Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

Hello,

My wife and I would like to travel this April with our son who will be
2 years old at that time.

We live in Florida, so we would like to travel OUT of the State (not to
Orlando).

We are considering NJ with all of the amusment areas, like Keansburg
Amusement Park that caters to kids.

We could sure use some more destination suggestions that would be good
for our son and ourselved.

Thanks!


--
jazzmark
------------------------------------------------------------------------
jazzmark's Profile: http://travelforums.org/forums/member.php?userid=386
View this thread: http://travelforums.org/forums/showthread.php?t=59307
This post was submitted via http://www.TravelForums.org

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

jazzmark wrote:
> My wife and I would like to travel this April with our son who will
be
> 2 years old at that time.
>
> We live in Florida, so we would like to travel OUT of the State (not
to
> Orlando).

I should think a 2 year old will be happy just about anywhere there's
room to run around and shiny things to look at -- you don't have to
overthink this one!

What are YOU interested in? Virginia's a lovely state with lots of
historical areas of interest (including Colonial Williamsburg), plus
Busch Gardens, Virginia Beach, etc. April will be off-season, but
dress appropriately and you'll have a blast.

Most amusement parks might be closed in April, so you'd have to double
check that one. Pennsylvania seemed to have a lot of child-oriented
parks when I was there, from Hershey through PA Dutch country. They
have adult parks, but also small-child themed parks like Sesame St,
etc.

Wherever you do go, try to work in long mid-day breaks for naps --
you'll all have a much better time if you just make that a given in
your itinerary.

kassa

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

In article <jazzmark.1hxpnm@no-mx.travelforums.org>,
jazzmark <jazzmark.1hxpnm@no-mx.travelforums.org> wrote:
>My wife and I would like to travel this April with our son who will be
>2 years old at that time.

Seems to me that a 2 year old will be happy anywhere there is a swimming pool.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

> My wife and I would like to travel this April with
> our son who will be 2 years old at that time.
> ... We are considering [a place that] caters to kids.

I think a 2-year-old is a little young to really care which
destination you've chosen. Save the amusement park trips
until he's old enough to really appreciate and enjoy them.

In fact you might want to consider leaving him with the
grandparents while you and your wife are on vacation.

If you do take him, pick a place you and your wife would enjoy,
but just keep in mind that his short attention span might
cause him to get bored and fussy in places like museums,
etc., where there's not enough going on to hold his attention.

Also, a child that age will probably want to take a nap in the
afternoon, so pick hotel/motel locations where you can easily
return in the afternoon for a short nap break.

Jim


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Remove "NOSPAM" from my address when sending me e-mail.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
-

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

In article <1104171621.493571.259040@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com>,
kassa <kassa@eudoramail.com> wrote:
>
>I should think a 2 year old will be happy just about anywhere there's
>room to run around and shiny things to look at -- you don't have to
>overthink this one!

:-) Good point! But if they're interested in going further, Legoland
in California is geared toward younger visitors than most theme parks.
Still, I don't know how much a two-year-old would appreciate the time
and expense needed to do such a trip from Florida. Might be better to
wait a couple years on that.


Patty

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

Not to my house!
"jazzmark" <jazzmark.1hxpnm@no-mx.travelforums.org> wrote in message
news:jazzmark.1hxpnm@no-mx.travelforums.org...
>
> Hello,
>
> My wife and I would like to travel this April with our son who will be
> 2 years old at that time.
>
> We live in Florida, so we would like to travel OUT of the State (not to
> Orlando).
>
> We are considering NJ with all of the amusment areas, like Keansburg
> Amusement Park that caters to kids.
>
> We could sure use some more destination suggestions that would be good
> for our son and ourselved.
>
> Thanks!
>
>
> --
> jazzmark
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> jazzmark's Profile: http://travelforums.org/forums/member.php?userid=386
> View this thread: http://travelforums.org/forums/showthread.php?t=59307
> This post was submitted via http://www.TravelForums.org
>

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

My suggestion as a fellow Floridian with kids is Gatlinburg TN. You'll
love the mountains and woods. There are lots of activities such as
Smokey Mt. National Park for hiking and enjoying the outdoors and then a
lot of touristy things to see in town. You can either stay in a motel
or rent your own cabin. We've done both and enjoyed each. Do a web
search and you'll find lots of info.

Shelly.....who understands the need to get out of FL and see something
other than sand and palm trees.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

Another suggestion since I just realized your post said you will be
traveling in April which often has iffy weather in northern
states.....take a cruise.

We have been cruising at least once a year since our kids were very
young. Carnival has a very nice program for kids the age of yours.
This gives you time to enjoy the adult entertainment on board while your
son will be happily playing with friends in the supervised playroom.
There are short 3-4 day cruises that go out of Port Canaveral and Miami,
longer 4-5 day or 7 day cruises out of Tampa and Miami.
Cruises can be a bargain when you consider all your food, lodging, and
entertainment is included in the price. $100 a day per person is a
normal price and anything under $100 per day is a bargain. If you don't
vacation on a holiday break week for schools, you can often cruise for
$60-75 per day.

We just came off a Christmas week cruise with our kids now 13 and 17 on
the Carnival Miracle and paid a high holiday rate of $115 a day. We
always choose the least expensive cabin which is an inside 1A or 4A.
You don't need a more expensive cabin with a window or balcony to have
a great time. Pick mid ship or back to have less movement. Anything
in the front of the ship gets more up and down motion. Check with a
local travel agent for prices.

Shelly in FL

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

<scoutdreams@webtv.net> wrote...
| My suggestion as a fellow Floridian with kids is Gatlinburg TN.

IMO, Gatlinburg is full of trashy tourist trap gunk and the traffic
is so bad, the NPS had to build a bypass to go around it. If its
mountains and quaintness you want, you cannot do much better
than Unicoi State Park, near Helen, Georgia. The Park has a
lodge with reasonable rates, and family cabins on the lake, its own
waterfall, watersports, and plenty of scenic hiking. There's a
section of the Appalachian Trail nearby. [R]

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

If you take a two year old on a cruise, you will be as popular as a fart in
an elevator!
"Roger (B)" <rcblinn-sss-@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:NZ1Ad.4583$Nw1.3697@bignews3.bellsouth.net...
> <scoutdreams@webtv.net> wrote...
> | My suggestion as a fellow Floridian with kids is Gatlinburg TN.
>
> IMO, Gatlinburg is full of trashy tourist trap gunk and the traffic
> is so bad, the NPS had to build a bypass to go around it. If its
> mountains and quaintness you want, you cannot do much better
> than Unicoi State Park, near Helen, Georgia. The Park has a
> lodge with reasonable rates, and family cabins on the lake, its own
> waterfall, watersports, and plenty of scenic hiking. There's a
> section of the Appalachian Trail nearby. [R]
>
>

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

jazzmark wrote:

>
>
> My wife and I would like to travel this April with our son who will be
> 2 years old at that time.
>
> We live in Florida, so we would like to travel OUT of the State (not to
> Orlando).
>
> We are considering NJ with all of the amusment areas, like Keansburg
> Amusement Park that caters to kids.
>
> We could sure use some more destination suggestions that would be good
> for our son and ourselved.

Why on earth would you plan a vacation for a two year old? Find someone to
look after the kid for a few days while you and your wife get away for a
short vacation.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

"jazzmark" <jazzmark.1hxpnm@no-mx.travelforums.org> wrote in message
news:jazzmark.1hxpnm@no-mx.travelforums.org...
>
> Hello,
>
> My wife and I would like to travel this April with our son who will be
> 2 years old at that time.
>
> We live in Florida, so we would like to travel OUT of the State (not to
> Orlando).
>
> We are considering NJ with all of the amusment areas, like Keansburg
> Amusement Park that caters to kids.
>
> We could sure use some more destination suggestions that would be good
> for our son and ourselved.
>

In my experience, 2-year olds are amused by simple things. Don't overdo it
with an expensive amusement park. The child will get as much enjoyment from
a carousel ride in a town park. A 2-year old will get more pleasure from
feeding ducks on a pond than from any pricey attraction.

Do what YOU want to do for YOUR enjoyment. But let the child play on a
beach, dip toes in the water, look at fuzzy animals or go to children's
museums with things that move or can be crawled through. Don't overthink
this!

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

"Rita" <rknydelete@myrealbox.com> wrote in message
news:4hb1t01f4trnb3hvun95717sob1rfb0ped@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 27 Dec 2004 18:30:28 -0500, scoutdreams@webtv.net wrote:
>
>
> I think a two year old's ability to hike is quite limited.
> Let's get real.

You can go on great hikes with a 2-year old of you have a child carrier for
your back. Let the child get down now and then and explore some leaves,
rocks or mushrooms (be careful about things in mouths). I hiked with both
my daughters since they were infants, gradually increasing their walking
time. They loved being in the woods from the very beginning.

And now, I have some great kids to go back packing with!

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

In article <jazzmark.1hxpnm@no-mx.travelforums.org>,
jazzmark <jazzmark.1hxpnm@no-mx.travelforums.org> wrote:

> Hello,
>
> My wife and I would like to travel this April with our son who will be
> 2 years old at that time.
>
> We live in Florida, so we would like to travel OUT of the State (not to
> Orlando).
>
> We are considering NJ with all of the amusment areas, like Keansburg
> Amusement Park that caters to kids.
>
> We could sure use some more destination suggestions that would be good
> for our son and ourselved.

Most of the east coast amusement parks north of the Mason Dixon line
will be open only on weekends in April. Be that as it may, Great
Adventure would be a fun way to spend a weekend with your son. They have
a huge amusement area, plus a safari park and they will probably not be
too crowded on an April weekend.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

On Mon, 27 Dec 2004 10:09:23 -0600, jazzmark
<jazzmark.1hxpnm@no-mx.travelforums.org> wrote:

>
>Hello,
>
>My wife and I would like to travel this April with our son who will be
>2 years old at that time.
>
>We live in Florida, so we would like to travel OUT of the State (not to
>Orlando).
>
>We are considering NJ with all of the amusment areas, like Keansburg
>Amusement Park that caters to kids.
>
>We could sure use some more destination suggestions that would be good
>for our son and ourselved.
>
>Thanks!

I think you would be much better off just to get a cardboard box and
let him play in it for a few days. Let's face it two year olds don't
have a clue. He's would be far more interested in playing with his
own poop than "experiencing" a travel destination.

Em
-----
When in trouble or in doubt,
Run in circles, scream and shout.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

The original poster should ignore those who are poo-pooing the plans to
vacation with a 2 y/o. Considering activities suited to that age is
what will make it work and everyone is correct in saying a 2 y/o needs
very little to be happy.

We've vacationed many places with our kids. We hiked with them in a
backpack. We cruise on ships with great kids programs to keep them busy
while we enjoy ourselves. The youngest just turned 13 (had her birthday
on a cruise ship last week) and has been cruising yearly since she was
3. Over the years our family has been to Alaska, Hawaii, New York City
at Thanksgiving, Gatlinburg TN, San Francisco, and Seattle just to name
a few of the places. They've traveled by plane, train, ship, and car.
They've stayed in private secluded cabins, busy downtown hotels,
hostels, and campgrounds. They have enjoyed picnics in the grass as
well as dinner in fancy restaurants. They have always been expected to
behave appropriately and we make sure they get plenty of rest. When
they were very young and would become cranky we would end the activity
and head back to our lodging or move on to something different. We would
not make everyone around us miserable. It can be done and enjoyable.

As soon as our kids were born they fit into our active lives. We did
not stop everything because a new little person was now in the family.
They would sleep anywhere and eat anything. Both could entertain
themselves in a car seat for long periods of time. The key was stopping
every 2 hours to let them run around for a 1/2 hour and stopping early
enough for them to swim in the hotel pool and burn off energy. I would
purchase small trinkets at the dollar store and give them something new
after each rest stop to play with on the ride. $10 or so can buy a lot
of pleasure for a child and peace and quiet for an adult . Yes, it
took us longer to get places, but, we didn't care. With the electronics
such as TV and DVD players for the car, it should be a cinch to
entertain a young one on a trip now days. A cooler with juice boxes and
kid friendly snacks helps too.

Personally, we like to be entertained with touristy crap. We stop for
every cheesy tourist trap we see along the road. We love to be near the
action. We found out the hard way once in N.C. that we can only enjoy
the solitude of a remote mountain cabin so long before it drives us
nuts. A few days would have done it and then we could have moved on.
We love to tour different factories in cities we visit. We've seen
jelly beans in CA, pretzels in PA, and blankets in MN being made. We've
toured countless museums all over the country with a theme kids enjoy.
Watching money being printed in D.C. was a highlight they still talk
about. We've hiked Diamond Head, spotted bears in Denali, and visited
Mt. St. Helen's.

To the original poster I say, grab your kid and go anywhere that
interests you. Just do things at a slower pace and consider the
limitations of your child.

Take many trips and make irreplacable memories

Shelly in FL

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

Tough Traveller in Schenectady, NY designs state of the art child
carrier backpacks. They are designed like high tech internal frame
backpacks and can carry kids up to and including toddlers with comfort
for both child and carrier. They come in a variety of sizes from the
full sized "stallion" for most men to carry, to a smaller size that
fits well on most moms.

Generally during our early hiking trips, while we had a toddler and an
infant, I would carry the toddler while my wife carried the infant.
Then after the toddler graduated to walking, we'd take short hikes with
the older girl (then 3 or 4) walking and the younger one on my back
with occasional trips to the ground.

The younger one was actually more adventurous when let lose. During a
drive to Florida, we stopped at Blue Ridge National Park in Virginia.
There was a mile long trail down to a stream. My younger was about 2
1/2 and she insisted on walking the entire way, though if I recall, she
needed to be carried part way back.

When my older daughter was a toddler, my wife would try to coax her
into walking. "Wow! Look at the colorful mushroom! Oh, you can't see
it so well, you're way up there!" It worked!

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

Some excellent advice here.

We've done long car trips when our kids were little...generally from
New York State to Florida, but also a great vacation to the Canadian
Maritines when my girls were 4 and 6.

We pack a goody bag of toys and activities, saving some to open on the
way. When they get a little older, Mad Libs are a blast as are an
assortment of highway scavanger hunt games (find a man sitting on his
front porch; find a bald man in a car, etc). We would also go to the
public library and borrow an assortment of kids story and song
tapes...staying away from the Raffi variety and towards stuff that we
also found entertaining. Think Tom Chapin. The kids would memorize
the stories....some 1/2 long or longer.

We also kept to the routine of stopping every two hours to "run em."
We'd bring bubbles and balls to chase.

We'd always have a cooler and stop for picnic lunches then pull into a
family restaurant for dinner.

The kids have long been great travellers. Now at 11 and 13, they just
plug in their CD's and put on their headphones and are good for hours
of travel at a time.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

"Roger \(B\)" <rcblinn-sss-@bellsouth.net> wrote:
> <scoutdreams@webtv.net> wrote...
> | My suggestion as a fellow Floridian with kids is Gatlinburg TN.

> IMO, Gatlinburg is full of trashy tourist trap gunk and the traffic
> is so bad, the NPS had to build a bypass to go around it. If its
> mountains and quaintness you want, you cannot do much better
> than Unicoi State Park, near Helen, Georgia. The Park has a
> lodge with reasonable rates, and family cabins on the lake, its own
> waterfall, watersports, and plenty of scenic hiking. There's a
> section of the Appalachian Trail nearby. [R]



--
Julie
**********
Check out my Travel Pages (non-commercial) at
http://www.dragonsholm.org/travel.htm

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

scoutdreams@webtv.net wrote:
> My suggestion as a fellow Floridian with kids is Gatlinburg TN. You'll
> love the mountains and woods. There are lots of activities such as
> Smokey Mt. National Park for hiking and enjoying the outdoors and then a
> lot of touristy things to see in town. You can either stay in a motel
> or rent your own cabin. We've done both and enjoyed each. Do a web
> search and you'll find lots of info.

From the North Carolina Side Ashville or Sapphire Valley can give
you access to the Smokeys. You could also visit the many beautiful
waterfalls in that area, the Biltmore estate (more for the parents),
and any number of other things in that area. I like the NC side of the
mountains better than the TN side.

Cherokee NC and the Indian village are great. Also take the Cherolhala
Skyway over.

--
Julie
**********
Check out my Travel Pages (non-commercial) at
http://www.dragonsholm.org/travel.htm

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

> We could sure use some more destination suggestions that would be good
> for our son and ourselved.

Hi.
Ah... To be young and inexperienced again....

You need to know that it doesn't matter where you take your son at age 2, so
long as it's not some place that might be dangerous or scary to him. Go
where YOU want to go and have all the more fun because your boy is with you.

Later on in his life, the tail will begin to wag the dog. Don't rush it.

When our daughter was two, she had been to Hawai'i, and had driven with us
all over the western U.S. We always had a great time with her along. By
the time she was 12, she had been to England, France, Italy, Mexico, Canada,
and Greece. Some more than once. After that, she go her own ideas of where
she wanted to go, and lucky for us, she still likes to be with us. Just
won't go some places (she's 18 and in college). For instance, hates
Hawai'i. We have a place on Maui, and cannot get her to go with us.. Go
figure..

If I had to give you some real advice as to where, I'd say stay away from
amusement parks since they are really designed to extract money from idiots.
Go somewhere where you can pick up some interesting or useful information or
see something really spectacular like the Grand Canyon. Just make sure it
has a pool if it's warm enough to swim. This might be a good time for him
to start on the way to being water-safe. Our daughter took her first
swimming strokes around 2 or 2 1/2.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

BruceB <dontwriteme@tshirts.nu> wrote:
> Hi.
> Ah... To be young and inexperienced again....

> You need to know that it doesn't matter where you take your son at age 2, so
> long as it's not some place that might be dangerous or scary to him. Go
> where YOU want to go and have all the more fun because your boy is with you.

> Later on in his life, the tail will begin to wag the dog. Don't rush it.

This is really important. Your son, at this age, will enjoy wherever you
go as long as it's not INappropriate. Go to some place you'd like to go,
and add in a few activities for him, and adapt to fit your style.

We're going to the Dominican Republic with a couple of neices who are 7 and 4
in March. We'll do things for them (their Mom and Dad will do a waterpark
with them, and we'll all go whale watching) but mostly we're doing what we
want to do. We will get sitters for a couple really adult things (late evenign
visit to a Casino, possibly scuba) but otherwise just are working around them.

With a 2 year old this is much much more true.

Julie

> When our daughter was two, she had been to Hawai'i, and had driven with us
> all over the western U.S. We always had a great time with her along. By
> the time she was 12, she had been to England, France, Italy, Mexico, Canada,
> and Greece. Some more than once. After that, she go her own ideas of where
> she wanted to go, and lucky for us, she still likes to be with us. Just
> won't go some places (she's 18 and in college). For instance, hates
> Hawai'i. We have a place on Maui, and cannot get her to go with us.. Go
> figure..

> If I had to give you some real advice as to where, I'd say stay away from
> amusement parks since they are really designed to extract money from idiots.
> Go somewhere where you can pick up some interesting or useful information or
> see something really spectacular like the Grand Canyon. Just make sure it
> has a pool if it's warm enough to swim. This might be a good time for him
> to start on the way to being water-safe. Our daughter took her first
> swimming strokes around 2 or 2 1/2.



--
Julie
**********
Check out my Travel Pages (non-commercial) at
http://www.dragonsholm.org/travel.htm

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

scoutdreams@webtv.net wrote:

> The original poster should ignore those who are poo-pooing the plans to
> vacation with a 2 y/o. Considering activities suited to that age is
> what will make it work and everyone is correct in saying a 2 y/o needs
> very little to be happy.
>

....snip..


I glad to hear that your kids are special. I just hope that you take lots
of pictures and video to help reinforce or plant memories in their little
heads. We always took our son with us on vacations. We adapted to his two
year old schedule and his activity level. We ended up not being able to do
as much and put up with a lot of grief during our travels. We took him out
to the west coast twice, once when he was 4 and again when he was six. Here
we are 20 years later and he has no memory of those trips.

Rule out theme parks. Aside from being a rip off, the rides that make it
worthwhile are off limits to small children. Forget about nice restaurants,
if for no other reason than not to annoy fellow diners. Stick to family
restaurants or the Golden Arches.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

Here's the deal: You don't vacation with a 2 year old to provide the
child with a memorable experience, although you can do things that are
fun to for the child. You vacation with a 2 year old because YOU want
to go someplace and do something and you want to be with your child at
the same time. This of course limits what activities you can do and
also places limits to times of activity. You have to be flexible so
that a temper tantrum at the wrong time and place doesn't disturb
others. You also have to take steps to keep the child active so that
he/she does not get too cranky from boredom or from being overtired.

On the other hand, habits begun early lead to more memorable
experiences later. Beginning when they were toddlers, we taught our
kids about appropriate behavior in public places like restaurants. If
they did not behave appropriately, they were removed. There was more
than one occasion in which one parent sat in the car with a child or
walked around outside while the other finished his/her meal, later to
switch. Of course, we didn't go to fancy restaurants with them...we
kept to family restaurants. We've mostly avoided McDonalds and the
like and have fed them better food. As a result they learned to eat a
variety of foods and never liked McDonalds. By the way, we've found
that Chinese restaurants work well for young kids. For one thing, they
bring food very quickly. Also, the people working there often love
kids.

I remember one time with my then 2-year old. Due to family errands, we
would be stopping for dinner. She was an early talker, so I began the
lecture in the car about how we were going to a restaurant and that she
was not allowed to cry in restaurants. She asked me "Can I cry at
home?" Yes, I told her...that was ok. These habits start early. I
can't count how many times in restaurants, airplanes, or other confined
spaces, other people remarked at how well behaved our children were
(translation: "I was expecting the worst and they weren't too bad.")

So ignore the nay sayers and take the kids. Begin to train them on how
to travel and do things that are fun for the kids so that later trips
are looked forward to. But don't take them to expensive places for
THEIR benefit. They won't remember. Remember that feeding the ducks
on a pond is as wonderful an experience for a two year old as anything
else you can do. But DO do things that you enjoy that you can enjoy
with your child, as long as there is flexibility to accommodate the
child and concern about places where child like behavior is not
appreciated.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

Um, okay, but don't forget that your 2-year-old is probably too short
for 90% of the rides at an amusement park - I know ours is. Even with
a 2-year-old, we just go and do the same sorts of road trips we've
always done, but with less hiking, wine-tasting, or other activities
that just don't seem appropriate. Museums, zoos, walking around town
(and finding the best playgrounds), beaches, etc. - these all seem to
be fine. Last year, before my son was 1, we took a trip through the
Ohio and Kentucky, with some of the memorable visits being to Noah's
Lost Ark (an animal sanctuary in the Youngstown area), the Louisville
Slugger Museum, and the Kentucky Horse Park (just outside of Lexington)
- our son thoroughly enjoyed all of these places. This past year, we
went through the "upper" Midwest and took him to see Theodore Roosevelt
National Park, Mt. Rushmore, the "Ice Cream Capital of the World" (Le
Mars, IA), a neat dinosaur playground inside a shopping mall in Fargo,
the Milwaukee Art Museum (with its Chair Park), and the Miwaukee Zoo
(among other places we visited). Again, we all had a great time. Next
summer, we're probably going to go up through Maine, New Brunswick, and
PEI. Not tiat I'd recommend any of these trips for early/mid April,
but I think the key is planning activities where he has the ability to
run around, make some noise, and/or touch/feel stuff, so we try to
limit things like art museums to an hour or around times where we know
he'll be a little more sedate and willing to just sit in a stroller.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged