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

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

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:

1. The Philadelphia Zoo

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}.

2. The Franklin Institute

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.

3. Fairmount Park

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