TRAVEL
“The world is a book, and those who don’t travel only read one page.” –Saint Augustine of Hippo
Even though I love where I live, sometimes I have an itch for adventure. These are some of the places I’ve managed to cross off my traveling bucket list, plus some creative ideas on how to travel on a budget.
For more snapshots of my travels, follow along on Instagram! I love to share stories and reels from my latest adventures.
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Our One-Week California Road Trip
California has so many uniquely beautiful destinations: the misty waters of the San Francisco Bay, the dramatic cliff sides of Big Sur, the sunshine and sea lions of San Diego. When we decided to plan a trip to California last year, we knew we couldn’t...
10 Fun Things to Do in Wylie, TX
Experiencing Culture in Small Town Texas The Dallas area is well known for its urban skyline and bustling city center. But in my opinion as a lifelong native to DFW, one of the most special things about this area is the surrounding smaller towns. Each...
18 Beautiful Stops on a Highway 1 Road Trip
In my opinion, the best way to experience the wide variety of stunning scenery that California has to offer is on a Highway 1 road trip. There are honestly hundreds of places you could stop to explore, everything from untouched beaches to staggering cliff sides...
The Perfect California Itinerary 2023
Are you planning a trip to California in 2023? This itinerary is for you! Any time we plan a trip, I spend the weeks leading up to our flight doing hours of research on everywhere we want to go. It builds my anticipation for traveling,...
Visiting Muir Woods National Monument
One of the most memorable experiences from our one-week California road trip was our visit to Muir Woods National Monument. Just a short drive across the San Francisco Bay near Strawberry, this magical redwood forest looks like something straight out of the pages of a...
Our One-Week California Road Trip
California has so many uniquely beautiful destinations: the misty waters of the San Francisco Bay, the dramatic cliff sides of Big Sur, the sunshine and sea lions of San Diego. When we decided to plan a trip to California last year, we knew we couldn’t...
Tanglewood Resort Weekend Trip
This summer we spent a relaxing weekend beside the calm waters of Lake Texoma at Tanglewood Resort. We were amazed by our comfortable suite, the beautiful new swimming pools on the grounds, and the delicious food. Here’s everything we experienced on our lovely couples getaway...
Visiting Petrified Forest National Park
The Painted Desert and Petrified Forest National Park turned out to be my favorite stop on our entire trip through Arizona! It was the most unique landscape I have ever seen, and it reminded me of something out of a fantasy world. Many people think...
Visiting Grand Canyon National Park
One of the things I was most excited to see on our one week trip through Arizona was the Grand Canyon. Even though it is one of the most iconic U.S. road trip spots of all time and a geological wonder, I had never seen...
6 Austin, TX Desserts You Have to Try
One of my favorite things about traveling to a new city is the opportunity to sample new food! On our regular weekend trips to Austin, TX, we’ve quickly become dessert aficionados for all of the tastiest treats in the Lone Star State Capital. Here are...
My 12 Favorite Austin, TX Murals
Austin, TX is one of my favorite destinations for a weekend trip from Dallas. There is some much amazing local art, food, and nature to explore! Something I always do while we’re in town is hunt down some of the most famous murals in the...
Mayfield Park in Austin, TX: A Hidden Gem
Since we only live about 3 hours away from Austin, we take frequent road trips down to the capital from our Dallas home. But it was only on our most recent trip that we discovered one of the most beautiful places in the entire city:...
30+ Fun Things To Do on an Austin, TX Weekend Trip
Austin, TX: it’s known for live music, the Texas capitol building, and the UT campus. But did you know it’s also home to sweeping hills that beg to be explored, the best food scene in the state, and the largest urban bat population in the...
Visiting Jacob’s Well
Jacob’s Well is karistic spring that flows from Cypress Creek near Wimberly, TX. It is the mouth of an elaborate system of underwater saves, descending 137 feet below the surface of the water. Jacob’s Well is known for its deep jewel-tone colors of blue, green,...
Visiting Hamilton Pool Preserve
If you have an Instagram account and wanderlust, you’ve probably seen Hamilton Pool Preserve. It’s a natural pool with a dramatic cliff overhang that was created when the dome of an underground river collapsed due to massive erosion thousands of years ago. If you’ve ever...
Jurassic World Exhibition Roars Into Grandscape
Traveling Jurassic World Exhibition Has Arrived at Grandscape in The Colony Travel to the mysterious Isla Nublar and enter Jurassic World—right here in Dallas! Round Room Live and Cityneon are kicking off the North American leg of their touring dino exhibition in the DFW metroplex....
What to Expect at the State Fair of Texas 2021
The State Fair of Texas is back for 24 days of fun in 2021. To me, the State Fair of Texas brings together all of the best things about our state and allows us to celebrate them together for a few weeks each fall. I’ve...
6 Beautiful Beginner Hikes in Arizona
This spring, we took a one-week road trip through Arizona that included Phoenix, Sedona, Flagstaff, The Grand Canyon, The Petrified Forest, and more. After we got back home, we agreed that it was our favorite vacation we have ever taken as a couple! When we...
The Perfect Arizona Itinerary 2023
Recently, we went on an epic one-week road trip through Arizona. I always do hours and hours of research before each of our trips so that we won’t miss out on any of the beautiful scenery or delicious food in the area, and it definitely...
Our One-Week Arizona Road Trip
This spring, we crossed off several of our major travel bucket list items with a one-week road trip through Arizona. From the arid deserts and prickly cacti of Phoenix to the deep red mountains and sunset views of Sedona to the snowy foothills of Flagstaff,...
Ennis: The Bluebonnet Capital of Texas
Ever since I was a baby, I’ve attended the annual Bluebonnet Festival in Ennis, Texas when it rolls around in April. It’s one of my favorite weekends of the year, and I’ve enjoyed so many happy family memories there. If you live in North Texas...
Georgetown: The Red Poppy Capital of Texas
There are a million things I love about living in Texas. But wildflower season definitely has a spot at the very top of the list! Texas is home to endless fields of primroses, poppies, and of course our signature bluebonnets. If you’re new to the...
Tiptoeing Through Texas Tulips
One of my favorite spring traditions in the Dallas, TX area is our annual trip to Texas Tulips. The beautiful tulip fields look like something lifted straight out of Holland and dropped into the Texas countryside. Here’s everything you should know before you go, and...
8 Instagrammable Places Around Denver, CO
Are you looking for the most beautiful photo locations in and around Denver, CO to capture your vacation memories? You have come to the right place! My husband and I recently spent a weekend in Denver enjoying the beautiful Rocky Mountains and vibrant city life. ...
My Denver Biscuit Company Review
On our recent weekend trip to Colorado, we fell so in love with the Denver Biscuit Company that we ate there twice in just four days! Here’s everything you need to know about this breakfast gem. The Denver Biscuit Company Concept When you hear the...
The Boulder Dushanbe Tea House
One of the loveliest places we visited on our recent Colorado weekend trip was the Boulder Dushanbe Tea House. On our way from Denver out to Rocky Mountain National Park, we stopped for brunch in Boulder, CO. Having seen lots of beautiful photos of the...
6 Tips for Visiting the Dillon Ice Castles
Have you ever watched Frozen and wished you could hang out in Elsa’s palace of ice? When you take a trip to Dillon, Colorado, it feels like you’ve been transported straight into a flurry of crystal magic! If the cold never bothered you anyway, you’ve...
My Denver, CO Packing List
As a lifelong Texan, packing for the snowy peaks of Colorado in February required some extra research on my part. I was sure what to expect from the temperatures and precipitation since the coldest it typically gets in Dallas is approximately 40-50 degrees. I wasn’t...
The Perfect Colorado Weekend Itinerary 2023
We recently took a long weekend trip to Colorado to explore the mountains and see the sights in the city. You can read all about our trip in detail, but in this post I just wanted to provide a quick and easy guide for creating...
Denver, CO Weekend Trip
This winter, we took a long weekend trip to the Rocky Mountains and flurries of snow in Denver, CO. We visited for four days total, and we felt like it was the perfect amount of time to see just about everything on our Colorado bucket...
8 Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for a Disney Lover
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and finding the perfect gift to say “I love you” can be a challenge. Whether you’re shopping for your significant other, your child, or your best galentine, with a little bit of inspiration the process can go from...
8 Beautiful Topiaries at the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival
Last spring we spent a week in Disney World just before Covid-19 spread across the U.S. and closed down the parks. Now that Disney World has reopened and we have kicked off a new year, I wanted to give park-goers a sneak peek of what...
Visitor’s Guide to the Epcot Festival of the Arts
Last year, before Covid-19 spread across the country and Disney World temporarily closed, we visited the Epcot Festival of the Arts with our whole family. Epcot is one of my favorite parks, and their seasonal festivals add so much extra fun to the experience! I...
Gaylord Texan Staycation Weekend
This month, my husband Austin was invited to cover a new event called WinterFest at the Gaylord Texan for the local newspaper where he works as an editor. He was offered the opportunity to stay one night for free at the Gaylord Texan, and I...
Sweet Berry Farm in Marble Falls, TX
This fall, my husband Austin and I went on a weekend getaway trip to Austin, TX. We love all of the bright lights, eclectic shops, and delicious eats in the city, but this trip we also wanted to spend some time in the beautiful Texas...
The 30 Best Disney World Instagram Spots
When I visited Disney World as a kid, pictures snapped on my mom’s disposable camera were just a momentary distraction from all of the magical fun. But now when I visit Disney World as an adult, pictures are an integral part of the experience! For...
My 6 Favorite Small Businesses to Shop Disney
Finding cute Disney products is a passion of mine, especially when I’m planning a trip to Disney World. And while there are plenty of major retailers selling Disney merch, I love finding creative small business owners who sell truly unique products. Whether you’re packing your...
How to Get a Rise of the Resistance Boarding Group
Since Rise of the Resistance opened in December 2019, Disney visitors have had one crucial question on their minds: how do I get a boarding group? Some say the boarding group “lottery style” system is much better than potentially standing in an 8-10 hour line...
150+ Magical Disney World Instagram Captions
Searching for the perfect caption to match your magical Disney moment? I’ve got you covered! Here is a master list of over 150 Disney World Instagram Captions separated by locations, events, and characters. General Disney World Instagram Captions Never too old for fairytales. I like...
Ultimate Disney World Packing List
Walt Disney World is definitely the happiest place on earth, but sometimes planning a magical adventure there can feel a little bit overwhelming. I grew up taking family vacations to Disney World with my parents, and now that I’m a married adult the magic still...
6 Tips for Planning a Disney World Vacation
Walt Disney World is definitely the happiest place on earth, but planning the best possible vacation there takes lots of time and effort. Sometimes, especially for Disney newcomers, this can make the whole experience feel a little bit overwhelming. I’ve become our family’s “magic coordinator,”...
San Antonio, TX Weekend Getaway
This April we continued our Texas travels with a four-day weekend getaway to San Antonio. It was easily one of our favorite trips we have ever taken together! We did plenty of research beforehand to pick out the best sights to see, and we were...
Tips for Visiting the Natural Bridge Caverns
On our most recent trip to San Antonio we decided to do something adventurous. We purchased two tickets for the Natural Bridge Caverns and hiked through a mile of stunning underground caves! Before we started our trek below the rocks, we didn’t know what to...
The Ultimate Austin, TX Weekend Itinerary
UPDATED 2021: 30+ Fun Things to Do on an Austin, TX Weekend Trip At the beginning of 2019, we took our first 3-day weekend trip to Austin, TX. We posted “The Ultimate Austin, TX Weekend Itinerary” right here. And it was a hit! But since...
Granbury, TX Weekend Getaway Trip
Even though we love to explore all of the fun things to do right here in the Dallas metroplex, we get the itch to travel pretty frequently. This Labor Day weekend we desperately needed some relaxation, but we wanted to keep our travels budget-friendly since...
8 Things to Do in Downtown Grapevine, TX
When DFW residents think of Grapevine, attractions like The Great Wolf Lodge, The Gaylord Texan, or Grapevine Mills Outlet Mall probably come to mind. While we love these places (I’ve spent many hours and dollars in that outlet mall), Grapevine’s local scene has so much...
How to Spend a Perfect Weekend in New Braunfels, TX
This summer, we took a mini vacation to the Texas Hill Country! We roadtripped to New Braunfels/Gruene for two nights of relaxing fun, and it was just what we needed to take a break from our busy work schedules. From water parks to hidden caverns...
8 Things to Do in Downtown McKinney, TX
Downtown McKinney is one of the most charming places in the whole Dallas metroplex! It is home to dozens of unique local shops, tons of delicious food, and beautiful historic buildings are everywhere. McKinney also has a special place in my heart because Austin and...