Family Friendly Travel Tips - Kids Eat Free Restaurants

Family Friendly Activity in Henderson, Nevada: Clark County Museum

FFA R Endter — 2011-07-13T01:38:05Z

CLARK COUNTY MUSEUM
1830 S. Boulder Hwy., Henderson 89002 702.455.7955
COST: $2 adult/ $1 seniors and children
HOURS: Daily 9 am - 4:30 pm

The Clark County Museum takes a look back at the history of the Las Vegas area. Walk through the Exhibit Hall and experience history with a variety of hands-on displays. Then head out to the Ghost Town and Mining Trail to reflect on the local history as you walk through the hot terrain. There is also Heritage Street; a charmingly laid out street with historical homes from a variety of eras. The homes can be walked through and are decorated in appropriate period pieces. There is also a train and train depot to visit.

FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS- A variety of indoor and outdoor areas. Hands-on activities. Reasonably priced.
FAMILY FRIENDLY CONS- No snack shop available; bring beverages especially if visiting in the hot summer months.

Family Friendly Lodging in Moab, Utah: Aarchway Inn

FFA R Endter — 2011-07-11T20:30:51Z

AARCHWAY INN
1551 North Hwy. 191, Moab 84532   435.259.2599

Aarchway Inn provides a great family hotel option for those exploring the beautiful Moab area. Their room options include a family suite that easily sleeps 6 or 7 while still allowing room for luggage. The amenities include a free breakfast with both hot and cold options, a heated pool, exercise room, and free wireless internet. There is ample parking. The hotel is conveniently located on the main road through town, thus easily accessible. The room was clean, and the hotel staff was friendly.

FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS-   Large rooms. Free breakfast. Convenient location. Clean accommodations. Friendly staff.
FAMILY FRIENDLY CONS-   The family suite is one large room so there is no separate sleeping area for adults and children.

Family Friendly Lodging in Henderson, Nevada: Homewood Suites

FFA R Endter — 2011-07-11T17:57:34Z

HOMEWOOD SUITES (by HILTON)
10450 S. Eastern Ave., Henderson 89052 702.450.1045

Looking for family friendly accommodations off "the Strip"? The Homewood Suites is a great choice. This hotel offers a variety of rooms; from studios to two-bedrooms with two-bathrooms. Enjoy a breakfast buffet each morning that has a choice of hot and cold meal items. Also, take part in their Welcome Home Reception on Monday through Thursday evenings for a light meal and beverage. Each night offers a different choice of food. Amenities include a large outdoor pool, fitness center, business center and self-serve laundry with 2 coin-operated washers and 2 coin-operated dryers. Need a snack? There are a variety of vending machines on each level as well as a snack shop on the main floor. The room and main hotel facility were very clean and well-kept. The staff was friendly and attentive. They seemed happy to answer questions about the area. Parking was adequate. We appreciated the level of secured access to the hotel. Everything required a hotel key to access; including the door to the parking area and the laundry room. Pricing was reasonable, especially considering the room size and how nice the hotel is.

FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS- Free breakfast daily and evening reception four days per week. Clean and well-maintained. Huge rooms; perfect for a family. Friendly, informative staff. Abundant facilities such as a pool, fitness center, snack shop, and business center.

Family Fun in Missouri: Silver Dollar City

FFA R Endter — 2010-10-13T16:42:00Z

SILVER DOLLAR CITY -- On SR 76 W, Branson 800.831.4381

COST: Call for pricing and current specials
HOURS: Call for operating hours

Theme park centered around an 1880s Ozark theme. Fun roller coasters, rides, water rides, music and comedy shows, and Splash Harbor water play area. Throughout are shops, restaurants and artisans who show their skills in traditional crafts. The park offers different themed celebrations throughout the year.

FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS- Rides for all ages plus many rides that a family of varied ages can ride together. Splash Harbor was a favorite because it wasn't overly busy and the kids loved shooting the water cannons. Family friendly live performances offer a nice break from the exciting rides.
FAMILY FRIENDLY CONS- Some ride lines are very long during the busy season.

Family Fun in Missouri: Museum of Westward Expansion

FFA R Endter — 2010-10-13T16:36:00Z

MUSEUM OF WESTWARD EXPANSION --100 Washington Ave., St. Louis 63102   877.982.1410 (located in Jefferson National Expansion Memorial at the Gateway Arch)

COST: Free to visit. There is a parking fee.
HOURS: Memorial Day - Labor Day: Daily 8 am -10 pm / Labor Day - Memorial Day: Daily 9 am - 6 pm

Located in the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (next to the St. Louis Arch), this museum displays artifacts and elaborate displays from the days of Lewis & Clark as they made their 19th Century exploration of the unknown West. Very interesting information was presented in vivid presentations. The museum is small and younger kids will likely move through quickly. Everything is hands-off but my kids enjoyed the interactive exhibits.

FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS-   Educational, interactive displays. Well laid out. Stroller friendly.
FAMILY FRIENDLY CONS-   Hands-off. Younger children seemed to lose interest quickly.

Family Fun in Missouri: Gateway Arch

FFA R Endter — 2010-10-08T14:52:00Z

GATEWAY ARCH-   100 Washington Ave., St. Louis 63102   877.982.1410

COST: Free to visit, but fees for tram to the top. There is a parking fee.
HOURS: Memorial Day - Labor Day: Daily 8 am -10 pm / Labor Day - Memorial Day: Daily 9 am - 6 pm

We had driven by the Gateway Arch many times through the years, but that doesn't compare with actually walking up and standing next to it. It looks big driving by, but looks enormous right up next to it. For a fee, you can take a tram to the top for an amazing view of the area. If you plan to wander into the nearby Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, be prepared for a security checkpoint.

FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS-   The kids (and parents too!) were amazed at the size of the structure and enjoyed walking around the area. The kids especially loved to watch the boats pass by on the river. It seems they were almost more interested in that than the actual Arch. Stroller friendly.

Family Friendly Accommodations in Appleton, Wisconsin: Settle Inn

FFA R Endter — 2010-10-06T19:37:00Z

SETTLE INN -- 1565 N. Federated Dr., Appleton 920.560.3000

The Settle Inn Appleton is a great option for families travelling to the area. We were impressed by the size of the family suite which had one large main room with a queen bed then an adjoining bedroom with two sets of bunk beds. There was plenty of room for our luggage to fit in as well. The free breakfast buffet had a great variety, including make-your-own waffles. The kids also liked the free popcorn and cookies at the check-in desk. The staff was a bit hit-and-miss, but overall helpful. We stayed for several days and soon figured out which staff members we could count on for getting questions answered or items taken care of in our room, and which staff members would be less helpful.

FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS- Large family suite will accommodate even large families comfortably. Indoor pool for year-round fun. Included breakfast buffet. Location is close to a variety of restaurants and shopping.

Family Fun in Wisconsin: History Museum at the Castle

FFA R Endter — 2010-10-06T19:00:00Z

HISTORY MUSEUM AT THE CASTLE -- 330 E. College Ave., Appleton 54911 920.735.9370

COST: $7.50 Adult / $5.50 Senior & Student w/ ID/ $3.50 Child (age 5 - 17) / Under 5 FREE / $20 Family Rate (2 adults and their minor children)
HOURS: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 10 am - 4 pm/ Thursday 10 am - 8 pm/ Sunday 12 pm - 4 pm

This history museum primarily highlights the history of the area. When we were there they had an exhibit highlighting historical postcards of the area, a sports exhibit, and a large Houdini exhibit. The Houdini area was especially fun since it was extremely hands-on. There were many interesting details throughout. Stroller friendly.

FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS- Houdini exhibit had many hands-on opportunities; the whole family especially enjoyed this area. There were a few hands-on areas in the rest of the museum as well.

Family Fun in Wisconsin: Hearthstone House Tour

FFA R Endter — 2010-10-05T22:57:00Z

HEARTHSTONE HOUSE -- 625 W. Prospect., Appleton 54911 920.730.8204

COST: $6 Adult/ $5 Senior/ $3 Child (age 5- 17)/ age 5 & under FREE (AAA Member discount available)
HOURS: Tuesday - Friday 10 am - 3:30 pm / Saturday 11 am - 3:30 pm / Sunday 1 pm - 3:30 pm

Hearthstone House is not only a beautiful step back into classic architecture, but also a step back into history. This home was the first in the world lit by hydroelectric power. Tours of the home are given every half hour and take approximately 30 minutes. There is also a hands-on activity center in the basement where you can try your hand at creating electricity to get a trolley to move. Special events are held around Halloween and Christmas.

FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS- Hands-on activities in the discovery center are educational and fun. Tour guides were happy to answer questions regarding the history of the house, as well as details about its place in history.
FAMILY FRIENDLY CONS- The home tour is all hands-off and might be a bit much for young children. Not stroller friendly.

Family Fun in Wisconsin: Paper Discovery Center

FFA R Endter — 2010-10-05T22:09:00Z

PAPER DISCOVERY CENTER --- 425 W. Water St., Appleton 54911 920.380.7491

COST: $5 Adult/ $4 Senior/ $3 Student/ $12 Family
HOURS: Monday - Saturday 10 am - 4 pm

The Paper Discovery Center is an educational opportunity with plenty of child-friendly hands-on activities. Learn about the paper products we use and how paper is made. There is a large climb-on play center in the middle of the museum which teaches kids the steps to papermaking. The kids' favorite part of the museum was the paper making area where they got to learn to make their own piece of paper. Free parking on-site.

A fun idea for the paper you make: my kids didn't want to ruin the piece of paper they made so we printed a photo of them making the paper, attached it to the paper, then framed it. Now they have a keepsake of their visit to the Paper Discovery Center.

FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS- Hands-on activities were fun for all ages. Informative and interesting. This really made us think more about the paper products we use everyday.

Hey Denver! The Circus Has Come to Town!

FFA R Endter — 2010-10-05T02:20:00Z

As we mentioned recentlly, the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus has come to Denver. We were lucky enough to attend the opening night and thoroughly enjoyed the show! We have been to many circuses in the past and have enjoyed them all, but even my teenage children said they thought this show was better than any other. There is so much going on through the show; a great variety of performances. The great thing is there was really not any 'down time' because the clowns kept everyone entertained even between circus acts.

Don't forget to get to the circus early to see their all-access pre-show. You can go down and meet some of the stars of the circus. You can also see one of the elephant's create an artistic masterpiece then enter to win that artwork. One suggestion is to get there an hour in advance so you can be one of the first down in the pre-show area since it gets very very busy closer to the showtime.

Here are some details for the show, including how to get discounted tickets:

TICKETING INFO:

Tickets are $15.50, $20.50, $26.50, $42.50 (VIP), $67.50 (Front Row) and $82.50 (Circus Celebrity).

Denver Coliseum location special: Purchase a 4-pack of tickets for only $44 for weekday performances with the code FFAWD or receive $4 off weekend tickets with the code FFAWE

Enter the chosen code at: www.Ticketmaster.com/circuspartners or call 1-800-745-3000
(Weekday = Wed 7pm, Thurs 7pm, & Fri 11am performances. Minimum purchase of 4 tickets required for 4-pack; additional tickets above 4 can be purchased at $11 each. Offer not valid on Circus Celebrity, Front Row or VIP seating. Cannot be combined with other offers. Service charges and handling fees will apply.)

Your ticket is also your entry to the Ringling Bros. Animal Open House^SM 90 minutes before show time and the FREE All Access Pre-show 60 minutes before the show where you can meet the stars of The Greatest Show On Earth®!

SHOW SCHEDULE:

Thursday, September 30 – 7:00 PM
Friday, October 1 – 7:00 PM
Saturday, October 2 – 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM, 7:00 PM
Sunday, October 3 – 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM, 7:00 PM
Wednesday, October 6 – 7:00 PM
Thursday, October 7 – 7:00 PM
Friday, October 8 – 11:00 AM, 7:00 PM
Saturday, October 9 – 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM, 7:00 PM
Sunday, October 10 – 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM, 7:00 PM

Family Fun in Wisconsin: Wisconsin Maritime Museum

FFA R Endter — 2010-10-01T18:51:00Z

WISCONSIN MARITIME MUSEUM - 75 Maritime Drive, Manitowoc 54220 866.724.2356

COST: $12 adult / $10 child (6-15)/ 5 & under free (Discounts available: 15% family discount for families with children age 6 - 15 / 10% senior discount for ages 60+ / 10% AAA member discount/ 10% veterans & service personnel discount)

HOURS: Memorial Day - Labor Day: 9a - 6p / Labor Day - Memorial: 9a - 5p (Call for times for sub tours)

The Wisconsin Maritime Museum offers an interesting look at the maritime history of Wisconsin and the Great Lakes area. Included with the admission is a tour of the USS Cobia Submarine (not a good choice if you are terribly claustrophobic) while we found very interesting. The tour guide seemed to be very eager to share all he knew about the submarine. There are several hands-on areas in the museum, including a water discovery center that had our whole party (kids, mom and dad, plus grandpa) all having a great time playing in the water. We thought this was definitely worth the admission fee on both an educational and fun basis.

FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS- There was very interesting information laid out in well-designed displays. Enough hands-on opportunities to keep the kids interested. The kids were especially interested in the USS Cobia Submarine tour and the hands-on water discovery center. Ample free parking.

Family Friendly Accommodations Near Mall of America: Cambria Suites

FFA R Endter — 2010-10-01T17:30:00Z

CAMBRIA SUITES  2870 Metro Drive, Bloomington   952.854.0300

This Cambria Suites, located across from Mall of America, is a business-class hotel that has not forgotten about families. From the time you walk in, you know you are in a business-oriented environment but the staff and accommodations are equally welcoming to families. We had a suite big enough to accommodate our family of 7 comfortably. The pricing was moderate considering the size of the room and the niceness of the hotel.

FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS-   Clean and comfortable accommodations less than one mile from Mall of America. Classy hotel that is welcoming to families. The manager even asked on our way out whether we had found their suite to be acceptable for a family.

FAMILY FRIENDLY CONS- No breakfast included.

It's Circus Time in Denver!

FFA R Endter — 2010-09-13T18:33:00Z

Every October my family looks forward to the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus coming to town....and it's circus time again! This year the show coming to the Denver Coliseum between September 30 - October 10 is called Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey FUNundrum. Th circus extravaganza will celebrate the 200th Anniversary of P.T. Barnum.

SHOW INFO:

With Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey^® Presents Barnum’s FUNundrum!^SM The Greatest Show On Earth just got greater! With 130 performers from six continents^, almost 100,000 pounds of performing pachyderms, 13 athletes on a Russian Bar, seven riders in a Globe of Steel, and more clowns than you can see with two eyes, Barnum’s FUNundrum! is a super-sized spectacle so massive you just can’t miss it!

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus presents a new jumbo-sized, un-miss-able, contemporary circus production, Barnum’s FUNundrum! This supersized event celebrates the 200^THanniversary of the birth of the legendary P.T. Barnum, the Greatest Showman on Earth! This once in a lifetime spectacular can only be experienced at The Greatest Show On Earth^®, Barnum’s living legacy!

TICKETING INFO:

Tickets are $15.50, $20.50, $26.50, $42.50 (VIP), $67.50 (Front Row) and $82.50 (Circus Celebrity).

Your ticket is also your entry to the Ringling Bros. Animal Open House^SM 90 minutes before show time and the FREE All Access Pre-show 60 minutes before the show where you can meet the stars of The Greatest Show On Earth®!   We went to this last year and had lots of fun. My kids still talk about the clowns they 'clowned around with' during the pre-show.

SHOW SCHEDULE:

Thursday, September 30 – 7:00 PM
Friday, October 1 – 7:00 PM
Saturday, October 2 – 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM, 7:00 PM
Sunday, October 3 – 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM, 7:00 PM
Wednesday, October 6 – 7:00 PM
Thursday, October 7 – 7:00 PM
Friday, October 8 – 11:00 AM, 7:00 PM
Saturday, October 9 – 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM, 7:00 PM
Sunday, October 10 – 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM, 7:00 PM

FUN CIRCUS TRIVIA:
(Come back next week for answers to our fun circus trivia questions!)

1. What is the dressing area of the clowns called?

2. The average span of a tiger's swipe is how many feet?    a. 5 feet   b. 1 foot   c. 9 feet

3. Where did the word "circus" originate?

4. The Greatest Show on Earth is one year older than what great American tradition?   a. Sesame Street    b. professional baseball   c. Disneyland

5. Which U.S President gave America his horse as a circus attraction?

Family Fun in Minnesota: Underwater Adventures

FFA R Endter — 2010-09-08T20:18:00Z

UNDERWATER ADVENTURES-  Inside Mall of America (120 E. Broadway, Bloomington) 952.883.0202 (Free parking is available at the East Entrance, Level 1)

COST: $18.99 Adult (13+) / $13.49 Child (age 3 - 12)/ 2 and under is free/ Family annual pass: $89.99 (for two parents and up to four of their children). There is a Behind the Scenes Tour and a Plunge Ride available for an additional fee.
HOURS:   Mon - Thurs 10a - 7:30p; Fri   10a - 8:30p; Sat 9:30a - 8:30p; Sun 10a - 6:30p

The Underwater Adventures Aquarium is located under the Mall of America, and houses over 5000 sea creatures. One of their newer displays is the world's largest jellyfish collection. Another favorite for the kids is The Tunnel where you can see a variety of sea creatures all around you. Check the feeding schedule for the day you will be visiting to figure out when you can see different animals being fed throughout the day.

FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS-   Great variety of sea creatures to watch.   Some hands-on elements, particularly touch pools. Admission wristband can be used for day, so you can leave and come back to see different animal feedings.

Family Fun in Minnesota: Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum

FFA R Endter — 2010-09-06T22:39:00Z

LAURA INGALLS WILDER MUSEUM- 330 8th Street, Walnut Grove 800.528.7280 DUGOUT SITE- 1.5 miles north of Walnut Grove on Redwood Cty Hwy 5

COST: MUSEUM- $5 Age 13 and over / $2 Age 6 - 12 / 5 & under Free DUGOUT PRICE- $4 per passenger car (cash only; deposited on the honor system)
HOURS: Museum: April: Mon - Sat 10a - 4p, Sun 12p - 4p; May: Mon - Sat 10a - 5p, Sun 12p - 5p; June - Aug: Mon - Sun 10a - 6p; Sept: Mon - Sat 10a - 5p, Sun 12p - 5p; Oct: Mon - Sat 10a - 4p/ Dugout: May - Oct- daylight hours (weather permitting)

The Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum has displays of LIW and family memorabilia, as well as some items from the popular TV show, Little House on the Prairie. Besides the museum there is an 1898 train depot, 1880s one room schoolhouse, and onion-domed house. Doll lovers will enjoy the collection of over 250 dolls from Laura's time to present day. Just a few miles away is the actual homesite of the Ingalls family. All that remains is the indention in the creek bank where the Ingall's dugout used to be. Some geological elements of the book still exist.

FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS- Very interesting for any child who has read the Little House series or has watched the TV series.
FAMILY FRIENDLY CONS- Most things are 'hands off' so it can be difficult for little ones.

Family Fun in South Dakota: Laura ingalls Wilder Museum

FFA R Endter — 2010-09-06T22:22:00Z

LAURA INGALLS WILDER MUSEUM- 1st Street, De Smet, South Dakota 800.880.3383

COST: $8 Adult / $4 Children / Under 5 Free
HOURS: January - April: Monday - Friday 9a - 4p; May: Monday - Saturday 9a - 4p; June - August: Monday - Saturday- 9a - 5:30p; September: Monday - Saturday- 9a - 4p; October - December: Monday - Friday- 9a -4p

Take a guided tour of 2 of the Ingalls' family original homes, including one built by Charles Ingalls. The tour takes approximately 1 1/2 hours. It also includes a tour of the first school in De Smet (attended by Laura and Carrie Ingalls). There is also a Discovery Center for children to do hands-on activities which can visit before or after your tour. Be sure to stop in the gift shop to purchase a wide variety of Ingalls and historical souvenirs. Also, ask about the 16 point walking/ driving tour of locations mentioned in the Little House books.

FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS- Very interesting for any child who has enjoyed reading the Little House books. Even the boys (not Little House fans) were interested to see the historical buildings and artifacts.
FAMILY FRIENDLY CONS- The guided tour can take almost two hours which is long for younger children especially since most of the tour is "hands off".

Family Friendly Lodging in De Smet South Dakota: Prairie House Manor B&B

FFA R Endter — 2010-09-02T19:03:00Z

PRAIRIE HOUSE MANOR BED & BREAKFAST-   209 Hwy 25 South, De Smet   605.854.9131

Lovers of Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House books will recognize the small town of De Smet as the setting of several of her books. Prairie House Manor B&B is the perfect overnight spot for anyone visiting De Smet, but especially for those interested in the much-loved books.   Located on the same street as the 'house Pa built' (the final home of Pa & Ma Ingalls), this family-friendly B&B is in the turn-of-the-century home of the former Mayor of De Smet. Yes, I said Family-Friendly; an oddity when speaking of a B&B! The home has a variety of room sizes, aimed to fit a variety of family sizes or couples. Each is decorated with its own style/ theme. Our room was clean and comfortable, with its own television and bathroom. There were games and books for the children to entertain themselves. Our room came with a full breakfast; even the hungriest in our family couldn't finish the huge plate of delicious food! The best part of this establishment is the innkeepers. They were happy to answer questions, help us find our way around town, were very helpful and accommodating with our children's food allergies, and were generally attentive and friendly.   Definitely worth a stay-over if you will be passing through De Smet.

FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS-   A Family-Friendly Bed & Breakfast seems to a rarity, but this one is really welcoming to families. Rooms available for a variety of family sizes. Comfortable, clean rooms at reasonable prices. Situated in a quiet neighborhood; perfect for an early evening walk. A full breakfast included; made to order and delicious!

Finding Ways to Save for Vacation

FFA R Endter — 2010-07-24T23:18:00Z

With the economy as it is, sometimes it is difficult to find some money in the budget for a family vacation. I have had many friends tell me different ways they are saving money for vacation; from using coupons to cutting back on eating out or even making changes to their insurance policies. I thought the idea of checking on insurance costs was a great one.

I realized that we haven't really taken the time recently to be sure we are getting the best car insurance rate for the coverage we would like to have. We could be wasting money each month, which could easily be saved by checking out a low cost auto insurance resource. Low cost auto insurance can help you save extra money that can then be put into a family activity or something else fun!

I have linked to a great resource which offers a variety of information to help you make educated decisions about your insurance needs. They have state-by-state guides to help you figure out your state's laws and regulations, plus reviews of insurance companies. The website is easy to find your way around. Definitely worth taking a look at this resource when you are ready for low cost auto insurance .

Family Fun in South Dakota: 1880 Town

FFA R Endter — 2010-07-10T20:32:00Z

1880 TOWN
I-90 (exit 170), Murdo 605.344.2236

COST: $10 Adult / $9 Seniors / $7 Teens (age 13 - 19) / $5 Children (age 6 - 12) / 5 & under Free / discounted group rates / (Print Coupons here)
HOURS: Daylight hours during summer. Call for hours for the rest of the year.

This 1880 era town is laid out in a street style, so you walk from building to building. Many of the over 30 original buildings can be walked in. You can also walk through a display of movie props from the movie "Dances With Wolves". In the summer months, you can have lunch on the 50s Train Diner. Restrooms are located in the main building.

FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS- The street was well-laid out to seem like a real old-time main street. The kids enjoyed seeing the different buildings and props inside some of them. Some areas had hands-on aspects which kept even the younger children interested.