excursions

Seeing the dead in a scientific light!

shellakers — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 13:11:13 -0800

Recently, we took my mom to see the amazing Body World display at the St. Louis Science Center. I'm not sure if anyone is familiar with this or not so I'll try to briefly explain. Body World is a traveling display of dead people who have (while living lol) agreed to be plastinized. Plastination is a process where a team of doctors inject the body with plastics in order to preserve in a scientific way. I'll have to admit, I was TOTALLY creeped out at the thought of seeing this. Once I was inside though, I became fascinated and awed! This is TOTALLY worth the money if it travels to your state. There is such a long line of people to get in to see this. I recommend making reservations at least a day in advance. After seeing the amazing display "Body Worlds" , the family was hungry so we went to eat on "The Hill" - The historic Italian settled district of St. Louis. We chose Mama Campisi's for some DELICIOUS Italian food. I orderd the tortelini which was filled with proschuto and cheese with a cream sauce. MOUTH WATERING! My 9 year old ordered her own pizza (and you can never go wrong with Mama's pizza), my 23 year old ordered chicken parmesan (again - delicious) and Mom got the chicken and broccoli pasta. The Ceaser's Salads are served with real anchovi's so if you're not into that, you might want to avoid the Ceaser's. The house salad is delicious though.

A NYC visit to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

familytraveler — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 12:47:07 -0700

My daughter (age 9) and I went to NYC for four day whirlwind visit just before school started in September. We had a fabulous time. Here’s an itinerary for a one-day adventure that will keep you and your kids engaged! Accommodations We stayed on the Upper West Side (77th and Broadway) at On the Avenue hotel. It was a really nice hotel. We had a standard room with a king size bed. The bed was comfortable and every room as a large screen TV, which was a huge hit with my daughter at the end of the day when we would come home from walking all over the city! The hotel also has a roof garden with a nice view, a concierge to help with transportation, tickets, etc. and a lobby with a piano player in the evening. Breakfast Bagel or breakfast at any of the many bakeries or grocers in NYC. They are on almost every block on the Upper West side! Subway We took the #1 all the way from our hotel at 77th and Broadway to the South Ferry, where you board the ferry for the Statue of Liberty. Statue of Liberty Tickets We booked ours online before we left. This is advisable if you are going in high season, or if you just want to make sure that you get a ticket to go up onto the Observation Desk at the statue. The ticket pays for a round trip ferry ride to the Statue, Ellis Island and includes a ticket for a specified 3-hour window of time to visit the Statue. Too book your tickets online, see: Ferry We took the 8:45 am ferry from the South Ferry station. It leaves from Battery Park. You will go through a security station with an X-Ray to get on the ferry. The ferry ride itself is about 15 minutes. Statue of Liberty When you get to the Statue of Liberty, you will disembark and you should go straight to the statue to get in another security line to go up to the observation deck. The later in the day you go, the longer this line will be. You will also have to pass through a second security check. No large bags or strollers are allowed up to the security check. There are lockers to store backpacks and large bags before you ascend to the observatory's deck. The view at the observatory, which is located just below the base of the statue, is great. The best view of the statue itself though is from the ferry and from the island, below the base. Free tours are conducted of the island and before you go up to the observatory deck. Ellis Island There is a wonderful audio tour available (in several language) for $6 of Ellis Island and I highly recommend you get it if you’re visiting. The tour takes you from room to room and describes what activities and events took place there during the island’s peak immigration years. Many of the stories are told in first-person accounts by immigrants who passed through. They are very engaging stories – and were interesting to my daughter and friends visiting from France, with children ages 16, 14, and 11. This is a fascinating stop for all! Food There are hot dog stands at the Statue of Liberty and if you plan on spending the bulk of the day there, you should take advantage of them or bring a picnic lunch! We caught the first ferry out in the morning and did not return to Battery Park until 3 p.m.! Wall Street After we disembarked from the Ferry, we went on a short walking tour through Wall Street, stopping at the New York Stock Exchange, and viewing all of the buildings in the area. Ground Zero Ground Zero is just a few blocks from Wall Street. We walked there and viewed the construction now happening on the site. Visiting the site was an opportunity to talk with my daughter about what happened on 9/11. She was three years old on 9/11 and really had not learned about it yet. Obviously, a young child will not understand or appreciate the significance of the site, but if you have an older child, it’s worth a visit for the conversation that you could have with your children about what happened on that day.

Sear's Tower to Millennium Park

familytraveler — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 14:14:42 -0700

With more than 50 distinct neighborhoods and a bevy of outdoor art and architecture, one of the best ways to see Chicago is on foot. With children, however, walking can get tiring and overwhelming, so here’s a way to see an interesting part of the Loop without completely exhausting yourself. This excursion mixes major attractions with a little shopping, people-watching and outdoor art. Sear’s Tower Start at the Sear’s Tower at 233 S. Wacker Drive, the corner of Wacker and Jackson.. An ear-popping ride to the top is just the start of the fun. A short History Channel film introduces you the development of one of the world’s tallest buildings You’ll get some of the best views of the lake and city in all directions from the Skydeck. You’ll see the lake and harbors to the east; skyline to the north and south, and the great, vast flatness of Illinois to the west. The walls on the interior of the skydeck provide a cultural history of both the building and the city. For more, see my review on the Sears Tower. When you exit the Sears Tower on Jackson, head east. Outdoor Art Calder’s Flamingo You can walk from the Sear’s Tower to State Street and along the way view a few of Chicago’s most famous outdoor sculptures. At Dearborn and Jackson turn left and you’ll walk right by the Federal Center Plaza where there is a large, red steel sculpture. This 53-foot high sculpture is “The Flamingo” by Calder. It is striking for its color and height. Marc Chagall’s Four Season’s Continue north on Dearborn to Monroe where you’ll find Marc Chagall’s famous “Four Seasons,” a huge rectangular mosaic. The mosaic is located at First National Plaza. The mosaic was built in 1974 and given as a gift to Chicago. It features swirling images of characters, flowers and trees. The mosaic is 70 feet long by 14 feet high by 10 feet wide and is made up of glass and tiles from Europe and Israel. It’s been nicknamed the boxcar because when you see NASA images of it, it resembles a boxcar. Picasso Continue north on Dearborn again to the Daley Center at Dearborn and Washington. Here you’ll see one of Chicago’s most famous – and untitled -- sculpture by Picasso. The sculpture is located in Daley Center Plaza and almost always has kids running around it at the base. Another gift to the city, the sculpture was erected in 1967. As an untitled piece, many people have different reactions to it. Some have said it looks like the head of a baboon; others that it looks like a cubist rendition of a dog. Whatever you think, it’s a great sight to see and good subject for discussion with your kids! Millennium Park If you continue east on Washington to Michigan Avenue, you will reach Millennium Park, where the newest and most futuristic Chicago sculpture lives – Cloud Gate – also known locally as “the Bean.” This piece by Anish Kapoor. It is made of 110 tons of seamless steel that beautifully reflects the city’s skyline and serves as a wonderful place for kids to run around and under! Also, see my review of Millennium Park.

A Day in the Gorge

JazzMomma — Tue, 29 May 2007 14:26:35 -0700

The Columbia River Gorge is a fantastic river bottom chock full of things to see. Day trips, overnighters, or even a few days worth of sightseeing are possible. I'll only mention a few of my favorite stops for this excursion. (If you'd like to see more, there are suggested routes at this website.) Before you really get going, fill your gas tank at the Flying J off the Troutdale exit. There may be long lines, but the cost of gas will be low enough that it's worth it. Now take a detour off I-84 to the historic Columbia River Highway. If you have any access to a convertible car, this is the road to drive it on (as long as it's not raining)! Take the highway at a slow pace so you don't miss the several small waterfalls and beautiful greenery along the way. Make your first short stop at the Vista House. It's a simple place, and nice to get out and enjoy the view. Careful of the traffic, though, the parking lot is practically part of the highway. As you continue along the highway, you'll see signs for waterfalls frequently. Get out and visit whenever you feel, or whenever there's room in the parking lot. Again you'll have to watch for traffic, as many of the parking lots are on the opposite side of the road from the waterfall. (Yet another reason to drive slowly!) We especially like Latourell Falls with the little ones. Don't skip Multnomah Falls, which is probably the most popular site along the whole Gorge. At least make your way up to the Benson bridge. Back on I-84, across the Bridge of the Gods on the Washington side, check out Beacon Rock state park. Older kids can climb all the way up Beacon Rock for an amazing view. Finally, for those willing to take more of a drive, head all the way to Maryhill and visit the Stonehenge replica. You can run around and on the stones, and feel like you could get blown away by the wind. There's a museum nearby which I haven't been to, so I don't know how kid-friendly it is.

Colorado Avalanche hockey game

mammamia — Fri, 04 May 2007 14:28:14 -0700

The excitement of a major league sporting event doesn't end with the close of summer or when the Bronco's hang up their helmets. Fall, winter, and spring are about one thing--hockey! And this is Avalanche country! There is nothing like the action of a hockey game, and the Avs deliver. Every year, there are family nights and for $99 a family of four can get admittance, a pizza and a drink. Not a bad deal! Winter can be long and dreary in Colorado, so why not liven things up with a family outing to see our boys in burgundy and blue kick Canuck or Red Wing butt? :)

Santa Barbara Zoo: A Keeper!

anastasia — Fri, 04 May 2007 00:13:17 -0700

Though not a large zoo, Santa Barbara does a good job of creating a spacious environment for visitors to roam. Set overlooking the ocean, the animals (particularly the giraffes) probably have the one of the best views around. I have a hard time with most zoos (so small! so sad!), having grown up as a frequent visitor to the world-class Wild Animal Park and San Diego Zoo, so not too many places can compare. That said, the enclosures here, though on the small side, were very clean and the animals seemed content and not at all stressed. The zoo is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquarium's Species Survival Plan -- thus monitoring the breeding of certain endangered animals. The zoo tends to have smaller animals (barring the elephants and giraffes) and have a great exhibit of creepy crawly things (think frogs, snakes, madagascar hissing cockroaches, geckos and the like) that will satisfy many a bugophile and lover of the "ewwww." The nice thing about the exhibits is how close you are to the animals -- it feels like you can reach out and touch the elephants, the leopards, the penguins, the otters, the giraffes -- in fact, on the weekends, you *can* reach out to the giraffes or the barnyard animals and feed them during certain hours (cost is extra). We recently visited during the week, and found that all the extras (i.e. hand-feeding the giraffes, the food carts throughout the park, the carousel, some small stores) were not open during this time. Kind of a bummer and good to note -- but I'm thinking that this will not be the case during the summer months. Definitely make time to "meet" Gemina the giraffe with a crook in her neck (they don't know why it developed, but she seems "normal" otherwise) and the underwater/above ground Humboldt penguin exhibit (especially when the caretaker is giving a lecture) if you can. As I mentioned, the property is gorgeous and there are great swaths of grass for picnic and running time. There is also a healthy-sized jungle gym play area near the barnyard petting zoo -- perfect for the smaller tots. You'll also find an excellent restaurant (the Ridley-Tree House) on the property (my veggie sandwich was amazing -- totally Santa Barbara to have food this good at the zoo), but you may want bring your own food to save on what can be an expensive lunch for the whole fam. Summer brings lots of opportunities for education -- and they offer lots of kids' programs and zoo camp, too boot. Check out their web site for schedules. Another treat is the little train (big enough for adults, though) which circles the perimeter of the property, and which we had to give a miss for lack of time. Note that it is also an extra fee (Adults & Seniors (13+): $2; Children (2-12): $1.50; Children under 2: free ). Entrance fees are do-able: Adults 13-59: $10 Children 2-12/Seniors 60+: $8 Children under 2: Free Parking: $3 (free with SB Zoo Membership) If you are a member of another zoo in their network you may be able to enter for free. Best value for locals who frequent the zoo is the family pass -- $75 for the whole fam for the year. All in all, a great way to spend the day, wandering and communing with the animals.

Denver Outlaws Lacrosse Game

denveroutlaws — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 16:10:41 -0700

A Denver Outlaws Lacrosse game is a great family friendly setting to bring the whole gang out to a professional sporting event at INVESCO FIeld at Mile High in Denver. There are 6 home games in 2007: May 19 June 9 June 16 July 4 (Post Game Fireworks) July 22 Aug. 4 Special group rates and promotions will run all summer. 303-OUTLAWS or DenverOutlaws.com

A Day at the National Mall

wanderlust — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 08:05:58 -0800

If you've ever taken a trip to D.C., you'll know that the sheer amount of museums and monuments can be overwhelming for the average family. I was a nanny for a year in the D.C. metro area and we were frequent visitors to the downtown area, specifically to the National Mall. The National Mall is a concentrated complex of memorials, monuments and museums clustered around a large park that showcases the Washington Monument and the famous reflecting pool. Although it takes several days to visit the highlights of the Mall, especially the National Museum of Natural History and the Smithsonian, this is an itinerary I found worked well for a full day at the Mall with preschool or elementary aged children. Some supplies I recommend bringing with you for the day- crayons,paper and a clipboard, hats and sunscreen, extra clothes and shoes, stroller and/or carrier, and a picnic lunch as well as plenty of water. There are lots of parking garages to choose from, but I recommend getting a spot near the National Gallery of Art and starting your day here. If you have school age children, visit the gallery's website and download and print out their children's guides in PDF form. They have a good deal of interesting info and activity suggestions for exhibits that will make your visit to the gallery much more dynamic. Children love the water features incorporated into this museum and the sculpture garden is a good place to visit first to run off some energy. Encourage your children to choose an art exhibit that interests them and dig out the crayons and paper for them to draw their own renditions and interpretations. If there are specific paintings or exhibits you'd like to see, make sure to hit those first and don't plan on being able to spend any longer than an hour or two within the museum before little ones get antsy. Fuel up with a snack and head out for a bit of a walk across the mall to the Washington Monument. I do recommend getting tickets to ride the elevator and take in the views form the top of the Washington Monument. Although the tickets are free, there are timed departures so if you're running a tight schedule that day, you'll want to reserve tickets online so you don't end up waiting. Once down on solid ground again, you'll want to meander through West Potomac Park. If you're visiting in spring, this is a beautiful spot to have a picnic lunch under the blossoming cherry trees. Keep a close eye on little ones around the reflecting pool. The park itself can be pretty soggy in areas if it's spring and that's where the extra clothes and shoes might come in handy. After you've had your fill of the park, head over to the Lincoln Memorial, located at the far end of the reflecting pool. Kids love this open memorial and the marble steps leading up to it. The views down the wide expanse of the mall are also very photo worthy. I recommend leaving the FDR memorials and the Jefferson memorials for another day. You'll already be doing quite a bit of walking and this loop can add a lot of extra mileage. Head back through the West Potomac Park and down Jefferson Drive. I recommend passing the Smithsonian up for another day and continuing down to the National Air and Space museum. This is one of the most popular museums in DC, so you'll want to avoid going during school vacations and holidays. The National Air and Space museum is specifically attractive to younger children because of all the life size displays of airplanes and space vehicles. There are also many interactive exhibits and I've found it's best to time your visit to this museum in the afternoon. You can slip into an Imax or Plantetarium show for some down time with tired little ones and the the museum is small enough to be able to tour in a an hour or two if you want to call it a day early. The nice part about this itinerary- you're back where you've started and fairly close to your parking garage at the end of the day!

Dreaming in Dyersville

kristina — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 12:58:27 -0800

When it was time for me to go and meet my future mother-in-law in Iowa, my husband, knowing all too well of my baseball obsession, asked if I wanted to stop on the way and see the Field of Dreams. Until that moment, I didn't realize that it existed as anything more than a movie set. But indeed, nearly 20 years after Kevin Costner heard those voices telling him "If you build it, he will come," people are still making pilgrimages to Dyersville, Iowa in order to relive a bit of that magic. The field is open from April - November, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and admission is free. Have the kids bring their mitts, balls and bats and have a catch on the infield, run around the bases, or shag some fly balls. If you visit when the corn is high, you'll see lots of people venturing into the field, trying to disappear like Shoeless Joe. Be sure to check the web sites (there are two, just as there are two owners, and two separate souvenir stands) before you go for special events, including appearances by the Ghost Players. After you've played to your heart's content, head to downtown Dyersville for lunch at Groovy Grounds, a cafe that provides a healthy and kid-friendly menu, plus coffee, juices, and desserts to die for. If you want to make a full day of it (or if you get rained out at the field) Dyersville is also home to the beautiful and ornate Basilica of St. Francis Xavier (only one of 52 minor basilicas in the U.S.) and the National Farm Toy Museum. Both are worth a look!

Widlife Experience:Parker, CO.

laurarn — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 15:39:19 -0800

Enjoy a few hours of hands on learning of avalanches, snakes, water and more!! There is one area for kids 6-12 that entertained both my 3 and 8 year olds. There is another area for children under 5...you can even crawl through a cub tunnel. There is a cafeteria to eat in with jazzy music to listen to. There are outdoor trails and even an Imax theatre with alternating shows!! We had a blast today. The kids are worn out and ready for a nap!!