Chicago has more than 40 fascinating museums, multiple interactive children’s museums, vibrant ethnic communities, and countless other noteworthy places to explore, so finding something to do when you’re in town is easy. Does someone in your family like learning about the solar system or have an interest in finding out more about ancient and current cultures from around the world? Or, are you raising a future artist? Either way, the Windy City is an ideal backdrop for a family vacation (and staycations, too). Read on to learn about some of the places our family has enjoyed visiting over the years. The Adler Planetarium is known for its interactive exhibits for…
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A Grand Experience Awaits Your Family in Grand Rapids, Michigan
My girls and I always get excited when we learn that my husband is going to Grand Rapids to speak or teach at a conference. Why? Because he always lets us tag along with him! We’ve been so many times that I have basically memorized where some of my favorite restaurants (e.g., Chili’s, Panera) and stores (e.g., Target, Wal-Mart) are and even have options if our sightseeing or shopping excursions put us closer to one location than another. I also know where some of our favorite tourist spots are located. One of our favorite places to visit is the Grand Rapids Art Museum, the world’s first LEED Gold Certified art…
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(Re) Discover Los Angeles
I’ve been fascinated by the Los Angeles, California, since I was little. There was something magical about the California palm trees, mountains and beaches that were shown in movies and TV shows and I longed for the day I could finally see them in person. It didn’t happen as a child, but I finally got a chance to see the City of Angels in person after being married for several years and becoming a mom. I’ve now been back a few times and am still amazed at how much I still haven’t seen. I always feel like I’m discovering something new about this city. Have you ever been? If you…
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San Diego Truly Is A Fine City
Did you know that San Diego locals call their hometown “America’s Finest City?” If you live there or have visited California’s second-largest metropolitan area, you have likely seen first-hand countless of examples of why this town is worthy of such an accolade. But, if you have never had the pleasure of visiting San Diego, keep reading to find out what your family has been missing. First, San Diego, is known for it’s temperate weather throughout the year. The average temperature is around the low 70s regardless of the season. It also has an amazing array of cultural institutions that make vacationing here a treat for everyone in the family. One of…
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Pasadena’s Cultural Spots Make It the Crown of the Valley
Although the beautiful town of Pasadena, California, may be best known for its annual Tournament of Roses Parade and Rose Bowl, my teens have never been particularly excited about those events. Instead, when they think of their many trips to this vibrant town, their minds turn toward the visits we’ve made over the years to some of the cultural institutions around town. One such place is Kidspace (http://www.kidspace.org), an interactive children’s museum for kids up to age 10. Located at 480 North Arroyo Boulevard, the fascinating property features indoor and outdoor exhibit and play areas that teach kids about such topics as food, nature, paleontology, geology and more. It also contains climbing features, as…
