Buffalo, New York might just be the mural capital of the US. I actually just made that fact up but after travelling to many US cities I wouldn’t be surprised if that was the case.

Not only does Buffalo have an abundance of cool art murals sprinkled all over the city but the murals themselves are SO good! Each of them are done by insanely talented artists.

Planning a trip to Buffalo? You might want to check out these other posts too!

• Buffalo, NY Complete Travel Guide: Everything you need to know about visiting this amazing city!
• Peach Picking: Where to go peach picking in Niagara
• 8 Things to do in Crystal Beach: Add this adorable beach town to your list!
• Wine Tour in Niagara: An amazing E-Bike tour through Beamsville, Niagara area!

#1. Wildflorals for Buffalo Art Mural by Louise Jones

Louise Jones, who originally hails from Detroit, is the largest mural in Western New York ( and of the artists career!). Not only has she done this art mural in Buffalo but she has her work in other major cities like Los Angeles, Shanghai and New York!

This is a Buffalo art mural MUST SEE! It is probably my favourite out of all of them and right downtown

ADDRESS: 465 Washington Street, Buffalo, NY 14203

#2. Cobblestone Commons – A Street of Murals in Buffalo!

Me in front of one of the Murals at the Cobblestone Commons

This street in Buffalo, NY features 12 individual murals done by various artists. It was commissioned by the Albright-Knox Art Gallery Public Art Initiative in 2020 and was completed in 2022.

I absolutely love the variety of the murals here all done by artists in the Western New York community.

If you are short on time, this is the one street you should check out as you can see some of the best murals in Buffalo in one short street.

My favourite one of the bunch was the “Be Happy” mural ( pictured above) done by James Moffitt.

ADDRESS: 164 Ohio St, Buffalo, NY 14203

#3. Greetings from Buffalo, NY

The “Greetings from Buffalo” Mural by Casey Milbrand has become a fan favourite! If you are proud of being from Buffalo or want to get that perfect Instagram worthy shot when you are visiting, it does the job! I love that it mimics a postcard and includes a Buffalo itself. Artist Casey Milbrand described the Buffalo on it’s way to explore the city…

This is Buffalo mural must visit for sure!

ADDRESS: 461 Ellicott Street, Buffalo, NY

#4. Metamorphosis – the Largest Mural in Buffalo

Done by artist Tavar Zawacki, this vibrant/color blocking mural is an absolute must visit! Zawacki has murals througout the nation and before seeing his work in Buffalo, I saw it in the Wynwood area of Miami. I was obsessed with the artwork created there and made sure to visit his work in Buffalo!

It does not disappoint!

ADDRESS: 1665 Main Street

#5. Noodle in the Northern Light

Located in Buffalo’s iconic Theatre district, the Noodle in the Northern Light Mural is truly a work of art.

Created by two Baltimore based artists- Jessie and Katey- the mural is a block long and really makes your jaw drop.

The project started in June of 2016 and is still in view which shows that it took a second to complete this massive and beautiful project.

ADDRESS: 710 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14202

#6. Keep Buffalo A Secret

Created in 2019 by artist Ian de Beer, the “Keep Buffalo a Secret” mural is hard to miss! And one that comes with a bit of controversy.

de Beer created the mural with the intention of aligning it with other popular murals in cities like Austin or Portland ie: “Keep Portland weird”. Some locals however felt that Buffalo shouldn’t be kept a secret and the slogan encourages people to not boost about their charming city!

The simplicity of the mural makes it neat and I think it falls under the “all press is good press” category if anyone was a bit bent out of shape over it. The mural is no secret and has actually been visited by many locals and tourists alike!

ADDRESS: 810 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14202

#7. The Magic Buffalo Mural

It’s save to say that any mural that features a Buffalo makes me like it a little more. I am not sure but it just hits! The “Magic Buffalo” mural, created by artist Bunnie Reiss, is just that. The mix of colours pop so nicely and it makes you feel proud to be exploring Buffalo!

It is located on the side of Joe’s Deli!

ADDRESS: 1322 Hertel Ave, Buffalo, NY 14202

#8. Lookin’ Good

An art mural with retro font and rainbows? Count me in! This was a must visit on our unofficial Buffalo street art tour and I am so glad we visited this one! Done by local artist Casey William Milbrand, this mural is an area that is in fact “lookin’ good”.

The surrounding streets feature a few other note worthy Buffalo murals so you can see some additional ones just by walking around ( go down a few Hertel alley ways and you are sure to spot a few)

TIP: Visit the Gord Downie mural ( 1669 Hertel Ave) and the Buffalo Map one as well (1297 Hertel Ave) My two favs!

ADDRESS: 1472 Hertel Ave, Buffalo, NY

#9. Optichromie Mural

This trippy work of art by Felipe Pantone covers the iconic Town Ballroom concert hall. This art mural in Buffalo will leave you in a trance with it’s bold lines and bright pixels that interconnect.

I loved the black and white abstract portions of it – it really had us staring at it for a while!!

ADDRESS: 701 Washington Street, Buffalo, NY

#10. “Walking Back In Time” Mural

I love this Buffalo Art Mural for how inticrate it is. There are so many little details that were captured by artist Logan Hicks. It literally makes you feel like you are IN the scene itself.

Hicks said the mural represents a quiet and peaceful time in the city when things have “slowed” down and there is beauty in the mundane moments.

ADDRESS: 5 East Huron Street, Buffalo, NY

Other Notable Street Art in Buffalo mentions:

• Check out all of the work of Team Razor Wire ( artists  Nicholas Conrad Miller and Christopher Kameck are behind the name) as they take over some key city spots with their work. Stay up to date with their street art on their Instagram

• “The Old First Ward” by Vinny Alejandro & Yames – Republic St is another great mural and the First Ward area in general is a great place to check out! It’s a place in Buffalo with great roots and history that is being revived once again
• Big Ditch Brewing Company is a great place to grab a beer and spot a fun mural with the address at 55 East Huron Street, Buffalo, NY!
• Niagara Falls Art Alley is not in downtown Buffalo but
• “Dance Everyday” Mural at 537 East Delavan Avenue, Buffalo, NY

As you can see the best murals in Buffalo can be found in all areas of the city but a quick drove around town will have you spotting some easily! There are even more than the ones I have mentioned here and you can certainly spend a good portion of your day seeing them all. The art scene in Buffalo seems to just be getting better by the day so I wouldn’t be surprised if there are even more that pop up in another few months.

All I know is that it is one of the best free things to do in Buffalo. You can pair this mural tour with some great restaurant stops along the way and you have yourself a perfect afternoon.

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I am so happy to say that I can now put together a Buffalo, NY Travel Guide after finally experiencing a weekend trip to Buffalo properly. 

A weekend trip where we not only enjoyed ourselves but may have fallen a bit in love with the second biggest city in New York State. It was our first time spending a full weekend in Buffalo but it certainly won’t be the last.

We felt like it was a mini “Brooklyn, New York” offering top notch restaurant and cocktail bars, amazing architecture and cool attractions that we would drive over to visit just for the day!

The best part is that it is located along Lake Erie so you have river views as well. 

LOOKING TO DO A TRIP TO ONTARIO TOO? CHECK OUT THESE POSTS FOR MORE INSPO

• 8 Fun Things to Do in Crystal Beach, Ontario ( an hour from Buffalo)
• Niagara Bike Wine Tour That You Must Check Out
• How To Spend A Day in Niagara On The Lake
• Peach Picking In Niagara

Now, let’s get to the best things to do in Buffalo, where to stay and what you should know before travelling to Buffalo for the weekend!

When is the Best Time To Visit Buffalo, NY?

Buffalo gets to enjoy all four seasons. Each season brings something special to do and explore.

We went during the last week of August and absolutely loved it! We could easily walk around, enjoyed the waterfront and felt those “Summer in the City” vibes.

Buffalo Winters can be cold and snowy but if you are Canadian, you know all about that kind of thing. We hope to visit again in the winter and explore some winter themed attractions.

How To Get to Buffalo, NY?

Travelling to Buffalo from Canada is easy peasy. We drove just over the border from Hamilton, Ontario and crossed over at the Peace Bridge. It took us 1 hour and 15 minutes.

As of August 2022, we did not require a COVID-19 Test entering the USA or for returning to Canada. We also did not need to fill out the Arrive Can app when crossing the border.

DRIVING TO BUFFALO FROM OTHER PLACES:

NEW YORK CITY- 6 Hours, TORONTO– 2 Hours

ARRIVING FROM THE AIRPORT: Buffalo has an international airport which is located at 4200 Genesee St, Buffalo, 14225. It’s about 20 minutes to the downtown core from the Buffalo Airport.

Where to Stay in Buffalo, NY?

Buffalo has a range of hotels depending on what you are looking for. Right off the highway you can find hotels like the Courtyard Marriott or the Hilton which are conveniently located and have lots of great amenities.

We stayed at the Marriott Lecom Harbourfront Center which was PERFECT! Not only was it beautiful (new and modern) but it was great for our family.

We upgraded to a family suite which had a one bedroom with King Bed and a complete lounge area. The lounge area had two couches ( one which turned into a Queen bed),a kitchenette and even a little kitchen table! The bathrooms legitimately made me feel like I was at the spa.

Other Hotels or Places To Stay In Buffalo

The Curtis Hotel- Swanky Hotel In Buffalo

The Curtis Hotel is a 5 star boutique hotel located in a stunning landmark building. It features a rooftop lounge, spa and has great food and beverage options on site. When I go back to Buffalo, I am going to try to stay here!!

Hotel at the Lafayette

This is a boutique hotel located in the core of the downtown. You are pretty much central to everything when you stay here. My favourite thing about this hotel was that is a historical landmark built by America’s first professional female architect, Louise Blanchard Bethune. Pretty cool and iconic!

They also are attached to an amazing coffee shop called Public Espresso.

What Are The Best Restaurants in Buffalo, NY?

One of my favourite things that we did in Buffalo was eat our way through it. And I am not talking about Buffalo wings ( though we did have those too!)

The food and dining scene in Buffalo is on FIRE! There are new, cool and unique restaurants and bars popping up left, right and center and I am here for it.

We were only here for the weekend so our stomachs could only handle so much but these were the best restaurants in Buffalo worth checking out!

Graylynn- Amazing Gin Bar and Restaurant in downtown Buffalo

Oooo this place had a vibe. It reminded me of the West Village in New York City. It’s located on a prime corner in Downtown and features a wrap around patio that offers views of the Buffalo City Bank.

It is a casual yet refined spot and the type of place you can go to once a week if you lived close by!

It has over 100 types of Gin on hand and their cocktail menu has beautiful hand crafted cocktails that reflect their Gin offerings. I went with one that had Empress Gin in it and my hubby got a Lemon Honey Basil drink. Both were equally amazing.

The food menu features smaller sharing plates, fish, pub fare and pasties. My favourite dish was the Oysters and Mussels!!!

Wonder Coffeehouse

This breakfast joint was located in the industrial area of town which made it even more cool. You wouldn’t expect there to be much there in terms of restaurants and then BAM- the cutest restaurant ever appears.

The outside patio and part of the exterior is made up of piled shipping containers. They are tastefully painted with some signage on a few that fit together perfectly. We recommend sitting on the patio but if you can’t- the inside is cozy and romantic.

They serve up over 15 kind of homemade Liege waffles so whether your taste buds are craving something savoury or sweet, you will be able to find something here that suits it.

Strong Hearts- Vegan Lunch Place In Buffalo

My husband loves meat. He normally snarls a bit at me when I make him something Vegetarian or Vegan. I read such crazy good reviews of Strong Hearts, one of Buffalo’s newer Vegetarian restaurants, so I did a little test.

I got him a “Chicken Parm” sandwich and didn’t tell him it was meat free. I got myself their Chickpea Wrap. My daughter got a Smoothie. We all finished our food within 10 minutes. It was SOOOO good! My husband thought it was one of the best “Chicken Parm” sandwiches he has had.

I finally told him it was vegetarian and he was floored! Vegetarian or not- this place is a must eat at for a casual, guilt free lunch!

The interior is also bright, colorful and perfect.

Liberty Hound- Waterfront Lunch and Dining Spot in Buffalo

Liberty Hound, located right on Buffalo’s Harbourfront, is a perfect place for the family for lunch or dinner. Not only do you get prime views of the Buffalo river, you get views of the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park which features two large war ships.

Liberty Hound’s menu is fish-centric featuring mouth watering Lobster Rolls, Clam Dishes, Jumbulya and more. Do not sit on the Lobster Roll. It was so delicious that we didn’t even have time to snap a photo of it.

If you don’t make it for the food, at least grab a brew on the patio! They have a big list of craft beers.

Butter Block- Pastry and Cafe

Located in Buffalos’ Five Point neighbourhood, this pastry shop made us feel like we actually lived in Buffalo! We learned very quickly that Butter Block had a cult following and for good reason.

There were locals lining up as early as 8:30AM to get their hands on what may be some of the best pastries and baked good we have ever eaten. Truth.

We got the Morning Bun, Chocolate Pop Tart and Almond Croissant. I could not for the life of me pick which one was best. DON’T MAKE ME PICK! All equally and insanely delicious.

Lucky Day- A Must Stop for a Cocktail

Lucky Day is a cocktail bar located in downtown Buffalo that houses over 100 types of Bourbons.

Make no mistake though- they have a lot of other amazing cocktails if you aren’t into Bourbon. I decided to have a bourbon cocktail though ( When in Rome!) and ordered a Mint Julep. Aaron got a Paper Plane.

We could have just visited and watched the bartenders in action though. The bar itself is over 20 feet high ( I mean 100 bottles of Bourbons need to be shelved somewhere) and all the bartenders are in classic vests. It gives off that old school and classic bar vibe but the space itself has a seriously edgy punch.

Amazing for a pre or post dinner drink!

Remedy House- Another stunning and delicious breakfast spot in Buffalo

Remedy House is a breakfast spot that you can really spend some time at. They have not only an extensive coffee menu and delicious handheld egg sandwiches but they are located on a prime corner in the Five Points neighbourhood. Their patio area wraps around the building and the building itself has sliding doors to give it an indoor/outdoor feel.

You can kick your breakfast up a notch too as they have a pretty amazing morning cocktail list.

The Coolest And Most Unique Things To Do in Buffalo, NY

There are plenty of things to do in Buffalo, NY. If you are travelling with friends, a partner, or your family, there are so many unique activities to discover and get up to.

We did a mix of family friendly activities in Buffalo as we were travelling with the little ones and then also got up to some more attractions that we wanted to explore for us! We loved seeing both sides of the city.

We hope to go back in the winter months so we can see Buffalo during this season.

Here are some of the cool and fun things we did during our Buffalo visit this time around ( end of August):

Frank Llyod Wright Tour

This was hands down our favourite thing that we did in Buffalo! If you are a design lover, you cannot miss the tour of Architect Frank Llyod Wright’s house that he created for Darwin Martin.

This masterpiece was built starting in 1903 and not only has a crazy history that went through lots of highs and lows but it is also considered one of Frank Llyod Wright’s masterpieces.

We opted for the 75 minute tour of Martin’s house and it flew by. It was so informative and kept us captivated. We got to ask questions as we walked through the place and we left really understanding how Frank Llyod Wright was as a person and how thoughtful his design process was here.

We brought along the kids too so the 75 minute tour was the right amount of time ( for their short attention span haha). This is a fun activity for adults in Buffalo though overall!

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING THE FRANK LLYOD WRIGHT HOUSE: Strollers are not permitted inside and you cannot take photos of the interior.

Buffalo Heritage Carousel

HOURS: Open Monday, Wednesday to Saturday, 11 – 7 pm Sunday, from 11 – 5 pm & Closed Tuesday

For the price of $1, you can ride on one of Buffalo’s newer Canalside attraction- The Buffalo Heritage Carousel.

While we initially headed here for the kids, we equally enjoyed ourselves! It is a fun and affordable activity in Buffalo and the restoration of it was done so beautifully. If you don’t like marigold rounds, it is worth checking out just for the design of it all. The hand carved wooden animals and charming music make you feel all sorts of ways.

Explore the Street Art in Buffalo

Buffalo, Ny is home to some beautiful Murals and Street Art. There are over 50 Murals by some incredible artists in the city. You can spend a day scoping them out.

We purposely went to a few with the Mural addresses in tow and then other ones we simply saw just from walking around town. Between the neighbourhoods of Elmwood Village, Allen town, downtown and

Here is a list of a few Buffalo Art Murals that were my favourite:

–GREETINGS FROM BUFFALO-461 Ellicott St.
–NOODLE IN THE NORTHERN LIGHTS-710 Main St
–WILDFLOWERS FOR BUFFALO-465 Washington St.
–KEEP BUFFALO A SECRET-812 Main St.

Visit the Explore and More Museum

The Explore and More Museum in Buffalo is MUCH more than a Museum. It is the perfect kid friendly activity in Buffalo that is interactive, educational and FUN! There are four floors of things to do- each floor having a theme and unique element.

You can find Carwashes, a Mini Hospital, a Grocery Store, Farm Set ups, a Tree house, Climbing sets, Science elements, and a Rooftop with even more fun ( and fresh air).

We spent an hour here but could have spent (and would recommend) about 2 hours total here to really see it all.

CLOSED ON SUNDAYS AND TUESDAYS, HOURS MONDAY, WEDNESDAY-SATURDAY: 10AM-4PM

Some Other Fun Things To Do In Buffalo:

We only had so much time in Buffalo so could only do the activities above but next time we come back we are looking to check out some of the following attractions:

• Check Out the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site and Buffalo City Hall ( a little more history and architecture!)
• Buffalo Botanical gardens
• We have done many Niagara wine trail tours but there are also some wineries in Buffalo too which would be cool to see
• Niagara Falls State Park ( to see the falls from the US side!) 
• We visited the outside of the Shea’s Performing arts center but I would love to see a show and go inside of the building!
• Buffalo AKG Art Museum (formerly the Albright-Knox Art Gallery)
• Forest Lawn Cemetery
• Buffalo Zoo
• An official Architecture Tour

As you can see there is a ton to do in Buffalo and I hope after reading this Buffalo Travel Guide you were able to see how much this city is blossoming.

With it’s beautiful architecture, trendy and happening food scene, and array of attractions for any kind of visitor, it is a spot you must add to your list sooner rather than later!

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With new attractions and activities popping up left, right and center, Las Vegas is a happening place where you can not only find something to do at any given hour but you can also find a lot of FREE things to do!

Let me show you the best things to do in Vegas that do not include gambling! If this is your first time heading to Vegas especially, you need to check out this guide

#1. AREA 15: A MUST SEE!

AREA15 is a place where you can literally spend the entire day! Located about 15 minutes from the Las Vegas strip, it is a new experiential entertainment district that has art installations, restaurants and bars, live events, activities like zip ling, axe throwing, golf, immersive experiences and elements and just all around unique things to do. Like I am talking things that I have never seen before in my life! All under one roof.

We decided to get tickets for Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart and the Museum Fiasco and I couldn’t recommend them more!

Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart is set up like a grocery store- almost like a Pleasantville style store where everything looks picture perfect at first. Once you start exploring the store and cruise down the aisles, you start to see it is far from that. Something is off about the store and you almost feel like you are being watched. Are the weird products watching you? Will they come to life once the store is closed?

Each of the products are custom made for the experience and have a satirical message behind them. The turkey is tattooed, they have “Wake up Please!” Energy drinks, their own version of La Croix, an inflatable Swan called “Some ridiculous pool float” ( I felt seen by this one) and vegetables with evil faces on them. Their pharmacy reads “From Pharma to Table”. All of these messages start to act as clues to the mystery behind the store…

Without giving away too much, you do find your way to the employee entrance area and things really then take a turn to a psychedelic world like no other. Once you are into the behind the scenes portal, there are themed rooms, mazes, lights, and also sets that give away clues for you to discover more about the people behind the Omega Mart. It’s like Disneyland meets Burning Man! haha.

Meow Wolf, who is behind this exhibit, has collaborated with over 50 artists to create this experience. It’s also so cool that Britney Spears just went there!!

Tickets: $59.00 for adults (14 +) and $50.00 for children (4-13+)

Next up on our list: Museum Fiasco! This room within AREA 15 was like being in a curated light and sound show. You can expect laser beams, vibrations, colours and geometry all tied together to produce a crazy experience. You have the option of putting on 3-D glasses to heighten the experience and I definitely recommend that you do. Each show is 12 minutes long and I suggest you staying for two rounds of it just to experience it fully. The lights and sound slowly built up to the peak of the show and it is a buzzing experience.

Tickets: $18.00 for adults and $12.00 for children

#2. THE LAS VEGAS SIGN-(ONE OF THE FREE THINGS TO DO IN VEGAS!)

Wondering what the MOST visited sign in the entire world is? THIS ONE RIGHT HERE!

With over 42 million visitors each year ( crazy, right?), many people add this into their itinerary of things to do in Vegas! How could you resist? It’s the perfect photo op and you can take a picture with a little slice of Las Vegas history!

The sign which made it’s debut in 1959, was built by a woman named Betty Willis! The sign is located at: 5100 Las Vegas Boulevard South which is considered to be the official Southern end of the Las Vegas strip. It’s become so popular that they ended up having to build a little parking lot close by and you can often find impersonators there ( think Elvis) which add to the excitement of the experience!

TIP: Make sure to come here EARLY! I am talking like 8AM early. We got here at this time and there was about 5 other people there. We had the chance to take our time with the videos and photos we wanted but most importantly got to really take it in! We spoke to some people who said that mid day or when the sun is setting, you can expect to wait in line for up to an hour!

ANOTHER TIP: If you can’t get there early, you can actually take a photo from the side of it which would require no line at all. Just a different angel of it!

#3. GO TO THE NEON MUSEUM

If you love history, design and art, The Neon Museum is a must visit! My husband and I were SO excited to visit here as we actually have a neon sign from Vegas in our house so we very much appreciate this kind of stuff ( we have a light up sign from The Mirage that we got from an antique show).

The Neon Museum was created in 1996 when there was a big turnover of older Las Vegas hotels being demolished and new, bigger resorts being built! It’s main goal was to preserve, collect and exhibit these iconic Las Vegas signs that were such a vital and monumental part of the city. New pieces are added from time to time and some of them are even restored back to life.

There is the main area called the “Boneyard” which is where the majority of the signs are. They also now have a second area called the “Gallery” which features another collection of signs. We only did the Boneyard tour as the option of seeing both is only available at night time ( and tickets are more pricey too!)

We did a tour at 4PM (the time it opens) and it was amazing. Not tons of people so we really go to take our time there ( also great for photos). It would be SO amazing at night too though when the glittering signs really shine. We did hear from one of the employees that night time tours are definitely a bit more busy!

Tickets: $20 for adults ( during the day) and $22 for children ( 7-17). $45 for adults ( for the night slot that features access to both galleries) and $10 for children ( 7-17). Kids 6 and under are free!

NOTE: You cannot bring a DLSR camera into here , tripod or selfie stick!

#4. VISIT THE ICONIC HIGH ROLLER

Ok this might have been my favourite thing we did during our 3 days in Vegas! The views you get from here are like no other!

The High Roller is located within The Linq area of the city and is the largest observation wheel in North American. It allows you to soar over 500 feet into the air and the glass pods on the High Roller offer up 360 degree views so you can see every inch of Vegas. The trip is 30 minutes in duration and each pod can hold up to 30 people. They are incredibly spacious and even have benches in them if you do not want to stand the entire time! I would definitely recommend coming in and around sunset because it is truly magical seeing the sun lit up and the lights get brighter!

Tickets during the Day ( 2PM-7PM): $23.50 for Adults and $8.50 for children!

Tickets for the Night time ( 7PM-12AM): $34.75 for Adults and $17.50 for children!

If you are looking to see the Vegas skyline from an even higher angle, I would look into a Helicopter Tour!

#5. SEE A SHOW

There are a lot of reasons why people book trips to Vegas but one of the main things to do in Vegas is to see a SHOW! Vegas is known for it’s incredible acts, talents, residencies and it is virtually impossible to find a performance that you wouldn’t like!

The talent out of this world and they also have some pretty elaborate sets that are visually mesmerizing!

We went to see Mad Apple which was located in the New York New York hotel and I kid you not when I say it was my favourite show that I have ever seen. It was a Cirque Du Soleil style show that not only had some pretty crazy acrobatic performances that the Cirque shows are known for but it had dancing, singing and even some comedy acts. The comedians were SO funny and each of them were so different. The show was 90 minutes in length and kept me on my toes the entire time.

If I was to return next time, I would love to see Usher or Shania Twain who currently have residences there. If Britney Spears or Celine Dion ever came back, I would DIE to see them too!

#6. TAKE A DRIVE TO SEVEN MAGIC MOUNTAIN

We were on the fence about visiting Seven Magic Mountains, simply because we had such limited time in Las Vegas! We are SO glad we went though as this was such a unique sight that allowed us to see the outskirts of Las Vegas. The exhibit, created by renowned Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone, is about 10 miles from the Las Vegas strip. It is a public art installation so it is free which definitely makes it an attractive option for things to do in Vegas! The display is made up of seven towers of colorful boulders that stand over 30 feet high and it is very mesmerizing.

If you don’t have a car, you do have to allocate some money for a Taxi or Uber. It costed us about $35-$40 each way to get there and I recommend talking to your Uber ahead of time and see if they will wait for you when you explore.

Service can be spotty there and you are pretty far out that by the time you do find a driver, it will take them a bit of time to get there. There is no shade or washrooms so not a place you want to be waiting around for too long! We spent about 15-20 minutes there.

Another tip is to go early. We got there by 9AM and there were about 30 people already there. It still allowed us to take some pictures without massive crowds but still-we were not able to capture all seven boulders without people in them!

There is actually a ton of places to see on the outskirts of Vegas so we hope to check out a few more spots next time!

#7. GO ON A GONDOLA RIDE IN VEGAS

Want to transport yourself from Vegas to Italy for a second? Then you MUST take a Gondola ride at the Venetian hotel! Not only is it romantic but it is a great way to explore the grounds at the Bellagio hotel! The owner of the Bellagio originally created the hotel to replicate the city of Venice after his wife fell deeply in love with it on their honeymoon. Husband of the year if I do say so my self! He did an incredible job though as you really can feel the “amore”.

You have the option of doing an indoor or outdoor ride. The length of time is roughly the same at 12-15 minutes ( so it’s not a super long one) but it really is special. The people operating the gondolas serenade you at some point on the ride and sing out some Italian opera! Mamma Mia.

Tickets: $39.99 per person from Thursday- Sunday and $34.00 from Monday-Wednesday. Private boat can be a bit more

I hope you enjoyed all of these unique things to do in Vegas! We can’t wait to head back there with the girls one day as there is also a ton of family friendly activities too!

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Whatever age your kids are or whatever their interests may be, you will have a TON of choices to keep them busy ( and also keep you entertained at the same time). 

Here are my top 10 kid friendly things to do in Tempe, Arizona:

#1. SEA LIFE ARIZONA AQUARIUM– AN EDUCATIONAL THING TO DO IN TEMPE WITH KIDS

Conveniently located off one of the main freeways, SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium was easy to get to and should be added to your itinerary if you are craving some ocean vibes (despite being smack in the middle of the Southwest!). Not a huge aquarium, it was easy to tour and navigate and especially perfect for my toddler who has a short attention span! While it was a kid friendly thing to do in Tempe, I equally enjoyed it!

This was Chloe’s first time visiting an Aquarium and safe to say it really set the bar! The entire path is enclosed in a 360 degree ocean tunnel so you spot sea life at every step of the way. It also features interactive activity stops as you go along, making it both educational and also fun!

#2. LEGOLAND DISCOVERY CENTER

Want to add on an extra activity after visiting the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium? Mosey on over to the neighbouring LEGOLAND Discovery Center ( also located in Arizona Mills).

We almost by-passed this activity and we are SO glad we didn’t because it was hands down the best kid friendly attraction! We planned to just casually stroll though it but ended up staying for over 2 hours and still felt like we could have spent more time there!

What you can find inside: two full blown RIDES ( fully felt like I was at Disneyland), a climb and play jungle gym, interactive lego stations ( almost like a little lego city), 3D theatre, more lego themed games, a massive gift shop with lots of lego items to buy and lots of yummy treats to buy! While I’m sure the food is intended for kids, I ordered a soft serve ice cream and watched Chloe have a blast running through the Jungle gym! Glorious time for us both!

#3. KOLI EQUESTRIAN CENTER

Since I was pregnant, we were not able to take part in any horseback riding when we visited Tempe! When we visit again, we are adding this to the list though because what makes you feel like you are in Arizona more than riding a horse?

With different horseback riding options ( morning or sunset rides too), this is an activity perfect for the whole family! If your kiddo is a little scared to saddle up alone, they also offer wagon rides or a horsemanship workshop where they can teach your little ones all about caring for a horse! The landscape also looks truly breathtaking too! This is a perfect kid friendly activity for kids who are probably about 5 years and up!

#4. TEMPE TOWN LAKE

Ah Tempe Town Lake- our favourite area in the city!

Tempe felt like such a cool, unique little metropolitan city and then BAM- we found ourselves right in front of the stunning town lake at sunset proving that this city has it all.

With a boat rental kiosk offering up tons of different rental options ( kayaks, paddle boards, electric pontoons, bike rentals etc), you can keep busy here for a while. We opted for the massive Swan rental which Chloe obviously loved. They have so many fun rentals that kids would love. People probably looked at us and thought we chose this rental for her but I low key wanted to ride in it myself. If you don’t want to get on the water, the path that runs along the lake is also perfect.

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#5. DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN

An outside activity where your kiddos can run around freely? SIGN US UP! This was probably one of my favourite kid friendly activities.

It was such a fun place to visit for both Chloe and for myself! There were so many beautiful botanicals to gawk at and with a stone path that weaves in and out of each garden, you feel like you are somewhere truly unique! They even had a Butterfly Garden which was Chloe’s favourite part of the visit!

Make sure to check their event line up HERE before you visit as they have some weekly/monthly events that go on at the Garden- some of which are very kid friendly!

#6. GO ON AN ART TOUR IN TEMPE

Does your kiddo love bright colours and painting? This is a kid friendly activity in Tempe you will not want to miss!

Take them on a self guided mural tour where they can check out all of the local art in the city! You can try doing one mural a day even if you want to spread it out or have them search for murals in the city as you drive around ( kind of like an eye spy game!).

Our favorite mural was the iconic “GET TOGETHER TEMPE” piece that can be found at: 715 S. McClintock Dr., Tempe, AZ 85281.

#7. SPLASHPAD AT TEMPE MARKETPLACE

Tempe Marketplace is an outdoor haven which features pretty much everything under the sun! You can shop at many of the retailers there ( so many good stores!), grab a bite at one of the restaurants or enjoy one of the many interactive activities on site….. one of them being a free splashpad!

We loved visiting here since my mom and I were able to do some stuff we enjoy ( ie: shopping and eating) and told Chloe if she was good, we would hit up the splash pad later. Nothing like some good old fashioned bribery, am I right?

The splashpad was super modern, clean and absolutely FREE! Open everyday from 7AM-11PM, you can find a time to cool off at any point of your trip. Not going to lie, next time I visit I will probably bring my swim suit and join in on the fun

#8. PHOENIX ZOO

Giraffes, Monkeys and Tigers…oh my! With over 1,400 different animals and species, your kids will feel like they have seen every animal on the planet! There is an Arizona trail, Africa trail, and a Tropics Trail. They even feature specific endangered or threatened animals and have tours that explain how important it is to preserve and take care of these creatures.

The Zoo has been open since 1962 so is a well oiled operation with so much more than just animals on its 125 acre property. There are fun activity centers within, restaurants and interactive farms making it a full day activity if you want it to be!

#9. HIT UP SOME FUN RESTAURANTS

If there was one thing that Chloe approved of, it was most definitely the food! There are so many kid friendly restaurants in town that offer fun and playful dishes. Think: Red Velvet Waffles for brunch or a cowboy themed dish for dinner! Along with the food itself, the spaces of some of the restaurants also are kid friendly. With bright interiors that had Chloe in awe or scenic ones that offered lots of space for us, we didn’t have a problem booking a spot!

SOME OF THE BEST KID FRIENDLY RESTAURANTS IN TEMPE, ARIZONA:

Rustlers Rooster- Live country music and cotton candy dessert- NEED I SAY MORE?

Daily Jam- We had so much fun here creating our own Waffles! This restaurant offers up the option of adding several different toppings to their famous in house waffles. We went for colorful cereal and vanilla icing and let me just say that I was very much hoping Chloe wouldn’t finish it so I could have the rest!

Snakes and Lattes– Get your kids off their Ipads and have them play some board games when they eat! They offer up a ton of different games to rent out during your meal offering up a truly unique experience.

Morning Squeeze– Perfect breakfast or lunch spot in the center of town! Amazing atmosphere and vibe!

#10. GO ON A HIKE IN TEMPE

Best way to work off those red velvet waffles the family just ate? Hiking in town!

There are not one but two amazing family and kid friendly hikes that will make you break a sweat but are not too strenuous.

Papago Park is at the edge of town and offers beautiful scenic views of Tempe Lake and the neighbouring desert areas. It also features the “Hole in the Rock” trail which offers you a unique viewpoint.

The “A” Mountain hike is more central and right in the middle of Downtown Tempe. It is considered one of the most accessible hikes and can be done in just 30 minutes! Again, a great option for kiddos with short attention spans!

SEE A LIST OF HIKES WITHIN TEMPE, ARIZONA HERE

Whatever you get up to in Tempe, you will not be disappointed!

And if all of these activities still have you wanting more, I would recommend the following places to check out:

BUTTERFLY WONDERLAND– Considered America’s largest butterfly conservatory with over 3,000 butterflies, you are able to get up close and personal with some beautiful insects!

KIWANIS PARK– With a one of a kind water structure for kids to play in, boat rentals and expansive picnic areas for lunch, Kiwanis Park is a staple in town.

HALL OF FLAME MUSEUM– Aspiring firefighters in your house? This place is for you!

**This post was done in partnership with Tempe Tourism but all opinions and views are my own**

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We decided on Arizona and narrowed it down to the specific city of Tempe!  Located a hop, skip and a jump away from Phoenix, Tempe is easily accessible! You can essentially land from your flight and be at your hotel sipping on a margarita in under an hour. When travelling with a 2 year old…or travelling at all, this is KEY!

The city itself is home to Arizona State University which boasts one of the most beautiful campuses around ( more on that later) but the city is so much more than just a university! It is a lively, energetic and happening place with gorgeous cacti and palm trees everywhere you look! Often overlooked by its neighbors Phoenix and Scottsdale, Tempe is a place you do NOT want to miss. I’m breaking down all the must see spots so you can have the perfect weekend in Tempe!

HOW TO GET THERE

 FLYING: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is the nearest major airport and it is 10 minutes from town! We flew from Toronto on a direct flight which will run you 4.5 hours. Air Canada and WestJet have direct flights there several times a week. You can also travel from Buffalo to Phoenix on Southwest which is a very affordable option too!

DRIVING FROM SEDONA – Pairing your Tempe trip with a few days in Sedona was what we did and I highly recommend it! It is a short 2 hour drive on one main highway pretty much!

WHERE TO STAY

There are a ton of accommodation options in Tempe so you won’t have a problem finding a place to crash! The city has everything from budget friendly options to family friendly resorts to hotels that are geared towards the business traveler. Having the airport so close makes it a hub for endless hotel options.

The Graduate

We chose to stay at the quirky and hip Graduate Tempe and we are sure glad we did. Located just steps away from the ASU Tempe campus and Mill Avenue, staying here made us feel like we had everything at our fingertips! In addition to having a killer location, this eclectic boutique hotel is perfect for design lovers. If you didn’t know- my husband and I are really into mid century design and aesthetic, and this hotel was all of that plus more! I spent a good hour just roaming around taking in all the unique details that make this hotel so special. Everything was curated so perfectly – they even have desert themed carpet! While we did spend most of our time in Tempe exploring the city itself, we were thankful for the on site pool that cooled us off each day when we got back. They also have a very cool restaurant on site that is situated right next to the pool so you will have no issue getting yourself a cold beverage if needed!

OTHER PLACES TO STAY AT:

–Canopy by Hilton Tempe Downtown is a beautiful hotel located in the vibrant downtown district. The interior design was inspired by the spirit of the Southwest and is complemented by modern accents that pair together perfectly! This hotel has a gorgeous rooftop pool where I am sure many stunning Tempe sunsets can be seen!

–The Westin Tempe is another great option if you want to stay somewhere brand spanking new! With views of “A” Mountain, proximity to downtown and a happening rooftop lounge, it checks all the boxes! The rooms have a modern and contemporary feel to them and if you are a Marriott Bonvoy member, you can collect points here since it falls under the Marriott umbrella!

WHERE TO EAT OR DRINK

If there is one thing that Tempe does not have a shortage of, it is good places to eat! You can literally fill up your days just trying out the amazing restaurants around town and let me tell you, we pretty much did just that! Probably gained about 5 lbs in 3 days and I have zero regrets.

BREAKFAST

MORNING SQUEEZE

Having breakfast at Morning Squeeze made me feel like I was on a movie set! It was seriously one of the cutest places we visited in Tempe! Between the retro diner feel and the punches of mid century decor, I must have taken 20 photos before the food even arrived! The place is known for having organic and locally sourced ingredients and you can taste the freshness in every dish. One of their specialties there is the stuffed French toast so I obviously had to try it! After I shared it on my Instagram Stories, a few people thought it was for Chloe. Nope. For me! Everything was absolutely delicious ( my mom got their avocado toast and Chloe got a signature breakfast dish of eggs and potatoes). They also have a signature mimosa flight ( served with 4 varieties of freshly squeezed juice) which I FORSURE would have got if I wasn’t pregnant!

DAILY JAM

Located right across from the city’s famous “A” Mountain, the Daily Jam is a perfect place to grab a quick and casual breakfast. If you do choose to do a morning hike, I would certainly recommend coming here afterwards to fuel back up! One of their most famous dishes is their Red Velvet Waffles and while they looked mouthwatering, I couldn’t resist their cereal ones ( they actually have a lot of different toppings/customization options for the waffles!) Chloe and I split this dish but I really wish I got my own!

Just looking for a quick brew?

HERE ARE 3 PLACES TO TRY:

• King Coffee
• Cartel Coffee Lab
• Press Coffee Roasters

LUNCH

PERFECT PEAR BISTRO

One of the days there, we decided to have a big late lunch/early dinner. I was headed to see HAMILTON that night so I wanted to eat something a little more filling. Perfect Pear Bistro is known for healthy American comfort food which sounded like the perfect ( pun intended) place to try! The food did not disappoint. With lots of pasta, salad and sandwich options, it was hard to choose what to get! We opted for the Rigatoni a la vodka, pancetta Brussel sprouts and a killer Greek salad. The atmosphere is so welcoming and inviting as well.

ORIGINAL CHOPSHOP

This place is legendary. It originated in Arizona and became so popular over the years that they now have 14 locations- Tempe having one of them! I have seen this place online before visiting and was so excited to try it! It lived up to the hype for sure. With healthy options in abundance like salads, power bowls, smoothies and acai, it will leave you feeling full without any sacrifice on taste. It is truly delicious….to the point that I went there 3 times in 3 days LOL. Once for lunch, once for a quick breakfast before leaving for the airport and once just for a smoothie! Not mad about it at all.

MORE PLACES TO TRY:

• Nekter Juice Bar
• Postino Wine Cafe
• Pedal Haus Brewery

DINNER

HOUSE OF TRICKS

Looking for a top notch meal during your time in Tempe? House of Tricks is your place. This award winning restaurant has been in business for over 30 years and features a seasonal rotating menu with items like beef tenderloin, arctic char and roasted lamb. Situated in a 1920s cottage, it feels intimate, romantic and cozy. It even has an outdoor fireplace and bar that is surrounded by beautiful vines. We dined al fresco and loved taking in the scene! The dishes were 5 stars and I don’t think we left one thing on our plate! Highly recommend the Chocolate Pot de Cream for dessert- best dish I have tried in a while!

BARRIO QUEEN

Arizona is known for its Mexican food so you know that getting tacos was a must when we were there! We decided on locally-owned Barrio Queen which can be found at Tempe Marketplace. The interior is absolutely stunning and the food is known as some of the best authentic Mexican food in the area. It features a large expansive patio with over 300 different kinds of tequilas. We saw a margarita flight at one of our neighboring tables ( 3 different mini margs served in a flight dish) and I really wished I was able to try it- it looked phenomenal. The enchiladas, guac and tacos easily took my mind off things though!

MORE PLACES TO TRY:

• Ghost Ranch
• Caffe Boa
• Social Hall
• Top of the Rock

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DRINKS:

THE GOLDEN PINEAPPLE: Looking for a pre or post dinner drink? This is your place. The Golden Pineapple- just recently opened- features handcrafted cocktails, an extensive beer list and Baja Mexican style foods if you fancy a small bite as well. The vibe inside feels like an oasis with dimmed lighting, botanical accents and a welcoming bar where you can watch the bartenders perfect your drink. If I lived in Tempe, I know I would be a regular here!

WHAT TO DO

The city of Tempe is ALIVE! At any time of the day, we could feel the action that the city has- people biking, events happening, restaurants filling up. I’m not one to sit idle so I love the endless options for things to do. Just when I thought I checked off everything, I would wind up finding another activity that I would add to the list.

Whatever you end up doing, one thing is for sure: Tempe has a community feel to it. I could easily see myself living there. It has the perfect balance of city living and small town charm. There are activities for every type of traveler too! While we went for a girls trip, I would love to come back and do a trip with my husband. We focused a lot on activities that were kid friendly ( I actually will be doing another post on all the Kid friendly options it has) but there are things to do for the relaxed traveler, the nature lover or the traveler who loves non stop action.

DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN

I was excited to visit Arizona for many reasons but seeing Cacti in real life- probably at the top of the list! Visiting the Desert Botanical Garden took my obsession further and made me really appreciate how unique desert landscapes can be. The Garden spans over 140 acres and you can find everything from prickly pears ( also love these) to wildflowers and desert shrubs. Each mini garden features background information on each of the plants and cacti which I also really enjoyed reading about. Chloe’s favourite part of the Gardens? The Butterfly Pavilion park!

I was also fascinated by the glass sculptures at the entrance of the Garden. So fascinated that I had to find out more about them! Turns out they were hand sculpted by renowned artist Dale Chihuly. The Desert Botanical Garden actually purchased the pieces so that they are permanent fixtures at the location. Another fun fact I discovered is that sometimes they have special events and exhibits here and sure enough they have a Dale Chihuly exhibit returning in December. Before you visit, check out their upcoming shows ( I also missed a concert by just a few days!! How cool would that have been?) You can see the upcoming line up HERE!

GO ON A SELF GUIDED ART TOUR

Ahhh how I love me a good mural wall. Not only does it make for the perfect IG backdrop but I truly love seeing local artists showcase their work on such a large scope. We spent about 1.5 hours one morning heading to all the recommended murals and public art pieces within the city. My favourite one was the “GET TOGETHER TEMPE” piece that can be found at: 715 S. McClintock Dr., Tempe, AZ 85281.

Tempe Public Art’s goal is to strengthen the sense of community in the city and identify itself as a place that is vibrant and progressive. This can truly be seen through the pieces throughout the city. I also liked doing this as I was able to see different parts of the city that I maybe wouldn’t have discovered otherwise.

Here is a list to help you go Mural hunting yourself!

Here are some of my favourite ones though:

• “Don’t Wake the Dreamer”– Hardy Drive (South of 5th Street, just west of Downtown Tempe near Jaycee Park)
• “You are Amazing”– ( pictured above)-Beck Avenue south of University Drive at the corner of Beck Avenue and Laird Street. 
• “Rangoli Sunrise”– Located at The Dhaba, 1872 Apache Blvd.

WATCH A BROADWAY SHOW

Yes you read that correctly- Tempe is home to the STUNNING ASU Gammage theatre which is a performing arts center at Arizona State University. It holds lots of Broadway shows throughout the year, off Broadway plays and events as well! I was lucky enough to see the play Hamilton (!!!!) when I was there which was a dream come true! Some people visit Tempe just to see a show since tickets are normally less expensive than other major cities. Another big bonus.

Even if you don’t want to commit to a play or show, you MUST MUST MUST visit the theatre itself. Designed by famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright, it is truly one of the most remarkable buildings I have ever laid eyes on. The design was originally intended for a King in Baghdad, Iraq as an opera house but the plans fell through and the designs sat idle. ASU past President Grady Gammage, who knew Frank personally, asked if he had any designs that could work for their new theatre. He pulled out his drawings and plans for the project in the Middle East and ASU Gammage was born. It was his last piece of commissioned work and opened to the public before he died which makes it more iconic. My camera roll has about 67 photos of the building. Masks were required at all times while inside the theatre unless eating and drinking and a clear bag policy was in place, however small clutches were allowed. The show was sold to full capacity of 3,000 seats.

VISIT TEMPE TOWN LAKE

Tempe Town Lake is an oasis in the center of town. I recommend coming here early in the morning or at sunset for the best views. With a variety of rentals available from Boat Rentals of America ( paddle boarding, kayaks and themed pedal boats which are perfect for the kiddos), there is something for everyone. If getting onto the water isn’t your thing, you can just walk on the pedestrian pathway which allows you to take in the beautiful scene.

VISIT ASU ART MUSEUM

Just like the ASU Gammage Theatre, the ASU Art Museum is worth checking out for the architecture alone. Designed by Antoine Predock, this building features one of a kind modern architecture and a beautiful plaza behind it with public art. The best part about it? It’s free to visit!

OTHER ACTIVITIES TO DO:

The list of things to do is endless here! If we had more time ( and I wasn’t pregnant- I am looking at you horseback riding)- these are a few other activities I would have added onto my itinerary!

• SUNSET HORSEBACK RIDING
• HIKE PAPAGO PARK
• SHOPPING AT TEMPE MARKETPLACE

THINGS TO NOTE

HOW TO GET AROUND: My favourite way to get a feel of a city is to explore it on foot and Tempe is one of the most walkable cities. While you don’t need a car, Ubers/Taxis are reasonable for the distances you are going. You can also hop on a bike if you want! We rented a car because we also added Sedona to this trip and with Chloe in tow, it was nice to be able to hop in and out quickly.

HOW MANY DAYS DO YOU NEED: We did 3 nights and in that time we were able to see a ton! I would probably add on another night to spend some time relaxing by the pool/do a day trip.

COST: Tempe was a very reasonable city! Hotels are anywhere between $150-$300 and you can easily score a delicious meal for $15.00 per person!

WEATHER/BEST TIME TO VISIT: Best time to visit is between October-May when temperatures are not as hot. With that being said, we visited in September and enjoyed that desert heat ( classic Canadians haha). Arizona in general has on average 330 days of sun so chances of rain are quite slim! Winter temperatures: 70 F during the day and 40 F at night. Summer temperatures: 110 F during the day and 75-80 F at night! . 

**This post was done in partnership with Tempe Tourism but all opinions and views are my own**

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We just returned from the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani and we are SO happy we made the choice to stay there. This was our first big trip with Chloe and it offered the perfect mix of being family friendly and also chic and stylish! Situated one block away from the infamous Waikiki Beach, we were so happy to be in a prime time area like this. We could grab snacks and wine from the ABC store just downstairs, get Acai bowls down the street at a cute place and could grab a chair at the beach within 10 minutes! We also could walk down any surrounding street to find a trendy restaurant to hit up at night! So much YES!

We stayed there for 3 nights but could have stayed a full week as it was very easy to get comfortable there. It makes for a great place to base yourself and explore the rest of the island if you were looking to do that as well

THE GROUNDS

We arrived late at night and it felt like we were entering a fancy home of a relative- familiar and comforting yet upscale! The lobby was decked in newly renovated decor and it didn’t hurt that part of this decor included splashes of pink;) (my fav and not ashamed). It had a very open concept feel with the lobby, restaurant and pool being in close quarters of eachother. You could essentially feel the breeze from outside while checking in- my kind of vibe! The team there was also fantastic and catered to all of our baby travelling needs ie: crib, water for bottles, extra fresh towels. We were able to check in and get into our room in less than 10 minutes. After a 11 hour flight, my body couldn’t be more thankful.

The hotel had everything you needed on the first floor which made it have a boutique feel. Who really wants to walk 5 KM to go to the front desk or to another restaurant!? I loved that it was all in close quarters but at the same time felt very spacious. I never had to go searching for a pool chair or restaurant seat.

THE ROOM

The room itself was also a dream. Our balcony looked onto the beach so we were able to sit with our morning coffee and take in all the Aloha vibes…all while Chloe continued to sleep. Best of both worlds! We stayed in the Ainahau Tower which boosts incredible views and has renovated rooms.

The linens and pillows might have been my favourite part of the room. I take the quality of hotel bedding very seriously and the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani was UP there. It made the jetlag disappear almost instantly and we slept incredible all 3 nights!

Robes were also provided in each room which was nice to throw on in the mornings before we went outside on the balcony!

IMPORTANT TIDBITS

I am excited to have partnered with Marriott to create this post but all opinions are my own

There is also something about driving in California! Palm trees, ocean views, access to In and Out Drive Thru’s….ha!

We booked a Mazda X 5 as we wanted lots of space for our camera gear and luggage. It was so nice as we don’t own an SUV at home so we felt extra comfortable while cruising around ( the back seat may or may not have became a mini closet for me when i wanted to change outfits).  It also made us realize- since it was a Babymoon and all- that this would be a great car for our growing family. I could practically sleep in the trunk so would be pretty easy to change a baby back there!

Besides the functional features of the car, it looked damn good on the road! With a a panaromic sunroof and the fire red color, we felt pretty cool zipping around!

We started off in West Hollywood where the hotel valet staff even loved pulling up our car. We aren’t biased;)

We drove down to Malibu where we spent the day on the beach and were able to take in the sunset. The drive from West Hollywood to Malibu is a solid hour so we thought we would make a dent in the gas but we still had 3/4 of a tank!

After a few days in LA, we drove out to Palm Springs! This is a two hour drive and sometimes- not too fun- when are you dealing with LA traffic. However we had a great road trip out there as we listed to the in house Siruis Radio and still didn’t have to fill up the tank. It was smooth sailing the entire way.

I’ve done this road trip a few times before so was familiar with the drive. I do want to take a road trip further up the coast one day and hopefully make my way to Seattle! 

We arrived in Palm Springs and thought we would be parking the car for the next two nights as we love to bike around town but it was SOO HOT! It was 113 degrees by 10AM ( above average temperatures) so we stayed in the safe confines of the Mazda with blasted AC touring all the famous mid century houses and stopping for ice cream along the way.

The Madza got a bit of a break for two days when we sipped on cold drinks by the pool and spent some time relaxing but after two days of that, we were ready to hit the road again and head to Joshua Tree. Joshua Tree is about 40 minutes from Palm Springs but you truly feel like you are on another planet there. We entered the National Park just before sunset and zipped through the winding roads until we found the perfect view. We climbed on the roof to get a little higher, blasted our satelitte radio to some low key jams and took in the amazing energy that surrounded us. It was truly an amazing experience

We had the most well rounded So-Cal trip all thanks to Mazda!

During our recent trip to Palm Springs, my fiancé and I decided to check out Salvation Mountain. Located about an hour and a half from Palm Springs, it is a fun and easy drive if you have a few days! Is it just me or when you do drives on vacation, are they way more enjoyable and seem WAY quicker than if you were to do it back home?

Salvation Mountain is located in a town called Slab City and it is literally a whole different world there! I mean this place is so far off the beaten path – there were no roads, no traffic lights….. no signs of life like we know! Driving down the path- we started to spot trailers, misfits, hippies and rednecks….but all very spread out and very far removed from any sort of stores ( I’m talking MILES!). I thought the main attraction was Salvation Mountain but seeing how some of these people live was part of the fun!  Do they have cable? Do they have phones? Do they have running water? What do they eat? We spent hours googling this tiny piece of land afterwards!

Salvation Mountain itself was pretty cool and it was interesting to read about the Artist behind the project- Leonard Knight! You can find it and read more about it here!

My fiancé and I just came back from hanging out in Palm Springs and if I am going to Palm Springs- it means I am also going to hang out in Joshua Tree!

Now if you haven’t been to the desert, you need to go. It makes you feel like you are WORLDS away and offers a calmness like nowhere else. Whenever I do go to Joshua Tree though, I make sure to stop at The Integatron which is the weird dome/spaceship I am standing infront of in the photos above.

The Integatron was built by a man back in the 60’s who believed aliens came to him and told him to construct a white dome in this particular area. Call him crazy- but scientists have noted that the area where the dome is has high frequencies of positive energy and eons. Some people may not believe this but I definitely drank the koolaid.

The dome later sold and it is now being used as an escape for city dwellers. They offer daily “brain baths” which is just as good as it sounds. You take off your shoes,  head up to the top of the dome via ladder and lay down like you do in yoga except with cozy blankets and thicker mats. An instructor then starts to play Tibetan Sound bowls that generate the most amazing noises that allow you to slow your thoughts down. You listen to these sounds for 30 minutes and I would best describe the feeling as a state between sleeping and meditation. When you wake up- you truly feel like you slept for 3 days straight. Heading to Coachella soon? GO THERE IMMEDIATELY AFTER!

The grounds are also really cute with an entire hammock section, cozy couches and inspiring quotes that pop up in different areas.

Check it out here!

SO EXCITED to finally share the behind-the-scenes scoop from my bachelorette party getaway to Arizona! That is of course if you didn’t happen to see the 167 photos, snapchats, inst stories already posted from the weekend itself! Not even sorry a little because not to brag or anything but my girl gang is pretty awesome

I seriously could not have asked for a more incredible time and  as I go through these photos and write this post my eyes are welding up with tears because is there anything better than being surrounded by your best friends in the sun all while drinking rose…ALL DAY. Nope. Nothing better

My friends are the definition of smart, loyal, trust worthy, thoughtful and they are the definition of success. I feel successful in life ( so far) because I have them by my side. Life goes by in a fleeting glance and there is not a moment in this short life so far where we haven’t taken the time to celebrate each other ( and boy did they celebrate me). These moments and these memories is what life is about and I will never forget this weekend.

The details of everything started to unveil itself even before it even began with a detailed and hilarious itinerary that was mailed to my house. Here I discovered the theme of the weekend- #MARISASLASTRODEO and that I was apparently wanted in the city of Scottsdale. It sure wouldn’t be the first time I was wanted in a city (ha!) but it sure as hell -as they put it- “would be my last”.

My one friend generously hosted us at her family home in Scottsdale that was better than any resort I have ever been to. Once all the girls were together, I walked into the house to a set of “Welcome Bags” put together by one of my bests that were filled with the COOLEST name straws I have ever seen, a medical/emergency bag that read “When the Bubbly Bites” (it was stocked with Advil and Emergency Mix), a BRIDE bathing suit and a Snapchat Filter for us to use (obsessed with the filter!). I could have ended the weekend off there and been happy!

The afternoon was filled with lounge sessions by the pool and then a few of us went horseback riding through the cactus desert during sunset. I thought this would be the highlight of my day but when we returned to the house afterwards- I was welcomed home to a FULL BLOWN Mariachi Band playing for me and a Mexican themed dinner setting all ready for us to enjoy. It was out of a movie…and actually organized by my friends Dad!! He even ordered a piñata (which we later nicknamed Ricky- and then at the same time nicknamed my friends dad Roberta since he was basically part of our crew ha). So special.

I hardly have any photos from this because for once in my life- I was thoroughly PRESENT in the moment- trying to take everything in.

The next few days and nights included hikes to Pinnacle Peak, lunches in downtown Scottsdale, a night at a REAL rodeo with bull riding and a cookout and then a “Classy” night with a fancy dinner and drinks at the W. It was such a well rounded time filled with the perfect mix of everything

Omg- I am crying again as I just typed that last sentence. Thank you girls for EVERYTHING- the laughs, the inside jokes, the details, the special touches, and for ALWAYS being there for me. I would die without yous.

#MARISALASTRODEO