Deep Dish Chicago Pizza, Staying at the NOBU hotel, boat architecture tour, and more!

I'll be honest with you right up front — I wasn't expecting much from Chicago.

I had this picture in my head. Dirty. High crime. Gray. The kind of city you visit because you have to, not because you want to. We were flying in for a wedding, so I figured we'd tack on a few extra days, check the box, and head home.

I could not have been more wrong. Here's how the trip actually went.

If I had to describe this cabin in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, The View, in one word, it would be cozy. It's a 2-bedroom, 2-bath cabin (both bathrooms are en-suite), log cabin that gives you the cozy mountain vibe you are looking for you when you visit the mountains. It sits less than five minutes from The Parkway in Pigeon Forge.That location ended up being the thing I appreciated most, and I'll get into why below.

I saw on Facebook that there was going to be a Hot Air Balloon Festival up in Townsend, Tennessee — about 30 minutes from the Parkway in Pigeon Forge — and I knew right away we had to go. The kids would love it, and honestly? So would I.

If you're thinking about going next year, stick around to the bottom — I've got a list of tips that'll save you some grief.

If you're planning a trip with little ones to Dollywood and hunting for all the tips and tricks to make the day as smooth as possible — you're in the right place. Here's everything we've learned going pregnant, with nursing children, with toddlers, and more.

There's waking up to a nice view… and then there's opening your curtains to a perfect cone-shaped volcano towering over the rainforest. That was our view every single morning at The Springs Resort in Costa Rica — and yes, it's the same resort the Kardashians have stayed at!