Visitor Centers 101: Your Shortcut to the Best Local Experiences

Visitor Centers 101: Your Shortcut to the Best Local Experiences

We’re doing something extra special in this episode of TravelEssary. We’re welcoming our very first guest host, and honestly, we couldn’t have picked a better one.

Meet Amy Constancia, the Marketing Coordinator for the Visitors & Events Center in Early, Texas. If you’ve ever driven into a town and wondered, “Where do the locals actually go?” this episode is for you.

Amy pulls back the curtain on what visitor centers really do, why they’re one of the most underrated travel resources out there, and how they can completely change the way you experience a destination.

What We Talk About in This Episode:

• What a Visitors & Events Center actually is (and why you should never skip it)
• Amy’s role as Marketing Coordinator and what her day-to-day looks like
• The small but mighty team behind the Early Visitors Center
• How visitor centers connect travelers with authentic, local experiences
• Why they’re often the best source for hidden gems, events, and insider tips
• Yes… even the importance of clean restrooms on a travel day
• Amy’s favorite spots and memorable moments from working with visitors
• How visitor centers help towns tell their story, not just sell attractions

Why This Episode Matters:

Whether you’re traveling full-time like we are, road-tripping with kids, or planning weekend getaways, visitor centers can save you time, money, and frustration... all while helping you experience places the way locals do. Amy shares firsthand insight into how these centers support travelers and communities alike, making this episode a must-listen for anyone who loves meaningful, connected travel.

🌟 A Special TravelEssary Moment:

This episode marks the first time we’ve ever had a guest host on the podcast, and it feels extra fitting that it’s someone who represents the heart of local travel so beautifully. Amy brings knowledge, warmth, and a behind-the-scenes perspective we know you’ll love.

🎧 Press play, get inspired, and the next time you roll into a new town, stop by the visitor center first!

If you're interested in following the Early Visitor & Events Center and all of Amy's work, be sure to follow along on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/visitEarlyTexas

Transcript

  We're the Essary family and we're exploring America one destination at a time. On today's episode of TravelEssary, we have a very special guest and we are going to be talking about all things visitor centers. Let's chat. Welcome and thank you for joining us today.

Today we do not have Jeremy with us, but we do have a very special guest. Amy, would you like to say hi to the people? Yes. Hi. . No, Jeremy today. , Very much miss. We love you, Jeremy. Yeah. But we're having some girl time today, so love it. We're gonna enjoy that. So Amy, you are all about visitor centers.

In fact, that's actually what you do for your job. So tell us a little bit what you do as far as, , in the visitor center and around this. City and tell us what city that you work for. Yes, so I've been working with City of Early, actually January 20, 26 is gonna be four years. Wow. Which is crazy. Yeah. I was a little baby.

I was 23 and now I'm a full-on adult. But yes, my office is at the Early Visitors and Event Center. I do all of the marketing. So my title is marketing coordinator. Okay. I do all of the marketing for City of Early So that is like the city itself. The tourism department, the fire department, police department, so all photography, videography, uh, graphic design, website.

So you just do it all? Yeah, it's a lot. But it's so fun. There's not a one single day that it's exactly the same. I think I would love that. I mean, we travel for a living. Yeah. So I think that I would enjoy that. , Do you have someone that helps you do all of that, or is it literally just you doing it by yourself?

No, it's definitely a team effort. I am also the assistant to the tourism director, which is Denise Hudson Bryant. , She is like literally like a little brain of knowledge. I try to. Bunch All the knowledge that I can from her for sure. And I've learned a lot from her. , And then also we just got a new person.

His name's Clayton. He is our marketing assistant. I've been teaching him how to do website and graphic design, so he helps me a lot in that aspect. But social media wise, Denise does give me some ideas, but I do like the photography, videography, editing. You know, try to, yeah, do the whole social media calendar.

And there's a lot that comes to it that I think a lot of people don't realize. No, they do not. I mean, just for what we do with our travel esry stuff, it takes up a lot of my time. People think we're. Full-time vacationers, but really 50% of that time is working on our podcast and our YouTube and our social media post, and that it does take a lot of time, so I completely understand that.

But I think it's awesome that every day changes for you, and I think it's really awesome that you get to be the person who entices people to come to the city and experience what they have to offer. So today we wanna talk about all things visitor centers, which you seem to be a pretty knowledgeable person in that area, giving all that you do. Jeremy and I, we use visitor centers a lot when we travel, and I think the main reason that we do is because, you know, he used to work for the city of early and having all of that acknowledge and experience that he gained working with you guys, like now we know, hey, we need to go to the visitor center because that is the place to go.

And I'm gonna talk a little bit about some of the experiences we've had in other visitor centers, but my main goal today. Is to explain to people why they're so important when you're traveling or touring a new place. They are so important to visit because I think it absolutely enhances your experience whenever you're in a new place.

So a typical workday, and I know we just said you don't really have a typical workday, but if you had to describe a typical workday, how would you describe it? So I'm one of those people that I have to create my to-do list, for the following day. Like the day before. So today, before I leave, I'm gonna do my to-do list for tomorrow because I just like showing up to work and like having a plan and I make So you're so, you're very organized.

Yes, I am. I have to be in this job. , But yeah, it's different every single day. , Like today, for example, I got here and I started by, , scheduling a post. I needed to go out and then I, edited a video for a business. That we're gonna be showcasing on our social media for about an hour now we're doing this, and then after this I'm going to go, , shoot another video for another business and then continue the day just doing social media posts.

But yeah, sometimes I have a plan. That plane completely scratches because I get a call, you know, maybe from City Hall, like, Hey, mm-hmm Uh, we need you to take pictures of the guys right now and post them on social media. Or maybe like police is like, Hey, can you post on social media? There's an emergency going on.

Or if I'm out, sometimes we get such cool visitors. Here at the event center that my boss is like, Hey, can you like run down and take a picture so we can share it on our social medias? So it's fun. Have you ever had any celebrities or special people come in? So Denise met someone that was traveling like all over Texas in a skateboard.

What? This was before my time and I'm so sad. But , yeah, he was traveling all over Texas. He was in the news. And she took a picture of him and shared it on social media. Oh, that's awesome. Yeah. And then we had a family, very random. Their last name is early and they've never been here, so we got to share the town with them and we gotta take pictures of them.

So I was just like, it's little things like that. It's just so interesting and fun. Yeah. That's really neat. I think that. Probably in the larger cities. 'cause early is a smaller city in the middle of Texas for anyone who's wondering. But for the larger cities, I can imagine they get some pretty important people come through.

Like I think of Dallas or Houston or something like that. And the people that. They get to meet. What do you wish that more travelers knew or understood about the use of visitor centers? I think the importance of it, I think you mentioned it a little bit with Jeremy about how working with the city has impacted the way you guys travel.

Mm-hmm. And I a hundred percent agree with us as well. Every single time we travel, we stop at a visitor center first, because who else is gonna know the town than the locals that live there? Plus someone who it's their job. Yeah. Literally to know the town. Exactly. Yes. That is my job. Me and Clayton, we are gonna be the people that you see right when you walk through the doors,

that is our job to know what kind of events are going on. You like a specific kind of food? Tell us about it. We'll tell you where to go. Like shopping attractions and there's so many different. Materials that you can take from the visitor center, like brochures. , We have free state maps, we have free county maps, we have brochures, magazines, and a lot of the brochures actually comes with like free coupons.

Oh, yes. Yes. So every single time we go out and we step out of visitor center. We look through all the brochures to see if there's coupons. Yes. But yeah, I mean it can completely change your experience of a town and get to know more in depth about like the history and the people and you know, what the town stands for.

Mm-hmm. So would you say that your biggest goal is to show people around the town, like what the town has to offer once they get here, or to draw more people into the town? Right now, in the tourism side, , we do try to focus a lot on showcasing things to bring people in. But once they're here, we want them to feel like.

You know that they belong here, that they love it here. It's not just about visiting a town. It's not just about, saying, hi, how can I help you? Bye. Have a great day. No, it's more about the hospitality of it. Mm-hmm. We want people to feel comfortable and when they leave, be like, wow.

Like I just love early because the people are so kind. Yes, there's great attractions and things to do, but it's that extra step and connection. Yes, we wanna bring them here, but once they're here we wanna try to build that connection that I think will continue on. Yeah, I think that is actually a really big deal.

So we have been to several visitor centers during our travels where they made us feel that way. Like we wanted to experience more of their town because they were so enthusiastic about it. One time we went to a visitor center and there were two ladies sitting at the desk and neither one of them spoke to us.

The entire time we were in. We went in to get some information about the town and like I had to go up to them and ask questions and they just didn't really seem. Interested in answering them. And you know what? We didn't really stick around in that area for very long, so it does make a big difference whenever you feel like, hey, they want me here.

Yeah, a hundred percent. Yeah, I agree. Makes a big difference. So why is the visitor center the first stop someone should make? I think we kind of touched on it, like I said, Jose and I, my husband every single time we go travel visitor center is the very first thing that we stop and get information in.

I didn't even know about visitor centers before this job. And it might sound so silly, I don't know if it's like a generational thing, but I just didn't, I was so oblivious to it. Mm-hmm. But now that I work here, I'm like, where can I. Get this type of information. Right. Right.

And yes, you can, , go online and try to plan it out, but like I said, you might miss those hidden gems mm-hmm. Or events going on. And there's, you know, social media, there's so many different channels. You can go to a website, you can go to Facebook, , and whenever you stop at a visitor center, you literally can ask them all the questions you have, and most likely they'll know it.

But if they don't. They know exactly where to go to find those answers. So yeah, truly believe that there's no better place to get everything you need for, , when you're visiting a town and it's just like a one stop shop. Pretty much. Yeah. Yeah. And it's not just a generational thing. So I thought visitor centers for the longest time were like when you went from state to state, like when we would travel to Disney World and we would stop at the Florida Visitor Center, or when we went up to Tennessee and we would stop for the longest time, I didn't realize even down to the smallest.

Tiny little towns, they have visitor centers. I honestly thought it was a state thing, so I mean, I guess we all learn something new every day. Yeah. We're learning together, but I feel like that's why it's so important to highlight. Mm-hmm. The importance and the use of visitor centers is because I imagine we're not the only ones out there.

Who didn't really know about visitor centers very much. Jeremy and I are at least double your age, and we really didn't know the extent of how useful they were when traveling until he started working for the city. Yeah. And may I add. They have clean, safe restrooms. Yes. That is like my number one thing.

Yes. Especially if I'm like traveling alone. 'cause I do a lot of traveling for my work. I will not be stopping at, any gas station or anything. Visitor centers is like. My go-to. Yes. And then we also have a lot of travelers that have like pets or little ones, and we have a gated backyard. So I'm just like, you stay in the backyard as long as you want, and the dog is able to run around.

Mm-hmm. And the kids are able to stretch their legs and it's something free. You know what I mean? It's just so convenient. Yeah. Jeremy actually uses visitor centers whenever he's transporting because they do have the cleanest bathrooms and the safest bathrooms. Yes. , There have been times where he has stopped and like at a truck stop and all they have are porta potties.

And so , he'll tell me, Hey, , I'm in this area. Find me the nearest visitor center so I can stop and use the bathroom. So that is absolutely true. It's like. Like Bucky's, they have the cleanest bathrooms. Well, if you're gonna stop, stop at a visitor center if there's no Bucky's nearby, because they do have really great and safe bathrooms.

Yes. I can second that as working as literally at a visitor center. Yes. Yes. So as the person who's in charge of the social media for the city of early, how do you decide what events or attractions need to be highlighted? Through the visitor center. Yeah, I think you did mention that we are a smaller town, so it's a lot easier I have a kind of a schedule of trying to make sure that I get all the different attractions in town and restaurants and shopping.

So if i'm like, okay, I've already done. You know, up in smoke last week. Let me go ahead and change to Italian food. Prima pasta. Mm-hmm. Okay. Then next following week, let me go ahead and do Mexican food nda and then so on. And for events I prioritize, obviously, , events that we host ourselves.

Mm-hmm. Which we have a lot coming up, but also. We are very involved in events that if, an organization wants to use our park for a 5K or wants to use our park for a community event,, we are very, very hands-on, not only on , the planning of it, but also in the marketing.

Mm-hmm. So always prioritizing early events and. I always try to keep in mind that obviously not everyone's the same. Right. You know, people are not gonna like the same food that I like or maybe like the same, shopping places that I like. Mm-hmm. So I always try to make sure that I'm highlighting different things.

We might have someone that's looking to wanna come because they like fishing, so make sure I'm posting about phishing. We might have someone that likes all things shopping or all things, you know, foodie trail. So I always try to keep that in mind. Know your audience. Yes. And. Change your whole strategy to suit them.

Mm-hmm. Because it's not about like what I wanna post, it's about what people wanna know and how I can be a resource to them. Yeah. Yeah. So if you're stopping at a visitor center and you do have particular taste, let them know so they can point you in the right direction. Jeremy and I have this habit of walking in and we're just like, where's your favorite spot?

Because we like everything. And so , we ask the people that are there and we'll say, where's your favorite place to eat? That's not. You know, a fast food or chain restaurant, where's your favorite place to shop? And those are the places that we go and try . I wanna try what the locals love, you know?

Yes. I love that you mentioned no fast food chains because, , early is known for like more like mom and pop shops that you can't find anywhere else. But yeah, that's my first question when I'm talking to people. They're like, Hey,, what is there to do here? I'm like, okay, what do you like?

Yeah. And I'll tell you, you know, I can go on and on, but you might just not be interested. , So yeah, that's like my very first question, like, what do you like? Yeah. So do you have a memorable story of helping someone have an unforgettable experience? , Do you have a story where you have helped someone have , a great time or an experience that they may not have had without stopping here?

So we do have a lot of different people and like I said, we do try to connect with them is not just hi and bye, you know, make sure that they're leaving loved and like they actually got resources. But we do bring a lot of tournaments to town, and one that really comes to mind is Major League fishing.

They're actually the number one most watched show in the outdoor channel. Oh, wow. We actually had a whole event here at the Visitor Event Center for them, and we planned it all out. But they went on and on about their experience, not only with the staff, but also the community.

You know, they would stopping by and eating and shopping and going places, and the locals just made them feel so special. So. That actually that on top of like our relationship with them and our hospitality, , is actually bringing them back. And they are going to be, bringing the MFS Bass Pro tour fishing tournament in March here in 2026.

So it's just connections like that. That's amazing. Yeah. , Like I say, It's not just, a person coming in, and leaving. , We wanna make that connection with them and feel like family.

Mm-hmm. And , when you come by or drive by, even if you're not stopping, you're like, oh, like it's. I remember when I stopped by. Yeah. And those people were so sweet to me. Yeah. And, you know, those are the memories that we wanna, 'cause I, we could have the best social media mm-hmm. In the world. And if you come here and you don't feel that connection and that love.

Then we failed. That's right. You know, it, it has to be a whole team effort, a whole community effort. I love that because yes, we love traveling and experiencing the different places, but our favorite places are the ones where we felt like we were at home, or that we felt very welcomed.

Yes. So I love that. And I don't really know much about fishing. I'm not a fishing person, but I know that Jeremy. Was involved in a lot of that last year, and he actually came to the thing at the event center. Yes, he did. And he loved it and he was so excited about it being televised and everything. So I know he got a big kick out of it, and his dad got a big kick out of them coming into early.

I don't have a clue about any of that. That is just not my cup of tea. It's not my area of expertise or knowledge, but I think that's really awesome that y'all were able to host that and that they did feel so very welcomed while they were here. Yeah, so I know that I have my favorite spots in early. So , we're gonna talk about mine later, but I wanna hear yours first.

What are your favorite hidden gems in early that people may not even know they exist? This has been so interesting to me because I didn't even realize this was a hidden gem until visitors would come and I would tell them about it and , they didn't have a clue, and I think it might be because

it's a newer attraction. And that might play a little bit of a role with it, but our early Town Center park, it's honestly so beautiful. It has become one of my favorite places in early. It's actually my favorite place in early. Yes. I love that. I love that. And a lot of people. Miss it and they actually don't even know anything about it.

, I put a little note in my brain, I'm like, okay, now make sure that on social media mm-hmm. You know, I'm adding more reels and stuff. But yeah, the early Town center park, , it stretches about almost a mile around. , And as you're walking through the park, I start from the left.

, I do too. Yes. I've seen other people do the other way and I'm like, it just doesn't make sense in my brain. I know. I always start on the left. Yes, I do. That's funny. Yes. So there's little walking, educational signs all around the trail. Tells you history about the town, about the park itself, about the attraction, and then the very first one that you.

See is the outdoor little chapel. Yes. That's my favorite little one at the park. It's so gorgeous. It's so beautiful. We've had people do weddings there. , They do a lot of photography there in the little Yeah. I actually took my son's graduation pictures there. Yes, he did actually some. And I've attended two weddings there.

It's so gorgeous. Honestly. Pictures and videos don't do. Mm-hmm. It's just as it's gorgeous and the little entryway has like a little Dr. Seuss mm-hmm. Uh, quote. It's really cute. And as you continue, there's actually like a little teaser. We have mentioned it on social media, but like once or twice, but we are in the process of.

Doing, , a Penateka teepee along the trail with the Comanche Penateka tribe that actually roamed the area. So we want to, , showcase that history. Oh, that's awesome. I did not know that. That's really awesome. Yes. Yeah, , we posted a little teaser for it. Mm-hmm. But yeah, I've seen the renderings for it and it's gonna be gorgeous.

That's awesome. And there's gonna be a lot more little teasers. Yes. Yeah. Just keep that in mind for all those history bugs out there. And another kind of newer attraction there is our butterfly garden. In the spring you'll be able to see it like fully bloomed, but it is so gorgeous. And then as I mentioned we did bring major like fishing tournament here and we are kind of gearing into being like a fishing destination.

Mm-hmm. And we have some, lighted, fishing docks. Yes. Yes. We have, . Three of them. One with like a kayak lounge. Mm-hmm. So you can also kayak out there. And then I'm sure you might have to ask Jeremy, but I'm sure this might be his favorite one in the town center, the Sundial? Yes.

Because he, he, he's a little bit partial to it. Yes. He actually helped build it and like the whole project around was like his little baby with the high school. I don't know, like the whole thing came around, was just , so beautiful. Seeing it from literally the ground up. Yes. To seeing people.

Enjoying it now has things, so yeah, I love to see it at night. Yes, yes. It's beautiful when it's all lit up and it's so pretty. We actually have a brick out there with our family name on it and stuff. Did y'all get a brick? No, we didn't. Aw. And I regret it every day when I go and look at it. Yeah. So if you go to the early towns center park and you go to the Sundial, which.

I highly recommend you go check that out. Uh, look for our Esri name and find our brick in there. Yes, I forgot about that. I love it. And it's actually fun fact, the largest sundial of its kind in Texas and it's, I did not know that. Yes, it's registered with the North American Sundial. Society. I'm pretty sure Jeremy was the one that like found out that he was the biggest one like that.

I love him. I miss him. Like Jeremy, if you ever wanna come back, I called him my, uh, work dad because I broke. Everything. Aw. And he, he was fixing a lot of stuff. Yes. Yeah. So, yeah. I, I honestly always think of you guys , when I think of the Sundial or when I'm taking pictures, because he was so involved in it.

Mm-hmm. He truly was. But yeah. And then the last little attraction as you're leaving. They batting cage. Mm-hmm. So, honestly, there's like history if you like, history, if you like, you know, photography. Mm-hmm. If you like the, sports side of it, one little area has it all. And now that we're building.

The, , boardwalk. Yes. Which is beautiful. Yes. And again, Jeremy had so much to do with it. We love that. You know, we've only been gone for two months and then we've come back and to see all the progress and it's just been amazing. I can't wait until we're actually about to be gone for a year and then when we come back and see how much y'all have accomplished.

Yes. And we are gonna have a visitor center there. So we are going to be able to, oh, that's exciting. Yes. You'll literally get to be in your favorite spot. Oh, I'm a little jealous. Yeah. Look down the window. Like, oh my gosh, this is my work. Are you kidding me? Yes. Yes. The war walk, like the sitting area that's already open.

But yeah, they're in the process of building the shopping. Mm-hmm. And the restaurants, the hotel. That's so awesome. And if you don't know right now, the Holly Jolly Tree Trail is up. They do it between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Yes. This is the second year that it's been up. It's my favorite part of the park right now.

I think we've been through it like four times already since we've been back. It's absolutely beautiful. So if you are here during Christmas time, go and check out. That tree trail? Yes, a hundred percent. The first year we had 60 and we had so many businesses and families that were like, please, like we, we miss getting a tree.

Can you get more? So this year we have 200 and we also have like weekly events. Mm-hmm. So this week I think there's gonna be like a pet night, and then cookies, cocoa and church. And I, I think I saw the pictures with the Grinch. Yes. I'm excited about that one. Yeah. So yeah, it's really fun and like I said, we are like the ones hosting, but it's other businesses mm-hmm.

That are in charge of it. But we are so hands on that we help do all the marketing. We have onsite meetings to make sure that their event, you know, is successful. Right. So what about a favorite restaurant? Do you have a hidden gem? A local mom and pop stop that people have to come to? When they come to early, I always ask them, you know, what they like.

, I love up and smoke for the fact that. , They're honestly so wonderful. Their food is amazing and we've had people actually stop come here to early specifically for up and smoke. Really? Yes. Wow. The. Owner, , junior Urias is the, like pit master champion. Yes. And he's super nice guy too. Yes.

Their, their whole family's so nice, so involved in the community and almost every single time you go, he'll probably be behind the counter. Mm-hmm. Like the ones serving you and asking you questions. So if you're up for barbecue, I will stay there. Jerry's burgers and shakes. , It gives like diner vibes, like ums, and it's been around forever.

Yes. That was like our go-to spot when I was a teenager. I love that. Uh, I love little stories like that. Mm-hmm. Because, you know, obviously , I am a little bit younger, so I didn't grow up with a lot of those, you know, , memories of all those restaurants. I love hearing about people that have lived here so many years.

And you know how the town has changed and all their different memories mm-hmm. In all the businesses. My favorite restaurant I think that everyone needs to stop at is Hacienda Leon. That's my favorite place by far. Mm-hmm. I'm gonna go and get street tacos probably every single time. 'cause that's my favorite.

Um, what about in the way of entertainment or shopping? Shopping? I. Again, I always ask, do you have little ones? Do you use it? A family? , Boutique wise,, ranger's, daughter's boutique is so charming. You could literally be driving down the road and you'll have no idea what this cute little building has inside.

Yeah. I've actually never even been inside of it. Yes. Oh my gosh, it's so gorgeous. I don't remember what it was before, but I do remember, I was there when it was something else and when I went in the first time she ever like decorated and had it. I'm like, oh my goodness, this is so beautiful. Her clothes are gorgeous.

She has, . A lot of like Western mm-hmm. Fashion jewelry. So if you really want that central Texas feel like it's the place to go shopping. Yes. Which, you know, a lot of people look for that. So we have a lot of people from France and Australia that listen to our podcast and they're asking things like, where can I get like the best Texas experience?

I'm like, oh, that's hard to narrow it down because every place. Is so unique, like Fort Worth is kind of like the urban cowboy, you know? And then Dallas is like the businessman. And then you have Houston, which is his own thing. But even down to the small towns, , even there, you're gonna get the most authentic Texas experiences that you can.

So I love that, that she offers something that stays true to like who we are as a culture, you know? Yes, for sure. And I think one of my favorite things about this job is that I do get to go and take pictures and videos, you know, constantly on all these different businesses. I get to know them, they get to know me, and it just makes it even more special.

And it's not just a job. I'm not just posting pictures about a business, you know, whenever you come and shop here, like you are helping families. Yes. You know, and those local businesses are the ones that sponsor a lot of cool events. Yes, yes. So, yeah, it's like a domino effect, you know, like every little.

Act is beneficial in the long run. Mm-hmm. So, yes, please, you know, wherever you go, make sure you shop local and support those local businesses 'cause. It makes a big difference for that community. Jeremy and I are huge advocates for that. We are always talking about shopping local and eating local, and whenever you're not sure where to go, the visitor center can direct you to those local places and it does benefit the community.

And then when they're benefiting the community, you get to benefit off of that by. Participating in the events that they are, you know, supporting and donating to, and the festivities that they're supporting and donating to. So it really does go full circle. Yeah, I absolutely agree. So as a visitor, when you're traveling somewhere new, you said you like to go to visitor centers now, , for the coupons, that's a big thing, but what else do you enjoy about.

Being the tourist side of a visitor center, I honestly get inspired. , I love visiting not only like visitor centers, but towns in general. , Sometimes when you're in one place. For so long you are looking at it in one way. Mm-hmm. And then when you go to other places, you're like, oh, like this is my interaction with that visitor center.

This is what they have, this is how they display their, you know, their material. So you, I get ideas. , And I just come back, honestly, to our visitor center in our town mm-hmm. Full with ideas, just by simply like. Visiting? Yes. Going out and traveling? Yes. , Since we've been traveling and visiting a lot of visitor centers, Jeremy would be like, oh, that would be cool and early.

Love that. Like, I don't, don't work there anymore. You don't get a say. Have you ever been to the one in San Angelo? I haven't. It's. Beautiful. So Jeremy and I took a day trip just to go to the visitor center. They have this whole area. The inside is beautiful, the outside is beautiful. They have like all of these, um, art structures all around the outside of it.

It's really neat little walking trails that's around it. It's one of my favorite ones so far in Texas that we have visited. And it's not that far away. I think it's like an hour and a half down the road from us. You'll have to visit that one. And, they have the friendliest staff, like when we walked in and immediately they were right there and they're like, where, what do you want?

What can we help you with? And they were like handing us so many brochures and coupons and we were like, we're just here for the day. I love that. Did you guys do a reel about that? Yes, we did. Okay. I was like, I remember you guys posted, , about a visitor center. And I'm like, wow. I wasn't there, but I'm like, that is so beautiful.

It's so gorgeous. It's so gorgeous. Another thing that I love is a lot of the places, and really a lot of them in Oklahoma, were a lot like this. A few of them in Texas have been a. They give us free things from the community. So we went to a chocolate shop, a chocolate company in Oklahoma, and the visitor center there was giving away samples of their chocolate to entice people to go.

We had already went to the chocolate shop, but if not, I would have went. Because the chocolate was so amazing. And then we've been to several where they've given our 2-year-old like coloring books and crayons. And so I enjoy the visitor centers 'cause they give you little taste of what you can get from that community and I think that's really awesome.

And who doesn't like free stuff? It's like, I love that like visiting. Visitor centers. It's an actual experience itself. It really is. I love that. I love the ones that have, historical plaques and it's almost like a little museum sometimes when you walk in of that community. The one in San Angelo is a lot like that.

And um, a lot of the ones we went to in Oklahoma, especially around like the Chickasaw Nation and things like that. It was like walking into a mini museum, , you know, a free museum. And it was beautiful. So I have enjoyed the visitor centers so much. Even if you don't need information, I highly suggest people stop.

And experience that because , like you said, it's like an experience just in itself. Yeah, for sure. We've had people just stop by. I mean, it's a lot of the, like the older generation. Mm-hmm. And they sometimes they just stay here and talk to us for like an hour and share about their life. And I'm just like, yeah,, you're just passing through, but like now it's that little seed.

Yes. You know that we planted that Hopefully next time that they pass by, they'll remember us. We have a lot of visitors that are like recurring to use the restroom. Yes. Well, because when you know it's a good spot. Mm-hmm. That's gonna be your go-to spot. Yes, for sure.

So I think. If you've never experienced a visitor center, you should. What do you think, Amy? You think? Yeah, I a hundred percent. And I am a little biased, but a little bit. Just a little bit it, it really will make the difference, especially if you're staying somewhere long term.

You know, we like to stay three weeks at a time. Every time we visit somewhere. Within the first two or three days, we're stopping at the visitor center and we're like, Hey, what can we do while we're here? It's a great way to find out about events and things that are happening in the city, parades or festivities, so thank you for joining us and giving us so much information. I hope it has really informed people and that they will start utilizing visitor centers if they do not already. Yes. Well, thank you so much for having me. I love you guys. I love your family and everyone listening.

I would just say that . Make sure you guys are liking and commenting on their stuff. Because honestly, , I've mentioned like those little interactions go a long way. And not only are you listening to this podcast and getting education, but you are supporting a beautiful family. Thank you.

And we love you guys so much. So thank you for this opportunity. Oh yes. It's been such an honor to have you. And maybe when we're back in town next year, we'll have to have you on the show again. Yay. And you can give us. All the updates that early has had. Yes, for sure. Maybe we can have it. In the other visitor center.

Oh yeah. In our new one. We'll see. Yes, yes. That'd be amazing. All right. Thank you guys for joining us today, and make sure that you stay tuned to find out about all things travel related.