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 what NOT to do when you visit any of the
National Park Service sites in the USA. While many travel blogs will tell you the best things to do in
the National Parks and Monuments, we want to be sure you know about the things
you should NOT do when you visit a National Park!
Don’t
Be Disrespectful
Treat the National Park and National Monuments
with care and conservation. This includes obvious things like not littering or
not adding graffiti. But it also includes less obvious things like staying on
the trails. Stepping off-trail might not seem like a big deal, but if everyone
does it, it can start to cause erosion. A lot of the National Park rules are
for your own safety.
Don’t
Mess with the Animals
At least once a year, we hear about tourists
having an unpleasant encounter with buffalo or elk at places like Yellowstone
National Park. Even the cutest little chipmunks can carry diseases and they
will bite you. Don’t feed animals in the national parks, and follow all park
rules for maintaining an appropriate distance.
Don’t skip out on the national park service sights. They are outstanding.
Don’t
Forget a First Aid Kit
We always have a small First Aid kit on hand
when we’re out traveling. It doesn’t have to be anything major. Ours is a small
Ziploc bag with some Neosporin, bandages, sunscreen and bug spray. If you’re in
the desert, tweezers are great for removing cactus spines.
Sunscreen is a must for nearly any travel
destination. Besides putting sunscreen on, you can also protect your skin with
a hat and long sleeves that cover your arms. There are lots of hiking clothes
now that are lightweight to keep you cool, but they protect your skin. Some
even block UV rays. Nearly every NPS site has a National Park Service store
that sells hats and hiking supplies, as well as some cool souvenirs to take
home.
Don’t
Get Dehydrated
Make sure you are drinking lots of water when
you are touring the National Parks. Many are in a dry climate or higher
elevation and you’ll need a lot of water to stay hydrated. The best way to do
this is to carry a refillable water bottle everywhere you go. This helps reduce
the plastic going into our landfills, but also saves you money as you’re not
buying bottled water everywhere you go. Most National Park sites have bottle
filling stations at the visitor center.
Don’t
Count on Cell Phone Service
Depending on your provider and what National
Park you are in, you may not have cell phone service. Many National Park
visitor centers will have WiFi, but once you set off for a hike, you will
quickly lose your signal. This even applies while driving; just because you’re
on a paved road does not mean you will have cell service. That’s why a paper
map or road atlas is one of our road trip essentials.
If you are visiting National Parks with kids,
make sure you check out the Junior Ranger program. It’s a fun way to get the
kids excited about visiting the national parks and monuments. With the junior
ranger program, it’s easy to make learning fun!
National Park service
Don’t
Miss Out on Other Programs for All Ages
The National Park sites have programs for all
ages. Whether it’s guided hikes, interpretive reenactments or stargazing
programs, there’s always something going on at the National Parks.
Don’t
Forget Your National Parks Passport
You can buy a passport at any of the National
Park stores and then get stamps at every site you visit. This is especially fun
for kids, but adults can collect the stamps, too. With over 400 National Park
sites in the US, that’s a lot of stamps you can collect!
Don’t
Forget to Dress in Layers
If you’re going to be hiking in National
Parks, it’s important to dress in layers. Mornings usually start off pretty
cool, but the sun can get hot very quickly. Layers are great as you can easily
add and remove them when you get too hot or too cold. It’s always a good
practice to have warm clothes just in case you end up not getting back before
dark.
Don’t
Bring Your Drones
Drones are prohibited at National Parks and
National Park sites. Drones can be very annoying to other visitors who are out
to enjoy nature and they can disturb wildlife as well.
Grant and Bonnie are high school teachers who
spend most of their vacation time touring the Nationals Parks and camping in
their RV. We asked them for some of their “don’ts” for visiting National Parks.
Don’t
Forget About all the National Park Sites
There are currently 61 designated National
Parks. However, there are over 400 sites managed by the National Park Service.
These include National Monuments, National Lakeshores, National Historical
Parks, National Military Parks, and National Battlefields.
Don’t
Forget to Make Reservations
If you are planning to stay overnight in the
national parks, you must have reservations well in advance. There are a few
park campgrounds that are first-come, first-served, but a lot of campgrounds
and lodging choices book up months in advance, especially in high season. Even
some tours or trails require advance reservations or permits.
Don’t
Expect a Lot of Amenities at National Park Campgrounds
Campgrounds at most National Parks are quite
sparse. They will usually have bathrooms, but sometimes that’s just a vault
toilet. Most campgrounds do not have the luxurious hot showers and running
water you would expect at a state park or a private campground.
Don’t
Forget to Check the Food Storage Requirements
Food storage requirements vary by location. If
you are in an area with bears, requirements will be very strict, especially if
you’re in an area with grizzly bears. Some areas do not even allow soft-shell
campers as bears can get inside for food. If a campsite provides a bear box for
your food, make sure you put everything in there, including scented non-food
items like toothpaste or deodorant.
Don’t
Ignore Warning Signs
Warning signs are there for a reason, so don’t
ignore them. Some of the warning signs may be over the top, but there’s usually
an incident that prompted the sign. We’ve all heard about the tourists at
Yellowstone who don’t stay on the boardwalk and fall into a boiling geyser. If
there’s a warning sign, heed the warning, even if it seems silly. They are
there to keep you safe!
Family time is National Park Service Time.
Don’t
Skip the Visitor Center
Chances are, you’re excited to get to a
national park and see the big sites. But don’t pass right by the Visitor
Center. This should be your first stop at the park. Besides paying your entry
fee, you can learn a lot about the park at the visitor center. You can get a
park map and also talk to the rangers about trail conditions, road conditions,
or just to answer any questions you might have.
Don’t
Gripe About the Fees
Yes, the National Parks are taxpayer-funded,
and a lot of people take issue with paying entrance fees to access public
lands. The National Parks are woefully underfunded, and the small sliver of
your tax dollars that go to the NPS does not even cover the cost of your visit
to one park. If you’re going to visit a lot of National Parks, the annual pass
is a great deal. Senior Citizens can get a lifetime pass for the bargain price
of $80. If you have a child in 4th Grade, your whole family can get in free for
the duration of the school year.
Don’t
Stay in Your Car
The National Parks have a lot of beautiful
scenic drives and you can see a lot from your car. But once you get out of your
car and start hiking, you’ll see so much more. The majority of National Parks
visitors do not get out of their cars or do not go beyond the scenic
viewpoints. If the park feels crowded to you, all you have to do is hike a
couple of miles in and you’ll feel like you have the park to yourself.
Thanks
to our friends Bonnie and Grant from Our Wanderfilled Life for their National Park camping tips! With over 400 National Park
sites to choose from, we hope you’ll get out and explore some of these special
places. Just remember what NOT to do on a visit to a National Park! Looking for
more tips on travel in the USA? Check out these blog posts!
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we visit Las Vegas, Nevada! It’s a unique city that everyone should visit at least once in their life. As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll when you visit Las Vegas.
Hate
#1: Las Vegas Taxis
Taxi prices in Las Vegas are astronomical. You
can expect to pay at least $40 to get from the airport to the Strip. It’s also
about $20 to go from the Strip to downtown Las Vegas. If you do take a taxi in
Las Vegas, ask them to take the local route from the airport, not the highway.
It will save you time and money. The airport is practically at the end of the
Strip, yet most taxi drivers will take you the long (expensive) way to your
hotel. Uber and Lyft are also available in Vegas, so check those prices as
well.
Don’ts let the glitz trick you. Vegas has a lot to offer.
Hate
#2: Prices in Vegas
Las Vegas used to be a cheap destination, with
low hotel rates to lure gamblers in. That’s not the case anymore, as it’s
become an international destination. Hotels and restaurants are expensive. If
you aren’t gambling and you order drinks, they are pretty expensive as well.
Sure, there are budget-friendly options in Vegas, but be careful when choosing
a budget hotel and make sure you carefully check the location and traveler
reviews. It won’t do you any good to save money on a hotel if you then have to
take a taxi to the Strip every day. (Also: watch out for those resort fees that
are mandatory but not shown in your hotel rate!)
This can be a love or hate, but there are some
crazy people in Las Vegas. There’s just crazy/eccentric and then there are the
crazy/drunk people in Vegas. The whole atmosphere is unlike any other
destination in the world. You can drink on the street, so you see a LOT of
drunk people running around. It’s a popular bachelor/bachelorette destination
and there’s a lot of people trying to relive the Hangover movies. If you are
visiting Vegas with kids, beware of the peddlers on the street handing out
cards – they’re for escort services, and the photos are most definitely not
family-friendly!
Smoking has been banned practically everywhere
in the United States, so most of us are not used to dealing with cigarette
smoke indoors. Vegas is the lone holdout and still allows smoking in casinos,
strip clubs, brothels, and bars. If you don’t like smoking, you have to seek
out a non-smoking area. Don’t bother to complain about it as that’s a good way
to get into a fight. When you book your Las Vegas hotel, be sure to ask for a
non-smoking hotel room.
Hate
#5: Summer in Las Vegas
Vegas may have a “dry heat” since it’s in the
desert, but even a dry heat can be oppressive when temperatures go over
100-degrees. You have to really stay hydrated, especially if you visit Las
Vegas in the summer. The nights still cool down considerably, so you’ll need
layers if you plan to go out at night. Summer is probably the worst time to
visit Vegas, but you can also score some hotel deals if you do visit in the
summer.
Of course you have to get a picture with the Las Vegas sign!
Love
#1: People Watching Along the Strip
One of the best things to do in Vegas is to
sit back and watch all of the interesting people along the Strip. You’ll see a
lot of street performers and people dressed up as characters. If you want a
photo of them or with them, you’ll be expected to pay them. Then there are the
different tourists to watch and the local “street workers.” It’s just a really
interesting environment.
Love
#2: Vegas Never Sleeps
There is no last call in Las Vegas; it’s
really a 24/7 city. You’ll see grandmas at the slot machine at 4 am and people
knocking back shots at 8 am. You can do
almost anything you want in Las Vegas: hang out with Elvis, rent a luxury
sports car, have steak for breakfast or waffles for dinner! There are no clocks
or windows in the casinos, so they make it very hard to know what time it is.
Make sure you don’t get burned out and build some downtime into your Las Vegas
itinerary. (Or at least plan a recovery day at home before you go back to
work!)
Love
#3: Las Vegas Restaurants
Food is such an essential experience of
traveling and Vegas is no exception! The food in Vegas is amazing. You can hit
a dozen all-you-can-eat buffets or one of 12 Michelin-star restaurants in Las
Vegas. You can get fabulous food in Las Vegas at all hours of the day and
night. Skip the fast food in Vegas, take advantage of the amazing dining
opportunities and try something new.
Love
#4: Free Drinks!
No, it’s not an urban legend. You really can
drink for free in Las Vegas…if you’re gambling. Now, if you’re at a nightclub
or a bar or restaurant, you will have to pay (a lot) for your drinks. But once
you are in the casino, if you are gambling, you can get free alcoholic
beverages. You can even be at the penny slots, but make sure you are tipping
the waitress, which will ensure she comes back around quickly.
Theme hotels everywhere, but worth stopping in.
Love
#5: Other Things to Do in Vegas
Besides gambling, there are so many cool
things to do in Vegas. There are museums in Vegas, like the Mob Museum or the
Neon Sign Museum. The Fremont Street Experience is a cool light show. There’s
awesome hiking right outside Vegas at Mt Charleston and Red Rock Canyon. You
can even take day trips from Las Vegas to see the Grand Canyon or Hoover Dam.
Then there are the shows in Vegas: Circus Circus is always popular, and many
performers like Britney Spears, Celine Dion and Cher have ongoing residencies
in Las Vegas. When you are planning your Las Vegas itinerary, make sure you
leave room for some of the cool day trips from Las Vegas!
Las
Vegas is a really interesting city, no matter what kind of travel you prefer.
The “hates” are really just things to have a heads up on rather than a reason
not to plan a Las Vegas vacation. Want more tips for traveling in the United
States? Check out these other blog posts:
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we visit the American Midwest! This includes the states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, Missouri, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota. I was born and raised in the Midwest, and even though I travel all over the world frequently, it’s still the place I call home. As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate on your Midwest vacations.
The best and worst of visiting the Midwest
Hate
#1: Vast Distances
The Midwest is the breadbasket of America, so
there are wide open spaces for miles and miles. The distances between major
cities in the Midwest are pretty great. From St. Louis to Chicago, it takes
about five hours to drive. From Chicago to the Black Hills of South Dakota, it takes
14 hours to drive. This is true of most of the United States, but in the
Midwest, you are driving through a lot of cornfields and wheat fields, which
can make the drive seem longer.
The Midwest has some of the friendliest people
in the United States. People in the Midwest are genuine and honest; they won’t
sugarcoat anything like people in the South, but they aren’t rude like the
people of the Northeast. As you travel the Midwest, you’ll be treated really
well and there’s little risk of being ripped off, with the exception of a large
Midwest city like Chicago.
Hate
#2: Midwest Weather
Weather in the Midwest ranges from one extreme
to another. Summer temperatures can climb to 100-degrees with high humidity.
Along with mosquitos, the heat and humidity can make summers in the Midwest
very uncomfortable. Fortunately, the extreme heat is not persistent for more
than a few days at a time. Midwest winters are legendary, with temperatures
frequently dipping below zero degrees, plus wind, snow, and gray days. The
Great Lakes are famous for producing “lake effect” snow which can easily reach
a couple of feet deep in one storm.
Love
#2: Four Distinct Seasons
While the weather in the Midwest can be
extreme, you do have four distinct seasons, which is really nice to experience.
Summers are warm with long days, autumn brings colorful leaves changing, with
warm days and cool nights. Winter can be magical if you have the right clothing
to get outside and enjoy the snow. And spring brings more color with blooming
flowers and trees.
Showing my buddies the Bean in Chicago.
Hate
#3: Missing Out on Midwest Charm
Unless you know someone locally, chances are
you are going to miss out on a lot of the charming small towns that really set
the Midwest apart from other regions. It’s easy to visit the big cities like
Chicago, St. Louis or Minneapolis, but most visitors wouldn’t know to visit a
town like Quincy, Illinois. These quaint little towns are often left out of
travel guides, so if you know someone from the Midwest, ask them about some of
the lesser-known destinations in the Midwest states.
Love
#3: Quaint Small Towns
Besides the great cities of the Midwest, some
of the best places to visit in the Midwest are the small towns. My hometown of
Quincy, Illinois is the perfect example of a charming town that is off the
beaten path. These towns are all over the Midwest and give you a glimpse of
what America used to be. Many still have a town square in the center, with
local businesses around the square. You won’t find these towns if you travel
exclusively by Interstate, so you’ll have to take some two-lane highways that pass
through these towns.
Most travelers visit the Midwest states in the
summer when the weather is pleasant, but that’s also prime mosquito season.
Several of the Midwest states claim the state bird is the mosquito. Mosquitos
hatch near wet areas in the spring and live through summer, so make sure you
are carrying bug spray if you plan to spend any time outdoors in the Midwest
during spring and summer.
Love
#4: Midwest Food
Food in the Midwest is very hearty, with items
like steak, potatoes, fried chicken and apple pie. Fresh farm fruits and
vegetables feature heavily on Midwest menus in the summertime, while stews and
soups are perfect for cold winter days. When summer arrives in the Midwest,
everyone is all about grilling outside, so if you are invited to a Midwest
cookout, don’t pass up the opportunity!
some fun Christmas markets in the midwest
Hate
#5: Rust Belt Atmosphere
The Midwest used to be the great manufacturing
hub of the United States. Detroit is famous as the home of huge car
manufacturers and factories, while other regions produce farm equipment, and of
course, much farming takes place in the Midwest. As manufacturing moves
overseas, a lot of towns are left in a depressed economic situation. Cities
like Detroit, Cleveland or Gary, Indiana are a shell of what they once were,
and you’ll find some areas that have been completely boarded up and abandoned. Many
Midwest cities are making a comeback, but you will notice a difference in some
areas.
Love
#5: Safety in the Midwest
The Midwest is one of the safest regions of
the United States. There are many small towns where people still don’t lock the
front door of their home. Obviously, it depends on where you are traveling, as
larger cities will always have some neighborhoods to avoid, but in general,
Midwest destinations are quite safe.
Overall,
the Midwest is a really fantastic place to live or travel, with wide-open
spaces, friendly people, history, and comfort food. The “hates” are really just
things to have a heads up on rather than a reason to avoid Midwest travel. Want
more tips for planning a US vacation? Check out some of our other blog posts:
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do when you take a trip to Tampa. While many travel blogs will tell you the best things to see in Tampa, we want to be sure you know about the things you should NOT do during your Tampa vacation!
Don’t
Call it Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is the body of water around Tampa,
and sometimes the region is called Tampa Bay, but the city itself is just
Tampa. Tampa Bay includes St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and other nearby cities.
Don’t
Miss Some of the Best Day Trips from Tampa
Chances are, your Tampa vacation will take you
out of the city of Tampa. There are a lot of great day trips from Tampa, like
Tarpon Springs, or Clearwater. Even Orlando is only about an hour away from
Tampa. Staying in Tampa is a good option if you want to visit Disney but want
to see more of Florida beyond the craziness that is Orlando.
Florida has some great beaches, and that’s
probably part of the reason you’ve planned a trip to Tampa. Tampa does have
some beaches, but the best beaches of Tampa Bay are found in Clearwater and St.
Pete.
Tampa, it’s more than the forgotten big city of Florida.
Don’t
Plan on Public Transportation
Public transportation in Florida is not easy
or convenient. If you fly to your Tampa
vacation, plan on renting a car, as it’s really the only way to get around. You
can use taxis or rideshares, but Tampa is really spread out, so you’ll end up
spending a lot of money to get around if you don’t have a car.
Don’t
Let Your Guard Down While Driving
Florida drivers are notoriously crazy. You’ve
got the snowbirds who plod along at a slow pace, tourists who change lanes
suddenly because they don’t know where they’re going, and then the locals who
are pissed off and just trying to get to work. Use caution when driving, and
never assume you know what the other drivers are going to do. Expect to see a
lot of random, sudden U-turns, too.
Don’t
Forget Your Traffic Apps
Along with crazy driving comes crazy traffic.
Because Tampa is so spread out, you’ll be spending a lot of time driving, and
Tampa traffic can be frustrating. We always use Waze or Google Maps to
determine the best way to get from Point A to Point B and if you’re driving in
Tampa, this can really save you a lot of time.
Don’t
Miss the Things to See in Tampa
While there are many great day trips from
Tampa, there are also a lot of cool things to see in Tampa. They have Busch Gardens,
Dino World, and The Florida Aquarium. If you’re looking for nightlife in Tampa,
Ybor City is a great place to hang out. (It’s ee-bor, not why-bor!) If you
should happen to visit when it’s too rainy or too hot to be outside, Tampa has
some great museums, including the Children’s Museum, The Museum of Science
& Industry, and the Tampa Museum of Art.
Ybor City is the place to go for nightlife in
Tampa. But there are also some really great restaurants in that area. There’s
even a streetcar that will take you from downtown to Ybor City. They have some
of the best Cuban sandwiches you can get in Florida. Don’t know what a Cuban
sandwich is? Ham, pulled pork, pickle, mustard, swiss cheese, and salami! Every
local will tell you their favorite place for a Cuban sandwich, but I think
they’re all pretty good.
Don’t
Skip the Cigar Shops
You’ll see a lot of cigar shops, especially
around Ybor City. Cigar production played a pretty big role in Tampa’s history,
so it’s interesting to stop in and learn a little bit about how cigars are
made.
There is never a lack of things to do in Tampa.
Don’t
Just Jump in the Water
There’s a lot of water around Tampa, and the
heat will make you want to go for a swim. But don’t just jump in the water,
make sure you check first. A lot of the ponds and lakes around Tampa are home
to alligators, so jumping into murky water is a big DON’T when you’re in Tampa.
Don’t
Forget to Check the Beach Flags
Most beaches in the Tampa Bay area have a flag
system that will tell you if it’s safe to go in the water. If the flags say
don’t go in, then don’t ignore those warnings. They are there for a reason, and
the beaches are closely monitored to ensure that everyone is safe.
Don’t
Forget the Bug Spray
With the hot and humid weather, there are a
lot of bugs in Tampa. There’s mosquitos, sand gnats, no-see-ums, and those
infamous Palmetto bugs. Mosquitos and gnats will drive you crazy and bite you.
Palmetto bugs are basically flying cockroaches. This is why a lot of Florida
homes have a huge screen around their patio or the pool. Without bug
protection, it can be hard to enjoy the outdoors in Tampa.
Don’t
Forget the Sunblock
No matter when you visit Tampa, you will need
sunscreen. Warm weather and sunny days are a big reason that Tampa is such a
popular travel destination, but a bad sunburn can ruin your Tampa vacation
really quickly! Sunscreen isn’t just for the beach; make sure you put some on
no matter what you’re doing in Tampa.
Don’t
Forget to Bring Good Walking Shoes
You will likely spend a lot of time walking in
Tampa. Whether you visit Busch Gardens, Ybor City, or any of the Tampa museums,
you want to have some good walking shoes. Bring flip flops for the beach, but
those aren’t going to cut it if you’re doing a lot of walking.
Sizzle, sizzle, put on that sunblock when you head to the great beaches.
Don’t
Forget Hurricane Season
Hurricane season in Florida is from June until
November. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit Tampa in the summer or fall,
just be aware of what’s going on, and have a backup plan if a hurricane should
start to head towards Tampa Bay.
Don’t
Worry About Dressing Up
The beauty of a Tampa vacation is that
everywhere you go is pretty casual. Flip flops go with everything in this beach
town. You can pretty much go straight from beach to dinner and not worry about
getting dressed up.
Tampa is
a great city to visit in Florida. When you do visit Tampa, don’t forget to
explore some of the Tampa Bay region! I hope this helps you know some of the
things to avoid doing on your Tampa vacation. Looking for more tips on visiting
the USA? Check out these blog posts!
Hey there, fellow
travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do when you take a trip to
the South of the USA.
Specifically, we’re talking about the southeast states like Georgia, Louisiana,
South Carolina, and other nearby states. While many travel blogs will
tell you the best things to do in the South, we want to be sure you know about
the things you should NOT do during your Southern vacations!
Don’t
Forget Your Manners
Manners are still a big deal in the South.
Saying “please” and “thank you” or “yes, sir” and “no, ma’am” are all part of
the Southern lexicon. It’s not optional, it’s how you should speak when you’re
in the South. Respect for elders is still very much part of Southern culture,
so expect to hold the door for anyone behind you, and you will give up your
seat when an elderly person comes by, and the list of Southern manners you need
to remember will be long, but don’t worry, the locals will remind you if you
forget one.
Along with manners, most people in the South
are happy and friendly. A smile goes a long way, and when you see everyone else
smiling, you can’t help but smile, too! So don’t think the locals are sizing
you up or think you are silly they are just happy to live in the part of the US
with the best food and friendliest people.
Don’t
Be Surprised if Locals Approach You
People in the South are so friendly that they
think nothing of approaching a stranger on the street and striking up a
conversation. Whether you’re at the grocery store, eating at a restaurant,
shopping at the mall or just out for a walk, you better put on a smile and be
ready to converse with anyone who crosses your path. The best part is they will
be more than glad to help! Which leads into our next don’t…
The South is more than a setting for Forest Gump.
Don’t
Be Shy About Asking for Help
Because the locals are so friendly, there’s no
reason not to ask them for help if you need it. If you get turned around while
exploring a southern town like Savannah, you’ll see that southern hospitality
right away when you ask someone to point you in the right direction. They also
take a lot of pride in their hometowns, so they are usually happy to give
recommendations.
Don’t
Assume a Lack of Intelligence with the Southern Accent
The southern accent has been the butt of a lot
of jokes over the years, but there really is no correlation between
intelligence and an accent. And after you spend some time in the South you will
realize that while you pass time drinking sweet tea shooting the breeze with
some of your new Southern friends.
Don’t
Be Surprised if You Get Some Parenting Help
This goes back to instilling manners at a
young age. If you’re out with your kids and they are acting up, it’s highly
possible that someone else will step in to correct your kid. This may not fly
in other parts of the country, but you can expect it in the South, and you
can’t get worked up about it. They’re not judging you, they’re just trying to
help out. As the old adage goes, It takes a village to raise a child.
Don’t
Melt!
If you visit the South in the summertime,
don’t say I didn’t warn you! July and August are the worst, with oppressive
heat and humidity. Winter is the best time to visit the South, especially if
you live in a cold climate and need to escape. But honestly, your sweat may
sweat if you visit in August.
Don’t
Confuse Coke with Coca-Cola
You might want to order a soda or a pop, but
in the South, they call everything Coke. If they ask “what kind of Coke do you
want?” they mean what kind of soda do you want. So, when a Southerner says
“Coke” they could mean Sprite, Root Beer, Dr. Pepper or even just the “real”
Coke. Best to ask to clarify when you are ordering. This is not as big of a
thing as it used to be, but it is still a good idea to know it might happen.
Don’t
Expect Southerners to be Prompt
If you are making plans in the South, don’t
expect anything to start on time. They are definitely more “laissez-faire” in
the South, especially when it comes to timeliness. If you’re meeting up with
someone, plan a little extra time and don’t sweat it if you’re running late,
too. It’s the Southern way! Besides, it gives you more time to get all fancied
up for when you go out.
University of Georgia Football. Go Dawgs!
Don’t
Expect Unsweetened Tea
In the South, there’s only one kind of tea and
that’s sweet tea. There is no other kind of tea in the South. And sweet tea
isn’t just a bunch of sugar tossed in regular iced tea; it’s a special Southern
thing. Though I should be honest, you can get unsweet tea in the South, but don’t
expect anyone to understand why you would order such a strange unsweetened
concoction.
Don’t
Be on a Diet
Southern cuisine is almost as famous as
southern hospitality, maybe even more so. Health food just isn’t a thing in the
South. Some of the best food in the South includes fried chicken, biscuits,
grits, and barbecue. Don’t forget about Waffle House! And then there are the
decadent desserts of the South, like pecan pie and pralines. We have a video
that goes over some of the best Southern Foods that you should have, so I won’t
make your mouth water twice.
Somehow, BBQ has become synonymous with
grilling, but in the South, these are two very different things. You grill hot
dogs, hamburgers, and steaks. In the South, BBQ involves smoked meat that is
prepared in a smoker for several hours. Along with that, BBQ sauce varies
greatly. Some regions favor a sweet sauce, others prefer a spicy sauce, while
other places go for a dry rub, regardless where you are you will have some fine
BBQ and the locals will swear that their style of BBQ is the best!
Don’t
Assume all Southern States are the Same
The BBQ sauce isn’t the only thing that
changes from state to state. Atlanta, Savannah, Charleston, Memphis, New
Orleans, and the Outer Banks are all great places to visit in the South. All
the southern vacation spots are unique and have something different to offer to
travelers. Just because you’ve been to Nashville doesn’t mean you shouldn’t
visit Memphis. Each city has a different history and vibe, and it’s really cool
to compare and contrast them.
Don’t
Touch the Spanish Moss
One of the cool things you’ll see in areas
like Savannah is the Spanish moss that drapes from the trees. It’s very
tempting to want to touch it and see what it feels like. However, I don’t
recommend that. There are little chiggers in there that will leave your skin
itching for hours. This is really important to mention to your kids if they are
getting tempted by it.
Don’t
Be Surprised If You’re Underdressed
Chances are, you’ll feel underdressed at some
point when you visit the South. You’ll see a gamut of fashion choices in the
South, but they tend to dress up a bit more than you might be used to.
Especially women. You’ll see women wearing high heels at a football game or the
grocery store.
No mater what you are looking for, the South has something for you.
Don’t
Mess with the Mayo
Mayonnaise is a pretty big deal in the South.
Duke’s is the best brand of mayonnaise in the South, followed by Blue Plate.
Leave your Miracle Whip up north! And it may seem like a silly thing, but the
Mayo you use says a lot about your soul… or so says some of my Southern friends.
Don’t
Have Grits Only for Breakfast
Grits are often associated with breakfast, and
it’s a common thing to have for breakfast in the South. Although grits look
like oatmeal or cream of wheat, it’s actually a corn-based food, so it’s
usually served in a savory dish. Shrimp and grits are a really popular lunch or
dinner meal in the South.
Don’t
Miss the Biscuits
You may think all biscuits are the same, but
you would be wrong! Biscuits in the south are so much better than what you’ve
had anywhere else. The flour is different and they are just amazing. See for
yourself! And if biscuits aren’t your thing, you can always get some cornbread.
Don’t
Insult SEC Football
Football, or American Football, is practically
a religion in the South. Don’t knock it, and definitely don’t try to argue that
hockey or basketball is better than football. If you get a chance to go to a
football game in the south, take it! Not only is the game a great experience,
but they take tailgating to a whole new level down south!
The
moral of this story is: Don’t skip out on planning a few southern vacations!
You will fall in love! Friendly people, amazing architecture, fascinating
history, great winter weather, and delicious food. What’s not to love? The
South is one of the most interesting regions of the United States. Looking for
more tips on visiting the USA? Check out these blog posts!
Hey there, fellow
travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do when you take a trip to
Atlanta. While many
travel blogs will tell you the best things to do in Atlanta, we want to be sure
you know about the things you should NOT do during your Atlanta vacation!
Don’t
Just Hang Out Downtown
Downtown Atlanta is cool, and we’ll get to
that. However, there are even more things to do outside of the downtown area of
Atlanta. Midtown is a great place for food and drink, as well as home to the
High Museum of Art. For a more eclectic neighborhood, head to Little Five
Points where you’ll find the Vortex, my favorite bar. The Jimmy Carter
Presidential Library is also in this area. Buckhead is an upper-class
neighborhood with more great shops and restaurants. Make sure you explore some
of these cool Atlanta neighborhoods.
Atlanta is worth a visit or two.
Don’t
Skip Downtown Atlanta
Now that I’ve told you to get out of downtown,
I’m going to recommend you also explore the downtown area of Atlanta. The
Georgia Aquarium is one of the best aquariums in the United States and claims
to be the largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere. At the World of
Coca-Cola, you can learn all about this global brand. The National Center for
Civil and Human Rights is also right downtown, as well as the Centennial
Olympic Park.
Don’t
Drive in Atlanta
With all of the great things to do in Atlanta
and the surrounding areas, you might think it makes sense to rent a car.
Atlanta has some of the worst traffic in the country, so I do not recommend
driving anywhere in or around Atlanta. Drivers are aggressive, and there are
eight lanes of them in each direction. Driving in Atlanta is stressful. Use
Uber or Lyft to get around during your Atlanta trip. We also got a lot of
really useful information from our drivers. Parking is also a huge hassle in
Atlanta, so take my word for it.
Not my best look… but still a cool Mural.
Don’t
Expect MARTA to Be Convenient
Although Atlanta does have a public
transportation system, called MARTA, it’s not the most convenient. This is why
I recommend spending the money to take Uber or Lyft. It’s really designed for
commuters, so the Atlanta tourist attractions aren’t always the easiest to
reach using the public transit system.
If you do happen to drive to Atlanta, make
sure you don’t leave anything valuable in your car. Even something that seems
almost worthless might be enough of a reason for someone to break into your
car. Don’t give them any reason. Car break-ins are pretty common in Atlanta, so
just use caution if you have a car with you.
Don’t
Just Say “Peachtree” When Giving Directions
Peachtree is a district and the name of
several streets in Atlanta, so if you’re going to “Peachtree” be sure you know
which one. There are several Atlanta tourist attractions on Peachtree Street,
so make sure you have a specific address or a cross street!
Don’t
Bring a Belt, Bring Suspenders
The food in Atlanta is so good. From
traditional Southern cuisine to modern, global cuisine. Atlanta is a cultural
melting pot with folks from all over the world. You will eat really well in
Atlanta, so be prepared to gain a bit of weight. Don’t forget to have dessert;
the South is known for its sweet treats!
If you have seasonal allergies and you visit
Atlanta in the Spring, don’t forget your allergy medication! The pollen in
Atlanta can be really bad in the spring, so you want to be prepared for it.
A little something for everyone in Atlanta.
Don’t
Ignore Winter Warnings
Winter is a great time for a trip to Atlanta;
the weather is usually pretty mild. Once in a while, they will have ice or snow
warnings. If you’re from the north or the northeast, you might laugh and ignore
the warnings, but that’s a bad idea. The city just isn’t prepared to handle
these occasional storms, so there aren’t salt trucks lined up to clear the
roads. A little bit of snow or ice can really shut down the city, so heed the
warnings and adjust your travel plans accordingly.
Don’t
Call it Hotlanta
This is a recommendation from my friends who
live in Atlanta. This is an old name that was once cool, but it’s so played
out, and the locals hate it.
Don’t
Try to Order Pepsi in Atlanta
This is Coca-Cola country; don’t try ordering
Pepsi when you are in Atlanta. Atlanta is home to Coca-Cola’s world
headquarters, and the city even has a monument for the guy who invented Coke.
Don’t
Forget How Great the Locals Are
Atlanta may be a major metropolitan area, but
it’s still full of Southern hospitality and charm. The locals in Atlanta are
fantastic! Everyone I’ve met in Atlanta has been super helpful and they love
giving their local recommendations.
Atlanta is a great travel destination, whether
you’re traveling solo, with family or even for business. When you do visit
Atlanta, don’t forget to chat with the locals! I hope this helps you know some
of the things to avoid doing on your Atlanta vacation. Looking for more tips on
visiting the USA? Check out these blog posts!
Hey there, fellow
travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do when you visit Kansas
City, Missouri. While
many travel blogs will tell you the best things to do in Kansas City, we want
to be sure you know about the things you should NOT do during your Kansas City
vacation!
Don’t Expect
to Find Taxis at the Airport
Let’s start with your arrival in Kansas City. When
you land at the airport, don’t expect to find a line of taxis waiting for
passengers at the airport. Instead, you have to find the “taxi phones” at the
airport. You pick up one of the phones, give them your gate or door number, and
they will send someone out to pick you up.
Don’t Plan
to Eat in the Airport Terminals
When you are leaving Kansas City, make sure you eat
before you go through the security lines. Once you go through security at the
Kansas City airport, the terminals are very small and don’t have a lot of
services. So, plan on eating before you get to the airport, or at some of the
restaurants that are outside of the security gates.
Don’t Think
You’re in Kansas
Since you’re in Kansas City, you might assume you’ll
be spending your time in the state of Kansas. While there is a Kansas City
Kansas, most of the things to see and do are located in Kansas City, Missouri.
Don’t Expect
to Walk Everywhere
Kansas City is very spread out. If you don’t rent a
car while you’re here, then plan to spend a lot of money on Uber. You will need
to drive to a lot of places and there really isn’t great public transportation
in place. My Uber rides averaged about $7 to $10 each, but that’s several times
a day, and it adds up quickly! On the bright side, Uber is fast and easy to use
in Kansas City.
Don’t Worry
About Driving
Driving is pretty easy in Kansas City, so don’t worry
if you decide to drive there or rent a car during your visit to Kansas City.
The streets are laid out in a way that’s easy to get around, and parking isn’t
difficult or expensive.
Don’t Plan
on Public Transportation
There are some buses and trams in Kansas City, but
relying on public transportation for your Kansas City sightseeing can be
challenging. The tram is free, but the service is pretty limited. There are
plans to expand the route in the future, so this “don’t” could become a “do” in
a few years!
Don’t Think
Union Station is Just an Amtrak Station
Yes, Amtrak trains do arrive and depart through Union
Station. But there’s a lot more to see and do in Kansas City’s Union Station.
It’s huge and it’s recently been renovated to restore some of the original
grandeur of the early 1900s when it was built. It’s a historical landmark, and
there are also restaurants, public and private events, and a movie theater.
Don’t Miss
the WWI Museum
This is the official national World War I Museum in
the country. This is really an important museum and monument to a war that
isn’t often talked about. The museum is very well done and gives in-depth
explanations of the exhibits. Don’t miss out on going to the top of the
monument, either! There’s an elevator that will take you up and you’ll have
amazing views of the surrounding area.
Don’t
Underestimate the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
This art museum in Kansas City is huge, and you’ll be
surprised at some of the big names you’ll recognize. There are so many
different periods of art that are covered inside the museum, from Egyptian art
to Caravaggio, Manet, and Monet. The collection is really extensive and
impressive! I think it’s one of the top five art museums in the United States.
Don’t Skip
the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
You don’t have to be a baseball fan to enjoy this
museum! It’s one of the best modern museums that I have ever visited. You learn
about the players, the league, memorabilia, and it’s all explained in context,
which is really cool. It’s well worth the trip, and it’s in a great
neighborhood with lots of things to do.
Don’t Miss
Out on Live Jazz
There are some really good jazz clubs in Kansas City.
You might be surprised at the good nightlife in Kansas City, and it’s really a
fun place to go out. There are some great local brews that you can kick back
and enjoy while listening to live music.
Don’t Think
the Plaza and Country Club Plaza are Two Different Places
When you visit Kansas City, you’ll hear a lot about
“the Plaza” as it’s a popular place to go in Kansas City. You might also hear
about the Country Club Plaza and wonder where that is. They are one and the
same! The whole area is just known as the Plaza.
Don’t Have
Preconceived Notions of the Plaza
The Plaza was built to look like Seville Spain, and
the architecture is really stunning. It can be a bit of a letdown when you
realize these beautiful buildings are home to everyday chain restaurants and
retail stores. The Plaza is basically a shopping center with some really great
architecture.
Don’t Be
Surprised by Friendly Locals
This is the Midwest; people are just naturally
friendly. They will say hello to you on the street, so don’t freak out about
it. It’s just how people are. They love to give you their best recommendations
for things to do and especially where to find the best BBQ in Kansas City.
Kansas City is a big sports town. They are loyal to
their hometown teams. The Kansas City Chiefs just won the Superbowl in 2020. The
Kansas City Royals are the local baseball team. They are really into their
teams so don’t rip on them unless you want to get into a big debate!
Don’t Litter
This really should apply to every day and everywhere,
but Kansas City is exceptionally clean. They have a lot of civic pride and they
work hard to keep their city clean. There aren’t always trash cans readily
available, but if you litter, the locals will call you out for it.
Don’t Be
Discouraged by Long Lines for BBQ
Kansas City is probably most famous for BBQ. And some
of the best places, like Joe’s, will have very long lines, especially during
the dinner rush. But don’t be scared off by the long lines! You might have to
wait 30 to 60 minutes to get your food, but it is so worth it! If you really
want to avoid the lines, try to eat a late lunch or early dinner and you can
skip some of the crowds. With so many great BBQ restaurants, you’ll have a hard
time deciding. Ask the locals what their favorite is!
Don’t Skip
the Kansas City BBQ Sauce
Kansas City BBQ can be wet or dry, and both options
are good, but make sure you try some of the sauces! Every place has its own
sauces, sometimes they have several. You’ll have sweet, spicy, and everything
in between. Make sure you try it!
Don’t Think
Kansas City is Just BBQ
Yes, the BBQ in Kansas City is excellent. But there
is a ton of great food (and drink!) in Kansas City. LaMar’s Donuts is
fantastic! You might also want to try a Kansas City strip steak. Kansas City is
also a melting pot of cultures, so you’ll have great Italian, Asian and many
others. Once you’ve had your fill of Kansas City BBQ, be sure to check out some
of the other cuisines that are available.
Don’t Think
You Have to Clean Your Plate
The portion sizes here are quite large! You won’t go
hungry in Kansas City, but don’t feel like you have to eat everything they put
in front of you. Not only is the food really good, but they like to give you a
lot of it.
Don’t Write
Off Kansas City
If you can’t already tell from this post, there’s a
lot to do in Kansas City. Don’t write it off as some boring Midwest town in the
middle of “flyover country.”
Kansas City is a really
cool city to visit. The museums, culture, friendly locals and amazing food make
this an excellent Midwest travel destination. I loved it here, and I think you
will too! I hope this helps you known some of the things to avoid doing when
you visit Kansas City. Looking for more of our USA travel tips? Check out these
blog posts!
Hey
there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about travel scams you might run
into when traveling in the United States. Despite what the media might have you
believe, traveling the United States is relatively safe. However, there are a
few things worth mentioning so you can be on the lookout to avoid them as you
visit USA tourist attractions.
Phone
Scams
If you already live in the USA, you already
know all about these phone calls. Sometimes, they are just trying to sell you
something. But other phone scams can be a bit scarier. They might tell you that
the FBI is looking for you, or that your insurance policy has lapsed. They
might say you have a package that needs to be delivered. Do not ever provide
any information to someone that has called you out of the blue. If you’re in
doubt, hang up and call the provider number that you have on your credit card
or in your records.
Hotel
Phone Scam
Another phone scam that happens in hotels is
when your room phone rings and claims to be the front desk asking to confirm
your credit card information. For one thing, the hotel front desk will never
ask for this information over the phone. The easiest thing to do is to hang up
and either call the front desk directly or go down to the front desk. When you
find out it’s a scam, let them know it’s happening so they can be aware before
transferring outside calls to guest rooms.
Scams are everywhere when you travel, so be prepared when you do travel
Credit
Card Skimming
Skimming happens at an open credit card
machine, such as those at a gas station or outdoor ATM. A skimming device is
added to the credit card machine and is used to steal your information when you
swipe your card. When you use the credit card machine, take a second look to
see if it looks normal, or if it looks like it may have been tampered with.
Street
Scams
If you visit a popular tourist area like New
Orleans’ French Quarter or Memphis’ Beale Street, you will run into people
trying to scam you on the street. They might try to bet you that they can guess
your name, or guess where you got your shoes. The same thing goes for the shell
game, or card games. If someone approaches you with something like this, or
magic tricks, just keep walking. Don’t engage with them and they’ll move on to
the next tourist.
At a lot of popular tourist sites, you’ll run
into the “professional photographer” scam. I have seen this most often in
Vegas. As you wait in line for your Instagram shot, someone will approach you
and offer to take your picture for you in exchange for a fee. Don’t do it; you
can just as easily take your own photos with your camera or phone. Of course,
this doesn’t apply to fellow tourists who are also there getting photos. Just
the people who want money in exchange for taking your photo.
The King is worth the price of the picture in Memphis
Pedicab
Scam
Pedicabs are popping up all over these days.
This isn’t an illegal scam, but these bicycle taxis aren’t regulated by the
same means as taxis or rideshare programs, so they can charge you whatever they
want. Make sure you negotiate your full fare upfront before you get in the
pedicab.
WiFi
Scams
If you are staying at a hotel and sign on to
the WiFi, make sure you are signing on to the correct network. Some scammers
will set up a malicious network with a name very similar to the hotel name to
try and trick hotel guests into signing into their network instead. Once you’ve
logged into this other network, they have access to all of your information.
Impersonator
Scams
Any time you are in a major tourist area,
you’re going to see celebrity impersonators on the streets. It may be Elvis in
Las Vegas or Arnold Schwarzenegger in Los Angeles. They are there to make money
off of tourists by posing for photos with you and then expecting you to pay for
that photo. They can be especially assertive with kids so the kids will beg
their parents to play along. If you take a photo and don’t pay them, they can
get aggressive.
Taxi
Scams
A lot of these taxi scams are found all over
the world, not just in the United States.
The most common taxi scam is for
the driver to take the long way to your destination. This is super common in
Las Vegas. Before you get a taxi, have an idea of how long the drive is and the
proper route to take. In cities like Chicago and New York, if they don’t think
you are a tourist, they might even ask you which route you want them to take.
Other drivers will zero out the
meter right as they stop, and they will tell you a higher price. Keep an eye on
the meter while you’re driving to avoid this.
Another taxi scam is to “forget”
one of your bags in the trunk. This can happen if you have a lot of people and
a lot of baggage. Make sure you are there when they are loading or unloading
your bags, and make sure you verify that the trunk is empty before they pull
away.
This is something you see in bigger cities,
but it’s becoming more common in smaller and mid-size cities, too. People on
the street will ask you for money. If you say no, they may harass you a bit
until you give in. Or, if you give them a dollar, they may try to get you to
give them more money. You can’t win, so the best thing you can do is to keep
walking and don’t engage with them.
Some of these beggars will have some really
good sob stories, too. Anyone can say they are a veteran or homeless, but whatever
the story, it will likely tug at your heartstrings a bit. Until you see ten
more similar stories and you’ll start to get hardened to the sob stories. It’s
up to you what you decide to do, but we usually offer to buy them food or a
ticket, rather than directly giving anyone cash.
Some scams are still funny when you see them
Transportation
Scams
This happens a lot in train and bus stations.
Someone will ask you for money to buy a train ticket. They will say they are
stranded and just need to get home. They will say they just need a few more
dollars to get the ticket they need. If you really fall for the story and want
to help, offer to go to the ticket window with them and purchase the ticket.
You will probably see this on road trips, too. Someone at a rest stop might say
they ran out of gas and need money to fill up their tank.
Fake
Parking Attendant
This is another scam you might see in larger
cities. Yes, there are many places where you have to pay to park, especially in
urban areas or at large events. But then you’ll have a random person offer to
“watch” your car in exchange for a few bucks. The problem is, they might key
your car or damage it if you don’t pay them for this security “service.”
Rental
Car Scams
If you rent a car in the USA, make sure you do
a full inspection with the rental agent prior to driving out of the lot. Mark
anything you see so that you aren’t charged for it when you return the car. You
can also take photos or a video of the car to show the condition you received
it in. This typically doesn’t come up with the major car rental agencies like
Enterprise, Alamo, Hertz, etc. However, if you rent from a no-name car rental,
be sure you are very thorough about inspecting for damages.
Hopefully,
by discussing these travel scams and rip-offs, we can help you avoid becoming a
victim during your United States vacation. Fortunately, most of these scams are
becoming less and less common, so it’s highly unlikely you’ll have any trouble
at all. Need more travel tips for visiting the USA? Check out these blog posts!
Hey there, fellow
travelers! Today, we’re talking about road trips with the family. We fly a lot as a family, but
sometimes it’s nice to switch things up and take a family road trip. As
you know, here at Wolters World, we like to share both the positives and the
negatives of travel. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five
things you’ll hate about a road trip with kids. We filmed this one on a family
road trip that took us from Illinois to Florida up to Prince Edward Island in
Canada and back home. It was a trip alright.
Hate
#1: Are We There Yet?
Try to keep track of how many times the kids
ask “Are we there yet?” Sometimes it comes from the copilot, too. If you’re
driving this is going to become your biggest pet peeve of the family road trip.
You can head this off by having games and activities ready, as well as making
sure all devices are charged and ready to use. And it might be good to set a rule
on who gets to choose the music channel, as I feel it should be the drivers
decision especially on long road trips.
You’re experiencing this road trip as a
family. We all remember the family road trips from our childhood, now this is
our chance to make new memories with our kids. We’ll talk about these road
trips for years and hopefully encourage our kids to do the same thing when they
have families. I know for me I still remember sleeping in the rest stops
because my dad wouldn’t spring for a hotel room as he thought he could make it
from Florida to Illinois in one go. Good times.
On the road again…
Hate
#2: Other Drivers
Driving isn’t so bad, but other drivers can
turn your road trip into a nightmare. There’s always a slow driver that likes
to hog the left (passing) lane or the guy who tailgates you until you can get
out of the way. Of course, there are tons of drivers who are distracted by cell
phones, which is kind of scary. So, make sure if you are driving through large
cities you take extra care and don’t fall into the road rage pit of despair.
Love
#2: Freedom and Independence
When you’re on a family road trip, there are
no flights to catch or timetables to be on. You’re on your own schedule and you
leave when everyone is ready. You pretty much have ultimate flexibility for
your vacation. If you find a place you like, you can decide to stay a few extra
days. If there’s bad weather, you can decide to move on to the next
destination. We usually give ourselves a few days leeway in our road trips in
case we do find that cute small town or fun national park that calls to us.
Hate
#3: Pit Stops
Road trips inevitably involve pit stops.
There’s usually junk food involved as you’re typically eating on the run. Pit
stops are usually initiated by someone who has to use the bathroom, and
depending on where you go, the bathrooms at roadside stops can be pretty bad.
We always carry toilet seat covers with us in case we run into a nasty bathroom
along the way. Also, it seems we pick up new wrappers at every pit stop and the
car just gets messier and messier, so while you are pumping gas and the rest of
the crew is inside using the facilities try to do a mini-clean by throwing away
the easy to grab soda bottles, candy wrappers, and smelly beef jerky leftovers.
yeah… you better smile after asking “Are we there yet” 400 times in 2 minutes
Love
#3: Taking the Back Roads
We love to take the back roads rather than the
interstate when we’re on a family road trip. You get to pass through small
towns, and you never know what you’ll find once you leave the interstate
behind. You also get the chance to support local businesses rather than the big
chains. The food at a Main Street Cafe is almost always going to be better than
McDonald’s. Road trip food doesn’t have to be awful! That is one of our
favorite parts, whether it was grabbing a grinder in New Hampshire or a lobster
roll in Maine the road trip back road stops and eating were always great.
We try to avoid hitting the major cities
around rush hour, but sometimes it’s unavoidable. If it looks like we’re going
to hit a city at the wrong time, we may stop and seek out something to do
during rush hour rather than spend that time sitting in traffic. It is amazing
how a couple hours at a park will help take the edge off of the kids and get
you through the worst part of rush hour.
Love
#4: Education for Everyone
A family road trip is an education disguised
as a vacation. Every place you visit is an opportunity to learn some history of
the country or the region where you are. In Mystic, Connecticut, my kids
learned about the seafaring life in the 1800s. We visited Colonial Williamsburg
and learned a ton about American history. When in Athens, Georgia they had a
tour of the University of Georgia. This is a chance to learn history,
geography, geology and so much more. You can even get the kids involved in
reading the maps and planning out your route.
Hate
#5: Road Construction
Summer is the best time for road trips, but
it’s also the road construction season. Construction can slow traffic down to a
crawl or a complete standstill, and accidents are more likely to happen around
construction sites. Traffic apps like Google Maps or Waze are pretty good at
alerting you to construction and delays so you can alter your route if needed. And
remember, tickets in construction zones double in lots of places.
You too can be this cool on a family road trip
Love
#5: Visiting Cool Spots
The whole point of a road trip is to see cool
things. Sometimes a road trip is about getting to a destination, but as the
saying goes, it’s not about the destination, but the journey. You get to see so
many cool things when you’re on a family road trip. Your kids get to see how
people live in other parts of the country. Whether it’s the world’s largest
ball of twine in Kansas or an ostrich farm in Arizona, road trips open up a
whole world of possibilities.
We love
to take a family road trip each summer. Whether we’re overseas or home in the
States, it’s fun to travel at your own pace and stop at whatever attractions
catch your eye. Want more of our travel tips? Check out these blog posts:
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