Our family was recently hosted for a stay at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Anaheim Resort Convention Center. Opened in the fall of 2015, this hotel still has the telltale signs of a new property - a modern lobby, sparkling outdoor pools, and updated room decor. At just shy of a mile away from the […]
Before heading to Disneyland, I always research where to eat in the parks. I'm specifically looking for: big portion sizes, healthy options, affordability, and shade (especially important for summer and fall visits). Time and time again, we end up choosing Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante. Located near Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Frontierland in Disneyland, the Mexican […]
Here's something fun for around the dinner table during that first week back to school - and beyond! Pull out a TableTopics cube and see where the conversation takes you. The questions in the "Family" edition are universally appealing for all ages. Examples: "What is your favorite thing to do at recess?" and "Would you […]
Our family was first introduced to ZÜCA carry-all bags seven years ago – and they quickly trumped all other carry-ons in our luggage collection! These smartly-designed, rollable suitcases include usable pockets and slick wheels. As a bonus, the bag actually doubles as a (decently-comfortable) seat. Our almost-10-year-old daughter used the Hanami bag all last year and received compliments in droves. […]
Is a rolling backpack on your to-buy list for back-to-school? Take a peek at the adorable designs offered in the lollipop collection by JWorld NY. The lightweight frame is super easy for younger children to pull around campus and it can also be converted to a backpack at any point. It's also nice that the backpack […]
If you've been following Metropolitan Mama for any length of time, you've probably discovered that our family LOVES road trips. In fact, it's often our preferred mode of travel. We've been to almost all 50 states by car over the last five years...with more trips planned in the coming months! Road-tripping is more affordable, allows […]
Although Sacramento is the capitol of California, few people actually know where it is on the map. To give you a quick refresher, it's in north-central California - approximately 1.5 hours northeast of San Francisco. As an inland city, it doesn't have the beachy vibe of the more famous cities...but it has plenty to offer […]
Located approximately one hour south of Portland along I-5, Salem is the capitol of Oregon and home to approximately 150,000 people. Compared to her sister city up north, Salem is a small town with a far less urban climate. Even so, it has a distinctly Oregon vibe - with a bounty of green trees and […]