If you are looking for a fun stop near Zion National Park you definitely want to check out Silver Reef Museum in Leeds, Utah. You can read about visiting Zion National Park here. Located a short way off the Leeds exit from Highway I-15, the museum is housed in the original 19th century Wells Fargo & Company Express Building, one of a few that are not only still standing but also remain in use. Opened in 1877, the Wells Fargo building is on the National Register of Historic Buildings.
This post contains affiliate links, and I may earn compensation when you click on the links at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own though.
A unique museum in an historic building
We enjoyed learning how the rarest and richest silver was discovered and mined. Our guide was an older gentleman, a local who wore western clothing (I think he was supposed to look like Sherrif Sam Elliot) and told a lot of interesting stories. Since he was from the area he spoke of his personal experiences. You can see him in the video below. He was very knowledgeable and quite passionate about the history of the area. He showed us examples of tools and machinery that was used and explained some of the challenges the people had to overcome back when the town was thriving.
This ghost town of Silver Reef was once called Bonanza Town.
The quality of life in what used to be called Bonanza Town was once thriving. The land value there was the highest in the country, and they had the richest silver producing mines to date in all of America. The silver was extracted from rare, unbelievable ore. The guide takes you through the mine and explains how the silver was extracted. This is the only place where silver was discovered in sandstone.
The Silver Reef Museum also gives tours to school groups.
Inside the museum you feel like you are stepping into the past. There is an original safe from the 1800’s. There are artifacts and antiques from the true Wild West, showing all aspects of pioneer life in southern Utah. The museum is well-maintained and clean. There is also a great gift shop with cool things like jewelry and artwork – not cheesy tourist junk.
Stagecoach etiquette from the days of the Wild West
There used to be a real live (staged) shootout on the fourth Friday of the month, but this has been put on hold. There are walking trails outside. You can pick up a pamphlet in the museum and read about the numbered sites along the way. There is a mining machine yard right outside of the museum, and I could just imagine the place when it was full of life back in the day. There is no shade though, so if you plan to walk around a long time you will want to bring sunscreen and some water.
Mining machine yard outside of the Silver Reef MuseumThis building next to the Silver Reef Museum is a replica of the original restaurant.A genuine snake oil advertisement from Silver Reef in Utah.
Admission was only $3, and you can easily spend two hours there. It is worth the stop when you are in the area. We enjoyed it!
Here are some resources that will help you plan your trip to Utah or anywhere else. If you click through my links you will be able to access the best and most current prices and deals. These are companies that I trust and I think will be the most helpful to you as you plan.
Book a Flight
If you are not within close driving distance to your destination you will need to book a flight. I don’t know if you have heard of this company yet, but with Skyscanner you can find cheap flights anywhere in the world. The website is super easy to use, and if you use my link above you will be able to compare flights and prices and have a seat booked without all the hassle of multiple website searches. Skyscanner is awesome!
Book a Room
Hotels.com has great deals on National Park lodging. They are very reliable. If you want to see tons of reviews on places to stay, TripAdvisor has over 150 million reviews and opinions of hotels, restaurants, attractions, and more by travelers like you and me.
Book a Car
You could go through individual rental car companies if you want, but if you check out TripAdvisor they have great comparisons. Also, if you book hotel and rental car together it is oftentimes cheaper.
Luggage
If you are needing new luggage for your trip check out some really awesome deals on good quality luggage at Chester Travels.
Travel Insurance
One of the worst things is to be out of town and have something bad happen. Accidents, unexpected mishaps, and other troubles can and do happen. But if you are prepared you can have peace of mind. That’s why getting travel insurance is a great idea. And it does not cost that much. Travel insurance can help you deal with theft, health issues, and other troubles. I recommend World Nomads. The people at World Nomads are passionate travelers themselves, so they know what can happen. The link above will take you to their very best deals.
Most of all, have fun!
Please leave a comment below. Have you been to Utah?
One Day Itinerary for Exploring Some of the Best Attractions in Atlanta
Travel and tourism attractions are starting to open back up again, but it seems like most folks are staying in country for their travel. Although some of the attractions on this list are still closed due to the coronavirus, you might find this list handy in the future. If you ever find that you have only one day to spend in the city of Atlanta, here is my suggested itinerary.
This post contains some affiliate links, and if you purchase anything through these links I may receive commission at no additional cost to you. I only include products and services that I use or believe in.
Check Hotels.com for some of the best hotel deals in Atlanta.
Morning
Centennial Olympic Park
I made Richard get in this picture. He looks so thrilled! Centennial Olympic Park
First, spend about 45 minutes exploring Centennial Olympic Park. Most of the other attractions do not open until 9:00 or 10:00 in the morning, so early morning is a good time to enjoy this free 22-acre green space that was the main gathering site during the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta.
Memorial to Olympic Swimmers and Divers
It is right in the middle of Atlanta’s downtown district, so it is a great place to start. You are within walking distance of several major attractions, so you can just leave your car in one spot.
Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta
COVID Update: Currently, as I write this in June 2020 the Visitor’s Information Center, Fountain of Rings, and the Playgrounds are closed until further notice due to COVID. However, we visited in the winter and never went in the Visitor Center or fountains anyway. It was still fun!
Georgia Aquarium
Georgia Aquarium
Next, head over to the Georgia Aquarium (estimated time 2 – 3 hours). It is a 3-minute walk from Centennial Olympic Park, and you can get there right when it opens.
Atlanta’s aquarium is the largest in the Western hemisphere. It is the home of tens of thousands of water creatures with 500 species from around the world and over 60 different habitats. There are lots of different interesting special exhibits as well.
There were so many different kinds of fish at the Georgia Aquarium!
Their largest exhibit is actually 284 feet long, 126 feet wide, and 30 feet in depth at the maximum depth. It holds 6.3 million gallons of water! My favorite part if where you can walk through a tunnel and look up and see sharks swimming over your head through the glass. It is something you don’t want to miss!
Jellyfish in the Georgia Aquarium
COVID Update: The aquarium is open, but tickets can only be purchased online in advance of your visit. They have established time blocks with limited capacity. Temperatures will be scanned upon entry, and visitors are encouraged to wear masks.
For lunch I suggest walking across the street to Max’s Coal Oven Pizzeria.The pizza at Max’s was delicious!
Insider Tip: If you plan on visiting more than one attraction that costs to get in, I suggest that you purchase an Atlanta CityPASS. You can save up to 50% on combined prices for admission to popular attractions. Shop now on CityPASS.com.
Afternoon
World of Coca-Cola
World of Coca -Cola in Atlanta
Head to the World of Coca-Cola (estimated time 2 hours) where you will learn everything you ever wanted to know and more about the famous soft drink. There are some really interesting exhibits, retro ads, and a cool replica of the actual bottling process.
There is a really fun short film in the theater there called “Moments of Happiness” that celebrates some of life’s most memorable moments experienced by different people of all ages and cultures.
World of Coca-Cola’s Entrance
In the loft you can see a lot of different historical and international artifacts that represent more than 125 years of Coca-Cola memories. Then there is the Vault, where the famous Coca-Cola secret formula is secured. You learn about the origins of this secret formula, which is one of business’s closely guarded and best kept trade secrets ever, how competitors tried to copy their success, how the owners kept the formula secret throughout the years, and how all this secrecy gave birth to tons of myths and legends.
COVID Update: World of Coca Cola is closed at this time but plans are for it to reopen July 15, 2020.
CNN Tour
CNN Headquarters in Atlanta gives behind-the-scenes tours.
There are several options for your afternoon after the Coca-Cola museum. One is to take an Inside CNN Atlanta Tour (estimated time 50 minutes). Reservations must be made in advance, but this will make it easier for you to time your day.
CNN’s World Headquarters is in Atlanta.In the lobby of the CNN Headquarters.
The CNN Tour is a 50 minute guided walking tour through the halls of CNN Center where you get an exclusive, behind-the-scenes inside look at how a live broadcast is produced. You get an in-depth look at how the world’s largest news operation operates in the world headquarters of CNN. Even if you usually watch a different news channel it is interesting to see how things work behind-the-scenes.
COVID Update: Currently all tours are temporarily suspended, and the CNN store is temporarily closed.
College Football Hall of Fame
The Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame is another option that is within walking distance from the aquarium and Coca-Cola museum. It celebrates all of the best things about college football. There are three floors with five themed galleries. One wall three floors high is covered with 750 college football helmets. There are over 50 interactive exhibits, including a 47-yard football field!
So if college football is your thing, you will probably want to fit this attraction in to your day in Atlanta for sure.
COVID Update: Reopening July 1 (with precautions).
Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site
Another option is the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site. You will have to drive there, but there is free parking. You could also take a MARTA bus. The Sweet Auburn district of Atlanta is the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the visitor’s center there tells the story of Dr. King and a lot of what happened during the civil rights movement. The restored King birth home is there as well as Ebenezer Baptist Church, where three generations of the King family preached. You can also see Dr. King’s burial site, and there are usually special exhibits going on as well. Estimated time is 1 1/2 hours.
COVID Update: Temporarily closed.
Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum
Located next to the Carter Center, the Jimmy Carter Library and Museum has a replica of the Oval Office and President carter’s Nobel Peace Prize. There are often traveling exhibits there as well. Estimated time is about 2 hours. You will also need to drive there, but the parking there is free also. There is also a 1.5 mile pedestrian and bike path between these two attractions called the Carter-King Peace Trail if you want to see both and walk in between.
COVID Update: All in-person public events are canceled for now, but their Facebook page has information about virtual events.
Evening
SunDial Restaurant Bar & View
Have dinner in the SunDial Restaurant atop the Westin Peachtree Plaza, which is the tallest hotel in the western hemisphere, and take in a view of the city. (Estimated time: 2 hours)
COVID Update: Closed until further notice.
Atlanta Braves Game
If you want a more casual evening between April and October, try to catch an Atlanta Braves game in Truist Park (formerly Suntrust Park). You can also take a tour of Truist Park where you can see the broadcast booth, the dugout, the clubhouse (only when the team is out of town), the press box, and even the luxury suites.
If you are a true Braves fan visit the Battery Atlanta before and after the game at Truist Park, where you can taste some of the finest food and wine at various restaurants where some of Atlanta’s best chefs are found.
COVID Update: Games: 2020 regular season will begin at the end of July. Truist Park tours are currently suspended indefinitely.
Do you have any other to add to the list? If you only have one day to spend in Atlanta pick your top 4 must-see attractions and schedule your fun. Drop a comment below and let me know how you like this list.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom was so much fun! Richard and I had the opportunity to visit in November on my birthday (I won’t tell you how old I am, but I will say that Disney always brings out the kid in all of us). Disney’s Animal Kingdom park is a Walt Disney World theme park near Orlando, Florida. It is sort of a theme park/zoo with daily and nightly attractions and experiences, including the new Pandora – The World of Avatar, which had our favorite ride in it. Here are ten things we loved about it, and we think you will love it too.
1. Animals in Their Natural Habitats
The park is divided into different “continents,” and each one has restaurants with food from that area as well as shows and attractions that go along with that continent, like Asia or Africa. My favorite area for animals was Africa, but there were animals in every continent. On the Discovery Island Trails (near the Tree of Life) we saw a swan, flamingos, deer, a lemur, and a kangaroo. The Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail is also a great place to see animals like monkeys and meerkats. There were also tons of different kinds of birds that you wouldn’t normally see anywhere else.
In Asia the Maharajah Jungle Trek is very cool. That’s where you can see tigers and a komodo dragon. The walk itself is beautiful. It’s a self-guided tour, where you cross over towering footbridges, curve around jungle foliage views, and see some amazing waterfalls. If you walk into the aviary you hear lots of chirping from over 50 species of birds that fly free. If you love to look at birds don’t miss this. I love all things animal, so I was definitely in my element for sure. What’s great about this place though is that the animals were not behind bars but in safe areas that were just like their natural habitats. So even though the rides and shows are great in this park, make sure you take time to see some of the animals too. Legend has it that the Anandapur Royal Forest was once the hunting ground of wealthy maharajahs, but now people can walk into what looks like a real lush tropical paradise.
2. Tree of Life
In the middle of Discovery Island is the Tree of Life. The Tree of Life is a 145-foot sculpture, but it looks like a real baobab tree. It is supposed to be based on mythology. On the trunk and branches are 325 carvings of different animal species. The longer I stood there and looked at it the more I spotted. There are tons of real trees and gardens in the park, so this is one of the few artificial ones. You really can’t miss it. It is almost in the direct center of the park, and it is huge!
The Tree of Life Awakenings begin at dark and occur about every 10 minutes until the park closes, so try to stop by there if you are in the park at night. It slowly lights up with animations. At first flickering fireflies magically appear and stir to life the animal spirits in the tree’s towering trunk. Little by little parts of the tree light up with dazzling color and animated imagery. There are scenes like a young doe going on a journey, a love story between hummingbirds, a sly fox, and more. It is neat to see.
3. A Bug’s Life Show
At the base of the Tree of Life is the entrance to the 428-seat theater inside the tree that hosts It’s Tough to Be a Bug! This is totally worth seeing – even for us adults. While you wait in line you get 3-D glasses to put on. The film is based on the 1998 Disney/Pixar film A Bug’s Life, and it is so well done! There are animated characters in the theater plus some of the best 3-D technology I’ve ever experienced. The show is funny, and the 3-D effects seemed very real. I don’t want to spoil the surprises at the end, but I will say, “Hold on to your seat!”
4. Festival of The Lion King Show
Located in Africa, this show is a must-see. I loved the Lion King musical on Broadway (I’ve seen it twice), and I thought the musical talent in this show was right up there with Broadway. The colorful costumes, audience participation, singing, and dancing were all spectacular. Check out my video at the end of this blog for a little sampling.
The audience is divided into four “tribes” who all join the members of the Pride Lands for a beautiful colorful celebration in honor of Simba, the lion cub who would be king. When the lights dim, you hear the sounds of the African savanna. And then amazing colors fill the stage in the center when gigantic puppets, dancers with extravagant costumes, amazing acrobats, stilt walkers, and a fire dancer emerge. It is truly spectacular. I loved hearing some of my favorite songs from the Lion King movie like “Hakuna Matata” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?” And the spectacular finale includes a beautiful rendition of “Circle of Life.”
5. Kilimanjaro Safari
And speaking of Africa – I had the opportunity to visit the real continent of Africa and go on a real safari once, so I have to admit I did not expect a safari in a theme park to be this good. But of course everything Disney does is top-notch. You ride in an open air rugged safari vehicle, driven by an expert guide as you explore the Harambe Wildlife Reserve. Our guide said it is home to 34 species living in 110 acres of open plains, shady forest landscapes and rocky wetlands. She pointed out animals and shared lots of wildlife facts during our expedition. As I have mentioned before, I love animals so I had a great time.
6. Pandora – World of Avatar at Night
What is Pandora at Disney’s Animal Kingdom? This area is fairly new and is themed after the record-breaking, box-office hit film Avatar. Even if you have not seen the movie you will enjoy the lush world of Pandora that exists supposedly long after the human conflict with the Na’vi has ended. It is pretty in the daytime, but it is transformed into a glowing wonderland at night with bioluminescent flora and detailed lighting that gives Pandora a sort of dreamlike quality. There is so much to do and see in Pandora, but our favorite is next on my list.
7. Avatar – Flight of Passage
I will just tell you what I kept saying over and over during this entire ride: “Oh, wow!” I know this sounds like I am exaggerating, but it is one of the coolest things I have ever experienced. My husband says the same thing. It seemed so real! When you are in line you go through this whole science lab simulation where you learn how an Avatar is created. Then they pretend to “scan your DNA” and change you into a creature who can ride a banshee, which are these winged dragon-like things.
So what is the ride? You actually get on a motorcycle type thing and look at a giant screen with 3-D goggles on. The 3-D technology is amazing! That along with other special effects like your seat tilting and a light spray in your face when it seems like you are falling down a waterfall make it seem so real. Can you imagine straddling the back of a wing-flapping banshee, darting and swirling through the canyon, over oceans, down waterfalls, through trees? Avatar Flight of Passage will transport you on an amazing, simulated flight over Pandora’s colorful landscape.The scenery was absolutely beautiful! You’ll soar around floating mountains, plunge through ancient caverns, and skim across roaring oceans, leading to a realistic encounter with the fiercest king of the air, the Great Leonopteryx that boasts a 45-foot wingspan. And it definitely is realistic. I was a little scared, as it felt like I was flying at top speed down a canyon. I had to keep telling myself, “It’s not real. It’s not real.” But I promise you, it seemed so real! If you have to pick one ride not to miss in Disney’s Animal Kingdom this is it.
8. Expedition Everest – The Legend of Forbidden Mountain
Now moving over into Asia (it seems like we spent most of our time in Africa and Asia). This is another “Oh wow!” ride, but truth be told I wasn’t saying anything at all during this ride. That’s because I was screaming my head off in sheer terror the entire time. Well, maybe I am exaggerating but it was really scary to me. Not really having a clue we just got in line and got ourselves locked into the seat ready to go. Then it took off, and oh man! It starts off in a Tibetan village at the base of Mount Everest. Then before you know it you are racing through icy Himalayan peaks on a speeding train while avoiding running into the mythical Yeti. This legendary snow monster supposedly lives deep in the mountain, and there are signs all along the way warning of him.
There is a super steep ascent at first. And I will say that that’s all we saw from the park. We just saw the train going up a steep hill and into a mountain. I think if we had seen what happens once that train disappears into the mountain we might have chickened out. Anyway, after this steep ascent, your train picks up speed and races into the darkness. Without warning, a broken and twisted track with a huge dropoff appears in front of you, and it looks like you will fall off the cliff to your death. But you have to brace yourself as you are hurled backward into total darkness. Inside the cavern, the mythical tale comes true as you see the shadow of a massive, growling creature……the Yeti! I should have known better when I read the signs warning: “Some parts of Expedition Everest may be scary for children. This attraction features loud noises, fast drops, high speeds, dark places and frightening creature effects.” Well, who knew? It was one of those things that scared me so much it was fun.
9. Fast Track Passes
When we first entered the park a very helpful worker there helped us download the Disney app, create an account, and make our fast pass reservations. Disney FastPass is a service included with your ticket purchase and lets you reserve access to select rides, attractions, and entertainment. It is so awesome to be able to walk right past all the people standing in the long lines and get in the special much shorter Fast Pass line. We were able to choose three attractions, and the park worker helped us choose the ones that would be more popular. You can make selections as early as 30 days before you arrive, so some were already booked by the time we figured this out. If you are staying in a Disney hotel you can make your FastPass+ selections up to 60 days prior to check-in for the entire length of your stay. You have to link your park admission to your account, but a Disney employee can help you do that. And the best part? There is no extra charge for this complimentary benefit.
10. Great Food
The cool thing about the Disney app linked to your park admission is that you can make reservations for specific times at the restaurants. Each “continent” in Disney’s Animal Kingdom has restaurants with food from that geographical area. We ate in Asia at “Yak and Yeti,” and it was delicious! But there is lots of great food everywhere including “Tusker House” and “The Rainforest Cafe.”
Have you been to Disney’s Animal Kingdom? What was your favorite part? Please leave a comment below, and share my post with others. I appreciate it! I hope you enjoy my video. 🙂
St. Augustine – This is a beautiful view from Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park!
Wish you could find a fountain of youth? Well, we did. Where is the fountain of youth? We are talking about the Fountain of Youth St. Augustine. OK, so actually Ponce de Leon supposedly did first discover it in what is now St. Augustine, Florida. St. Augustine is such a great city to visit. It is an easy 2 hour day trip from Orlando and has lots of tourist attractions such as the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. (Scroll to the bottom for my video.)
It is easy to overlook the Fountain of Youth, but don’t miss it!
The Spring House where the fountain is located is on a 15 acre property called Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, the original site of the Nation’s oldest city. Juan Ponce de Leon was the first to explore the area in 1513. It was settled by Pedro Menendez de Aviles in 1565, so this historic coastal town is actually the oldest successful European settlement in the United States. I lived near Boston while in graduate school, and I never even heard of St. Augustine until recently. But evidently Colonial America started right there in St. Augustine 55 years before the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock, and 42 years before Jamestown! Who knew? So the Fountain of Youth Park St. Augustine, Florida is a must see. With a long, rich history of almost 500 years it is a very informative and entertaining tour. You can walk around at your own pace and look at things or stop and watch live demonstrations (see my video below) or listen to informative talks on some aspect of the history. I get bored easily, but I really liked this attraction.
There were random peacocks everywhere in the Fountain of Youth ParkWe learned a lot about the history of Ponce de Leon.It was fun discovering history in the Fountain of Youth Park.
You can actually take a sip of the water from the “Fountain of Youth” in the Spring House. That’s pretty cool! You can learn about the saga of Juan Ponce de Leon and his search for new lands and magical waters, or the tragedy of the Timucua civilization, or the interesting story of Pedro Menendez de Aviles and the settling of St. Augustine, as I mentioned earlier. In addition to the Spring House some of the exhibits include: Navigators Planetarium, Discovery Globe, Live Peacocks, a Blacksmith Exhibit, Timucuan Burials and Village, Nombre de Dios Mission, 1565 Menendez Settlement, Excavations, Spanish Lookout, Cannon Firing, Chalupa Boathouse, Founders Riverwalk, and Menendez Statue/Park.
This Ironsmith was giving demonstrations in the Fountain of Youth Park.This is an old Spanish Lookout at the Fountain of Youth.They fire this cannon off periodically in the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park.Guides dress in period clothing to give interpretive talks at Fountain of Youth.
They have free parking and a Smoked BBQ restaurant in the park. They also have picnic tables to use if you want to bring your own lunch. And they give discounts to Adult US Active Military with ID and AAA Cardholders. Next time you are near St. Augustine, Florida check it out!
The Fountain of Youth Park had lots of old relics like this wooden boat.
We also did the Old Jail tour. There is so much more to do and see in this town.
St. Augustine also has a real castle that you can walk around and a lighthouse that you can go into. We only had part of a day, so we did not get to see the lighthouse but hope to next time.
There is a castle in St. Augustine, Florida!
Since we were in St. Augustine Thanksgiving week, we got to experience the Night of Lights Tour that evening. It is a super fun thing to do for people of all ages from November through February. See my post on it here.
This is where you but tickets to the trolley and the Old Jail. Parking is very limited, but if you buy a trolley ticket you can park in their lot for free.With your ticket to the Old Jail you go through this store to a cute little museum.In Gator Bob’s St. Augustine, FloridaAs a teacher I just had to take a picture of this!
Below is a short video of some of the highlights of the Fountain of Youth tour. Comment and tell me what you liked!
