Attractions

Since 1858, Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse in Maine has been guiding ships into Bass Harbor and Blue Hill Bay. At first glance, it hardly seems likely that its light could reach far enough to provide any help to mariners; from the front walkway, only the tip of the lighthouse is visible above the lightkeeper’s cottage. Even from back side of the cottage, the squat, round tower has very little presence. Only upon following the trail down the cliffside to view the lighthouse from below does its elevation become apparent.

From the front, only the tip of the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse is visible above the lightkeeper's cottage

Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse stands only 32 feet high, but its light is 56 feet above sea level, thanks to the bluff on which it sits. Originally outfitted with a fifth-order Fresnel lens, in 1902 the light was upgraded to a fourth-order lens and a red chimney was placed over the lamp inside the lens to produce a colored that Read More »

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum

While many of us are busy making plans to celebrate Thanksgiving with our families, a great number are also taking pause to remember the anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s death which falls on November 22nd. If you are in the Boston area, a visit to his Presidential Library & Museum will go a long way in educating those new to his accomplishments while reminding those already familiar of one President’s role during an impressive part of U.S. history. Read More »

Please Touch Museum

Children’s Museums can be found all around the United States, and our family has visited many of them. Unfortunately, we’ll probably never return to the one that tops our list of favorites because it’s half a country away, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Please Touch Museum is located on one of the halls of the 1876 Philadelphia Museum.  Its historic building may be deceiving, but it’s name tells it all:  kids love going to a museum where they can explore anything and everything. Read More »

CN Tower in Toronto, Canada

I visited Toronto, Canada last week, and I was so busy with work that I didn’t actually have a chance to go up the CN Tower. The view from the ground was impressive though! I’ll definitely go up the tower on my next trip, especially since it’s not as expensive as I thought. It’s $28 to go up the tower, test out your fear of heights on the glass floor and then zoom up 34 more stories in Sky Pod to the tallest level on the tower – yikes. It’s only $23 if you want to skip the Sky Pod. (Don’t worry about that glass floor – it can apparently take on 14 large hippos without breaking. Good to know!)

And, if you’re in the mood to spend some money on a lovely lunch or dinner, check out 360 The Restaurant, which offers, as you might guess, 360 degree views of Toronto – and the restaurant revolves, too!  The site says that “elevation is complimentary with the purchase of a main course,” which I assume means that your ticket price is comped.

If you’ve got kids with you, they might enjoy seeing one of the movies offered or the Himalamazon motion theater ride.

Be sure to check out the tower at night – it’s beautifully lit up!

Photo: Jenny Bengen

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Trail of Florida's Indian Heritage

When the Spanish arrived in the early 1500’s, it is estimated that up to 300,000 indigenous people occupied Florida. These Indian cultures were powerful chiefdom societies that built villages characterized by temple mounds, burial mounds, and middens (trash heaps). After contact by Ponce de Leon, Hernando de Soto, and other explorers, the natives endured decades of stress from warfare, starvation, and diseases such as smallpox and measles. With no natural immunity, disease initially wiped out up to 95% of the native population; within 150 years, virtually all indigenous people were gone from Florida. The few remaining Native Americans eventually merged to become the present day Seminole and Miccosukee Tribes.

Although long gone, the original natives left behind a wealth of evidence that their civilizations flourished. Today, the non-profit Trail of Florida’s Indian Heritage has created a network of archaeological sites, museums and heritage interpreters committed to responsible site visitation and public education of Florida’s Indian heritage. This network encompasses 28 sites across the State, including the following:

The Museum of Florida History, Tallahassee (panhandle)

Collections include 19th century lithographic prints of Native America leaders in Florida, Seminole and Miccosukee patchwork clothing, traditional arts and crafts such as dolls and wood carvings, and 20th century ceremonial artifacts.

Mount Royal Mound

Mount Royal Archaeological Site, Welaka (NE Florida)

Site of native American burial ground, earthworks, a village, and evidence of a Spanish mission. Excavations have turned up embossed copper breast plate, polished stone tools, pearl and shell beads, and decorated ceramic vessels. Read More »

Ukrainian Cultural Institute, Dickinson, ND

In a former restaurant on the old main drag of Dickinson, North Dakota, you will find the humble yet interesting Ukrainian Cultural Institute.  The Ukrainian Cultural Institute preserves the history of the many Ukrainian people who settled in North Dakota and shares it with new generations.

When we visited, the woman on duty was happy to tell us about the Ukrainian people and explain to us the examples of her culture that were on display.  She let my children touch some of the objects, then showed us a video of how pysanky (Ukrainian Easter Eggs) are made.  The Ukrainian Cultural Institute has a beautiful collection of these eggs on display.  Read More »

Fanshawe Pioneer Village in London, Ontario, Canada

London, Ontario is one of Canada’s most charming destinations. London has many worthwhile attractions and things to do year-round; the challenge is choosing between activities if you’re short on time! London, Ontario is smack in the middle of Ontario’s Shakespeare County, and as the name implies, you will find lovely, old-world style streets, quaint shops and a thriving performing arts and cultural scene. The next time you’re in London, Ontario, be sure to check out some of the following – if you’re a history buff, you’ll be especially thrilled:

Read More »

San Gervasio Ruins

Most visitors don’t think about Mayan ruins in Cozumel but the island boasts the 2,000 year-old ruins of San Gervasio.  Located on 125 acres of rain forest in the middle of the island, San Gervasio is the biggest archeological site in Cozumel. Dedicated to Ixchel, the Mayan goddess of fertility and the moon, the structure was so important to ancient Mayan women that they made pilgrimages from as  far away as what is now Belize and Guatemala.  A visit to Ixchel’s shrine ensured that women would birth the average 18 children expected of Mayan women. Read More »

Salvador Dali, a leader of the Surrealist Movement, was most famous for the soft or melting watches featured in his paintings, jewelry designs, and even in glass artworks. Although he was lesser known for his preoccupation with science and religion, by 1940 these subjects had become the focus of his work. During this classic period, he created a series of 19 large canvases, many concerning scientific, historical or religious themes. Among the best known of these works are The Hallucinogenic Toreador, The Discovery of America by Christopher Columbus, and The Sacrament of the Last Supper, the first two of which are part of the collection at The Salvador Dali Museum in St.Petersburg, Florida.

The Dali Museum, on St. Petersburg's Bayboro Harbor

“The Dali” is home to the world’s most comprehensive collection of the renowned Spanish artist’s work. Compiled by the A. Reynolds Morse and Eleanor Morse over a 45-year period, it is celebrated for its 96 oil Read More »

Family Day at Minneapolis Institute of Arts

The biggest draw at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts currently may be its special exhibit, The Louvre and the Masterpiece, which features several pieces from the Louvre, but for families wishing to visit the museum, I’ll offer another reason to go to MIA: the free Family Day programs at the museum.

Held on one Sunday each month, each Family Day is based on a theme that incorporates art from the museum, arts and crafts projects, performances, and more that build a entire day of family-friendly activities upon the arts theme.  A few years ago, we attended the “Horses” Family Day and completed a scavenger hunt of horses hiding in the museum’s art as well as learning to gallop and canter, with a whole range of activities in between.

The most recent family day was entitled “Art Smart” and was related to the special Louvre exhibit at the museum.  Throughout the afternoon, my children engaged in a variety of activities that brought the Louvre exhibit to life.  They made projects like a model of the pyramid entrance to the Louvre and decorative plates like those found in the exhibit.  They listened to French cafe music as well as opera pieces that were related to the artwork in the exhibition.  They learned how to draw like the masters and to speak a nice little bit of French while learning that the Mona Lisa has another name in France.  All the while, we were wandering the halls of the museum, seeing Impressionist paintings and Chinese pieces, textiles and Arts and Crafts furnishings, and all of the other artwork that was in the Institute.

The best thing is that the Family Day made the Minneapolis Institute of Arts a fun place to visit.  My children didn’t realize how much they were learning about art on their visit; they merely thought that they were having a great time.  Family Day activities are well-thought-out to make art accessible to everyone, including children.

Minneapolis Institute of Arts

2400 Third Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN
888-MIA-ARTS

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 10-5; Thursday 10-9; Sunday 11-5.

Daily Admission and Family Days are free; there is a charge for the special Louvre exhibition.

Photo credits: minnemom on flickr

Linda (minnemom) explores Minnesota and beyond and writes about her family’s adventures at Travels with Children.

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