Learn about Music City Nashville's history, visit an 1800's print shop, cruise on a riverboat, and see the Parthenon without ever leaving the South — and at great prices to boot.
When the "100-year-flood" of the Cumberland River hit Nashville during the rains of May 2010, the roiling waters took down the The Opryland Hotel, the Grand Ol' Opry, the Country Music Hall of Fame and many other musical venues — costing the city hundreds of millions of dollars in lost revenue from business and leisure travelers. Fortunately, Nashville, Tennessee still holds the distinct honor of being the "Home of American Music" thanks to the perserverence of its residents who worked tirelessly to restore it. Despite extensive damage to many hotels, funky clubs and concert halls, the city is back, better than ever.
Budding songwriters can be heard performing rock, folk, blues, and country year-round at the acclaimed Bluebird Cafe (4104 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37215; 615/383-1461), where it's not unusual to see music's finest and most famous sitting front and center. But it's not just music and rowdy honky tonks like Tootsie's (422 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203; 615/726-0463) in Tennessee's thriving capital, it's also home to the historical farm of President Andrew Jackson, the world's only hall of fame for behind the scenes musicians, and Vanderbilt University. Stroll through downtown to take in some local flavor over dinner and live music at Sambuca's (601 12th Ave South, Nashville, TN 37203; 615/248-2888,) in the developing urban area known as the Gulch. While the South is known for hot, humid summers, Nashville is frequently greeted with a refreshing breeze off the Cumberland River and shade from its tree-lined streets.
Many local hotels are scattered throughout the city with proximity to Vanderbilt, west end, and music row; but for convenience to downtown Nashville and within walking distance to many of the attractions listed below, consider the world's largest Holiday Inn Express (920 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203; 888-HOLIDAY, 615/244-0150) located just across the street from the Frist Center of Visual Arts. You can take advantage of special citywide savings and discounts by purchasing Nashville's Total Access Attractions Pass for entry to 16 venues, many reviewed here. For more information on attractions, lodging, and dining in Nashville, please contact Visit Music City (800/657-6910 ), the city's Convention & Visitor's Bureau.
Great Fun for the Kids
(Toddler to Age 8)
A Cowboy Town
3665 Knight Drive
Whites Creek, TN 37189
615/876-1029
A Cowboy Town caters to the cowboy and cowgirl in all of us, taking visitors back in time for old-fashioned entertainment and fun. Explore 116-acres of valley at Ramblin' Breeze just 10 minutes from downtown Nashville for Wild West Gunfights, horseback riding, live cowboy music, canoeing, hiking, live music, camping, picnics, fishing, bonfires, hayrides, cookouts and more.
Adventure Science Center
Adventure Science Center
800 Fort Negley Blvd.
Nashville, TN 37203-4899
615/862-5160
Adventure Science Center brings the universe to your fingertips with hands-on, interactive exhibits. Test your knowledge with space exploration tools, a two-story high astronaut training and technology simulation, walk through the solar system, and learn about the planets. The BlueMax flight exhibit allows two people take flight and control flips, loops, spins, and dives for a unique flying experience. Explore Adventure Tower and lift a car right off the ground or scale a human epidermis wall of skin.
Nashville Zoo At Grassmere
3777 Nolensville Pike
Nashville, TN 37211
615/833-1534
Daily animal shows and keeper talks help kids learn about the of animals – a variety of frogs and toads, leopard, cougar, porcupine, lemur, Piranha, red panda and many more creatures scaly, fury, and feathered that call this zoo their home. Opening in 2013, a new exhibit "Kangaroo Kickabout" will feature animals from down under. There is also a fun jungle gym, carousel and train ride to round out your kid's visit.
Fun for Older Children
(Up to age 18)
Cooter's Place
2613 McGavock Pike
Nashville, TN 37214
615/872-8358
Visit an authentic Dukes of Hazzard Museum and theme store operated by Ben "Cooter" Jones himself. Explore photos, props, memorabilia, the General Lee, and even meet original members from the cast. Learn about Cooter's time on the infamous show, his tenure in the United States Congress, and his life now. You can also purchase DVD's, books, shirts, hats, and posters at the General Store.
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
222 Fifth Avenue South
Nashville, Tennessee 37203
615/416-2001
See a complete history of country music's finest performers in this vast collection of memorabilia, videos, costumes, and even cars. Everything has been spiffed up since the flood, and the influx of musicians who did charity concerts to raise funds for the restoration work have added a fresh glitter of celebrity to the place, Catch a glimpse of Elvis' infamous gold Cadillac, a history of Hank Williams and his offspring of performers, clips from Hee-Haw, and awards. The museum also houses an educational series to engage students, teachers, families, and the public. The programs explore music, art, songwriting, and stories told in the museum's exhibitions. Due to open in May of 2013 is the CMHoF's expanded facilities which will include the Music City Center (new home of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame), and an Omni Hotel.
Frist Center for the Visual Arts
919 Broadway
Nashville, TN 37203
615/244-3340
The Frist Center features a collection of exhibits and hands-on learning opportunities for children. And with free admission for kids 18-years-old and under, the Frist caters to families on a budget and was voted #1 Kids Art Center and #1 Museum by Nashville Parent Magazine. Stop by the museum's Art Quest station for over 30 interactive exhibits including collage making, painting, sketching, and building. Young guests can also learn about photography, architecture, and the essentials of art, including depth, color, light, and perspective.
Hatch Show Print
222 Fifth Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37203
615/416-2001
This world famous print shop has been creating posters for the country music business and beyond since the 1800's. Conveniently located on Broadway in between lively honky tonks and around the corner from Ryman Theater, the shop lets visitors brows prints and posters for purchase and watch new designs being created on old-fashioned presses. You'll see a collection of prints from Duke Ellington to Leon Redbone hanging on their walls. Keep an eye out for the Hatch Show cats lingering near the register and soliciting affection from visitors.
The Musicians Hall of Fame at Nashville Municipal Auditorium
615/244-3263
Currently closed, this museum will re-open downtown at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium at 417 4th Ave NW. Check their site for updates. Aspiring musicians head to The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum, the only museum in the world that recognizes and honors the musicians behind some of the greatest recordings in music. After a short video learning about the history of Nashville's historical musical roots, see Jimi Hendrix's guitar, photos from Garth Brooks recordings, and learn about session drummer Hal Blaine who played with Elvis, Frank Sinatra, and The Beach Boys. Photos, memorabilia, and gold records are also on display to educate visitors about the greatest songs in history from musicians from Hank Williams to the Red Hot Chili Peppers. While the museum has plenty of country roots, it also showcases Nashville's involvement with Ray Charles, Paul McCartney, No Doubt, John Mayer, Gladys Knight, and Sheryl Crow among many others.
Nashville Shores
4001 Bell Road
Hermitage, TN 37076
615/889-7050
Spend a hot summer day cooling off at Nashville Shores, a fun local waterpark. Attractions, rides, and slides include Music City Racers, Wacky Pond, Tennessee Twisters, Suntan Lagoon, and The Hippo. Or you can take the family out for a day on J. Percy Priest Lake for water skiing, kayaking, and boat rides. Note that these attractions are open only from late spring to early fall, with extended hours during summer.
The Parthenon
Centennial Park
2500 West End Avenue
Nashville, TN 37203
615/862-8431
Visit a life-sized replica of the historical Parthenon in the center of Nashville's Centennial Park. Built in 1897 for Nashville's Centennial Exposition; the building also serves as Nashville's Art Museum boasting Greek artifacts and paintings on display. You'll also see a permanent collection of paintings by 19th and 20th century American artists, as well as information on the Centennial Exposition. Upstairs, guests are treated to a re-creation of the 42-foot statue of Athena. At the time Athena was built, she was the largest statue sculpted by a female and serves as a monument to classical art.
Fun for the Whole Family
Belle Meade Plantation
5025 Harding Road
Nashville, TN 37205
800-270-3991; 615/356-0501
Nestled on 30-acres just 6-miles west of Nashville, this Greek revival home was built in 1853 and housed five generations of the original owners of the Belle Meade Farm. The farm once encompassed 5,400-acres and was a breeding ground for thoroughbred and championship racehorses. Recent Kentucky derby winners including Funny Cide and Barbarro can trace their bloodlines back to the stock at Belle Meade. Tours are offered of the mansion to learn about the original home's Harding-Jackson family, the slaves that worked the farm, the Civil War, and daily life in the 19th century.
Belmont Mansion
1900 Belmont Boulevard
Nashville, TN 37212
615/460-5459
An Italian-style villa built during 1849 under the supervision of Adelicia and Joseph Acklen, the mansion housed 36 rooms and 19,000 square feet with an art gallery, conservatories, lavish gardens, aviary, lake and even a zoo. Adelicia frequently traveled to Europe where she began collecting art, including five major marble statues from Rome, which remain on display in the mansion today. Tours, lunches, dinners, and free twilight festivals are now open to the public. Kids can attend scavenger hunts, archaeological digs, Victorian-period art activities, music, and watch authentic Barbershop quartet singers and live performances by Shakespearean actors and puppeteers. A petting zoo with owls, sloth, creepy crawlers and more are also on display.
Cheekwood
1200 Forrest Park Drive
Nashville, Tennessee 37205
615/356-8000
What does the South, coffee and lush flowers all have in common? How about a 55-acre historic estate and botanical garden built by the heirs to the Maxwell House Coffee Fortune in 1932? Recently named one of the "Top Five Must-See Southern Gardens" by Southern Living, the grounds also house a Museum of Art inside this Georgian-style mansion. The estate also features the original Cheek gardens, pools, fountains, statuary, boxwood plantings and views of the Tennessee hills.
General Jackson Showboat
2812 Opryland Dr
Nashville, TN 37214
866/567-JACK; 615/458-3900
Climb aboard a 300 foot paddlewheel riverboat for a cruise around Cumberland River complete with live entertainment in a two-story Victorian Theater in the center of the boat. Named General Jackson after the first steamboat to operate on the Cumberland River in 1817, the modern version was christened in 1985. Midday cruises from mid-March through early November feature Peking acrobatic entertainment and lunch. Evening dinner cruises and holiday tours are also available with live music.
The Grand Ole Opry
2804 Opryland Drive
Nashville, TN 37214
615/871-OPRY
A visit to Nashville is not complete without a visit to the newest theater for the Grand Ole Opry, home to the longest running radio broadcast in the world. Take a behind the scenes tour or purchase tickets for a performance by Carrie Underwood, Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson and more. A 6-foot circle of well-worn oak rests in the middle of the stage, cut right from the stage of the Opry's former home, the Ryman Auditorium. This historical spot allows visitors and performers to stand on the exact spot where country's legends once stood and entertained.
The Hermitage, Home of President Andrew Jackson
4580 Rachel's Lane
Nashville, TN 37076
615/889-2941
Explore the home of our nation's seventh President and learn about his family, life on the 1837 farm, cabins, and explore the exhibit gallery. Seasonal tours are lead by guides in period costumes and explore the grounds formal gardens, slave quarters, mansion, and original log cabin. Families can also learn about the daily life and struggles of enslaved African Americans on the Hermitage's 1,100-acre plantation that once housed 150 slaves who worked the farm, cared for livestock, baled cotton, and grew its gardens.
Opry Mills
433 Opry Mills Drive
Nashville, TN 37214
615/514-1000
Located within walking distance of the Grand Ole Opry and Gaylord Resort, the Opry Mills mall offers a 20 screen movie theater, restaurants, and dozens of retailers including fashion, jewelry, accessories, and more. The specialty Aquarium Restaurant offers a unique underwater dining experience where you can dine among marine life. Plan your visit around a boat ride at the neighboring Opryland Resort or performance at The Grand Ole Opry.
Gaylord Opryland
2800 Opryland Drive
Nashville, TN 37214
866/972-6779
The Gaylord Opryland Resort, the flagship of the Gaylord Hotels, is unlike any other, and it's actually the largest non-casino hotel in the country with 2,882 rooms and suites. The property reopened in November 2010, after a $200 million restoration to repair flood damage and refresh its public spaces, sprucing up the luxury rooms, lush indoor gardens, atrium with water facilities, nightclub, fine dining, spa and shopping venues. Anyone can stop by the resort to explore the grounds and dine. Families looking to spend the night can inquire about special packages for savings at the nearby Grand Ole Opry or Opry Mills Mall.
Ryman Auditorium
116 Fifth Avenue North
Nashville, TN 37219
615/889-3060
The "Home of American Music", The Grand Ole Opry started as a simple radio broadcast in 1925 and paved the way for a modern phenomenon. While the Ryman Theater wasn't the first home to the Grand Ole Opry broadcast, it is arguably its most memorable and historical venue. From June 5, 1943 to March 15, 1974, the Ryman featured musical and comedic acts from legendary performers Minnie Pearl, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn and many others. Today, the Ryman (newly refurbished after flood damage) offers tours, photos, and country memorabilia and also showcases rock, gospel, jazz, classical, bluegrass, alternative, and musical theater.
Travellers Rest Plantation & Museum
636 Farrell Parkway
Nashville, TN 37220
615/832-8197
This historic house and museum, the oldest in the area, presents the public with collections and grounds that represent Native American through Civil War life in Middle Tennessee. Judge John Overton, one of the state's first Supreme Court Justices and founder of Memphis, occupied the house from 1789 to 1833. Special tours include The Last Campaign, a look at the Battle of Nashville where Travellers Rest served as the headquarters for Confederate general John Bell Hood.
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We vacationed at a dude ranch in Colorado called the Drowsy Water Ranch. We have two kids (9,4) who along with us had the best vacation we have ever had. The ranch offered lots of activities and excellent kids programs and riding instruction.
Our favorite parts of the trip was the evening activities, great staff and ranch owners, learning to ride like cowboys and cowgirls, rafting and most of all watching our kids enjoy their vacation.
We would highly recommend Drowsy Water Ranch to anyone looking for a dude ranch vacation. We are planning on returning to the ranch again this coming summer!
I've heard that this housing development project has made Amsterdam city living more affordable for young families. What a wonderful way to keep a very old urban center alive.
Jessica,
I love your essay. Very descriptive and well written. Thanks for sharing it!
Mrs. Toombs
I love your incorporation of the “Disney” portrayal of Paris. I was also a little disappointed when I actually saw the Moulin Rouge, it was definitely not as romantic as Nicole and Ewan made it seem.
This is really good!
your job sounds so interesting, sort of like a war correspondent with less of the war and more of the correspondence. I look forward to week 2.
Wow… really interesting to hear about Iraq from this non-news oriented perspective. Thanks for sharing and can’t wait for more.
Good luck and be safe!
I’d like to thank the judges, who gave my essay the time of day and even went as far as to award it third place. This event has been really awesome.
There’s an area in Berlin with segments of the Wall still standing, and these are covered with graffiti and really interesting to see. I never heard of this, will definitely check it out next time I’m in Praha. Thanks for sharing.
gee Brandon,
that’s a really heavy thought but a very interesting one. i loved cancun when we went; it’s full of life and very sophisticated. yes, we could see the difference between the glitzy lifestyles of the locals around the tourist hotels, versus the people who lived in the countryside, but they all seemed pretty happy to me.
The Holland America ships sailing on a 7-day itinerary only have time for a day in port at Quebec City. However, they have a few 13 day itineraries that spend 2 days in this fun port of call. Mid September-October is a great time to go.
I was able to get the docs, cancel the request. If all else fails, read the directions, right? Thanks
For a unique, exhilerating and unforgettable experience in Wales, try an “adventure weekend” at Preseli Venture. My weekend there included learning how to surf and hiking for 7 miles along the gorgeous coast. Other activities were kayacking and, my personal favorite, coasteering – a combination of swimming, rock climbing and cliff jumping that will leave you sore, tired and smiling. The rest of our time there was spent hanging out around a bonfire, eating delicious food and having drinks with friends. Your body will be challenged and your soul will be rejuvinated after a weekend here!
Norway is an absolutely magical country where you can see tiny grass-roof houses occasionally dotting the countryside and some of the bluest waters you can imagine. My family has an incredible trip to Norway a few years ago. All of us would definitely recommend that you try the strawberries at the open-air market in Bergen. They were the best we’ve ever had. However, don’t be tempted to try the chain pizza restaurant, Pippin’s. Their idea of pizza is not quite what most Americans are used to and its very expensive. After a disastrous experience with Norwegian pizza, we ventured toward the less touristy eateries and discovered that tiny restaurants that sell delicious rotisserie chicken platters were everywhere and quite affordable. We were so proud of ourselves for making this little discovery that I though I’d share it with anyone considering a trip to this amazing place!
Big Sur, the National Park along Highway 1, just south of Monterey is also worth a visit. I spent many summers there as a child and it’s always a pleasure to go back. You’ll be camping(but there are cabins and hotels available) among the giant redwoods, with the beach right beside the forest. Some of the scenery just driving through the park are the best, in my opinion of the entire Highway 1 experience and definitely worth at least a day trip while in the area.
The Bellagio has an amazing nightly water show. The fountains make the water seem to dance to classical music. The show only lasts about 5-10 minutes, but it runs every half hour during the week and every 15 minutes on the weekends. You can tell when the show is about to start as soon as the area around the Bellagio’s entrance gets packed, so be sure to beat the rush and get a comfortable viewing area.
I’ve made two requests for permission travel letters and have not received an email. I have a mac…is that a problem?
The Lake George region is one my favorites to vacation in upstate New York. The town is beautiful and an evening walk along the water after a nice meal makes for an enjoyable evening.
When I vacationed with my family a few years ago we stayed at the Lake George Escape Camp Ground. My family is not one for roughing it, so even though there were families on the grounds living out their tents and RVs, we were able to rent one of the log cabins, with all the modern “luxuries” that I deem necessary (shower, bed, kitchen). The huge grounds has a baseball field, an outdoor pool and a rec room with a tons of games for the kids to play. There is nightly entertainment and the atmosphere is very friendly with families grilling on their own BBQs and offering hotdogs to other guests walking by.
While in town, we found the time to explore the area and two of the things I highly recommend are Six Flags Great Escape Park and just a half-mile down the road from that is the Glen Falls Drive-In movie theater. The theme park has a bobsled rollercoaster and the drive-in has double features (for the price of one) every night during the summer!
Our teen son has been to the New Orleans Jazz Festival twice and he just loves it. There is something magical about listening to music out of doors that keeps kids involved. If we put on some of the music he loved at NoLa at home, he would scoff at it! But there, sitting on the lawn, his musical horizons were much broader. This festival sounds just great.
Hello Steve~ I’m hoping your still active on this site and my post reaches you soon. It was a wonderful sight for me to stumble upon this site and find your name and some photos. Please try to contact me so that we can catch up. You may email me erinmbrice on yahoo.
Everyone should go to the Cliffs of Moher, one of the most amazing things I did in Ireland!
During Christmas of 2006, I went down to the Caribbean for the first time with my family. It was me, my younger brother and sister (who were in their mid to late teenage years at the time) and our parents.
I was a little apprehensive since I have never been on vacation during the holidays before, but like Kristen, we stayed at the Barcelo Capella and it was a GREAT TIME. There was a huge tree in the middle of the resort decorated with lights and they even had parties for all the guests on Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
The staff is comical, welcoming and entertaining. My favorite part of each night was after dinner when the performers took a break from their music and dancing and put on what the resort calls, “Ice Breakers.” Basically, they pull out random guests and members of the audience to come on stage and participate in embarrassing, but incredibly funny activities. You may have to dance the tango with a stranger, pop balloons with your butt, or make animals noises. It keeps the crowd pleased and certainly does break the ice.
I went down with my family, but left the resort with a ton of friends. The Barcelo Capella definitely enhances the typical family vacation. PLUS- It is ALL INCLUSIVE and beach front. You really cannot go wrong here.
Oahu can be congested sometimes, but it’s too beautiful to pass up. Another great thing to do is visit The Contemporary Museum on Makiki Heights Drive. It’s small and intimate and full of interesting exhibits. It’s a great place to beat the heat and get away from crowds.
Absolutely beautiful, in summer and winter. Lake Louise holds a special place in my heart! Although I would suggest during winter bundle up. Seriously, I spent the winter holidays skiing here and it was -40 degrees, hand warmers are a must!
I loved going to Lugu Lake. It took a six hour bus ride to get there from Lijiang, which is a short flight away from Kunming. The trip was definitely worth it though, the lake is gorgeous! If you have time, get tickets for the Mosuo performance. The Mosuo people are a matriarchal society who lives near Lugu Lake and the show teaches you all about their customs through singing and dancing.
I go back to Grand Targhee every winter with my dad for so many reasons. I love it! The lift lines are never long, the food is cheap and with my college I.D I was able to ski for $35 over spring break 2008. I was even able to go skiing with my friends who had never skied before.
If you’re looking to visit pandas without leaving the city, just head over to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. The research base is just a short taxi ride away from the heart of the city and a perfect day trip. I spent three hours there before my evening flight, just enough time to visit everything from the Baby Panda Nursery to Giant Panda Kindergarten. The pandas are adorable and although they didn’t do much (mostly sleeping and eating), none of the visitors, including me, could take their eyes off the slow-moving animals. For 400 RMB (about 53 US dollars), visitors can stand next to and take a picture with a baby panda, but if you want to hold one, be prepared for sticker shock. It costs 1000 RMB, or about 133 US dollars!
I also recommend stopping and watching the video about the giant panda and the center’s breeding efforts. Visit the less popular red pandas as well. They’re much more energetic than their large black and white counterparts and the kids were excited to see them leaping around and wrestling with one another. Like most other tourist destinations, the breeding center has a souvenir shop near the exit. Stop by and take a look at the cuddly stuffed pandas and t-shirts, but you may want to buy the items at the stands across the street from the breeding center where you can bargain. Be careful when getting on one of the taxis waiting outside. They know that most of the visitors are tourists and will try to rip you off so make sure they start the meter once you get on.
While in Chengdu, I stayed at Universal House Golden Hotel, a four star hotel not far from the city center. It was inexpensive (I paid around 60 US dollars per night) and the service was wonderful. The front desk was eager to help and recommended two wonderful restaurants, including Huang Cheng Lao Ma which specializes in Sichuan-style hotpot.
The Giant’s Causeway is definitely worth the trip from Belfast, which by bus tour took a couple hours for us. There is a particular rock out near the water that is rumored to be magical and is considered Finn’s chair. Supposedly anyone who sits on that particular step stone can wish for any one thing and Finn will grant that wish.
I also highly recommend the Crown’s Liquor Saloon. The Farmer’s Chicken was excellent and keeping with the wonderful pub atmosphere. Now that there is a smoking ban in Northern Ireland, I bet it’s even more pleasant without the cloud of smoke.
A couple other things that to think about doing is visiting Queen’s University, just to see how like good wine, universities are better with age and a stroll through the Botanical Gardens is nice when weather permits, but if showers occur, seek shelter in the Palm House, a glass greenhouse with a huge variety of tropical flowers and plants. Admission is free to both.
Another way to travel through Belfast is with the Black Cab tours, which offers private tours in those classic cab cars that look old fashioned compared to the sedan Yellow Taxis of New York City. These personalized tours allow up to four people to pick and choose which sites ranging from within Belfast City to as far as Antrim to the Giant’s Causeway. They also have tours to the Shankill Murals and Falls Murals, which are always viewed better with a local guide to explain what these paintings represent, along with the history.
Edinburgh has a great haunted tour. A lot of it is more about the ‘gore’ of hanging days, but they take you down into their underground vaults, which was voted as one of the most haunted places on earth. It’s not all that scary, but definitely for older kids (and grown-ups) who love to be spooked.
I love Portland! Try out the Rose Gardens, it’s a nice place for the kids to run around while the parents enjoy the flowers.
I stayed at the Embassy Hotel while there and we ended up with a suite, very spacious, clean, great staff.
Little Italy is a great spot for gelato and family-style Italian food. And the suburb of Westlake (about 15 minutes from Cleveland) has a huge pedestrian area and shopping village called Crocker Park with tons of shops, eateries, and kid-friendly stops.
I stayed at the Hix House, designed by environmentalist architect John Hix. We absolutely loved it, though it is very rustic and run on solar power, no TV, AC, etc. They require children be 16 and older, so this is only a good option for older kids who love the outdoors and want to explore unique environmental lodging options.
I like free kayaking in Hudson Park through Downtown Boat House. They provide free kayaks to venture out solo or tandem for about 20-minutes along the Hudson. Kids under the age of 16 have to go tandem with a guardian. While 16-18 year olds can go solo, but their guardian has to sign a waiver and be present the whole time. Makes for a fun and inexpensive family activity.
Hudson Park also has a summer trapeze school, batting cages, bike rentals, rock climbing, play areas, and free movie programs during summer.
St. Thomas isn’t the island for me. Personally, the last thing I want to see when entering a Caribbean port is an oversized Rolex store, a local market overflowing with cheap goods from China, and a misplaced McDonald’s.
The Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort is well-kept, but has some of the worst service I’ve ever experienced. If you’re not there on an all-inclusive, they’ll nickel and dime you to death with $20 to $50 to check your email, or even more to get online from your room. My room’s internet connection did not work and when alerted to the problem, the cranky staff did nothing beyond making false promises and passing the buck and I left having never been able to connect.
The beach is rocky and uninviting and so far from the rooms as to almost make it not worth the visit. Snorkeling gear is free to guests, but they make you pay $5 for life vest’s for your little ones. I had to leave my credit card as a deposit when they wouldn’t take my room number instead.
I don’t recommend the Wyndham…
Hi
Stay in what Hans Christian Andersen called “Denmarks Garden” at this magnificent Manor House, http://www.skrobelevgods.dk
Huge and bright suites with en-suite bathrooms, winecellar, lounces with open fireplaces etc.
Hi
Another fantastic French castle is Hattonchatel Chateau in Lorraine – the view is fabulous and the listed knights hall “la Salle de Burgraves” is one of the few wonders of this world.
Mention the night skiing at Squaw Valley. It has one of the longest night-lit runs I’ve ever skied — 3.2 miles from top to bottom. Plus the terrain park is lit at night and that includes a half-pipe. Really fun.
Susan F.
Northstar at Taoe is a great place for teens because all of the housing on the resort site is served by a bus. That means they can sleep in and get themselves to the slopes. It also has really fun terrain park features for both skiers and snowboarders. It would be nice to see daycare for infants, though.
– Laura S.
Wow, you sound like a disgruntled Yankee Fan!
Having personally vacationed at Point Sebago with my family for a week at least 7 years so we speak from first hand experience. Most years we never leave the resort and check-out feeling we participated in a small fraction of the resorts multitude of offerings. You make no mention of the family camaraderie we find so refreshing around the campfire each evening. Did you ever start a camp fire? Probably not as it sounds like you spent very little time at the resort (5 days vacation and 5 Maine excursions).
Obviously your teens do not enjoy tennis, canoeing, kayaking, golf, driving range, miniature golf, sailing, volleyball, shuffleboard, hanging out on the beach, or going on a teen cruise or teen dance.
You make the “Park Homes” sound small. And, when compared to a house – this point can not be argued. However many families vacation and share a single motel/hotel room with 2 double beds. Compared to that, our 2-bedroom Park Home every year feels quite spacious.
You also mention the 10 minute walk from your unit to the water. You do not mention the dozens of homes directly on the water (given the resort popularity, we do reserve months in advance to get a waterfront Park Home).
Point Sebago Resort has over a 80 percent repeat guest and referral rate. Families who love Point Sebago are loyal, return year after year (some for generations) and tell their friends. We have refered dozens of families and all have loved it! Thousands find this to be a real “Maine woods” experience.
But when you visit a resort with so much to offer and the 6 highlights of your visit are 5 off-sight visits (you were only there for 5 days) and the sixth highlight was teaching your son to drive. Well, as you say, clearly your family “did not click with it” – but did you even try?
Does not sound like you will, but if you were to visit again, try actually participating in some of the resorts activities and events. They are numerous, they are fun! You make new friends and you reconnect as friends with your family – surprisingly this happens over mini golf or s’mores. We find this is what really makes the true Point Sebago experience!
-Greg Burke
This author is amazing! This article was very informative and makes me want to go to Seefeld right now!!!Keep up the good work!!!
Our family visited Columbus in July one year and attended the Ohio State Fair. What a great time we had – our 2 year old loved petting the animals in the 4H tent where many older kids were gathered with the younger “siblings” of the cows, sheep and goats who were in competition. The Ohioans are so friendly too, that made it extra fun. Highly recommended, especially with little ones.
I was at this ski resort in March one year and it was awesome. There’s an outdoor cafe halfway up the mountain, near the open air skating rink built for the Olympics — both are a great place to hang out in the noon day sun. really neat.
This sounds like such a fun trip, but do you think it would be hard to drive a minivan full of kids for us, since it’s on the “wrong” side of the street in Ireland?
I wonder how much traffic there is and how stressful this would be, with parking, filling up the gas tank, etc.
Don’t miss “Gum Alley” in downtown San Luis Obispo, where visitors have left their artistic mark in gum. You’ll see gum initials, gum hearts, gum peace symbols, and thousands and thousands of pieces of ABC (already been chewed) gum. Found objects such as old 45 rpm records and charms are often stuck onto the wall and there’s always room for more. The wall is located off Higuera between Chorro and Broad Streets.
I haven’t, but I found a nice site at http://www.auto-europe.co.uk/- It’s AutoEurope, the car rental company, and they have lots of fly-drive offers for families interested in visiting the Christmas markets in Munich, Dresden, Nuremberg, Salzburg, Vienna, Zurich and Strasbourg. maybe it will have some good ideas for your next Christmas market adventure.
A few things to do iin Moscow include the Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier’s changing of the guard ceremony, a Kremlin tour, Lenin’s Mausoleum, Armory and Diamond Fund Tours.
You can explore central Moscow on foot. Kids may like the shopping mall with the food court under Red Square.
Other possiblities include the Izmalova flea market, the KGB Museum and Park Pobedy (Victory Park).
The Bolshoi ballet is a treat and you’ll need to book tickets quite a ways in advance.
You should have plenty of excellent ideas for St. Petersburg in this article!
I am interested in a family trip in July for my two children and myself to include at least Moscow and St Petersburg. I am a member. Help! Christi Bourne
I just didn’t want FamilyTravelForum.com to be hit by nasty emails from parents with young kids curious to know just what Bomba and the women are doing in all those photos and why.
The Bomba Shack is a tourist attraction — trap may be more like it. It’s a really gross place.
Candyce Stapen
Anyone who has ever been to Tortola knows that this is just an absurd landmark… a taste of local color… that people actually ask to stop at. It is definitely just a place to take a photo as they have the strangest things hanging there. We saw lots and lots of license plates, etc… and did not take note of bras and panties, etc. We did not recommend that anyone “hang out” there.
Nonetheless, we feel that if anyone is offended… then this item definitely has to be eliminated from our article about the island.
Mel and Ronnie Greenberg, authors
You really should delete the reference to “Bamba Shack.” First of all, it’s the “Bomba Shack” and secondly, it appeals to drunken college students and twenthysomethings. It’s not family-friendly.
Women’s panties and naked, explicit — very explicit photos — of Bomba feeling up and doing all kinds of X-rated activities with visiting women are on the walls and hang from the rafters.
I wouldn’t even want my daughter going there when she was in college, let alone when she was younger.
Candyce Stapen
[Editor’s Note: Travel expert Candyce H. Stapen is a contributing editor and columnist for Family Fun, Vacations, the Washington Times, and National Geographic Traveler. She is also the author of the four “Great Family Vacations” guides (Prima Publishing): Northeast, South, Midwest & Rocky Mountain Region, and West, as well as “Cruise Vacations With Kids” and “Fun With the Family in Virginia” (Globe Pequot Press). Stapen has two children and lives in Washington, DC.]