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
Today’s guest post on Philadelphia was written by Debi Bouffard. She is a homeschooling mother of nine (yes, you read that right) children living in Pennsylvania. Debi and the kids frequently travel all over the East Coast and are about to embark on a cross country road trip to Utah. We are hoping that if she returns with a shred of her sanity, she will come back and tell Trekaroo all about it. You can follow Debi and her adventures with all nine kids on her blog, Who Says 8 is Enough?
Ever since I was a little girl, I have always loved to travel. It’s probably because growing up with eleven siblings, vacations were the one thing my parents always managed to save up for. When we did have the opportunity to hit the road, it was always a HUGE deal for our family. I have passed that same desire of traveling on to my children, although with a twist. I homeschool my nine kids, so we do a bit more traveling these days than my family did when I was young. However, the one thing I have kept constant is that I am certain to make every trip we take into an educational experience, just like my parents did when I was little. There is no better place to start on an educational trip than in the city of Philadelphia, which is so rich in history. We have been fortunate to have lived within an hour of Philadelphia for my childrens’ entire lives, so we have been able to completely appreciate and absorb the City of Brotherly Love. If you are not fortunate enough to live near Philly and only have a day or two to really see the city for yourself, you might want to map out some fascinating places of interest. I asked my kids to give you their top 5 favorite places to visit, and in no particular order, here they are:
Checking out the animals at the Philadelphia Zoo
While The Philadelphia Zoo is not the largest in the country, it does hold the distinction of being the oldest. Nestled on 42 (hard to find in a city) acres, the zoo houses over 1300 different animals. While my favorite part of a zoo has always been where the babies are (go figure), my kids’ favorite part is the Children’s Zoo, where they get to pet and sometimes feed the animals. Of course, they are also thrilled to watch the lions and tigers up close, or spend hours with their faces pressed up to glass, looking at giant snakes {shudder}.
Giant Heart (photo courtesy of the Franklin Institute)
Ok, so if I could be truly honest, this would be my first choice of places to visit in Philly. I simply love the idea of history meeting science (we’re talking about Ben Franklin here!)! This place is just full of inventions, both old and new, and they are always hosting interesting events and exhibits (and sleep-overs for boy scouts & girl scouts!!!). I can remember walking through the Giant Human heart as a little girl and being absolutely amazed. The day I watched my own kids walk through and saw the same looks on their faces that I am sure mine once reflected, was priceless. The Franklin Institute is FULL of wonderful learning experiences just waiting to be explored in some of the most fun and imaginitive ways possible.
Boathouse Row
This is not just your average park. In fact, there is nothing run-of-the-mill here. Fairmount Park is gorgeous and I can’t even beging to tell you how much it thrills me to see that my kids love it as much as I do. While there are no big bells and whistles, there is simply stunning landscape as far as the eye can see. The kids and I love to walk the trails and take in the scenery. It is especially beautiful during the spring when the flowers are in bloom, or in the fall when the foliage is changing colors. Of course, if you’re feeling fancy, you can take a trolley ride around the park and enjoy the views of Boathouse Row, The Philadelphia Museum of Art (you know, the one where Rocky famously ran up the stairs…), or watch the crew teams practice rowing which is our personal favorite. My boys like to chant “row, row, row” as the teams go by. I am sure the crew just loves that!
4. & 5. Liberty Bell & Independence Hall
Indpendence Hall
Of course, you can not, and should not, go to Philadelphia 
without seeing the true history of the city and our country. Independence Hall houses the Liberty Bell, the Declaration of Independence & the Constitution. Just walking through the doors you get a sense and a feeling of history, and for myself and my children who are all major US history buffs, there is no place where that feeling is more powerful. The photos on the walls and surroundings which are depicted give us a sense of what it was to be a Founding Father back in 1776. Just seeing the Liberty Bell up close and reading the words “Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof” is enough to take my breath away.
Philadelphia truly is a city that should be explored.
For it’s beauty.
For it’s attractions.
And, most definitely for it’s rich history.
Travel with kids to: CA | CO | DC | FL | HI | IL | MA | NC | NY | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA
Just yesterday, at the playground our 3 year old who normally would be clambering across the tree house playground was lethargically sitting on my lap in the shade. 
With beads of sweat trickling down his little face he sighed, “I’m roasted like a marshmallow!” One of the best things about summer is finding fun places to cool off our kids close to home or a road trip away.
Photo by: www.flickr.com/photos/23826464@N04/3479116232
Beach Bumpkins
Kids and beaches are a winning combination. Tidepooling is a fun and educational way to cool off and explore the beach.
Kid-Friendly Tidepools Along the California Coast
Trekaroo families know which beaches are best for kids. Read their reviews:
Kid-friendly Beaches in Miami & Palm Beach, Florida
Kid-friendly Beaches in Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Kid-friendly Beaches in South Carolina
Kid-friendly Beaches in Oahu, Hawaii
Photo by: Brennan Pang
Fun Escapes into Cool Museums
Not in the mood for getting wet? Escape to an air-conditioned museum instead! Get cool and develop new interests. Lydie Thomas tells us How to Make a Trip to a Museum With a Kid a Pleasant Experience.
Ready? Start exploring kid-friendly museum exhibits for summer 2009 Across the US | San Francisco Bay Area
Museum Free Days in the San Francisco Bay Area – GrandmaDot
Photo by: www.flickr.com/photos/emeryjl/1317616335
Wonderful Water Parks
River Head, NY: Splish Splash Water Park
Martap112 loves it because it has “a lot of rides to choose from”.
Denver, CO: Water World
One of the largest water parks in the nation with more for young kids than most.
Lydie Thomas reminds us to play hard, but stay safe:
Kid Safety TIps at a Water Park or Public Pool
Water Parks in Florida
Water Parks near San Francisco
Water Park in Washington
Photo by: http://www.flickr.com/photos/papalamour/206475271
Livin’ it up at a Lake
Yosemite, CA: Lake Tanaya
Escape the crowds at this lake with it’s “stunning views, large beach and shallow waters” according to TravelPangs.
Oakland, CA: Lake Temescal
A neighborhood swimming lake that’s a “great place for kids” according to mitchguez.
Jim Thorpe, PA: Mauch Chunk Lake Park
Christine O’Toole recommends it because it “offers more than a vacation’s worth of activities”.
Photo by: Brennan Pang
Splash Pads, Fountains and Pools
Chicago: Splash at Millennium Park
asmpman says, “This whole park is fabulous!”.
San Francisco Bay Area Public Pools
The City | Peninsula | East Bay
San Francisco Bay Area Splash Parks
Peninsula | East Bay
Photo by:www.flickr.com/photos/brian-m/233359192
Unexpected Places to Cool Off
Jacksonville (Florida) Zoo & Gardens:
Splash Ground is a “perfect midday break” from walking around the zoo - BarnesFam
California: Universal Studios
Yes, there’s a splash park! Gretchen “took along swimsuits and watershoes and hung out in the splash park” with her kids all summer.
More Lists for Cooling Off By Trekaroo Familes:
• Places to Cool Off in Texas by romar
• Places to Cool Off in the Chi-town Area by asmpman
• Fun Summer Activities in the Tri-State Area by michipo
(This is an excerpt from our July 2009 Trekaroo Newsletter – Don’t miss any issues: SUBSCRIBE to the Trekarooo Newsletter)
Trekaroo is a reviews website dedicated to exploring and traveling with kids.
