Tips + Planning

The Top 10 Things to Do in Bali

Are you ready to experience Bali beyond its beaches and restaurants? Discover some of the best things many tourists miss out on.

This small Indonesian island province attracts tourists from all over the world – and understandably so. Its temples, volcanic mountains, lush vegetation, coral reefs, and tons of activities offer people quite the adventure.

If you want to make the most out of your trip, check out some of the following activities.

#1 – Surfing in Kuta, Bali

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Easily one of the top 10 things to do in Bali, surfing at Kuta Beach is an amazing experience. The water is gentle enough for beginners to learn, but not so tame that veteran surfers wouldn’t have a good time.

You can rent a board and even take surfing lessons during the day. What’s even better is the rolling surf feature that lacks any sharp reefs.

Kuta beach is also a fantastic spot to catch the sunset or grab a few drinks and party.

#2 – Have Fun at the Bali Treetop Adventure Park

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When traveling with the kids, or even with a bunch of adrenaline seekers, know that exploring this adventure park is among the best things to do in Bali. Located in a lush forest, the Bali Treetop Adventure Park offers a variety of rides and courses.

There are plenty of kids-friendly circuits, as well as high-rise platforms. The latter can be more challenging to tackle but it offers terrific views from above the canopy. It’s also an ideal place to visit when trying to cool off on a hot day.

#3 – Go on a Dive or Two

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Another one of the top things to do in Bali is to go diving. If you want to access the best diving sites, you can head to Padang Bai. It’s to the east and has the finest diving spots in the region. The rich marine life impresses most tourists.

Muck diving is a highly popular activity due to the variety of critters you can see. Turtles, blue-ringed octopuses, seahorses, sharks, and many others are commonly sighted near Padang Bai.

It won’t take more than a couple of dives to get your certification, which means you could go diving for the better part of your vacation without worries.

But if you visit Tulamben, you can have a very different experience. It’s where most people go wreck diving trying to find various artifacts. You can even see the USAT Liberty shipwreck dating back to World War II.

#4 – Tour the Monkey Forest Sanctuary

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You can do two things at the Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud.

First, you can explore three remarkable temples that date back to the 14^th century and take pictures.

The second, and most popular, activity is to feed the monkeys. It’s because the sanctuary is actually a jungle reserve with fantastic scenery and well over 500 monkeys as permanent residents.

Multiple stands sell monkey food, so you don’t have to bring your own. But be careful what you carry around. Some of the primates are overly friendly and might want to “borrow” your stuff.

#5 – Visit the Bali Zoo

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If you want to see more animals, know that visiting the zoo is one of the best things to do in Bali, whether you’re traveling alone or in groups. You’ll find the complex in the Gianyar Regency.

Tingers, rhinos, elephants, lizards, and colorful Southeast Asian birds, and other creatures inhabit the zoo. All the animal residents live in open-air enclosures, which provide them with more freedom.

If you don’t have time during the day, the zoo organizes a night safari, too, though you’ll only get to see any activity from nocturnal animals.

#6 – Immerse Yourself in the Bali Nightlife

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Want to paint the town red? You might want to take a trip to Kuta, Bali’s leading hub for nightlife partying. That’s where you can find the most clubs, cafes, eateries, and entertainment venues.

You’ll find a variety of live music events, which are always great for keeping crowds animated. Best of all, if you want to party hard, Kuta accommodates everyone until sunrise.

#7 – Engage in Water Sports

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Kuta is for surfing, but Sanur is for all other water sports. In fact, paragliding and kite surfing here are among the most popular things to do in Bali. You can try both, as well as paddle boarding and other various activities.

The reason behind why Sanur is such a significant draw is that the area has no waves. Such calm waters allow people to try just about anything short of surfing.

#8 – Trek to a Waterfall

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Hiking and trekking are just two of the best things to do in Bali. Its lush vegetation and natural beauty make it a top attraction for outdoor adventurers.

One of the most popular treks you can do is the one to the Sekumpul Waterfall. A long secluded path will take you to a sacred spot in the middle of a lush valley.

However, don’t take the sacred aspect to mean forbidden. You can go to the waterfall and even bathe in its pools, which is an excellent way to relax after a long hike.

#9 – Relax at the Ulun Danu Temple

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Bali is often crowded as it’s such a popular destination. But one of the most visited spots is also the most serene.

The Ulun Danu Temple is in Bedugul, right on the edge of Baratan Lake. It has various shrines and intricate artwork and is generally a place where you won’t hear a peep out of people.

#10 – Catch a Perfect Sunset

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Are you looking for romantic things to do in Bali? If so, how about watching a perfect sunset?

You can catch one from the Tanah Lot Temple. This Hindu temple is one of Bali’s top attractions due to its location and picturesque view. The temple sits on a gorgeous rock formation that’s separated from the mainland.

It’s one of the most famous sunset viewing spots, which means you’ll have to take an early trip if you want a good spot for the show.

You Can’t Spend Enough Time in Bali

Many westerners visit Bali just for the beaches, but there’s so much more to discover in the area.

From its amazing wildlife to its lush jungle, to the crazy adventures, there’s never a dull moment here no matter how young or old you are.

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Tips + Planning

New York on a Budget: Tips for Affordable Fun

Dreaming of NYC but worried about the price tag? You’re not alone. While the Big Apple consistently ranks among the world’s most expensive cities, experiencing its magic doesn’t require a trust fund. With insider knowledge and smart planning, you can savor iconic sights, world-class culture, and delicious eats without breaking the bank. Here’s your roadmap to an unforgettable, affordable New York adventure.

Conquer the Classics for Free (or Almost Free)

New York is overflowing with iconic experiences that cost nothing but your time.

Explore Central Park — Bstatic.com. (2025). Available at: https://cf.bstatic.com [Accessed 4 Jul. 2025]

Walk Famous Landmarks: Stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge for breathtaking skyline views and photo ops. Explore Central Park – visit Sheep Meadow, Bethesda Fountain, and hidden waterfalls. Wander through Times Square at night to soak in the neon energy, marvel at Grand Central Terminal’s architecture, and admire the Rose Reading Room at the New York Public Library.
Seek Out Spectacular Free Views: Skip the expensive observation decks. Ride the Staten Island Ferry (FREE, 24/7) for stunning views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the Lower Manhattan skyline. Walk the High Line, an elevated park with unique city vistas and art. Head to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade for that classic postcard view of Manhattan.
Discover World-Class Museums for Less: Many major museums offer “pay-what-you-wish” admission or free hours:
- The Met: Pay what you wish for NY, NJ, CT residents; suggested admission others
- American Museum of Natural History: Pay what you wish for NY, NJ, CT residents
- MoMA: Free for all every Friday evening (5:30 PM – 9:00 PM)
- Museum of the City of New York: Pay what you wish for NY residents; free for all Wednesdays
- National Museum of the American Indian: Always free
- Bronx Museum: Always free
- Others: Guggenheim (pay-what-you-wish Sat evenings), Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum (free Fri evenings), and Brooklyn Museum (free first Saturday of the month)
Embrace Parks & Green Spaces: Beyond Central Park, explore Prospect Park (Brooklyn), Brooklyn Bridge Park (free kayaking in summer!), Bryant Park (free events year-round), Washington Square Park, and the unique Little Island.

Eat Like a Local (Without the Tourist Markup)

NYC’s culinary scene is legendary, and you don’t need a fancy reservation to enjoy it.

New York slice — Islands.com. (2025). Available at: https://www.islands.com [Accessed 4 Jul. 2025]

The Almighty Slice: Grab a classic $1-$3 New York slice from spots like Joe’s Pizza, 2 Bros Pizza, or countless neighborhood pizzerias.
Street Food & Food Trucks: Fuel up with affordable breakfast tacos, bagels with cream cheese, hot dogs, pretzels, and legendary halal cart plates.
Global Delights in Ethnic Enclaves:
- Chinatown: Inexpensive dumplings, dim sum, noodle soups
- Queens (Flushing, Jackson Heights): Authentic and affordable eats from around the world
- Arthur Avenue, Bronx: Authentic Italian far superior (and cheaper) than Little Italy
Happy Hour Deals: Milk happy hour for discounted drinks and sometimes food at popular bars.
Groceries & Markets: Grab picnic supplies for park lunches. Explore food halls like Chelsea Market (sample affordably) or Essex Market.

Smart Savings on Accommodation & Transportation

These two areas often eat the biggest chunks of your budget. Fight back!

Catholicleader.com.au. (2025). Available at: https://catholicleader.com.au [Accessed 4 Jul. 2025]

Stay Beyond Manhattan: Consider Brooklyn, Queens, or even New Jersey for significantly better hotel rates and more space.
Book Early & Compare: Use comparison sites. Winter offers the lowest prices, while spring/fall provide good balance of cost and comfort.
Master Public Transit: Ditch the expensive cabs!
- Subway & Bus: The $2.90 single ride is your lifeline. A 7-Day Unlimited MetroCard ($34) pays for itself after about 12 rides
- Walking: NYC is incredibly walkable
- Citi Bike: Great for short hops
- Ferries: Besides the FREE Staten Island Ferry, the NYC Ferry offers scenic routes

Score Deals on Entertainment & Experiences

Culture and fun in NYC don’t have to come with a sky-high price.

Shakespeare in the Park — Feverup.com. (2025). Available at: https://offloadmedia.feverup.com [Accessed 4 Jul. 2025]

Broadway & Theater:
- TKTS Booths: Get same-day tickets for up to 50% off
- Lotteries & Rush Tickets: Many shows offer deeply discounted tickets via digital lotteries or in-person rush sales
Free Festivals & Events: NYC’s calendar is packed!
- Shakespeare in the Park: Summer performances in Central Park
- SummerStage & BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn!: Free concerts in parks
- Holiday Magic: Rockefeller Tree, Macy’s Parade, Dyker Heights lights
Comedy & TV Tapings: Find free or low-cost comedy shows and apply for free audience tickets to TV shows.

Pro Tips for Maximum Savings

Travel Off-Peak: Visit in winter or early December for lowest prices
Embrace Free Walking Tours: Cover neighborhoods like Greenwich Village, SoHo, and Chinatown
Hydrate Smart: Carry a reusable water bottle – NYC tap water is excellent
Seek Out Local Alternatives: Skip tourist traps for authentic neighborhood experiences

The Takeaway:

New York City on a budget isn’t just possible; it can lead to a richer, more authentic experience. By focusing on free attractions, eating locally, staying strategically, mastering the subway, and seeking deals, you unlock the true vibrancy of the city without draining your savings. Remember, the best things in New York – the energy, the people-watching, the iconic skyline views – are often free. So pack your walking shoes, grab a MetroCard and a dollar slice, and get ready to fall in love with the Big Apple on your own terms! What’s your first budget-friendly NYC adventure going to be? Share your tips in the comments!

Oceanside

Oceanside’s Farm-to-Table Dining: A Foodie’s Guide

If you’ve ever dreamed of devouring a just-plucked salad while staring at the Pacific, then buckle up, buttercup—Oceanside farm-to-table dining is calling your name.

Tucked between sun-soaked beaches and rolling inland hills, this Southern California gem has quietly grown into a haven for food lovers who like their meals local, their chefs bold, and their plates—well, Instagram-ready.

Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or just someone who really really likes brunch, Oceanside farm-to-table dining offers more than sea views. We’re talking heirloom tomatoes kissed by morning fog, craft cocktails that double as magic tricks, and chefs who are basically artists with aprons. Here’s your ultimate guide to getting fed, farm-fresh style.

What Is Oceanside Farm-to-Table Dining, Really?

Let’s clear the table for a sec. Farm-to-table isn’t just some trendy buzzword chefs slap on menus to sound eco-chic. At its core, it means sourcing ingredients locally—often directly from farms—and serving them up with minimal processing and maximum flavor. In Oceanside, this goes beyond just taste. It’s a philosophy. A lifestyle. Dare we say… a movement?

And the best part? You’re supporting local growers, reducing your carbon footprint, and probably tasting the juiciest strawberry of your life. Win-win-win.

Best Oceanside Farm-to-Table Restaurants You Need to Try

1. The Plot

Facade of The Plot restaurant in Oceanside, CA. — Visitoceanside.org. (2025). Available at: https://visitoceanside.org/ [Accessed 27 Jun. 2025].

This zero-waste, plant-based spot is straight-up revolutionary. Their ingredients come from their own nearby farm, and the dishes? Think beet poke, jackfruit tacos, and other delicious curveballs that even die-hard carnivores can’t resist. Oh, and they compost everything. If guilt-free indulgence had a home address, this would be it.

2. Dija Mara

A group of people eating at Dija Mara restaurant in Oceanside CA. — Visitoceanside.org. (2025). Available at: https://visitoceanside.org/ [Accessed 27 Jun. 2025].

Farm-to-table meets Southeast Asian street food in a vibe-heavy spot that’s as edgy as it is flavorful. The grilled octopus is legendary, and if you skip the charred broccolini, you’re doing it wrong. The chef draws heavily from local produce, giving traditional Balinese flavors a SoCal twist. It’s bold, it’s funky, and it absolutely slaps.

3. Piper at The Seabird Resort

Menu at Piper restaurant in Oceanside, CA. — Theseabirdresort.com. (2025). Available at: https://theseabirdresort.com/ [Accessed 27 Jun. 2025].

Piper doesn’t mess around. Set inside a dreamy oceanside resort, this airy spot serves up locally-sourced everything—from the eggs in your shakshuka to the basil in your spritz. It’s coastal chic meets farmers market brunch, with a pastry chef who deserves a standing ovation. Try the house-made granola, and prepare to get hooked.

4. Wrench & Rodent Seabasstropub

Wrench & Rodent Seabasstropub. Oceanside farm-to-table dining. — Squarespace-cdn.com. (2022). Available at: https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/ [Accessed 27 Jun. 2025].

Don’t let the name throw you. This place is an Oceanside staple, known for its punk-rock approach to sushi and unwavering dedication to sustainability. Chef Davin Waite works with local fishermen and farms to craft rolls that are inventive, wild, and weirdly poetic. Like a sea urchin haiku with a wasabi kick.

Markets & Makers: Take the Experience Home

Oceanside’s Downtown Farmers Market. Oceanside farm-to-table dining.

Don’t just eat it—live it. Oceanside’s Downtown Farmers Market is held every Thursday and is your golden ticket to the freshest produce, local honey, and homemade everything. Chat up the farmers. Sample the stone fruit. Grab some sourdough that might change your life. It’s laid-back, lively, and just the right amount of chaotic.

While you’re at it, check out Cyclops Farms, a certified organic urban farm that supplies many of Oceanside’s restaurants. They host events, dinners, and even let you pick your own produce. Warning: you might leave with a crate of kale and a deep desire to start gardening.

Final Bites: Why Oceanside’s Food Scene Hits Different

Let’s be honest—farm-to-table is often tossed around in cities that feel more like curated museum exhibits than real, lived-in communities. But Oceanside? It’s gritty, it’s growing, and it’s got soul. The chefs here aren’t following trends; they’re setting them. The food isn’t pretentious; it’s passionate. And every bite tells a story that started just down the road.

So, next time you find yourself in this coastal corner of California, come hungry—and maybe wear pants with an elastic waistband. You’re gonna need it.

Planning Your Visit?
Make sure to check restaurant hours, reserve ahead if you can, and leave room in your suitcase for jam jars and handmade pasta. This isn’t just a dining experience—it’s a full-on flavor adventure.

Dig in.

New Orleans

New Orleans’ Haunted History: A Ghost Tour

New Orleans, the Crescent City, is renowned for its vibrant music, delectable cuisine, and unique cultural blend. But beneath the surface of jazz-filled streets and colorful balconies lies a darker, more mysterious side: a history steeped in tragedy, Voodoo, and countless restless spirits. If you’re looking for an adventure that will send shivers down your spine and ignite your imagination, a ghost tour in New Orleans is an absolute must-do!

Imagine walking through the dimly lit cobblestone streets of the French Quarter, the gas lamps casting long, dancing shadows, as a seasoned storyteller regales you with tales of centuries-old hauntings. This isn’t just about jump scares; it’s an immersive journey into the city’s past, where every building seems to hold a chilling secret.

What Makes New Orleans So Haunted?

New Orleans Street — Visittheusa.com. (2025). Available at: https://www.visittheusa.com [Accessed 23 Jun. 2025]

The city’s tumultuous history has created fertile ground for paranormal activity. From devastating fires and rampant epidemics like yellow fever to the brutal realities of slavery and violent crimes, New Orleans has witnessed its share of profound suffering. This rich, often tragic, past has left an indelible mark, and many believe the spirits of those who lived and died here still linger.

Iconic Haunted Locations You Might Encounter:

A good ghost tour will take you to some of New Orleans’ most infamous spectral hotspots. Here are a few you’re likely to hear about:

The LaLaurie Mansion — Al.com. (2025). Available at: https://www.al.com [Accessed 23 Jun. 2025]

The LaLaurie Mansion (1140 Royal Street): Perhaps the most notorious haunted house in America, this grand mansion was once home to Madame Delphine LaLaurie, a wealthy socialite infamous for her horrific cruelty towards her enslaved people in the early 19th century. The tales of torture and suffering within its walls are truly unsettling, and many claim the tormented spirits of her victims still haunt the property.

St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 — Cemeterytourneworleans.com. (2025). Available at: https://cemeterytourneworleans.com [Accessed 23 Jun. 2025]

St. Louis Cemetery No. 1: As the oldest cemetery in New Orleans, established in 1789, it’s a labyrinth of above-ground tombs and crumbling mausoleums. It’s the final resting place of many notable figures, including the legendary Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau. Visitors often report seeing ghostly figures, hearing whispers, and feeling an eerie presence among the ornate tombs.

The Ursuline Convent — Tripadvisor.com. (2025). Available at: https://dynamic-media-cdn.tripadvisor.com [Accessed 23 Jun. 2025]

The Ursuline Convent: This imposing building, dating back to the 1750s, holds tales of mysterious deaths and sightings of ghostly nuns. It’s also famously associated with the “Casket Girls” legend – young French women who arrived with small chests, rumored to be vampires by some, though history tells a less sensational story of their belongings.

Hotel Monteleone — Phgcdn.com. (2025). Available at: https://phgcdn.com [Accessed 23 Jun. 2025]

Hotel Monteleone: This luxurious hotel has a long history and a reputation for being exceptionally haunted. Guests and staff have reported encounters with spectral children, including a young boy named Maurice who is said to roam the 14th floor, still searching for his parents.

Muriel's Jackson Square — Thevendry.com. (2025). Available at: https://thevendry.com [Accessed 23 Jun. 2025]

Muriel’s Jackson Square: This restaurant is reportedly haunted by its former owner, Pierre Antoine Lepardi Jourdan, who committed suicide upstairs after losing the property in a poker game. Diners have reported moving objects, disembodied voices, and a general feeling of being watched.

Beyond the Ghosts: A Historical Perspective

New Orleans ghost tours are more than just spooky stories; they offer a unique way to delve into the city’s complex history. You’ll learn about the origins of Voodoo in New Orleans, the impact of significant historical events, and the lives of the colorful, and often tragic, characters who shaped this remarkable city. The guides are often captivating storytellers, blending historical facts with local legends to create an unforgettable experience.

Whether you’re a skeptic or a true believer, a New Orleans ghost tour promises an evening of intrigue, history, and a touch of the supernatural. It’s a chance to see the city in a different light, to feel the echoes of its past, and perhaps, to even encounter a friendly (or not-so-friendly) spirit.