Book Review - Official Guide to the Smithsonian

This is a nice quick-reference guide to the Smithsonian museums in Washington DC and two in New York City. Each museum is listed with a general description of what it holds, location, hours, the subway stations to utilize, the website, and a few photographs highlighting the exhibits on display.

The book starts with an introduction to the Smithsonian followed by information on visiting Washington DC including transportation tips and getting around.

The Museums on or near the National Mall: National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of American History, National Museum of African American History and Culture, National Museum of the American Indian, Freer Gallery of Art, Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, National Museum of African Art, Arts and Industries Building, Hirshhorn Museum and Scultpture Garden, National Postal Museum, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian American Art Museum, and Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

The locations in the Washington DC metro area include the National Zoo, Anacostia Community Museum, and the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.

And the two locations in New York City include Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum and George Gustav Heye Center.

While looking through this book, keep in mind it was published in 2021 so a lot of the hours and whether you need to reserve a visit time or not should be checked via the websites ahead of time.

Interesting guide but try to find it at your local library.

Title: Official Guide to the Smithsonian
Author: Smithsonian Institute
ISBN: 978-1588346827
Pages: 240

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Book Review - The Swimming Holes of Texas by Julie Wernersbach and Carolyn Tracy

This is one of those kinds of books that you didn't know you needed until you find it. I think most Texans or visitors head to the well-known swimming spots like tubing the Brazos River or enjoying water toys on Lake Travis. But, this book offers some really good alternatives and the pictures are trip-inspiring. I really like the "Top Five Lists" pull-out guide at the very end - "Best Spots for Accessibility", "Top Five Free Spots", "Top Five Spots for Kids", "Tip Five Dog-Friendly Spots", "Top Five for Camping", "Top Five Worth the Drive", "Top Five Off the Beaten Path", and "Top Five Places We Must Protect".

This book is organized by general location - North, East, Central, Austin and the Surrounding Area, South, and West. Each section has a nice dark-mode map with places labeled. Each swimming hole listed includes full address and website, hours, fees, park rules, camping availability, a descriptive about section, swimming information, amenities (like restrooms), and pro tips.

This book is a definite keeper if you live or visit Texas often and need a place to cool off or even an idea for a day trip. The photographs will definitely inspire you to take an upcoming trip during the heat of summer or during Spring Break.

Title: The Swimming Holes of Texas
Author: Julie Wernersbach and Carolyn Tracy
ISBN: 978-1477321522
Pages: 256

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Event - #Travel #Texas - #Frisco - Texas Pinball Festival - March 20-22, 2026

Frisco, Texas - Texas Pinball Festival
March 20-22, 2026
Frisco Convention Center
If you love pinball or playing pinball, this is the festival for you! There will be over 440 games. Meet pinball creators and artists. Purchase merch. Feeling competitive, join one of the many tournaments (including one for kids). There will be entertainment and swaps. They will also have food trucks available.
For collectors, there are also special awards for machines you can enter: Best Antique, Best 60’s, Best 70’s EM, Best 77- 85 Solid State (SS), Best 86 – 91 Solid State (SS), Best 91-2010 (DMD Era), Best Modern, Best Original, Best Restoration, Best Custom Pinball, Best Custom or Innovative Arcade Video Game, Best Classic Arcade Video Game, Best Newcomer, and Grand Champion.
Some extra fun includes visits to the nearby National Videogame Museum and trivia sessions.
If you pre-register, you can get a collectible name badge.

Address: 7600 John Q. Hammons Dr., Frisco, TX 75034
Hours: Friday 4:00pm-1:00am; Saturday 9:00am-11:30pm; Sunday 9:00am-2:00pm CST
Fees: Day passes start at $30 for adults or $20 for kids; Weekend pases are available for $105-$115

For more information, click here: https://texaspinball.com/

Book Review - Heart and Darkness: Scary Adventures and the Evolution of Disney’s Dark Rides by Shawn Patrick Farrell

I found this book by accident while searching for Disney-related guides. I didn't expect much looking at the cover but it turned out to be a real treasure. The author not only dives into the history of dark rides but also details almost every single dark ride that ever existed at all the Disney parks. And I really enjoyed learning how the Imagineers handled different situations and the "secrets" of how they made these rides so popular.

The chapters are broken out in logical order starting with the history and making of dark rides in the first few chapters. Chapter 4 describes the World's Fair where Disney showcased Carousel of Progress (and an early version of People Mover) as well as Pirates and Haunted Mansion. Chapter five, humorously titled "Go East, Old Man", is an exploration of Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Chapter six delves into Disneyland Tokyo and Disney Sea. Chapter seven visits Disneyland Paris. Chapter eight goes to Hong Kong Disneyland and chapter nine goes to Shanghai Disneyland. Chapter ten visits other amusement parks like Universal Studios and Knott's Berry Farm and their stand out dark rides. Chapter eleven discusses some abandoned dark ride ideas or concepts and the end of the chapter talks about the future of dark rides and some upcoming rides.

Keep in mind this book was published in 2017 which means a few of the rides are now retired and some of the rides listed in the future section are up and running today.

I like that each chapter that lists rides puts them in ascending order by date so we can see the evolution. A lot of the early rides are still operating.

This is a great book for not only Disney lovers but Amusement Park enthusiasts as well.

Title: Heart and Darkness: Scary Adventures and the Evolution of Disney’s Dark Rides
Author: Shawn Patrick Farrell
ISBN: 978-1683900962
Pages: 237

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Event - #Travel #Texas - #Denison - Saint Patrick's Day Pub Crawl and Stroll - March 14, 2026

Denison, Texas - Saint Patrick's Day Pub Crawl and Stroll
March 14, 2026
Downtown Denison
Denison is hosting it's fourth annual St Patrick's Day Pub Crawl throughout downtown (and the rest of the town as well). Wear your green and get ready to enjoy the local vendor's foods and drinks. Check the website for participating locations and parking information. Some shops will offer family-friendly crafts or activities. There will be live music throughout plus shopping opportunities.

Address: N/A
Hours: See Website
Fees: No fees to stroll

For more information, click here: https://discoverdenison.com/event/st-patricks-day-pub-crawl-shamrock-stroll-2/

Book Review - The Rough Guide to the 100 Best Places in the USA

I am always seeking suggestions for my next or future trips and while I was wandering the bookstore, I came upon this book full of amazing photographs of locations around the US. The book is broken out into major geographical areas - the Northeast, the Great Lakes, the Plains, the Southeast, the Southwest, the Rocky Mountains, and the Pacific Coast.

Although there are metropolitan cities showcased in here, such as Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, Austin, the pictures and text highlight little lesser-known places or must-see suggestions to check out while you are in town. Many of the places in this book are well-known tourist stops, I found many interesting places to visit as well.

My friends call this a great coffee table book. I think it's a great inspirational guide.

Title: The Rough Guide to the 100 Best Places in the USA
Author: Rough Guides
ISBN: 978-1789196917
Pages: 232

This article may contain photos and links that take you to third-party Affiliate sites. If you purchase any item on those sites may contribute a small monetary amount back to our website without any cost to you.