The Talking Suitcase

Experience the World With Kids

Staycation Ideas for Families: Over 60 Cities You Should Visit

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Staycation Ideas for Families
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Staycations are a great way to save money.  It also gives you a chance to find new and fun activities in the city you live.

I’ve teamed up with bloggers from across the US to share fun things to do in their cities. See if the city you live in (or near) is included in the list below. You can also use these ideas if you’re planning to travel to one of these areas.

60 Staycation Ideas for Families:

A – D

Phoenix-Metro, Arizona ~ Mom Endeavors
Scottsdale, Arizona ~ Saving For Someday
Tucson, Arizona ~ Desert Chica Ramblings
Bentonville, Arkansas ~ This Sweet Life
Fullerton, California ~ More with Less Today
San Diego, California ~ Southern Cali Saver.com
Denver, Colorado ~ Bargain Blessings
Washington, District of Columbia ~ Kidventurous

F – I

Jacksonville, Florida ~ Saving The Family Money
Orlando, Florida ~ The Educators’ Spin On It
Tallahassee, Florida ~ SwagGrabber
Tampa, Florida ~ Not Consumed
Chicago (and suburbs), Illinois ~ A Savings WOW!
Chicago, Illinois ~ Entertaining Chicago
Fort Wayne, Indiana ~ Simplified Saving
Indianapolis, Indiana ~ Chaos Is Bliss
Des Moines, Iowa ~ Eat, Play, Love Des Moines

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Visit to Blue Bird Gap Farm {Hampton, VA}

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Bluebird Gap Farm
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We attended a birthday party at Blue Bird Gap Farm in Hampton, VA this weekend.  It was such a fun afternoon for all the kiddos – from toddlers to my oldest. They ran around climbing, looking at animals and just pain enjoying being crazy kids for an afternoon.

I used to go to Blue Bird Gap Farm with my aunt as a child, so it was nice to be back after all these years.  Even though a lot has changed, it still brought back great memories.  I enjoyed getting to share the farm with my children all these years later.

Blue Bird Gap Farm Animals

Where is Blue Bird Gap Farm?

Blue Bird Gap Farm is located just off I-64 near the Hampton Coliseum.  If you’re traveling along I-64 near the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel then it’s a great spot to let the kids out to stretch their legs and have a bite to eat.  It’s only about 3 minutes to the farm once you jump off the interstate.

What to See and Do at Blue Bird Gap Farm:

The 60-acre farm has about 150 animals, both domestic and wild.  You’ll find deer, tortoises, racoons, goats, birds of prey and my personal favorite – PEACOCKS just to name a few.

Blue Bird Gap Farm Playground

There is a large playground with a big playset for big kids and a smaller set for little ones.  You’ll also find an ample amount of swings to accommodate lots of kids.

Bluebird Gap Farm Collage

After you play, take a walk around the nature trail and make sure to visit the barn and feed the goats.  You’ll also want to take a peak at the Hampton Master Gardeners’ Display Garden and Arboretum.  It’s a pretty little area full of flowers and plants.

Another nice feature is that the farm also has restrooms that are surprisingly well cared for and clean.  Going to public restrooms on a farm can sometimes be pretty gross.  Is it odd that the restrooms are one of the things I remember most?

If you’re hungry there are snack and drink vending machines, but I advise bringing your own food.  Have a picnic (or just a few snacks) on one of the benches, picnic tables or simply spread a blanket of the grass near the Azalea trail or the pond.

The best part?  It’s FREE to enjoy the entire Blue Bird Gap Farm!

 Bluebird Gap Farm Picnic Area

Having a gathering such as a birthday party is fantastic at this location. There are so many things to keep the kids busy and you don’t have to pay a rental fee! Since you can’t reserve a spot, make sure to come early. Our party was held back near the tortoise and rabbit enclosures.   It really is the perfect spot for an event. You’re tucked away from most of the crowd, have picnic benches and a huge tree to provide shade. Plus it’s only about a minute walk to the playground and the barns.

Bring lots of quarters to feed the animals. The goats will eat right out of your hands! Watch for peacocks – they run around everywhere. They’re nice but it’s kinda scary seeing them staring at you from on top of the bathroom.

Visit the park website HERE for information on hours (closed Tuesday).

Have you been to Blue Bird Gap Farm? Share with us your favorite memories.

Have you even gotten home and realized you’re missing a ton of pictures?  I took 10 (at least) of the kids feeding the goats.  Where are they?  I took a couple shots of the entire playground and a peacock on the restroom roof.  Nope.  Don’t have those either.  I’m sticking with I have not lost my mind and my camera ate my pictures.

While you’re on the Peninsula, you might want to stop by Busch Gardens and save with these Busch Gardens Discount Coupons!!

Best European Cities for Foodies

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Best European Cities for Foodies

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I thought it would be fun to share a post from Sophie on the best European cities for foodies. She’s traveled through Europe and gives her take on the incredible cities that can satisfy the foodie pallet.  I’m just getting ready to start traveling Europe, so this post is as much for me as it is for all of you 🙂

Traveling through Europe can be a whirlwind of places, sites and meals, but sometimes its the meals that we remember the most. For a foodie, travel is the best way to really get to know a place, its culture and most importantly, its people. Some European cities are much easier to eat your way through, sampling and nibbling as you go, with new food discoveries always on the horizon.

Use this guide to plan out your next trip to Europe, choosing among the best European cities for foodies. Each destination is a combination of convenience and the best food coming out of the kitchens of each chef.

Barcelona

Any foodie, or anyone that enjoys a good meal, that has ever been to Barcelona knows why this European city has made the list. Spain in general is a great place for foodies to explore new tastes and fresh flavor combinations that are conveniently served up in small portions, but Barcelona is the best city in all of Spain to do this. Dining out is a highly prioritized tradition among the locals, so every restaurant is competing to put out their best every day in order to keep up with a very demanding clientele. The Sarria district is best for adventurous foodies, for fresh seafood and traditional Catalan dishes head towards the city’s beaches, where the catch is brought in daily.

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Cheap Spring Break Travel Ideas

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 Cheap Spring Break Travel

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Whether you’re a college student on a budget or a parent who needs to afford a trip for the whole family, cheap spring break travel options are always a great idea. You want to have fun without spending a fortune! Here are a few ideas to help you create that perfect but affordable spring break vacation.

Cheap Spring Break Travel Ideas:

Avoid the Most Popular Beaches – Cancun, Daytona Beach, and South Padre Island are among the most popular spring break choices for college students, which means that most of the time, the prices for hotels, airfare, and other accommodations are going to be more expensive. Consider Biloxi, Pensacola Beach, or Myrtle Beach for cheaper alternatives. There are still plenty of things to see and do in these cities, but it won’t cost you nearly as much to do them.

Plan a Staycation – There is no rule that says you have to fly somewhere for spring break. Consider booking a hotel room somewhere close to where you live to escape the everyday routine of home. You can take this time to see some of the local attractions that you haven’t had the chance to visit yet.

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How to Plan a Thrifty Road Trip

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Thrifty Road Trip
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Road trip! Are you planning a getaway with the family, a trip back home from college or just some fun with friends? If so, you might want to plan a thrifty road trip to help you save during your travels. Gas prices are higher than ever and this makes many people afraid to get into their cars and travel out for visiting friends and family.  Don’t let the high price of gas and expensive of travel keep your from enjoying the world.

So what are some things you can do to have a thrifty road trip? I have 5 tips to get you started.

How to Plan a Thrifty Road Trip:

Get a tune-up: Doing some simple maintenance on your vehicle can make a big difference when it comes to traveling long distances in it. For example, keeping the tires properly inflated, using the right kind of gas and replacing air filters and other parts regularly will help you get more gas mileage from your vehicle, reduce wear and tear and get the most from your car.

Rent a car: Depending on the make, model and year of your vehicle, it might be best for you to just rent a vehicle to make your road trip in. Most rentals today come with unlimited miles and you can just pay by the day. You don’t have to worry so much about how far you’re going, what damage or extra mileage you might be putting on your vehicle.

Slow down: Driving slower can make your vehicle more fuel-efficient. This means you can save a lot of money on gas by driving slower. But how slow? According to www.fueleconomy.gov, for every five miles per hour you drive over the rate of 60 miles per hour, you will pay 25 cents or more for each gallon of gas. Rapid acceleration and sudden braking can make you lose more on your gas mileage.

Bring things with you: Another way to have a thrifty road trip is to pack up the ice chest and bring as many things with you as you can. You can bring snacks and drinks and avoid buying things on the road. It’s really easy to do some pre-trip shopping and pack your car up with snacks and goodies before heading out on the road.

Bring a friend: Next, remember to bring a friend or family member along with you. You can’t have a thrifty road trip without bringing along a great friend and some rocking car tunes. The best part of a road trip is blasting your favorite songs and singing along at the top of your lungs with your bestie.

Do you have any tips to add for taking a thrifty road trip? Who would you bring along? How would you save money on the trip?

*The picture above is from a road trip my family took a few years ago up through the Blue Ridge Mountains.  There are so many stops you can make on the way to get gorgeous views like this one!

You might also like 7 Tips for Family Travel on a Budget or 8 Simple Tips to Plan Road Trip & Pack Smart!

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