USA Archives - Plan to Explore https://plantoexplore.com/category/destinations/usa/ Your Resource for Easy Travel Tips Fri, 28 Mar 2025 16:57:24 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://plantoexplore.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/cropped-P-1-32x32.png USA Archives - Plan to Explore https://plantoexplore.com/category/destinations/usa/ 32 32 Reasons Why You Need to Visit Beautiful Coeur d’Alene, Idaho https://plantoexplore.com/coeur-dalene-idaho/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=coeur-dalene-idaho https://plantoexplore.com/coeur-dalene-idaho/#respond Wed, 08 Mar 2023 22:11:47 +0000 https://plantoexplore.com/?p=3705 Are you looking for a destination to get away that offers outdoor adventure, but also a small city atmosphere? Coeur d’Alene, Idaho is a great destination to add to your travel bucket list!  You’ll find boating, hiking, restaurants, quaint cafes and shops, along with gorgeous scenery.  Picture lakes surrounded by rolling hills, and lots of pine trees. Read more below for some of my top reasons to visit Coeud d’Alene.  How to get to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Now to the first question everyone has – how do you get to Coeur d’Alene? The shortest answer is driving. This means whether you arrive by plane or not, you’ll need a car.  The closest international airport is in Spokane, Washington which is about a 1 hour drive away. We found the drive very easy and straight forward. We rented a car right at Spokane Airport from Avis, but there are multiple rental company options. Click here to search for car rentals. (I like to use Booking.com because I can earn cash back from Rakuten!)  Click here to browse rental cars Click here to sign up for Rakuten Hiking in Coeur d’Alene Coeur d’Alene offers so much natural beauty, it’s hard to not want to wander through it! Trails vary in difficulty, and you can find them near public areas or even within neighborhoods. Below are a few recommended options:  Tubbs Hill is a must-hike in the area. Located just South of Sherman Avenue on a hill/ridge along Lake Coeur d’Alene, this 2 milk hike offers a lot of scenery. City views, forest views, and water views are all included. The trail was easy to traverse, even our 5 year old made it most of the way through on his own.  Canfield Mountain Natural Trail is a moderate hike, basically up the side of a hill. Hikers say that the top offers amazing views of the surrounding area.  Fernan Lake Natural Area offers trails along Fernan Lake, most are easy. Hikers mentioned that some of the trails are not marked, so do pay attention to where you are going. There are also spots to hike to the lake’s edge.  Tubbs Hill Coeur d’Alene’s small town feel With a population of around 57,000 people, many would consider Coeur d’Alene a small town. There has been recent growth to the area with people relocating to the state, but none the less it maintains it’s charm.  Most notable in the charm category is downtown’s Spencer Avenue. Along this walkable road you will find small shops, restaurants, coffee shops, a toy store, and more. From here you can walk to the main dock on Lake Coeur d’Alene. You’ll find rentals like kayaks, can take a lake boat tour, or even fly in a pontoon boat.  Outside of this area, there are many cute coffee stands where you can walk up or drive through for your morning coffee and a snack. We really liked Anchored Coffee Company on Dalton for a bagel sandwich and latte.  Sherman Avenue Lakes around Coeur d’Alene Lakes are one of the highlights in the Coeur d’Alene area. Right in town you’ll find Lake Coeur d’Alene, with plenty of things to do. Take a tour boat, fly on a pontoon plane, rent kayaks or boats, swim, and more.  Close by in a more residential area is Hayden Lake. You’ll often spot it if you are high up in a neighborhood. or on a hiking trail.  There are also smaller lakes dotted around the area such as Twin Lakes, Spirit Lake, Fernan Lake, Newman Lake and Hauser Lake. No shortage of choices around Coeur d’Alene.  Boat Tour on Lake Coeur d’Alene Hayden Lake Coeur d’Alene food and drinks The variety and options for food and drink in the area is surprising. We loved the the walkability of downtown’s Sherman Avenue, lined with shops and restaurants, ending at the boardwalk along the lake. Below you’ll find some great recommendations for where to eat in Coeur d’Alene; not only a long Sherman Ave but in other parts of town as well.  Food Fire Pizza (Temporarily Closed at the time of writing): the wood fired pizza here was delicious with an option of gluten free.  Crafted Tap House + Kitchen: Yummy variety of food and more beer options than you can handle.  Anchored Coffee Company: The most delicious bagel breakfast sandwich, and great coffee too. This is a drive thru or walk up type coffee stand/house. No indoor seating.  Drinks (and food) Jeremiah Johnson Brewing: Delicious craft beers in a laid-back atmosphere with food available.  Bier House: German beer with a patio for people watching out front, as well as a full menu.  Proximity to other destinations Coeur d’Alene Idaho is not only in the middle of beautiful areas, but it’s also within close proximity to Spokane, Washington and Post Falls, Idaho. Just a 45 min drive north is a ski resort called Schweitzer with a resort, skiing, snowbaording, and tubing. In the summer the views from the top are spectacular. You’ll find Idaho’s deepest lake, Pend Orielle close by as well.  A few hours away you can cross the border into Canada, or into Montana, with Glacier National Park as a highlight. You could also drive a few hours to Leavenworth, Washington; a quaint town that looks like you stepped into a Bavarian village.  Read More: Interesting Things To Do in Spokane, Washington When You Visit  Where to stay in Coeur d’Alene There are a number of great accommodations in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. We stayed with family, but saw some great options that we would love to try out!  One Lakeside – A newer hotel with a great central location. Each room is a suite featuring a kitchen, which gives you the option to make a few meals and save money. There is a hot tub on site, an outdoor terrace, and it’s walking distance to restaurants and shops. Click to book this hotel.  WorldMark Arrow Point – If you like to be a little more remote, this hotel is a great choice. I like staying at World Mark properties because the rooms are like true condos. Amenities include a lakeside restaurant (open in summer), an indoor pool for use in all seasons, and a fitness center. Guests love the views! Click to check out the pictures and book.  Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links, meaning I receive a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you. I really, really appreciate your support and could not continue this blog without you! 

The post Reasons Why You Need to Visit Beautiful Coeur d’Alene, Idaho appeared first on Plan to Explore.

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Are you looking for a destination to get away that offers outdoor adventure, but also a small city atmosphere? Coeur d’Alene, Idaho is a great destination to add to your travel bucket list! 

You’ll find boating, hiking, restaurants, quaint cafes and shops, along with gorgeous scenery.  Picture lakes surrounded by rolling hills, and lots of pine trees. Read more below for some of my top reasons to visit Coeud d’Alene. 

 

How to get to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Now to the first question everyone has – how do you get to Coeur d’Alene? The shortest answer is driving. This means whether you arrive by plane or not, you’ll need a car. 

The closest international airport is in Spokane, Washington which is about a 1 hour drive away. We found the drive very easy and straight forward. We rented a car right at Spokane Airport from Avis, but there are multiple rental company options. Click here to search for car rentals. (I like to use Booking.com because I can earn cash back from Rakuten!) 

 

Click here to browse rental cars
Click here to sign up for Rakuten

Hiking in Coeur d'Alene

Coeur d’Alene offers so much natural beauty, it’s hard to not want to wander through it! Trails vary in difficulty, and you can find them near public areas or even within neighborhoods. Below are a few recommended options: 

Tubbs Hill is a must-hike in the area. Located just South of Sherman Avenue on a hill/ridge along Lake Coeur d’Alene, this 2 milk hike offers a lot of scenery. City views, forest views, and water views are all included. The trail was easy to traverse, even our 5 year old made it most of the way through on his own. 

Canfield Mountain Natural Trail is a moderate hike, basically up the side of a hill. Hikers say that the top offers amazing views of the surrounding area. 

Fernan Lake Natural Area offers trails along Fernan Lake, most are easy. Hikers mentioned that some of the trails are not marked, so do pay attention to where you are going. There are also spots to hike to the lake’s edge. 

 

Suspension Bridge in Couer d'Alene, Plan to Explore
Tubbs Hill

Coeur d'Alene's small town feel

With a population of around 57,000 people, many would consider Coeur d’Alene a small town. There has been recent growth to the area with people relocating to the state, but none the less it maintains it’s charm. 

Most notable in the charm category is downtown’s Spencer Avenue. Along this walkable road you will find small shops, restaurants, coffee shops, a toy store, and more. From here you can walk to the main dock on Lake Coeur d’Alene. You’ll find rentals like kayaks, can take a lake boat tour, or even fly in a pontoon boat. 

Outside of this area, there are many cute coffee stands where you can walk up or drive through for your morning coffee and a snack. We really liked Anchored Coffee Company on Dalton for a bagel sandwich and latte. 

Bier Haus Coeur d'Alene
Sherman Avenue

Lakes around Coeur d'Alene

Lakes are one of the highlights in the Coeur d’Alene area. Right in town you’ll find Lake Coeur d’Alene, with plenty of things to do. Take a tour boat, fly on a pontoon plane, rent kayaks or boats, swim, and more. 

Close by in a more residential area is Hayden Lake. You’ll often spot it if you are high up in a neighborhood. or on a hiking trail. 

There are also smaller lakes dotted around the area such as Twin Lakes, Spirit Lake, Fernan Lake, Newman Lake and Hauser Lake. No shortage of choices around Coeur d’Alene. 

Boat Cruise on Lake Coeur d'Alene, Plan to Explore
Boat Tour on Lake Coeur d'Alene
Hayden Lake, Idaho, Plan to Explore
Hayden Lake

Coeur d'Alene food and drinks

The variety and options for food and drink in the area is surprising. We loved the the walkability of downtown’s Sherman Avenue, lined with shops and restaurants, ending at the boardwalk along the lake. Below you’ll find some great recommendations for where to eat in Coeur d’Alene; not only a long Sherman Ave but in other parts of town as well. 

Food

Fire Pizza (Temporarily Closed at the time of writing): the wood fired pizza here was delicious with an option of gluten free. 

Crafted Tap House + Kitchen: Yummy variety of food and more beer options than you can handle. 

Anchored Coffee Company: The most delicious bagel breakfast sandwich, and great coffee too. This is a drive thru or walk up type coffee stand/house. No indoor seating. 

Drinks (and food)

Jeremiah Johnson Brewing: Delicious craft beers in a laid-back atmosphere with food available. 

Bier House: German beer with a patio for people watching out front, as well as a full menu. 

Plan to Explore at Bier Haus, Coeur d'Alene Idaho

Proximity to other destinations

Coeur d’Alene Idaho is not only in the middle of beautiful areas, but it’s also within close proximity to Spokane, Washington and Post Falls, Idaho. Just a 45 min drive north is a ski resort called Schweitzer with a resort, skiing, snowbaording, and tubing. In the summer the views from the top are spectacular. You’ll find Idaho’s deepest lake, Pend Orielle close by as well. 

A few hours away you can cross the border into Canada, or into Montana, with Glacier National Park as a highlight. You could also drive a few hours to Leavenworth, Washington; a quaint town that looks like you stepped into a Bavarian village. 

Spokane Falls, Plan to Explore

Read More: Interesting Things To Do in Spokane, Washington When You Visit 

Where to stay in Coeur d'Alene

There are a number of great accommodations in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. We stayed with family, but saw some great options that we would love to try out! 

One Lakeside – A newer hotel with a great central location. Each room is a suite featuring a kitchen, which gives you the option to make a few meals and save money. There is a hot tub on site, an outdoor terrace, and it’s walking distance to restaurants and shops. Click to book this hotel. 

WorldMark Arrow Point – If you like to be a little more remote, this hotel is a great choice. I like staying at World Mark properties because the rooms are like true condos. Amenities include a lakeside restaurant (open in summer), an indoor pool for use in all seasons, and a fitness center. Guests love the views! Click to check out the pictures and book. 

Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links, meaning I receive a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you. I really, really appreciate your support and could not continue this blog without you! 

The post Reasons Why You Need to Visit Beautiful Coeur d’Alene, Idaho appeared first on Plan to Explore.

]]> https://plantoexplore.com/coeur-dalene-idaho/feed/ 0 Interesting Things To Do in Spokane Washington When You Visit https://plantoexplore.com/spokane-washington/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=spokane-washington https://plantoexplore.com/spokane-washington/#respond Thu, 22 Sep 2022 16:14:21 +0000 https://plantoexplore.com/?p=3591 Exploring things to do in Spokane, Washington was surprisingly fun! The city is big enough to keep you busy but doesn’t overwhelm you with choice.  Spokane, Washington was easy to get around, historic, and even scenic! You’ll want to read more below to learn about what Spokane has to offer.  How to Get There and Where to Stay Spokane is located in western Washington, very close to the border of Idaho. Most visitors will either be driving or flying into this destination.  Flying – Spokane International Airport is just a few minutes outside of the downtown area. This small airport was easy to navigate, but since it’s small it may be harder to find cheap flights.  Rental Car: I recommend renting a car to get the most out of your trip. You can search for rentals here.  Pro Tip: Sign up for Scott’s Cheap Flights (now Going) to get free flight deals sent right to your inbox! I have even booked international flights for as cheap at $400/ticket from an email I received. Click here!    Where to Stay in Spokane Spokane has a good selection of hotels right in the downtown area. We really enjoyed our stay at Hotel Indigo, but I will also list a few others that we considered.  Hotel Indigo: Modern renovation in a historic building is right up my alley. They offer spacious rooms with great decor, comfy beds, and nice bathrooms. Downstairs there is a small “store” where you can grab a snack, soda, seltzer, can of beer, or bottle of wine to bring up to your room (love that!) Attached is Magnolia Brasserie mentioned above.  The Davenport Grand, Autograph Collection: This large hotel offers features like 2 restaurants, a gym, indoor pool, and a whiskey bar on-site. Located downtown with modern rooms, this is a great option.  Hotel Montvale: Feel like stepping back in history? This renovated 1899 building turned historic hotel still holds a ton of charm. According to Booking.com, Montvale is highly rated for its location and comfy beds. On-site amenities include a pub, restaurant, and deli.    Click here to book Spokane Hotels Hotel Indigo Spokane Things To Do in Spokane Washington Manito Park in Spokane South of downtown Spokane a few miles, you’ll find Manito Park. This lovely park is surrounded by quaint historic homes and tree lined streets, a great first impression. Within the park there are several sections to visit.   Japanese Tea Garden – A small pond surrounded by trees, fountains, flowers, benches and an arched bridge. A quiet and serene spot to visit.  Rose Hill – There were no roses in late May, however from the pictures online, it is beautiful when in bloom which seems to be summer time.  Gaiser Conservatory & Duncan Garden – The conservatory is a greenhouse filled with plants and flowers, while Duncan Garden is a manicured flower garden adjacent to Gaiser.  Pro Tip: The best bathrooms in the park can be found at the back of the Gaiser Conservatory building. The ones located next to the tea garden have stalls with no doors. You’ll find free parking in several areas of the park as well.  Address: 1702 S Grand Blvd, Spokane, WA 99203 My little traveler at the Japanese Tea Garden Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture and Campbell House Such a neat spot to visit in  Spokane! Part modern museum, part historic mansion, this location has a little bit of something for everyone.  Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture The museum has rotating exhibits and while we visited Dreamworks was featured. If you have kids, or just really love Dreamworks movies, it was a pretty fascinating look behind the creation of many popular films. We saw mini models for How to Train Your Dragon, original sketches for movies like KungFu Panda, Shrek, and Megamind, and scrapbooks from the Trolls movie.  Outside of the museum local Native American’s were recreating the process of making a carved boat out of a tree trunk. They had been working on the boat for 3 months, and it was still incomplete.  Pro Tip: Check the museum’s website to see what exhibit will be featured during your visit. There is a gift shop and small cafe on-site.  Address: 2316 W 1st Ave, Spokane, WA 99201 Dreamworks Exhibit Read more: Unique Things To Do in San Antonio, Texas Campbell House  Originally owned by a wealthy business owner who moved to the area in the late 1800s from Ohio, this historic home has been restored to reflect how it would have been in the early 1910s.  You can explore a number of floors including a basement, main level, upstairs bedrooms and servants quarters. There are docent’s throughout the building to answer questions and offer tidbits about how the family lived. This house was a top highlight of our trip!  Pro tip: Plan to visit the Campbell House after the museum as it typically opens later. Admission is included with your museum ticket.  Campbell House Riverfront Park & Spokane Falls Do yourself a favor and add this park to your things to do in Spokane, Washington list! There is a wide variety of things you can check out, and the pictures do not do this area justice. With paved walkways and fun things to see, this is a great spot.  We spent about 3 hours exploring this area by foot and also via Lime Scooters. It’s a pretty large park to traverse. Highlights include: Giant Red Flyer Wagon – The handle of this larger than life wagon is a slide, the main part of the wagon has monkey bars underneath, and there are stairs to climb up at the back. It’s a great photo opportunity or place to play for kids (and kid-like adults).  Spokane Falls – The Falls are really beautiful to see in person with lots of platforms and stairs for a view from above, or next to the water. If you want a bird’s eye view, hop on the Numerica SkyRide.  Loof Carousel – We arrived too early in the morning to enjoy this indoor carousel, but it looked like a great stop for the carousel lovers out there.  Playgrounds. – On the North side of the river there are multiple playgrounds, as well as a skate park, in one area. We grabbed a smoothie from a nearby food truck and enjoyed watching our son play.  Overall, this is a beautiful park to stroll around in and even sit on a park bench to enjoy the world passing by.  Pro Tip: Arrive earlier in the morning to beat some of the crowds. Bring a bike if you have one accessible, as it would make it easier to move from site to site.  Address: 507 N Howard St, Spokane, WA 99201   Places to Eat & Drink in Spokane Our time in Spokane was short, but we did eat and drink at a couple of places we would recommend.  Magnolia American Brasserie – We ate here for breakfast as it is attached to Hotel Indigo. I had to give it a mention because the breakfast was outstanding. I’m sure their lunch and dinner would be delicious as well.  Mary Lou’s Milk Bottle – This milk bottle shaped diner is north of downtown Spokane and offers really amazing burgers and fries. Another must have is the Huckleberry milkshakes. This meal was worth every single calorie. It gets busy, but service moves quickly. I recommend arriving a little before or after the lunch rush.  Iron Goat Brewery – A great spot for craft beer in downtown Spokane. They have a large beer selection and will help you narrow down choices if you want a flight. We were not as impressed with the food.  Wanderlust Delicato – This place is so great. At first glance it just looks like a wine and cheese shop, but you can get wine by the glass and flights, and snacks including meat and cheese. They also offer group cooking classes. The owner was amazing at helping with wine selections (with lots of unique bottles you do not find at the grocery store), and they even have a little kids table with toys. Felt very European to me.  Note: Places on the list that we did not get to check out – The Flying Goat as I heard their pizza is delicious, and Nudo for their Ramen and Noodle dishes.  Iron Goat Beer Flight Are you planning things to do in Spokane, Washington? Live in Spokane and have even more tips? Comment below! Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links, meaning I receive a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you. I really, really appreciate your support and could not continue this blog without you!

The post Interesting Things To Do in Spokane Washington When You Visit appeared first on Plan to Explore.

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Exploring things to do in Spokane, Washington was surprisingly fun! The city is big enough to keep you busy but doesn’t overwhelm you with choice. 

Spokane, Washington was easy to get around, historic, and even scenic! You’ll want to read more below to learn about what Spokane has to offer. 

How to Get There and Where to Stay

Spokane is located in western Washington, very close to the border of Idaho. Most visitors will either be driving or flying into this destination. 

Flying – Spokane International Airport is just a few minutes outside of the downtown area. This small airport was easy to navigate, but since it’s small it may be harder to find cheap flights. 

Rental Car: I recommend renting a car to get the most out of your trip. You can search for rentals here. 

Pro Tip: Sign up for Scott’s Cheap Flights (now Going) to get free flight deals sent right to your inbox! I have even booked international flights for as cheap at $400/ticket from an email I received. Click here! 

 

Where to Stay in Spokane

Spokane has a good selection of hotels right in the downtown area. We really enjoyed our stay at Hotel Indigo, but I will also list a few others that we considered. 

Hotel Indigo: Modern renovation in a historic building is right up my alley. They offer spacious rooms with great decor, comfy beds, and nice bathrooms. Downstairs there is a small “store” where you can grab a snack, soda, seltzer, can of beer, or bottle of wine to bring up to your room (love that!) Attached is Magnolia Brasserie mentioned above. 

The Davenport Grand, Autograph Collection: This large hotel offers features like 2 restaurants, a gym, indoor pool, and a whiskey bar on-site. Located downtown with modern rooms, this is a great option. 

Hotel Montvale: Feel like stepping back in history? This renovated 1899 building turned historic hotel still holds a ton of charm. According to Booking.com, Montvale is highly rated for its location and comfy beds. On-site amenities include a pub, restaurant, and deli. 

 

Click here to book Spokane Hotels
Hotel Indigo Spokane

Things To Do in Spokane Washington

Manito Park in Spokane

South of downtown Spokane a few miles, you’ll find Manito Park. This lovely park is surrounded by quaint historic homes and tree lined streets, a great first impression. Within the park there are several sections to visit.  

Japanese Tea Garden – A small pond surrounded by trees, fountains, flowers, benches and an arched bridge. A quiet and serene spot to visit. 

Rose Hill – There were no roses in late May, however from the pictures online, it is beautiful when in bloom which seems to be summer time. 

Gaiser Conservatory & Duncan Garden – The conservatory is a greenhouse filled with plants and flowers, while Duncan Garden is a manicured flower garden adjacent to Gaiser. 

Pro Tip: The best bathrooms in the park can be found at the back of the Gaiser Conservatory building. The ones located next to the tea garden have stalls with no doors. You’ll find free parking in several areas of the park as well. 

Address: 1702 S Grand Blvd, Spokane, WA 99203

Japanese Garden, Manito Park Spokane, Plan to Explore
My little traveler at the Japanese Tea Garden

Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture and Campbell House

Such a neat spot to visit in  Spokane! Part modern museum, part historic mansion, this location has a little bit of something for everyone. 

Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture

The museum has rotating exhibits and while we visited Dreamworks was featured. If you have kids, or just really love Dreamworks movies, it was a pretty fascinating look behind the creation of many popular films. We saw mini models for How to Train Your Dragon, original sketches for movies like KungFu Panda, Shrek, and Megamind, and scrapbooks from the Trolls movie. 

Outside of the museum local Native American’s were recreating the process of making a carved boat out of a tree trunk. They had been working on the boat for 3 months, and it was still incomplete. 

Pro Tip: Check the museum’s website to see what exhibit will be featured during your visit. There is a gift shop and small cafe on-site. 

Address: 2316 W 1st Ave, Spokane, WA 99201

Northwest Museum of Arts, Spokane Washington
Dreamworks Exhibit

Read more: Unique Things To Do in San Antonio, Texas

Campbell House 

Originally owned by a wealthy business owner who moved to the area in the late 1800s from Ohio, this historic home has been restored to reflect how it would have been in the early 1910s. 

You can explore a number of floors including a basement, main level, upstairs bedrooms and servants quarters. There are docent’s throughout the building to answer questions and offer tidbits about how the family lived. This house was a top highlight of our trip! 

Pro tip: Plan to visit the Campbell House after the museum as it typically opens later. Admission is included with your museum ticket. 

Campbell House Spokane Washington, Plan to Explore
Campbell House

Riverfront Park & Spokane Falls

Do yourself a favor and add this park to your things to do in Spokane, Washington list! There is a wide variety of things you can check out, and the pictures do not do this area justice. With paved walkways and fun things to see, this is a great spot. 

We spent about 3 hours exploring this area by foot and also via Lime Scooters. It’s a pretty large park to traverse. Highlights include:

Giant Red Flyer Wagon – The handle of this larger than life wagon is a slide, the main part of the wagon has monkey bars underneath, and there are stairs to climb up at the back. It’s a great photo opportunity or place to play for kids (and kid-like adults). 

Spokane Falls – The Falls are really beautiful to see in person with lots of platforms and stairs for a view from above, or next to the water. If you want a bird’s eye view, hop on the Numerica SkyRide. 

Loof Carousel – We arrived too early in the morning to enjoy this indoor carousel, but it looked like a great stop for the carousel lovers out there. 

Playgrounds. – On the North side of the river there are multiple playgrounds, as well as a skate park, in one area. We grabbed a smoothie from a nearby food truck and enjoyed watching our son play. 

Overall, this is a beautiful park to stroll around in and even sit on a park bench to enjoy the world passing by. 

Pro Tip: Arrive earlier in the morning to beat some of the crowds. Bring a bike if you have one accessible, as it would make it easier to move from site to site. 

Address: 507 N Howard St, Spokane, WA 99201

 

Spokane Falls, Plan to Explore

Places to Eat & Drink in Spokane

Our time in Spokane was short, but we did eat and drink at a couple of places we would recommend. 

Magnolia American Brasserie – We ate here for breakfast as it is attached to Hotel Indigo. I had to give it a mention because the breakfast was outstanding. I’m sure their lunch and dinner would be delicious as well. 

Mary Lou’s Milk Bottle – This milk bottle shaped diner is north of downtown Spokane and offers really amazing burgers and fries. Another must have is the Huckleberry milkshakes. This meal was worth every single calorie. It gets busy, but service moves quickly. I recommend arriving a little before or after the lunch rush. 

Iron Goat Brewery – A great spot for craft beer in downtown Spokane. They have a large beer selection and will help you narrow down choices if you want a flight. We were not as impressed with the food. 

Wanderlust Delicato – This place is so great. At first glance it just looks like a wine and cheese shop, but you can get wine by the glass and flights, and snacks including meat and cheese. They also offer group cooking classes. The owner was amazing at helping with wine selections (with lots of unique bottles you do not find at the grocery store), and they even have a little kids table with toys. Felt very European to me. 

Note: Places on the list that we did not get to check out – The Flying Goat as I heard their pizza is delicious, and Nudo for their Ramen and Noodle dishes. 

Iron Goat Brewing, Spokane Washington
Iron Goat Beer Flight

Are you planning things to do in Spokane, Washington? Live in Spokane and have even more tips? Comment below!

Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links, meaning I receive a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you. I really, really appreciate your support and could not continue this blog without you!

The post Interesting Things To Do in Spokane Washington When You Visit appeared first on Plan to Explore.

]]> https://plantoexplore.com/spokane-washington/feed/ 0 How To Plan the Best Day in Wimberley Texas [Updated 2025] https://plantoexplore.com/best-day-in-wimberley-texas/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=best-day-in-wimberley-texas https://plantoexplore.com/best-day-in-wimberley-texas/#comments Wed, 15 Jun 2022 21:15:30 +0000 https://plantoexplore.com/?p=3485 Are you looking for a day trip from Austin, Texas? Want to visit all the small towns in Texas? This post will give you all the details you need for visiting Wimberley, Texas.  Wimberley is a charming small town about 35 miles South of Austin, in the Texas Hill Country. Read on for my tips on when to visit, things to do, where to eat, and even where to swim in Wimberley, Texas!  When to Visit Wimberley When to visit is definitely determined by the weather in Wimberley and the activity you’d like to enjoy! Spring and Fall are ideal for shopping, eating on a patio, hiking, and walking around town. If it’s late spring or early fall, you may be able to swim too.  Summer is hot, ideal for going swimming and places with A/C.  Winter is hit or miss, but can be good for shopping and strolling.   Trail next to the Blanco River in downtown Wimberley – Late Spring How to Get to Wimberley Located South of Austin, getting to Wimberley will definitely take a car or a hired driver. I recommend renting a car to get around as there is not much transit available in the area. You’ll want to be able to drive to locations a few miles apart while visiting.  From Austin: The drive will take around 1 hour  Airports:  Austin Bergstrom International Airport – about 50 minutes away San Antonio International Airport – a little over an hour away Pro Tips: Don’t forget to sign up for Scott’s Cheap Flights (now Going) to get flight deals right in your inbox! You can also search for rental cars at local airports on booking.com! You’ll be able to see all the rental companies compared in one place.  Where to Swim in Wimberley Wimberley swimming holes are a bit famous in Texas. Not only can you swim, but you can also hike in these areas. So plan to take a hike and then a dip afterwards!  Jacob’s Well – An underwater cave swimming hole. Reservations are required. Open from 8:00 – 6:00 pm daily from May – September (no alcohol, glass, or dogs). Check their website for the latest fees. You are able to hike with no reservation. *Water levels at Jacobs Well have become so low this area is now closed to swimming for the foreseeable future – check website** Blue Hole – A wooded swimming area with rope swings, as well as trails and a basketball court. Reservations are required. Open 8:00 am – Sunset from the end of May to the beginning of September.  Shopping in Wimberley The shops in Wimberley are absolutely adorable. There are small boutiques, antique stores, kitchen accessories, plant shops, gift shops, coffee shops, and more. The main area for shopping is the Wimberley Square area, and east a long Old Kyle Rd. You can easily walk here with convenient pedestrian crossing areas.  A few stores that I like to stop in:  Vintage Lily: Women’s Clothing The Wildflower: Women’s Clothing Wimberley Whimsy: For unique items and gifts  The Old Mill: For gifts and souvenirs The Bazar: For small antiques and thrift  Pro Tip: Give yourself at least 3 hours or more to wander – there are so many more great shops than I mentioned!  Parking: I recommend parking in the open lot next to Community Pizza & Beer Garden. If it’s not too busy, you might snag a spot right on Wimberley Square instead.  Where to Eat in Wimberley You’ll find a good selection of places to eat in Wimberley, Texas. I’ll list a few of my favorites below!  Community Pizza & Beer – A go-to for our family. Not only do they have amazing wood fired pizza, they have a great beer selection (a long with other drinks). There is a small sized indoor area, and a large patio with sails and misting fans. This is also a win for us because of the pirate ship play ground that my son loves!  Chill’s on the Creek – I know it seems like a touristy spot, and maybe it is, but we’ve never had a bad experience! We love this as a lunch location where you can sit outside along the Blanco River. Make sure you try any of their sourdough sandwiches, the bread is locally made and has a little sweet touch to it. Yum!  JoBell’s – For an upscale dining experience try JoBell’s just a little bit north on RR 12. We visited for our anniversary and enjoyed the experience. Low romantic lighting inside, or a lovely patio outside gives you dining options.    Read more: Insider’s Guide to Dripping Spring, Texas Where to Grab a Drink The Hill Country in Texas is known for its wine and craft beer scene, and Wimberley does not disappoint.  Los Olivos Market – Part wine bar, part wine and foodie shop, I like this spot. I was here on my birthday and grabbed a charcuterie box (it was delicious) and a glass of Rosé. Take away wines include a large selection of Texas wines, as well as some natural wines. They do also offer beer.  Social on the Square – Featuring wine and some alternative drinks like a paloma and a margarita, this is a cute spot with a courtyard to hang out in. There is also a small beer menu.   Casa Vindemia Wine & Beer Patio – A little off the beaten path up 12, I love this wine bar. They have 5 wines open at any given point, and you can choose to do a tasting of all of them, or a glass of one. The owner here imports very interesting wines which is unique and great. We were able to have glass of Hungarian wine! (Click here to read my post about why you should try Hungarian wine) *Temporarily Closed as of March 2025* Casa Vindemia Wine & Beer Garden Where to Stay in Wimberley, Texas There are a lot of options for Wimberley places to stay. From cabins, to a quaint hotel, to unique Airbnbs you’ll be able to find a great fit for you and your friends or family. Here are a few recommendations:  Wimberley Inn: A 3-star hotel with a bar and garden on site, and modern hip interiors.  Burnett Ranch Cabins – For an escape to the countryside (in true Texas style) try these rustic cabins that sleep 4+ people.  Rock House on Cypress Creek – This house accommodates 8 people and is walking distance to Wimberley. Private pool onsite is a plus!  Do you have the ideas you need to plan your best day in Wimberley, Texas? I hope this gives you the information you need to visit Wimberley and plan the best trip – for you! Leave a comment and let me know if you plan to use any of these Wimberley travel tips!  Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links, meaning I receive a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you. I really, really appreciate your support and could not continue this blog without you!

The post How To Plan the Best Day in Wimberley Texas [Updated 2025] appeared first on Plan to Explore.

]]>

Are you looking for a day trip from Austin, Texas? Want to visit all the small towns in Texas? This post will give you all the details you need for visiting Wimberley, Texas. 

Wimberley is a charming small town about 35 miles South of Austin, in the Texas Hill Country. Read on for my tips on when to visit, things to do, where to eat, and even where to swim in Wimberley, Texas! 

When to Visit Wimberley

When to visit is definitely determined by the weather in Wimberley and the activity you’d like to enjoy!

  • Spring and Fall are ideal for shopping, eating on a patio, hiking, and walking around town. If it’s late spring or early fall, you may be able to swim too. 
  • Summer is hot, ideal for going swimming and places with A/C. 
  • Winter is hit or miss, but can be good for shopping and strolling.  
Wimberley Texas Weather, Plan to Explore
Trail next to the Blanco River in downtown Wimberley - Late Spring

How to Get to Wimberley

Located South of Austin, getting to Wimberley will definitely take a car or a hired driver. I recommend renting a car to get around as there is not much transit available in the area. You’ll want to be able to drive to locations a few miles apart while visiting. 

From Austin: The drive will take around 1 hour 

Airports: 

  • Austin Bergstrom International Airport – about 50 minutes away
  • San Antonio International Airport – a little over an hour away

Pro Tips: Don’t forget to sign up for Scott’s Cheap Flights (now Going) to get flight deals right in your inbox! You can also search for rental cars at local airports on booking.com! You’ll be able to see all the rental companies compared in one place. 

Where to Swim in Wimberley

Wimberley swimming holes are a bit famous in Texas. Not only can you swim, but you can also hike in these areas. So plan to take a hike and then a dip afterwards! 

Jacob’s Well – An underwater cave swimming hole. Reservations are required. Open from 8:00 – 6:00 pm daily from May – September (no alcohol, glass, or dogs). Check their website for the latest fees. You are able to hike with no reservation. *Water levels at Jacobs Well have become so low this area is now closed to swimming for the foreseeable future – check website**

Blue Hole – A wooded swimming area with rope swings, as well as trails and a basketball court. Reservations are required. Open 8:00 am – Sunset from the end of May to the beginning of September. 

Shopping in Wimberley

The shops in Wimberley are absolutely adorable. There are small boutiques, antique stores, kitchen accessories, plant shops, gift shops, coffee shops, and more. The main area for shopping is the Wimberley Square area, and east a long Old Kyle Rd. You can easily walk here with convenient pedestrian crossing areas. 

A few stores that I like to stop in: 

  • Vintage Lily: Women’s Clothing
  • The Wildflower: Women’s Clothing
  • Wimberley Whimsy: For unique items and gifts 
  • The Old Mill: For gifts and souvenirs
  • The Bazar: For small antiques and thrift 
  • Pro Tip: Give yourself at least 3 hours or more to wander – there are so many more great shops than I mentioned! 

Parking: I recommend parking in the open lot next to Community Pizza & Beer Garden. If it’s not too busy, you might snag a spot right on Wimberley Square instead. 

Shopping in Wimberley, Texas, Plan to Explore

Where to Eat in Wimberley

You’ll find a good selection of places to eat in Wimberley, Texas. I’ll list a few of my favorites below! 

Community Pizza & Beer – A go-to for our family. Not only do they have amazing wood fired pizza, they have a great beer selection (a long with other drinks). There is a small sized indoor area, and a large patio with sails and misting fans. This is also a win for us because of the pirate ship play ground that my son loves! 

Chill’s on the Creek – I know it seems like a touristy spot, and maybe it is, but we’ve never had a bad experience! We love this as a lunch location where you can sit outside along the Blanco River. Make sure you try any of their sourdough sandwiches, the bread is locally made and has a little sweet touch to it. Yum! 

JoBell’s – For an upscale dining experience try JoBell’s just a little bit north on RR 12. We visited for our anniversary and enjoyed the experience. Low romantic lighting inside, or a lovely patio outside gives you dining options. 

 

Read more: Insider's Guide to Dripping Spring, Texas

Where to Grab a Drink

The Hill Country in Texas is known for its wine and craft beer scene, and Wimberley does not disappoint. 

Los Olivos Market – Part wine bar, part wine and foodie shop, I like this spot. I was here on my birthday and grabbed a charcuterie box (it was delicious) and a glass of Rosé. Take away wines include a large selection of Texas wines, as well as some natural wines. They do also offer beer. 

Social on the Square – Featuring wine and some alternative drinks like a paloma and a margarita, this is a cute spot with a courtyard to hang out in. There is also a small beer menu.  

Casa Vindemia Wine & Beer Patio – A little off the beaten path up 12, I love this wine bar. They have 5 wines open at any given point, and you can choose to do a tasting of all of them, or a glass of one. The owner here imports very interesting wines which is unique and great. We were able to have glass of Hungarian wine! (Click here to read my post about why you should try Hungarian wine) *Temporarily Closed as of March 2025*

Casa Vindemia Wine & Beer Garden

Where to Stay in Wimberley, Texas

There are a lot of options for Wimberley places to stay. From cabins, to a quaint hotel, to unique Airbnbs you’ll be able to find a great fit for you and your friends or family. Here are a few recommendations: 

Wimberley Inn: A 3-star hotel with a bar and garden on site, and modern hip interiors. 

Burnett Ranch Cabins – For an escape to the countryside (in true Texas style) try these rustic cabins that sleep 4+ people. 

Rock House on Cypress Creek – This house accommodates 8 people and is walking distance to Wimberley. Private pool onsite is a plus! 

Do you have the ideas you need to plan your best day in Wimberley, Texas?

I hope this gives you the information you need to visit Wimberley and plan the best trip – for you! Leave a comment and let me know if you plan to use any of these Wimberley travel tips! 

Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links, meaning I receive a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you. I really, really appreciate your support and could not continue this blog without you!

The post How To Plan the Best Day in Wimberley Texas [Updated 2025] appeared first on Plan to Explore.

]]> https://plantoexplore.com/best-day-in-wimberley-texas/feed/ 1 Top Napa Valley Tips to Plan Your Trip on Any Budget https://plantoexplore.com/napa-valley/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=napa-valley https://plantoexplore.com/napa-valley/#comments Wed, 01 Dec 2021 22:27:34 +0000 https://plantoexplore.com/?p=3229 The famed Napa Valley. We’ve all heard of it – the best wines in America are supposedly made here. So with all that hype and notoriety, how do you plan a trip at any budget?  Follow the tips in each section below and you’ll be planning your trip to Napa Valley in no time.  Flights to Napa Valley Napa Valley’s location gives you a few different options for flights, which is helpful on your wallet. The most convenient locations are Oakland and Sacramento. San Francisco is another option but is a bit further away. Below are the approximate driving distances from each airport to Napa Valley.  Oakland to Napa Valley: About an hour and a half drive.  Sacramento to Napa Valley: About an hour drive.  San Francisco to Napa Valley:  Almost two hours drive.  Don’t forget to sign up for Scott’s Cheap Flights (now Going) to get flight deals right in your inbox!  How to Get Around Napa Valley When in Napa Valley you will definitely need a car to get around, unless you plan on staying in one small area and taking tours or catching Uber daily.  Napa Valley primarily consists of a number of towns up and down Highway 29. Starting in the south in Napa City, you’ll continue north through Rutherford and Oakville, on to St. Helena, and then Calistoga.  With two days in the area, we just scratched the surface visiting St. Helena, Rutherford and Napa proper.  I recommend renting a car to get the most out of your time. If the daily rental rate for cars seems too expensive, try checking out Turo. It’s a peer to peer rental service that tends to be a bit less expensive. We had a car delivered right to arrivals in Oakland.  Click here to check out rental cars in the Oakland area.  Read More: Popular Wineries in the Texas Hill Country Napa Valley Weather The weather in Napa Valley is great for most of the year. In the winter temperatures are mild, although it can get a little chilly. Spring and Fall are a great time to visit with weather in the 60 – 70ºF range. Summer can get up into the 80º range, but this could a be great time to explore those wine cave tours!  If you want to save money, travel in the off-season! The most popular time of year to visit Napa Valley is between August and mid-October.  Benessere Vineyards Where to Stay in Napa Valley Napa Valley accommodations are not exactly known to be super affordable.  My recommendation would be to find an area of Napa you’d like to spend the most time in and then start looking for where to stay.  Areas to check out: Yountville, California is more upscale with the Michelin star restaurants. Napa “City” has a river flowing through it and more modern shops and restaurants.  The small towns of St. Helena and Calistoga are quaint and there will more than likely be less tourists at the end of the day.  Once you decide on the area, don’t forget to check VRBO, Booking.com, and Trip Advisor for the best options.  Click on the buttons below to search Napa Valley places to stay!  VRBO Home Rentals Booking.com How to Pick Napa Valley Wineries This is the hardest part! With over 400 wineries in the valley, how do you choose?  My advice is to break down the Napa Valley wineries by using five different factors to help narrow your choices. You can use all of them, or just a few!  Location: Start your day by day itinerary by choosing the location you want to focus on. For example, we stayed around St. Helena one day, and then Napa proper/Rutherford the next.   Wine Varietal: Many people come to Napa because it’s known for good quality Cabernet Sauvignon. If you like Cab, pick wineries based on that. Personally, I like a variety. I tried to choose wineries throughout the day that had varying varietals.  Price Point: Some wineries in Napa are very expensive just for a tasting. You’ll see tasting prices anywhere from $30 – $90 per person. As you are looking up wineries, most will have a  “visit” page where you can see what the tasting cost will be.  Rating/Recommendation: As a last deciding option, check out the rating on Google. I tend to read a few at 5 stars, a few in the middle, and a few bad reviews for any given place to see what it’s like. Looking at visitor pictures can also give you a true sense of the experience. You can also ask on social media if anyone has been to the area before and if they have recommendations.  Atmosphere: Since I just mentioned taking a look at visitor pictures, another way I narrow down my list is to figure out what kind of winery scenery and atmosphere I’m looking for. Do you want an upscale and grand? Boutique and quaint? A beautiful view?  If you really want the “easy button” – book a tour! I love Get Your Guide and Airbnb Experiences to book a tour.  Where to Eat in Napa Valley There are so many options for food in Napa Valley! You can find upscale, casual, fast casual, food markets, and more.  I travel on a budget, so the places I will be recommending are based on a modest budget.  Oxbow Market: With so much variety under one roof, this really is one to check out. Food options include pizza, tacos, oysters, burgers, bakery goods, coffee, a cheese shop, and a small shop with produce. Highly recommend stopping at C Casa for breakfast tacos (one of the best I’ve ever had and I am from the breakfast taco state of Texas!).  The coffee at Ritual Coffee was absolutely delicious as well.  You can pick up items to make your own picnic here, which is what we did! I grabbed cheese, salami, olives, grapes, and crackers – which is a great budget friendly option. Pro tip – tell the cheese shop at check out that you’re having a picnic and they will set you up with plates, napkins, and utensils!  Oxbow Market Ritual Coffee Model Bakery: Locations include Oxbow Market and St. Helena. We stopped at the one in St. Helena for lunch to try to avoid some of the crowds. I had a veggie sandwich that was great, husband had a slice of pizza that hit the spot. We got a few takeaway pastries but they were a little dry by the next morning, so I recommend eating them same day!  Gott’s Roadside: Locations include St. Helena and Oxbow Market. If you like a good burger and fries combo, you’ll love Gott’s. They also have salads, tacos, and milkshakes. I got the falafel salad and tried a taste of the burger which was really good. Fries were also yummy.  Gott’s Roadside Napa General Store: Part restaurant, part gift shop this is a nice stop. We had brunch here on a rainy Sunday. The food was fresh and the portion sizes were big. The skillet potatoes were the best part! I also bought a few gifts to bring home. I love dual purpose locations!  Other food recommendations in Napa Valley that I didn’t have a chance to check out, but heard good things about:  St. Helena: Goose & Gander, TraVinge, and Farmstead  Rutherford/Napa: Rutherford Grill, Bounty Hunter, and La Taberna Napa Valley Pro Tips Here are some pro tips for Napa Valley to help during your visit!  Make reservations! You will want to make reservations not only for every winery you visit but also for restaurants. Places book up weeks in advance, so plan accordingly.  Allow a good amount of time between tastings – you’ll want to explore each property, and also have enough time to get in between each spot.  Conclusions Napa Valley can be affordable if you take some time to research and plan a bit! I have to say it wasn’t as “stuffy” as I thought it might be, and I really look forward to going back again.  Don’t forget to use the tools below to help with your Napa Valley travel planning:  Hotels: Booking.com Vacation Rentals: VRBO Tours: Get Your Guide Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links, meaning we receive a commission if you decide to make a purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you. I really, really appreciate your support and could not continue this blog without you! 

The post Top Napa Valley Tips to Plan Your Trip on Any Budget appeared first on Plan to Explore.

]]>

The famed Napa Valley. We’ve all heard of it – the best wines in America are supposedly made here. So with all that hype and notoriety, how do you plan a trip at any budget? 

Follow the tips in each section below and you’ll be planning your trip to Napa Valley in no time. 

Flights to Napa Valley

Napa Valley’s location gives you a few different options for flights, which is helpful on your wallet. The most convenient locations are Oakland and Sacramento. San Francisco is another option but is a bit further away. Below are the approximate driving distances from each airport to Napa Valley. 

  • Oakland to Napa Valley: About an hour and a half drive. 
  • Sacramento to Napa Valley: About an hour drive. 
  • San Francisco to Napa Valley:  Almost two hours drive. 
Don’t forget to sign up for Scott’s Cheap Flights (now Going) to get flight deals right in your inbox! 
Up to 25% off on all Priority Pass annual memberships

How to Get Around Napa Valley

When in Napa Valley you will definitely need a car to get around, unless you plan on staying in one small area and taking tours or catching Uber daily. 

Napa Valley primarily consists of a number of towns up and down Highway 29. Starting in the south in Napa City, you’ll continue north through Rutherford and Oakville, on to St. Helena, and then Calistoga. 

With two days in the area, we just scratched the surface visiting St. Helena, Rutherford and Napa proper. 

I recommend renting a car to get the most out of your time. If the daily rental rate for cars seems too expensive, try checking out Turo. It’s a peer to peer rental service that tends to be a bit less expensive. We had a car delivered right to arrivals in Oakland. 

Click here to check out rental cars in the Oakland area. 

Dripping Springs Wineries, Hawk Shadow, Plan to Explore

Read More: Popular Wineries in the Texas Hill Country

Napa Valley Weather

The weather in Napa Valley is great for most of the year. In the winter temperatures are mild, although it can get a little chilly. Spring and Fall are a great time to visit with weather in the 60 – 70ºF range. Summer can get up into the 80º range, but this could a be great time to explore those wine cave tours! 

If you want to save money, travel in the off-season! The most popular time of year to visit Napa Valley is between August and mid-October. 

Napa Valley Weather, Plan to Explore
Benessere Vineyards

Where to Stay in Napa Valley

Napa Valley accommodations are not exactly known to be super affordable. 

My recommendation would be to find an area of Napa you’d like to spend the most time in and then start looking for where to stay. 

Areas to check out:

Yountville, California is more upscale with the Michelin star restaurants. Napa “City” has a river flowing through it and more modern shops and restaurants. 

The small towns of St. Helena and Calistoga are quaint and there will more than likely be less tourists at the end of the day. 

Once you decide on the area, don’t forget to check VRBO, Booking.com, and Trip Advisor for the best options. 

Click on the buttons below to search Napa Valley places to stay! 
VRBO Home Rentals
Booking.com

How to Pick Napa Valley Wineries

This is the hardest part! With over 400 wineries in the valley, how do you choose? 

My advice is to break down the Napa Valley wineries by using five different factors to help narrow your choices. You can use all of them, or just a few! 

  1. Location: Start your day by day itinerary by choosing the location you want to focus on. For example, we stayed around St. Helena one day, and then Napa proper/Rutherford the next.  
  2. Wine Varietal: Many people come to Napa because it’s known for good quality Cabernet Sauvignon. If you like Cab, pick wineries based on that. Personally, I like a variety. I tried to choose wineries throughout the day that had varying varietals. 
  3. Price Point: Some wineries in Napa are very expensive just for a tasting. You’ll see tasting prices anywhere from $30 – $90 per person. As you are looking up wineries, most will have a  “visit” page where you can see what the tasting cost will be. 
  4. Rating/Recommendation: As a last deciding option, check out the rating on Google. I tend to read a few at 5 stars, a few in the middle, and a few bad reviews for any given place to see what it’s like. Looking at visitor pictures can also give you a true sense of the experience. You can also ask on social media if anyone has been to the area before and if they have recommendations. 
  5. Atmosphere: Since I just mentioned taking a look at visitor pictures, another way I narrow down my list is to figure out what kind of winery scenery and atmosphere I’m looking for. Do you want an upscale and grand? Boutique and quaint? A beautiful view? 

If you really want the “easy button” – book a tour! I love Get Your Guide and Airbnb Experiences to book a tour. 

Napa Valley Vineyard, Plan to Explore Travel Blog

Where to Eat in Napa Valley

There are so many options for food in Napa Valley! You can find upscale, casual, fast casual, food markets, and more. 

I travel on a budget, so the places I will be recommending are based on a modest budget. 

Oxbow Market: With so much variety under one roof, this really is one to check out. Food options include pizza, tacos, oysters, burgers, bakery goods, coffee, a cheese shop, and a small shop with produce. Highly recommend stopping at C Casa for breakfast tacos (one of the best I’ve ever had and I am from the breakfast taco state of Texas!).  The coffee at Ritual Coffee was absolutely delicious as well. 

You can pick up items to make your own picnic here, which is what we did! I grabbed cheese, salami, olives, grapes, and crackers – which is a great budget friendly option. Pro tip – tell the cheese shop at check out that you’re having a picnic and they will set you up with plates, napkins, and utensils! 

Oxbow Market, Napa Valley, Plan to Explore Travel Blog
Oxbow Market
Ritual Coffee

Model Bakery: Locations include Oxbow Market and St. Helena. We stopped at the one in St. Helena for lunch to try to avoid some of the crowds. I had a veggie sandwich that was great, husband had a slice of pizza that hit the spot. We got a few takeaway pastries but they were a little dry by the next morning, so I recommend eating them same day! 

Gott’s Roadside: Locations include St. Helena and Oxbow Market. If you like a good burger and fries combo, you’ll love Gott’s. They also have salads, tacos, and milkshakes. I got the falafel salad and tried a taste of the burger which was really good. Fries were also yummy. 

Gott's Roadside, Plan to Explore
Gott's Roadside

Napa General Store: Part restaurant, part gift shop this is a nice stop. We had brunch here on a rainy Sunday. The food was fresh and the portion sizes were big. The skillet potatoes were the best part! I also bought a few gifts to bring home. I love dual purpose locations! 

Other food recommendations in Napa Valley that I didn’t have a chance to check out, but heard good things about: 

St. Helena: Goose & Gander, TraVinge, and Farmstead 

Rutherford/Napa: Rutherford Grill, Bounty Hunter, and La Taberna

Napa Valley Pro Tips

Here are some pro tips for Napa Valley to help during your visit! 

  • Make reservations! You will want to make reservations not only for every winery you visit but also for restaurants. Places book up weeks in advance, so plan accordingly. 
  • Allow a good amount of time between tastings – you’ll want to explore each property, and also have enough time to get in between each spot. 

Conclusions

Napa Valley can be affordable if you take some time to research and plan a bit! I have to say it wasn’t as “stuffy” as I thought it might be, and I really look forward to going back again. 

Don’t forget to use the tools below to help with your Napa Valley travel planning: 

Hotels: Booking.com

Vacation Rentals: VRBO

Tours: Get Your Guide

Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links, meaning we receive a commission if you decide to make a purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you. I really, really appreciate your support and could not continue this blog without you! 

The post Top Napa Valley Tips to Plan Your Trip on Any Budget appeared first on Plan to Explore.

]]> https://plantoexplore.com/napa-valley/feed/ 1 Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Chautauqua Lake, New York [Updated 2023] https://plantoexplore.com/chautauqua-lake/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=chautauqua-lake https://plantoexplore.com/chautauqua-lake/#comments Thu, 16 Sep 2021 16:04:18 +0000 https://plantoexplore.com/?p=3034 Chautauqua Lake is a hidden gem just south of Lake Erie in Western New York. The name comes from the Native American Erie tribe, and it’s believed to mean “Bag tied in the middle.” Around 17 miles long, and just a few miles across with rolling hills, it’s a beautiful place to get away from it all.  My family has been visiting this lake for 4 generations now and it feels like a second home to me. You’ll find water activities, quaint cottages, shopping, restaurants, and more around this lake.  How do you say it?! If you are not familiar with this area, you might be wondering – “How the heck do you pronounce that name?”  Here’s the pronunciation: shuh·taa·kwuh  😉 How to get to Chautauqua Lake The wonderful yet hard part about getting to this lake is that it’s off the beaten path. South of Buffalo by over an hour, west of Cleveland by 3 hours, and north of Pittsburgh also by 3 hours, this gem is definitely “hidden.”   Driving: If you live in Northeast Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, or Western NY you can get to this lake in 3 hours or less.  Flying: Your best option is to fly into the Buffalo airport. You’ll definitely need a rental car, as Chautauqua is about an hour and a half away. Recently we took the drive down the scenic route on Highway 5 instead of the major highway. It was fun to see all of the small towns along the way. Pro tip: You’ll also save yourself the toll fare on this route.  Don’t forget to click to subscribe to Scott’s Cheap Flights (now Going) or Dollar Flight Club to find cheap airfare! They send cheap flights right to your inbox for you to book.  When to Visit Western New York Chautauqua Lake is the most beautiful in the Summer. If you want to truly enjoy water activities, July and August are ideal. May and June can still be somewhat chilly although you’ll find thinner crowds.  Outside the months of May to September many attractions and restaurants close as the summer visitors disburse. If you love to snowmobile, cross-country ski, or ice fish, you could consider visiting in the winter but you’ll want to travel with a snow shovel. 🙂  Where to Stay There are a variety of options for where to stay on Chautauqua Lake. I’ll give some great recommendations based on three categories below. Click here to book Chautauqua Hotels Historic Hotels The Hotel Lenhart – Bemus Point – [Currently under renovations by new owners – it will retain it’s charm with more modern amenities!] Owned and operated by the same family since 1880, this hotel is one of the few that did not burn down in the area. Spend time on the front porch in rocking chairs with a drink and a view of the lake. This hotel is old, if you prefer lots of modern amenities it may not be for you. The hotel was originally built before plumbing, so some of the rooms have a bathroom outside of the room itself. It all comes with the charm.   Hotel Athenaeum – Institute – Located inside the Chautauqua Institute, this is a beautiful historic hotel with access to all the Institute has to offer. Continental breakfast is included. See things to do below for more info on this area.  Hotel Lenhart Modern Hotels  Webbs – Mayville – This long-time hotel features an on-site restaurant, indoor pool, and a few shops onsite. The decor is a little dated, but that kind of comes with the territory in this area. Right across from the Chautauqua Marina where they offer boat rentals.  Chautauqua Harbor Hotel– Celeron –  This newly built hotel offers a restaurant, bar, and swimming pool. This was previously the site of a well known amusement park built in 1894 that eventually shuttered in the late 1960s.  Cottage Rentals Airbnb – There are a bunch of rentals available on Airbnb to fit your needs. I personally enjoy the middle to north end of the lake more, anywhere from Bemus Point to Mayville are good places to look.  Chautauqua Visitors Site – You can also check out this site for cottage rentals around the lake as an option.  Chautauqua Lake Things To Do You’ll find a good bit to do around the lake and surrounding areas. The main culture of visiting this area is getting together with family outdoors to spend time together. Whether that’s playing games, grilling, or going out on the water.  You could do all of the Chautauqua Lake things to do below, or you could just relax outside with a cold beverage and your family and friends.    Water Activities Visiting the lake is not complete without some type of water activity! Whether it’s a ski boat, pontoon boat, fishing boat, or jet ski, you’ll find all of them available to rent on the lake. Check out Chautauqua Marina in Mayville as a great place to rent from.  You can also take a ride on the historic Chautauqua Belle. Book a history or cocktail cruise on this real life steamboat.   Chautauqua Belle docked in Mayville Shopping Cute antique shops, gift shops, and even cheese shops are waiting for you around the lake. A few of my favorites are listed here.  Bemus Point Gift Shops – This area is the epicenter of cute shops, restaurants, coffee shops, and more. Walk up and down Main Street and you’ll have multiple options including clothing, gifts, toys, and more. Skillman’s is the oldest shop on the block.  Cheese Shops: Local cheese shops are a must-stop. My family has been visiting Cadwell’s Cheese House for years, make sure to get the sharp cheddar or cheese curds. New to the scene is Reverie Cheese Shop, which features special imported cheese as well as a few local made options. I tried the Tomme infused with Johnson Estate Port wine.  Antique/Flea Market – Dart Airport in Mayville has a warehouse antique market where all kinds of neat things can be found.  Reverie Cheese Shop Chautauqua Institution Started in 1874 as an experiment in education for “vacation” school, this 750 acre area is now a private community for homes, shops, culture, art, lectures, and more. There are often concerts here in the summer that the public can attend. General entry to the area requires a gate pass, unless you visit on Sundays when it is free.  It’s fun to wander through the community looking at beautiful homes, stopping in a few shops, and to grab a bite to eat at one of the cafes.  There is a lot more going on here than I mentioned above, so do go check out their website for more information.  Read more: Insider’s Guide to Dripping Springs, Texas Parks & Museums You’ll find the parks and museums around the lake quaint and easy to visit. These are more like historic remnants for the area versus your big city type attractions. This list below is not exhaustive, but three of my favorite places to visit.  Midway State Park: A small amusement park that’s been open since 1898, this is a must visit if you have kids (or love acting like a kid). The park offers small rides like a tilt-a-whirl, carousel, airplanes, big slides, bumper cars, and go carts. Most of the rides are for kids ages 8 and lower. There is also an on-site arcade with skeeball and other games where you can earn tickets for prizes. Details: 4859 NY-430, Bemus Point, NY 14712. Open Thursday – Sunday 12-5 pm (summer hours).  The Lawson Center – A historic marina turned boat museum, this is an interesting stop. Featuring boats and motors of all eras it’s fun to wander and experience all the history. My Grandfather donated a few items to the museum and used to dock his boat at the former marina, so my family loves this small museum.  Details: 73 Lakeside Dr, Bemus Point, NY 14712. Open Wednesday & Sunday 1-5 pm, and Saturday 10-5 Panama Rocks Scenic Park – If hiking is more up your alley, check out Panama rocks. Here you can not only hike, but also traverse old crevices of rock formations cause by the ice age. This one mile loop features 16 marked spots along that trail that resemble something or have a story. Tennis shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty are a must here.  Details: 11 Rock Hill Rd, Panama, NY 14767. Open daily 10-5.  Midway Park Carousel Breweries If you love beer, you can find some pretty great craft beers to taste around this area. My family especially enjoys three locations. Please keep in mind hours may differ in the off-season.  Big Inlet – New to the area as of 2019, this rustic brewery has a large number of beers on tap to try. Located inside a rustic barn with a large outdoor seating area, I like the laid-back vibe of Big Inlet.  Details: 6169 Elm Flat Rd, Mayville, NY 14757, Open Thursday – Sunday with varied hours.  Southern Tier – You may have tried Southern Tier before as they have pretty decent distribution. You’ll find food and beer at this location that is more like a restaurant and beer garden. A fun spot that often has entertainment.  Details: 2072 Stoneman Cir, Lakewood, NY 14750. Open daily with varied hours.  Ellicotville Brewing – The second location for this brewery is located in Bemus Point. This is a full restaurant where you can try their beer. They also have a full bar with wine and cocktails. A little on the pricey side, but the food and drinks are good. At night this has a bar-like atmosphere.  Details: 57 Lakeside Dr, Bemus Point, NY 14712. Daily with varied hours.  Big Inlet Brewing Where to Eat at Chautauqua Lake This area is not exactly known as a culinary destination, but you can find some good options if you want to dine out around the lake. Here are some of our favorites.  Lake Life Cafe – For breakfast or lunch with a coffee, this is a great option. The menu includes breakfast sandwiches, salad, soups, wraps, and pastries. I had the iced coffee and a delicious Greek salad.  Details: 22 Main St, Bemus Point, NY 14712. Open 7 am – 4:30 pm daily.  The Village Casino – What used to be a bath house, is now a restaurant right on the water in Bemus Point. You can dock your boat right out front, and have food delivered to you, as well as dine in or on the front deck. Food offerings are American fare with wings, sandwiches, burgers and the like.  Details: 1 Lakeside Dr, Bemus Point, NY 14712. Open daily 12 – 8 pm.  Andriaccio’s – For Italian or pizza around the lake, this is a great option. We have been visiting here or ordering pizza to go for years.  Details: 4837 W Lake Rd, Mayville, NY 14757 Watermark Restaurant – Finer dining around the lake can be found here. They offer seafood, steak, salads, and pasta.  Details: 188 S Erie St, Mayville, NY 14757. Open Wednesday – Sunday 4:30 – 8:30 pm.  Roadside Produce Stands – You will find some of the freshest produce at roadside farm stands in the area. I’ve purchased items including corn, cherries, eggs, tomatoes and more. Remember your cash as many of them are on the honor system.  NEW – Splash Bemus Point – Where a antique/gift shop once stood (and before that a gas station) is now a wine bar with tapas. We stopped in just for a flight of wine and enjoyed the selection, which was from all over the world.  Lake Life Cafe Splash Bemus Point Day Trips from Chautauqua Lake There are a number of quaint small towns around the Chautauqua area that are worth visiting. Buffalo and Niagara Falls are also possible Chautauqua Lake day trips!  I’ve included places that I have personally visited, or want to visit in the future.  Westfield, NY –...

The post Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Chautauqua Lake, New York [Updated 2023] appeared first on Plan to Explore.

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Chautauqua Lake is a hidden gem just south of Lake Erie in Western New York. The name comes from the Native American Erie tribe, and it’s believed to mean “Bag tied in the middle.” Around 17 miles long, and just a few miles across with rolling hills, it’s a beautiful place to get away from it all. 

My family has been visiting this lake for 4 generations now and it feels like a second home to me. You’ll find water activities, quaint cottages, shopping, restaurants, and more around this lake. 

How do you say it?!

If you are not familiar with this area, you might be wondering – “How the heck do you pronounce that name?” 

Here’s the pronunciation: shuh·taa·kwuh  😉

How to get to Chautauqua Lake

The wonderful yet hard part about getting to this lake is that it’s off the beaten path. South of Buffalo by over an hour, west of Cleveland by 3 hours, and north of Pittsburgh also by 3 hours, this gem is definitely “hidden.”  

Driving: If you live in Northeast Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, or Western NY you can get to this lake in 3 hours or less. 

Flying: Your best option is to fly into the Buffalo airport. You’ll definitely need a rental car, as Chautauqua is about an hour and a half away. Recently we took the drive down the scenic route on Highway 5 instead of the major highway. It was fun to see all of the small towns along the way. Pro tip: You’ll also save yourself the toll fare on this route. 

Don’t forget to click to subscribe to Scott’s Cheap Flights (now Going) or Dollar Flight Club to find cheap airfare! They send cheap flights right to your inbox for you to book. 

Chautauqua, NY Area Map
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Trip map courtesy of Wanderlog, a trip planner app on iOS and Android

When to Visit Western New York

Chautauqua Lake is the most beautiful in the Summer. If you want to truly enjoy water activities, July and August are ideal. May and June can still be somewhat chilly although you’ll find thinner crowds. 

Outside the months of May to September many attractions and restaurants close as the summer visitors disburse. If you love to snowmobile, cross-country ski, or ice fish, you could consider visiting in the winter but you’ll want to travel with a snow shovel. 🙂 

Chautauqua Lake, Plan to Explore

Where to Stay

There are a variety of options for where to stay on Chautauqua Lake. I’ll give some great recommendations based on three categories below.

Click here to book Chautauqua Hotels

Historic Hotels

The Hotel Lenhart – Bemus Point – [Currently under renovations by new owners – it will retain it’s charm with more modern amenities!] Owned and operated by the same family since 1880, this hotel is one of the few that did not burn down in the area. Spend time on the front porch in rocking chairs with a drink and a view of the lake. This hotel is old, if you prefer lots of modern amenities it may not be for you. The hotel was originally built before plumbing, so some of the rooms have a bathroom outside of the room itself. It all comes with the charm.  

Hotel Athenaeum – Institute – Located inside the Chautauqua Institute, this is a beautiful historic hotel with access to all the Institute has to offer. Continental breakfast is included. See things to do below for more info on this area. 

Hotel Lenhart, Bemus Point NY
Hotel Lenhart

Modern Hotels 

Webbs – Mayville – This long-time hotel features an on-site restaurant, indoor pool, and a few shops onsite. The decor is a little dated, but that kind of comes with the territory in this area. Right across from the Chautauqua Marina where they offer boat rentals. 

Chautauqua Harbor Hotel– Celeron –  This newly built hotel offers a restaurant, bar, and swimming pool. This was previously the site of a well known amusement park built in 1894 that eventually shuttered in the late 1960s. 

Cottage Rentals

Airbnb – There are a bunch of rentals available on Airbnb to fit your needs. I personally enjoy the middle to north end of the lake more, anywhere from Bemus Point to Mayville are good places to look. 

Chautauqua Visitors Site – You can also check out this site for cottage rentals around the lake as an option. 

Chautauqua Lake Things To Do

You’ll find a good bit to do around the lake and surrounding areas. The main culture of visiting this area is getting together with family outdoors to spend time together. Whether that’s playing games, grilling, or going out on the water. 

You could do all of the Chautauqua Lake things to do below, or you could just relax outside with a cold beverage and your family and friends. 

 

Water Activities

Visiting the lake is not complete without some type of water activity! Whether it’s a ski boat, pontoon boat, fishing boat, or jet ski, you’ll find all of them available to rent on the lake. Check out Chautauqua Marina in Mayville as a great place to rent from. 

You can also take a ride on the historic Chautauqua Belle. Book a history or cocktail cruise on this real life steamboat.  

The Chautauqua Belle, Plan to Explore
Chautauqua Belle docked in Mayville

Shopping

Cute antique shops, gift shops, and even cheese shops are waiting for you around the lake. A few of my favorites are listed here. 

Bemus Point Gift Shops – This area is the epicenter of cute shops, restaurants, coffee shops, and more. Walk up and down Main Street and you’ll have multiple options including clothing, gifts, toys, and more. Skillman’s is the oldest shop on the block. 

Cheese Shops: Local cheese shops are a must-stop. My family has been visiting Cadwell’s Cheese House for years, make sure to get the sharp cheddar or cheese curds. New to the scene is Reverie Cheese Shop, which features special imported cheese as well as a few local made options. I tried the Tomme infused with Johnson Estate Port wine. 

Antique/Flea Market – Dart Airport in Mayville has a warehouse antique market where all kinds of neat things can be found. 

Reverie Cheese Shop, Chautauqua Lake
Reverie Cheese Shop

Chautauqua Institution

Started in 1874 as an experiment in education for “vacation” school, this 750 acre area is now a private community for homes, shops, culture, art, lectures, and more. There are often concerts here in the summer that the public can attend. General entry to the area requires a gate pass, unless you visit on Sundays when it is free. 

It’s fun to wander through the community looking at beautiful homes, stopping in a few shops, and to grab a bite to eat at one of the cafes. 

There is a lot more going on here than I mentioned above, so do go check out their website for more information. 

Mandy on Mercer

Read more: Insider's Guide to Dripping Springs, Texas

Parks & Museums

You’ll find the parks and museums around the lake quaint and easy to visit. These are more like historic remnants for the area versus your big city type attractions. This list below is not exhaustive, but three of my favorite places to visit. 

Midway State Park: A small amusement park that’s been open since 1898, this is a must visit if you have kids (or love acting like a kid). The park offers small rides like a tilt-a-whirl, carousel, airplanes, big slides, bumper cars, and go carts. Most of the rides are for kids ages 8 and lower. There is also an on-site arcade with skeeball and other games where you can earn tickets for prizes.

Details: 4859 NY-430, Bemus Point, NY 14712. Open Thursday – Sunday 12-5 pm (summer hours). 

The Lawson Center – A historic marina turned boat museum, this is an interesting stop. Featuring boats and motors of all eras it’s fun to wander and experience all the history. My Grandfather donated a few items to the museum and used to dock his boat at the former marina, so my family loves this small museum. 

Details: 73 Lakeside Dr, Bemus Point, NY 14712. Open Wednesday & Sunday 1-5 pm, and Saturday 10-5

Panama Rocks Scenic Park – If hiking is more up your alley, check out Panama rocks. Here you can not only hike, but also traverse old crevices of rock formations cause by the ice age. This one mile loop features 16 marked spots along that trail that resemble something or have a story. Tennis shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty are a must here. 

Details: 11 Rock Hill Rd, Panama, NY 14767. Open daily 10-5. 

Midway Park, Chautauqua Lake NY
Midway Park Carousel

Breweries

If you love beer, you can find some pretty great craft beers to taste around this area. My family especially enjoys three locations. Please keep in mind hours may differ in the off-season. 

Big Inlet – New to the area as of 2019, this rustic brewery has a large number of beers on tap to try. Located inside a rustic barn with a large outdoor seating area, I like the laid-back vibe of Big Inlet. 

Details: 6169 Elm Flat Rd, Mayville, NY 14757, Open Thursday – Sunday with varied hours. 

Southern Tier – You may have tried Southern Tier before as they have pretty decent distribution. You’ll find food and beer at this location that is more like a restaurant and beer garden. A fun spot that often has entertainment. 

Details: 2072 Stoneman Cir, Lakewood, NY 14750. Open daily with varied hours. 

Ellicotville Brewing – The second location for this brewery is located in Bemus Point. This is a full restaurant where you can try their beer. They also have a full bar with wine and cocktails. A little on the pricey side, but the food and drinks are good. At night this has a bar-like atmosphere. 

Details: 57 Lakeside Dr, Bemus Point, NY 14712. Daily with varied hours. 

Big Inlet Brewing, Mayville NY, Plan to Explore
Big Inlet Brewing

Where to Eat at Chautauqua Lake

This area is not exactly known as a culinary destination, but you can find some good options if you want to dine out around the lake. Here are some of our favorites. 

Lake Life Cafe – For breakfast or lunch with a coffee, this is a great option. The menu includes breakfast sandwiches, salad, soups, wraps, and pastries. I had the iced coffee and a delicious Greek salad. 

Details: 22 Main St, Bemus Point, NY 14712. Open 7 am – 4:30 pm daily. 

The Village Casino – What used to be a bath house, is now a restaurant right on the water in Bemus Point. You can dock your boat right out front, and have food delivered to you, as well as dine in or on the front deck. Food offerings are American fare with wings, sandwiches, burgers and the like. 

Details: 1 Lakeside Dr, Bemus Point, NY 14712. Open daily 12 – 8 pm. 

Andriaccio’s – For Italian or pizza around the lake, this is a great option. We have been visiting here or ordering pizza to go for years. 

Details: 4837 W Lake Rd, Mayville, NY 14757

Watermark Restaurant – Finer dining around the lake can be found here. They offer seafood, steak, salads, and pasta. 

Details: 188 S Erie St, Mayville, NY 14757. Open Wednesday – Sunday 4:30 – 8:30 pm. 

Roadside Produce Stands – You will find some of the freshest produce at roadside farm stands in the area. I’ve purchased items including corn, cherries, eggs, tomatoes and more. Remember your cash as many of them are on the honor system. 

NEW – Splash Bemus Point – Where a antique/gift shop once stood (and before that a gas station) is now a wine bar with tapas. We stopped in just for a flight of wine and enjoyed the selection, which was from all over the world. 

Lake Life Cafe, Bemus Point, Plan to Explore
Lake Life Cafe
Splash Chautauqua, Bemus Point, New York, Plan to Explore
Splash Bemus Point

Day Trips from Chautauqua Lake

There are a number of quaint small towns around the Chautauqua area that are worth visiting. Buffalo and Niagara Falls are also possible Chautauqua Lake day trips! 

I’ve included places that I have personally visited, or want to visit in the future. 

  • Westfield, NY – Located along Lake Erie, about 10 miles north of the top of the lake is Westfield, NY. This area is known for grape growing including grape juice and wine.
  • Ellicotville, NY – About an hour east, this small town has a summer adventure park which transitions to a ski slope in the winter time. 
  • Niagara Falls – About two hours drive north, this natural wonder is a must-see. You can view the falls from the American or Canadian sides. 
  • Buffalo, NY – Also north of the lake it’s about an hour and a half away. Try “buffalo” wings, wander amongst the giant art deco buildings downtown, or head to the canalside for a boat tour. 
Day Trips from Chautauqua Lake, Plan to Explore
Niagara Falls, Canada - Horseshoe Falls, Plan to Explore
Niagara Falls, Canada

Final Chautauqua Lake Pro Tips

To make your trip even easier, here are a few tips you’ll need when you travel to the lake. 

Lake conditions: Some parts of the lake are sandy, and some parts are rocky. I recommend bringing water shoes for when you are swimming. Zebra mussels have been an issue, and can cut your feet if you’re not careful. 

Credit card or cash: This area used to have a lot of vendors who only accepted cash, but some of this has changed in recent years. Most places will take a credit card. I do recommend keeping some cash on hand especially for the antique market, and for roadside fruit and vegetable stands. 

Amish: There is a large population of Amish in the area. Do not be surprised if you see a horse and buggy riding down the road next to you. They often work in the community doing carpentry projects, helping residents put out docks, and more. You can sometimes find pie and produce stands out in front of their farms as well. 

Chain Stores and Restaurants: If you are looking for chain stores and restaurants, the only place you will find them are in the Lakewood and Jamestown area at the south end of the lake. You will find a grocery store in Mayville, and Dollar General here and there. 

 

Are you planning a trip to Chautauqua Lake? Ask me questions about the area in the comments!

Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links, meaning we receive a commission if you decide to make a purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you. I really, really appreciate your support and could not continue this blog without you! 

The post Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Chautauqua Lake, New York [Updated 2023] appeared first on Plan to Explore.

]]> https://plantoexplore.com/chautauqua-lake/feed/ 2 Popular Wineries in Dripping Springs You’ll Want to Visit [Updated 2025] https://plantoexplore.com/wineries-in-dripping-springs/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wineries-in-dripping-springs https://plantoexplore.com/wineries-in-dripping-springs/#comments Tue, 20 Oct 2020 20:55:57 +0000 https://plantoexplore.com/?p=1960 The Texas Hill Country is best known for the many wineries stretching for miles along Highway 290 in Fredericksburg, but did you know there are amazing wineries in the town of Dripping Springs? Closer to Austin for easier access, this is a great location to consider for your hill country wine experience. Dripping Springs wineries offer more of a laid back, “hang out for a while” vibe which I really love.  If you are planning a trip to Dripping and love wine, or are traveling with someone who does, read on for the rundown on five of my favorite locations. Make sure you stick around for my winery pro tips at the bottom!  Where is Dripping Springs? Dripping Springs is located in the Texas Hill Country, about 30 minutes outside of Austin. Wineries start in Dripping and continue all the way into Fredericksburg (about 45 minutes away). Also about one hour north of San Antonio, and 4 hours south of Dallas for some perspective.  Three of the Dripping Springs wineries mentioned below are located off Bell Springs Road, one off of Fitzhugh, and another off the beaten path on McGregor.  When to visit Dripping Springs Dripping is really a great place to visit for most months of the year. If you want ideal weather for Dripping Springs wineries, I would visit in the Spring or the Fall. Summer temps really start to rise in late June – August. Most wineries offer tastings indoors, but I think part of the fun is enjoying a glass outdoors with views of the rolling hills.  Where to Stay in Dripping Springs Did you know that Dripping is also a top wedding location in Texas? The good news – that means lots of fun local accommodations in the area. I love finding unique stays, even in my own backyard. Below are a few other awesome options for you to check out and book!  Hill Country Casitas – A little bit off the beaten path, but offering a private retreat-like feel, these casitas are a fun option. Each casita offers an outdoor patio and hill country views. At least click to take a look at these little cottages! Quintessential Hill Country!  Lucky Arrow Retreat – This is such a unique place to stay in Dripping! Perched on a hilltop next to Bell Springs Winery/Brewery, the location is great. They offer upscale cabins and yurts, and amenities include a pool and an event space.  Click here or below to browse accommodations in Dripping!  Dripping Springs Wineries Hawk Shadow Estate Winery About: Hawk Shadow has the best Dripping  Springs wines hands down (according to my taste). I booked a cellar tour there and tasted both whites and reds, and all grapes are grown here in Central Texas or in the Texas High Plains. There was not a single wine that I was disappointed with. Oh and let me tell you about that cellar tour! Climb down a spiral staircase into a European style cool wine cellar with barrels lining both sides. I felt like I was transported back to Europe.  Tip: They are only “open” on Saturdays,  but you can call and request a tasting other days of the week.  Food: They have a cheese plate available.  Location: 7500 McGregor Ln, Dripping Springs, TX 78620 Website for more details Love working from a coffee shop, or when you are traveling? A VPN conceals your IP address so hackers cannot access any of your data. I use it in airports, at coffee shops, and even if I want to access a website I’m not sure about!   I highly recommend Surfshark VPN!  Graveyard Vineyards About: All the way from Paso Robles in California, this winery doesn’t grow their grapes on-site, but they do offer some really delicious wine choices that are different from Texas. I have been impressed with their wines the multiple times I have visited. They moved their tasting room in 2025 to a building adjacent to Bell Springs Winery. Tastings, wines by the glass, and bottle are available. They share a lovely outdoor space with Bell Springs that is kid and dog friendly (although the tasting room is not kid friendly).  TIP: Even though they are not “Texas wines” I really think this is a great addition to your tour. It’s nice to switch up the grape varietals and taste something different! All of the staff are super friendly and love to answer your wine questions.  Food: Regular food truck onsite for both wineries. Sometimes there are events with food, so check out their calendar ahead of time.  Location: 3700 Bell Springs Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620 Website for more details Bell Springs Winery & Brewery About: Wait a minute – a two for one location?? That’s right, Bell Springs has long been a winery in Dripping, but added brewing beer in 2019. They tasting room has a section for wine as well as one for beer. With two covered porches and a good amount of outdoor seating, this is an ideal location to lounge outside. Very dog and kid-friendly!  TIP: This is one of the most laid back wineries in the Hill Country. So if you like wine (and beer) in a relaxed atmosphere this is the place for you. Sunday is a perfect day here, Friday and Saturday can get busy with winery bus tours.  Food: There is a food truck on-site outside. This would be an ideal location to schedule a tasting around lunchtime so you can also grab food.  Location: 3700 Bell Springs Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620 Website for more details Parmeson Wines About: This is a tasting room for wines that are grown and produced in Sonoma, California. Delicious quality wines and Pinot Noir, but a little on the expensive side compared to other Dripping Springs wineries. I like this as a quick stop for a tasting, especially if you’re working your way down Bell Springs Road.  Tip: This winery is located on Bell Springs but can be a little hard to find. It’s located down the same drive as the business Carved Stone.    Location: 5300 Bell Springs Rd Unit B, Dripping Springs, TX 78620 Website for more details Solaro Winery About: Solaro has been a mainstay in Dripping Springs wineries for years. Focusing on Italian varietals (which grow well in Texas), you’ll be transported to Italy with their tasting. A patio with a pergola and view of the vines greets you as you walk up and into their beautiful but small tasting room.  Tip: Solaro is close to a lot of the breweries and distilleries along Fitzhugh Road so this could be part of a winery tour or even a Dripping Springs drink tour. (If you can handle it, haha). Making a tasting reservation is recommended. Location: 13111 Silver Creek Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620 Website for more details Want more Dripping info? Click to read my full Insider’s Travel Guide to Dripping Springs! Dripping Springs Wineries – Pro Tips Don’t forget to bring some winery essentials with you! I always make sure to keep a wine chiller in a cooler, a wine opener for those to-go bottles, water, and snacks for between stops. You’ll be the hero of the group – for real!   Consider hiring a driver or asking a friend (or boyfriend/husband) to be a designated driver. I have not personally used them but Slowpokes Wine Tours has pretty good reviews and are local.  We are outside the city in the Hill Country, and there can be bugs. I suggest closed-toe shoes especially if red ants tend to like you. Also, bug spray your ankles to be safe especially in late spring and summer. In summer sunscreen is essential. Have you been to any of these Dripping Springs wineries, or are they on your list? Let me know your favorite in the comments! Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links, meaning we receive a commission if you decide to make a purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you. We really, really, really appreciate your support and could not continue this blog without you!

The post Popular Wineries in Dripping Springs You’ll Want to Visit [Updated 2025] appeared first on Plan to Explore.

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The Texas Hill Country is best known for the many wineries stretching for miles along Highway 290 in Fredericksburg, but did you know there are amazing wineries in the town of Dripping Springs? Closer to Austin for easier access, this is a great location to consider for your hill country wine experience. Dripping Springs wineries offer more of a laid back, “hang out for a while” vibe which I really love. 

If you are planning a trip to Dripping and love wine, or are traveling with someone who does, read on for the rundown on five of my favorite locations. Make sure you stick around for my winery pro tips at the bottom! 

Where is Dripping Springs?

Dripping Springs is located in the Texas Hill Country, about 30 minutes outside of Austin. Wineries start in Dripping and continue all the way into Fredericksburg (about 45 minutes away). Also about one hour north of San Antonio, and 4 hours south of Dallas for some perspective. 

Three of the Dripping Springs wineries mentioned below are located off Bell Springs Road, one off of Fitzhugh, and another off the beaten path on McGregor. 

Dripping Springs Outdoors

When to visit Dripping Springs

Dripping is really a great place to visit for most months of the year. If you want ideal weather for Dripping Springs wineries, I would visit in the Spring or the Fall. Summer temps really start to rise in late June – August. Most wineries offer tastings indoors, but I think part of the fun is enjoying a glass outdoors with views of the rolling hills. 

Where to Stay in Dripping Springs

Did you know that Dripping is also a top wedding location in Texas? The good news – that means lots of fun local accommodations in the area. I love finding unique stays, even in my own backyard. Below are a few other awesome options for you to check out and book! 

Hill Country Casitas – A little bit off the beaten path, but offering a private retreat-like feel, these casitas are a fun option. Each casita offers an outdoor patio and hill country views. At least click to take a look at these little cottages! Quintessential Hill Country! 

Lucky Arrow Retreat – This is such a unique place to stay in Dripping! Perched on a hilltop next to Bell Springs Winery/Brewery, the location is great. They offer upscale cabins and yurts, and amenities include a pool and an event space. 

Click here or below to browse accommodations in Dripping! 

Dripping Springs Wineries

Hawk Shadow Estate Winery

About: Hawk Shadow has the best Dripping  Springs wines hands down (according to my taste). I booked a cellar tour there and tasted both whites and reds, and all grapes are grown here in Central Texas or in the Texas High Plains. There was not a single wine that I was disappointed with. Oh and let me tell you about that cellar tour! Climb down a spiral staircase into a European style cool wine cellar with barrels lining both sides. I felt like I was transported back to Europe. 

Tip: They are only “open” on Saturdays,  but you can call and request a tasting other days of the week. 

Food: They have a cheese plate available. 

Location: 7500 McGregor Ln, Dripping Springs, TX 78620

Website for more details

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Graveyard Vineyards

About: All the way from Paso Robles in California, this winery doesn’t grow their grapes on-site, but they do offer some really delicious wine choices that are different from Texas. I have been impressed with their wines the multiple times I have visited. They moved their tasting room in 2025 to a building adjacent to Bell Springs Winery. Tastings, wines by the glass, and bottle are available. They share a lovely outdoor space with Bell Springs that is kid and dog friendly (although the tasting room is not kid friendly). 

TIP: Even though they are not “Texas wines” I really think this is a great addition to your tour. It’s nice to switch up the grape varietals and taste something different! All of the staff are super friendly and love to answer your wine questions. 

Food: Regular food truck onsite for both wineries. Sometimes there are events with food, so check out their calendar ahead of time. 

Location: 3700 Bell Springs Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620

Website for more details

Bell Springs Winery & Brewery

Bell Springs Winery Dripping Springs, Plan to Explore

About: Wait a minute – a two for one location?? That’s right, Bell Springs has long been a winery in Dripping, but added brewing beer in 2019. They tasting room has a section for wine as well as one for beer. With two covered porches and a good amount of outdoor seating, this is an ideal location to lounge outside. Very dog and kid-friendly! 

TIP: This is one of the most laid back wineries in the Hill Country. So if you like wine (and beer) in a relaxed atmosphere this is the place for you. Sunday is a perfect day here, Friday and Saturday can get busy with winery bus tours. 

Food: There is a food truck on-site outside. This would be an ideal location to schedule a tasting around lunchtime so you can also grab food. 

Location: 3700 Bell Springs Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620

Website for more details

Parmeson Wines

About: This is a tasting room for wines that are grown and produced in Sonoma, California. Delicious quality wines and Pinot Noir, but a little on the expensive side compared to other Dripping Springs wineries. I like this as a quick stop for a tasting, especially if you’re working your way down Bell Springs Road. 

Tip: This winery is located on Bell Springs but can be a little hard to find. It’s located down the same drive as the business Carved Stone.   

Location: 5300 Bell Springs Rd Unit B, Dripping Springs, TX 78620

Website for more details

Solaro Winery

Solaro Winery, Plan to Explore

About: Solaro has been a mainstay in Dripping Springs wineries for years. Focusing on Italian varietals (which grow well in Texas), you’ll be transported to Italy with their tasting. A patio with a pergola and view of the vines greets you as you walk up and into their beautiful but small tasting room. 

Tip: Solaro is close to a lot of the breweries and distilleries along Fitzhugh Road so this could be part of a winery tour or even a Dripping Springs drink tour. (If you can handle it, haha). Making a tasting reservation is recommended.

Location: 13111 Silver Creek Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620

Website for more details

Want more Dripping info? Click to read my full Insider's Travel Guide to Dripping Springs!

Dripping Springs Wineries - Pro Tips

  • Don’t forget to bring some winery essentials with you! I always make sure to keep a wine chiller in a cooler, a wine opener for those to-go bottles, water, and snacks for between stops. You’ll be the hero of the group – for real!  
  • Consider hiring a driver or asking a friend (or boyfriend/husband) to be a designated driver. I have not personally used them but Slowpokes Wine Tours has pretty good reviews and are local. 
  • We are outside the city in the Hill Country, and there can be bugs. I suggest closed-toe shoes especially if red ants tend to like you. Also, bug spray your ankles to be safe especially in late spring and summer. In summer sunscreen is essential.

Have you been to any of these Dripping Springs wineries, or are they on your list? Let me know your favorite in the comments!

Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links, meaning we receive a commission if you decide to make a purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you. We really, really, really appreciate your support and could not continue this blog without you!

The post Popular Wineries in Dripping Springs You’ll Want to Visit [Updated 2025] appeared first on Plan to Explore.

]]> https://plantoexplore.com/wineries-in-dripping-springs/feed/ 1 How to Enjoy Santa Fe, New Mexico in Only 24 hours https://plantoexplore.com/santa-fe-24-hours/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=santa-fe-24-hours https://plantoexplore.com/santa-fe-24-hours/#comments Mon, 21 Sep 2020 20:09:28 +0000 https://plantoexplore.com/?p=1833 Let’s start by saying you really can’t earn a true appreciation for any city in 24 hours. Santa Fe, New Mexico is no exception.  That said, there are times when we only have a limited amount of time to visit a new locale and given the choice of not going at all or spending just one day, I’d chose one day.  Our path intersected with Santa Fe on a road trip back from Red River, New Mexico. That location is a hidden gem, read more about it in my other post: Red River, the Best Kept Secret in New Mexico!   Sante Fe is easy to traverse and packed full of art, good food, and culture. Read on to see what we did in only 24 hours in this beautiful city.  Santa Fe, New Mexico Weather and Location First, let’s talk about where Santa Fe is located. North of Albuquerque, and South of Taos, this is a great location to base yourself in the state. If you’re flying into the state, Albuquerque offers the biggest airport and your drive to Sante Fe will be around 2 hours.  Note: Santa Fe is not a huge sprawling city. We found most things were about 5-15 minutes apart, which made it easy to move around and see more in one day.  Santa Fe, New Mexico weather depends on the season you visit. Summer is a great time to visit with temps in the mid 70’s to mid 80’s (F). Spring and fall vary with temperatures anywhere from low 50’s to low 70’s. Winter is cold with snow, and highs are around 40 degrees.  Santa Fe Where to Stay Where should you stay when you arrive in Santa Fe? We drove through New Mexico on a road trip pulling a travel trailer, so stayed at an RV Park. I will review that and outline some other fun options for hotels or Airbnb’s below!  Santa Fe KOA Journey – Located off the Old Las Vegas Highway about 15 minutes from the plaza, this was a good spot for us to park our travel trailer. We had electric and water hookups at our site, and it was pull through. Playground was a nice bonus for a little one. They also have cabins on site!  Las Palomas Hotel – This hotel has a great cozy and welcoming feel. Close to the plaza, with each room offering a kitchenette and either a patio or balcony, this has the comforts of home. Breakfast is included as well as a free shuttle within a 1/2 mile of the hotel.  Historic Pink Adobe Airbnb – If you really want to step into the true feeling of New Mexico – what better way to do it than staying in a historic adobe home! Bonus – it has a super cute patio and is walking distance to the plaza.  Look at how authentic and warm this Airbnb adobe house looks! Photo credit: Airbnb Santa Fe Things to do Santa Fe, New Mexico offers a lot of cultural experience and the feeling of being in another country.  We started our day wandering around the Santa Fe Plaza. Dotted with adobe buildings, a gazebo, and grassy areas to enjoy, this plaza is a great stop. Unfortunately, we traveled here during COVID and did not get to experience or meet the Native Americans who typically sell their goods outside The Palace of the Governors. I can imagine how bustling and lively it would have been here on a “normal” day.  Just a short walk from the plaza is the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis. Walking up to this church I felt like I was back in Europe. Beautiful inside and out, this is a great stop if even just to admire its beauty. Speaking of churches, don’t forget to check out the iconic spiral staircase in the Loretto Chapel, just around the corner.  Museums were shuttered during our visit as well, but the Museum of Art and the History Museum are also within walking distance.  We did drive to our next location – Santa Fe Railyard. On Saturdays, this is where the Farmer’s Market is held, but we visited to stroll the park and let our kiddo play a bit. There are also some shops and restaurants to visit like Second Street Brewing.   Santa Fe is compact and easily walkable, which made it possible to see a number of things in just one day.  Note: Whenever we make it back to this city, Meow Wolf is at the top of our list! If you’ve never heard of it, basically it’s an interactive art installment that you get to walk, crawl, discover, and play through. Definitely add it to your list!  Santa Fe Where to Eat & Drink If you visit New Mexico and don’t try a dish with either red or green chilis, I think it may be a crime 😉  For lunch, we stopped at a Santa Fe institution since 1953, The Shed. Located just a block from the main plaza, this is a convenient stop while wandering the sites. We enjoyed delicious margaritas on the patio, and I had green chili enchiladas. My Husband opted for the red chili adovada, which is pork stewed in a red chili sauce. Both were so yummy, and we could tell they use quality ingredients.  After lunch, we drove about 5 minutes away to Kakawa, a shop that’s well known for chocolate elixirs, truffles, and caramels. They are like hot chocolate but with more of a kick in either spices or literal spiciness. Our truffles and caramels were top-notch with flavors like goat cheese and sage and green chili caramel.  Our last stop was to try some local brews at a spot called Rowley Farmhouse Ales. Their selection really ran the gamut of craft beer including IPA’s, sours, belgian tripels, saisons, and more. Their covered patio was a great spot to sit and enjoy a beer and the breeze. We didn’t eat here because we were still full from earlier in the day, but their food looked really good as well.  Overall Impressions Santa Fe, New Mexico is definitely a place I would like to return to.  There is so much more to discover in this city including Canyon Road art galleries, mountains and hiking, and Native American Pueblos. Let me know if I left your favorite activity out so I can add it to my list for next time!  What are you excited to see or do in Santa Fe, New Mexico? Let me know in the comments! Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links, meaning we receive a commission if you decide to make a purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you. We really, really, really appreciate your support and could not continue this blog without you!

The post How to Enjoy Santa Fe, New Mexico in Only 24 hours appeared first on Plan to Explore.

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Let’s start by saying you really can’t earn a true appreciation for any city in 24 hours. Santa Fe, New Mexico is no exception. 

That said, there are times when we only have a limited amount of time to visit a new locale and given the choice of not going at all or spending just one day, I’d chose one day. 

Our path intersected with Santa Fe on a road trip back from Red River, New Mexico. That location is a hidden gem, read more about it in my other post: Red River, the Best Kept Secret in New Mexico!  

Sante Fe is easy to traverse and packed full of art, good food, and culture. Read on to see what we did in only 24 hours in this beautiful city. 

Santa Fe, New Mexico Weather and Location

First, let’s talk about where Santa Fe is located. North of Albuquerque, and South of Taos, this is a great location to base yourself in the state. If you’re flying into the state, Albuquerque offers the biggest airport and your drive to Sante Fe will be around 2 hours. 

Note: Santa Fe is not a huge sprawling city. We found most things were about 5-15 minutes apart, which made it easy to move around and see more in one day. 

Santa Fe, New Mexico weather depends on the season you visit. Summer is a great time to visit with temps in the mid 70’s to mid 80’s (F). Spring and fall vary with temperatures anywhere from low 50’s to low 70’s. Winter is cold with snow, and highs are around 40 degrees. 

Santa Fe Where to Stay

Where should you stay when you arrive in Santa Fe?

We drove through New Mexico on a road trip pulling a travel trailer, so stayed at an RV Park. I will review that and outline some other fun options for hotels or Airbnb’s below! 

Santa Fe KOA Journey – Located off the Old Las Vegas Highway about 15 minutes from the plaza, this was a good spot for us to park our travel trailer. We had electric and water hookups at our site, and it was pull through. Playground was a nice bonus for a little one. They also have cabins on site! 

Las Palomas Hotel – This hotel has a great cozy and welcoming feel. Close to the plaza, with each room offering a kitchenette and either a patio or balcony, this has the comforts of home. Breakfast is included as well as a free shuttle within a 1/2 mile of the hotel. 

Historic Pink Adobe Airbnb – If you really want to step into the true feeling of New Mexico – what better way to do it than staying in a historic adobe home! Bonus – it has a super cute patio and is walking distance to the plaza. 

Airbnb Pink Abobe, Santa Fe
Look at how authentic and warm this Airbnb adobe house looks! Photo credit: Airbnb

Santa Fe Things to do

Santa Fe, New Mexico offers a lot of cultural experience and the feeling of being in another country. 

We started our day wandering around the Santa Fe Plaza. Dotted with adobe buildings, a gazebo, and grassy areas to enjoy, this plaza is a great stop. Unfortunately, we traveled here during COVID and did not get to experience or meet the Native Americans who typically sell their goods outside The Palace of the Governors. I can imagine how bustling and lively it would have been here on a “normal” day. 

Santa Fe Church, Plan to Explore

Just a short walk from the plaza is the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis. Walking up to this church I felt like I was back in Europe. Beautiful inside and out, this is a great stop if even just to admire its beauty. Speaking of churches, don’t forget to check out the iconic spiral staircase in the Loretto Chapel, just around the corner. 

Museums were shuttered during our visit as well, but the Museum of Art and the History Museum are also within walking distance. 

We did drive to our next location – Santa Fe Railyard. On Saturdays, this is where the Farmer’s Market is held, but we visited to stroll the park and let our kiddo play a bit. There are also some shops and restaurants to visit like Second Street Brewing.  

Santa Fe is compact and easily walkable, which made it possible to see a number of things in just one day. 

Note: Whenever we make it back to this city, Meow Wolf is at the top of our list! If you’ve never heard of it, basically it’s an interactive art installment that you get to walk, crawl, discover, and play through. Definitely add it to your list! 

Santa Fe Where to Eat & Drink

If you visit New Mexico and don’t try a dish with either red or green chilis, I think it may be a crime 😉 

For lunch, we stopped at a Santa Fe institution since 1953, The Shed. Located just a block from the main plaza, this is a convenient stop while wandering the sites. We enjoyed delicious margaritas on the patio, and I had green chili enchiladas. My Husband opted for the red chili adovada, which is pork stewed in a red chili sauce. Both were so yummy, and we could tell they use quality ingredients. 

The Shed, Red Chili Adovado, Plan to Explore The Shed Margaritas, Santa Fe Plaza, Plan to Explore The Shed, Santa Fe New Mexico, Green Chili Enchiladas, Plan to Explore

After lunch, we drove about 5 minutes away to Kakawa, a shop that’s well known for chocolate elixirs, truffles, and caramels. They are like hot chocolate but with more of a kick in either spices or literal spiciness. Our truffles and caramels were top-notch with flavors like goat cheese and sage and green chili caramel. 

Kakawa Chocolate House, Santa Fe, Plan to Explore

Our last stop was to try some local brews at a spot called Rowley Farmhouse Ales. Their selection really ran the gamut of craft beer including IPA’s, sours, belgian tripels, saisons, and more. Their covered patio was a great spot to sit and enjoy a beer and the breeze. We didn’t eat here because we were still full from earlier in the day, but their food looked really good as well. 

Overall Impressions

Santa Fe, New Mexico is definitely a place I would like to return to. 

There is so much more to discover in this city including Canyon Road art galleries, mountains and hiking, and Native American Pueblos. Let me know if I left your favorite activity out so I can add it to my list for next time! 

What are you excited to see or do in Santa Fe, New Mexico? Let me know in the comments!

Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links, meaning we receive a commission if you decide to make a purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you. We really, really, really appreciate your support and could not continue this blog without you!

The post How to Enjoy Santa Fe, New Mexico in Only 24 hours appeared first on Plan to Explore.

]]> https://plantoexplore.com/santa-fe-24-hours/feed/ 1 Red River, the Best Kept Secret of New Mexico! [Updated 2025] https://plantoexplore.com/red-river-new-mexico/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=red-river-new-mexico https://plantoexplore.com/red-river-new-mexico/#comments Tue, 08 Sep 2020 19:06:23 +0000 https://plantoexplore.com/?p=1777 I had never heard of Red River, New Mexico until I started digging around and doing some research. My go-to research spaces of Pinterest and YouTube didn’t even offer much on this little gem of a city.  We read more about what they call the Enchanted Circle with cool New Mexico weather, scenic mountains, and rivers from what we could piece together. With Texas nearing 100 degrees in August, this seemed like a drivable escape from the heat. Once we traversed hundreds of miles and arrived in the quaint and beautiful town we wondered why travelers outside New Mexico have passed this spot up in favor of Colorado! Read on to learn all about this mountain town including Red River things to do, weather, and where to stay.  What is the Enchanted Circle? The Enchanted Circle is a scenic byway in Northern New Mexico that starts in Taos. You’ll find hiking, camping, fishing, and skiing along this route.  Stops along the circle include Taos, Questa, Red River, Eagle’s Nest, and Angel Fire. The drive will take you about 2 1/2 – 3 hours all the way around if you want the full tour.  How to get to Red River, New Mexico Red River is a little bit out of the way, but worth it! If you’re like us and choose the New Mexico road trip route, there are a number of ways to get to there. We took the route of Roswell – Santa Fe – Taos – Red River. It’s a relatively easy and low traffic route. For flights to New Mexico, you’ll most likely be flying into the Albuquerque airport. You will most definitely need a car and your drive time from there to Red River will be a little over 3 hours. You can find car rentals at the airport and nearby, click here to browse! Another fun outdoorsy idea – haul a rental travel trailer or rent a full RV for the trip! We used Outdoorsy and thought the process was pretty streamlined. Click here for my discount code to save! We’ve also heard great things about RVshare as an alternative. You can check them out by clicking here. Note: if you are traveling in the winter to ski, you will be crossing mountain passes. Plan to rent or bring a car that can handle snow and possible ice. Red River, New Mexico Weather This is a mountain climate, so Red River weather can really vary. Bring your layers!  In late August we experienced mid 70’s (F) during the day and overnight lows around 40-50 degrees. Afternoon rain showers are common. Even though the temperatures were low, the mountain sun does warm you up during the day.  Spring and fall would definitely require a jacket with highs in the 50 to 60 degree Fahrenheit range.  Expect snow in the winter as this area turns into a skiing destination!  Where to Stay in Red River We saw so many cute cottages and mountain lodges dotting the roadside!  Since we were pulling a travel trailer, we stayed at an RV park (details below). There are a number of options I’ll outline for you!  RV Park/Cabins: We stayed at 4k River Ranch RV Park and really loved it! This park if just 1 mile from town and made it super easy to head to main street whenever we wanted. Next to the river, this spot offers a fishing pond, sparkling clean restrooms and showers, and a small onsite store. They also have cabins you can rent onsite and in town!  Carson Cabin: Want to stay in cabin with owners who know the area well? Check out Carson Cabin for a cozy yet updated home that has everything you need for your mountain getaway. I especially like the wrap-around deck with scenic views!  Airbnb: My constant go-to for accommodations, as many of you know. If you want to find a cute spot right in town, this is where you should look! I especially like the wrap-around deck with scenic views.  Lodges: If you are looking for that traditional ski lodge experience, there are a number of options here. I especially like the WorldMark Red River Lodge, with a cabin exterior but a modern and fresh interior. The best of both worlds!  Things to do in Red River This town has a lot to offer in terms of activities! If you love the outdoors, this is a great place for you! But don’t worry, there are other options if you’re not an avid hiker or skier! Below are just some of the things to do in Red River.  Summer Activities Hiking: From easy to advanced, there are a number of trails in this area. We hiked the easy Red River Nature Trail since we also have a “little” hiker. It was just a mile long and borders the river and town with multiple exit points. Link to hikes in Red River.  Fishing:  The Enchanted Circle is known for trout fishing. You’ll see fishermen almost anywhere throughout town. You’ll need a New Mexico fishing license, and can get one for just a day, to five days, to annual. Link to License details here.  Mountain Tubing: The ski slope in town turns into a huge mountain tubing slide in the summer. You can also ride the chairlift, and there’s a zipline. So fun! Link to summer activities and costs here.  Jeep or ROV vehicle tours and rentals: If you’re up for an off-road adventure, there are a few companies that rent out vehicles. Link to off-roading tips, locations and advice.  Winter Activities Skiing & Snowboarding: With chairlifts and slopes right at the edge of town, Red River Skiing is super accessible. Link to ski pass info here.  Winter Mountain Tubing: If you’re not a fan of skiing, tubing might be an alternative!  Snowmobiling: Another adventure option with a guided tour.  Other Activities Shopping in Red River: Main street is dotted with gift shops and stores. Take some time to stroll and pop into a few spots.  Wine & Beer in Red River: You can taste wine and sip a flight of beer all within one mile. We visited Noisy Water Winery and Red River Brewing to try out local drinks. I even tried a hatch green chili-infused wine! Both locations were great and I recommend adding them to your list.  Where to Eat in Red River: Since we hauled a travel trailer to this location, we did a lot of cooking at our RV site. This means we didn’t get to try all of the local fare, but did really enjoy our food at Red River Brewing mentioned above. We also heard good things about Dairy Barn and Major Bean Coffee.  Pro Tip: Try to plan your trip to at least include one weekend. We stayed mostly weekdays and realized that most locations in town are closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. Bummer.  Read More: Local’s Guide to Dripping Springs, Texas Relax and Unwind With all that adventure mentioned above, this is also a location where you can skip all that and just relax.  We spent a lot of time in camp chairs outside in the fresh air watching the river flow past. In the morning we went on walks. At night we huddled around the campfire and made s’mores.  The point – Red River, New Mexico can be whatever you want it to be. Jam-packed with adventure or time to relax and enjoy cool mountain weather.  Are you planning a trip to Red River, New Mexico? Let me know in the comments! Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links, meaning we receive a commission if you decide to make a purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you. We really, really, really appreciate your support and could not continue this blog without you!

The post Red River, the Best Kept Secret of New Mexico! [Updated 2025] appeared first on Plan to Explore.

]]>

I had never heard of Red River, New Mexico until I started digging around and doing some research. My go-to research spaces of Pinterest and YouTube didn’t even offer much on this little gem of a city. 

We read more about what they call the Enchanted Circle with cool New Mexico weather, scenic mountains, and rivers from what we could piece together. With Texas nearing 100 degrees in August, this seemed like a drivable escape from the heat.

Once we traversed hundreds of miles and arrived in the quaint and beautiful town we wondered why travelers outside New Mexico have passed this spot up in favor of Colorado! Read on to learn all about this mountain town including Red River things to do, weather, and where to stay. 

What is the Enchanted Circle?

The Enchanted Circle is a scenic byway in Northern New Mexico that starts in Taos. You’ll find hiking, camping, fishing, and skiing along this route. 

Stops along the circle include Taos, Questa, Red River, Eagle’s Nest, and Angel Fire. The drive will take you about 2 1/2 – 3 hours all the way around if you want the full tour. 

How to get to Red River, New Mexico

RV Park Red River, Plan to Explore

Red River is a little bit out of the way, but worth it!

If you’re like us and choose the New Mexico road trip route, there are a number of ways to get to there. We took the route of Roswell – Santa Fe – Taos – Red River. It’s a relatively easy and low traffic route.

For flights to New Mexico, you’ll most likely be flying into the Albuquerque airport. You will most definitely need a car and your drive time from there to Red River will be a little over 3 hours. You can find car rentals at the airport and nearby, click here to browse!

Another fun outdoorsy idea – haul a rental travel trailer or rent a full RV for the trip! We used Outdoorsy and thought the process was pretty streamlined. Click here for my discount code to save! We’ve also heard great things about RVshare as an alternative. You can check them out by clicking here.

Note: if you are traveling in the winter to ski, you will be crossing mountain passes. Plan to rent or bring a car that can handle snow and possible ice.

Rent an RV from RVshare

Red River, New Mexico Weather

This is a mountain climate, so Red River weather can really vary. Bring your layers! 

In late August we experienced mid 70’s (F) during the day and overnight lows around 40-50 degrees. Afternoon rain showers are common. Even though the temperatures were low, the mountain sun does warm you up during the day. 

Spring and fall would definitely require a jacket with highs in the 50 to 60 degree Fahrenheit range. 

Expect snow in the winter as this area turns into a skiing destination! 

Where to Stay in Red River

We saw so many cute cottages and mountain lodges dotting the roadside! 

Since we were pulling a travel trailer, we stayed at an RV park (details below). There are a number of options I’ll outline for you! 

RV Park/Cabins: We stayed at 4k River Ranch RV Park and really loved it! This park if just 1 mile from town and made it super easy to head to main street whenever we wanted. Next to the river, this spot offers a fishing pond, sparkling clean restrooms and showers, and a small onsite store. They also have cabins you can rent onsite and in town! 

Carson Cabin: Want to stay in cabin with owners who know the area well? Check out Carson Cabin for a cozy yet updated home that has everything you need for your mountain getaway. I especially like the wrap-around deck with scenic views! 

Airbnb: My constant go-to for accommodations, as many of you know. If you want to find a cute spot right in town, this is where you should look! I especially like the wrap-around deck with scenic views. 

Lodges: If you are looking for that traditional ski lodge experience, there are a number of options here. I especially like the WorldMark Red River Lodge, with a cabin exterior but a modern and fresh interior. The best of both worlds! 

Things to do in Red River

This town has a lot to offer in terms of activities! If you love the outdoors, this is a great place for you!

But don’t worry, there are other options if you’re not an avid hiker or skier! Below are just some of the things to do in Red River. 

Summer Activities

Red River Hiking Nature Trail, Plan to Explore

Hiking: From easy to advanced, there are a number of trails in this area. We hiked the easy Red River Nature Trail since we also have a “little” hiker. It was just a mile long and borders the river and town with multiple exit points. Link to hikes in Red River. 

Fishing:  The Enchanted Circle is known for trout fishing. You’ll see fishermen almost anywhere throughout town. You’ll need a New Mexico fishing license, and can get one for just a day, to five days, to annual. Link to License details here. 

Mountain Tubing: The ski slope in town turns into a huge mountain tubing slide in the summer. You can also ride the chairlift, and there’s a zipline. So fun! Link to summer activities and costs here. 

Jeep or ROV vehicle tours and rentals: If you’re up for an off-road adventure, there are a few companies that rent out vehicles. Link to off-roading tips, locations and advice. 

Winter Activities

Skiing & Snowboarding: With chairlifts and slopes right at the edge of town, Red River Skiing is super accessible. Link to ski pass info here. 

Winter Mountain Tubing: If you’re not a fan of skiing, tubing might be an alternative! 

Snowmobiling: Another adventure option with a guided tour. 

Other Activities

Red River Brewery, Plan to Explore

Shopping in Red River: Main street is dotted with gift shops and stores. Take some time to stroll and pop into a few spots. 

Wine & Beer in Red River: You can taste wine and sip a flight of beer all within one mile. We visited Noisy Water Winery and Red River Brewing to try out local drinks. I even tried a hatch green chili-infused wine! Both locations were great and I recommend adding them to your list. 

Where to Eat in Red River: Since we hauled a travel trailer to this location, we did a lot of cooking at our RV site. This means we didn’t get to try all of the local fare, but did really enjoy our food at Red River Brewing mentioned above. We also heard good things about Dairy Barn and Major Bean Coffee. 

Pro Tip: Try to plan your trip to at least include one weekend. We stayed mostly weekdays and realized that most locations in town are closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. Bummer. 

Read More: Local's Guide to Dripping Springs, Texas

Relax and Unwind

With all that adventure mentioned above, this is also a location where you can skip all that and just relax. 

We spent a lot of time in camp chairs outside in the fresh air watching the river flow past. In the morning we went on walks. At night we huddled around the campfire and made s’mores. 

The point – Red River, New Mexico can be whatever you want it to be. Jam-packed with adventure or time to relax and enjoy cool mountain weather. 

Are you planning a trip to Red River, New Mexico? Let me know in the comments!

Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links, meaning we receive a commission if you decide to make a purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you. We really, really, really appreciate your support and could not continue this blog without you!

The post Red River, the Best Kept Secret of New Mexico! [Updated 2025] appeared first on Plan to Explore.

]]> https://plantoexplore.com/red-river-new-mexico/feed/ 3 7 Easy Things To Do | NYC Lower East Side Travel Guide https://plantoexplore.com/lower-east-side-travel/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=lower-east-side-travel https://plantoexplore.com/lower-east-side-travel/#respond Sat, 04 Apr 2020 19:51:40 +0000 https://plantoexplore.com/?p=1425 I have a confession to make. Even as a frequent traveler, New York City overwhelms me.  This was my second time in the city and I finally felt like I was starting to get comfortable, partly because we decided to focus on one area, the Lower East Side, instead of trying to hit all the highlights.  The Lower East Side and Lower Manhattan are a great place to focus on and we had plenty to see, do, and eat in our 48 hours there.   Here are my top 7 easy things to do for a relaxed and fun experience.  1. Drink Amazing Coffee & Eat Bagels With so many choices how do you decide where to start? Luckily enough I was traveling with The Abundant Traveler, and we put our heads together to decide.  First, coffee. Right across the street from our hotel was Ludlow Coffee Supply. Their coffee was delicious from the drip to the latte, all were on point. They have space to lounge if you want to hang out, and a few snacks like pastries and avocado toast.  For breakfast, we walked a little bit north of the LES into the East Village and stopped into Thompkins Square Bagels. The bagels were fresh and all you dream of when you think New York bagel.  They offered plenty of flavor options and the cream cheese selection was endless! Yes, I had already taken a big bite before I took a pic of my classic pairing of plain with plain. (I had to go old school to see how it truly tasted!)  Pro Tip: Gluten free or traveling with someone who is? My friend had a gluten-free bagel that she said was really good here! She had not tasted a bagel in over 10 years!  2. Visit the Tenament Museum or Synagogue & Museum at Eldridge St. Spend an hour or two of your morning at either the Museum & Synagogue at Eldridge Street or the Tenement Museum for some history and culture.  The Museum & Synagogue at Eldridge Street – Museum & Synagogue at Eldridge Street – Technically located in Chinatown this is a great historical spot to visit. Built in 1887, this is the last remaining landmark of the Jewish Lower East Side. You can borrow a booklet for a self-guided tour, or take a guided tour daily from 10 am – 4 pm on the hour.  The Tenement Museum – You’ll need to purchase a ticket for a guided tour to visit this location, but it’s amazing to see pieces of immigration history. Abandoned for 50 years, the founders recovered pieces of immigration history form inhabitants of the 1860s to the 1930s. Tickets can be purchased on their site here.  Pro Tip: Always check the official website for any museum or site a few weeks before you travel there. You never know if reservations are required, or if you’ll get a cheaper rate in advance! You can also schedule curated walking tours with a company I like called Walks. They have a variety of NYC tours you can check out – click here.  3. Stroll (and snack) at the Essex Market I love a city market with lots of food options. If you read my post on one week in Portugal, you know how much I loved Time Out in Lisbon.  Essex Market started across the street originally where the pushcarts of the 20s and 30s were housed. The facility that the food shops and counters are in now is new and fresh. It felt like it was missing something character-wise, but I still enjoyed walking around and even taste testing some New York pizza. I maaay have burned my mouth on it because I couldn’t wait to eat it. 🙂  Pro Tip: Walk the entire market first and then come up with a game plan of which stall(s) you want to return to and try. Prices were reasonable for the city with most plates around the $12 range (Pizza was $3.50 for a slice)  4. Eat Lunch at Katz’s Deli If you haven’t heard or Katz’s or it’s pastrami sandwich, I’m not sure how or why. Open since 1888 (with a few changes since then), it’s an institution in NYC and a Lower East Side pillar.   I didn’t make it on this trip since I was in town for a conference, but it will remain on my list because it’s definitely worthy. We were lucky enough to have Katz’s Deli expand to Austin (now closed) and I visited a few times before it shuttered. DELICIOUS.  Click here to visit their website!  5. Walk the Williamsburg Bridge Work off all the snacks and lunch by walking the Williamsburg Bridge. It’s quite the walk and we didn’t make it all the way across. This bridge connects the Lower East Side at Delancey Street across to Brooklyn near the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway.  Make sure you walk in the correct lane, as there are biking lanes and pedestrian lanes. It’s fun to watch the people of NY running, riding bikes, teaching kids how to ride bikes and just strolling. There are some nice views but do know that the whole bridge is basically surrounded by a cage, I imagine to keep people from throwing things on cars below.  Pro Tip: NYC is a city for walking, but you’ll want to have some comfortable shoes on, especially for this activity. Want a cute shoe that doesn’t scream workout? Try New Balance or Vans for style and comfort.   6. Enjoy a Beverage At this point in the day, I think it might be time for happy hour.  We visited a few wine bars in the general area. Below are two that I really enjoyed.  Jadis Wine Bar – 42 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002: This quaint little spot had a nice happy hour and delicious bites. The chef cooks right at the counter in the smallest little kitchen in front of you.  La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels – 249 Centre St, New York, NY 10013: If you love great quality wine and don’t mind a slightly higher price tag, this is a great option. The wine was quality.  Pro Tip: On a budget? Add happy hour to your schedule to save some money and still enjoy delicious food and drinks. NYC can be an expensive place!  7. Eat Delicious Pizza I LOVE pizza. It might be an unhealthy obsession to be honest. Remember that slice of pizza I had at Essex Market? Well Kim, The Abundant Traveler, asked that vendor where to find the best gluten free pizza in the city. That led us to Keste in Greenwich Village – I bit of a trek from the LES, but WORTH it.  We started with their house-made burrata and prosciutto, and it was one of the best I’ve ever had. Kim ordered the gluten free pepperoni pizza and I got the white pie with arugula. Y’ALL – I live down the street from a pizza mecca called Pieous here in Texas, and this pizza was just as amazing and delicious. Neapolitan style, not a NY slice, but just the way I like it cooked in a wood fired oven.  Pro Tip: Ask locals where to find the best food or things to do. They will always have a recommendation you have never heard of or would not have found on your own!   Where to Stay Where I stayed – Hotel Indigo: This modern and chic hotel on the Lower East Side is a great choice. Located on Ludlow street, the location is great for walking the area. They offer a rooftop bar on the 15th floor and a “lobby” cafe on the 14th floor. I ordered room service the night I arrived and it was really good. I also had their coffee and yogurt with berries and granola, all super tasty for a hotel.  Other Options:  CitizenM New York Bowery – This hotel is also located on the Lower East Side. With a coffee bar that transitions to cocktail bar at night and modern fun interiors this is a great choice. Moderate pricing.  Hotel on Rivington – Ultra cool vibes without an outrageous price tag, I want to stay here when I go back to NYC. The hip and cozy bar, and Mediterranean cafe on-site are a plus.  Click to Book a Lower East Side Hotel! I think that was a fun and easy day on the Lower East Side, don’t you? I really enjoyed this part of NYC after previously visiting Midtown, Tribeca and the Financial District, this felt like a cozy and quaint area of the city.  Have you visited the Lower East Side or are you adding it to your NYC Travel list? Let me know in the comments below! Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links, meaning we receive a commission if you decide to make a purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you. We really, really, really appreciate your support and could not continue this blog without you!

The post 7 Easy Things To Do | NYC Lower East Side Travel Guide appeared first on Plan to Explore.

]]>

I have a confession to make. Even as a frequent traveler, New York City overwhelms me. 

This was my second time in the city and I finally felt like I was starting to get comfortable, partly because we decided to focus on one area, the Lower East Side, instead of trying to hit all the highlights. 

The Lower East Side and Lower Manhattan are a great place to focus on and we had plenty to see, do, and eat in our 48 hours there.  

Here are my top 7 easy things to do for a relaxed and fun experience. 

1. Drink Amazing Coffee & Eat Bagels

Lower East Side Travel, Tompkins Square Bagel, Mandy, Plan to Explore

With so many choices how do you decide where to start? Luckily enough I was traveling with The Abundant Traveler, and we put our heads together to decide. 

First, coffee. Right across the street from our hotel was Ludlow Coffee Supply. Their coffee was delicious from the drip to the latte, all were on point. They have space to lounge if you want to hang out, and a few snacks like pastries and avocado toast. 

For breakfast, we walked a little bit north of the LES into the East Village and stopped into Thompkins Square Bagels. The bagels were fresh and all you dream of when you think New York bagel.  They offered plenty of flavor options and the cream cheese selection was endless! Yes, I had already taken a big bite before I took a pic of my classic pairing of plain with plain. (I had to go old school to see how it truly tasted!) 

Pro Tip: Gluten free or traveling with someone who is? My friend had a gluten-free bagel that she said was really good here! She had not tasted a bagel in over 10 years! 

2. Visit the Tenament Museum or Synagogue & Museum at Eldridge St.

Lower East Side Things to do, Plan to Explore

Spend an hour or two of your morning at either the Museum & Synagogue at Eldridge Street or the Tenement Museum for some history and culture. 

The Museum & Synagogue at Eldridge Street – Museum & Synagogue at Eldridge Street – Technically located in Chinatown this is a great historical spot to visit. Built in 1887, this is the last remaining landmark of the Jewish Lower East Side. You can borrow a booklet for a self-guided tour, or take a guided tour daily from 10 am – 4 pm on the hour. 

The Tenement Museum – You’ll need to purchase a ticket for a guided tour to visit this location, but it’s amazing to see pieces of immigration history. Abandoned for 50 years, the founders recovered pieces of immigration history form inhabitants of the 1860s to the 1930s. Tickets can be purchased on their site here. 

Pro Tip: Always check the official website for any museum or site a few weeks before you travel there. You never know if reservations are required, or if you’ll get a cheaper rate in advance! You can also schedule curated walking tours with a company I like called Walks. They have a variety of NYC tours you can check out – click here. 

3. Stroll (and snack) at the Essex Market

Lower East Side, Essex Market, Plan to Explore

I love a city market with lots of food options. If you read my post on one week in Portugal, you know how much I loved Time Out in Lisbon. 

Essex Market started across the street originally where the pushcarts of the 20s and 30s were housed. The facility that the food shops and counters are in now is new and fresh. It felt like it was missing something character-wise, but I still enjoyed walking around and even taste testing some New York pizza. I maaay have burned my mouth on it because I couldn’t wait to eat it. 🙂 

Pro Tip: Walk the entire market first and then come up with a game plan of which stall(s) you want to return to and try. Prices were reasonable for the city with most plates around the $12 range (Pizza was $3.50 for a slice) 

4. Eat Lunch at Katz's Deli

If you haven’t heard or Katz’s or it’s pastrami sandwich, I’m not sure how or why. Open since 1888 (with a few changes since then), it’s an institution in NYC and a Lower East Side pillar.  

I didn’t make it on this trip since I was in town for a conference, but it will remain on my list because it’s definitely worthy. We were lucky enough to have Katz’s Deli expand to Austin (now closed) and I visited a few times before it shuttered. DELICIOUS. 

Click here to visit their website! 

5. Walk the Williamsburg Bridge

Lower East Side, Williamsburgh Bridge, Plan to Explore

Work off all the snacks and lunch by walking the Williamsburg Bridge. It’s quite the walk and we didn’t make it all the way across. This bridge connects the Lower East Side at Delancey Street across to Brooklyn near the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. 

Make sure you walk in the correct lane, as there are biking lanes and pedestrian lanes. It’s fun to watch the people of NY running, riding bikes, teaching kids how to ride bikes and just strolling. There are some nice views but do know that the whole bridge is basically surrounded by a cage, I imagine to keep people from throwing things on cars below. 

Pro Tip: NYC is a city for walking, but you’ll want to have some comfortable shoes on, especially for this activity. Want a cute shoe that doesn’t scream workout? Try New Balance or Vans for style and comfort.  

6. Enjoy a Beverage

At this point in the day, I think it might be time for happy hour. 

We visited a few wine bars in the general area. Below are two that I really enjoyed. 

Jadis Wine Bar – 42 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002: This quaint little spot had a nice happy hour and delicious bites. The chef cooks right at the counter in the smallest little kitchen in front of you. 

La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels – 249 Centre St, New York, NY 10013: If you love great quality wine and don’t mind a slightly higher price tag, this is a great option. The wine was quality. 

Pro Tip: On a budget? Add happy hour to your schedule to save some money and still enjoy delicious food and drinks. NYC can be an expensive place! 

7. Eat Delicious Pizza

Keste Pizza, Plan to Explore

I LOVE pizza. It might be an unhealthy obsession to be honest. Remember that slice of pizza I had at Essex Market? Well Kim, The Abundant Traveler, asked that vendor where to find the best gluten free pizza in the city. That led us to Keste in Greenwich Village – I bit of a trek from the LES, but WORTH it. 

We started with their house-made burrata and prosciutto, and it was one of the best I’ve ever had. Kim ordered the gluten free pepperoni pizza and I got the white pie with arugula. Y’ALL – I live down the street from a pizza mecca called Pieous here in Texas, and this pizza was just as amazing and delicious. Neapolitan style, not a NY slice, but just the way I like it cooked in a wood fired oven. 

Pro Tip: Ask locals where to find the best food or things to do. They will always have a recommendation you have never heard of or would not have found on your own!  

Where to Stay

Where I stayed – Hotel Indigo: This modern and chic hotel on the Lower East Side is a great choice. Located on Ludlow street, the location is great for walking the area. They offer a rooftop bar on the 15th floor and a “lobby” cafe on the 14th floor. I ordered room service the night I arrived and it was really good. I also had their coffee and yogurt with berries and granola, all super tasty for a hotel. 

Other Options: 

CitizenM New York Bowery – This hotel is also located on the Lower East Side. With a coffee bar that transitions to cocktail bar at night and modern fun interiors this is a great choice. Moderate pricing. 

Hotel on Rivington – Ultra cool vibes without an outrageous price tag, I want to stay here when I go back to NYC. The hip and cozy bar, and Mediterranean cafe on-site are a plus. 

Click to Book a Lower East Side Hotel!

I think that was a fun and easy day on the Lower East Side, don’t you? I really enjoyed this part of NYC after previously visiting Midtown, Tribeca and the Financial District, this felt like a cozy and quaint area of the city. 

Have you visited the Lower East Side or are you adding it to your NYC Travel list? Let me know in the comments below!

Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links, meaning we receive a commission if you decide to make a purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you. We really, really, really appreciate your support and could not continue this blog without you!

The post 7 Easy Things To Do | NYC Lower East Side Travel Guide appeared first on Plan to Explore.

]]> https://plantoexplore.com/lower-east-side-travel/feed/ 0 How to Plan a Trip to Temecula Wine Country [Updated 2025] https://plantoexplore.com/temecula-wine-country/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=temecula-wine-country https://plantoexplore.com/temecula-wine-country/#comments Sat, 12 Oct 2019 02:42:23 +0000 https://plantoexplore.com/?p=557 Temecula Wine Country surprised me. I’m not sure what I was expecting, maybe something more desert-y? We scheduled two days there on a side trip from visiting the in-laws in Fallbrook, and it was not nearly enough time.  About an hour from San Diego, Temecula would be a great trip to combine with the city. If you like wine, but want to avoid the high prices that Napa demands, Temecula Wine Country should be on your list. This Temecula travel guide will give you the top details you need to plan your perfect wine tasting trip.  How to Get There By Plane – If you are traveling from out of state, San Diego Airport is your best bet (around 1 hour drive). You could also fly into LAX as an option, but it would be quite the drive (around 2-3 hours, traffic depending). If you know anything about LA, the traffic is pretty horrible. Given the choice, San Diego is much more convenient. You will need a car to get anywhere.  By Car – If you are coming from somewhere in California, or even Arizona, you’ll want to make your way to the 15 freeway. From San Diego it’s a pretty straight shot up the 5 and then the 15, which will take you to the exits for Temecula and Murrieta.  The wineries stretch along Rancho California Road, and then down smaller streets from there.  Don’t forget to sign up for Going to get flight deals emailed directly to you!. My favorite flight hack!  Seasons and Weather Is there really a bad time to visit Southern California?  The weather there is almost always nice, so I think the “season” you pick to visit depends on what you personally prefer. Temperature Range: Southern CA can range anywhere from a daily high of low 60’s in the winter to a high in the 90’s in the summer (Fahrenheit on average). July and August can hit sometimes 100°F, so sitting out on a patio may not be very comfortable.  Ideal: In my opinion the months of October, November, March, April and May are ideal. In the spring, you’ll get the lush leaf filled vines. In the fall, it may not be as picturesque, but the crowds are a little thinner. We went during the week after Thanksgiving weekend, and never had to wait for a tasting.  Where to Stay in Temecula Temecula really has three main options, chain hotels in town, winery hotels, and Airbnb/private accommodations. The picture above is from the porch of our Airbnb, not bad huh?  I’ll outline a few options on the pros and cons of each area of town.  Temecula – Old Town, close to the majority of restaurants and shopping. If you want to be able to walk around at night to restaurants or a few bars, then staying close to Old Town Temecula is ideal. It’s not a huge area, but it’s fun to stroll around. Close by are major conveniences like chain stores, gas stations, etc. If you have a car, everything is easily accessible. You’ll need to drive or arrange a tour to the wineries, about 10-15 minutes away.  Temecula – Outside of town, close to  wineries. There is something truly peaceful about staying out in the countryside. You’ll also be in the heart of the wineries with a small drive back to town for conveniences, depending how far out from town you are staying. There are a few wineries with hotels and/or restaurants on site. Read on to learn more about food in the area.  How to find Accommodations – Now, how to actually find a place to stay. There are a good number of Temecula full service hotels in this area, so if you want that experience it may be worth paying for a room. Some are even located at a winery, which is ideal so you can taste and relax. Click here to check out some of these options.  Personally, I wanted to save some cash for the tastings and went with Airbnb. Our apartment was connected to a home, with a locked door between, and we only saw the owners at check in. It was about half the cost of the hotels and we had a porch with a view out over their personal vineyard and the hills. Beautiful! Temecula Winery Guide Temecula Wine Country has 40+ wineries with over 100 more on the way!  This region focuses on red and white wine varietals from Italy. We especially enjoyed the Sangiovese, Montepulciano, and Syrah.  If you have limited time and want to narrow down the choices, I would follow the tips below!  Decide what kind of wine experience you want – Do you like bigger, well known wineries, or smaller up and coming ones? Maybe a winery that has a long history in the area like Hart, or one with a unique twist like Doffo (there are collectible cars all over the property)?  Focus on one of the main roads – The wineries in this area are along both Rancho California Road or De Portola Road. You could even choose a road each day to help plan out your stops.  Ask Locals – At each winery along the way, I ask the person serving us where they like to go. I also asked our Airbnb Manager and shop owners in town. This has taken us to some lesser know but great quality places.  Recommendations: Below are a few of my personal favorite wineries from our visit:  Hart: If you want to taste wine from the original winery in Temecula this is it! I really loved their Sangiovese, and still have a bottle (Update – we recently drank this bottle and it was amazing!). *Now closed* Cougar: Their wine is really good, and they have a great view. Highlights include the on-site deli, and port wine served with a homemade truffle. We have been to Porto, Portugal, and this was some of the best Port we’ve had outside of there.  Palumbo: This boutique winery has an amazing view and great wines to go with it.  Chapin: Some really good wine at this location. A little on the pricey side, but honestly great quality. There is a nice deck out back to hang out on as well.  Hopefully we’ll get a chance to go back and explore more, so this list will be ever changing! Winery Pro Tip! If you are visiting during the weekdays and not the weekend, the Temecula Sip Passport is the way to go.  The passport is valid for 5 tastings at 25 participating wineries, and costs $75/pass. When you start adding up individual tasting costs over a few days, the pass really does save you money. You can also split your tastings with your significant other or travel partner, which would make it really affordable.  Where to Eat in Temecula If you have read my other Texas Hill Country wine destination guide, you might be starting to wonder if I really love pizza.  The answer is yes (and don’t you??!)  Temecula isn’t known for a certain food genre that they specialize in, but there are some good options for dining. I’ll outline the places we visited below.  Restaurants in Old Town The Goat & Vine – Delicious Neapolitan style pizza and meatballs. Pizza is always my go-to and this did not disappoint. You can add your name to the waitlist on their website.  Crush & Brew – The perfect combo for those who have both wine and beer lovers in their group. We went during happy hour for some great wine prices and delicious appetizers.  Le Coffee Shop – The perfect spot for a coffee and breakfast. We had yummy breakfast sandwiches on the front patio with a nice view of Old Town Temecula.    Wineries Restaurants Sangio’s Deli – Located at Cougar Winery, this deli has affordable food you can order and eat with your wine. We had panini’s that were tasty.  Mama Rosa’s Trattoria – Located at Robert Renzoni vineyard, this is another somewhat affordable choice. We had the pizza pictured above. Yum.  Expensive Winery Restaurants – We were traveling on a budget, so didn’t go to the higher end places. A few that we heard people talk about: The Restaurant at Ponte, Flower Hill at Miramonte, & Avensole Restaurant.    Quick Shopping Tip: We LOVED the olive oil store in Old Town called Temecula Olive Oil Company. They let you taste oils along with balsamic vinegar, and they were all delicious!  Gift sets are available for purchase and we purchased a few to bring back home. (perfect Christmas gifts!)  Read More: How to Plan a Trip to the Texas Hill Country If you are looking for a winery region that’s laid back and still somewhat affordable, add Temecula Wine Country to your list.  This region is quickly growing, pretty soon the winery options will exceed 100 locations. I don’t know how you could even put a dent in that over just a few days!  What’s exciting to me is that you could plan multiple trips and almost never have the same experience.  I love to hear about your adventures, so leave a comment below!  Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links, meaning we receive a commission if you decide to make a purchase through these links (we so appreciate your support), at no additional cost to you. Want to protect your data while you’re traveling? I highly recommend Surfshark VPN, and have been using it now for years.  A VPN conceals your IP address so hackers cannot access any of your data. I use it in airports, at coffee shops, and even if I want to access a website I’m not sure about!  Click here to check it out! 

The post How to Plan a Trip to Temecula Wine Country [Updated 2025] appeared first on Plan to Explore.

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Temecula Wine Country surprised me.

I’m not sure what I was expecting, maybe something more desert-y? We scheduled two days there on a side trip from visiting the in-laws in Fallbrook, and it was not nearly enough time. 

About an hour from San Diego, Temecula would be a great trip to combine with the city. If you like wine, but want to avoid the high prices that Napa demands, Temecula Wine Country should be on your list. This Temecula travel guide will give you the top details you need to plan your perfect wine tasting trip. 

How to Get There

By Plane – If you are traveling from out of state, San Diego Airport is your best bet (around 1 hour drive). You could also fly into LAX as an option, but it would be quite the drive (around 2-3 hours, traffic depending). If you know anything about LA, the traffic is pretty horrible. Given the choice, San Diego is much more convenient. You will need a car to get anywhere. 

By Car – If you are coming from somewhere in California, or even Arizona, you’ll want to make your way to the 15 freeway. From San Diego it’s a pretty straight shot up the 5 and then the 15, which will take you to the exits for Temecula and Murrieta.  The wineries stretch along Rancho California Road, and then down smaller streets from there. 

Don’t forget to sign up for Going to get flight deals emailed directly to you!. My favorite flight hack! 

TripAdvisor

Seasons and Weather

Temecula Spring Flowers

Is there really a bad time to visit Southern California? 

The weather there is almost always nice, so I think the “season” you pick to visit depends on what you personally prefer.

Temperature Range: Southern CA can range anywhere from a daily high of low 60’s in the winter to a high in the 90’s in the summer (Fahrenheit on average). July and August can hit sometimes 100°F, so sitting out on a patio may not be very comfortable. 

Ideal: In my opinion the months of October, November, March, April and May are ideal. In the spring, you’ll get the lush leaf filled vines. In the fall, it may not be as picturesque, but the crowds are a little thinner. We went during the week after Thanksgiving weekend, and never had to wait for a tasting. 

Where to Stay in Temecula

Temecula Wine Country AirBnB

Temecula really has three main options, chain hotels in town, winery hotels, and Airbnb/private accommodations. The picture above is from the porch of our Airbnb, not bad huh? 

I’ll outline a few options on the pros and cons of each area of town. 

Temecula – Old Town, close to the majority of restaurants and shopping. If you want to be able to walk around at night to restaurants or a few bars, then staying close to Old Town Temecula is ideal. It’s not a huge area, but it’s fun to stroll around. Close by are major conveniences like chain stores, gas stations, etc. If you have a car, everything is easily accessible. You’ll need to drive or arrange a tour to the wineries, about 10-15 minutes away. 

Temecula – Outside of town, close to  wineries. There is something truly peaceful about staying out in the countryside. You’ll also be in the heart of the wineries with a small drive back to town for conveniences, depending how far out from town you are staying. There are a few wineries with hotels and/or restaurants on site. Read on to learn more about food in the area. 

How to find Accommodations – Now, how to actually find a place to stay. There are a good number of Temecula full service hotels in this area, so if you want that experience it may be worth paying for a room. Some are even located at a winery, which is ideal so you can taste and relax. Click here to check out some of these options. 

Personally, I wanted to save some cash for the tastings and went with Airbnb. Our apartment was connected to a home, with a locked door between, and we only saw the owners at check in. It was about half the cost of the hotels and we had a porch with a view out over their personal vineyard and the hills. Beautiful!

Temecula Winery Guide

Temecula Wine Country has 40+ wineries with over 100 more on the way! 

This region focuses on red and white wine varietals from Italy. We especially enjoyed the Sangiovese, Montepulciano, and Syrah. 

If you have limited time and want to narrow down the choices, I would follow the tips below! 

  • Decide what kind of wine experience you want – Do you like bigger, well known wineries, or smaller up and coming ones? Maybe a winery that has a long history in the area like Hart, or one with a unique twist like Doffo (there are collectible cars all over the property)? 
  • Focus on one of the main roads – The wineries in this area are along both Rancho California Road or De Portola Road. You could even choose a road each day to help plan out your stops. 
  • Ask Locals – At each winery along the way, I ask the person serving us where they like to go. I also asked our Airbnb Manager and shop owners in town. This has taken us to some lesser know but great quality places. 

Recommendations: Below are a few of my personal favorite wineries from our visit: 

Hart: If you want to taste wine from the original winery in Temecula this is it! I really loved their Sangiovese, and still have a bottle (Update – we recently drank this bottle and it was amazing!). *Now closed*

Cougar: Their wine is really good, and they have a great view. Highlights include the on-site deli, and port wine served with a homemade truffle. We have been to Porto, Portugal, and this was some of the best Port we’ve had outside of there. 

Palumbo: This boutique winery has an amazing view and great wines to go with it. 

Chapin: Some really good wine at this location. A little on the pricey side, but honestly great quality. There is a nice deck out back to hang out on as well. 

Hopefully we’ll get a chance to go back and explore more, so this list will be ever changing!

Winery Pro Tip!

If you are visiting during the weekdays and not the weekend, the Temecula Sip Passport is the way to go. 

The passport is valid for 5 tastings at 25 participating wineries, and costs $75/pass.

When you start adding up individual tasting costs over a few days, the pass really does save you money. You can also split your tastings with your significant other or travel partner, which would make it really affordable. 

Where to Eat in Temecula

Temecula Pizza

If you have read my other Texas Hill Country wine destination guide, you might be starting to wonder if I really love pizza.  The answer is yes (and don’t you??!) 

Temecula isn’t known for a certain food genre that they specialize in, but there are some good options for dining. I’ll outline the places we visited below. 

Restaurants in Old Town

The Goat & Vine – Delicious Neapolitan style pizza and meatballs. Pizza is always my go-to and this did not disappoint. You can add your name to the waitlist on their website. 

Crush & Brew – The perfect combo for those who have both wine and beer lovers in their group. We went during happy hour for some great wine prices and delicious appetizers. 

Le Coffee Shop – The perfect spot for a coffee and breakfast. We had yummy breakfast sandwiches on the front patio with a nice view of Old Town Temecula. 

 

Wineries Restaurants

Sangio’s Deli – Located at Cougar Winery, this deli has affordable food you can order and eat with your wine. We had panini’s that were tasty. 

Mama Rosa’s Trattoria – Located at Robert Renzoni vineyard, this is another somewhat affordable choice. We had the pizza pictured above. Yum. 

Expensive Winery Restaurants – We were traveling on a budget, so didn’t go to the higher end places. A few that we heard people talk about: The Restaurant at Ponte, Flower Hill at Miramonte, & Avensole Restaurant. 

 

Quick Shopping Tip: We LOVED the olive oil store in Old Town called Temecula Olive Oil Company. They let you taste oils along with balsamic vinegar, and they were all delicious! 

Gift sets are available for purchase and we purchased a few to bring back home. (perfect Christmas gifts!) 

Read More: How to Plan a Trip to the Texas Hill Country

If you are looking for a winery region that's laid back and still somewhat affordable, add Temecula Wine Country to your list. 

This region is quickly growing, pretty soon the winery options will exceed 100 locations. I don’t know how you could even put a dent in that over just a few days! 

What’s exciting to me is that you could plan multiple trips and almost never have the same experience. 

I love to hear about your adventures, so leave a comment below! 

Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links, meaning we receive a commission if you decide to make a purchase through these links (we so appreciate your support), at no additional cost to you.

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