I remember my first snowy Christmas. It was when my husband and I first moved to Colorado Springs just after our wedding 10 years ago. We visited a local hotel there and were amazed at the ice sculptures and train displays. I couldn’t imagine anything better… until now! My family and I were blessed to spend a few days at the Gaylord Texan and experience a resort that does so much more than decorate for Christmas; it brings fantasy, theatrics, and whimsy together to create the ultimate family getaway!
The moment my family and I stepped into the lobby of the Gaylord Texan, we knew we were going to have a good time. The lobby opened up into a massive atrium filled with giant soldiers, over 52 rotating Christmas trees, several train displays, toy soldier stilt walkers, balloon makers, over 1.5 million Christmas lights, and so much more. We loved walking inside the giant gingerbread house which smelled oh, so sweet, visiting Santa, and shaking hands with Dreamworks characters like Shrek, Puss & Boots, and King Julien! The atrium’s winding riverwalks were each unique and my children loved looking at the fish and spurting fountains.
The very friendly bell led my family and I to our adjoining rooms which had amazing views into the atrium. We opened the balcony doors and instantly felt connected with the energy and excitement of our surroundings! The rooms themselves were large and immaculate, one with a king bed and one with two queens, but each with a flat screen tv, dark wood, light walls, and upscale Texan décor. Altogether, it was breathtaking!
Each year, the Gaylord Texan puts on a spectacular display called ICE!, and this year they joined Dreamworks Animation for an unforgettable attraction! With special artisans flown in from Harbin, China, 2 million pounds of ice, and a temperature of only 9 degrees, it took a month to put together this wintery wonderland in which Shrek learns the true meaning of Christmas. The ICE! tent also includes giant ice slides, a Christmas light display put to music, a video about the making of ICE! and a breathtaking nativity scene made of crystal clear ice.
In the room next to where ICE! takes place, join Kung Fu Panda’s Po for indoor snow tubing with occasional Po sightings. I had as much fun as my children did grabbing an inner tube and sliding down the snow covered slopes! Next to the slides and past the gift shop, you can meet Shrek in his home or get a piping hot cup of cocoa.
The Gaylord Texan is such a unique and fun experience, you’ll want to make this visit an annual tradition…I know we do! From the immaculate cleanliness of the resort as a whole and the overwhelming displays and creations, you will never be bored and will never want to leave. Start making those plans for Christmas 2012!
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 3-18th.
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.
Last week we told you about Passports with Purpose, the travel bloggers annual fundraiser, and how this year our goal was to raise $80,000 to build two libraries in Zambia. We asked you to consider donating to this worthwhile cause and encouraged you with the incentive that in return for your $10 donation, you have an opportunity to win some incredible prizes. Of course, we think the prize we are giving away, a golf stay at Austin’s Barton Creek Resort, is pretty awesome but there a so many other great prizes to enter to win as well. To get you even more pumped about donating to Passports with Purpose, we have decided to highlight some of these truly awesome prizes. Here are some of our favorite prizes that Passports with Purpose donators have a chance at winning:
Kindle Fire: This has got to be one of the most sought after gifts this holiday season. The 7-inch tablet with Wi-Fi from Amazon is slim, lightweight,is in full color, and holds 18 million movies, books, and apps, making it perfect for travel. With Europe up Close, The Solo Traveler, Mother of All Trips, and The Vacation Gals all giving one away, your chances of winning are pretty decent! Psst…. Budget Travelers Sandbox is also giving away a Kindle Touch…
Xbox 360 with Kinect Bundle: Can you imagine how cool your kids will think you are if an Xbox 360 shows up under your tree? Yes, video games can lead to way too many hours on the couch but Kinect features active games so your kids will get some exercise while playing. Score! Wandermom is hosting this amazing giveaway.
4 Nights in a Suite at the Honua Kai Resort in Maui: Delicious Baby is hosting this 4 night giveaway in an ocean view suite. 4 nights. Maui. Ocean view. Enough said.
Three Night stay for a family of four at an all-inclusive Beaches Resort in Jamaica: I love all-inclusive resorts so the all-inclusive stay in Jamaica that Have Baby will Travel is hosting definitely caught my eye. Imagine hanging out with your little one’s poolside with a cocktail in hand and the Caribbean sun on your shoulders. Not bad, eh?
Two Night Stay at the Four Season Scottsdale at Troon North: My family just returned from this amazing resort (I can’t wait to share the details with you all!) so I know that this is a tremendous prize. In addition to the resort stay, the winner will also be treated to a dinner at Talavera, where I enjoyed the best steak I have ever had. I will definitely be entering in hope of returning to this incredible resort. This giveaway is hosted by My Itchy Travel Feet.
Disneyland/Hilton Garden Inn prize pack: It’s no secret that Trekaroo loves Disney so when we saw the prize that Travel Mamas is giving away, we couldn’t help but get excited. One lucky family will win 4 park hoppers for Disneyland and California Adventure as well as a two night stay at the Anaheim Hilton Garden Inn. What an ideal family getaway!
$1000 HomeAway voucher: We love HomeAway because it give travelers access to 260,000 vacation rentals around the globe in one location. Vacation rentals are great for extended family travel, travel with large families, or families who would love the convenience of staying someplace with all the comforts of home (like a kitchen!.) Nerds Eye View is giving away a $1000 voucher which can be used to take your family on an adventure in a vacation rental that is perfectly suited to your needs.
$500 BedandBreakfast.com gift card: Last year we featured BedandBreakfast.com in our holiday gift guide giveaway so when we saw that Land Lopers was hosting this prize, we were happy to see another chance to win this great prize. The BedandBreakfast.com can be used at more than 4,000 small inns and bed and breakfasts which makes it an idela gift for travelers.
110,000 Hyatt Gold Passport Points: There is something just so exciting about hotel points. Hyatt is one of my favorite hotel brands (extremely family friendly) so winning $2640 worth of Hyatt points turn me into a kid in a candy store. I could spend hours researching what sort of luxurious hotel stays I could get with all those points! According to the giveaway host, Loyalty Traveler of Boarding Area, this prize can buy 5- 22 nights, depending on how you use them. Donate to win this prize and start daydreaming!
There is only one way to win all of these fabulous prizes- head on over to Passports with Purpose and DONATE.
The last day to donate is Friday, December 16, 2011.
Sharlene Earnshaw is the blog editor for Trekaroo.
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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 StorybooklandStorybook 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 RailroadTaking 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 PhillyWhile 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
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Star Wars Miniland is the newest addition to my favorite section of Legoland California in Carlsbad. Miniland is simply mind-boggling to the LEGO-lover in me. I once saw a Brick Master discuss the challenge of making round shapes out of square and rectangular bricks. I’ve never looked at LEGOs the same way.
Read Trekaroo member reviews of LEGOLAND.
I heard from mom friends that the Star Wars Miniland was awesome. I also heard that it took the place of the Nascar racetrack that my kids loved. I expected to see a Star Wars scene occupying the same small parcel that held the racetrack. Boy, was I wrong! There were actually SEVEN separate new display areas grouped together with each area representing planets like: Hoth, Tatooine,Geonosis, Naboo, Endor, etc.
Within each display, Star Wars fans will recognize different scenes and details from the episodes. It was fun to see and even entertaining to photograph. If your family is into Star Wars, then it demands a visit.
Need a place to stay? Read reviews of kid friendly hotels in Carlsbad.
LEGO Star Wars Days (June 18-19th) – We’ve attended this event in years past and it really is worth the trip. I still have photos of my little guy with a bunch of clone troopers, Jedis, storm troopers, and Darth Vader from 2008.
Splash Zoo at LEGOLAND Water Park - The DUPLO® themed area, located next to
DUPLO Splash Safari and Kid Creek, features interactive spray pads, fountains, a teeter totter and interactive DUPLO animals geared specifically for guests ages 1 to 3. It’s a great addition to the 5.5. acre family water park.
Read reviews of the LEGOLAND Water Park.
Octopus Garden at SEA LIFE Aquarium – An interactive exhibit introducing families to the amazing world of cephalopods featuring their almost supernatural abilities including camouflage, ink clouds and jet propulsion to surprise and delight adults and children alike.
Read reviews of SEA LIFE Aquarium.
Fun Town Police and Fire Academy – Regulars will recognize this classic LEGOLAND ride where families pile into a fire truck and power it by pumping levers up and down as they race other families to put out the “fire.” Now there are police cars in the mix and two separate entrances with trucks racing on both sides of the wall. Even if you don’t ride it’s extremely entertaining watch.
Hero Factory – Located inside the I-Zone. In this next generation LEGO story, heroes are designed, equipped and built depending on specific missions that beam in from across the galaxy and across time. They are dispatched in hero pods to defeat evil and take on a variety of missions.
My insider advice would be to arrive early and start at Star Wars Miniland before it gets busy!
Michele Whiteaker blogs at FunOrangeCountyParks.com where she promotes play and encourages family outdoor activity. She’s also a 2011 Superoo who’s taken to putting “-roo” at the end of anything travel-related.
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I have a confession. Every year when Mother’s Day rolls around, I shyly harbor hopes that Dad and my two boys would make a big deal of me. (Blush!) 
My idea of a perfect Mother’s Day would involve being greeted with an enthusiastic morning greeting and a brunch at a kid-friendly restaurant with great food or a picnic at a beautiful location. The key – I don’t have to lift a finger.
I figured there are lots of other moms everywhere who harbor secret wishes of the prefect Mother’s Day celebration just like me. Every mom is a little different. Some of us just want a day to ourselves, others want some pampering at a spa, others of us would like nothing more than quality time with our family where we didn’t do all the planning.
So, I took the question to Trekaroo moms, and here are the dream mother’s day ideas they’ve come up with. From wonderful spots for brunch to beautiful gardens to picnic in, to decadent chocolate events. Some require advanced reservations, but others, you could just pack a picnic and head on out.
So Dads, if you’ve been trying to read mom’s mind to figure out what would make her feel really loved, here are some great suggestions brought to you by none other than moms themselves. Share this list on Facebook or Twitter and help out all the Dad’s out there who are probably scratching their heads desperately trying to figure out plans for this Sunday. Moms, here’s your chance to voice your secret wishes to Dad. Sign in to Trekaroo and create a list of your own or leave a comment below with your dream spot to celebrate Mother’s Day idea.
Biltmore Estate - Asheville, NC - Free Admission on Mother's Day
Awesome Mother’s Day Brunch and Dinner Spots in Southern Oregon by PitStopsForKids
CALIFORNIA
Mother’s Day Brunch and Ideas for Family Fun Around San Francisco by Lydie
5 San Francisco Bay Area Gardens to Picnic at for Mother’s Day by Lydie
Mother’s Day Brunch and Family Fun Ideas in San Diego, CA by McFam
Mother’s Day Brunches and Family Fun in Orange County, CA by McFam
Perfect Mother’s Day Brunch and Treats in the Inland Empire, CA by filmdncr
Mother’s Day Brunch and Fun Activites in Temecula, CA by B’s Mom
MIDWEST:
Mother’s Day Brunch Spots and Fun Events in St. Louis by Natalie’s Mom
Favorite Mother’s Day Ideas in the Midwest by mama.bear.johnson
TEXAS
Best Mother’s Day Ideas and Events in Texas by slofamilylife
Mother’s Day Brunch Spots in Austin, Texas by slofamilylife
Best Mother’s Day Brunch Spots and Fun Ideas Around Dallas by slofamilylife
PENNSYLVANIA
Mother’s Day Ideas and Brunch Spots in Philadelphia by Travelpangs
NORTH CAROLINA
Mother’s Day Ideas Around Asheville, North Carolina by PrincessTrioMom
FLORIDA
Best Mother’s Day Brunch and Ideas for Family Fun in Florida by Cavaletta
Photo by: Flickr/Dawn Huczek
Liling Pang is Editor and CEO of Trekaroo – a reviews website dedicated to exploring and traveling with kids. We’re powered by a community of travel savvy parents.
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Welcome to 
For many of us, this weekend will be three days long instead of two. This Monday marks a federal holiday in remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and many of us will be taking advantage of the long weekend to travel, barely considering the true meaning behind our day off. The truth is, this weekend is the perfect weekend to teach our children about civil rights and the errors of our country’s past. There are plenty of events taking place around the country, memorializing Dr. King and celebrating the impact he had on America. Once again, Lydie has put together a great list featuring events from Alabama to Oakland. Here is a sampling of what she found:
- At the Bay Area Discovery Museum, kids can create a self portrait and add it to the Freedom Bus. There will also be story times with books read about Dr King’s life and values.
- The African American Museum of Iowa will offer free admission, refreshments, and crafts. Children can watch Dr. King movies, complete a “History Detectives” scavenger hunt through the galleries, or prepare for a “100 Acts of Kindness” Challenge.
- The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site in Atlanta will be offering many different family friendly events during the week of January 15- 23 with everything from puppet shows to guided tours of his birth home. The complete schedule of events is listed on the National Park Service website.
- Hungry? Boloco, a certified green chain of restaurants in New England serving burritos, bowls, salads, and smoothies will be playing Martin Luther King’s iconic “I have a dream” speech on its television screens all day.
Read the entire list of Martin Luther King Day events and find something in your neck of the woods.
Do you have an outing that you would like to spotlight this week?
Perhaps its a post about a vacation you just took or a day trip that you think our readers should know about. Or maybe its a post about the vacation you are currently planning and going to book through Trekaroo! Link up something fresh from your blog using the Mr Linky below.
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Step 1: Pick a recent post (past couple of days)
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We want to be sure that everyone who participates in Spotlight Thursdays gets their moment in the spotlight so blogs that don’t link back will unfortunately have to be removed.
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Sharlene Earnshaw (aka doubleadventure) is Blogger-in-chief for Trekaroo and the blogger behind Double the Adventure.
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