What is there to do in South Padre Island the week of Christmas for a family?|165833

We have three kids (14,9,2 years old) and are coming to South Padre for Christmas. What are some amazing things we can do that time of year? And what are the good food places?

Well, the beach will still be nice for walking and playing -- the average high is around 69 degrees, so you might not want to be in your swimsuits, but you can still sit quite comfortably and have a picnic!

Other than that, the kids might like the Turtle Rescue Center or the Island Equestrian Center (you can take horse rides along the beach!) There_s also Port Isabel Lighthouse nearby, which could be a fun excursion, and Schlitterbahn Water Park, if it_s a warm enough day.

Have a look at IgoUgo.com_s South Padre Island page -- there are reviews and candid photos on all of the activities I just mentioned above (plus several more).
http://www.igougo.com/attractions-l915-t��


As for food, there are a ton of good places to eat: South Padre Island Brewing Company is popular for burgers, there_s Scampi_s for seafood, and people like the Bayside Bar and Grille and Lost Galleon. You_ll find reviews on these places here:
http://www.igougo.com/dining-l915-South_��


Hope that helps a little -- have a fantastic time!
--Holly

I_ve never been to the Island for Christmas but is a great place to go. I love it there. Hopefully it will be warm enough to enjoy the beach!!!!!!!!
There is a 2 hour dolphin watch your children may enjoy.

What is the cheapest/easiest way to get to Alaska?|122090

I_d like to go up to Homer this coming June, but at least to the southern bit (Ketchikan). We_ll be leaving from Washington state but that, too, is flexible. The marine highway is so expensive, and driving is so far, but I_ve had trouble finding information on trains _ buses. Anyone have any tips? Thanks!

Cheapest commercial way to get to Ketchikan would be either a web special on Alaska Airlines or as a walk-on (no car) passenger on the Alaska Marine Highway System (ferry). There are staterooms on the ferry, but you don_t need to pay for one. People sleep on the deck in sleeping bags in a covered spot called the Solarium.
If you are a good cook or have some other skill to offer, and pay for your own food, you might be able to wander the fisherman_s docks and fishing gear stores in the Seattle/Port Townsend/Anacortes area and see if you can find someone in a fishing boat headed north for the summer that will give you a ride. If you got lucky enough to find a ride all the way to Homer, you would have to withstand some fairly rough water in the Gulf of Alaska, so if you get motion sickness from watching Imax movies, don_t do it.
You could also try to connect with Alaskans attending the University of Washington or other Pacific Northwest schools and see if you can find someone driving north who would give you a ride for the cost of sharing the price of the gas. (try rider boards or craigslist)
If you are a couple of guys, or a woman and man, you could consider hitchhiking. Take a look at the answer I gave a person who wanted to get from Fairbanks to Vancouver on the cheap. The details on crossing the border, etc. are there, just in reverse.
The only trains are between Anchorage to Fairbanks.There is no Greyhound type service to Alaska. If you would like to see train service all the way to Alaska, write our governor and let her know. We_d like to see it, too.

Take the mailboat. Nothing fancy, but inexpensive.

rideshare

Is there any public transportation home from Disneyland on New Years Eve?|121316

I am visiting LA over New Years to go to the Rose Bowl. My girlfriend and I are staying at the Westin Bonaventure Downtown and would like to go to Disneyland for the day on New Years Eve. We will not be renting a car, however, and I was wondering the best way to get there, and more importantly, the best way to get back after midnight if its even possible.

There is direct MTA express bus service between the Bonaventure hotel in Downtown LA and Disneyland on line #460 which picks up along Flower Street between 5th _ 6th every 30 minutes. The last return bus from Disneyland to Downtown LA is at 12:03 AM just after midnight every night! A one way fare is only approx $2.45 and travel time is about 1hr and 15 minutes each way. Good Luck!

Reality check here. I lived in LA and would not think of taking public transportation on NEW YEAR_S Eve. People in LA shoot their guns on New Years Eve. Police won_t even go in some neighborhoods that public transportation goes through on New Years Eve (well, until the shooting stops). When I lived there, on New Years Eve the police stayed under the concrete freeway overpass when people were shooting.

Be realistic. Take public transportation to Disneyland but consider spending a night at the Disneyland Hotel (or another Hotel in the vicinity) on New Years Eve.

Be safe and have a great time!

Yes, rent a car. A cab will cost twice what car rental will cost. There is NO public transport that runs the 35 miles from Anaheim to downtown LA late at night. The last metrolink train from OC to LA is 7:27. If you miss it, you will have to catch the last northbound Amtrak train.

Just so you know, that_s the most crowded day of the year at Disneyland.

My advice: Either stay at a hotel around Disneyland or rent a car. Public transport is not a viable option.

I fully agree. You do not want to be spending 2 hours in the middle of the night making your way back downtown, tired, when you can get there is less than an hour in a car.

Otherwise, take a cab to Union Station. Take the metrolink to the Anaheim station and a cab from there to Disneyland. Same on the way back.

Arrange the cabs with the concierge as LA does not allow flagging cabs.

You_ll be sorry! No, not the trip or the Rose Bowl, Benn there, done that and loved it. RENT A CAR. It is a must in L.A.

I lived there 31 years. Believe me, rent the damn car.