Alli Talley

October 8, 2021

48 Hours in Wichita, Kansas

Alli Talley

October 8, 2021

If you’ve been following us for awhile, you know that we’ve criss-crossed around the country numerous times in the past few years. While we’ve been able to see a LOT of this glorious country, there are definitely states that we’ve still yet to truly explore.

Kansas is one of those states. Aside from a few days in Kansas City (one of our favorite cities of all time), we’ve really only driven through Kansas on our way to other places.

That changed this summer, when we spent a week exploring Wichita and its surrounding areas. We were thrilled to find stunning scenery, amazing food and fun activities for the whole family. Initially assuming we’d write a recap blog of our time in Kansas, we decided to break it up and share one entire blog on Wichita alone. It’s THAT cool.

Whether you are passing through or enjoying a weekend adventure, here is how we would spend 48 hours in Wichita!

DAY 1

We flew into Wichita and it was an easy drive into town. And what is the first thing we do when we arrive at a new destination? Eat, of course! ;) A Wichita favorite, River City Brewing, came through in a big way. WIth a giant pretzel, sausage mac ‘n cheese, and tasty beers, we couldn’t have picked a better first stop!

After our hearty meal, we checked into the Hyatt Regency Wichita. Situated right on the Arkansas river and near all downtown attractions, the Hyatt was a perfect spot for us. The rooms are clean and spacious, and we had beautiful views of the river.

For our first full day, we’re always craving to start it off with a good coffee shop. We found Leslie Coffee Co. and were obsessed with their coffee and overall vibe. (The other people there probably weren’t obsessed with us, since Jude was just running around getting in everyone’s business. Ha!) From there we headed to Homegrown Wichita for breakfast. Located right on Naftzger Park, this is an ideal restaurant to take a toddler. Reason being, we let him run wild on the grass and get all his wiggle out, and then he is (relatively) chill while we have breakfast. Make sure to get a pop tart!

Be sure to get the pop tart at Homegrown!

If we had to pick our favorite family-friendly adventure from our time in Wichita, it would have to be Tanganyika Wildlife Park. Drive 15 minutes from downtown Wichita, and you’ll feel like you aren't in Kansas anymore (had to do it once). You’ll feel like you’ve arrived on an African safari or that you’re out on the Australian outback. With 10 interactive encounters where you can touch, feed, or ride unique species, both kids and adults will love feeding giraffes and kangaroos! Jude was freaking out over the penguins and giant tortoises.

Jude a little nervous. Probably because the giraffe’s head is bigger than his body!

Jude was also unsure about the Kangaroo’s.

We had a tasty lunch at Chicken N Pickle (Get the deviled eggs and hot chicken sandwich) and then had a quick nap time to recharge. Post-nap it was time for more coffee exploration, and Reverie Coffee Roasters was the winner. (We’d go as far as to say that it’s the best coffee in town!) They roast their own coffee and Bobby is a bit of a coffee nerd, so he loved chatting with the staff about the beans, processes, and their favs.

We walked around town after coffee and landed at Piatto Neapolitan Pizza for an early dinner. It’s always mind-blowing when you find culturally authentic cuisine thousands of miles away from it’s inspiration. This pizzeria had their 6,000 pound oven built brick by brick in Naples, and it cooks the traditional way - at 900 degrees for just over a minute. The result is a light an airy crust with fresh ingredients that truly makes you feel like you’re sitting in Italy. But you’re in Wicihta. Such a treat! Of course we had dessert after, because Alli can’t resist (Bobby and Jude too)... We shared ice cream from Milk Float and didn’t regret it :)

Go to Chicken N Pickle and get the deviled eggs!

On our final day in Wichita we started it off at Reverie Coffee Roasters again. It’s that good! We grabbed donuts at The Donut Whole and then tried to feel good about ourselves by getting juices at 86 Cold Press.

We spent the next couple hours exploring the Keeper of the Plains and the surrounding plaza. The Keeper of the Plains is a 44 foot tall steel sculpture that stands where the Little and Big Arkansas Rivers converge in downtown Wichita. It’s considered an icon of Wichita that keeps an eye on the downtown. Jude loved running around on the bridge and the nearby parks. It’s a great spot for a family photo!

From here, we headed out to explore other parts of central Kansas (see our blog for three day trips!). But we still had a list of a few restaurants we missed out on - Leslie Coffee Co. for breakfast, Newport Grill for a date night (maybe Grandma can come next time to babysit), and Prost for German beer and brats. We’ll definitely be back!

Cool

Alli Talley

July 13, 2021

California, Weekenders, Road Trip

48 Hours in Santa Monica for the Whole Family

Alli Talley

July 13, 2021

California, Weekenders, Road Trip

These past few months have been wild.

We’ve transitioned from baby parents to toddler parents. Jude is walking, talking (sort of), and has endless amounts of energy. It’s one of the best seasons of being a parent so far, but quite possibly the most exhausting. He is, and thus we are, always on the go. Since Jude easily gets bored of his toys and being inside, we were recently craving a change of scenery. Our ideal spot is an easy drive, has a nice air-conditioned hotel (we don’t have that at home), good food options, and plenty to do within walking distance of where we stay. At just over an hour from home, Santa Monica checks all the boxes! So we packed up and got on our way.

For those of you unfamiliar with the area, Santa Monica is a coastal city just west of downtown Los Angeles. It boasts 4 miles of beaches and you’ll discover it’s the perfect combination of a vibrant urban scene and a laid back coastal beach town. With amazing hotels, restaurants, and shopping, it’s the perfect place for a weekend getaway with the whole family (or just mom & dad!)

Opting for luxury in a prime location, we stayed at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows. It’s directly across the street from the beach, so every room has a view. We had a Premier Ocean View Room on the top floor, which looked down on the pool and out over the coastline. We started and ended most of our days on the balcony, either with coffee or a cocktail in hand. (Sometimes both!) The sunsets specifically were INCREDIBLE! We felt like we were in Hawaii!

One of our favorite reasons to visit Santa Monica is that we can park our car and not get back in until we’re heading home. Everything is so walkable!. And there is so much good food that we appreciate being able to walk off some of the calories.

For breakfast, our favorite spots were Jinky’s Cafe and Huckleberry Bakery. Jinky’s is a small neighborhood cafe where we’d recommend the Huevos Rancheros and/or the pancakes. Huckleberry has the most insane fresh pastries, and Bobby was obsessed with the breakfast sandwich.

For lunch on the sand (literally), Back on the Bay Beach Cafe is a MUST. You can’t beat the ocean-front location, and the food is all really good. Alli’s still raving about their tuna sandwich! Another must-visit spot is The Albright on the Santa Monica Pier, where they serve up some drool-worthy seafood, sandwiches, and more! We shared the fish tacos, oysters, and a quesadilla (for Jude) and it was all amazing!

For a hearty, authentic (and surprisingly affordable) Italian dinner, look no further than Fritto Misto! There’s a reason this place has become a Santa Monica staple—and with one bite of their homemade pasta with pink sauce you’ll understand why! We’d drive back to Santa Monica just for that! Art’s Table is also a local favorite, with to-die-for specialties like their Cuban Style Charred Corn (don’t ask, just trust) and their perfectly chopped Art’s Chopped Salad. I’ve since tried to perfect it and I can’t even come close!

Our last night in Santa Monica was spent at Fig Santa Monica, located inside the Fairmont. It was heavenly. The stunning ambiance, specialty cocktails, fresh halibut, cacio e pepe pasta… Everything was perfect, full of flavor, and beautifully presented. It was one of those meals where we didn’t want it to end. (But then our toddler started screaming.) Next time we’re bringing a babysitter.

While we loved our quick visit to Santa Monica, we definitely could have stayed another day or two. There is SO MUCH TO DO! We’d recommend going a little slower than we did (toddler life = always moving), but doing any (and all!) of the following activities:

Third Street Promenade: World-class shopping, street performers, and great food. What more do you need? Jude was on overload with so many things to look at.
Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier: It doesn’t matter if you’re a solo adult or traveling with a toddler, Pacific Park has something for you. Jude loved the Kid’s Cove area where there are rides for little ones, and we all enjoyed the ferris wheel together!
The Beach: this is a no-brainer. Miles of sand are a short walk from any of the Santa Monica hotels. Why wouldn’t you spend your afternoon there.
Annenberg Community Beach House and Splash Pad: Speaking of the beach… if you have a small child (like us) who isn’t ready for the ocean, the Annenberg Community Beach House is right on the sand and has a giant splash pads for kids to play in. Jude had so much fun for a few minutes, but then he got a little intimidated by the water (he’s 1- we’ll try again at 2).
Pool at the Fairmont: For us, pool time is solo time. Jude naps and one of us stays in the room, and the other has poolside cocktails. Whether you’re alone, with your person, or have the whole family, this place is paradise.
Heal the Bay Aquarium: Did you know there is an aquarium under the Santa Monica pier?! We didn’t! Mind blown! You can get up close with over 100 species of local marine life, and you’ll learn so much! The staff is so knowledgeable, and they have a variety of touch tanks where you can touch many of the sea creatures. A must do!
Farmer’s Market: Since we were there on a Saturday, we were able to enjoy Santa Monica’s Farmer’s Market. With all kinds of fresh produce, flowers, nuts, jams, and more, it’s one of our favorite ways to spend a Saturday morning. The market typically runs Wednesday and Saturday, but check the website for updates.

As the Traveling Newlyweds, it’s not uncommon for us to hop in the car and drive 7,000 miles to the most random parts of the country. This visit to Santa Monica reminded us that there are so many epic destinations right in our backyard, and that we have to take advantage of them more. For SoCal residents, Santa Monica is easy to get to and has the setting to instantly put you in vacation mode. So if you’re in need of a tan, a delicious meal, or need to be pampered at a hotel like the Fairmont, you should definitely indulge yourself. And thank us later.

Alli Talley

February 22, 2021

Texas, USA, Road Trip

Lubbock, Texas - Bring The Whole Family!

Alli Talley

February 22, 2021

Texas, USA, Road Trip

Way back in 2019, we hopped in our Prius and took a road trip across the country. We hit the wide open road with our trusty dog Sally, and headed to West Texas. We spent four days eating incredible food, drank plenty of chiltons (IYKYK), and found as many puppy-friendly adventures as possible.

How our lives have changed.

A new year, a new car, a new pandemic, a new kid… ha! 2020 was a whirlwind, and we were craving a little normalcy. Why not head back to some of our favorite destinations with the whole family?

In November we hopped back in the car, with a few more bags, and headed back to our beloved Lubbock. And although we were in the midst of Covid-19 (right in between spikes), we found the same charm and flavor as our last visit. Whether you’re driving from California or somewhere in Texas, Lubbock is an amazing spot for the whole family. Here are some of our favorite Lubbock locales, including a few new names since our last visit!

STAY

While there are plenty of solid hotel options in Lubbock, they really upped their game in 2020 with the addition of the Cotton Court. The Cotton Court is part of the Valencia Hotel Group, a small chain of laid back, trendy hotels that are scattered around Texas and California. Spread out over acres of landscaped courtyards, the Cotton Court has a stunning pool, lawn games, space for live music, fire-pits, and outdoor dining. Perfect for families! (And they are SUPER pet-friendly!)

And the rooms! They incorporate luxury, local style, and hip design… and they’re incredibly spacious. Smeg refrigerators, comfy beds, cool light fixtures… we could’ve stayed so much longer!

Love the design, the space, and the SNACKS!

EAT

When we talk about Lubbock, we’re most often reminiscing on Evie Mae’s BBQ. This popular family-run establishment gave us a new appreciation for BBQ, and we go back every time we are in town! When you go, try a little bit of everything… but our favorite is the brisket! (And don’t be scared of the line, it moves fast. And it’s SO WORTH IT.)

With the pandemic still in effect, we had to get creative with a few of the new spots we tried while we were in town. We had Thai Pepper’s to-go in our hotel room, and it was so tasty! The wait was long, but again, totally worth it. Another new favorite of ours is Dirk’s for fried chicken! We sat outside (due to Covid and Sally) and had a savory assortment of chicken, fries, green beans, and mashed potatoes. A true Texas feast!

If it’s your first time in Lubbock, we’d say you can’t miss La Sirena Cocina and the Funky Door. At La Sirena Cocina you can indulge in scrumptious latin-fusion plates and a variety of “coctel artesenales” (we recommend the ones with tequila!). We love the salsa trio, the crispy brussel sprouts, and the chicken pot pie! If you want to get adventurous with your cocktail, try the “Last of the Oaxacans”. The Funky Door has INCREDIBLE fondue and tasty burgers. They currently have a “Quarantine Essentials” menu with great deals on both food and drinks. When life heads back to normal, it’s a perfect date night spot for a delicious meal and soothing live music.

A trip to Lubbock without a trip to Evie Mae’s would be a disaster…

DRINK

If you’ve been following us for awhile, you know that there are two types of drinks in our book… coffee and alcohol. For coffee, we were obsessed with Yellow House Coffee, Gold Stripe and Sugar Brown’s on our first trip to Lubbock. We visited them all again this time around, and loved the new “Lobby by Sugar Brown’s” that was a 2 minute walk from our room at Cotton Court.

This time around we found two new coffee shops on the booming Lubbock scene— Monomyth Coffee and TOVA Coffeehouse. We said numerous times that Monomyth would be our spot if we were Lubbock locals. As I, Bobby, am a self-proclaimed coffee snob (I’m not proud of it, I just like good coffee), I was right at home at Monomyth. (Not among snobs, but really good coffee.) We went to TOVA one morning for breakfast and coffee, and loved the vibe and their mission - they’re a non-profit shop combating poverty in Lubbock and beyond. So cool!

For the afternoons and beyond, there are two breweries that can’t be missed. We enjoyed both The Brewery LBK and Two Docs Brewing on our last visit, and we will on our next as well. The Brewery LBK has really good beer and is a solid date night spot if you order food from the West Table (or start at the brewery and end at the West Table). Their wraparound patio is also perfect for dogs or loud babies (hehe, our reality now). Speaking of being outdoors, Two Docs is a perfect spot for craft beer, four-legged friends, and the whole family. Two Docs consistently has a solid variety of beers on tap and rotating food truck partners serving up unique street food.

If you’re more of a wine-o, head to Burklee Hill or McPherson Cellars. We got lunch and a bottle of wine to-go from Burklee Hill one afternoon, and the club sandwich was one of the highlights of our trip. Their dry rosé was easy-drinking and perfect to enjoy outside our room while Jude napped. We didn’t have a chance to get to McPherson Cellars on this trip, but may still have a bottle of Mouvédre from last year - we brought a few home :) We’ve also heard English Newsom Cellars is a must for next time… we’ll be there!

Note - all of the above restaurants, breweries, and wineries have Covid-safe protocols that make them accessible and safe in this new reality we live in. From takeout to socially distant patios, they have taken steps that made us feel safe during our time in Lubbock.

The whole fam at Two Docs… I think Sally had some beer ha.

If you’re in the mood for shopping, we are big fans of Mountain Hideaway and California T’s. Bobby was obsessed with the clothing and adventure gear at Mountain Hideaway, while Alli LOVED all the color at California T’s. We both came home with plenty of souvenirs. If you’re in the mood for an afternoon of shopping local and capping it off with dinner, consider Cactus Alley. There you’ll find several local vendors, as well as Gold Stripe Coffee Roasters and La Sirena.

With a child under one, our list of things to do typically revolves around eating and drinking since they’re usually pretty easy to entertain. But soon enough we’ll be seeking out all the family friendly activities a destination has to offer. During this trip, we loved exploring At’l Do Farms! From the barnyard, to the cow train, to the corn maze (!), Jude was in heaven! Another activity that was great for little kids was Prairie Dog Town. Jude was totally zoned in as the little prairie dogs pop in and out of their holes… So cute!

If you have older kids, 4ORE Golf is such a fun spot to spend an afternoon. A driving range with serious technology, there are a variety of games you can play. And they have really yummy food! If you want to go the more educational route for an afternoon, the National Ranching Heritage Center will allow your family to immerse themselves in the Wild West. They have replicated houses and cabins where families can explore and really feel what it would have been like to live in that time. Definitely an upgrade from reading about it in a book...

If you’re traveling with a four-legged friend, Lubbock is very dog friendly! We have a whole blog that’s a guide to all the dog-friendly adventures Sally went on during her first time in Lubbock. This time, a highlight for her was running around Phil Hoel Park. And probably having a few nibbles of brisket from Evie Mae’s :)

Jude got over the maze and just wanted to play in the hay.

Contemplating if it’s worth jumping in :)

Whether you’re traveling solo or with a family and pets, Lubbock has something for you. The pandemic (and the newborn) slowed us down a little on this trip, so we’ll definitely be back again soon. We’ll be craving Evie Mae’s and Monomyth Coffee in no time!

Alli Talley

February 5, 2021

Mississippi, Road Trip

Our Second Visit to Coastal Mississippi - And Why We’ll Be Back ASAP

Alli Talley

February 5, 2021

Mississippi, Road Trip

We first ventured to the Mississippi coastline in mid-2019, on a road trip in our cozy, tightly-packed Prius (With Sally too!). With little expectations on arrival, we were wowed by our hotel, the food, the experiences, and the people! Our second visit, in November 2020, was no different (well, besides the fact that we had a bigger car and a baby). We had grand plans to head back to all of our favorite Coastal MS spots, but we were pleasantly surprised to find some new gems, too! From tasty new restaurants to incredible new activities for the whole family, Coastal Mississippi continues to have us wanting more.

Why? Let’s start with where we stayed. In case you need a refresher, in 2019 we stayed at the Roost, the most beautiful little boutique hotel just a short walk from downtown Ocean Springs. It’s quaint and chic and cozy all in one—not to mention connected to an incredible (and under-the-radar) speakeasy. How can you possibly beat that?!

Well, their sister property, the Beatnik, is brand new to Ocean Springs, and it’s just as magical. The Beatnik boasts four modern, luxurious floating cabins that we were obsessed with from the moment we walked in. From a Covid-19 perspective, we had zero interaction with anybody to check-in, and the room was only cleaned on an as-needed basis (with safety precautions in mind). We all had our highlights… For me (Bobby), it was the outdoor shower. Alli loved the pool. Jude wanted to sleep in the hidden bunk beds (not quite ready, though). And Sally lived for the refreshingly cool floors in the bathroom. This place was a dream!

Jude’s nap time is Mom and Dad’s pool time.

Upon rising, which was earlier this year than last (thanks Jude), the first stops for coffee and breakfast are Bright Eyed Brew Co and the Greenhouse on Porter (for biscuits that are to DIE for). Bright Eyed was a success, but because Greenhouse was closed that day we had to branch out… and French Kiss Pastries was a hit! For our afternoon coffee, we discovered Jacked Up Coffee Bar in Biloxi and were not disappointed. If you’ve been following us for awhile, you know that finding cool coffee shops is our jam!

Jacked Up Coffee Bar is another great coffee shop!

With so many interesting museums and art galleries throughout Ocean Springs, we were shocked to find another pop up in the past year (and our favorite one yet) - the Mississippi Aquarium! It was definitely a highlight of the trip for all of us! Check out more info here on another blog post we recently shared :)

One thing that we thought would be very different on this trip were our dinners. We had a few amazing meals on our last trip (see our blog on why Coastal Miss is Seafood Heaven) at Vestige and White Pillars, and just assumed that having a 9 month old in tow would ruin everything. Somehow, we were able to have two equally dreamy evenings out that included mouthwatering food, social distance, and romantic ambiance (even with the kiddo!!). One night we enjoyed Dinner on the Lot, a ticketed event designed to bring fine dining outdoors while highlighting local hand picked produce. Our meal also featured beer pairings with every course, courtesy of Craft Advisory Brewing (which is directly across from the Lot). With 6 courses and 6 beers, it was probably the highlight of our month-long road trip. Here were the courses:

Partridge Peppers
French Hermit Oyster
Jurgielewicz Duck
Two Dog Farm Carrots
FL Spiny Lobster
South African Boerewors
Craft Advisory Root Beer Floats for dessert

Intrigued? You should be! You may notice by those courses that not only are they using local produce, but they’re proud to show off exotic ingredients and dishes. It was SO FUN!

On our final night in town we had probably the most romantic beach picnic of our lives set up by Coastal Picnic and Co. With an array of finger foods, wine, and an unreal sunset, it was (and we don’t say this lightly), the perfect night. Even Jude was in heaven. (His teepee!!)

The best way to spend our last night in Mississippi

It’s no surprise Coastal Miss was one of our first places that we returned during our only big road trip of 2020. And guess what? We’d be stoked if we could head back again in 2021! That’s how much we love this place! The area continues to flourish and we can’t wait to get back as soon as possible.

The Coastal Mississippi Promise: When you visit The Secret Coast, you will be met with warm welcomes and 62 miles of shoreline dotted by unique coastal communities. Here, you can expect excitement and relaxation in equal measure, with plenty of room to roam. You should also expect to see that our hospitality partners are implementing all necessary precautions to protect you, your loved ones, and our industry employees.

Alli Talley

December 4, 2020

Road Trip, Texas, Family Travel

Plano, Texas - A North Texas Gem Ready for Families, Foodies, and Pets!

Alli Talley

December 4, 2020

Road Trip, Texas, Family Travel

Over the past few years, we’ve seen a lot of Texas - from Austin to Marfa, it’s a state that keeps us guessing, and keeps us coming back for more . Every city has a different vibe and distinctly Texan flare, and we truly love aspects of them all.

So when we had the opportunity to explore a city in the Dallas Metroplex, Plano, we were intrigued. What would this new Texas city have to offer? Well, fast-forward to a few days into our trip, and I think it’s safe to say that we’re big fans. (And I’m pretty sure we both gained a few pounds.)

Here’s where we stayed, what we ate (and where we’ll eat next time), how we kept Jude and Sally entertained, and what made Plano an absolutely fantastic Covid-safe destination.

WHERE WE STAYED

We stayed at the beautiful (and new!) Hilton Granite Park. While there are countless other accommodation options in Plano, we would recommend one of the bigger hotel brands for your first getaway– like Hilton. They have the ability to develop safety protocols throughout all their hotels that will make you feel as safe as possible. The Hilton Granite Park was no exception, with an easy check-in process with plexiglass dividers, hand sanitizer stations throughout the hotel, and room cleaning was on an as-needed basis (to avoid people in your room). It seemed as though every time we walked through the lobby there was somebody cleaning and sanitizing. It was wonderful!

Our room was spacious and immaculate. We did takeout one night that we were there, and were perfectly happy lounging in the room. We loved the massive fire pit outside of the lobby (we would enjoy it with Sally in shifts because Jude would already be asleep- parent life)! The best part of the hotel was the access to The Boardwalk at Granite Park and Legacy West - so many award-winning restaurants and endless shopping just a short walk from the hotel!

Other accommodation recommendations (and spots we have on our list for next time) are the Renaissance Dallas Plano Legacy West (if we’re without our pup) or the NYLO Plano (dog-friendly).

So much so that he’d fall asleep before we got back to the room :)

The nearby Boardwalk at Granite Park was a great place to eat and then stroll it off!

WHERE WE ATE (AND DRANK)

Where to eat and drink? That’s a tough question in Plano because we were there for 3 days and would probably have needed another 10 to properly explore all of our options. But we definitely hit some of the must visits.

First… coffee. We’re big coffee people. 1418 is a coffee shop in downtown Plano that is the real deal. As in, it’s not great coffee for Plano, it’s great coffee for anywhere. I (Bobby) am definitely a bit of a coffee snob, and I was so pumped on 1418 that we went daily.

XO Coffee (yummy breakfast too) and Mudleaf (great vibe to sit and work) were our other two spots we visited and really liked. It seems like we barely scratched the surface.

For breakfast I’d choose the Biscuit Bar everyday, because biscuits. I kept it simple and had a Bacon, Egg, & Cheese biscuit, and it lived up to the hype! We had a super tasty breakfast at XO Coffee (Alli swears by their Shakshuka), and spent another morning at the Hilton’s Carso market.

Lunch and dinner is where the options come in. They’re endless. One night we were feeling the need for a healthy meal, so we had some fresh and hearty salads from the Original Chop Shop. On another evening we had a romantic date night at Cafe Istanbul and loved their mediterranean food. It may have been our favorite meal of the trip. (It actually would have been our favorite meal if it was a true date night and cranky Jude wasn’t there. Ha!) Whiskey Cake is also a must - they have insane cocktails and take pride in their farm-to-kitchen American dishes.

Legacy Food Hall deserves it’s own section. With more than 20 restaurants, bars, a brewery, and a live music venue, this was our favorite spot in Plano. Alli was craving street tacos and wine, so she had Velvet Taco and Blush Wine Bar. The sliders at Son of a Butcher were calling my name, so I indulged in a Classic slider and a Burnt Ends slider, along with a beer from Unlawful Assembly Brewing Co. They have live music and late night DJs that will definitely bring us back on our next trip to Plano. Plus, we have about 18+ more restaurants to try!

Our feast at Legacy Food Hall. We’ll be back to explore more!

WHAT WE DID

We’ve quickly learned that it’s almost impossible to keep a tight schedule when traveling with a baby. They nap when they want to nap, cry when we don’t want them to cry, and have dirty diapers WAY too often. That being said, Plano was amazing because it was so walkable. We were always a quick walk away from activities and restaurants, and getting back to the hotel for naps was never an issue. We could take Jude in the stroller and peruse the shops at Legacy West, the Boardwalk at Granite Park, or Georgia’s Farmer’s Market Downtown. He loved the colors of the Downtown Plano Murals, and he was obsessed with all the dogs at Windhaven Meadows Dog Park. I’m sure on our next visit he’ll want his share of Amorino Gelato and Press Waffle Co. Can’t wait!

Often we find ourselves in destinations where Sally (our bernedoodle) gets cooped up in our hotel room because there aren’t a lot of things for her to do. She did not have that problem in Plano. Sally loved exploring downtown Plano, and would’ve loved to play all day in Haggard Park. She was a big fan of sitting outside at XO Coffee, and tried to sip on our cocktails at Whiskey Cake. Her highlight, though, was Windhaven Meadows Dog Park. She made friends, chased tennis balls, and got a week's worth of wiggles out at this 5 acre park. It was clean, double fenced (so she couldn’t escape), and (obviously) had plenty of space to maintain social distance. She told us that next time she wants to visit Jack Carter Dog Park.

With the roller coaster of Covid-19, staying safe is our highest priority when choosing a destination to visit. With hotels like the Hilton Granite Park, outdoor dining and shopping galore, and places to explore like Oak Point Park and Arbor Hills Nature Preserve, Plano is a destination we can feel safe and be confident in! With family that recently moved to Frisco, TX (the nextdoor neighbor of Plano), we’re already planning our next trip back!