lived in Houston for ten years, this list will possibly be the longest and most detailed. Houston is so big, because “Houston” also contains all the smaller cities that surround it. Even if you’re on the upper end in Conroe, or the lower end in Alvin, you’re still considered to be in Houston! Here are a few locations in the Houston region that I have been to several times and never get tired of.
Hermann Park
They are always changing up things in Hermann Park and it never gets old. I love that every time I go there, I feel like I see something new. One of my favorite parts of Hermann park is the Japanese Garden, which has beautiful cherry blossoms! Also inside Hermann Park is the Miller outdoor theater, which hosts tickets and free shows from time to time.
Hermann Park Hours: 6AM-1130PM Japanese Garden Hours: 9AM- 6PM Free parking and free entry!
Houston Zoo
Right down the street from Hermann Park is the Houston Zoo! You can literally walk to the entrance of the zoo after walking around Hermann Park. They also have many events and programs you can attend. You can also volunteer at the zoo if you like!
Adults: $18 Children 2-11: $14 Under 2: FREE Seniors: $11.50 *If you visit a booth at Fiesta Mart, you can purchase the tickets for a few dollars less! *Free Admission: First Tuesday of each month from Sept-May (starting at noon) Hours: 9AM-7PM Daily, except Saturday closes at 5PM Click here for their official website.
Discovery Green
Discovery Green, although not as big as Hermann Park, is a great place to hang out. It’s about 4 blocks big and consist of a big open grass area, a small lake, jogging trails, several food spots and some play areas for kids. They host events there every week and most of them are free. I have been there on a Saturday when they had kayaking in the lake for a small fee. During the Christmas season, they have many events and lights shows.
Hours: 6AM-11PM Click here to check out their weekly events and more!
Rice Village
My cousin during her photo shoot in the Rice Village area!
Another reason I used to go to Rice Village was to take pictures! The Rice Village and surrounding areas are filled with scenic streets and natural beauty.
Houston Downtown Aquarium
If you live in Houston, you must go to the Aquarium at least once. We took the Houston City Pass when our friends came into town and the Downtown Aquarium was a part of it. We went on a rainy day, right after the rain had stopped. There was no one else at the whole aquarium besides us! We went outside to the rides and got to go on most of the rides at no extra cost! There were no lines and all the workers were still there. We just happened to luck out, but I’m sure this place is packed otherwise.
Address: 410 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002 Hours: 10AM-8:30PM on weekdays, 10PM on weekend Free days?
Tip: Take the Houston City Pass. When two of our friends came into town, we took the Houston City Pass and explored all the places we haven’t been to.
Houston Museum of Natural Science
The Museum of Natural Science is a great place for both kids and adults. Firstly, it is located in a great area; right next to the Hermann Park and the recently built McGovern Centennial Park. Secondly, it has something for everyone, from kids to adults and has many exhibitions within one building. They are also constantly making changes and adding new exhibits each time I visit.
Address: 5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030 General admission into the museum: Adults; $25, Child/students/seniors: $16 Timings: 9AM-5PM Click here for more details. Free Admission* : The permanent exhibits are free on Thursdays from 2-5pm!
The Cockrell Butterfly Center is a great section with so many different types of plants and insects. This section has a beautifully enclosed rain forest themed green house, with a big waterfall in the center. The Brown Hall of Entomology is a new section of the Butterfly Center, which I have yet to visit. Admission (not included in general ad.) Adults; $12, Child/Seniors/Students; $10
The Burke Baker Planetarium at the Natural Museum of Science is yet another great exhibit, which offers several shows throughout the day. A few of their shows include Starry Night Express, Unseen Universe, Black Holes, Expedition Reef and more.
Admission (not included in general ad.): Adult: $9, Child/Student/Senior: $8.
Mecom Rockwell Colonnade
A block away from the Natural Museum of Science is a hidden gem, the Mecom Rockwall Colonnade. I love taking people there for photo shoots because its never crowded and has great photo ops. Since it is surrounded by streets, it doesn’t have a parking lot. You can park at Hermann Park or the Centennial Park and walk over.
Address: 1100-1102 Hermann Dr, Houston, TX 77004
Children’s Museum of Houston
Believe it or not, I have been to the children’s museum several times and I love it. I’ve been there with my nephew and I have also been there for a party of a friend’s child. They have many exhibits that cater to all age groups and interests. I have seen several arts and crafts activity set ups, chemistry lab set ups, play houses with dolls, play stores with carts, check outs, and food items, set ups of ambulances and firetrucks and many more. If you have young children, it is definitely worth getting a season pass.
Address: 1500 Binz St. Houston, TX Hours: 10AM – 6/8PM. Closed on Mondays. Admission Fee: 1+ yr : $12, Seniors 65+: $11 Free Admission *: Thursdays 5-8pm Click here for more information!
Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park
The Waterwall Park is a great place to hang out with friends or family, take pictures, have a picnic or just to people watch. It is conveniently located nearby the Galleria mall. The highlight is the 64-foot tall semicircular water fountain over looking a large grass-covered area. On the other end is the 64 story high William’s Tower, with its breathtaking architecture. Address: 2800 Post Oak Blvd, Houston Click here for more information before making your visit!
And if you’re in the area, I highly recommend trying out Kenny & Ziggy’s. Full review coming soon!
If you live in one of these places, then check out the Dallas-Fort Worth area for more activities and fun! Click here for my review on the Dallas Aquarium and stayed tuned for more activities in the Dallas area!
There are so many more weekend trips I would love to do in the near future. I would love to explore cities nearby like Brennam, Waco or El Paso. Also coming soon are activities from smaller towns like Lufkin and Nacogdoches. Stay Tuned!
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On the weekends we are in town (not very many), we try to explore a bit of Dallas and the neighboring cities. We mostly try to visit family friendly places with sites or animals to see and activities to do. Keep scrolling to check out this growing list of places we enjoyed the most, right here in the DFW area!
Crow Museum of Asian Art
The crow museum displays Asian Art in many different forms. The purpose of this museum is to celebrate the arts and beautiful culture of Asia. Their exhibitions include Samurai armors, Japanese Ceramics, collections of Jade, and items made with lacquer, to name a few. There is so much information to learn about these objects and paintings, so give yourself time to thoroughly look at all the exhibits.
The museum is absolutely free, but donations are welcome! They also have a gift shop named “Lotus shop” as you exit the last of the exhibits. It contains a wide variety of options, from tea to games.
We took a day trip to Arlington and spent all morning at the Forth Worth Botanical Garden. There was so much to see around the garden. We also went into the Japanese Garden (for a small fee) and loved it.
Last year, the entrance to the main garden was free. However, starting this July, they have started an admission fee to keep the garden well maintained.
Admission: Adults; $12, Seniors (65+); $10, Children 6-15; $6, Children under 5: Free Address: 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd, Fort Worth, TX Hours: 8AM-6PM
Klyde Warren Park
After one year of being in Dallas, my husband and I finally got a chance to visit Klyde Warren Park. It’s a nice little park located in the middle of the city making it a great place to hang out and enjoy the outdoors. The food trucks and the tables and chairs in the park makes it easy to have lunch outdoors. They had a small park for kids, a dog park, and a trail for walking or jogging. I have not been, but they hold events here from time to time.
Click here to find out all the events happening in Klyde Warren Park in the coming weeks! Address: 2012 Woodall Rodgers Fwy, Dallas, TX Hours: 6AM-11PM
Dallas Farmers Market
The Farmers Market comprises of several sections, including the Market shops, the Shed and the gardens. The market shops, which are inside are open daily and have a wide variety of food and grocery options. We enjoyed some ice cream macarons at Chelles Macarons and delicious curry empanadas from Caribbean Cabana. The Shed is located outdoors on the weekends and hosts many local farmers. You will be able to find some fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, meats, eggs and even honey! Along with all the locally grown items, there are also some arts, crafts and everyday household items, like candles!
The Market Shops Address: 920 South Harwood, Dallas Hours: Daily 11AM -7/8PM The Shed at Farmers Market Address: 1010 South Pearl Expressway Hours: Saturday/Sunday: 9,10AM -5PM
Enchant Christmas, Arlington
We got a chance to visit the Enchanted Lights in Arlington last year. My husband surprised me with tickets to see the lights and we enjoyed it. It covers a large area and it’s great for all ages. There were many kids enjoying the activities, many couples ice skating and big families taking pictures under the huge Christmas tree. It took us about an hour and half to complete the whole area. The Enchant Christmas runs from the end of November to the end of December. You can buy tickets at the site, but it’s cheaper to get them online before hand. My husband had also bought parking tickets online, but we still had to wait for parking since the line was backing out to the street. Address: 1000 Ballpark Way F, Arlington, TX 76011 Hours: Daily 5-11PM
Would we go again?
The Enchanted Christmas Lights in Arlington was a great date night. However, we would probably not go there again. It was a great one time thing, so maybe we will try something else next Christmas season!
Fair Park
Fair Park is a wonderful area within South Dallas that offers a lot for the whole city. They hold many educational, cultural and fun events all throughout the year. Fair Park is also the location for the annual Texas state fair, held during the fall. During the events and the weekend, the park is packed with people. If there are no events going on, the park is almost deserted and great to walk around at! Fair Park consists of a big football stadium, several museums, buildings, statues and much more.
We took our nephews to visit the Children’s Aquarium and the Texas Discovery Gardens one weekend and they loved it. The Children’s aquarium is a small yet exciting place for children. It costs about $8 per adult to get into the aquarium and it’s about an hours worth of things to see if you take your time. There is an interactive area where the staff allows you to touch the jellyfish. They also have an outdoor section, where you can touch stingrays and watch the small sharks swimming close by. Besides these two major additions, the rest of the aquarium is pretty much like any other. Since we love seeing animals, we spent plenty of time watching, reading and learning about the sea creatures.
Initially, we were hesitant to go into the Texas Discovery Garden because it looked small from the outside. But this was a great afternoon activity for the kids and the adults! They have several smaller garden areas and fountains. They also have a reptile house and a big playground for children. We spent only about 2 hours exploring the whole area, but if we had more time, I’m sure we would have stayed longer!
Children’s Aquarium: Adults: $8, Children 3-11 $6, Children under 2: Free Texas Discovery Garden: Adults: $10, Children 3-11: $5, Seniors 65+: $8, Children under 2: Free (They offer some discount for first responders, military and educators; ask about it!) Every Tuesday is pay-what-you-wish admission! Open 10AM-5PM Check out the Fair Park website for upcoming events and information!
There are also a few other things to do at Fair Park, such as seeing the big elephant statue and walking along the Leonhardt Lagoon. There is a great trail within the park and makes for a wonderful day trip for the whole family!
Trails & Hiking!
During the Coronavirus, we explored a few local trails and parks in the Dallas area. We really enjoyed most of them, as it offered a chance for us to go out and get some fresh air. We even walked into a snake in one of the nearby trails!
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve, Plano
We got to the Arbor Hills Nature Preserve around 5 pm and it was PACKED and parking was overflowing to the side. We were shocked that this many people were here during this time! But I guess everyone needed some fresh air! Surprisingly, once we entered the preserve, it did not feel crowded at all! It was so huge (200 acres!) and there were so many trails that it was very easy to keep 6 feet distance from others. We enjoyed the trails, the small wildlife and the scenery. There was also a tower with a good view of the city, which was a nice way to end our evening.
Address: 6701 W Parker Rd, Plano, TX 75093 Hours: 5AM-11PM Cost: FREE
Would we go again? Yes, we enjoy small hikes and love greenery and wildlife. Besides the fact that it was a little far for us, we thought this was a great place for a light hike!
Belize is a great place for a long weekend getaway, but not yet a popular destination, (which is crazy because it’s so beautiful!) Belize is the only country in Central America whose national language is English. Because of this, most people there understand and speak English, making this easier for tourists. It’s also one place that has not been affected by the American culture, which truly makes it a unique getaway. You won’t find any Starbucks or McDonald’s there… instead you will find a ton of other great options 🙂
My friend, Asha and I booked a spontaneous trip to Belize for five days. It was just what we needed to step back from our busy schedules. It was a mix of some adventurous fun as well as a retreat from our busy daily lives to reflect and do some soul searching! Some of our favorite relaxing activities to do was to sit near the beach, walk along the shore and go into deep conversations about life and travel!
Belize City
Mayan Ruins & History
Asha and I flew into Belize City (to an extremely small airport) and spent two days touring Belize City. The owner of the Airbnb home we stayed at introduced us to a great guide! With him, we booked a day trip to Altun Ha, which is a famous Mayan ruins with several stone altars that you can climb and walk around on. We left early in the morning and was able to get in before opening hours, so we had the whole place to ourselves for majority of the time. There are several other Mayan ruins you can choose from such as the Xunantunich Ruins, Cerros Ruins, Cahal Pech Reserve and Belize Mayan Ruins. All are different sizes and located in different parts of Belize, so you can pick which one to visit depending upon your interest in exploring them.
Cave Tubing
The next stop was cave tubing and we loved it! Our tour guide hooked us up with another great cave tubing guide and she was amazing! We hiked through the forest and walked through several streams before getting to the start point of the cave tubing. As we hiked, our guide stopped to explain interesting facts about the trees, streams, and sounds we heard along the way. We got in the tubes (with life jackets, of course) and went through the caves and sink holes in between the caves that were more than 50 feet deep. Since we had our personal guide, she took her time and explained in detail about the animals and cave formations. We loved that we were able to go slow and fully enjoy the whole experience rather than rushing through with a bigger group.
TIP: Staying at local homes through Airbnb allowed us to meet the locals, eat at local restaurants and book private tours. It is important to pick good hosts and carefully accept or decline the tours suggested by them. Only choose to do tours once you have communicated with the guide and you feel at ease going forward with it.
San Pedro Island
We decided to go to the island of San Pedro, a 90 minute boat ride from Belize City. It’s located in the Ambergris Caye (pronounced Key), which is the bigger sister island of Caye Caulker, also a popular destination. We airbnb’d in San Pedro and were very happy with our stay (at Zen Blue). Besides the rides to and from the water taxi, which was provided by our Airbnb host, we did not need any transportation around the island. We were able to walk all around the island on foot for the 2 days we were there. Our Airbnb host provided us with several options for water sports and animal interaction activities while in San Pedro. Continue reading to see what we did there!
Swimming with Nurse Sharks
Asha and I always try at least one activity that is out of our comfort zone during our trips. This time, it was swimming with nurse sharks in the Caribbean Sea, off of San Pedro Island. We took off in a boat and came to a stop in the middle of the sea. The nurse sharks came to the boat and swam around, thinking they will be fed. As soon as the boat came to a full stop, we put on our goggles and flippers and jumped out. We were assured these type of sharks won’t harm us. Other bigger sharks won’t be in this area because they live in much colder waters, further into the sea.
Side note: I do NOT know how to swim and I had a life jacket buckled on tight the whole time. This prevented me from going under water all the way, but this way I was more comfortable and safe!
*TIP: Go with reliable and established tour groups for activities like this, so they will know what to do in the case of an emergency.
Another thing we did a lot of while in Belize was eat. Again, this is nothing new while traveling, especially with Asha! We tried some local chicken empanada, which are fried folded dough with meat, potatoes, or any type of fillings. Salbutes, a deep fried tortilla with a meat topping and veggies is another common dish in Belize we enjoyed. And then, we also had plenty of chicken, rice and beans which is the local cuisine of Belize.
One thing we did not get to do was a airplane ride or dive in the Great Blue Hole. We went to the air travel services to find more details on flying over it. A helicopter ride over the blue hole was over six hundred per person and you have to book it ahead of time. Since neither of us are big divers, we didn’t plan on a diving trip there either.
Would I visit Belize again?
YES! There is so much more to Belize and we have only seen a small portion of it. If I go again, I would like to visit the smaller towns and do some hiking in the forests!
When I plan a trip abroad, I collect all the information I can get that will be useful during the trip. Here are some information I collected about Belize and have kept in my itinerary. Money conversion: $1 Amercian Dollar = $2 Belizean Dollars. US embassy number in Belize: 501-822-4011 STEP program call line: 1-202-501-4444 Transportation within the country: Tropical Air & Maya Air (for flying) Prices for water taxi (Belize Express): ~$27 from Belize City to San Pedro round trip. ~$20 one way
I’ve included more information about the STEP program in my India blog post. Major TIP: Once you make book your day trips, make sure you communicate that to your airbnb host or the hotel/resort. If you are traveling solo, make sure to tell someone back home what your plans are and when to expect to hear from you again. Always remember, safety first!
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On our way from San Antonio to Dallas, we decided to make a stop in New Braunsfel and check out the Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo. After a long morning, we wanted to do something relaxing. But once we got there, our energy picked up and we spent a good amount of time there. Needless to say, we enjoyed this family-owned snake farm slash zoo and here is why!
When you enter, you purchase the tickets and head over to the right for the first exhibition of snakes. You can also purchase food to feed the animals there if you like. There was a great number of snakes in the indoor cages, varying in color and size. There was also several other reptiles, such as turtles and crocodiles. Some of the snakes were very active and interesting to watch. Others were curled up in their comfort zone and resting. After completing one side of the inside exhibition, we decided to go outside to see the bigger animals.
Information:
Address: 5640 IH 35 S. New Braunfels, TX 78132 Phone: 830.608.9270 Hours: 10AM-6PM/7PM Daily For more information on admission fee, interactive showtimes etc, visit their website here.
When we got outside, there were a variety of animals, from birds to jaguars. Our favorite were the lions, who were very energetic and loud. On one side, there were zebras, ostriches and warthogs, to name a few. They also had a peacock and several chickens and chicks walking around. We were not supposed to pick them up we found out later (oops)!
Petting Zoo
The petting zoo is my favorite part of any farm or zoo because I get to interact with the animals. This one had goats, pigs, sheep and even a llama! The goats were walking around, getting fed by those who had food for them. One goat (pictured below) kept coming to me and chewing on my jean’s crease! The mama pig (bottom picture) was laying in the shade with no care in the world. The llama was sitting in the middle of it all, as if he was watching over the other animals. I could spent hours just in the petting zoo… I loved it!
Interactive shows & feedings
Another thing we loved about the zoo was the feedings and interactive shows they had. We watched the feeding for the lions and it was unlike any of the other ones I have seen. The staff went into great depth about the animal lifestyles, habits and behavior. They even stayed back to answer any questions we had and we did not feel rushed at all. We can see the caretakers truly enjoy what they do and it’s not just another show for them. We also got a chance to see the interactive show with the snakes, which was also very interesting.
Would we visit AWSFZoo again?
Possibly! If we get a chance to take my nieces and nephews, we would definitely visit the farm zoo again! The ticket prices were reasonable and worth it for all the time we spent there. They are planning to expand several more acres and may have new residents in the future. Initially we were a little iffy on going because of the heat, but most of the outdoors were covered and provided plenty of shade! There is also a snow cone truck outside, which definitely helped to cool us down. Also, when you purchase your initial ticket, you get one FREE admission ticket and it is valid for 3 months… So why not go again?
Over the weekend, we went to the Dallas World Aquarium with my siblings and nephews and we all loved it. The outside doesn’t look like a typical aquarium because of its location downtown, but starting at the entrance, you will get a sneak peek of what is to come inside. Even as we walked towards the ticket line, we were able to see several animals and greenery, as if we were walking through a jungle.
Information:
Location: 1801 N Griffin St, Dallas, TX 75202 Hours: 9AM-5PM The admission fee are as follows: Adult: $20.95. Child(2 thru 12): $14.95, Child (under 2): free. Senior – $16.95 (65+) www.dwazoo.com
One of our favorite animals to see were the penguins. They have a feeding and talk shows for penguins, sloths and other animals every half hour or so. Although we missed the feeding for the penguins, we were able to enjoy seeing them swim and waddle around. The flamingos were another hit. We loved their beautiful bright colors and interaction among each other. We also enjoyed the manatee swimming around in circles and the sawfish resting on the glass above us. The huge sunbathing crocodiles and the sloths hanging out in the trees also kept us watching for long time!
Definitely! If you live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area or in town for a weekend, then definitely make a visit to the Dallas World Aquarium. We went on a Sunday, so the wait for the ticket line was short and the crowd inside was not bad at all. Would we go visit again? Possibly! The pricing may be a tad bit high, but it’s still a great half day activity for kids and families! This time, we spent about 3 hours and may have rushed through a little. If we have 4-5 hours free and have kids with us, we would probably go again!
Side note; I loved the fact the whole aquarium was wheelchair accessible and had ramps. As a therapist, this is one thing I take notice of and I was glad to see several people enjoying the exhibits in their wheelchairs. Definitely a plus point in my books!
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