Tag Archives: fun places to eat with kids

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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OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

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?

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).

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