Adventure · colosseum · Europe · family · Family Travel · Italy · Itinerary · photography · Roma · Rome · travel · Trip Ideas · Trip Planning · wine

TrippinTwins: Day 1- Rome with the Parents 

Ever since someone said to us, “Italy is my country and Rome is my city”, we had an interest in visiting Rome!  We had been looking for flight deals for close to a year so we could afford to take our parents along to a city they had also dreamed about visiting. After nearly a year of not having any luck, Tara found an airfare sale to Europe that fit within our budget and date range. We were both thrilled our plans worked out and we were all able to jointly experience this magical place.


We grew up Catholic and our father is still practicing.  Since Rome contains so many places that are historically important to the Catholic faith,  we spent much of our time exploring them. We talked to locals, took tours given by archeologists and history professors, walked and walked some more -Oh & Yes! We ate!  If you’re planning to visit Rome in the future, which we highly encourage, we hope our itinerary provides you with some inspiration.

Day 1:

After a not so fun flight on a cramped Delta/KLM plane, we landed bright and early in the morning – around 6:00 AM in Amsterdam.  We only had an hour layover, so we spent most of our time standing in line at customs.  It was inconvenient at the time, but it was nice once we landed in Rome 2 hours later. All we had to do once we landed was grab our checked baggage and walk through the non-declare door.

Our host had offered to arrange transportation from the airport to the apartment, but we declined and decided to get our own.  We were so tired though that instead of waiting in line,  we went with the first ride offer we received, which was a non-official taxi.  After a super fast ride, that we were told would be twice as long, we arrived intact at our apartment where we had arranged to stay the week.  Since we arrived so early in Rome, it was hours before our official check in time.  Our host was gracious enough to meet us at the apartment and assist us with our luggage up to the apartment. We paid the city tax and he gave us a short overview of the apartment and neighborhood, recommendations and answered our questions.

Our dad wanted to attend a mass in Italian, so our host suggested we visit the church he grew up in that was in very close to the apartment.  The church we attended is named Basilica of San Clemente. It’s a minor Basilica dedicated to Pope Clement I (d.99 AD).

1. http://basilicasanclemente.com/eng/

Front Entrance of Basilica di San Clemente

We were greeted warmly at the door even though mass had already began and quickly found seats in the back. Although the service was in Italian, my parents familiarity with Latin, found it easy to follow along. After it concluded, we stayed with a few other curious ones to explore the main sanctuary.

There was a sign that said no pictures, so I just sneaked this photo of the area we were sitting in just for our own memories. And although Tara and I hadn’t attended mass since we were teens, we found it to be a fascinating experience.

 

A peek into the courtyard from the street

We all wished  we had planned for a return visit to explore the Bascilica more in depth.  For just 10 Euro, one can tour both the 4th Century church the current Basilica was built on top of and the 1st Century shrine of Mithras.

After exploring some, were hungry and ready to find somewhere to eat. After asking for suggestions, we walked down the street and were immediately seated at a table at Valore Ristorante Pizzeria.

It was my first time trying an Italian pizza. What can I say? I was a bit shocked at their enormous size!! It’s the size of a normal American medium size pizza that I usually share with 2 or 3 other people. Evidently, Tara knew this but didn’t think to say anything before we both ordered. So, we both had huge pizzas to attempt to tackle.  If you’re looking for good sausage pizza though, this is one of the places to come.


Obviously Tara’s mind was not so much on the food,  as she was overtaken by her excitement of being able to drink some good Italian wine.

I mean she just looks so happy with that glass on wine. Just not sure she could look more sleepy…haha!

We even got to enjoy some entertainment for a few minutes when a traveling musician stopped in. He was really accommodating when I wanted to take his picture. He saw my camera and immediately came to our table. We stayed for probably 20-30 minutes in the restaurant playing for tips before moving on.

Once we finished our lunch, we decided to walk some calories off by going to find place to purchase a metro pass . We took the advice we received from our VRBO host and walked to the Colosseum metro station (Colosseo) where we found a tabaccoist stand. We purchased a 7 day pass for each of us for €24 each. the metro in Rome is very easy to use, comes often,  and is efficient for most places we needed to go.

The area around Colosseo station is very busy. There are vendors vying for the attention of every tourists to buy visitor passes and other trinkets. It was also the first time we would walk by the Colosseum. We saw 2 armed military officers (anti-terrorism forces) with heavy machinery outside. At the time we were unfamiliar with these people and their role so we didn’t take any pictures. We were unaware at the time that we would see them virtually at every other site we visited during our stay.

On our walk back to our apartment on Via Labicana, we saw a site that caught our attention. We stopped to look around and found out it was Ludus Magnus, or the Great Gladitorial Training School. The school had 2 levels, one an arena.  The part visible on Via Labicana are the partially excavated gladiator cells that use to be in the northeast part of the training arena.

After spending a few minutes looking at the ruins, we continued the few blocks back to our apartment for the night.


We spent the rest of the night unpacking, talking about what our first day was like -oh, & discovering the unexpected-my dad’s backpack was missing. His backpack had his medications in it, so that was quite a shock. We figured he lost it at some point between getting out of the taxi we took to the apartment and waiting to be let in. It served as a reminder for everyone to remind each other to stay aware at all times, especially in crowded places.

Lessons Learned from Day 1:

Official Taxi’s should only charge 48 Euro from Fiumicino Airport to the city center and 30 Euro from Ciampino airport.  Here’s a list of official taxi fares in Rome.  The hassle of haggling for that price though, that’s another story!

Pay attention to the taxi company you take in case you leave things in the taxi.  It’s true of anywhere, but especially in a foreign company when you’re not familiar with the companies.

There is no minimum drinking age in Italy, though 16 is the age one can drink wine/beer in public.

Restaurant tipping: Our host told us that if the bill is 113 Euro to round up to 117 Euro and it served us well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibits · Family Travel · Museums · Seattle · Tours · travel · Trip Ideas · Washington

Seattle Center-Chihuly Garden & Glass Exhibit

On a recent trip to Seattle, we had the opportunity to  visit the Chihuly Garden and Glass. The exhibition opened at the Seattle Center in 2012. A Washington native, Dale Chihuly is a world renowned glass artist with current displays all over the world. We have both been lucky enough to see his works at a few other exhibits and have been blown away each time, so this was high on our list of places to visit.

The Exhibit is divided into three main areas: The Interior Exhibits, the Glasshouse  and the Gardens.

Interior Exhibit

Glass Forest: 

This room is subdued, but eye catching as its only piece is designed with neon colors. For those that are unfamiliar with Chihuly, it is here you will be introduced to the size and scale of some of his designs as well as to the black plexiglass base that is used to display many of his works.

For the Glass House piece, he teamed up with Mr. James Carpenter, a colleague of his at the Rhode Island School of design. They were interested to see what designs could come from their differing backgrounds-combining Carpenter’s background of architecture, light and sculpture with Chihuly’s background in textile and sculpture. These forms were made from standing atop a ladder and letting the glass drop down while inducing neon into the pieces.

The Northwest Room:

Cylinders, Baskets & Soft Cylinders 

Chihuly’s goal here was to make Indian Baskets out of glass. He discovered that he could push the boundaries of glass forms using fire and gravity.  Pushing the ability to form glass to the edge, just short of collapse, he was able to get the glass thin enough to  create new forms that mimic the patterns and designs from Native American culture.


Sealife Room

This room reflects Mr. Chihuly’s love of the sea. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, he always had a love of the water. He saw a lot of similarity between the movement of water and movement of molten glass. Although sea life is only occasionally featured in chandeliers and towers, he designed this 20 ft tower to show how important water was to his work.

This is a room where we spent quite a lot of time just staring in awe at this magnificent tower.

 


Persian Ceiling:

Created and sculpted by Dale Chihuly and Martin Blank. Walking into the walkway with this eye-popping ceiling sort of catches one off guard. Your eyes are immediately drawn to the top of the room.

You will be surprised at how long you will stand around with your eyes glued to the plethora of remarkable Persian glass designs erected in the ceiling. Although you will recognize many of the designs, you will stand in amazement at others contemplating just who were those geniuses who dreamed such a thing.

 


Mille Fiori:

Inspired by glass blowing processes and places he’d visited over the years, this piece combines common shapes found routinely in nature with bright primary colors.

Ikebana and Float Boats:

The inspiration for this one came while in Nuutajarvi, Finland while he was working for his exhibition Chihuly Over Venice. He stood  on a bridge and threw glass into the water to experiment with its reaction to the glass.  Local teens would pick up the glass pieces and place them in row boats. Chihuly liked how his glass looked in the boats which led to the creation of these these pieces.

Chandelier Room:

The concept was inspired  by a chandelier he had seen at a restaurant in Barcelona, which was the first time he had seen one at eye level. It was then he got the idea that chandeliers could be made without being functional, just serving as a decoration. A chandelier was first displayed for an exhibit in 1992 at the opening exhibition at the Seattle Art Museum. His chandeliers can be anywhere from three to 30 feet long and can contain as many as 1,000 pieces.

Macchiato Forest:

Chihuly was very excited when an expanded color palate was available to him through use of the German colors. Originally, only available for the stained glass industry, he was determined to use all the 300-400 colors that were newly available to him in this exhibit. Macchiato means spotted in Italian.


Glass House:

The glasshouse is the centerpiece of the center.  It is 4,500 sq ft and 40 ft tall.  It holds a red, orange. amber and yellow 100 ft sculpture , which is one of Chihuly’s biggest.

The Garden:

The garden surrounds the glass house and was our favorite part of the exhibit. On a nice day, allow time for walking along the lined paths between the sculptures. We spent about an hour roaming around the gardens, but could have easily spent longer if time had permitted.


Tips before you go:

Depending when you visit, consider bringing your own snacks.  There is a cafe on site, but is usually very busy.

No selfie sticks are allowed, but they do have employees stationed in the various galleries that are eager to take your picture for you.

The exhibit is open Monday-Thursday 9:00 am -9:00 pm and Friday and Saturday 9:00 am – 10:00 pm.

Admission is considered pricey at $27 for ages 13-above with reduced admission for Seniors, Youth and Locals. Costs can be reduced by buying a  Seattle CityPass or by buying admission to the Space Needle at the counter.

 

 

Adventure · Beach Towns · California · Day Trips · dolphins · favorites · RIB · San Diego · sealife · Tours · Trip Ideas · Water Adventures · whales

TrippinTwins: San Diego RIB Dolphin & Whale Tour 

Everyone has that one thing they must do when they get the chance to visit a certain place.  For us, in San Diego,  we knew it would finally be our chance to, just maybe, see a whale in the open water. We have experienced many dolphin cruises over the years in the Gulf of Mexico and were looking for something that would be a bit different for this experience. After briefly looking over a few tour options, we registered for a dolphin and whale tour with Adventure RIB Rides. This would be a switch from the usual boat rides in that we would be taking this dolphin and whale excursion in a small rigid-inflatable boat. Erica thought this was a totally crazy idea, but I convinced her that it would be a blast.

 

When is the best time to see whales in San Diego?

 Thousands migrate from Alaska every year to give birth and give their young time to gain the strength necessary for the journey home.  It is said the best times to view whales are between  mid-June through December.  However, we saw a grey whale on our tour at the end of May and we were told several were spotted the day before. If you’re going in the off peak season, just ask around, people will tell you if they have been seen recently.

Meeting Point – Dolphin and Whale Tour

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We arrived at the meeting point (Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina) dock around 8:45 am to meet our tour guide. After initial introductions with our small group of 6 which included us, we were escorted into a small office by the dock where we had to sign a liability release. At this time, we were also each given a pair of waterproof coveralls that although were not mandatory, were highly recommended. No one was exactly thrilled to dress in such heavy, ill-fitting attire, but everyone agreed it was best to heed the guide’s advice.  And yes, they were totally worth wearing because they kept us warm.

 

 

 

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 Where to sit on the RIB Boat

 Erica and I were placed up front because we were the last in line and the smallest, which meant for an overall more rocky experience.  Therefore, if you can, sit in the back.  The views are fantastic from any seat and you will also be able to move around when stopped looking at wildlife.

U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program (NMMP)

The ride started off initially as just a normal leisurely boat ride. We slowly drifted past the U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program (NMMP) where we got passing views of the trainers at work.  NMMP is based in San Diego and is where dolphins and sea lions are trained for things such as mine detection, equipment recovery and harbor and ship protection.  We were aware of the program’s existence, so were fascinated by the glimpses we got as we slowly drifted by.

 

We also got a glimpse of other Navy boats.

SanDiegoboat

 It’s a rough ride!


After we made our way further out into the Pacific Ocean, our guide picked up speed. This is where the ride started to get rough.  It literally felt like riding a mechanical bull!  It is when you will either feel exhilaration or want nothing more than for it to be over. Both of us felt as though we might fall out at any moment, but of course we managed to stay in.

Wildlife sightings

After only a few minutes out on the water,  we sighted a few sea lions sunning themselves on a buoy. We were excited because this was the first time we had ever seen them in their natural habitat. The guide stopped the boat to give us a chance to snap some pictures before continuing the tour in search of dolphins and whales.

 

 

Another thirty minutes went by speeding through the open ocean at a high speeds, bouncing our seats in the boat before a fellow passenger alerted our guide of a possible dolphin sighting.  The guide stopped the boat to give everyone a chance to see what turned out to be a megapod of dolphins and a few nursing pods. Everyone was encouraged to get up and walk to the very front of the boat for the best possible viewing opportunities. The ones that did, got an amazing show.  It was a truly a magical sight to experience!  See that  here or down below.

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After spending about an hour watching the dolphins, we left to head back in in our final opportunity for a whale sighting. Our guide explained to us that even though whale season was technically over, chances were good we would spot a few because the water had been warmer than usual.  We spotted a grey whale after few minutes in an area of an earlier sighting . However, we had already been out in the water over two hours, so we watched it from a distance for about ten minutes before heading back in for the day. When we were safely back to our docking point,  Erica was more than ready to get off the boat while I felt like I could have continued the trip all day.

Things to know before you go:

  • If you have any type of back/neck issue, think twice before booking.  Erica has a slipped disk and had trouble walking the next day.
  • Consider taking Dramamine beforehand.  Even if the ocean looks calm at first glance, the swells are bigger than you might think.  In addition, the ride is rough at times and there are a few long stops where the boat rocks along with the swell of the water which made some sick.
  • Do not leave your camera at home because you’ll want theses memories to last a long time.
  • Tip money.  The guide will be instrumental to your tour and you will want to reward them for their hard work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day Trips · Everglades National Park · Fall · Florida · National Parks · Tours · Trip Ideas · Trip Planning · Water Adventures

Florida Everglades: In a Day 

What do you do when you only have 24 hours to see a place you have longed dreamed of?  This is the quandary we found ourselves in recently after attending TBEX in Fort Lauderdale, FL.   We really did not want to leave the Ft. Lauderdale area once again without seeing the Everglades, but knew we had to find a way to do so in 24 hours. After doing some research, we decided to book a tour through Viator with a company that offers small group day tours with hotel pickup.

The tour operator we took the tour with is called  Eco-Adventures  and the official tour name is “Everglades Day Tour”.  The tour covers a wide area of the Everglades along Hwy 41 and allows one to see a variety of ecosystems quickly. Our guide, Alex, picked us up from our hotel in downtown Ft. Lauderdale  in a 13 passenger van.  There were several last minute cancellations, so there were only two others on the tour with us which worked out great.  As a guide, Alex, was much more than your average tour guide. He is a wildlife naturalist and kept us engaged during our hour drive to our first stop in Davie, FL by describing the significant landscape changes, the Indian tribes that live in the area, the native and invasive plants and the animals that we are most likely to see.

Our first stop of the day was at Pond Apple Swamp to take an airboat ride through the Sawgrass Prairie.   This was an entertaining and educational 40 minute ride in the Pond Apple Swamp where we saw alligators, birds, turtles, flowers and vegetation. The boat went slow enough to allow discussion about the animals and to allow people to take photos. We also learned what looked like intentional defined paths across the prairie, are actually formed by repeated use of airboats in the same areas.

 

 

Defined paths across the sawgrass prairie made by repeated airboat use

 

 

Baby alligator spotted on the airboat ride

 

 

White Ibis flying across the sawgrass prairie

 

 

At the conclusion of the boat ride, our tour mates told Alex, our guide, they wished to see more alligators.  He was more than happy to accommodate their request by driving us to a boardwalk area where he had recently seen a few hanging out. We viewed wildlife and relaxed there for 15 minutes before continuing on along Hwy 41 to our next official stop at Kirby Skorter Roadside Park. 

 

Alligator viewed at boardwalk area

 

 

White Ibis spotted at boardwalk area

 

The Kirby Skorter Roadside Park, named after one of the area’s pioneering families, is a great place to see Cypress trees and offers many possibilities for wildlife sightings.  Most importantly, it allows people to stay dry while doing so.  Our guide told us the best time to do this is in October – March.  We took a leisurely stroll on the boardwalk, which is a 1 mile round trip, while Alex described everything that we were looking at to us.  This was a fun activity appropriate for all ages and activity levels.

 

Osprey nest in a tree

 

 

Florida State Pine Tree

 

 

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Cypress Trees

 

 

Late blooming bromeliad

 

Following our walk, we were taken to the Oyster House Restaurant in Everglades, FL for lunch.  We were all really hungry at this point in the day and were ready to eat.  Thankfully Alex had called in our order earlier in the day, so we did not have to wait long for our food and drinks to arrive.  The cost of lunch was included in the tour price, so that meant the food selection was somewhat limited, but good.  As part of our lunch, we were given fried alligator bites to try as an appetizer.

 

 

Tara & Alligator
Tara eating alligator

 

After lunch we got ready for our last activity of the day.  We went on a 90 minute boat ride to Ten Thousand Islands cruise with the Everglades National Park Boat Tours.  On this boat ride, we explored the saltwater gulf and the Mangrove forests.  Our boat captain did a great job of spotting wildlife, slowing down for us to get a good glimpse and mentioned that we were a super lucky group because we saw a plethora of wildlife. We saw several dolphins playing, a bald eagle, a few manatees, flamingos and various other birds.  When the ride was over, our group did not want it to end because we all had such a great time.  However, it was time for us to head  back to Ft. Lauderdale so we could go to dinner and our guide could watch his football game!

We had an amazing day in the everglades and cannot wait until our next trip there.  Have you been?  If so, what did you see that we didn’t?

 

Alabama · Beach Towns · Canoeing · Gulf Shores · Kayaking · Orange Beach · Sailing · Tours · travel · Trip Ideas

 TrippinTwins: Visiting the beaches we always go back to, Alabama’s Gulf Coast.

There is not a better place to heal the soul and rejuvenate than a trip to your favorite beach. Nor is any visit the same, for the ocean is always changing.  For those reasons, it is why we keep returning to the Alabama Gulf Coast year after year. We have been going since we were children; it’s the beach we grew up on. It is still the perfect location for a getaway with incredible beaches, plethora of restaurant and entertainment options.

Two of the most popular beach cities that make up the Alabama Gulf Coast are Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. We have visited both cities multiple times, but have stayed in Orange Beach the last few trips. Orange Beach is a few miles down the road from Gulf Shores. There are slight difference in the towns, but both offer fantastic restaurants, entertainment choices, and a variety of lodging and shopping options. Tips to plan your visit are below.

What Airport Can I Fly Into?

There are two airports that are fairly close to both locations: Mobile Regional Airport, 65 miles to Gulf Shores or Pensacola International Airport, 30 miles to Orange Beach, AL.  It is helpful to have a car for the duration of your trip, but there is shuttle and taxi from both airports to the area.  Unfortunately, Uber is not available in the area currently.  If you are staying in Orange Beach and do not have a car or are partying hard and need a ride, check out $4 Island Shuttle.  They offer airport pickup at both airports and operate as a flat fee taxi service in Orange Beach, AL.

Where Should I Stay?

There are lots of options for accommodations in both cities.  The options include a mix of camping facilities, beach houses, high rise condos and hotels.  There are many camping options, ranging from primitive to luxury campgrounds to the cabins and cottages that are available in the Gulf State Park.  One of the best places to search for and make campground reservations is on www.gulfshores.com.  The camp grounds fill up fast during Holiday weekends or festivals, so be sure to make reservations in advance.  There are three great ways to search for beach houses and condos that are used for vacation rentals: Airbnb, VRBO and local real estate agents pages.  We have had the most successes using VRBO, but we recommend all of them to get the best deal.

When to Go:

It is a great place to visit during any part of the year.  The Gulf Coast offers great beach weather from April to October.  Hurricane season starts 1 June through the fall. They are not a common occurrence, but be sure to check the weather report before heading down.  In addition, consider vacation insurance if it is offered when you make your reservation.  There are many festivals held in and around the region during the year.  Two of the most popular festivals held in the area are The Hangout Music Festival and Shrimp Fest  The Hangout Music Festival is held in May and Shrimp Fest is held in October.

What is the Beach Like?

The sand is soft, white and powdery. It’s comfortable to walk on and perfect for kids to play on and build sand castles. The water is generally warm. We often remark that it feels like bath water. The waves vary from hardly existent to moderately rough. It can be crowded on major holidays, Spring Break for area schools and two weeks before area schools return. Otherwise, the beach is moderately crowded and it’s possible to beach areas with no other visitors.


Where to Eat:
When we go to the beach, we only eat out for dinner as a general rule.  We go to the grocery store when we get to town and buy breakfast and lunch food for the duration of our stay.  This saves money, and allows more beach time.  Some of our favorite restaurants  include Cosmo’s, Wolf Bay Lodge, Cafe Grazie, Louisiana Lagniappe, Cotton’s, Caymen Grill, Tacky Jacks, Doc’s Seafood. There are endless options though and locals give the best advice!

The best sauteed crab claws around are at Cafe Grazie in Orange Beach, AL.
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Most restaurants offer outside seating in the area. If it’s located on the water, you’ll have an even better view!

Bored of the Beach?

Not sure anyone could get bored of the beach, but if you’re had enough of the water or looking for something to do after dinner, there are plenty of activities to keep you entertained.  The Hangout  in Gulf Shores is a popular place to hang out because it often has live music and is appropriate for the entire family.  There are also putt- putt courses, a water park, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, a movie theater and shopping areas with a plethora of choices. If you are looking for a tour, there are dolphin cruises, kayaking excursions, parasailing, zip-lining, helicopter rides and sailing trips. There are shops that will rent you watersport vehicles (kayaks, waverunmers, boats).  There is something for everyone and they would love to have you visit.

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Erica loving our “private” sunset cruise with Captain Ryan in Orange Beach, AL.
Tara chilling out on the Intercoastal Waterway figuring how much further she has to paddle!
Tara chilling out on the Inter-coastal Waterway figuring how much further she has to paddle!
Aquariums · Chicago · Museums · Tours · Trip Ideas

TrippinTwins Chicago Trip Details

From the moment we arrived to the moment we left on a plane back home, Chicago was a ‘homerun”.  Chicago is a quintessential American city that has options to satisfy even the most discerning person.  It has professional sports teams, a skyline that rivals New York, high end shopping, world class restaurants, top tier colleges and numerous festivals throughout the year. Chicago is also a beautiful place-with an amazing lakefront and numerous parks. Check out how we spent our first time in the city and some that we hope you will find useful.

Museums

The Shedd Aquarium (Museum Island)

The aquarium is one of the most visited aquariums in the world, so it’s a good idea to buy tickets in advance to avoid standing in long lines. Our agenda was not finalized when we went to visit the aquarium, so we stood in line for an hour before then deciding to buy the CityPASS. Not again!  This aquarium can easily keep one entertained for 3-6 hours, depending on how many activities you decide to do. Current exhibits include: Amazon Rising, Caribbean Reef, Abbott Oceanarium, Polar Play Zone, Waters of the World and Wild Reef. Currently, there is a temporary special Amphibian Exhibit as well.  In addition, there are  4D movie experience’s, a stingray touch and a dolphin show available for additional costs.

2. Adler Planetarium (Museum Island)

After spending time at the aquarium we went to athe Adler Planetarium.  Our admission was free with the CityPass and we got the benefits of the Anytime All-Access Pass.  This meant we got access to all exhibits, the Atwood Sphere and shows.  We only had 2 1/2 hours to spend at the Planetarium before meeting up with a friend, but we were able to see the SkyWatch Live show and look at a few exhibits we were interested in seeing.  For a list of all the and shows available, please visit the website.

3. Chicago Museum of Science and Industry (Jackson Park)

We went to visit this museum after brunch on a Sunday andt this place was packed.  They have separate lines for people buying tickets and for the CityPass card holders.  Be prepared to stand in line for at least 15 minutes, even with a CityPass because everyone has to pick their shows.  With a CityPass, one show and the regular exhibits are included.  Everything else, costs extra.  We only did what was available with the CityPass and spent over 5 hours in the museum.  The museum is 3 levels and

We had a great time of all three and would highly recommend them for both adults and children. Our recommendation is to research the museum free days/free passes/discount days, or to buy the CityPASS if planning  to visit multiple attractions.

Tours

1. Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) River Cruise

This 90 minute cruise was narrated by a very knowledgeable volunteer for the CAF.  There is plenty of seating below and above deck.  If it is a nice day, this is a great way to experience a river cruise while learning about Chicago’s changing relationship with the Chicago River and the architecture along the river front.  With the continuing growth, the guide has a lot of information to provide, so there is very little time for questions/discussion. It is helpful to have a cursory knowledge of Chicago’s most famous architects to keep up with the discussion. It was easy to get up and move around the boat to take pictures.  It is appropriate for anyone of any age or physical ability, although most little kids will not be entertained by the information.

2. Wrigley Field Tour

We are avid Braves fans, but we grew up watching the Cubs. We knew the teams would be playing each other, but were disappointed to find out the games would be in Atlanta while we were in Chicago.  We decided to take a tour of the famed park. We bought group tour tickets for $25/person through the Cubs MLB Website .

This experience was a definite trip highlight and would recommend this to any baseball/park fan. It is a walking tour with steps, so it is helpful to be in moderate physical condition. There were accommodations made for people with strollers/wheelchairs, although some areas are not wheelchair accessible.

Neighborhoods Explored

Whicker Park/Bucktown

This is one of Chicago’s hippest and creative neighborhoods. Due to our schedule, we only had a few hours to explore the area. We had dinner/drinks at Piece Brewery and Pizzeria. This place is busy and very loud, but the service/pizza and beer selection was excellent.

When we finished dinner, we decided to do some exploring. Geek Bar caught our attention since our friend, Jennifer, that came along is into the Comic Con scene and was interested in checking this place out It’s a gaming restaurant that encourages dress up. I did not take pics because I did not want to intrude on the customers.

After dinner, we went to check out Myopic Books, which houses Chicago’s oldest and largest used book collection.

When finished browsing there, we needed a caffeine fix and went to find Warmhole Coffee. It is an 80’s themed coffee house that serves Halfwit roasted coffee drinks and offers various food menu items. Seating is available both inside and on the front sidewalk. The service was friendly and the drinks were delicious.

Magnificent Mile

This is where upscale shopping and magnificent architecture combine with Michelin Star restaurants and upscale hotels to make up Chicago’s most well known area of Chicago. This is also a popular area for tourists to roam streets and sit in green space across form Hershey and Godiva.

We were looking at options for viewing Chicago’s skyline at the highest vantage point and settled on brunch at the Signature Room. It $45 for all you can eat hot entrees/cold bar/desert bar and the server was great and very patient with questions/picture requests. It was a great experience and an easy way to get that 94/95th floor view without having to wait in line or pay $40 fast pass fee.

Andersonville

This is a quaint neighborhood just outside Chicago filled with independent stores and restaurants. We strolled up and down N. Clark Street, the “Main S.” of this town. We made ourow  way to the Brown Elephant, which we saw a number of people entering. It is a non profit resale shops that benefits the Howard Brown Health Center. They have a wide selection of clothing, books, furniture, ace cessories and are known to have 50% furniture sales.

On the day we visited, it was a really hot day, so we decided to trade our normal coffee break with an ice cream break. We saw a sign  advertising root beer floats that looked absolutely scrumptious at George’s Ice Cream and Sweets. It was the perfect choice. We had plans for the evening, so we walked back to Berwyn Station to take the train back to our hotel. This is a neighborhood I could have spent all day in.

Wrigleyville

Wrigleyville is very much linked with baseball and bars.  The neighborhood is filled with Cubs themed restaurants and merchandise stores.  The neighborhoods in the area are upscale, residential streets lined with brownstones and shade trees. The proximity of the houses to the park allow many homeowners to enjoy views of the game from their rooftops, some even installing seating on their roofs. We walked around there the area a while after finishing the Wrigleyfield Tour, went to a few merchandise stores and had lunch at Uncommon Ground.

Where We Stayed:

Soldier Field

Hyatt Regency McCormick Place is a perfect choice if you are attending an event at Soldier Field. It is a 15 minute easy walk to the field. There is a CTA bus line outside the hotel and trains are within a few blocks. Taxis were always available with about a $15 charge to downtown and $12-$15 to Museum Island. The hotel rooms were spacious and the coffee bar/cafe was excellent.

River North

The Godfrey Hotel. A nicely appointed boutique hotel with a short walk to Loyola University and the Magnificent Mile shopping area. The rooms were big and had double vanities. The hotel had a restaurant, which we did not try. There were several coffee shops/restaurants within a short walk and the CTA train lines were half mile walks.

Day Trips · Trip Ideas

Day Trippin’: W.C. Handy Birthplace, Museum and Library

W.C. Handy Birthplace, Museum and Library

Are you interested in the history of Blues music?  If so, add this museum to your bucket list!  Are you a fan of old log cabins? If so, add this museum to your bucket list!  Do you live near Florence, AL?  If so, go soon!  The museum is open year round from Tuesday-Saturday, 10 AM-4 PM and there is only a  $2 admission fee.

Handy. W.C. Handy, was born in the log cabin that currently houses his museum and library. He was born a musical genius in 1873 and had an illustrious musical career as  he was known as the “Father of the Blues”. The log cabin was built by his grandfather, William Wise Handy, who was an African Methodist Episcopal minster after emancipation.  It was important to W.C. Handy that the cabin remain in Florence and be turned into a museum after his death. Later, the cabin was moved from its original location to the current location after the original location was thought to be developed.

WC Handy Museum


MUSEUM ROOM ONE

The first room contains  family photographs, awards he received, a few of his famous musical instruments such as a piano and letters he received from heads of state and other notable people on display.

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Memphis Blues score is displayed on the right side. It was the first ballad W.C. Handy wrote and what some credit with being the first blues ballad in history.
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MUSEUM ROOM TWO

The second room contains the Deagan Organ that belonged to Mr. Handy.  It is unique because this is one of only three originals still known to exist today. Everyone is our group was encouraged to play the organ to get an idea how it sounded when played live. P1070287

CABIN ROOMS

After touring the museum and library, we toured the two room original cabin.  The cabin consists of a dining room and a bedroom. The tour guide told our group that most of the items in the rooms were donated, not original to the family.  However, all the items on display are items that fit the time period.

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MUSIC FESTIVAL

Looking for something to do at the end of July?  More specifically, interested in going to a music festival in July?  If so, you’re in luck because the W.C. Handy Blues Festival is held annually in Florence, AL in July.  This year it will be held July 17-25.  Here’s the link to the W.C. Handy Festival: http://www.wchandymusicfestival.org/festival.htm.

Chattanooga · Craft Beer Festival · Trip Ideas

Chattanooga Craft Beer Festival

For Mother’s Day weekend, we decided to attend the 3rd Annual Chattanooga Craft Beer Festival hosted by Terminal Brewing Company.  It was held on 9 May, 2015 at the First Tennessee Pavilion from 12:00 PM-5:00 PM and was a 21 and over event.    There were food trucks available to buy food and a band playing country music.  The temps were in the high 80’s, so the pavilion was an ideal location for the event because it is covered and has fans.  The general admission tickets were $50 which entitled attendees to a beer tasting glass, beer to taste and water.   We decided to buy VIP tickets that entitled us to access to seating, snacks and inside bathrooms.  The total price for 3 VIP tickets was $259.17 or $86.39pp.  This option is ideal for visitors who prefer not to bring their own seating because the VIP section provided a few table and chair sets and a leather couch seating area.  In addition, there was beer available for tasting along with various snack options.  Among the snack options provided were chicken tacos, salads, shrimp, prosciutto wrapped asparagus, hummus and chips and cookies.

Mom with her Black Abbey dark beer!
Mom with her Black Abbey dark beer!

There were about 50 breweries represented at the festival.  Sam Adams and Sweetwater were the two most well known breweries in attendance. The majority of the breweries at the festival were from TN.  Other states represented were AL, NC and MI.   Most stands had representatives from their company to talk to the customers, but a few had volunteers filling in. I have to give a shout out to The Black Abbey Brewing Company located in Nashville, TN.  My mom informed their representative that she only liked dark beer and was disappointed they only had light beers available to sample since their name had Black in it.  The guy ended up giving her his secret stash of dark beer!   We ended the day by having dinner at Terminal Brewing Company.  It was crowded, but totally worth the 40 minute wait.  The beer and food were excellent!  If you are visiting Chattanooga, this place is a must.  They take pride on the quality of their hops and food.  I ordered a hamburger, not expecting much, and came away thinking it was the best hamburger I’ve ever had in a restaurant. Have you ever been to Terminal Brewing Company?  What is your favorite beer fest you have attended?