The Lollipop Road

Posts Tagged ‘family vacation destination’

Fresh off of a 22-day Road Trip through the American West, Amy over at Pit Stops For Kids has put together an informative article for our readers in anticipation of Fee Free Days at our National Parks this coming weekend. We hope you enjoy!

Grand Teton National Park is one of those destinations that sneak up and surprise you with its (often unsung) beauty and dignity. And it need not worry about being upstaged by next door neighbor Yellowstone; what Teton lacks in geysers it more than makes up for in lack of traffic and crowds and an abundance of hiking, rafting, horseback riding, fishing, and camping.

Located directly to the south of Yellowstone (one park admission gets you into both), Grand Teton is manageable in size, making it easy for families to plan morning and afternoon activities with a mid-day break at their hotel, lodge, or campground. If you have time, day trips to both Yellowstone and Jackson Hole are worthwhile, but if only have a weekend (or just prefer to stay put), there’s plenty to keep you occupied within the park boundaries.

What to See with Kids:

Jenny Lake and Surrounding Areas:  Many Grand Teton lakes will vie for your attention, but our families favorite hiking was along the shore of Jenny Lake and up to Hidden Falls. This beautiful landmark can be accessed by either hiking trail from the String Lakes Trailhead (1.5 mile hike in on level terrain) or by shuttle boat from the Jenny Lake Dock by Jenny Lake Lodge.

Jackson Lake by Horseback:  Experience Grand Teton true cowboy-style with a horseback ride in the Jackson Lake area. (Stables are located at Colter Bay Village.) As you ride, your ‘wrangler’ will tell you many facts about the area, you’ll get plenty of photo ops of the mountains, and maybe spot some wildlife. Kids as young as eight can ride and it’s a great way to cover more ground than you would hiking!

Grand Teton Range by Bike:  Bring or rent bikes to take advantage of the 8-mile-long multi-use pathway that runs along the Teton Park Road from Moose to South Jenny Lake through breathtaking scenery. The path is exposed, so plan on morning or evening bike rides!

Where to Stay with Kids:

There are several good lodging options within the park, but for lake access and family conveniences, moderately-priced Colter Bay Village cannot be beat. Truly an entire community of its own, Colter Bay has a marina with boat and canoe rentals, horseback stables (see above), two family friendly restaurants, a visitor’s center with a Native American heritage center, a convenience store, and a campground, tent cabins, or full cabins to choose from. Our family opted for a cabin, and found both the location (yards from the lake) and amenities (comfortable beds, private bathroom with shower, in-cabin heater) to be a nice change to roughing it. Add the evening campfire program and ice cream for sale in the store, and you’ve got kid heaven!

Photos and text provided by Amy at Pit Stops for Kids.

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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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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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