A few weeks ago, we visited the California Academy of Sciences specifically to check out the new Extreme Mammal Exhibit. Our 7 year old is an “animal expert”, so a visit to the Academy of Sciences is always huge treat. When we first entered the Academy, we were greeted by the teaser section of the Extreme Mammal exhibit. It was really neat. In addition to a HUGE sculpture of the largest mammal, there is also a scale where people can compare their weight to that of other mammals. That part was fun. The kids delighted in the hands-on aspect of this portion of the exhibit.
Pangolin at Extreme Mammal Exhibit Photo Credit: AMNH/D. Finnin
Once through the ticket queue, you enter another queue with informational posters. After a moment, the doors to the exhibit were opened for us by a young man. He explained we were entering a temperature controlled environment and to not take any pictures. He also said to make sure we did not touch any of the exhibits unless a sign specifically said so. No worries – there is plenty here to see and touch.
Kinkajou Skeleton at Extreme Mammal Exhibit - Photo by: Woolly Monkey Fossil in the Extreme Mammal Exhibit - Photo credit: AMNH/R. Mickens
While the exhibits were arranged in an old-school museum style, the flow of the rooms was great. One topic naturally lead to another. The information in each section was short and informative. While my kids rushed through somewhat, there was enough to interest them and get them talking. My son, Josh, was particularly moved by the section on endangered species and has been studying the causes of extinction since we came home.
Giant Ground Sloth at Extreme Mammal Exhibit - Photo credit: AMNH/D. Finnin
My only complaint with the exhibit – and it’s a minor one – is that, even though it was a new exhibit, it already had a worn appearance. Some signage was damaged, ripped, or falling apart, and some interactive materials weren’t working properly. The condition of the exhibit made me feel as if the exhibit was being neglected. It did not impact my ability to learn and enjoy the exhibit, just my ability to view the exhibit in a completely positive light.
Ellesmere Island Diorama at the Extreme Mammal Exhibit - Photo credit: AMNH/D. Finnin
All in all, my 7 year old son who’s a huge animal fan was very moved by the extreme mammal exhibit. My 5 year old daughter was just slight of bored during our 45 minute tour of exhibit. Definitely visit with your kids 6 and up who can read and digest all the wonderful information, However, you might want to skip over this special exhibit and head straight for the wonderful aquarium with younger kids.
Related:
- Reviews of the California Academy of Sciences
- Activities for Kids in San Francisco
- Kid-friendly Hotels in San Francisco
Disclosure: This review is based on a complimentary visit to Academy of Sciences. I received no other compensation and the business owner did not state any requirements that I express a particular point of view.
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Heather Tanner is a 2010 Trekaroo Superoo who visited the California Academy of Sciences on assignment to check out the Extreme Mammal Exhibit.
Travel with kids to: CA | CO | DC | FL | HI | IL | MA | NC | NY | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA
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If you’ve ever been to San Francisco in the summer, you’ll know summer time temperatures never get very hot in the city, but drive a few minutes north, south, or east and you’ll find hot days in the 80s and the 90s. Fortunately, for families who are looking for ways to cool off this summer, there are some world class water parks within an hour driving distance and there are many places where you can cool off for free or close to free.
Here are some of the places that Trekaroo families have voted as their favorite places to cool off around the San Francisco Bay Area. So grab those swim suits and head on out.
Best Water Park - Aqua Adventure (Fremont, CA)
Photo by: Brennan Pang
Surprisingly the new Aqua Adventure Water Park wins over the popular Raging Waters Water Park in San Jose. This one year old facility that’s run by the city of Fremont isn’t the largest water park, but it’s in almost brand new condition, it’s clean, and best of all, the price is right. Resident adults pay $15.99, while non-residents pay $16.99. Under 48″ tall? You only pay $11.99. 3 and under get in for just $2. For little ones, you’ll be hearing squeals of delight for hours at the Lil’ Squirts area for wee ones who aren’t quite ready to be fully immersed in water. Bucket Bay is basically a play structure that has water spraying in every which direction that even a 6 year can be quite happy in. The big slides are fun, but nothing too over the top. Reviews of Aqua Adventure Water Park with Kids
More Water Parks in the San Francisco Bay Area
Best Theme Park with Water Play Features: California’s Great America (and Boomerang Bay Water Park)
Photo by: Flickr/bryce_edwards
California’s Great America is a great hit with Trekaroo families with an impressive 4 star rating. Families with older kids and teenagers in particular enjoy the thrilling roller coaster rides. But what’s even better is that the admission also gets you into Boomerang Bay. At Boomerang Bay, you’ll find 30 foot slides as well as rafting slides. Younger kids will drop their jaws at the not so kiddie kiddie area complete with tri-level fortress with 8 family slides connected by bridges and passageways and rope ladders. Best of all, there is water water water everywhere. Thrilling? -Yes! Cool Off? – Yes! Only draw back is that admission is pricey. So, for a summer treat, California’s Great America gets rave reviews on Trekaroo and will most definitely bring smiles to everyone’s face.
For young kids under 12, Gilroy Bonfante Gardens is a favorite theme park with a water feature too that isn’t quite as pricey, but lots of fun nonetheless.
Best Free Splash Pad Area: Mitchell Park (Palo Alto, CA)
Photo by: Brennan Pang
Mitchell Park is a small playground with a fantastic splash pad. The splash pad is attached to the playground which is small, but adequate in supplying a couple of hours of active play. The splash pad is delightful for little ones with water squirting out at unpredictable intervals catching kids by surprise. Benches around the water play area allow parents to sit and soak in the heartwarming scene of happy children. Best of all, it’s absolutely FREE! Reviews of Mitchell Park Playground
Other Splash Parks along the Peninsula and South Bay (San Francisco Bay Area)
Other Splash Parks on the Easy Bay (San Francisco Bay Area)
Best Swimming Lake – Shadow Cliffs (Pleasanton, CA)
Photo by: Flickr/fromkmr
In the 266 -acre park of Shadow Cliffs Recreation Area is no ordinary 80 acre lake. You can swim at the beach complete with a bathhouse and refreshment stand, but the big attraction is the 4 -flume Rapids Water Slide located at Shadow Cliffs. It’s privately owned and operated and open on weekends in the spring and fall, and daily during the summer. For those not interested in the water slides, you can also go boating and fishing in the lake.
Best Beach - San Gregorio State Beach
Photo by: Picassa/ Jean Tessier
San Gregorio state beach is a big favorite of families on Trekaroo with a glowing 5 star rating. This beach is unique not because of the wonderful sandy beach, but because it has two other features that are a hit with kids. Most of the year, the top end of the beach is strewn with drift wood that teases a child’s (and adult’s) imagination. You’ll see the remnants of last week’s fort that Johnny built as your child is busily adding on to a tee pee from a previous visitor. In addition, San Gregorio river pours into the ocean at San Gregorio beach. The slow flowing river is a much safer place for kids to splash around than in the ocean where the waves tend to be rather big. Bring a tube and float down a short section of the river on a hot summer day. Reviews of San Gregorio State Beach with Kids
For beaches closer to the city, you might also consider:
- Crissy Field Beach, San Francisco,CA
- Schoonmaker Beach, Sausalito, CA
- Crown Memorial State Beach, Alameda, CA
Best Place to Splash around in a River: Russian River
Photo by: Flickr/ ((brian))
To the north of San Francisco, in Sonoma County is beautiful Russian River. You can rent kayaks or just find you way down to the banks of the river and get comfortable on a sandy river bank. You can pick up a canoe at Johnson’s Beach and Resort, Burke’s Canoe Trips and Kayaks, or Soar Russian River Adventures. However, if you don’t want to hang out at Johnson’s, there are several river access points along the Russian River you can just hike down to. Some popular ones are Healdsburg Memorial beach, and Monte Rio Beach.
To the south, you might try San Lorenzo River near Henry Cowell Redwood State Park
Related:
- Keeping Kids Safe at Water Parks and Pools
- Public Pools in San Francisco
- Public Pools in the East Bay (San Francisco)
- Public Pools on the Peninsula (San Francisco)
- Water Parks in Florida
- Water Parks in Washington State
- Indoor Water Parks in Denver
- Great Places to Cool Off with Kids in Texas
- Great Places to Cool Off with Kids in the Chicago Area (Chi-town)
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! Spotlight your posts here by following the instructions for Spotlight Thursdays and filling out the Mr. Linky Form below.
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LiLing Pang is a contributing author and co-founder of Trekaroo.
Travel with kids to: CA | CO | DC | FL | HI | IL | MA | NC | NY | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA
Museums across America are getting more and more kid-friendly. Many have special exhibits geared to the interests of kids with interactive hands on learning stations. If you’re looking for a special outing or some exceptional educational experiences, you’ve got to put these on your list of activities to hit up before the year ends.
Kid friendly Museum Exhibits in: San Francisco | Los Angeles | Seattle | Chicago | Dallas | New York City | Boston
In particular, these 10 kid-friendly museum exhibits really got us excited. If you can, try to get to some of these with your kids! These exhibits promise big fun, educational experiences, and a plethora of interactive exhibits.
Exploring Trees Inside and Out
This 2,500-square-foot exhibit is designed for kids ages 2 to 7 to better understand the significant role trees play in the environment and how they can be involved in preserving them. This exhibit engages all of your child’s senses. They’ll be happy as an cockatoo crawling, smelling, listening, and pretending. website
Catch this exhibit at:
California Science Center, Los Angeles, California – May 28th to September 6th,2010.
Reviews of California Science Center with Kids | Kid-friendly Activities and Hotel in Los Angeles
Chicago Children’s Museum from October 2nd to January 9th, 2011.
Reviews of the Chicago Children’s Museum with Kids | Kid-friendly Activities and Hotels in Chicago
Photo by: Arbor Day Foundation
Chomp 2! Return of the Carnivorous Plants
What kid can resist the excitement of coming face to face with meat-eating plants like the statuesque white trumpets of the American Southeast, the sinister pitcher plants of Borneo and the glistening sundews of South Africa. This swampy paradise is sure to delight your child. Do not get your fingers too close to these plants, little ones…. they bite! website
Catch this exhibit at:
Conservatory of Flowers, San Francisco, CA – now till October 31, 2010
Reviews of the Conservatory of Flowers with Kids | Kid-friendly Activities and Hotels in San Francisco
Photo by: Conservatory of Flowers
Living in Space, about the International Space Station
This traveling exhibit provides an interactive experience where kids eat, sleep, work, and play in space. If you have a young child who loves anything to do with space, don’t miss this wonderful exhibit. website
Catch this Exhibit at:
Bay Area Discovery Museum, Sausalito, CA – May 29th to August 15th,2010
Reviews of the Bay Area Discovery Museum with Kids | Kid-friendly Activities and Hotels in San Francisco
Minnesota Children’s Museum, St. Paul, MN – Sept 4, 2010 through Jan 2, 2011
Reviews of the Minnesota Children’s Museum with Kids | Kid-friendly Activities and Hotels in the Twin Cities
Photo by: Bay Area Discovery Museum
Mammoths and Mastodons: Titans of the Ice Age
This brand new traveling exhibit will allow kids to explore the world of mammoths and mastodons through fossils, artifacts, engaging interactives, immersive media, and the story of the most complete and best-preserved mammoth ever found, the baby Lyuba. website
Catch this exhibit at:
The Field Museum, Chicago, IL – now till September 6th,2010
Reviews of Field Museum with Kids | Kid-friendly Activities and Hotels in Chicago
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City, NJ – October 16, 2010 to January 9, 2011
Reviews of Liberty Science Center with Kids
Photo by: Flickr/taygete05
Curious George saves the Day: The Art of Margret and H.A. Rey
Kids and adults all have fond feelings towards Curious George. In this wonderful exhibit, you’ll see original drawings and learn about how George actually saved his ‘parents’ from Nazi occupied Europe. Website
Catch this exhibit at:
Jewish Museum, New York City – now till till August 1st, 2010
Reviews of Jewish Museum with Kids | Kid-friendly Activities and Hotels in New York City
Photo by: The Jewish Museum
Bodies
The ‘Bodies’ exhibit provides a rare look into real human specimens, showing how amazing our human bodies are. For young children, it may be too much, but for your tween and teens, this exhibit is a must see. website
Check their website for where you can catch this exhibit. They are showing in many cities across America including Atlanta, Dallas, Cleveland, Grand Rapids, Las Vegas, Tuscon, New York
Kid-friendly Activities and Hotels in Atlanta | Kid-friendly Activities and Hotels in New York City | Kid-friendly Activities and Hotels in Dallas
Toys: the Inside Story
This fun exhibition literally breaks open the world of toys so that your child can discover the simple mechanisms commonly found in toys. Your budding toy designer can also create their own toy-like combination of gears, pulleys, linkages, cams, and circuits. Enjoy some free-form and open-ended toy design. Caution: get ready for massive toys dissection when you come back home! website
Children’s Museum of Manhattan, New York City – from May 29th till September 18th, 2010
Reviews of the Children’s Museum of Manhattan | Kid-friendly Activities and Hotels in New York City
Photo by: John Douglas
Peter Rabbits Flower Village
Enjoy the flower houses at the Dallas Arboretum that bring alive the world of Beatrix Potter. This is the cutest little exhibition. Fans of Beatrix Potter should not miss this. website
Catch this exhibit at:
Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, Dallas, TX – now till July 31st, 2010
Reviews of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens with Kids | Kid-friendly Activities and Hotels in Dallas
Photo by: Dallas Arboretum
Lizards and Snakes: Alive
Hate them or love thme, your kids will fascinated by the 60+ live lizards and snakes in re-created habitats. This exhibit introduces visitors to a diversity of legged and legless creatures and their remarkable adaptations. website
Catch this Exhibit at:
American Museum of Natural, New York City – now till September 2nd,2010
Reviews of the American Museum of Natural History | Kid-friendly Activities and Hotels in New York City
Photo by: Michael & Patricia Fogden
Headgear: the Natural History of Horn and Antlers
This multimedia exhibition provides an unusual in-depth look at horn and antler headgear dawned by some animals, providing a look at the evolutionary process of such animals. 3-D diorama and video presentations illustrate the use of horns and antlers in combat. website
Catch this exhibit at:
Harvard Museum of Natural History, Cambridge, MA – May 22nd, 2010 till January 2nd, 2011
Reviews of the Harvard Museum of Natural History with Kids | Kid-friendly activities and hotels in Boston
Full List of Kid-friendly Museum Exhibits:
- Kid-friendly Museum Exhibits in San Francisco, California
- Kid-friendly Museum Exhibits in Los Angeles, California
- Kid-friendly Museum Exhibits in Seattle, Washington
- Kid-friendly Museum Exhibits in Chicago, Illinois
- Kid-friendly Museum Exhibits in Dallas, Texas
- Kid-friendly Museum Exhibits in New York City
- Kid-friendly Museum Exhibits in Boston, Massachusetts
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LiLing Pang is a contributing author on Trekaroo – a reviews site dedicated to exploring and traveling with kids.
Travel with kids to: CA | CO | DC | FL | HI | IL | MA | NC | NY | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA
One of the great things about living in the US is that we are such a heterogeneous society. I love that we live in a country where so many people from different ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds can live together in peace. When raising our children, it is important to make sure that they not only value their cultural background, but that they learn about and appreciate other cultures as well. I am always excited to expose my children to a new culture, whether it be through food, a museum exhibit, or personal interaction. Lydie, one of our Trekaroo Superoos , put together some fantastic lists
- Cross cultural experiences for kids in Los Angeles,
- Cross cultural experiences for kids in Washington DC
- Cross cultural experiences for kids in San Francisco
- Cross cultural experiences for kids in Pennsylvania
- Cross cultural experiences for kids in Texas
- Cross cultural experiences for kids in New York City.
Amish in Pennsylvnia - Photo by: flickr/Bob Jagendorf
Today I would like to spotlight an experience from each of the lists with the hope that you will follow the links to see what other great ideas Lydie has listed. Lets get started with LA!
In Los Angeles attend the Los Angeles Greek Festival. Lydie says: “The Greek Festival is held every year in September and you will have to check the calendar for the exact date. It is a wonderful opportunity to discover the Greek culture and food without having to endure a long flight. There are lots of activities for children to enjoy as well as a separate play area where they can have fun.” Want to see what else is on the list? Check out Los Angeles Cross Cultural Experiences for Kids.
In Washington DC don’t miss the Freer & Sackler Galleries. Lydie says “This is the place to go to embrace Asian culture in Washington DC. Do not miss the ImaginAsia events held on a regular basis. They will help children understand the Asian culture by participating in projects and activities.” Want to see what else is on the list? Check out Washington DC Cross Cultural Experiences for Kids.
In San Francisco be sure to visit the Contemporary Jewish Museum. Lydie says “This is actually one of my favorite museums in San Francisco. They have wonderful temporary exhibitions that will make you fall in love with the Jewish culture.” Want to see what else is on the list? Check out San Francisco Cross Cultural Experiences for Kids.
In Texas take the time to see The Women’s Museum, an Institiute for the Future. Lydie says “The exhibition ‘Freedom’s Sisters’ is running till July 4, 2010 will showcase the stories of Harriett Tubman, Rosa Parks and many more. Young girls of any race will feel empowered by their visit.” Want to see what else is on the list? Check out Texas Cross Cultural Experiences for Kids.
No visit to New York City is complete without seeing the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. Lydie says “Ellis Island was the last step for European immigrants and the last wait before entering the United States in quest for a better life. By visiting this museum, children will have a better understanding of what Irish, British, Polish, German, French and others endured in the quest for a better life.” Want to see what else is on the list? Check out New York City Cross Cultural Experiences for Kids.
In Pennsylvania visit Amish Village. Lydie says: “You will get an insider’s view on how the Amish work and live. You will see the blacksmith shop, a central shop in the Amish culture, the livestock, the smokehouse, the village store etc and you will leave with a better understanding of their culture.” Want to see what else is on the list? Check out Pennsylvania Cross Cultural Experiences for Kids.
We hope these lists will inspire your family to explore a different culture. Now lets see where these bloggers and Trekaroo friends have been exploring lately…
Let’s see where the spotlight shines this week!
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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! Spotlight your posts here by following the instructions here and filling out the Mr. Linky Form below.
Sharlene Earnshaw (aka doubleadventure) is Blogger-in-chief for Trekaroo – a review site dedicated to exploring and traveling with kids and the woman behind Double the Adventure.
Travel with kids to: CA | CO | DC | FL | HI | IL | MA | NC | NY | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA
The Happy Hollow Park and Zoo has been a place where young families and grandparents have made memories for 46 years. Moms and Dads who themselves were once tots tearing through this whimsical land of fairytales, furry animal friends, and of course the beloved Danny the Dragon, have the happiest memories of Happy Hollow. It’s no wonder that when the Happy Hollow magic started to fade after years of service, the residents of San Jose came to it’s rescue by passing a bond measure to fund the renovation of their special place.
Now 20 months and $72 million later, Happy Hollow is reopening its gates following an extensive overhaul and expansion. The grand opening of Happy Hollow is this Saturday, March 20, 2010. Trekaroo got a special sneak peak last week and my oh my, are we excited to tell you that your younger children will be in heaven. Grab your calendars, call some friends, and make a play date right now to visit the new Happy Hollow Park & Zoo.
From the moment I set eyes on the new entry way with it’s delightful display of whimsical animal sculptures created by artist Tom Otterness, I knew we were in for a treat. If you have a kid between the ages of 2 and 10, you’ve got to come check it out for yourself. Here’s what we loved about the new Happy Hollow:
Delightful playgrounds – At Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, you aren’t going to find any pre-fabricated playground structures. Instead, you’ll find custom-designed playgrounds that resemble works of art. The Redwood Lookout playground was absolutely stunning. I just couldn’t help myself and climbed atop this two-story tree house structure and slid down one of those magnificent slides. Despite its size, there’s a smaller redwood structure on the other side for the little ones to enjoy. Parents can feel part of the fun by resting on the big boulders in the middle of Redwood Lookout and keep an eye on their “little monkeys.”
In addition to Redwood Lookout, there were several bump-out areas for kid’s needing a smaller playspace. Integrated into the new petting zoo is another fantastic playground called Lemur Woods geared towards a younger crowd. At first glance, you might think it’s another pretty fabulous playground, but it’s strategic placement next to the goat pen and lemur exhibit was purposeful to encourage children to parallel play with their furry friends. Don’t be surprised to find your 4-year old prancing little a billy goat or swaying around the play structure like a lemur.
Read what other parents are saying about Happy Hollow Park and Zoo>>
Plentiful Learning Opportunities – Teaching about animal and environmental conservation is at the very heart of Happy Hollow. No dreary alarmist documentary here to get the point across. Instead, children learn about conservation through having fun observing, discovering, and exploring. In fact, Happy Hollow is working on getting it’s LEED silver certification. The Learning L.O.D.G.E. which is the center for educational activity is constructed of hay bales and kids can see proof of it for themselves. Right outside the learning center is an on-site rain water catchment system that filters and cleans rainwater and keeps it in the park for the health of the abundant vegetation. Throughout the park, kids have multiple opportunities to learn about environmental conservation whether it’s through the abundance of recycling bins (and the lack of trash cans), the radiant floor cooling/heating in place of traditional energy sucking A/C, or the use of recycled materials throughout the park.
“Double H” Ranch is the wonderful new animal contact area where kids can get up close and personal with goats, sheep, lemurs and more. As they learn to care for their animal friends, children are also learning about the species conservation projects that Happy Hollow participates in. Down in the lower zoo, most things are the same except for two new areas: Dinosaur Dig for your budding paleontologists and a fantastic bee hive area that teaches kids about the important role that these hardworking friends play in our eco-system. Not only can children see the bees hard at work but all their senses are engaged in the world of the bees, learning how we can all be thoughtful in helping them thrive.
If you would like to visit with a school group, the education department can make classroom visits, or host students. Happy Hollow also offers classes for kids as young as 12 months and summer camps for kids 3 to 13.
Old Favorites are Still Here - Danny the Dragon hasn’t left although, he might have stepped out briefly to get a make-over. Newly minted with shiny new tires and a bright coat of paint, Danny’s ready to take kids on a tour of the new Happy Hollow. The maze and puppet theater have been updated, but still offer the same charm as before. The beloved crooked house has been spruced up herself and ready to welcome children back. The lower zoo’s been freshened up and many of the same animals are still here. One new friend is the Foosa, a rare member of the mongoose family and a top predator native to Madagascar. The lemurs aren’t so sure about him, but Happy Hollow is excited to be one of just 22 facilities in the US to provide a home to this endangered little guy. Oh yes, the Mini Putt-Putt cars and Granny Bug rides are also still around.
Wonderful place for birthday parties – Once word gets out, this might be the hottest place for a birthday party this year. Get in the front of the line because bookings are starting to fill up already for the summer. There are 9 different party spots that you can rent out at Happy Hollow depending on the size of the group. Here’s a tip – Danny’s Place, Whistling Woods and Chimes and Bells are all located close to Redwood Lookout – the big playground. Party packages range from $235 to $455 with add-ons you can choose from. No outside food is allowed except cake. But all entertainment is taken care of, so mom and dad can just kick back and celebrate with the kids.
Fully ADA Accessible – During the renovations of Happy Hollow, a lot of thought was given towards making the park fully ADA accessible. That means that the placement of sculptures give consideration to whether a wheel chair can weave it’s way easily between them. But beyond having ramps throughout the park which make it wonderfully stroller friendly (although it is small enough that you probably won’t need one), even the playground areas are ADA accessible. The maze has extra wide paths and is accessed via a ramp, some of the slides at Redwood Lookout can even be accessed with a wheel chair. All doorways are perfectly flushed with the ground.
Congrats to Happy Hollow and the residents of San Jose for preserving this wonderful place for families. We are looking forward to hearing about all the new memories Trekaroo families are making at Happy Hollow. (Write a review of Happy Hollow Park & Zoo) Admission to Happy Hollow is $12 for kids and adults 2 and up (under 2 is free). Once you’re in, there are no extras to pay for, so your kids can enjoy as many rides as they want unlike most zoos in the Bay Area. If you live within a 45 minute drive, seriously consider getting the Family Membership which is a steal at $95 for the whole year. The Family Membership will get two parents and up to 4 kids in for free all year in addition to lots of discounts on classes and food.
Happy Hollow Park & Zoo
1300 Senter Road, San Jose, CA
Grand reopening on March 20, 2010
For more information, call 408.794.6420 or visit www.hhpz.org.
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LiLing Pang is a contributing author on Trekaroo – a reviews site dedicated to exploring and traveling with kids.
Travel with kids to: CA | CO | DC | FL | HI | IL | MA | NC | NY | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA
Credit: Lisa Lim
Open to the public for over a year now, the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park is still ranked the second most popular attraction for families in San Francisco on Trekaroo. What’s not to like, it’s not only got an aquarium, but a planetarium, a natural history museum, and a 4-story rainforest all under one living roof.
You can use the following coupon for $3 off general admission for up to four person from the California Travel & Tourism Commission.
http://www.visitcalifornia.com/media/pages/funspots/2010/CAAcadSci10coupon1027.jpg
This offer is only available for general admission tickets through December 31, 2010.
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Trekaroo is a reviews site dedicated to exploring and traveling with kids.
Travel with kids to: CA | CO | DC | FL | HI | IL | MA | NC | NY | PA | TX | VA | WA
Let the fall festivities begin…
Pumpkin hurling? Oh yes! Where? In New Jersey at the Flying Pumpkin Festival , and Suffolk County Farm in New York. All over the US, kids are having a blast picking apples and pumpkins, catching an old fashioned hay ride or getting lost in a corn maze. Here are some of the best farms and festivals from Lydie at Trekaroo mom and keeper for Travel Is More Fun With Kids.
Pumpkin Patches:
- Pumpkin Patches that Kids Love in an Francisco
- The Best Pumpkin Patches Near Seattle
- The Most Popular Pumpkin Patches in the Tri-state Area (New York, New Jersey and Connecticut)
Harvest Festivals:
- Harvest Festivals and Oktoberfest Celebrations From San Francisco to Monterey/Carmel
- Fall Time Harvest Festivals in Washington State
- Popular Harvest Festivals in Manhattan and New York State
- Best Harvest Festivals for Kids in New Jersey
- Top Harvest Festivals for Kids in Connecticut
Photo by: www.flickr.com/photos/micahtaylor/1690423641
LiLing Pang is a contributing author on Trekaroo – a reviews site dedicated to exploring and traveling with kids.
Travel with kids to: CA | FL | HI | MA | NY | PA | TX | VA
The Walt Disney Family Museum
We had the opportunity to visit the Walt Disney Family Museum this weekend with our two kids (6 and 3). The museum will open on October 1st, 2009 and is located near the Golden Gate Bridge, on the grounds of the Presidio of San Francisco, a former army base which is now part of the National Park System. The museum offers a fascinating look into the history and life of the Disney family, as well as the founding of the iconic Walt Disney Company by Walt and Roy Disney.
The museum is world class in it’s fit and finish, but be forewarned that it is first and foremost a museum and not a theme park. The museum starts off with the history of the Disney family and moves into the captivating story of the growth of the nascent animation industry. It showcases the pivotal role that Disney played in advancing the art and science of animation. I found all of it fascinating and I learned quite a bit about the history of animation. Our kids were engaged by the plethora of video animations, but spent the most time in the Disneyland model area near the end of the museum. Our 6 year old likes to draw and was especially intrigued by the history and the process of animation.
Limited stroller parking is available, but I would recommend not bringing one. Due to the lack of stroller access and the grown up nature of the museum, I would only recommend it for kids over 6 years old.
Read the full review and see photos of the new museum here »
Find more activities near the Walt Disney Family Museum »
Find activities for kids in San Francisco »
Find kid-friendly hotels in San Francisco »
Brennan Pang is a contributing author on Trekaroo – a reviews site dedicated to exploring and traveling with kids.
Travel with kids to: CA | FL | HI | MA | NY | PA | TX | VA
