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jay-and-dean · 4 years

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Firefly Chapter 7 : Eighteen and twenty-eight years old

By Roonyxx and Jay-and-dean

Pairings : future Dean x reader ?

Summary : 40 years in Hell, but he didn’t spend all this time all alone, he had her.

Prepare to know what happened during those years Dean never talks about. To immerge yourself in Hell, only lit by the mysterious kid growing here…

And to see some of your favorite villains again : Crowley, Lilith, Lucifer… And also Sammy and Jack…

Serie Warnings : Hurt!Dean, Hell (torture, even if we tried to not give it graphic descriptions, creepy demons, blood, violence), swearing, angst, future fluff and smut.

This story is in both Reader’s POV and Dean’s POV

Wordcount : 4330

Note : This is our second collaboration. We can’t both edit the same post, so we decided we would post 1 chapter/2 each, like we did for Same.

We both worked as much on this story and it’s the result of both our brains but also both our hearts.

Please, if you want to show love for this story, don’t forget we were together in this.

This story will be around 10 chapters and we intend to edit it every Saturday if nothing delays it.

Firefly Chapter 1

Firefly Chapter 2

Firefly Chapter 3

Firefly Chapter 4

Firefly Chapter 5

Firefly Chapter 6

Jay’s Masterlist

Roonyxx Masterlist

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She wasn’t moving at all. Sitting on the bench in the middle of this ocean of life, she watched people walk by. The sun had gone down now, after moving from building to building, making giant shadows change the whole city constantly.

She was overwhelmed, unable to move at all. Her eyes were drinking the world like new born baby’s ones. None of her muscles moved for hours, her fists clinging at her dress, her heart bleeding in silence for Dean.

A few people stopped to ask her if she was okay, but she couldn’t answer, her voice locked in her lungs…

But she finally got up.

After days of hiding in alleys, and walking on boulevards, escaping weird men yelling at her in the dark of night… It started to rain. A heavy, pouring storm rain that made her dress heavy and washed the dust out of her. And that warm loud summer rain somehow woke her from her torpor.

She had to live, and learn everything about life because that’s what Dean wanted for her… But Dean wasn’t here, and he will never be. So she came back to that bench, soaked and shaking, and started to cry for him. She had to be happy for the man she loved, and couldn’t without him…

Her tears only calmed with the rain that day. And even when her eyes stopped crying, her heart never stopped weeping for Dean a single second.

Not when she got up from that bench to find a map of the city on the subway station, not when she found clothes, and ripped that stupid dress of her body… It was still weeping when she first found people in the street and asked her where to find food. It was screaming inside her during her first night in a foster home for homeless people… When she fought for the first time to escape men again.

Her heart was weeping for Dean the first time she laughed, seeing cartoons in a TV store front, when she found out about drugs and abuse, cheating, wealth... when she started to be hungry, when she fell of exhaustion in an alley…

And even if her eyes stayed dry, her soul kept crying when the demons attacked.

Lilith had sent them after her as soon as the Queen noticed Y/n was no longer in Hell. She was hiding in an abandoned building when dozens of demons attacked her, she fought with teeth and nails to get them off and she won, but that wasn’t the end… Lilith kept sending more minions and, exhausted but determined to live, Y/n had only one option left.

She faked her own death. With the help of her powers and some research in the nearby library and in the maze of knowledge she had memorized over the years, she tricked the demons into believing she was dead, and used a certain pattern of sigils to hide herself, cloaked from every supernatural being.

Finally she was free.

So things went easier. After a little while, she met her own little angel : Sue. An older lady who offered Y/n shelter when she caught her dumpster diving her diner. Sue found Y/n a little odd at first, everyone thought that of her, but just as with every person Y/n had met on her way, Sue liked the happy girl she always seemed to be, enthusiastic about the very simpler things ; so she offered Y/n a job as a waitress in her diner.

_____________

Y/n’s window was rolled down as the loud music blasted through the speakers of her raven black 1967 Ford Mustang as she drove to work, still the same job at Sue’s diner. And she was smiling wide on her way, because she loved every single thing about this job.

She parked her car in the lot and made her way inside to take her light blue apron.

“Morning Y/n! How are you doing today sweetie ?” Sue asked.

“You know, same old same old.” Y/N shrugged.

Tying her apron on her, Y/n smiled kindly. She looked so different from what Dean had known, and hopefully different enough so no demon passing by ever recognized her. Her hair was tied together and no longer falling on a waterfall in her back. No more fancy dresses but only jeans and all the t-shirts she liked, with rock bands on it, or her favorite movies posters...

Sue sighed and put her hand on Y/n’s shoulder.

“Are you still working on freeing Prince Charming ?” she asked Y/n with an apologetic smile.

“Yes, I promised I would get him out and I won’t stop until he is” she said determinedly.

When Sue had just found Y/n she kindly offered her to stay at her house until she could get on her own feet. Y/n dreamed a lot about Dean, some dreams worse than the others, so after the third night of her guest screaming Dean’s name, Sue had asked her who he was. Y/n couldn’t tell her everything so she said he was the love of her life and was wrongly imprisoned, and that she had promised to get him out.

“He’s a very lucky guy to have you, Y/n” Sue told her.

“Yeah, I just… I miss him so much…” Y/n said as she made the last knot on her apron.

“I know sweetie, but if you truly love him, he’ll come back, just wait and see” she smiled with that protective expression she always had when it came to her protégée, even if she seemed sometimes perplexed about all those stories she told.

She gave her her note book to write down the orders.

“Yeah I hope so” Y/n clicked on her pen and made her way into the diner to take up the orders of all the customers.

It was a quiet day, she loved this little diner, the food was amazing and it even had a little jukebox she often used. It had given her a shelter, money to live, but also an identity and friends. A life.

Her smile faded like it did sometimes, Dean would have loved this diner too… She thought back to all the things she discovered on Earth.

She did everything Dean had told her about : She went to the movie theater, she learned how to drive (thanks to Sue), she had a date or four, went to a party, she got drunk a few times. She danced alone and with others, kissed a girl and travelled a little. Her appetite for life was never ending, so she had driven to the ocean and dived, she had smoked weird things once and ran in the forest, she had woke in the middle of the night to go buy ice-cream, she had sang in the shower and stayed home for an entire weekend crying while watching bad tv shows… And she even lost her virginity to a sweet boy. But nothing could get her mind off Dean, calm her weeping heart or divert her from her goal.

Every night she looked up at the stars and imagined him by her side, she could use her power to create an image of him that existed out of a million little stars, well more like a million little fireflies.

A lot of time had passed since she last saw him, her heart broke at the thought of him down there for so long. He must have forgotten her by now, if his soul even survived those many years.

A throat being cleared pulled her from her daydreaming. She turned to find a man smiling at her.

“Oh my apologies, what can I get you, sir ?” she asked the man, there was something unpleasant about him, he had dirty blonde hair and she didn’t like the way his blue eyes were traveling her up and down.

“Are you on the menu ?” he asked her with a sly smile.

Y/n sighed deep, why were a lot of men on Earth such… pigs ?

“No sorry, I was just joking” the man began. “I’ll take a coffee with some pancakes.”

Y/n wrote his order down and left with a forced smile.

He was the only customer today so Y/n handed the paper to Sue so she could make it and sat down at the little bar. She was watching the man in the mirror that hung on the other side of the counter. She couldn’t shake the eerie feeling she got from the man, he looked normal, but she could feel something… something powerful radiating off him.

The bell pulled Y/n out of her haze as she took the coffee and pancake to the man.

“Here you go sir, enjoy your meal” Y/n said as she dropped the food at his table.

“Thank you.”

She was starting to leave when his voice stopped her.

“Can I ask you a question, miss ?” he asked as he took a bite from the pancake.

“Yeah, of course” Y/n shrugged.

“You haven’t been here for long have you ?” he said as he looked at her.

“Uhm no, not very long. Are you from around here ?” Y/n asked, he was just a normal guy, it was impossible for anyone to find her anyway.

“Oh no not at all. But i didn’t mean this diner...” he kept on eating nonchalantly, he swallowed. “I meant Earth.”

Y/n’s eyes went wide, she turned and ran towards the exit only to bump into the man who was just sitting at the table behind her half a second ago.

“Who are you” Y/n asked as she stepped back from him

A deep sigh left his mouth.

“It hurts me that you even have to ask that, Y/n” he blinked and his irises turned to a fiery red.

Y/n ran towards the kitchen to get Sue. She pulled open the door and shrieked as her dear friend fell on her with her eyes burned out.

Dead.

“No ! Sue !” Y/n started shaking, cupping her friend’s face. “WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER ?” Y/n screamed to the man walking in casually.

“She put too much milk in my coffee, so I ended her” he shrugged nonchalantly.

Y/n stood up, her eyes a flare as she widened her arms to unleash her powers. Two fiery tentacles wrapped around the man’s legs.

“You’ll regret this” she said, her voice sounding like a thousand people at once.

The man gave her a sly smirk and snapped his fingers, her powers stopped immediately. She thrusted her hands forward to him, but nothing happened. Fear shone in her eyes as she looked at him in disbelief.

“It’s time we should head home, Y/n” he stepped closer to her, his fingers tilting up her chin.

“We have a family to start” he whispered against her lips with a dark chuckle.

“L-Lucifer” she gasped.

His arms wrapped tight around her and before she could blink she was back in Hell.

The suffocating smell of sulfur and blood made her cough, her whole body started to shake as she started to desperately gasp for air, her lungs crushed by the most powerful anxiety she ever felt. Her arms reached to her enemy in a pleading scratch, like he was strangling her…

“Home sweet home, baby” he cruelly cooed in her ear, his breath heavy on her skin.

She pried her arms between them to push out of his embrace. He chuckled as he let her go and she fell backwards, scrambling away from him.

“Stay away from me!” she finally managed to yell at him, her eyes flaring back to life as she was losing control over her powers.

He tilted his head at her as he watched her, his steps following her every move.

“You are such a pretty thing, I see some potential too. But I was told you were,” he hummed in thought “a pain in the ass. And I’m starting to see why.”

Her eyes were scanning everything, the bloody walls, the frozen air all around her, the never ending screams, the smell of fear and fire.

No she couldn’t be back in Hell…

With a turn of his wrist she was lifted up in the air, she tried to fight his power, but he was too strong… She couldn’t take on the Lord of Hell…

“Y/n, I’m only going to tell you that only once : You will obey and be helpful” he said with every step until he stood nose to nose with her, his eyes drinking her in.

She gave him a sweet smile before she spat in his face.

“Never” she told him.

His hand came up to wipe her spit away, he licked his hand clean, humming at her taste.

“As you wish, Y/n. Then my little slave needs chains...” he sneered.

Iron ropes wrapped around her as soon as the word left his lips, they burned into her flesh making her scream in pain. She fell heavy to the ground at his feet.

“For eternity” he finished as he sat down on his throne.

“No p-please, no chains… everything but chains” she begged him.

“Oh no baby, I know what you used to do when you’re set loose, but forget about that, he isn’t here anyway, no reason to go wandering. Jeal told me all about you and your little lover.” he said as he crossed his legs over each other.

“H-he isn’t ? H-How” she asked, suddenly able to ignore the pain of the iron digging in her flesh.

How was that possible ?

“He got out, Heaven’s plans. Now stop asking or I’ll gag you too” he sighed, looking at her. “I’ll make you your own little cage, like they did for me. No way you’ll get away from this one. And don’t think your daddy will help, he still thinks you’re dead. Everyone does.”

She whimpered in silence, only one thought on her mind. He was free…

Dean Winchester was alive.

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Dean’s Pov

Dean woke up in a little painful whine, he opened his eyes and wiped the sweat off his face and neck, watching the ceiling, trying to focus on the contour of his body, the sheets and the pillow. He took a deep breath to calm his heaving chest.

Another nightmare.

And this one wasn’t the violent surviving of Purgatory, it wasn’t the burning guilt of old fights with John, the crushing pain of seeing Sam die ; it wasn’t the despair of losing Mary again, the disturbing memories of being a demon… It was the worst : Hell.

And among the worst, the tortures and the screams, tonight’s nightmare had to be about the cruellest idea demons ever came up with : fake hope.

In his dream, he was laying on the floor of his cell, barely able to breath because of the blood drowning his lungs, and he felt her hand, her tiny soft fingers wrapped around his wrist to ease his panic. She whispered sweet things to him but when he lifted his eyes to see her face, only Alastair was there, laughing loud and sharpening knives.

Dean stretched and shook his head, like he could get rid of those memories like that. He couldn’t let nightmares get to him, and he couldn’t let his past crush him.

With his guts still aching from the dream, he forced himself to get up. Staying in bed only made the memories clearer, and the trauma cut deeper. He knew only another hunt could ease the pain.

Maybe, just maybe, if he saved enough people, he would finally expiate.

The bunker was silent, even Sam was still sleeping so early in the morning. Walking to the kitchen, he frowned : His knee was still hurting and the bruises on his face and collarbones too.

Damn demon.

He turned to enter the kitchen and jumped a little.

“Hi Dean, sorry I scared you” Jack said, looking up from his bowl of cereal, his big eyes going to the hunter’s wounds quickly. “How are you ?”

“I’m fine. What are you doing up so early ?” Dean grunted, going straight to the coffee in his long grey robe.

“I have trouble sleeping lately” the boy answered, frowning in confusion like he often did.

“Try whiskey” Dean muttered low in a sleepy grunt.

“Alcohol is really not a solution to my problem I think” Jack turned to him, even more confused.

“I was kidding” he sighed, sitting in front of the young boy.

Sometimes Jack really was Castiel’s son…

The hunter scratched his scruff and took the cereal to plunge his hand in the box, eating some while reading the joke behind it.

“I hear a voice in my head” Jack sighed.

Dean looked up, ready to make a mocking joke but he noticed a genuine worry on the boy’s face.

“A voice ?”

“Yes” Jack searched Dean’s face. “At first I thought maybe I overheard something on the angel radio, but… It seems different.”

“What does it say ?”

“I don’t really understand it” Jack shrugged.

“Understand what ?” Sam asked, scratching his head while entering the room with his hair in every direction and the left side of his face still swollen and bruised. “Wow, everyone is up early this morning ! What am I missing ?”

“Jack says he hears a voice” Dean repeated, getting up to get coffee now it was ready. “But he doesn’t know where it comes from or what it says” he groaned slightly.

Please don’t let that be bad news again…

Dean sat heavily, rubbing his tired eyes while his brother interrogated Jack. How long had he been hearing the voices, were there several, was it constant… The boy only had a very few answers.

“We need to find where it comes from, Dean” Sam states, making his brother grunt again in his coffee mug.

That didn’t sound like a good old fight and kill hunt, it sounded like trouble.

_____________________

Dean pushed the heavy metal door and went down the stairs, overhearing his brother, Jack and Castiel talking in the library.

Reaching them, he almost threw the bag on the wooden table, not daring to ask any question seeing the three too serious faces looking at him.

“I guess no good news” he mumbled deep in his throat looking down to grab a beer from the bag.

“Dean” Castiel started with his worried voice, making the hunter look instantly slightly annoyed. “The voice comes from Hell.”

“Hell” Dean repeated casually, taking a sip of beer to wash the word from his mouth. “There are a lot of voices in Hell, it’s pretty loud down there.”

When his eyes fell on Sam, a shiver roamed his back. He had the face, Dean hated that face, the “you’re not going to like it” face. So he put his beer down on the table and sighed.

“What is it ?” he finally asked.

“The voice, Dean” Jack said. “It’s calling you.”

“Me” Dean’s eyes widened. “There can be another dude named Dean in Hell !”

“Dean…” Sam sighed. “Who could be calling you ?”

Dean’s first thought went to Bobby. They had freed him from Hell a few years ago, he was supposed to be in Heaven, and Crowley had decided differently… Maybe someone they lost ? An innocent locked in Hell by mistake ? But Rowena was on the throne now… Would she do that ?

“How can you hear a voice coming from Hell ?” he shook his head. “Do you hear them all ?”

“No” Jack said. “Only this one.”

Dean sat and took a deep breath, realizing this would mean that he would have to visit Hell... again. After those break in, the nightmares were always worse, and last time he had to deal with a panic attack in the shower.

“Okay” he stated. “What is the plan ? And how do we know it’s not a trap ?”

_____________________

“So your plan…” Rowena frowned from her throne, her long dress nonchalantly falling on the floor. “Is letting the boy follow a voice like a dog on a leash ?”

Dean’s face was stern, his arms tense, his heart a little compressed in his chest.

Each time he smelled that horrible sulfur mixed with blood smell, it was like he could feel the chains and the needles and hear Alastair’s voice all over again. Then he had two choices in his mind : Either he accepted it, and stayed with the demon’s croaky voice in his head for days, or focused on what had made him hold on for years back then : the secret girl’s soft touches ; but then the fear was replaced by the crushing feeling of despair and sadness, at knowing he had been fooled that bad, into believing innocence exited.

“More or less” his brother answered. “Rowena, you have to admit it’s something new… And if there are leaks in Hell…”

“Yeah yeah…” the witch sighed. “But don’t come crying when your little baby angel comes back traumatized. This is not a place for kids.”

Oh the irony.

“It’s not there” Jack cut them with a frown, looking around.

“What do you mean it’s not there ?” Dean grunted. “You were sure it came from Hell !”

“It does…” the boy stated. “Just deeper.”

“Deeper ?” Sam shook his head, but turned to Rowena, immediately trusting Jack as always. “Is there a basement in Hell ?”

“A basement ? Hell is a multi-dimensional…”

“Answer him” Dean cut her, losing patience.

Rowena got up and demons entered the room. She gave orders about getting the records, about the cage, and all. After a few very long minutes, a demon in an old man vessel came closer to the Queen, whispering something in her ear.

“Oh really ?” Rowena said. “Why am I not aware of all this ?”

“Because they’re all empty, your Majesty” the demon shrugged.

“What is ?” Sam insisted with a flustered move of his hands.

Rowena sat again.

“There are cages, like the one that held Lucifer once. Smaller ones, but for all we know, they are all empty.”

“For all you know ?” Dean raised his voice a little.

“No one uses them” Rowena shrugged.

“They held an angel during the war between Heaven and Hell” the demon spoke, his voice shaking a little, obviously uneasy in front of the Winchesters. “I-in the dawn of time, but the angel was killed by Lucifer before Michael locked him in the cage… We kinda forgot where they were.”

“Take us to them” Jack ordered Rowena with this frown of his.

Rowena looked to the demon that didn’t move, his eyes on Dean, like the hunter could suddenly decide to kill all of them.

“Merihem, take us to those cages” Rowena called him. “Chop chop.”

____________________

The light of Hell’s fire didn’t reach that deep in the pit, like the sun in the deepest ocean.

Dean was holding the torch like it was his lifeline in this vertiginous nightmare of deafening silence. Everything was threateningly pitch black, a perfect representation of the fear of dark, a big cold lonely nothingness… With stairs in the middle.

“I didn’t know there was anything deeper than Lucifer’s cage” the Queen’s voice echoed weirdly in the void.

Suddenly, the stairs stopped and Dean banged into metal bars. He lifted his torch to see what was behind it, but the cage was empty.

“It’s here” Jack whispered. “I can feel it.”

Sam opened the empty cage, his arm hair ruffling at the touch of the same metal that held his soul for so long.

“Nothing” he said, holding back his own trauma probably as hard as Dean did.

“Dean…” a weak voice made them all jump, coming from the dark.

“Who is this ?” the hunter grunted, taking a few unsure steps to the next cage, firmly holding his torch in front of him with an almost trembling arm.

“Dean…” the voice now whined.

Sam put his hand on his brother’s shoulder to make him wait for him. They looked at each other, using silent words and joining their flames to fight the pitch black ahead of them.

Even used to all kinds of nightmares, Dean wasn’t so reassured in the deepest of Hell, called by a weak and plaintive voice coming from the darkest of darks.

Something moved in the cage in a deafening metal noise, a shadow fleeing the light. The brothers both let out a shaky breath, moving closer with the demon and Rowena way behind them.

Dean swallowed, finally distinguishing a body, hunched in the opposite corner of the cage, shaking. Extremely long hair was falling around the pitiful form, chained heavily even inside the cage.

“Who are you ?” he asked again. “You’re calling me, why ?”

No answer.

“Who is this ?” Sam turned to the demon that had guided them.

“I-I have no idea” it answered. “No one came here in years !”

“Dean ?” the voice seemed to struggle thinking straight.

“Jeez” Sam muttered. “For how long has she been there ?”

She ? Dean thought, realizing now it was indeed a woman, her thin delicate hands were clinging to the floor.

His heart was racing in his chest, from being in Hell, from the fear of what he would find, and from something else, something confusing, like an emotion flying in the air around him.

The girl finally lifted her face to them, teary eyes frowned at the light of the flame, her shaking hand open in front of her to soften the burning of the torch.

Dean felt hit violently in the chest, his breathing stopped in a strangled gasp as everything he certainly knew started to crumble in the back of his mind. He opened his mouth but nothing came out… After swallowing twice, he finally managed to speak.

“Firefly ?”

Next Chapter on @roonyxx‘s blog

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pocket-luv101 · 4 years

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Across Time || Chapter 23

Fandom: Servamp Ships: KuroMahi (main), LawLicht (side) Characters: Kuro, Mahiru, Hyde, Licht

Summary: Mahiru falls into a well and is taken to a new, fantasy world. He comes across a half-blooded cat demon trapped in a tree. After he frees Kuro, he helps him collect the shards of the sacred jewel. (KuroMahi, InuYasha AU)

Ch.1 || Ch.2 || Ch.3 || Ch.4 || Ch.5 || Ch.6 || Ch.7 || Ch.8 || Ch.9 || Ch.10 || Ch.11 || Ch.12 || Ch.13 || Ch.14 || Ch.15 || Ch.16 || Ch.17 || Ch.18 || Ch.19 || Ch.20 || Ch.21 || Ch.22 || (Ch.23) ||

“It was great to see you again, Uncle Toru. I’m sorry that I wasn’t able to come back as often as I said I would. There were a lot more complication than I thought there would be. I have so much to tell you.” Mahiru sat with his uncle at the table with a cup of tea. He didn’t want to leave without speaking with him briefly. His uncle would likely be confused if he woke up to find his cupboard of instant ramen emptied. “Two people have joined us to help collect the jewel shards. They’re good people even if they’re unconventional.”

Mahiru told him about the demons they fought. He tried to keep the more dangerous battles vague so his uncle wouldn’t be overwhelmed and worry about him. “You said there was a version of me in the past. Are you able to speak with your mother too? She died when you were young. It must’ve been difficult for you to get closure since you weren’t able to say goodbye then. You must’ve had a lot of questions for her.”

“Mother has already passed away in that era. Even if she was alive, I wouldn’t be able to ask her the questions I had when I was a kid. Your appearances may be the same but you’re different people.” Mahiru tried to keep his disappointment from showing but he wore a tiny frown. When he saw the concern in his uncle’s eyes, he quickly added: “It’s doesn’t bother me. I’m an adult now.”

“You might think I’m being unreasonable. I know you’re strong and all grown up. I can’t help but worry about you running into fights with demons though.” He had adopted him after his mother’s death and raised him as if he was his own son. Toru took out a photo from his wallet and held it out to Mahiru. “I promised your mother I would take care of you.”

“You don’t have to worry, Uncle. I have Kuro with me and we’ve made a lot of friends on our journey. You’re there to help me in the edo period as well. I’d like to think I inherited my archery skills from you. One of these days, I need to show you how well I can shoot now.” Mahiru reassured him. He looked down at the photo of his mother holding a young toddler.

“It sounds like you’ve gotten a lot closer to Kuro.” Toru glanced to where Kuro was sitting on the couch and glaring at the roomba. His behaviour was like a cat and the sight caused Mahiru to chuckle softly. “I hope he’s more intimidating to other demons than he is with our roomba.”

“He saved me more times than I can count. Kuro is a pacifist but he’ll fight to defend the people he cares for. It’s a trait that I admire.” Mahiru took a sip of his tea. Kuro offered to wait in the living room so he could have time alone with his uncle. He was being considerate and his kindness made Mahiru smile. “We’ve started dating but we haven’t had a chance to go out on a proper date. Maybe after this is over.”

“What are you planning to do once you’ve completed your task?” He asked but Mahiru couldn’t answer him because he didn’t have an answer. Kuro had become important to him and Mahiru couldn’t simply go back to his old life without him. Then again, it would be complicated to go back and forth between their two eras. He hadn’t been able to give it much thought since he had to worry about other things.

“Well, it would be nice to take Kuro a movie theater. I want to see what kind of reaction he would have to it.” Mahiru looked down at the photo and thought over his uncle’s words. His eyes widened when he noticed a small detail in the picture. “This necklace! It’s the same as the one in Misono’s vision and the secret to defeating him. Uncle, do you know what this necklace is?”

His outburst caught Kuro’s attention and he walked into the kitchen. They were both a little confused when Toru fell silent. A furrow formed between his uncle’s brows when Mahiru pointed to the necklace. “That red pendent? But that’s…”

“Misono said that it could be the key to defeating the spider demon. I don’t know if it’s the same one but they’re remarkably similar. I was going to ask the Toru of the past about it but this might be it. Do you still have the necklace, Uncle?” Mahiru asked. He didn’t know why his father would be secretive about the necklace. “It might not be the same but I want to check.”

Toru let out a heavy sigh and walked to the living room. They followed him to the memorial they had built for his mother. He opened a drawer and pulled out the necklace. “Your father gave your mother this necklace. He said that it was a family heirloom. She never wore it when they dated but, after you were born, she wore it every day.”

“It’s beautiful.” Mahiru took the necklace into his palm. “The pendent is shaped like an arrowhead but it looks fragile. What is it made of?”

“I always thought that it was simple silver and gold like most jewellery.” He answered. Kuro leaned over Mahiru’s shoulder to study the pendent. He didn’t find anything strange or unique about it. He wasn’t the most knowledgeable about artifacts and sacred items. Hopefully, someone will recognize it when they take it back to the past with them.

“This belonged to my father before he gave it to Mom?” He stared into the red pendent. Mahiru rarely thought of his father but there were still questions he had. He met his uncle in the past and he knew his mother also lived in that time. Could he meet his father as well?

“This is a phoenix amber.” Licht told them when they returned and showed him the necklace. He held it up to the sun and the translucent stone refracted the rays. “There are small nicks on the stone so someone shaped it into a triangle rather than forming naturally. Phoenix amber holds magical properties but we rarely use it in weapons. Mahiru, can I see that arrow you made with the tree?”

Mahiru didn’t know what he intended to do but he passed him the arrow. He broke off the stone arrowhead and then tied the pendent to the tip. “I don’t know as much about making weapons as my friend but he told me a lot about sacred stones. Shot a demon with this phoenix amber and they’ll be consumed by flames.”

“The Thousand Years Old Tree can manipulate time. What will happen if those two abilities are combined?” Mahiru asked as he took the arrow back from him. He rolled the wooden shaft between his fingers. “This can be the weapon that Misono told us about but I don’t know. In the memory, she simply wore it as a necklace. Should we go back to the inn to speak with Misono about it?”

“I think it’s best if we avoid Touma and people connected to him until we’re strong enough to fight him. That means we can’t kick every demon we pass, Angel Cakes.” Hyde said pointedly to the demon slayer. For his comment, Licht shoved him off Kirara’s back and lightly nudged it forward. “Hey, don’t leave me behind!”

“I don’t know why Kirara let you ride her.” Licht glared at him. He had to question why he let the demon sit behind him. He told himself that the journey would be more difficult if Hyde had to walk. Kirira turned around and licked Hyde’s hair. He was surprised by how attached his pet had become to the oni since he had trained it to fight demons.

“Can we go a mile without you two fighting? We won’t buy snacks at the next stop if you two don’t behave.” Mahiru warned them and waved the arrow at them. He replaced the sacred arrow into his quiver and tucked it into a hidden pocket. He knew he had to use the arrow sparingly. “I sense a shard ahead of us. What’s in that direction, Kuro?”

He glanced over his shoulder to Kuro who had a map. Instead of reading the map, Kuro sniffed the air. “I smell salt water. We’re approaching the sea. I hope a sea demon doesn’t have the jewel since none of us can fight well in the water. Hyde, you said that there was an island we should visit. Is it nearby?”

“It’s close to the coast so we’ll be able to get a jewel shard and the ability to break a barrier at the same time. Our luck might be improving finally.” Hyde told them as he climbed back onto Kirara. “Misono said Touma has a barrier around his castle. I don’t know how much we can trust that mirror demon but Touma is the type of spider who keeps himself hidden behind a barrier while other does his work. During my travels, I heard of an island of bat demons who can create barriers.”

“They’re the guardians of a remote island. My family visited their nest once but we decided not to kill them. The bats are peaceful and they stay on their land.” Licht recalled. “They have the ability to create and manipulate barriers but I doubt they’ll teach us how to break them. None of us has the same powers as a bat demon.”

“The tessaiga does.” Hyde words confused Mahiru and Licht.

On the other hand, Kuro lowered his foot to the ground and forced the bike to a stop. “No.”

Tension thickened the air around them as Mahiru looked between the brothers. He didn’t know why Hyde’s suggestion was upsetting to Kuro. It was rare that Kuro became angry or argued with others. The brothers were mending the past rift between them and Mahiru didn’t want them to fight again. Kuro rarely used the sword after he used it to stop his father.

Mahiru tried to reason with Hyde. “I know the tessaiga is strong but it’s made from a nekomata’s fang. How can it use a technique only bat demons know?”

“The tessaiga has the ability to absorb its wielder power to become stronger. You have seen it, Mahiru. Kuro can use shadow and ash with the tessaiga but Tsubaki turns the blade red with blood. For me, the tesssaiga becomes gold and it can create spikes.” Hyde explained.

“So, the tessaiga will gain the ability to control barriers if a demon bat holds it. I don’t think we should give the sword to a stranger though. Kuro’s mother made it.” Mahiru understood why Kuro wouldn’t agree with Hyde’s plan. He stayed silent behind him and Mahiru placed a comforting hand on his back. He could feel how stiff he was beneath his palm.

“I wasn’t suggesting that.” Hyde corrected him. “As you know, the tessaiga will always revert back to a dull blade once we stop fighting. Our father found a way to permanently use a demon’s unique power. Tessaiga’s wielder must kill a demon and let the blade absorb their blood. I don’t like the thought of killing someone either but we’ll be able to save more lives by defeating Touma.”

“No.” Kuro repeated firmly. Before he met Mahiru, he never thought he would use the sword again and sealed it away. Then Mahiru showed him that he could use the power to protect others. He decided to only use the tessaiga for the sake of those he loved. The guilt and pain of killing his father still affected him and he never want to experience it again.

Silence fell between the brothers but Licht could see that Hyde wanted to say something else. He bit his tongue out of respect for his brother. He didn’t know if they had the time to search for another way to destroy the barrier. Each day Touma’s web grew and they would be caught soon. He looked down at the wind tunnel he was cursed with. He didn’t want something similar to happen to his family.

“Let’s focus on finding the jewel shards for now.” Mahiru broke the silence. He understood Hyde’s urgency to stop Touma but it wasn’t right to pressure Kuro to relive something painful. “We’ll deal with Touma’s shield later. There must be another way past it rather than brute force. Between a priest, a monk and a demon slayer, we have a lot of knowledge about barriers.”

Their attention was drawn away when they heard a group of people ahead of them. Mahiru stepped off his bike and walked it towards the noise. A parade of people was walking across the beach with a palanquin. He could see a faint glow through the curtain, a shard. The people appeared to be human and he hoped they wouldn’t have to fight anyone.

He overheard a few of the villagers nearby. “Do you think the child sacrifice will appease the sea demon? The storms have been worsening every night. At least this is our chance to be rid of that demon child.”

After he heard those words, Mahiru dropped his bike and ran down the hill to the beach. The person in the palanquin was most likely the child they said would be sacrificed. He couldn’t let the child be taken. He thought he could stop the villagers by offering to fight the demon for them. “Please stop! You can’t sacrifice a child.”

“What? Who are you?” The man leading the group paused at the sound of Mahiru’s voice. They stopped long enough for him to stand in front of them and block their path. A few of the men gave him a glare while others stared at him in confusion. Mahiru stood with his back straight and he ignored their distrust. “Get out of the way.”

“I heard you were planning to give a child to the sea demon but that’s barbaric! It’s wrong to abandon a child, let alone sacrifice them! You’re all adults so you should be protecting vulnerable children.” Mahiru knew that the feudal era was much different from his time and they had their own beliefs and traditions. He had to rescue the child though. “My friends and I will deal with that sea demon for you. Just let the child go.”

“One man cannot defeat the sea demon. We need to take the sacrifice to the temple before the sun sets or else there will be another attack. Get out of our way!” The man tried to strike Mahiru but Kuro grabbed the staff before he could be hurt. “A demon! He must be working with the sea spirit!”

The people started to panic and they dropped the palanquin in their haste to run away from Kuro. He sighed and ignored their reaction to walk to the carriage. Mahiru was already next to the palanquin and he parted the curtain. The child appeared unhurt by the fall but she didn’t try to leave the box. He spoke in a gentle voice, “It’s okay, Little One. We’re not going to hurt you.”

The girl held a red orb in her hands with a coral inside. He could see that a jewel shard was placed in a crack on the orb’s surface. Mahiru knew the jewel shard was important but he was more concerned with helping the child. He held out his hand to her. “The villagers are gone so you can come out. I won’t let them give you to the sea demon to be sacrificed.”

“Can you tell us more about the sea demon? With those villagers gone, there’s no one else to ask.” Kuro stood next to Mahiru. He could see that the child was half demon. “Where are your parents?”

“Papa!” She cheered the moment she saw him. Kuro and Mahiru were both confused as she jumped towards him. He caught her so she wouldn’t fall and she smiled up at him. “Shiro knew you would come back for her, Papa.”

“Papa? I don’t know who you confused me for but I’m not him. Your parents are probably worried so let’s go find them.” Kuro tried to place her on the ground but then she began to cry. She refused to let him go and clung to his leg. He awkwardly patted her head and hoped she would stop. He didn’t know what he should do and looked to Mahiru for help.

Mahiru knelt next to the girl and placed his hand on her shoulder. A barrier suddenly came between them and he was forced to step back. Due to the sand, he lost his balance and he fell backwards. Kuro started to go to Mahiru to help him but he was stopped by the barrier. He felt a light tug on his jacket and he groaned slightly. He looked back to the child. She had a right grip on this clothes. “Papa, don’t go again. The human will hurt you.”

“Mahiru won’t hurt me.” He said but she shook her head frantically. Since he was half demon as well, he could imagine why she was wary of humans. Kuro laid his hand on the barrier. He was surprised by the strength of the barrier and he knew he wouldn’t be able to break it easily. Mahiru placed his hand over Kuro’s on the barrier. He was searching for a way past the barrier as well.

“Are you trying to steal my Papa?” She stood between Mahiru and Kuro.

Kuro sighed and thought of what he should say to make her lower the barrier. He knelt in front of her and said: “If I’m your Papa, that man is your other dad. While I was away, I married that man. He makes the best food so you’ll like him.”

He waited to see her reaction and he hoped that the believed him. The barrier disappeared and she ran to Mahiru for a hug. “Papa number two!”

“Well, this is going to be troublesome.” Kuro said as he stood. “What are we going to do now?”

#servamp #kuromahi #lawlicht #sloth pair #greed pair #servamp kuro #mahiru shirota #servamp hyde #licht jekylland todoroki #fanfiction

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litsy-kalyptica · 7 years

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Loves of My Life

Of polyamory and single fatherhood. (1/?)

AHamilton: My son takes first priority in my life —always from the day of his birth to the day of my death. But if I wasn’t otherwise occupied by my Pip, I would pass the bar in only six months.

And his class partners had not liked him much after that introduction.

But they were in this for the long-run now, bunched together either by fate or the whims of a professor not one of them had seen in person. Five in total, but Alex couldn’t remember their names beyond a slew of arbitrary usernames.

He wondered if he maybe could’ve helped himself by giving his name in that first response. He’d staked his claim on mastery of the program to faceless classmates without even giving his name! That would be it.

Alexander had posted to the discussion board three days ago, and still no response. No one had posted anything yet. Alex wasn’t sure whether he was more worried that his group was avoiding him, or that he’d been bunched with a group of slackers!

Probably the latter.

His phone rang. MARTHA. He flipped it open, pushing down the rush of anxiety. Calm down, Alexander. There’s no telling that she’s calling with bad news.

“Alexander?”

“Hey, how’s my boy?”

“Oh, he’s doing just fine. He’s lying on the sofa, almost falling asleep on his picture book. Poor thing can barely keep his eyes open. Tired and hungry.”

“Okay, tell him I’ll be back soon.” He was already closing his laptop. “Don’t give him any snacks unless they’re on the approved list. He can have some orange juice.” He slipped his hefty laptop into his satchel and chucked the cold coffee into the trash on his way out of the shop. “I’m three blocks away. Ask him to start counting, unless he’s too tired to count to twenty.”

“Will do, honey. I’ll see you in a few minutes.”

Alex tucked his phone back into his jeans and ran a hand over his burning eyes. He had lost track of time again. He’d gotten out of work at five, and wanted to get a bit of coursework done at the cafe before he got home, but suddenly five became seven, and seven became nine. And he was going to miss Pip’s bedtime.

“He’s asleep.”

Alex nodded and stepped quietly inside. In the warm glow of a side table lamp washed over his small son curled into an impossible position on the sofa. How could he have been comfortable like that? Alex tried to pick him up in a such a way that wouldn’t awaken the boy.

He held Pip close against his chest. He’d always adored this boy, but he’d been feeling especially sentimental lately. It was Friday. On Tuesday, Philip would be starting school. Alexander wasn’t sure he was ready for that.

Ideally, father and son wouldn’t spend more than six hours apart at a time. Alex was lucky enough to work within six blocks of the apartment building, and George always brought Pip for lunch. It was always the highlight of his day, and Alex told himself that it was all for Pip’s sake more than his own.

“Thanks again, Martha.” He shifted his hold on his son a bit, trying to keep his computer and the small child from dropping to the floor. His poor laptop would have to go first. “And next time, feel free to call me earlier.”

“I know you’re busy.”

“I’m never too busy to miss Pip’s bedtime.”

She smiled and headed into the kitchen. Alex heard the water running at the sink. “Good night, Alexander.”

“Good night.”

Alexander lived down the hall from the Washingtons, so home was just a short walk away. But even on this very brief journey, Pip started to shift a bit in his arms, face rubbing back and forth against Alex’s shoulder as he started to wake up. “Daddy?”

“Look where we are, Pip. We’re home.” He was just coming up on the door, and kissed his son’s head through a bed of dark curls.

“Time?”

“Bedtime.”

Pip sighed and tucked his head back against Alex’s neck, only to giggle through his exhaustion. “Your neck is itchy, Daddy.”

“Oh no. Pip, I think you need to help me shave.” He dug his key out of his pocket.

“I don’t know how.” He seemed to genuinely lament his inability to help with this.

Alex laughed. “You’re a fast learner.”

Alex got Philip through his evening routine, and the four-year-old climbed into bed a half hour later than usual, but Alex easily relented to reading him a bedtime story. “But only ten minutes tonight.” He set the timer to vibrate against his lap. Pip settled under his green wool blanket, and Alex read aloud from a secondhand copy of James and the Giant Peach.

He always did the voices. It sometimes hurt his throat, but it always made Philip smile.

Pip was asleep by the time the timer went off, but he still gently tucked the boy in and kissed his head, turned the nightlight on, and left the door cracked just a little bit open.

Alex thought that Pip would be just as nervous about school starting as he was, so he dedicated the weekend to doing all sorts of fun things. Most of it was at home: they drew and colored, put together puzzles, read together. They went out to the library and Alex took out eight books at Philip’s request, and carried to heavy stack back to the apartment.

Sunday was usually a day for rest at home, and the only day of the week Philip was allowed to watch TV on his own, while Alexander got some work done in advance of the long week ahead. But they would both be home for Monday, so Alexander pushed that time off a little, and they went to the park after breakfast.

George and Martha would often take Philip to the small asphalt park in the neighborhood, but Alex splurged on a trip to Central Park, followed by a lunch out and a movie in the theater.

Pip was already on the jungle gym by the time Alex sat on a nearby bench. Pip had no trouble making friends. He ran around on the playground with a group of two other boys, both white, and one little black girl. Pip seemed especially friendly toward the girl.

Alex caught the man sitting next to him watching the same group of children as himself, and he smiled. “What I wouldn’t do to have that… again,” he added as an afterthought.

The stranger smiled. “Which one’s yours?”

Alex pointed at the mop-headed ray of sunshine as he ran past the slide, nearly slipping on the woodchips. “Philip, be careful!” But he had a bright grin on his face. “Light of my life.”

“I know the feeling.” Shortly after Philip climbed up the steps to the slide, the same girl with whom he’d been playing came racing up after him, and in a similar childlike fashion she nearly slipped right off.

“Theo!” The man that had previously been sitting next to Alex suddenly rushed over. But the girl, Theo, was all smiles and quickly resumed the game of tag. The man took a slow step backwards, watching after her, before returning to the bench with some uncertainty.

Alex decided to help him lighten up. “They look like they’re having fun. Your daughter?”

“Yeah.” He laughed but without any humor behind it. “I wish sometimes she’d take a moment to slow down. I don’t want her to get hurt.”

Alex couldn’t blame him there, but couldn’t help but think it might be better for both of father and daughter if he could relax a little. He almost voiced as much, but his brain short-circuited when he realized he’d lost track of his son.

“Philip?” he called out, starting to sit up. This seemed to get the other father’s attention, as well, and he stood to join him as Alex set off closer to the playground. “Philip? Pip? Where’d you go?”

“I’m here, Daddy!” Pip popped out from behind one of the walls of the playground set. “Hide-and-seek!”

Alex laughed off his peaked anxiety and ruffled his son’s hair. “Okay, but you can’t be hiding from Daddy, right?”

“Right!”

“How’re you feeling?”

“I’m good!”

“You’ll sleep well tonight.” He laughed, more genuinely this time. Pip giggled and scurried off into the slide as Theo rounded the corner.

Theo’s father was still standing next to him, and Alex caught back up with where they were a minute ago. Only a minute, he thought. “She’ll be fine.”

The man didn’t say anything.

“I’m Alex.”

“Aaron.”

“Nice to meet you.” Alex watched their children playing together some more. The other kids had wandered off to other games. It was just the two of them left in their game.

“We’ll have to arrange a playdate.”

Alex smiled. “Yeah, I guess so.”

“1… 2… 3… 4… 5… 6… 7… 8… 9…”

Pip let a breath out on ten; slowly, as the doctor had taught him. “You’re getting better at this,” Alex noted with a smile, tucking the inhaler back into his bag.

“School starts this week, Daddy. I’ll carry it myself.”

Alex hummed quietly. Two more days. He just wanted to enjoy it, wanted both of them to enjoy it while they could.

It was around noon, and Alex and Pip sat under a tree so the boy could nap in the shade. Pip used his father’s shin as a pillow —“The boy could sleep anywhere, in any way,” Alex noted— so Alex could pull his laptop out and do some work while his son slept. The less he had to get done during the week, the more time he could spend with Pip in the evenings.

There were two new posts to the group forum: both from the same person, both on the topic he had posed to the group. Alexander was suddenly ecstatic and eager to reply. He looked over the thread. The first post responded directly to his first question (and, Alex would admit, rather intelligently), but the follow-up had less to do with the content Alex had presented.

ABurr: Alexander —you present an interesting argument here, but I get the sense you’re trying to outdo the rest of us at something. Call it a hunch, call it truth, but the way you’ve already been speaking to us on here you seem to think you’re better than the rest of us. Let’s agree to all stay on equal footing in this. I understand, and admire, your resolve to get ahead, but I ask that you make sure it doesn’t amount to showing off.

#hamilton #elams #lams #hamliza #213 slutty slutty years

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backofthebiketours · 5 years

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Activities for Children in Ho Chi Minh City: 13 Top Places to Visit with Kids

Parents who travel with children are superheroes. There are many people in the world who find traveling fun but stressful, with children, that stress can be tenfold. So our hats off to the globe-trotting parents across the world who are smashing the idea, “You can’t travel with children”, to smithereens.

We know that sightseeing, walking, and more adult-oriented activities can get exhausting for children and move them into the cranky zone.

The good news is, Ho Chi Minh City has been turned into a more kid-friendly destination recently. Our team put together the best child-oriented activities for parents looking to cater to the little ones. Read on to find out our recommendations on places that both children and parents can find fun and entertainment during your holiday.

Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater

How about putting your family holiday under the theme of original Vietnam for your kids to have some brand new experiences? Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater is where you can find one of the best original Vietnamese experiences.

The origin of the water puppetry art rooted over 1000 years ago in Vietnam. After a millennium, this kind of traditional stage art is now preserved mainly for its cultural values and tourism purposes. Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater is one of the few puppet theaters across Vietnam that brings you the most authentic water puppet shows.

Traditional music, excellent stage props and costumes, and the atmosphere there are what will make your first time with water puppet unforgettable. Although all the shows are presented in Vietnamese, language is not a barrier for you and even your kids at all. This is more of a visual experience than just the ears. Surely you will be able to catch up with the main theme of the show, which is mainly about folk stories.

At the moment, there are 2 daily shows available at Golden Dragon Theater, one at 5 p.m and the other at 6:30 p.m. In order to get the perfect view, I would suggest you book your tickets in advance, especially when you are traveling with your family. You can easily book your tickets with the hotel’s receptionist. You can also buy the tickets before the show starts around 30 minutes at the ticket booth next to the theater.

Address: 55B Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St., Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

Website: http://thanglongwaterpuppet.org/

Ticket price: 5 USD - 10 USD/ticket depending on your seat

Age group: Suitable for children of all ages

Arcade Games at Games World - Vincom B Shopping Mall

Oldie but goldie, that’s arcade games! Located in most malls around Ho Chi Minh City, Games World is where kids can take a break and let loose in the various malls around the city. There are several activities at the arcade such as basketball hoops, air hockey, bumper cars, video games, and bowling alleys. Vietnam is a little bit behind in newer, well-known arcade games, so we would go in with an open mind but we believe the games are suitable for most kids 9 and under.

Ass arcade centers are usually located in big shopping malls, there are also food courts, restaurants, ice cream shops, and bubble tea shops if you fancy lunch or dinner.

After having fun and filling up the stomach, how about watching a movie together with your family? The CGV Cinema - one of the largest cinema chains in Vietnam - is located in most major malls. You can easily find a suitable movie for every family member in English there as it always has the latest on-screen movies. Catching a movie can be a nice break from the heat of Saigon for kids, and the price of a movie is very affordable in comparison to most other countries.

Address:

B2 Vincom Center - 72 Le Thanh Ton Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Diamond Plaza - 34 Le Duan Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Aeon Mall Tan Phu Celadon, 30 Bo Bao Tan Thang street, Son Ky Ward, Tan Phu District, Ho Chi Minh City

Artinus 3D Art Museum

Let your kids enter a new world and be a part of some stunning 3D scenes at Artinus 3D Art Museum.

Artinus is the first and largest 3D art museum in Vietnam. The museum features over 100 3D paintings, which are created by professional Korean artists. Artinus Museum is divided into 9 sections with 9 different themes that are suitable for a wide range of ages. Vietnamese inspirations like the ao dai, fishing boats, and famous destinations such as Hoi An, Ha Long Bay or Hoan Kiem Lake are the main themes of the exhibition. World’s landmarks are also featured with the combination of dragons, dinosaurs, fairies, etc., giving kids the chance to travel back in time and around the world.

The most exciting part of visiting such a 3D museum is the great photos you can take. As all of the paintings are created especially for visitors to step in, get ready for lots of fun pictures! Getting trapped in the running away from dinosaurs in Jurassic World or falling out of a boat into the water are some creative poses that your kids will love at the Museum.

Address: 02-04, Street No.9, Tan Hung Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City

Tel: 028 6298 3767

Entrance fee: 9 USD/ticket on weekdays and 11 USD/ticket on weekends & holidays; free entrance fee for children under 90 centimeters

Opening hours: From 9 a.m - 6 p.m on weekdays; From 9 a.m - 8 p.m on weekends and holidays

Age group: Suitable for children of all ages

Book Street

This street is a little peaceful space in the busiest city in Vietnam - Dang Van Binh Book Street! More than just a quick stop, the Book Street is a worthwhile use of your time during the holiday in Vietnam.

This place is highly recommended for families to hang out as every member can find a book they are looking for during their trip. There are comics, children’s books, and toys, available for your kids. For adults, you will probably find your favorite books there as almost all big Vietnamese publishing houses have their stalls on this street. English, French and Chinese books are very popular on the street, so you can usually find something in your language that you can enjoy during your trip. There are some stores specializing in old books where you can look for older novels at a great price!

With some nice coffee shops located right on this street and surrounding shopping malls, you can easily plan a multi-stop route. Some nearby suggestions for you are McDonald's Café, Phuong Nam Book Cafe, Vincom Center, and Diamond Plaza.

Address: Dang Van Binh Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, HCMC

Opening hours: 8 a.m - 10 p.m daily

Entrance fee: 4-5 USD/person

Age group: Suitable for children of all ages

Cu Chi Tunnels

While most adults are going to be intrigued by the history and life of the Viet Cong during their trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels, some children might enjoy getting a bit out into the jungle to take a short trip through the tunnels. If you are concerned about crawling around in the tunnels, the actual part you crawl through is very short and shouldn’t worry you. They are also the perfect size for kids to take a short underground trip.

Most likely more interesting for little boys than girls, the War Remnants also has displays of the weapons used during the war including various rifles, bomb fragments, and tank remains where you can climb and take a photo.

Some adults can enjoy holding a real AK-47, adjusting the scope, and firing, at the onsite gun range. If you want to take your trip up a notch with an absolutely awesome speedboat ride to the tunnels, check out our Cu Chi Tunnels tour. The trip 2-hour bus/car ride to the tunnels might just be a boring nightmare for both children and adults, but on a speedboat, no one is bored!

Address: Provincial Road no.15, Phu Hiep, Cu Chi, HCMC

Opening hours: 7 a.m - 5 p.m daily

Entrance fee: 4-5 USD/person

Age group: Suitable for children over 11 years old

Tipsy Art Workshop

How about awakening the artistic soul inside your kids and yourself with a painting workshop at Tipsy Art? If you have absolutely no skills in painting, that’s perfect! Your family will find 3 joyful hours and lots of fun while enjoying a new experience in a different country.

Tipsy Art is well-known for taking the lead in popularizing art workshops in Saigon. Their Workshop locations are one of the unique things that differentiate Tipsy Art with others. Their workshops usually take place at coffee shops and co-working spaces with relaxing music and joyful vibes that are comfortable for children.

Here at the Tipsy Art painting workshop, your kids will have the chance to create their best piece of art on their own. Even though this may be their very first time taking on a painting brush, Tipsy Art’s dedicated facilitators are always there to help. A workshop ticket includes a 3-hour painting session, a free drink, and your own work! Imagine how excited your little cuties will be about taking their product home as a souvenir from their trip to Vietnam.

Address: As the workshop location changes regularly, you will be informed about the address after registering

Website: https://tipsyart.vn/

Ticket price: 18 USD/participant/painting

Age group: Suitable for children from 3 years old

Landmark 81

Being named as the tallest skyscraper in Vietnam has named Landmark 81 in the list of must-visit destinations in Ho Chi Minh. Landmark 81 houses a diverse selection of activities for both kids and adults, from entertainment to high-end shopping experience.

Located in Vinhomes residential, Landmark 81 is surrounded by a large stunning park with a small playground for your kids to play around. Besides that, the most significant stop for your kids when visiting Landmark 81 is Vincom Ice Rink. This is the first and the only naturally frozen ice rink across Vietnam. With a wide range of activities and fantastic performances, Vincom Ice Rink is the perfect fit for your family to cool down a scorching day ịn Saigon.

Getting inside the building, there are tons of shops and places for your family to have fun. On top of Landmark 81 is the Landmark Skyview where your kids have a chance to explore the sky from a fabulous angle - the highest point of the city! You can also find a fancy coffee shop called MIWAKU that serves excellent Japanese food and drinks.

Address: Landmark 81, 772 Dien Bien Phu, Ward 22, Binh Thanh District, HCMC

Age group: Suitable for children of all ages

Vàng Pottery Workshop

Craft activities are fun and children love them! There are few things that can get children engaged as willingly as hands-on crafts! Let them play with their creativity and shape their own product with a hand-on pottery workshop at Vàng Pottery.

Vàng Pottery’s workshops are held at River Side Cottage, which gives everyone a perfect and relaxing view by the river. You will be guided through the process of clay, glaze, and firing by dedicated ceramics professionals. Even if you’re a little clumsy for this kind of art, the workshop will fill your day with fun, smiles, and the enjoyable smell of clay.

As the number of participants is limited, you will need to book your workshop in advance with Vàng Pottery. Each workshop lasts around 2.5 hours. There are various topics for you to choose from, such as carving & painting, slab building, or making Vietnamese mask puzzles.

Address: Workshop is organized at The River Cottage, 18 Lane 6, Thao Dien Ward, District 2, HCMC

Contact: Booking your workshop via email at [email protected]

Ticket fee: 24 USD/participant

Age group: Suitable for children from 7 years old

Floral Workshop at Ted & Anna Flower Shop

Another engaging and active workshop for your kids to join from our list is floral workshops from Ted & Anna. Gorgeous flower arrangements form these workshops will bloom your day!

Unlike other workshop organizers, Ted & Anna feature seasonal floral workshops. This means you will only get the best flowers available at each workshop. Another unique thing about Ted & Anna’s workshops is their topics. They are not solely meant to be all about flowers. They are combined with well-chosen themes such as flowers & cooking or flowers & beauty. They also have exclusive workshops for kids on special occasions like the International Children’s Day.

Please notice that all of these workshops are seasonal, you have to contact them in advance for detailed information on their current workshop selections.

Address: 63 Xuan Thuy, Thao Dien Ward, District 2, HCMC

Booking Contact: 090 493 91 99 or via email at [email protected]

Ticket price: 13 - 40 USD/participant

Age group: Suitable for children from 8 years old

The Snap Cafe & Restaurant

Have you ever got nervous when taking your kids with you to a restaurant or a café? With The Snap Cafe & Restaurant, you and your kids will all have a playful and relaxing time. There is an outdoor playground exclusively for kids with a big sandpit.

The Snap is a western-style restaurant. After the kiddos work up an appetite, then it’s time to treat your family with a tasty meal. BBQ, beefsteak, risotto, and spaghetti are some of the best picks for you to try at The Snap.

On Saturday evenings, The Snap usually has free live music performance. You can simply enjoy the music with your family or take the stage and test out your vocal chops!

Address: 32 Tran Ngoc Dien, Thao Dien Ward, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City

Opening hours: 7 a.m - 10 p.m daily

Age group: Suitable for children of all ages

Bee Bee Premium Kids cafe

Here comes another kid-friendly café for your trip - Bee Bee Premium Kids Cafe. If you are looking for a coffee shop that you can enjoy a nice coffee and good steak while capturing the best moments of your kids, this is the answer for you.

Located in District 7, Bee Bee Premium Kids is a coffee shop that provides an indoor playground for kids. The playground is truly a paradise for kids as it is fully equipped with toys. Bee Bee Premium Kids also provides other activities cater for a range of ages and interests such as books, baby pianos, bracelet-making, and statue painting sessions.

More than just a place for kids, Bee Bee Premim’s menu is taken seriously with many choices for food. Coffee, ice cream, salads, pasta, sandwiches, and even beer are all available here. Western and Korean food is also served at Bee Bee Premium, giving you and your family more choices for your favorite taste.

Address: F4, 96-98 Cao Trieu Phat, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City

Contact: (028) 3873 4351

Opening hours: 10 a.m - 8 p.m daily; Closed on Tuesdays

Age group: Suitable for children of all ages

Dam Sen Water Park

Dam Sen Water Park is our choice for your next destination. Dam Sen Water Park is one of the very first and most favored theme parks in Vietnam.

One of the top reasons that make Dam Sen Park a favorable destination for kids is its variety of amusing activities. There is a big wave pool for your kids to swim freely. If you are looking for more thrilling experiences, then give a try to its high-speed water slides or a Kamikaze ride. Every pool is observed by well-trained staff and guards.

Located right next to this park is Dam Sen Cultural Park, another place for you to spend time with your children. You can find over 30 different types of activities, all are fun and kid-friendly. There is a small zoo, a botanical garden, and a butterfly farm for your kids to learn about flora and fauna. Here is a tip for you: there is a monorail train traveling above the whole park. This is the best idea for you to get an initial overview of the park and see what excites your kids the most!

Address: 3D Hoa Binh, District 11, Ho Chi Minh City

Opening hours: 9 a.m - 6 p.m from Wednesday to Monday

Ticket price: 4 USD/child and 6 USD/adult

Age group: Suitable for children from 5 years old

Motorbike Tour around the city

The best way to unearth the true Vietnam’s daily life with your kids is to observe it from the back of a motorbike! As the “Sidewalk culture” is actually a thing in Vietnam, especially in Ho Chi Minh City, a motorbike tour is easier for you to get around the city with your children without worrying about the crowded sidewalks and busy traffic.

Back of the Bike Tours provides you with one of the best motorbike-tour experiences in Vietnam. We have 7 different tours which are kid-friendly designed, including tasty food tours, culture and sightseeing tours, night-life tours, and tours to the further parts of the city such as Cu Chi. Each tour with different colors will bring you the most authentic vibes of Ho Chi Minh City that you cannot find anywhere else.

If you’re interested in having one-of-a-kind memories in Saigon with Back of the Bike Tours, book your tour now at:

These 12 destinations are our top picks for your trip with children in Ho Chi Minh. Fill it with endless fun and alluring moments, and don’t forget to share with us your incredible trip here!

Read Full Article Here: Activities for Children in Ho Chi Minh City: 13 Top Places to Visit with Kids

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tamboradventure · 5 years

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29 Things to See and Do in New York City

Posted: 11/21/2019 | November 21st, 2019

New York City. It’s one of my favorite cities in the world and one of the most popular destinations in the US. Sprawling, busy, exciting — there’s a reason people call it the city that never sleeps!

It has something for everyone — including lots of budget-friendly activities for travelers looking to stretch their pocketbook. I lived in the city for years and still return often. Whether you’re looking for history, nightlife, food, or art, this city won’t disappoint.

To help you plan your trip, here are the best things to see and do in NYC — no matter your budget!

1. Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island

At 151 feet tall, the Statue of Liberty is spectacular to see up close. But the real highlight of this duo is Ellis Island. Here you’ll learn about the immigrant experience and get a sense of the people who helped build the city. There’s such a great sense of history there that you can’t help but be impressed.

2. Central Park

The perfect way to relax in the city and leave the crowds behind is to spend the day in Central Park. It’s free, there are lots of paths to walk (or run), bike lanes, lakes to row in, and a zoo. The park spans over 150 square blocks (840 acres) it’s easy to spend hours wandering around. During the summer months, there are often free concerts and theater productions (line up early for tickets to Shakespeare in the Park).

From the late spring to the early fall, there are free guided walks run by the parks service on Saturdays at 11am. I’m a big fan of laying out in Sheep’s Meadow on a hot, sunny day with a book, some food, and a bottle of wine.

3. World Trade Center & 9/11 Memorial and Museum

Wander the somber memorial and then take in the view from the new “Freedom Tower.” On the elevator up, you can see pictures of the historical development of the city and how it’s changed over the years. To get a deeper understanding of 9/11 and the events that unfolded, visit the museum. It’s home to some moving exhibits that illuminate the significance of the tragedy and its impact.

180 Greenwich Street, Financial District, Lower Manhattan, +1 212 266 5211, 911memorial.org. Daily memorial hours are from 7:30am–9pm. Daily museum hours are from 9am–8pm (closes one hour later on Fri–Sat). The memorial is free to visit and entry to the museum is $24. Free admission on Tuesdays after 5pm (on a first-come, first-served basis).

4. Wall Street

Take a photo with the famous Charging Bull statue (which was commissioned in 1989 and is made of bronze) and then walk to Wall Street and see where all those bankers destroyed the economy. While there isn’t much to see here (the Museum of American Finance is temporarily closed) it’s still an iconic part of the city and worth seeing with your own eyes, if only briefly.

5. Battery Park

Named Battery Park for the old batteries (cannons) that defended the city, you can stop here for music and street performers in the summer, people-watching, relaxing, and some lounging in the sun with a good book. You can also explore the ruins of the old fort that kept watch over New York City. The Park is large and can get a little hectic but there are some tremendous views of the harbor that make it worthwhile.

6. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge offers an easy 25-minute walk into Brooklyn and the waterfront park on the other side of the bridge. Stopping to take photos and meandering along the way will make the walk about 40 minutes — which is definitely worth it! You get a lot of wonderful views of Manhattan as you make your way across. I enjoy doing this walk at night when downtown is all lit up (and there are fewer crowds).

7. Grand Central Terminal

Grand Central Terminal is the city’s historic train station. It was going to be torn down in 1975 but was saved by Jacqueline Kennedy, who raised money for its preservation. There are free historical tours on Wednesdays. I love coming to the main concourse and looking up at the “stars” in the ceiling and people-watching as everyone races to and fro.

Also, there’s an amazing eatery in the basement called the Grand Central Oyster Bar & Restaurant. And for fancy (and expensive) cocktails, visit the Campbell Apartments and step back into the 1920s (dress code enforced). The space was once the office of John W. Campbell, a member of the New York Central Railroad’s board of directors and finance tycoon from the 1920s.

89 E. 42nd Street, Midtown, grandcentralterminal.com. Opening daily from 5:30am–2am. Tours are held daily at 12:30pm for $30 per person with discounts available. Purchase at mas.org/tours or at the ticket windows.

8. Trinity Church

Trinity Church is one of the oldest churches in America. The original building burned down in 1776, but the current church is still beautiful and one of the most iconic sights in the city. It has an ornate Gothic-style structure and is famous for its colonial graveyard, where you’ll find many famous Americans (including Alexander Hamilton, one of America’s founding fathers).

74 Trinity Place, Financial District, Lower Manhattan, +1 212 602 0800, trinitywallstreet.org. Opening daily from 7am–6pm.

9. The Guggenheim Museum

This museum is home to a renowned collection of impressionist, post-impressionist, early modern, and contemporary art. The cylindrical museum (designed by Frank Lloyd Wright) is considered one of the 20th century’s most important architectural designs. It’s one of my favorite buildings (and museums) in the city.

1071 5th Avenue, Upper East Side, +1 212 423 3500, guggenheim.org/new-york. Opening Sunday–Wednesday and Fridays from 10am–5:45pm, Saturdays from 10am–7:45 (closed Thursdays). Admission is $25 with discounts for students and seniors. On Saturday nights from 5:45-7:45pm, admission is by donation.

10. City Hall

New York’s City Hall is a great piece of historic architecture. It also has a beautiful little park nearby that’s filled with office workers during lunch (in the summer anyway). To learn about the building’s history, art, and architecture, take one of the guided tours. On a tour, you’ll be able to see the rotunda, the city council chamber, Governor’s Room, and the City Hall Portrait Collection. It’s a great place to learn about the city and how it functions.

City Hall Park. Pre-reserved tours are typically offered for groups (10–20 people) on Mondays and Tuesdays at 10:30am and for individuals on Thursdays at 10am. There are also first-come, first-served tours on Wednesdays at 12pm.

11. Rockefeller Center

Wander around Rockefeller Center to see where they film The Today Show, shop, snack, and take the elevator to the “Top of the Rock” for another bird’s-eye view of the city (which I personally think it better than the Empire State Building, since this view includes the Empire State Building in the picture). It will be busy at sunset and on the weekends, so come during the week to beat the crowds.

30 Rockefeller Plaza, +1 212 698 2000, topoftherocknyc.com. Open daily from 8am–12am (last elevator up at 11pm). Admission is $36 to visit the observation deck once, $50 to combine that with a tour of Rockefeller Center, and $54 to visit the observation deck twice in 24 hours.

12. Times Square

No matter when you go to Times Square, it will be packed with people (usually other tourists). There are a few pedestrian areas where you can sit and take in the city but if you aren’t shopping or eating or planning to see a show then there isn’t much to do in the area.

While no New Yorkers hang out here, it’s still a fabulous place to people-watch for a few minutes from the top of the red steps of the TKTS kiosk. You can really get a feel for how busy the city is from here.

13. The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met is one of the biggest museums in the world, and if you only see one museum in New York, this is the one I would recommend. It has a huge collection of art, historical artifacts, photographs, and other exhibits. There’s even a real Egyptian tomb in here! Personally, I enjoy its expansive impressionist and Greek exhibits. The museum can get a little chaotic and usually filled with people (especially on weekends) but since it is so big you can often find some quiet spots away from the crowds. You can easily spend hours here so budget a lot of time if you’re a history buff like me!

1000 5th Avenue, Central Park, Upper East Side, +1 212 535 7710, metmuseum.org. Opening Sunday–Thursday from 10am–5:30pm, Friday–Saturday from10am–9pm. Admission is $25 (includes entrance to the Cloisters and Met Breuer for three consecutive days). Free for kids 12 and under.

14. American Museum of Natural History

Made even more famous by the Night at the Museum movies, this is another museum that requires a lot of time. The exhibits on nature, human history, and marine life are comprehensive and educational so I wouldn’t try to rush your visit. Also, don’t skip the section on space at the Hayden Planetarium, which is run by science guru Neil Degrasse Tyson. They have really detailed exhibitions on the origin of the universe!

Central Park W. at 79th Street, Upper West Side, +1 212 769 5100, amnh.org. Opening daily from 10am–5:45pm. Suggested donation of $23 ($13 for children ages 2–12). Note: Even though this museum only technically asks for a suggested donation, be prepared to pay to go into any special exhibitions and/or movies.

15. The Frick Collection

This collection features paintings by famous European artists as well as 18th-century French furniture and intricate rugs from Asia. To be honest, you have to really love Dutch artists to want to spend time here (which I do). Fortunately, they also host a lot of wonderful temporary exhibits so there is often a lot of other art to see in addition to their main collection.

1 East 70th Street, +1 212-288-0700, frick.org. Opening from Tuesday-Saturday from 10am-6pm and Sundays from 11am-5pm (closed on Mondays). Admission is $22 USD, with discounts available to students and seniors. Visit Wednesdays between 2pm-6pm and the entrance fee is “pay what you wish.”

16. The Museum of the City of New York

This museum will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about New York City. Architecture, parks, streets, culture, famous sights — you name it! There are multiple rooms that illuminate the city throughout the ages via interviews, maps, interactive exhibits, profiles of historical figures, and various artifacts. It’s the best history museum in the city. Also, there’s a fun exhibit here where you can create the future NYC (a la Sim City style). It’s great for kids!

1220 Fifth Avenue at 103rd St., +1 212-534-1672, mcny.org. Opening daily from 10am-6pm. Admission is $18, with discounted rates for students and seniors.

17. Empire State Building

This is one of the most historic landmarks in all of New York City. Built in 1931, the art deco interior is beautiful and the view from the top is breathtaking. You can get a real feel for how densely populated New York is as you stare out at the city. Get here early or during lunchtime to avoid the lines and tour groups. And don’t forget to bring your camera!

350 5th Avenue, Midtown, +1 212 736 3100, esbnyc.com. Price: $36 to visit the observation deck once, $50 to combine that with a tour of Rockefeller Center, $54 to visit the observation deck twice in 24 hours. Discounts available for children and seniors.

18. Broadway Show

You can’t go to New York City, the theater capital of the world, without seeing a show. Current highlights and my favorites include:

The Lion King

The Phantom of the Opera

Wicked

Dear Evan Hansen

Aladdin

Chicago

School of Rock

Come From Away

Hamilton

The Book of Mormon

You can find discounted theater tickets at the TKTS offices around the city (Times Square, South Street Seaport, and downtown Brooklyn) for shows that day. They also have an app where you can see what they offer too! Expect to spend at least $100.

19. The Cloisters

Few people make it up to the Cloisters (it’s all the way up near 204th Street), which is a branch of the Met devoted to medieval Europe. Even when I lived here, it took me years to finally see it — and I kicked myself for waiting so long! Built with Rockefeller money, the Cloisters was made from parts of five European abbeys between 1934-1939. The building and its stunning cloistered garden are serene and beautiful and a nice break for the hustle and bustle of the city. There are free tours each day that explain the history of the museum and the paintings and exhibits.

99 Margaret Corbin Drive, Fort Tryon Park, +1 212 923 3700, metmuseum.org/visit/visit-the-cloisters. Opening daily from 10am–5:15pm (closes early in the winter). Admission is $25 (includes entrance to the Met and Met Breuer for three consecutive days) and free for kids 12 and under.

20. The High Line & Whitney Museum

The High Line is a former train track that has been converted into an urban walking park. It stretches almost 1.5 miles from 34th Street to the Meatpacking District. Lined with overlooks, gardens, public art, food stalls, and greenery, this walk is one of the best things to do in the city — especially on a nice summer day. Go for a walk, sit with a book, people-watch — the High Line is a must-see and a true favorite among locals.

21. Lower East Side Tenement Museum

This is a fascinating museum that offers visitors a chance to visit former tenement apartments on the Lower East Side. You’ll learn how immigrants from around the world lived during the late 1800s and early 1900s as they tried to make it in America. It’s an insightful museum and a good follow-up to what you see on Ellis Island. You can only visit this museum via guided tours and they need to be booked in advance. Personally, I like the “Meet the Residents” tour, where live actors portray and share the story of newly arrived immigrants.

103 Orchard Street, Lower East Side, +1 877 975 3786, tenement.org. Open from Friday–Wednesday from 10am–6:30pm and Thursdays from 10am–8:30pm. Admission is $25 with discounts for students and seniors.

22. Take a walking tour

NYC is home to dozens of walking tour companies — and many of them are free! Be sure to take one of the many, many walking tours the city has to offer to get a unique and cultural look at the city that never sleeps from a local guide. There are all sorts of focused tours on street art, history, food, and much more! I always take my friends on at least one when they visit. A few walking tour companies worth checking out are:

Take Walks

Free Tours by Foot

Bowery Boys Walks

For more suggestions, check out my favorite NYC walking tours.

23. Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

Want to see lots of beautiful (and weird) modern art? You’ve come to the right place! Personally, I hate modern art. I just don’t “get” it. But, while I dislike modern art, the MoMA does have Van Gogh’s Starry Night as well as other post-impressionist art which makes it worth visiting. If you love modern and contemporary art, this (I’m told) is one of the best in the world.

18 W. 54th Street, Midtown, +1 212 708 9400, moma.org. Open Saturday–Thursday from 10:30am–5:30pm and Fridays from 10:30am–8pm. Admission is $25 with discounts for students and seniors. The MoMA’s Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden is free of charge to the public daily (9:30am–10:15am). On Fridays after 4pm, the museum is free

24. Prospect Park

Spend some time outside of Manhattan and go explore Brooklyn’s version of Central Park (the Brooklyn Museum is right next down and it’s worth a visit too). Opened in 1867, the park covers over 500 acres and is a great place to have a picnic, read a book, people watch, or lounge in the sun.

25. Bronx Zoo

Head north for a look at one of the oldest and biggest zoos in the United States. Opened in 1899, the zoo spans almost 300 acres and sees over 2 million visitors each and every year. Home to over 650 different species, it’s a great place to visit with kids. Gorillas, birds of prey, bison — there is a huge assortment of animals here and you’ll definitely learn a lot during your visit!

2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, +1 718 220 5100, bronxzoo.com. Open Monday–Friday from 10am–5pm and Saturday–Sunday from 10am–5:30pm (limited hours from November-April). Tickets are $22.95, but it is pay-what-you-want on Wednesdays.

26. See a Yankees/Mets/Rangers/Knicks Game

Like sports? Then you probably already know that NYC has some world-class sports teams. I’m not much of a sports fan but games are fun when you have friends to share the experience with. If you have a chance and the desire, grab some tickets to a game!

27. See a TV Show!

TV shows like Saturday Night Live, The View, Late Night with Stephen Colbert, The Daily Show, Last Week Tonight, and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon offer free tickets to their tapings (although they must be reserved well in advance). It can be very difficult to get tickets so try to get tickets for multiple shows to increase your odds. For more details, see the website of each show for details and to make reservations.

28. Batsu!

Walk through the narrow aisle of the Je Bon Sushi restaurant in the East Village, and head down the tiny stairway to find this hidden dinner theater. This four-person improv comedy competition takes place within the structure of a high-energy Japanese game show, with slapstick theatrical performances. Go with friends to enjoy some sushi, sake shots, and a night of ridiculous fun.

15 St. Mark’s Place, East Village, +1 347 985 0368, batsulive.com/new-york. Tickets from $30.50.

29. Ellen’s Stardust Diner

Since 1987, this diner is home to an incredible waitstaff of singers and dancers. Between tours and musical performances, actors and actresses wait tables at Ellen’s, where they belt out songs as they serve you slightly pricey, very American diner food (think shakes, burgers, and lasagna) in uniforms from the 1950s. It’s incredibly cheesy but good fun — especially if you’re a theatre fan!

1650 Broadway, Times Square, +1 212 956 5151. There’s usually a line so be sure to plan ahead!

*** No matter how long you’re here for — and no matter what you’re interested in — New York City will have something for you. While it’s not the most budget-friendly city in the country, there are plenty of free activities and lots of cheap things to see and do to keep you busy and entertained.

And if you want to splurge? Well, you’ve come to the right place!

With so many things to see and do it’s no surprise that tourists love to re-visit this diverse, lovely, and eclectic city. But don’t take my word for it — put this list to the test and let me know what you think!

Get the In-Depth Budget Guide to New York City!

For more in-depth information and tips on NYC, check out my 100+ page guidebook written for budget travelers like yourself! It cuts out the fluff found in other guides and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel and save money the city that never sleeps. You’ll find suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, on and off the beaten path things to see and do, non-touristy restaurants, markets, and bars, and much more!! Click here to learn more and get started.

Book Your Trip to New York City: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Get Your Guide Check out my detailed guide to planning a visit to NYC with suggested itineraries, places to stay, things to do, where to eat, and how to get around. Just click here to get the guide and continue planning today!

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay elsewhere, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time. My favorite places to stay in New York City are:

HI NYC Hostel – One of the biggest and most popular hostels in the city with a ton of space, an outdoor patio, free Wi-Fi, events, activities, and a huge kitchen.

Jazz on Columbus Circle – My favorite hostel in NYC, with comfy dorms and a friendly environment.

Pod Times Square – Incredibly tiny private rooms, but with an excellent quiet location near Times Square.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

World Nomads (for everyone below 70)

Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too!

Photo credit: 11 – Joyofmuseums, 16 – Jay

The post 29 Things to See and Do in New York City appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

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wikitopx · 5 years

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The beautiful beaches and historic downtown of Galveston, less than an hour from Houston, make this a year-round destination for Texans and tourists.

For much of the 19th century, Galveston was the largest and wealthiest town in the state, and for a brief period, it was even the capital of the Republic of Texas. The splendor of the period can still be seen in the historic buildings and handsome mansions. In the heart of the city center, the Strand district preserves many original facades, now home to restaurants, cafes, galleries and shops.

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1. Galveston's Beaches

Turquoise water laps at the seemingly endless stretch of soft sand that fronts the ocean and draws crowds of people here from spring until fall. The Seawall runs for more than 10 miles along the beach, offering plenty of room to find your own patch of sand and space to play in the shallow and often calm water.

Several washroom facilities are located along here at various intervals, and behind the beach are restaurants, shops, and hotels. At the heart of the action along here is Pleasure Pier.

One of the most popular beaches, near the east end of the island, is Stewart Beach. At this family-friendly beach, you'll find showers and restrooms, chair and umbrella rentals, a children's playground, concessions, and a lifeguard.

If you are looking for more nature and activity, head west to Galveston Island State Park, where you can go walking along the boardwalks, kayaking through the bayou, and bird-watching on either the bay or ocean side.

2. The Strand Historic District

The Strand Historical Site in Galveston - also known simply as The Strand - is a National Historic Site composed mainly of Victorian buildings, many of which survived the 1900 hurricane. There are many restaurants, cafes, galleries, and antique shops, which is a pleasant place to visit, shop and eat.

The district stretches all the way to the busy jetty, with restored old warehouses and home to many of Galveston's most important tourist destinations. Also in this area, you'll find Pier 19, with the Museum and offshore rig Ocean Star, the nearby Texas Harbor Museum and dining places overlooking the water.

Be sure to stop at Pier 21 to watch The Great Storm, a 1900 storm movie that attacked Galveston and changed it forever.

The Strand is also home to an eclectic mix of retail and dining, from old-fashioned candy stores, like LA King's Confectionery, where you can watch taffy-making demonstrations, to more upscale restaurants, such as longtime Rudy and Paco, next to the 1894 Grand Opera House, or the more modern Vargas Cut and Catch on the street.

3. 1892 Bishop's Palace

Built as a private residence, the Bishop's Palace is often described as one of the most important Victorian castles in the United States. It was completed in 1893 after seven years of construction.

The grand interior displays elaborately carved woodwork, high ceilings, stained glass windows, fireplaces, and fine furnishings. Now a national historic site and museum, the house is open to tours.

Address: 1402 Broadway Street, Galveston, Texas

Official Site: https://ift.tt/1lQ55Ev

4. Moody Gardens and Aquarium Pyramid

Moody Gardens is a huge complex with things to do for the whole family. It can easily be an all-day outing, or you can target just one of the many attractions here and spend a few hours. The most outstanding feature is the three glass pyramids.

The main attraction for many is the Pyramid tour. This huge aquarium showcases the marine life of the Pacific, the Antarctic, the Great Barrier Reef, the Coral Sea, and the Caribbean. Some of the highlights are the underwater tunnel, touch tanks, and the giant river otters and the penguins, both of which are part of the animal encounter programs.

The Rainforest Pyramid is home to flora and fauna from the tropics, including free-roaming monkeys and sloths, birds, and fish. A boardwalk at canopy level takes you right through the heart of the rainforest. The aptly named Discovery Pyramid focuses on science and offers a range of displays.

Afterward, head to Palm Beach waterpark with its white sands, freshwater lagoons, slides, lazy river, and replica paddle steamer. Also, check out the elaborate seasonal displays.

Address: 1 Hope Blvd, Galveston, Texas

Official Site: www.moodygardens.com

5. Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier

The most prominent feature along the Seawall is Pleasure Dock. Jutting out into the ocean like a carnival on stilts, the pier's roller coasters, and colorful structures can be seen from well off in the distance along the beachfront.

Opened in 2012, this 1,130-foot pier - built on the site of its predecessor, was destroyed by a typhoon in 1961 - boasts many exciting rides suitable for all ages, as well as games and activities, and a restaurant.

If you are visiting Galveston with kids, this is a fun way to spend some time. The Pleasure Pier is open daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and on weekends during the winter.

Address: 2501 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, Texas

Official Site: www.pleasurepier.com

6. Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig and Museum

The Port of Galveston is home to many rigs and supply vessels, and with a nod to Galveston's important role in the Gulf of Mexico's bustling oil and gas industries, the Ocean Star Offshore Oil Rig and Museum offers a fascinating insight into the energy business.

Based on an actual oil rig - the Great Ocean Star, built-in 1969 - the museum displays many amazing exhibits. Highlights include a visit to the pipe deck, where some of the larger equipment needed to drill the rig's more than 200 wells is stored, along with interactive displays showing the process from exploration to extraction.

Address: 2002 Wharf Road, Galveston, Texas

Official site: www.oceanstaroec.com

7. Texas Seaport Museum and the Elissa

The Texas Seaport Museum is home to the tall ship Elissa, built-in 1877 and considered one of the finest restored historic vessels in the US. This lovely old ship still puts to sea regularly, and her fascinating story — including her rescue from the scrapyard — is told in the museum onshore.

Other highlights include a look at the history of the Port of Galveston, including the names of the more than 133,000 migrants who passed through. If you want to see more, drive over to nearby Seawolf Park for a peek at a WWII-era US Navy submarine and the USS Stewart, a destroyer from the same period.

Address: 2200 Harborside Drive, Galveston, Texas

Official Site: https://ift.tt/2O1DQfY

8. The Bryan Museum

Housed in a fabulous historic building, which was once the Galveston Orphans Home, this museum showcases a diverse collection of art and artifacts from the American West, spanning more than 12,000 years.

The permanent collection relates to everything, from Native American history to the Spanish Colonial Age and Independence to Texas. The Texas Masters Gallery features the art of Texas-born artists, as well as people who walk through the area and photograph it on canvas.

Around the museum, you'll also find works by various artists, including pieces by Andy Warhol. iPads on displays help explain the pieces and their significance, but the best way to appreciate the collection and learn about history is to take a tour. If you are lucky, you may even see the founder, Mr. J.P. Bryan, who opened the Bryan Museum in 2015.

Address: 1315 21st Street, Galveston, Texas

Official Site: www.thebryanmuseum.org

9. Moody Mansion

Built-in 1895, the interior of the Victorian Moody Mansion features stained glass, custom carved woodwork, decorative tiles, and plasterwork, along with fine stencil work throughout.

The house also impresses with red bricks, unique architecture and countless arches, along with numerous antiques, photographs and intricate artwork. Guided tours through 20 rooms are available, and many special events and programs are also held here. Also of interest are the bases of meticulous maintenance.

Address: 1 Hope Blvd, Galveston, Texas

Official Site: www.moodymansion.org

10. The Grand 1894 Opera House

Another ancient architecture of Galveston is the Grand Theater of 1894, a restored Victoria Theater that is splendid and withstands many storms. It still hosts a full lineup of musical and theatrical performances, along with a selection of fun shows for kids of all ages.

On the wall inside the main entrance, a plaque shows the level of the high water mark from hurricane Ike, which swept through in 2008.

Address: 2020 Post Office Street, Galveston, Texas

Official Site: www.thegrand.com

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Tampa is tailor-made for families who love animals.

Take your pick between the Florida Aquarium, Tampa Electric's Manatee Viewing Center, Big Cat Rescue or Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo. Not traveling with the kids? Tampa's got you covered there, too. When you're not getting a history lesson at the Henry B. Botanical Museum, relax with a cocktail or two and some delicious Cuban cuisine in the city of Ybor. And while Tampa may not be known for its beaches, that doesn't mean the sun and joy are out of reach. You'll find some of Florida's most famous beaches, including Clearwater Beach, Honeymoon Island State Park, and Treasure Island less than an hour from downtown Tampa.

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1. Tampa Riverwalk

The Riverwalk is a 2.6 mile-long trail that runs along the Hillsborough River in Tampa. Visitors walk, bike, rollerblade, relax with public art and visit lots of restaurants, shops, parks and playgrounds, bike rental shops and attractions such as the Florida Aquarium and the Glazer Children's Museum, along with the route.

Recent visitors have been impressed by how well the park is maintained and cleaned and noted that this is an ideal place to catch the sunset. You can access the Riverwalk from any number of locations along the river. Visit the Friends of the Riverwalk website for more information and maps.

2. Armature Works

Armature Works Heights Public Market - a 22,000 square foot industrial market - is Tampa's latest destination for architecture and food lovers. The 1910 building was formerly the place to store and maintain the electric vehicles of Tampa Electric, contributing to the urban feel it embodies today.

Recent visitors loved the variety of dining options and space itself. In addition to all the eateries, there are retail stores and rooftop bars as well as a "Show + Tell" seminar, which is used for everything from cooking classes to wine tasting.

There are plenty of activities outside too, including concerts and movie nights. Since the property is right on the Riverwalk, it is easily accessible. It's open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, until 11 p.m.

Friday and from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday. It welcomes visitors from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. The entrance is free. Parking is free during the visit and costs $5 on the weekends. Visit the market's website for more information.

3. Busch Gardens

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Span over 300 acres and boast over 12,000 animals live shows, restaurants, roller coasters, shops and games, Busch Gardens is a common way to spend a day in the Tampa sun. Did you know that Busch Gardens is actually older than the nearby Disney World?

Recent visitors love the combination of entertainment and education found here, saying that everyone from animal lovers to thrill-seekers will be happy at the park. If you're here to move, you can buy a Quick Queue Unlimited card to skip the lines - another highlight for reviewers.

4. Tampa Theatre

Even if you're not in town for screenings or movie shows, travelers recommend stopping at the ornate Tampa Theater. When it was built in 1926, the theater was considered one of the world's most elaborate theaters.

Designed by architect John Eberson, the interior features a 1,400-pipe Wurlitzer organ and was constructed to look like a Mediterranean garden with flowers and gargoyles. Take a look at the ceiling and you'll spot 99 bulbs meant to resemble stars in the night sky. If you are unable to attend a program here, consider visiting instead.

The site offers a 90-minute "balcony to backstage" tour, including a Wurlitzer theater performance and detailed information on stories, art, and ants. The architecture has made this palace a place in the Historic State Registry of Places and City of Tampa.

Tours take place on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. Adult tickets cost $ 10; children from 2 to 12 tours for $ 8. Check the theater website for showtimes and book a tour in advance (they often sell out tickets).

5. Florida Aquarium

Located on the southeastern edge of downtown Tampa, the Florida Aquarium contains a huge collection of marine life - 14,000 animals, by the end.

Past visitors said it'll take you at least three hours to make your way through the maze of stingrays, moray eels and sea turtles that live here, but there's a good chance your child will be tired of the previous outing.

Tourists say that the touch tanks and jellyfish exhibits are among their favorites. Young children will definitely enjoy the Splash Pad area, a 2-acre outdoor area that includes geysers, pours and a sprinkler area for kids (don't forget to pack towels!).

6. Golf

With such ideal weather all year round, Tampa is a great place for one or two golf courses. TPC Tampa Bay, which has held the PGA Tour Champions for over 20 years, is one of the city's most popular courses.

It features an 18-hole course designed by Bobby Weed, with Chi-Chi Rodriguez as a player consultant. Recent golfers praised the helpful staff and enjoyed the as-advertised challenging course.

Another popular course is Saddlebrook Resort, which features two courses designed by Arnold Palmer. Recent visitors said the courses were beautiful and well maintained. The Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Golf Resort is equally revered for players and spectators who flock to the course for the annual Valspar Championship.

7. Tampa Boat Tours

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Make the most of Tampa's coastal location by a boat trip around the bay. You'll have sightseeing options, including sunset trips, half-day trips, and dolphin cruises. If you've been planning to visit the Florida Aquarium, consider piling up for a while for the Wild Dolphin Cruise.

The tour departs from the aquarium twice daily, including a 75-minute trip on a 72-foot catamaran. The purpose of the tour is to travel far enough to Tampa Bay to see hundreds of bottlenose dolphins calling the area, but you may also spot some species of birds and sea turtles occasionally.

Note that you'll have to purchase the aquarium's combo ticket if you want to tack this experience onto your visit. Tampa Bay Fun Boat is another popular sightseeing option other than day cruises and sunsets.

If you'd rather be the captain of your own boat, consider boats Tampa, which offers one- to four-hour boat rentals. No boating license is necessary. For a more traditional boating tour, consider booking with Olde World Sailing Line, which is also a favorite among recent Tampa visitors.

This 44-foot sailboat adds elegance with private sunset cruises and full moon cruises.

8. Tampa Electric's Manatee Viewing Center

Tampa is a city for animal lovers willing to pay the price for cuddling, originality, and cuteness. Science centers, zoos, and aquariums that don't charge at least a little something for you to enter are few and far between.

Which is why Tampa Electric's Manatee Viewing Center is so special. Vacationers appreciate a little rest in their journey to see men swimming through the Tampa Electric water plant, and they don't have to pay an arm and a leg for the privilege.

In fact, you won't have to pay anything at all. At the Big Bend power plant on Apollo Beach, employees seek refuge in the power plant's discharge panels, the warm, clean saltwater currents of Tampa Bay. When the bay was too cold for the manor, they retreated into this space for heating.

When your eyes aren't on the water, turn your attention to the center's other attractions, including a mangrove exhibit, a butterfly garden, and a gift shop. You can also get a bird's-eye view of the area by climbing up the stairs to the 50-foot viewing tower, located halfway down the Manatee Viewing Center's habitat loop trail.

9. Big Cat Rescue

This northwest Tampa spot is more sanctuary than a zoo; while here, you'll have the chance to learn all things concerning bobcats, tigers, cougars, lynx, snow leopards – even house cats.

To give you a perspective on its size and range, the complex covers 67 acres, containing more than 100 animals from more than 14 different species. Recent visitors have said that this attraction certainly attracts an appropriate audience, but cat lovers will be very interested in what they learn from friendly, passionate guides and informative believe.

If you're hoping to spot the animals when they're most active, sign up for a feeding or night tour; the cats are usually resting during the day. Keeper tours receive positive reviews from recent visitors, too.

Visiting can be pricey, however. Ticket cost depends on your tour type (there are day tours, night tours, kids tours, and feeding tours, among others), but usually, it cost between $29 and $125 per person.

You must book an online tour on the Big Cat Rescue website, or you can call to make your reservation. The time and date of the visit vary, but detailed hours can be found on the reserve website. The facility sits about 15 miles northwest of downtown Tampa.

10. ZooTampa at Lowry Park

Spanning 60 acres, ZooTampa boasts natural habitats, educational shows and interactive animal encounters, water play areas, and a handful of rides. Here you'll find a variety of animals from around the world, including African elephants, koalas, orangutans, penguins, and tigers, among other species.

Also, for those who didn't spot any animals at Tampa Electric's Manatee Observation Center, you're in luck; The zoo is home to Florida's only nonprofit acute care hospital, which means this is one of a few places in Florida where you are guaranteed to spot the area's beloved dugongs. tell the season.

Other highlights are a carousel and a section dedicated to Florida wildlife. When you are not surprised at the manor, you will meet with interacting animals, from giving an Indian rhino to posing for a photo with a koala bear.

Recent visitors are often pleased with the zoo, and especially recommend it to families with young children. They also said that the zoo staff was friendly and the zoo was well maintained.

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