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| Today Is #Wanderlust Day |
| You’re in for a real adventure. |
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Get in the vacation state of mind with these handy apps and sites that make planning a breeze. |
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Learn from the pros: parents like you who have been there, done that and lived to blog about it! |
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| The next time you’re staring in the face of 10 (or more) straight hours of travel with the kids, try these tips straight from our own writers and editors. |
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{ Today’s ideas brought to you by Your Passport }
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Today Is National Tell a Fairy Tale Day
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Once upon a time. |
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Make believe with these 10 fantastic fairy tale crafts inspired by some of your favorite stories. |
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Spin a little yarn all your own with hilarious results using our fill-in-the-blank fairy tale generator perfect for #tellafairytaleday. |
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Daydreaming of a vacation to somewhere far, far away? Turn your fantasy into a reality by visiting a storybook destination IRL. . |
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{ Today’s ideas brought to you by The Three Little Pigs }
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It’s a great time to be a parent—especially one trying to plan the perfect vacation. Resorts around the world are amping up their offerings to make sure every member of the family has an absolute dreamy time. Azul Hotels by Karisma are leading the pack with their latest partnership with Nick Jr.. From play dates and dance parties with Dora, Sponge Bob and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, to the opportunity to get slimed just like the kids on TV, the new Nick Jr. Experience will give the whole family a vacation they will never forget. Read on for all the slimey details.
The Easiest Vacation Ever
Azul Hotels by Karisma is an all-inclusive resort brand with 3 different properties dotting the Riveria Maya (Azul Sensatori, Azul Fives and Azul Beach). The luxurious yet family-friendly resorts have already garnered a loyal following from parents thanks to their gourmet restaurants, spacious rooms, miles of sparkling blue pools, white sand beaches and kid-friendly perks such as kids clubs, movie nights and splash parks— and now their new partnership with Nick Jr. has them upping the ante.
From the moment you enter the resort and are handed your choice of sparlking wine or a fruity, green “Slime” smoothie, your life gets unbelievably uncomplicated. The 24-hour concierge shows you to your room, directs you to the closest pool and points out the selection of restaurants, bars, coffee stands and activity coordinators who can get you out surfing, snorkeling or paddle boarding (or doing absolutely nothing at all). And while it may seem strange at first, the “all-inclusive” aspect grows on you quickly: what it means is you can duck into any restaurant, saddle up to any bar or even order a smoothie (or cocktail) poolside and enjoy it without ever whipping out your wallet.
A Date with Dora (and More!)
Attend one of Azul’s weekly Orange Carpet events and you will immediately understand the fandom surrounding Nickelodeon’s star characters. Kids fill the picturesque terrace and line up behind the velvet rope as Dora, Boots, Sponge Bob, Patrick and all four Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles walk the carpet and pose for photo ops with eager fans. Everyone gets a chance to pose with their favorite star, and a handful of Nick Jr. “helpers” are there to get the kids pumped up and make sure it all goes smoothly. Next comes a dance performance by characters, before everyone out in the audience is invited onto the dance floor to shake a leg with their TV heroes.
If wild nights aren’t your family’s thing, take in a character breakfast at one of the resort’s more intimate restaurants (This event requires a separate reservation and a $17-per-person extra charge). A fun performance and meet-and-greet comes with your omelettes and hash browns. For a hit of Nick Jr. fun any time of day, head to the Azulitos Playhouse, where a wall stocked with theme toys is waiting for little players. There’s also a weekly Slime Time party where, in addition to dancing and other fun performances, guests are invited to sit in the slime seat and get doused with the famous green goo ($175 for up to 4 people). Have those cameras ready!
And for super fans, arrange to have a Nick Knack Pack ($49) dropped off in your room: a backpack adorned with your kiddos favorite character and filled with other fun, Nick Jr.-themed surprises.
Fabulous for Families
While the kids will be wide-eyed with excitement over getting cozy with their favorite stars, parents (and grandparents) will be gaga over having all the work of traveling with kids taken care of for them, so all that’s left to do is enjoy each other’s company. Forget schlepping all the bulky necessities: the rooms can set be set up with everything from cribs to bottle warmers to strollers—even high powered monitors that work poolside. And the Azulitos Playhouse is more than just a wonderland filled with toys, My Gym equipment, crafts and video games—it’s also staffed with child care providers who can watch over and entertain your little ones whenever so you can hit the spa or simply lounge by the pool without being on constant lifeguard duty (little ones 4 and up can be dropped off at the Kids’ Club at no extra charge).
The variety of eateries includes cuisines from all over—Italy, the Carribean, Mexico and more—so everyone will be able to find a dish they love. And of course, crayons, high chairs, booster seats and even stools in the restrooms can be found at all restaurants.
Rates
Standard rates at Azul Hotels by Karisma begin at $309 per adult, per night with two children including the Gourmet Inclusive® Experience with complete a la carte dining, premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, full-service concierge, and 24-hour room service. A la carte pricing for select elements of the Nickelodeon Experience starts at $250 for private birthday parties (up to 10 people), $145 for weddings and other private group events, $49 per person for Nick Knack Packs, and $17 per person for character breakfasts. Reservations can be booked through a GI Vacation Consultant, or by calling Azul Hotels at 866-527-4762, or by visiting karismahotels.com.
Good to know: While there will be rarely any need to pull out your wallet, we recommend bringing cash (US currency is fine) to tip shuttle drivers.
Getting There
Direct flights to Cancun are offered on more than a dozen airlines, and the resort will assist you in arranging a shuttle to the property, so no rental car is needed. If you are requesting a car seat in the shuttle, it’s best to confirm the request just before your trip.
Azul Fives
Riviera Maya, MX
Online: karismahotels.com
Azul Sensatori
Riviera Maya, MX
Online: karismahotels.com
Azul Beach
Riviera Maya, MX
Online: karismahotels.com
Have you vacationed at Azul Resorts in Mexico? Tell us about your experience in the comments below!
—Erin Feher
Your prayers have been answered! LAUSD is one week closer to having the school year start after Labor Day. Which means there is an extra week of summer vacation this year. Which is awesome…and a little scary. You used up all your good stuff (beach, pool, beach again) in the first few weeks. Well, we’ve got 15 ideas that will make the last week of summer vacation the best.
photo credit: Nicole Castanada
Leave your ipad, iphone and any other screens at home and hit a new park. There’s one in Highland Park, Griffith Park, Beverly Hills or downtown.
It’s time to rock at the Skirball with the exhibit Bill Graham and the Rock n Roll Revolution. Kids can stop at the music stations, put on the headphones and soak in some great music. Or the whole family can step in a mini theater complete with classics songs and a light show that is like stepping directly into a lava lamp.
Sure you hit the beach and the pools and even a splash pad or 4. But have you been swimming in a natural water hole?
photo credit: Churro Burough’s facebook page
Try a new ice cream. New to LA this warm season are ice cream tacos, ice cream churros, ice cream donuts, honey milk ice cream… and new August flavors at the enchantingly creative Salt & Straw.
See the biggest movie of summer. Nope, it’s not starring minions or dinosaurs or the talking voices in your head.
Get a jump on learning at the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit at the Science Center (so when they write their “what I did this summer vacation” essay in school you sound all cultured and stuff).
photo credit: Judy Park
“Shake It Off” with Taylor Swift. Even if you didn’t score tickets for her concerts at Staples at the end of the month, the whole family will enjoy the exhibit that’s been extended since everyone from toddlers to tweens (and parents) love the light-up dance floor at the Grammy Museum’s ode to Swifty.
Go camping. Or glamping. Or for a staycation in a hotel. Basically, we’re saying sleep somewhere other than your bed. Heck, a sleeping bag in your back yard works!
Go to the Bowl for a rehearsal—it’s the best free show in town.
photo credit: LeTania Kirkland
Check out a hip hood, one that just happens to have fantastic food. Choose from Chinatown or Japantown…
The last Little Rancher’s Roundup takes place on Tuesday at the Leonis Adobe. This week’s theme is Fiesta on the Ranch. Giddy-up on over.
Get ready for the Emmy’s with the kids (we know you’re binge watching after they go to bed, to get ready!). Check out the FIDM exhibition of costumes from TV shows, which have a healthy dose of costumes kids will recognize and enjoy, including those from Marvel’s Agent Carter, Once Upon a Time, Peter Pan Live! and Gotham.
photo credit: LeTania Kirkland
Baseball! Majors or Minors. Or Sparks, if basketball is more your thing. Maybe soccer? Catch a pro ball game before summer disappears.
If you’ve exhausted the summer’s movie budget with multiple screenings of the Minions and Inside Out, the $1 movie mornings sound extra appealing. Or how about $5 for a day of unlimited Disney big screen screenings?
See a comet formed before your very eyes at the Griffith Observatory.
What’s on your bucket list for these last golden days of summer vacation? Let us know in the comment section.
—Meghan Rose
Sometimes preparing for a vacation is almost as stressful as going on vacation. When you want to get out of town, but not that far out of town, consider Lansdowne Resort. Located just 45 minutes from downtown D.C. in the lush area around a Virginia bend of the Potomac River, this vacation spot may be your best bet.
Package Your Plans
Check out Lansdowne’s travel packages to find bundled plans so you don’t have to map out individual activities. It’s the best way for parent’s to not have to think after they show up and not be hit with additional fees. Bonus: When you bundle you don’t have to pay the resort fee. Check out their options for including an in-room movie nightly and fireside SMORES kits!
Keep ‘em Fed
Food is never a concern on the property. Three dining options from pub food to fancy farm to fork options are at your finger tips. In the summer, the Resort offers Kids Eat Free meal plans. Two kids must have a paying adult but additional kids can be added when making your stay reservations. Make it special with extra dessert or SWAG bag perks.
Cool Down
If one pool isn’t enough, Lansdowne has five for kids to splash around in. The no-entry pool is perfect for the little ones who can’t yet swim, but are ready for the water. A waterslide and dancing fountains team with beating rhythms of a live DJ for a family-friendly spring break atmosphere. And if the weather turns sour, never fear. Just head inside to the indoor pool!
Did Someone Say, “Camp”?
Want your kids to get the resort experience without the stay? Day camps run from 8:45 am to 4 pm, Monday through Thursday with prices starting at $125 for a four-day series. Budding golfers, naturists or tennis players will feel like they are at the perfect summer training school, of course with pool time each day.
Mommy and Me
Take out some special time for the girls with a spa get away. Onsite is the relaxing and friendly Spa Minérale. The staff is not only attentive but fun, quickly finding the special way to add to your getaway. Saturdays in the summer are great for wedding watching at the spa. Safely tucked behind privacy glass, you can oohh and aahh at couples tying the knot.
Gone Glamping
A glamorous take on the sleep over and camping trip starts at the Lansdowne Luxury Suites. The Suite Connectors are doubles with balcony views of the property. Have a larger brood? Go Big with a Deluxe Suite with a master bedroom, a spacious living room and dining quarters with table and chairs, a convenient wet bar with sink, counter-space and a fully stocked refrigerator.
Quiet Time for Mom and Dad
The family can get away for weekend quality time, but sometimes the ‘rents need a break too. Sign the kids up for their own Night Out ($40). While you recharge, the kids will enjoy crafts followed by dinner and a movie. Cost is $40 per child.
Have you been to Lansdowne? Tell us your favorite part about the resort in the comments below.
44050 Woodridge Pkwy (Leesburg, Va)
703-729-8400
Online: Lansdowneresort.com
–Sonya Gavankar
Photos: Lansdowne Resort
Sometimes you know your little ones could use some QT in the great outdoors and camping seems like the perfect plan. However, your idea of roughing it is a hotel without room service. Escapism equilibrium is found at El Capitan Canyon, just north of Santa Barbara; a spot where you can beach camp sans bells and whistles but with enough amenities to keep you feeling like it’s still a vacation.
We’re Going Camping?
Call it camping-adjacent. So it may not shock the kids that their parent who doesn’t even like to picnic is suddenly amenable to sleeping on the ground. Because what they don’t know is that from Tom Sawyer to Fancy Nancy, they’ve got accommodations to suit every style. The idea of El Capitan Canyon is to provide just enough conveniences to allow you to experience as much nature as you can stand without cluttering the external wonders with unnecessary artificialities.
You Can Yurt If You Want To
“Roughing it” inevitably carries different definitions for different families, and the whole gamut is made possible here. No shame people, wherever you fall on the spectrum.
If questionable cell service translates into the need for a paper bag and quick short breaths, consider vacating with your crew in one of their cedar cabins. Grouped in Oak and Sycamore grove-nestled villages by the names of Stone Pine, Peace Tree, Lone Stone, and Shaded Creek (who’s breathing better now?), these lodgings come equipped with willow beds and down-style duvets. At highest end, Safari Cabin Suites are decked out with two-bedrooms, a full kitchen, a gas and stove oven, full size fridge. It’s the Four Seasons of the forest.
Think the gang can hang a bit more Tarzan? Safari tents are permanently perched on elevated wooden decks and houses beds queen or double beds. Screened windows and zip-down flaps, with bedside tables and bed linens, a little desk and a storage trunk…so maybe the Tarzan part was pushing it. Still pretty plush by camping standards.
But with The Adventure Yurt, while you’re not sleeping on the ground, it’s still a pretty stellar way to rally the family within a rotunda, comfortably accommodating four. With its lattice walls, raised roof and open domed skylight, these could very well have been Pharrell’s inspiration for that song. You’re living in nature and you didn’t have to figure out how to pitch a tent.
Options Abound
With this many options, one is bound to be ideal for your family. For example, for a family with bigger kids, the loft in the Creekside Queen is slumber party Shangri-La, but if you’ve got tiny tots, the ladder to the top is relaxation kryptonite for nervous parents. Scour the site or give them a buzz and find out what’s best for your brood. They’re great about helping you find the perfect sleeping arrangement for your family’s needs.
Before You Snuggle Up, Surf’s Up
You’re settled into the perfect quarters. It’s not time for s’mores yet. Must be time to hit the beach! Heads up: it’s just a five minute walk to the beach, but in toddler terms it’s a fairly adventurous one. Prepare to walk under one freeway and one train and mind the Poison Oak that grows along part of the trail (that would NOT make for a happy vacation!). Once you see the shore, you’ve arrived, and the fancy footwork proves worth it. Here’s our fair warning #2: This summer Santa Barbara beaches have been dotted with tar, so little suits may pick up a few new polka-dots. Luckily, they think of everything here and beach tar remover is available for purchase at the Canyon Market. Add a little elbow grease and everyone is good as new.
What’s Cookin?
You are! Every cabin, tent or yurt comes with its own private picnic table and fire pit. Not only is nature invited to dinner, it’s staying for s’mores. Picky noshers are smart to load up the cooler beforehand (there’s a Trader Joe’s just a few miles out), but if your definition of “preparing” equates knowing the number of the the nearest take out, nothing to sweat, the on-site Canyon Market & Deli has got your number, and your back. And, paper bag down, you can even check email there.
BYOBs
Bikes. They provide rentals but only for grown-ups. Got scooters? Pack those too, and don’t forget the helmets. They’ve got some great gravel-road declines that make for some wild wheelin’.
Bassinets. (Ok, Pack-n-plays, but we’re going for B words!) If you need one, bring it. They provide cots as requested, but not cribs.
Bags. They’ll come and collect your trash (another camping/glamping differentiation), but it helps if you have something to put it in.
And BBQ stuff. Mini-fridges are in the cabins, so it’s nice to arrive and feel fully stocked. Plus all that fanciful foraging really builds up an appetite.
Off They Go
When you wake refreshed from not sleeping on the hard ground, you’re raring to go. So much exploring, so little time! Sure, there’s a jungle gym, swings and pool, but more exotically the land is laden with woodpeckers, wildlife and flora galore. Watching kids discovering it one hill climb at a time only validates what we already knew. We’ve missed you, Mother Nature. (As long as we sleep on sheets with a high thread count.)
Llama Lllama, Don’t Miss Them Mama
If a guided hike to the feed the llamas and goats is available during your stay, know that this will rank as one of the highlights for your kids. The hike is short and mild, and the farm animals are abundant and hungry. With ocean views and balmy breezes, nobody’s hurrying anybody down the mountain.
Other activities are available seasonally; Saturday Concert Series runs May-September, stargazing guides and much more…You can check the on-line activities calendar before you book to see what’s on tap, when. If the ropes course is happening when you go, it’s a must for little adventurers.
Surrender, City Slickers
The vast pathways and sage streaked strolls are magic for making a Magellan out of every kid—the ability to walk outside and explore is infinitely novel for city born offspring—and enables that unplug you crave.
Camping is available year round, and prices range from $145 (for a Safari Tent in the quiet season)-$795 (for a deluxe Safari Cabin in the summer) per night.
El Capitan Canyon
11560 Calle Real
Santa Barbara
805-685-3887
Online: elcapitancanyon.com
Do you know of another spot that effortlessly fuses camping with lovely amenities (necessities, as some of us call them)? We’d love to get your recommendations for where you can camp without all the work!
—written and photographed by Jolie Loeb
In spite of bulging carry-ons and bags stocked with enough snacks to feed the entire passenger list, every parent knows that when traveling with children the only thing you can expect is the unexpected. While fear of a missing toothbrush or extra socks isn’t enough to keep you up at night, what if your kid lost their special little lovey? When the Steel family realized their baby girl had lost her “Ra Ra,” their vacation was re-routed from Toronto to Heartbreak City.
Thanks to the creative folks at the Toronto Pearson International Airport, Ra Ra’s temporary MIA status went viral among the employees and not only was she recovered, she embarked on an adventure all her own. Check out a few of the photos from the Toronto Pearson’s Facebook page, which documented Ra Ra on her adventure and eventual reunion with her beloved kid.
Photos Courtesy of Toronto Pearson International Airport
And, our favorite: Ra Ra safely returned to the arms of her loving companion.
Photo Courtesy of Facebook User: Jen Heuvelmans Steel
Has your child lost their favorite toy?
—Francesca Katafias
For most of us, 30 days is the shelf life for our lofty New Year’s Resolutions, and right around now is when those commitments to hit the gym or bring more greens to the dining room table are starting to wane. Well, don’t give up yet! We have pulled together a list of local resolution boosters that can help you stick to your healthy commitments all year long, from pre made dinners packed with super foods to an app that encourages kids to make better food choices to a juice cleanse for those of us who would rather not give up eating. Click through for ideas on how to extend those resolutions just a little bit longer—you can do it!
Do you have a secret weapon helping you stick to your resolutions? Tell us in the comments below!
—Erin Feher
All images courtesy of the companies
When it comes to vacationing with kids the goal is simple: you can’t return home needing a vacation from your vacation. Loews Coronado Bay Resort in San Diego was built with this edict in mind. With an activity bag at check-in, Kids Club, sports galore, a dedicated pool and exceptionally dedicated staff, this place knows how to help you make the best of your vacation. And it’s in our backyard, perfect for an end of the year getaway to recover from the holidays.
Holiday Getaway: No Planes, Just Trains or Automobiles
Sure, the whole east coast has a wintry lure, but traveling 3000 miles with a squirmy master of the “are we there yet?” has a way of setting parental developmental clocks back. So stick close to home to recharge this winter, and go over the bridge to sunny Coronado. With a seemingly endless array of outdoor activities, the Loews Coronado Bay sets families up with a vacation canvas to paint any way they choose. Sunset sails? Done. Time to see what Stand Up Paddling is all about? They’ve got that, too. Swimming, cycling, sailing and water-skiing are also mere moments away.
Seashells While You Sign In
At registration, the kids are immediately gifted with activity books and crayons. And while you’re handing all other check-in formalities, don’t be surprised if Loews Legend and Concierge Extraordinaire Gordon Berry keeps the kids entertained with his bevy of beach ball stickers, sea-centric tattoos, or a stash of seashells his dad sent him from Hawaii. All this before you have so much as your room key. You’re getting the lay of the land, they’re already lavished with new loot. And making new friends with the bird in his cool roost.
Ugh. Forgot To Pack The…
Don’t sweat it; you’re not the first. Hence, the “Kids Closet.” What’s inside? The gamut of most frequently forgotten necessities for young families. Toys, books, car seats, strollers, nightlights, potty seats, baby bathtubs, baby blankets…exhale, mama. They saw you coming. And that instantly makes the vacation feel like one.
Kids Club? Or Pottery Barn Kids?
With all its books and blocks and builders and butterflies, The Kids Club is so visually appealing it (almost) makes a grown-up want to stick around and hang there all day. That dollhouse you didn’t buy them but they really wanted? Have at it. That kitchen set that puts your real kitchen set to shame? It’s there, stove to stemware. Pottery Barn Kids fashioned the whole outfit, so think of this as that store where they can touch and play and explore everything. With supervision that refreshingly is not provided by you.
The supervised activities (designed for the 4-12 crowd) have hourly, half day, and full day sessions available and they open up a whole new avenue of family vacating. Read: they can build volcanoes and art and craft to their hearts content, you can indulge in a spa treatment, and everyone reunites refreshed and re-calibrated.
Speaking of Spa-ing
Do not allow this opportunity to slip by. It’s post-holiday. It’s vacation. You deserve a massage now more than ever. At Loews Coronado Sea Spa, the treatments are all indigenous to that big bounty of water right outside, and they honor it with ultra-hydrating properties you’ll get to take with you. All while the kids are making clay turtles and bead bracelets. Behold the true beauty of multi-tasking, when multi-tasking goes on vacation.
A Bicycle Built for Four
Beach cruisers, kids bikes, baby trailers; everything’s at the ready to get a family wheeling by the sea. We recommend a spin on a surrey bike, if you happen to like your exercise with a side of laughter and a fabulous marina view. Truth be told it’s an absurd amount of fun to wheel to Fiddler’s Cove (where the kids can climb on a stationary boat), through town, to the park, and to end up at Silver Strand Beach. And if seaside cycling leaves everyone with a maritime wanderlust, complimentary sailing lessons are available, depending on the season. Other oceanic exploration options include water ski, Jet Ski, kayak, and stand up paddleboard.
The Easy to Reach Beach
If you don’t pedal there, a motorized shuttle service (think golf cart, or People Mover) is available to tote everyone to and from the beach. So that idyllic situation where the beach is minutes away and all you need to grab is sunscreen and the kids? That exists here. Bonus: sugary sand, shells, and sand dollars abound. Not to mention sand dunes that are irresistible for scaling.
But, Will They Eat?
In a word, yup. Behold the joy of dining farm to table fresh in a family friendly sphere. The Market Café strikes that blissful balance of nutrient conscious food without a hint of pretension. Kids menus with books and crayons are present alongside a yellowfin tuna steak for the crayon-free crowd. Or a lobster linguini. And the “Market To Go” situation provides quick snacks for beach days and between meal snacks. Market to Go’s also got your Starbucks at the ready, which is convenient for when your youngest vacationers forget to sleep in. And it’s a 24/7 operation. Kinda like parenthood.
A Vacation That Lives Up To The Title
The staggering bridge that lands you in Coronado, the activity books (and stickers, and shells) at welcome, bikes for four, sails for more, and breakfast buffets that don’t quit—getting a vacation that feels like a real vacation is simply a matter of getting in your car.
Loews Corodano Bay Resort
4000 Coronado Bay Road
San Diego, CA 92118
Phone: 619-424-4000
Online: loewshotels.com/coronado-bay-resort
-written and photographed by Jolie Loeb
Your living room isn’t the only place to play with LEGOs. Across the country, there are attractions, classes, stores, conventions and other hotspots where kids can go bonkers for bricks. From LEGOLAND San Diego to the brand new flagship store in New York to a record-breaking museum in Ohio, we have the dish on the top places in the nation for LEGO activity. Click through our album to find out what’s near you — or where to plan your next vacation!
What are some of the coolest LEGO shops and spots that you’ve visited? Let us know in the Comments below!
— Christal Yuen
