Travel

10 Fun Things To Do In Bar Harbor Maine

One of the places that I’ve always wanted to visit is Maine. The thought of seeing beautiful lighthouses and eating lobster sounded great. And let’s get real. For this Texas girl, visiting anyplace in the summer with temperatures below 90 degrees sounded like Heaven. So when the time came for my husband and me to actually plan our trip to Maine, we decided to spend most of our time in Bar Harbor. Here are 10 Fun Things To Do In Bar Harbor Maine.

Why Bar Harbor?

If you love beautiful scenery and outdoor adventures in the summer, Maine is the place. And for us, Bar Harbor, a tourist destination on Mount Desert Island, seemed to offer the most bang for your buck!

Bar Harbor sits on Frenchman Bay and is right by Acadia National Park, which offers hiking, bike trails and beautiful mountains, ponds, and beaches to explore.

If you are looking for traditional Maine lobster, you won’t be disappointed. You can get steamed lobster and lobster rolls from many restaurants and lobster pounds. Bar Harbor is the place to enjoy the wonderful things that Maine has to offer.

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Where to Stay in Bar Harbor

As with any tourist destination, there are a number of big and small hotels, bed and breakfasts, campgrounds and vacation rentals. We opted to rent a condo through VRBO.

The one bedroom condo we chose was perfect for the two of us. It was 3 miles from the entrance to Acadia National Park and walking distance to everything in Bar Harbor.

Things To Do In Bar Harbor Maine : Acadia National Park

We started our day at the Hulls Cove Visitors Center to get our park passes. We were about to purchase the $30 pass for a private vehicle that is good for 7 days. However, a particularly astute park employee surmised that one of us may be 62 (and it wasn’t me…just yet) and suggested the Annual Senior Pass for just $20. This pass would get us into any National Park for a year. SCORE for being on THIS side of 50!

We could have purchased the $30 pass online and not gone to the Visitor’s Center, but I’m glad we did. First, because they have nice bathrooms and for me, it’s always good to stop at a clean one before I head out ANYWHERE (can I get an Amen?). Secondly, I was able to talk to one of the park rangers about our plans and get some great direction from these very friendly and knowledgeable folks.

We were there during the peak of the summer season in July, so the park was full of people and parking at the main attractions is limited unless you get there early.

The Island Explorer Bus offers transportation to all the main park attractions from Bar Harbor or the Visitor’s Center. But after talking to the park ranger, we decided to chance it with our car because she said that the buses were often crowded and there was a wait to get to where you wanted to go. As far as transportation goes, it seems to be six of one, half dozen of the other. The main tip is to go and see what you want to see EARLY in the day.

What We Did At Acadia National Park

Sand Beach – This is a gorgeous 290-yard long beach nestled in an inlet with granite mountains on one side and the rocky shores of Mt. Desert Island on the other. Although the water temperature rarely rises above 55 degrees in the summer, we saw a few of the many people on the beach dipping their toes in the water.

There is a lifeguard on duty from Memorial Day through Labor Day and changing rooms are available near the parking area.

Hiked around Jordan Pond, which was formed by a glacier and is beautifully clear. There is no swimming or motorboats allowed so the atmosphere around this scenic place is peaceful and serene.

I like to walk so I thought hiking the Jordan Pond Trail would be a great outing one of the mornings we were there. When I hear the word “pond” I often think of the tiny, man-made pond in my neighborhood. Don’t be fooled! The trail around Jordan Pond is 3.3 miles. And although most of it is well-maintained and relatively flat, there are areas of large rocks you’ll need to walk/climb/step over if you want to make the full loop. But it is so worth it!

Following our hike, we had lunch at the historic Jordan Pond House, which is right off the trail. Jordan Pond House opened in the 1800’s and is famous for its popovers. We arrived about 10:30 am and were able to get our name on the list to be seated at 11. Don’t be discouraged by the crowds. Jordan Pond House is large with both indoor and outdoor seating and the wait probably won’t be long.

We lunched on lobster salad, blueberry lemonade and of course, Popovers!

Cadillac Mountain – Standing over 1500 feet, Cadillac Mountain is the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard and the first place to view the sunrise in the U. S. from October 7 – March 6. Getting there early to see the sunrise or going in the evening to view the sunset is one of the most popular things to do in Acadia National Park.

We took the scenic Summit Road to the top of Cadillac Mountain in the afternoon, stopping at several of the scenic overlooks along the way. Each one provided beautiful views of ponds, the ocean, bays, and mountains. Truly breathtaking.

When you arrive at the Summit, there is a large trail where you can walk to different points and take some gorgeous pictures as you look down on Bar Harbor, Frenchman Bay and see the blue expanse of the Atlantic.

Whale Watching in Bar Harbor

There are several cruise lines that offer whale watching tours in Bar Harbor. We chose to take Acadian Boat Tours Sightseeing in Nature Tour which promised that we would see some wildlife, not whales specifically. This tour was a 2-hour cruise with an extremely knowledgeable tour guide.

We got lucky that day and we did see whales. Or I should say the blow holes and fins of some small whales. If you think you are going to see a Shamu type creature jumping out of the water, that probably won’t happen.

Other wildlife we saw were seals, jellyfish, porpoises and a bald eagle that flew over us just like it was a scripted show! It was awesome to see.

We also learned about the history of the area, saw some gorgeous “summer cottages” (mansions) and enjoyed the beautiful scenery of Coastal Maine. Pictured here is the Egg Rock lighthouse.

Acadian Boat Tours also offers these tours:

Sunset Cruise
Fishing Trips
Puffins, Lighthouse and Seabirds Cruise
VIP Somes Sound Fjord & Harbors Tour

I was so impressed with this tour company from the first person we talked to who guided me to a cruise where I would not get seasick to the captain and the tour guide. I highly recommend this company!

More Things To Do In Bar Harbor

Shop in the Bar Harbor Shopping District which is really the 5 or 6 streets that makeup Bar Harbor proper. Lots of specialty stores, touristy places, coffee shops, restaurants, and bars! Something for everybody!
Explore all the things there are to do in Acadia National Park. Take a Ranger Guided Cruise or Bike Tour. Explore the many different places to hike or rock climb.
Visit Agamont Park – a beautiful park on Frenchman Bay with plenty of benches to sit on and enjoy the scenery.
Take a relaxing stroll down the Shore Path, which you can pick up at Agamont Park. Relatively flat and not too long. An easy stroll where you can see great views of the coast an islands in the bay.
Have a cup of coffee at Coffee Hound Coffee Bar. Delicious hand-crafted specialty coffee and espresso.
Dine outdoors or enjoy at a cocktail at Bar Harbor Inn’s Terrace Grille. The perfect location for outdoor dining overlooking the bay.

Have you been to Bar Harbor? What is your favorite thing to do there?

Watch for my next post where I tell you about all the great places to eat in Bar Harbor!

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August 21, 2018 6 comments

Travel

Ship Sponsored or Independent Shore Excursions | Which One Is Right for You?

One of the most exciting parts of any cruise is getting off the ship at the various ports and going on a shore excursion. I remember when I took my first cruise. I started reading about all the fun and exciting ship sponsored shore excursions. But there are other types of shore excursions besides what the cruise line offers. So here’s the question: Ship Sponsored or Independent Shore Excursions | Which One Is Right For You?

Ship Sponsored Shore Excursions

The most convenient way to book a shore excursion is through your cruise line. Other reasons to book through your cruise line are:

The excursions are carefully vetted and validated for quality and reliability. From their experience with thousands of passengers, cruise lines offer excursions that they know their passengers will enjoy.
You can apply any onboard credits you have toward the cost.
The ship guarantees to wait for you, even if your tour is delayed and you are late getting back to the ship.

Here are two tours we booked through our cruise line on when we went on an Alaskan cruise. Both were excellent and worth the cost.

White Pass and Yukon Route Railway Tour

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Shore Excursions With Independent Providers

[bctt tweet=”Did you know that you can book a shore excursion in advance through an independent provider? #shoreexcursion #cruise” username=”MySideof50″]

Did you know that you could book a shore excursion in advance with an independent provider through sites like Shorefox and Viator? Here are some reasons to consider booking through an independent provider:

They have different types of tours that may not be available through the cruise line.
Sometimes they offer the same tours as the cruise line but for less money.
Their tours often have fewer people than those offered through the cruise line.
You can read detailed reviews and see photographs from travelers who have taken these excursions.
You can find providers who guarantee that you’ll get back to the ship on time OR they will pay for you to get to the next port to get back on the ship.

Going on an Alaskan Cruise? Get my Ultimate Packing List Here

Shore Excursions With Private Guides

Private Guides take individuals or small groups around to the main sites and are able to tailor your tour toward your interests.
Choose guides with some type of accreditation through the local tourism board or tour guide association.
Book in advance rather than negotiating with someone who comes up to you when you get off the ship.
Do your research. Go on message boards on sites like CruiseCritic.com where you can ask for recommendations on guides from experienced cruisers.
You can also research private guides by contacting the local tourist office in the city where you’ll be touring.

Hop-on Hop-Off Bus Shore Excursion

Many ports have a bus line like this operated by operators like City Sightseeing or Big Bus Tours that are reliable, have quality information and good prices.

You can usually purchase tickets and get on near where you disembark the ship.
With these tours, you’ll get a map of the city, transportation to key sites and recorded commentary.
You can get off at the sites you want to see and get back on to go to the next destination. These buses run on a frequent schedule, so you don’t have to worry about long waits for transportation.

Self Touring Shore Excursions

You can have a custom tour experience without spending a lot of money by doing a self-tour. I’ve done two of these on our Alaskan Cruise with great success:

4 Fun Things To Do In Ketchikan

Juneau, Alaska Shore Excursion

If you decide to go the self-tour route, research your destination to find the must-see sites and the most cost-effective way to get there.
Read advice on cruise forums and cruise travel reviews to get the best information on your destination.

With so many options, take the time to look into each one. You’ll certainly find the best shore excursion at each port for you!

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July 3, 2018 2 comments

Travel

11 Fabulous Things To Do In Charleston

Every year I take a trip with my girlfriends. This year it was my turn to choose the location, so I picked Charleston, SC. We went in early May and the weather was fabulous – sunny and in the 70’s. Here are 11 Fabulous Things To Do In Charleston.

Street in Charleston. Building with Red door surrounded by baskets of flowers

Photo by Meredyth DeBoer

Rent a House at the Beach

After we picked Charleston, we needed to find a place to stay, which wasn’t easy. Charleston is not a LARGE city by megacity standards. Places within Charleston proper are expensive. And we didn’t find out until we arrived that we were there on a major college graduation weekend, so I’m sure that contributed to the accommodation scarcity and prices!

When we travel together, we like to have our own bedrooms, so we often look for a house to accommodate us house on VRBO. I found a cute little 4 bedroom beach cottage outside of Charleston at Folley Beach, complete with a screened in porch that got a nice breeze. We enjoyed our coffee and the scent of magnolias on the porch every morning. The location was great. It was a 20-minute drive to all the places we wanted to see in Charleston.

Take a Carriage Tour

We started our first day in Charleston with a carriage tour around the city taking in all the historic sites. Doing this first allowed us to get our bearings so that we knew how to get around and see some of the other places we wanted to go.

Since a carriage tour ride is the quintessential touristy thing to do in Charleston, there are numerous carriage tour companies to choose from. We booked ours through Classic Carriage Works.

We booked an early in the day tour in advance, but we could have easily waited to book the tour when we arrived. Although we would not have had our choice of times, we probably would have been able to get on one within an hour. One advantage of going on one of the early tours is that you have a better chance of finding a place to park your car for the day since downtown parking is VERY LIMITED.

There are several types of tours you can choose from, depending on your interests. We took the Charleston History Tour. There is also a Civil War Tour or Slavery to Freedom Tour. Private tours and adults-only tours are also offered.

We had a super fun (and handsome) tour guide who gave us an hour tour through the historic district where we saw lots of homes (including Patricia’s from Southern Charm) and historic churches. Did you know that Charleston is often referred to as the “Holy City” because of all the majestic steeples and spires you can see as you drive through town?

Photo by Harriet Hollingshead

After our tour, we took a short walk over to the Charleston City Market, which is a historic open-air market where slaves used to take their wares to sell. In addition to touristy things, they have crafty and handmade items, a great lemonade stand and clean restrooms.

Have Brunch at Poogan’s Porch

Next on the list was brunch at Poogan’s Porch! OMG, was that wonderful! I had the BEST Bloody Mary made with Dixie Black Pepper Vodka, Charleston Mix & pickled okra, followed by an appetizer of Fried Green Tomatoes with Peach and Blueberry Chutney and a main course of Shrimp & Grits. You don’t get much more Southern than that.

And lest I forget the biscuits….

Other favorites: Pogan’s Salty Dog, Pulled Pork Benedict & French Toast.

Restaurant Tip: Many of the most popular restaurants in the city are open daily for brunch. Great option if you can’t get a dinner reservation or just want to go to brunch.

Go Shopping on King Street

We spent the afternoon on King Street – a LONG street for shopping. One end has unique high-end boutiques, antique stores, and art galleries. The other end has more of the luxury retailers you’d see at home.

Visit the Cemetery at the Unitarian Church of Charleston

Photo by Meredyth DeBoer

The cemetery at the 2nd oldest church in Charleston is a beautiful spot with gravestones dating back to the 1700’s. The pathways are maintainted for visitors, but the plots and grave markers have been given over to nature. Vines, shrubs, and trees grow among, around and through the cemetery. Ghost Tours of Charleston even offers a tour of the cemetery at night!

Rainbow Row

A street with beautiful homes in a rainbow of colors. One of the prettiest streets in Charleston.

Photo by Meredyth DeBoer

Charleston Tea Plantation

The Charleston Tea Plantation is not a plantation in the “Gone With the Wind” sense, but an actual working plantation where they grow tea. In fact, it’s the only place in the US where tea is grown.

The plantation is picturesque with huge trees and a nice picnic area. They have a large gift shop with many different varieties of hot and cold tea to sample. If you are interested in how tea is cultivated, take the 45-minute trolley tour. We had a delightful tour guide and the tour was most informative. If your time is limited and you are not SUPER INTERESTED in tea, I would skip this.

Middleton Place

Middleton Place is the home of the oldest landscaped gardens in America. When you visit, you will see 65 acres of formal landscaped gardens, and get a look at 18th and 19th-century plantation life with costumed craftspeople and historic animal breeds in the plantation stableyards.

When I heard about the gardens, I thought of flowers. There aren’t many flowers, but it is a gorgeous place with big trees, ponds, creeks and sculpted bushes. There is so much to see and do, I wish we had started our day there.

We enjoyed walking through the gardens:

Seeing the animals:

And the authentic look of plantation life they offered:

Man splitting wood in 18th century costume

Photo by Meredyth DeBoer

If you go to Middleton Place, make it the first stop of your day. There is so much more to see and do there than we were able to do, including a tour of the original house.

Dinner at Wild Olive Cucina Italiana, Johns Island

Dinner at this lovely farm to table restaurant features house-made pasta and dishes made with primarily locally sourced food. Pasta and seafood are outstanding!

Breakfast or Lunch at Lost Dog Café, Folly Beach

A little breakfast and lunch place off the beaten path featuring all your breakfast and lunch favorites – bagels, biscuits & gravy, eggs benedict, sandwiches, salads, and wraps. My favorite – Blackened Salmon BLT Wrap with grilled blacked salmon, fried green tomatoes, crumbled bacon, romaine, and Cajun mayo. This wrap is HUGE. You could definitely split this with someone.

Dinner at The Fat Hen, Johns Island

Authentic French Cuisine in a casual, family atmosphere. Delicious steaks, seafood, Southern fare. Get the Flounder Nicoise and don’t’ miss out on the Bacon Cheese Grits.

We had such a wonderful time in Charleston. I wish we had had more time. Put this on your list of the best girl’s trip destinations!

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June 10, 2018 3 comments

Travel

The Cruise Beverage Package | Is It Worth It?

When you put down a substantial chunk of change for a cruise, you may be surprised to find out that although it’s all-inclusive, the one thing it doesn’t include is beverages – other than your basic tap water, coffee and tea. You incur additional charges for any alcohol, bottled water, soft drinks, fruity frozen mocktails or specialty coffees you consume. So should you purchase a Cruise Beverage Package?

When you first start researching your Cruise Beverage Package and see the PRICE PER DAY PER PERSON you may say NO WAY! I’ll just pay as I go. There is NO WAY I will drink that much. And that may be true.

But before you decide, take a look at the average price per beverage when you purchase them a la carte:

Glass of wine $9-10
Cocktail – $12-17
Bottled Water – $4
Specialty Coffee – $5-7
Soda – $4-5
Beer – $6-10

Then see if any of these scenarios apply to you:

You don’t want a steep and unknown beverage charge at the end of your cruise. If you are on a budget, purchasing a drink package “up front” will save you an unexpected bill at the end of your cruise.
You drink bottled water. Or you may want to take bottled water with you when you leave the ship for a shore excursion. Think you’ll save money & just pick up a bottled water at the 7-11 as you walk off the ship? There is not a 7-11 when you get off the ship. And for some shore excursions, you may want to have a bottle of water with you.
You enjoy coffee shop style beverages. If you like these specialty coffee drinks in the morning, as an afternoon pick-me-up or after dinner, you can really run up a bill. Think the price of a Starbucks each time you get one. And since you will likely pass their Starbucks like coffee bar several times a day, you’ll be drinking more of them than when you are at home. Why? Because you are on vacation!
You drink soda or juice. Or you are traveling with kids who will be ordering a soda everywhere they go on the ship.
You enjoy a mocktail or a fruity frozen concoction. There’s something about being on a cruise that just makes it impossible to resist these fun drinks.
You enjoy beer, wine or a cocktail.

Before you decide NOT to purchase the Cruise Beverage Package, add up the cost per drink per person per day and see what your estimated cost will be. Even if your number is under the price but close, get the beverage package. You will be drinking more of whatever it is you drink on a cruise. The average number of beverages is 6-7 per day on sea days. Less on the days you are on shore excursions.

Get My Alaskan Cruise Packing List Here!

What to look for before purchasing a beverage package:

Look at the choices. Some cruise lines make it easy and give you just 3 choices:

A package that includes all types of beverages that aren’t included with your cruise price.
A soda package
A coffee package

Some even offer additional packages:

Wine & Beer only

And then some really break it down to the brand of liquor you prefer. Are you someone that absolutely has to have a certain brand of liquor in your drink? Then look for the package (if offered) where that brand is included.

Purchasing a wine or beer package? Is that by the glass or by the bottle? Is that the house chardonnay? What type of beer is included – domestic or imported?

Are you a Pepsi drinker but only Coca-Cola products are served on the ship? If they don’t have the soda you drink, no point in buying a soda package.

For cocktails, drinks up to a certain price point are the only ones included. For example, your package includes drinks that cost up to $10. But you want to order a drink that costs $11. You will not be allowed to pay the $1 difference. The entire $11 will be billed to your cabin if you order your drink.

Have a different drinking style than your cabin mate? Some cruise lines require cabin mates to purchase the same beverage package. If you and your cabin mate have different drinking preferences, this may not work.

Ask your cruise line to answer specific questions about the price per drink and what brands are included in each package. It may not be on their website but you can call and ask.

Want to know all the details including what’s in the “fine print” for each cruise line’s beverage packages? See Cruise Critic’s post: Bottoms Up! A Guide to Cruise Lines All-You-Can-Drink Packages.

Cruise Critic also has a great forum for asking questions answered by experienced cruisers.

Wondering what to pack for your Alaskan Cruise? Get my packing list here!

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June 6, 2018 3 comments

Travel

Top 10 Tips To Stay Safe When You Travel

This post was sponsored by Allianz Global Assistance. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

As I sit down to write this post, it seems like most of the U.S. is experiencing blizzards, ice and altogether miserable winter weather. And what else is there to do when you are stuck inside on a super cold day? Start planning your next vacation! You’ll likely have so much fun planning where to go, how to get there, where to stay and what to do. But do you ever make a plan for travel safety? How to keep yourself, your belongings and your identity safe in the new places you’ll go? Here are my Top 10 Tips To Stay Safe When You Travel.

In big cities, you should know the areas which are safe and those which are dangerous for tourists.
Travel like a Local: When visiting any location, know your surroundings and plan your route in advance. Be aware of how the locals talk and dress and avoid actions that will make you “stand out” as a tourist.
Check out travel guides and reviews before you take any excursions, tours or adventures. You want to make sure that the vendor is reputable and that you will get what is promised, have a good experience and are safe.
Don’t post itineraries or locations on social media! Posting your itinerary or location on social media allows potential thieves to keep track of where you are, making it easier for them to time a crime – both where you are and at home! Wait and share all those vacation pictures when you get home.
Don’t leave your bags unattended. You’d think that would be obvious. But it’s amazing how many bags are stolen when you set them down just for a minute and aren’t looking (think the baggage claim at the airport). If you aren’t vigilant, you are a target for thieves who are very adept, fast and determined to steal your bag.
Only carry in your purse or wallet what you absolutely need. Take just the credit cards you’ll be using, your ID and cash for the day. If you must carry your passport, carry it close to your body.
Keep a record of important documents in a place other than your purse or wallet. If your wallet or important documents like your driver’s license, credit & debit cards, and medical insurance cards get stolen, this will help you know who to call and what to tell them.
Don’t show your valuables around. Walking around with your big, expensive camera around your neck, especially in an area where the value of that item is several times the local monthly income could be a problem. Put things of value that you must carry, like your technical devices in a daypack and only take them out when you need them.
Password protect your phone. Your phone stores sensitive information, such as access to your emails, and possibly even credit card information. If your phone is stolen, you don’t want thieves to be able to easily access it!
Get Travel Insurance. Depending on the company and policy you choose, travel insurance can provide:
- Financial protection if your trip is canceled or interrupted for any reason.
- Hotline assistance, which is especially helpful if you are in a country where you don’t speak the language.
- Arranging Medical Evacuations.

Travel insurance policies, such as those offered by Allianz Global Assistance, are designed to cover you with financial safeguards in the case of events ranging from inconveniences to calamities. Coverage may include both costs incurred before your trip, such as nonrefundable event tickets or hotel stays, and during your trip, including travel interruptions and medical expenses.

You may think you don’t need it because you have certain safeguards with the airlines, cruise lines or travel agent you use. But maybe not.

For example, did you know that airlines aren’t obligated to do anything when your flights are delayed? When the airlines are the ones at fault, they may offer some assistance, but they’re not bound by law or duty to do so.

There are a number of similar misconceptions that travel insurance can guard against. Insurance comes packaged together with specific coverage benefits – the type and amount will range based on the provider and the package selected – that fill gaps where your travel plans may be exposed to a number of threats.

What kind of threats? Take lost baggage. Lost and damaged bags are the No. 2 complaint issued to the Department of Transportation. Additionally, while domestic airlines safely transport more than 99 percent of all luggage, international carriers still lag behind.

But a lost, damaged or even stolen luggage benefit is just one small benefit of most travel insurance offerings. Others may include:

Trip Cancellation Protection. This is the big one and includes reimbursement for non-refundable trip payments and deposits.
Trip Interruption Protection. Sometimes trips start on time and end prematurely due to forces of nature and other circumstances beyond your control. This benefit includes reimbursement for unused costs and transportation costs to return home.
24-Hour Hotline Assistance. While this doesn’t come with a dollar amount, getting real-time help when you’re in a pickle is invaluable. Especially if you don’t speak the native tongue. This can include the arrangement of evacuations for medical emergencies, pre-trip assistance, etc.
Coverage for financial default. What if the tour operator for your upcoming family vacation stops answering your calls? And then the line is disconnected and the company is out of business. Travel insurance may be your most reliable means of financial recourse.

How to choose a Travel Insurance Plan

Among the first considerations to make when selecting a travel insurance plan is whether to pursue trip-specific or annual coverage. Frequent travelers and those with a big family or young kids may want to carefully consider the cost savings that an annual plan can provide. It’s not hard to do the math: when travelers add up the piecemeal cost of insurance for the trips they plan to take in the next year and compare it to the annual price tag, there will be a more attractive choice.

At Allianz Global Assistance, offerings range from the affordable and simple Essential Plan, which may work for the quick weekend getaway, to the Classic Plan with Trip +, which is designed for families traveling abroad who may experience any number of unforeseen challenges and inconveniences. Travelers can find the plan that’s right for them by visiting the Travel Insurance Plan Finder.

One final note about travel insurance that doesn’t come with fine print or footnotes – and that’s peace of mind. It’s a product you hope you never need to use but appreciate when you have it, similar to other insurance products. Once you weigh the importance of this peace of mind, as well as the other factors outlined here, you’ll be closer to being able to decide whether travel insurance is right for your next trip.

Planning an Alaskan Cruise? Get the Ultimate Packing List for Your Alaskan Cruise here.

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January 5, 2018 32 comments

12 Tips for a Fun Family Beach Vacation | How to Choose A Vacation Rental | VRBO | Galveston

Family Travel

12 Tips for a Super-Fun Family Beach Vacation

We just got back from our annual family beach vacation in Galveston, Texas. We always rent a home through VRBO and have a great time just being together. Over the years, our family has grown and changed with the addition of grandchildren. And every time we take a trip together, I learn something new!

12 Tips for a Super-Fun Family Beach Vacation

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. If you purchase a product through my link, I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. I so appreciate every click-through and purchase! Every little bit helps to keep My Side of 50 up and running!

Choosing a House

Plan early to ensure you get a house that meets your needs in the location you want to be in. We reserved our house in January for an August vacation. We have always found stellar rentals on VRBO. But you have to do your research and read the fine print!

Think about the location you want:

Is it important to have an unobstructed view of the beach?
How far do you want to be from the beach?
Do you want to be able to drive your car on the beach? Make sure you are in a location that allows cars on the beach.
Will you be walking to the beach? Think about who is in your party and how far they can walk. Last year we rented a lovely home in a beach community that was advertised as “1/2 a block” from the beach. In truth, it was about 3 blocks from the bridge that crossed over to the beach. Not a bad walk for the adults in our party, but we had a 2-year-old with us. And since we thought it was a short walk, we did not bring a stroller or wagon for her. So getting to the beach was not convenient.
Is the home advertised as “across the street from the beach”? What street? A 2-lane road that is not busy OR a busy 5-lane highway that is very hard to cross safely on foot?

Read the fine print

2. Read the reviews. Make sure they are current – within the last year. If someone left a negative review and the owner has not responded with how that problem was fixed – beware.

3. Read what is included with the rental so that you can make your packing list. Are these items included?

Fully stocked kitchen with cooking and dining utensils
Beach towels
Bath towels
Bed linens
Grill
Cable TV & WiFi

It is not essential that the house is stocked with these items. But you do need to know what is included so that you know what you need to bring with you. Also, if TV and WiFi access is important, be sure and check to see if that is provided.

Plan Your Meals

We tend to go to the beach and eat all of our meals at the house. If this is what you will be doing:

4. Plan your meals ahead of time and buy your groceries before your come. Don’t forget things like PAM, foil, seasonings – things that you have at home and take for granted.

5. Keep your meals simple. We cooked our meat on the grill each evening – bratwurst, hot dogs, fajitas, steak & chicken. I also made this delicious broccoli salad that keeps well for a few days in the refrigerator.

6. Is there a grocery store close by? Or do you have to drive for a while to get groceries? At our location, the closest store was 7 miles from the house. It had the few things we forgot, but at jacked up prices! The closest large grocery store was 30 miles away, so we sucked it up and paid the higher prices.

7. If you want to eat out, what restaurants are close by? Do they meet the dietary needs of your family?

Things you might need if you are traveling with kids.

We had 3 kids with us – 6 months, 3 and 9. Quite a range.

8. You might need:

Portacrib
High chair
Baby gate if it is a 2 story house
Beach toys
Wagon to carry stuff to the beach. I bought this one that folds up and it was the best purchase I made for this whole trip! It held our towels, life jackets, boogie board, drinks – anything we wanted to take down to the beach.

Stuff for family fun:

9. This rolling cooler is great for hauling drinks and perishable snacks to the beach. And because it is tall, we carried our wine and other adult libations in it!

10. A big puzzle to work on all week. The adults in our family and our 9-year-old grandson enjoyed this – especially on the few afternoons when we had rain.

11. Games. Card and board games are always good. This year’s games were Speak Out and Hedbanz. Speak Out says it is for kids 16 and up, but it was great to play as a family with our 9-year-old. Batteries were needed for Hedbanz, so we didn’t get to play that one. So…don’t forget the batteries if your game needs them!

12. Goody bags – I always make little goody bags for everyone at the start of our vacation. Just for fun. Most of these items were purchased at the Dollar Store. Here’s what they got this year:

6-month-old grandson – reusable swim diaper and a nautical themed sleeper.
3-year-old granddaughter – water shoes, sunglasses, swim goggles & beach toys.
9-year-old grandson – boogie board, beach towel, & a woven straw beach mat
Adult daughters – flip flops & nail polish
Son-in-law – a bottle of bourbon

A little bit of thought on what you need. A little bit of research about where you’re going. And a whole lot of love and gratitude for the time spent together. That’s all it takes for a super fun family vacation.

You might also like: 5 Tips for An Awesome Multi-generational Family Vacation

A Beach Vacation in Galveston, Texas.

There are many, many options for accommodations, recreation, and dining in Galveston. We stay on the West End of the Island at Pointe West. Along with your rental, you can have access to their pool, lazy river and club for a small fee. The beach is private and kept very clean. There are no cars allowed on the beach in this location, so it’s very safe.

Here are the 2 homes we have rented in Pointe West Estates

2017 – This home was on the front row, giving us an unobstructed view of the beach. It was 3 houses down from the bridge that you walk over to go to the beach. Having a location that was a short, safe walk to the beach was our top priority this year. This was the nicest, most well stocked with extras rental I have ever stayed in. We will definitely go back.

2016 – A lovely home with the same floor plan as our 2017 rental. It’s about a 3 block walk (although advertised as a ½ block walk) from the bridge that you walk over to go to the beach. Lovely, clean home that was perfect for our needs. But with a 3-year-old and a baby this year, we wanted something that was a shorter walk to the beach.

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August 15, 2017 10 comments

Outer Banks Girls Trip 5 Fun Things to Do | OBX | Lunch at Aqua | Wright Brothers National Memorial | Currituck Beach Lighthouse | Wild Horse Adventure Tours | Dirty Dick's Crab House | Outer Banks Vacation | Outer Banks Travel Guide | Outer Banks, NC | Things to do in Outer Banks

Travel

Outer Banks Girls’ Trip | 5 Fun Things To Do in Outer Banks, NC

My Outer Banks Girls’ Trip started a little differently than many of the trips I take with my favorite travel buddies. Harriet & I tagged along with Cassie who was babysitting her precious grandson in Norfolk, VA for the week. He was a doll and didn’t deter us one bit from having a blast and laughing until we peed our pants (one of the “perks” of middle age)!

The Outer Banks of North Carolina (or OBX as the locals call it) are only about a 1 ½ hour drive from Norfolk. An easy day trip for Harriet & I. Here are the 5 fun things we experienced in this beautiful part of the country.

Wright Brothers National Memorial

Our first stop was at the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kitty Hawk, NC. The memorial that honors these two brothers who experimented with flight in the early 1900’s and eventually succeeded is a National Park. It costs $7 per person to get in and your admission ticket is good for 5 days.

Although the actual museum is under renovation until Fall 2018, there is plenty to see on the grounds:

Reproductions of the Wright Brothers’ camp buildings
Replicas of their 1902 Glider and 1903 Flyer
The monument commemorating the Wright Brothers’ achievement at the top of Big Kill Devil Hill

History and aviation buffs will enjoy a trip to the Wright Brothers National Memorial.

Aqua Restaurant and Spa in Duck, NC

View of the Sound from Aqua

Down the road a bit is the charming little town of Duck, NC. Filled with restaurants and cute shops, this is the place we decided to stop for lunch. We enjoyed cocktails and fish tacos that were fresh and wonderful while overlooking the breathtaking views of the sound. I loved their Tito Fresco cocktail so much, I made my own version when we got home. Check it out!

Currituck Beach Lighthouse

The Outer Banks are known for their beautiful lighthouses. The one closest to Duck was the Currituck Beach Lighthouse. This gorgeous lighthouse made of red brick is 162 ft. tall and was first lit in 1875. Visitors can climb up the 214 winding steps to the top for panoramic views of Currituck Sound, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Currituck Outer Banks.

Wild Horse Adventure Tours

Have you seen the great pictures of wild horses running together along the ocean’s shoreline? Seeing wild horses in action is the idea behind Wild Horse Adventure Tours and it was one of the main reasons we ventured to the Outer Banks.

Wild Horse Adventure Tours offer a 2-hour long tour along the beach and through the dunes of the Outer Banks in open air Hummers, designed to give you the best views of the OBX Wild Corolla Spanish Mustangs.

An experienced guide will drive you along the beautifully untouched beaches and through the dunes, where you will see these wild horses in their natural habitat.

Although it is rare to actually see the horses running along the beaches, they are gorgeous and majestic, no matter what they are doing.

We booked the day ahead, which is a good idea. There are a number of wild horse tours in the area. We saw some of them in lots of different vehicles – including the back of a pickup! That looked uncomfortable! Take the Wild Horse Adventure Tour and ride in the Hummer. A 2-hour ride in the dunes in an uncomfortable vehicle would make for a long afternoon….

Dirty Dick’s Crab House

We ended the day with a huge seafood dinner at Dirty Dick’s Crab House. We had seen signs for Dirty Dick’s along the highway all day and just had to see it for ourselves. Since I have a juvenile sense of humor, I couldn’t wait to post the drink napkin they gave me that said “I got my crabs at Dirty Dick’s” on Facebook.

Anyway – I had a seafood platter of delicious, fresh seafood and the most wonderful AUTHENTIC Key Lime Pie I had ever tasted. Dirty Dick’s is also open for breakfast and brunch. It was packed on a weeknight – a sure sign of good food and a great reputation!

If your travel plans take you anywhere near OBX, be sure to take in a few of these sights! We’re so glad that we did!

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5 Tips for Traveling With Friends

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July 18, 2017 19 comments

Do you ever travel with several generations of family? It can be a wonderful, fun, bonding experience. Follow this 5 tips to ensure everyone has a great time making memories together.

Family Travel

5 Tips For An Awesome Multigenerational Family Vacation

Have you ever taken a multigenerational family vacation? I remember taking them with my parents and kids when our girls were growing up.

And we continue that tradition by planning and annual vacation with our now adult daughters and their families!

I LOVE these vacations together. It gives us time to spend with our daughter who doesn’t live in the same city as the rest of us. It’s a fun time for cousins to play together. And it’s just nice to go someplace away from home and share new experiences.

But traveling with several generations does require some special consideration and planning. Following these 5 tips will ensure that EVERYONE in your family has a great time AND wants to do it again!

5 Tips for the Best Multigenerational Family Vacation

Family Vacation Tip #1 – Plan your dates FAR in advance.

When you are planning with several generations, figuring out a time when EVERYONE is available to go can be tricky. For example, my husband has been working for 40 years. He has more vacation time than he ever takes and can take his days just about any time he wants to.

Our kids, on the other hand, are just starting their careers. They are the “low-man on the totem pole” in their companies and are limited in the NUMBER of days they can take off and WHEN they can take off. So planning early enough for “the kids” to make arrangements is essential.

And as our grandkids get older and get involved in school and extra-curricular activities, there will be even more things to work around when scheduling.

Family Vacation Tip #2 – Have a “budget” conversation WELL BEFORE the trip.

Who is paying for what? For example, we rent a beach house every year and my husband and I foot the bill for that expense. However, in a few years, we will be on a fixed income and may not be able to do that.

What is each family’s travel budget? This will determine how far you can go away from home and what kind of accommodations you choose.

If you will be dividing up expenses, appoint one person to be in charge of this.

Family Vacation Tip #3 – Pick a place to stay that has SPACE.

The place you choose doesn’t have to be HUGE or especially glamorous. But it should allow for:

A place where everyone can get a good night’s sleep. Nothing is worse than a bunch of cranky kids, or worse yet, cranky adults because there isn’t a comfortable, quiet place to sleep at night. Don’t scrimp on this by piling 8 people into a hotel room!

A place where kids can play and be kids. A playground, pool or just open space for them to run around. A 5-star golf resort probably won’t allow many places for kids to be kids.

A place for some downtime for each family. You will have lots of togetherness on your trip. You will look forward to that time together. But there needs to be some time every day for each family to have a little time to themselves. Believe me, you’ll enjoy your extended family time more if you allow for this!

Family Vacation Tip #4 – Plenty of OPTIONS for activities

When you have several generations together, it is important to allow for different ages, energy levels, and interests. You may have 1 or 2 things that EVERYONE will want to do together. Otherwise, have your other activities be optional so that each family can choose what is best for them on a particular day.

Family Vacation Tip #5 – Divide up the work

Make no mistake – just because this is a vacation doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot of work involved. Making the travel plans, getting places on time, keeping up with kids, meals, toys, suitcases, nap times, snacks….it’s a LOT of work.

So try to anticipate the things that will need to be done and divide up these responsibilities ahead of time.

Some of these tasks might include:

Meals – if you are at a place where you are cooking your own meals, how will that chore be divided up?
If you are dining out, appoint someone to research restaurant options.
Do the adults want a night out? Who will watch the kids? (Don’t always ASSUME grandma & grandpa want to do this).
Who will drive and keep gas in the car?
Someone to be in charge of the schedule and figuring out what time you need to leave to get places on time.

We have so many great memories of our multigenerational family vacations together. In fact, our 8-year-old grandson spends time on each of our vacations planning the next one! With a little forethought, planning, and communication, you can have a wonderful time making great memories together!

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April 11, 2017 26 comments

Highlights of the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway Tour which was a shore excursion on our Alaskan Cruise. Includes time at Yukon Suspension Bridge. #alaskancruise #shoreexcursion

Travel

White Pass and Yukon Route Railway Tour Alaskan Cruise Excursion

One of the most highly-recommended and eagerly anticipated shore excursions on our Alaskan cruise was the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway Tour. Beginning in Skagaway, there are several different types of tours that you can take along this scenic line that was built in 1898 as transportation for tens of thousands of men and women on the hunt for gold in the Canadian Klondike.

White Pass and Yukon Route Railway Tour

The tour begins with a train ride in old-fashioned parlor cars that take you up 3,000 feet to the summit of White Pass. At Fraser, BC, you transfer into a deluxe motor coach and travel along the historic trail of ’98 to the White Pass summit and into the Yukon.

The Yukon Suspension Bridge

One of the highlights of the tour is a stop at the Yukon Suspension Bridge that rises 57 feet above the Tutshi River Canyon and is 200 feet across. I was only expecting a quick stop and walk across the bridge, but there is so much more at the bridge to see.

There is a restaurant where we were treated to a bowl of bison chili as part of our tour (nothing to write home about). If you don’t like the chili, there are hamburgers and sandwiches you can order, but it is very expensive. I recommend packing a snack.

The walk across the bridge was fun and the views of the Tutshi River and mountains were breathtaking. I am usually afraid of heights, but the walk across this bridge was exhilarating and breathtaking. It was totally secure and fenced in – nothing to be afraid of. I loved looking down at the rapids of the river and the scenic mountains in the distance.

This attraction also includes large, detailed, 3-D exhibits with information on:

The trails, geology, glaciers and traditional life of the area from Skagaway to Whitehorse.
Human History including First Nations and stories of the gold rush.
The natural history of the area and how High Country nature at 3,000 feet above sea level varies from the coastal environment at Skagway.
A walking trail that leads to an authentic trapper’s cabin.

There are beautiful flowers throughout the area, most of which is wheelchair accessible. There ARE parts that ARE NOT wheelchair accessible, but beautiful views can be enjoyed at every part of this great attraction.

After our time at the Yukon Suspension Bridge, we took our deluxe motor coach back down the highway to Skagway. We had a wonderful tour guide, many scenic views and time to stop for more photos.

This tour was one of the highlights of our trip! I highly recommend it!

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Juneau, Alaska Shore Excursion

The second port on our Alaskan Cruise was Juneau, Alaska and we opted for a do-it-yourself shore excursion instead of one booked through the cruise line. The weather was clear, warm and sunny, making it the perfect day to take the Mt. Roberts Tramway up 1800 feet to the top of Mt. Roberts.

Juneau, Alaska – A Do-It-Yourself Shore Excursion

Mount Roberts Tramway

Tickets and entrance to the Tramway are a short distance through the shopping district near the port. It’s an easy walk. We boarded the gondola at the base of the mountain and had a smooth, 5-minute ride up 1800 feet to the top of Mt. Roberts. The views of the Gastineau Channel and surrounding areas were stunning.

When you get to the top of Mt. Roberts, there is much to see and do for the whole family. All facilities and hiking trails are ADA accessible.

Stop at the Nature Center (more like a gift shop with all types of books and gifts related to Alaska’s natural habitat) and pick up your hiking guide.
Take a hike! The hiking trails are beautifully maintained with scenic overlooks at many points along the way.

Visit Lady Baltimore, the beautiful bald eagle at the Juneau Raptor Center.
Pick up souvenirs, clothing and one of kind pieces of art at the Raven Eagle Gifts and Gallery.
Enjoy fresh Alaskan seafood and locally brewed beer at the Timberline Atop Mt. Roberts.

Twisted Fish Company Alaskan Grill

It was dinner time when we came down from Mt. Roberts and we were determined to have some King Crab Legs while we were in Alaska. About ½ a block from the Tramway on the waterfront is Twisted Fish Company Alaskan Grill. Our party enjoyed the DELICIOUS King Crab Legs, but there are plenty of options – all kinds of seafood, steaks, burgers, pizza and other casual fare. It was the perfect ending to our do-it-yourself shore excursion in Juneau!

[bctt tweet=”Twisted Fish Alaskan Grill – Best King Crab Legs in #Juneau! @TwstdFishAlaska” username=”MySideof50″]

White Pass and Yukon Route Railway Tour

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What I Packed for My Alaskan Cruise

Is an Alaskan cruise on your bucket list? Pin this post! You can follow me on Pinterest here.

I have several boards about travel, including one just for Alaskan cruises!

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August 24, 2016 43 comments