Medalta Historic Clay District, Medicine Hat

If you’re traveling through Medicine Hat, Alberta, as we were during Day 2 of the Great Coast Road Trip (in partnership with Coast Hotels…check it out!) make a stop at Medalta. This 150-acre Canadian National Historic Site houses the historic ceramic factory and beehive kilns of Medalta in a one-of-a-kind museum.

medalta

Families can tour the site by guided self-tour: eight galleries take you through the process of ceremics-making (sorry for the unofficial term) from the gathering of clay from the banks of the nearby South Saskatchewan River to the glazing and packaging of finished wares. We entered the museum with no particular interest or knowledge of pottery or ceramics, but it didn’t matter: this museum is well done and drew us in.

The first few galleries explain the history of the building itself, and its glory days as a factory. The exhibits are very kid-friendly and accessible. The next section takes visitors through the old factory interior (you can look at equipment but not touch), and a video describes the entire process followed by factory workers. The last galleries showcase the various wares the factory produced during its heyday, including dinnerware for hotels, restaurants, and the railroad. This was the most interesting section for us: we had no idea Medalta had contracts for POW camps, soldiers on the front line, and baby dinnerware products I remembered from my childhood.

medalta-medicine-hat

You can walk inside a kiln, and on select days, watch potters at the wheel. There is a courtyard outside for restless kids or after-visit picnics. The museum isn’t particularly toddler or baby-friendly; we’d recommend this attraction for kids 8 and up. If we were in the area longer (or local), their pottery workshops and summer classes would definitely be on our must-do list.

Date last visited:

May 2014

Distance from the interstate:

About ten minutes from Trans Canada Highway 1.

Admission:

Adults are $12 and kids (6-17) are $10. Their family rate is $30 (for two adults and two kids).

Hours of operation:

Summer hours are 9:30 am to 5 pm daily. Off-season hours vary; check hours of operation before you arrive.

Directions:

Located at 713 Medalta Ave SE. This site is very well marked; signs will point the way from the highway!

Read more about our road trip through the Wild West of Alberta!

Calgary with kids: Telus Spark Science review

My kids are always fans of interactive science museums, and Calgary’s Telus Spark is one of the best. Located adjacent to the Calgary Zoo, Spark is a new indoor facility with an additional outdoor facility scheduled to open this summer (of 2014). It includes four large galleries with hands-on exhibits (including an open studio), two theaters (including a digital Dome theater), a lab, and a specialized kids’ museum for young children.

telus-spark-science-review

Telus Spark Science Review:

Our school-aged kids gravitated to the Energy and Innovation gallery and Earth and Sky gallery first, where they spent the better part of two hours. I checked out the Creative Kids Museum for kids 8 and under, and loved the large play spaces, hands-on music and theater areas, and interactive science exhibits geared just for this age group. When my kids were smaller, we would have been here for hours.

Upstairs, the Open Studio offers a large space for kids to build, create, and even take apart…my kids loved destroying old VCR innards and building huge block towers. The Being Human gallery was my personal favorite: this area explores ways humans are distinct and also ways we’re all similar. It asks participants questions, catalogues answers, and offers feedback in the form of crowd-sourcing. There are numerous small experiments visitors con conduct with a friend or family member, as well.

telus-spark-science-review

In all, we spent as much time in Telus as in the excellent Calgary Zoo, and timed it perfectly: outdoors, a thunderstorm raged during our visit. Telus Spark is the place to be with the kids when the weather prevents outdoor fun in Calgary.

Dining:

The museum does have a large quick-service cafe with the usual kid-friendly fare (plus a number of healthy options) located upstairs. This is a also a good place for adults to take a break with a book (if you have older kids!).

Admission:

Admission is $19.95 for adults, $15.95 for youth (13-17) and $12.95 for kids (3-12). Theater tickets are additional. Parking is $5. If you’re visiting the zoo on the same day, it is possible to park in either lot and walk to the other, but this does involve crossing a street.

Hours:

Check the official page for hours as they do change significantly by season.

Directions:

Telus Spark is located at 220 St. George’s Drive NE. It’s accessible by bike path or Calgary Transit.

We toured Telus Spark on our Great Coast Road Trip with Coast Hotels. Read more about our road trip through the Wild West of Alberta!

Philadelphia with the kids: where to go and what to see

If a fun-packed trip with the kids is planned, Philadelphia with the kids should make the shortlist of top places to visit. Situated in the mid-Atlantic region in the south eastern part of Pennsylvania, Philly is a big city with big-hitting attractions to match. Being the fifth most populous city in the United States, Philadelphia gives places such as New York and Chicago a run for their money in the bustling metropolis department. If the kids want a high-octane, energy-packed city break, it’s hard to get it wrong in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia-with-the-kids

Disguised learning

Okay, so this is a vacation, right? School’s out and the kids are just up for having a great time, but parents love it when they can combine a bit of learning with the fun and Philadelphia has many opportunities for such skullduggery. First place to visit on the list should be the Please Touch Museum in the historic setting of Fairmount Park’s Memorial Hall. There’s a clue in the name that this is no ordinary museum, children are actually encouraged to learn through play in this enormous homage to childhood. There are themed sections from Alice in Wonderland, a fairytale garden and a supermarket experience; children can sit behind the wheel of a bus or make believe they’re sailing a boat. With a focus on interaction there are many things to spark the imagination and the Please Touch Museum is especially popular with younger children.  The highlight of the visit is likely to be a ride on the stunning, lovingly restored carousel with painted, prancing horses. This museum is a joy to visit any time but makes a wonderful option when rain interferes with outdoor plans.

Next stop is the Franklin Institute. Since 1934 Philly families have been coming here to enjoy the science related exhibits. Kids love learning about how things work and when it comes to bodily functions, they really relate. A new exhibition investigating the working of the brain is sure to please them, as is the walk-through giant heart. There are also movies to enjoy in the IMAX theater and exhibits designed to help us learn how electricity works, in a fun and interesting way. Covering all things from sport to space, the Franklin Institute will excite children and adults alike.

Last stop on the disguised learning tour of Philly should be the Independence Seaport Museum on Penn’s Landing. Ever wondered what it was like in a World War II submarine or how about riding the waves in a 1890s Navy cruiser?  These exhibits give an insight into the maritime heritage of Philadelphia, making the museum is a great port of call for young and old.

It’s show-time

There are few better family bonding experiences than sharing a great show together. Whatever the tastes of your brood, there will be something to tempt them at the Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia’s leading events and entertainment venue. Buy Wells Fargo Center Tickets for a range of family friendly spectaculars including Philadelphia Flyers games, Disney on Ice shows, Harlem Globe Trotters exhibition games, wrestling, Sesame Street and many musical acts.  With a thrilling program packed with quality and variety, it won’t be difficult pleasing everyone.

Let’s get active

For burning off excess energy, Philadelphia is blessed with some wonderful open spaces. Try the colonial surroundings at Franklin Square for its mini golf, carousel and picnic area; there is plenty of room for children to run about. Alternatively, The Smith House and Playground offers six acres of wooded parkland with a 44 foot wooden slide, ‘play mansion’ and an enormous play-pod with jungle gyms and see-saws galore. If they’re not totally exhausted after all that, take them to the slightly more sedate Camden Children’s Garden, an interactive four acre space where youngsters are encouraged to get in touch with their inner horticulturalist. For children showing a budding interest in all matters gardening, this place will seem like heaven.

Critter capers

Most families have at least one budding zoologists or veterinarians keen for a bit of animal fun, so why not take them to the wonderful Philadelphia Zoo? Marvel at the Primate Center, the Avian Center and The Big Cat Falls; this zoo has been here for 150 years, so they really know what they’re doing. If water-based creatures are preferred take a trip to Camden Adventure Aquarium where the new hippo exhibition is wowing visitors. Along with the penguins, sharks and crocodiles, there are some fascinating creatures to see up close in a wonderful setting.

Finding great things to do with the kids in Philadelphia is not a problem, the hardest thing will be persuading them to leave this brilliant family destination once the vacation is over…

CityPASS

Photo credit: Flickr/Vic15

Educational Travel for kids: Orlando beyond the theme parks

When most families think of Orlando, two words come to mind: theme parks. We understand; after all, we offer Disney World tips for families and reviews of Disney attractions. However, families looking for educational travel ideas,  whether as pit stops en route elsewhere on Florida vacations, or during an Orlando vacation, will find much to engage kids’ minds. At the following Orlando attractions, Mickey may be absent, but fun is present and accounted for.

wonderworks-orlando

Orlando Wonderworks:

The building of the Orlando location for the Wonderworks chain of kid zones is upside-down…a sure sign that kids rule at this indoor play-and-imagination-mecca. Kids will immediately think Wonderworks is all about fun, but with over 100 interactive exhibits on science, perspective, and technology, they’re learning more than is let on. When they do catch on that lessons are being imparted, there’s always laser tag for ‘recess’. Admission is $24 ($19 for kids) but is not all-inclusive…be prepared to spend more. Located centrally on International Drive.

Orlando Science Center:

It’s tough being a science center in the theme park capital of the world…Orlando Science Center has steep competition for kids’ attention. However, once here, yours will most likely not want to leave. With an interactive Sesame Street exhibit for toddlers and preschoolers and science labs and a science ‘park’ for older kids, everyone will be occupied. Located on 777 E. Princeton Street, admission is $19 for adults and $13 for kids…a tad lower than your standard theme park admission costs. Read reviews of the Orlando Science Center.

Orange Country Regional History Center:

Need a new perspective on Orlando after too much stimulation, creative landscaping, and ‘experiences’? The History Center shows kids what Orlando looked like before Disney, starting with natural history and native plants and animals, then progressing through First People, First Contact, and pioneering history. And yes, there’s a permanent exhibit on Walt, too. The building is big and bright, and families get the feeling of being out-of-doors while still enjoying the A/C. Located at 65 East Central Blvd, the museum does close at 5 pm daily. General admission is $12 for adults and $9 for kids.

gatorland-orlando

Gatorland:

Orlando’s Gatorland is more than just a thrill for families who like to get up-close and personal with huge reptiles. Kids learn about swamps, alligator breeding programs, and alligator habits. Their Adventure Hour takes kids even closer to the action, and is only $10 per person more. Yes, there are also zip lines, making Gatorland more like a theme park than a zoo, but families spending a half-day here will come away with a decent education. Admission is $27 for adults (13 and up) and $19 for kids, and the park closes at 5 pm. Parking is free. Read reviews of Gatorland.

Not staying on theme park property? Find Orlando accommodations at Trivago.com.

Photo credit: Brian Marshall and Jim Moore

Educational Travel: Is Temple Square Salt Lake City for everyone?

On a recent drive through Salt Lake City, we decided to stop (for the first time) at the city’s famed Temple Squareand it made me wonder: is Temple Square Salt Lake City for everyone? I’ll start with a disclaimer: we’re not of the LDS faith. Because of this, the site does not hold any symbolic or sentimental meaning to us, other than as a significant player in Utah’s rich history. We visited for the purpose of touring the grounds, enjoying the gardens, and glimpsing the beauty of the temple from the outside.

Temple Square salt lake city

That said, we were underwhelmed. We absolutely missed some sites (and if any were must-see’s, please inform us in the comments) but we did hit the visitors centers, the home of the Tabernacle Choir, the Museum of Mormon History, and the meetinghouse adjacent to the Temple. I’d describe myself as quite informed about the Mormon religion, so the information in the visitors centers did not provide me with any significant new information, and overall, I expected the museum to feel more educational (in an historical way) than promotional. I was disappointed in this regard, as I hoped to inform my kids about Mormon history more so than Mormon theology. Perhaps this was an unrealistic expectation, as I certainly assumed religious content would play a big role.

The garden grounds were pretty and peaceful, but not inspiringly so, and while the temple itself is pretty, it simply didn’t hold the interest of my kids (who, again, have no emotional connection to it). I can see how a visit to Temple Square could be quite meaningful to an LDS family, and to anyone at special times of year (such as Christmas, when I hear it really shines), or if we’d had the chance to hear the choir, but on an average weekday, the detour to see the square fell flat.

Temple Square Salt Lake City

Based on this experience alone, I suggest going to Temple Square Salt Lake City during the following times or under the following circumstances:

1. If it holds emotional, spiritual, or historical significance for your family.

2. During a special event, or to catch a musical performance. The Tabernacle Choir rehearses every Thursday at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 9:30 am. There is an organ concert three times daily.  Seasonal events would also be well worth the visit.

3. If you plan to spend some time researching your family history (we did not delve into this aspect of the square).

If you do go, you’ll enjoy the following family-friendly amenities:

1. Plenty of space for your kids to stretch their legs and play quietly (within reason).

2. Clean and ample bathroom facilities and drinking fountains.

3. Good dining options.

Date last visited:

June 2013

Distance from the interstate:

Five minutes from I-80

Admission cost:

Free.

Hours of operation:

Check website.

Directions:

From I-80, take 600 So (I-80 exit), following the downtown Salt Lake City/Temple Square signs.

Educational Travel: California Trail Center Elko Nevada

Yes, you can still travel with your kids after back-to-school…just make it educational! In the following weeks, we’ll be highlighting historical and educational pit stops to explore with your school-aged kids.

The California Trail Center Elko Nevada a gem along I-80. Housed in a beautiful building just off the interstate; don’t pass it, as you won’t see another turn off to return to it for another 16 miles. This impressive museum takes visitors along the entire path of the California Trail, through a circular building that ‘starts’ in Independence, Missouri and ends in the Sacramento Valley of California. The trail itself crossing the path of this site just outside of Elko, and wagons as well as Native American wigwams are erected outside overlooking the basin.

California Trail Center

Interactive exhibits for kids abound in the center, from small wagon replicas with wooden blocks representing supplies that kids can ‘pack’ themselves to light-up, multi-sensory maps of the various overland trails with pros and cons for each. Young kids will enjoy dressing up in period clothing (with explanations for the various articles of clothing and even a full-length mirror on-hand) and older kids will be fascinated by a well-done film about the ill-fated Donner Party. In many locations throughout the center, audio tours go into more depth, and actual quotes pulled from journals and letters give the American pioneers a voice.

California Trail Center

Perhaps most delightful about the California Trail Center is the number of docents strolling throughout the museum, ready to answer questions and offer stories related to the history of the era. Docents wear period clothing and act as living history lessons as they exhibit settler-era rifle fire and how to cook over a buffalo-chip fire (just two examples).

We actually missed the turn-off (hence the warning above!) and returned 16 miles to visit the museum, and felt it was well worth the set-back to our travel schedule. For more Western pioneering history pit stops, check out our reviews additional I-80 pioneering museums, such as Donner Memorial State Park and Emigrant Trail Museum and of Sutter’s Fort, California.

Date last visited:

June 2013

Distance from the interstate:

Right off I-80

Admission cost:

Free!

Dining:

None. There is a grassy area that would work for a picnic, however.

Hours of operation:

Wednesday through Sunday, 9 am to  5 pm

Directions:

From I-80, take Exit  292 nine miles from Elko (look for signs).

Old Trail Town Cody Wyoming

Cody, Wyoming is bursting with family-friendly historical sites. Not to be overlooked is Old Trail Town Cody Wyoming. While this Cody attraction won’t take families as long to tour as the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, it makes for a worthy hour of exploration.

Cody Old Trail Town

Each of the 26 historic buildings in Trail Town are authentic dwellings from the 1850s-1910s, brought to Cody from all corners of Wyoming, Utah, and Montana, among other states. As a collection, they’re impressive enough, but each interior has been reconstructed to replicate life during the respective era. There’s a blacksmith shop, saloon, homesteading cabins, fur-trading cabins, and barns. Visitors can even walk into the Hole in the Wall cabin of Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid fame, and see bullet holes in the door of the saloon.

Of particular interest to us at Trail Town was the graveyard, which includes the grave of Jeremiah Johnson and other Western mountain men and women. A small museum houses letters written home from ranchers, fur trappers, and settlers, and Native American artifacts from the region. The whole property will take families approximately 1-2 hours to tour, depending on age of kids and interest level.

old trail town cabin

Date last visited:

June 2103

Distance from the interstate:

Right off Highway 20

Admission rates:

$8 per person for adults, lower for kids

Hours of operation:

8 am to 7 pm, May 15 to September 30.

Directions:

Trail Town is located on the west end of Cody on Highway 20 near the Cody Stampede rodeo grounds.

The Museum at Warm Springs

While traveling between Bend, Oregon and the base of Mt. Hood at Government Camp along remote Highway 26, one might think there’s nowhere worthy of a pit stop. Not so! The Museum at Warm Springs is nothing short of a high desert gem. Located inside the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs reservation, the museum is tucked on the side of the road near a gas station and across from the small Indian Head Casino. We’ve driven by without a glance more than once before taking the time to visit following a stay at nearby Kah-Nee-Ta Resort and Spa.

museum at warm springs

We were treated to a private tour of the museum, but visitors self-guiding will have no problem getting much out of this museum as well. Every aspect of the design has been consciously considered; in fact, the museum has won honors for its presentation. Even at the entrance, the symbolism is evident in the drum-circle arc of a front patio and brickwork depicting basket-weaving design. The interior vestibule is shaped like a long house, and a bubbling stream accompanies guests up the front walk, reminding all of the life-giving importance of water.

Inside, the museum houses collections garnered over the past 20 years from tribal members living in the area. The exhibits are incredibly well-done, and take guests from early life on the high desert and Columbia Basin through reservation life in present day. Our favorite section included a small, circular room where visitors can listen to intertribal and single tribal songs and drum beats, along with the viewing of dances on a screen.

The day-to-day ancient living of the Wasco, Warm Springs, and Paiute tribes are depicted through displays featuring lifelike models. In fact, we learned that these human replicas were created by applying molds to the faces of today’s tribal members, which were used to make the models. Guests can tour behind open displays of Native American dwellings, including teepees and buildings, to see what a traditional interior looked like. We learned about the many variations of baskets and their purposes and deeper meanings, as well as the weapons, hunting practices, and fishing practices of the native people.

An entire room is devoted to a timeline of the shift from traditional life to reservation life, starting with the Treaty of 1855 and carrying on to today. Learning how the tribal land was distributed, how three distinctly different tribes came to be located on the same reservation, and how early reservation life–including the injustice of boarding schools and the stripping of the native language from young people of the tribes–effected the native people was but well-depicted and sobering.

There are a number of hands-on activities for kids, as well as many multi-media presentations to keep them engaged. The museum is best for school-aged kids, but even preschoolers will get much out of it. Tip: on your way out, look for the single missing ‘bead’ in the brickwork on the outside of the building. In Warm Springs intertribal culture, every traditional basket and beadwork design has one mistake in it, to symbolize that nothing is perfect, and this symbolism is carried over in the museum architecture. It’s hard to spot!

Distance from the interstate:

Directly on Highway 26, approximately  one hour from Highway 97 in Bend or almost 2 hours from I-84.

Admission and hours:

The museum is extremely affordable at $7 for adults, $4.50 for students (13-17), and $3.50 for kids (age four and under are free). Open 9 am to 5 pm daily in the spring/summer season. Check site for winter hours.

Food services:

No food services on-site, though there are nice picnic areas and a short walking trail. Families could easily make this a picnic lunch stop and museum visit.

Directions:

From Bend, proceed north on Highway 97 past Redmond (15 miles) and Madras (26 miles) to Warm Springs (14 miles). From Portland, travel Highway 26 past Mt. Hood (45 miles). 105 miles total.

Disclaimer: We experienced the Museum at Warm Springs as guests of the museum.

Atlanta History Center with kids

During a family vacation to Atlanta, absolutely do not overlook the Atlanta History Center, located well out of downtown in the neighborhood of Buckhead. This sprawling museum on 33 wooded acres is tucked into the heart of a beautiful Atlanta neighborhood and is both peaceful and thought-provoking. For families visiting from outside the South, it’s especially fascinating to learn about local Civil War and Olympic Games history.

Atlanta History Center

The Atlanta History Center is absolutely a full-scale, serious museum that will satisfy grown-ups, but it’s still very accessible to kids. To the side of the main lobby is a children’s play area that’s seen better days, but don’t let that fool you. The Civil War Turning Point gallery includes multimedia presentations for each section, as well as interactive exhibits that ask kids questions and pose ethical dilemmas. In the Olympic Games gallery, kids can take part in a multi-step quiz game that takes them throughout the exhibit.

Turning Point of Civil War exhibit

Olympic Games exhibit Atlanta History Center

The current traveling exhibit, Slavery at Jefferson’s Monticello is geared toward older school-aged kids, but is absolutely fascinating. Adults will learn right along with kids about the families of slaves, and their fates, of Monticello, and information is presented in a way that engages kids into the story behind the history.

Families with younger kids and toddlers will still find much to do outdoors, where wooded trails and a garden of native Georgian plants adorn an old rock quarry. Families can take a guided tour through the Smith Family Farm, or look through the outbuildings, barn, and slave cabin on their own. Guided tours of the adjacent Swan House is also not to be missed, as it tours families through a Southern mansion from the 1920s-30s era complete with original furnishings. Our guide did an excellent job describing the day-to-day life of the family who called it home, and kids will enjoy seeing children’s bedrooms from that period.

Atlanta History Center Smith Farm

Atlanta History Center

It’s worth checking the Atlanta History Center website for events and seasonal activities, as they offer monthly events (many of which are ideal for kids). Plan on 3-4 hours to tour the museum and grounds, including time to eat a meal at one of two restaurants.

Date last visited:

February 10, 2013

Distance from the interstate:

Several minutes from I-75.

Admission:

Tickets are $16.50 for adults and $11 for kids (3-12), but you can save $2 by buying online, and admission includes the guided tours of the historical houses as well as the Margaret Mitchell House downtown. Atlanta History Center is also included in Atlanta CityPASS (recommended).

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Hours of operation:

Monday-Saturday 10 am to 5:30 pm, Sundays noon-5:30 pm. Of note: museum restaurants are not open on Sundays.

Parking:

Free garage parking

Directions:

The museum is located at 130 West Paces Ferry Road, Buckhead area. Due to its distance from main streets, public transit is not recommended (by us). Taxis are approximately $20 from downtown.

As we disclose whenever applicable, we experienced the center as guests of Atlanta tourism, for the purpose of review. This hospitality came with no expectation of positive review.

Touring Atlanta’s World of Coca-Cola

Stepping into Atlanta’s famous World of Coca-Cola, I didn’t know what to expect. Was this popular attraction a factory tour, a museum, or just one big ad for Coke? Turns out, it’s a little bit of all three. While it won’t be the most meaningful stop on your Atlanta intinerary with kids, it will be fun…don’t skip it!

world of coca-cola

Visitors are first led into a large room filled with Coca-Cola advertising and products from the past century (think of a menorabealia wall at Hard Rock Cafe), where a tour guide gives an overview of the company’s founder and the invention of Coke. You’re then led through to a large theater, where you watch an odd (but somewhat endearing) six minute film that’s basically one big Coke commercial (but Coke commercials aren’t the worst, right?).

World of Coke Atlanta

You’re then let loose to explore the remaining exhibits at your own pace. You can see the vault where the secret formula for Coke is supposedly located, which includes a well-done exhibit detailing the history of Coke, and you can get a good overview of Coke marketing and programs over the years. Kids can meet the Coca-Cola polar bear, though be prepared for a line.

The best part of the World of Coke is, in our opinion, the upstairs tasting room. Filled with soda fountains offering Coke products from around the world, the tasting room allows kids (and parents) to sample over 100 types of Coke (yes, a sugar rush is involved). I really enjoyed samples from countries in Africa and Asia for their novelty.

world of coca-cola tasting room

Upon exiting World of Coke (though a large gift shop, of course), everyone is offered a free bottle of Coca-Cola, which you can take to go.

Date last visited:

February 9, 2013

Distance from the interstate:

Several minutes off of I-75/85.

Admission:

$16 for adults, $12 for kids ages 3-12. Discounts can be found using Atlanta CityPASS or a Go Select card (see below).

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Hours:

Hours vary with season. Check website for deals, but general hours are 10 am-6:30 pm.

Directions:

From I-75/85, take Exit 249C Williams Street. Turn right onto Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd, to 121 Baker Street NW. A parking garage is located nearby at 178 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd. Park there in the morning and stay in the park area all day, visiting other Centennial Olympic Park attractions.

Find other things to do with kids in and around Centennial Olympic Park!

As I disclose whenever applicable, we experienced World of Coke as guests, for the purpose of review. While appreciated, this hospitality did not come with expectation of a positive review.