Weather you’re heading up to Traverse City for next month’s Cherry Capital Winter!Wow Fest or you want to see why Good Morning America recently ranked the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore the most beautiful place in America, it’s time to come out of hibernation and head “Up North” to a place where Michiganders really know how to play in the snow. With enough cold fun to keep you plenty warm, here are some of our favorite places to gear up and get everyone some fresh air:

Snowshoeing
Empire Bluff Trail

A nature-lovers paradise, trails and paths criss-cross their way across the greater Leelanau Peninsula. To visit the area for the first (or fifth) time and to leave without a trip to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is truly a missed opportunity. In order to fully appreciate the views by snow shoe, consider the 1.5 mile (round trip) hike on the Empire Bluff Trail. Overlooking Lake Michigan (parents, keep an eye on your kids as you approach the bluff), the trail makes the ascent at a calorie-burning incline. Younger kids may need to take breaks (carry water and stop to take photos); the return trip will have you trying to keep up. A plethora of snowshoeing trails are described on the Traverse City website here, or pick up a pamphlet at the Traverse City Convention and Visitors Bureau (equipment rentals and area outfitters are also listed).

Snow Tubing
Timberlee Hills

For the adventure seekers in your family, consider spending a few hours snow tubing at Timberlee Hills, ten minutes east (and up) from downtown. A family-owned operation, the “hill” at Timberlee Hills offers breathtaking views of the peninsula from the summit. Take a good look, as the scenery goes by too quickly on the trip back to the bottom of the tube lift. Included with the cost of the hourly lift ticket is the use of single and double tubes (groups can also hook their tubes together and take a tandem ride). Waiting at the basin is Hilltop Hideaway, a banquet room that doubles as a warming house, bar, and eatery (hot chocolate, anyone?). Our visit to Timberlee Hills was after dark (when the sun sets at 5PM, this is not so hard to plan). To see a glimpse of our “totally wicked” run, check out our ride speeds in this short video. Hint: Check the Timberlee Hills website and/or Facebook page for coupons, deals, and other fun events.

Snowmobiling
Blue Sky Rentals

On a trip to Traverse City, why not rent a snowmobile and see why so many year-round residents can’t wait for the first snowfall. A necessary mode of transportation during blizzards and sever weather, snowmobiles are a way of life in Michigan. With recreational trails aplenty, the folks at Blue Sky Rentals will help outfit your sledding adventure. With rates ranging from four hours to a full week (and one and two-person machines), Blue Sky Rentals can also provide a trail guide if you are new to the sport. Visit the Blue Sky website for prices, packages, trail conditions, Michigan snowmobile laws, and customer photos. Blue Sky also partners with the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa on their Winter Fun activity package (see below).

Winter Fun: Glide, Slide, and Stride
Grand Traverse Resort & Spa

Offering a “Winter Fun for Everyone” activity package, the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa (located north and west of downtown along the East Bay; or just look for the seventeen-story glass tower jutting up into the blue sky) offers a variety of winter activities for guest and resident alike. Ranging from ice skating, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, dog sledding, snowmobiling, and kid-friendly winter activities (like snow tic-tac-toe, pictured above), equipment rental and reservations can be made through the Clubhouse or with the help of the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa smart phone app.

Where to Stay
Sugar Beach Resort Hotel

A warm oasis on the snowy-white landscape, Sugar Beach Resort Hotel sits on the southern end of the East Bay. With 600-feet of beach front, make a snowman in the winter or head inside to the indoor pool and hot tub. With a complimentary breakfast-overlooking the bay in the second-story breakfast bar-you’ll calculate the savings of eating a full meal with kids in tow (assuming you can drag them away from the pool or game room).

Enjoying two “to go” evening meals in the comfort of our family suite, we appreciated the four person kitchen table, microwave, and refrigerator almost as much as the nearby laundry room (winter = wet everything). In the evening, rent DVD’s from the front desk (or plan ahead bring your own) or hang out by the fireplace in the front lobby (look for bowls of fruit, coffee, and regional newspapers and magazines).

For more ideas on what to do on a winter weekend in Traverse City, pick up a copy of “Traverse City for Kids: 106+ Fun Things to Do and See” (also available at the Traverse City Convention and Visitors Bureau or online here). Organized by season, winter begins on page 20 and includes suggestions for sleigh rides, traditional sledding, downhill skiing and snowboarding, and even winter river tubing (who knew!).

View from the Lincoln Park Zoo Nature Boardwalk

To live in the Midwest and have never experienced the culture, food, architecture, diversity, and entertainment that is Chicago is a sad thing indeed. For many of us quite comfortable in the regional cost of living and slower pace of daily life, Chicago can take us a bit by surprise. Between parking, tolls, and a 10.25% sales tax, the price of progress does come with a few extra vacation expenditures. Relatively inexpensive by East and West Coast standards, a weekend in the Windy City is still worth budgeting for. Recently spending four days in the, here are some ways we saved money on our trip to town.

Meatballs for Less at IKEA

Knowing many downtown hotels charge anywhere between $10 and $40 extra to keep a vehicle in the hotel parking ramp, we booked a room at the Homewood Suites in the popular Chicago suburb of Schaumburg (parking is 100% FREE). Conveniently located near O’Hare International Airport, Schaumburg is a haven of high-end shopping, dining, and recreation. Arriving at Homewood Suites on a Thursday night, our first evening meal was on the house in the hotel dining area. A full complimentary dinner with adult drinks is offered to hotel guests Monday through Thursday (hot breakfast is complimentary every day of the week). This is standard practice at Homewood Suites across the country. Stocking our full refrigerator with food purchased at the nearby Whole Foods grocery store, we enjoyed a home-cooked spaghetti dinner as well as a trip down the block to the affordably-priced IKEA Restaurant (Meatballs for Less is now $2.99). Packing snacks and filling water bottles from home helped combat impulse purchases at overpriced museum cafes.

The Carousel at Navy Pier

Located within five miles of four different stops on the METRA commuter transit system, catching a train ride downtown not only saves gas and time (Chicago is notorious for commuter traffic jams), Weekend Family Fares allow up to three kids under age 11 to ride FREE with a fare-paying adult. Families serving in the military receive additional discounts (see all of the fare discounts here).

Planning to visit many of the popular downtown museums and attractions, we used the Go Select Chicago pass for discounted admission prices over the course of the long weekend. In many cases the Go Select Chicago pass allowed us to bypass long lines (anyone with young— already excited and growing impatient—kids will appreciate this perk).

Getting Wet at the Chicago Children's Museum

If your Chicago itinerary calls for a visit to Navy Pier, make sure to ask for a Chicago-Style Fun coupon book from the concierge at the main Information desk. The coupon book has dining and shopping discounts, as well as coupons for the attractions, rides, and aquatic sightseeing tours. The Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier (incidentally one of the best children’s museums we’ve ever been to) offers reciprocal admission for eligible members of participating ACM (Association of Children’s Museums) institutions, valid for up to 4 people per membership.

Along the lake shore on the north end of “The Loop” is Lincoln Park, Chicago’s version of Central Park. Always FREE (and open 365 days per year), the Lincoln Park Zoo is a fantastic place to pass an entire morning or afternoon (alas, zoo parking is not free, so plan ahead). With a balance of indoor and outdoor exhibits, the zoo offers breaks from both heat and windchill. Feeling somewhat rushed during our two hour speed walk through the zoo, we’d detour to downtown just for the chance to visit again.

LEGOLAND Test Center

Back in Schaumburg, we enjoyed an afternoon at the LEGOLAND Discovery Center (again, three cheers for FREE parking). An indoor attraction for LEGO fans of all ages and genders, our visit included two different rides, a model builder workshop,and touring the LEGO MINILAND (we visited during the cleverly-named Brick-or-Treat, and the entire museum embraced a G-rated spooky Halloween theme). Spending the majority of our visit building and testing LEGO Racers, a trip through the 4-D cinema was almost as big of a hit as our LEGO souvenirs. Hint: If your child subscribes to LEGO Magazine, check the back cover for discount admission coupons to Discovery Center locations nationwide).

As an aside, Chicago newbies may want to take advantage of the FREE Chicago Greeter program offered by the Chicago Office of Tourism (read the related story here). Other personal FREE museum recommendations are the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame and the Chicago Cultural Center.

Today’s guest post is submitted by Shannon Entin, traveling, homeschooling mom on the pursuit of happiness. Visit Shannon’s new travel blog, 100 Routes Across America.

For less than $5 per person, the Duquesne Incline is a fun, inexpensive way to spend a couple hours in Pittsburgh. The Duquesne Incline is a cable car that transports people to the top of Mount Washington. Restored in 1963, the Incline features original hoisting gear and cable cars that date back to the late 1800′s.

My family boarded the beautiful wooden cable car and began our trip up the incline. I admit to feeling nervous about being hoisted up the steep hill by the original gear that moved coal centuries ago. I don’t have a fear of heights, but it was a tiny bit unsettling the way the cable car just stuck out and hung off the side of the mountain! And while we were ooh-ing and aah-ing over the incredible view, we shared the car with a businessman on his way home from work – it was just part of his daily commute.

At the top you are greeted with an amazing panoramic view of the city from an observation deck. My son was excited to see Heinz Field (where the Steelers play football) and PNC Park (where the Pirates play baseball). I loved seeing all the bridges that connect Pittsburgh and how those three rivers come together.

When you’ve had your fill of the view,  you’ll find the Incline station overflowing with beautiful artwork offering a pictorial history of Pittsburgh. You can see how the city has changed over the years through industrial development and natural disasters.  There’s also the opportunity to take a tour of the machine room to see the inner workings of the original hoisting equipment. The gift shop has unique maps, posters, artwork, and souvenirs.

If you wander outside the station, you find yourself on Grandview Ave. There’s not much to do there, but if you’re ready for a bite to eat, I suggest the Grandview Saloon. Prices are in line with any restaurant in a city — $10-$20 for sandwiches and salads, $20 – $40 for steak, seafood and pasta entrees.  I had this amazing concoction…

The Grandview Prime Salad: A traditional house salad topped with an 8 ounce U.S.D.A. Prime Center Cut New York Strip Steak, and french fries with cheese on top of that. Heaven.

While the food was fantastic, the view was even better. There is an outdoor terrace right above the Incline or an indoor dining room with a wall of windows offering that same panoramic view of Pittsburgh.

Whether you’re in Pittsburgh for a few days or a few hours, the Duquesne Incline is a great pit-stop on any road trip.

Parking is free at the Duquesne Incline and a round-trip ride is $4.50 for adults and $2.20 for kids. Visit http://duquesneincline.org for more information.

What's "hi" in the middle and round on both sides?

Joining with a handful of states allowing free access to their entire State Park system, residents of and visitors to Ohio are encouraged to hike, bike, boat, camp, and play their way across a sizable chunk of the Midwest. Over seventy parks in entirety, nine have state-owned lodges—eight of which are managed by a private Denver based resort-management company by the name of Xantera. The ninth–the Lodge at Geneva on the Lake–is managed by by Delaware North (based out of  Buffalo, New York of all places).

Neither here nor there, two things are important to note. 1. Ohio State Park lodges feel a bit like something you’d expect at the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone*. 2. Ohio State Park lodging rates are competitive with, if not better than, area hotels, motels, or chain resorts. Zig-zagging through Ohio on a road trip earlier this month, our five-night itinerary called for visits to four Ohio State Park lodges. Traveling without kids (but always on the lookout for laundry machines, indoor pools, and other trip-saving amenities), here’s why you should plan your vacation in and around the following Ohio State Park Lodge destinations:

Toddler-friendly indoor play area at Maumee Bay.

Northwest Ohio:  Maumee Bay State Park Lodge

Backing up against the majestic shores of Lake Erie, Maumee Bay State Park Lodge is a hop and a skip to Toledo and a hop, skip and a jump to Sandusky. With indoor and outdoor pools, a splash pad, arcade, hiking paths, toddler-friendly play area (see photo), geocaching, and impressive list of additional indoor and outdoor sports (from golf to mountain biking, racquetball to paddle boats), it’s no surprise to the staff at Maumee Bay when kids don’t want to leave and find an amusement park.

Catering to four-season getaways, reunions, corporate gatherings, and especially to family vacations, Maumee Bay offers lodging in guest rooms (some are two-story lofts with bunk beds) and cottages (some with hot tubs, but all with kitchens, decks, and laundry rooms). A central point of activity is the main lodge where families can borrow board games, check the hourly event calendar, rent bicycles, or even take one of the park wagons out with kids in tow. Make sure to stop at the nature center, see the live mammals, reptiles, and educational exhibits ( be sure to look for butterflies emerging from their cocoons in the outdoor butterfly garden).

Shuffleboard wih a view at Mohican.

Central Ohio: Mohican State Park Lodge

In one of the most wooded of Ohio’s State Parks, Mohican State Park Lodge is built atop Clear Fork Gorge and overlooking the majestic Mohican River in the glacial valley below. In general, a hilly place to bike, hike, or otherwise enjoy nature, Mohican State Park didn’t forget about families.

Accommodation options span the lodge, four-season cabins, and camping (ranging from full-hook up to without electricity). With nearby outfitters for canoeing, canopy zip line tours, and four-season educational centers for learning about sustainable farming, you may have to tear your group away from the indoor/outdoor pools, shuffleboard board court, geocaching, outdoor playgrounds, tennis, or one of the  birds of prey demonstrations by a naturalist from the Ohio Bird Sanctuary. Or you could just congregate around the indoor fire pit with a deck of cards, good book, or fish tale earned earlier in the day.

Enclosed kiddie pool at Salt Fork.

Central Ohio: Salt Fork State Park Lodge

Located in Ohio’s largest State Park, at Salt Fork State Park Lodge you’ll find each of the four floors to be on ground level. Skilfully designed with minimal impact to the picturesque location, both wings of the lodge have lake views of the Salt Fork Reservoir. A paradise for boaters, fishermen, and hikers along the 17 miles of waterfront, Salt Fork State Park has camping, golfing, and nearby horseback riding for those of us who like to stay on terra firma.

In addition to the resort-like indoor and outdoor pool areas, impressive arcade and activity center (projects range from $2-$8 and can double as vacation souvenirs) , the lodge has a paintball course, geocaching, outdoor playgrounds, and indoor and outdoor fire pits. Cabins, pergolas, and camping are alternate lodging choices at Salt Fork State Park (campers are welcome to swim at the pool and dine at the full-service restaurant). A lovely location for a work outing or, say, an Ohio Bigfoot Conference, the lodge offers special rates and programs throughout the year. With complimentary use of the lodge laundry facilities, this alone would make our family annual guests.

Ski hill and archery range at Punderson.

Northeast Ohio: Punderson Manor State Park Lodge

Often thought of as Ohio’s boutique State Park lodge, Punderson Manor State Park Lodge feels a bit like taking a vacation in the English countryside. Equally picturesque in “true “Amish Country, Northeast Ohio has a gem of a wedding, reunion, or family vacation spot in their own back yard.

As with the other State Park lodges, Punderson Manor features indoor and outdoor pool areas, daily activities, playgrounds, hiking trails and tennis courts. Lodging choices range between the old and new editions of the Tudor-style manor and, the nearby family cabins. Open year-round, the “fast and steep” sledding hill (pictured without snow to the left) is a popular spot for toboggans and hot cocoa in the nearby warming house. Snowmobilers, cross-country skiers, and ice fishers are also welcome to explore the grounds.

* With the tag line “Beautiful places on earth,” Xanterra Parks & Resorts® (consisting of several affiliated Xanterra entities) operates lodges, restaurants, tours and activities at national parks and state parks and resorts. Xanterra Parks & Resorts is the country’s largest park concessioner. Xanterra Parks & Resorts has operations in the following locations: Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Zion, Crater Lake, Rocky Mountain and Petrified Forest National Parks, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Furnace Creek Resort in Death Valley National Park, Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Va. and eight Ohio State Park Lodges as well as the Geneva Marina at Ohio’s Geneva State Park. Xanterra Parks & Resorts also operates Windstar Cruises as well as Grand Canyon Railway in Williams, Ariz.

Residents of Wisconsin who call Michigan home, we regularly pass through one of the most beloved cities in the world for food, festivals, art, and culture: Chicago. Marveling at the skyline, bright lights, and urban playground, Chicago is the mid-point on our six hour drive. A fantastic road trip destination, making a pit stop in The Windy City can be costly in terms of  drive time and downtown hourly parking.

Recently invited to spend a weekend in Chicago Southland, comprised of 62 communities just outside the city limits, we have a new favorite place to stretch our legs and grab a bite to eat.With a plethora of Metra public transit lines, Chicago Southland is a fantastic spot to hop the train and see what the area has to offer. Define your own adventure, or check out some of our family-friendly finds.

White Water Canyon Water Park, Tinley Park

Encompassing five acres of aquatic action, you’ll do a double take when you realize White Water Canyon Water Park is maintained by the Tinley Park Park District. More like a privately-owned attraction than a community swimming pool, White Water Canyon features zero-depth entry, a splash zone, 600-foot lazy river, interactive children’s play area (pictured to the left), drop slide, diving boards, lap swim, and two respectably “awesome” water slides (one body, one tube). Complete with concession stand and sand play area, you can attempt to relax in the sun or under a beach umbrella. For families on a budget, use the money you save on the $13 daily admission fee ($9 after 5PM) for Tinley Junction Miniature Golf, about a mile up the road.

Tinley Junction Miniature Golf, Tinley Park

Under the shade of the mature trees at McCarthy Park in Tinley Park is a clever 18-hole miniature golf course designed in a “unique garden model railroad” theme. Feeling a bit like you’ve arrived in Mister Rogers Neighborhood, an electric powered train makes a loop through the course while you putter around. Not too difficult for a younger golfer, your biggest problem may be keeping the kids focused on the task at hand. Grab a bite to eat at the concession stand and watch the big kids in batting cages from the covered pavilion. Check the website for group discounts on golf, food, and special events.

Windy City ThunderBolts Baseball, Crestwood

Traveling with young athletes, we purposefully included a sporting event on our weekend itinerary. Chicago Southland’s professional baseball team, the Windy City ThunderBolts, call Standard Bank Stadium in Crestwood their home (slightly off the beaten path, but well worth the drive). Typically less expensive, less crowded, and more accessible than the big league, we prefer minor league games at home and on the road. When parking costs the same as a bag of cotton candy, kids can slap hands with the mascot, and just as many people watch the between-innings shenanigans as the game, you know you’ve found a true American past time.

Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs

Not opposed to sneaking in a little education on the road, we ventured out to the Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center in Willow Springs. Visiting the grounds on a rainy day, our exploration was somewhat confined to the main building and original “one room” school house. In the state-of-the art modern facility we explored both the kids’ wing and chatted with the naturalists tending to birds, reptiles, and fish on the self-guided tour through the remainder of the building. Learning about the difference between a slough, a marsh, and a pond, we got up close and personal with some turtles and a crow named Whiskey. Admission is free and leave some time for a picnic or a hike on one of the paved trails.

The Children’s Museum, Oak Lawn

Adding to our day of distance learning, The Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn is a fantastic spot for kids (and parents) to play. Every exhibit at The Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn was created with the Illinois Board of Education curriculum in mind, focusing on hands on learning. Organized with both toddlers and elementary-age kids in mind, we tested every exhibit on both floors over the course of two hours. In a space mall enough to keep tabs on darting siblings, but large enough to keep everyone engaged,  we completely forgot about the rainy afternoon.

Where to Stay

With plenty of lodging options within a stone’s throw from Interstate-80 (take the Harlem and LaGrange Avenue exits), we enjoyed our over sized room and continental breakfast at the Comfort Suites (note: the swimming pool is currently under renovation). Near shopping, dining, and the modern Tinley Park Convention Center, Chicago Southland is a safe and convenient place to re-group, re-fuel, rest, and recharge.

Our guest post this week comes from Carmel L. Mooney, editor at our sister site Road Trips for Couples. Carmel and her family consistently drive thousands of miles a year — all over North America. We asked her for some tips on an Alberta road trip.

We found Edmonton, Alberta to be the perfect starting point for our family vacation to the beautiful Alberta province. Canada’s festival city welcomes families the entire year through with thriving arts and festivals attracting visiting families from around the world. A natural beauty with eclectic shops and neighborhoods, museums, parks and the North Saskatchewan River, its iconic landmarks like the West Edmonton Mall, and the biggest indoor water park in North America, this diverse and cultural hub was named the Cultural Capital of Canada in 2007.

Edmonton is family-friendly in every sense of the word and FamilyEdmonton.com is a wonderful resource for all things family orientated. While exploring downtown, the Holiday Inn Express Edmonton Downtown offered for us the perfect central location for exploring on foot and by taxi. The kids liked the complimentary High Speed Internet in each guestroom as well as a deluxe breakfast. We liked how this family-friendly lodging venue was very close to all the local festivals, dining, and museums.

Fort Edmonton Park is another one of our favorite historic and fun adventure spots where various time periods are depicted by costumed docents. We enjoyed the wonderful train ride through various parts of the park and an amusement area with rides and carnival attractions added to our fun. The kids won lots of prizes at the carnival; what a novelty!

After immersing our clan in the culture and arts of Edmonton, we hopped on the VIA Rail system for a weekender to Jasper National Park, one of the crown jewels of Canada. The spectacular rail adventure takes only a few hours and is some of the most breathtaking and gorgeous scenery a family can experience anywhere. Every second of the journey was savored as we took in the majestic snow covered Canadian Rocky mountains. The train offers a great vantage point to enjoy the majesty from a glass domed car.

Jasper is a serene small town in a big park, a historic settlement that seemingly without effort, strikes a complex balance between conservation and development, ecology and economics. This gateway to adventure and unsurpassed beauty is part of a World Heritage Site where you’ll likely commune with elk, deer, bear, and eagles like we did.

Jasper offers world class luxury married with rugged wilderness and great food paired with the simple beauty of blanketed skies dotted with millions of stars. As a mom, I liked the outdoorsy-ness mixed with comfort.

We enjoyed dinner at Evil Dave’s downtown where a locally owned, funky and laid back restaurant offers globally inspired dishes that share elegance and comfort food. Family-friendly and classy at the same time, this restaurant was unique and fun for everyone.

We stayed at the Tonquin Inn surrounded by snow peaked mountains and located right in the heart of Jasper, convenient to the train station and with easy access to hiking trails, rafting, shopping, and dining. Cozy, comfortable, rustic, and with pool and spas, this should be any traveling family’s top pick. It’s popular though, so plan a little extra time to stand in line for check-in and check-out.

One of the best highlights of our Jasper visit was our float rip down the Athabasca River. We were glad we tried Jasper Raft Tours. This operation was highly organized, safe, and our guide was informed and competent. The scenery was lovely and a great time was had by all the young and old in our group who came from nearly a half dozen different countries.

After rafting all morning, we worked up an appetite for a great dinner at Tekarra Restaurant, a favorite by celebrities and locals alike. A warm, rustic ambiance with delicious hearty entrees and a spectacular view of the rivers and wilderness made this a great all around experience.

The highlight of our entire Jasper trip was taking a Harley Davidson motorcycle and sidecar tour of Jasper National Park. Jasper Motorcycle Tours outfitted us with complete riding gear and the experience was truly the thrill of the trip. My tween has never stopped talking about it. Although I rode motorcycles, B.K. (before kids), I shy away from it now and I actually felt safe letting the kids try this out in a relatively controlled environment. In a National Park the speeds were low, traffic light, and scenery was astounding.

We also took the Jasper Tramway and we thoroughly enjoyed the views from the top as well as spying the local wildlife. Hiking trails abound so plan a few hours to enjoy the various vistas. Looking back, we should have allowed more time for hiking.

After a few wonderful days in glorious Jasper, we opted to return to Edmonton to take in some more festivals and to explore more of the fun there. Staying at the beautiful Fantasyland Hotel right inside the West Edmonton Mall, is by far, the best family-friendly choice anywhere. All the rooms are themed with anything from cowboy western, to igloo, to Africa Safari, to race car, Roman, and Hollywood Star styles. Kids and parents alike will delight in this experience which includes huge in-room jacuzzi tubs, fresh chocolates and liqueurs, fresh fruit, and a sumptuous gourmet buffet breakfast in the mall.

If your kids love a pool like ours, you won’t have to look far for the biggest and most spectacular indoor water park in North America, which happens to be in the mall right by the hotel. The mall has dozens of the best restaurants in the city along with shopping, Olympic size ice rink, life-sized models of famous pirate and sailing ships, miniature golf, and an ocean animal performance and aquatic museum. And don’t forget Galaxyland where kids and parents can enjoy an indoor theme park complete with train and huge indoor thrill rides, roller coasters and attractions. We went several times.

You’ll want to eat at Earl’s, one of the best Canadian family-friendly dining experiences we have ever encountered. Earl’s food is superb, and the staff offers impeccable service. They offer educational, hands on cooking/dining experiences. When we were there, they taught our family about sushi making and the kids loved trying their hand with Earl’s best chefs. This was a great memory!

The beauty of this hotel and mall is that a family can be as involved in the noisy merry-making and excitement as they want while the relaxing and peaceful hotel waits at the edge of the mall, to pamper the weary or those in need of a nap or some down time. You really get the best of both worlds.

If planning your trip in the summer, you won’t want to miss CapitalEx, Canada’s huge Fair of excitement with loads of fun, rides, and education.

We enjoyed the Tellus World of Science Museum and IMAX theater where we learned a lot and had tons of fun with interactive displays and attractions.

When planning your family trip to Edmonton, plan your trip, like we did, around some of the world famous festivals offered throughout the year so you can enjoy a real taste of Edmonton. Whether you plan to stay during the Folk Music, Street Performers, Heritage, Jazz, or Literary Festival, you’ll find Edmonton’s festivals fascinating.

If you think about it, grandparents and grand children have a lot in common, especially when it comes to travel and family vacation. To begin, both groups need regular food, bathroom breaks, and depending on their ages a nap or two a day. Neither tolerate extreme heat and snacks, souvenirs, and ice cream makes everyone happy.

Looking for the perfect venue for a multi-generational family vacation, our first choice was Branson, Missouri. Accessible within a day’s drive from our home in Wisconsin, we  considered the natural beauty of the overall trip as much as convenience and options for four-season fun. Never having been to the Show Me State or the Ozark Mountains, we packed a brand new Buick Enclave and headed out on Route 66 for an itinerary customized with grandparents and grand kids in mind.

Here are our favorite picks:

Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede

Give your kids a chance to eat with their fingers in a place with live animals, music, choreographed performances, audience-encouraged bantering, period costumes, and eye-rolling jokes and they’ll remember the experience each time the souvenir “boot mug”is used back home. In our second ever dinner theater experience, Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede exceeded our expectations. Arrive early for the Carriage Room pre-show entertainment or meet the horses and friendly performers on the way in from the parking area. With Dixie Stampede locations in Pigeon Forge, TN and Myrtle Beach, SC, Dolly Parton herself has given you an excuse to take two more road trips and compare notes.

Silver Dollar City

Apparently living under a rock, we had never heard of the fantastic Silver Dollar City until planning our Branson trip. What began as a tour of Marvel Cave (still available today, by the way), has evolved into a “city-like” attraction employing over 1,300 of Branson’s finest artisans, entertainers, and hospitality specialists.

Thankful for the abundance of trees and natural shade in the Main Street, Midtown, and Hugo’s Hill Street areas, Half Dollar Holler, a new million-dollar play area just for kids, was skillfully tucked into the existing landscape. Featuring tree houses with trampolines, nets, slides, and swings, kids will run and bounce through the maze again and again. Reluctantly leaving “The Holler,” for the wagging-worthy canine action that is Chris Perondi’s Stunt Dog Experience (our cat seems totally lame right about now). Not planning nearly enough time to experience the entire park, our strategy for next time is to start at the back (getting soaked in the Riverfront district) and working our way up the sloping hill to the main entrance and dining venues.

Showboat Branson Belle

An excursion on a paddle wheel showboat made our list again this year. With the sun setting over the Ozarks and across Table Rock Lake, we boarded the historic Showboat Branson Belle for three full hours of dining and entertainment. In the 700-seat theatre and formal dining room, comedian and magician Chris Pendleton held the attention of the audience while we dined. With plenty of time to stroll the upper and lower decks, cool breezes from the water held us only until The ShowMen, and all-male vocal group and Janice Martin, a world-class violinist, pianist, and vocalist drew us back inside. From feeding the fish on our way in to meeting the captain on our way out, tired little heads were nodding the entire way home.

White Water

Let’s face it, summers in Branson aren’t known for cool temperatures. Between the humidity and proximity to “The South,” our (just in case) jackets found their way to the bottom of the suitcase. Whether you’re eight, eighteen, or eighty, you’ll want an option for cooling off and splashing down. Especially thrilled to ride the Aloha River at Hula Hula Bay, an 800-foot lazy river with twists, turns, and various water fountains, one complete loop required a solid ten minutes of intense passive journalism. With shorter, younger, and less-confident swimmers, the kid-friendly Coconut Cove, Splashaway Cay, and Surf’s Up Wave Pool kept us wet and wild. Thankful to share the shade and comforts of a Cool Cabana with two other families, we enjoyed a private locker, beach chairs, and a spot to re-group throughout the day.

The Track Family Fun Park

Between the four-story tall steel and concrete go-kart track, bumper boats, miniature golf and the 100-foot tall sky coaster, if you try and sneak past The Track Family Fun Park, your kids will point it out to you. Adjacent to White Water and a custard stand (people from Wisconsin notice these things), we enjoyed a brief visit to The Track in search of rides for people under the rite-of-passage 48-inches tall. Darting in and out of the air conditioned indoor arcade and lazer-tag zone, cool down on the bumper boats between the kiddie rides (including the go-kart track for drivers a good decade away from the open road).

The Titanic Museum

A combination museum and attraction, it’s hard to miss the giant ice berg and 1/2 scale model of the unsinkable Titanic among the theaters, restaurants, and miniature golf courses on the main strip. Enter through the iceberg (what could go wrong?) and touch a giant sheet of ice on your way through the first-floor exhibit. A somber reminder of the tragic loss of human life 99 years ago in April, the museum tactfully incorporates photos, artifacts, and interactive educational displays for kids of all ages.

Take the self-guided tour or use the hand-held audio wands (note: younger kids may find these more useful as a sword; use your best judgment around the glass displays). Highlights during our visit were finding the on-site geocache, meeting Molly and Carter the “live” dogs exhibit, and matching the passenger featured on our boarding pass with the memorial wall on the second floor (sadly, only one of our passengers survived with a story to tell). Like Dixie Stampede, The Titanic Museum has a second location in Pigeon Forge, TN. Particularly for kids old enough to read without help, The Titanic Museum is one more way to sneak some education into a summer vacation.

Showcasing highlights of our trip, here’s a short video montage assembled from these venues and the fantastic Welk Resort Branson and Splash-A-Torium indoor/outdoor water attraction (read all about our stay at the The Welk here).

Alaska has been getting some mighty interesting press lately. Several reality shows and the appeal of the unspoiled wilderness make it a very popular summer destination for road trippers. We asked the editors of The MILEPOST, Alaska’s premier travel guide for some unique facts to keep in mind as you plan your trip.

Besides its vastness, which always surprises visitors — even those expecting a big landscape — Alaska holds a number of other surprises for tourists. From the long days of Interior summers to attractions that rank as the highest, longest or most in North America, here’s a list of 10 surprising facts about Alaska, plus a few tips for travelers. For more detail, consult The MILEPOST® 2011.

1. Alaska’s 20,320-foot Mount McKinley/Denali (yes, it has 2 official names) is the highest mountain in North America. On a clear day, you can see the mountain from Anchorage, some 200 miles away. But it is not visible inside the park until about Mile 10 on the Park Road. Campsites and bus tours along the Park Road can be reserved at www.reservedenali.com.

2. The access road to the town of Whittier passes through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel. At 13,200 feet, it is the longest highway tunnel in North America as well as the longest combined highway/railroad tunnel on the continent. In Whittier, don’t miss the deep-fried halibut at Varly’s Swiftwater Café or one of the glacier and wildlife cruises of Prince William Sound.

3. The White Pass & Yukon Route railway is the farthest north narrow-gauge railroad and has one of the steepest railroad grades in North America. For a ride back in history, take the 3-hour round-trip excursion from Skagway, at sea level, to White Pass, at 2,865 feet.

4. Glaciers cover about 5 percent of Alaska, and dozens are accessible for up-close viewing, by road or by water. Road-accessible glaciers include: Portage, Worthington, Exit and Matanuska. Include a glacier cruise (or kayaking trip) of Prince William Sound, Kenai Fjords National Park or Glacier Bay National Park.

5. Juneau is the only state capital in the continental U.S. that is not accessible by road from the rest of the state. But it is certainly accessible by water, as witnessed by the number of cruise ships that visit every summer. State ferries serve Juneau from the terminal at Auke Bay, 12 miles north of downtown. Don’t miss magnificent Mendenhall Glacier, only a 13-mile drive from downtown Juneau.

6. On June 21 in Fairbanks, you can watch a baseball game at midnight, without artificial lights. The surprising number of summer daylight hours (almost 22 on solstice) allows visitors plenty of time to take in the Museum of the North, the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum, the Morris Thompson Cultural Center and other Fairbanks attractions.

7. Anchor River Road on the Kenai Peninsula ends at the most westerly point on the North American continent accessible by a continuous road system. You can also watch tractors launching or retrieving sport-fishing boats on the beach here.

8. Observe the second greatest tidal range in North America from Beluga Point on the Seward Highway, just 16 miles south of Anchorage. With a daily range of more than 33 feet, Turnagain Arm also produces a foaming wall of water called a bore tide.

9. Alaska has more than 10 percent of the world’s volcanoes, and one of the most recently active — Mount Redoubt — may be seen from the Sterling Highway on the Kenai Peninsula. Best views are between Kenai and Homer.

10. Alaska has two of the largest islands in the U.S. (after Hawaii). Kodiak, the surprisingly lush “emerald isle” in the Gulf of Alaska, is known for viewing the Kodiak brown bear. Prince of Wales Island, which has the most extensive road system in Southeast Alaska, is a popular sport fishing destination.

These are just some of the highlights that Alaska has in store for those who visit. To get the FULL picture, including where you’ll find gas, food, lodgings, restrooms or turnouts on any of the state’s highways; where you’re likely to see wildlife; what day trips are available from Anchorage; what shore-excursion-length experiences can be found near Juneau; more about Alaska’s road-accessible glaciers; how to visit a Native fish camp; when salmon run on the Kenai River; or where to meet a musk-ox up-close and personal, just turn to The MILEPOST.

When folks think of national parks, images of Yellowstone (or Jellystone, for that matter) and Yosemite come quickly to mind. These are the quintessential parks, offering campgrounds, trails for hiking, stunning roadside scenery, and places to unload your picnic basket. (Ain’t that right, Boo Boo?) But the National Park Service oversees many different kinds of sites—from National Monuments to National Seashores. In fact, there are more than 14 different designations for units in the park service. Some of these have the same facilities you expect from a national park. Others don’t. We wanted to share a few of our favorite places and perhaps shed some light on some unexpected destinations—each perfect for your next family road trip. Sit back while I take you on a tour of some of my favorites.

National Monuments
These are sites that have historic or scientific importance. Some are pretty humble, preserving an archaeological site or two and the neighboring area. Others serve to protect unique geology, which can spread over miles.

Castillo de San Marcos Nat’l Monument (St. Augustine, Fla.) – St. Augustine is all about history. The settlement was founded in 1565 by the Spanish, and it is the “oldest continuously occupied European-established city and port in the continental United States.” Central to this history is the Castillo de San Marcos, which is maintained by the park service. This fort was built in 1695 to protect Spanish interests from privateers and the land-grabbing British. Visitors can wander the walls, peek inside the fortifications to old prison cells and soldiers’ barracks.

Florissant Fossil Beds Nat’l Monument (Florissant, Colo.) – Just the other side of Pikes Peak from Colorado Springs, the Florissant Fossil Beds are an easy drive from Colorado’s southern Front Range communities. Most families come to see the petrified redwood stumps, some 14 feet in diameter. Hundreds of prehistoric insects and plants have left behind their fossilized remains here. In addition, the monument is a great place for watching wildlife or going on a hike (more than 14 miles of trails!).

Marianas Trench Marine Nat’l Monument (Northern Mariana Islands, Pacific Ocean) – Okay, you won’t be able to road trip to this one, but it’s so unique it needed to be mentioned. This underwater national monument is found east of the Philippines. It covers nearly 100,000 square miles and includes Challenger Deep (the deepest known ocean depth in the world).

National Historic Sites
For history buffs, the national historic sites do a great job of preserving a particular piece of American history and presenting how that piece affects the whole.

Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site (Brookline, Massachusetts) – Probably best known for designing New York’s Central Park, Olmsted was also the landscape architect for the Chicago’s World’s Columbian Exposition. This was his home base, and his importance as the founder of landscape architecture and his impact on America’s parks is put center stage.

John Muir National Historic Site (Martinez, California) – On the other side of the country you find the park preserves the home of another great figure in history. This one was less interested in creating scenery as preserving it. Yosemite National Park owes its pristine condition to the efforts of John Muir, the naturalist/writer who in many ways launched the conservation movement in America.

National Battlefields & Military Parks
Now that we’re officially in the midst of the Civil War sesquicentennial, national battlefields and military parks will be the scenes of much hoopla. Places like Gettysburg and Shiloh will see thousands more visitors than usual.

Gettysburg National Military Park (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) – Hailed as the turning point in the Civil War, 51,000 men died at Gettysburg as Lee’s push north was halted by Union troops. The park service goes all out with interpretive talks and great descriptive displays. Certainly a worthy stop for parents looking to expose their kids to a little American history.

National Lakeshores
All on the Great Lakes, the country’s national lakeshores preserve some of the most beautiful geology on the planet, from the dunes of Lake Michigan to the limestone cliffs of Lake Superior. As a Michigander, I am partial to the lakeshores.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (Upper Peninsula, Mich.) – Found on the northern shore of Michigan’ Upper Peninsula, this is one of those spots that remains a hidden gem. There are many ways to explore the park. I think camping here makes for a great trip, but there’s plenty for the day-tripper. The best way to quickly apprehend these stunning limestone cliff is to head to Munising and schedule a tour with Pictured Rock Cruises.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (Northwestern Lower Peninsula, Mich.) – The Sleeping Bear Dunes are close enough to a number of Lake Michigan vacation spots that many visitor just visit for the day. If that’s the plan, be sure to drive the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive (find information and directions at the visitor center in Empire). Kids love the dune climb, and the view of Lake Michigan from the top is one of the most breathtaking you’ll ever come across.

National Seashores
Like the national lakeshores, these protect stretches of undeveloped shoreline on the nation’s oceans.

Padre Island National Seashore (near Corpus Christi, Texas) – At 113 miles long, this barrier island is touted as the longest undeveloped barrier island in the world. There are, of course, miles of pristine beach, but facing west toward the Laguna Madre, visitors find a world of wildlife to explore. Great camping, fishing, paddling, etc.

National Trails
The NPS’s national trails are the most elusive of the park’s offerings. While they may stretch through a number of states, people often overlook them altogether.

The North Country National Scenic Trail (New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota) – Stretching across seven states, beginning in the Adirondack’s of New York, passing through the Ohio River Valley, along the shore of Lake Superior, and out to the Western Plains, the NCNST is one of the newer parks. The trail is still being developed in parts, and few people even know it exists. Check out the site for the North Country Trail Association to find sections to hike. There’s something for every family, whether you’re looking for a short afternoon hike or a multi-day backpack outing.

Santa Fe National Historic Trail (Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, and New Mexico) – Like the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, this one isn’t about hiking. The trail traces the east-west passage of thousands of pioneers who made their way to the frontier via the Santa Fe Trail. The route parallels rivers and streams, meandering around tougher terrain, and you will find modern road builders found the path a good one to emulate. Along the way there are a ton of stops: forts to visit, plaques to read, old wagon ruts to inspect. This is the kind of park that can be the road trip.

Home to nearly  3.5 million people and spanning nearly 500 square miles, the Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota metro area holds 11 counties and nearly 200 cities and townships. Residents of the Northwest Metro for nearly six years, we traveled to all corners of “The Cities” looking for kid-friendly fun.

Considered one of the greenest metro areas in the country, a family can drive a half mile in any direction and stumble upon a park, lake, playground, or bike path anywhere in the city or surrounding suburbs. Lugging kids from one corner of the city to the other, crossing through it diagonally, with endless trips through the Lowry Hill Tunnel in the hear of downtown, here are some of the places we miss the most:

Oak Hill Splash Pad, St. Louis Park

In the park system for the city of St. Louis Park, the Oak Hill Splash Pad is about as toddler friendly as it gets. Open from late May to early September (which really is just about summer in Minnesota anyway), the park is adjacent to two sizable playgrounds and a pavilion with indoor restrooms. Giant sun umbrellas are available for us Norwegian sorts, but all the splashing happens in full sun. No lifeguards. Swim diapers required.

Big Stone Mini Golf, Minnestrista

Hands down my favorite mini golf course on earth, the only reason I mention Big Stone Mini Golf in this article is I have finally come to terms with telling people about it. Discovering this western suburban gem, I first read about “art meets fun” in this article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune. For two years we rolled down our windows and enjoyed the fresh country air. Surrounded by giant sculptures, plants, bold colors, and goats (yes, goats), I don’t think we ever kept score or followed the correct putting order. Make sure to visit the shipwrecked boat turned play fort and the re-creation of Stone Hinge (in the evenings look for campfire smoke and s’more making ingredients).

Jackson Street Roundhouse, St. Paul

Home to the Science Museum of Minnesota, the Minnesota Children’s Museum, and the Minnesota History center, drive slightly north of the Capitol building to the Jackson Street Roundhouse. Operated by the Minnesota Transportation Museum, the Jackson Street Roundhouse is part museum, part advertisement for Thomas the Tank Engine, and part adventure. The building itself is a converted steam engine maintenance building. Behind the museum is a real-life roundhouse with operating steam engine. For a few extra dollars you can ride out-and-back on the train (on their birthday, kids may even be lucky enough to ride in the front car). And if you can’t get trains off your brain, pop on over to the Twin City Model Railroad Museum a few minutes away in Bandana Square.

Lake Rebecca State Park Reserve, Rockford

Embrace your inner insect, rodent, or woodland creature at the Lake Rebecca State Park Reserve in Rockford. Part of the Three Rivers Park District system, we passed many a winter afternoon with a picnic and playtime in the lower level of the park nature center. Summer at Lake Rebecca means open season at the Big Woods Play area, burrowing under the beaver’s den or in the lookout atop the eagle’s nest. If nature isn’t your thing, try snow tubing at Elm Creek or the award-winning play structure at Highland Park (pack your aqua socks in summer months).

Minnehaha Falls, Minneapolis

A short train ride from downtown Minneapolis on Metro Transit is Minnehaha Falls Park, a 193 acre park complete with impressive 53-foot waterfall, pavilion area, picnic grounds, and hiking trails. The perfect place for a Sunday stroll, a picnic, or a nature walk down Minnehaha Creek from the falls, visit the website to read about the historical significance of the buildings and gardens on the grounds.

Plants and Things USA, Anoka

It’s easy to forget that Plants and Things USA in northern suburb Anoka is “technically” place of business. With 12 acres of plants, playgrounds, sculptures, fountains, fire pits, play structures, gazebos, sheds, and gnomes (u betcha!), a family can easily spend hours lost in this outdoor wonderland. Always leaving with photos on our camera and a purchase from the gift shop, good weather and an open calendar can easily be combined for a few hours wishing we had greener thumbs.

Runners Up

In close second, consider these standby venues for more Twin Cities kid-friendly fun:

Minnesota Valley Wildlife Refuge: Why wait at the Minneapolis Saint Paul International Airport when you could watch birds, build puzzles, and enjoy the sanctuary that is the nearby Minnesota Valley Wildlife Refuge.

The Works: A hands-on science and engineering museum in Edina, The Works encourages taking things apart and building them up, all in the name of fun. Located on the third floor of the Edina Community Center, check the limited museum hours before you go.

Como Zoo and Conservatory: I credit Como Zoo and Conservatory for saving my mental health as a new mom. Supported by donations from the public, both the zoo and the indoor gardens are free and the perfect size for a morning or afternoons with kids in tow. In the summer months the carousel and amusement park come to life (check the website for admission to these bonus venues).

St. Paul Saints: The area minor league professional baseball team, attending a St. Paul Saints game is a summertime right of passage in the Twin Cities. Equal parts entertainment and sportsmanship, the game is best experienced with pre-game tailgating and lots of pauses to heckle passing trains and cheer tubs of cottage cheese as they race between innings.

Edinborough Park: The website text just about sums this one up,”Edinborough Park is Minnesota’s unique indoor public park. The completely enclosed, one-acre park features a junior-Olympic size swimming pool, a running track and fitness area, a huge indoor playground and a multi-purpose play area, all connected by meandering pathways through the densely landscaped interior.”

Of course, if you’re hanging out by the Mall of America, venture down to the Minnesota Zoo, have a 99 cent breakfast at IKEA, and check out the newly re-modeled Sea Life Minnesota aquarium on the lower level.

Tulsa is the second largest city in Oklahoma and the 47^th largest city in the USA. Tulsa was established in the mid-1830s and was the central hub for the United States’ oil in the 1900s, earning for itself the nickname, “Oil Capital of the World.” Tulsa is also known for its Western Swing music and its abundance of historical buildings.

Today’s guest post comes to us from the travel-loving parents at  Tulsa Hotels. Proud to call Tulsa home, Tulsa Hotels knows Tulsa like the back of their hand; they’ve even included their top five picks for places to rest your head at the end of a fun-filled day.

When you visit Tulsa with your family, you don’t have to worry about spending so much money just to enjoy your stay there. There are many things to do and different places to go, with your spouse and kids in Tulsa, and they’re all for free. Here are the top 5:

The Kaleidoscope Children’s Museum

It is a 13,000 square foot hands-on Arts and Science interactive children’s museum. Children have a lot of fun because they are encouraged to touch the exhibits. They have a miniature Kid’s City where children can pretend to be a doctor, a fireman or a barber. Kids are encouraged to use special magnifying glasses to discover hidden treasures and they can climb up one of two giant rock walls in the museum. The museum is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 AM to 6 PM; Wednesdays, 10 AM to 5 PM; Friday to Saturday, 10 AM to 7 PM; Sunday, 1 to 6 PM. They are closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Tulsa Garden Center

The Tulsa Garden Center is located in Woodward Park. The Center is open to the public on Tuesdays to Saturdays, 8:30 AM to 4 PM. Admission is free.

The Center’s primary goal is to promote learning about plants through different educational and recreational programs while preserving the heritage of its historic building. The Center advocates responsible stewardship of plants and their habitats by frequently sponsoring classes, lectures, shows and special events.

The Center boasts of having one of the finest horticultural libraries in the country. There are over 5,000 volumes on botany, horticulture, landscaping and other related subjects.

J.M. Davis Arms and Historical Museum

The J.M. Davis Arms and Historical Museum is said to be the largest private gun collection in the world. But the weapons are not limited to guns. In fact, the museum boasts of having over 50,000 items such as saddles, spurs, local ranching brands, German beer steins, World War I posters, military weapons, Native American artifacts and even a John Rogers statuary.

Although admission is free in the museum, visitors are encouraged to make a donation. The museum is open Mondays to Fridays from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM and Saturdays, 10 AM to 5:00 PM. It is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and Sundays in the Winter, (October to March). However, on Sundays during the months of April to October, the museum will be open from 1:00 to 5:00 PM only.

Tulsa River Park

The Tulsa River Park has 26 miles of asphalt-surfaced trails that weave past playgrounds, gathering areas, sculptures and fountains along the banks of the Arkansas River in Tulsa. River parks has trails for pedestrians and cyclists and, depending on what season it is, park visitors can fish, or go rowing or kayaking. The park has more than 15 miles of dirt trails on Turkey Mountain where visitors can go hiking, horseback riding or mountain biking.

The park is open 365 days a year but observes a curfew from 11 PM to 5 AM by city ordinance. Although admission is free, all visitors are encouraged to make a donation for its maintenance as well as to be able to provide more facilities for the park and better programs for the enjoyment of park users.

Philbrook Museum of Art

The Philbrook Museum of Art was originally constructed as a residence for the family of Waite and Genevieve Philips. It was completed in 1927. But in 1938, Waite Phillips announced that he was donating the 72 room mansion and surrounding 23 acres of grounds as an art center for the city of Tulsa. It is now one of America’s finest museums.

Today, guests of The Philbrook Museum of Art or Villa Philbrook are invited to take a walking tour of the gardens or listen to a free audio tour that provides a history of the home, the Phillips family and information about the landscape architects and their design.

There is a general admission of $7.50 and $5.50 for seniors (age 62+), students and groups of 10 or more. However, youth 18 years and under are free. Members of the art museum are not charged. On the first full weekend of every month Museums On Us – visitors do not have to pay as long as they present any Bank of America Card. But all visitors on the second Saturday of every month are admitted into the museum, free of charge.

If you’re bringing your family to Tulsa, it’s also important that you get family-friendly accommodations. These are the top 5 family-friendly hotels in Tulsa:

No. 1:  Doubletree Hotel Tulsa at Warren Place

The Doubletree Hotel is a full service hotel. The hotel provides complimentary shuttle service to and from Tulsa International Airport. Rooms include guest room suites and Executive level accommodations with all the comforts of your home. Apart from their own Starbucks where guests can have breakfast and lunch every day, the hotel has an award winning Warren Duck Club featuring fine dining, a great wine list, elegant surroundings and excellent highly personalized service.

If you want to truly enjoy your stay at Tulsa, try the best accommodations in town and check out the sights that Tulsa has to offer.

No. 2:  Fairfield Inn Tulsa Woodland Hills

Fairfield Inn has luxurious and spacious rooms for your stay. There are several restaurants within walking and driving distance to the hotel.

No. 3:  Hampton Inn Suites Tulsa Woodland Hills 71^st Memorial

The Hampton has 74 rooms, including 27 suites. It is in the heart of the retail and restaurant district. So, you and your family have different places to choose from if you want to just go shopping or dining.

No. 4:  Hilton Tulsa Southern Hills

Tulsa is known for its historical museums, educational venues and event venues. The Hilton is conveniently located near these places, making it easier for you and your family to enjoy the sights of the city. The Hilton is a comfortable place to stay, especially for those who find themselves in Tulsa for the first time. The hotel has captured the “Southwestern hospitality and cosmopolitan energy” that is unique to Tulsa.

No. 5:  Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites

The hotel has 55 rooms with luxurious amenities but without the tag price that usually comes with luxury accommodations.

Looping around the southern half of E470, south of Aurora, drivers often see the distinct shape of Pikes Peak standing alone to the south. Named for Zebulon Pike who, setting off from the confluence of the Arkansas River and Fountain Creek in Pueblo, made an attempt to summit the thing in 1806. The guy never made it. (Few have succeeded at climbing to the top, in winter, following no real trail, with little in the way of gear.)

The Pikes Peak region, which includes Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs, still beckons to travelers. For many newcomers, Colorado Springs is what they expected to find in Denver—a city tucked into the foothills, right smack up against the mountains. Out-of-staters have the expectation that Denver is just buried in snow. Here too, Colorado Springs does a better job of fitting the bill. The Springs are higher up and see nearly twice as much snow as the state capital. Therefore, when you plan a trip to the Pikes Peak part of the state, you have to be a bit more mindful of the weather. With that in mind, we’ve divvied our itinerary into outdoor activities for sunny days and ways to escape nature’s fickle nature.

Fair Weather Fun
Like most of Colorado, the Springs see more days of sun than not… a lot more. Even in the winter you can often count on the warmth of the sun to take the bitter chill from the air. Beyond strolling downtown Manitou Springs or shopping in Old Colorado City, the Colorado Springs area has more than its fair share of outdoor activities, most open year-round. (Things do slow down tourist-wise in the “off season,” so call ahead before you plan a day of activities around any of the following.)

Pikes Peak – You may have heard the old proverb, “There are many paths to the top of the mountain.” Whoever coined that one, might have had Pikes Peak in mind. At 14,115 feet, however, none of the paths are a breeze. Many travelers drive to the top on the Pikes Peak Highway. Others hoof it up the trail from Colorado Springs (or the shorter trail from the other side of the mountain). And still other take a van up and then ride mountain bikes back down to the bottom. My favorite way up is the Pikes Peak Cog Railway. No matter how you get there, be sure to try a donut at the canteen, and be prepared to start missing oxygen. It’s exhausting just walking around.

The Garden of the Gods – Northwest of town, nestled up against the mountains (and pretty close to Manitou Springs), the towering red rocks of the Garden of the Gods have attracted visitors for generations. The adjoining Visitor and Nature Center tell the story (geological, ecological, historical, and archaeological) of the park. Inside you can buy tickets for a short HD movie on the Garden, but that’s just context. To really appreciate the park, drive through and get out of your vehicle as often as possible. Many paths are paved and loops are varied enough that the kids won’t get worn out from a little hike. Other paths take you off the pavement and higher up, offering great scenery for photographs. On weekends, you will often find climbers scaling some of the rocks. Keep an eye out for the Balanced Rock. Kids just love climbing around this precariously perched boulder.

North Cheyenne Cañon Park – South of US 24 (the road that leads to Manitou Springs), North Cheyenne Canyon offers more outdoor adventure, though of a notably more rugged nature than you will find at the the Garden of the Gods. The drive up the canyon is beautiful enough. And a stop at Helen Hunt Falls is rewarding. If you like a do more than stretch your legs, the Columbine Trail leads up the canyon. Start your visit at the Starsmore Discovery Center at the entrance to the park.

Seven Falls – In the nearby South Cheyenne Canyon is another popular tourist stop. The Seven Falls is a commercial operation, and they charge a tidy sum to visit this natural wonder. But if you’ve never seen the falls before, it’s worth it. At its head, the river that carved the canyon falls dramatically, creating seven distinct waterfalls. It’s almost impossible to get the entirety of the view without getting to a higher altitude. There are stairs that lead to trails higher up, but they also have an elevator in the canyon wall that will take you to the higher viewing platforms. On hot summer days, the canyon is cool and shaded, and makes a great place to stop and grab some concession-style snacks.

The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo – One of the treasures of Colorado Springs is the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo perched on the side of Cheyenne Mountain (overlooking, incidentally, the legendary Broadmoor Hotel). Kids simply love the giraffes. From a platform, families can hand feed giraffes. There’s also a bird house, where kids wait with baited popsicle sticks for small birds to land and feed. It’s not often children can experience animals this close and personal. We’ve always appreciated the representative animals from the Rocky Mountains—huge bears, mountain lions (shudder), and moose—but the monkey house and the meerkat exhibit are also family favorites.

The North Pole – Nestled at the base of Pikes Peak is a small amusement park that you must visit at least once. The North Pole: Home of Santa’s Workshop is a classic. Built in 1955 and opened in 1956, Santa’s Workshop was a copy of  one built in Lake Placid, New York. Most of the rides are just right for elementary aged kids—large ornaments that orbit a tall Christmas tree, a candy cane slide, miniature cars that steer themselves—but older kids will have a blast, and teenagers might just enjoy the goofiness of the place. Two toy shops, one for girls and one for boys, will deplete your wallet, but not prices are not as “seasonally inflated” as we expected. Santa is in attendance year-round to take orders for Christmas morning.

Escape the Elements
So you showed up on Colorado Springs on the one day of the month it’s raining. Have no fear.

The Cave of the Winds – When the weather turns south, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the geological treasures of being in Colorado Springs. Sure, you could hole up in the Garden of the Gods Visitors Center, or you could explore the other side and head underground. The Cave of the Winds is just north of Manitou Springs, on US 24. A long winding drive takes visitors up into the hills. This is kind of surprising for folks from out east who typically find their holes closer to the ground. The 45-minute Discovery Tour is the one most folks take, but if you have a taste for adventure, they also offer a Lantern Tour. Though there are plenty of stairs involved, the path through the cave is wide and level, and you’re not likely to get overly winded. Guides share the caves history, both its geology and the story of the first people to find and explore the caverns.

Focus on the Family Welcome Center – As most folks know, Colorado Springs serves as headquarters for more than a few Christian organizations. One of these is Focus on the Family. Whether or not you have interest in the long-running radio program, kids love the Focus on the Family Welcome Center. Admission is free. Older kids can ride a long twisty three-story slide. On the bottom level there are several play areas—an old WWII era bomber, a play stage with costumes, a secret tunnel, and an old cave with screens playing old McGee & Me videos. There’s a separate toddler room with a nature theme—a river winds through on the carpet, and kids climb logs and turtles. In the KYDS Radio room, guests can record their own voices on an Adventures in Odyssey story, and take the CD home (all for free). Best of all, and my favorite reason for visiting, is the Whit’s End Soda Shoppe, which serves up ice cream and other treats.

May Natural History Museum of the Tropics – There’s something a little kitschy about a business that features both a museum and an RV park, but if you have a kid with a thing for bugs, the May Natural History Museum is the a must-stop stop. Specializing in invertebrates, the museum only shows some 8,000 from the over 100,000 in their collection. There are lots and lots of butterflies. The place is closed November through April, however, so plan accordingly.

Planning Your Visit

Lodging – There are numerous places to stay in and around Colorado Springs. Most prominent are the usual complement of hotel chains, offering the usual amenities. But when we visit a town, we want to feel like we’re some place unique. So for our most recent visit we stayed at The Inn at Palmer Divide in Palmer Lake north of Colorado Springs. This boutique hotel might not be the obvious choice when traveling with kids (it seems almost too nice), but we found a warm welcome here. All the rooms are individually decorated, feature wide-screen televisions, and have great work spaces. Business travelers surely find a lot to love here, and we found that many of those amenities gave us extra space to work on craft projects amd coloring with the kids. The room rate includes breakfast, which is served in the hotel restaurant, moZaic. This is where the stay went from “really comfortable” to “must visit again… soon.” I don’t think I’ve had a breakfast this good in years. No lukewarm breakfast buffet here: You find a seat and your order is taken.

Dining – For meals, the Stagecoach Inn in Manitou Springs has great family dining. Kids get a kick out of the stagecoach out front, and when the weather is good parents love dining outside overlooking the river. Another perennial favorite is Fargo`s Pizza. This themed pizza joint looks like a Victorian saloon/dance hall, and authentic stained glass windows and other features give the restaurant some authenticity. Billed as the “world’s largest family pizza restaurant,” it’s really worth a visit when you’re in town.

If you’re looking for more on Colorado Springs, or anywhere in Colorado for that matter, check out Colorado: An Explorer’s Guide on Amazon.com.

School spring break is almost here and most of us in the frozen tundra (aka, the Midwest) have beach vacations, amusement parks, and palm trees on the brain. But why not mix things up and add New England to your list this year? Within driving distance for many regions of the country, tourist destinations in the northeast are less crowded and still advertising “off season” rates or specials until the snow birds come home. To get you started on your spring break planning, consider these towns, venues, and all-inclusive destinations.

New Hampshire

The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire is an easy stop for families to make traveling to and from Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire’s Lakes Region. Less than 15 minutes off I-95, the museum features 2 floors of hands-on exhibits created by local artisans, so the experience is uniquely New Hampshire. Families can explore a dinosaur dig, create a flying machine, learn about nature, experience world cultures and much more. Open year round, the museum also hosts numerous special events, artist visits, live performances and cultural celebrations.

Mt. Washington Valley, NH is also among the top ten family travel destinations for Spring Breaks in New England. This region of New Hampshire consists of 27 beautiful New England towns and villages, with the best known, North Conway, in the center. The region lies in the shadow of Mount Washington, the tallest peak in the Northeast. For outdoor loving families, the Mt. Washington Valley surrounded by the 660,000 acre White Mountain National Forest, offering seemingly endless outdoor recreation and scenery. In the winter, seven ski resorts and six XC centers offer a combined 250 alpine trails and 450 km for snowshoeing and XC skiing. Add to that a number of options for sleigh rides, skating (indoor and out). For the more adventurous families, there’s winter camping galore, rock and ice climbing and winter trips to the top of Mount Washington. Families can choose from more than 150 lodging properties in Mt. Washington Valley, offering everything from resorts with indoor water parks to hostels, campgrounds and plenty of family friendly inns and B&Bs, motels and hotels.

At Omni Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire families will find plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained. The 200-room hotel offers numerous options for families including the Bretton Woods Canopy Tour (New Hampshire’s longest zip line). Families can enjoy a family sleigh ride, snow tubing, skiing, and dog sledding in the winter or fishing, swimming, mountain biking and horseback riding in the spring. In addition, kids can always be found having a blast in the game-room, indoor swimming pool and playground. When families aren’t outdoors they can take a break in one of the hotel’s six eateries and at the end of the night the whole family can wind-down for the night with cookies and milk and a turn-down service.

Massachusetts

Nantucket, a small island located 30 miles off the coast of Cape Cod, was once the whaling capital of the world. The distinct character and traditional charm, carefully preserved thanks to local regulations, has made the island a popular secluded getaway. The island’s one town, Nantucket, hugs the harbor and features cobblestone streets, historic sites, bountiful stores, homespun restaurants and seaside attractions. Forty percent of the island is designated as conserved land with rolling moors, heaths, miles of exquisite beaches and charming landmarks including three lighthouses and an operating windmill. Accessible by ferry, leave your car on the mainland and enjoy the slower pace, historic ambiance and nature at its finest. In Nantucket, feel like a local and rent a modern-day cottage big enough for the entire family at Harborview Place, right on the water’s edge.

Connecticut

Hartford, Connecticut is the birthplace of Mark Twain’s most famous characters, Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer. A tribute to all things Mark Twain, visit the Mark Twain House and Museum to see the infamous billiard room where Twain did all his writing, to unique exhibits in the Museum Center, and educational programs and community events. Beyond the daily house tours and rotating museum exhibits, consider a trip back to Hartford for Tom Sawyer Day (June 11), a Graveyard Shift Tour, or a jaunt down the road to the Harriet Beecher Stowe House, the brand-new Connecticut Science Center, the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, or the Tony Award-winning Hartford Stage.

Vermont

Located in the quaint village of Stowe, Topnotch Resort is at the foot of the Green Mountains and will still have plenty of winter activities available for spring break. The resort will still be running its Ski for Free package, including two lift tickets into the price of nightly accommodations. There are plenty of other activities as well, including snowshoeing, Nordic skiing and even dogsledding. All of these are available for families, as Topnotch is extremely family-friendly. Topnotch also has an award-winning spa, perfect for a light treatment or big massage after a day in the outdoors.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island is a child-friendly state and the perfect place for a family vacation. A logical choice is a trip to Providence, where you can explore the acclaimed Providence Children’s Museum, visit the beautiful 430-acre Roger Williams Park, a Victorian park (1878) comprised of waterways, walks, outdoor gardens, and a Carousel Village, Museum of Natural History, and the park’s crown jewel, Roger Williams Park Zoo. Other children’s activities in the park include paddleboats, a carousel, miniature train ride, pony rides and a jungle gym. But there’s plenty for a family to do beyond the boundaries of Providence. Consider a hiking adventure in one of our state parks or miles of paved bike paths, enroll in a family sailing course on Narragansett Bay, or step back in time at any of our bountiful historic attractions from Colonial times or the Gilded Age mansions of Newport.

Newport and Bristol Counties, perched on miles of scenic Rhode Island coastline, are the gems of New England. While many families plan their summer vacation around Newport’s warmer temperatures, the quiet charm of the City-by-the-Sea during spring break might just be the region’s best kept secret. Think the beach is just for sunning yourself? Think again. Easton’s Beach invites kids to see and pet creatures of the sea at their Save The Bay’s Exploration Center & Aquarium, home to 50 species of local Narragansett Bay critters. Downtown you’ll find the area’s only outdoor ice rink, the Sovereign Bank Family Skating Center, where you can skate night or day for just a few dollars while the hot cocoa flows (through the end of March)! Neighboring Middletown is home to the Norman Bird Sanctuary, a 450 acre wildlife refuge offering over 7 miles of hiking trails (and tons of wildlife watching). Of course, one of the most jaw-dropping attractions in Rhode Island comes courtesy of Mother Nature. Ocean Drive traces more than 10 miles of breathtaking shoreline, where the waves crash on centuries old rocks and boats head out to sea. For more visitor information, visit www.GoNewport.com or call 800-976-5122.

Finding it impossible to list all of the wonderful spring break venues in just one story, please feel free to leave a comment with your favorite New England family destination.

The city of Frankenmuth welcomes visitors to Michigan with Bavarian hospitality and an array of options for enjoyable family-friendly activities. Situated on the winding Cass River, this friendly little town boasts German heritage in its culture, cuisine, and architecture. It’s an easy 90 minute drive from Detroit, Lansing, or Port Huron.

Kids tend to get restless near the end of a long winter. Our family has found this to be the ideal time to take a weekend road trip to “Little Bavaria”. With year-round activities, there is always something to do in Frankenmuth, but we especially enjoy visiting during the month of March to unwind and recharge.

Stay at one of the two hotels offering indoor water parks and kids can shed their winter gear in exchange for a swimsuit and enjoy the warmth.  Zehnder’s Splash Village Hotel and Indoor Waterpark features water slides, a lazy river, and 30,000 square feet of aquatic fun. The Bavarian Inn of Frankenmuth offers five indoor pools, three whirlpools, a 15-foot waterfall, and a motion pool. Families can also enjoy the largest indoor hotel arcade in the Midwest and miniature golf. The rooms are comfortable and feature framed news clippings and photos that celebrate local culture and history.

Once you’ve warmed up, don your coat and head to the outside entrance of The Bavarian Inn for a ride through town with the Frankenmuth Carriage Company. Kids love seeing the draft horses; these gentle giants clip-clop over an authentic wooden bridge and meander through town, providing guests with a relaxing escape in an enclosed carriage.

For lunch, be sure to visit the Frankenmuth Kaffee Haus on Main Street. They have delectable sandwiches, Panini, soups, and salads. Adults love the Hurricane Reuben that’s stacked high with smoked turkey, sauerkraut, and melted Swiss cheese. Kids have lots of options which include PB & J sandwiches, Grilled Cheese, and a Turkey Ranch Rollup. Be sure to try one of their many specialty drinks which include hot cocoa, specialty coffees, cider, teas, and smoothies. Our favorite is the Almond Joy – a delicious coffee drink with coconut, chocolate, and almond flavors topped with whipped cream.

You can stroll down Main Street and enjoy the various shops along the way. You can indulge in a variety of goods including fudge, baked goods, sausage, clocks, home decor, clothing, quilts, custom made soaps, and toys. Another option for shopping is the Bavarian Inn River Place which is a complex of stores situated along the Cass River, and make sure to visit the Mirror Maze which is fun for kids and adults alike!

Frankenmuth is also home to Bronners Christmas Wonderland, which bills itself as the world’s largest Christmas store. Here you will find a vast collection of ornaments, lights, trees, gifts, and collectibles. It’s a great place to find presents; the enormous assortment of ornaments represents just about every possible interest imaginable.

For additional shopping, the Birch Run Premium Outlets is only 15 minutes from town, just off the Interstate (I-75), and offers 145 stores representing numerous brand names. Drive 20 minutes to the east of Frankenmuth to visit the nearby town of Millington where visitors can peruse antiques and collectibles at Antiques in the Village, North Star Antiques, and Enduring Reflections. Our 14-year-old girl loves finding treasures and trinkets in these stores.

Frankenmuth is also home to the Michigan’s Own Military & Space Museum, a museum that honors Michigan soldiers, sailors, aviators, astronauts, governors, cross recipients and 28 individual Medal of Honor recipients. With over 400 exhibits, the museum offers a fascinating look at the personal histories of individuals who were a part of the American military over the last century.

Other attractions within Frankenmuth include Grandpa Tiny’s Farm, a working historical farm, where you will be greeted by Leroy, a miniature horse. Guests can pet animals and meet springtime chicks, bunnies, and lambs. Tours emphasize the agricultural history of the area and include a horse-drawn wagon ride. There is also a turn-of-the-century farmhouse and a historic one-room schoolhouse. Seasonal demonstrations are also offered. Call ahead during March to make arrangements, otherwise the hours are from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily April through October.

Famous chicken dinners are a part of what Frankenmuth has long been known for. Both the Bavarian Inn and Zehnder’s serve up large traditional family-style dinners that include side dishes such as salads, soup, coleslaw, bread, vegetables, mashed potatoes with gravy, and dressing. They also offer authentic German dishes such as Schnitzel and Sauerbraten in addition to a large variety of menu offerings.

Another place for good eats is the Frankenmuth Brewery where the menu includes selections for kids and brews for adults. The beer is brewed in the tradition of the “German Beer Purity Law”, or the Reinheitsgebot, which dates back to the 15^th century and requires the Brewmaster to use only barley, hops, water, and yeast. Also be sure to check out Sullivan’s Black Forest Brew Haus & Grill where you can enjoy handcrafted beers. Our favorite menu items include the Texas Barbecue Platter and the Michigan Lake Perch.

Kids can also tour the Frankenmuth Historical Museum, visit a cuckoo clock shop, roll their own Bavarian pretzel, tour an antique woolen mill, and watch the glockenspiel chime. There are geocaches in the Frankenmuth area, such as The Gnome’s Treasure. Events are held throughout the year and include the Zehnder’s Snowfest, the Bavarian Easter Celebration, the World Expo of Beer, the Frankenmuth Bavarian Festival, the Farm Fest, and Oktoberfest – to name a few. Visit www.frankenmuth.org for more information, discounts, and links to area attractions. And now, let the adventure begin! … or, as our German friends would say, Das Abenteuer kann beginnen!

Bio: Sonya Julie is a freelance writer based in southeast Michigan who enjoys writing about travel, equestrian activities, sports, and adventure. She has degrees in business and equestrian management and enjoys riding horses, skiing, dance, travel, volunteering, and reading. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/SJenterprises and read her articles in MISportsEdge Magazine at www.misportsedge.com.

Shells on Sanibel Island

Conducting an informal survey on the subject of going to the beach, “looking for seashells” was listed as the favorite activity by one hundred percent of survey participants. Okay, so I really asked my three kids what their favorite part of going to the beach is and the answer was pretty obvious. Honestly, my kids could literally spend endless quantities of time pacing up and down the beach looking for shells, crabs, jelly fish, and buried treasure. I can’t imagine a better way to pass an afternoon in a tropical paradise.

And, in Florida, there’s probably no better place to find seashells than on Sanibel Island, near Ft. Myers on the Gulf Cost. Because Sanibel Island runs in more of an east-west direction than other area islands running parallel to the mainland coast, the the tide and the wind constantly replenish over 300 different seashells in this shell-seekers heaven.

Great Hall of Shells

Listed in 1,000 Places to See Before You Die, The Bailey-Matthew’s Shell Museum on Sanibel Island offers something educational, beautiful, and just plain interesting, no matter what your age. First of all, admission to the museum is a reasonable $7 for adults and $4 for kids ages 5-16 (children 4 and under are free). With 26 exhibits, including a children’s learning lab, live tank demonstrations, and MMMM…Mollusks!, you’ll want to leave at least a half an hour to watch The Secret Lives of Seashells (viewing every 30 minutes in the theater just off the main lobby). Kids, especially, will learn how seashells are formed and that mollusks are truly amazing, living, animals.

Offering weekly workshops, special programs, and trips (like free Family Beach Walks: Walk the Beach with Experts), it’s worth taking a quick glance at the What’s New page on the museum website before you visit the area. In addition, excellent print resource materials are provided between the front desk and the theater in the museum lobby. You’ll find subjects like “What Shell Seekers Need to Know About Tides,” “How, When, and Where to Find Shells,” “Safe Travel for Shells: How to Get Them Home in One Piece,” and “Cleaning Your Shells” (and, for any of you who have previously experienced the distinct odor of a decomposing mollusk, take one for you and one for a friend).

What?

But wait, there’s more.

Extending out into the community, the museum has partnered with Adventures in Paradise, an area outfitter and sea cruise and fishing company. In particular, the Sealife Encounter Excursion is an interactive and educational experience going out through San Carlos Bay and into the grass beds on the uninhabited Picnic Island. Scooping with nets for pufferfish, crabs and mollusks, the ocean life is carefully examined and returned back to its habitat.

If your interest in shells and mollusks extends beyond a casual hobby, consider a visit to the Shell Museum Library on the second level. Holding an extensive collection of scientific and popular books, scientific journals, and shell-club newsletters from around the world, the library itself is about as impressive as the museum. Also on the second floor is a research and specimen collection area for scientists, volunteers, and researchers. Yours truly is pictured (to the left) holding one of the largest horse conch shells in the entire state of Florida. I was honored to have a behind-the-scenes look into why the The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum is accredited with prestigious others in the American Association of Museums.

Free Seashells for Kids

Last, but not least, science teachers may request a school shell collection kit for their classrooms (museum volunteers assemble, pack, and ship the kits to schools all over the country). During different times of the year, day camps, summer camps, and school programs are hosted at or by the museum. Below is a short video of my brief experience at The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum. I can’t wait to go back again with kids in tow. If you go, click here to print a coupon for a free children’s admission. Military families may also receive additional discounts.