It would take less time to talk about what ISN’T available to you in Dublin– you and your family won’t be bored.
Home to the aptly named Dublin Irish Festival (Like Ireland, only smaller!) that has been names a Top 100 Event in North America, Dublin cherishes it’s Irish flair. Even if it’s roots are not Irish- the attitude definately is! Your friends will be green with envy when you show them all your fantastic photos of your trip, and you will be seeing green as well- Kelly Green, of course!

There is so much to see and do, that if you don’t schedule your whole vacation here, you will want to include at least a few days. (And make sure you go to the Visitors Center website- there are awesome Kids Eat Free packages, complete with attractions and hotel deals!)  

A foodie’s paradise, there is more then just Irish fare offered in Dublin- Kogen’s offers some great food and great prices, and is one of the many restaurants that participate in the Kids Eat Free program available. Though they are an Asian and Sushi restaurant, don’t be fooled- they offer a truly wide variety, as well as a full service bar, happy hour, and kids menu that will please even the pickiest eaters.

You can’t go to Dublin without eating Irish at least once- so please let me recommend Mary Kelley’s! This eatery is Irish in every aspect, from the food, to the name, to the owners and it’s roots. As you look around, you will enjoy a glimpse into the restaurant’s history, the family that owns it- past and present, and items that will interest those who love all things Irish.

Columbus, Ohio- neighbor of Dublin by just a few minutes- is home to the #1 Zoo In America, as voted by USA Travel Guide. With new attractions, Polar Frontier and Manatee Coast, in addition to all the other zoo favorites like African Forest and Asia Quest, you and your children are in for a whirlwind world tour- all in one place. The educational aspect is not to be overlooked, either. Your children can learn about, and even interact with some of their favorite animals. Animals are wonders to children. Zoos and Aquariums like this one will help your child gain a lifelong love of animals, and help them learn why conservation and protection are so necessary to all our animal friend’s survival.

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a fantastic place to spend the day- not only is it Jack Hanna’s haunt, but your kids can play in Jungle Jack’s Landing, and head on over to Zoombezi Bay Water Park (same address, same location, no driving necessary!) to cool off after a day of fun in the sun. As it is part of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s complex (which also includes the Safari Golf Club), all you need is a bathing suit and you are ready for a day of memory making with the kids, and one they will talk about for a long time to come. How can you beat a zoo that is also a water park? I’d bet you can’t.

What else can you do while you are in Dublin? Well- how much time do you have? Because I can go on all day.
Happy travels!

Disclosure- I visited the above locations  free of charge in order to facilitate this review.  All opinions are my own. 

Lake Naomi is a great place for families, a wonderful place to get away, spend the week- or the summer! This 5 Star Platinum Club Community has it all- pristine lakes, beautiful pools, kayaking, fishing, an amazing array of recreational activities to choose from- all nestled within a naturalistic atmosphere. You have all the beauty of nature, all the sounds and sights of a lush forest everywhere you travel within the Lake Naomi Club grounds- with all the modern conveniences and a great locality. You won’t miss a thing, from high speed WiFi, to tons of eateries, everything is right at your fingertips no matter how rustic-looking the atmosphere seems. Nature combines with high tech and ultra convenience seamlessly. Clean, sleek, and well run, I easily could wile away many days there with my kids.

The community seemed to be just that. People were friendly, and everyplace I went, residents were introducing themselves to me, saying hello, shaking my hand and asking my name. The staff was friendly, helpful, and sweet.

My husband, grandmother (age 80), and two kids came with me to Lake Naomi. While I went to visit the property, my husband, grandma, and kids wanted to swim in the indoor pool at the Clubhouse.
(The clubhouse, by the way, also has a gameroom, several children’s centers, snack bar, gym, and quite a few classes and teams for adults, kids, teens, and combined.)

We toured Timber Trails, which had been the original property, before it “married” Lake Naomi. Now the two properties’ residents can go to all the vicinities of each other- but they do retain their own unique identity, as any good marriage should. Lake Naomi is just beautiful, and has lovely property. With about %15 year round residents, the rest are summer or vacation homes and rentals.

The lake was everything you could want- clean, clear- and without biting flies or mosquitoes that make you want to pack it up and head home. There is kayaking, sailing, and fishing available, as well as swimming lessons for the beginner through the advanced looking to improve technique.
You can take lessons in just about anything you enjoy, want to learn, or want to improve- and the best part?
These classes are offered and taught by professionals, golf pros, tennis pros, etc- so you will only learn from the best.

If you are athletic, Lake Naomi will feel like heaven to you- they have golf courses, tennis courts, state-of-the-art gyms, pools and swimming lanes, the aforementioned kayaking and sailing, trails to run, hike, or walk on (depending on your desires)- I can keep going, but I think you understand- Lake Naomi has it all! Even Bocci Ball 🙂

For those of you who prefer a gentler style, or who like to incorporate it into your life- tai chi and yoga are offered (including yoga on the beach- which I am so sad that I missed, I would have loved to do it) as well as pilates and many other fun fitness styles like Zumba.
If you prefer things on the quiet, yet social side, there are groups like the Book Club and Quilting Group that you can meet up with. There truly is something for everyone.

Lake Naomi, one of the largest private lakes in PA, as well as being one of the cleanest and clearest, has seven beaches and nine marinas. You can visit a different beach every day of the week! There are no gas boats permitted, and the lakes have plenty of fish, which makes for a perfect day for canoeing and fishing alike, as well as for relaxing. There are three swimming pools, including the heated one that is lakeside and hosts some spectacular views, one indoor, and 2 waterslides. There are kid-only activities, as well as kids summer camp.

We spent the afternoon on the lake’s beach, and then went off to the pool at Timber Trails. My kids, grandmother, husband, and I had a wonderful day at a wonderful place. I hope you get to visit sometime soon. If you are looking for that “special someplace” to spend your summers, I would highly consider Lake Naomi as a destination. It’s the perfect mix of recreation, relaxation, and family.

So!  I will be away tomorrow, dear bloggy buddies!
Where will we be hanging out?  At Lake Naomi, in the Poconos, PA.
Here is a little information about Lake Naomi- you can be sure I will give you lots more information, photos, and video when we get home.  Have a fun day!

Lake Naomi Club is a premiere Pennsylvania Recreational Community, located in the pristine Pocono Mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania.  At the heart of our Resort Community is a 277-acre lake with Boating, Fishing, Swimming and Sailing, but that’s just the beginning. Lake Naomi Club also features two outdoor Olympic Sized Pools, including the largest heated outdoor pool in Pennsylvania, a 9-hole Executive and Private Golf Course, the #1 rated Tennis Center complex in Pennsylvania, a Clubhouse with Restaurant and Pub and a dedicated recreational staff offering activities for all ages. And the best just got better with the addition of a 48,000 square foot Community Center which boasts a myriad of amenities including an indoor pool, indoor tennis, fitness center and activities for the entire family.

Surrounded by nature and nestled in mountain serenity, Lake Naomi and Timber Trails offer Pennsylvania Vacation Homes and Rentals at a great value considering the unique mix of peaceful retreat and convenient shopping.

Disclosure- Tomorrow we will be visiting this location in order to provide a review.