Category: Travel

Rebecca Reviewed It: Grand Rapids Lantern Festival

If you are in the mid-Michigan area (or up for a road trip), go check out the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival at the John Ball Zoo. You will not be disappointed. The event is hosted by Family Fare. 

The Lantern Festival started on April 19th but it runs through June 11th. The festival illuminates the zoo Wednesdays through Sundays from 7 pm to 11 pm.

Cost

 If you are a non-member, like me, the cost of the ticket is $22.00. Or for members, the cost is $19.00. But trust me, the price is worth the cost. Children under the age of 2 are free. The tickets are staggered which means your ticket is for a specific time slot. But once you enter the zoo area, you are free to enjoy the exhibit at your own pace. 

Pros

Absolutely beautiful set up of lanterns throughout the zoo. Some of the lanterns move which made my night. 

  • Easy walking area. But be aware the walk throughout the zoo area is at least a mile long.
  • Wheelchair and stroller accessible. 
  • Beverage and food areas are open.
  • The gift shop is open. 
  • Bathrooms are available. 

Cons

Well, if you are not used to walking, the exhibit can seem long. But there are rest areas to stop and take a break if needed. 

  • For younger children, you may want to use a stroller or wagon.  
  • Dress appropriately. The weather was a little on the cooler side the night we went. So, I would take a jacket along. 
  • Rain or shine. It’s Michigan. There are no refunds for rainy days.

Would I go again?

Most definitely. The lanterns lit up against the evening sky were almost magical. The music playing added to the atmosphere of the evening. I would not have any objections to going to this exhibit or a similar one again.

Go check out the Lantern Festival at the John Ball Zoo. Let me know what you think of the experience.

47 Ideas for Your Winter Season Bucket List

Are you searching for something fun to do this winter season? Gather your family or friends together to create a winter bucket list. If you are looking for inspiration, check out the following ideas for your winter-season bucket list.

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  1. Attend a Winterfest
  2. Watch or participate in a Polar Plunge
  3. Go sledding or tubing
  4. Build a snowman or an entire snow family
  5. Go skiing or snowboarding
  6. Go hiking
  7. Photograph a winter scene
  8. Read a book
  9. Be a hometown tourist
  10. Spend an entire day in your pajamas
  11. Host a winter bonfire
  12. Make homemade soup
  13. Set up wild bird feeders
  14. Go to a concert
  15. Take a cooking class
  16. Declutter
  17. Take an art class
  18. Go bowling
  19. Try Geocaching
  20. Go to an art gallery or museum
  21. Try a new restaurant
  22. Rent a cabin
  23. Start a new hobby
  24. Write in a journal
  25. Go to the library
  26. Order seed catalogs and plan your garden.
  27. Take a long bubble bath
  28. Go on a nature walk 
  29. Watch Ice Sculpting 
  30. Try snowshoes
  31. Go ice fishing
  32. Host a game night
  33. Make a scrapbook
  34. Try winter camping
  35. Go on a birdwatching tour
  36. Plan a date night
  37. Do family photos in the snow
  38. Book a spa day
  39. Host a Super Bowl Party
  40. Go stargazing
  41. Make homemade hot cocoa
  42. Binge-watch your favorite show
  43. Attend a sporting event
  44. Host an indoor picnic
  45. Bake cookies
  46. Do Random Acts of Kindness
  47. Volunteer

Have fun! 

Christmas Season Edition: How to Be a Tourist in Your Hometown

The Christmas season is a great time to be a hometown tourist. The first snow, holiday decorations, and community events are perfect for going on an adventure close to home. Make the season more festive by taking time out of your busy schedule to explore your hometown. If you need inspiration on how to be a tourist in your hometown at Christmas, check out the following for ideas.

Check Community Events

When was the last time you spent an afternoon or entire day being a tourist in your hometown or closest major city?

  • Start by researching your hometown for upcoming events.
  • Look for anything new that interests you. But do not hesitate to check out events that are new. Trying something different is a great way to grow and meet new people.
  • Join social media groups that focus on your hometown, nearby cities, or county. The shared information from other group members is a great resource.

Check for Christmas Season Events

The Christmas season brings new events to many communities.

  • Christmas tree lighting ceremonies.
  • Candlelight services
  • Church events
  • Live Nativity scenes
  • Christmas caroling
  • Festival of Trees
  • Christmas light decorating contests. (Many community pages will post a map to view the best lights in your town).
  • Christmas parades
  • Christmas community concerts or plays
  • Christmas Fairs
  • Go to a Christmas Market
  • Christmas craft shows or holiday bazaars

Create a Local Christmas Bucket List

Go ahead and make a bucket list for your hometown or nearby neighborhood. If you are going with family and friends, create the list together. Travel buddies are a great way to enjoy your hometown Christmas experience,

  • Check out new restaurants, revisit childhood favorites, go to art galleries, historical sites, or other interesting Christmas events.
  • Considering taking a different mode of transportation to get around your hometown. If the weather is good, consider walking.
  • Use coupons to save money which is a bonus during the holiday season. Also, many coupons use free items as an incentive for customers to spend a specific amount of money. Small trinkets or Christmas ornaments are a fun part of the shopping experience.
  • Take hometown tours.

Document Your Christmas-Themed Travels

Grab your camera or use your phone to document your hometown Christmas experience.

  • Go to your local café for a cup of hot cocoa, coffee, or tea. Sit and jot notes in a journal about your day’s adventure.
  • Buy postcards and write about adventures on the back.
  • Take lots of photos. Even if you pass the place every day while going to work or running errands, stop and snap a photo. Try different angles.  
  • Create a Christmas scrapbook. Use your photos, postcards, sales receipts, business cards, and notes to make lasting memories of your hometown Christmas adventures.

Enjoy your journey! Merry Christmas!

Fall Edition: How to Be a Tourist In Your Hometown

Autumn is a wonderful time of year. The changing leaves and cooler temperatures are a major part of the fall season in the Northern Hemisphere. Exploring your hometown is one of the best ways to enjoy fall. Attend local outdoor events or on rainy days revisit past favorites. If you need inspiration on how to be a tourist in your hometown, check out the following for ideas.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

Research

When was the last time you spent wandering around your hometown or the surrounding area?

  • Begin by researching your hometown.  
  • Look for anything new that interests you.
  • Join social media groups that focus on your hometown or county. The shared information is a great resource.
Photo by Andretti Brown on Pexels.com

Check Seasonal Events for Autumn

The changing seasons bring new community events. The autumn events are generally a yearly occurrence.

  • Farmers’ Markets
  • Pumpkin weighing contests
  • Corn mazes
  • Haunted houses
  • Homecoming parades
  • Fairs and festivals
  • Craft shows
Photo by Suzy Hazelwood on Pexels.com

Write a Local Bucket List

Approach your hometown like any other travel destination. Begin by making a list of places you want to see. Are you traveling solo or with family and friends? Travel buddies are a great way to enjoy your hometown experience with a new perspective.

  • Check out new restaurants, revisit childhood favorites, and go to art galleries, historical sites, or other interesting events.
  • Consider taking a different mode of transportation to get around your hometown. Ride the bus, rent an e-bike, or walk around your neighborhood. The change in transportation is a great way to see everyday sights from a new perspective.
  • Go ahead and use coupons for discounts on meals, tours, or admission costs.  Many coupons use free items as an incentive for spending a certain amount of money. Businesses use self-promoting products as a way to draw tourists to their locations.
  • Check out the tours of your local hometown attractions. Follow the tour guide throughout the museum or local sites. Every tour is a learning experience.
  • Buy postcards.
  • Take business cards.
Photo by Kaique Rocha on Pexels.com

Document Your Travels

Do not forget your camera. Or use your phone to document your travels around your hometown.

  • Eat or get a beverage at a local café. Try the hometown special. If you are traveling solo, bring a small journal with you. Use the time at the cafe to write notes about your day’s experiences.
  • Take photos of everything. Even if you pass the place every day going to work or running errands, stop and take a photo. Try different angles. The final results may surprise you.
  • After each hometown adventure, create a scrapbook with photos, postcards, and notes.

Have fun! Enjoy your day acting like a tourist in your hometown.

70 Summer Bucket List Ideas

Memorial Day often marks the unofficial start to the summer season. Are you ready for summer adventures and fun? If you are searching for inspiration, check out the following ideas for your summer bucket list.

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  1. Summer photoshoot with family or friends
  2. Create a summer playlist
  3. Go to the aquarium
  4. Go on a picnic
  5. Make homemade lemonade
  6. Go to the zoo
  7. Play mini-golf
  8. Build sandcastles
  9. Go kayaking
  10. Relax on a pool floatie
  11. Visit a nature center
  12. Go for a boat ride
  13. Go hiking
  14. Volunteer
  15. Have a water balloon fight
  16. Go on a road trip
  17. Walk on the beach
  18. Have a bonfire
  19. Eat S’mores
  20. Host a BBQ
  21. Make homemade ice cream
  22. Chase fireflies
  23. Go camping
  24. Go ziplining
  25. Do karaoke
  26. Watch the sunrise or sunset
  27. Attend a music festival or concert
  28. Go Geocaching
  29. Do sidewalk chalk art
  30. Fly kites
  31. Host a movie night
  32. Go to a local fair
  33. Host a game night
  34. Eat breakfast at the beach
  35. Go to the drive-in
  36. Go on a digital detox for 24 hours
  37. Go on a nature walk
  38. Do summer crafts
  39. Make smoothies with fresh fruit
  40. Attend or host a scavenger hunt
  41. Host a tea party
  42. Watch fireworks
  43. Go to the library for summer reading material
  44. Make popsicles
  45. Visit a waterfall
  46. Play Frisbee
  47. Go to a water park or splash pad
  48. Go fishing
  49. Go to an art museum
  50. Visit a national or state park
  51. Paintball fight
  52. Try a new food from a food truck
  53. Visit a new city
  54. Go on a bike ride
  55. Try a new recipe
  56. Build a fort in the backyard
  57. Create a smash journal
  58. Go to a car show
  59. Run through the sprinkler
  60. Make flower crowns
  61. Go tubing
  62. Go to a local carnival
  63. Make tie-dye shirts
  64. Go to a flea market for fresh fruits and vegetables
  65. Make ice cream floats
  66. Make homemade playdough or slime on a rainy day
  67. Dance in the rain
  68. Do random acts of kindness
  69. Create a TikTok or YouTube video
  70. Blow bubbles

Have a great summer!

10 Staycation Ideas for Memorial Day Weekend

Traffic, large crowds, high gas prices, and other factors are just a few of the many reasons to stay home over Memorial Day weekend. Staying home or having a staycation does not necessarily mean a boring weekend. If you are looking for inspiration, check out the following staycation ideas for Memorial Day weekend.

Photo by Josh Willink on Pexels.com

Please note: “As an Amazon affiliate, I earn income from qualifying purchases.”

  1. Go Hiking: Look up hiking trails near your home. If you are not a hiker, start out with the basic trails. The short walks are perfect for families with small children. Enjoy an entire day outdoors, pack a lunch, and take lots of pictures.
  2. Host a Bonfire: Invite friends and family over for a bonfire. Roast hotdogs and S’mores. Enjoy a night out under the stars. Before hosting a bonfire, check for any restrictions in your area.
  3. Go Stargazing: If the night is clear, just look at the stars. Bring a blanket and your favorite snack food. Enjoy a night out under the stars.
  4. Movie Night: Host a themed movie night. Watch Harry Potter, Star Wars, Frozen, Ice Age, or binge-watch a television series. All are perfect for a night at home. Order pizza or make your favorite snacks.
  5. Game Night: Dust off the board games or use your favorite video game to host a game night. For added fun, make ice cream floats, or create a sundae bar.
  6. Go on a Picnic: Pack a lunch and go to your local park for a picnic. A picnic basket full of sandwiches, snacks, and beverages makes a perfect lunch. If you do not know what to bring on a picnic, stop and grab a pizza. To-go pizzas are inexpensive and a great treat.
  7. Do Crafts: Spend an afternoon doing crafts. Paint, draw or create something to hang on your wall. Your local dollar store carries craft supplies to fit a tight budget.
  8. Be a Hometown Tourist: Make a list of local places to go. Try a new restaurant or café. Go to the art gallery or historical museum.
  9. Attend a Community Event: Many communities host free concerts, parades, or other activities for Memorial Day. Go and enjoy the local activities.
  10. Do Nothing: No rule states you must be busy over Memorial Day weekend. Do not make any plans. Relax and enjoy your time with your friends or family.  

Have a safe Memorial Day weekend.

It’s National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day

Did you know today, March 29th is National Mom and Pop Business Owner Day? Small businesses play a vital role in the United States economy. Today is set aside to recognize their significance.

Owning a small business requires hard work and dedication. If you are searching for ways to help promote a local restaurant, hair salon, mechanic, contractor, or specialty shop on Mom and Pop Business Owner Day, consider the following ideas.

Photo by Artem Beliaikin on Pexels.com
  1. Know Your Community: Check out new local shops or revisit long-standing independent businesses. Join community groups on social media to learn about new or other small businesses in your neighborhood.
  2. Write a Review: After visiting a local establishment, write a review of your experience. If you made a purchase, describe your product or service. If you did not buy anything, you still can leave a review. Describe the business. How did the employees greet you? Will you return? Provide honest feedback.
  3. Follow On Social Media Platforms: Many stores use social media to promote new items or services being offered. If a local business has a social media presence, follow the page and share posts. Even if you did not find anything for yourself, share posts with your followers or friends.
  4. Subscribe to Newsletters: Small business owners share vital information about sales or upcoming events through weekly or monthly newsletters. Subscribing to a newsletter keeps you informed.
  5. Show Gratitude: A “thank you” to employees or the owner is a great way to show appreciation. Consider buying gift cards or certificates to give away to loved ones. If you are visiting a local restaurant or hair salon, tip well to show your gratitude.

What is the best way to support National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day? Visit one.

Rebecca Reviewed It: Village of Ashley Country Christmas

Colorful lights, Santa & Mrs. Claus, flame-throwing juggler, Christmas music, and a roaring steam engine, what else do you need on a chilly evening? I went to watch the beautiful Pere Marquette aka the Polar Express thunder into Ashley, Michigan. Carrying passengers to visit a small town completely decked out for Christmas fun.

Where: The train comes from Owosso to arrive in the small Village of Ashley, Michigan. The passengers enjoy about a 1 hour 15-minute ride, stay in Ashley for a couple of hours, then return to Owosso. The public is welcome to enjoy the small town and view the train coming into town.

When: The Polar Express comes into town twice a day every weekend until Christmas.

This is the official pamphlet from the Village of Ashley Country Christmas 2021.

What You View: The town is set up with a variety of little Christmas shops, food, hot cocoa, and activities for the entire family to enjoy. For example Penny Lane has handcrafted gifts to wear. The handmade hats are beautiful and warm.

The lists of little shops and activities within in the town.

Will I Go Again? Most definitely, yes. I would love to see the train arrive after a heavy snowfall. Hopefully Mother Nature and my schedule allow me to do it. Who knows maybe one of these times, I will actually ride the train.

Tips for Thanksgiving Travel

Can you believe next week is Thanksgiving? Busy roads are always a major part of the holiday weekend. If you are driving to your destination, consider the following tips for safe Thanksgiving travel.

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  1. Lists: Start by making a list or two of all the essentials for your long holiday weekend. Consider making a list for each person and your fur babies. Cross items off your lists as you begin to pack and load your vehicle.
  2. Vehicle Maintenance: Before leaving for your destination, do a quick maintenance check on your vehicle. Check the tire pressure, oil level, antifreeze level, brake fluid, and the condition of the wiper blades.
  3. Get Gas Early: If possible, get gasoline early to avoid long lines at the pump. Also, gas prices increase with demand.
  4. Arrival Time: Know exactly when you need to be at your destination to adjust your driving time. Give yourself extra time to get to your destination.
  5. Pack and Load: If possible, start packing early. Clothing and other non-perishable items are easily the first items to cross off your list. Try to load as much as possible into your vehicle the night before your departure time.
  6. Road Trip Snacks: Depending on the amount of driving time, snacks are an essential especially if you have children in the car. Plus, packing your own road-trip snacks and beverages saves time and money.
  7. Be Flexible: Leave early to avoid the traffic. Wednesday and Sunday are the busiest travel time for Thanksgiving weekend.
  8. Stop When Needed: Do not be afraid to take breaks. Around each one hundred miles, try to stop at a rest area or local café. Breaks are not a luxury but a priority. Remember for your own safety to lock your vehicle at every stop.
  9. Weather Watch: The weather changes quickly. Use a local weather app or your GPS to watch for any sudden changes. Pack an emergency kit for your vehicle including a first aid kit, phone charger, and extra blankets.
  10. Be Mindful: Watch out for other drivers. When people are in a hurry, mistakes happen in an instant. Be alert. Follow the rules of the road. Don’t speed. And avoid alcohol consumption.
  11. Child Safety: Secure children in the age-appropriate car seats. Bring favorite toys, games, videos, music, and other items for entertainment on the road.

Most of all, make your road trip an adventure. Have fun. Stop and take photos. Enjoy every minute of the trip.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Rebecca Reviewed It: Oh Mi Organics

A couple weeks ago, I went out to eat with my sister and our dad. After the fantastic home-style cooked meal at Dershy’s Cafe, we stopped next door at Oh Mi Organics. Dubbed the Chocolate Studio, Oh Mi Organics provides “chocolate your body understands.”

Now, I do not claim to be a gourmet foodie. But I do know what I like. And, Oh Mi Organics chocolate is in my “like” category.

The General Information

Oh Mi Organics is located at 109 W. Higham Street., St Johns, MI 48879. They serve over 180 different flavors of chocolate. Serving a healthier alternative, many of the premium chocolates are gluten-free, dairy-free, or without peanuts. Along with chocolates, there were a few beverages, cold coffee, and hummus available.

Customer Service

In a word, the customer service was outstanding! The cashier was polite, quick to answer questions, and always had a smile on her face. When she found out, we were first-time visitors, she immediately offered samples.

At first, the customer service representative gave each of us a sample of the base chocolate. Next, the cashier had us test the Neapolitan chocolate. Listening to the instructions of the cashier, we held the chocolate on our tongues. When the chocolate dissolves, we really could taste each flavor. Yes, the flavors were yummy.

Sampling the chocolates!

Will I Return?

Yes! Oh Mi Organics offers a great incentive to return, a punch card. After purchasing 12 dozen chocolates, you receive a dozen of chocolates free. And, every Tuesday is double punch day.

The punch card from Oh Mi Organics.

The outstanding customer service went beyond being inside the store. The packaging of the chocolate was superior. Each chocolate was placed in trays then set inside of a box, for easy travel. The best part, the cashier wrote on the side of the tray to identify the type of chocolates.

Easy identification of each chocolate!

Next time you are in St. Johns, Michigan, do not forget to stop by Oh Mi Organics for great-tasting chocolate.

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