Exploring the Magic of Tennessee: Our Family Adventure

July 25, 2025July 25, 2025Posted in Blog, Touristician ReviewsTagged Dollywood, gatlinburg, pigeon-forge, Review, Tennessee, themepark, TravelLeave a comment

Howdy folks—Hyrax here!

This June, our family hit the pause button on everyday life. We swapped it for the misty magic of eastern Tennessee. We explored the charming streets of Gatlinburg. We also enjoyed the high-energy fun of Pigeon Forge. We spent six jam-packed days chasing adventure. We made lasting memories.

We followed enchanted quests through themed attractions. We rocketed through the hills on Dollywood’s Lightning Rod. We dove into the mysteries of the deep sea. We even stepped back in time aboard the Titanic. It was part thrill ride, part time machine—and all unforgettable.

Our home base for the week was Paw’s Manor. It is a cozy hillside cabin. It gave us peace and laughter. Yes, it also had a few quirks worth noting.

But this trip wasn’t just a vacation. It was a whirlwind of stories, sensations, and shared moments that reminded us what it means to explore together. From the heart-pounding coasters to the haunting hush of the Titanic exhibit, every day brought its own brand of magic.

So come along. We will retrace our steps through theme parks, aquariums, and arcades. You even see a fire-breathing dragon or two on the big screen. You’ll get honest ratings, colorful commentary, and a few surprises along the way. Whether you’re planning your own Smoky Mountain escape or just here for the ride, we’re glad to have you.

Before We Start: The Rating System

Each attraction gets rated across four key categories. Scores range from 1 (low) to 10 (high). This gives a total possible score of 40. That score then translates into a percentage. It also converts to a corresponding letter grade (A = 90% or higher, B = 80–89%, and so on).

But keep in mind—this isn’t a science. A low score doesn’t mean an attraction was bad. It simply indicates that it has been even better with a few tweaks. Think of it as one traveler’s honest take.

Now that the ground rules are set, let’s dive in!

Our Cabin: Paw’s Manor

Our home base for the week, Paw’s Manor, struck a lovely balance. It was peacefully tucked into the hills between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Yet, it was just minutes from the action.

That said, it came with a few hiccups. We found a broken door latch and a wobbly dining chair upon arrival. This put a slight damper on our arrival. Still, the charm and layout of the cabin quickly won us over.

Paw’s Manor is a two-level retreat, with each floor offering its own unique spaces:

Upper Floor (Main Entrance):

Full kitchen
Dining and living rooms
Master bedroom with en-suite bath
Second bedroom and shared bathroom
Spacious outdoor porch with mountain views

Lower Floor:

Mini kitchen
Game room and media room
Two extra bedrooms
Two extra bathrooms
Small laundry area
Lower deck with hot tub

One of our favorite daily rituals? We enjoyed sipping cocoa on the upper porch. The morning mist swallowed the Smoky Mountains. We also loved unwinding in the hot tub. The sunset painted the sky in golden hues. Breakfast became my grandfather’s daily tradition. Dinners rotated among family members. They were often paired with slices of birthday cake. We celebrated a couple of special occasions during our stay.

Cabin Ratings

*Category*	*Score*	*Notes*
*Comfort*	8/10	Cozy overall, but maintenance issues and limited accessibility held it back.
*View*	9/10	Stunning Smoky Mountain vistas—perfect for morning coffee or evening chats on the porch.
*Cleanliness*	7/10	Generally clean, though the maintenance oversights were a letdown
*Location*	8/10	Quiet, central spot between Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg, though the driveway signage needs improvement
*Overall*	*32/40*	*Grade: B (80.0%)*

All in all, Paw’s Manor was a cozy, spacious launching pad for our Smoky Mountain adventures—quirks and all. We unpacked our bags. After embracing the cabin’s personality, it was time to dive into the magic of the mountains.

Day 2: MagiQuest — Arcade, Golf, and Magic!

We kicked off our first full day of vacation with a blast of enchantment. It started at MagiQuest. This is a two-story fantasy playground nestled on Pigeon Forge’s bustling main strip. Inside this interactive complex are four distinct attractions:

The MagiQuest Adventure
Pirate Golf
The Odyssey Mirror Maze
The Adventure Arcade

While each can be purchased à la carte, combo packages offer the best bang for your buck. We went all-in with the Ultimate Combo. At about $40 per person, plus $20 for a personalized light-up wand and topper, we spent roughly $60 each. Not cheap, but packed with fun and flexibility.

The Ultimate Combo includes:

90 minutes of MagiQuest questing
Arcade credits
Admission to both Pirate Golf and the Mirror Maze
Plus, you are allowed to keep your wand!

By contrast, the General Combo comes with a loaner wand. It offers only 60 minutes of quest time and fewer arcade credits. It is still enjoyable, but more limited.

We skipped the on-site café bar, but it’s there if you need a snack break.

Pirate Golf was a vibrant blacklight course full of clever effects and hidden sounds that kept us giggling. The mirror maze disoriented us just enough to spark a few genuine laughs and accidental collisions.

And yes—we named our wands. Mine? Timeseeker, decked out in a blue-and-bronze theme. My sisters chose an icy white Frozen-inspired Winterhaven and a dark forest-themed Weeping Willow. Each one felt magical, personal, and just plain cool.

The biggest drawback? The crowd. While it wasn’t shoulder-to-shoulder packed, there were moments of frustration. This was especially true for my youngest sister. She had a few spells interrupted by older kids cutting in line. It wasn’t intentional, just inconsiderate. The staff were kind and available. More supervision will really elevate the experience. Designated “family-friendly” quest times also help.

MagiQuest Ratings

*Category*	*Score*	*Notes*
*Value for Money*	9/10	$60 got us hours of immersive fun; wand upgrades added a personal touch.
*Crowd Control*	7/10	Friendly staff, but guest behavior occasionally disrupted the magic.
*Uniqueness*	10/10	A one-of-a-kind fantasy RPG experience—truly unlike anything else in town.
*Repeatability*	7/10	Multiple quests and game paths keep it fresh, but some elements (like the mirror maze) are one-and-done.
*Total*	*33/40*	*Grade: B (82.5%)*

MagiQuest is absolutely worth a visit—especially for families who love fantasy, puzzles, and hands-on play. With a few tweaks to improve crowd management, it can easily become a Smoky Mountain staple.

Oh—and don’t forget to name your wand.
Because half the magic? Is the legend you give it!

As the sun set on Day 2, we drifted to sleep. Glowing runes and dragon dreams danced in our heads. Our wands rested beside us like enchanted relics. They were waiting for the next adventure.

Day 3: Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies

On our third day, we swapped fantasy realms for tide pools. We headed into Gatlinburg for a deep-sea detour. This visit was to Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies.

This aquarium is smaller than our beloved Georgia Aquarium back home. Still, it punches above its weight. It is cleverly packed, visually rich, and surprisingly kid-friendly for its size.

One of the smartest features? A centrally located indoor play zone lets younger visitors burn off energy. It gives the adults a few much-needed minutes of peace. Major win.

Here’s a quick dive into the highlights:

Tropical Rainforest: Piranhas, poison dart frogs, and the ancient-looking arapaima keeping lazy watch in its tank.
Ocean Realm: Schools of reef fish that shimmer and swirl like underwater confetti.
Coral Reef & Shark Lagoon: A unanimous family favorite (because… sharks). The slow-glide tunnel through this display never gets old.
Stingray Bay: Rays that looked like underwater birds, flapping peacefully across the glass.
Penguin Playground: Tuxedo-clad chaos—in the most adorable, slippery way.
Ring of Fire: A rotating display themed around volcanic-region species and fiery Pacific island ecosystems. Educational and surprisingly vibrant.

Unfortunately, the crowds made the experience less serene than we hoped. The narrow walkways turned serene viewing into a shoulder-to-shoulder shuffle. Although technically accessible, the space felt especially tough to navigate with strollers or wheelchairs.

A few other pain points:

Paid parking adds to the already steep price. It also doesn’t help if parking is limited. You are forced to walk a good distance once you find a spot.
The glass-bottom boat experience costs extra. It is a unique experience for the aquarium that I have never seen anywhere else.
We missed several live shows because of unclear scheduling. The poorly timed scheduling was a letdown after planning to catch them.

Aquarium Ratings

*Category*	*Score*	*Notes*
*Value for Money*	7/10	Beautiful but pricey; missed shows and upcharges knocked it down.
*Crowd Control*	6/10	Congested walkways; not stroller- or wheelchair-friendly.
*Uniqueness*	7/10	Thoughtful exhibits, but overshadowed by larger aquariums.
*Repeatability*	5/10	Great for a first visit, especially with kids, but not as strong for repeat trips.
*Total*	*25/40*	*Grade: D (62.5%)*

Despite the hiccups, Ripley’s Aquarium still gave us a few unforgettable moments, especially for the little ones. The penguins and sharks brought grins all around. They reminded us that sometimes magic shines through even in the most crowded corners.

As the sun set on Day 3, I held my newest plush companion. It was a gray stuffed shark named Kai (Hawaiian for “ocean”). Meanwhile, I would play with my new mood necklace in the shape of a shark tooth. With the day done, I dreamed of what tomorrow would bring.

Day  4: Dollywood- 40 Years of Thrilling Fans

What better way to celebrate our Smoky Mountain getaway than a full day at America’s most beloved theme park—Dollywood? (Sorry, Mickey—Dolly Parton’s the real queen of this mountain!) This year marked Dollywood’s 40th anniversary season, and the park dazzled with headline coasters, live Appalachian entertainment, and whimsical touches everywhere you looked. Think strings of kites doubling as shade sails and a comically oversized jar of Duke’s Mayo sitting next to a picnic basket big enough to feed Yogi Bear for a year.

Bright and early, we hopped on a bus. We headed straight into the heart of the fun. What a day it was!

Of course, even a friendly mountain park like Dollywood attracts Disney-level crowds. By mid-afternoon, the heat and wait times teamed up to slow us down. So we focused our energy on five marquee coasters before calling it a day:

Lightning Rod (RMC launch coaster themed to 1950s hot-rod race theme): Back-row airtime = yee-haw perfection. 10/10
Tennessee Tornado (Classic Arrow looper themed to a mining-town twister): Charm meets whiplash; left us with mild headaches. 5/10
Wild Eagle (B&M wing coaster themed to soaring with an eagle): Butter-smooth flight over the hills. 10/10
FireChaser Express (Gerstlauer family launch themed to volunteer firefighters vs “Big Bertha”): Switch-tracks + fireworks finale = grin factory. 9/10
Mystery Mine (Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter themed to haunted mineshaft): Two vertical lifts, beyond-90° plunge, rattly with age. 8/10

Park Ratings

*Category*	*Score*	*Notes*
*Value for Money*	8/10	Plenty packed into a single ticket; shows and animal exhibits add great value.
*Crowd Control*	5/10	Long lines, summer heat, and slower-than-ideal ride loading times slowed the pace.
*Uniqueness*	8/10	Mountain-themed terrain, local Appalachian charm, and festive anniversary décor.
*Repeatability*	8/10	Seasonal events and rotating shows make coming back a no-brainer, especially with new attractions on the horizon.
*Total*	*29/40*	*Grade: C (72.5%)*

Five standout coasters, toe-tapping tunes, and Dolly’s unmistakable warmth turned a crowded summer day into a genuine mountain celebration. After more than 9,000 steps, we collapsed into bed—exhausted, exhilarated, and eager for whatever adventures tomorrow would bring.

Day 5: Titanic Museum With Guide Percy Keen

Ahoy, traveler! Percy Keen here—30 years old and proud saloon steward aboard the grand RMS Titanic. Today, I had the pleasure of guiding a spirited group of visitors. They traded their mountain boots for sea legs and embarked on an immersive journey into my world.

Their destination? The Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge—a time capsule of our story. It is told not just in words but through every icy touch, echoing hallway, and name etched in remembrance.

Upon entry, each guest received a boarding pass tied to a real Titanic passenger or crew member. Yes, even I—Percy—made an appearance. With new identities in hand, our family stepped aboard a chronological voyage. It began with the ship’s ambitious design under Thomas Andrews and ended with the heartbreaking plunge into the North Atlantic.

Each corridor echoed with whispers of the past:

Design & Construction: Feel real rivets, gaze at weathered blueprints under glass, and hear stories from the Belfast shipyard.
Daily Life Onboard: Recreated cabins are scented with polished wood and sea salt. The dazzling Grand Staircase sparkles under warm lights.
Crew & Command: Explore the bridge and hear the chilling words: “Iceberg, right ahead!”
Immersive Activities: Experience the icy sting of 28°F water. Try Morse code distress signals. Climb the sloping decks of the sinking ship. Test your steering skills on a simulator.
Discovery & Legacy: See how James Cameron’s Oscar-winning movie carried Titanic’s legacy. Props and notes from the film are on display. You can even see the famous door prop.
Room of Fate: Did your Titanic persona survive? In a rare twist, all six of ours did—unusual given that less than a third of passengers made it through. The staff told us this rarely happens.

Museum Ratings

Category	Score	Notes
*Value for Money*	9/10	Deeply emotional, historically rich, and fairly priced.
*Crowd Control*	9/10	Steady guest flow; never felt rushed despite the crowds.
*Uniqueness*	10/10	Interactive, atmospheric, and moving — one-of-a-kind.
*Repeatability*	8/10	Strong narrative draw, especially for history lovers.
*Total*	*36/40*	*Grade: A (90%)*

The Titanic Museum isn’t a dusty relic behind glass—it’s a living memorial. History breathes, speaks, and even chills your skin here. It invites you to remember, think, and feel the weight of a story far deeper than headlines or movie scenes.

Final Words by Percy Keen
Well, friends, it’s time for me to return to my post in the first-class saloon. Thank you for walking these decks with me today. Whether you sailed as a lady in pearls or as a coal-stained deckhand, remember that your memories are important. They keep our story alive.

Until we meet again, I leave you in the capable hands of your host, Hyrax.

Day 6: Rainy Day turned to Movie Night

After days packed with coasters, castles, sharks, and shipwrecks, Day 6 reminded us of a simple vacation truth: not everything goes according to plan—and that’s perfectly okay.

SkyFly: Soar America at Beyond the Lens was our original destination. This flying theater ride is praised for its sweeping visuals. Its immersive storytelling is also highly acclaimed. But upon arrival, we were met with the dreaded words:
“Temporarily Out of Service.” Bummer.

Every seasoned traveler knows how to pivot. We had time on our side. So, we circled back to MagiQuest—the interactive fantasy game and arcade from Day 2. We wanted to finish our unused credits and finally conquer the blacklight mini-golf we’d missed earlier.

The clouds rolled in, and a true Southern summer rain poured down. We recalled the live-action premiere of How to Train Your Dragon that same day. What better way to end a vacation than escaping into a magical world on the silver screen?

We headed to The Forge Cinemas, tucked away near the Lumberjack Feud Dinner Show. Finding the theater was a side quest. There was minimal signage and unclear parking. Once inside, the cozy theater welcomed us warmly.

We grabbed our tickets, claimed our seats, and settled in—while the storm raged outside, dragons soared on screen.

Cinema & Movie Ratings

*Category*	*Score*	*Notes*
*Value for Money*	10/10	Affordable tickets + excellent film made for a perfect detour.
*Crowd Control*	9/10	Sparse attendance; just a slow concessions process.
*Uniqueness*	7/10	Cozy and convenient, but not a standout theater experience. Especially since it was hard to find where to park
*Repeatability*	7/10	A reliable rainy-day backup spot, but surrounded by lots of stores and different activities, does take attention away
*Total*	*33/40*	*Grade: B (82.5%)*

The Forge Cinema gave us a cozy, cinematic send-off to our Pigeon Forge vacation. The venue itself was fairly average. Nevertheless, How to Train Your Dragon soared well above expectations. It offered the perfect dose of escapism after an unexpected weather detour.

Add a bag of popcorn and a comfy chair? Vacation bliss.

Sometimes, the best moments are the unplanned ones.

Final Overview: Wrapping Up the Journey

The clouds gathered one last time over the Smoky Mountains. We packed the car full of souvenirs, worn shoes, and plenty of stories. One thing was clear—this trip was so much more than just a vacation. It became a rich tapestry of new experiences, shared laughs, unexpected detours, and moments that brought our family closer together.

Over six full days, we explored a vibrant variety of attractions across Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, each offering its own unique flavor of adventure:

MagiQuest enchanted us with a clever blend of magic, technology, and nostalgia. Customizable wands and immersive quests made us feel like we’d stepped right into a fantasy novel.
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies immersed us in underwater wonders. We saw everything from shimmering reef fish to tuxedoed penguins. At times, it felt as crowded as the critters themselves.
Dollywood delivered thrills, heart, and Smoky Mountain spirit. Even though long lines tested our patience, we endured. The summer heat also challenged our hydration.
The Titanic Museum stunned us with emotion. It educated us and provided immersive storytelling. It earned one of our highest scores and our deepest respect.
Then rain threw a curveball. The Forge Cinema saved the day with dragons, popcorn, and cozy comfort. It proved that sometimes backup plans make the best memories.

Trip Scores Recap

Attraction	Value	Crowd	Unique	Repeat	Total (out of 40)	Grade
*MagiQuest Experience*	9	7	10	7	33	*B (82.5%)*
*Ripley’s Aquarium*	7	6	7	5	25	*D (62.5%)*
*Dollywood*	8	5	8	8	29	*C (72.5%)*
*Titanic Museum*	9	9	10	8	36	*A (90.0%)*
*Forge Cinema*	10	9	7	7	33	*B (82.5%)*

After seven wonderful days, we returned home with tired feet, treasured souvenirs, and memories brimming with laughter. The Titanic Museum took top honors. Ripley’s Aquarium landed lowest on our scale. Every attraction offered moments of joy and discovery for our whole family.

This trip reminded us of something important. No matter where you go, there’s never enough time to see it all. But that’s the beauty of travel—there’s always next year.

Conclusion: Heading Home with Full Hearts

As we wound down the mountain roads and watched the Smokies shrink behind us, we found ourselves already reminiscing. We laughed over inside jokes. We recalled unexpected detours and savored brand-new memories.

Sure, not every plan went off without a hitch (we’re looking at you, broken SkyFly). And yes, the weather, crowds, and sore feet tested our patience. But threaded through every line and queue were the true highlights. Our family came together to play. We learned and laughed in one of the most eclectic vacation spots in the country.

Would we come back? Absolutely. Next time, we’ll lace up sturdier shoes. We will leave plenty of room for spontaneous detours. We will never underestimate the power of good air conditioning.

The Smoky Mountains still hold plenty of magic waiting for us to discover.

So long, Smokies—you treated us to magic, mayhem, mountains, and mayo jars the size of minivans. Until next time!

— Hyrax, for Touristican

Family Photos from Trip

Exploring Doylestown: A Family Adventure in Pennsylvania

March 28, 2025March 28, 2025Posted in Blog, Touristician ReviewsTagged Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn, hospitality, Hotel, PA, Review, TravelLeave a comment

If you have been following my travels over the past few years, it is no secret that I love going to Pennsylvania for short overnight trips or small vacations. There is just something about Pennsylvania I love and it always seems to just help me recharge the batteries. Lately, life has been very crazy and I decided it was time to do another short vacation to recharge. Join me as I take you along on my recent trip to Doylestown, PA for some fun explorations, sites and of course a hotel review!

Day 1 – Peddler’s Village:

Peddler’s Village 100 Peddlers Village, New Hope, PA 18938

The first stop on our trip was Peddlers Village in the small town of Lahaska, PA. Peddler’s Village is a 42-acre countryside property that features 60+ retail shops and boutiques, full and quick-service restaurants, a 66-room hotel and an indoor family entertainment center.

Peddlers Village is so large, I actually ended up spending the entire day there with my family and got to visit most of the stores in the village. I loved the amount of variety and different types of stores there was. While visiting, we also got to do a few of the antique stores across the street from the village.

One of my favorite stores I visited here was Fehrenbach Black Forest Cuckoo Clocks and German Gifts. I was so excited to visit this store and couldn’t wait all morning during the drive out. This split 3 level store features German food specialties, handcrafted gifts from wood carvings, cuckoo clocks, nutcrackers and smokers. This was honestly such a cool store and it really felt like you were in Germany. I was honestly amazed at the cuckoo clocks with how intricate and detailed they were. From little birds popping out to entire groups of people dancing, it was amazing to see how much effort went into that and the end result. Of course I could not leave here without buying a cuckoo clock for myself. Best purchase this entire trip!

Overall, this was a great stop on the way out to Doylestown and was so much fun. I highly recommend this as a day trip or stop next time you are in Pennsylvania. If I ever got the chance, I definitely would stop here again.

Days 2 & 3 – Fonthill Castle & Mercer Museum:

Up next, our trip took us to two of the coolest places I have ever been to in Pennsylvania: The Mercer Museum and Fonthill Castle. Both of these places have some really cool history to them with rich histories tied to their creator, Henry Chapman Mercer, an early 20th-century antiquarian, archaeologist, and philanthropist. Mr. Mercer was very interested in preserving local history for generations to come and sought to do with his museum and Fonthill castle which was built as his residence. Up first, let’s explore the history of Fonthill Castle and showcase the stunning architecture and design of the home.

Fonthill Castle

Fonthill Castle was built between 1908 and 1912 using reinforced concrete which at the time was a new building technique. The castle was modeled after European castles with influences from medieval, Gothic, and other architectural styles.

The castle contains 44 rooms, with various levels, staircases, galleries, and hidden spaces. The rooms include living areas, galleries for his tile collection, a library, and even a small chapel. Mercer’s love for the eclectic and unusual is evident throughout the castle, which features asymmetrical design elements, circular staircases, and irregularly shaped rooms.

When you first enter the castle, you enter a dark circular room with arched columns that truely transports you back in time. You feel like you are entering a medieval castle straight out of a fantasy novel. As you navigate the castle further, each room gets more jaw dropping with its unique design, natural light and historic artifacts displayed and integrated throughout.

One of my favorite rooms was the library/study room with its floor to ceiling bookshelves, arched windows, grand fireplace and beautiful tile work. One of the coolest things is this room is two levels with the stairs cleverly tucked behind the fireplace giving the illusion there are no stairs to create a larger space. I found it amazing how old some of those books were in that library. Some were so old you could see the layers of dust through the sealed plastic covers that protected the books from disintegrating.

As the tour went on, it just kept getting more interesting and the rooms were getting more fascinating each with its own story and history. Yet another room that stuck out to me was the hallway area with “Rolo’s Stairs”. We learned from the tour guide, Mr. Mercer’s dog Rolo ran through wet cement at the foot of one of the staircases during construction. Rather than cover it, the paw prints were left and the staircase was named “Rolo’s Stairs”.

At the end of the tour, it felt as though you truly got a sense of who Mr. Merecer was the vision he had for his home. You were truly immersed in his story and it felt as though you knew him personally. I can’t recall many places that I left that evoked that feeling.

Mercer Museum:

If you thought Fonthill Castle was fantastic, you have to also check out the Mercer Museum. The Mercer Museum, completed in 1916, was designed to showcase his vast collection of over 40,000 American tools and historical artifacts, emphasizing the role of craftsmanship in early American life. The museum’s architectural style mirrors that of the castle, with a fortress-like design that houses exhibits on industrial and domestic tools, showcasing Mercer’s vision of preserving American history through its material culture.

I highly recommend Fonthill Castle and The Mercer Museum if you are ever in the area of Doylestown, PA. It is well worth the trip out here to be transported back into another time. You will leave appreciating the history and stories behind everything you will see just as Mr. Merecer wanted future generations to feel when he built both these stunning places.

Holiday Inn Lansdale – Hatfield Review

Holiday Inn was honestly not my first choice of hotel since the last few IHG hotels I stayed at I was left disappointed with. However, with all other nearby hotels sold out or $300+ plus a night for the entire weekend, Holiday Inn became the best option available. The going rate was about $147 plus tax for each night which was honestly a steal.

One reason I picked this hotel was the fact it had very high ratings and was recently renovated. From doing some research, this hotel was built in 1970 which you can easily tell from the layout of the building and from older images of the hotel. The building is also sectioned off into A,B,C and D sections which is typical of older builds.

While I do not mind this unique design, I did find it annoying that there were no signs or directory signs to guide you to the elevators. The elevators are completely at the other end of the first floor and tucked around a corner making it hard to see from down the hall. There was also a small 5 step staircase that you had to go down to get to the 1st floor guest room hallway. If finding the elevator was not annoying as it was, the elevator took forever every time you called it. It took on average 3 minutes for the elevator to come each time which was annoying but not worth complaining over since it is not anyone’s fault the elevator is old. However, once I got the room, it was pretty worth the small inconveniences getting to the room.

Room Review – 3.4/5

The room as mentioned, was newly renovated which you can tell since everything in the room looked brand new and was in excellent shape. When you first enter the room, you are greeted with a very spacious closet and wardrobe. I really enjoyed the amble storage and the fact there was a built in ledge with USB ports for phones and electronics. Very nice attention to detail there.

Before we get to the rest of the room, I want to mention the bathroom which honestly was the biggest downside to the room. While the bathroom was decently renovated, I noticed several issues that really made a difference. First off, the paint job on the ceiling and door was so sloppy and poorly done. You could see old paint chipping off the door, the ceiling hatch for plumbing access was painted over and it looks so tacky and bad.

The problems did not stop there sadly, the bathroom vent was clogged with so much dust that it kept falling into the shower despite trying cleaning it up several times. I have to say that is something housekeeping should have spotted. Other major issues of note include, very poor water pressure in the shower and at times a lack of hot water in the shower (temperature was more around room temperature or just barely warm). Last thing that was a major disappointment in the bathroom was how there was only one towel hook to hang up towels. I feel like this is a major detail missing especially for a room designed to sleep four people.

Other than the issues in the bathroom, the rest of the room was almost perfect. I was thoroughly impressed with the cleanliness of the room, the modern finishes and attention to detail throughout. Some key details that I loved were the AC filters being spotlessly clean with no dust or debris on them, the blackout shades were mounted inside the window frame so there is no annoying gap and the pillows were labeled if they were firm or soft.

Amenities – 3.5/5

Since this was a full service Holiday Inn, it featured a lobby restaurant with a bar and a breakfast buffet. One major downside is breakfast was not included with your stay which would normally not be a big deal if you were paying for a really good breakfast. Unfortunately, the $14 was not worth it and you were essentially paying for a Holiday Inn Express type breakfast. I do not think a breakfast you would get at an Express location or any other select service hotel is worth $14.

On the flip side, the lobby restaurant and bar, while decent, was somewhat of a let down with an overly basic menu and not much selection. However, I do have to say the food they did have was pretty good but felt expensive for what it was. I really would have liked to have seen some sort of specials menu or seasonal menu to compliment the small menu.

Final Rating

So, where exactly does this hotel rate with all the pros and cons? Based on my experiences, I would rate this hotel 3.5/5. While I did have issues with this hotel, I would stay here again if the need arose and would most likely recommend this hotel.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, the trip was a major success and an absolute blast up to this point. However, it was far from over! We had so much fun that we decided to stay an additional night to explore more of what Doylestown had to offer and tour yet another one of the coolest historical places I have ever been to on this trip.

Stay tuned for part two where we discover Downtown Doylestown, Bethlehem Steel Works and another hotel review!

Discover the Best USA State Attractions: From Theme Parks to National Parks

July 11, 2024July 9, 2024Posted in Blog, Touristician ReviewsTagged Bucket List, Destinations, hospitality, Hotel, Road Trip, State Park, themepark, Travel, Travel Tips, U.S., USALeave a comment

With warmer weather just around the corner, it is the perfect time for a family vacation or road trip. Oftentimes the most difficult decision when planning a trip, is where to go and what to do. In today’s post, we’ll be taking you coast to coast and highlighting what each state has to offer. So without further ado, let’s go to our first state!

Alabama

McWane Science Center:

There are many reasons why this fabulous museum is one of the top tourist attractions in Alabama. One of the reasons is because it is a place that can be enjoyed by adults and kids alike. Another is that it is a fascinating place packed with things to see and do with an impressive 9,000 square feet and four floors of exhibits.

Having opened in 1998, this place has seen millions of people come through the doors to explore the interactive exhibits. You can explore the natural wonders of the state at the science center and take the exhibits such as Native American artifacts, fossils, minerals and rocks, and much more.

You can also pay a visit to the IMAX theater, which is a dome theater that provides you with an immersive experience as you watch documentaries that are designed to educate and fascinate visitors of all ages.

Alaska

Glacier Bay National Park

If you enjoy taking in stunning natural beauty, then you will be thrilled with this attraction. Situated in the Alaska panhandle, this is a place where you can immerse yourself in the incredible surroundings that Alaska has become known for.

There are many outdoor activities that you can look forward to when you visit this attraction, and there is even a lodge that you can use as your base.

Amongst the recreational activities, you can enjoy kayaking and hiking, bird watching and fishing. You will be fascinated by the wildlife that is present here too, including mountain goats and black bears.

Arizona

Grand Canyon National Park

No trip to Arizona would be complete without a visit to the breathtaking Grand Canyon, which is known as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

You will find plenty to see and do here and some fantastic photo opportunities of the awe-inspiring surroundings. Accessible from both the North and South Rim, the Grand Canyon offers a host of hiking trails for those who want to explore the area.

You can even explore via mule rides if you prefer, although hiking on foot allows you to explore at your own pace and get to one with nature as you take in this stunning natural formation.

Arkansas

Magic Springs and Crystal Falls Water & Theme Park

This theme park provides a day of thrill, amusement, and fun for the whole family. There is something for all ages at this park with both white-knuckle rides and rides for younger ones.

If you visit during the summer, you will also enjoy being able to cool off at the water park, which provides a host of additional thrills, including the fabulous wave pools.

If you want to chill out and relax for a little while, you can enjoy the lagoons. The impressive water slides offer added excitement for kids and adults alike and thus should be on your USA bucket list.

California

Disneyland & Disney’s California Adventure

There are so many great attractions in California, but this world-famous theme park is an absolute must when you come to this state. Although there are other Disney theme parks around the globe, this is the only one where construction was personally supervised by the man himself – Walt Disney.

This gives it a unique and special twist as well as a little extra Disney magic. Of course, the fabulous rides, magical attractions, and exciting characters also add to its appeal, making it the perfect place for the whole family to visit when visiting this state.

Colorado

Garden of the Gods

At close to 1400 acres, there is plenty for visitors to feast their eyes on at this park with some stunning scenery to take in.

Garden of the Gods is designated a National Natural Landmark, making it the perfect attraction for those that want to get close to nature. You will be thrilled with the rock formations found here, which cover geological history going back hundreds of millions of years.

You can also enjoy the various walking trails to help you to make the most of your visit to this widely popular natural wonder. So, be sure to add this attraction to your USA bucket list.

Connecticut

The Mark Twain House & Museum

If you have an interest in literature and literary history, then the Mark Twain House & Museum is an attraction that you really shouldn’t miss. Although it only opened to the public in 2003, it has become quite popular.

You can learn more about the hugely talented Mark Twain and find out details about both his personal life and his life as a legendary author.

There is a gallery where you can take in an exhibition of Twain’s life and work, and there is even a theater where you can watch a documentary on him.

Delaware

Frightland

There are plenty of excellent attractions in Delaware, but if you are looking for something truly unique, you should take time out to visit Frightland. This spine-chilling attraction has become known as one of the scariest in the country and offers many spooky experiences to keep you on your toes.

Explore the Ravenwood Cemetery, take in the Zombie Prison, or try out the Horror Hayride. There are many other spooky attractions that you can look forward to when you visit this scream park. Do bear in mind that Frightland only opens during the fall, from late September through to early November.

Florida

Universal Studios

Florida is a state known for its plethora of fantastic theme parks, amongst other things, and one theme park that you will love is Universal Studios.

An excellent place for a family day out, this park has something for everyone and will enable you to immerse yourself in the world of the movies through fabulous settings and thrilling rides.

Georgia

CNN Center and Tour

A visit to the studio of one of the world’s best-known news networks is something that will provide you with the most memorable and unique experience. Visitors can look forward to a fascinating tour of the studio, which is the global headquarters of the network.

Enjoy seeing where news stories are gathered, written, edited, and broadcast to the world as you make your way around the studio.

There are also VIP tours and the chance to see the news being broadcast live. Also, you can enjoy a bite to eat at one of the news-themed restaurants onsite.

Hawaii

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

If you want to explore the world of volcanoes, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is the place to visit in Hawaii. You will be thrilled with the dramatic landscapes and breathtaking views as you explore, and there are even various recreational activities that you can enjoy as you take in the surroundings. These activities include biking, hiking, and camping as you make your way through the park and marvel at the incredible scenery.

Idaho

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is a must-see attraction not just because of its natural beauty and recreational activities but because of its history. This was the first national park in the country, having been established in the early 1870s.

You will find some truly fascinating flora and fauna here, and it is the perfect place to soak up natural beauty in a historic and dramatic setting. There are plenty of activities, including camping, fishing, hiking, and spotting wildlife such as wolves, bears, and bison in the mountain wilderness.

Illinois

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is perfect for history lovers, and it is all the more fascinating because it stands in Springfield, which is the hometown of the 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln.

You can take in a range of exhibitions and artifacts relating to the life of this iconic former president, including original and signed copies of documents that helped to change American history forever.

There are various other exhibitions to take in at this museum, with some artifacts belonging to his wife and even the box seat from the Ford Theater, where President Lincoln was assassinated.

Indiana

Indianapolis Zoo

Indianapolis Zoo is not just a regular zoo but a place where you can take part in some unique and exciting experiences. The zoo is the perfect attraction for families, as it aims to educate as well as fascinate its visitors.

There are, of course, plenty of animal species to see and learn about at this zoo. However, you can also enjoy some pleasant and memorable experiences, such as a guided in-water adventure with the dolphins.

The Animal Art Adventure enables you to have a personalized painting created by artists while the White River Garden teaches adults and kids about the conservation of plants and animals.

Iowa

National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium

One of the top attractions in Dubuque, Iowa, the museum and aquarium provide visitors with a unique and enjoyable experience. It is situated in the Port of Dubuque, and through the use of aquariums, exhibits, and wetlands, it takes you on a journey along the Mississippi River. There are various hands-on experiences that you can look forward to, and the experience is both educational and entrancing for adults and children alike.

Kansas

Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center

Just like Dorothy was whisked away from Kansas to Oz, you can look forward to being whisked away from Kansas into space when you visit this immersive attraction.

There are some engaging US space artifacts and exhibitions to take in when you come to the space center, and it is a place that adults and children will love exploring.

Make sure you visit the Hall of Space Museum, which is second only in size to the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum. There are several excellent shows to see at the dome theater, as well as plenty to learn at the planetarium.

Kentucky

Churchill Downs

One of the attractions that this state is famous for is the Kentucky Derby. If you are a fan of horse racing and want to have a unique experience, you can see where it all happens with a visit to Churchill Downs horse racing track.

This is an unforgettable and exciting experience where you not only enjoy the racing but can also take a trip to the Kentucky Derby Museum and learn all about the prestigious annual horse race through various exhibits.

There are even family Fun Days held here, which means that you can take the children along for a fun-filled day out.

Louisiana

Mardi Gras Tour

One grand and impressive event that Louisiana is known for is its colorful and fascinating Mardi Gras Parade, which takes place in New Orleans. You can learn all about this world-famous parade when you take the Mardi Gras Tour, where you can look forward to fun and entertainment every step of the way. You can delve into the roots of this parade as well as explore how the famous floats are created, which makes for a beautiful and memorable experience.

Maine

Portland Museum of Art

Maine is a state that is full of culture, and if it’s the culture you are after when you visit this state, you can head to Portland and pay a visit to the fascinating Portland Museum of Art. Here, you can look forward to taking in artworks from both American and European artists with some great pieces of art to feast your eyes on. There are more than 17,000 works of art to admire at this museum, including sculptures, paintings, and photographs.

Maryland

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum

Whether you are a train enthusiast or want to have a fun and educational day out with the kids, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum is a great place to visit. The most important railroad collection in the United States can be seen and explored in this historic national landmark.

There are also lots of engaging activities to look forward to for both children and adults, which includes a 20-min round trip train ride along the first commercial railroad track laid in America.

Massachusetts

Harvard University Tour

As one of the most famous educational institutions in the world, it is well worth heading to Cambridge and enjoying a unique tour of the Harvard University campus when you are in Massachusetts. You can look forward to a self-guided tour of the beautiful and historic campus, where you can learn more about its rich history as well as its many achievements and alumni. You can even get a taste of what’s life like as a student at this university as you explore the campus.

Michigan

Henry Ford Museum

Located in Dearborn, this museum is an excellent choice for those interested in invention, innovation, and history. You can explore the motor exhibits here, including the famous ‘Presidential Limousines’ exhibition. There is also the ‘Heroes of the Sky’ display, which is perfect for those who are into aircraft. You can even feast your eyes on a 1970s original Apple-1 computer when you come to this museum. The exhibitions on display here are designed not only to educate but also to inspire.

Minnesota

Water Park of America

Water Park of America is a great place to have some watery indoor fun with your family – and it is the country’s largest indoor water park as well. You will find plenty of thrilling rides at this indoor waterpark, as well as many opportunities to kick back and relax.

Head to the water slides for some excitement and fun or chill out in the indoor hot springs and let your stresses melt away. The Family Raft Ride is a great choice for some extra fun while at the park, and there is even a big game arcade that the whole family will enjoy.

Mississippi

The Museum of Natural Science:

This attraction is a fantastic way to combine education, and fun and enjoy a fascinating experience designed for all ages. Covering 73,000 sq ft, there is certainly plenty to see and do at this museum. Enjoy taking in the fabulous exhibits and marvel at the displays at the open-air amphitheater. The Monsters of the Deep exhibition is one that children will be thrilled with, and there is even an interactive aquarium that is perfect for kids that want to get close up to marine life.

Missouri

Forest Park

Situated in St. Louis, Forest Park is not only a place of stunning beauty but also packed with fun activities for the whole family to look forward to. There are 1300 acres of ground to explore here and some beautiful surroundings to admire as you make your way around.

Some of the area’s top attractions can also be found on the site, including the beautiful St. Louis Zoo and the St. Louis Science Center, both of which will be a hit for kids and adults alike. Impressive water features, lakes, and a golf course help to make this a beautiful place for a family get-together.

Montana

Glacier National Park

Breathtaking beauty abounds at this hugely popular attraction, with some incredible views to be enjoyed. When you come here, you will feel as if you have stepped into another world – one of startling beauty and pure tranquility.

Glacier National Park is the perfect place for those who love spending time outdoors but is also ideal for those who simply love to take in magical surroundings. From forests to mountains, lush greenery, and sparkling waters, you will find it all when you visit this park.

Take a look at some of the other places that are great destinations:

Visit the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center. Located in West Yellowstone, this discovery center is dedicated to educating visitors about the importance and struggles of wolves and grizzlies.
Visit the National Bison Range. This 18,500-acre wildlife refuge has between 350 and 500 bison at any given time.
Explore the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. This interesting Interpretive Center is dedicated to educating visitors about the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Visit Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. This monument and the visitor center are dedicated to the memory of the Battle of Little Bighorn and the far-reaching consequences.
Explore the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman. This Smithsonian-affiliated museum is famous for its paleontology collection, though there are plenty of other great exhibits as well.
Spend a day or two at Big Sky, Montana. Big Sky is famous for mountain biking in the summer and skiing in the winter.
Visit the Western Heritage Center. This museum is dedicated to educating visitors about the Yellowstone River Valley and the surrounding area.

Nebraska: Henry Doorly Zoo

This highly rated attraction provides a magical experience for adults and children alike, with both a zoo and aquarium to explore. Henry Doorly Zoo spans 7 acres, so you can be sure that there will be plenty to see and do during your time here.

In addition to some fabulous exhibitions and plenty of animals, you can also explore the aquarium and learn more about the world beneath the ocean. The IMAX Theater adds to your experience, as you can enjoy immersing yourself in fascinating documentaries.

Nevada

Las Vegas Boulevard

A trip to the state of Nevada is incomplete without paying a visit to Las Vegas Boulevard, also known as the ‘Las Vegas Strip’. Whether or not you are into gambling, it is worth visiting simply for the hotels and their ambiance. The strip is over 4-miles containing large hotels and casino resorts that are unique in every way.

You can explore destinations from around the world simply by going into different hotels such as the Venetian, New York-New York, Caesar’s Palace, and Paris, amongst others. The strip is lit up in neon at night, and there is entertainment everywhere you look. Don’t miss the incredible Bellagio fountains or the volcano outside the Mirage.

New Hampshire

Castle in the Clouds

This fairytale-style estate in New Hampshire is a charming place to visit and is one of the most popular attractions in the state. You can delight in the beautiful and quaint architecture of the mountain top property, which dates back to 1914. You can also take trolley rides along the pathways and take in the romantic ambiance of the area. Make sure you also visit the art gallery, as there are some stunning works of art to admire there.

New Jersey

Six Flags Great Adventure and Wild Safari

This is an attraction that the whole family will love as it offers you a day full of entertainment, thrills, excitement, and adventure. You will find rides to suit all ages and preferences at this theme park, from white knuckle rides for the more daring riders to fun rides for the little ones. You can meet the Looney Tunes characters around the park or head to the Safari Discoveries, which take place every half an hour and allow you to get up close and personal with a variety of different animals.

New Mexico

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Intriguing, exciting, and thrilling are just some of the words that can be used to describe Carlsbad Caverns and National Park. There are well over one hundred caves to be explored here, making it the perfect place for those who love exploration and relishing the outdoors. You can enjoy discovering the various caves and take a guided tour to make the most of your time here.

New York

Statue of Liberty

This iconic monument is the very epitome of New York for many people, so it is something you have to go and see when visiting this state. You can head to Liberty Island by boat, where you will be able to take in the breathtaking sight of the statue up close and personal.

You can even head up and make the ascent to the crown of the statue, where you will be able to take in some incredible views.

You’ve seen it on TV and in the movies – now is the time to see it in person and enjoy visiting an attraction that is historic, meaningful, and inspirational.

North Carolina

Museum of Life and Science

A trip to this museum will enable you to enjoy an interactive experience that will fascinate the kids as well as the adults. There are many exhibits and displays designed to teach visitors about the planet as well as space.

Spanning over eighty acres, this is a fun place with plenty for everyone to look forward to. This includes the wonderful butterfly house, the variety of fascinating animals, and the interactive displays that get you involved.

North Dakota

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Named after the former president, who loved the outdoors and nature, this is a wonderful place to explore. There are several different areas in the park where you can take in fascinating wildlife, with a diverse array of species such as elk, deer, and Prairie dogs, amongst others. You can also enjoy taking in the beautiful and natural surroundings as you explore the park.

Ohio

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

If you love music, this is an attraction not to be missed while in Ohio. Located in Cleveland, the museum pays homage to some of the most legendary stars in music history, including The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, the talented late David Bowie, and the King himself, Elvis Presley. There are some fabulous exhibits to explore here designed to enthrall and educate visitors.

Oklahoma

Gilcrease Museum

A huge hit amongst lovers of fine art, this museum is a wonderful attraction for those looking for some cultural entertainment. You will find a huge array of American art preserved here, so you can explore both the arts and history as you browse the exhibits. There are fascinating tours of the museum available to help you make the most of your time here with sculptures, paintings, and drawings by hugely talented artists.

Oregon

Oregon Coast Aquarium

Situated in Newport, this fabulous aquarium provides visitors with 23 acres of incredible exhibits. A wonderful place for children and parents, this is known as one of the best aquariums in North America and offers a host of attractions.

In addition to the exciting exhibits, you can also enjoy tours of the facility to make the most of your visit. You will find all sorts of marine life here, including seals and sea lions – and of course, everyone will be excited about seeing the sharks.

Pennsylvania

Independence National Park and the Liberty Bell

Spread over 55 acres, this excellent attraction is a must for anyone that wants to delve into the history of America’s independence. You will find some incredible sights, monuments, and artifacts here and you can even visit the museum dedicated to Benjamin Franklin.

You can look forward to fascinating tours of Independence Hall, Congress Hall, and Franklin’s Court, as well as watching the Liberty Bell, which is a poignant symbol of America’s rich history in terms of its independence.

Rhode Island

Blithewold Mansion & Gardens

You can combine your love for history with your love of natural beauty when you visit this attraction. Described as a wonderful example of the ‘Country Place’ era, you can explore the many rooms in the mansion, filled with beautiful heirlooms and artifacts, as well as the stunning gardens, which are truly spectacular and amongst the best in the state. You can look forward to learning more about the Van Winkle family, which owned this incredible estate.

South Carolina

Middleton Place

A wonderful combination of natural beauty coupled with rich history, Middleton Place is an attraction that is worth visiting when you come to South Carolina.

You will find the oldest landscaped gardens in America at this historic landmark, and you will be amazed by just how stunning they are as you stroll through them.

The estate spans more than 65 acres in total and is also home to the House Museum. Here, you can take in historical artifacts, stunning works of art, antiques, and much more.

South Dakota

Mount Rushmore

You’ve probably seen this fabulous memorial many times on the small and big screen, but there is nothing quite like seeing it up close and personal.

It is an awe-inspiring sight to view the sculptured heads of Presidents Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt, and Jefferson carved into Mount Rushmore – it comes as no surprise that this attraction has millions of visitors from around the globe every year.

You can even head to the visitor center and learn about the creation of the monument as well as explore the history and heritage of the country.

Tennessee

Elvis Presley Graceland

Many people who travel to Tennessee come with one purpose in mind – to head to Memphis and visit the residence of the King of Rock N Roll, Elvis Presley.

If you are a fan of music and Elvis, this is an experience you will never forget, but even those who are not fans will find a visit to Graceland fascinating.

You can look forward to a guided tour of the residence, take in items on exhibits such as costumes and photos, visit the Elvis: Live from Las Vegas gallery, and explore the Elvis Presley Car Museum.

This attraction is a must-do on any USA bucket list that you will remember for years to come.

Texas

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center

Texas is a state known for many things, and its involvement in space missions is one of them. This is why you should make sure that a visit to the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston is firmly on your USA bucket list.

You can learn about America’s space program during your visit, take in the fascinating exhibits such as spacecraft and equipment, enjoy education and incredible shows relating to space, and explore the International Space Station Gallery amongst many other things.

This is a wonderful and fascinating place for adults and children to visit, and there is a huge amount to do and see here.

Utah

Dinosaur National Monument

If you or your family has an interest in dinosaurs, you should make sure you pay a visit to the Dinosaur National Monument, which is an area that provides evidence of dinosaur occupation in the area.

You can also visit Carnegie Quarry having close to 1500 dinosaur fossils to explore.

In addition to a fascinating insight into dinosaur history, you can also explore historical culture when you visit this national monument as well as enjoy a range of recreational activities.

Vermont

Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory

Ben & Jerry’s is a brand that has become synonymous with incredible-tasting ice cream in a range of flavors.

If you have a sweet tooth, you love ice cream, or you simply want to treat the kids to a visit to a great attraction, head to the Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory in Waterbury for a tour.

The tour is only half an hour but you will be amazed at how much you learn about the process used to create this fabulous sweet treat, which has become a hit the world over.

Virginia

Colonial Williamsburg

Step back in time and enjoy exploring the wonderful Colonial Williamsburg, a wonderful and fascinating living history museum with many attractions for visitors to enjoy.

There are historic hotels that you can stay at here and many places to visit, including a variety of fabulous art museums. You will find events going on here all the time and you can also enjoy tours of the Revolutionary City.

With dining facilities, entertainment, and even golf and spa facilities, you can look forward to a combination of history and modern life when you head over to this area.

Washington

Snoqualmie Falls

This stunning and natural attraction is visited by huge numbers of people each year, with visitors from around the globe heading over to enjoy the incredible scenery.

The two-acre park is perfect for families or couples that want to enjoy a picnic in peaceful surroundings, while the view of the wonderful waterfall and the beautiful surroundings make for the perfect photo opportunity. The waterfall is majestic at 270 feet, and in the evening, it looks even more magical as it is lit up.

West Virginia

West Virginia State Penitentiary

Although this prison is no longer in operation, it offers guided tours that are well worth going on. Its history as a prison spanned well over one hundred years, so there is plenty to explore here.

You can learn about the history of the prison and take in the Gothic architecture of the building. In addition to all of this, there are often special events held here to provide visitors with a truly spooky experience, so keep your eyes on what’s on when you visit.

Wisconsin

Milwaukee Art Museum

One of the best-loved attractions in the state, the Milwaukee Art Museum provides you with both a historical and a cultural experience.

Art lovers will be delighted with the sheer variety of artwork that can be found here, with more than 30,000 pieces to enjoy.

History lovers will also be able to delve into the past, as the museum is now almost 130 years old, having opened in 1888. You will find some fascinating displays and exhibits of both American and European artwork here and over 40 galleries to explore.

Wyoming

The Buffalo Bill Center of the West

The history of the American West is something that many people find fascinating.

If you head to Wyoming, then it is well worth taking a trip to Cody, where you can explore the fabulous Buffalo Bill Center of the West, which is a complex of museums providing information on the rich and exciting history of this era.

The museum was established in 1917, making it the oldest of its kind. There are five museums to explore in total and there are exhibits and displays that will thrill adults and children with an interest in the American West.

And there you have it! The Ultimate USA Bucket List! 50 States, 50 unique places to see.

How many have you checked off so far? Let us know!

Cheers and Happy Travels!

Pros and Cons: My Favorite Hotel Brands for Travel

July 2, 2024July 1, 2024Posted in Blog, Touristician ReviewsTagged Hilton, Holiday Inn, hospitality, Hotel, Pros and Cons, Ranking, Review, Travel, zerotoheroLeave a comment

When I am not working, one of my favorite things to do is to travel around and explore new places that interest me. Along the way, I have documented my travels and experiences on some of my trips. I always stay at branded hotels, and it’s often the same brand or within the same company. Depending on the duration of my trip, budget, and needs during my trip, the hotel I choose will vary. Below, I have listed my top favorite hotel brands I stay at and the pros and cons of each. So, without further ado, let’s get started.

Home2 Suites by Hilton:

By Far my favorite Hilton brand without a doubt. Home2 Suites is an all suite extended stay hotel brand featuring larger rooms with kitchenettes, living spaces and larger bathrooms. The brand was created to complement the existing extended stay Hilton brand Homewood Suites and to compete with TownePlace Suites by Marriott and Candlewood Suites by IGH.

While I haven’t featured this specific brand on the blog , my previous stays include the following locations:

Home2 Suites by Hilton Richmond Short Pump
Home2 Suites by Hilton Taylor Detroit

Pros:

Larger rooms than a traditional hotel at an affordable price. Most often cheaper than other select service hotels or full service hotels with smaller rooms.
Curtain divider in the room makes it easy to section off the room so someone can watch tv or read a book while someone else is sleeping without disturbing them.
Super functional kitchenette with microwave, dishwasher as well as dinnerware.
Larger bathroom offers larger vanities and shower stalls making getting ready in the mornings and at night a breeze.
Extremely comfortable beds, linens and pillows. I hate hotel pillows! But not at Home2! They are some of the most comfortable pillows out there.
Home2 Suites hotels are new build hotels meaning they are built from the ground up and aren’t existing hotels converted or renovated into Home2 Suites. This means most locations are newer which means a more comfortable stay.

Cons:

Limited breakfast selection. This sort of makes sense since the rooms have kitchenettes most guests cook their own meals in their rooms. However, despite the smaller breakfast selection, the food is very fantastic.
While the locations are new builds, this often means it is harder to find a location in some areas since there are not a lot of Home2 Suites in some areas since this is a newer brand. However, as time goes on more Home2 locations are being built in certain areas and it is getting easier to find one. (Note this may not apply to cities or large tourist areas).
With larger rooms and more amenities in the room, sometimes may come with a higher price tag. While this may not be true for every location, it may be possible in some markets where there are a lot of hotels or not many extended stay hotels.

Tru by Hilton

When I think of top hotel brands, Tru definitely has to be up there! Tru is a select service brand that focuses on minimal yet detailed oriented and meaningful design and experiences. At Tru, you get all the essentials in a perfect balance of form and function. With tons of storage, plenty of spaces to charge your devices, a mobile desk, and our big, bright bathrooms, everything you need is in easy reach. Tru really is a very detail oriented brand taking into account the smallest of details to make the overall stay better.

While I haven’t featured this specific brand on the blog , my previous stays include the following locations:

Tru by Hilton Lancaster East
Tru by Hilton Denver (PA)
Tru by Hilton Roanoke Hollins

Pros:

One thing I love about Tru is each location has unique touches and nods to the area and community it is located in. This gives it less of a cookie cutter feel despite being a franchised hotel.
I can’t talk about Tru without mentioning the amazing breakfast! Tru provides a large selection of hot foods, baked goods and of course the main star, pancakes! A full pancake topping bar and cool pancake machine are the true highlights of the mornings.
Considering the rooms are smaller yet more detail oriented, the bathrooms are very spacious and offer plenty of hooks to hang towels on. Finally a hotel brand got this detail right! I’m so tired of hotels forgetting about hanging towels or clothes up while you are getting ready.
Blackout curtains are mounted inside the window frame meaning there is no annoying gap on either side of the curtains. This really makes a huge difference in making the room dark for sleeping no matter the time of day.
I love the lobby design! The lobby offers plenty of seating, places to get some work done and even some games like foosball and pool to pass the time.
Tru hotels are new build hotels meaning they are built from the ground up and aren’t existing hotels converted or renovated into a Tru. This means most locations are newer which means a more comfortable stay.
Yet another thing Tru remembered is putting in an automatic night light in the bathroom so you can see as you walk to the bathroom in the middle of the night! Anyone else tired of tripping or bashing their legs into furniture? I know I sure am! Thank you Tru! Someone finally also got this detail right!

Cons:

Keep in mind these rooms are smaller and don’t offer coffee makers, microwaves or have large walk in closets. There is more focus on the small details and essentials.
I personally wish there was more lighting instead of just having one desk lamp, and overhead lighting above the beds. While I like the lights over the bed, I wish there was a way to turn off only one side without turning off the whole thing.
Be aware there are not many room types at Tru. Tru focuses mainly on rooms with one king size bed or two queens as well as accessible rooms. If you are looking for a suite or larger room, this may not be the brand for you.

Hampton by Hilton

Wow! Noticing a pattern here with Hilton? They are really on a roll here! I definitely couldn’t make this list and not include Hampton.

Hampton is a midscale hotel designed to compete against other limited service brands like Fairfield Inn by Marriott, Holiday Inn Express, and Comfort Inn/Comfort Suites. As of December 2019, Hampton by Hilton includes 2,544 hotels in 30 countries and territories with 266,933 rooms, including 72 that are managed with 10,061 rooms and 2,472 that are franchised with 256,872 rooms.

In my latest post, I reported and commented on the new prototype Hampton Inn has that is about to be rolled out. In some aspects I was a little more tough on the chain since I love it so much. One of those reasons has to do with the service alone. I find that along with many other Hilton hotels, the service is unparalleled. That paired with excellent designed and modern rooms makes for a perfect stay.

A quick fun fact before we jump into our pros and cons, did you know the Hampton Inn chain was originally started by Holiday Inn? It wasn’t until 1999 that many Hilton chains like Hampton Inn, Embassy Suites, and Homewood Suites would join Hilton under a massive $3.7 billion dollar purchase. Could you imagine how different the hotel industry would have turned out if that purchase never happened?

I previously featured this brand on the blog many times in the Touristician Reviews series. Previous stays include the following locations:

Hampton Inn Salem Boston – (Not featured on the blog)
Hampton Inn Harrisburg-East (Hershey Area)

Pros:

Very easy to find a location especially when traveling on a major highway. You could legitimately take a rock and hit several Hampton hotels. (Although I wouldn’t recommend doing so while driving. Not only is that dangerous, it is also very illegal).
Extremely consistent service and rooms. There are not as many locations left that are old or run down. Additionally, the service is always impeccable and never fails to deliver.
While some hotels don’t provide microwaves anymore, Hampton Inn is one of the few out there that still does.
Plenty of room for storage in spacious closets, dressers and cabinets. Perfect for families with lots of luggage.
The perfect place for anyone traveling for business, vloggers, or college students who need to get work done. Large desk areas with desk lamps, and amble outlets provide the perfect place to work as well as relax.
Extremely spacious bathrooms offer oversized backlit mirrors, ample counter space, plenty of storage for liens, as well as plenty of towel racks/hooks. I always loved how Hampton over stocks the liens in the bathrooms and doesn’t put them over the toilet. (I always hate when hotels have a small towel bar and lien storage above the toilet. It is honestly disgusting).

Cons:

While I personally have not had this happen to me, Hampton is supposedly more noisy compared to other chains. However, I personally never had an issue with this at Hampton as I tend to stay in newer or renovated locations.
Inconsistent bathroom design across the brand. To be honest this is to be expected with a long established chain with several thousand locations. However, I notice there are more inconsistencies with this brand than other Hilton brands. For example there are a lot of different layouts, shower designs (walk in, shower doors, bathtub combo, etc).
- I’d suggest you do your research before picking a Hampton location. If there are multiple locations, pick the most updated and higher rated location.
Take note because there are so many Hampton Inn locations, there may be multiple locations within the same town or city you are staying in often only minutes apart. This may confuse your travel plans. Make sure you really research and know exactly what location you are booking and going to.

Holiday Inn Express by IHG

Built upon the spirit of the original Holiday Inn chain, Holiday Inn Express was created in 1990 aimed to revolutionize select service travel for the newer generations. Compared to a full service Holiday Inn, the Express variation focuses on limited service with no on site restaurants, room service or ballrooms. Instead Holiday Inn Express features free breakfast each morning, fitness and pool facilities, and higher end more detailed rooms.

The brand aims to provide a perfect balance between offering a place to get work done yet offering a relaxing environment to recharge your batteries with a restful night’s sleep. As of 2021, the brand hit a milestone during its 30th anniversary year opening its 3,000th location.

I previously featured this brand on the blog many times in the Touristician Reviews series. Previous stays include the following locations:

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lancaster – Mount Joy
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lancaster East – Strasburg (Not featured on the blog)
Holiday Inn Express Baltimore at the Stadiums (Not featured on the blog)
Holiday Inn Express Atlantic City W Pleasantville (Not featured on the blog)

Previously I used to say this was my favorite hotel brand ever. However, this brand is starting to lose its place as one of my favorites. Last few times I have stayed there were many issues and inconsistencies some of which keep happening over and over again. The last time I stayed was the straw that broke the camel’s back. However, I did still decide to include this on my last as I did enjoy a majority of my stays before these issues and am hoping that maybe next stay will be better.

Pros:

Very detailed oriented rooms include embroidered pillowcases to help mark the firmness of each pillow, reading lights over the headboards, and ample storage space.
Rooms do include a microwave which is a huge plus since most hotels do not offer this in rooms anymore. (From observation, it appears to be an industry wide trend).
Spacious bathrooms with plenty of lien storage, backlit mirrors and plenty of counter space to get ready in the morning.
Perfect balance between business and leisure. Rooms offer large work spaces while the hotels themselves offer business centers and meeting spaces all while keeping focus on leisure. Even if you’re not traveling for business, you’ll find this isn’t a turn off.
Most locations offer king size suites that feature larger living spaces, a small kitchenette area and larger bathroom. This is a huge plus since some select service brands don’t offer suites.
Good service at the properties and very responsive customer service from the brand.
- Honestly nothing to rave about. It isn’t horrible yet isn’t over the top amazing. I would say Hilton does a much better job with service and pulls out all the stops everytime and consistently.
Easy to use mobile app allows for mobile check in to be a breeze. I actually did this before and it was so easy and well worth it. All I had to do when I got to the hotel was pick up my keys. I do wish there was a digital key option for the rooms on the app, but that isn’t a huge deal.

Cons:

Extremely inconsistent and poorer quality breakfast. Last few times I have stayed, I noticed the breakfast choices were very slim and the quality of the food went down hill drastically compared to a few years ago. Take our cinnamon roll incident from Mount Joy as an example.
Cleanliness issues appear to be more common especially in the bathrooms, on the flooring and on the appliances (fridges & microwaves).
Like Hampton Inn, there are so many Holiday Inn Express locations which often means there are multiple locations within the same town or city that are only minutes apart. This may confuse your travel plans. Make sure you really research and know exactly what location you are booking and going to.

Final Thoughts:

In conclusion, the journey of discovering and experiencing various hotel brands has been eye-opening and enriching. Each stay has offered valuable insights and memorable encounters, shaping my perspective as a traveler. As I look ahead to future adventures, I eagerly anticipate the evolution of these hotel brands and the new experiences they will offer. With a blend of nostalgia for past stays and a sense of anticipation for the future, I am grateful for the diverse range of hospitality experiences that have enriched my travels.

What do you think of my top hotel brands? Do you agree with this list? Let us know down in the comments section below, and as always, if you are enjoying our content, be sure to subscribe to never miss a single post.

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Exploring SeaWorld Orlando: A Fascinating Journey into Marine Wonder

December 29, 2023December 29, 2023Posted in Blog, Touristician ReviewsTagged Amusement Park, Florida, hospitality, Orlando, Review, SeaWorld, themepark, Travel, zerotoheroLeave a comment

Welcome back to the blog! Previously, in my last post, I began reviewing my experiences from Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure while on my vacation in Florida. Today we are once again back in the fabulous Sunshine State and we are enjoying the sights and sounds of SeaWorld Orlando!

About The Park:

SeaWorld Orlando, located in Orlando, Florida, is a theme park and marine zoological park. It is associated with neighboring parks such as Discovery Cove and Aquatica, all falling under SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. The park is also affiliated with Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. In 2022, SeaWorld Orlando welcomed around 4.45 million guests, making it the 10th most visited amusement park in the United States. This high visitation highlights its status as a major attraction, drawing visitors to experience its entertainment and marine life conservation.

SeaWorld Orlando has been a significant part of the Central Florida entertainment landscape since its opening on December 15, 1973. Joining the ranks of the SeaWorld chain as its third park, it quickly became a pivotal attraction, effectively transforming Central Florida into a multi-park vacation destination. Notably, the park’s establishment followed closely on the heels of the opening of Walt Disney World Resort’s Magic Kingdom by a mere two years. This proximity in timeline solidified the region’s status as a premier global destination for diverse, world-class theme park experiences.

Following its initial introduction, SeaWorld Orlando experienced changes in ownership that further shaped its trajectory. In 1976, the park was acquired by Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, marking a pivotal shift in its stewardship. Subsequently, Anheuser-Busch, renowned as the owner of Busch Gardens, assumed ownership of SeaWorld, adding another layer to the park’s rich history. This transition in 1989 not only altered the park’s ownership structure but also contributed to the evolution of its offerings and strategic direction, reflecting the dynamic nature of Central Florida’s entertainment landscape.

Busch was more experienced with theme parks and thus developed SeaWorld in a competitive and aggressive manner, moving the park from a show-based to a ride-based park. The park joined in the Disneyland-started simulator ride wave in 1992 with Mission: Bermuda Triangle (later rethemed into Wild Arctic). The nation’s first combination roller coaster and flume ride, Journey to Atlantis, was installed in 1998. In 2000, the Kraken, a Bolliger & Mabillard floorless roller coaster, was added to the park. The flying coaster, Manta, came to the park in 2009 and won the Theme Park Insider Award as the best new attraction.

After being in business for almost 30 years, Busch Entertainment expanded by adding two parks next to each other. Discovery Cove opened in 2000 and Aquatica water park opened in 2008. The company was sold to a private equity firm in 2009 after Anheuser-Busch was purchased by InBev. This led to the closure of the Hospitality Center in February 2009. Over the years, Sea World has introduced several new attractions such as Mako, Ice Breaker, Sesame Street Land, Infinity Falls, and the latest one this year: Pipeline.

SeaWorld’s commitment to marine conservation and education has been a hallmark of its brand, with initiatives aimed at promoting awareness and understanding of marine life. However, throughout the years while trying to achieve this goal, SeaWorld has faced hefty backlash for serval incidents, including safety violations and significant fines related to one of its main orcas. However, despite some of these challenges and issues, SeaWorld has successfully created a harmonious balance between enjoyment and education, providing visitors with a deeper appreciation for the oceans and the creatures that inhabit them.

The acquisition of SeaWorld by new ownership has brought about significant changes in the park’s operations, with a renewed focus on guest experiences and environmental stewardship. This shift has seen the introduction of innovative attractions and experiences, aimed at captivating audiences while also fostering a greater understanding of marine ecosystems.

In recent years, SeaWorld has continued to expand its attractions, with a keen eye on incorporating cutting-edge technology and immersive storytelling. The addition of rides like Mako, Ice Breaker, and Infinity Falls has enhanced the park’s appeal to thrill-seekers, while Sesame Street Land has delighted younger visitors with its vibrant and interactive offerings.

Moreover, the introduction of Pipeline, the latest attraction unveiled this year, underscores SeaWorld’s ongoing commitment to providing fresh and exciting experiences for its guests. This thrilling new addition is set to further elevate the park’s reputation as a premier destination for entertainment and adventure, solidifying its position as a leader in the realm of marine-themed attractions.

SeaWorld’s journey reflects a dedication to evolution and adaptation, embracing new opportunities to captivate audiences while remaining steadfast in its mission to inspire conservation efforts and foster a deeper connection with the natural world. As SeaWorld continues to chart its course into the future, it stands poised to continue delivering unforgettable experiences that blend entertainment, education, and environmental awareness.

SeaWorld Orlando’s fascinating transformation in the summer of 2014 marked a significant milestone for the renowned company as it celebrated its 50th anniversary. The park underwent a reorganization, dividing into distinct areas known as “seas,” each meticulously crafted to embody a unique thematic essence. This innovative approach invited visitors to embark on a captivating journey, starting from the lower center and unfolding seamlessly in a clockwise direction, offering an unparalleled adventure at every turn. This reconfiguration helped to enhanced the guest experience, and also exemplified the commitment to continuous evolution and creativity that has been synonymous with SeaWorld’s legacy.

Port of Entry

The main entrance of the park features a Florida-inspired theme with tropical landscaping and a large artificial freshwater marina with a Shamu-themed iconic lighthouse.

Sea of Shallows

This area showcases most of the shallow water sea animal exhibits at the park as well as the Dolphin Theater. In addition, the Manta roller coaster travels through this section and the former Turtle Trek, A 360 degree dome film, which featured the story of a turtle. All of the Key West at SeaWorld area is inside of the Sea of Shallows. It is designed to mimic the appearance of the city of Key West, Florida with architecture and landscaping reminiscent of the area. Animal exhibits in this portion of the park include lesser devil rays, cownose rays, southern stingrays, green sea turtles, hawksbill sea turtle, loggerhead sea turtle, Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, greater flamingos, West Indian manatees, American alligators and brown pelicans. The stingray and dolphin habitats offer opportunities for guests to feed the animals.

Sea of Legends

The Journey to Atlantis is a captivating boat ride that incorporates thrilling roller coaster elements, creating an unforgettable experience for visitors. This attraction draws inspiration from the mythical legend of the lost city of Atlantis, adding an intriguing and immersive narrative to the adventure. Additionally, visitors can also enjoy the adrenaline-pumping excitement of Kraken, a remarkable floorless roller coaster that further enhances the overall thrill of the theme park. The combination of these exhilarating experiences ensures that visitors can look forward to an action-packed and unforgettable time at the park.

Sea of Ice

Sea of Ice, originally named Antarctica, is themed around the Antarctic continent. Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin is the sole attraction in this area as a penguin exhibit. This is where the brand new ride will be based, named Penguin Trek, in 2024.

Penguin Trek is being promoted as an unforgettable family launch coaster adventure capable of reaching speeds up to 43 miles per hour. The ride is themed around viewing the breathtaking vastness of Antarctica from a snowmobile while dodging and narrowly escaping the crumbling hazards of an icy cavern. The ride ends with the rider discovering a real penguin habitat.

Sea of Delight

The Sea of Delight is truly a captivating section of the park, offering visitors a delightful experience reminiscent of a seaside Mediterranean village. The charming sub-area called The Waterfront is a picturesque representation of this, complete with quaint architecture and serene views. One of the highlights of this area is the iconic Sky Tower ride, seamlessly integrated into the theme of The Waterfront village when it made its debut in 2003. This merging of thrilling attractions with the thematic essence of the village adds a unique allure to the overall experience.

Moreover, within this enchanting enclave, guests can also enjoy the captivating Pets Ahoy show, which was hosted in the Seaport Theater. This engaging animal show provided a memorable experience for visitors, becoming a cherished part of their time in The Waterfront. Notably, just beyond The Waterfront lies the Sea Lion and Otter Stadium viewing area, offering a perfect vantage point to observe these fascinating marine animals in their natural element.

The Sea of Delight, with its exquisite blend of attractions and thematic elements, truly stands as a testament to the park’s artful curation of immersive experiences.

Sea of Mystery

The Sea of Mystery is where you’ll find the Shark Encounter exhibit and the Sharks Underwater Grill, as well as the Nautilus Theater, which they use for seasonal shows and events. Mako, a Bolliger & Mabillard steel hypercoaster, was introduced in the area on June 10, 2016. They spruced up the current shark exhibit and the surrounding area, turning it into Shark Wreck Reef. By 2018, they also added the rapids ride Infinity Falls in this area, set in the sub-area of Sea of Infinity. This spot has a rainforest vibe and also features a food spot called Waterway Grill.

Sea of Power

The Sea of Power is where SeaWorld puts on its killer whale shows. Right in the middle, you’ve got the Shamu Stadium, and right next to it is the Wild Arctic indoor pavilion. Inside the Wild Arctic, you can check out some cool animals like beluga whales, Pacific walruses, harbor seals, and there used to be polar bears, too. Right now, the Shamu Stadium is running the “Orca Encounter” as its main show, but you can catch “Shamu Celebration: Light up the Night” and “Shamu Christmas Miracles” during the holiday season.

Sesame Street Land

Formerly named Shamu’s Happy Harbor and Sea of Fun, Sesame Street Land is a kids’ area right next to Shamu Stadium. Here, you’ll find fun stuff for the whole family, like Super Grover’s Box Car Derby (a mini rollercoaster) and a cool water play area. This is the only part of SeaWorld Orlando inspired by the educational TV show, Sesame Street.

My Rating: 6/10

While I enjoyed my time at SeaWorld, my main complaint was the crowd level as the theme park was hosting the Madi Gras celebrations as well as its Seven Seas Food Festival. I am kind of disappointed I didn’t get to try any of the foods but decided it would not be worth the price, but all of the stalls were uniquely themed and the menus did look interesting. A big complaint I have for SeaWorld is their locker policy or their usage of the locker system. You do have to put items in a locker for most of the thrill rides, but they are not free like Universal’s sadly. The system was a bit more confusing to use and took a bit for me to understand fully. I wish they would use the ticket or something similar to Universal, then offer the free lockers that are smaller and paid lockers for bigger items. I loved the different walk-thru exhibits and educational posters that helped teach kids about the animals and how to save the animals. That is something that I think really makes SeaWorld a good place to visit with kids. The live action shows with animals were cute and I did enjoy watching the shows, though I think they missed out by not making the screen at the Orca Encounter in the shape of a whale tale… but eh, that is just my opinion. I did learn that the SkyTower is a charge of fee ride, so that was a bit disappointing. When I did get to the SkyTower, it was either closed or the line was too long.

My biggest disappointment was the meal ticket plan I had gotten. The restrictions of where to eat and what to eat are utterly ridiculous. I feel they could expand this a bit more to include some of the better restaurants… I didn’t really get the bang for my buck with this item and I dont not suggest it.

Tips & Tricks

Just like Universal, Sea World does have an app you can download that will help you keep track of ride times, show times, and more. I suggest just like Universal to see if you look up a calendar to show when Sea World expects a crowded time and try to avoid going to the park during those times. For the small kids, I say you really need to check out Sesame Street Land. It’s a really cute and interactive land for the younger ones, while the thrill junkies can go ride the coasters. It even has a parade of characters, but you can imagine that it causes a bit of a backup even if you are trying to get from one part of the park to the other.

And with that, the review is officially done! Though, we did go to Disney Springs before heading home on the 4th day… I feel it was unnecessary for me to give a full review on the shopping district area as we didn’t spend much time there. Again, the main complaint, the crowds were utterly ridiculous. The line for the Lego store wrapped around the store itself, if that gives you an idea on how busy it was during that weekend.

I thank you all for joining me on my great adventure. I look forward to hopefully sharing more with you all again next time. For now, here are some more pictures from my trip! Enjoy!

Exploring The Sunshine State (Part 3) – Universal Studios Orlando

October 6, 2023September 25, 2023Posted in Disney & Universal, Touristician ReviewsTagged Experiences, Florida, Hotel, Islands of Adventure, Review, themepark, Travel, Universal Studios1 Comment

Welcome back to the blog! Previously, in my last post, I began reviewing my experiences from Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure while on my vacation in Florida. In today’s continuation post, I’ll be reviewing more of the park and rating my dining experience at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen. So without further ado, let’s get back to Florida!

Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen

Located in the CityWalk, Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Kitchen (yes, that is the full name) is a steampunk-themed restaurant that makes you feel like you are stepping into an inventor’s lab. There is even a backstory that I have included below for your enjoyment.

‘From the Alps to the empire of the Aztecs, from Mongolia to Madagascar, Professor Doctor Penelope Tibeaux-Tinker Toothsome learned new and fascinating methods of infusing chocolate into the most extraordinary recipes, making friends and receiving honors everywhere she went. Upon returning home to London, Penelope determined that she would share her love and knowledge of chocolate with the world. She set about building The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen, an enchanting 19th-century themed, Steampunk-inspired dining establishment with a façade of towering smokestacks and an interior adorned with intriguing gadgets and gizmos.’

Aside from the stunning look of the exterior and interior design, there are the two main characters of Penelope Toothsome and her loyal robot companion Jacques who love to interact with the guests as they eat. The Restaurant is two levels with a stunning bar so you can get different experiences depending on where you sit. The main menu items are, of course, the delightfully delicious milkshakes featuring chocolate, peanut butter, vanilla ice cream, and more. The price range for the milkshakes is between $13.50 – $15. I ordered myself the Strawberry Cheesecake Milkshake, which included Sour cream ice cream, cheesecake, graham crackers, fresh whipped cream, and chocolate dipped strawberry. I was even able to keep the cup as a souvenir of my dining experience!

While those may satisfy your sweet tooth, Toothsome also offers a great variety of options from the Savory Kitchen side. They offer appetizers, salads, soups, flatbreads, sandwiches and burgers, pasta, and delicious entrees. For those who are early birds, they even have a whole Brunch menu as well! The price range for the menus is considered between $10 – $33, so I would say a moderately priced restaurant. For my lunch, I ordered the Fettuccine Alfredo which I found to be absolutely delicious!

My Rating: 10/10

What can I honestly say more about this place? The theming: 10/10. The service: 10/10. The food: 10/10. The desert: 10/10. The interactions: 10/10. This is probably one of the best-themed dining experiences in all of Universal in my opinion. I loved watching the screen as the steampunk robots flew around with ingredients, meeting the characters, and the overall feel of the restaurant. There is nothing I would suggest to change here, it’s absolutely perfect! Which makes this rating review probably the easiest and shortest review.

Tips & Tricks

When planning my trip to Universal, I asked my travel agent to add a reservation for Toothsome specifically for the lunchtime period. While you are allowed to go at any time, it is probably best to make reservations ahead of time. The busiest times seem to be late afternoon time (3 pm) and of course, dinner time around 6 pm to 7 pm time frame. Keep in mind that weekends and Fridays may also have a higher crowd level as well. You can also make reservations by calling ahead of time or via the website as well. Another tip I suggest is to take a look at their menu before you arrive to eat. You can find their menus listed on the website as well.

Well, lunchtime is over and I am quite full. Let’s head back into the parks and continue our fun day at Universal Orlando. Keep in mind, you will have to go through the security check at the front gates at the parks even if you had already done so when you first arrived. That is the only grip I had is that I wish there was a way for easier re-entry. I understand though it is for security reasons that we have to re-enter at the gates.

Heading Back To The Park

I went back into the Islands side of the park, this time going counter-clockwise from the Port of Entry. I was able to experience (before its closure this summer) Poseidon’s Fury. I found the indoor special effects show to be quirky but you can definitely tell it was aging since it had been in the park since opening day in 1993. It’s sad how empty Lost Continent is now compared to the original opening-day experience, I can only hope that maybe in the future this land gets a much-needed facelift and rethemed. There are many rumors spreading of the land being replaced by Lord of the Rings or Zelda, but Universal has made no such announcement as of yet.

After Poseidon’s Fury, I was able to catch a ride on the VelociCoaster. Talk about an adrenaline rush. There were several airtime moments that I felt like I was about to come out of my seat. I continued on my journey back into Hogsmeade to ride Forbidden Journey and check on the wait time for Hagrids. However, when I arrived, the wait time was 120+ minutes, and the queue line was stretched into the Lost Continent section. I decided to skip Hagrids and ride the train over to the Studios portion of the park.

Universal Studios Orlando

Universal Studios Florida is split into nine themed lands situated around a lagoon. The nine surrounding themed areas, clockwise from the entrance, are Minion Land on Illumination Ave, Production Central, New York, San Francisco, London/Diagon Alley, World Expo, Springfield USA, Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone, and Hollywood. Each area features a combination of rides, shows, attractions, character appearances, dining outlets, and merchandise stores. The newest area, based on Despicable Me, will be added to the park in Summer 2023.

Minion Land on Illumination Ave

This is the newest land which has replaced a portion of Production Central located at the main entrance of the park. This new ‘mini-land’ includes the attraction of Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem and the upcoming Villian-Con Minion Blast attraction.

Production Central

This land is mostly themed to music with the rollercoaster of Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit and the Transformers the Ride 3D dark ride. There is no real clear theme to this area, especially with a portion of the land now being rebranded and rethemed to the Minions area coming this summer.

New York

This land is mostly themed to New York City, including many facades of some of the New York Public Library and some other landmarks from the city that never sleeps. This land hosts the attractions of the Jimmy Fallon ride, the Revenge of the Mummy indoor coaster, as well as the preview center and a Blues Brother stage show.

San Francisco

This mini-land is themed to the San Francisco bay area and hosts its only attraction: the Fast & Furious Supercharge dark ride. I have to say that this land is probably one of the weakest ones at Universal Florida sadly. Many guests state that the ride, which had replaced Disaster and Earthquake, is a horrible retheme. Though, many guests do enjoy the queue line that has some props and cars from the Fast & Furious franchise.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley/London

This second half of The Wizarding World is themed to the Diagon Alley / London location from the films. You literally get to step through the brick way into Diagon Alley, where you can not even see the rest of the theme park. This land includes the Kings Cross Stations for the train ride to Islands, a Gringotts-themed ride, and several shops and restaurants themed to the Harry Potter franchise. This is the most popular area of the park and is usually the most crowded. Don’t forget to watch the dragon on top of the Gringotts bank which is set to spit fire every 15 minutes or so.

Springfield

This area used to be part of the World Expo which originally housed the Back to the Future Ride. In 2017, this area would be rethemed to the popular Simpsons television series. The ride would be rethemed into the Simpsons Ride. There is also a spinning ride resembling the title aliens (Kang and Kodos) on The Simpsons. There is no word of what may happen to this area after the leasing of the Simpsons is over.

Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone

On January 15, 2023, the majority of Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone, including its rides Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster and Fievel’s Waterslide, the play areas Curious George Goes to Town and Fievel’s Playland, and the Shrek-themed meet-and-greet style attraction which was opened the year before after the closure of Shrek 4-D, was permanently closed to make room for an unannounced area rumored to be themed to DreamWorks Animation. E.T. Adventure and Animal Actors on Location were kept, as well as SpongeBob StorePants, a SpongeBob SquarePants-themed merchandise store, and KidZone Pizza Company, a seasonal pizzeria located by the area’s entrance. The only two remaining attractions at KidZone are the Animal Actors show and the E.T. Adventure ride.

Hollywood

There are no major thrill rides in the Hollywood section. However, it is home to the updated Bourne Stuntstactular which replaced the Terminator attraction. Hollywood’s two dining outlets are recreations of actual Hollywood outlets. Schwab’s Pharmacy and Mel’s Drive-In offer guests a variety of food and beverage options. A third outlet, named Cafe La Bamba, operates seasonally. Guests can purchase magic-related items from Theatre Magic.

My Rating: 6/10

While I normally give this a rather good rating, I was rather rushed as I only had 1 day to enjoy the Universal parks. My rating was also lowered due to the rather large crowds as it was a holiday weekend plus the Mardi Gras event at Universal. I feel that the Studios side of the theme park is rather lacking compared to the Islands side. Though, Diagon Alley did help the Studios upgrade its lineup and theming to stepping into the movies. I look forward to what could be replacing KidZone in the coming future, but there are no official announcements. The only area that I feel really needs to be replaced or redone is San Francisco. The ride (Fast & Furious Supercharged) is not really a good ride compared to what is offered in the park. I hope that Orlando decides to replace the dark ride with the coaster like they are in the Hollywood park.

Tips & Tricks

I don’t have any additional tips or tricks that I haven’t already covered in the Islands portion of this review. While you’re in Diagon Alley, I suggest taking a look around to find subtle nods to the Jaws ride that used to be in the area but was replaced. Additionally, I really enjoy all the spell-casting spots in Diagon Alley, though Knockturn Alley does have an interesting effect on the map via the dark light. Another tip, if you haven’t already, is to download the Universal app to keep track of show times, ride wait times, and character meet and greets. The locker system is similar to the Islands of Adventure locker system and uses your ticket to unlock the free small locker. While I don’t think it is required, you can also consider buying the Universal Express Pass, which can sometimes help reduce wait times.

Exploring The Sunshine State (Part 2) – Islands of Adventure

September 27, 2023September 25, 2023Posted in Disney & Universal, Touristician ReviewsTagged Experiences, Florida, Islands of Adventure, Orlando, Review, themepark, Travel, Universal StudiosLeave a comment

Universal Studios Florida is a theme park located in Orlando, Florida that opened on June 7, 1990. Owned and operated by NBCUniversal, it features numerous rides, attractions, and live shows that are primarily themed to movies, television, and other aspects of the entertainment industry. Universal Studios Florida was the first of three theme parks to open at Universal Orlando Resort, joined later by Universal’s Islands of Adventure in 1999 and Volcano Bay in 2017. In 2019, it ranked eleventh in the world – sixth in North America – for overall attendance among amusement parks with approximately 10.9 million visitors.

The success of its sister location, Universal Studios Hollywood, in the 1980s fueled the desire to build a similar park in the Orlando area to compete with Walt Disney World. Two of its early projects were partially developed by famed Hollywood director Steven Spielberg, and many themed attractions over the years were developed in close collaboration with the directors, producers, and actors of the films they are based on. An early layout and design of the park also incorporated active production studios, similar to the Hollywood location, which provided guests with a behind-the-scenes look at film and television. As the interest to produce films in the Orlando area quickly faded, the design of the park transitioned to a more immersive, first-person perspective.

Universal Studios Florida operates a well-known annual event during the fall season called Halloween Horror Nights, where the park transitions to a Halloween theme featuring haunted houses and scare zones on select nights. One of the park’s biggest draws is Diagon Alley, a Harry Potter-themed portion of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter that opened in 2014. Other notable attractions include E.T. Adventure, which debuted with the park’s grand opening in 1990, Men in Black: Alien Attack, as well as roller coasters Revenge of the Mummy and Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit.

To make it easy for our readers, I will split the day according to how I spent it at the parks. So our review will begin at Islands of Adventure, then have a lunch review from the Toothsome Chocolate Factory, and end the day at Universal Orlando. Here are a few things to keep in mind: During my time visiting, Universal Orlando was celebrating Madi Gras. It was also President’s Day weekend so the crowd level was moderately higher than I liked. So without further ado, let our Journey begin!

Islands of Adventure

Universal Islands of Adventure (also known as Islands of Adventure or IOA), originally called Universal Studios Islands of Adventure and later Universal’s Islands of Adventure, is a theme park located in Orlando, Florida. It opened on May 28, 1999, along with CityWalk, as part of an expansion that converted Universal Studios Florida into the Universal Orlando Resort. The resort’s slogan “Vacation Like You Mean It” was introduced in 2013.

Islands of Adventure is modeled after a journey of exploration, where guests embark on an adventure to visit a variety of themed islands. Initially, the park featured six islands. A seventh, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, was added in 2010, themed to the highly successful Harry Potter franchise. It was Universal’s largest investment since the resort’s founding in 1990. The expansion led to a significant increase in attendance, and in 2013, Islands of Adventure ranked seventh domestically and eleventh internationally after hosting approximately 8.1 million guests. The eighth island, Skull Island, opened on July 13, 2016, and is themed to the King Kong franchise.

Islands of Adventure is split into eight themed islands: (going clockwise around the park)

Port of Entry

Port of Entry is the park’s main entrance and is home to many shops and services including Guest Services aptly named The Open Arms Hotel. The park’s centerpiece, Pharos Lighthouse, is also located within the Port of Entry. Each night, this functioning lighthouse sends out a bright beam to lead visitors to and from the park’s gates. Like many theme parks using the “hub and spokes” format, this entry Island contains no rides.

Marvel Super Hero Island

Marvel Super Hero Island is based on the superhero characters featured in Marvel Comics. The area features comic book-styled architecture, with many building interiors created from a comic book perspective, characterized by exaggerated lines and angles. The exteriors of the buildings are painted with a special paint that appears to change color depending on the viewing angle; sometimes purple, sometimes orange. This island consists of four attractions: one tea-cup-themed ride featuring Storm from X-Men, one freefall tower themed to Doctor Doom from Fantastic 4, one 3-D dark ride themed to Spider-Man from Spider-Man, and one launch coaster themed to Hulk from The Hulk.

Toon Lagoon

Toon Lagoon is based on cartoon and comic strip characters from King Features Syndicate and Jay Ward. The area’s main focus is water-based rides. This island holds three attractions: one log flume ride themed to Dudley Do-Right, one river rapids ride themed to Popeye the Sailor Man, and one interactive kids’ playground themed to Popeye the Sailor Man.

Skull Island

Skull Island is the newest island at the park, having been opened in the summer of 2016. The area’s sole attraction, Skull Island: Reign of Kong, opened on July 13, 2016. The attraction and island mark the return of the King Kong character to the Universal Orlando Resort after the Kongfrontation attraction closed at Universal Studios Florida in 2002 to make way for the Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride. The only attraction on this island is the dark trackless ride based on the Kong films.

Jurassic Park

Jurassic Park is themed around the film series of the same name. Set after the events of the first film, the area takes on the guise of John Hammond’s dinosaur theme park featured in the series. As such, the area is filled with attractions and exhibits one would find in the “real” Jurassic Park, including thrill rides and discovery-based exhibits. There are five attractions located on this island: A children’s play area named Camp Jurassic, A river ride named Jurassic Park River Adventure based on the film and book of the same name, A suspended steel flying coaster named Pteranodon Flyers themed to the dinosaurs of the same name, A launch coaster named VelociCoaster themed to velociraptors and the Jurassic World franchise, and the interactive play area of the Jurassic Park Discovery Center based on the film and book of the same name.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade is themed around the Harry Potter universe, authored by J.K. Rowling. It officially opened to the public on June 18, 2010. On May 31, 2007, Universal announced that it had secured the licensing rights from Warner Bros. and Rowling to incorporate the Harry Potter franchise into Islands of Adventure. The 20-acre (81,000 m2) island features attractions, shops, and restaurants set inside locations such as the Forbidden Forest, Hogsmeade Village, and the iconic Hogwarts Castle. Groundbreaking began in 2007, with the official opening scheduled for June 18, 2010, as announced on March 25, 2010. As part of the promotion for the upcoming area, a behind-the-scenes documentary on the production of the park section is included on the Blu-ray and DVD release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

The Lost Continent

The Lost Continent is themed to ancient myths and legends, and is divided into two sub-sections: an ancient Arabian marketplace called Sinbad’s Bazaar, and a Grecian-Atlantis-esque Lost City. Formerly, the Lost Continent included a medieval section called Merlinwood, but the majority of that area was re-themed for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. This land is also home to Mythos, which is one of two full-service restaurants in the park and was voted the winner of the best theme park restaurant by Theme Park Insider for six successive years between 2003 and 2008. As of June 1st, 2023, there is only one remaining attraction on this island: The interactive Mystic Fountain.

Seuss Landing

Seuss Landing is based on the works of author Dr. Seuss. The island features several Seuss-themed attractions, especially geared towards small children, as well as a Green Eggs and Ham Cafe and Circus McGurkus restaurant. As in the books, one of the unique characteristics of this area is that there are almost no straight lines anywhere. Palm trees bent by the winds of Hurricane Andrew were even planted in the area to continue this theme.

My Rating: 8/10

I am a bit biased when it comes to the Islands of Adventure rating. This theme park is one of the most brilliantly themed parks in the Orlando area, behind the Disney Parks. Every island has its own character and charm that you can see in the buildings and the views. You feel like you are stepping into your favorite comic strip, whether it be Spider-Man or Popeye. Or you can feel like you are stepping into your favorite book, whether it be Cat in the Hat or Jurassic Park. There are a few reasons why my rating is a bit lower, mostly due to the crowd level. I also am rating this experience on this trip instead of my previous trips before. Another reason why it is not perfect is just the fact that I was rather time-restricted due to the fact that I only had one day in both parks. I also am very lucky to get a chance to experience Poseidon’s Fury before its closure, but my main gripe about the Lost Continent is the lack of attractions since the Wizarding World takeover. This island is one of the remaining islands that have not received anything new since opening day nearly 30 years ago.

Tips & Tricks

As mentioned in the Dockside review, you can catch a shuttle bus from the hotel to the Resort for free. That eases the burden of having to worry about paying for parking at the resort or trying to find a spot in the parking lot if it’s a busy day. One tip was my use of a fanny pack that I carried with me. I kept my wallet, my phone (while on rides), and my glasses (while on rides) inside of the fanny pack and felt it was just easy to keep track of my personal items.

Keep in mind that almost all rides do require you to place items into a locker before boarding the ride, though there are a few that don’t have that rule in place. The major thrill rides, the coasters, will all have a locker system that is provided to you for free or for a paid fee for use of the day. The water rides do offer lockers for guests to use, however, they are paid lockers and there are no free lockers to rent. There are air dryers, which once again are paid, that you can use located near any water ride.

My second tip, download the Universal Orlando app. This app allows you to keep track of wait times for rides, and times for experiences like characters or shows, and allow you to mobile order for food at many of the restaurants.

Stay tuned for part two of my Universal Studios Orlando & Islands of Adventure experience where I’ll review more of the park and review the Toothsome Chocolate Factory restaurant!

Exploring The Sunshine State. Theme Parks, State Parks & Travel Tips! (Part I)

March 30, 2023March 29, 2023Posted in Disney & Universal, Touristician ReviewsTagged Disney, Florida, hospitality, Hotel, Review, SeaWorld, themepark, Travel, Universal StudiosLeave a comment

Greetings friends! I am back with a new blog for all of our friends! I will review the four-day vacation that I took recently, highlighting each day with reviews and thoughts on each park. I will also add my suggestions and tips so that you can make your vacation planning easier! So sit back, relax, and enjoy the review!

My family left our home in North Georgia at about midnight, Friday morning. Our deal was that I would pay for every other refill of gas in the car, as well as half the grocery bill and the parking fees at the hotel. We would stop around 8 am to eat some breakfast at a Pilot Travel Center for a restaurant named Iron Skillet. After our Breakfast, we would head to our first destination on our vacation… Weeki Wachee!

Weeki Wachee Spring State Park

Weeki Wachee was started by a US Navy named Newton Perry, who was looking for an interesting spot for a new business. Newton would experiment and invent a method of breathing underwater from a free-flowing air hose supplying oxygen from an air compressor. This would give the appearance of thriving twenty feet underwater with no breathing apparatus. They would build an 18-seat theater built into the limestone so viewers could look right into the natural beauty of the ancient spring submerged. On October 13th, 1947, the first showing at the theatre would open. In the 1950s, Weeki Wachee was one of the nation’s most popular tourist stops.

By the 1960s, girls were coming from Tokyo to try out for the privilege of being a mermaid at Weeki Wachee. The mermaids would perform eight shows a day to sold-out crowds and as many as half a million people would come to the Springs to see the mermaids. The city of Weeki Wachee would become incorporated by 1966, putting the small town on the map. By 1982, the waterpark “Buccaneer Bay” would open with waterslides and white-sand beaches. Weeki Wachee is celebrating 75 ‘fintastic’ years right now, with some beautifully painted mermaids along the main paths.

Now, it is time for my thoughts, reviews, and tips for Weeki Wachee. While we were at Weeki Wachee, we were able to catch the show in the lagoon but the room was rather full already so we didn’t get the best seating to see some of the action. The show they performed was the Little Mermaid, which my sisters enjoyed greatly. My first tip is to arrive at the theatre about 30 minutes before showtime if you wish to have a good seat, as it fills up quickly. Weeki Wachee also offers a boat ride but sadly it was already full for the next three trips, so we skipped the tour. I love walking down the trail as the flora is somewhat beautiful but the shade was much appreciated in the heat that day.

My Rating: 4/10

The reason my rating is so low is just due to how little there is to do at the state park. I think it is a cute pitstop, but with only three mermaid shows and a boat ride. You can easily get bored at the park. I thought they could have done more flora on the trails, though some of the flowers were beautiful. My biggest complaint was the fact that the boat rides filled up rather quickly and made the rest of our visit rather boring. There is some theming around the park, but it is sparse and mostly used for photo ops. The statues they had out for the 75th anniversary could have spread out the park, maybe like a treasure hunt in my opinion.

Tips & Tricks

My first tip for visiting Weeki Wachee is to try going for a boat ride first. Head straight to the boat docks. While many will be watching the mermaid show in the morning, the line for the boat ride will be low. However, after the first show is over, the line and queue fill up for boat rides. My second tip is to keep an eye on the times for the mermaid shows. The park opens the theater for seating 30 minutes before the show and keeps doors open until the theater is full or the show is in progress. When we arrived, the theater was rather full but we were still able to get a seat. However, when the action scenes in the middle took place, it was hard to see much.

Now, for a trick for those who have young kids. The state park does have a Ranger show towards the back that will teach kids all about beautiful animals, there is also a playground for them to burn their energy out on. My biggest trick is that we also took a child harness to help keep the youngest from running off, but allow her to still run around for fun.

Universal Endless Resort- Dockside

Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn & Suites and Dockside Inn & Suites are a pair of hotels located in Universal Orlando in Orlando, Florida forming a single resort. The resorts are built on the former site of Wet ‘n Wild Orlando, which closed in 2016. The hotels were built as value-level hotels for Universal Orlando.

We stayed for 3 nights in a two-bedroom suite on the 4th floor of the 1st tower, with our room in the middle of the tower itself. Each 440-square-foot suite has 2 bedrooms, separate bath and vanity areas, and a kitchenette. Each suite can sleep up to 6 people with two queen beds in one room and one queen bed in the other. Each suite came with two TVs, a mini-fridge, a microwave, a coffee maker, and other guest amenities including a safe. Staying at a Universal property does come with perks, including Early Park Admission alongside free transportation to CityWalk and back.

My Rating: 8/10

I was blown away at how big the hotel was, having only worked in hotels with 100 rooms at most. The lobby was really beautiful with its design and the theme of a beachside getaway. I do have to dock some points for the fact that they didn’t have enough luggage racks to handle so many guests which were rather disappointing. I didn’t include the marketplace or any of the dining options in my review as I didn’t experience it. The pool looked nice but I never got the chance to swim as I was exhausted after each day. My family said that the pool got cold easily so they didn’t stay in the pool for long. The room was really clean and I loved the location with a rather nice view of ICON Park and good views of the sunrise in the morning. Our room keys even had our names on them, with different characters from the Universal parks pictured on them. The room was straightened out each day with beds made. The checkout process was also rather simple and easy, plus we got to keep our keys as souvenirs!

Tips & Tricks

If you are staying at a Universal Resort, I would suggest that the first tip, once you are settled in, is to talk to the Universal Vacations desk in the Lobby. The guest services will be happy to answer any questions, make reservations and help you plan your day at Universal Resort. If you are going to SeaWorld (Like I did), you will need to make a reservation for the shuttle at least a day ahead at the desk as well. Another tip, while you are at the Vacation desk, is to go ahead and buy the PhotoPass. It was $70 plus taxes but cheaper than if you wait to buy the pass once you are in the park. The Photo Pass is well worth the money spent and I will explain it in the next part. When you check in, be warned that you will have to pay for parking ($15/night).

Stay tuned for the next part where I review my experiences at Universal & SeaWorld during my trip!

Kicking Back Hampton Style – Sweet Eats, Chill Vibes & More!

March 9, 2023March 8, 2023Posted in Touristician ReviewsTagged Hershey, hospitality, Hotel, Hotel Review, PA, Restaurant Industry, Restaurants, Review, Travel, zerotohero1 Comment

We’re officially back after being on the road experiencing even more of what Pennsylvania has to offer! This time we are in the Harrisburg Hershey area. From chill vibes in the hotel to the sweet eats, to exploring caverns, this trip had it all. So without further ado, let’s dive into today’s review!

Hampton Inn Harrisburg-East (Hershey Area)

Customer Service – 5/5

I’ve got to say Hampton Inn is starting to become one of my favorite Hilton brands and my go to hotel brand. Much like Holiday Inn Express, every time I visit a Hampton location the service is always on point and I never have issues with the service I get. Unlike Holiday Inn Express, Hampton always seems to go that one extra step and really blows you away. I’m not sure if it’s just because Hilton standards are different from IGH, but I’m seeming to like Hilton more and more every time I go.

Upon checking in, the front desk agent was very polite, respectful, talkative (in a good way) and overall on point! I’ve mentioned this in previous reviews and I’ll say it again. I absolutely love seeing fellow front desk agents out there just doing amazing at their jobs! It was honestly nice to be on the receiving end this time instead of the giving end.

Later on in the evening, the room next to ours (we had the adjoining door so we could hear into the next room slightly) went out for a while. While they were out, the alarm clock in their room kept going off for about 30 mins. I waited a bit to call since I wanted to give the neighbors the benefit of the doubt and I also didn’t want to be that person that complains. When I did call, the front desk agent was once again on point and came upstairs and took care of it right away.

Sadly for this front desk agent, he would later have to come back upstairs again around 10:30pm. The neighbors when they got back were blasting their tv all night long, talking overly loud (almost to the point where it was screaming) and making a lot of noise. Being I work at a hotel, I know what it is like having to deal with situations like these all the time. When I did call, the front desk apologized and shortly after, I heard them in the hallway knocking on their door. I heard them ask the room to politely turn the tv down and keep the noise down a bit. After that, I didn’t hear a peep out of them the rest of the night. The front desk handled that like a champ!

Rooms – 4.8/5

Out of all the rooms I have stayed in so far, this has been one of the best rooms I’ve stayed in. From top to bottom everything in the room was brand new being the hotel was recently renovated. One thing I love about this brand is their attention to every detail in their room designs. In addition to being very well kept and updated, the rooms were also spotless! As someone who works in the hotel industry, one of the first things I always look for and expect is cleanliness. Got to say, Hampton never disappoints when it comes to this. Only minor issues I noticed with the room were a few small areas that were just cosmetic and didn’t affect the room at all (just two tiny areas that had wallpaper peeling & the back of the bathroom door needed a bit of touch up paint). Other than those few very minor things, this room was perfect and well worth the price!

Amenities – 5/5

Of course what’s not a hotel stay without the free breakfast in the morning. I do have to say Hampton Inn’s breakfast is definitely far superior than Holiday Inn Express since it’s more consistent, the food selection is larger and their breakfast is always cooked and prepared perfectly.

I always make sure I hit the waffle maker section of the breakfast area. There’s nothing better than a fresh waffle topped with a vast amount of toppings. I always make chocolate chips, peanut butter or sprinkles. Usually I top half with chocolate chips then the other half with peanut butter. Of course I can’t resist the maple syrup either!

On a quick side note, I totally found it pretty cool and astonishing how the staff wrote positive messages on the bananas for the guests! This is the first hotel I have stayed at that did this. It just goes to show the level of care the staff have for guests and providing excellent guest service. Nice touch Hampton!

Final Thoughts & Rating

Overall, this entire stay was flawless and perfect just like I expected it to be. Customer service was beyond excellent, the rooms were nearly perfect and breakfast was on point as always.

Rating the hotel on a scale of 1 to 5, I would rate this location a 4.9/5! But hang on, that’s not the end of the review! Up next, we’ll be covering all the restaurants I stopped at during the trip as well as a brief review on Indian Echo Caverns.

Restaurant Reviews

The Original Golden Eagle Diner – 2/5

This was definitely an interesting diner from slot machines, a full bar and weird decor stuck somewhere between the 1960s & 1970s. Yes you heard that correctly, this diner has a full service bar which operates around lunch time and diner. However, I believe they do use it at breakfast only for mimosas and other breakfast cocktails.

Overall, the experience was not very good and I honestly wouldn’t recommend this diner. Cleanliness was a major issue from the very start. The silverware I got was not clean so I sent it back and got another set, only another dirty set. I once again asked for another set and it too was dirty. I had to combine pieces from the sets. I had to have a completely clean set. The issues didn’t stop there with cleanliness, the table I was seated at was a bit dirty to the point I had to take the sanitizing wipes they had on the tables for Covid, to reclean my table. Lastly, being I was on the road, I used the restroom prior to leaving and it was totally disgusting! It was as if nobody ever cleaned it for a long time. It was so gross!

As far as food goes, don’t expect much either. The food was really bland, and didn’t taste that good. I was expecting better because the reviews were so good for this place. Sadly, that was not the case as I ordered what I expected to be pancakes but instead got overly sugary, cake like “pancakes” which did not even taste like pancake batter.

Lancaster Brewing Company – 5/5

This honestly wasn’t my first time eating at Lancaster Brewing Company. It was back during (year) when I stayed at Holiday Inn Express in Lancaster, PA. One thing I enjoy about LBC is the wide selection of food available and their large drink selection (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic).

Check out their menu here: https://www.lancasterbrewing.com/dine/lbc-harrisburg/

I’m not much into drinking alcohol however, I did try their Peanut Butter Beer they had on tap as well as bottled. It actually tastes a lot like peanut butter and isn’t overpowering like I thought it was.

During my last visit, I ordered the LBC burger which is 1/2 pound of our signature chuck/sirloin house blend, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and house-cut fries. LBC has very good cuts of meat and burgers. One thing I also enjoy about their burgers is when you ask for it to be cooked well done, they cook it perfectly. Sometimes when they cook them well done, they tend to overdo it and cause the burger to have a burnt taste. This visit however, I didn’t go for a burger and went with a thin crust pepperoni pizza which was absolutely amazing!

Indian Echo Caverns

Our last stop of our trip found us at Indian Echo Caverns just outside of Hershey with beautiful sights hidden within plain sight thousands of feet underground. The caverns have a long history dating all the way back to the 1700s. The temperature in the caverns is a consistent 52 degrees which feels absolutely amazing on a hot summer day or freezing winter day. Let’s take a look at some photos:

And with that, this officially concludes our PA road trip in the Harrisburg Hershey area. Thank you for your patience during the past few weeks with no new content. Stay tuned for loads of new content on its way. I recently started a new job in the casino industry working on the hotel side, so expect lots of casino related content, more crazy hotel stories and travel tips. Additionally, (Zach) Hyrax recently went on a Florida trip. From Universal Studios to SeaWorld, his trip had it all. Stay tuned for the blog posts all about it!

PA Weekend Getaway (Part 2) – Restaurant Reviews

July 26, 2022November 17, 2022Posted in Touristician ReviewsTagged getaway, hospitality, PA, Restaurant Industry, Restaurants, Review, Travel, Weekend Trip, zerotoheroLeave a comment

In our latest review, we took a weekend trip out to PA where we stayed at the Holiday Inn Express Lancaster – Mount Joy and toured The Turkey Hill Experience. In today’s second part we’ll be focusing on the restaurants we ate at during the trip. So without further ado, let’s dive into today’s reviews!

Metro Diner – Bensalem, PA

Customer Service – 5/5

From the very moment I entered to the time I left, all the staff I encountered were very pleasant and on the ball. I think if you’re working at a diner or lunchent you need to have the personality and right people skills for it.

The waitress I had definitely had superb service skills, was very friendly and attentive. If I were a local to this area, I would definitely return here. Another important part of a restaurant is its food and beverage. Speaking of that, let’s dive in!

Food & Beverage (F&B) – 5/5

Overall the menu had a lot of variety and unique items on it such as chicken and waffles with ice cream on top! I’ve seen lots of variations with chicken and waffles but this one had a very interesting spin to it. Their variation was as follows: Half a fried chicken and a Belgian waffle, topped with powdered sugar and sweet, strawberry butter. Served with our signature sweet and spicy sauce.

I honestly have never seen a plate of chicken & waffles with strawberry butter. This picture doesn’t do justice! The portions are huge but well worth every bite!

As much as I wanted to order this amazing dish, It was a little too much for me since it was early in the morning when I stopped in for breakfast. I ended up ordering a short stack of pancakes and bacon. Remember how I mentioned before how portions are very large? Well… these pancakes were so big they barely fit on the plate! When I went to put butter and syrup on one of the pancakes it was partially flooding off the plate. Definitely worth it though! I even had some leftovers I was able to enjoy later on in the day.

Today’s Pizza & Mamma Rita Italian Restaurant – Mount Joy, PA

There honestly isn’t too much to say about this restaurant being it is just like any other normal pizzeria you would go to. This review is going to be a little brief and not as in depth but nonetheless, we’ll still rate it like we normally do.

Customer Service – 5/5

The staff working the counter/restaurant were very friendly, professional and helpful. I really honestly don’t have much more to comment on since the service was excellent.

Food & Beverage (F&B) – 5/5

I honestly didn’t know what to expect from the restaurant. I just googled it and saw it was just a short distance from the hotel. I’ve been to many pizza places while on vacation, most were good and some were not. I honestly have to say the pizza here was pretty good and I would definitely recommend it.

As someone who has worked in the restaurant business before making pizzas, I know the science to a good pizza. When making a pizza the two most important factors that affect your dough are time and temperature. You need to make sure the dough proofs up, but don’t over proof and you also need to make sure it is the perfect temperature. The pizza I had was excellent! The dough was not too thick and also wasn’t too thin to the point where the pizza fell apart. There was just the right amount of sauce and cheese and the pizza was cooked perfectly!

Taylor Chip Cookie Co. – Lancaster, PA

This by far was one of the best parts of the weekend gateway and well worth the stop. For those that know me personally, they know I love my cookies! I’m literally always eating cookies all the time. This stop was like a no-brainer for me.

Taylor Chip Cookie Company is a local cookie store that bakes a variety of gourmet cookies from scratch using the freshest and highest quality ingredients. (That’s their secret to a great cookie!) They currently own and operate two locations in PA and offer nationwide delivery through their website.

Customer Service – 5/5

Overall, the store had very friendly and helpful associates. Once again, I really honestly don’t have much more to comment on since the service was excellent.

Food & Beverage (F&B) – 6/5

These cookies are just too good so they break our rating scale! There are so many options for cookies to choose from including: Chocolate Chip, P.B. Fudge, M&M, Brookie and so many more! For a full list of their cookies, check out their website: https://www.taylorchip.com/.

I purchased half a dozen cookies in order to take home as many cookies as I could in order to try most of them. I purchased M&M, Chocolate chip, Brookie, Double Choco Brownie, Snickerdoodle, and Loaded P.B.

Out of all the cookies I tried, I personally liked the M&M cookie the best. But all the cookies I got were amazing. I definitely recommend trying them all.

Pro Tip: If you heat the cookies in the oven at 300 degrees for 3 to 5 minutes. They actually will taste better if you do this, especially if you eat them the next day.

Our Cabin: Paw’s Manor

Cabin Ratings

Day 2: MagiQuest — Arcade, Golf, and Magic!

MagiQuest Ratings

Day 3: Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies

Aquarium Ratings

Day 4: Dollywood- 40 Years of Thrilling Fans

Park Ratings

Day 5: Titanic Museum With Guide Percy Keen

Museum Ratings

Day 6: Rainy Day turned to Movie Night

Cinema & Movie Ratings

Final Overview: Wrapping Up the Journey

Trip Scores Recap

Conclusion: Heading Home with Full Hearts

Day 1 – Peddler’s Village:

Days 2 & 3 – Fonthill Castle & Mercer Museum:

Fonthill Castle

Mercer Museum:

Holiday Inn Lansdale – Hatfield Review

Room Review – 3.4/5

Amenities – 3.5/5

Final Rating

Final Thoughts:

Alabama

McWane Science Center:

Alaska

Glacier Bay National Park

Arizona

Grand Canyon National Park

Arkansas

Magic Springs and Crystal Falls Water & Theme Park

California

Disneyland & Disney’s California Adventure

Colorado

Garden of the Gods

Connecticut

The Mark Twain House & Museum

Delaware

Frightland

Florida

Universal Studios

Georgia

CNN Center and Tour

Hawaii

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Idaho

Yellowstone National Park

Illinois

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

Indiana

Indianapolis Zoo

Iowa

National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium

Kansas

Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center

Kentucky

Churchill Downs

Louisiana

Mardi Gras Tour

Maine

Portland Museum of Art

Maryland

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum

Massachusetts

Harvard University Tour

Michigan

Henry Ford Museum

Minnesota

Water Park of America

Mississippi

The Museum of Natural Science:

Missouri

Forest Park

Montana

Glacier National Park

Nebraska: Henry Doorly Zoo

Nevada

Las Vegas Boulevard

New Hampshire

Day  4: Dollywood- 40 Years of Thrilling Fans