Hungry for Adventurez

 The Apostle Islands National Lake Shore is a fantastic travel destination for almost anyone, from families with children to the most adventurous explorers, foodies, and beach bums. Here is a breakdown of some of the most popular activities in the Bayfield Penisula in northern Wisconsin. I will break down these activities into summer and winter seasons, so you can navigate to the more appropriate list based on when you will be traveling.  This article is a follow-up to my last post about where to stay while visiting Apostle Islands National Lake Shore. While that article is not exclusively for campers, I made sure to summaries all the amenities that would be most important for car camping folks to figure out where to stay.  NOTE: Due to changes in staffing and funding in 2025, please check with any NPS or National Forest sites you plan on visiting to confirm that campgrounds and amenities are still open. Summer in and around Apostle Islands Hiking The Bayfield Peninsula ...

I love supporting local small businesses as much as possible, but sometimes during a trip, your wallet just needs a break. This is doubly true if you have a whole family to entertain! Here are 10 free activities you can do in the Des Moines metro area, sorted by type.  If you want more information on free or low-budget activities in Iowa, check out my article about Waterloo-Cedar Falls and Dubuque .  Free Markets in Des Moines Des Moines Downtown Farmers Market The Des Moines Downtown Farmers Market is truly a gem! Experience city blocks of food and art vendors, live music, and good old Saturday morning fun! The best part, is you don't have to buy anything to enjoy the vibes.  Learn more here .  Live Music and Farmers Market in Valley Junction Not in town on a Saturday? No problem! The Neighborhood of Valley Junction, west of downtown Des Moines, has a bustling Thursday market on summer evenings, featuring a rotating selection of live music of all genres.  ...

The Thirsty Voyager in Awa at Lost Island, home of cocktails and noodles bowls I love Lost Island, and I also love food. Every time I have visited Lost Island this season (2023) , I have made sure to try new unique food item. We have found the food to be better than at other small themeparks. I made sure to focus on menu items that were invented for the park, or are made scratch in the park. Thus, anything pre-packaged, like pickle bites, Thelma's ice cream sandwiches, and Uncrustables won’t be discussed here. (You can get these, and many other kid favorites, at most dining locations in Lost Island.) It is important to note that I haven’t eaten everything yet. If I try something new before the end of the season that is so good (or bad) that it warrants adding to this post, I will be sure to add a note.  Lost Island Dining Locations and Menus  Eating in Mura Kotaki Treats Let's do dessert first! Mura has only one dining location, in a very convenient location on the way towards...

Due to price hikes the last few years, even the cheapest Disney resort vacation is now out of reach for a lot of households. Depending on what kind of deals and hotel you get, a family of 4 could fly to Europe for the same price as staying at an on property Disney world resort. Disney has also removed discounts in the last 3 years. As a theme park lover myself, I understand why people go anyway. Disney provides a special, uncompilable experience. However, it isn’t really a realistic destination for me to plan for anymore. Let's take a serious look at what makes Disney so appealing, so that few can find the best alternatives at an even better price. For the purposes of this article, I will specifically be using Disney World, Florida to give examples of prices and amenities.  Why Does Even the Cheapest Disney Resort Vacation Have “Disney Magic”?  Attention to Detail and Exceptional service It seems that no matter how expensive hotels and tickets get, some people are still willin...

During the winter, I wrote down my predictions on what might change at Lost Island Theme Park , as they aim to make a more competitive experience. A lot of my predictions came true, such as character interactions and improved foliage. In this article, I break down some of the biggest changes in 2023.  Background on Lost Island Theme Park Lost Island Theme Park is a project run by the Bertch family, who also own Lost island Waterpark in Waterloo, Iowa. The park opened in 2022, and while offering some great rides and experiences, hasn’t had great crowds yet. The Park is themed around the balance of the four elements of earth, air, fire, and water, as well as the fifth element of spirit. Each element has its own “land” with a unique story related to keeping the balance.  New Rides At Lost Island Theme Park Two new rides have opened up! Honestly, I think these might be my favorite. New Launch Coaster First we have Matugani, a short but very fast launch coaster. This thing gets so...