Fun Activities

First up on the list we’re going to be taking a look at planning fun activities. If you look up the place where you are going, you will find a whole load of information on the fun things that they have to do there, or around that area. It’s important that you do your research and look into things that you think you and your kids would enjoy doing together, making magical memories while you are on your trip away.

It’s a good idea to try and plan at least one activity specifically aimed at each of your children, and then a few things that you will all enjoy. This way it’s nice and fair for everyone, which is what you should be thinking about at all times.

Somewhere Nice To Stay

It’s also important that you find somewhere nice to stay. If you have a budget that allows for an apartment, this is probably going to be better for your family than being crammed into a hotel room. You can look into Driftway riverfront luxury apartments or something similar as a special treat while you are on your holiday, giving yourself somewhere lovely to stay.

Of course, researching all of your options is still in your best interest because you want to find the best place at the best price. Take your time, but make sure that you have booked in advance so that you are secure in your knowledge you have a place to stay.

Set Your Budget

The last thing that we’re going to mention is that you should be setting your budget. You need to know how much you can actually spend on your trip while still being able to afford things like food, activities and gifts while you are away. You want to ensure that you are not worried about constantly running out of money throughout your trip, and that you can enjoy your time to the best of your ability. The only way this is going to happen is if you have thoroughly planned your budget, and can keep on track with it.

Hopefully, you have found this article helpful, and now have a better understanding of some of the things that you should plan out if you want to head out on a family trip. It’s important that you are planning as much as you can to ensure that you have a fabulous trip, so please take your time with this. If you rush, there is more chance of things going wrong.

The post Maybe It’s Time To Get Away: Planning A Trip For Your Family appeared first on InstantELLA.

Understanding Denver’s Seasons

Before diving into trip planning, it’s essential to understand Denver’s seasonal variations. Denver experiences four distinct seasons, each offering its own unique charm and activities:

Spring (March – May)

• Mild temperatures make spring ideal for outdoor activities like hiking and biking.
• Enjoy blooming wildflowers and budding trees in Denver’s parks and gardens.
• Be prepared for occasional spring snowstorms, especially in March and April.

Summer (June – August)

• Warm days and cool nights make summer perfect for exploring Denver’s outdoor festivals and events.
• Take advantage of extended daylight hours for hiking, camping, and outdoor dining.
• Plan ahead and book accommodations early, as summer is peak tourist season in Denver.

Fall (September – November)

• Experience Denver’s breathtaking fall foliage as the aspen trees turn golden in the mountains.
• Enjoy fewer crowds and lower hotel rates compared to the summer months.
• Pack layers, as temperatures can vary greatly between day and night.

Winter (December – February)

• Embrace winter sports like skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating in the nearby Rocky Mountains.
• Explore Denver’s indoor attractions, including museums, art galleries, and cozy cafes.
• Be prepared for cold temperatures and occasional snowfall, especially in December and January.

Understanding Denver’s seasonal nuances will help you plan your trip accordingly and make the most of your time in the Mile High City.

Must-See Attractions in Denver

Denver boasts a wide array of attractions that cater to every interest. Whether you’re a history buff, art enthusiast, or outdoor adventurer, here are some must-see attractions to add to your itinerary:

1. Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre

Experience the natural beauty of Red Rocks Park, known for its iconic red sandstone formations and stunning amphitheater.

Catch a concert or simply hike the trails and take in the panoramic views of Denver and the surrounding mountains.

Pro Tip: Check the concert schedule in advance and book tickets early for a memorable evening under the stars.

2. Denver Art Museum

Explore one of the largest art museums between Chicago and the West Coast, featuring a diverse collection of artwork from around the world.

Don’t miss the impressive Native American art collection and the stunning architecture of the Frederic C. Hamilton Building.

Pro Tip: Visit on the first Saturday of the month for free admission and special programming.

3. Union Station

Immerse yourself in Denver’s history and culture at Union Station, a historic train station turned bustling transportation hub and entertainment destination.

Grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants and cafes, or sip cocktails at one of the stylish bars.

Pro Tip: Take a guided tour to learn about the station’s rich history and architectural significance.

4. Denver Botanic Gardens

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and explore the serene beauty of the Denver Botanic Gardens.

Wander through themed gardens, including a Japanese garden, a tropical conservatory, and a native plant collection.

Pro Tip: Visit during the summer months for special events like outdoor concerts and yoga sessions in the gardens.

5. Rocky Mountain National Park

Embark on a day trip from Denver to Rocky Mountain National Park, located just a short drive away.

Explore over 350 miles of hiking trails, spot wildlife like elk and bighorn sheep, and marvel at breathtaking mountain vistas.

Pro Tip: Start your day early to beat the crowds and have the trails to yourself.

Navigating Denver’s Neighborhoods

Denver is a city of diverse neighborhoods, each with its own unique character and charm. From trendy urban enclaves to historic districts, here are some neighborhoods worth exploring:

1. LoDo (Lower Downtown)

Experience Denver’s vibrant nightlife and dining scene in LoDo, known for its historic buildings and lively atmosphere.

Explore the iconic Larimer Square, home to upscale boutiques, art galleries, and award-winning restaurants.

Pro Tip: Take a stroll along the 16th Street Mall and hop on the free shuttle for easy access to shops and attractions.

2. RiNo (River North Art District)

Discover Denver’s creative side in the RiNo Art District, where colorful murals adorn the walls and industrial warehouses have been transformed into art galleries and studios.

Sample craft beers at one of the many breweries or browse local artisan shops for unique souvenirs.

Pro Tip: Join a guided art walk to learn about the district’s history and the artists behind the murals.

3. Capitol Hill

Immerse yourself in Denver’s history and culture in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, home to historic mansions, museums, and cultural institutions.

Visit the Colorado State Capitol building and take a guided tour to learn about Colorado’s political history and see the famous gold dome.

Pro Tip: Explore Cheesman Park and enjoy sweeping views of the city skyline and the Rocky Mountains.

Dining and Nightlife in Denver

No trip to Denver would be complete without sampling the city’s vibrant culinary scene and nightlife. From farm-to-table eateries to craft breweries, here are some dining and nightlife recommendations:

Dining:

• Farm-to-Table Fare: Indulge in locally sourced cuisine at restaurants like Mercantile Dining & Provision or Fruition Restaurant.
• Food Halls: Experience a variety of culinary delights at Denver’s food halls, including Denver Central Market and Avanti Food & Beverage.
• Ethnic Eateries: Explore Denver’s diverse culinary landscape with dining options ranging from Mexican street food at El Taco de Mexico to authentic Ethiopian cuisine at Axum Restaurant.

Nightlife:

• Stanley Beer Hall: There’s only one place to begin; the Stanley Beer Hall! Enjoy 51 self-pour beer, wine & craft cocktail taps! 
• Speakeasy Bars: Step back in time and enjoy handcrafted cocktails at hidden gems like Williams & Graham or Green Russell.
• Live Music Venues: Catch a live show at venues like the Bluebird Theater or the Fillmore Auditorium for an unforgettable night out.

Transportation Tips for Getting Around Denver

Navigating Denver’s transportation system is easy and convenient, thanks to a variety of options available to travelers:

• Public Transit: Utilize Denver’s extensive public transit system, including buses and light rail, to explore the city and surrounding areas.
• Biking: Rent a bike through Denver’s bike-sharing program, B-cycle, and explore the city’s many bike-friendly trails and paths.
• Ridesharing: Use ridesharing services like Uber or Lyft for quick and convenient transportation around the city, especially during peak hours or late at night.

Final Thoughts

Planning a trip to Denver is an exciting endeavor filled with endless possibilities for exploration and adventure. By understanding the city’s seasons, exploring its diverse neighborhoods, sampling its culinary delights, and navigating its transportation options, you can make the most of your time in the Mile High City and create memories to last a lifetime. So pack your bags, hit the road, and get ready to experience all that Denver has to offer!

The post Planning Your Trip: Tips and Tricks for Making the Most of Your Time in Denver appeared first on InstantELLA.

Here are some simple ways to ensure that your home stays cool this summer. These easy steps will allow you to retreat to the comfort of your carefully cooled home. There are many ways that you can keep your home cool, and many of the methods vary depending on location and type of home.

Curtains

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While opening windows can be good, it needs to be done wisely. Opening a window that is facing the sun is just going to make your home super hot. You need to be careful to open windows that face away from the sun’s current position.

Equipping your windows with heavy curtains can be a great solution. These curtains prevent the sun from coming into the home, therefore keeping it much cooler. You can buy thick, dark curtains known as “black-out” curtains that do this quite nicely. Sometimes though, you need custom Window Treatments to get the right look. This can mean using a combination of curtains and bespoke blinds or shutters in order to get the right fit for your window with an aesthetic that matches the décor of the rest of the room.

Service AC

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This is the easiest, most effective, but most expensive suggestion on the list. Getting your AC tuned up will help keep your home cool all summer. It could potentially cost you a lot of money.

Check out local businesses that offer air conditioning services to find a good deal. Even if it is expensive, it is worth it.

Fire Up The Grill

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One of the easiest ways to heat your home up is to turn on the oven and cook. Now, this can’t be avoided the entire summer, so it is good to find the ideal times to cook. The ideal parts of the day to cook, morning and evening, are good times as your home will be cooler during those times.

You can avoid cooking inside by firing up the grill and cooking out. This is a classic thing to do during the summer anyway and will allow you to avoid heating up the house. Making a picnic out of it is a great family activity too!

Patch Screens

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Patching screens by itself will do nothing to keep your home cool. What your screens do is allow you to open windows without letting the veritable army of summer bugs into your home. You can buy very cheap screen patches at Walmart that are easily applied to windows and prevent bugs from coming in.

By doing so, you are allowing yourself to better ventilate your home by opening windows. If you open a window at each end of your house, you are creating a perfect path for a cool breeze.

Conclusion

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Summer is a great time of year, but it is very hot. Make sure that you are taking all the necessary steps to allow your home to be cool all summer. Simple, easy fixes are readily available; get your home in summer shape and beat the heat this year!

The post 4 Simple Actions to Take to Prepare to Beat the Summer Heat appeared first on InstantELLA.

Camping

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People try and make camping so complicated. They think they need to bring their entire bedroom and kitchen in order to have a good time, but to be honest the less hassle the better. A tent or hammock, a sleeping bag, a way to make fire, and a tinfoil dinner is all you need to have a fabulous camping trip with a few friends.

Hiking

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Getting out and hiking is a wonderful way to stretch your legs and breath in some fresh air. Make sure you use the buddy system and stay on the trail so your adventure into the wilderness will be accident-free.

BBQ

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If you do a BBQing party you can have everyone bring an item or two. That way it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg to have great food with fabulous company. Most apartment complexes offer patio grills so it shouldn’t be hard to find somewhere to cook your meat. Also, to keep the event stress free, try sticking with easy BBQing options. Grilling up steaks for an entire party of people probably isn’t worth the effort you’re going to have to put into it.

Campfire/bonfire

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Campfires don’t have to include food, but a bag of marshmallows, some graham crackers, and a few chocolates can go a long way to make a group happy. Encourage your musically include friend to bring along their guitar so you can enjoy a few silly songs by the glow of the fire.

Fishing

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You don’t have to be an avid fisherman to enjoy a little fishing. Find yourself a pole, hook, and line and take a relaxing trip down to the side of a river. If you catch something, that’s great, fish for dinner! If not, that’s alright too. At least you had an excuse to be outside.

Picnic

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Picnics are another great pot luck activity. Have some people bring food and others bring games. With everyone pitching in something you’re bound to have a fantastic day at the park.

Birdwatching

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While perhaps not the most thrilling activity, birdwatching can be very fascinating. Bring along a bird book or download an app on your phone to help you know what you’re looking at. Some apps even have the birds calls available so you can draw your new feathery friend in for a closer look.

Biking

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Biking can be whatever you want it to be. If you’re in the mood for some intense mountain trails remember to wear a helmet and stay safe. You could also stay around town and enjoy a leisurely ride around the park to get you outside and breathing in the spring air.

Slacklining

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If the area you live in is filled with trees then it might be time to live out your childhood dream of being a tight rope walker. All you need is a slackline and two trees that are relatively close together. As you’re learning, start with your line close to the ground so your fall isn’t quite so painful.

Climbing

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Few things provide a greater adrenaline rush than going out and scaling a cliff face. Whether you are just trying out the sport or are an avid climber remember to always use the right equipment correctly so you can stay safe.

It doesn’t really matter what you’re doing as long as you are getting outside and staying safe. Enjoy the nice weather!

The post 10 Spring Activities To Get You And Your Group Out And About appeared first on InstantELLA.

The most wonderful time of the year can also be the most hectic and stressful time of year for many.

It can require many trips to the mall, lots of driving, working overtime before the holidays, and also dealing with a lot of family members and friends.

It can leave you a bit frazzled and tired, and make you wonder if you are going to make it through it ok and have the energy to start of the New Year on a good foot.

Something that you can do to make sure you don’t turn into the Grinch this holiday season is to give a little time back to yourself and find some time to relax and rejuvenate.

Here are seven ways to pamper yourself this holiday season so that you are feeling your best and everyone is getting a well-rested and well-cared version of you.

Take a nice long bubble bath

If it seems like your schedule is jam-packed but you know that you need just some time to yourself a bubble bath is a great way to do that while still being able to fit everything else in.

The nice thing about a bubble bath is you can do it at home anytime you have time, especially in the evening when all the kids have finally gone to sleep.

Throw in a couple of bath bombs, light a few candles, and allow yourself to relax into the warm bubbles.

Get a manicure and pedicure

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Just like getting your hair done, getting a mani and pedi feels luxurious while not necessarily being so.

Take a couple gal pals with you as well who may need a break from their hectic lives as well.

Just make sure if you are diabetic to ask your foot doctor if it’s ok to have a pedicure done to make sure you don’t get any kind of harmful infection.

Get a massage

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This is one you can do alone or with your significant other, in fact, it could be a special Christmas gift for you and them as well. Booking yourselves in for a swedish massage in St Louis Park, MN or another more relevant area can be a great way to loosen up any tension and unwind together.

It’s something you both will love and help you to both relax and feel pampered as well.

Rent a hotel room

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If you really need to get away from it all drop off the kids at their grandparents and take a staycation at a local hotel.

That way you don’t have to worry about cooking and cleaning, and you can just lounge around all night and sleep in in the morning.

Eat some yummy treats

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This is one that is great when you really can’t take any time away from everything that is going on but can instantly perk up your mood and let you indulge.

Get your hair done

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No one will question you if you say you have to get your hair touched up and it will also help you to look fresh and fabulous for your all your holiday parties.

Get your hair washed, cut, and styled and maybe even add a blowout.

You will be able to relax while everything is getting done and take some time away from the everyday tasks on your list.

Take some alone time

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Even if it just means going to the grocery store alone or taking a walk alone, take some time to be with yourself and you will find it will help to center you and find a little bit of peace and quiet.

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