Family Travel Tips for Christmas
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Author Archives: Michele Zavatsky
To Grandma’s House We Go…Travel at Thanksgiving 2010
The month of November has been flurried with links from favorite travel sites broadcasting bright diversions and great planning tools for Thanksgiving.
10 tips for hosting the perfect Thanksgiving dinner
Hosting a Thanksgiving dinner that will be remembered fondly for years to come (and definitely beat out the one held at your sister’s house last year) is a daunting challenge, fraught with the potential for pitfalls, major stress and the usual familial showdown over who gets to carve the turkey…
lighting displays, sales and bargains to launch the gift shopping season, and a month-long series of festive events in big cities and picturesque small towns across the state.
Thanksgiving getaways: your four-day weekend vacation from family vacation critic: http://www.familyvacationcritic.com/thanksgiving-getaways-your-four-day-weekend-vacation/art/. this one is full of so many great package deals – all in one article.
Turkey Time Travel Tips: http://www.ciaobambino.com/ciaobambinoblog/index.php/2010/10/thanksgiving-travel-tips/
AND, BE SURE TO GIVE THANKS
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, [and] into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, [and] bless his name.- Psalm 100:4 (KJV)
Kids Love Travel Family Travel Mom – Michele Z
KIDS LOVE PENNSYLVANIA – GETTYSBURG from a Civilian’s Experience (part 2)
For those who lived in Gettysburg in July 1863, the battle was a frightening experience. Take a downtown tour and learn the stories of the families who lived through one of the most horrific times in American history. Visit the Shriver House, the Train Depot, the David Wills House and dine in the Dobbin House for lunch.
Stops to Tour:
SHRIVER HOUSE:
A story of one family whose plans for a saloon and ten-pin bowling alley along Baltimore Street were dashed by the fierce three-day battle. This may well be the tour with the most wonderful storytelling, suspenseful guides in town! Your daughters will wonder what happens to the two girls and your sons will love sneaking up into the attic noticing the debris left behind by Confederate soldiers who overtook the home’s top floor as a sharpshooters’ nest. CSI fans will want to hear every detail of the blood stains and the numerous artifacts discovered behind old walls removed during the restoration of the Shriver’s home (including Civil War medical supplies, LIVE bullets). Admission. 309 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325. www.shriverhouse.org
Schriver House Museum: This museum is ranked as the #2 attraction in Gettysburg and I know why. This was my personal favorite and I know my kids would love to see how a family lived in 1863! Every room is decorated down to the last detail. The kids room depicted NECCO WAFER candies on the desk that were made in 1863 and still around today (connection of past and present). You can even buy the candy and other memorabilia in the gift shop on site. -Lisa W
In between, take a break for lunch at the DOBBIN HOUSE TAVERN.
The Springhouse Tavern (downstairs) offers Lite Cuisine for Casual Dining. A most unique eating tavern amidst three natural springs and two glowing fireplaces. This cozy space features homemade food and refreshing spirits served by wait staff in colonial attire. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Children’s Menu and more moderate pricing at lunchtime. Sampling of Menu: Porridge of the Day, Springhouse Salad, Club and Foccacia sandwiches and some hot meat, fish and chicken specialties. Ask for Adams County Apple Pie or Warm Colonial Gingerbread for dessert. Once you place your order, take a mini-tour of the dining rooms on the first two floors. Can you determine which dining room is the Library, Parlour, Study, Spinning Room or even Bedroom (wherein one can actually dine in a Bed!)? www.dobbinhouse.com.
YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED ON THE BATTLEFIELD…DO YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO THE FAMILIES LIVING IN TOWN? Go and find out. (Disclosure: my recent press tour of Gettysburg and Adams County was arranged by: www.gettysburg.travel, however no promises were made as to content of post and book writings)
Do you like exploring countryside hidden gems near large cities?
Well, that’s what KIDS LOVE TRAVEL is all about – hundreds of fun stops and unique spots around your favorite state.
Meandering some to Explore more…
(this post was taken from excerpts of KIDS LOVE PENNSYLVANIA available in retail and online stores NOW!)
KIDS LOVE PENNSYLVANIA – GETTYSBURG from the Civilian Experience (part 1)
For those who lived in Gettysburg in July 1863, the battle was a frightening experience. Take a downtown tour and learn the stories of the families who lived through one of the most horrific times in American history. Visit the Shriver House, the Train Depot, the David Wills House and dine in the Dobbin House for lunch.
The Battle of Gettysburg wasn’t all about blackpowder and wool uniforms. The human face of this trying time is told through a guided or self-guided (recommended for families) civilian story tour. Learn about the town’s anxiety, struggle and heroism as the mere 2,400 residents were suddenly confronted with 170,000 soldiers…often sneaking in through back alleys and hiding in attics! Hear stories of homes confiscated, families hiding in their basements and the massive cleanup effort that followed this famous battle. At the beginning of the confrontation, kids often thought it fun to watch until a bullet whissed by their window or a headless soldier on horseback flew by.
Stops to Tour:
Begin your tour at the GETTYSBURG LINCOLN RAILROAD STATION (Carlisle Street) where President Lincoln arrived on November 18, 1863 for the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetary. From here, Lincoln walked up the street a little ways to the Town Square (now called Lincoln Square). At the time of his arrival, the station was still being cleaned up after doubling as a makeshift hospital after the battle. As Lincoln arrived, coffin boxes were still being prepared to transport bodies to their loved ones miles away. The Station is run by the NPS and carries no admission. Donations appreciated.
Next, tour the new DAVID WILLS HOUSE (pg 148, KLP), where the president put the finishing touches on the Gettysburg Address. At the invitation of David Wills, President Abraham Lincoln comes to Gettysburg to “deliver a few appropriate remards” for the dedication of the new cemetary. The museum tour is self-guided and takes approximately one hour. The museum includes five galleries, 2 recreated rooms (Mr. Wills law office and the bedroom Lincoln used overnight) and two films. Admission. www.davidwillshouse.org. It is especially touching to see some of the original artifacts in that guest bedroom overlooking the town square. Once you leave this building, pop a picture with the Lincoln statue as he points the way to the cemetery. You can follow in Lincoln’s footsteps as he paraded from the town square to the Soldiers’ National Cemetery, where he so eloquently delivered his immortal speech. (walking distance is 3/4 miles) This address, while only two minutes in length, is a legacy speech about renewed hope for the townspeople suffering great inconvenience and still people today.
YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED ON THE BATTLEFIELD…DO YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO THE FAMILIES LIVING IN TOWN? Go and find out. (Disclosure: my recent press tour of Gettysburg and Adams County was arranged by: www.gettysburg.travel, however no promises were made as to content of post and book writings)
Do you like exploring countryside hidden gems near large cities? Well, that’s what KIDS LOVE TRAVEL is all about – hundreds of fun stops and unique spots around your favorite state.
Meandering some to Explore more…
(this post was taken from excerpts of KIDS LOVE PENNSYLVANIA available in retail and online stores NOW!)
KIDS LOVE PENNSYLVANIA – Nemacolin Woodland Resort Animal Interaction
Do your kids like animals? Are they fond of zoos but don’t like it when the animals are tired or hidden? We’ve found a great solution for positive animal interaction!
A research assistant/reporter for Kids Love Travel, Lisa W and I spent a few days trying new things at Nemacolin Woodland Resort in southern Pennsylvania late summer (beautiful Laurel Highlands off Rte 40). We noticed some families were just “day-tripping” it there vs. the expenditure of a luxury resort overnight stay.
The wildlife habitats are great for viewing (free to roam the paved, drive-able grounds on own), but for a truly unique and educational experience, you can take the Safari Tour where you and your family can interact with the wildlife and take a tour of the petting zoo and baby animal nursery. The best part of the Safari Tour – you get to feed large live animals! Up Close.
Lisa and I giggled much and were tickled by LIVE animals and funny statues during our visit.
Here’s a picture commentary:
BTW, did you know you can bring your family pet to Nemacolin to stay in their own kennels? Nemacolin has long been recognized for offering its guests the ultimate in luxury and service and now guests of the resort can treat their four-legged family members to the ultimate in luxury at Nemacolin Wooflands, a pet resort and spa! In addition to 30 standard kennel rooms Nemacolin Wooflands features six themed “Luxury Suites” complete with flat screen televisions and comfortable beds. Pet guests of the suites also receive turn down service and a treat at bedtime. Crazy – huh?
Do you like exploring countryside hidden gems near large cities? Well, that’s what KIDS LOVE TRAVEL is all about – hundreds of fun stops and unique spots around your favorite state.
Meandering some to Explore more…
(this post was taken from excerpts of KIDS LOVE PENNSYLVANIA available in retail and online stores NOW!)
KIDS LOVE SOUTH CAROLINA – COLUMBIA HIGHLIGHTS
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE MUSEUM: Experience South Carolina in all its beauty and diversity. This state museum is a refreshing combination of four floors of exhibits, many of them hands-on, focusing on the arts, history and technology. Climb aboard the “Best Friend of Charleston” train. Stroll along a boardwalk at the beach diorama. Thrill to the accomplishments of S.C. astronauts. Learn how a South Carolinian invented the laser. The museum itself is located inside its largest artifact, the world’s first totally electric textile mill, which opened in 1894. Families with young children can learn and play together in the Stringer Discovery Center on the first floor or the Science Center on the top floor is ideal for older kids to recreate science experiments. Along the way, there are plenty of mini-movie corners to sit, watch and rest.
Museum goers looking for the unusual can find the little people in permanent exhibit murals on the museum’s three upper floors. All told, there are nine of the little guys—six on the natural history floor, one on the science and technology floor and another two on the cultural history floor. They can be found in all kinds of locations and situations, from a river-bottom swamp to the surface of the moon! They are engaged in a variety of activities as well, from gathering water from a waterfall to taking a nap. Looking for the little gnomes is a good way to engage the whole family to observe everything to find some things small and interesting. www.museum.state.sc.us
Did You Know? More astronauts came from South Carolina than any other state.
CONGAREE NATIONAL PARK preserves the largest remnant of old-growth floodplain forest remaining on the continent! Experience national and state champion trees, towering to record size amidst an astonishing array of plants and animals. Congaree is home to a family-friendly exhibit area within the Visitor Center and a 2.4 mile boardwalk loop trail (crossing 8 feet above the ground). The park also hosts a wide variety of guided walks, canoe tours, talks and presentations (visit the Web site for more information). Other popular activities within the park include canoeing, kayaking, fishing, birding, nature study and more. Before you embark on your adventures, stop by the Visitor Center to pick up a map and brochure, watch the introductory film and get the latest information about conditions in the park.
A little more adventuresome. Like up-close nature? Try Canoe Tours. There’s no better way to see the park than by canoe, and Congaree National Park offers FREE ranger guided canoe tours most Saturdays and Sundays. Or, if you have kids who don’t fidget on long walks, try a guided Tree Trek tour in the afternoon or a weekend evening Owl Prowl.
On the boardwalk trail, your kids will exclaim it looks prehistoric! However, instead of dinosaurs, you will find plenty of squirrel and salamander – we even saw a blue salamander cross our path! www.nps.gov/cong
SOUTHERN PATRIOT ON LAKE MURRAY is a 65 foot double deck cruise boat located on beautiful Lake Murray, South Carolina just a few miles north west of Columbia. The Southern Patriot can carry up to 100 passengers and is suitable for any type of event.
Purple Martin Cruises: A phenomenon you have to see to believe. This 2 ½ hour cruise takes you out to historic Bomb Island, where hundreds of thousands of birds (Purple Martins) circle and roost on the largest Purple Martin sanctuary in North America. As the sun sets, you’ll see maybe a few 100 birds. Then they come and flock in mass of 1000s and start dancing and chirping near dark. During this cruise you will hear narration about the Purple Martins and about the historic significance of how this island was used for bombing practice by Jimmy Doolittle prior to his raid on Tokyo during WWII.
History: Purple martins, America’s largest swallow, gather each summer on a small island in a central South Carolina lake in such numbers that the flock sometimes shows up on the local National Weather Service radar. The sky gets dark and millions of purple martins fill the predawn and evening skies each day, establishing seasonal digs at Lunch (Bomb) Island in the middle of Lake Murray. By day they disperse for many miles to feed, at night they settle onto the island, most likely because there are no predators on the island. Over a period of weeks, their numbers grow dramatically. There are about three-quarters of a million birds and the numbers are still increasing. Note: July and August are the months to see this natural phenomenon, the largest such roosting sanctuary of its kind in North America. By September, the birds head off to South America on their winter migration.
DID YOU KNOW? By day purple martins nest in gourds or man-made compartment birdhouses similar to condos! www.lakemurraytours.com
PAWLEYS FRONT PORCH is a fresh addition to the strip of restaurants in the Five Points area of Columbia (near the University). The burger joint, recently featured on the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives”, serves creative burger combinations all named after South Carolina coastal cities or themes. The Fripp Island burger with Southern salsa, boursin cheese (creamed five cheese blend) and a fried green tomato is a must-try. Or how about the Isle of Palms burger with housemade pimento cheese with jalapeno bacon. Mmm…Non-adventuresome kids can just order a plain beef burger, chicken sandwich or chicken tender wrap. Pawleys smokes their own bacon, grind their meat in-house and make their own pickles. This makes the half-pound burgers even better. Oh, and they serve your burger plate with a steak knife dug into the middle of the burger – it’s so thick, you may need to cut it into small bites! Daily Lunch and Dinner. Moderate pricing. www.pawleys5pts.com/
FLIGHT DECK RESTAURANT: While some review sites catagorize this as a Greek Restaurant, we’d call this more themed American. This place is especially great for families with children; the arcade and displays really keep them occupied while waiting for food to be served. Their specials for hearty appetites include Charbroiled Ribeye Steak or Homemade Meatloaf for dinner and the Blue Plate Express. The Express special offers a choice from nine entrees and 16 veggies. Comes with a choice of entree, two veggies, tea, and dessert bar or cookie for under $8.00. Their mac n cheese side is amazingly like grandmas, meatloaf moist and gravy is poured over most every entrée (if you like). Because the theme is airplanes, their menu items are named appropriately: Wing and a Prayer wings, Flight Deck Salad, Bombardier Patty Melt, Tailgunner chicken, or their kids menu (Little Flying Aces) with Torpedos (corn dog) and 5 other basic items under $5. They have a whole menu page devoted to sweets – pies, cheesecakes, cookies, ice cream and milkshakes. Oh, and if you do like Greek food – try their Gyro, Baklava or Greek Salad. Price range: $5-$15. www.flightdeckrestaurant.net
STAYBRIDGE SUITES COLUMBIA, discover the best of Southern charm and hospitality with modern amenities. The newly constructed residential hotel offers spacious suite accommodations with kitchens/utensils and family-friendly features, including indoor pool and daily complimentary hot breakfast for guests. Several weekdays the staff also serve a catered light dinner, too. The downtown hotel location puts you just 1 mile from the University of South Carolina’s main campus and blocks from downtown restaurants and museums. Children always stay free, and sleeper sofa beds in every room are perfect for kids and groups. Rainy days? Try a museum nearby or hang out at the indoor pool. Whatever you do, don’t miss breakfast in the lobby. Great way to start your family touring days around Columbia or over to Lake Murray. www.staycolumbiasc.com/
And finally, the best for last:
EDVENTURE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM in Columbia is the largest museum for kids in the Southeast. Designed for children 12 and younger, this colorful & simply layed out educational facility boasts 450 individual exhibits. Keeping with the “big” theme, Eddie, the world’s largest child, is the centerpiece of the museum. A 40-foottall structure made primarily of molded plastic, Eddie weights 35,000 pounds and is large enough for everybody to climb in, on and through. You can climb his vertebrae to his brain, crawl through his heart, bounce around inside his stomach and slide out his intestines. As a model of learning through immersion, EDDIE® allows children to use their gross motor skills to discover what’s inside their bodies. Flexible parents – you can climb along with your kids, too.
EdVenture is divided into six subgalleries, each with a different theme. While there you can talk to a skeleton, anchor the news, drive a fire truck, build a house, swim in the Great Barrier Reef and explore how people work. One gallery is the World of Work, which offers a look into what really goes into some of the state’s more well-known jobs. Future farmers will enjoy collecting eggs from chickens, milking a cow and driving a tractor through a field while city slickers can learn the skills necessary to manage a grocery store. As expected, they also have a “Backyard” devoted to wee ones, live critters, art or computer stations, and a water table outside for all to share. We loved all of it – especially Eddie! www.edventure.org
Other places of note: SOUTH CAROLINA STATE HOUSE and RIVERBANKS ZOO.
Need Travel Tips and Destination Information to plan your next weekend trip with the kids? Try this family travel website.
KIDS LOVE SOUTH CAROLINA – MYRTLE BEACH LODGING & DINING
With so many amusements, entertainment and water activities to choose from, you may forget the essentials: picking the right lodging and dining for your visit. Here’s some helpful insights from our recent trip to Myrtle Beach:
KINGSTON PLANTATION RESORT
This oceanfront hotel complex is located on 145 beautifully landscaped acres on approximately a mile of pristine beach, just 12 miles from Myrtle Beach International Airport and minutes from restaurant row.
Kingston Plantation Condos: individually owned and decorated casual upscale multi-bedroom condos are in towers on either side of the Embassy or Hilton Hotel Resort.
Embassy Suites Oceanfront: All of the luxurious two-room suites feature a spacious bedroom with one king bed or two double beds, plus a separate living area with mini refrigerator and microwave, and a private balcony with ocean views. Suites are fully equipped with two 32″ LCD televisions, a sleeper sofa, and a well lit dining/work table.
Resort Dining
Complimentary Breakfast – All registered guests of the Embassy Suites will enjoy a complimentary breakfast buffet daily. Other resort guests can pay for the buffet. The restaurant offers great views of the ocean and pool complex. Before you leave home, go to www.embassykids.com for online games and offline printable activity sheets. Fish Eye Grill features daily fresh fish specials, along with regional Calabash style cuisine.
Recreation
Splash! Water Park is open seasonally. This 50,000 pool area is the main feature for fun in the water. It offers water jets, water pumps, water slides and the “bucket”. The bucket is a 500 gallon bucket which fills with water and dumps every two minutes on participants below. Or, Enjoy one of 9 swimming pools at the resort. Relax in the Lazy River. Fun for kids and adults alike.
The large complex also offers a golf course, tennis and a huge Sport and Health Club. And, of course, the Beach – soft sand, great body board surfing, and the Apache Pier with fishing and nightly entertainment during summer. Easy place to make friends around the pool, set up a family tent on the beach or prepare light meals back at the room. This resort is perfect for safe family fun with plenty of leisure activities available. We highly recommend it! www.kingstonplantation.com
CAMPING: Sleep Under the Stars
The Myrtle Beach area offers campers and outdoor enthusiasts a choice of nearly a dozen campgrounds, two state parks and more than 7,000 camping sites, all located in close proximity to the beach and other attractions and amenities along the Grand Strand. Some locations include:
- Myrtle Beach State Park: Located in the heart of Myrtle Beach and boasts an impressive beach, fishing pier, 350 campsites, cabins, picnic shelters, activity center, nature center, hiking trails and free nature programs with admission to the park. For more information, call (843) 238-5325 or visit SouthCarolinaParks.com.
- Huntington Beach State Park: The diverse natural environment of the South Carolina coast consists of freshwater lagoons, salt marshes, nature trails along the fabulous stretch of beach. The park has 133 campsites, picnic areas with shelters, nature programs and the historic castle Atalaya, once the winter home of sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington and her husband, Archer. For more information, call (843) 237-4440 or visit SouthCarolinaParks.com.
- Ocean Lakes Family Campground: Visitors will enjoy beachfront camping on the eight fresh water lakes. On-site amenities include the Four Seasons Center with heated pool, and a 17,000-square-foot recreation center – plus nearly 900 campsites, 250 rentals units and over 2,000 annual lease sites. For more information, call (877) 510-1413 or visit OceanLakes.com.
- Lakewood Camping Resort: Offers visitors the choice of oceanfront or lakefront campsites or villa accommodations; with available amenities including golf cart rentals, on-site telephones, heated swimming pool, three-acre recreation complex, and oceanfront amphitheater and meeting rooms for clubs and rallies. For more information, call (877) LAKEWOOD or visit LakewoodCampground.com.
- Pirateland Family Camping Resort: For nearly 40 years, PirateLand campground has been accommodating family travelers with more than 700 campsites, a heated indoor swimming pool, two- and three-bedroom vacation rentals, golf packages and a beautiful, wide span of beach. For more information, call (800) 443-CAMP or visit Pirateland.com.
DINING
RIVERSIDE CAFÉ: With 5 locations around Myrtle Beach, this is an inexpensive dining hangout where you eat peanuts and throw the shells on the floor. They have a few specialties but probably the best bets are their sandwiches – specifically their many burger varieties. And, if your kids dare, people can write on the walls, tables, chairs here – go ahead! Lunch and dinner served. www.rivercitycafe.com
JIMMY BUFFETT’S MARGARITAVILLE RESTAURANT – MYRTLE BEACH: After a fun-filled day with the kids on the beach and later at Ripley’s Aquarium at Broadway at the Beach, you may not want to loose that tropical feeling. After checking out some spectacular sea creatures, have a late lunch/ early dinner next door at Margaritaville to stay in that island state of mind. Kids have their own menu at this tropical-themed eatery including standards like chicken fingers, a “cheeseburger in paradise” or spaghetti but also grilled tilapia and fried shrimp plus 4 other selections. Margaritaville’s specialties include chicken, shrimp and fish entrees often served with Island rice and your choice of mango salsa, Jerk BBQ or Island butter. Key lime pie or their Chocolate Hurricane make a great dessert. Although their food is fun, folks really come for the atmosphere. While you wait for your meal to be served, a pirate on stilts makes balloon hats (we got fun palm trees and a shark fin). Once an hour, a tropical storm brews and there’s a hurricane indoors! It’s a party over there! Lunch and Dinner served daily. www.margaritavillemyrtlebeach.com
Want more INSIDER SCOOPS on how to take budget-friendly day trips and turn them into vacations?
Pick up a copy of one of these family travel guides and let the exploring begin!
It really is like pressing the EASY BUTTON for family travel…
KIDS LOVE VIRGINIA HISTORY – REALLY!
One Travel Family has Learned How to “Sneak” History into Fun Family Trips
Let’s Learn How They Do It. -from the notes of Michele Zavatsky, the Family Travel Mom
Why try to weave history museums into your travels? Because easily one-third of all the attractions out there are historical, it’s hard to avoid them. And, educators would tell you kids do much better on History test questions and biographical reports if they’ve actually toured the famous person’s home or visited a historic village.
So, why not plan some day trips around historic attractions. But, how do you sneak history into your day trips and vacations without the family declaring mutiny? Let’s take a journey with my travel family and see what I use to unlock the amusing, adventuresome side of history…
1. Big Anniversaries. No, not your romantic wedding anniversary coming up – instead, major historic anniversaries. America’s 400th Anniversary started in Jamestown in 2007; Annapolis is the big 300 in 2008; Fredericksburg celebrated their 400th that same year – plus anniversary of the landing of Captain John Smith to the Falmouth shoreline each August; and yearly celebrations of the late summer harvest of Peaches along the historic Blue Ridge Mountains are a sweet ending to Summer Break. During these major anniversary events, historical sites “beef up” their exhibits. How? They add more guides in character, create new animatronics, and increase their colorful immersion spaces (kind of Disney does History). What kid can resist all the stimulation! Before you leave the celebration, why not purchase a souvenir tri-corner hat or old-fashioned toy to remember the occasion.
2. Holidays. You know how your kids get off more weekday holidays than you know what to do with? Why not try sampling birthday cakes of Presidents, or collect Easter eggs on the White House lawn. Share July 4th fireworks in a quaint historic town or have punch and cookies with Santa in a Victorian home. Invite the grandparents along as your personal “guides” as they love to tell stories of the “good ole days” too. My kids tell me most historical homes smell old and musty. But, put costumed funny actors and treats in front of them and they’re fine.
3. Living History Re-enactments and Outdoor Dramas. Go behind the scenes of a pioneer camp or an Indian Pow Wow or behind enemy lines of a Civil War camp. Famous battlefields and old forts may look dull and ugly on a normal day, but add re-enactors in period attire and you’ve got the kids’ attention. 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. Many of these festivals are held late summer, early fall during the Apple harvest or a big event like the Blue Ridge Folklife Festival. Maybe explore more of what your town has to offer like they do each year at the Hampton Bay Days. Often, the gift shop on site sells wonderful little toy soldiers or play figures that kids can purchase and use to re-enact again at home. Open hearth cooking with period foods are for sale, too. Can’t you just smell the kettle corn, apple cider, barbeque and bean stew?
4. NO Museums – at least don’t tell them you’re going to a Museum! Which do you think your kids will respond to better – a place where the kids actually become soldiers (ex. Pamplin Park) or a history museum? The interactive play place, right? Another trick, plan an hour or two, not an afternoon. Begin your tour with a brief look at the orientation film, then lead the kids through a scavenger hunt and reward them with a prize afterwards. (note: many museums now offer hunts you can ask for at the ticket counter and the gift shop often provides small prizes upon completion)
5. Want action? Trolley or trot past famous homes versus stopping to go inside. Take a boat tour along the water’s edge as the captain briefly describes the scenes around – just the basics, forget the boring stuff. Weekend boat tour rides are fun with grandpa along and there’s usually a good ice cream shop or quaint seafood restaurant at the turn around stop.
Again, the best way to entice your family to come along on historical journeys is to sneak some history in. So many excellent historical parks are just minutes from lakes, beaches and amusements to even out your trip. Your kids will be having so much hands-on fun and meeting such interesting characters…they won’t even know it’s a history lesson. Sneaky, yes, but for the right reasons!
@2010-Michele Zavatsky
Want more ideas about how to plan your next family trip – maybe with one history stop weaved in? You can find more than 600 places and events included in KIDS LOVE VIRGINIA – A Family Travel Guide to Exploring “Kid-Tested” Places in Virginia … Year Round! Michele Zavatsky and her family did the work so you don’t have to. To find out more, visit www.KidsLoveTravel.com.
A MOM’S BACKPACK for TRIPS
Ok, moms, not only do you have to plan the next great family vacation, but you’re also the person who should hold, in your care ONLY, a wondrous backpack that keeps peace. Here is a Suggested Checklist:
Extra set of house and vehicle keys
Medical Insurance Cards plus prescription meds handy
A secure assortment of OTC meds – esp. ibuprofen – kiddie & adult versions
Travel Folder – maps, directions, reservation confirmations
Family Travel Guide (https://kidslovetravel.com/travel-books)
- Books/Magazines for Me Time
Books on tape for the kids (recommended iphone app: http://tales2go.com)
Deck of cards/Frisbee/ball for playing at rest stop
Small flashlight and fresh batteries
Umbrella and light rain covers
Plastic or mess bags for wet items
Disposable wipes
Pocketknife
Sewing kit
First-aid kit
Snacks/gum
Water bottles
One hand towel (for wiping wet seats)
Zippered plastic storage bags/chip clips
Travel Games – individually wrapped to hand out at intervals on trip
With these items packed, we promise your trips will go much smoother. No worries.
@copyright Michele Zavatsky, the Family Travel Mom
KIDS LOVE MID-ATLANTIC HISTORY: How to Explore the Heart of U.S. History
KIDS LOVE MID-ATLANTIC HISTORY WORKSHOP NOTES
Interested in studying early U.S. History hands-on? My workshops reveal the Easy, Fun approach to history – whether you educate your kids at home or just over the summer and on weekends. Let’s focus on the Mid-Atlantic…
Begin where battles raged – Trenton, NJ and Washington’s Crossing the Delaware cold winter mornings. Can you imagine the conditions any soldier had to endure? Find out if you have what it takes.
In November of 1682, William Penn sailed from Great Britain to the new world on the Welcome and landed in Upland, near what is now Chester (south of Philadelphia). Penn named his colony Pennsylvania and began to plan the city that is known as Philadelphia, a Greek word meaning City of Brotherly Love. Philadelphia is affordable, accessible, educational and fun – especially close to I-95!
Begin your adventure on a Boat or Trolley Tour through Old Town. On board, you’ll learn about all there is to see and do – from a humorous perspective! After grubbing on some delicious Philly Cheesesteaks from a street vendor, head east to the Historic District, where you’ll find The Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and Franklin Court. First check in at the Independence Visitor Center to get your free timed tickets (or order them online for a small fee before you arrive) before heading off to see the sights. Scattered throughout this area are also several Once Upon a Nation storytelling benches, where you can rest your feet and hear a tale about Colonial Philadelphia. In the evening, be sure to make reservations for the imaginative Lights of Liberty tour. You won’t believe how magical the night sky brings historic figures back to life.
DELAWARE
First, it’s important to know who Delaware is. The second smallest state in the Union – and the first to ratify the U.S. Constitution (Dec. 7, 1787) is rightfully known as “The First State.”
There are three forts along the Delaware River that formed a defense against invasion. The best one to visit is Fort Delaware. Take the Delafort Ferry to Pea Patch Island. Kids love building the sense of adventure as they approach the fort by water. Ferry is the only way to get to the fort! The fort is five-sided and kids notice that it is surrounded by a moat. Have conversations with authentically dressed park interpreters who can teach your kids how to hammer at the blacksmith or prepare a meal for the officers in the kitchen.
Imagine rolling through forests, past historic homes and mill sites, aboard a vintage steam train, just like those your great-grandparents rode. Welcome to the Wilmington & Western Railroad. Come aboard. Most train rides offer a scenic trip with narration especially for young railroaders.
Experience Delaware in the Early Republic (1790-1830) at a 300-year-old gristmill, textile mill and farm site with heritage sheep. Greenbank Mill is fun on weekends but many of the famous DuPont heritage homes are open weekdays, too, for touring. Winterthur has its Enchanted Garden where the wood fairies have left stories and play areas aside just for the young at heart to explore. Hagley is actually the original home of the famous DuPont Company. The Visitors Center details this and provides areas for the kids to “play” with DuPont company inventions: from spacesuits to a working small scale of a water-wheel mill.
MARYLAND & WASHINGTON D.C.
The first family-friendly town you hit on your way south through the state is Havre de Grace (pronounced haver da grace). Maybe try an overnight at a B&B, and then walk to any waterfront museum, skipjack tour or quaint restaurant – each with their specialties clearly presented on the menu. Because this is a walkable town, we consider all of Havre de Grace one big attraction.
Maryland is a kid-friendly state and the perfect place for some serious sidetripping. A logical choice is a trip to Baltimore, where you can explore the acclaimed Inner Harbor museums and shops…especially the big ship, the USS Constellation in port. Audio players allow you to listen as a young girl’s grandpa shares stories about the Constellation’s magnificent power on the waters of combat. Surrounding Inner Harbor are some pretty historic sites. Baseball great Babe Ruth’s Birthplace is just down the street from Camden Yards and the truly interactive Sports Legends Museum. Or, visit the actual spot where the “Star Spangled Banner” originated at Ft. McHenry and the Flag House where a small group of women created the famous flag.
What kids don’t love trains at some point in their childhood? Remember the Monopoly game you play at home and one property marked the B&O Railroad? What about visiting the original outside of Baltimore City. Huge trains, miniature trains, trains you can ride – all here and all presented in short presentations inside and outside. Haven’t had enough? Travel a little ways off the connecting outerbelt and you’ll find another quaint railroad station: the Ellicott City B&O Railroad. The surrounding little town has dozens of whimsical shops, too.
When it comes to offbeat, Maryland is home to some bizarre, yet amusing attractions like the Museum of Dentistry in Baltimore, which includes George Washington’s dentures and crazy people who use their teeth to lift things! We found another extremely unique and a little creepy museum at Fort Meade Military base. The National Cryptologic Museum is all about secret codes and deciphering them. Talk about stories that make you wonder who’s watching (or listening to) you!
Maryland is a generous state; so generous, in fact, that in 1791 they donated the land that became Washington, D.C. To try to name favorites in D. C. is pretty near impossible as the entire area is one small place packed with dozens of historical attractions one must see in their lifetime to truly feel American. Before you fill your day with museum visits, here are some tips to make the visit easier:
Overnight in nearby Virginia suburbs close to a Metro Station so once you get up in the morning – you can easily navigate the Metro into town. We’ve suggested a couple different places in Alexandria. If you like to picnic, the National Mall and West Or East Potomac Park have dozens of lawn sites to spread out a picnic blanket. You’ll be dining, al fresco, by a view of famous monuments. As the sun started setting, we especially enjoyed walking the perimeter of the Tidal Basin in Potomac Park with a view of the FDR Memorial & the Jefferson Memorial, as they are backlit towards nightfall. Also, surrounding the White House are oodles of vendors offering the best prices in town on souvenirs and sandwiches.
How To Do Attractions – every family is different but honestly you can “do” as many as your family desires if you work the 10am-7pm full day. Maybe devote an entire day to the FREE Smithsonian Museums & National Mall buildings. DC by Foot, a walking tour company, gives FREE, kid-friendly tours infused with games, fun facts and trivia. Or, just wander from one building to the next. Be sure to go online first and print off any “Hunts” (scavenger hunts) that interest you (ways to engage, not overwhelm young guests). Play pilot in a mock cockpit at America by Air, an exhibition on permanent display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Teach kids about history at the newly renovated National Museum of American History for a rare look at the original “Star-Spangled Banner,” the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the national anthem. The museum’s Spark!Lab uses fun activities to help kids and families learn about the history and process of invention through games and conducting experiments plus there’s an Under 5 Zone just for pre-schoolers. Walk among the butterflies or witness a view of the blinding Hope Diamond at the National Museum of Natural History.
Maybe following a thread of your favorite President is the best way to tour. Fords Theatre Museum & Tour is a newly renovated museum using 21st century technology to transport visitors to 19th-century Washington, DC. The museum’s collection of historic artifacts (including the derringer that John Wilkes Booth used to shoot Lincoln and a replica of the coat Lincoln wore the night he was shot) is supplemented with a variety of narrative devices. As you sit in the theatre for the park ranger presentation, chills run up your spine! After lunch, go to our favorite wax museum, Madame Tussauds. DC’s wax museum has a distinctly “Washington” feel, and gives parents the perfect opportunity to give kids a taste of politics without the crowds on the Mall. We interacted with the figures for some amazingly realistic photo ops like: Sitting with Lincoln in Ford’s Theatre, Dad discussing decisions of the day in the Oval Office or taking photos with famous presidents. They look so real (the digital pics) that folks on the Metro thought we had actually met the President that day!
VIRGINIA
On the Virginia side of the D.C. area, take a moment to journey back to an 18th-century Old Town Alexandria tavern, apothecary or church where famous historical figures and everyday people dined and slept. Pick up an Old Town Scavenger Hunt to guide you on your adventure. There are centers on modern art, inventions and old archeology to visit, too. Weaved in (esp. near King Street) are some of our favorite family-owned eateries serving kid-friendly pizza and ice cream.
Just south of Alexandria is Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens, beloved home of George and Martha Washington. The Kids’ Adventure Map is a fun way to experience Washington’s Estate for families. This colorful map is free with admission and guides kids around the estate in a quest to solve nine puzzles by exploring outbuildings and the Mansion. And, what concerns newbie moms out there – where do the young kids (ages 3-8) go for fun? …the Hands on History Room area. What we liked best about the Education Wing was how it draws kids in: start with Washington’s eyes following you to CSI-style forensics on how they “reconstructed” George’s face from childhood through old age. Youth, love stories, war drama, touching, smelling, even spying? Most kids will want to move at a good pace through the actual house, linger a while outdoors at the farm, but save time and energy for the newer Education Wing.
Encounter the richness of the American experience at every turn in the Fredericksburg Area and walk in the footsteps of Presidents and Generals. Start with a wonderful Fredericksburg Trolley Tour of the old town. You’ll pass many sites you may want to visit later. Several historic national battlefields are just outside of Old Town.
Any family who likes a variety of museums will be fond of Richmond, Virginia. They have a huge science museum and a children’s museum next door. See the place where Patrick Henry exclaimed: “Give me liberty or give me death!” Condense the state’s history at the Virginia Historical Society. Discover the entire “Story of Virginia” through videos, story phones, computer games and other interactive devices that make learning fun for the whole family.
Ever wonder what it was like to be a Civil War soldier? Pamplin Historical Park lets you travel back 140 some years and become a buck private. The kids get to use their personal MP3 players (or borrow one on site) to participate in drills, experience being fired upon (with air bursts), and play period games. Sleep in a platform tent, eat the Civil War era meals (hardtack, yuk!), or learn military codes and communications. Think you can cut it as a soldier in the 1860s?
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