Tag: facebook

Family travel in Oregon

Every 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.

Their state tourism organization is on Twitter at @TravelOregon and they’re on Facebook at the Travel Oregon Facebook page. They also have a blog and the Go See Oregon community of travelers.

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

Twitter Travel Tips for Oregon

*** From Jamie Pearson via @TravelSavvyMom on Twitter — Our kids dug the High Desert Museum in Bend: otters, bobcats and rattlesnakes. Plus creepy docents in period costumes. Fun!

*** From the tourism folks for the Eugene, Cascades and Coast regions via @TravelLaneCo on Twitter — Willamette Pass-Oakridge area: second-tallest waterfall in Oregon, mountain bike capital of the Northwest, mountain gondola, ski/sled in winter, Waldo Lake.

*** From Pam Mandel via @nerdseyeview on Twitter — Crater Lake! Crater Lake! Crater Lake! Crazy blue, boat ride to Wizard Island. What I’m sayin’ is this: CRATER LAKE. [I think Pam has strong feelings about this.]

*** From The Little Fluffy Cat via @LittleFluffyCat on Twitter — [I’m] not an Oregonian, but we loved this place: Lincoln City Glass Center. Kids as young as 8 can blow glass w/artisans! In Tillamook….small, but inexpensive and full of great creative vibes: Latimer Quilt and Textile Center.

*** [In a demonstration of cross-country tourism support….] From the Virginia State Parks via @VAStateParks on Twitter — The drive east along the Columbia Gorge has great waterfalls with easy access. One of my Oregon faves.

Tags 50 State Family Travel Series, facebook, family, kids, Oregon, Pacific Northwest, social media, Travel in the USA, Twitter, US, west coast

Family travel in Wisconsin

Post author By Bogdan
Post date April 21, 2015
6 Comments on Family travel in Wisconsin

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 starting with the end, so our first state for the series was Wyoming and now we’re moving on to….Wisconsin!

The Badger State tourism folks aren’t on Twitter or Facebook yet (so you Wisconsin-ites might want to give ’em a nudge!) but I did find the Madison, Wisconsin tourism office on Twitter at @Visit_Madison.

The waterpark-heavy Wisconsin Dells are on Twitter – @WisDells – and cheeseheads can rejoice because so is the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board with @WisCheese.

Racine and the Wisconsin Dells are on Facebook.

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

Twitter Travel Tips for Wisconsin

From Tom Pearson via @tom_pearson on Twitter — “Peninsula State Park, Door County….easy hikes, observation tower, golf, bike/scooter rentals – good times. Scroll down this Door County site to see [October] Fall Festival – BIG weekend up there. You gotta check out Al Johnson’s Swedish rest. in Sister Bay – grass roof with goats on it to keep it in check. Major tourist attraction. Also [The Cherry Train on Washington Island] – ferry ride over, cool train tour + [at the end of tour, for the adults] a shot of angostura bitters at the Prohibition-cheating Nelsen’s Hall.”

From @WisCheese via Twitter — “[Dairy to visit] Babcock is a favorite – Delicious fresh cheese you can watch being made and famous ice cream! https://foodsci.wisc.edu/store.”

From Kathy and Travis Nelson via @EngagingIreland and @Kathy_SixEight on Twitter — “This page has lots of family fun ideas in & near the Mad City of Madison. Has anyone mentioned Circus World Museum in Baraboo (my hometown?) [Nope, but I found it. Thanks, Kathy.] “

From Ellen at @neithernor on Twitter — “Jelly Belly Factory in Pleasant Prairie; Paul Bunyan’s restaurant in Minocqua; can’t go wrong w/ Milwaukee Public Museum.”

From Rob Gardner via @LocalFamily on Twitter — “Go to Monroe WI [in Green County] about hour from Madison. The whole town’s great; watch them make cheese at Roth Käse.”

From Jeanine Barone via @JCreatureTravel on Twitter — “I love Door County; perfect for bicycling on quiet roads. This site has family fun section: https://www.doorcounty.com/plan/ideas/family-fun.aspx.”

From the Wisconsin Dells via @WisDells on Twitter — “Activities that are always a hit are WI Deer Park or Timbavati Wildlife Park at Storybook Gardens. Kids can pet & feed the animals. [Here’s a list of Dells animal-related attractions.] On Jun 20, 2009: Waterslide-athon at Noah’s Ark Waterpark benefits Ronald McDonald House Charities®. Kids help other kids.”

Facebook Travel Tips for Wisconsin

I didn’t really get much feedback on Facebook for this state (other than the same Dells links that I listed above.)

From the BootsnAll Travel Network: Family-Themed Day Trips Around Milwaukee

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

Send your “Wild and Wonderful” 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 to also encourage tourism organizations to learn more about connecting with their visitors using social media and online networks.

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

Tags 50 State Family Travel Series, advice, Badger State, children, facebook, family, holidays, ideas, kids, Midwest, road trip, social media, tips, Travel in the USA, Twitter, vacations, Web 2.0, Wisconsin

50 State Series USA

Family travel in Montana

We took a long hiatus while I worked on my social media for tourism startup, but 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 plus the territories, taking input mostly from Twitter and Facebook.

Yes, I know how to search for travel ideas on a destination or attraction website, 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, Nevada, Nebraska and now we’re moving on to…Montana!

The state has a foothold on all the major social media channels: they’re on Twitter as @VisitMontana, they have a Montana tourism Facebook Page, a active Montana YouTube channel and a nice Flickr Group for Montana photos.

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

Twitter Travel Tips for Montana

*** From Lisa Bergren via @TheWorldCalls on Twitter – Bigfork is a picturesque, historic lake town with a kid-friendly Summer playhouse, condos on the bay, water sports. #Montana Also just posted a family-friendly hike in Glacier Park: https://theworldiscalling.com/2010/05/family-hike-to-grinnell-lake

*** From Heidi O’Brien via @IKnowHelena on Twitter – A great family event in Helena, Montana – Outdoor Fest. At the bottom of this page there are some good winter family activities in Helena.

*** From Terry Starbucker via @Starbucker on Twitter – Here’s one: Glacier National Park, Going to the Sun Road. Simply awesome. 2nd place, a boat ride on Flathead Lake… 🙂

*** From Pam Mandel via @NerdsEyeView on Twitter – Do you have the totally fab Red Bus Tour in Glacier National Park?

*** From Framework Meetings via @frameworkmtgs on Twitter – Lots of Montana fun for families at https://bit.ly/cvGAsn and https://bit.ly/9NLt1 (it’s on its own island!)

*** From Stacy via @happilylost on Twitter – Glacier National Park. Super family friendly and gorgeous!

**** From Jessica Downing via @jessdowning on Twitter – Check @skiwhitefish for alpine slides, zip lines & affordable lodging close to Glacier in MT!

*** From Marci Diehl via @writerdiehl on Twitter – We loved Whitefish, MT & their open air crafts market. The Walk In the Cedars at Glacier Nat’l Park was easy for our 3 yr old.

Facebook Travel Tips for Montana

*** From Lanora Mueller on Facebook – Fairmont Hot Springs Resort in Anaconda, Montana, is a great place for families with kids. We stayed in a friend’s timeshare there when my daughter was about 11. The hot spring pools are open 24 hours for guests, and there’s a waterslide for a bit of extra excitement.

There are many nearby educational activities too. We did a tour of Butte, including the wonderful old homes of the copper barons, the Mineral Museum at Montana Tech, the World Museum of Mining, and the Berkeley Pit. On Main Street in Philipsburg, we panned for sapphires and watched taffy being made.

We also did a fair amount of hiking and fishing. It was a memorable family trip. I have a little article on Suite101 about the resort: https://montana-travel.suite101.com/article.cfm/soak_your_cares_away_in_fairmont_hot_springs

*** From (Navy doctor and old friend of mine, now in Afghanistan) Tim Quast on Facebook – Sheila – never actually been here, but it’s on my list of places to visit. Renting a caboose on the periphery of Glacier National Park at the Izaak Walton Inn. https://www.izaakwaltoninn.com. One day, I’ll get there, either in summer or for cross country skiing in the winter.

Thanks so much for the contributions, everyone!

The BootsnAll Travel Network has some Montana travel articles as well.

The next state in the series is Missouri.

Send your Missouri 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 Montana suggestions in the comments below, if we’ve missed anything. Thanks!

Tags 50 State Family Travel Series, advice, blogs, Carnival of Cities, facebook, family, Glacier National Park, holidays, ideas, kids, Montana, road trip, social media, tips, tourism, travel, Travel in the USA, Twitter, vacation

50 State Series USA

Family travel in Nebraska

Post author By Bogdan
Post date April 6, 2013
10 Comments on Family travel in Nebraska

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.

They are doing a solid job with social media: @NebraskaTourism represents that state on Twitter, they have a Facebook Fan Page, they share videos on their YouTube channel and they’re perfect for road trips with tons of scenic drive podcasts.

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

Twitter Travel Tips for Nebraska

*** From Theresa via @SixSuitcaseTrav on Twitter – Have always loved hiking in Fontenelle Forest in Bellevue, NE. The Omaha Children’s Museum is great place for kids. Good times for all and membership worthy. Check out the Arbor Day farm in Nebraska City, NE home of the Arbor Day Foundation, tour includes a free tree seedling. A must visit is the Henry Doorly Zoo and a stop by Zestos for the best malts in the world!

*** From Anne Szustek via @the59thStBridge on Twitter – Omaha has some great vintage clothing shops [appeals to tweens, teens.]

*** From Kayt Sukel via @TravelSavvyKayt on Twitter – Lincoln NE has a really cute Children’s Museum: https://bit.ly/AIekL. And I’ve heard good things about the zoo: https://bit.ly/tSl2K

*** From Sarah V. via @Wandering_Off on Twitter – Omaha: Strategic Air & Space Museum is fun! Joslyn Art Museum also good.

Facebook Travel Tips for Nebraska

*** From Linda Wolfgram Kramer on Facebook – Something I came across that looks interesting: at Fort Robinson State Park, you can sleep in a “cabin” crafted from the fort’s old enlisted or officers’ quarters.

A friend who lives in Nebraska highly recommends Railroad Days, which take place in Omaha and across the river in Council Bluffs, Iowa. She liked it enough to write five blog posts for me about it: https://minnemom.com/2008/08/03/railroad-days-5-great-stops-2-days-10/

*** From Bill Genereux on Facebook – Right now is the best time to see the sandhill cranes along the Platte. Amazing to see! https://www.nebraskatravels.com/sandhill-crane-migration.html

Homestead National Monument, near Beatrice. https://www.nps.gov/home/index.htm

Fort Robinson is where Crazy Horse was when he was killed. Must see Cabelas in Sidney or Kearney. Speaking of Kearney, the Platte River Monument is worth a visit.

Pioneer Village in Minden used to be a cool place but I dunno how well it’s been maintained. It’s been years. I want to take my kids sometime though.

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo https://bit.ly/taYGU and the Strategic Air & Space Museum, Ashland https://bit.ly/cOA2GP

According to a friend, Omaha also has a children’s museum, railroad museum, Kansas City Royals minor league team, downtown slides, riverwalk, carriage rides. I’ve been wanting to take my family to Omaha for a while, but we haven’t gotten it done.

*** From Jeanne Cole on Facebook – Minden NE has a really awesome museum with so many things to see you can’t do it in a single day! I called Pioneer Village, here is the link https://www.pioneervillage.org/ and, yes I have personally been there for two days! Our classic car group took a road trip to Minden in late 2005. Probably time to go back!

*** From Kay Bell on Facebook – Minor league baseball! Rosenblatt Stadium is home of the College World Series (https://www.cwsomaha.com/); I got to attend some of the CWS games the summer I spent in Omaha. The rest of the summer Rosenblatt Stadium is home to the Omaha Royals, the Triple-A affiliate (top level of minor league ball) of the Kansas City Royals since the Royals joined the American League in 1969. https://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/index.jsp?sid=t541

Thanks so much for the contributions, everyone!

The BootsnAll Travel Network has an Omaha, Nebraska Travel Guide as well.

The next state in the series is Montana.

Send your Montana 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.)

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

Tags 50 State Family Travel Series, 50 state series, advice, facebook, family, holidays, ideas, kids, Nebraska, Omaha, social media, tips, travel, Travel in the USA, Twitter, vacation

50 State Series

Family travel in Pennsylvania

Post author By Bogdan
Post date August 5, 2012
8 Comments on Family travel in Pennsylvania

Every 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.

I was inundated this week by social media-savvy Pennsylvania folks and their input….hurray!

Their state tourism organization is on Twitter at @PATourismPR (update – and for more visitor info see @VisitPA.) They aren’t on They are on Facebook at the VisitPA Facebook page, and so is Pennsylvania State Parks.

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

Twitter Travel Tips for Pennsylvania

*** From Philadelphia Tourism via @VisitPhilly on Twitter — I brought my nephew to Smith’s Play Place in Philly’s Fairmount Park. Tricycles in Smithville were a hit! Smith: The Kid’s Play Place in the Park. Also brought brought my nephews to Please Touch Museum (recently reopened.)

*** From Kimberley Kradel via @ArtistAtLarge on Twitter — Don’t know if it’s still a favorite, but when I was a kid in West PA, my favorite was a day at Kennywood on the old roller coasters! [Yes, it is still there!]

*** From Wendy Perrin via @WendyPerrin on Twitter — My 3 boys’ fave family-friendly event in PA is “A Day Out With Thomas [the Tank Engine]” in Strasburg https://www.strasburgpa.com. We go every September.

*** From Kayt Sukel via @TravelSavvyKayt on Twitter — Love the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh. Also partial to Kennywood amusement park.

*** From the Philadelphia Federal Reserve via @PhiladelphiaFed on Twitter — Check out the Philadelphia Fed’s free lobby exhibit “Money-in-Motion.” Next to the Constitution Center: https://www.philadelphiafed.org/education/money-in-motion.

*** From Kristin at Visit Pittsburgh via @Kristin_VstPgh on Twitter — Pittsburgh has great family friendly attractions. Visit https://www.visitpittsburgh.com.

*** From Bill Church via @BillChurch64 on Twitter — Steelers camp (now open,) Latrobe, historic Kennywood Amusement Park, Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh inclines, Daffins Candy, Sharon.

*** From Kim Haynes Hollenshead via @Kim_Hollenshead on Twitter — Can you add a tour of Herr Foods in Nottingham PA? https://www.herrs.com/SnackFactoryTours.html Nothing’s better than a hot/fresh chip!

Tags 50 State Family Travel Series, advice, facebook, family, Family Travel in Pennsylvania, holidays, ideas, kids, marketing, PA, Pennsylvania, road trip, social media, tips, top-feature, tourism, Travel in the USA, Twitter, vacation

50 State Series USA

Family travel in Missouri

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 plus the territories, taking input mostly from Twitter and Facebook.

Yes, I know how to search for travel ideas on a destination or attraction website, 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.

The state is busy on all the major social media channels: they have multiple fun and engaging Twitter voices including @VisitMissouri plus @MoTravelMama, @MOTravelGuy, @MOPhotoGirl, @KatiesTrail, @MissMOitAll (awesome name!) and fishing updates from @VisitMOFish. There is a Missouri tourism Facebook Page, a nice blog called The VisitMO Bistro and plenty of photos in @MOPhotoGirl’s Missouri Flickr pool.

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

Twitter Travel Tips for Missouri

*** From Sarah V. via @Wandering_Off on Twitter – I’m originally from MO! Columbia is a great college town. St. Louis Zoo is phenomenal & free. Also, STL art museum.

*** From Sharlene via @DoubleAdventure on Twitter – Loved Main Street in St Charles when I was there earlier this month. And of course the arch.

*** From MoTravelMama via @MoTravelMama on Twitter – St. Louis offers many free attractions in Forest Park including an amazing zoo, history and art museum and science center. Kansas City also has a lot of free attractions: Money Museum, Kaleidoscope, Hallmark Visitors Center, great shopping and food. Branson ideas: Dixie Stampede, Silver Dollar City, Acrobats of China, Butterfly Palace, Titanic & Branson Landing, perfect for fams. Hannibal is a great family town. 4th of July is a great time there, Mark Twain Cave, Paddle Boat, Twain Home & downtown shopping.

(Can you tell she’s the Director of Communications for Missouri tourism?)

(cont.) Lake of the Ozarks has great family resorts, indoor/outdoor waterparks, shopping, water sports, mini golf and go-karts, and more! Jefferson City is has the State Capitol Building with museum, historic prison tour, Central Dairy Ice Cream, conservation center. St. Joseph is full of historical treasures. Pony Express , Patee House, Jesse James Home, Glore Psychiatric & Black Archive Museum. Hwy. 36 is the Way of American Genius. Disney, JC Penney, John Pershing, Mark Twain, Jesse James all lived along this highway. Springfield has a great Discovery Center, Jump Mania, Dickerson Park Zoo, Fantastic Caverns, Candy House & many historic theaters.

*** From Miss Dazey via @Miss_Dazey on Twitter – George Washington Carver National Park….families can learn history, explore science, hike and much more https://nps.gov/gwca/index.htm Precious Moments Chapel, Carthage, MO (town is neat too) https://preciousmoments.com/content.cfm/park_chapel

*** From MASchweers via @MASchweers on Twitter – in St Louis – the Steam Ship Arabia…rather interesting.

*** From Andrea Torres via @AustinAndrea on Twitter – Never been, but my Missouri friends all reminisce about Silver Dollar City in Branson.

*** From Jared James via @count_01 on Twitter – Consider Elephant Rocks State Park, down in southeast MO, not too far from Ste Genevieve, which is itself worthy of mention.

*** From Allie Dillon via @AllieDillon on Twitter – Powell Gardens, 30m east of KC, MO on Hwy50. “Great place to grow family memories.” My sister loves this place. @powellgardens

*** From St. Joseph, Missouri via @StJoMo on Twitter – Visit the Pony Express Museum; all exhibits kid friendly including Play Area just for kids. www.ponyexpress.org St. Jo (MO) boasts 13 museums & 50+ listings on Nat’l Register of Historic Places (2000+properties) https://dld.bz/eQ6s This summer cool down at the St. Joseph Aquatic Park: enclosed water slides, lazy river & zero degree entry https://bit.ly/bFE4te Help celebrate the opening & dedication of the four-lane US Hwy 36 across the State of Missouri https://bit.ly/ddNGGL Remington Nature Center sits on the banks of the Mighty MO. Lots of kid-friendly attractions and activities https://bit.ly/cbOLlt

*** From Matt Flener via @mattflener on Twitter – Try fitz’s root beer in st. louis…great root beer fun! https://www.fitzsrootbeer.com Also if you like outdoor adventures…try devil’s ice box in columbia, mo https://www.mostateparks.com/rockbridge/cave.htm

*** From Mike via @VistaVision on Twitter – Kids like Lambert’s Cafe, Sikeston, Mo., where they throw much of the meal at you. https://bit.ly/aZ8G9r

*** From Jacqueline Conrad via @jhandleyconrad on Twitter – St Louis Zoo (excellent, well known and free,) Cardinal Baseball Game, Grants Farm, Lake of the Ozarks (huge,beautiful lake with tons to do.)

Facebook Travel Tips for Missouri

*** From Dara Quackenbush on Facebook – Visit Chillicothe, the home of sliced bread. While you’re there, go to the Hy-Vee and get a tenderloin sandwich. Evidently, it’s THE thing to do. 😉

*** From Jen Miner on Facebook – Kansas City! The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.

*** From Michel Hudson on Facebook – The University of Missouri in Columbia has a bunch of museums with a wide variety of things – all for free admission. Here’s a link to a page with current info: https://mizzouwire.missouri.edu/stories/2010/summer-fun/index Oh, and the Buck’s Ice Cream mentioned on that page is REALLY good – made on campus by one of their colleges.

*** From Todd Randall Jordan on Facebook – Missouri History Museum has large schedule of events – https://www.stlouiskidsmagazine.com/story/ice-cream-and-other-stories-history-museum

Get the Scoop: July 16 and 17 – Did you know the ice cream cone has a connection to 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis? Come learn about the history of this delicious dessert.

Aunt Katie’s Visit: July 23 and 24 – In 1990, local author Katie Rodriguez Banister survived an auto accident that left her paralyzed from the chest down. In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, she will read her book Aunt Katie’s Visit. She will also demonstrate some assistive technology.

Backyard Buddies: July 30 and 31– Listen to the adventures of the critters found in your own backyard.

And more throughout August. ‎

Thanks so much for the contributions, everyone!

The BootsnAll Travel Network has some Missouri travel articles as well.

The next state in the series is Mississippi.

Send your Mississippi 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.)

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

Tags 50 State Family Travel Series, advice, blogs, facebook, family, holidays, ideas, kids, Midwest Road Trip: Missouri, Missouri, road trip, social media, tips, tourism, travel, Travel in the USA, Twitter, vacation

50 State Series

Family travel in Wyoming

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 alphabetical but starting with the end, so our first state for the series is….Wyoming!

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

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

Twitter Travel Tips for Wyoming

*** From @WyomingTourism via Twitter — “Howdy! Kids have got to go to the dinosaur center in Thermopolis and the interactive transportation museum in Cheyenne. Both of these towns have other museums and stuff to fill a day. And, of course, no life is complete without Yellowstone and Devils Tower. And the forts are cool – one on the way to the other stuff no matter which way you go…Ft Bridger in the SW, Ft Laramie in the SE…Ft Phil Kearny, Ft Caspar and Ft Fetterman in the middle. And outlaw stuff in the Territorial Prison in Laramie.”

*** From Kristin Farwell via @kfarwell on Twitter — “Besides Yellowstone (a given), my favorite camping/driving spot in northwest Wyoming is Sunlight Basin/Chief Joseph [Scenic] Highway.”

*** From Peggy Coonley via @PeggyCoonley on Twitter — “Grand Teton National Park Ranger programs, Snake River raft trip, hikes in the Laurance Rockefeller [Preserve, which is part of the Tetons and newly-opened to the public.]”

*** From Jeanine Barone via @JCreatureTravel on Twitter — “How about Devils Tower Nat’l Monument. It was in the Close Encounters of the Third Kind movie. https://www.nps.gov/deto/“

*** (Addenda, should have been in original post) — From @CiaoBambino via Twitter, a recommendation for the Spring Creek Ranch in Jackson Hole. “Check for special deals there, especially in this economy” she says.)

Facebook Travel Tips for Wyoming

*** From Angela K. Nickerson via Facebook — “Oh, I love Wyoming! Of course, Yellowstone is fab (especially in May and Sept). The cabins are reasonably priced, too. We love the ones at Mammoth Hot Springs. Thermopolis is really fun — hot springs and waterslides, great with kids. The drive through the Bear Tooth Pass is one of the most breathtaking you will ever experience! Truly magical!”

*** From my own sister-in-law Janice via Facebook — “We loved Cody, Wyoming and Yellowstone. Don’t ask [brother-in-law] Dave about the bear, though.” (from Sheila – Whoa! For tips see this Squidoo lens on bear safety.)

And from the regular old Web:

*** A whole family travel page on the Wyoming tourism Web site.

*** Our own BootsnAll Travel Network has Mike Jamison’s Wyoming Ghost Towns Travel Guide.

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

Send your Badger State 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, to also encourage tourism organizations to learn more about connecting with their visitors using social media and online networks.

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

Tags 50 State Family Travel Series, facebook, family travel, holidays, ideas, kids, road trip, social media, tips, Travel in the USA, Twitter, vacation, Web 2.0, Wyoming

50 State Series USA

Family travel in New Mexico

Post author By Bogdan
Post date November 12, 2011
6 Comments on Family travel in New Mexico

I took a 50 state series hiatus there for awhile, but we’re back!

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.

Their state tourism organization is on Twitter at @NMTourism. I found a Facebook Fan Page for New Mexico but I’m not certain that it is controlled by the state’s tourism office (they should fill out the front page bio to confirm that.) There’s a Flickr Group Pool for New Mexico, but no YouTube channel, although I did find Albuquerque tourism on YouTube.

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

Twitter Travel Tips for New Mexico

*** From Elmer Boutin via @rehor on Twitter: I love Ruidoso and Cloudcroft, NM. Carlsbad Caverns is fun, too. Deming is a great little town, though not really a touristy place.

*** From Debbie Dubrow via @DeliciousBaby on Twitter: Explora Science Museum in Albuquerque has tons of hands-on fun. (More on ABQ and New Mexico on this page of her site and here is her Santa Fe info.)

*** From Donna L. Hull via @DonnaLHull on Twitter: You might consider El Morro National Monument for your New Mexico blog post.

*** From Betsy Drager via @BetsyDrager on Twitter: Christmas at Taos Pueblo is awesome; brings all peoples together.

*** From Rachel Farris via @MeanRachel on Twitter: White Sands, museum of the horse in Riudoso, hiking in the Lincoln National Forest, Casa de Patron B&B in Lincoln-Billy the Kid town!

*** From Kara S. Williams via @karasw on Twitter: Santa Fe Children’s Museum has loads of hands-on exhibits. Climbing into cliff dwellings at Bandelier Natl Monument – fun for kids.

Facebook Travel Tips for New Mexico

*** From Marilyn McCray on Facebook — New Mexico has so much for families. Start with the pueblos….

Tags 50 State Family Travel Series, facebook, family, holidays, ideas, kids, New Mexico, NM, road trip, social media, Travel in the USA, Twitter, vacations

50 State Series

Family travel in Virginia

Every Tuesday (this week we’re a day late – sorry!) 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 , West Virginia , Washington and now we’re moving on to….Virginia!

These guys are HOPPIN’ online — you can find their state tourism organization on Twitter at @VisitVirginia plus @VATourismPR, and here is the Virginia travel and tourism Facebook page.

Their state parks folks are on Twitter at @VAStateParks. There is also a Virginia tourism YouTube channel, the Virginia Flickr pool and a whole site for Virginia Green Travel.

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

Twitter Travel Tips for Virginia

From Dwight Silverman via @dsilverman on Twitter — [Virginia Beach’s] Capt. George’s Seafood Buffet is good for kids. Huge amounts of good food; my sister calls it “Capt. Gorge”. She lives in VA Beach.

From Nancy Schretter via @KidTravel on Twitter — Virginia’s my home state. Two of my favorite VA parks for families are Lake Anna and Smith Mountain Lake. They’re fabulous!

From Jenna Schnuer via @JennaSchnuer on Twitter — Here’s one of my favorites – and definitely a great family travel spot. Link is to my WorldHum piece about [the Clinch Mountain’s Carter Family Fold dance hall, with old-time country and bluegrass music] The Most Joyous Place in the World.

From @jayne52 on Twitter — My favorite place: Arlington National Cemetery, so moving, & historical Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Kennedy gravesite esp. at holidays.

From Char Polanosky via @charpolanosky on Twitter — Williamsburg, Busch Gardens, Great Wolf Lodge, Water Country USA make for a great family vacation in VA.

Tags 50 State Family Travel Series, advice, D.C., facebook, family, fun family vacations, Great Stuff for Kids: Virginia, Great Stuff for Kids: Washington, ideas, kids, social media, tips, Travel in the USA, Twitter, VA, Virginia

50 State Series

Family travel in West Virginia

Post author By Bogdan
Post date April 28, 2011
8 Comments on Family travel in West Virginia

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 starting with the end, so our first state for the series was Wyoming, then we investigated Wisconsin and now we’re moving on to….West Virginia!

The state tourism office isn’t on Twitter or Facebook yet (so you West Virginia folks might want to give ‘em a nudge!) Since their new state slogan is “Open for Business” (a branding move, basically) they should consider reaching out to possible visitors, plus their own residents, with social networking tools.

Hey, even small town and rural people are definitely on Twitter.

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

Twitter Travel Tips for West Virginia

From the Elk Horn Inn (here’s their personal blog) via @ElkHornInn on Twitter — ATVing in southern WV; trout fishing in Elkhorn Creek; Oct. Sky Fest (in honor of the October Sky book and movie – the author was from here) in Coalwood, Pipestem Tram, trainspotting, Gary Bowling’s for music…(note from Sheila – here’s a touching video about Gary’s by West Virginia-based writer/editor/singer Douglas Imbrogno – I love discoveries!)

From Chris Bailey via @Chris_Bailey on Twitter — Near and dear to my heart..Stonewall Jackson Heritage Arts and Crafts Jubilee (Labor Day weekend) 2 miles from my boyhood house..must visit New River Gorge.

From Monica Benoit Beatty via @MonicaBB on Twitter — Berkeley Springs WV fun place to swim for kids. Geo Washington’s bathtub‘s there. He was a small dude if he fit in it! (note from Sheila – when we chatted in person this past week, Monica also mentioned the Martinsburg Roundhouse Center, a B&O Railroad attraction.)

From @mechteach via Twitter — Canaan Valley/Blackwater Falls nice in summer/winter, many activities, lots of VRBO/HomeAway rental houses around too.

From Carla via @redyelllow on Twitter — Did you already get [whitewater] rafting on the Gauley or New Rivers? (got it!)

From Peggy via @PeggyCoonley on Twitter — W.Virginia annual Scottish Festival & Celtic Gathering https://www.scots-westvirginia.org

Finally, from the BootsnAll Travel Network — booking West Virginia campgrounds and a first-hand report on whitewater rafting.

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

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.

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

Tags 50 State Family Travel Series, adventure, advice, facebook, family, fun family holidays, ideas, kids, outdoor, road trip, social media, tips, tourism, Travel in the USA, Twitter, vacation, West Virginia, WV