where to stay, eat and play on a short trip to your next favorite city
I travel to Cary, North Carolina about four times a year. My grandpa, age 106.5 lives there, as do my two aunts who are some of my favorite people in the world. There is so much to do in Cary, it is easy to get around and the people are so friendly! I love this area so much! I would love to live here permanently, but for now I have to settle for frequent visits! I’m so excited to finally be sharing my Cary, North Carolina Travel Guide to help you plan your visit to this area!
Back in 2003, I applied to work at an academic summer camp. I’m a math teacher after all. The application brochure came my way and one thing about the camp peeked my interest…
Hawaii.
There was a site location in Honolulu, Hawaii.
So I applied for that.
And I was hired!
But when my paper work arrived, no Hawaii. I was slated to work somewhere in California called Santa Cruz.
Figuring I must have put California as my second choice site location, I then needed to figure out where the heck Santa Cruz was! Little did I know I would be spending the best three summers of my life in this funny, California beach town.
Last August I finally returned to this town I loved. I could not wait to revisit, reminisce and bring my kids to Santa Cruz. And I am beyond excited to share all the great food, hotels and things to do in Santa Cruz with the Momma To Go readers!
San Francisco, California will always have a special place in my heart.
California played an important role in the early months of my relationship with hubby. Although he and I met in New York City, at the time, I had already committed to spending the upcoming six weeks teaching at an academic summer camp in Santa Cruz, California (about 70 miles south of San Francisco). Having just met, the time apart afforded us weeks to just talk on the phone and get to know each other. As the relationship was progressing, I rearranged my departure plans to stay in California a little longer and have a little San Francisco vacation with this new boyfriend who was flying out to visit me!
That year, I had a kick ass time in Santa Cruz, and would go on to return for two more summers. Since those three stints in SC, I have been back to the west coast a handful of times for weddings, and short vacations. All pre-kids. So I was so excited to be taking baby girl and little man to San Francisco, to kick off our much-deserved end of summer vacation.
Photo via VisualHunt.com
One of my most popular posts is my 48 Hours in … Atlantic City recap of our winter trip to the city by the sea. Atlantic City is one of our family’s favorite destinations, and I have been going there since I was a kid. I know it well and always have fun! And on this recent trip, I didn’t even gamble! There was no time! There were so many other great things to do!
If you have never been, Atlantic City is located about 90 miles south of New York City and about an hour east of Philadelphia. There is a small airport nearby, but is most easily accessed by car. Atlantic City is a boardwalk town on a barrier island, meaning there is an ocean beach to the east and a bay to the west. One of the big attractions is the casinos, but especially in recent years the big hotels have begun to offer other amenities besides gaming. And in the summer, the beach is always fun! So come with me for ANOTHER 48 Hours in… Atlantic City.
I love traveling with my little ones, but sometimes mom and dad need a vacation! Last fall we took a longer getaway to Las Vegas, and recently we went on short holiday to Greenport, Long Island. We have also taken day trips to this lovely North Fork town with our kids. Out in Greenport there is lots to do (and eat) for everyone!
I hate the winter. I hate the cold, and the snow, and temperatures that prevent outdoor activity. I love the warm, and the sun, and to be outside as much as possible. So to combat the winter blues, I’ve realized that I need to head south several times each winter.
It’s essential for my survival.
I’ve been fortunate enough to visit Orlando twice in the last two months. Both trips were awesome and I love that we got to experience some of the lesser known attractions. Yes, most people head to Orlando for Disney or Universal but there are lots of things to do in Orlando besides Walt Disney World!
Heading to Disney for just one day? Then check out my tips for maximizing your One Day at Disney World
Heading to Disney Springs? Check out all you need to know about the re-opening of Disney Springs
One of my favorite places to visit is Atlantic City. I love the casinos, the beach, boardwalk, and the cheesy Jersey Shore vibe. I always have fun there. My earliest memory of visiting AC was after my cousins wedding… in 1992! Last October, I ran the 2016 AmeriHealth Atlantic City Half Marathon with that same cousin! My husband even proposed to me in a limo on a surprise getaway to the Borgata!
We have visited AC almost every year during the week between Christmas and New Year’s. In 2011 we took our infant daughter and in 2012, 13 & 15 headed down without kids. This year, I wanted to spend time all together so the four of us headed down for 48 Hours In… Atlantic City.
hover over image to pin for later!
My mother-in-law lives in Maine. Up in an area called the Mid-Coast. Her house is up on a hill, and down below is the beautiful town of Belfast Maine right on the Penobscot Bay. Belfast is about 2 hours northeast of Portland and about an hour due east of Augusta. We have been to this area countless times – in the spring, summer and fall, so I am so excited to share with you all the great things to do in Belfast Maine.
This fall, I’ve had such awesome adventures. Short getaways to Las Vegas (with the hubby), Atlantic City (for the half marathon) and Minneapolis (with #thegirlfriends). A few weeks ago I found myself on the road again, and strangely without kids, as I headed down to Baltimore for another friends trip (different group of girlfriends)!
The purpose of this trip, besides meeting up with friends from Washington, DC was to see Amy Schumer’s live show. However… about 30 hours before show time, we received an email that the show was… postponed ! I think the official statement said Amy was “under the weather”, but we had our post-election speculations. Honestly, my thought was she had to rewrite her whole show which was probably based on an HRC win. Who knows, but we still had a great (slightly less than) 48 hours in Baltimore, and will return when Amy actually takes the stage!
I love traveling with my kids, it is so fun to experience new places and old stomping grounds through their eyes. I love those rare trips with just my husband, but the other type of travel I love – girlfriend trips. I will admit, sometimes I feel guilty that I hold this group in such high regard- but I’ve been with them, and traveling with them, longer than with the other travel companions.
I went to college in Washington, DC. Which, for better or worse, attracts students from all over the country, and world. It was a great experience as an 18-year old sheltered Long Island girl, to roll up on campus and make friends with people who were very different from myself. But the downside of attending college far from home, and in such a transient city like DC, is that after college most graduates eventually move away.
My true group of friends stemmed from my time playing collegiate rugby. These are the group of girls I started playing with some 20+ years ago. As we moved on through our college years, new students joined the team, and hence our group of friends. Immediately after graduating, we started taking trips to get together, usually in one girl’s hometown. On New Year’s 2002, we started an annual trip, with the first host city being Las Vegas. Subsequent NYE trips included Tampa, New York City, Hawaii, San Diego and Chicago.
During our twenties, there was at least one wedding a year, prompting large get-togethers with our expanding clan. We came to add in significant others, spouses and eventually kids, so we now have quite a contingent. In fact we have 15 kids between us!
Our alma mater women’s rugby team hosts alumnae events each year. As a group we traveled back to campus for the 10 year anniversary of the team’s founding, and in 2016, its 20th. Basically we find any excuse, or none to get together! And the fun usually involves some mix of activity, sightseeing, eating, drinking and dancing.
With weddings behind us, we have now entered the next phase of get-togethers- 40th birthdays. We celebrated our first one last September, in the birthday girl’s hometown of Minneapolis.
