Chicago

Very brief visit to Chicago, really to see a friends new home . We only went to the Shedd Aquarium, and we spent the whole day there!!!! What a great place, entry line was long but we heard someone ask about the behind the scene's tour which cost $10 more on the admission and well worth it. So for $45 we got admission to the Aquarium, a show to see the trainers and Buluga Whales, and Dolphins, entrance the Jellies exhibit and the behind the scene tour. And we didn't see it all, look forward to our next visit

If you want to go downtown for diner, find a place that takes reservations, we didn't and wanted to go to the original Pizzeria Uno, big mistake, 75 minute wait, so we went around the corner to the Weber Grill, waited there as well but the menu was larger and the brisket to die for, also lots of local beers

We are planning a return to visit our friend in the Spring and there appear to be many places to see

History Triangle

One of the great things about living in NYC and having a grade school child, is the access to various historic cities. We did all of these by Amtrak and if you purchase ahead of time, the tickets are pretty inexpensive. I am trying to remember all this stuff but its almost a year for some of it so bear with...Boston,10/10, Philadelphia, 03/11 and Washington DC, 04/11.

In Boston we stayed in the Back Bay and everything was walkable or take the "T" . The Freedom Walk is a must and the New England Aquarium was great. Also take the ferry over to Charlestown (its like a $1.50 or near that and beats a cab) and see the USS Constitution.

Philadelphia, we stayed at a Hilton near their Aquarium and it was a pleasant walk over to Old Town, we saw the Mint and Liberty Bell but the highlight was Franklin Institute, if your kid is a science geek like mine, oh boy what a day. We had planned on the Franklin and the Art Museum with a quick stop by the "Rocky" statue, never made it out of the Franklin Institute.

What can I say about the Capital that you don't already know? We stayed at the Embassy Suite on 10th Street NW and were able to walk to most places, the hotel had a great restaurant and we found the Capital Grill about 3 minute walk away, liked it so much we went back a second time, good kids menu. We have been to DC twice in the last year and were lucky to get into the Senate and White House (east wing only) on private tours, contact your Congressperson well in advance, they should be willing to arrange it, part of the aides job, you can go spur of the moment but why wait on line? We always stop by the Viet Nam Vet Monument and this time also saw the Korean War, way to many things to see so a third trip soon.

Alaska

Hard to believe that its almost three years since we went to Alaska!!!. First thing I would suggest is that you do the rail/cruise trip but fly into Fairbanks and work South on the rail. The trip we took with Princess had accommodations never on the train, the lodges were all well worth it. we went a day early and did a Glacier tour about 30 minutes outside of Anchorage, it was a full day and breath taking and just the start.On the bus ride back to the hotel we saw Beluga Whales!! The train ride North was just unbelievable and when we got to see Mt McKinley it was clear as a bell. We were lucky as we were told most people never get a day like that when they visit.In Denali National Park we took a bus ride about two hours into the Park and were still not 1/2 way thru. The ride was scary as the road was narrow and at times we didn't think the bus would make it, but we saw bear, Dall sheep, Elk and Eagles, the only thing we didn't see was moose. After about 5 days of train travel North , we headed back South to the boat, it was 10 hours on the train, so that is why we suggest the North>South train. On board there was a kids club for Ethan which he loved and made lots of friends. In Skagway we departed the boat to visit a Mushers camp and learn about the care of sled dogs, the next day in Juneau we did another excursion on a small boat that held about 12 and they drove out about 40 minutes on the lake to a fish hatchery where we were within 100 feet of Black Bear that were on the shore.

In terms of pure Nature this was the most beautiful trips we have ever been on and overall Alaska is a very close second to Egypt as far as family vacations.

Ethan's take on Williamsburg:

The hotel was great, because the bed was comfortable, the pool was nice and the restaurant was tasty and the kids menu was good. The desserts melted in my mouth.

Some of my favorite things to see where, African-American Music, Theater for the Young (great for kids), Tavern Ghost Walk , where they show where the ghosts live and because there are over 150 sightings in Williamsburg of spirits, the tour is different every time. Crack The Code, in the Museum, which also had an Underground Hospital (maybe the first to treat Mentally Ill people) check This Week In Williamsburg to see what is new each day

Also go see Jamestown, the first Settlement in America. I can't wait to go back to see Yorktown because we ran out of days and missed it.

I forgot one of the most fun things,Tavern Ghost Walk after dinner, much fun

We went to Williamsburg and had a great time. This is a trip for older kids, at least third grade and who like history without getting bored fast. Wear comfortable shoes, lots of walking. If you stay at one of the hotels run by Historic Williamsburg, access to the "Triangle" (Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown) is as easy as going to Disney.They have free shuttles that run very often, the only drawbacks, is flying into Richmond (40 minutes away) and having to return to the Williamsburg Visitors Center to which buses to the other two locations. We stayed he at the Woodlands Suites, separate room with TV for kids, pool (indoor and outdoor) and free breakfast. There was a great family restaurant on the grounds "Huzzah" with plenty of choices even for picky eaters.Lots of local beers and wines as well. The "historic taverns " are great but expensive and limited kids menu.

Not to miss!!!Children's Orientation Walk, Court of Tar and Feathers,Theater for the Young, Fife and Drums March , Order in the Court,African American Music,Lets go to the Farm, these are all in Williamsburg and can be found in a free brochure "This week in Williamsburg", some require extra cost.

Jamestown has a tour of the Settlement with Indian Village and artifacts found from "digs"

We never made it to the Yorktown battlefield as we were so busy and many other exhibits at both places we did go to that we missed. Will for sure make another visit

Had to contact our niece who knows how to blog for help, will try and post pictures when we write about our weekend in Williamsburg, VA. Great place for kids who are into history, more tomorrow

So, Ethan has told you about Egypt, so now my thoughts. If you are lucky enough to go now since the revolution, I would recommend takeing a tour, we were provided an armed guard throughout the trip and it was considered "safe" then. This is not to scare you off, just for safety and the tour guides can show you more than you can ever do or learn on your own. If your child is not a museum or walking around type of kid, then depending on age, this might not be the trip for you.Ethan and 2 friends (boys) he made on the trip were really into the historic aspects and hung by the tour guide whenever she stopped to speak. She was very grandmother like and took the boys under her wing. Everything AK does on their tour is top shelf, from greeting you at the Cairo airport until dropping you off for your return flight. Top notch hotels and food, taking you to all the right tombs, pyramids and museums. Even the camel ride was planned out at the right time for the kids. Seeing the Great Pyramid,Tut's Tomb and the Valley of Kings and Queens was worth the money, the rest was gravy

Ethan would like to talk about our trip to Egypt in December,2010. He said the Abercrombie-Kent tour was very good because the boat up the Nile was great and the plane to the South was safe and comfortable.The day we went inside the Pyramid was excellent and the fireworks over the Sphinx were grand.The museums with the priceless jewels and King Tut's tomb were also highlights.We were also lucky because just before we arrived in Egypt they discovered 250 Sphinx that made a walkway from one city to another and we got to see them lit up at night.I recommend this trip for kids age's 9 and up.

Tuscon,Az is a great place to travel with kids. We have been there twice and have yet to run out of things to do.Easy town to get around in, if you rent a car.The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, is a nice 30 minute drive out of town along a beautiful winding road and well with the trip.The entire Museum is outdoors, with animals and plants indiginous to the Southwest. Be sure to wear hats and sunblock. I will get ethan to comment when he gets home

Hoping to add some pictures later that both Ethan and his Mother have taken, trying to figure out how to do it , as well as change the setup, stay tuned.

Welcome

Hi , my name Is Ed and along with my wife and son Ethan would like to share our adventures in travel. Ethan will be providing the view from a ten year old's perspective while I will try and recount both good and bad aspects of the places we go. Some of the places we have been to include, Mexico, Dominican Republic,Florida,California,Alaska,Hawaii, Arizonia,Egypt ,Washington DC,Boston,Philadelphia. If you would like to know about a particular spot, please ask. Otherwise we will begin our blog with our upcoming trip to Williamsburg, VA which will be this weekend