The Lollipop Road

Archive for the ‘Destinations’ Category

Fee Free Days at our National Parks is upon us once again.  Next weekend, August 14-15, the National Parks Service is waiving entrance fees at over 100 National Parks.  This is a great opportunity to explore a bit of wilderness before the kids head back to school later this month.

To get you started, we’ve come up with our three favorite parks to visit this August.

1. Glacier National Park – With all roads open for only a few short months each year, this is an opportune time to visit Glacier National Park in the late summer months.  What makes it even better is that this year, they are celebrating their centennial – it has been 100 years since they became our 10th National Park in 1910.  If you only have a day, drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road (or take a tour), take a ranger led hike (or one of your own) and visit the Many Glacier hotel for a quick lunch or to enjoy a one-hour cruise on Lake McDonald (only $14.95/$7.95).  Amy over at Pit Stops For Kids recently visited with her family on her 22-day Road Trip – check out what she has to say about Glacier National Park and the Many Glacier Hotel.
2. Lava Beds National Monument – Thinking about the record high temperatures that have hit much of the nation the last few weeks, I’m thinking that the kids might like to explore somewhere cool and cool.  One of the more remote parks in California, Lava Beds National Monument offers over two-dozen lava tube caves that can be explored on your own.  These vary in difficulty, but there are plenty that are family friendly (we did it with a one year-old).  As a bonus, the temperature inside is always a cool 52-55ºF.
   Exploring outdoors yields lots of cool stuff too, like Native American pictographs (Symbol Bridge/Big Painted Cave/Petroglyph Point), a deep wide crater to peer into or how about climbing a spatter cone.  In this mountain region, even outdoor peak summer temperatures hover in a comfortable range (75-80ºF).  Check out these tips on caving before you head out.
3. Valley Forge National Historical Park – For our East Coast friends we recommend Valley Forge.  Known as the winter encampment for General Washington and his troops, Valley Forge has lots to offer in the way of both nature and history.  Start at the visitor center with a 30-minute film chronicling the trials, tribulations and sheer exhaustion of those men who fought to win our independence.
   Take a 40-minute ranger led tour (free), hop on the 90-minute trolley tour (fee) or wander around on foot or motorized carriage (your car) on a self guided tour of the park.  Kids always love the interpreters at Washington’s Headquarters and Muhlenberg’s Brigade.  Thankfully, you’ll always be able to find some shade to escape the sun on a warm summer day.  Bring a picnic lunch and be sure to stop at the playground where your younger kids can burn off some energy.  Note that this park is free at all times.

If you are a family on a budget, be sure to take advantage of Fee Free Days next weekend and be sure to check out the remaining dates throughout the year.  You can find lots more information on our National Parks right here on our website.  And…be sure to check back on Monday when we have a special guest post on spending a weekend in Grand Teton National Park with kids.

If you enjoyed these photos and would like to see more, visit Photo Friday at Deliciousbaby.

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Now that we have moved into our new home, our son is settling into a new school and my in-laws are now officially retired, we can again dream of returning to Ireland.  It would be our kids first trip to Europe and I know that they would just stare in awe at the natural beauty that Ireland has to offer.

I can envision circumnavigating the Dingle Peninsula, hugging the coast up to the Cliffs of Moher, then winding through the Connemara countryside before settling into Ashford Castle for a couple of days of pampering while the kids explore the estate.  After we’re all rejuvinated, we hit the road on our way to Northern Ireland – yet to be explored by us on any previous trip.

Crossing the border, exploring the North Coast and the Giant’s Causeway, down the Antrim Coast and into Belfast for a bit of historical exploration.  A short jaunt to Dublin, through Waterford and a spin around the Ring of Kerry and we’re back to where we started.

The lush green countryside, the centuries old castles, the famed Irish hospitality and a few culinary delights along the way – it’s time to wake up otherwise I may never come back.

Ireland is a great family destination.  There are ancient castles to explore, beautiful countryside in which to play, unique accommodations with cool activities (try Falconry at Ashford Castle) and a cultural experience waiting to be explored.  Whether you’re seven or seventy, Ireland is a gem that will continue to sparkle in your mind, long after you have departed.

Check out more Monday Dreams at The Mother of All Trips.

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With our vehicle overflowing with supplies for the week, we set off for Islesboro, Maine, a secluded island about 3 miles off the Central Maine coast.  We had searched high and low for a quiet destination where we could spend an entire week together as a family while getting back to basics.  What we found was the secluded rocky coastline that has long attracted world famous celebrities who cherish the mild summer breeze that makes Islesboro a perfect destination for just about any water related sport.

We admittedly lead a hectic and hurried life, so the thought of seclusion without the distractions of the typical loud and crowded tourist attractions was incredibly appealing.  Of course, this meant finding a vacation rental that had lots of activities to keep the kids busy and packing the car with plenty of outdoor toys, books and DVDs so that mom and dad could enjoy some peace and quiet too.

We were incredibly fortunate to stumble across a lovely summer cottage for rent on breathtaking Ryder Cove.  Situated on the North side of the island and perched high above Ryder Cove, our 3 bedroom getaway featured a long private drive shared with a well known celebrity, which we hoped would ensure privacy and give us a sense of having our own private estate retreat.  We were right – it was awesome!

A short, but steep hike down to the cove revealed a secluded private sandy beach with a panoramic view of Ryder Cove.  This quickly became a favorite spot for collecting shells and launching into the cove on kayaks provided by our hosts.  It was our oldest sons first time kayaking and he loved exploring the cove, especially our new neighbors various water toys.  Swimming was possible, but the plant life was a bit thick and the water still chilly (even though it was mid-August).

One of the things that attracted us to this rental was the kid-friendly offerings such as a sandbox, water table and a variety of toys and games.  They even had bicycles for the entire family, although our little guys were a bit too young at the time.  The kids enjoyed evening walks down the secluded private drive.  Our older son pulling his brother in the wagon while we helped him dodge the potholes.

One afternoon we decided to load up the wagon and head over to Hutchins (aka Hutchinson) Island.  At low tide, a sand bar bridge magiacally appears, allowing foot access to a secluded island ripe for exploring.  If your kids love collecting shells, this is the place to find some unique specimens for their collection.  Bring plenty of water and snack for an impromptu picnic.  There is limited shade, so take advantage of a cloudy day if you can.

Islesboro is pretty laid back, but still offers enough activity for a relaxed family vacation.   With a small public library, playgrounds, picnic areas, a small museum and a quaint eating and shopping area in Dark Harbor, there was just enough to keep the kids busy when they tired of hanging around our “private estate”.  There is also a newly completed community center that offers lots of family activities.  With an internet cafe and fitness center, this is sure to be a popular spot with teens and tweens.

Be warned that restaurants and shops close early, even in the summer.  There is no resturant for dinner other than the Dark Harbor Shop, which serves sandwiches and light fare throughout the day.  Take-out, however, is readily available at the local grocery stores located in Dark Harbor and North Islesboro.

Because Islesboro is only accessible by ferry, expect to pay premium prices for most goods, including groceries.  If you are staying for a week, it is advisable to bring some staples with you, fill up your gas tank on the mainland and supplement your needs with items from the local stores.  We were fortunate to be able to enjoy locally baked items at a nearby craft fair and social.  There are always lots of cultural activities throughout the summer, but understand that this is an island community and the scale of activities often matches its year-round population of 600.

If you are looking for relaxation, family bonding and seclusion, Islesboro is the place for you.  With a multitude of vacation rental options, you’ll have a tough time choosing, however, I like to think that we had the best cottage on the island.

Be sure to check back next week for some amazing photos around Islesboro.

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At the heart of the Space Coast in Florida sits the diverse coastal city of Cocoa Beach.  Known for its extensive beaches, popular fishing pier and perhaps most notably as the home of Ron Jon’s Surf Shop, Cocoa Beach attracts lots of families year-round.  Tourism is up this summer and with any luck, Cocoa Beach will not be impacted by the Gulf Oil Spill of 2010, so this might be a great alternative to scrapping your Florida summer vacation plans.

There is no secret that the number one family attraction in Cocoa Beach is the beach – of course.  The public beach that surrounds the Cocoa Beach Pier stretches for miles and offers boardwalks, wide sandy stretches and easy access from countless hotels conveniently located along A1A (the main drag).  Digging pits, building sand castles, dodging incoming waves and running through the surf will busy kids for hours.

However, the best beach for kids in our opinion is located at Lori Wilson Park, several miles down the road along a more secluded stretch of coastline.  What we love about this park is that there is ample parking, free admission, a playground and even restrooms with plenty of room to change.  There is also a lifeguard on duty during daylight hours, which adds a bit more safety comfort for families.  When we visited, the lifeguard also acted as our weather barometer…he was awesome.  Top it off with a picnic on the beach and you’ll have a perfect family outing.

Swimming along the coast can be a bit much at times for the younger kids as the waves crash to shore during the incoming tide.  However, playing in the shallow surf is ideal – even our one-year-old had a blast!  We literally had to drag our kids away from the beach every day.

For a rainy day there is the Dinosaur Store with its indoor adventure area and for a fun evening activity there is also mini-golf nearby.  A short distance to the North in Cape Canaveral you can explore Manatee Sanctuary Park, nestled on the quiet Banana River.  If you’re looking for a little more excitement, Kennedy Space Center is less than 30 minutes away -  your visit can literally occupy the entire day.

Whether you’re on a week-long vacation, weekend getaway, visiting Disney or cruising from Port Canaveral, Cocoa Beach is a great destination or diversion that will occupy your kids for days.  Check back with us tomorrow when we review The Four Points by Sheraton Cocoa Beach.

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In just a few days, Expo 2010 will open to an expected 70 million visitors in Shanghai, China.  The largest world exposition (aka World’s Fair) site ever, Expo 2010 Shanghai will see participation from over 190 countries and over 50 international organizations.  This is an incredibly important event for China and they have expended great efforts to make it a success.

In 2005, we had the opportunity to visit Expo 2005 in Aichi, Japan.  Although modest in comparison to the expo that China has put together, it was an amazing educational and cultural experience that should be experienced by everyone at least once in their lifetime.  It goes without saying that this is an excellent family vacation destination and yes, I say destination, because you can literally spend an entire week at the exposition.

Expo 2010′s theme is Better City – Better Life.  With more than 55 percent of the world population living in cities, focusing on urban lifestyles, culture and diversity will bring the world together to improve conditions, conserve resources and focus on making this a better place for our children.  With interactive exhibits, technological innovations, cultural activities and food, crafts and entertainment from around the world, the world exposition serves as a meeting place for families from every corner of the globe.

Check out the United States Pavilion at Expo 2010.

Expo 2005 Aichi Hitachi Pavilion

In Aichi, there were virtual reality experiences, robotic demonstrations and interesting pavilions providing lots of fun for kids and adults alike.  We spent several days at the expo and still did not see everything – it was amazing!  Expo 2010 Shanghai runs from May 1-October 31, 2010.  It will definitely be an expo to remember.

Expo 2005 Aichi Toyota Pavilion

For more information on World Expositions, you can visit the BIE website.

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