Have Kids, Will Travel: Ski Getaway to Sipapu in New Mexico

Have a bunch of snow-lovers in your family? Or have you always wanted to try skiing but it seems fancy and expensive? No worries. Sipapu Ski Resort in New Mexico is the spot for you- drivable, affordable and endlessly fun! 

I'm raising skiers. I am. In Texas! And I absolutely love it. 

I'm not really even a skier myself. But my kids are.

My youngest is now a snowboarder, though, so don't call her a skier. How dare you!

But skiing is expensive. The gear alone with cost you $100s to purchase. If you rent, you can expect to pay between $30-50 per day, per person (oftentimes more) for a helmet, boots, skis and poles (or a snowboard). Lift tickets are another expense- averaging around $50 per day (although often costing more) depending on where you ski. And don't forget the winter gear! Snow pants. Jacket. Waterproof gloves. Gaiter. Goggles. Skiing is simply not cheap. 

But don't let that intimidate you! Skiing is such a fun sport for all ages. And, whether you're like me and love the winter or you're like my children and prefer warm weather, you have to admit there is something magical about snow. 

Still... Heading to a fabulous, established ski destination such as Park City, Utah, or Breckenridge, Colorado, might be intimidating. Those mountains fill up with skiers of all levels, and lines for the ski lift can get long. It might not be the right fit if you're new to the sport of skiing. And we won't even talk about the monetary angle...

Skiing is exhausting!

Sipapu Ski Resort: Affordable Family Ski Fun

Last year, my family and I went to Purgatory Ski Resort in Durango, Colorado. My husband also frequently travels to Breckenridge and Park City to ski. We've also visited Steamboat Springs. I told you- I'm raising skiers!

But this year, we needed something slightly less expensive for our ski getaway. A friend had told me about Sipapu years ago, so I finally visited their website and came up with a plan. 

Sipapu facts: what to know before you go

- Sipapu is about nine and a half hours from Arlington by car. It is about 30 minutes south of Taos, New Mexico.

- It is a somewhat isolated ski resort. There is one restaurant onsite as well as a gift shop with a small commissary of sorts.

- Kids ski free at Sipapu! That's right. Kids 12 and younger are free. Adult ski passes start at just $9 a day and top out around $60. Guys... That's a steal!

- You can rent ski equipment and take ski lessons onsite.

- You can stay onsite as well. They have a motel, mobile homes, duplexes and a few more options on hand for ski in/ski out accommodations. We stayed at the motel, and it was about a quarter-mile walk to the lifts.

- Sipapu is small and intimate. My girls never waited in line to get on the lifts or felt mowed down by expert skiers. 

Skiing at Sipapu Ski Resort in New Mexico.

Sipapu: accommodations

Okay, let me be honest (because we paid full retail for our vacation- the same that you would pay. I get no kickback or compensation for promoting Sipapu to my readers!). Sipapu is... rustic. What do I mean? I mean- if you want bougie and fancy, you should check out Aspen. Or Vail. Or Breckenridge. Or Park City. I could go on. If you have the money and the travel time, there are fancier places you could go that offer a lot more amenities.

But, if you have beginning skiers and are looking for something that is easy to access and inexpensive to visit, let me make my case for Sipapu!

When we arrived, we bypassed Sipapu and went into Taos. We rented the girls skis at a ski shop there (saving us about $100 total) and stocked up on food at Walmart (it's a small Walmart that was picked over on arrival. I recommend stocking up elsewhere!). We also enjoyed our only meal out for the week (we arrived Monday night and left Friday morning). 

Taos is only a 30-minute drive from Sipapu. BUT, I caution you here. It is 30 minutes straight up the mountains on winding roads. If you are not someone familiar with driving in snow, I don't recommend thinking you will regularly make this drive. 

We stayed onsite at the motel. There was ample parking and two queen-sized beds. No shampoo is available and there is no housekeeping. There is a TV and free Wifi, but there is no cable. We brought our Roku so we could watch TV at night. We have TMobile as our cell provider and got no service at Sipapu. Hooray for Wifi!

The motel, overall, was basic. No common area, no amenities. It was cramped but we made it work! We paid $795 for 4 nights including taxes and fees, so I promise you I'm not complaining!

Sipapu Ski Lodge & Store

Sipapu: onsite resources

Sipapu has a restaurant and a commissary onsite but not much else. There is a small gift shop with t-shirts and other branded items, and this is also where you can purchase macaroni and cheese, milk, and other pantry and fridge staples. 

Our motel room had a microwave, so we brought lots of soup, ramen and leftovers and lived on that. The room did not have a coffeemaker, so we did order coffee from the resort restaurant each morning (you can only order online currently). We didn't order any food from the restaurant, although it did offer a decent-looking menu. 

You can rent skis onsite, although the line is long in the mornings, so plan accordingly. You can purchase ski passes online and pick up onsite. Ski lessons are available. 

Sipapu: the slopes

My girls loved the slopes at Sipapu. There are two main lifts as well as two magic carpets. There are a number of runs ranging from basic to advanced. There was plenty of snow on the mountains when we arrived, and it snowed two out of the three days we skied. It was snowing again when we left. 

We went after Christmas, typically a very expensive and busy time at a ski resort. Thinking back to last year at Purgatory, my girls had to wait in lines for up to 30 minutes to get on the lifts. At Sipapu I don't think they even waited two minutes to get on the lifts. They loved it. My youngest tried snowboarding on this trip and now basically thinks she's Olympics-ready. She was able to get a ton of practice runs in, aided by the fact that the mountains weren't packed and she could get on and off the lifts easily with no waiting. It was a wonderful first experience for her. 

Note- there is no sledding at Sipapu. If you bring or purchase sleds, you will have to drive further up into the mountains to find a spot to use them. 

Getting on the ski lift at Sipapu Ski Resort. 

Sipapu: final thoughts

My husband didn't love Sipapu, but he has skied for years and felt that Sipapu didn't offer hard enough runs for his preferred level of skiing or enough to do once the sun went down. I'm rolling my eyes as I type this...

Let me tell you the bottom line...

If you want a basic, fun ski vacation, you won't beat the price here.

Our ALL-IN price for this vacation- ALL-IN- was $1800.

That includes 4 nights of lodging, gas for our Kia Telluride from Arlington, Texas, roundtrip, food for 5 people 3 times per day for 5 days, ski rentals for 3 (my husband owns his own gear) and ski passes for 4 (remember, I didn't ski) and souvenirs. 

The slopes were open each day from 9am-4pm MST, so this was our schedule:

8 am- wake up, eat breakfast (oatmeal or fruit in the room)

9 am- 11 am- ski

11:30 am- 1 pm- lunch and break in the room

1 pm- 4 pm- ski

4 pm- 7 pm- dinner plus iPad time in the room

7 pm- 10 pm- family movie time

10 pm- bed

One last thing I will caution you- there isn't much to do at Sipapu once the sun sets. There is no pool, no common game room, just the one restaurant to grab food or a beer. So we had a lot of iPad and TV time, which was fine to us. 

I also didn't ski, and there were times when two or three girls wanted to head back to the lifts before I was ready to go back out (I still suit up in all the gear to hang out outside), and I felt confident sending them to the lifts solo with my oldest's phone on Wifi. The resort was small enough and felt safe enough that we could let them ski without one of us there. This would not be the case at other resorts.

I encourage you, if you are wanting an affordable ski vacation, to check out Sipapu. No, it's not fancy. No, it doesn't come with a ton of bells and whistles. But it's affordable and it's perfect for kids... And sometimes that's all you need!

My amazing snowboarder! 

How to Recycle a Car Seat

Car Seat Recycling

If your child is ready for his or her next car seat, or has outgrown car seats entirely, you may be wondering what to do with the old one. You can donate it, sell it or participate in a car seat recycling program where you can earn a discount on a new car seat. There are several considerations to take, however, before you pass the car seat on to a new child. 

Keeping your kids safe on the road is so important! Recycle old car seats when they are past their prime.

Car seats, designed to keep a child who doesn’t yet meet the height or weight requirements for a regular seat safe, are expensive. Because children grow so quickly, car seats also can be quite the investment you have to make every few years. You may dread shopping for a new car seat, and, if you are are like me, you may not even be sure what you are supposed to do with the old one.

If you aren't sure what type of car seat your child should be in, no worries! Children should be in car seats until the age of 12, and shouldn't ride in the front seat of a vehicle until age 13 (these are, however, recommendations, and not laws). I did an entire article for Zulily about when a child can ride in a booster seat and the article is jam-packed with info. Click here to read it! 

Car Seat Recycling: When to Toss an Old Car Seat

Consider Your Car Seat’s Expiration Date

Just like food, car seats come with an expiration date. This date is printed on every car seat and can usually be found on the side or back of a car seat. A car seat’s expiration date is six years after the date it was manufactured.

If you are like me, you might be thinking this date is just a suggestion. In my house, we don't toss cereal boxes on their expiration date unless the cereal tastes off. So... Dates are a little arbitrary. I wondered if car seat expiration dates were the same way. 

However, with car seats, the expiration dates does matter. This date matters because it is the length of time the manufacturer can guarantee the frame of the car seat will hold up in the event of an accident. After that date, the integrity of the structure can no longer be relied upon to protect a child in the event of a collision. If your car seat is past its expiration date, it should be tossed- it should not be donated or given to friends.

When your child outgrows her car seat, before you pass it on or try to sell it, check the expiration date and check for recalls. The car seat may simply need to be disposed of. 

BOLO: Time to Toss Your Car Seat if it has been Recalled

It may feel hard to keep up with the number of car seat recalls that hit the market every year, but they are important to pay attention to. If a car seat is recalled, it is because that car seat is no longer a safe spot for your kiddo.

If your car seat has been recalled, you can do a couple of things with it:

- Toss it

- Recycle it

- Figure out what part of the car seat is recalled and apply the appropriate repairs. For example, if a car seat's safety latch is recalled, the company may offer to send out free safety latch repair kits. You can apply this fix and then continue to use the car seat. However, you should only try to fix the recalled car seat if the manufacturer offers this fix. Do not try to fix it yourself using aftermarket pieces.

Not sure if your car seat has been recalled or just want to check? The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration keeps an updated recall list here. 

Your Car Seat has been Involved in an Accident

If your car seat has been involved in an accident, however minor, it is time for the car seat to go. If your airbags deployed in an accident, even if there were no injuries to passengers, you need a new car seat.

That may seem like overkill- car seats are expensive! This one is fine! There are no outward signs of trauma to this car seat. It's fine. However, just because you can't see any problems, it doesn't mean they don't exist. If your car seat has been involved in an accident, it's time to get a new one. The structural integrity may have been compromised, and, just because you can't see anything wrong, it doesn't mean there aren't problems. Better safe than sorry. 

If there was an insurance claim pertaining to the accident, check with your insurance company! They should be able to provide you with some money to put toward the purchase of a new car seat. 

 

Car Seat Recycling: Disposing of Old Car Seats

 Recycling an Old Car Seat

If your car seat is past the expiration date, or if it has been involved in an accident of any type, that car seat should be recycled or thrown away rather than donated or passed on to others. To find places that will accept your old car seat, check out recycleyourcarseat.org. Different recycling centers will have different requirements for recycling your old car seat, so be sure to check out any steps you have to take beforehand. You can also go to carseatrecycling.com, and, for a fee, purchase a kit that will enable you to recycle your car seat quickly and easily regardless of where you live or the car seat’s brand. You will even receive a coupon to apply to the purchase of a new car seat from Clek. 

Throwing Away an Old Car Seat 

If there aren't any recycling centers near you, you may need to simply toss your car seat in the garbage. In order to ensure that your car seat is not plucked from the curb by well-meaning garbage pickers, try to make your car seat undesirable by cutting straps or damaging the car seat in other ways. If the car seat is past its expiration date or has been involved in an accident or a recall, it is not safe to be reused.

Recycling Programs and Trade-In Events at Nationwide Retailers

Nationwide retailers like Target and Walmart usually do a national trade-in program yearly that enables you to bring an old car seat in to recycle and receive a discount toward a new car seat in exchange. Target's took place in April of 2021, and Walmart has yet to announce a 2021 trade-in date, but the 2019 event was huge so it may make a comeback in 2021. 

Have Kids, Will Travel: Little Rock, Arkansas!

Little Rock, Arkansas.

Located center state, Little Rock is known for being the home of former President Bill Clinton. It is also well known the Little Rock Nine.

Prior to our Spring Break trip, we had never been to Little Rock. (For a complete list travel tips during this time, please check out the article I did for Zulily here!)

We were excited to visit Arkansas, the Natural State, this year, and get to know one of Texas' neighbor states to the east.

Little Rock is about five hours from Arlington by car directly east on I 30. Little Rock has a population of about 200,000 people and is located on the south bank of the Arkansas River.

Little Rock, Arkalsas

Little Rock with Kids: Why Little Rock?

Little Rock has a surprising amount of activities for kids! The parks in the area are gorgeous and truly a ton of fun for the under 12 set. There are a variety of fun outdoor activities. Little Rock is a quick drive from DFW and there were plenty of hotels that were far less than $100 per night with a pool and breakfast included! Hot Springs is an hour away, meaning you can check out activities there, too, on your weekend away.

Little Rock with Kids: Things to Do

Little Rock Zoo: Honestly, this might be one of my favorite zoos for littles. There are three separate play areas that my kids loved, plus a fun mini train. The zoo felt very open and uncrowded. However, because of Covid, there was only a small food truck onsite, so we recommend checking on this before you go. My girls noted that there were no giraffes, but otherwise, we loved the zoo! It's inexpensive and a great way to spend an afternoon.

Gorgeous day for Little Rock Zoo!

Heifer International: Heifer International is a global organization based in Little Rock that is working to end poverty. In Little Rock, you can explore Heifer Village with hands-on experiences that teach kids about global experiences. Right now, the urban farm and village are closed, but we were still able to meet and interact with the animals for free! They alpacas were darling, as were the goats. The cow was super friendly. Even if it isn't reopened during your visit, Heifer International is worth a stop. Visit the gift shop, too- it has lots of unique goodies!

We loved seeing animals at Heifer International.

Central High School: In 1957, Central High School in Little Rock was at the center of the Civil Rights Movement when nine black students began attending the school, which had formerly been all white. Today, it is a National Historic Site with lots to see and learn. The high school itself is still an active high school with a diverse student body, so, if you wish to tour inside, you need to make a reservation ahead of time. However, you can walk the perimeter, visit the gas station that was the headquarters for media and visit the building across the street, which houses a small museum dedicated to Central High School and the Little Rock Nine. 

Julius Breckling Riverfront Park & Junction Bridge: This might be one of the coolest parks we have ever been to. This park, which, in warm months, also features a splash pad, is built into natural rock formations to truly be one-of-a-kind. The girls loved climbing through all the tunnels and playing on the monkey bars placed on the underside of a large rock. We also walked Junction Bridge, which gave us gorgeous views of the Arkansas River and downtown. The adjacent Riverfront Market also often has live events, so check the schedule to optimize your time here!

Playing at Riverfront Park

Big Dam Bridge: The Big Dam Bridge is a pedestrian and bikes only bridge that lights up at night. We walked along the bridge at dusk and loved it! The views are stunning, the breeze felt incredible and there were lots of people around, making it feel very safe. It was an enjoyable evening stroll. There were dozens of spiders on the bridge, as well, and we loved trying to find ones bigger than quarters... I made the girls stop counting when they hit 20 because that was 20 too many for me!

Burns Park: This North Little Rock Park has lots to do for all ages! We loved the playground onsite, next to the disc golf area. There is also a small amusement park in the park, perfect for kids younger than 10. You can camp at this park, as well as golf and more. It is definitely worth a visit!

The play area we loved at Burns Park.

The Old Mill: Honestly, this is a place to stop just for magical pictures. We went on St. Patrick's Day and spent an hour roaming around this magical-feeling spot that was featured in the opening scenes of the classic Gone With The Wind. It is a recreation of an 1880's water-powered grist mill and it is a neat place to visit on your Little Rock vacation! 

Other places on our list we didn't make it to this trip:

William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum: This is closed currently because of Covid. 

Museum of Discovery: This was closed because of damage sustained during the February freeze.

Big Rock Fun Park: We left this for the last day of our trip and I didn't check the weather first. Whoops. Had some unhappy girls that day! 

Little Rock with Kids: Where to Eat

All Aboard Restaurant and Grill: If you bring kids to Little Rock, visit this restaurant! Not only to they have delicious burgers (I had a meatless burger and it was so yummy!), but they deliver your meal to your table on a train that circles above your head and then delivers your food on a tray that drops down to your table. It is every bit as cool as it sounds, and even my 11 year old, who is too tween-y for everything, said "That was so cool!" Great spot to dine with kids. 

Dinner at All Aboard Restaurant and Grill was so good!

Purple Cow: This old-timey diner has lots of food choices to please everyone in your dining party plus delicious milkshakes. You can even add alcohol to yours, if that's the kind of day you've had...

Loblolly Creamery: We actually stumbled upon this place accidentally, and I'm so glad that we did! I had the best Vegan ice cream I have ever had, hands down. You can't eat inside the store right now but there are benches out front. We even ordered macarons and devoured them, too. If you need a sweet treat, don't skip this spot! Next door is a cute urban market with lots of local food and drink to take back to Texas with you.

Overall, we recommend a trip to Little Rock! There is a Buc cee's on the way, and you can stop at Crater of Diamonds on the way back to Texas and dig for gems. At about five hours by car, you will enjoy your weekend away with the kids- and so will your wallet!

Have Kids, Will Travel: Durango, Colorado

Colorado is my happy place.

Mountains and cooler weather and snow and skiing and outdoor living. All these things speak to me!

Hubby and I decided to sneak away to the mountains for a few days after Christmas to enjoy some family time and show our kids snow! I grew up outside Chicago, so, I know snow. But my youngest, who is 7, hasn't seen proper snow in years. Years! We knew it was time to take to the mountains.

We settled on Durango for a couple of reasons. 

1. It's only a 12.5 hour drive from Arlington. Yep, I said only!

2. We heard great things about Purgatory Resort and wanted to ski there.

3. Durango has hot springs to soak in after some cold days on the mountains.

What To Do With Kids in Durango, Colorado

Places to Eat

Is there anything better than finding awesome food in a new town? No, I don't think so either! While Durango is full of great places to eat, these are our four favorite meals that we ate:

Bird's Durango- Chicken is always a crowd-pleaser with my group, and this spot was no exception. The sandwiches, named after celebrities, were a smash hit and my oldest won't stop talking about her "honey and chicken biscuit that was soooo good!"

Switchback Tacos- Because tacos. And Mexican Street Corn. And spicy margaritas. This place serves tacos a la carte so you can pick and choose what goes on your plate. Plus, they have delightful vegan options! This place was a favorite for us. 

Homeslice- When in doubt, order pizza. Or, at least, that's what we do at our house when we can't decide what to eat! I love barbeque chicken pizza, husband likes all the meat and the girls like cheese and more cheese. This spot pleases everyone's palate and left us wanting to make another trip!

Steamworks Brewing- This place served me the best non-burger burger I have ever had. EVER. Seriously. The quinoa burger is my favorite thing I've eaten in some time. Don't skip it when you go to Durango!

Places to Visit

Santa Rita Park- Let the kiddos burn off some steam at this city park with the mountains for a backdrop. Run, play and breathe in the fresh mountain air.

Durango Train- We actually didn't visit the Durango Train Museum or ride the train during our visit- and the girls haven't let us forget it! It's impossible to drive downtown and not see the train, which had an old-timey, wild wild west feel to it. We traveled immediately after Christmas, meaning the Polar Express train ride was still happening at the time. It's on our list for our next visit already!

Pleasant Journey Alpacas- Learn all about these adorable animals from the friendliest farmers! We spent two hours here, petting and playing with the alpacas. The owners are nice and chatty, and the experience is free. Just be sure you email ahead of time, and plan to make a purchase from the gift shop. My husband swears the socks he bought there are the best pair he has ever owned!

Durango Hot Springs- I can't begin to tell you what a cool experience the Durango Hot Springs were! We went one evening late and the kids went nuts. There are multiple pools at varying temperatures (there are some that are adult only and some that are open to all ages). There was one large pool for kids and swim and play tag. The snow on the ground around the pools and the nearby mountains make the experience serene. My advice? Bring sandals or flip flops and a robe. It's hard to go from pool to pool without shoes or something warm to keep you from freezing (ask me how I know!) because the ground is so cold!

Downtown Durango- Plan a few hours to stroll downtown. Grab a bite. Or a beer. Shop for cold-weather gear, local teas and candles, clothing and so much more. We had a blast strolling the streets. And don't skip the candy shop, Fuzziwig's Candy Factory. It's a candy-lover's heaven!

Skiing at Purgatory Resort 

One of the reasons we chose Durango was to ski at Purgatory Resort. It's consistently a top-rated resort in Colorado and, even better, kids 10 and younger can sign up on their website for a free season pass to ski! The resort has a number of ski-in, ski-out vacation rentals, although we didn't stay onsite. There is also a spa, restaurants, ski rentals, toy shop, ski gear shop and more.

We went during peak time, and the slopes were crowded. I didn't ski, but my husband and girls did. It snowed the entire day our first day on the mountain, which was beautiful and cold! The lines were long, and Covid restrictions added to the wait times. It was hard to find a place to sit if you weren't skiing (like me) because seating was a premium. Because of Covid, there was nowhere inside to sit and stay out of the cold. These are things to consider if you are thinking of a ski trip with a non-skiier.

My youngest took a lesson the first day because she had never skied. We also had to rent gear for three girls for two days. We paid $395 for two days of rentals for three kids plus morning ski lessons for one. The girls all skied for free after that. The price seemed competitive. Lift tickets for my husband were $100 per day, and he has his own gear. 

The girls found a small hill that they loved and skied it on repeat while my husband and middle daughter did the big runs. The youngest got in about 14 runs in 4 hours on the small hill. We stopped to grab ramen and warm waffles from Waffle Cabin the second day and loved it. The first day we stopped for lunch at the on-site pizza place and the wait was very, very long for food plus a table indoors.

We had a blast in Colorado being outdoors in the snow and sunshine. We plan to make a yearly trip after Christmas to Colorado and are already planning for next year. What spot should we hit next?!

(We stayed at the SpringHill Suites in Durango. We planned and paid for our entire trip- nothing was hosted or sponsored and I am sharing simply to promote a great little town in Colorado!)

Have Kids, Will Travel: Weekend in Wichita

 My kids and I are on a quest to visit all 50 states. 

So when I found out that Wichita, Kansas, is only 5.5 hours from Arlington, I knew it was the perfect weekend escape for my crew. 

A quick internet search about Wichita gave me these bits of info about Kansas' largest city.

~Wichita is located in south central Kansas, where the Little and Big Arkansas Rivers meet. It is about 160 miles north of Oklahoma City. 

~Wichita is nicknamed the "Air Capital of the World" because several major airplane manufacturers have facilities there, including Airbus and Learjet. 

~Wichita is home to the largest airport in Kansas. 

I grew up in the Midwest, so I'm pretty partial to the downhome feel of those middle-of-the-country states. (Although I'm also a Missouri Tiger, and this gives me mixed feelings about all things Kansas!) I love the weather in the Midwest (Summers aren't as hot as in Texas and Winters aren't as mild), and my kids delighted in the fact that there was still a small amount of snow on the ground upon arrival in Kansas. We all took an instant liking to the place!

I had never been to Kansas before this visit to Wichita, meaning I was seeing the state and landscape for the first time alongside my kiddos  Together we explored downtown, shopped for treasures at Lucinda's, ate so much yummy food at Chicken N Pickle, hung out with the animals at the zoo and so much more! We also can't say enough good things about our hotel, the Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview. 

The EA definitely recommends putting Wichita on your schedule for a fun summer road trip. To get to Wichita, you hop on I-35 and drive north for about 375 miles. Plan to stop near Stillwater at the Cowboy Travel Plaza to gas up and let the kiddos stretch and play on the indoor pirate ship play area! A four-day weekend should give you plenty of time to explore the best of Wichita and get a feel for the city that considers itself the Heart of the Country!

Must-Visit Spots in Wichita

Exploration Place- This wonderful science spot along the Arkansas River is a kid's happy place. Study aviation, play in a medieval play area, experience high winds in the wind tunnel, learn about the Plains, test your skills as a guitarist and more. This spot is hours of fun for kids! I love when learning and fun combine for the ultimate afternoon. 

The Museum of World Treasures- This is a fascinating spot for older kids (I would recommend for 10 and up). Learn about the United States' Presidents, see relics from many of the great wars the US has been involved in, see ancient artifacts from long-gone civilizations and so much more. There is a kids' play area on the third floor that looked fun but was closed during our visit. The rest of the museum was interesting for my fifth grader and me, but my other two girls (8 and 7) weren't quite as enthralled.

Sedgwick County Zoo- observe almost 400 species of animals at this zoo, the seventh largest in the country. Get up close with farm animals, walk through the Rainforest exhibit, learn about multiple venomous snakes (I skipped this part!) and so much more at this animal sanctuary. We especially loved seeing the tigers!

Botanica-  In the summer, stroll the gorgeous gardens and ride the carousel. In the winter, stroll through the Illuminations display, which will make you feel as though you've stepped onto the set of a Hallmark movie. The gardens even have a great gift shop with some absolute gems, so don't forget your wallet!

Kansas Aviation Museum- This is honestly one of those spots that pleasantly surprised me. We are an airline family (my husband helps build fighter jets, my brother is a pilot and my mom is a flight attendant!), so airplanes fascinate us. While I was personally interested in exploring aircrafts from yesteryear, I really didn't think this museum would hold the girls' interest very long. Well, I love being wrong! This museum has a kids' area on the second floor that allows kids to simulate flying planes, work in a control tower and more. We spent hours learning and playing. Plus, this spot is free for kids 12 and younger and their adult chaperones Fridays before noon through the end of 2020! Don't underestimate this spot- its as fun as it is educational and fascinating!

Where to Eat in Wichita

I'm not sure if I should admit how much I like to eat, honestly. But there is certainly something fun on vacation about finding spots that locals love. We tried out three places we would definitely frequent if we lived in ICT!

Chicken N Pickle- Let me just start by saying we spent more than $150 and 6 hours (spread over two days) at this destination restaurant and playground! This spot has an ice rink and pickleball courts, as well as life-size versions of some of your favorite games, including Battleship. Order a chicken sandwich or the chicken and waffles, grab a drink and spend an afternoon playing and relaxing. We are getting one of these in Grand Prairie next year, and guys... Just try to beat me there!

Picassos Pizzeria- This is a spot where you get some serious bang for your buck! Snag a pizza slice bigger than your head for less than $10. I highly recommend the BBQ chicken slice. So. Good. The kids' menu is super affordable and sure to fill up and delight even your pickiest eaters! Plus it's next door to a cute local boutique to grab some souvenirs. 

Bite Me BBQ- Unfussy local barbeque at great prices! My middle daughter actually ordered the fish tacos (because I always have one who likes to be difficult) but we all found something on this menu to fill our bellies, and we all went home happy! I'm a huge fan of BBQ turkey sandwiches from barbeque joints and this one did not disappoint.

Must-Stop Shops for your Weekend in Wichita

The Nifty Nuthouse- If you, like me, have a wicked sweet tooth, you won't want to skip The Nifty Nuthouse! This locally-owned shopped, a Wichita staple since 1937, has everything you need to gift or enjoy yourself. From nuts of all flavors to gum and unique gifts to savory treats, The Nifty Nuthouse is the candy shop you dreamed about as a kid. We visited during a busy time but had plenty of friendly employees standing by ready to help us!

Lucinda's- This great spot in Wichita's Old Town is sure to have something for everyone you are shopping for! From pretty bracelets to cheeky coasters and local t-shirts to kid's gifts, this shop was fun to visit (and even more fun to drop some dollars at)! We found trinkets for several people on my Christmas list, and the girls found a few goodies to remind them of our trip as well!

Bungalow 26- If you are a lotions and potions girl like I am, don't skip this shop! This gorgeous spot, located near Picasso's Pizzeria, has tons of locally-made wares and trinkets to bring a piece of Kansas back to Texas with you! I may not be a Wichita native, but I loved all the candles that boasted the various neighborhoods that make up the city. They all smelled so good!

We didn't make it to the Great Plains Transportation Museum or the Old Cowtown Museum, or a host of other spots that looked equally fun! Wichita really is a great spot to escape to for a weekend away from DFW. It's affordable, driveable and great for all ages. 

If you need more information on Wichita, visit Visit Wichita for inspiration!

*Please note: parts of my trip were sponsored or hosted by Visit Wichita. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Have Kids, Will Travel: North Texas Jellystone

North Texas Jellystone is a spot I've wanted to escape to for years. Not only is it close by (less than 30 minutes from Arlington in Burleson, Texas!), but it is full of outdoor activities that my husband and I would have engaged in as kids. From arts and crafts to Gaga Ball and fishing to foosball, kids (and adults) can find a plethora of things to do away from dreaded screens.

Jellystone offers year-round fun. We have talked for years about visiting in the summer because Pirate's Cove, the onsite waterpark, would offer my girls hours of fun. However, we opted for fall because there is just something wonderful about cooler nights and shorter days (and I love love love fall festivals, pumpkin everything and a good excuse to get into your Halloween costume more than once a season!).

There are lots of options for lodging at Jellystone, and the option you pick really depends on the number of people in your party and the amount of cash in your budget. If you are a true outdoorsman, tent camping might be for you! Renting a tent site is the cheapest way to do Jellystone, and community bathrooms are available to use. If you are an RVer, you can pull up your RV to a campsite and enjoy. (You can even rent an RV if you are curious as to what vacationing in an RV might be like!) There is even a brand-new pirate ship on site that is multiple levels and accommodates multiple people and parties per room and per floor. 

After looking extensively through all options, we decided on the new 2-bedroom family cabins that sleep up to 10 people with two bedrooms containing a queen bed each and a large open loft with three queen mattresses. We had nine people camping with us, so this fit our group the best! Our cabin came complete with a fridge and microwave, screened-in porch and AC. Outside there was a fire pit and picnic table and inside there were multiple TVs, in case you, like my husband, need one to fall asleep to. Aside from linens and towels, we carried in everything that we needed for the weekend, including firewood, utensils, plates and so on. We were given two parking spots with our rental and extra cars were $10 each. We also paid for 9 guests for two days. Additional guests we wanted to bring in for the day would have been $25 each. There is a two night minimum on most bookings. (I did not receive any sort of discount or incentive for my stay or my review. I paid the same prices anyone else would have had to for the same accommodations on my selected dates)

Once you arrive at Jellystone, the opportunities for entertainment are truly endless! Year-round, there are three playgrounds for kiddos, complete with swings, slides, monkey bars and more. There is a GaGa Ball pit, Laser Tag, Paintball (this activity costs additional money), fishing at Stafford Lake (bring your own supplies), two basketball courts, foosball, trails for hiking and more. In warmer months, there are two on-site pools in addition to Pirate's Cove Waterpark. You can rent golf carts to zip around the property, bring your bikes to move around or simply walk, as we did (this earned more than a few complaints as we moved over to accommodate golf carts!). There is also a spot to purchase arts and crafts to make and assemble on property as well as a gift shop and snack shop. While we brought in our own food for most of the weekend, we did order Mr. Jim's Pizza Saturday evening and they delivered right to our cabin!

We absolutely loved the Fall Festival that launched the first weekend of October. Sure, things look a little different than they may have a year ago because of Covid, but Jellystone did a good job of keeping things as normal as possible. There were costume contests and pumpkin painting (bring your own pumpkin!). We participated in a "pumpkin fling" with a slingshot and a pie pumpkin. We walked around the property locating wooden pumpkins and snapped photos by them. Once we found all 18, we showed our photos at the gift shop to receive small bags of candy. There was a nightly rolling dance party with Yogi Bear and a DJ that encouraged us to dance and move around. And, Saturday night, there was a Carnival de Jynx, where we played carnival games to earn prizes and went through a haunted house! I brought six girls into the haunted house and only brought out four not crying, so, I guess it was pretty spooky! 

This is the second Jellystone property we have vacationed at in recent years (we went to the property in Cherokee, NC, in summer 2018) and we loved our experience. We want to find another location to visit in a year or two!

Quite honestly, Jellystone is a bit pricey. If you are looking to just camp and don't need all the amenities, you could most certainly find less expensive accommodations in DFW and beyond. I also recommend Jellystone for families- individuals without kids might not love all the children running around all day. While I paid quite a bit of money for the weekend to not include any food or drink, when I break down the cost per person per day, it wasn't terrible. There are most certainly less-expensive weekend getaways around town, but this is a fun option if you are looking for a spot for your kiddos to unwind!

I think what we loved the most about this vacation was letting the kids wander off a bit. My girls are getting older, and I'm starting to trust them a bit more than I used to. At Jellystone, I could let the girls wander to the playareas without me and trust that they knew how to get back. The girls loved telling me they were "headed off to hang out" without me. It was refreshing! I've heard so many people say this about Jellystone. It is truly a spot where kids can be kids.

Tips & Tricks for a Successful Jellystone Visit:

1. Plan meals ahead of time. Bring in all the food you can fit in your car! Once you are there you won't want to leave to go get anything!

.2. Don't forget bug spray. And suncreen. And firewood. And a lighter.

3. Bring bikes for the kids. Or scooters. It's fun for them to ride around with the other kids at the property. 

4. Bring flashlights. It gets dark at night!

5. Check the schedule on Jellystone's Website or app. There are lots of fun activities every weekend!

What did I miss?

Find out more info or book your own trip here: www.northtexasjellystone.com