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How To Spend 24 Hours in Oklahoma City

How To Spend 24 Hours in Oklahoma City

After a long work week, we randomly decided that we needed a break from Dallas and booked a trip to Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City was never on our must-visit list, but we added it after realizing how close it is to Dallas, TX. Since we left Friday afternoon and came back Sunday morning, we had a short period to explore. Before we hit the road, I created a list of places and food that I had to check out and then picked off that list during my trip. It made the journey less stressful and made sure I didn’t miss anything. In the 24 hours that we were there, we accomplished almost everything. So I’m going to share with you How To Spend 24 Hours in Oklahoma City. 

Check out my another travel posts:

How To Spend 3 Days In Denver

Houston Bucket list: Top Things To Do & Eat In Houston

Where To Stay

Finding the right hotel is the most important thing for me when traveling to a city with a short time to explore. You have to stay central to the activities you want to do. And by planning your activities before your trip helps decide this.

We decided to stayed at the AC Hotel by Marriott Oklahoma City Bricktown. The location made it easy to get around because it was within 10 minutes of everything that we wanted to do. We also noticed there were different shops, restaurants, and cafes within walking distance from the hotel.

Not only is the AC hotel in the perfect location, the rooms are the ideal place to relax after a long day of exploring. They are modern, clean, and has all the essentials. The only downside is that they do not offer room service. They do, however, have a bar with a beautiful outdoor seating area in the lobby.

Itinerary for 24 Hours in Oklahoma City

To make the most of your 24 hours I would suggest coming in the night before.

This will allow you to hit the ground running the following day.

8am – Walk to Bricktown Canals

Bricktown canals is a 10 minute walk from the AC hotel. Make sure to grab a coffee from Landing Coffee Company along your route.

The Bricktown canals remind me so much of San Antonio. Its a human-made waterway lines with different shops and restaurants. They also have water taxis to take you from one end to the other. It was the perfect area to go for a run or grab a coffee and walk around.

9am- Breakfast at Waffle Champion

They have everything waffles. Check out their website here.

10am – Skydance Passenger Bridge

The Skydance bridge is Oklahoma City’s landmark bridge and stretches over Interstate 40. The bridge is gorgeous, but pictures do it more justice than seeing it in person. I would suggest visiting it at night if you want to see it in all of its glory. But it’s not a must-see for me.

10:30 – Scissortail Park & Farmers Market

After we left the Skydance bridge, we decided to walk around the Scissortail park.

If you’re looking for a great outdoor space or somewhere to take children, I would suggest here. They have water spouts and a large play area for children.

They were hosting a free workout class the day that we were there as well.

We stumbled on the OSU-OKC Farmer’s Market while walking towards the back of the park. There were just enough vendors to have an array of different items, but not too many to make you feel overwhelmed. The farmers market is only there on Saturday’s from 9am – 1pm.

11:45am – Ferris Wheeler Park & OKC sign

Let’s be honest. I just came here for the pictures. The OKC sign with the Ferris wheel in the background makes for the perfect setting. If you actually want to ride the Ferris Wheel, it’s only $6 for a single ride.

12pm- Myraid Botanical Garden

The Myriad Botanical Garden is an indoor botanical garden with an amazing interactive urban park as well.

The only downside is that the heat was almost unbearable. The water mixed with the heat inside a giant bubble didn’t make for the best experience. I would suggest waiting until the cooler months to visit.

1pm – Plaza District

Am I the only one that loves small shops with a curated collection of merchandise? If that’s also your vibe, then I would suggest visiting the plaza district. There are different clothing stores, restaurants, tattoo shops, and murals created by amazing artists in the area.

We stopped into Out On The Limb Boutique, and I’m surprised that I didn’t buy the entire store. They have everything from plants to woman’s clothing.

Make sure to check out Sasquatch Shaved Ice if you’re there on a hot day.

Lunch in the Plaza District

While exploring the different shops, make sure to grab some lunch or a snack from some of the amazing restaurants in the area.

  • Goro Ramen
  • Empire Slice
  • The Mule
  • Pie Junkie
  • Roxy’s Ice Cream Social

3pm- OKC Museum of ART

The OKC Museum of Art has one of the largest collections of Chihuly glass. Take a break from the outdoors and explore all the exhibits that they have to offer.

5pm – Return to the hotel

Use this time to rest and recoup before heading to the next activity.

7pm – Lake Hefner

Us deciding to end our day at Lake Hefner was the best idea we had. We went there for the lighthouse but stayed for the sunset. Just find a bench and enjoy the view. And if you’re anything like me then this is the perfect area for premium people and dog watching.

Here is a list of all the activities and restaurants for those that want to go at their own pace.

Activities

  • Bricktown Canals
  • Skydance Passenger Bridge
  • Ferris Wheeler Park & OKC sign
  • POPS Soda Ranch
  • Lake Hefner
  • Plaza District
  • The Womb Gallery
  • Scissortail Park
  • Myriad Botanical Gardens
  • OKC Museum of ART

Restaurants & Coffee Shops

  • Cuppies and Joes
  • Fassler Hall
  • Nashbird
  • Pinkitzel Candy & Cupcakes
  • Hideaway Pizza
  • Waffle Champion
  • Goro Ramen
  • Empire Slice
  • The Mule
  • Pie Junkie
  • Roxy’s Ice Cream Social

How would you spend your 24 Hours in Oklahoma City?

Date Ideas in Dallas, TX at Different Price Points

Date Ideas in Dallas, TX at Different Price Points

Why is finding different date ideas so hard, especially if you’ve lived in the area for a while? We search and search and search only to come up with the same date night, dinner, and a movie. I’m all for a romantic dinner and a movie, but I also like to try different things. I know that everyone isn’t like me and more of a traditionalist, so I wanted to comprise a list with options. This list will give you both fun and romantic date ideas in Dallas, Tx at different price points.

 

Also Check Out:

Date Ideas In Houston, Texas 

Best Coffee Shops In Houston, Texas


 

Date Ideas in Dallas, Tx at Different Price Points

 

 

$ (Below $50)

Fun: Bishop Cidercade 

WEBSITE YELP

You can drink either cider and wine(or both) while playing over 100 different arcade games! The Ciders on tape range from $6-$8. The cover charge is $10 a day or $20 a month, but the games are all free! They don’t sell food, but they do have food trucks that stop by. You can find the schedule here. There is also no age limit before 8 pm. 21 and over after.

Romantic: Watch the sunset at Lynn Creek Park

WEBSITE YELP

Lynn Creek Park located on the northwest side of Joe Pool Lake. They are in the race for the top contenders for best sunset locations. They also offer different picnic locations, concession stands, swimming, and sand volleyball! It’s free for residents, but only $15 for non-residents.

 

 

$$($50-$100)

 

Fun: Chocolate Secrets- Open Mic Mondays 

WEBSITE YELP

Chocolate Secrets is a cafe that offers different types of desserts, wine, and some savory options as well! If desserts are your thing, then this place should be on the top of your list. They have bonbons, truffles, macarons, pastries, and ice cream. You can also get beer and wine as well. On Mondays, they have an open mic night where different artists come to showcase their talents. If you want to make this more of a romantic date, then you can check out their calendar for their live jazz dates. A glass of wine ranges from anything $11-$15 or bottles for $28-$65. The beer ranges from $5-$10. You can find the menu here to get a gauge of how much things cost. 

 

Romantic: Picnic at the Dallas Abortenum

WEBSITE YELP

The arboretum is the perfect place to lay down a blanket on the lawn while surrounded by beautiful flowers. Just pick a beautiful day in Dallas and grab a bite to eat, and you have the perfect date. From February 29–April 12, they have the Dallas Blooms, which is a spring festival showing over 500,000 tulips with different events during the six weeks. Admission into the arboretum is $17 per person for adults, and parking is $10 per car. 

Dallas Arboretum

 

 

$$$($100-$200)

 

Fun: Go Ape Zip Line & Treetop Adventure 

WEBSITE YELP

If you and your date, love the outdoors and don’t have a fear of heights, then this is the perfect date for you. The course takes you through different obstacles and zip lines for the 2-3 hour adventure. The cost is 59.95 per person and has to be booked in advance online.  

 

Romantic: Cozy Meal Cooking Class- Romantic Italian Dinner

WEBSITE YELP

Cozy Meals offers different cooking classes in various cities across the country. You can book a class for everything, including desserts and savory entrees. The one that would be perfect for a romantic date night is the Romantic Italian Date Night. The chef comes to your house and teaches you and your date how to cook a 3-course meal for $84 per person. You can book the date and time that best fits your schedule. There are other cooking classes available if Italian isn’t your thing. 

 

 

 

 

$$$$($2oo & Above)

 

Fun: Rohr Hot Air Balloons

WEBSITE YELP

Rohr Hot Air Balloons flights take you over the country-side in the Mckinney and Allen area. You can either take a shared flight for $249 per passenger or a private flight for $749. Each flight includes pictures from your flight and champagne and hors-d’oeuvres after landing. They also offer sunset and sunrise flights during certain times of the year.

 

Romantic: Grapevine Wine Tour

WEBSITE YELP

Grapevine Wine Tour is the perfect date night for wine lovers. The tour is around four hours and takes you to different wineries and restaurants in the grapevine area. They do provide transportation to each stop and from certain hotels in the area. You can either do a lunch tour for $99.50 or a dinner tour for $109.50. 

 

 

Do you have other date ideas in Dallas, Tx? Please Share. 

 

SAVE FOR LATER

Visiting the Neon Museum In Las Vegas

Visiting the Neon Museum In Las Vegas

I’ve been to Las Vegas at least 4 times and not until the last visit did I hear about the neon museum. Once I saw all the beautiful pictures people were able to capture I knew I had to visit. Now that I’ve experienced it, I’ll share with you some tips and thoughts on visiting the Neon Museum in Las Vegas.

 

Also Check Out:

How to Spend 3 days in Denver

London Itinerary for first time visitors

Paris Itinerary for first time visitors

Travel Essentials

 

 


Visiting the Neon Museum In Las Vegas

 

 

What is the Neon Museum?

I would describe it as a graveyard for old/ unrestored neon signs from Vegas. They have unrestored signs from the Hard Rock Cafe, Sahara, Moulin Rouge, Stardust, and much more.

They have two different areas with neon signs, the Main Collection and the North Gallery. Since I only visited the Main Collection, I can’t say too much about the North Gallery. I did find that the Main Collection had enough signs for different photo opportunities.

 

Pricing

Admissions into the Main Collection is $30 per person! If you want to visit the North Gallery, then you must purchase $24 tickets to the Brillant, which is a 25 minute light show. If you want to visit both, you have to buy tickets for both the Main collection and the Brillant show separately for $54 total.

You can purchase tickets on their website.

 

How to visit the museum from the strip?

We found that the easiest way to get to the museum from the strip was with Lyft or Uber. It cost us $25 round trip. They do have parking specifically for the neon museum if you have a car.

 

What time of day should you go?

When buying your tickets, you have to pick a time of day that you would like to attend. I opted to go at 9 am when they first opened. Why? Because Las Vegas heat will have you thinking, “moving to Antarctica doesn’t sound so bad.” I’ve also been to Las Vegas in the wintertime, and it gets cold! Like so cold that I felt the need to keep moving to keep from freezing, cold. Just keep in mind that it is an entirely opened-aired museum leaving you exposed to the elements. 9 am was perfect because it was only four other people and us making it easier to get pictures without people in them.

It also depends on what you’re going there to see. If you want to see the Brilliant lights show, then you should go at night. If you’re going to the Main Collection, then I would suggest going during the day because a lot of the signs so not light up anymore.

 

How long to get through the entire museum?

You can walk around the yard at your own pace and take as many pictures as you want. I was able to take multiple images in front of numerous signs with different poses all in 30 mins! I was in and out! The key is going before the crowd.

 

The Neon Museum should most definitely be on the top of your Las Vegas bucket list!

 

 

Now for some of the photos, I was able to capture at the museum!

Neon Museum Las Vegas

 

 

Neon Museum

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SAVE FOR LATER

 

LONDON 4 DAY ITINERARY: FOR FIRST TIME VISITORS

LONDON 4 DAY ITINERARY: FOR FIRST TIME VISITORS

London has been on my travel buckle list since my freshman year of college. I’ve even considered moving there for a year on a work visa! So when I finally got the opportunity to go, I made sure that I was able to pack a lot into my four day trip. I made sure to keep everything I did each day within walking distance to save on travel expenses. Here is my 4 day London itinerary,  a simple guide for first time visitors.


What To Pack For London

 

  • Washcloths / Loufer: Only one hotel during our trip to both Paris and London had a washcloth. A towel and hand towel was provided.
  • Outlet Converter: Some hotel had USB plugs, but I wouldn’t depend on it.
  • Rain jacket: It would be sunny outside, and then the rain would come. Rain jackets are way more convenient than an umbrella. Roll it up and place in a bag for emergencies.
  • Comfortable Shoes: There is a lot of walking involved! Also, bring shoes that you don’t mind getting scuffed. 
  • Allergy Medication: We all started sneezing after walking to Buckingham Palace. Good thing we had non-drowsy Benedryl. 
  • Small Compact Bag/purse: You have to keep your belongings close to you, especially on the metro. A small bag that doesn’t pull on your shoulder and can fit your essentials is a must.

 

 


 

Transporation Advice

 

During our trip to London, we mostly walked and used Uber when the destination was out of walking distance. We didn’t take the subway at all. It was more expensive than other metros we have encountered. We determined that it was more cost-effective to take Uber and split it than each of us paying for metro trips.

 


 

DAY 1 LONDON EYE TO BUCKINGHAM PALACE

 

The London Eye 

Walk 5 Mins

Westminster Bridge 

Walk 6 mins 

Big Ben

Walk 3 mins

Parliament Square 

Walk 13 mins 

Buckingham Palace 

 

  • How could I go to London without seeing the London Eye? There are passes that you can purchase if you also want to visit the Tower of London, do a river cruise, Madame Tussaud’s, etc.
  • Westminster Bridge was beautiful to walk across. It has a gorgeous view of the river.
  • Big Ben was just as important as seeing the London Eye. It was under construction when we went so I wasn’t able to check that off my list.
  • Parliament Square is where you can find the British Parliament, London Supreme Court, the Abbey, and statues of some of the worlds most influential leaders and people.
  • The walk from Parliament Square to Buckingham palace is about a 13 min walk, but it is well worth it. The view on the way was beautiful, especially on a beautiful day.

 


 

DAY 2 TOWER OF LONDON  TO ST PAUL CATHEDRAL

 

Tower Of London

Walk 5 mins

Tower Bridge 

Walk 13 mins 

Sky Garden Observation Deck 

Walk 15 mins

St Paul Cathedral 

 

  • Tower of London is a historic castle and home to the Crown Jewels. It’s well worth the trip.
  • Tower Bridge is what most people think is the London bridge (Thanks Fergie). We stood on the London bride to take pictures of the Tower Bridge.
  • Sky Garden Observation Deck is a glass dome with amazing views of the city. Grab a drink and enjoy a break from all the walking.
  • St Paul Cathedral is still a working church and is deemed by some as being one of the most beautiful churches in the world.

Tower Bridge 

Tower Bridge 

 


 

 DAY 3 SHAKESPEAR’S GLOBE TO THE SHARD 

 

Shakespeare’s Globe

Walk 8 mins

Borough Market

Walk 6 mins

The Shard

Drive 15 mins

Covent Garden 

 

  • Shakespeare’s Globe is a performing art theater reconstructed after the original Shakespeare Globe theater. You can get a guided tour for 17 pounds or watch a show for a little as 5 pounds(Standing). Make sure to book shows in advance because the standing tickets can sell out well before the show.
  • If I had to have picked the highlight of my entire trip, it would be Borough Market. We went during lunchtime, and I’m not sure if that was a good or bad thing. We had everything from Malaysian Curry to Fresh Donuts and Cookies. I even tried Ethiopian coffee, which was delicious!
  • The Shard has London’s highest viewing platform. Tickets to the viewing platform range anywhere from 25 – 41 pounds.
  • Covent Garden was on all the must-see neighborhood lists. It’s a gorgeous area!

 

Borough Market

Borough Market


 

DAY 4 MADAME TUSSAUDS TO CHINA TOWN

 

 

 

Madame Tussauds Museum 

Walk 19 mins 

Oxford Street 

Walk 14 mins

China Town

Walk 5 mins

Piccadilly Circus 

 

  • The Madame Tussauds Museum is probably the most iconic wax museum there is. They have wax figures of everyone from different celebrities to world leaders. It can be super busy, making it difficult to get around and see every wax figure.
  • Oxford Street is any shopping lover’s dream! It has every store that you need.
  • China Town is a must-see, even if it’s just for the food! They have a lot of different Asian cuisines and its home to the trendy Bubblewrap Waffle.
  • Piccadilly Circus is to London as Time Square is to NewYork! Bright lights and big screens!

 

Madame Tussauds Museum London

Paris Itinerary: for First Time Visitors

Paris Itinerary: for First Time Visitors

 

“You never forget your first trip to Paris.”

 

This quote is so true! I’ve been thinking about my trip to Paris ever since I made it back. It was the best trip I’ve taken in my life, and I’ve been to some fantastic places. The people were so nice and welcoming, the food was amazing, and the pastries are out of this world(I’ll never eat another American Croissant again).

When I started planning my trip, I knew all the places I wanted to visit, but I had a hard time deciding which order to do it in.  I wanted to make sure that I made the most of my time and see everything I possibly could in a short time. After many hours of research, I believe that my trip went as planned. So I am happy to share with you my Paris itinerary: for first-time visitors.

 

Also Check out:

Travel Essentials for Your Next Flight 

How To Save Money On Your Next Vacation 


 

What To Pack For Paris 

 

  • Washcloths / Loufer: Only one hotel during our trip to both Paris and London had a washcloth. A towel and hand towel was provided.
  • Outlet Converter: Some hotel had USB plugs, but those charge your phone slowly.
  • Rain jacket: It would be sunny outside, and then the rain would come. Rain jackets are way more convenient than an umbrella. Roll it up and place in a bag for emergencies.
  • Comfortable Shoes: There is a lot of walking involved! Also, bring shoes that you don’t mind getting scuffed.
  • Allergy Medication: My allergies went crazy once I was in Paris. Non-drowsy Benedryl gave me the ability to enjoy my trip without the sniffles.
  • Small Compact Bag/purse: You have to keep your belongings close to you, especially on the metro. A small bag that doesn’t pull on your shoulder that can fit your essentials is a must.

 


 

Transportation Advice

 

We took the metro/tram to most of our destinations. It was convenient and inexpensive. You can purchase a pack of 10 tickets for 14.90 Euros! Best decision we ever made. Taking the metro saved us so much money in the long run. The only time we used Uber was to go to dinner or if we were too tired for the trek back.

Check out the Paris by Train site for more information on their metro system.

 


 

Day 1  Notre Dame Cathedral to The Louvre

 

 

Notre Dame Cathedral 

Walk 16 mins 

Luxembourg Gardens

Walk 16 mins 

Louvre Museum

Walk 6 mins 

Palais- Royal

Walk 9 mins 

Place Vendome

Walk 4 mins 

Tuileries Garden

 

  • Due to the fire, the Notre Dame Cathedral is not open to visitors, but it’s still worth seeing from the outside.
  • Luxembourg Gardens is gorgeous, especially on a beautiful day. Its a must see even if you’re only walking through.
  • I didn’t realize how big the Louvre museum is. Those comfortable walking shoes came in handy! There is no way possible that you can see everything. If I could do it over again, I would plan better before visiting the museum. We spent most of our time figuring out what we wanted to see and then trying to find it!
  • Palais- Royal use to be a royal palace and now is the location for the art installation Colonnes de Buren.
  • Tuileries Garden is a public park and a perfect ending to a day full of walking.

 

 

 


 

Day 2: Shopping & Museum 

 

Arc De Triomphe

Walk 9 mins 

Champs Elysees

Walk 23 mins 

Pont Alexandre iii

Walk 13 mins 

Musee D Orsay

 

  • How could you come to Paris without visiting the iconic Arc De Triomphe. It’s worth the trip.
  • If shopping is your thing, then you should go for a walk down Champs-Elysees. This avenue has ever luxury shop that you can think of! Just grab a crepe and your credit card and make a day of it!
  • Pont Alexandre iii is one of the most glamorous bridges I’ve ever seen. Its the perfect way to get from Champs-Elysees to Musee D Orsay.
  • Musee D Orsay is another big museum in Paris. It holds a lot of famous pieces of art, including the Starry Night Over The Rhône.

 

 

 


 

 Day 3: Eiffel Towel

 

 

Eiffel Tower

Walk 10 mins 

Trocadero

Take the Metro 6 & 2 

Moulin Rouge

Walk 18 mins 

Sinking House (next to the Sacre-Coeur)

  • The Eiffel Tower…..enough said.
  • Trocadero is my favorite view of the Eiffel Tower!
  • The sinking house has been on my Paris bucket list for a while! But I was up for a pleasant surprise because the Sacre-Coeur has the best view of Paris that I have ever seen!

 

 


 

Day 4: Day Trip

 

 

Day trip to Disney Land Or Versailles

 

Taking a day trip from Paris to either Disney Land Paris or Versailles is so easy! We used google maps to plan the metro trip and didn’t have any problems!

 


 

Hope my Paris Itinerary: for First Time Visitors post helps make your Paris trip go smoothly! What places did I miss? What should I see on my next trip to Paris?

 

 

 

How To Spend 3 Days In Denver

How To Spend 3 Days In Denver

Denver has been on my American bucket list for almost three years now. We’ve attempted to go a few times in the past, but it was always more expensive than other cities on my bucket list. Well, now that only Denver, Seattle, and Charlotte are left we decided that the top of the year would be the best time to do. It also helped that it was inexpensive. I wanted to share my travel guide for Denver because looking up suggestions and pre-planning made our trip ten times better.

We made a list of all the things we wanted to see and things we wanted to eat and each day we picked off that list of places — this idea made for a stress-free, simple trip.

 

You may also like:

Visiting Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend

Travel Essentials 

Travel Destinations You Should Explore

 


Hotel Magnolia 12th Floor View Hotel Magnolia 12th floor view

 

Day 1 In Denver

Arrived at DIA around 830am

Checked into Hotel Magnolia in downtown Denver

Breakfast at Denver Biscuit Company

Walked Along the 16th Street Mall

Dinner at Uncle

We arrived super early in the morning at Denver’s International  Airport. Once off the plane, it took us close to an hour to take the train to baggage claim and the shuttle to pick up our rental car. The process wasn’t the fastest, but I’ve experienced worse.

The rental car center to our hotel was around 25 minutes. We stayed at Hotel Magnolia, which is a newly renovated hotel in downtown Denver. I noticed very fast that we didn’t need a rental car. We either walked everywhere or caught the free 16th street mall bus to where ever we wanted to go.

Breakfast: Denver Biscuit Company– Highly recommend it. It was delicious, but make sure you come hungry. Their portion sizes are enormous!

I was super excited about the 16th Street mall because it said it was the largest outdoor mall in the country. It was super disappointing. There are a lot of shops on 16th street, but nothing extraordinary. We did visit the I Heart Denver gift shop in the Denver Pavilions. It showcases products from local artists.

Uncle Uncle Uncle, what can I say about Uncle? Uncle is a restaurant that focuses mainly on ramen. If you eat at anywhere in Denver, this should be it. The ramen was amazing!

Hotel Magnolia Downtown Denver

Day 2

Breakfast at Jelly

The Money Museum at the Federal Reserve

Larimer Square

Lunch at Biker Jim’s Gourmet Dogs

Went To see the Big Blue Bear at the Convention Center

Dinner at Linger

 

Breakfast at Jelly was okay. It wasn’t anything to harp about, but it did the job. However, the donut flights were terrific.

The Money Museum was interesting but extremely small. The one-room museum took us close to 10 minutes to finish.

Larimer Square is a small area of small shops and restaurants. We didn’t stop in any of them, but we did enjoy the whimsical lights.

We walked from Larimer Square to Biker Jim’s Gourmet Dogs. I tried the All Beef Dog wrapped in bacon, and my husband tried the pheasant and rattlesnake. We both agreed that the dogs were delicious.

The Big Bear was 5 minutes from our hotel, so it was a quick pop through, but it wouldn’t be worth a journey in my opinion.

Linger was once a mortuary called Olinger. Our Uber driver told us that they turned it into a restaurant close to 4 years ago. They serve tapas/ small plates and are quite expensive. Our bill for the night was around $50, and we were still hungry after leaving.

Denver Biscuit Company

Day 3

Breakfast at Syrup

Drove to Red Rock Amphitheatre

Little Man Ice Cream

Lunch at Smok Barbecue

Happy Hour at Union Station

Dinner at Sushi-Rama

 

Syrup served simple, everyday breakfast. Easy to find something that everyone will like.

Visiting Red Rock Amphitheatre was one of the few times we used our rental car. It was a 25-minute drive from downtown, and it was so worth it. The area is beautiful. There were a lot of people working out in the actual theatre, so we tried to stay out of their way a best as possible. The only downside was going up and down the steps. Since we’re not used to the elevation, we were exhausted after.

I had to visit the infamous Little Man Ice Cream. The vanilla ice cream was delicious, but the cone was the real star here.

Smok Barbecue burnt ends are amazing! I wish I could find them in Texas.

Union Station was on all the recommended lists I saw. We went there on our last day for happy hour, and all the drinks were $7. You have to try the Jack Rose.

I would not recommend Sushi-rama. The sushi was sub-par and they had a lot of weird combinations. The staff wasn’t the nicest as well.

Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Denver, Colorado Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Denver, Colorado

Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Denver, Colorado

 

Overall Denver was amazing. It was one of the most relaxing trips we’ve taken. I didn’t need a vacation after my vacation. We arrived back in Houston well rested.

 

Travel Essentials for Your Next Flight

Travel Essentials for Your Next Flight

Traveling can be super stressful, especially if you’re preparing to take a long flight. I make sure to pack everything I could need in my carry on. My travel essentials have gotten me through some tough travel days, and I decided to share them with you.

This post contains affiliate links. Please read my Disclosure here for more information.

Snacks & Drinks

Bark Thins

Snacking Chocolate 

Shop

Yogi 

Lemon Ginger Tea

Shop

Sahale Snacks

Maple Pecans 

Shop

RXBAR

Whole Food Protein Bar

Shop

Hydro Flask

Water Bottle

Shop

Trident 

Gum 

Shop

Electronics

Amazon Fire HD

Tablet

Shop

ANKER

Battery Power Pack

Shop

JBL 

Wireless Headphones

Shop

Sony 

Headphones

Shop

Beauty

Neutrogena 

Eye Cream

Shop

SkinFix

Lip Repair Balm

Shop

Bath & Body Works

Stress Relief Hand Cream

Shop

Clothing & Comfort

Victoria Secret

Sherpa Jacket

Shop

Travel Pillow

Memory Foam

Shop

Alaska Bear

Silk Eye Mask

Shop

Betiteto

Satin Hair Ties

Shop

Make sure to check out these travel destination ideas for your next trip.

What are your travel essentials? Leave a comment down below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

How To Save Money On Your Next Vacation

How To Save Money On Your Next Vacation

 

 

I don’t know about you, but the worst part of going on a vacation for me is the planning process. Between searching for the best flight prices and trying to find a hotel in the right location, It can become super stressful. If you’re planning a group or family trip, the stress goes up a few notches. 

These travel websites have helped me plan almost all of my vacations. I now spend less time planning the actual vacation and more time shopping for my vacation outfits.  

 

 

SKYSCANNER

Skyscanner scans all travel websites in search of the perfect flight for you. You can sort the flights based on your preference. If you’re looking for the cheapest option sort low to high if you want to get there the fastest time they have you covered. I also use this website for travel ideas. They have an option for you to but “anywhere” as your destination. It will then give you options from your city based on price. I love this site for getting an idea of the cost of a possible trip. 

 

SOUTHWEST VACATIONS

I have used Southwest Vacations to book both my Cancun and Punta Cana trip. They always have discounts when you package your flight and hotel together. I’ve been able to find trips as low as $600 for two people for a week in an all-inclusive resort. By booking all-inclusive resorts as a vacation, they come out hundreds of dollars cheaper. 

 

SKIPLAGGED 

Skiplagged is another site that finds cheap flights. The only catch is that you usually can’t have checked bags. Skiplagged will find flights that have your destination, but your destination might be a layover site. If you decide to check bags, your bags will continue to the final destination. It is suitable for light packers. 

 

HOTEL CANARY

Hotel Canary is a Google Chrome Extension for Priceline. Priceline offers express deals on hotels based on their star rating. They conceal the hotels’ name until after you agree to book it. Its a gamble for what hotel you will end up with and they do not offer refunds. That’s where Hotel Canary comes into place. The extension tells you what hotel it most likely will be. If they can’t pinpoint a specific one, they will give you the top three hotels that it will be from and then you can decide if you’re okay with either one. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guide to Visiting Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend

Guide to Visiting Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend

 

 

 

 

 

For my one-year anniversary, I decided to dd Antelope canyon and Horseshoe bend as one of our stops. These landmarks have been at the top of my American bucket list for a while. All the pictures I’ve seen didn’t do the canyon any justice compared to the actual feeling of being there. It was amazing and definitely a trip to remember forever.

It did take some advance planning to make it happen. I’ll walk you through my preparation and our actual trip.

 

Planning Stages

 

 

We started planning our trip to Antelope canyon about 3 months in advance. I knew that we wanted to go in September because its out anniversary month. I knew that if we didn’t set our dates in stone it would be easier to find the most inexpensive option.

 

Booking Antelope Canyon Tickets

BOOK YOUR TICKETS IN ADVANCE. Tickets sell out weeks in advance, especially the early morning hours. We decided to book with Ken’s Tours. The 8am time that we wanted was already sold out when we tried to book our tickets. So, we decided to go with the 10 am tour.

 

Booking a Hotel Room

After looking through the limited hotels, we went with the La Quinta Inn. It was close by the landmarks and looked the best. I recommend staying at the La Quinta Inn. The room cost around $70 a night and was super clean, and they served complimentary breakfast.

 

Booking Flights

We had two travel options from Houston, Tx. We could either fly into Phoenix, AZ and drive 4 hours. Or fly into Las Vegas and drive 4 hours. I decided to go with Phoenix, AZ because we’ve been to Las Vegas numerous times. We wanted to explore Phoenix and Scottsdale after leaving Page. I did choose to use points for our flights. It cost me around 8000 points for a one-way ticket for my husband and me.

 

 

The Actual Trip

 

 

We arrived in Phoenix airport and took the shuttle to the rental car location. The rental car associate told us that we needed a car with some power to get up the mountains/hills on the way to Page, Az. We decided to upgrade our vehicle from a compact to a mid-size. I’m glad that we did. It made the trip to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend a little more comfortable.

The journey to Page was breathtaking. It was peaceful with a few scary hill inclines (I have a terrible fear of my car flipping backward on a hill). At one point, we did reach about 12000 ft above sea level. The drive was one of the best parts of the entire trip. Some parts do become one lane roads, so give yourself enough time to accommodate for slower drivers.

 

 

Antelope Canyon

We arrived just in time to check into our hotel and get to Ken’s Tours. After we checked in, we waited outside for our tour to line up. As we waited, we noticed a lot of people waiting in a standby line. I would not recommend counting on someone missing or arrive late for their tour. One lady said she had been waiting for 3 HOURS for a spot in the heat! Again, make sure to buy your tickets in advance.

The tour was terrific, and the tour guides are so friendly and knowledgeable. They showed us good locations to take pictures and also took pictures for us. I did wear long sleeves just because it was cooler in the canyon than outside. They only allow bottles of water and cameras/cellphones. Do not bring any bags because they will send you back to the car.

Horseshoe Bend

Horseshoe Bend

We went to Horseshoe bend right after leaving Antelope Canyon. We did not know what we were in for. Horseshoe bend is entirely free. I didn’t have to pay for parking or entry.

That is where my good experience stops. We arrived close to 3pm, and hot is an understatement for the weather outside that day. There is about a ½ mile walk to the canyon in the sand. So, choose your shoes wisely. Do not wear sandals or heels to get there.

There are multiple viewing points. You can get a perfect view of the bend from behind a railing. Or you can climb a few rocks to get a view from above. This is how people get the infamous picture of them sitting down with horseshoe bend behind them.

I opted for the railing, and I will tell you why. The amount of pushing and shoving to get the perfect picture was ridiculous. We are on the edge of a cliff, and I was shoved at least 5 times. The disregard for people’s safety just to obtain the perfect Instagram picture was astonishing. I got a good look a few times and left to take the dreaded 1/2 mile walk back to our car. The mile wouldn’t have been so bad if the sun wasn’t beaming down on us. Oh, and the trail is both up and downhill.

Overall the trip was terrific. I was able to check two things off my list of American destinations. Now all I have left is Seattle, and Niagara Falls!

Have you been to Antelope Canyon and/or Horseshoe Bend? How was your experience?

 

 

Travel Destinations That You Should Explore

Travel Destinations That You Should Explore

I’ve become a travel maniac. I love exploring new places and meeting new people. At the beginning of 2018, I qualified for the companion pass with Southwest. It allows my husband to travel with me for free for a year.

Southwest only has a few international destinations. They mainly travel to the Carribean and Mexico. After this realization, we decided that 2018 should be the year that we checked off our American destinations. During the year, we traveled to Chicago, Cleveland, Georgia, Las Vegas, Arizona, and Los Angeles. We still want to visit Seattle, Niagara Falls, and Lake Tahoe. We will put those travel destinations on hold until warmer weather.

I’ve recently started brainstorming my dream international travel destinations.  We’ve decided that Paris and London will be our first international trip in 2019. I have had London on my bucket list since my Sophomore year in college. I remember opening my laptop typing London into trip advisory and seeing the cost and immediately closing my laptop. The cost of the trip immediately brought me back to reality. I hope to make this dream trip a reality very soon.

What are some of your favorite travel destinations? I’m always looking for new places to travel.

 

 Barcelona, Spain

 

Amsterdam, Netherlands

 

 

Paris, France

 

 

London, United Kingdom 

 

 

Phuket ,Thailand 

 

 

Santorini, Greece 

 

 

Cape Town, South Africa 

 

 

Croatia

 

 

 

Welcome to Demi Joie! I’m Demetress, a lifestyle blogger that loves to talk about fashion, skincare, traveling, and sometimes rambling on and on about life! Thank you for visiting my blog! ♡

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