Explore a Destination!
Welcome to Wesley Adventures Travel Blog where we share our family’s adventures and money saving tips that makes traveling with kids affordable and fun for your family. Traveling with four kids can be difficult. Brian is an Engineer and Tammy a school teacher and together they explore caverns, rainforest, hotels, restaurants, national parks, beaches, Mayan ruins, and theme parks! The Wesley’s share their family’s adventures and money saving tips that can make traveling and urban exploration affordable and fun for any family with the “go bug”.
New York Federal Hall
NYC’s city hall served as our nation’s first capital. The original building burned but this memorial was built in its place. The stone steps represent the location where General George Washington took the oath of office as the US’ first president. Today, it's known...
New York Empire State Building
Whether you’re King Kong or one of the other 110 Million visitors that have come to the Empire State Building’s famous open-air observation deck this is a must-see in NYC. Started in 1930 the Empire State Building is one of the tallest buildings in the world and the...
White Sands National Monument
A co-worker and I were once crossing southern New Mexico when we saw White Sands National Monument nearby. We were ahead of schedule so we decided to stop for a quick break. When we entered the park it was flooded so we only got to see a tiny portion of the park. ...
Tombstone
Tombstone, Arizona If you’re in the Tucson, Arizona area and looking for something to do for the afternoon, pay a visit to Tombstone. There is plenty of history and entertainment for kids and adults alike. It is THE historic town where western gunfights took place....
Mt Rushmore
Mt Rushmore is one of those places that should be seen at least once. The first time I visited was during a work-related trip in the area. Interestingly enough, the city I was working in had to be evacuated because of a fast-moving fire. My co-worker and I...
Kitt Peak National Observatory
Kitt Peak is the largest collection of optical and radio telescopes in the world and has been for over 50 years. Here, about an hour and a half from Tucson, they study stars, galaxies, magnetic fields, Dark Matter, and even our own sun. Every volunteer-lead tour is a...
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Explore Destinations
We have hundreds of videos, articles, reviews, and galleries from our adventures. But there are some places that we’ve spent more time exploring. We’ve combined those items into a single place called a Destination. Choose a destination below to begin exploring!
Urban Exploration
Our family has always enjoyed exploring the world around us. Tammy and I grew up in Mississippi and spent much of our youth under the shade of pecan and pine trees. When we moved to UT we were excited to have Salt Lake City and the surrounding suburbs to explore. There’s so much to do from hiking, children’s museums, photography classes, old mills, and pioneer history. Tourism, generally speaking, is when you’re visiting a city while traveling. But what do you call tourism in the city you’re living?
We like to call “tourism in your own city” Urban Exploration. Sure, Urban Exploration usually means sneaking into an old abandoned building or trespassing and taking photos of something most people don’t see.
I guess we could always call it “A Detailed Analysis of Your Indigenous Urban Anthropology”…. But I think “Urban Exploration” will work just as well even if we’re not trespassing or sneaking into an old building that’s about to fall down. From museums, parks, hikes, and activities; get out and do some Urban Exploration in your own neighborhood!
“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”
“I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move.”
Dead Horse Point State Park
Dead Horse Point State Park If you’re in Moab and looking for something else to do, drive over to Dead Horse Point State Park. It’s approximately 30 minutes from Arches National Park and about 15 minutes from Canyonlands National Park. It’s a small state park but has...
Montgomery
We live in a world where everyone fights for their voice to be heard. Some have to fight harder than others. I’m proud to live in a world where people like Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks (just two among many) stood up for what they believed. As we’ve said...
The wAIRhouse Trampoline Park
Looking for a place to entertain the kiddos? The wAIRhouse Trampoline Park is one of our kids’ most favorite places to play. There are numerous trampolines and under one roof to entertain kids and adults alike. The wAIRhouse Trampoline Park is located in Salt Lake...
Corvette Factory Tour
Bowling Green Kentucky has been the home of the Corvette since the early 1980’s. The intimate Corvette Factory Tour takes you out onto the factory floor inches from the assembly line to see almost every aspect of the build. The first step, have a reservation. ...
Cades Cove
Growing up in Mississippi people often vacation in the Smoky Mountains. Through several scouting and family adventures we were no strangers. There is no area I remember more in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park (GSMNP) than Cades Cove. When planning this...
The Rouge Factory Tour
Everyone knows that Henry Ford was quite the revolutionary. That’s why when I was visiting Detroit, MI and I heard I could tour one of the Ford factories I immediately jumped on that opportunity. The Rouge Complex built around 1920 is 1.5 mile wide and a mile long...
Nassau
Nassau Nassau is a gorgeous island with crystal clear turquoise water. However, there are much nicer islands in the Bahamas and nearby Caribbean that call to the Wesley’s. Nassau is a great place to spend a day soaking up the rays, exploring large hotels, or...
Chicago Cloud Gate
Cloud Gate - The Bean The Bean, as locals call it is fun. Yes, it's a relatively new landmark (2004-ish). No, visiting The Bean will not be life-changing for most. Is it fun? YOU BET! and should be on everyone's To Do list when visiting the windy city. Imagine...
Willis Tower
Willis Tower coins a new meaning to the phrase, “I’m on top of the world.” You really do feel like you’re on top of the world. With nothing but a glass box between you and the ground about 1,350 feet below your feet, it provides a new perspective about the world...
Chicago Motor Club
The Chicago Motor Club was once an office building used to test and rate automobiles for consumers. Like the Consumer Report for AAA. Today the Motor Club has been purchased and transformed ($41 million) by Hampton Inn hotel. They have done a fantastic job restoring...
Nashville Parthenon
As a kid I remember traveling with Dad through Nashville on the way to a work conference. We drove by Nashville's Parthenon and I got a glimpse. I had always wanted to return. This summer while driving from Bowling Green, KY to Gatlinburg, TN, we took a detour...
Clingmans Dome
One of my favorite childhood memories is climbing up Clingman’s Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I thought the swirly sidewalk was so much fun to run up. Going back as an adult was just as much fun! Clingman’s Dome is the highest point in Tennessee....
Badlands
Spread across the plains of South Dakota lies a unique gem that is as well known for its fossils as its beauty… the Badlands. I was pleasantly surprised when we visited this summer. The colors and landscape are stunning in areas. And... it’s conveniently located...
Whitewater Falls
Reading other travel blogs is an important part of my day. Earlier this year I saw an article about the top twentyfive US waterfalls. I was familiar with most but a few caught my eye. I have an online Google map where I mark places I'd like to visit so I dropped a...
Wall Drug
One of the greatest highlights of the Midwest is Wall Drug Store found in Wall, South Dakota. Depending on your direction of travel, it's on the way to Mt Rushmore and the Badlands National Park and the Minuteman Missle National Park. It is a fun, kid-friendly...
