Coming from Idaho and never traveling farther east than Utah, I could just feel in my bones, this was going to be a whole new experience. There were five of us all together and we were headed to see Washington DC for the first time in our lives. This would be a journey to the other side of the United States we would never forget.
We were all going for the same reason, National History Day. My partner and I were going to perform a play about the legacy of Mr. Rogers. The other two girls had made a poster about Philo T. Farnsworth. We knew it was going to be hard to succeed in the national competition against about one hundred students from each category.
Upon arriving at the airport, we checked our entired luggage in, and headed to the security check. Of course I had to be wearing a hair clip, which happened to be made of metal, trying to get through a metal decector. After about three tries, taking off something new each time, I finally figured out it was the hair thing.
When we made it to the terminal there were a lot of people waiting for the flight. Our first flight was to Salt Lake City, Utah. I saw my math teacher, Mr. Nuxoll, and a few other teachers waiting for the same plane. Now I don’t know if it is jsut me, but seeing a teacher anywhere outside of school is usually wierd, but having him fly on the same plane as you makes it really strange.
There was nothing too exciting about the airports after this, besides leaving the Washington DC’s Dulles airport. After waiting an hour in the rain and humidity, that no one was use to, the shuttle driver finally decided to leave. Our chaperone gave him the address to the hotel, and the GPS showed him where to go, but he still couldn’t figure out where to take us. My partner watched his GPS and saw it say “turn left” as we turned right.
The next day was filled with figuring out the University of Maryland Shuttle system and studying for the ACT. The ACT was on Saturday at a school in Maryland. I’ll never forget the reaction from the teacher reading the licenses for the ACT. It was “Maryland, DC, IDAHO? Boy you girls came a long way!”
For the next few days we were practicing for our competition. The only excitement in our competition really was with the button trading. I got a button from every state by telling them “You don’t have Idaho until you have a potato!”
I loved the Washington Monument and the Arlington Cemetery, but the museums in DC just weren’t as exciting. The only museum I’ll never forget is the National Archives. The line for the Rotunda is huge and it takes an average person about twenty minutes to get through. So I decided to take a bite of a granola bar while waiting in line. The security guard immediately caught me and sent me to the gift shop to wait for the rest of my group.
When we got home everything was different. In Idaho, there are hardly any people and houses or farmland are everywhere. It was almost a culture shock to come back to what seemed like nothing after ten days of huge buildings and thousands of people. I never really realized how different each state was until I came home and suddenly noticed new things that hadn’t really seemed important before.
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Are you ready for a Road Trip? Explore these eleven incredible cross-country road trip routes across the U.S.!
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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:
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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
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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?
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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