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The Secret to Getting Teens Up Early on Vacation — Take Them to Harry Potter
ByEileen Ogintz July 8, 2010June 28, 2023

Thanks, Harry. Suddenly, young people, who wouldn’t spend much vacation time with their folks, much less get out of bed this early if they didn’t have to, think family vacations are fun again, especially when mom and dad or grandpa pay for the trip and pop for $100 wizarding robes (yes, despite the 90-degree Florida heat, fans traipsed around the park in the floor-length robes, wearing Hogwarts ties as belts) or $30 wands.

Read More The Secret to Getting Teens Up Early on Vacation — Take Them to Harry Potter
Families & Groups | Cruises & All-Inclusive | Food and Dining | Travel Diaries

On Norwegian’s new megaship Epic
ByEileen Ogintz July 7, 2010June 28, 2023

The kids can’t wait. We’re aboard Norwegians new megaship Epic (153,000 tons!) that has forged a partnership with Nickelodeon that means kids—and their parents-have the chance to get slimed, get up close and personal with SpongeBob, Patrick Star, Dora the Explorer, Diego and Jimmy Neutron at breakfast or “meet and greets.”.

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Cruises & All-Inclusive | Taking the Kids Blogs

Is bigger better?
ByEileen Ogintz July 2, 2010June 28, 2023

The cruiselines certainly think bigger is better. I’m heading out for a quick look-see of Norwegian’s new EPIC (http://epic.ncl.com) — 153,000 tons! — which is being billed as the world’s largest floating entertainment venue.

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Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Disney | Families & Groups | Parks & Outdoors | Weekly Column

Taking the Kids to a Theme Park This Summer
ByEileen Ogintz July 1, 2010June 28, 2023

I smile thinking of that hot day at Disney World when my son and older daughter worked so hard to convince their little sister that she really was “grown up” enough (and tall enough) to ride Space Mountain. “So cool!” they told her. “Not too scary,” they promised.

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Backyard Vacations | Beach Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Travel Diaries

Day Two in Provincetown — kids in discovery mode
ByEileen Ogintz July 1, 2010June 28, 2023

We’ve started off on a morning walk on our second day in Provincetown and about a mile from town. We come across an inn at the top of a hill so striking we have to stop for a look. Land’s End Inn is not only spectacular with amazing ocean views but kid friendly too with a pile of kids’ games.

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Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Travel Diaries

Two days in Provincetown MA and some whale watching
ByEileen Ogintz June 30, 2010June 28, 2023

Had this been the 18th Century, we would have been hunting whales from Provincetown, MA, especially after the whales’ oil and bone

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Not even for a minute!
ByEileen Ogintz June 28, 2010June 28, 2023

On one of the hottest days of the year so far, the Department of Transportation reminds us that hyperthermia caused by kids being left unsupervised in cars kills at least 27 children every year. That makes it the number one non-crash vehicle-related cause of death for of our nation’s kids.

Read More Not even for a minute!
Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Travel Diaries

Day Two at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
ByEileen Ogintz June 26, 2010June 28, 2023

”The wand learns from the wizard and the wizard from the wand,” the Wandkeeper tells us, standing behind the counter in the small room that is lined floor to ceiling with shelves packed with wands in all kinds of boxes.

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Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Travel Diaries

Two days at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
ByEileen Ogintz June 25, 2010June 28, 2023

The much anticipated Wizarding World of Harry Potter has just opened and even the most avid fans who planned their trip to Orlando around the new attractions seem unprepared for the crowds. But that doesn’t stop the fun.

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Beach Vacations | Cruises & All-Inclusive | Destinations | Families & Groups | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors

To the Caribbean in Summer
ByEileen Ogintz June 24, 2010June 28, 2023

Finally, a Caribbean beach that’s everything a Caribbean beach should be – quaint, with hammocks strung from palm trees, crystal-clear water perfect for snorkeling, white sand, a first-rate beach bar and enough water toys to keep the kids happy (banana boat ride anybody?)

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Backyard Vacations | Beach Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Travel Diaries

Lots of great food on Nantucket Island
ByEileen Ogintz June 24, 2010June 28, 2023

Yum! We’re at American Seasons run by husband and wife team Michael LaScola and Orela Murphy-LaScola, who juggle the restaurant with being parents to their toddler.

Read More Lots of great food on Nantucket Island
Getting There | Taking the Kids Blogs

Passengers stranded on plane – not again!
ByEileen Ogintz June 23, 2010June 28, 2023

Another full load of passengers stranded in a hot crowded airplane for four hours yesterday! This isn’t supposed to happen… Congress need to close another loophole and you can help… Here’s how

Read More Passengers stranded on plane – not again!
Backyard Vacations | Beach Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Lodging | Travel Diaries

Nantucket, once the world’s whaling capital
ByEileen Ogintz June 23, 2010June 28, 2023

There is a lot of history we learn on this small island. In fact, the entire island is a historic district designated as a National Historic Landmark and has more buildings listed in the National Register of Historic Places than anywhere in Massachusetts, including Boston.

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Backyard Vacations | Beach Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Lodging | Travel Diaries

A getaway to Nantucket Island
ByEileen Ogintz June 22, 2010June 28, 2023

It’s that perfect beach day… blue skies, warm but not too hot. Colored umbrellas dot the Nantucket beach. Kids play on boogie boards while smaller ones build sand forts until… the two pups discover each other.

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Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Taking the Kids Blogs

Good idea, Mrs Obama!
ByEileen Ogintz June 18, 2010June 28, 2023

With the First Lady’s help, the National Park Service is kicking off a Let’s Move Outside Junior Ranger Program in 20 national parks—all part of Michelle Obama’s nationwide campaign to end childhood obesity

Read More Good idea, Mrs Obama!
Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Weekly Column

To Lake Placid, an Old-Fashioned Vacation Destination
ByEileen Ogintz June 17, 2010June 28, 2023

No one cares that the water is cold. The kids splash at the lake’s edge, play on the small sand beach as older, daring ones splash in the water and peddle kayaks, rowboats and paddleboats. Our pup eyes them all curiously

Read More To Lake Placid, an Old-Fashioned Vacation Destination
Getting There | Taking the Kids Blogs

How to avoid problems sending kids into the air alone
ByEileen Ogintz June 14, 2010June 28, 2023

Here we go again. Delta Air Lines blames a paperwork mix-up for sending two children traveling as unaccompanied minors to wrong destinations, AP reported this past week. Before you put your child or teen on an airplane along, here’s what you need to know.

Read More How to avoid problems sending kids into the air alone
Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Weekly Column

To California Wine Country
ByEileen Ogintz June 6, 2010June 28, 2023

If you think Wine Country — especially Sonoma County — is just for grown-ups (at least those over 21) think again. There are plenty of places to bike, hike and kayak on the Russian River.

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Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Travel Diaries

Lots of choices for lodging in Lake Placid
ByEileen Ogintz June 4, 2010June 28, 2023

DAY 3 — There is every variety of place to stay in Lake Placid from B&Bs, motels, condos and houses, and even luxe resorts.

Read More Lots of choices for lodging in Lake Placid
Backyard Vacations | Beach Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Parks & Outdoors | Weekly Column

Taking the Kids – To Clean Beaches and Avoiding the Oil
ByEileen Ogintz June 3, 2010June 28, 2023

As vacation season gets into high gear — with officials yet to figure out how to stem the flow of oil into the Gulf of Mexico in the worst oil spill in U.S history — families who planned to head to the Gulf Coast are worried too about clean beach waters — as are those who count on their business.

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Learn Winter Olympic history at Lake Placid
ByEileen Ogintz June 3, 2010July 2, 2023

You can learn a little, or a lot, of Olympic history in Lake Placid at the Olympic Center.

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Taking the Kids Blogs

PUPPY OR TODDLER?
ByEileen Ogintz June 2, 2010June 28, 2023

When we took our six-month-old pup Trooper to Lake Placid last weekend, I kept thinking about the similarities to road trips when the kids were toddlers….

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Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Travel Diaries

A weekend in dog-friendly Lake Placid, NY
ByEileen Ogintz June 2, 2010June 28, 2023

The water is cold in Mirror Lake in Lake Placid, NY but that’s not keeping the kids—or hardy parents out. The little ones are splashing at the water’s edge while older ones are out in kayaks , rowboats and paddle boats. Our pup is eyeing them all curiously. “It’s got everything you want with little kids,” said Jim Carroll, vacationing here with his wife and two daughters

Read More A weekend in dog-friendly Lake Placid, NY
Families & Groups | Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Volunteer & Service | Weekly Column

To the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
ByEileen Ogintz May 27, 2010October 4, 2023

We’re at Hall of Human Origins, the newest exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, now celebrating its centennial year. (It’s the most visited of the 19 Smithsonian museums with 7.4 million visitors last year!) It’s the most visited museum in the country and has the most visited science museum in the world. It’s easy to see why. Even kids who profess to “hate science” can’t help but love this 21st-century museum.

Read More To the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Families & Groups | Beach Vacations | Cruises & All-Inclusive | Getting There | Parks & Outdoors | Taking the Kids Blogs

Ready for some sand and surf?
ByEileen Ogintz May 25, 2010June 28, 2023

The way it sounds, oil is washing up on shore at every beach along the Gulf Coast. But that’s not the case, folks in the Southeast want us to know

Read More Ready for some sand and surf?
Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Parks & Outdoors | Weekly Column

Taking the Kids To Cooking School
ByEileen Ogintz May 23, 2010June 28, 2023

I am standing in a Mexican kitchen on a picturesque Ranch outside of Oaxaca city kneading dough that will become mini tortillas. I’ve already grilled the cactus that will be a part of the topping for these mini tortillas called Memelas

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Taking the Kids Blogs | Volunteer & Service

Giving back
ByEileen Ogintz May 17, 2010June 28, 2023

This past weekend, I sat on the National Mall facing the Capitol in Washington, DC as Michelle Obama extolled the new graduates of George Washington University to broaden their horizons through travel abroad, working to help those less fortunate wherever they go.

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

See you in Times Square
ByEileen Ogintz May 16, 2010June 28, 2023

I’m in a darkened Broadway theater watching the new Tony-nominated musical “Memphis” (nominated for eight awards!), which tells the story of what happens in the segregated South when a young white DJ named Huey Calhoun, played by Chad Kimball, falls for “Negro” music and a terrifically talented black singer named Felicia Farrell, played by Montego Glover

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Taking the Kids Blogs

Puppy love
ByEileen Ogintz May 12, 2010June 28, 2023

It took me years to get our three kids out of our bed, whether at home or in a hotel. Now just as the last one has left for college, we’ve got a new puppy who likes nothing more than snuggling up between us–that’s when she’s not chewing the computer wires under my desk or snacking on my newest shoes that I mistakenly left on the floor.

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

Putting on the Ritz in Orlando
ByEileen Ogintz May 9, 2010October 4, 2023

As Orlando gears up for the much-anticipated opening in June of Universal’s “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” — 20 acres within Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventures — keep in mind there are plenty of options to stay — some 115,000 hotel rooms, including more than two-dozen new hotels, including the brand-new Holiday Inn Club Vacations Orlando.

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The Georgia Backroad Locals Say You Should Never Drive After Dark

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This Hidden California Lake Might Be The State’s Prettiest Secret

California is packed with popular lakes that draw massive crowds every summer. But what if you could find a place where the water sparkles like…

Pennsylvania’s Forgotten Park, Frozen In Time

Deep in Pennsylvania’s woodlands lies a place where history whispers through overgrown paths and crumbling stone foundations. Rock Point Park Natural Area once thrived as…

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