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2 Aug 2016

Save Big on a San Diego Beach Family Vacation This October

by Jennifer Wieland

I know summer is winding down and most of us are in back-to-school mode. Just because the summer is winding down though doesn’t mean there’s not still a chance to fit in a fall San Diego beach family vacation. Plus, I’m going to share with you how to stretch your dollar farther with five ways to save big in San Diego with kids.

San Diego is a great family vacation destination! I know when I went with my family growing up that it was one of our all time favorite trips. From the beautiful sites, great weather, the ocean and other family fun activities we all found so many things to enjoy. Now, after a trip I went on to San Diego last year for the blog I realized once again how much I love it there and want to take the kids there to enjoy too.

Hit the Beach

You can’t go to San Diego and not hit visit th beach! The beach is a great way to relax, unwind and have some fun with the family all while being completely free! If your like me then free is definitely in your budget!

Museum Free Days

The San Diego Museum Council invites kids to explore San Diego’s diverse museums – for Free! From October 1-31, children ages 12 and under receive free admission with a paid adult (limit 2) at more than 40 museums!

Free Kids Admission at Sea World & the San Diego Zoo in October

Two of San Diego’s most popular family attractions just get better this October!

Sea World – Kids FREE Single-Day Admission, Kids FREE Dolphin & Beluga Interaction Programs, Kids Eat for FREE at Breakfast & Dine With Shamu — SeaWorld San Diego only

San Diego Zoo – Maximum 10 children free per each supervising adult at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park Valid for children 11 and under. Coupon not required for free kids entry.

Travel a Scenic Route via Amtrak Train

Kids love trains and this October Amtrak is making it easy to see the sites in San Diego with free kids fares.On the Pacific Surfliner, one child ages 2-12 rides free with each adult rail fare purchased for travel to and from Oceanside, Solana Beach, Old Town San Diego and San Diego Downtown station. You can travel from San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Fullerton, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine and San Juan Capistrano. On the train, your family can relax, enjoy the views and have a bite. And with free Wi-Fi®, connect your mobile device and get the latest Kids Free offers.

Stay at a Hotel or Resort Where Kids Eat Free

Food expenses are often one of the costliest components to a vacation. Being able to cut out some costs with hotels that offer kids eat free options is a great way to save money on food and have more funds to use on sightseeing and souvenirs.

Visit the SanDiego.org website and learn all you need to know to plan the perfect San Diego beach family vacation for your family this October!

Categories: Advertisements, Beach, Food, Kid Friendly, Travel, Travel | No Comments »

14 Feb 2016

Rosemont| It’s All Here

by Jennifer Wieland

I was part of a media event invited to experience all that Rosemont has to offer visitors. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Just northwest of Chicago is the town of Rosemont and it just so happens to be neighbors with O’Hare International Airport, one of the largest airports in the world. Rosemont sees guests from all over the world and locals as well. As a result they have strived to turn Rosemont into a place with something to entertain and delight everyone and they have achieved it with great success because it’s all here in Rosemont. The town is now celebrating its 60th birthday and it is home to the MB Financial Park, which is home to 13 venues featuring international cuisine, nightlife, live music and comedy, state-of-the-art film and bowling venues and so much more. Across the street from that is Fashion Outlets of Chicago. This indoor outlet mall houses high-end stores and amenities along with a stunning contemporary art collection. Rosemont is also home to Loews Chicago O’Hare, a gorgeous, world-class hotel.

The Loews Chicago O’Hare is a decadent and contemporary hotel. What sets it apart from its competitors is the vast display of art throughout the first floor of the building. After speaking with the general manager, I learned that this specific Loews hotel has a n agreement with a local art studio. The hotel displays and advertises the art for sale from the art studio. This is a mutually beneficial arrangement since the artists get exposure to their work and the hotel improves its aesthetics.

One of the great restaurants in MB FInancial Park is Hofbräuhaus Chicago. This classic Bavarian bier hall brings more than 400 years of beer brewing and dining expertise to the Chicagoland area. The German themed restaurant is home to a German micro-brewery and beer hall. Guests are offered in-house brewed beers along with a huge selection of both domestic and imported beer options.

Hoftbrauhaus Chicago
Image by Leigh Loftus
Copyright 2013 Leigh Loftus
www.thinkleigh.com

The restaurant flies in its pretzels from a bakery overseas and then bakes them fresh for each order. The staff is outfitted in fun German based Oktoberfest garments and the restaurant and staff provide for a lively outing full of genuine German cheer.

Hofbrauhaus Chicago - Rosemont, It's all here! #MBFinancialPark #Hofbrauhaus #visitRosemont

Hoftbrauhaus Chicago
Image by Leigh Loftus
Copyright 2013 Leigh Loftus
www.thinkleigh.com

The Fashion Outlets of Chicago is a shopping mecca that draws in locals and world travelers alike. From whimsical candy shops to high-end clothing stores this two-story mall will thrill and delight everyone. With more than 130 outlet stores there will be something there for everyone.

It’s convenient indoor parking garage helps protect visitors from the elements. The artwork throughout the mall is eye-catching and a delight of form and color.

For more information on these and the numerous other dining, hotel and entertainment options that Rosemont has to offer visit Rosemont.com.

Categories: Advertisements, Food, Kid Friendly, Places to Stay, Travel, Travel | No Comments »

24 Nov 2015

Ripley’s Believe It or Not Plus Wisconsin Dells Savings

by Jennifer Wieland

My family spends a great deal of time traveling to Wisconsin Dells for mini vacations throughout the year. My parents own a vacation home there so lodging is always free. That means we can spend our funds on fun things to do with the kids and let me tell you, if you’ve never been to Wisconsin Dells there are tons of things to do there with kids. If you head to downtown Wisconsin Dells you’ll see Ripley’s Believe it or Not and Wizard Quest.

Discover the world’s oddities at Ripley’s Believe It or Not in the Wisconsin Dells. Featuring three floors with 11 amazing galleries, you will experience puzzling illusions as you examine the large eclectic collection of odd and interesting things you will never see anywhere else. Become an explorer and survive the curse of King Tut as you travel the dark cavernous tunnels of his Egyptian temple. Continue your exploration and unveil objects hidden throughout the museum and decide for yourself if you Believe it or Not!

Wizard Quest is the cutting edge fusion of a story driven computer game and a 13,000 square foot magical wonderland. It is packed with secret passageways, physical obstacles, endearing illusions and over the top artistry.

Downton Dells Discovery Pass – Buy our Dells Downtown Discovery Pass online where you can save more than half off the admission of your second attraction!
http://usfamilycoupons.com/coupon.php?regionid=75&bid=12033&dealid=1965 @usfg

Categories: Food, Kid Friendly, Travel | No Comments »

27 Sep 2015

Five Fun Family Friendly Places to Visit in the Emerald Coast

by Jennifer Wieland

Planning a family trip to Florida’s Emerald Coast will leave your family with memories of sun, surf, sand and a whole lot of fun if you head to these five fun, family friendly places to visit in the Emerald Coast. These five locations will have your meals and entertainment covered.

Gulfarium

The Gulfarium is a marine adventure park that will have not only the kids oohing and aahing but the adults as well.This park is very hands on and you are able to get very close and in some cases touch marine life.

This is a place that any age will delight in. From their silly sea-lion show to the utterly adorable baby dolphin born earlier this year your family will enjoy themselves all while getting in a little education.

The Gulfarium boasts a whopping 12 interactive encounters that you can add-on to your general admission. This is a great way for any adult or child to get a really unique experience that most people will never be able to enjoy.

Uncle Buck’s Fishbowl & Grill

Uncle Buck’s Fishbowl & Grill was a very pleasant surprise for me! I wasn’t sure what to expect when I found out I would be going here, a place that’s part of the Bass Pro Shop family.

I have to say that when I walked through the doors and took a look inside it was simply, beautiful! It has all the fun and whimsy that any child or child at heart would look for in a family vacation spot to grab some food and fun.

When you enter it’s like being inside a fishbowl with the feel of being in water. It has a full service bar and restaurant along with a bowling alley complete with shark and alligator ball returns. A vast array of fish are suspended from the ceiling to give you the idea of them circling about the fishbowl.

Lucy Buffet’s LuLu’s

Lucy Buffet’s LuLu’s has been steadily expanding and has finally made its way to Destin, FL. LuLu’s is a fun, open and airy restaurant where you can dine on the beach or indoors. The stage in the middle of the restaurant hosts bands to keep your dinner experience entertaining.

Have some kids with you? Don’t worry at all. There is an area on the beach just to keep the kids occupied and having fun.

The food and drinks at Lulu’s are phenomenal. As a Midwest girl it was great getting to have unbelievably fresh seafood that made we want to come back again and again. The wait staff is also incredibly nice and helpful which is always a plus with kids. Plus they have rolls of paper towels at each table instead of napkins. You ever dine out with kids? Rolls of paper towels can make or break a meal!

Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone Dino Island

Photo credit: Kari Scott

Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone Dino Island is a place that would have my kids smiling from ear to ear. It would be one of their ideas of a perfect day.

Photo credit: Kari Scott

Wild Willy’s attractions:

Redemption Arcade – Over 65 games to be enjoyed.
T-Rex Island Adventure Golf – 18 hole fully animatronic mini golf course.
Hatchling Haven Adventure Golf – 9 hole, mini golf course with baby dinosaurs. (No animatronics)
Tree Tops Challenge – A 5 level ropes course.
4D Movie Exxperience – Several different, short movies are shown in 3D with motion and special effects.
Raptor’s Revenge – A laser maze that requires concentration and skill.
Ptero Jump – Trampoline jumping on a whole new level.
Spin-o-Saurus Coaster – A roller coaster with cars that spin in circles.
Inflatable Zone – Kids will jump for joy in this dinosaur themed inflatable zone.
Boat Battles – Go head to head with others when you take the helm of a remote control Military themed boat.

Photo credit: Kari Scott

Wild Willy’s Food Options:

Salvati’s Pizza Factory – Pizza, wings, paninis and salads are all good and reasonably priced.
Yogo Mogos – Frozen yogurt to ensure a sweet end to your outing.

Photo credit: Kari Scott

This place definitely has some sort of fun for every family member. I liked that it was clean and well maintained. It even boasted a charging station in case your device’s battery was starting to dwindle. That way you can make sure you do miss a chance to capture pics of your family fun.

Emerald Grande at Harborwalk Village

Emerald Grande at Harborwalk Village is the place to stay and play on your visit to the Emerald Coast in Destin, FL. This beautiful resort boasts spacious condos that have multiple bedrooms, bathrooms, living room and kitchen. It makes it easy to leave home behind when you can access the comforts of home all while enjoying the sights and sounds of a new locale.

Destin Harbor is a breathtaking site to see while escaping the everyday for some fun and relaxation. Whether you are taking it in from your balcony or while strolling along the Harborwalk Village you will know your vacation has arrived and is waiting for you.

Harborwalk Village boasts a plethora of shopping, dining and adventure options. The 30+ stores offer up something for the youngest to oldest of shoppers to enjoy. The dining at one of the nearly 20 food shops, restaurants and bars while enjoying a one of a kind view and briny air will leave you wanting to linger well after your meal.

No fear of heights or speed? Then take a zip across a zip line or hop on a jet ski. Want something with a slower pace then try Snuba, paddle boarding or quiet ferry ride to Crab Island. If none of those are to your liking, don’t worry. There are nearly 30 attractions and activities that await your family.

Visiting the Emerald Coast will leave you rested, refreshed, with a smile and many fond memories!

Have you ever been lucky enough to enjoy a trip to the Emerald Coast? If so what are your favorite places to stay and things do while soaking up the fun and sun?

Categories: Beach, Food, Kid Friendly, Places to Stay, Travel | No Comments »

25 Mar 2015

Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando

by Jennifer Wieland

There is nothing like getting away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Getting to head to a great destination where you can relax, unwind and enjoy some fun in the sun is just what I was hoping for when I was invited to be a part of Universal Orlando Resort Girl’s Getaway with ten of my favorite bloggers. We were invited to stay at the luxurious Loews Royal Pacific Resort and boy was I happy with our accommodations!

The Loews Royal Pacific Resort boasts an impressive 1000 rooms and suites! Where you can get anything from a standard room, to a pet friendly room and even kid themed suites. Upon your arrival to the hotel you are greeted with a beautiful bamboo bridge that stretches across a tropical lagoon. This will leave you feeling as if you have left the United States and ventured to a tropical paradise instead. The rooms carry on with this tropical theme but in a beautifully, tasteful fashion. My room had a lovely view full of tropical plants that completely made me feel like I had been swept away on a South Pacific vacation.

The pool at Loews Royal Pacific is surrounded by lush palm trees that provide shade and help to continue on the feel of being in the South Pacific. The pool area also has hot tubs, beach volleyball and the Royal Bali Sea, a fun play area for kids. There is plenty of seating available and the staff comes around regularly to ask if you need anything or want to order food or drinks. So you can just sit back and relax and enjoy your trip.

In addition to all of this the Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando offers their guests a variety of dining options on site. The dining experiences at Loews Royal Pacific Resort include a sushi bar in the lobby, Pan Asian cuisine from Islands Dining Room and Emeril’s Tchoup Chop. Every Sunday, Jake’s hosts a character breakfast where guests can meet some of their favorite Universal Orlando characters. While there I dined each morning at Islands Dining Room where you can order from the menu or opt for items from the breakfast buffet. I also enjoyed appetizers and drinks at Jake’s when I first arrived at the hotel.

Interested in learning even more about the Loews Royal Pacific Resort then head over here for reservations and more details.

Categories: Advertisements, Food, Food & Drink, Kid Friendly, Orlando, Places to Stay, Travel, Travel | No Comments »

22 Mar 2015

Change Girl’s Night Out to Girl’s Weekend at Universal Orlando CityWalk

by Jennifer Wieland

Girl's Getaway at Universal Orlando CityWalk and THe CowFish #UORGirlsGetaway #universalorlando

Last week I was lucky enough to get invited to go to Universal Orlando with ten of my favorite bloggers for a Universal Orlando Girl’s Getaway. I’m sure like a lot of people I never thought about having a girl’s weekend at Universal Orlando but I have to tell you that Universal Orlando CityWalk has all the elements you’d want for a fun-filled time with all of your BFF’s. From the amazing food options, to the shopping to the nightlife Universal Orlando CityWalk has it all for the perfect mommy and wife break.

The dining options at Universal Orlando CityWalk are top-notch. They definitely have something that will fit any taste from fast food to fine dining. While there though we stuck with the sit down places to eat. For me I enjoyed being able to sit down in a restaurant and take my time to enjoy a meal and drinks without the worry of one or more kids deciding to act up.

Our first night at Universal Orlando we got the chance to eat at The Cowfish. It is a sushi, burger and bar place. I am not going to lie. I was a little leery of heading here. Sushi is not my cup of tea but I am definitely a burger, fries and milkshake kind of girl. I ended up really enjoying the fusion of the two vastly different food types though.

The classic Americana food combined with Asian food and flare made for some delicious appetizers, unique entrees, and out of this world desserts and drinks. Anyplace that makes spiked milkshakes, Parmesan, truffle fries and sushi-burger combo bento boxes is a must try!

Girl's Getaway at Universal Orlando CityWalk and The CowFish #UORGirlsGetaway #universalorlando #universalcitywalk @cowfishorlando

Thanks to Joy at http://joyfulmusings.com/ for capturing a few of these food photos!

Of course the night doesn’t end after dinner when you are having a girl’s weekend! Perish the thought! Why opt for sleep without a husband hogging the bed or a kid kicking you all night when you can stay up late and have fun? We did just that nightly at our favorite night spot, CityWalk’s Rising Star Karaoke. I am not a fan of karaoke. I can’t carry a tune in a bucket and usually find karaoke boring to watch and listen to. Rising Star takes karaoke to a whole other level though. People get to go up on real stage complete with an announcer, full band, backup singers/dancers and light guys to make them look like stars. It was such a blast!

Now, no girl’s weekend would be complete without some retail therapy. The family needs souvenirs and you of course will just need some presents to celebrate your own awesomeness. Aside from the Universal Studios shops and merchandise you would expect to find at Universal Orlando CityWalk there are also a lot of fun little shops with unique items, clothing stores, tattoo parlors and of course the much-needed caffeine jolt from Starbucks. The lovely ladies with me below are Robin from Masshole Mommy and Alice from Thrill of the Chases!