Rachael Yerkes

This post may contain affiliate links. See my Full Disclosure for further details.

How to Spend a Day at Navy Pier, Chicago

May 4, 2016 by Rachael Yerkes Leave a Comment

What to do, see, eat, and enjoy when visiting Navy Pier, in Chicago, IL.

I have a real soft spot for Navy Pier, which is located on the waterfront in Chicago. When I was a teen I visited, and we spent the day there eating, shopping, going on a boat ride, and playing at the Children’s Museum. Ever since then I have thought of it fondly, and couldn’t wait to take my kids for a visit.

I got that chance the summer of 2015, and it lived up to my expectations. We had a fun filled day, and so today I thought I would share my tips for what to do, and how to spend a day at Navy Pier.

Navy Pier is a 3300 foot long pier, that juts out into Lake Michigan. On the Pier there are lots of things to keep you busy, fed, and having fun. It opened in 1916, and now houses parks, shops, recreational facilities, exhibitions, and dining. Basically, there is plenty to do, so plan to spend the day.

Parking

When we visited we had a car topper to hold luggage, so we had some difficulty parking. There are several parking garages nearby, some street parking, and Navy Pier has 2 parking garages. The cost is $28 a day to park, but you could valet park for less! Valet parking is $15 for up to 6 hours, and $33 for over that if you validate. Validation requires a $25 minimum purchase for validation at Harry Caray’s Tavern, Riva Crab House and DMK Burger Bar and Fish Bar. We valet parked due to the car topper, but if you plan to eat, valet parking is the way to go!

Hours

Navy Pier is open from about 10am-8pm and on weekends until 10 pm. Of course, there are holiday hours and the like, so keep that in mind. At night they often shoot fireworks off in the summer, so check out their website to see if there will be fireworks when you are planning to visit.

Admission is free, however, the various attractions on the pier do have fees, which vary. But you could spent the day having fun at no or little cost. There is plenty to see and do.

Dining

There are a lot of food options at Navy Pier, from a food court with expected classics like McDonalds, to sit down restaurants, and lots of places to grab snacks, drinks, and treats. The lobster roll at Rivas Crab House is killer! And on a hot summer day, a frozen lemonade is a must!

Play

When it comes to things to do there are a myriad of options on Navy Pier. Our favorite way to spend a day is at the Chicago Children’s Museum. It is $14 for admission, but on Thursday nights from 5-8pm it is free, as well as the first Sunday of the month, so if you are there on a Thursday or the first Sunday, check it out. It offers several different levels of fun for kids, from dressing up light firefighters, to playing with water, to a large boat and more. Honestly, my kids could, and did spend hours here. They offer art classes, sculpting, etc. all as part of the admission.

Another awesome option is a boat ride. You can go out on the great lake and learn some of the history. And maybe catch a glimpse of the Chicago fire department out on the water.

There are also rides, like the ferris wheel, an IMAX theater, shopping, and so much more. Instead of trying to plan out your day, I suggest you just go, and see what catches your eye. We loved just walking around, checking out the skyline views, and the beautiful water.

The pier recently has been going through a bit of redevelopment to make it an even better destination for families, bringing in new foods, new exhibits and activities, and even a hotel is heading that way.

Suggested Itinerary for Families with Children

10 am- Arrive and park in Valet parking, head to ticket office and buy admission to an 11 am sightseeing cruise. Check valet parking close time so you get your car in time. Apply sunscreen to the family.
10:15 am- Spend some time exploring the Pier, walk from one end to the other, enjoying the views, and scoping out what there is to do, see, and most importantly eat! There are several sculptures and artwork to enjoy on the pier free of charge. Don’t forget to grab a snack while strolling.
11 am- Take a sightseeing cruise ship around Lake Michigan to learn the history
12:30 pm- Grab lunch at the food court.
1pm- Get out of the heat, and let the adults rest and kids play by hitting up the Children’s Museum. Or try the IMAX or Carnival rides. Or if your children are older, consider the Driehaus Gallery of Stained Glass.
5pm- Eat dinner, and get your parking validated at Harry Caray’s Tavern, Riva Crab House, or DMK Burger Bar and Fish Bar.
After Dinner- Head to the Pepsi Skyline Stage to take in the live entertainment for the night. Or stroll the pier.
Evening- Watch the fireworks, and head on out!

Whatever you do, don’t visit Chicago without spending a day at Navy Pier. And don’t forget the sunscreen, and a stroller for the little ones.

This post may contain affiliate links. See my Full Disclosure for further details.

Ziplines: Choosing A Tour That is Right For You

April 15, 2016 by Rachael Yerkes Leave a Comment

Zipping through the rainforest, feeling the air whip across your face, and getting a priceless view from above. No matter your destination, ziplining is a fun vacation activity, but with so many tour companies, and options available, how can you know which one is right for you?

Our family LOVES to zipline. I would say it rates pretty high on our vacation list. If we visit a destination offering lines, we will usually sign up for the tour. We have ziplined in several different places in Mexico, Belize, and Costa Rica, and even in the US. And have learned that there is definitely a difference in the kinds of lines, safety, and experience you can have. So today I thought I would share some tips for choosing the right ziplining tour for your group, what to consider, and what you should know before you go, no matter your destination:

Walking/Hiking/Physical Exertion

Zipline in Costa Rica with a tram up the mountain

Taking the tram to the top of the rainforest in Costa Rica

The first time I ever went ziplining I was shocked by the amount of physical exertion required. We started at the bottom of a mountain, would hike up a ways, zipline back down some, hike up again, zipline down some again, hike again, zip again, etc. until we made it to the top of the mountain, then we got to fly all the way back down on a long, fast, crazy zipline. It was great, and such a rush. But also very tiring. I remember thinking it was good we didn’t have our little ones with us.

I have since learned when it comes to zipling there are many tours offered, and they require different levels of exertion. For example, when we were in Costa Rica we ziplined with small children so we chose a tour that had a tram to the top of the mountain, and you ziplined down it. Far less hiking. Far more smiles.

Some companies provide ATV’s to get to the top, donkeys, a truck, a van, a ski lift, etc. Basically there are tons of options. You can hike it. And sometimes that is even more fun, especially if the scenery is beautiful. But knowing there is a difference can help you know what to ask, and what works for your travel group. Are you traveling with elderly or small children? Maybe look for tours that don’t require as much hiking.

Line length

One of the biggest considerations for choosing a fun ziplining tour that works for your whole group is line length. I always like to take a look at first how many lines the tour includes, and the total length. Why does this matter? Because lines come in many lengths, and the longer lines are often the most fun, but also the scariest, fastest, or hardest to do with kids. I like to choose a tour with a mix of line lengths, but at least 2-3 that are longer so we can fly and enjoy the view!

We have found that if the line is too long, the weight of the kids is not enough to get to the end of the line, so they have to go tandem. Which is fun in and of itself. But know what you are getting and how far you get to zip! That way you can compare apples to apples.

Stopping/Brakeing

That orange rope and rubber stopper is the way they brake on this zipline!

One of the biggest considerations when selecting a company to zipline with should be how they stop you or how you brake if you come into a platform too fast. Everyone employs different methods. Sometimes it is just having an individual there to catch you. Sometimes you get gloves and are told to grab the wire for a second (behind the pulley) as you get closer, to slow your approach. I do not like either of these options as I envision rope burn and knocking someone down. We have ziplined where this was how the stopping/brakaing occurred and did not have problems, but it made me uncomfortable.

A better options is a brakeing system. Some companies actually have a device that they can send out on the line to slow you down. It is like a rubber stopper. Your pulley would butt up against it and it would slow your approach. The person at the platform would watch, and employee it as necessary. I loved this option, and felt very safe using it.

For me, asking my kids to know what “too fast” is, and then grab a metal line (even with gloves) as they zip down it is just scary. I like when they are told to keep their hands and legs free of the line at all times. To me this means far less risk of injury.

Safety

Check that harnesses fit, that equipment is well cared for.

While most tours are going to have to meet some sort of safety regulations to be operational, you just never know. Look on their website to see what they do to insure safety. Read reviews. And ask the guides how often the lines are checked. And do your own due diligence. Look at the line. Does it look safe? Is it in good condition? Look at your equipment. What kind of condition are the harnesses, pulleys, etc. in? If you don’t feel safe, if the equipment seems rusted or ill-cared for, then do yourself a favor and don’t zip.

Age Restrictions

You will notice in this picture my youngest is missing. This is because zipline tours will often have age restrictions. It varies significantly from place to place. For some it is 7, for some it is a weight restriction rather than an age restriction. And for some places there are no restrictions at all. Evaluate the ages, weights, and abilities of your group to determine if and which tours are best for you.

Typically, if they have harnesses that are small enough for the child, and the hiking is not too strenuous, then I would say go for it. But it stinks to arrive and have a portion of your party unable to participate because you did not check age restrictions. Know before you go!

What else is there?

Last, but not least, I love to know what else there is to do at the facility. Often, zipline tour companies offer more than the lines. There may be a restaurant, and observatory, walking paths, or even an animal sanctuary.

When we were in Costa Rica, the tour company we opted to use had a butterfly and reptile house, which my youngest loved visiting since she couldn’t actually use the ziplines!

Other Tips To Make Your Zipline Adventure Great

Wear sunscreen. Ziplines are usually in a forest or mountain setting, so you may not feel as hot or realize you could be getting burnt.
Bring a water bottle or money to buy water. It is hot and strenuous at times. I brought a water bottle I could clip onto my pants waistband so I did not have to hold it while I went across the lines.
Take pictures! Often they will take some and offer to sell them to you, but you can take your own. I brought my phone with a neck pouch to hold is so I could put it around my neck when I went down the lines, but could take photos of the rest of my group!

Ziplines are a fun way to enjoy some adventure while traveling, so no matter what company you choose I hope you enjoy yourself!

This post may contain affiliate links. See my Full Disclosure for further details.

What to do in Fajardo, Puerto Rico

April 5, 2016 by Rachael Yerkes Leave a Comment

Beautiful beaches, tropical rainforest, amazing food, and plenty of family fun, a visit to Fajardo, Puerto Rico should be on your travel bucket list!

Puerto Rico is a beautiful place, what to do when visiting fajardo Puerto Rico

Photo Credit: Rebecca Hubbell

While part of this trip was complimentary, it is no way sways my feelings or review, all opinions are my own. Thank you Rebecca from SugarandSoul.co and Britni from Play Party Plan for taking gorgeous photos during this trip and allowing me to share some of them in this post.

In February I needed to get out of the cold and drudgery of the Utah winter and see some sunshine. So I hopped on a plane with my daughter and my swimsuit and headed to Puerto Rico.

I wanted sun, sand, and relaxation, and that is exactly what I got. But Puerto Rico has so much more to offer than just great beaches, even if beaches like Flamenco Beach on Culebra are amongst the best in the world. A visit to Puerto Rico means lush and verdant rainforest, diverse and vibrant culture, amazing fresh cuisine, beautiful turquoise waters, and of course the luxury and pampering of world class resorts like the El Conquistador, a Waldorf Astoria resort.

El Conquistador Resort, Fajardo Puerto Rico

Our room at El Conquistador Resort

When we arrived we rented a car, and headed to Fajardo to the El Conquistador resort where we shed our winter clothes in favor of shorts and flip flops and headed out in search of food and fun! We were greeted with the beauty of a tropical paradise, the chirp of coqui frogs, and a view that is hard to rival.

Puerto Rico is comprised of 5 basic regions, the North, South, East, West, and Central. The majority of our trip was spent in the Eastern region, in Fajardo. It is beautiful, feels very safe, and offers plenty of attractions to fill your time. And so I wanted to share a few of the thing to do in Fajardo, and surrounding areas of Puerto Rico.

Beaches

Photo Credit: Rebecca Hubbell

A trip to Puerto Rico would not be complete without sand between your toes. During our trip we had the pleasure of visiting more than one beach. Our first beach day was spent on the privately owned Palomino Island, and our last beach day on the island Culebra, at Flamenco beach.

Palomino Island

This island offers water sports, snorkeling and horseback riding, along with plenty of places to sunbathe, sip pina coladas, and just enjoy the gorgeous turquoise waters. This island is exclusively for El Conquistador Resort guests. If you stay in one of the resorts five unique villages, you can take a free ferry over to the island (runs every 30 minutes), and spend the day, or just an hour or two.

Photo Credit: Rebecca Hubbell

We absolutely loved our day at Palomino Island. The island had plenty of beach chairs for sunbathing, roaming servers to take drink or food orders, shaded mini golf for when you wanted to cool off from the sun, plenty of iguanas and local wildlife to keep you entertained. Not to mention so much more from spa services to snorkeling.

My daughter enjoyed taking part in the Camp Coqui nature hunt, where you explore the island and collect different rubber bracelets at various stations as you learn about the natural beauty the island and area have to offer. It was fun and educational, so I was all for it.

Photo Credit: Rebecca Hubbell

We loved ordering frozen drinks and amazing fish and chips for lunch, and not having to worry about having our wallet on hand, as we could bill it to the room. Very nice when wearing a swimsuit…no pockets!

If you get the chance to head to Palomino Island I highly recommend it. Wear lots of sunscreen, and enjoy the free amenities, or indulge in something more. Either way, you will have a great day.

Flamenco Beach

A visit to Flamenco beach will clear up any confusion over Puerto Rico being nicknamed the Isle of Enchantment. The crystal clear waters, gorgeous white sands, and friendly laid back vibe brought a smile to my face upon arrival, and that smile never left.

Flamenco Beach is located on Culebra. You can take a 90 minute boat ride from Fajardo port (Go early or you will spend lots of time waiting for tickets), or hop on a small commuter plane and greatly reduce time spent getting there. Once you arrive, you will find an 11-sq-mile slice of paradise. It is an under-developed area where you are more likely to see campers than luxury vacationers. The beach itself was rated #2 in the world by Discover Channel, and I can see why.

It has plenty of amenities, shops to buy sunscreen, and vendors offering beach umbrella rentals. And if you walk down the beach you can even see some relics from the US Navy in the form of tanks that have been left on the beach, and have become an art form with graffiti covering them!

Flamenco Beach tanks Culebra Puerto Rico

Photo Credit: Rebecca Hubbell

Aren’t they just gorgeous?

We loved the water here, and ended up buying a boogie board at a kiosk and spent the day riding the waves. It was so enjoyable I am already planning a trip back. We may even camp at the campsite there for a night or two!

Rainforest

The East region of Puerto Rico, near Fajardo is home of El Yunque, known as the Caribbean National Forest. It is a quick drive from the El Conquistador resort, as it is located in the Sierra de Luquillo, 40 km southeast of San Juan. Good roads, and GPS directions make it easy to find.

The rainforest is 29,000 acres and boasts being one of the most biologically diverse national forests with abundant plant and animal life. Some of which can only be found there. Keep an eye out for the Puerto Rican parrot, it is among the 10 most endangered birds on earth.

Upon arrival you can stop at the Visitor’s Center, or just head up the road (Rt 191) to the rain forest. I suggest saving the $4 a person and just heading up the road. While there is plenty to see at the Visitor Center on conservation, and exhibits, the biggest value of the Visitor’s Center is the map, which they have you take a picture of with your phone. They tell you where to go and what to do. But since there is basically only one main road that takes you to the top of the mountain, and each highlight has a parking area and signage along the way, the map and instruction is unnecessary. However, the fees help keep the National Forest running, so it may be worth stopping for that alone.

Photo Credit: Britni Vigil

Once there, you can visit waterfalls, take beautiful hikes, and get a great view of the area. Be sure to stop at Yakahu Observation Tower (it is pink) to get an absolutely stunning view. Plan a whole day for the rainforest, as it is lovely. Pack a lunch, take some bottled water, and enjoy yourself. Hiking to the waterfalls is crowded on weekends, make this a midweek trip for fewer people.

Fresh Local Food

As a foodie, I couldn’t mention things to do in Fajardo without mentioning the food. And oh how good it was. From the fresh local fruits, fried plantains and made to order omelets at the El Conquistador Las Brisas Restaurant morning buffet, to the amazingly fresh seafood served at Chops Steakhouse, one could be content just eating on property.

If you visit Chops be sure to order the chocolate cake for the table, it is AMAZING, and the scallops were to die for. I could not stop eating them. The short ribs were juicy and succulent, the lobster tail fresh and fantastic. I ate so much I wasn’t sure I could wear my bathing suit the next day! Hahaha

But, if you venture off the resort for food, you will find warm and welcoming restaurant owners, amazing fresh and local food, and great prices. My favorite was eating breakfast at Las Vistas Café. The owner greeted us like friends, cut fresh aloe for my daughter’s sunburn, made great menu suggestions, and the food was fresh, local, and absolutely fantastic. The banana coconut pancakes are some of the best I have ever had. And her fresh fruit salad medley was ridiculous. Who knew fruit could be so good?

For dinner, check out Las Estacíon, where the food is plentiful, with local flare, great flavor, and the right price. Get a pina colada here, it was the best one I had on the island!

Bio Bay

While we did not get a chance to visit Mosquito Bay, also referred to as the bioluminescent bay because of the timing of our trip (everything was sold out), this natural wonder is touted to be worth the trip. What is it? It is a water activity where you get to experience a rare and remarkable phenomenon caused by millions of luminescent dinoflagellates lighthing up when disturbed by movement. Many companies offer kayaking through the bay, of course this is done at night, and is best if you avoid time around the full moon.

Additionally, if you stay at El Conquistador, be sure to check out Coqui water park. It is a fun water park right on the ocean that offers a relaxing lazy river, some fun slides, and a great infinity pool. It was a fun place to cool off and relax after a day out and about. My daughter particularly enjoyed the water slides. And being the lazy person I am, I loved the lazy river. Tubes are provided free of charge.

Photo Credit: Rebecca Hubbell

There is a lot of fun to be had in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. I can’t wait to go back! And with so much of the world to explore, that is saying something.

Happy travels,

Rachael