Destination: Hershey, PA!

Known as "The Sweetest Place on Earth," Hershey, PA boasts a world of fun and relaxation for the whole family!  If you haven't been yet, here's a quick overview of some of the many family-friendly sights and attractions you won't want to miss!

Hershey Park

Known for their awesome coasters and thrill rides, Hershey has plenty of lower-key rides for the younger set as well, such as Balloon Flite, Dinosaur-Go-Round, and Helicopters. If you're visiting in the summer, cool off on the East Coast Waterworks; the centerpiece attraction to The Boardwalk at Hershey Park. A relatively new feature, the Boardwalk boasts a fun surfer theme and includes 4 huge slides and an enormous water play structure! Hershey Park is immaculately kept and has six large sections devoted entirely to kids. Whether it's small versions of the park's adult rides or miniature sports-cars, young children will have a blast! This summer, spend a day at Hershey Park - you won't be disappointed!  Note: Hershey Park is quite large and does not feature any type of mass-transportation (i.e. monorail, train, etc.), so be sure to wear comfy walking shoes and bring strollers!

Chocolate World

Great for a few hours of fun, visitors of all ages will enjoy this re-created factory tour!  Don't miss features the 3D movie and trolley tour! Each trolley tour offers visitors the opportunity to see the Hershey Kiss Streetlights, Mr. Hershey's Mansion, Mr. Hershey's original chocolate factory, and more!

Hershey Gardens

Explore this peaceful spot filled with trees, grasses, herbs, flowers and even a magnificent butterfly garden! The gardens have numerous benches, so it's a great place to stroll or sit and relax. The children's gardens feature awesome exhibits, such as: the ball in the fountain and the misting kisses.

Zoo America: North American Wildlife Park

This cozy little zoo offers a great break from the action-packed mayhem of the park. The the zoo is immaculate and the animals are well-cared for; and as an added bonus, zoo entry is free with your Hershey Park admission!  In a short walk, visitors of all ages can view some wild animals they may never otherwise have an opportunity to encounter, such as: mountain lions, grey wolves, bald eagles, and snow owls. Bear in mind, the zoo features North American wildlife exclusively, so you won't find elephants and other exotic animals as you may find in big city zoos, but as long as you manage expectations, Zoo America will be a big hit for even your littlest adventurers!

There are truly an endless number of ways to enjoy a trip to Hershey, PA (bonus tip: if you're travelling with other adults, or children 16 or older, don't miss the Segway Tours!); so, if you're looking for family-friendly fun this summer, check out Hershey, PA - truly the "Sweetest Place on Earth!"

Safe and happy travels!

-Destination Mom

Travel-Tot Tip!

Travelling with a larger family and looking for budget-friendly lodging options?  Check out SixSuitcaseTravel.com - a fantastic resource for larger families featuring a searchable database of hotels that offer "family rooms" which have extra sleeping options (i.e. convertible couches, futons, trundles, etc.), without the cost of an extra room! SixSuitcaseTravel also offers great information on accommodations, trips, cruises, and vacation deals for larger families throughout the USA, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Australia, and the Caribbean (and coming soon, South America!).  Check it out!

Keep Motion-Sickness at Bay!

image courtesy of CNaene/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Motion sickness can quickly take the wind out of the sails of even the best planned family adventure.  If your child is susceptible to motion sickness, there are a multitude of tricks and products for quelling their queasiness; but it helps to understand a bit more about motion sickness first.

The condition is typically the result of conflicting messages being transmitted to the brain by the body’s natural motion detecting detectors (eyes, inner ear, joints, etc.); and it is relatively common. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, approximately 1 in 3 Americans experience motion sickness while travelling by car, plane, train, or boat, though some sources say it may be as common as 1 in 2.  Motion sickness is generally characterized by: feelings of sickness or dizziness, headaches, loss of appetite, or pale or sweaty appearance.

Tactics for Combating Motion Sickness:

1. Place car seats as centrally as possible in the vehicle

• children feel motion more in the rear-most seats of SUVs and vans

2. Open windows and allow fresh air to circulate

3. Pay attention for early signs and symptoms

• pay attention if children report feeling ill - quick intervention can prevent full blown sickness.

4. Encourage children to focus on a distant object or horizon outside

     of the vehicle

5. Grab a light snack, like saltine crackers and ginger ale, before

     setting out or when symptoms appear

• as counter-intuitive as it may seem, an empty stomach can actually aggravate motion sickness.
• avoid heavy, greasy, or rich foods.

6. Drive as smoothly as possible

• sudden or hard braking and sharp, fast turns will only agitate motion sickness

7. Make frequent stops and allow everyone to leave the car and

     stretch their legs

image courtesy of Chuckies

 

8. Be prepared

• Chuckie's self-sealing motion-sickness bags can be a real lifesaver if motion sickness should strike in transit.  It's also wise to bring along wet wipes and antibacterial surface wipes... just in case!

• many types of wristbands are sold for relief of motion sickness. Generally, these bands apply pressure on an acupressure point.
• over-the-counter drugs are available for motion sickness, but always consult your pediatrician before medicating a child. Also, be sure to follow the directions; most drugs need to be taken prior to the start of the trip to be effective.

Travel-Tot Tip!

A family vacation doesn't have to break the bank; for a ridiculously budget-friendly family adventure, try camping!  Whether you decide to simply spend a night under the stars in the backyard or a week at a National Park, camping can be a unique, affordable, educational, and inspirational opportunity to spend quality family time together.  For great tips for family camping, check out this fantastic article by Love the Outdoors!

Destination: Niagra Falls!

image courtesy of George Stojkovic/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Niagra Falls, Ontario is more than just a spectacular natural wonder; it's a fantastic place to relax and enjoy some quality family time exploring our great neighbor to the north, Canada!  For those who have never seen the Falls themselves, there are a multitude of ways to enjoy the amazing spectacle of this aquatic phenom; whether you take a ride on the Maid of the Mist, or go in for an even closer look at the Table Rock Center's Journey Behind the Falls, there is a family-friendly adventure around every corner.  For the very daring, Niagra's Fury offers a 4-D sense-surround experience, complete with trembling ground underfoot, a blizzard, and a virtually instantaneous temperature drop from 75°F to 40°F (warning: this ride is not recommended for young children or those with neck or back injuries or heart problems).  For those who prefer a less up-close and personal view, the Skylon Tower Observation Deck with its glass elevator ride provides a breathtaking view from 775 feet above the Falls! 

No matter how you choose to experience their majesty, the Falls are a not-to-be-missed, bucket-list worthy experience; but the fun doesn't stop there - check out these other great family-friendly local attractions:

Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens and School of Horticulture: Explore the vast gardens and check out the massive Floral Clock, made up of over 20,000 plants!  The new Animals of the Rainforest exhibit is located here as is the Butterfly Conservatory. More than 2,000 breathtaking butterflies of 50 species flutter among beautiful flowers; and there are a variety of programs and presentations offered in the facility's auditorium and two theaters. Visitors are encouraged to wear brightly colored clothing to attract the butterflies! Open daily September through June 9:00am to 5:00pm, July and August 9:00am to 7:00pm.

Bird Kingdom: A tropical adventure located right in Niagara Falls, Ontario!  Visit the largest free-flying indoor aviary in the world; over 400 birds make their home in this amazing multi-level rainforest setting! Featuring a 40-foot waterfall, tropical plants, and hundreds of birds from around the world; this aviary offers visitors a chance to see some of the world's rarest birds, many of which are endangered or threatened in the wild.   In addition to birds, Bird Kingdom's aviary features collections of saltwater fish, spiders, bats, snakes, and reptiles who live happily within the indoor tropical paradise!  Open Daily from September through June 9:30am to 5:00pm and July through August 9:30am to 6:30pm.

Dinosaur Adventure Mini-Golf: Children of all ages will get a kick out of this fantastic mini-golf course! Life size dinosaurs, realistic sound effects, lush tropical foliage, and a volcano that erupts with real fire are just a few of the fun highlights of this mini putt course. Don't miss the $1.00 per person discount coupons in the widely available coupon books! Open seasonally - call ahead for hours: (905) 358-3676.

Marineland: Explore this park's multiple aquariums, featuring a walrus mascot, dolphins, sea lions, and freshwater fish. The aquarium's Friendship Cove affords even the littlest visitors a fantastic up-close view of killer whales and its Arctic Cove hosts an interactive beluga whale exhibit!  Marineland also has rides, including a spectacular Ferris wheel, Dragon Boat rides, and even a roller coaster!  The park is open daily mid-May through June and September through mid-October 10:00am to 5:00pm, July and August 9:00am to 6:00pm (closed mid-October through mid-May).

Whether you spend a weekend or a week exploring, Niagra Falls, Ontario is a great place to make fun family memories that will last a lifetime!

Safe and happy travels!

-Destination Mom

Travel-Tot Tip: Cheers and Sneers!

A giant SNEER this week to United Airlines for their recent decision to end coach-class pre-boarding for families travelling with young children.  Classy move, United... and just in time for summer! 

The good news?  The following carriers still believe that all families (not just those who can afford to fly "elite class") deserve the chance to settle in a few minutes early: JetBlue, Virgin, American, and Delta - big CHEERS to these family-friendly carriers! 

You have a choice this summer parents: make your voice heard!

Museums: The World Through Your Child's Eyes!

Museums can be a great opportunity for children to experience people, places, art, music, history, science, and other aspects of the world that they may not otherwise have had the chance to be exposed to; but discovering all these things in a way that will leave them excited, engaged, and eager to learn more requires some planning and expectation-management!  So if you love museums, but are apprehensive about exploring them with your kids, these few quick tips can help you keep your tour on track!

image of the Louvre courtesy of Vichaya Kiatying-Angsulee/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

1. Have realistic expectations:  Your children will explore a museum differently than you; don't expect to spend a great amount of time at each exhibit, rather let your children gravitate toward the exhibits which best capture their fancy!

2. Plan and prepare:  Be sure children are well-rested for the adventure and plan your visit around mealtimes (though a quick snack in the museum eatery can be a fun way to break up the exploring if your budget allows!). Before you get to the museum, discuss basic museum etiquette (no touching, no running, no yelling, etc.) and share information with your children about what they will be seeing (i.e. art, music, science, history, etc.).  When you enter the museum, be sure to take a map or make a note of where the restrooms, sitting areas, and eateries are located in case you need a break!

3. Go with the flow: When you enter an exhibit, allow your child to lead the exploring and share with you what they most enjoy.  Ask them simple, age-appropriate questions about what they are seeing (i.e. What do you like best?  What do you think the artist was thinking when he/she created this?  How does it make you feel?  What do you think this was used for?  How do you think this sounds?).  Share with them what you think about the exhibits (i.e. your favorites, why, and what they say to you)!

4. Check into special features for children:  Some museums have special children's programs, hands-on exhibits, areas where kids can sit and explore, child-geared audio tours, etc. that are designed to enhance the experience for families (but don't be afraid to trust your own judgement to decide whether the resource being offered is something you think would be helpful, or just something that would distract them and detract from the experience of interacting with the exhibits, which is why you are there after all!).

Happy and safe exploring!

-Destination Mom