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Roadtrips

Surfside Beach Texas Rental: ROCK HOUSE

by JillBJarvis.com Sponsored Post 2 Comments

Stay at the beach… at a Surfside Beach Texas Rental! Below is everything you need to know about ROCK HOUSE… the veteran owned and operated Surfside TX beach house rental available on AirBNB and VRBO.

Surfside Beach Texas Rental

We like a good beach day in Surfside, but we had never stayed there overnight.

Lucky for us, ROCK HOUSE, the Surfside Texas Beach Rental, invited us out to their family friendly beach house.

We were excited to go, but I did wonder if we’d be roughing it or be living the good life.

Rock House is veteran owned

All About ROCK HOUSE:

I used to live at the beach, so I was not really sure what to expect with this beach house rental. What I mean is, the salty air is hard on houses and, from my own experience, a great location does not always meet a great house.

With that in mind, I was VERY pleased when we walked into ROCK HOUSE. The building was in good shape, the paint was fresh and everything was crisp and clean.

The ceiling was vaulted to make it airy, the kitchen was updated and there were plenty of beds and bedrooms.

It was good to have more living space than at a hotel, and it was great that the house also had a big deck, fenced in yard and outdoor BBQ space under the house. And the beach was just a quick walk over the sand dune bridge.

Surfside Beach Texas Rental Under Rock House, Rock House is veteran owned and operated

The house is also walking distance from Seahorse Bar and Grill and also beach equipment rentals (surf boards, bodyboards, golf cart rentals and more). You can just walk down the beach!

If you do rent a golf cart, there is a golf cart path right out from the house. You can ride it to the beach, crabbing pier, restaurants and food trucks. (And if you don’t get the golf cart, you can still walk or make a short drive.)

The house has a smart lock and we had a personalized code to get in. The whole stay was contact-less.

Surfside TX Beach House Rental Information:

ROCK HOUSE is veteran owned and operated and is available on both AirBNB and VRBO. And if you mention JillBJarvis.com or BigKidSmallCity.com when you book your reservation, you will get 10% off through December 31, 2021. (Just mention the blog and the discount will be applied by the owner.)

  • VRBO Surfside Beach TX
  • AirBNB Surfside Beach TX
Surfside Beach Texas Rental, Surfside beach in winter

Our visit at ROCK HOUSE:

We had a day of rain during our visit, but we did not mind playing board games and hanging out with each other. The kids kept saying that they wished our house was exactly like this beach house.

We spent the rest of the trip drinking coffee on the deck, walking on the beach, collecting shells, relaxing in the house and doing our school work away from home.

On our next visit, we’ll check out the dolphin tour or even deep sea fishing. We also need to take the beautiful 30-minute coastline drive to Galveston.

Games at Surfside TX beach house rental

If you are considering the ROCK HOUSE Surfside Texas Beach Rental, here’s what you need to know:

  • This Surfside Beach Texas rental is on the beach side of Blue Water Highway.
  • The house is very clean and nicely decorated. There are vaulted ceilings, the kitchen is updated, there is wifi and there are smart TVs in each room.
  • ROCK HOUSE sleeps 10. In three bedrooms, there is one king bed, one queen bed and two bunk bends (each with one full and one twin mattress). There are two full bathrooms and there is one outdoor shower.
  • This Surfside Beach Texas rental has a big deck for enjoying the view and a fenced in grass yard where the kids can play.
  • There is a smart lock and the whole stay is contact-less.
  • When you book a stay, you get a digital guest book with loads of information about the property and Surfside Beach.
  • The Surfside TX beach house rental is not right on the water, but it is a one minute walk, over the dune bridge, to the beach.
  • Free parking is available at the house.
  • Some things that are available to guests: kitchen utensils, plates, pots, towels, linens, washer, dryer, beach chairs and wagon, charcoal grill.
  • Be sure to bring your own groceries, shampoo/toiletries, charcoal, beach towels. Bring board games and cards for rainy days. Or just bring your Disney+, Prime and Netflix passwords.
  • ROCK HOUSE is Veteran Owned and Operated.

About Surfside:

  • When you book a stay, you get a digital guest book with loads of information about the property and Surfside Beach. You will have a map of all the restaurants and things to do in the area.
  • Cars are allowed on Surfside Beach (much like West Beach in Galveston). The good thing about ROCK HOUSE is that it’s at the widest part of the shore line and at one of the calmest areas. There are spots for chairs and towels to be set up away from the car lane.
  • Surfside Beach is much smaller than Galveston. It’s a great place to play or relax… but with more mom-and-pop restaurants and stores and fewer people.
  • There are corner stores, but for lots of groceries or supplies, Lake Jackson is just 15 minutes away.
  • Galveston is 30 minutes along the coastline. The last time I made this drive I kept wondering if I was really just an hour outside Houston. It is very scenic.
  • If you are looking to do more than relax and play on the beach, take a dolphin tour, go deep sea fishing, take a surfing lesson or go paddle boarding.

Book a Stay or Learn More:

  • VRBO Surfside Beach TX
  • AirBNB Surfside Beach TX
  • If you mention JillBJarvis.com or BigKidSmallCity.com when you book your reservation, you will get 10% off through December 31, 2021. (Just mention the blog and the discount will be applied by the owner.)
  • ROCK HOUSE is veteran owned and operated.

Find more pictures below and if you go to the ROCK HOUSE Surfside Beach Rental, tell us about it! 

Rock House Surfside Texas is veteran owned and operated
Rock House Surfside Texas Beach Rental Kitchen, veteran owned and operated
Surfside Beach Rock House Beach Rental
Rock House Surfside Dune Bridge

Filed Under: All, Beach, Roadtrips, Things to do, Travel January 12, 2021

Marriott Marquis Houston -Downtown Houston Hotel!

by JillBJarvis.com Sponsored Post Leave a Comment

Look at the Marriott Marquis Houston!  This is the downtown Houston hotel with the iconic Texas-shaped rooftop lazy river

Look at the Marriott Marquis Houston! This is the downtown Houston hotel with the iconic Texas-shaped rooftop lazy river, complete with stunning views of downtown skyline!

We are doing school a little differently this year, so this week we packed up our books and moved our classroom to the beautiful downtown Houston hotel. It’s our way of making this messy year work for us (instead of just against us).

And what a beautiful backdrop for a classroom and stay-cation! We have wanted to see this pool for years!

Work from Marriott Downtown Houston Hotel

Our host, Marriott Marquis Houston is located right next to Discovery Green and has six onsite dining options, the world’s largest Texas-shaped rooftop lazy river, an infinity pool, awesome fitness center and a great Houston location. Learn all about this downtown Houston hotel, HERE.

At the Marriott, the kids did their schoolwork with a view of a skyline and raced out to the pool deck. They floated down the rooftop lazy river, played giant chess and sat by the fire. It was chilly outside, but the pools are all heated to toasty 80 degrees.

Because of the great location, we were also about to walk around downtown Houston. We played at Discovery Green across the street and grabbed lunch at lunch at Phoenicia Specialty Foods.

Downtown Houston Discovery Green

This downtown Houston hotel is also close to Minute Maid Park, Toyota Center, BBVA Compass Stadium, George R. Brown and the downtown tunnel system. It’s also a short drive or METROrail ride to the Museum District and Hermann Park.

Right now, Marriott Marquis Houston is sticking to capacity limitations, they are requiring masks and they have handwashing stations everywhere. And it just so happens when we visited on a weekday, we practically had the place to ourselves. See their safety guidelines HERE.

Rooftop Lazy River Marriott Downtown Houston

If you are considering a visit Marriott Marquis Houston, here are some tips to help you plan your trip:

  • The rooftop lazy river is the really very cool. It’s fun to swim in and it’s also beautiful to look at from above.
  • Half of the rooms face the Texas-shaped lazy river and the other half face Minute Maid or BBVA Compass Stadium.
  • If you do not have a room with a view of the pool, you can still take plenty of Insta-worthy photos from the window by the elevator.
  • The rooms come with a mini-fridge and coffee maker. (We have someone with a special diet, so we are always looking for this information!)
  • Paid parking is available. You can pay for valet or self park around the corner.
  • You can read Marriott’s health and safety guide HERE.
  • The pool deck includes the heated lazy river, heated infinity pool and hot tub. There is also a restaurant and bar and lots of lounge chairs.
  • Pool towels are provided.
  • There are no lifeguards on duty.
  • The fitness center is great. More and more, we’ve been picking out hotels by the fitness equipment available… and this was a great hotel fitness center. It overlooks the pool and Minute Maid Park and has free weights (dumbbells up to 100lbs and Smith machine), resistance machines, cable machine, treadmills, ellipticals, bikes and stepmills. The 7,000 square-foot fitness center is open 24-hours.
  • If you need a place to work for the day, Marriott Marquis Houston has a Work from Anywhere Package. From 6:00am-6:00pm on a weekday, you can have access to a room with enhanced wifi, the pools, the fitness center and spa. For this, use promotion code WRK.
  • Some low overnight rates are available these days, so go HERE to search for your dates. Also, for more hotel discounts (like AAA and Veteran discounts), go HERE!
  • Learn all about the downtown Houston hotel HERE.

Find more pictures below and if you go to Marriott Marquis Houston, tell us about it! 

Marriott Downtown Houston Hotel:

Address: 1777 Walker St, Houston, TX 77010

 

Find more to do in Houston:

 

Marriott Marquis Houston Elevator
Marriott Downtown Houston Rooftop Lazy River
Marriott Rooftop Lazy River and Pool
Marriott Marquis Fitness Center
View of Downtown Houston Skyline
Marriott Marquis Houston Downtown Houston

Filed Under: All, Downtown Houston, Roadtrips, Things to do, Travel December 18, 2020

Higgins Hotel in the Arts District… The Official Hotel of the National WWII Museum

by JillBJarvis.com Sponsored Post Leave a Comment

We went to see the National WWII Museum and Arts District, and it was the perfect time to go. This funky, cool part of New Orleans has as lots of room… and hardly any crowds. Right in the middle of the Arts District, and across the street from the museum, is the Higgins Hotel.

The Higgins Hotel, by Hilton, is the Official Hotel of The National WWII Museum and the profits go back to the museum. It’s named for the local Higgins Industries shipbuilder Andrew Higgins and the boats that helped win World War II.

A friend told me that New Orleans is close enough to drive from Houston… but when you arrive, it feels like a world away. We just made the trip, and I have to agree!

We went to see the National WWII Museum and Arts District, and it was the perfect time to go. This funky, cool part of New Orleans has as lots of room… and hardly any crowds.

Right in the middle of the Arts District, and across the street from the museum, is the Higgins Hotel. They invited us out for the weekend and it was perfect.

The Higgins Hotel, by Hilton, is the Official Hotel of The National WWII Museum and the profits go back to the museum. It’s named for the local Higgins Industries shipbuilder Andrew Higgins and the boats that helped win World War II.

The museum and hotel are within walking distance of the French Quarter. But unlike the French Quarter, this area is much easier for driving and parking (and even for walking!). It’s in the middle of all the action… but easier to navigate.

The art deco design of the Higgins Hotel is beautiful and the location next to the WWII Museum is awesome.

With our big family, we always look for the cleanest, safest hotel, in the most popular area… for an affordable price. The Higgins Hotel is gorgeous (just think of hosting a nice wedding reception here), it is right in the middle of all the New Orleans activity… and especially now, there are really good deals.

Check for discounts, including some stay and park packages, some stay and museum packages… and right now you can save $20 per night by going HERE. (In order to book this rate, you can call our direct reservations line at 833-357-1172 and ask for the “Eureka Rate” or click HERE. (Psssst… Visit the WWII Museum and you’ll know to what Eureka refers!)

At the Higgins Hotel we parked the car one time and then hopped between the Nation WWII Museum, the French Quarter and the Arts District. We ate at beignets, went to Mother’s (with no line), enjoyed food and the rooftop view from Rosie’s and got far away from our daily routine.

At the hotel, masks are required, housekeeping is only on request, extra cleaning product is in the room if you want to use it and hand sanitizing stations are everywhere.

(Know that the Higgins Hotel, WWII Museum and Arts District were great about keeping things clean and social distancing. The French Quarter gets crowded by late afternoon… so I would clear out when it gets crazy.)

If you are considering a visit the hotel, here are some tips to help you plan your trip:

  • The Higgins Hotel is the official hotel of The National WWII Museum, is right across the street and shares a parking garage. It’s the perfect place to stay if you want to visit the museum, Arts District or French Quarter (but without the headaches).
  • Profits from the Higgins Hotel go back to the WWII Museum.
  • You can use/accrue Hilton points.
  • The WWII Museum allows you to leave and re-enter during the day. You can hop between the hotel and museum all day (and the museum is plenty big to spend the whole day there).
  • Rosie’s on the Roof is open at the Higgins Hotel. It’s family friendly (especially outside on the roof) and serves food and drinks… and has an amazing view.
  • The French Quarter is about a 20 minute walk from the hotel. (You probably want a stroller for the littlest ones.)
  • The rooms are very nice and have a minifridge and coffee maker (but no microwave).
  • Paid garage parking is available. (There is also paid street parking, but the hours are limited.)
  • You can read Hilton’s health and safety guide HERE.
  • The fitness center is really good. They have treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, dumbbells (up to 75lbs), cable resistance machine, kettle bells, medicine balls and resistance bands.
  • Check The Higgins Hotel for discounts. They have some stay and park packages, some stay and museum packages… and right now you can save $20 per night by going HERE.

Filed Under: All, Roadtrips, Things to do, Travel October 26, 2020

Roadtrip to the National WWII Museum!

by Jill Jarvis 2 Comments

In this field trip, take a road trip to a giant, immersive, engaging museum about the war that changed the world. Head to New Orleans to visit the National WWII Museum! (And even if you do not make the drive to New Orleans, you need to check out all the FREE resources available online from the WWII Museum. Find them below.)

Resources:

The National WWII Museum has an unbelievable amount of FREE resources for teachers and students. Even if you do not make the drive to New Orleans, you should check out these resources!

  • Explore WWII History, including curriculum guides for the “War in the Pacific”, “War in Europe”, “The Homefront” and “Liberation and Legacy”. Register for FREE to access lesson plans, essays and multimedia resources.
  • Digital Learning Experiences 
  • Research Starters
  • Classroom Resources

Explore the National WWII Museum:

National WWII Museum – 945 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70130

The National World War II Museum covers six acres, is immersive and engaging… and now is a great time to visit. When we went on a weekend, we practically had the exhibits to ourselves.

The museum tells the story of the American experience in the war that changed the world. Through immersive exhibits and multimedia, you can learn about the most destructive war in history and understand the price of freedom.

There is a lot to see, but the “Road to Tokyo” and “Road to Berlin” exhibits were our favorites. We were transported to jungles and deserts, learned through videos and signs and read personal stories along the way. We all learned something during the self guided tour (even the WWII buffs) and we liked that it talked about both the mistakes that were made as well as the victories.

On our visit, we had two adults and four kids (ages 13, 11, 9 and 4). The four year old got tired after an hour so we grabbed the stroller. (Strollers are allowed in the museum. Also, kids under 5 are free.)

With current protocols and ticket restrictions, it is recommended that you buy tickets online and select your admission time. We had questions on buying the membership and the military pricing, so we gambled and arrived at opening and were able to buy our tickets. (Also, there were fewer people at opening than after lunch.)

Once you have your museum tickets, you can come and go all day. Also, if you decide to come back within a week, you can buy a second day pass for $7.

Also, when looking at tickets, I was not sure if I should get the campus pass or just the admission tickets. The campus pass gets you into everything, including the 4D experience, Beyond All Boundaries. (The Final Mission experience was closed while we were there.)

We got the general admission tickets (instead of the campus pass) and had plenty to do all day. We did not do the 4D experience, but we could have purchased the $7 tickets at the theater.

With the smaller crowds at the museum, we were able to see everything in a day. That said, there is so much to see and learn that when we go back on our next trip, we will certainly learn something new.

The National WWII Museum is a long drive from Houston, but it was definitely worth it. We visit a lot of museums, and this was a GREAT museum. Learn more about it HERE.

Drive/Park:

Right across from the National World War II Museum is the Higgins Hotel. You can park in the garage shared by the hotel and the museum. If you reserve a room here, you can hop back and forth all day (and the museum will allow you to leave and return with your ticket).

The Higgins Hotel is the official hotel of the museum and profits go back to the museum. Save $20 per night by going HERE.

There is also paid street parking available, but check the signs for the restrictions on hours.

Filed Under: All, Houston Field Trips, Roadtrips, Things to do, Travel October 26, 2020

Get on the Lake… You can Rent Watercraft at Margaritaville Lake Conroe!

by JillBJarvis.com Sponsored Post Leave a Comment

Margaritaville Lake Conroe

This may have been the first time in the history of the world that all four Jarvis kids and two Jarvis parents loved the same activity. We went back to Margaritaville Lake Conroe, and with the tropical storm gone, we were able to rent a boat. And it was AWESOME!

And it’s not just something I’m saying… I laughed and smiled until my cheeks hurt.

Rent a boat at Margaritaville Lake Conroe

Margaritaville is located right on Lake Conroe and has 80 boat slips and a variety of watercraft rentals, including pontoons, kayaks, SUP boards, and more.

Einstein’s Surf & Boat Shop is located at the resort and has equipment available to resort guests and members. (You can find the rates HERE.)

Rent a boat at Margaritaville Lake Conroe

When we first visited Margaritaville, I was planning to spending the days at the great pools, on the little beach and in the room doing school work. The staff encouraged me to try out the boat rentals… and it was the best recommendation ever. Getting out on Lake Conroe was the highlight of the trip!

We spent two hours on the lake, pulling the kids on the tube. Even our youngest insisted on going on the tube… and kept yelling “faster” as she bounced along the lake. Everyone wants to go back (even the parents) and everyone wants more time on the lake.

Rent a boat at Margaritaville Lake Conroe

If you plan to visit Margaritaville and to rent watercraft, here’s what I know:

  • Go HERE to see all our resort highlights. It includes all the information about rooms, parking, pools, amenities and more.
  • Einstein’s Surf & Boat Shop is at the resort and watercraft is available to rent by resort guests and resort members.
  • Rentals are not cheap… but it’s much cheaper than owning a boat!
  • You must be 21 years old to rent a boat or have a valid boat license.
  • Everyone must watch a safety video and fill out the appropriate paperwork before getting on the water.
  • On the boat, the staff will give you a quick lesson and provide a map of where to go on Lake Conroe. (We had a quick lesson since my husband has experience, but I bet they would spend as much time as you needed.)
  • You can bring coolers, towels and gear on the boat (and the staff will help load them).
  • Margaritaville Resort is great and the pools are fantastic… but the boat rental really made the trip special! (The pools are open through October.) Learn more HERE.
  • And a fun fact: When my boys get on a boat, they automatically reenact Washington crossing the Delaware. Evidence below.

If you are looking for an easy getaway, go HERE to learn about Margaritaville and HERE to learn about Einstein’s Boat Rentals.

See the video below (or HERE):

Filed Under: All, Roadtrips, Things to do, Travel October 7, 2020

Margaritaville Lake Conroe Staycation + Coupon Code

by JillBJarvis.com Sponsored Post Leave a Comment

Margaritaville Lake Conroe Staycation

Staycation at Margaritaville Lake Conroe! (Use Margaritaville coupon code JillB to save 30% through April 21, 2021! Go HERE to check rates.)

This year is messy. And I’d like to make the most of it.

I don’t love the way work and school and life have been put on hold… but it does give my family the unique opportunity to try some new things.

Most school years we would be busy with school and sports and homework and have little time for anything else. This year, we can work and learn from anywhere… so we’re taking advantage of it.

And this is what led us to Margaritaville Lake Conroe.

About Margaritaville Lake Conroe:

Our host, Margaritaville, is on 186 waterfront acres on the shores of Lake Conroe. It is a beautiful, family friendly resort with a three acre waterpark, boat rentals, restaurants, mini golf, tennis, pickleball, big fitness center, spa, golf course and 80 boat slips (for anyone bringing their own boat).

As you might expect from the name, everything about this resort will transport you to Key West… from the colors, to the music to the laid-back attitudes.

Right now, Margaritaville is sticking to capacity limitations, they are requiring masks, staff is not entering guest rooms during the stay and they have handwashing stations everywhere. And it just so happens we visited during a tropical storm, so we had the place to ourselves.

Margaritaville Lake Conroe Staycation

About our Staycation:

When we booked our trip, we knew we were gambling with the tropical storm… and the tropical storm ALMOST won. But there is no way Jimmy Buffett would let a little rain get him down.

We floated down the lazy river, played in the splashpads, raced down the slides and had the pools mostly to ourselves. We played minigolf, visited the restaurants, fitness center and arcade… and then retreated to our suite for school work and Mathnasium. Rain or no rain, Margaritaville certainly made our school day more exciting!

We did push out our boat rental out by a couple of weeks, so we get to go back and cruise Lake Conroe soon! (UPDATE: We went baaaaaack and it was awesome! Read about the pontoon boat rental HERE!)

Margaritaville Lake Conroe Staycation

Tips for a staycation at Margaritaville Lake Conroe resort:

  • Use Margaritaville coupon code JillB to save 30% off through April 21, 2021! Go HERE to check rates.
  • Margaritaville Lake Conroe is family friendly. The restaurants have kids meals and the resort has a lot of amenities and activities meanhttp://bit.ly/3arD3BOt for families. It’s a great family staycation.
  • The staff is very very friendly. We did not pass one employee that did not smile (under a mask) and speak to us.
  • Margaritaville has 303 suites and 32 waterfront cottages. (There are no non-suite rooms.)
  • The suites are in the tower and have a bedroom, living room and really nice bathroom. The suites have a minifridge and coffee maker (but no microwave). The cottages have a living room, bedroom, nice bathroom and kitchenette with minifridge, coffee maker and microwave. Some cottages have lofts with more beds.
  • The suites are a little closer to the pools and most of the restaurants.
  • The cottages give you your own little house… which is great for a noisy family like mine. The cottages also have their own assigned parking spot and boat slip, right outside (so you don’t haul everything up the elevators).
  • The suites and the cottages have the same fixtures and furniture… so you’re not roughing it in either spot!
  • Free self parking is available (as well as paid valet).
  • You can read Margaritaville’s health and safety guide HERE.
  • Some of the resort restaurants are open to the public, but everything else requires a guest wristband to access.
  • The waterpark includes a lazy river (with tubes included), splash zone, two waterslides (with 48″ requirement), hot tub and one heated pool.
  • Pool towels are provided.
  • The resort will close the pools for very severe weather… but will stay open in the rain.
  • There are no lifeguards on duty, except by the big slides.
  • One pool is for adults-only. Everything else is open to all.
  • In addition to the pools, there is a small beach with lake access.
  • Weekends are the busiest time… so if you can do a weekday staycation, you will probably have more space.
  • The fitness center is really great. You know how some places call one broken elliptical machine a fitness center? Not Margaritaville. They have three studio rooms, free weights (dumbbells and Smith machine), resistance machines, lots of cardio equipment, spin room, racquetball courts and locker rooms.
  • At the resort you can rent equipment for the lake. They have 22’ Tritoon boats, 19’ Runabouts, electric paddleboats, stand up paddleboards, kayaks, fishing poles and bait. The rain canceled our boating plans… but we’ll be back in a couple weeks to enjoy Lake Conroe!
  • Check the Margaritaville website for discounts. They have some for Texas residents and a Work Here, Learn Here, Play Here, Save Here package. Plan your staycation!
  • Use Margaritaville coupon code JillB to save 30% off through April 21, 2021! Go HERE to check rates.

Find more pictures below (and just imagine how it would be even more beautiful with some Texas sun)… and if you go to Margaritaville, tell us about it!

Margaritaville Lake Conroe Staycation
Margaritaville Lake Conroe Staycation
Margaritaville Lake Conroe Staycation
Margaritaville Coupon Code
Margaritaville Lake Conroe Staycation, Margaritaville Coupon Code
Margaritaville Lake Conroe Staycation
Margaritaville Lake Conroe Staycation
Margaritaville Lake Conroe Fitness Center
Margaritaville Coupon Code
Margaritaville Lake Conroe Rooms.  Use this coupon code.
Margaritaville Lake Conroe
Margaritaville Lake Conroe
Margaritaville Discount Code
Margaritaville Coupon Code

See the video below (or HERE):

Filed Under: All, Roadtrips, Things to do, Travel September 24, 2020

Visiting Disney World… with a Child with Autism

by Jill Jarvis Leave a Comment

From Houston Mom, Ashley Ann:

I went on a wild trip this week, to Walt Disney World, with my family of five: Russell (husband), Patton (6yrs), Crosby (4yrs-Autistic) and Hannah (15 months).

When we were planning, my first thought we had was, “How on earth are we going to fly?”. Well I have to tell you it was amazingly EASY! And the best part is that I did it alone with all three kids because my husband was already in Orlando.

So here is my secret to making it great: Wings for All. We went to IAH a month before our trip for the airport walk through for special needs kids. We went through check-in, security, and got on an actual plane. It’s an amazing tool in preparation for any travel and it’s FREE!!!!

Our next question was, “How are we going to do a Disney park with Crosby?”. The accommodations far surpassed any of our expectations!

We rented a double stroller so that all 3 kids could take turns riding throughout the day.

Upon arrival to Disney World on our first day we went to guest services. We explained that Crosby has Autism and that we may have some trouble with waiting for long periods of time and that we may need to contain him during wait times in the stroller.

We were given a wheelchair tag for our stroller which meant that we could bring the stroller with us to the entrance of all rides instead of leaving it at the beginning of the line. This was invaluable.

Once we figured out the kinks of the system we were set. A disability designation on your bracelet is similar to a fast pass but in my opinion is better, you don’t have to actually stand in line and it’s unlimited!

So when we scan Crosby’s bracelet and tell the cast member we have a disability, they tell you a time to come back, and then you walk away. Simple right?! We took that time to go eat, potty, or just sit. With some rides with the wheelchair tag we walked right onto a ride because they had a separate entrance.

Now, am I saying it was a perfect day all day? No. But we’re we able to enjoy the huge number of wins we had each day because of the Disney Magic? You betcha!

On day one we went to Hollywood Studios and just mostly walked around and met characters. Toy Story Land is where we were able to just walk onto a ride with no wait with only the disability tag. If Crosby seemed too excited, I warned the characters that he had autism and may be a little nervous or grabby.

We never felt rushed at anytime with any of the characters. In this park we met: Buzz, Woody, BoPeep, Vampirina, Doc McStuffins, Darth Vader, Mike and Sully. Mickey’s Dance Party was not nearly as big of a hit as we thought it would be with Crosby but Patton and Hannah loved it. Mickey, Vampirina, and Doc McStuffins show up and sang their theme songs.

Day two we spent our morning around the hotel, Art of Animation, so we could attend the character drawing class in the lobby, we drew Stitch. This was a huge hit with Patton because he is really into drawing.

Since all Disney resorts have playgrounds we blew off some steam first before our class. Then we hit the arcade and the boys loved it. It had a ton of flashing lights and is pretty noisy but I think it was no worse than a typical day at Chuck E Cheese.

We booked a late lunch character meal inside the Magic Kingdom for our second park day. We saw Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, and Eeyore. The boys loved it! Hannah not so much. The buffet was very good but for the price, we may wait until Hannah is old enough for princesses before we do a character meal again.

Since we had a late lunch with Pooh and the gang, we walked right into the park in the middle of the parade which was perfect because we saw all of the pretty floats and characters without having to meet any of them.

Russell and Patton went off to do big boy things so Crosby, Hannah and I went to ride “It’s a Small World”. This was the one ride I thought would be a hit but was not.

I apparently underestimated his refusal to ride on a boat. The characters were overwhelming because he didn’t know where to look and it was super intense because we were on the first row. Luckily Hannah was super into it and was getting in Crosby’s face and making him smile. By the end of it he said he enjoyed it but would not ride it again.

In all honesty the only ride we did successfully without issue was the carousel.

Even with the lack of riding pretty much anything, we filled our days but just walking around, meeting characters, and walking the shops. Almost every time I offered to walk in a shop Crosby would say yes. He loved naming all of the characters items that he recognized.

All in all it was an absolutely perfect vacation! Would I recommend going to Disney with an autistic child? Magic Kingdom, absolutely! Hollywood Studios was a bust in my opinion… but it made my husband and Patton happy so it works.

A few things I recommend to have:

  • A pair of affiliate Boise cancelling headphone. We only needed them for the fireworks but it was a great crutch just in case.
  • A fidget toy. Typically we don’t give them to either of the boys but Crosby absolutely needed it. I found small Mr Potato Head Toy Story characters where the eyes and ears did not come off, only the costumes were removable. It had maybe 4 parts to each character which was plenty for him to feel satisfied.
  • Glow sticks. All three kids completely loved having glow sticks to play with on dark rides like Pirates of the Caribbean.
  • A stroller. There are services that will drop off a stroller to your hotel and pick it up on your last day. It was $50 for 4 days for a double stroller and it could leave the park with us. If you rent at Disney you have to return it every day when you leave and it’s $30+ a day for a double.
  • Buy the photo package. I was apprehensive because of the cost but it is invaluable when you are alone with two kids and need to interact and can’t get your camera. All characters have a photographer. You scan your bracelet and all of your pictures are compiled in the app. I wish some pictures would have been a little better angles or they would have tried to get everyone’s attention. But when you are talking about 3 kids and one is autistic, any picture where everyone is looking at the camera is a good picture.

And lastly, just know that you can do it!

We were so busy thinking of all the bad things that could happen that it took us until the end of the first day to realize nothing bad had happened.

I can’t wait to go back to Disney World when Hannah is 10, Crosby 14, and Patton 16! I’m sure there will be a whole other set of worries or issues by then but I know for sure that it will be worth it!

Filed Under: All, Roadtrips, Travel, Vacations November 20, 2019

Go To Museums & Zoos, For Free, Where Ever You Go… Houston Museum Reciprocal Programs

by Jill Jarvis Leave a Comment

Did you know that your Houston museum and zoo membership can get you into museums, all over Texas (and the world), for free or discounted rates?!

Here is a guide to the museums or zoo discounts you can get. And as a disclaimer, this list changes so check before you go!

  • If you have a membership to the Children’s Museum of Houston (Thinker or Above), you can visit these ASTC Museums for free! This includes The DoSeum (San Antonio Children’s Museum),  Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas, The Thinkery (Austin) and museums all over Texas, the United States… and the world. Get all the details HERE.
  • If you have a membership to the Houston Health Museum or Space Center you have the same ASTC benefits as the Children’s Museum membership. (You cannot visit the Children’s Museum of Houston with the Health Museum or Space Center membership because venues must be 90 miles apart to get the benefit… otherwise one Houston membership would get you in all over Houston.)
  • If you have a membership to the Houston Zoo, you get discounted admission to these AZA zoos and aquariums. ​This includes 50% off the Texas State Aquarium, Dallas Zoo, San Antonio Zoo and more.
  • If you have a membership to the Museum of Fine Arts Houston (Patron Level or Above), you can visit these Museums for free. If your membership is Supporter or Above, you can also receive discounts. Go HERE for details.
  • If you have a membership to the Houston Maritime Museum (at Family Level or Above), you can visit these Council of American Maritime Museums and North American Reciprocal Museum Association. Go HERE for details.
  • If you have a membership to the Asia Society, you get free admission to the Asia Societies across the world.
  • If you have a membership to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, unfortunately there are no reciprocal benefits.

Other museums in Houston also seem to have Reciprocal Membership Privileges… so always ask. If you know of any other good deals for Houston museum and zoo members, let us know!

Filed Under: All, Roadtrips, Things to do, Travel April 8, 2019

Where to stop between Houston and Pensacola Beach

by Jill Jarvis 4 Comments

Roadtrip! Here’s where to stop between Houston and Pensacola Beach… with kids!

Where to stop between Houston and Pensacola Beach
I asked my kids where they wanted to go on a roadtrip and they were absolutely certain they needed to go to the beach in Florida. I don’t know why exactly… but I think they had heard stories of the white sand beaches and clear blue water.

So, I looked at the map, and since I was going to be driving alone, agreed to slowly drive from Houston, Texas to Pensacola Beach, Florida… just inside the Florida state line.

Over eight days, we drove from Houston (through Beaumont, Lake Charles and Lafayette) to Baton Rouge. Then we drove from Baton Rouge to Biloxi (driving along the Mississippi coastline). Then from Biloxi (through Mobile) to Pensacola Beach. On the return trip back to Houston, we swung through New Orleans.

The drive from Houston to Pensacola Beach is about eight hours in each direction, but we did a lot of short drives and a lot of sightseeing.

Before the trip, I had asked YOU for recommendations on where to stop between Houston and Pensacola Beach, and I have listed them below. Also, the map is at the bottom. (I’ve highlighted the places we went to with “*”!)

I’ve already promised my kids we would take this trip again soon… so if you have more recommendations for what to see between Houston and Pensacola Beach, let us know!

Where to Stop between Houston and Pensacola Beach:

What to see in Beaumont:

  • Spindletop Museum
  • Gator Country
  • Beaumont Children’s Museum
  • Fire Museum of Texas
  • Edison Museum
  • Texas Energy Museum

What to see in Lake Charles/Sulphur:

  • Louisiana Welcome Center (At LA State line… but it was closed for renovations when we were there.)
  • Millennium Park
  • The Children’s Museum of Lake Charles
  • Creole Nature Trail (Sulphur)
  • Brimstone Museum (Sulphur)
  • Sulphur Park Waterpark (Sulphur)
  • Golden Nugget/Casinos (Stretch your legs and eat at the buffet.)
  • Hollier’s Cajun Kitchen(Sulphur)
  • Steamboat Bills
  • Mr. Bills Seafood Express
  • Darrell’s Poboys

What to see in Lafayette:

  • Prehistoric Park (in Henderson)
  • Bon Temps Grill
  • Best Stop (for Cracklins)
  • TCoons

What to see in Avery Island:

  • Tabasco Museum and Factory

What to see in Baton Rouge:

In Baton Rouge we stayed downtown, within walking distance of the USS Kidd and Old State Capital (and a longer walk to the State Capital).

  • USS Kidd* (In the old ship bathrooms, all the toilets are just lined up with no privacy. My little boy cannot stop talking about this. (Insert sigh and smile here.)
  • Old State Capital* (This is free to visit and looks like a castle!)
  • State Capital* (This is free to visit and you can take the elevator to the top observation deck!)
  • Rural Life Museum
  • LSU*
  • Baton Rouge Zoo

What to see in New Orleans:

In New Orleans we stayed in the French Quarter and went to the City Park on the way out of town. Hotel reservations were a little hard to get, so we planned our trip around the New Orleans hotel.

  • French Quarter*
  • Jackson Square*
  • Carriage Rides* (This was expensive… but good way to see the French Quarter and learn a lot of history!)
  • Louisiana Children’s Museum* (Free with Children’s Museum of Houston membership!)
  • WWII Museum
  • Mardi Gras World
  • Audubon Park
  • Audubon Zoo
  • Audubon Aquarium
  • Insectarium
  • Central Grocery*
  • Street Car
  • City Park*
  • Story Land Park* (This playground has lots of storybook characters and my little girl loved it! You do have to pay to get in.)

What to see in Pearlington:

  • Infinity Space Center

What to see in Gulfport:

  • Seabee Museum
  • Ship Island Excursions

What to see in Biloxi:

We stayed on the west side of Biloxi, right along the beach. The sand was white and the boardwalk was nice to walk along. (The water is still the same Mississippi-mud color as Galveston.)

The beach was pretty quiet (which is great for us) and it looked like more people were in the beaches in the center of Biloxi.

  • Beach*
  • Boardwalk*

What to see in Mobile:

  • Downtown*
  • USS Alabama*
  • Bellingrath Gardens
  • Gulf Coast Exploreum
  • Buc-ee’s* (Just outside Mobile is a new Buc-ee’s! And it was insanely busy. Just think of a busy Texas Buc-ee’s and multiply the business by three. But we still went twice!)

What to see in Orange Beach:

  • Beach

What to see in Pensacola:

  • National Naval Aviation Museum
  • Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum
  • Gulf Breeze Zoo
  • Panhandle Butterfly House
  • Red Slipper Cafe

What to see in Pensacola Beach:

In Pensacola Beach, we stayed on the west side of the small island. Holiday Inn Express was just remodeled, had direct access to the beach and every room had a balcony towards the gulf.

At Pensacola Beach, the sand was white and the water was blue. Somewhere after Mobile Bay, the water changed from Mississippi-mud to blue!

The west side of the island was pretty quiet and perfect for us. On the middle of the island, near the pier, is where the college kids hung out for spring break.

On Pensacola Beach, we spent several days digging in the sand, walking up and down the island jog/bike path and watching the waves from the balcony.

We took one little trip to the old Fort Pickens and one over the bridge to Gulf Breeze to find a sports field (because I don’t think there is any grass on the island)… but the rest of the time was spent at the beach!

  • Beach*
  • Pier* (It costs a couple of dollars to walk on the pier and more to fish.)
  • Fort Pickens*
  • Free Trolley (in the summer)

Update:  Thanks to MCT for the reminder in the comments! The bridge from Pensacola to Pensacola Beach is out due to hurricane damage. The target date for re-open is currently March 2021. You can still access Pensacola Beach, but you’ll need to plan an alternate route around Pensacola on I-10 and down through the Garcon bridge into Gulf Breeze.

Take a look at more pictures below… and if you have more suggestions for where to stop between Houston and Pensacola Beach, be sure to let us know for the next trip!

Roadtrip Map… Where to Stop between Houston and Pensacola Beach:

Pictures… Where to Stop between Houston and Pensacola Beach:

Where to stop between Houston and Pensacola Beach... Baton Rouge

Old State Capital, Baton Rouge

Where to stop between Houston and Pensacola Beach... New Orleans

Story Land Park, New Orleans

What to see between Houston and Pensacola Beach.. Biloxi

Biloxi Boardwalk

USS Alabama, Mobile

Where to stop between Houston and Pensacola Beach

Pensacola Beach

Where to stop between Houston and Pensacola Beach... Baton Rouge

USS Kidd, Baton Rouge

What to see between Houston and Pensacola Beach... New Orleans

Jackson Square, New Orleans

Where to stop between Houston and Pensacola Beach... New Orleans

Story Land Park, New Orleans

What to see between Houston and Pensacola Beach... Biloxi

Biloxi Beach

Fort Pickens in Pensacola Beach

Fort Pickens, Pensacola Beach

Playing at Pensacola Beach

Pensacola Beach

Holiday Inn Pensacola Beach

Holiday Inn Express, Pensacola Beach

View from hotel at Pensacola Beach

Pensacola Beach

Filed Under: All, Roadtrips, Travel, Vacations Tagged With: Baton Rouge, Beaumont, Biloxi, Houston, Lafayette, Lake Charles, New Orleans, Pensacola Beach April 7, 2019

Glamping at Thousand Trails Lake Conroe

by JillBJarvis.com Sponsored Post Leave a Comment

We just came back from glamping at Thousand Trails Lake Conroe!

This campground has a beach, boat rentals, games, mini golf, playground and more. There were a million RVs here for the holiday week, but we “roughed it” in a Petite Retreats cabin… We got to do all the camping things, but with heat and showers and a kitchen!

I had six kids with me on this trip… and they had the best time in the sun AND the rain. And I really liked keeping all the kids close by as we played at the beach and made smores and told stories.

We had recently been to Thousand Trails Colorado River… and Thousand Trails invited us to the Lake Conroe location.

This campsite is a lot like the Colorado River location, with lots of things to do… but it has fewer trees and trails and no deer, racoons and armadillos by the sidewalk. Lake Conroe is bigger and has a beach and access to boat rentals.

You can launch your boat from the campground or borrow a jon boat, paddle boat, kayak or canoe. Or you can find mini golf, pool, basketball courts, activity center and more.

It was chilly when we visited, so we skipped the pool and boating… but we had a seriously good time on the tennis courts and mini golf course. And when the two cousins joined my four kids, they had even more fun running around and playing on all the equipment.

All the gear (like balls and rackets) are out and there is no need to check out equipment. You just go and play! Check out all the pictures!

If you want to rent the cabins, more tips are below:

  • There are two sizes. One sleeps 4 and another sleeps 6. On this trip, we had the big cabin!
  • The mattresses and pillows are covered in a slick cleanable cover and linens are provided.
  • The cabins are air conditioned and heated with a kitchen, bathroom and satellite TV. A propane grill is outside.
  • Thousand Trails also has spaces for RVs.
  • Soap and shampoo is provided. (But I like my own better!)
  • Towels are provided.
  • The kitchen is fully stocked with pots and plates and silverware… but you need to wash and return everything you use.
  • The campgrounds have a lot of things to do! Fishing, playgrounds, basketball, volleyball, pickleball, mini golf and more.
  • If you have room in your car, bring bikes and balls so you have even more to do.
  • The really cool campers seem to bring rope lights to decorate their cabins, RVs, golf carts and bikes… and one of these days we’ll be the cool campers!
  • The campgrounds are pretty close to I10, so you can get groceries/gear if you forget anything.
  • See the video of the cabin:

If you need a list of things to bring, here’s what we packed:

  • Maybe the most essential:
    • Bug Spray
    • Sun Screen
    • Water
  • For the cabin:
    • Shampoo and Soap. (Some is provided, but I like my own shampoo!)
  • For the Fire:
    • Firewood
    • Lighter/Matches
    • Lighter Fluid
    • Leather Gloves
    • Stick for roasting marshmallows
  •  Groceries:
    • Bread
    • Cheese and Turkey
    • Peanut Butter
    • Marshmallows
    • Graham Crackers
    • Chocolate
    • Water
    • Snacks (Granola Bars, Trail Mix)
    • Fruit
    • Supplies for Foil Dinners
      • Foil
      • Tongs (for taking them off the fire)
      • Vegetables
      • Hot Dogs
      • Butter
      • Salt
    • Cooking Supplies:
      • Knife
      • Veggie Peeler
      • Cutting Board
      • Paper Towels
      • Paper Plates
      • Sporks
      • Cups/Water Bottles
      • Plastic Bags (for storing food)
      • Cooler
    • More supplies:
      • Flash Lights
      • Duct Tape
      • Pocket Knife
      • Hand Sanitizer
      • Trash Bags
      • Deck of Cards
      • Phone/Charger
      • Batteries
      • For the pool:
        • Flip Flops
        • Swim Suits
        • Goggles
        • Beach Towels

We the addition of two kids, we managed to eat all our food the first day. Lucky for us, the Kroger in Willis was just a short 10 minute drive away!

If you are looking to glamp close to Houston, check out Thousand Trails!

Filed Under: All, Roadtrips, Things to do, Travel November 28, 2018

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jill-jarvis-bigkidsmallcity-circle-300 Welcome!  JillBJarvis.com is the go-to blog for things to do in Houston with kids!  It is upbeat and dedicated to making our big city feel small.   START HERE!    

On this website you will find a full list of Houston weekly events, things to do around the city, travel ideas and resources for parents.

I know just what it’s like to be overwhelmed by work, life and family. I spent a lot of years traveling for work, missing big milestones for my kids and feeling bad about everything.

I started this website to make a list of all the events happening around Houston and then pick one to enjoy with my kids. And instead of thinking of all the things I was missing, I started to enjoy the things we were doing together.

If you are a parent that is feeling overwhelmed by all the things you could be doing in Houston… please just use our weekly lists and daily posts as suggestions. Pick one thing to do with your family and intentionally ignore the rest!

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