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travel guide

Disneyland Park Travel Guide

June 8, 2023

I recently went on a Disneyland Park vacation and it was MAGICAL. For the past few years, we’ve gone to Walt Disney World, so it was a nice change to experience a different Disney Park. This trip included a visit to Downtown Disney, Disneyland Park, and Disney California Adventure Park. We rode our favorite rides with little wait time (thanks to Genie+), took awesome photos (thanks to Disney PhotoPass), met our favorite characters, and ate our favorite Disney snacks. Over the years I’ve obtained tips and tricks for planning a great Disney vacation (view my Walt Disney World travel guide here). Keep reading for a comprehensive Disneyland Park travel guide!

Disneyland Vacation Planning To-Do List

  1. Create a My Disney Experience account and download the Disneyland mobile app. Your account will be used to book your park tickets, reserve dining, check ride wait times, view the park map, reserve Genie+ selections, do mobile food ordering, and more. Make sure you remember your password! You’ll be accessing the app all day at the park.
  2. Book your hotel stay (read where to stay below)
  3. Purchase your Disneyland park ticket (Add Genie+, PhotoPass is included)
  4. Make any Disney Dining or Special Event reservations (available 60 days prior to your park day)

Where to Stay During a Disneyland Trip

The hotel situation for Disneyland vs. Walt Disney World is very different. Staying at a Disney Resort Hotel is extremely beneficial at Walt Disney World due to all its park perks, however, it is absolutely not necessary for Disneyland. The Disneyland Resort Hotels are pricey and, in my opinion, the price increase is not worth being right by Downtown Disney. There are many hotels right outside the parks on South Harbor Blvd. that are affordable and within walking distance. It took us less than ten minutes to walk from our hotel (Grand Legacy at the Park – we had a 3-star stay) to the Disneyland Park entrance. Very easy & doable!

Disney Genie+

Genie+ is THE BEST add-on and is infinitely worth the cost. For $25 extra per park ticket, Genie+ allows you to select a “fast pass” for selected rides. The moment we entered the park, I went into the Disneyland app and selected Indiana Jones Adventure for an 8:05 AM -9:05 AM timeslot. We only waited 10 minutes in the Genie+ Lightning Lane line compared to the rising wait times in the Standby Line (this ride can get up to a 60-70min wait). If you hate waiting in long lines, Genie+ is a huge help. You can select a new Genie+ selection every two hours OR right after using your current selection.

Disney PhotoPass

Disneyland tickets include Disney PhotoPass, which is a great park perk. In your Disneyland app, select “PhotoPass” under the map toggle to find the designated PhotoPass spots. Professional Disney photographers will take your picture in front of iconic park spots and with Disney characters. After the photos are taken, hold out your MagicBand or find the barcode in the app to link the pictures to your account. PhotoPass was great because we were able to get nice pictures of the two of us together!

Disneyland Snacks & Treats

One of the best things about Disneyland is the snacks and treats. There are so many great ones! New options are always being added as well. Specialty churro flavors, for example, rotate. When we went in May 2023, the churro cart in Tomorrowland featured a Chai Spiced Churro with a coffee cream dipping sauce that was delicious (pictured above). I also tried a Mickey pretzel (8/10), Mickey beignets from New Orleans Square (9/10), and a mango/pineapple DOLE Whip Swirl from The Tropical Hideout in Adventureland (9/10). Which Disneyland snacks are your favorite?

Disneyland Park Itinerary Example

There are many different ways you can enjoy the park, but you will get the lowest wait times within the first two hours of the park opening (8:00-10:00 AM). We made sure to get to the entrance early to be ready for rope drop at 8:00 AM inside the park. There are fireworks at night (9:30 PM) but we’re more early birds so we were fine skipping it. However, the fireworks are awesome and something to consider if you still have energy that late! Here’s the itinerary we did and we were very happy with the results.

  • 7:20 AM – Arrived at the park entrance, went through security, and entered the park
  • 7:30-7:55 AM – Made our first Genie+ selection (Indiana Jones Adventure), took pictures at PhotoPass spots on Main Street
  • 7:55-8:00 AM – Waited near Adventureland for rope drop
  • 8:05-8:20 AM – Waited in Indiana Jones Lightning Lane line, selected next Genie+ selection (Haunted Mansion), rode the best ride ever
  • 8:20-8:35 AM – Haunted Mansion ride
  • 8:35-8:50 AM – The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh ride
  • 8:50-9:20 AM – Walked back towards Main Street, took pictures at PhotoPass in front of the castle
  • 9:30-10:40 AM – Character breakfast at Plaza Inn
  • 10:40-11:10 AM – Pirates of the Caribbean ride
  • 11:10-11:30 AM – Got Mickey beignets and shopped in New Orleans Square
  • 11:30-11:40 AM – Caught the Disney 100 Parade going by
  • 11:40-12:10 PM – Peter Pan’s Flight ride
  • 12:10-12:30 PM – Snow White’s Enchanted Wish, made next Genie+ selection (Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride)
  • 12:30-12:40 PM – Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
  • 12:40-1:00 PM – Alice in Wonderland ride
  • 1:00-1:30 PM – Met Snow White in front of Royal Hall
  • 1:30-2:00 PM – Sat and snacked on a Chai Spiced Churro and Mickey Pretzel in Tomorrowland
  • 2:00-2:30 PM – Met Mirabel from Encanto and shopped stores for pins in Frontierland
  • 2:30-3:30 PM – Shopped the stores on Main Street, collected Disney 100th Anniversary Medallions
  • 3:30-3:50 PM – Watched the “Magic Happens” Parade on Main Street
  • 4:00-4:40 PM – Ate an early dinner at River Belle Terrace
  • 4:40-5:00 PM – Got DOLE Whip from The Tropical Hideaway for dessert
  • 5:00-5:20 PM: Bought snacks, treats, and water bottles to bring back to the hotel with us
  • 5:30 PM – Walked back to our hotel and watched the original Jumanji on TV

Make sure to constantly be checking the map in the Disneyland app for ride wait times, character locations, parade times, and PhotoPass spots. The app will be your temporary best friend!

Disneyland Packing List

(These are affiliate links. Thank you for your support!)

Packing the right things can make or break your park experience. For example, between checking the Disneyland app and taking pictures, your phone battery will start to drain. A portable phone charger is a lifesaver.

  • Park outfit – comfortable shoes, Mickey Ears (I usually get mine from Etsy), slip shorts to prevent thigh chafing, your MagicBand, hat if desired
  • Backpack essentials – portable phone charger, travel water bottle, Bandaids, Aquaphor, Advil, mini hair bush, hair ties, deodorant, sunscreen, sweatshirt in case you get cold towards night
  • Misc. – money for food & souvenirs (card and cash), autograph book, pennies for penny machines

I hope this Disneyland Park travel guide gave insight into how to plan your vacation! Please feel free to reach out with any additional questions.

Filed Under: Disney, Featured, Travel, Travel Guides Tagged With: disney, disneyland, travel guide

Things to Do in Chicago: Summer 2022

May 24, 2022

Upcoming Events in Chicago

#SummertimeChi is here! With warm weather making an appearance, the event calendar is filling up fast. I’ve compiled a list of things to do in Chicago this summer including a variety of festivals and events. While it doesn’t include everything, I made sure to include some of my favorites and those on my to-do list!

June 2022 Events

Fireworks at Navy Pier

  • Date: June 1-September 3, 2022
  • Location: Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Avenue)
  • Cost: Free
  • Features: Firework show
  • Photo: navypier.org

Pixar Putt

  • Date: June-August 21, 2022
  • Location: Polk Brothers Park at Navy Pier (600 E Grand Ave.)
  • Cost: $31-$33
  • Features: mini golf
  • Photo: pixarputt.com/chicago

Wings of Mexico

  • Date: June-October 1, 2022
  • Location: Plaza of the Americas (410 N. Michigan Ave.)
  • Cost: Free
  • Features: photo opportunity
  • Photo: by yours truly

Rooftop Cinema Club

  • Date: June-July 4, 2022
  • Location: The Emily Hotel (311 N Morgan St.)
  • Cost: $18.75–$27.75
  • Features: outdoor cinema, personal headphones, classic movie snacks, full bar, city views
  • Photo: facebook.com/rooftopcinemaclub

JoJo’s Retro Summer

  • Date: June-September 5, 2022
  • Location: JoJo’s Shake Bar River North
  • Cost: reservations, dining
  • Features: 90’s themed patio, retro cocktails, shakes, regular & Retro Summer food menu
  • Photo: facebook.com/jojosshakebar

Lincoln Park Greek Fest

  • Date: June 3-5, 2022
  • Location: St. George Greek Orthodox Church (2701 N. Sheffield Ave. Chicago, IL)
  • Cost: $10 suggested donation
  • Features: live music, entertainment, food
  • Photo: lincolnparkgreekfest.com

Jack’s Big City Ranch

  • Date: June 3-August 27, 2022
  • Location: Goose Island (1261 West LeMoyne)
  • Cost: $23-$69
  • Features: photo opps, mini golf, mechanical bull, go karts, axe throwing, gem mining, food & drink
  • Photo: facebook.com/bigcityranchchicago
  • Fun Fact: same company & location as Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up and Jack Frost Winter Village

Do Division Street Fest

  • Date: June 3-5, 2022
  • Location: Division Street between Damen & Leavitt (2000-2200 W Division St. Chicago IL 60622)
  • Cost: $10 optional donation
  • Features: live music, food, local artists, retail vendors, family fun fest, fashion shows
  • Photo: westtownchamber.org

Windy City Hot Dog Fest

  • Date: June 4-5, 2022
  • Location: Portage Park (4000 N. Milwaukee Ave. Chicago IL)
  • Cost: Unknown
  • Features: hot dogs, live entertainment, arts & crafts vendors, dog parade
  • Photo: chicagoevents.com

Run for the Zoo 5k & 10k

  • Date: June 5, 2022
  • Location: Lincoln Park Zoo
  • Cost: $25-$54
  • Features: 5k, 10k, swag bag, scenic views, post-race celebration
  • Photo: runsignup.com

Chicago Blues Festival

  • Date: June 9-12, 2022
  • Location: Millennium Park (Michigan Ave. & Columbus Ave.)
  • Cost: Free admission
  • Features: live music
  • Photo: wdcb.org

Puerto Rican Festival and People’s Parade

  • Date: June 9-12, 2022 (9th – carnival opens, 10th – festival opens, 11th – parade, 12th – closing day)
  • Location: Humboldt Park (Division Street)
  • Cost: Unknown
  • Features: carnival rides, live music, food, dancing, artisans, parade
  • Photo: secretchicago.com

Andersonville Midsommarfest

  • Date: June 10-12, 2022
  • Location: Andersonville’s Clark Street corridor (5200 N Clark St.)
  • Cost: $10 suggested donation
  • Features: live music, food, dancing, vendors, pet parade
  • Photo: andersonville.org

Old Town Art Fair

  • Date: June 11-12, 2022
  • Location: Old Town triangle
  • Cost: $12 per adult, kids are free
  • Features: live music, artists, garden walk, food
  • Photo: oldtownartfair.org

Grant Park Music Festival

  • Date: Select Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays June 15-August 20, 2022
  • Location: Grant Park
  • Cost: Free seating available, $26-$100 for reserved closer spots
  • Features: live music, bring-your-own food, beer and wine available for purchase
  • Photo: grantparkmusicfestival.com

Summer Smash Festival

  • Date: June 17-19, 2022
  • Location: Douglas Park
  • Cost: 3-Day GA $275 + service fees, 3-Day VIP $450 + service fees
  • Features: live music, food
  • Photo: thesummersmash.com

Chicago Pride Fest

  • Date: June 18-19, 2022
  • Location: Northalsted on Halsted Street from Addison to Grace St.
  • Cost: $15 suggested donation
  • Features: live music, food, art vendors, dancing, drag shows, pride parade, pet parade, giveaways
  • Photo: chicagopride.gopride.com

Gold Coast Art Fair

  • Date: June 18-19, 2022
  • Location: Grant Park’s Butler Field (S Lake Shore Dr & E Monroe St)
  • Cost: $10, free for children 12 and under
  • Features: live music, artists, food
  • Photo: chicagoparent.com

Célébrez en Rosé

  • Date: June 25, 2022
  • Location: Burnham Park (4100 S Lake Shore Dr)
  • Cost: GA $85 + fee, Wine Admission $130 + fee, Rose Garden Lounge $200 + fee, plus more
  • Features: live entertainment, photo installations, food, cashless bars, lawn games
  • Photo: facebook.com/celebrezenrose

Pride in the Park Chicago

  • Date: June 25-26, 2022
  • Location: Grant Park (between Columbus Dr. and Lakeshore Dr. on E Monroe St.)
  • Cost: $45-$300
  • Features: live music, food
  • Photo: facebook.com/prideparkchi

July 2022 Events

Chicago SummerDance

  • Date: July 6-September 17, 2022
  • Location: Varies per event
  • Cost: Free admission
  • Features: live entertainment
  • Photo: chicago.gov/city

Taste of Chicago

  • Date: July 8-10, 2022
  • Location: Grant Park (Jackson & Columbus)
  • Cost: Free admission
  • Features: food trucks, live music
  • Photo: nbcchicago.com

Millennium Art Festival

  • Date: July 15-17, 2022
  • Location: Michigan Avenue & E Lake St.
  • Cost: Free admission
  • Features: artists, food, live music
  • Photo: amdurproductions.com

Museum of Ice Cream

  • Date: July 16-September 1, 2022
  • Location: Tribune Tower (435 North Michigan Ave.)
  • Cost: $36-$44
  • Features: 14 installations, ice cream treats, ice cream history, retail shop
  • Photo: instagram.com/museumoficecream

Pizza City Fest

  • Date: July 23-24, 2022
  • Location: West Loop (1340 W Washington)
  • Cost: $59-$249 + service fees
  • Features: all you can eat from 18 vendors, book signings, drinks available for purchase
  • Photo: starevents.com

Sundays on State

  • Date: Sundays July 24-September 4, 2022
  • Location: State & Lake (190 N State Street)
  • Cost: Free admission
  • Features: food, shopping, arts
  • Photo: starevents.com

Lollapalooza

  • Date: July 28-31, 2022
  • Location: Grant Park
  • Cost: $125 and up
  • Features: live music, food and drink for purchase
  • Photo: lollapalooza.com

August 2022 Events

Windy City Smokeout

  • Date: August 4-7, 2022
  • Location: United Center parking lot
  • Cost: $44.95-$184.95 + service fee
  • Features: live music, food and drinks for purchase, photo opportunities
  • Photo: windycitysmokeout.com

Dancing in the Street

  • Date: August 5-7, 2022
  • Location: Hubbard Street between Paulina and Wood (1700 W. Hubbard Street)
  • Cost: $10 suggested donation
  • Features: live music, dancing, food & retail vendors
  • Photo: westtownchamber.org

LatiNxt Music Festival

  • Date: August 6-7, 2022
  • Location: Polk Bros Park (600 E. Grand Avenue)
  • Cost: Free
  • Features: live music
  • Photo: navypier.org

Stan’s Donut Run

  • Date: August 27, 2022
  • Location: Solider Field
  • Cost: $39.99+ (cost will increase as the event gets closer)
  • Discount: $6 off with promo code SWEATINGCHAMPAGNE
  • Features: 5k, 10k, swag bag, mini donuts on course
  • Photo: donut5k.com

Filed Under: Chicago, Chicago Events, Chicago Food & Drink, Chicago Guides, Lifestyle Tagged With: chicago, chicago event, chicago events, travel guide

Walt Disney World Travel Guide

April 6, 2022

From magical rides to nostalgic character meet-and-greets, Disney World is a trip that no one should skip. No matter how old you are, this Orlando theme park will have everyone smiling. I grew up watching Disney movies and visiting Disney World from time to time. My most recent trip was this year for a RunDisney race weekend, to visit Magic Kingdom, and for a Star Wars lightsaber workshop in Hollywood Studios. I’ve also experienced Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival, which was delicious. Over the years I’ve obtained different tips and tricks to make your Disney World visit most enjoyable. Keep reading for a comprehensive Disney World travel guide!

Disney World Vacation Planning To-Do List

Planning a Disney World vacation is no small feat, but it is worth every minute of preparation. If you’ve never visited, you may be unaware of the steps needed to do so. I’ve listed these out below!

  1. Create a My Disney Experience account and download the My Disney Experience mobile app. Your account will be used to book your park tickets, hotel, & extras and the app will be needed for ride wait times, park maps, reserving Lightening Lane selections, mobile food ordering, and more.
  2. Book your hotel stay (read where to stay below)
  3. Purchase your Disney park ticket (Add Memory Maker and Genie+ at this time)
  4. Make your Disney park reservation
  5. Make any dining or Enchanting Extras reservations (available 60 days prior to park day)

Where to Stay During a Disney World Trip

One thing I can’t stress enough is how valuable it is to stay at a Walt Disney World resort hotel if you’re going to be visiting any of the Disney theme parks. These range in price, with the value resort hotels still offering a pleasant stay. I’ve stayed at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort a few times (a value-level resort) and it was great. I highly recommend booking your hotel, park tickets, Memory Maker, and Genie+ all together in a vacation package on Walt Disney World’s website. Below are the notable perks that Disney World resort hotel guests receive during their stay:

  • Complimentary shuttle buses to and from all Disney theme parks and Disney Springs
  • Early theme park entry (30 minutes before the public)
  • Extended theme park hours
  • Early access to Lightening Lane/Genie+ selections (7am instead of at park-opening)
  • Pre-arrival discount on online MagicBand purchases
  • Complimentary parking at Disney theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs
  • Select dining discounts

The complimentary shuttle buses to and from the theme parks alone will help save you some money. The resorts no longer Disney’s Magical Express at Orlando’s International Airport. They now partner with Mears Connect. We reserved a roundtrip ride from the airport to our hotel for $32 each. The bus was nice with a bathroom onboard and they made sure we got to our destination on time.

Disney PhotoPass Memory Maker

I highly recommend purchasing the Disney PhotoPass Memory Maker option when booking your park tickets. Professional photographers associated with Disney PhotoPass are stationed around the four theme parks in optimal picture spots (i.e. in front of Cinderella’s Castle). Before taking your photo, they will scan your MagicBand to have the images sync with your My Disney Experience account. The photos load pretty quickly (within 10-20 minutes after taking) within the app. Usually these would be sold for a cost and have a watermark over them. By purchasing Memory Maker you have unlimited access to all professional photos taken during your trip. This includes photos and videos from all four theme parks as well as RunDisney races (learn how to prepare for a RunDisney race weekend here).

  • Memory Maker for one day: $69
  • Memory Maker for your whole trip/more than one day: $169

This feature is great for groups, especially when it’s just two people and no one else to take quality photos of you together. Sometimes the PhotoPass staff will add fun Disney animations to your photos, like the image of Tinkerbell featured above!

Disney Genie+ Add-On

Disney theme park tickets can be purchased as a one day or multiple day (Park Hopper) option. They usually range between $135-$155 per day, plus tax. Remember, you must also make a park reservation with your park ticket! Disney Genie is a free service in your My Disney Experience account to save rides and shows to a wish list that you can refer to during your visit. Disney Genie+, however, is a paid add-on that allows you to make Lightening Lane (fast pass) selections. When selecting your park days, you can select Disney Genie+ as an add-on. If it doesn’t show in check out, you can add it later on after purchasing your park ticket.

I highly recommend Genie+ and having Lightening Lane access. If you hate waiting in long lines, or have someone with a disability that makes it hard to do so, Genie+ is a huge help. To give you an idea, we were able to select some of our favorite, long-wait rides throughout the day and only wait about 10 minutes in the Lightening Lane line compared to 60-70 minutes in the standby line. BIG difference. Offered Lightening Lane options include a variety of rides, character meet-and-greets, and shows in Disney World’s four theme parks – Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Epcot, and Animal Kingdom.

Disney World Enchanting Extras Reservations

Disney World has some great secret gems, including their Enchanting Extras! These, in my opinion, are wildly underrated and under-advertised. You can find available Enchanting Extras on this page. They range from food-focused events to building workshops. During our most recent trip we did Savi’s Handbuilt Lightsabers Workshop in the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge section of Hollywood Studios. It was awesome! This workshop had us create our own custom lightsaber from scratch. We made our reservations when they became available 60 days out and left a bit of time open before and after it. This specific experience was $219.99 per person plus tax, but Enchanting Extras can range from $20 to $399 per person depending on what it is.

What to Do at Disney World

Once you’ve planned your trip, it’s time to arrive and enjoy! Make sure you make the most of your time at Disney World theme parks with the below list.

  1. Reserve Lightning Lane (Genie+) spots for Disney theme park rides or shows
  2. Eat at popular quick service and sit-down spots
  3. Get pictures taken with available Disney characters
  4. Shop for souvenirs on Main Street

Disney World Rides with the Longest Wait Times

All Disney theme park rides and character meet-and-greets will have some type of wait time, but it will be a lot shorter with Genie+. From my experience, I’ve seen a pattern with which rides have the longest wait time and have the wait increase the fastest. These are the rides you’ll want to use your Genie+ Lightning Lane selections towards. I can only speak for Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios as those are the parks I’ve been on rides the most. As a rule of thumb, usually thrill rides will have a huge wait.

Magic Kingdom Rides

  • Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
  • Peter Pan’s Flight
  • Splash Mountain
  • Jungle Cruise
  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
  • Pirates of the Caribbean
  • The Haunted Mansion
  • It’s a Small World
  • Space Mountain

Hollywood Studios Rides

  • Tower of Terror
  • Slinky Dog Dash
  • Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
  • Star Wars: Millennium Falcon
  • Rock ‘n’ Roll Coaster
  • Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

Disney World Dining: Quick Service and Reservations

Disney World offers a variety of dining options during your hotel stay and at the theme parks. Some are quick service while others are sit-down service and require a reservation. Reservations can be made up to 60 days in advance, and are sure to book up. I’ve listed my favorite restaurants, and one’s I’m still dying to try, below.

Recommended Quick Service Restaurants

Magic Kingdom
  • Storybook Treats – Themed ice cream (like The Snow White Cone pictured above)
  • Cheshire Café – Alice in Wonderland themed
  • Aloha Isle – DOLE Whip treats
  • Gaston’s Tavern – Treats & beverages
  • Main Street Bakery – Disney themed treats
Hollywood Studios
  • Woody’s Lunch Box – Toy Story themed
  • Ronto Roasters – Star Wars themed
  • Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo – Star Wars themed
  • ABC Commissary – American cuisine
Epcot
  • La Cantina de San Angel – Mexican cuisine
  • Joy of Tea – Egg rolls & tea
  • Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe – Norwegian treats
  • Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie – French treats
Animal Kingdom
  • Tamu Tamu Refreshments – DOLE Whip treats
  • Trilo-Bites – American cuisine
  • Anandapur Ice Cream Truck

Recommended Sit-down Restaurants

Magic Kingdom
  • Cinderella’s Royal Table – Character dining (subject to COVID)
  • Be Our Guest – Beauty and the Beast themed
  • Tony’s Town Square Restaurant – Basic Italian food
Hollywood Studios
  • Hollywood & Vine – Character dining (subject to COVID)
  • Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano – Good Italian food
  • Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant – 50’s-style drive-in “theater”
Epcot
  • Akershus Royal Banquet Hall – Character dining (subject to COVID)
  • San Angel Inn Restaurante – Mexican cuisine with an awesome interior
  • Coral Reef Restaurant – dining next to an inside, living coral reef
Animal Kingdom
  • Tusker House Restaurant – Character dining (subject to COVID)
  • Yak & Yeti Restaurant – Pan-Asian cuisine

A Disney trip is magical. I hope this Disney World travel guide gave insight on how to plan your vacation! Please feel free to reach out with any additional questions.

Filed Under: Disney, Travel, Travel Guides Tagged With: disney, disney world, travel guide

Star Wars Lightsaber Workshop at Disney World

March 3, 2022

Darth Vader 3D Ears | Star Wars Shirt

Custom Star Wars Lightsabers Experience

My recent trip to Disney World included a visit to Hollywood Studios – a park I haven’t been to in years! Since then they have added the popular Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge section. From riding Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run to being hawk-watched by Storm Troopers, the whole area is a different galaxy, however it’s secret gem is Savi’s Handbuilt Lightsaber Workshop. Reservations are needed for this experience. Keep reading below to learn how to make them!

Important Information About Reservations

Reservations for Savi’s Handbuilt Lightsaber Workshop will go live 60 days prior to your park visit date. I highly recommended making your reservation as soon as it becomes available as they can go fast, and the chance of a walk-up spot being open is very slim. The cost of the workshop is $219.99 per person, plus tax. This includes the 20-minute experience, one 31″ custom lightsaber, one carrying case, and a souvenir pin. A credit card is required to make the reservation, but will not be charged until the day of the workshop when you check in. In addition to your workshop reservation, you will also need a valid park ticket and park reservation to Hollywood Studios for that same day. Workshop cancellations must be done at least one day prior to avoid cancellation fees.

Photo: Savi’s Menu
Peace & Justice | Protection & Defense

Choosing Your Hilt Style

After checking in with a Gatherer at Savi’s Workshop, you will be presented with four hilt themes to choose from: Peace & Justice, Power & Control, Elemental Nature, and Protection & Defense. The style you choose will determine which hilt pieces you’ll obtain to create your lightsaber. After deciding, the Gatherer will hand you a check-in card and a souvenir enamel pin that corresponds with your theme (shown above). They were to be worn on the left side over your heart, visible for the Gatherers to see. I picked Protection & Defense. The pins were a nice surprise momento!

Building Your Lightsaber

Once everyone has checked in, the group will be led inside by Gatherers to your building post. They then brought out your respected kit of parts based on your pin’s theme. These were numbered and sorted for you to choose from as you assembled your hilt. First we got to pick our crystal: violet, blue, green, or red (I chose violet). Next, the Gatherers led us through the creation of our custom hilt and igniting our lightsabers in a special chamber. It was magical! I loved how my hilt turned out and seeing everyone activate their lightsaber was really cool. Definitely a unique experience that you can’t do anywhere else!

Tips for After the Workshop

Now that you have your lightsaber, it’s time to take pictures around Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. We had purchased a Disney Memory Maker when booking our park tickets (highly recommend), so we found a Disney PhotoPass cast member to take photos of us together with our lightsabers! They did a great job and provided us with a lot of options to choose from. Since we wanted to continue our day at the park, and not deal with the lightsabers on the flight home, we dropped off our carrying cases at Droid Depot to be shipped. Both items were sent to one address for around $35 with standard shipping.

Darth Vader 3D Ears | Star Wars Shirt

Filed Under: Disney, Travel Tagged With: disney, lightsaber, star wars, Travel, travel guide

Full Guide To Ambergris Caye, Belize

September 28, 2018

flying to ambergris caye

Visiting the city of San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, Belize was a beautiful, relaxing, eye-opening vacation. The water was crystal clear, the sun was hot, and the locals were very friendly. In this post, I have outlined everything you should know about traveling to Belize and staying on the island of Ambergris Caye. From recommended vaccines to how to obtain global entry status, keep reading for a full travel guide to Ambergris Caye, Belize!

How To Prepare For A Trip To Belize

Hepatitis A Vaccine

Technically, there are no vaccines required to travel to Belize. However, it is highly recommended that you get a Hepatitis A vaccine. This vaccine combats feeling ill from contaminated food and water (the water in Ambergris Caye is not safe to drink!). It was actually super easy to set up. If you type in “Walgreens Hepatitis A vaccine” you can find a nearby location to make an appointment online. I was able to do this during my lunch break!

Passport

This might be obvious, but you will need an updated passport to fly out of the country and, more importantly, to get back in. Make sure your passport is up to date!

Global Entry

This is not required, however, it will save you A TON of time going through security as well as customs. If you have Global Entry, you automatically have TSA pre-check. This, in my opinion, is a necessity in life if you like to travel a lot. Entering the United States on our way back was a breeze using Global Entry. We left a LONG line behind us! It made me question why I didn’t apply for Global Entry sooner. You can create an account and apply for Global Entry here. Travel tip: If you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card, the $100 application fee is covered!

Simple Clothes

I’m always one for sequin and suede, however, Ambergris Caye Island is not a place to be flashy. Think very, very simple beach clothing and nothing too tight (not the best place for a glamorous Instagram photoshoot). The local women mostly wear jeans and jean shorts with solid-colored tees and tank tops.

Money

Credit cards are accepted on the island, however, US cash goes a long way. The locals offered better discounts if you paid in cash, and some businesses advertising credit cards did not have a machine to run them. There are lots of ATMs in the area, so you can easily take out cash while there. I would have a little cash at all times to be safe! $2 US is $1 Belize, so the US dollar goes a long way. This makes Belize an affordable place to travel!

How to get to Ambergris Caye from Belize City Airport

ambergris caye travel guide

To get to Ambergris Caye you first have to fly into Belize City. From there you can either take a 3-hour ferry to Ambergris Caye OR you can take a 15-minute flight on a small plane. The small plane costs more than the ferry, but the plane is much faster and only holds about 8 people. Basically, what is your time worth? We paid about $160 roundtrip for the small plane. There are two main companies: Mayan Air and Tropic Air. Either one can be taken from the airport in Belize airport. The small plane gave gorgeous views – it was breathtaking!

Where to Stay on Ambergris Caye

where to stay in ambergris caye

There are many hotels on the island, however, we decided to stay in an Airbnb apartment. I’m sure it was the only Airbnb on the island – and all the locals knew it. The Airbnb was located on Front Street, which is officially marked on a map as Barrier Reef Drive. The decision to stay in an Airbnb was made after doing some research on hotels. A lot of them had reviews of robberies from hotel rooms! This is obviously not always the case, we just decided that we would feel safer in an Airbnb. We stayed at this two-bedroom apartment, which had great reviews and was right in downtown San Pedro. It was perfect because we were walking distance of all of the restaurants and water activities! We utilized our kitchen by shopping at the nearby grocery store (SuperBuy) and saving money on eating out.

belize independence day
Locals celebrating Belize Independence Day on the streets!

We unknowingly booked our trip during the weekend of Belize Independence Day (September 21). Because of this, we witnessed all of the parades and celebrations from our apartment balcony! What a party. If staying in downtown San Pedro, it is super noisy at night from the nearby bars and clubs. Noisy as if the music was in your living room. We personally didn’t mind this and were able to sleep fine, but if you are a light sleeper I recommend staying further from the downtown area or investing in some earplugs.

What To Do on Ambergris Caye

Scuba/Snorkel

Ambergris Caye is known for having some of the best scuba and snorkeling spots in the world.  If you’re into scuba diving, The Blue Hole is a must. For snorkeling, I highly recommend doing a tour of both the Hol Chan Reserve and Shark Ray Alley. We did both and it was downright amazing and the highlight of our trip. The other two people who were supposed to be on our boat never showed up, so we got a private tour for the price of a group!

Snorkel the Hol Chan Reserve

san pedro ambergris caye
shark ray alley ambergris caye belize

The Hol Chan Reserve takes you right into the action of the Barrier Reef. Shark Ray Alley was personally my favorite out of the two. This area is full of nurse sharks who know they are going to get food when they hear the tour boats. Because of this they “swarm” the boat. Once they are done eating, you can then jump in the water and snorkel. Not only are you swimming among 3-6 foot nurse sharks – don’t worry, they only suck on you if you stick your fingers in front of their mouth – but also among huge, beautiful STINGRAY! I have never seen stingrays up close like that and they are absolutely beautiful. They are now one of my favorite animals and should really have their own emoji.

snorkeling ambergris caye belize

Finding a place that offers a snorkel or scuba tour is easy, there is no need to book before you go. There are multiple along the beach and the locals (plus Google Maps) can help point you in the right direction. You do usually need to book one day before going, however, rather than the day of the desired time.

Secret Beach

secret beach ambergris caye belize

This is the only actual beach on the island where you can go in freely right from the sand. The other “beach” parts usually have barriers or a bunch of seaweed right at shore. Secret Beach is about a 30-minute ride from San Pedro and you can get there by golf cart (this is how people get around the island). It was pretty easy to get there, but I did use Google Maps on my phone. Secret Beach was so much fun and was a great whole-day trip.

Maruba Beach Klub

maruba beach klub ambergris caye nachos

There are two main bars here, Maruba Beach Klub and Pirate’s Not-So-Secret Beach Bar. We spent most of our time at Maruba Beach Klub. It had a great vibe and wasn’t too crowded! They also had really good food & drinks that were brought in pretty presentations.

Maruba’s Viper Challenge

Maruba has a signature rum shot called The Viper Challenge. The rum is stored in a bottle with an actual snake in it 😳🐍. The challenge consists of sticking your finger in the rum, a member of staff lighting your finger on fire (don’t worry it’s only for a second if you’re smart), licking of bunch of sugar off a piece of pineapple, taking the shot of rum, then eating the pineapple. It wasn’t too bad and was a lot of fun to do. Plus, you get to put your name on the bar wall if you do it! Everyone around joined in to cheer and watch, so it was a great time.

secret beach ambergris caye belize

The water at Secret Beach was the clearest I have ever seen. I used a waterproof pouch to take my phone out with me and was able to get pictures of us in the water!

Eat

Because we went during Independence Day weekend and tourist low season, a lot of popular Ambergris Caye restaurants were actually closed on holiday. Belize only got its Independence about 30 some years ago, so it is a huge deal and most places give their employees 3-6 weeks off for it. This was a little disappointing as I love to check out the recommended restaurants in an area, however, it ended up working out because all of the beachside restaurants were still open.

Drink at Palapa Bar and Grill

belikin beer belize

We spent the majority of our meals and swim time out at Palapa Bar and Grill. I really liked this bar because they are right over the water and have their own swimming/layout area attached! Their nachos and specialty drinks are also bomb 👌🏼 Some other places to check out to eat include Sandy Toes, Wayo’s, Fido’s, and Caliente Restaurant. There was a pretty good place right by Jaguar’s bar that is open on the weekend for brunch that we went to (forgot the name). They had amazing fried puffs of dough (also forgot what they were called). Restaurants that were closed while we were there, but recommended to check out if open, include The Truck Stop, Elvi’s Restaurant, and Wild Mangos. Belikin is the official beer of Belize and is basically the only beer offered at most places!

Relax

You’re on an ISLAND. Don’t try to pack your days too much. The island is there for you to leisurely enjoy some much-needed time off.

Would I Go Back?

ambergris caye street

Ambergris Caye was absolutely beautiful. However, I do not recommend it as a solo or girls group travel location. About 43% of Belize’s population lives in poverty. Just being an American will make you stick out like a sore thumb.

Have you been to Ambergris Caye? What was your favorite part? Make sure to save the below pin for later!

Filed Under: Travel, Travel Guides Tagged With: ambergris caye, belize, Travel, travel guide

How To Spend 48 Hours In Charleston, SC

August 10, 2018

how to spend 48 hours in charleston travel guide

Charleston, South Carolina has been on my travel list for awhile now, and luckily I was able to visit this past weekend with one of my girlfriends. We ate all the biscuits & gravy our stomachs could handle, shopped at local boutiques, and explored downtown Charleston’s nightlife. Read below for where to eat, walk around and experience nightlife during your girls trip!

Walk Down Rainbow Row

rainbow row charleston

This is probably the most Instagramable tourist spot in Charleston, however the city has multiple known, and not so known, spots to grab a great pic. Rainbow Row consists of 13 colorful houses aligned from 83 to 107 East Bay Street. Rainbow Row is also a close walk to another popular attraction, The Pineapple Fountain, as well as restaurants and shops – making it easy to explore multiple parts of downtown!

Outfit – Top: Amazon Prime // Skirt: Red Dress Boutique // Sandals: Steve Madden // Handbag: Red Dress Boutique

Dine at Magnolias

magnolias charleston dinner

It was very apparent during my trip that pimento cheese is a staple ingredient of most Charleston dishes. Now imagine this gooey cheese on top of the perfect piece of filet beef. Are you hungry yet? Magnolias – an upscale Southern restaurant – sits on East Bay St. with a pastel pink exterior and amazing food. Honestly, sponsored aside, our dinner at Magnolias was one of the best dinners I have ever had. I’m not even exaggerating. We started our meal with a cocktail toast and appetizers. If you like your drink to be on the sweeter side, I recommend the Flirtini (it’s also pink & cute). Our two appetizers consisted of trying the fried green tomatoes and spicy mustard deviled eggs. It was my first time trying fried green tomatoes, and the pairing with white cheddar grits, country ham, caramelized onion chutney, and tomato butter did not disappoint. I thought my expectations had been exceeded with the appetizers and house bread, then came the main course. The most perfect grilled filet of beef topped with melted pimento cheese (drool) paired with asparagus, herb potato cake, grilled Roma tomatoes and a Madeira demi-glaze. The filet was a pretty big size and if I had more room in my stomach I would have finished the whole thing. While my food stomach was full, my dessert stomach was dying for some Southern pecan pie.

Disclaimer: dinner at Magnolias was part of a sponsored collaboration, however all opinions are my own!

Outfit – Dress: House of Sage (located in Charleston!) // Sandals: Steve Madden

Visit The Mills House Hotel’s Courtyard

the mills house hotel courtyard

Whether you are staying in another hotel or in an Airbnb, visiting the 1st floor courtyard of The Mills House Hotel is a must for a quick pic. The outdoor area features small tables to sit, a grand water fountain and the perfectly pink backdrop of the hotel. While we stayed at an Airbnb this trip, my top pick for a hotel would be here for sure! The hotel also has a pretty cute outdoor pool and restaurant.

Outfit – Top: Amazon Prime // Skirt: Red Dress Boutique // Sandals: Steve Madden // Handbag: Red Dress Boutique

Brunch on Poogan’s Porch’s Balcony

poogan's porch brunch

Poogan’s Porch – Charleston’s oldest independent culinary establishment – is a cute, quaint restaurant located in downtown Charleston. Featuring indoor seating, an outdoor porch and a second floor balcony, it is defiantly a unique dining experience to try out during your trip. We had the pleasure of being seated on the second floor balcony (highly recommend this seating if possible!). Since brunch wouldn’t be brunch without a little booze, we started our meal with two Zoe’s Iced Coffee (Van Gough Espresso Vodka, Bailey’s, Kahlua, and King Bean Blended Coffee). Next – and my favorite food item out of the whole meal – was the restaurant’s famous Pimento Cheese Fritters (served with green tomato jam). I’m still thinking about these, they were that good! Defiantly recommend if you’re dining in. Offered to each table are also complimentary biscuits and butter, which were crumbly and soft. Topping off our meal with an order of Biscuits & Gravy and Pulled Pork Benedict, we left super full and satisfied.

Disclaimer: brunch at Poogan’s Porch was part of a sponsored collaboration, however all opinions are my own!

Outfit – Top: Amazon Prime // Skirt: Red Dress Boutique // Sandals: Steve Madden // Handbag: Red Dress Boutique

Stay In An Airbnb

charleston airbnb tiny house

I wish we could have stayed in many of the amazing Charleston hotels, however mama’s got a budget to fit in all of these trips. We decided to do an Airbnb as there are a lot of affordable Airbnb’s a close drive from downtown Charleston. Our Airbnb was A TINY HOUSE *cute heart eyes*. Nestled in the backyard of its parent house, this quaint cottage was decorated in white and teal decor.

Although the house was really cute, we quickly realized it was a tiny house in a woodsy backyard area. We had to buy bug spray for lots of mosquito bites (I ended up with 30+ on my legs), ask for blinds for the windows to have some privacy and deal with camper-style bathroom facilities. So, while it was on the cheaper end, we had to suffer some common luxuries with the cost cut (just an fyi). For this reason I would stay in an Airbnb again if visiting Charleston, just one with normal plumbing inside an actual house.

Lunch at Hominy Grill

hominy grill charleston lunch biscuits and gravy

Hands down the best biscuits and gravy were had here. Hominy Grill is perfect for lunch on a lazy afternoon. They don’t take reservations so depending what time you get there you might have to wait a bit (we went around 1pm on a Friday and waited 20 minutes. If you do have to wait, there’s an outside window bar for drinks to pass the time. After trying the regular cheese grits, fried cheese grits, mac and cheese, regular biscuit and biscuits & gravy, my favorites were the regular cheese grits and biscuits & gravy!

The Pour House

pour house charleston

Our Airbnb was conveniently right by The Pour House, a popular music venue that also serves as a restaurant (called The Lot) and host to a Sunday Market. While we didn’t get a chance to check out the musical acts at night (on my list for next time), we did have Sunday brunch and walk through the back of the establishment’s Sunday Market featuring local art & food vendors.

Kings St.

This is the place to go if you want nightlife. There are many bars along Kings St., offering a variety of aesthetic and drinks. If you want fun dancing (think 90s throw backs, latin and top pop), I highly recommend Uptown Social. I had the most fun here dancing and singing the night away – I even helped start a limbo train, twice. Also, across the street from Uptown Social was a Booze Pop truck for those wanting to keep the fun going after the bars closed. I’m not sure if this is always located in that spot, however it is a sweet treat if you do find it. Republic Garden and Lounge has a nice outdoor patio to dine before it turns into a dancing club around 10:30pm (they have a $5 cover charge). Stars Rooftop and The Commodore are also hot spots.

Other Places to Go In Charleston That I Recommend (& Currently Saving For Next Time)

  • Callie’s Little Hot Biscuits
  • Magnolia Plantation
  • Folly Beach
  • Pineapple Fountain
  • Battery Park
  • Cru Café
  • Eleve Rooftop
  • The Gin Joint
  • Butcher & Bee
  • The Park Café
  • Sugar Bakeshop

Other Things To Know About Charleston

  • During the hurricane season the mosquitos are ruthless. I unfortunately know this from huge welt bites on my legs.
  • Charleston is a prominent known ghost town – they offer tours if you’re interested!
  • A lot of the nearby “island” towns are only a 10-15 minute Uber to downtown. We stayed in James Island and were a 12 minute ride.
  • You can see many iconic places from The Notebook in Charleston, like The American Theatre and Boone Plantation.
  • It rains a lot in Charleston. The good thing, though, is that most of the time you can wait it out 20 minutes and it’ll be done.
  • Charleston offers great beaches if you have the time to check them out! I recommend Folly Beach and Sullivan’s Island.

Have Charleston recommendations? Leave them in the comments! Like this content? Feel free to Pin the images above & below!

  • where to eat in charleston
  • where to find rainbow row charleston

Filed Under: Travel Guides Tagged With: charleston, Travel, travel guide

The Best Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona for a Girl’s Trip

July 2, 2018

scottsdale arizona girls trip travel guide

This year I have had one major travel bug, especially towards girls trips. Sometimes after all the bar hopping and sightseeing you need a vacay from your vacay. Scottsdale, Arizona is the perfect place to relax – without breaking bank – while still being able to explore a new travel destination.

where-to-stay-arizona-girls-trip
The best resort to stay at for an Arizona girls trip!

The Scottsdale Plaza Resort offered a desert oasis among tranquil surroundings. From gorgeous views of Camelback and Mummy Mountain to poolside cocktails, it was the perfect spot for rejuvenation (and photo shoots!).  Located in Paradise Valley, the resort provided just that – paradise. I loved the Spanish-inspired architecture and cactus-filled grounds as it portrayed what I imagined Arizona to look and feel like.

scottsdale plaza resort arizona girls trip

Although the hotel features a luxurious spa, tennis court and golf course, the best part – in my opinion – was the pool. Swimmers and sun tanners ranged in age from young kids to those retired, however the vibe of the pool deck was the perfect mix of relaxation and pool party. The tunes, especially, were on point (I’m talking the best summer dance mix I’ve ever heard).

scottsdale plaza resort arizona pool

Aside from the best summer playlist and full-exposure to Arizona’s sun, the main pool also has a stocked bar. Cafe Cabana offered frozen cocktails, quesadillas, tacos, salads and more, all to have poolside while catching some rays. Who doesn’t want to relax with a Pina Colada in hand?

scottsdale arizona girls trip

If you love to take pictures and do photo shoots like I do, Scottsdale Plaza Resort’s pool is perfect for a photo op. We woke up early to get to the pool before other guests and had a good 45 minutes to snap some Instagram-worthy shots. Great content opportunities for bloggers!

scottsdale arizona girls trip pool

The resort features two sit-down restaurants on-site with one – Garden Court – conveniently located outside by the pool (as well as inside). We took advantage of this location a few mornings during our stay to have breakfast before hitting the pool right after. I recommend having the JD Favorite – two eggs your way with roasted potatoes, buttermilk biscuit or toast, and choice of sausage, bacon or house-made corned beef.

sugar bowl scottsdale arizona

Scottsdale Plaza Resort is conveniently located a quick Uber ride from Old Town Scottsdale, a quaint little town with a Southwestern vibe. From old west cowboy decor to authentic cacti along the sidewalks, exploring the area accentuated the desert lifestyle.  If you’re in the area, make sure to grab a sweet treat at Sugar Bowl!

the scottsdale plaza resort

I highly recommend Scottsdale Plaza Resort and personally plan to stay again. Check out the resort’s current deals & packages here to make your stay even more great!

Filed Under: Travel, Travel Guides Tagged With: arizona, girls trip, scottsdale plaza resort, Travel, travel guide

City Guide: Miami

April 8, 2018

girls trip miami beach travel guide

If you’re looking for the best girls trip destination in a warm climate, look no further than Miami. From nonstop nightlife to amazing food, Miami has a little bit of everything to offer wanderlust junkies and Spring Break dwellers.

Miami City Guide

I had been wanting to go to Miami for quite some time now, eager to see what the hype was all about. After visiting for the first time a few weeks ago with a couple of girlfriends from work, I not only loved the area, but already wanting to plan a trip back. South Beach – the “Vegas Strip” of Miami Beach – offered a great location close to the best beaches and nightlife, Little Havana highlighted salsa dancing and live Latin music, Brickell – the “downtown” local hangout – catered a familiar city feel to back home, and Wynwood – Miami’s art district – gave a glimpse into Miami’s local art scene (not to mention the best Instagramable wall murals). Read below for my Miami City Guide!

Wynwood

wynwood-walls-girls-trip-miami

Dress: Express // Necklace: 6th Borough Boutique // Handbag: H&M // Sandals: Steve Madden

The Wynwood area is jam packed with colorful murals and artistic flavor. Each block features one-of-a-kind wall art creating the perfect – and Instagram worthy – backdrop for a photo op. Above are just a sliver of my favorite walls that were found along the streets, however the Wynwood area also has a designated Wynwood Walls outdoor museum showcasing urban graffiti for viewers to admire. What makes Wynwood special, aside from the murals, were the local art vendors along the sidewalk and gallery stores. I got the most beautiful copper ring from a vendor called Daddy Daughter Jewelry – shop their items here!

El Patio

Hands down the best place to dance.  Held outside on a – well, patio – party goers shake their hips to a mix of Latin/Pop remixes. El Patio is unique in the sense that you pay a $30 cover fee (bring cash!), which is then given back to you in “tickets” to use at the bar. I honestly felt like we were playing Monopoly as the tickets looked like play money. Each drink was about 2 tickets! We went on a Sunday night and it was crowded back-to-back with nonstop dancing and good times. I could only imagine how much fun a Saturday night would be!

Nikki Beach Miami

Forget the prestigious pool parties and head to Nikki Beach Miami, a chic beach club on the tip of South Beach. All you need to get in is your ID, swim suit, and good attitude. Featuring cabana beds, bars, and beach access, Nikki Beach Miami offers the perfect bougie spot to have a drink and mingle while showing off your new bikini. The cabana beds range from $350-$750, however there are many other areas to hangout while sitting or standing. Make sure to take a pic in front of their notorious tee-pee!

Bodega South Beach

Ever been to a hidden speakeasy? What looks like a small, casual taco joint on the outside is actually concealing a swank bar, featuring velvet seating and pricey cocktails. While grabbing $3 tacos from Bodega’s exterior, we noticed people opening a not-in-use porter potty door adorned with stickers, attached to a corner wall. After confirming this was indeed not a bathroom, we followed in to find the hidden bar (and cool wall sign).

American Social Brickell

Sip on your cocktail underneath the palm trees! American Social, a sports bar located in downtown Miami’s Brickell neighborhood, offers food, drinks, and classic waterfront scenery.

Havana 1957

Enjoy traditional Cuban food with the backdrop of Ocean Drive at Havana 1957. 10 flavors of mojitos to choose from + Ropa Vieja had me in heaven. The Cuban Combo appetizer plate was perfect to split, which I highly recommend to get a quick taste of different dishes – ham croquettes, bite size pork, plantain chips, fried yuca, potato balls stuffed with pork and tamal seasoned pork. Needless to say, we left in a food coma.

Gramps Wynwood

gramps wynwood drinks

The place is just as fun as the name. Gramps, a tropical bar in Wynwood, features fun cocktails, colorful seating and a stage for live entertainment. We came upon the joint after checking out the Wynwood Walls (Gramps is a very close walk from this) and were luckily able to take advantage of their weekday Happy Hour deal. 50% off all drinks? Yes, please! We didn’t have time to stay for the stage entertainment, however Gramps has everything from live music to Bingo!

gramps miami wynwood

Ball & Chain

Welcome to Little Havana! Ball & Chain, an iconic bar featuring delicious Cuban food and live Latin music, is a must-stop place to go at night. While waiting for our tapas, we partook in a free salsa dancing class hosted right in front of our booth! As for the food, come with a empty stomach. The plates may be small, but there are multiple dishes to choose from to share with the table. My favorite was the Churrasco sliders paired with my Pina Basil Margarita!

Morgan’s Restaurant

Southern charm meets tropical chic at Morgan’s Restaurant. Located in Wynwood (can you tell I really liked the Wynwood area?), the dining establishment was by far one of the cuter brunch spots in Miami due to it’s lush greenery. The drinks come in mason jars! The food was delicious and the plates were large enough to split. I recommend the Eggs Benedict Traditional with their famous hashed spuds!

Need-To-Know Tips for Visiting Miami

  • You NEED either a promoter’s hook-up or a table bought to get into any pool party – the pool parties are very exclusive (and expensive)
  • Utilize promoters to gain free – yes completely free – VIP access to clubs. Promoters will often come up and talk to you while laying out at the beach or will post a comment on your Insta pic to DM them about deals. Warning: Many promoters are salesy, but it’s worth having a contact for the express entry and complimentary drinks!
  • Some bars have a $20-$30 cover charge. Bring cash!
  • Spanish is spoken just as much as English.
  • Not all of the hot-spots are along the beach (or Ocean Drive). Miami is spread out through a variety of neighborhoods, all offering their own unique flare worth checking out.

Filed Under: Travel, Travel Guides Tagged With: girls trip, miami, Travel, travel guide

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About Alyssa

Alyssa is a lifestyle writer living in downtown Chicago. Her blog, Sweating Champagne, focuses on local events & festivals, mental health awareness, travel guides, and style. She loves urban living, personality quizzes (ISTP!), reading fantasy novels, listening to music, and hanging out her two cats.

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