by Micaela Williamson We were honored to be featured as a great family resource by Laura Evans on Fox 5 Washington DC. Watch the clip. Our favorite part was when she mentioned our book is a great gift for baby showers, grandparents, and new families.
by Micaela Williamson In 2013, New York City brought in a record number of tourists at over 54 million visitors, but continues to be among one of the most expensive cities for visitors in the world. However, the Big Apple offers many unique and affordable adventures that go beyond the typical tourist traps. Here are some fun suggestions:
This is a sponsored post by JP Teaches Photo. We were compensated for sharing this information. We love traveling to NYC and all opinions are our own. by Micaela and Jay WilliamsonSkyland Resort Skyline Drive Luray, VA 22835 http://www.goshenandoah.com/ I want a show. Can I have the iPad, please? I want to see another video clip. You’re unlikely to hear this at the Skyland Resort at mile 42.5 in Shenandoah National Park. Okay, so wireless service is delightfully spotty, but we recently stayed in one of their newly renovated rooms featuring large screen TVs, new bedding, and updated bathrooms and are happy to report our kids were too tired from adventuring to even try to wear us down with their badgering. Skyland Resort started out as a summer retreat in 1888 and continues to offer visitors respite from the heat, congestion, and noise. The resort is situated within Shenandoah National Park on Skyline Drive and offers amazing views toward the West. The Resort opens in March and has a variety of accommodations ranging from small, rustic cabins to more traditional rooms. We stayed in a traditional room and enjoyed our mountain views and quick walk to the Pollock Dining Room. Skyland has three dining options, the Pollack Dining Room, the Mountain Taproom, and a Grab and Go option. The menus are available on-line but the biggest highlights are the incredible view from the Pollack Dining Room and the mountain-sized “Mile High Blackberry Ice Cream Pie.” Finishing it may have been the hardest climb of the day! During the summer there is also live entertainment in the Taproom, usually starting at 9:00 PM.
For the purpose of this family-friendly article, we only included only Rated G and Rated PG productions. We also included National Harbor, MD for its proximity to Northern VA. May 2014 May 2: "Planes" Mosaic District, Fairfax, VA May 9: "ET" Mosaic District, Fairfax, VA May 16: "Despicable Me 2" Mosaic District, Fairfax, VA May 17: "Frozen" Cinema Del Ray, Alexandria, VA May 18: "Cars" and "Planes" Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA May 23: "Little Rascals" Mosaic District, Fairfax, VA May 25: "The Incredibles" Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA May 30: "Monsters University" Mosaic District, Fairfax, VA June 2014 June 1: "A League of Their Own" Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA June 1: "Finding Nemo" Movies on the Potomac, National Harbor, MD June 8: "The Incredibles" Movies on the Potomac, National Harbor, MD June 8: "Wizard of Oz" Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA June 15: "Father of the Bride" Movies on the Potomac, National Harbor, MD June 21: "Despicable Me 2" Cinema Del Ray, Alexandria, VA June 22: "Mary Poppins" Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA June 22: "The Parent Trap" (1998) Movies on the Potomac, National Harbor, MD June 29: "The Princess Diaries" Movies on the Potomac, National Harbor, MD June 29: "Up" at Lake Anne Plaza, Reston, VA July 2014 July 4: "The Rookie" Mosaic District, Fairfax, VA July 6: "Up" Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA July 6: "Freaky Friday" (2003) Movies on the Potomac, National Harbor, MD July 8: "Frozen" at South Riding Center (42420 Unicorn Drive, South Riding, VA) July 13: "Freaky Friday" Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA July 13: "The Wizard of Oz" Movies on the Potomac, National Harbor, MD July 16: "Despicable Me 2" at South Riding Town Green (43055 Center St, South Riding, VA) July 18: "Despicable Me 2" Alexandria Waterfront (Old Town Alexandria) July 19: "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2" Cinema Del Ray, Alexandria, VA July 20: "Despicable Me 2" Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA July 20: "Willy Wonka" Movies on the Potomac, National Harbor, MD July 22: "The Lego Movie" at South Riding Center July 27: "Annie" Movies on the Potomac, National Harbor, MD July 30: "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2" at South Riding Town Green August 2014 August 3: "Goonies" Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA August 3: "Singing in the Rain" Movies on the Potomac, National Harbor, MD August 5: "The Lorax" at South Riding Center August 8: "Charlie & the Chocolate Factory" (original) Mosaic District, Fairfax, VA August 8: "Brave" Arlington County Fair Outdoor Family Movie August 9: "Despicable Me 2" at Starlight Cinema, Centreville, VA August 10: "Chitty, Chitty Bang Bang" Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA August 13: "The Nut Job" at South Riding Town Green August 16: "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2" at Starlight Cinema, Centreville, VA August 16: "The Lego Movie" Cinema Del Ray, Alexandria, VA August 17: "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" Stonebridge at Potomac TC, Woodbridge, VA August 19: "Monsters University" at South Riding Center August 22: "Frozen Sing a Long" Mosaic District, Fairfax, VA August 23: "Frozen" at Starlight Cinema, Centreville, VA August 24: "Frozen" Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA August 27: "Finding Nemo" at South Riding Town Green August 29: "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" Mosaic District, Fairfax, VA August 30: "The Lego Movie" at Starlight Cinema, Centreville, VA September 2014 September 7: "The Lego Movie" Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA September 7: "Finding Neverland" Movies on the Potomac, National Harbor, MD September 14: "Muppets Most Wanted" Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA September 14: "Peter Pan" (animated) Movies on the Potomac, National Harbor, MD September 21: "Double Feature: Monsters, Inc/ Monsters U" Stonebridge at PTC, Woodbridge September 21: "Peter Pan" (2003) Movies on the Potomac, National Harbor, MD September 28: "Hook" Movies on the Potomac, National Harbor, MD Please check back often! Many outdoor movie series have not announced their summer schedule yet. New additions will be added to this list continuously. If you know of a free, public, outdoor and family-friendly movie in the Northern VA region that is not on the list, please email us at info@gokidtrips.com. We will add it as soon as possible.
by Micaela When a local moms' club asked me to speak about local family fun, I decided I would much rather throw a party. Langford Market at the Mosaic District was a perfect fit. Ladies from a few local international MOMS Clubs as well as Stroller Strides came out to shop, get our exclusive top picks for summer family fun, enjoy refreshments, mingle, and get some great door prizes. Plus, I got to sell our must-have Kid Trips Northern Virginia books. See the gallery of images below: Why I love Langford Market? Shopping at Langford Market is so much more than finding fun, unique pieces. The staff there is so fun and makes shoppers instantly feel comfortable. If you are a clueless shopper like me (and I have actually PRAYED for Stacy and Clinton from What Not to Wear to show up while shopping,) you will appreciate the staff putting fun outfits together for you that flatter your body type. Plus there are some shoes and jewelry that are just to die for! I am impressed with Langford Market's personal, boutique feel, yet there is such a wide selection. Plus, the average price point for clothes is $44, and they are always having specials and sales. Right now, Langford Market is stocked with fantastic merchandise for the spring and summer. Visit them at: Langford Market- Mosaic District 2905 District Avenue #135 Fairfax, VA 22031 Monday – Saturday: 10:00 am — 9:00 pm 703.942.6879 langfordmarket.com This post is NOT sponsored. I am just grateful for Langford Market and the Mosaic District's community support and outreach. All opinions are my own.
by Micaela Williamson Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge is located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, approximately 12 miles south of the town of Cambridge. Boasting over 27,000 acres rich with marsh land, ponds, and forests, the refuge is a great place to check out wildlife and enjoy serene natural scenery. Blackwater is also host to one of the largest breeding populations of American bald eagles on the east coast, and contains the largest remaining natural population of the endangered Delmarva fox squirrel. During certain times of the year, it is a haven for migration of geese, ducks, and the peregrine falcon. We started our visit at the beautiful Visitor Center, where we were able to get maps and information from Blackwater staff. Then we continued down to the Wildlife Drive, which is about a 7-mile loop and takes visitors in cars, on bicycles, or on foot past some of the most scenic marshes, forests, and fields at Blackwater. During the drive, we stopped our car many times to take short hikes on trails and view wildlife. On our journey, we were able to spot a some American bald eagles, the Delmarva fox squirrel, an osprey nest, turkey vultures, and common ducks, frogs, and geese. Check out our gallery below, and click on the images to enlarge: Besides the Wildlife Drive and hiking, visitors can also find three paddling trails, miles of cycling roads, hunting/fishing/crabbing opportunities, and adventures and programs in environmental education. For more specific details, visit the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge FAQ page. Information about boating trails & rentals can be found here. Where to eat? While the refuge hosts a few picnic areas, we opted to try the local gem Old Salty's, located about 20 minutes from the refuge on the traditional Chesapeake waterman community of Hooper's Island. Old Salty's This is a no-frills, old school seafood restaurant with beautiful views and honestly some of the most delicious seafood and crab dishes we have ever tasted. More info at: www.oldsaltys.com. Where to stay? The most beautiful, luxurious Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay is a short distance away. The hotel is in the historic town of Cambridge, MD and boasts many amenities and attractions. Check out my review of the resort in this blog post here. More information: Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge 2145 Key Wallace Drive Cambridge, Maryland 21613 http://www.fws.gov/blackwater/ I received a free stay at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay for my family in return for writing articles that highlight the beautiful Eastern Shore Region. No additional compensation was received. All opinions are my own.
The Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa, and Marina is the perfect weekend getaway from the DC Metro/Northern Virginia area. The resort features:
We loved the clean spacious rooms and stayed in a family suite with a king sized bed and bunk beds for the kids. For dinner, we enjoyed an incredible meal at Blue Point Provision, just a 5-10 minute walk down a shelled path from the hotel. The atmosphere was fun, and the menu was filled with delicious, local food. We sampled the Choptank Oysters on the half-shell, which were sweet and fresh, loved the cocktail menu, and took advantage of being in Maryland with crab and fresh fish specialities. For breakfast, we at inside the main hotel at the Water's Edge Grill, which has a great breakfast buffet and specialities such as a crab omelet. Since the weather was still too cool for the outdoor pool and beach, we took advantage of the beautiful and large indoor pool, played some mini-golf, and when the sun went down, we enjoyed roasting some s'mores by the outdoor fire. While at the Hyatt, here are some great things to do around Cambridge: Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge: This refuge boasts 27,000 acres of woodland, rich tidal marsh, freshwater ponds and managed cropland. It's a great for viewing wildlife, cycling, hiking, and paddling. Read our blog post for more information about visiting the refuge. Choptank River Lighthouse: The Choptank River Lighthouse is open for free, self-guided tours by appointment from November through April. To make an appointment, call 410.228.4031. From May through October, the lighthouse is open regular hours for touring. Admission is free, but donations are welcome! Harriet Tubman Museum: Underground Railroad 'conductor' Harriet Tubman was born in Dorchester County probably in the 1820s. The museum is part of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway, a self-guided, scenic driving tour with more than 30 sites related to freedom seekers. For more information and an audio guide, stop by the Dorchester Visitor Center, 2 Rose HIll Place; Cambridge, MD. Richardson Maritime Museum: A unique collection of vessels and a museum dedicated to the region's maritime history. I received a complimentary stay, breakfast, and snacks at the hotel for my honest review. I also met with a regional tourism specialist to hear more about the great features the region has to offer for families. No other compensation was received. All opinions are my own.
by Micaela My kids are probably the biggest Wild Kratts fans around. They are obsessed with the entertaining show and constantly quizzing me with their amazing animal fact trivia. We were so happy today when PBS KIDS announced a brand new app called WILD KRATTS World Adventure. This is a must have-app for fans of the popular PBS KIDS series, WILD KRATTS, World Adventure brings animal science to life! Through 30 levels of game play, WILD KRATTS World Adventure helps build key skills and encourages science inquiry. With the app, children ages 4 to 8 can tilt and tap their way through games that help them learn how different animals live and adapt to their habitats. Additional features include: * Over 60 stickers and “Wow facts” * Kids can take their own creature power “selfies” * An Orangutan creature power game that lets kids tilt their device back and forth to imitate the swing of the Orangutan. * A Woodpecker creature power game that lets kids imitate the strong beak of the woodpecker by tapping on trees to listen and find beetles. * A Dolphin creature power suit game that lets kids swim and jump with dolphins as they tilt their device to clean up trash in the ocean. I reviewed the app with my 4 year old, and we are excited to unlock more levels to gain more facts and stickers. I do wish that the stickers did not need to be unlocked as it is very boring to make a picture with one sticker. I am also not sure how difficult the games become as the levels increase. Younger kids may need guidance and assistance. If your child loves the Wild Kratts like mine does, he or she will enjoy this educational app that combines fun with learning. Click through the gallery below to see some screenshots of the app: We received a free app to download for review. All opinions are my own.
by MicaelaMy family and I decided to spend my birthday weekend taking a day trip to Richmond to enjoy the Science Museum of Virginia. If you haven't been, this is a massive, breathtaking science museum with so many hands on opportunities for kids. It wasn't our first trip to the museum, and it won't be our last. The museum is a venue that can grow with families from tots to teens, and we recommend it as one of the best museums in the entire state for families!
The Science Museum of Virginia website does a wonderful job describing the exhibits, which contain many components and sub-exhibits. Here are some highlights: * The Idea Factory: Kids just adore this exhibit with building fun, physics, sound and light experiments, and an imagination playground. * Out of this World: Learn about planets and the atmosphere on a screen that is a giant sphere at "Science on a Sphere." Explore gravity, pressure, the earth's rotation and more at many, many hands-on exhibits. * The Body Human: From healthy eating, to the human mind, DNA, and more. This section of the museum focuses on the science of people. * Creatures: Interact with real animals and enjoy presentations with creatures. (See museum's daily schedule for details.) *Boost: My family's favorite part of the museum! Upon entering, everyone gets a card with a unique QR code and this giant exhibit has tons of interactive components from mind games, speed, music, strength, balance, and more. It is a lot of fun with a lot to see and do. Be patient and expect to wait your turn. Other traveling exhibits and films in the exclusive "Dome" rotate throughout the year. Check the museum website for the latest details. More photos: by Micaela Our readers have been begging us to check out the new Flight Trampoline Park in Springfield, VA, and we were so fortunate to finally visit. The venue is large, clean, and an incredibly fun for all ages.
We visited during Kid Flight, which is offered weekdays from 10 AM-1 PM for kids under six. As of right now, Kid Flight costs $10 per child for an hour of jumping and one accompanying adult jumps free per paid child. (They really do enforce that you can only stay for one hour.) Kid Flight is very cool because supervised kids have free roam of the whole facility and can jump on all the trampolines, dodgeball courts, basketballs areas, etc. Plus, there is Disney music playing the whole time…Cars, Cinderella, Lion King, Frozen, etc. Can't beat that soundtrack with the under 6 crowd! Please note that kids are ALWAYS welcome to jump during "Open Jump," but those under 46 inches will be confined to the Kiddie Court only. |
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