Attractions

Third Monday Trade Days in McKinney, Texas

Once a month, McKinney, Texas hosts the oldest and largest monthly trade days/flea market in north Texas. It has its origins over 100 years ago when judges used to ride a circuit to preside over court proceedings once a month. In Collin County, the judge came the third Monday of every month, and residents would gather and eventually began to trade.  This is how Third Monday Trade Days got its start and its name.

With over four hundred vendors now, you can shop for anything imaginable such as home decor, gifts, clothing, small animals, tools, antiques, collectibles and so much more.

Visitors will find parking easy for $3, and admission to the market is free. There are clean restrooms, two ATMs, plenty of concessions, and cart, wagon or stroller rentals.

Bird Houses

Even if you don’t feel like spending money, there is so much to see at this local open-air market, and the family-friendly atmosphere is a great opportunity for kids to see what local artisans make and sell as well.

Third Monday Trade Days is open year round from 8am to 5pm on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday before the third Monday of every month.

Train at Children's Museum at Yunker Farm, Fargo, ND

by Linda (minnemom) of Travels with Children

When traveling with kids, it’s important to find interesting places that help break up the trip.  Even though we’ve driven through Fargo for years, it wasn’t until recently that I learned that they had a children’s museum in town.  We “researched” it on our very next trip, and had a great time there.

Although dubbed the Children’s Museum at Yunker Farm, it’s very much part of the city, adjacent to the airport and university areas.  The museum itself is in an old farmhouse, which has been restored to a very family-friendly museum.

Milking the Cow at Children's Museum at Yunker Farm

Unlike many of the big-city children’s museums where the exhibit areas are huge and open, the Children’s Museum at Yunker Farm areas are in smaller rooms, which makes it easier to keep track of kids and allows for a wide variety of exhibits.  From creative to imaginative, from science to music, from art to culture, from toddlers to older kids, there’s something for kids of all ages and interests.

Exhibit Room at Children's Museum at Yunker Farm

My kids loved dressing up as bees and climbing through the hive, “milking” the cow, riding the horse, and putting on a puppet show in the downstairs area, and then watching the kinetic energy setup and playing the unique instruments upstairs.  For quiet time, there’s a little reading alcove that is well-stocked with children’s books.

Playground at Children's Museum at Yunker Farm

For more fun, there’s a seasonal kids-sized railroad and a carousel on the grounds, a picnic area, miniature golf, gardens, and a very nice playground on the site.

Miniature Golf at Children's Museum at Yunker Farm

If you’re traveling through Minnesota and North Dakota with kids, the Children’s Museum at Yunker Farm is one stop you’ll want to plan.

Photo credits:  minnemom

Dickens of a Christmas in McKinney, Texas

30 miles north of Dallas, Texas,  in a small town called McKinney, is the 28th annual Dickens of a Christmas celebration. November 28th, 29th and 30th, there will be an old fashioned, Victorian atmosphere with horse drawn carriages, strolling carolers, visits with Santa Claus, the Christmas tree lighting and activities for all ages. You can enjoy Christmas music, Dicken’s era dress, food and children’s activities provided by local not-for-profit organizations.

Snow will be making a special appearance at this festival with a snow tubing hill.  Kids and adults will look forward to coasting down a man-made hill in inner tubes on the snow.  Dress warmly!

Christmas tree ornament

Santa sets up shop in the Historic Downtown McKinney to have photos taken with the kids and to take requests, so have your children write their wish lists and bring them along.

The shops in the square will be open extended hours for shopping.  You can browse boutiques, art galleries, bookstores, apparel, gifts and antique stores. It’s the perfect time to find a unique Christmas gift for that special someone in your life.

This festival is free, and CCART will provide a free shuttle service from First United Baptist Church to the historic downtown area.

Photo curtesy of Krisdecurtis

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade starts at 77th Street & Central Park West at 9am.  It lasts about 3 hours and ends at 34th and 7th Avenue.

The parade is a national event that kicks off the holiday season with a bang.  People all over the country have the parade on as they are preparing their Thanksgiving dinner and propelling their minds into the holiday spirit.

Here are some of our favorite balloons throughout the years that we chose out of the hundreds that have taken route down 34th Street.

Scooby Doo

image credit - www.guy-sports.com

Ask Geeves

photo credit - www.ccs.neu.edu

Snoopy

photo credit - blog.silive.com

Mr. Potato Head

photo credit - www.phaction.com

Sponge Bob

photo credit - chinadaily.com.cn

Kermit the Frog

photo credit - chinadaily.com.cn

Charlie Brown

photo credit - www.ci.santa-paula.ca.us

Pink Panther

photo credit - www.high-tech.com

Bart Simpson

photo credit - allposters.com

Shrek

photo credit - blog.nj.com

If you planned ahead and have a hotel room on the parade route, then you will probably have one of the best views of the event.  The hotels on the parade route sell out months in advance though so you really have to take the initiative to book a room early.

If you are adventurous you can go to Central Park the night before the parade and watch as the balloons are inflated and prepared for the next morning.  The inflating usually starts at around 4pm on Thanksgiving Eve on 77th & 81st Streets between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue.  These giant balloons usually take up over two city blocks while they are waiting to make their entrance. They are inflated under huge nets to keep them from being seen in their full glory until their parade debut.

photo credit - www.newsday.com

Here are some other tips for the best viewing of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Thank you Macy’s and New York City for giving us this fabulous event that we look forward to ever year.

San Jose Christmas in the Park

In the San Francisco Bay Area, Thanksgiving weekend heralds the starts of the holiday light displays. Here are my suggestions for not-to-be-missed light shows, events and neighborhood celebrations:

South Bay

In the South Bay, starting Friday, November 28 and running through December 31st, Vasona Park Fantasy of Lights in Los Gatos, part of the Santa Clara County Park system, transforms into a winter wonderland, complete with twinkling lights and animated displays. Christmas in the Park, an annual celebration in Plaza de Cesar Chavez in downtown San Jose, showcases trees decorated by non-profits from the South Bay, along with holiday events through December, including the San Jose Holiday Parade on December 7^th.

Peninsula

Los Altos Parade

On the Peninsula, The Festival of Lights Parade in Los Altos starts off the holiday season the Sunday after Thanksgiving. In Palo Alto, residents like to drive down Christmas Tree Lane, on Fulton Avenue off of Embarcadero. Redwood City boasts a great neighborhood display on Dewey Street, better known as Candy Cane Lane, while San Carlos welcomes visitors to Eucalyptus Street, off of Brittan, for a great display of holiday glitter.

San Francisco

In San Francisco, Union Square gets all dolled up for the holidays with a huge California White Fir tree. The day after Thanksgiving, at 6:00 p.m., is the Macy’s Tree Lighting Ceremony to benefit UCSF Children’s Hospital. And the shops around the square decorate for the season and are worth a look. Embarcadero Center also puts on a fabulous light display, using almost 17,000 lights!

Union Square Tree, San Francisco

East Bay

In the East Bay, don’t miss Thompson Ave between High and Fernside in Alameda. This community-oriented street is decorated to the hilt, and you can even bring your letter to Santa to drop in the mailbox. I have heard that he might even respond! The Oakland Yacht Club will host the 33nd annual Lighted Yacht Parade on December 6, with viewing locations at Wind River Park in Alameda and Jack London Square in Oakland.

Marin and North Bay

In the North Bay, the water comes alive with lighted boat parades. Our favorite is the Sausalito Lighted Yacht Parade on December 13, 2008 starting at 6:00 p.m. Just an hour long, it is enough to keep the kids entertained and justify copious amounts of hot chocolate. Grab a seat inside the Spinnaker restaurant, or view the show from the dock just north.

Petaluma hosts the Petaluma Holiday Lighted Boat Parade on December 6, 2008, starting at 5:30 p.m. from the harbor. Even if you miss the grand entrance of the boats, never fear – they remain in the harbor for the evening, allowing visitors to view the sparkling lights while dining at one of the many restaurants in the downtown area.

Boat Parade

The Yountville Festival of Lights kicks off a month long holiday celebration on Friday, November 28^th, starting at 2:00 p.m. The festival features a visit from Santa Claus, holiday carolers and even expert ice carvings. Lights go on at dusk and you can then take a tour of the lighted streets in a horse drawn carriage. A great experience for adults and kids.

Don’t see something that is close to you? Check out Lights of the Valley, which lists homes in the Bay Area with light displays. Started by a mom in Livermore in 1999, the site takes nominations from members of the community and includes lots of photos.

Photos courtesy of Los Altos Parade, San Jose Christmas in the Park, Kevin Cole (Boat Parade) and G-Hat (Union Square Tree).

by Barbara Ann Weibel of Hole In the Donut

A visitor climbs to the top of Blowing Rock, preparing to drop a leaf into the swirling winds to test the legend

Legend has it that a Chickasaw chief delivered his beautiful daughter into the care of a squaw mother who lived atop a craggy outcropping of rock in the mountains of what is today western North Carolina. One day the maiden spied a Cherokee brave wandering far below and playfully shot an arrow in his direction. He soon appeared before her wigwam and and they became lovers. When the time came for the brave to return to his tribe in the plains, the maiden begged him not to go. Torn between duty and heart, the brave leaped from the rock into the wilderness far below. The maiden prayed to the Great Spirit to return her lover until one evening a gust of wind blew him back onto the rock and into her arms. From that day a perpetual wind has blown up onto the rock from the valley below, earning it the name Blowing Rock.

The Blowing Rock is an immense cliff that perches 4,000 feet above sea level, overhanging Johns River Gorge 3,000 feet below. While the legend is fictional, the mysterious persistent winds that roar through the valley below Blowing Rock are not. Wind sweeps through the rocky walls of the gorge with such force that it returns light objects cast over the void. The current of air flowing upward from The Rock prompted the Ripley’s “Believe-It-Or-Not” cartoon about “the only place in the world where snow falls upside down.” Try it yourself – toss a leaf into the canyon from atop the rock and watch as it swirls back at you!

Blowing Rock sits 3,000 feet above the Johns River Gorge and offers spectacular vistas of the surrounding North Carolina mountains

The Town of Blowing Rock, named after the famous geologic formation, is one of North Carolina’s most popular mountain tourist destinations. While summer offers myriad activities, the fun doesn’t stop once winter descends upon the mountains. From January 22-25, 2009, the village of Blowing Rock celebrates the fun side of winter with Winterfest. With a pancake breakfast, a chili cookoff, downtown hayrides, free hot chocolate, concerts, a wine auction, bonfires, and even a Polar Plunge, Winterfest offers something for folks of every age. In addition, Blowing Rock boasts a lively main street lined with upscale shops, galleries, fine dining, and a full complement of accommodations ranging from vacation rentals to B&B’s. Nearby attractions include Linville Caverns, the original Mast General Store, the Tweetsie Railroad theme park, and Grandfather Mountain, with its extensive system of hiking trails and popular swinging bridge.

Photos courtesy of Barbara Ann Weibel

Around the holidays, Whole Foods Flagship store in Austin, Texas provides a special outdoor skating rink on top of their store. From Friday, November 28th through Sunday, January 11th, the $10 ticket includes skate rental and 50 minutes on the ice.  There is a 40 person maximum on the rink, 50 for a private party.  Regular hours are 10am to 9pm.  For special holiday hours see their schedule.

Whole Foods Austin, Texas

by Linda (minnemom) of Travels with Children

Tiger at Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley

I remember visiting the Minnesota Zoo for the first time when I was in high school.  It was very new then, and the monorail ride around the zoo was the main attraction.  Since then the zoo has grown, adding many exhibits and features, and it’s easy to spend an entire day there.

Bison at Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley

The main outdoor area features animals in habitats.  Along the 1.4-mile Northern Trail you can see Bactrian Camels, Pronghorns, Takins, Bison, and if you’re lucky a tiger or two. Meerkats and prairie dogs are fun little things to watch as well.

Prairie Dog at Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley

Visit the Family Farm area for an entirely different experience, where you can feed goats, watch cows being milked, and ride a horse-drawn wagon.  Kids will love playing in the grain-elevator climbing area at the entrance to the farmily farm.

Dairy Barn at Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley

Family Farm at Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley

A favorite of my kids is the bird show at the amphitheater; no matter how many times we see it we enjoy the interesting birds and especially the bald eagle.

Bald Eagle at Minnesota Zoo Bird Show

The newest exhibit at the zoo is “Russia’s Grizzly Coast,” where we were very close to amur leopards and brown bears from the safety of a glass divider.

Amur Leopard at Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley

Even if you visit in winter and don’t want to brave the cold of the outdoor trails, there’s plenty to do indoors.  The discovery bay aquarium area has some big aquariums as well as a popular dolphin show.

The indoor tropics trail features kimodo dragons, a nocturnal area, flamingoes, and more.

Lynx at Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley

The newly completed Minnesota trail is the home of lynx, bald eagles, coyotes, and other native Minnesota animals.

Wolf at Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley

The narrated monorail ride, at an additional charge, is a great way to see the zoo from above and learn more about the animals at the zoo.  Concession stands are located along the trails seasonally, and in the main building during the winter.  Also on the zoo grounds is an Imax theater, with movies available at an extra charge.

The Minnesota Zoo in the summer is a great way to spend a family day, but even on cold winter days there’s plenty to do.

Do you have a favorite zoo or aquarium?

Photo credits:  minnemom

The Santaland Diaries

Zach Theatre in Austin, Texas has two theatrical productions on stage during the holidays to help get you in the holiday spirit.  The Santaland Diaries, written by David Sedaris, is wickedly funny and based on true life experiences being an elf at Macy’s. Rockin’ Christmas Party is a long-standing Austin tradition where the cast shakes, rattles and rolls in a Rock-N-Soul Musical.  Both productions start up November 28th and run through January.  Buy your tickets online in advance because they sell out fast!

Ballet Austin presents the 46th annual production of The Nutcracker. The Austin Symphony Orchestra delights as the musical accompaniment to this beautiful performance.  Each night a different local “celebrity” plays the part of Mother Ginger.  The costumes dazzle, the music delights and the dancers sore.  Don’t miss the wonderful example of Christmas tradition.  There are only 12 chances to enjoy this throughout December.

The Nutcracker Ballet Austin

The Austin Symphony Orchestra has several holiday performances lined up in December. Enrich your senses with the familiar Handel’s Messiah, bring the whole family for the free Christmas Sing-Along and get ready to laugh and be entertained by the Holiday Pops featuring The Flying Karamazov Brothers.

Enjoy the arts in Austin over the holidays!

by Barbara Ann Weibel at Hole In The Donut

Virginia may be for lovers, but when Christmas rolls around, it’s the history buffs who flock to Hampton Roads, a moniker used to describe the southeast corner of Virginia that is home to dozens of communities, including Norfolk, Portsmouth, Hampton, Chesapeake, Newport News, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg.

Handmade Christmas wreath on a Williamsburg door Photo courtesy of Stigs (http://flickr.com/photos/stigs)

Any historical holiday tour of the “Tidewater area,” as it is sometimes called, demands a stop at Colonial Williamsburg. Throughout town, red-brick Colonial Revival homes and businesses are adorned with traditional, hand made decorations. All the traditional decor is crafted from locally available materials: the candles in the windows, the miles of pine garland, the bushels of fresh fruit, the holly berries and bittersweet – even oyster shells dug up from nearby tidal flats. To best experience Colonial Williamsburg’s picturesque buildings and streets decked in their holiday splendor, join the Christmas Decoration Walking Tour.

On the last weekend of November and the first three weekends in December, the Historic Area and Museums of Colonial Williamsburg invite families to take a journey back in time. Museum personnel dressed in period costumes are devoted to sharing fun, food, and festive entertainments with kids of all ages at sites throughout the town.

On December 7th, Williamsburg officially welcomes the Christmas season with “The Grand Illumination,” a magnificent spectacle of candles, fireworks, and music. Performances are held on multiple stages in the Historic Area and continue after the fireworks, which are set off from three locations simultaneously.

The Grand Illumination Christmas Ceremony. Photo courtesy of http://flickr.com/photos/sepol/

The town continues in the historical tradition with the Firing of the Christmas Guns and the Fifes and Drums March on December 24th. The traditional Christmas decorations can be viewed through January 1, 2009

Fifes and Drums March on Dec. 24th, photo courtesy of Stigs (http://flickr.com/photos/stigs)

Recalling the traditions of the 17th and 18th century, Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center (10 minutes west and 20 minutes east of Williamsburg, respectively) present A Colonial Christmas from December 20 through January 4. Films and guided tours show how Christmas may have been observed in the difficult early years of the two historic settlements.

The Courthouse Galleries in Portsmouth, kick-off the holiday season with a displays from the popular Coleman Nursery Collection. Over the years, the collection, which began in the mid-1960s when the owner of the nursery purchased a single “Sleeping Santa,” became a tradition for families across Hampton Roads.  Each year, the scenes grew and changed as more figures were added. When the nursery closed in 2004, the Portsmouth Museums Foundation arranged to purchase the collection in order keep it in Portsmouth for future generations to enjoy. This captivating display of animated elves, snow babies and woodland creatures is on display from November 21 through December 31.

The Coleman Collection at the Courthouse Galleries in Portsmouth. Photo courtesy of www.portsmouthholidays.com

When all the historical possibilities have been exhausted, families will discover a plethora of traditional events:

• The Grand Illumination Parade in downtown Norfolk (not to be confused with Williamsburg’s Grand Illumination event) begins when 100,000 spectators join in a synchronized countdown, signaling the illumination of more than 12 miles of lights outlining the skylines of downtown Norfolk and Portsmouth. The parade, which steps off the moment the buildings are outlined in neon, features floats, marching bands, giant helium balloons, horses, dancers, and ‘Ole Saint Nick’ himself. The parade happens on November 22, but the lights outlining the skyscrapers are illuminated through New Year’s Day.


Holiday Lights at the Beach along the Virginia Beach Boardwalk. Photo courtesy of www.HamptonRoads.com

• From November 27 through January 1, Newport News Park will be transformed by over half a million individual lights into Celebration In Lights, a drive-through animated holiday display that features reindeer leaping overhead from the dark winter woods, candy canes twinkling along the roadside, and rainbow-colored scenes reflecting on the park’s ponds.
• Last but not least is McDonald’s Holiday Lights at the Beach, a favorite for many years in Virginia Beach. Running from 2nd Street to 33rd Street along the oceanfront boardwalk, the drive-through display features more than 250 animated nautical and holiday-themed light displays – festive fish, jumping dolphins, frolicking porpoises and a giant “Twelve Days of Christmas” section – all illuminated by thousands of tiny colored lights.

For accommodations in the Hampton Roads area check out the following links at UpTake.com: Norfolk hotels, Virginia Beach hotels, Portsmouth hotels, Hampton hotels, Newport News hotels, Williamsburg hotels