Will this summer be for mountain hikes and canoeing? Beaches and sandcastles? Shopping, shows and food truck tours? Perfecting your Spanish, celebrating our National Parks? Whatever your pleasure, we know you want to make the most of your time and travel budget.
Start your summer vacation planning by sharing ideas and goals with the kids, then listen to theirs. Allow the kids a daily activities allowance so they can be part of the planning. With so many lodging options, from vacation rentals to road trip motels to five-star resorts and B&Bs, there’s something for every wallet. Here are some of the best ideas and activities (some of them shared by our sponsors) that we’ve heard for grandparents, parents, extended family and children of all ages to enjoy a summer getaway together.
Best Summer Beach Vacations
Whether you’re headed north or south, east or west, it’s a safe bet that a beach stay is part of your summer vacation plans. Here are some favorites that offer plenty of off-the-sand activities for all ages, in addition to clean, safe surf to swim in.
And although we never expect any trouble, we buy travel insurance to cover items like expensive plane tickets, the possibility of having to return home to see an ill grandparent, emergency medical and dental bills, even the loss of our son’s iPad. A policy like the Basic Family Plan covers 17 and under free of charge as long as there is one paying adult included, and covers pre-existing conditions like your husband’s bad knee if you buy it within 14 days of departure.
California and Hawaii Family Beaches
You can ignore the cold waves because you never have to get wet in Santa Cruz, just south of San Francisco. The beautiful, big Santa Cruz boardwalk turns 112 this summer, yet its classic midway with turn-of-the-century rides always seem fresh and yes, thrilling. The sprawling Seascape Resort is a good base for active families.
Santa Monica is the ideal SOCAL beach destination with easy access for daytrips to Disneyland and Los Angeles. The Santa Monica Pier is famous for its rides, carousel and solar-powered, 130-foot-tall Ferris Wheel. You won’t need a license to fish off the pier for perch, mackerel or white sea bass like the locals.
North, past the romantic seafood restaurants like Gladstone’s, is the public Annenberg Community Beach House, where families can play, swim or take yoga lessons at no charge. At several points in Santa Monica, you can rent a bike or inline skates and go for miles on the bike bath right along the beach, and play volleyball — there are always games going on.
To the south, the city of San Diego keeps families busy at its world-class Zoo, SeaWorld, and 15 major museums and entertainment venues at Balboa Park. Even if you’re not traveling with your pet, don’t miss the Coronado Dog Beach near Mission Bay where each summer you can catch the Loews Coronado Bay Surf Dog Competition. The classic Hotel Del Coronado is a popular multigenerational getaway. Stop by to see the memorabilia from “Some Like it Hot” filmed there.
Hawaii has great values in vacation homes and condos, as well as beautiful tropical resorts welcoming families. First-time visitors flock to Oahu because of the constant buzz around Waikiki, a mecca for tweens and teens, especially if they want to learn how to surf. Book ahead for tickets to see Pearl Harbor and don’t miss the battleship Missouri. For an entirely different scene, visit quaint Haleiwa, the surf capital on Oahu’s North Shore. Maui is the island for golden sand and tans, surf lessons, posh resorts and the beautiful Kaana’pali Beach. On Hawai’i, the Big Island, you can visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park — but no tget too near the erupting Kilauea Volcano — tour a macadamia nut plantation or a Kona Coffee farm, and get to know the real Hawaiian culture that George Clooney showed us in “The Descendants.”
East Coast Family Beach Vacations
On the east coast along the Atlantic Ocean, you have your pick of beach towns from Maine all the way to Florida where you can play on the sand (and often a boardwalk), ride bikes, challenge the kids to a tennis match or hone your golf game. We love the cool breezes of Cape Cod where families can take a sailing lesson, bike ride on the famous Cape Cod Rail Trail, catch a local team baseball game, visit the National Sea Shore and, at the end of the day, savor fresh seafood and homemade ice cream. There are also ferries back to Boston, and between Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket for more action.
You don’t have to be a Springsteen fan to know that New Jersey is summer. Freshly renovated beach cottages along the famous Jersey Shore boardwalks are great value before July 4th and after mid-August. Don’t miss daytrips to the Silverball Pinball Museum in Asbury Park, Ocean City’s Luna Park, Avalon’s mini-golf courses and Wildwood’s dolphin-watching boat tours.
Families love to swim in the warm waters at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where lodgings range from budget to luxury. Myrtle Beach’s Grand Strand runs along a beautiful Atlantic beach and offers so much entertainment, a lot of it weatherproof. The local theme park, Carowinds, has redone its toddlers section with a new Camp Snoopy, including a teacup ride, gently swirling coaster and lots more Peanuts-themed fun. Teens will appreciate the new 810 bowling alley, and everyone in the family will enjoy the many new restaurants opening for summer.
Tropical Beach Vacations
Go on vacation and leave your wallet at home when you stay at a Club Med. Stay, eat, and play on land and in the water for one price at the world’s leading all-inclusive resort. Choose from 65 Club Meds around the world or pick Club Med Sandpiper Bay in Florida. Activities include tennis, golf, beach volleyball, a fitness academy and a circus school with flying trapeze. There is a separate kid’s pool and aquapark. As at all of their resorts, the kid’s club is phenomenal, so while your kids are happily at play, mom and dad can enjoy some time alone. Club Med Sandpiper Bay even offers a Baby Club for 4-23-month-olds and a Petit Club for “2-3-year-olds (for a fee), plus age-appropriate clubs for older kids from 4 to 17-year-olds (included). And, great news – kids under 4 stay free.
Cool Mountain Vacations
Doesn’t blazing August heat make you dream of cool breezes? Mountain townies joke they came to a ski town for the slopes and stayed because of the gorgeous summer weather. Look for summer deals across the country at ski resorts from Maine to Colorado, Utah and California.
Once the snow melts and the temperatures rise, you can enjoy hiking and biking on the slopes of Keystone Resort. At almost 10,000 feet, and with average temperature around 70 degrees, conditions are perfect for a cool summer holiday. Depending on the size of your group, choose from a studio condo to a four-bedroom townhome so you can save money on breakfast, and have somewhere to dry those bathing suits. Learn how to bike downhill on 100 miles of lift-serviced singletrack mountain biking terrain, or try stand-up paddle boarding on Keystone Lake. Keystone also offers two golf courses. The complimentary Kidtopia program brings kids and parent together for fun nature hikes, games, kite workshops and more. On Friday evenings there are free live concerts, a perfect way to celebrate a Rocky Mountain high vacation.
Families flock to the awesome White Mountains of New Hampshire to enjoy swimming in clear mountain lakes, biking in Mt. Washington National Park, hiking in the Franconia Notch State Park and playing at Santa’s Village, a Christmas-themed amusement and water park. Climb to the top of Mt. Washington, the highest peak in the northeast by driving the Mt. Washington Auto Road or taking the Mt. Washington Cog Railway up the mountain.
National Parks and the Great Outdoors
Happy 102nd Birthday to our National Parks Service. While Congress named Yellowstone our first National Park in 1872, President Woodrow Wilson created the National Park Service in 1916 to protect the 35 parks and monuments that had been established until that point, and those that were to come in the future. Now overseeing 400 National Parks in addition to Military Parks, National Monuments, National Parkways and Seashores, and Urban Parks, the NPS welcomed more than 300 million visitors in 2017.
Our Top 10 National Parks for Family Vacations will give you information on a range of parks from the east to the west coasts. At all of the national parks and monuments, park rangers help you make the most of your time with special activities, including the Junior Ranger and recreation programs.
If your family enjoys the outdoors, learn more about how America’s land is managed by farmers and ranchers on a genuine Western dude ranch experience. Of course, you’ll also get tips on roping and horseback riding, great ranch to table home cooking, and friendly interaction with authentic wranglers and ranchers to better understand Western culture. What a fun way to learn. The Dude Ranchers Association helps you select the best ranch for your family’s ages and interests.
Road Trips by Car and RV
For a different kind of overland adventure, consider renting an RV for the whole family. The high cost of fuel is offset by hotel savings — and bonding on wheels is its own unique treat. Whether you’re heading out on one of our top 10 family road trips or driving to the grandparents, we recommend that anyone with preschoolers drives during morning and afternoon nap hours, plays at lunch and rest stops, and sets daily mileage goals before departure. With older children your route can be more serendipitous (filled with missed exits and unusual must-stop roadside attractions), but make sure they select some off-the-highway activities each day just for them. Download our backseat car games cheat sheet to make the time fly by for everyone.
Among our favorite road trips are The Blue Ridge Parkway through Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee and the classic Grand Canyon to Las Vegas route (both of which touch upon National Parks.)
Foreign Travels
Always a fun city, this summer Toronto is also a bargain. Thanks to a strong U.S. dollar, the city’s varied offerings will be easy on the budget – in other words, more fun for less.
The south west region of England, not far from London, welcomes visitors with a variety of places to experience. Bristol is a port city built upon a seafaring heritage which is still celebrated today. It is also a cutting edge urban environment featuring a strong music scene, street art, music, film, theatre and dance. Bath, located in the Cotswolds, is a charming and historic city known for “taking the waters” and is perfect for a restorative vacation.
Eco-Friendly and Adventurous Vacations
Introduce the environment and healthy eating in a hands-on way with an agritourism or farm stay vacation. Farm vacations are cheap and popular in Europe, where so much dining is naturally farm-to-table. More North American working farms are supplementing their crop income with overnight lodging, meals and a peek into a farmer’s lifestyle. School age kids will love joining in as cows are milked, eggs are collected fresh from the hen house, and carrots are pulled from the ground.
Go to our directory of farm stays and choose your pick of working farms and ranches across the U.S. (in all 50 states and U.S. Territories).
Citybreaks for Foodies, Artists and Shoppers
City breaks offer value summer vacations packed with art, interesting dining options and great shopping because there are so many free activities and cheap hotel rates on weekends. No need to wait till kids get older; we know even your super smart preschoolers can enjoy an urban getaway as long as you don’t plan too much each day.
Washington DC Family Vacations Are About Knowledge
It wouldn’t be summer without thousands of teachers and parents planning educational visits to the nation’s capital. But Washington DC is much more than government, especially in this season’s hot, humid lazy days when downtown is abuzz with tech startups and millennial loft dwellings. This top-value city plans weekly festivals and street fairs, and the dozens of free monuments and 19 no-charge Smithsonian museums (we love the kids’ website) mean there’s never a bad time to visit.
The engaging Visitors Centers at the White House and Capitol mean you won’t have to plan ahead or wait in line to see the real thing… the behind-the-scenes exhibits are more revealing than being in the actual building. You may have to book ahead, however, to see the remarkable collection of personal Lincoln artifacts at The Ford Theatre, site of President Lincoln’s assassination by leading man John Wilkes Booth. Tickets for National Park Service properties can be obtained in advance from Recreation.gov. Even the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has free daily performances. — at 6 p.m. on the Millennium Stage.
Read more about what’s on in other great cities .
Summers Full of Museums and Learning
All travel is educational, and that’s why we support the annual Teen Travel Writing Scholarship, a merit competition in which ages 13-18 share their travel blogs to win cash grants for school. So, please make sure they keep a journal of their adventures.
There are cool museums in small towns, where you can look at old mummies, study the chemistry of photography, or get close to dinosaurs. Other museums are devoted to a sport like the Baseball Hall of Fame celebrating more than 75 years in Cooperstown, New York; the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts; or the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ontario. Our family has flipped for a few museums: the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio and, on one rainy Washington DC day, the great Newseum devoted to the history of journalism.
Volunteer Activities & Summer Programs for Kids with Challenges
Children with special learning needs or disabilities and their families have many recreational options, from horseback riding to kayaking to cycling, in summer. Autism on the Seas helps arrange vacations on land and sea for families with someone on the autism spectrum. In Orlando, Give Kids the World welcomes kids suffering from life-threatening illness and their families to take a break from treatment, hospitals and doctors and just enjoy themselves for a week. In partnership with Universal Orlando, they also offer half-day volunteer opportunities for more fortunate families visiting the Orlando area.
You will learn so much by doing on a volunteer vacation, especially if the kids are older. Established organizations like Cross-Cultural Solutions, Earthwatch, and Global Citizens Network among other non-profit organizations help you find a family volunteer opportunity. Many of G Adventures family trips include volunteer activities to sustain the communities at the destinations visited.
Cruise the High Seas or Nearby Waterways
With major cruise lines now departing from 24 homeports, the majority of Americans can be at a cruise terminal with just one day of driving, bringing this already great value vacation into the reach of many more families. This is one industry seeing more than 50% of guests sailing with a group, mostly multigenerational and extended families who appreciate that there are fun new experiences for all ages on these floating resorts. Check out our 2018 Guide to the Top Family Cruises to see which line might be best for your family and, remember, since there are no lifeguards on duty at waterplay areas, you’ll have to keep an extra vigilant eye on the kids. Since you’ll have to prepay the cruise, this is another type of vacation where getting travel insurance is highly recommended.
If you are looking for something different from the large ship experience, and a bit of adventure as well, take a look at AdventureSmith Explorations for inspiration. In their small-capacity, adventure-oriented yachts and expedition vessels, your family can explore Alaska, Costa Rica, the Galapagos Islands, the Amazon and other family-friendly destinations. Off-ship activities include activities not associated with mainstream cruising such as hiking, sea kayaking and exploring the remote wilderness. This summer welcomes the Santa Cruz II, a new ship in the Galapagos Islands, with many interconnecting cabins – perfect for families. Features include riding zodiacs, snorkeling with sea lions and penguins and hiking among land and marine iguanas.
Theme Parks, Water Parks, Fave Staycations
We love the less busy themeparks in summer. Base your family at an Anaheim hotel with its fun pools and family amenities, and spend a few days to explore the whole region. Locals say you’re missing a lot if you skip Knott’s Berry Farm with its roller coasters (including the family Coast Rider), Camp Snoopy for younger kids and Boardwalk family attractions. Teens especially love Magic Mountain — one of the first Six Flags parks with some of the fastest, tallest rides in the country, just outside Los Angeles.
Money-saving ideas for themepark vacations are always welcome. When you buy a Southern California CityPASS, you save nearly 30% of the price of a prepaid 3-day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper ticket that allows unlimited back-and-forth access to Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, plus one-day admission to Legoland California and SeaWorld San Diego. The pass is valid for 14-days. Not headed to SoCal this summer? What about Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa Bay or Toronto? Check out the CityPASS booklet to these other destinations for discounts at all of their top attractions.
Orlando and central Florida, themepark kingdom, are never at a loss for news. It may not have won the Best Animated Film Academy Award, but the “awesome” Lego Movie convinced our clan to visit these fun, interactive parks again. Active duty military get in free to LEGOLAND Florida, where Duplo Valley designed for little Duplo fans has been a big hit, along with over 50 rides, shows and attractions.
If outer space seems more real than the themeparks, the Space Shuttle Atlantis at the Kennedy Space Center is an easy drive from Orlando and well worth the effort to see. There are more than 30 rocket launches scheduled for the NASA facility this year, where non-governmental enterprises like Space X are testing the next generation of space vehicles.
Share more ideas with us in the Comments Field!
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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.