Category: Travel

Niagara Falls Attractions: Is a Clifton Hill Fun Pass Worth it?

Karyn Locke
Clifton Hill Fun Pass: The niagara Skywheel and a view of the Canadian (Horseshoe) Falls.

I’ve been visiting Niagara Falls, Canada for as long as I can remember. And, since I can remember, it was always Clifton Hill that I wanted to spend my time. I’m also well aware of how much the attractions cost and I plan for it accordingly. But, can you actually get your money’s worth when visiting Clifton Hill? Here’s the scoop on the Clifton Hill Fun Pass, what’s included, and if it’s worth it. Clifton Hill Fun Pass: What’s Included? On a recent visit, six attractions were included in the…

6 Reasons to Love the Dublin, Ohio St. Patrick’s Day Celebration

Karyn Locke
Slainte! Here's five reasons why we love the Dublin, Ohio St. Patrick's Day Celebration.

Have you heard of Dublin, Ohio? About 20 minutes northwest of Columbus, Ohio, the city revels in its Irish roots. For St. Patrick’s Day, the revelry is even more amped up. We headed to the city to check out what goes on and what’s new in town and it turns out here’s a whole lot. From food to a fun boozy trail, here are six reasons to love the Dublin, Ohio St. Patrick’s Day Celebration. Yes, we did visit Dublin, Ohio, a couple of years ago. Yes, it was a…

Pro Football Hall of Fame Insider’s Tour: Worth it or Not?

Karyn Locke
Pro Football Hall of Fame Insider's Tour Outside logo

If you’re a passionate football fan, a visit to the Pro Football Hall of Fame is a must. Honestly, with the changing displays it’s worth visiting more than once. But what if you really want to dig in to the Hall? Is a Pro Football Hall of Fame Insider’s Tour worth it or not? Here’s the scoop on Hall of Fame tours, cost, and what you can expect to help you decide. Last weekend, I drove my family to Canton, Ohio, to check out the Pro Football Hall of Fame.…

Are TripAdvisor Tour and Attraction Tickets Worth it?

Karyn Locke
Booking tours and attraction with TripAdvisor: Worth it or not? Hard Rock Cafe Pittsburgh

TripAdvisor is undoubtedly one of the first and foremost websites for finding out exactly what travelers think. Most are happy to give their honest opinion. The others? They’re elated to do so. But did you know that TripAdvisor now offers tours and ticket packages in addition to honest reviews? Yeah, neither did I until recently. So, what’s it like to book one? And furthermore, are TripAdvisor tour and attraction tickets worth it? Here’s the scoop. Disclosure: I was given a complimentary promo code to book a tour with TripAdvisor. All…

Why You’ll Want to Visit Phipps’ Tropical Forest Cuba with Kids

Karyn Locke
Phipps Tropical Forest Cuba: Why you need to take the kids

When you visit Pittsburgh, or are a native Pittsburgher, you know that Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens always make the short list for must-see hot spots. And, whether it’s in early winter for its Winter Flower Show and Light Garden or summer to walk through the outdoor gardens, there’s always something new. This winter, Phipps has unveiled a brand new exhibit, Tropical Forest Cuba and kids will love more than the tropical climate. Here’s why you’ll want to visit Phipps’ Tropical Forest Cuba with kids in tow. 1. Learning About Cuba…

Midwest Spring Break Daycation Ideas for Families

Karyn Locke
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio: Midwest daycation ideas

For my family, spring break is the perfect time to relax and take a break from the yearly school madness. Heck, Mr. Locke works for a public school so it goes for him as well. And, most spring breaks entail us simply hanging out around the house or taking day trips so we can get back home at the end of the day. So, I hit up my travel-writing friends for the scoop on their fave Midwestern day trips spots and got some amazing places to venture to. Whether you’re…

BroadwayCon 2018 Highlights: In the Heights Reunion to Opening Ceremony

Karyn Locke
BroadwayCon 2018 Souvenir book

I LOVE Broadway plays and musicals. As in, I still have my Barbra Streisand “The Broadway Album” – and it’s still well-played. Mr. Locke? He likes them. So, completely winning him over was my goal for BroadwayCon 2018. This year, we made the trek from Pittsburgh, PA, to Manhattan to check out what makes BroadwayCon such a fun event. I came back with tales of bliss and Mr. Locke came home with an true appreciation of the fandom that surrounds Broadway. From my favorite picture of Lin-Manuel Miranda to fan…

Is Castaway Bay Water Park Fun for Teens? 5 Reasons We Say Yes

Karyn Locke
Is Castaway Bay Water Park Fun for Teens? Here's five reasons why we say yes.

If you think your teenager may have outgrown visiting water parks, think again. A recent visit to Castaway Bay Water Park in Sandusky, Ohio this frigid January was not only a respite from the cold, it was time well spent with my teenage daughter. Is Castaway Bay Water Park Fun for Teens? From the food to the classic arcade, here’s five reasons why we say yes. Castaway Bay Water Park is one of those spots in Sandusky, Ohio, that is a really good four-season resort. A Cedar Point property, the…

6 Ways to Celebrate a Traditional Christmas at Omni Bedford Springs Resort

Karyn Locke
During the Grand Illumination Ceremony at Omni Bedford Springs Resort, this "little" beauty is lit for the first time each holiday season.

I’ve written several times about how utterly amazing Omni Bedford Springs Resort is. I’ve talked about how it’s one of our fave places on this side of the country, how it’s perfect for both families and couples, and even how amazing the food is. But, we’ve never had a chance to celebrate our anniversary there – until now. It was an obvious choice for this time of year compliments of its traditional holiday decorations and decked out halls – literally. So, in honor of our 11th wedding anniversary, we hit…

9 Jolly-Good Reasons to Visit the Santa Claus, IN Christmas Celebration

Karyn Locke
Santa Claus Museum Historic Statue

I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Santa Claus, Indiana, during the heat of summer and it was a blast. There’s something to be written about a city that prides itself by offering visitors a year-round Christmas experience. Then, of course, there’s Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari, its huge summer draw. But, what goes on when it’s time for the winter holidays? In one word: plenty. Here’s nine jolly good reasons why you need to check out the Santa Claus, IN Christmas Celebration this holiday season. There’s plenty of cities that…