Alli Talley

August 15, 2023

Family Friendly Fun in Santa Ana - Kid AND Parent Approved

Alli Talley

August 15, 2023

Summers have shifted in the Traveling Newlyweds’ household. Five years ago, summers involved cross-country road trips, African safaris, and quick weekenders in Cabo. Fast forward to 2023 and summers are defined by beach days, exploring new parks, and trips to the local mountains. We’ve embraced this new phase with our kids but still have the desire for new adventures. With two kids under three, we stay pretty close to home more often and are always looking for new spots to eat or to get our kids’ wiggles out. We’re excited to share that we’ve been exploring Santa Ana for the past few weeks and have fallen in love. Not only is it close to home (Costa Mesa), but we’ve found experiences that all of us have enjoyed.

Here’s a quick little rundown of where we’ve been eating and playing in Santa Ana this summer:

EAT

Hopper & Burr: This is one of our favorite coffee shops, period. We’ve been coming here for years and are obsessed with the gourmet coffee, the mouth-watering avocado toast, and the always friendly baristas. If you haven’t been to Hopper & Burr, drive over to Santa Ana this weekend and thank us after.
Brunch at Santa Ana Brunch Club: If we had to pick one standout of our past few weeks in Santa Ana, it’s brunch. To be fair, it’s the only place we hadn’t been and we didn’t know what to expect. We arrived right when they opened at 9 AM (because the kids had been up for hours), and immediately were greeted by the kindest employees and Chef Domenico. They made recommendations for breakfast and we didn’t hold back. Bobby had chicken and waffles, Alli ate Avocado & Egg toast, the kids had sourdough pancakes, and we all shared the milk bread donut bites. Chef Domenico told us all about the restaurant and his journey to getting there and we can’t wait to go back!
Benchmark: A perfect location for al-fresco, Benchmark boasts a welcoming vibe that feels welcoming for families but is also the perfect date night spot. Their menu is “refined yet approachable” and encourages shared plates to enhance the whole table’s culinary experience. The kids shared chicken tenders while we enjoyed the Benchmark burger and avocado and corn salad. DELISH!
4th Street Market: The thing about the 4th Street Market is that you could actually consider this “play” too. The 4th Street Market is a modern food hall with a variety of food stalls, so everyone can get what they like. There is a variety of cuisine (and libations) that ensures that you’ll be making multiple trips. What’s more, they have a patio area with ping-pong tables and games that our kids were obsessed with. We indulged in the smash burgers at The Golden Eatery and craft cocktails from Recess by Playground. The kids had grilled cheese, juice, and loved dancing on the stage.

There may have been some fighting over the donut bites :)

PLAY

A Day at the Santa Ana Zoo: If you’re a Southern California native, your idea of a zoo is probably shaped by the San Diego zoo. Ours was! So while the SD zoo is magical, it feels like a big production to commit to a day at the zoo. But the Santa Ana Zoo offers a different experience. While you can definitely spend a whole day here, you can also see so much in just a couple of hours. It is packed full of animals, activity, and fun, but it’s a much smaller space than the San Diego Zoo. This is a huge advantage when you’re wrangling kids. Our kids are obsessed with the monkeys, butterflies and camels. With over 80 species of animals, we definitely need to go back to see it all!

Aside from the animals, we rode a ferris wheel, a train, and played on the playground. And a visit to the Santa Ana Zoo is not complete without a trip to Bean Sprouts for lunch. Their award-winning kids menu is honestly the most fun looking food our kids have ever seen. From the “Spaceadilla” (quesadilla shaped like a rocket ship) to the “Flutter Bite” (turkey sandwich shaped like a butterfly), all of their kids entrees are built with creative flair and are super healthy!

The Discovery Cube: The perfect August-September activity, the Discovery Cube is a wonderful place to beat the SoCal heat. Aside from the air conditioning, the Discovery Cube is an amazing destination focused on inspiring and educating kids through science programs and exhibits. With permanent exhibits and seasonal featured events, there are always fun, new experiences.

Here are some of our kids’ favorite exhibits:

Discovery Market - Grab a shopping cart and have a real life grocery store experience.
Hurricane Simulator - Experience winds over 70 miles an hour. Hold on to your hat!
The Raceway - Build a car, find a track, and race for the best time.

The two featured events were perfect for our kids. Both are going to be at the Discovery Cube until September 4th:

OC Ocean Encounter - Explore the different parts of the ocean in this immersive wonderland. Learn about ocean life, coral reefs, conservation efforts, and so much more. Reese loved that she found a slide!
Paw Patrol: Adventure Play - Jude could have stayed here all day. Come alongside your favorite pups and explore the different parts of Adventure Bay. This place is a kids dream!

Good news for the kids… the Discovery Cube has a Bean Sprouts cafe as well. So you can get your Under the Sea-za pizza here too :)

Jude loved building cars and racing them!

From Brunch to the 4th Street Market to the Zoo, we’ve been so thankful to learn what is right in our backyard in Santa Ana. We’re eager to explore more of the places we’ve been, but also know that there’s so much more to discover. We’ll be sure to report back as we uncover more family friendly adventures in Santa Ana!

Alli Talley

May 21, 2023

California, Weekenders

FIVE REASONS YOU SHOULD VACATION IN OXNARD

Alli Talley

May 21, 2023

California, Weekenders

We just came back from a four-day staycation in Oxnard, CA that absolutely blew us away. “Oxnard, really? Why Oxnard? What’s there?”

We’re so glad you asked.

Conveniently located just five minutes South of Ventura, Oxnard is a hidden gem of a beach town. It has it all—beautiful weather, a pristine coastline, award-winning restaurants, luxurious accommodations, and even a taco trail! And the best part is, it feels under the radar. But I digress, just read on…

One of our first stops was this colorful mural!

1. The Zachari Dunes Resort

Zachari Dunes is a brand-new (it just opened in October of 2022!) and absolutely stunning beachfront resort, right in the heart of Oxnard. Not only is the property massive, the rooms are too! All of the rooms are suites (families, can we get an amen?), so even if you’re in the smallest room—you still have a living area and two bathrooms! There’s a beautiful pool and spa, multiple dining options, Watersport rentals, game room, daily activities, and SO MUCH MORE. It’s a destination in and of itself. We would have been more than happy never leaving the property, but alas, there’s so much to do in the town as well. Which leads us to our next reason….

2. There’s a Taco Trail

Dozens and dozens of delicious and authentic taco spots… need we say more? We only had time to hit up a few, but they were LEGIT. If nothing else, we’ll be back to Oxnard just for the tacos. Two must-visit local faves:

Carnitas El Rey: Not many people know that Bobby always goes straight for the carnitas at an authentic Mexican restaurant. Who knew that our first stop in Oxnard would be the taco restaurant that specializes in carnitas. WHAT?!? They offer different cuts of carnitas and you should try a variety. Quite possibly the best carnitas we’ve ever had. Be forewarned—the tacos are BIG. They load them up, so come hungry.
Yolanda's Mexican Cafe: We came for the marina views, but the tacos were the real star here. We tried the steak, chicken, and carnitas tacos and they were all really good. Especially when paired with a couple Cadillac margaritas. ;) For a full list of taco trail spots, click here!

First stop at Carnitas and it was the BEST!

3. There are Endless Activities

Whether you’re the kind of vacationer that just wants to beach, pool, repeat, or the kind that gets antsy after 10 minutes of “relaxing”—you’ll thrive in Oxnard. It has it all. Adventure seekers can choose between day tripping to the Channel Islands or a variety of ocean sports. Shoppers can indulge in picture-perfect outdoor shopping spots. Sightseers can stroll the harbor or ride bikes on the beach path. Your vacation can be as jam-packed or chill as you want it to be.

4. It’s Perfect for Families

It’s wild how your priorities change once you’ve had kids. Pre-kids we’d spend hours researching the cocktail bars and nightlife of a destination—now we google “playgrounds with a view”, “kid friendly restaurants with happy hours”, and “outdoor activities for toddlers”. Oxnard REALLY delivered in this department. From the Pirate Playground next door to our hotel, to the Gondola Paradiso gondola ride that our whole family enjoyed, to the scenic Wheel Fun Rentals Surrey ride, to the waterfront restaurants that had icy cold cocktails for us and coloring books for the kiddos—we were ALL living our best lives.

The Mullin Automotive Museum is a hit for all ages.

Sunset Gondola ride with Gondola Paradiso!

5. The FOOD!

It’s safe to say we ate our way through Oxnard. Beyond the insane taco scene, the fresh seafood here is on another level. Just a few of our favorites:

Ox & Ocean (located at the Zachari Dunes) was so good, we ate there numerous times. Order the O & O Burger And the Oxtail Bao Buns. And don’t forget their signature Magic Sunset cocktail!

Waterside Restaurant and Wine Bar is another spot we frequented more than once. As the name implies, it’s right on the water and has an extensive menu with fresh seafood and local favorites. They also have a really great happy hour (get the Strawberry Mule!), and live music. We’d be there every weekend if we were locals!

Other standouts: Ragamuffin Coffee Roasters makes a mean iced oat vanilla latte, The Blend Superfood Bar has a Peanut Butter Berry Acai Bowl that I will never forget, and La Dolce Vita serves the most mouthwatering homemade Italian pastas in the most charming setting.

Moral of the story: Go to Oxnard. Bring your family. Heck, bring us! We’re ready to go back!

Alli Talley

December 17, 2022

Alaska, USA

Alaska Itinerary 2022 - Reese Journeys to the Far North!

Alli Talley

December 17, 2022

Alaska, USA

It’s been a few months since we’ve returned from our *dare we say* EPIC trip to Alaska. If you followed along on Instagram, you know. (And if you didn’t—go check out our Alaska highlights… right. now.) From start to finish it was a dream trip, filled with stunning views, pinch-me moments, and amazing food. And it couldn’t have been more family-friendly! (Jude lived his best life in Alaska. He asks us daily to return.)

We had SO many dm’s asking for our itinerary. So here we are, friends—this is for you. Copy this exact trip. Everything. It’s all so good.

Day 1

Arrive in Anchorage. This was our first time visiting Alaska’s largest city, and it definitely won’t be our last. It has all the big-city amenities that we love, like incredible fine dining and an array of cool coffee shops, and has all the jaw-dropping wilderness one would expect in Alaska.

Rent a car and stay at the Lakefront Anchorage—a charming resort perched right on Lake Hood. We checked in and immediately headed to one of Anchorages’ many amazing playgrounds. If you have kids, highly recommend you do this. Jude desperately needed to get his wiggles out and we desperately needed some fresh air. Win/win.

Then, have an early dinner at Spenard Roadhouse. We loved its fun, casual vibe and diverse menu. We also loved their craft cocktails (get a Negroni!), loaded tots, and 3-course kids menu.

Day 2

If your kids are up early, (ours was) take that as a good excuse to hit up a local coffee shop. We loved Black Cup. According to Jude, their hot cocoa is top-notch. Then head to South Restaurant for one of the best breakfasts Anchorage has to offer. Trust us. (Make a reservation in advance, just in case they’re busy!)

Spend the rest of your morning at the Alaska Zoo. It’s the only zoo in Alaska—and it’s a truly special one. Since 1969 they have cared for orphaned and injured wildlife, with their core mission of providing homes for animals who need them. Not only that, the grounds are beautiful, spacious, and lush. I’m not sure who loved it more—Jude or us!

Enjoy a late lunch at the brand-new Palmeira Tropical Fusion. You’ll feel as though you’ve stepped into a chic Miami hot spot, but, you know, in downtown Anchorage. Get one of their amazing fresh juices and the Avocado Salad. Then head back to the Lakefront and take a well-needed nap. (We built in nap time every day of this trip—”for the kids”... but also for us.)

Head downtown for the afternoon. We could have spent hours at the Anchorage Museum. We all loved the many interactive exhibits (especially the life-size bubble machine) and Jude had a blast playing in the kids zone. For the adults, the Anchorage Museum is rich with exhibits to learn about Alaska Native people and cultures. This is also a great rainy day activity for the whole family.

Grab some tacos at the famous El Green-go’s food truck for dinner. This was unexpectedly one of our favorite meals from the trip. All ingredients are locally sourced and made to order, and so dang delicious. Food Network named it the “Best Food Truck in Alaska”—and we totally agree!

Day 3

Grab an early breakfast at Middle Way Cafe and drive along the scenic Seward Highway to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center near Girdwood. This animal sanctuary maintains over 200 acres of spacious habitats for injured and orphaned animals. You can see black bears, brown bears, elk, muskox, and so much more! We even saw a Beluga on our way there! We loved how easy the AWCC was to explore (we drove to each exhibit!) and their commitment to caring for their resident animals.

Pop in at the gorgeous Alyeska Resort for lunch. Their new restaurant Forte Alaska has pristine views of the grounds (weather permitting, sit outside), and the elevated Italian menu is *chefs kiss*.

Drive back to the Lakefront Resort and, you guessed it, take a nap. We spent the rest of this afternoon relaxing at the resort, watching seaplanes take off from Lake Hood, and enjoying pizza takeout from Mooses Tooth. *Not pictured because we devoured it*

Day 4.

Up and at ‘em! Reset all that pizza you had the night before with fresh juice and toasts at Pure & Pressed Juice Company. Ahh, healthy has never tasted so good.

Then, it’s off to Palmer, Alaska! (About a 45 minute drive) First order of business, The Musk Ox Farm! They offer 45-minute tours at the top of the hour from 10am-5pm. We loved touring the farm and learning more about these absolutely adorable animals—and Jude loved running around the farm.

Next up, visit the Alaska State Fair! Not only will this be the most picturesque state fair you’ve ever attended, we’re confident it has the best food, too. Walk around the grounds, play some games, ride some rides (the ferris wheel is a must), and then eat some treats. We highly recommend the corn dogs and fresh peach pie a’la mode. Planning a visit for 2023? The fair will be running from August 18 - September 4.

Head back, nap (of course), and enjoy dinner at The Flying Machine restaurant at the Lakefront Anchorage. Weather permitting, sit outside and enjoy the picture-perfect views and the seaplanes taking off from the water!

*If you rented a car, return it tonight. Chances are you won’t need a car the rest of the trip!

Day 5.

Depart Anchorage and head to Talkeetna on The Alaska Railroad! Now, we have a whole blogpost about the Alaska Railroad and how absolutely incredible it is, so more to come on that. But it really is a fantastic way to see (and travel) the state!

Stay at the Talkeetna Cabins. They’ll pick you up from the depot and bring you to your cozy, charming, and surprisingly spacious cabin. We loved having the extra room and their location couldn’t be more ideal—right in the heart of town! Speaking of the town of Talkeetna, be prepared to fall in love. It’s adorable in every way.

Treat yourself to a late lunch at the Denali Brew Pub (everything’s delish but we’re big fans of the short rib sandwich and the veggie burger). Take a short stroll around the town, and then walk back to your cabin for a quick nap.

While in Talkeetna, a “Wilderness Jet Boat Tour” with Mahay’s Jet Boat Adventures is a must. You’ll travel over twenty miles of river, see some amazing wildlife (we saw a brown bear!), and go on a gorgeous nature walk, all with a knowledgeable (and very entertaining) guide.

Take the evening to explore the town of Talkeetna. There happened to be a “Live at 5” summer concert series the night we were there, so we danced to some live local music and Jude made some friends with bubbles. It was awesome.

Walk to Mountain High Pizza Pie for dinner and end the night at Shirley’s for some freshly made ice cream. If you have the time and the weather is nice, walk to the end of the street to the shores of the Talkeetna River for some breathtaking views of Denali (weather permitting, of course). Best day ever or the best day ever?! And the trip’s not over yet!

Day 6.

Just steps from the Talkeetna Cabins is the cutest little coffee shop—Conscious Coffee. Grab some coffee and some bagels, and take a seat outside. Your kids will love all the toy cars and bikes they have on the property, and you’ll love that you can sip your coffee in peace!

Next, pack up your belongings and hop on the Alaska Railroad once again for a gorgeous trip to Denali! Check into the Denali Bluffs Hotel, set in the picturesque Denali Canyon. Bonus points if you visit towards the end of August, like we did, to experience the fall colors!

Once you’re settled (and you’ve had your nap), take a short hike to The Overlook at The Crow’s Nest for dinner. Make a reservation in advance, and request a table near the window. The views are almost as phenomenal as the local Alaska seafood. Our suggestion? Order the salmon and the halibut and split them. And be sure to get a Baked Alaska for dessert!

Day 7.

By this point in the trip you’re probably tired. We were! Take it easy this morning and have a light breakfast at the hotel. They have a grab-and-go called The Perky Moose Cafe that is great for kids and has tons of caffeine options for tired parents. ;)

Then catch a shuttle from the hotel to the iconic Denali Visitors Center! If you have kids, make a stop at the front desk and rent a “Discovery backpack”—they’re filled with discovery toys, books, crafts, and more! Even though Jude was a little young to fully understand it all, he loved reading the books with me and playing with some of the toys!

We toured the Visitor Center and then went for a short hike around the park. Our hike was cut short due to the rain, so we took that as a sign to get some lunch and ate at the Morino Grill, located on the Visitor Center campus. We loved it!

*Nap break*

If there’s one restaurant you can’t miss while you’re in Denali, it’s Moose-Aka’s. This traditional Serbian restaurant is famous for its made-from-scratch family recipes and its friendly, cozy atmosphere. Make a reservation in advance, take a nice little walk over, and get ready for a dinner experience you’ll never forget! Come hungry!

Day 8.

(Since you'll be taking an afternoon train to Fairbanks, pack up your bags and leave them outside of your room. The staff at the Denali Bluffs will take your luggage to the train depot for you, so you don’t have to worry about it!)

Walk to breakfast at Black Bear Coffee Shop (named best coffee shop in Alaska by the Food Network!). Order one of everything—it’s all unreal. Probably the best sourdough pancakes Jude has ever had. Then, head to the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge, where you can shop and explore the grounds!

Grab lunch at Prospectors Pizza, and make sure you get the baked tomato soup. Trust us. And then just like that, it’s time to head to the depot and board the Alaska Railroad to Fairbanks!

Upon arrival in Fairbanks, board the shuttle for the Teddy Bear Lodge. It’s as cute and cozy as the name suggests. We also suggest renting a car, you’ll need it for all of your adventures tomorrow!

Day 9.

Hellooooo, Fairbanks! Start your morning with coffee and cinnamon rolls at Alaska Coffee Roasting. Then, make your way to run around at Pioneer Park. It’s like a free theme park with playgrounds, museums, historic buildings, and so much more! We loved the charming Gold Rush town street—Jude loved the slides.

Next, head to downtown Fairbanks. Grab lunch at The Crepery (get a couple sweet and savory crepes and split them!), and walk along the Chena River. We love how clean and well-kept this city is—and on a clear day the views are absolutely stunning!

A short walk from the river is the Fairbanks Children’s Museum, and if your kids are anything like ours, they’ll flip over this place! From sensory activities like gigantic water tables to an adorable “Imagineering Lab”, there’s enough interactive exhibits and play areas for kids to be entertained for HOURS. Even Reese loved it! (Not to mention it was a much-needed break for mom and dad.)

We can’t think of a better way to end your dream Alaska trip than with dinner at the iconic (and super delicious) Pump House. Built in 1978, they furnished the restaurant with antiques from the Alaska Gold Rush. Most of the furnishings are over 150 years old! Not only that - it’s set on the Chena River with gorgeous, lush grounds. If it’s a pretty day, ask to sit outside! Their menu is extensive and full of fresh Alaska specialties—we highly suggest the oysters and the grilled Alaskan salmon. And don’t forget to treat yourself to a wine or beer flight. It is your last night, after all! :)

This trip will go down in history as one of our favorites. Everything we did, saw, and ate was magic. And experiencing it all with our kids was the best part! If you have any other questions about this itinerary, or visiting Alaska in general, please don’t hesitate to reach out! We’re happy to help any way we can.

Alli Talley

November 19, 2021

Home

Our Vitamix Story - Our (Mainly Bobby's) Journey to Being Vitamix Obsessed

Alli Talley

November 19, 2021

Home

We interrupt our normally scheduled program of travel tales to share about one of our kitchen essentials. Well, it started as one, and now it's turned into a whole fleet of essentials… our Vitamix machines. And before you move on since this isn’t our typical adventure in Alaska, there will be some wisdom to be gained in the following paragraphs. Stick with us.

The Backstory

Back in November of 2013, before we were the Traveling Newlyweds, we were a pair of young love birds planning a wedding and preparing for our life together. Of all the fun events leading up to a wedding day, registering for gifts was one we were most looking forward to. Who knew that it would bring out the worst in us (us being Bobby) and cause fights over items like blenders and popcorn makers? I’ll elaborate on the blender (obviously), but will note that the popcorn maker was based on Bobby thinking our tiny home would not have enough storage space for a big popcorn maker. And while he was right, he bought it for me that Christmas. Hehe, thanks again, babe.

Back to the blender. I wanted a Vitamix. To me, it’s a staple of the kitchen. But Bobby didn’t understand the utility, power, and durability of the machine. So to him, why not spend a fraction of the price to make our morning smoothies. And he won that battle. I knew he needed to see the light on his own, and I was willing to be patient.

Once You Vitamix, You Never Look Back

Fast forward 11 months to October of 2014. Now truly newlyweds and settled into our new rhythm of life, it was rudely disrupted one morning by our broken blender. (Piece of wisdom #1 for any couples out there… don’t say “I told you so”. It never helps. I didn’t say it, but I definitely thought it.) I gently suggested that maybe it’s time to give a Vitamix a try, and Bobby gave in! We purchased our first Vitamix in November, and never looked back! Our first Vitamix was an entry-level blender similar to their current E310, although now they have an even more streamlined product called Vitamix ONE that recently arrived.

From smoothies, to soups, to dips, to dressings, to nut butters, the Vitamix quickly became a part of our daily lives. And we never had any issues. We upgraded to an Ascent machine in 2019 and gifted our perfectly functioning original to some friends. (It’s now 7 years old and still going strong!)

Our Growing Vitamix Fleet

Along the way, we’ve slowly added other Vitamix products to our arsenal. Our first addition was the blending cup and bowl kit. We use the blending cups for smoothies and the bowls to do our chopping. The best! We added the 48 oz. Stainless Steel Container and the Food Processor Attachment last year. We were happy to ditch our giant food processor in exchange for a Vitamix attachment that works even better. One of our favorite additions to our Vitamix lineup has been the Immersion Blender. It is SO convenient and easy to blend in any container, and skips over the step of transferring between the Vitamix and the pot. If you’ve had an immersion blender before, you will be blown away by the power and quality of the Vitamix Immersion Blender. It's a dream.

Our Growing Family

In the same way that we’ve added to our Vitamix family over the past 7 years, you probably know that we have had additions to the Talley family. Little Jude Dakota arrived in March of 2020, and life has truly never been the same. I could go on and on about all of the ways that he's changed our lives, one of which being our breakfast routine. We make a smoothie every. single. day. Aside from being able to boast that we have some tasty smoothie recipes, we can also continue to brag about the quality of our blender and Immersion blender. Both have held up perfectly—being used daily! And we'll be back to making baby purees and applesauce in no time, as baby #2 arrives in January!

Closing this out with another piece of wisdom...

Vitamix products have a level of quality and power that you will not understand until you start using them. Bobby has been converted, and Vitamix is now part of our family’s story. If a blender is in the conversation for the holidays or your upcoming registry, we urge you to skip the fight and join the family! Happy holidays! :)

Alli Talley

October 18, 2021

Weekenders, Family Travel, North Dakota

3 Days of Legendary Adventures in North Dakota

Alli Talley

October 18, 2021

Weekenders, Family Travel, North Dakota

Did you know that we are obsessed with South Dakota? We love it. We’ve visited 5 times in the past 5 years, we’ve covered nearly all of the state, and our son’s middle name is Dakota. But since his middle name isn’t South Dakota, we realized recently that we needed to go spend time in SoDak’s neighbor to the north. After a brief 3-day adventure exploring the rugged landscapes of western North Dakota, it’s safe to say that we love all the Dakotas. North, South, and Jude.

Having only explored a small part of western North Dakota, we know we have plenty of trips back in our future. With endless outdoor adventures, tasty restaurants, and miles of national parks to explore, three days was hardly enough. Here is how we spent our time in the Roughrider State...

Day 1

We flew in late the night before, and were eager to arrive at the Roosevelt Inn in Watford City. It’s hard to miss, as there’s a 20-foot tall, 8 ton bust of Theodore Roosevelt sitting right in front of the hotel. We grabbed our luggage and tired baby, quickly checked in, devoured a couple of the hotel's famous “Badlands Brownies” (we’d come back just for those!), and headed to bed.

Us with Roosevelt in front of the Roosevelt Inn!

If you’ve followed along with our adventures for a long time, you know that our time in a new place typically starts out the same way - searching for good coffee. Luckily, Watford City has some just around the corner from the Roosevelt Inn. Meg-a-Latte boasts high-quality coffee, a tasty breakfast menu, and a relaxed atmosphere - it’s the perfect spot for a cup of joe and a good book (instead we were chasing a toddler).

After breakfast, we made the short trek over to the MHA Interpretive Center in New Town. This Interpretive Center uses living history programs to tell the story of the Great MHA Nation, which includes the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara people. The space has a museum and a variety of exhibits that all interpret the history and culture of the tribes. We even made a stop at their on-site coffee shop! (Win/win!)

Since Jude was such a good boy as we took him around the museum, we decided our next stop would be focused on letting him get his wiggles out. We drove into the Little Missouri National Grasslands and let him loose on the Birnt Hills Trail. The weather was perfect for a hike! The views were stunning, and we even found a few spots for family photos.

Hiking a couple miles with a toddler will definitely work up your appetite. We made our way to the Tobacco Gardens Resort & Marina and we were absolutely spoiled! The owner, Peggy, or “Auntie Peggy” as we called her, was SO sweet. She made us a delicious lunch and then took us out for a pontoon ride on Lake Sakakawea. We all loved it—especially Jude! Our time with Peggy solidified that we’ll be back… most likely to spend a few days on the lake right here!

After a TON of adventure, we headed back to the hotel for a nap, grabbed a quick dinner at Burrito Bros., and went to bed!

Heading in to the MHA Interpretive Center

MHA Interpretive Center had some tasty coffee

A view of the Interpretive Center from above!

Family photo time on the Birnt Hills Trail

Day 2

We love a good hotel breakfast, and we were thankful to find a solid spread each morning at the Roosevelt Inn. After fueling up, we headed to the Watford City Children’s Park (just down the street from the hotel) and let Jude run free. We know our lives are different now with this as a talking point… but this park was amazing! Parents, take note!

Jude took a quick nap after the park, and then we headed to Smiling Moose Rocky Mountain Deli for lunch. Nothing beats a good deli sandwich! (Do you see a pattern here yet? Eat, play, sleep, repeat…) For “play”, we drove to a different section of the Little Missouri National Grasslands and did a little more hiking. The fall colors are already coming in nicely and Alli was obsessed.

Since we knew we’d need more than a day to explore Theodore Roosevelt National Park, we did a quick visit this afternoon. We were in for a real treat, as we saw a few bison right when we got into the park! Jude was in awe!

Speaking of a real treat, Alli needed one. Even though justttt before dinner time, Alli (and the baby in her belly), needed ice cream. So, to Wild Cow Coffee & Cream we went. And it did not disappoint!

For dinner, we enjoyed tasty steak dinners at Outlaws Bar & Grill. Bobby sampled some local whiskeys, Alli had a mocktail, and Jude had his iPad :)

Alli sharing her ice cream with Jude. Wild Cow has the best ice cream in town!

Jude in awe. It’s not very often he stands still…

Day 3

Our final full day and we were wishing we had a few more! After breakfast at the hotel we headed back to the north entrance of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. We drove the 14-mile scenic drive, along which we saw deer and a few more bison. The drive meanders through the canyon and then climbs up to incredible views at the River Bend Overlook and Oxbox Overlook at the end of the road. The timing of it all worked perfectly, as we were in and out of the car for the drive out to Oxbox, and the Jude snoozed alllll the way back. We enjoyed the quiet, the fall colors, and the rugged landscapes.

For a final lunch in Watford City we were given a real treat. Slow Ride Tequila Cocina specializes in craft cocktails and southwestern fare, and we were not disappointed! The carnitas tacos, guac, and tortilla soup amounted to the best meal of the trip!

Even though he only says about 6 words, Jude convinced us to take him to Watford City Children’s Park one last time. He zig zagged around the park for an hour before it was time for an afternoon nap for all of us.

We were excited for dinner at Stonehome Brewing Co. A community-focused pub that creates high-quality craft beer, Bobby was wondering why we hadn’t been here on night one. The beer was delicious, the stone-baked pizza was cooked to perfection (get the Marco Polo), and Bobby still regrets not getting a stromboli. We’ll be back!

Between the daily adventures and mouthwatering meals, we had an amazing trip in North Dakota. It definitely lived up to the Dakota hype that we’ve created, and we’re retroactively deciding that Jude’s middle name encompasses both north and south “Dakota”. If you’re contemplating a trip to the Dakotas, budget more time than you expect, and prepare to be amazed!

We ate our fair share of these brownies. So good!