Guides
10 Family-FriendlyThings To Do At Gardner Village
Time moves by so quickly. One day you could be lugging around strollers and diaper bags – and the next minute you are loading the truck to move your kids into college. Before you know it, your little ones are grown and planning adventures with their own families. This is why spending quality time together as a family now is so important.
How do you spend your family time? Is it at someone’s house? Do you have a favorite restaurant? Do you meet at the park every Saturday? While all of these are great options, you can only do the same thing over and over for so long before everyone starts finding something else to do instead.
Why not switch it up and give Gardner Village a try? We’ve got 10 family-friendly things to do that you won’t want to miss.
1. Visit an Escape Room – or Four!
What better way to spend quality time with family than to be locked in a room together? Spend time getting through the challenge by working as a team. It is sure to leave you with memories that will be talked about for years to come – especially if you make it out in record time.
Did you know that there are four escape rooms at A Great Escape in Gardner Village?
2. Get Together For a Bite to Eat
Sitting around a table over a delicious meal with family always brings a sense of comfort. Here you will find a nice selection of dining options. The Happy Camper Deli and Bakery is a great stop for lunch. You can all grab a sandwich and gather at the outdoor tables. Archibald’s Restaurant is another great dining spot serving up some seriously delish comfort food for lunch and dinner.
3. Spend Time at The Farm
If your family has a love for animals, then visiting The Farm can be a delight. Little ones love getting up close and personal with fur friends, including sheep, alpacas, chickens, horses, and more.
As a Salt Lake area animal rescue, The Farm is open Monday through Saturday each week and offers a petting zoo and pony rides.
4. Take a Class
Does your family like to learn new things? Why not take a class? At Gardner Village, there are so many different classes with learning and DIY experiences that you can do together as a group.
- Chocolate & candy classes at Chocolate Covered Wagon
- Knitting & crocheting classes at Willow Hill Yarn Company
- Floral design workshops at Simply Flowers
- Furniture painting classes at Seven Gables Mercantile
Which one will you try?
5. Indulge in Some Self-Care
Self-care is important and spending time at Soulstice Day Spa & Salon is a great way to enjoy it. Here you can enjoy salon services, spa treatments, nail care, and more.
Get together and treat yourself at this relaxing spa at Gardner Village.
6. Capture the Moment with Family Photos
Want proof that your family spent time together? Camera Shy Photography has it. Using backdrops, props, outdoor settings, and more, genuine, natural photos can be captured to commemorate a special day – or just any day!
7. Have a Magical Dining Experience
Magic is intriguing for people of all ages. For those 8 and older, The Prestige Magic Lounge & Showroom allows you to pull up a close seat for some top-notch magic while dining on some delicious eats. You won’t be disappointed.
Another option is the dining experience at Mystique.
Mystique Dining at Gardner Village is fun for the whole family. Have a memorable night out with a delicious multi-course meal and captivating world-class magicians. It is a night like no other.
8. Spend Time at The Train Shoppe
At The Train Shoppe, your family can have a great time whether they have a love of model trains or not. This is the last hobby store left in the area that is dedicated to model trains.
Bring your family in for some fun – rides, games, gem panning, and more in their Family Fun Center or on the Gardner Village Express, a trackless train that runs through Gardner Village..
9. Spend the Day Shopping
Getting out of the house and meeting up with family doesn’t have to have a definite plan. Simply meeting up at Gardner Village to do some shopping works well. Slip away from the hustle and bustle of life, stroll the brick-lined paths, and discover the locally-owned specialty shops nestled around the historic Gardner Mill and Silo. From furniture, home decor, candy, bedding, clothing, bridal gowns, flowers, antiques, and more – you’ll find some of the best shopping Utah has to offer in one-of-a-kind shops located in restored quaint homes and buildings.
10. Host a Party
Does your family have something – or someone – to celebrate? Sometimes coming together requires a party. At Gardner Village, that is easy to do. Maybe you are celebrating a birthday, an achievement, or an anniversary. Or, maybe you are hosting a corporate team-building exercise, a school field trip, or fellowship time with your church.
Whatever it is, you can host the perfect party at one of these fun spots in Gardner Village:
- Chocolate Covered Wagon
- The Train Shoppe
- The Farm
- Simply Flowers
- A Great Escape
- Mystique Dining
- The Prestige
- Archibald’s Restaurant
- Mill Plaza
- The Gathering Place
- Boda Bridal Patio
- Seven Gables Mercantile
Visit Gardner Village
Between the shopping, the dining, and the experiences, there is so much to do at Gardner Village. Get your family together for an unforgettable time right in the heart of West Jordan, UT.
To learn more about our shops, restaurants, events, and event space, visit our website at www.GardnerVillage.com.
Guides
The Best Photography Equipment for Traveling
Are you taking your photography hobby or gig on the road for the first time? Whether for business or pleasure, a traveling photographer needs the right equipment. Traveling often means you have limited space and weight requirements, which will have an affect on what photography equipment you can bring along.
When you’re packing for your trip, consider including the following travel photography gear.
Lightweight Camera
Do you have a favorite camera you use for your photo shoots? How heavy is it? Having a camera that isn’t too heavy for traveling is important. A heavy camera will be a pain to lug around, and it will add unnecessary weight to your luggage if you’re flying. Consider packing a lightweight camera that is versatile enough to fulfill all of your photography needs on your journey.
Variety of Lenses
Depending on the type of photos you plan to take, you will likely need a few different lenses to capture the images you want. Consider your photography goals during your travels and be sure to include lenses that will allow you to get the shots you desire. Include a long range lens and/or a close range lens depending on your needs. If you’re going to be photographing people, include a portrait lens. To minimize the amount of equipment you’ll be taking along, choose lenses that are versatile enough to handle multiple purposes.
Tripod
You may want a lightweight tripod to set up your camera for specific shots. Find one that collapses down to a compact size for your luggage or carry-on bag.
Computer or Tablet
Besides just the camera and lens equipment you’ll need, you may want to consider bringing a laptop or tablet to edit your photos as you go. You may also want to download your photos to a computer periodically along the way to free up memory on your camera and storage cards. A computer also allows you to immediately post your photos to social media or blogs to keep your followers up to date on your travels.
Plenty of Memory
You can never have too much memory for photos. Bring plenty of SD cards, thumb drives, external hard drives, or whatever you prefer to use for file storage. You don’t want to miss an amazing photo opportunity due to lack of storage space.
Backpack Case
If you’re going to be taking your equipment along for your excursions, it helps to have a backpack case that can hold everything you need for a day trip. You’ll have an easier time carrying a backpack down streets, trails, and on multiple forms of transportation.
Chargers and Batteries
Make sure you pack all of the chargers you need for every device or piece of equipment you’re bringing. If anything takes batteries, pack extras or rechargeable batteries, especially if you’ll be in a foreign country where typical sizes of batteries may be scarce. Also consider outlet adapters for international travel.
Lighting Equipment
If you’re going to be setting up photo shoots that need more than natural light, bring lighting equipment with you. This is especially important if you’ll be photographing people or taking portraits.
Rain Protection
At the very least, make sure your carrying case is waterproof before you head out. In addition, if you don’t want the rain to ruin your shots or damage your camera, get a rainsleeve that allows you to take pictures in wet conditions.
Lens Cleaning Supplies
On a related note, in case your camera lens gets dirty, you’ll want cleaning supplies such as lens wipes and a microfiber cloth.
Ask a Professional
Are you taking your photography hobby or gig on the road for the first time? Whether for business or pleasure, a traveling photographer needs the right equipment. Traveling often means you have limited space and weight requirements, which will have an affect on what photography equipment you can bring along.
When you’re packing for your trip, consider including the following travel photography gear.
Lightweight Camera
Do you have a favorite camera you use for your photo shoots? How heavy is it? Having a camera that isn’t too heavy for traveling is important. A heavy camera will be a pain to lug around, and it will add unnecessary weight to your luggage if you’re flying. Consider packing a lightweight camera that is versatile enough to fulfill all of your photography needs on your journey.
Variety of Lenses
Depending on the type of photos you plan to take, you will likely need a few different lenses to capture the images you want. Consider your photography goals during your travels and be sure to include lenses that will allow you to get the shots you desire. Include a long range lens and/or a close range lens depending on your needs. If you’re going to be photographing people, include a portrait lens. To minimize the amount of equipment you’ll be taking along, choose lenses that are versatile enough to handle multiple purposes.
Tripod
You may want a lightweight tripod to set up your camera for specific shots. Find one that collapses down to a compact size for your luggage or carry-on bag.
Computer or Tablet
Besides just the camera and lens equipment you’ll need, you may want to consider bringing a laptop or tablet to edit your photos as you go. You may also want to download your photos to a computer periodically along the way to free up memory on your camera and storage cards. A computer also allows you to immediately post your photos to social media or blogs to keep your followers up to date on your travels.
Plenty of Memory
You can never have too much memory for photos. Bring plenty of SD cards, thumb drives, external hard drives, or whatever you prefer to use for file storage. You don’t want to miss an amazing photo opportunity due to lack of storage space.
Backpack Case
If you’re going to be taking your equipment along for your excursions, it helps to have a backpack case that can hold everything you need for a day trip. You’ll have an easier time carrying a backpack down streets, trails, and on multiple forms of transportation.
Chargers and Batteries
Make sure you pack all of the chargers you need for every device or piece of equipment you’re bringing. If anything takes batteries, pack extras or rechargeable batteries, especially if you’ll be in a foreign country where typical sizes of batteries may be scarce. Also consider outlet adapters for international travel.
Lighting Equipment
If you’re going to be setting up photo shoots that need more than natural light, bring lighting equipment with you. This is especially important if you’ll be photographing people or taking portraits.
Rain Protection
At the very least, make sure your carrying case is waterproof before you head out. In addition, if you don’t want the rain to ruin your shots or damage your camera, get a rainsleeve that allows you to take pictures in wet conditions.
Lens Cleaning Supplies
On a related note, in case your camera lens gets dirty, you’ll want cleaning supplies such as lens wipes and a microfiber cloth.
Ask a Professional
The above traveling photography equipment is recommended by Dani Weiss, professional photographer in Atlanta, Georgia. Dani has more than 30 years of photography experience and has traveled extensively throughout the world. Her services include family portraits, corporate photography, event photography, and more. Contact Dani Weiss to schedule a photo session today.
Guides
Uber Really Doesn’t Exist In These Cities?
If you rely heavily on ride-sharing apps like Uber, maybe avoid these places on your next vacation.
HUNGARY
Hungary faced the same dilemma that every city and county that has Uber faced: should ride-sharing drivers face the same requirements as a taxi driver? They are, after all, basically exactly the same as a taxi. But in many places, they are most certainly treated differently and not required to adhere to the same regulations. So because of this, Hungary banned the app throughout the country.
DENMARK
Denmark is a beautiful country that can make for a great vacation. Especially a city like Copenhagen. But in 2016 they passed a law that said all taxis were required to have seat occupancy sensors and fare meters. Uber did not like this and just completely withdrew from the country. But luckily at least Copenhagen is a great bicycle-friendly city.
CHINA
This shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. China regularly goes out of their way to keep their people being exposed to certain luxuries, including things as simple as access to certain websites. But oddly enough, the decision to not exist in China was made by Uber and it was an economic one. They existed there for a few years, but reportedly were losing roughly $1 billion a year in doing so! So they quickly removed themselves from China entirely.
NORTHERN TERRITORY, AUSTRALIA
Uber is still available in most of Australia, especially the major cities. But if you ever end up in the northern territory, like in cities such as Alice Springs or Darwin, for example, you better have your own transportation figured out, because Uber doesn’t exist there. They withdrew from the area after a new law was passed requiring car owners to pay a license fee. Uber saw the fees as too expensive and inefficient.
FRANCE, ITALY, FINLAND, GERMANY, AND THE NETHERLANDS
We’re lumping all these countries together because the app is only partially banned in certain parts of these countries. In Germany, for example, it basically only exists in major cities like Berlin and Munich. While in the other countries, it exists but only professionals are able to use the app as a driver. The average Joe Schmo can’t take it up as a side hustle.
LONDON… MAYBE
Technically Uber is still operating in London for the moment. London did rule in 2017 to ban the app from the city, but as Uber is currently appealing the decision it’s still available. London’s main problem with the app was legal accountability. They were unhappy with the minimal background checks drivers had to go through and Uber’s limited system for reporting criminal offenses. So it could be gone very soon… but it’s still there for now.
Destinations
Check Out The Next Generation Of Theme Parks
From Disney’s new Star Wars Land to Universal Studios Beijing, there is something for everyone in these fantasylands.
The world of theme parks is about to get really exciting in the next few years. A whole slew of awesome new parks are slated to open soon and each one has something exciting. From Disney’s new Star Wars Land to Universal Studios Beijing, there is something for everyone in these fantasylands. Let’s check out the newest crop of theme parks and see why you should be so excited.
Pandora – Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Disney is set to unveil their latest creation, Pandora; the World of Avatar is an expansion to their Animal Kingdom in Florida. This groundbreaking theme park puts visitors into the world of Avatar and sets them on the planet of Pandora. James Cameron, the director who brought us Avatar has been deeply involved in the planning and execution of the new park. Expect lush forests of bioluminescent creatures and out of this world technology.
Disney’s Star Wars Land
Disney is doing it again but this time in both Florida and California, wherein 2019 it will debut the Star Wars land. Disney purchased the Star Wars rights in 2009 for a record 4 billion dollars and has been steadily exploiting the franchise. From the concept drawings, you can tell it’s going to be massive in scale and should fully immerse fans in the Star Wars universe. I know people will start lining up for these parks early so be prepared to wait a little bit.
Paramount Park, London
The long-anticipated London theme park has gone through some setbacks but it seems on track for a 2022 opening. Expect rides from Paramount icons like Star Trek, Indiana Jones, and Iron Man. This 3 billion dollar theme park better live up its enormous hype or there will be some salty Brits.
Universal Studios Beijing
Disney recently opened up in Shanghai so of course, their bitter rival Universal Studios had to open a park in the region. So enter Universal Studios Beijing, the mega-park set to open in 2020. There are plenty of fun parks in China but none are expected to be as grand as Universal Studios Beijing. They are attempting to build a park with heart and soul, so expect something huge and grandiose.
Warner Bros. World, Abu Dhabi
Expected to rely heavily on the brands biggest stars, Looney Tunes, and DC Comics. The completely indoor theme park will open in 2018 and is expected to dominate the landscape of Abu Dhabi. The UAE (United Arab Emirates) is a little overloaded with theme parks as of recent but this one is expected to be massive.
Wanda Theme Parks
China’s richest man owns Wanda Theme Parks and his goal is to make his theme park company bigger than all others. There are ten mega-theme parks expected to open in the next 5 years in China and that sounds crazy. These theme parks will put all other Chinese parks to shame as they are investing in Hollywood franchises and other huge budget trademarks.
Expect huge things from these mega parks in the next few years as the technology and budgets just keep growing and getting bigger.
-
Destinations10 months ago
All-Inclusive Resorts Outside The Caribbean!
-
Destinations10 months ago
Touring Nashville!
-
Destinations9 months ago
Safe Travel Spots For Travel Currently
-
Destinations9 months ago
Stay With The Animals At These Awesome Hotels
-
Destinations10 months ago
The Best Cruises For Every Family Type
-
Destinations9 months ago
The Cheapest Travel Destinations in the World in 2020
-
Destinations7 months ago
Cheapest Caribbean Destination: Punta Cana VS Cancun
-
Featured10 months ago
How To Make A Healthy Gas Station Meal