Visit Maui: Maui Ocean Center

It's been well over a decade since I've been to the Maui Ocean Center, and since then, the "Aquarium of Hawai‘i" has opened up new exhibits and initiatives that continue to shine the spotlight not only on ocean life, but also on Hawai‘i and how the ocean is critical to all life - including to humans.

We were very fortunate to have been hosted by Maui Ocean Center and go on the Behind the Scenes Tour, where we learned about the Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute, which helps to rehabilitate turtles and restore coral reefs.  

We got to see the coral nursery, feed coral, feed young sharks, and even feed turtles!

Our guide, Izabelle, was awesome and sure taught us a lot!

The Behind the Scenes Tour is one of several tours you can book for an additional fee. 

Of course, even without an added tour there is still so much to see and learn at the Maui Ocean Center.

The Open Ocean is my personal favorite exhibit.  It features an underwater tunnel, so you get a great view of sharks and more swimming above and next to you.  

I also love how they really incorporate Hawaiian tradition and stories into the displays. There is also a Kaho‘olawe: History and Healing Exhibit that is well worth the time to peruse. ​

Aquariums are always fascinating - you get to see sea creatures that most don't encounter on a daily basis.  

What really impressed me with Maui Ocean Center is the abundance of local fish that were on exhibit.  It's a great place for keiki to learn about common fish that are eaten in Hawai‘i, like menpachi, moi, kala, and taape.

The Maui Ocean Center is a fantastic place for visitors of all ages to not only learn about sea life, but to also learn more about Hawai‘i! 

Maui Ocean Center
192 Maalaea Rd

Wailuku, HI 96793

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Visit Las Vegas: Michael Jackson: ONE

One of our family's highlights of the Las Vegas trip was Michael Jackson: ONE.  This Cirque du Soleil show combines acrobatics and dance into an amazing show that pays homage to Michael Jackson and the legacy that he left behind.

We got seats in the central upper section, which I felt offered a better view of the entire production. 

The show started on time and was immediately engaging, exciting everyone from start to finish. 

The show incorporated drones, lights, trampolines, archival video footage, special effects, and so much more.  Performers were zipping through the lower section and even flying above the crowds.

We heard familiar faves as well as songs that may not be as familiar to some, and hearing each song was so nostalgic.  The show made me feel some sadness for a such an engimatic, talented, and inspirational life that was cut way too short, but it also was uplifting in the sense that Michael Jackson created such amazing music that resonates with so many around the world.

The performance were awesome, as the dancers mimicked Michael Jackson's music videos or other performances for most songs.  Other interpretations were just as captivating. 

The 90-minute show just flew by, and we felt it was such a fantastic tribute show.  Many of us were singing and dancing along in our seats. 

Highly recommend while in Las Vegas!

Michael Jackson: ONE
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino

3950 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA

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Visit Dallas: The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza

The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza was somewhere my husband wanted to visit while in Dallas, and I'm so glad we went, because it was so intriguing!

I admit - when it comes to the events surrounding John F. Kennedy's assassination, I knew just the basic timeline, but The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza really went into detail about what happened on November 22, 1963, as well as the events leading up to that fateful day.

The Sixth Floor Museum is the former Texas Book Depository where Lee Harvey Oswald worked, and it is where a "sniper's perch" and rifle were found after JFK's assassination. 

The archival video footage and photos really offered immense details of this tragic day. 

Coming upon the enclosed "sniper's perch" was quite eerie.  

What I found most interesting was the conspiracy theories (that continue to this day), as well as the extensive research and re-enactments that were done (and continue to be done) that made this infamous event so controversial.

It's a small museum, but the exhibits really take you back in time, giving you a minute-by-minute, even second-by-second, glimpse of how elation turned quickly into horror and then sorrow.     

New information and artifacts are continually reviewed in this historic case.  We may never know the truth as to how things really happened and why, but The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza presents information for visitors to peruse, and perhaps come up with their own conclusions.  

The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
411 Elm St

Dallas, TX 75202

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Visit Tulsa: The Outsiders House Museum

If you've ever watched the 80s classic The Outsiders, the coming-of-age story of a group of adolescents and the socio-economic challenges they faced, then you'll want to visit The Outsiders House Museum in Tulsa, where the movie was actually filmed.

This film, which catapulted the careers of then-unknown actors (such as Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, C. Thomas Howell, Ralph Macchio, Matt Dillon, Patrick Swayze, and Tom Cruise) is beloved my many, and a visit to The Outsiders House Museum is a fantastic tribute to the film.

Having been saved from demolition, the property was not in the best of shape, but the current owners rebuilt and restored what they could, going great lengths to not only preserve what they could of the original home, but also secure the original props from the movie.  

We ended up booking a private tour, where we got to hear some really great tidbits about the history of the movie and the filming, as well as interesting information about the actors and the props.   Many of the actors have been and continue to visit the museum!

Hundreds of original props as well as memorabilia can be found all throughout the home.  

Throughout The Outsiders House are images of the movie that correspond to the different rooms in the home.  

The owners are very welcoming, allowing people to touch props and take photos so you can recreate popular scenes from the movie.

The owners are well-versed in everything The Outsiders, having watched the movie many times over, capturing individual clips to hunt down as much as they can from the original film, whether it be clothing or appliances.  

They have done a fantastic job, and a visit to The Outsiders House Museum was truly a step back in time, making me want to watch the movie all over again.

The Outsiders House Museum

731 N St Louis Ave

Tulsa, OK 74106
 

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Visit New Orleans: Scrap House

Since we were nearby, we drove up to the Scrap House - a monument that pays tribute to the powerful forces of nature, such as Hurricane Katrina.  

Created by Sally Heller, the tree and house was erected from scrap and recycled materials, with recycled oil drums crafted into the trunk by Travis Linde.  

It's a profound reflection of the real damage that was done during this devastating event, and a reminder that we can never underestimate Mother Nature.  

 

Scrap House
1101 Convention Center Blvd

New Orleans, LA 70130

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Visit Indiana: Michael Jackson's Childhood Home

As we drove from Michigan to Illinois, we had to pass through Indiana.  Since one of my kids is a Michael Jackson fan (who isn't?), we decided to make a stop at Michael Jackson's Childhood Home.

When we got to the home in Gary, Indiana, there were a few other visitors.

We took photos of the home and the street signs.

There is not much else to see, but it really is a must-stop for Michael Jackson fans.  

The home is right in the middle of a neighborhood, so be respectful of the neighboring homes.

Michael Jackson's Childhood Home
2300 Jackson St

Gary, IN 46407

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Visit Austin: Mount Bonnell

For a quick, easy hike and some of the most gorgeous views in Austin, check out Mount Bonnell! 

Located in Covert Park, you can walk up 102 steps to get to one of the highest points in Austin, where you get one of the most beautiful views overlooking Lake Austin!

It's simply stunning!  

There are even a few picnic tables if you want to spend some time at the summit.  

It was a quick visit, but the views were worth it!

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Visit San Antonio: Essex Modern City #EssexArt

 

Essex Modern City is the future site of a multi-million dollar project to include living spaces, businesses, and eateries.  

In the interim, it is currently an art space, #EssexArt, where artists transformed an abandoned property into a space for connection and gathering.  

It's a neat place to visit and it was intriguing to see all the different styles of art.

Can't wait to see what Essex Modern City will look like once developed!

Essex Modern City

51 Essex St

San Antonio, TX 78210

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