My husband and I are trying to squeeze a lot of family travel into our lives, since our firstborn son will be going away to college soon. That prompted us to take a trip to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon and then took us on a road trip from San Francisco to Yosemite and back along the Northern California coast this past summer. For nine days Ryan, aged 16, and his brother, Jared, 10, were stuck with us 24/7, sometimes in one hotel room. And we survived to tell the tale.
Actually, everyone got along great and even our teen, who would rather sleep till noon when allowed, got up early to explore, sightsee and even hike. Miracles never do cease.
First Stop: San Francisco
We started our trip arriving to sun in San Francisco on a late August morning — the only day we really saw sun in the city. We soon learned that we had left summer weather behind on the East Coast. The locals are used to it (their warm weather arrives in September and October) and everyone you meet gleefully recites the quote attributed to Mark Twain, “The coldest winter I ever spent was the summer I spent in San Francisco.”
Get a discount car rental on your family-friendly California road trip.
Our first mission was to find the BART public transit station at the San Francisco Airport. We made it to the Handlery Union Square Hotel (415/781-7800) on Geary Street just fine and were excited to see that the area was a hotspot for shopping, restaurants and people watching. We chose the Handlery because of its central location and the fact that it’s one of the few hotels with a heated outdoor pool (perfect, we thought, with the boys.) Nice pool, but we didn’t make as much use of it as we had hoped.
After we settled into our luxurious room, our first stop was the Cartoon Art Museum (415/227-8666)–fun for my comic-loving kids.
Next, we took a trolley to the famed Lombard Street, the world’s “crookedest street.” Though many drive down it, we hoofed it, both up and down to get the true effect. The homes and flowers on Lombard were beautiful and so was the view of the bay. Even the jaded teenager thought it was pretty cool since we don’t have steep streets like that in Manhattan.
We were determined to get onto one of the famous cable cars, which pass in both directions right by the top of Lombard Street, but they were so crowded, we had to let several go by until we found one we could squeeze onto. If you’re lucky, your kids can hang onto the sides and get a unique San Francisco experience. Just hold on tight!
Imprison the Kids at Alcatraz
One San Francisco highlight was the tour of Alcatraz (415/561-4900), which combines a boat ride, museum, and historic site all in one. Arriving on a foggy, cold morning made the deserted prison even more desolate. It’s a harsh reality for kids to try to imagine anyone ever being a prisoner in those dank cells, occasionally looking out barred windows at the sparkling city of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, and freedom so close by.
Headphones are a must on this tour to fill you in on all the educational facts and fascinating trivia about the former prisoners, their conditions, and the tales of gun battles and prison riots over the cafeteria’s lousy spaghetti sauce. And of course, no trip is complete unless you take photos of your kids behind bars in an actual cell. Then when you get home, rent “The Rock” to see a prison movie filmed on the actual island.
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For lunch, we headed to the recently renovated historic Ferry Building on the waterfront. There you can find dozens of vendors under the soaring interior selling a variety of expensive, fancy food and accessories. If you’re lucky, they’ll be handing out samples. We ate at the popular Gotts Roadside (formerly Taylor’s Refresher) with a friend who’s a local. Her advice: go early before the business crowds arrive. By the time we finished our delicious burgers and salads, the line snaked out the door.
Cycle Tour Across the Golden Gate Bridge
Another highlight of our trip was an afternoon bike ride. The trail from the Fisherhman’s Wharf area (tacky but fun) winds along the waterfront, past marinas, great views of the bridge, and the Exploratorium (415/397-5673). Unfortunately we didn’t have time to stop at this museum of hands-on science, but it is lots of fun, especially with younger children.
We did take a break to ride around the adjacent Palace of Fine Arts (415/567-6642), a structure that looks like an ancient Roman ruin, designed for the 1915 World’s Fair. If you find a spot with no tourists and sit watching the columns reflected in the nearby lake, you’ll feel transported to another, past world.
However, this is no ride for those without stamina. I almost gave up on the last leg when I saw the pathway high above us and knew I had to ride all the way up to get onto the bridge. Somehow I made it (going home is downhill) and it was worth it. Lucky for us the summer fog lifted for the late afternoon and we did have a clear view of the city, Alcatraz, and the Bay Bridge in the distance. Just don’t look down.
Evening in Chinatown
That night, we strolled from Union Square to the colorful Chinatown (a smaller version of what we have in New York). We ended up in a Japanese restaurant called Sushi Boat (700 Grant Ave.) that’s great fun for kids. Plates of sushi actually float by on a little water canal and you choose what you want from the passing fare. You can also order from the sushi chef who stands in the middle island. My kids got a kick out of seeing what they wanted before ordering it and thus were more adventurous than usual.
While you’re in Chinatown, stop by the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory (56 Ross Alley, between Stockton and Grant). Down an inconspicuous alley, in a tiny store, past a clutter of boxes of flour, you’ll find several women wrapping disks of warm, still-soft cookie around slips of paper. You’ll get free samples of the rejects and can buy bags of the crunchy cookies for a late-night snack or your plane ride home.
And, of course, while you’re in San Francisco you have to make the requisite stop for an expensive hot fudge sundae near the Fisherman’s Wharf at the famed Ghirardelli’s (415/775-5500). My advice: stop by the information booth in Ghiradelli Square and ask for free chocolate samples. No one had asked the day we were there so they gave us lots.
North to Yosemite
Now for the relatively boring part of the trip: a 4 ½ hour drive to Yosemite. Some nice landscape, but basically a good time for the kids to watch a movie on their portable DVD player. And even when you think you’re almost there and you’re finally in the park, it’s still a long drive to get to the hotels, but well worth the trip.
I recommend staying right in the park even though your options are limited. Basically there are glorified tents at Curry Village, upscale rooms at the Ahwahnee, and the hotel of choice for many families, Yosemite Lodge at the Falls (559/253-5635).
Don’t despair if you didn’t make your reservation a year in advance, as some advise. There are cancellations all the time, so check the website daily once you know your travel dates. We booked a great poolside room with two full beds at Yosemite Lodge — less than two months before our trip — after only a couple of days searching. The hotel offers somewhat rustic, but very clean and convenient lodging. They have even added TVs at the request of many guests. At the end of a long day hiking and biking, it was actually appreciated.
Yosemite Lodge has a great location right across the street from lower Yosemite Falls where there are beautiful views and nice hikes. It’s also fun to watch the climbers climb what seems like a sheer rock wall and wonder how they do it.
There’s a huge pool the kids will love, and bike rentals on site. Even dinner in the cafeteria-like restaurant is fun because everyone can choose what they want from soup to chili, sandwiches or more. There’s also a nicer restaurant on the premises, the Mountain Room, with good food and waterfall views (advance reservations required 559/252-4848).
Be sure to check out the nightly schedule of free, ranger-led talks at the outdoor area at Yosemite Lodge. We heard talks about taking photos at Yosemite and saw a fascinating slide show about climbing Yosemite’s El Capitan, one of the largest exposed granite monoliths in the world. (It made me real happy I didn’t have to spend the night sleeping on a little ledge 3,000 feet above the ground.) To find the many ranger-led talks, campfires, sing-alongs, and art classes, check the weekly schedule in the free newsletter you’re given upon entrance to the park.
Exploring the Yosemite Trails
Our best adventure in Yosemite was to the Vernal Falls Mist Trail. It’s a good idea to start early in the morning to beat the crowds. Once you climb high the trail tends to get steep and wet from the falls’ mist. Some people bring rain ponchos for this part of the journey, but if the weather’s warm (and it’s much more like summer here than in San Francisco), the spray simply cools you off. Be sure to hold tightly to children here and wear hiking shoes – sneakers or sandals could cause you to slip.
The most breathtaking view at Vernal Falls is catching rainbows in the waterfall’s mist. You keep thinking you’ve seen the best view and then you climb a little higher and it gets even better. This is truly Mother Nature at her best.
When you get to the top there are great places to rest for the hike back down so bring snacks and water for an energy boost. We decided to take another way down that was not as interesting or well marked. In fact, we weren’t sure we were even going the right way, and were just contemplating turning back till we met a family with a GPS tracking system who told us we were on the right path (thank God for electronics).
Once we made it to the bottom, we were famished. The nearest spot for food was a busride away at Curry Village where you can find pizza, hamburgers and other fast food. Then we did one last hike for the day to Mirror Lake. Don’t forget your bathing suits and towels. Even in August, the water was freezing, but it was a refreshing and beautiful break.
Visiting the Great Sequoias
Our last morning, we left Yosemite National Park via the Wawona Road or Highway #41 towards the South park entrance so we could take a Big Trees Tram Tour (reservations recommended, 209/375-1621). This company features the giant Sequoias at the Mariposa Grove and it was well worth the hour’s drive.
The open-air tram takes you to see all the largest trees and gives you a fascinating tour with history and fun facts that you wouldn’t find out on your own. There are great photo ops of these magnificant natural wonders that are some of the world’s oldest and largest trees. Our favorite: the Grizzly Giant, almost 3,000-years-old and 96-feet around at the base.
Monterey and the Pacific Coast
For the next part of our trip, we had another long, four-plus-hour drive to get to the coastline. In Monterey we stayed at the Holiday Inn Express Marina (831/884-2500), a convenient entry point to the area. Added features were a great buffet breakfast as part of the daily rates, and a lovely hot tub to warm up in after the cold coastal mist.
The area’s highlight — for kids and many adults — is the celebrated Monterey Bay Aquarium (831/648-4800), one of the oldest in the nation. It is located in a converted cannery and had a truly amazing exhibit called “Jellies: Living Art.” I never thought of jellyfish as works of art before, but they really are colorful, fascinating, and beautiful. Also fun were the hands-on stations where you can touch a variety of fish and sea creatures.
Monterey’s Cannery Row is an adjacent area filled with touristy gift shops, ice cream parlors and restaurants. (Yes, there’s a Starbucks, too.) To see the area, park the car. You can ride a local trolley, rent bikes, or even take a kayak out for a waterside tour all better options with active kids.
If seafood’s your love, head to the nearby Fisherman’s Wharf for a true outdoor seafood buffet. We did what one guidebook suggested and taste-tested our way down the pier. Dozens of restaurants compete for your business, offering free samples of their clam chowder claiming it’s “The Best.” If you’re not full by the time you reach the end, choose your favorite and order a sourdough bread bowl filled with the delicious stuff, or choose an order of shrimp, oysters or clams. If seafood’s not your thing, you may want to go elsewhere.
A Hotel Find: The Asilomar
Our next night we stayed at a find of a hotel, Asilomar. Originally a YWCA camp and conference center opened in 1913, this large resort is situated in Pacific Grove along the ocean, and hosts many conferences, family reunions, and retreats. Just recently it began expanding its regular tourist traffic and I highly recommend it, especially if you’re traveling with a group.
You can take a self-guided tour around its many buildings designed in the Arts & Crafts style of architecture, stroll along the private beachside boardwalk, or swim in an outdoor lap pool. More rustic than the usual chain hotel, it reminded me of a cross between my college dorm and summer camp. We loved it for its differentness.
One evening we went to the nearby Fishwife (831/375-7107), a great fish restaurant with a Caribbean accent. It’s within walking distance of Asilomar but popular with locals, too, so you will have to make an advance reservation or risk a long wait. Afterwards, we hung out in the hotel’s cozy main lodge where people sat by the fireplace, worked on computers, or played pool or ping-pong. Then we retired to the building where our room was located and built our own fire in one of the meeting room fireplaces. Instead of ending the day to a silly cartoon or reality show – there are no TVs in the rooms to my kids’ horror — we actually sat by the fire and read for a change.
Breakfast was served family style with delicious fresh-squeezed orange juice, hot oatmeal with a huge bowl of raisins and brown sugar, or eggs, biscuits and more–there’s an option to include it in the reasonable room rates.
Santa Cruz and San Mateo
When driving North back towards San Francisco, it won’t take much to convince your kids to stop in Santa Cruz, a laid-back California college town with miles of beaches that’s a surfer’s delight. The highlight for kids here is the boardwalk, a Coney Island-like amusement park with bumper cars, an old wooden roller coaster and haunted house. Buy a strip of tickets and let the kids have some old-fashioned fun, complete with cotton candy and corn dogs.
Unfortunately we weren’t there on a summer Friday night when there are concerts on the beach. There’s also a nearby surfing museum and one of the last drive-in movie theaters in the state (free for kids under 12), complete with car heaters if the weather’s nippy.
Then it was almost time to go. Our last stop was the San Mateo Marriott, chosen for its convenient location to the San Francisco Airport. We were pleasantly surprised at how nice it was, not just an “airport” hotel.
The San Mateo Marriott had a sizable pool and exercise room, plus a great concierge lounge that advertises Heavy Hors d’Oeuvres. They weren’t kidding — you could eat a meal out of them. Even the Late Night Snack service provided us with giant candy bars, a real hit with the kids. Breakfast was a choice of bagels and lox, bacon and eggs or lots more. And the beds and linens were so luxurious we were sorry to leave them behind to head to the airport.
Epilogue
The best thing about these vacations is the time we get to spend together as a family, especially seeing our kids away from their friends and unplugged from computers, cell phones, and most electronics (though gagdgets and electronics do save the day for long stretches of driving).
All in all, California was a big hit with our family. The best part is that there’s still so much left to do that even the boys agree we’ll have to come back and visit again.
Bethany’s Travel Tips & FAQs
When to Go: If you’re going to northern California in July or August, be preprared for cold and damp weather. Forget those cute shorts; pack lots of layers and an outer jacket or fleece.
Getting Around: San Francisco’s BART transportation system is a great deal. From the airport, it’s not a problem unless you have tons of luggage, since you have to cart it up and down escalators, elevators, along platforms and then on the street to your hotel. But at $5.15 a person from the airport station, it’s a lot cheaper than a cab (about $37, toll and tip to Union Square) and was a fun adventure, especially for families not from cities with such mass transportation.
Savings Coupons & Discount Cards: If you’re in San Francisco for several days and plan to visit lots of museums, you may want to check out the Smart Destinations Card. Starting at around $58/adult and $49/child (for one-seven day increments) it gives you free entrée to 31 top attractions including theAquarium of the Bay, California Academy of Sciences and Golden Gate Bay Cruise among others.
There’s also the City Pass, priced at $86/adult, $64/children, with the option for seven consecutive days of unlimited cable car rides and admission to the California Academy of Seicnes, Exploratorium, Blue and Gold Fleet Bay Cruise and more.
Must Dos & Must Sees: Is a cable car ride a must? Yes. We learned that the lines are even longer down at the waterfront than around Lombard Street. Some people wait an hour or more for a ride at the terminal near Fisherman’s Wharf, where there are street entertainers to help the time pass. But the secret is to hop on somewhere along the Powell & Lombard Streets route, especially early and late in the day when the tourists aren’t out in droves.
Alcatraz, too, is busy and is in fact the city’s most visited attraction. You’ll need advance reservations to get the day and time you want; make them online before you leave home. My advice is to go on the earliest boat you can so you have the rest of the day to explore the adjacent Fisherman’s Wharf. Expect to spend at least three hours for the entire excursion.
Our bicycle ride is a lasting memory that may be most appropriate for children ages 8+. (I’d recommend a bicycle-built-for-two with younger kids, so Mom or Dad does most of the work.) It is a little disconcerting to ride on the bridge’s narrow pathway with traffic rushing past on your left — and the icy water down below on your right — and people on foot coming at you in both directions. I did feel safer on the parts of the bridge with high fencing. (My kids would say I’m a sissy, but I prefer to think of it as a safety-minded Mom.)
B.K.
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Dr. Artinian, thank you so much for posting that memory. How exciting it must have been, to share the skies with Apollo 11. I agree that today it seems like a remarkable achievement but of course we have not worked together, so hard for so long, on other projects that really need to be addressed. Education is one place to start!
The Lunar Landings
As I was landing in the northern desert of Saudi Arabia in a DC3 plane on July 20, 1969, the Americans were landing on the moon. That evening, the staff of Badana Base Hospital, that belonged to the Trans Arabian Pipeline Company (Tapline), were listening to the news, (Television was not available in the desert). They welcomed me as the new Internist at the hospital.
Soon I learned that the Saudis found it hard to believe that human beings could defile the moon by landing on it, which could have initiated the moon landing conspiracy theories, that persist today.
Now, 50 years later, the lunar landings were, and remain, the greatest achievement of humanity since the birth of intelligence on earth!
Boghos L. Artinian MD
Great information while traveling with children. Children safety first.
I want to do a car trip with my infant child and wife. But, I was afraid how can I travel with my infant child. After reading your blog I got some courage. Thanks for sharing such information. Thanks a lot.
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CORNING MUSEUM OF GLASS, NEW YORK
The Corning Museum of Glass – the world’s largest collection of glass – is showing “Journey to the Moon: How Glass Got Us There” and actual glassy pieces of moon meteorites to touch and see. For scavenger buffs, visitors to the museum can test their super-sleuthing skills and see if they can find the glass-tronaut hidden amongst the galleries.
Awesome Article!
Thanks for sharing..
DOUBLETREE BY HILTON TO TEST CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE DOUGH IN SPACE OVEN
In a partnership with Zero G Kitchen which is supplying a prototype space oven, and NanoRacks, a commercial space station company, Hilton’s DoubleTree brand is aiding efforts to bring freshly cooked food to the International Space Station. Some time in late 2019, their cookie dough hopes to be the source of the first fresh-baked chocolate chip cookie in space. Here’s more info about this and a cool student competition sponsored by Scholastic.
ok, thanks for the reply!
Thanks for sharing this! you’ll be able to do good as well as have fun and make a difference in the world. Whereas volunteer is always appreciated by all people.
Indeed, a good list. Everyday. At home or on the road.
hi Heather,
Thanks for your comment. We checked on those images and you’re right, that one with the pirate ship in the pool is not from the Bahia Resort. We removed it and checked the others, and the Bahia still has their famous Moorish style pool and pretty beachfront. Hope you have a great trip there.
Thank you Lisa d. So glad that Laura’s review of both Fairmont resorts helped you to make a choice, especially since you can’t really go wrong in Bermuda.
thank you I have been deciding between the two properties and your post was very helpful in my decision.
One of the pictures with a slide doesn’t look like the pool I remember seeing at the bahia. Did they add a new pool?
Dubai is an amazing destination for tourists from across the world. The city tour, desert safari and dhow cruise are among the most famous things to do in Dubai.
Thank you for sharing a really useful and informative article. The way you have detailed and described is really helpful. Hope to see more amazing articles like this. Keep it up to the good work!
Spring Break in Dubai is more exciting with Adventure Plus Desert Safari Dubai tours in Dubai
Great suggestions! The only action item Id say “Oh Hayyllll Nawww” to would be horse-drawn carriage rides. Check out the internet and youll see whats going on with those poor horses. But your other ideas for educational and just-plain fun – really excited to try them out with the family! Thank again.
Hello Omar and Katie,
The Scholasrship Submission form is working again, please revisit the page: https://myfamilytravels.com/Teen_travel_writing to apply for the 2019 Teen Travel Writing Scholarship.
Thanks and good luck!
I would love to participate but I keep getting page not found
Hello Omar, thank you for your note. We have noted this error and our web development team is working to fix it right away. We will let you know when it’s working again. Good luck!
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I am very interested in participating in this scholarship opportunity. However, every time I click on the essay submission form, it takes me to a ‘Page not found’ link and says that there is an error with the link. Is there another link that I could possibly submit my essay and photos?
I had a travel blog in the past. But I was going through a rough phase so I shut it down. This article has inspired me to start once again.
SCHLITTERBAHN OPENS INFINITY RACERS, A MAJOR SPACE-THEMED WATERSLIDE
June 7, Colonel Terry Virts, a U.S. Air Force test/fighter pilot and NASA veteran of two spaceflights, will dedicate the newest, only one of its kind, 8-story-tall waterslide at Schlitterbahn Galveston. Infinity Racers is a pair of space-themed, racing head-first mat slides that race through enclosed colorful tubes as long as three space stations.
Nice Post. Thanks for Sharing with us……
Right?? It’s like a dream. I really didn’t believe them at all when I heard that, but looked it up, and sure enough, it’s really that sunny! I can’t wait to head back to the area.
I’m not sure as the rates tend to vary depending on the season. It’s probably best to contact them directly – (727) 363-5100. If you’re curious about their overall rates, I would ask if the rate changes depending on the season, and when their high and low season is. Hope that helps!
I remember visiting KSC during my school days with my friends where we got to learn a lot of interesting things related to space and comsos.
My husband and I are actually scheduled to stay at the Sirata Resort, in just a few days. I was wondering, if you happened to know the cost for the Private Cabana Rentals, you mentioned in your article?? Thank You!!
great useful info you have shared , being a traveler i need it most and it’s really helpful for the first time travelers. thanks for sharing.
I think curious teens would love this road trip. If you schedule enough time for Santa Cruz — which has a great amusement park and places to take surf lessons, that could be a 2-3 day stay for you. Going south, the Hearst Castle with all its tales of intrigue and the story of William Randolph Hearst’s life… it’s pretty fun as house tours go.
The scenery along the Pacific Coast Highway is beautiful, too, if you think your son would enjoy that. At many points, he can look out and see surfers! Towns like San Luis Obispo (now hip enough that locals call it SLO) have become destinations for wine and craft beers, so there are lots of cafes with young people that are fun, even if you’re not drinking.
The whole California coast is special, so ask your son to do some research and pick out spots that interest him, then incorporate them into your itinerary. That way, he’ll have a vested interest in making sure the trip is fun.
Do you think a 13 yr old would like this trip?
MALDIVES AND THE MOON FOR OUR PACIFIC FRIENDS
This just in from the Maldives:
Anantara Kihavah Villas in the Maldives has the largest telescope and observatory in the Indian Ocean so it’s slated as one of the best places in the southern hemisphere to observe and study the stars, planets and the moon. And it’s the moon that is taking centre stage for festivities on July 20th as Anantara Kihavah commemorates the 50th anniversary of man’s landing on the moon. To celebrate, Anantara guests are invited to join Shameem, the islands’ resident Star Guru for a ‘Star Gazing’ breakfast. Lay back to gaze at the stars that glitter overhead, and be regaled by Shameem’s knowledge as he takes you on an intergalactic journey before taking a look through the powerful telescope at the craters on the moon that still amaze people 50 years after the first landing.
For guests who like a later start to the day the SKY Bartenders at Kihavah have created a complimentary cocktail for all guests to mark the occasion – The ‘Buzz’ Aldrin ……
Dubai is an awesome place to spend a great time with the loved one or alone be experiencing the local attractions. Thanks for the details, i have missed the dinner night which i will surely book this time and experience it. Keep posting!
I would definitely go for JURASSIC DINOSAUR DIG. Thanks for suggestions
So many good suggestions! It will be hard to choose but surely through these we will have the most beautiful memories in this summer vacation!
361 days of sunshine a year? Wow! It looks like it’s a perfect destination for families! I’ll be more interested in this place!
Glad that you have a great time and a better idea of Vietnam. If you came back, consider visiting Ninh Binh
We are a family who likes to travel and volunteer where possible. We give gifts of time and service. We find that finding small grass roots organisations when on the ground or at your destination creates the best win-win for all concerned. For example we taught English in a small village in Indonesia – https://sabretoothedchickenstour.wordpress.com/2016/01/09/it-takes-a-village/
In the end it is not the actual work you do as a volunteer that is of the greatest impact but the stereotypes you breakdown and the connections made 🙂
Camping holidays in France are extremely popular and you’ll find some fantastic family friendly campsites with a whole host of activities including some brilliant swimming pools.
NEW YORK HALL OF SCIENCE SUMMER MOON FESTIVAL
We’ve just heard that the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission with a summer filled with flight and space-themed exhibits, workshops, demonstrations, installations and a new film. The celebration kicks off on May 17 with Apollo 11: First Steps Edition, a film with never-before-seen footage and audio recordings of the historic mission. Other highlights include NYSCI’s summer exhibition, Above and Beyond – The Ultimate Flight Exhibition, and Apollo, A Party!, an evening event celebrating the Apollo 11 lunar landing. Check out their schedule for tons of workshops and special family events and go in to see a real Saturn V rocket like the one that took Apollo to the moon.
Man on the Moon in Zurich
The art exhibition “Fly Me to the Moon: The Moon Landing 50 Years On” will be featured at Kunsthaus Zurich in Switzerland, from May 4-June 30. The art show examines how the moon landing, and seeing images of the Earth from far away, changed man’s perception of his place in his environment and the universe. Look for moon works by artists John Russell, Rene Burri, Rene Magritte, Andy Warhol and many more.
Moon Walk Celebration in Ohio!
In southeast Ohio’s Hocking Hills region, the John Glenn Astronomy Park (JGAP) is celebrating its first birthday, while marking the 50th anniversary of the first lunar landing. The observatory has 12 telescopes that offer dark sky views due to a lack of light pollution, allowing visitors to discover a distinct view of the moons, planets, stars and galaxies at each visit. The #Apollo50 events begin at 4 p.m. EDT July 20, 2019 and end at 1 a.m. July 21, 2019.
Nice post. I am traveler and I like adventure trips. Its really amazing. I wish to go there one by one. Thanks for sharing about these parks.
Thank you for useful information. It is very detailed.
Traveling with kids is fun but also very tired as we have to take care of them and don’t have much time for ourselves. Sometime I prefer traveling alone.