It's my last night in San Francisco. I told my friends at the tourism board that I wanted a relaxed, though casual, dinner as a send-off. They suggested John's Grill... and a meal with John. Um, OK. THE John from John's Grill? Let's do it!
Winnipeg is the homeland of our boss. It's also where our parent company is based. So, after four years of being a Buff Boy with a loose connection to the city, I decided it was time to visit.
Before we dive into my visit to the Winnipeg zoo, let me say the weather was horrible the entire time I was in the city, save for a few hours when I was downtown. Otherwise, absolutely horrible. And the bad thing about this travel content is our schedule is locked in so if it's something outdoors and the weather is terrible, there's little wiggle room to move things around at the last minute. That's why booking excursions in Winnipeg for a brief two-day visit was tough -- because it rained most of the time.
As a traveler and a lover of all things science, I was thrilled to visit the Arizona Science Center in Phoenix. This interactive museum is a must-see for anyone visiting the area and I was eager to explore its many exhibits and offerings -- including the giant colon.
After a full day of running all over Indianapolis, I was long due for a relaxing sit... and some wine. As the clouds rolled in and offered some relief from the sweltering sun, the team at Old World Gondoliers welcomed me with a song... and some ice cream. I loved both!
It's a spring of science at Lafayette Science Museum. When I heard there is a virtual reality exhibit, I knew I would have fun. I'd never strapped on a VR headset before but once I did, I couldn't take it off.
Dawson City. The name itself conjures images of gold-rush fever, can-can dancers, and sourdough stories. It’s a place steeped in history, a living museum where the spirit of the Klondike Gold Rush still lingers in the air. Seriously, this place is like the set of a Western movie -- but it's legit like this!
I'm not sure if you've heard of the Indy 500, but it is kind of a big deal in Indianapolis. (Joke. I know you have.) I was told that upwards of 300,000 people pack in for the race. (Did you know that though?)
Nashville's Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is everything a music lover could want. Practically every artist who has ties to country music or Nashville is featured in this spot. The galleries are constantly rotating so I can't even promise you'll be able to see what we're showing you on these pages. One of my first observations was straightforward: There's a lot of guitars here. That seems to be THE country music instrument. But there's also a few cars to check out. Really. Partner that with some retro fashions and you're basically in a time warp.
As a lifelong fan of her iconic voice and tragic story, I knew I couldn't leave Nashville -- Music City --without paying homage to the legendary Patsy Cline. And let me tell you, this museum did not disappoint.
Phoenix's The Churchill is a community gathering place made up of local entrepreneurs, foodies and old shipping containers. And when those team up, magic happens!
Yukon. Just the name evokes images of rugged wilderness, towering peaks and a land steeped in history. I’d dreamt of visiting this remote corner of Canada for years, drawn by its raw beauty and the promise of untamed adventure. And let me tell you, my recent flight-seeing experience through Kluane National Park didn't just meet my expectations, it completely shattered them.
Dawson City, Yukon: it's like being on an old Western movie set. Bars feel like an old-timey cowboy hangout, local guides dressed in period garb. It's like time travel. Really, though, it is.
Nashville is formally known as Music City but there's something about the zoo that makes me think it's also Animal City. Amazing experience!
I consider myself to be creative but I am far from artsy. Because Puerto Vallarta is known to have a vibrant art community, I thought it would be fun to check out Galeria Colectika in downtown PV.
On a recent trip to Houston, Texas, I traded the bustling city streets for an underwater adventure at the Downtown Aquarium. I'd heard whispers of its unique blend of marine life exhibits and amusement park rides, and I was eager to see if it lived up to the hype. Let me tell you, it didn't disappoint.
Being a raving guitar player, how could I not visit Musical Instrument Museum? There are thousands of pieces from hundreds of countries. Seriously. The place is huge and very spread out. Whether you want to check out a gallery full of guitars or want to visit a different country (so to speak), you can do just that. When we started the tour we were given headsets that activated music of the displays we walked by. You can watch a video of a cultural dance and hear the accompanying music as you stroll through the exhibit.
It was about 45 minutes of driving for us to get from downtown Phoenix to Civana Spa and Resort in Carefree, Ariz. With the desert sun beating down on us I was excited to escape into the coolness of the spa. We were greeted with refreshing smoothies as we got a tour of the property.
If you really want to get a taste of Indianapolis -- and I mean that in the food and drink kind of way -- then the City Market is a stop you have to make. How can I put it? Any kind of taste you can imagine you can probably enjoy here.
Nashville. Just the name conjures up images of twangy guitars, soulful voices and a history steeped in musical greatness. And at the heart of it all, standing proud and reverberating with echoes of legends, is the Ryman Auditorium. For a music lover like me, a visit to the “Mother Church of Country Music” wasn’t just a sightseeing stop; it was a pilgrimage.
It's almost become a tradition that we visit a local zoo when in town. Thankfully Phoenix has a really cool zoo that offers guests the opportunity to get up close with some of the animals. I was promised an interactive visit so I was excited to check it out.
Pittsburgh, a city brimming with history and innovation, has always held a special allure for me. On my recent trip, I finally had the chance to explore one of its crown jewels: the Carnegie Science Center. From the moment I stepped inside, I was captivated by the sheer breadth and depth of exhibits, a testament to the power of human curiosity and ingenuity.
Dubbed the world's largest children's museum, The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is still growing. Seriously. There are new developments happening this summer. Though not open during our visit, the seven-and-a-half-acre Sports Legends Experience is a great excuse for me to come back. But there was plenty to see and do including a chance to get my dance on and visit the American Pop exhibit. There are items from Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga and other famous celebs.
Everyone knows I am an animal lover. And by now you know what that means: a visit to the zoo.
