Alaska Museum of Natural History

by rlaurendeau on July 31, 2010

Do you enjoy discovering about the unique cultural, geological, and ecological history and properties of places across the United States? Are you planning a trip in the near future to Anchorage, Alaska or near that area? If so, you will want to check out the Alaska Museum of Natural History located right in Anchorage.

The Alaska Museum of Natural History is a non-profit organization committed to filling a “special need for science education in Alaska.” Residents and visitors alike can discover the real Alaska up close and personal at the Alaska Museum of Natural History. You and the rest of the members in your family can visit the museum at a relatively affordable rate. Admission costs [read more…]

{ 0 comments }

Havasu National Wildlife Refuge

by rlaurendeau on July 30, 2010

Have you been looking to travel somewhere out West but don’t know where to start?  Venture out to one of the hidden gems of the California & Arizona area – the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge.  The Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, located in Needles, California, right next to the Arizona border, is one of the few remaining natural stretches of land near the lower portion of the Colorado River.  This refuge is home to plants, birds, mammals, and amphibians of all sizes, shapes, and colors!

The refuge office is open Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and can answer any questions you may have.  To find the office, take a right after entering the front of the park and follow the signs.  Note there are many places you must go only on foot in order to protect the refuge.  Maps can be acquired in the refuge or online at the refuge’s official website. As a visitor, you may go on a variety of adventures, which include hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, kayaking, and canoeing.  More than 14,000 acres are up for the exploring. Boating and fishing at the refuge’s Topock Marsh is a favorite for thousands. Others enjoy the view at Topock Gorge. Be sure to remember your camera and take lots of [read more…]

{ 0 comments }

Heading North to Fairbanks, AK

by rlaurendeau on July 30, 2010

Do you really want to go up north on your next vacation to Alaska? Then you should consider making Fairbanks, AK your next vacation destination. Fairbanks is located about six hours north (driving time) of Anchorage, AK, a trek that takes you on the outskirts of the Denali National Park and Wilderness Area. Considered a gateway to the deepest parts of Alaska, Fairbanks will give you the gift of an authentic Alaskan adventure for your next getaway. From seeing the Northern Lights firsthand to fly-in fishing excursions, Fairbanks is destination unlike any other.

And if that wasn’t enough, Fairbanks is also rich with history and culture. Established as a mining town, Fairbanks has many educational opportunities for you to learn about mining, the gold rush, the discovery of oil, Native Alaskan culture, and much more. Even today, the modern mining industry in Fairbanks as well as the community celebrates its unique [read more…]

{ 0 comments }

NC Day Trip to Tanglewood Park

by rlaurendeau on July 30, 2010

Rated by the North Carolina visitor’s website as one of the top-ten attractions, Tanglewood Park in Clemmons, North Carolina has a lot of great outdoor activities, year-round gardens, golfing opportunities, and events to attract visitors from all over. Tanglewood Park was once the estate of Will B. and Katherine Reynolds, but now controlled by Forsyth County in North Carolina, the grounds are now an outdoor play area for residents and vacationers alike.

The park is open daily (except for Christmas) from 7 a.m. until sunset. Admission costs only $2, unless you are arriving by bus (which we will assume you are not), making Tanglewood Park a very affordable day trip option for your NC vacation. Outdoor activities you can enjoy at the park include swimming at the park aquatic center or horseback riding along the designated bridle paths within the park. If you enjoy horseback riding, you can sign up for a guided trail ride, which lasts about 45 to 60 minutes and costs $20 per person. The trail ride will take you through the Tanglewood woodlands.

However, if you don’t want to ride horseback, you can also decide to go on a family golf outing. Tanglewood Park has two award-winning golf courses right on the grounds, both of which are highly rated as some of the best public golf courses in the nation. Both courses are well manicured and offer you a golf challenge with great natural surroundings. Tanglewood Park is definitely a great destination if your family enjoys golf.

Other attractions found at Tanglewood Park include its gardens as well as the manor house. The gardens consist of the Arboretum, the Rose Garden, and the AIDS Memorial Garden, and each one will leave you with a beautiful image of Tanglewood Park for years to come. The Manor House was built by the William Johnson family and then expanded by William Reynolds and his wife later on in 1921. Today, the Manor House is run as a bed and breakfast, with uniquely decorated rooms that run anywhere from $80 to $125 a night. You may decide to try it out for a night or opt for a less expensive option that allows you to continue to seek the NC countryside.

Tanglewood Park does not have camping accommodations for Raleigh motorhome rentals or other types of camping. However, they do have parking accommodations for any RV rental in NC. So although you may not stay the night at Tanglewood Park, you should at least take a day trip over to Clemmons to check out all it has to offer. Plus, you can find other camping locations within the immediate area.

We also want to mention that if you are a BMX bike enthusiast, Tanglewood Park has a BMX track on the premises, with races held regularly. You can call ahead to see what events will take place during your visit, in case you’re interested, or perhaps you might even like to ride the track. Be sure to do your homework, however, so you don’t run into any surprises after you arrive.

A great North Carolina day trip destination for the whole family, Tanglewood Park is a fantastic place to visit during your next vacation. The park, located just about two hours from Raleigh, has plenty of activities to keep your crew busy all day long. See what this NC top-ten attractions has to offer.

{ 0 comments }

Family Vacation at Lake Geneva

by rlaurendeau on July 29, 2010

Are you in the market for your next family getaway destination? Then look no further than Lake Geneva, WI. Even on their visitor’s website, Lake Geneva in Wisconsin boasts of its family-friendly environment and attractions. Parasailing, fishing, jetskiing and more consume many family’s visits to Lake Geneva. However, Lake Geneva has plenty of activities for your family to enjoy both on and off the lake.

Because many people head to Lake Geneva to spend most of their time out on the water, you probably want to hear about how you can enjoy the lake. If you want to get the lay of the land, you can begin with a boat tour of the lake or see things from up above by going parasailing. Others might enjoy swimming along the shore at one of the beaches or taking a canoe or kayak out into open waters. Adventurers will enjoy watersport rentals, such as [read more…]

{ 0 comments }

Julian Apple Days Festival in San Diego

July 29, 2010

Looking for a unique festival that celebrates California culture at its best on your next vacation to San Diego, CA? Then check out the Julian Apple Days Festival. The Julian Apple Days Festival is an annual celebration marking the fall harvest of the Julian Apple, and this year, the Festival falls on the weekend of [...]

Read the full article →

Missoula: A Montana Gem

July 29, 2010

What began as a trading post used to trade with the nearby Native Americans, Missoula, Montana is now a booming city. Known at the “Garden City” of Montana, Missoula is known for its beautiful foliage, forests, and fresh waters — a reason that many vacationers make Missoula their vacation destination. With year-round activities like outdoor [...]

Read the full article →

25 Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale

July 29, 2010

If you’re a list person (and you know if you are), then you are no different when it comes to your vacation plans. We celebrate the list makers who enjoy laying out all the steps or options and then checking off their list items one by one. Planning a vacation definitely takes some organizational skills.
So [...]

Read the full article →

A Couple’s Guide to Newark, NJ

July 28, 2010

A less than half hour drive from the heart of New York City will take you to New Jersey’s largest city – Newark.  Across the Hudson River from Lower Manhattan, you can find a city brimming with adventure through kayaking, camping, art museums, aquariums, fine dining, shopping, site seeing, and more. Newark has many great [...]

Read the full article →

A Cabin Vacation near Nashville, TN

July 28, 2010

Just about an hour outside of Nashville, Tennessee is the beautiful waters of Center Hill Lake in the Cumberland Mountains. What better way to get away than to enjoy a cabin rental along or near the lake where you rest, renew, and recharge yourself. Isn’t that what a vacation is really all about?
We recommend finding [...]

Read the full article →