This has long been on my list so glad I was able to strike it off with the current visit. Here's my little rundown of some helpful notes from my visit!

1. The Neon Museum is located away from the strip so you’ll need a ride over.
2. You’ll also want to visit when the weather is cooler – the entirety of the exhibit space is in the outdoors so walking around might be a challenge during the highs of summer.
​3. Though created in the 1990s, the signage here is from the 1930s and after. Although it might appear that all the signs have been randomly dumped in this yard space, there is a method to the madness so read on ...

4. Just ask any of the guides onsite and they will gladly share stories of each of the exhibits. Some of the signs you will recognize right away possibly are those of Moulin Rouge, Sahara Hotel and Hard Rock Café. Others might not be as familiar but are a great addition to the collection documenting the history and technology behind those neon designs.
5. You can tour the space during the day or by night – I’d recommend both if time permits so you can see the lights in their full glory. There’s a little more than two acres and about 200+ signs so you want to give yourself sufficient time.

6. Especially if you are a design or history enthusiast, you may have a few questions to pose to staff there. The space is commonly referred to as the boneyard, considering it started out as a place where signs were retired to after their use was discontinued.
​7. Guided walking tours are available too if you’d like an in-depth visit to the spot. I do wish there was some way to better organize the space, so more signs are approachable to the visitor than having to strain to see them. I am going to guess that requires more space and resources though. 

8. They do allow photo shoots here if you’d like to reserve time for some engagement or wedding photography, this could be a great backdrop. 

I’ve been to only one other neon museum (in Poland) and that was indoors, so this is a different experience for me. Let me know in the comments below if you’ve visited here and your fave signs or if you’ve been to other neon museums in the world?

​If you enjoyed reading this post, then hit that coffee cup at the bottom of your screen to support my work. I pen these articles from my own experiences and share information that might assist in planning a better visit for you. If you liked this post, then check out some of the other Museum Reviews on the site.

Weather gods decided to play party poopers today. Landing into Cancun was through bumpy cloud cover and reasonable downpour, though the greenery from above was a welcome sight. The immigration process was fairly quick but lines were long. Information received later was that sometimes chartered flights arrive at the same time as commercial flights, which if they do, you just need to be ready for the mass exodus of people waiting at the same time for documentation. The transfer to Hotel Fiesta Americana Condesa was convenient via private cab. I was here for the Cancun Travel Mart - appears so were many others!

Arriving at the hotel resembled the grand entrance to the homes in one of those old Bollywood movies where a sure sign of luxury was this never-ending staircase to the top! The entrance at this hotel is huge, up a series of stairs (though you can take the escalator) and welcomed into their reception area to be checked in. The whole process was very relaxed and I couldn’t contain my happiness at the site of beer offered as a welcome drink. Water is an option too. Here’s where they get all your paperwork done – remember to carry your ID and be ready to do some serious autograph giveaways – they do ensure you are aware of all hotel policies before they give you your VIP wristband which you must wear and clearly display during your stay at the hotel. I believe that’s the way they know you are a hotel guest since this is an all-inclusive affair. Your bags are brought over by porters. Walking through the large common areas was fun – having landed in the evening, most folks were already in party mode. A large bar with wraparound seating occupied the center of this open floor plan. Lots of seating options all around and entry to some of their restaurants were accessible here as well. The area opens directly onto the large swimming pool activity center that the entire hotel is built around. I, of course, chose to head to my room to prepare for the evening’s activities.

Champagne and fruit in the room proved a cherished amenity while the winds still roared outdoors. The view of the beach was fantastic and having a balcony area directly overlooking was nice but of no particular importance today as the storm raged on. I especially appreciated the Welcome Home custom decoration on the second bed in the room – made with colored rice grains for the arrival of each guest. Later found out that a team of two is dedicated to just this chore! From the amenities I saw, I appreciated the rooms having a full length mirror and also the personal toiletries. Funny story – While admiring the colorful packaging for the toiletries, I thought they were named Pina Colada, and wondered how fun that was to have pina colada flavored soap and shampoo. Then closer scrutiny proved my eyes had played a trick on me. The brand was Pineda Covalin. But take a look at the picture and you’ll see how I was fooled.

Evening activities included a visit to the newly opened Hotel Live Aqua Beach Resort Cancun for a tour and private meeting with their COO and CCO. The property plays heavily on its proximity to water and the large water attraction in the lobby is one of the signs. The restaurant spaces are spaciously and tastefully designed. One of their restaurants in fact has seven pillars featuring important Mexican personalities – I quickly recognized Carlos Santana but if you visit, try to recognize the others. The hotel opens onto a pool area that is its focal point but it also overlooks the ocean so you could be enjoying a nice time at the infinity pool while the sea is throwing a tantrum – precisely the scene during this visit. The outdoor dining area here offers a few different options but a feature that caught my eye was an ornate wooden door as we headed back inside. The pathway leading after it was almost like a secret hidden garden. Previously an Asian restaurant space, it is now awaiting a decision on its next avatar. 

A look at some of their larger guest rooms had me pining for a tub that fancy – the large sturdy rectangular receptacle rested in the center of the bath area, inviting an audience that refused to leave. Other amenities here included beach bags and slippers. The classic dark brown wood interiors and clean white décor make this a comfortable stay. A champagne reception with the c-suite included a discussion on future plans before we were shown to the launch party held in the largest suite of the hotel – equivalent to a presidential suite or honeymoon suite I would say. The space had its own living and dining area, along with a breakfast bar as well as a private pool/Jacuzzi set-up outdoors. Considering this was at the highest floor, the views were incredible and it certainly showcased the level of privacy one could expect if staying in this part of the property. The evening continued amidst lively banter, overflowing cocktails, passed bites, live DJ and violin performances as well as speeches and fireworks. All guests walked away with a little gift bag containing room slippers looking like rubber duckies – the little yellow duck is a mascot and even the tubs in the hotel were filled with rubber ducks for the occasion – a fun twist to an adult event.

Having visited Portland one other time, this trip was to enjoy the city a tad bit more and possibly in a leisurely manner. For my stay I chose the Jupiter NEXT Hotel, a modern boutique hotel close to the Pearl District. The minimalist décor and large wall murals are a plus. The large lobby area and upstairs coworking space were also great. The sleek design of the furniture was welcome. I liked the location also for it being somewhat central to a few different things I’d be doing during my days here and walkability to restaurants and shops. 

The Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden is a botanical garden where you can enjoy a lovely walk along a lake and woods. Some of the most beautiful rhododendrons and azaleas grow here. It’s a pretty quiet venue and a good spot for some alone time. I didn’t have the time to spare or I’d have brought along a book to read and enjoy with my coffee. You will chance upon ducks and geese, but possibly other species as well.
 
A stop at the Portland Mercado was recommended by some friends and I took note. It’s a neat concept – an open-air market offering Latin American foods and multiple vendors. You can’t miss the building – its colorful and has eye-catching wall murals. The Haitian spot called Mathilde’s Kitchen was my dinner spot and I was not disappointed. Other cuisines available here are Cuban, Oaxacan, Peruvian, Colombian, Venezuelan and Nicaraguan.

Starting out early the next day, my first stop of business was thePortland Art Museum. If you have the time their cute café is worth a stop as is their amazing gift store. The cars exhibit was fantastic and the pieces of historic information enjoyable. I also liked the native American exhibits and was glad to see a substantial portion of the museum dedicated to it. I’d go back to visit if I could. 
 
Across the street is the Oregon Historical Society which has historic exhibits about the state, and a huge collection of resources for the public at their library. I was surprised to spend as much time as I did here not fully knowing what to expect. I hear the exhibits change often so look online for an update on the latest. Whether you are new to the area or have lived here long, its still a good venue to visit.

Took a break for lunch walking over to Chez Dodo for Mauritian food and then walked along to the waterfront to find a spot to eat my samosas, and rice and noodle dishes, which are very similar to Indian food but taste quite different. The flavor of the islands is prominent in the food from this cart and loved by locals. Visit on off hours to beat the crowds. There’s nothing you could eat here and isn’t amazing. 
 
An afternoon walk at Lan Su Chinese Garden was next on the agenda. I’ve been there before and liked it so much that I made time to visit again. This time I also got to enjoy tea at the tea house and a mooncake too while looking out the window over the lakes and the reflection of the building. If time permits, this would be a spot I’d stay in all day. All the flowers and plants are extremely soothing, and to think this is in the heart of the city. 

I skipped the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Portland Japanese Garden, and Oregon Zoo on this visit as I had checked them off my list the last time. Other spots I wanted to head to but simply didn’t have the time included The Grotto, Maritime Museum, Pittock Mansion, Children’s Museum and World Forestry Center Discovery Museum. I am hoping to make time to see those when I visit again. Always open to your recommendations - comment below and let me know other to-do's to add to my list.

About less than an hour’s car drive from the strip in Las Vegas lies this lovely scenic spot that attracts quite the tourist interest from visitors and locals. Per the name you would have guessed that there is red rock all around and this is a great venue for an activity away from the strip. You can go hiking or rock climbing, or simply take a scenic drive for sights around the Mojave Desert. The 13-mile drive has many stops for walks and picnics or overlooks but it is only one way so if you miss a stop, you will have to come back around again. Luckily your fee allows you entry all day so you could totally just be driving around in loops if that is all you’d like to do. 

The best place to start is the visitor center for some exhibits, announcements, useful handouts and other information. The staff will help you with any additional questions and restrooms are located here too. This is in the desert so extreme temperatures are possible – it can get terribly hot in summer and slide to the other extreme in winter. Prepare for the weather with some research ahead. Also, cell phone access might not be possible at all times, especially if yu wander deeper into the canyon for a hike so best inform others of your location and to check on you for your return. 

​I didn’t get to see any, but I’ve heard that wildlife spotting is common and that includes desert hares, tortoises and lizards, and rattlesnakes, scorpions and venomous spiders so be on the lookout and always be aware of your surroundings. If you are here for rock climbing, there are more than 2,000 routes and this is considered one of the top five USA locations for the sport so get ready! Since the majority of this area is sandstone which can turn slippery during rains, we heard staff comment that rainy-day adventures should be avoided, and climbs attempted only after the area has dried. 

Check ahead of your visit about open and close times, any permits required, special provisions due to conditions and any parking details. We went during the day in peak summer, so we primarily stayed indoors and did the scenic drive with some stops for pictures. We did one short easy hike that was just about 30 minutes, but most hikes start at about an hour and a half of time commitment and can go from easy to medium to difficult in terms of how strenuous of an activity it can get. We did a quick picnic at one spot and checked out the visitor center exhibits which are indoor and outdoor. Most folks came prepared for a good day of hiking and rock climbing, and some had even planned pretty elaborate picnics. 

​Something I write on one of the exhibits here I think is a great reminder of how we should treat nature at all times. It reads – Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints. Hope we can practice that always and pass on that message to others as well. If you've visited the area, let me know in the comments below what you did there, or anyrecommendations for future visits. 

My home base for the days of the IMM and NYT events was the New York Manhattan Hotel in Koreatown. Didn’t think much of it when I first booked the spot but boy is the location pretty darn awesome! Right in the middle of a bustling street with Koran BBQ places all around, as well as a few other options so here’s my take 5 on restaurants you can try if you happen to find yourself in the area...

Parker and Quinn
​Just across from the kati roll place is this dinner/cocktail spot. Did not know at that time that it was the signature restaurant at The Refinery Hotel but found out later. Amazing service. Great food – stuck with appetizers but loved everything ordered. Wines paired were perfect. And that dessert in the end – molten chocolate with green tea ice cream – was the bomb!
 
By no means am I claiming these are the best, simply sharing the places I dined at and enjoyed during my trip! Do share if you have any favorites in the area, I’d love to have a handy list for the next time I visit. ​