When friends and family call me crazy for traveling with my toddler and preschooler to cities like Chicago, New York, and Toronto, I just laugh. My kids have munched on picnic treats while watching the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Millennium Park, clambered up the monkey bars in the shadow of the arch in Washington Square Park and peered through the glass floor on the observation deck of the CN tower. Though it wasn’t always easy navigating the city streets with two little ones in tow, it was well worth the trouble. I had a fantastic time and I could tell from the way they talked about the trips for months afterward that my kids had a great time too.
The city is full of fun and educational activities for children. From skyscrapers to top-notch museums, kids can see and experience things that are simply unavailable in small towns. Though city travel with small children can be challenging, with careful planning and attention to detail everyone can have a good time. Here are a few tips to help the trip go smoothly:
Take a stroller. Even if it’s been a while since your child has used a stroller, you’ll be glad you brought it. City trips tend to involve a good deal of walking from spot to spot and a little one can tire out easily. With a stroller he can ride in comfort and you won’t worry about losing him in a crowd. I’ve found that the inexpensive umbrella strollers work much better than the large, heavy-duty strollers complete with food trays and cup holders. Umbrella strollers fold up smaller and are lighter, making them more convenient for toting up and down flights of stairs or carrying onto the subway.
Make frequent stops at playgrounds. The best part of visiting a city can be simply strolling around, popping into unusual shops, watching the people and enjoying the city energy. Remember that while your toddler or preschooler might be very patient, he’s got his limits. I’ve found that stopping to play for a few minutes at playgrounds that we happen upon is a great way for the little ones to work some of their energy off. They also love the novelty of playing on different equipment than the same old stuff found at the parks back home.
Bring a travel pack of wipes. Even if you’re not a germ nazi, you’ll be glad you did. Those city playgrounds, banisters and benches can be extremely dirty, but after cleaning the little one’s hands up with a wipe you’ll feel more comfortable about letting her dig into a tasty hot dog from a street vendor.
Choose your eateries carefully. If you’re eating at a nice sit-down restaurant, make sure it’s noisy enough to absorb your child’s prattle. I learned that one the hard way when, tired out from our long drive, we decided to eat at our Chicago hotel’s in-house restaurant, the kind of place with a hushed atmosphere and waiters in white gloves hovering about. Naturally my two-year-old decided to belt out the “itsy-bitsy-spider” over and over again. We wound up having the meal sent up to our room. The next night we chose a popular, lively Italian restaurant where the little guy was no louder than anyone else in the place.
Plan activities for kids. Big cities offer all sorts of interesting and educational activities for children of all ages. Do a little research online and in guidebooks ahead of time to find a few age appropriate sights for your child. Has it been over twenty years since you took part in any of these activities yourself? You just might find yourself enjoying seeing the tyrannosaurus rex skeleton at the natural history museum and watching the polar bears glide through the water at the zoo.
Plan activities for adults. Destinations like art museums can still be on the agenda, but keep in mind your child’s limitations and be ready to cut the outing short if need be. Try to engage him at the art museum. Ask questions like: “What do you see in that picture? Do you see a boat? What picture do you like best in this room?” Visit any children’s exhibits the museum might have and ask at the information desk which exhibits are the biggest hits for kids.
Take the bus or subway. Mass transit is an adventure for a small town kid. After the trip is over, he’ll talk about it as much as the dinosaur bones. Try to avoid traveling at rush hour, though, when the sardine can atmosphere might be overwhelming for a little one.
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When looking for a travel destination, what are the factors that you consider?What criteria do you use in selecting a travel destination?
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Atlanta is still mild in November. Lots to do there from Six Flags, water parks, Coca-Cola factory, underground, etc.
Otherwise, it is still cold on the East Coast.
Texas is also interesting. Dallas has multiple waterparks, museums, amusement parks, professional sports. Corpus Christi has all the beaches, water fun (still warm). Houston is boring. San Antonio and Austin are not kid friendly.
Everyone else already told you all about the very cool CA destinations. San Diego, Legoworld and on and on.
Thank you, IT looks beautiful, quiet, peaceful, with not gangs and not a lot of ethnic crimes. I hope ppl keep it this way and don’t let lots of illegals and trash move in.
From Detroit, total costs look like $742 and that's assuming one leaves today and comes back next Saturday. The cost drops to $678 if one books the trip 11/13 and comes back 11/20. Discounts are available on the website.
i live in tassie it a pretty sweet place to live if you like outdoors like myslef kind of like newzland but if you want to go shoping or some shit not many good shoping malls
ive lived in tasmania all my live and ive got to say it is one of the best if not the best place to live the land is just stunning i love it……… but i tell u what that horror movie called dying breed game tassie a bad name lol
Cruise travel is rather isolated from the real Europe, as I see those things.
I think you will be meet more of European life if you stay in a town.
A town like Paris or London will have enough to keep you occupied for a few weeks, specially if you also do day trips out of town.
You can also combine some smaller towns or even countries.
You can show them the countries you were most taken with, the country you have your roots, (if you are from European decent that is,) or just pick a place you have never been before and explore it together.
Your children are of an age with many who travel Europe alone. They might well have ideas where they want to go or what they like to do.
If you base yourselves in a small town that can be easily reached from an international airport, you could use a rental car to get around and explore the countryside.
If you want to travel relative long distances, (say about 10 hours by car) consider the train. Specially France and Germany have a very fast train system that will get you there is much less time.
For visits to two towns that are farther apart, think about a flight, either as part of your international tickets or with one of the cheaper airlines, like EasyJet.
Hi, I am going to Tassie for the 1st time in Feb, next year, for 10 days holiday. Can you suggest which towns or motels would be the nicest to stay in?
No at their ages it not a good idea to let them travel alone.Sounds like his ex has a jealousy issues.But the kids safety is the most important thing Go with them Good luck
Niagara Falls is actually closer to Buffalo NY (same state but on opposite sides of NY STATE). If you want to see the falls (really beautiful plus you can visit Canada), fly there. Washington DC is convenient by train, plane or car and really a wonderful city, full of historical buildings. The museums are wonderful too. If you can, think about a visit to California. So many things to do and if you are from outside the US, California is what so many ppl see on tv and in the movies. No, not all Californians live in mansions with swimming pools.
actually I would surprise her 
. I would cop up some story about paper work and just having a couple drinks while I chill. Than I would advise that she go out and have a night on the town with friends (hopefully there are some their) than at 11:45 I would try and show up with a bottle of her favorite spirit and tell her I wouldn't let he go the rest of the year alone 
.
When buying a new car, their exists several aspects that every consumer come across with in his mind.
Very first is
: Economy ie. fuel efficient then
: Budget
: Luxury
: Status
: After Sale Service
: Resale Depreciation
.
.
.
and actually many more.
Since, you have not discussed your requirements or your preferences then having in mind the main factor of fuel efficiency and others as status and luxury i would personally recommend Toyota Innova.
Delivering Excellent Performance,
Complete comfort and best suited for family having size as stated.
Honda could be there if you would not have mentioned Toyota, but since its there its performance delivery will always remain unmatched at your end.
Wish you all the very best and a happy time ahead…
Thankyou for sharing your beautiful photos. I have just returned to Brisbane after my fourth visit to Tassie in 5 years. I love it, miss it and really want to live there. Such beauty in such a range in one islane. and the historical buildings should always be preserved.
You sound like me. I’ve been 3 times in 2 years and am missing it again after three months back home.
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