Free Museum Day is Coming! 9.15.12

In just two weeks, over 1,400 museums in America (and Puerto Rico) will be offering free admission all day. This is a great promotion and can save you big bucks whether you are on vacation or at home. It’s also the perfect time to get your kiddos some culture without having to dish out the cash when they may or may not let you stay long enough to get your entry money’s worth.

We almost always visit at least one museum on any trip we take. From the slavery museum in Nassau to the Museum of Tea in London, we have seen some very interesting bits of history indeed. I know not all museums are fascinating for children, there are plenty that are educational and fun for them. In Oregon alone, I found several that would keep their attention: ScienceWorks Hands-on Museum (Ashland), Oregon Air & Space Museum (Eugene) and the Antique Powerland Museum (Salem).

This photo of Wallace Collection is courtesy of TripAdvisor

If you don’t have kids and just want to see some fantastic art, that’s great too, and you will have plenty more to choose from. Museums of history, art and sculptures fill the list in each state, so you will find something that will fit your mood. All you have to do is go to the website, choose your preferred museum and submit your information. You’ll get an email to print out your free ticket and gain admission for two people. It’s that easy! You can get a free ticket for two per email address/household. If there are more people in your group, use your husband’s email address or a friend’s. I don’t think you’ll need to go so far as to pretend you don’t know each other when you enter, but use your own judgment.

This photo of Imperial War Museum is courtesy of TripAdvisor

The majority of the free entries are September 29, but a select few aren’t open on Saturdays and are offering it on Sunday, September 30. You MUST have your printed ticket to get free entry.

Will YOU be attending Museum Day Live! organized by Smithsonian Magazine?

Super Useful Travel Links 9.14.12

I’m counting down the days to my vacation to Anaheim (and Los Angeles, Carlsbad, Hollywood and Santa Monica). I’m squeezing everything in I’ve never done in the area and some stuff I want to do again. There will be a flurry of review and destination posts when I come back, too. In the meantime, I’ve been devouring all kinds of travel suggestions and news and figure I might learn a new trick along the way. Either way, I am passing on the most interesting to you today, so I hope any of this comes in handy! (Don’t forget, if you came across something fun, interesting or informative in the travel realm, please share in the comments!)

While I like to slow down and take my time with a city, there are times I want to see as much as possible in the few days I have. If this is you, then you might like Lonely Planet’s Europe in a Hurry guides online. Cram in London|Paris, Vienna|Bratislava, Helsinki|Tallinn, Dresden|Prague, Brussels|Amsterdam and Zurich|Vaduz. Maybe you hadn’t thought of some of these for a vacation, but it will change your mind. LP will tell you what to do on a whirlwind trip.

This photo of New York Public Library is courtesy of TripAdvisor

New York is never a cheap trip. The hotel rates are high, the food costs a fortune and shopping and other entertainment can downright break your budget. Lonely Planet has also found you 40 FREE things to do in New York City, so you don’t max out your credit cards or sit in your hotel room all day after visiting the Statue of Liberty and Empire State Building. I’m really interested in going to Governor’s Island when I make it to the Big Apple, but there are 39 other equally remarkable things on the list.

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Sadness! As if cruising wasn’t expensive enough (unless you are one of those lucky people who can book last-minute, save a ton and also able to get off work with no problem), there are more fees being applied to them. I guess they don’t want to be outdone by the airlines… Of course, if you didn’t know about all the hidden fees before, this will give you some highlights of the fees they have been tacking on for years.

There are so many travel myths, that it’s sometimes hard to know which is real and which is BS. And generally people are throwing out tips to you left and right to make your trip better or cheaper. Yes, I do this too, but my tips are based on facts! Gadling gives you 10 travel tips to ignore. If I don’t like something, I will tell you, but I won’t tell you not to go there unless it’s truly horrible. I like to do lots of things that are touristy or random, so obviously I don’t listen to those “experts” either.

This photo of Valle de la Luna is courtesy of TripAdvisor

So, in my quest to find amazing, yet affordable vacation destinations for you, I came across this article on Bolivia and why it should be on your travel wish list. South America is known for its money-saving destinations and Bolivia is no exception, plus it offers a whole lot more!

Who’s looking forward to another packing tutorial?!

There’s a Chill in the Air 9.12.12

I woke up this morning and my house was freezing. Even the dog was reluctant to come out from under the covers. Then I went to my car to drive to work and I could see my breath and had to use my heater to defrost my windows. I don’t like it at all, but I will have to admit pretty soon that Fall is on its way. I’m sad, because it took until the middle of July for Portland to get real Summer weather and now it’s over so quickly, or at least it isn’t warm when the sun goes down.

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There is one thing good that comes with Fall, besides piles of golden leaves and pumpkin picking, and that’s oodles of vacation deals. 75% of travelers already went in Summer, so now that the weather is cooling off, airfares, cruise costs and hotel rates are dropping to entice people out of their houses and to a variety of destinations. So, where can you get some of the best deals for October and November travels?

This photo of Cloud Gate is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Chicago, Illinois – Get yourself a CityPASS to gain entry to Chicago’s 5 best attractions: Shedd Aquarium, The Field Musem, Skydeck Chicago, John Hancock Observatory or Museum of Science and Industry and Adler Planetarium or Art Institute of Chicago. Go take your picture in front of the giant silver bean and don’t forget to pack a warm coat for those windy Chicago days and nights.

Rhode Island – Fun for the whole family awaits you in this New England state. If you love the outdoors, you can be busy for weeks hiking, boating, fishing, golfing, biking, paddling, bird watching, drinking wine and visiting farms and gardens. If that doesn’t sound all that appealing to you, there are spas, museums, scenic tours, sports and art galore to keep you all entertained.

This photo of Denali State Park is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Denali, Alaska – Another great place to travel for outdoor enthusiasts. The national park has wildlife galore, beautiful scenery and the Junior Ranger program to get kids involved, having fun and secretly learning!

Vermont – It may be small and maybe all you know about it is people go there and Connecticut to watch the leaves turn, but there is so much to do in this state. Winter sports abound here, but what about when there isn’t snow? So much! Apple festivals, Halloween celebrations, corn mazes, scenic drives, plus museums, food artisans – cheese, sugar, beer and wine! – fairs, shopping and more.

Hawaii – Hawaii is usually on everyone’s travel wish list, but fall is their low season, which means fewer crowds at the beach and everywhere else! I’ve also seen super cheap airfare – starting around $300 – and hotel rates as low as $78 per night. Plus, if you’re looking for something truly unique to do, the Ironman Triathlon finals competition happens in Kailua Kona in November. Need more ideas? Here are ways to stretch your dollar in Honolulu.

Washington DC – There are so many things to do in Washington, D.C. Museums, parks, the National Mall. Here’s a previous post on how to spend 48 hours in the capital and do it on a budget!

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Bangladesh – Why yes, there are foreign countries on this list! Hopping nightlife, lovely beaches (where you can lay out, snorkel, swim or scuba dive), huge bazaars and interesting new food come together to create a unique vacation experience that will fit into whatever budget you have.

Nicaragua – Beaches surrounded with forests? You’ll find it here. As well as amazing restaurants, food tours, great surfing, sea turtles laying their eggs, island-hopping, historical architecture, hiking, petroglyph tours, ziplining and open-air markets. All this in beautiful landscapes, full of lovely people and affordable prices? Why aren’t you planning this trip already?!

This photo of Santa Fe Balloon Company is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Santa Fe, New Mexico – If you are an art-lover or foodie, then October and November is the time to travel to this Southwestern state. In just those two months you can experience the Santa Fe Gourmet Classic, the Harvest Festival, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Santa Fe Independent Film Festival, Ballet Folklorico de Mexico, Dia de los Muertos, Recycle Santa Fe Art Festival and the SWAIA Winter Indian Market. That’s not even a complete list of awesome things to do!

Cyprus – So, Hawaii wasn’t quite exotic enough for you in terms of beaches? Why not hop over to Greece’s little sister? Here you can dive, swim, snorkel and catch some rays all while eating delicious, delicious food. Don’t spend all your time in your bathing suit though, because there are gorgeous buildings and museums full of history all over Cyprus. Of course, all the money you save on airfare and lodging is bound to be sucked up in all the fab things they have to see and do on the island. Plan ahead.

What do you think about these Autumn travel suggestions? Do any of them make your list for must-visit this year?