In a fresh look at the gay travel scene, Vermont, New Mexico and Indiana are “coming out” along with some classic resorts.
The 2007 summer season was the busiest one post-9/11, and it left some new trends in its wake. Among them, we have juvenile spas; pet hotels and restaurants and… yes… pet spas; yoga everywhere; fitness-equipment-filled hotel rooms; an abundance of butlers; and again, mounting interest in the LGBT market. LGBT stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (“gay” for short); not only has the travel industry outed itself to attract this market, it’s coming along nicely in support of same-sex couples traveling with children. Here’s what’s in store.
According to the San Francisco-based research firm Community Marketing Inc., 97% of gay travelers vacationed in 2006, compared with 64% of the general American population; 82% spent at least five nights per year in hotels; 84% had a US passport (29% is the national average); and 20% took at least one cruise. It’s natural that savvy travel companies are courting this market with advertising dollars and new products to new destinations. Wayne S. of Staten Island, father of a teen, agrees, “There are tons more venues where we find ourselves welcome than there were 10 or 12 years ago.”
But for the near future, some of the newest destinations being marketed are unlikely to be on the gay travelers’ short list. We’re talking about Santa Fe, New Mexico; Burlington, Vermont; and Bloomington, Indiana. They ranked as the top three US cities with a population under 200,000 in the number of gay residents, according to a recent analysis of Census Bureau data from 2000.
As the Bloomington Convention & Visitor Bureau states on www.visitbloomington.com under the “Gay Bloomington” tab, “While Bloomington obviously has an appeal to gays and lesbians looking for a place to live, its potential as a vacation destination for the discerning traveler is just beginning to attract attention.”
New Gay-Friendly Family Destinations
What is it about these three cities that attracts discerning travelers? Let’s take a look.
Burlington, Vermont is not only a hip and very fun college town, it’s also a great base in northern Vermont for visits to the Shelburne Museum (802/985-3346), Lake Champlain, Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory (866/BJ-TOURS), or the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory (800/829-BEAR). Check out Vermont’s official site or call directly at (800/VERMONT); seasonal recreation, such as boating, hiking, mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding and ice climbing abound. A few recommended everyone-welcome hotels include:
The Sheraton Burlington Hotel & Conference Center (802/865-6600) is the state’s largest, with 309 rooms furnished with all the mod-cons you’d expect at a business hotel. Some sleep up to five people. Most popular for its proximity to several ski areas, this full-service resort provides free shuttle service from the airport and a continental breakfast. Added perks: the heated indoor pool is staffed by fitness center personnel and has an adjacent outdoor sundeck and hot tub.
Outside the city is the notable Inn at Essex (800/727-4295, 802/878-1100), which bills itself as Vermont’s “premier culinary destination.” In fact, their restaurant is staffed by graduates of the acclaimed New England Culinary Institute. Your kids will more likely be impressed by the 120 elegant guest rooms, many renovated in a colorful mix of country and Swedish modern style. The property has lovely gardens, gazebos and on-site golf. Note that the Essex Inn also offers packages for Civil Unions and Commitment Ceremony receptions.
New Mexico’s culturally rich city of Santa Fe, or Fantasé as some prefer, has long been a magnet for alternative lifestylers and the tourists who follow them. In addition to its famous International Museum of Folk Art (505/476-1200), Georgia O’Keeffe Museum (505/946-1000), world-class galleries and educational Native American attractions, this chic pueblo boasts excellent restaurants and hotels. Families will find wonderful opportunities for hiking, biking and not too far away, skiing. Contact the Santa Fe Convention & Visitors Bureau (800/777-2499) for more information.
Of the many top tier hotels, the Bishop’s Lodge Resort & Spa (800/419-0492, 505/983-6377) is among the most welcoming. It mixes the local Native American stucco pueblo flavor with some Spanish colonial flair to create a beautiful and pricey hotel. The Lodge is located at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and has been a restful retreat since 1851, when namesake Bishop Jean Baptiste Lamy stayed there. Today, families will find Camp Appalossa, a summer children’s program, organized Bar-B-Qs, trail rides and Dive-In movies every Saturday night during the summer, as well as a pampering staff, and richly furnished rooms with Indian patterned carpets and exposed beams.
Casa Pacifica B&B (877/982-2078 toll free or 505/982-2078) is much smaller and a has a very different style, focusing on the Healing or New-Age interests of Santa Fe visitors. Large guestrooms each have their own steamroom for bathing, and the inn’s chef recommends and likes to prepare special healing menus. The sales people say, “We are completely handicapped logical, adult pet friendly, child friendly, elderly friendly and gay friendly,” which covers all the bases. Public spaces are great for expending energy; there are courtyards, an open air courtyard dining room and small gardens. Inquire about their spacious suites, some with sofabeds or extra beds.
Bloomington, Indiana for the gay family? Why not Indianapolis, you ask?Indy has the famous raceway, a highly lauded Children’s Museum, Wonderlab Museum of Science, Health & Technology (812/337-1337) great art collections and a downtown of famous architecture. Well, Bloomington boasts a certain New England charm — sort of small town meets college quad — and it’s less precious and pricey than Cambridge for the visiting family. According to the Bloomington C &VB, the city is “home to the nation’s fifth largest per capita population of same-sex couples and one of the most progressive cities in the Midwest, both socially and politically.” You’ll find a diverse local population, a huge University (home to the famous Dr. Kinsey and his Kinsey Research Institute) and lots of ethnic restaurants, galleries and fun shops. The city also boasts some fine museums, as well as Lake Monroe, popular for outdoor activities during the summer.
Bloomington’s Fourwinds Resort & Marina (800/824-2628, 812/824-2628) is unusual in that it promotes itself as a “tropical” resort. This place seems to offer waterfront dining, boating, fishing and tennis, along with a casual vibe, to all its guests. Along with its motel style decor and marina on the shores of Lake Monroe, there are simple rooms, most with two double beds. Rates are reasonable, with midweek specials in summer, and steep discounts in icy winter.
A Summerhouse Inn (800/371-0934, 812/332-2141) is more a motel than an inn, but it features a very kid-welcoming lawn, picnic area with firepit and Bar-B-Q, a sunken speedboat turned sandbox (no kidding!), play ground, and outdoor pool. The 96 rooms, not grand, are comfortable and inexpensive, and the staff are known for their can-do attitude. Gay and straight families will appreciate the range of guests, from sports teams, to wedding parties, to visiting parents and Hoosier alumni.
Classic Destination Resorts Become Gay-Friendly
Besides promoting new destinations, the travel industry — including some of the major hotel chains — has turned its attention to attracting same-sex couples to the classic resort destinations. That’s good news for gay and lesbian parents who are more interested in being around other families than those with their sexual orientation. Notes one gay Mom, “I have tons of gay friends, but on holiday with my kids I’m not looking to bond with other gay couples.” Reasons for this vary; most gays agree that lesbians traveling with children attract little attention and so, feel more welcome in a variety of destinations. But, concede Ann and Kathy of New Jersey, mothers of two toddlers, “Maybe two men with kids (and with no ‘Mom’) might get a different reaction.” No parent wants her/his child to be put in an uncomfortable situation. Some male couples even prefer mainstream resorts to avoid the prejudice they feel from other gays, who may think having kids is a “hetero” thing to do.
“I’ve never been to a lesbian resort and I certainly wouldn’t choose to go to one,” insists Australian Carol Ann, who travels frequently with three teens and a ‘tweener from a prior marriage, with and without her female partner. “I’m not a homogeneous type of person — our family’s idea of travel is more cultural — to go to India, visit a monastery, meet the monks.” Many years of international travel, including 12 summers on the gay-friendly Greek island of Mykonos, have given her kids, “an attitude that anything goes.”
The newly gay-welcoming Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (877/999-3223) have been a favorite with families for many years. The company’s Wyndham ByRequest guest loyalty program, which promises the pillow of your choice and other pre-selected, personalized amenities, is the umbrella under which gay, lesbian and other travelers are welcome. Deluxe, service-oriented resorts such as the El Conquistador (866/317-8932) in Puerto Rico and The Peaks (866/282-4557) in Telluride, Colorado — each with their own superb outlet of the Golden Door Spa — have award-winning children’s programs, wonderful facilities for sports and recreation, and a pet-friendly policy. (Some resorts even offer pet massages through their Golden Door Spa progam!)
In 2005, these resorts and some Wyndham properties, such as The Boulders in Arizona; Palm Springs and Hollywood hotels in California; Key West and Miami hotels in Florida; Boston; and Philadelphia, became official members of the IGLTA – the world’s leading travel trade association committed to the gay and lesbian tourism business. The company says many other Wyndham hotels and resorts will become IGLTA-approved next year. This synergy makes Wyndham a good choice for same-sex couples who prefer a diverse mix of clientele; their guests typically come as much for the beautiful resorts as for the noted spa treatments, tennis, golf, watersports and ski facilities.
The Viva Wyndham brand of self-contained, all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean is another option popular with families. Same-sex couples should be extremely discreet when touring most Caribbean isles, where homosexuality of any type is culturally (and often, legally) taboo. Note: As part of its new LGBT initiative, Wyndham will offer specially-designed commitment ceremonies at some of its resorts, making them ideal honeymoon destinations for same-sex couples with children and step-children.
Many families – gay or straight – prefer the privacy (and anonymity) that rental homes or condos provide. The gay-welcoming Club Sunterra (800/GETAWAY) is self-described as “one of the world’s largest vacation ownership companies, with more than 300,000 owner member families and 100 affiliated resort locations in 13 countries.” Sunterra’s Americas destinations include Arizona, California, Florida, Missouri, New Mexico, Tennessee, Virginia and the Caribbean. Travelers will find that many of these timeshare resorts have studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartment or townhouse style units that are available as rentals to families who don’t have an ownership stake. The prices are moderate and the facilities exceed most hotel standards: kitchens, extra bedding (such as pullout sofas), balconies, fireplaces, pools, hot tubs, laundry facilities, restaurants, spas, supervised children’s programs and myriad recreation opportunities are demanded by year-round owners — and provided at each property to renters as part of their fee.
Location and recreational opportunities are not the only factors that go into choosing a vacation. A key for any family travel planner is the participants’ ages. When interviewed, the dads of 1- and 4-year-old daughters said they would prefer to vacation at a resort with other gay families with toddlers. But they acknowledged that when the girls get older, they’ll prefer to spend time with their peers. “Our friends have said that when we have teens, we’ll be going to regular places like Club Med, where we can find something for everyone,” they sigh. In fact, Club Med (88/WEBCLUB) has a long history of working with gay and lesbian tour operators who typically book an entire resort for a week-long LGBT group. While these are mainly all-gay, adult, party-oriented affairs, Club Med management insists that their sophisticated staff and clientele are used to welcoming same sex couples with children at any resort, any time of year. A spokesperson adds, “Our focus is on the child in the activities program, not who their parents are.”
Classic Gay Destinations Welcome Families
America’s top gay resort destinations include Key West, Florida (see FTF’s coverage of Key West here); Palm Springs, California (see FTF’s coverage of Palm Springs here); Provincetown, Massachusetts; and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. While a large destination resort makes an easy, self-defined vacation on its own, many families prefer the smaller, more intimate and cheaper getaways to inns and B&Bs. That type of lodging abounds in these destinations.
Provincetown, Massachusetts is a favorite destination for many families and gays. During the annual Family Pride Week, its Main Street is transformed by LGBT parents and their kids, window-shopping and strolling from early morning to well past midnight. One same-sex couple and teen that have spent many summers in Provincetown prefers a condo, where they can prepare meals before and after a day at the beach. They recommend renting a condo through In Town Reservations (866/376-5170).
Among Provincetown’s many B&Bs and small hotels is the Benchmark Inn & Central (888/487-7440) a member of the Foremost Gay & Lesbian Hotels group, but a very family-welcoming place. Five of its 14 rooms will accommodate a family of three, and there’s no charge for children under 6 years sharing a room, if they use existing bedding. The Four Gables Cottages (866/487-2427) in the town’s west end is also recommended. Here, kids and pets fill the 1940’s-style Cape Cod cottages, each with its own porch and kitchen.
The South Florida area has a gay haven in Greater Ft. Lauderdale, an area with 23 miles of beaches (three of them gay-friendly), more than 100 gay-owned establishments and more than 30 gay or lesbian-oriented accommodations. While most are members of the active Rainbow Carpet Lodging & Hospitality Alliance (954/258-9915), few allow guests under 18. Instead, this beach town has sister resorts, the Sheraton Yankee Trader (954/467-1111) and the Sheraton Yankee Clipper (954/524-5551). Both are similar white highrises on the broad, gold sand Ft. Lauderdale Beach, and each has its own steak restaurant, 24-hour deli, poolside grill, laundry room, private childcare with advance notice, and daily recreation program. The smaller Yankee Trader has 459 rooms and a tennis courts, the larger Yankee Clipper has 500 rooms yet sends its guests next door to the Trader’s tennis courts. Both are known for thfeir friendly staff and top value rates.
Nearby is Orlando, every family’s dream vacation. The success of the annual Gay Day celebration, held the first week of June, is further proof of growing tolerance of the LGBT market. More than 10,000 guests have attended this event, noted Brian Bottorff, the festival organizer, in an interview. While he cited several hotels, such as the Wyndham Palace Resort, that were selling themselves as “boy hotels” or the Courtyard by Marriott that billed itself as a “girl hotel,” he noted that same sex-couples with children, an important segment of festival-goers, had almost sold out the Hilton brand Doubletree Suites (800/222-TREE) and Embassy Suites (800/EMBASSY) hotels affiliated with Walt Disney World. Added amenities, extra sleeping quarters, guaranteed early admission to some of the theme parks, and character breakfasts, noted Bottoroff, made these properties the most popular with families.
Other cities popular with families are making their orientation known. The city of Minneapolis (888/676-MPLS) boasts one of the nation’s top children’s theatres, the enormous Mall of America, fine museums, dining and recreation facilities. It’s also the home of Rainbow Families, one of America’s largest gay, lesbian, bigender and transsexual parenting organizations, with more than 2,000 family members. Working with the local tourist promotion board, they have created a very useful website, www.glbtminneapolis.org that features all of the wonderful things to do with kids when visiting Minneapolis and the region, and lists a calendar of local Rainbow Family events and conferences. Note Safe Space, the nation’s first after-school recreation center for LGBT teens, their friends and families.
Washington DC, not considered the most “open” city during the George W. Bush administration, is actually a popular destination for gay and lesbian travelers, and certainly for families with children. (See FTF’s coverage of Washington DC here.) The nearby beach community of Rehoboth, Delaware, known for its Atlantic beach, lively boardwalk, shops, and attractions for all ages, has recently begun welcoming LGBT families as a summer playground.
Cruises For The Gay Family
The family market remains a huge segment of the cruise industry, with many cruise lines vying for parents by instituting new kids clubs, teen lounges and juvenile massages, plus skating rinks, rock walls, and cyber cafes. For gay families, the only success story is R Family Vacations (866/732-6822), a tour company begun by Rosie O’Donnell. R Family Vacations offers an annual chartered family cruise from New York harbor. Instead of returning to the Bahamas, its original port of call, the chartered Norwegian Dawn has sailed up the New England coast to Canada.
A heart-warming account by Liza Schoenfein of the 2004 journey published in Out Traveler (May 2005) begins, “I looked around at the joyous seas of parents and children who had come from near and far for this floating festival of family diversity…”
As the travel industry continues to make social progress, a landscape of diversity will be something to aspire to.
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On January 15, 2015, Google announced that it would stop selling the Google Glass product to consumers — who became its “Explorers” — while it makes more improvements to the technology and hardware. Simultaneously, the product will move from its test phase at Google X and become its own department within the giant technology company.
For complete details, please see this story: Google Glass Sales Halted.
This is a great summary of emerging family travel trends in 2015. I am very excited to see ecotourism evolving to include the youngest travelers as well as multi-gen travelers. Very interesting to see uber attempt to dig into the family market. As for all-inclusive hotels, after years of resisiting, I am finally a convert. My kids have always loved them and now their parents finally see the ease and economy of the pay-one-price concept. Happy Travels in 2015!
great feedback on what we’re seeing for 2015; agree that ecotourism has become so mainstream that it’s time all ages and all abilities (including those with disabilities) are included in nature-focused travel.
And yes, disruptive technologies like uber and airbnb are usually started by young people and grow by appealing to young travelers, but as we all know, they too will settle down and have kids and then look at new ways to make their services more “family-friendly.” So that’s an area where we see tremendous growth potential and hope for fresh ideas.
excited about what’s coming in 2015! Thanks for your comments.
I’m in, would love to win a stay at the Camelback water park in Pennsylvania. Close to my NJ home and sounds like a fun snowy or rainy day break with my boys. Sign me up!
After returning from a vacation with her daughter, C.S. shared this review of the Dreams Punta Cana resort in the Dominican Republic.
“Hi, we did not get sick at Dreams Punta Cana, stuck to bottled water, they were nice there not really attentive at concierge or lobby not knowledgeable and internet not working well, entertainment was okay and food just okay beach nice, tours not organized very well for swim with dolphins and no shopping for malls provided.
Yes the food was not great at all, hoping for better at gourmet restaurants, they always burnt the steak and not great the food, the world café was fine, buffet.
Kids club for my 8 year old she was bored, most of the kids were younger and not a lot to do for the 8 to 9 year olds, riviera maya dreams does a better job with kids club and takes them out to the real pool for kid games that is always nice.
I like Riviera Maya Mexico still a lot better.”
“The Singing Tower.” Bok Towers Gardens. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 July 2014.
The Vera Bradley outlet sale sounds like a midwestern version on Filene’s Running of the Brides! It sounds like a paisley lovers dream and a fun Mother/Daughter bonding event. Thanks for sharing!
How’s the weather up there now? Would it be warm enough to swim outdoors in late April, or still chilly? Seems like a fun spring break getaway since we only have a few days. Thanks for sharing.
I love Rocky Mountain National park! It’s great for all Colorado seasons. In the winter, when other parts of the park are closed down, they open up sledding areas. When I went, we shared the hill with just one other small group. A great afternoon for all ages!
In spite of all the cold weather we have been experiencing, this story makes me want to head up to Montreal for a frosty weekend of fun. The Montreal en Lumiere festival sounds like a winner, as does the hotel. Thank you for the terrific seasonal suggestions!
Skiing is such a wonderful way to experience Colorado’s beauty! There is such pride in that state and I love that so many resorts really cater to children too.
Eldora Mountain Resort wasn’t mentioned on this list, but on Saturday, March 8, they are hosting a scavenger hunt to raise money for Leave No Trace, an organization dedicated to teaching people to take care of the world around them, while also having fun. How awesome is that?! Can’t wait to hear more about it.
This is an excellent article. Well researched, thoughtful and motivating. I know as a parent right now considering a family cruise this Spring Break in March, kids drowning will be on my mind even though my son is on a swim team and swims two miles five nights a week for practice. Drowning can happen to anyone, any time, at any age. As a former swim instructor and lifeguard myself for many years to earn summr spending money and put myself through college, I know how water is dangerous — whether in a pool, lake, baeach or bathtub. But we all need reminding and education about what drowning looks like. And that is what you’ve done for me today. Thank you.
As a teen life guard, I saved a kid at our local pool who was “just floating.” It was a crowded pool on a sticky, hot Midwest day. A swimmer in the middle of the packed giant kids’ pool started yelling at me and pointing to the child “floating.” I’ll never forget doing mouth-to-mouth, his wide vacant eyes, his limp body, and then him catapulting upwards, spitting, sputtering to life. I tear up as I write this. What if he hadn’t lived? The guilt, the fright, the parents, the park district, the system…who to blame if the child had died? Would I be blamed for not seeing him inactive sooner? Would the pool be blamed for allowing too many people in? Would the park district be blamed for booking the swimming event? Did anything change after this incident? Yes. I got fired. And went to work for another pool heading up their swimming lessons program.
Thank you for writing this and your call to action for everyone to take responsibility for children around water at all hours of the day and night. Your “unthinkable” article has given us all much to think about.
Would be a fun vacation if you could really save money by doing it too!
What an adventure, I would love to do embark on a journey like this with my teens. The flora and fauna seem incredible, the guides professional. Thank you for sharing!
We’ve heard the Boeing factory tour is really interesting – wondering now if there any exhibits or parts areas that relate to the new Dreamliner. Would love to see one up close, especially being assembled after all the battery snafus.
Wish we all could have been there, Morocco looks fabulous and during the winter it would be a very productive coder’s retreat.
Congratulations to ALL of the students who entered in the FTF Writing Scholarship contest :3 Of course a big "congrats" should be merited to our winners, but I think every student who entered deserves a pat on the back–hopefully they'll be inspired to continue writing, too!
This sounds like a great resort for my all-inlusive loving teen children, who have a " bigger is better" attitude. I love that it is so close to the Cancun Airport, so you can get right to the fun as soon as you land.
I love the idea that guests at the hotel can "assemble" their own favorite meals from a variety of healthy offerings. Sounds like a great idea. If only I had time to cook so many different options every night at home!
This looks like a fascinating experience to remember and to go too! I have always wanted to go to Dubai and going there is a vacation never to forget!
Enjoy
One of the best states to come visit!
You make me want to go there and spend weeks on end, reconnecting with nature and making friends. And blobbing too. Thanks for sharing this.
Cincinnati, Ohio. Just another city in the Mid-West, right? Wrong. Cincinnati is one of the greatest cities in Ohio. With our stunning river front view, our bustling downtown, and the newly gentrified Over-the-Rhine, what else could we have in store?
For starters, Cincinnati has the 7th best zoo in the nation.Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens is a great location for exploration and learning. People of all ages can appreciate the wide variety of animals found in the Zoo. Not only are the animals astounding, but guests get the chance for a hands on experience with many of the animals. For example, in Giraffe Ridge, guests can purchase a snack for the Giraffes and then feed them over the balcony. These moments will be remembered and cherished for the rest of a person's life.
Another great accessory Cincinnati has is the new, urban planned area called "The Banks. The Banks features apartments on the second floor of the buildings and restaurants and music venues on the first floor. This is a great area for younger couples to hang out at night.
Findlay Market is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon or weekend. Findlay Market is the oldest public market in the state of Ohio. The market is open every day but Monday and is one of the best places to find locally and organically grown foods. Another great feature about Findlay Market is that the area surrounding the market is newly gentrified, meaning that it has been refurbished. This makes the area even more desirable.
The Newport Aquarium</a>is not located in the city of Cincinnati itself but it is an awesome place for family fun. Newport, Kentucky is only a 10 minute drive from downtown Cincinnati and has other amenities. Other places to visit while in Newport would be Dewey's Pizza, Brothers, Brio, and the Haufbrau House. All these restaurants give a different essence to the name "Cincinnati". Dewey's is a local pizza joint that runs the gamut in available options. Clever names and quick service make for a great time. Brothers and Brio are Italian restaurants that serve authentic Italian cuisine (Brothers is the less expensive option). The Haufbrau House is a German Bier Garten style restaurant that offers a large selection of beers and sandwiches. Along with normal options, the HaufBrau House also provides authentic German food. After you eat, the chicken dance is played, giving patrons the opportunity to dance on the table tops.
Other Cincinnati food traditions are Goetta and Skyline. When German immigrants came over to America, they settled along the Ohio River, then called the "Rhine". The Germans created a meat similar to sausage called Goetta. Goetta consists of ground pork or beef, oats, and a variety of spices. This specific meat can only be found in Cincinnati and occasionally there are large festivals for Goetta and German heritage. On the other hand Skyline is chili, created by Greek immigrants. The name "Skyline" originates from the owner believing that the Cincinnati skyline was the most beautiful he had ever seen. Skyline chili has a unique flavor due to the large amount of chocolate used in the chili.
Come one come all! Memphis is the breeding grounds to fun and adventure!
I truly love my City of Houston. Though I don't know where my education will take me, Houston will always be my home.
Austin is a great place to live, love, and visit. It has wonderful sites, people, and things to do. Everybody should visit Austin.
Say what you will. An open mind is insightful.
Thank you for this spot-on mini-review of Greve and Panzano, two of the most scenic and charming towns in Chianti. Daniel Ferro's summer music program only adds to the area's beauty, with music in the piazza to entertain locals and visitors alike. The rental property sounds like an excellent choice for families who choose to vacation in and explore the area. Thanks for sharing!
Ames, Iowa provides many opportunities to experience American culture and become immersed in American history. Since the mid 1800s, Ames has become a booming college town. Culture has had lots of time to flourish in this time, and evidence of the age of this town can be found everywhere. Tourists coming to Ames can also feel safe and enjoy Ames' attractions without fear of crime. Gun fights in Ames are practically unheard of, and the friendly people never hesitate to wave, even at newcomers to the area. Any tourist can appreciate the age and personality of Ames, as well as its safety.
To experience the culture in Ames, tourists must visit Stephen's Auditorium on Iowa State University's campus. This theater hosts a variety of concerts, plays, musicals, and other theatrical performances. Comfortable seating and awesome acoustics make this location a worthy contender for a relaxing night out. Big acts such as Bill Nye the Science Guy and the band Needtobreathe have to known to reserve this venue so one feels included in a special and popular event, but the space does not have an overwhelming size, so overcrowding and overheating will not deduct from the experience. Stephen's Auditorium will help in discovering the culture of Ames.
Tourists wishing to discover some of Ames' culture would greatly benefit from attending Ames' Farmer's Market on Saturdays on Main Street. Vendors have local and homegrown produce, meat, eggs, pastries, jewelry, art and many other items for sale that offer a taste of Iowan culture. Musicians often perform for shoppers, so they can be entertained while shopping. Ames' Farmer's Market provides an excellent opportunity to experience the culture of Ames and Iowa.
Evidence of Ames' history can be found in a visit to Iowa State University's campus. Founded in 1858, Iowa State University was the sight where George Washington Carver decided to do much of his botany research. Visitors to the college will see evidence of the age of this college in the buildings from this era that still exist. Iowa State University also housed the master minds who created the first computer. Tourists to Ames can take a trip to Durham Center in Iowa State and view the replica of this first computer. Main Street offers a taste of history also. The buildings in this area of Ames give a taste of what architecture looked like back in the early 20th century. A mural on Main Street depicts some of the founders of Ames. History holds great importance in Ames, and tourists can experience this without too much trouble.
To curb tourist's hunger, Ames offers many excellent places for dining. No tourist should visit Ames without eating at Hickory Park. This restaurant is famous not only for its deliciously moist chicken but also its tangy barbecue sandwiches. After the main meal, enjoy sweet and creamy ice cream. Dublin Bay offers wonderful Irish cuisine for tourists to enjoy. Try the moist Shepherd's Pie with perfectly salted fries for contentment. For fans of Mexican food, El Azteca guarantees friendly service, free chips, and delectably flavorful food. Many restaurants with amiable service and food that delights the taste buds are available for hungry tourists.
Though a relatively small town, Ames offers visitors a chance to learn about the history and culture of not only Ames, but the state of Iowa without fear of crime. Numerous attractions exist for this purpose. Visitors can also talk to the mayor of Ames, Ann Campbell, about the culture of history of Ames. City council members happily will answer questions from tourists. Tourists will not be sorry for visiting this town.
Northern Nevada never stops to amaze.
Sunday River has been on my radar for a potential family ski trip for quite a while. This story is so loaded with good information, it seems like it is worth the extra time spent in the car to ski at such an excellent family resort. Thanks!
Wow, this sounds likea great merging of chocolate and history, two of my favorite subjects.
I am looking forward to experiencing this for myself, thank you for the informative post.
I love this post so much! I hope I will come here one day!
This is a terrific article that I am so glad to have read. I didn't know there was a car-free way to appreciate the beauty of the Grand Canyon. Sounds like a fun, scenic and eco-friendly option.
Your essay moved me to tears. I am also a finalist in the scholarship and I wrote about visiting Poland’s concentration camps. I would love your opinion on my essay.
I wrote this essay hoping to bring people closer to understanding, as close to understanding as we can get. I want to share an experience that had an impact on me. This trip truly changed me, and what I want do with my life. I suggest if you have the means or are able to visit Poland or go on March of the Living. I know there are teen and family trips with BBYO.
Thank you so much for what you said. I truly appreciate what you said. I also visited the picture of your family. Your family is beautiful and I am so glad that they were able to make it through such a devastating time.
I loved reading about your romantic return to what sounds like a beatiful and vibrant island. Thanks for sharing some of its treasures.
This is a great story, thank you for sharing the glories of Octoberfest in lesser known Nerumberg. My mouth was atering reading about all of the regional delicacies that accompany the beer!
Oh goodness, this is so sad! Thanks for sharing all of this information, a lot of these things I did not know until just now. We're taught about the Holocaust at school, but I'm sure that there is nothing like actually being at a concentration camp to understand how it actually was. Thanks for sharing.
wow! This sounds like such a wonderful experience. I'm sure it was very enlightening, and it really makes me happy to read that last paragraph. I think it's beautiful that you see things that way, and I hope to some day personally come to that realization through my own experiences. Thanks so much for sharing this.
Hi Debbie,
You will want he Medical Authorization Form from each child's parents with a photocopy of their insurance card.
Then you can use the last form which is for group tours, school outings etc. It is fine for domestic travel, Include travel info for each child so that parents assign you guardianship for certain period of time only.
Get these forms notarized. Make several photocopies in case an adventure tour operator wants to keep one. Or, if you all travel on same flights, get one long form, like a petition, and be sure both of each child's parents or guardians sign it.
You should be fine with it. Does the hotel know? Many states say it is illegal for a minor to occupy a room without an adult present. You may need connecting rooms guaranteed.
Enjoy the trip and write about what you did!
JaguarZ writes to the Admin with a very good question:
I will be traveling to Hawaii, originating on the eastcoast, with 4 minors (only 1 is my child) – they will all be 17 at the time of travel. I need to be able to "act as their guardian" — for example, sign waiver forms for activities, seek medical coverage if necessary.
I found a form or two on the site, but they seem geared toward international travel and do not seem to include the ability to "sign the waiver forms" I mention above. Any suggestions? I realize I may be able to get some of these forms signed before we leave, BUT for those activities they decide on when we are there — H E L P!
Thank you so much for your anticipated support
Debbie
This is really incredible. It is a dream of mine to visit Alaska, and I hope that if I ever do get to go, that I can experience what you did. My dad and I are avid kayakers, so it was somewhat relatable, although I doubt that Miami waters are NEARLY as cool (haha) as those in Alaska.This truly sounds like the trip of a lifetime.
I wanted to add that I loved the way you described everything, it was so beautiful and real.
Aw, I'm so sorry that happened to your dad but I'm glad something good came out of it. My family was actually planning on going to Gatlinburg next summer but we're all way too chicken to do this white water rafting haha. Thanks for sharing this.
Thank you for sharing this! That sounds like a truly beautiful experience. I love the bit about never underestimating yourself the most, very true.
*2009 not 2008
This is about my trip to South Dakota.
This trip was indeed and enriching expreience.
If you copy and paste the URL at the bottom of the post into your browser, it will take you to a video clip of the event, and if you skip to the last 12 seconds of the video you will see myself and one of my good friends sprinting in to the finish. We ended up tieing for 9th place.