This Sunday, February 5, is Super Bowl Sunday. It’s like a holiday. The big game will be held in Indianapolis, Indiana at the Lucas Oil Stadium, which is a fantastic piece of kinetic architecture (that means it has moving parts).

Indianapolis is second only to Washington, D.C. in the number of monuments within the city, and it also features two natural waterways that run through it. Basically, it’s a pretty town.

The New York Giants will be playing the New England Patriots. Despite the Patriots playing in the same division as the Indianapolis Colts (AFC) I’m guessing that Giants’ quarterback Eli Manning, being brother to the Colts’ Peyton Manning, will garner the cheers of the hometown fans.

Remember, get to the stadium early for a good parking spot, and better yet, more time to tailgate (be responsible!).

If you’re looking for a good place for lunch and a beer check out Basey’s Downtown Grill and Spirits or Tavern on South, both are walking distance from the Lucas Oil Stadium. Also walking distance are some nice, affordable, and probably booked hotels, Comfort Suites City Centre and Holiday Inn Express.

Directions to Lucas Oil Stadium

Have a good time!

Photo: Triple Tri via Flickr

Stoweflake Mountain Resort and Spa

There’s nowhere better to visit in the summer than Vermont.  With gorgeous weather, beautiful scenery, and loads of things to do, it’s perfect for a family vacation.  Last month, my family visited Stowe, Vermont for the first time, and we had a great time.

Things to Do in Stowe

There are loads of things to do in the summer in Stowe, including an alpine slide, zip lining, miniature golf, and shopping.  You can also visit some of the factory tours in nearby Waterbury, Vermont (including Ben and Jerry’s).  The whole area is so relaxing and beautiful, and you could easily spend a long weekend there in the summer.

Places to Eat in Stowe

Just about every restaurant in the Stowe area is kid-friendly.  My favorites include the Dutch Pancake Cafe (for breakfast) in the Grey Fox Inn, Gracie’s, and Piecasso for gourmet pizzas.

Places to Stay in Stowe

There are so many hotels, resorts, and inns located right in Stowe.  We stayed at the Stoweflake Mountain Resort and Spa, which offers a kid’s playground, tennis courts, indoor and outdoor pools, games, and the best spa I’ve ever visited!  It’s centrally located, and would be good for a ski vacation also.

Photo credit: Jodi Grundig

Disclosure: I received a complimentary two-night stay at Stoweflake, including a dinner, spa treatment, and breakfast.

Confused much?

With all apologies to the Clash, this (title) is a serious question.

Where the hell is the door?

Sadly, this is a Wordless Wednesday entry and I can’t go into further detail. Well, I can give you this detail, the photo was taken at the U.S.S. Constitution Museum in Boston, MA.  Also, no lizards were harmed in the making of this post.

Photo by puuikibeach via Flickr

The Providence Waterfront

Providence, the capital city of my home state of Rhode Island, has recent gone through a huge revitalization which even included rerouting the Providence River in the 90s.  Now, Providence holds it own among the large cities of the Northeast, and is a wonderful place for families to visit.

In the summer, you can’t miss Waterfire, a sculpture and bonfire show right on the river in the middle of the city.  It takes place many weekends in the summer months, and is extraordinarily popular.

Visiting in the winter?  The Bank of America Skating Center on Kennedy Plaza is a great option for families.  At 14,000 square feet, this skating center is twice as large as the rink at Rockefeller Plaza in NYC.

If you are traveling with kids, the Providence Children’s Museum is great choice all-year long.  The museum, the only hands-on museum for kids in the state, offers regular exhibits as well as special showings.  The Roger Williams Park Zoo is one of the best zoos in New England, and is only a short drive from downtown Providence.

If you’d like to do some shopping, you can choose from the smaller boutiques and shops of the East Side and College Hill, or go for the chain shops of the Providence Place Mall.  For food, don’t miss out on eating in Federal Hill, which offers the best Italian food in the state!

Photo credit: Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau