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Ideas for Family Summer Vacations in North Dakota with your Kids

Thursday, March 13th, 2008
Ideas for Family Summer Vacations in North Dakota with your Kids

If you’re trying to plan your family summer vacation and you want to go somewhere that you haven’t been before, you might want to think about heading to North Dakota. The state provides for some interesting travel experiences that make for great memories and terrific photos for your kids’ scrapbooks. Here are a few North Dakota trip ideas for your family to consider this summer:

The Enchanted Highway

If you enjoy long drives with your family, this is a great place to go. That’s because it provides enough activity and points of interest along the way to keep the kids from getting bored, letting the whole family get the best out of a North Dakota road trip without the hassles that usually accompany long drives with young children. They’ll be thrilled to see the large metal sculptures that dot over thirty miles of this stretch of The Enchanted Highway. The big metal grasshopper, the deer jumping over a bridge and the tin family reminiscent of The Tin Man from Wizard of Oz are just a few of the sculptures that may dot your family photo album if you make this area a part of your North Dakota vacation. Oh, and the other reason that it’s good for families is that, other than the cost of gas, this attraction is free!

Jamestown

Less mobile families might want to confine their North Dakota vacation to the limited area of one small town. If that’s the case, you might consider Jamestown for your vacation. It is the hometown of westerns author Louis L’Amour, jazz singer Peggy Lee and the rare albino buffalo “White Cloud”. It is also the current home of a huge buffalo sculpture known as “the world’s largest buffalo” which can be found at a visit to the city’s National Buffalo Museum near historic Frontier Village. And you won’t be lacking for summer activities in Jamestown because it’s also home to the Jamestown Reservoir where three lakes come together to provide a spot for swimming, boating and other water adventures.

Native American History

North Dakota is a terrific state for taking a summer family vacation which revolves around Native American history. The Knife River Indian Villages is one historic site that your family may enjoy on this kind of vacation. You can see tipis, learning about the culture of the people of this area and see some beautiful natural landscape all at the same time. Another beautiful spot where such history can be explored is the Abraham Lincoln State Park which includes the On-A-Slant Mandan Village sharing the lives of the Mandan people.� The rich history of the American Indians can be found at various spots like these all throughout the state.

The North Dakota Badlands

Usually when you think about going to The Badlands, you think about a trip to South Dakota. But you can visit the North Dakota Badlands at Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Stay in the nearby historic Old West town of Medora, take a scenic drive through the park and enjoy hiking, horseback riding and camping with the family.

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Ideas for Family Summer Vacations in Indiana with your Kids

Thursday, March 13th, 2008
Ideas for Family Summer Vacations in Indiana with your Kids

Indiana is a state that has a variety of experiences to offer so that you can plan your family vacation around the type of travel that best suits you. Perhaps you really want to get away to a simpler life - then you can go visit the Amish country. Or maybe you want to give your kids the chance to go to amusement parks without having to foot the bill to get to Disneyworld. Maybe you’re just seeking a nearby city - such as Indianapolis - where you get some learning fun in that the whole family will enjoy. Whatever the case may be, Indiana probably has something for you.

Experience the Amish

The Amish people live an interesting life - without electricity, technology and other modern conveniences, these people spend their days working hard. The life they live is a simple one in which the emphasis is on family and community. Although we might not want to live without some of our amenities, we certainly do strive to teach our kids that a non-materialistic heart-focused life is a good one to have. Indiana offers the chance to show them what the Amish live like. Amish Acres and Amishville USA are two areas where families are welcome to experience this life. Visiting the farmer’s markets where they sell their goods is another way to get this experience.

Amusement Parks

Teaching the kids about the simple life is great, but your family also probably wants some family-oriented modern adventure during their summer vacation. Indiana has plenty of amusement and water parks to keep you all happy. Indiana Beach is a popular choice, with its roller coasters, kiddie rides, sand beaches and the option to lodge nearby in either hotels or campgrounds. Other amusement parks in Indiana include the Fun Spot Amusement Park & Zoo, Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari and the two top waterparks: Atlantis and Splash Down Dunes.

Explore Indianapolis

This big city offers much to do in the way of family activity, after all, their motto is “so easy to do so much”. The Children’s Museum, The American Super Heroes Museum and the Connor Prairie will also allow for a fun learning experience for the kids. The Indianapolis Zoo will keep the kids occupied for an entire day. And you’ll have to go back to its downtown neighborhood because it’s located in White River State Park which also has baseball games, an IMAX theatre and other activities for the whole family.

Santa Claus

Longing for a little bit of Christmas in July? There won’t be any snow, but the fun of going to a city like Santa Claus might make you feel a little of that exciting holiday energy. You can see the forty-ton concrete Santa Claus statue, go camping at the very family-friendly Lake Rudolph Campground, and get some goodies at the free-to-see Candy Castle.

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Ideas for Family Summer Vacations in Illinois with your Kids

Thursday, March 13th, 2008
Ideas for Family Summer Vacations in Illinois with your Kids

What does the Midwest have to offer in terms of family summer vacations? If you make your way throughout the state of Illinois with your family this year, you’ll come home with more answers to that question than you might have expected. Of course, there’s the unique urban landscape of the metropolis that is Chicago which undeniably offers a lot of activity for you and your kids, but there are also interesting spots all throughout rural Illinois which might surprise you with their fun-filled family activities.

Chicago

A trip to Chicago with your family is an adventure that requires a page all on its own. This city is filled with rich cultural experiences, museums for families of all ages, a magnificent thriving arts scene and many activities that can’t be experienced elsewhere. It’s as urban as urban gets and offers a really unique experience whether your family is from an urban area such as New York or Los Angeles or from a rural area somewhere else in the country. The animals of the Lincoln Park Zoo, the astounding elevator ride and view from Sears Tower, the major league baseball games and the activities of Lake Michigan will all wow your kids and make for an exciting trip for your whole family.

The rest of Northern Illinois

Chicago may be the big attraction for spending time in Northern Illinois, but there is a lot to see and do in the quieter Northwest portion of the state as well. Take the kids hiking amidst the canyons and waterfalls of Starved Rock State Park. Visit Galena, where the historic main street will give the kids a glimpse into nineteenth century lifestyles and the historic sites will make for an education vacation. Take a trip to the Railway Museum in Union, IL. Or see something unique at the annual Sandwich Fair in Sandwich, IL.

West-Central Illinois

Heading south, but not too far south, you’ll find that the center strip of Illinois also has some fun activities for your family. These tend to be more in the area of nature and give the kids a chance to explore Illinois wildlife. A favorite here is the 2000 acre Wildlife Prairie State Park where wolves, cougars and bears can be seen from afar. History can come alive at the many Abraham Lincoln sites that exist in this area. And a day spent at the Amish Villages can give your kids a look at history played out in modern life. If the rural life in the area makes the kids too antsy, you can make a stop at inPlay, an interactive gaming and entertainment center that will make them go wild - and will probably wear them out!

Southern Illinois

Families which are traveling up from the south and only have a little bit of time to spend in the state won’t have to worry that there’s nothing to do because the southern portion of Illinois is also filled with activities. Outdoor activities are in abundance here, with activities along the Ohio River being a favorite of the area. River taxis are good for the more relaxed families while horseback riding and hiking in the area’s state parks are better for more active families. If you’re going to be driving through this part of the state, make sure you brush your kids up on their old Popeye cartoons and then go see the statue located in Chester, IL.

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Ideas for Family Summer Vacations in Georgia with your Kids

Thursday, March 13th, 2008
Ideas for Family Summer Vacations in Georgia with your Kids

What do you envision for your summer vacation? Camping with your kids in a beautiful mountainous area? Adventuring at major theme parks, zoos and aquariums with your family? Or perhaps visiting historic sites and learning about the cultural diversity of an area that is different from where you live? Georgia offers all of these things so that families of all kinds can enjoy a summer vacation in this unique state. Here are just a few of the things that you and your family might enjoy if you take a trip to Georgia:

Animals

There are many different opportunities to spend the summer seeing different animals in Georgia. Zoo Atlanta is well-known for being one of the only zoos to feature an exhibit on Giant Pandas. And that’s not all that the state is known for, they’re about to open a new aquarium, the Georgia Aquarium, which is going to be one of the largest aquariums in the world. There’s already a unique RiverQuarium in the state (in Albany, located in Southern Georgia), a Kangaroo Conservation Center, and a wild animal safari park.

Theme Parks

That wild animal safari park, Wild Adventures, is also a theme park features rides and shows across 170 acres of land. Of course, Georgia is also home to Six Flags Over Georgia and the Six Flags White Water Park. Additional amusement parks located throughout the state include Alpine Amusement Park, American Adventures and Stone Mountain Park, the latter of which is a 3300 acre theme park. Each of these parks offers something different for families spending their summer vacation in Georgia.

History & Culture

There are many different historical sites located throughout Georgia which you might want to share with your family this summer, but there are a few that are likely to be of particular interest. You can head north into the Georgia Mountains to experience the days of the gold rush in Georgia and even pan for gold with your family. A trip to the Georgia coast can take your family to Hog Hammock, where a unique African American community known as the Gullah lives out a traditional lifestyle that can educate your children about diversity. Even just a trip to Savannah is filled with history, since this city was the first city in America to be planned and designed before being constructed. Throughout the state, there is rich colonial and Civil War history to share with your children.

Museums

Of course, you can always head to the museums to experience some of that history in a more modern way. Museums in Georgia that are enjoyed by families visiting the area include Imagine It! (The Children’s Museum of Atlanta), Agirama Historic Village and Museum, Fernbank Science Center and Museum of Natural History (loved by kids for the big dinosaur exhibits), and the several lighthouse museums which dot the Georgia Coast.

Looking towards the future

If you’ve already got your summer vacation planned and Georgia isn’t it, you might want to think about making this state a destination for future vacations with your family. Not only is there clearly a lot to see and do here, but there’s also incentive for families visiting the state. That’s because Georgia is currently trying to encourage tourism in the area and is offering the Georgia Dream Pass which features obligation-free discounts on attractions in the state. Currently, the dream pass has just been launched and is only featuring golf-themed discounts but additional family-oriented discounts are said to be available soon. A great trip at a great price - what could be better?

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Taking a Disney Cruise

Thursday, March 13th, 2008

Are you thinking about taking a Disney cruise with your family?

 

Of course the thought has at least crossed your mind; after all, the kids get the fun of a Disney adventure while you can enjoy the relaxing benefits of a vacation on a cruise line. But you haven’t done it yet. Why? Maybe you think it’s too expensive or you think it’s something you should wait to do when the kids are a little bit older.  Not the case!  Taking a Disney cruise is an affordable option for families with kids of all ages, as long as a little planning goes into place.

 

The Disney cruise is a perfect introduction to cruise travel for families who have never taken a cruise before.

� It is specifically geared towards first-time cruisers and cruisers with kids so it has all of the amenities and on-board assistance that you might need should you have any concerns at all about cruise travel.

� The Disney Cruise line also knows that families are going to be on board and has a variety of activities for all ages so that everyone in the group can have a good time.

 

The Disney Cruise can take you to a number of different destinations so you can select something that’s right for your family.

� Maybe the cruise is a compromise vacation between your husband’s promise to you that he’d take you to the

Bahamas and his promise to the kids that they could do

Disneyland this year.

� A Disney Cruise to the

Bahamas satisfies everyone.

� Other destinations include the Mediterranean and the Mexican Riviera so you can give your family a cultural experience within the safety of the cruise ship.

 

Disney cruises are available for a range of different lengths of time so that your family can travel within the amount of time that you have available.

� Maybe you just have a long weekend and want to take a quick three-day cruise or perhaps you need to get the kids out of the house for an extended vacation over summer break and a ten-day cruise is more along the lines of what you had in mind

.� The Disney cruise offers packages at both ends of the spectrum to make sure your family travels for as long (or not) as need be.

 

Speaking of packages, Disney knows that kids are expensive and so there are regularly-offered deals for well-priced travel packages on the Disney cruise lines.

� You can find the deals yourself through the website, signing up in advance for notification of special offers, or you can work with a travel agent who specializes in Disney travel to get the best price on your cruise.

� A Disney cruise is certainly a luxury but it doesn’t have to cost like one!

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Tips For Inexpensive Family Travel Fun - Take a Trip with Your Kids on a Budget

Thursday, March 13th, 2008

Tips For Inexpensive Family Travel Fun - Take a Trip with Your Kids on a Budget

 

Family travel is an important part of a child’s growing-up experiences but it can often be the thing that puts the parents’ bank account in the red. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be that way.

 

You can have fun trips with your family on a regular basis without spending a fortune by sticking to a few simple travel tips that minimize your costs.

 

  • Think about your mode of travel.
    • � If you’ve got seven kids and an SUV, it might be most cost-effective to load them up and then go somewhere that isn’t too harsh on the gas mileage.
    • � If you’ve got one teenager who can listen to an mp3 player for hours on end, you might think about the cheap seats on a bus or train to get you to your travel destination.
  • Stick close to home.
    • � People think about going on vacation and they automatically think about the big destinations, be it Disneyland or Hawaiian beaches.
    • � However, there are plenty of unexplored towns in your own backyard which can make for inexpensive travel destinations.
    • � Exploring a new place as a family can be an adventure and it’s really exciting to find out what adventures are within a day’s driving distance from your home
    • � It makes home that much more interesting!
  • Sleep cheap.
    • � Hotels are one of the biggest expenditures for family travel so do what you can to find inexpensive places to stay.
    • � Travel to destinations where you have friends or family that would be happy to put you up for a night.
    • � Do some Internet research on kid-friendly hotels where children under a certain age can stay for free.
    • � Or consider camping out in the family tent.
  • Eat light.
    • � Food is the other big expenditure on family travel that can cause the budget to go into bank-breaking levels.
    • � Eating out at restaurants and fast food places can get pricey if you’re doing it three times a day just because you’re on vacation.
    • � Stop at the grocery store as soon as you’ve arrived at your travel location to reduce the food costs of your family travel.
  • Do free stuff wherever you go.
    • � Vacations tend to involve a lot of time spent finding stuff to do.
    • � That can mean spending money, but it doesn’t have to mean that at all.
    • � Check local newspapers and tourist websites to find the free events and low-admission locations in every city.
    • � There’s plenty of stuff to do in every destination and you don’t have to pay big bucks to do it.
  • Plan ahead for the bigger trips.
    • � Okay, so usually you do the close-to-home vacations but you do want your kids to see Mickey Mouse or Honolulu before they grow up.
    • � That’s fine; just know that you can do it a lot cheaper if you plan in advance.
    • � Look for deals, save up your frequent flier miles, and travel in the off-season to avoid spending much money on those bigger trips.

 

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Last Minute Family Trips - Ideas for You and Your Kids to Take Last Minute Vacations

Thursday, March 13th, 2008

You and Your Kids Should Take that Last Minute Family Trips - Ideas for Last Minute Family Trips 

You didn’t think that you were going to be able to take a vacation with the kids this year but then something changed and now you’re ready to take off at the last minute on a family trip.

 

� Maybe you got a bonus at the job that gives you the extra spending money or perhaps you just admitted to yourself that another week home alone with the kids on their summer vacation would drive you batty.

 

� Whatever the case, you’re ready to go somewhere with the whole brood but you don’t have a lot of time to do your trip planning.

 

� What do you need to think about in the days before you take off?

� First off, consider where you can realistically go on vacation given your budget and your family dynamics. � Yes, it’s tempting to just hop on a plane and go to

Disneyland because you know that the kids will have fun there, but is that the best use of your spontaneous vacation time?

 

� Usually, if you’re doing a trip last minute, it ends up costing you some bucks, so it’s a better idea to stick close to home and to avoid major tourist destinations which take advantage of the last minute family in terms of cost.

 

� Besides, your teens might actually be happier doing some shopping at a new mall in a nearby town or seeing a concert during a family trip than putting on the Mickey Mouse ears.

� You should also think about who you want to see on your vacation. � Last minute trips can be really stressful and you don’t want to add to that by agreeing to visit relatives that you don’t actually enjoy spending time with. � Save the big family vacation for a planned reunion and take advantage of your spontaneous urge to travel by enjoying a new destination with your immediate family. � Alternatively, maybe you just need a break from the day-to-day grind with the kids and heading to Grandma’s house can give you that much needed break. � Think about why you decided to go on vacation with your family and who you want to see to realize that reason. � Finally, don’t sacrifice safety for spontaneity. � One of the biggest mistakes that families make when they take last minute vacations is that they get so enmeshed in the details of pulling off a last minute trip that they forget to take care of important things that need to be taken care of to keep the kids safe. � If you’re traveling by car, this means taking that extra day at home to make sure the maintenance on the car has been done. � If you’re going to a foreign destination, this means double-checking that your kids’ vaccinations are all in place. � Sure, it’s nice to be spontaneous with your family but not at the cost of being unsafe. � Last minute family trips can provide some of the most memorable vacation experiences that you’re family will ever have. � Your kids will say one day, years after the trip, “hey, remember that time that we decided to go explore that little town in the northern part of the state?” � Or you’ll be visiting Grandma and she’ll reminisce about that great long weekend when you unexpectedly turned up with the kids. � Just make sure that you put your important items in order before you leave even if you’re taking off mostly on a whim.

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Family Travel Ideas for Vactions to Pennsylvania with your Kids

Thursday, March 13th, 2008
Ideas for Family Vacations in Pennsylvania with your Kids

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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Family Travel Ideas for Vacations to South Carolina with your Kids

Wednesday, March 12th, 2008
Ideas for Family Vacations in South Carolina with your Kids

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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Family Travel Ideas to Vacation in South Dakota with your Kids

Friday, March 7th, 2008
Ideas for Family Vacations in South Dakota with your Kids

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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