Hey there, fellow foodie travelers! Today, we’re in Argentina, talking about food! There are so many amazing cuisines around the world, and trying the local food is a big part of travel. But as travelers, we don’t always have the time, or the money, to try all of the local foods in a new destination. That’s why we’ve narrowed down the list for you, to tell you the best Argentina traditional food to try!
Argentinian Beef
When people think of Argentina cuisine, they tend to think of steak. There are a million different ways to eat steak in Argentina. You’ll have Asado, BBQ, lomo, lomito, and chorizo. You’ll see lots of parrillas, which are the steakhouses, and most of them have an open kitchen where you can see all the different cuts of meat being prepared. When you order your steak, you order your side dishes separately, and they are usually served family-style in portions large enough to share. Also, just a head’s up that they like their steaks well-done in Argentina, so let them know if you like your steak with a bit of pink in the middle.
Choripan is basically chorizo sausage, in bread, with a chimichurri sauce on top. This is one of the Argentinian foods you’ll see at fairs and festivals all over the country. It’s a staple takeaway food in Argentina.
Yes, the meat is great, but there is so much more to food in Argentina.
Super Pancho
Another common street food in Argentina is the super pancho, which is really just a hot dog. If you buy a super pancho on the street, make sure you try the mustard before you put it on the hot dog. It might be different than what you are used to!
Dulce de Leche
When it comes to Argentina desserts, nothing beats dulce de leche. It looks like caramel, but it’s actually condensed milk (leche) and sugar boiled down into a syrup. Dulce de leche is often served as a topping for pancakes or your morning pastry. For a more portable dulce de leche, try alfajores, which is dulce de leche sandwiched between cookies and then dipped in chocolate.
Helado
Another of my favorite Argentina desserts is helado, also known as gelato or ice cream. Yes, ice cream is good everywhere, but somehow Argentina ice cream is even better. When I studied in Argentina, I pretty much ate steak and ice cream non-stop. There are good chains, like Freddo, but there are also lots of good mom-and-pop ice cream shops to check out. My personal favorite is banana split ice cream…it’s so good!
Everyone was eating steak like it was going out of style.
Italian Food in Argentina
Believe it or not, Italian food is a big part of Argentinian cuisine. You usually choose your pasta and then choose your sauce and/or toppings. I really like gnocchi in Argentina. You can get pizza in Argentina, too, but it’s a bit different than Italian or American pizza. It’s got a thicker dough base than traditional pizza.
Argentinian Wine
Argentina is also known for its wine. The area around Mendoza produces really great red wine, especially syrah and malbec wines. It’s really excellent wine, and I highly recommend spending an afternoon enjoying a bottle at a local cafe, watching the world go by. If you’re not a wine drinker, Quilmes is one of the most popular local beers in Argentina.
Empanadas are a great snack to try in Argentina. If you haven’t tried them, empanadas are the Latin version of calzones. It’s a doughy pocket with meat, cheese, and sauce inside. You can get sweet empanadas, too. It’s a great food to take on the go and eat in the park.
Omelets & Quiche
More snack options in Argentina include omelets and quiche. These are usually available all day long, making them a great snack in the middle of the day.
Medialuna
One of the most common snacks in Argentina is the medialuna, which is shaped like a half-moon, hence the name. It’s a croissant, but with a very sweet glaze and a sugar coating. These are often eaten for breakfast, or for a snack during the day.
The boys were a bit tired having an 11pm dinner, but they were good the next day for Helado.
When Do You Eat in Argentina?
Dinner time in Argentina is pretty late. Some restaurants don’t open until 8 pm. If you are visiting Argentina with kids, you might need to plan accordingly as you’re probably not used to eating that late. Fortunately, you can usually grab some snacks at a cafe, or pick up some street food to tide you over until dinnertime.
I studied in Argentina and have always loved the food. Not only is it delicious, but it’s also very affordable, so you can eat really well in Argentina, without spending a fortune. I hope you get the chance to visit Argentina and try some of the amazing Argentinian cuisines! Looking for more tips on South America travel? Check out some of these other blog posts!
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re in Morocco, talking about food! When we visited Morocco, we had the opportunity to take a cooking class at Faim d’Epices. Thanks to our chef, Ilham, we learned so much about Moroccan cuisine. Because trying local cuisine is one of the best parts of travel, we wanted to share with you the best Moroccan food to eat when you visit Morocco.
Couscous
The most popular Moroccan food in Morocco and in Moroccan dishes around the world is couscous. Couscous is similar to rice or pasta in that is is a starchy base for your Moroccan meals. It is made of tiny balls of wheat that are steamed or boiled. On top of the couscous, you add seven vegetables and meat, which can be chicken, beef, lamb, or whatever you have on hand. This is NOT the instant couscous you might buy in your local American or European grocery store! A Moroccan couscous dish cooks for about three hours. Because of this, couscous is prepared in larger batches once a week.
So many colors and flavors in Moroccan cuisine.
Tajine
Tajine is a style of cooking that is done in a terra cotta pot. The name tells you how it’s prepared, but not necessarily what is in the dish. Think of it like “BBQ” or “casserole.” A tajine usually contains some kind of meat and vegetable, although you can also get vegetarian tajine.
Tajine is served with bread, which is used to eat the stew without using spoons or forks. It is similar to a stew and is usually served mid-day for lunch.
If you are in Morocco near the coast, make sure you take advantage of the fresh seafood that is available. In many restaurants near the sea, you can buy your seafood directly from the market and have the restaurant prepare it for you. Sardines are a particularly popular fish to eat in Morocco. And yes, you can even have seafood tajine!
Harira
Another common Moroccan food you might see is Harira. This is a tomato-based soup that is thickened with chickpeas and/or lentils. Beef or lamb is also usually added to harira for extra heartiness.
Moroccan food is just so good.
Moroccan Desserts
Moroccan desserts are usually fruit-based, using dates, figs, or oranges. Moroccans don’t typically make cakes or cookies, but crepes with jam are a popular dessert. Many Moroccan desserts are just a sweet take on traditional Moroccan food, like couscous. Many times, fruit is served at the end of a meal for a simple, sweet ending.
Moroccan Beverages
One of Jocelyn’s favorite things to drink in Morocco is mint tea. Mint tea is served throughout the day in Morocco, and is also used as a “welcome drink.” It’s a social drink, similar to having a glass of wine with friends in the States. Although Morocco is a Muslim country and alcohol is not widespread, you will find some Moroccan wines and beers in some areas. Since fruit is so prevalent in Morocco, fruit juice, especially orange juice, is also a popular drink in Morocco.
Moroccan Flavors
Some common Moroccan flavors you’ll find include cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and orange blossom. Pears, prunes and other fruits are also used frequently in both sweet and savory varieties of Moroccan cuisine.
Making our Tajines outside of Marrakech
When Do You Eat in Morocco?
You may wonder when to eat when you visit Morocco. Breakfast is typically very early; in the countryside, they eat breakfast at around 5 am. In the city, breakfast is served around 7:30 or 8:00 in the morning. In the afternoon, there is usually tea time with light food such as bread, jam, and tea. Lunch is the main meal of the day and is often a tajine with bread and salad. Dinner in Morocco is served after the last prayer, which is at 8:00, and tends to be a lighter meal.
Morocco is a great place to visit, with a unique cuisine to experience. Taking a cooking class in Marrakesh is definitely a cool way to learn about local cuisine and sample a ton of great food! As they say in Morocco, Besseha! (Bon Appetit!)
Looking for more tips on what to eat while traveling? Check out some of these other blog posts!
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do when you visit Morocco. We had a great time visiting Morocco with our kids! While many travel blogs will tell you the best things to do in Morocco, we want to be sure you know about the things you should NOT do when you visit Morocco.
Don’t Expect to Enter Any Mosques (Unless You’re Muslim)
Oftentimes, travel involves visiting historic churches and cathedrals around the world. And there are some beautiful mosques in Morocco, however, unless you are Muslim, you cannot enter the mosques. There is one exception: the Hassan II in Casablanca is open for tours and is one of the top Morocco attractions that we recommend.
Don’t Expect Everything to Be Open on Fridays
Fridays are the holy day in Morocco, so many places are closed on Friday. In larger cities, this won’t be as much of an issue, but in smaller towns, you’ll find things closed or shops may have shorter business hours.
Morocco is on a lot of travel itineraries for a good reason.
Don’t Ignore the Call to Prayer
When you hear the call to prayer, be respectful of the locals. If you are bargaining for something, hold off until the prayer is over. The prayer time only lasts three to five minutes, so it’s a good time for you to take a quiet minute as well.
Don’t Expect to Get Through Customs Quickly
When you land in Morocco, customs can take a long time to clear. It’s a long process, but if you have kids, you may be able to get to the front of the line. Just plan for some extra time. If you get through quickly, you may end up waiting for your ride at the other end anyway, as they usually account for long customs delays.
When it’s time to fly home, don’t assume you can check-in online. You will probably have to check-in at the airport counter before your flight.
Don’t Bring Drones
You are not allowed to fly drones in Morocco, so don’t bother bringing them on your Morocco vacation. If you do have a drone, it’s possible that it will get confiscated at the border when you arrive, so it’s best to just leave it at home.
Don’t Ever Stop Haggling
Haggling is a huge part of the shopping experience in Morocco. It’s not a scam, it’s just how things work here. Yes, it gets a bit old after a while to continue haggling, but it’s just the culture. A general rule of thumb is to pay between 25-50% less than the original price you are quoted. Don’t forget to bargain with your taxi driver, too! Make sure you do this and agree on a price before you get in the car.
Don’t Try to Bargain Everywhere
Bargaining happens mostly in the souks, so it’s not universal that you will be haggling over prices everywhere in Morocco. When you are shopping at retailers like Zara or major grocery stores, you do not bargain on the prices. If you aren’t sure whether to bargain or not, just listen to those around you. You’ll quickly get the hang of it!
Make sure you have money to tip for photo opportunities.
Don’t Rely Solely On Credit Cards
You will need some cash when you visit Morocco. Not every place takes credit cards, and even those that do may not have a working machine when you are there. It’s always good to have some cash as a backup. When you do get cash, make sure you have small bills that you can use for small purchases and tips. Very few vendors (and taxi drivers) will have change, so large bills are not very useful unless you are making large purchases.
Don’t Drink the Tap Water in Morocco
The tap water in Morocco is not safe to drink, so bring along a filtered water bottle, or plan to drink bottled water. You can brush your teeth with tap water, but it’s not recommended that you drink it.
Don’t Forget to Carry Some Toilet Paper
Not all public restrooms will have toilet paper readily available, so it’s always good to carry a little bit of your own. And don’t be surprised if you encounter a squat toilet or two in Morocco!
Don’t Let Your Guard Down Around Traffic
Traffic in Morocco is crazy, and you have to be really careful, whether you’re riding around in a taxi or just walking the streets as a pedestrian. Even in the medinas where there aren’t as many vehicles, you have to watch out for random donkeys and carts. It’s just a very busy place and you need to adhere to basic travel safety measures.
Don’t Get Pickpocketed!
When you visit the medina, be prepared for pickpockets and use your travel smarts to stay aware of your surroundings. It’s easy to get swept up in your surroundings, but we have lots of tips on keeping your valuables safe!
Notice we don’t say “if” you get lost, but “when.” You will get lost wandering the alleys of the medinas. Always have a map and GPS with you, and you’ll eventually find your way out. The shopkeepers are usually pretty helpful. Even if you aren’t buying anything, they will likely give you directions to find your way back.
Don’t Pet the Stray Cats
You’ll see TONS of stray cats in Morocco. Yes, they’re cute, but don’t pet them. I know it is super tempting… and they will come right up to you, but best to leave the cats alone.
Morocco was a great experience.
Don’t Trust Everyone
For the most part, we meet friendly locals when traveling, but that’s not always the case. Someone may appear to be super helpful, but they may really be looking out for themselves. Don’t let your guard down if your spidey senses are telling you something might be off. That said, don’t assume everyone is out to rip you off.
Don’t Just Hop in a Taxi
Don’t think all taxis in Morocco are the same. For example, in Casablanca, there are little red taxis that are shared taxis, so someone else might hop in with you. When you hear about a “grand” taxi, it just means larger, it’s nothing fancy.
Don’t Plan on Buying Train Tickets Online
Unless you have a Moroccan credit card, you won’t be able to buy your train tickets online. You’ll need to go to the train station a few days before your departure and buy your tickets then.
Don’t Forget to Tip!
Yes, tipping is customary in Morocco. Tipping is part of the culture, so this is why we recommend having small bills and coins readily available. If someone helps you with your bags, you should tip them. If you have a local guide or a tour guide, plan to tip them as well. This also applies if you plan to have your picture taken with someone or someone’s animal. The snake charmers and monkey handlers will expect a tip in exchange for your photo opportunity.
Don’t Take Photos of People Without Asking
If you’re going to take photos of locals, make sure you ask ahead of time. If they say no, respect that and move on. This also applies to photographing children. If the parents are ok with it, they may ask for a tip, or you can offer one.
Don’t Use Your Left Hand
Most important occasions call for the use of your right hand, not your left hand. This goes for hand-shaking and eating. The left hand is reserved for the toilet and other cleaning duties and should not be used for hand-shaking or communal dining.
Don’t Wear Your Shoes in Someone’s Home
If you are invited into someone’s home, make sure you remove your shoes before entering. This also applies to the mosque. Some homes may have slippers you can wear, but all outdoor shoes should remain outdoors.
Don’t Miss Out on Tajine
You’ll see tajine used a lot with respect to food, but it’s not a single dish. It’s actually the vessel that the food is cooked in, so you can have many different varieties of “tajine” in Morocco. We had excellent tajine with beef, rabbit, chicken, and more. Think of “tajine” like the word casserole; it’s cooked in that type of dish but has no bearing on what is actually in the dish.
Don’t Worry About Finding Good Vegetarian Food in Morocco
Although we enjoyed some great meat dishes in Morocco, there is also a lot of great vegetarian cuisine in Morocco. You can even get a vegetarian tagine, and they are excellent.
Don’t Try to Rush Dinner
When you go out to eat in Morocco, don’t be in a hurry. Service in Morocco is on the slower side, so dinner can be a long, drawn-out affair. If you visit Morocco with kids, plan to go to a restaurant a bit early, before they start to get hungry, or you might have some hangry kids on your hands before the food eventually arrives.
Don’t Worry About Your Budget
Morocco is a very affordable travel destination, so you don’t have to worry about going over your travel budget. You may have to spend a bit to get to Morocco, but once you arrive, hotels, food, and tours are very reasonably priced.
Don’t Expect Easy Access to the Sahara Desert
You probably expect to see the Sahara Desert when you visit Northern Africa. But it’s actually 8-10 hours drive from Marrakech. So, make sure you do your research if the Sahara Desert is on your travel wish-list. Don’t plan on seeing the Sahara on a day trip; you’ll probably need to sign up for one of the overnight Morocco tours. If you sign up for a “Morocco desert tour,” there’s a good chance it’s not going all the way to the Sahara Desert.
Don’t Try to See All of Morocco in One Visit
Morocco is a huge, diverse country and it would be a great disservice to try and see it all in one visit. There are four distinct regions of Morocco: mountains, plains, desert, and the coast. I recommend choosing one, or two at the most, of these regions and explore them in more depth. If you try to see more during your Morocco trip, you’ll feel rushed and you won’t come away with a good sense of the local culture.
Don’t Expect Solo Female Travelers to Be Treated Equally
There are some parts of Morocco where solo female travelers are not treated as well as families or couples who are traveling. The social norms here are different, and most women we’ve spoken with recommend dressing a bit more conservatively to avoid drawing unwanted attention. Jocelyn even noticed a difference when bargaining; she felt like she had less bargaining influence than Mark did when shopping.
Morocco is an amazing country, and we really enjoyed our time there as a family. Don’t let any of these don’ts keep you from visiting Morocco because it’s truly a wonderful, enchanting place. Just remember what NOT to do on a visit to Morocco! Looking for more tips on family travel around the world? Check out these blog posts!
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about Bruges, Belgium! It’s a beautiful city, one of my favorites in this part of Europe! As much as I enjoy visiting Bruges, there are also some things that I don’t love about the capital of West Flanders. So, today, I’m sharing the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate, about Bruges, Belgium!
Love #1: Roaming Bruges
One of my favorite things to do in Bruges is just wandering the streets. Bruges has amazing architecture, from churches and the Town Hall. The Market Square is stunning and at the center of everything in Bruges. It’s such a photogenic city, you’ll love just roaming the streets, taking it all in. Taking a Bruges canal tour is another great way to see Bruges.
Hate #1: Bruges Tourism
Bruges gets more popular every year, and there are a lot of tourists. You’ll see a lot of school groups from within Flanders, and a lot of weekend tourists from all over Europe. If you visit Bruges in the summer, it can feel crowded, and you’ll have the usual issues that come with a lot of tourists. Prices are inflated, and service is not that great. Spring and fall are great times to visit Bruges, as there are fewer crowds, but the weather is still good.
There is a reason everyone goes here.
Love #2: Religious Experiences in Bruges
There are some cool religious experiences in Bruges. You can visit the Holy Blood Church where you can see the blood of Christ. At the Church of Our Lady, there’s a Michelangelo sculpture of Madonna and Child, known as Madonna of Bruges.
Hate #2: Bruges Traffic
Bruges is pretty small; you won’t need a car to get around. But as a pedestrian, you’ll notice the traffic is a bit hectic. Between bicycles, tour buses, horse-drawn carriages, and delivery trucks, you have to be pretty careful when crossing the street in Bruges.
Love #3: Day Trips from Bruges
One of the best day trips from Bruges is to visit the World War I battlefields of Flanders. There’s a lot of attention given to WWII sites in Europe, but less is known about WWI. Flanders Fields are less than 80 kilometers from Bruges, so it makes for a great day trip, especially for history buffs.
You can also travel all over Belgium and back in one day. Antwerp is just under two hours by train, Ghent is just 45 minutes, and Brussels is 90 minutes. This makes Bruges a great home base for your Belgium trip.
Along with tourism, prices in Bruges are also increasing. If you want lunch with a nice view, you’re going to pay extra for those restaurants. In general, you’ll pay a bit more for things in Bruges than you might pay in smaller towns nearby. This is just the effect of Bruges tourism.
yeah, you will have that face if you walk to the top of the bell tower too.
Love #4: Bruges Tourist Sights
There are lots of great things to do in Bruges. Of course, there’s a chocolate museum and a French Fry museum. The Groeninge Museum has a great collection of classical Flemish art. Bruges was a wealthy city for many years, and you can tell by the architecture and infrastructure.
Hate #4: Service in Bruges
Service is pretty lackluster anywhere you go in Belgium, so this isn’t exclusive to Bruges, but it’s something you’ll notice. The servers are professional and knowledgable, but they’re not particularly friendly or helpful. You just have to be a little more proactive with your needs and requests.
Besides roaming the streets, my other favorite thing to do in Bruges is to grab a table on Market Square and enjoy a fresh plate of mussels, fries and a nice Belgian beer. There are other squares in Bruges, and they all have a great atmosphere.
Hate #5: Bruges Hotels
Bruges hotels can be expensive and they book up quickly in the high season. The best place to stay in Bruges is near the Old Town, and it’s quite small, so there aren’t a ton of guest rooms. We prefer to stay in Bruges, so we can enjoy it after the day-trippers go home. However, if you want to save money, you can stay in a nearby village and come into Bruges for the day.
I woudl so eat those fries…
I’ve been to Bruges so many times and I keep coming back because it’s just such a great city. The “loves” I have for Bruges far outweigh the “hates” so I encourage everyone to visit Bruges at least once in their lifetime. Want more of our Belgium travel tips? Check out some of these other blog posts:
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about the “Mother Road:” Route 66. One of the most famous road trips in the United States, Route 66 crosses eight states. Running over 2,400 miles from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California, there are some really things to see on Route 66.
The highway of all highways in America.
Chicago, Illinois
Our list of Route 66 stops kicks off in Chicago, Illinois. Chicago is the birthplace of the skyscraper and is known for amazing architecture. Our favorite thing to do in Chicago is to take an architectural boat tour through the city. It’s a great way to learn about the history of the city and how the various architectural styles grew up in Chicago. There are also some really great museums in Chicago, like the Art Institute and the Field Museum. Sports fans also love Chicago for the chance to visit Wrigley Field, one of the oldest baseball stadiums in the United States. And don’t forget to try Chicago-style pizza while you’re here!
Springfield is the capital of Illinois and the home of Abraham Lincoln. It’s a great city for history, especially for history buffs. The Lincoln Presidential Museum has the largest collection of Abraham Lincoln memorabilia. The museum really helps you see what it was like to be the President during the Civil War. In Springfield, you can also see the State Capitol, Lincoln’s law offices, and you can even visit Lincoln’s tomb. When it’s time for lunch, Springfield is the birthplace of the corn dog.
St. Louis is known as the gateway to the West, which is why the Gateway Arch was built here. You can take an elevator to the top of the Gateway Arch and get a beautiful view of the St. Louis area and the Mississippi River. St. Louis has a great art museum and the zoo is actually really great. If you like baseball, you can catch the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. St. Louis is also the home of Budweiser beer; you can take a tour of the Budweiser brewery and see the famous Clydesdale horses. St. Louis has a lot of great Route 66 landmarks.
Get your kicks on Route 66
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
OKC has a great entertainment district with a lot of restaurants and bars. There are also some great museums; one of my favorites is the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. The National Museum of Western Art is fantastic, as are the Botanical Gardens and the Oklahoma City Zoo. OKC also has some fun Route 66 attractions that were built during the heyday of the highway.
Amarillo, Texas
Route 66 just barely cuts through Texas, but Amarillo is a great place to stop. One of the best things to see in Amarillo is Palo Duro Canyon State Park. It’s a great place to get out and stretch your legs on a hike. The most famous stop in Amarillo is Cadillac Ranch, where dozens of Cadillac cars have been buried in the ground. You can also visit the Big Texan and try your hand at finishing the 72oz steak. The RV museum is also a fun way to see how people have been traveling along Route 66 for decades.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Once you’re in New Mexico, we suggest detouring around Albuquerque and visiting Santa Fe instead. Santa Fe has a really fun artsy vibe and some really interesting museums. The artist Georgia O’Keeffe spent much of her career, and you can see her art throughout town. The Canyon Road art district is full of local artisans and is a great place to shop for souvenirs. The St. Francis Cathedral is also really neat.
You will see a lot of fun stuff along the way.
Flagstaff, Arizona
Another of our favorite Route 66 stops is the Arizona town of Flagstaff. Flagstaff is a great home base for visiting some of the sights around Northern Arizona. Of course, the Grand Canyon is something you have to see at least once. Flagstaff is part college town and part mountain town, which gives it a pretty fun vibe. There are some great restaurants, a huge brewery scene, and some really good museums as well. The Lowell Observatory is really interesting; Pluto was discovered here. Besides the Grand Canyon, we also recommend visiting Meteor Crater and Sedona. Both are really worth the day trip from Flagstaff.
Another Arizona stop along Route 66 is in Williams. This is really the gateway to the Grand Canyon. The entire town is pretty much dedicated to Route 66 nostalgia, so you’ll find diners and souvenir shops galore. From Williams, you can ride the Grand Canyon Railway up to the Grand Canyon. This is a really fun way to visit the Grand Canyon without driving yourself.
Small Town America
Ok, this isn’t necessarily one stop along Route 66. But the real joy of driving the Mother Road is visiting all of the little towns along the way. Many of these towns were “left behind” when the big interstate routes were built, so they still retain some of that old Americana charm. Seeing the small towns of America is what’s really special about taking the “back roads” instead of the major interstates. Sure, it might take a little longer, but you get to eat a mom and pop diners instead of fast-food chains.
Los Angeles and Santa Monica, California
At the end of the road, we come to Los Angeles and Santa Monica on the Pacific Ocean. Of course, LA is known as the home of Hollywood, where movies are made and it’s the place that movie stars call home. There are a ton of fun tourist attractions in Los Angeles. LA also has some amazing museums. But the true end of the road is in Santa Monica, home of the Santa Monica pier.
Meteor Crater in Arizona.
Driving Route 66 is a quintessential American experience. Much of the original route has been replaced by interstates, so you’ll find yourself on major highways sometimes, and other times you’ll have to leave the highway to try and find what’s left of Route 66. If you want more tips on travel in the United States, check out some of our other blog posts:
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about my list of must-visit cities in the USA. Now, I’m not talking about the best destinations or the top destinations, because then you’d see places like Disney or the Grand Canyon. These must-visit cities in US offer a well-rounded vacation destination, with culture, cuisine and history.
So much to see & so much to love in the US.
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago is the home of the skyscraper. Chicago has a rich history of wealth and development, so there are some really great museums to check out. The Art Institute, the Field Museum, the Museum of Science and Industry, and the Shedd Aquarium are the top museums in Chicago. The architecture in Chicago is fantastic; it really is the birthplace of the skyscraper and the former training grounds for Frank Lloyd Wright.
Sports fans will also love Chicago. Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs baseball team, is one of the oldest baseball stadiums in the country. Chicago also has another MLB team, the Chicago White Sox, the Chicago Bulls basketball team and the Chicago Blackhawks NHL team.
This list would not be complete without mentioning the Big Apple. New York is quite possibly the coolest city in America. New York such an international city and a cultural melting pot, so you won’t get as much as the “Americana” feel, but it’s a city everyone should experience at least once. There are so many great neighborhoods in New York: from Chinatown to Little Italy, and all of the outer boroughs that are often overlooked by tourists.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, or the Met, is probably one of the top three art museums in the world. The food and culture in New York are amazing, and you can get pretty much any cuisine you want, anytime you want. There are so many iconic experiences in New York: from Broadway Plays to the Statue of Liberty to a stroll in Central Park.
Boston is another of my favorite cities in the United States. It’s one of the birthplaces of the country, and there is so much history to explore in Boston. The Freedom Trail is a great place to start your Boston vacation; this 4-kilometer walk takes you around the city to various points of interest. Once you’ve explored the city, you can head out to the harbor islands and check out the seaside a bit. If you are interested in history, you’ll love visiting Boston. It has some of the oldest buildings and business in the country, including the Union Oyster House, the oldest continuously-running restaurant in the country. Bell In Hand is the country’s oldest continuously-operating tavern, and the Omni Parker House is the longest continuously operating hotel in the United States.
You can’t come to the United States without visiting the capital city. There are so many cool government monuments in DC, including the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. The museums in Washington DC are first-class. The Smithsonian Institution comprises 17 museums and galleries, including the National Zoo, the National Portrait Gallery, the American Indian Museum and the Museum of American History.
Georgetown is a great neighborhood for eating and drinking in Washington DC. I would argue that Washington DC has the best public transportation system in the United States. It’s so easy to use, it will take you anywhere, and it’s very clean.
Now, Charleston is smaller than the other cities on this list, but I think it really represents the South, which is a unique culture to experience. Charleston is one of the best southern cities to visit. You can go to the Battery and see historic homes and streets lined with ancient oak trees. They also have a really great aquarium in Charleston; our kids love it. Of course, you can also get your fill of delicious Southern food here in Charleston!
If you want to know where all the beautiful people are, head to Miami. Specifically, South Beach. It’s not great for the ego, but Miami is an amazing city with fierce Latin vibes. The beaches are fantastic, there’s a great Art Deco district, and Little Havana is the hub of Cuban culture in Miami. Miami nightlife is pretty legendary and as an international melting pot, you can get some amazing food in Miami, too.
Another unique American city is New Orleans. The French Quarter is the main destination for tourists visiting New Orleans. Whether you visit for Mardi Gras or any other time of year, Bourbon Street and the French Quarter is where to find New Orleans nightlife. New Orleans does have a distinctly European feel, and even the food and local dialect have a lot in common with the French. New Orleans also has a lot of history and cool architecture, but its reputation as a party town is well-deserved.
Texas has some really great cities. Austin, Dallas, and Houston are all cool places to go in Texas. But our favorite is San Antonio. Between the Alamo and the Riverwalk and the Icehouses where you can get a cold beer, San Antonio is just a great city to visit. San Antonio also has some of the best Tex-Mex food in the States, so you’ll eat really well in San Antonio. Add to all of this the friendly locals, and I think San Antonio is well worth your time.
San Francisco is one of the most beautiful cities in the USA. Starting with the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, to the most famous prison in the world, Alcatraz. Fisherman’s Wharf is the tourist hub of the city, but still worth visiting, especially if you’re in San Francisco with kids. San Francisco has one of the best Chinatown districts, with amazing food. Of course, you can’t miss out on Haight Ashbury and a ride on the famous cable cars. San Francisco is totally unlike any other city in the US, so you really should see it for yourself.
For being in the same state, Los Angeles and San Francisco are totally different, which is why they are both on this list. Now, it’s not necessarily one of our favorite places to go, but you can’t argue the icon status of Los Angeles. There are so many cool things to see in Los Angeles, and you will sometimes feel like you are in a movie because some locations have been featured so many times. A lot of LA tours and attractions can be on the cheesy side, but if you love movies and TV, you’ll love LA! If you want beaches and an urban environment, Los Angeles has both. From a scenery perspective, the Los Angeles area is one of the most beautiful cities in the USA.
I think these are great cities where you can really go and get a good sense of American culture. They are not listed in any kind of order because I love them all. Each of them gives you a unique perspective on American culture and cuisine. Don’t try to see all of these in one trip! Make sure you pick a region and start exploring at your own pace. If you want more tips on travel in the United States, check out some of our other blog posts:
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about my list of the best southern cities to visit in the United States. We’ll leave out Texas and Florida because those states have enough cool destinations to fill a whole blog post. So, these are some of our favorite destinations in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama.
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia is an amazing city full of parks, squares, and historic homes. Savannah is home to one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the US, with over a million spectators. The liquor laws are pretty relaxed, so you can enjoy a cocktail as you stroll around town enjoying historic downtown Savannah. With old trees dripping with Spanish moss, you really feel like you’re in the Deep South when you visit Savannah, Georgia. Savannah is definitely one of the best places to visit in the South.
Those southern belles.
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is just two hours from Savannah and is another fantastic Southern city full of history and charm. The historic district is lined with cobblestone streets and charming historic buildings. The Antebellum homes are beautiful, and you can even tour some of them to get a feel for what Charleston was like in the 19th century. They also have a really great aquarium in Charleston; our kids love it. Of course, you can also get your fill of delicious Southern food here in Charleston!
Another one of the best cities in the South to visit is New Orleans. The French Quarter is the main destination for tourists visiting New Orleans. Whether you visit for Mardi Gras or any other time of year, Bourbon Street and the French Quarter is where to find New Orleans nightlife. New Orleans is more than just a party city, though; New Orleans has a distinctly European feel. Even the food and local dialect have a lot in common with the French. You can take a riverboat tour or visit the Voodoo Museum, and make sure you don’t miss the famous New Orleans cemeteries with the above-ground tombs.
Natchez, Mississippi is a historic southern town that sits on the Mississippi River. Natchez is best known for having several Antebellum mansions overlooking the river. Natchez is the oldest city along the Mississippi River and years of preservation efforts have earned the town the designation of a Preserve America Community. When you visit Natchez, you can tour some of the historic homes, drive the Natchez Trace Parkway, or visit the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians, which features three ceremonial mounds and a reconstructed Natchez house.
We’ve been going down south for some time.
Helen, Georgia
For a taste of Bavaria in the South, check out Helen, Georgia. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Helen features half-timbered houses just like those you’d expect to see in Germany. Not only does the town have lots of fun shops and restaurants, but the location is also perfect for outdoor adventures. You can go river tubing, zip-lining, hiking, and swimming in the nearby Chattahoochee National Forest.
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the heart and soul of country music. Even if you don’t love country music, you will love Nashville. There’s live music pouring out of nearly every bar in downtown Nashville. Outside of the legendary nightlife, Nashville is quite a booming metropolis. They’ve got some great museums, a nice riverwalk and of course, the Grand Old Opry. For my fellow ‘70s and ‘80s kids, there’s also an entire museum about the Dukes of Hazzard.
Outer Banks, North Carolina
Heading back to the coast, the Outer Banks of North Carolina are a great family destination in the south. These barrier islands sit off the coast of North Carolina, with fun little beach towns up and down the whole area. The Outer Banks is really a beach destination; it’s a great place to take the kids on summer break and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of the beach towns. Besides the beaches, there are also some cool lighthouses to check out when you visit the Outer Banks.
The South is a lot more than you expect.
Memphis, Tennessee
If Nashville is the home to country music, Memphis is home to the blues and rock and roll. Music is everywhere in Memphis, and Beale Street is the main destination for live music in Memphis. If you’re an Elvis fan, you’ve probably already been to Memphis, where you can tour Graceland, his home in Memphis. Memphis has great museums, including the Civil Rights Museum. Memphis is also famous for BBQ, and they have some of the best restaurants for BBQ ribs and good Southern food.
The Great Smoky Mountains
Over on the Tennessee and North Carolina border, you have the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Smoky Mountains and the town of Asheville, North Carolina. The mountains in this region are unbelievable. There several scenic drives you can take for breathtaking views of the area, Asheville is a funky little Southern town, with the Biltmore Estate, and the downtown area with its distinct hippy vibe.
Atlanta, Georgia
For a more urban destination in the south, check out Atlanta, Georgia. Atlanta has a lot of great attractions, including the aquarium and several great museums. If you want to experience Southern culture in the context of a big city, Atlanta is really fun to visit. I just don’t recommend driving in Atlanta; their traffic is legendary.
If you’re looking for a more relaxed vacation on the beach, check out Gulf Shores, Alabama. It’s a great family destination with nice beaches where you can kick back and relax. Other great beach destinations in the South include Hilton Head Island, Myrtle Beach, and dozens of others.
Fun times in Savannah.
I think these are great southern cities where you can really go and get a good sense of Southern culture. They are not listed in any kind of order because I love them all. It’s hard to narrow down the list; we also love Hot Springs Arkansas, Oxford Mississippi are a few more worth your time. Don’t try to see all of these in one trip! Make sure you pick a spot and start exploring at your own pace. If you want more tips on travel in the United States, check out some of our other blog posts:
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do when you visit New England. New England is gorgeous, with so many cute towns and scenic landscapes.
While many travel blogs will tell you the best things to do in New England, we want to be sure you know about the things you should NOT do when you visit New England.
Don’t Be Put Off by The New England Shield
If you’re not from New England, you’ll notice a distinct “shield” from the locals. The locals are actually super friendly and helpful, but they do have a bit of a shield you have to break through first. They are happy to recommend a restaurant or destination, but they probably won’t invite you to their home right away.
Don’t Go Crazy Driving I-95
Driving through New England, especially the cities can be a nerve-wracking experience. I-95 is the interstate that runs up and down the East Coast. You might think that you can take the backroads and leave the interstate behind. While you will see more of the New England towns this way, you’ll still have a lot of traffic to deal with, especially on weekends. (There’s a reason they call Massachusetts drivers Mass-holes…don’t let them get to you!)
Chain hotels can be good for some trips, but the best places to visit in New England are the small towns. These towns tend to have more charming inns and bed-and-breakfasts, and it would be a shame to miss out on that experience. Even the roadside motels are fun; a throwback to the 1950s. If you can find a seaside cottage, you’ll be glad you did.
So much to enjoy in New England.
Don’t Forget to Book Ahead
New England accommodations fill up early, especially during the leaf-peeping season in the fall. If you follow our advice and stay in the quaint inns or cottages, you’ll need to reserve them well in advance of your New England trips. July and August get pretty busy as well, especially for the weekends. Remember, there are some big cities in New England, so you have a lot of local residents heading out to the seaside for weekend getaways.
Don’t Expect Consistent Cell Service
Of course, you’ll have good service in the larger cities, but as you drive through New England, you will likely have spotty service along the way. Some of the sparsely populated areas like Vermont have very few residents. If you are relying on your cell phone for navigation, make sure you download some offline maps before you leave the city. Better yet, pick up a road atlas or a state map at the visitor’s center when you cross each state line.
There are so many awesome beers to sample in New England. Vermont and Connecticut have some of the best beers I’ve had in the United States. Vermont beer isn’t widely exported, so I make sure I take advantage of trying all of them when I visit Vermont. (Don’t expect to buy alcohol everywhere; many states have state-run liquor stores with limited hours, and many are closed on Sundays.)
You can’t go wrong with the food (or the beer)
Don’t Forget to Try the Local Specialties
Every area of New England has its own local specialty. Lobster rolls are probably the most ubiquitous New England food, as well as clam chowder, of course. Some of the best lobster rolls are found at the little unassuming roadside stands along the back roads of New England. Oysters, whoopie pies, Necco wafers, Boston cream pies, and Boston baked beans are other New England specialties. Flavored seltzer water is really popular, too. If you aren’t sure what the local specialty is, ask your server.
Also, don’t be too proud to wear a bib when you eat lobster!
Don’t Expect to See a Lot of Chain Restaurants
As you travel through New England, you’ll notice far fewer fast-food chains like McDonald’s and Wendy’s. There are way more mom-and-pop places, which is a great way to experience local cuisine.
Don’t Expect to Hear the Hard-Core New England Accent
One surprise for a lot of New England visitors is how much that legendary accent seems to be dying off. New England is a bit of a melting pot, so there are lots of accents and dialects, but the typical New England accent isn’t as widespread as you might think. However, you will hear some New England slang that you might not understand. For example, a milkshake is just milk with a flavor stirred in, not an ice cream drink.
This is a happy traveler.
Don’t Diss the Local Sports Teams
New England sports fans are pretty hardcore, especially in Boston and New York. The Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, and the New York Yankees are the hometown teams and you’ll see memorabilia all over the place.
Don’t Think That New York is New England
Although New York is on the upper East Coast, it’s not really part of New England. New England is Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine. That doesn’t mean you won’t see a ton of New Yorkers in New England. You’ll see a lot of New York license plates as New England is a great weekend getaway from New York.
Don’t Visit in Winter (Or Don’t Complain if You Do!)
If you decide to visit New England in winter, don’t complain about the weather! It’s cold and it snows. A lot. It’s a really fun experience to be in a Nor’easter with tons of snow, but don’t plan on going anywhere for a while.
New England trips are perfect for all kinds of travelers. Whether you visit New England with kids, as a solo traveler or as a couple, you’ll find so many great things to do in New England. Just remember what NOT to do on a visit to New England! Looking for more tips on travel in the USA? Check out these blog posts!
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about St. Louis, Missouri! St. Louis is on my list of top ten cities in the Midwest because it’s a great family destination, whether you’re looking for a quick weekend getaway from Chicago or want to spend a full week exploring the Gateway City. As much as I enjoy visiting St. Louis, there are also some things that I don’t love about it. So, today, I’m sharing the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate, about St. Louis, Missouri!
Can’t beat the Redbirds & a trip up the Arch.
Love #1: Friendly Locals
The Midwest is known for having friendly people, and St. Louis is no exception. Locals in St. Louis are happy to give you directions, recommend their favorite restaurants, and tell you all about their favorite places to visit in St. Louis.
When you visit St. Louis, you’ll probably stay downtown to be near the St. Louis tourist attractions. But once the sun goes down, there isn’t much to do in St. Louis. It is getting better, but unless there’s a baseball game at Busch Stadium, downtown St. Louis is pretty quiet at night. It can even be a bit unsettling if you’re out walking around at night.
Long time ago. Look at that only partially bald head.
Love #2:Easy Access
Although St. Louis is really a driving city, they do make it easy to get around. There are lots of highways to help you get around the city.
Hate #2: Driving in St. Louis
You will likely have to do some driving while you’re in St. Louis, and that means dealing with bad drivers and lots of traffic at certain times of the day. This is one reason we try to choose a St. Louis hotel that is downtown so we can minimize our driving as much as possible.
Love #3: Cultural Attractions in St. Louis
St. Louis has a lot of great cultural attractions. The St. Louis Art Museum is fantastic. The St. Louis Zoo is amazing, and it’s free. The Arch isn’t just a cool sculpture, it’s a great lesson in American history where you can learn why St. Louis was called the Gateway to the West.
Still one of the best zoos in the US, and it’s free!
Hate #3: Limited Public Transportation
Like many US cities, St. Louis does not have a great public transportation system, which is why you end up driving a lot of places. There is a light rail system that serves the downtown area, and a train that will take you to the casinos in Illinois, but to reach most St. Louis tourist attractions outside of downtown, you’ll need to drive.
Not all of the St. Louis suburbs have that suburban feel; many of them feel like their own small town. Towns like Kirkwood give you that small-town feel and you’re just outside of a major metropolitan area. This really gives you the best of both worlds when you visit St. Louis. Each town around St. Louis has its own charm and character, so it’s fun to visit a few of them.
Hate #4: Summer Weather in St. Louis
Like much of the Midwest, St. Louis gets really hot and humid in the summer. It can really put a damper on your sightseeing, as the humidity can just suck the energy right out of you. Late spring and early fall are the best times to visit St. Louis.
Love #5: Proximity of Downtown Attractions
Although a lot of St. Louis tourist attractions are located in the suburbs, the downtown attractions are nearby one another. The City Garden, the old State Capitol, and the St. Louis Gateway Arch are all within walking distance of one another. Busch Stadium is also downtown, so you can walk from the baseball game back to your hotel.
Hate #5: Distance Between St. Louis Tourist Attractions
While the downtown attractions are nearby, many of the attractions are out in the suburbs. . St. Louis feels more suburban, with everything spread out, and many of the best St. Louis tourist attractions are not located downtown. You’ll have to travel out to Forest Park to visit the St. Louis Art Museum.
With so many fun things to do in St. Louis, it’s a great family vacation destination, especially for those of us who live in the Midwest and can easily reach St. Louis for a weekend getaway. Want more of our USA travel tips? Check out some of these other blog posts:
Hey
there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about travel to Rwanda in East
Africa. When we set off on our Rwanda vacation, the biggest question you all
had for us was about safety. Everyone wanted to know if it is safe to visit
Rwanda. Most people think of the 1994 genocide when Rwanda is mentioned, so
it’s not a place with positive associations for many people. So, today, we’re
addressing safety concerns and giving your our Rwanda safety tips.
Is
Kigali Safe?
We visited the capital city of Rwanda and
found it to be very safe. People are out strolling the streets day and night.
We visited some shopping malls and never felt unsafe. I never felt like I had
to worry about my backpack or my pockets when we visited Kigali.
Rwanda is known as the country of 1000 hills,
so there are a lot of winding roads and there are a lot of distractions. It’s
best to leave the driving to others. Even as a passenger, there are some safety
tips you should heed:
Always wear your seatbelt
Bring motion sickness pills if you
are prone to motion sickness
Brace yourself for speed bumps;
they’re big!
Don’t leave valuables in your car
when you get out
Yes, you can visit Rwanda and be safe as a tourist.
Are the
Moto-Taxis Safe?
Chances are, you will take a moto-taxi during
your visit to Rwanda. It’s a motorcycle taxi, and the law requires that they
have a helmet to provide to their passengers. They might seem scary, but it’s
all part of the experience. The moto-taxis in Rwanda really come in handy and
they do a pretty good job of following the traffic rules and keeping you safe.
What
About All the Guys With Guns?
Yes, you will see police or security guards
who appear to be heavily armed. They may even do a sweep under your car. It’s
really just standard security procedures, it’s nothing to be alarmed by.
Similarly, some of the malls may employ metal detectors upon entry. While it
may make you uneasy, it’s actually a sign that they take safety and security
very seriously in Rwanda.
Is it
Safe to Visit the Gorillas of Rwanda?
One of the major reasons people visit Rwanda
is to see the mountain gorillas. It’s actually pretty safe to be around the
gorillas, provided you follow the rules from your guide. For example, flash
photography is not allowed around the gorillas. Make sure you wear the right
clothes, including long sleeves, long pants, and good hiking boots. (Save the
safari clothes for when you’re actually on safari!)
Caleb loved going out and playing soccer with the local kids.
Are
There Any Health Concerns on a Trip to Rwanda?
Rwanda is close to the equator, and you’ll
spend a lot of time in the rainforest. So, be prepared with lots of bug spray
and sun protection. A wide-brimmed hat will do a lot to protect you from the
sun. You can even buy clothing that is pre-treated for bugs and sun protection.
As far as vaccines for Rwanda, see your travel health professional for the
latest recommendations. Whether or not you will need additional vaccines to
visit Rwanda will depend largely on the activities you have planned during your
Rwanda vacation.
We decided to take anti-malaria pills for our
trip. The key, though, is to see a doctor first, and you have to start taking
them before your trip. I do not recommend taking these on an empty stomach!
Can I
Drink the Water in Rwanda?
No! Do not drink the water in Rwanda. Do not
even brush your teeth with the water in Rwanda. Bottled water is readily
available and plentiful wherever you go.
It’s safe to eat most of the food in Rwanda,
especially if it is cooked. If you’re a vegetarian, you will be pleasantly
surprised by all of the non-meat-based dishes in Rwanda. There are a lot of
vegetables to eat. Regardless, you still might experience some tummy troubles,
so always be prepared with a few medications to help any digestive issues you
experience.
If your guide warns you about trying too much
of the local hot sauce, listen to them! They do like their spicy foods in
Rwanda!
What
Are Rwanda Hotels Like?
Rwanda accommodations vary quite a bit. You
can find every range of accommodation in Kigali. In the mountains, you will
likely stay at some type of lodge. They are safe, but they do typically have
armed security guards at the entrance.
In your hotel room, we always recommend using
the room safe to lock up any valuables you might have, including passports and
electronics. You can also put things in your suitcase and lock up your suitcase
while you are away from your room.
Do I
Need Cash in Rwanda?
Yes, cash is king in Rwanda, and you won’t
find many places that accept credit cards. They will accept US Dollars if you
have them, or the Rwandan Franc. There aren’t a lot of ATMs in Rwanda, so
you’ll probably have a lot of cash on you when you arrive. Make sure you split
it up and don’t keep it all in one place.
Seriously, one of our most amazing family adventures was in Rwanda
We loved
our time in Rwanda, and we never felt uncomfortable during our visit. We
brought our parents and our kids to Rwanda because we were confident we would
all be safe. I would even dare to say that Rwanda is one of the safest
countries in Africa to visit. Obviously, trouble can and does happen in any
country in the world, but using these travel safety tips will go a long way. If
you want more tips on family travel, check out some of our other blog posts:
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