Over the last few years, Mike and I have traveled to many beautiful destinations and have been blessed to write about them. We have connected with so many wonderful communities along the way and we have truly been inspired by how communities are coming together during a time of uncertainty.
In times of trial and tribulation, we come together, that’s what we do. I’ve watched my community quickly stand up and overcome fear by showing love and support for one another. During this time Mike and I have tried to reach out to our community partners, across the state of Texas and beyond. I thought I would share a few ways these communities are keeping positive and continuing to bring joy to you while everyone is at home.
Virtual Theaters, Museums, and Music
Take a pause from “Are you still watching?” and spend your extra downtime with the arts. One of our favorite cities, Woodstock, Georgia has brought their entire cultural district and local retailers to you virtually.
The Elm Street Cultural Arts Village presents Helvetica as a digital experience or enjoy Live Music on your private patio (aka your house).
Below are just a few of the faces of Woodstock, Georgia and wonderful people we met during our unforgettable trip to a city that welcomed us with open arms.
Family “Staycation” Idea!
Another community making a big splash in the virtual community is Phoenix, Arizona. Taking all of the museums and even their zoo online, they have created a virtual tour of their city.
Get the kids involved and take a “staycation” to Phoenix Arizona! If you are running out of ideas to entertain your kiddos while they are home from school tryout this educational playtime idea. Here are the steps:
- Turn your living room couch into an airport/airplane.
- Get creative and find easy snacks that your kids can create such as a trail mix or yogurt dipped pretzels.
- Setup a arts and craft station and make paper airplane tickets to Phoenix Arizona. Or maybe make a city passport with each location marked on a map. Once you have watched the virtual tour, simply place a sticker on the location.
- Let the boarding begin, check into your flight (aka couch) and have the tv cued up to take your “staycation” to Phoenix!
Make your first stop at the internationally acclaimed Heard Museum is one of the best places to experience the myriad cultures and art of American Indians of the Southwest.
Next visit Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West, Scottsdale’s only National Historic Landmark, and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Swing by the Arizona Science Center which provides exploration, education, and entertainment for all ages, creating an environment of discovery and investigation.
Finish your trip by going on a digital safari at the Phoenix Zoo/Arizona Center for Nature Conservation.
Small Business Support
From reminiscing about recent travels and finding creative ways to entertain our family, it’s important to consider supporting small businesses. This has always been a priority of mine and more so now than ever. It breaks my heart to see so many people who have worked so hard to now stay relevant during the pandemic. If you know of a small business that you would like to help out, here are a few ideas on how to show love and support during this difficult time:
- Purchase a Gift Card(s)
- Shop Online
- Purchase Curbside To-Go Meals
- Like, Comment and Share their social media posts
- Wrote a business review on google and yelp
