How to see the best of St. Louis in one day

October 26, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

Saint Louis is a vibrant and interesting city compact enough to not be overwhelming on a short trip, but comparable to larger cities when it comes to culture and the arts. The City of Saint Louis also has excellent public transportation making visiting attractions easy and inexpensive.

The St. Louis Metro has both train and bus stations located throughout the city. In addition to Metro commuter buses and trains, there is a trolley system which runs continuously with stops at all the major attractions. These two trolley lines, Downtown and Forest Park, are connected by Metro stations making it easy to move throughout the city. Day passes called Adventure Pass are available for both the Metro and trolleys so you can build your perfect trip. Visitors who only have one day to explore St. Louis can make the most of it by picking the trolley line that fits their interests best and riding the loop to find their favorite attractions. Trolleys stop every 20 minutes throughout the day and it is easy to hop on and off as you please anywhere along either line.

Downtown Trolley: Public Art, Architecture and Culture

The Downtown Trolley Line connects visitors to great outdoor art, culture and some of the best shops and local businesses in the city. After you make your way to the Gateway Arch, consider enjoying the Citygarden Sculpture Park. It’s full of amazing sculptures in the same vein as the arch, including some unique ones you’ll definitely want to take pictures of. Perhaps the most famous is the Hollow Head, a huge bronze likeness of the Greek god Eros’ head on its side.

Worth stepping off the trolley for:

Gateway Arch
Citygarden Sculpture Park
National Blues Museum
Old Courthouse
Stifel Theatre

Forest Park Trolley: Outdoors and Family Activities Abounds

The Forest Park Trolley is an excellent pick for family activities and those interested in art and history. This aptly named loop runs around the perimeter of one of the largest parks in the country. Similar to Central Park in New York, Forest Park is home to several cultural and outdoor attractions. The majority of them are either totally free to visit or very inexpensive. Most visitors consider many attractions on the Forest Park trolley loop before ultimately being captivated by the city’s free zoo. The Saint Louis Zoo is one of the best zoos in the country, housing a large variety of animals. While most attractions like their butterfly garden and reptile habitat are totally free to visit, some exhibits do have a fee. No matter which exhibits you take in, the Saint Louis Zoo will keep the kids fascinated for hours and talking about your trip for weeks to come.

Worth stepping off the trolley for:

Saint Louis Zoo
Science Center
The Jewel Box Horticultural Center
Art Hill
World’s Fair Pavilion

No matter what you’re into, St. Louis is a great city to visit when you’re short on time. In one day, you can experience shopping, art and culture comparable to larger and more expensive coastal cities without having to break the bank.

What to do in Lubbock Texas with kids

September 27, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

We highly recommend the dining and winery scene in Lubbock Texas for couples and friends on a Grown-Up Getaway, but what if you have the kids in tow? There’s a lot to do in Lubbock with the kids, from learning about ranching history to learning about the musical legacy of one of Lubbock’s most famous teens, Buddy Holly. Here’s what not to miss, plus where to eat with kids in this fun college town in West Texas.

National Ranching Heritage Center:

This center, which was built in public-private cooperation with Texas Tech University and the Ranching Heritage Association, is free to the public, with a 19-acre historical park outdoors and several galleries indoors. You’ll want to dedicate most of your visit to the outdoor section (which closes at 4 pm daily). I loved that it encourages families to walk and explore, guiding you on a chronological tour of Texas ranching homes and structures from the late 1700s to the 1950s.

You’ll want a few hours to tour the houses, which you can peek into and view, and the windmills, stables, outbuildings and locomotives that tell Texas’ ranching history. It’s all well-persevered and well done, and indoors, you can find a few more modest exhibits (an exhibit on cowboy boots was my favorite) and a few temporary visits (I was lucky enough to be there when the Lonesome Dove exhibit was on loan, with artifacts and directing notes from the celebrated mini-series).

All this said, there is danger of getting a one-sided history of Texas ranching, as the signage and displays in the 19-acre historical park details white settler and rancher history while giving far less attention to the Comanche history that’s tied to it. We were lucky enough to tour the grounds with someone knowledgeable in all Texas history, and I do feel that visitors are denied some knowledge of that violent time period from the perspective of the Native American.

Buddy Holly Center:

While not huge, the Buddy Holly Center, located near downtown Lubbock, provides a good overview of the tragically short life of singer and songwriter Buddy Holly with a main gallery with useful timelines of popular music and artifacts, a short film (helpful if your kids don’t know who Buddy Holly was upon arrival here) and an adjacent living history exhibit, the house of Holly’s friend and band member Jerry Allison, recreated to the period. The only thing I think the center was lacking: some of Holly’s better-known music playing as you toured. It’s $8 admission, $5 for kids, and if you’re interested in paying your respects, Holly is buried in the cemetery nearby (as a Buddy Holly Center attendant for directions).

Note: In spring of 2020, a huge downtown development project, the Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts & Sciences, will open across from the civic center, offering theater space and event space with the capacity to host Broadway productions and world-class musical guests.

Evie Mae’s Pit Barbecue:

Both a lunch hot spot and an attraction in its own right, Evie Mae’s Pit Barbecue is THE place to go for lunch. It will be packed, but the line goes quickly. Order at the counter (combo plates start around $9, or you can order sandwiches starting at $8). They’re best known for their amazing beef brisket, but you can also sample sausage, ribs, pulled pork, and chipped beef. For me, the sides are just as important, and at Evie Mae’s, you can choose from cheesy grits, green beans, pinto beans, potato salad, and more. Definitely get the cornbread, and utilize the free toppings bar with jalapenos, onions, pickles and the like. And I saved the best for last: in the center of the restaurant, an iced galvanized bucket keeps FREE beer cool. Yes, free.

The owners of Evie Mae’s have been at their current location since 2016, and orginally got into barbeque simply because they wanted to weld a smoker…then needed to learn how to use it. They use only prime Angus beef, and all items are gluten-free, except for the white bread and buns. My only disappointment: they use styrofoam cups and plates. Here’s hoping they make a switch soon.

Cast Iron Grill:

For breakfast, go to the Lubbock joint all the locals love: Cast Iron Grill. This lively breakfast spot is casual, quick, and filling, run by a woman who takes her Christian faith seriously (you’ll note all the religious sayings on the walls right away). If you’re not religious, however, as I’m not, don’t let that stop you from enjoying the Cast Iron’s Grill’s famous pies at lunch or their huge breakfast platters in the morning. Expect basic coffee, friendly waitstaff (all wearing cowboy boots) and a loud, fun atmosphere.

Day trips from Paris you don’t want to miss

July 30, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

Paris is a magical city full of historic attractions. A week’s stay in this exciting metropolis isn’t long enough to take in all the sights. However, just outside the city are some of the most popular attractions in all of Northern France. Families with kids will enjoy seeing the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Arc de Triomphe while visiting the City of Lights, but to get away from the hustle and bustle, the traffic, and the human throngs, consider one of several family-friendly destinations out on the fringe.

From amusement parks and wildlife preserves to museums, castles, and historic villages, the list of day trips from Paris is too long to mention in detail. On this page, some of the more family-friendly destinations are mentioned along with just enough information to get the juices flowing. Teens and preteens will enjoy all of the attractions listed below, and the parents will be glad they visited these noteworthy destinations as well.

Day trips from Paris:

Amusement Parks:

Disney is alive and well in Northern France. Walt Disney Studios and Disneyland Park are located adjacent to each other just outside of the city. A short train ride from Gare de Lyon station brings families right to the entrance of these magical parks. Just like in Southern California or Florida, kids can sign up to meet a princess, ride the spinning teacups, and enjoy “It’s a Small World”. The boys in the family will love the car racing rides and the racing rallies. Families are encouraged to dress their young daughters like princesses before coming to the parks. Yes, that’s the tradition here.

The Parc Asterix is lesser known but just as enjoyable. It’s just a short coach ride from several Paris rail stations, and it’s worth an entire day. Built around the idea of several famous comic book characters, the park is teeming with rides, workshops, and playgrounds. The sea lion and dolphin shows are fantastic. The new Forest of Dogmatix area is full of exciting surprises.

Playmobil, located just outside Paris, is accessible via public bus. This park is really something different. A total of 12 play areas are scattered around the property, and families with kids will want to explore them all. There’s a family farm, zoo, a pirate exhibit, and even Viking pillagers on the loose.

Museums And Landmark Attractions:

The French Aerospace Museum, or Musée de l’Air et de l’Espace, is a must-see for those visiting Paris with their kids. Just outside of the city at Le Bourget Airport and easily reached via public transportation, this is one of the oldest aviation museums in the entire world. The history of air travel is told from beginning to present inside the monstrous hangars. The 1879 Biot-Massia glider, the early biplanes, the WW1 fighters, a Zeppelin airship, and even Soviet rockets are on display. The Concorde 1 prototype is also found here.

Provins is a museum village that should not be overlooked. The medieval architecture will appeal to adults and kids alike. While visiting the museums, be sure to take in the falconry and equestrian shows. The Ramparts and the Caesar Tower are especially appealing. Several smaller museums are found in the underground galleries. Provins is just a 75-minute drive southeast of downtown Paris.

The world-famous Versailles Castle is one of the biggest visitor draws in all of France. It and all of the other sights in Versailles can be reached by suburban train or bus. The castle is located about 45 minutes southwest of the city. The magnificent gardens and fountains are worth a day’s stroll. The grounds surrounding the castle itself are huge, tree-covered, and full of statues and monuments. Inside, adults and kids will thrill to the sight of the huge overhanging gold and silver chandeliers, the tall mirrors, and antique furniture.

France Miniature is a theme park that focuses on the history of the French people. It’s so-named because here are replicated nearly all of the famous castles, cathedrals, and museums found in Northern and Central France. Kids will love the miniature versions of Versailles Castle, the Eiffel Tower, bridges, and even the Paris skyline. After viewing these amazing models, the kids can go enjoy the playgrounds, slides, and jungle gyms. This unusual museum park is located about 40 minutes driving west of Paris.

Historic Sites:

Much of the fighting during WWI and WWII took place within 100 miles of Paris. Some of the notable attractions that draw visitors today include Verdun and the Arras & Somme region. Verdun is located about three hours east of Paris near the border with Luxembourg. Memorials, cemeteries, and battlefields are among the attractions.

The Arras & Somme region is spread out over several square miles and is located about two hours driving north of Paris. Here is located the largest preserved network of tunnels, mine craters, and trenches from WWI. It’s a fascinating if somber place for families to visit, and it’s one of the most educational day trips in all of Europe.

Normandy is synonymous with D-Day in June of 1944. It’s pretty far from Paris, and the length of the car trip depends on which beaches are visited. The idea here is a simple one. See where the invasion took place, and hope that nothing like it ever has to happen again. The Caen Memorial Museum is a must-see for adults and kids. Along Omaha Beach are several works of art including huge sculptures set right into the beach sand.

Organized Tours:

A little further from Paris are some of the country’s best and most famous attractions. Some of these can be visited in one day, but it’s best to go with the organized tour group idea. Most of the destinations are reached by train or bus, and there’s always the overnight stay option. Major destinations that will appeal to families include the Loire Valley, Champagne Region, and the Burgundy Region.

Remember too that the city of Bordeaux is only about three hours from Paris. It’s listed in the Top 100 Best European Places to visit on many travel sites. Adults and kids will love visiting the Garonne River bridges, the cathedral, and the Basilica of Saint Michael. Also in Bordeaux are the Cité du Vin Wine Museum and the la Bourse reflecting pool.

Planning The Ultimate Vacation:

Remember that some of the landmarks and parks mentioned here are not open all year. This is where the travel agent comes to the rescue. It’s best to choose a tour operation outfit that focuses on Paris, France, or Western Europe in order to get the best possible information.

Remember too that ground transportation should be chosen based on known reliability. For those traveling to Paris by air, check out this Parisian shuttle bus service which can directly drive you from the airport to the heart of the city as soon as you arrive. This transportation company offers quick shuttle service to most downtown Paris hotels and rail stations from de Gaulle International and Orly International airports.

Everything you need to know about visiting Toronto

July 6, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

There is really so much to like about Toronto. Toronto is the capital city of Ontario and it offers a wealth of fun activities. Plus, it is known for its diverse population. Within this guide, you will learn all about visiting Toronto and having a blast.

When To Visit?

To ensure that your trip is enjoyable, you’ll want to visit Toronto at the right time. Thankfully, Toronto is amazing throughout the year. You can visit in fall, late spring or early summer and have a great time. During these periods, you’ll have little to no trouble walking through the city. You should also think about visiting during September. After all, this is when the city hosts the Toronto International Film Festival and others.

Transportation

It is also pertinent to make sure that you’re going to be able to travel from attraction to attraction. Thankfully, Toronto offers plenty of transportation options. Renting a vehicle is a good idea if you’ve got the money and want extra freedom. However, you can also rely on the local transportation. There is an underground subway system. Or, you can take advantage of the buses and streetcars. If you want a little more privacy, you can always rent a taxi or an Uber. Either way, you shouldn’t have any problem traveling through the city.

The Weather

A lot of people are not fond of cold weather. Others hate hot weather. With this in mind, you need to learn a little more about the weather that Toronto experiences. July tends to be the hottest month. The average high is right around 70 degrees. January is the coldest. If you do not want to experience the extremes, you’ll definitely want to stay away during these times. Visit somewhere in the middle and you’ll enjoy your trip even more!

Before You Go

Before you head for Canada, you’re going to need to make sure that you have everything you need. You’ll need to pack the right clothing and you’ll need the required documentation. While it depends on where you’re traveling from, you’ll probably need a visa and an ETA. You can fill out the Canada ETA application online pretty easily. Getting your visa shouldn’t be too difficult either. With that being said, you should not let these speedbumps hold you back!

Finding Lodging

Unless you’re going to be sleeping on the street or with a family member, you’ll need to rent lodging in Toronto. Most of the major chains will have several locations in Toronto. If you want to get away from the crowds, you’ll probably want to avoid the downtown area and Malton. You can find some great motels at good prices on Younge Street. This is a good option for tourists, because you won’t have to walk far to reach the major attractions.

Fun things for families in San Francisco

June 27, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

San Francisco is one of the top destinations on the West Coast for families! With so much history, culture, and fun activities there’s so much to see and do no matter what your family is interested in! Traveling with kids can be stressful, that’s why it’s so important to plan activities in advance so you always have fun things planned! Hiring airport transfers to SFO should also be a part of your plan if you want a hassle-free travel going to your preferred destination and back to the airport. Once in the city, whether you opt for Bike Rentals San Francisco or a children’s museum, you’re guaranteed to have a great time with the entire family!

Bike Rentals

San Francisco is such a gorgeous city, it’s perfect for exploring by bike! You can find a variety of bike rentals that are perfect for families. With kid equipment, tandem bikes, and surrey’s, there are a lot of ways to elevate your bike experience. Tour the bay area with the sea breeze at your side! Ride bikes to your favorite attractions or just tour your favorite park in a new way. You’ll feel like a local in no time.

California Academy of Sciences

Though the California Academy of Sciences sounds like it might not have many things for kids and families, it’s actually one of the best things to do in San Francisco. The California Academy of Sciences has things like a four-story rainforest walkthrough as well as a planetarium. Explore the deep blue sea with the Steinhart Aquarium or experience an earthquake with the earthquake simulator. With a lot of attractions and hands-on activities for kids, it’s the perfect way to spend a day!

Exploratorium

For more of an educational experience, spend a few hours exploring the San Francisco Exploratorium! Specifically designed for kids of all ages, you’ll learn about things like natural disasters, electricity, and engineering all under one roof! With so much to see and do and a rotating list of exhibits, this museum is particularly perfect for families!

Pier 45

Pier 45 in Fisherman’s Wharf is home to one of San Francisco’s most historic attractions! You can tour a real WWII submarine which now calls Pier 45 home. This submarine went on a total of 6 missions in its lifetime and it’s still intact as a floating museum! For kids interested in submarines and history, this is a great way to spend a few hours! See the USS Pampanito for yourself to step into a real piece of US history.

The Coastal Trail

For outdoor enthusiasts, take in a perfect day in San Francisco by walking the Coastal Trail! This is a San Francisco staple which starts at SF Presidio and goes all the way to Ocean Beach. You can start or stop anywhere on the trail, and you’ll want to bring your camera! You can capture the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge as well as the beautiful blue water down below! Even if you don’t enjoy hiking usually, this is a trail you and your family won’t want to miss!

Ride the Cable Cars

Who said family-friendly activities have to cost a lot of money? Hop aboard one of the many cable cars in the city and go for a ride! While there are many lines to choose from, one of the local favorites is the Powell/Hyde line. This line goes from Union Square to Fisherman’s Wharf and it’s known for its stunning city views! You’ll also get to ride down one of the steepest streets in the city. Your kids might even think it’s a ride!

Are you ready to take a great trip to San Francisco with your family? Known as one of the most family-friendly cities in California, you can’t go wrong with a trip to San Francisco! With so much to see and do, not to mention stunning views, you’ll want to come back again and again!

Santa Fe with kids: dining, shopping, and touring

April 20, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

When most parents think of Santa Fe, New Mexico, spas and art galleries come to mind. However, this small town in the high desert has its share of kid-friendly activities. Here where to go, where to eat, and where to shop if vacationing in Santa Fe with kids.

Attractions:

There are a few must-sees in Santa Fe with kids. To start, you’ll want to tour the Plaza and Palace of the Governors with kids, which is located in the heart of downtown and within walking distance of most hotels. Historically a trading center, the Palace of the Governors features a shaded walkway filled daily with local artisans; the Native Americans here get their spot by lottery. Wares range from small handmade trinkets for a few dollars to $400 fired bowls and other pottery.

Also in the Plaza is the Five and Dime, a kitchy souvenir store filled top-to-bottom with fun gifts and foods. Be sure to head to the back of the store to try a Frito Pie; this Santa Fe treat is a bag of Fritos filled with chili, cheese, and toppings. Many other shops line the square, including Rippel, featuring authentic silver buckles and innovative hand-crafted jewelry, but even better for kids is the outdoor market area one block toward the Loretto Chapel and La Fonda Hotel on E. San Francisco: here you’ll find baskets of low-cost gems, necklaces, bracelets, and trinkets.

Canyon Road features over 100 of the world’s finest art galleries, but if your kids won’t last long in this environment (mine don’t!) head left of the Canyon Road entrance to the site of Fort Marcy and the Cross of the Martyrs. This regional park includes a short walkway up the hill to the site of the original fort from the 19th century, and offers a beautiful view of the city. Get your art fix by visiting the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, ideal for kids.

For adventure in the high desert, join Santa Fe Walkabouts for a 4×4 ride along historic Route 66 to see remnants from the Camino Real trading route and a fun drive to the bottom of a steep mesa.

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Dining:

When choosing dining options in Santa Fe with kids, plan a meal at each of two restaurants, both located near downtown on Guadalupe Street. The Cowgirl Hall of Fame is well-known as a local watering hole with nightly live entertainment, but this fun and funky restaurant is so much more. Head to the back of this meandering establishment to find an outdoor seating area in a courtyard featuring a full-sized children’s play structure, plus chalkboard walls and other toys. Listen to the live music, enjoy one of many local microbrews on tap or a great margarita, and let the kids play! The food here ranges from burgers and fries to authentic New Mexican cuisine. We recommend the nachos as an appetizer.

Across the street at the railway depot is Tomasitas, with the most authentic Northern New Mexican cuisine in the city (according to locals). Tomasitas is completely casual, making it an excellent pick for kids, plus serves up the best margarita I’ve ever had. The guacamole and blue corn chips pair with the margarita perfectly, and their entrees range from enchiladas, tacos, chile rellenos, and tamales. All meals come with authentic sopaipilla (fried bread) and feature green or red chiles in the New Mexican tradition. Ask your server to have the chile sauce on the side if you’re not used to it: it’s very hot, but delicious! A kids’ menu is available, and restless kids can go outside with a parent to watch for trains.

Check out our review of the Inn and Spa at Loretto, our Santa Fe lodging pick.

What to do in Texas Hill Country with kids

April 18, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

Spring and fall are perfect times of year to visit the quaint town of Fredericksburg, tucked away in the scenic Hill Country of Texas. The weather is warm but mild, making this an economical spring break getaway for families within driving distance or those wanting to escape colder weather in the north (who want to stay in the States for break). If you aren’t familiar with Fredericksburg, this tourist town of less than 10,000 attracts millions of visitors per year, who enjoy their German-Texan heritage, historic buildings and museums, excellent shopping and fun dining scene.

What to do in Texas Hill Country with kids:

Start at the Fredericksburg visitor center located just one block from Main Street on E. Austin. Here, you can start with a trolley tour to orient yourselves to the town. The tour highlights area history, including the unique town square, which the German settlers utilized for everything from celebration (think Octoberfest!) to protection from the Comanche tribes in the area. Kids will find the trolley tour fun (it’s about 45 minutes long, but you can hop off as desired), but mostly, this is a good chance for Mom and Dad to get a feel for the downtown area to decide what to come back to later.

Next, explore the National Museum of the Pacific War. Wondering why there’s a sprawling, world-class museum dedicated to WWII’s Pacific theater in the heart of little Fredericksburg, Texas? It’s thanks to one of their own, Admiral Charles Nimitz. When the town expressed interest in creating a museum in his honor, he only agreed if they highlighted all the men who served under him and the women who sacrificed on the home front, instead of only focusing on his career. The result: a massive, beautiful museum that does an excellent job of telling the story of both the American experience in the Pacific as well as the Japanese perspective. There’s a fairly small gallery focusing on Nimitz, with the rest of the main museum offering gallery after gallery that walks visitors through the WWII Pacific theater chronologically. You get a feel for the early conflict, then experience the bombing of Pearl Harbor in a very tasteful and dramatic gallery. More rooms follow, highlighting the years of battles in the Pacific.

Note: Look for the kiosks with audible oral history. The museum has curated thousands of first-hand narratives from veterans of the Pacific theater, some of which are on offer in the galleries. Take a moment to listen to their stories in their own voices.

There are also outdoor spaces and galleries with WWII planes and vehicles, and even submarines and torpedos. It’s very impressive all they have on display here. Be sure to save time to see the Japanese Garden of Peace outside and the Pacific Combat Zone (one block away). This space is where they do reenactments and even when not in use, the battlefield is fascinating the behold. There’s a hangar with multiple vehicles as well.

Tip: This museum takes a lot of time and takes a lot out of you. Your tickets (which are only $15 for adults, by the way) are good for 48 hours. I suggest breaking up this museum into two visits, with at least a lunch break in-between, if not a whole day.

Next, check out the Pioneer Museum Complex on the edge of downtown. This outdoor museum is much more manageable and takes you through the general experience of the German immigrants who settled Fredericksburg. A short video tells the story of their hardships upon arrival to the New World, then families can tour through multiple buildings, including a farmstead, barn, blacksmith shop, and even a schoolhouse. Docents and museum workers are on-hand to answer questions, and a self-guided map leads you through.

Outside of Fredericksburg, do not miss Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farmstead in Lyndon B Johnson State Park. This large state park has a lot going on, including wild bison herds and Texas Longhorns, and the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park (a national park site) where families can tour Johnson’s Texas White House. But kids will be most interested in the Sauer-Beckman farmstead, and that’s where you should start.

This living history site is nothing short of amazing. Docents and state and national park rangers work the farmstead daily (8 am to 4:30 pm), and when I say ‘work’, I mean work. Dressed in period costume, they keep a working, productive farm, including milking cows, tending to sheep and chickens, making bread and butter, canning vegetables, butchering and curing meats, sewing and weaving…all of it. They live without electricity or running water all day long, and in every room in every building, kids can observe their work and ask questions. I learned how to utilize the gallons of milk produced by their cow every day without the aid of refrigeration…it involves turning milk to cream to butter to curds and whey to cottage cheese to hard cheese, basically!

There are gardens and pastures to check out, and kids can observe the natural wind energy produced by the windmill. If you’re at all interested in knowing how to ‘live off the grid’, talk to these guys! Everyone was fascinated.

Afterward, drive the short distance to the national park side of the park to see Lyndon B. Johnson’s ranch, which includes a guided house tour and the chance to check out their airstrip and airport hangar. Older kids may be interested in this, but if you have young kids, I recommend spending more time at the living history park or enjoying the beautiful park grounds, which include a river, picnic areas and even a swimming pool (open seasonally).

With the rest of your time in Fredericksburg, explore the fun shopping and dining downtown. It’s a casual town and there are plenty of places to eat outdoors or enjoy play spaces (especially in the main square). If you have a babysitter at the ready, carve out some time to enjoy the wine scene in Fredericksburg, or the emerging distillery scene (see my post on Fredericksburg for grown-ups).

Where to eat in Fredericksburg with kids:

Fredericksburg boasts plenty of casual dining options, most of which have live music at night, which is a plus when you’re trying to entertain squirmy kids. We most enjoyed the following:

Clear River Pecan: this is a go-to place for ice cream or a coffee drink as a pick-me-up in the afternoons

Burger Burger: Great for a good burger, obviously, with a nice patio overlooking Main Street

Tubby’s Ice House: this local joint is just across from the Pacific museum, making it a perfect lunch spot. Their street foods include tacos and burgers and kids can get homemade popsicles while grown-ups enjoy frosé (frozen rosé). Yes, it’s as good as it sounds.

La Bergerie: make yourselves a picnic with the charcuterie on offer at this artisanal market (Mom and Dad, grab a bottle of wine to go with it). All the meats here are Texan and cured on site.

Fredericksburg Pie Company: a must-do, especially during the spring peach season!

West End Pizza: This classic pizza joint has lovely outdoor seating and homemade, wood-fired pizzas. Best of all, their salads are very good, so you can eat fairly healthy if you want to.

Where to stay:

Stay at Fredericksburg Inn and Suites right off Main Street. You can walk to everything, and the suites include a separate living space with doors, making it easy to put kids down for the night before Mom and Dad turn in. I loved the big pool area with grass and outdoor BBQ pits. There’s ample seating outside, perfect for winding down the day with a glass of wine (wine bottles are available for purchase right at the front desk). The included breakfast is decent (your average continental breakfast offerings of waffles, eggs and bacon, yogurt, toast and muffins and cereals).

Disclosure: I experienced Fredericksburg at the invitation of the tourism board, for the purpose of review. All opinion remains my own.

San Diego with kids: U.S.S. Midway attraction

April 2, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been in San Diego with kids and not gone to the U.S.S. Midway attraction. This incredible museum is comprised of the actual aircraft carrier that now sits in the San Diego harbor. Kids who love military vessels and planes will be in heaven, and even if your level of interest for these items is usually closer to lukewarm, you’ll still be blown away. We spent an hour here, thinking that would be enough, but wished we had at least 2.5 hours.

The U.S.S. Midway was in operation from 1945-1992. As families tour three main decks, a self-guided audio tour and interesting signage depicts what working aboard the ship (and general life aboard the ship) was like in all of these eras. A helpful staff member recommended we start at the top of the ship on the flight deck and work our way down, and he was right: seeing the planes (and the views of the harbor) first was a great idea. Starting here gave us a good introduction to what an aircraft carrier does. Throughout the flight deck, docents in yellow hats offer various talks on flying planes and landing them on the carrier and duties aboard. Most are retired military personnel, and they’re well worth stopping to listen to. Their passion for the subject was evident, and we really enjoyed hearing their accounts of time spent on the Midway.

From the top deck, we headed back to the hangar deck, where we sat in cockpits (and tried not to feel claustrophobic!). Then we visited the City at Sea area, which actually includes the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th decks. I found this to be the most interesting part of the ship: we toured berths, mess halls, officer’s quarters, the war room, a hospital wing, and even a dentist office and barbershop. Walking through the labyrinth of hallways and staircases, you really get a feel for life aboard a carrier.

The tour is self-guided, with the exception of an optional 30 minute tour of the bridge/flight tower at the top of the ship, which is led by a docent. These tours depart regularly from the flight deck, and are worth waiting for if you’re traveling with school-aged kids. The audio tour of the rest of the ship is included in your admission, and definitely worth doing. It’s well-planned, in that the exhibits are numbered, and visitors can simply input the numbers they want to listen to into their audio set, and skip the ones they aren’t interested in. There’s both a kid version and an adult version, and every headset can play both, so older kids can opt for either. Honestly, I found the kid version to be more interesting!

Admission:

Adult tickets are $19, youth/student is $15, and kids (6-12) are $10. Five and under is free. Families can get $2 off per person by ordering online, and current military personnel get in free. The better deal: the Midway attraction is included in a Go Select pass…these city passes definitely save money.

Hours of operation:

10 am to 5 pm daily (except Thanksgiving and Christmas). Last admission is 4 pm.

Dining:

There’s a cafe on-site on the hangar deck, overlooking the harbor, which scores points on the fun factor. Otherwise, plan to visit between meals. Vending machine drink machines are located on both the hangar deck and flight deck, should you need waters.

Directions:

The Midway is easy to find right on the harbor by the Manchester Grand Hyatt at 910 N. Harbor Drive. Parking is on-site, or families can walk from most downtown areas. Pedicabs and regular taxi cabs are readily available outside the museum.

As I disclose whenever applicable, I experienced the U.S.S. Midway as a guest of the attraction, for the purpose of review.

Planning a family vacation To Miami

December 19, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

After its record 15.5 million visitors in 2015, Miami easily holds its status as one of the premier tourist cities in the US. And that’s not surprising at all, given its warm, sunny climate, beautiful white sand beaches, and abundance of popular historic sites and entertainment stops. We’ve visited Miami many times, and have learned there’s much more to this destination than the glamour of South Beach.

Add to that numerous nature-focused, “eco-tourism” adventures in or not far from Miami, and it’s easy to see why families with kids are flocking to Miami for the tourist experience of a lifetime.

But getting there can be long and tedious, especially with kids on board, and really especially if you’re driving or going by bus from distance starting points like New York, Chicago, or L.A. Traveling the major airlines can be challenging as well. That’s one reason why taking your family to Miami on a private jet charter flight is such an attractive alternative. Yes, you’ve been hearing about taking a private plane to Miami, and yes, they’re within reach for ‘regular’ families.

But regardless of how you get there, here are some great ideas on what to do that the whole family can enjoy:

1. Start At Bayside Marketplace

Not all shopping experiences are entertaining enough for kids, but the shops of Bayside Marketplace are a clear exception. Buy fossils, rock formations, and glow in the dark paraphernalia at “Art By God.” Then stop by Freedom Tower just a couple blocks north to learn of Miami’s fascinating Cuban heritage, just before eating lunch at Versailles Restaurant in Little Havana or hopping on a Biscayne Bay boat tour at Miamarina at Bayside.

2. Stop Off At Miami Science Museum

Museums may try kids’ patience in most instances, but Miami Science Museum will fascinate them. The natural history section, birds of prey zone, planetarium, and “laser show” are always favorites. Big Pink, a great burger/pizza joint that won’t cost an arm and a leg is not far away.

3. See The Seaquarium

In business since 1955, Miami Seaquarium is a true classic. Your kids can take in a show featuring whales, sea lions, or dolphins, get up close and personal with a manatee, and gaze in amazement while watching “shark feeding time” happen.

4. Venture Off To Jungle Island

Jungle Island is a kid’s paradise. A more than 20-acre rainforest full of all kinds of plant, bird, and other (non-dangerous) species – plus dramatic waterfalls, it will hold kids spellbound. The bird show and petting zoo are also key components of this “transplanted jungle” experience.

5. See The 3 Biggest Attractions Of The Region

After just an hour or so drive west from Miami, you can visit Everglades National Park. An airboat ride and a stop at Everglades Alligator Farm will ensure you see some significant wildlife.

Go south from Miami instead, and you can hit Bahia Honda State Park, not so far a drive as Key West and still an amazing drive. Also see the mostly underwater John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in the same vicinity: you can snorkel, dive, canoe, motor boat, or ride on a glass-bottomed tourist vessel over the reef area.

Finally, don’t overlook Miami Beach, where besides the beach and boardwalk, you’ll find (toddler-friendly) Miami Children’s Museum, a place where kids can floss gigantic teeth and record their own music in a studio. Jungle Island (mentioned earlier) is also here. And a family bike ride down the boardwalk of nearby Hollywood and a stop at Taco Beach Shack (or a picnic on the sand, with picnic table) is also a memorable event.

Museums and historical travel in Eastern Tennessee

December 1, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

From the Manhattan Project to coal mining and civil rights, Eastern Tennessee offers diverse and rich history lessons for families visiting the region. If you came with your family to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park or Knoxville, stay an extra few days to explore the history of the area.

Historical travel in Eastern Tennessee:

Museum of Appalachia:

This living history museum and farm is located near Oak Ridge in the town of Clinton, Tennessee, and is absolutely fantastic. It was created by local resident John Rice Irwin in 1969, with just one re-located Appalachian cabin and some artifacts. Now, it has dozens of buildings to tour, animals to see, and a wonderful ‘Hall of Fame’ museum, which houses historical exhibits, antiques, and artifacts from the area. Most exhibits feature ‘regular’ citizens, detailing their lives with as much reverence as one would expect to find of key historical figures. It’s very touching to walk through and read of these ‘ordinary’ lives that become extra-ordinary in the telling of their tales. Many of the buildings around the property have been re-constructed and reimagined with period furniture and touches, and many living history events take place here.

Admission is $18 for adults and $6-10 for kids (depending on age), with multiple discounts for various groups. Definitely eat in the restaurant here for lunch; it was among the best home-cooked meals of our stay in Tennessee. Allow for at least 2-3 hours. The farm is located at 2819 Andersonville Highway, Clinton.

Note: across the street form the Museum of Appalachia is the Appalachian Arts Craft Center, which features crafts, pottery and fiber craft products from local artists. The member artists of this co-op work in studios downstairs and sell their wares upstairs; if you’re looking for hand-crafted souvenirs from Appalachia, this is the place.

Oak Ridge:

Just 30 minutes from Knoxville, Oak Ridge is the once secret city that housed the Manhattan Project during WWII. Now a national historic park, families can tour Oak Ridge in two basic parts. Start at the American Museum of Science and Energy, where you can check in with the national park service and get a park passport stamp. Your admission here includes a three-hour bus tour of the surrounding sites (great to do with older kids), but if you don’t have that much time, you can learn a lot right at the museum. Watch the short video, then tour the exhibits showing the history of Oak Ridge, which housed 75,000 scientists and their families. The bottom part of the museum will take about an hour, then be sure to head upstairs to the outdoor area, where you can walk through an actual housing unit from Oak Ridge. Additional exhibits upstairs are almost exclusively hands-on science exhibits (of a children’s science museum variety). The bus tour takes visitors to some of the actual sites of labs and reactors, and of note: only US citizens can do this part.

Green McAdoo Culture Center:

Continue your history lesson in Clinton with a must-do stop at the Green McAdoo Culture Center. Clinton is the location where on August 27, 1956, twelve teenagers were the first to desegregate a state-supported high school in the South, and Bobby Cain was the first black student to graduate from a public (white) high school. This event took place several years before the better-known moment in history when Ruby Bridges desegregated a school in Little Rock, Arkansas, and yet is nearly forgotten by history. The culture center is changing that, with a wonderful yet small museum in the Green McAdoo school building, just up the road from one-time Clinton High School (still there today, as the current middle school).

The Green McAdoo school served for years as the segregated school for black students, up until the time of desegregation. The historical events that took place in Clinton in 1956 tell a story of bravery from the students, their families, the larger community, and the school. The museum sheds light on important though often hard-to-hear civil rights history during the Jim Crow era, as the town of Clinton was rocked by the events of the ‘Clinton 12’. This is a stop on the East Tennessee history tour for older kids and teens, who will best be able to understand the complicated history. It’s located at 101 School Street in Clinton.

Coal Creek Coal Mining Museum and Discovery Tour:

Finally, take yet another turn through Tennessee history at the Coal Creek Miners Museum in Rocky Top, Tennessee. This is a small but important museum that can be toured in just about 30 minutes. It details the history of coal mining in the area, which started in the 1800s and included the third-worst coal mining disaster in US history, as well as what was known as the Coal Creek War, in which miners formed a militia to try to stop the US government from using prison labor in the mines. It’s a fascinating, sad history, good for school-aged kids and older. After touring the museum, hit a few stops on the Coal Creek Discovery Tour in your car (you’ll get a map at the museum). Stops include locations of the mining camps, cemeteries, and hilltops where the US military used cannons against miners in the Coal Creek War. The locations are largely well-marked, and all are close by.

Do you have a historical stop to add to our East Tennessee history tour? Let us know in the comments!

Photo credit: Amy Whitley and Tennessee Department of Tourist Development