Book Review - The Best Places for Everything by Peter Greenberg

While I was browsing through the Travel section at my local library, I wandered further up the aisle and I found this large volume of inspiration by well-known travel author and television travel show host, Peter Greenberg. The book is a bit outdated (published in 2012) but many of the places are still operating. Always be sure to check ahead of visiting for operating hours, fees, entry restrictions/timed tickets, etc.

So basically this book is a guide to some of the "best" locations for different categories (like Best Beer) based on Peter Greenberg's extensive travel experiences. Listings include both domestic spots and international spots. Also, there are suggestions for finding deals and callouts for interesting related things to do/try.

Here are a few categories you can find in this book: Outdoor Adventures (including Bird-Watching, Fall Foliage, Zip-lining, Whitewater Rafting, etc), Great Foods and Drinks of the World (Chocolate!), Educational Travel (Digging for Fossils, Literary Travel, etc), Shopping (like Specialty Shopping and Street Markets), and so much more.

Title: The Best Places for Everything: The Ultimate Insider's Guide to the Greatest Experiences Around the World
Author: Peter Greenberg
ISBN: 978-1-60961-829-2

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Event - #Travel #Texas - #Beaumont - Mardi Gras Southeast Texas - February 28 - March 2, 2025

Beaumont, Texas - Mardi Gras Southeast Texas
February 28 - March 2, 2025
Dogget Ford Park
Come out to Southeast Texas for some Mardi Gras fun! There will be a TON of Mardi Gras (also known as Fat Tuesday) parades throughout the weekend including a fun Golf Cart/ATV one on Friday and a kid-sized one on Sunday. Enjoy food vendors and artisans. There will be a Kid Kingdom with bounce houses and a foam factory. Friday night's music concert features Kody West, Kolby Cooper, and Southall. Saturday night's concert features DJ John L, C and C Music Factory, and FloRida. Sunday night's concert features Ignacio Legacy, Lunada, and La Tropa Estrella. Your concert ticket includes entry to the festival grounds.
Address: 5115 I-10, Beaumont, TX 77705
Hours: See website
Fees: Festival Only $10; Concert and Festival $20-$45; Parking Free
For more information: https://mardigrastx.com/

Event - #Travel #Texas - #Navasota - Texas Birthday Bash - March 1, 2025

Navasota, Texas - Texas Birthday Bash
March 1, 2025
August Horst Memorial Park
Enjoy country or Tejano music? Come out to the Texas Birthday Bash to enjoy music, food vendors, craft vendors, and more. Kids will enjoy activities and fun at the Kid Zone. Made-in-Texas crafts and foods. On the Main Stage, country guest stars include Clay Walker, Randall King, Braxton Keith, Dylan Wheeler, and Julie Roberts. Siggno, Grupo Zenzio, and Amanda Solis (Selena Tribute) will entertain on the Tejano Stage. A side stage features many other talented musical guests.
Address: 100 Airport Road, Navasota, TX 77868
Hours: Opens at noon
Fees: $35 online or $45 at gate
For more information: https://www.texasbirthdaybash.com/

Event - #Travel #Texas - #Fredericksburg - Iwo Jima - 80 Years Later - February 21-23, 2025

Fredericksburg, Texas - Iwo Jima - 80 Years Later
February 21-23, 2025
The National Museum of the Pacific War
The museum is hosting three days of World War II activities and information to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the end of the war. Friday will feature an opening ceremony and activities in the ballroom and the day ends with a screening of the movie "Sands of Iwo Jima". Saturday's guest speaker session with Richard B. Frank, Keil Gentry, Steve McCloud, and Jonathan Parshall requires pre-registration due to a limited number of seats in the theatre. The evening will close with a concert and photography viewing. Sunday features a battle reenactment at the Pacfic Combat Zone. Walk-ups are allowed first come, first serve if there's availability. Then a book signing and closing ceremony. If you are a history buff, this sounds like a great opportunity to learn more about Iwo Jima.
If you can't make it out to Fredericksburg, register for a livestream link - https://mailchi.mp/nimitzfoundation.org/80th-anniversary-of-wwii-schedule
Address: 340 E Main St, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Hours:
Fees: FREE
For more information: https://www.pacificwarmuseum.org/iwo

Book Review - DK Eyewtiness Travel - Family Guide to Washington, DC

I took my family to Washington DC back in 2021 when Covid still had many locations shut down, many places had limited hours, museums had timed entries (some still do!), or, sadly, some favorite locations shut down completely. This year I am looking to return to the area and, especially, to visit the new pandas at the zoo. So, I picked up this guide book at the library to see what has been updated (and what is no longer available).

What makes this book different are all the colorful maps and floor plans for most of the locations featured as well as restroom locations (very helpful!) and ways to let your kids blow off steam (because we all know how hard it can be for them to endure too much time in museums without any play time).

If you've never been to DC (District of Columbia) before, be forewarned that parking is very challenging during weekdays and the rush hour traffic is a nightmare. Try to avoid those times if possible. Luckily, a lot of the museums are within walking distance of each other. Be sure to plan ahead in case any of them require reservations/timed entry tickets.

Title: DK Family Guide Washington, DC
Author: DK Travel
ISBN: 978-1-4654-6817-8

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Event - #Travel #Texas - #Galveston - Yaga's Chili Quest and Beer Fest - January 18, 2025

Galveston, Texas - Yaga's Chili Quest and Beer Fest
January 18, 2025
Historic Strand District
How about a little Chili to warm you up in the cold month of January? Or joining the Beerfoot Beer Run 5k? Or just sampling chili and beer? Afterwards browsing through vendor tables. Sounds like a perfect day to me.
Address: 2302 Strand, Galveston, TX
Hours: 6am-6pm
Fees: Tickets range in price from $13 up to $50
For more information, https://yagaschiliquest.com

Event - #Travel #Texas - #Plano - Hotcake Hustle - January 11, 2025

Plano, Texas - Hot Cake Hustle
January 11, 2025
Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve
Conquer your new years resolution with this fun run along the nature trails of Oak Point Nature Preserve. There are many race options including a Virtual Run, 5K and 10K. Included with the entry fee is a shirt, medal and bib. The best part, however, comes after the run with FREE pancakes, a hot chocolate bar, FREE beer garden for adults, and a party with a live DJ.
Address: 5901 Los Rios Blvd., Plano, TX
Hours: 8am
Fees: Entry fees range from $34-$79
For more information, https://events.visitplano.com/event/hot-cake-hustle