John Hayden, Author at On the Road with Family

Tunica, Mississipp: The Las Vegas of the South

January 1, 2017 by John Hayden Leave a Comment

If you are like me, you love spending time in Las Vegas but if you live in the Mid-West it’s not always cost-effective to hop a plane to Sin City. Don’t fear, there’s a reasonable substitute just south of Memphis, Tennessee: Tunica, Mississippi.

Now let’s be honest, there’s only one Vegas and it’s impossible to replicate that experience anywhere else but Tunica brings a lot to the table and in some ways, it’s a better gambling experience. Let’s break down what it’s like to visit:

1) THE LAYOUT – There is no main “strip” in Tunica but several casinos are grouped together, in a couple areas, giving you the ability to easily walk between a few casinos at a time. There is not much else to do or many places to eat outside the casinos so it’s not the ideal spot to stay if you are looking for “touristy” things to do. Earlier this year, I spent a couple of nights there with the kids and loved eating in casino buffet (unlike some states, in Mississippi it’s ok for kids to walk across the casino floor to get to the restaurants) and enjoying the pool. That being said, if you bring your kids for more than a day or so you should be prepared to spend some time in Memphis where there are plenty of entertainment destinations for all ages.

2) THE GAMES – With the obvious exception of sports betting, if you can find it Vegas, you can find it in Tunica. Almost every casino has a wide variety of slot and tables and plenty of low limit tables for those of us on a budget. The Tunica Roadhouse offers $5 single deck blackjack and it’s not hard to find $5 craps or roulette. I have had a great experience with the dealers and found them to be extremely friendly. In my last visit, I spent time at four casinos and enjoyed my experience at the tables.

3) THE COMPS – To me, the comps in Tunica blow away any other place I’ve been too and are certainly better than strip casinos in Vegas. In my last visit, I played the tables at Resorts, Hollywood, Sam’s Town and Roadhouse and drink service was excellent at all hours of the day. If you are playing your drinks are totally free (a comp which used to be standard almost anywhere but is dying out in much of the country).

It also doesn’t require you to be a high roller to qualify for food comps. While playing craps at Resorts, my friend and I were offered free lunch and we were at the table playing $10-$15 games for about an hour. I’m not a high roller and in all of my years of playing casino games, I had never had a casino VOLUNTEER to give me free food.

At most places in Tunica if you are playing an hour or so, be sure to ask for a food comp. I have never been turned down. In my last two trips there, I haven’t paid for a meal. My friend gambles in Tunica a few days a year and regularly gets offers in the mail for free rooms. With comps, don’t forget to get a players card and show it when you start playing or put it in the slot machine. It’s the only way the casino knows how to track your play and without it, you likely won’t get comped.

4) THE FOOD – Every casino offers several food options and most have a buffet. All of the buffets that I went to were good but none were spectacular. For the best value, I would go for an early lunch where you still have some good breakfast options like made to order omelets. I didn’t go on my last trip so I’m not sure if it’s changed but Sam’s Town always had a good buffet that offered a variety of barbecue options like ribs and pulled pork. They also offered free beer as a drink choice.

Several of the casinos have a high-end steak house if you are in the mood for something a little more upscale for your night out. If you aren’t in the mood for either, I would recommend the bar at the Roadhouse. It had one of the best cheeseburgers that I’ve ever had and the price was right. I picked up a couple for the kids and they agreed, they still talk about the cheeseburger they ate in Tunica!

5) THE ENTERTAINMENT – Several of the casinos have theaters where they bring in big name talent. It’s not like Las Vegas where there are headliners nightly but most weekends you can find an excellent concert or comedy show. Being in the south, the entertainment tends to be more country oriented but not always. During the week many casinos will have live music in the casino.

6) THE HOTELS – If you want to gamble and especially if you plan to drink, I recommend staying in one of the hotels on the casino property. I have never had a bad experience staying in a hotel in a Tunica casino and I’ve stayed in most of them. I would recommend Hollywood and I’ve stayed there on my last two trips. The rooms are clean and the service is very efficient. Nearly every casino hotel offers cheap rooms during the week so it’s not unusual to pay $50 or less a night and even though they are starting to tack on “resort fees” they are cheap compared to Vegas prices. During the weekends, the rooms can get pricey so you should plan ahead. There are plenty of non-casino hotels nearby which are affordable. If you just want to spend a few hours at the casinos and do things elsewhere, it’s about a 30-minute drive to Memphis and your lodging options there are virtually unlimited.

A Weekend in St. Augustine, Florida

November 17, 2016 by John Hayden Leave a Comment

St. Augustine, Florida is the oldest European settlement in the United States and it is a fantastic place to spend a weekend. There are so many things to do that’s it hard to pick a favorite but I’ll run through some of the best ways to spend your weekend…in no particular order.

1) Take a drive down the A-1A – Depending on where you are coming from to get to St. Augustine, this may not be a feasible option but if an entry to the A-1A is not too far of a detour, it’s a nice drive. The A-1A is a state route that follows the eastern coastline.

There are many excellent ocean views and beautiful homes to see as you drive along it. Since it’s a state route, its going to slow you down a little but if you have time to kill, it’s a nice distraction.

2) Walk around St. George Street and the surrounding shops – You can easily spend an afternoon strolling downtown St. Augustine and taking in the many different eclectic shops. There are a lot of nice restaurants and bars along the way, many have live music to enjoy while you relax. My favorite restaurant in the area is Scarlett O’Hara’s on Hypolita Street. They have a large menu of many southern favorite dishes at reasonable prices.

3) The Old Jail – I’ve been to Old Jail many times and it has always been worth the stop. The jail was in operation from the late 1800’s until the early 1950’s. The tour guide (typically playing the role of a deputy or an inmate) will take through the sheriff’s living quarters, the kitchen, the cells and the gallows where your guide will tell you about the hangings that once took place here. The tour is family friendly and our kids enjoyed the chance to get a photo op inside the cells or in the giant birdcage out back.

4) St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum – If you have never been inside a lighthouse, this is a fun stop. Be warned there are 219 narrow steps to the top so if you don’t think you can make the walk, you should pass and enjoy the beautiful flowers and visit the museum on the grounds. The walk to the top can be tiring but you be rewarded with a beautiful ocean view and a newfound sense of a appreciation for the men and women who would have to make the climb to the top carrying supplies for the lighthouse. The museum tour gives you a glimpse of what life was like living and working at the lighthouse as well as a general history of the area.

5) Ripley’s Believe It or Not – I enjoy really enjoy these museums, if you’ve never been to a Ripley’s then you should stop in (you should easily be able to find discount coupons either online or in various tourist magazines). If you’ve been to one in a different area there’s probably no compelling reason to spend your money. Inside you will find exhibits about the world’s tallest man, a mummified cat, writings on a piece of rice and other oddities. This is a very kid friendly tour and our kids want to visit a Ripley’s every time they see one in the area.

6) St. Augustine Alligator Farm – Across from the lighthouse is the Alligator Farm. This is a good stop if you are traveling with kids. You will see every crocodile species in the world (something you won’t find anywhere else) as well as a wide range of birds, lemurs, and alligators (even an albino alligator). If you are feeling particularly adventurous you can zip line across the park.

7) Castillo de San Marcos – This fort was originally built by the Spanish in 1672 and it changed hands many times over the years through treaties but it was never captured. Now part of the National Park system, its an educational stop for kids and interesting way to spend a couple hours for all ages. Inside you will learn about the history of the park through a self-guided tour. There are also demonstrations of the canons by actors dressed in period clothing throughout the day.

8) The beach – Florida is known for its beautiful beaches and St. Augustine is no exception. I would recommend Anatasia State Park which is a short drive from downtown St. Augustine. The park offers beautiful beaches, hiking, trails, and a campground.

9) Trolley Tour – There are a couple different trolley tours available in St. Augustine. I took the Old Town Trolley tour and really enjoyed it. If you have never been to St. Augustine, a trolley ride is a good idea because they will show you all of the highlights of the city and give you some history. I had been to St. Augustine many times and still learned about new sights by taking the tour. You can also get on and off the stops all day so it’s a great way to get around town. They also offer discounts to attractions if you buy them with your trolley ticket so do your homework on what you would like to see before you spend your money.

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The Must See Baseball Travel Bucket List

October 18, 2016 by John Hayden Leave a Comment

Baseball has long been the national pastime and if you love the game as much as I do, here’s the top ten baseball travel list that you need to do at least once.

1) VISIT FENWAY PARK – Fenway Park is the oldest baseball stadium in the majors and it has seen some of the greatest of all time take the field. Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle and the list goes on and on of the greats who have played in this Boston landmark. The “Green Monster” in left field has stopped countless home runs and has set the scene for game changing homers like Bucky Dent in ’77 and Carlton Fisk in the ’75 World Series.

A visit to Fenway is so much fun and you will meet all sorts of passion Sox fans. Get there early and take the ballpark tour. Bonus points if you go there during a Yankees game. I went with a non-baseball fan and she was intrigued with the drama both on the field and in the stands for a Red Sox-Yankees matchup.

2) ALL STAR WEEK – The Mid-Summer Classic showcases the biggest names in the game every July but what you might not no is that there are plenty of festivities going on the weekend leading up to the game. The host city will hold a baseball fan fest that feature various legends of the game telling stories, taking photographs and signing autographs.

You will also see exhibits from the Baseball Hall of Fame, a memorabilia show and various events for fans of all ages. If you can’t afford a ticket to the big game, fan fest is a cheap way to spend a few hours enjoying your favorite sport. Another cheap ticket during All Star Week is the Futures Game (featuring prospects from every team) and the celebrity softball game where baseball legends team up with celebrities for an exhibition game.

The night before the big event is the Home Run Derby. The new timed format makes the event more fun than ever. Who can forget the actual game itself? Home field advantage for the World Series is on the line as the best for each league face off for an epic exhibition.

3) SPRING TRAINING – Nothing can beat a week in Florida except a week in Florida filled with your favorite teams in the fantastic spring weather. Spring training games are cheap and a great place to get up close and personal with the players. Autographs are usually easy to come by and if you time the day out right you can check out a couple different games in the same day. Spring training is a great vacation spot for kids as the games are very fan friendly. Some of my best memories growing up involved spring baseball.

4) A VISIT TO THE BASEBALL HALL OF FAME – Cooperstown, New York is a quaint little town reminiscent of Mayberry. Hidden in this sleepy town is the National Baseball Hall of Fame and it is an absolute must do for the baseball fan in your family. The exhibits are extremely well done and there is something for the fan of every team. Their collection of artifacts from both past and present is unmatched. I particularly enjoyed the exhibit on the old time ball parks and the display of every World Series ring in history. Bonus points if you go during induction weekend where nearly every living hall of famer will be in town.

5) MEET PETE ROSE – Love him or hate him, few people have had the type of impact on the game as Rose. If you are familiar with the game, you know Pete’s story but for about $50 you can hear the stories direct from the man himself. Pete spends at least 100 days a year in Las Vegas signing autographs for hours on end. Unlike a traditional autograph signing, Pete spends time with the fans in Vegas. His knowledge of the game, including today’s players, is strong as ever. It’s not unusual for Pete to spend 10 or more minutes with a fan chatting (and checking the horse races on his phone). Pete isn’t get any younger and with the salaries of today’s players, it’s unlikely that you’ll ever get this close to a baseball legend again.

6) SPEND THE NIGHT AT THE ROGERS CENTRE – You can see a game at any park but only one offers you the option to sleep there. The Rogers Centre (formerly SkyDome) in Toronto has a hotel built into the stadium. You can book a room with a view of the field and actually watch the game from your room. It’s an experience like no other.

7) WATCH A GAME IN WRIGLEYVILLE – It’s the second oldest park in baseball and is one of the most unique parks in the game. This is the field where Babe Ruth called his shot and where Harry Caray sung “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” on a daily basis. Plan your trip to Wrigley by getting there early and staying late. With all of bars and restaurants surrounding the park you won’t be in any hurry to get home. Bonus points if you attend a second game on one of the famous rooftops.

8) OPENING DAY IN CINCINNATI – Opening Day is a fun day anywhere but no one does it like Cincinnati. Home of the oldest baseball franchise, the City of Cincinnati treats opening day like a holiday, complete with a parade before the game. Numerous major leaguers have commented about how different opening day is than the other cities. You will want to start early because any good Reds fan will have called in sick for work and will be out in the crowd watching the parade and enjoying a few brews before the game starts.

9) SEE THE WORLD SERIES IN PERSON – Some fans wait a lifetime to see their team make it to the World Series. Every year is new chance for great memories to be made or hearts to be broken. We all remember the big moments: Kirk Gibson’s homer, Bill Buckner’s error, Randy Johnson pitching in relief, etc, etc. Unlike the Super Bowl, both competing teams will get at least two home games which gives you a few chances at an affordable ticket and a lifetime of memories.

10) CHECK OUT A MINOR LEAGUE GAME – Every summer night, all across the country, young men are playing their hearts out hoping for a shot at the big leagues. You can watch it in person and you won’t regret it. I recommend going to a game AA or lower. The tickets are dirt cheap and there will be plenty of fun going on between innings. Plus AAA tends to have more career minor leaguers shuffling back and forth between the bigs. I once went to a minor league game in Arkansas and paid about $2 for a great seat and got a team signed baseball in the gift shop for $10, where else can you find those deals?

HONORABLE MENTION: Watching the Yankees play the Mets at Yankee Stadium, Seeing the set of Field of Dreams in Iowa and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City are all worth a mention and worth seeing!

MEMPHIS BARBECUE COMPANY

August 26, 2016 by John Hayden Leave a Comment

If you love barbecue, some of the best in the country can be found in the south. One of my favorites is the Memphis Barbecue Company and is a must do whenever I’m in the area. Despite it’s name, the Memphis Barbecue Company isn’t really in Memphis but is just south of it in Horn Lake, Mississippi.

When we arrived on Wednesday night, the restaurant was crowded but we didn’t have to wait to get a seat. Our server was extremely friendly and quick to bring refills or anything else we needed.

Make sure you arrive hungry because you need to start off with an appetizer, not just any appetizer, maybe the best one I’ve ever had, the cheese fritters. The fritters are a four cheese blend and come served on a honey-Dijon dressing. There are five fritters with an order so you might want two orders if you have a bigger group. These aren’t your typical chain restaurant fried cheese snack, these are loaded with cheese and extremely tasty.

While I’m typically not a fan of dressings like honey-Dijon, it’s just the right amount to bring out the flavor…the combination really works.

The menu has a pretty large variety for a barbecue restaurant but I can’t justify eating a cheeseburger at a barbecue joint. The last time I went to Memphis Barbecue, I had my nephew and son with me, both teenagers, so we opted for the grand champion platter. For $49.99 we got spare and baby back ribs, smoked sausage, pulled pork and chicken along with baked beans, coleslaw and fries. The boys got a kick of it being served on a garbage can lid. The smoked meat was delicious and the quantities were generous so we all got to try each of them. The boys aren’t as big of fans as barbecue as I am but they both loved it and are ready to go back next time we’re in the area.

How to Do San Diego in a Weekend

August 17, 2016 by John Hayden Leave a Comment

If you are looking for a great weekend trip, it’s hard to beat San Diego, California. The weather is a perfect 70 degrees, almost all year long. If you have a hard time finding things to do, here are a few of my favorites. You can do all of these things in San Diego in a weekend!

1) USS MIDWAY – The Midway was an aircraft carrier in use for the United States military from 1945 until after the first Gulf War. It now serves as a museum on the San Diego Bay. Admission is a very reasonable at $20 and you could spend hours walking around and taking in all of the exhibits. I spent three hours aboard and could easily have spent another two. The tour is self-guided but you are given headphones to listen at each exhibit. The headphone tour makes it very special because you hear about the different aspects of life on the ship from the people who lived there. While touring the Midway you will see what life was like for the sailors who lived there. At times housing approximately 4,500 soldiers, the carrier was like a city at sea. You will see the barber shop, multiple dining areas, the chapel, various sitting areas, a dentist office, the sick bay, the brig and even an operating room. The stories from the soldiers really bring the museum to life.

On the other decks, you can see many of the aircraft that were in use on the Midway and some you can even board. There are flight simulators and a movie you can also watch. I also enjoyed that they had some World War II veterans at various areas on the ship to greet visitors, answer questions and tell stories.

2) VISIT OLD TOWN – Old Town San Diego State Park gives you a taste of what San Diego was like in 1850. There are several museums, like the First San Diego Courthouse and the School House, to see as well a wide range of shops. Old Town is also a great place for authentic Mexican food. After you eat there is live entertainment including a fantastic mariachi band. You could easily spend several hours exploring Old Town.

3) ENJOY THE GAS LAMP DISTRICT – The Gas Lamp district is approximately 16 blocks in San Diego known for the great food and entertainment. If you have your kids with you then you’ll want to stop at the New Children’s Museum or catch a baseball game at Petco Park, home of the Padres. If it’s a couple trip enjoy an evening of live music and drinks in one of the areas many pubs. If you’re hungry, you’ll want to enjoy the weather by dining on the sidewalk in one of the great restaurants. We enjoyed great food at Gaslamp BBQ.

4) TAKE A STROLL THROUGH CORONADO – You can take a ferry to Coronado from Harbor Drive in San Diego or drive across the bridge. If you want to spend time at the beach during your weekend, Cornodao has been acclaimed for having one of the best beaches in the nation. After you take a walk on a beach, walk through town which homes to many theaters and great shopping. Don’t forget to stop at the Hotel del Coronado which has had an impressive guest list over the year ranging from US Presidents to superstar athletes and actors. The movie Some Like it Hot with Marilyn Monroe was filmed there as well.

5) GO TO THE ZOO – San Diego Zoo frequently rates at the top of any list of best zoos in the country. You could spend all day enjoy the wide variety of species on display and with the great weather in the city you will love seeing everything the zoo has to offer.

There is a sky ride and a bus tour that are included as part of your admission. If you want to get an up close and personal experience at the zoo, plan in advance through their website where they offer a variety of options.

6) HAVE A DRINK AT THE BAR FROM TOP GUN – If you ever saw the movie, then you’ll remember Tom Cruise singing “You’ve Lost that Loving Feeling.” That scene was filmed in Kansas City Barbecue. Although a fire badly damaged the restaurant after the movie was filmed, it still makes for a fun time to grab some food or a drink.

8 Smart Ways to Save Money at Disney

August 17, 2016 by John Hayden Leave a Comment

So you are ready to take the kids to Disney World but aren’t ready to take out a second mortgage on your house to do it? With a little research and careful planning, you can save a lot of money on your Disney vacation. If you follow these tips, you’ll have a great vacation and it won’t cost you a fortune.

1) GET THE MOST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK. – You aren’t likely to save much (if any money) on the cost of your Disney ticket but if you visit when it’s not very crowded you won’t be spending all of your times in line. We visited in mid-September and the crowds were so sparse we rode Space Mountain in the morning twice in a row with no lines. If you are flexible on when you can travel, I recommend checking out the crowd calendar to get an idea of when to go.

2) USE THE FAST PASS – Going along with number 1, you’re going to pay a lot of money to go inside the park and you want to spend that time making memories not waiting in the sun, Fast Pass is a big help. Fast pass is essentially a ride reservation system where you can plan which ride you want to go on at a certain time. If you haven’t been to Disney in awhile, they have changed the way the process works. You can no longer obtain a fast pass at the ride, you need to either make a reservation on the app or at one of the mobile kiosks in the park. Ride reservations can be made up to 30 days in advance.

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3) TAKE A TIME SHARE PRESENTATION – When in Orlando, you are going to see plenty ads letting you know that you can see Disney free. Almost all of these mean that if you are willing to sit through a 90 minute presentation about how purchasing a time share will be the greatest investment you ever make at the end they will give you two tickets to a Disney park. These presentations aren’t for the faint of heart so if you have a hard time saying no, then you should stay away. We went on one of these presentations a couple years ago and they do a very good job of making it seem like a time share is a great deal. We declined and our salesman wasn’t very happy but we did get our two tickets. If you are interested in purchasing a time share at the end of the presentation my advice is to take a few days to think about it and do your research. There is no reason to make a significant financial decision while you are being pressured by a salesman. If you go home and decide it’s still a good idea, they’ll still be happy to sell you next week. The $40,000 time share they were trying to sell us was on eBay for $1. So while it might not make sense to buy in, $200 worth of Disney tickets for 90 minutes is still a good deal.

4) VISIT DISNEY SPRINGS – Our kids love to walk around Disney Springs. There are tons of shops and restaurants along with street performers and various entertainment acts. You can spend a couple of hours here free of charge. Even if your trip to Orlando doesn’t involve Disney, Disney Springs is a great way to get some of that Disney experience. There is also a Planet Hollywood onsite which makes for a great place to walk around and look at all of the television and movie memorabilia.

5) EAT A BIG BREAKFAST AND BRING SNACKS – Eating at Disney isn’t cheap and the lines for food can be outrageous. I recommend eating a big breakfast before coming to the park and bring snacks and drinks with you. You’ll want to be at the park all day so its inevitable that you’ll have to buy food there sometime but minimizing the food costs will stretch your dollar out a little further.

6) GIVE YOUR KIDS A BUDGET – Everything imaginable is for sale at Disney World and your kids are going to want two of everything. In our last trip, we gave each of our kids a Disney gift card before entering the park. They each had $50 to spend with the only restriction being that once they money was spent, they weren’t getting any more. I can’t tell you enough how well that worked out. Not only did the kids like the independence of having their own money, they tended to be frugal with the gift card than they would have without. I think it also helped teach them a lesson about the value of money.

7) HOTEL CHOICE – There are so many hotels in the Orlando area, use that to your benefit and save some money. Disney resorts are obviously fantastic but can be extremely expensive. I always search Travelocity.com to compare deals. If you can find a hotel with a shuttle to Disney, you can save the $20 parking fee.

8) MAKE YOUR PURCHASES AT NON-DISNEY STORES – If there are things that you really want to buy for your kids above and beyond their budget, find some shops out of the Disney area. In Kissimmee there are several stores that sell Disney and Florida souvenirs much cheaper that you will find at the parks and Disney Springs. Your kids will still love it and you’ll be happy to have the savings.

Disney can be a blast and don’t have to cost a ton of money!

How to do New York City in a Weekend

August 9, 2016 by John Hayden 2 Comments

You could probably spend a month sightseeing in New York City and still not be able to see everything the city offers and most of us are lucky if we have even had a full week to go on vacation. So if you want to go to NYC but don’t have much time, here are a few highlights that you won’t want to miss. This trip would be great for a couple or with kids, especially tweens and teens! There are so many educational things to see in the city! Here is how to do New York City in a weekend.

1) National September 11th Memorial & Museum – If you’re an American old enough to remember 9/11, you probably know exactly where you the minute you heard the news.

San Diego in a Weekend

A Weekend in St. Augustine

That moment and the following days are etched in the minds of everyone in the US. The museum is intense and extremely moving as it tells the story of how the day unfolded and how it transformed the city and the nation. The museum tells the story of the victims (sometimes in their own words through frantic voicemails) and the courageous first responders, many of whom lost their lives as well. The artifacts are extremely moving and sometimes hard to look at. This is no ordinary museum and its impact will stay with you for a long. If you could only do one thing in New York City, this should be it. Allow yourself at least three hours in the museum.il

2) Take a Water Taxi to see the Statue of Liberty – We took an evening cruise past the Statue of Liberty and it was a great way to spend an hour. The views of the skyline are breathtaking at night and while the water taxis won’t take you to the statue, you will get close enough for some fantastic pictures. We found a tour on Groupon at a very reasonable price and it included a drink. The tour guide on the boat was very helpful. Be careful before booking though, my wife and I had a great time when we went but she returned to NYC and took a cruise through a different company she said it was not nearly as well done. I recommend reading reviews before making your final choice.

3) Eat Some Pizza –Everyone has an opinion on whether New York or Chicago has the best pizza. There’s only one way to find out and you should grab a slice while you’re in the Big Apple. There are so many different pizza places to choose from and there are plenty of debates on the best but I would recommend trying Totonno’s for a slice of
authentic New York pizza.

4) Times Square –Times Square is iconic and you should check out all the lights. It is a great place to people watch and there are all types of characters there (both literally and figuratively). While you are walking around, stop in the giant Toys ‘R Us.

5) Central Park –Take a little break from the hustle and bustle of the city with a stroll through Central Park. There is a zoo on site, concert performances and great views everywhere. I especially enjoyed Strawberry Fields with the tribute to John Lennon.

6) Coney Island –The amusement park rides at Coney Island are a throwback to simpler times. The rides are independently operated so you only have to pay for the ones that you want to ride but its free to walk around and take everything in. During the summer months, the rides are open every day and there are fireworks on Friday nights. Nathan’s hot dogs are a New York staple and there’s no better place to enjoy one than its Coney Island location. While you are at Coney Island, take a walk on the beach and enjoy the Ocean views.

7) Fraunces Tavern –This is the oldest structure in Manhattan and was where George Washington gave his farewell address to his officers. There is an onsite museum but it is still an operating restaurant and bar. The food was very good and the prices were reasonable.

8) See a Broadway Show –Nothing compares to seeing a Broadway Show in New York, I highly recommend that you check one out while you are in town. I’m not a huge fan of plays but went to see Jersey Boys and was blown away. The atmosphere is fantastic and is a much different experience from seeing a Broadway show in your hometown.

Must See Attractions in Memphis

August 6, 2016 by John Hayden Leave a Comment

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

Memphis is a great place for a vacation or a long weekend, here are some of my favorite things to do when I’m in the home of the blues. These things are what I would consider must-see attractions in Memphis!

1) GRACELAND – You don’t have to be an Elvis fan to enjoy the King’s castle. Graceland is one of the most visited homes in the United States and well worth a stop when you are in Memphis. The Graceland experience begins with a tour of the mansion where you can see Elvis’ living room, kitchen, the famous “jungle room” and more.

Tunica, the Las Vegas of the South

Memphis Barbecue

After leaving the house, you will tour a museum housed with Elvis’ many awards, hundreds of gold records and many of his signature suits. The mansion tour is supplemented with an iPad which allows you to see videos and hear stories about Elvis told by himself and his family. Elvis’ love for cars is on full display with a car museum on site featuring many of Elvis’ cars and motorcycles including his famous pink Cadillac.

In addition to a couple of smaller museums, you can also board two of Elvis’ private planes. Allow yourself about three hours to see everything at a leisurely pace. If you want to gear up for the trip, the book Inside Graceland is an interesting read as you learn about what it was like to live in Graceland told by Elvis’ maid. After I read the book, it made the tour so much more interesting. The book is called Inside Graceland: Elvis’ Maid Remembers and is well worth it!

2) BEALE STREET – Elvis learned a lot about music and fashion by spending time on Beale Street. Today Beale Street is still alive with music and you should spend some time down there listening to the many different singers that call the street home. In addition to that, you can sample some of the greatest barbeques in the world. At the end of Beale Street is the FedEx Forum home of the Memphis Grizzlies, NBA basketball team.

3) MEMPHIS ROCK ‘N SOUL MUSEUM – This museum is located on Beale Street right across from the FedEx Forum. It takes you on a journey of the musical progression of Memphis and the American south. The tour is self-guided and you are given headphones for the tour and to listen to the many songs that make up the rich musical history of Memphis from Elvis, Ike Turner, Issac Hayes and much more.

4) NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM – This museum is located at the site of the Lorraine Motel where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in 1968. The museum recently underwent a lengthy renovation, so if you have been previously, it is worth another visit. The museum tells the story of the American Civil Rights movement in a powerful way. Dr. King’s room has been preserved since the day of the death and you can view it on the tour. Additionally, there are replicas of the bus where Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat and the Supreme Court room where Brown v. Board of Education was heard. There is so much information and history at this site, allow yourself about three hours to visit.

5) SUN STUDIO – Sun Records is best known as the record company where Elvis Presley first recorded but there is much more to it. Sun Studio owner Sam Phillips was interested in African-American musicians and began recording them in his Memphis studio, first as a studio for other labels and then on his own label, Sun. Phillips recorded what many consider to be the first rock and roll record, Rocket ’88. Later he would record Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lewis and a host of other singers. The tour includes an upstairs museum as well as a chance to stand in the studio with an “x” marking the spot where Elvis stood to record his first song. As a bonus, the tour guides are always a lot of fun and make the experience even more enjoyable.

6) TUNICA, Mississippi – While not in Memphis, Tunica is a relatively short driveway and makes for a great place to stay cheap at quality hotels. Tunica is home to many casinos and if you enjoy gambling, Tunica’s casinos offer low minimum bets, great comps and the prices of rooms (especially during the week) are hard to beat.

The Heart Attack Grill in Las Vegas

August 3, 2016 by John Hayden Leave a Comment

You may have heard it on the news, one of the most over-the- top, irreverent, restaurant in the United States…The Heart Attack Grill in Las Vegas, Nevada. The restaurant has gained notoriety for encouraging overeating, free meals for anyone over 350 pounds and for patrons actually having heart attacks inside. This place isn’t for everyone so if you’re easily offended or have your kids with you, I’d pass on this one but if you are looking for something unique, it’s an interesting way to spend your lunch hour.

Before you walk in you will notice a large scale for anyone who wants to accept their free meal offer for patrons over 350 pounds (don’t worry, they won’t make you get on the scale). When you go inside, you are dressed in a hospital gown before being escorted to your seat by waitresses dressed as nurses. There are tv screens that play a loop of the news coverage the grill has received among other décor paying homage to their theme.

The menu is unlike anything you have probably seen before, there are no diet drinks, they serve Mexican Coke and a variety of beers and hard liquor (served in a pill bottle), oh and you can order a pack of smokes too. The menu prominently features the prices and the fact that there is an 8.1% sales tax “for our wasteful government to squander.”

The food choices are fairly simple hot dogs (called coronary dogs) or hamburgers (referred to as bypass burgers…single through octuple bypass available) you can also add up to forty slices of bacon. For sides, they offer “flat-liner fries” and onion rings. If you still have room, they have a shake available that they proudly proclaim has “the world’s highest butterfat content.”

I opted for the double cheeseburger and fries (pro-tip: don’t order more than you can eat because you can receive a spanking by one of the nurses with a wood paddle…I saw it happen to one guy while I was there). The burger was pretty good and priced reasonably by Las Vegas standards (about $11). A trip to the Heart Attack Grill is more about the experience than the food in my opinion which makes is worth checking out.

Travel with Kids and Keep Your Sanity

August 3, 2016 by John Hayden 1 Comment

Our family likes to travel and we try to get on the road as much as possible. We’ve taken four kids all across the United States and lived to tell about it. There’s no reason to be intimidated about taking that road trip with the kids.

Here are some tips on how to get through long car rides with kids.

1) TRAVEL AT NIGHT – One of the hardest parts of traveling with young children is they get bored and they want to stop and stop often. If your travel time is limited and if you are traveling with another driver try to make as much of the drive as possible at night. When the kids are sleeping you can make much better time on the road and cut out many of the unnecessary stops.

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2) PLAN OUT SOME SIDE TRIPS – If you are traveling during the day, plan out some side trips. It gives the kids a chance to stretch their legs and helps relieve some boredom plus you may find some really cool you never knew existed. I like to use the website Roadside America.com to find some destinations on my route. Many of the places are just quick stops and most of them cost little to nothing. We’ve stopped at a gas station that was shaped like an airplane, roadside monuments and even a crypt that is mysteriously covered in blood. The kids always seem to enjoy it and it helps create fun memories you wouldn’t have otherwise had.

3) ROADSIDE SCAVENGER HUNTS – There used to be an iPhone app that we used for this but it no longer exists. In our last trip, each of us took a turn coming up with an object to find somewhere on the road. Things like a school bus, a flag, hospital, etc. keep kids interested and the game can be fun for parents too.

4) PACK A SEPARATE BACKPACK FOR EACH KID – Fill a backpack up with things your child can do during a long drive that won’t take up much space. Coloring books, pens, pencils, small toys, headphones and chargers for the electronics are a great start. No matter how much your child likes playing on their iPad, they’re going to get bored with it and you’ll be glad you have some backups.

5) TRUCK STOPS ARE A GREAT RESOURCE – My go to stop on any long road trip are truck stops, particular Pilot, TA or Love’s. They are always well lit and generally crowded so I always feel safe if I need to stop during the night. They all have gas, a restaurant, clean rooms and everything you need for the drive (snacks, drinks and that phone charger you forgot). These stops are usually right off the highway so if you are in a hurry, you can knock out several things at once.

6) PICNIC AT REST AREAS – Rest areas are a great place to stop during the day. Our kids love to pick up brochures inside and there’s usually plenty of space to run around and burn some energy. Another benefit is they make great picnic areas. traveling with kids can be costly and even meals at McDonald’s can take a toll on your wallet. Our kids are just as happy to eat sandwiches and snacks picnic style at the rest area. It’s fun and it will save you a few dollars.