Category Archives: Travel

Family Fun, indiana, Travel, travel ideas

5 Kid-Friendly Attractions in Indianapolis

Indianapolis is a surprise for many people, as it’s a low-key tourist destination that sits at the crossroads of many major Midwestern highways. If you’re looking for a sweet spot for your next family vacation, you should know that Indianapolis is also home to a number of kid-friendly attractions and activities.

Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

Image via Flickr by navets

If you’re bringing kids to Indy, you should definitely include the Children’s Museum on your itinerary. You could spend a full day exploring all five stories of fun or make it a shorter visit and just see the exhibits that are most interesting to your kids. Your options include Playscape, an area for the preschool and toddler set; Treasures of the Earth, an area that turns school-aged kids into explorers; Dinosphere; China; and the All Aboard train area. The entire museum is hands-on and kid-friendly. Tickets start at $19.

100 Acres at Indianapolis Museum of Art

Hesitate to take your little ones to an art museum? This outdoor area adjacent to the Indianapolis Museum of Art is extremely welcoming to children. This 100-acre site blends natural beauty with art that kids can climb on, explore, and experience in their own way. Most families will want to spend about an hour or two exploring the trails and sculptures. The park is open from dawn to dusk, and admission is free.

Rhythm! Discovery Center

Are your kids into drumming? Most kids love to bang out a rhythm, and some have a natural talent for drums. The Rhythm! Discovery Center has more than 150 interactive displays that let kids enjoy all sorts of percussion experiences. Along the way, they’ll learn how different cultures approach percussion instruments, play an 8-foot drum, and learn about film sound effects. Admission is $6 for kids and $12 for adults.

Indiana State Museum

Like most state museums, this one is a popular destination for local school field trips. But it’s also a fun place to visit as a family. The museum covers traditional topics in innovative ways, helping kids deepen their understanding of classroom topics with interactive exhibits that make each topic engaging. The Foucault Pendulum and the solar system exhibits are extremely popular and very kid-friendly. Admission is $9.95 for kids and $14.95 for adults.

Indianapolis Zoo

If your kids love animals, be sure to schedule time to visit the Indy zoo. Allow time to visit the dolphin show, which is free, but you’ll need to pick up a ticket at the entrance to get a seat. Don’t miss the International Orangutan Center, which delights kids and adults alike. You can also take a gondola ride, touch a shark, or watch animal feedings. Tickets are priced between $15 and $31.

With all this kid-friendly fun, affordable lodging, and great food all over the city, your family is sure to enjoy a trip to Indianapolis. Indianapolis is a sweet Midwestern city with a host of exciting museums and attractions, but it isn’t overrun with tourists, making it a perfect family destination.

Travel

Family Friendly Audiobooks

Anne Younger Leave a comment

I like to consider myself to be lucky when it comes to my kids because they all love to read. Each and every one of my kids loves books, loves being read to and loves to discover new stories.

Although there are age gaps between all of us, something that definitely brings us all together is a good book, especially if it is an audio book that we can all listen to and enjoy. We like to download different books and listen to them when we are travelling both long and short distances and I feel it has helped the kids fall more in love with reading.

To get you started, here is a list of books the whole family will enjoy while traveling.

1. The Harry Potter Series

2. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe from The Chronicles of Narnia

3. The Percy Jackson Series

4. Holes

5. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

6. Alice in Wonderland

7. The Neverending Story

8. Little House on the Prairie

9. Maniac Magee

10. The Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series

You can purchase downloads of these books online at places like Audible.com, Audiobooks.com, Barnes and Noble, and Amazon to get your collection started!

Family Fun, Travel, travel ideas, washington

3 Tips for Visiting SeaTac

Anne Younger Leave a comment

SeaTac, short for Seattle-Tacoma, is a town that encompasses the airport of the same name. On the north end, it starts at South 128th Street and extends all the way south to just past South 216th Street and is bordered by different cities on the east and west sides. It may not be the largest city in the Seattle area, but it is home to interesting destinations that include everything from a botanical garden to restaurants that serve fresh-caught seafood and pour local draft beer. There’s plenty to do in this area that goes beyond the airport!

Check Out the Natural Beauty of Washington State

Image via Flickr by davidwilson1949

Angle Lake is a recreational park situated on a small lake. It’s got a spray park for the family to enjoy, a boat launch and fishing pier, playground equipment, and a recreation area among other features. Got a little bit of time before heading to your next destination? Make sure to stop at the Highline SeaTac Botanical Gardens. The gardens aren’t that large, but they’re well-curated and full of beautiful plants, displays, and pathways. Plus it’s close to the airport, which makes it a great place to stop for a refresher.

Find a Place to Lay Your Head

As you would expect, SeaTac has plenty of hotels, and a majority of them are located near the airport. Prices vary from just under $100 a night to just over $200. You’ll have an easy time finding a room whether it’s at the Cedarbrook Lodge with its landscape of wetlands or the Best Western Seattle. Many of these hotels offer an airport shuttle, but not all. Make sure to double check with the website when you decide on which hotel to book. You want to make sure you can make your flight with the least amount of effort.

Grab a Bite to Eat

One of the best-rated places to eat is found in the SeaTac airport. Beecher’s Handmade Cheese has a parent storefront in Pike Place, but if you don’t have time to get over there, you can get something delicious, fresh, and hot to take with you at the airport. Got some time but don’t want fancy? Ulysses Restaurant and Lounge in nearby Tukwila is the place for you. It’s traditional diner food that’s made fresh with quality ingredients. Wash your meal down with a local draft beer for the ultimate in satisfaction. Near the airport is Mecca Mediterranean Cuisine, another diner-style place with a Middle Eastern flavor. Here, you’ll find everything from chicken and waffles to shish kebabs. Food is always served with a smile to complete your dining experience.

This is a small sampling of the things you can partake of when you’re in SeaTac, whether you’re killing time on a layover or are in town for a short trip. Find yourself an out-of-the-way diner to experience food that you can’t find elsewhere, or take a trip to a lookout spot for Mt. Ranier. You’ll find that it’s a pleasant place to visit.

maryland, Travel

A Travelers Guide to Baltimore

Anne Younger Leave a comment

Baltimore is the largest city in Maryland. In fact, it’s one of the 30 largest cities in America in terms of population. Given its size, this metropolitan area has plenty of entertainment options for tourists. If you’re visiting here, you’ll have plenty to do. Here is a traveler’s guide to Baltimore.

Men’s Pro Sports Teams

Image via Flickr by ewg4xuva

Anyone who loves professional competition will have a lot of options in Baltimore. The city is home to the Baltimore Orioles, a Major League Baseball team that plays at Camden Yards. Many baseball fans describe it as one of the most beautiful parks ever built.

Football fans can catch a Baltimore Ravens game. Known for its tough defense, the Ravens team is a perennial playoff contender. If you’re looking for something younger and hipper, the Arena League introduced the Baltimore Brigade in 2017.

Women’s Pro Sports Teams

Fans of women’s sports will also have a blast in Baltimore. Two different women’s football teams play here. Also, the United Women’s Lacrosse League added the Baltimore Ride in 2016. As you can tell from all the new teams, Baltimore’s reputation as a sports town is on the rise.

The Preakness Stakes

Arguably the greatest sports activity held each year in Baltimore is The Preakness Stakes. Baltimore has hosted this event since its debut in 1873. As one of the three legs of the Triple Crown, this horse race takes place the third week of May each year. You’ll want to find a great hotel room several months ahead of time if you want to attend this event. Rooms book quickly.

Evergreen Museum & Library

Have you ever ridden The Haunted Mansion at Disneyland or Walt Disney World? If you love the ride, you’ll want to visit Evergreen Museum & Library. The exterior of this building was the inspiration for the gothic outdoor section of The Haunted Mansion. It’s also a world-class research facility. Along with Homewood Museum, it comprises the historic Johns Hopkins University Museums. When you visit here, you can enjoy the architecture and gain some knowledge about the world.

Baltimore Inner Harbor

If you’re in the mood for delicious cuisine and lots of shopping, your best bet is Baltimore’s Inner Harbor district. The city has a hard-earned reputation as one of the best ports in the United States. The connecting Jones Falls River offers panoramic views of the water, and it comes with a side benefit.

The seafood at the Inner Harbor is legendary. The crab cakes are delicious, and Old Bay Seasoning — one of the most famous seasonings in the world — got its start here. The main factory remains in the Inner Harbor today. Baltimore also serves food known as the “chicken box” that’s absolutely inimitable. It’s a carryout tradition. The best restaurants in the city according to Zagat are Salt, Chicken Rico, and Lewnes’ Steakhouse.

Once you finish dining, you’ll want to visit the many shops and tourist attractions in Baltimore. The Inner Harbor has hundreds of shops, and it even hosts a world-renowned aquatic facility, The National Aquarium. You can watch 17,000 species of fish here.

As you can see, Baltimore has plenty of entertainment options. No matter which ones you pick, you’ll have a wonderful time.

minnesota, Travel

Family Fun in Minneapolis: 3 Things to Do and See

Anne Younger Leave a comment

Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a vibrant city full of interesting activities to do that are perfect for families. It’s simply a matter of figuring out what everyone wants to do and sticking to the plans. You’ll discover many places to go, attractions to see, and experiences to take in. Head to the zoo, explore the Mall of America, or maybe delve into the history of Minneapolis during your stay.

Tour Historical Sites

Image via Flickr by puroticorico

The Mill City Museum highlights the city’s past as the flour milling capital of the world. The visit may sound like a dull experience on the surface, but appearances are deceiving. The museum is in the ruins of a flour mill and is home to a bakery, an eight-story ride that appeals to kids of all ages, and interactive exhibits. Explosions echoing throughout the building from exhibits recreate the dangers of working in a flour mill, something that’s sure to grab kids’ attentions.

Relive the days of leisure on the Minneapolis Queen, a paddle boat that tours up and down the Mississippi River. Tours highlight the history of the boat and Minneapolis to make for an interesting afternoon. Onboard snacks are available so that no one will go hungry while learning.

Explore the Zoos and Aquariums

These venues are always a popular attraction for the younger crowd, and Minneapolis has them both. The SEA LIFE Mall of America Aquarium is a modern aquarium that has interesting exhibits. One such exhibit is walking through the shark tank tunnel: Visitors can get up close with sea life through this experience. You’ll also find fresh and saltwater tanks home to an incredible array of species including colorful reef fish, sly caimans (an alligatorid crocodilian), and sporting fish that any fisherman would probably love to take home. Stay in one of the Minneapolis hotels near the Mall of America to get in early and beat the crowds.

The Minneapolis Zoo offers a similar experience to the aquarium with its live animal exhibits. Educational programs are plentiful, and you’ll always find an interesting demonstration going on that involves zoo residents.

Visit the Parks

Minneapolis is home to parks of all types. You’ll discover parks that feature manicured lawns and paved pathways, which are perfect for families out for a stroll. Don’t overlook Father Hennepin Bluff Park, a park full of bridges and footpaths that lead down to the Mississippi Gorge with a clear view of the downtown Minneapolis skyline. Families who want to do something a little different will want to experience the quaking bog. To reach the bog itself, you walk across a floating dockway that crosses an open moat, an experience which makes for an interesting journey.

The ideas presented above are some of the fun things families can do in Minneapolis and bring home memories that last a lifetime. You’ll find a seemingly endless amount of places to go and attractions to see. Minneapolis offers these experiences that many urban areas can’t match, making it a worthwhile destination for families.