The Lollipop Road

Archive for the ‘Attractions’ Category

Each year, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania hosts a traditional German Christmas Market (Christkindlmarkt).  Having enjoyed several of these festive markets in Europe, we decided to head out with the kids a couple of years ago to see what this local traditional market, billed as one of the top holiday markets in the world by Travel + Leisure magazine in 2007, had to offer.

The market had been held at the bottom of Main Street in historic downtown Bethlehem, adjacent to Monocacy Creek. However, in 2011, they are moving it to PNC Plaza at 645 E. First Street on the SteelStacks Campus.

In the past, you arrived to two large white tents separated by a courtyard housing over 100 vendors offering everything from hand-crafted ornaments to freshly baked goods.  Shopping isn’t the only activity, although there is a special area just for kids.  The market also offerd music, live entertainment, glass blowing, ice carving and of course, the opportunity  to visit with Santa.  Combine those activities with over a dozen food vendors and you have a great place for a mid-day outing.

The market is very popular with seniors and by the looks of things, families were outnumbered by about 50 to 1 during our visit.  However, we were able to comfortably use our umbrella stroller and had little trouble getting around.  In the courtyard there was a huge 26 foot Christmas tree that proved to be a great photo spot.  The ice carver was hard at work on this blistery day – I’m sure there was no danger of it melting, so he was taking his time.

Unfortunately, there was no glass blowing demonstration, but Santa was in residence at the very back of the craft tent.  This area was designated as the Kindermarkt, although other than Santa, there was only a small toy vendor that kept the kids occupied for about 5 minutes.  This area also housed most of the food vendors, offering everything from Pizza to BBQ.  Of course, you’ll also find some traditional German favorites – Bratwurst anyone?  Don’t forget to top this off with some delicious apple strudel.

In the center of the craft tent was the entertainment stage and plenty of seating around large round tables.  We had the privilege of listening to the Chime Choir from the Senior Adult Activity Center who provided some entertaining Christmas music for the onlookers as they enjoyed lunch.  Three to five shows are offered daily by different groups.  You can check the schedule in advance.

For convenience, there were restrooms (located off the courtyard) and two ATM machines in the event that you ran out of cash.  We found, however, that most craft vendors accepted credit cards.  Rounding out the conveniences was a small family rest area at the very front of the market, consisting of two rocking chairs and a small changing area shielded by a screen. We are unsure if the setup will remain the same at the new location, so stay tuned for any significant changes.

Admission to the market, if purchased in advance, is $7 for adults ($6 for ArtQuest members). Admission at the gate is $8. Children 12 and under are free.  A season pass is also available for $13 in advance ($11 for ArtQuest members) or $15 at the gate. Major credit cards are accepted.  The market runs Thursday through Sunday beginning November 17 and ending on December 18 (closed Thanksgiving).  Hours are 11AM-8PM Thursday through Saturday and 11AM-6PM on Sunday.  If you want to avoid the crowds, Thursday or Friday is best.

There is ample free parking across the steet from the market.  It is a short walk to the market. Use this map as your navigational guide.

Overall, this is a good destination for a  family outing.  There are enough food and entertainment options to make it work.  However, don’t expect to spend more than 2 hours there.  You may find it challenging, especially on weekends, to get around the crowds and to find a space to sit and relax.  No worries, there are some great spots nearby that will provide endless entertainment for the kids.

Disclosure

After much uncertainty earlier this year, Edaville Railroad announced that it would remain open for yet another fun filled season. Hooray! This past weekend gave folks a preview of the park with a frightfully ghoulish “Ghost Train”. Although the rides were not open, it was a scary fright fest that had patrons excited about the upcoming 2011 Festival of Lights at Edaville Railroad.

Edaville was started back in 1947 when Ellis D. Atwood (EDA) purchased two-foot gauge rails from Maine and brought them back to his cranberry bog plantation in Carver, Massachusetts. He built a 5 ½ mile loop around the bogs to simultaneously service the bogs and give sightseeing tours to paying customers. He added amusement rides and lots of holiday lights to give New Englanders and tourists alike an amusement park experience like never before.

From November 25th through January 1st, families may enjoy Edaville’s traditional Festival of Lights, along with all of the rides that make little ones squeal with delight. Weekday hours will be 4PM until 9PM, with weekend hours from 2PM until 9PM. Please review the full schedule before heading out.

In addition to the traditional train ride, there will also be The Polar Express train this year, as well. The Polar Express will run at 4:30PM, 5:30PM, 6:30PM and 7:30PM on the following dates: November 18, 19, 20, 28, 29, 30 and December 5, 6, 12, 13, 24, 31. With the exception of the last two dates, the remainder of the park is closed during this event. The cost is $30 per person (under 2 free) and includes hot chocolate, cookies and a small gift. Please make reservations in advance.

For additional information about Edaville’s specific attractions, be sure to read our full review from the 2010 season.

Edaville Railroad is located in Carver, Massachusetts. Friday, Saturday and Sunday are the busiest days, so if you’re looking for maximum enjoyment and minimal crowds, visit on a weekday or as soon as the park opens. Admission is $18 for adults, $16 for seniors and free for kids under 2. Watch for coupons on their Facebook page.

Disclosure

Last night my heart sank as I watched my son’s eyes well up with tears. My husband and I had taken our two little munchkins to Edaville Railroad for the Festival of Lights and my 5 year old had just asked if we could come here every year. I had to break the news to him that Edaville may be closing permanently on January 2nd, 2011. He asked why someone would want to close such a magical place, but I couldn’t explain it to him. He doesn’t understand that sometimes, despite the best of intentions, people can’t afford to keep things operational and that no matter how hard you look, sometimes, there just isn’t a buyer.

UPDATE – It was announced on September 24th that Edaville would stay open, beginning its new season on October 1, 2011!

Edaville was started back in 1947 when Ellis D. Atwood (EDA) purchased two-foot gauge rails from Maine and brought them back to his cranberry bog plantation in Carver, Massachusetts. He built a 5 ½ mile loop around the bogs to simultaneously service the bogs and give sightseeing tours to paying customers. He added amusement rides and lots of Holiday lights to give New Englanders and tourists alike an amusement park experience like never before.

My husband had heard that Edaville may be closing it’s doors soon, so we decided it was now or never to take our growing family for a visit, before it was too late. We arrived at 3:40PM (20 minutes before opening) after a 2-hour trip from our home. Mom and dad were tired, but the kids were excited and ready to explore, especially after seeing the train and all the lights in the distance. We dressed the kids in their snow bibs (highly recommended) and other winter gear and we were off.

There are a total of 11 amusement rides for the kids to choose from. Some rides are for the littlest children, in the 2-4 year old range, and include a miniature train, flying turtles, and a bumpy caterpillar (that my son said was like driving with mommy). Other rides are geared toward the 4-10 year old range, including high flying planes, twirling drums, soaring elephants, and spinning spaceships. A few rides are even reserved for the older children (and some brave adults). There is also an antique carousel and a Ferris wheel. A couple of the kiddie rides will accommodate adults as well. Daddy had the privilege of riding with the kids; he may have had as much fun as they did! All in all, we felt that the selection of rides, as well as the fun factor helped to make this a great outing.

One of the biggest attractions at Edaville, of course, is the train ride. It takes about 10 minutes to complete the 2.5 mile loop and with its comfortable bench seats and huge glass windows, you get a relaxed setting and an awe-inspiring view while watching the 7 million lights go by from the comfort of the coaches. All of the ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ from passengers mesmerized by the largest display of lights in New England really can get you in the Holiday spirit. Unlimited rides are included, but to avoid the crowds, be sure to go early for the shortest wait (the last train departs at 8:00 PM).

Of course, Edaville also has the standard amusement fare, including eateries and games (with fun prizes), as well as gift shops, a ball crawl, forest maze, model trains and Cranberry World Museum. Let’s not forget Santa; you can visit with him up until 8:30 PM and have a photo taken with no obligation to purchase. To be honest, our family saw little of the above activities due to the fact that they also have two Thomas tables set up with the usual trains, tracks and destinations. And as many of you with Thomas-loving children know, your kids love to play with other train tables more than their own!

Despite nippy toes, our family had a fantastic time during our 3 hour visit. Our children enjoyed many of the amusement rides as well as riding the train, seeing the lights, playing with the train table and looking around the gift shop. They won a prize playing an amusement type game, studied the old steam trains and made a lot of happy memories to last throughout the Christmas season. Children of all ages will enjoy this wonderful park, but we feel that children 3-12 would most enjoy everything Edaville has to offer.

Edaville Railroad is located in Carver, Massachusetts and is open from 2-9 PM on weekdays and from 4-9 PM on weekends, except Christmas Day, when they are closed. Friday-Sunday are the busiest days, so if you’re looking for maximum enjoyment and minimal crowds, visit on a weekday or as soon as the park opens. Admission is $18 for adults, $16 for children 2-12 and free for kids under 2. Be sure to print your $2 off coupon before heading out.

The Park closes for the season on January 2^nd. Sadly, this may be the last day of operation for this historic and fun park. If you live in the area or are lucky enough to be visiting New England during the Christmas season, why not make some happy memories at this iconic amusement park that so many of us know and will fondly remember.

Disclosure

California has so many outdoor activities to offer families year round.  With mild weather and lots of sunshine, Palm Springs is of course a popular winter destination.  For families, the lure of some great outdoor activities is all the more reason to visit. With another fee free day coming up on September 25th, 2010 (National Public Lands Day) we thought we’d take another look at Joshua Tree, one of our favorite National Parks.

Sandwiched between I-10 and Highway 62 just east of Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National Park offers some unique landscape, beautiful scenery and easy hikes.  There are three entrances, Joshua Tree (west), Twentynine Palms (north) and Cottonwood (south).  If you are coming from Palm Springs, you’ll likely enter through Joshua Tree, just off Highway 62.  If you loop around, you can exit at Twentynine Palms back onto Highway 62, about 30 miles east of Joshua Tree.  You can also connect to the south entrance at Cottonwood Springs, hooking up with I-10.

There are visitor centers at all three entrances that are open year-round from 8AM-5PM, except Cottonwood, which is open 9AM-3PM.  With exhibits, videos, a bookstore and public facilities, this is the place to begin and end your trip through the park.  The visitor center at the Joshua Tree entrance also has a cafe, while the Oasis visitor center at Twentynine Palm boasts an accessible nature trail.

Tucked away in the northwest corner of the park is the Black Rock Nature Center, which is open daily 8AM-4PM, October through May (Noon-8PM on Friday).  You’ll find exhibits, a small bookstore, public facilities and a picnic area.  This is a dead-end road, so unless you intend to hike in the Black Rock Canyon, camp, or hike up to Hi-View to see Mount St. Gorgonio, there is nothing else to see in the area.

The two best features of Joshua Tree National Park are it’s cool campgrounds and picnic areas nestled among rock formations and it’s family friendly nature trails.  There are five loop trails that are half a mile or less, four of which are stroller accessible.  Bajada, Cap Rock, Oasis of Mara and Keys View are all stroller friendly or easy for kids to maneuver.

Another easily accessible, kid friendly activity is the Keys Ranch tour, which offers a 90 minute guided exploration of the old Keys family homestead.  Littered with lots of old cars, trucks and mining equipment, the ranch provides many interesting diversions for kids.  Tours are offered on weekends from October to May and on weekdays according to season.  There is a fee of $5 for adults and $2.50 for kids 6-11.  Kids under 6 are free.  Reservations are recommended during peak season.

In spring, wildflower viewing is a very popular activity.  March and April bring wildflowers that are in full bloom, adding an interesting color to an otherwise green and brown landscape.  Rangers also offer a variety of programs each day to keep both adults and kids entertained.

If you’ve decided to camp, well there are nine campgrounds in the park.  The largest and most family friendly are Jumbo Rocks (my favorite), Black Rock and Cottonwood.  Both Black Rock and Cottonwood offer fresh water and flush toilets along with dump stations for RVs for $15/night.  Jumbo Rocks, which is centrally located on the main park road is $10/night, but has no amenities.  All sites offer a picnic table and fire grate.  Jumbo Rocks and Cottonwood offers ranger programs on Friday and Saturday evenings, while Black Rock offers a program on Saturday evening only.  Reservations may be made for Black Rock and Indian Cove up to six months in advance.  All other campgrounds are first-come, first-served.

There are lots of side roads and other interesting areas of the park to see too.  The park map will help you plan your route.  If you have just one day, start by stopping at either the Joshua Tree visitor center, then drive the main park road, stopping at Cap Rock, Keys View and Skull Rock.  Both Hidden Valley and the Jumbo Rocks area have picnic tables for a quiet family picnic.  You can exit back onto Highway 62 via the Oasis visitor center (and another nature walk while you’re there).

Joshua Tree National Park is an amazing contrast within itself.  The only warning is not to go during the summer…unless you like extreme heat.

Disclosure

On one of our visits to Nassau earlier this year we ventured out to the Pirates of Nassau Museum in downtown Nassau. An easy three block walk from the cruise terminal, the museum is conveniently located near the British Colonial Hilton at the corner of King and George Streets. The walk and museum are stroller friendly so long as you can make a few fancy maneuvers and have a partner for some heavy lifting on and off curbs and up and down a few stairs (there is a lift in the main part of the museum).

At a hefty $12 admission fee for adults and a more reasonable $6 for kids 4-17, this museum is a bit overpriced for what you get. As you enter, the mood is set by the dark, spooky atmosphere and a life sized pirate ship that acts as the first backdrop for the self-guided tour through the history of pirating in the Bahamas. Again, the museum is very dark, so a little light won’t hurt if you have young kids or want to read the placards without straining.

Winding through the museum will take less than 30 minutes. Each “room” showcases a piece of pirate life, life onboard a pirate ship and pirating history in and around Nassau. The highlight of the tour is a pitch dark curtained room with a pirate show (highlighted by lightning and the obligatory moaning) that might scare younger kids – although our four year old thought it was cool. The self-guided tour ends in a small room exhibiting a few artifacts from the era.

For kids under the age of 6, the best part of the entire museum just might be the courtyard. With a stockade, larger than life pirate and cannons to climb on, the kids spent as much time here as they did in the entire museum. There are tables where you rest and have a small snack and restrooms are conveniently located nearby. Making your way to the small gift you’ll find a disappointing and pricey selection of “piratefinalia”.

For a family with young kids (under the age of 6) or teens, this museum isn’t going to be the highlight of your trip to Nasaau. For those in between, it is a good (albeit pricey) way to spend a hot or rainy afternoon. Set your expectations low and you’ll be pleasantly surprised. The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9AM-6PM and Sunday 9AM-Noon. Be sure to check their website for holiday closures before heading out.

Disclosure