Attractions

The Amana Colonies may be one of Iowa’s best kept secrets.  Founded in 1855 by the Inspirationists, the six villages positioned a mile or two apart- and no more than an hour by ox cart- would go on to become on of the longest lived and largest communal societies in America.  In 1861 the village of Homestead (known today as the place Ashton Kutcher grew up) was added to give the communities access to the railroad.

The Amana Colonies are west of Iowa City, just off Interstate 80.  For a bit of “Amana Light” stop in Little Amana, just off the interstate.  Here you will find two great German restaurants, a gift shop filled with amazing Amana wines, fresh meats, woolens, woodworks and crafts, the Wasserbahn Waterpark at the Holiday Inn and an Iowa original restaurant: Maid Rite.

But to really enjoy the community of villages plan a weekend.

You will want to begin in Amana (the other villages are Middle Amana, East Amana, West Amana, South Amana, High Amana) as the visitor’s center is located in the center of the village.  Housed in an old corn crib and refinished by the amazing artists from the Amana Furniture and Clock Shop the exterior gives no indication of the beauty inside.  Here you can rent bikes to explore the colonies, book a room at one of the many B&Bs, find out about events, get maps and information.  You won’t get out of here easily; the staff are full of information and eager to share as much information as you’re willing to receive.  Before you leave be sure to climb to the top and view the village from the cupola. Read More »

by Gudrun Enger, of Kitchen Gadget Girl

Last week, over at the Uptake Vacations Blog, Whit Honea and the team posted their favorite Independence Day photos – you can see some of them from Seattle, Idaho and Ohio.

Today, as I recover from a weekend of celebrating (fireworks on Friday, July 3rd, and a big BBQ on July 4th), the Attractions bloggers have been sending me their favorites from this weekend. Check out the variety Read More »

The Liberty Bell

By: Nancy Solomon of Ciaobambino

Within a few blocks in Philadelphia lays a detailed history of the formation of our country.  These magnificent exhibit halls are packed with information and will certainly not disappoint!  Made up of Independence Hall, The Liberty Bell, The Visitors Center and The National Constitution Center, this area makes it both easy and fun for families to explore and learn together.  Being a little rusty in my American History, it was such a pleasure to learn together with my children the details involved in the signing of The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution.

The Visitor Center, which has been beautifully renovated, is the place to start.  There, you pick-up your pre-ordered* tickets for The Independence Hall tour.  Both expansive and accessible, this exhibit hall was just the place to bring the history of the American Revolution to life.  Both of my older children had been studying colonial times and the exhibits and movies captured their interest.  They particularly enjoyed a movie that highlighted the different experiences of young adults in that time period.  It addressed how they had to choose which side to support and the fall out from those decisions.

The Liberty Bell Center wonderfully displays the Liberty Bell and tells its story.  It was interesting to see how the Liberty Bell later served as a symbol for freedom movements both domestically and abroad.  We had some wonderful photo opportunities here!

The tour for Independence Hall is fairly quick.  It showcases the rooms, still shown as they were then, where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed.  This was informative with fun little facts that the children enjoyed.  From there we went to the National Constitution Center.

What is so appealing about the National Constitution Center is that it imparts not only the historical value of The Constitution, but also the value that the Constitution provides today.  With interactive exhibits and the Signer’s Hall, filled with life-size bronze statues of the people who signed the document, this is a great stop for kids.

*Please note: You need advanced reservations for Independence Hall and The National Constitution Center.  You can make those reservations on the websites directly.  Be sure to arrive 20-minutes before your allotted time.

Here is great list of links for your kids to explore more about the Constitution.  Also, for more information on the Old City, you may find this Go City Kids link helpful.  For books to read to prepare the kids for Philadelphia, check out my Travel with Kids- Philadelphia book list on Amazon.

Nancy Solomon is an avid traveler and writer for Ciao Bambino.  She lives outside Boston and has four children 10,8,6 and 1 with whom she enjoys sharing the world.

Photocredit to zoonabar

Iconic Image

By Guest Blogger: Nancy Solomon of Ciao Bambino

Each December, we board the plane and head west to stay with my family in San Diego. This winter was no different. We slipped out between two major storms and left over a foot of snow to head to the sunny skies of San Diego. After a few days connecting with family, finishing up last minute shopping, and braving the cold water to do some boogie boarding, we were ready for a change of pace.

Given that Los Angeles (LA to those in the know) is so close and that my relentless 9 year-old, who’s determined to be famous (let’s just hope it’s not infamous), has always wanted to go to Hollywood, we loaded up the car and headed north. Inspired by a previous Ciao Bambino post Museums in Los Angeles, we started our visit at the La Brea Tar Pits. We had the best time exploring and then happened to catch one of those perfect California sunny days that blended into night as we strolled from the tar pits to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). The kids loved running around and were kept busy strolling in and out of the different exhibits. The LACMA consists of multiple buildings right next to each other. Because you have to go outside to progress to the next building, it provides a natural breaks for the kids and makes this an incredibly easy destination.

La Brea Tar Pits

Then we were able to get great food while skipping a long sit-down dinner by walking over to the Farmers Market. We loved this place. It’s attached to The Grove, an outdoor shopping mall, which happens to have American Girl Place, for those of you with young girls. The Farmers Market is separate from the mall and offers many delicious choices, not to mention fruit stands and a cheese market. I always crave fresh produce while traveling and we loaded up with healthy snack food for the next couple days. Here, everyone could find something they like and run around at the same time.

Now, a main part of this trip was for us to see “Hollywood.” For this we were going to go to Universal Studios and the Chinese Theatre. For those of you with school age kids, be forewarned, Sunset Strip (i.e. Where the Chinese Theater is located) is a bit risqué. My kids are certainly not overly sheltered, but both my husband and I decided that we should head elsewhere as we drove towards the Chinese Theatre. The street was lined with porno shops and risqué lingerie venders including huge storefront window displays. My two older kids had their faces glued to the window and their jaws hitting the car floor. Maybe it was the street that we drove in on, but we quickly changed our plans and told the kids we’d come back when they were older. Universal Studios on the other hand, was perfect! That qualified as our “Hollywood” experience and all was good.

Nancy Solomon is an avid traveler and writer for Ciao Bambino. She lives outside Boston and has four children 9, 8, 5 and 1 with whom she enjoys sharing the world.

From Guest Blogger: Nancy Soloman of Ciao Bambino. Nancy is an avid traveler and writer for Ciao Bambino.  She lives outside Boston and has four children 9, 8, 5 and 1 with whom she enjoys sharing the world. Here is her take on great family things to do in Boston.

photo credit to NEAQ.org

New England Aquarium:  Although some may say that the aquarium is a tad dated, this still remains one of our favorite attractions in Boston for three reasons: it’s a quick stop, the kids love it, and it’s an easy launching point for either Faneuil Hall or the North End.

The centerpiece of the aquarium is the 200,000-gallon glass tank filled with sharks, turtles, fish and eels.  The giant glass windows at each level allow the kids to put their faces within inches of the sea animals- feeling shockingly close!  Additionally, the three variations of penguins are fun to watch as they zip in and out of the water.  If you’re pressed for time, enjoy the seals outside and skip the seal show.  In the summer months, there is a shark and ray petting tank that offers the kids a hands on experience.  Check their website for both daily activities and iMax show times- the shows give tired feet some time to re-coupe.

faneuilhallmarketplace.com

For us, as parents, it’s the area surrounding the aquarium that’s the big draw. Truthfully, I go to the aquarium as an excuse to eat in the North End or stroll through Faneuil Hall.  Across from the aquarium, on the new Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, “Rings” pop-up fountain is a great place to cool off on a hot day.  Faneuil Hall is an easy spot to grab lunch and enjoy entertainers.  Think upscale, delicious food court and terrific if your kids need space to walk around while you’re eating.  If you’re up for a real Yankee experience you can try Durgin Park Restaurant where you get New England food, shared tables and brash waitresses. Best of all, you are within walking distance to the North End (don’t miss this ethnic Italian neighborhood.  Regina’s Pizza, Monica’s Restaurant and Mike’s Pastry shop are some of the best).

Family-Friendly Boston

Kid photo courtesy of Nancy Soloman

Bryant Park, NYC

Central Park is New York City’s green lung, but it’s too big and outdoorsy to serve as a hangout for the urban New Yorker. The City’s urban hideout of choice, a green oasis nestled between the urban chaos of Fifth Ave and the Broadway Theaters, is Bryant Park, which has a distinctly multi-cultural environment.

Due to its location and the amenities, it’s a lunch time favorite for the midtown area. There is a huge variety of food in and around the park. In the park, you’ll find ‘wichcraft, whose kiosks serve sandwiches, homemade soups and salads, ice cream and coffee, and also the Bryant Park Grill and Cafe. Nearby, you’ll find plenty of cheap eats, like the Kati Roll Company with its Indian food, and also the Szechuan Gourmet, and if you’re fond of Italian takeouts, then there’s Simply Pasta.

As far as amenities go, the Park Corporation keeps its bathrooms spotlessly clean, which is kind of a novelty in New York. Plus, they have these green chairs which you can move around and pick a good spot on the green where you won’t have anyone looking over your shoulder or bumping elbows. You can seat yourself, pick up a book or just watch the flow of people all day long.

In winter, the Park’s ice skating rink – called The Pond, opens up and its free. In addition to the skating, winter is also a time when a lot of holiday shops open up at the Pond – And this is different from Fifth Ave shopping, much more quaint. There’s also a couple more dining options – Ice Bites, which offers quick snacks with hot chocolate, and Celsius, a Canadian Lounge for lunch, dinner and drinks with an outdoor terrace overlooking the rink.

Attractions include a carousel which plays French cabaret music. There’s also a Reading Room with an extensive collection of books, with lunch hour and post work reading programs. Its totally free, and you won’t be needing a card or any identification. And the Park is a wi-fi hotspot, so you won’t be disconnected from your online addictions.

Nearby places to stay include the swanky Bryant Park hotel, but you’ll find plenty of cheap hotels in the vicinity, like the Americana Inn and the Latham Hotel.

Photo credit Jeff Greenberg.

What a treat! Last weekend, while visiting friends in Santa Cruz, we ventured down to the Santa Cruz Harbor, home to many different types of boat and fishing charters, and discovered several fun activities, for all levels and interests.

If you would like to take to the water, Chardonnay Charters offers several options, including family-oriented Eco-tours, Friday night winemaker’s tours, and year-round afternoon sails, all aboard the beautiful Chardonnay II 70-foot sailing yacht.

And, for those of you adventurous enough to explore the Pacific Ocean yourself, visit the Kayak Connection and join one of their many outings. In March, April and May, you can join one of the whale watching tours; during the rest of the year, explore the coast of California on a wildlife tour or enjoy a sunset or full moon paddle.

We enjoyed walking around, looking at the boats going in and out, watching the seals in the harbor, and exploring the Walton Lighthouse at the end of the point. My kids were fascinated by a boat being put to water, using the big dock hoist. It would also be a great place to run or ride bikes, and dog owners can be seen with their four legged friends running on the beach.

Mark your calendars now – December 6, 2008, at 5:30p.m., the annual Lighted Boat Parade takes place at the Santa Cruz Harbor. Don’t miss this outstanding show including 50 decorated power and sailboats parading through the harbor. A canned food drive benefits the Second Harvest Food Bank.

Enjoy your day at the Santa Cruz Harbor!

Photos courtesy of Kitchen Gadget Girl.

After my post last week with my favorite pumpkin patches in the Bay Area, I got to thinking about what the best of the best are in the rest of the United States. With the help of my friends and family, I have put together a list of the best pumpkin patches across the U.S. In no particular order, I present you my selections:

Brush Creek Farms in Dayton, Tennessee
Smolak Farms in North Andover, Massachusetts
Goebbert’s Pumpkin Patch in Hampshire, Illinois
Anderson Farms in Erie, Colorado
Craven Farm in Snohomish, Washington
Burt’s Farm in Dawsonville, Georgia
Treworgy Orchards in Levant, Maine
Jumbo’s Pumpkin Patch in Middleton, Maryland
Plumper Pumpkins in Portland, Oregon
Lombardi Ranch in Saugus, California–It suffered some loss through the fire last year, but is back this year with fun things for families to do.

I focused on finding pumpkin patches that offer a whole day of entertainment; hay rides, corn mazes, picnic areas, petting zoos, pumpkin contests, everything. And, mind you, these are totally subjective and not everyone’s idea of pumpkin patches, so I would love to hear about your favorites!

Do you have a hidden gem in your area? How about a place you would drive 60 minutes to see? Or something that your kids ask to visit year after year? Share your best, we would love to know!

Photos courtesy of Kitchen Gadget Girl.

Texas State Fair

Fall usually approaches gently with beautiful turning leaves, robust orange pumpkins, and refreshingly cooler weather, and it’s my favorite time of year.  I’ll admit, my mind lately has been occupied with obtaining flu shots, the approaching Halloween candy-inspired dentist appointments and overwhelming amount of school fundraisers, but many Texans associate this season with another event (no, not Longhorn football, although there is that also); The Texas State Fair.

September 26 through October 19, 2008, a favorite Texas tradition continues on the 277-acre grounds of Fair Park, just two miles from downtown Dallas. (Need a place to stay?  There is lots of family-friendly lodging in the area.)  General admission is $14, while seniors over 60 and children over 2 pay $10.  Children under 2 are free, as are seniors on Thursdays.  Parking on fair grounds is $10 and valet parking is offered for $25.

Now, all those fees add up, I know, so it is with great pleasure that I inform you that once inside the fair, there are a TON of free events and exhibitions!  When pigs fly, you say?  Well, you can see that too, if you go watch the pig races, held three times daily (and yes, they’re free!).

Also free are the BMX Bike shows, daily demonstrations in the IKEA Celebrity Kitchen, the auto shows and the dog shows, among many, many more.  The main stage hosts live music (also free), and there are nightly parades and light shows to amaze your senses.

If you have your rugrats with you, then drag them over to the backyard circus where they can dress in costumes and take part in the show…or take them to the barnyard where they can pet smelly animals to their heart’s delight.  Although, if your child is prone to pull tails, you might want to pass that up.  Little Hands on the Farm sounds delightful in principal, an area where you can give your kids play money after they gather eggs, plant and pick vegetables, or milk cows.  We all love putting the kids to work, of course.  And, did I mention, this is all FREE?

Yeah, yeah, there are also like a million shopping booths, over 70+ amusement park rides and lots of people to wade through, but me personally?  I’m heading to the snout-to-snout competitive porker races.  That sounds like fun.

Photo curtesy Philip Poon

Here’s some facts to chew on. There are over 16,000 golf courses in the U.S., out of which 959 are in New York. About 13% are more or less eco-friendly, while the rest are guzzling water and making the surrounding environment toxic with fertilizers and destruction of natural habitats.

What we’re going to do here is find some truly green golf resorts in New York, so you can enjoy guilt-free luxury golf vacations.

To do this, I had to cross-tabulate a list of New York’s golf resorts against Audubon International’s list of certified sanctuaries. FYI, Audubon International certifies golf courses that meet required standards for protecting water quality, conserving natural resources, and providing wildlife habitats.

There are a total of 27 New York area golf courses in Audubon’s list, and out of these, 5 are part and parcel of a resort type facility, while the rest are stand-alone golf courses. 3 of these 5 resort courses are located in the same resort. Which basically leaves us with a grand total of three eco-friendly golf resorts in New York.

Turning Stone Resort & Casino, Verona, NY (www.turningstone.com/): This 1200 acre resort in the Mohawk Valley has 3 out of its 5 championship golf courses – The Shenendoah, Sandstone Hollow, and the Kaluhyat Course – listed by Audubon. The resort has been listed in GolfWeek’s ‘Best resort Courses’, and has been home to a PGA tour.

Off the course, this 4 diamond resort has diverse accomodations to suit your taste including a cozy lodge, a hotel, and an RV Park. The resort also offers a worldclass spa named Skana, fine restaurants with gourmet dining and other casual dining options, a wide variety of entertainment facilities featuring celebrity performances, and a nighclub and casino.

Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz, NY (www.mohonk.com/): Soon to be a 140 years old, this enchanting lakeside Victorian castle resort in the Hudson Valley offers a 107 year old landmark course with a Scottish architectural influence with sweeping views of the surrounding valleys. Listed by Audubon as a cooperative sanctuary.

In addition to the golfing, the resort offers spa facilities, ice skating, boating and fishing, cross country skiing, fly fishing, hiking and walking trails, rock climbing, mountain biking, snowshoeing, and other outdoorsy activities.

Otesaga Resort Hotel, Cooperstown, NY (www.otesaga.com/): A 100 year old facade which looks kinda like a federal building from the outside, this resort hotel stretches across the lakefront on the southern shore of Lake Otsego, and is home to the Championship Leatherstocking golf course, designed in 1909 by Devereux Emmet, and considered to be one of the most challenging, and scenic, courses in the East. Also a certified Audubon cooperative sanctuary.

Resort offers lake and pool swimming, canoe rentals, salmon and trout fishing, and group skeet shooting expeditions. City slickers have hunting and fishing guides on hand for assistance. Excellent place for some down time with a great view of the lake from the veranda.

Photo by danperry.com via flickr (creative commons).