great takes on family travel in the U.S.

The Golden Gate National Recreation Area is huge and spans three counties.  These are the thirteen things I love about this area in just Marin County (north of Golden Gate Bridge) and only about 30 minutes from the city.  Most of the time, I don’t think of these as part of a national park, but a destination in and of themselves.

1. Bolinas Ridge-a beautiful ridge for hiking or riding that offers views of the shoreline 200 feet below.
2. Fort Baker–beautiful little park for picnics and has the Bay Area Discovery Musuem
3. Fort Cronkhite-a dog friendly ocean beach, good sand castle opportunities, and the crashing waves are not too overwhelming for kids
4. Kirby Cove-just over the Golden Gate, this beach is usually only frequented by locals, not too many tourists are willing to make the mile long hike to get to the beach
5. Marin Headlands–good bird watching and great for road and mountain biking
6. Muir Woods National Monument–I love the trees, but really think this is overrated, if I was a tourist, I would just take a hike on Mt. Tam starting at Pan Toll and walk to Stinson Beach, lots of redwoods and not too many tourists
7. Muir Beach-close to Muir Woods and the Pelican Inn, an English pub, offers all sorts of beers to cool off after a hike on Mt. Tam
8. Muir Beach Overlook–spectacular vistas of the Pacific and of the valley, it feels as if you could fall into the fog sometimes
9. Nike Missile Site-described as an educational cold war museum by the parks dept. it offers tours Wednesday through Friday and on the first Saturday of every month.  Take the elevator to down to the missile area.  A nice break from hiking and a bit of history, to.
10. Olema Valley–bed and breakfasts, campgrounds and access to Pt. Reyes National Seashore
11. Point Bonita Lighthouse–built in 1855, this lighthouse is reached by crossing two bridges, tours are currently closed, but it is worth checking back with the park service to find out if it is going to re-open, still a beautiful drive, hike and picnic area
12. Stinson Beach–my favorite beach for swimming, surfing and sea kayaking, the southern end of the beach offers fun little pools and crab catching
13. Tennessee Valley–a flat ride of only 2 miles will place you in the protected cove, you can hike up to an old missile site on either side of the beach

Golden National Recreation Area is the best part of the bay area.  It offers a respite from the concrete, a glimpse into the past and serves up the crashing waves of the Pacific next to the peacefulness of  a redwood forest.  Highly recommend you visit any of these places if you live or visit the bay area.

Consider a trip to Apalachicola, Florida, on the Gulf Coast south of Tallahassee, if you are looking for an authentic, original experience in a town known for fresh seafood and quaint fisherman village amenities. With miles of beaches, nearby national forests and plenty of golf and fishing to keep you busy, Apalachicola is a vacation paradise. Here are a couple motel recommendations sure to enhance your experience:

Apalachicola River Inn

Right on the water, each recently remodeled room in this lovely two-story motel has great views across the Apalachicola Bay. With two on-site restaurants, Boss Oyster and Caroline’s River Dining, the inn is also a short walk from historic downtown Apalachicola with many retail therapy options.

Rancho Inn

This family-oriented Inn, with views of the water, features double and king rooms, along with a suite for those traveling in larger groups. Locally owned and operated, the friendly staff is available to help arrange any charter or activity that might catch your interest.

Best Western Apalach Inn

Located on the panhandle of Florida, each room in this inn is equipped with free Internet access and cable television. Add a complimentary continental breakfast, and you are off to a great start each morning. Rates start at $95, and include free parking.

No matter where you stay, don’t forget to try the oysters when you visit!

Photo courtesy of Apalachicola River Inn.

Off the Beaten Subway Track:  New York City’s Best Unusual Attractions is a recently released guide helping visitors and locals in the Big Apple find hundreds of off beaten track destinations in New York City.

We recently interviewed the author, Suzanne Reisman to learn more about the city and her book.  Suzanne is a graduate of Columbia University (MPA) and New York University (BA) and a freelance writer. She is a contributing editor for Travel & Recreation to BlogHer.org, and her writing has appeared in Metro, New York Family, City Limits, New York Nonprofit Press, and Young Children. She and her husband live in New York City.

1. What is the most romantic destination in your book?
Since Off the Beaten (Subway) Track features mostly offbeat and unusual sites, nothing exactly fits the mold of romantic destinations.  However, the garden at the Mt. Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden (421 E. 61st St.) is a lovely step back in time, as well as surprisingly peaceful, given its proximity to the FDR highway.  Concerts are offered regularly throughout the summer.

2.       Most family friendly?
One thing that surprised me when researching Off the Beaten (Subway) Track was how many unique sites there are in New York City that are great for families.  Two places that have something for everyone are The Staten Island Museum (75 Stuyvesant Place, Staten Island) and the Queens County Farm Museum (73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Queens).   At the Staten Island Museum, an intimate science and local history museum, family members can take a close look at preserved bugs from around the world, as well as stuffed animals.  The Queens County Farm Museum, on the other hand, offers city families a chance to hang out with live animals, as well as participate in seasonal events like a corn maze.

3.       Anything for pets?
Every year, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine (the world’s largest Gothic cathedral) offers a blessing for animals.  Off the Beaten (Subway) Track also recommends experiencing the art and airiness of the cathedral by leaving pets home and taking the Vertical Tour.  The special tour brings patrons eye-to-eye with stained glass windows at the clerestory level, on to the roof, and into the attic.

4.       Hotels you recommend?
I didn’t review any hotels for Off the Beaten (Subway) Track, only places that are off-the-beaten path.

5.       Top three off the beaten subway tracks for a business traveler to New York ?
People traveling to New York for business probably do not have much time to ride out to the outer boroughs to see some of the truly off-the-beaten path sites, but fortunately, there are plenty of hidden gems right in the financial district.  The American Numismatic Society offers an extensive exhibit about the role of money in history at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (33 Liberty St.).  Just up Wall Street is the Museum of American Finance (48 Wall St.), which utilizes 30,000 square feet at the former Bank of America Building to extol the virtues of American financial markets and institutions.  The Forbes Galleries (62 Fifth Ave.) showcases several antique and foreign sets of Monopoly, as well as the billionaire’s extensive collection of toy boats and tin soldiers.

6.       Difference between New York & Chicago?
I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, and I always enjoy visiting my home town.  While Chicago is a city that thrives on grass-roots creativity, it also has an underfunded public transportation system.  Unless you have a car, it can be very difficult to explore the rich offerings of Chicago.  I love living in New York City because you really can get anywhere on the subway and bus.  New York has the most densely populated blocks in the country, yet a single subway ride from Times Square can take you to the (mostly) silent nature found in Inwood Park.  Manhattan is covered with skyscrapers, but the subway and bus will bring people to a working farm in Queens.  In a city where millions of dollars are spent acquiring fine art, there is a psychiatric hospital in Queens with a working art studio.  A person can join the hoity-toity at the Metropolitan Opera House, or savor turn-of-the-century recordings by Enrico Caruso played on vintage phonographs in a museum in a two-family home in Brooklyn.  The body of a venerated saint, shrines that heal the ailing, and religious relics are located not very far from softball-sized balls of hair coughed up by cows.  New York City is loaded with offbeat attractions and cultural wonders – no car needed.  Subways and buses run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, allowing people to take full advantage of what we have to offer.  It’s wonderful.

7.       Why did you write it, there are already so many guidebooks on New York? Did you need something like this or is this an interest of yours?
I wrote Off the Beaten (Subway) Track because I love road trips, strange museums, and people who share their unusual talents, passions, and obsessions with the general public.  After working in the field of community development for ten years, I realized that there are so many great places in the City that are explored less than they should be.  I was shocked that most (but not all) of the places I found for Off the Beaten (Subway) Track are not included in standard guides to New York.  New York’s mainstream attractions are great (who can argue with the Statue of Liberty or the Met?), but there’s so much more to see and do.  The book is for people (like me) who want to avoid Times Square and see more of the “real” city.  I’m always looking for new and unique places to explore, so I hope that this will also inspire people to share their favorite “secret” New York City places.

This book can be purchased via Amazon.

My kids and I found this green cheeked conure parrot in our backyard. It was returned to a very grateful owner. You can see flocks of these parrots in the wild in Brazil and Argentina.

Chicago is a terrific place to visit-especially in the summer while it’s warm and the lakefront is full of activities. But, it can also be an expensive destination. Inevitably, there will be cab rides to pay for and meals to buy. One way to enjoy Chicago without the sting of a high credit card bill, is to find low cost accomodation. Save your money for that game at Wrigley Field or to attend a taping of Oprah, and book a cheap hotel.

Here are some budget hotels to choose from:

1. Arlington House: This is a great option for its cheap rooms and terrific location. It has clean rooms  and is located in a convenient neighborhood, right next to Lincoln Park. This could save you a lot on cab fare!

2. Sheffield House: Again, nothing fancy. But, the rooms are clean and you are two blocks from Wrigley Field. You can actually hear that “swing, batta batta, swing”!

3. Heart of Chicago Motel: This is an old staple for cheap and dependable lodging. It has free wireless and free breakfast (can you really ask for more) and is located in one of Chicago’s old stately neighborhoods. You can walk about at night and pretend you live in one of the million dollar homes.

Chicago has plenaty of cheap accomodation options if you are willing to forgo some luxuries. Saving money on your hotel will free up some cash for all the great sights and scenes that Chicago has to offer. So, what are you waiting for?

Thanks to Dan Taylor for hotel bed picture!

How about a trip on one of the more interesting U.S. roadways, Route 66? And what better way to experience the authentic past then staying in motels along the way. Here are three recommendations for motels along Route 66 that are worth a detour:

Carlin Villa Motel in Carlinville, Illinois

Just off the original Route 66, this pet-friendly motel is close to many local attractions, perfect for the authentic Route 66 trip.  Featuring clean and comfortable rooms, this motel also offers continental breakfast, a game room, and in-room microwaves and refrigerators. And as long as you are in the neighborhood, check out Henry’s Ra66it Ranch in Staunton, Illinois, a Route 66 original.

Desert Hills Motel in Tulsa, Oklahoma

With a giant, welcoming neon-sign, this family owned motel was built in 1953. All the rooms are lined up diagonally, allowing the maximum number of rooms on a small lot. And the bathroom floors are heated, a wonderful feature for cold mornings. All 50 units have been recently remodeled, and include free HBO. Some units have kitchenettes and there is a guest laundry facility on site.

Wigwam Motel in Rialto, California

Located just outside San Bernardino in southern California, this motel has been welcoming travelers since 1949. The motel features 19 30-foot-tall teepees, along with a swimming pool, grass area and BBQ. Teepees feature either 1 or 2 queen size beds, attached bathrooms, free internet, TV and refrigerators, and rates are reasonable, under $80 a night. And if you enjoy your stay in this location, be sure to check out the other Wigwam Motels in Arizona and Kentucky.

If you plan to take this trip with your family, check out the free online Route 66 for Kids book by Emily Priddy. Chock full of all sorts of information about the route, along with a coloring book for the kids, this is a great resource for your trip.

Desert Hills Motel photo courtesy of Desert Hills Motel. Wigwam Motel photo courtesy of Wigwam Motel.

Nothing beats a weekend in California’s wine country for romance and relaxation-that is, unless you are worried about the second mortgage you took on your house in order to finance the trip! It is true that it is easy to part with money here. However, it is also entirely possible to spend a weekend in wine country that doesn’t take a bite out of your check book–only a nibble. This starts with finding a cheap hotel!

My suggestion would be to stray a little more north of the highly frequented Napa and Sonoma valleys. Drive a little further and you will enter the Russian River Valley and Dry Creek Valley area with small towns such as Healdsburg and Guerneville. Here, you have many more economical options. Here are several I found on UpTake.

1. Creekside Inn in Guerneville. They have charming cottages that are good for one couple to a small group. You can easily get a two bedroom with a kitchen for around $175 a night. Split between friends or couples, this is a terrific price, especially if you consider how much you will save cooking in a kitchen versus forking over a lot of cash at a pricey restaurant.

2. L&M Motel in Healdsburg. Not precisely a hotel, but, worth mentioning here. The rooms start under $100 and while basic, are very clean and comfortable. The staff is friendly and you can walk the few short blocks to the main plaza in town. They are pet friendly as well, so can save you the cost of boarding your furry friend.

3. Amerisuites in Healdsburg. Again, no frills-but it has a great locations and a terrific price. Save your money for a vineyard tour.

These cheap accommodations will help you plan a more price conscious trip. I have found that the winding back country roads in this area are filled with small, family owned wineries that have a unique feel and tasty wines . Plus, these vineyards are far less likely to charge high prices for tastings-which is an easy way to spend a lot of money. What you save on paying for tastings you can make up for in actual bottles of wine!

The true splendor of wine country is also it’s beautiful setting. It does something for the soul to gaze at the rolling gold hillsides supporting bountiful vineyards and knarled stately oak trees. The best part about this: the views are free!

Thanks to Rdesai for the vineyard picture.

If you are visiting San Francisco for a few days, you may want to take a break from the city center and take a hike on the west side of the city.  I always take my out of town guests on this hike, no matter their age, thye just have to be able to manage a nicely paced walk. This hike combines breathtaking views of San Francisco, the architecturally awe inspiring Sea Cliff neighborhood and vistas of the Pacific Ocean. Combine it with a tour of Golden Gate Park, lunch at  the Cliff House and a short tour of the Legion of Honor.  It is a a full day showing the best sites San Francisco has to offer and minus that ‘tourist’ feeling.

How to get there

I usually drive to the trail head because parking is easy and free. Otherwise take a bus to the Legion of Honor and walk down Lincoln Boulevard to the trail head.  You should see the bay on your left. Tip:  you may want to look up and to your right for the memorial to the holocaust. Few people see it because it is not part of the museum indoor complex.

Land’s End trail

The coastal trail is an easy to moderate hike (my six year old can do it with ease) and is approximately three miles each way.  The single track trail meanders along the golf course, turns into the forest and then follows a single track bordering the cliffs along the blue Pacific. The trail meanders a bit due to the heavy use it receives, but if you keep the ocean on your right you will be fine.  After about 30 minutes you will arrive at the  Sutro Baths, Sutro Bath Park and the Cliff House restaurant.  You can stop at the renovated Cliff House for lunch or continue to  Ocean Beach.  If you wish you can continue up through Golden Gate Park or  you can double back on the trail to the Legion of Honor, by following Camino Del Mar.

Hopefully, the weather will be sunny and warm for the outing.  I always bring a sweatshirt for the hike since the fog likes to linger out this neighborhood.

Photo by Ingrid Taylar