Family Travel & Vacations Blog

Ideas for Family Vacations in Pennsylvania with your Kids



A family summer vacation spent in Pennsylvania will end with a scrapbook filled with beautiful photographs, a dinner table filled with conversations about great memories and probably a plan to return to the state as soon as possible. That’s because Pennsylvania is a state that has all of the qualities a family can want in a summer vacation. The weather is good, the outdoor activities are plentiful, and the landscape of the state is beautiful. There’s a great mixture of quiet rural areas and bustling urban locations and there’s the chance to attend a variety of events if you can get yourself into the right place at the right time.

Go Dutch

Pennsylvania is known for being Dutch country. Maybe this is part of your heritage and you’d like to share it with your kids during this year’s family summer vacation. Even if it’s not, the chance to experience this part of Pennsylvania is one that will give you a great cultural experience. The heart of Dutch country is Lancaster, Pennsylvania but the area surrounding this city is also great for your visit. Attractions in this region include The Amazing Maize Maze at Cherry-Crest Farm, the buggy rides from the commercial Amish farms and the Strasburg Historic Railroad.

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is one of those Pennsylvania cities that gives you the best of both worlds - the urban life and the nature of the region. For example, you can spend a day enjoy modern science at spots like the Carnegie Science Center. And then follow it up with outdoor recreation at a place like Point State Park. Other family summer vacation attractions in this Pennsylvania city include the tram ride up the Duquesne Incline at Mount Washington, a day of water park fun at Sandcastle Water Park, and an exploration of area wildlife at The Pitsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium or the National Aviary. Philadelphia Another great city in Pennsylvania where you might want to spend your family summer vacation is good ol’ Philly. For one thing, this place is rich with history so you can teach your kids about the United States past while having a good time in the present. For example, you can go to Arch Street to check out the tall statue of Benjamin Franklin and then head over to the Franklin Institute Science Museum to see modern inventions in action. Other Philadelphia attractions that your family may enjoy include Independence National Historic Park, The Philadelphia Zoo, The Please Touch children’s museum, and the beautiful Fairmount Park.

Scenic Drives

Since there are so many great cities in Pennsylvania, a full trip to the state necessarily requires checking out more than one of these locations. You just haven’t experienced the state if you’ve only see Philadelphia or only been to the Dutch country. As such, you might consider spending some of your summer family vacation driving through Pennsylvania. It’s a beautiful state with many scenic routes. Take Route 6 along Lake Erie or explore Southwester Philadelphia via the Laurel Highlands Scenic Byway.

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Ideas for Family Vacations in South Carolina with your Kids



If you’ve been to South Carolina on a family vacation in the past, it was probably to take a trip to Myrtle Beach. Undoubtedly, this popular family summer vacation destination is a great spot to take your kids. But it’s not the only place in South Carolina worth checking out. If you have the leisure of some room in your vacation schedule, you can spend a few days at Myrtle Beach and then check out one of the other areas of South Carolina for a variety of activities and scenery including the following:

Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach is a South Carolina destination of its own because it offers so much to the family on vacation. With over 60 miles of coast, there is plenty of room here for every summer beach activity that you might want to enjoy with your family. Learn more about Myrtle Beach from this website and get some insider information from this Myrtle Beach blog.

Lakes

If you want to spend some time in the water during your South Carolina vacation but would prefer to avoid the crowds that inevitably take over the Myrtle Beach area, you might find that a summer vacation at one of South Carolina’s lakes is a better way to go. Lake Marion is the largest of the inland lakes but there are plenty of others that you can check out as well.

Mountains

Even with all of this water around, South Caroling has an abundance of non-water geography to check out. The state has a surprising number of striking mountains which are worth your time if you’re a family which enjoys hiking and camping activities. For a real treat, combine these activities with the water activities by heading to a place that has lakes (Lake Keowee is a great mountain destination lake) or even waterfalls (Caesar’s Head State Park is a good place to search for these).

Fun spots

Myrtle Beach may be the South Carolina spot known for fun but there are amusement parks, water parks and zoos located throughout the state. Your family could plan a trip to the area where any of these are located and be almost guaranteed a good vacation. A favorite is Carowinds Theme and Water Park which is located in the north central portion of the state. A favorite throughout the state is Frankie’s, a fun park with mini-golf, batting cages, race cars and more which has locations in North Charleston, Greenville and Columbia. The latter two cities also have zoos to check out and there’s an aquarium in Charleston that’s a must-stop if you head to that region.

Charleston

Speaking of Charleston, this capital city of South Carolina is a spot worth mentioning all on its own. It’s a city that pays homage to the past of the state with historic areas and landmarks but which is modern in what it has to offer to visitors in terms of accommodations and attractions. Make sure to check out the old plantations to get a real sense of the history of the area (Boone Plantation, Magnolia and Middleton Place are three of the big ones). Also be sure to go take pictures of the colorful houses on Rainbow Row, walk the boardwalk at Folly Beach County Park, and take a horse and carriage ride through the historic downtown.

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Ideas for Family Vacations in South Dakota with your Kids



Quick. Make a list of the places that you would go if you were taking a family summer vacation to South Dakota. Mount Rushmore, The Badlands “� is that all that you can think of? Don’t feel bad. Most people don’t realize that there’s more to South Dakota than these two destinations. But, even if one of these major tourist destinations is the only spot that you end up checking out this summer, you can consider yourself lucky for having gone to South Dakota. Both of these destinations are important places in this country and are great for families to experience together. And if you take your travels one step further and see some of the rest of South Dakota, too, then you’ll really be able to say that you had a rich summer vacation.

Mouth Rushmore

This famous attraction is probably the major reason that any family plans a summer vacation to South Dakota. It gives your kids the chance to learn some of American history (and, let’s be honest, it helps you brush up too). And it really is an impressive sight - those four large heads sitting up there on the mountain. So, if you go to South Dakota to see this, you’ve done well for your summer.

The Badlands

The other major draw for families going to South Dakota for the summer is Badlands National Park, that magically beautiful region that showcases the natural beauty of the state in a way that nowhere else can. Families that want to see stunning views, experience nature up close and personal and yet still be close enough to amenities and accommodations if they are so desired will definitely consider going to The Badlands during a South Dakota vacation.

Caving

Families that want to go just a little bit further than hiking might want to consider doing some caving during a vacation in South Dakota. It sounds scarier than it is to someone who has never done it. There are many well-developed caves that are safe for families with kids of varying ages to check out. Jewel Cave National Monument and Wind Cave National Park are big ones which offer tours to their visitors to keep everyone safe.

Sioux Falls

If you had to name a city in South Dakota, you’d probably dig into your wells of rote memory from the time you were, well, your kid’s age and say Pierre since it’s the capital. But the most populated city in the state is actually Sioux Falls so if you’re looking to take a family vacation to one of the more urban areas in South Dakota, this is the spot to look at. Check out the Wild Water West Waterpark for water slide fun that’ll keep everyone busy all day (and worn out by night). Visit Buffalo Ridge ghost town to get a sense of the history of the area. And if you have any leanings towards creativity, go to the Visual Arts Center which includes a children’s gallery that everyone should enjoy.

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Ideas for Family Vacations in Montana with your Kids



Montana is a state which is known for its wide open spaces. If you are hoping to enjoy a family summer vacation which is filled with an exploration of the outdoors and the pristine wilderness that still remains in many spots throughout this country, Montana is a great destination. But that doesn’t mean that your entire Montana vacation has to be spent hiking and camping. Montana has plenty of other activities for you and your family in addition to all of the outdoor fun. There are six different regions to this state so pick one and go have fun with your family.

Glacier Country

Glacier Country is a beautiful summer destination location because of the great weather, many hours of sunlight and plentiful opportunities for outdoor exploration. Glacier National Park is the major stop you should make here. Visit the area’s Hot Springs for a real treat. And be sure to explore the Native American history that is rich here; spots like Lolo Trail Center, the Museum of the Plains Indian at the Blackfeet Reservation and the Squelix’u Aqlemaknik Culture Center are all options for this.

Gold West Country

This southwest region of Montana is home to the state capital (Helena) and is also filled with interesting history including that of the American Old West. In Helena, be sure to go camping (Black Sandy State Park is a good spot), see the museums (Exploration Works) and take a specialty tour (try Flowing with Nature Trips). The World Museum of Mining, the Frontier Montana Museum and the Wildlife Museum of the West are a few of the Old West must-sees in the rest of the region.

Yellowstone Country

The gateway to the northern part of this famous natural attraction area is in Montana. Whether or not you make it all the way over to Old Faithful, the natural landscape of this park is something that differs from anywhere else in the nation. Don’t miss this if you’re going to be anywhere in the state that lets you spend a day or two in this area.

Russell Country

This area is one of the best for seeing the state’s nature. Every city in the region has some sort of campground. Get some animal-viewing with your nature at spots like Blackleaf Wildlife Management Area and Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Be sure to take the kids to Lewistown where multiple ghost towns can be explored to get a sense of the history of the area.

Missouri River Country

This northeast corner of the state is filled with activities including fishing, fossil-hunting and trips to historical sites. Go to Fort Peck for the best family fishing, travel part of the Montana Dinosaur Trail to see fossils and “follow the footsteps of Lewis and Clark”�.

Custer County

Finally, this southeastern region of the state can provide your family with stops like ZooMontana, Lake Mason National Wildlife Refuge, and Crow Indian Reservation. In other words, from the modern to the historical, your family can do something fun here.

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Ideas for Family Vacations in Missouri with your Kids



What would you do in Missouri if that was where you were heading for your summer family vacation? There are any number of things that you might do, actually, and you can plan them easily because the official website of Missouri provides a handy little trip planner. This tool lets you create an itinerary based on your specific family vacation desires. But, if you’d rather do it the old-fashioned way and plan the trip yourself (or at least get an idea of what you might do with your family while you’re there), take a look at these Missouri family vacation choices:

Lake Activities

While Missouri may not be known for its lakes, what you’ll find when you get there is that the state is underrated when it comes to this area of nature. There are many different lakes in Missouri which are worth your time for a family vacation. Families who enjoy the large and popular spots where hiking, camping and numerous activities are available will find that the Lake of the Ozarks and Bull Shoals Lake are the best bets. The former is within Ozark State Park where hiking and camping abound. And the latter has eighteen different public parks located around it so the amount of time you can spend there is seemingly endless. Families who would rather spend their summer vacation at a smaller lake that still offers amenities should consider Table Rock Lake in the Mark Twain National Forest or Long Branch Lake on Highway 36.

Branson

If you’ve never heard of Branson, Missouri, then you’ve never thought much about where the amusement parks of the state are located. If you’re up for spending the bulk of your family vacation on the rides and the water slides, this is your city. Branson USA Amusement Park is the big one for rides and White Water is where the family can go to escape the heat. For a more laidback place, go to Silver Dollar City where there are not only rides but also shows and festival events.

Kansas City

Perhaps your family is more interested in a range of activities than a specific spot like a lake or an amusement park. In that case, Kansas City is a terrific city for your family vacation. The Kansas City Zoo, the Toy and Miniature Museum, the Children’s Peace Pavilion, and the Googols of Fun family center are all popular stops for families visiting the area. In terms of outdoor activities, Cave Springs Interpretive Center is a good bet. And just north of Kansas City, you’re family can easily spend a full day at the Shatto Milk Company farm.

Touch Other States

Families that are in love with road trips will find that there’s a unique chance to explore the road during a trip to Missouri. That’s because road trips go best when you have destination points along the way. And since Missouri touches eight of the other states in the U.S., you can easily plan to cross the state lines as part of the trip. Your kids will not only have great pictures for their scrapbooks but will be able to say their summer was spent in nine different states. It’s a great lesson in geography and a great way to explore Missouri together.

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Ideas for Family Vacations in Mississippi with your Kids



It may take your kids a little while to learn to spell the name of the state but that doesn’t mean it should take you a little while to take them there. In fact, it shouldn’t take you any longer than a One-Mississippi, Two-Mississippi count to decide that this makes a terrific state for a destination for your family summer vacation. From the Fun Factory in Biloxi to McLeod Water Park in Kiln, Mississippi is brimming with opportunities for keeping the kids happily busy no matter how much time you spend in the state.

Biloxi

This city may not be the capital of the state but it’s got more opportunities than anywhere else in Mississippi for really giving your kids a terrific summer vacation (and one that you can enjoy as well). The first thing that the kids will want to know about is what fun spots can be found here. Start at the Fun Factory where there are over 35,000 square feet of video games and activities to keep the kids occupied. Then head to Gulf Coast Motor Sports Park for some racing action and Gulf Island WaterPark for family water fun. After that, head to more outdoor and educational activities in Biloxi. For example, the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center and the Scott Aquarium are good indoor spots to get some fun learning in. Outdoors, explore the opportunities at the Gulf Shores or along the Wolf River. The Hurricane Katrina Memorial and Tree Sculptures are also located here.

Jackson

Of course, Biloxi is great but you can’t beat a capital city for things to do with your family. The Jackson Zoo, the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, and the Rapids on the Reservoir water park are just a few of the major attractions in the capital city of Mississippi. There are also plenty of more off-the-beaten path spots for families in this city where you can explore the rich history and culture of the area. For example, drive the self-guided Civil Rights Driving Tour to give your kids an education in this important part of our country’s history.

Summer at the Lake

The fact that Mississippi is a bit hot in the summer is undeniable. But that’s what summer is all about. And more than that, escaping the heat with activities on the water is what summer means for most family vacations. The Gulf Shore of Mississippi is terrific but it’s not the only place in the state for water activities. There are a number of lakes located in the state where you can enjoy boating, fishing, swimming and other water activities as well as camping, hiking and picnicking with your family. Top choices include Arkabutla Lake, Grenada Lake, Okatibbee Lake and Sardis Lake.

Hodge Podge

For a really unique family vacation, you could put together an itinerary featuring visits to any number of interesting spots located all throughout Mississippi. Some of the activities on that list might be swimming with the dolphins at Marine Life Oceanarium, a summer craft festival at Natchez Trace Parkway, a day at McLeod Water Park and a walk along the nature trails of the Mississippi Petrified Forest.

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Ideas for Family Vacations in Oregon with your Kids



You want to take your family to the Pacific Coast this year to experience all of the history of the Old West and all of the beauty of the area’s nature. You thought about spending your family summer vacation in California but there are just so many other families traveling there at this time of year that you ruled out that plan. Then you thought about heading up to Washington to see the Northwest but the culture there is different from what you’d really wanted to share with your family. So where should you go? Oregon, of course. It offers the perfect chance to explore the West Coast without having to deal with the major tourist crowds of California. And it is a state that gives your family plenty of choices in terms of what you want to spend your summer vacation doing.

Portland

Portland is a city which could use an entire site of its own to describe all of the family travel options it contains. And of course, there are plenty of sites that you can check out to get the details, such as The Official Tourism Site for the city, The Portland Travel and Tourism Page, and The Portland Family Travel Guide. You should explore these sites to get detailed information on what there is to do in the city. But know that some of Portland’s family fun highlights include:

“�� Chinese and Japanese Gardens “�� Hoyt Arboretum “�� Nob Hill Neighborhood “�� Oregon Sports Hall of Fame “�� Oregon Zoo “�� Pearl District “�� Portland Children’s Museum “�� Portland Corn Maze “�� World Forestry Center Discovery Museum

Columbia River Gorge

Located near Portland is the Columbia River Gorge, a National Scenic Area that your family shouldn’t miss out on during a summer vacation to Oregon. This breathtaking river canyon provides opportunities for active endeavors such as hiking, mountain biking and boating as well as more relaxing activities such as camping, wildlife watching and picnicking. This area is also home to Mt. Hood where the beauty of West Coast mountains can be further explored.

Oregon Coast

Why head all the way to the West and then not reach the coast? The Oregon Coast is absolutely beautiful, with scenic drives, beach fun and coastal hiking opportunities all throughout the state. Some of the specific highlights of the state include Sea Lion Caves, Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and the Oregon Coast Aquarium.

Willamette Valley

Of course, there’s more to Oregon than just Portland the Pacific Coast. The Willamette Valley is a truly unique part of the state where the history of the Old West is still very much alive. A tour of the area’s historic covered bridges conjures up tales of the frontier travelers who first came to the area. Other attractions in the Willamette Valley include The Enchanted Forest, Discovery Village, and Eugene’s Science Factory. Outdoor activities to be enjoyed in this area include canoeing at Waldo Lake, hiking at Mary’s Peak and seeing waterfalls at Silver Falls State Park.

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Ideas for Family Vacations in Oklahoma with your Kids



Oklahoma! It’s more than just a musical; it’s a state that deserves your consideration when you’re making your family summer vacation plans. There are activities, annual events and tourist attractions happening all throughout the state, all summer long. Many of these are specifically geared towards families and many of the others are good for families with certain interests and travel styles. Here are a few travel ideas for your family’s summer spent in Oklahoma:

Activities

Activities in Oklahoma range from casual exploration of the outdoors to wildlife viewing and interesting transportation tours. State parks are the best place to start when trying to narrow down your options for outdoor activities in Oklahoma. There are many to choose from, but consider a few big ones if you’re looking to limit your choices. The few to make the list should include Alabaster Caverns (where your kids can explore a well-lit cave), Beaver Dunes State Park (for family sand dune activities like ATV riding), Boiling Springs State Park (filled with lots of cool springs for swimming and escaping the summer heat), and Great Salt Plains State Park which offers one of the most unique natural landscapes in Oklahoma.

Families that are looking for activities that aren’t centered on exploration of the outdoors might consider taking a specialty tour that gives a look at some of the other sides of scenic Oklahoma. For example, the Tulsa Ghost Tour will show you the history of the city as well as some of its supposed spirits. The Tornado Alley Safari Storm Tours will take your family safely on an exploration of tornado activity in Oklahoma. The Heritage Express Trolley takes you through historic El Reno and to a free area museum. And The Water Taxi of Oklahoma gives you an up close experience of Bricktown Canal in Oklahoma City.

Annual Events

Perhaps your family is more interested in a summer vacation that is centered on events in the destination area. If that’s the case, get out your calendar and plan for Oklahoma’s many annual events. Visit the Festivals and Events Association of Oklahoma� for an updated list of current events in the area.

Tourist Attractions

Activities and events are all well and good, but if you are going to bother to take your family to a new state, then you probably want to see some of the major tourist attractions of the area. One of the favorite things for families is theme parks. Major theme parks in Oklahoma include White Water Bay in Oklahoma City, Pawnee Bath House and Water Park in Pawnee, Pole Position Raceway in Oklahoma City, and Quartz Mountain Fun Park in Lone Wolf. But the biggest draw for families visiting Oklahoma is Six Flags Frontier City in Oklahoma City.

In addition to theme parks, Oklahoma has other attractions that families may enjoy. There are major zoos in Tulsa and Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City also has a number of impressive museums including the Omniplex Science Museum, the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum and the Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum. Finally, the state is home to a historic portion of Route 66. Families visiting Oklahoma frequently enjoy road trips along this highway which features numerous different roadside attractions and pleasant day stops.

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Ideas for Family Vacations in Minnesota with your Kids



A trip to Minnesota during the summer can include everything from enjoying the serenity of camping outdoors with your family to indulging in the near-over-stimulation of adventure at theme parks and the country’s largest mall. Here are just a few of the attractions and highlights that you might want to consider when planning your summer family vacation to this state:

Lutsen Mountains

The area to make sure to check out here is Sawtooth Mountain Park and the thing to make sure the kids see is Alpine Slide. Older kids will love the adventure of riding solo in summertime sleds down this mountain and parents can enjoy the fun too, taking little ones along in their laps. Other adventures in this area include horseback riding, picnicking, camping, hiking, and scenic cable car rides. The Poplar River runs through this area so families that enjoy swimming, fishing and things like canoeing will also find plenty to do. The mountain overlooks all of the activity taking place own below at Lake Superior.

Lake Superior

This largest of freshwater lakes has miles and miles of beach for your family to enjoy this summer. Start at Park Point, located in Duluth, and make your way up the North Shore to enjoy all of the various activities and scenic vistas that the area offers. State parks are located all throughout the area, offering camping and other outdoor adventures as well as the chance to see lighthouses and explore nature’s wonders. Favorites include Split Rock Lighthouse, Gooseberry Falls, and Brighton Beach.

Lake of the Woods

This northernmost part of the continental United States provides your family the chance to explore the outdoors away from the summer crowds at Lake Superior. It also provides an interesting look at the culture of the area, from the influence of nearby Canada to the history of such area legends as Paul Bunyon. Other state parks and wooded areas are located all throughout this area so it’s a good location for families planning week-long summer trips as well as those just looking for a weekend getaway.

Valley Fair

Located in Apple Valley, this amusement park is the largest one in the state so it offers plenty of fun to keep the kids entertained and to help burn off some of that excess energy that they’re likely to have during your summer vacation. If the rides of Valley Fair alone aren’t enough to keep your family occupied, you can visit the real adventures over within Valley Fair at Challenge Park or enjoy the summertime fun of water rides at Whitewater Country Waterpark. The theme park just started offering a family dinner special called Backyard BBQ and also offers plenty of special discounts so you should be able to afford this summer fun if you plan your trip properly.

Mall of America

You can’t take a trip to the state with your kids and miss seeing the biggest mall in the country. After all, back-to-school shopping is one thing but experiencing all of the non-shopping things that this place has to offer is another entirely. While here, your kids can enjoy attractions like The Park at MOA (”the largest indoor family amusement park in the nation”�), the Underwater Adventures Aquarium and the four story LEGO fun spot. There are also plenty of events and activities happening throughout this megamall all summer long.

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Family Travel Ideas for Vacations to Michigan with your Kids



A trip to Michigan is a trip so summer paradise. There are so many lakes and opportunities to enjoy beaches in the area that you are virtually guaranteed to get that relaxing feeling that really tells you that you’re on summer vacation. But the swimming and other water activities aren’t all that you can enjoy in Michigan. Theme parks, zoos and interesting cities like Flint make a trip to the Michigan complete.

Enjoy the water

The tourism site for Michigan lets you know right away that when you are in the state, “you are never more than six miles from a body of water and 85 miles from a Great Lake.”� Considering this, taking your family on a trip to Michigan without visiting some of the water of the area is virtually impossible. You may as well dive in! There are two peninsulas, touching multiple Great Lakes (including, of course, Lake Michigan). There are supposedly 11,000 inland lakes throughout the state where you can go swimming, canoeing, kayaking, fishing or boating. Basically, whatever your family likes to do on the water as part of your summer vacation, you can do it in Michigan.

Theme parks

Kids love going to theme parks and Michigan offers several to choose from. Of course, it’s a state that loves water, so there are plenty of water parks as well. Some of the top choices for families include the period costume parks of Crossroads Village and Dutch Village, the big amusement park called Michigan’s Adventure and the two parks specifically geared towards little kids, Deer Forest Fun Park and Deer Acres Storybook Amusement Park. Water parks can be found all throughout the state but favorites include Avalanche Bay, Full Blast, Splash Universe and WildWater. The latter is near Michigan’s Adventure and is the big one chosen by families who want to do the real amusement park thing instead of just the smaller family fun parks.

Zoos

Plan your Michigan trip around a tour of the state’s zoos. The road trips in between the four major zoo locations will give your family a chance to spend some quality time together and the zoos will give you an activity that everyone can enjoy. The big zoo that should be the highlight of this kind of trip is the Detroit Zoo. The other three to check out are John Ball in Grand Rapids, Potter Park in Lansing, and Binder Park in Battle Creek.

Flint

For an interesting experience on your family summer vacation, head to Flint. This town once used to bustle with activity but after that major factories closed down and the economy took a turn for the worse, it became a rather quiet place. The people of Flint didn’t let their energy go to waste. So, even though it’s not bustling these days, there are plenty of neat things to experience on a trip here. And it’s a relatively cheap place to stay with your family! The Flint Children’s Museum, which is part of the larger Flint Cultural Center, is a favorite stop for families visiting the area. The Huckleberry Railroad, The Chesaning Showboat, and Riverbank Park are other common stops.

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