San Francisco is one of the most populated and the most famous cities in the United States. If you plan to take your family here, make sure you have enough time to check out their famous attractions because there are a lot of them to be found in this city. Not sure where to begin? Below are five that will help you get started.
- Golden Gate Bridge – if New York has its Statue of Liberty, San Francisco has its Golden Gate. It is one if the city’s famous landmarks and is well-known throughout the world. It is a suspension bridge that connects the city to Marin County on the other side.
- Haight-Ashbury – used to be an enclave of hippies in the late 1960s. Today, it remains the center of alternative lifestyles. If you want to check out the place where the Summer of Love began, this is definitely a place to check out.
- Bay Area – simply known as The Bay, this area is the center of immigrant communities in the city. But aside from that, it is also home to a number of museums, observatories and zoos. Some of the Bay Area’s famous attractions include the Fisherman’s Wharf, Six Flags Marine World and the San Francisco Cable Cars where you can catch a demo of how they work.
- Chinatown – ranks among the largest Chinatowns in North America and is the oldest in the United States. If you want to get a feel of the area, make sure to eat in its numerous restaurants and check out its markets.
- Alcatraz – a mention of its name immediately conjures images of a maximum security prison where no one escapes alive. Also known as The Rock, this island used to be a federal prison although it has since been turned into a National Historic Landmark.
Dubbed as the ‘Windy City’, Chicago is the third largest city in the United States. The erstwhile home of American gangsters, the city has since let go of that reputation and has turned itself into one of the United States’ top tourist drawers.
If you and your family are planning to visit Chicago, here are five tourist attractions that you shouldn’t miss.
- The Hancock Observatory – located at the John Hancock Center at the heart of the city, the Observatory offers visitors a glimpse of areas as far as 80 miles, spanning four states. This isn’t for the faint-hearted though. At 1,000 feet above the ground, visiting this area can be a real challenge to those who fear heights.
- Sears Tower – used to hold the record of being the tallest building in the world. A lot of buildings have since surpassed the Sears, yet it remains as one of the most popular tourist attractions in Chicago. Like the John Hancock Center, it also has a viewing deck that allows visitors to see the city’s skyline.
- Orchestra Hall – if you and your family are fans of classical music, the Orchestra Hall is a definite must-see attraction in Chicago. This place is home to the world-renowned Chicago Symphony Orchestra. You can contact the place to schedule tours or you can also reserve tickets for concerts.
- Wrigley Field – is home to the Chicago Cubs, which is one of the most famous baseball teams in the world. Your family can catch them here during their home games and be a part of the spirit of the stadium.
- Chicago History Museum – your visit to Chicago would be incomplete without taking a peek at its history. It has a vast collection that ranges from the political, like Abraham Lincoln’s death bed, as well as the politically irreverent items such the letter P from Playboy’s old building.
There are many benefits to keeping an online travel journal. Whether you are planning a trip around the world, a weekend trip or anything in between… a travel journal is a great way to organize all of the memorable events, which occur on your trip.
There are no limitations to most online travel journals. This is great news if you are one of those people who take a great deal of pictures. Now, instead of buying extra memory cards you can simply upload your pictures to the journal, when the camera gets full… then start all over again.
These journals can be accessed by friends and family members, whenever they want to see how your vacation is progressing. There is no need for them to wait until you get home to get the whole scoop.
Traveling with kids can be a stressful experience. Airline travel is even more stressful. You have to navigate check in, security screening, finding the terminal, all while keeping your child preoccupied. Here are a few tips that will make flying with your child a pleasurable, stress free experience.
Tip #1 Pack you bag accordingly.
You will want to make sure you pack any item you may need for your child may need. If you have a baby make sure you pack enough formula, diapers, and pacifiers to last the duration of your trip. If you are flying with a small child make sure to pack items that will keep his attention as well as snacks. Portable DVD players and portable gaming systems like Leapsters make great flying companions for small children. One not on this point is to make sure you have enough supplies to last the duration of the trip, not just the flight. Prepare for layovers as well as transportation to the hotel.
Tip #2 Figure out how you want to carry your child.
If you have a baby you need to figure out how you are going to carry him in the airport and on the plane. Bulky items such as strollers and car seats can be hard to handle by yourself. Baby carriers that strap the baby to your body make traveling with babies a lot easier. If you are traveling with a small child you might want to consider a leash. These leashes can allow your child to walk, but be unable to escape your grasp. Knowing you have control of your kids is a major stress reducer.
Tip #3 Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Flight Attendants and Airport officials are willing to assist you if you are in need. It is up to you to ask for their help. Don’t worry about being a burden them. Taking care of the passengers is their primary function.
Tip #4 Stay calm.
This is the most difficult tip to adopt. Staying calm during air travel is a difficult task without kids. You need to take long deep breathes and be prepared to have your patience challenged. Your child will be able to sense your stress and can cause them to become ill during the trip. Your kids need to know that everything is okay.
Following these tips can tremendously reduce the amount of stress brought on by flying with children. Be prepared by anticipating any problems that may arise. Prepare for the min advance. This will help make your flight a pleasurable one.
Restaurant meals are the norm, for the majority of family travelers. If you are traveling with children who tend to get bored while waiting for their order, consider passing the time playing a game of ‘portable Scrabble’.
All you need are the game tiles. No board is required. Simply place the tiles, face down, in the middle of the table. Have each person take a predetermined number of tiles. You will find that choosing a number between 7 and 15 works the best.
The object of the game is to be the first person to spell two words. If no one can do so with the letter they have, draw until two words can be spelled.
Reward 1 point for each round of play. The game ends when your food is served.
Traveling with preschoolers is at times the ultimate challenge… regardless of the mode of travel you happen to choose.
The good news is doesn’t have to be that way. With a little bit of careful and CREATIVE planning, your next trip can go off without a hitch.
Let’s face it; preschoolers are by nature, curious. As wonderful as that is in regard to their future, it can make a long trip longer.
When packing for your next trip, consider including a variety of the following items to make the trip more enjoyable for everyone concerned.
Stickers or activity books, finger puppets, magnetic letters in a tin, pop-up books, small lap-sized easels, small mirrors and small wrapped presents are all good choices that will amuse your preschooler, when you travel.
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