If you are in Boston and looking for something that all ages will enjoy, the Boston Museum of Science is a safe bet. It is one of our favorite places and there is so much to do that we never do the entire thing in one day. Our typical visit includes exploring the different wings of the museum, seeing a few shows, and having lunch in the cafeteria. There are so many different things to do that no two visits are ever the same. Here are a few of our favorite things to do:
Sao Miguel, Azores is one of the most beautiful, friendliest islands we’ve ever been to. It is located 950 miles from mainland Portugal but it is a completely different world. The island has a gorgeous coastline, stunning flowers, and perhaps the best seafood I’ve ever tasted. It is the largest island of the Azores but can be viewed in a day or two. It was here we got to experience the best cozido we’ve ever had!
One of the coolest meals we’ve ever experienced was in Sao Miguel. The island has lots of hot springs so they have created an interesting way to cook your meals. They take a pot and fill it with delicious, local ingredients, cover it, and place it directly in the ground. There the food slowly cooks by volcanic steam and after 5-6 hours you get a perfectly cooked meal created by Mother Nature. It is like an underground crock pot!
This morning I jumped from an airplane, landed on the top of a snowcapped mountain, and skied down a black diamond trail. Well…ok…not exactly. I actually just went up the Magic Carpet and came back down a few times but I can tell you it was just as scary! I am 40 years old (Ugh…that can’t be right) and I am just learning how to ski.
One of my Travel Bucket List activities was dog sledding but I always thought I’d have to go to Alaska for the experience. That’s when I discovered Muddy Paw. Located in Jefferson, NH, this amazing experience will make you want to sign up for the Iditarod. Ok…that may be pushing it… but you will definitely fall in love with sled dogs and be in awe at how intelligent, hardworking, and snuggly they can be. There was not one dog that was not friendly. My girls still talk about Blue and Jack!
If you see me running around your neighborhood, I’d like you to call the police because there’s a good chance someone is chasing me. I am not a runner. I envy people that actually have the ability to lace up their sneakers, throw their headphones on and go for a leisure 5 mile run. I’m getting shin splints just thinking about it! My 8-year-old daughter does an amazing program called Girls on the Run, that teaches them about self-confidence and girl power while training them for a 5K. At the end they complete the 5K with an adult and she chose me to run it with her. After that first run she said, “I think we should do the Color Run…you know…since we’re runners now!” Hahaha…yep…runner…that’s me. So on a rainy cold day in the summer of 2015 we laced up our sneakers and had the absolute best time doing this run. Here are 10 tips about this amazing race:
Imagine standing inside a crowded piazza in Italy as horses and their riders soar around you at top speed, horses hitting the padded walls, and jockeys being thrown and collapsing onto the dirt track. Each summer, in Italy, tens of thousands of spectators come to Siena to experience the horse race called Palio. It is the most unforgettable race I’ve ever attended!
If you want happy tired kids that will go to bed as soon as their heads hit the pillow then this is the place to take them! Throughout these three floors your child will exercise their mind, body, and creativity and the best part is you can play right along with them.
When I think of Maine certain images pop into my head…lighthouse, beach, moose, and lobster…or LOBSTAH as my New England friends say! Maine has the most amazing coastline so we decided to start our day out on the water and what a better place to do it than on an actual lobster boat!
I can’t believe I’m sharing this place because it is one of our favorite secrets in Maine. My daughter didn’t want me to share it. Her exact words were, “Mom…It’s like sharing where Smurf Village is. You don’t want everyone to know!” It is one of those places that you go to escape all the craziness of life and just BE… be part of nature, be surrounded by views, and be in the moment. Mackworth Island is about 100 acres and is connected to Falmouth, Maine by a causeway. The island is home to Governor Baxter School for the Deaf but you are not allowed to go on the campus. There are two main things that draw you here…nature and fairies.
Who would have guessed that prison could be so romantic? If you stay at only one hotel in Boston it has to be The Liberty Hotel. It is such a unique experience with spacious rooms and 5 restaurants/bars. This hotel stands where the Charles Street Jail once stood and they have played on that to give you a taste of Boston’s history.