family travel Archives - Page 15 of 25

Five Attractions to See in NYC Over Christmas

December 10, 2013 by Samantha 2 Comments

The day after Thanksgiving, when families are still full of holiday cheer and pumpkin pie, New York City hangs its wreaths, switches over its store displays, and gets ready to celebrate Christmas. The sound of taxis speeding through crosswalks is replaced by the sweet sound of Christmas carols, as holiday shows go up, store windows are lit with icicle lights, and visitors descend on the city to share in the cheer. Plan your perfect holiday trip with these fun and festive stops along the way:

Holiday Windows: The Upper East Side is known for its terrific shopping, but even those on a budget can enjoy the city’s wonderful department stores during the holiday season without spending a dime. New York’s most famous stores, including Macy’s, Lord & Taylor, Saks, Bergdorf Goodman, Barneys, and Bloomingdale’s, all deck out their storefronts with elaborate and festive scenes during the holiday season. With just over a mile between all of the shops, checking out all of the windows is a terrific, but time-effective, tour of central Manhattan.

The Nutcracker: George Balanchine’s holiday classic comes alive with some of the world’s greatest dancers at the NYC Ballet. For those seeking an activity that provides ample holiday cheer to a variety of age groups, this festive celebration more than fits the bill. Whether you’re a visitor or a life-long New Yorker, The Nutcracker’s mix of true artistry and holiday whimsy rarely fails to delight.

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Filed Under: holidays, travel Tagged With: family travel, holidays, New York City, NY, NYC, NYC Christmas, NYC holidays, travel

Christmas in Branson

December 9, 2013 by Samantha 5 Comments

Branson, Missouri, is well-known as an amazing destination for summer vacations. Tucked into the rolling Ozarks, and with three lakes in the area, the opportunities for outdoor recreation in Branson is almost off the chart.

Hiking and biking and horse-back riding through the fragrant woods, or waterskiing and wakeboarding on the lakes, or fly-fishing on the near-by streams – there’s definitely something for every taste and ability.

But what about winter? Well, that’s when Branson really shines – to say the least. Christmas in Branson is over the top, too, and is especially magical for all the kids in the family.

Dinner Show on the Showboat Branson Belle

Many of the live shows in Branson’s 50-theater strip go on hiatus during the “off season” of January and February, but most of the theaters are ablaze with Christmas cheer from the weekend following Thanksgiving to the end of December. Christmas songs, Christmas carols, Christmas plays and Christmas romps bring the joy of this cheerful season to all children be they tykes or teens.

Almost all of these shows are “family-rated,” so taking the kids out for a live theater or concert experience is easy. Especially popular shows for kids includes Kirby VanBurch’s Christmas Spectacular, a magic show with surprise assistants – full-grown tigers! And the kids are sure to enjoy Christmas sing-alongs and caroling with family-oriented performers such as the Baldknobbers and the Presley Family.

Silver Dollar City is another Branson attraction that closes during the months of January and February, so the Christmas season is a great time to get your last licks in. Branson’s Silver Dollar City theme park is bedecked with the old-fashioned Christmas fun of the 1800s. Festive drapes of pine bows, red ribbons and strings of popcorn and candies decorate the western town.
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Filed Under: holidays, travel Tagged With: Branson Missouri, Christmas in Branson, family travel, travel, vacations in Branson

Why Visit Niagara Falls

December 8, 2013 by Samantha 6 Comments

In North America, there are several sites that every human should witness before they die. The Grand Canyon, the Great Lakes, the giant sequoia trees of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Monument Valley in Utah, and—of course—Niagara Falls. You don’t have to throw yourself over the Falls in a barrel—as daredevil teacher Annie Edson Taylor did in 1901—but Niagara Falls should definitely be on everyone’s bucket list.

Here are five reasons why.

1. It’s a Natural Wonder of the World
There are few places that bring home the awesome power of Mother Nature quite like the breathtaking Niagara Falls. To give you some idea of the sheer power involved here, take into account that, every minute, 189,600 tons (tons!) of water flows over the Falls. That’s 750,000 gallons per second—which is why it has been a major energy source for both America and Canada for over half a century. In fact, Niagara Falls produces more electricity in New York State than any other source. Best of all, it’s clean hydroelectricity and kind to the environment.

2. It’s an American Institution
The 400-acre Niagara Falls site is the United States’ oldest state park and has viewing platforms in both Canada and the U.S.A. And while 140 acres of the Park are under water, the other 260 benefited from the landscape design of Frederick Law Olmsted—otherwise known as the visionary who designed Manhattan’s also-world-famous Central Park. The Niagara State Park was planned with the idea of immersing visitors in nature as much as possible and therefore has a multitude of footpaths and trails—one of which grants access to the Niagara Gorge.

Top 5 Attractions in Toronto with Kids

December 7, 2013 by Samantha Leave a Comment

Once Winter has rolled around, there are fewer places on earth better than Toronto for getting your family into the holiday spirit. Every year, there are multiple seasonal events that are fantastic fun for kids and a darn good time for grown-ups too. Here are five of the best.

Holiday Parades
Every year, the Greater Toronto Area holds weekly Santa and Christmas-themed parades that are pure joy for little ones, featuring as they do, lights, music, floats, marching bands and a host of colorful characters—including the guest of honor, Santa Claus. The parades and events take place in 23 different locales, every Saturday, in and around Toronto, throughout November and into early December. The event not to be missed in 2013 is happening at The Junction Train Platform on December 7th between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Arrive early to meet Santa and his elves, enjoy story-time with Mrs. Claus and spend the rest of your day indulging in gift-shopping, craft workshops, or perhaps watching some seasonal dancing.

Cavalcade of Lights
The lighting of the tree in Nathan Phillips Square has been dazzling families for almost half a century now. These days, the focus isn’t only on the holiday tree though, thanks to the spectacular fireworks display, wide variety of family-friendly live music and ice skating rink dance party that all come with the event. A celebration of this magnitude may be a little overwhelming for younger children, but your pre-teens will be in heaven. In 2013, the Cavalcade of Lights is happening on November 30th, starting at 7 p.m.
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Filed Under: holidays, kids Tagged With: canada, family travel, toronto, travel, winter travel

Fun Tours in Branson, MO

December 4, 2013 by Samantha 9 Comments

My son had a fantastic time in Branson. There was a lot to see and do, and much to engage him while we were there. Two of his favorite activities were the “Ride the Ducks” tour and the “Titanic Museum”. He actually wanted to go back to the museum every day we were there- so that should really tell you something.

The Ride the Ducks duck tours are great family fun, with adults having a great time as well. As you ride the amphibious land and water Duck Boat through the Ozarks, to the top of a mountain, and into the beautiful Table Rock Lake (quacking all the while with your “Wacky Quackers”) your tour guide gives you fun facts about the area and you get a great view of Branson. Once your duck gets on the lake, the children will all get the opportunity to drive the duck, and get a certificate when they get back to the station as well.

These “ducks are built just for for Ride The Ducks and our partners to look like WWII DUKW vehicles. On the top of the mountains, you can see many retired (and unarmed) vehicles from the armed forces, which the kids loved and was quite interesting. The ducks are safe, of course- according to the website, “The Ride The Ducks Duck uses the latest in marine design and safety. They are regularly inspected, tested & certified by the United States Coast Guard to ensure a safe and comfortable experience for our guests.” Can’t beat that! There is also a museum of armed forces inside the tour center.

Visit http://branson.ridetheducks.com for your tickets Memorial Day through Labor Day, or November 1 through Dec 8 for the Holiday Lights tours.

The Titanic Museum was awesome, my son’s favorite thing to do in Branson, and one of his favorite things he has done at all this year. He talks about it all the time. They have a special children’s exhibit and guided tour that is created just for a younger age group with aspects that will engage and entertain them, as well as keep them interested. And it’s on their eye level, which is really helpful.
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Filed Under: travel Tagged With: Branson Missouri, family travel, Fun Tours in Branson MO, midwest, travel, what to do in branson

Sesame Place Very Furry Christmas

November 27, 2013 by Samantha 5 Comments

Sesame Place is all decked out for Christmas, and it’s a lot of fun for the kids. Christmas themed Sesame Place transforms the theme park in Pennsylvania from the summer amusement park destination for kids of all ages to a holiday wonderland of Sesame Street proportions.

The Very Furry Christmas starts with an already cool park (but now without water rides), then adds characters all dressed up for their holiday greeting cards, and special holiday themed rides, decorations, and attractions. My son loved the Sesame Place Furry Express Train, which was a cute ride through Christmas trees and cookies and goodies.

There is also a Christmas Light Display Holiday Light Spectacular, Christmas Storytime with Zoe in Mr. Hooper’s Emporium, and Santa’s Furry Workshop at Trader Bert’s. There are also 5 holiday shows to see during your visit if you and your kids like live performances. The real gems of the Furry Christmas are the shows. Each is now holiday themed and the kids will love it. The shows run throughout the day and aren’t to be missed.
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Filed Under: family, kids, lifestyle Tagged With: family travel, PA, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania attractions, Pennsylvania travel, Sesame Place, theme park, travel

Caves and Cruises in Lockport, NY

November 24, 2013 by Samantha 5 Comments

A fun and interesting way to spend the day in Lockport, NY, is by getting a little adventurous. Taking a tour on the man-made water power tunnels of the Lockport Caves and Underground Boat Rides is a great way to experience the history of the Erie Canal, while having a true one-of-a-kind experience.

The historic Erie Canal Locks numbered 67-71 were constructed in 1838. According to the tour operators, you will also “view ruins from an earlier industrial age, walk safely through a water tunnel that was blasted out of solid rock in the 1850s, viewing stalactites, flow stone, various geological formations and artifacts left behind by the men who built the tunnel in the early days of the Erie Canal.” It was an interesting experience, and the walk up a dimly lit tunnel into the cave itself was eerie (in a fun way) and exciting, leaving you wondering what was around the next corner.

After your walk in through the tunnels and introduction via knowledgeable tour guide (part of which is done in the pitch blackness to give you a feel for what the workers dealt with). you will ride an underground, one-of-a-kind, longest in the USA below ground boatride. Lit only by small and sporadic lights, this ride is calm and spooky (adventurously so!) and made me think of the boat ride from Willie Wonka’s Chocolate Factory- with less orange people or psychedelic effulgence.
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Filed Under: travel Tagged With: Caves and Cruises in Lockport, Erie Canal, family travel, Lockport NY, NY, NY State, NY travel, travel

Good Eats – Lockport, NY

November 21, 2013 by Samantha 4 Comments

Lockport, NY has quite a lot to offer a traveler, not the least of which is delicious food. When you are traveling with children, it’s good to know places to stop at that are good, clean, won’t break the bank, and have food everyone will enjoy.

There are 2 “must visit” food stops for anyone with kids- or a mouth- who happens to find themselves in Lockport, NY. If you are hungry-hungry, and you want more then just a little something, make sure you visit Sweet Sixteen Cafe on Main Street. The owner is on the premises much of the time, and actually “gets her hands dirty” so to speak. She is a very funny, gregarious person, and will chat with you while you order (and it might take you some time to choose, the varieties of food and desserts they offer are limitless, and sadly, your stomach is not). The smell will assault you as soon as you walk in- in the best possible way. The aromas of baked goods, soups, and hot beverages was almost too good- if there was such a thing. All I know is I didn’t wait for lunch to order dessert, that came first. The cupcakes were AMAZING and come in lots of flavors and several sizes.
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Filed Under: food, lifestyle, travel Tagged With: family travel, food, NY, travel