Amusement & Entertainment

12 Best Open-Air Amphitheaters for Live Music and Entertainment

Some venues just hit different when the roof is the sky. You can feel it the moment the lights dim, the breeze kicks up, and a first chord bounces off rock walls, pine forests, or a sparkling lake. As an obsessive planner who also loves a little chaos (hello, surprise encore), I’ve learned that the...

Surviving a Theme Park Heat Wave

Summer at an outdoor theme park is a special kind of joy: sunscreen-scented air, churros before noon, and that first big drop that makes you forget your inbox exists. It is also a special kind of hot . Like, “why is the pavement hugging my ankles” hot. I grew up doing Orlando summers the hard way...

About Chloe Jenkins

Hi, I’m Chloe Jenkins, and I’m so happy you’re here. If you’ve ever mapped a day around the best snack stand, timed a ride queue down to the minute, or detoured for a “quick stop” that turned into the highlight of your trip, we’re already friends. I grew up just outside Orlando, Florida, so...

Maximize Your Day at Interactive Science Museums

Large interactive science museums are basically theme parks in lab-coat form. They are loud, hands-on, curiosity-fueled, and easy to underestimate. I have watched families spend the first hour wandering in circles, then panic-sprint to a planetarium show they did not book, then end the day in the...

Perfect Family Water Park Day

I grew up near Orlando, which basically means I was raised in flip-flops with a season pass. Water parks can be the best kind of family chaos, but they also have a special talent for little logistical surprises: lockers, towel rules, height requirements, and the moment you realize you packed...

A Beginner’s Guide to a Budget Casino Weekend

I grew up close enough to Orlando that “weekend getaway” meant hunting for the best value: the right dates, the right bundle, and the right little perks that made a trip feel fancy without the fancy price tag. Casino resorts can have the same vibe. They can be surprisingly affordable if you plan...

Beat Your First Escape Room

I grew up close enough to Orlando that “line management” felt like a life skill, and I spent years in hospitality planning events where minutes mattered. Escape rooms scratch that same itch: high-energy fun, tight timelines, and the satisfaction of watching a plan actually work. The best part is...

Mega-Mall Entertainment Game Plan

I grew up treating big indoor complexes like their own little cities, the kind where you can ride a coaster, watch a movie, try three cuisines before dinner, and still have energy for dessert. But mega-malls can also humble even the most confident planner. One wrong entrance and you are...

Modern Bar Arcades vs. Family Fun Centers

There are two kinds of “let’s go play games” nights. One starts with craft cocktails and ends with a neon-lit Mario Kart rematch that gets way too competitive. The other starts with a birthday wristband, a slice of pizza, and a kid proudly carrying 1,200 tickets like they just won the lottery. Both...

Skip the Lines Without Paying Extra

I grew up close enough to Orlando that “normal errands” sometimes included a surprise lap around a theme park. That also means I have spent an unreasonable chunk of my life watching standby lines crawl. The good news is you can absolutely shave hours off your day without buying an expensive paid...

Interactive Zoos vs. Drive-Through Safaris

If you have ever stared at two tabs on your phone, one for a classic zoo and one for a drive-through safari, and thought, “Why is this decision weirdly complicated?” welcome. Both are fantastic ways to spend a day with animals. They just shine in different ways. As an obsessive planner (and a...