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Kid-Friendly Attractions in Albuquerque, New Mexico

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Whether you’re looking for some activities to do outdoors or want to spend quality time inside, there are spectacular places in Albuquerque, New Mexico to spend time with the kids. Kid-friendly activities such as looking at hot-air balloons, visiting the aquarium, and walking through botanical gardens are just a few of the options.

In this piece, we have listed some things to do in Albuquerque where you can take your kids to have a fun and exciting experience while when you’re paying a visit to New Mexico.

1. ABQ BioPark Zoo

Situated next to the Rio Grande, ABQ BioPark Zoo is 64-acre Zoo which has been providing guests close encounters with exotic and native animals since 1927. The place is home to more than 200 animal species, such as camel, koala, lion, among others.

Children will surely be thrilled by the Rio Grande Garden’s Fantasy Garden as they can enjoy the wonderful sights of seed packets and bees, and a pumpkin which is as large as a house. The Butterfly Pavilion is also another attraction which is open from late May through September. The many varied gardens provide cool shade, a model railroad, a pond, and various seasonal flower displays. The ABQ BioPark Zoo is just a perfect getaway for your kids as it also right next to another great attraction – the Albuquerque Aquarium.

2. Albuquerque Aquarium

Albuquerque Aquarium showcases the aquatic life of the Rio Grande and the ocean it feeds into. Thanks to the location of Albuquerque, the aquarium’s exhibits highlight the river’s life-long journey. At the aquarium, your family can surely enjoy observing stingrays at close range, meet barracudas and watch bamboo sharks.

The aquarium has both fresh and saltwater tanks so your kids will surely be amazed by the turtles, sharks and lobsters in the deep ocean tank. They will also see luminous jellyfish, an eel tunnel where eels slither overhead and a shrimp boat.

Upon entering the attraction, travelers will easily mesmerized by the charm of the river through a series of small aquarium tanks, showcasing the fishes and other species of the Rio Grande. Right next to it is a mini-movie theatre which plays a brief educational video for the visitor about the life of the river. Outside the cinema, visitors will be surprised by the open-top tank which is patrolled by stingrays, while a shrimp boat lies run-aground in the background.

3. Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum

Situated at 9201 Balloon Museum Drive NE in Albuquerque, the Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum attracts infinite curious travelers annually to witness their extraordinary exhibits with their own eyes. Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum has been educating the community about everything in the realm of hot air ballooning for more than a hundred years. It also features a step-in balloon basket where kids can enjoy a virtual ride in a balloon gondola.

If you are thinking of ways to give your children extraordinary yet educational experience, take them to Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum as they can learn a lot about the history of a hot air balloon, barnstorming and the famous International Balloon Fiesta held in Albuquerque every fall while having so much fun at the same time!

4. Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

If you are looking for something educational and cultural, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center will you a multifaceted introduction to Pueblo culture. Established in 1976, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center was created as a way to portray the art, traditions, and foods of Pueblo People while providing assistance and resources to local tribes.

The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center showcases the world of nineteen Indian Pueblos, with museum exhibits that take visitors back through time. The center also houses crafts and arts on display, drumming, rotating art exhibits, and a whole variety of dances. If you are planning on visiting the center, try to inquire ahead if there will be bread baking demonstrations in the traditional oven. The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is near downtown Albuquerque and other local tourist attractions.

5. The New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science

Albuquerque offers a myriad of fun activities for kids that can give them an unforgettable experience. One activity you should consider doing while you are here is visiting an Albuquerque museum. You would not want to miss the varied selections of dinosaurs of the New Mexico Museum of Natural History – from one brontosaurus on the second floor to the one flying overhead in the atrium – your whole family will certainly enjoy the museum.

The New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science also has prehistoric dinosaurs that roam around the halls; computer exhibits are also available where your kids can create their own videos while an exhibit is also available on the exploration of outer space.

Endless events are hosted by the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science that are designed to entertain and engage the local and foreign community alike. You may want to enjoy workshops and classes that deal with comprehensive topics, such as dinosaurs, astronomy, insects, and a whole lot more. The museum also hosts seasonal events to observe holidays as well.

If you consider going to the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, it is important to look at their calendar so you can get a quick overview of what’s on their latest upcoming activities. Museum tours are available weekly so you can enjoy an informative yet meaningful experience by viewing all the unbelievable exhibits displayed here!

6. Sandia Peak Tramway

It is one of Albuquerque’s unique attractions to make your New Mexico trip more exciting and fun! The Sandia Peak Tramway is a must-see attraction as it will take you on the ride to get a bird’s eye view of the spectacular side of Albuquerque! This 2.7-mile journey in a tram car is fun by itself but the main part is once you reach the top as you can see the whole city from 10,378 feet.

If you are planning on taking a ride on Sandia Peak Tramway, do not miss to spend some time on the observation deck looking at Albuquerque down below. You may also want to consider dropping by the Sandia Ranger Station where you can get maps to help you unravel the beautiful trails and animals that live at such high altitudes. If you want to have a more memorable experience, see the ski museum at the base of the tram or take a hike for more adventure!

Planning the perfect vacation: A guide

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Source: Unsplash | Connally Morris

Planning a vacation has never been easier, especially due to the range of technology and online resources that you have at your disposal. However, do you know where to start planning?

Your first priority should always be to think about what your travel budget is. After all, even if you only go somewhere for a day or two, you will still need to book a place to stay, pay for gas or pay for public transport.

You need to think about where you want to go in the first place, and when you can realistically take time off. The considerations above, among others, will be outlined below.

Your budget

The most crucial component of your travel budget is how realistic it is. You no doubt have other payments and responsibilities that you need to account for too..

That being said, you can still cut back on additional costs for items that you want but never genuinely need. Doing so will help you save money faster for your future travels.

Think about the destination

Choosing the best possible travel destination is often one of the hardest parts. When you take a look at a map, the sky is the limit with how many places you can visit.

However, this is another scenario where you need to be realistic about where you can or can’t go. Most importantly, what is the cost of getting to your destination, and how much money will you need per day in order to stay there for a while?

Finding the right accommodation

The next important consideration is finding your accommodation. You will most likely be spending most of your day walking in order to see as much as you possibly can, and that is why it is crucial you get a good night’s sleep.

Depending on where you are going, always book accommodation in advance. Most importantly, reserve a place where you know you will be comfortable.

No matter where you go, you will always find comfortable and luxurious hotels that fit your needs. Robin Hood’s Bay hotel in North Yorkshire, for example, is close to points of interest in North Yorkshire, and most importantly, offers exceptional facilities.

Taking time off

The next question that you will need to ask yourself is when you can take time off work.

It is equally important that your coworkers are properly prepped for your departure, particularly if you hold a higher role in the organisation. You don’t want your vacation to cause any panic or frenzy back in the office, all of which you will have to deal with when you finally return!

Now that you know how to plan your upcoming vacation, when was the last time that you went on one in the first place? If it has been too long that you can barely remember, you know that it’s time to start thinking about your next trip. After all, the sooner you start thinking about it and planning, the sooner you can start saving money for it.

South Africa – The Perfect First Timer’s African Destination

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Source: Sharon Ang on Pixabay

When it comes to African countries that people visit regularly, one of the most popular is South Africa. This country, aptly named due to its location at the very southern tip of the African continent, is one of the more popular choices for people making their first visit to the area. With a rich Dutch heritage, South Africa feels like a long, lost Dutch colony, rather than somewhere in Africa. While it does have its African influences in culture, art, music and food, it’s all combined extremely well with its European past to create the perfect jumping off point for people visiting Africa for the first time. Here’s a couple of the top things you can do in South Africa – and why you should check it out his year.

Cape Town – Table Mountain

Table Mountain is probably one of the most iconic images of Cape Town. Seen from throughout the city, the mountain is an impressive sight and can be climbed the good old fashioned way or you can take a cable car up to the top if you’re not fit enough or don’t have enough time to climb it yourself. Table Mountain offers some seriously stunning panoramic views of the surrounding area from the top, especially on days where your view is not obscured by mist. Other peaks that join Table Mountain such as Devil’s Peak and Lion’s Head can be viewed from the top of the mountain with Signal Hill, Robben Island and Table Bay also being visible from the top of Table Mountain. If you’re planning a trip to South Africa, book yourself a cheap flight to Cape Town and make sure to take in this impressive mountain and the stunning views it provides.

Wineries

We all know that one of the main things that South Africa is famous for is its wine. With numerous vineyards and wineries to be found in the vicinity of Cape Town, it’s easy to book a tour or three to really get a good feel for the life and times of South African wines. Some of the more prominent vineyards include Dieu Donne Vineyard, a beautiful expanse of land set in a valley in the Winelands, allowing truly unique and beautiful natural surroundings to accompany your wine tastings. Warwick Wine Estates is another fantastic vineyard for those who are discerning when it comes to their wines and offers a family friendly take on wine tasting with lots to entertain the kids while the parents enjoy wines in their beautiful garden areas. 

Many of the vineyards in the Winelands offer accommodation options so you don’t need to worry about driving back to the city and can extend your wine tastings well into the evening to watch the sunset behind the high mountains and rolling hills of the countryside. Without a doubt, booking wine tours while in the area is something that you simply must do. Don’t miss out on sampling some of South Africa’s finest – you won’t regret it.

Spring Flower Tours

Each spring, the hills throughout the country come alive with different types of spring flowers blooming. There are absolute carpets strewn throughout the countryside, attracting tourists and visitors from not just other parts of South Africa but from around the world. If you want to see this impressive display for yourself, be sure to remember the changes in dates with South Africa being in the southern hemisphere and as a result, the spring season starts in September. If you like hiking, consider taking one of the popular hiking trails such as the Swart Tobie Trail near the town of Koekenapp or the Sevilla Rock Art Trail in the Cedarberg, both of which have impressive floral displays in the spring. 

Kruger National Park

What’s a trip to an African nation without a safari? Most people would probably think you’re a bit funny if you go to Africa and don’t go on a safari. Luckily for you, Kruger National Park is an ideal place for safari and adventure enthusiasts who want to experience all the wonderful wildlife that Africa has to offer. Not only is Kruger National Park one of the best places in the country to go on safari, but it’s also got a huge array of different types of safari packages with safari companies that cater to budgets and tastes of all kinds. Whether you have money to burn and are looking for something extravagant or you are on a bit of a budget, Kruger National Park is the place for you.

So whether it’s your first time in Africa as a whole or you’ve travelled throughout it before, South Africa has a little something for everyone who is looking for adventure and excitement in a new, wonderful place where there’s something to experience at every turn.

Awesome Activities to Add Some fun To Your Family Vacation

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When you take the kids away on vacation it isn’t the same as when you go away with just your partner and there is a call to add something extra to the vacation. Instead of spending your days reading on the beach and enjoying some wine and good food of an evening, there is a need to include some entertainment and some adventure to the trip, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. My wife and I are very fortunate that our kids enjoy the same thing as we do, my son and I were even able to get 36 holes of golf in together during our trip to Portugal last year! There are all kinds of activities which you can chose from and here are some which we have enjoyed in the last few years.

Kayaking

Kayaking is great for the family because it is relatively simple to do and each journey will take you to see something new. We have kayaked on rivers through Costa Rica, over the Hudson River in New York and even taken the kayaks out on the sea during a trip to Australia a few years ago. Easy to get the hang of and the kids will absolutely love it, even more so when they tip over apparently!

Winter Fun

We took the kids on a skiing holiday a couple of years ago to Norway and they not only fell in love with the sport but they loved all of the snow-based activities. What the kids loved most was not in fact the skiing or snowboarding, but the husky rides which we took across these huge snow planes, reaching incredible speeds which left us all a little bit scared, and very excited.

Canyoning

Activities when you are on holiday are so much fun and we found that canyoning is a great adventure because it doesn’t require huge amounts of skills and you get the chance to discover some beautiful natural settings. We have done this with the kids in the southern Alps and in Costa Rica and they loved finding their way through the gorges, especially the abseiling which they were able to do down a waterfall in Costa Rica. This is an activity which you can find all over the world and I can assure you that any adventurous kids will absolutely love it.

Cycling

Something we have done on just about every family holiday which we have taken is renting a couple of bikes and heading out on a trek. Most holiday destinations have some great routes that you can cycle on and it gives the kids the chance to get out and about, and most importantly to stretch their legs. What I love most about taking the bikes out when we are abroad is the fact that you don’t know what you are going to see or what you will discover, which lends itself to some amazing adventures.

Next time you take the kids away have a think about some of these activities and see if you can entertain the kids with them, it sure beats wasting a day on the beach.

Here are some more fun summer activities.

Awesome Holiday Ideas For 2020

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We may only be in June 2019 but now is certainly the time that we should be looking ahead to 2020 and the awesome travel destinations that it has in store. Each year brings with it new adventures and new locations and if you are looking for a new and awesome holiday destination for next year then we have some absolute crackers for you. No matter what you are into there is something here for you so without further ado let’s take a look at where you could be taking a vacation to in the year 2020.

The Beauty of Dubrovnik

Croatia has been steadily building in popularity for a long time now and if you haven’t been yet then make 2020 the year that you change that. Dubrovnik is the city of choice for us, a stunning architectural masterpiece of a city with baroque charm and gothic style. The city sits right on top of the azure blue Adriatic Sea and offers the best of a beach holiday and a city break. The old town is where you should stay, a quiet, pedestrian-only oasis where you’ll find the the very best of Croatia .

Thai Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai

If animal welfare is something which you regard highly then why not take a trip to Thailand and visit this fascinating elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai? These elephants are rescued from being exploited for the animal tourism trade and they are shown love and affection at the sanctuary. Chiang Mai itself is a super cool, hippy paradise where you’ll find amazing food, cheap hotels and plenty of fun and friendly people to meet.

The Remote Sanctuary of the Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands are being called the ‘new Iceland’ thanks to its remote tranquility, lush green vegetation and blissful environment. You’ll be in awe of the natural landscape here and each of the 18 volcanic islands offer something a little different from the last. The islands are connected through ferries, causeways and bridges and exploring them is just an incredible way to spend your holiday.

Beat The Tourists to Chad

Chad is often overlooked when it comes to African safaris but all that seems to be changing and now is the time to get in whilst its still quiet. There is a huge array of wildlife here to enjoy in the Zakouma National Park and the wildlife are yet to fear the tourists, meaning that the planes are literally teeming with lions, zebra, giraffes and herds of elephants.

Disappear to the Raja Ampat Islands

If you are looking to discover something new then the Raj Ampat islands could be the place for your holiday next year. Situated just off the western coast of Papua New Guinea these 1,500 islands are a scuba diver’s mecca and under the ocean you’ll find 75 percent of the world’s coral species. Luxurious hotels adorn many of the islands and although it is open for tourism, you could easily spend a fortnight there and not see another soul.

If you had the choice, which would be your destination for 2020?

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We left our home in Sydney, Australia many moons ago in May 2012 and, other than a brief stint back in Perth for Christmas and a wedding in early 2014, we have been travelling the world nomadically ever since, running a business from our laptops and we’re here to show you how to do it!