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.

Beth Keklak is Trekaroo’s Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware Destination Guroo

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

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

OREGON

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.

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

Welcome to

Lately, the witches have been crafting their best potions, goblins have been looking for some new hiding spots, and ghosts have been checking out their favorite haunts.  Its seems as though things tend to be a bit more spooky in October.  So where do families go to find all things  spooktacular in their neck of the woods? Well if your family calls Florida, California, Massachusetts, North Carolina, or Pennsylvania home, then we have got some great lists for you!  Trekaroo’s own Superoo extraordinaire, Lydie, has put together some great lists of Spooky Festivals and Attractions for Kids.

Read about how Disney World does Halloween, where you can glide down a haunted zipline, where to ride a ghost train, and who hosts a haunted safari coach in Spooky Festivals and Attractions for Kids in Florida and 13 Fall Festivals and Halloween events on Florida’s west coast.

Explore massive corn mazes in the dark, prepare your lungs for a good scream in a haunted graveyard, and put on a costume and explore a museum in Spooky Festivals and Attractions for Kids in Northern California .

See how the West Coast version of Disney celebrates the spooky season, get spooked by Freddy Kruyger in a popular theme park, see giant pumpkins made of Legos, and walk through mazes on a haunted ship while reading Spooky Festivals and Attractions for Kids in Southern California .

Make your way through a “Megamaze”, enjoy some spooky family fun down on the farm, and take a ghost tour in  Spooky Festivals and Attractions for Kids in Massachusetts .

Have a good old fashion boo at the zoo, check out a freaky forest, and trick or treat under the sea in Spooky Festivals and Attractions for Kids in North Carolina .

See how your friends on Sesame Street celebrate Halloween, ride a roller “ghoster” in a chocolate lover’s town, and attend Ghost Haunting 101 in Spooky Festivals and Attractions for Kids in Pennsylvania .

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. 

PLEASE READ AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS.

Step 1: Pick a recent post (past couple of days)

Step 2: Under “Name” write: “Title of your blog post (blog name)” – blog name in parenthesis
Under “url” paste: the link to your blog post (not your home page)

Step 3: Grab the Spotlight Thursday image and link to this post so your readers can see who else is playing along this week.

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.

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

This contest is now closed. Congrats to winner Janine Brotzman for winning with the most votes for this adorable picture:

Its that time of year.  The kids are back in school, the nights are getting crisper, and Halloween is just around the corner!   There is just something about the onset of fall that gets me so excited.  Its a season filled with turning leaves, apple picking, and trick or treating.  Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays and I make any excuse to celebrate it for as long as possible.  I love how many theme parks have decided to hop on board the Halloween train but unfortunately, most of their celebrations are just too scary for my kids.  That’s why I was so excited when I heard about Hersheypark in the Dark.

Hersheypark in the Dark is how Hersheypark does Halloween.  The annual festivities feature everything from “roller ghosters” to Hershey’s Trick-or-Treat Adventure for kids 12 and under.  The Halloween entertainment also includes a mad scientist show, a rock n roll band called the Screaming Mummies, and Halloween Story Time which is perfect for little ones.

If I were to pick one day to visit Hersheypark in the Dark it would be Sunday, October 17, for the annual Halloween costume contest.  Kids 12 and under can enter the competition in a chance to win one of the following categories:

• Halloween Classics
• Most Hershey-Like
• Most Original/Creative
• Best Group

Of course no visit to Hershey is complete without a night in the fabulous Hershey Lodge.  The chocolate themed decor is a great reminder that you are in America’s chocolate capital and the family friendly amenities such as in room refrigerators, pack and plays available upon request, babysitting, and room service keep families coming back year after year.  If you get a chance to sneak away, be sure to check out the Chocolate Spa and indulge in a Whipped Cocoa Bath, Chocolate Bean Polish, or Chocolate Fondue Wrap. Yummy!

Has all this talk about Hersheypark made you want to pack your bags and head to a sweeter locale?  Well then be sure to check out the details of how you can win a trip to Hersheypark in the Dark below:

The Steal: Win a Night at Hershey Lodge and 4 Two-Day Passes to Hersheypark in the Dark!

We are giving away a night at the Hershey Lodge (occupancy for four) in Hershey, PA and 4 two-day passes to Hersheypark in the Dark (open weekends October 15-31, 2010).  That’s an over $400 value!!!!

Number of Winners: ONE (1) winner, Must be 21 or older to win.

Prize: One night stay at the Hershey Lodge for four and four (4) two-day passes to Hersheypark in the Dark. This prize is to be redeemed weekends October 15-31, 2010.

How to enter:

1) Snap a photo of YOUR kids eating Hershey candy and then enter it in our photo contest here : Entry Form

2) Get your friends to vote for your cute kiddos.  They can vote once a day. 

Winner will be chosen based on popular vote.

Rules and guidelines: see entry form for official rules

Deadline to enter: Sunday, September 26, 2010 at 11:59PM PST

What is Monday Madness?

Every Monday, Trekaroo announces on our blog, either a fantastic giveaway or an incredible deal.  It could be a green water bottle, a hotel stay on Maui or theme park tickets. Return every Monday to the Talking Trekaroo Blog for the details. Want a reminder? Become a Trekaroo member or follow us on facebook or twitter.

Thanks to Contest for Moms, Online Sweepstakes, CashNet Sweepstakes, and Sweepstakes Advantage.

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Sharlene Earnshaw (aka doubleadventure) is Blogger-in-chief for Trekaroo and the blogger behind Double the Adventure.

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