In the past decade, tourism to Istanbul, Turkey has increased significantly, with families from around the world crowding its hotels and restaurants. The year 2011 saw more than 31.3 million visitors pour US$23 billion into the Turkish economy. With a steady flow of tourism dollars, it’s no wonder that many of the city’s innumerable attractions have been restored, refurbished, updated and priced in keeping with European standards.
Sadly, the City of Seven Hills is not the dirt cheap travel bargain is used to be, but with our savvy advice, Istanbul will be your most affordable and fascinating family vacation ever.
Choosing your Family Friendly Istanbul Hotel
Location, location, location — it’s as important in Istanbul as in any other major city. The Old Town district of Sultanahmet is still the most colorful neighborhood for tourists interested in the city’s Hellenic, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman histories, but if you’re keen on what’s new at Istanbul Modern, or what’s being served in the most chic of mezes restaurants, you’ll want to stay in Taksim, Kabatas or further up the European side of the Bosphorous. Adventurers with plenty of time to sightsee should consider Urudkoy, the Asian side of the city — rates for hotels and restaurants are much cheaper, authentic local culture abounds but you’ll be at the mercy of ferry schedules to get to most of the popular sights.
Tip: Visitors should pick their hotel carefully to minimize the time spent in the considerable traffic. And if you want to see as much as you can despite it, hop on the CitySights double-decker buses which ply the main tourist areas, calling at one of the nearly 30 stops approximately every hour.
Istanbul Hotels around Taksim Square and Pera, the New Town
Many visitors prefer hotels outside the historic district, primarily around the older city heart at Pera and, nearby, the popular Taksim Square. From the Pera district, the classic Tunel – an antique Swiss-style funicular, feeds pedestrians from Pera district down hill to Karakoy. From Karakoy, visitors can walk across the bridge into the Old Town to see Istanbul’s major attractions, or board the new and efficient light-rail tram to Sultanahmet/The Old Town.
Families with active children and a larger budget may prefer the contemporary towers with swimming pools and fitness rooms that have sprung up near Taksim Square, around the waterfront Besiktas district. The new Taksim Tunel takes you down the hill towards the water, to the Kabatas stop on the new light-rail tram or, on a limited schedule, to the ferry pier where a boat provides the beautiful views of the water’s edge of Sultanahmet area. These cheap Bosphorous ferries leave from the main harbor at Eminonu, site of the Egyptian Spice Market, and another tram stop for a limited route.
Grand Hyatt Istanbul
Taskisla Caddesi, Taksim, Istanbul, Turkey 34437
90.212.368.1234
Rates: $$-$$$$
Located on a hill above the Dolmabahche Palace and near Taksim Square, the large Grand Hyatt Istanbul, is one of the most gracious hotels our family has ever stayed in — and that’s saying a lot. For the utmost in modern luxuries and service in the business center of Istanbul, you can’t do better. Grand Hyatt guestrooms are very large, accommodating two full beds with room for a crib and a rollaway. We took advantage of the relaxing divan with a roll-up lap desk, the full work desk, WiFi, and courtesies like international plug adaptors for computing. The luxurious marble bathroom had a separate shower stall, full bath and every modcon you can imagine. The 8th floor Concierge level includes an attentive room staff, always poised to help with parcels, additional toiletries or other needs. The Concierge Level Lounge was where we enjoyed a sumptuous breakfast, midday break, glass of Turkish wine and Turkish mezes. The lounge staff made us and many families with young children feel totally welcome as they served fresh pomegranate juice, stuffed grape leaves, turkey slider on soft rolls, chocolate truffles and a variety of savory and sweet treats to guests on that floor. An aerial view of the enormous pool with its paisley mosaic tilework, adjacent tennis court, and colonnaded gardens added to the ambiance worthy of sultans. As fine as the lounge was for snacking, the elegant downstairs restaurant served an even better buffet of Turkish, Arabic and international foods in addition to its a la carte menu.
Kempinski Ciragan Palace
Kempinski Ciragan Palace
Ciragan Caddessi 32, 34349 Istanbul, Turkey
90.212.326.4646
Rates: $$$-$$$$$
The other competitor in this price range is the Kempinski Ciragan Palace, truly palatial, like living in Versailles by the sea. The Ciragan Palace now offers an exciting children’s program the Princes and Princesses Program, which treats your kids like royalty. Upon arrival at the hotel, kids fill out their own specially designed registration and are presented with a backpack that includes the Kids’tanbul brochure featuring pens, and a coloring book. The brochure includes information about kid friendly attractions such as museums, toy stores, bakeries, and other great sites in Istanbul. After donning a Sultan’s crown, they get their picture taken, which is presented at checkout, framed by the staff, with the caption, “When I was Prince/Princess at the Ciragan Palace Kempinski.” Other great gifts the kids receive include hotel products, a teddy bear, snacks, and macaroons and milk. You’ll also be happy to know kids get special treatment at the restaurants, where kids under 6 eat for free, and kids 6-12 get a 50% discount on meals. Babysitting services can also be arranged with the concierge.
Swissotel The Bosphorus
Bayildim Caddesi 2, 34357 Besiktas, Instanbul, Turkey
90.212.326.1100
Rates: $$-$$$$
On a more modest level, but still priced in Euros and catering to expense account travelers, is the comfortable and contemporary Swissôtel The Bosphorus located in landscaped gardens that once belonged to the Dolmabahce Palace. It has 600 Bosphorous view rooms and 16 restaurants, a gym and other fitness facilities and two pools – the outdoor one has an exclusive section for children.
Istanbul Hilton
Cumhuriyet Caddesi, 34367 Istanbul, Turkey
90.212.315.6000
Rates: $$-$$$
In the inland Taksim area is the long popular Hilton, which features balconies in all rooms, larger executive rooms, complimentary breakfast and beverages, two swimming pools and Turkish baths, a kids’ pool and playground, and within the spacious grounds, a convention center and jogging track. The hotel’s family amenities include babysitting, a children’s menu, cribs, high chairs, and a seasonal family package.
Pera Palace Hotel, Jumeirah
Mesrutiyet Caddesi 52, 34430 Tepebasi, Beyoglu, Istanbul, Turkey
90.212.377-4000
Rates: $$$-$$$$$
The classic Pera Palace Hotel, was built as the jumping off point for the legendary Orient Express train. Now part of the elegant Jumeirah group, she has been proudly restored to her ca. 1904 grandeur. Agatha Christie allegedly wrote Murder on the Orient Express there. Once dusty and in need of new stitching on its velvet curtains, the Jumeirah group has spent many millions to burnish the marble and regild the woodwork on this world-famous hotel. Coinciding with its renovation is the newfound popularity of the Pera District, the neighborhood on the eastern side of the Golden Horn that is closest to the Old City of Sultanahmet. New facilities include the restored Agatha restaurant, modern fitness center and classic Turkish bath.
Marmara Pera
Mesrutiyet Caddesi Tepebas, 34430 Instanbul, Turkey 90.212.334.0300
Rates: $$-$$$ The 200-room Marmara Pera is a more moderately priced choice in the Taksim Square area, across from the Tunel entrance and off Istiklal Caddesi, one of the main shopping and nightlife streets. Convenient, modern, and boasting a rooftop pool with spectacular views, this is a good family choice. Rooms were all renovated in mid-2004, are a good size and remain very well kept. Note that in summer, when the rooftop bar is at its busiest, the pool’s opening hours are reduced to accommodate the evening bar crowd.
Family Hotels in the Old Town District of Sultanahmet
Despite the traffic that swirls around it, the historic district is a wonderful area for families seeking a different Ottoman experience, particularly in the cooler months. Teens will especially appreciate that the Sultanahmet quarter has retained many of the hallmarks of its days on the round-the-world Hippy Circuit: cheap hostels and budget cafes. In addition to colorful people-watching, it’s also the neighborhood best adapted to today’s RTW youth, with cyber cafes, laundry services, and “bucket shops” (cheap travel agents) that sell tickets on European low-fare airlines serving Istanbul’s Sabiha Airport.
Ayasofya Konaklari
Sogukcesme Sokagi, Sultanahmet, 34400 Istabul, Turkey
90.212.513.3660
Rates: $-$$$
The Touring and Automobile Club of Turkey maintains this charming historic hotel complex with 64 rooms in the Sultanahmet district, on a very quiet lane between the Topkapi Palace and Aghia Sophia Mosque. The nine, 19th-century Ottoman rowhouses, which housed workers from the royal household, were opened to guests in 1986. Today they are decorated with European and Turkish furniture, handmade fabrics and curtains, with pretty Turkish carpets on parquet floors. This is the place for history buffs, where young children will feel like they’ve been transported back through time to the Ottoman era.
DoubleTree by Hilton Istanbul-Old Town
Urdu Caddesi 31, Beyazit, 34130 Istanbul, Turkey
90.212.453.5800
Rates: $-$$$
Hilton opened the DoubleTree by Hilton Istanbul-Old Town in 2012. The 171-bedroom hotel is set in the heart of Sultanahmet on the Golden Horn peninsula, within walking distance of famous sights including the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Sultanahmet and Topkapi Palace. It is also the nearest hotel to the intriguing Grand Bazaar, where visitors can purchase exotic goods from Persian rugs and magical spices to leather products and Turkish coffee. Amenities include the yummy chocolate chip cookie on arrival that the brand is known for, as well as a fitness room, sauna, steam room and Turkish bath.
Small Pensions of Sultanahmet Section of Istanbul
You can relish a timeless stay at the restored 18-room green wooden house, the Yesil Ev with its wonderful garden and Pasha Suite (90.212.517.6785); or at the tony Ibrahim Pasha (90.212.518.0394), a small hotel with a lovely roof deck and 20 elegantly furnished rooms. The Empress Zoe (90.212.518.2504) is another intimate hotel recommended for its gardens; check out the family suite with one queen bed and two singles, or their triple suite. These smaller hotels are priced in the €100-€200 range with breakfast.
Dining Well and Often in Istanbul
And the food? Turkish cuisine is comprised of a rich array of appetizers or meze (including hummus and eggplant dips, pita bread, feta cheese salads, spinach pie and stuffed grape leaves), grilled chicken and lamb dishes, kebabs, rice or roasted potatoes, seafood, and tomato and olive oil-based stews. It’s a real treat – inexpensive, popular with all ages, and easy to order for the uninitiated.
Families will find many picturesque and tasty restaurants around Sultanahmet – Old Town, though not necessarily the city’s newest or best. Other fun and casual places to dine are along the Galata Bridge, which boasts many fresh fish and seafood cafes along its length; and in the Flower Market, where stalls filled with blooms along Istiklal Caddesi are whisked away to allow grill restaurants to open at night. Foodies will have to check out the newer neighborhoods of Ortikoy and Etiler farther north for internationally-priced gourmet fare. Ask your hotel concierge to recommend the current favorite; here are some of ours.
Top Family Friendly Restaurants in Sultanahmet / Old Town Istanbul
The Blue House Hotel or Mavi Ev (90.212.638.9010) has a very pretty, 70-seat restaurant on the rooftop, open April to October. It has wonderful evening views of the illuminated Blue Mosque, and good Turkish food. The hotel has two other small eateries that come recommended.
Pandeli (90.212.522.5534) Still tucked upstairs above the entrance to the Spice Market in Eminonu, Pandeli has reigned over the city’s classic lunch spots since 1901. Since the market closes daily at 7:30pm, there’s no way to have a proper dinner at this blue and white-tiled legend. But, visitors and nostalgic locals still come for long lunches and afternoons away from the sun to enjoy their Turkish menu. It’s a quick tram ride or 15-minute walk from the Blue Mosque.
Istanbul specializes in picturesque dining venues: rooftops, gardens, Bosphorus view patios, under the Galata Bridge and even in underground cisterns. Sarnic Restaurant (212.512.4291) is housed in a former cistern, located just behind the Aghia Sofia Museum, on a historic cobblestone lane of wooden houses, some of the few remaining Victorian-era buildings in the city, which compromise the Ayasofya Konaklari guesthouses. Its menu of Turkish and continental entrees is well prepared but it’s expensive; guests come for the exposed brick walls and arched tunnels that date back to the 6th century.
Dining in the New Town of Istanbul
Degustasyon (212.292.0667) is about atmosphere, not food. It’s one in a long line of fish-themed restaurants in the so-called Balkik Pazar or Fish Market of Beyoglu, but it has a nice rooftop deck and the food is good. The ample meze or appetizer course will lead you, most likely, to a fish dish; the choice is yours when offered a full tray of candidates. If you’re lucky, another table will have commissioned the house band to play, which brings the whole place to life. At our visit, a table of teenage Turkish girls clapped and danced to the energetic music, lending a very special air to the place as you can see in this video. It’s also just steps away from the bustling nightlife of the incomparable pedestrian thoroughfare of Istiklal, with its nightclubs and street life.
Kebap (212.293.6759) is dominated by stylish black marble table tops and discreet glass partitions but it’s really just a small, hip kebap grill where pide, a flatbread Turkish pizza, is the specialty. Whether you dine indoors or out on the Bosphorus view terrace, there’s a selection of paynirli (a pita like bread stuffed with cheese, vegetables and sometimes ground meat), Turkish appetizers and the pide in small, medium or family sizes to suit all palates. About a 10 minute walk from Taksim Square.
Topaz (212.249.1001) is costly, chic, packed with diplomats and politicians, and among Istanbul’s currrent crop of restaurants with international calibre menus and wine lists. At Topaz, the spare interior allows diners to focus on the stunning view over the Bosphorus, with the glittering Bosphorus Bridge gleaming red, white, blue and green in the distance. A range of elegant appetizers, artfully presented, play on the classic Turkish mezes platter of vegetables, dips and purees. Stuffed zucchini flowers, seafood soup with saffron, moist chicken kebaps, and lamb are among the delicious entrees. A wonderful place to celebrate a special event.
For more information, hotel and restaurant suggestions, the following websites may be helpful in your trip planning: Go to Turkey; Istanbul City; Istanbul in English
Additional reporting by Ron Bozman.
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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.