Jun 30, 2009 17:22 - By: Phil Corless
Spokane's Big Red Wagon
Seriously, who’s going to plan a family vacation to Spokane, Washington?
I was asking myself this very question today while watching news coverage of Spokane’s Hoopfest, the largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament in the world. The tourney is celebrating its 20th year.
There are 400 courts spread out over 40 downtown city blocks, with 6,400 teams participating this year, and over 200,000 players and fans wandering around town.
But that’s not a family vacation.
Spokane is one of those average cities, like Des Moines or Sacramento, that doesn’t have much of a reputation as a vacation destination. You hear Washington, and you think Seattle. Or Olympic National Park and the Pacific Coast beaches. Or Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Rainier. Or the Cascade Range.
Even though Spokane is the second largest city in the state, and the fifth biggest in the Pacific Northwest, nobody’s buzzing about it as a family vacation destination.
I figure people end up here for other reasons, such as a weekend of basketball at Hoopfest, and then at some point it dawns on them that there might be come cool things to see and do in the area.
So, what exactly is there for a family with kids to enjoy? Read More »
Jun 30, 2009 17:07 - By: Laura Charon
Old Orchard Beach is located in Southern Maine and is one of the most popular destination for local “stay-cationers”. It’s also a great vacation destination for people visiting the Pine Tree State.
Old Orchard Beach, pic by jennratonmort
Miles of white sandy beaches along the cool Atlantic ocean are lined with bed and breakfasts, motels, inns, bars, restaurants, and shopping. The focal point of the area is the OOB Pier (you’ve gotta get the pier fries!), and the beachfront Palace Playland amusement park.
Palace Playland, photo by chris knight
Read More »
Jun 30, 2009 8:36 - By: Joe Romano
I spent the better part of last Tuesday’s lunch hour checking out the Concord Farmers’ Market in Todos Santos Plaza.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past several years, you’ve probably noticed these outdoor grocery stores popping up all over the place. In addition to Concord you can hit Farmers’ Markets in Clayton, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill and dozens of other Bay Area cities.
Read More »
Jun 29, 2009 9:56 - By: Warren Toland
Boston Pops and Fourth of JUly
If you find yourself in Boston for the Fourth of July weekend, it is incumbent upon you to take in the spectacular yearly celebration at The Hatch Shell on the Charles River Esplanade. Founded in 1974 by Boston-area businessman and philanthropist, David Mugar, the event was designed to breathe new life into the dying Esplanade concert series. Mugar approached famed Boston Pops conductor, Arthur Fiedler, and suggested that the Pops perform Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” with “a few added extras.” Howitzer cannons, church bells and fireworks were added to the concert “so that, in Arthur Fiedler’s own words, “All hell could break loose.”"
Now in its 36th year, the performance and fireworks welcome over 500,000 visitors from around the world and another seven million+ who view an hour-long special on CBS. This year, Grammy-award winning singer, Neil Diamond will perform some of his hits with the Boston Pops and, for the third year in a row, the live broadcast will be hosted by late night television host, Craig Ferguson.
Read More »
Jun 28, 2009 11:22 - By: Kim Tracy Prince
At the top of the 405 freeway among the hills of the Santa Monica mountains lies the Skirball Cultural Center, a museum and auditorium complex devoted to Jewish history and culture whose mission is to “seeks to welcome and inspire people of every ethnic and cultural identity in American life.” With lectures, concerts, and exhibits, the Skirball provides a venue for entertainment and educational events off the beaten path.
For families with young children, the gem of the Skirball’s center is the permanent installment, “
Noah’s Ark.” A kid-life-sized ark with interactive exhibits made out of recycled materials, Noah’s Ark is so popular that tickets provide timed entry to help maximize every little explorer’s adventure within. Children can climb the ark and nets, load the animals in two-by-two, witness a thunderstorm, create arts and crafts, and catch a glimpse of a rainbow in the misty arbor garden outside the galleries.
Noah’s Ark is fun, whimsical, and educational, and will kill at least an hour in out of the glaring summer heat.
Order your tickets ahead of time online – $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under (under 2’s are free). Tickets include admission to the rest of the Skirball’s exhibits as well. (The center is closed on July 4th.)
[photo courtesy of the Skirball Center]
Jun 28, 2009 9:44 - By: Laura Charon
Photo by simax105
If you’re going to be in Arizona during the July 4th weekend, here are some celebrations that are going on around the state. There’s something going on in virtually every town, but here are ten key events that are sure to please:
Phoenix: Enjoy the 24th Annual Fabulous Phoenix 4th, at Steele Indian School Park. Entertainment (on three stages!) begins at 6:00 p.m., with the fireworks show beginning at 9:20. The event features local entertainment, a cooling misting area, inflatable rides, a Classic Car exhibit, food and beverage vendors, and a water spray zone manned by the Phoenix Fire Department.
Tempe: Check out the 58th annual Tempe 4th of July Festival, taking place in Tempe Beach Park alongside the man-made Tempe Town Lake. The extravagant fireworks show, local food vendors, and live entertainment more than make up for the crowds.
Read More »
Jun 26, 2009 15:27 - By: Whit Honea
Not that one should ever need an excuse to eat ice cream, but should you need an extra bit of justification blame it on vacation. Vacations can be as healthy as you want them to be, but why? You’re on vacation. If you see ice cream eat it.
Also acceptable, churros, anything deep-fried or anything on a stick. Frozen yogurt can replace ice cream, but only if topped with chocolate or some like vice.
For more family-friendly travel photos visit DeliciousBaby’s Photo Fridays.
Photo by W. Honea
Jun 26, 2009 15:25 - By: Aricq
After the 5-hour, nerve-racking motorcycle ride out of the Kathmandu congestion and into the outlying mountain ranges, I planned on doing a whole lot of nothing in Pokhara.
And that’s exactly what I did. Read More »
