6 Great National Parks You've Never Heard Of

August 25th is the next National Park Service free admission day. Where will you spend it?  Like most people, you probably think of national parks as grand vistas and natural wonders like Yellowstone, Yosemite or the Grand Canyon. You could head out to one of the biggies with a couple thousand other people, or you could try one of these lesser known, family friendly parks that are sure to spark your kids' imaginations.

(Can't make it August 25th?  Here's a list of all Free Entrance Days in 2015.)

Photo Credit: All the photos in this post are from the NPS websites.

Saratoga National Historical Park, Stillwater, New York

Located in beautiful upstate New York, this park commemorates one of the most important battles of the Revolutionary War. My kids loved dressing up in period dress in the "try on tent" and other activities at the visitor center and they were fascinated by the living history actors. Use the mobile app or listen to the cell phone or MP3 tours as you drive from one point of interest to another. Try the new Wilkinson Trail Kids MP3 tour-it's narrated by kids for kids! On your way home, climb the 188 steps of the obelisk known as the Saratoga Monument, located 8 miles north of the battlefield and get a bird's eye view of the area.

Most days in the summer you can find living history displays and actors. On Tuesdays throughout August, the park enhances the experience with music from the Revolutionary period. Look for the Ticonderoga Fife and Drum Corps on August 25th.

In addition to a great Junior Ranger program, Boy and Girl Scouts can earn a special patch for completing a series of activities.

Lowell National Historic Park, Lowell, Massachusetts

Ok, I'll be honest here. I was excited to check out this park but I was fully expecting about 2 hours of "are we done yet?" from the kids. After all, a park dedicated to the Industrial Revolution? What kid is going to enjoy that? Well, start with the Industrial Revolution, add a fun hands on area for younger kids, a trolley tour through town, a moving loom, an engaging Junior Ranger program that is easy to complete in an afternoon visit, a canal boat tour and an animated park ranger with a classic Massachusetts accent and you've got yourself an experience your kids will be talking about for months to come.

Trolley tours are given daily at 2:30, but sign up early. Canal boat tours are offered 4 times daily in the summer only. A fee does apply to the canal boat tours.

San Juan National Historic Park, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Yes! There is a National Park in Puerto Rico! This huge complex includes the fortifications of San Cristobal, San Filipe del Morro, as well as the San Juan gate and the city fortifications. It is easy to understand why this site has also been designated a World Heritage site. Think tunnels, turrets, towers, dungeons, and exploring maze-like halls and passages. Dress up as a pirate, soldier or lady at the Discovery Center. My kids loved exploring the fort and playing pirate so much that we spent several hours here even on a very hot and humid day. The memories continued even after we returned home as the kids have been able to spot the forts featured in some of their favorite movies and shows like "Agents of Shield". It is fun to see them get excited all over again every time they see it.

Ranger led talks happen every hour and are conducted in English and Spanish.

Jewel Cave National Monument, Custer, South Dakota

Located just west of Custer, South Dakota, about an hour from Rapid City, Jewel Cave is the third longest cave in the world. Step into another world and explore some of the 177 miles of this cave system on one of the four tours offered daily. Be sure to sign up for tours in advance. The Discovery Talk tour is recommended for families with small children and is wheelchair (and stroller) accessible. The Scenic and Lantern tours are more strenuous so children 5 and under are not allowed. Remember that parents are not allowed to carry children on the tour and that the cave stays a chilly 49 degrees all year long, so bundle up!

San Francisco National Maritime National Park, San Francisco, California

Located in the heart of Fisherman's Wharf, this museum is easy to miss. Check in at the visitor center at Jefferson and Hyde streets and then head across the pier to one of the eight historic ships at the Hyde Street pier. Try the three masted Balclutha, a steel hulled ship first launched in 1886, or the paddle wheel tug, the Eppleton Hall. There is a ship for every interest. Don't forget to stop in at the Maritime Museum-it's shaped like a boat!

I really like all the support material on the website designed just for kids. So kids can keep on learning even after they have returned home. Look for the kids and youth link for games, activities and the junior ranger program. 

Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial, Put-in-Bay, Ohio
Remember all that stuff you learned in school about the War of 1812? Yeah, neither does anyone else. Your kids won't forget a visit to this National Park, though. First of all, it's on an island. You can only get there by ferry or plane. Second, you can see a black powder demonstration every weekend hourly from 11 am to 5 pm. That's right-they fire flintlock muskets and on some scheduled days they fire a reproduction of a 32 pounder carronade. That's something kids won't forget anytime soon. Then, take the elevator (you will also need to climb some stairs) to the observation deck of the tower that stands 352 feet above Lake Erie. That's taller than the Statue of Liberty!

Be sure to check the operating schedule-the Memorial is only open from mid-May to October. Can't make on NPS free day? Not a problem. This park is always free for kids age 15 and under.

NOTE: Only 127 of the 408 national parks charge an entrance fee. Find a list of all parks participating in Free Entrance Days here.
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5 Great Reasons to Take Your Family to Stuttgart

1. Something for Everyone

Stuttgart has something for everyone to enjoy, but especially for children.  The palace at Ludwigsburg has a storybook garden that kids can spend hours enjoying.  Picture tons of flowers, trails, tunnels, waterfalls, and even Rapunzel’s tower.  For the auto lover, you can choose from the Mercedes-Benz Museum or the Porsche Museum. Spend some time in the butterfly house (insectarium) or in the aquarium at the zoo.  Climb the obstacle course, complete with zip lines, at the Waldhochseilgarten- Freizeitpark.  Cool off in the Aquatoll water park or get a feel of 19^th Century Swabia (the Stuttagrt region) at Tripsdrill theme park. Need a laugh? Try the Pig Museum with 25 rooms of exhibits and special activities for kids and families. Have a picnic and ride the train in the 123 acre Killesbergpark filled with playgrounds, animals, and even an observation tower.

2. Group Rates on Public Transportation

You can get around Stuttgart by train for an amazing price thanks to the Group Day Ticket. The Group Ticket is valid for up to 5 unrelated people traveling at the same time or for a parent or parents traveling with any number of their own children up to age 17.  Prices start as low as €11.50 per day if you are traveling across 1-2 zones and top out at €19 for unlimited travel in the network.  Amazingly, this ticket covers all forms of area transportation including the S-bahn (trains), U-bahn (underground), and buses AND includes transportation to and from the airport. Check out their website  for more information.

3. Kids are Free at many Museums and Attractions

Kids under 15 can get into the Mercedes Benz Museum or the Porsche Museum for free. The Natural History museum is free for kids under 7 or visit Wednesdays after 1pm for free entrance for everyone. Kids under 13 see art from around the world at the Linden Museum for free. Even the hop-on,hop-off city tour allows two children under 15 to ride free with each paying adult. Keep in mind that most museums in Stuttgart are closed on Mondays.

4. Family Passes

Got kids over 15? Don’t worry you can find discounts for families at many attractions. Usually this is good for two adults and one child. The incredible Wilhelmina Zoological and Botanical Gardens  offers a family pass good for all children accompanying their parent.  Family tickets at Ludwigsburg start at €8.80 if you are just visiting one museum or for €32.50 you can visit all the attractions on the grounds (both palaces, museums, gardens and the baroque experience) over two consecutive days. Get a €3 family discount at the Freizeitpark obstacle course for each family member. Look for the words “familien karten” wherever you go.

5. The Food

One of my greatest challenges taking my kids out of the country is getting them to try unfamiliar food. Not a problem here! Street food is everywhere and is exactly the stuff your little "kinder" will eat.  Snacks are especially inexpensive-pretzels for under €1 at most stands, bratwurst and sausages that look like hot dogs, flat breads that look like pizza and dozens of pastries to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters all for around €1-€3. Most train stops and stations have food stands nearby so you don’t have to look far for something to curb your appetite. 

Full Disclosure: What My Travels are REALLY Like

I've had a few comments from friends lately about how they could never take their kids to all the places I have taken mine. They see the (carefully selected) photos on my Facebook page and think that our trips are filled with rainbows and happy children. They think back on their own trips with tired and/or crying children and feel like they have failed at traveling with kids.

While over the years I have developed some habits and systems that make traveling with kids easier, that doesn’t mean my trips are always smooth and easy. In reality, there isn’t a major airport in the US in which I haven’t been spit up on or pooped on.

So in the spirit of full disclosure, here are some of the “highlights” of our travels.

• On a 3 ½ hour flight from ATL to SLC my 11-month old screeched for literally over two hours straight. It was a happy screech, but it was a screech nonetheless. The other passengers were not kind. Not even a little.
• Once while traveling with a toddler and a baby, I put my back pack on the sink of the airport restroom. The top of the backpack was open because I had just gotten some items out of it. While I attended to the baby in the stroller, my open backpack fell into the sink, activated the automatic faucet and began filling the backpack with water. I didn’t notice until it was WAY too late.
• On another long haul domestic flight, my 4 year old threw up. All over. I mean ALL OVER. They had to clean up all three seats we were sitting in. Luckily it was an empty flight and there was an entire row open. So we packed up and moved all our stuff to a new row. Where she threw up again.
• I usually pack my own snacks when we travel. One rare occasion I actually bought a milkshake at the airport and then handed it to a child who immediately spilled it on my carry-on. Somehow, it managed to land upside down in exactly the right way to ooze straight down in in the depression and holes created by the retractable handle on the luggage. How’s that possible?
• I spent the night in the JFK airport with 3 children (and a husband) when nearly every flight was canceled and all the hotels were booked up. Notice I didn’t say that I slept in the airport. Not a lot of sleep happened that night. 
• My children have spilled all kinds of drinks on other passengers. I used to love flying on SkyWest Airlines because they had lids for their cups. I finally got wise and just started asking the flight attendant to put the drinks straight into our sippy cups. Also ask for drinks without ice.
• On a road trip, we were about 30 minutes from home when we noticed that one of our children had absolutely nothing on his feet. Mother of the year right here.
• While on a plane with an infant on my lap, we were actually served a meal. Try balancing food on one of those tray tables while holding an infant. Apparently, balancing was the least of my worries because my 1 year old picked up my salad and threw it into the row in front of us.
• At Disneyland, we only brought one pacifier for our baby. He spit it out on the Dumbo ride right into the water below. Not so much the happiest place on earth after that.
• One trip we had two long flights ahead of us, so I packed a lunch for us. For almost three hours on the first flight, my kids begged for their lunch. I promised them we would eat during our layover. The minute we landed, they wanted to eat.  I wanted to get to our next gate and get settled, so I told them to wait until we got to our gate at the other end of the airport.  As soon as we sat down at the gate, the ravenous wolves were reaching for the lunch bag. That’s when we realized it was still on the airport train. We went back and checked the next four trains for our lunch but it was gone.
• Speaking of leaving things, you name it and  I have left it on a plane, in a hotel, or at home. We’re talking socks, toothbrushes, receiving blankets, clothes, stuffed animals, cameras, cell phones, lunches and even an entire suitcase once.  Luckily, we haven’t left behind any children…yet. 

So are my trips all sunshine and daisies? No, but then neither is everyday life. And just like the sweet moments make the daily grind of child rearing worth it, the great memories of our trips block out the temper tantrums of tired kids, the nasty looks from other passengers, and the back aches from lugging around three kids' stuff. Well…almost.

101 Things to Do in Oakland

On a recent trip to San Francisco, we decided to fly into Oakland on the other side of the bay. I was happy with the choice because Oakland doesn't suffer as heavily from weather delays and I found the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit, or train) commute from the airport to Embarcadero just as convenient, but cheaper.

Here are some great ideas for activities in Oakland if you want to do some exploring before heading towards the seven hills of San Francisco. This list was compiled by Visit Oakland.

 

 

 

Pinching Pennies: 5 Great Ways to Save on Public Transportation

So, you are off to the city for a family vacation. Before you book that car rental, wait! Gas, parking and car rental fees can add up fast. Plus, parking in a city can be a real hassle with kids. Trains, subways and even buses can make getting around with kids a lot cheaper, more convenient and (for the kids) a lot more fun. Let’s face it, sometimes getting there is part of the adventure. When a kid gets in the car, it is the same old routine but a subway is exciting. Using public transportation can give them a sense of adventure and independence. My kids love scanning a subway card and finding the right stop on a map. So leave those car seats at home and take the train, tube, metro, light rail or subway.

Here are five great ways to save money when traveling around any city with kids.

 

1.       Look for a free fare zone

Many cities like to encourage people to come to their shopping and entertainment districts by offering a “free fare zone.” Although some cities, like Portland and Seattle, have recently done away with these zones, you can still find them in many mid-size cities such as Salt Lake City, Pittsburgh and Buffalo.

 

2.       Check Fare and Age requirements

Kids under two ride free on most bus and subway systems, but some cities are generous to even older children. In London, kids 10 and under are free when traveling with a paying adult. The MBTA in Boston offers free rides to kids up to age 12.

 

3.       Check for a group rate or family fare

Save money by buying a group or family ticket. In Munich, two adults and 6 kids or one adult and 8 kids can travel all day for just €11 (look for the Partner Day Ticket).  Salt Lake’s group fare is just $15 for four people.  

 

4.       Look into a day pass or week pass

Most cities offer a day pass or week pass at a significant discount, sometimes for around the same price as 2-3 single ride tickets.  Portland's day pass is a bargain at $5. In Amsterdam, children through age 11 can ride all day for €2.50. Or ride all week in Minneapolis-St. Paul for $22. 

 

Sometimes I like to opt for the day pass even if I think I might just be making a round trip or a few stops. Kids can get tired pretty easy after a long day of sightseeing. I like having the option to just jump on the train or bus to go 2-3 blocks rather than dragging a tired 4 year-old that distance. Plus, even a short ride on the train often rejuvenates little ones and gives them a little more energy to get through that last museum or landmark.

 

Be sure to check the time restrictions on these types of tickets. Some day and week passes go from midnight to midnight, while others are valid from the time you first ride.

 

5.       Ask for a discount

So, the city you are going to doesn’t have a free fare zone, doesn’t let older kids ride free and doesn’t offer a group fare or day passes. Don’t give up yet! Check and see if the transportation system offers a child discount. In Paris, kids 10 and under ride for about half the price of adults. Kids up to age 18 can travel for just $1.25 each trip in Seattle.

If you plan on using the subway or bus system, keep in mind these tips for a smooth ride. Use an umbrella stroller whenever possible. Elevators are few and far between and not always in service. Be honest about following the age and time restrictions. Be sure to research ahead of time because transportation policies can always change and don't be afraid to ask questions. And don't be afraid to let your kids swipe or scan their own tickets. Then just sit back, relax and enjoy the ride!

Keukenhof for Kids

On a visit to Amsterdam, I packed up my husband and kids and sent them into the city while I took a bus out to the famous open air gardens of Keukenhof. Then I spent the next three hours wishing I had brought them with me.  Hidden around every corner was something else for kids to climb over, run through, or play on. Keukenhof is a giant playground for kids!

Here are just a few of my favorite things for kids to do at Keukenhof:

1. Explore a windmill

 

2. Dance in front of the old organ

3. Take a boat ride around the gardens
(about 45 minutes. €8 adults/€4 children/under 3 free)

 

4. Solve the hedge maze

 

5. Eat "poffertjes" at the Small Pancake Pavilion

 

6.  Play in the Miffy playground

 
 

7. Criss-cross the many bridges over the canals

 

 
 

8. Play chess on the giant chess board

9. Walk among the sheep in the petting zoo

 

10. Try on a giant wooden shoe (you know you want to!)

 



 

 

IF YOU GO:
Keukenhof is open March 20-May 18, 2014
Hours: 8:00-19:30, ticket office closes at 18:00

€15 adults/ €7.50 kids 4-11

Plan 3-4 hours, more for older children

Bring jackets, a camera, and a blanket to sit on. Have fun!

Free Museum Day

This Saturday, September 28th marks the ninth annual Museum Day Live! Over 1400 museums, botanical gardens and cultural institutions across the country will offer free admission to mark the occasion. The free museum day is sponsored by Smithsonian Magazine. Although admission is free, tickets are required and there is a limit of two free admissions per household.

Click to download free tickets or find a museum near you.