When planning a vacation to the North Carolina coast, Wilmington, Cape Hatteras and Nags Head are first places to come to mind. Many people often overlook the small towns and enclaves that dot the Tar Heel state’s vast coast. These hidden gems offer history, relaxation, culture and fun activities for the entire family to discover.

A great place for a coastal North Carolina vacation is New Bern. Located where the Trent and Neuse Rivers meet before spilling into the Pamlico Sound, the city is the second oldest in the state. Settled by the Swiss in 1710 and named after the city of Bern, Switzerland, New Bern served as the capital of the North Carolina colonial government and later briefly as the state capital immediately following the Revolutionary War. 

New Bern’s rich history can be seen as you wander it’s old narrow streets lined with small shops and cafes. One of our favorite places to grab a bite to eat is The Chelsea, located at 335 Middle Street. The restaurant offers casual dining at a great price. Their fried green tomatoes are superb. You can follow your meal with a short walk over to Bradham’s drugstore, located at 256 Middle Street, for an ice cold beverage. It was there that pharmacist Caleb Bradham invented “Brad’s Drink” in 1898, which was later renamed and marketed at Pepsi. Today, the store is owned and operated by Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company and offers Pepsi, of course, as well as variety of Pepsi souvenirs and memorabilia for sale. Afterwards, New Bern Tours offers a 90-minute trolley ride through downtown, providing a look at many of New Bern’s other historic sites. 

If you’re a fan of history and architecture, I recommend these must-see places:

Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens
Tryon Palace was built under the direction of North Carolina Governor, William Tryon, and completed in 1770. The elaborate building became ”a monument of opulance and elegance extraordinary in the American colonies.” In 1775, when the Revolutionary War began, the mansion was siezed by the Patriots and converted into the North Carolina state capital building. It remained as such until Raleigh was declared the capital in 1794. Later, in 1798, the building was consumed by a fire that started in the cellar. To preserve New Bern’s colonial heritage, the massive structure was reconstructed in the 1950s and is now a state historic park. 

When visiting this historic site, wear your walking shoes. The expansive Palace gardens, which overlook the Trent River are a great place to wander and enjoy shady trees, fountains, colorful flowers and a spectacular view. And adjacent to the Palace are other historical structures, including, a house  built in the 1830s for George W. Dixon, a wealthy merchant tailor, who was also a former mayor of New Bern; the Hay House, built at the start of the 1800s; and the New Bern Academy, the first school in North Carolina established by legal mandate, in 1766. Like Tryon Palace, the original academy building was destroyed by fire. The current structure was built between 1806 and 1809.

Historic Churches
Like many colonial towns and cities, churches played a major role in New Bern’s history. Many of the old structures can be found in the city’s downtown, offering a look at some interesting architecture.

The Christ Episcopal Church celebrated its 268th anniversary in 2008 and is the oldest church in New Bern and one of the oldest in North Carolina. Located at 320 Pollock Street, the current Gothic Revival building was rebuilt in 1871–1885 after a fire gutted the c. 1821–1824 church. It’s graveyard still contains a number of eighteenth-century stone markers. King George II of England gave the church a silver communion service, a prayer book, and a Bible in 1752 that are still in use today. Another Gothic Revival church is the First Baptist Church at 239 Middle Street, built in 1847. 

First organized as a congregation in 1772, construction of the Centenary United Methodist Church was 1905. Standing at the corner of New and Middle streets. The church features rounded walls and turrets that give it a Moorish look.

The oldest continually used church building in New Bern, First Presbyterian Church was built between 1819 and 1822. Located at 412 New Street, the church is surrounded by a cast-iron fence that dates from 1903.

Celebrating the Arts
Located at 516 Hancock Street, the Masonic Theatre, which dates its beginning to 1805, was once the cultural center of New Bern. Architects described it as “the largest and most elaborate building ever built in New Bern up to its time, with the exception of Tryon Palace.”

Through its more than 200 years, the Masonic Theatre was the scene of many stage plays, talent benefits, concerts, vaudeville acts, political rallies, civic conventions, school commencements, church services and other community gatherings. During Civil War, it was used as a Confederate arsenal and later as a hospital when Union forces occupied New Bern.

After having served all this time as New Bern’s chief place for civic gatherings, it became a motion picture theatre in 1917 and remained so until 1974 when it closed. It was the nation’s oldest continually operating theatre until that time. The theatre is currently being resorted to its historical glory and offers a variety of shows and performances.

For the first three decades of the twentieth century, New Bern was known as the “Athens of North Carolina” because of its many artistic and educational endeavors. While the Great Depression put a halt to much of the activity, a rebirth occurred in the 1970s, and today locals enjoy performances and exhibits from an ever-increasing number of local and touring artists. Along with with many art galleries throughout downtown, New Bern’s main venue for arts is the Bank of the Arts, located at 317 Middle Street. It’s a great place to see the work of local painters, sculptors and other artists showcasing exquisite craftsmanship. 

Fun on the Water
There’s a saying in New Bern – “water sports are NOT a luxury in New Bern. They are ‘our thing.’” The city’s location on two rivers and close proximity to the Pamlico Sound certainly do make New Bern a great place for fun on the water. Whether cruising the rivers in a power boat, taking a leisurely sail boat ride, skimming across the water on a wake board, kayaking or canoeing a narrow, calm creek or casting a fishing line, there are plenty of water activities to suit everyone’s desire. 

If you’re not into getting in or on the water, you can enjoy a relaxing walk at the Union Point Park, a scenic six acre site located at the point of the Neuse and Trent Rivers in downtown New Bern.  The hallmark, a recently constructed Gazebo frequently used for weddings, festivals, and various special events, highlights what is a magnificent and breathtaking view.  The park complex includes a walkway bridging Union Point Park with nearby Bicentennial Park, two boat launches, restroom facilities, picnic tables, fishing pier, grills, and a small playground. 

And, don’t forget, New Bern is also just a short drive (or sail) from the beaches and marinas of the Atlantic Ocean. You can rent a car and head to nearby Morehead City, Emerald Isle, Indian Beach, or Atlantic Beach for a day in the sand and sun.

While in Atlantic Beach, be sure to visit the 398-acre Fort Macon state park. Built between 1826 and 1834 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the pentagon-shaped fortress was the scene of a significant Civil War Battle while occupied by Confederate troops. The fort was under a Union artillery siege from March 23 to April 26, 1862. Its fall into Union hands gave the Northern forces complete control of the entire North Carolina coast. It was re-garrisoned during the Spanish-American War and again during World War II. 

How to Get There and Where to Stay
New Bern is surprisingly easy to travel to by air with daily flights offered by U.S. Airways via Charlotte and Delta via Atlanta. The airport is located just off Highway 70, just minutes south of downtown. New Bern is only a two hour drive from Raleigh via Highway 70 and a just under two hour drive from Wilmington via Highway 17.

New Bern offers a variety of accomodations from the major hotel chains like the Sheraton New Bern Hotel & Marina and Comfort Suites Riverfront Park to the small, quaint bed and breakfasts, such as the Harmony House Inn and Meadows Inn.

As always, these are just a few of the sites and things to do. New Bern offers much more that can’t be fit into a single post. Book your vacation today and you’ll discover much, much more.

Photos by Jason Roth and VisitNewBern.com

Do you hear that sound?  Do you smell that smell?  Do you see that long slow line of traffic ahead of you on the 101?  Oh yeah, that means Dodger Stadium Opening Day is coming up – Monday April 13, 2009.  Getting tickets to the event is tricky, but the Dodger corporation is trying to make it easier for Joe Baseball Fan to get them by registering here.

Even if you don’t make it to Opening Day, the fact that it’s coming means you have months of baseball stadium goodness opportunities ahead of you.  Los Angeles may not have much in the way of football, and Lakers tickets might be completely out of the question for most people, but there’s always Dodger Stadium.  As locals will tell you, getting there is no joke.  The famous Los Angeles traffic snafu is made worse every time there’s a game, so luckily there are traffic and entry tips on the team’s website.

Not being a huge baseball fan myself, I go for the excitement – the roar of the crowd, the music, the expensive beer and snacks .  This will be the year our family brings our two young sons to their first professional baseball game, so I’m psyching myself up and breaking out some insider tips from last year’s 50th anniversary PR movement, courtesy of Dodgers Ambassador Corey Eisner.

TOP THREE PLACES TO SCORE AN AUTOGRAPH

The stadium gates open two hours before the game, giving your family a chance to enjoy the sights and sounds of the ballpark. There are three great places around the ballpark where you can bring the kids to get autographs.

1. Out behind the centerfield wall there is an area known to fans as Autograph Alley. Each game, a Dodger Legend signs autographs for youngsters and adults alike. All you have to do is hop in line and you will receive the autograph of Dodger greats such as Ron Cey, Bobby Castillo, or Tommy Davis. The Alley gives fans of all ages a chance to converse about Dodger history and start their autograph collections.
2. Also out in centerfield, Dodger fans have the opportunity no other fans have, they can step out onto the warning track. At Chavez Ravine, fans can walk out onto the dirt, behind a blocked off area, and enjoy batting practice with the big leaguers. Make sure you bring your baseball gloves, as home runs fly into the area during batting practice, giving your kids a great opportunity to catch an official Major League baseball.
3. Another great place to start your child’s autograph collection is on the field level at aisle 27A. All children are allowed to come down next to the Dodgers dugout where they have the opportunity to get autographs from current Dodger superstars. The key to autograph success is to come early!

Between each inning there are bloopers, highlights, and interactive games that appear on the Dodgervision scoreboard to entertain the fans. Also, feel free to pick up a Dodgers Magazine which includes a scorecard so that you can teach your kids all about baseball.  Attending a Dodger game over the summer is a great activity and something your family can get excited about together. If you can’t make it to a game, go for a behind the scenes tour.

For discounted tickets visit the E-saver page on the Dodgers website. Promotions change almost weekly with different discounts on tickets. Also, children 3 and under are free!

[photos courtesy of Dodgers.com]

Is there anything better than girlfriends?

One of my favorite places to get together for a weekend with girlfriends is Orlando, Florida.  The weather is great year round and there is so much to do on a girls’ getaway without having to go too far.

Where To Stay For a Girls’ Getaway in Orlando, Florida:

The Ritz-Carlton Orlando

The Ritz-Carlton Orlando is my first choice for a weekend getaway with the girls.  It’s obviously not cheap, but if you’re splitting the cost with three or four other women, it’s a great opportunity to spoil yourself.  Nobody does luxury like The Ritz and their spa is the perfect place to spend a day pampering yourself with some of your closest friends.

Universal’s Royal Pacific Resort is next on my list of places to stay for a girls weekend in Orlando.  The rooms are beautiful, the staff is amazing, and the location is excellent for access to other things to do in the area.  The best part about staying at a Universal hotel is that you can get to and from Universal’s City Walk at night by water taxi.  It’s a safe way for a group of girls to travel back and forth after a night of drinks and dancing.

Hilton Grand Vacations Club on International Drive is the least expensive hotel on the list.  It still provides a great central location with easy access to shopping and entertainment.  And with rooms at about $98 a night, you’ll have more money to spend shopping!

Speaking of shopping…

Things To Do On A Girls’ Getaway in Orlando:

Outlet Shopping in Orlando

Shopping, of course! What, too cliche?  Whatever.  Girls love to shop together.  And the shopping in Orlando is fantastic!  Oggle things you’d never dream of buying – or splurge on a pair of real Jimmy Choos – at the Mall at Millenia.  Do your power shopping and bargain hunting at one of the two area outlet malls.  Yes, two.  Did I not tell you the shopping in Orlando was wonderful?

Check out the Orlando Shopping Guide for the inside scoop (and details on which outlet mall is better).

Go to the spa! Is there anything more girly than a trip to the spa with your girlfriends?  I can feel my estrogen levels rising at the mere thought.  The best spa in town is at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando.  And the good news is, you don’t have to be a guest to partake in the spa services.

Head to the beach!

I am constantly hounding my girlfriends to go to the spa at The Ritz with me.  My favorite part is that you can spend the entire day there with the purchase of any service.  So once you’ve enjoyed your manicure (or pedicure, or deep tissue massage, or massage where people walk on your back!!), you can spend the rest of the day lounging in the zen like atmosphere.  Soak in the jacuzzi or go for a swim in the pool.  Cleanse your pours in the steam room and then rehydrate with orange water.  The fluffy robes alone will make you feel like a princess.  This place is my own personal nirvana, I swear.

Go to the beach! Sure, your hotel will have a pool.  And you can always head on over to one of the local water parks.  But when I’m hanging out with my girlfriends, I’d much rather lay out on a white sandy beach and watch the ocean.  The closest beach to the Orlando area is Cocoa Beach.  It’s about 40 minutes east of Orlando, but worth the drive if you’re a sun worshiper.

Of course, shopping and the spa and the beach are great things to do during the day.  But when the sun goes down…

Girls Night Out Nightlife in Orlando:

Universal Studio’s City Walk is my favorite place for nightlife in Orlando.  It truly has something for everyone.  Upscale or casual dining, dance clubs, and dueling piano bars can all be found in Universal Studio’s “entertainment complex”.  You absolutely have to stop into The Rising Star, a karaoke bar that features a live band and back up dancers.  The people watching is fantastic and you’re sure to have a great time.

Universal City Walk - Orlando Nightlife for Girls' Getaway

I also think City Walk offers a safe environment for women out on the town.  The entire area is well lit and crawling with Universal staff and security guards.

Downtown Disney is Walt Disney World’s answer to City Walk.  I don’t think it offers quite the same nightlife experience as City Walk and Disney recently closed most of the bars in the Pleasure Island section.  However, Ragland Road – a very popular irish pub with waitresses who river dance on your table – is still open.

The Parliament House is an all gay resort – with a wickedly fun gay bar scene.  Of course, you don’t have to be gay to hit the clubs.  Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night, there’s a female impersonation show in The Footlight Theater.  You will laugh until it hurts, and laugh some more.  After the show you can dance and drink and not get hit on if you’re a straight married woman.  I guarantee you will have the most fun you’ve ever had with your girlfriends here.

RuPaul at Parliament House in Orlando

Church Street is the bar district in downtown Orlando.  To be an honest, I’m too old and fat to be hanging out on Church Street, except for the occasional girls’ night out.  Women are younger and thinner in packs.  The biggest concern here is going to be safety.  Try to catch a cab back to your hotel about 30 minutes before closing time if possible.  It’s not top on my list of recommendations, but it’s an option.

See why I love a girls’ getaway in Orlando?  There’s so much to do and a million ways to bond with the girlfriends you don’t see often enough.  Relax, gossip, be safe, and have fun!

My mother likes to remind me that a vacation is supposed to be about relaxing.  I tend to make lists and itineraries and plan as many things to do as possible for my vacations.

But, my mom is right.  Sometimes the best vacations aren’t about all the things you can get done, but about all the things you don’t have to do.

8 Tips For A Relaxing Vacation

1. Stay at an all inclusive resort – I’ve often made the mistake of avoiding all-inclusive resorts because of cost and lack of variety.  I tell myself I need to go to a city and see everything, not just the inside of a luxurious resort.

But when you need to truly relax and let go, an all inclusive resort can be the perfect escape. Not only are you taking a break from work, but you don’t have to worry about the other details that can consume a vacation like “where are we eating?” and “how do we get there?” and “what are we going to do this afternoon?”  Most resorts will offer several dining options on site, transportation is as easy as an elevator ride, and you’ll usually find a full activity calendar centered around multiple pools and rec rooms.

2. Go to the water - Whether it’s a beach, a river or a quiet lake not far from home, the waterfront provides a soothing backdrop for a relaxing vacation.

The best thing about the beach or a lake is that you don’t have to do anything to enjoy it.  Sure, you can swim or surf or fish – depending on the waterfront you’ve found yourself on.  But you can also just sit.  And watch.  And listen.  I’ve yet to meet a stressed out adult that couldn’t appreciate just sitting on the beach, listening to the sound of the waves.

3. Unpack your suitcase – It doesn’t matter if it’s a long weekend or an extended 10 day vacation, living out of a suitcase sucks.

Digging through luggage every morning can make you feel cluttered and disorganized.  Cluttered and disorganized are not feelings that are conducive to total relaxation.  It’s a constant reminder that you’re not home in your own space – and not in a good way.  Taking the time to put your clothes in the drawers and in closets and unpack your bathroom things creates a home away from home feeling in even the shabbiest hotel room.

4. Make lists, not itineraries – you can still go sightseeing and play tourist without stressing yourself out.  The trick is to loosen the reigns on your schedule a little bit.

Before you leave for your vacation, make a list of the attractions and things to do in the area you want to see.  Take note of prices, hours of operation and days they might be closed.  Make a loose outline instead of rigorous time sheet.  “On Tuesday we’ll head over to the museum.  When we get done there, we’ll go shopping.”  There’s a big difference between “when we get done” and “by 3 we should be at the mall.”  You can still hit the high points without the added stress of keeping an eye on your watch for your entire vacation.  Be in the moment, so to speak.

5. Bring cash – If you’re traveling on a budget, it’s hard to fully enjoy the things you’re spending money on if you’re keeping a running total of what you’ve spent in the back of your mind.

Decide on a budget that makes sense for you before you leave.  Regardless of how much or how little you can afford, take out all the cash you’ve budgeted for spending money – souveneirs, dinners out, tips, etc.  Now, you obviously don’t need to be walking around with massive wads of cash.  Put the bulk of it in the hotel safe and take out what you need for the day (or night, whatever).  This might seem silly, but it’s a lot more freeing to know you can spend whatever you’ve got on you without worrying about a surprise on your credit card (or bank statement) when you get home.  It’s hard to relax if you’re stressing about money.

6. Pamper yourself - Self indulgence is relaxing.  It’s especially relaxing if your primary role in your real life is to take care of other people (see: moms, dads, husbands, wives, managers, and practically any responsible adult).

Indulgence means something different for everyone.  It might be a 90 minute message at an actual spa, or buying something because it fits and not just because it’s on sale.  Maybe it’s ordering whatever you want at a great restaurant or going to a popular Broadway show.  Or maybe it’s convincing your wife to go para sailing with you even though it’s $60 a person for a 15 minute ride.  Whatever your selfish indulgence is, allow yourself at least one just for you thing on your vacation.  Use your head and you don’t have to break the bank to feel like you’ve been spoiled.

7. Get enough sleep – Do you ever notice how exhausted people are when they get home from vacation?  Maybe it’s because they stayed up late and woke up early in a frantic attempt to get it all in.

I’m guilty of this.  I tell myself I can get caught up on my sleep when my vacation is over.  Because it is so much easier to get a good night’s sleep when you’re back to working full time, unpacking and catching up on laundry.  No.  I’m not suggesting you sleep your vacation away, but if a solid 8 hours or an afternoon nap means scratching a few items of your list of things to do, it might be a sacrifice to consider.  As cliche as it sounds, being well rested is crucial to really relaxing.

8. Unplug - I consider an iPhone a necessary travel accessory.  I stock up on iPhone apps for traveling.  But even I can appreciate the value in not being constantly connected while I’m on vacation.

Do you know people used to leave home without cell phones?  There was a time when people would go days without answering emails!  How did they ever survive?  The fact is, the world will not fall apart if you’re unreachable for a few days.  If you’ve left the kids at home with a sitter, it might be important to keep your phone on for emergencies – but it’s also OK to say “please call for emergencies and not just to chat or check in.”  Let people know ahead of time that you’re going on vacation and set up a plan with key people to reach you in case of emergencies.  And if the friend you haven’t talked to in months pops up on caller ID, don’t be afraid to take advantage of voice mail.

Remember that you’re paying for this vacation.  And it’s OK to take a break from all the responsiblities and obligations once in a while.  It will all still be there waiting for you when your vacation is over – whether you’ve spent that time truly relaxing or not.  Make the most of it!

Walt Disney World is fantastic.

It’s also expensive.

And, quite frankly, it’s not for everyone.  (No, really.  Some people actually hate Disney.)  Thankfully, there’s a lot more to do in Orlando beyond the Disney compound.  And most of it will cost a fraction of a day at Disney World.

13 Things To Do In Orlando (Without Going To Disney World)

Things To Do In Orlando: The other “theme” parks

1. Gatorland One of the most unique things to do in Orlando is visit Gatorland.  Florida is known for it’s alligator population, and Gatorland provides a great opportunity to get up close and personal without getting… well, too close. Gatorland tickets are less than $20, but you should plan to buy some gator jerky in the gift shop.

Gatorland in Orlando - where you can get eaten! Yay!

2. SeaWorld – The best thing about the SeaWorld park (aside from the dancing sea animals) is the lack of crowds.  It’s the only amusement park in Orlando where you won’t spend most of your day waiting in line.  I would much rather take a stroller bound child to SeaWorld than Disney World.

Shamu IV in Orlando, Florida

3. Wet N’ wild – If you’re looking for a place to go more than once, check out Wet N’ Wild.  A general admission ticket is $45, but it’s good for an entire year.  If you have kids and teenagers on your vacation, they can easily spend 2 or 3 days here enjoying the sun and water slides.

Wet N' Wild in Orlando, Florida

Things To Do In Orlando: Museums

4. Ripley’s Orlando – Florida is plagued with sink holes – and this museum is actually sinking into one!  For less than $20, you can spend about two hours walking through the Orlando edition of Ripley’s Believe It Or Not.

Ripley's Odditorium in Orlando, FL

5. Orlando Science Center – this is an excellent vacation day for kids and one of the few cheap things to do in Orlando.  As of January 2009, one of their exhibits is Grossology: The (Impolite) Science of The Human Body.  Yeah, it is exactly what it sounds like.  The science of burps and farts.

6. Kissimmee Air Museum – the planes here aren’t behind sheets of glass, or even ropes or gates.  You can get up close and take excellent pictures of the exhibits at the Kissimmee Air Museum.  You can also schedule flights in some of the planes.  Go for a ride and take the controls (for a few minutes, obviously).

7.  Titanic The Experience – Did you know The Titanic crashed in Orlando, Florida?   OK, not really.  But this unique Titanic museum offers an amazing opportunity to tour a replica, with actors dressed in period costumes working as tour guides to enhance the experience.

The Titanic Experience - Orlando, Florida

Things To Do In Orlando: Family-friendly nightlife

8.  Ghost tours – There are scary places all over Florida, and the Orlando area is no exception.  You can spend a night hunting ghosts and communing with the dead with Ghost Trackers.  Of course, I wouldn’t take a small child who is afraid of the dark.  But an adventure seeking preteen who is not quite old enough to find it dorky?  Absolutely!

Apparently that's a ghost.

9. Medieval Times – Some adults will try and tell you that Medieval Times is only cool when you’re a kid.  Those people have no souls or something.  Medieval Times is awesome.  Watch knights battle it out jousting style while you eat with your hands.  How can that not be cool??

Medieval Times in Orlando, Florida

10. Wonder Works Comedy Magic Dinner Show – Wonder Works is an “upside down attraction”.  At night they do an improv comedy and magic routine that is family friendly.  The menu is a highly sophisticated offering of all you can eat pizza, salad, popcorn and dessert with a side of beer and pop.

Wonder Works Upside Down Attraction in Orlando

Things To Do In Orlando: The Great Outdoors

11. Airboat tours – taking a ride on an airboat is as much about being on the airboat as it is about what you’ll see.  Of course, there’s plenty to see as well.  Visitors tend to get the most excited about the alligators!

Boggy Creek Airboat Tours in Kissimmee, Florida

12. Fishing on Lake Toho – Orlando/Kissimmee sits on the north side of a 42 mile lake called Lake Toho.  This lake is known for world class Bass fishing.   You can find dozens of fishing tours with experts and professional fisherman to make sure you bring home a catch.

Bass Fishing in Orlando, Florida

13. Forever Florida EcoSafaris- Get ready for your wild Florida adventure. Journey deep into the 4700 acre Forever Florida wildlife conservation area. Coach Safari, Horseback Safari or soar through the treetops on the Zipline Safari.  This is a chance to experience “Old Florida”, as in before the theme parks took over.

Zipline Safari

Forever Florida in Orlando

If you’re planning a trip, check out Orlando flights.
 

This isn’t my kid.  But it could be, so that’s still cool.

I recently posted on this blog about first-time air travel with a toddler. As I mentioned in the previous post, we encountered some successes as well as some genuine teeth clenching moments associated with our 20-month-old’s first airline travel to San Francisco. This post is outlines our actual weekend in that fair city.

Accomodations- Queen Anne Hotel. An historic Victorian 4-story hotel in the Pacific Heights neighborhood, the Queen Anne is very romantic with charming rooms and fireplaces in the downstairs common areas. It was walking distance to the trolley line and a few parks – perfect for those with kids in tow. And, while the Queen Anne doesn’t market itself specifically to families, so we were pleasantly surprised by a number of child-friendly amenities. These included a travel crib, high chairs in the dining area, a full breakfast and cookies (with brandy or the adults) in the evening. The staff, with one exception, was wonderful! If you are traveling with children, we would recommend you book a suite, which includes a sitting/living room area with fridge, sink coffeemaker and a separate bedroom with door.

Queen Anne Hotel

The down-sides to staying at the Queen Anne were few: the travel crib was older and needed repairs (which the staff saw to only after we insisted) and a few of the antiques in the room were not toddler-friendly. We didn’t break anything, but it was definitely a learning curve for a child whose own home has few hands-off zones. And, while the website says the hotel offers childcare, it doesn’t. So, don’t book thinking this service will be available and you will be able to have a “date night” in San Francisco. Overall, the hotel was very nice. We would recommend it to friends, even those with toddlers, because the location is excellent, the staff is friendly, and the few disappointments did not make a difference in our stay.

Day 1 – After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, we became typical San Francisco tourists. We loaded our son onto his mother’s back and we set out for the nearest cable car stop. It was a beautiful day, so the 5 minute walk to the beginning of the California Trolley line was refreshing. We checked out the unique San Francisco architecture dotted with turn of the century row houses and, to these Seattleites, surprisingly few trees. Our son loves trains, so the California trolley line was a little slice of heaven. We rode the entire cable-car loop through the business district, to the waterfront, and back to where we started. Our son learned to yell “ding, ding” as we rode through town.

Cable Car at Fisherman's Warf

We spent ample time at the waterfront browsing gift shops, watching the ferries come and go, and snacking on the local fare, before boarding the F-train along the Embarcadero towards Pier 39. Pier 39 bills itself as “San Francisco’s Premier Bay Attraction, a festival marketplace with more than 110 stores, 12 bay view restaurants, and a variety of fun-filled attractions for all ages including world renowned sea lions, street performers and live daily entertainment.” We spent the rest of our afternoon wandering around, eating lunch, people watching, and riding on the double-decker carousel – which was a bit hit with our son. After leaving Pier 39 we completed the trolley loop by boarding the Powell-Hyde line at Fisherman’s Warf and riding the cable car back up the hill to where we started. Our son fell asleep on the way back, so after a late nap we had an early dinner and walk in the nearby Filmore district. We then returned to the Queen Anne for a nightcap and bed.

TIP - If you plan to go on more than one trolley ride in a day, purchase a day pass for the cable cars, trains and buses. We got ours at the gift shop of the Holiday Inn Golden Gateway Hotel on Van Ness steps from the beginning of theCalifornia line, as well as good advice on the optimal sightseeing plan from the friendly local staff.

Day 2 – This was a day for family to visit us in the city and our last before heading east to continue that visit. After a few planning calls, breakfast and checking out of our hotel, we decided to head over to Golden Gate Park to visit the California Academy of Sciences and more specifically the Steinhart Aquarium. We had heard rumors about tickets to the Academy selling out and since this was a Saturday we got there early and explored the grounds near the Academy and the de Young Museum while we waited for family to arrive. The grounds were open, spacious, and pleasant and deserved to be explored much more than we had the time or ability to do with a little one along.

Soon the crowds started to arrive in droves. Once our party of 9, including many young children, finally arrived the Academy was absolutely swarming with people. We proceeded in and attempted to enjoy the visit, however the sheer number of visitors made it nearly impossible to enjoy the quality exhibits on display throughout the Academy and the Aquarium. After a couple hours we decided to picnick out on the park grounds where we could enjoy some fresh air. After lunch a few of the party braved another trip in but the results were similar to those before lunch, so we decided to call it a day. We left the city shortly thereafter with a scenic drive across the Golden Gate Bridge , which was itself an awe inspiring experience and left us wanting to return as soon as our situation would allow.

TIP - Academy of Science tickets will run you $24.95 for adults, $19.95 for kids 12-17, and $14.95 for kids 7-11. Parking will set you back another $20.00, so come with a fat wallet, and elbow pads.

Beware of Ghosts at the Queen Anne Hotel

Things We Wished We Had Time For:

As I mentioned this was our first trip with our son.  It was aslo a far cry from the types of trips we are used to taking, where we could cram the maximum amount of touring pleasure into even a long weekend.  Yes, it was a different speed, but it was also still a lot of fun.  I think the key for us was to not plan too much, but rather to enjoy the the sights we could comfortably see without over-taxing our little guy.  With that in mind, here are a couple of things we didn’t get to this time but look forward to on our next trip to the Bay area.

San Francisco Ghost Hunt- If your children are older, you might check out this haunted tour of the Pacific Heights neighborhood that meets each evening in the lobby of the Queen Anne! Apparently several ghosts reside in the Queen Anne, as well as other neighborhood haunts. We didn’t take the tour but did see the tour guide, Jim Fassbinder, in his cape, tophat and lantern. We stayed on the third floor, apparently the most haunted on the hotel, and did see one ghost – but he seemed to be pretty friendly!

Golden Gate Bridge

 Bicycle Tour of the Golden Gate Bridge - We saw many advertisements for this during our short tour of the city and would have attempted this if we had more time. Baring that, at least a walk across the bridge would have been preferrable to the drive. The bridge was packed with walking tourists and that is also an option we will explore on our next visit.

Cable Car an Queen Anne Hotel Photos from Uptake.com
Golden Gate Bridge Photo by Rodefeld
Ghost photo miraculously snapped by the author

Reports are in that people are spending much less on travel these days, and so it would follow that other leisure activities would suffer.  The SCUBA schools in the Los Angeles area seized upon a brilliant marketing tool when they teamed up with the Be a Diver traveling SCUBA pool that made its appearance at last month’s LA Times Travel Expo at the Convention Center.

This intrepid blogger made her way to the show to gather up information, fill an eco-friendly reusable tote bag with non-eco-friendly brochures and travel guides, and enter a few hundred giveaways.  As I made my way through the back end of the huge convention space, a woman from Malibu Divers accosted me.  What caught my eye was their booth display about SCUBA parties for children, but then the woman gestured off to my left.

And then I saw it.

Be a Diver Pool

The enormous 5-ft deep pool sat like a grounded whale in the corner and it was filled with otherwise ordinary people in wetsuits and masks, waiting for their turns to be taught how to use SCUBA gear from volunteer instructors.  “Would you like to try?” said the woman from Malibu Divers.

It was the end of the weekend-long travel show.  That pool and its festering warm water had been host to hundreds of would-be divers.  The wetsuits had been used over and over again, as were the mouthpieces of the breathing apparati.  I was alone and toting a Canon Rebel XT Digital SLR along with my purse, phone, and wallet.  But what the heck?  I heard my inner muse tell me to go for it.  I told him to be quiet (yes, my muse is male).  He would not.  He said “Do it for your readers, Kim.”  And so I did.

Let me first say that I have snorkeled in beautiful waters and enjoyed every moment.  Distant opportunities to learn to SCUBA dive have come up in my past but this is the first time the chance was so immediate.  And it was FREE.

Still, I felt like an idiot as the poor guy whose job it was to hand you a wetsuit looked me over and tried to figure out my size.  He handed me a smelly short suit and directed me to the changing tents.  My personal belongings were guarded by another volunteer.  Then I was given a mask and fins and I waited in line outside the pool for a spot to open up within.  It was chilly in the wet wetsuit, so the attendant invited me to wait in the heated water.

Changing Tent: Caution: Piso VERY Mojado!

I didn’t wait long, and my instructor, a tall guy in what he called a “dry suit” that looked like SWAT gear for the water, dragged my apparatus through the water and fastened it to my back.  He explained that in a real class I would also be given weights to keep me down in the water, but as it was I struggled a bit to stay down because the whole shebang was buoyant.  He showed me how to put my mouth around the breather, and told me that the number one rule, the only real instruction, was “Breathe.”

So I got underwater.

And I breathed.

Just breathe.

Keep swimming!

Who cares if you look like a dork? The fish don't care.

And I kept breathing!  And it was good!  And I was swimming and I didn’t have to hold my breath or go to the surface to get more air.  My first thought was “Why have I never done this before?!” I have traveled to many places where SCUBA diving would have been a wonderful activity.  Look at all I missed.

Save your children the heartbreak of a SCUBA-less life.  Check out the local dive schools below, and discover the joys of swimming with the fishes.  If you live in one of the cities that the Be a Diver Pool will visit in the coming months, I highly recommend trying the free lesson.  I got to swim around in the murky pool to my heart’s content.  Here’s a quick shout-out to Jeff, the volunteer who gamely shot pictures of all participants that were available for free download from the Be a Diver Pool website a few days after the event.

I didn’t even get scabies from the wetsuit.

Converted.

SCUBA Schools of America in Montclair has a special program for kids 8-11: SCUBA Rangers which is fully supervised in a pool.  Kids age 10 and up can take a special class to learn how to dive in the ocean.

Malibu Divers has a family program that kids 8 and up can take with Mom and Dad.  Open water diving starts after age 10.  This is the company that advertises a 2-hour SCUBA birthday party .  How cool is that?  Why just for kids, anyway…?

Aqua Adventures Unlimited in Burbank also advertises the SCUBA birthday parties but for a slightly higher price.  (They might want to rethink their skull and crossbones logo, however.  I’m just sayin.’)

Even kids can do it!