The International Market Place is a bustling outdoor shopping center located in the heart of Honolulu. There’s over 80 stores, a lanai full of great restaurants, and frequent events. It’s been a cultural cornerstone since the 1950s, and it was renovated in 2016 in a major overhaul. The new shopping center blends the old with the…
While you’re in Hawaii, you should definitely visit Leonard’s Bakery! This bakery specializes in making malasadas, which are Portuguese-style donuts. Leonard’s Bakery is world-famous, with celebrities like Chrissy Teigen and Dwayne Johnson attesting to the deliciousness of their malasadas. We recently visited Leonard’s Bakery on our trip to Hawaii, and we ordered one of every…
If you’re planning an upcoming trip to Hawaii, you’ll definitely want to add a luau to your itinerary. The question is, which luau is the best? There are so many to choose from! We think the luau at the Royal Hawaiian is one of the best luaus the island of Oahu has to offer. We…
One of the things I just had to see during our last visit to Hawaii was the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden. I had seen so many photos of the lush gardens, and I knew I had to see it for myself. It truly was one of the most lush places I have ever seen. The garden contained…
The Dole Pineapple Plantation is one of Oahu’s must-see attractions, and it offers so much more than just pineapples! From a scenic train ride, to lush, gardens, and a giant maze, there’s something for every age to enjoy. As big Disney fans, we were especially excited to try the world-famous Dole Whip right where it…
One of the best spots on Waikiki Beach is the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon! This saltwater lagoon has calm water, which is perfect for swimming and paddle boarding. (Especially for kids!) The lagoon is located right next to the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort, but it’s open to the public. We found it to be…
The Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort is one of the most popular hotels in Waikiki. The property is massive, with 5 different towers that total over 2,500 rooms. It’s actually the largest Hilton resort in the world! The property is right on the beach and has a number of amenities. We recently traveled to Hawaii,…
Acadia National Park is known for its rugged coastline, but if you’re looking for a sandy beach, then the only one in the entire park is the aptly named Sand Beach. During our last visit to Acadia, we really appreciated Sand Beach because it was the only place where we could dig our toes in…
The Beehive Loop Trail is one of the most iconic and exhilarating hikes in Acadia National Park. Known for its steep climbs, narrow granite ledges, and iron rung ladders, this trail gave us an unforgettable adventure… we still talk about it to this day! Using the iron bars to climb to the top was fun,…
If you’re planning a trip to Acadia National Park and see rain in the forecast, don’t despair! In fact, there are plenty of amazing things to do in Acadia when it rains, both indoors and outdoors. As someone who grew up in the rainy city of Seattle, I’ve learned how to make the most of…
Planning a trip to Acadia National Park? Located on the stunning coast of Maine, Acadia National Park is one of the most beautiful and popular national parks in the United States. It welcomes over 4 million visitors each year! With dramatic ocean views, rugged hiking trails, and classic New England charm, it’s no wonder Acadia…
The ultimate place to spend Halloween is in Salem, Massachusetts. The town celebrates Halloween during the entire month of October during their annual Haunted Happenings festival. I lived in New England for several years, and I got the chance to visit Salem during Haunted Happenings. I’m convinced Salem is the best place to celebrate Halloween!…
