Family Travel - Page 85

March 21, 2018

Top road trip spots along the Blue Ridge Parkway

Is the car packed? The vast majority of us –especially when kids are part of the equation—head off on vacation  in the car, says the American Automobile Association. More from Eileen Ogintz It’s easy to see why.  Not only is it cheaper, but given the hassles of air travel, it’s  easier,  according to a new survey from YP, which did a survey about summer travel and the cost of fuel based on its Local Search & Gas Prices App. Those surveyed said driving gives us more flexibility, we can take more stuff—and our pets. And with iPads and auto entertainment systems, it’s a lot easier to keep kids amused along the way. Among our favorite routes:  Touring  the states of Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee on The Blue Ridge Parkway.

March 21, 2018

7 ways to celebrate 4th of July in America's birthplace

If you're wondering how you're going to fill this year's Fourth of July holiday weekend, consider a trip back to where America began: Philadelphia. America's birthplace, as it's known, is where the Founding Fathers declared America's independence back in 1776. Today, Philadelphia throws a kickin' party to celebrate the Fourth of July and the streets will be buzzing over the three-day weekend. But the City of Brotherly Love is a whole lot more than the Liberty Bell. A cultural mecca, it's bursting with fine dining, a terrific shopping scene, and lively nightlife. Here are some of the city's best spots to stay, shop, explore, dine and celebrate while celebrating the Fourth.  Don't forget the sparklers. 

March 21, 2018

How to make the most of summer in the Bahamas

Imagine sitting on a deserted beach in the crystal clear water with a stingray tickling your toes, the palm trees swaying. That was after a  beach picnic lunch of the fish we’d just caught that morning. Talk about catch of the day!  Welcome to The Bahamas.  Summer is a great time to visit, with hotel rates as much as 40 percent less.  Watch more from Eileen Ogintz. And if you thought all there was to the Bahamas was Atlantis and the Nassau you see when your cruise ship stops there, think again. I actually had my toes tickled by a stingray on a deserted beach in the Abacos Islands. This is the real Caribbean—calm waters, warm breezes, spectacular white sand beaches --and no people. I’ve gone bone fishing and gotten up close and personal with swimming pigs in the Exumas, I danced with local kids and got a lesson in making conch salad on a Friday night at Port Lucaya Marketplace on Grand Bahama Island.  I was hosted by a local Abaco family for a Bahamian feast through the People-to-People  Experience that connects visitors with locals—at no charge.  Cruisers can sign up to spend the day with a local Nassau volunteer when their ship is in port and see a different Nassau. This year, you can join in the Bahamas’ 40th anniversary celebration of independence. Independence Day is actually July 10,  but there will be celebrations and special events all summer long—concerts, regattas, parades and more. I just got back from touring some of the Bahamian Islands.  Here’s how to make the most of your time:   

March 21, 2018

10 best kid-friendly hotels with water parks

Who doesn’t feel like a kid again when at a water park? Whether you’re visiting with your own kids, or are just trying to revive your inner kid, a water park can be just what you need for a little fun this summer. We’ve visited tons and tons of water parks during our travels, and have seen all kinds of slides, waterfalls, pirate ships, lazy rivers — you name it! But we whittled them down to the best of the best to show you. So check out our slideshow of the best water parks in the world.

March 21, 2018

America's 11 most endangered historic places

Houston's Astrodome stadium, New York's old Pan Am Worldport Terminal at Kennedy Airport and Montana's one-room schoolhouses are joining a list of the nation's most endangered historic places. On Wednesday, the National Trust for Historic Preservation released its listing of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. It includes sites from Maine to Alaska. Here are America's most endangered historic landmarks:

March 21, 2018

40 day hikes to do this summer

In its simplest definition, a day hike is a wilderness walk you can complete in a single day. That means you can go fast and light, unencumbered by tent, sleeping bags, cooking pots and other trappings of overnight camping. It's a short, glorious booster shot of nature to tide you over through yet another work week. And, at its best, a day hike gets straight to the essence of the place. It takes you inside the canyon, beneath the waterfall and delivers you straight to the wildflower-strewn clearing at the mountain's peak. We've rounded up a collection of some of the greatest day hikes in a nation that's crisscrossed by tens of thousands of miles of trails. To be fair, we picked 20 in the East and 20 out West (OK, we cheated—three are up in Canada, another country spanned by untrammeled wilderness and chockfull of trails).  For the most part, the West—with its high altitudes, rugged peaks and generally chill, outdoorsy vibe—has quietly claimed the reputation of quintessential hiking milieu. But for those who would write off everything east of the Mississippi, the seemingly endless wilderness stretches along the Ozark Highlands, North Country Scenic Trail and Appalachians have some surprises in store. There are miles of quiet singletrack trails, panoramic views and majestic peaks. The hikes we've chosen include national parks gems, as well as more than a few you've never heard of. They run the gamut from easy, two-hour jaunts among wildflower glades and berry thickets to all-day, hope-you-brought-a-headlamp slogs that serve as one-day highlight reels for entire mountain ranges. So, whether you're an expert or a first-timer, we've got the day hike for you. Not sure how to judge your time out on the trail? First of all, know yourself and the rest of your hiking party—a group is only as fast as its slowest member. Next, apply Naismith's Rule, an old rule of thumb for judging hiking time that was developed in the 1800s by Scottish mountaineer W. Naismith. It's as simple as this: Add one hour for every three miles covered. Add at least an additional 30 minutes for every 1,000 feet you'll ascend and, in steep terrain, the same for every 1,000 you descend (I know it sounds crazy, but it usually takes roughly the same amount of time coming down).  Also, understand that Naismith was an old-school badass, who probably strode easily over almost any terrain, and that Scotland is, for the most part, very open, unbroken terrain. If you're hiking over tricky territory, it'll take you more time. With enough practice, you can come to know your hiking speed and more accurately judge future hikes.

March 21, 2018

Top destinations for science geeks

Lovers of science, listen up: If you’re tired with the same hum-drum science museums filled with dusty models of the planets and boring films of volcanos on a continuous loop, there are a host of amazing places were you can see –up close --wondrous natural and scientific discoveries sure to spark the Einstein in you. Quench your thirst for all things scientific with a trip to one (or all) of these fascinating and noteworthy destinations.    

March 21, 2018

See and sail affordable, authentic Alaska

Over a million visitors will view Alaska’s spectacular Inside Passage this year, and the vast majority will do so from a cruise ship. Yet very few of these folks will spend quality time exploring Alaska’s wonderful coastal communities or get a glimpse of authentic local life. For an alternative to an Alaskan cruise, consider exploring the 49th state as Alaskans do—by state-run ferry. Serving travelers for 50 years, the “blue canoes” of the Alaska Marine Highway System provide a vital link to rural towns, sailing along 3,500 miles of coastline between Washington State and the Aleutian Islands. Ferries aren’t as fancy as cruise ships, of course. Most of them operate a small cafeteria-style restaurant; larger vessels, like the Columbia, also offer staterooms and dining rooms serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Still, it’s a good idea to pack extra food, drinks, games, and movies, and remember that wi-fi will be spotty at best. Yet what ferries lack in creature comforts, they more than make up for in value. After all, AMHS vessels offer multiple decks for viewing the same wildlife, glaciers, and rugged Alaska shoreline cruise passengers pay top dollar to see. Families have plenty of options when it comes to seeing Alaska by ferry. Here are three routes with definite kid appeal:

March 21, 2018

Top 4 railway-themed hotels

Hop aboard one of these railway station-turned-lodgings to celebrate National Train Day.

March 21, 2018

13 beautiful natural swimming holes around the U.S.

It's almost summer, and we'll bet you want to go swimming. Lucky you, we found natural spots—gentle waterfalls, deep swimming holes, lazy rivers—where you can relax with a dip.