We enjoyed several days in the city before we ventured to Oak Park for the Wright Plus tour I’ve already posted about. What a fun city Chicago is to visit!  The double-decker bus tours by Chicago Trolley are an easy, informative way to get to the most popular tourist destinations in the city.  You can stay on when you please or hop off if you’d like to explore and catch the next bus that comes along.  I think this is worth your time and money if you plan to see it all!

My new travel strategy is to join Groupon for my destination city several months in advance to score deals on activities and/or restaurants ahead of time.  I did just that for our Chicago trip when a friend tipped me off to a 50% deal for the Wendella architectural boat tours.  I was able to get four tickets at half off and we each got a free drink on the boat!  We had a wonderful tour guide and really enjoyed the architectural tour.

Millennium Park is a great stop in warm weather.  The bean pictured above is a unique photo op and Crown Fountain nearby is the perfect place for anyone in your travel group that gets restless without a wide open space for running around in circles.  Bring a swimsuit for your little one if you plan to stop and play!

We learned the value of the Fast Pass at the John Hancock building.  The view and information from the hand-held, electronic tour guide at the top was worth the trip up.

Another little investment that was well worth it was the 3 day cta pass:

We used these passes on the city bus and the train out to Evanston.  At under $15 each, these were well worth it.  It’s nice to hop on and off the bus to avoid a long walk when you’re on your feet all day anyway; they were convenient and easy to use.

We purchased our cta passes at the Visitor Information Center in the Chicago Cultural Center on Randolph St., where we also picked up maps and directions as needed.   If you get a hotel within walking distance of the Cultural Center you will never lack for help or information during your stay!

Also on Randolph St., visit Hot Tix to score half-price tickets at participating Chicago theaters.  Their inventory updates constantly throughout the day so check often if there is a particular show you’re interested in!

If you want a performance that is guaranteed to make you laugh and you do not have little ones along, The Second City should be on your to-do list.  This comedy club was a little out of the way but well worth the cab fare.  I had to stand up during intermission and walk out my side cramps from laughing so much!

We just loved our time in Chicago; we have found it to be a great city to visit with or without children.  Visit www.explorechicago.org for more information or to begin planning a trip to this great city!

During our stay in Texas my husband and I had a great time exploring San Antonio; I had never visited before and it had been a long time for him.   We absolutely loved it.  There was so much to do we couldn’t possibly fit it all in a four day trip so we must go back and I think next time we’ll bring the kids with us because there was so much they would have enjoyed, too!

I know they would have loved the boat tours:

We took one boat tour during the day and then another at night.  They were affordable, informative and fun!

The whole River Walk area is an amazing scene.  Restaurants and shops line the river as far as you can see.  There is no shortage of great places to eat and good people watching!  We saw tons of families out, both during the day and enjoying the walk at night.  The path itself is very wide and easily accommodates large numbers of pedestrians and their strollers.

The River Walk

Several things stood out to me about this city and chief among them was that it felt so safe and welcoming.   Friendly faces were everywhere, service was fantastic no matter the caliber of the restaurant we were in, windows and doors were wide open in celebration of the mild temperatures- no bars on the windows in these here parts!   There were interesting design elements everywhere we turned, the whole downtown area is so bright and unique.  I took picture after picture of the art and architecture surrounding us at every turn.

This city is extremely family friendly.  You’ll want to wear comfortable shoes and bring a stroller for your little ones under 5 (or purchase a cheap umbrella stroller when you get there), because there is definitely walking to be done.  There are plenty of opportunities, however, to stop and play in fabulous parks and cool down in fun water features while you walk.  The sidewalks and park paths are wide and well-maintained and there are trolley taxis, and boat taxis!, when you need a break.

The Alamo

In every direction from the River Walk at street level we found an array of things to see and do.  You name it, San Antonio has it!  Segway and trolley tours, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! “Odditorium,” Louis Tussaud’s Wax Museum, boutique shopping, Rivercenter Mall, The Alamo, Market Square, La Villita, Hemisfair Park, San Antonio Children’s Museum, Buckhorn/Texas Rangers Museum,  Tower of the Americas, live theater, IMAX theater…the list goes on!

Hemisfair Park and Tower of the Americas

If you have time to venture from Downtown San Antonio, there are attractions so nearby you can’t miss them!  The Witte Museum, the Japanese Tea Garden, Pearl Farmer’s Market, Pearl Brewery, the San Antonio Museum of Art and the Spanish Colonial Missions to name a few!

The food!  Oh my goodness the food.  We realized early on that we needed to plan for four meals a day (and Haagen Dazs for a snack) if we were going to experience all the restaurants we put on our must-eat list!   This worked out well because you can score midday meals at some of the best restaurants for nearly half the price you would pay for dinner!

We had to try Mi Tierra next to the Market Square for Tex-Mex.  This place is decorated for Christmas year round and festive is definitely the word I would use to describe it!

Mi Terra Restaurant and Bakery

Our two favorite meals were at Acenar and Boudro’s.   We had Prickly Pear Margaritas at Boudro’s and devoured the fresh guacamole, which was made tableside!  This is far from your standard Southwest fare.   My husband had an entree called “Duck Three Ways” that he savored and will never forget.

Boudro’s

Our food at Acenar, which serves up self-described “modern tex-mex,” was equally unforgettable.  In fact, my husband was lobbying to go back the next day!   Their tagline is “hotmex, coolbar.”

Acenar

On our last night we opted for fine dining at The Fig Tree and we loved every morsel of food they brought us on their tiered patio.  The twinkling white lights everywhere mirrored the night sky and it was a fantastic, gourmet meal to close our trip with.

The Fig Tree

San Antonio is definitely a city we’ll visit again.  Texas is a new vacation destination for our family!

Visit  Visit San Antonio to learn more about all there is to see and do in San Antonio and visit Travel Tex to read about all the vacation opportunities the great state of Texas has to offer!

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After four years of always traveling with two kids in tow, my husband and I enjoyed our first kid-free vacation last week in celebration of our February birthdays!!

An expansive lobby brimming with Texas charm greeted us upon our arrival at The Hyatt Hill Country Resort and Spa in San Antonio. I knew we were deep in the heart of Texas when everyone we passed asked sincerely “How ya’ll doin’?” We experienced personal attention on that level for the duration of our stay. I was immediately struck by the cleanliness of our spacious room. I went barefoot in the room and if you know me and hotels at all, that’s saying a whole lot!

I was delighted to find that truly gourmet food complements the resort’s impeccable service. We enjoyed one delicious meal after another at the resort and in fact I don’t think we could name our favorite dish out of the many we were served; they were all too good to choose! There really isn’t a need for guests to leave this property to experience fine dining in San Antonio.

Near the concierge desk in the lobby is what I dubbed the “cove of options.” It is a cave-like area with three different screens that allow you to visually weigh options for how to spend your vacation days, from an array of day trips to the many varied ways to spend your time at the Hyatt Resort itself. This is a particularly nice feature for families because it’s a way for everyone to really know what they’re choosing. The Hill Country Resort and Spa is loaded with activities for kids and parents, boasts a 27-hole golf course (the Hill Country Golf Club) , is a hop, skip and a jump away from the Six Flags Fiesta amusement park and literally neighbors SeaWorld.

I can’t possibly detail here every amenity of this incredible resort and I know you’ll love clicking around their website so here it is: www.hillcountry.hyatt.com
Highlights include, but are by no means limited to:
• The pools! Oh my goodness the sprawling pool system complete with a Ramblin’ River where you can float your way to relaxation past a sandy beach, a campfire or a tiki bar. Actually, all three if you just stay on your raft! We enjoyed the adult only pool that was well heated and flanked by two relaxing waterfalls.
• The details! From the distinct aroma of mesquite fires blazing in Texas sized fireplaces in the lobby to the “waiting for a machine” chalkboard in the state of the art fitness facility, this Hill Country hotel has thought of everything. They have a porch full of rocking chairs, a playground, a nature trail, a volleyball court, drink and snack bars, a beautiful view from rooms on every level of the hotel…I could go on and on but trust me when I say there is something for everyone.
• The world-class Windflower –Hill Country Spa. A tranquil, full service spa nestled in the breathtaking natural surroundings of the hotel. Book a massage or choose from an extensive list of spa and salon services.
• SPAhhhT The first youth spa in the country, SPAhhhT opened 5 years ago and is currently undergoing improvements to be ready in time for Spring Break and Summer 2011.
• Kids Club- Expert activity coordination and childcare for half or full days. $35 for a morning or an afternoon, $45 for an evening, from 6-10 pm. This includes a meal and from what I saw, I am convinced that children who get a chance to do the Kids Club beg to go back again!
• Bikes An inviting rack of full of red bikes just begging for adventure sits right outside the pools. Kids and adults can use them on the nature trail that circles the property. (It’s also perfect for walking and running.)
• Limitless Family Fun. For instance, on the schedule for Spring Break this month is Family Field Day, Flag Tag, Water Balloon Races, Gummi Bear Hunt, Family Kickball, Sand Castle Building, Movies on the Lawn, Dragon and Princess Story Time, you get the idea!
• I did get a tip from the marketing director that spring break this year will feature an exciting new addition called GAMES 2 YOU, “a literal semi truck full of video games as well as indoor laser tag, rock wall and more!”
• Toy Box Lending Program- check out toys for your littlest family members to enjoy during your stay. This is an awesome idea!
• A Texas-themed General Store open from 6 am- 10pm with everything from PopTarts to pool toys. They have sandwiches, ice cream, gifts, toiletries and this is where we bought about 10 jars of the hotel’s own 99Brand Salsa. We had chips and salsa at every meal in San Antonio and this was hands down our favorite!

Does this place think of everything or what? The answer is YES!! The Hyatt Hill Country Resort and Spa invites guests to come and create memories with their kids, “enjoying the best-ever San Antonio family vacation.” I say if you have occasion to visit, it could very well be your best-ever vacation, period!

Strap on your fanny packs because here we go…

Ochre Court

Ochre Court is the second largest of all the mansions, and I first mistook it for the Breakers.  It was built in 1892 for Ogden Goelet (whoever he was) and is now owned by Salve Regina University.  It’s their admissions center and the Running Man and I actually picked up an info packet so we could get a look inside.  I’m sure we fooled no one.  Oh well.

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Beechwood Mansion

This was the mansion that put Newport on the map as “THE” summer playplace of the uber-riche.  Built in 1851, and later acquired by the Astor family, which included the Mrs. Astor who created the first social register, it is one of the oldest of the homes and was the center of the social scene.

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The Breakers

The most famous of all the mansions and the definitive example of “Gilded Age” abundance, The Breakers was built between 1893 and 1895 for Cornelius Vanderbilt. The house has more than 65,000 square feet and required more than $150 million in today’s dollars to complete.  If you have time for only one home to tour, this is it.

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Rough Point

Rough Point was originally built for Frederick William Vanderbilt between 1887 and 1892.  In 1922, the home was sold to James Buchanan Duke (who created Duke Univeristy).  He died in 1925 and bequeathed the home to his 12-year-old daughter Doris.  Doris lived there part-time until her death in 1993, when she donated the home to the Newport Restoration Foundation.  A girl after my own heart, she acquired fine art and antiques for the home, but also bought her bedding at J.C. Penney, and that just makes her real and more likable in my book.

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I don’t even know the name of this one…

but I thought it was pretty and should be included.  It’s currently owned by Salve Regina University.

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Private Homes

Here’s  the Running Man’s and my all-time favorite home:

Sorry about the flagpoles, I had to finagle through the fence.  That’s elegant me…

Here’s another look…

Isn’t she gorgeous?  A view from the water.

Someone gets to live here.

That’s the Breakers looming behind these 2 huge homes, just to help you with scale.

I also thought this was pretty.

I don’t even need to see the rest of this house: with that many chimneys I know it’s incredible.

Thanks for walking along.

And thank the Lord for Wikipedia so I can sound like I know what I’m talking about.

My favorite thing about Newport is the Cliff Walk, a 3 mile trail along the ocean, directly in front of the most magnificent estates.

It amazes me that its even there.  Can you imagine the work to persuade all these residents to place a walkway right along their oceanfront?

Obviously the results are spectacular for all of us.

I can’t even imagine living here.

And then something I never expected to see…

Surfers!  In Rhode Island.

Right on dude.

Directly in front of the Breakers, the most famous of the mansions,

this was happening.

So you have the Gilded Age in all its refinement and glitz,

juxtaposed with an activity so, well,

Californian.  Laid back and heavy on the Dude.

The Vanderbilt descendants, who still summer at the Breakers (hidden on the 3rd floor away from all the tourists), have quite a show before them.

I wonder if it shocks them.

(I was kind of proud of this shot.  I’m not sure, however, why the horizon is off-kilter.  My apologies.)

More homes tomorrow.

Happy Day!

This beautiful hotel has a history of haunted happenings.  Opened in 1909, it is most famously the setting for Stephen King’s The Shining.  Hotel owner F.O. Stanley, long dead, mystically appears in the Billiards Room, and has been seen by groups of tourists in the lobby.  His wife, Flora, who loved to play the piano, continues to periodically entertain hotel guests.  Staff and guests report hearing music and enter the room to find the piano keys moving.

Voices, apparitions, music, nonexistent children have all been reported at the Stanley.

So when the Running Man and I booked our room (for the screaming mid-week special price of $81, thank you very much) we wondered if we would have any strange things happen.

Sadly, we had no incidents to report.  But we got a great night’s sleep, so it is possible that we slept right through various people parading through our room to visit.  I think I’m grateful not to see one though…

You can see more information about the Stanley here.

The Grandparents took the adorables for the night and the Running Man and I ran up to Rocky Mountain National Park for 2 quick days of hiking.

The mountains fill up my soul and make me smile.  Oh, come on and sing with me:

When he first came to the mountains his life was far away
On the road and hangin’ by a song
But the strings already broken and he doesn’t really care
It keeps changin’ fast and it don’t last for long.

But the Colorado rocky mountain high
Ive seen it rainin’ fire in the sky
The shadow from the starlight is softer than a lullabye
Rocky mountain high (high Colorado) rocky mountain high (high Colorado)

He climbed cathedral mountains, he saw silver clouds below
He saw everything as far as you can see
And they say he got crazy once, and he tried to touch the sun
And he lost a friend but kept his memory

Now he walks in quiet solitude the forests and the streams
Seeking grace in every step he takes
His sight has turned inside himself to try and understand
The serenity of a clear blue mountain lake

And the Colorado rocky mountain high
I’ve seen it rainin’ fire in the sky
You can talk to God and listen to the casual reply
Rocky mountain high (high Colorado) rocky mountain high (high Colorado)

Now his life is full of wonder but his heart still knows some fear
Of a simple thing he cannot comprehend
Why they try to tear the mountains down to bring in a couple more
More people, more scars upon the land

And the Colorado rocky mountain high
Ive seen it rainin’ fire in the sky
I know he’d be a poorer man if he never saw an eagle fly
Rocky mountain high

Its a Colorado rocky mountain high
I’ve seen it rainin’ fire in the sky
Friends around the campfire and everybody’s high
Rocky mountain high (high Colorado) rocky mountain high (high Colorado)
Rocky mountain high (high Colorado) rocky mountain high.

Special thanks to the brilliant John Denver for the words and music to Rocky Mountain High.  Mike Taylor co-wrote the music.

Look – not a single pack-n-play in sight.  And only two carry-ons!

The grandparents watched the adorables, and we headed to San Miguel de Allende, in central Mexico (after the State Department approved) for 3 days to attend a wedding.  Even though we talked about the adorables all the time, it was obviously nice to not be a slave to their schedules (mostly to their 5:45 am wake-up calls).  The wedding was beautiful, the food was incredible, and the international crowd was most friendly (who doesn’t love New Zealanders?) .   We emptied the town of their guacamole.  I’m sorry… there’s none left.

If you ever make it to San Miguel de Allende, please eat – multiple times – at the restuarant, Pueblo Viejo.

This is Molcajete de Arrechera. It. was. AWESOME.

I moved it to #3 on my favorite worldwide restaurants list.  Give them some time to replenish their guacamole though.

Guacamole fixings.  The second time we were there all this yummy-ness was gone.  We ate a. lot.