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A Visit to the San Francisco Museums
Byuser December 24, 2008June 28, 2023

For those of you who have to touch – just have to – San Francisco’s Exploratorium is a must-experience educational hot spot. Upon entering the cavernous space reminiscent of a large train terminal, one is greeted with hundreds of learning stations and interactive exhibits cleverly organized by topic: electricity, sound, and many, many more that we lacked the time to see (we recommend committing at least half the day, or making two or more visits to the Exploratorium in order to take in the full experience).

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Weekly Column

BUYING BOOKS FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Byuser December 23, 2008July 5, 2021

Emily, who lives in a Portland, Oregon suburb, is miserable without a good book. Emily and her mom, Patti Zebrowski, were part of the group traveling with us in Costa Rica last summer and Emily was never without a book, even in the pool. I know how she feels. I can’t think of anything worse than being stuck on a plane or in a hotel room without something to read.

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Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Getting There | Lodging | Weekly Column

Finding an affordable last minute holiday getaway
Byuser December 14, 2008July 16, 2021

Finally, some good news for traveling families. If you thought the ever-worsening economy meant you should forgo a holiday or post-holiday getaway with the kids, think again. The reality is that this may be the year to travel.

Read More Finding an affordable last minute holiday getaway
Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Lodging

At Mohonk, the spa gathers its own witch hazel
Byuser December 11, 2008July 10, 2021

It must be the witch hazel. My daughter Mel and I had the best facials we’d ever had at Mohonk Mountain House (www.mohonk.com). The Mohonk-…

Read More At Mohonk, the spa gathers its own witch hazel
Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Lodging | Travel Diaries

A castle is a great place to time-travel
Byuser December 10, 2008July 10, 2021

After 9/11, families who didn’t want to venture far from home discovered Mohonk—just 90 miles from NYC. The owners hope in this economy that will happen again but I think they will need to rethink their price structure for families with young kids — just as I think all resorts should right now.

Read More A castle is a great place to time-travel
Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Lodging | Travel Diaries

A trip to a castle — Mohonk Mountain House
Byuser December 9, 2008July 10, 2021

I love castles. I’ve stayed at a centuries-old castle turned bed and breakfast in Wales and visited castles wherever I go — France, England, Austria…

Read More A trip to a castle — Mohonk Mountain House
Snow Vacations | Taking the Kids Blogs

Lifting confidence and self-esteem through adaptive skiing
Byuser December 8, 2008June 28, 2023

Haley Woodland may be freezing but she’s all smiles. So is her mom Eilizea. Four year old Haley has Cerebral Palsy and has just come…

Read More Lifting confidence and self-esteem through adaptive skiing
Volunteer & Service | Weekly Column

Traveling greener
Byuser December 7, 2008July 5, 2021

The kids hate when I nag them about getting up early or posing for next year’s holiday card. But now I’ve got new motivation to nag, and I don’t think my environmentally conscious gang will complain about — traveling greener. If we turn out the lights when we leave home, why not in a hotel room, asks Herve Houdre, the general manager of the historic Willard Intercontinental Washington in Washington

Read More Traveling greener
Families & Groups | Getting There | Weekly Column

Surviving the holiday travel crush while you are watching every penny
Byuser December 1, 2008July 6, 2021

Another Thanksgiving weekend, we got back to Chicago with our crew after visiting the relatives to discover that the battery to our minivan was dead — in the airport parking lot. We waited a long time that cold night for AAA. Isn’t holiday travel with the kids fun?

Read More Surviving the holiday travel crush while you are watching every penny
Taking the Kids Blogs | Snow Vacations

To Park City for some fun in the snow
Byuser December 1, 2008June 29, 2023

Plenty of light fluffy snow—close to 400 inches a season. Plenty of sunshine. A place that really loves families.Welcome to Park City, Utah, home to Park City Mountain Resort, famous for its world-class parks and pipes that tweens and teens especially love, as well as innovative children’s programs that are changing the way kids learn to ski and snowboard.

Read More To Park City for some fun in the snow
Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Volunteer & Service | Weekly Column

Debunking Thanksgiving myths at Plimouth Plantation
Byuser November 24, 2008June 28, 2023

There’s no better place than Plimouth Plantation in Plymouth Massachusetts on a sunny fall day to debunk the myths of that first Thanksgiving and learn more about the adults and kids who lived here then. Just in November, some 70,000 people from around the world visit, some staying to dine with the Pilgrims. (Book early. The dinners, especially the traditional Thanksgiving Day feast, often sell out far in advance.)

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Beach Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Travel Diaries

A BFF weekend at Turnberry Isle
Byuser November 17, 2008July 7, 2021

I’m not a golfer — I never have golfed, in fact, though my two friends, Sue Tober and Elise Carlton, do. Christina Trammell, the resort’s director of golf is very patient. I’m pleased I can even hit the ball! One person in the clinic has just finished up two full days of lessons with Christina.

Read More A BFF weekend at Turnberry Isle
Families & Groups | Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Disney | Lodging | Weekly Column

TO ORLANDO ON THE CHEAP
Byuser November 16, 2008February 1, 2024

It’s bad enough to say no to the kids all the time at home, much less on vacation. (No, you can’t have that $40 sweatshirt. No you can’t order that $20 steak…) Vacation, after all, is when we all want to indulge the kids and ourselves. But with the economy the way it is, I think we’re all going to be saying no more often, until we figure out better ways to stretch those vacation bucks.

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Families & Groups | Taking the Kids Blogs

Despite the hassles, don’t give up on your vacation
Byuser November 15, 2008June 28, 2023

I know when times get tough, vacations are the first thing to go. My husband already is grumbling about the Christmas trip I’ve tentatively planned for us.

Read More Despite the hassles, don’t give up on your vacation
Destinations | Families & Groups | Weekly Column

Family adventures on the river
Byuser November 9, 2008July 16, 2021

Welcome to the vacation world of family river rafting. You can go for a day, three days or longer on the Green River in Utah, which is mild enough for a 5-year-old or on others where outfitters suggest kids should be at least 12, in order to handle the rapids. Lewis, Kerr and Dr. Jacobsen give rave reviews to the trips down the Middle Fork of the Salmon River

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Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Lodging | Snow Vacations | Weekly Column

Hitting the slopes without busting the budget
Byuser November 9, 2008July 6, 2021

Eleven-year-old Nate Gourd, an avid snowboarder from Manchester, Vt., couldn’t agree more. “You feel like you’re flying when you come down the mountain,” he says, adding that kids “definitely should wear helmets.” Meet Vermont’s vice presidents of fun. Bridget — who says she’s always waiting at the bottom of the mountain for her “slowpoke” family

Read More Hitting the slopes without busting the budget
Destinations | Families & Groups | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Weekly Column

Belize offers a host of family friendly destinations
Byuser October 26, 2008July 16, 2021

By Eileen Ogintz Tribune Media Services The big green moray eel stares at me, coming out of his hideaway in the reef, as if to…

Read More Belize offers a host of family friendly destinations
Backyard Vacations | Families & Groups | Weekly Column

Take them for some spooky fun and games this Halloween season
Byuser October 19, 2008July 10, 2021

My best friend JoAnne and I fashioned ghost costumes out of old white sheets, corralled my little sister Amy to join us and –presto — we were The Ghost Family. We happily went off trick or treating in our suburban Long Island, N.Y., neighborhood. No parents tagged along, of course, no one had expensive costumes or headed to a theme park fright fest.

Read More Take them for some spooky fun and games this Halloween season
Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Volunteer & Service | Weekly Column

TO SAN FRANCISCO’S UNIQUE MUSEUMS
Byuser October 12, 2008July 16, 2021

Adults and kids are hunched over mounds of multicolored clay, fashioning little clay people and assorted creatures that will star in kid-produced animated shorts. “This isn’t your typical museum,” says Mike Shomo, from Denver, who’s visiting with his wife and three kids, as he creates a sea lion.

Read More TO SAN FRANCISCO’S UNIQUE MUSEUMS
Families & Groups | Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Parks & Outdoors | Weekly Column

On a fall getaway when they’re too little for school
Byuser October 5, 2008June 29, 2023

Sure you have to drag a diaper bag (not to mention stroller, car seat and a generous supply of Goldfish) everywhere you go, you haven’t had a full night’s sleep in you can’t remember when and the dire economic news makes you wonder how you’ll ever pay for preschool, much less college, but then there’s the bright side — travel-wise, anyway. While everyone else is up to their ears in carpools, homework and soccer games, you’re free to get out of town.

Read More On a fall getaway when they’re too little for school

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