When you get right down to it, this is a meat and potatoes meal with a smidge of something green thrown in to satisfy my conscience. The potatoes pack a hearty punch in this dish, allowing the broccoli and sausage to play a supporting role. When cooking with potatoes, I always opt for the organic variety and this time was no exception. I used organic red potatoes in this recipe, but Yukon Gold would work just as well.

I opted for mild chicken Italian sausage, but if your palate favors a bit more heat, by all means you can sub in spicy sausage. Pork sausage is fine, too. If you’re feeling feisty, you might even buy your sausage from the meat counter and mix a couple of links of mild chicken sausage with a couple of links of spicy pork sausage for a dish with increased depth of flavor. Go ahead; live on the edge.

Everything is kicked up a notch with the addition of a simple chicken gravy and a layer of tangy white cheddar melted on top at the end. Each bite is reminiscent of a stuffed baked potato, only this version comes together a bit more quickly.

If you’ve got a busy week ahead, you might consider trying this recipe one night. Even the pickiest eaters can agree that this sausage, potatoes and broccoli dish is about as delicious as a one pan dinner gets.

One Pan Sausage, Potatoes and Broccoli

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Preparation 15 mins Cook Time 30 mins Total Time 45 mins

Serves 6     adjust servings

 

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 4 large red potatoes, rinsed and diced
• 1 pound uncooked sausage, decased
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 4 cups broccoli florets, rinsed and chopped into bite-size pieces
• 1 1/2 cups white cheddar cheese, grated
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes

Instructions

 Place a large (5 qt.), empty skillet on the stove and warm the pan over medium heat. When the pan is hot, add vegetable oil and tilt the pan to coat the bottom. Add potatoes to the hot oil and fry, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are soft through.

Remove the cooked potatoes from the pan and allow them to drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Drain oil from the pan if necessary. Add decased sausage to the pan and brown it over medium heat until it is cooked through and no pink remains. 

Add the butter to the pan with the sausage and melt it completely. When butter is melted, add flour to the butter and sausage mixture. Stir well; the flour will coat the browned sausage. Add garlic and onion powder and stir to combine.

Slowly pour in the chicken stock, stirring quickly the whole time. Bring it just to a boil and then return the potatoes to the pan, spreading them in an even layer.

Add the broccoli to the pan in an even layer atop the potatoes. Do not stir. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for ten minutes. 

Remove cover and and stir to mix the broccoli into the potatoes and sausage. Sprinkle grated white cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Cover and continue to cook until cheese is melted and bubbly. Season with salt, pepper and red chili flakes to taste. Serve immediately.

by Darcie

Recipe Notes

 

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
Amount Per Serving	As Served
Calories 758kcal Calories from fat 469
% Daily Value
Total Fat 52g	80%
Saturated Fat 15g	75%
Transfat 1g
Cholesterol 94mg	31%
Sodium 1174mg	49%
Carbohydrate 49g	16%
Dietary Fiber 5g	20%
Sugars 5g
Protein 27g

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs:

	Calories	2000
Total Fat	Less than	65g
Sat Fat	Less than	25g
Cholesterol	Less than	300mg
Sodium	Less than	2,400mg
Total Carbohydrate		300g
Dietary Fiber		25g

You might also enjoy:

Sausage, peppers and pierogi skillet

Sausage, kale and butternut squash lasagna roll-ups

The post ONE PAN SAUSAGE, POTATOES & BROCCOLI appeared first on Such the Spot.

How to Avoid Crowds In Banff

During our trip to Banff, I posted daily recaps on the Such the Spot Facebook page. One of the comments read,

“Did you have Canada to yourselves this week? I’m amazed by the absence of people in your photos.”

In reality, there were throngs of people visiting at the same time we did, but we managed to avoid crowds in Banff and take in several of the area’s most amazing experiences in almost complete solitude. Here’s how we did it.

1. Get an Early Start

We visited during the summer when the sunrise took place each morning right around 5:30. On the days that we visited the most popular lakes, trails and vistas we tried to arrive around 7 am. Johnston Canyon, for instance, is a very popular hiking destination in Banff, though you’d never guess it judging from the photo below. There were only a handful of other people on the trail that morning.

We took full advantage of the solitude by searching for the infamous ‘secret cave.’ The good news is that we found it and we had it to ourselves for close to forty minutes before a few more adventurous hikers came wandering down the trail.

Before our trip, I kept reading that to avoid crowds in Banff, you have to arrive to the most popular destinations early. I was frustrated, though, because while the typical advice was to arrive early, nobody really specified what ‘early’ meant. After having experienced it for myself, I can tell you that the best way to avoid crowds in Banff is to arrive to the most popular destinations within two hours of sunrise. Depending upon the destination, crowds begin to form by 9 am (which was just over three hours after sunrise during our trip). Arriving early was–hands down–the easiest and most successful thing we did to avoid crowds in Banff.

2. Stay Outside of Banff

Banff National Park was quite different from our American National Parks in that the town of Banff is located inside the park boundaries, whereas U.S. National Parks tend to be fairly limited with regard to accommodations available within the parks. The town of Banff, while fun and scenic, is quite crowded. Every time we stopped in during our stay, the streets were swarmed with people. There were long lines at the best restaurants and throngs of people window shopping and clogging sidewalks. My tried and true advice is that if you want to avoid crowds in Banff, you should consider a stay in nearby Canmore.

We stayed at the Rundle Cliffs Lodge in Spring Creek and truly loved every minute of our stay. There were a variety of lodging options so as to accommodate couples, singles and families of all shapes and sizes. The resort grounds are gorgeous and the pedestrian access to charming downtown Canmore can’t be beat.

A stay in Canmore will not leave you wanting when it comes to shopping and dining options. For those who opt for accommodations with a kitchen, there are two full-size grocery stores in town. For those who would rather dine out and do a little souvenir shopping, Canmore has you covered. We enjoyed breakfast at the Rocky Mountain Bagel Co. no fewer than three times during our stay. For dinner, the Rocky Mountain Flatbread Co. is a sure bet. Also, stop in at Stonewaters  for some unique souvenirs and to sample artisan chocolates at the Jacek Chocolate Couture boutique in the rear of the store.

3. Enjoy a picnic breakfast

While several of your fellow tourists will be hitting the trail with a picnic lunch, you should consider packing a picnic breakfast instead. Just stop in at one of the local bakeries (try Rocky Mountain Bagel Co or Wild Flour) and choose a selection of muffins or pastries. Together with some fresh berries, granola and juices from the grocery store, you’ve got the makings of a yummy morning on hand. A picnic breakfast like the one we enjoyed at Lake Minnewanka is super trail-friendly and allows you to get out and about while everybody else is sleeping in. You can hike to a stopping point and then spread a blanket and enjoy the scenery and solitude.

Be forewarned that you might draw the attention of cute little critters, too.

4. Canoe on Emerald Lake

If you want to spend some time canoeing on the beautiful turquoise waters of Lake Louise or Moraine Lake, you aren’t alone. Far from it, in fact. There were times during our trip that the canoes were so numerous out on the lake that it probably would have been hard to score one of those coveted Instagram pictures without several other tourists crowding your shot. Rest assured; a quick trip to neighboring Yoho National Park will afford you the opportunity to snap a beautiful, crowd-free canoe picture.

Emerald Lake is every bit as shockingly turquoise as Lake Louise, if not more so. Another benefit of opting to canoe at Emerald Lake is that it is significantly less expensive than doing so at Moraine Lake or Lake Louise.

Here’s an insider tip for you: if you’re concerned about taking your camera out onto open water in a canoe, you probably needn’t be. I took both my “real” camera (a Canon 5D Mark iii) and my iPhone in the canoe with my husband and our two children. All of us and my equipment made it back to the dock dry, after about a 45-minute ride. If you’re still not sure, ask at the dock about renting a dry bag. We did so and paid less than $5 for it. I kept my camera and phone in the bag during our trip around the lake, and only took them out of the bag for brief periods of photo taking. It worked perfectly for us.

While you’re there, take some time to hike the easy lakeside loop. Going clockwise around the lake offers an easy scenic trail for the first half of the hike followed by a slightly more rugged trail for the second half. About 3/4 of the way through the trail, you’ll come to an awesome lookout spot. It’s a great spot to set up a tripod, or snap a selfie.

5. Think like a bear

We had high hopes of seeing wildlife during our trip. The good news is that we were successful in glimpsing longhorn sheep, elk and even a grizzly bear. The bad news is that we had to hit the road really early to do so.

Before our trip, I read that our best chance to see wildlife was in driving the Bow Valley Parkway. Apparently, bears like to meander along the roadside, grazing on greens. That’s exactly what we spotted them doing one morning. We were quite lucky in that our bear hunt yielded views of four different bears, one elk and one herd of longhorn sheep.

So, how’d we manage to see such a variety of wildlife on so frequently-traveled a road? We set out on our journey within an hour of sunrise. In an effort to avoid the heat, bears tend to seek food within an hour of both sunrise and sunset. At that time of the day, there were very few cars on the Bow Valley Parkway, but there was an abundance of wildlife. From a safe, unobtrusive distance in our car, we were able to observe the animals going about their natural behaviors. It was absolutely amazing to watch a grizzly cross the road ahead of us and a black bear, feeding in a patch of dandelions.

Thinking like a bear, and arriving to the Bow Valley Parkway within an hour of sunrise will not only increase your chances of seeing wildlife, but it will also help you to avoid crowds and maximize your opportunity for snapping some gorgeous photos along this beautiful stretch of road.

Have you ever been to Banff National Park? Do you have any tips to add for visitors who are curious about how to avoid crowds in Banff? Share them in the comments!

You might also enjoy:

Banff Travel Guide: Everything You Need To Know Before You Go

The post HOW TO AVOID CROWDS IN BANFF appeared first on Such the Spot.

Having lived in Tucson, Arizona, for twelve years, you can bet I enjoyed my fair share of authentic tamales. My favorite variety were the chicken and green corn tamales. We’d always order a dozen for our Christmas dinner and and enjoy them along with our enchiladas and rice and beans. It may not sound like a traditional Christmas dinner but for our family, nothing says festive quite like that Mexican menu.

This hearty chowder represents my best effort to deconstruct the chicken tamales I love and give them new life in an Instant Pot soup recipe. I think it quite successfully does just that. It brings together tender shredded chicken with a savory polenta that mimics the corn masa of a traditional tamale. The Mexican flavors you’d expect are brought in with the addition of cumin and chili powder and then the whole things gets a tangy zip from tomatillo salsa.

Hatch chilies were in season and available in stores when I developed this recipe so I added a couple of those and they delivered just the perfect amount of heat and a nice, smoked chile flavor. If you don’t have access to fresh or frozen Hatch chilies, you can substitute a can of diced green chilies. Either way, I suggest including this recipe on your dinner menu sometime soon. Our whole family licked the bowls clean.

Instant Pot Chicken Tamale Chowder

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Preparation 10 mins Cook Time 40 mins Total Time 50 mins

Serves 6     adjust servings

 This hearty chicken tamale chowder is a comforting and delicious take on the traditional tamale and comes together in an Instant Pot super quickly without any fuss.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breast halves
• 6 cups chicken stock
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 cups polenta
• 1/4 cup tomatillo salsa
• 2 roasted Hatch chiles, seeded and diced or 2 4.5 oz cans of diced green chiles
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/3 cup heavy cream
• Chopped cilantro, roasted corn, sour cream and Cotija cheese for garnish

Instructions

1. Place chicken breast halves, chicken stock and salt in the stainless steel bowl of your Instant Pot.
2. Lock cover into place and seal the steam nozzle.
3. Choose the manual setting and adjust time to 18 minutes.
4. When cooking time is complete, allow natural depressurization for ten minutes and then release any remaining pressure.
5. Unlock and remove the cover. Remove and shred the chicken.
6. Return chicken to the inner pot and stir in the polenta, salsa, chiles, spice and cheese. Replace and lock the cover. Choose the manual setting and adjust the time to 12 minutes.
7. When cooking time is complete, release pressure manually. Unlock and remove cover. Stir in heavy cream.
8. Serve warm.
9. Garnish as desired with cilantro, corn, sour cream and/or Cotija.

by Darcie

Recipe Notes

Leftovers might need to be thinned with additional chicken stock before reserving.

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
Amount Per Serving	As Served
Calories 357kcal Calories from fat 112
% Daily Value
Total Fat 12g	18%
Saturated Fat 5g	25%
Transfat 0g
Cholesterol 47mg	16%
Sodium 820mg	34%
Carbohydrate 43g	14%
Dietary Fiber 2g	8%
Sugars 6g
Protein 17g

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs:

	Calories	2000
Total Fat	Less than	65g
Sat Fat	Less than	25g
Cholesterol	Less than	300mg
Sodium	Less than	2,400mg
Total Carbohydrate		300g
Dietary Fiber		25g

 You might also like:

Crock-Pot Chicken Florentine Soup

Mexican Potato Casserole Stack

The post Instant Pot Chicken Tamale Chowder appeared first on Such the Spot.

 Every bite of these bacon, egg and sweet potato breakfast tacos packs a flavorful punch, with a little bit of salty and a little bit of sweet. Texture is covered, too; the soft sweet potatoes and eggs are balanced by crumbly bacon and lightly-crisped corn tortillas.

Granted, we could have stopped there and these tacos would have been pretty darn delicious. Oh, but we went and upped our game by adding creamy goat cheese, fresh chopped green onions and cilantro, and an avocado lime drizzle that adds a tangy zip to an already amazing recipe.

And though these might be as impressive enough to be served in a fancy restaurant, they’re not at all hard to whip up on a Saturday morning. It’s a matter of roasting the sweet potatoes, frying up some bacon and scrambling a few eggs (check the recipe for my secret ingredient there).

We enjoy these served on soft corn tortillas that have been warmed in olive oil on both sides for just a minute or two, but if your preference is flour tortillas, or–better yet–whole wheat flour tortillas, I’m sure that would be good, too.

Either way, I highly recommend doing your family the favor of making these bacon, egg and sweet potato breakfast tacos on a Saturday morning soon.

BACON, EGG AND SWEET POTATO BREAKFAST TACOS

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Preparation 20 mins Cook Time 25 mins Total Time 45 mins

Serves 4     adjust servings

Ingredients

For the Tacos

• 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 4-6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
• 8 corn tortillas
• 8 eggs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon taco seasoning
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 8 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 8 oz. goat cheese crumbles
• 1/4 cup cilantro leaves, roughly torn
• 3 green onions
• drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste

For the creamy lime avocado sauce

• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• handful of cilantro, cleaned and stemmed
• 2 green onions
• 1 medium jalapeno
• 1 medium avocado
• juice from 1/2 a lime
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400º. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with foil. Spread the peeled and diced sweet potatoes into a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with two tablespoons of olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste. Place the baking sheet in preheated oven and roast potatoes for about twenty minutes, or until soft and cooked through.
2. While the potatoes are roasting, prepare tortillas by drizzling a small amount of olive oil in a saute pan--just enough oil to lightly coat the surface of the pan. Working one at a time, saute the corn tortillas in hot oil for about one minute on each side. The goal is to warm and soften the tortillas just enough to be pliable, not to make them crispy. Place sauteed tortillas on a paper-towel lined plate to soak up any extra oil.
3. After the tortillas are done, crack eggs into a large bowl. Add 1/4 cup milk and whisk thoroughly to combine. Add taco seasoning and whisk it in. Melt butter in a large skillet. Add egg mixture to pan and scramble the eggs using a spatula or wooden spoon over medium heat. When eggs are cooked through, change heat to the lowest setting to keep them warm.

To make the creamy lime avocado sauce:

1. Combine all ingredients in a Mason Jar and use an immersion blender to puree the ingredients into a sauce. If you don't have an immersion blender, a regular blender or food processor works, too.

To assemble the tacos:

1. Layer scrambled eggs, roasted sweet potatoes, crumbled bacon, goat cheese, cilantro, and green onions atop corn tortillas. Top with creamy lime avocado sauce and enjoy!

by Darcie

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
Amount Per Serving	As Served
Calories 1275kcal Calories from fat 971
% Daily Value
Total Fat 108g	166%
Saturated Fat 31g	155%
Transfat 0g
Cholesterol 400mg	133%
Sodium 1131mg	47%
Carbohydrate 46g	15%
Dietary Fiber 10g	40%
Sugars 6g
Protein 34g

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs:

	Calories	2000
Total Fat	Less than	65g
Sat Fat	Less than	25g
Cholesterol	Less than	300mg
Sodium	Less than	2,400mg
Total Carbohydrate		300g
Dietary Fiber		25g

You might also like:

Asparagus Scramble with Bacon and Goat Cheese

Grilled Pineapple and Hatch Chile Margaritas

The post BACON, EGG AND SWEET POTATO BREAKFAST TACOS appeared first on Such the Spot.

How to Decorate a Travel Themed Home Office

Anyone who knows me well knows that I will gladly forego the latest fashions and most current version of the iPhone in favor of spending money on making memories. It’s cliché, I know, but we collect moments, not things. And because we’ve made so many amazing memories all over the world, it’s important to us that we spend time reliving those memories as often as possible. That is precisely why we chose to go all out with a travel themed home office.

The focal point of our home office is a set of custom eleven-foot, solid-wood bookshelves. All of our travel treasures are on display on those shelves. It’s a bit tricky to style them so as to appear finished while simultaneously reserving room for goodies we’ve yet to collect in future travels, but using baskets and greenery allows flexibility in the styling.

During each of our trips, we purposefully set out to find a single souvenir that represents the destination as a whole. It’s typically a fairly large object, but if it’s something small we plus it up by adding postcards in a shadow box or a framed photo.

These little Icelandic vikings carved from wood are a perfect example. They’re not quite big enough to hold their own space on the shelf, so we added an artist’s print that we also found in Iceland.This huge glass jar holds our champagne corks. We have a tradition of starting and ending each trip with a bottle of bubbly. And then we use Sharpies to record the date and something significant about the trip. We recently filled a much smaller jar and optimistically upgraded, hoping for lots of corks in our future.

A few years ago I discovered Artifact Uprising. I love the quality of their prints. After each trip I always order a set of them to use in various ways on the shelves. They look great on clipboard style frames.Another favorite way to use them is to write memories on the back of photos from our trips and place them in memory boxes along with ticket stubs, maps, foreign currency and any other mementos we bring home.I purchased wooden memory boxes from Amazon and painted them white. And then I stencil the names of our trip destinations on the boxes. It’s so fun to open the boxes every once in awhile and relive our favorite parts of each vacation.Of course, this being a travel themed office, the shelves aren’t the only way we display memories from our trips. I also have a gallery wall with framed photos that we’ve snapped on vacation over the years. Unlike the prints I order from Artifact Uprising, the photos that hang on the wall do not include people. Instead, we opt for landscapes or recognizable objects from any given trip.

When I first framed these photos I challenged everybody else in the family to name the location where the picture was taken. Jeff scored 100%, and the kids were probably in the eighty percent range, but neither of them nailed it. After we take a few more trips I plan to swap out the pictures with new ones. I’ll have to see how the kids fare in the next quiz.

Our office also has a sitting area. Most often, Jeff is the one who occupies that seat. He reads there while I work on blog posts. 

Like most of the first floor of our house, the office has wood floors. I soften things up underfoot with a neutral, woven wool rug that is as soft as a sweater. I love it.As we designed the office, we made a very concerted effort to make the most of the view. When I’m sitting at my desk, if I look beyond the screen I have a view of a large pond and mountains beyond that. And, of course, the blue Alabama skies we’ve all heard about in the chorus of the song.I hope you’ve enjoyed your virtual tour of my travel themed home office. If you have any questions about resources that I missed, ask in the comments and I’ll be happy to answer as best I can.

 You might also like:

Modern farmhouse great room decor inspiration

DIY Rustic Wooden Pallet Sign

The post TRAVEL-THEMED HOME OFFICE appeared first on Such the Spot.

Before creating these free printable spice jar labels, I searched Pinterest high and low, hoping I’d find a version I could simply download and print. Unfortunately, everything I found required the use of either a fancy vinyl printer or a Cricut cutting machine, neither of which I have access to. But after doing a little research, I figured out that I could create a customized version and print them onto ready-made Avery labels. I think I paid about ten dollars for a package of sixty labels and–after outfitting my entire spice rack with these cute labels–I have a couple of sheets leftover.

The Avery labels are a two-inch diameter and fit perfectly on the same IKEA spice jars that I own. These particular jars can sit flat (as pictured here) or they can tilt forward by being placed on the flat side of the jar. My preference is for the jars to sit flat.

I would highly recommend ordering extra jars. I’ve found that it’s helpful to have an extra lying around in case I need to purchase a new spice that I don’t commonly use.

You’ll be happy to know that I’ve done all the creative work for you here by creating .pdf files of free printable spice jar labels that you can download and print. Simply click on the images below and download them to your computer. Once you purchase your labels, you’ll be all set for printing.

When it comes time to print, it’s always a good idea to print a test sheet on regular paper. Use your test sheet to ensure which way you should load your label sheets into the printer.

I printed my labels on the highest quality setting that my printer is capable of. I recommend you do the same, lest you end up with labels that look a bit faded.

I hope you enjoy your beautifully organized spice rack as much as I’ve enjoyed mine!

The post FREE PRINTABLE SPICE JAR LABELS appeared first on Such the Spot.

The key to artisan pizza crust is a really hot oven. That, my friends, is where your grill comes in. You’re going to crank that baby way up and get things nice and toasty in there.  Once everything is properly fired up, you drop the heat to the lowest setting possible and toss your pizza dough onto the grill and close the lid.

Allow it to crisp up for two-four minutes without opening the lid. Once you’ve got grill marks, pull the crust off the grill, fire the head back up as high as it will go and close the grill lid.

Working quickly, you’re going to spread the toasted side of your dough with olive oil and then spread your pizza toppings evenly across the top. Once you’ve got it properly dressed, you’re going to drop the heat all the way back down to low again and return your topped pizza to the grill. Close the lid.

Allow grill marks to cook into the bottom of the pizza crust, leaving the lid closed for another three or four minutes. Once grill marks have formed, you can move your pizza to the top rack if your grill is large enough, or off direct heat otherwise and allow it to cook with the lid closed until the cheese bubbles.

Fans of blackberries will adore this recipe. Anyone who breathes will appreciate the bacon. And basil is a summer no-brainer, right? Just try to tell me your family doesn’t begin to drool when you tell them you’re having blackberry, bacon & basil grilled pizza for dinner. If you make this once, I promise you’ll thank me. And when you make it again, you better invite me for dinner.

BLACKBERRY BASIL BACON GRILLED PIZZA

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Preparation 40 mins Cook Time 10 mins Total Time 50 mins

Serves 4     adjust servings

 

Ingredients

• One recipe homemade or store-bought uncooked pizza crust dough
• olive oil for brushing crust
• 1 cup homemade or store-bought pizza sauce
• 16 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese
• 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1 cup blackberries, rinsed
• 1/4 cup basil leaves, sliced thinly
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. On a lightly floured surface, roll out pizza crust to desired thickness. I make mine about 3/8 of an inch.
2. Allow crust to rest, covered with a clean towel in a warm area, while you prepare the pizza toppings.
3. When all of your toppings are prepared, heat the grill to 500º or as close as you can get it. When grill is properly heated, immediately lower heat to the lowest level and place dough directly on grill and close the lid. Allow dough to cook for two to four minutes without opening lid.
4. When the bottom of your dough is crisp and has grill marks, remove it from the grill and return grill to high heat.
5. Working quickly, spread a thin layer of olive oil and the toasted side of the dough. Layer pizza sauce, cheese, bacon, blackberries and basil on top. Top with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Return topped pizza to grill, raw side of the dough down. Lower heat to the lowest possible setting and close the lid. Allow pizza to cook for four to six minutes without opening the lid.
7. Once grill marks have been achieved on the bottom of your pizza crust, move pizza to upper level or indirect heat and allow it to cook until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

by Darcie

Recipe Notes

 

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
Amount Per Serving	As Served
Calories 840kcal Calories from fat 518
% Daily Value
Total Fat 58g	89%
Saturated Fat 27g	135%
Transfat 0g
Cholesterol 138mg	46%
Sodium 1745mg	73%
Carbohydrate 42g	14%
Dietary Fiber 5g	20%
Sugars 6g
Protein 39g

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs:

	Calories	2000
Total Fat	Less than	65g
Sat Fat	Less than	25g
Cholesterol	Less than	300mg
Sodium	Less than	2,400mg
Total Carbohydrate		300g
Dietary Fiber		25g

•••••

You might also like:

Grilled Romaine BLT Salad

The post BLACKBERRY BACON & BASIL GRILLED PIZZA appeared first on Such the Spot.

When we arrived home, I heard from several people that they wanted to hear tips because–after seeing our photos on Facebook–they wanted to plan their own trips to Banff. I’m writing this post as a bit of a travel diary, but also as a tool to help others plan the perfect trip.  We stayed two weeks. Here is a glimpse into what I believe to be the perfect family vacation.

WHERE TO STAY IN BANFF

Canmore is a charming little mountain town located just about thirty minutes from Banff. That’s where we stayed. When we first decided to vacation in Banff, I had my heart set on staying in Banff proper because it would have put us in the heart of the national park.

The more I read, the more I changed my mind. In the end, we decided that Canmore was better suited for our tastes. Banff has a reputation for being a bit more touristy and crowded than Canmore and after having visited both, I can say that the reputation is well-founded. Another determining factor for us was that most of the accommodations in Banff were hotel rooms. Lately, we’ve really preferred condos or rental homes over hotels because they give us room to stretch out. We also appreciate having access to a kitchen so that we can prepare meals on our own.

We stayed in a two-bedroom condo in the Rundle Cliffs Lodge in Spring Creek. We loved every moment of our stay there, in part because of its proximity to town. Two walking trails lead away from the lodge into town and provide pedestrian access to shops, restaurants and both of the town’s major grocery stores (Safeway and Save-On Foods). Once we checked-in at our condo, we hardly used the car at all if our destination was in Canmore. The views from the lodge were unbelievable.

We happened to be in town on Canada Day. They held a fireworks show that night at a park that was a ten minute walk from our condo.

 The other benefit to staying in Canmore is that you get to experience the small town charm of an adorable mountain town. We spent several afternoons perusing shops and stopping for snacks as we strolled the streets of Canmore.

One of our favorite parts of the trip was the night we rented the resort’s unadvertised fire pit and roasted marshmallows for s’mores. It was a quintessential Canadian campfire experience on the banks of a rushing creek that my kids will never forget.

WHERE TO STAY IN LAKE LOUISE

We did a split-stay trip during which we stayed eight nights in Canmore and five nights in Lake Louise. In Lake Louise, we stayed at the Post Hotel. It’s an intimate mountain lodge owned by two Swiss hoteliers and has a great reputation for its wine and food. Enjoying at least the Swiss chocolate dessert in the lodge’s fondue restaurant is a must.

The Post Hotel offers several amenities to all guests on a complimentary basis, including afternoon tea, use of bicycles and DVD movies, and a library stocked with books and board games. We took the bikes on a spin along the nearby Bow Valley Loop. Do that; it’s an awesome trail. Be sure to spend some time in the library, too. Our family highly recommends the Apple to Apples board game.

We also had a fruit bowl in our room upon arrival that was replenished as needed. And then at night they’d come through for turn-down service and leave a bottle of water and a Lindt chocolate truffle for each guest. The one drawback worth noting  is that the Post Hotel does not have A/C in the rooms. That was a bit problematic for us considering the high temperatures during our stay hovered in the low 90’s (Farenheit). We survived by sleeping with the windows and patio door open and using the fan that was provided but it wasn’t entirely comfortable.

WHERE TO EAT IN AND AROUND BANFF

If you’ve traveled to many of our American National Parks, you know that quality dining options in and around the parks are scarce. Not so with Banff. Whether you’re looking for a hearty quick bite or a fine dining experience, you have options.

OEB Breakfast Co. – This is a hoppin’ breakfast spot in Calgary. They get creative with all kinds of benny and breakfast box options.  It’s a great way to start your day, but do use the nowait app because you’ll get seated much more quickly.

Rocky Mountain Flatbread Co. – They have locations in Canmore and Banff (and beyond). Pizzas are the obvious specialty and they do them justice by cooking them in a proper pizza oven and topping them with fresh, seasonal ingredients.

The Trough Dining Co. – We enjoyed a date night dinner out in Canmore one evening. This is an intimate restaurant with a lovely patio and limited menu. The bruschetta was perfect. Order it.

Rocky Mountain Bagel Co. – Bagels are made fresh daily and can be smeared with cream cheese or made into any of several creative breakfast (or lunch) sandwiches. They also serve a small selection of baked goods and soups.

Eden – This is a fine dining experience with a price tag to prove it but if you are a foodie, then it’s a must-do. Eden is located in the Rimrock Resort in Banff and offers one of the most amazing views I’ve ever experienced from a restaurant table. And the food was unforgettable.

Summit Cafe – We picked up breakfast on our last morning in Canmore and found it to be quite good, though maybe a bit overpriced. The pastries were creative and delicious. The breakfast burritos were not as good as we’d hoped.

Lakeview Lounge  – Located inside the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, the Lakeview Lounge features huge picture windows that overlook the beautiful turquoise lake. We took afternoon tea and loved every single minute of the experience.  We had lunch there during a subsequent visit and found the food to be very good and priced just right for the area.

Fondue Stübli – This is the Post Hotel’s intimate fondue room. Because the hoteliers are Swiss, this is an authentic experience. The cheese fondue for two was more than enough to feed four. We also enjoyed the bourguignonne fondue as well as a chocolate fondue for a decadent dessert.

Outpost Pub – This casual restaurant at the Post Hotel serves traditional pub fare. Portions are generous and the food is good–better than you’d expect from a hotel pub.

It’s worth noting that we also dined in the main dining room at the Post Hotel and were very disappointed. Jeff and I both ordered the chef’s tasting menu. The dishes we were served were reminiscent of what we’ve been served on a cruise. Textures were terrible, flavors were unexciting and wines were not well-paired. My advice is to skip the main dining room and opt instead for the fondue restaurant or the pub.

WHAT TO DO IN BANFF

Banff is an adventure-seeker’s paradise. There is beauty around every corner and you literally don’t have to leave the comfort of your car to enjoy mountain vistas, turquoise lakes and grazing wildlife. If, however, you do want to get out and get active, Banff offers countless opportunities for hiking. That’s one of the ways we opted to take it all in. Because we were traveling with a tween boy and a teenage girl with Down syndrome, we stuck to trails designated as easy to moderate, but there were several difficult and lengthier hikes available to us. Here are the activities we enjoyed most, all of which are entirely appropriate for a family with kids.

Grassi Lakes

The first stop on our hiking tour was Grassi Lakes Trail in Canmore. Right at the start, the trail splits into two routes, marked ‘easy’ or ‘difficult.’ We opted to take the difficult route (which really wasn’t difficult) because it affords a view of a waterfall that those who opt to take the easy way miss out on. The ‘easy’ trail is basically an unpaved road with moderate elevation gain. It was kind of ho-hum for our taste but would make taking a child in a stroller an option.

At the top of the trail, you’ll find two turquoise lakes. Depending upon the time you go, you might also find a lot of people so be forewarned that this is a popular hike. TIP: Choose the difficult route up and then opt for the easy route down.

Johnston Canyon

The next trail we did was perhaps the most popular one in Banff: Johnston Canyon. It’s popular for good reason; it’s both beautiful and easy for families. Part of the trail consists of steel walkways that hang from the canyon walls. The remainder of the trail is paved and smooth with a mild to moderate incline.

The rushing water echoes off the canyon walls and makes this trail less peaceful and quiet than some of the others, but it ranks really high on the pretty factor. Johnston Canyon offers a little something extra, too, to those with adventurous spirits. Namely: the secret cave.

Can you even believe that this place actually exists? It looks like a mermaid’s grotto, right?

Johnston Canyon’s secret cave is not a very well-kept secret. It’s located just off the main hiking trail and is not all difficult to get to. All you have to do is follow the trail towards the upper falls. Just before you get there, look to your right and you’ll see the cave. You do have to deviate from the main trail, but the path down to the secret cave is well-traveled and worn in.

We arrived to Johnston Canyon around 6:30 on a Monday morning. By the time we made it to the secret cave there was one other group of three there already but they left soon after we arrived and then we had the place to ourselves for a good twenty minutes or so. I set up the tripod and captured proof that we’ve been there.

Johnston Canyon was absolutely gorgeous. Perhaps that’s why it can be so busy. If you want to be able to enjoy it without being herded along with throngs of people, it’s best to arrive within an hour of sunrise or two hours before sunset.

Bow Valley Parkway

One of the most exciting surprises, for us, came about as we were driving Bow Valley Parkway early one morning. We’d risen before dawn that morning in an effort to photograph the sunrise at Vermillion Lakes. That particular sunrise was a bit of a bust, but on the bright side, the early hour allowed us to pose for a photo on the popular Banff sign without being interrupted by other visitors.

With a picnic breakfast packed and ready in the car, we drove along the Bow Valley Parkway towards Lake Louise. We were on a bit of a hunt, a bear hunt, that is. I’d read that our best shot of viewing wildlife was on the Bow Valley Parkway, within a couple of hours of sunrise. After driving for awhile and seeing not so much as a beaver, I began to give up hope. And then we quite literally, and figuratively, turned a corner and there he was: our first bear of the trip. It was a grizzly, as is evidenced by that large hump on his back.

We kept a safe distance from him but did linger in our car for a good five minutes, watching him as he munched on grass. This bear didn’t give us so much as a glance but took total ownership of both the roadside, and the road. He crisscrossed right in front of us, blocking all traffic. It was awesome to watch.

As we drove a bit further, it was as if the bears came out of the forest just to show off. We ended up seeing a total of four bears that morning: two grizzlies and two black bears. One of the bears we saw seemed to be particular fond of dandelions. We nicknamed him ‘Dandy.’

Bears didn’t completely monopolize the Bow Valley Parkway. We also saw elk and longhorn sheep.

Lake Minnewanka

One of the most unique and fun things we did on our trip was to enjoy a breakfast picnic on Lake Minnewanka. It’s a beautiful lake, though seemingly less popular than Lake Loiuse or Moraine Lake. We practically had the place to ourselves for a couple of hours.

There is a shoreline hiking trail at Lake Minnewannka, but we opted not to attempt it because it’s eighteen miles long. Instead, we hung out in the day use area where the kids practiced skipping rocks and watching the brave chipmunks.

There is a short and family-friendly trail that begins at the day use area of the lake. The Stewart Canyon trail is a good bet if you want a quick and easy activity.

Sunshine Village

Sunshine Village was one of our favorites (but then again, choosing a Banff favorite is akin to choosing a favorite child). Imagine hiking in a wildflower meadow with views of alpine lakes and distant, snow-capped mountains. That, my friends, is Sunshine Village.

We accessed the trails via a gondola, followed by two chairlift rides. The gondola and lifts are not free; I purchased tickets on Groupon for just under one hundred US dollars. We spent all day there, so it was well worth the cost. During our visit, the gondola only operated on the weekend and a bus took visitors up to the trail area during the week. I’d definitely opt for the gondola again because the kids really enjoyed it.

The trails are fairly easy but the inclines can be steep. If you’ve got little ones with you, your best bet is to ask someone who works there which trail is recommended.

Peyto Lake & Bow Lake

One of the best parts of Banff was that we’d be driving along to any given destination and we’d round a corner and be smacked in the face with a view so gorgeous we had to pull over for it. Happened all the time while we were there. One morning, we set out to explore Peyto and Bow Lakes and along the way, we passed Herbert Lake. Unlike some of the other area lakes, the water in Herbert Lake was deep blue and so still that the reflection of the mountains was perfectly undisturbed. We stopped just for a second so that I could snap a picture.

A bit further along the Icefields Parkway, we came to Peyto Lake. I’d seen photos of it, but until I saw it in person, I couldn’t believe that the water could be so turquoise. Oh, but indeed it is.

The photo above was shot from the Peyto Lake viewpoint, which is a short but incredibly steep walk from the parking area. I also am inclined to warn that the mosquitoes were swarmed so thickly in this area that stopping movement for even a moment results in being clothed with them. It was pretty nasty.

Rumor has it that there is an old fire access road that leads to an excellent view of both Peyto and Bow Lakes. We attempted it but gave up after about a mile and a half because a) by that point in the trip our daughter was becoming an unpleasant hiker and b) the mosquitoes were ferocious. I will say, however, that viewed alone both Peyto and Bow Lakes are a sight to behold. I can only imagine what the view from that lookout must be like.

As we drove along the Icefields Parkway back to our hotel in Lake Louise, we were able to stop at Bow Lake for photos. We also stopped at a random trail-head and went on a brief exploration. It was kept brief because we spotted a bear print in the mud and filed out of there pretty quickly. Later that morning, we ended up seeing our fifth and final bear of the trip grazing on flowers along the Icefields Parkway.

In spite of our hiking misses on this day, I would highly recommend visiting Peyto Lake during a trip to the Lake Louise area. Just be sure to wear mosquito-proof clothes.

Lake Louise

We debated between Yellowstone and Banff but when it came to deciding on one, this right here was the tipping point. I’d seen so many photos of Lake Louise and I knew that, for me, this was the clincher. I really wanted to see that kind of beauty with my own two eyes, but not just any view would do; I wanted to make sure that the mountains that framed the lake were snow-capped when we went. I read that the snow might be completely melted by mid-July so we booked an early July trip and the timing was perfect.

I can’t help but wonder if there is a more beautiful lake in existence anywhere in the world. This one is framed so perfectly by the mountains. The water is a gorgeous shade of icy blue. And the ring of trees add life and color. It’s gorgeous. You really should make it a point to get up there and see it.

We spent quite a bit of time there. The first morning we went early and hiked to the Fairmont lookout for a view straight out of a fairytale.

Later that day we enjoyed afternoon tea in the Fairmont’s Lakeview Lounge. That is a must-do if you go. The dining area features huge arched windows with a view of the lake. Between the savories and the sweets, it’s quite filling, too.

One of the best parts about Lake Louise is that in spite of the fact that it was really, really crowded while we were there, amazing photos can be snapped from just about anywhere along the shore. Looking at my photos, you’d never guess how many people were visiting that day, right? Believe me when I tell you that there were a lot.

Moraine Lake

It seems to me that Moraine Lake is the second most popular glacial lake in the area–to Lake Louise. I can see why. I would say that the color is even more striking than Lake Louise. Still, Lake Louise is superior in my book because of the way the mountains frame it. Don’t get me wrong; Moraine Lake is nothing to shake a stick at.

For the view in the shot above, you’ll need to climb the Rockpile. It’s an easy and popular hike to the top that shouldn’t take you more than ten to fifteen minutes.

You likely won’t be alone at the top, but there are several lookout points that makes snapping a photo relatively easy.

From there, you might opt to hike the shoreline trail. We did it without any trouble in under an hour. The trail was moderately crowded but it offered so many beautiful vistas along the way.

There was a dock at Moraine Lake that rented canoes by the hour. The colorful fleet of them lined up on the deck made for an excellent photo opportunity.

GETTING TO AND FROM

Alberta’s Calgary airport is the most ideal airport for travel to and from Banff. It’s spacious, clean and well-organized. Calgary is located just about an hour from Canmore, and about two hours from the Lake Louise area. We used National rental car and can vouch that the Emerald Aisle was well-stocked with a variety of new or nearly-new vehicles. I highly recommend renting a crossover SUV. It’s worth splurging a little on the upgrade from a midsize car to something with a bit of a higher profile just in case you decide to brave some of the dirt roads. Having a crossover SUV was also helpful when we spotted wildlife because it gave us a better vantage point to watch the animals and take pictures from

Because our incoming flight arrived in the late evening, we opted to stay our first night in Calgary. The next morning, we took the kids to the Calgary Zoo (The Calgary Zoo provided complimentary admission to my family for review purposes. All stated opinions are my own.). We spent about three hours there, watching the animals and catching a few demonstrations. We found the Calgary Zoo to be particularly well laid out and also appreciated that it offered so many zookeeper talks and demonstrations. We also loved that they had a variety of dining options at reasonable price points. As far as animals, we spent the most time watching the gorillas and the penguins. Unfortunately, we just missed the opening of the new lemur enclosure, but we’ve got in our radar for next time.

•••••

I hope you enjoyed this virtual tour of the Canadian Rockies. I secretly hope it made you want to add Banff to your travel plans without passing go. It truly is an amazing–and overlooked, I believe–travel destination. If you go, I’d love to hear about your trip. And if I can answer any further questions, leave them in the comments. Also, if you’ve already been and I missed something great, leave that in the comments, too!

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If you’re like me, you’re always looking for a way to spice up your summer evenings. This recipe does precisely that. The soup itself is remarkable but, truly, the garnishes are the grand slam here. Don’t be shy; step up to the plate by filling your bowl to the brim and then top it with as much as you can cram in and let the flavors win you over.

Though there are some great store-bought options, we use homemade chicken stock in all of our soup recipes and, honestly, nothing beats the depth of flavor it infuses. We also topped this soup with two kinds of chesses: Manchego and Cotija. I highly recommend you do the same. Oh, and cilantro. Please do not skip the cilantro.

Mexican Street Corn Chowder

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Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 small Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and diced
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 6 ears of corn, shucked, grilled and removed from the cob
• 6 cups homemade chicken stock
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Juice from one lime
• 3 Reserved corn cobs
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup parmesan

For the garnish

• blue corn tortilla chips, crushed
• fresh cilantro, chopped
• green onions, sliced
• avocado, sliced
• Cotija cheese, crumbled
• Manchego cheese, grated
• sour cream

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a Dutch oven. When the oil is hot and runs like water when the pan is tilted, add potatoes and saute until they are just beginning to soften (about 5 minutes). Add the onions to the pan and continue sauteing until the potatoes are fork tender and the onion is translucent (about ten minutes). Add the diced jalapeno and garlic to the onion/potato mixture and cook just until the garlic turns fragrant, about one minute.
2. Stir the corn into the mixture and then slowly pour in the chicken stock. Sprinkle in the chili powder and paprika as well as the salt and pepper and then add the juice from one lime. Add the reserved corn cobs to the soup. Bring the soup to a boil and then cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for twenty minutes.
3. Remove the lid and slowly stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Taste for seasoning. Serve warm, topped with suggested garnishes.

by Darcie

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
Amount Per Serving	As Served
Calories 2769kcal Calories from fat 1031
% Daily Value
Total Fat 115g	177%
Saturated Fat 47g	235%
Transfat 0g
Cholesterol 245mg	82%
Sodium 7565mg	315%
Carbohydrate 379g	126%
Dietary Fiber 43g	172%
Sugars 84g
Protein 104g

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs:

	Calories	2000
Total Fat	Less than	65g
Sat Fat	Less than	25g
Cholesterol	Less than	300mg
Sodium	Less than	2,400mg
Total Carbohydrate		300g
Dietary Fiber		25g

Truly, this is an amazing recipe. My whole family slurps it up. It has incredible layers and depth of flavor. Each bite covers the gamut of savory to sweet. If you appreciate Fresh Mex, you will love this soup. Promise. Do yourself a favor and make it this week.

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When it comes to passing the time, families will find that Washington DC offers a wealth of activities. Between the museums, monuments and available tours, the biggest problem families have will comes not in identifying quality attractions, but in narrowing down their itineraries. Having recently returned from a spring break trip to our nation’s capital, I’m here to offer five must-do activity suggestions for families visiting Washington DC. Having done all of these things as well as several others, my family can vouch that each of these were A+ ways to spend our time.

Newseum

What, exactly, is the Newseum, you ask? It’s a museum dedicated to explaining and defending free expression and the five freedoms of the First Amendment: religion, speech, press, assembly and petition. It includes six levels of exhibits and fifteen theaters. As you might imagine, it’s a sprawling place.

We began our tour on the concourse level with a short film that oriented us to the building and offered tips on what to see. From there, we took an elevator to the sixth floor and stepped out on the deck for a prime view of the Capital Building.

Next, we wandered our way through the exhibits. This wall of newspaper front pages from around the world was awesome. Each one was current to the day; it’s fun to imagine what it would be like to visit that wall on a day that big, global news breaks.

We also got to see this large section of the Berlin Wall.

So many of the museum’s exhibits offered really interesting tidbits on how the freedom of expression has impacted history.

“Louder Than Words” is a temporary exhibit on display through July 2017. Included in the display were Alan Jackson’s handwritten Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning) lyrics, scribbled on a piece of paper. And the jeans Bruce Springsteen wore to perform Born in the USA.

Easily the most sobering display was that of the 9/11 Gallery. It features the twisted wreckage of the broadcast antenna from the top of the World Trade Center. Nearby, a multi-story wall showcases front pages covering that tragedy. There are also stations where visitors can write digital messages after reflecting on the display. Some of those messages are projected onto the wall.

If You Go:  Don’t miss my hands-down favorite part of the Newseum: the Pulitzer Prize Photographs Gallery. As the name suggests, it’s an awe-inspiring gallery of Pulitzer Prize winning photos displayed with stories from the photographers who captured the moments on film. The photos contained will make you laugh and cry and experience just about every emotion in between.

International Spy Museum

After our visit, my ten-year-old son did not stop talking about the International Spy Museum for a solid 48 hours. Not having ever been one myself, I can’t say with certainty, but I suspect that this particular museum embodies everything that a ten-year-old finds cool. From the moment you enter, the design of the space lends to a very techie feel. That ambiance continues as you board the elevators and transition from the entrance into the exhibits.

As guests enter the museum, they’re asked to assume and study a cover persona; there are several options to choose from. As you progress through the exhibits, you are given several opportunities to “test” your spy skills by putting your cover to the test. Along the way, you also get to see some amazingly cool spy tools and read stories that will blow your mind.

Among the exhibits, you’ll see this Aston Martin DB5 from the 1964 James Bond thriller, Goldfinger.

And this subminiature camera disguised inside a watch.

Girls are spies, too. And they’ve got some pretty cool gadgets in their purses. Like this “Kiss of Death” USSR KGB 1965 issued lipstick pistol.

The International Spy Museum offers an extra special experience for guests over age 12. Operation Spy is a one hour live action adventure gives participants the opportunity to become an intelligence officer on an international mission.  Jayce wasn’t quite old enough to take part during our visit but I will tell you that he has made it his own personal mission to return after his 12th birthday just so that he can take part.

Your best bet is to allow two hours to tour the museum, not including participating in any extra experiences like Operation Spy. There’s a great gift shop on the premises to pick up some top-secret souvenirs, too.

If you go: Don’t forget to choose a cover identity at the very beginning of your experience. You’ll have several opportunities to check your spy skills as your visit progresses.

Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum

During our stay in DC, we also made a stop in at Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum. I have to tell you that it was surprisingly entertaining. This place is a social media gold mine when it comes to capturing fun photos. Where else can you snap selfies with any of our nation’s current/former presidents? Yep. Even this guy.

We also ran into Mr. Lincoln, who was eerily seated at Ford’s Theater.

And my current Presidential crush, TJ, or Thomas Jefferson (shout out to America’s First Daughter for making one of our founding fathers relevant for 2017) for those of you who aren’t on familiar terms.

This US Presidential height chart was also really interesting. Apparently Bill Clinton is a giant in presidential standards. Who knew?

In any case, Madame Tussaud’s proved to be a very entertaining and totally fun use of the hour it took us to visit. One of the things the kids loved is that they provided period costumes for dressing up and posing with famous figures. Where else in DC can you capture a photo like this?

Not to worry, though, Madame Tussaud’s wasn’t all politics. They had familiar faces from all facets of American pop culture, including athletes, singers, actors, media moguls and American heroes. We especially found this to be a fun and relaxing itinerary highlight after visiting some of the more formal and/or informative museums in the area. It’s a great way to break up a day and give your kids the chance to get silly.

If you go: don’t forget your camera! And make sure you look around the exhibits to see if costumes are available to use as props in your photos.

Ford’s Theater

For those of you who are a little rusty on your American History, Ford’s Theater is the location where President Lincoln was assassinated. Though it is still operational as a live theater, visitors are also invited to explore exhibits and immersive learning displays throughout the museum.

Although there were several interesting displays in the museum, my hand-down favorite part of this experience was visiting Petersen House, the real-life, honest-to-goodness location of President Lincoln’s actual death. No, really. Guests are permitted to step foot in the actual,  physical room where Abrahama Lincoln breathed his last, labored breaths after having been shot at the theater across the street.

The Petersen House across the street from Ford’s Theater also offers a thorough aftermath account of events that followed the Ford’s Theater shooting.  It’s really a very good overview of events presented in a very engaging and interesting way that appeals even to elementary school age children. At the close of the tour, guests can see a tower of books that represents the overwhelming quantity of books that have been written about Abraham Lincoln.

National Mall

No visit to Washington DC would be complete without touring the monuments and memorials on the National Mall. Each holds its own significance, of course, but for my family the most poignant and sobering of them are:

• The Lincoln Memorial
• The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall
• The Washington Monument
• The Korean War Memorial
• The Iwo Jimo Memorial (not located on the National Mall)

The Lincoln Memorial seems to be DC’s most popular one and it’s really no mystery why. Lincoln is depicted as an imposing and stately leader, much like he presumably was in real life. The sheer size of the memorial carries with it an air of awe. Having visited during both daylight and nighttime hours, I would recommend trying to see the memorial during both times.

During our most recent visit to DC, we were treated to the most beautiful sight: a full moon rising behind the Washington Monument. It was gorgeous.

Our visit in March also gave us the chance to see the Iwo Jimo Memorial with a blanket of snow all around.

These were among our favorite Washington DC activities. Hopefully you, too will enjoy visiting our nation’s capital! If you’ve already visited, which DC hot spots would you include on this list?

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