Have Kids, Will Travel: Corpus Christi, Texas

We finally made it down to the bay!

I had been wanting to take the girls down to Corpus Christi and Port Aransas for a some time now. So when the Omni Corpus Christi offered me two free nights at their hotel, I knew it was time to make the drive!

Corpus Christi, Texas

- Corpus Christi is about six and a half hours by car from Arlington. Your drive will take you down 35 through Waco and Austin. If you take the toll road from Austin all the way to Corpus, it will save you time but cost you quite a bit in tolls. You can also pick up 37 in San Antonio and take it straight to the Texas Coast!

- The population of Corpus Christi is about 325,000 people. 

- Corpus itself is sheltered from the Gulf of Mexico by Mustang and Padre Islands. You can drive from Corpus to Port Aransas in about 45 minutes and from Corpus to South Padre Island in about 2 hours.

- The name Corpus Christi means body of Christ.

- Corpus Christi is home to the first Whatburger. Although the original burger stand is no longer around, there is a two-story Whataburger building on Shoreline Drive that opened in 1999 as a tribute to the original. 

- The 2001 movie Pearl Harbor starring Ben Affleck and Josh Hartnett was filmed in Corpus Christi. 

Hanging at the beach!

Where to Stay with Kids in Corpus Christi

We loved staying at the Omni Corpus Christi. They did give us two free nights and then we paid for an additional two nights at the property. Upon arrival, the hotel gave the girls backpacks filled with crayons and activities, which they loved working on before bedtime. The hotel features a great indoor/outdoor pool with a small splash pool outside and a hot tub inside. The hotel has a convenience store with a coffee shop in the lobby and well as a workout area and sauna on the second floor. There is also an on-site restaurant and bar. The staff is friendly and the location makes it easy for you to walk along the water in the evening and watch the boats pull into the marina. It's a short walk from the two-story Whataburger on Shoreline Drive as well as the Selena statue in Corpus. We highly recommend this fun hotel!

We loved staying at the Omni Hotel in Corpus Christi! 

What to Do with Kids in Corpus Christi

We spent three full days in Corpus and thought it was perfect! If you love time at the beach, you may want an extra day or two to spend time at Port Aransas or Mustang Island Beaches. We spent one full day at Port A and loved it! 

- Head to the beach! We went to Port Aransas. You can drive up to the beach and park there! A parking permit for Port A is $12 and is good for the calendar year. You can buy it at lots of spots but we grabbed ours from a local Stripes gas station. Don't forget beach toys, an umbrella or canopy, towels and sunscreen! There are also loads of jellyfish in the water right now... My girls caught seven in about an hour. Yes- caught. They are brave! (The majority of the ones they caught were large and clear- and those actually don't sting humans! Here is more information if you are worried about jellyfish. Just steer clear of the ones that are clear with bright orange throughout their bodies. Their stings can hurt!) If you don't want to make the drive to Port A, you can always head over to North Beach in Corpus, which is located right on the bay. The sand isn't as soft as in Port A, but there are cute places to eat and shop and lots of fun to be had!

- Visit the Texas State Aquarium. (We were given free tickets to the Aquarium in exchange for promotion on my blog) Guys- this aquarium was super fabulous! We spent four hours there but easily could have spent more. There are three levels to this aquarium. You can pet sting rays, interact with turtles, pet nurse sharks and view dolphins in an underwater viewing area. There are live shows centered around turtles, dolphins and sting rays (my girls loved feeding the sting rays!). The dolphin show was so entertaining and definitely a must-see. There is a 4D theater sponsored by Whataburger that plays two different shows on the half hour. There's a cafe, a coffee shop and gift shop. There's also a huge splash pad outside- so don't forget the kids' suits! The aquarium is situated right on the bay, less than 10 minutes by car from the Omni. Parking is $5. Don't skip this spot when you go to Corpus!

Cheesing for the camera at the Texas State Aquarium! 

- Tour the USS Lexington. I honestly wasn't expecting to love this "Museum on the Bay" even half as much as I did! The USS Lexington served in Pearl Harbor during World War II and was home to about 3,000 servicemen. The Japanese thought they sunk this ship at least four different times- and then it would pop back up on radar! That's how it got its nickname the "Blue Ghost." This ship was used as the setting for 2001's Pearl Harbor movie (love that movie). You can head to the top of the carrier and come up close and personal with lots of air crafts. We spent about three hours at the ship. There is a cantina on site. There is lots of walking up and down steep stairways. Overall I think this is a must-see in Corpus. Even my kids loved it! 

Smiling after our tour of the USS Lexington "Museum on the Bay" in Corpus Christi!

Places to Eat with Kids in Corpus Christi

If you have a Whataburger fan in your life, you should grab a burger from the two-story "Whataburger on the bay," just to say that you have!

Smiling outside the two-story Whataburger on the Bay in Corpus Christi, Texas!

Otherwise, we recommend the following spots:

Brewster St. Ice House- The downtown location is huge and super kid-friendly! There is indoor and outdoor seating, with bars inside and outside. The outside has a stage for live music as well as a large playground for kids. Drinks are reasonably priced and the menu isn't huge but definitely features something for everyone! Highly, highly recommend heading here with kids.

Railroad Seafood Station & Brewing Company- This local brewery had slightly fancier (and pricier!) fare, but man was it good! The Brussels sprouts appetizer was yum! There is indoor and outdoor seating as well as a decent kids menu. The place is open and clean and has a decorative motorcycle on the patio that my girls loved sitting on while waiting for our food.

Blackbeard's on the Beach- We loved the crab cakes here- soo good! This place is no frills and reasonably priced with a fun pirate theme. The girls loved reading the ghost stories on the restaurant's website while we waited for our food.

Bien Merite Cafe- This French bakery has delicious breakfasts and Insta-worthy drinks! My youngest loved her pancakes and my Matcha Latte was perfect. After you finish eating, stroll over to the next block and shop at Made in Corpus Christi, a great spot for locally-made souvenirs from your trip. 

Moby Dick's (at Port Aransas)- After a long day in the sun, we loved having dinner at this ocean-themed restaurant at Port Aransas. There's an attached gift shop with lots of trinkets and treasures so the kids can shop while you wait for a table plus lots of on-theme decor for kids to enjoy. The kids menu has lots of tasty picks for kids, too. When you're finished eating, wander next door to Winton's Candy Shop and indulge in some sugar-y treats. Lots of throwback candy plus delicious fudge. Just bring cash- this spot doesn't take cards. Then stroll two more blocks down and snap a pic in front of the Port Aransas mural for a fun souvenir from your trip!

Shopping for souvenirs at Moby Dick's in Port Aransas, Texas. 

We really enjoyed our trip to the coast! We hit Buc cee's in Temple on our way back for some treats and had fun soaking up south Texas. What are your favorite things to do in Corpus Christi? 

Have Kids, Will Travel: Broken Bow, Oklahoma

I'd been hearing about Broken Bow for years before we finally decided to make the trip there. I have friends building cabins for occasional weekends away as well as rental income properties bound for AirBnB. I'd heard people rave about the area- heck, it's even been on the Real Housewives of Dallas! Deciding to make a trip up there with our extended family was a no-brainer.

Broken Bow/Hochatown, Oklahoma

Hochatown/Broken Bow, Oklahoma, located near Broken Bow Lake, is just over 200 miles from Arlington. It takes about three and a half hours by car to get to this small town located in the southeastern corner of Oklahoma. The drive will take you east through Greenville before spinning you northeast through Paris, Texas, and then across the border to our neighbor to the north. Broken Bow itself had a little over 4,000 residents as of the 2010 census. It doesn't lack in small-town charm!

Living on Hochatime!

Where to stay in Broken Bow

Cabin rentals are not hard to come by in the area. In fact, most people enjoy Broken Bow this way! There are numerous rental companies you can go through to find the spot that is right for you. We rented a large cabin that slept multiple families where each room had a private bathroom. Our rental had a swing set and game room as well as a hot tub and a backyard firepit. Ideal for a relaxing weekend! We rented through Blue Beaver Luxury Cabins and have nothing but good things to say about them! (I paid full retail price so I get nothing for referring them other than passing on a great experience to my readers)

Our super-fab cabin in Broken Bow, Oklahoma!

Things to do with kids in Broken Bow

If you travel with your kids like I do, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by how many things there are to do with kids in Broken Bow! While most people go up to Broken Bow to relax and connect with nature (boating, hiking and camping are all quite popular in the area!), there are plenty of things to do in the event of rain or if you need to escape the sun for a few hours.

- Big Foot Go Karts- this spot is cash only, $8 per ride. There is only one go-kart track, so, this isn't hours of entertainment, but it is fun for a bit! Riders must be 55" to drive solo and are free if they have to ride with an adult or older sibling (but the adult/older sibling is $8)

- Old West Town Mini Golf- Tee off with friends for a round of mini golf. Kids will love this old west-themed course. 

- Hochatown Amusements- Another great spot for mini golf and go karts. Great prices, too!

- Hochatown Petting Zoo- Open every day from 10 am- 7 pm, this spot will allow kids to get up close and personal with a number of animals. This spot also rescues animals- another great reason to go and visit and support!

- Beaver's Bend Mining Company- This spot offers multiple options for activities that will entertain the kids. They can dig for dinosaur bones, mine for gems, play at the pirate's play area or create wax hands. Hours of fun!

Go mining for treasures in Broken Bow!

Places to grab a bite in Broken Bow, Oklahoma

If your cabin comes with a complete kitchen likes ours did and has a full outdoor kitchen and grilling area, you may choose to eat mostly at the cabin like we did! It is certainly easier, not to mention cheaper, with kids! But here are a few great spots to grab a bite if preparing food isn't on your vacation to-do list! 

Grateful Heads Pizza- Pizza. Need I say more?

Rolling Fork Takery- Easy, delicious takeout. Yum! 

Shady Oaks Restaurant- Drop in for breakfast. Delicious!

North Side Ice Cream- Blue Bell at great prices. My kids gave it two thumbs up each!

Adults-only fun in Broken Bow, Oklahoma 

If you're headed for a weekend in Broken Bow without kids, no worries! You will find plenty of activities to suit a 21-and-over crowd, whether you go for a girl's weekend, guy's weekend, or any other sans-kiddos weekend!

Map of Broken Bow Lake area, Oklahoma.

Wineries in Broken Bow, Oklahoma

Enjoy some vino with friends!

Girls Gone Wine- Wine plus a sassy boutique. They are speaking my language for sure!

Vojai's Winery- Complimentary wine tastings!

Knotted Rope Winery- Cute gift shop plus a wine lounge. Perfect!

Breweries in Broken Bow, Oklahoma

Because beer.

Mountain Fork Brewery- Try the Gentleman Jackalope. So Good!

Beaver's Bend Brewery- The seasonal brews sound delicious!

More adults-only entertainment in Broken Bow, Oklahoma

Choctaw Casino Broken Bow- Head to the casino for a game of Blackjack or try your luck at the slot machines. 

Hochatown Saloon- Dance the night away at this fun local joint. 

Tiki Boat Tours on Broken Bow Lake- Drinks on a boat. So fun! 

What are your favorite things to do in Broken Bow, Oklahoma? Which cabins should we stay in on our next visit?!

2021 Fourth of July Fireworks in DFW

I always love/hate the Fourth of July. 

I love it because I get to don all my red, white and blue and celebrate how much I love being an American. I get to hang out with friends and family, watch a fun parade and see fireworks. All good things!

But I hate the Fourth because it means summer is half over. It means that I have less than six weeks before my girls return to school and we are all back to a routine of sports and lessons and meetings. 

So, the Fourth is bittersweet to me.

I just did a great article for Zulily about all the ways to celebrate the Fourth of July with kids, including links to some fun crafts and desserts to make with kids!

We love the Fourth of July!

We won't be in DFW this year to catch fireworks, we will actually be in Mississippi- but you can bet you'll find us watching fireworks and belting out Lee Greenwood's God Bless the USA at the top of our lungs! 

Make plans now to attend one of these fun events that celebrate just how awesome it is to be an American.

Fireworks Displays and Fourth of July Festivals in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area for 2021

Fourth of July fun!

Allen USA Celebration- Saturday, June 26; 7- 10pm; event is free, shuttle busses available from Allen High School

Food, fireworks, music and FUN! 

Stars and Stripes Fireworks Show in Hurst- Friday, July 2, 9:30 pm; event is free, parking is free.

Friday night fireworks!

Addison KaboomTown- Saturday, July 3; 5- 10pm; event is free but you must secure free tickets online- tickets go live on June 21; parking is free.

Consistently ranked one of the top fireworks shows in the nation, Addison KaboomTown is a fun festival to entertain guests of all ages. 

Arlington Independence Day Fireworks- Fireworks are Saturday, July 3 at 9:45 pm; Fourth of July Parade is Monday, July 5 at 9am; both events are free; parking is free.

Enjoy a gorgeous fireworks display Saturday night and then come back Monday morning for a festive parade! 

Independence Day Celebration in Duncanville- Saturday, July 3, Parade at 9 am, celebration at 6 pm, fireworks at 9 pm; event is free, parking is free- you must have a wristband for the celebration; you can pick these up at the Recreation Center starting June 14.

Bounce houses, face painters and tons of red, white and blue-themed fun!

Red, White & Boom in McKinney- Festival is all day Saturday, July 3, ending in fireworks; event is free, parking is free.

A full day of fun in McKinney sponsored by the City of McKinney and Craig Ranch.

Mansfield Rocks! Fourth of July Celebration- Saturday, July 3, 12-9pm with fireworks at dusk; event is free, parking is free. 

Celebrate Independence Day in Mansfield. Bring the family!

Lake Cities 4th of July- Saturday, July 3, Parade at 9 am, events all day, fireworks at 9 pm; event is free, parking is free. 

Contests, vendors, music and more!

Keller Lights- Saturday, July 3, 4- 10pm; event is free, parking is free. 

Launch a lantern (there is a cost associated with this) to signify better days ahead than what we left behind in 2020. Fireworks at 9:30.

Southlake Stars & Stripes- Saturday, July 3, 6- 10 pm; event is free, parking is free. 

Music, activities, entertainment and more. 

Independence Fest in Flower Mound- Saturday July 3 & Sunday, July 4; event is free, parking is free. 

Children's parade on Saturday followed by live music and fireworks on Sunday. 

 

Liberty by the Lake in The Colony- Fun Run on Saturday, July 3 followed by a festival and fireworks on Sunday, July 4; event is free, parking is free.

Lots of festive family fun! 

Fort Worth's Fourth- Sunday, July 4; 6- 10pm; event is free, parking is $10-$20.

Two live bands, tons of food and lots of fun for the kids awaits at this fun festival in Fort Worth. 

Frisco Freedom Fest- Fireworks are Sunday, July 4 at 9:45 pm, event runs Saturday and Sunday; event is free; parking is free- there is no shuttle bus this year.

This event includes a 5K Saturday night and a Party on the Plaza Sunday including a Classic Car Show and Children's Festival. 

39th Annual July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza in Grapevine- Sunday, July 4, 9:45 pm; fireworks are free; many viewing areas listed on the website say it costs to park

Fantastic fireworks in Grapevine. 

4th of July Celebration in Trophy Club- Sunday, July 4; Parade of Patriots at 6 pm, fireworks to follow; event is free, parking is free. 

Patriotic parade and fireworks in greater Fort Worth. 

Lancaster Community Park's Fourth of July Celebration- Sunday, July 4; 6-10 pm; event is free, parking is free.

Food, games, live entertainment and more! 

We love the USA!

Have Kids, Will Travel: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Vacationing in Cabo with Kids

When you think of a Mexico vacation, you probably don't think about bringing the kids along.

Don't worry- I didn't either. 

Posing at the Cabo sign at the marina!

Mexico makes me think of margaritas at the swim-up bar and digging my toes into the sand while nursing a Modelo. I don't so much think of chasing my kids through the neighboring country to the south.

But Cabo with kids is actually really fun! It turns out there is plenty for families to do in Cabo. Although if you were expecting an inexpensive Mexican holiday you're probably headed to the wrong spot...

Things to Know about Traveling to Cabo

- Cabo San Lucas is on the west side of Mexico, at the southern most point of the Baja California peninsula. 

- Cabo is about three hours by direct flight from DFW. Cabo is on Mountain Standard Time, so you gain an hour going and lose an hour coming back.

- You do not currently need a Covid test to get to Cabo but you will need one to return to the United States.

- Cabo is not the spot for you if you want to spend time on the beach. Because the Pacific Ocean brings big waves and strong undertows, there are very few areas of Cabo where you can swim in the ocean or Gulf.

Kids Activities in Cabo

Boat/Snorkeling Tours: We booked a snorkeling tour with Caborey and loved every minute. We paid $215 for three kids and two adults. The tour was four hours- we boarded at 10:30 and set sail just after 11. We sailed for about an hour and got to see Cabo's famous "el arco"- called this because it means land's end in Spanish, and this is the point where the Gulf of California becomes the Pacific Ocean. We got to snorkel in Chileno Bay for about 30 minutes and saw tons of gorgeous fish. After snorkeling, we got back on the boat and had lunch- teriyaki chiken, rice, veggies and bread, plus unlimited drinks. We got back to the marina around 3 pm. The girls had a blast!

Posing at the Arch before snorkeling. 

Swimming with the Dolphins: Swimming with the dolphins is one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences I think everyone should try. I paid a ton for our experience- $285 for 30 minutes for 4 people- but my girls loved every. single. second. We arrived at 9:45 for our 10 am experience at the Cabo Dolphin building on the marina. At 10, we were given life jackets and instructions and then went up to meet our dolphin, Ali. We were placed with three other people. Each person in our group got to dance with the dolphin, ride the dolphin holding his fins, get a kiss from the dolphin and hug the dolphin. We were cleaned up and ready to leave by 11. It was an expensive but worthwhile experience. Just don't ask how much I paid for the pictures...

Swimming with dolphins! 

Cabo Adventure Park: The Wild Canyon Adventure Park came highly recommended by a friend of a friend who lives in Cabo. We debated partaking in this all-day experience but, in the end, decided not to. Not because it doesn't sound amazing! You can ride camels, go zip-lining, play at a splash pad, ride UTVs, run (or ride) across a crazy suspension bridge. My girls would have loved every single one of those experiences. In the end, though, we decided that the cost was just too much. We figured it would have been about $650 for the five of us (two kids and three adults because my 11-year-old would be an adult). But we've heard such good things! Next time...

Beaches in Cabo

Again... Cabo is not the spot to go if you are wanting to hang out at the beach. Florida or Alabama will give you show stopping beaches... And closer to home! But if you want a beach fix on your Mexican getaway, here are a few spots to try:

- Medano Beach - A sweet spot where you can rent an umbrella from a beach vendor for $20 and get drink (and food) service from an on-the-beach restaurant. Just beware: this beach is packed with vendors trying to sell you everything from hats to bracelets and so much more. They will drive you bonkers for sure!

Checking out the water at Medano Beach. 

- Chileno Bay Beach - This beach, located closer to the airport than the "downtown" area of Cabo, this beach doesn't have vendors (beyond the guys that will help get you set up with an umbrella because the sun is relentless!). There is a rocky area where kids can climb and play and a laidback atmosphere as well as free parking on site. 

- Costa Azul - This gorgeous beach is also located closer to the airport than downtown and is truly beautiful. There are spots here where you can try surf lessons! You can watch the waves roll in and man are they big! The girls loved working on cartwheels here and dipping their toes in the sand... I just wouldn't let them go out too far!

- Pedregal Beach - This is another beach closer to the downtown area where kids can climb on rocks and play around. We didn't make it to this beach but it does come highly recommended.

Places to Eat in Cabo (with kids!)

7 Seas Seafood Grill- Gorgeous spot situated looking down at the water. Located near the airport, 7 Seas has delicious seafood and drinks. 

Zipper's Bar and Grill- Zippers is the place to go if you want to eat and the kids want to play. They can play in the sand while you have a drink and wait for the food. This spot had the best portions and prices of any spot we ate in Cabo. The nachos fed three of us and were so so good!

The Office- The Office is a fun spot on Medano Beach with yummy drinks and decent food. Just beware- don't let them sit you next to the fence barrier between the restaurant and the beach or vendors will drink you batty your entire meal. 

Smiles after our meal at The Office! 

Cascadas- We went to Cascadas our last night in Cabo for a fancy, festive meal and Cascadas did not disappoint. Although this spot in on Medano Beach, it is far enough away from the vendors that they won't make you too crazy! My oldest had lobster for the first time at Cascadas and loved every bite.

Lobster at Cascadas in Cabo! 

Mi Casa- We loved Mi Casa because, honestly, it felt like stepping onto the set of Coco! The experience felt authentically Mexican from start to finish, with a mariachi band roaming during our meal and flan cake served to my daughter to celebrate her ninth birthday. The food is a little less traditional but I found it delicious. Highly recommend!

Cabo Wabo Cantina- If I'm being honest, this is one of the few spots we ate that I wasn't impressed with. The menu is small, the service was eh. It's definitely a tourist trap, fueled by Sam Hagar's name attached to it. I could see it being a fun place to enjoy pricey drinks and party with adults- but you can skip it when you bring the kids to Cabo.

Flora Farms- Guys. If you don't take my advice on anything else on this list... This is the one recommendation you shouldn't skip out on! Flora Farms is farm-to-table food and drink that will knock your socks off. The food is delicious and reasonably-priced, there is a playground for the kids (and games on the placemats!), everything is wide open and fresh and green. There are shops and Instaworthy spots galore. Highly highly recommend! 

Instaworthy photo spot at Flora Farms. 

Need a sweet treat in Cabo? There is a Haagen Daz on the marina and a Dairy Queen downtown. We also ate at the gelato stop at our condo and they had the best green tea ice cream ever!

Where to Stay in Cabo

We stayed at Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach. There is a market for quick shopping on site as well as a gift shop. There is a large food hall with sushi, a bar, American fare, an ice cream shop, sweets shop and more. There's a golf course and multiple pools- and staff is happy to zip you around the resort, which is incredibly hilly, in golf carts. We loved it! 

Enjoying the infinity pool at our resort. 

What do you love to do in Cabo?

Kids' Summer Reading Incentives

I love to read. Like, love love to read. I read 6 books in May and have more than 70 (that is not a typo) stacked against my bedroom wall just waiting for me to dive in. I prefer chick lit by British authors as well as mysteries and thrillers. The last great book I read was The Paris Orphan, although I do wish the ending had been different.

These days, my kids feel the pull of screens more than I would like them to. It's hard to convince them to put down YouTube Kids and read a book. In the summer, I institute 20 minutes of reading every day. It can be more but it can't be less. Somedays they read willingly, somedays it's a real challenge. 

Check out the great article I recently did for Zulily about starting a book club for kids! I loved doing this with my girls when they are little and am trying to convince my youngest to round up a few friends start one herself. 

My most avid reader with her current favorite book, The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl.

Luckily, there are lots of great summer reading incentives for kids out there right now. My girls can get earn all kinds of great stuff, from free books to free food, just by sitting still and reading a book. Why won't someone do that for me?! I'd be the happiest mama on the planet if someone gave me freebies for doing something I already love...

Summer Reading Challenges (with Incentives!) for Kids

Summer Reading Challenge with the Arlington Public Library- Fill out the reading log between June 1 and July 31 and then bring the completed log to the library for a goodie bag! Previous goodie bags have included coupons for food and ice cream as well as fun items to celebrate a job well done by your kiddos!

Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Challenge- Print out the log sheet and fill it out with books your kiddos read this summer (for kids in grades 1-6) and then bring to your closest store for a free book from a pre-approved list.  

Pizza Hut Camp Book It!- Free pizza just for reading? Yes please! Complete the monthly reading journal with your child and they will receive a coupon for a free personal pizza. Yum! 

Scholastic Summer Reading- Join this virtual reading program where kids can complete challenges and earn virtual rewards. There is new content weekly, where kids can gain access to all kinds of unique content from favorite authors and more. 

H-E-Buddy Reading Club- Read 10 books and fill them in on the linked log sheet. Then mail the completed form, by October 1, to H-E-B in San Antonio and your child will be rewarded with a special prize! 

Chuck E Cheese Reading Rewards Calendar- Have your child read daily for two weeks and record it on the linked calendar. Then bring it to your closest CEC for 10 free play points! Score! 

Kids can earn free pizza with Camp Book It!