2018 Trips & Adventures

I love reflecting each year on all the trips and adventures we’ve taken at the end of the year. When people ask me which one was my favorite, it’s usually so hard to choose one and 2018 is no different! We were so blessed to be hosting in amazing places like New Ulm, MN; Mankato, MN; Kansas City, KS; and Red Cedar Lodge in Charles City, IA! Truthfully, they are all my favorites for many different reason! But, this isn’t about me, this is about which trips you guys loved the most in the past year, so here we go!

The Top 5 Things to Do in New Ulm, MN

Of all the places we visited this year, I think New Ulm suprised us the most! This quaint community is rich in history and culture but also provides a sense of entertainment! A visit to the historic Harkin Store, the Hermann Monument, and German Park is a great way to start your weekend! But, make sure to tour Schell’s Brewery and stop by and see our friends at Morgan Creek Winery!

The Best Iowa Restaurants

I love traveling all over the Midwest and the country, but at the end of the day, Iowa holds my heart and I love talking about all the great places to visit and eat here in the heartland! It only seemed right to do a round-up of the places that my fellow bloggers and myself think are the best restaurants!

Block 10 at 1921 City Hall, Sheffield, IA

Like I said in the last feature, I love telling my readers about my favorite local spots! Block 10 at 1921 City Hall in Sheffield, IA is definitely one of those too! It doesn’t hurt that my office is around the corner from this fabulous coffee shop, but this locally owned spot stands on its own! Randy & Holly Coffee purchased the old City Hall that had been someone’s home for the past several years and completely renovated and returned it to it’s historic charm! The building is gorgeous, the employees are the friendliest, and the coffee is the best! Fresh ground espresso beans and unique salads (Turkey Apple Bacon Pecan) make this my favorite spot in North Iowa to grab a coffee or lunch!

5 Delicious Family Friendly Restaurants in Alabama Gulf Shores

This past summer our adventures took us to the Alabama Gulf Shores at the recommendation (many times) from my friend Travel with Sara and we weren’t disappointed! While we loved the beach time and all the sites to see and things to do, I truly loved the food the best! We ate at so many great places and had so many delicious things! I compiled our five favorite family friendly restaurants into one post for our readers to reference! PS – I’m craving the Watermelon-Tomato Salad from Flipdaddy’s now!

Kayaking in Mankato MN with Bent River Outfitters

When I told the boys we were headed to Mankato, MN to go kayaking, they were super excited! I was a little more hesitant! But, after our trip down the Blue Earth River with Dan from Bent River Outfitters, I can truly say I loved the experience! In fact, I might even be on the lookout for more kayaking adventures to share with my boys! If you ever have the opportunity definitely take the time to kayak with Bent River Outfitters!

Eating in Turks & Caicos

We had the privilege of traveling to Turks & Caicos this past year for a week and it was amazing! I say privilege because we aren’t those people who go somewhere warm for a week each winter! This was a once in a lifetime trip and I will treasure it forever! I came back beyond relaxed and the food was some of my favorite! Eating is Turks & Caicos is different from the US! Fresh, smaller portions, low-carb meals are their jam and they do it so well! Check out what some of my favorite eats were on this trip!

Teluwut Grille House & Pub

When you’re a travel blogger, but also work full-time and have kids active in events, you have to get creative in your travels! Last year we started our “Exploring our Backyard” series. This means we spent time exploring places within an hour of our home! Teluwut Grille House & Pub was one of the most popular of these stops with our readers and once you check it out, you’ll know why!

Community Bowl in Dumont, Iowa

Another hit in our Exploring our Backyard series was the feature on small-town Community Bowl in Dumont, IA! Dumont is population 600, but features a great little bowling alley! It seems like bowling alley’s are a dying venue for entertainment, but if you’re looking for one, check out Community Bowl. Not only can you enjoy good, clean family fun, but their pizza as well. It’s delicious!

Family Fun Weekend in Mankato

One of the few trips we got to take as a family of four was to Mankato, MN! Mankato is such a family friendly destination with it’s family friendly activities, delicious restaurants, state parks, and festivals! While we were in Mankato, we enjoyed kayaking with Bent River Outfitters and visited the waterfalls at Minneopa State Park. We enjoyed ice cream from Mom & Pops, played like little kids at the WOW! Zone, and took in the experience at the Rib Fest! If you’re on the hunt for a great family weekend, head to Mankato, MN and explore this amazing family-friendly community!

Happy Acres Nursery in Osage, IA

One of the awesome finds as part of our Exploring our Backyard series was Happy Acres Nursery in Osage, IA. We didn’t find this place by happenstance, but because friends of ours are the owners and operators. However, we weren’t disappointed in our adventure! Friendly employees along with an amazing selection of the healthy vegetable plants and flowers makes Happy Acres so wonderful! But, it’s also an amazing feeling to support a small, locally owned family business! We are already looking forward to our return visit this spring!

Conclusion

Whether you’re looking for a midwest adventure, international excursion, or something right in your backyard of North Iowa, Flint & Co has something you’re sure to love. Check out the Top 10 Trips & Adventures from 2018.

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