Posted in Blogger’s Hometown Favorites

Family Weekend in Brisbane

A Local’s Guide for a Family Weekend in Brisbane

Guest Blogger, Olivia, from highstylelife.com tells us her top picks for a Family Weekend in Brisbane, Australia.

A Local’s Guide for a Family Weekend in Brisbane

 

Brisbane with Kids

Brisbane is a marvelous city. It is full of different attractions for everyone, from art enthusiast to families with kids. It continues to amaze with its sandy isles, sparkling forests, fascinating wildlife, palm trees, vineyards, and street art, even us who see those things every day. Living in Brisbane with a family with young kids is a chain of excitements. If you are planning to visit this Australian jewel, and you are not quite sure about how to spend your family weekend in Brisbane, here are some tips from the person who spends almost every weekend with her family there.

 

Visit one of the many playgrounds in the city

Frew Park Brisbane

If there is one thing that keeps my kids always entertained, that is a visit to the playground. Fortunately, in Brisbane, there are so many of them that each time we go is different. Because you will be here only for one weekend, you will have to decide for one or two of them. Most of the playgrounds are equipped with tree houses, forts, sand and rubber bases, picnic spots, slides and climbing opportunities.

Here are some of them your kids will definitely love:

  • Frew Park at Milton
  • New Farm Park
  • Pine Rivers Park
  • Riverheart Parklands
  • Kidspace Chermside

Tour the Queensland Museum

Located at South Brisbane, this museum offers free entrance and a ton of amazing exhibitions to explore. The majority of the exhibitions are kids-friendly and interactive. You can see the specimen section and a lot of evidence of Queensland’s biodiversity. There is also an outdoor play area where the children can play while the parents are having their morning tea.

Befriend the koalas

Koalas are truly adorable creatures, and the kids absolutely love them. So pack a picnic and set off to Daisy Hill Koala Centre. If your accommodation is on the north side of the city you can also visit Walkabout Creek for a similar experience in nature.

Go for a Wynnum Manly family bike ride

This is our all around favourite family adventure. It’s fun, it’s active and the scenic views along Family Weekend in Brisbanethe trail are amazing. Each month we take our bikes fully equipped with Shimano accessories and go for the 10km return drive. During that time the kids enjoy the parklands along the way. Of course, because the road is pretty long for small kids we usually pack some snacks and a lot of water. There are some spots where it is possible to stop and have a picnic or barbecue, and some playgrounds and a water park.

 

Cruise the Brisbane River

Kids are not big fans of sightseeing, and it is only a matter of time when they will start screaming “We’re bored”. However, if you make sightseeing more interesting for them, you might get away without that sentence. One way to do that is to go for a family-friendly cruise along the Brisbane River and enjoy the famous city landmarks, such as Story Bridge. Some cruise routes will stop at interesting sights where you can go out. You can visit the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and go for a ride on the famous Wheel of Brisbane.

Be creative at the QAGOMA Children’s Art Centre

Children’s Art Centre in QAGOMA in South Bank offers a unique opportunity of creating

Children's Art Center in Brisbane

Enjoy the QAGOMA Children’s Art Center in Brisbane

masterpieces in the activity centre within the gallery. Before they embark on this adventure, children can get inspired by the many word class art pieces exhibited in the gallery. When they start working, they will be supervised by many experienced artists. The activities they can try range from making shadow puppets and origami to painting.

There are plenty of other family-friendly activities available in Brisbane, including visiting the city library and stargazing at the Planetarium. One thing is sure: not a single member of your family will be bored in this city.

 

Olivia is psychologist and entrepreneur from Brisbane. Mother of two beautiful children and proud owner of two silly boxer dogs,Teo and Mia. She is passionate about writing and always inspiring her readers to be clever in their lives. Her motto is “Be the change you want to see in the world”. She is a regular contributor at www.highstylife.com 

 *All Content and pictures were provided by guest blogger unless noted otherwise.

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  12. Bloggers Hometown Favorites – Season By Season Guide to Minneapolis, MN

 

A Season by Season Guide to Minneapolis, MN

Last week we heard from a local Minnesota Blogger on the 10 Best Things to do in The Twin Cities; and this week Guest Blogger Emily from emdashed.com gives us reasons we should visit Minneapolis all year in her Season by Season Guide to Minneapolis, MN.

 

Season by Season Guide to Minneapolis, MN

Season by Season Guide to MN

Minneapolis, Minnesota is a small metropolis in the Upper Midwest, a region of the United States often overlooked by foreigners and Americans alike.

Many tourists have never even heard of this city; those who have are often scared off by its reputation for harsh and extreme weather. There’s a common joke that says Minneapolis has two seasons: winter and road construction.

In reality, it has all four seasons, and each one has something unique and fun to offer. Here’s a season-by-season guide to Minneapolis, MN — no matter the weather.

 

Spring

Season by Season Guide to MinneapolisSpring can be a tricky one to nail down in Minneapolis. It might be warm and beautiful, or there may be snow on the ground through Easter.Minnihaha Falls MN

 

 

 

 

But when the season does arrive, it’s a sight to behold: rain pours down, and the city’s many green spaces become lush and vibrant once more.

When the rain stops, head out to Minnehaha Falls to see the waterfalls cascading and the creek waters gushing. Or take your pick of the city’s parks and enjoy a picnic sans mosquitoes—something you certainly can’t do in July.

 

Summer

Minneapolis State FairSummer in Minneapolis usually comes in the form of heatwaves broken up by cooler periods, accompanied by sky-high humidity.

Luckily, the city has 19 lakes within its limits—the perfect place to cool off when the air turns hot, heavy, and languid.

Free music performances and outdoor movie screenings take place throughout various parks in the evenings. And at the end of August, the Minnesota State Fair opens up and asks the timeless question: just how many different foods can be served on a stick?

 

Autumn

Come autumn, the air turns chilly, but the leaves turn brilliant. It’s a great time to head down toMinneapolis in the Fall the Mississippi River—the longest in North America—and see the trees decked out in glorious shades of orange, red, and gold. Take a walk, go for a drive, or rent a bicycle and explore via one of the area’s many cycling paths.

This season is ideal for those who wish to avoid summer crowds and high season, without sacrificing the good weather entirely. If you’re lucky, sunny mild days will last well into October. (Of course, there might also be a blizzard on Halloween—but it’s all part of the adventure, right?)  *Fall Photo credit – Unsplash (dot) com.

 

Winter

Minneapolis Winter AttractionsThere’s no sugarcoating it: winters in Minnesota are rough. Average temperatures in January are around 10 degrees Fahrenheit (-12 Celsius), and large snowfalls are typical.

That said, Minneapolis offers a variety of indoor activities to keep you busy (and perfectly warm) during these icy days. Take in a show at one of the city’s highly-acclaimed theaters, such as the Guthrie—an award-winning venue whose annual run of “A Christmas Carol” is an iconic part of the holiday season for many Minnesotans. Or pop into a museum, like the Walker Art Center, the Science Museum of Minnesota, or the Minneapolis Institute of Art.

Looking for a bit a thrill? Take the light rail to the Mall of America and ride the rollercoasters at Nickelodeon Universe, the mall’s indoor amusement park. Or hey: grab a sled, embrace the cold, and go find a snowy hill to fly down. (Just make sure you bundle up first!)

If you’ve previously disregarded Minneapolis because of its climate, I hope I’ve convinced you to think again. There’s nothing to fear from any of our seasons—except maybe a bit of frostbite. (Seriously: bundle up.)

 

Emily is an American blogger who has lived overseas for the past six years. Born and raised in Minneapolis, she spent four years backpacking in New Zealand and Australia before moving to the Netherlands in 2014. Now, she lives in a small Dutch town in the countryside and shares stories of her life as a foreigner on her blog, emdashed.com.

*All Content and pictures for A Season by Season Guide to Minneapolis were provided by guest blogger unless noted otherwise.

 

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Twin Cities Skyline

10 Best Things to do in The Twin Cities

Guest blogger Jenn Singer of Day Tripper, (and Minnesota Native), tells us her Top 10 Best Things to do in The Twin Cities.

10 Best Things to do in The Twin Cities

 

10 Best Things to do in the Twin Cities1. Target Field

Target field is my favorite sports venue in the cities. This was the way baseball was meant to be seen. My husband and I get excited every year just for the food alone. My favorite foods are in Hrbek’s Pub located downstairs behind home plate. It’s a great value, exceptional product and food served fresh.

 

2. Science Museum of MinnesotaScience Museum St. Paul MN

Every kids favorite school field trip location was the Science Museum. And as a grown up it’s even better. With hands-on activities for every age group, Omni screen and always changing displays; it’s worth every penny.

 

 

 

The Minneapolis Institute of Art3. Minneapolis Institute of Arts

The Twin Cities has a great collection of different museums to check out. Most of them are free too. I loved the MIA for a couple reasons. They have a bit of everything, from different cultures, to pop art from the 60’s. Their collection of period pieces and rooms is phenomenal. It transforms you into another world. The rooms on the 4th floor are haunted too.

Minneapolis Institute of Art

White dog from the Pop Art and Neo-Pop Wing

 

4. Mall of America
Mall of America Twin Cities Carousel

Mall of America Carousel

No list of the Twin Cities could not be complete with the Mall of America. With over 530 stores, you are bound to find something you like. The mall becomes a favorite of many out of town visitors because we don’t charge sales tax on clothing. That guarantees you a 7-8% off on all clothing purchases. On a cold or rainy day, you’ll be bumping into a lot of people. My recommendation is to visit during the week or on a nice day. That way you can jump on to all the rides at Nickelodeon Universe without waiting.

 

Sealife Aquarium in the Mall of America5. Sealife Aquarium

Also in the Mall of America is Sealife aquarium. It’s perfect for getting up close and personal with aquatic life. They have touch pools for kids to explore and an amazing stingray exhibit. Besides petting the rays, you can also feed them. There are 4 different underwater tunnels with different ocean life to explore. Tip: Purchase tickets online before you go for an extra discount.

Sealife Aquarium Minneapolis MN

Stingray Exhibit

 

6. Minnesota Zoo, Apple ValleyMN Zoo Farm

With a few zoos to choose from, the Minnesota Zoo has always been my favorite. They have over 2.5 miles of trails with all kinds of different animals. The zoo staff is always on hand to answer any question you may have about the animals. My favorite season to visit is always fall, just because the leaves are changing. They also put out seasonal treats for the animals. It’s always an adventure. If you can, go right when the zoo opens. The animals are the most active then.

Minnesota Zoo Moose

Moose at the MN Zoo

 

Lake Harriet's Enchanted Elf Door - 10 Best Things to do in the Twin Cities

Enchanted Elf Door – Lake Harriet

7. Lake Harriet

Minnesota’s is known for their amazing trails and lakes. My favorite is Lake Harriet in Uptown. They have a band shell that plays music during the summer months. There are separate paths for bikers and walkers. Parking is found all around the lake for free. If you have younger kids, stop to see Mr. Little Guy. His home is located between the bike path and the walking path just past South Oliver Avenue. At the base of the tree, kids leave little notes for him and he always responds.

8. Lake Minnetonka Steam Boat

Lake Minnetonka is one the biggest in the Twin Cities. If you don’t want to rent a party boat or go on a cruise, check out the Steamboat Minnehaha. It’s an hour long tour of Lake Minnetonka on the historic Minnehaha Steamboat. This boat was used in the early 1900’s as a ferry. This is a great way to view the lakes and kids especially like it because they can see the interworking’s and get the opportunity to drive.

 

9. Main Street in StillwaterStillwater Bridge

Everything in Stillwater moves a little slower. Located right off the Mississippi, this town is perfect for a taking a stroll though. When downtown, check out some great antique stores and riverfront restaurants. They also offer different trolley tours of the city. It’s worth it because they’ll take you past some of the amazing homes. Just outside of town, they have three wineries and an apple orchard.

 

Minnesota's Largest Candy Store10. The Largest Candy Store in Minnesota

In Jordan Minnesota, just 30 mins south of the Twin Cities, you’ll find Minnesota’s Largest candy store. This place is amazing. You will find all the candies you loved as a kid and so much more. They also boast bacon flavored everything, 100s of different pops, Pez, licorices and more puzzles you could ever image. Make sure you grab cash before you leave because they don’t take plastic. We always make sure to stop a couple times during the year, because they are only open during the summer months.

Special thanks to guest blogger Jenn Singer for showing us her top 10 Best things to do in The Twin Cities.  Next week we will be featuring another Minnesota blogger who gives us some pretty convincing reasons Minnesota is perfect for visiting during every season of the year!

 

JGuest Blogger Fun Family Vacationsenn Singer is a travel writer for DayTripper28.com, a Minnesota Travel blog that explores different Minnesota destinations. She doesn’t believe that a Vacation should require you to use up your precious Vacation time from work. As a Minnesota native, her passion for exploring has led her to try all kinds of new things. As someone that takes 30+ Day Trips a year, she is always up for an adventure.

*All content and pictures provided by our guest blogger.

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Two Traveling Texans
It's a Wonderful life Jimmy Stewart

It’s a Wonderful Life in Indiana Pennsylvania

It’s a Wonderful Life in Indiana Pennsylvania

*Guest Post – Ellen Matis, author of Life Disconnected blog, tells us why we should visit the It’s a Wonderful Life” Festival in her hometown of Indiana Pennsylvania.

Indiana Pennsylvania — hometown of Jimmy Stewart — comes alive year after year during the holiday season.

The small, western Pennsylvania town is home to the “It’s a Wonderful Life” Festival, held annually now for 16 years. This year is the first year it’ll be held for six weekends, starting with the kickoff on Nov. 18.

Jimmy Stewart Indiana Pennsylvania

Home of Jimmy Stewart (Photo Credit Doug Kerr via Flickr)

Here are a few reasons why you should visit the actor’s old stomping grounds while the festival’s going on this season:

 

It’s a family friendly event
Indiana Pennsylvania

It’s a Wonderful Life holiday festival (Photo Credit: The Indiana Gazette)

Organizers make sure that the festival has plenty of activities for children and adults alike. For the kiddos, you’ll find hayrides through downtown; holiday-themed crafts, an area to make s’mores and more. During the kickoff weekend, kids can visit with Santa and pet his live reindeer that are making a stop from the North Pole.

 

 

 

 

You can buy your tree in the Christmas Tree Capital of the World

There are approximately 23 tree growers in Indiana County, and you’ll be able to visit the area’s tree farms to find the perfect tree for your family. Be prepared for a day in the country: Wear comfortable shoes and clothing — and don’t forget your camera for the opportunity to take a photo of this unique adventure! More information is available at christmastreecapital.com.

 

Thousands of lights will line the downtown streets

The event, for the first time, will feature light displays from one of the country’s former holiday lights tours. You’ll see them displayed throughout the entire downtown area.  During the kick-off to the festival, a 30-foot Christmas tree will be lit, and scores of people gather every year to see it (although it’ll be bigger than ever this year!)

In years past, some locals have even proposed during the tree lighting.

Indiana Pennyslvania

Light Up Parade (Photo Credit Indiana Gazette)

You can watch your favorite holiday movies

And you can watch them in Indiana’s vintage theater on Philadelphia Street. This year they’re showing holiday favorites like “Elf,” “A Christmas Story,” “Home Alone,” and, of course, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” The full schedule of movies is available here.

During the entire duration of the festival, you’ll find a variety of food, entertainment and more. More information about the event is available at www.wonderfullifefestival.com.

 

AUTHOR:

 Ellen Matis is the author behind Life Disconnected, a travel and lifestyle blog. Visit the blog at www.life-disconnected.com.

Dogwood Canyon Nature Park

Visit Branson and Be Inspired with the Beautiful Scenes

Guest Blogger April Yap tells us why we should Visit Branson and Be Inspired with Beautiful Scenes.

Visit Branson

 

For a state known as “The Show Me State”, you would expect to enjoy a lot of beautiful views and sights to see when you visit Branson, Missouri. And when you are able to explore this small town, you won’t be disappointed. There are as many beautiful scenes as there are attractions and activities for you to enjoy. If you enjoy sight-seeing, take note of the following so you can enjoy the best view that Branson has to offer.

 

Dogwood Canyon Nature Park

Dogwood Canyon Nature Park

The Dogwood Canyon Nature Park is located just outside of Branson, Missouri. It is therefore worth the stop if you are traveling to Branson. Just like Branson, it is nestled on the foot of the majestic Ozark Mountains so you can enjoy the same gorgeous view. The rugged landscape in the nature park is left mostly untouched providing you with an authentic experience of the land.

Moreover, you will get the chance to spot some native Ozark wildlife prowling through the park. This makes Dogwood Canyon Nature Park a must-visit when you are traveling with kids or with your family. The kids will enjoy the sight of wild animals in their natural habitat. There are also several amenities in the park for those who want to make the most of what the area has to offer.

 

Waterfall Trail

Visit Branson

If you are an adventure traveler, then you need to explore the Waterfall Trail when you are traveling to Branson. You are guaranteed to get the most beautiful scenery and exciting views during the trail. Waterfall Trail is a fairly new development in the Branson Parks and Recreation industry. However, it has caught the attention of many tourists due to the promising views that await them.

The trail explores the tributary of Roark Creek wherein you will see beautiful rock formations, a dense forest canopy, and a waterfall. The trail lasts for 2/3 of a mile but it is worth every second of hiking as you explore the trail along a natural creek. Avoid visiting Branson during the rainy season though as the trail is closed that time for safety reasons.

 

Marvel Cave

Marvel Cave Missouri

This cave is a natural landmark in Branson, Missouri. Hence, that alone is reason enough to explore this long tunnel of natural caves. But the impressive rock formations inside the cave are a sight to behold. The cave is located under the Silver Dollar City theme park; hence, getting to this cave is relatively easy and a perfect stop for those who are already exploring the theme park. The tour through the cave is quite challenging though, and is therefore reserved for the kindred spirit. Those with weak knees, bad ankles or a pre-existing lung condition are not allowed to enter the cave due to health risks.

 

Table Rock Lake

Table Rock Lake

No list of must-see attractions in Branson is ever complete without Table Rock Lake. This is an icon in Branson not just because it provides the perfect venue for those who want to enjoy water sports. It is also a great spot for sight-seeing and to enjoy the sunset at the end of an idyllic day.

 

 

April is an online publisher for The Cabins at Grand Mountain in Branson, MO. She often writes about camping, Midwest traveling, and log cabin experiences.

Photo Sources: