5 Destinations Where Black Lives Matter
With a super-charged topic like race relations coloring the perception of many American cities, I suggest exploring five destinations where black lives not only matter, they fuel fascinating cultural institutions too few travelers know about. Here are some highlights of African American culture in Boston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Memphis and Washington DC to enrich your next vacation. Boston,...
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New England Camping For Novices
Are you ready to join an experienced camper and learn how to make New England wilderness camping more fun with young kids? Hope so! As a native of Boston, Massachusetts, I have often sought out more remote New England towns for a relaxing retreat from the city. However, it wasn’t until recent years that I began to cultivate an interest in all the outlets these places had to offer for nature enthusiasts. A...
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All American Thanksgiving Celebrations
A Thanksgiving recipe for fun: FTF's A-Z guide to local events marking the settlers' gratitude, from traditional eats to marathons. Thanksgiving, the quintessential American holiday, was first celebrated in 1621 by the pilgrim settlers to show thanks for the bountiful harvest that would see them through the long winter. Throughout the years, we have continued the tradition by enjoying feasts...
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Halloween Witchery in Boston and Salem, Massachusetts
In search for Halloween ideas in New England? Ready to give up the Sunday football game to take the kids exploring? Nothing is as Halloween focused as Haunted Happenings, the Massachusetts festival that draws more than 250,000 annually between October 1-31. Along with other seasonal activities that you and your family can...
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Lighthouses For The Night
August 7th is National Lighthouse Day and if you've never thought about staying in one, this is your chance. In 1789, the United States passed an Act in support of all lighthouses, beacons, and public piers. More than 200 years later, several historic beacons offer affordable, family-friendly lodging along the East and West coasts of North America. When compared to...
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Massachusetts Apple Farms – U-Pick ‘Em And Enjoy
Have you considered a bargain staycation near a u-pick fruit farm in New England; if so, Massachusetts family farms -- some even wind-powered -- are your destination. Farm stays are a great way to introduce kids to healthy eating and the wonders of nature, and experiencing a pick-your-own fruit farm will reinforce the message. If school has started, plan a daytrip to a local...
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Apple Picking And Pick Your Own Pumpkins
Whether you're hungry or looking for a cheap staycation, u-pick apple orchards and pumpkin picking at a local farm are among Fall's best family getaways. Read along as the apple-a-day FTF staff divulges the best places across America to pick your own fruit. As the days begin to shorten and the leaves begin to change, apple picking and pumpkin picking...
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Short Breaks And New England Weekend Getaways From Boston
The dense population of families in and around Boston, Massachusetts draws on beautiful New England for weekend getaway ideas. Whether your family is looking for a rural holiday, a cheap vacation package, a fun last-minute excursion to break up a road trip, or a weekend getaway along the Atlantic coast, you will find dozens of great options within a 200-mile radius of the Boston metropolitan...
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Free and Fabulous! Public Art Supports Summer Learning
Ah summer. A time for sun, sand, sea and -- art? Even kids who regard museum visits as a form of punishment can enjoy some of the season’s most inventive art installations without setting foot indoors. Here are a few favorites from a nation full of outdoor -- and free -- public art that's sure to keep minds of any age engaged. Middlebury College, Vermont Middlebury College...
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Children’s Book Author Eric Carle Keep Kids Very Busy
In the charming "Very Eric Carle" exhibit highlighting the popular children's books, the/Children's Museum of Pittsburgh provides so much to crawl into, touch, read aloud, sit on, get dressed in, imagine, project, talk back to, jump over, get behind, tangle up, weave, open, close, pull, lie down on and play with, that the whole family...
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