 When you visit New Orleans for the first time, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with the variety of food choices. With well over 1,000 restaurants, it’s impossible to try all the New Orleans favorites on any given trip or to even know where to start. During our recent 4 day mother/daughter trip, I felt like we left with a good sampling of the local cuisine, including things like spicy boiled crawfish, chargrilled oysters, po’ boys and of course, the iconic beignets! We were fortunate to have a local family member who was a fabulous personal tour guide, especially when it came to food. Staying at the Hotel Indigo in the Garden District gave us the perfect opportunity to explore restaurants outside of the French Quarter. We could easily get up and walk to several popular breakfast spots. If you are staying in the French Quarter, don't hesitate to take an early morning St. Charles streetcar run to the picturesque Garden District for breakfast. But be sure to save room for lunch and dinner. Here’s how we spent 4 days exploring all there is to eat in New Orleans.
*This post was updated October 2022.
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Looking for a weekend city getaway filled with southern charm, good food and plenty of outdoor activities? Then consider heading to Columbia, South Carolina, the state capital and home to the University of South Carolina Gamecocks. It’s the perfect mix of college town and vibrant city along with innovative restaurants serving up southern style favorites and classic restaurant fare. We recently spent another weekend in Columbia, and packed in tons of walking, eating and exploring around town. So if you are looking for things to do in Columbia, South Carolina, here's 7 ways to fill a weekend.
*This post was updated January, 2024  What do oysters, fresh-baked pastries, and biscuits have in common? They are just some of the delicious local flavors elevated to new heights in historic downtown Leesburg, Virginia. Located just over 40 miles west of Washington, DC, Leesburg is filled with a vibrant local restaurant scene, history, and unique shopping opportunities. From early morning to late night, there’s no shortage of delicious food and drinks in this small town that packs in big flavor! So come for a few hours or spend the day, but one thing’s for sure, after visiting the restaurants in downtown Leesburg, Virginia you won’t leave hungry!
 Nothing captures the true flavor of a city like its food. Can you really travel to Memphis without eating BBQ, or Key West and not have Key Lime Pie? To me, spending time with a local expert on a food tour is one the best ways to truly learn about the rich cultural heritage of a place. Not only do you come to understand how foods become regional favorites, it’s also an opportunity to learn about history and local traditions. Best of all, you enjoy a sampling of foods that take you to the roots of a city, while socializing with fellow travelers. I’ve reached out to family travel bloggers in the USA to round up some of their favorite experiences.
 Back in February, I wrote about 10 fun ways to experience DC, with ideas to help you see the city from a different perspective. The nation's capital offers so many opportunities to explore food, art and culture throughout the city, not to mention all the free Smithsonian museums and historic monuments. Even though I’ve spent a lot of time in DC over the years, I’m always excited when I discover a new place to see or activity that I haven’t tried yet. Several weeks ago, my daughter and I went on a food and street art adventure, visiting a few neighborhoods that we previously hadn't spent much time in. Here’s what we discovered, along with a few unique tour ideas for the next time you are visiting DC.
If you have ever taken a trip to New York City, you know it really is a city that never sleeps. Over the last ten years, I’ve been there on numerous occasions, including a family trip, mother/daughter weekends and even as a chaperone on a high school trip. Usually we have at least one big activity planned, like a Broadway show, a shopping spree, or a quest for pizza (more on that below). But with so many activities to choose from, the thought of spending a few days in this vibrant city can be overwhelming. This list of 20 things to do in New York City includes iconic sites like the Empire State Building and the Brooklyn Bridge, along with local markets, and a few free activities. Whether you are looking for fun things to do in New York City for the day or longer, this NYC bucket list is perfect for all ages!
*This post was updated December, 2024  How would you spend 24 hours in Chicago? Most people would say it depends on the season. I recently had the chance to visit on my way to a family wedding in nearby Indiana, and with sunny skies and perfect temperatures, had an amazing day in the city. What’s not to love about Chicago in the summer? In our case, it was a girls trip, and my daughter, sister and I had enough time to enjoy deep dish pizza, the skyline reflected in “the Bean,” and spectacular views from several unique vantage points. Follow along as I recap 24 hours in Chicago through pictures.
 So many things to do - it’s a tough decision to have to make when you visit Philadelphia. I’ve written several posts about Philly, but every time I go, I discover something new to share. Visitors to the city are overwhelmed just trying to cover some of the popular sites like Independence Hall and Reading Terminal Market. Summer brings plenty of outdoor activities like street festivals, outdoor music and movies, and more, in addition to all the amazing tourist attractions. But once you knock off the top 3 or 4 things on your list, consider one of these 5 unique attractions which you definitely won’t find anywhere else.
 Recently I had the chance to spend a long weekend in beautiful, southern California. It was a whirlwind trip for a family wedding, and the timing couldn’t have been better. Spending a few days in the warm California sun after shoveling mounds of snow during the January blizzard was the perfect family getaway. Unlike most of our trips, we had no big plans, other than to enjoy the wedding with family, walk on the sand and watch the sunset. It’s these same type of laid back activities that I always find myself coming back to whenever I visit, including a recent visit in 2022. So here are my 6 free (or really cheap) things to do in southern California.
*This post was updated March, 2022  Everyone loves to start the New Year with a resolution, so this year I decided mine would be to work harder to keep in touch with extended family. When I saw that the weather was looking perfect the first weekend in January, my daughter and I decided to make a quick road trip to visit my 94 year old aunt, who lives outside of Philadelphia. It was also a great excuse to continue our search for the best cheesesteak in Philly!
*This post was updated October, 2021 |
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