In this economy, money is tight but families still want to travel. If your restless children are climbing the walls you may want to consider a cost effective road trip. It may not be the island vacation you’ve been dreaming of, but road trips are a fun way to enjoy the day with your family, a “quickie” you might say. Or, as Mick Jagger would say: ‘You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you might find you get what you need.’ Here are Trekaroo’s top picks for places your family can visit on one tank of gas from Sacramento.

 Tour Moaning Cavern & Mercer Cavern in Calaveras County

Under the gently rolling hills of Calaveras County, are hundreds of limestone caverns, an ideal family vacation activity. Visitors of all ages have the opportunity to learn about cavern geology at Moaning Caverns and Mercer Caverns. Moaning Cavern is the largest single chamber public cavern in California. The main room is large enough to fit the Statue of Liberty inside. Moaning Caverns offers a holiday ‘Caroling in the Cave’ concert featuring a rappelling Santa and local high school choirs singing a cappella.

Read Trekaroo user reviews of Mercer Caverns

Auburn is known for its California Gold Rush history

Gold panning is a favorite tourist attraction. Kids in particular will love panning for specks and flakes like the thousands of miners who flocked to California in the mid-19th century. You might even sneak some history in, and there’s a (microscopic) chance you’ll come out of the experience with your very own gold nugget! Direction and free brochures to popular panning spots are available at Auburn California Welcome Center.

What Auburn’s less known for, but is of equal importance to tweens, is the Skateboard Park at Overlook Park. The Skate Park has ample parking and offers a beautiful view of the canyon. The park also connects to walking trails that access the canyon. Bring your lunch, park your car, and enjoy a wonderful relaxing view.

Step into the Jelly Belly Factory in Fairfield

Smell the aroma of chocolate, peach, cinnamon, pineapple, or whatever is being cooked up that day. Fairfield is located about 45 minutes west of Sacramento. Participate in the free 40-minute walking tour in which Jelly Belly tour guides show you a real working factory where over 150 different sweet treats are cooked up. Swing by the gift shop and buy the BeanBoozled Game.  BeanBoozled jelly beans are a collection of 20 lookalike flavors, some so crazy you can’t believe it, while others are the delicious Jelly Belly beans you love. New this year are Canned Dog Food and Centipede flavors. Take the dare with the spinner wheel, then pick and eat the jelly bean in the color the spinner lands on. Is the black jelly bean Licorice, or is it Skunk Spray?

Read Trekaroo user reviews of the Jelly Belly Factory

 Visit Vallejo Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

Nothing provides more lasting memories for children than a great day shared with family at an amusement park. At Six Flags Discovery Kingdom you’ll find thrilling rides, a wide variety of entertainment, and huggable cartoon characters. That’s why I took my 3 yr old son here for his birthday on a Wednesday morning in August. The park was practically empty. No lines for rides, no lines for anything WOOOOO!! Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is an animal theme park and includes a variety of roller coasters and other amusement rides, along with a collection of animal exhibits and shows. Families can even get in the water and swim with Atlantic bottlenose dolphins!  The Dolphin Discovery program is available seven days a week throughout the year. 

Read reviews of Six Flags Discovery Kingdom on Trekaroo.

 The waterfront Children’s Museum of Stockton is amazing

The Children’s Museum of Stockton ‘Where Every Touch is a Know-Know!’ opened in 1994 as a memorial to the elementary students killed in a 1989 massacre at Cleveland Elementary School. The museum was the brainchild of a teacher at the school who was wounded in the attack, Janet Geng, Founding Director of The Children’s Museum of Stockton.  Each year, more than 55,000 children play in its little grocery store, climb inside its ambulance and peer inside the mouth of a larger-than-life Delta bass. KIDSWORLD is a permanent exhibit in the museum. KIDSWORLD which occupies three-fourths of the 22,000 square foot structure is a child’s version of a miniature city. Over 40 exhibits including a bank, hospital, grocery store, recycling, art center, and a post office engage children in a hands-on exploration of a functioning city. The new exhibit, “Healthier Ever After,” is an interactive feature highlighting exercise, nutrition and smart food choices and will be on display through mid-January

Read reviews of the Children’s Museum of Stockton on Trekaroo.

 Walk among roaring, stomping, realistic-looking dinosaurs at – Lawrence Hall of Science- UC Berkeley

Explore the prehistoric world like never before in Dinosaurs Unearthed. Scientists, engineers, and artists designed these creatures to be as lifelike as possible. The gigantic animals open their jaws, blink their eyes, and move their limbs. See the Hall’s dinos spring to life — if you dare! Dinosaurs Unearthed features amazingly real animatronic dinosaurs, a hands-on fossil dig site, articulated full-size skeletons, actual dinosaur fossils, and interactive multimedia stations. Younger visitors will have fun in the Young Explorers’ Experience. This special exhibition area features activities designed for visitors aged 2–7 years.

Visitors to Lawrence Hall of Science can also explore the skies in an interactive planetarium, where questions and activities are part of the program! The geodesic dome is installed with a state-of-the-art projection system. The 50-seat planetarium’s Public Planetarium Program is presented every Saturday and Sunday. Daily programs are also offered Monday-Friday during the summer. Saturday Night Stargazing, weather permitting, is held every 3rd Saturday of the month, year-round.

Read Trekaroo user reviews of Lawrence Hall of Science.

 Apple Hill growers such as #1 High Hill Ranch and #14 Denver Dan’s Apple Patch offer many kid-specific activities and fun for the whole family

One of the oldest ranches on Apple Hill, High Hill Ranch, offers daily fishing and you’re almost guaranteed to catch something there. Fishing is priced per pound and you have to keep your catch so unless you want to walk around all day carrying a dead fish I’d save this activity for last! On the weekends the ranch offers pony rides, face painting, and hay rides.

At #14 Denver Dan’s Apple Patch children will have a tour of the orchard, will be shown how to pick an apple (correctly) & will have a container which will hold about 3 apples. They will return to the barn and have a demonstration of an apple peeler (it will make apple slinkies!)  Next they will have a treat of apple cookies and glass of apple cider, and apple stickers to take home with the apples they have picked.  Also at Denver Dan’s is Cookin’ Kids, a pie making class for kids age 3 & up. Kids get to roll their own dough, place in 6” pie pan, and fill the crust with pie makins’. Then they learn to roll the top crust, place it on the pie, and crimp the edges. Any leftover dough goes into cookies that they can top with decorations! Their pies and cookies are baked and placed into individual containers for the kids to take home and share!

Photo by: Trekaroo/MissBirdieMFGS

Read Trekaroo user reviews of #1 High Hill Ranch

Be on the lookout for more “One  Tank Road Trips” heading your way as we launch this fun series across the US. 

Can’t hardly wait??  Tell us, what are your favorite places to go on one tank of gas from your city!

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Somewhere in between a nature walk and enjoying my morning coffee on the beautiful south shore of Lake Tahoe, I came to understand why Camp Richardson Historic Resort and Marina has been a favorite all-season destination resort since 1924. Like Disneyland, Camp Rich offers enough activities to keep you on-site your entire trip. I’ll see your Tomorrowland and raise you Lake Tahoe, the second deepest lake in North America! This knotty-pine paradise comes complete with miles of sandy beach, a mountain sports center, ice cream parlor, general store and deli, lakeside restaurant, its own full-service marina with boat rentals, and a HUGE personality!

Camp Richardson is your fun headquarters!

During the warm seasons families can enjoy hiking, biking, beach-going, water play, boat rentals, fishing, and more. Kids can become honorary forest rangers as they explore majestic Lake Tahoe the  other lakes in the Lake Tahoe basin that deserve our attention. Just across the street from the main entrance. Camp Richardson Corral offers guided trail rides, hay wagon rides, steak rides, and winter sleigh rides. For riders 5 and younger, Camp Richardson Corral offers pony rides. Snowy season offerings include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snow play and nearby ice-skating and sledding.

Mountain Sports Center is your on-site resource for all your recreation needs from full suspension mountain bikes, tandem bikes, bike accessories & repairs, hiking information and maps, cross-country ski rentals and trails, snowshoe rentals, to moonlight cross-country skiing and sleds.  Recently voted “Best Place to Cross Country Ski” by Tahoe locals, the Sports Center offers groomed and marked trails and is a great place to ski along the shores of Lake Tahoe. In winter, the miles of summer bike trails are magically changed to a beautiful white wonderland for skiing and snowshoeing as Camp Richardson hosts its own 35KM cross-country ski track.

The Camp Richardson Marina offers everything from an on-site water ski school to Seadoo, power boat, paddle boat, and kayak rentals. With the closest marina to Emerald Bay and one of the lake’s longest piers, this marina offers an endless array of ways to explore the deep blue waters of Lake Tahoe. A gas dock, as well as launching and mooring facilities are available for those who would like to bring their own boat to the lake. During the summer months, the marina is open seven days a week.  oh, and if you see a purple mitten floating in the lake, grab it for me. My toddler chucked it in the lake from the pier during our visit!

Grab a Rum Runner and enjoy the view!

The Beacon Bar and Grill, located right on water’s edge at Camp Richardson Resort, is the perfect place for families to dine. The Beacon’s kid’s menu is excellent! There’s a nice variety of dishes to choose from with several healthy options. I’m happy to report, the prices are very reasonable (we paid $8 per child for very generous portions). When the weather heats up, patrons flock to the Beacon’s outdoor patio to soak up the sun, enjoy the beautiful view, and drink the Beacon’s famous Rum Runners and thick slices of fried calamari. For off-site dining, try Camp Richardson’s Fresh Ketch Restaurant, located right on the water at the Tahoe Keys Marina (about a 10 minute drive). The Ketch was voted, “Best Seafood” by Tahoe locals! In the summer, patrons can watch a Tahoe sunset from the waterfront lawn. If you need to stock up on supplies or grab a quick bite, The General Store & Cafe with Deli offers groceries, beer & wine, camping supplies, books & maps, gifts & apparel, sundries, ice, ATM, and Wi-Fi. Breakfast and lunch are served daily year-round. During the summer months, be sure to grab an ice cream cone. It just seems to taste better when eaten the fresh Sierra air.

A wide variety of lodging options to fit every budget and need.

Camp Richardson Historic Resort & Marina offers year-round lodging to fit every need. In the summer, reservations are made by the week only.

• Year round cabins – Sleep 2 to 8 people, studio, 1 and 2 bedroom units offer a gas fireplace, full kitchen (including microwave, coffeemaker and toaster), with utensils, linens and towels provided.
• Summer-only cabins – Studio and 1 bedroom units offer a basic kitchen (including coffeemaker and toaster), with linens and towels provided.
• Camp Richardson Hotel – 26 rooms sleeping from 1 to 4 people. Within the Hotel, the grand hall great room offers a social area with Wi-Fi, cozy seating, and the largest (and most gorgeous) fireplace I’ve ever seen.
• The Richardson House – A completely remodeled 7 bedroom, 5 bath house that sleeps 20. The home is furnished with modern amenities, hardwood floors, multiple TVs, a huge stone fireplace, a game area, and a formal dining area that sits 10 guests, making it perfect for family reunions.
• Beachside Inn – This 7-unit motel offers king and two double bed units. Perfect for those who want immediate access to the lake and the beach.
• Marina Duplex – Two adjacent two story units, each with sleeping for six, with basic kitchens, TV’s and phones. The Marina Duplex is in the center of activities during the summer.
• RV Village – Three campground areas are available.  New this year, a fully furnished, turn-key RV ready for your arrival. The “Hide Out” trailer is 27 feet and sleeps 6 people with a queen bed, a twin bunk, and a fold out double sofa sleeper. Also includes a bathroom with tub & shower, flat screen TV/DVD player, surround sound stereo, heat and air.
• Camping – 210 tent sites in two locations nestled in towering pine trees. Badger’s Den Campground and Eagle’s Nest. Campsites go early in the summer so it is recommended families book a couple months in advance.

 Good to know before you go:

• Camp Richardson Resort has a strict no pet policy.
• While you are visiting Camp Richardson, don’t feed any animals. Never leave food out on a picnic table or in a tent. All food, coolers, and food containers should be put away inside your car. Garbage should be disposed of in animal-proof dumpsters.
• Mai Dalton is the poised and passionate Lodging Operations Manager. If you run into her don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation. She has lots of fun Camp Richardson stories to share.

Want more Lake Tahoe fun? Check out reviews of  family friendly activities in the Lake Tahoe area.

Tina Buell (aka: imsnow) is one of NorCal’s Destination Gurus and a single mom to a 3 year old boy. She loves to travel with her mom and son to as many places as her schedule and budget allow.

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Pensacola, Florida, is located on the Gulf Coast, which probably makes you start dreaming about summer vacations at the beach.  In actuality, Pensacola is a great place to visit at any time of the year!

Winter in Pensacola – Just Cold Enough to Want to Stay Inside

In the past week or two, the temperatures have finally dipped down below the 70s.  This is the time for us to dig out our sweaters and head downtown to take a trolley ride for Winterfest.  There are 12 stops where local performers act out holiday favorites that everyone will recognize like Rudolph and the Polar Express.  There is a free musical performance and you can visit Santa while you are there.

If it is too cold for you outside, you can stay warm in one of the great museums around town.  The National Museum of Naval Aviation at NAS Pensacola is one of the largest Naval Aviation museums in the world.  Everybody loves climbing in and out of the plane and helicopter cockpits where you can pretend to fly.  See an IMAX movie or take a spin on the simulators.  The TT Wentworth Discovery Gallery is a great place to let the kids run around indoors.  The children can learn more about colonial life in Pensacola through interactive play and hands-on activities.  There is a general store, a fort with costumes, a pirate ship and more.

Spring in Pensacola – My Favorite Time of Year 

Spring is my favorite time of year in Pensacola.  It is the perfect time to spend the weekends hiking the many different trails around town.  When I let them choose, my children always pick the Edward Ball Nature Trail on the University of West Florida campus.  There is a short boardwalk where your kids will spy turtles, fish, and maybe even a snake or alligator.  The Arcadia Mill Archeological Site is another great boardwalk to explore.  As you wander along the boardwalk, read the signs describing the different areas of this former industrial complex.  There is also a small swinging bridge to walk across.

We take full advantage of the spring weather and check out some of our favorite parks in the area.  Parents will enjoy the peaceful view at the Sanders Beach-Corrine Johnson Park.  The park overlooks the water, much of the playground equipment is covered, and there are benches and picnic areas to enjoy a snack.  Though there isn’t much by way of playground equipment, Aviation Park sits right on the Pensacola International Airport flight line.  There is a pretend air traffic control tower that you can sit in and listen to the real air traffic controllers.  The speakers are linked to the Pensacola International Airport tower.

Summer in Pensacola – Build castles in powdery white sand

Our summers are humid and hot so we spend a lot of time at the beach.  After a long day of splashing in the waves and playing in the sand, we always have to make a trip to Ft. Pickens on the Gulf Islands National Seashore.  This pre-Civil War fort has lots of walkways and nooks to check out.  Bring your flashlights because some of the halls are dark.  We leave a pair of headlamps in our car for the kids just in case we make an impromptu stop at the fort.  Our family beach trip wouldn’t be complete without an early dinner at Peg Leg Pete’s.  The kid’s meal comes with a pirate eye patch in a bright blue sand bucket.Plaza de Luna Park

If the beach isn’t your thing, visit Plaza de Luna in Downtown Pensacola.  There is a small splash pad, a great concession stand, and a pretty view.  This is a favorite spot for fishermen so you just might see them pulling up their catch.  Wander in and out of the shops along Palafox when you are finished.

The summertime is when the farms open for U-pick and the blueberries are perfectly plump and sweet.  Pick pounds of blueberries as a family.  Of course, if your children are anything like mine you will probably find them hiding in a bush eating all their freshly picked blueberries.  A& N Blueberries is a family friendly farm that offers inexpensive U-pick berries and is a great family outing.

Fall in Pensacola –Festivals Every Week

For me, fall has officially arrived when we attend the annual Pensacola Seafood Festival.  There are hundreds of arts and crafts vendors and lots of new seafood to try.  There is a children’s area with arts and crafts.  Santa Rosa County’s Beaches to Rivers offers all sorts of great fall events, too.  There are corn mazes to get lost in and pumpkin patches to visit.

Whenever we want to get out of the house but can’t seem to come up with a plan, we head to one of Florida’s state parks.  There are a five state parks within a 45 minute radius of Pensacola.  See the endangered pitcher plants at Tarkiln Bayou or Yellow Marsh River Preserve State Park.  Big Lagoon State Park has lots of walking trails by the beach.  There is an observation tower that you can climb up to get a great view of the water or you can canoe or tube down the river at Blackwater River State Park.

You will be sure to find plenty of family friendly activities no matter when you visit Pensacola, Florida!

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Trekaroo is excited to begin a new series where we highlight our picks of the top ten things for families to do in each of the 50 states. We decided to kick off the series with our home state of California. Limiting the list to just ten activities was incredibly difficult, but we think families seeking the ultimate California experience will find it!

I love California. I have been lucky enough to travel all over the country and experience some truly incredible parks, museums, and vistas, but my heart always leads me back to my home state and its incredible beauty, diversity and culture. Creating a top ten list for families to experience in California was both a joy and heart wrenching experience- I could have easily made it a top 100! After many hours of deliberation, I feel that this list will give families seeking the ultimate California experience just that.  Without further ado, here are Trekaroo’s top ten things for families to do in California.

10. Roam the desert

Over 15% of California’s total area is desert, so a trip to the Golden State wouldn’t be complete without some time discovering it’s often overlooked beauty. Families will have a blast climbing on the massive boulders surrounded by grotesque and Dr. Seuss-like Joshua trees in Joshua Tree National Park, watching the desert bloom during an early and short-lived spring in Anza Borrego Desert State Park, and standing at the lowest point in North America inside of Death Valley National Park before climbing up the massive Eureka Sand Dunes.

Read family reviews of things to do in California’s desert.

9. Experience San Francisco

I have yet to see a city more beautiful then San Francisco with it’s row-house-lined rolling hills, expansive Golden Gate Park, and iconic bridges. Families could spend weeks exploring “The City” (locals would never call it San Fran) and still not see everything worth seeing. Touring Alcatraz, buying fresh produce at the Farmers Market on the Embarcadero, visiting the sea lions at Pier 39, having clam chowder inside a bread bowl from Boudin’s near Fisherman’s Wharf, flying a kite at Crissy Field, and taking in the Golden Gate Bridge views from Baker Beach are just a few of the water front experiences families will love. Of course dining in the city’s many ethnic neighborhoods, exploring all the incredible museums (including the California Academy of Sciences, MoMA, and the Exploratorium), watching free concerts in Golden Gate Park, shopping in Union Square, and catching a ballgame at AT&T Park are all essential as well.  Bottom line: go see the City by the Bay!

Find family-friendly activities in San Francisco.

8. See San Diego’s wild side

San Diego is an animal lover’s vacation destination. It is home to the world famous San Diego Zoo and its 4,000 animals representing 800 species from around the world on 100 acres of immaculately landscaped grounds.  SeaWorld, an aquatic theme park home to Shamu and all his marine life friends, is located on the calm waters of San Diego’s Mission Bay.  Sea stars, limpets, and anemones living inside the tide pools of Cabrillo National Monument’s are always fun to discover as well as migrating grey whales offshore. For a safari experience without the hassle of leaving the continent, head to the San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park which houses 3,000 African and Asian species over 1800 acres, many of which are comingling on a recreated savannah that guests can tour from the comfort of a narrated safari tram.

Read reviews of family friendly hotels in San Diego.

7. Stand at the base of the tallest living things on earth

Tucked up in the northwestern corner of the state is a fog shrouded coastline thick with a forest filled with Redwoods. The tallest Redwood stands at a dizzying 379.1 feet, but looking up at any of the old growth giants is sure to make your head spin. A walk through Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park’s Jurassic feeling Fern Canyon followed by some time on the beach with the resident heard of Roosevelt elk is an experience that every member of the family won’t soon forget.

Find reviews of kids friendly activities along the Redwood Coast.

6. Spots stars in Hollywood

It seems like whenever I talk to people who are dreaming about their first vacation in California, a trip to Hollywood is normally towards the top of their list. Celebrity dominates our culture and Hollywood is the center of the celebrity universe. Head to Universal Studios or the Warner Brothers lot and take the fascinating studio tours, get free tickets to watch one of your favorite television shows tape, rub elbows with wax representations of your favorite stars at Madame Tussauds, put your hands in the celebrity prints in front of Mann’s Chinese Theater, stroll the Walk of Fame, and get your picture taken in front of the Hollywood sign. You know you want to!

Find more family friendly fun near Hollywood.

5. Experience the deep blue beauty of Lake Tahoe

California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range is filled with azure alpine lakes, evergreen forests, and granite mountainsides but Lake Tahoe is truly the crown jewel. The largest alpine lake in North America and amazingly clear with a 1,645 foot depth, the Lake Tahoe and its surrounding wilderness are a wonderful all-season destination. During the winter months, alpine sports such as skiing and snowboarding are family favorites, while during the summer, boating, hiking, and swimming in the frigid waters are amongst the most popular activities.

Read reviews of family friendly lodging at Lake Tahoe.

4. See Central California’s jaw-dropping Big Sur Coast

Imagine walking through a forest and suddenly reaching an opening in the trees which leads you to cliff’s edge and the crashing Pacific below. Then imagine peering over the edge and discovering a waterfall plunging down onto the deserted beach below. Sound like paradise? I think so! You can find this slice of heaven at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and many more like it up and down the winding Big Sur coast.  Monterey and Carmel lie at the top of this stretch of coastline and these charming towns offer plenty of low key fun for families, including Point Lobos State Reserve and Monterey’s famous aquarium.

Read reviews of kid friendly activities along the Central Coast.

3. Visit the happiest place on earth

Magical down to the very last detail, a trip to the Disneyland Resort is most definitely an essential California experience. Sure there are parks in Florida, Japan, and Europe, but Disneyland is the original. California Adventure, once overshadowed by Disneyland, is quickly stepping into its own spotlight with a $1 billion renovation which when finished will include a re-themed entrance featuring 1920’s and 30’s Hollywoodland nostalgia and Carsland. The immensely popular (and absolutely incredible) World of Color and long anticipated Little Mermaid ride are already successful aspects of this transformation. A splurge to stay at one of the Disney hotels is definitely recommended whether it be the more budget conscious Paradise Pier Hotel, stunning Grand Californian, or hip and newly remodeled Disneyland Hotel.

Read reviews of kid friendly lodging near Disneyland.

2. Fall in love with Yosemite

John Muir once said of Yosemite “but no temple made with hands can compare with Yosemite. Every rock in its walls seems to glow with life…as if into this one mountain mansion Nature had gathered her choicest treasures…”.  Standing in the middle of Yosemite Valley, surrounded but sheer granite monoliths, rushing waterfalls, and lush meadows, it is hard not to agree. But Yosemite is much more than that small 7miles long and 1mile wide valley, it is Tuolumne Meadows, Glacier Point, Tunnel View, Vernal Falls, Mariposa Grove, Hetch Hetchy, and 761,268 acres of pristine and protected wilderness.  Every family needs to see it.

Find reviews of family friendly things to do in Yosemite.

1. Watch a sunset on the beach

California has 840 miles of coastline and hundreds of diverse beaches just waiting to be explored. Wide sandy beaches like Santa Monica or Huntington are popular with families looking for a classic day in the warm California sun while animal enthusiasts will love spotting elephant seals at Año Nuevo and sea otters off Avila Beach.  The lonely windswept beaches of Point Reyes are just as beautiful as the sun-kissed surfing spots at San Onofre. So whether it is on white sand at Laguna, black sand in Marin, or rocky tidelands along the Lost Coast, make sure to take time to sit down together and stare out into Pacific while watching those last moments of light slip away. Isn’t California grand?

Sharlene Earnshaw is the blog editor for Trekaroo.

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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!