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New, Updated Kids Love Pennsylvania is here!

  • April 12, 2023 3:12 pm

Just in time for spring and summer travels…

KIDS LOVE PENNSYLVANIA

An Organized Family Travel Guide to Exploring “Kid-Friendly” Pennsylvania – 600 Fun Stops & Unique Spots

Your kids will love finding where to discover Oil and take a tram ride deep into Coal Mines…hike along tall trees, great lakes, waterfalls and grand canyons…tour fun Snack Food Factories…twist your own Pretzel…take a peak at Polar Bears and Groundhogs…travel around Train Curves and Inclines…or, “meet” Ben Franklin, Abraham Lincoln and even see some real Christopher Columbus stuff!

Each chapter is a day trip zone including points of interest, events and suggested lodging and dining options.

Save Time. New features include QUICK TOURS and web resources to quickly help you make the most of a short trip in each chapter. Searching countless hours on the internet? We give you fast travel facts, prices, and our kid-tested reviews for every listing. We did the work so you don’t have to.

Save Money. Once you purchase the book you’ll have access to a special page of online updates that keeps your book FRESH for years. Plus, we’ve found many places to visit for little or no charge.

The books are available at Bookstores and Online Retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Ditch the Spray, Non-Toxic Wristbands Keep Mosquitos Away

  • July 24, 2022 6:19 pm

Summertime and mosquitos. It is important to protect yourself this summer and in addition, say goodbye to itching and swelling and say hello to a worry free day of fun in the sun.

Mosquitno Bands are all-natural, non-toxic wristbands made of silicone rubber infused with 100% citronella oil. Each Mosquitno Bands contains enough citronella to effectively repel bugs for up to 150 hours of exposure (or six days), and each comes in a re-sealable pouch to preserve effectiveness between uses.  Mosquitno Bands are available in eight solid colors, camouflage, tie-dye and glow-in-the-dark in sizes for adults and children.

The pleasant-smelling Mosquitno Bands works by masking human scents – carbon dioxide and sweat – that attract bugs. Mosquitno Bands are more effective than citronella candles because they are worn on the body and the citronella scent is not dissipated by the wind.

MY TAKE: I am a mosquito magnet. I’m at tournament ballgames for most weekends early summer. After July 4th, it’s outdoor festivals… I get welts and bumps all over my legs and arms. My sundress just doesn’t look that appealing when there are red bumps that are so plentiful you could play “connect the dots”…ugh! But this product really worked! Bottom line: when I wore the wristband, bite free.

Mosquitno Bands retail for $3.99. All Mosquitno products are non-toxic, chemical-free and DEET-free. Mosquitno Bands are available online at www.mosquitnoband.com and Amazon.

10 Best Family Travel Destinations – Do you agree?

  • June 15, 2022 10:42 am

Or, are there Hidden Gems nearby?

Recently read an article on the 10 Best Family Travel Destinations in the U.S. We’ve been to many of them and they were awesome. But, I wonder how many families ponder, “Is this all there is?”  In our travels (5,000 places and counting), we’ve unexpectedly discovered many places along the way that hold as many memorable stories as the popular destinations. Examples:

1. Williamsburg vs. the resort properties nearby full of kid-centered activities.

2. Kings Island Amusement Park, Cincinnati vs. the only authentically built medieval castle in the United States by a creek just outside of the park.

3. Cedar Point Amusement Park, Sandusky vs. the land of mega indoor waterparks down the street and the fascination learning about the quirky habits of a young genius, Thomas Edison, born in the little town of Milan, Ohio just 20 miles away.

4. Disneyworld vs. the adventures of Hot Air Ballooning over Disney, indoor skydiving or even air boating past alligators!

5. Hershey World vs. the numerous chocolate and pretzel factories dotting the surrounding countryside.

6. Dollywood vs. a cabin and hike in the woods.

7. Washington D.C. vs. crabbing in Maryland or a scavenger hunt in Alexandria.

8. Virginia Beach vs. crossing the Chesapeake Bridge underwater tunnel on a drive to the land of Chincoteague Ponies.

9. Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan vs. the thrill of plowing a dune buggy down a dune hill…fast!

10. Chicago city lights vs. the cheese factories of Wisconsin or riding the old wagon roads with pioneers heading west.

So, how do you try to find these unique experiences when planning your next trip? Trying to find it all on Internet Blogs? Experiencing unorganized information overload?

Try www.kidslovetravel.com/travel-books/ . Organized ideas for EASY family travel – guaranteed – or your money back.

Biltmore Summer Vacations Offer Something for Everyone

  • May 14, 2022 8:12 pm

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Sixty-six percent of families say ‘togetherness’ is an essential element for a memorable family vacation (PGAV Destinations study, “The Art of the Family Vacation”). Addressing the need for a balance of itinerary options that families can truly enjoy together, Biltmore’s summer vacation experience has been designed to be active, fun and educational (don’t tell the kids!) for all. Adults and children are entertained with a slate of activities in Biltmore’s 8,000-acre backyard, while imaginations stay engaged with tours and historic exhibitions.

Top eight Biltmore to-dos

A destination for rejuvenation since the 1800s, George W. Vanderbilt chose the outdoor playground of Asheville to build his family estate. In the century that has lapsed since family and friends of the Vanderbilts came for long stays at Biltmore, time has seemingly stood still. Travelers today enjoy the slower pace of summer’s backyard season in Biltmore’s 8,000-acre landscape, a space that has been preserved and perfected over time for future generations. 

  1. Take the family time travelling.

Visit the 250-room Biltmore House, George Vanderbilt’s dream home that he lived in more than 100 years ago. Kids stay engaged with a NEW treasure hunt through Biltmore House. Kids marvel at the sheer size of Biltmore House, the bowling alley and pool in the basement, and the massive front lawn and backyard for playing. 

  1. Have a unique adventure.

Try your luck at outdoor sports like fly fishing or sporting clays, or go off-road behind the wheel of a Land Rover (our Land Rover Driving School offers courses for adults AND kids!). Go to an awe-inspiring location: the rooftop of Biltmore House. The guided Architect’s Tour takes families to the massive roof of America’s largest home for a look at architectural details, to count gargoyles, and for expansive mountain views of a spectacular backyard.

  1. Reconnect with nature.

Set out on foot on a network of nearly 22 round-trip miles of hiking trails. Or, take in views from a bike, on the back of a horse, while floating down a river, on a Segway, or a carriage ride. Go rock-skipping at the lagoon or play hide and seek among rare and native trees.

  1. Stop to smell the roses.

Biltmore’s renowned summer gardens are perfect for leisurely strolls and picnicking spots near tropical palms, roses, giant sunflowers, and colorful lily pads and koi in Italian Garden pools.

  1. Set the kids free.

Get lost together in a maze comprised of 500 trees. Kids run and climb in the NEW Pisgah Playground. At the barn, explore farming life at the turn of the century and antique farm equipment. Ask inquisitive questions to our staff and play with chickens, roosters, goats, horses and sheep in the farmyard. Demos, crafts and period games available select days.

  1. Embark on a tasty tour.

Taste wines at the most visited winery in America (complimentary grape juice for the kids). Restaurants offer a range of options from barbeque to fine dining. Pick up a family-themed picnic from the Creamery.  And save room for the Creamery’s Winky Bar Sundae, a sweet treat for a summer day based on the Winky Bar produced by the former Biltmore Dairy.

  1. Rock out!

Dance under the stars select summer nights during the concert series kicking off July 25. The 2013 line-up includes Heart, Sheryl Crow, Christian group Casting Crowns, the Four Tops and Temptations, the Beach Boys and comedian Bill Engvall. Local bands provide FREE entertainment Fridays June through August at the Antler Hill Village Green and Bandstand.

  1. Make Biltmore your home away from home.
North and South Carolina Family Travel Guide

Extend your visit with an overnight stay at the Inn on Biltmore Estate or with our local accommodations partners and take advantage of packages on select dates this summer.

Information on Biltmore’s summer offerings can be found at Biltmore.com. View suggested itineraries for more family travel ideas.

WANT TO KNOW MORE KID-FRIENDLY PLACES AROUND ASHEVILLE, NC?  Take a look at the best-selling Carolinas travel guide: KIDS LOVE THE CAROLINAS (pg 198-242)

Eight Wild Facts about Wild Turkeys

  • November 1, 2019 8:52 am

It’s November and time to start thinking about turkeys and the spaces they live freely

So you thought there was nothing to know about turkeys except whether you liked drumsticks or white meat. Think again.

Wild turkeys strut and display at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, PA. Photo: Copyright Bill Buchanan. Used with permission.
  1. Enough with gobble, gobble. Turkeys also cluck and purr .
  2. Turkey droppings tell a bird’s sex and age. Male droppings are j-shaped; female droppings are spiral-shaped. The larger the diameter, the older the bird.
  3. Feather-hanger: An adult turkey has 5,000 to 6,000 feathers – count them! – on its body.
  4. Tom turkeys aren’t the only ones that swagger and fan their tail feathers to woo mates and ward off rivals. Some hens strut, too.
  5. Crunchy treats. Young turkeys – poults – scarf down insects like candy. They develop more of a taste for plants after they’re four weeks old.
  6. They may look off-kilter – tilting their heads and staring at the sky –yet but they’re fast. Turkeys can clock more than 12 miles per hour.
  7. Move over, American bald eagle. Ben Franklin called the wild turkey a “bird of courage” and thought it would make a better national symbol.
  8. Wild turkeys are not hard to find. National wildlife refuges are great places to look —while you enjoy a stroll in nature and emerge looking less like a butterball yourself. Here are some favorite turkey hideouts:

FLORIDA
St Marks National Wildlife Refuge (KIDS LOVE FLORIDA, pg 97)
To boost your chances of seeing turkeys, get out of your car and walk. “Turkeys are sensitive to the movement of vehicles,” says Ranger David Moody. Wearing camo colors might help, too. The refuge permits bow hunting the first two weeks in November. Then it closes to hunting until December 13. Almost 50 miles of the Florida National Scenic Trail go through the refuge. Turkeys like the open terrain of the longleaf pine sandhill ecosystem along the trail. $5 entrance fee.

GEORGIA
Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge
Look for turkeys along 50 miles of gravel road, including five-mile-long Wildlife Drive.  You might also see them off Round Oak Juliette Road, a scenic (and paved) byway. Or try one of the refuge’s five hiking trails. No entrance fee. (Note: the refuge is closed for a deer hunt Saturday, Nov. 22.)

ILLINOIS
Wild Turkey Trail — Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge (KIDS LOVE ILLINOIS, pg 171)
Easy to moderate 1.7- mile trail leads through woods and offers a fine chance of seeing wild turkeys. For more of a challenge, take the connecting 2.2-mile Rocky Bluff Trail. Entrance fee: $2 per vehicle.

SOUTH CAROLINA

Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge
The 9-mile Wildlife Drive passes many woods and fields where you might spot turkeys, especially in mornings and late afternoons. Or lose the wheels and walk any of seven hiking trails along the drive. No entrance fee.

Travel Product Review: Travel size lotions from Coppertone…sun protection is always in season.

  • September 10, 2013 9:55 am

When Coppertone first approached me a couple weeks ago about doing a blog review of their sunscreen products, I thought, “it’s almost the end of summer!”

But then I received the sample package…right after Labor Day weekend full of outdoorsy fun at festivals and football games. Right after days in the late summer sun…and a little sunburn on my face and shoulders! Ok, I get it. Providing broad spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays is always in season.

I focused on the facial products – especially the Sport Lip Balm and Oil Free Faces Sunscreen Lotion. An outdoor concert, a baseball game and a college football gameday tailgate were on the agenda the following weekend. I applied the lightweight products (btw, won’t clog pores or cause breakouts, water-resistant (80 minutes) and the Sport even sweat proof) and they worked! Soft skin and no burn.

And, for you sun-seeking travelers who fly south when the chill hits North – Coppertone Travel Size offerings are now available. The 3 oz lotions are made specifically for convenience and comply with TSA travel size regulations.
  • For portable protection, Coppertone Travel Size Lotions are perfect for your weekend away game trip – they can easily fit in a purse or carry-on bag for on-the-go sun protection.
  • For a simple beauty regimen, Coppertone Oil Free Faces SPF 15, 30 and 50+ is a fragrance free, hypoallergenic sunscreen lotion specifically designed for the face. It helps prevent premature skin aging and won’t clog pores or cause breakouts.
  • For convenient lip protection – Coppertone Sport Lip Balm SPF 30 can easily fit in a pocket for on-the-go sun protection that also helps smooth and soften lips.

Where to find: Available nationwide at food, drug, mass and internet retailers. Sport $3.99. Lip Balm $2.99. Oil Free Lotions $8.99. www.coppertone.com 

Owl Prowls and Wolf Howls: Nature Shines at Night

  • June 30, 2013 1:05 pm

Nighttime brings a new slant to nature – and some national wildlife refuges are going out of their way to help you see and hear it.  Several times a year, they’re delaying normal sunset closing times to host night star-viewings, swamp paddles, scorpion hunts and wolf howl serenades in settings hard to beat for natural scenery and iconic wildlife.

Of course, some refuges turn downright creepy at night, and that’s a part of their attraction, too. The thrill of seeing giant reptiles on the prowl draws hundreds of visitors a year to night boat trips at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia.

“It’s cool to see the bigger gators at night, when they do their hunting,” says Brittany Waryjas, a visitor services intern at the refuge. A reflective layer of tissue in the retina makes their eyes glow red at night – a good way to spot them, if you don’t hear them first. They hiss when threatened and bellow to call mates or mark territory.  Refuge ranger Cynthia McIntyre recalls hearing the sound for the first time: “It sounded like a lion roaring in the jungle.”

Visitors who like their swamp adventures mild can take a guided sunset motorboat tour. The braver can opt for multi-day kayak or canoe trips that feature overnight camping on platforms that might have growling gators below.

Different shiver-inducing night sounds draw nature lovers to Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, NC. Red wolf “howling safaris,” held on scheduled dates from April to December, feature the eerie calls of endangered red wolves, whose recovery through captive breeding began on the refuge in the 1980s.  The refuge is the only place in the world where you can hear these wolves in the wild. Listening online can’t match being there, but here’s a taste:  http://bit.ly/Zy74V8

Here are some refuge night events to plan for this summer and fall:

Night Sounds

  • Red Wolf Howlings, Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, NC (KIDS LOVE THE CAROLINAS, pg 113)
    Meet at the Creef Cut Wildlife Trail parking lot. Bring a flashlight and insect repellent. No pets allowed. 252-216-9464. Summer Howlings, $7 per person. Kids 12 and under free. No Registration Required. June – August, Wednesdays – 7:30-9:00pm

    Fall Saturday Howlings. Free. No Registration Required
    October 12 – Wolf Awareness Week – 6 -7:30 p.m.
    November 16 – Full Moon Howl – 5 – 6:30 p.m.
    December 7 – Holiday Howl – 5 – 6:30 p.m. 

  • Owl Prowls, Patuxent Research Refuge, MD (KIDS LOVE MARYLAND, pg 23)
    Saturday, June 29, 8 -9:30 p.m.
    Explore the refuge at night while looking and listening for owls. Ages 10 and up. Patuxent North Tract. Registration required: 301-497-5887

Night Paddles

  • Full-moon guided canoe trips, Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, FL (KIDS LOVE FLORIDA, pg 149)
    Saturday, June 22, 7 – 9 p.m.
    Saturday, July 20, 7 – 9 p.m.
    Saturday, August 17, 7 – 9 p.m.
    Meet at the Lee Road Boat Ramp.  Wear a long-sleeved shirt and long pants and bring a flashlight and bug spray. Canoe rental: $32; you may not bring your own canoe. Reservations required: Loxahatchee Canoeing: 561-733-0192
  • Okefenokee Swamp at night, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, GA (KIDS LOVE GEORGIA, pg 179)
    Take a two-hour sunset tour by motorboat ($27.50 per adult, age 12 and up; Kids age 5-11, $18; Kids under 5, free) or a four-hour guided kayak or canoe tour ($85 per person). Check ahead; tours are affected by water levels, availability of guides. Or sign up for a multi-day canoe or kayak adventure, with overnight camping. ($10 per person per night plus $25 per day canoe or kayak rental). Other options and more info: Okefenokee Adventures, 912-496-7156,  www.okefenokeeadventures.com

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLPARK…

  • August 7, 2012 6:44 pm

Here are some recent baseball park visit articles I’ve come across that share that Americana passion for baseball and kid’s fun:

Best major-league baseball parks for kids: http://www.mercurynews.com/travel-headlines/ci_21055578/family-travel-best-major-league-baseball-parks-kids

Touring Oriole Park at Camden Yards: http://creativlei.com/2012/touring-oriole-park-at-camden-yards/

Two ballparks /tours to add to the mix:

KIDS LOVE OHIO – page 176 – CLEVELAND INDIANS – Progressive Field.

www.indians.com. Tours (small fee) include Kidsland, a press box, a suite, a dugout, a fun video…all lasts about one hour (Monday-Saturday 10am-2pm, some summer sundays).

KIDS LOVE PENNSYLVANIA – PAGE 291 – PITTSBURGH PIRATES –

www.pirateball.com PNC Park. On game nights the city closes the Roberto Clemente Bridge to vehicles so street performers, vendors and pedestrians swarm the area – everyone decked out in black and gold attire. The concessions at the park are upscale fair food and many are grilled to order. Primanti is a must if you want Steel City, hold it with two hands, kinda food.

GEORGIA’S PINE MOUNTAIN GETAWAY WITH KIDS @ CALLAWAY GARDENS RESORT

  • August 9, 2011 11:19 am

While few may think of a vacation destination in the mountains of Georgia, regional resorts are often hidden gems. Probably the most famous attraction in the Middle West area, Callaway Gardens, reminds me of the resort properties of the 50s – hundreds of cottages and a massive central inn complete with daily activities for each family member.

Cottages
Cottages pool

The Summer Family Adventure family camps offer signups for hiking, biking, fishing, boating, water skiing, archery, aerobatics, tennis, golf, arts and crafts and more during the day. When nightfalls the fun continues with the circus, campfires, movies, games and more.

Loads of easy biking paths

Every overnight stay includes family admission into the Gardens and Beach area. This admission includes biking the ten miles of trails (many folks brought their own bikes but you can rent them, too or use your Fun Pass), hiking the wooded trails together (separate trails for bikes vs. on foot so no collisions), just beaching (apply that sunscreen), fishing by the gardens docks, miniature golf, zipline adventure courses, or sightseeing the Discovery Center, Pioneer Cabin or the delightful Butterfly Garden.

They have Birds of Prey programs scheduled throughout the day at the Discovery Center – with live animals. The Butterfly Garden is so colorful and we promise you’ll find a different species of butterfly every time you visit.

The Beach area is super clean and they have reasonable chair/umbrella rentals for half day or full day rates.

Dining

With all of the activities and fascinating distractions at Callaway Gardens, making time to eat may be a challenge – but not for lack of dining options.

Callaway Gardens is dedicated to serving sustainably grown and regionally produced food whenever possible. Menus showcase products from local farmers, fishermen and food artisans throughout the South. Here are a few of our favorites:

Country Kitchen: the charming and rustic restaurant offers down-home Southern cooking enjoyed by the Georgia locals for generations. Try their biscuits and muscadine preserves each morning or sides of fried green tomatoes, sweet potato fries, glazed apples, black eyed peas, okra, and greens. Entrees like fried chicken, country fried steak, meatloaf, catfish, pot roast, and stew are offered. Avg. full entrees $8 – $11.

Rockin’ Robin’s Malt Shop & Pizzeria: an old-fashioned, fun 1950s themed diner with pizza and great shakes plus bubbly root beer floats. Play games or bop to tunes on the jukebox.

Robin Lake Beach Pavilion: for a quick bite to eat or a snack during a fun day at the beach that’s convenient and good tasting. Their menu includes sandwiches, snacks and beverages.

(ref: www.callawaygardens.com) or KIDS LOVE GEORGIA (https://kidslovetravel.com/travel-books/

Gettysburg to kick off 150th anniversary – April 2011

  • April 5, 2011 11:15 am

Gettysburg – the only major battle fought on Union soil – is most remembered as being the turning point of the American Civil War. Two years into the war, thousands of soldiers lost their lives in Gettysburg, which ultimately led President Abraham Lincoln to stand on its hallowed ground and deliver what would later be known as the Gettysburg Address, one of the most remembered speeches in world history.

“The 150th anniversary is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on this nation’s past – particularly this seminal event that shaped who America is today,” said J. David Petruzzi, a renowned historian and author of the Civil War. “We have the opportunity to look back to learn from the past, celebrate the dedication of all those who served, and be thankful that America is a united country.”

Gettysburg’s April kick-off is part of a four-week series of events held in Pennsylvania that outline Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s invasion of northern territory.

The event in Gettysburg will include a march by Union and Confederate troops into Gettysburg, living history encampments at historic locations throughout the town of Gettysburg, re-enacted skirmishes, and capped off with 150 cannon shots along with the playing of “Taps.”

“This kick-off is just the beginning,” said Flowers. “Over the next five years, we expect many more events, special observances, expanded programs and tours, and large battle re-enactments – a commemoration few will forget.”

For a list of events planned for Gettysburg’s 150th anniversary commemoration, call (800) 337-5015 or visit www.gettysburgcivilwar150.com.

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, is located on the East Coast of the United States, about two hours from both Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, and four hours from New York City.

As always, we think strong historical towns are best to visit during events like this.

And, if your kids might be overwhelmed by too much history, try an apple farm, a mini-horse farm or a snack food factory tour or two nearby. Need details?

(this post was taken from excerpts of KIDS LOVE PENNSYLVANIA available in retail and online stores NOW!)