Stack of Stones Travel Co.

Name: Stack of Stones Travel Co.
Address: The Woodlands, TX, US
Telephone: (936)2472858

Home
United States
The Woodlands, TX
Stack of Stones Travel Co.

Call Directions Website Contact the business

I’ve spent the last 30 years exploring the world and collecting stories, hidden gems, and unforgettable moments. Hi, I'm Amy.

Now, I’m turning that lifetime of experience into a career I love—helping others discover the thrill of travel. As a kid, I dreamed of being Nancy Drew or Indiana Jones. As a travel agent, I get to live out both of those childhood dreams — part sleuth, part adventurer! Planning trips is a lot like solving a mystery or chasing down a treasure: it requires curiosity, research, intuition, and a passion for uncovering what others might overlook. Whether it’s finding the perfect tucked-away café in Rome, navigating the logistics of a multi-city European tour, or crafting a custom itinerary that balances adventure with relaxation, I love every step of the journey. If you’re looking for someone to help you uncover the hidden treasures of your next destination—and make sure everything goes off without a hitch—let me guide you on the path to your next great adventure.

11/04/2026

🏛️ The Buildings That Built a Nation: The U.S. Capitol

Few buildings are as recognizable as the United States Capitol! Sitting atop Capitol Hill, this magnificent building has been the center of American democracy for more than 200 years.

But as impressive as it is from the outside, the real treasures are inside!

🏛️ The Capitol Rotunda

Standing beneath the massive dome is breathtaking! Look up to see The Apotheosis of Washington, an enormous fresco depicting George Washington surrounded by symbolic figures. The walls are filled with paintings and sculptures celebrating American history.

🇺🇸 National Statuary Hall

Once home to the House of Representatives, this beautiful chamber now displays statues honoring prominent Americans. Each state contributes two statues to the Capitol's collection.

⚖️ The House & Senate Chambers

This is where Congress debates and votes on legislation that shapes our nation. While the standard Capitol tour doesn't include the chambers, visitors may be able to observe proceedings from the galleries with separate passes.

🏛️ The Crypt

Located directly beneath the Rotunda, this fascinating space features 40 columns supporting the floor above. It was originally intended to be part of George Washington's burial place, although he remains at Mount Vernon.

📍 Stack of Stones Travel Tips:

✔️ Tours are FREE and there are many to choose from. There are specialty tours, tours of the grounds as well as general tours. My advice - do several!

✔️ Tours are offered Monday–Saturday. Reservations are highly recommended, although limited same-day passes may be available.

✔️ Allow approximately 60 minutes for the tour, plus time for security and the Visitor Center.

✔️ General tours include the Rotunda, Crypt, and Statuary Hall, but NOT the House or Senate galleries.

✔️ Combine your visit with the nearby Library of Congress and Supreme Court as they are located nearby.

One of my favorite things about exploring DC is realizing that these aren't simply historic buildings. They're places where American history continues to unfold every day.

11/02/2026

🏛️ The Buildings That Built a Nation: Washington, DC's Iconic Landmarks

When you think of Washington, DC, chances are you picture the White House or the U.S. Capitol. But have you ever stopped to think about the incredible history that has unfolded inside these buildings?

Last month, we explored some of DC's amazing museums. This month, we're turning our attention to the iconic buildings that helped shape our nation!

From the halls where laws are made to the rooms where presidents have faced some of America's greatest challenges, these buildings are so much more than beautiful architecture. They've witnessed historic decisions, heated debates, celebrations, and moments that forever changed our country.

🏛️ A Few Highlights We'll Explore:

🇺🇸 The U.S. Capitol — Where Congress meets and some of the nation's most important decisions are made.

🏠 The White House — Home to America's presidents and the setting for more than two centuries of history.

⚖️ The Supreme Court — Where landmark decisions have shaped American law and society.

📚 The Library of Congress — One of the world's greatest libraries, housed in a building that's a masterpiece of architecture.

⛪ Washington National Cathedral — A breathtaking Gothic-style cathedral filled with history, artistry, and symbolism.

And there are plenty of other fascinating buildings and hidden architectural gems to discover along the way!

📍 Stack of Stones Travel Tip:

One of the best ways to experience Washington, DC, is to look beyond the famous exterior photographs. Many of these landmarks offer tours, exhibits, or opportunities to explore their remarkable interiors. Some require advance reservations, so planning ahead is essential!

Over the coming weeks, I'll share the history, architectural details, surprising stories, and tips for visiting these incredible landmarks.

Because sometimes the most fascinating part of a building isn't what you see on the outside... it's the history that happened within its walls.

10/31/2026

🏛️ DC Museums: That's a Wrap!

Over the past month, we've explored some of Washington, DC's incredible museums, from priceless works of art and historic treasures to aviation, espionage, and powerful stories that shaped our world.

But here's the thing... we've barely scratched the surface!

There are SO many more museums worth exploring! Here are a few I didn't get a chance to highlight:

📚 Folger Shakespeare Library
Rare books, Shakespeare treasures, and a beautiful Elizabethan-style theater.

🚀 Udvar-Hazy Center
See the Space Shuttle Discovery, a Concorde, and the SR-71 Blackbird near Dulles Airport!

🎨 Renwick Gallery
Creative American craft and contemporary art, just steps from the White House.

🌎 National Geographic Museum of Exploration
Discover the world through photography, science, and immersive exhibits.

🏗️ National Building Museum
Explore architecture and design inside a stunning historic building.

🌀 Hirshhorn Museum
Modern art, thought-provoking installations, and an outdoor sculpture garden.

🚪 The Mansion on O Street (O Museum)
A quirky mansion filled with themed rooms, hidden passages, and secret doors!

📍 Stack of Stones Travel Tip:

Don't try to squeeze every museum into one trip! Choose a few that match your interests and take time to enjoy them. Many Smithsonian museums are FREE, but some attractions require tickets or reservations.

❤️ That's a wrap on our DC museum adventures!

Whether you love history, art, science, or discovering something unexpected, Washington, DC has a museum for you!

And we're not finished exploring our nation's capital. Next up in our Washington, DC & Beyond series... Washington, DC's Iconic Landmarks! 🇺🇸

10/29/2026

📖 Museum Spotlight: Museum of the Bible

Did you know there's an entire museum dedicated to one of the most influential books in history, just blocks from the U.S. Capitol? The Museum of the Bible explores the Bible's history, stories, and cultural influence through ancient artifacts, immersive exhibits, and interactive experiences. Whether you love faith, archaeology, or history, there's so much to discover!

📜 The History of the Bible

See ancient manuscripts and rare printed Bibles while learning how the text was preserved, translated, and shared across centuries.

🏺 The World of Jesus of Nazareth

Step into a recreated first-century Galilean village! Explore what homes, streets, and everyday life may have looked like during Jesus' time.

🎬 The Stories of the Bible

Experience biblical stories through multimedia presentations and interactive exhibits that bring familiar passages to life.

🌎 The Impact of the Bible

Discover how the Bible has influenced art, literature, music, government, and cultures around the world.

🏛️ The Building

Don't miss the enormous bronze entrance doors and the stunning digital ceiling in the Grand Hall. Even the building is part of the experience!

📍 Stack of Stones Travel Tips:

✔️ Unlike the Smithsonian museums, admission is not always free. For the remainder of 2026 though, Tuesdays are free.

✔️ Allow at least 3–4 hours to explore.

✔️ It's close to the National Mall, so you can combine it with other DC attractions.

✔️ Some special experiences may cost extra.

✔️ The cafe, Milk & Honey, is located on the second floor and has fantastic coffee.

✔️ The gift shop is great!

I love discovering places that connect history, culture, and faith, and this museum brings all three together!

10/27/2026

📬 Museum Spotlight: Smithsonian National Postal Museum

A museum dedicated to the mail? I know what you're thinking... how interesting could that possibly be? Surprisingly, VERY!

The museum is one of DC's hidden gems, filled with fascinating stories about how letters, packages, and the people who delivered them helped shape America.

✉️ America's Mail in Motion

Before emails, texts, and overnight shipping, delivering a letter was quite an adventure! Explore how mail traveled by stagecoach, train, and airplane. You'll even see historic mail vehicles and aircraft!

🐎 The Pony Express

Discover the story of the legendary Pony Express and its daring riders.

💎 Rare & Valuable Stamps

You don't have to be a stamp collector to appreciate the William H. Gross Stamp Gallery! Discover rare stamps, famous printing mistakes, and the surprising stories behind these tiny pieces of history.

📦 Behind the Scenes

Ever wondered how billions of letters and packages reach their destinations? Explore how America's postal system evolved from handwritten letters to today's massive delivery network.

👮🏼‍♂️ Behind the Badge

This exhibit is all about the United States Postal Inspection Service, which explores the history of mail crimes and the federal agents who investigate them. Displays cover major criminal cases handled by postal inspectors, including the 2001 anthrax attacks, the Unabomber, mail-fraud schemes, and even train robberies.

🏛️ The Building

Located across from Union Station, the museum occupies DC's historic City Post Office Building. Its beautiful architecture is worth seeing, too!

📍 Stack of Stones Travel Tips:

✔️ Admission is FREE!

✔️ Allow 1–2 hours to explore.

✔️ Located across from Union Station, making it an easy stop when arriving or departing by train.

✔️ Great for families! Interactive exhibits make postal history fun for all ages.

One of my favorite things about DC is discovering museums you might never think to visit. The National Postal Museum proves that even something as ordinary as delivering a letter has an extraordinary history!

10/25/2026

🎨 Museum Spotlight: Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery

What do George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Beyoncé have in common? You can see them all in the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery!

Located in downtown DC, this museum is so much more than a collection of paintings. It's a fascinating look at the people who shaped American history, politics, art, and entertainment.

🇺🇸 America's Presidents

One of the biggest highlights is the America's Presidents exhibition, featuring portraits of our nation's leaders. Don't miss the famous Lansdowne portrait of George Washington, the modernist take on JFK and the unusual portrait of Barack Obama. The portraits each feature a plaque summarizing the presidents time in office. I could spend hours reading these!

🎭 American Icons

From musicians and actors to athletes and civil rights leaders, the gallery celebrates people who helped shape American culture. You'll find familiar faces alongside fascinating individuals you may never have heard of!

🖼️ Art That Tells a Story

Every portrait has a story! Through paintings, photographs, and sculptures, discover not just what these people looked like, but who they were and the impact they made.

🏛️ The Building Itself

The museum shares the historic Old Patent Office Building with the Smithsonian American Art Museum. The upper floor features beautiful stained glass windows and don't miss the beautiful Kogod Courtyard, with its spectacular glass canopy. It's one of DC's hidden architectural gems!

📍 Stack of Stones Travel Tips:

✔️ Admission is FREE!

✔️ Allow 2-3 hours, or longer if your as fascinated by the history of our presidents as I am!

✔️ Located in Penn Quarter, near Chinatown, restaurants, and Ford's Theatre.

✔️ Generally open until 7 PM, making it a great late-afternoon stop!

You may arrive to see a famous president but leave fascinated by someone you've never heard of. That's what makes this museum so special!

Who would you most like to see featured in the National Portrait Gallery?

10/23/2026

🕵️ Museum Spotlight: International Spy Museum

Ever wondered what it would be like to be a secret agent? At Washington, DC's International Spy Museum, you can find out! From hidden cameras and secret codes to undercover missions and real-life espionage, this museum takes you inside the fascinating world of international spies. And unlike most museums, here YOU become part of the experience!

🔎 Your Undercover Mission

Receive a secret identity and test your spy skills as you explore! Make sure to remember your cover story, spot suspicious activity, and complete your mission without blowing your cover!

🕶️ Spy Gadgets & Secret Weapons

Forget James Bond! See actual espionage equipment, including concealed cameras, disguised weapons, listening devices, and clever tools used to pass secret messages. Some of these gadgets are unbelievable!!!

🌎 Spies Who Changed History

Discover how espionage influenced major world events, from WWII and the Cold War to modern intelligence operations. Meet double agents, code breakers, and the real people behind incredible spy stories.

🔐 Codes & Cyber Espionage

Think you could crack a secret code? Explore how spies use encryption, technology, and deception to gather intelligence.

🎬 Hollywood vs. Reality

How much of James Bond is actually realistic? Discover the differences between Hollywood's glamorous spies and the dangerous reality of undercover work.

📍 Stack of Stones Travel Tips:

✔️ Unlike Smithsonian museums, this museum charges admission. Book online in advance!

✔️ Allow at least 2–3 hours to explore and complete your mission.

✔️ Located near the National Mall at L'Enfant Plaza.

✔️ Make sure to browse the gift shop for all sorts of fun stuff!

✔️ Perfect for teens, adults, and families who love history, mysteries, and interactive experiences!

Whether you're a history buff, mystery lover, or James Bond fan, this museum is a fun change of pace from DC's traditional attractions!

10/21/2026

🏛️ Museum Spotlight: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Located on the National Mall, this museum explores African American history, from slavery and the struggle for freedom to extraordinary achievements in music, sports, politics, and culture.

🏛️ The Architecture

Before entering, admire the building! Its striking bronze-colored, three-tiered exterior draws inspiration from West African architectural traditions. It's one of DC's most distinctive buildings.

⛓️ Slavery and Freedom

Begin underground, where fascinating exhibits explore the transatlantic slave trade, slavery in America, emancipation, and the fight for equality. The informative displays highlight the harsh environments these people experienced on there way to America and showcase personal belongings and historical artifacts make these stories incredibly moving.

✊ The Civil Rights Movement

Explore the struggle against segregation and the fight for equal rights. One unforgettable artifact is the Greensboro lunch counter, where four college students staged a sit-in in 1960, helping inspire a nationwide movement.

🎶 Musical Crossroads

From jazz and blues to gospel, rock 'n' roll, and hip-hop, discover how African American musicians transformed American music. You'll find instruments, costumes, and memorabilia from legendary performers.

🏅 Sports & Culture

Celebrate the athletes, entertainers, and cultural pioneers who broke barriers and helped shape American society.

📍 Stack of Stones Travel Tips:

✔️ Admission is FREE, but timed-entry passes are required.

✔️ Allow at least 2-3 hours.

✔️ Start with the underground history galleries and work your way upward.

✔️ Check out the Sweet Home Café, featuring dishes inspired by African American culinary traditions. The chocolate cake is amazing!

This museum tells stories of hardship, resilience, creativity, and triumph. It's an emotional, educational, and inspiring experience that offers a deeper understanding of American history.

10/19/2026

🏛️ Museum Spotlight: National Museum of American History

What do Dorothy's ruby slippers, the original Star-Spangled Banner, and Julia Child's kitchen have in common? You can see them all at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History! This one has faced some criticism for "changing" history - but regardless of the drama it's still a museum worth visiting.

Can't miss items...

🇺🇸 The Star-Spangled Banner
See the actual flag that flew over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812 and inspired Francis Scott Key to write what became our national anthem. If there is one item I loved seeing the most at DC museums - it's this one! Seeing this enormous flag in person is inspiring.

👠 Dorothy's Ruby Slippers
There's no place like home! See the famous slippers worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz—a treasured piece of American movie history.

⚔️ George Washington's Revolutionary War uniform
In the Founding Fathers & Revolutionary War you can see George's uniform (he was so thin!) and other military artifacts from America's founding era. History comes alive when you're standing in front of artifacts used by the people who helped create our nation!

🍳 Julia Child's Kitchen

🎩 Abraham Lincoln's Hat
This iconic hat was the very one Lincoln was wearing the night John Wilkes Booth assassinated him at Ford’s Theatre.

🐎 General Philip Sheridan’s famous war horse
The General's actual horse he rode at Appomattox during the Confederate surrender and was preserved and is now on display.

🪑 The Appomattox Chairs
The chairs that Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant sat in during their meeting to negotiate the surrender of the Confederate Army.

🚤 The Gunboat Philadelphia
The oldest surviving American war boat

📍 Stack of Stones Travel Tips:

✔️ Admission is FREE!

✔️ Allow at least 1-2 hours, especially if you love American history.

✔️ Located on the National Mall, it's easy to combine with other Smithsonian museums.

From presidential history and pop culture to priceless artifacts from America's founding, this museum tells our nation's story through the objects that shaped it.

10/17/2026

🪶 Washington, D.C. Museum Spotlight: National Museum of the American Indian

The architecture of this building is my favorite of all the museums on the Mall. The building features flowing curves inspired by natural rock formations that have been shaped by wind and water over thousands of years and is a beautiful representation of the relationship the native Americans have with this land.

While the building is massive, there isn’t a ton to see inside, so this can be a quick visit. The first two floors consist of a cafe and a gift shop with a few artifacts and a small photo gallery. The upper two levels feature the majority of the exhibits. Rather than focusing solely on the past, the exhibits celebrate living cultures, traditions, art, and the resilience of Native communities today. From beautifully crafted clothing and jewelry to canoes, pottery, and exceptionally well preserved artifacts, every gallery shows the rich diversity of Indigenous cultures.

If you're looking for a museum to fill an hour or two, make sure to add this one to your list. The architecture alone is worth the visit! And make sure to stop at Mitsitam Native Foods Cafe on the main level. The Indian Tacos are amazing!!!

Address

The Woodlands, TX

Telephone

(936)2472858

Website

https://www.stackofstonestravelco.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Stack of Stones Travel Co. posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.