Key West is the southernmost tip of Florida, but feels like the Caribbean with a laid back style all its own. There are so many activities here for families and couples. It’s also an easy days drive from a cruise port making it a perfect add-on to your cruise vacation. If you’re not doing a cruise; Miami is the closest major airport and rental cars abound.
You’ll have your choice of places to sleep here. Whether you prefer to to be lulled to sleep on your boat hotel, take drinks poolside at a resort, you prefer the ease of an Airbnb, or you’re parking your RV; there are endless options in Key West. Since we’re a military family I booked a townhome at a local Navy base that was mere minutes from downtown.
The first thing we did was take an old town trolley tour to get a lay of the land. These are always a wonderful way to get a high level overview of each town along with information on places you’d like to explore further. Since it’s a hop in/ off tour you can go explore then pick up right where you left off.
One of the things the kids wanted to stop for was one of the world famous dessert… key lime pie. This was a frozen chocolate covered slice on a stick.
There are many places to find this treat within Key West, but for the best mile high merengue topped slice head over to Blue Heaven.
While you’re on the trolley make time to see Flagler’s Casa Marina hotel or the Harry S Truman Little White House. One of our favorite museums is the Mel Fisher maritime heritage museum. Here you can feel the weight of a bar of gold in your hands and explore the riches that were found in a shipwreck. While you’re here head outside to take a photo with a massive Banyan tree!
While you’re taking photos go a few blocks further to the cruise port and recreate the famous sailor kissing statue with your special someone.
Mallory square after dark is a must. The carnival like atmosphere in comfortable temperatures is fun for kids and adults alike.
Here you can snap a photo with your kids favorite characters, take part in a juggling show, or do some souvenir shopping.
A don’t miss tourist spot is the Southernmost point buoy. Get there early, it’s always warm and there’s always a line. While waiting in line you may spy roadside vendors hawking coconut drinks. It’s a fun treat on a warm day and so unique for kids to try.
After a good nights sleep Mathers beach was calling our name. The name may not come to mind, but the famous crooked palm tree on the beach is famous.
After a few hours of sun soaked fun we showered up and went for an awesome seafood dinner followed by some Tarpon feeding.
For our last morning of the trip we spent the day trying something new to us. We rented stand up paddle boards and beach chairs and made a day of it at the base marina.
The kids loved splashing in the water, strolling the beach and a break for burgers at lunch. Many applications of sunscreen later we headed home to grill a few steaks and get some sleep.
Since we live in Florida we simply opted to drive the length of Florida to get back home. There are several tourist attractions along the way including History of Diving Museum and the large key lobster.
One last meal at Jimmy Johnson’s Big Chill in Key Largo was burgers for the kids and tuna nachos for me and the hubby.
All in all we had so much fun making family memories. Key West is a major tourist draw and best if planned well in advanced especially for the most popular times of the year including spring break, Christmas holidays and lobster season; August through March.
Salt Lake City is an easy to navigate airport with flights coming in from all over. It makes for a simple starting point to any vacation out west. We arrived late in the evening and picked up our rental car then drove up the mountains to our Airbnb.
We stayed at the Silver king resort. A ski resort that backs right up to the parking lot of one of the local ski resorts. It’s a perfect location for skiing in the winter and trail running in the summer. In the off season it’s supremely affordable with 2 large rooms, 2 bathrooms, a full kitchen, living room and in unit washer and dryer. It also includes underground parking and an indoor/outdoor pool (as well as hot tub) for year round fun. With a 7 year old we got daily use of this awesome pool.
I woke up at sunrise and was happy to find the weather in the low 60s and the sun just starting to come up as I made my way out for a short run around the town and golf course.
The beautiful downtown is in full bloom with each storefront having their own brilliant display of floral arrangements.
The Phoenix theater was worthy of a stop. The Egyptian details are colorful and abundant.
If you’re from a flat state this quaint town will give you a run for your money. Even my daughter had a tough time just walking. Between elevation and decent hills, it’s a good workout.
In town there’s a lovely bike bath, sound garden, skating park, restaurants and lots of stores. There is also a local distillery if you’re a whisky fan it’s a great place to check out. There are lots of photo worthy stops to take in. We enjoyed the art galleries and sculptures around town.
We opted to pick on activity for each day so we had something to look forward to, but also allowing us some downtime since we were on vacation after all. The first day was horseback riding at Deer Valley. I had to do some research to find a place that allowed younger children and 7 was the minimum age for this 1 hour tour. At first, my daughter was scared but after 5 min she asked if we could buy our own horse. Now it’s an activity she requests on every vacation.
For dinner we had a quick pizza on a balcony at Red Banjo pizza parlor in a restaurant that had been established in 1962, but the building has around since the late 1880s. The view of Main Street from the balcony as the sun set was better than the pizza.
The next morning started with a trail run. The first mile or two was tough, choosing to go straight up the slope instead of the switchbacks in order to hit the best parts quickly. There was more walking than running but it was still exhilarating. Taking in the elk, the wild flowers and aspen trees was literally a breath of fresh air from the swampy heat of summer in florida.
This morning instead of eating in the info we visited Riverhorse provisions for a light breakfast. It’s an old fashioned grocer style. You can buy items to go or order at the counter and have them brought to your table. The breakfast burrito was a big hit and the m&m cannoli was impossible to resist with my latte.
Today’s activity was river rafting on the Weber river. It involves a decent drive out of town so we threw on our swimsuit, packed the sunscreen and water shoes and took off for an afternoon of fun. The rafting ride includes a drink and even younger children can enjoy themselves on this quiet part of the river. There is one very small section with milk currents they can enjoy, but this is not whitewater. Our guide was a knowledgeable college student who pointed out all of the formations, encouraged us to hop out when it was safe and led us crouching under a very low bridge. It was an adventure we all enjoyed.
As we were close to town I had been eyeballing some milkshakes at Burley burger in south weber and it was a perfect dinner stop. If you’re really hungry then have a massive burger, fries and shake food challenge. I don’t think we could’ve finished it between the three of us!
We spent the remainder of the day splashing at the pool and then had an early bedtime.
This morning we, again, drove up to Deer Valley for paddle boarding around the lake. We opted not to go further out as a small pond allowed my daughter to captain a board all by herself. It was a fun way to enjoy a few hours on a lake that doesn’t have waves or gators. Both of which I’m thankful to enjoy.
After getting cleaned up we headed out for a hike. Donut falls was calling our names! This is a very easy hike through some great forest areas with an end at a waterfall that flows through a donut shaped rock formation. It was a very popular spot for both family hikes and family photo sessions.
We finished the hike later in the evening and we’re stunned by a beautiful sunset yet again.
Our last day in Park city. I went for another, longer trail run. 9 miles just flew by and I wished I’d had all day to explore.
Today’s fun activities were all located at the Olympic village; host of the 2002 Winter Olympics. We enjoyed the museum and watched people do the ski jumps. All of the fun stuff here is included with a wristband for limitless fun during a 2 hour session. We tried tubing, the ropes course, the alpine sled and that was about it, but is a bit more to see if you don’t spend too much time in any one place.
We had an early dinner at an Bartolo’s; it’s only a few miles from the village in the little shopping area.
Goodbye Park City! We loaded the rental car and drove out of the mountains into Salt Lake City. We would’ve had more fun exploring downtown, but everything of interest was closed due to Covid. I was glad we didn’t book a full day there. We did enjoy a great brunch at Sweetlake biscuits & limeade.
While downtown we did get some pictures in front of the spectacular Mormon church and around the square despite it being under construction. The flowers here were so plentiful it scented the entire square.
We then drove to the airport for our next adventure with plans to return to see more of Utah.
As one drives into Sedona the red rocks appear almost out of nowhere. This was our first view of Sedona and it was everything I had hoped it would be. A few days of glorious spring weather and tons of breathtaking scenery.
We stayed at the Orchards inn right in downtown Sedona. It’s tucked back down an alley on the corner by the pink jeep tour company and includes free parking making it especially easy to navigate downtown. Besides the amazing location the lobby includes free, cold bottled water and hot specialty coffees. All of these rooms have outstanding views from the balcony and are renovated. The pluses definitely outweigh the negatives, so while it is renovated you can tell this is an old hotel. There is very little noise insulation if there’s a door to an adjoining room, the bathroom is small and you can see the wear and tear and they never have towels at the pool. When they do, they have holes. That said, it’s a good location and price so the value is there for a peak season Sedona hotel.
Dinner on night one was Cowboy Club Grille. Walking distance from our hotel and had a kids menu. We had no wait and my daughter was thrilled with her cheeseburger. We saw lots of families enjoying the outdoor patio and views of the rocks during sunset.
Still in east coast time we walked back to our room and enjoyed our two Queen beds of space. In the morning, I made a cup of coffee in our room with the keurig that was provided and got ready while my daughter slowly woke. We had big plans and that meant getting up before sunrise.
First stop was a healthy dose of carbs and sugar before our hike. Lucky for us, Sedonuts opens at 5am. We grabbed a couple treats then made a beeline for the devils bridge trailhead. By 6am the lot was half full. You can park much closer if you have a 4 wheel drive & we had a jeep but I still didn’t think it wise to risk. So we walked the extra 1.5 miles each way.
My daughter was less than thrilled with both the early wake up or the extra 3 miles roundtrip. She was; however, a trooper and made the entire hike. Of all the trails I wanted to do here, this was the big one. The first part was relatively easy, but once you hit the trailhead and get closer to the bridge the scramble and incline gets real. There were several sections resembling poorly made, steep steps with an obvious drop if you misstep.
Still, the 360 degree views even partway to the bridge made up for the effort.
We arrived at the top closer to 7am and had a 30-40 min wait in line for photos. My daughter refused to go out onto the bridge and instead offered to take my photo instead of using the tripod. The bridge has a long drop off but it’s about 5 feet wide so it’s not as treacherous as it appears. That said, if you have a fear of heights, make someone’s day and offer to take their photo on the bridge. Then take a few minutes to rest your legs, because getting back down is going to take some effort too.
There’s more to see than just the bridge but my advice is get there early and go straight to the bridge. Explore the rest on the way back.
Once safely back to our jeep we decided on an early lunch and Wildflower cafe was perfect. It had a short line but reminds me of a Panera. Order at the front then grab your food at the table. They have a great couple of options for kids meals and a decent variety for adults. I settled on the fig and ricotta toast with pistachios and honey and it was out of this world!
What’s vacation without ice cream? Since we had to walk back into the heart of town anyway we stopped in to the Black Cow cafe for a treat. Fully intending to sample the prickly pear ice cream; upon tasting it I decided on chocolate instead. We took them back to enjoy on our patio.
In exchange for a morning hike I promised afternoon pool time. Later in the afternoon the pool empties out while guests explore the town so we enjoyed a pool and hot tub to ourselves. There’s even a fireplace located by the pool once the sun goes down if you’re not interested in further water sports. We showered and drove a little while out of town to Cucina Rustica. A beautiful white linen tablecloth Italian restaurant with delicious food.
Full bellies and a long day meant another early bedtime. When we woke the next day I grabbed a few bottled waters and some coffee from the lobby and we walked down to the Tlaquepaque arts district. Along the road there are signs telling you about each rock formation on the horizon as well as informative bullet points about the various western movies film in Sedona.
It’s a small area but packed full of cute little shops and a few eateries. We were lured into a bakery with the most adorable gluten free muffins and jaw dropping cakes.
We wandered upstairs to a jeweler and were beyond thrilled to talk with the owner, whose husband creates the pieces. She told us all about each piece and even let my 8 year old try some pieces on. She was more than patient and full of information and a highlight of our time here.
We continued down the road a little further taking in the bridge overlooking the river that runs through town then made our way back to the room to cool down. Even though the weather was a perfect 70 degrees, the bright sun does get quite hot. Sometimes as a parent taking kids on a trip you have to give in to their meal desires so we hit up the only turquoise arches in America. She was happy and I had a unique photo op.
After lunch we hopped in the car to head 45 min south to the tiny town of Cottonwood, to Dead horse state park. Horseback riding is my daughter’s number one goal on any vacation. We paid the small state park fee and drove a piece down the road to the corral. We were fitted for hats and a horse, signed some waivers and off we went on an hour ride. Our tour guide was informative. She grew up here. And the short ride was pleasant. We enjoyed a couple of river crossings and uncovered an old gravesite. It made my daughters day.
Just in time for an early dinner, we drove to Main Street and found a cute little cafe called Cream craft Kitchen & Bar.We had a 30 min wait that we spent exploring the adorable shops dotting the main road and then sat at an outside patio. My daughter claimed this was the best grilled cheese ever and I went for the pancakes. They don’t have a kids menu but the grilled cheese was perfect. I was disappointed in the pancakes and when I saw the French toast I was sorry I hadn’t ordered that.
On our last day in Sedona I was determined to get in one last hike. We got a later start and couldn’t find parking at several trailheads. Most of them fill early and are very small. All of that despite the fact that they have fay use parking fees for nearly every one. If you have the national parks pass this exempts you for several trailhead parking spots. We lucked out finding someone leaving when we got to Cathedral rock trailhead and so we set out on this easy hike. With very little effort we were able to take in some really awesome views.
On the way back to our room we followed the signs to the church in the rock. Officially titled the Chapel of the Holy Cross. It’s a very tiny chapel located on a hill. We didn’t have a problem finding free parking within an easy walk to the top but it is busy. The chapel itself is small, a step inside with probably suffice for most tourists. The patio area outside are where it’s at. Take it all in, revel in the views, because they are breathtaking. As a free sight it’s definitely something you should put on your list.
Tonight’s dinner was a well earned burrito. I would’ve eaten Mexican food every single night if that were an option in my daughters mind, but we hit up the hotel associated restaurant, 89 agave cantina. One of the perks of our room was two coupons for free margaritas. They also have a kids menu but you have to ask specifically for it. I went for the red rock burrito and it was delicious. My daughter chose chicken tenders. I took a prickly pear margarita to go and enjoyed it poolside while my daughter swam.
Saying goodbye to Sedona was tough for me. My daughter was very worn out and ready to head back. Along the way we found a rest area with a fabulous view.
We also used our America the Beautiful pass to get into Montezuma Castle national monument. This is a small walk and has some really neat history. It makes for a great stop along the drive home and isn’t far off the main highway.
One last stop for gas, bathroom and pie in Rock Springs. The gas station has a large assortment of slice options packed individually for an easy car snack.
I’ll be honest. Living in Florida, Tucson was never on my radar. There are a few Arizona cities I’d go out of my way to see, but this just wasn’t one of them. Thanks to a snowstorm derailing our trip to Colorado we added Tucson to our itinerary instead. I didn’t think there was much to do. Now I can’t imagine not adding this city to a must see list of Arizona places. It’s beautiful, diverse and family friendly.
We picked up our car in Phoenix and headed to Tombstone for a few hours. This historic 1870s silver mining town is infamous for shootouts in the street and a general lawlessness that was par for the course in the old west and it plays that part up for visitors from around the world. Go ahead and park your car and spend the next few hours walking… it’s all very close. Start with Boothill Graveyard which is the only thing you’ll need to hit before parking for the day. It sits at the entrance to town. You’ll pay a small fee in cash at the entrance and will be given an information booklet to use for your self guided tour.
Even with a child in tow we spent a solid 45 min wandering through the rows reading off the guidebook imaging what life must have been like back then. Here you can see what must’ve surely been an inspiration to the tombstones at Disney’s Haunted Mansion.
There’s a pretty fantastic view of the Sierra and Dragoon mountain ranges from the hill.
A few miles down the road you’ll find the city center. You can’t miss it. Just listen for the sounds of gunfire. Yes, gunfire! There are several re-enactments of shootouts down the Main Street each day. Each skit is different so watch them all. From the smell of gunpowder in the air to the sight of men dressed in cowboy garb playing cards you’ll get a real sense of being transported back in time.
Here you can souvenir shop to your heart’s delight, you can take a tour of the most haunted building in town , the Bird Cage Theatre, visit a real silver mine, see the OK corral, or have lunch in Big Nose Kate’s saloon.
But wait, there’s more. Have you ever wanted to ride an old horse drawn carriage down a dirt road or see the real house of Wyatt Earp? You can do that here too. If you can swing it, go see the old courthouse as well.
We headed down the road for our final stop of the night in Bisbee, Az; a small copper mining town from the same era that is a quaint town with less drama. They do hold a race each year that involves a whole lot of stairs if you’re so inclined. You will get a workout walking this very hilly town. I’d suggest starting at the visitors center and walking immediately to Bisbee’s table for an astounding bbq bacon cheeseburger. They even offer a chicken tender kids meal that was 100% kid approved. If you’re not looking for lunch or dinner they do have a coffee shop in the same plaza, as well as a handful of shopping stalls.
Now that our bellies were very full we had some energy to tackle the hills looking at the various architectural gems and peeking in a few stores. The old Copper Queen Hotel is beautiful, in fact, everything here harkens to a more genteel time. Do yourself a favor and make reservations ahead of time to do the copper mine tour. We were disappointed to not be able to get in, but as we drove to the other side of town to our Airbnb we caught a glimpse of the massive crater from the mine.
As the sun was waning we found our 1906 Callumet & Arizona guest house we found on Airbnb. This was an extremely last minute find, but if I’m ever in the area again I’ll definitely book again. The owner, Joy, is very personable, the home has more character and detail than nearly any other place I’ve stayed and the breakfast in the morning was delicious and filling. It was fun to wander the rooms checking out every detail from the copper plated fireplace, to the tin roof ceilings, to a phone from the 1800s. Even the outdoor gardens with koi fish and tucked away patio areas were fun to explore. Our room was the entire top floor with a king sized bed and Murphy bed. It was not lacking in the same charm found throughout the home. There is a link to the Airbnb in Courtyard image.
After our home cooked breakfast we packed our suitcases and drove back towards Tucson proper for our next few nights. I had booked a very special treat, but first, donuts! I have a thing for trying to find a great donut place wherever I visit and it was on this fateful day I realized the problem with this. If it’s somewhere far away you could have a donut you’ll dream about for ages and never be able to have it again. And such is the case with this nondescript pink donut shop Benson Donuts, in the town of the same name. These things were so fresh they tasted perfect even by the next morning. The twist was so tender it nearly fell apart when I held it up like a trophy fish for a photo, the fritter was the size my daughters face, and the coconut buttermilk donut that I have only ever had in Arizona was crispy and perfect. My daughter loved her filled donuts as well. Yes, we saved some for another day. No, I didn’t want to be a responsible adult. The whole box cost us a whopping $9. If you’re prone to drooling scroll quickly past these next photos. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
Arriving to our next stay at Rincon Creek Ranch we checked in at the main desk and were driven out to our casita for the next few days. That’s right. We had our very own casita that backed up to Saguaro National park. In fact, it had its own private entrance to the park. We spent a few hours on the patio using the provided binoculars birdwatching over the fields of cacti.
The real star of the show here is the ENORMOUS copper bathtub. I had to fight my daughter for a turn to soak in a bubble bath that fully encompassed my entire 6’ tall frame. Finally, I had found a real soaking tub and the copper held heat for hours!!!
This fully furnished casita had a fireplace with provided firewood, a Dutch door so we could open the top and watch the sun set from our dining table, a full kitchen including a basket of eggs from the owners chickens, as well as a washer and dryer. There is a community center that has a shuffleboard table, bigger TVs, a bar set up as well as movies and games to take back to your casita. We woke in the morning and drove into Saguaro National Park.
I adore the National Parks. I have been to so many and all of them are so different. When someone asks my favorite it’s like choosing which of my children I like best. It is not possible to choose. Saguaro is different than most parks since it is divided in and east and a west side by the town of Tucson. The found the east side is more amenable to a driving tour and the west side is better for hiking. Both are breathtaking taking and both have some opportunities to get out of the car and gawk wide eyed at a forest is cacti. We explored the East side the first day enjoying a stop at the visitors center which is not open everyday, so check hours first. At the end of the loop is Javelina rocks, perfect for a short easy hike with a nice view.
After a few hours in the park we had to drive just a few miles down the road to our reservation at Colossal Caves mountain park. We went into the cave as a small group of six. Our guide showed us many formations and at one point allowed my daughter to use a black light to watch how it retained the light. We were also shown how scorpions glow blue in black lights. This cave has been dry since the ice ages and due to early practices there has been irreversible damage, but it is still beautiful.
When we emerged from our cave tour we were able to catch a glimpse of the local coati family. There are also hiking trails to indulge your inner hiker within the park so if you have time before or after the cave tour go ahead and plan to do a short hike here as well.
Moving from here to the west side of the park we were able to hike to the petroglyphs where we posed with some really old, tall saguaro cacti, some cute little button cacti and got an expansive view of the rolling desert terrain.
On our last full day in Tucson we woke to snow. Yes. My daughter was so excited she threw on her shoes and ran out the door to chase snowflakes with her tongue.
We let the snow ease off and we drove up to Mt. Lemmon to get some real snow. In the Coronado national forest there are several hikes and multiple jaw dropping vistas along the drive to the top.
The tippy top of Mt. Lemmon is 9,159 feet elevation. Plan to take your time getting there. You will want to stop many, many times along the way to explore, play in snow or take a quick snapshot. This day we had plenty of snow on the ground and due to fog the views were hidden until our drive back down.
All that driving left us ready for lunch. When in Arizona, Mexican food is a must. We decided to eat lunch at a place that known for creating the infamous chimichanga. El Charro Cafe has been run by the same family for over 100 years. I had the mini chimichanga appetizer as my meal so I could enjoy birria, chicken, cheese and beef flavors. We ordered flan for dessert. I had to wrestle the flan away from my daughter. It was that good. The kids meal was a nice quesadilla and a few sides. The chicken had a good wood fired grill flavor.
After lunch we had our reservations at the American Sonoran Desert Museum. I wasn’t sure this would be that interesting, but figured it was something to do and why not? Wrong again. And thank goodness because it was a solid hour drive from lunch. Luckily, the running theme of this trip has been my underestimation of how awesome Tucson really is.
This place is part zoo, part botanical garden, part zoo, part geology museum. Really. It is HOURS worth of entertainment. We started off looking at different rocks, even being able to pick one to take home.
Then we moved on the see coyotes, beavers, bighorn sheep, hummingbirds, stingrays and several other animals. The snakes are kept in a different area.
I never knew there were so many varieties of cacti or that they could be so beautiful.
Well, that’s it. A whirlwind 4 days in the southern part of Arizona did not disappoint. As we made our way north for the other half of our vacation we left Tucson behind with some pretty great memories. While there is still more to discover I think we did a pretty good job of filling our vacation days.
If you’d like to see more photos from our trip (oh I know I spammed this blog with a ton anyway) feel free to follow me on Instagram at @jtofjax
The weather around the country is iffy in the spring. Too cold up north, too hot down south. We decided to head directly west. We knew we could fairly reasonably rely on the weather to be a safe bet. Jacksonville, FL to San Antonio, Tx is a pleasant enough two-day drive with a kindergartener. We rented a fabulous 2 bedroom, 2 bath duplex located half a mile from the Pearl on Air B&B. I had seen reviews that the neighborhood is iffy, and while I wouldn’t run here in the dark, the area was safe and quiet and supremely well located. Our rental looked brand spanking new and ultra-modern plus it had a washer and dryer as well as full kitchen. In a heartbeat, I would recommend it again. On our drive, we found Shipley’s donuts. These did not disappoint, and even in the afternoon, they tasted fresh.
Shipley’s
Ramen at the Pearl
Macarons
Bakery Lorraine
Brie & apricot jam grilled cheese from Bakery Lorraine
Day One
I should give a little background that I am a relatively avid recreational runner, and I find nothing more appealing that an early morning run in a new place. Waking early in the morning, I drove the half a mile and parked in the Pearl where it’s free, well lit and a safe spot to run along the Riverwalk. Day one included an easy 10K run along the River taking everything in, including popping up into downtown to see the Alamo without tourists, ogle the buildings and structures and watch a city wake up.
All that running worked up an appetite, and it was a quick shower and time to wake the crew for breakfast. This was number one eats on our list, and I had been drooling over the images online for weeks. Lulu’s bakery and cafe for their chicken fried steak and 3-pound cinnamon roll. Yes, you read that right THREE pounds! I worried it might be dry, but nope. Fresh, delicious and managed to feed us for several more days thanks to the servers wrapping it in plastic for us to take it to go. This plate of chicken fried steak is the smallest on the menu. They do have a massive challenge type one, and I cannot fathom having room for all that, but if it’s your thing or you have a large family to feed this should be stop #1. Bear in mind even on a weekday after rush hour traffic this place was busy. You can seat yourself, and a waitress may or may not get to you. They work hard, but it’s busy. If you hate waiting, though, they are open 24 hours a day, and I’d bet it’s not as crazy in the middle of the night.
Lulu’s Cafe
Full bellies helped us take on the rest of our day. First, stop… the Alamo (open 9a-7p Memorial Day through Labor day) A free attraction unless you want to take a guided tour. We opted for the free walkthrough. My daughter isn’t much for standing in line or tours. There isn’t a line to wander. If it were just adults, I’d have waited. You learn so much from experts. The courtyard is beautiful and covered in trees. They have a live history display with people happy and willing to answer questions about the Alamo. My take away from this visit is how minimal the space would’ve been during all those days in the standoff.
Alamo courtyard
Playground
We only wanted to park once since we arrived early on a workday, so we opted to walk everywhere. The weather was perfect. A light jacket with a T-shirt was all that was necessary to stay comfortable. Since everything is within a few miles, our task was simple. Next stop a playground. At her age, she needs a break to keep chugging along on our schedule. Hemisfair Park fit the bill perfectly. Slides, climbing ropes, swings, you name it, including chickens. After we released the wiggles, our adventure took us to Tower of the Americas. A 750-foot tall observation deck. Your admission fee is $14 and includes unlimited 4D movies as well as all-day admission. We took advantage and went up both during the day and returned at sunset to take in the changing cityscapes. It is open most days from 10a-10p. The grounds are a delight to walk around as well with various ponds and waterfalls.
750 ft
We made new friends
For dinner that evening we took a local’s advice and hit up Rosario’s for tacos. I think if I could live on one savory food for the rest of my life, I’d choose tacos. It was a little further up the road and out of the way from the main tourist destinations. Not enough to be a hindrance, but just enough to find parking easily.
Rosario’s tacos
Wind blown hair at the Tower
Day Two
Ideal weather for a zoo day, we woke early, ate some cinnamon roll leftovers, and headed to the San Antonio zoo. In the spring they open at 10am, so we weren’t in any particular rush. I wouldn’t hesitate to come early though, as parking fills rather quickly. Even before the opening time, we had a hike to the entrance and as we headed to our car latecomers were circling for spots like vultures. The price isn’t overly high for a full days activities. There are loads of things to see and do, and if you like avian exhibits, this zoo was exceptional. We visited the petting zoo, debated the train (ultimately didn’t choose the extra fun), fed giraffes, and took photos with the animal sculptures located throughout the park. Right next door is the Japanese gardens. A free attraction and, in my opinion, one not to be skipped. Waterfalls, koi fish, short hiking trails, & flowers. This larger than expected garden had it all.
We love each other
Day Three
The Witte museum Oh we had some fun here! Free parking, easy walk, and both indoor and outdoor sights. This museum is open 10-5 most nights of the week with a monthly free Tuesday as well. Skeletons, art, history, treehouses to climb, human anatomy play areas, and flowers. We spent hours looking around, climbing, and playing. My daughter’s favorite was the wind chimes. We had worked up quite the appetite and just down the road is a BBQ place serving a smoked brisket grilled cheese sandwiches called Smoke Shack. Oh, Texas!
My daughter’s favorite spot was the Pearl. The outdoor beer garden that gathers groups of families thanks to the grassy play space and water fountains ideal for children to play and parents to relax while enjoying a wonderful meal or a drink. Because this was a family-oriented trip, we spent most evenings relaxing here.
Day Four
Breakfast out today. We started the day with Apple Pfannenkuchen at Magnolia Pancake Haus. It’s a fair bit away from where we were staying but on the way to our next destination; the Natural Bridge Caverns. It was a weekday, and we didn’t wait long to be seated, but I’ll tell you it took a while to decide. I had dessert for breakfast while my husband ordered eggs and bacon with Elvis pancakes. Naturally, I stole some while he went to the restroom. Peanut butter, banana, and bacon in a pancake. I regret nothing. Fueled up for an adventure we drove 45 min north to the caverns and found an up-close parking spot.
We were lucky, indeed. This place was popular. It was found in the 1960s by four college students and stays a regular 70 degrees and very humid. It’s not a bad hike, and one person in our group brought a stroller and a baby in a carrier, though I wouldn’t suggest it. While we waited for our tour time, there was plenty to occupy our time. The first stop was the maze. There is an observation deck if you don’t feel like getting lost, but you should. You’re given a card which you punch when you find each station in your challenge and then finally make your way out. You are timed, and you can do this as a group or compete to see who completes the task first. The next stop was mining for gems. The gift shop sells bags of dirt guaranteed to have at least a certain number of gemstones. Located just outside along the railings are sieves and flowing water. My daughter found at least 20 gems, and we were able to clean and catalog them using the chart included with the purchased zip-lock bag.
There is also a zip line and a ropes course available for more fun. We had a few more minutes until they called our group and despite having a lovely shaded table to wait at we wandered around taking pictures of the blooming Texas bluebonnets. Finally, it was time. Our guide led us down through the doors and into the darkness. The vastness of caverns always amazes me. It’s so quiet, and one can hear the drips of water forming structures. Each room had a different feel, and while we took the short tour, we were told how this cave system goes on and on some not yet explored. We chose not to do the Animal safari located next door and instead, headed back to town.
Of course, we were starving yet again, and I had a plan. More tacos. Yes! Henry’s puffy tacos were delicious. The staff was friendly and answered my questions about the process and gave me advice on selecting the tastiest options. Tonight’s adventure was the DoSeum. A hands-on children’s museum open roughly 9a-6p. We made wax molds, created earthquakes, and played with musical instruments, but our favorite was the spy exhibit. There are two stories and an outdoor play area. They also have one free night each month.
Wax molds
I see you
Puffy tacos
One would think exhaustion would be full on at this point, but nope, we had some trails to explore nearby before heading to Dough Pizzeria for dinner.
We just couldn’t end the day without another visit to the Riverwalk. This time by boat. We parked about half a mile to the boat launches and used the tickets we had previously purchased at Rosario’s along with dinner. When we arrived, we were quickly boarded, and away we went with our knowledgeable guide. We made our way down the various paths created by the river from the colorful umbrella lined restaurant areas, to the lock bridge, to the different architecture and sculptures. An easy and entertaining way to see more of the city. Before turning in for the night, it was necessary to try one last treat. Lick Ice cream! Tequila lime pie for me. My baby girl chose a lemon poppy seed, and we shared it. Hubby chose Goat cheese, honey, and thyme. Each delicious in their own way.
Day Five
Our final day in San Antonio and we had a special surprise in store for our daughter. While we live in Florida and we go to the various theme parks a lot, we just knew she would love a day at Sea World. We arrived early, and it wasn’t crowded, so we went straight to breakfast in the park. We had purchased the meal plan, and it includes unlimited drinks and a meal every hour. You read that right, every hour. I can’t imagine why you’d eat that often, but the drink package and three meals made this a no brainer. Even though it wasn’t overly hot, we still drank a bunch of bottled waters. From the Steel Eel ride to the shows, this park is noticeably smaller than the one in Orlando, but we were able to spend a good long day taking it all in any way.
Day Six
Heading home. We sadly locked the door behind us and left our home for the last several days. We had two last stops recommended by my sister in law who was raised in San Antonio… Buc-ee’s truck stop and Rudy’s BBQ. Yes, this place is a chain, yes, you need to go anyway. Drive-thru smoked meat breakfast burritos that I wish we hadn’t saved for the last day so I could’ve made this a repeat. We bought the brisket, sausage link (think smoked not breakfast sausage) and the potato which also had egg. It was a toss-up, but I think the potato was the winner and that’s coming from a couple of meat lovers. Buc-ee’s is a massive truck stop with several locations in Texas and along I-10. It makes for a great place to grab a quick bite to eat, fuel up, and stretch your legs. Make sure to bring plenty of souvenirs home when you stop. My husband wishes he’d bought more of the pepper jelly.
Day 7
We intentionally split our travel days with an overnight in the French Quarter New Orleans. We arrived late and woke early to drive home, so this was a quick pit stop. Dinner was just down the road and of course, I had to have the muffuletta. The next morning was another touristy 6 miles running along the mostly quiet streets. If you’ve never been to the French Quarter you may not realize, the smells aren’t the most pleasant even in daylight. This notwithstanding, Jackson Square and the waterfront at sunrise are a sight. Instead of breakfast at Cafe Du Monde for the infamous beignets, we stayed closer to our hotel at the 2 Chicks Cafe and had a delicious french toast rolled in corn flakes. The added crunch cranked up the wow factor, and the chicory coffee was a much-needed jolt to start the day.
We have lived in Florida for nearly two decades, and in that time, Disney has become part of us. We have been annual pass holders off and on for almost as long, and in all that time we have never visited a water park. Not once. How can avid Disney world fans do such a thing? It’s easy. Our special rate passes don’t include water parks, and we tend to avoid Orlando tourist attractions in the summer. We can go anytime, why visit when it’s overly crowded and during the worst weather of the year? This year, however, my sons came down in late July for a visit and wanted to do a theme park. Ugh. What fun could be had in the dog days of summer at a theme park for 3 kids ages 20, 12 and 6? These are decent age gaps not easily filled. I had a task, and I would not fail. We had done Aquatica with great results, but I didn’t want to return. We have the benefit of being able to book rooms at the military resort, Shades of Green; hence, Disney made a fairly obvious choice.
The decision as to which of the two parks was a difficult one. Should we go tropical and do Typhoon Lagoon or pretend it isn’t 98 degrees and 100% humidity and hit up Blizzard Beach? Turns out; I didn’t have to decide. When you buy a Disney water park ticket, it’s a park hopper. Meaning, you can split your day between both parks. During the summer they are both open from 10am-8pm. A bonus is that the drink mug you purchase in one park is good for them both on the same day. So if you’re debating buying it, do it early and get your money’s worth. You don’t have to feel obliged to purchase, however, as these parks allow families to bring coolers filled with drinks and snacks into the park so long as there is no alcohol or glass. The other perk of being a Disney resort guest, and yes, Shades of Green is included, is that the $2 towel rental fee is waived. Well, that was easy.
After having read through various other blogs and boards, I learned that the parking lots for the water parks are a lot smaller than the other theme parks and we should arrive early. The plan was formulated to spend 3 hours at Typhoon Lagoon first. Why first? That night was H20 glow party, and we knew at 6pm the guests from that separately purchased event would begin arriving making the park even busier. The point at which we decided to switch parks was perfect for a late lunch then on to Blizzard beach to close out the day. We pulled into Typhoon Lagoon at 9am much to the despair of my sleep loving family and were not the first family parking but nowhere near the last. The lots have much more tree cover, hence, more shade still not having to walk from the far end in swimsuits was a blessing. We did have to wait until 9:30am to be allowed in and then another 25 min to get past the ropes. Luckily, the bathrooms, towel rental, and life vests were on our side of the ropes. We were allowed in a few minutes before opening and made a beeline to a set of 5 lounge chairs. Our prime spot was a back row in front of the lagoon under a copse of palm trees also located a short walk to the bathrooms and drink refills. It was a perfect spot. We actually only used it for a very brief time, and we gave up all but 2 places to latecomers. We did rent a locker for cell phones and car keys. Well worth the $10 for piece of mind.
First up was Miss Adventure falls, the only animatronic ride in either water park. The three kids and I piled into a large, but not large enough, raft and were carried up a hill. The view was thrilling, and then we made our way swiftly down the “falls.” Finding there was still no wait, we rode again in two rafts. I am 6′ tall and my eldest son is 6’9″. Even with two smaller kids, it’s challenging to find space for legs altogether. The next ride was Crush’n Gusher. We rode all three courses, each more fun than the last. I think this may have won for the best ride. We spent the next few hours being blasted by tsunami style waves every 90 seconds and exploring all the other rides. Most we did together, but a few the kids branched off without us. I would not allow my two youngest into the deep end of the lagoon alone. The waves are no joke, and neither are the throngs of people being thrown at you. Most rides outside of the kiddie park had a 48″ height requirement, and I don’t believe we found any with height maximums. Yes, there are some rides at nearly every major theme park with restrictions over 6’8″. This typically doesn’t apply to enough people to be a concern, but if you’re exceptionally tall, you are good at the water parks. 3pm arrived, and we made a short trip to our car and headed to the golden arches for a quick, relatively cheap lunch. Not my favorite, but a kid favorite and a guarantee everyone would eat. Plus, the ice cream machine was working, and those $1 icy cold treats were a savior.
We pulled into Blizzard Beach expecting the worst. I had images of us not finding parking, or seating, or shade or waiting in terrible lines. I was wrong. We found a front row parking spot and had our choice of shady lounge chairs. The early morning crowds had cleared out, and the after 2pm water park pass people had kept at bay. We took the chair lift, our most extended wait, to the top where the boys decided to take the Summit Plummet’s 12 story drop slide. I chickened out. I went to the observation deck and watched my family fly down the slides. My husband and daughter did the double dipper. He’s a big guy too, and he told me he went airborne after dip two. The Summit Plummet has a speedometer at the bottom so you can see how fast you’ve gone. The fastest person I saw was going 52 mph! We did Teamboat springs together as the only ride that holds 6 people at once. We didn’t have a problem fitting each of us onto one raft, and it won for the best ride in this park. The only ride we did multiple times, though, was the Runoff Rapids. There was never a line. It seems pretty self-limiting in that you have to climb several hundred stairs to make it to the top. There are two open tubes and one enclosed. The enclosed is mostly dark with pinpricks of light but goes a lot faster and seems so long. The lagoon here is much more my style. With a bottomless, but manageable wave pool. Chilling in my raft, bobbing on the waves was relaxing, and we stayed until park close.
Both parks have magnificent lazy rivers, sandy beaches, kiddie areas, great slides, and big lagoons. The photographers will give you a laminated card with a rubber band at the start of the day and load all your pictures onto it. If you have the app, they will all pop up for you to peruse by the next day. Oddly, I expected in the heat of summer for these parks to be a madhouse. We experienced wait times no longer than 15 min, we never had a problem parking or finding a seat and never lacked a raft when required. The cost being under $70 per person with two parks to choose from was a steal. Even in winter, the pools are heated. I don’t know why we put this off so long, but we will be back again for sure.
Eating Around 