Search Results

One summer when I was in college (which was, ahem, several years ago), I was lucky enough to land a temporary job working at the Coors Brewery as a greeter/hostess welcoming tourists who wanted to come take a tour of the brewery and learn how the famous Rocky Mountain beer was made. My job was to organize guests into groups of 12 to take the guided tour. Those in the know would come in and ask to take the "short tour" which was basically a fast track to the tasting room. On my recent trip home, my sister and I decided to check out Coors Brewery for this blog and I found myself on the visitor side of the tour. Turns out we didn't plan far enough in advance to secure a spot for a guided tour and we were "forced" to take the infamous short tour (now known as a "Sampling Only" experience). While I was disappointed to miss the tour, I was very excited to get to taste freshly made Coors Light...my favorite beer! Regardless of which Coors experience you choose, visiting Coors Brewery and the surrounding small city of Golden is a great way to spend the afternoon. The Coors Mystique I may get teased incessantly about my love for Coors Light, but there was a point in time where Coors beer was a coveted beverage. For a long time, it was only sold west of the Mississippi and only in 11 western states. It was the number 1 selling beer in all of those states (except Texas because it was not distributed to all parts of the state). Coors didn't do a lot of paid advertising at the time, but the lack of wide spread distribution and resulting scarcity created a mystique around the beer that made it a highly desired beverage for East Coasters. Rumors spread of people smuggling cases of Coors back to family and friends living east of the Mississippi. Presidents and movie stars requested Coors to be provided in the White House and on set. The Coors mystique peaked in 1977 when the whole premise of the Smokey and the Bandit movie was for the main character (played by Burt Reynolds) to smuggle 400 cases of Coors from Texas to Georgia for a large sum of money. This plotline is highlighted in the Coors museum with a picture of the trunk of Smokey's car filled with cases of Coors. It wasn't until the late 1980's that Coors became licensed to sell east of the Mississippi. All varieties of Coors beers are widely available across the US so there is no longer such a mystique around the beer. The continuous ridicule I receive for basically drinking "water" when I order my Coors Light shows the respect has diminished. I am a loyal consumer though and would still be willing to smuggle cases of Coors Light if I couldn't get it here in New York. Thank goodness I don't have to face that moral dilemma! Planning Your Visit Things have changed since my college summer job days. The brewery has grown and gotten more popular. Coors Brewery claims to be the largest single site brewery in the world. Reservations are now required for both the Coors Brewery Tour and the Sampling Only experience. Guiding tours are made available 28 days in advance. A guided tour costs $20 and takes approximately 1.5 hours. If you are 21 or over, the tour will end in the tasting room with your choice of 3 samples in branded recyclable aluminum cups that you can keep for future beer drinking. Non-alcoholic beverages are also available for younger visitors and your designated driver! The Sampling Only costs $10 and will take you straight to the Coors hospitality lounge for the 3 samples. You do not have to plan as far in advance if you only want to do the tasting, but you still need a reservation. Spots for Sampling Only are made available 1 to 7 days in advance. Even if you choose to just do the Sampling Only, you will still get the branded recyclable aluminum cups to keep after your tasting. You can make your reservation for a Brewery Tour or a Sampling Only here. When You Get There There is a separate parking lot for tour parking with a shuttle bus to take you to the tour greeting area. TOURIST TIP: You should be aware that as Coors Brewery is a food manufacturing facility, so there are strict security and safety measures in place about what can be brought into the Brewery. The Brewery does not allow ANY bags so make sure to leave your purse, backpack, fanny pack or shopping bags in your hotel room or your car. Only a small wallet is permitted. A woman in front of us had to walk back to her hotel room to drop off her purse because they have no place to store or hold a prohibited bag. They will divide guests into groups based on whether you are taking a Brewery tour or a Sampling Only experience and further divide guests based on reserved entry time. It is good to get to the parking lot/shuttle bus loading area about 10-15 minutes early, especially if you are taking a tour so that you can get to the Brewery before the tour leaves. The shuttle bus ride is only a few minutes and the driver will give you an overview of what to expect when they drop you off. How My Expectations Were Built Up and Then Crushed..But Then Revived ! On the shuttle bus ride over to the Brewery, the driver told us about the beer that would be available to taste. She listed Coors Banquet (the original Coors beer brewed from Rocky Mountain Spring Water), a couple of Colorado Native brands (Coors answer to craft beer made with only Colorado ingredients, Blue Moon, Coors Edge (non-alcoholic) and my favorite...Coors Light! She also said that in addition to the Coors Light from the tap, we would have the chance to taste SUPER COLD Coors Light served just below freezing from a mountain of ice. Any one who knows me knows I have a tendency toward Disneyland expectations for every experience I plan to have. So given this information my mind immediately started picturing an adult Willy Wonka style beer tasting with a mountain ice sculpture in the center of the room with a blue light inside (to indicate that the beer was cold enough to drink of course) with Coors Light flowing from the top like lava so you could just reach your cup out and fill it up! Imagine my surprise and disappointment when this is what the mountain of ice looked like... My overzealous expectations aside, I will say Coors Light served Super Cold is amazing! I also tasted Coors Banquet and the Coors Native Wildflower Honey Helles (inspired by wildflowers found in the Colorado Mountains and made with Colorado-produced honey for a hint of sweetness). Both of those were also great-tasting. My sister went for her favorite Blue Moon. After enjoying the three tastings of your choosing, you can head over to the gift shop to purchase all kinds of Coors branded merchandise. Once you finish your Brewery Tour or your Short Tour, make sure to spend some time wandering on the main street in Golden right across from the Brewery. There are lots of cute shops and restaurants to make your visit to Coors Brewery and the City of Golden a full day!

I can't believe it! Two weeks from today I set off on an adventure through the Alps in Europe! I have been wanting to get back to Europe for a while now, but was still hesitant because of Covid and there was that little disruption in my life called divorce which kind of put big travels on the back burner for a bit. But I can't wait any longer and I planned an epic trip. I am excited because I am going on this journey by myself but with others. Meaning, I signed up for a group tour with Go Ahead Tours (a division of EF Tours that does the educational trips a lot of schools do). I selected one called Oktoberfest: Jewels of Alpine Europe that is 14 days with stops in Zurich, Lucerne, French Alps via Bern, Annecy, the Lake Como Region (including Chamonix), St. Moritz, Innsbruck and ending in Munich and a day at Oktoberfest! As I have shared before, I do love planning my own trips and truly enjoy doing the research to figure out what I want to see and do. But I can tell you it was so nice to just select the region I wanted to visit and then Go Ahead Tours sent me a full itinerary with flights, hotels and excursions all planned out. This summer has been crazy busy so I actually LOVE that the details are all taken care of for me this time. I just have to pack and get ready to go! Another bonus...I decided to go last minute so I got a discount on the tour. I guess there are some benefits to not being an obsessive planner all the time. Apparently there are 12 other fellow travelers going on this particular trip so I can't wait to meet new people who love to travel. Of course I will be blogging about everything I see and do, including my thoughts about my group travel experience. This is a new thing for me, but I am hoping it is a great way for a solo person to travel but not be alone (although there is built in free time so I can get some "me" time during the journey to do whatever I find intriguing!). My Checklist: Since this trip is not something that has been on my agenda for a long time, I am now scrambling to take care of all those last minute details before I leave. Here is my checklist for things to do in the days or weeks before I depart for a trip: Doublecheck entry requirements (passport, visa, covid/vaccination) and make sure all documentation is in order. Make sure I have proper masks for those locales that still may require them. Make sure I have enough medication to pack for the length of my entire trip. Given the frequency of airline delays and cancellations these days, plan to pack up to an extra week of medications in case I am delayed getting home. If I don't have enough for this time period, refill prescriptions now. Make sure I have a sufficient supply of eye contacts to get me through my entire trip. If not, order new supply now. Locate universal plug adapter, voltage converter and required plug types for my destination. If I don't have what I need, make sure to purchase. Contact Verizon for information on roaming charges or service plans at my destination. Get some initial currency for places I will be visiting so I have some handy for tips, small purchases, etc. Generally there are better rates of exchange overseas, but need to make sure I have enough to use when I first arrive. Call my credit union/bank to find out about ATM withdrawal fees and to advise of travel plans so they don't deny my card for possible fraud while I am abroad. Arrange for a pet sitter to take care of my cats while I am away. Make sure I have enough food and other supplies for the entire time. If not, restock. I don't get much mail these days and I have a designated mail room in my apartment building, but we used to have to arrange for mail to be held while we were away when I lived in my house. Just including this item in the list to remind those who still need to take care of this concern when traveling. Start to assess packing needs based on travel plans and climate of location so I can purchase anything I might need for my trip. A girl always needs a couple of new outfits when going on vacation! Start gathering all my items together so I am not scrambling trying to find things the night before! I am working on checking things off this list now so I can just relax and get excited for my adventure as it gets closer. I am really excited to get some insight on the group travel experience so I can share with anyone else who finds themselves embarking on solo adventures. I am also so psyched about the spectacular views I am sure to photograph as I travel through the Jewels of the Alps! I can't wait to hoist a giant beer mug with my new travel friends under one of the huge beer tents at Oktoberfest to cap off an amazing journey! Prost!

Saratoga Springs is a foodie haven! There is no shortage of high end restaurants with acclaimed chefs to satisfy those with adventurous palates. But sometimes you just want to have a low-key, casual meal (or you have a picky eater in your group that doesn't want to venture into eclectic cuisine...ahem, that would be me). Luckily Saratoga has plenty of restaurants that are perfect for this kind of meal as well. Here are my three favorite Saratoga eateries perfect for a relaxed night with friends or for picky eaters like me! Cantina If you have been following along with my recent rebrand and relaunch of my website, this choice will come as no surprise to you. I gave away a gift card to this restaurant and went Live from this site to announce the winner. I always recommend Cantina to people looking for a place to eat when visiting Saratoga. Cantina serves fresh, contemporary Mexican and Southwest cuisine and "exceptional margaritas" (which I can personally confirm!). I grew up in Colorado and have had a hard time finding equivalent Mexican food on the East Coast. I finally stumbled on a couple of decent places, but for overall dining experience Cantina takes the prize. Cantina has a large space with lots of tables so even if they are busy, the wait is usually not too long. They also have a great outdoor seating area. If you get lucky enough to snag one of these tables in the peak summer season, you will get an unexpected entertainment bonus with people-watching as horse racing fans walk up and down the main drag. Even if you are seated inside, there is a great energy about the place that makes it a great choice for dinner with friends. If you have to wait for your table, make sure to head up to the rooftop bar to order a drink while you wait. I highly recommend the Coconut Margarita with a sugar rim! But note, they don't serve any food on the rooftop; you can only get drinks. The rooftop is a great spot to chill so rest assured you will not be impatiently waiting for your table! With regard to the food, I can only personally speak to the Chicken Chimichangas because I order the same thing every time I go here. It's that good! (But I switch out the black beans for a second serving of rice so if you order this meal it will have a serving of black beans with it!) All of the people I have taken to Cantina have praised the meal they had, so I think you are good no matter what you order from their menu. Cantina has a LARGE selection of flavored Margaritas including Mango, Peach, Guava, Prickly Pear, Blackberry, Pomegranate, Passion Fruit, Raspberry, Pineapple, Strawberry, Strawberry Rhubarb, Blood Orange, Coconut, Jalapeño, and Watermelon. Again, I usually push the Coconut Margarita and have never had a disappointed customer. If Margaritas are not your thing, Cantina also has a variety of speciality house cocktails, bottled and draft beers and a several styles of Tequila and Mezcal. If you are in the mood for Mexican food, put Cantina at the top of your list! Check out their menu here. Druthers Brewing Company If I'm not feeling Mexican food, Druthers is my next go- to. Again, they have a great outdoor area as well as an indoor dining and bar area. Their menu is varied and they brew their own craft beers. Druthers is well-known for their Mac and Cheese dishes. There is the original Mac and Cheese as well as gourmet flavors like BBQ, Street Corn, Buffalo Mac and Loaded Mac. The perfect comfort dish on those chilly upstate winter nights! They also have delicious wood-fired pizzas, burgers, seasonal salads and a number of unique appetizers for sharing. The food is so filling that I never have room for dessert, but I intend to head there some time for dessert only so I can try their Reeses Peanut Butter Pie or the Reeses Peanut Butter milkshake. Yum! My favorite thing to order when I go to Druthers is a half Strawberry Field salad and a Loaded Grilled Cheese sandwich. The Loaded Grilled Cheese has pulled chicken, bacon bits, muenster cheese, cheddar cheese, BBQ sauce and randh dressing grilled on sourdough bread. Certainly not diet-friendly but worth the calorie splurge! The combination of flavors is amazing! As I mentioned, there is a large outdoor patio area that has heaters making the space a year round extension of the restaurant. It is decorated with an abundance of greenery and hand-painted murals creating a vibey space for a fun lunch or dinner. It is a great space for a larger dinner party, but reservations would be necessary. Check out all of the menu and craft beer selections here. Henry Street Tap Room Henry Street Tap Room is located a couple of blocks off the hustle and bustle of Broadway. Because it is off the main drag, it feels more calm and relaxed which is a nice respite from the busy summer in Saratoga. Henry Street Taproom makes all of its menu items from scratch. Check out their menu here. They also have a wide selection of beers and ciders on tap with an everchanging 16 tap selection! You can order a flight of beer if you can't decide. Henry Street Tap Room has a beautiful inside dining room. They also have a nice outdoor setup for those warmer summer months. There is a picture of their quaint dining area at the start of this blog post! I will certainly highlight many more of the amazing restaurants here in the Saratoga area, but if you start with these you will not be disappointed. Let me know your favorite spot in Saratoga and tell me your favorite meal so I can highlight it on a future blog!

Just a short distance from the bustling downtown area of Saratoga Springs, is a magical place filled with history, nature, architecture, music and activity. Saratoga Spa State Park is a 2,379 acre state park that is recognized as a National Historical Landmark due to its historical and cultural relevance. It has long been a destination for people seeking the health benefits from Saratoga's healing mineral waters. The Park contains 10 mineral springs, an historic hotel, bath houses and spas, miles of hiking and biking trails, two golf courses, a performance venue, two swimming pools and much, much more. I must admit that the Park holds a special place in my heart. I have made so many memories over the years from times spent in the Park. I cross country skied here when we first moved to upstate New York in 2004, I have attended several concerts and ballet performances at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, I have celebrated high moments and consoled low moments over the years that my younger daughter ran cross country races through the trails in the Park, prom pictures have been taken around the scenic area, and I have attended events at the historic Gideon Putnam Hotel. My oldest daughter worked as a caterer at weddings and events held at the historic Hall of Springs. If you live in the Saratoga area, you can't help but become interconnected with the beautiful Park and all it offers. And those experiences are only the tip of the iceberg! If you are visiting Saratoga Springs, you need to make time to do something in the Park. This blog will give you a ton of options depending on the time of year you are visiting and what your personal interests are! Things to Do In Saratoga Spa State Park: Spa City Farmer's Market. A Farmer's Market takes place at the Park every Sunday from10-2. If the weather is good, it is held outside at the entrance to the Park off of Broadway and Avenue of the Pines. When weather is bad, it is held inside the Lincoln Bath house. If you go to the Farmer's Market, make sure to stop and snap some photos at the entrance to the Park because it is always beautifully decorated with seasonal flowers and plants. The fall decor is renowned and is a perfect place to grab that holiday card family photo! Check out this year's display below. Check Out the Classic Architecture of the Historic Bath Houses. At the center of the park there is a large open area with historic bath houses around the perimeter. It is a great place to spread a blanket for a picnic or a nap and check out the beautiful buildings and plaza. Saratoga Performing Arts Center. Take in a live performance at SPAC. Summer includes a full line up of rock and country concerts, comedy shows, Saratoga Jazz Festival and performances by the Philadelphia Orchestra and the New York City Ballet. Spa Little Theater. An intimate 500-seat theater showcasing Opera Saratoga, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center as well as other vocal ensembles, small theater performances and holiday events. Saratoga Automobile Museum. My dad is a car enthusiast and he loves to visit this Museum whenever he is in town. They have several ongoing exhibits including one about the history of auto racing in New York, as well as rotating special exhibits. The Museum building originally housed the facility that bottled the waters of Saratoga Spa State Park. This facility was owned and operated by the State of New York when the healing properties of the mineral water of Saratoga Springs was all the rage. There is an exhibit in the Museum outlining the bottling history of the building. Find out more about the Museum's exhibit schedules and hours here. Roosevelt Baths and Spas. The Roosevelt Baths and Spas was originally established in 1935 following President Franklin Roosevelt's visionary act to preserve the Saratoga Springs. The mineral water that was abundant in the Saratoga Springs area was believed to have medicinal qualities and people flocked to the area to drink and bathe in the water. Today, you can still receive the benefits of the healing water at the Roosevelt Baths and Spas. They provide hydrotherapy spa treatments including mineral baths, massages, body treatments and facials. Every treatment begins with a soak in Saratoga's naturally effervescent waters. Check out the services offered at the Roosevelt Baths and Spas here. Gideon Putnam Hotel. The Gideon Putnam Hotel is a boutique hotel with historic charm and ambiance that is located in the heart of the Saratoga Spa State Park. The hotel opened in 1935, along with the Roosevelt Baths and Spas, for health and wellness seekers to "take the waters" of Saratoga Springs. It was built by prominent New Yorker Gideon Putnam, hence the name. The Hotel continues operation to this day and is a perfect place to stay if you are in town to take in a show at SPAC (as it is walking distance to the venue). Note that the website states that the Hotel will suspend all food, beverage and lodging operations for the winter season beginning November 14, 2022 and will reopen May 1, 2023. The Roosevelt Baths and Spas will continue to operate 7 days a week through the winter. Check out availability and rates for the Gideon Putnam Hotel here. Golfing. There are two golf courses located in the Park. There is a championship 18-hole course as well as a challenging 9-hole course. The courses are framed by towering pines creating a picturesque scene. There is also a pro shop and a restaurant for that 19th hole drink! Check out available tee times and fees here. Swimming Pools. There are two swimming pools located within the Saratoga Spa State Park. Peerless Pool is a more family oriented pool with a main pool area with a zero depth entrance, a kiddie pool and a water slide pool. There are showers, locker rooms and concessions available at the Peerless Pools. There is no admission fee for the Peerless Pools but there is the entrance fee to the Park which is $10 per vehicle. Find more information about Peerless Pool here. The Victoria Pool was built in the 1930's along with the Hotel and Roosevelt Baths and Spas and was used for the health treatments that visitors came seeking in Saratoga. The Victoria Pool is a more low-key pool with less child friendly facilities (although children are welcome). There is an additional fee for entrance to the Victoria Pool of $8 for adults and $4 for children 5-11 (no charge for children under 5). Hiking and Running Trails. There are over twelve miles of hiking and biking trails around the Park, including a certified running course used by high school and collegiate cross country runners (the one I spent several afternoons cheering on my daughter and her friends). The trails are beautiful and have varying levels of difficulty. Here is the link to All Trails with maps to the best hiking trails in the Park. Creekside Classroom. Creekside Classroom is a four-season environmental education center with programs offered year round. They offer guided hikes, tours and snowshoe walks. You can also pick up a brochure that will take you on a self-guided walk passing by all 12 mineral springs located in the Park. Each spring has water with different mineral compositions and different tastes. The Creekside Classroom can provide cups to taste the different healing waters in case you forgot yours! Have a Picnic. There are so many different places to have a picnic in Saratoga Spa State Park! Just pack your picnic basket and head out. Plop yourself down when you find a spot in the Park that you like. There are picnic tables scattered throughout the Park. Some are deeper in the forest, some are located next to a babbling creek, some are located right next to large playgrounds if you need something to occupy the kids. You have several options! If you have a bigger party, you can rent large covered pavilions with grilling stations. There are 10 pavilions of varying size that accommodate 50-250 people. The price ranges from $125-$300 depending on the location and the size. One of the pavilions has a volleyball net right next to it! Find our more information about the pavilions here. Other Activities. In addition to the above, there are other outdoor activities you can enjoy at the Park including Disc Golf, tennis courts, fishing, ice skating and biking. Also, the Hall of Springs is an historic building in the Saratoga Spa State Park that is one of Saratoga Spring's premier wedding and banquet facilities. If you are looking for an amazing spot with a beautiful backdrop for incredible photos, you need to check it out! Information on weddings and banquets at the Hall of Springs can be found here. So as you can see, there is no end the things you can do at the Saratoga Spa State Park. Regardless of the season in which you find yourself in Saratoga, make time to check out the natural beauty and the historical architecture that make this Park the Spa City's Crown Jewel!

If you don't already have going to Oktoberfest in Munich on your bucket list, make sure to add it immediately! Even if you are not a big beer fan, there is nothing like this traditional festival and you will find plenty to enjoy. If you still aren't convinced, I think you will change your mind by the end of this blog! How the Party Started: The first Oktoberfest occurred on October 17, 1810, at a horse race held in further celebration of the wedding of Prince Ludwig of Bavaria (later King Ludwig I) to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. The celebration was such a success it was decided to hold it every year. As the annual festival moved forward the length of the celebration was extended. It was extended forward into the month of September most likely to enjoy the more pleasant, warmer weather that Munich typically enjoys in September. The festival now runs for two weeks every year beginning on the first Saturday following September 15 and runs through the first Sunday in October. Interesting Oktoberfest Party Facts: Approximately 5.7 million festival goers attended the 2022 Oktoberfest! Only beer from Munich breweries may be served at Oktoberfest. The six breweries that provide their newly brewed Wiesn beer to the festival are Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner and Spaten. 5.6 million liters of beer were served at the 2022 Oktoberfest. 112,551 traditional Oktoberfest beer mugs were confiscated from souvenir hunters who didn't want to pay for their own from the souvenir stands. How to Enjoy the World's Best Party: Access to the festival grounds (Theresienwiese fairgrounds) and the beer tents is free. A smaller, more low-key Oktoberfest called Oide Weisen takes place on the northwestern corner of Theresienwiese. Entry to Oide Weisen is 4 euros for adults (children under 14 are free). There are beer tents with genuine Bavarian customs and a special dark beer brewed using historical recipes which is served in stone mugs. Oide Weisen is Oktoberfest with lots of nostalgia. Oktoberfest kicks off with a Weisen tapping by the Oberbürgermeister (also known as the Lord Mayor) of Munich. The tapping occurs at noon on the first Saturday of the festival in the Schottenhamel Festhalle. A rousing "O'Zapft Is!" starts the beer flowing for the annual Oktoberfest. There are 17 large tents and 21 small tents to enjoy beer, wine and food. Each tent is privately owned and has its own distinct vibe. Don't worry, the typical Oktoberfest atmosphere can be found in every tent! Check out a description of each tent here so you can decide which one sounds like the best fit for you before you go. You don't have to have reservations to enter a beer tent and a proportion of tables in each tent are kept open for walk ins. However, if you plan to go to Oktoberfest on the weekend, in the evening or in a large group, it may be difficult to secure those open spots or even get into a tent. Tents will close due to overcrowding and you will only be able to enter if you have a reservation. You can only make a reservation for a full table which seats 8-10 people. You need to contact each tent directly to make a reservation. (WARNING: Reservations cannot be resold so do not attempt to buy a reservation any where other than directly from the respective proprietor of the relevant tent. A reservation that has been sold will be automatically cancelled so you could be left stranded.) A table reservation itself is free, but in order to secure the reservation you will need to buy and pay for vouchers for 2 liters of beer and half a chicken per person. Price may vary by tent but is generally around 350 euros for the full table. In addition to the beer tents, there are all kinds of things to be enjoyed at Oktoberfest. There are many booths with traditional Oktoberfest foods, souvenir stands where you can purchase your own Oktoberfest beer stein or flower head wreath, and a wide selection of carnival rides. Looking at many of the rides, it doesn't seem to me that they would be a good mix with drinking lots of beer, but who am I to judge? I did enjoy a ride on the symbolic Willenborg's Ferris Wheel and a Toboggan ride that I will discuss below, but I passed on any spinny rides (that honestly I couldn't handle even before drinking beer)! Lots of families were enjoying this part of Oktoberfest and there were apparently plenty of beer drinkers who have a stronger stomach than me. You don't have to dress in traditional garb to attend Oktoberfest, but it definitely makes it more fun! Women generally wear a dress that is called a dirndl with a matching apron. How you tie the apron bow will tell any interested admirer whether you are single, married or widowed, so be careful how you tie it! Men wear lederhosen which are leather shorts with suspenders. They can accessories with Loferls which are "calf warmers" only worn on the lower leg. You can order these outfits before you go, but you can also purchase them in Munich at almost any store. I didn't wear a dirndl, but I purchased a traditional skirt and a flower wreath to join in the fun! Find out more information on putting together your perfect Oktoberfest outfit here. My Oktoberfest Experience: I had a fantastic time at Oktoberfest and I can't wait to go back again. We had reservations in the Schottenhamel Festhalle, the beer tent that kicks off the Oktoberfest celebration with the tapping of the beer and the "O'Zapft Is!". Oktoberfest was in full swing by the time we arrived so we missed that tradition. Reading the descriptions of each beer tent, apparently the Schottenhamel Festhalle is the oldest Wiesn tent, but also has the reputation of being the best tent to flirt so many of the youngest guests head here. I'm sure any beer tent has great potential for flirting given the crowd and the amount of beer being served, but this is the Schottenhamel story and they are sticking to it! As noted above, you don't have to have a reservation, but if you have a large enough group or plan to go during a peak time, I would highly recommend it. Reservations will guarantee you a spot in your favorite tent. Reservations are generally made in three hour increments throughout the day. We were there from11:00-2:00, but don't think that being there that early in the day means a more subdued Oktoberfest experience. The early time didn't seem to have an impact on the amount of celebrating that was going on! It was so fun to experience Oktoberfest with the travel group I had been with for the past two weeks, but it was also fun to meet new friends from all over the world who were also there to experience Oktoberfest! Our reservation time ended and three BIG beers later I wandered out into the festival grounds to check out the rest of the Oktoberfest scene. As I mentioned above, I did grab a ride on the Willenborg's Ferris wheel. The Ferris Wheel has been in operation since 1979 and goes 50 meters high over the Oktoberfest grounds. I then wandered over to the infamous Toboggan ride. I was watching people slide down a really tall slide and decided that would be something fun to do...it was safe because there was no spinning involved! However I failed to notice the really fast magic carpet ride that you needed to hop on (with the assistance of a very handsome young man dressed in lederhosen) that whipped you up part way to the top of the slide where you then have to climb several more sets of stairs to reach the entry to the slide. Apparently it is common knowledge that you can stand and watch drunk people try to maneuver the speedy conveyor belt for hours of festival entertainment. I don't think I provided any laughable moments, but the whole thing is a little hazy thanks to those three BIG beers so who knows. I won't see any of those people again. I made it safely to the top and rode the tall, winding slide down to the bottom. I don't have any video or pictures of me enjoying the Toboggan ride. I think that is probably a good thing. I wandered around a little more taking in all of the sights and enjoying some warm toasted almonds. I loved seeing the horse drawn keg carriages that each brewery had decorated in true Oktoberfest style! Planning Your 2023 Oktoberfest Visit: The 2023 Oktoberfest is scheduled for September 16, 2023 through the first Sunday in October (although it may be extended through the public holiday on Tuesday, October 3, 2023). The 188th festival will kick off with the traditional tapping happening at noon on September 16, 2023 in the Schottenhamel Festhalle. Once the tapping has occurred, the beer can start flowing in all the other beer tents and Oktoberfest 2023 will begin. Reservations for tables will not open until sometime next spring, usually around April or May. Note that each beer tent handles its own reservations. You can click here for information on the reservation process and to keep updated on when each beer tent will begin accepting reservations. If you have a specific tent you really want to visit, I would jump on the reservations as soon as they open as the most popular tents fill up quickly. I hope this blog has encouraged you to plan your own Oktoberfest trip. I promise you will not regret it! After experiencing the festival you can explore Munich and the surrounding Alps. Check out my other blogs for inspiration regarding exploring nearby places.

I saw so many amazing places and incredible sights on my two week journey through the Alps, but one place in particular just touched my soul and made a huge impact on me. That place was Annecy, France. Annecy is a small alpine town in southeastern France (right by the border with Switzerland) that is nestled in the French Alps and situated right on Lac d'Annecy. For planning purposes, Annecy is about 40 minutes drive from Geneva, Switzerland; an hour and ten minute drive from Chamonix-Mont Blanc; and accessible by train from Paris. Annecy is called the "Venice of the Alps" because of the canal that winds through the center of the old town. From the moment I got off the bus, I was mesmerized by the scenery and the vibe of this place. I was immediately enchanted by the cobblestone streets; the full, colorful flower boxes; and the pastel colored buildings that line the canal in the Vielle Ville ("Old Town"). Not to mention the crystal blue water of Lac d'Annecy and magnificence of the surrounding mountain peaks of the French Alps. I had never heard of Annecy before my trip, but now I am contemplating getting a tourist visa and living in Annecy for an extended period! That's how much I loved it! Best Things to Do In Annecy: Stroll around Old Town and take in the sights and sounds of the area. There are frame-worthy pictures to be taken around every corner. You will especially want to snap a photo in front of Palais de I'lle, the historic turret that divides the River Thiou into two canals. It was built in the 12th century and is one of France's most photographed locations! The streets are lined with charming cafés and coffee shops, boutique stores and historic architecture. You feel like you have gone back in time and entered into the setting of a romance novel! I loved just wandering around and listening to the mixture of languages being spoken. But I especially love to listen to the magical sound of the French language. It is my goal to learn how to speak fluent French at some point. If you are in Annecy on a Tuesday, Friday or Sunday morning, you are very lucky! There is an open air market on these days selling fresh cheeses, meats, vegetables and fruits. I even picked up freshly made specialty Salted Carmel/Almond Nougat (which I ate before snapping a photo for this blog...oops!). You can often have samples of the cheeses and meats before you purchase. One cheese that is special to the area is Reblochan De Savoie. You have to sample it or eat a dish made with it (see below). It is delicious! You can also get Raclette, a semi-hard cow's milk cheese that is melted on an open fire for the best cheese fondue. Yum! You can purchase these cheeses in a vacuum packed bag so that you can bring it back home with you on the plane. Make sure to get to the market early because it closes down at 1:00. Take a cruise on Lake Annecy (or Lac d'Annecy if you want to sound like a local). Lake Annecy is the third largest lake in France and has the honor of being the cleanest lake in Europe! You can see the evidence in the pictures below. There are several cruise options varying in length of time, boat size and whether or not you get a meal. We opted for the short one hour commentary cruise (although commentary was only in French so I didn't get the full experience). Regardless, the views were amazing and it was fun to get out on the water on a beautiful day. Check out the Château d'Annecy, a castle that sits on the hill above the Old Town. There is a steep walk up from the center of Old Town or you can reach it by car. The castle now hosts a museum with local sculpture and art and a nature exhibit about animals and fish native to the area. There are also great views from the top of the hill. I didn't have time to go inside to the museum, but it is 5 Euro for adults and kids under 12 are free. Learn to Paraglide! I did not do this on this quick visit, but would seriously consider it if I do return for an extended stay. Apparently Annecy is the most famous paragliding site in Europe. I can only imagine the views from above as you set off from a peak in the Alps over the crystal blue Lake Annecy! Oh my! I left several things on my bucket list for my eventual return to this beautiful town! I still need to check out the Jardins de l'Europe (a large park right next to the lake with beautiful scenery and art sculptures), bike around the lake, lounge on the beaches, visit the Castle Museum, and so much more. Oh yeah, and as I said, I want to become fluent in French! I figure immersion in the culture for a month or two is the best way to accomplish that. Favorite Local Food in Annecy: One thing there is no shortage of in Europe is good food and Annecy is no exception! Annecy has several local dishes that you have to try when you visit. Our tour guide recommended that we try Tartiflette which is a dish using the local Reblochon cheese mentioned above with potatoes, lardons and onions. It is a signature dish for Annecy. Of course I took her suggestion (I mean, she is the expert!) and found a quaint little cafe, Le Beau Soleil, to try it out. Le Beau Soleil sits alongside the canal and had lovely ambiance for my relaxing lunch. You can find the menu here (but you may have to hit the Google translation button to view it in English). I ordered the Tartiflette des Aravis (which is the Tartitflette dish with bacon...which was actually just little bits of ham), a fresh salad and a glass of white wine. It was literally one of the most delicious meals of my whole trip! C'est très magnifique! If you don't go for the Tartiflette, another great option is to order Raclette fondue which is available almost everywhere. Raclette is a popular meal in Switzerland and France and you must try it at least once on your journey through the Alps. But my guess is you will have it more than one time because it is that good! After walking off my fullness from the Tartiflette, of course I had to sample the ice cream at Le Glacier des Alpes. It is considered to be one of the best ice cream shops in France! They have over 45 flavors so it is hard to choose (even for the most decisive), but I don't think you can go wrong with whatever choice you make. Again, there is no photo because I was too excited to begin enjoying my cone! I hope you can feel my love and enthusiasm for this charming little town. I was so unexpectedly surprised by the area and can't wait to go back! I definitely left my heart in Annecy. Who knows, maybe by the time you are planning your trip I will be living there and speaking fluent French so I can be your personal tour guide! Au Revoir!

Rhinebeck is a charming, historic town nestled in New York's scenic Hudson Valley. It is just a short distance from both New York City and upstate New York, making it a perfect day trip destination. It is small in size, but filled to the brim with unique stores, great restaurants, relaxing spas and plenty of places to stay if you want to extend your visit. You can book a room at the Beekman Arms Inn which is the oldest Inn in America! I stopped to explore Rhinebeck after a trip to the Walkway Over the Hudson. There are many other interesting destinations close to Rhinebeck if you want to make a weekend of your visit. For example, it is just a short drive to National Historic Sites such as the Vanderbilt Mansion, the Home of Franklin D.; Roosevelt in Hyde Park, and the Eleanor Roosevelt House in Val-Kill. The artsy town of Hudson is also close by. The region is filled with so many different things to do, you may have a hard time choosing and will have to come back for another visit! I focused my afternoon on really exploring the village of Rhinebeck and had a wonderful time. The "four corners" area, with Beekman Arms Inn sitting on one corner, marks the center of town where a lot of the action occurs. Down the tree-lined street are many unique specialty stores that sell all kinds of things from jewelry, clothing, gifts, art, and most anything else you are looking for. My Favorite Rhinebeck Spots: Here were some of my favorite spots that I discovered on my visit to Rhinebeck: Adel Chefridi Jewelry Studio and Gallery. I was especially interested in checking out this this store as Silverado Jewelry Gallery in Saratoga Springs (where I worked part-time) sells his jewelry. Adel's wife was in the store on the day I visited and was kind enough to walk me through all the collections and show me his studio in the back of the store where the magic happens. She invited some other customers to check it out as well so I think she would be happy to show anyone who was interested. Their jewelry is beautiful and it so cool to have specialty pieces made by someone in our own backyard. Check out his designs here. Periwinkles at Rhinebeck. Periwinkles showcases local artisans and sells handmade soaps and lotions, bath fizzies, homemade dog treats and dog lover gifts, jewelry, home decor items, and some women's apparel. I found the cutest pink and cream plaid shacket that I love! Shop on-line here. Paper Trail. A wonderful store that sells fine paper, custom invitations, personal accessories, unique gifts and home decor. It is a great place to find a gift for that discerning person who loves high quality stationery or is hard to buy for. They have a wide selection of items. Browse their offerings here. Samuel's Sweet Shop. Perhaps my favorite store in Rhinebeck (no surprise there if you know me and my sweet tooth!). Samuel's Sweet Shop is widely known and is a destination spot for many because it is owned by actors Paul Rudd, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Hilarie Burton. The store sells a variety of throwback candy, handmade caramels and chocolates and the famous Rice Krispie treats with a picture of your favorite owner. I have to confess I sampled a few different items and they were all yummy! Check out their selection here. After browsing the shops, I was getting hungry for lunch. There are many dining options in Rhinebeck, both fine dining and casual atmosphere. I went with casual and historic and ate lunch at Foster's Coach House Tavern. Foster's has been an operating tavern since 1890 and has occupied its location on the "four corners" for 125 years. The vibe was laid back and cozy and the cheeseburger and Toasted Almond drink I had were delicious! I highly recommend. View their full menu here. If you have time, right next to Foster's Coach House Tavern is Upstate Films. A non-profit arts organization owns the movie house with a mission to enrich lives through cinema. They offer an alternative to the mass distribution movie theaters we usually go to. Read more about them here. Rhinebeck is a great destination for the day or for a weekend. You will find plenty to do and see no matter how much time you spend in this quaint little village.

Jo's Coffee: Breakfast Tacos are a must have when visiting Austin and Jo's Coffee is a perfect place to go to try them out. There Jo's locations on South Congress, Downtown and in Red River so you have several options to grab your breakfast taco fix. Each location serves a variety of breakfast tacos, oatmeal and granola for breakfast along with several different coffee drinks and teas. The breakfast tacos are available from 7 am until they are gone (so you may want to stop by early). The lunch menu includes grilled chicken tacos, deli sandwiches and salads available from 11 am until gone. Jo's offers an assortment of drinks (including sodas, Topo Chico, and a rotating selection of local beers and Frose). Check out Jo's menu here. Cooper's Old Time Pit BBQ: Another thing you have to eat when in Texas is good ol' BBQ! There are many BBQ places to pick from and I am sure they are all fantastic. We went to Cooper's Old Time Pit BBQ and really enjoyed the vibe and the food! Cooper's is open seven days a week from 11 am to 10 pm. They offer several different cuts of meat that are cooked on the open fire right in front of you. Madison got brisket and I got the chopped beef sandwich. They have several traditional southern side dishes, including a Macaroni and Cheese that was incredible! Dessert options include several different flavors of fruit cobbler with ice cream. We were stuffed but satisfied when we left! Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill: The motto for Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill is "Bootlegged & Bountiful" and you gotta love any place with a motto like that! Their website says they serve "Classic American Comfort Food" and I can attest to that. The vibe in the restaurant was really cool and the food was delicious! We left stuffed...uncomfortably so. This restaurant is always packed so reservations are a good idea. 1886 Cafe & Bakery: This quaint Victorian-style cafe is attached to the Driskill Hotel. They are open until 2 pm for breakfast and lunch. They serve traditional Texas comfort food made with time-honored recipes. They also use locally sourced ingredients. We had a delicious breakfast there one morning before heading out to explore Austin. Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream: Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream is an incredible ice cream store with its flagship Austin shop right on South Congress ("SoCo"). They have really unique flavors such as Everything Bagel, Salted Peanut Butter with Chocolate Flakes, Brown Butter Almond Brittle, Gooey Butter Cake, and Brambleberry Crisp. You definitely need to stop here for refreshment after an afternoon of shopping in SoCo! BONUS RECOMMENDATION: Austin Eastciders Cider: This last recommendation is not a place to eat, rather it is a hard cider that is produced locally and it must be tried if you are a fan of hard ciders. I had the Blackberry Cider and it was amazing! These are just a few of the many great restaurants in Austin where you can sample some good ole Southern cooking. Let me know if you discover any other eateries that should be highlighted for future Austin tourists!

"The mountains are calling and I must go." - John Muir Growing up in Colorado, I took the mountains for granted. The Rocky Mountains were a constant backdrop to my days and mainly served as a convenient reference for this directionally challenged girl (in Denver, mountains are always to the west). Don't get me wrong, I took advantage of living so close to the mountains. On a sunny day I might pause to admire them in the distance and I frequently took day trips to enjoy skiing with family or friends. But it wasn't until I took a recent ski vacation to Breckenridge that I feel like I truly appreciated the beauty and majesty of the Colorado Rockies for the first time. I have lived on the East Coast for the past 17 years, so I guess absence does make the heart grow fonder. Breckenridge is a former mining town that started as a gold rush base camp in the 1850's. This history gives the town a quaint Victorian feel that is preserved in the Breckenridge National Historic District which runs along Main Street in the center of the town. Colorfully painted buildings from the 1880's and 90's house over 300+ boutiques, shops and restaurants. Breckenridge is a year-round resort that has so much to offer it should be a "must see" on your travel bucket list. Here are a few of the highlights to encourage you to start planning your own mountain getaway. Best Place to Stay: Breckenridge is filled with hotels and condos so you should have no problem finding a place to stay. My go-to is to reserve a condo/house through Airbnb. I usually find a spacious place that is cheaper then a hotel room and we then have access to a kitchen to help cut costs on eating out. The condo we stayed at in Breckenridge was beautiful and had an awesome location walking distance to the lifts on Peak 9 and the downtown area. I highly recommend it! Best Things to Do: Ski or snowboard, of course! Breckenridge is mostly known as a ski area, so skiing and snowboarding are the most obvious choices. The ski area has 5 Peaks (Peaks 6-10), 187 ski trails, 2,908 acres to ski or board and the highest lift-served terrain in North America! Each Peak has its' own "personality, charm and stats". Check out the descriptions for each Peak here. In addition to incredible runs, Breck (as the locals call it) also offers a few different terrain parks for the more adventurous among us. The expansiveness of the area calls for some planning when you are skiing. You need to make sure that towards the end of the day you will end up at the bottom of the Peak closest to your accommodations. But no worries, if you don't end up in the right spot, there are free shuttles that can take you back to your starting location. If you aren't a ski/snowboard enthusiast, do not despair! Breck offers many other options. In the winter, you can go tubing, snowmobiling or cross country skiing. If you find yourself in the mountains in the spring or summer, there are awesome hiking trails, bike trails/paths and alpine slides. There is no shortage of outdoor activities to keep you occupied. If you are tuckered out from all of the mountain activities, take a rest day and leisurely stroll down historic Main Street. Wander in and out of the local stores (see my favorites in Where to Shop below), check out the art galleries and grab a bite at one of the many restaurants (see What to Eat below). Main Street is also a beautiful place for a night time stroll. YOU CAN SKIP: The outlets in Dillon. They are run down and many stores are closed. It is not worth the drive to Dillon. There were more interesting shops right in Breckenridge! Best Places to Eat: Breckenridge has a plethora of different restaurants to satisfy any craving you may have. We used the kitchen in our condo to fix most meals. You can buy groceries at the Safeway or the Walmart just a short trip down the road in Frisco. But who wants to cook every night on vacation? So we did take the opportunity to eat at a few of the local spots. Here are some of my favorites: Flipside Burgers: Flipside is a chef-driven burger and shake joint. They use locally sourced ingredients and the burgers are made with grass-fed beef. Many of the burgers and shakes are created interesting ingredients and gourmet flair. They also offer grilled chicken sandwiches and other tasty entrees. One of the best cheeseburgers I have ever had! Find more information and the menu here. Fiesta Jalisco: One thing I have missed living on the East Coast is authentic Mexican food! I hit the jackpot here. Fiesta Jalisco is a family owned restaurant with authentic Mexican cuisine. They provide delicious food and fast table service. The margarita was the finishing touch! Find more information and the menu here. Breckenridge Brewery: One of the nation's top craft breweries is located right on Main Street in Breckenridge. They still brew all their beers on site so you can't get a fresher beer on tap. They have a tasty pub menu with typical bar food so you can drink your craft beers on a full stomach. Find more information about their various craft beers and the menu here. Mountain Top Cookie Shop: You cannot come to Breckenridge and not stop at the Mountain Top Cookie Shop! There is always a line (which should tell you something), but the cookies are worth the wait. You can get your favorite Chocolate Chip cookie, but Mountain Top takes it to the next level with the variety of flavors you can choose from. To make it easier for you to pick, they offer a Buy 6, Get 2 Free deal. If you are a real bargain hunter, you can buy day old packs in the store. They do ship cookies world wide so you don't have to wait to get to Breckenridge to try these yummy treats! Order here. Crepes Ala Cart: DISCLAIMER: I did not actually eat at Crepes Ala Cart. However, my sister gave a glowing review of the crepes served out of a trailer on Main Street. Even without my sister's input, I would have figured out that this was a hot spot given the long line at any given time. Therefore, I would be remiss if I did not include this spot on the Where to Eat list. Crepes Ala Cart offers a wide variety of both sweet and savory crepes and you also have the option to create your own unique Crepe! Will definitely have to brave the line the next time I am in Breckenridge! See all of your choices here. Best Places to Shop: There are so many great shops to wander in and out of as you stroll up and down Main Street and the surrounding area. The stores run the gamut from fine art to tacky tourist souvenirs, fashionable clothing to T-shirts/sweatshirts splashed with "Breckenridge", unique home decor to unusual decorative socks. Anything you are looking for, you can probably find on Main Street. Two particular stores stood out to me and I went back to browse more than once! First, Marigolds Farmhouse Funk & Junk sounds just like its name. It is an eclectic store filled with all kinds of "funk" and "junk". You can spend hours roaming in this store looking at everything crammed into the space in an artsy, decorative manner; new unique gift items masterfully interwoven with old antiques that are all available for purchase. The second store I loved was Ruby Jane's which sells women's clothing, shoes, jewelry and unique home decor items. Again, products are artfully displayed and the whole vibe is very calming and cozy. SO WHAT'S STOPPING YOU? Even if the current ski season is wrapping up, you can get started planning a Colorado mountain getaway at Breckenridge for next season. Or, if you don't want to wait that long, Breck has plenty to offer during the summer, so pack your bags! Let's go!

Just a short drive away from Austin (an hour and a half to be exact!) is the wonderful city of San Antonio. San Antonio was where Davy Crockett was heading when he famously said "You can all go to hell and I will go to Texas!" I had heard great things about San Antonio and its' famous River Walk and wanted to check it out for myself. Let me tell you, it definitely lived up to all the hype. My daughter and I truly enjoyed our visit to San Antonio and we encourage you to join us and Davy Crockett and head to Texas! Best Place to Stay: There are several hotel options in San Antonio. Wherever you choose to stay, I would recommend choosing a hotel situated on or near the River Walk. We stayed at the Canopy by Hilton San Antonio Riverwalk and I highly recommend it! The location was great as it is literally right on the River Walk and only a short walk away from most of the other things you will want to do. The Canopy also has a highly acclaimed restaurant right on the property that I will highlight below. It is also a brand new hotel so everything is really nice and fresh! Best Things to Do: Gruene Historic District/New Braunfels: About half way between Austin and San Antonio (or approximately a 45 minute drive from each) is the Gruene Historic District located in the city of New Braunfels. Gruene (pronounced "green") is a charming rustic Texas town with a distinct history. It is home to Gruene Hall, built in 1878, which is the oldest dance hall in Texas. Many big name country music stars have played here over the years. Gruene Hall still has live music every day so check the schedule and try and catch a show in this historic venue! There are also several local shops to pick up a memento from your trip, including the Gruene General Store which hasn't changed much since it opened in 1925. If you make a trip to Gruene, make sure to plan to each lunch or dinner at The Gristmill River Restaurant and Bar highlighted below in Where to Eat! Walk or Cruise the River Walk: Once you arrive in San Antonio, the first thing you will want to do is check out the River Walk. You can stroll up and down both sides. There are several bridges that can take you up and over the river whenever you want to get to the other side. Check out all of the restaurants and shops that border the River Walk and decide which ones you want to return to during your stay! There are also free water taxis that will take you up and down the river throughout the day. You can also buy a ticket to take a guided cruise up and down the River Walk. We chose to do a cruise at night so we could see the River Walk all lit up. City Sightseeing Hop On/Hop Off Tour Bus: I always recommend doing these bus tours on the first day or two of your trip when they are available. Riding the full loop gives you a lay of the land and a little history about the area you are about to explore. We bought a package that included a two-day bus pass and the River Walk boat cruise. Having a two day bus pass works to get you around the city and back to any places on the tour bus route that you want to return to. There are other packages that include discounted tickets to additional sightseeing spots. Check out all your options here. The Alamo: The most famous site in San Antonio is a must see! Known as the "Shrine of Texas Liberty", the Alamo represents the heart of Texas pride and the spirit of its' people. I admit didn't know (or remember) the history of the area and I found the tour entertaining and educational. It gave me a whole new respect for the history of Texas in their fight to be independent. To do a self-directed tour you must reserve a FREE timed-entry ticket. Alternatively, you can buy a ticket for a guided tour that will give you a complete history of the Alamo with a directed tour. I would recommend the guided tour for the complete experience. You can find information on securing your timed entry ticket and tour prices here. Historic Market Square: The Historic Market Square is an area "where the culture of San Antonio comes alive". There are over 100 locally owned businesses located in the Historic Market Square that allow you to enjoy the sights and flavors of old Mexico. You can find authentic Mexican curios and artifacts, hand-crafted leather goods and hand-woven Mexican blankets for $10. After shopping you can enjoy authentic Mexican or Tex-Mex cuisine at one of the several restaurants in the Square. Or you can just enjoy an authentic Mexican churro with your choice of dipping sauce! Yum! A trip to San Antonio is not complete without a visit to the Historic Market Square (and it is a designated stop on the Hop On/Hop Off tour bus mentioned above). Find more information on the Historic Market Square here. La Villita Historic Art Village: La Villita Historic Art Village is located on the southern bank of the River Walk and is easy to get to while strolling on the River Walk or after your tour of the Alamo. The "Little Village" is an artisan village that has been listed on the U.S. Government's National Register of Historic Places. The cobblestone streets are lined by historic architecture opening up into spacious outdoor plazas. La Villita has a storied history, but these days serves as a mecca for artisans and entrepreneurs selling their wares in over 25 boutiques and performers entertaining visitors at cultural events throughout the year. La Villita is the perfect place to find unique gifts and mementos to remember your San Antonio experience. I bought a beautiful hand embroidered kaftan at Villa Tesoros that caught my eye and I get numerous compliments every time I wear it! Pearl Shopping District: One of the stops on the Hop On/Hop Off Tour Bus is the Pearl Shopping District. It is a little out of the way, so if you don't do the Tour Bus you will have to have transportation to get here if you don't want to hike all the way over from the River Walk area. If you do choose to go, you will find a lovely shopping area anchored by Pearl Brewery. There are several different retailers with an eclectic mix of items from books, kitchen wares, free trade artisan crafts, home decor and clothing boutiques. There are also a number of different restaurants to choose from aside from the Brewery. On the weekends they have a large Farmer's Market with Saturdays dedicated to local farmers and ranchers and Sundays featuring local artisans. Definitely check out all that the Pearl Shopping District has to offer and plan to make a stop during your stay. Best Places to Eat: As I mentioned above, San Antonio is known for its authentic Mexican food and its Tex-Mex cuisine. We only had a couple of days and were trying to cram in all of our sight seeings so we didn't do too many "sit down" meals. We were able to check out a couple of places (and try a couple of special San Antonio treats, so that can get you started if you find yourself in San Antonio. The Gristmill Restaurant: After checking out Gruene, make sure to grab a bite at the Gristmill River Restaurant and Bar before you head out of town. The Gristmill is located beneath the Gruene landmark water tower in the ruins of a 1878 Cotton Gin overlooking the Guadalupe River. It is included on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Gruene Historical District. There are multiple levels of dining and an outdoor beer garden. We sat on an open air patio nestled in a grove of trees overlooking the River. It felt like we were eating in a tree house! The food was delicious and the setting was beautiful. La Panaderia Bakery and Cafe: For breakfast we stopped at La Panaderia Bakery and Cafe and we were not disappointed with our choice! La Panaderia is owned by two brothers who grew up baking bread and pan dulce with their mother in Mexico. They decided to share their Mexican heritage and love of baking with their San Antonio community by opening the cafe in 2014. They had so many delicious pastries it was hard to choose! Domingo: Domingo is an open-air restaurant located beneath the Canopy by Hilton San Antonio Riverwalk where we stayed. The vide is cool and relaxed enhanced by the open air concept. The patio of Domingo is right on the River Walk so you can watch the boats float up and down the river and the people strolling along the River Walk. Domingo serves Mexican dishes with South Texas flavors. I had the Grilled Adobo Chicken Tacos which were delicious. Madison and I split the Skillet Cornbread made with cheddar, zucchini, and green chiles and served with honey butter. It was AMAZING! The drinks are "agave forward beverages" that are styled with edible flowers creating a drink almost too pretty to drink...notice I said almost. San Antonio is an incredible city with lots to do! I encourage you to plan a visit and suggest combining it with a visit to Austin to do all the things I highlighted in my Austin blog which can be found here. By the time you are done exploring these parts of South Texas you will be saying "y'all" and speaking with a country twang while craving BBQ and Tex-Mex!

I just returned from a long girl's weekend in Nashville, Tennessee and I already can't wait to go back! If you love listening to live music by talented musicians, you need to plan a trip to Nashville, also known as Music City, immediately if not sooner. Nashville has been the launching pad for many past and present popular musicians. As you walk up and down Broadway, there is live music playing in every bar all day and all night by excellent performers hoping to be discovered and make it big. Even if music isn't your cup of (sweet) tea, Nashville has plenty of other things to keep you occupied. There is amazing food, sporting events, museums, history, and lots of shopping. And don't forget the moonshine! This was my second visit and I can tell you it definitely won't be my last. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Nashville and I am sure you will love it too. Best Places to Stay: Downtown: If the main focus of your visit will be the honky tonks on Broadway or attending a concert or sporting event at Bridgestone Arena or Nissan Stadium, you will want to stay in the central downtown area. There are many hotel choices downtown, but the prices tend to be a bit higher due to the location. The trade off is being able to walk a block or two to many of Nashville's attractions. This convenience will come in handy after a full day of sightseeing or bar hopping to listen to all the great music. We stayed at the Drury Plaza Hotel Nashville Downtown and I highly recommend it! The location was fantastic and an added bonus was the incredible free hot breakfast and the free snacks and drinks at the 5:30 Kickback every day. The breakfast was more substantial than the usual free breakfast offered in hotels. There was fresh scrambled eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy, oatmeal, a waffle station and a cook making pancakes in adorable Music City shapes! The afternoon "snacks" included a full on dinner buffet with alfredo pasta, grilled chicken, garden salad and soup. You also got a punch card for three free drinks every day during your stay (cocktails, wine or beer!). Unfortunately we were usually out and about around 5:30 every day so only took advantage of the Kickback on the first day, but it was there if we wanted it. It would be a good way to keep your spending down as you can potentially cover two meals and drinks everyday! The Gulch: The first time I visited Nashville I stayed in an Airbnb in The Gulch. The Gulch is a newer upscale area with chic boutiques and trend-setting restaurants. It is a great place to stay, especially if you don't plan to spend a majority of your time on Broadway. Broadway is only a quick 15 minute walk away, but The Gulch is definitely removed from the craziness of the main downtown area if you prefer a more low key vibe. The Gulch is where the famous "What Lifts You Up" Wings mural is located for that perfect Nashville Insta moment. There are only a few hotels in this area, so you would most likely be staying in an Airbnb if you want to stay in The Gulch. Best Things to Do: Old Town Trolley Tours: Whenever I travel to a new spot, one of the first things I do is to jump on the hop on/hop off tour buses that most tourist areas have. This gives me a general overview of the area and also highlights those things I want to make sure I see before I leave. Nashville was no exception. We took the Old Town Trolley Tours which has 14 different stops as it takes you around Nashville. Some of these stops will be specifically highlighted in this list, but there are many different stops that may be of interest. The great thing about the hop on/hop off is that it gives you transportation around the city and you can get off and explore where ever you choose. Another Trolley will be around to pick you up about every 30 minutes. To me the cost of the ticket is totally worth the benefits! Honkey Tonk Bar Crawl: Obviously! This is the main Nashville attraction. Most honky tonk bars are located on lower Broadway, known as Honky Tonk Highway. Live music starts at 10 am every morning and goes until 3 am! There are so many bars and honky tonks it is hard to know where to go. Some of it is just a trial and error effort. There are no cover charges in Nashville, so you can just walk up and down Broadway (and the nearby side streets) and pop into any place that looks interesting. Most bars pipe the music being played inside onto the sidewalk, so if you hear someone you like you can run inside to listen some more. Many of the bars have several different floors with a different band on each floor so make sure to check out every floor of a place you like. If it is a nice day or evening, be sure to head to the very top if the bar has a rooftop. Many of the bars in Nashville are partially owned (or inspired) by today's most popular country music stars: Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton to name a few. So if you have a favorite country musician, check to see if they have a place and be sure to put that one on your list. Having been to Nashville twice now, I have found a few places that I consistently enjoy: Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row Honky Tonk Central Kid Rock's Big Ass Honky Tonk Rock-n-Roll Steakhouse Luke Bryan's 32 Bridge-Especially the rooftop bar! Lucky Bastard Saloon-One of the newest honky tonks on Broadway. Nudie's Honky Tonk-A great spot for a rooftop selfie capturing Broadway lights in the background! Yee Haw Brewery/Ole Smokey Distillery: We discovered this place after a tip from a local and we are so glad we did! The Ole Smokey Distillery is on 6th and Peabody, just a short walk from lower Broadway. It is a great option for lunch before heading down to the honky tonks. Before lunch, you should definitely do the moonshine tasting. For $10 you get a drink (either a Yee Haw craft beer or a seltzer) and several tastings of the flavored Ole Smokey Moonshine. After you complete the tasting you get a $10 coupon that you can use in the bar area for another drink or you can put it towards the purchase of moonshine to take home or a souvenir from the gift shop. So basically the tasting ends up being free...not to mention fun! We sampled Blue Flame Moonshine (basically tasted like Everclear-yuck!), Sour Cherry, Butter Pecan, Peanut Butter, and pickles and pineapples soaked in moonshine. These flavors are just the tip of the ice berg as the wall was filled with a colorful display of other varieties of moonshine and whiskey! We then made our way over to the bar and my friend Christina (a craft beer fan) bought a flight of Yee Haw brews to try. The snack bar offered several different types of tacos from White Duck Taco that were reasonably priced at $4.95 a piece. Christina got a fish taco while I opted for a Thai chicken taco with mango salsa. What a fun way to spend the afternoon! Line Dancing Lessons at Wildhorse Saloon: The Wildhorse Saloon is an iconic Nashville venue. It has the largest dance floor in the downtown area and an expansive stage for live performances. There are two floors to view the stage and a suspended herd of wild horses on the ceiling. Line dancing lessons are free and taught by an instructor in between sets of live music. We learned two different line dances including one called the NashVegas Shuffle. The schedule for performances and line dancing lessons can be found on the Wildhorse Saloon website. They also have a full menu, so you may want to consider this place for dinner and a show (plus a little bit of dancing). There really isn't too much room to line dance at the other honky tonks, so it was fun to have the opportunity and the instruction. Museums and Historic Buildings: There are many, many museums and historic buildings to tour in Nashville. Admission charges vary. Here is a list of just a few: Frist Art Museum Tennessee State Museum-Located near the Bicentennial Capital Mall State Park This is a stop on the Trolley tour. The Parthenon-Nashville is called the "Athens of the South" primarily because of its focus on higher education, but also because it is home to a full scale replica of The Parthenon. Inside the replica is a museum that houses paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries and, like The Parthenon in Greece, houses a 42 foot statue of Athena. This is also a stop on the Trolley tour. Country Music Hall of Fame-I visited this museum on my first visit. It is substantial and took about half a day to get through it all. There is a lot to see and experience at the museum. I love country music so I enjoyed it, but if you are not a big country music fan it may not be worth the cost and time to you. Ryman Auditorium- You can tour the building that was the original home of the Grand Ole Opry. It is cool to see this historic venue up close and personal. There are still live performances at the Ryman and I have been told it is a fantastic place to see a show, so you may want to check out the schedule during your stay to see if you can catch one. Patsy Cline Museum-I have not visited this museum, but love Patsy Cline. Maybe next visit! Johnny Cash Museum-Christina and I went to the Johnny Cash museum on this trip. It is small and doesn't take long, but costs $22.95. Personally, I didn't think it was worth it as I am not a huge Johnny Cash fan. However, for a true fan there was a lot of cool memorabilia that would be interesting. What I did enjoy was the Johnny Cash cafe/bar right next store. There was a cool "Johnny" vibe to the place. That doesn't cost anything to go in! Gaylord Opryland/Grand Ole Opry: The Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center complex is located outside of downtown Nashville. You will require a car or an Uber ride to visit. If you have not been before, it is worth the trip. The complex is amazing and is a one of a kind 9 acre atrium with indoor streams and gardens. There is a variety of activities, shopping and restaurants, Of course it is the current home to the iconic Grand Ole Opry. I went to a show at the Grand Ole Opry on my first visit and am glad I did it. I didn't feel the need to make the trek out there this time, but something that everyone who goes to Nashville should do at least once. Sporting Events or Concerts: I like to schedule some of my trips around a sporting event or concert that I want to see. That way, I can take in an event I would like to enjoy anyway, but also get to check out a new area! The Tennessee Titans play football at Nissan Stadium which is walking distance from downtown. The Nashville Predators play hockey at Bridgestone Arena which also hosts a variety of concerts and is located right on the Honky Tonk Highway. I planned my first visit to Nashville to see the Zac Brown Band at Bridgestone Arena and got the best tickets I have ever had for a concert at a reasonable price! I am spoiled now. If you are interested in going to Nashville, see if you can schedule it around an event or concert. So easy to do both here! Best Places to Eat: Prince's Hot Chicken or Hattie B's: Nashville is known for its' hot chicken, so you have to try it at least once while you are here. Prince's Hot Chicken is the original hot chicken restaurant. Hattie B's appears to be the most popular. At every Hattie B location there is a long line of customer's waiting to get a taste of the local favorite. Hattie B's has levels of hotness so you don't have to feel left out if your palate doesn't appreciate spicy. Their levels are described as Southern (No Heat), Mild (A Touch of Heat), Medium (Warming Up), Hot! (Feel the Heat), Damn Hot!! (Fire Starter), and Shut the Cluck Up!!! (Burn Notice). How brave are you? Hattie B's also has several other traditional southern foods on their menu so there is something for everyone. Assembly Food Hall: Assembly Food Hall is located on 5th and Broadway so it is a perfect place to grab a bite to eat while cruising up and down Broadway at the honky tonks. Assembly Food Hall has over 30 different eateries (including locations for Hattie B's and Prince's Hot Chicken), bars and three stages so you don't have to miss any live music while you eat. Christina grabbed some sushi while I chose a wood-fired personal pizza. A great space if you are with a group because you can avoid the prolonged discussion about where you should eat when everyone is in the mood for something different. All the different options can be found here. .Biscuit Love: Biscuit Love is located in The Gulch and unfortunately I have never been because there is always a SUPER long line! I have included it in this blog because the consistent long lines are a sign that it must be pretty good. Biscuit Love is a local family-owned business that serves biscuits and breakfast. They started in 2012 with food trucks and now have three brick and mortar restaurants. Their location in The Gulch is open daily from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm. My recommendation if you really want to try one of their award winning biscuits is to get up early and hopefully beat the line. Good luck! Milk and Honey: Milk and Honey is another breakfast place in The Gulch. I got one of the best chocolate croissants in my life from Milk and Honey on my first visit. This time I tried the almond croissant and it was just as spectacular. They have sit down restaurant with a substantial menu, but again long lines have foiled my plans to check out the sit down options. I was "forced" to stick with the walk-up bakery options. Can't say I was disappointed. Goo Goo Chocolate Co.: Goo Goo Clusters are Nashville's Official Candy. The store is located across from the Johnny Cash Museum and Bar. You can buy a variety of premade Goo Goo Clusters or you can design your own personal Goo Goo Cluster that will be made while you wait. The personalized Goo Goo can be made with a variety of sweets and add ins to satisfy your own unique sweet tooth. Click here to start planning what you want to include in the *Insert Your Name Here* Goo Goo Cluster. We bought a few of the premade and each one was delicious! We tried the classic Pecan Goo Goo Cluster (pecans, caramel, and marshmellow nougat covered in milk chocolate), Lil Goos (peanuts, caramel and nougat covered in milk chocolate) and the PB&P Premium Goo Goo Cluster (peanut butter, caramel, and pretzels covered in dark chocolate). Another Nashville original you don't want to miss! Yee Haw Brewery/Ole Smokey Distillery: I already talked about the reasonably priced, delicious tacos served at the Ole Smokey Distillery above, but wanted to include it here under Best Places to Eat so you don't forget about this option. Best Places to Shop: There is so much to do in Nashville, you might think that you will not have any time for shopping. But that would be a mistake! There are several places you will want to check out in order to pick up those special gifts for family or friends left behind or that special something that will always remind you of your incredible trip to Nashville! The Gulch: You can find some of the usual chain stores like Urban Outfitters and Lululemon in The Gulch, but you can also find chic boutiques that have unique vibes and trendy clothing and home decor items. One store in particular that I loved was Kittenish, a very pink and very girly boutique owned by Jesse James Decker. The branding in the store was on-point and the prices were reasonable. It just felt fun to shop there! There is also a store in The Gulch called Paddywax Candle Bar where you can sip mimosas and make your own candle with a variety of fragrances to choose from. Marathon Village: Marathon Village is a stop on the Old Town Trolley route. Marathon Motor Works is an old automobile factory that has been transformed into a unique retail complex. Stores here include Antique Archaeology (owned by American Picker's star Mike Wolfe), Jack Daniels and Harley Davidson stores that sell licensed merchandise, souvenir shops, an olive oil shop and a distillery and winery that offer tastings. In addition to the stores, there are artifacts from the auto manufacturing history that line the halls giving the location a unique and interesting feel. The half an hour time between Trolleys gives you just enough time to check out this area and hop back on to continue your Trolley tour. Broadway: Mixed in along the honky tonks are stores that sell authentic cowboy apparel like boots and hats. They are ready to outfit you so you can fit in with the crowd. There is also upscale shopping right outside the Assembly Food Hall on 5th and Broadway with stores like Free People, Sephora, the Apple Store, Ariat and the Nash Collection (where I found my really cute NASH sweatshirt to remember my trip!). Nashville is such a unique and vibrant city I have no doubt you will fall in love with it just like I have. There is so much to do, if you discover something fun that I haven't mentioned, please comment and share! I will definitely be back so would love new suggestions! It's not goodbye, Nashville, it's see you later!

Bats, BBQ and Breakfast Tacos? Must be in Austin, Texas. Austin has been on my travel bucket list for a long time. Austin is marketed as the "Live Music Capital of the World" and I love live music. I went expecting a Nashville vibe and was so excited because, as you know from my post about Nashville (which you can find here), I LOVE Nashville. However, I have to be honest and say I was a little disappointed when I first got to Austin. If there is a Nashville-type area with live music playing all day long, I never found it. There are a lot of different Districts in the downtown Austin area and it can be confusing to figure out where to stay and where to go if you are not familiar with the area. While our hotel was very cool and had a great location, I don't think we were in the best place for the live music experience. Despite my music letdown, we still had a great time exploring Austin and taking in all of the other things it has to offer like Bats, BBQ and Breakfast Tacos! I hope this blog helps you figure out what you want to experience in Austin and then find the best location to use as your home base to explore this very progressive and interesting city. Best Places to Stay: As I said, there are several different "Districts" in downtown Austin that each have their own distinct vibe. You should pick a hotel that is located in the District that is situated closest to the things you are most interested in. Here is a brief summary of some of the more popular entertainment Districts: Congress Ave Historical District: Congress Avenue runs through the center of downtown Austin from Lady Bird Lake to the Texas State Capitol. Hotels in this area will be close to the Texas State Capitol and government offices as well as Austin's central business district. South Congress Avenue (or "SoCo" as the locals call it) will probably be on your Austin To Do List. See my description below under Things To Do for the reasons. Sixth Street Entertainment District: This is the hub of Austin nightlife and has been dubbed "Dirty Sixth" by locals. There are many bars and restaurants and lots of activity nightly. Sixth Street is closed off to traffic from Thursday through Saturday night to accommodate crowds. Rainey Street District: Rainey Street is a trendy party area with colorful historic homes that have been converted to restaurants and bars. Red River Cultural District: Apparently this is the live music hub and where I should have stayed to check out why Austin is called "The Live Music Capital of the World"! I did love the hotel we stayed at though which I will describe below. Second Street District: This area is known as downtown Austin's shopping hub and is filled with local boutiques and trendy fashion shops. If you are looking for a retail fix, this is your spot! There are several other distinct Districts within the downtown area. I have just highlighted a few of the more popular ones. Check out Austin's Tourism site for a more complete description of all of the areas so you can determine which location is right for you! We stayed at the Driskill Hotel which is the oldest operating hotel in Austin. The Driskill was built in 1886 and, just like the Biltmore in Providence which I talked about here, the Driskill is rumored to be haunted. The incident that is responsible for one of the hauntings apparently happened in a room right down the hall from where we were staying! Alas (or thankfully, depending on your perspective), we did not experience any paranormal activity during our stay. If I keep staying in old, haunted hotels, I am bound to have a ghostly visitor someday! In any event, the Driskill Hotel is a beautiful building with a prime location right on Sixth Street so it is only a few short steps to rowdy nightlife if that's on your agenda. It is also easy walking distance to Congress Street and the Texas State Capitol. I highly recommend The Driskill Hotel! Best Things to Do: Congress Street Bats: This is the most iconic thing to do in Austin. Every night at sunset people gather on or around the Congress Street Bridge to watch millions of bats fly out from beneath the bridge. You can also sign up to take a tour boat out on the water to watch the bat show from below. This actually may be a better spot because the tour operators shine a red light up to the bridge which helps to see the flurry of bat activity more clearly. It was a little anti-climactic because we couldn't see the bats that clearly from the top of the bridge, but we caught glimpses and it is an amazing spectacle nonetheless. And you can't go to Austin and say you didn't see the Congress Street Bats! Added bonus...you can get a great sunset selfie with the Austin skyline in the background. Lady Bird Lake: The Colorado River runs through downtown Austin into Lady Bird Lake ("LBL"). LBL is not a true lake, but a damned portion of the Colorado River. In any event, it is a great outdoor space in the middle of the city where you can kayak, run, walk or bike. Swimming and motorized watercraft are not permitted on the Lake. The Ann and Roy Hike-and-Bike Trail makes a complete loop around LBL. The Trail is 10.1 miles long and mostly flat. Texas State Capitol: Check out the Texas State Capitol and the surrounding grounds. There are free guided tours daily that last between 30 and 45 minutes. You can also pick up a free brochure at the Capitol's north entrance or the Information Desk and do your own self guided tour. University of Texas at Austin: Check out the UT at Austin campus and keep your eye out for Matthew McConaughey or Brene Brown. They both teach classes here! You never know where you may bump into them. UT is proud to claim Matthew McConaughey as their own and even had a Christmas tree devoted just to him in the school bookstore! South Congress Street Shopping ("SoCo"): I mentioned this above when talking about the Congress Street District. It is a great place to spend an afternoon strolling and shopping. It is one of Austin's trendiest neighborhoods and is known for unique independent shops, galleries and vintage stores. For those more mainstream shoppers, the Yeti flagship store is here as well as Reformation and Kendra Scott jewelry. Esther's Follies: Located on Sixth Street, this comedy show has been described as a modern-day vaudeville mixed with political comedy...the "Texas answer to SNL". The windows open up to Sixth Street and the comedians utilize the outside and unsuspecting pedestrians to enhance the show! It usually sells out, so you may want to grab your tickets ahead of time here. Bars on Sixth Street: There are many to choose from and several have some form of entertainment. We stopped in at Pete's Dueling Piano Bar and had a great time singing along to the requested songs. Zilker Metropolitan Park/Barton Springs Pool/Zilker Botanical Garden: A great recreational area to spend the day. There are many park amenities such as picnic areas, volleyball courts, and a nature and science center. One of the premier features of the park is Barton Springs Pool which is a natural spring fed pool with year round average water temperature of 68 degrees. The Zilker Botanical Gardens are also nearby and provide a relaxing escape from the bustling city. Best Places to Eat: Jo's Coffee: As the intro to this blog suggests, Breakfast Tacos are a must have when visiting Austin and Jo's Coffee is a quintessential place to try them out. Jo's has a variety of breakfast tacos and coffee drinks, as well as burgers, sandwiches/wraps, salads and alcoholic drinks. Check out Jo's menu here. Cooper's Old Time Pit BBQ: Another thing you have to eat when in Texas is good ol' BBQ! There are many BBQ places to pick from and I am sure they are all fantastic. We went to Cooper's Old Time Pit BBQ and really enjoyed the vibe and the food! Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill: The motto for Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill is "Bootlegged & Bountiful" and you gotta love any place with a motto like that! Their website says they serve "Classic American Comfort Food" and I can attest to that. The vibe in the restaurant was really cool and the food was delicious! We left stuffed...uncomfortably so. This restaurant is always packed so reservations are a good idea. 1886 Cafe & Bakery: This quaint Victorian-style cafe is attached to the Driskill Hotel. They are open until 2 pm and for breakfast and lunch. They serve traditional Texas comfort food made with time-honored recipes. They also use locally sourced ingredients. We had a delicious breakfast there one morning before heading out to explore Austin. Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream: Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream is an incredible ice cream store with its flagship Austin shop right in SoCo. They have really unique flavors such as Everything Bagel, Salted Peanut Butter with Chocolate Flakes, Brown Butter Almond Brittle, Gooey Butter Cake, and Brambleberry Crisp. You definitely need to stop here for refreshment after an afternoon of shopping in SoCo! Austin Eastciders Cider: This last item isn't a place, it is a local hard cider that must be tried if you are a fan of ciders. I had the Blackberry Cider and it was amazing! Conclusion: All in all, even though I personally don't think Austin competes with Nashville as the "Live Music Capital of the World", it is a very fun place to visit with lots to see, lots to do and a lot of delicious food to eat. I highly recommend a visit to Austin to check out the Bats, BBQ, and Breakfast Tacos! If you venture to Austin, you should definitely combine it with a visit to San Antonio! San Antonio is only about an hour and a half drive away with some really cool stops in between. Check out my Best of San Antonio blog for tips on the best places to stay, the best things to do and the best places to eat in San Antonio. Y'all come back, ya hear?