Austin, Texas - July 2011

Washington D.C. - May 2011

Ok, I know I have posted Washington DC area before, but this place is so big and I made a ton of new finds. 

Hotels:

1. Embassy Suites in Alexandria – great location near heart of Old Towne. Across from Metro Station.  Three Metro Stops from Airport. Hotel food was ok.
2. Crystal City Marriott – wonderful hotel in heart of Commercial Area.  LOVED the beds!  Located right near the Metro station and a limited underground mall.  One stop from Reagan Airport with free shuttle.  One stop from Pentagon Mall, two stops from Arlington National Cemetery and four stops from Old Alexandria  Hotel food was just ok and Pool was indoor but clean.

Best Restaurants:

1. Chart House - Old Towne Alexandria, by far my favorite in the area.  The lobster bisque is to die for, BUT you have to try the fried asparagus.
2. The Wharf – Old Towne Alexandria, is a sweet little restaraunt in the middle of the street.  It has tons of charm and wonderful seafood chowder.
3. Woodley Metro/Zoo Area – eat at one of the outdoor restaurants north of the Metro to the Zoo.  I love the lebanese one with sidewalk tables.
4. McCormick & Schmidt- one block from Crystal City Marriott.
5. Ted’s Montana Grill – one block from Crystal City Marriott, where you can get the best buffalo burger.  Be sure to sit outside if the weather permits.

Must do:

1. Pentagon Mall – has anything you might need from a mall.
2. Arlington National Cemetery – wonderful and a must see (FREE)  Take the bus tour it will save your feet but costs $12.
3. National Zoo – must go and see Panda’s (FREE)  Plan for whole day.  Woodley is best Metro line as it is uphill going but downhill coming back.  Great area to stay, but expensive hotels.
4. Old Towne Alexandria – must go; be sure to take the trolley from the Metro, great shopping and board walk.  If you want water tour this is the place to go.
5. National Mall – Lincoln Memorial was the best monument to see.  Plan to walk a lot or get the Red Bus Tour so you can get off an on when you like and save your feet.
6. Take PEDICAB somewhere in Washington instead of walking or cab.  Fun way to see all the buildings.  They usually work on tips.
7. Mount Vernon – need car but go see Washington’s birth place.  Very wonderful. Not real fun for little kids but they will get to run and will enjoy seeing the working farm on the property.

Don’t bother:

1. National Aquarium – don’t bother
2. Smithsonians – don’t bother if you have little kids

Phoenix, AZ - Oct. 2010

Hotels:

1. Firesky Resort & Spa in Scottsdale AZ.  This is the best resort!  They had two pools, one with a sand beach and the other one was just regular. 

Restaurants:

Things to Do:

1. Play golf at one of the many top notch courses.  The views are amazing. My favorite was the McCormick Ranch Golf Club.
2. Go to Papago Park and see the animals roaming around.
3. Jeep and Hummer tours, guided hikes, horseback rides, river floats and hot-air balloon flights are just some of the ways to explore Scottsdale’s amazing Sonoran Desert.

Austin, Texas - Aug. 2010

Austin is wonderful for a weekend getaway!  Keep in mind that I lived in Austin and I have co-mingled my Food with ToDo list.

Hotels:

1. Hilton Austin - is probably my favorite hotel in Austin.  They are dog friendly and right next to the dog park at Lady Bird Lake.  There is also a wonderful outdoor patio for eating or watching television.  This place is great for a weekend get away!
2. Barton Creek Resort & Spa - this hotel is wonderful!  The pool has the most incredible view of the golf course and area hills.  We rented a house for the six girls going and it was wonderful.  This was had its own garage, three bedrooms, fully stocked kitchen, view of the woods and was decorated perfectly.  We even entertained a few locals. 
3. Hyatt Regency Lost Pine Resort - great family place, especially over July 4th Weekend.  Lots to do outside!

Restaurants:

1. Iron Cactus Mexican Grill & Margarita Bar - this place has the best Grilled Portobello Mushroom Enchiladas.  Just be sure to go hungry as the portions are large.
2. La Traviata - this Italian restaraunt is YUMMY! 
3. Hula Hut - coconut chicken.......to die for!

Must Do:

1. Hit the bars on 6th Street.  Not really my scene but if your younger, you will enjoy all the music.  There is a place called Qua Bottle Lounge which has great dancing and a dance floor over a fish tank so you dance with the fishies.  I prefer to stick to places like Sullivan's Cigar Bar with a little older crowd.
2. Town Lake - hit the Hula Hut for dinner and people watch.
3. Lake Travis - rent a boat or jet skis and hit the water.  Otherwise go over to the Oasis and just watch the boaters.
4. Play golf at one of the many courses.  The views are wonderful!

Washington DC - October 2009

Hotels:

1. Hyatt Fair Lakes in Fairfax, VA was wonderful but the area is a bit issolated. 

Best Restaurants:

1. Chart House - Old Towne Alexandria, by far my favorite in the area.  The lobster bisque is to die for, BUT you have to try the fried asparagus.
2. The Wharf – Old Towne Alexandria, is a sweet little restaraunt in the middle of the street.  It has tons of charm and wonderful seafood chowder.
3. Woodley Metro/Zoo Area – eat at one of the outdoor restaurants north of the Metro to the Zoo.  I love the lebanese one with sidewalk tables.
4. McCormick & Schmidt- one block from Crystal City Marriott.
5. Ted’s Montana Grill – one block from Crystal City Marriott, where you can get the best buffalo burger.  Be sure to sit outside if the weather permits.

Must do:

1. National Zoo – must go and see Panda’s (FREE)  Plan for whole day.  Woodley is best Metro line as it is uphill going but downhill coming back.  Great area to stay, but expensive hotels.
2. Old Towne Alexandria – must go; be sure to take the trolley from the Metro, great shopping and board walk.  If you want water tour this is the place to go.
3. National Mall – Lincoln Memorial was the best monument to see.  Plan to walk a lot or get the Red Bus Tour so you can get off an on when you like and save your feet.
4. Mount Vernon – need car but go see Washington’s birth place.  Very wonderful. Not real fun for little kids but they will get to run and will enjoy seeing the working farm on the property.  We had a great day trip.

Don’t bother:

1. Smithsonians – don’t bother if you have little kids

Key West - Jan 2009

Ok, here is my thoughts on the wonderful island of Key West, Florida.  I vacation here about every two years and I know what I like,  so don't expect much to change unless I discover some new place. 

Hotels:

1. Hyatt Key West Resort – this place is incredible.  This is my all time favorite hotel in the world.  I would live here if I could and they have a heated pool (great for winter time) and a small private beach.  Also you can do pretty much any water sport you want (except excursions) right at the beach.  The bar by the pool is a great place to start happy hour and watch the sun set.  Be sure to have breakfast on the balcony restaurant.
2. Doubletree Grand Key Resort – this hotel is wonderful.  It is on the other side of the island from Duval (but offers a shuttle) and is about 1/3 the price of the other hotels.  The pool area is wonderful and it is right near the big public beach.  For the money this hotel is the best on the island. 
3. Garden House - If quaint and romantic is your beef, this B&B will not disappoint.   It is hard to get a room, so book a year in advance.

Best Restaurants:

1. A & B Lobster House -  has a great Key Lime Martini.  Expensive unless you do the happy hour from 4:30 – 6:30.  If you go for lunch or dinner, get a table by the window or outside if it is cool enough and watch all the big yachts come and go.  This is by far my favorite restaurant on the island.
2. Conch Republic Seafood Company – great food but they have Happy Hour specials each day of shrimp and oysters caught that day.  Best food for the value on the island.
3. Margaretville – very, very, very touristy but has great wings.

Must do:

1. Rent a golf cart for the day.  You will see everything and spare your feet.  Make sure you go by the historical sights.  Be sure to go by Hemingway’s House and look for all the cats. 
2. Snorkeling off Key West Reef.  I use Key West Catamaran which is located right on the KW Harbor.  They have everything but sun block and lunch.  On the way back they serve beer and wine.  If you do an afternoon trip you will come back as the sun is setting. 
3. Duval Street
   at night.  I suggest you stay away from doing a pub crawl unless your hotel is nearby, but do stop in to a few bars or breweries. 
4. U.S. Southern Most Point.  I know it sounds cheesy and touristy, but it is not.  If you can go right as the sun is setting to get the best photo.  There will be tons of people there and not the best neighborhood.  I take the golf cart down around sunset, get my photo and then head back to Duval quickly.  This is a ritual and one of the best photo locations on the island.
5. Mel’s Fisher Museum – has tons of artifacts from local ship wrecks if this is your thing.  This one is better than the actual Key West Shipwreck Museum.  I loved it! 

Don’t bothers:

1. Public beach……sucks!