Category: 50 State Series

The United States of America is HUGE with, as you know 50 states and each state is like it’s own country in things to see, do and explore all on it’s own.

In this series, we explore each state and dig deeper into what makes it unique and potential adventures and experiences for you and your family.

Categories
50 State Series USA

Family travel in New Hampshire

Fun in a pumpkin at New Hampshire's Story Land (courtesy mriggen at Flickr CC)Every week or so until we run out of states, I’ll be posting about family-friendly vacation ideas, attractions and events in each one of the US states, taking input mostly from Twitter and Facebook.

Yes, I know how to search for travel ideas on a destination or attraction Web site, but a tweet or a Facebook Wall recommendation is a much more engaging and public way to spread the word.

Please don’t email suggestions to me; that’s nice but it is one-to-one communication. Tweet me and/or Facebook me, so that all of our networks can see what’s cool about your state.

We’re going in alphabetical order but started with the end, so our first state for the series was Wyoming, then we investigated Wisconsin, West Virginia,  Washington,  Virginia,  Vermont,  Utah, Texas,  Tennessee,  South Dakota,  South Carolina,  Rhode Island,  Pennsylvania,  Oregon, Oklahoma,  Ohio, North Dakota,  North Carolina, New York, New Mexico, New Jersey and now we’re moving on to….New Hampshire!

This state is rocking the social Web; they reached out to me to offer ideas and also helped by spreading the word on their networks that I was asking for input. Can I get a “Hell Yeah!” for the Live Free or Die folks?

New Hampshire state tourism is on Twitter, with E.J. tweeting at @VisitNH.  They are on Facebook (here is the New Hampshire Facebook Fan Page) and there’s a New Hampshire Flickr photo-sharing page, too.

When I asked for NH ideas, here’s what came in….

Twitter Travel Tips for New Hampshire

***  From Ski New Hampshire info via @MoeSnowNH on Twitter – I’m the spokes-snowball for winter in NH! January is Learn a Snow Sport month & there are 39 ski resorts for the whole family!

***  From Kayt Sukel via @TravelSavvyKayt on Twitter – Loved, loved, loved the Children’s Museum in Dover, NH. It was a lot of fun! And exploring Portsmouth is great, too.

*** From Tracy Lee Carroll via @StarrGazr on Twitter:   The Amoskeag Fishways in Manchester. Beaver Brook for snowshoeing, hiking, nature study in Hollis. Shaker Village and the NH Children’s museum in Dover. Winter time is great for skiing in New Hampshire! Check out @Crotched_Mtn! Also, check out @NHPT and https://nhphototour.com.

***  From EJ Powers via @ejpowers on Twitter – We love going to Jenness State Beach in Rye NH!  One of the many great @nhstateparks – https://www.nhstateparks.com/jenness.html.

***  From Jim Storer via @jimstorer on Twitter – Great rainy day activity in the Lakes Region of NH is The Rock Barn in Plymouth for indoor rock climbing.  Another good take in the Lakes Region is a hike up Rattlesnake in Holderness (ok for the little ones and the view is incredible.)  And because 3 is the magic number, my third recommendation in Lakes Region is Camp in Meredith for dinner. Nice for adults and kid-friendly.

***  From The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire via @kidmuseumnh on Twitter – The Children’s Museum of NH features unique hands-on exhibits made by local artisans. Waterfront park location is great for ages 1-12. We also have a Family Mardi Gras event on 14 February with live Cajun music, masks, beads, parade, etc.

***  From New Hampshire Tourism via @VisitNH on Twitter – From historical sites to museums & nature centers to train rides, NH has hundreds of family friendly attractions for you to enjoy. Here is the link to our Family Attractions site on visitnh.gov.   Each month we offer benefits to our Facebook fans. Families can get ski/stay/spa discounts this month in the Sunapee area.   Mt Washington Resort offers family-friend packages and special offers thru the winter incl a zip & ski package with a canopy tour and skiing.

***  From CC Chapman via @cc_chapman on Twitter – Franconia Notch with a stop at The Basin is the top place that comes to mind, also the Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl game and parade.

***  From Sarah Vela via @orchid8 on Twitter – Brown’s Seabrook Lobster Pound on Rte 286 in Seabrook. Old favorite of mine. Bonus view of the nuclear power plant! 😉

***  From Michelle Riggen-Ransom via @mriggen on Twitter – re: NH – STORYLAND!  Loved this place as a kid, still cool as a mom.  Here are my pix from there from last summer [on Flickr.]

***  From Granite State Ambassador Judi Window via @judiwindow on Twitter – I am a 50 State-er. In #NH we have a “Twisitor Center” – @askNH – to help guests find what they need when visiting.

***  From Katie York via @ShoGrrl2 on Twitter – My favorite family-friendly activity in NH is hitting up @CanobieLakePark (in the warmer months)! 😀

***  From Jacqueline Tourville via @jtourville on Twitter – I write a local family travel column for Parenting #NH magazine (print & online.)  We spotlight a NH town each month (here’s Bretton Woods.)

***  From the Rumbletree Marketing folks via @Rumbletree on Twitter – The @AtkinsonResort in Atkinson, NH has a delicious Sunday brunch for the whole family.

***  From the Currier Museum via @CurrierMuseum on Twitter – the Currier Museum in Manchester NH offers many family friendly programs. See more at:  https://www.currier.org/familyprograms.aspx

***  From Jeremy Milani via @jmilani on Twitter – Not so much a tip as a local resource, but have you seen Southern New Hampshire Parents online?

***  From Montagne Communications via @MontagneCom on Twitter – Getting to NH is super-convenient and hassle-free thanks to the Manchester Airport at @flymanchester!

***  From Laura Hurley via @lkhboston on Twitter  – NH’s great outdoors, 8 kid-friendly fall hike picks in the White Mountains, from Appalachian Mountain Club.

Facebook Travel Tips for New Hampshire

***  From Kara Skruck Williams on Facebook  —  Oh, where to begin with my childhood state….

1. Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves in the White Mountains, where you can try to squeeze through the “Lemon Squeezer” cave (not for the claustrophobic – though little kids have no problem!)
2. Weirs Beach in Lakes Region for a honky-tonk (so my mother calls it) boardwalk scene w/ arcades and bumper cars.
3. StoryLand in Glen, for amusement-park rides that keep kids about ages eight and under happy (one section of park w/ nursery rhyme attractions dates back 50 years.)
4. Canobie Lake Park in Windham (another theme park) reaches older kids w/ more thrill rides….

A ride on the M/S Mt. Washington on Lake Winnipesaukee and/or Scenic Winnipesaukee Railroad ride is good for kids, too!

***  From Wendy Wagner on Facebook  —  The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord is small, especially compared to the Smithsonian Air/Space Museum, but we found it to be delightful! We loved the Polar Caves (very similar to Boulder Caves?)  We went to Polly’s Pancake Parlor in Sugar Hill before we went to the Polar Caves.  The hike to the Zealand Falls Hut is about 3 miles in the summer, and it’s do-able for kids, though our 5 year flagged a little at the end. The great part is the falls, which have a flat rocky area that the kids can play in;  perfect for the midpoint of a summer hike!

We stayed at the Profile Deluxe in Twin Mountain, and I can’t say enough about the proprietors. Nice people. The motel is basic and comfortable, and it has a great pool. My kids always ask to go back!

Storyland was a big hit, but Kara covered it already. 🙂

***  From Andrea Schulle on Facebook  —  Has anybody mentioned the Mt. Washington hotel and the cogway there?

***  From Peter Davison on Facebook – Hey Sheila, Alrighty, looking a bit more north of Concord ..not any particular event but you have to include Wolfboro, NH and surrounding area re: Lake Winnipesaukee. Lots of good stuff!!

***  From Gary Arndt on Facebook – The home, studio and gardens of sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens at https://www.nps.gov/saga/index.htm.

Thanks so much for the contributions, everyone!

The BootsnAll Travel Network has a New Hampshire Travel Guide as well.

The next state in the series is Nevada.

Send your Nevada highlights to @SheilaS on Twitter or write them on my Facebook Wall (please tell me you’re a 50 state-er if you want to friend me.)

My purpose for this series is not only to highlight worthy kid-friendly vacation destinations in all 50 states, but by using Twitter and Facebook I want to also encourage tourism organizations to learn more about connecting with their visitors using social media and online networks.

Please add your own New Hampshire suggestions in the comments below, if we’ve missed anything. Thanks!

Categories
50 State Series

Family travel in Washington

States Inn and Ranch, San Juan Island, Washington State (courtesy woodleywonderworks on Flickr CC)Every Tuesday until we run out of states, I plan to post about family-friendly travel ideas, attractions and events in each one of the US states, taking input mostly from Twitter and Facebook.

We’re going in alphabetical order but started with the end, so our first state for the series was Wyoming, then we investigated Wisconsin and West Virginia and now we’re moving on to….the state of Washington!

You can find their state tourism folks on Twitter at @ExperienceWA and here is their Travel and Tourism Facebook page.

When I asked for input, here’s what came in (no one responded on Facebook….)

Twitter Travel Tips for Washington State

***   From @ExperienceWA via Twitter  —  Yes of course we have kid-friendly WA ideas! Seattle Children’s Museum, Pacific Science Center, Ride the Ducks, Pike Place [kid-friendly suggestions from Visit Seattle]…Other WA kid-friendly ideas: Riverfront Park in Spokane, whale-watching in San Juan Islands and Forks (home of the book/movie Twilight) on Olympic Peninsula.

***   From Annemarie Dooling via @TravelingAnna on Twitter  — you’ve got Forks, right? It’s all I know of WA! [Yep, thanks, I got it!]

***  From Thomas J. Brown via @MWProductions on Twitter  — And if you visit Forks, be sure to check out the beautiful Quileute reservation!

***  From Peeples Ink PR via @PeeplesInk on Twitter  — Has anyone mentioned the San Juans? Orcas Island is a great place for families: Moran State Park, kayaking, nature tours…

***  From @KevinAshby on Twitter  — Poulsbo is a great old Norwegian fishing village on the Kitsap Peninsula where you can rent kayaks and eat in some great bakeries.

***  From Team Marco Polo via @TeamMarcoPolo on Twitter  — [In Seattle] Maybe the underground tour as well? Ballard Locks?

***  From Carol Peacher via @peachergraf on Twitter  — The Experience Music Project/Science Fiction Museum in Seattle is really cool and educational with fun hands-on things to do.

Our own BootsnAll Travel Network has a lot of resources  —  the WhyGo Seattle site and a bunch of articles and links under Washington Things to See and Do Travel Stories.

Oh, and I must mention the Seattle channel on Alltop and Washington-based travel bloggers Pam at NerdsEyeView, WanderMom Michelle at Wanderlust and Lipstick and Mary Jo Manzanares at Fly Away Cafe.  If I’ve forgotten someone, please remind me in the comments.

Thanks so much for the contributions – the next state in the series is Virginia.

Send your highlights to @SheilaS on Twitter or my Facebook page (tell me you’re a 50 state-er if you want to friend me.)

Yes, I know how to search for family travel ideas on a destination or attraction Web site, but a tweet or Facebook recommendation is a much more engaging and public way to spread the word.

My purpose for this series is not only to highlight worthy kid-friendly vacation destinations in all 50 states, but by using Twitter and Facebook I want to also encourage tourism organizations to learn more about connecting with their visitors using social media and online networks.

Please add your own Washington suggestions in the comments below, if we’ve missed anything. Thanks!

Categories
50 State Series

Family travel in Nevada

Nevada Day parade in Carson City (courtesy MrMitch on Flickr CC)Every week or so until we run out of states, I’ll be posting about family-friendly vacation ideas, attractions and events in each one of the US states, taking input mostly from Twitter and Facebook.

Yes, I know how to search for travel ideas on a destination or attraction Web site, but a tweet or a Facebook Wall recommendation is a much more engaging and public way to spread the word.

Please don’t email suggestions to me; that’s nice but it is one-to-one communication. Tweet me and/or Facebook me, so that all of our networks can see what’s cool about your state.

We’re going in alphabetical order but started with the end, so our first state for the series was Wyoming, then we investigated Wisconsin, West Virginia,  Washington,  Virginia,  Vermont,  Utah, Texas,  Tennessee,  South Dakota,  South Carolina,  Rhode Island,  Pennsylvania,  Oregon, Oklahoma,  Ohio, North Dakota,  North Carolina, New York, New Mexico, New Jersey, New Hampshire and now we’re moving on to….Nevada!

This state is doing a terrific job leveraging the social Web to talk about what they can offer prospective visitors.  Their Traveling Nevada blog has plenty of updates and good ideas, and they have a Facebook Fan Page, shared Nevada photos on Flickr,  a MySpace page, videos on their YouTube channel and of course they’re very active on Twitter as @TravelNevada.

When I asked for Nevada ideas, here’s what came in….

Twitter Travel Tips for Nevada

***  From Nevada Tourism via @TravelNevada on Twitter – Artown, which runs the month of July, is a great family-friendly month long event.  [There’s a] new V&T Railroad from Carson City to Virginia City.  Virginia City’s a very family-friendly destination/activity. Events and things to do there: https://bit.ly/63UNRz

***  From Mary Jo Manzanares via @flyawaycafe on Twitter – [in Las Vegas] Jousting tourney at Excalibur, Lions at MGM Grand, Lion King at Mandalay Bay, Secret Garden at Mirage, and oh! – renting a cabana by the pool at Mandalay Bay (best  family-friendly pool in LV, in my opinion.)

***  From Chris Chambers via @ckjchambers on Twitter – our 5 year old loved “O” at Bellagio when we went to see it recently – so did Mum & Dad.

***  From Bethany Drysdale tweeting Nevada tourism news via @NevadaPR on Twitter – [Ideas] ….mining park in Tonopah; Ghost Train in Ely; Animal Ark in Reno; Springs Preserve in Vegas, any/all outdoor fun at Tahoe.  [Events] …Reno River Festival (May), Carson City Rendezvous (June), Reno Rodeo (June), Artown (whole month of July in Reno),  Natl. Basque Festival (July in Elko), Best in the West Nugget Rib Cookoff (Sept, Reno), Great Reno Balloon Race (Sept, Reno)….And my all-time favorite:  International Camel Races in Virginia City (Sept.)  Hilarious event and great family town to explore!

***  From Spencer Spellman via @spencerspellman on Twitter – what is the hotel with the fountains that has the zoo [Actually the Bellagio has the fountains, the Mirage has the volcano and the MGM Grand has a zoo/lion habitat.  THAT is a bizarre sentence to write!]

***  From Kara S. Williams via @karasw on Twitter – Call me crazy, but kids liked these spots in Vegas:   M&M World (free 3-D movie) and Titanic exhibit at Luxor.  I would absolutely take my theatre/dance-loving 9 yr old to a Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas (just not the R-rated Zumanity! – though for adults, it’s a HOOT.)

Facebook Travel Tips for Nevada

***  From Bridget Smith on Facebook  –  The Las Vegas Children’s Museum is cheap and great. We enjoyed bowling at one of the casinos. The Golden Nugget has a great pool water slide AND you can swim with sharks.

***  From Paul Ellis on Facebook – In Henderson NV:  the Carousel Workshop and Ocean Spray tours.

Thanks so much for the contributions, everyone!

The BootsnAll Travel Network has a Nevada Travel Guide as well.

The next state in the series is Nebraska.

Send your Nebraska highlights to @SheilaS on Twitter or write them on my Facebook Wall (please tell me you’re a 50 state-er if you want to friend me.)

My purpose for this series is not only to highlight worthy kid-friendly vacation destinations in all 50 states, but by using Twitter and Facebook I want to also encourage tourism organizations to learn more about connecting with their visitors using social media and online networks.

Please add your own Nevada suggestions in the comments below, if we’ve missed anything. Thanks!

Categories
50 State Series

Family travel in New Jersey

New Jersey State Fair (courtesy Sister72 on Flickr)Every week or so until we run out of states, I’ll be posting about family-friendly vacation ideas, attractions and events in each one of the US states, taking input mostly from Twitter and Facebook.

Yes, I know how to search for travel ideas on a destination or attraction Web site, but a tweet or a Facebook Wall recommendation is a much more engaging and public way to spread the word.

Please don’t email suggestions to me; that’s nice but it is one-to-one communication. Tweet me and/or Facebook me, so that all of our networks can see what’s cool about your state.

We’re going in alphabetical order but started with the end, so our first state for the series was Wyoming, then we investigated Wisconsin, West Virginia,  Washington,  Virginia,  Vermont,  Utah, Texas,  Tennessee,  South Dakota,  South Carolina,  Rhode Island,  Pennsylvania,  Oregon, Oklahoma,  Ohio, North Dakota,  North Carolina, New York, New Mexico and now we’re moving on to….New Jersey!

I could not find the NJ state tourism organization on Twitter.  Only one region of the state appears to be “holding down the fort” – @VisitSJersey. The tweets at @JerseyTourism are for Jersey in the UK’s Channel Islands.

The state tourism organization is not on Facebook either, that I could find, although I did locate a Facebook Fan Page for Atlantic City NJ.

In the absence of much of any official tourism presence (which seems odd, given the very competitive Mid-Atlantic tourism market) I offer you Down the Shore with Jen, an excellent blog written by Jersey Shore guidebook author Jen A. Miller.

When I asked for NJ ideas, here’s what came in….

Twitter Travel Tips for New Jersey

***  From Mira Park via @MiraBest on Twitter:  family-friendly travel tip for NJ:  Stone Harbor in summer, Van Saun park in the fall & Ridgewood or Waldwick. Great towns with kid stuff.

***  From Matthew Lubin via @ChinaMatt on Twitter:  Check out the Geraldine R. Dodge poetry festival for New Jersey. And you can’t leave off the Delaware Water Gap.

***  From Anna Fader via @MommyPoppins on Twitter: Sahara Sams, new indoor water park in NJ has been a great hit with our readers.

***  From Wendy Perrin via @WendyPerrin on Twitter:  Family-friendly New Jersey activities:  1. Riding the AirTrain around EWR!  2. Liberty State Park, including Liberty Science Center.  3. Cotsen Children’s Library at Princeton University.  4. Garden State Discovery Museum (& Lakeshore Learning store) in Cherry Hill.    5. Fall season at Wightman’s Farm in Morristown (hayrides, corn maze, pumpkin toss, etc.)  6. annual balloon festival in Readington.  7. The IKEA in Elizabeth for its supervised playroom + kid-friendly cafeteria with view of planes taking off & landing at EWR…But our favorite NJ kid-friendly spot is actually just over the border in Easton, PA: The Crayola Factory & Nat’l Canal Museum.  🙂

***  From Gary Arndt via @EverywhereTrip on Twitter:  Best things in NJ are the Edison Lab in Orange and Morristown where General Washington camped. Both are National Park Service sites.

***  From Kayt Sukel via @TravelSavvyKayt on Twitter:  The Camden Aquarium.  Did a post on it for Travel Savvy Mom not too long ago.

***  From Hillary via @hchybinski on Twitter:  NJ Family-friendly: Cape May Zoo and Ocean City.

***  From Chris and Robert Clark via @travel_notebook on Twitter: Delaware Water Gap (PA/NJ State Line) is a great National Recreation area with good hiking.  Princeton would be good for families who want to get their kids thinking Ivy League.  Finally, NJ overall has way more agriculture than you would think. Good opportunity for u-pick farms, horses, cows, etc.

Facebook Travel Tips for New Jersey

***  From Scott Keir on Facebook  – I would toot my ol’ hometown’s horn: Asbury Park. Its going thru a rebirth and the beach is one of the best on da Shore. Check out the Asbury Park Boardwalk website (there’s a fan site on Facebook.)

***  From Jeremiah McEnerney on Facebook:  I’m almost afraid to mention Stone Harbor, New Jersey. We’ve returned to vacation there for over 10 years. No boardwalk, a nice little shopping village, Uncle Bill’s Pancake House, Peace-a-Pizza and Springer’s ice cream. So very, very relaxing. https://www.stone-harbor.nj.us

***  From John Holmes on Facebook:   Not too far outside of Atlantic City is Brigantine National Wildlife Refuge. Not as famous as Cape May for birding, but excellent nonetheless. Lots of trails and different habitats to explore, and you can just drive through it if you don’t want to get out and walk around.

Thanks so much for the contributions, everyone!

I wrote an article for Education.com – Family fun and learning in New Jersey – and the BootsnAll Travel Network has a New Jersey Travel Guide.

The next state in the series is New Hampshire.

Send your New Hampshire highlights to @SheilaS on Twitter or write them on my Facebook Wall (please tell me you’re a 50 state-er if you want to friend me.)

My purpose for this series is not only to highlight worthy kid-friendly vacation destinations in all 50 states, but by using Twitter and Facebook I want to also encourage tourism organizations to learn more about connecting with their visitors using social media and online networks.

Please add your own New Jersey suggestions in the comments below, if we’ve missed anything. Thanks!

Categories
50 State Series New York City

Family travel in New York

My daughter with the cast for the Statue of Liberty's toe, New York City (photo by Sheila Scarborough)Every week until we run out of states, I plan to post about family-friendly vacation ideas, attractions and events in each one of the US states, taking input mostly from Twitter and Facebook.

Yes, I know how to search for travel ideas on a destination or attraction Web site, but a tweet or a Facebook Wall recommendation is a much more engaging and public way to spread the word.

Please don’t email suggestions to me; that’s nice but it is one-to-one communication. Tweet me and/or Facebook me, so that all of our networks can see what’s cool about your state.

We’re going in alphabetical order but started with the end, so our first state for the series was Wyoming, then we investigated Wisconsin, West Virginia,  Washington,  Virginia,  Vermont,  Utah, Texas,  Tennessee,  South Dakota,  South Carolina,  Rhode Island,  Pennsylvania,  Oregon, Oklahoma,  Ohio, North Dakota,  North Carolina and now we’re moving on to….New York!

Their state tourism organization is on Twitter at @I_LOVE_NY (New York City is @nycgo.) I found a New York economic development page on Facebook, but not an official state-sponsored one for travel/tourism (there are bunch of unofficial ones.) (Update – yay! – there is now an official New York State tourism Facebook Page.)

No blogs, nothing on Flickr, YouTube, etc. Frankly, I was surprised by this in such a hugely popular travel destination, but the person tweeting for New York is trying really hard, so it’s a start.

When I asked for ideas, here’s what came in….

Twitter Travel Tips for New York

***  From the Kelly Rabideau in New York State’s tourism office (she’s currently my fave @I_LOVE_NY tweeter)  —  We came up with a few hidden gems across the State and have listed them below.  If you were looking for just one…we would have to go with The Strong National Museum of Play [in Rochester.]  It is 100% kid/family friendly….100% fun…and considered a gem to all of New York State.

Others:   Atlantis Marine World in Riverhead, the [world famous] Bronx Zoo,  Howe Caverns in Howes Cave and The Wild Center in Tupper Lake.  More travel ideas just for you right from the heart of New York State on our Web site’s Family Fun page.

***  From @decillis on Twitter  —  Uncle Sam’s Boat Tours in the 1000 Islands. Can’t go there w/o seeing Boldt Castle!

***  From Janet DeVito via @girlsgetaways on Twitter  —  Madame Tussauds (the wax museum – my kids always loved that; they get a kick out of taking photos)  How about a cruise sailing out of NYC – that is a great family trip!

***  From Anna Fader via @mommypoppins on Twitter  —  Family travel tip for NYC:  The Sony Wonder Technology Lab. Just re-opened with extremely cool exhibits, and it’s free!

***  From the Rochester NY tourism folks via @VisitRochester on Twitter  —  The Strong National Museum of Play just acquired Videotopia; now adults & kids can enjoy exploring play. With corn mazes, new exhibits at family museums, zoos & parks, fall is especially family-friendly in Rochester.  For more see this list of ideas.

***  From Sally Berry via @sallykberry on Twitter  —  I was at Videotopia at Strong Museum w/my college age kids last weekend – they LOVED it!

***  From Marci Diehl (and here’s her golf blog) via @writerdiehl on Twitter  —  My 4yr old grandson loves the Seneca Park Zoo’s play “medical center” in Rochester NY.  The Erie Canal Discovery Center in Lockport NY has one of the best interactive programs for all ages +VERY kid-friendly. For the best family-friendly + educational activities/ places in New York State visit the Erie Canal area.

Continue reading “Family travel in New York”

Categories
50 State Series

Family travel in North Carolina

Young driver in training at Charlotte NC Speed Street Festival (photo by Sheila Scarborough)Every week until we run out of states, I plan to post about family-friendly vacation ideas, attractions and events in each one of the US states, taking input mostly from Twitter and Facebook.

Yes, I know how to search for travel ideas on a destination or attraction Web site, but a tweet or a Facebook Wall recommendation is a much more engaging and public way to spread the word.

Please don’t email suggestions to me; that’s nice but it is one-to-one communication. Tweet me and/or Facebook me, so that all of our networks can see what’s cool about your state.

We’re going in alphabetical order but started with the end, so our first state for the series was Wyoming, then we investigated Wisconsin,  West Virginia,  Washington,  Virginia,  Vermont,  Utah, Texas,  Tennessee,  South Dakota,  South Carolina,  Rhode Island,  Pennsylvania,  Oregon, Oklahoma,  Ohio, North Dakota and now we’re moving on to….North Carolina!

Their state tourism organization is on Twitter at @VisitNC, plus there’s a Visit North Carolina blog, a North Carolina Flickr Group for photo-sharing, a Visit North Carolina YouTube channel and here’s the NC Tourism Facebook page.

When I asked for ideas, here’s what came in….

Twitter Travel Tips for North Carolina

***  From the Wilkes County tourism office via @WilkesNCtourism on Twitter  —  [Wilkes] Heritage Museum is a great activity for families. Also 45+ miles of mountain biking trails, 8 sites on NC Birding Trail. Whippoorwill Village – collection of restored log cabins, 1-room schoolhouse, Chapel of Peace (here’s a TwitPic photo: https://twitpic.com/2e0yj)

***  From Barbra Rodichok via @NOCBarbra on Twitter  —  Don’t forget whitewater rafting as part of your visit to the coolest mountain town, Asheville NC!  [More from the Nantahala Outdoor Center – https://www.noc.com/index.php/french-broad.html]

***  From Shannon Lane via @Cajun_Mama on Twitter  —  My family loved gem searching in Cherokee. Found a 3 karat emerald!

***  From Maria Reed via @Maria_Reed on Twitter  —  Great family beach vacations in the Outer Banks! Jockey’s Ridge and Nag’s Head Fishing Pier.

Continue reading “Family travel in North Carolina”

Categories
50 State Series

Family travel in North Dakota

Jamestown, North Dakota giant buffalo (courtesy minnemom at Flickr CC)Every week until we run out of states, I plan to post about family-friendly vacation ideas, attractions and events in each one of the US states, taking input mostly from Twitter and Facebook.

Yes, I know how to search for travel ideas on a destination or attraction Web site, but a tweet or a Facebook Wall recommendation is a much more engaging and public way to spread the word.

Please don’t email suggestions to me; that’s nice but it is one-to-one communication. Tweet me and/or Facebook me, so that all of our networks can see what’s cool about your state.

We’re going in alphabetical order but started with the end, so our first state for the series was Wyoming, then we investigated Wisconsin , West Virginia , Washington, Virginia, Vermont, Utah, Texas, Tennessee, South Dakota, South Carolina, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Oklahoma, Ohio and now we’re moving on to….North Dakota!

Their state tourism organization is on Twitter at @NorthDakotaTour, plus there’s a Travel Legendary North Dakota blog, a North Dakota Flickr Group for photo-sharing, a North Dakota YouTube channel and here’s the ND Tourism Facebook page.

When I asked for ideas, here’s what came in….

Twitter Travel Tips for North Dakota

***  From the North Dakota tourism office via @NorthDakotaTour on Twitter  —  Lions, Tigers, and Bears are just a few of the animals in our ND zoos. For more ideas see:  What To Do on our Web site.

***  From Dominique King via @midwestguest on Twitter — I’m sure you’ll get several suggestions to visit Teddy Roosevelt Nat’l Park in North Dakota, but it really is not-to-be-missed; TR Park is the main reason we want to go back to ND for a longer trip! We did manage to see the “World’s Largest Buffalo” in Jamestown, ND though.

***  From the Fargo/Moorhead ND tourism office via @FargoMoorhead on Twitter  —  A few great kid-friendly attractions in the Fargo-Moorhead area: Yunker Farm, Red River Zoo, Fargo Air Museum, Thunderroad Fun Park.

***  From Linda via @minnemom on Twitter  — Bagg Bonanza Farm near Wahpeton — see what a big bonanza farm was really like.

***  From Pam Mandel via @nerdseyeview on Twitter — Okay….OH MY GOD, Teddy Roosevelt National Park; you’ve read my weirdly related post, Teddy’s Advice.  Also, the Enchanted Highway.

Facebook Travel Tips for North Dakota

***  From Tammy Carlson Langerud on Facebook  —  Theodore Roosevelt National Park & Medora.

Since I’ve been a kid, I’ve always enjoyed Theodore Roosevelt National Park & the nearby historic, frontier town of Medora. In TR Park, families can hike, bike or horseback their way across the colorful, jagged landscape that inspired a young Theodore Roosevelt. (He called his time in the N.D. Badlands the “romance of my life.”) The park also boasts great wildlife viewing (bison, elk, antelope, wild horse, bald eagle. etc.) https://www.nps.gov/thro/index.htm.

Lil’ buckaroos will get a kick out of Medora and all its kid-friendly activities. The favorites? The Medora Musical, a professionally produced musical, and the unique pitch-fork fondue. Both are family friendly and held nightly from Memorial Day through the weekend after Labor Day. https://www.medora.com.

Here are two more fun family friendly North Dakota attractions to add to your list.

***  From Emily Arnegard Schneider on Facebook:  Family Friendly Attraction in North Dakota – https://www.enchantedhighway.net/

The scenery along the Enchanted Highway in southwestern North Dakota from I-94 to Regent is truly larger than life. This 32-mile stretch of highway is graced by amazingly large metal sculptures inspired by the prairie and its people.

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50 State Series

Family travel in Ohio

Parade the Circle citizen's event in Cleveland Ohio (courtesy Kind of Bruin at Flickr CC)Every Tuesday (or Wednesday if Twitter crashes, which it did late yesterday as I was compiling this post) until we run out of states, I plan to post about family-friendly vacation ideas, attractions and events in each one of the US states, taking input mostly from Twitter and Facebook.

Yes, I know how to search for travel ideas on a destination or attraction Web site, but a tweet or a Facebook Wall recommendation is a much more engaging and public way to spread the word.

Please don’t email suggestions to me; that’s nice but it is one-to-one communication. Tweet me and/or Facebook me, so that all of our networks can see what’s cool about your state.

We’re going in alphabetical order but started with the end, so our first state for the series was Wyoming, then we investigated Wisconsin , West Virginia , Washington, Virginia, Vermont, Utah, Texas, Tennessee, South Dakota, South Carolina, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Oklahoma and now we’re moving on to….Ohio!

Their state tourism organization is on Twitter at @DiscoverOhio, plus there’s @OhioStateParks and state tourism e-info coordinator Roger Barker is @Roger_OHTourism.  Additionally, they have an Ohio Flickr Group for photo-sharing, an Ohio YouTube channel and here’s the Ohio Tourism Facebook page.

You know what’s really great? The links for all of those social media sites are clearly displayed on their main Ohio tourism Web site.  That is rather rare, unfortunately – so many state Web sites give no indication that they’re on social media, or the links are buried somewhere.

When I asked for ideas, here’s what came in….

Twitter Travel Tips for Ohio

***  From deef217 via @deef217 on Twitter  –  In Oct there is a very cool large farm outside Wooster which has an extreme corn maze and hay rides and fab pumpkins/decorations.  [Also] Neil Armstrong Air and Space Museum in Wapakoneta. See the moon rocks! Better fam friendly prices…go to a minor leage baseball game in Akron or Columbus. Cheap yet fab seats & kid giveaways often! How about a day of canoeing at Mohican State Park? Many fun memories as a kid!

***  From decillis via @decillis on Twitter  —  A trip to Ohio is not complete unless you’ve stopped in Columbus for Jeni’s Ice Creams (see @jenisicecreams.)

***  From Hancock County CVB (Convention and Visitor’s Bureau) via @VisitFindlay on Twitter  —  Mazza Museum at Univ. of #Findlay is world’s first teaching museum for children’s book illustrations. Awesome tours & activities! Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation does weekly and theme train rides on antique trains. Kaleidoscope Xmas Tree Farm boasts sleigh rides, live reindeer and super-fun people late Nov thru Xmas (fun people are available all year round, of course.) @artpartnership (The Arts Partnership) hosts KidsFest in July – draws families from many states for massive quantities of kid fun, freebies and activities. Findlay is visited by 30+ hot air balloons annually for #Balloonfest (w/ car & bike show, outdoor movies & balloon competitions.) How many costumed wiener dogs can you handle? National Dachshund Races in Findlay Sept 26-27. New this year – dog parade. Major cute!

***  From Craig via @Craigorama on Twitter  —  Take a canal boat ride on the Miami Erie Canal in Piqua, Ohio – Piqua Historical Area.

***  From Travels With Children via @minnemom on Twitter  — Columbus Zoo is nice. The Works in Newark is nice museum but not crazy-busy. We liked it. Driving part of the Old National Road and seeing the S bridges and Y bridge was exciting for our family. The Boonshoft Museum in Dayton has one of the most affordable museum memberships I’ve seen, with excellent reciprocity benefits. Columbus COSI (Center of Science and Industry) is great for families. We spent an entire day there. Good for all ages of kids.

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50 State Series

Family travel in Oklahoma

Chisholm Trail Heritage Center in Duncan, Oklahoma. I'm lucky my teen tolerated any cowboy hat pictures at all! (photo by Sheila Scarborough)Every Tuesday (this week I got a little behind so it’s Wednesday) until we run out of states, I plan to post about family-friendly vacation ideas, attractions and events in each one of the US states, taking input mostly from Twitter and Facebook.

Yes, I know how to search for travel ideas on a destination or attraction Web site, but a tweet or a Facebook Wall recommendation is a much more engaging and public way to spread the word.

Please don’t email suggestions to me; that’s nice but it is one-to-one communication. Tweet me and/or Facebook me, so that all of our networks can see what’s cool about your state.

We’re going in alphabetical order but started with the end, so our first state for the series was Wyoming, then we investigated Wisconsin , West Virginia , Washington, Virginia, Vermont, Utah, Texas, Tennessee, South Dakota, South Carolina, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Oregon and now we’re moving on to….Oklahoma!

Their state tourism organization is on Twitter at @OklahomaTourism and they’re on Facebook at the Oklahoma Tourism Facebook page.

When I asked for ideas, here’s what came in….

Twitter Travel Tips for Oklahoma

***  From @OklahomaTourism on Twitter  —  Family-friendly places: Jasmin Moran Children’s Museum (Seminole, OK), Leonardo’s Discovery Warehouse (Enid) and Oklahoma Aquarium (Jenks.) Oklahoma City & Tulsa Zoos are also among the top-rated. Families can order Exploring OK with Kids, a free magazine on TravelOK.com plus check out our Hot Deals section for attraction discounts/coupons https://www.travelok.com/hot_deals/index.asp.

***  From The Clarks via @Travel_Notebook on Twitter  — Just finished at Chickasaw NRA (National Recreation Area.) Great hiking and swimming, accessible to all ages. [More in their South Central OK blog post.]

***  From Lisa Gerber via @lisagerber on Twitter  —  OKC (Oklahoma City): Bricktown – ride boat, bowling and eat at Red Pin, or eat at Zio’s.  [See] Myriad Botanical Garden and Crystal Bridge Conservatory.

***  From Anne-Sophie Redisch via @SophieR on Twitter  — Children’s Cowboy Corral and interactive kids area [at National Cowboy Museum.) Got a kids’ website, too: https://cowboykids.nationalcowboymuseum.org. Indians, cowboys, rodeos….what’s not to like for kids.

***  From Sandra Sims via @sandrasims on Twitter  — I’ve always enjoyed Turner Falls in Davis OK. Great hiking and cold spring water for a swim!

***  From Robert Reid via @reidontravel on Twitter  — I grew up with talking buffalo at wonderful Woolaroc: https://www.woolaroc.org [Museum and Wildlife Preserve in Bartlesville.]

***  From Pam Baggett via @pambaggett on Twitter  — Area north of downtown OKC called The Paseo, the arts district, about 2 blocks of 20s & 30s Mediterranean facades. Artist studios & shops. Annual art event [there every] Memorial Day weekend called The Paseo Arts Festival. Children’s dance troupe performs Paseo weekend. Just remembered the miniature replica of Will Rogers home somewhere between Tulsa & Nowata. True name. [Also] I still remember trips to Turner Falls from when I was a kid. And that was a long time ago!

***  From Thomas P. Jones via @FreeWine on Twitter  — My favorite family trips are kayaking in Broken Bow, OK and Tahlequah, OK, or swimming at Turner Falls in Davis, OK.

***  From United Linen via @UnitedLinen on Twitter  — One of the best family things to do in OK is WOOLAROC in Bartlesville.

***  From Dara Quackenbush via @dquack on Twitter  — [My husband and biz colleague] Doug French went to the Cowboy Museum in OKC on his way back from Missouri. Just raved about it.

***  From Carmen Hill via @carmenhill on Twitter  —  Oklahoma City’s exotic animal park: https://www.tigersafari.us.

….And now, a massive effort by Becky McCray via @BeckyMcCray on Twitter (disclosure – she’s my business partner for Tourism Currents and also works on tourism issues with Oklahoma’s regional “Red Carpet Country” organization….)

The Honorary Northwest Oklahoma Twitter Tour Guide

***  Take the whole family swimming in the Gage, OK, pool.  It’s spring fed, with a sand bottom – https://redcarpetcountry.com/county-ellis.  Kids love to throw cow chips during the Beaver Cow Chip contest – https://www.beaveroklahoma.net. [There are] dinosaurs in the Oklahoma Panhandle.

Continue reading “Family travel in Oklahoma”
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50 State Series

Family travel in Rhode Island

rhode-island-4th-of-july-parade-in-bristol-courtesy-oceanstater-on-flickr-ccEvery Tuesday until we run out of states, I plan to post about family-friendly vacation ideas, attractions and events in each one of the US states, taking input mostly from Twitter and Facebook.

Yes, I know how to search for travel ideas on a destination or attraction Web site, but a tweet or a Facebook Wall recommendation is a much more engaging and public way to spread the word.

Please don’t email suggestions to me; that’s nice but it is one-to-one communication. Tweet me and/or Facebook me, so that all of our networks can see what’s cool about your state.

We’re going in alphabetical order but started with the end, so our first state for the series was Wyoming, then we investigated Wisconsin , West Virginia , Washington, Virginia, Vermont, Utah, Texas, Tennessee, South Dakota, South Carolina and now we’re moving on to….Rhode Island!

I couldn’t find their state tourism organization on Twitter or on Facebook.

When I asked for ideas, here’s what came in….

Twitter Travel Tips for Rhode Island

***  From Donna Tuttle via @WriteOnTime on Twitter  —  Proud to be identified as a RI girl. Beaver Tail Beach is amazing. Also, grab a bag of clamcakes in Narragansett and sit on the beach, watch sunset. [Try these RI foods] Coffee syrup, spinach pies, Caserta pizza, grinders, cabinets, jimmies….

***  From Meg Keough via @BackpackToBuggy on Twitter  — WaterFire https://www.waterfire.org in Providence!

***  From Mike Redbord via @redbord on Twitter  — Block Island! Particularly Mansion Beach is a great family beach. If people need lifeguards, State Beach is just down the road.

***  From Shane Donaldson via @Shane_Donaldson on Twitter  —  In downtown Newport, there are the Newport Gulls, a summer college baseball team. Fun atmosphere, low cost. https://www.newportgulls.com

***  From Eric via @NewEnglandInfo on Twitter  —  We have family-friendly RI travel suggestions at https://www.visitingnewengland.com/newengland-rhodeisland.html.

***  From Dominique King via @midwestguest on Twitter — Newport, RI also home to several old houses of worship–one of the more interesting might be Touro Synagogue = oldest synagogue in US. Taking the short synagogue tour at Touro might be interesting for an older child near bar or bat mitzvah. Gansett Cruises – harbor cruises out of Newport (https://www.gansettcruises.com) – the mid-day version includes ice cream & Del’s Frozen Lemonade….we did the sunset version ourselves-great tour and opp for lighthouse photos.

***  From Michelle Riggen-Rans via @mriggen on Twitter  — This is the best family guide to RI around: https://kidoinfo.com/ri Will be happy to provide feedback.

Continue reading “Family travel in Rhode Island”