Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah, Zip-A-Dee-A, my oh my, what a wonderful day!

Wildly popular and fantastically fun, canopy zip line tours are “in” this travel season. Mixing endorphins with fresh air, zip line tours combine the benefits of a day hike with the thrill of the amusement park. Geared towards your older kids, tweens, and even teens, canopy zip line outfitters are popping up all over the country. For the ultimate thrill seeker to the adventurous nature lover, many tours are available year-round and showcase different parts of the country from a whole new point of view. Just the tip of the ice berg, this post showcases some of our favorite tours. Leave a comment if we missed your favorite outfitter and we’ll add them to the list.

Ohio: Tree Frog Canopy Tours

The longest, highest, and fastest tour in the state of Ohio, Tree Frog Canopy Tours offers over 4000 feet on their zip line course. Skillfully designed in the deciduous woods of Northern Ohio, the 2.5 to 3 hour tour takes patrons on seven ziplines, two canopy bridges, and down two guided repels. A breathtaking way to put yourselves among the “fireworks” of fall, Tree Frog also offers night adventures (patrons don glow sticks and use solar-powered lights to navigate the course). Because of the length and speed of several zip lines on the course, participants muse weigh between 90 and 250 pounds and be at least 10 years old.

West Virginia: Adventures on the Gorge

With TreeTops Canopy Tours, the longest canopy tour in West Virginia, Adventures on the Gorge uses a combination of ziplines, cable bridges, and stationary platforms put together using natural surroundings. Gravity takes adventurers 200 feet above the ground at its highest point and at speeds of up to 45 miles per hour. A second option, TreeTops, takes riders literally through the treetop canopy (using a combination of ziplines, sky bridges, a short hike, and a rappel). The newest addition at Adventures on the Gorge(on the Gravity line) is a single 3,100 foot long zipline that they’ve dubbed “Adrena-Line” (featuring sweeping views of the surrounding Appalachian Mountains). Restrictions are: Gravity (age: over 12 years old, weight: 100-250 lbs) TreeTops (age: over 10 years old, weight: 90-260 lbs).

Kentucky: Mammoth Cave Adventures

The home of Kentucky’s first canopy zipline tours, Mammoth Cave Adventures offers a five line canopy zip tour, featuring two sky bridges and an outdoor adventure for the whole family. With lines varying in length, speed, and height, the primary canopy zip tour takes you from deck to deck in the treetops on a course guided by a minimum of two certified guides. Mammoth Cave Adventures also offers a secondary zipline tour aimed at individuals that weigh less than 100 lbs but above 40 pounds.  This zipline adventure is similar to the primary zipline in all aspects of height and length and adventure, but differs in engineering design to accommodate those under the 100 pounds required for the primary course.  These two courses will converge so that groups that include children and adults can still zip together at a point.

Missouri: Vigilante Extreme Zip Rider at The Shepherd of the Hills

At the highest point in Missouri, Vigilante Extreme ZipRider at The Shepherd of the Hills in Branson  is an exciting way to experience the Ozark mountains. At 170 feet high, 1/2 mile long, and traveling at speeds of 50mph, the ride is designed to be both thrilling and easy. Using an automatic breaking system, participants ride a glass elevator to the top deck of the platform tower and cruise to the landing platform below. Riders must be at least 7 years old and weigh between 75 and 275 pounds.

Wisconsin: Zipline Adventure Park

Opened on March 4 of this year, Lake Geneva Canopy Tours in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin holds bragging rights to the longest Canopy Sky Bridge in the “lower 48″. At 240 feet long, the Canopy SkyBridge is part of the Canopy Tour, a “tre-mendous” combination of eight ziplines, five sky bridges, and a floating double helix stairway. Lake Geneva Canopy Tours also offers a 30-45 minute Racing Ziplines experience, with over 1,100 feet of “adrenaline pumping excitement” (ending with a breathtaking ride on the longest zipline on the course). Riders must be at least 7 years old and weigh between 70 and 275 pounds.

Georgia: North Georgia Canopy Tours

With over a mile of cable, twelve ziplines, two zips over the North Oconee River, zips over the Old Mill and Catfish Ponds, two sky bridges, three nature hikes, a 25-foot rappel and the final dual racing zip over the Hilltop Pond, North Georgia Canopy Tours recommends at least three hours for this experience worth checking out. Riders must be at least 10 years old and at least 70 pounds (children must be accompanied by an adult and able to participate independently on the line).

Door County, Wisconsin. A beloved vacation destination for Mid-westerners, this pinkie-shaped peninsula jutting out into the pristine waters of Lake Michigan lives up to the nickname “Cape Cod of the Midwest.” Whether you ride a Harley, sail a yacht, camp, antique, scuba dive, kayak, or simply appreciate award-winning regional food and wine, Door Country truly has something for everyone all year round.

On a budget and in the area for a short weekend, our family came to Door County with one main theme on our vacation itinerary—stones. Skipping stones, that is. A family tradition spanning decades of lighthouse keepers and island dwellers, skipping stones is a rite-of-passage for anyone living in a Great Lake state. Because a certain type of stone is best for skipping—palm size, flat and round—we consulted with the Door County Visitor Bureau for the best places to skip stones in Door County, Wisconsin.

Number 1: Schoolhouse Beach, Washington Island

Located at the northernmost tip of Door County, Washington Island is only accessible by ferry (passenger or car). While a trip to Schoolhouse Beach didn’t fit our schedule this time, Jon Jarosh, Director of Communications and Public Relations with the Door County Visitor Bureau holds this beach in the highest stone-skipping regard. Jarosh goes on the record to say, “Schoolhouse Beach on Washington Island is probably the quintessential stone skipping beach in Door County. It’s like the stone-skipping gods fired up the old rock tumbler in the sky for half an eternity and deposited a kajillion of the most perfect skipping stones in each of those places and wanted to see if we’d figure it out.”

Number 2: Pebble Beach Road, South of Little Sister Bay

At the end of Pebble Beach Road just south of Little Sister Bay and the town of Sister Bay is Pebble Beach. Bordered by private property on either side, you’ll find a skipping stones surplus in this secluded beach/kayak and canoe launch. Open to wind and the wake of passing motor craft, what you lack in calm water you make up in rock demand. A person could easily throw their arm out at Pebble Beach. Consult a map before venturing down the back roads (pass a rural cemetery and you’re on your way). Consider packing a picnic lunch or making the short jaunt to nearby Fred and Fuzzy’s Waterfront Bar and Grill.

Number 3: Peninsula State Park, Tennison Bay along Shore Road

On Shore Road along the western shore of Peninsula State Park is Tennison Bay. Protected from rougher water in an inlet, the rocky beach reveals a sandy bottom in the crystal clear (but brisk) water. While collecting a pile of perfect skipping stones took a few extra minutes at this location, we amused ourselves by simply tossing large rocks out to the mermaids. Because the this beach is within a Wisconsin State Park, you can use your annual parks pass or purchase a day admission sticker for $7 (WI plates).

Number 4: Rock Island State Park

If the name of this island/state park doesn’t tip you off, Rock Island (north of Washington Island) is a stone skipping haven. Selected as number four because of it’s distance from the overall Door County experience,  Jon Jarosh explains, “Pretty much everywhere along the shore is good for skipping stones except for the sand beach on the south side of the island.” Key to skipping stones on Rock Island is picking your favorite spot.

Number 5: (A Tie) Sunset Park, Fish Creek and the end of Juddville Road,  Juddville

A tie for the number five spot goes to Sunset Park in the town of Fish Creek (drive to the end of Main Street past the White Gull Inn) and the end of Juddville Road in the unincorporated town of Juddville (between the towns of Fish Creek and Egg Harbor). While these two locations aren’t exactly ideal for skipping stones, they are perfect for scrambling around on the larger rocks. One of the few places to watch the sun set over Lake Michigan in the state of Wisconsin, both locations are romantic enough to gross out your kids. Note: picnicking is not allowed on the Juddville beach.

Other Contenders

Other stone-skipping locations in Door County are at the end of Porcupine Bay Road near Ellison Bluff County Park and near the Northport ferry dock at the very end of Highway 42 (hitting the ferries with stones is probably not a good idea, though). And, if you get sick of throwing stones or want to spread out your towel on a more comfortable spot, dunes and sandy beaches are plentiful up and both sides of the peninsula (we like Whitefish Dunes State Park south of Jacksonport on Whitefish Bay).

Where to Stay

In my experience, camping and skipping stones go hand-in-hand. That said, if you’re on a tight schedule and want the next best thing (read: a decent mattress and warm cup of coffee not brewed on an open flame), consider making a reservation at Parkwood Lodge at 3775 State Hwy 42, in Fish Creek (Phone: 800-433-7592).

Located within a few minute’s drive from both Fish Creek and Ephriam, Parkwood Lodge is tucked away from the road in a quiet forest (the sound of pine cones hitting the ground was the loudest noise coming through our open window at night). Guests can enjoy a picnic lunch on the tables outside each building, make a fire at the complimentary camp ring, play pool and games in the arcade, borrow a book or board game from the lobby, or swim in the indoor pool (we “tested” the pool three times, relaxing our tired arms in the hot tub). To be re-surfaced and converted into a tennis court, basket ball court, and activity area (hop scotch, four square) is the existing tennis area. Balls and rackets are available in the game room.

Greg and Denise Stillman, twenty-year Door County residents and three year owners/operators of Parkwood Lodge are happy to share their suggestions for Door County memory making. Down-to-earth and living up to Wisconsin-friendly standards, the Stillmans offer a unique and affordable lodging space parents and kids will love.

And if skipping stones isn’t your thing, check out this Family Fun vacation planning link on the Door County Visitors Bureau website.

Quick guess. What’s our most popular article ever? Yep — our roundup of the best fireworks is the most searched for and read article we do all year. We take 4th of July seriously in this country and whether you like a small town celebration with a few hundred of your favorite people or want to do the Philadelphia mega celebration, there’s something for everyone. Each year, we pick the top 10 places we’d watch the fireworks, if we could be 10 places at once. Here’s where we’d go this year, where are you watching the fireworks?

We don’t repeat recommendations, so check out our picks from 2009, some hometown celebrations and parades and the best picks from 2010 as well as our favorite 4th of July road trips. We also have lots of fireworks for other holidays as well — search “fireworks” in the search bar at the top right of our site. And, to find celebrations near you that aren’t listed (yet), use our Event and Festival Calendar.

La Pointe, Wisconsin

Located on Madeline Island in Lake Superior, just 20 minutes by ferry from Bayfield, this historic town is home to 200 residents who host one of the best 4th of July celebrations in the country. Gary Knowles, travel writer and dedicated fan of the celebration says, “Imagine a friendly mash-up of the old TV series “Northern Exposure” with the folks from Mayberry, a Jimmy Buffet Concert, Mardi Gras and a party at the Clinton White House. It’s a tableau that might have been painted by Norman Rockwell after sharing a friendly drink with Timothy Leary or a film collaboration by Fellini, Warner Herzog and Grandma Moses.” You had us at Jimmy Buffet, Gary!

1973 Smelt Queen

The parade kicks off at 10:30 am with artist performances and eclectic floats (including the 1973 Smelt Queen and a giant grill truck tossing hot dogs to the crowd). After the parade there are speeches on the grounds of the historic museum with thoughtful remarks by the town chair, the museum director and sometimes the librarian. Music is provided by the musicians of Big Top Chautauqua. They sing Woody Guthrie’s “This Land is Your Land…” and don’t miss the verse with the sign that says “no trespassing” but on the other side it didn’t say nothin’ – “that land is made for you and me.” Prizes are awarded for the best parade displays and “green trophies” are recycled by islanders including bowling trophies, little league, go-kart, horse show, softball and even a few just awards recovered from the town dump. A community picnic, ice cream social and softball game fill the afternoon – after which people are primed and ready for the fireworks.

And the Fireworks are the best because (1) everyone gets an excellent seat up close in the harbor where after a spectacular sunset over Lake Superior (2) an eclectic variety of amplified patriotic rock, country and ballads are interspersed with readings from the Declaration of Independence, quotes from great Americans (MLK, JFK, Jefferson, etc) and others (Gandhi, Wavy Gravy, Dylan, Confucius, the Dali Lama etc) as (3) the lightshow explodes for about 45 minutes high overhead and is reflected in the harbor to a chorus of genuine heartfelt ooohs and ahhhhs. (Special thanks to Gary Knowles who generously shared information about his favorite 4th, including this video: LaPointe Wisconsin 4th with Big Top Chautauqua)

Chattanooga, Tennessee

One of the best destinations for families that you probably haven’t thought about, Chattanooga is a great road trip for the 4th of July. The free Pops in the Park fireworks display in Coolidge Park is the finale to a long day of family fun. Or, enjoy the festivities during the day and then schedule a sleepover at the Tennessee Aquarium with their 4^th of July “Sleep in the Deep” program. Watch the fireworks with 3D glasses and then sleep with the fishes.  The Chattanooga Lookouts, Creative Discovery Museum, Hunter Museum of American Art as well as the Delta Queen and Chattanooga Choo Choo all make downtown Chattanooga an awesome family destination and the free electric shuttle buses are a blast for the kids and easy on the budget and stroller hauler. If you want to get out on the river, check out the Tennessee Aquarium River Gorge Explorer and Southern Belle Riverboat.  Nearby Lookout Mountain also offers Rock City, Ruby Falls and the Incline Railway. And train lovers won’t want to miss the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum.

Lititz, Pennsylvania

In Lancaster County (Pennsylvania Dutch Country), you’ll find something to keep your family enchanted almost every week of the year. Just 60 miles west of Philadelphia, the town of Lititz (chosen one of the Dozen Distinctive Destinations in 2009 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation) is known for their unique shopping and local food all year long, and also for their oldest continuous celebration of the 4th of July. Held in Lititz Springs Park, the celebration starts Saturday, June 25th, with the summer music festival in the park and The Preamble — a historical community day in the park (June 26th). This year will feature the re-enactment of the 1843 celebration which featured the first candle illumination. The town parade takes place on the 1st, with entertainment in the park following the parade.

2011 is the 194th Continuous 4th of July Celebration (July 2nd) and gates open at noon (there is an admission fee) for non-stop celebrating, including the 70th Annual Queen of the Candles Pageant, the 168th Illumination of the Candles and of course, fireworks! If you’ve never seen coverage of the candles pageant and illumination, it incorporates over 7,000 candles! It’s a unique and interesting way to celebrate the 4th, and kids will never forget the trip.

Louisville, Kentucky

The Waterfront Independence Festival is held on the Great Lawn at Waterfront Park and has not one, but two huge fireworks displays and two days of celebrations to go along with them. The Catfish Louie Kids Area has special activities for kids (science experiments, a half-year checkup with Santa and inflatable games plus watermister) to keep everyone happy and entertained. While you’re in Louisville, don’t miss the Slugger Factory, where trees are transformed into baseball bats for Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, or one of many other professional baseball players in the game today—or maybe even your own Little Leaguer! The Louisville Science Center is designed for families and the Louisville Zoo is a don’t miss destination. Other family favorites include the underground adventure at Louisville Mega Cavern and the Belle of Louisville.Take time to explore the Waterfront park with all its bike trails and playgrounds and geocaching.

Clearwater, Florida

Clearwater Celebrates America, the city’s annual Independence Day celebration, will take place July 4 in Coachman Park and features live music,  fireworks, children’s activities and a craft show. Expect activities to get started about 4.30pm with fireworks at 9.30pm. One of the many family-friendly destinations in the area, Clearwater is the setting for the summer movie Dolphin Tale, which features the city’s most famous resident, Winter the Dolphin.Winter was caught in a crab trap and lost her tail, but with the help of a doctor she now has a prosthetic tail and has been an inspiration to many. While in the area, other popular family attractions include Adventure Island (an outdoor water park), Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, The Dunedin Fine Art Center/David L. Mason Children’s Art Museum, and Lowry Park Zoo.

Dover, Delaware

The first state in the Union, Delaware is smack in the middle of any good American history road trip. The 4th of July kicks off early in the day with activities, walking tours, historic building tours and Colonial kids games.  The local American Legion hosts a patriotic parade down State Street to Dover’s historic Green (where the Constitution was ratified in 1787).  After that, bands perform patriotic music, food vendors set up and additional kids activities take place.  At dusk, the 1812 Overture is performed with cannon firings, followed by a huge fireworks display.  All events are free of charge. There’s plenty to enjoy outdoors in the area when you’re done with the history lesson. And, all your shopping is free of state sales tax, so plan ahead and pick up some school supplies.

St. Louis, Missouri

Celebrate “America’s Biggest Birthday Party” at Fair Saint Louis under the Gateway Arch. It’s free and spectacular. Live music, educational activities, air shows and fireworks all add up to a lot of fun. The three-day celebration starts with the Veiled Prophet Parade, and then the festival (which includes a K-Town Kids Zone) opens. Local bands as well as top-rated national performers provide lots of music and the Fair Saint Louis Air Shows feature some of the top air show performers in the country. Three nights of fireworks makes this one of our top picks, but we also love the fund-raising the event provides to local non-profits.

Florida Keys & Key West

The road trip to the Keys is legendary, and kids love it — as well as the vacation afterwards. There are also several fireworks displays to choose from. Marathon’s Sombrero Beach has a parade to the beach with all-day fun and fireworks after dark. Gather on the bayfront in Key Largo to watch the fireworks lofted over Blackwater Sound or go to Founders Park on Plantation Key for the “Spirit of Islamorada” evening celebration that culminates with fireworks. Not to be left out, Big Pine and the Lower Keys host their annual fireworks at the Sugarloaf Airport, bayside on Sugarloaf Key. Their “longer and larger” fireworks show starts at nightfall.

Gunnison-Crested Butte, Colorado

Take a long-weekend road trip to the Gunnision, Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte, area. Home to one of our newest national parks — The Black Canyon of the Gunnision, Gunnison County includes 10 quaint and historic towns and is part of the West Elk Loop and Silver Thread Scenic & Historic Byways.

The whole family will enjoy the drive as well as the gallery crawl, concerts, performances of “Oklahoma,” farmers ‘ markets, a one-third marathon, a parade, a pancake feed, fireworks, hot air balloon rally and more. The events start July 1st, and conclude with the festivities on the 4th. In Crested Butte, start your 4th off with a little health and fitness and participate in the aptly named 43rd Annual Gothic to Crested Butte Run, Walk or Crawl, then take part in the hometown parade, famous for its over the top floats, which have included water slides and zip lines! Then, head down to the giant and water fight (yep, the whole town gets wet — including a fire truck). Dry off, try your hand at the log saw competition or the pie eating contest, three-legged race and more. The Boston Brass concert begins at 4 pm, followed by a free Alpenglow concert and another free concert at the base area of Crested Butte Mountain Resort, followed by fireworks at 9:20 p.m.

The July 4th festivity in Gunnison center around the Gunnison Rotary Club’s Fireworks Celebration, which raises funds for college scholarships and local charitable causes. In honor of the 60th anniversary of the celebration, Rotary is planning its largest fireworks display ever. All the festivities will be held at Jorgensen Park, with live music a beer garden and food court launching at 4:30 p.m. At dusk, a look back 60 years into the past reveals Gunnison as it was in 1951 by Dr. Duane Vandenbusche, an entertaining local historian and professor at Western State College of Colorado. Military veterans will be honored just before the fireworks fly at 9:15 p.m.

Virginia City, Nevada

Photo Credit KevinKarlPhoto.com

Less than an hour from both Reno and South Lake Tahoe, Virginia City’s role in expanding the country is full of legends and history. One of the Dozen Distinctive Destinations in 2009, Virginia City was founded with the discovery of the Comstock Lode and once had so many millionaires that it was called “the richest place on earth”. The road trips around the city are spectacular, winding, twisting trips and road tripping families will love every minute. Thousands take the trip to celebrate the birth of our nation every year, starting with the noon parade downtown. The Comstock Cowboys perform at dusk and the fireworks show lives up to the reputation of the mining town with plenty of explosives.

There’s a new pirate movie in theaters, but let’s face it, pirates are popular any time. Especially with kids. And dads. We researched the best family-friendly pirate celebrations, and here are our suggestions. We’ll be adding to this list as we discover more pirate festivals for road tripping families, so feel free to make suggestions in the comments section. Note: we only feature festivals that have a significant amount of family programing.

Charleston Harbor Fest
Charleston, South Carolina
May 12-15, 2011

Not strictly a pirate festival, the Charleston Harbor Fest is an annual event hosted by the South Carolina Maritime Foundation, a public nonprofit organization that owns and operates the tall ship Spirit of South Carolina. This festival is a true harbor-wide celebration of the sea. Attracting visitors and locals alike, this event is family-friendly and loads of fun for all ages. From the classic beauty of sailing ships and pirates giving their best “Argh” to the interactive educational exhibits, Charleston Harbor Fest offers an array of activities. You can be as hands-on as you want with activities ranging from tame to adventurous. Tour the ships, enjoy the scenic waterfront and relax with a beverage and fine Lowcountry fare. Attendees can also head out on the harbor for a sailing lesson.

Blackbeard Pirate Festival
Hampton, Virginia
June 3-5, 2011

Held in Hampton, Virginia, the city where Lieutenant Maynard is said to have presented Governor Spotswood with Blackbeard’s head, flag and treasure, the Blackbeard Pirate Festival appears to be one of the most historically accurate pirate festivals. Hampton’s waterfront hosts reenactments (everything from impromptu street skiermishes to full-scale sea battles) featuring the popular re-enactment of Blackbeard’s final battle. Tall Ship enthusiasts also enjoy the displays of several ships and the private boats deck out in pirate gear for the festivities. There’s an array of children’s activities all weekend long, fireworks, period vendors, arts and crafts and more.

Port Pirate Festival
Port Washington, Wisconsin
June 3-5, 2011

Along the shores of seaworthy Lake Michigan, the sleepy town of Port Washington is over run by pirate enthusiasts each year on the the first full weekend in June. Promising invasions, mayhem, and merriment in the form of a parade, fireworks, entertainment, and a themed marketplace, the festival has something for all ages. Book your tickets early for a ride on The WINDY, a 150-foot traditional four-masted gaff topsail  schooner/barquentine Class “B” & “A” Tall Ship. Built of modern materials, but like the old trading schooners and sail training ships, the WINDY has all the character and charm of the great days of sail and is silently pushed by the winds once its sails are set and engines turned off.

Palmyra Pirate Weekend
Palmyra, New York
August 5-6, 2011

Historic Palmyra, once known as the “Queen of Erie Canal Towns”, throws a pirate bash every year that’s very family friendly. Start the weekend with a pirate ball, complete with Stinkeye the Pirate spinning some tunes (supports the VFW). Watch The Goonies under the stars in the city park, join the Pirate Kazoo Band Parade, the Pillage ‘N the Village Bed Race Regatta or the Pirate Window Painting Contest. Historic Palmyra is open with museum tours and pirate tales at Pirate’s Cove.

Pirate’s Week
Grand Cayman
November 10-20, 2011

Every year it gets harder and harder to pick just 10 festivals for each season. New festivals, like Artosphere, which made this year’s list, come on the scene and contend with old favorites like Madison’s Brat Fest. Here are our top 10 recommendations for families this year, but check out our Top 10 picks for 2010 as well. We’d love to hear about your favorites too! Leave a comment and tell us what festivals your family never misses. And, for all those smaller, local festivals, use our brand new Event & Festival Calendar to find festivals and family-friendly events all year long.

Artosphere
April 22 – June 4, 2011
Northwest Arkansas

A six-week festival “celebrating artists, influenced by nature, who inspire us to lead more sustainable lives”, Artosphere didn’t get much national media in the family travel area, but this year it’s on the top of a lot of lists. With six weeks of performances and activities, it’s easy for a family to spend a weekend enjoying the arts — and this area of Arkansas is prime road trip country. Check out the list of children’s theater and music performances and plan a weekend this year — and add it to your must-attend list next year.

Brat Fest
Memorial Day Weekend (May 27-30, 2011)
Madison, Wisconsin

The world’s largest brat fest is held in Madison, Wisconsin (where else?) every year over Memorial Day. Apparently the tradition stems from a local store owner who served brats for 50 cents in appreciation to his customers. The brats must have been excellent because the word spread and now the festival claims “world’s largest” status with a world’s record 209,376 brats served in 2010. All the money raised goes to local charities. Of course, the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile makes an appearance, along with other kid-friendly mascots, like the Budweiser Clydesdales. There are lots of activities, fireworks, lots and lots of music, and giving back to the community.

Mother Earth News Fair
June 4-5, 2011
Puyallup, Washington

Organized by Mother Earth News (the longest-running sustainability magazine in the United States) the Mother Earth News Fair combines good for the earth with two days of non-stop fun for the whole family. The whole family can take part in demonstrations and hands-on workshops on everything from green building and transportation to growing and making “real” food. You don’t need to be a kid to enjoy the draft horse and other livestock demonstrations, community seed swap and live music, either! A special children’s area will provide hands-on workshops about Cheesemaking, beekeeping basics for just for kids, learning about different kinds of bugs and making bug nets to catch them, drawing and painting farm animals and native stencil painting. Plus, kids get into the fair free!

Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl
June 7-9, 2011
City Hall Plaza, Boston

Not exactly a festival by normal standards, but with all-you-can-eat ice cream and a great cause, this makes our list. And, it’s the nation’s largest all-you-can-eat ice cream festival. Over 10 tons of ice cream and frozen treats are served to approximately fifty thousand ice cream lovers from across the nation. All proceeds support adult and pediatric cancer care and research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. For almost 30 years, companies have donated 100% of the ice cream, labor, scoopers and products needed to make the event successful and to raise the most money possible for the Jimmy Fund.

National Kidsfest
June 11-July 24, 2011
Silver Dollar City, Branson Missouri

Everything in Branson is over the top, even their activities for kids. If you’re driving cross country this summer, stop over in Branson and let the kids work off some steam at Silver Dollar City. The new million dollar play area, Half Dollar Holler, will help them get some exercise, and the whole family will enjoy performances by The Legendary Fabulous Wallendas, the high wire-walkers. The theme park has something for everyone, and White Water (the water park) has had expansions as well, with the 7-story, 6-slide thrill ride Kalani Towers giving the older kids plenty of adrenaline rush.

National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest
Third Full Week of June
Weiser, Idaho

The week-long fiddle competitions are divided by age and ability — make sure to stay for the Grand National Championship the last night. You can also shop at yard sales, check out car shows or even a bikers’ rodeo if you need more activities. Craft and merchandise vendors line the streets and festival food takes on a whole new meaning — consider this your cultural immersion for a few weeks and just try to sample something from everyone. Continuous entertainment from the stage, a carnival from Wednesday to Sunday and Kids Day (Friday) in City Park give you a few extra ideas. One of Idaho’s largest parades takes place on Saturday and The Battle of the Bluegrass Bands gets your feet stomping in the afternoon.

Kokanee Crankworx Freeride Mountain Bike Festival
July 16-24, 2011
Whistler, British Columbia CANADA

The biggest freeride mountain bike festival in the world, Crankworx is held at Whistler Mountain Bike Park, at Whistler Blackcomb (the venue for the 2010 Olympic Games). It’s the biggest annual event at Whistler, with over 138,000 people attending. Whistler has the world’s most diverse offering of mountain biking terrain, including 150 miles of single-track trails, 5,000 vertical feet of lift-accessed downhill runs in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, jump parks and 20+ miles of paved Valley Trail. In other words, a big and little kid’s paradise. With non-stop events to watch and biking opportunities for all ages and skill levels, Crankworx is an awesome festival for families. Experts put on bike stunt shows in the village and there is a kids bike comp called KidWorx for the little ones.

Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo and Community Extravaganza
Weekend of July 24, 2011
Ogden, Utah

One of Utah’s biggest statehood celebrations, Ogden’s Pioneer Days includes a rodeo, parade, pioneer skills and craft fair, horse and hitch parade, Aggie car show, hands-on activities for all ages, entertainment and more. More than 75 Life-sized horsed painted by local artists will line the downtown area streets. The Pioneer Days Rodeo and Parade will take place on July 25th. The rodeo has been named the “Best Rodeo in the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association” twice and is ranked in the top 20 nationally. Fireworks, a special kid’s rodeo and celebration of the National Day of the American Cowboy round out the events.

Dragon Boat Festival
July 30, 2011
Richmond, Virginia

Dragon boats are 40-foot human-powered canoes decorated with ornate Chinese dragon heads. Led by the rhythmic beat of a drum, teams consisting of 20 synchronized paddlers, one drummer, and one steersperson race the canoes 500m down the river. Teams can be groups or businesses and visitors cheer on boaters who come from around the country to compete. Enjoy Chinese performances including a Dragon Dance, Lion Dance and Kung Fu. Live music, food and drinks, including a beer garden will entertain visitors all day.

Boomsday
September 4, 2011
Knoxville, Tennessee

Who says giant fireworks displays are just for the 4th of July? The largest Labor Day weekend fireworks festival in the United States has become Knoxville’s signature event. Over 400,000 visitors head to the river front for all-American food, a kids’ play area, live music, and the biggest boom in the nation for one highly anticipated night each year. There are plenty of activities to keep you busy — arrive early and check into road closures before you go.

For most of us, planning a road trip to Alaska is as daunting as the state itself. A “lifetime” journey for the adventuresome lot, if you’re ever going to need a guidebook to jump start your vacation planning, this list will get you one step closer to the Great North.

Moon Handbooks, Alaska
Don Pitcher

Organized by geographical region and by city, Pitcher meticulously describes the events, lodging, recreation, food, and services for nearly 400 pages in this Moon Handbooks guidebook. Providing suggested itineraries and realistic driving times, much of the book covers how to get from point A to point B using various modes of transportation. Ending with supplemental reading materials and web links, make sure to read the Essentials section (page 542) after pouring over the beautiful four-color “Discover Alaska” intro. For travelers with limited time (or ideas on where to begin), consider Pitcher’s “Best of Alaska” day-by-day itinerary on page 14. Downtown maps offer useful points of interest, but you’ll want to pack a more industrious and larger-scale supplemental version to clip with this guide book.

The World-Famous Alaska Highway
A Guide to the Alcan & Other Wilderness Roads oft he North, 4th Edition
Tricia Brown

Beloved by many a traveler along the Alcan, anyone reading this informative, entertaining, and useful account of the world-famous Alaskan Highway will understand why Tricia Brown has written for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Anchorage Daily News and Alaska magazine. Begin with Chapter 2, What You Need to Know, A to Z. As corny as it sounds, this 15 page alphabetical summary truly highlights the 101 of a first-time trip to The Final Frontier. Organized by the two different driving routes through Canada (the Eastern Route through Alberta or the Western Route through British Colombia) and into Alaska on the famed Alaska Highway, Brown provides a “compendium of historic sites, roadside attractions, dramatic views, wildlife sighting sites, recreational resource” (someone else said this too perfectly in a review of the book on Amazon.com). A fan of literary diversion, I particularly enjoyed the color photos, sidebars, data tables (including miles and driving times), and suggestions for packing and preparing your vehicle at the very front of the guide book.

Frommer’s Alaska and Frommer’s Alaska Day by Day
Charles Wohlforth

Author of both Frommer’s Alaska (five different editions, spanning 2006-2011)  and Frommer’s Alaska Day by Day, life-long Alaska resident Charles Wohlforth knows a lifetime’s worth of information about his state. With chapters on planning your trip to Alaska and a history of the state, Frommer’s Alaska is somewhat more “high level,” than Alaska Day by Day. Both books, however, offer suggestions on Alaska’s “best” and give suggested itineraries and strategies for seeing the state. Both books are broken down into geographical regions and much of the information on events, lodging, recreation, food, and services overlap. In full-color and featuring hundreds of photos throughout the pages, a sturdy fold-out map is affixed to the back cover (for driving, you’ll still want to invest in an atlas or official Department of Transportation version. Broken into manageable sections, Wohlforth mixes layman’s terms with useful tips and clever antidotes thought the combined 1000 pages that are his guidebooks.

The Milepost 2011 Alaska Travel Planner, 63rd Edition
Edited by Kris Valencia

Recommended by Jeff Roach, Planning Manager at Alaska.gov, Roach says, “The premier travel book for the Alaska Highway and travel within Alaska that is used by most Alaskans is ‘The Milepost‘ published by Morris Communication Company LLC. I’ve lived in Alaska for more than 30 years and have used ‘The Milepost‘ for many trips back and forth to the Lower 48 and within Alaska. It is considered the ultimate Alaska travel guide because it provides a detailed description of all surface route amenities, activities and sights. I wouldn’t drive to Alaska without ‘The Milepost‘.

Pouring over our own personal copy of The Milepost, the 783 four color pages of maps, itineraries, statistics, history, driving directions, photos, and advertisements, we have pinned the complimentary fold-out highway map to one of the kids’ bedroom walls. Like a department store catalog, the thick magazine-like reference book is designed for flipping, marking, tagging, and otherwise storing with the atlas in the glove box or behind the seat. Concurring with Roach, we wouldn’t leave home without this one.

Oh, Ranger: Alaska’s National Parks

Previously featured in out post on Top 10 Books for a National Park Family Vacation, the little, green Oh, Ranger! guide to Alaska’s National Parks are lightweight, portable, and educational enough for both parents and slightly older kids. Available as a set online, visitors to Alaska can pick up a free copy of Oh, Ranger: Alaska’s National Parks at the Public Lands Information Centers, the Alaska Marine Highway System ferries, the Alaska Railroad, local chambers of commerce and visitor centers, and select hotels.

Travelers bringing their iPhones to Alaska should also check out the newly released (also free) Oh, Ranger! Park Finder mobile app. The app is designed to help outdoor recreation enthusiasts find activities at more than 6,000 national parks, state parks and public lands nationwide.

Frontiers
Joel Jensen

The Alaska Highway provides the backdrop for Frontiers, the remarkable journey of a father and son struggling to find the missing pieces of themselves in a world that seems to hold no future. On their journey in an RV from Los Angeles to Anchorage, the two men find the courage and willingness to mend their relationship.

While this fictional story deals with the underlying issues between the two characters, Jensen uses his experience living and working in Valdez to describe the journey along the Alaska Highway. From vehicle repairs, points of interest, and even the comrade of strangers, Frontiers will put you in the mood to go out and live your great adventure.

Heading out for a road trip this summer, one way to cut down travel costs and keep your family on a healthy diet is to stock up on your favorite snacks. Road Trips for Families attended the 2011 Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, California last month to find the Top 10 road-trip friendly snacks. Our criteria is this: healthy, fun, portable, packable, affordable, non-melt-able snacks your kids will actually eat on a road trip. Sampling our way through one million square feet encompassing 3000 booths and holding 56,000 people (record attendance, by the way), we’ve narrowed down the list to our Top 10.

Granola: LOVE Grown Granola
LOVE Grown Foods

A LOVE story as much as a LOVE for a healthy lifestyle, LOVE Grown Foods is churning out some of the best granola Colorado has to offer. Made from high-quality, all natural, and freely unprocessed ingredients, the granola comes in five flavors (influenced heavily by the chocolate chips, Cocoa Goodness won our informal family taste test). Each granola is made with high-quality, all natural, and freely unprocessed ingredients and each flavor is made with certified gluten-free oats, sweetened with natural honey and agave, toasted to perfection, and then packaged with LOVE in 12 oz re-sealable bags.

Crackers: Sticks & Twigs
Mary’s Gone Crackers

Now, I have to admit the stick-like shape first attracted me to Mary’s Gone Crackers. Snickering at the thought of tricking a squirrel, Sticks & Twigs have a surprisingly light and fluffy taste. Because they are made of whole grains (including brown rice, quinoa, red quinoa, amaranth, and millet) and seeds (including flax, sesame and chia), the organic crackers offer a kosher and gluten-free snack free from trans fats and dairy.

Bars: Clif Kid Zbar Crispy
Clif Bar

Without any high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, trans fats, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives, the CLIF Kid Zbar Crispy’s are surprisingly loaded with flavor. In three flavors for our family’s finicky eaters (peanut butter, chocolate, and chocolate chip), I have to confess eating all of the samples on the flight home. BUT, you can find these organic snacks at grocery stores and co-ops across the country. A close runner up are the CLIF Kid z-fruit ropes made with organic fruit puree (one serving of fruit per 20g rope).

Jerky: Tanka Bites
Native American Natural Foods

With no nitrates or MSG, Tanka Bites are low fat, gluten free and lactose free. Did we mention there’s a dude racing a buffalo on the bag? One glimpse at the packaging, and my boys will think they can take on the entire prairie. A fan of jerkey for any road trip, Tanka Bites offer protein in the form of 100% buffalo meat. Slow roasted with cranberries for a tart edge, Tanka Bites come in a 3 oz. resealable pouch. Campers, put the 100% natural buffalo hot dogs in your cooler before you pack your TP (er, tent).

Nuts: Hail Merry
Hail Merry

There’s nothing like a nut to curb the appetite of a tired, hungry, crabby kid. We like Hail Merry nuts because they are soaked prior to packaging (this activiates the living enzymes and help aid in proper digestion). Not to mention, they’re carefully dehydrated as low temperatures to protect said enzymes and the essential fatty acids. Available in a variety of sizes and assortments Hail Merry nuts are available in recipes appealing to all parts of your palate (from Lemon Thyme Pecans to Vanilla Maple Almonds to Chocolate Macaroons). While you’re there, take a gander at the Merry’s Miracle Tarts. Don’t worry, they won’t last long enough to melt on the dashboard.

Applesauce: GoGo squeeZ
Materne

GoGo squeeZ is applesauce  on the go. Not only are these convenient, re-sealable, portable pouches a no-brainer for a road trip, they’re made without artificial flavors or preservatives and refrigeration is not required. Available five kid-friendly flavors (Apple Apple, Apple Peach, Apple Banana, Apple Strawberry, and Apple Cinnamon), the pouches are available four to a box and in 3.2 oz. servings. For camping or day trips, I would gladly plan ahead and avoid high fructose corn syrup away from home. Approximately the equivalent price of individual fruit at the grocery store (99 cents/pouch is less than the cost of an apple and a banana at the airport, for example), we’re going to do a little squeezing of our own this summer.

Drinks: TummyTicklers and BellyWashers
In Zone Brands

Designed for kids, TummyTicklers and BellyWashers offer 100%  juice (no added sugars, flavors, colors, or preservatives) in 4, 6, and 8 oz. servings. A “special treat” for a road trip, I would gladly let my kids pick a bottle sporting their favorite carton character before heading on vacation. Because the bottles are washable, reusable, and BPA-free, you can keep them filled with water once the juice is gone. Especially on the road and in the summer, keeping your kids hydrated is no small feat. With spill-proof sippy lids, the TummyTicklersTots and TummyTicklers help in the fight against sticky car seats.

Marshmallows: Dandies Vegan Marshmallows
Chicago Soydairy

Calling all campers, this product is for you. Our friends at Chicago Soydairy are re-inventing the marshmallow. The only all-vegan, gelatin free, air-puffed marshmallow available, Dandies can be used in hot cocoa, krispy treats, and (of course!) s’mores. Now, I have to admit purposefully ignoring the list of ingredients on marshmallows in the past, but no more. We will be choosy campers from here on out! Dandies look, feel, and taste like a real marshmallow and my kids wolfed down half a pack for an afternoon snack.

Chips: Beanfields Crispy Licious
Beanfields

A healthier alternative to corn chips, tortilla chips, or potato chips, the clever folks at Beanfields introduce a brand new snack made from US grown black beans, navy beans, and long grain rice. Trust me, these thins are addictive in a good way. Because the chips combine beans and rice, each 1 oz. serving contains 4 grams of complete protein and 4 grams of fiber—your stomach will love the energy from half the amount of food (take that, tortilla chips!). Gluten free and containing no trans fat, the chips are also non-GMO and come in four awesome flavors: naturally unsalted, sea salt, salt & pepper, and pico de gallo. Some finger licking may be required!

Chewies: Ginger Chews
The Ginger People

America’s #1 selling ginger candy, Ginger Chews by The Ginger People are my pick for road trip chewies.  Ginger’s is know for its queasy-quelling properties, Ginger Chews are great to fight off nausea while flying, boating, or going on a bumpy road trip (pregnant moms love them too). In flavors like Original, Spicy Apple, Peanut Butter, Hot Coffee (hello!), the chews are available individually and in samplers and variety packs. To boost your pre-trip immune system, consider Ultra Strength GinGins too.

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.

It’s Spring! There’s not much better than getting the family out to celebrate and enjoy some sunny weather, good food, music and the end of winter. This year’s picks include some funny, some quirky, some silly and some local gems. If you’re looking for more suggestions, try our 2010 Spring Festivals for Family picks. We’d love to hear your favorites too – leave us a comment and a suggestion or too.

The Buzzard Mountain Boys (Photo by Margo Booth)

Bear on the Square Mountain Festival, Dahlonega, GA
April 16-17, 2011

Back in 1995, a black bear cub wandered into the town square in Dahlonega, Georgia. What better way to commemorate the event than to celebrate with BBQ, mountain crafts, and the music of Southern Appalachia? The Bear on the Square Mountain Festival brings musicians from all over to play bluegrass and and join in old-timey jam sessions. Traditional crafts and handmade goodies are peddled at the Mountain Marketplace, but the real attraction for art lovers is the Live Country Auction. A Teddy Bear Picnic, Little Pickers Tent, and a live presentation of “Goldilocks and the Three Bears on the Square” fill out two days of fun for kids.

Washington State Apple Blossom Festival, Wenatchee, WA
April 28-May 7, 2011

One of the biggest spring festivals on the national calendar is the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C., but it’s not baseball, mom, and cherry pie. It’s apple pie, and for a celebration of the Malus domestica we turn our eyes to the other side of the map, to the city of Wenatchee and the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival. This is America’s apple country (well more than 10 billion apples are picked in the state each year), so it seems appropriate to celebrate that heritage. A week of activities include a golf tournament, fun run, square dance, and a rally for Corvette owners. Pepsi sponsors a youth day, local kids participate in an art contest, and everyone will have some fun at the carnival. Food and music, of course, are all part of the mix.

Kidswalk, in conjunction with Artwalk, San Diego, CA
April 30 & May 1, 2011

Held in San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood, Artwalk is one of San Diego’s largest urban art festivals. Kidswalk pairs up local arts organizations with kids, offering them hands-on activities and projects all weekend long. Learn the basics of drawing, make a card for Mother’s Day, join the circus, learn how to weave or any of the other activities especially for kids. The festival features sidewalk performers, hundreds of artists in a variety of mediums, music and other activities.

Community School Strawberry Festival, Roanoke, VI
May 6-7, 2011

It’s pretty self-explanatory. Homemade. From scratch. Strawberry Shortcake. Over 12,000 shortcakes are served at the Community School Strawberry Festival, which benefits Community School. Volunteers prepare all the strawberry treats, serve 600 gallons of strawberry ice cream and visit with regular attendees, some of whom travel across the US to attend. The festival also features family games, entertainment, festival merchandise and crafts.

Tulip Time Festival, Holland, MI
May 7-14, 2011

Immigrants from the western coastal regions of the Netherlands found comforting familiarity on the shores of Lake Michigan where they planted roots in the mid 19th century. Today, more than 150 years later, the residents of Holland, Michigan, celebrate the old country with an annual spring fling: Holland’s Tulip Time Festival. Live music, dinner concerts, and fireworks are all part of this week-long celebration of Dutch culture. Don’t miss Kinderplaats, May 7 and 8, where kids can enjoy Dutch dancing, a petting zoo, and other child-oriented activities.

Great Salt Lake Bird Festival, Farmington, UT
May 16-20, 2011

Join Bill Thompson III, Editor of Bird Watcher’s Digest, in welcoming millions of migratory birds back to Utah at the 13th Annual Great Salt Lake Bird Festival.  The Festival offers “Behind-the-Gates” tours  including birding by bus, van, boat, kayak, and horse-back.  Friday and Saturday programs at the Davis County Events Center include free workshops, artists, booths, vendors, live birds and reptiles, and food for people of all ages.  Saturday, May 14^th also includes youth crafts, activities, and programming.  Visit the festival website for full festival events, programs, and speaker lineup or call 801-451-3286.

Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass Festival, Sevierville, TN
May 20-21, 2011

A free festival, the 2011 Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass festival in Sevierville, TN will draw 50 of the nation’s top BBQ cook teams to compete for $15,000 in cash and prizes in the Bush’s Best TN State Championship Cook Off. Teams will cook chicken, brisket, pork and pork ribs, and three of these teams will be vending competition-quality BBQ (everything from pulled pork sandwiches to full racks of ribs). Kids between the ages of six and sixteen can sign up in advance to compete in the Knoxville TVA Employee’s Kids Burger Cook Off on Friday, May 20. Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass also features free bluegrass concerts from big name entertainers—this year’s headliner is Grammy winner Sam Bush. Kids have a blast in the Kids’ Zone with bounce houses, Eurobungee, old timey games, a Bluegrass music tent (where kids and kids at heart learn to strum a note or two) and more. Not to mention, on May 21, the Mountain Soul Vocal Competition finals will feature competitors from around the nation singing one of the 3,000+ songs written by Dolly Parton in their own style for cash, prizes and a recording session in Nashville.

Mike the Headless Chicken Festival, Fruita, CO
May 20-21, 2011

Join poultry fanatics in beautiful Fruita, Colorado the third weekend in May for the Mike the Headless Chicken Festival. A no brainer for family fun, the event features a car show, live music, chicken dance contest, food and craft vendors, the “Run Like a Headless Chicken” 5K running race, chicken games, eating contests, Mike’s Market and more! Check the website for details on the lawnmower race and how to recommend a model citizen for a “good egg” award!

Houston Art Car Weekend & Parade, Houston, TX
May 22, 2011

Usually held on the second Saturday in May, the Houston Art Car Parade moves to the 22nd in 2011 (one time only) to take advantage of an international museum event being held in Houston. The perfect parade and festival for road trip lovers, the event features art cars — vehicles transformed into works of art. The highlight of a three-day weekend, the parade attracts over 250 vehicles and over 250,000 people who come to witness the entries, which range from unicycles to cars and go-carts to lawnmowers. Local residents blend with recognized artists, and road tripping families come from all over North America to participate in the weekend fun which includes Main Street Drag and the Art Car Ball, known as Houston’s best party.

Lupine Festival, Deer Isle, ME
June 17-19, 2011

To celebrate spring in true New England style, head Down East to Maine’s Penobscot Bay. Cross Eggemoggin Reach to Deer Isle for the annual Lupine Festival. This quiet town ushers in the season—and welcomes the arrival of fields of lupine—with a craft sale, airplane rides, and garden tours. Explore the bay with boat excursions and schooner sailing trips.  A traditional New England rummage sale and quilt show round out the events, which include plenty of activities for families with children.

Eagle Days — St. Louis, Missouri
January 15 & 16

The Chain of Rocks Bridge was constructed in 1929 and became part of historic Route 66 in 1936. Now, one of the world’s longest pedestrian and bicycle bridges, it’s also the site of Eagle Days. During the winter, the bald eagles come to feed on the Mississippi River, and form one of the largest concentrations of the birds in North America. The bridge is prime viewing area, and Eagle Days provides some extra excitement in the form of live educational programs, viewing scopes, full-size eagle’s nest for up close viewing, warming tent (super handy!), living history demonstrations and more.

Tip Up Town – Houghton Lake, Michigan
Last Two Weekends in January

Ask anyone in Michigan to borrow a tip-up and they’ll take you out to the garage looking for a bucket of ice fishing gear. Combining serious sport with wacky fun, Houghton Lake, Michigan has its biggest celebration of the year when most people hibernate or head south for a few months. Tip Up Town (TUT, for short) draws area food vendors, 5K runners, polar bear plungers, parade-goers, and fireworks enthusiasts. If you’re driving in from out of town, most area hotels pull down their “no vacancy” signs the last two weekends in January every year (make your reservation in advance). Chances are if you can’t find a room, you’ll still find a nearby parking spot (many people ride in on snow mobiles or sleds).

Polar Bear Jumpoff and Ugly Fish Toss
Seward, Alaska

There are a number of extreme activities to partake in — but what would you expect for Alaska? First, show your support for the American Cancer Society at the Polar Bear Jumpoff  by dressing in the craziest costume you can think up and then jumping into the 35-degree Resurrection Bay. After your heart is deemed sound and you’re warmed up, enjoy ice bowling, oyster slurping and the Ugly Fish Toss. The family that tosses fish together stays together, right? Start out at close range and then move further away, tossing an ugly salmon between partners. But that’s not all! Pick from a parade, dog-sled races, goofy golf, bed making contest, seafood feed, craft fairs and a dog weight pull to round out the weekend.

St. Paul Winter Carnival – St. Paul, Minnesota
January 27–February 6

In it’s 125th consecutive year, the St. Paul Winter Carnival claims bragging rights to the nation’s oldest running festival. Drawing over 350,000 visitors each year, the Winter Carnival runs in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota for over two consecutive weeks in typically some of the coldest weeks of Minnesota winter. With entire-family events ranging from a parade, dog sled race, giant snow slide, public ice skating and even competitive winter sport, the St. Paul Winter Carnival is probably best known for the ice and snow carving application and the resulting works of art. For the most magic, make sure to visit the Crystal Courtyard and Ecolab Ice Maze at night.

Québec Winter Carnival – Québec City, Québec , Canada
January 28–February 13

Nowhere else in North America will you find a winter festival so grand and so steeped in tradition as the Québec Winter Carnival. It is a northern counterpart to Mardi Gras in New Orleans—both festivals tracing their roots back to the French presence in the New World—and nearly a million visitors participate in the festivities. Presiding over the carnival is Bonhomme Carnaval, a snowman with the traditional red tuque and arrowhead sash. A huge ice palace is built for him in town. There are several elaborate parades, including a night parade with illuminated floats, and die-hard paddlers compete in a canoe race on the St. Lawrence River (this is winter, remember). While there is certainly a party atmosphere surrounding the festival, families will not lack for ways to join in the fun. So put on some red, grab your favorite plastic trumpet, and head north!

Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival – Steamboat Springs, Colorado
February 2–6

You haven’t really taken in all that winter has to offer until you see a 10-year-old being pulled on skis by a horse in full gallop down the main drag of Steamboat Springs. Skijoring, from the Norwegian skikjøring meaning “ski driving,” is just part of the fun at the Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival. This annual festival takes place in Steamboat Springs the first week/weekend in February. Centered around a boggling variety of competitions, the event brings tons of snow to Main Street. The street is lined with snow sculptures as the Steamboat Springs High School Skiing Band glides through town. All of this is capped off with the legendary Lighted Man and an impressive fireworks show. About 5,000 spectators make this a rather intimate festival and preserves Steamboat’s small town charm.

Saranac Lake Winter Carnival
Saranac Lake, New York

First held in 1897, the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival is the oldest winter carnival on the eastern US. The 10-day festival includes two parades and two fireworks presentations over the world-famous Ice Palace. The Ice Palace has its history in the village’s ice industry, and is still constructed the same way it was in 1898. Community members volunteer to construct the palaces, which have a different theme each year. There are also plenty of Nordic sports to keep the kids busy. The Ladies’ Frying Pan Toss is a crowd favorite, as is the Women’s Civic Treasure Hunt. Get out your snowshoes for races and snowshoe softball. The carnival is also famous for their yearly buttons, designed by Saranac Lake resident Garry Trudeau, the Doonesbury creator.

Fish Creek Winter Festival – Door County, Wisconsin
February 4–6

Known for sailing, fish boils, and cranberry season, Door County, Wisconsin is as much a winter-wonderland as it is a summer vacation destination. Crossed with ski trails and snowshoe paths going over the river and through the woods, area residents and winter-hardy visitors have been attending the Fish Creek Winter Festival for the past 24 years. 2011 winter festival events include skiing by candle light, kite making, a soup benefit, parade, music, raffles, a chili cook-off, games, and beer and brats (of course). Designed to be both family-friendly and action packed, a winter weekend in Door County will warm your sun-starved soul. Oh, and you don’t want to miss the world debut of human foosbal (don’t ask, just go).

Bend Winterfest – Bend, Oregon
February 18–20

It takes a week to build the rail jam in Bend’s Old Mill District. Fifty dump trucks bring snow from nearby Mt. Bachelor to create a venue where skiers and snowboarders can compete, surrounded by throngs of weather-braving spectators. The Bend Winterfest draws visitors from all over. There’s a Nordic skiing competition as well as a contest that pits artists who work in ice and snow against each other for cash prizes. The festival’s market features local artists and craftspeople as well as samplings of the town best food and wine. And for families, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (in Portland) brings exhibits to supplement all the fun in the kids’ craft area.

La Fiesta de los Vaqueros — Tucson Rodeo
February 19-27

The world’s longest non-motorized parade draws over 200,000 people each year, and it’s such a big deal in Tucson that schools and many local businesses close so everyone can participate in the celebration. La Fiesta de los Vaqueros (loosely translated “the cowboy festival”) began in 1925 and today the Tucson Rodeo is one of the top 25 professional rodeos in North America. While enjoying the typically warm Tucson weather, take a trip to the Tucson Rodeo Parade Museum. The building was originally home to the first city airport hanger and you can see over 100 buggies and wagons as well as Old West artifacts and western street with shops.

Depending on where you live, you might not be thinking about camping around the holidays. When the snow gets about knee high, our family tends to wimp out on spending a night outdoors. But if you have a camper in the family, this means you’re missing out on a gold mine of ideas. Here’s a short list of some great gear for your family camping adventures. Some of it’s for kids; some for adults. Our only guideline was to find great gifts that would fit in a jumbo holiday sock.

Handy Nighttime Beacons

First introduced to guide hunters back to their blinds in the dark without spooking the game, campers have begun to find numerous uses for TimbukTek’s FireBUGS. These small LED lights are light sensitive and turn themselves on when it gets dark. Leave one near the entrance to your camp and you will be able to follow it back from a midnight run to the outhouse. Better yet, leave a trail of lights to a nearby field and go out stargazing at night without being blinded for 20+ minutes by the glare of flashlights and lanterns. A pack of six (five green and one red) come with 12 batteries. They can be stuck in a tree by an attached pin, or clipped to a branch by an alligator clip. ($24)

Keeping It Light (get it? light?)

Kids like camping gear as much as mom and dad. Get the younger ones excited with their own camping light. The LEGO Head Lamp is a fun option, and because it’s hands-free they’ll spend more time watching where they’re going and less time trying to shine a flashlight in their brother’s eyes. The LED bulb is located in the bottom of the LEGO guy’s foot and can be directed up and down (the leg moves, you see). Made by Play Visions, if you visit their site you will also find a LEGO hand-cranked flashlight and a regular battery-powered flashlight (they call it a “torch”). (Under $15)

Perfect Gift for the Gearhead

When I was a kid, one of the greatest Christmas presents was a Swiss Army Knife, and because I inevitably lost every one, I received several over the years. Times have changed. The Swiss Army Knife is still a classic, but campers these days are have found a replacement in the Leatherman tool. In fact, the Leatherman I keep in my pack today is nearly 20 years old and looks quite dated next to the new Leatherman Skeletool. Lighter and more ergonomic than the original, the blade on the Skeletool can be opened without un-butterflying the entire tool. It may not come with a spoon and plastic toothpick, and it may be a bit pricier than most of the items on this list, but this one will be the classic people remember 30 years from now. (Around $50)

How Do You Improve on a Stick?

Tired of trying to cram cold hot dogs on the end of a stick? Wish you didn’t have to wait for someone to whittle a point thin enough for your fragile marshmallows? Or even worse, have you had enough of long roasting forks that don’t quite fit in any of your camping bins?  In keeping with the theme (that is, gifts small enough to fit in a stocking), I submit for your consideration one of the handiest little camp cooking tools you’ll find—Grandpa’s Fireforks. I can almost guarantee that the look you’ll get when they pull these out of the sock won’t be the ones you record for the scrapbook. Instead, their expressions will likely say, “Huh? You gave me wire?” But clip these wires on the end of any stick and you have an instant roasting fork. Dainty enough for making s’mores and sturdy enough to roast a fish, the Fireforks weigh next to nothing and can go anywhere.  The company that makes these also sells a unique Spork—the only one I’ve seen that has both a complete fork and spoon, plus a cutting edge. (Under $5)

Oh No!  Socks?

Giving people socks for Christmas gets a bad rap. Frankly, I wish I received SmartWool socks every year (eh-hem, hint?). For people who love the outdoors, there are few socks as comfortable. SmartWool socks have an elasticized arch and no obtrusive seam at the toe. The company offers whole lines for different activities. I prefer the light hiking for day-to-day, but in colder weather the medium weight hiking sock does the trick. These socks are such a treat, that when we travel we will often use our “fun money” to buy a couple pair. ($25+)

Help Them Get Their Bearings

GPS receivers are all the rage these days. And while they may be great for geocaching, the experts all say that when you’re on the trail GPS is useless unless you know the basics of orienteering. And there’s no better way to get a handle on backwoods navigation than learning to use a compass. Personally, I like a compass a mirrored compass—it’s a little easier to line up with landmarks, and the cover protects the compass when it’s bouncing around in your pack. The Brunton 15TDCL is a nice choice, but there are others out there. These are sold online through the Brunton site or REI.

A good compass is a tool, and good tools should be used. Most states have somewhat active orienteering communities. A little like geocaching, orienteering competitions pit teams and individuals against each other in a race to navigate over unfamiliar terrain with just a map, a compass, and a list of bearings to guide them. This is a great activity to do with kids. Teaches them solid skills and gets the whole family outside. And just think, it can all start with a stocking on Christmas morning. ($40+)

A Holiday with all the Bells & Whistles

There’s a lot to be said for having a whistle in your pack when heading into the great outdoors. Small, light-weight, and easy to tuck into a knapsack, a good whistle can pack a wallop. In situations that call for you to be loud, really loud (scaring away a bear or signaling a distant search party), there’s no better tool. And they’ve proven handy in numerous travel situations as well. (For three unexpected uses see Jodi Ettenberg’s post, My Safety Whistle: Worth its Weight in Gold, on LegalNomads.com.)

You can find Fox 40 safety whistles at many outdoor retailers. REI sells them online. Unlike the whistles used for sports (remember those shiny nickel-plated brass numbers with the pea in the chamber?), Fox 40 safety whistles are “pea-less.” That means they work when wet. Cheap as far as gifts go, this might be the one that proves invaluable. (Around $5)

Dining in Style

Titanium sporks are nice when you’re ultralight backpacking, but when car camping as a family you can afford to carry a few luxuries. To-Go Ware’s RePEaT Utensil Sets are made from bamboo. (The carrier is made of recycled plastic.) This green alternative to disposable plastic flatware was designed to last. A carabiner on the back keeps the utensils handy. Also a nice way to class up a picnic, or whenever you’re eating on the run. (Under $13)

Go Ahead and Sleep In—This Coffee Almost Makes Itself

Not everyone likes a cup of coffee in the morning when camping, but those who do like it hot and they like it early. Save time with Starbucks VIA Coffee. The brewmeisters at Starbucks worked on this for years. This isn’t Maxwell House or Sanka (though they do have a decaffeinated option). This stuff is the real deal—and all you have to do is boil some water and pour it in. There are no grounds to clean up, no pot to wash. Just rinse your cups and you’re good to go.  Starbucks instant comes in single-serve packets. The shop offers different flavors, including seasonal blends. (About $1/cup)

A Little Prep for Summer

For some folks the prospect of taking the kids to the mall is overwhelming—so the thought of pitching a tent at a campground for a weekend outdoors is enough to send them screaming. Some families don’t have a tradition of camping to draw on to guide their experience; others went camping all the time, but because their parents did all the work, they missed out on some of the nuts and bolts? Whatever the story, Goldie Gendler Silverman has written the perfect guide for parents: Camping with Kids (Wilderness Press). The book touts itself as “the complete guide to car, tent, and RV camping,” and Silverman has packed it full of good advice, from planning what to make for dinner to packing the days with unforgettable activities. ($13)

In autumn, families like to get outside to catch hold of the last few warm moments before the sun follows the snowbirds south. Folks bundle up on bleachers at high school marching band competitions, try and take a Saturday to see their favorite college football team play, or they toss the kids in the car and head out to the local orchard. Earlier in the year, this was mostly about apples, but with Halloween around the corner, corn mazes have turned haunted, and the u-pick apple hayrides now make a stop at the pumpkin patch.

While apples are at the heart of the fun, cider and doughnuts (cinnamon and sugar, please) are the real draw. So much so, many places forgo the orchard altogether and just sell the essentials, pressing their own cider and cranking up the doughnut machine. Here are our picks for the top ten apple orchards and cider mills in the state of Michigan. Be sure to let us know if we missed your favorite—there’s still some season left and we’ll want to make a visit.

Westview Orchards and Cider Mill (Romeo, MI)
Less than 2 miles south of Romeo, and within spitting distance of Van Dyke, Westview Orchards lets you know up front what you’re in for. The official name is Westview Orchards & Adventure Farm. While many orchards use special attractions to keep people on site to buy more apples and cider, Westview has created an all-out autumnal carnival. This is the kind of place that sells season tickets ($35/child, $25/adult). While no Cedar Point (or even a Ferris wheel for that matter), the place offers tons of activities, from straw mountains and corn mazes to an elaborate obstacle course and the “Three Black Holes” illusion. Just visiting for the day, tickets will run you $8.50. But don’t forget the cider and doughnuts, or their delicious apple pies. Fall Family Weekends run until the end of October.

Spicer Orchards Farm Market & Cider Mill (Fenton, MI)
Just off M-23 in Fenton you will find one of the nicest apple orchards in the state for an autumn weekend out with the family. They have a nice balance here—quality fruit, a farm market store with plenty of Michigan-made treats, and lots for kids to do. There’s a petting zoo, play area, corn maze, bounce houses, and hayrides. The farm is open all summer selling seasonal fruit and veggies, but it is in the fall when all the activities are kicked into high gear and the crowds descend en masse. Spicer’s “Fall Festival Weekends” run until the end of October.

Yates Cider Mill (Rochester Hills, MI)
The Yates Cider Mill began back in 1863 as the Yates Grist Mill. A decade or so later, the Yates family added a cider mill and began pressing apples for local growers. Still powered by water, the operation at Yates is worth a visit just to see how the old ways are sometimes the best ways. Serving great cider and doughnuts, they also have pony rides and a petting zoo. But the real fun is watching the production of cider, from the water wheel that powers the mill to the pulp car that removes pulp by way of a train track. Yates is open year round (there’s an ice cream shoppe for warmer weather), but the pony rides are just available on fall weekends.

Jollay Orchards (Coloma, MI)
Southwest Michigan is a fruit growers paradise. It’s Michigan’s original wine country (before the benefits of the 45th parallel up north were exploited for their exceptional whites). Some fine wines are produced here, but much of the region’s grapes go toward making jelly and juice. Apple growers also benefit from the area’s sandy soil and climate-tempering proximity to Lake Michigan. Jollay Orchards in Coloma is a product of the land’s plentitude. In September and October, weekends celebrate their Harvest Festival. Kids and adults both pay just $6.50 for a corn maze, animal farm, haunted house, and (new this year) a Ferris wheel.  Hayrides take you back to the apple orchard and pumpkin patch. The farm market sells doughnuts and appley treats like pies and dumplings.

Almar Orchards & Farm (Flushing, MI)
Jim Koan’s outfit west of Flint near the small community of Flushing offers more than just the usual fall fun, though it does have that. You can use a visit to Almar to teach kids something about organic farming and sustainability. The farm uses pigs and hens to provide fertilization while maintaining the usual pests. Take the wagon ride back to the apple trees and you find a much different orchard than other places. There’s a bit of a wild look about the place. For the adults, Almar produces the best hard cider around. Bring home a bag of apples, maybe some doughnuts for the kids, but don’t forget a case of J. K.’s Scrumpy for yourself. The store is open 7 days a week, year round (except holidays). The petting zoo is open during the week in October, hayrides on the weekends through October.

Robinette’s Apple Haus & Winery (Grand Rapids, MI)
Grand Rapids has something special in Robinette’s. Their Apple Haus serves up great cider and doughnuts, but also has a small lunch counter and baked goods. The corn maze is pretty elaborate, and families like the hayride. Mountain bikers should take a spin on their complex twist of mtb trails ($3/day). And the winery makes fruit wines and a decent hard cider. The autumn activities are open through the end of October. The Apple Haus and Winery are open year round.

Friske Orchards (Ellsworth, MI)
Located in the unincorporated community of Atwood, between Eastport and Charlevoix, Friske’s makes a perfect pit stop for travelers trekking up and down US 31. Known for fantastic cherry doughnuts (which unfortunately may or may not be available before noon), Friske’s has a decent farm market, a mess of gift shops, and a small dining area for folks to enjoy their doughnuts. The orchard puts on Fall Fun Saturdays throughout October (they’re always closed on Sundays). A little ways south, be sure to stop at Royal Farms down the street for excellent pies and other apple goodies.

Knaebe’s Mmmunch Krunchy Apple Farm (Rogers City, MI)
You don’t find many apple orchards in northeast Michigan. In fact, Knaebe’s is the only one I know of, and frankly, they deserve a mention for just the chutzpah it takes to try and grow fruit on this side of the state. I mean, there’s a lot working against them up here. That said, they offer a huge variety of apples—from the usual Gala and Jona-golds to classic Northern Spy to the newly discovered Rip Van Runkel—perfect for pies, tarts, and or simply taking a cheek-dripping crunchy bite. They also sell doughnuts and pies. Open Oct through Nov 24, every day but Mondays.

Historic Parshallville Grist Mill (Fenton, MI)
A few miles north of Spicer’s Orchards in Fenton, the Historic Parshallville Grist Mill opens its doors every fall to sell cider and spiced doughnuts. Local apples are brought in and pressed on site. The cider remains unpasteurized. (For purists, this is special treat. For parents, young children should probably stick with the cider at Spicer’s.) There’s hardly a weekend when the line isn’t creeping out the front door. Thankfully, they’re open daily into mid-November.

While planning a road trip to any of America’s National Parks, many people read up on the subject. Especially for families visiting a National Park with kids in tow, research is key to getting the most out of your visit. From collecting coins to selecting lodging and finding wildlife, here are 10 kid-friendly books to get the entire family in on the action.

Teddy’s Travels, America’s National Parks

“Winner of a ForeWord Book of the Year Award and also a Benjamin Franklin Award, Teddy’s Travels™ is a travel guide to the National Parks written for children. Join Tedrick de Bear™ as he travels across the United States by way of the National Parks and Monuments. Filled with full color photographs and graphics designed to engage, Teddy’s Travels takes the reader on a fun filled ‘Venture™ with first hand information, web addressees, journal pages and scavenger hunts. Kids of all ages will learn how to visit a National Park from Visitor Center to wilderness hike. Teddy’s Travels is all about learning, through experiencing, about the world around us. The 128-page book has pages for photographs, places for young travelers to write, and lots of room to
collect stamps.” Bring along your favorite stuffed-animal and let the kids create a Teddy’s Travels adventure of their own.

National Parks with Kids

“Family travel experts Paris Permenter and John Bigley have narrowed the tons of options available and bring you the top 21 family-oriented national parks in our just-released ‘Open Road’s Best National Parks with Kids.’ You’ll get great family-friendly lodging ideas, expert advice on viewing wildlife (and taking memorable photos!), insider tips on Junior Ranger programs, top attractions and activities outside the parks, and travel planning tips perfect for the whole family.” Available on Amazon.com, you can save some money (and experience free shipping within the U.S.) if you order directly from Open Road Guide online.

Mapping the Future of America’s National Parks

“From Alaska’s wilderness to the Florida Keys, the park service increasingly relies on geographic information systems (GIS) to work more efficiently and make better, more informed decisions. Packed with maps, full-color illustrations, and other graphics, Mapping the Future of America’s National Parks describes how the National Park Service uses GIS in everything from trail building, wildlife protection, and archaeology to managing wildfires, monitoring park health, and studying human impacts on wilderness.” An important topic to have with children, what better place is there for a discussion on planet change than at a National Park. If you geocache, this book might appeal to the geek in you too.

The Complete Guide to the National Park Lodges

Perhaps one of the best ways to make the most of a trip to a National Park is to eat, stay, sleep, and play there. Get out of your car; just don’t drive through. The Complete Guide to the National Park Lodges is an “insider’s guide to finding the best lodges throughout the United States—and to securing a reservation well in advance to beat the crowds. The authors, national park experts who have crisscrossed the country many a time, tell readers how to leave behind the hassles and headaches and make trip planning painless. Having visited nearly every national park area and lodge in America, they share their sage advice on how to choose a lodge that will best suit the taste and needs of an individual or, indeed, a family.” From luxurious inns to rustic cabins, you’ll find firsthand information about the properties, room rates, maps, phone numbers, and even beautiful illustrations. Order this book before your trip and use it as a planning tool.

Oh, Ranger! True Stories from our National Parks

Described as a great campfire read, the Oh, Ranger! True Stories from our National Parks book is a “collection of exciting stories told directly by National Park rangers [that] provides an insider’s view into the most beautiful and culturally significant treasures in America. Stories include everything from animal encounters to fire fighting and search and rescue missions.”

Oh, Ranger! Guides

Also available from the Oh, Ranger! publishers are the Oh, Ranger! Guides. Priced at only $19.95, the set of 23 guides are valuable planning tools and lightweight enough to carry along on a camping or hiking trip in the park. Family-friendly features include a Watchable Wildlife section with photos and descriptions of animals that live in the park, as well as a “Just For Kids” chapter, which outlines kid-focused activities and provides information about park Junior Ranger programs. A handy Walking & Hiking chart helps parents quickly identify which trails are appropriate for their family and an illustrated Lodging & Dining chart makes hotel reservations a no-brainer. The guides also include Sights to See and Things to Do chapters, as well as information about trip planning, camping, park history, preservation and geology, and advice on what to do if you’ve only got a day in the park. Available as a complete set online, you can order directly from the Oh, Ranger! website (or just look for the guides locally at visitor centers, AAAs, outdoor retailers and Chambers of Commerce across the country and especially in communities located near National Parks).

National Parks, The American Experience

In its fourth edition, National Parks, The American Experience continues to be a favorite National Parks read for families across the country. Author Alfred Runte “takes us from Yosemite and Yellowstone to Alaska on a journey of discovery of the American land. Also a prominent adviser and on-camera personality in the Ken Burns documentary, The National Parks: America’s Best Idea, Runte reminds us what it means to have national parks in a country equally committed to economic achievement.” Reminding us of our role as global citizens, the book also reminds us that in order to carry the vision of the National Parks into the future, we must teach our children to love them too.

Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader Plunges Into National Parks

The Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader series is the longest running trivia series of its kind with over ten million books in print. Now in its 23^rd year, it is more popular than ever before with a cult-like following on facebook and Twitter. Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader Plunges Into National Parks is filled with all kinds of trivia, tidbits and morsels including: “the ranger who was struck by lightning seven times, the lonely phone booth in the Mojave Desert, petrified rocks, moving rocks, and rock stars, the “bear” necessities of animal encounters, outrageous questions tourists ask park rangers and wardens, and much much more!” A fun read to get your kids engaged in the trip before you arrive, let’s face it, toilet humor is funny even when it’s about the National Parks.

Adventure Across The National Parks

Proponents of the “find all 50 license plates” game, Adventure Across the National Parks, is another fun road trip activity. Designed for the U.S. Mint’s new “America the Beautiful” national park quarters, running from 2010 through 2021 (56 in all: one for each state, district and territory), “this book tells you about every national park, landmark, forest, and other site honored on these fun coins. You’ll also learn about other coins you can collect. Plus how to grade your coins, how to protect and display your collection.” With 10 more years before the last coin rolls off the press, you can have fun learning about the National Parks and collect state quarters in the mean time.

The National Park Architecture Sourcebook

Number 10 on the list, The National Park Architecture Sourcebook focuses on man’s thumbprint throughout our National Park System. The book “takes readers on an architectural tour of the remarkable variety of man-made structures that dot the landscapes of [the] spectacular mountains, valleys, deserts, and coastlines. Organized by region, The National Park Architecture Sourcebook is unique and comprehensive guidebook to America’s most significant historic park-based architectural treasures. Kaiser leads readers beyond the rustic lodges of Yellowstone and Yosemite found in typical guide books to those special places where history, form, and natural beauty have combined to create moments of architectural magic or enduring symbols of patriotism and heroic action such as the Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore, the Lincoln Memorial, Fort Sumter, and the USS Arizona.”

KeyLime Cove

Winter, oh winter. Snow pants, mittens, frost bite, and indoor water parks. Bracing for a six month visit from Jack Frost, here are some indoor water parks to keep your mental health going strong. In no particular order, leave a comment if you have a favorite to add to the list.

KeyLime Cove

KeyLime Cove Indoor Waterpark Resort in Gurnee, IL has a splash-tacular environment for all ages. We have our 65,000 square feet indoor water park with 5 large slides, our pineapple playground with slides water toys and a giant pineapple that splashes are key-wees with lots of water! We have 6 different food outlets to choose from (2 sit down restaurants, 3 concessions areas, and a coffee and confectionary area). Plus we have Leapin Lizards activities area that plans may all of our fun-nominal entertainment and activities that all of our guests may enjoy! Some of these fun-tubular activities are scavenger hunts, tea parties, guitar hero tournaments, DJ dance parties, movies, crafts, games and so much more! Also, Paradise Mist Spa at KeyLime Cove Resort features a tropical ambiance in a boutique setting with private treatment rooms, and well-appointed locker and shower rooms. The expansive two-story spa gives resort attendees, as well as the general public, a tropical place to unwind and rejuvenate.

Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort

Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort

The Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort in the Wisconsin Dells is America’s Largest Waterpark Resort with over 500,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor waterparks. The resort was recently featured on the Travel Channel’s Extreme Resorts show and it offers endless fun for families in its 4 indoor and 4 outdoor waterparks. Popular attractions include the country’s largest indoor wave pool capable of generating waves up to 5 feet tall located in the Wild WaterDome which features a UV Permeable roof so you can tan indoors year round. Other popular water attractions include a meandering lazy river, the Hurricane Thrill Ride, Black Hole Thrill Ride, Haley’s Comet Thrill Ride and multiple indoor/outdoor hot spas. Dry attractions include zip lining; 27 holes of indoor 3-D black light mini-golf; 3 mega arcades; lazer tag; a 35,000 4-story play park with ball blasters, slides and crawl space; outdoor go-karts; outdoor mini golf; paint your own pottery; 18 holes of championship golf; 9 holes of family golf and more!

CoCo Key

CoCo Key Water Resorts

With locations in Rockford, IL, Omaha, NE, Kansas City, MO, Cincinnati, OH, Columbus, OH, Danvers, MA, Fitchburg, MA, Waterbury, CT, Mt. Laurel, NJ, and Orlando, FL CoCo Key Water Resorts offer affordable family getaways that feature a whimsical water park, state-of-the-art arcade, and splashing good times all specially designed for youngsters in a safe and friendly environment. A typical water park in the portfolio features between 50,000-65,000 sq ft of aquatic fun with three or four thrilling adventures slides; Parrot’s Perch–an interactive Play Island; the Coconut Grove Adventure River (a “lazy river”); a Dip-In theater that includes a wading pool with slides for little swimmers under 48″ along with a large sail screen that displays movies and shows; and the Coral Reef Cavern activity pool.

Hope Lake Lodge

Hope Lake Lodge

Hope Lake Lodge and Indoor Waterpark, located in New York’s scenic Finger Lakes region, is a four seasons resort perfect for families of all ages. Opened in December 2009, this northwoods-style resort features all the best amenities, Waterfalls Spa, two restaurants, an arcade, and of course Cascades Indoor Waterpark. The waterpark includes a wave pool, tube slides, a 500 gallon deluge bucket, hot tubs, an activity tower, and a unique heated outdoor pool that can be used year-round. Just outside the resort, there are 32 trails of varying terrain for skiers and snowboarders. Families will love the children’s programs and lessons to accommodate every level of skier.

Great Wolf Lodge, Niagra Falls

Great Wolf Lodge, Niagra Falls

Niagara Falls and water thrills go hand-in-hand. But at Great Wolf Lodge Niagara Falls we make it a little more family friendly. As one of Canada’s largest indoor waterparks, Great Wolf Lodge Niagara Falls offers rides safe for the little ones, as well as some thrilling water slides and water coasters (like the Niagara Rapids Run). See a list of rides and activities here. The Lodge even offers family friendly events for Halloween and the holidays (including a life-sized gingerbread house where families can dine).

Wilderness af the Smokies

Wildnerness at the Smokies

Wilderness at the Smokies, located minutes from Interstate 40 and situated in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, is establishing a new standard for athletic competitions, conferences, conventions and meetings in East Tennessee.  While staying at Wilderness at the Smokies resort, guests can swim, surf and splash in the waves in 84-degree weather all year because of the five-acre indoor waterpark. In fact, with two 18-hole golf courses, two outdoor waterparks, an indoor waterpark with a wave pool and surf rider, hot tubs, and countless waterslides and attractions, Wilderness at the Smokies has something for all age groups.

Castaway Bay

Castaway Bay

A member of the Cedar Point Amusement Park family, Castaway Bay in Sandusky, OH is a Caribbean-themed indoor waterpark resort featuring a lush, year-round tropical paradise for the whole family. Inside this elaborate enclosed waterpark there’s a five-story wet play structure, wave pool and water roller coaster surrounded by palm trees, huts and inland lagoons.  There is also an arcade, craft and child activity center, three restaurants, day spa and fitness center. Kids can meet Snoopy and the Peanuts gang while participating in several activities throughout the day including a dance party and family movie time. Members of the free Birthday Club can receive a free day of play. Castaway Bay is the perfect family getaway and features 237 hotel rooms and suites including family-oriented units.

Rocking Horse Ranch

Rocking Horse Ranch

Rocking Horse Ranch, in Highland NY, has four pools, six waterslides, 75 activities, and 105 horses!  Their Big Splash Indoor Waterpark features four Wet n’ Wild Indoor Water Slides, a Water Walk Challenge, Geysers, Dumping Buckets,Interactive Fountains and even a Mining Town Aqua Station just for  little ones! This Triple A 3 diamond-rated family resort includes all meals, activities, children’s programs and nightly entertainment. Family owned and operated for 52 years (1958-2010).  The most fun your family ever had! Just 90 minutes from mid-town Manhattan.

Great Wolf Lodge, Greater Williamsburg

Great Wolf Lodge, Greater Williamsburg

A fantastic place to visit with the whole family this winter is the Great Wolf Lodge in Greater Williamsburg, VA. Upon arrival, guests to the Great Wolf Lodge receive wristbands, allowing them unlimited access to the 55,000-square-foot “Bear Track Landing,” one of the larger indoor waterparks in the country. From Fort Mackenzie, the four-story interactive treehouse water fort that provides twelve levels of super-soaking fun with suspension bridges and a 1,000 gallon soaker bucket, to River Canyon Run, where the entire family can pack into a raft and head down one of the park’s signature slides, to Howlin’ Tornado, where four people can “drop” into a six-story funnel, this park provides excitement and fun for all ages. Little ones can enjoy the Cub Paw Pool with the no-slip surface and spray-and-play features of the kiddie pool.  Comfort is key, as the temperature of both water and air is maintained at about 84 degrees, its extremely clean, and there are always plenty of freshly laundered towels available for guests’ use.

Silver Mountain

Silver Mountain

Silver Mountain is a year-round resort conveniently located in Kellogg, Idaho just off I-90–an hour east of Spokane, WA and 30 minutes east of Coeur d’Alene, ID.The resort is home to Silver Rapids, Idaho’s largest indoor waterpark. We’ve taken weather out of the equation by creating a perfect 84 degree, football field-sized indoor waterpark to splash, swim and surf!  Visitors can take a wide-eyed ride on seven wild waterslides including a family raft adventure, relax in the Lazy River as it meanders around the park, or splash and slide in our island tree house.  Our Flowrider® continuous surf wave is perhaps the most popular attraction.  In addition to Silver Rapids, Silver Mountain offers fantastic skiing and snowboarding on 73 runs on 1,600 acres of terrain which receive in excess of 300” of light fluffy powder each year.  In the warmer months, Silver is Bike Country USA™ due the hundreds of miles of bike trails that traverse the mountains, rivers and valleys and is home to Galena Ridge, a mountain  golf course masterpiece that opened in June, 2010.

WaTiki Indoor Waterpark

WaTiki Indoor Waterpark Resort

The WaTiki Indoor Waterpark Resort in Rapid City, SD, covers 30,000 square feet. It’s the largest indoor water park in the five-state area. It has a retractable glass roof that allows guests to enjoy the nice weather and feel tropical when it’s cold outside. Features include water slides, the Koko’s Kingdom play area for young kids, the big Monkey Bucket and the Lazy River, which designed for the whole family.  Probably the most popular water feature is the Superbowl Slide. It looks like a giant hubcap, and the circling current takes riders to the doorway at the center, where they drop out of sight into a waterslide. WaTiki adjoins two hotels, the La Quinta Inn & Suites and the Fairfield Inn & Suites. Hotel guests get WaTiki discount tickets.

Kahuna Laguna Indoor Waterpark

Kahuna Laguna Indoor Water Park

Kahuna Laguna Indoor Water Park, Red Jacket Mountain View Resort, North Conway, NH—With a water park heated to 82 degrees year round, Kahuna Laguna offers warm-weather fun with a three-story slide tower (two body slides, two tube slides), wave pool, super-sized hot tub, water cannons, rope bridge, and water-based basketball court. The “Little Kahuna” area is suited for the smallest visitors (under 48 inches) with a 9-inch-deep pool, smaller slides, water toys and baby bouncers. A snack bar and arcade make the 40,000-square-foot site a full-service fun park; all part of Red Jacket Mountain View Resort.

Kalahari Resort

Kalahari Resort, Sandusky, Ohio

You’re in for the time of your life with everything under one roof at Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, OH. Surf indoors 365 days a year or take on the Master Blaster uphill water rollercoaster at America’s Largest Indoor Waterpark. Spa Kalahari, The Reserve Restaurant & Bar, Pottery Pizzazz, Candy Hut, Ivory Coast Lounge, Great Karoo Marketplace Restaurant, Zakanaka Imports, Madagascar Indoor Mini Golf and so much more! No matter what the weather is outside, you can splish-splash all day long indoors at Kalahari. Catch some rays at Kalahari’s outdoor pool complex from Memorial Day to Labor Day (weather permitting). Once you cross over the bridge, you’ll feel “A World Away ®.” Call for day pass information.

BUT WAIT, there’s more.

Before you dig out the swim trunks, here are links to some of the water parks Road Trips for Families has visited (and reviewed) this year. In Wisconsin, we visited the Blue Harbor Resort and Conference Center. In Michigan, we visited the Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City. Poke around the site, and you’ll also find outdoor water park reviews from California to Illinois and a bunch of places in between . Jump in!

Fall is festival season, and harvest and foodie celebrations take place all over the country. So, what festivals are really road trip worthy for the family? It was particularly hard to pick only 10 favorites this year, and we welcome any comments about your favorites that might not be on our list. We’ll definitely research them for next year’s list. If you head out to enjoy one (or more) of these festivals, our editors suggest turning the day into a weekend road trip. Stop to pick out a pumpkin or visit an apple orchard while touring the region. These festivals all received top honors not only for their world-class schedules and amenities (or downright bizarre offerings) but because they make for excellent road trips in the fall. Enjoy!

California Avocado Festival
October 1-3, 2010
Carpinteria, California
Taking place just south of Santa Barbara, the California Avocado Festival is everything the state food ambassador’s festival should be. One of the largest festivals in the state, and still taking place in the heart of downtown, the festival will serve over 100,000 people avocado delights ranging from ice cream to everyone’s favorite — guacamole. The avocado is native to California and over 90% of all US avocados still grow here. Learn more in the Avocado Expo Tent or just let the kids have fun at the Kids Block Party while contestants vie for “Best Guacamole” and “Largest Avocado”. Admission is free.

RiverRocks
October 1-10, 2010
Chattanooga, Tennessee
RiverRocks is a fun and very family-friendly outdoor festival that celebrates the Tennessee Valley’s “incomparable natural resources” and all of the activities that happen in this outdoor wonderland. Pick from rock climbing, trail running, kayaking, rowing, cycling, off-road biking, hiking and hang gliding for both expert and novice competitors as well as casual participants of all ages. The 10-day event will also feature entertainment such as live music, hot air balloons, river cruises and more. The added bonus is the focus on conservancy and stewardship of the land, with the goal of redistributing half of all money collected to organizations dedicated to preserving these outdoor spaces.

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
October 2-10, 2010
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Reputed to be the most photographed event in the world, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the granddaddy of all balloon events. Over 600 balloons take off in the mass ascensions, and the entire festival is one of the most family friendly in the world. Kids can run and play on the grassy field after stuffing themselves with any kind of food imaginable. There are educational events and activities and the Balloon Glow at night (the balloons stay tethered on the field and burn their propane simultaneously) is followed by a fireworks display worthy of mention at any big city 4th of July. The special shapes come alive at the “Glowdeos” — an event your kids will never forget.

West Side Nut Club Fall Festival
October 3-9, 2010
Evansville, Indiana
Almost 90 years old, the West Side Nut Club’s Fall Festival is one of the largest festivals in the region.Take your pick of parades (pet parade, nighttime luminary parade and grand finale parade on Saturday afternoon), talent shows, a huge midway and carnival ride area, daily and nightly entertainment and over 120 food booths run by local churches and non-profit groups who keep all of the proceeds from this fund raising event.  The food is the main attraction with everything from the traditional corn dog and bratwurst to items like alligator-on-a-stick and fried Oreo cookies.  Homemade cobblers, ice cream, kuckens, corn fritters and chicken & dumplings abound as do the more exotic dishes like craw fish etouffee, crab Rangoon and Chai tea.  Each year, the search begins for the most unique item to be offered.  Past winners include scorpion on a stick (with, yes, a real scorpion inside), deep fried dandelions and elk jerky.  Who knows what will be offered this year!  Admission is free.

Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival
October 7-9, 2010
Helena, Arkansas
The Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival, formerly known as the King Biscuit Blues Festival, is one of the nation’s foremost showcases of blues music. Held for three days annually in October, tens of thousands of blues enthusiasts converge on historic downtown Helena to hear stirring and uplifting performances of an American art form on the banks of the Mississippi River. Founded in 1986, the first festival was a one-day event, with a small gathering of local residents and a flatbed truck as a stage. Since then, the festival has grown to a three-day event, with three stages and several activities, such as the Kenneth Freemyer 5K Run, the Blues in Schools program, and the Tour da’ Delta bicycle tour. For this year’s event, the festival’s 24th anniversary, ABHF officials have projected attendance figures of around 65,000.

Bridge Day
October 15-17, 2010
New River Gorge, West Virginia
The state’s largest festival, Bridge Day is the largest extreme sports event in the world and celebrates big parties, big bridges and BASE jumping with a little zip lining and funnel cake eating tossed in for good measure. The New River Gorge is about 345 million years old, and might be the oldest river in North America. In the 85 miles of New River in West Virginia there’s about 850 feet of drop in elevation. Meaning? Whitewater! The bridge is 876 feet tall and serves as the launch point for six hours of safe and legal BASE jumps. Events take place around the region, from foodie to quilt to parades. Take a Down Under Tour to go into the gorge and watch from the bottom as rappellers and BASE jumpers leap the 876 feet.

World Championship Punkin’ Chunkin’
November 5-7, 2010
Nassau, Delaware
More than 20,000 people come to see science nerds hurl pumpkins through the air for bragging rights and to raise money for charity. Watch on the Science Channel (tape delayed, shown on Thanksgiving) if you can’t visit the festival in person, but nothing beats seeing this in person. Very family-friendly, the only fatality at the event was a duck, killed when he (she?) was hit with a pumpkin shot from a pneumatic cannon. This is a fantastic way to get your kids interested in science and learn more effective techniques for your own chunkin at the same time.

Giant Omelette Celebration
November 6 & 7, 2010
Abbeville, Louisiana
This family oriented event, including a kids world, kicks off Saturday morning with a charity walk through Historic Downtown Abbeville. Kick back in Abbeville’s Magdaline Square with its majestic oaks and old fashioned gazebo for the 2 day Arts & Craft Show and then grab your seat early for Sunday afternoon’s procession of chefs, eggs and bread to the giant 12-foot skillet where fun and follie are the order of day for those preparing the “5000 Egg” Giant Omelette. There’s also an egg cracking contest, antique cars, and of course, Louisiana music and dancing.

Wooly Worm Festival
October 16 & 17, 2010 (always 3rd weekend)
Banner Elk, North Carolina
Since 1978, the residents of Banner Elk, Sugar Mountain and Beech Mountain villages have celebrated the coming of the snow season with The Woolly Worm Festival to determine which worm will have the honor of predicting the severity of the coming winter.  That worm earns the honor by winning the final of many hard fought races up a three-foot length of string set on the main stage.  Yes, really. The Wooly Worm is a caterpillar that has 13 brown and black segments that apparently correspond to the 13 weeks of winter. (Who knew?) The lighter brown a segment is, the milder that week of winter will be. The darker black a segment is, the colder and snowier the corresponding week will be.  The winner of the final heat becomes the survivor of the fittest and is used for prognasticating (family-friendly term for caterpillar love).  The farmers have apparently done this for decades. If you lose interest in the worm races (or your worm gets kicked out before prognasticating), you’ll also find a Wooly Worm Ball, great food, a “woad wace” (don’t ask), live entertainment, and lots of arts and craft vendors.

Chitlin’ Strut
November 27, 2010
Salley, North Carolina
What’s a chitlin’ anyway? If you don’t know, you probably don’t want to know. Just focus on your hawg calling. Celebrating parts of the pig like only the South can, the Chitlin’ Strut also features a beauty pageant, Christmas Parade, chitlin eating contest and the aforementioned hawg calling. Practice your squealing like a pig in the car on the way to the festival and see how your family stacks up against the professionals. Just so you know, over 187,000 pounds of chitlin have been consumed since the festival started in the 1960′s, with over 10,000 pounds currently being served at each year’s festivities.