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International vacations can be extremely fun. There’s just something about traveling to a different country in a different part of the world that is exciting. You get to experience a different culture, different food, sometimes even an entirely different lifestyle than your own. When you travel on an international vacation it is important to follow some general guidelines and safety tips.

Safety is one of the most important things to take into consideration when you travel on an international vacation. When you travel on an international vacation you should do whatever you can to keep from becoming a victim of theft. This is important regardless of the part of the world that you travel to on your international vacation. Make sure that you do not wear expensive jewelry or clothes. If you travel to a poor neighborhood, do not have your camera out.

Try to secure your belongings as much as possible when you travel on an international vacation. When there is a safe available at your hotel or hostel, use it only if it looks secure. When you travel with money on an international vacation, use a money clip only when you have to and use the kind that is worn on the inside of your clothing.

When you travel on an international vacation you should never leave your luggage unattended. This is one of the most important things to do when you travel on an international vacation. As long as your luggage is with you, no one will get a chance to steal it. Use padlocks if you can to deter thieves from breaking into your luggage when you are on an international vacation.

Make sure that you are always aware of where you are going. Many people that travel on an international vacation tend to wander around aimlessly. This makes them a target for muggers and thieves. Use a map to determine where you will be going on that day. Memorize the route so that you know what streets to look for. If you travel on an international vacation and walk around with a map in your head, others will know that you are lost. If you need to refer to your map along the way, you should move out of traffic and place your back on a wall that is still in or near the bustling parts of town. Look at the map and try to memorize the next few steps that you will make. Once you have done this put the map away and continue on.

Always be aware of your surroundings when you travel on an international vacation. Feel free to enjoy the sites and the culture because that is the purpose of the international vacation. Just make sure that you also pay attention when you travel. Trust your instincts and gut feelings about where you are. If something seems wrong, then it probably is. It will be hard to know the unspoken rules of the place that you travel to on an international vacation, but try to be as sure of your surroundings as you possibly can.

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Choosing the best travel destination for children varies from various specific goals that parents might have in mind.

So, it is of importance for the latter to determine first, as to what they aim for their children.

Some might want it educational; to enhance their kid's knowledge; adventure for more fun and excitement, or a merely shopping treat.

Though it differs, it should always have a “common denominator” of having fun in any family-oriented activities, as they bond among themselves and strengthen their ties.

Below are top 5 travel destinations for kids:

1. Walt Disney World Resort (Orlando, Florida)- Consists of six theme parks namely, Magic Kingdom (which is way bigger than California's Disneyland), Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Blizzard Beach and Disney's Typhoon Lagoon.

A. Magic Kingdom: Enchanting entertainment with its classic attractions, featuring the Disney Characters, spectacular parades and fireworks.

B. Epcot: Attractions and entertainment on technological innovation, culture and cuisines of 11 nations.

C. Disney's Hollywood Studios: A theme that offers behind-the-scenes glimpses of Hollywood-style action.

D. Animal Kingdom: Amaze your kids' with the world's largest animal-themed park full packed of fun and adventure with fantastic animals.

E. Disney Blizzard Beach: Features one of the world's tallest and fastest water slides, and countless of other slides and rides for the whole family to enjoy.

F. Disney's Typhoon Lagoon: Attractions for the whole family, from fast water slides to a children's area with pint-sized raft rides, catch 6-foot waves in the Surf Pool and snorkel Shark Reef with real sharks!

2. Universal Studios Hollywood (Los Angeles, California)-Let your kids feel the adventure to be at the world's largest movie studio and theme parks; enjoy the thrills of exploring Jurassic Park; meet and hang out with Shrek and have fun with “the Simpsons”. All rides and shows features a movie or TV themes.

3. Valley of Dinosaur (Patagonia, Argentina)- Tour your kids and yourself to t the museums that feature the house of the Giganotosaurus Carolinii (largest carnivore) and the Argentinosaurus (the largest herbivore); have your kids)see all the dinosaurs in different shapes and sizes that once roamed western Patagonia.

4. New York City- Bring the kids to “The City that Never Sleeps” and enjoy tourist destinations like the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the Empire State Building, Central Park, Rockefeller Center, Washington Square Park, Metropolitan Museum of Arts Bronx Zoo, Chelsea Piers, New York Botanical Gardens, luxurious shopping avenues of Fifth and Madison.

The city also hosts spectacular events such as the Halloween Parade (Greenwich Village) and the Tribeca Film Festival. But, among all these, is of course, the Statute of Liberty, which is one of the major tourist attractions and prominent icons of the United States.

5. Grand Canyon National Park (Coconino, Arizona)-A world heritage site; one of the first national parks in the United States and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

Aside from its historic legacy, it offers quite a number of activities for all members of the family to enjoy. It could be a day trip to the South Rim or Grand Canyon West, as families behold to the beauty and its magnitude. Tourist and visitors can take a train, plane or helicopter tour. They can hike, raft, enjoy the glass-bottom Skywalk or take a mule ride along the canyon floor.

And, there are countless, other more exciting places not just in U.S. but all over the world, for kids to enjoy and learn at the same time.

It is highly recommended for children to be accompanied by parents, and/or teachers, or a well-knowledgeable tour guides not just to share histories of the places but also, to watch their safety and secure them from accidents and the likes.

It is also a must for parents or the accompanying adults to bring some travel stuff that could come handy during times of emergencies. These may include: antiseptic; hand gels or sanitizer; tissues or paper towels; medicines like Tylenol (for fever); Dramamine (motion sickness) and Imodium or Diatabs (diarrhea), as well as sun screen; band-aids, alcohol and cottons.

Have some research, establish a through plan, followed by a concrete itinerary and for course, a budget that would really work for you, your kids and the whole family; for this will make everything fall into places.

Set goals for your kids' travel and plan ahead!

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The cost of air travel continually rises and airlines continue to find new ways to charge us more money. Holiday travelers are hit especially hard as traveling demand is up and so are prices. They have become experts at finding clever ways to tack fees onto the travelers bill. There are ways however for thrifty travelers to save a bit of money.

How to save money by choosing the cheapest airline for the holidays: Don't be brand loyal to any particular airline unless you travel enough to accumulate frequent flyer miles. Depending on your destination and the time of the year, different airlines will offer lower prices than the others. This will change constantly. To determine which airline has the best fair for your trip, use a site like hotwire or Priceline to measure the cost of one airline against another. When you have made that determination, then go to the website of the cheapest airline to shop for the best price that airline can give.

How to save money when buying your plane ticket for the holidays: It is generally less expensive to use online services to purchase tickets online. If you are a person who wisely checks the airlines website repeatedly waiting for the price to go down, you may be doing yourself a disservice. The airline websites use website cookies to recognize when a person comes back to the website hoping the price will change. They use the cookie technology to know when to offer you a higher price, instead of a lower price. They determine that you really want a ticket for that particular day and trip and fool you into pouncing on it out of fair that the price will go up more. You can combat this by searching from different computers or by erasing your cookies after each search.

How to save money when packing your luggage for the holidays: Airlines started raising baggage costs by charging extra money per bag checked. When customers began stuffing everything into one bag, they began charging exorbitant charges for baggage that exceeds the weight limit. It is now actually cheaper to pay $15 per checked bag than the possible $50+ dollars for an overweight bag. To remedy this issue, you need to travel lightly and weigh your bag before you leave home. Check the website of the airline you are using for maximum luggage size and weight, and try to pack your bag at least 5lbs lighter. If you are planning to travel with holiday gifts, it would be best to mail them before you leave home or to purchase the gifts after you arrive.

How to save money on renting a car for holiday travel: If you need to rent a car for your holiday travels, you will quickly find that car rental prices have doubled. As demand for rental cars went up, the rental car companies shrunk the size of their fleets, so they have been able to force a strong demand and keep the prices high. You can get past the high price of car rental companies by phoning up car dealerships in the area. Ford, Lincoln Mercury, Toyota, and several other car dealers will rent a car to make revenue off a car sitting on the lot.

How to save money on hotels for the holidays: It is probably best to try to stay with relatives over the holidays and skip the hotel altogether. At best, avoid holiday stays for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years unless a great special comes up. When searching for a hotel over the holidays, look at hotels that include internet service, free parking, and breakfast. A seemingly cheaper hotel can end up costing a lot more due to tacked on fees.

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The history of earth is riddled with epic events that have changed the course of the world. There have been events in history that changed the lives of every country and individual on the earth. Of course if you follow the butterfly effect then every event changes history. But just imagine for a minute that time travel was possible and a person could visit any event throughout history as an outside observer. Where would you go and what would you want to see?

The first event that I would like to see would be World War II. A person could write an entire book about time travel to the World War II era based on all the epic events. You have Pearl Harbor, the Holocaust, the Battle of the Bulge, D-Day, Iwo Jima, Stalingrad and the list goes on and on. The invasion of Normandy would perhaps be the best time travel destination of the World War II era.

The following event in history is one that many people would not consider for time travel. The Roswell UFO incident that happened in 1947 may or may not be one of the most important events in history. The fact that this is one of the most debated conspiracies in American history puts it on my best time travel destinations list. I would love to go back and find out once and for all what really happened there in Roswell, New Mexico because I don't buy that they found just a weather balloon.

On November 22, 1963 the world was shocked when popular United States President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. The impact this had on the world at the time was amazing and to this day the event is still one of the most investigated and read about in American history. The biggest story here though is all the conspiracy theories concerning how the shooting happened and who was involved as well. If a person could go back in time they could end the conspiracies and find out once and for all what really happened to JFK that day in Dallas.

How many people were amazed when the movie Jurassic Park was released on the big screen? Well imagine being able to go back in time and see it all for real. I would have to imagine that being able to see creatures never seen before would rank up there on anyone's best time travel destinations. The thought of seeing a T-Rex or a 40-foot tall and 130,000-pound Brachiosaurus just gives me chills.

Then last but not least we have the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For obvious reasons I would imagine that everyone would like to witness these events. If a representative from the modern world could go back and see firsthand Jesus Christ rise from the grave then it would rock the religious world. But then again imagine the impact it could have the other way around? I would tend to believe that this would be the best time travel destination for most people.

Source(s) - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roswell_UFO_incident , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._Kennedy_assassination , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinosaur , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resurrection_of_Jesus

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When traveling internationally, there is no doubt you will experience a variety of new flavors and new entrees during your adventure. When ordering from a menu at a restaurant, be certain you are familiar with the items that are incorporated into the dishes prepared for you as you may be surprised at what you find.

In some international restaurants, the use of insects is quite common and can be incorporated into an entrée without your knowledge. While considered mainstream in many international settings, tourists from the United States are often surprised to learn the content of the dishes prepared. In fact, more than 80 percent of the world's population engages in the eating of insects, a process known as entomophagy.

When traveling to the East or South, as in France, China or Ecuador, you may find that entomophagy is quite common. In many of these countries, insects such as grasshoppers, termites, ants, beetles and even caterpillars are often incorporated into dishes and may even be eaten as snacks. It is especially common among these international travel destinations where “fusion” dishes are served as chefs are often looking for unique ways to blend food and snack items into new entrees.

While it may seem strange to many Americans, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization has even advised that insects are considered a “forgotten crop”, citing their necessity in the health and diet of many disadvantaged countries. While food safety and health officials, in the United States, are not ready to support the use of insects are part of the mainstream diet, many fine dining and fusion restaurants internationally have embraced the United Nations statement and are now offering these items to their patrons.

When traveling internationally, therefore, it is important to ask the wait staff and culinary staff about the food contents incorporated into your dishes. While you may be inclined to avoid the practice of entomophagy, it is within these international travel destinations that you can actually try the variety of insects to determine if there are any that meet the pleasure of your palate.

If you are adamantly opposed to the use of insects in your meals, be certain to screen the ingredients before ordering. In many cases, international restaurants are familiar with the lack of entomophagy among American tourists and will accommodate your request to avoid the use of edible insects in your dish. The key to your healthy and enjoyable meal, when traveling, lies in your knowledge that edible insects are quite common in areas outside of the United States and you should ask questions about ingredients and meal preparation.

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For couples wanting more unusual honeymoon vacations, there are plenty of offbeat locations that allow for a healthy combination of sightseeing and privacy - exploration and relaxation. Before you default to Cancun, Paris, or Vegas, consider these five destinations.

Unusual Honeymoon Vacations in: Seychelles
If you seek an island paradise but want to avoid the flashiness of many Caribbean islands, try this Indian Ocean archipelago. Composed of over 100 islands, Seychelles offers stunningly clean beaches and lush vegetation. English is widely spoken, and the tourism infrastructure is solid (though it was damaged somewhat by the tsunami disaster). Honeymooning couples might enjoy diving and snorkeling together around coral reefs before retiring to a rustic villa. Or watching giant tortoises and rare birds in the wilderness before spending private time in a secluded hotel.

Unusual Honeymoon Vacations in: Uruguay
A hidden gem in South America, Uruguay is a safe, stable country living life at a slow pace - a perfect place for a relaxing (but not isolated) honeymoon. The compact capital of Montevideo is smaller and quieter than, say, Buenos Aires…but it's friendly, walkable, and attractive. Enjoy local wines, yerba mate, and delicious meats from the many inexpensive restaurants and vendors in the capital. Or stay on the Uruguayan Riviera, the coastal region east of Montevideo dotted with resort cities like Punta del Este. Uruguay's temperate weather makes it an especially pleasant destination during both the fall and spring (which are, of course, reversed).

Unusual Honeymoon Vacations in: Tunisia
This tourist-friendly Mediterranean country offers a mix of cultural attractions, including the remains of the once-great kingdom of Carthage located just miles north of Tunis. The relatively progressive Muslim nation is also home to some sinfully striking resorts. Imagine hot sun, topless beaches, and delicious North African cuisine at coastal resorts. Americans can travel here visa-free.

Unusual Honeymoon Vacations in: Suriname
Sadly, most people don't even know this country exists. But maybe that's attractive for a honeymoon? Suriname, located in the northeastern nook of South America, features a tropical climate and a bizarre mix of cultural traditions. It's linguistically diverse, architecturally eccentric, and very casual. What else would you expect from a former Dutch colony? Although it's worth spending a few days in the lazy capital of Paramaribo, the interior beckons adventurous travelers with its rain forest and fledgling ecotourism industry.

Unusual Honeymoon Vacations in: Vietnam
Explore life in a communist country - it's not half bad when you're just visiting! Honeymooners can wander around quaintly stunted Hanoi before it becomes overly Westernized, or they can opt for the flashy city life in Saigon, with boisterous nightlife and bustling shopping. Either way, the food is delicious and history lessons abound. Though it's cliché to say Vietnam is a land of contrasts, it is indeed possible to spend one day backpacking in rugged conditions and then indulge at pampering spa the next day. Vietnam is still quite affordable for Americans, too.

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It's all well and good to read travel brochures and promotional websites, but when you're about to visit a new location, wouldn't you rather hear about it from the people who have actually been there? That's where IgoUgo.com comes in. You can read fascinating first-hand accounts of thousands of destinations while also enjoying a sneak-peak of these destinations through high-quality photography.

Reading IgoUgo

On IgoUgo, you'll find reviews of lodging, dining, activities, experiences, and resorts (timeshares). Each traveler submitting a journal is also encouraged to include an overview, a summary of their entire experience. So while someone might post an account of his recent vacation to Los Angeles and review the hotel where he stayed, the museum he visited and every restaurant at which he dined, the overview will give you the highlights of this trip and helpful tips for your own visit.

The overall design of the site is clean, attractive and easy to read. If you're just browsing, you can check out the editor's page for top journals and contributors. The featured article and links on the site's homepage are typically to popular destinations, but it's extremely easy to find a specific location or attraction through the search bar at the top of each page. If your favorite vacation destination isn't represented, then spread the word by adding your own journal!

Contributing to IgoUgo

If you're a writer or photographer dying to share your latest travel stories, then IgoUgo is the perfect venue for you. Even if you don't travel much, you can contribute journals, reviews and photos of attractions in your own area.

Registering for the site is easy, and they don't require any personal information beyond name, gender, location, date of birth and e-mail address. Your account is created instantly, and you can get right to work on creating your travel journals.

The web interface for adding your own journals, reviews and photos is easy to use. If you're having trouble coming up with ideas, sidebars offer helpful suggestions on things you should be sure to include in your comments.

If you're someone who likes to multi-task be careful of the journal entry timer. You have 30 minutes from the time you load the page to finish your entry or save a draft of it.

Your journals, reviews and photos won't be immediately available because they must first be reviewed and rated by an editor. While those who are impatient to see their words on the web might not like this, it's worth it for adding to the overall quality of the site.

One unique aspect of IgoUgo is GO Points. These are points that you earn for making contributions to the site. Every journal, review and photo is worth GO Points as long as you make quality entries.

There are several ways to earn bonus GO Points right when you begin, making it much easier to reach your first reward. You get points for completing your user profile and uploading a picture, for instance. I appreciate this approach because I find that when you're working towards a points-based reward, it can be discouraging to feel like you'll never reach it when you're just starting out.

You can also earn GO Points by spreading the word about IgoUgo.com. Options vary from putting flyers around town to adding a button to your website to appearing on national television in an IgoUgo T-shirt. The site seems to realize that some of the best publicity comes from satisfied word-of-mouth advertising.

GO Points can be redeemed for gift certificates from several major stores, frequent-flier miles, and travel reports, compilations of the best information IgoUgo has to offer on specific destinations. They even offer reward options for contributors from across the globe - Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. This seems like a no-brainer for a travel site, but a surprising number of places don't look beyond the U.S. and occasionally Canada and the U.K. in considering their writers.

But GO Points are just one aspect of the site, a way to draw you in and a thank you for your hard work. What will bring you back to the site is the chance to contribute your thoughts and experiences to the community and to readers everywhere.

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Adventure vacations may not be for the faint of heart, but they are definitely something exciting to look forward to. There are beach vacations, spa vacations, and family vacations. But what about those who live on the edge? There are those who love to do the unusual and visit challenging and interesting places such as Machu Pichu, and venturing into the beautiful and exciting Brazilian Amazon Jungle Fly Fishing trips. This article reviews several suggestions for Adventure Vacations.

The first of the Adventure Vacations is Machu Pichu Peru. Machu Pichu is the historical ground of the Incas. The grounds are known as the “Lost City of The Incas.” Located near Cusco above the Urubamba Valley, the incredible world wonder is truly something to view. There are several theories on why Machu Pichu was built all contributing to its mystery. Some believe the city was built for Incan aristocracy. Other believe that the city was built in approximately 1440 and that it was chosen for its unusual features and built as a fort for protection from attack. If planning to visit Machu Pichu you will fly from a major U.S. airport to Lima Peru. From Lima one must take the train to Machu Pichu. You will need to allow several days to explore the ruins.

There is also a hiking expedition along the Inca Trail, which takes several days. It is wise to plan ahead of time with a professional tour company to arrange the method by which you will tour this fabulous collection of Incan History and artifacts. Make the most of one of the most incredible Adventure Vacations available by planning and organizing your trip ahead of time. For more information or professionally guided trips to Machu Pichu visit the Web site for The California Native International Adventures.

Do you enjoy fishing? Can you imagine one of the most incredible adventure vacations ever fly-fishing in the Amazon Jungle of Brazil? It is here where you will catch some of the most exotic fish on the planet such as Peacock Bass, Matrinxa, Payara, Pacu and more. Adventure travelers will stay in a lodge right off of the Amazon River located on the Sao Benedito River. Please be aware there is a catch and release fly-fishing philosophy. Arrange your trip with the most experienced guides you can find so that your trip will be not only one of the top adventure vacations, but will also be safe and fulfilling to the thrill seeker in you. Additional fly fishing excursions are offered to Christmas Island, Belize, Argentina, and Alaska to name a few. For more information on arranging a fly fishing excursion visit the Web site for Fly Fishing Heaven.

Adventure vacations may not be for everyone but they certain get your blood pumping. There is something exhiliirating about exploring sacred, historical, and mystical grounds just as it is thrilling to explore the Amazon Jungles. The next time you plan a vacation - consider a little adventure.

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Most seniors plan to travel and take more frequent vacations once they retire. Thanks to the internet, today’s seniors have many deals and competing offers to choose from, so getting the best value is easier than ever. Airlines, hotels, and rental car agencies are all taking notice of the ever expanding senior demographic and are offering specials suited to their needs. While most places honor AARP cards and give an automatic discount, others give discounts if a person is age qualified, but not an AARP member.

Many airlines have discounts off of the regular price of tickets or special senior fare rates that are available only by calling the airline directly. Some recognize seniors at age 60, such as Air Jamaica, while others acknowledge seniors to be anyone age 65 and over, like Alaska Airlines. For a paid membership other places such as United Airlines offer the Silver Wings Plus program for seniors age 55 and over. This membership offers discounts on hotels, airfare, and other travel expenses, plus it offers bonus miles which are redeemable for airfare and cruises.

If traveling on the ground is more suited to your taste, both Amtrak and Greyhound offer discounts ranging anywhere from 5 – 15% passenger fares. Rental car companies offer excellent discounts as well. Dollar’s Silver Dollar Club is designed to give people age 50 and over up to 10% off most vehicles and unlimited rental car mileage (certain restrictions apply). Hertz, on the other hand, requires AARP membership for their discount, but seniors receive 5-15% off their rental, depending on the type of vehicle and other promotions that are being offered. Thrifty recognizes seniors at any location by giving a 5% discount. The best discount, by far, that I have found has been with National. AARP members save up to 30% off and the discount is valid at National’s US, Canadian, and International locations.

Now that getting to your destination has been covered, the question is where to stay. Most of the chain hotels offer AARP members discounts ranging anywhere from 10-20% off, but there are also some extremely good deals out there for the taking. La Quinta offers AARP members, as well as people age 55 and over, up to 30% off. Huge savings can be found at Radisson Suites where seniors can save up to 40% of the price of their room. If a free club membership interests you, consider joining the Hilton HHonors program where discounts include senior travel deals and the ability to book two rooms at the senior rate, if you should be traveling with a large party.

If a discount is not advertised on a businesses’ website, call them directly to see what kind of senior promotion, if any, they are offering. Another helpful hint to make travels more affordable is to ask if the hotel’s restaurant provides a dining discount for seniors. This way, the more money you save, the more frequent your travels can be.

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Ever wonder what to do for you and your husband along with your kids, when money is tight but you want to get out in the Harlingen, Texas area?
There are many options to places you can go as a family, but not many that don't require money.
It becomes your ever lasting challenge to keep your family entertained on a tight budget.
Harlingen, Texas is situated amongst a trail of other cities, known nationally as The Rio Grande Valley. For obvious reasons, the name Rio Grande is in there, Harlingen, along with many other cities run alongside this ever winding river.

Lush greenery and abundant palm trees help make this area a tropical paradise.
To get the most out of the city without spending any money, except for gas and essential for the kids like water and treats along the way, the following 30 plus ideas are simply that, ideas to get you started. I hope you enjoy some of them.

1.Feed the ducks at Pendleton Park (corner of Morgan Blvd & Grimes) 

2.Tune in to 88.9 FM for National Public Radio favorites - All Things Considered, Car Talk, Morning Edition, and more! 

3.Check out the collectible classics at the Knapp Chevrolet Antique Car Museum, on US 83, Stuart Place Road exit. 

4.Bike along the Arroyo on the City's two-mile Hike & Bike Trail. (Ample parking at McKelvey Park, 1325 S. 77 Sunshine Strip.) 

5.Enjoy the extensive art collection at Harlingen Public Library, 410 '76 Drive. Borrow a free guide at the front desk and take a tour! 

6.Have a brown bag lunch amidst the beautiful flowers and fountains at the Texas Travel Information Center, at the US 77/83 interchange. 

7.Load up the lawn chairs and head to McKelvey Park at 1325 S. 77 Sunshine Strip for “Blues on the Hill” - free concerts all summer long. 

8.Marvel at beautiful homes on East Taylor Street, once known as Silk Stocking RoMarvel at the stained glass window at St. Alban's Episcopal Church, 1417 E. Austin. Take a sunset stroll around City Lake (across from Harlingen Public Library) and watch the sun melt into the palm trees. 

9.Visit the past at the Harlingen Arts & Heritage Museum, two blocks from Valley International Airport, on Loop 499. 

10.Get a glimpse of Harlingen in the olden days! Dozens of vintage photos are on display at Coastal Banc, 221 E. Van Buren. 
Learn about the healing powers of aloe juice and sample different flavors at Forever Living Aloe Plantations, on US 83, Altas Palmas exit. 

11.It's for the kids. Check out the children's programs at Harlingen Public Library, 410 '76 Drive. 

12.No need to go to New York for pictures of Lady Liberty! Pose with Harlingen's replica on Zoy Street (south of Walmart). See 
what's fluttering in the Butterfly Garden across from the Municipal Auditorium, 1204 Fair Park Blvd. Over 43 species have been seen here! 

13.Grab your binoculars! Harlingen parks are home to lots of Valley specialty birds. Free birding guides at Wild Bird Center, 122 E. Watch fresh tortillas roll off the press at HEB, 509 S. Expressway 83. Plus, pick up a bag of warm tortillas to take home! 

14.Pay tribute to World War II heroes at the Iwo Jima Monument & Museum. Open daily. (On the Marine Military Academy campus

15.The Antique Auto Club meets at Dairy Queen, 121 N. Loop 499, the last Saturday of the month, 6-11 p.m. Cruise over and check out the street rods!

16.Take a tour of Valley International Airport, and end it with a cup of your favorite coffee at Starbucks with free WiFi internet service. Call 430-8605 to schedule a tour. 

17.View dozens of award-winning wildlife photos from the Valley Land Fund Photo Contest. On permanent display at Valley International Airport

18.Teens will love Harlingen's new Skate Park! Located at the Harlingen Boys & Girls Club, 1209 W. Washington. Open 1-8pm every day

19.Go behind the scenes at KGBT-TV 4 News Center. Call Monica at 365-4444 to schedule a free tour. 

20.Nostalgic for the good 'ole days? You'll love the historic photos at Luby's Cafeteria, 822 Dixieland Road. 

21.Broaden your knowledge at the Regional Academic Health Center Library, 2102 Treasure Hills Blvd

22.Take a walking tour among the natives - plants that is, at Hugh Ramsey Nature Park on Loop 499, one mile east of Sunshine Strip.

23.Shop for bargains at Market Days on Jackson Street the first Saturday of each month. 

24.Admire the workmanship of the famed “King of Desks.” A rare Wooten desk is on display at the J Gordon Nix Building, 905 E. Tyler. 

25.No visit to Harlingen is complete without a walk through Grimsell Seed Company's lush tropical gardens, 213 W. Monroe. 

26.Let the kids run wild at any one of Harlingen's 14 neighborhood parks

27.Pick up a Heritage Trail brochure at the Harlingen Chamber, 311 E. Tyler, and take a walking tour of our historic downtown. 

28.Let the kids cool down and play in the indoor playrooms at Burger King or McDonald's 

29.View Harlingen's tribute to its most famous resident, the late Bill Haley. Shake, rattle, and roll to the corner of Jackson & “A” Streets.

30.Rise and Shine! Raise the Colors with the Marine Military Academy cadets at their morning assembly. 

31.Tour the Harlingen City Cemetery, an official Texas historic site. At 1501 S. “F” St. 

32.Flick your wrist on the Frisbee golf course in Dixieland Park, 2501 S. Dixieland Road. 

33.Rejoice with a Masterworks Concert by the Harlingen-based South Texas Chorale

34.Swing your partner! Square dance in one of Harlingen's RV Parks. Contact callers Nesser Shukayr, 622-0557; Tom Roper, 245-4245; or Jerry Rash, 428-3741 for a schedule

35.Check the Valley Morning Star, Harlingen's daily, for dozens of additional happenings!

As with any city you want to visit, there are maps available to pretty much any location you wish to visit with your family at the local tourist travel center, which is one of the places listed as fun to do, and does not cost money.
Harlingen is certainly not a metropolitan city by any means, we are still seeped in country culture and attitude, something your family will enjoy, whether you are here to visit or live in the area. It's amazing how many years most people live in their own home towns , yet never get to experience its rich history, which does not have to cost any money.

Much driving may also be required, as we are still country and even though we boast many businesses, we've grown and are spread out, driving will be required.

Freeze kool aid pops in the freezer the night before and make sandwiches, saving money on food as well.
Go back to a time when playing out side and running and jumping and just enjoying driving around with your family was enough to make great memories. They are still alive and well in Harlingen.
Enjoy!

Be sure to visitTravel at the main site!