Tag: what to do

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What To Do In Seattle, WA

Growing up in Washington state, I have naturally visited Seattle many times. Between soccer tournaments, concerts, trips to the airport, and touring visitors around, I have learned my way around this city. Having hosted five exchange students, I have given the “Seattle tour” enough times I know exactly where you need to go. Here are the can’t-miss things to see and do in Seattle:

  • Seattle Center
    • Space Needle
    • Chihuly Garden and Glass
    • Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)
  • Pike Place Market
    • Must-See At The Market
    • The Pike Brewing Company
  • The Wharf
    • Seattle Aquarium
    • The Seattle Great Wheel
    • The Crab Pot
  • Sporting Events

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Seattle Center

Space Needle

The Space Needle is the most obvious thing to visit as it is famous around the world. Currently, due to COVID, you have to purchase your tickets ahead of time if you want to ride up to the top. For general admission, tickets are $35 for adults, $26 for kids ages 5-12, and $30 for seniors. If you are a Washington State local, you get a discount for visiting. 

When you get to the top of the Space Needle, make sure you visit both floors. The elevator drops you off on the top floor where you can walk around outside and grab something at the café. Next to the elevators is a staircase where you can walk down to the bottom floor. I personally think this level is really cool because of the glass floor. This is also the floor that rotates, so you can take a seat and get changing views of Seattle! When you are ready to leave, head back up to the top floor and take the next elevator back down. 

Chihuly Garden and Glass

Chihuly Garden and Glass is a museum of glass art created by Dale Chihuly. This is the second most popular tourist attraction in Seattle – next to the Space Needle. Although I have never visited the Chihuly Garden and Glass museum myself, I have heard amazing things and it is definitely on my must-see list for my next trip to Seattle! I have seen bits and pieces of the artwork in the garden area, and what I have seen is really cool! If you plan on visiting both this museum and the Space Needle, you may want to consider purchasing the combo pass here.

Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)

Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture, otherwise known as MoPOP, is hard to miss. Sitting right next to the Space Needle, this piece of art calls you to come explore! Learn more about legendary artists like Nirvana, then check out props from memorable movies in the sci-fi, horror, and fantasy rooms. The interactive elements really get you involved in learning more about pop culture! Be sure to check out their website to find out what special exhibit will be there during your visit. If you want to do all three of these main attractions in the Seattle Center, you may want to purchase a city pass to save some money. This pass will get you into the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden of Glass, MoPOP, the Seattle Aquarium (mentioned below), and the Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour. 

Pike Place Market

Pike Place Market

Must-See At The Market

This enormous, year-round market is famous for its size, flowers, and flying fish! Many people also come here to see the gum wall beneath the market and the very first Starbucks which is located just outside the market. If you are going to Seattle for the first time, you need to put this on your must-see list. I couldn’t narrow down everything the market has to offer in just one paragraph, so I dedicated a post to it! 

The Pike Brewing Company

Just down the street from Pike Place Market is an underground bar called The Pike Brewing Company. I stumbled upon this place on my last visit and I was happy I did! This place has a lot of character and a very homey feel. The drinks and food were great – perfect for warming up on a chilly night! My boyfriend especially loved the beer braised bratwurst while I was a fan of their burgers and soft pretzels with beer cheese. 

The Wharf

Seattle Aquarium

The Seattle Aquarium is another great place to visit – especially if you have kids! Growing up I always loved watching the octopus. There are plenty of cool creatures to observe during your stroll through the aquarium. If you decide to purchase a city pass, this aquarium is included, so why not check it out?

The Seattle Great Wheel

Right on the water you can’t miss this giant wheel. Some say the rides are overpriced at $14 for adults and $9 for kids 3-9, but the views are worth it! The Seattle Great Wheel is also fun to watch at night when the 500,000 lights are turned on! On the weekends you can watch light shows being displayed on the wheel, as well as special illuminations for game days. If you want a really memorable visit you can schedule your own message or special show to be displayed on the wheel! Check out their website for more information on these special bookings. 

The Crab Pot

If you are looking for a unique, memorable dining experience, look no further! This restaurant may be known by out-of-towners after being featured on the show “man vs. food”. The Crab Pot is famous for its seafests. Parties of two or more can get out their bibs and clear their tables as a pot of seafood is dumped in front of them! It’s a fun experience, and the fresh seafood is amazing! Of course if this isn’t your style, they have a full menu of other great options as well. 

  • Seahawks at Lumen Field
  • Mariners at T-Mobile Park

Sporting Events

If you are lucky enough to be visiting while the Seahawks or Mariners are playing a home game, I highly recommend going! Any NFL game is a great experience, but visiting the loudest football stadium in the country is something special! Mariners games are just as great, especially on a warm evening. Check out Seahawks tickets here and Mariners tickets here. 

Have you been to Seattle? Tell me about your experience in the comments!

Anna’s Pick of the Week

If you enjoy history, you may want to check out the Seattle underground tour! Many people may not know that the original streets are now underground. You can check out one of these tours here!

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Australia Zoo – Animal Encounters

Australia is home to many amazing animals, so naturally people want to see as many as they can. At the Australia Zoo, you can do one better! I got the chance to hold a koala, feed kangaroos, and have a lemur crawl on my shoulder. If you want to have this same experience yourself, you need to plan ahead. In this post, I hope to answer all of your question about animal encounters at the Australia Zoo. Want to know what else you can do at the Australia Zoo? Check out my other post all about the zoo here!

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

What Animals Can You Meet?

Below is a a lit of all the animals you can meet along with the times and cost of each encounter. Note – anyone can feed kangaroos at any time during their visit. The kangaroo area is open to everyone! Simply purchase a bag of kangaroo food and you’re good to go! The rest of the encounters listed need to be booked ahead of time.

AnimalsCost Per PersonTimes Available
Red Panda$99.009:00 am
Meerkats$99.0010:00 am & 3:00 pm
Eagle$29.0010:00 am
Tiger Cub$399.00 (up to 2 people)10:30 am
Rhino$99.0011:00 am & 2:15 pm
Koala$49.0011:30 am & 12:00 pm
Wombat$49.0011:30 am
Giraffe$49.00 (up to 5 people)12:15 pm & 3:15 pm
Tortise$39.0012:30 pm
Cheetah$69.0012:45 pm
Elephant$149.00 2:45 pm
Echidna$39.002:45 pm
Lemurs$99.003:30 pm
Wildlife Hospital Tour$19.00 per adult, $9.00 per child2:30 pm & 3:30 pm

How Early Should You Book an Encounter?

These encounters only happen once or twice a day and have a limited amount of spots, so you should plan on booking your encounter several months before your visit. I would recommend initially checking the openings on the Australia Zoo website six months before your encounter. As soon as you know what day you are going to visit the zoo, book your encounter! This was a highlight of my trip to Australia, and I highly recommend it to anyone visiting the Australia Zoo! I know these experiences are a bit expensive, but they are so worth it!

  • Red Panda
  • Koala
  • Kangaroo
  • Ring-Tailed Lemur

What About Photos?

During your encounter, you are free to take as many photos as you want! There is a professional photographer at each encounter as well, so you can look at the photos later and decide if you want to purchase any. You can purchase one photo, a few, or get all of your photos on a flash drive to take home. With each encounter, you also get a magnet with your favorite photo from the encounter as a souvenir!

Review of Encounters

Each encounter is a little different, so look up what each entails before booking. Everyone in my family did the koala encounter and one additional encounter of our choosing. Some of us met lemurs while others chose the red panda. Here is what we have to say about these encounters:

Koala

Meeting a koala is an obvious choice as they are native to Australia and you really can’t meet them anywhere else. When you meet a koala, you get to hold it as seen in the photo above. The zookeeper said they hold onto you because they think you’re a tree. Any movement will scare them, so you have to stay as still as possible. This was hard for me because I felt like I was holding a (very heavy) baby, so I naturally wanted to rock. This encounter consisted of standing there for a few minute and taking some photos, which was a cool experience. That being said, everyone in my group agreed it was our least favorite of our encounters.

Red Panda

My family members who met the red panda said it was a really cool experience! When it was first brought out it wandered around and greeted everyone which is adorable! Each person was given some food and a chance to have the red panda sit on their lap. You can see this moment pictured above! He was very friendly and loved the attention. My mom went on this encounter, and she said she would definitely recommend it to others!

Ring-Tailed Lemurs

I went on this encounter as well as the koala one, and I have to say this one was much more interactive. The Australia Zoo has a “lemur island” which you get to by riding a small barge. We were greeted by lemurs as soon as we stepped on the island! We started the encounter by taking photos with a lemur on our shoulders, then sat and fed them.

One thing different about this encounter is that we were on an island with a bunch of lemurs, where in the other encounters one animal was brought to us. This made a big difference as we could watch the lemurs interact with each other. We also had several climbing on us at once! Our handfuls of food were quickly snatched away, but not before taking some selfies! I could honestly sit there and watch them for hours, it was such a cool experience! I would HIGHLY recommend the lemur encounter to anyone visiting the Australia Zoo!

Overall, this is an amazing experience I would recommend for anyone! Be sure to book early so you don’t miss out! Book here!

Anna’s Pick of the Week

The Australia Zoo is not in a large city, so you will need to find a ride from your hotel to the zoo. I recommend staying in Brisbane so you can take the Croc Express to the zoo! This way you don’t need to deal with a rental car or pay for an expensive taxi. Check out how to book the Croc Express here!

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Disneyland and California Adventure – Often Missed Things to Do

When many people think of Disneyland, they think of rides, meeting characters, fireworks, and parades. There is actually so much more to do, and I don’t mean eat and shop! Attractions await all across the park that you may not know exist! Some of these lesser-known experiences are my favorite things in the park!

Disneyland

  • Tiki Room
  • Tarzan’s Treehouse
  • Storytelling at Royal Theatre
  • Bippity Boppity Boutique
  • Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln
  • Main Street Cinema
  • Street Shows

California Adventure

  • Animation Academy
  • Turtle Talk with Crush
  • Beast’s Library
  • Hyperion Theatre

Disneyland

*

Tiki Room

This show is more well known than most of the other items on this list, but I felt the need to mention it as many new Disney-goers skip it. This classic, animatronic show has been around since 1963 and embodies the fun and magic Disney is all about. I personally love this show and it makes me feel like a kid again! The song “Tiki Room” is arguably the second-most iconic song in the park (next to It’s a Small World), so be prepared to get it stuck in your head! You can find the Tiki Room at the entrance to Adventureland, right next to the Dole Whip stand. 

Tarzan’s Treehouse

Another Adventureland classic is Tarzan’s Treehouse. Previously called the “Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse”, this walk-through attraction was re-themed to “Tarzan’s Treehouse” in 1999. Many people notice this attraction at the entrance of Indiana Jones Adventure, but walk right by. There is never a line and it only takes a few minutes to walk through, so why not check it out? If you’re a fan of Tarzan, you will recognize the scenes set up around the treehouse. Kids will especially love the interactive elements at the end of the treehouse! I used to love that area myself, and as I’ve gotten older I love seeing how much fun kids have there. 

Storytelling at Royal Theatre

The Royal Theatre hosts comedic retellings of various Disney Princess Stories. Even though my family has gone to Disneyland regularly my whole life, we only recently stopped to watch a show under this big, colorful tent. We thought it was going to be a small, silly show, and it was, but we really enjoyed it! If you have kids, they can sit up front and play along with the actors during the show. The 20-ish minute shows change occasionally, but you can typically count on performances of Beauty and the Beast and Tangled being performed throughout the day. You can find showtime for the day outside of the tent, which is located to the left of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. 

 Bippity Boppity Boutique

The Bippity Boppity Boutique is a fun place for kids to be transformed into a princess or knight! When I was a kid, I did this myself and loved it! You can select from a variety of packages, all described here. In summary, their cheapest package for princesses is $75 which includes hairstyling, shimmering makeup, princess sash and cinch bag, face gems, and nail polish. The most expensive package for princesses is $450 which includes everything mentioned before plus a high-quality tiara and box, a signature Disney princess gown, and a garment bag with a satin hanger. There are options in-between these two as well. For a knight makeover there are only two options: $20 for hair gel, a sword, and a shield, or $80 for this plus a knight costume. This experience can get expensive, but it created great memories for myself and my family and I know if can for you too!

Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln

Walt Disney admired Abraham Lincoln, so in his honor Walt created Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. The animatronic Lincoln is extremely lifelike, especially considering it was created in 1964! This short show goes over Lincoln’s life and his accomplishments from Lincoln “himself”. My mom is a huge fan of Lincoln herself, so we make sure and visit every time we go to the park. If you are not a history buff, the lobby is still worth visiting. The scale-models of Disneyland and other Disney history artifacts are super interesting to me!

Main Street Cinema

This is another attraction people often walk right by. When you are walking down Main Street facing Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, you can find the Main Street Cinema on your right. Walk right in and you will find yourself surrounded by classing Mickey Mouse cartoons. Personally, this cinema makes me appreciate where Walt started and how far his dream has come. Stay as long as you like, and leave when you are ready.

Street Shows

Throughout the day you may run into random performances around Disneyland! Two noteworthy ones in Disneyland are the Dapper Dans and The Bootstrappers. On Main Street, you can find a crowd surrounding the barbershop quartet called the Dapper Dans. They walk around Main Street singing classic Disney songs and posing for pictures. Outside of Pirates of the Carribean you can find The Bootstrappers – a pirate group singing about classic pirate tales. As you might expect, they sing “A Pirate’s Life for Me” quite frequently! Both of these groups pop in and out of the park randomly, so if you see them, make sure to stop and listen!

California Adventure

Animation Academy

This is one of several great attractions in the often overlooked Disney Animation Building. The lobby of this building is full of Disney movie magic, and each attraction inside is just as special! When you walk in the Animation Building, turn left and you will quickly see the Animation Academy. Inside you are given paper and a pencil, and follow along as a Disney animator shows you how to draw a classic Disney character! The classes occur every half hour and a different character is drawn in every show! The characters being drawn change every day, so ask the cast member at the queue for a list of that day’s characters. Typically, you can get in line right before a show starts and find a seat, no problem. However, if you are drawing someone super popular, you may want to get in line 20-30 minutes before that show starts. During my visit, Baby Groot was a popular character to draw so we got in line early to ensure we had a spot.

Turtle Talk with Crush

The Disney Animation Building is home to our next great attraction: Turtle Talk with Crush. This show is fun for the whole family! Enter the “human tank” where you and your kids can get a chance to talk to this beloved sea turtle. This interactive show is a lot of fun, even if you are not chosen to ask Crush a question! Last time I went to Turtle Talk, Crush gave my sister a nickname that stuck for the rest of our trip!

Beast’s Library

This room in the Disney Animation Building has been described as a “hidden gem” of the park. Walk all the way through Sorcerer’s Workshop and step into the Beast’s Library where you can open a magic book to find out which Disney character is most like you! This experience is a lot of fun for the whole family! If you stay in the library long enough, you’ll see some Disney magic take over the room. My family never goes to California Adventure without stopping by the Beast’s Library, and I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Hyperion Theatre

This theatre is located in Hollywood Land, right next to Guardians of The Galaxy: Mission Breakout. 45-minute broadway-style musicals are performed here a few times a day. From 2003 to 2016 Aladdin was performed here, but it has been replaced with Frozen. If you want to experience this theatre yourself, make sure to pick the time you want to go and arrive early. Showtimes vary by day, so pick up a schedule on your way into the park. 

Which of these often-skipped attractions is your favorite? Let me know in the comments!

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What To Do at the Australia Zoo (Steve Erwin Zoo)

Statue of Steve Erwin and his family at the Australia Zoo.

Steve Erwin was known around the world for his caring nature and love for animals. His legacy lives on today through his family and the zoo they continue to run. I loved visiting the Australia Zoo, especially because I know the animals there were saved or rescued. If you are in the area, I highly recommend checking it out. I saw so many animals I had never seen before! There are also plenty of things to do! Here’s everything you need to know before heading to the Steve Erwin Zoo:

  • Where is it?
  • How much does it cost?
  • What animals can you see?
  • What else is there to do?

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Where Is the Australia Zoo?

The Australia Zoo is located at 1638 Steve Irwin Way, Beerwah QLD 4519, Australia. Since the zoo is in Beerwah, that is naturally a good place to stay if you want to be close. If you are wanting to stay on the water, Caloundra and Currimundi are nearby costal towns you may want to consider staying at. Use the map below to check out hotels near Australia Zool!

How Much Does It Cost?

A basic ticket costs $60 for an adult, $35 for a child age 3-24, or $47 for a student. There are also family bundles: $172 for two adults and two kids, or $189 for two adults and three kids. There are also added bonuses if you want to do the hospital sneak peek, an animal encounter, or any of the other experiences mentioned below. This zoo is so large you may need two days to see it all, so there are two-day passes available on their website as well. Check out all of the ticket prices and purchase your tickets here!

What Animals Can You See?

The Australia Zoo is home to over 100 different kids of animals! My favorites where the animals that come to mind when I think of Australia – kangaroos, koalas, dingoes, and of course, crocodiles! It was fun to see animals I had never heard of, such as the echidna, and animals I had heard of but had never seen, such as the Tasmanian devil. Although seeing these animals was amazing, the coolest experience was doing an animal encounter! Read more about my animal encounter experience in my other post: Steve Erwin Zoo – Animal Encounters! To see the updated list of all the animals in the zoo, visit their website here.

What Else Is There To Do?

Animal Encounters

Although this experience is not cheap at around $99 per person, it is an amazing experience! Getting to hug a koala or feed lemurs is sure to be a highlight of your trip! When people ask me what I did on my trip to Australia, I always mention meeting lemurs, koalas, and kangaroos at the Australia Zoo! I’m going to write a whole post about these experiences. Subscribe so you don’t miss it!

Wildlife Hospital Tour

If you are interested in learning more about animals and how the zoo takes care of them, this tour may be right for you! Go behind the scenes to see what work is being done at the zoo. This tour is affordable at $19 per adult and $9 per child, and the profits go directly to the wildlife hospital. You will want to book this experience early as there are only two tours a day (2:30pm and 3:30pm) and only eight people are allowed on each tour. Learn more about this tour here!

Segway Back of House Tour

Nobody in my family had never ridden Segway before, so we thought this was the perfect place to do it! They are actually pretty easy to get the hang of, and a lot of fun! Going on this tour gave me a greater understanding of how large this zoo really is, and I got to learn more about how the keepers take care of the animals. Riding the Segway path also gave us a great view of the rhinos and a closer look at the meerkat exhibit. I would definitely recommend this tour – especially if you have never ridden a Segway before! This 45 minute ride costs $60 per person. Book your Segway tour here!

Hire a Caddie Tour

My family did not personally go on this tour as we like to explore on our own, but if you prefer going on guided tours this may be for you! On this tour, a group of 2-4 is escorted through the zoo by a knowledgeable tour guide. These $499 tours last 5 hours, so there is room before and after the tour to explore on your own. The total time of the tour includes the time spent watching shows and going on animal encounters, so you may want to book those before or after the tour to make the most of your time. If you want to book a caddie tour, visit their site here.

Platinum Zoo Adventure

Platinum Zoo Adventure tours last the entire day: 8am – 5pm. The price is not listed online, so you will need to contact the zoo here to find out pricing and booking information. Typically when you need to contact someone to get the price, it’s going to be expensive. You do get a lot in this package, so I can see why it would cost more. A group of up to four people get a VIP tour of the wildlife hospital, 6 animal encounters, morning and afternoon tea, lunch, and more! It really is the VIP experience! You will need to book these tours far ahead of time, so contact the zoo now if this tour is right for you!

I have personally been on the Segway tour and went on an animal encounter. Have you done any of the other tours? Let me know in the comments!

Anna’s Pick of the Week

When I travel, I know I’m going to take a lot of pictures while also being very active. This means I want to be comfortable while still looking stylish! Old Navy has the best of both worlds which is why I love them for both travel and my daily duties as a teacher. Check out their site using this link!

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Everglade Airboat Tour – What to Expect – Florida

Riding an everglade airboat is a popular activity for visitors traveling to Florida. My family of seven recently got a chance to experience this ride for ourselves, and we were not disappointed! Now I want to help others understand what to expect if they choose to go on an airboat tour. In this post, you will find out:

  • How much does a tour cost?
  • What will I see on the tour?
  • What should I bring on the tour?
  • Should I worry about motion sickness?
  • Is it worth the money?

How Much Does A Tour Cost?

Everglades Swamp Tours and many other everglade airboat tour companies offer two types of tours – group or private. If you want the boat just for your group and don’t mind paying a bit more, a private tour is the way to go. This is what my family chose to do because there were seven of us, so we just about took up a whole boat anyway. The cheaper option is going on a group tour, which means other families and tourists may be on the boat with you. Unless you are traveling with a large group, the cheaper tour may be your best option. After all, meeting fellow travelers is part of the adventure! Below are the different lengths of tours available at Everglades Swamp Tours and their costs:

  • 1 hour group tour – $50 per adult and $25 per child (age 6-12)
  • 1 hour private tour – $200 for 2 people and $50 for each additional person
  • 1.5 hour private tour – $275 for 2 people and $50 for each additional person
  • 2 hour private tour – $375 for 2 people and $50 for each additional person

What Will I See On The Tour?

When we took this tour we saw a lot of sawgrass and water, as well as some amazing creatures! The Everglades are mostly covered in sawgrass with sections that have been cleared out either naturally or by boat tours. I anticipated we would stay along the cleared out paths, but that was not the case! Our driver went off the beaten path straight into sections of sawgrass! Every boat driver we saw out there did the same thing. Riding through sawgrass was actually my favorite part!

Of course, the most amazing parts were when we saw gators in their natural habitat. In a cleared out area our driver stopped the boat as he saw a gator approaching. It swam over toward us and went alongside the boat, almost as if he was greeting us! It was AMAZING, and I know these boat drivers do their best to give everyone a similar experience. We saw plenty of wildlife on the tour, and even got to see mother gators protecting their nests. I would encourage anyone visiting Florida to take an everglade airboat ride!

What Should I Bring On The Tour?

There is not a cover on the boat, so don’t forget your sunscreen! I would not count on a hat covering your face as it would fly off during the ride. In fact, the driver recommends everyone wearing a baseball cap turns it around so the bill is in the back. I didn’t notice a bug problem as we were going fast most of the time, but if you are worried about it then wearing bug spray is a good idea. Wearing sunglasses is also recommended. If you have those few things, you should be good to go! The driver provides water and earplugs which is very convenient, as well as a gator head for photo ops!

Should I Worry About Motion Sickness?

My family has several people who get motion sickness easily. If we are planning on anything from long car rides to theme parks to boats, we make sure to have motion sickness pills. This is one boat where none of us needed it! The ride is surprisingly smooth, and none of us felt remotely sick the entire time. If you are still a bit nervous about getting sick, I always recommend Bonine. It’s what I use every time I know I could get motion sickness, and it has never made me drowsy.

Is It Worth The Money?

Yes! This everglade airboat tour was DEFINITELY the highlight of my family’s trip! I would highly recommend it to anyone. Our tour guide was funny and informative having grown up in the area. Everglades Swamp Tours is also great about rescheduling, especially for bad weather. There was a thunderstorm the day of our initial booking which made it unsafe to go out. The company changed our booking for us at no extra cost! That being said, I would plan on doing this earlier in the trip rather than later in case something like this happens to you.

Anna’s Pick of the Week

The Florida sun can be brutal, especially on an everglade airboat with no roof. Several of my family members (including myself) were unprepared. This is why I recommend you prepare for the sun with a sun-protecting shirt. These kinds of shirts are lightweight so you won’t get too hot, but they do a great job of protecting you from the sun!

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Honest Guide to Bucerías, Mexico

Bucerías is a town just outside of Puerto Vallarta in Nayarit, Mexico. My family first visited this small town when I was less than a year old, and we still go back every two to three years. This is my favorite place in Mexico, and I hope my advice will help you enjoy it as much as I have.

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Image via Booking.com

Where to Stay

Corita Bungalows (Corita Hotel y Suites)

This is my family’s all-time favorite place to stay. The rooms are simple, yet have everything you need for a comfortable stay. A typical room has two bedrooms, two baths, a kitchen with a full-sized fridge, dining table and chairs, a living room with two couches and a TV, and a balcony. Nearly every room faces the ocean, but if you book a room right on the beach you are ON the beach. You can literally drop something from your balcony and it would land in the sand, which I love! The pool is a comfortable temperature and the covered outdoor area by the pool is great for playing games and taking a break from the sun. You will see beach vendors, massages, and options for banana boat rides all from the comfort of your beach chair. Walk along the beach or the road just ten minutes and you will end up at the heart of Bucerías!

Places to Eat

Mariscos El Gordo (El Gordo’s)

If you want to eat with your feet in the sand (and trust me, you do), then El Gordo’s is the place to go! Conveniently located near the town center and shops, this is a great place for anyone who wants an authentic meal with great atmosphere. El Gordo’s has local singers almost every night, and if they don’t you can be serenaded (for a tip) by a mariachi singer walking along the beach. Seafood lovers and those of us who don’t love seafood are sure to find something amazing on the menu.

Red Apple Place

From the main square, walk across the “kissing bridge” to find this amazing rooftop restaurant! Under the “Red Apple Place” sign is the staircase up to the restaurant. Although it is open for other meals as well, my family loves to go here for breakfast. Fresh squeezed juice paired with an amazing view is the best way to start your day.

Street Cart

You really can’t get more authentic – or delicious – than the local street carts. These restaurants have carts comparable to hot dog stands in the states and the seating is usually plastic chairs in the street. There are several in Bucerías, so try them all! I personally love carne asada tacos, but you can get adventurous and try out some beef tongue!

Ice Cream

If you look up this store on Google Maps, it simply comes up as “ice cream”. This shop is located right next to the “plaza principal de Bucerías” (the town square). Nearly every night you can find local kids here playing the arcade games. If you’re a fan of lime, you MUST try the lime ice cream! I have tried every kind of lime ice cream around my house but nothing comes close to the tart, refreshing taste of the ice cream here.

Things to do

Shopping

The shops around the main square are filled with local work as well as typical souvenirs. The prices at these stands are not set in stone, so you can barter if you choose. The same thing goes for vendors you see walking along the beach. Be sure to check all of the store before purchasing anything as many stores have similar items and different prices.

Kissing Bridge

As mentioned earlier, you cross over the “kissing bridge” while walking to the Red Apple Place. This bridge has beautiful artwork painted along it, and can only be accessed by foot. It’s a perfect photo opportunity for a couple traveling together.

Banana Boat

If you are hanging out on the beach, you are sure to see a banana boat pass by. Sometimes the boat driver drives up and asks if you want a ride, and sometimes you will have to flag them down if you see them first. Ask the driver for the cost per person as it varies by driver. Each person will be required to wear a life vest and you can choose to be flipped over at the end of the ride or not. I always ask to be flipped off because I think it’s a lot of fun! The boat stays close to the shore, so don’t worry if you are not a strong swimmer.

Aquaventuras Park

This water park is a quick bus ride away from the center of Bucerías. Between the kiddie area, lazy river, tall slides, and dolphin encounters, you are sure to find something for everyone! Tanning in a lounge chair is a great option for those who don’t like the water. You are welcome to bring your own food and drinks, or you can purchase snacks there.

What else would you like to know about Bucerías? Let me know in the comments!

Anna’s Pick of the Week:

Image via ZAFUL

I bought this swimsuit at the beginning of summer for tanning, and I love it! The colors are just as bright in person and they are on the pictures, and I really couldn’t be happier with it! Check it out here!

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Things to Do on Oahu, Hawaii

Oahu is the main island of Hawaii. It is home to the famous Waikiki Beach, North Shore, and the state’s capital: Honolulu. This island has many activities to offer all ages, some you may not even know about!

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

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Beach

The most obvious thing to do on an island is go to the beach. Waikiki has many water activities available including surfing, paddle boarding, snorkeling, outrigger canoe surfing, and much more! For the more adventurous, parasailing, waterskiing, and riding on a banana boat are all great options available on Waikiki. If you’re looking for a bit more relaxation, you can always grab a mai tai and lay on the beach! For more advanced surfers, you may want to head to the North Shore on the opposite side of the island. This world famous surf spot is sure to amaze!

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Underwater Scooter

This unique experience will likely be the highlight of your trip! The BOB underwater scooters take you underwater while your head remains in a bubble of air. A bag of fish food floats in front of you to ensure you meet all kinds of tropical fish! The scooters are easy to maneuver and fun to drive! I would recommend this exciting experience to anyone visiting Oahu!

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Hanauma Bay

This popular snorkel spot is great for beginners, and still amazing for experts! The reef surrounding the bay breaks up waves which keeps the water in the bay calm. Sharks and other large fish are also kept out by this reef, leaving plenty of fish inside the bay. The shallow water makes this spot a great starting point for those just learning how to snorkel. If you are not planning on getting in the water, there is a beachy area where you can lay out and relax.

Dole Plantation

The Dole pineapple plantation is located on Oahu, just 40 minutes outside of Honolulu. Here you take a stroll through the growing pineapples, grab some lunch at the visitor center, or take one of the tours available. Garden and train tours are popular, as well as the pineapple garden maze (1). My personal favorite thing at the plantation is the Dole whip! Dole whip is pineapple ice cream which can be eaten as soft serve or as a float with pineapple juice. There is nothing better than Dole whip on a hot day!

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Pearl Harbor

This historical navy base is a great place to visit, especially if you love history. I personally never loved history growing up, but this harbor was very interesting to visit. Hearing the stories of everyone present during the attack on pearl harbor made the event more real and somber, but also made me more appreciative of the memorial itself. This is a great addition to any Hawaiian vacation.

What else would you add to this list? Let me know in the comments!

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References

(1) https://www.doleplantation.com