Christmas is just around the corner and if you are like me, you may need a to find a couple more items to complete your holiday gift giving list but are a bit stumped on just what to give. Since we at Trekaroo love travel, we thought it would be fun to create a list of some fun gifts to give children who share the same passion. These items might help improve a child’s knowledge of the world, help pass the time on a road trip, or just make life on the road more cozy. Here are a few of our favorites for 2011.

Comfy Critters

Best for: Snuggly kids ages 2-12

Price: $19.99 at Comfycritters 

We have all seen those annoying commercials for Pillow Pets and some of us may have even got sucked in to buying one for our kids (myself included), but I think Comfy Critters take the concept of a stuffed animal meets pillow and raises it to a whole new level.  My daughter’s Comfy Critter is an adorable little monkey shaped pillow which unfolds to become a hooded blanket. It is super soft and incredibly cuddly and I may found myself using it on multiple occasions while typing late night blog posts. Maybe. Okay I have! And I can’t wait to “borrow” it for our next plane flight as well! Maybe I need to ask Santa for one of my very own…

Brainstring Advanced

Best for: Kids who love puzzles and brain challenges over the age of 8\

Price: $16.99 at Amazon

Brainstring Advanced is a great travel toy, especially for families who are looking to escape the world of electronics for a couple hours. The concept is simple: sort the colored strings out so there is a solid color on every side to remove the knot in the middle.  The challenge, however, can be quite difficult depending on how complex the game is set up. Recently, Destination Guroo Michelle McCoy had her boys test out the product on a road trip. She says that it kept her kids entertained for a good section of time.  Her nine year old son reports that “I finished it twice and it was really fun. It was hard because you have to use your brain to solve it, but it was fun.” This toy sounds like something that could be passed between both the front and the back seat and lead to some fun races to see who can solve the puzzle the fastest.

The Not For Parents Travel Book series

Best for: Fact and travel lovers ages 8 and up

Price: $13.59 on Amazon

While we are not keen on the title (we feel like the “not for parents” title didn’t fit the inclusive family travel vibe that we all love), we are loving the content of this fun book filled with 200 pages of interesting facts about every country on the planet.  Families will love going through this book together as everyone learns new information about exciting events, unusual history, and cultures that live life decidedly different from how we do in the US. The pages are covered with captivating color photos from each nation as well important information such as population, language, and capitals.  I loved the book so much I had a hard time giving it back to the kids to read!

We had an 11 year old check out the book for us and she read it cover to cover. She said, “”I really liked it!  There are these really scary facts like (the ones about) the Festival of the Dead.  It is really fun to read.  There is something for every country including a weird fact. For example, in the US, the first person to make a donut didn’t like it because it didn’t have a hole in it so he made a hole in it by using his brass cup.”

Bonus: Families planning trips to London, Paris, Rome, or New York will also want to pick up the Not For Parents books on these cities to put under the tree. Imagine how much more excited your kids will be to visit New York City if they have already read about the city first!

National Park Passport Book

Best for: Nature and history lovers of all ages

Price: $8.95

Officially known as a “Passport to Your National Parks”, this little book is one of my most favorite things ever. It is inside these little books that I log every single National Park system visit that my kids and I  complete with a simple rubber date stamp from each location’s visitor center. Sounds simple, but these little books serve as documentation, and proof for that matter, of the amazing adventures we have had and the adventures that are still waiting for us.  Order a couple and throw them in your family’s stockings. Then spend Christmas morning looking at the map and deciding where you are going next!

Vasque Breeze Hiking Boots

Best for: Active kids ages 4 and up.

Price: $64.99 on Amazon

Up until recently, I was a pretty allegiant to another hiking shoe brand but after seeing the difference in performance between my daughter’s shoes and my son’s new Vasque Breeze hiking boots, I have officially converted.  The boots provide ankle support which is ideal for kids who love to climb and explore on uneven terrain, great traction, are comfortable, and genuinely waterproof. They are great for hiking as well as every day use. Sold!

CityPASS

Best for: Kids with parents who love to explore cities

Price: $29.00- $229.00

I always considered CityPASS to be a great way to see metropolitan areas while on vacation but now, I am starting to see them as a great way for locals to explore their cities major attractions and museums as well.  Currently there are CityPASSes in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Hollywood, Houston, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, and the big on in Southern California (which includes a 3 day Disneyland park hopper). If you need to buy a gift for a child who lives near one of these areas, think about how easy it would be to give them a gift to several local destinations for one great price (usually close to 50% off ticket prices).

Disclosure: Trekaroo received samples of the COmfy Critters, Brainstring Advanced, Not For Parents Travel Book and Vasque hiking shoes throughout the year to review. We liked these products so much that we decided to add them to the gift guide!

Sharlene Earnshaw is the blog editor  for Trekaroo.

Travel with kids to: CA |CO | DC | FL | HI | IL |MA | NC | NY | OR | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA

Do you remember the movie National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation with Clark and his eccentric family?  I do.  Having the maiden name Griswold myself, I couldn’t have escaped them if I wanted to!  Maybe it’s the last name or perhaps the way Clark goes overboard trying to win his family into the holiday spirit, either way, I have always felt akin to them.  I am fascinated and amazed at the elegance and extravagance this season brings forth and I hope my family will fall in love with the traditions we create and someday pass them on to their own children.

Here in Texas, everything’s bigger!  It’s not only the state’s motto, it’s its creed.   This time of the year, that means spectacular light displays, over-the-top Christmas programming, and the best family memories ever!  If you want a chance to discover a Texas size holiday yourself, be sure to visit at least one of the outstanding resorts or hotels listed below!

Gaylord Texan, Grapevine

I can’t even begin to describe how thrilling the Gaylord Texan is at Christmas time without shivering in excitement.  The entire resort is transformed into a magical land of enchantment from their 52 rotating Christmas trees to their 1.5 million lights, life-size gingerbread house, 12,000 ornaments, and Santa Claus too.  Their very popular attraction, ICE!, features Dream Works’ Shrek The Halls, and includes colorful ice sculptures carved from 2 million pounds of ice!  A few other activities are Kung Fu Panda’s Awesome Snow Tubing, Gingy’s Gingerbread Decorating, Character Meet & Greets (Shrek, Alex the Lion, King Julien and the Penguins, and Po) and Santa Land with stilt walkers, singing cowboys, electric trains, and more!  If you can’t make it this year, put this resort on your bucket list!

Read what a few of our readers had to say about Gaylord Texan.

Barton Creek Resort & Spa, Austin

Barton Creek Resort & Spa is one of my all-time favorite family-friendly resorts!  My family and I planned a trip to Austin to explore and sight-see, but with the hiking trail, scavenger hunt, mini golf, swimming pool and Barton Kid’s Club, we never left the resort!  It wasn’t until we checked out of the hotel that we actually explored the city.  At Christmas time, Barton Creek adds a giant 3,800 square foot ice skating rink surrounded by 200,000 twinkling lights… doesn’t that sound magical?!  And if that’s not enough, Barton Creek donates a portion of the ice skating proceeds to Make A Wish Foundation; helping to grant dreams to children with life-threatening illnesses.

Read my complete review of Barton Creek Resort & Spa, and review of Barton Kid’s Club.

JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, San Antonio

Want to visit with Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves?  How about reindeer?  At JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country, you can see them all and even join them for breakfast!  Plan the day with your family making keepsake ornaments, taking a hayride, working on a gingerbread craft, taking the polar plunge, writing a letter to Santa, and participating in the resort art walk.  The adults (no, they haven’t forgotten about you) can tee-up at the 36-hole TPC golf course and then get pampered with a sugar cookie body scrub or chocolate candy cane pedicure.  And just before the elves tuck your little ones in, stop by a restaurant for a special off their special holiday menu- like the Rudolphtini (little red nose at bottom of glass)- sorry Rudolph!

To find out more about JW Marriott, read reviews on Trekaroo.  Be sure to also read reviews of their Kid’s Club.

Moody Garden’s Hotel, Houston

If you’re looking for a mile long trail with more than a million lights in 100 sound-enhanced and animated displays, next to a four diamond hotel overlooking the gulf coast, then look no further than Moody Garden’s Hotel.  Guests will be enchanted by the live entertainment, a large outdoor ice skating rink, holiday films, and pictures with Santa; not to mention the 10-story 4D rainforest pyramid, with sloths and monkeys (to name a few) or the equally large 3D aquarium with touch tanks, sharks, sea turtles, eels and more.  Plan on spending a week there, you’re going to need it!

Share the scoop about Moody’s Garden Hotel.

The Westin La Cantera Resort, San Antonio

Mix a little Texas culture into your Christmas during the Legendary Holidays program at the Westin La Cantera Resort!  The Bandera Cowboy sings and tells holiday stories while introducing the lore and legends of La Cantera. The program concludes with “snow” magically falling from the sky as the choir begins to sing a holiday song at the top of Plaza San Saba.  Families can also take a trip to the North Pole to create arts and crafts, take a photo with Santa, skate on the 1,200-square-foot synthetic iceless skating rink, and visit The Magik Theatre’s performance of “A Pirates Holiday” based on the classic holiday story T’was the Night Before Christmas.

Been there?  Share your thoughts with other trekaroo users.

Great Wolf Lodge, Grapevine

 It’s snowing…indoors!!  At Great Wolf Lodge, there isn’t only a water park indoors. During the holiday’s, it snows in the lobby!  Great Wolf Lodge will impress you the moment you step out of your car with its enormous wolf statues at the entrance of the hotel, but its grandeur doesn’t end there.  The lobby is a giant forest complete with a tree house and large picture windows looking down into the water park.  My children loved the wolf walk, where they learned how to howl like wolves, and the pajama story time.  In addition to the normal activities, children can walk inside the life-size gingerbread house, race a polar bear down a waterslide, meet Santa, and attend the North Pole University!  Be prepared though, your children will be talking about this trip for years to come!

To learn more about Great Wolf Lodge, read the full review.

Hyatt Regency Lost Pines, Austin

For a bird’s eye view of Christmas, the New York Audubon Society joins the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines to introduce the Christmas Bird Count!  Bird lovers of all ages can enjoy keynote speakers, crafts, activities, and excursions.  Then at night, snuggle up to your special someone (which could be a pajama clad kiddo), and enjoy an evening campfire with complimentary s’mores!

Been there?  Write a review for the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines.

Looking for more holiday-fun activities?  Check out your neighborhood below.

California:  San Diego | Orange County | LA & Environs | Bay Area |  Lake Tahoe | Sacramento

Other US cities:  Dallas | NYC/NJ | Philadelphia | Salt Lake City |  Seattle

Don’t see your city??  Make a list of fun activities in your neck of the woods to share with Trekaroo users.

 Heather Reed is Trekaroo’s Texas Destination Guroo

Travel with kids to: CA |CO | DC | FL | HI | IL |MA | NC | NY | OR | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA

The holiday season is upon us and Northern California is filled with a plethora of family-friendly activities. Winter offers great opportunities for picture perfect moments and time together as a family. We could keep all these great ideas to ourselves, but in the spirit of holiday sharing here are Trekaroo’s top picks for holiday activities in Northern California that are perfect for creating special days that make for wonderful memories.

Catch a Ride on The Polar Express Ride in Sacramento:

photo by flickr user latca

Everyone is encouraged to wear their pajamas on board this one hour train ride. Passengers will travel to the “North Pole” while being read the story of The Polar Express.  Dancing waiters fly through the cars as ticketed passengers are served hot chocolate and a cookie. As you head back to Old Sacramento, Santa walks through each car to give out the “first gift of Christmas” — a sleigh bell — to each passenger.  All join in and sing Christmas carols when pulling into the station at the California State Railroad Museum.

Tickets for this coveted event sell out immediately. I’ve yet to get my hands on some myself so I’ll take my son to Esquire IMAX Theater for a 3D screening of the Polar Express which plays from November 21 – December 23.

Free on-street parking is available in Old Sacramento after 4:30 p.m. on weekends and all day Saturday and Sunday during the holiday season. Be sure to swing by The Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum to see The Gingerbread Holiday. The Schoolhouse Museum will have dozens of sweet houses and other gingerbread structures created by kids, families, and culinary students on display December 3-18^th.

Be sure to check Trekaroo’s lists for museums of the Sacramento/Sierra Nevada area that kids love

 Rendezvous with Reindeer at California Academy of Sciences:

‘Tis the season for science at California Academy of Sciences, located in the heart of Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. Enjoy art and music from the Bay Area’s greatest talents including carolers, musicians, dancers, and theater troops. Gather round for an up close and personnel experience with live reindeer. To get here, the mountain reindeer traveled 6 hours up the freeway in a trailer. Had they hoofed it, it would have taken ten days. That may sound like a long trip when compared to car travel times, but reindeer actually migrate farther each year than any other land mammal, up to 33 miles each day, which is why members voted online to name the male reindeer Miles!

Discover the only place on the planet with an aquarium, a four-story rainforest, a planetarium, and a natural history museum all under one roof while enjoying wintry activities and family fun that celebrates the science behind some of our most familiar holiday sights, sounds, and traditions.

I visited the California Academy of Sciences in December with two boys. It was a winter wonderland in the Academy’s central piazza. Twice an hour the Academy makes it snow inside. We lucked out because it was snowing right as we walked in! I saw children try to catch the artificial snowflakes on their tongues. At the Academy’s Northern California Coast Gallery there’s a discovery tide pool where children and adults can touch and examine a wide variety of ocean creatures. Touching sea creatures instantly transforms me into a kid again (way cheaper than botox)! People of San Francisco – I am very jealous you have this great place of learning in your city!!

Parents can celebrate New Year’s Eve with their children ages 6+ at Penguins + Pajamas Sleepover. Allow your kids to camp out for a night at the Academy and see the museum in a whole new light. Why count sheep when you can count geckos, butterflies, sharks, and penguins?

 Read Tina’s full review of California Academy of Sciences.

 Recapture the spirit of Christmas past during the annual Cornish Christmas Celebration in historic downtown Grass Valley:

Recapture the spirit of Christmas past amid the charming surroundings of historic downtown Grass Valley during the annual Cornish Christmas Celebration. Mill and West Main Streets are closed to traffic and filled with the sights and sounds of an old fashioned Christmas while the Grass Valley Cornish Carol Choir performs traditional homeland Christmas carols at the steps of the historic Union Building.

The Cornish Christmas celebration is truly a delight to the senses. Smell the aroma of your favorite dish while you shop the amazing collection of merchants that call downtown Grass Valley their home. Stroll down the bustling historic streets as Christmas music fills the air. Hear young and old alike play your favorite holiday tunes as buildings dressed in Christmas lights sparkle in the December night air. At the Cornish Christmas you’ll see kids and adults dressed in period costumes, musicians, jugglers, carolers, Tommyknocker Cloggers and of course, Santa Claus. Delicious food and drink can be purchased from a number of restaurants and specialty food vendors.

 Be sure to check Trekaroo’s lists for Fun Holiday Activities for Kids in Sacramento, CA.

 Holidays in South Lake Tahoe are Heavenly:

Tahoe’s South Shore is New Year’s celebration central. Firework shows combined with a myriad of outdoor recreation provide an action-packed holiday season for kids of all ages.

New this season is Heavenly Holiday with a month of festivities including live music, ice sculpting, fire dancers, professional ice skaters, face painting, interactive games and photo opportunities inside a giant snow globe or festive backdrops. “A Heavenly New Year Celebration” includes a concert followed by the Gondola Drop with a decorated and illuminated car descending from the top of the mountain in a “midnight” countdown at 9 p.m. followed by a firework display.

Santa’s Workshop will be recreated in Heavenly Village inside of a 16-foot interactive snow globe.  Children and families will be able to go inside of the snow globe to sit on Santa’s lap for a unique experience and photo opportunity. There will be a DJ playing holiday music daily.

Barton Health’s Festival of Trees & Lights, inside the Montbleu Convention Center, features designer decorated trees, crafts for kids, live entertainment and of course Santa Claus. Children age 12 and under are invited to visit the Teddy Bear Hospital – a fun, interactive place where they learn about their health and hospitals in a safe, “no poke” environment from Barton Health’s wonderfully caring real doctors, nurses and staffers. Each child will receive a free teddy bear as they are “admitted” to the hospital. Their journey through the emergency room, the operating room and the doctor’s office check up help build confidence and alleviate fears. Their “patient” teddy bear is theirs to take home and treasure this holiday season and for years to come.

The Tahoe Queen, an authentic Mississippi paddle wheeler, is offering opportunities to meet and take photos with Santa on the 12 p.m. cruises on Saturdays. Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort continues its Christmas tradition with a two-day kids’ festival, Dec. 23-24 with events, music, sack races and a snowman competition.

Be sure to check Trekaroo’s lists for Winter Holiday Activities for Kids in Lake Tahoe & Nevada.

 Napa Valley Wine Train’s Santa Express is a fabulous and fun holiday outing for the whole family:

Photo Courtesy Winetrain.com

 Join Santa, along with his friends and carolers (including one with a nose that glows so bright), as he travels from the city of Napa to the town of Yountville and back on a train overflowing with happy children. Designed especially for children, this 90 minute journey offers plenty of time for kids to tell Santa exactly what they want to receive for Christmas. A fabulous and fun holiday outing for the whole family, The Santa Express Train is a magical experience for the young and the young at heart. The train will have child friendly menus on board including hot chocolate for the kids.

Be sure to check Trekaroo’s lists for Friendly Holiday Fun in the Napa Valley.

Cut Your Own Christmas Tree in Apple Hill:

While Apple Hill, located just northeast of Placerville, is primarily known for all things apple related, it is also a beautiful destination to pick and chop your own Christmas tree.

Currently, seven full-scale tree farms with u-cut trees are open in Apple Hill during the Christmas season for families to visit and cut their own Christmas trees. Several smaller farms are open, too. Visiting an Apple Hill Christmas tree farm after Thanksgiving is truly a very memorable family experience you and your kids will never forget. All Christmas tree farms open the day after Thanksgiving and remain open until Christmas Eve.

Wide selections of tree varieties are available for purchase. Some of the most popular Christmas Tree Farms currently operating in Apple Hill include: High Sierra Iris Gardens, Hillside Tree Farm, and McGee Christmas Tree Farm. Enjoying Christmas in Apple Hill isn’t all about just getting a Christmas tree though. Many of the tree farms offer great Christmas activities for the kids and have nice warm cups of hot chocolate or some world famous apple cider waiting for you. If you get the chance be sure to try the fudge and freshest apple pie you have ever had!

Be sure to check Trekaroo’s lists for Apple Hill Christmas Tree Farms

Celebrate the Holiday Season at the Salinas Holiday Parade of Lights:

Get into the Christmas spirit at the Salinas Holiday Parade of Lights. This family and community-centric event is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year. The lighted parade consists of marching bands, floats, dancers and classic cars. Come early and grab a spot along the parade route which goes up South Main Street and through Oldtown to the National Steinbeck Center.

The annual Salinas Holiday Parade of Lights attracts over 10,000 spectators. Celebrity announcers keep you well informed during the festivities. The Holiday Parade of Lights, celebrating ‘One City, Many Cultures’ has become a Salinas family tradition. The parade is a volunteer community effort and has been hosted by the Oldtown Salinas Association since 2006.

Monterey Celebrates The Holiday Season with An Ocean View at the Lighted Boat Parade:

You’ve seen parades on land — now see one on the ocean at the Lighted Boat Parade. Every year the Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club sponsors a lighted boat parade in the harbor.  The boats of Monterey Bay will be brilliantly decked out as they sail from Coast Guard Pier past Cannery Row to Lover’s Point. The ships compete fiercely to win the coveted award for Best Decorations from the Yacht Club at the end of the evening. Check out this unique, can’t-miss event from along the Monterey and Pacific Grove coastline.

Ring in the New Year with the entire family (ages 5 and older) at the Monterey Bay Aquarium! This special New Year’s Eve event will feature a sparkling cider toast at 9 p.m. to celebrate the countdown to the New Year on East Coast time. The evening snack will be a Ghirardelli ice cream sundae bar! There will be fun family activities and programs for a night of celebration. Wake up with the fishes on New Year’s Day and enjoy a full breakfast in the Monterey Bay Aquarium Café then join the aquariums naturalists in watching wildlife from the Great Tide Pool Deck.

Photo by Trekaroo user ukelly

 Read Trekaroo’s  reviews on Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Tis the season for holiday cheer!  For many of us, that means seeking out family friendly spots to enjoy festive fun.   These are some of our family’s favorite places to get into the Christmas spirit and all are easy to get to from most places throughout New Jersey and the Philadelphia area.

Photo Courtesy Storybookland

Storybook Land is one of our favorite theme parks all year round but at Christmastime it takes on a magical appearance when they feature Christmas Fantasy with Lights.  Every night at 5pm Santa climbs out of his chimney and turns on over a million holiday lights throughout the park.  He has even managed to make it snow!   You can meet Mr. and Mrs. Claus in their home as well to tell them how good you’ve been all year long.  All the rides of the theme park are open too!

A visit to Koziar’s Christmas Village  is like stepping into Christmas Land.  Walk along the path and take in the beauty of displays featuring Christmas in the jungle, beneath the sea, and around the globe lit by over a half million lights.  The reflective view from the pond is a breathtaking sight!  When you get chilly be sure to stop for some hot chocolate or a visit with Santa himself.

The Nutcracker is one of my favorite holiday shows.  My mom used to take me every year and I couldn’t wait to take my daughter for the first time.  During her first show she sat rapt with attention at the edge of her seat.  To find a show be sure to check Trekaroo’s lists for where to see The Nutracker in Philadelpia  and New Jersey.

Photo Courtesy New Hope Ivyland Railroad

Taking a train ride with Santa has always been at the top of my children’s lists, even before they ever saw the movie Polar Express. This holiday tradition has become more popular than ever with kids all around the country dressing in their pajamas and taking a magical Christmas ride. While some stations started the tradition after 2004 movie, others like the Pine Creek Railroad in New Jersey, have been taking families on rides with Santa Claus for over 30 years!  See where to board a train ride with Santa in New Jersey and Philly areas.

Another family favorite of ours is piling in the car in our jammies, bringing along some hot chocolate and turning on some Christmas music while driving around the neighborhoods in our area to enjoy the lights. Some of the people in our town really go all out! However, if you want to make more of an adventure out of it, how about heading to Center City Philadelphia to see the Macy’s Holiday Light Show . While  at Macy’s, be sure to visit the third floor where you will find a 6,000 foot recreation of Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol. Over 100 animated figures help bring this Christmas classic to life. You might even be able to get some Christmas shopping done!

Photo Courtesy Visit Philly

While I have never been to Christmas Village located in Love Park in Center City, Philadelphia, it looks to have some real charm. This traditional German Christmas Market features over 50 vendors selling arts and crafts, jewelry, ornaments and all sorts of other goodies you can purchase as a treat for yourself or as a holiday gift. You can also sample European food and drink while browsing about. If you happen to visit the market on December 7th,  your family can even attend the tree lighting!

Longwood Gardens is another one of those year round gems that transforms at Christmas time. Walk through the gardens and see how they have been transformed into a gingerbread fantasy with over 40 miles of lights and displays. During the season there will be performances in the evenings by local choral groups and vignettes from the Nutcracker.

May you all have a happy and healthy holiday season filled with many wonderful memories!

Looking for more holiday-fun activities?  Check out your neighborhood below.

California:  San Diego | Orange County | LA & Environs | Bay Area |  Lake Tahoe | Sacramento

Other US cities:  Dallas | NYC/NJ | Philadelphia | Salt Lake City |  Seattle

Don’t see your city??  Make a list of fun activities in your neck of the woods to share with Trekaroo users.

Tina Buell is one of Trekaroo’s Northern California Destination Guroos

Travel with kids to: CA |CO | DC | FL | HI | IL |MA | NC | NY | OR | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA

When looking for things to do with the kids this holiday season, consider exploring San Jose.  Located in California’s Silicon Valley, much of San Jose’s cultural scene resides in the area around Plaza de César Chávez, which means you can simply park your car and have many interesting attractions within walking distance.  Between Thanksgiving and New Years, the plaza is transformed into a holiday wonderland with acres of Christmas trees decorated by San Jose schools, community groups, and businesses.  Christmas in the Park has been a San Jose holiday tradition for the better part of 30 years.  The event includes over 60 musical and animated exhibits, glittering lights and the 60-foot Community Giving Tree.  Get your picture taken with Santa, enjoy carnival rides, and share one of the most amazing giant cups of hot chocolate you’ve ever seen!  It’s sold by one the park vendors.

For some this event is a stop on the way to or from the San Jose Ballet’s production of the Nutcracker, just minutes from the edge of the park.  Others may be headed to the Fairmont Hotel to enjoy the gingerbread city, electric holiday trains, and amazing giant chocolate nutcrackers.  But there are other attractions to take in around Plaza de César Chávez during the holidays as well as other times during the year.

The San Jose Museum of Art not only houses modern and contemporary art, the institution is committed to making art accessible to diverse populations.   It not only offers the chance to view masterpieces, but to also create your own.  Several workshops on constructing DIY light up holiday cards are scheduled during the month of December.    Downtown Ice sets up at the museum’s front steps.  A holiday classic, Downtown Ice is open to skaters in mid-November and operates through mid-January.

If your interests are more of a scientific and technical bent, you may prefer to check out the Tech Museum.   The mango and azure building situated directly across the plaza from the Fairmont Hotel, offers visitors of all ages a unique comprehensive Silicon Valley experience with hands-on, interactive experiences in genetics, earth sciences, alternative energy, virtual design, microchips and lots more.  The museum is also home to an IMAX dome movie theater.
The Children’s Discovery Museum is not on Plaza de Caesar Chavez but, it is about a 10-minute walk from the area.  Located on the edge of Guadalupe Park, it contains about 150 interactive exhibits that enable young visitors to explore, understand and enjoy the world in which they live.

Now all this exploring is bound to make a family hungry.   Here are some suggestions for getting nourishment for your crew:

• The Old Spaghetti Factory:  This place is what happens when old saloon style meets Italian-style comfort food.  Whether you dine inside the trolley car that sits in the middle of the restaurant or one of the unusual high backed chairs in the place, be sure to try the restaurant’s classic spaghetti with Mitzithra cheese and browned butter.
• Peggy Sue’s:  Located across the street from the Tech Museum, this 1950’s inspired diner makes the best burgers, floats, and shakes in the area!   One of our favorites is the Teriyaki Burger.  They also offer a decent kids’ menu.
• Il Fornaio:  Located inside the historic St. Claire Hotel, which is just steps away from Plaza de Caesar Chavez, Il Fornaio is a great place to lunch either on the way to or from the Nutcracker Ballet.  A little dressier than our other suggestions, the restaurant offers a more high end family dining experience.

If you’d like more information on downtown San Jose during the holidays, check out this handy schedule.

Kristine Dworkin is one of Trekaroo’s Northern California Destination Guroos

Travel with kids to: CA |CO | DC | FL | HI | IL |MA | NC | NY | OR | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA

The holiday season is in full swing at the Disneyland Resort. Recently, I had the opportunity to experience firsthand the magic of the season both parks have to offer by attending a special media preview. We were in for quite the treat.  Nobody does the holidays quite like Disney. Both parks are decorated with thousands of twinkling lights and over 700 decorated trees can be found throughout resort.  Both parks join in on the celebration with holiday twists on your favorite attractions and shows.

Disneyland

• It’s a Small World Holiday: This popular attraction is glammed up for the holidays as you take a journey and celebrate the holidays throughout the world.
• Christmas Fantasy Parade: This classic parade features all of your favorite characters all dressed up in their holiday best.
• Santa’s Reindeer Round Up: Head over to Frontierland for some one on one time with Santa and to have an up and close look at real live reindeer!
• Haunted Mansion Holiday: Jack Skellington and friends transform the Haunted Mansion to a winter wonderland sort of..  A fun twist to this classic ride.

Disney California Adventure

• World of Color: Our favorite show is revamped for the holidays and better than ever!
• Santa’s Seaside Pavilion: Make sure to stop at Paradise Pier to have your picture taken with Santa and have the kids share their list.
• “Phineas and Ferb’s Rockin’ Rollin’ Dance Party” captures the holiday spirit with holiday décor and songs throughout the day at Paradise Pier.

From having your own personal meet and greet with Santa, to watching a holiday-themed World of Color show at Disney California Adventure or even experiencing the magic of snow falling on a sunny Southern California day, the holiday season at the Disneyland Resort has something for everyone.

Holiday time at the Disneyland Resort will run through January 8th, 2012.

Aracely Worley blogs about her adventures and daytrips in Southern California at Daytrippingmom.com.

*All photos by Aracely Worley