Downtown Atlanta is a quintessential “pit stop,” boasting an array of attractions to break up a long road trip, from the Coca Cola museum to Centennial Olympic Park to CNN’s headquarters. In the center of this thriving metro sits the Children's Museum of Atlanta. Newly renovated with a focus on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math education) programming, the CMA offers families, … [Read more...]
Paris day trip: Touring Normandy D-Day battlefields
February 15, 2016 By
In each major city we visited during our European trip, we opted to take one long day trip outside the city limits. In Paris, many options for day trips vie for attention, but for our family, a tour of the Normandy D-Day battlefields won out. We have two teens who have studied WWII history, and this tour was their pick. Touring Normandy D-Day battlefields: We opted to go through Viator for … [Read more...]
Chicago Field Museum tips
January 22, 2016 By
We love natural history museums and have visited versions of them all over the country. The Chicago Field Museum is in our top five! We loved this cavernous, elegant museum situated on the Museum Campus by Lake Michigan and Shedd Aquarium. Here’s what we recommend seeing and doing, plus tips to plan your visit: What not to miss: If you have older kids or teens, the top two or three exhibits may … [Read more...]
How to plan a Paris itinerary with kids
January 13, 2016 By
With its 20 arrondissements connected by a busy metro system, Paris can feel intimating at first. The key to planning a Paris itinerary with kids is to plan your days ahead of time, grouping destinations by proximity and utilizing walking tours to bridge the gaps (figuratively and literally). When planning our five days in Paris, I started by making a list of our must-do’s, which included … [Read more...]
24-hour Chicago winter itinerary with kids
December 18, 2015 By
On a snowy November weekend, my youngest son and I found ourselves in Chicago. Our trip there was accidental; we had been en route to Savannah, Georgia when we became stranded at O’Hare during the first snowstorm of the season. After 30-plus hours trying to continue our planned itinerary, our flight was cancelled and rebooked two days later. Rather than sit around waiting to depart, we decided to … [Read more...]
Best Mountain Towns: Breckenridge Colorado
October 26, 2015 By
Yes, Breckenridge, Colorado could certainly fall into Pit Stops for Kids' Best Ski Towns category; however, this resort town truly is a four-season destination. While it's best known for winter sports, Breckenridge shines in the warmer months as well, boosting hiking, rafting, biking, and lots of storied history. Here's what to do with kids and without in Breckenridge, truly a Best Mountain … [Read more...]
Science City review, Kansas City
September 28, 2015 By
Kansas City, Missouri is home to a science center once named one of the nation’s 25 best by Parents Magazine. Science City, housed in Union Station, offers learning experiences in a hand-on environment so well designed, the kids will never catch on that it’s educational. Science City review: As with most science centers, exhibits may change periodically, but perennial favorites and rotating … [Read more...]
Grand Rapids Public Museum
September 9, 2015 By
The following post is written by Pit Stops for Kids' Midwest contributor, Kate Basi. Situated alongside the Grand River directly across (and linked by pedestrian bridges) from the heart of downtown, the Grand Rapids Public Museum houses an eclectic collection of historic, scientific, and cultural exhibits related to western Michigan. This imposing building, with its three-story wall of windows … [Read more...]
Grand Rapids Children’s Museum
August 19, 2015 By
The following post is written by Pit Stops for Kids’ Midwest contributor, Kate Basi. There are two kinds of children’s museums—those that focus on science and hands-on learning, and those that focus on play. The Grand Rapids Children’s Museum falls in the latter category. In a northern climate, where winters last a long time, this museum is a place that will keep kids occupied for … [Read more...]
Titanic Branson: Big city museum in a tourist town
June 10, 2015 By
Surprised to learn one of the world’s most comprehensive museums on the Titanic disaster docks in Branson, Missouri? So was I. From the outside, Titanic Branson looks suspiciously like any other gimmicky tourist attraction, a la Ripleys Believe It or Not or Madaam Tussauds wax museums. Step inside, however, and it’s an entirely different story. The brainchild and passion of former … [Read more...]
