My mom has always worked in the travel industry. My first plane trip, at five years old, was to Las Vegas. Needless to say, I have many stories and many experiences I could write about. I thought instead, however, that I would write from the parent’s point of view, since last fall my 6 month old and myself went to visit my parents in Florida.
FINALIST 2010 YOUNG TRAVEL WRITERS SCHOLARSHIP
To start, when going through security with a baby, it’s a little more challenging. The shoes come off, the bag of liquids, the purse and diaper bag in the bins.. .Mind you – all one-handed. While complimented on how quickly and efficient I was at it, it’s a lot easier with two hands. Needless to say, I did find the checking of the powdered formula amusing, and of course, it turned out to be formula powder like it says it is. Ah, better safe than sorry. Oh I should mention the airport. Little Rock, Arkansas. A total of 12 gates. I grew up in Columbus, Ohio and my mom worked at Columbus International Airport for years, where they have 3 different concourses. Little Rock is like an L shape, one section is check-in and baggage, and one section is gates. How quaint.
You get a lot of attention with a baby, period. At the store people gush and make faces and talk about and to her. The questions of age and sex, and comments of how good and pretty are pretty much mundane at this point. But on a plane, the people don’t walk away. Up and down the aisles people makes comments, ask questions, talk and make faces, as they go to the bathroom they’ll smile and comment how sweet she is. The flight attendants want to hold her and show her off to the other flight attendants, and comment how lucky they are to have us in their section. I must say you get special treatment with a little one.
Luckily, she really is an angel, and I chose to hold her in my lap for the 6 hours worth of flying and layovers. FYI to get from Little Rock to Orlando involves stopping in either Baltimore or Chicago, look at a map, yeah I didn’t get it either. Anyway she was a great baby. Didn’t scream bloody murder or squirm, just smiled and babbled and ate perfectly content with her surroundings.
On the trip home after visiting my parents, she behaved much the same way. She was very good, didn’t cry or try to get away from me. She loved all the attention, especially during the two hour delay I had in Baltimore. As much as you want to get home, it’s not like you can change the fact that the plane you want to get on isn’t physically there yet, and the flight attendants absolutely loved her and I really didn’t have to hold her all that much during that unexpected delay. Now eating was a challenge. I think if I had to spend over eight dollars for a Stromboli and a bottle of orange soda in the airport, I could have gotten a high chair.
To give some details besides the plane trips, Bella (my daughter) was able to visit Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Epcot. Needless to say, it’s not the brightest idea to take an infant to Disney World, but she was amazing. She was perfectly content in her stroller and only cried when she was hungry. She was wonderful. Her pictures with the Disney characters got a lot of attention, such a pretty little girl. As an adult, it’s insane how long the lines are to get pictures and signatures of the characters. You really don’t notice how many kids are around until you have one your own. Babies and parents waiting in lines for rides babies can be on (for example, The Land and It’s a Small World) or waiting for the rest of their group to get off a ride (Test Track, Soaring, Mission Space). Not to mention how expensive stuff is there. 12 dollars for her first Mickey Ears, and another 12 dollars for a Tigger stuffed animal with a little bell made for little babies. Even as an adult, I could easily spend hundreds in one of the gift shops. What torture it is for the average child, who’s parents did not budget for the shopping spree of souvenirs.
The beach was an experience she didn’t like. I think she was a little to young, the waves scared her, and she tried to eat the sand. Of course, she’ll try to eat the sand for at least another year before she learns its not food. For the most part, she spent that experience with a tight fist on myself or her grandpa and squinting because it was mid afternoon, so it was a short adventure, but she still picked up her first seashell.
I hope I accomplished my goal in this blog entry, giving an account from a different view of being a young and new parent. Having a child not only changes daily activities, but every aspect of you life, and I thought a look into traveling with a young child would be something different than a wild Spring Break story, even though I’m sure that could be entertaining and informative as well.
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
Are you ready for a Road Trip? Explore these eleven incredible cross-country road trip routes across the U.S.!
Hi, the Fabulous Fall Vacations and Getaways article it is well written, it’s very informative.
Hi, the Ski and Snow Vacations for Families article it is well written and is very useful.
I love spending time in London. I think if you want to spend time out of the city, Brighton is also a great place to visit, especially as it’s close by. There are a number of family-friendly hotels, too, like The Brighton Hotel:
This blog 11 Driving Tips for Easier Road
Trips helps me a lot with my battery problems. I use a simple
solutio for my battery from here: Kiss you all!
Thanks for sharing a great post!
It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d most
certainly donate to this fantastic blog! I suppose for now i’ll
settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my
Google account. I look forward to fresh updates and will share this site with my Facebook group.
Talk soon!
Yes Zeb!
It’s a steam excursion train, shorter ride, probably many kids on board. This would be better suited to younger children. Much better choice for the under-12 set.
Ralph
Originally created as a recreation area for employees of the Hershey Chocolate factory, today Hershey Park boasts plenty of chocolate paraphernalia, as well as roller coasters and a water park. Tickets include admission to the nearby ZOOAMERICA. Originally owned by the Knott’s jam producers, Knott’s Berry Farm amusement park is one of the older parks in the US, Knott’s Berry Farm is a classic for those looking for thrill rides, water rides and family fun.
Hi Ralph, thank you for your reply. I haven’t booked it yet as I had similar reservations that since it’s an 8-hr journey, it will not be wise to take the kids at this age but would love to take them on a shorter train tour, I’m currently looking at the Jacobite express (here in the UK).
Hello Zeb,
For children under 10, It would simply be too long a day in too confined a space for them, might get a little boring for them after the first 20 minutes; it’s an eight-hour journey.
If they are active, there isn’t a lot of room to run around on the train, which is smaller than the ones we are used to here in the U.S.
If you have already booked a space, and will have toddlers or young children, suggest you bring lots of things to keep the little ones entertained.
Ralph
A very good article! Thank you
Have been to Switzerland but missed the Glacier Express, I’ve heard it really one of the best train journeys in the World with amazing mountain/alps view. Is it good to travel with kids 7 and 4 years old) too, since it’s 8 hours long?
Sunlight, particularly in late summer and fall, sets off the production of anthocyanin. Cloudy weather dampens production and leads to less colorful displays. Many scientists argue that warming temperatures do not have much to do with the intensity of color, only with its timing: when it appears and how long it lasts. But Howard Neufeld, a professor of biology at Appalachian State University in North Carolina, said climate change could eventually affect the complex processes in leaf senescence and lower anthocyanin production, dulling the autumn reds.
Gladiator School – My new favorite thing to do in Rome. We did this on our last trip to Rome and both kids and adults absolutely loved it. Instructors are great. Highly recommended. Book far in advance. (Pictured above.) Walking Tour: Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill – Excellent guided tour of Ancient Rome. Skip the line to enter all three sites. Very kid-friendly.
Deer Valley caters to families with kid-friendly skiing, child care programs and a limited child-to-instructor ratio. Because Deer Valley sells a limited number of daily lift tickets, tiny tots and pint-sized groms have plenty of room to work on their pizza wedge and French fries. Other amenities include a Children s Center, Adventure Camp and furry mascots on the Adventure Trails. I grew up skiing here and learned to love the mountains and snow at this resort. The amenities are top notch and the food is amazing. As a young kid, when the skiing got tough, I would always head inside and get delicious food and hot cocoa. See more Deer Valley reviews here .
Fall is very busy in the mountainous regions with the influx of leaf peepers from the New England area, around the United States and the world. In these extremely popular areas, you ll want to make lodging reservations at least several weeks ahead, especially on weekends. Columbus Day weekend (Oct 7-9, 2017) is another time in which advanced booking is advised throughout the region.
Awesome post!
Thanks for sharing a great post!
Hey, This article posted at this website is really good.
Guess me aand the squad gonna tour around Europe next year.
Thankful for my homies still stationed in Germany and Italy
Aw, this was a very good post. Finding the time and actual
effort to generate a superb article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a lot and never
manage to get nearly anything done.
Must say that you have share some really interesting information and the list has many options for one’s family vacation. And the images that you have used in the article are amazing too! US is such an amazing place. Thanks for sharing these ideas with us, it was a good read.
Traveling to other cities with your kiddos? Don’t miss Curbed’s maps of the best family activities
Good to know : West Valley is open daily from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Apples are $0.85 a pound. Follow their Facebook page for updates on U-pick apples. And be sure to bring containers for their popular juice pressed right on site!
Minneapolis, Minnesota is a great pick for outdoor-loving families thanks to kid-friendly (and free) favorites like the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, home to more than 40 outdoor works of art
You can’t go wrong with a safari and I would recommend booking with a company like Timbuktu Travel. Have a look at their safari travel tips – .
The K Bar S Lodge, built in 2006, is located a short distance from Mount Rushmore. It is quietly secluded on 31 forested acres and away from busy streets. Battle Creek winds its way throughout the property and the large meadow in front of the Lodge is often a playground for deer and turkeys. As a single traveler it was so fun to be with this group. It s much nicer to be with others when you share a great experience or see something wonderful. And, it s safer than traveling alone. I m hooked on Road Scholar.
Rockefeller State Park offers seasonal activities including hiking, running, bird-watching, fishing ( New York state fishing license required), picnicking, horseback-riding, carriage-driving, photography, painting, and geocaching (park permit required). Sleepy Hollow and neighboring Tarrytown have a deep immigrant history resulting in a rich mix of cuisines: Italian, Greek, Mexican, Indian, French, Portuguese, Irish, Japanese, Dominican, Chinese, Ecuadorian, Thai, Moroccan, and Chilean. Foodies should not miss the Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow farmers market at Patriots Park where you ll find fresh Hudson Valley produce, meat, bread, and wine.
Speaking of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, don t miss out on seeing the Rockettes show-stopping leg kick precision chorus during the holidays at Radio City Music Hall.
Jimmy Buffet s restaurant is a short walk from the Comfort Suites Paradise Island Hotel and Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island. What could be better than eating a literal Cheeseburger in Paradise? Pairing it with a yummy margarita, of course.
Thank you for the auspicious writeup.
Make sure you check out the new sustainable Christmas Market in Berlin!! Its located by Hacksnshiremarkt!
What s more exhilarating than seeing the city from 108 floors above the world-famous Las Vegas Strip? Jumping off it. Strap in and face your fear as you jump off the side of SkyPod at The STRAT.
Have you ever dreamed of creating your own ice sculpture? The Quebec Winter Carnival has just what you’re looking for! Bring your group to our Ice Sculpture Workshops under the guidance of a team led by none other than Marc Lepire, chief sculptor of Bonhomme’s Ice Palace! During this one-hour event, you will learn the workflow of master sculptors and enjoy the unique experience of carving your own solid ice block with your group of 2 to 4 people. Free all-you-can-drink hot chocolate will keep you warm throughout the frosty fun.
When you’re travelling with your kids, indoor-fun options are a must no matter what the season. Montreal saves the day with all kinds of activities, from adventurous physical feats to skill-testing games and educational entertainment.
Hi everyone, it’s my first pay a visit at this site, and piece of writing is actually fruitful designed for me, keep up posting these types of content.| ?
Very ?nteresting topic, thank you for posting.
As I website owner I believe the content material here is very superb, thanks for your efforts.
Make sure to have lists of important contacts, in case of any emergency like health issue, car issue, towing issue (for emergency roadside assistance nyc), police issue, these all contacts make a trip safe and secure
Thank you for sharing your info. I really appreciate your efforts and
I am waiting for your further write ups thank you once again.
Thanks for sharing a great post!
Hello, I enjoy reading all of your article post.
I like to write a little comment to support you.
Thank you a bunch for sharing this with all of us you actually
realize what you’re speaking about! Bookmarked. Please additionally consult with my
website =). We will have a hyperlink alternate agreement among us
I am interested in taking a family vacation with my 2 children.
Great Read! Travelling with your family is one of the most exciting way to spend your holidays. If you are wondering where to travel next, here are some of the best vacation spots in the world.
Nice information thanks for sharing us.
Awesome post!
Thanks for sharing..
Thanks for sharing a great post!
We have traveled through several airports in Germany but never Munich. We will keep Munich on our list for the next trip through Europe since it sounds like the best place to have a stop over with kids. Thanks for the review and the information for kids to do in Munich Airport.
Greetings! I am going to be moving to Brooklyn from Minnesota in the beginning of February! My dad and I plan to take on the journey and would love to take your car with us! Contact me if you need your car out in NYC. Thanks.