Author Archives: Michele Zavatsky

KIDS LOVE CLEVELAND – ROCK & ROLL WINTER WEEKEND

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Rollin’, Rollin’, Rollin’ on the highway to the city that rocks…

Put the rubber to the road. Vacationers may be able to save some dough by piling into the family car and hitting the highway on a clear winter weekend.

  • ROLL on over to the Great Lakes Science Center (pg. 184, KIDS LOVE OHIO). This science playground has engaging spaces right from the start. While a scientist creates a new concoction and it’s shown on one of the largest video walls in the USA, you turn another corner and enter a NASA space center. Calculate and build mighty puzzles – be an astronaut for the afternoon. Fly a blimp or train the Computer that Listens. Our recommendation: best value for school-aged kids (6-14). Younger ones can enjoy the colorful Polymer Funhouse, an area all their own. Watch thrilling life-like movies in a six-story high IMAX theatre, too.
  • ROCK and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum (pg. 185, KIDS LOVE OHIO). Your exhibit guide alerts you to the PG + videos to avoid but, honestly, we recommend this attraction for families with teens anyway as they have some music history and appreciation (note: they don’t even charge admission for kids younger than 9). That same exhibit guide indicates where the “must see” artifacts are and where Ohio kids can find the Hang on Sloopy Ohio music area. Most everybody loves the 50s, Elvis, funky outfits and the Hall of Fame movie and special exhibit spaces on the top floors. “The Boss”, Bruce Springsteen winding staircase floors were our favorite on our last visit. If your young teens like this museum, they’ll really like exploring the roots of Rock n Roll in Nashville and especially, Memphis (re: KIDS LOVE TENNESSEE). Kids Love Travel suggestion: have parents take turns visiting between the rock hall and the science center. Base the kids from the science center all day w/ an IMAX movie or Mather ship tour (in season) in between.
  • Lunch at the Corner Alley and Fourth Street Bar and Grill. 402 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland. (216) 298-4070 or www.thecorneralley.com. A fun dining experience for the whole family, this grill restaurant is located at a downtown bowling alley-ROLL. Enjoy contemporary American cuisine with a kid’s menu to boot ($5.95 each w/drink for kids 12 and under). Families like all the sports TVs, sound of breaking pins and entrees like meatloaf, four cheese macaroni, seasoned potato chips and homemade chipotle ranch dip. Now, rent some geekie bowling shoes ($3.00) and play a family game of bowling ($4.25) before you head back out.

(DID YOU KNOW? Most of this type of “insider” info is found in books like KIDS LOVE OHIO – for under $20.00 here, you can have 5 years worth of fun ideas at your fingertips)

Want Simpler Times. Go Back in Time to the Real Walton’s Mountain

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VISIT VIRGINIA…and the BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY – before the weather turns too cold and foggy. NW Virginia – NELSON COUNTY.  Walton’s Mountain Visit. You’ll first want to visit www.nelsoncounty.com, where you’re invited to click on the “Visitors” section and view some pictures and descriptions of a land similar to those words of “John Boy” Walton describing Drusilla’s Pond or Grandpa picking wildflowers way up on the mountain top.

Nelson County contains over 400 square miles of adventure and just one stoplight!  Just 6 miles off the Blue Ridge Parkway, Crabtree Falls is the largest vertical drop waterfall east of the Mississippi River. Each year approximately 170,000 newly-hatched brook, brown and rainbow trout are nurtured to maturity at the Montebello State Fish Hatchery (pg. 119) then released to stock all trout waters east of the Blue Ridge Parkway. (located on Route 690, one-half mile off SR 56). 

Families with young kids will want to visit the Montebello General Store (SR 56, 540-377-2650).  Not only will you find snacks and old-fashioned goodies (like sassafras candies), but you can trout fish in their pond across the street at the Camping Resort.  You only pay for what you catch. Bring your own equipment or purchase some there. Every child is pretty much guaranteed to get a catch in season (early spring or late fall is best 😉

The Walton Mountain Museum (pg. 113, Kids Love Virginia) is a special blend of history, nostalgia and even a dash of entertainment. Be sure to start by watching the intro video as it really gets you in the mood and helps you understand this time and place as it really was compared to Hollywood.  On our last visit we had just finished watching the entire Walton’s series so we were proud to find out that the various quiz questions and the kids scavenger hunt (ask for it) were not as difficult as the last visit years ago. The folks who run this place are outstanding hosts!

Lodging and Dining in the Area

Base from the middle of it all…Lovingston Village Inn – painted Bavarian motif outside, local hand-painted murals inside each clean, simple room.  Rates under $60.00. (US 29 434-263-5068).  Lovingston Cafe – (Bus 29. 434-263-8000). Their kids menu is presented in the front cover of a children’s book you can read while you wait on your food. Most kids Menu items are under $4.00 and adult entrees average $11.00.  Their outdoor shaded patio is adorable.

Planning family travel during Thanksgiving or Winter holidays?

Become a fan of Kids Love Travel on Facebook http://bit.ly/kidslovetravelfan

 & we’ll offer warm & cozy travel options.

Watching the World Series? Want to See How a Baseball Bat is Made? Take a Tour…

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WHICH BAT DOES YOUR FAVORITE MVP USE?

Maybe one of these – go see…

CENTRAL OHIO – PHOENIX BATS. Phoenix Bat Company. 7801 Corporate Blvd, Suite E. Plain City OH 43064. 614.873.7776 or www.phoenixbats.com. Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 9:00am-5:00pm. Interested in booking a tour to see how a bat is made from start to finish? Tours are conducted by appointment and are $10 per person. This includes a custom engraved mini bat to commemorate your visit. To schedule a tour please contact tours@phoenixbats.com or call.

CENTRAL WEST PENNSYLVANIA – BWP BATS. Brookville. www.bwpbats.com. Welcome to the Home of the handmade professional Bats.  All bats are precision kiln dried and double dipped for maximum hardness. We have free factory tours 8:00am thru 4:00pm at the Factory Outlet, Exit 86 on I-80 Pennsylvania.

KIDS LOVE INDIANA fans – can you find a baseball bat company tour in your book?

KIDS LOVE KENTUCKY fans know well (as do most Americans) about the most famous bat company – Louisville Slugger. 

Got kids? Become a fan on Facebook and we’ll keep you posted on more factory tour updates. http://bit.ly/kidslovetravelfan

Cheesesteak 101: A Primer On The Who, What, Where And Whiz Of Philly Cheesesteaks

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Here in Philly, cheesesteaks are a civic icon, a tourist draw and a cultural obsession. Often imitated around the world, the cheesesteak is rarely duplicated successfully outside of Philadelphia. So what is an authentic cheesesteak and where did it come from? Here’s the lowdown on this region’s favorite sandwich.

What Is A Cheesesteak?

A cheesesteak is a long, crusty roll filled with thinly sliced sautéed ribeye beef and melted cheese. Generally, the cheese of choice is Cheez Whiz, but American and provolone are common substitutions. The art of cheesesteak preparation lies in the balance of flavors, textures and what is often referred to as the “drip” factor. Other toppings may include fried onions, sautéed mushrooms, ketchup and hot or sweet peppers. Some sandwich shops also offer a cheesesteak hoagie, a hybrid version that combines the cheesesteak with cold hoagie dressings like lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise. Cheesesteaks are fast, portable and readily available at steak shops, delis, food trucks, pizzerias and even some high-end restaurants throughout the region.

Cheesesteak History:

The cheesesteak made its official debut in 1930. Pat Olivieri was a South Philadelphia hot dog vendor who one day decided to put some beef from the butcher on his grill. A taxicab driver noticed the alluring aroma and asked for his own steak sandwich. The next day, as the story goes, rumor of the delicious lunch had spread, and cabbies around the city came to Olivieri demanding steak sandwiches. Soon after, Olivieri opened up a shop on 9th Street and Passyunk Avenue, Pat’s King of Steaks, to sell his new creation. Eventually, according to legend, he added cheese to the recipe. Today, Pat’s grills are sizzling 24 hours a day, as are Geno’s, the rival shop across the street. For 40 years, the two shops have waged a friendly competition to win the title of best cheesesteak in town, with Geno’s founder, Joe Vento, claiming it was he, not Olivieri, who first added cheese to the cheesesteak.

How To Order A Cheesesteak:

Cheesesteak consumption has its own etiquette. When ordering, there are two critical questions to answer: First, what kind of cheese do you want? (Whiz? Provolone? American?) Second, do you want onions? (“Whiz wit?”) The correct way to respond is “Wit” for “Yes, I would like Whiz and onions,” or “Widout” for “No, just the cheese.” Then, ask for any other toppings or condiments you desire. Be forewarned: Lines are long, patience is tested, and if you don’t have your order and money ready to go, you might be sent to the back of the queue.

Any guess where I was last week?

Sampling for the cause – Kids Love Travel research 🙂

www.gophila.com and www.uwishunu.com

8 More Reasons to Side Trip along I-95

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1. Penny-pinchers and spendthrifts alike cash in on the fun at the hands-on Money in Motion exhibition at the Federal Reserve Bank, featuring a giant tube stuffed with $100 million in shredded cash, the “Match Wits with Ben” game and a some impressive high-denomination bills. 6th & Arch Streets

2. A day at Franklin Square could include a ride on an old-fashioned carousel, a game of mini-golf, a romp on a modern playground and a family picnic. 6th & Race Streets, (215) 629-4026

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3. Wannabe sailors can spend the night in the nation’s most decorated battleship, the Battleship New Jersey, and take tours of the officers’ and crew’s mess halls, communications center and high-tech command center. 62 Battleship Place, Camden, (856) 877-6262.

4. Home to more than 8,400 aquatic animals of some 500 species, including sharks, penguins, stingrays and hippos, the Adventure Aquarium also features a 4D theater, dive shows, live animal talks, performances and a giant 760,000-gallon tank. 1 Aquarium Drive, Camden, (856) 365-3300.

4. In addition to the Butterfly, Railroad, Dinosaur and Storybook gardens, the four-acre Camden Children’s Garden horticultural wonderland has added a new Fitness Garden where kids can crawl, climb and learn about healthy living. 3 Riverside Drive, Camden, (856) 365-TREE

5. At Linvilla Orchards, the oldest working farm in Delaware Valley, families can pick their own seasonal fruit, hop on a hay ride and buy fresh-baked pies. 137 W. Knowlton Road, Media, (610) 876-7116.

6. ·Guests who want to stay in the middle of the action check in to the Doubletree Hotel Philadelphia, located on the Avenue of the Arts near performing arts meccas, great restaurants and fashionable shops. Families can spend some time at the rooftop pool, sundeck and racquetball courts, and kids get a free cookie at check-in. 237 S. Broad Street, (215) 893-1600

7. Those who have a taste for sweets and history stop by The Franklin Fountain, an old-fashioned ice cream saloon serving up handmade ice cream, banana splits, thick shakes, sundaes and flavored soda water. 116 Market Street, (215) 627-1899

8. Fresh produce and prepared foods ranging from cheesesteaks to cannolis are the offered throughout the historic Reading Terminal Market. 12th & Arch Streets, (215) 922-2317

Did you guess that KIDS LOVE TRAVEL and the Family Travel Mom is wandering along Interstate 95 this week?

10 FUN THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR KIDS THIS FALL

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Parenting can be so frustrating – especially in the fall when your kids are back to school.  On weekends, they need a break and beg for creative ideas on something fun to do. 

Here are ten ideas specifically targeted to the crisp air and crackling leaves of fall weather:  

  • Attend a college football game or have an at-home mini tailgating party

  • Sneak in some history lessons at a local HARVEST FESTIVAL.  Many historic farms host events where they demonstrate horses plowing fields, antique tractors, tractor pulls, hayrides, craft demonstrations, authentic open-fire cooked foods and folk entertainment.  Children are often bored on tours of historic homes – but not during festivals

  • Go apple picking and then bake a homemade apple pie.

  • Go to an APPLE FESTIVAL.  Not only apples and cider, but also pie eating contests, apple peeling contests, apple butter making, tons of apple flavored foods, parades and wagon rides out through the orchards.  Many historic farms hold this event yearly.

  • Visit a bakery and try fresh baked pumpkin bread.

  • Eat your way through a PUMPKIN FESTIVAL or PUMPKIN PATCH.  These events feature pumpkin contests (like the largest, rolling pumpkins, pumpkin pie eating contests).  Take a hayride out to the fields and pick out your favorite pumpkin – right off the vine.Rides and entertainment are often intertwined with vendors selling the unusual pumpkin flavored cotton candy, burgers, chips and ice cream!

  • Make a scarecrow for your yard.

  • Plan a day of fun at a CORN MAZE and STRAW PLAYLAND.  Many public farms host these from September through October.  The cornfields and barns are converted into mazes and playlands with chutes and slides that add that Fall touch to normal play.  Some mazes are tricky and other paths are stroller accessible (or, at least kid-sized).  Parents, be sure to remember your cameras for the numerous photo ops!

  • Make a list of all the things you’re thankful for.

  • Still craving more adventure? Most kids absolutely love participating in annual BATTLE RE-ENACTMENTS.

Re-enactments

Learn about the early 1800s frontier life.  Period, costumed townsfolk and soldiers “set up shop” amongst Native American Indian camps.  See fur trading posts, kids’ infantry, barbershop medicine, and old-fashioned games.  Areas of woodcarving, blacksmiths and spinning and weaving surround demonstrations of muzzle loading, shooting and tomahawk throwing.  Open hearth cooking with period foods are for sale (ex. Kettle popcorn and chips, cider, stew, barbecue, buffalo burgers, dumplings, ham & beans, birch tea and Indian fry bread.

Whatever you do, the countryside is full of hundreds of family events and attractions – you’ll never run out of ideas this fall! >click here< for KIDS LOVE TRAVEL guide examples – by clicking on the Look Inside the Books)!

Goodbye Summer but Hello Fall!

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As I was catching up on messages, I noted how many blogger friends and tourism folks were writing about summer’s end and fall coming.

I love autumn – esp. apples (made my first homemade apple pie of the season this weekend), pumpkin patches, football, apple cider, popcorn, my anniversary and hubby & I’s bdays. My son plays fall travel baseball and my teen daughter preps for choir and drama productions in late October.

My blogger friend, Lacie @ Life Down Our Lane posted something that really struck a cord: Wrapping up our summer!~~pictures from our weekend camping trip. It’s mostly little side trips.

I noticed it was mostly pics of getting there and just hanging out? That’s why our family DOESN’T LIKE TO FLY – we miss all the good stuff along the way.

Our KIDS LOVE I-75 book is the best example of this. Unlike our other books that discover every nook and crannie of the state, the I-75 book reviews places we’ve been to maybe a dozen times! Every, I mean every, time we travel south, we have to stop at Buddy’s BBQ for pulled pork, Lane Peaches to watch the peaches march along the conveyors, stop for a snack of Peach ice cream cones and chocolate covered pecans at WE’re Nuts!, and every time we enter Florida – a glass of juice at the Welcome Center.

Of course, there’s about 400 attractions we give you the skinny on, too – like watching freighters, inventors workshops, sharks, horses and manatees.

And you know what, we wouldn’t have those priceless moments and favorites if we flew south vs. road trips and side-tripping.

Just a thought as you plan those spontaneous weekend road trips to local pumpkin patches or regional festivals – remember the journey is just as important as the destination…

Question: What do you do to say good-bye to summer and welcome autumn and back-to-school?

Pittsburgh Steelers Surrealism

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Kids Travel to Favorite Sports Venue: Pittsburgh Steelers Heinz Field

Ok, folks, our family getaway Thursday has taken us hours to recover from. Some of you sports or travel fans might know what I’m talking about. Being passionate about both travel and sports – it shouldn’t have been so strange that this happened. We just woke up from a dream day!

Originally from the Pittsburgh area, George and I met at Ohio State and found so much in common – especially our faith, passion for life, and our beloved sports teams :-). We’ve been to tons of Buckeye games but neither one of us recalled ever having been to a Steelers game. Once we started a family, both kids became die hard Buckeye and Steelers fans, by default . We all truly enjoy watching football games – live or on the big screen. (yes, girlfriends, I am a real sports fan – ask my son) So, the dream to actually get to a Pittsburgh Steelers game was a big carrot out in front of us.

My awesome hubby came up with the idea just days before and got it in his head to look for preseason game tickets vs. regular season which we knew we’d have to pay a sweet ransom to get tickets from a broker (the Pittsburgh Steelers are the six-time World Champions, ya know) . Well, he got four tickets together (under $200) on the 20 yard line and we put the game on the calendar…

Thursday afternoon we headed to Pittsburgh for the first preseason game – a rematch of the Super Bowl – Steelers vs. Arizona Cardinals!  Using the guidelines you can download from the Steelers.com website, we found parking for $5.00 at a garage at Sixth & Fort Duquesne Blvd., right across the street from the bridge to the North Shore. We walked over the pedestrian Roberto Clemente bridge (my son just did an essay on him this past school year – got an “A”) and before us was the Ohio River and PNC Park – home of the Pirates.

Riverfront walk to stadium w/ Clemente Bridge in background

As we walked along the riverfront, you could see fashionable boats docked (tailgating), the Incline, the skyline of downtown Pittsburgh and, finally, Heinz Field! Every person, I mean every person, we talked with was super friendly and dressed in Steelers colors! My kids freaked out!

Once inside the park, we immediately noticed how modern, comfortable and clean the stadium was. Better yet, the bright yellow-gold seats were super comfy. Something we’d recommend to any sports fan going to their first professional game is to get there at least two hours early. Pregames really set the tone & build excitement. What really wowed us about pregame was the Great Hall and the Pitts-burger sandwich from Primanti Bros. 

George & I outside the Great Hall
Franco Harris’ locker

The pictures give you a glimpse of some of the displays but this place is immense in size and content. From the Six, yes six! Championship trophies to the Immaculate Reception by Franco Harris in 1972 to the locker room personal artifacts in famous players lockers (ex. Bradshaw, Swann).

Every Primanti’s sandwich begins with soft Italian bread. It’s piled with meat and cheese, layered with hot fries, slapped with peppered slaw, topped with tomato, and crowned with the second slice that somehow balances on top. It’s all wrapped in waxed paper and given to you with a smile and offering to add Heinz 57 Sauce.

Pregame is also the time to get out those binoculars and try to find your favorite players warming up. The stadium camera hones in on various players and produces their interesting stats on the scoreboard. That, and they offer lots of contests pregame and have areas outside the stadium for kids. In the stadium’s west wing (home side) stands, we even took in a great jazz band playing.

Gate A view of rivers & incline
In our seats – pregame
Heinz Field pregame activities

Gametime was the most surreal of all – really too hard to put into words (but, if you see me at a booksigning sometime – ask me for more details). Btw, the Steelers won 20 to 10 and both touchdowns were at our end of the field! Oh, how sweet this day was..

For those of you following along by means of KIDS LOVE PENNSYLVANIA, pages 174 and 178 seem pale by comparison – that’s why you can always stay updated along with us by: UPDATES pages.  We promise, with our books as your base, combined with our updates, give you all the help you need to plan any daytrips – even the Sports fanatic kind!

LODGING AND DINING: CHICAGOLAND

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Jenny and I were off to Chicagoland to speak at a Homeschool Conference and came across A new place to dine and lodge. Whether you’re flying in (these are close to the airport) or driving in like us, this is a good area to base from. If you are driving in, you might want to take I-290 as I-90 is great scenery (downtown Chicago from the Sears Tower side) but loads of traffic!

DOUBLETREE HOTEL CHICAGO – Arlington Heights

As you enter the lobby and checkin, you’ll be greeted by friendly staff, yes, but even better – the smell of warm chocolate chip cookies! Each evening around checkin time, they bake their famous cookies (people love them so much they now ship them in tins) to give to guests as a welcome gift. If that doesn’t “grab” the kids attention, maybe the Fluffy bed and pillows in your room (popular Sweet Dreams pillows and plush top bedding) or the nice indoor atrium pool area and walking courtyard green space will. Just outside the fitness and pool area is a snack bar called Cravings – open 24 hours for late-night snack craving purchases. If you want, you can take the complimentary local area shuttle to the nearest Metra station and board the transit into downtown Chicago without the fuss (and expense) of parking.

The Birch River Grill Restaurant on the property was very good. (serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily) When you first walk in, it gives you a cozy feel…with a glowing fireplace one might find in a fishing lodge. A friendly wait staff and the smell of delicious food greet you at the entrance. They serve inspired

Girls Night Out

American dishes in generous portions. Everyone is sure to find something that they would enjoy to eat, from Granny Apple & Onion Soup (which is topped with cheese and fresh baked crisp apples) to even the simplest and cheesiest Mac & Cheese.  Signature meat entrees include Grilled Pork Tenderloin Served with real smashed potatoes and rustic cranberry apple sauce or grilled, rubbed steak served au jus.  Even the desserts are amazing, from a yummy carrot cake for two to the chocolate lover’s favorite Chocolate Temptation Cake (even the name makes you tempted to get it!). And, the Doubletree Cookies & Milk is the classic ending to Doubletree dining. Who would think a city known for pizza and beef would also have so many Southern twists (ex. Sweet potato fries or fried green tomatoes) and East Coast turns (crab cakes).

FOR MORE TO THE STORY: visit KIDS LOVE ILLINOIS UPDATES

 

Kids Love I-75 Reviews

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I-75 FAMILY TRAVEL GUIDE

Last week my family drove to Tennessee for vacation so we grabbed our Kids Love Travel I-75 book and hit the road!

We have a toddler so our main concern with a long drive is for him to get out and stretch his legs and play for a bit. We used the book to find a  fast food place that had a play land. The book was great because we could look at our drive in 20 mile increments and decide where we wanted to stop and plan ahead! It worked great and I highly recommend using this book for your travels with kids of any age! -Kristen Artrip, Ohio

Kids Love Travel on the Road Again

 Want a Dad’s perspective? Go to our friend, the FamilyMan, for his take:

http://www.familymanweb.com/rvblog/kids-love-i-75-by-george-michele-zavatsky