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HOW TO SPEND 24 HOURS IN PARIS AND SEE EVERYTHING IN ONE DAY - COMPLETE ITINERARY AND MAP
Full itinerary, guide, and map on how to see the best sights in Paris in one day! Here is how to spend 24 hours in Paris | Where to go in Paris | What to do in Paris
10 MILE GALAVANT ACROSS PARIS SEEING ALL THE SIGHTS
Can you see everything in Paris in one day? Yes! It may be exhausting but totally worth it (your feet might not agree). Pro-tip wear SUPER comfy shoes.
Here is a map to guide you throughout your day! You can save it to view offline on your phone if you save it to the Google maps app when you have Wifi.
Park Hyatt Paris - Best hotel in Paris!
MORNING IN PARIS
7:00 AM We started with a big breakfast in the hotel (we stayed at the Park Hyatt Paris Vendome using our reward nights).
We ALWAYS find THE BEST rates through Booking.com. See deals of up to 50% off! You can save a bunch of money if you book a bundle flight+room+rental car! They even have apartments, lodges, and houses you can rent, just like AirBnB or VRBO! By booking through this link, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link!
Paris views from the Park Hyatt Vendome
Of course I had a chocolate croissant and coffee, but there was also cheese and cured meat so I had to have some! Do as the Parisian's do!
PLACE DE LA CONCORDE
From the Hyatt, we went down to the fountain in the Place de la Concorde. I love it because it's the fountain Anne Hathaway throws her phone in, in the Devil Wears Prada. It was Fall and the leaves were turning, adding extra charm to the city (who knew it could get better?). We walked through the gardens and past the Grand Palais.
CHAMPS-ÉLYSÉES
10:00 AM We strolled down the Champs-Élysées past Chanel, Cartier, Lauderee, and then there's Nike, H&M, Tiffany, Gap... come on, a GAP shirt would be that much better because it came from PARIS!
Arc de Triomphe
I could shop all day, but we had tons to see. We went down to the Arc de Triomphe. You can actually see the sights atop the Arc for about 12 euro or so. We have already walked about 2 miles.
EIFFEL TOWER
From the Arc, we enjoyed the fall day and walked along the Parisian neighborhood via Avenue Pont d'Iéna for another mile or so to the Eiffel Tower.
After taking a ton of pictures and finding out the wait to go to the top was over an hour, we decided to find some lunch. We came across a little cafe to get some sandwiches and take a little break.
AFTERNOON IN PARIS
2:00 PM We hopped on the metro to head to the Catacombs of Paris. From following our map we had trouble finding the entrance, and after making a loop around the block, we discovered it was closed due to ventilation issues.
Panthéon
Our next destination was Notre Dame, and along the way we came across rain and the 18th century mausoleum, the Panthéon. We didn't go inside but continued on through the Latin quarter to find the cathedral. Totaling a 2 mile walk from the Catacombs, we had finally arrived at Notre Dame! After a 15 minute wait or so, we went through the Cathedral taking in all the beautiful stain glass windows, chandeliers, and fine craftsmanship of the church (note - this was prior to the fire ☹️).
NOTRE DAME before the fire
At this point, I was wishing I would have worn sneakers instead of my cute boots. We had already walked over 6 miles, it was time for a break and a crepe. We stopped in Crêperie du Cloître across from Notre Dame for crepes and french fries.
EVENING IN PARIS
PONT DES ARTS - Love Lock Bridge
5:00 PM We set out again, walking another mile to the bridge, Pont des Arts, where tourists would leave "love locks" or an engraved padlock along the fence of the bridge. However, the excess weight of the locks were destroying the structure of the bridge and on June 1st, 2015, more than 700,000 locks weighing 45 tons were removed.
Sunset in Paris
Louvre
Mona Lisa
From the bridge, we trekked over to the Louvre. After 6 PM on a Wednesday or Friday, entrance fees are only €6 (instead of €9) and the museum is open until 9:45 PM. Free Admittance to those under 26 on Friday evenings. I had just missed the free entrance by a year. Note: they are closed on Tuesdays. If you are an art fan, you could spend hours or days going through the museum. We weren't that enthused to spend more time on our feet, so we did a brief walk-through to see the must-see artwork such as da Vinci's Mona Lisa, Winged Victory of Samothrace, Venus de Milo, Michelangelo’s Dying Slave, and the Sphinx. If you stretched out the Louvre walking paths, it would cover 8 miles. We didn't walk that much, but got in a good 2 miles or so.
PARIS AT NIGHT
8:00 PM It was worth every penny to take a cab to save our feet. From the Louvre, we went back to the Eiffel Tower to see it twinkle at night. You'll be able to see the well known iron lady lit up every day from sunset to 1AM. During summer, it turns of one hour later at 2AM.
Eiffel Tower AT NIGHT!
After a few pictures, it started to rain, meaning it was time for dinner.
We found the best little place called Alfio (along the Avenue de la Bourdonnais across from the Eiffel Tower) that had spicy pasta and tasty pizza. The decor had wine bottles that had been melted down and were hung from the ceiling.
Alfio Restaurant
It was finally time to head back to the hotel (we took a cab) where we posted a picture or two to Facebook / Instagram and passed out!
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MORE PARIS GUIDES:
Best Way to spend a Summer Weekend Getaway in Lake Tahoe
Check out the perfect guide to your next Lake Tahoe Summer Weekend Getaway! We list our favorite things to do, favorite hotel resort to stay at, and the best restaurants with stunning LAKE views! Don’t miss our favorite ice cream spot!
Guide: What to do in Lake Tahoe during Summer
Growing up, we went to Lake Tahoe for a few days almost every summer. Hiking, biking, and swimming were always on the itinerary. I was excited to bring Josh up there for the first time and show him one of my favorite places in California, where I had so many great memories and adventures with my family to share.
Getting to Lake Tahoe
We took a quick hour long Southwest flight, flying out of LAX and into Reno-Tahoe International Airport (watch-out for bears). From there, we rented a car from Hertz at the airport and drove about an hour up through the mountains to the lake!
We ALWAYS find THE BEST rates through Booking.com. See deals of up to 50% off! You can save a bunch of money if you book a bundle flight+room+rental car! They even have apartments, lodges, and houses you can rent, just like AirBnB or VRBO! By booking through this link, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link!
Directions to South Lake Tahoe from the airport: We usually take the 580 S and hop on the 50 W. With no traffic, it takes about an hour. You can also take the 431, but that takes longer sometimes by 15 mins or so, but you have longer lake views. We usually take it on the way back to the airport!
Reno-Tahoe International Airport (watch-out for bears)
Where to Stay in Lake Tahoe
There are a few hotels at the Stateline and a few at the North shore with AirBnBs between! We like staying at the Stateline because it's more lively and city like, but not far from adventures in the wilderness.
Harvey's Lake Tahoe
Address: Highway 50 at Stateline Avenue, Stateline, NV 89449
Best Rate: Booking.com
Pricing: $$
Since Lake Tahoe is split on the Stateline of Nevada, most hotels have casinos and our favorite place to stay is Harvey's. It's located on the North side of Lake Tahoe Blvd without another hotel obstructing the view. Find the best rate to stay at Harvey’s by reserving your room through Booking.com. It's not bad waking up to this every morning...
The rooms have been recently renovated and are very spacious with spectacular Tahoe lake views. With a casino at the base of the hotel and a bar and restaurant at the top with breathtaking views of the lake, this place is perfect! There are many restaurants and activities that are walking distance, including Heavenly.
HARVEY'S IS ALSO PET FRIENDLY! MEET RICHARD!
What to Do in Lake Tahoe
There are so many different things to do in Tahoe and something for everyone:
Heavenly Summer Adventure - zip-lining, tubing, ropes course, hiking (see more below)
Paddle Wheel Cruise around the lake on Ms Dixie II (see more below)
Visit Squaw Valley - Olympic Park
Hiking trails in state parks and Fallen Leaf Lake - see more in our post of our favorite trails, Tahoe Hikes for the Casual Hiker
Biking along the lake
Kayaking and water sports on the lake
Renting a boat and don’t forget the jet ski's
Paddleboats!
Horseback Riding in the mountains to great heights and great views
Explore Zephyr Cove
Gamble in the casinos
Hike to Eagle Falls
Here are a few of our favorite things to do in detail:
1. Heavenly Lake Tahoe
During winter these Heavenly gondolas take you up for skiing, but during summer, there is a playground. The base is close to the Stateline taking you up a 2.4 mile ride up in the Heavenly Mountain Gondola with panoramic views of Lake Tahoe. On the way up, there is a stop at the Observation Deck where we took photos and breathed in that fresh mountain air. For summer 2019, Heavenly opens June 21st! There’s even a YOGA class at the top of the mountain!
At the very top, there are a few adventures you can embark on:
Tubing down a thrilling 500ft-long hill
Zip-line 1,000ft-long zip line at top speeds of 40 MPH
Ridge Rider Mountain Coaster - a single rider coasting down a 3,400' track, descends 300 vertical feet, and accelerate around two lateral loops (SO FUN)
Ropes courses
Price: Ultimate Adventure Pass for only $99 (includes Gondola ride) Buy 3 get the 4th free!
If you have never been to Tahoe, the gondola is a must-do. Because it is a little pricey, I don't think it's something you have to do every time you go, but it was really fun to play like a kid for a day!
The Tamarack Lodge at the top has overpriced average theme park type food, setup commissary style. This ski resort is great, even in the middle of summer!
2. Lake Tour on the Ms Dixie II Paddle Wheel
The Ms Dixie is a large paddlewheel boat that cruises across the lake to Emerald Bay and back. A recording plays throughout the 2 hour tour, giving the history of Lake Tahoe and fun facts. Lunch and complete bar service are available for purchase.
The sites were spectacular! It was nice being on the water and not in the freezing lake. I also learned new things about Tahoe that I never knew! For instance, "The center of the Lake can appear cobalt blue, as blue light is absorbed further, leaving visible violet light as the predominant light color. In shallow areas, the water can appear emerald or turquoise in color since green is the predominant light color at shallow depths." Cool, right?
Within Emerald Bay is the only island in Lake Tahoe, Fannette Island, where the lady of Vikingsholm would go to have tea in the afternoon in the little castle built on top. So jealous.
Prices: Ages 12 and Up: $65.00 , Ages 3-11: $33.00
They also offer a Dinner sunset cruise as well.
EMERALD BAY AND FANNETTE ISLAND
3. Explore Emerald Bay
Along the Southwest shore off Route 89, is Emerald Bay. It's about 45 mins (22 miles) from Tahoe City, and we usually park along the highway (or there is a parking lot for $10) and then hike down the Rubicon trail to the Vikingsholm, a 38-room mansion that is recognized as some of the best Scandinavian architecture in the US. You can always rent a boat from our friends at Get My Boat (it’s like Airbnb for boats), to get there too!
The architect who built and designed this incredible mansion, was Leonard Palme, who was hired by his aunt Laura Knight. See more info on the CA Parks and Rec site.
We went on some great hikes that were fairly moderate, we don’t hike too often but there is a bit of an incline! See more in our Tahoe Hikes for the Casual Hiker post!
EMERALD BAY LIVING UP TO ITS NAME
4. Visit Squaw Valley - Take the Aerial Tram to Olympic Park!
Address: 1990 Squaw Peak Road, Olympic Valley, CA 96146
Check hours on their website (usually 9a-4p - there’s a winter/summer toggle at the top of their site): Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows
Squaw Valley - Olympic Park
Squaw Valley was home to Winter Olympics in 1960. Now during winter, its a winter wonderland with tons of runs to ski or snowboard! We went during summer and there is even a pool and jacuzzi on top. Can’t imagine getting in the water during the winter! Or getting out of the water I should say!
Squaw Valley Aerial Tram to High Camp
The Aerial Tram was $46 to take you to the top and drop off at High Camp. We explored the Olympic Museum, which was free to get into, had some fun standing on the podium and looking at other memorabilia! The clothing and style of the olympians during that era was amazing! You can check out some uniforms, sporting goods such as hockey sticks and pucks, and looking through other commemorative pieces.
There is a bistro restaurant, called Granite Bistro Cafe, complete with stunning views! If you take the last tram, you ride with some of the staff and racks! If you’re looking for a snack, souvenir, water bottle, or sandwich type items, visit the High Camp Marketplace. Check out the cute ice cream cookies they had:
The base of Squaw Valley has residencies, rentals and a large shopping center. We walked through some shops, got a coffee and saw the cutest ice cream shop!
Where to Eat in Lake Tahoe? Restaurants with Lake Views
There are so many delectable restaurants with stunning lake views. Let's start with my favorites, shall we?:
Susie Scoops Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
Address: 869 Tahoe Blvd, Incline Village, NV 89451
Price: $
Specialty: Dessert/ Ice Cream/ Frozen Yogurt
This cute little ice cream store is located in Incline Village and attached to the toy shop, Village Toys! Inside the walls are pink with ice cream lights and decorations everywhere like an old fashioned ice cream shop. I wanted to live there. ;-)
They offer 28 flavors made locally as well as frozen yogurt, smoothies, shaved ice (18 flavors), shakes & malts (any flavors), floats, hand-dipped waffle cones, specialty sundaes, pints to go, & ice cream cakes! EVERYTHING ICE CREAM! Exceptional flavors: Peppermint, Mud pie and Peanut Butter Cup ice cream.
Edgewood Lake Tahoe - Hotel, Spa, & Golf Course
Address: 100 Lake Pkwy, Stateline, NV 89449
Edgewood Restaurant
Price: $$$$ Specialty: Seafood / Steaks / Grill Menu: Edgewood Menu Reservations: Opentable.com
Photo provided from the restaurant’s website
With stunning floor-to-ceiling windows and an elegant lodge atmosphere, diners enjoy striking views of mountains, pines, and the glistening sapphire lake while celebrating golden anniversaries and creating diamond memories.
Located on the Edgewood golf course right on the lake, its the perfect spot for dinner at sunset. The filet steaks are delicious!
Brooks Bar and Deck
Price: $$$
Lunch Specialty: American / Sandwiches / Salads
Menu: Brooks Menu
Reservations: Opentable.com
We enjoy burgers, sandwiches and cocktails on the patio at Brooks Bar and Deck for lunch. Make a reservation ahead of time! They are on OpenTable.com
COTTON CANDY @ 19 KITCHEN & BAR
19 Kitchen & Bar - Harvey's Lake Tahoe
Address: 18 US-50, Stateline, NV 89449
Price: $$$$
Specialty: Seafood / Steaks / Grill
Menu: 19 MENU
Reservations: Opentable.com
This restaurant is located atop of the Harvey's Hotel with great steaks and amazing birds eye views of the lake. We usually go right around sunset and request a table by the window. Also, don't miss out on their cotton candy for dessert!
Riva Grill on the Lake
Address: 900 Ski Run Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Price: $$
Lunch Specialties: Salads / Sandwiches
Menu: Riva Menu
Reservations: Opentable.com
For lunch and cocktails, you must go to Riva Grill on the Lake and try a Wet Woody. Yes, I just said that. They are famous for these rum drinks and these woody's sure pack a punch!
Lunch options are great, ask for a table on the patio.
Friday’s Station Steak & Seafood Grill
Address: Harrah's Hotel - 19-29 Lincoln Hwy, Stateline, NV 89449
Price: $$$$
Specialties: Seafood / Steaks / Grill
Menu: Friday’s Menu
Reservations: Opentable.com
Located on the top floor of Harrah's, this Lake Tahoe fine dining gem features a dramatic entrance, a 1,000-bottle display wine cellar and magnificent views from every table. Favorite meal: Prime Rib with mashed potatoes. Is your mouth watering too?
Address: Montbleu Resort Casino & Spa - 55 US-50, Stateline, NV 89449
Price: $$$$
Specialties: Seafood / Steaks / Grill
Menu: Ciera Menu
Reservations: Opentable.com
I'd put them in the Top 10 best steak dinners I've ever had! This fabulous 4 Diamond Steak and Chophouse has an exquisite variety of steaks and chops to go along with their extensive 300 bottle wine list.
The sides were amazing, we ordered all potatoes (the White Cheddar Scalloped Potatoes Gratinée were my fave) and the white truffle mac and cheese. These paired well with my mouth watering Cowboy Ribeye.
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Also, check out these great things to do in Tahoe and California!
Lake Tahoe Hiking Trails for the Casual Hiker
Lake Tahoe is a great place for hiking, even for those who casually hike! Here are 2 hiking trails for the whole family to enjoy (dogs too)! Check out the Cascade Falls Trail and the Eagle Lake Trails near Emerald Bay in Lake Tahoe, California. Things to do in Lake Tahoe #Hike #California #LakeTahoe
I love to go hiking but I would not categorize myself as a “hiker.” I like trails with a mild incline, shade, pretty views, and something more strenuous than just a walk outside. Doesn’t everyone? We spent a weekend in Lake Tahoe and tried a different hike each morning. These trails, Eagle Lake & Cascade, came pretty close to my description. Along the trails, we saw many families with small children and lots of people with dogs ranging from all sizes. Almost anyone can enjoy these moderate hikes!
Related Post: Guide to Lake Tahoe Summer Weekend Getaway - Everything you need to know about Tahoe!
EAGLE LAKE TRAILS
Distance: 1.8 miles (round trip)
Elevation Gain: 433 feet
Time: 2 hours if you want some time to explore around the lake or even jump in for a swim!
Parking: There is a very small parking lot off the trailhead but it fills up quickly! You’re better off parking along the road as soon as you see the sign. Try to get there before 10a for a good spot!
This moderate hike trails from the top road along Emerald Bay through the wilderness to a small lake nestled in the trees. Start at the trailhead and fill out a permit which is just filling out some contact info and holding onto a piece of paper.
Start heading Southwest up the stairs to the bridge and enjoy the waterfall.
We hiked up to a ridge, hugged some trees, had some fun, and took a few pictures!
Emerald Bay
SISTER, STAND RIGHT HERE. JK, I LOVE MY SISTER!
From the ridge, we continued down the trail until we hit a fork in the road and the sign had fallen down. Take a right for the lake, it’s another 5 min downhill.
As we arrived, a group was leaving saying they saw a bear on the opposite side of lake and he jumped in to cool off. They showed us the trail they took so we wandered around the lake and kept our eyes open for the bear across the lake. Unfortunately, we weren’t lucky enough to see the bear but we did have some nice views!
We made some friends too!
After about 15-20 mins sitting on a rock in the serene lake, we decided to head back.
More info:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/california/eagle-lake-trail
Related Post: Guide to Lake Tahoe Summer Weekend Getaway - Everything you need to know about Tahoe!
Cascade Falls Trail
Distance: 1.4 miles (round trip)
Elevation Gain: 236 Feet
Time: 1.5-2 hours leaving plenty of time to enjoy the falls and the view
Parking: There is a very small parking lot off the trailhead but it fills up quickly! You’re better off parking along the road as soon as you see the sign. Try to get there before 10a for a good spot! Unless you’re the Mystery Machine! ——>
We parked fairly close to the spot we did the day before for the Eagle Lake Trail. There was a parking area through the campsite but there were limited spots available so we parked on the side of the road.
The trail starts fairly easy, walking among the trees on flat ground until you hit the trail along the mountain which is fairly rocky, make sure you watch your step!
Once you make it through the trail, you’ll find the falls and beautiful views!
Cascade Falls Views
Cascade Falls
Of course we found more friends!
Chipmunks!
Do you see the lizard?
More information:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/california/cascade-falls
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See more of Sunny California:
Related Post: Guide to Lake Tahoe Summer Weekend Getaway - Everything you need to know about Tahoe!
6 Days in Aruba - What to do in Aruba and Full Itinerary Included!
Aruba is the perfect place for your next vacation! Not only is the weather perfect, but the hotels along the beaches are beautiful! We stayed in Oranjestad for a few days then moved downtown to see the flamingos! See where to eat and things to do in Aruba!
We spent 6 glorious days in Aruba and it didn’t seem like enough! The island is known as “One Happy Island” and it definitely lives up to it’s name! The people are so nice there, it’s very clean, and you feel very safe. The beaches are gorgeous, full of white sand from coral and white rock weathering away onto the shores.
Flamingo Beach on Renaissance Island
There are many activities to do for couples or as families. If you’re bringing kids, teens would enjoy the island more than tiny kids. We were there for 6 days and never bored. Here is all you need to know to plan your perfect trip to Aruba.
UTV Tour - Around Aruba UTV Tours
This blog uses affiliate links. If you’d like to purchase a recommended product, please use the link to support this blog. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, it simply allows me to continue creating these posts. Thank you so much for your love and support!
DAY 1
Arrival into Aruba
We arrived into Aruba’s Queen Beatrix Airport, right along the water! Arriving was pretty easy, we got off the plane, handed a government agent our declaration card and scanned our passports where our picture was taken by an automated machine. Also, the airport had views of the ocean were gorgeous while walking through!
Pro-tip: Tourism boards are usually parked in the arrivals area with reusable bags filled with coupons and info about Aruba... they are FREE, so take one! We used them all over, around the hotel, threw towels in for our UTV tour, to the beach, etc.
Taxi Drive views of Downtown from the Aruba Airport
It’s a $25 flat rate to get from the airport to the high rise hotels or $18 to get to the Downtown hotels. Here is a link to handy chart for taxi rates for getting around Aruba: Taxi Fares in Aruba
Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, Spa & Casino
Address: Juan E, J.E. Irausquin Blvd #85, Noord, Aruba
Website: Hyatt Regency Aruba
We ALWAYS find THE BEST rates through Booking.com. See deals of up to 50% off! You can save a bunch of money if you book a bundle flight+room+rental car! They even have apartments, lodges, and houses you can rent, just like AirBnB or VRBO! By booking through this link, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link!
We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, Spa & Casino for 4 nights over New Years 2019! Located mid beach of hotel row, it is the perfect place to spend the day at the beach and walking distance to everything! The rooms were so nice, hard wood floors and super spacious! The pool was huge, complete with a water slide, volleyball net and swim up bar to get your drink on!
My favorite part of walking through the resort was looking for wildlife! Parrots, swans, large iguanas, coi fish, and turtles were all over!
Read our full HOTEL REVIEW here: Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, Spa & Casino
We also stayed at the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino so we could visit the flamingos on Renaissance Island’s Flamingo Beach! Read our full review on the Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino and Everything you need to know about Flamingo Beach. We’ll get more into that on Day 5 and 6!
Afternoon Beach Time
After we checked into the Hyatt Regency Aruba, we couldn’t wait to go to the beach and grab a bite to eat! There were a bunch of restaurants inland but we wanted to eat by the water. From our room, I could see a restaurant on Pelican Pier and said we should eat there. Reviews on Yelp and Google Maps said The Pelican Nest Seafood & Grill Bar was good, which was good enough for me!
Pelican Pier in Aruba
Restaurant: The Pelican Nest Seafood & Grill Bar
Address: On Pelican Pier, J.E. Irausquin Blvd 237, Noord, Aruba
Website: pelican-aruba.com
Cuisine type: Caribbean, Seafood | Price Range: $20 - $30
We sat down in the bar which was open seating, ordered chicken sandwiches and happy hour beverages since we were there between 4-6pm. We sat at the bar along the walkway and weren’t complaining about the oceanfront views.
Pelican Nest Drinks
Chicken Sandwiches at Pelican Nest
After our meal, not sure if it was lunch or dinner, but walked along the beach to catch a beautiful sunset.
Sunset on Aruba Beach
Watch where you step, you never know what you might find!
Ice Cream in Aruba - Gelatissimo Palm Beach
Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 345, Noord, Aruba
Website: Gianni’s Gelatissimo
Pricing: $3-$8
Gelatissimo - Ice Cream in Aruba
We went exploring inland where we saw shops and restaurants on our drive in. Of course we had to find some ice cream and we came across some delicious gelato at Gelatissimo!
I went with a waffle cone trying the Stracciatella (chocolate chip) and Nutella (chocolate hazelnut).
Stracciatella (chocolate chip) and Nutella (chocolate hazelnut)
New Years in Aruba
New Years Fireworks in Aruba
We asked our cab driver where the place to be is at midnight on New Years Eve, to which he said, “right in front of your hotel!” Perfect. He wasn’t wrong, we had a few drinks at the bar and wandered down to the beach around 11p. Fireworks are legal in Aruba so they were going off all day along with these giant firecrackers that people would set up randomly in the streets. We sat and watched as people set off sparklers and small fireworks around us. As soon as midnight hit, a bunch of barges in the water close to the beach shot off fireworks for a good 20 minutes! It was spectacular, the whole beach was lit up from this amazing display!
New Years Fireworks in Aruba
DAY 2
Breakfast in Aruba - Dushi Bagels & Burgers
Address: J. E. Irausquin Blvd #87 Noord, Aruba
Website: http://www.dushibagelsandburgers.com
Cuisine type: Bagels, Breakfast, Burgers, Sandwiches | Price Range: $7-$12
We decided to try a restaurant recommended by a friend, which was walking distance to our hotel called Dushi Bagels. The price was right for our meals and the service was quick. There was a bit of a wait so we just ate at the bar. They also offer to go options if you’re in a hurry! We enjoyed a breakfast burrito with ham, french toast, and delicious hash browns.
UTV Tours - Around Aruba Tours
Website: https://www.aroundarubatours.com/tours-in-aruba/
Or book through Viator tours: Aruba UTV Tour
Booking: We took a 4 hour UTV Tour around the island with Around Aruba Tours. It was $180 for the 2 of us. The Hyatt Regency concierge was able to book the afternoon tour for us. They also offer ATV tours and Jeep tours too! Note: An ATV is for one person, the UTVs hold 2-4 people. The driver should be at least 18 years old with a valid driving license while the minimum age for the passengers is set at 6 years.
What to bring: You will get very dusty, I’d avoid wearing white. You must wear sunglasses or something to protect your eyes. They will provide a souvenir bandana to shield half of your face from the dirt and dust. The tour ends in the Natural Pool, where you can jump in the water if you want to, I’d wear a swimsuit under your clothes because there isn’t a place to change. Also, bring a towel if you’re going in the water! The tour provides small bottles of water that they have in coolers on ice.
Our guide was AB, who was energetic and funny, and he even grew up on the island! He picked us up at our hotel in a school bus around 2pm and took us to Phillip’s Animal Garden to get situated. We paid there (they do take credit cards) and as the tour company was collecting information and payment, we were able to wander and feed the island’s most exotic animals.
Our first stop was the Alto Vista Chapel which was built in 1750. It was renovated in 1950’s and rebuilt by missionaries from Venezuela. It resembles the church in Westworld to me!
Alto Vista Chapel
Alto Vista Chapel
We traveled as a group following single file. Driving from spot to spot was dusty (and very bumpy) but had spectacular views.
Aruba UTV Tour Views
The next stop was the Natural Bridge, where a rock formation created a bridge. Not a whole lot to see but you can walk on top of it (or jump).
Our next stop was the abandoned Bushiribana Gold Mill, which sits on the northern coast. This site once processed ore from mines in the nearby hills during Aruba's gold rush of the nineteenth century. In 1824, gold was found on the island and over 3 million pounds of gold were produced.
Next, we entered the Arikok National Park on Aruba’s east coast. Conchi is a natural ocean pool sheltered by craggy rock formations. Beaches include Boca Prins and Dos Playa, a turtle nesting site.
Some got in the pool while others wandered around. I climbed on rocks and could see crabs and fish in the shallow waters nearby. Josh got in and waved!
Natural Pool
Crabs at the Natural Pool
We were dropped off at our hotel and needed to shower off the dirt! We were starving and wanted to go somewhere close-by that we could walk to…
Dinner at Smokey Joe’s Island Grill
Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 87, Noord, Aruba
Website: http://www.smokeyjoesaruba.com/
Cuisine type: American, International | Price Range: $20 - $30
AB our UTV tour guide recommended Smokey Joe’s and told us they have all you can eat ribs on Tuesday and Thursday claiming they are “the best ribs in the Caribbean.” The ribs were good, and we got some chicken as well. The service was really slow, but we weren’t in a rush, just hungry!
I saw the Pink Iguana drink on the menu and it was everything I wanted. It was like a Miami vice or lava flow, filled with coconut cream, rum and strawberries! For dessert, we HAD to try the Fried Oreos and vanilla ice cream! We didn’t leave anything behind.
We did a quick stroll around the shops to walk off our dinner.
DAY 3
Breakfast at a Dutch Pancake House - Diana’s Pancake Place
Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 370, Noord, Aruba
Website: Facebook Page
Cuisine type: Dutch | Price Range: under $15
Diana’s Pancake House is located by hotel row and across from the Hyatt, above the I Love Aruba store. Dutch pancakes are served as one pancake on a large plate with whatever ingredients you desire from the menu. The pancakes were bigger than my face! I went with the Hawaiian (ham, cheese, and pineapple) and Josh had the Apple Cinnamon. They were good, but we weren’t planning on going back every morning.
Diving with Aqua Windies
Address: Dr. Horacio E. Oduber blvd 4, Eagle Beach, Aruba
Website: aquawindies.com
We went diving two days in a row with Aqua Windies! Everyone was super nice, we would get picked up and get our gear at the dive shop before continuing on to the boat. On our first day our crew was Sean, Big Rob, Rob, and Dan. We went out with Sean, who was new to them. He was very nice, but wasn’t privy as to where to look for marine life that frequented certain spots.
We drove out past our hotel to a dock with tons of birds and the prettiest aqua waters.
We had two great dives, checking out some sunken ships and the coral reef that has grown on and around them! We even caught a ray passing through!
Dinner at Salt and Pepper
Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 370-A, Noord, Aruba
Website: http://www.saltandpepperaruba.com/
Cuisine type: Spanish, Tapas | Price Range: $10 - $20
Salt and Pepper shakers were everywhere! They had different salt and pepper shakers at every table and the walls inside had shelves and shelves of shakers. They even offer free sangria for those who bring a set for them to keep! After our dives we were so hungry, so we ordered quite a few tapas plates to try:
Meatballs - my fave
Chicken wings - josh fave
Fried Brie - Yum *drool*
Spicy beef - Great!
Chicken pincho - good sauce
Grouper - not a huge fish fan, but it was pretty good!
Chorizo sausage - it was good, but everything else as better
We ordered a beers to go, you can walk around with alcohol (just like Vegas)! We walked down through some of the hotels and played in the casinos, while checking out the pools and properties.
DAY 4
Diving with Aqua Windies - Aruba Scuba Diving
We went out for a second day of diving with Aqua Windies bright and early to check out the airplanes. Our guide’s name was Ed who was from New Jersey and was hilarious! The airplanes were so cool and so large underwater. You could even go right through them! Our second dive was at Harbor Reef where we found lots of giant eels!
One of our favorite dives was the Airplane Wreck (70-90 ft / 24-30 m), a Convair 400 and a Beech craft 18. Both airplanes were sunk on a sloping reef surrounded by soft corals. Check out our Scuba in Aruba video here:
Relaxation
We shared a sandwich at the pool bar and spent the afternoon by the pool and took a long walk along the beach.
Steak Dinner at the Sunset Grille Steakhouse
Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 81, Noord, Aruba
Website: Hilton Aruba Resort | Dinner Menu
For our last dinner over by Palm Beach, we decided to be fancy and have a nice steak dinner. We had a reservation at Sunset Grille, located in the Hilton Aruba Resort, which was right next to our hotel and a quick jaunt down the beach.
We sat outside to enjoy the sunset while at the Sunset Grille! I had a mouth watering Filet Mignon and Josh ordered the Cowboy Bone-in Rib Eye. For sides, we tried the Garlic mashed potatoes and Gouda Cheese Croquettes. The croquettes were little balls of cheese and potato heaven. SO GOOD.
For dessert, we had the Chocolate Decadence Cake, rich and sweet, served with fruit on the side. YUM!
DAY 5
Breakfast at Salt and Pepper
American Breakfast | Price Range: $10 - $20
Even though we had already had dinner here, we loved the service and the breakfast menu looked good! I had and omelet that was overloaded with ham (thats a good thing) with amazing hash browns! Their house coffee was great too, came with free refills!
New Hotel Check-in: Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino
Address: L.G. Smith Blvd 82, Oranjestad, Aruba
Website: Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino
Flamingos on Renaissance Island
Find the best rate to visit these flamingos by booking your room through Booking.com
I had been waiting ALL week to check into this hotel! What I was looking forward to the most for our Aruba trip was meeting the flamingos on Renaissance Island’s Flamingo Beach.
Again, read our full review on the Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino and Everything you need to know about Flamingo Beach.
Renaissance Adult Only hotel
There are 2 hotels at the Renaissance property, both right across from each other. The adults only hotel is more inland but still in the marina. It’s also connected to a very fancy, high end mall and casino! We tried to check in, but our room wasn’t ready. We were given passes to get to Renaissance Island to go to Flamingo Beach!
More flamingo pictures here: Everything you need to know about Flamingo Beach.
Dinner Downtown at Driftwood Restaurant
Address: Driftwood Building, Klipstraat 12, Oranjestad, Aruba
Website: driftwoodaruba.com
Cuisine type: Aruban, Caribbean, Seafood | Price Range: $25 - $35
Loved the ambiance! The walls were plastered with driftwood and it felt like a being on a ship with steering wheels as lamps (minus the sea sickness)! Something happened in the kitchen and it took over an hour to get our food. The way they seat you and take orders, we weren’t quite sure who exactly was our waiter. We asked if everything was alright with our order and they apologized for the delay. A round of drinks with mermaid accoutrements came on the house.
I ordered the chicken with tropical citrus sauce and wish I had the recipe for that sauce! Josh tried the Aruban meal - fresh catch of the day with potato and veggies. Although the presentation of the meal was underwhelming, the food quality was spectacular.
For dessert, we ordered the Brownie a la mode and it was perfection!
Brownie a la mode at Driftwood Aruba
After dinner, we walked around the downtown area and played in a few casinos. I was still reeling from my day with the flamingos!
DAY 6
Renaissance Island’s Flamingo Beach & Breakfast
We had to get up early to go to Flamingo Beach one more time so I could feed them! We tried to hop on the 8am boat but because the tide was low, they were boarding outside so we missed it and waited for the next one. The island wasn’t crowded at all! I was able to feed them and get some great pictures of just us!
One more time, read our full review on the Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino and Everything you need to know about Flamingo Beach.
Feeding flamingos on Flamingo Beach
We had breakfast over by the Iguana beach and this completed our PERFECT Aruba trip.
Departing from the Aruba Airport
We were warned by a few people to get to the airport at least 3 hours early if you are traveling back to the United States from Aruba. Not only do you pass through Aruba customs, but you also pass through US customs. The benefit here is that you don’t have to hassle with customs when you get to the US, the bad part is you spend a long time in lines at the airport. There were 7 steps to get to the gate, here is why it takes so long to get through the Aruba airport customs:
Step 1
First you have to check-in and check your baggage, which took about 30 mins to get to the counter.
Step 2
Next, you have to clear customs with Aruba. This line was outside and luckily it was a nice breezy day! It took about 15 mins to get to the front of this line.
Step 3
After, we were to take everything through the TSA metal detectors, all electronics must come out of your bags. This line took another 15 mins or so.
We thought we were done since we entered the terminal with duty free shops, but no, we were not done yet.
Step 4
We kept walking until we entered the US customs area where you have to find your bags that you checked in step 1. Some bags were on the carousels and others were lined up by airport staff. We were not allowed to open our bags.
Step 5
After gathering our bags, we lined up for the US customs check. The line takes about 30 minutes or Global Entry had no line.
Step 6
Once we were passed the custom agents, we dropped our bags off, again.
Step 7
Now we had to go through the TSA metal detectors one last time. Luckily there was a separate line for TSA pre-check, but you still have to take your shoes off. This took about 10 minutes.
Finally, we entered the terminal to find our gate! We had time to spare and with our Priority Pass account, we could go into the VIP lounge. It was a small lounge with limited snacks: bagged chips, muffins, sandwiches, and drinks included: wine, rum, whiskey, coffee, beer or soda. We were ok with this, all we wanted to do was sit and grab a bite to eat!
We were exhausted when we got back home, but were ready to go back right away! Let us know what you thought of the post or if you have any questions in the comments below!
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Looking for a change of scenery, or want to get away from the cold winter weather? Why not book a family holiday this winter. There are many great places to choose between – from sunny escapes to snowy mountain towns. We’ve put together a list of things to do and places to go that families will love, so pack your bags and get ready for some fun.