If you are headed to Virginia this summer (even on your way to the beach) don’t forget to stop by and enjoy some of the great fun Suffolk Virginia has to offer – lots of family friendly fun! 

Bit by Bit Farm
As a horse training facility, Bit By Bit Farm offers horse shows where visitors can watch experienced riders perform tricks and maneuvers on their horses. The farm is known for its exhibition barrel races.

Regal Harbour View Grande Stadium 16
Entertainment from around the world can be found at the Regal Harbour. Enjoy the latest movies ,concerts ,comedy shows, sporting events and more!

Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
The largest remaining area of what used to be a habitat of over one million acres.
Wildlife here includes hundreds of species of birds, black bears, grey fox, beavers, minks and more. The Suffolk Division of Tourism offers a guided nature walk within the swamp where participants will get to follow a biologist and learn about flora, fauna, and wildlife.

G-Force Karts
G-Force Karts is an amusement company that offers tons of fun for the entire family including laser tag, indoor kart racing, paintball, archery tag and more. It’s famous for its 325 foot raceway.

Portsmouth City Park
The Portsmouth City Park offers visitors access to three-tier boat ramps, a watercraft beach, and a sailboat launching area. They also offer access to a 9-hole golf learning center, a driving range and putting course.

Splash Park
A water play area the Splash Park has 15 different elements that spray and drop water – from giraffes to frogs and more this is a fun park to cool off on those hot summer days.

The Railroad Museum of Virginia
With tours of train cars, The Railroad Museum of Virginia is a fun place to visit. It includes many artifacts and railroad memorabilia such as a telephone, locomotive bell, headlight and photographs.

Victory Rover Naval Base Cruises
Naval base cruises go out daily – guest can view aircraft carriers, guided missile cruisers, and nuclear submarines from the water while enjoying the ship.

This post was sponsored in post by Starr Motors Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram.

There are plenty of places around to go get dirty and go off-roading – but a lot of those places come with trespassing fines (yes, I know from experience) and some unexpected rocks in the road (literally). So you want to make sure you have plenty of officially approved areas to go have some fun!!!

Trophy Club Park at Lake Grapevine

This is one of the few off-roading sites that separates beginners from the more experienced so they can practice where they can be safe and take the trails at their own pace. They also have separate ATV and motor cross trails, customized with over 6 miles for ATV’s and .6 miles for motor cross riders.

Northwest OHV Park

Thrill seekers can visit the 25 mile stretch of landscape that varies from dirt to rocks  with plenty of rugged recreational trails. It’s supported by the town of Bridgeport and very family-friendly. The 300 acre park is open every weekend in the spring and summer from 8 to 7.

Red River Motorcycle Trails, Inc.
Red River Motorcycle Trails is 2,700 acres of an off-road wonderland designed to get crazy! The area is known for its challenging and skill-building terrain. They even offer hiking and picnic areas nearby, and camping.

Rock Trails
ATV riders and dirt bikers can enjoy the designated trails just outside the metroplex – they allow off-roading with ATV’s, bikes, SUVs , but no one under 16 is allowed to operate an SUV and they have to be licensed with liability insurance. Helmets are also required for smaller vehicles – the park has snacks on site and they are open on Saturdays until 8 p.m.

Badlands MX
Badlands is one of the few places that allows night-riding. They offer public practices day and night, and offer rhythm section, elevation changes, numerous doubles, table-tops, a whoops section and lots and lots of road. Professional races are also held at this site.

This post was sponsored in part by Bossier Chrysler Dodge Jeep in Hillsboro, TX.

I love to travel as much as the next guy – ok, probably more. I am always looking for places to ‘go on an adventure’ as I tell my kids; try something new, learn something, to just get out and enjoy life. More than once those adventures have cost me a bit more than I had planned, so for the summer I decided that we’d cut back. But not on the adventure – just on the budget. So I found some great places we can go this year without blowing the bank, and one of the places I’m most excited to visit is Memphis Tennessee.

Graceland (home of Elvis)  Finding out that visiting Graceland was FREE OF CHARGE got me giddy. Drive right into Graceland Gates, visit the meditation garden – and walk where the hunkahunka’ burnin’ love walked.

National Civil Rights Museum  in the historic Lorraine Motel the National Civil Rights Museum gives you a in depth tour through the  civil rights. Tennessee residents can visit the museum for FREE on Mondays from 3 until close. (out of state residents can get in for just $15 for adults, and $12 for kids)

Memphis Brooks Museum of Art with over 9,000 pieces to view from around the world, the Memphis Brooks Museum has pay-what-you-can admission on Wednesday’s.

Museum of Biblical History a non-profit center that features artifacts and replicas from Hebrew Christian Scripture, it also includes an exhibit gallery, Bible Lab, and reference library as well as a museum store. Admission is free, but there is a suggested donation of $3 per person.

Shelby Farms Park is great for those visiting with kids. With over 4,500 acres full of walking trails, horseback riding, playgrounds, fishing, biking and more, it’s a perfect place to enjoy the heart of East Memphis. The park is open all day, from sunrise to sunset.

Memphis Zoo rated one of the best zoos in America, the Memphis Zoo is home to more than 3,500 animals including the endangered Panda – one of only four zoos in the country to house the panda.

Historical Walking Tour with Jimmy Ogle join local historian Jimmy on a walking tour of downtown Memphis and learn more than you ever would reading a book! Learn about history, culture, architecture and people on this unique free tour.

The Orpheum Theatre’s Sidewalk of Stars is a commemorative walk to the appearances of legendary entertainers such as Harry Houdini, Mae West, George Burns and Gracie Allen. You can see the history at the corner of South Maine and Beale Street.

Bar-B-Q Shop Restaurant
A popular acclaimed bbq restaurant in Memphis known for their sauces and dry seasonings.

Beale Street Entertainment District
One of American’s most famous streets you’ll find three blocks of restaurants, nightclubs, live music, museums and more. Follow the Walk of Fame and see hundreds of motorcycles for Bike Night, or catch the Beale Street Flippers twirling down the street.

South Main Street
On the trolley line on South Main Street in Downtown this is a culturally rich neighborhood with the Arcade restaurant, the Orpheum Theatre, art galleries, hip restaurants, a farmers market and lots of trendy shops.

This post is sponsored in part by Wolf Chase Chrysler Jeep Dodge.

If you are like me when you think philly you think cheese steak (oh..that’s only me??! I guess I just have food on the brain). But there is so much more to this city than meets the eye. If you ever get the chance for a trip to Philly (even a long weekend) here’s a few places you don’t want to miss.

Independence National Historical Park the birthplace of democracy, the Independence National Historical Park is located at the site of many epic events that were carried out in the nation through its founding as a global leader of democratic ideas. The park has more than 3.6 million visitors every year to see the most famous attraction – the Liberty Bell (National Treasure anyone?!) You can also check out Independence Hall and enjoy all the history.

The Philadelphia Zoo 42 acres of fun, the Philadelphia Zoo is home to 1,300 animals. The Zoo features a ton of awesome exhibits, including the “Big Cat Crossing” a 330-foot mesh overhead passageway that allows lions, tigers and bears (ok, not bears) pumas, and jaguars to stretch their legs and go exploring different parts of the zoo. ( that alone makes me want to visit!)

Franklin Square Franklin Square is the cities favorite play area. Centered around a beautiful fountain, the square features a one-of-a-kind mini golf course, a carousel, an awesome playground, and the Square Burger that features a signature Cake Shake. Perfect for an evening out on the town with the kids.

Philadelphia Museum of Art the landmark building itself is a piece of art, but the Philadelphia Museum of Art has a lot more to offer on the inside – with a world-renowned collection that inspires and brings art to life.

Valley Forge National Park most of us have heard about Valley Forge, though not many of us know the entire history. During the winter of 1777 – 1779 Valley Forge was the camp for the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. The park now is a site that honors the sacrifices and strength of those who helped secure our freedom. The park offers guided tours ,living history demonstrations and more.

King of Prussia Mall is the largest mall on the East Coast. It has more than 400 stores – and well, need I say more?

American Treasure Tour a blast through the past, the American Treasure Tour showcases tons of americana from collectible cars to retro toys, signs, and more.

Reading Terminal Market probably one of the most popular stops in Philly, the Reading Terminal Market is a foodies paradise. A one-stop-shop for locally grown and exotic produce, Amish specialities, fresh meats & seafood, baked good right from the oven. There’s a wide variety of restaurants under the same roof as well – (hellloo to that philly cheese steak I was talking about!)

This post was sponsored in part by Reedman Toll Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM in Langhorne, PA just 30 minutes outside of downtown Philly.