Where to take your family next…
“Oh the places you’ll go!” And with things finally beginning to return to normal, it’s time to start planning your next family trip! Listed in no particular order, because they’re all pretty awesome, my family and I have come up with a short list of family-friendly destinations in the good ‘ole U. S. of A. It was difficult to narrow the list to a measly top ten, but here are some of our favorites.
Disneyworld – Orlando, Florida
Called the “Sunshine State” for good reason, there’s A WHOLE LOT to see AND do in Orlando.
My kids’ favorite, of course, (and mine) is none other than Disney World. Covering the size of San Francisco and offering over 40-something rides for everyone in our family, we can’t think of a better place to spend vacation. We’ve traveled to just about every Disney Park in the world, and Disney World in Orlando, by far, is still the best! From the time you take your first photo in front of Cinderella’s castle, to the time you leave after the Main Street Electrical Parade, you’re amazed by the grandness, the multitude, and the frequent friendly smiles. The atmosphere is all so dreamlike. The smell of funnel cakes is inviting. The sound of the rides is stimulating. And the intricate details on every path, wall, and uniform are all so creative and extraordinary. It’s hard to take it all in, even if you’re there for four or five days. We just can’t wait to do it all again one day soon.
Busch Gardens – Tampa Bay, Florida
Collaboration between thrill-seeking and animal exploration and conservation, Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay is another one of our family favorites. We went in as a group of about ten, ages three through forty-something on more than one occasion. The animal exhibits were surprisingly well done, allowing ample room for the animals to roam as they please in an environment that seemed natural. It didn’t feel like a ploy to attract visitors but a genuine attempt to educate.
The rides, however, were another story. I definitely think the daredevil in me was quickly crushed after the first drop of who knows how many feet to what felt like my sure death. About twenty years ago, I was really into death-defying feats, but now, not so much. But I had to keep my cool in front of my teenage niece and nephews when riding the Sheikra with them. I actually had to close my eyes at one point. It’s that scary.
Again, great clash of two worlds. We’d go again.
North Carolina Zoo – Asheboro, North Carolina
Another great destination that was difficult to get through in one day – North Carolina Zoo! Yes! NOT San Diego – but good ‘ole North Carolina…Asheboro, to be exact! We’ve gone a few times, and each time we park on one end of the zoo, take our stroll (and at some points, we power walk it), and we STILL just barely make it to the other side where the trolley is waiting to pick you up and take you back to your car. The Africa region of the zoo alone takes at least a couple of hours to walk through to thoroughly enjoy. I like that. The animals actually have acreage to roam. There’s upwards of about 500 acres designated for animal habitats, and the zoo is one of our nation’s largest. It’s also set out in a rural area, so very little noise pollution to disrupt the animals. If you’re ever in the area, I’d definitely take a look…and comfortable walking shoes.
Indianapolis Children’s Museum – Indianapolis, Indiana
Deemed the world’s largest children’s museum, I’d say it’s a good reason to put it on your family’s list of vacation destinations. Five floors of museum guarantees there’s something everyone in your family’s going to enjoy. Glass sculptures, dinosaurs, scientific hands-on exhibits and historical recreations to walk through, cartoons that come to life, and futuristic interactive displays – overwhelmingly fun. We’d go back in a heartbeat!
Santa Cruz Boardwalk – Santa Cruz, California
Sweet and simple but good ole wholesome carnival fun, Santa Cruz Boardwalk is as laid back as it gets. Who can resist sun and sand, surf shops, and ice cream? Start off in the huge arcade and laser tag or make your way through the indoor mini golf. Small gift shops full of Santa Cruz memorabilia help you fill your suitcases, or you can head straight to the rides.
Enter unto Double Shot, the 125-foot drop tower. A great way to catch the sunset but a thriller if you’re not much for heights. We, on the other hand, can’t get enough of heights. We always make sure we hit the Boardwalk’s wooden landmark, the Giant Dipper. There’s nothing better than reading about an old, rickety roller coaster’s history while you’re waiting in line before experiencing it for yourself. A full day’s worth of thrill rides, carnival games, and kiddie rides round out the Northern California oceanside park.
But don’t forget the garlic chips and, if you dare, the deep-fried Oreos. Yes!
Exploratorium – San Francisco, California
We were lucky enough to catch a free day here on Mother’s Day, and it was well worth the very long wait. First off, the drive into and around San Francisco is extraordinary. Golden Gate Bridge, the crooked Lombard street, the cable cars that pass right through the city, and Alcatraz in the middle of San Francisco Bay. And so picking up a few free brochures before heading to the really long line for Free Day – makes it not so bad of a wait.
Our first photo opp was at the entrance – the most intuitive way to display a toilet – as a water fountain. 🙂 Nice one! A way to get your cognitive juices flowing, the museum creates opportunities for you to truly explore your senses and the sciences. Magnets, building blocks, a see-through pinball machine, giant light sculptures, and my all-time favorite – the time-lapse video projector. I have to admit I stared down a couple of 9-year-olds until they finally stood up and walked away. I do not regret it. (Ok, actually, I was staring down their parents who didn’t care I’d been waiting at LEAST ten minutes. It was Mother’s Day, and I REALLY wanted to make a time-lapse animation video!!)
The museum was actually so huge, we didn’t get to see it all. I think they do that on purpose – so that you have to pay to come back. Very good tactic.
Disney California Adventure – Anaheim, California
“M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E!” Why, yes, yes, I did let my kids help me with this blog entry. Kids are honest. So Disney it is.
Our favorite part of the new Disney California Adventure is Cars Land…at night! Neon fluorescent signs just like the movie! Lightning McQueen and Mater! And our favorite ride, Radiator Springs Racers comes complete with wind in our hair, a look at Ramone and Guido working, and and music straight out of the movie. We love every shop with little trinkets and bumper stickers. Flo’s V8 Diner was perfect for breakfast and lunch. And we even picked up a blinking Cozy Cone magnet for our fridge! We were so hooked on this part of the park that we came back the next day and fast-passed our favorite ride TWICE!
Universal Studios Hollywood – Universal City, California
We went in the heat (and before Wizarding World (-_-)), but it was still well-worth the money! First stop – red carpet selfie! You’re in Hollywood! Why not?! The rides are not your typical wind in your hair and up and over the city view type rides. The rides here are mainly virtual and VERY convincing! Our favorite, and what we thought was the most unassuming, was the behind-the-scenes Studio Tour. At first, it seemed like a very normal tour. Jimmy Falon was on the trolley TV screen giving us the tour. We drove down into what you would think of a behind-the-scenes tour, but then we started to see live actors playing out parts to popular Blockbuster movies right in front of us. Our trolley ended up in the scenes themselves. We became part of the movies and were almost literally swept away! It was the best tour I’ve every gotten and one I’d go back for again.
I’ve definitely never gone to a park where there was so much integration of virtual and interactive. We loved being right in the thick of the action.
Great Wolf Lodge – Grand Mound, Washington
Themed rooms, a huge indoor water park, snack bars, arcade, and an adventure quest around the resort sums up just a handful of perks at the Great Wolf Lodge. We opted for the Kid Kamp suite complete with separate sleeping area for the kids in a themed camp-like room and your standard microwave, fridge, and HD TV that was only on during the wee evening hours if ours even stayed open to watch it.
The water park is fabulous – offering everything from a wave pool to a gigantic bucket full of water to drench you head to toe to a huge funnel tube ride. There a few different rides and slides that keep a family pretty busy throughout the day. A small lazy river led us outdoors where I dare not step out into the cold and thanked the brilliant engineer who created water heaters!
Nearby, there’s a snack bar and tables, but throughout the lodge, there are several different places to snack or dine.
Great Wolf Lodge kept us up well into the night with an adventure quest (extra cost) that featured a wand and interactive trees, walls, pictures, and treasures around the lodge. The kids had a blast trying to figure out where the next hidden clue was. All in all, a great place to spend a birthday or just have some quality family time.
Aulani Disney Resort – Kapolei, Hawaii
Unbelievably, we are not members of any Disney vacation club, credit card, or anything Disney-related. We just love their attention to detail, their customer service, and the way they light up our kids’ faces. We went here for a birthday celebration and had an absolute blast. Although we only spent the night, our family of four made the most of every minute. We were able to check in early and head down to the water park. Water slides, a long lazy river, a jungle gym, and just a lot of fun and laughs made it a great start to our afternoon. We took a stroll around the grounds, took pictures with fun little character statues around the hotel, and walked along the beach. (We’re actually from Hawai’i, and we find these beaches very nice because they’re less crowded than others and safe for the for the whole family.)
Dining options here are plentiful, but we enjoyed the ‘Olelo lounge the most because it features live Hawaiian music. In the morning, we made our way to the character buffet where my son received special birthday treatment and his own personal tour of the buffet because of his peanut allergy. The chef came out with his official hat and apron and introduced my son to all the foods, noting what had nuts and what didn’t. That’s the kind of service we’ve always known Disney to have – the best. To top it off, there was an “aunty” singing and playing the ukulele, and the characters came around to every table to take pictures. They led a long line of kids (and adults) around the restaurant to sing and dance, and our kids joined in with smiles for the readied camera.
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