Tag Archives: places along I-75

The Great Locomotive Chase! Train Play for Kids

Posted on by
Reply
The General

Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History – Kennesaw, Georgia

The true story behind the old Disney movie, “The Great Locomotive Chase,” is what the Southern Museum is all about. The museum’s star attraction is The General, a steam locomotive nabbed by Yankee raiders in 1862 just 100 yards from where it stands today. The daring band of 22 planned to drive The General north to Chattanooga and destroy Confederate supply lines along the way. Rebels manned a locomotive of their own and chased The General, full throttle, for 100 miles until the raiders were forced to abandon ship. Most were captured.

But the Museum doesn’t end there. Peek into Glover Machine Works: An interactive presentation detailing the train building process, from metallurgy and patterns to casting and construction helps visitors experience life as a factory worker. Kids can etch a pattern on paper and touch wooden molds. Their giant displays of how to build train parts engage kids, too.

Molds and Casting
Rubbing

The Education Center is a highlight! Child play interactives include tapping out Morse Code; driving a simulated train; a giant toy engine; and multiple train tables.

My take: The best part of this Smithsonian Affiliate museum is the layout. The education center is in the middle, at just the right point where kids get antsy. The interactives are easy to understand and it’s roomy. Also, most museums show the introduction video at the beginning, before you tour. The Southern Museum chose to have showings near the end, for impact. After you leave the theater, you pass a “depot” and go under “Tunnel Hill” to have your eyes wide open to the General, larger than life! The gift shop is right after that display and it’s big and wondrous! You will be tempted…

SOUTHERN MUSEUM OF CIVIL WAR AND LOCOMOTIVE HISTORY
Kennesaw – 2829 Cherokee Street NW (I-75 exit 273 west) 30144. Phone: (770) 427-2117. www.southernmuseum.org. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 9:30am-5:00pm. Closed New Years, Thanksgiving and Christmas time. Admission: $10.00 adult, $8.00 senior (65+), $5.00 active military/students w/ID, child (3-17). FREEBIES: ask for scavenger hunt.

Why Travel Guide e-books don’t work well for Families

Posted on by

I just read a post from another blogger titled: Why I think the Kindle (and other readers) isn’t ready for e-books yet: http://bit.ly/KSTMa. 

I, too have noticed too many people at airports trying to link to websites off Kindle with frustration. Wouldn’t you rather have a book highlighted to your tastes as a reference tool?

Hi-liter fun!

ESPECIALLY A FAMILY TRAVEL GUIDEBOOK. When you’re on the road, with kids, you need quick, easy “notes” and dog-eared pages to go to (in print book form) vs. trying to find a wireless cell and missing a bunch of hidden gems because you passed their exits.

What about you? Are you finding the more technology advances, the harder it is to stay focused?

Are you craving a SIMPLER life and wholesome family fun?

Let us know…

PLAYTIME @ MAUMEE BAY / TOLEDO (Day Two)

Posted on by
Reply

DAY TWO

Moms everywhere are planning their family vacations for the year.  Destination Toledo and Ohio State Parks are here to help mom out by providing a slew of great ideas for a family getaway to Northwest Ohio!

IMG_20150608_111730

Start your journey at the Toledo Zoo (KIDS LOVE OHIO), one of the nation’s top-ranked zoos and the number one attraction in Toledo!  Immerse yourself in the heart of Africa on the Safari Railway through a 5-acre African habitat teeming with giraffes, zebra and all the wilds of Africa.  Grab lunch at the Carnivore Café before enjoying your whirlwind trip through the Arctic Encounter, Hippoquarium, Nature’s Neighborhood, Museum of Science and Aquarium…your journey is endless! The new aquarium was funded by locals, so it’s their pride and joy. I particularly loved that the zoo keeps many old structures and recycles them. For instance, the old lion and tiger cages are now the Carnivore Café – indoor seating in actual barred cages!

Take a break and relax with a view of the beautiful downtown Toledo skyline at one of several restaurants located at the Docks (22 Main Street, www.realseafoodcorestaurant.com). Enjoy the picturesque riverfront on the outdoor patio of Real Seafood for an afternoon nibble and a cold drink. They bring in fresh seafood from the Atlantic, Pacific and Great Lakes. Many rave about their crab cakes. I liked their selection of locally caught Perch or Walleye. Lunch runs $10-$13. Dinner runs about double. Entrees include two sides. I recommend you try their blue cheese vinaigrette coleslaw with any fish entrée. All kids meals include a beverage and the entrees (shrimp, burger, tenders, spaghetti, etc) run $5.95. On a nice day, try to get a patio seat. Really good view.

OSPL_MB Kids fishing on lakewall 1
The fishing pier is tiered steps leading right into the water. Once you’re down in there, you escape the resort view and feel like you’re at a favorite fishing hole!

Get ready for some fun in the sun!  Head out to the 1,850-acre Maumee Bay State Park (KIDS LOVE OHIO pg 220) and play on the beach on the shores of Lake Erie. Rent a jet ski, kayak or a banana boat and venture out on the water.  Take a nature walk on the marshland boardwalk teeming with wildlife, or bike along one of the winding trails with stunning views. Options include the Nature Center, geocaching, court sports, horseshoes, children’s activities, swimming (inside or out), hot tubs, children’s soft play area, fitness room, game room, corn-hole, shuffleboard, fishing, canoeing and paddle boating. And dad will love the 18-hole Scottish Links golf course!

OSPL_MB Kids at nature center 6
Nature Center is very hands-on.
OSPL_MB Kids in indoor splash area 3
Indoor splash pad area.
OSPL_MB Kids playing in sand 1
A nice beach for swim and play.

After an afternoon of sun and fun, it’s time to check in at the Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center. Whether you opt for one of the fully-furnished cozy cottages, or select a loft-style room at the lodge, your stay is sure to be a delight. Simple furnishings for old-fashioned fun.

No need to leave the park for dinner!  Water’s Edge Restaurant encompasses a breathtaking glass wrap-around view of Lake Erie with a variety of choices to suit every appetite. This is not your typical state park dining. The chef uses mostly local ingredients and prepares gourmet entrees that have appealing subtle look and flavor. If you’re there for brunch, it’s so diverse. Come hungry. After dinner, hang out at either the outdoor or indoor pool, or soak in the warmth of the relaxing whirlpool or sauna. Then, watch a feature movie inside or a bonfire and roast s’mores outside.

OSPL_MB Kids at ice cream shop 1
The ice cream shop was hopping! Veryyyy large portions!
OSPL_MB Group making smores
A bonfire and smores – at dusk. Perfect ending to the day!

Well mom, what did you think?  We hope you enjoy your family getaway to Toledo and Northwest Ohio!  For more ideas for your next adventure, visit www.VisitToledo.org or www.maumeebaystateparklodge.com

A Natural History Museum that’s called the Creation Museum?

Posted on by
Reply

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUMS – Flashback to an earlier time:

As we waited in some lines opening day of the new Creation Museum, we were greeted by friendly faces and warm smiles from the docents and the guests alike. Many had been waiting for this museum to open for years, so what was another few minutes. “Much of the experience features displays that would be similar to what you would find in a natural history museum, so you will see exhibits on par with some of the fine science museums around the world,” said director, Mark Looy. “Because we’re taking our visitors on a walk through history from Genesis to Revelation, it is a biblical museum combining Scripture with the best of what science can present.”

Interesting twist on most “Dinosaur” museums. Yes, there were tons of dinos, many animated –even dragons! Really, right up there with “Dinolands” in VA, OH & FL but also including some items like simulated walk-thru gardens, caves and even an ark!

Elements we like best in Natural History Museums are simulations: walk thru limestone caves (OH), Ice Age (OH), Indian mound sites (TN, IL, OH), copper mines (MI, TN), or coal mines (TN). Some of our favs have giant prehistoric creatures hanging overhead (OH, NC). Many have wonderful paleontology labs (OH, PA, VA, MD) where real scientists are actively working on specimens. All that wonderful science to absorb – but one difference…the timeline. Same science, different starting points. Curious? Check out the Creation Museum for details…

Goodbye Summer but Hello Fall!

Posted on by

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?

Kids Love I-75 Reviews

Posted on by

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