Watching the Macy’s Day parade in New York in New York city is a Thanksgiving tradition. Over the years I can remember waking up on Thanksgiving mornings and watching the parade on TV. The parade played as a nice backdrop while I helped my mom prepare a Thanksgiving feast. I love watching the marching bands, broadway musicals perform a song and catching a glimpse of Santa at the end. I had always wanted to watch to the parade in person. In 2006 That dream was realized for the first time. Since then, I have gone back to New York city once more to see the Macy’s Day Parade. If you…

Seattle’s neighborhoods are just as fascinating and worth a visit as the city proper is. Seattle is a great city, no doubt about it. I love the rain as much as I love the coffee. Iconic attractions such as the Space Needle and Pike’s Place Market are places I always enjoy visiting while in the Emerald City. However, when you’ve visited over a handful of times you start to crave seeing new stuff. A few of my most recent trips to Seattle allowed me to finally be a bit more adventurous and seek out what the neighborhoods of Ballard, Fremont, Green Lake and the University District have to offer. If…

Do you want to go to Chicago for a conference? I was asked this question a few months prior by my boss while sitting in my rolling office chair, under florescent lights. Yes, I proclaimed. A visit to Chicago had only previously been to the O’Hare airport. I love to travel, so I thought this work trip would be a fun way to challenge myself professionally and also a good opportunity to take my husband along to explore the city. Immediately I started day dreaming about all of the things I wanted to see and do while in Chicago. Once I was out of the conference I planned to take…

It’s no secret that San Francisco is one of the most expensive cities in the United States. For residents of this hilled city by the bay, cost of living is 62% higher than other major US cities, according to the Business Insider. Not only is it expensive to reside here but it can also be pricey to visit. That is why it is not uncommon for potential travelers to research a plan a visit San Francisco on a budget before stepping on a plane. But despite San Francisco’s high cost of living, residents and visitors can’t say enough good things about this foggy city. From the mild weather, fresh seafood,…

The trendiest thing going on in travel right now is the element of surprise. You may have heard of companies such as PackUp + Go and The Vacation Hunt that are not only taking the hassle out of planning a trip but also providing an element of anticipation as your trip nears to your unknown destination. Booking a surprise vacation often comes along with a higher price point than you likely would have paid had you booked the trip on your own. Maybe you would have sought out budget airlines or looked for last minute hotel deals online. So, that begs the question, is it worth the higher price point…

A Coffee Filled City With This Many Fun Activities Will Have You Wishing You Didn’t Require Sleep Just So You Could Fit Everything In, therefore becoming sleepless in Seattle Seattle, a beautiful rainy city nestled in the heart of the pacific northwest, a place I have visited often over the last several years since moving out to Portland. There are so many fun things to see and do, I feel the title of this post sleepless in Seattle has a whole other meaning than that Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan movie. Think about, so much good coffee, along with awesome things to see and do, you could very well find…

I love weekend trips. To me it’s just the right amount of leisurely fun that gives me enough rejuvenation to take on another work week. I particularly enjoy destinations that take less than four hours to get to, whether its by car, train or plane. That’s why this post featuring how to spend a weekend in Bend, Oregon was an inevitable trip that I would take from Portland. If you have read other posts on my blog you know how much I love writing about weekend getaways or short trips. One of my favorite cities to visit on the west coast is San Francisco. Check out the weekend itinerary here.…

For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to spend one day in Key West. A visit to this beach paradise meant relaxation, sunshine and fun. Key West is the laid back southern most part of the United States. It is situated just 90 miles from Cuba and has always held a reputation in my mind as a laid back beach town. I imagine a place where people can get around by the ease of a one speed bicycle. Last February my husband and I took our first cruise together that left from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Check out my post on What You Need To Prepare For…