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Caribbean Cruise Tips Cruise Travel Nassau The Bahamas

6 Free Things to do in Nassau, Bahamas

Downtown Nassau

Over our last 7 or 8 trips to The Bahamas, we’ve been collecting a list of all of the fun free things to do in Nassau.  You might be asking, “Why in the world have you been there so many times?”  The answer is simple, Nassau is one of the most popular cruise ports in the Caribbean.  Because of this, there’s a plethora of free things to do in Nassau…if you know where to look.

6 Free Things to do in Nassau, Bahamas

Junkanoo Beach Nassau BahamasJunkanoo Beach Nassau Bahamas
Junkanoo Beach- Nassau, Bahamas

Hit the Beach

It goes without saying that one of the best free things to do in Nassau is hit the beach!   While Nassau may be known for it’s high dollar resorts, you don’t need to spend any money to spend the day on the beach.  Some of the best beaches in Nassau are free!   Here are three great options:

  • Junkanoo Beach- This beach is popular with cruisers because it is easily accessed on foot.  Although the beach is a little smaller than some of the others, you’ll still be able to find a spot to enjoy the rays.  The beach features public restrooms and changing facilities and it’s a hot spot for snorkeling.
  • Cable Beach- Wanna know how you know this is a great beach?  Look at all of the hotels that surround it!  There’s a reason the resorts have been built here- it’s breathtaking!  The beach stretches for over 2 miles along the coast and is free to visit.  There are plenty of restaurants and bars that dot the beach here, which makes it easy to grab a bite.  You’ll need to hop in a cab to check out this beach.
  • Cabbage Beach– This beach is drop dead gorgeous and located on Paradise Island, the same island as Atlantis Bahamas.  This beach has consistently been rated as one of the best beaches in Nassau. There’s plenty of white coastline to spread out enjoy your little slice of paradise. You’ll need to shell out money for a cab if you want to visit, though.
Parliament Square, Nassau

Stroll Around Parliament Square

This square is a great place to stop and snap a few photos.  A statue of Queen Victoria stands as a reminder of The Bahamas colonial days. The statue was erected in 1905 in honor of the Queen’s birthday.

The country’s main government buildings surround the square.  These flamingo pink buildings were built in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.  They were constructed by Loyalists who came to The Bahamas from North Carolina.  

The House of Assembly is where the Prime Minister and two houses of Parliament meet.  

Behind the House of Assembly, you’ll find the Supreme Court.  Keep an eye out for judges or lawyers who still follow the tradition of dressing in the traditional British wigs and robes.

At the center of the square, facing Bay Street, is the Senate.  

Hidden behind the Supreme Court building is the Garden of Remembrance.  The garden honors the Bahamian soldiers that lost their lives during the two World Wars.

Queen's Staircase

Visit Queen's Staircase

The Queen’s Staircase, also known as the 66 Steps, is a major landmark in Nassau.  The rocks were chipped out of solid limestone by slaves in the late 1700s.  These steps gave a direct route from Fort Fincastle to Nassau City- an area notorious for attracting pirates.

 The steps were later named in honor of Queen Victoria after her role in ending slavery in the British Empire.  If you’d like to know more, there are always plenty of locals on hand that will share the history of the staircase and Nassau- for a small tip.

Walk Along Bay Street

Nassau’s oldest thoroughfare, Bay Street, is now the heart of the tourist district.  The street is lined with bustling shops, busy eateries and bars, and tourist sites.  Whether you’re looking to pick up a souvenir or a chick at the bar (kidding…kinda), this is the spot for you!  

Bay Street is home to the world-famous Straw Market, the Pirates of Nassau Museum,  and the cruise terminal.

Explore "Blackbeards" Tower

Pirates are deep-rooted in the history of The Bahamas.  Back in the Golden Age, between the 1600s and 1700s, Nassau was a mecca for pirates.  They preyed on the ships that passed through carrying their goods, gold, and other treasures.

One of the most popular pirates in his day was Edward Teach “Blackbeard”.  Blackbeard was an infamous and terrifying pirate who used scare tactics to get his victims for fork over their treasures.   

Blackbeard’s Tower once served as a lookout tower in the 1700s.  Today, it stands as a crumbling monument to the pirates of the Caribbean.

While there is very little to do at these ruins, they do offer a lovely view.

Tour John Watling's Distillery

John Watling’s Distillery is a rum distillery that creates the small-batch rum known as the  “Spirit of The Bahamas”.  The distillery is housed in a historic home known as the Buena Vista Estate, which was established in 1789 and overlooks the harbor. 

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Great Wolf Lodge

10 Great Wolf Lodge Tips & Tricks Perfect for YOUR Family

If you’re looking for Great Wolf Lodge tips, you’ve come to the right place!  These Great Wolf Lodge Tips and packing suggestions will help you prepare for your visit!  We’ll tell you what to bring with you, what to leave at home, and what to expect during your visit!

Great Wolf Lodge Tips

1. Arrival

Before you arrive, you should receive a text from “Willow”.  Willow is the front office staff.  Text them back with your approximate arrival time, any special requests or questions you may have.

When you check-in, the front office staff will let you know about any special events that are going on and let you know which entrance you should park at.  Each door is clearly marked with a number.

Once you’re parked, run inside and grab a luggage cart.  This saves you from looking like a pack-mule or taking a gazillion trips to the car.  

Some Great Wolf Lodges have these stored in the lobby whereas others have them stashed near stairwells.  Be sure to ask the front desk where you can find one.

 

2. Consider the Great Wolf Lodge Paw Pass

Great Wolf Lodge Pup Passes, Paw Passes, and Wolf Passes offer 30% savings compared to purchasing the activities/souvenirs individually.  Bundling the activities is a great way to save a bit of money.

Trust me…when your kids see every other kid in the lodge running around with a wand, they’re going to want to participate in the fun, as well.  The wands are part of a game called MagiQuest.  In order to play, you’ll need a wand and need pay for the game itself.  Both the Paw Pass and the Wolf Pass include MagiQuest.

Pro-Tip:  Pack a Sharpie and use it to write your kids names on their pass and the arcade card.  You can also write your room number on their waterpark wristband.

The kids playing MagiQuest at Great Wolf Lodge, Williamsburg

3. Think About Your Meals in Advance

Some Great Wolf Lodges don’t have many eating places nearby whereas others, like the Williamsburg location, have lots of options.  Be sure to pull up your location on Google Maps to see what’s nearby.

Every Great Wolf Lodge has on-site restaurant open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Consider buying a meal plan.

If your family is made up of grazers and snackers, you may want to pack some snacks.

Food ideas include:

  • Veggie tray
  • Charcuterie (crackers, cheese, fruit)
  • Cookies
  • Chips and dip
  • Individually packaged snacks

If you’re looking to save money on meals, there is a small fridge and a microwave in the room.  You can pack microwaveable mac n cheese, pre-made spaghetti, pre-made taco meat (& the fixins), pre-made chili, and any other microwaveable meal!

You’ll also want to pack water.  The chlorine in the pools sucks the hydration out of you.

The Great Wolf Lodge has a partnership with Dunkin’ Donuts.  You’ll typically find a Dunkin’ in the lobby.  Beware that these lines can get pretty long in the morning.  You may want to pack some coffee, filters, cream, and sugar.

4. Download the App

The app offers a list of activities that are going on each day.  Activities range from arts and crafts to dance parties and yoga sessions.  

You can also order meals from some of the eateries directly from your phone.

5. Pack Your Pool Gear

The Lodge does have towels available, but they must remain at the pool.  If you’re visiting during cooler months, or if the AC is cranking, you may get chilly walking back to your room.  Consider packing your own towels or a bathrobe to wrap up in.

You’ll also want to bring along a pool bag to stash your phone, and the 900 things your kids ask you to hold on to for them.

If you have a baby or toddler, it is required that they be in swim diapers.

Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg

6. Pick Your Seat Wisely

Before you commit to visiting the waterpark, take a quick tour and decide which area would be best for you to post up for the day. 

Our oldest kiddo is an adrenaline junkie and loves the waterslides.  Our twins, however, preferred the wave pool and the kiddie area.  We picked a spot where she could find us easily near the boys favorite spots.

You can also rent a cabana, if you want to splurge a little.  However, the cabanas typically aren’t located in an ideal location- meaning, you won’t relax in the cabana while watching your kid play.

7. Get the Pool Early

If you want a table, plan on getting to the waterpark right when it opens.  No joke.  The tables fill up fast!  Tables make it easy to snack or do lunch by the pool.

Getting there early also helps ensure you find a spot for your entire family.  If you arrive around lunch time, you’ll notice a majority of the seats are spoken for.  It’s difficult to find even two seats next to each other later in the day.

8. ...or Get There Late...

The waterpark tends to be the least busy around dinner time.  It makes sense…considering most people get there in the morning.  Consider grabbing a pizza at the Hungry as a Wolf Pizza Shop, eating poolside, and enjoying the waterpark in the evening.

Great Wolf Lodge; Perryville, Maryland

9. You Get 2 Days at the Waterpark for the Price of 1

This is probably the best of the Great Wolf Lodge tips you’ll read!  Although your room might not be ready, you can access the pool facilities at 1 pm on the day that you check in.  Pack all of your swimming gear in a separate bag and leave the rest of your luggage in the car until check in.  This lets you enjoy the waterpark early!

You can do the same thing on the day of checkout.  Checkout is at 11 however, you can use the waterpark and facilities until the end of the day!  Dry bags are a great way to pack up wet bathing suits without getting everything else wet!

10. Pack Ear Plugs

My wife would argue that this is the best of the Great Wolf Lodge tips!  Unfortunately, some families let their kids run around the hallways at all hours of the night, or be ridiculously loud in the room.  The rooms aren’t sound proofed well…so we heard every footstep above us.  Although the hotel does have quiet hours, they start at 11 PM.   Do yourself a favor and pack earplugs.

Starting the morning off with some yoga in the lobby

Great Wolf Lodge Tips for Packing

I’ve included the items listed above in the list below to help you pack.

  • Pool bag
  • Bathing suit cover up, hooded towel or bathrobe
  • Goggles
  • Towels
  • 2 bathing suits per person
  • Flip flops
  • Waterproof camera (this one is great for kids!)
  • Closed toed shoes (for the ropes course)
  • Ear plugs
There are some things you don’t need to bother packing with you.

  • Life Jackets- the waterpark has puddle jumpers and life jackets available for all sizes
  • Sunglasses- it’s an indoor water park.  
  • Nice clothes.  Okay…this one took me a minute to wrap my head around.  Believe it or not, the Great Wolf Lodge is super casual.  Visitors practically live in their bathing suits and pajamas.  Leave the nice clothes at home and pack some extra loungewear.

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Categories
Itineraries National Parks, Monuments, and Seashores United States Washington DC

15 Must See Places in Washington DC + Tips for Planning Your Itinerary

Library of Congress

Washington, DC is one of my favorite cities in the world.  There is so much do see and do in the nation’s capital, it’s hard to know where to start so we’ve come up with our list of 15 Must See Places in Washington DC!  Our list covers our favorite museums, historical buildings, government buildings, and more!

15 Must See Places in Washington DC

National Museum of Natural History

Megalodon fossil, Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History

The National Museum of Natural History is the #1 most visited museum in Washington, DC.  The museum follows the journey of life on Earth from its creation until modern day, and explore what might happen in the future.

The museum has a large collection of dinosaur fossils, human and animal fossils, gems and minerals, and so much more.  It includes lots of interactive elements that will keep your kids entertained.  You could easily spend all day here!

Nearest Metro:  Federal Triangle Station (Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines), The Archives/Navy Memorial Station (Green and Yellow Lines), Metro Center (Red Line)

National Zoo

This is Washington, DC’s most popular attraction and the second most visited Smithsonian Institution.  It is free to enter, however entry passes are required for all guests (even infants).

The most popular animals that reside here include giant pandas, elephants, lions, and of course…naked mole-rats.  More than 1,500 animals call the National Zoo home.

Plan on spending between 2 and 4 hours at the National Zoo, to get the full experience.  We suggest getting there early, when the zoo is the least crowded.

Nearest Metro: Cleveland Park Station and Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan Station (Red Line)

National Museum of American History

What we love about this museum is that it combines American history and American culture.  This means there’s a little something for everyone!  Where else are you going to find Julia Child’s kitchen and Abraham Lincoln’s top hat in the same place?  Or Dorothy’s Ruby Red Slippers amongst the Star-Spangled Banner?

Like all of the Smithsonian museums, you could easily spend all day here.  We suggest dedicating at least 2 hours here (but 3 would be better!). Check out our list of 10 Must-See Things at the National Museum of American History.

Nearest Metro: Smithsonian Station and Federal Triangle (Both on the Orange, Silver, and Blue Lines)

The desk Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence on-National American History Museum
An aerial view of the America by Air Exhibit at the National Air and Space Museum

National Air and Space Museum

After being closed for renovations, the National Air and Space Museum is finally back open and it is awesome!  This is one of the most popular attractions in DC, so be sure to book your timed entry pass as early as possible so you don’t miss out!

The museum boasts an awe-inspiring collection of Space memorabilia and aviation marvels.  There are even some movie props and actual space rocks sprinkled into the mix!  This museum will be a favorite for young and old alike!

Nearest Metro: L’Enfant (Orange, Silver, and Blue Lines)

National Museum of African American History and Culture

This is another super popular museum that is hard to get tickets to.  The National Museum of African American History and Culture is a massive museum that celebrates the roles African Americans have had in our nation’s history and culture.  This is one of the must-see places in Washington DC!

Obviously, there are some really moving exhibits that center around slavery and the Jim Crow era.  You can see everything from an actual slave home to shackles that bound African slaves.  The museum has a formidable collection of memorabilia from Civil Rights leaders such as Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr.  

Nearest Metro: Smithsonian Station and Federal Triangle (Both on the Orange, Silver, and Blue Lines)

Lincoln Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial was built to honor one of our nation’s most beloved leaders, President Abraham Lincoln.  The 16th President led our nation through some of the most difficult times in our nation’s history.  He valiantly fought to put an end to slavery and to reunify our nation following the South’s secession.  

This grand memorial was erected to honor this incredible man.  It has also been home to many key events in our nation’s history such as Martin Luther King Jr.’s, “I Have a Dream Speech.”

The memorial is stunning during the day, but it is, perhaps, even more impressive at night when it is all lit up.  

Nearest Metro: Foggy Bottom and Smithsonian (Both Orange, Silver, and Blue Lines)

Ford's Theatre

Speaking of Abraham Lincoln, another one of the must-see places in Washington DC is the site of his assassination, the Ford’s Theatre.  The National Park Service has done an incredible job preserving the theater so that it looks just as it did the night that he was shot by John Wilkes Booth.

There are National Park Rangers on site who will happily answer any questions you may have about that fateful night and the days that followed.

The theater also includes a series of museums dedicated the Abraham Lincoln’s life, the plot to kill him and others, and the nationwide hunt for his assassin.  While you’re there, be sure to visit the Petersen House across the street.  After Lincoln was shot in the head, he was brought to this home where he would take his final breaths.

Nearest Metro:  Metro Center (Red, Orange, Silver, and Blue lines) and Gallery Place (Red, Yellow, and Green lines)

Presidential Balcony at Ford's Theater

Library of Congress

The Reading Room at the Library of Congress

When I booked tickets to the Library of Congress, I went in with low expectations.  To be honest, I didn’t know much about it…just that it was the world’s largest library.  I didn’t expect it to be so ornate and opulent.  Surprisingly, it’s much more elegant and extravagant than the White House!

The Library of Congress has a magnificent collection of books, maps, photos, and historical memorabilia.  Highlights include Thomas Jefferson’s personal library, the Gutenberg Bible, and more!

Nearest Metro: Capitol South (Orange, Blue and Silver Lines)

National Archives Museum

The National Archives Museum is home to the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.  It’s a great place to go to learn about the founding of our nation and to observe the documents that helped to sculpt our nation.

Nearest Metro: Federal Triangle (Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines), Archives/Navy Memorial (Green and Yellow Lines), or Metro Center (Red Line)

The White House

The White House has been the residence of every sitting president with the exception of George Washington.  It has been the site of weddings, state funerals, important meetings, and so much more.

We strongly suggest trying to get a tour of the White House, it’s quite the experience.  It’s neat getting to see portraits and busts of all of the  important leaders of our nation and to walk the halls that they once walked.

Tours are self-guided and take between 30 minutes and an hour to complete.  This is something everyone should do at least once in their lifetime, so start looking into booking your tour today.

If you aren’t able to get a tour (or even if you are!) we also suggest visiting the White House Visitor Center where you’ll have the opportunity to see their collection of presidential relics. 

Nearest Metro: McPherson Square Station and Farragut West Station (Both on Orange, Silver, and Blue Lines)

U.S. Capitol Building

Each year more than 3.5 million people visit the U.S. Capitol building.  Not only is this where Congress meets, but it is also a museum dedicated to American History.  

Only visitors with tour reservations are able to enter the Capitol Visitor Center.   To schedule tour, visit the Capitol’s website.  The tour is led by a tour guide and visits the Crypt, the Rotunda, and the National Statuary Hall.  It does not include the House and Senate Galleries.  

Nearest Metro: Union Station (Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines)

Korean War Veterans Memorial

National Mall Monuments & Memorials

The National Mall is known as “American’s Front Yard”.  It is the home to iconic monuments and memorials that are recognized throughout the world.  You could easily spend an entire weekend visiting all of the monuments and memorials that line the mall.

The National Mall is massive and there are countless stops that service this area.  It’s best to consult a map to determine which stop is best for you.

Read More:  The Ultimate Guide to the National Mall & Beyond

United States National Holocaust Memorial Museum

One of the most moving museums in the District of Columbia is the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM).  The USHMM is our nation’s official memorial to the Holocaust.  The center is dedicated to helping the leaders and citizens of the world fight hatred, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity, peace, and kindness. 

The USHMM contains more than 12,750 artifacts, 93,000 library items, and a list of over 200,000 registered survivors and their families.  It is truly remarkable and an absolute must-see.

Despite its proximity to the Smithsonian museums, the USHMM is not part of the group.  Instead, it operates as an independent entity.  A timed entry ticket is required to enter.

Nearest Metro: Smithsonian (Orange, Blue and Silver Lines)

Washington National Cathedral

One of the most gorgeous buildings in the city is the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in the City and Diocese of Washington…also known as the Washington National Cathedral.  The Neo-Gothic Cathedral is the second-largest church building in the US and the third-tallest building in DC.  Construction began in 1907 under the presidency of T. Roosevelt, and was completed 83 years later in 1990 under the presidency of George H.W. Bush.  

State funerals for Presidents Eisenhower, Reagan, Ford, and Bush Sr., were all held at the cathedral.  Presidents Harding, Taft, Coolidge, Truman, and Nixon memorial services were also held here.  Many Presidential inaugural prayer services happen here, as well.

Nearest Metro: Tenleytown and Woodley Park (Both on Red Line)

Arlington National Cemetery

This cemetery is the final resting place for nearly 400,000 people.  Arlington National Cemetery was established during the Civil War.  

Notable burials include:

  • President William H. Taft
  • President John F. Kennedy & his wife Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
  • Senator Robert F. Kenney
  • Senator Ted Kennedy
  • Senator (and astronaut) John Glenn
Nearest Metro: Arlington National Cemetery Metro Station (Blue Line)

**Bonus Place if You're Traveling with Kids**

National Children's Museum

The Dream Machine- National Children's Museum

The National Children’s Museum sparks curiosity in STEAM for children ages 12 and under.  STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) activities help develop soft skills (creativity, problem-solving, collaboration), increase engagement and motivation, and help personalize learning experiences for children.  The activities help capture their interest in fun, engaging, and innovative ways.

We found this was a great way to balance out the heaviness of visiting Ford’s Theatre.

Nearest Metro: Federal Triangle (Orange, Blue, and Silver Line)

Planning Out Your Trip

It would be exhausting trying to cram all of these places into a long weekend.  It’s pretty impossible- unless you just zoom through everything without taking the time to soak it all in.  To do these 15 sites justice, you’d honestly need about a week.

When we planning a trip to DC, we suggest using the following strategy each day:

  • 1 Museum
  • 1 Government Building
  • 1 Important Site
  • Time on the National Mall

1 Museum

The museums in Washington, DC are absolutely incredible, but let’s face it, nobody wants to spend their entire trip exploring museums.  We suggest picking one museum each day and spending a couple of hours wandering around.

If you’re visiting in the warmer months, you’ll want to do this in the afternoon to take advantage of the air-conditioning- DC in the summer gets dreadfully hot!  If you’re visiting in the cooler months, you may want to do the museum in the morning to allow the weather to warm up a bit before you spend time outdoors.

The most popular museums are based on the number of visits:

1 Government Building

We also recommend visiting one government building each day.  These are a great way to learn more about our nation’s history, our leaders, and how our governments works.

These include:

  • The Library of Congress
  • U.S. Capitol Building
  • The White House
  • Bureau of Engraving and Printing (currently closed to visitors)
  • Supreme Court (currently closed to visitors)
  • The Pentagon (currently closed to visitors)

1 Important Site

Washington, DC is the backbone of our nation.  So many incredible, and historical, things have taken place here.  To honor this history, there are memorials, monuments, and historical sites sprinkled all throughout the District of Columbia.  Pick and choose what interest you and add one of these into your itinerary each day. 

Ideas include:

  • Ford’s Theatre
  • Arlington National Cemetery
  • National Cathedral
  • National Archives
  • United States National Holocaust Memorial Museum

Time on the National Mall

You could easily spend an entire day strolling along the National Mall visiting all of the monuments and memorials.   We, however, prefer to break up the Mall and do a little each day. 

Each of the monuments and memorials is an magnificent piece of art dedicated to our Nation’s heroes. 

Popular favorites include:

  • Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
  • Thomas Jefferson Memorial
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
  • Washington Monument
  • Lincoln Memorial
  • National World War II Memorial
  • Korean War Veteran’s Memorial
  • Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Ready to Start Planning?

Honestly, there’s nothing like a trip to Washington, DC.  It is the perfect destination for families.  If a museum or monument isn’t holding your kid’s attention, there’s always another one you can check out- and it’ll most likely be free!

If you’d like a little guidance for your itinerary, see our 4-Day Itinerary.  It was designed with young kids in mind and hits a lot of the most popular sights in Washington, DC such as:

The White House
National Museum of American History
National Air & Space Museum
Ford’s Theater
Lincoln Memorial
Washington Monument
National Children’s Museum

and so much more!

Save our 15 Must See Places in Washington, DC

For future reference, be sure to save our Ultimate Guide to the National Mall and Beyond!   Pin one of the images below to Pinterest.  Go ahead and follow 5 Suitcases on Pinterest while you’re at it!

If you’re planning a trip to Washington, DC, be sure to check out our Ultimate Guide to the National Mall and Beyond and our 4 Day Washington, DC Itinerary. You can also learn how to visit the White House.

Be sure to give us a like on Facebook or follow us on Instagram and Twitter for more travel tips and tricks. See you next time!

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Updated: 2/13/23

Categories
Great Wolf Lodge Hotel Review United States Virginia Williamsburg

The Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg, Virginia- the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

This year as part of the kids Christmas gift we booked a 4 night trip to the Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg, Virginia.  The day after Christmas, we loaded up the car and drove about 9 hours north from Florida to Williamsburg, Virginia.  In this post we’ll cover our entire experience at the Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg- the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.

If you’re not familiar with Great Wolf Lodge, it’s a hotel chain known for their indoor waterparks.  Each Great Wolf Lodge is jam packed with family-fun amenities to help make your vacation one to remember!

Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg- Wolf Den Suite

Accommodation Options at Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg

The accommodation options at the Great Wolf Lodge are Standard Suites, Themed Suites, and Premium Suites. Most rooms will sleep 4 comfortably however, some options can sleep up to as many as 12 people!  

Family Suite

Sleeps 4-6

Standard suite includes two queen beds as well as a living area with a full-size sofa sleeper.

  •  2 Queen Beds
  •  Full Sleeper Sofa
  •  Full Bath
  •  Living Area
  •  Table & chairs

Family Fireplace Suite

Sleeps 4-6

Standard suite includes two queen beds and a semi-private living area with a full-size sofa sleeper.

  •  2 Queen Beds
  •  Full Sleeper Sofa
  •  Full Bath
  •  Living Area
  •  Fireplace

Luxury King Suite

Sleeps 4

Standard suite includes one king bed and a full-size sofa sleeper, comfortably sleeping up to four people.

  •  1 King Bed
  •  Full Sleeper Sofa
  •  Full Bath
  •  Living Area
  •  Table & chairs

ADA Queen Sofa Suite

Sleeps 4

Accessible Bathtub suite features one queen bed, a full-size sofa sleeper and is fully accessible.

  •  1 Queen Bed
  •  Full Sleeper Sofa
  •  Accessible Bath
  •  Table & chairs

Themed Kid Cabin Suite

Sleeps 6-7

Standard suite features a log cabin-themed sleeping area, three twin beds, a queen bed, and a full sofa sleeper.

  •  1 Queen Bed
  •  Cabin Theme
  •  Bunk Beds
  •  Full Sleeper Sofa
  •  Full Bath

Themed Wolf Den Suite

Sleeps 4-6

Standard suite includes an in-suite cave-themed sleeping area, a queen bed, and full-size sofa sleeper.

  •  1 Queen Bed
  •  Cave Theme
  •  Bunk Beds
  •  Full Sleeper Sofa
  •  Full Bath
Great Wolf Lodge - Wolf Den Suite

Themed KidKamp Suite

Sleeps 4-6

Standard suite features a tent-themed sleeping area with bunk beds, a queen bed, and a full-size sofa sleeper.

  •  1 Queen Bed
  •  Tent Theme
  •  Bunk Beds
  •  Full Sleeper Sofa
  •  Full Bath

Deluxe Wolf Den Suite

Sleeps 8-12

Standard suite includes an in-suite cave-themed sleeping area with a queen-sized bed, a private bedroom with two queen beds and two bathrooms.

  •  3 Queen Beds
  •  Cave Theme
  •  Bunk Beds
  •  Full Sleeper Sofa
  •  2 Full Baths

Grizzly Bear Suite

Sleeps 6-8

Standard suite features a queen bed in a master bedroom, two queens in a second bedroom and a full-size sofa sleeper in the main area.

  •  3 Queen Beds
  •  Full Sleeper Sofa
  •  Fireplace
  •  Living Area
  •  2 Full Baths

Loft Fireplace Suite

Sleeps 6-8

Standard suite includes three queen beds and a full-size sofa sleeper with a lofted bedroom.

  •  3 Queen Beds
  •  Full Sleeper Sofa
  •  Gas Fireplace
  • Living Area
  • Full Bath

Majestic Bear Suite

Sleeps 6-8

Standard suite includes a king bed in the private master bedroom, two queen beds and a full-size sofa sleeper.

  •  1 King Bed
  •  2 Queen Beds
  •  Full Sleeper Sofa
  •  Breakfast Bar
  •  Full Bath

Royal Bear Suite

Sleeps 4-6

Accessible Bathtub suite features a king bed, a queen bed, and a full-size sofa sleeper.

  •  1 King Bed
  •  1 Queen Bed
  •  Full Sleeper Sofa
  •  Accessible Bath
Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg- Lobby at Christmas time

Check In/ Check out at Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg

Prior to arriving at the Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg you’ll receive a text with information for a pre-check in.  You’ll identify your estimated arrival time and have an opportunity to ask any questions.

Once you arrive at the Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg, you’ll check in at the front desk on the righthand side of the main lobby.  There was a little confusion amongst several people at check-in.  There wasn’t a line system and people weren’t sure if we were standing in one line or forming multiple lines.  

The front office staff was very courteous and helpful.  The lady checking us in gave me the low down on our food package, issued us our Wolf Badges, offered up lots of information, and guided us to the best place to park the car for the easiest access to our room.

Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg

Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg Amenities & Attractions

  • Water Park
  • MagiQuest
  • Oliver Mining Sluice
  • Ten Paw Alley (bowling)
  • Laser Trail (laser tag)
  • Northern Lights Arcade
  • Candy store
  • Build-A-Bear Workshop
  • On-site restaurants
  • Bar
  • Gift shop
  • Planned activities
  • Wifi

The water park is such a huge attraction that it deserves a post of its own!  We’ll soon be sharing all of our tips and tricks for the water park.

All About the Wolf Passes

The Great Wolf Lodge offers passes that bundle activities and special memorabilia.  Purchasing the passes can help save you money in the long run.  The passes are Wolf Pass ($99.99),  Paw Pass ($79.99), and Pup Pass ($59.99).  

We’ll explore the benefits of each of these passes in a future post.

Dining Options

Hungry as a Wolf– This pizza joint is open for lunch and dinner.  They serve pizza, meatball subs, fresh salads, and cheese bread. View menu.

Dunkin’ Donuts– Grab donuts and coffee for breakfast lunch or dinner!

Loose Moose– This buffet is open for breakfast and dinner.  Breakfast includes eggs, bacon, sausage, waffles, French toast, yogurt, fruit, and breakfast pastries. The dinner menu rotates but the sides pretty much stay the same.  You’ll find mac n cheese, potatoes, salads, vegetables, and desserts.  The entrees range from fish, ham, beef, chicken, and more.

Buckets Incredible Craveables- This spot is perfect for those enjoying the waterpark.  It is open for both lunch and dinner.  The eatery serves burgers, sandwiches, salads, and desserts. View menu.

Bear Paw– Open for lunch and dinner, this sweet shop serves up cupcakes, ice cream, and chocolate-covered fruit.

Starting the morning off with some yoga in the lobby

Our Honest Review

The Good

  • Before our arrival, we received a text from “Willow” our “assistant” for our trip.  Willow is anyone who is working down at the front office.  They asked us if we had any questions or special requests.  I was able to text with them before we arrived.
  • Great Wolf Lodge has an app that you can download that will tell you all of the events going on throughout the day.  You can also pre-order some of your meals via the app.
  • We bought each of the kids a $100 Wolf Pass (there is also a $80 Paw Pass and a $60 Pup Pass).  This offered the family plenty of things to do when we were not at the waterpark.  If you plan on doing any of the extra stuff at the Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg, you may want to consider one of these bundles as ultimately, it could save you money.
  • The indoor water park was great.  There was something for every different thrill level.  There are complimentary towels and life jackets available.
  • The lifeguards in the waterpark are the most intentional lifeguards I’ve ever seen– and being from Florida, we see a lot of them.  They make very calculated and deliberate sweeps of the pool areas to ensure everyone is safe. I was very impressed.
  • Someone is always cleaning!  The overall cleanliness of the place is pretty impressive considering how many kids are running around the place.

The Bad

  • Although there are a couple of different eating options (a breakfast/dinner buffet, pizza, burgers, sandwiches, etc.), there aren’t lots of places outside of the pool area to sit down and enjoy a meal.  On our first full day there, we ordered a pizza for lunch and ended up just sitting on the hearth of the fireplace in the lobby because there weren’t tables to enjoy a meal.
  • Our room wasn’t in the best condition when we checked in.  It was clean however, I noticed some random things like there is no toilet paper holder (it’s been broken) and the cover for our lock was broken off and on the floor.
  • Except for the ropes course and a pool (both were closed during our visit), there isn’t anything for families to do outside.  It would be nice if there was a fire pit, outdoor hot tubs, or a play area outside.
  • The hotel has quiet hours that begin at 11 pm, which is pretty late considering the hotel is geared towards children.  

The Ugly

  • My wife kept referring to the Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg as a “lawless land.”  There were kids literally running around everywhere.  We’ve stayed at kids hotels before (Legoland Hotel) and never experienced anything quiet like this.  This wasn’t necessarily the Lodge’s fault, it’s more on the parents.
  • There doesn’t seem to be any enforcement of any sort of rules– this extended to the waterpark.  We’ve been to several waterparks and there is always someone reminding kids to walk- that didn’t happen at all here.  We saw several kids fall.
  • The MagiQuest game covers multiple-floors by near the main lobby and hotel rooms.  Many parents let their kids play this on their own (we are all for independence!) which often ends up in the kids yelling and running from floor to floor.  This noise carries over into the rooms near the stairwells and lobby.  It would be better if the game had a dedicated area that was closed off and away from people’s rooms.  However…I get that by having it out in the open more people see it and want to play it.

Tips for Visiting the Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg

  • Make sure you pack towels and/or cover ups for the pool.  The hotel has towels, but you can only use them in the pool area.  If you’re visiting during the colder months, it can get chilly walking through the lodge in a wet bathing suit.
  • Consider buying one of the passes (Wolf, Paw, Pup) to save money on the add-on attractions.  Trust me, after seeing all of the other kids running around (literally) playing MagiQuest, your kid will want to, too.

Our Great Wolf Lodge Essentials from Amazon

Some non-wolfy things you’ll want to make sure you have on hand:

  • Bathing Suit Coverup
  • Swim Goggle
  • Pool Bag
  • Lotion

Location & Booking Information

The Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg is located at 549 E Rochambeau Dr, Williamsburg, VA 23188.

Visit the website directly to book your stay and review current offers.

 

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*This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience**

Categories
United States Washington DC

Why You Should Add DC’s National Children’s Museum to Your Itinerary!

When I mapped out our 4 day Washington, DC Itinerary, the National Children’s Museum was no where on my radar.  Boy…am I glad we veered away from our original plan and made the decision to visit the National Children’s Museum.  In a word, it was amazing!  Honestly, it was exactly what my kids needed to experience to help break up the monotony of visiting museums and monuments.  It gave them an opportunity to let off some steam and be kids.

The National Children’s Museum sparks curiosity in STEAM for children ages 12 and under.  STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) activities help develop soft skills (creativity, problem-solving, collaboration), increase engagement and motivation, and help personalize learning experiences for children.  The activities help capture their interest in fun, engaging, and innovative ways.

Pro-Tip:  Sensory backpacks are available to borrow at no cost.  They include noise-reduction headphones as well as fidgets to help ease sensory stimulation.  There is also a quiet room on-site.

Exhibits at the National Children's Museum

Dream Machine

The centerpiece of the museum is the Dream Machine, a massive three-story climber and slide designed for kids 5 and up.  The Dream Machine is a futuristic play space consisting of space-like orbs, climbing nets, and a fun, twisty slide.  The Dream Machine is wheelchair accessible at multiple points.

The Dream Machine Source: Nationalchildrensmuseum.org

The play structure, inspired by clouds, encourages kids to slide, crawl, climb, and explore the structure.  It encourages them to use their imagination while testing their balance, strength and agility.  Children learn problem solving, risk management, planning, motor fitness and spatial and directional awareness all while having fun!

Little Dreamers

This zone was designed for children 0-3.  Little ones can take flight in this cloud and aviation themed area.  Kiddos can engage in sight and sound exploration and develop gross and fine motor skills.  They work on discovering light and shadow, using their imagination, exploring their senses and testing their limitations. 

Innovation Sandbox exhibit at the National Children's Museum

Innovation Sandbox

Our oldest couldn’t get enough of this interactive exhibit!  In this super fun weather inspired interactive exhibit, kids have the opportunity to shoot bolts of lightning, make it rain, create clouds, and more in this technology forward space.  How is this possible, you might ask?  With a little magic, green screen technology and the simple wave of the hand!

Kids learn cause and effect, decision making, and how their actions are connected to others and the world.

Art + Tech

This fun, interactive space is presented by Nickelodeon.  Kids can join SpongeBob SquarePants and the PAW Patrol Crew and learn about building, design, aerodynamics, probability, and light and shadow.

Oh…and of course, there’s slime!  Don’t worry, it’s amazingly mess free!  The Slime Fun House allows visitors to explore and experience the iconic green gook without getting messing.

In the PAW Patrol Rescue Training section, kids can fight art-fully represented “fires” with Marshall, join Rubble in constructing buildings and create flying machines with the one and only Skye

Data Science Alley

This section, presented by Amazon, is designed for kids 5 to 12.  Data Science Alley features a super fun, playful scatter plot where visitors use a magnetic disk to track how high they can jump.

Our kids favorite part was a Pom Pom Poll which is a playful twist on the classic pneumatic-tube system.  The drop a pom pom into a tube and watch it travel up to the ceiling before dropping to the ground.

Little Movers

This is another space designed with littles in mind.  Kids 0-3 can enjoy this free-movement play space that encourages kids to build gross and fine motor skills.

The Engineering Games + Play Exhibit at the National Children's Museum Source: Nationalchildrensmuseum.org

Engineering Games + Play

Another one of our favorite parts of the National Children’s Museum was the Engineering Games + Play section.  Here, kids could design, build, and race vehicles down an adjustable track.  

There are also several sports themed STEAM activities like shooting a basketball with a wind machine, scoring a homerun, and more.

Tinkers Studio

The creative hub of the National Children’s Museum is presented by Microsoft.  In the space, kids are encouraged to design, create, build, and play based off the of the skills they have acquired in the museum.  

Plan Your Visit the National Children's Museum

The museum is open every day except Tuesdays from 9:30 until 4:30.  It is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

The cost of admission is $15.95 per person for ages 1 and older.  

Children under 1 are free.

The National Children’s Museum is located at:

1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20004

The National Children’s Museum is located at the exit of the Federal Triangle Metro Station or 3 blocks from Metro Center.  

Nearby bus routes include 30N, 30S, 32, 33, 34, 36, D6, and P6.

If you’re arriving by car, parking is limited.  The are parking garages nearby that offer paid parking.

Save a Pin and Start Planning Your Adventure

Be sure to give us a like on Facebook or follow us on Instagram and Twitter for more travel tips and tricks. See you next time!

Categories
Annual Recap

Our 2023 Recap- A Year of Adventure!

Welcome to our 2023 recap!  We’ll be updating this post throughout the year to recap all of our 2023 adventures!  We can’t wait to share all of the fun with you!  This year we have a grown-ups-only trip to Iceland planned and an 8-day family Caribbean cruise on the books.  On the cruise, we’ll be visiting Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten.  We’ll also be visiting more theme parks (SeaWorld), state parks, and national parks!  Who knows where else the year will take us!

Let's Dive into the 2023 Recap!

January

[Fort Matanzas] [SeaWorld Orlando] [Blue Spring State Park]

Fort Matanzas National Monument

Our first road trip of the year took us down to St. Augustine to celebrate Smiley’s birthday.  We had lunch at one of our favorite restaurants, Ford’s Garage, before continuing south to Fort Matanzas National Monument.  This National Park Site is the last remaining Spanish watchtower in the US.  

The watch tower was completed in 1742.  It was built near the site where Pedro Menendez ordered the killing of over 100 French Huguenots.  Over the period of a couple of weeks, nearly 300 French were slaughtered by the Spanish between St. Augustine and Fort Caroline.

The following weekend, we made a road trip down to SeaWorld Orlando to celebrate Smiley turning 9.  She’s been wanting to visit the theme park since she was 6, and we finally caved in!  It was so cold and windy during our visit that the roller coasters were closed for half the day.  She still managed to ride Mako and Manta, so she was a happy girl!

We ended up spending most of our time in the Sesame Street part of the park, which all three kids enjoyed.  

The kids examining rays at SeaWorld Orlando
The aquariums at SeaWorld Orlando were fun to look at!

We also caught the Sesame Street parade, the dolphin show, and a game show.  All in all, it was a pretty fun day- the babes had fun, and that’s what really matters.

While we were there, we picked up my teacher pass and the boys VPK passes so all 3 of us will get in free for the rest of the year.  Perhaps we’ll head back down when it gets a little warmer so Smiley can ride a few more coasters.

On the way home from Orlando, we stopped by Blue Spring State Park.  On cold days, manatees flock to the springs because the water temperature is higher there than in the rivers.  The numbers range from dozens to hundreds of manatees, depending on the day.  On the day we visited, an impressive 625 manatee were counted in the spring run!  It was so cool to see the graceful, gentle manatees warm themselves in the spring.

Manatees at Blue Spring State Park

The following weekend, Ashley took the kids up to North Carolina to drop off some Christmas gifts for the Carolina clan and to spend some time with the kids grandparents and great-grandparents.

Blog Posts Published:

How to Spend a Day in Nassau, Bahamas Without Cruise Excursions
The New and Improved Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Why You Should Add DC’s National Children’s Museum to Your Itinerary
The Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg, Virginia- the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Income Generated from
5 Suitcases:  $214.16

February

 

 

[Bird Island Park] [Sunshine Park] [Sheffield Park] [Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens]

 

Bird Island Park

February was an extremely busy month for us!  All 3 kid started ball and our daughter started Girls on the Run (a running club).  Suddenly, our life became consumed by extra curricular activities!  Between our busy schedule and sicknesses, we didn’t have many adventures.  

I did, however, get to spend time mapping out our trips for spring and summer.  I finalized everything for our trip to Iceland, booked our summer road trip, and booked a quick solo weekend for myself in March.  

One of our first outings was a trip to our local zoo with a friend of the family.  The babes always have so much fun interacting with the animals.  There’s a particular bonobo that runs to the glass every time it sees the kids.  It likes to mimic the kids movements- it’s the cutest thing!

We made a last minute decision to scrap a roadtrip over President’s Day Weekend and decided to check out some local parks, instead.

We started off at Bird Island Park, where we got to play on the playground, stroll along the boardwalk looking for fish and turtles, and make our way through a turtle-shaped hedge maze.  Afterwards, we went to one of our local parks, Sunshine Park.  It was so nice getting out and doing something (other than running and baseball/softball).

The weather in late February was in the 80s, so it was perfect for hitting up one of our favorite lakes.  The kids swam a bit and played on the boogie boards.  These babies love the water!

At the end of the month, my brother and his family joined us in Callahan for a drive through laser light show we covered for Instagram.   The hour-long light show was synchronized with pop songs and throwbacks.  The babes had so much fun dancing with their cousins. The laser show was really cool!

Blog Posts Published:

15 Must See Places in Washington DC +  
    Tips for Planning Your Itinerary
10 Great Wolf Lodge Tips & Tricks
6 Free Things to do in Nassau, Bahamas
The Ultimate Guide to the National Mall
    & Beyond

Income Generated from 5 Suitcases: $253.51

March

 

 

[Camp Milton Historic Preserve] [Northbank Riverwalk] [Big Talbot Island State Park]
[Black Rock Beach] [Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens] [Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge]
 [Kelly Park/Rock Springs] [SeaWorld Orlando] [Wekiwa Springs State Park]
[James Weldon Johnson Park] [Museum of Contemporary Art] [Huguenot Beach]

 

The weather at the beginning of the month was a DREAM.  It was perfect for getting outside and enjoying our beautiful home state of Florida.  We kicked off the month with a trip to Camp Milton Historic Preserve.  During the Civil War, Camp Milton was home to 8,000 troops.  Confederate soldiers, and slaves, constructed over 7 miles of earth works to protect the camp.  Remnants of the earth works remain on the site today.  

The preserve is connected to the Jacksonville Baldwin Rail Trail, a 14 mile stretch of paved trail.  The kids had so much fun riding their scooters and bikes on the trail.  It was the perfect place for them to stretch their legs and practice their riding skills.

March is Spring Break month here in Florida. 4/5 of us have off of work/school for an entire week.

Here’s what we did the last couple of Spring Breaks:  

2021- Cumberland Island National Seashore, strawberry picking, DeLeon Springs, Alexander Springs, and Sweet Pete’s
2022- Cruise to Amber Cove and Grand Turk

Our Family on the Locks of Love Bridge

We decided to include some weekend activities in this time, so that Ashley could join in on some of the fun.

On Saturday, we started our day by visiting a coffee shop called Bitty and Beau’s which employees people with different abilities.  It is such a fun atmosphere full of love, acceptance, and embracing diversity.  Afterwards, we scooted on over to the Northbank to walk along the river.  We started at the YMCA and walked eastbound to the colorful Locks of Love Bridge and to Corkscrew Park, an outdoor gym area.

Afterwards we went to our local ballpark to practice our hitting and fielding for t-ball/softball.

The next day, we decided to visit a couple of local trails.  We hiked Big Pine Trail (1 mile) and Black Rock Trail (1 mile) at Big Talbot Island State Park.  Black Rock Trail is one of our favorites because it empties out onto a beach called Black Rock.  Black Rock is sometimes called Boneyard Beach because it is covered with sun-bleached downed trees.

After two days of cold and rain, we were finally able to head back outside for our next adventure.  We braved the cold to spend a couple of hours at the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens.  It was so nice because the zoo was pretty empty due to the weather.

 

Black Rock Beach, Big Talbot Island

Later in the week, we took a road trip up to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia.  The Okefenokee is the largest black swamp in all of North America.  It estimated that between 10k – 13k alligators call this swamp home.  The swamp is considered to be one of the 7 Natural Wonders of Georgia.

We hiked 3 miles worth of trails/boardwalk and drove around the paved scenic loop.  We saw 7 alligators (one of the boys counted 64…hahaha), 2 snakes, and more turtles than we could count.

The babes really enjoyed the Chesser Island Homestead.  The homestead was built in the mid-1800s by the Chesser family.  During our visit, the interior of the home was closed however, I have toured the inside on a previous visit.  The interior is decorated with period furniture.

The home, and the several outbuildings, give insight as to what life was like on the swamp 170+ years ago.  The kids favorite part was the syrup shed where they were able to work the water pump and play with several of the tools in the shed.  They had a blast pretending to make sugar cane syrup!

That same weekend, I took a solo trip down to Orlando.  On my way in to town, I stopped by Kelly Park to check out the gorgeous Rock Springs.  I brought along my paddle board and float, but it was only in the 40s while I was there, so I didn’t end up getting in the water.  Still, it was absolutely gorgeous to look at!  The springs form a natural lazy river.  This place is typically slammed, so I was very lucky to have the place pretty much to myself!

 

Afterwards, I headed to SeaWorld Orlando to check out the Seven Seas Food Festival.  

I had a lanyard that granted me 15 food/drink samples at the park.  After fasting for 16+ hours, I was ready to eat!  Be sure to check out our blog post on the Seven Seas Food Festival for all the details.

The main reason for me going down was that my favorite band of all time (we’re talking 25+ years!) was playing at the festival.  I ended the night with singing and dancing to Hanson.

The next morning, I woke up and hit up my second spring of the weekend, Wekiwa Springs.  Again, I opted not to get in due to the weather- although I was super tempted.  The water is a consistent 72 degrees, so it would have actually felt warm in the spring.  It was the getting out part that I was worried about. I walked around the swimming area, down the spring run, and did a mile loop trail through the woods. 

I absolutely love spending time at the springs, I wish they were closer to home.  Our closest springs about about 1.5 hours away.  I’m going to make a point of visiting a few more this week…and getting in the water!

The following weekend was a busy one!  The kids all had games and team photos.  Afterwards, we went downtown to check out the sidewalk chalk artists at Art at the Park.  The babes loved being able to create their own artwork and enjoyed the incredible works of art created by artists of all age.

On Saturdays, the Museum of Contemporary Art offers free admission, so while we were across the street, we decided to stop by.  This worked out perfectly because I’ve been wanting to check out the Milagros “Flutter Zone” installment (pictured right).  It features a combination of patterns, color, light, and music.  You’re able to interact with the piece by crawling inside of it and playing an organ.  It was a pretty fun and unique experience.

The boys experimenting with sound at Museum of Contemporary Art JAX
Kids at Huguenot 2023

We wrapped up our beautiful and busy weekend with a visit to the beach.  We found several starfish and crabs, built sandcastle and took our boogie boards for a spin.  It was a great way to close out the busy week and a great reminder of what’s to come this summer!

Blog Posts Published: 
All You Need to Know About Visiting SeaWorld Orlando with Kids
5 of the Best Beaches in St. Thomas
Do I Need to Book an Excursion in Amber Cove?
Ultimate Guide to the 2023 Seven Seas Food Festival at SeaWorld

Income Generated from
5 Suitcases:  $106.00

April

We started off April with a trip to the kids favorite camp ground (it’s top secret!).  As soon as we found out my parents would be camping there this weekend, we made plans to visit them.  They got to swim in the pool, paddleboard in the lagoon, play catch, and hangout with all of their cousins.  It was quite possibly the best April Fools Day ever!

Easter weekend and our kids Gotcha Day overlapped this year.  We had family come in to town to help us celebrate!  We hung out at breweries (which our babes love!) and did a bit of axe throwing. 

Later in the month, we celebrated love at the Strides for Pride 5k.  We didn’t run, this time, but cheered some of the runners on and checked out the vendors.  The kids are big fans of events like this because they walk away with a ton of swag.  Afterwards, we met up with our neighbor friends at our local swimming hole for some fun in the sun before they move to Texas.

 

Blog Posts Published: 

Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History: A Must See in DC!
How to See Manatees at Blue Spring State Park
Touring the Library of Congress- The World’s Largest Library
Easy-to-Use Printable Cruising Ducks
Free Things to do in St. Thomas
10 Must See Things at the National Museum of American History

Income Generated from
5 Suitcases:  $113.76

May

May was a little hectic.  I wrapped up my 9th year of teaching, the boys graduated from VPK, Smiley kicked the state tests ass, and we spent a lot of time at the ballfield.  The month wasn’t a total wash. We squeezed in some time at the lake with our neighbors before they moved to Texas. We also spent some time out on the boat with our framily.

Over Memorial Day weekend, we drove up to North Carolina to visit with Ashley’s side of the family. The kids went bowling for the first time and weren’t really fans 🤣 I think if they had a little more sleep they would have enjoyed it more.

In the month of May we published 4 posts:

National Museum of American History- Iconic Treasures from America’s Past
10 Tips for Riding the DC Metro That Will Make Your Trip Easier
10 Practical Tips for Visiting Washington DC with Kids
Florida State Park Bucket List

Income Generated from
5 Suitcases:  $232.52

June

With the stress of school behind us for a couple of months, we had a fun month!  We spent lots of time at the beach catching crabs and snails, looking for shark teeth, and catching fish.  We’re also making the most of our zoo membership and visiting the some of our favorite animals.  

Later in the month, we drove down to St. Augustine to celebrate a day of love at their Pride Parade.  We discovered our new favorite donut shop (Peace, Love and Donuts) and spent some time strolling around St. George Street and Constitution Plaza.  

At the end of the month, we drove 600 miles from Florida to Kentucky.  We were invited to check out the Camp Jellystone at Mammoth Cave.  Despite the terrible weather (we had severe thunderstorms our entire stay!), we still managed to have an excellent time.  When it rained, we headed into town to explore.  We ate at a charming Amish restaurant, visited a replica of Stonehenge called Kentucky Stonehenge, and visited the American Cave Museum.

The amazing thing about this Jellystone it is within just a few miles of Mammoth Cave National Park!  We booked the 2-hour, 2-mile historical tour.  It was AWESOME (minus the 572 steps…).  Afterward, we drove out into the country to visit Abraham Lincoln’s Birthplace  National Historical Park.  

In the month of June we published 5 posts:

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
Popular Caribbean Cruise Ports
8 Hamilton-Inspired Things to do in DC
Fort Matanzas: A Local’s Guide
Guide to the Great Wolf Lodge Water Park in Williamsburg

Income Generated from
5 Suitcases:  $44.14

July

Our Kentucky road trip carried over into the month of July.  We stopped by the Aviation Heritage Park in Bowling Green, strolled around the Western Kentucky University campus (to see the pioneer cabin and the Abraham Lincoln statue), took a book ride inside of a cave at the Lost River Cave, and rounded out our trip with a trip to the National Corvette Museum.

We had a wonderful time exploring the state of Kentucky together!  With this trip, the babes could add Kentucky to their list of states they’ve been to and traveled to a different time zone for the first time!  

Blue Lagoon, Iceland

Later in the month, we dropped the babes off with their grandparents and headed to Iceland to celebrate my 40th birthday.  We spent an entire week exploring the Land of Fire and Ice.

We visited the Blue Lagoon, Thingvellir National Park, explored an Ice Cave, checked out Diamond Beach, went whale watching, and hiked to countless waterfalls. 

It was such an incredible week!  It was the perfect way to celebrate my birthday.

In the Month of July we published 3 posts:

Guide to Great Wolf Lodge Water Park in Williamsburg
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park in Mammoth Cave
Abraham Lincoln’s Birthplace National Historical Park

August

After getting back from Iceland on the 2nd, we fit in as much time with the kids as we could before school started back up.   We enjoyed boat days with our besties, hung out at the zoo, hit up the beach and soaked up the last few days of summer.

Up close and personal with Banks, the newest jaguar at our zoo

September

Our first trip to Medieval Times!

Just because school was back in session doesn’t mean our adventures were over!  In September we spent a long weekend down in Orlando with Ashley’s boss and his family.  We all shared a timeshare and spent the weekend floating down a lazy river and watching the babes launch themselves down waterslides.

The kids favorite part of our mini-roadtrip was a very special dinner at Medieval Times.  They being able to eat with their hands (shocker!) and enjoyed watching the jousting matches and medieval games.  

October

October was all about baseball and softball for us!  The kiddos started back up in August.  We love our nights at the ballpark.

November

In November we celebrated the boys 6th birthday with an 8-day cruise to San Juan, Amber Cove, St. Maarten, and St. Thomas.  My parents joined us, which made our trip even more exciting!

Our first top was Amber Cove, Dominican Republic.  We actually celebrated the boys 5th birthday with a cruise to the DR the year before.  On that trip, we had to book a “bubble tour” because the boys weren’t vaccinated.  Because of that, we didn’t really get to experience the DR like I wanted to.  

This time, we took full advantage of our day in Puerto Plata!  For the boys birthday, my parents bought an excursion to Monkeyland, a place they’d visited on past trips.

Monkeyland, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

Monkeyland is a natural jungle habitat that is home to super friendly squirrel monkeys.  Part of our tour included a visit to an “authentic Dominican home” and a demonstration/sampling of Dominican coffee.  The home part wasn’t very entertaining, but we enjoyed watching them make coffee by grinding the beans with a mortar and pedestal.  I wasn’t sure if I’d like it since I normally take my coffee with creamer but it was to DIE for!  They also made cocoa for the babes (which was great!) but ours liked the coffee just as much.

Next came the part we were all waiting for, Monkeyland!  I was a little nervous that Scoop would get overstimulated so we brought along his noise cancelling headphones, but he wasn’t able to take them in.  He ended up being perfectly fine (thank goodness!).  

I can’t even begin to tell you how many squirrel monkeys were inside the enclosure.  As soon as we walked in, the squirrel monkeys swarmed us hopping off of our heads, backs, and arms.  It was so much fun!

One of my goals on our trip was to cross off a National Park while we were visiting some of the US Territories.  While we were in Puerto Rico, we visit the San Juan Historic Site, the oldest European construction in all of the US territories and one of the oldest in the New World.  We got a chance to check out both Castillo San Felipe del Morro and Castillo San Cristobal.  

The next day we were in St. Maarten, where we planned a beach day.  We hopped a water taxi over to the Great Bay Beach.  The beach was easy to get too, and despite constantly being hassled by the locals to buy things, we enjoyed our time at the beach.

Our last port was St. Thomas, a place Ashley and I both had visited many times before.  We talked about catching the ferry over to St. John to collect another stamp in our National Park Passports, but nixed the morning we arrived.  Instead, we walked around and did a bit of shopping.  While were exploring, we came across the Pirate’s Treasure Museum- which ended up being the perfect spot to check out with the kids.  They had tons of pirate artifacts and treasure alongside interactive displays and games.  The museum was very well done and the babes really enjoyed it!

Sites Visited in 2023

Florida

Florida

Georgia

  • Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge

Kentucky

Iceland

Iceland

  • Dettifoss
  • Akureyri Botanical Garden
  • Hofsos Pool
  • Hraunfoss
  • Barnafoss
  • Deildartunguhver 

Dominican Republic

  • Monkeyland
  • Amber Cove

Puerto Rico

  • Castillo San Felipe del Morrow
  • Castillo San Cristobal

St. Maarten

  • Monkeyland
  • Amber Cove

St. Thomas

  • Pirate’s Treasure
    Museum

2023 Recap Numbers

Number of PBJs Devoured on Adventures: 40

Number of Charcuterie Boxes Eaten:  6

Number of Buc-ee’s Stops:  10

Numbers of Miles Traveled for Adventures: 13,239.19 miles

Our 2023 Goals

Goal

Progress

  •  Visit SeaWorld
  • In January, we drove down to SeaWorld Orlando to spend the day riding rollercoasters and catching animal shows.
  • Elle went back to SeaWorld in March to check out the Seven Seas Food Festival.
  •  Take a Cruise
  • In November, 23 took an 8 day cruise to celebrate the guys turning 6.  We visited the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten.
  •  Spend some time in the mountains
  • Ashley took the kids up to the mountains in January.
  • We spent Memorial Day weekend in the mountains
  • We’re planning on visiting Kentucky this summer.
  • Visit at least 3 new springs
  • We visited Blue Spring State Park in January, but this isn’t a new spring for us.  We still have some work to do on this goal.
  • In March, Elle visited Rock Springs and Wekiwa Springs.
  •  Visit at least 2 National Park Sites
  • We visited Fort Matanzas National Monument in St. Augustine early in January.
  • We visited the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in March
  • In June we went to Mammoth Cave and Abraham Lincoln’s Birth Place National Historical Park
  • In November we visited the San Juan National Historic Site in Puerto Rico.
  •  Add a new state to the list of places we’ve been
  • Ashley and the kids added a new state to their list this summer during our road trip to Kentucky.
  • Plan our Christmas trip
  • This year’s Christmas trip is going to look a little different…we’re not going on it until the summer.  We’ll be hitting the Florida keys with some friends.
  • Accrue airline miles
  • Smiley did a report on Montana which inspired her to want to visit.  It’s somewhere Ashley and I have always wanted to go, so we’re going to try to make it happen in 2024.  
  •  Increase Instagram followers by 10% (4719)
  • 2023 has been a great year for us on the ‘Gram.  We met this goal during the first 2 months of the year.
  •  Increase blog traffic by 50% (85,417 visitors)
  • We have several posts that are ranking really well on Google so we’re hopeful well be able to achieve this goal.

    March update– we’re nearly 1/2 way there
    April update– we’ve officially surpassed our # of visitors from last year.
    May update- We’re about 10,000 visitors away from our mark!
    June update- We are less than 1000 visitors away!
    July update- mission accomplished!

  •  Add content for 1 state and 2 countries
  • Create 12 YouTube videos
  • Visit somewhere new each month
  • This was my favorite goal from last year so I’m bringing it back for 2023!
    January– Fort Matanzas, SeaWorld Orlando
    February–  Bird Island Park
    March- Camp Milton Historic Preserve, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Rock Springs, Wekiwa Springs
  • April- Stumpy’s Hatchet House
  • May- Bowling alley
  • June- Mammoth Cave National Park, Abraham Lincoln Birth Place National Historical Park, Kentucky Stonehenge, American Cave Museum, Jellystone Mammoth Cave
  • July- National Corvette Museum, Aviation Heritage Museum, Lost River Cave, see Iceland sites above
  •  Generate $1,000 in income from 5 Suitcases
  • We make money from Google AdSense and have monetized our Facebook and Instagram.  Every time you visit the blog, or like comment on our content on social media, or watch our Reels we generate income.  We use this money to fund our adventures!  We’d love it if you follow us on our socials to help us out!
  • July Update- we are about $7 away from meeting this goal.
  • August Update- Mission accomplished!

The 2023 Recap for the Blog

Top 5 Posts

Nerdy Numbers

New Posts: 27
Traffic Increase:  TBD
Estimated Miles Traveled: 13,240

Annual Focus

New Pages

Last updated: 8/05/23

We look forward to sharing our adventures with you in 2023!   Be sure to give us a like on Facebook or follow us on Instagram so you don’t miss out on the fun!  

Categories
United States Washington DC

The New and Improved Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

Exploring the Planets Gallery at National Air and Space Museum

Fun fact: The National Air and Space Museum is one of the most visited museums on the planet—and it’s easy to see why! 🚀✈️ With so many incredible artifacts, the museum’s collection is split between two locations: one in Washington, D.C., and the other in Chantilly, Virginia. In this post, we’re taking you inside the D.C. location—where history, science, and imagination take flight!

The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum has undergone a massive overhaul and reopened its doors in October of 2022.  Eight newly renovated galleries are now open.  The remaining galleries are expected to be unveiled in 2025.  The new exhibits invite visitors to explore air and space in new, interactive, and exciting ways.  We can’t wait to visit again once the museum is completely open to see what this masterpiece evolves into!  It is definitely a must-see if you’re in the Washington, DC area.

History of the National Air and Space Museum

The Air and Space Museum was established in 1946.  It opened its main building on the National Mall in 1976.  In 2018, the museum had 6.2 million visitors, making it the 5th most visited museum in the world, and the second most visited in the United States.  The museum includes iconic pieces such as the Apollo 11 Command Module Columbia, the Friendship 7 capsule, Lindbergh’s the Spirit of St. Louis, and the Wright brothers’ Wright Flyer.

In March of 2022, the museum closed for six months for renovations and to make way for the future three-story Jeff Bezos Learning Center. 

The Eight Brand New Exhibits Featured at the National Air and Space Museum

The Wright Brothers & The Invention of the Aerial Age

Wilbur and Orville Wright, the invertors of the airplane, completely opened up the world to the masses and helped changed the course of history.

The Wright Brothers & the Invention of the Aerial Age introduces visitors to the Wright Brothers and outlines their achievements and how they accomplished them.  The highlight of the gallery is the 1903 Wright Flyer.  There are other relics that belonged to the brothers, including a stopwatch, the 1900 Wright Glider, and other full-scale models.

1903 Wright Flyer designed by Wilbur and Orville Wright

Early Flight

Between the Wright Brothers first flight in 1903 and the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the airplane evolved into an extraordinary machine that would help shape the future.  This exhibit uses artifacts such as the Lilienthal Glider, the 1909 Wright Military Flyer, and other displays to show how humans continued to push the boundaries of air travel and how aircraft evolved over time. 

America by Air

An aerial view of the America by Air Exhibit at the National Air and Space Museum

The America by Air exhibit follows the journey of commercial aviation in the United States.  The exhibit shows how the federal government helped shape the airline industry, showcases the evolution in technology and outlines how the flying experience has changed over the decades.  

Our kids favorite part of the exhibit was getting to step inside actual airplanes and see how they’ve changed.

One World Connected

The One World Connected exhibit shows how humans have taken to the skies and stars, launched satellites,  changed the way we communicate, and become a global society.  The exhibit features an array of satellites and tools that have opened the doors for human connection.   

The exhibit shows how we use satellite technology for things beyond communicating with people on the other side of the planet and with astronauts.  It also shows how we use satellites to listen to music, watch television, track animals, monitor the ozone, view changes in our landscapes, and for wildlife conservation.

One World Connected exhibit at Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum

Destination Moon

Destination Moon Exhibit at the National Air and Space Museum

Of course, it wouldn’t be an Air and Space Museum without an exhibit about the moon.  This exhibit celebrates America’s journey to the moon by sharing the technologies that made Neil Armstrong’s 1969 lunar landing possible.

The exhibit features iconic objects like Neil Armstrong’s Apollo spacesuit, the Gemini VII Capsule, Apollo 11 Command Module, and so much more.

This was probably our favorite exhibit in the museum because it included so many iconic pieces and offered a glimpse into the lives of astronauts.

Kenneth C. Griffin Exploring the Planets Gallery

This exhibit is awesome!  It is vibrant, colorful, interactive, and totally kid-friendly!  The exhibit highlights all of the planets that circle our sun and demonstrates how exploring these far-off places helps us better understand our home planet.  

It features many cool artifacts such as a Stardust capsule, Mars Rover Curiosity, Mars Pathfinder, and random things like Spock’s ears from Star Trek.

Exploring the Planets Gallery at National Air and Space Museum

Thomas W. Haas We All Fly

The We All Fly exhibit demonstrates how aviation has impacted our society as a whole.  It explores general aviation, sport aviation, and careers available in the aviation world.  It includes several planes and helicopters, including a Lear Jet 23, Aviation Specialties Unlimited Challenger III, and Cirrus SR22.

Nation of Speed

This exhibit was a bit unexpected, considering it’s the Air and Space Museum.  The Nation of Speed is centered around human ingenuity and Americans’ desire to become the fastest on land, sea, air, and space.  It features iconic vehicles such as Mario Andretti’s Indy 500-winning race car, a 1906 motorcycle, Evel Knievel memorabilia, and more.

Top Exhibits Kids Will Love

✨ Destination Moon

Meet the real Apollo 11 command module Columbia, see Neil Armstrong’s spacesuit, and learn all about humanity’s first trip to the moon. Even younger kids are wowed by the scale and sparkle of space history.

✈️ America by Air

Step inside a real 747 cockpit, compare air travel through the decades, and learn how flight became accessible to everyone. Pro tip: let the kids play “pilot” in the recreated flight deck—it’s a photo opp and a crowd-pleaser.

🛰 Exploring the Planets

A colorful, interactive look at our solar system that’s perfect for curious minds. There are hands-on elements for little ones and engaging facts for older kids and tweens.

🚀 Kenneth C. Griffin Exploring the Planets Gallery

Great for all ages, this exhibit dives deep into planetary science—plus there’s a scale model of the Mars rover that’s a hit with every single kid we’ve ever met.

Plan Your Visit to the National Air and Space Museum

Location of the DC Museum

6th Street and Independence Ave SW
Washington, DC 20560
Please Note: The only public entrance is on Independence Ave

Hours

10:00 am to 5:30 pm
Open every day except December 25

Reserve at Timed Entry Pass
  • Free timed-entry passes are required for all visitors, regardless of age
  • Up to six free timed-entry passes can be booked for your visit.
  • If you are reserving for a group of 10 or more, you’ll need to book via the group reservations page.
  • Passes are released in six-week blocks.  
  • A limited number of same-day passes are released online every morning at 8:30 am.
  • Prepare to wait outside for your timed-entry.  Plan accordingly for the weather, as you will not be allowed in the museum prior to your timed-entry.

Parent Tips for a Smooth Visit

  • Reserve tickets in advance. Even though it’s free, the museum requires timed-entry passes.

  • Arrive early. Mornings are less crowded and easier with young kids.

  • Bring water and snacks. While you can’t eat in the exhibits, you’ll want fuel between spaceship stops.

  • Have a game plan. It’s easy to get overwhelmed. Pick 2–3 must-see areas and let the rest be bonus fun.

  • Download the Smithsonian app. It has maps, info, and accessibility resources.

What is There to do Nearby?

Save a Pin and Start Planning Your Adventure

The National Air and Space Museum is one of those rare places that entertains and educates at the same time—and the memories you make here? Worth every second. Whether you spend an hour or a whole afternoon, you’ll leave with tired feet, full hearts, and at least one child declaring, “I’m going to be an astronaut!”

So grab your crew, reserve your tickets, and get ready to explore the skies

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Post updated: 5/2/25

Categories
Cruise Travel Nassau The Bahamas

How to Spend a Day in Nassau Without Cruise Excursions

Junkanoo Beach- Nassau, Bahamas

Why shell out a bunch of money in Nassau if you don’t have to? In this post, we’ll outline How to Spend a Day in Nassau Without Cruise Excursions!

Nassau has a bad reputation among frequent cruisers. In fact, many frequent cruisers choose to stay onboard the ship, rather than go out into port. Despite the fact that we’ve been to Nassau more times than we can count, we always get off the ship. Once you get past the seedy Straw Market, there is plenty to do with a day in Nassau without cruise excursions! Let’s explore what to do with a day in Nassau.

How to Spend a Day in Nassau Without Cruise Excursions

Stroll Around Parliament Square

Parliament Square was originally built in the late 1700s and early 1800s by Loyalists from North Carolina to the Bahamas. The Colonial-influenced buildings have a touch of Nassau flair with their pink exteriors. The buildings include the House of Assembly, the Senate Building, and the Supreme Court of The Bahamas. Be sure to snap a photo of the Queen Victoria Statue.

Parliament Square, Nassau

Visit Queen's Staircase

Queen's Staircase

The Queen’s Staircase, also known as the 66 Steps, is a major landmark in Nassau. The rocks were chipped out of solid limestone by slaves in the late 1700s. These steps gave a direct route from Fort Fincastle to Nassau City- an area notorious for pirates.

The steps were later named after Queen Victoria after her role in ending slavery in the British Empire.

Explore Fort Fincastle

Fort Fincastle is located near the Queen’s Staircase. The battery protected the Nassau Harbor entrance from pirates.  The fort was constructed of cut limestone on Bennet’s Hill in the late 1700s.  

Despite the fort having 68 cannons, they never fired a shot.  The fort also served as a lighthouse until 1817.  

Fort Fincastle- Nassau, Bahamas

John Watling's Distillery

John Watling’s Distillery creates the small-batch rum known as the “Spirit of the Bahamas”. The distillery is housed in a historic home known as Buena Vista Estate. This estate was established in 1789 and overlooks the harbor. 

After your tavern visit, pull up a stool and enjoy a cocktail in the tavern. The distillery is open from 10 am until 6 pm, seven days a week, except National Holidays.

Educulture Junkanoo Museum and Resource Centre or National Art Gallery of the Bahamas

Next, immerse yourself in the local art scene with either a visit to the Educulture Junkanoo Museum and Resource Centre or the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas.  Of course, you could always visit both since they are located next to one another.

The Educulture Junkanoo Museum shares the history of Junkanoo and the Bahamas.  The rooms feature costume pieces, traditional fabrics, music, and more.  There are hands-on activities such as mask making, dancing, and more.  It is open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 3 pm.  

Next Door at NAGB (National Art Gallery of The Bahamas), they offer a unique look at Bahamian history and culture through the artworks of its people.  The National collection includes paintings, drawings, photographs, and sculptures dating back to the turn of the 20th century to modern times.  The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am until 5 pm and Sunday from 12 pm until 5 pm.  It is closed on public holidays.

Junkanoo Beach Nassau BahamasJunkanoo Beach Nassau Bahamas
Junkanoo Beach- Nassau, Bahamas

Relax at Junkaoo Beach

One of the most popular beaches in Nassau is called Junkanoo Beach.  It is less than a one-mile walk from the cruise port. You can also easily get a cab to the beach.

The free beach boasts calm, clear, turquoise waters that are perfect for swimming or snorkeling.  

There are plenty of spots to grab a bite to eat or a drink right on the beach.  You can also rent lounge chairs, snorkel gear, and other equipment here.  Public restrooms and showers are also available.

Shop on Bay Street

Bay Street is the hub of the tourist district.  Here you’ll find a ton of shops, the Nassau Straw Market, bars, restaurants, and attractions all dotting the shoreline.  Grab a bite at Captain’s Deck, or the nearby Señor Frog’s.  

Hit up Nassau's Straw Market

This world-famous market is open 7 days a week from 8 to 8.  It features numerous vendors that sell items ranging from conch shells to straw hats and souvenirs.   They accept both USD and Bahamian Dollars.  

Courtesy of Google Maps

Common Questions About Nassau...

Can I do these things if I book an excursion?

Honestly, it depends on how long your excursion is.  Some excursions may only be 2 hours long, whereas others can last nearly all day.  You could easily do the Nassau Straw Market on your way back to the ship.

Do you need a passport to go to Nassau, Bahamas?

If you are flying into the Bahamas, then yes, you need a passport.  However, if you are arriving via cruise ship, you don’t necessarily need one.  Although it is strongly recommended that you always travel with a passport, when traveling internationally, you can also cruise using a valid driver’s license and original birth certificate as proof of identity.  

When you enter the port area, you may be asked to show your ID along with your sail and sign card.

Can I catch an Uber in Nassau?

No, The Bahamas don’t have Uber, or any rideshare apps like Uber or Lyft.

Do I have to book an excursion through the cruise line?

You absolutely do not have to book an excursion through your cruise line however, doing so does have it’s benefits. 

There are several third party outlets, such as GetYourGuide that can offer the same, or similar, excursions for cheaper.  

Let Us Help You Plan Your Trip!

Save a Pin & Start Planning Your Adventure

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Post updated: 5/6/25

Categories
Annual Recap

My 2023 Goals, Resolutions, Dreams, and Plans

Wow!  2022 felt so normal!  Now that our 2022 recap is complete, it’s time to start planning our 2023 goals.  We did quite a bit of exploring this year!  The kids took their first cruise, visited their first 2 new countries, hopped on their first flight, and added new places to their list of places they’ve been.

The Kids Relaxing in Peppa Pig's house at Peppa Pig Theme Park- Florida

A Condensed Version of our 2022 Recap

Salt Springs, Ocala National Forest

Our 2022 Goals, Revisited

Last year we sat down and mapped out our goals for 2022.  These included travel goals and goals for 5 Suitcases.

  • Visit a theme park (Smiley) – Smiley’s goal was to visit a theme park.  For her birthday trip, we went to Legoland Florida and Peppa Pig Theme Park. 
  • Go to the beach (Scoop)  – Scoop’s goal was simple, he wanted to go to the beach.  As Floridian’s, we do this frequently.  We amped it up a little by going on a cruise to Grand Turk (Turks & Caicos) and Amber Cove (Dominican Republic).
  • Visit the mountains (Stinky) – Stinky wanted to go to the mountains.  We kicked off the summer with a trip to Jellystone in North Carolina.  We spent 5  days enjoying the great outdoors by swimming in lakes and pools and splashing  around in creeks and zooming down waterslides. 
  • Visit at least 3 new springs- Unfortunately we only made it to 2 springs this year; Salt Springs and Silver Springs.  We had plans to visit spring #3 the week before Christmas but we had a sudden change in our schedule so we had to take a raincheck.
  • Spend some time in Gainesville  – We took a handful of daytrips down to Gainesville.  In May, we booked a shark tooth hunting tour with Mudslinger Tours.  We also explored Paynes Prairie Preserve, the Cade Museum and Florida Museum of Natural History.
  • Visit at least 2 National Park Sites – This year we went to Fort Caroline, National Mall, Presidential Park and more.
  •  Add a new state to our list of places we’ve been – We visited Virginia and Washington, DC in 2022.  In addition that that, we also added 2 new countries to our kids list of places they’ve been: Turks & Caicos and Dominican Republic.
  • Plan our Christmas trip – Our 2022 Christmas trip took us to the Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg, VA.  I have no clue where our 2023 trip will take us…honestly.
  • Accrue airline miles –  We accrued over 55k airline miles this year.  We spent 140k miles to fly our family of 5 to Washington, DC.
  • Increase Instagram Followers by 10% –   We achieved this goal and got to connect with some pretty incredible people.  We’re looking forward to connecting with more people in 2023.  Be sure to give us a follow and say hello!
  • Increase blog traffic by 50% – The goal was to reach about 30k visitors this year.  We actually reached double that this year!
  • Create 12 new YouTube Videos – Videos for Silver Springs, Paynes Prairie,  Grand Turk, Amber Cove, Peppa Pig Theme Park, Mudslinger Tours, & a tour of our Legoland Hotel room were created. We also created a video of our 2022 trip to Jellystone in addition to a cabin tour, How to Pack for a Road Trip,  and a tour of the new obstacle course.  Be sure to check out our videos  of the Florida Museum of Natural History, the Cade Museum of Creativity & Invention & National Children’s Museum (14)
  • Optimize old posts – Although not all posts have been completely re-optimized, quite a few have, so we’ll call it a win.
  • Diversify blog income – This year we may have scaled back on our Etsy shop however, we have diversified our blog income by monetizing our Instagram and Facebook Pages in addition to Google Adsense and our Amazon Affiliates.
  • Add content for at least 2 more states and 2 other countries-  This year we added pages about The Dominican Republic and Washington, DC so we missed the mark here.  However, we published over 50 new posts to the other states and countries on our page.
  • Create an email list  – I know I know…this is one I should have done, but it didn’t happen.
  • Visit a New Place Each Month –  Nailed it!  Each month during 2022 we made a point of visiting somewhere new.  Some months, this was easier than others since we tend to keep a pretty busy schedule, but we managed to make it happen.
Dude...they actually let US inside the White House!

2023 Goals and Plans

We started planning out our 2023 trips during the summer of 2022.  So far we have a few things on the books and WE ARE SO EXCITED!

Iceland

During the summer, Mom and Mama are dropping the kids off with their grandparents and heading to Iceland to celebrate Elle’s 40th birthday.

Hitting the High Seas

We had so much fun on our 2022 cruise, that we booked another cruise the day we got back!  For the twins 6th birthday, we’ll be cruising to Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, St. Maarten, and Dominican Republic.  The kids have been dying to cruise again.  

Day Trips

One of the great things about living where people vacation is there’s always somewhere new to explore!  

  • Visit at least 3 new springs.  Our family loves spending time on the water.  We enjoy kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming, and snorkeling so the springs make for an easy, enjoyable day trip for us.
  • Visit at least 2 National Park Sites- This year we’ll be visiting Puerto Rico, which will give us an opportunity to mark off another National Park in the Caribbean.  I’d also like to explore at least one other site, perhaps Fort Matanzas?

The Kids 2023 Goals for Travel

Smiley

Scoop

Stinky

Smiley’s goal is to visit a theme park.

Scoop’s goal is to go on a cruise.

Stinky’s goal is to head back to the mountains.

More 2023 Goals

  • Add a new state to our list of places we’ve been.  Last year we added Virginia to our list of states visited.  This year we may venture off to Alabama or Tennessee.
  • Plan our Christmas Trip.  The last couple of years, we’ve been gifting the kids experiences for Christmas.  I have no idea where we’ll end up this Christmas…
  • Accrue airline miles.  This year we’ll continue to rack up airline miles. Last year we cashed in our miles to fly the family to Washington, DC.
  • Increase followers by 10%. (4719 followers)  
  • Increase traffic by 50% (85,417 visitors)
  • Create 12 new YouTube Videos
  • Add content for 1 state and 2 countries

Resolutions

My resolution of the blog is to increase traffic and continue to grow 5Suitcases.  To do this I will:

  • Obtain at least one partnership
  • Write more guest posts
  • Build on our most popular posts
  • Optimize all posts
Searching for shark teeth and fossils in a creek bed with Mudslinger Tours

Follow Along to See How We Do With our 2023 Goals

We hope that you’ll join us as we explore the world around us and continue to give our 3 littles a broad view of the world.  Our plans for 2023 include the land of fire and ice, sandy beaches, and spending lots of time in nature.

If you aren’t already doing so, be sure to follow us on our socials! We use Instagram to share pictures, Reels and Stories about our day-to-day life. We also use Facebook and Twitter to share our new content.

We look forward to connecting with you and sharing our adventures with you in 2023.

Categories
United States Washington DC

11 Must-See Abraham Lincoln Sites in Washington, DC

Lincoln Memorial- Washington, DC

In this article, we’ll explore Lincoln Sites in Washington, DC.  It is at these eleven sites where visitors can learn, connect, further understand, and celebrate the legacy of our nation’s sixteenth President, Abraham Lincoln

Lincoln will forever be known as one of the most remarkable leaders our country has ever seen.  So, it’s no surprise that there are nods to his presidency sprinkled throughout the nation’s capital.  These Lincoln Sites in Washington are a must-see for not only Lincoln fans, but also fans of American history.  Oh…and don’t forget your top hat!

Lincoln Sites in Washington, DC

New York Avenue Presbyterian Church

Less than 1/2 a mile away from the White House you’ll find New York Avenue Presbyterian Church.  The Lincoln family worshipped here from the time he took office until his death in 1865.  

When the Lincoln’s attended the church, it was brand new.  The Colonial Revival style church had the tallest steeple in the city.  The steeple was severely damaged in a storm.  Mary Harlan Lincoln, the widow of president’s son Robert, paid to have the steeple rebuilt.

The original structure was demolished in 1951, and replaced with a similar structure.  Outside of the church, you can still see the president’s hitching post.  The bells for the new church were a gift from Mary Lincoln Isham, one of Lincoln’s granddaughters.

Inside, you’ll find the family pew, a Lincoln stained glass window, an early emancipation document, and other memorabilia.  

White House

After Lincoln’s inauguration on March 4, 1861, the Lincoln family lived on the second floor of the White House.  

By the time the Lincoln’s moved into the residence, the home needed to undergo renovations. Congress approved $20,000 for the home to be revamped. The First Lady purchased new carpets, draperies, wallpaper, furnishings, china, books, and modernized the plumbing, heating, and lighting.  It was a massive, and costly, undertaking.  She exceeded the budget by nearly 30%.

The State Dining Room is where Lewis and Clark planned out their expedition of west. Since 1809, it has served as a dining room for as many as 140 guests. It features an infamous painting of Lincoln

When the Lincoln’s lived in the White House, there was an open door policy for the public. American citizens were able to come and go from the home, as they pleased.  People would crowd the hallways and camp outside of his office.  A wall was built to divide the public and private parts of the White House to give the Lincoln family more privacy. Finally, the White House felt more like a family home.

Lincoln’s oldest son, Robert, was away at Harvard College, but his younger sons, Willie and Tad, lived in the White House. They were allowed to roam freely around the home, causing all kinds of mischief.

Willie died, in the house, of typhoid fever in 1862 at the age of 11.  His funeral services took place in the Green Room.  

Lincoln's Cottage

The Lincoln Cottage

Following the death of Willie Lincoln, the Lincoln family spent the summers of 1862 – 1864 in a cottage a couple of blocks away from the White House.  It is here, at the Soldiers Home, where Mary Lincoln finally found some solace.  The tranquil surrounding offered cooler breezes, a relief from the White House protocol, and a place for the family to reflect and heal.

 

The Gothic-Revival style home was built in 1842 for banker George W. Riggs.  The cottage was purchased by the Government in 1851 as a home for veteran soldiers.

Here, Lincoln made some of his most monumental decisions that changed the shape of our nation.  He also wrote the Emancipation Proclamation here.

Abraham Lincoln visited the Cottage for the last time on April 13, 1865, the day before he was shot by John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s Theater.

Ford's Theater

Presidential Balcony at Ford's Theater

One of the most iconic Lincoln sites in Washington, DC is Ford’s Theater, the site where the president was assassinated by actor and Confederate-sympathizer, John Wilkes Booth.

On the evening of April 14, 1865, just 5 days after General Lee’s surrender in the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln visited Ford’s Theatre to watch the play, Our American Cousin.

Booth was desperate to aid the Confederacy, so he helped devise a plan to kid nap the President, Vice President, and Secretary of State.  The plan later evolved to murdering these heads of state.

Booth snuck into the Presidential Balcony and shot Lincoln in the head.  Afterwards, he dropped his Deringer pistol and leapt from the balcony onto the stage before fleeing the theater.

After the Lincoln was shot, the family sent for Dr. Gurley, the preacher from New York Avenue Presbyterian Church.  He spent most of his visit trying to console Mary Lincoln.  When the President finally passed, it was Dr. Gurley who broke the news to Tad Lincoln.

Mary Lincoln gifted Dr. Gurley Lincoln’s top hat.  The hat is now on display at the National Museum of American History.

This National Historic Site is composed of four parts:  the Museum, Ford’s Theatre (where Lincoln was shot), the Petersen House (where Lincoln died), the museum, and the Aftermath Exhibits.  We suggest visiting all four locations, as together, they chronicle the story of Lincoln from when he was sworn in as President until the days following his death.

Lincoln Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial was built to honor the 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. Alongside Ford’s Theater, this is one of the most popular Lincoln sites in Washington, DC.  

Although plans for the memorial began shortly after Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, the monument took more than 50 years for it to be constructed and open to the public.  Construction was slowed by World War I and the memorial didn’t open until 1922.

The Lincoln Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial has been the backdrop for many key points in American history.  Martin Luther King, Jr.’s I Have a Dream speech took place on the monuments steps.   The memorial was also the site of the Inaugural Celebration for America’s first black President of the United States, Barack Obama.

National Portrait Gallery

In Lincoln’s day, this building served as the U.S. Patent Office.  Fun fact:  Lincoln himself submitted a patent for a device to lift boats over shoals.

During the Civil War, the building served as a hospital where nurses such as Clara Barton and poet Walt Whitman aided the sick and wounded.

In 1865, more than 4,000 guests flocked to the building’s Great Hall  for Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Ball.

Today, the building houses the National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum.  The Portrait Gallery collection holds portraits of all of the former U.S. Presidents, including Lincoln.  The last photograph taken of Lincoln is also housed here.

National Museum of American History

The Smithsonian has a wonderful collection of Lincoln’s personal belongings, many of which are housed at the National Museum of American History.  One of their most prized possessions is the top hat Lincoln was wearing when he was assassinated.  

The National Museum of American history is also where you’ll find Lincoln’s office suit, shawl, pocket watch, a wedge he used to split wood while living in Illinois, the flag from his funeral train, casts of his face and hands, several pieces linked to the conspirators that plotted to kill him, and much more.

The top hat Abraham Lincoln was wearing when he was assassinated- National Museum of American History

National Museum of Health and Medicine

This lesser-known museum houses a fascinating collection of artifacts, including the bullet that too Lincoln’s life and fragments from his skull.  The bullet was found 2/3 of the way into his brain, severing a major vein.  

This collection focuses on the the medical treatment he received at the Petersen House, following the fateful incident.

Fort Stevens

Fort Stephens was erected to defend Washington, DC.  It was the site of the only battle to take place within the capital.  According to many accounts, Lincoln rode out to the fort, while it was under attack, and was briefly under enemy fire.  It is believe that this is only the second time in US History where the sitting president came under enemy fire during a war (James Madison was the first during the war of 1812). 

There is a marker memorializing Lincoln’s visit to the fort. 

Library of Congress

Lincoln Portrait- Library of Congress

The World’s Largest Library, the Library of Congress, holds many important relics from Lincoln’s time.  These include a handwritten draft of the bill to abolish slavery, his first and second inaugural addresses, the two earliest known copies of the Gettysburg Address, and more.  The Library also houses a letter of condolences written to Mary Todd Lincoln by Queen Victoria following the assassination.

The Lincoln Papers were gifted by Robert Todd Lincoln, Lincoln’s oldest son.  He asked that the papers remain sealed until twenty-one years after Robert Lincoln’s death.  The papers were officially opened to the public in 1947.

Lincoln Park

Lincoln Park is the largest urban park in Capitol Hill.  The park, maintained by the National Park Service, served as the site of the Lincoln Hospital during the Civil War.    During it’s time, it was the largest hospital in the area.

After the Civil War, like most hospitals, it was taken down.  In 1867, Congress authorized the grounds to be called Lincoln Square as the first memorial to the former president.  This is the first public site to bear Lincoln’s name.

The park features two important sculptures:  the Emancipation Memorial and the Mary McLeod Bethune Memorial.

The first was created by Thomas Ball in 1876.  It was one of the first memorial in Washington to honor the late president.  The monument depicts Abraham Lincoln holding a copy of the Emancipation Proclamation and freeing a male slave.  The statue was funded with wages of free slaves.

The second, is a bronze statue honoring the educator and activity Mary McLeod Bethune.  Bethune was a humanitarian who fought for equal rights for women and people of color.  She strongly believed that education was the key to closing the gap between whites and people of color.  She opened a private school in Daytona Beach, Florida that would later be renamed the Bethune-Cookman University.

Suggested Itinerary

Start your morning at Lincoln’s Waffle Shop, a local restaurant known for their pancakes and waffles.  The restaurant is located right next to the Petersen House and Ford’s Theater.

After you’ve had a diner-style breakfast, take a tour of Ford’s Theater.  This National Historic Site is composed of four parts:  the Museum, the Theatre (where Lincoln was shot), the Petersen House (where Lincoln died), the museum, and the Aftermath Exhibits.  These sites have exhibits that tell the story of Lincoln’s presidency, his assassination, and the legacy Lincoln left.

Next, stop by the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, where the Lincoln’s often attended.  Afterwards, head to The White House to check where the family once called home.

Ford's Theatre

Stop by Lincoln, a super trendy restaurant for a bite of lunch.  After lunch, head to the National Portrait Gallery to examine the portraits of our country’s presidents.  Then, rest your feet by taking the Metro from Metro Center to Capitol South Station.  Up next, visit the Library of Congress to see their impressive collection of Lincoln memorabilia including a letter written to Mary Lincoln from Queen Victoria of England.

Hop back on the Metro at Capitol South Station and take it to the Smithsonian Station.  Spend the later afternoon visiting the National Museum of American History.

Wrap up your day by strolling down the National Mall towards the Lincoln Memorial.

While this itinerary may not include all of the sites listed above, it does include the ones that are easily accessible to visitors who are walking or using the Metro.  If you have access to a car while in Washington, DC, the other sites will be easy for you to visit.  

If you do have access to a car, we suggest visiting the sites in the following order:  Lincoln Park, President Lincoln’s Cottage, Fort Stevens, National Museum of Health and Medicine.  You can also visit the sites in reverse order, starting at the National Museum of Health and Medicine in Maryland and making your way back toward DC.

Even better, you can always catch an Uber so you don’t have to deal with the hassle of finding a Metro Station!

Map courtesy of Google

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