by Micaela WilliamsonSituated in the northern portion of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, the City of Winchester is a destination for all seasons. Winchester hosts its signature, huge Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival in the spring and a festive Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting in December. But, throughout the year the city is rich in history, shopping, dining and plenty of attractions for the whole family. What to see: Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum 19 W. Cork St. Winchester, VA 22601 This discovery museum for all children is packed with tons of hands-on exhibits focusing on the arts, science, pretend play, math, engineering, history and more. The museum also hosts lots of special programs and events for families too. Parents are encouraged to learn, create and explore alongside their children. Don't miss signature exhibits like creating tracks in Roller Coaster Alley, pretending to be an EMT in the life-sized ambulance, stepping inside a Powhatan home on the Moccasin Trail, getting a bird's eye view of the city from the Observation Deck and much, much more!
Where to eat and shop: The downtown mall or Loudoun Street Mall in Old Town Winchester is packed with many great restaurants and shops. Its an attraction within itself. No matter what your taste is, there is cuisine for everyone. This is hands-down the best place to stay in Old Town Winchester. Is location is walking distance to the downtown area pedestrian mall and many attractions. Plus, the luscious, Roman spa-like indoor pool is a favorite for families. On-site dining includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the Dancing Goat restaurant and if you can slip away, the cocktail menu at the gorgeous Half Note Lounge is to die for! Choose between standard king and queen rooms or posh suites for an unforgettable stay.
For more suggestions of family-friendly fun in the Shenandoah Valley Region, check out the Shenandoah Valley Kids Trail. Disclosure: I was invited on a media trip with the Virginia Tourism Corporation and Shenandoah Valley Kids' Trail and experienced many of these attractions for free. No other compensation was given. All opinions are my own, and I adore Old Town Winchester as a great place for family fun.
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By Amy SuskiLike many families, Veteran's Day has special meaning for us. Members of the family have served in the Army and the Navy and two grandparents are buried at Arlington National Cemetery. One of those grandparents, "W.T." or "Dub" was a young father and Army medic when he went missing in Korea. For decades his wife (an Army nurse) and 2-year old daughter never knew what happened to him. Then, against all odds just a few years ago the North Korean government returned six sets of human remains during a diplomatic mission by Governor Bill Richardson for the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs. One of those sets had W.T.'s dog tags and was eventually positively identified as W.T. Sixty years after he went missing, W.T. was finally laid to rest at Arlington -- something no one ever thought would be possible. Perhaps finding peace in the knowledge that her husband was finally home, W.T.'s widow (our grandmother) passed away just three months later and was buried alongside him. The pictures here are of her funeral procession at Arlington. As a Captain in the Army, she was offered her own headstone at Arlington, but had chosen instead to be buried with W.T. under his headstone.
By Amy SuskiBelieve it or not, Nutcracker season is fast approaching. If you're looking for a magical performance that won't break the bank or require a trip into the city, The Gainesville Ballet is an excellent choice. The Gainesville Ballet brings together professional dancers with local student performers in two full-length ballets on Friday, November 28 at 2PM and 7PM. The performances will be at the elegant Merchant Hall opera house at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas. New York City Ballet principal dancers Teresa Reichlen (a Virginia native) and Ask la Cour join the Gainesville Ballet to perform the grand pas de deux. Six other professional dancers will also perform character roles including the Arab Doll, Mouse King, Herr Drosslemeyer, Chinese, Trepak, Spanish, Marzipan, Flower Solo, and the Snow Queen. Children as young as three will perform the remaining roles including Clara, Party Guests, Dolls, Snowflakes, Flowers, Angels, Mice, Soldiers, Gingerbread, Trepak, Arabian, Chinese, Marzipan, and Spanish divertissement. If you haven't yet visited the Hylton Center, this is the perfect opportunity. The grand cultural arts center is not only a beautiful setting for a special performance but is also very convenient, just off I-66 in Manassas. Tickets are $35 for orchestra seats, with a $5 discount for seniors, active duty military, and children under 12. Balcony seats range from $15 to $25. Parking is free. For more information and tickets visit www.hyltoncenter.org or www.gainesvilleballetcompany.org. Photo courtesy of The Gainesville Ballet. By Amy SuskiIf you've ever driven I-95 between Washington DC and Richmond and wondered what that strangely shaped triangular building was, wonder no more: its home of the United States Marine Corps Museum and surprisingly good place for a family outing. However, the museum warns that some of its exhibits are graphic and may not be appropriate for young children. Based on the content and activities we saw, older elementary aged-children should be fine but please use your own judgement. If your child can handle fake blood on mannequins and video footage of real battles, there is a lot of history to be learned here.
by Micaela WilliamsonHidden amongst the suburban sprawl of Northern Virginia, the lush wetlands of Huntley Meadows Park is one of the best places for wildlife watching. The 1500-acre nature preserve boasts animals such as beavers, frogs, snakes, ducks, turtles, dragonflies, and over 200 species of birds. With its 1/2 mile boardwalk trail, Huntley Meadows Park is a perfect place for families to get out into nature without tiring little legs. Be sure to climb the observation tower to get a bird's eye view of the beautiful surroundings. For those wanting to walk a little more, there is a two-mile interpretive trail system. Since each season brings something new to Huntley Meadows, families will want to visit again and again. Please note that "netting" is not allowed in the park and no wildlife should be captured for observation. After hiking, be sure to stop in the Visitor Center on the way back to the parking lot. The Visitor Center includes interactive exhibits about wetlands, a few small animals, restrooms, a gift shop, auditorium and an information desk with maps and Fairfax County parks literature. Special programs are held in the Visitor Center throughout the year.
Huntley Meadows Park is open year-round from dawn to dusk but please check their website or call ahead for Visitor Center hours. by Claudine Kurp Fresh from last night's performance of Disney On Ice Presents Frozen, I am here to tell you that this is, in my opinion, the BEST Disney On Ice show that I have ever seen. I have been very fortunate to have seen 7 Disney On Ice performances over the years. The shows were always a special mother/daughter outing and one that called for tiaras and Disney costumes.
My daughter is now 9-years-old and I wasn't quite sure if she would still have the same excitement for this type of show. Was she too old? Well...no worries. Not only did my 9-year-old LOVE the show, but her friend also joined in on the fun. With multicolored Frozen wands waving and bags full of cotton candy, both girls sang and danced the night away. There were moments when the girls were so entranced that I could not even get their attention for a picture. I must admit, I sang every song as well. It was such a fun show! The costumes were Broadway caliber and the performers did a wonderful job. Thanks to some amazing special effects, a light snow and a winter wonderland enveloped the Patriot Center and created an ethereal canvas for "Let It Go" and the final scene where Anna shows us all the meaning of true love. As we were leaving the show, my daughter turned to me and said "Mom that was the best Disney On Ice show that we have seen." Indeed! I have listed the dates below. I would highly recommend the show for young and adult! Every year on the Saturday before Halloween, the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum hosts its annual “Air & Scare” Family Day at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va. Families can enjoy safe, indoor trick-or-treating and spooky activities for all ages at this popular free event.
By Claudine Kurp For 42 years Cox Farms has hosted one of the biggest Fall Festivals in the DC Metro area. It is 120 acres of pure family fun! Check out this awesome annual festival that offers up hayrides, pumpkin tosses, kid friendly farm animals, kettle corn, apple cider, live entertainment, slides and a petting zoo. Pick a beautiful day and head to Centreville, VA. by Micaela WilliamsonGet ready for fall family fun at Pumpkin Village Fall Festival (formerly Pumpkinville) at the Leesburg Animal Park now open daily from September 20th-November 4th, 2014. This not to be missed event has something for the whole family including: • Giant Hill Slides • Hay Wagon Rides • Moon Bounces • Pet & Feed LIVE Animals • Free Apple & Cider Snack • Free Mini-Pumpkin to take home • Kid's Maze•Miniature "Pumpkin Village" • Spider Web Crawl • Giant Pumpkin Bounce • Pirate Play Ship • Pony Rides* • Live Entertainment, Face Painting, and camel rides on weekends Plus, save off weekday admission with this coupon!By Amy SuskiCharlottesville will always have a special place in my heart because my husband and I started dating there when we were both students at the University of Virginia (UVA). At just over a 2-hour drive from Washington, D.C., Charlottesville is also a perfect weekend getaway destination-- with or without the kids. Before we had kids, we'd stay at one of the lovely Inns or B&Bs, visit a nearby vineyard such as Barboursville, browse the bookstores and antique shops, and enjoy a cozy dinner at the C&O Restaurant. Once we started bringing the kids, the itinerary changed, but the visits are just as much fun.
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