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Showing posts with label Kids. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kids. Show all posts

Event - #Travel #Texas - Temple - Dig It! Family Day - August 1, 2026

Temple, Texas - Dig It! Family Day
August 1, 2026
Santa Fe Depot
Bring your kids for some hands-on fossil digging and other fun activities. Get ready to get dirty!
While you're in town, check out nearby Chalk Ridge Falls (5600 FM 1670) or Lake Belton (11725 W. Adams Avenue). Check the website down below for more FREE things to do.

Address: 315 W Avenue B, Temple, TX, United States, Texas 76501
Hours: 10:00 am CST - 1:00 pm CST
Fees: FREE

For more information, click here: https://www.facebook.com/events/315-w-avenue-b-temple-tx-united-states-texas-76501/dig-it-family-day/1727791668556671/

For more about Temple, Texas, click here: https://www.discovertemple.com

Review - Texas - Frisco - Frisco RoughRiders Minor League Baseball Game

Frisco, Texas is a far north suburb of Dallas, Texas (about 30 minutes). The Frisco RoughRiders, a AA minor baseball league team affiliated with the Texas Rangers, play at a nice stadium just off the North Dallas Tollway and Sam Rayburn Tollway. They often have themed nights such as Toy Story Night (when I attended) or Military Appreciation Night.

Ticket prices range depending on the date, game, section and seat. There's also a lawn section you can purchase but you will need to bring blankets to sit on. Parking is an additional cost.

Keep in mind that the stadium is open-roof with limited shaded areas, so plan to be in the full sun. It's also rain or shine so prepare for that as well.
You can't bring your own food or drinks into the stadium. You will go through security before entering the stadium. Clear bags are required. There's a list of rules on their website for what is allowed and not.

There are four official mascots. On the night I visited, I saw two - Prairie Dog, Deuce (the team's official mascot) and Bull Moose (named after Teddy Roosevelt's Bull Moose Party). If you're lucky you may even see their official bat dog named Brooks.

Another thing to keep in mind is you might walk through gravel to get to the play areas in the back. There's a playground for ages 5 to 12 which is fake grass. On the opposite site there are inflatables (which require a $5.00 wristband). The path between the two was gravel and muddy. So skip crocs and bring tennis shoes unless you want dirty feet.
During hot days or nights, there's a giant lazy river open for families on Tuesdays and Sundays (be on the lookout for specially priced events)(tickets are required to keep the pools from overcrowding). Thursdays are for adults 21+ only due to the Twisted Tea sponsorship. Bring your own towel. They provide floats. The water area can be rented for birthday parties or group events. They do sell Swim Passes - $206 for Tuesday Nights (10 vouchers) or $389 for Sundays (10 vouchers).

There are several food and drink vendors such as Donatos Pizza, Chappell Hill Sausage Cart, Bahama Buck's (shaved ice), Frank's, and more. You can check them out here: https://www.milb.com/frisco/ballpark/food-options

Reusable water bottles are allowed so bring one to keep hydrated. There is a Mother's Room located near left centerfield for parents with young infants. Guest Services provides sensory bags if your family needs one.
Overall, it's a fun time with the family.
Ballpark Adress: 7300 RoughRiders Trail, Frisco TX 75034

For more information or to plan your own visit, check out https://www.mlb.com/milb/frisco

This post was written entirely by me without the use of AI. It was not sponsored in any way. All the opinions and information presented was given authentically and always be sure to check ahead before visiting in case anything has changed.

Book Review - Black Hills Family Fun Guide by Kindra Gordon



If you're planning a family trip to South Dakota's Black Hills area, you should get a hold of this book and look through all the great suggestions.

The book is divided by chapters focused on activities: "Famous Faces to Visit", "Buffalo, Bears and Reptiles", "Dinosaurs Galore", "See It Made - Or Mined", "Meaningful Museums", "Outdoors to Explore", "Water Parks, Go-Carts and Other Good Times", "Histories and Oddities", and "Puttin' on a Show".

At the end of the book is an Index by City if you're trying to plot out a road trip and have specific cities in mind along the way. The author has included the city's website so you can do a further search on what to do or eat in town.

I like that each chapter has a map with very simple marks for points of interest. If you're tech-savvy, you could add the points to your own Google Map or other virtual map.

Each location mentioned also includes operating dates, admission, parking fees, address, phone number and website.

Some businesses have a nice little "Neat to Know" callout, such as the National Presidential Wax Museum in Keystone, South Dakota - the "Neat to Know" mentions President Calvin Coolidge's visit at Custer Park's State Game Lodge and Resort in 1927.

At the end of the chapters, there is a "For More" section which will direct you to similar experiences in other chapters.

Since this 2nd edition was published in 2017, be sure to confirm operating hours and fees before you visit.

Overall, this is a nice guide. I found lots of interesting places to visit on my next trip. Try to find this book at your local library or through interloan services.

Title: Black Hills Family Fun Guide: Explore South Dakota's Badlands, Devils Tower and Black Hills
Author: Kindra Gordon
ISBN: 978-1591937357
Pages: 136

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Review - Travel - Texas - Arlington - Six Flags Over Texas - Fright Fest, Oktoberfest and Tricks and Treats





My family attended Six Flags Over Texas Tricks and Treats/Oktoberfest/ Fright Fest this past weekend after missing it for a few years. I think the kids' activities during the day were much better than they have been in the past and I'll get into those in a minute. The nighttime "scares" were much calmer, more organized, and (in my opinion) less scary - it seemed to us that teenage girls were the most scared by the costumed performers. Lots of screams there. We did not go inside the haunted houses as that requires purchasing a separate ticket ($30).

The park wasn't too crowded during the day. Most of the Fright Fest revelers seemed to trickle in later in the afternoon. Although the lines were shorter, a lot of rides kept breaking down especially popular rides like Batman, Titan, and the Texas Giant. The line for the new Aquaman was quite short - keep in mind the front row gets SOAKED.





Tricks and Treats
For kids, there is a fun little Trick-er-Treat area in the French area where the Fort stands. Kids and adults can get a free bag and go door-to-door ringing the doorbells for treats. In previous years, costumed characters handed out candy in the Bugs Bunny Boomtown area. There are characters to see but on a different street further away from the Bugs Bunny Boomtown area. It's not exactly a trail like advertised, more like just a bunch of small houses in a circle. And, for convienence, the restroom is next door.



Right outside the Trick-er-Treat area, between the Icey shack and the restaurant are tables set up for pumpking decorating and/or mask making - both are free.



At the entrance of the Looney Toon area, is a haybale maze with costumed mice to visit. Fun for very young kids. The maze closes much earlier than the rest of the area. During Fright Fest, the Bugs Bunny Boomtown rides stay open later than normal which is great.





Oktoberfest:
This event is in the small Biergarten just past the games area. They had german-style treats (like brats and pretzels) and adult drinks for sale. Games such as bags (bean bag toss) and jenga for anyone to play. There was a fun band playing songs (Oompah Delics). The workers were dressed in German-style outfits and did go around checking on customers. A good place to relax while you're at the park but not a destination in itself.

Fright Fest:
The actual event starts after 5pm CST when the sun starts going down. Although it's open to anyone, I don't recommend young kids to participate as it can be scary especially the loud chainsaw noises. If you stay really late, guests can become rowdy and throw a lot of f-bombs. They were selling a special glowing necklace which was supposed to limit the scares but it does say it's not guaranteed. Personally, I didn't think the "frights" were scary but it was loud and smoky.





There are 6 haunted houses (a special ticket to enter is required and can be purchased at booths nearby, at the park entrance gate, or online).





There are 5 scare zones each with a different theme. You can easily spot them as they will be running smoke machines. This is where you will find lots of spooky props and costumed performers will interact with guests.



There are also several Halloween-Themed shows which start earlier than Fright Fest itself. We watched a Ghouling Pianos singing show which you can hear from the street. Other shows include Toxicity, Raging Inferno (heavy metal show), Curse of the Undead (gunfighter show), and Dia de Los Muertos (Mexican dancing show).





Just a sampling of some of the interesting foods and alcoholic beverages that were being sold.

Fright Fest Map: https://static.sixflags.com/website/files/sfot_ff-guide.pdf

For more information, check out: https://www.sixflags.com/overtexas

Book Review - The Unofficial Guide to Disney Cruise Line 2025



The Unofficial Guide is a wonderful resource for Disney planning (check out their website for lots of good info and tips). This updated book is a valuable resource full of deck plans, reviews of each of the current Disney ships (and a blurb about the future ships as well). There are detailed information on Disney's unique rotational dining with different restaurants and adults-only options as well. Lots of good information on Disney's new port at Fort Lauderdale. Helpful guides on preparing for your trip, packing, what to bring/not bring, embarkation and debarkation. Reviews of popular cruise itinerary destinations.

Title: The Unofficial Guide to Disney Cruise Line 2025 (Unofficial Guides)
Author: Tammy Whiting with Len Testa and Erin Foster
ISBN: 978-1628091625
Pages: 404

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Book Review - 100 Things to do in Texas before you Die by E.R.Bills



Texas is a huge state (it takes hours to get from one area to another). This book would have been better if there had been a map to illustrate how far apart the sights are from each other. This book was published in 2018 so be sure to verify operating hours and whether the location is still open to visitors (as a lot of businesses were negatively affected by Covid).

This book is separated into useful chapters - Amusements and Entertainment, Parks and Recreation, History and Culture, Food and Drink, Road Trips and Photo Ops.

Try to find a copy in your local library if you can.

Title: 100 Things to do in Texas before you Die
Author: E. R. Bills
ISBN: 978-1-68106-183-2
Pages:178

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Book Review - 100 Things to do in Dallas Fort Worth before you Die by Tui Snider



Since I live in DFW, I thought this would be a fun book to purchase to get ideas of new things to visit around town. Since this book was published back in 2018, a lot of information is outdated but some of the big sights are still viable. Always check locations before you head out as hours have changed and some places might have been hit hard by Covid. It would have been nice if this book had included a map because Dallas Fort Worth is a large area and locations are very spread out. Keep in mind highways are jam-packed during rush hours in the morning and evening. Weekends are usually decent except during big events (like the State Fair).

Try to find a copy in your local library if you can.

Title: 100 Things to do in Dallas Fort Worth before you Die
Author: Tui Snider
ISBN: 978-1-68106-170-2
Pages:142

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Book Review - Lonely Planet Hong Kong Travel Guide



I've been planning out a trip to see the other Disneyland parks of the world. Of course, considering how expensive airfare to Asia can be, might be a several years down the road plan, but I've been checking books out for Shanghai and Hong Kong from the library. Lonely Planet is one of my favorite travel guide series and this book on Hong Kong was fantastic.

This book just came out in December so the information is pretty recent (keep in mind the publishing process takes time so always verify information before visiting especially with hours and prices).

There are several things I love about this guide. One, you will find little side bubbles filled with useful tips from experts or influencers who are very familiar with the area or topic. Second, I love the little food/coffee/bar tips that are shown along the bottom for every area. There are full colors maps plus walking trail guides.

Not to mention there are two pages dedicated to Hong Kong Disneyland.

On page 203 you will find the "Toolkit" with useful info on visiting. And on page 217 there's a "Storybook" which talks about the culture and history of Hong Kong.

This book is definitely a keeper, IMO.

Title: Lonely Planet Hong Kong
Author: Thomas O'Malley, Orlando Crowcroft, Angela Hui
ISBN: 978-1-83869-365-7

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Book Review - Insight Guides - Shanghai City Guide



Our family love Disney World and Disneyland and we have the desire to visit the other parks in China, so I picked up this Shanghai City Guide at the library. It's a bit old (I think there's a newer version out there on Amazon) but the general information is still valid. PLUS, this book comes with a FREE ebook that you can take with you!

I do want to warn you that there's only a paragraph's worth of information for Shanghai Disney Resort and the authors recommend other parks instead. So if you're planning a trip solely for Disney, you may be disappointed with this guide.

That being said, I do like how this book is laid out by area or neighborhood. They have some useful full-color maps. The app that is advertised inside the cover of the book is no longer available but the eBook is and I was able to download it without any issues.

The really useful information is found starting on page 255 in the back of the book - getting around, money, etc.

Title: Insight Guides City Guide Shanghai
Author: Insight Guides
ISBN: 978-178-671-845-7

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Book Review - The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland 2025



Our family visits Walt Disney World several times a year, but it's been while since we've gone to the other coast to Disneyland. So I went ahead and bought this book to see what has changed (a lot!) so we can plan a visit.

The goal of this book is to save families money and time at one of the most popular (and crowded) amusement parks in America. This book has over 400 pages of very useful information. Every restaurant, ride, activity, hotels, and more are discussed in detail throughout as well as when to go, how to maximize your number of days, where and how to get discounts, etc.

Another thing I love about these guides are the ratings provided for each ride and activity with regard to preschool child, grade school child, teens, young adults, over 30 adults, and seniors and then whether the ride is seasonal and/or has Lightning Lane options.

There's a small section on Universal Studios Hollywood in case you plan to add that to your trip.

The back of the book features pull-out maps to take with you (for those who don't enjoy relying on the park apps).

Notice - there is currently a 25% off coupon on this book for a limited time!

Title: The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland 2025
Author: Seth Kubersky, Bob Sehlinger, Len Testa
ISBN: 978-1-62809-155-7

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Event - #Travel #Texas - #Belton - Central Texas State Fair Spring Music Fest - April 10-13, 2025

Belton, Texas - Central Texas State Fair Spring Music Fest
April 10-13, 2025
Cadence Bank Center
Venture out to the family-friendly Central Texas State Fair in Belton, right between Waco and Austin. Emjoy headlining acts like comedian Gabriel "Fluffy" Igelsias, musical act All American Rejects, and more. Carnival rides and attractions. Animal shows (such as Arabian Horses and Sea Lions). Food vendors. Merch. So much to do and see!
Address: 301 WEST LOOP 121, Belton, TX 76513
Hours: Check Website
Fees: Different activities have fees (see website), Show Tickets may include admission to fair grounds, Parking is FREE
For more information - https://www.centraltexasstatefairspringmusicfest.com/

Book Review - Moon Death Valley National Park



Browsing through the library for places to visit in the future, I found this book on Death Valley National Park which is on my bucket list of places to visit. It's not really a place to visit during the summer break due to the super high temperatures (and a lot of local businesses actually close for parts of the summer due to the heat).

You know I love the Moon Travel Guides for their full-color maps and highlights in addition to the tips and beautiful photographs. This book is divided into sections - Death Valley National Park itself, Furnace Creek and the Amargosa Range, Stovepipe Wells and the Nevada Triangle, Scotty's Castle and the Eureka Valley, Panamint Springs and the Saline Valley and more. Within each section is a detailed map, highlights, where to go, when to go, visiting in a single day, accommodations, recreation, etc.

What's really valuable is knowing where you will need a high-clearance vehicle or a 4WD vehicle because some of the roads and trails are not appropriate for normal passenger cars or even RV's or trailers.

The first 20 or so pages highlight the top 6 experiences followed up a very useful chart of In-Park lodging options.

Title: Moon Death Valley National Park: Hiking, Scenic Drives, Desert Springs
Author: Jenna Blough
ISBN: 978-8-88647-040-6

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Event - #Travel #Texas - #Lake Jackson - Sea Center Nature Day - April 5, 2025

Lake Jackson, Texas - Sea Center Nature Day
April 5, 2025
Sea Center Texas
The Sea Center Aquarium and Fish Hatchery is hosting a Family Fun day with catch-and-release fishing, live reptiles interactions, and a Birds of Prey show.
Address: 302 Medical Drive, Lake Jackson, Texas 77566
Hours: 9:00am - 3:00pm
Fees: FREE
For more information - https://tpwd.texas.gov/calendar/sea-center/sea-center-nature-day

Book Review - Moon Tahoe and Reno



As you know from previous posts, I've been researching places to visit with my family this summer. While I was exploring the Travel Section at the library, I narrowed down my search to places I haven't been to in a very long time or at all. One of the places I have been wanting to visit is Lake Tahoe and the surrounding areas so I picked up this book.

What I love about the Moon Travel Guides (and you'll hear this from me a lot) are the full-color maps and the little highlights in each section.
Just a side note, this book was published in 2020, so be sure to research locations for updated hours and prices before heading out.

The Tahoe and Reno book is organized by area - South Shore, North and West Shore, East Shoe, Carson Pass, Reno, and Nevada's Frontier Towns (Virginia City, Carson City, etc). Each section contains maps, trip highlights or must-sees, tips, and info about restaurants, recreation, shops, accommodations, and tips. Plus, there are tips on "getting there" which is very helpful.

Title: Moon Tahoe and Reno: Local Spots, Getaway Ideas, Hiking and Skiing
Author: Nicole Szanto
ISBN: 978-1-64049-759-7

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Book Review - Moon Nashville



Following our Road Trip exploration last week, I went ahead and got the Nashville Travel Guide from Moon. It is almost 300 pages of really good info on exploring Nashville and maximizing your time visiting the city.

What I love about the Moon Travel Guides are the colorful maps and the highlights for each area of the city (such as Downtown, Germantown, Midtown, and more). The book is sectioned out by area with details such as places to eat, where to go, music joints, entertainment, etc. The "Where to stay" section is in the back of the book along with "Day Trips" to areas nearby and an "Eseentials" section full of good info for those visiting the city (or even America) for the first time.

The first thirty pages or so highlight some of the most popular places to visit and some tips for exploring.

Keep in mind this book was published in 2022, so be sure to research a chosen location's hours, prices, and updated info before heading out.

Title: Moon Nashville: Can’t-Miss Experiences, Food and Music, Local Favorites
Author: Margaret Littman
ISBN: 978-1-64049-623-1

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Event - #Travel #Texas - #Lewisville - St. Paddy's Texas Style - March 15, 2025

Lewisville, Texas - St. Paddy's Texas Style
March 15, 2025
Wayne Ferguson Plaza
Get your Irish on at this super-fun St Patrick's Day festival. Kids will enjoy bounce houses and mini trains. There will be Luche Libre Wrestling! Food and drink vendors. Irish dancing and music.
Address: 150 W. Church St., Lewisville, Texas
Hours: 1:00pm - 8:00pm
Fees: Admission is FREE; some activities cost money
For more information - https://www.cityoflewisville.com/city-hall/city-departments/community-relations-tourism/special-events-festivals/st-paddy-s-texas-style

Book Review - Moon Nashville to New Orleans Road Trip



I'm starting to research some options for summer vacation with the family and while browsing through the library, I saw this little gem. Normally, being from Texas, I would just drive across state into Louisiana directly and then heading down to New Orleans from Shreveport. But, going from Tennessee down to New Orleans or even vice versa would be a great change. And this book has a lot of great stops and tips.

What I like about this book is it is divided into sections. So if you don't want to do a full trip, you can pick and choose key areas. For example, if you want to start from Tennesse, you can head out of Nashville or you can head out of Memphis. Or if you want to start from Alabama or Mississippi, you can. It's very customizable. Or, you can work backwards and plan going up.

Each section in the book discusses places to visit, museums, parks, food options, accommodations, shopping, and other entertainments. Keep in mind this book was published in 2021, so be sure to look up the places you plan to stop at ahead of time for hours, prices, etc. Also, the colorful maps are great.

The end of the book has a nice "Essentials" section with a lot of information for both American-based travelers and those coming from abroad.

Title: Moon Nashville to New Orleans Road Trip: Hit the Road for the Best Southern Food and Music Along the Natchez Trace
Author: Margaret Littman
ISBN: 978-1-64049-924-9

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Event - #Travel #Texas - Calliham - Birding Festival at Choke Canyon State Park - March 8, 2025

Calliham, Texas - Birding Festival at Choke Canyon State Park
March 8, 2025
Choke Canyon State Park
Tucked away about half-way between San Antonio and Corpus Christi is Choke Canyon State Park which promises outdoor family fun. The birding festival features a Live Bird Show plus lots of wildlife viewing walks. There will also be guest speakers, kid friendly activities, and native plant for sale.
Address: 358 Recreation Rd. 8, Calliham, TX 78007
Hours: 9:00am - 4:00pm
Fees: $5 entry fee for ages 13 and up
For more information: https://tpwd.texas.gov/calendar/choke-canyon/birding-festival

Event - #Travel #Texas - #Spring Branch - Star Party at Guadalupe River State Park - March 8, 2025

Spring Branch, Texas - Star Party
March 8, 2025
Guadalupe River State Park
Located north of San Antonio, this natural wonder will be alive at night with the help of the San Antonio Astronomical Association with telescopes and binoculars to view the night sky (assuming no clouds). This event will be held in the large overflow parking lot (just up the road from the big river parking lot). Look for the big blue "Stargazing Tonight" sign on the park road just across from this parking lot.
Address: 3350 Park Road 31, Spring Branch, TX 78070
Hours: 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Fees: Entry fee $7 for ages 13 and up
For More Info - https://tpwd.texas.gov/calendar/guadalupe-river/star-party-with-the-san-antonio-astronomical-association

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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