THEIR EYES combed the lush jungle landscape as we stood waiting at the gated entrance to 907 Whitehead Street. With a quiet gasp from my travel companions, the first orange splash of cat appeared, a bold stroke sauntering on four legs before the chartreuse shutters of the porch. It paused for a moment, gazing toward us as if daring the children to skip the queue, then turned to walk through the open door as if it owned the place.

“Do you think it has six toes?” my son whispered.

I held up crossed fingers where he could see and whispered back, “I hope so.”

As the official travel planner for our family, I often walk a fine line. Drag everyone to an activity too esoteric and risk mutiny, but build a trip around too many child-themed activities and at some point I may feel compelled to jab something sharp into my eye. For the most part, we’ve kept a good balance in our family’s travels. Though I wasn’t so sure how our visit to The Hemingway Home Museum in Key West was going to play out. After all, what did my three young children know of Ernest Hemingway?

(Note: This post may contain affiliate links, which help support this independent site.)

Still, I vowed I would not travel all the way from San Francisco to Key West and miss my chance to stroll along Mr. Hemingway’s bookshelves, peer into his private chambers, and possibly gaze into the very bathroom mirror where he’d examined his beard on so many mornings, including the one after a favorite poet of mine purportedly broke his fist against it.

It would be a literary pilgrimage for the parents, and—I secretly hoped—a possible antidote to the plague of the blank page I’d been battling of late.

But what would it be for the kids?

I imagined myself giving a parental preface upon arrival, something like, “A famous American writer lived here. He wrote novels, short stories, and nonfiction books, and some of his best and most important works were created here—right in this room in fact. And on THAT (we assume) typewriter.” But I already knew better. It doesn’t matter how many times you tell a child a place “is important because it’s important.” That’s not what will make it important to them.

There was only one thing I could think of that final day in Key West, one card to play that would get my young entourage to walk without grudge through the sweltering blocks of Old Town to visit the Hemingway Home Museum. It was the prospect of seeing cats there, “And quite possibly…” I widened my eyes for effect, “the legendary six-toed grandcats of Mr. Ernest Hemingway.”

“SIX toes?” cried the littlest.

“Wait a minute,” challenged the biggest. “How many toes do cats usually have?”

Cat research was quickly underway, and there was definite interest in visiting Hemingway’s cats at least, if not his home. Even better? Polydactyl—the scientific term for cats born with more than the standard set of five toes on the front or four toes on the back—could also be, the kids were quick to point out, the scientific term for their grandmother were she a dinosaur.

At last, we strode up the path toward the stunning Spanish Colonial that had stood abandoned and a shambles in 1931, the year that Ernest and Pauline moved in (his second wife of four). As the guide preparing to lead the next tour greeted us on the steps, the kids darted past her without salutation. On the far end of the porch, they’d spied a snoozing patchwork calico draped across the stonework corner.

I overheard a quiet counting followed by a very loud confirmation: “SIX TOES!!!”

I cringed, but the cat simply yawned in response and continued its siesta as if it were used to such invasions by small, paw-prodding visitors.

One of many polydactyls (sometimes called mitten cats or Hemingway cats) at the Hemingway Home Museum.

The guide called us to join our group in the dining room, with its many portraits of Hemingway, African sculpture, and photos of the famed second family that called the house home, but the room was packed. I did my best to listen from the doorway as my husband wandered down the hall taking in the rooms of the lower level on his own, and I wondered if we shouldn’t follow his lead and see all we could before the kids lost patience. Though I hated to miss the storied details of the place I now stood after imagining it for so long.

I’d at least hear the introduction.

When the Hemingways arrived in Key West in 1928, planning only to stay long enough to retrieve a Ford Roadster that Pauline’s wealthy uncle had purchased for them, the town was nearly bankrupt. It hit upon hard times well before the Great Depression owing to the end of the shipwreck salvaging era that had built the community and the recent demise of the local sponging industry which had, for a time, sustained it.

Since the car had not yet arrived in Key West, the couple stayed on. And in the three weeks they waited for the Roadster, an inspired Hemingway managed to finish the manuscript for A Farewell to Arms while he simultaneously fell in love with America’s southernmost city. When the Roadster finally arrived, it remained in Key West along with the Hemingways.

Kids splashing in what some believe is the “World’s Most Expensive Cat Drinking Fountain,” in the gardens of the Hemingway Home Museum.

As we listened on, a sociable tabby padded down the hallway toward certain inspection. “Only five toes,” the kids confirmed.

Three years later, Pauline’s Uncle Gus purchased the two-story villa as a gift for the couple—along with two other houses on the same property—from the City of Key West for a mere $8,000 in back taxes. The Hemingway’s home itself had been built in 1851 for Mr. Asa Tift, owner of one of the most prosperous salvaging operations in Key West history, with no expenses of architectural detail, marble fireplace, or carved wooden baluster spared.

Just days before, we’d seen Tift portrayed by a costumed interpreter at the Key West Shipwreck Museum, but when I turned to remind the kids, they were nowhere to be seen. I politely sped through the first level of the house—and checked the status of the calico sleeping on the front porch—but didn’t see a one. Up the narrow staircase I went.

I found my stray children, along with two others, quietly gathered at the end of a long display case filled with odds and ends from Hemingway’s life: war service medals, a signed baseball, old snapshots, and tax receipts for the property. The kids were not admiring the treasures within the case, however, but the tabby sprawled comfortably atop its glass lid. Beside the bold feline on display was a sign reading: “Please do not lean on the glass.”

“I guess they should have written it in Cat,” my daughter grinned, giving him a gentle scratch between the ears.

Hemingway artifacts–and cats–on display in the Hemingway Home Museum.

Seeing that kids, cat, and museum artifacts appeared safe for the moment, I stepped into the neighboring room to see what I could learn from another tour in progress. It was the master bedroom, and the guide explained that the carved headboard had long ago served as a garden gate on the property. Ernest and Pauline had discovered it during their renovations to the house and both liked the look of it. When they discovered it was exactly the width of their bed, up the narrow staircase it went.

Above the bed hung an oil painting of the home with wide-footed cats in the foreground. And on the bed itself—which was chained off to prevent any person from presuming they could sit on it—was a cat. With an exaggerated stretch, it rolled over to its other side, the black of its tuxedo fur commingling with chenille nubs of coverlet. The humans in the room, including the guide, looked on with affection.

Though this painting of the Hemingway Home in Key West looks right at home here, it wasn’t painted until 1975 by artist and poet Henry Faulkner.

How these cats, numbering somewhere between 40 and 50, came to be at the Hemingway Home is a subject of much debate. While some argue they couldn’t possibly be related to any cat or cats the Pulitzer and Nobel Prize winning author kept here in the 1930s, others insist they are indeed the direct descendants of the original six-toed kitten young Gregory and Patrick Hemingway named Snow White.

What is widely agreed upon is that Snow White was the polydactyl progeny of a six-toed seafaring cat named Snowball, whom Hemingway had often admired on the docks of Key West. Snowball belonged to Captain Harold Stanley Dexter who had sailed down to the Keys with her from Massachusetts, where polydactyls are not only more common but have been traditionally thought to bring good luck to sailors. Knowing how fond Hemingway was of Snowball, Dexter gave him Snowball’s kitten as a gift.

As we ventured out to the patio between the Hemingway home and the carriage house, a full five cats quickly came into view. Our original guide stood surrounded by the stripes, patches, and black tie get-up of the resident Hemingway cats. As they snacked on treats delivered with a casual toss of the hand, I overheard her quote a letter from Hemingway: “One cat just leads to another.” Indeed, the cats appeared to multiply in the laughter as more crept in from the nearby shrubs to pursue her offering.

Hemingway made a tradition of naming his own cats’ six-toed offspring after famed celebrities, a tradition which the caretakers of the estate continue to this day. In the  shaded cat cemetery beside us, we quickly paid respects to the generations of four-legged stars laid to rest on the property—Willard Scott, Joan Crawford, Kim Novak, and Ezra Pound among others—before moving along with the tour.

The cat cemetery, filled with celebrities (or at least their names) at the Hemingway Home Museum.

At last, it was my chance to see Hemingway’s writing studio, which was the upper story of the adjacent carriage house. In Hemingway’s time here, there was an upper story walkway between the master bedroom of the main house and the entrance of the studio. But all that remained now was a narrow iron stair case labeled “UP” on the left and “DOWN” to the right, with tourists in transit on each.

For just a moment, I felt the fleeting pangs of envy for the stark separation of space “Papa Hemingway” kept between his writing world and that of his young family. The kids, quite engaged with the cats on the ground, might not miss this, I thought. “I’ll be right back—I’m going up to have a quick look in the writing studio,” I said, gesturing up toward the pinnacle of steep steps beside us.

With cocked heads and curious eyebrows raised, I could see my daughters read more into the statement than I’d imagined they would. My eldest daughter stood, her gaze suddenly level with my collar bones. Her younger sister crossed arms, and furrowed oddly familiar eyebrows.

“Do you want to come with me?”

Heads nodded quickly. They did.

So, slowly, together, we made way up the crowded steps toward the entrance of the room where Hemingway spent his early morning writing hours during what most agree was his most prolific period, toward the room where celebrated short stories like “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” and “The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber,” the nonfiction book The Green Hills of Africa, the novel To Have and Have Not, and many other well-known works were penned, punctuated, and percussively typed.

Yet when we reached the top of the stairs, instead of entering a writing room we stepped into a holding cell. It was just a small entryway from which visitors could view the studio between decorative iron bars. So there we stood, pressed against the bars, as more and more visitors insinuated with shoulders and elbows that we should hurry up and snap our photo, genuflect, and exit the sacred space so that they might have a quick turn, too.

But I refused to be rushed.

If there is such a thing as “good writing vibes,” this room had to have plenty of it, and I would absorb every bit I could before I exited the staircase “Down.” If I couldn’t actually walk through Hemingway’s studio, I would at least take a moment to explore what I could of it with my eyes. And if I couldn’t stand next to his writing table, I would at least take in the air, deeply as I could, as it breezed from an open window over the keys of his typewriter to me.

Ernest Hemingway’s writing table and typewriter in Key West, Florida.

“Look!” my daughter pointed her slender finger through the bars.

At the far end of the studio, in an open window slept a cat, the long stripe of its tail hanging down from the sill like a limp exclamation point.

I inserted the lens of my camera between the bars that the cats could easily transgress, accepting that it was as close as I might ever get to Hemingway’s typewriter.

“If you just showed up and didn’t know better, you’d think this writing studio belonged to the cats,” my daughter laughed.

“Maybe it does,” I shrugged, adjusting my focus on the typewriter.

Both daughters laughed in spite of the throat clearing behind us.

“People: Do not enter,” my big girl warned.

“Cats only!” the middle sister cried.

With a giggle, I snapped the shot.

“Imagine what stories they might write…” I dared, and of course they did.

We descended the stairs with visions of polydactyls pouncing on typewriters and running their own small publishing empire from a writing studio that once, long ago, was used by a man called Hemingway.

In the nearby shade of a banana tree, we found my son crouched down in quiet observation of an enormous orange tabby. “Look at his toes,” he whispered. He gently lifted a forepaw as we all leaned in for the count. “SEVEN TOES!” he squealed.

A seven-toed spectacle snoozes at the Hemingway Home Museum in Key West.

The kids could have happily spent another hour hunting polydactyls in the shade of the African tulips, plumeria, and palm trees that surround the Hemingway home, but eventually it was time to leave and begin packing up for the long trip home.

—

Post script: A poem

Among the many souvenirs we brought back with us from Key West, I discovered something so small and nearly invisible I hadn’t even realized I’d acquired at the time. I only noticed it when I was suddenly compelled to pick up a pen—and write.

What if, like a six-toed seafaring cat,

I could slip between the iron bars

that separate His hallowed hall

from the daily deluge of onlookers?

If I could pad over to His typewriter

in the hours when no one can see?

If I could type one sentence upon it—

what would mine be?

If you go:

The Hemingway Home Museum in Key West is open 365 days a year, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission includes a 30-minute guided tour, and kids 5 and younger visit free of charge. Please note: The museum accepts cash only at this time.

For more information about the museum, visit www.hemingwayhome.com or call  (305) 294-1136. For more help planning your trip to the Florida Keys and Key West, take advantage of the many free resources at www.fla-keys.com.

Where to stay? For the best Key West hotel offers for your dates, check here. And to see family-friendly Key West vacation rentals, check here. And don’t miss our other recommended Key West and Florida activities for families below (with more great family destination ideas).

Reader’s note: This travel narrative was originally published June 6, 2015 on FamilyTravel41.com. It received the Lowell Thomas Award Honorable Mention for North American Travel Stories and the Silver Award in Animal Encounters from the Solas Awards for Best Travel Writing from Traveler’s Tales Publishing. 

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The post If Cats Could Type in Key West: A Visit to the Hemingway Home Museum appeared first on Family Travel 411.

As you’ll quickly learn on a visit to the kid-friendly Key West Shipwreck Museum, even those aboard the afflicted vessel could at least be grateful that there was a bustling island economy close at hand with their misfortune literally in its sights. And better still, that the new law of the land ensured that all passengers must be rescued before whatever cargo might be aboard.

Note: This post contains affiliate links.

With “wreckers” watching from shore day and night, and some optimistically patrolling the waters, help was usually quick to come. The first to arrive at a fresh shipwreck got to lead the salvage operation and would receive the biggest share of the profits when auction day rolled around.

Of course, the highly motivated passengers were probably the easiest of a ship’s contents to salvage. Removing loot from a sinking vessel wrecked on a reef is not for the faint of heart, and under no circumstances should transporting valuables enough to weigh your pockets down to the bottom of the sea be taken lightly.

If your kids doubt this for a moment, let them get their own hands on this 64 lb. bar of silver which lay at the bottom of the sea for nearly three centuries—and try to lift it for themselves.

Be it gold, silver, emeralds, Italian marble, or an occasional shipload of pianos, reclaiming maritime treasure is almost always a heavy subject it seems. In this display at the Key West Shipwreck Museum, you can see rare illustrations from the 17th century showing some of the old-fangled methods used to locate and access sunken Spanish galleons laden with treasure.

And for the pre-neoprene and oxygen tankless nineteenth century divers of Key West, saving sinking cargo was even more perilous as they often battled the same treacherous seas and weather that wrecked the ships in the first place. Methods had to be fast and effective. Though not too effective.

To the left of these bottles found in the waters around Key West, you’ll see a large earthenware vessel, which was apparently packed with black powder and detonated against the hull of the sunken Isaac Allerton in 1856.

The explosion was so great that it shattered much of the Italian marble remaining inside the ship, leaving worthless fragments of it all around the wreck site to this day.  Remnants of the explosive vessel-device itself were found by modern divers over the course of three years–and over an area spanning hundreds of yards.

Still, what wreckers were able to salvage from the Isaac Allerton before it finally sank to a depth of 30 feet was enough to bring $50,000 at auction–making it the most profitable shipwreck in Key West history.

With news of such fortunes to be made, it’s no wonder that Key West’s population grew from a mere 688 residents in 1840 to 2,645 in 1850. By 1870, the population had doubled again.

Many artifacts from the Isaac Allerton, which was rediscovered by divers in 1986, are on display at the Key West Shipwreck Museum, which stands like a time capsule at the center of town, offering a glimpse of that bustling era of master wreckers and major players for whom many of Key West’s streets are named.

As your visit concludes, don’t miss your chance to climb the 65-foot lookout tower that offers the best views of Key West and your children’s chance to watch for shipwrecks off the historic shoreline. Chances are, the next time you hear someone shout, “Wreck ashore!” it won’t sound like disaster either–just your kids enthusiastically embracing the history of Key West.

If you go:

The Key West Shipwreck Museum is open 365 days a year, from 9:40 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with the last show beginning at 4:40. For location and directions click here. Want to purchase discounted tickets online? Click here.

For the best Key West hotel offers for your dates, check here. And to see family-friendly Key West vacation rentals, check here. And don’t miss our other recommended Key West and Florida activities for families below (with more great family destination ideas).

Traveling with a child under 5 years? Don’t miss “How to Travel with a Car Seat (Without Losing Your Mind)” and my ultimate index to Flying with a Baby or Toddler advice at TravelswithBaby.com.

Reader’s Note: An earlier version of this post first appeared here on FamilyTravel411.com on April 29, 2015. It has since been updated and revised.

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The post History on the Rocks: Diving into the Key West Shipwreck Museum appeared first on Family Travel 411.

For all these reasons, the Berkshires have been attracting family vacationers (and repatriates) for centuries as a place to escape New York and Boston’s summer heat. After all, the Berkshires are just a three-hour drive from New York to the South or Boston to the East.

And when summer’s over? Families come for the fall foliage that is the stuff of New England dreams. Can you just smell the apple cider?

The beautiful Berkshires offer year-round family-friendly activities, including cultural events, outdoor fun, and kid-friendly restaurants. The following recommendations will guide you to the best of these New England attractions — with the chance to stay at a real Gilded Age mansion and meet some local artisans.

1: Hike the Appalachian Trail

Imagine coming home from your vacation and telling your friends (or show-and-tell audience) that you hiked the Appalachian Trail. Talk about bragging rights!

The Appalachian Trail meanders up the East Coast from Georgia to Maine and is the longest single path in the world that is dedicated to hiking only. A portion goes right through the Berkshire Mountains and makes for a fantastic family hike.

The trailhead in Great Barrington has good parking facilities and is a great place to hop on the trail for an easy hike with younger kids. Or for a serious family outdoor adventure, you can head over to Mount Greylock, the highest peak in Massachusetts at almost 3,500 feet.

The full hike from the base to the top of Mount Greylock is a challenging eight miles. But its panoramic views of New England will prove well worth it.

If that’s too much for your brood, you can easily do just a small part of the climb—just stop in at the Visitor’s Station at mountain base and pick up a map of the local hiking trails.

2: Enjoy an Outdoor Symphony at Tanglewood

The Boston Symphony Orchestra has been relocating to the cooler climes of the Berkshires every summer since 1937. Their Tanglewood music season has become one of the most beloved music “festevents” in the country. In fact, it’s a bucket list item for virtually every classical music lover. And since the concerts are held in a beautiful outdoor setting and bringing a picnic is de rigueur, you will find many children among the audience.

To make it even more attractive to families, they offer 50% admission prices for children under 18 and have a host of family activities, including Watch and Play, a free interactive musical performance designed to engage children ages 3-10 in music appreciation.

3. Make Your Own Music at the Magic Fluke

Even if you don’t have a ukulele enthusiast in your family, you must visit The Magic Fluke during your stay in the Berkshires.

The artisans in this small shop have created beautiful handmade ukuleles since 1999. And they recently added a violin and an electric bass to their repertoire. Not only do they encourage customers (including children!) to try out the instruments, you will get a first-hand look at how they’re made.

The workshop sits right behind the music shop and you will see artisans at work on their latest instrument. One of my greatest joys as a parent is watching my children engaged in a conversation with someone who is passionate about what they do. These guys not only have a passion for their work, but they are clearly eager to share their passion with even the youngest visitors.

And really, is there a better souvenir than a Berkshire-made ukulele?

4: Go Jump in a Lake

The Berkshires are dotted with ponds, lakes, and swimming holes. And what better place to burn off some energy and cool off at the same time?

Lake Buel in Great Barrington stretches over a mile wide and is about 15 feet at its deepest. It has a small, easily accessible public beach where you can launch your watercraft.

Also in Great Barrington is Lake Mansfield, which has a roped-off swimming area, a small playground, and a lovely walking loop that circles the lake.

If you’re looking to rent a canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddle board (SUP), head over to Berkshire Outfitters in Adams. The rentals come with paddles and PDFs, everything you need for a great (and safe) day on the lake. Cal site.

Recommended Resort for Families: Cranwell Spa and Golf Resort

During the Gilded Age (late 19^th century), it was very fashionable among a certain wealthy industrialists set to build a “summer cottage” in the Berkshires. And by cottage, they meant large and elaborate mansions.

Today’s Cranwell Spa and Golf Resort in Lenox is an opulent Tudor cottage built by John Sloane in 1894. This Gilded Age mansion gives you the chance to glimpse a bygone era of New England’s history, while enjoying modern amenities. Among them: an indoor and outdoor pool, a golf course, and a fabulous spa.

Many of the Cranwell’s suites have separate living rooms with sofabeds and are a great option for families.

Recommended Berkshires Restaurant for Families:

In the middle of downtown Great Barrington sits a wonderfully family-friendly pizza restaurant, Baba Louie’s.  Although you can get a classic cheese pizza for your picky ones, their menu is full of fresh combinations that will make you want to return, and soon. In lieu of a kids menu, check their daily pasta special for children.

We were particularly taken with the Puttanesca pizza, with shrimp, anchovies, capers, and green olives. They offer a gluten-free crust. Also, check for the daily pasta special, and a children’s pasta meal served with a side of broccoli.

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SaveAn earlier version of this post was published September 15, 2016. It has since been updated and revised.

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The post The Berkshires with Kids – Massachusetts Family Vacation Guide appeared first on Family Travel 411.

Exploring all of the many Manhattan film settings would be a never-ending pursuit. Because you probably do want to get some shuteye, I’ve listed 4 activities at some of the most memorable NYC film scene locations as well as 1 great place to stay and 1 great place to eat, with tips for keeping the schlepping around to a minimum.

Activity 1: Cruise the Manhattan Shoreline and Hail Lady Liberty

If your short on time (and patience for lines), cruise by Lady Liberty on your visit to NYC with kids.

At some point in their education, most American children will learn about the Statue of Liberty. Some may even recognize the iconic statue from classic films such as Splash or Titanic, but nothing compares to the experience of peering up from her base and seeing the golden fire of the torch held up high in the sky. That’s when the symbol of “Liberty Enlightening the World” becomes real.

Short on time? The quickest and easiest way to see Lady Liberty is on the 1-hour Circle Line Liberty Cruise (infants 3 and under free.) But if you want to set foot on Ellis or Liberty Island, you’ll want to book roundtrip ferry transportation.

With older kids, it’s well worth committing the better part of a day, if not a full day, to exploring the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, especially since the Statue of Liberty is located at the southernmost tip of Manhattan and is only accessible by ferry. The most adventurous will want to climb all the way to the crown (must be at least 4 feet tall,) but you can get a bird’s eye view even from the pedestal. (Advance reservations recommended or required.)

The immigrant experience comes alive at Ellis Island exhibits, but do consider first checking out the 30-minute “Island of Hope, Island of Tears” film documentary. An optional audio tour enhances the displays, and for the youngsters, there’s even one narrated by “Marty the Muskrat.”

Tip: The National Park Service offers a fun Junior Ranger booklet, but since they may not be available onsite, it’s best to print your own and carry it in.

Activity 2: Time Travel at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

A greek goddess at the Met, NYC.

Meet the Greek gods and goddesses that inspired Rick Riordan’s Lightning Thief series, the blockbuster 2010 fantasy film, which is also now a Broadway musical, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Fans can follow in Percy’s footsteps with the downloadable Art Adventure booklet, but there are several Family Guides from which to choose.

Some of our favorites include the Sphinx and Mummies Family Guides, but it’s also a tossup between the Armament or Temple of Dendur guides as these exhibits top our list of can’t-miss stops. Perhaps most charming of all, the Family Guide for E.L. Konigsburg’s From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (the 1995 film starred Lauren Baccal) introduces readers to the palatial bedroom suite where the main characters, a pair of clever siblings, sleep in style when they run away to the museum.

Tips: Because the Met is located just outside Central Park on 5^th Avenue at 82^nd Street, it’s possible to walk through Central Park to the American Museum of Natural History (of Night at the Museum movie fame.) The museum is directly on the other side of the park at 81^st & Central Park West, a 15-minute walk (if you can avoid tempting distractions). However, keep in mind that both museums are huge and best toured on separate days.

Activity 3: Pretend You’re in a Musical at Central Park

Visiting Central Park Zoo on a visit to NYC with kids.

Disney’s Enchanted wouldn’t be the same without the Central Park backdrop for “That’s How You Know,” and there must be a rule somewhere that you can’t film a rom-com without a horse-drawn carriage ride through the green heart of Manhattan. The 843-acre Frederick Law Olmstead-designed urban park is decidedly romantic. But it’s also a great place for children to run around and play. You can find multiple fanciful playgrounds, including at least one well-placed one next to the Met.

Open year-round, the Central Park Zoo is small but perfectly sized for introducing kids to wild life. Try to time your visit to see the penguin or sea lion feedings. Other popular park attractions (weather permitting) include a historic carousel, rowboats at the Loeb Boathouse, and racing model sailboats at Conservatory Water (next to the Alice in Wonderland and Hans Christian Anderson statues).

October to early April, Wollman Rink opens for outdoor skating; transforming into the site of the Victorian Gardens amusement park from June to September. But the best deal in town is The Public Theater’s Free Shakespeare in the Park every summer for nearly 60 years. Savvy New Yorkers line up early on the day of the performance to score a ticket, here’s what to know.

Tip: A classic New York pretzel or hot dog from vendors near park entrances makes a cheap and easy meal on the go.

Activity 4: Catch a Broadway Show

Times Square, the gateway to Broadway.

You can still see Times Square’s gritty side in classic films like Christopher Reeve’s Superman. But now the billboard lights shine down on a whole new Disneyesque world. The famous intersection between West 42^nd to West 47^th features a pedestrian walkway, stadium viewing platform to observe the bright displays. You’ll also find kid-friendly shops like M&M’s World, and an even bigger Hershey’s Chocolate World.

The top Broadway theaters are also located in the neighborhood. Your best bet for a cheap performance is same-day tickets available at the Times Square TKTs kiosk, but see this Broadway Show Tickets Guide for more options. Definitely plan ahead if you want to attend one of the musicals popular with kids. Musicals such as Anastasia, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the Lion King, Aladdin, or Wicked sell out quickly. Don’t miss Ten Things You Should Know Before Taking Your Kids to a Broadway Show.

Tip: You don’t need a lot of time to get the full impact of Times Square. Since the lights really do shine best at night, you might want to save it for a post-outing stop, especially if your family is benefiting from West Coast jet lag.

1 Great Place to Stay in NYC with Kids: The Plaza

Eloise at the Plaza–or at least her portrait.

No doubt it’s a splurge, but you can’t beat the convenience of The Plaza. It’s located on 5^th Avenue at the entrance to Central Park, within blocks of Museum Mile or Times Square. Even if you don’t stay there, it’s worth dropping in for the decadent grazing at the lower level Food Hall. The Palm Court also offers a grand afternoon tea.

And those familiar with Eloise, the precocious little girl who lives in the hotel seen in the 1950s children’s book series, will adore Eloise at The Plaza—a whole experience encompassing a boutique, party space, fancy tea, and the outrageously pink Eloise Suite.

All accommodations are luxurious–beginning with classic rooms featuring 24-carat gold-plated fixtures and moving on up to one-of-a-kind suites fit for visiting royalty—but now under Fairmont management, the historic hotel offers a number of discounted promotions.

As for movies filmed at The Plaza, the list is long including the film versions of Eloise. But the “castle on Central Park South” appears in The Way We Were, Arthur, and Sleepless in Seattle.

1 Great Place to Eat in NYC with Kids: Serendipity 3

Serendipity 3’s frozen hot chocolate–worth the wait.

Not all things are worth the wait, but Serendipity 3’s Frozen Hot Chocolate isn’t one of them. Prepare to be amazed by the sheer size and deliciousness of the frozen treats.

Yes, this is the restaurant featured in the 2001 romantic comedy Serendipity. It’s not unusual to spot celebrities dining amidst glitter of golden cherubs, Tiffany windows, and over-the-top seasonal decorations.

The menu lists burgers, salads, and a full assortment of comfort food. But be warned there is at least one Guinness World Record-breaking item—the $1000.00 Golden Opulence Sundae (48-hour advance reservation required.)

Tip: Be aware that only a limited number of reservations are available for lunch or dinner, not dessert. Waits can be as long as 1-2 hours during peak times, but never fear. Bloomingdale’s and the fabulous flagship location of Dylan’s Candy Bar are on the corner to help pass the time.

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No longer satisfied to simply be dismissed as “the Southern Outer Banks,” the Crystal Coast is indeed a world unto itself. Here you’ll find 56 miles of protected National Seashore, barrier islands where wild horses roam free, its own postcard-worthy Cape Lookout Lighthouse, and pristine waters lapping at wide sand beaches.

With beautiful Emerald Isle at its center, home to charming historic towns like Beaufort, recently named America’s No. 1 Small Town by Travel + Leisure and America’s Coolest Small Town by Budget Travel, isn’t hurting anything.

There is a lot to like about North Carolina’s Emerald Isle on the Crystal Coast, especially for families. If you’d like to get acquainted with the region, here are my top recommended activities for an Emerald Isle vacation with kids.

1. Ferry Over to Cape Lookout National Seashore

There’s no better way to see the barrier islands of the Crystal Coast than by boat. And the passenger ferry ride from historic Beaufort to Cape Lookout will give you the chance to cruise right through them, most likely with sightings of the wild horses of Shackleford Banks along the way, and possibly dolphins and sea turtles, too.

Once you land at at Cape Lookout, you’ll have the opportunity to climb the 207-step “Diamond Lady” for dazzling views of Cape Lookout National Seashore’s white sand beaches and sailboat-dotted waters (that’s the view from the top in the lead photo). The climb begins with a safety talk, and large purses and backpacks must be left below with the ranger. But don’t worry too much–the climb may be easier than you think (see my videos below for the full scoop).

After your climb, reward your troop with a hearty picnic and refreshing cold drinks on the beach. Bring sand toys, sunscreen, a small ice chest, and your usual beach favorites. There is a potable water bottle refill station at the restrooms, too, so bring your favorite reusables along for the ride. Find out more: http://www.islandexpressferryservices.com/

Click on the videos to see for yourself–and be sure to click “unmute” in the bottom right corner of the screen.
    

Tip: Shelling enthusiasts will find some great treasures here, but they may also want to catch the island shuttle to “the best shelling beach” there–ask your Park Ranger for details and departure times. 

2. Visit the aquarium

Who would have guessed that North Carolina’s single largest aquarium is located on its petite Emerald Isle? The 306,000-gallon “living shipwreck” tank with its spectacular sharks and educational dive shows is a delight to watch in its own right (check schedule for daily dive program & feedings). Yet petting the sting rays in their touch pond and watching the jellyfish dance is not to be missed. And there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes here that may be of interest, too.

As one of North Carolina’s four non-profit aquariums dedicated to protecting the coast’s most vulnerable creatures, the aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores helps educate visitors about and tell the stories of many creatures they rescue and rehabilitate right there. In fact, the aquarium’s sea turtle nursery helps nurture roughly 200 struggling hatchlings each year and cares for them until they are ready for release.

If your children are especially keen on marine life and marine biology, be sure to check out the aquarium’s behind-the-scenes tours for kids 5 years and older, and even an “Aquarist Apprentice” opportunity for kids 13 years and older. Find out more: See my friend Debbra Dunning Brouillette’s feature and additional photos of the aquarium and visit the official site at www.ncaquariums.com/pine-knoll-shores

3. Kayak or SUP the Sound

Protected by Bogue Banks and other barrier islands, Bogue Sound offers up its sheltered waters as a haven for bird lovers and boaters alike. Whether you want a guided ECO tour by paddle board and/or kayak or a kayak fishing tour through the area–or if you prefer a self-guided SUP or kayak tour at your own pace, Hot Wax Surf Shop can help you plan and enjoy a great paddle with your family.

Rent on an hourly basis, by the half day, or with multi-day packages. Delivery is also available. Interested in SUP or surfing lessons? They’ve got you covered there, too, with group lessons for those 7 years through adult, private lessons for those who prefer (including kids younger than 7), and surfing camps for kids. Find out more: www.hotwaxsurf.com

Tip: Because oyster beds are found throughout Bogue Sound, water shoes or sport sandals are recommended for paddling activities. Come prepared!

4. Hit the Beach

With so many other fun activities, don’t forget to carve out several healthy doses of beach time for your visit. The 86-mile stretch of “Crystal Coast” has lovely, uncrowded sand beaches–and loads of sea-shelling hot spots–throughout.

And along Bogue Banks, at the heart of the Crystal Coast, the Atlantic beaches face south for marvelous sunrises at one end of the beach and sunsets at the other. If you find yourself in the Emerald Isle neighborhood, don’t miss your chance to stroll the landmark Bogue Inlet Pier shown above.

Where to Eat on on Emerald Isle with Kids? Amos Mosquito’s.

The one problem with Amos Mosquito’s? Way too many good sounding seafood dishes to choose from–especially with a southern twist. Bring your appetite–and a trustworthy friend to choose for you if needed.

Start with the warm-and-cheesy lobster dip, baked oysters, or seared local yellow fin tuna. Tough decision? It won’t be any easier to choose your entree to follow. But with kids in tow, you’re likely to land upon a dessert course decision with ease: s’mores roasted right at your table.

If seafood isn’t everyone’s thing, not to worry. There are other temptations on both adult and kid menus (you can view both online). Amos Mosquito’s opens for dinner at 5 p.m. seven nights a week. Find out more: www.amosmosquitos.com

Family-friendly vacation rental (great for multiple families) on Emerald Isle: Dune View

If you’re at all interested in renting a beach house or condo on the Crystal Coast, take a look at those offered by Bluewater Vacation Rentals. They manage roughly 900 vacation rentals from Beaufort and on through Emerald Isle and Atlantic Beach.

Planning a big multi-family get-together or reunion? Be sure to take a look at “Dune View” on Emerald Isle near Bogue Inlet Pier. This 8-bedroom, 10.5-bathroom beachfront home and found plenty of space for multiple families to sprawl, yet maintain some privacy. Better still, there’s also a swimming pool with poolside tiki bar and hot tub. And for good measure, find a game room with pool table and extra kitchen in the basement.

If I’ve done my math right, it sleeps up to 18 people in beds, plus an available crib. There is even an elevator to accommodate those who don’t do stairs, those who do use strollers, and those who just want to make good use of it for getting the luggage to the upper levels.

You can walk through Dune View with me in my video below. (Don’t forget to click “unmute” in the bottom right corner of the screen.) You can see rates on this and other vacation rentals on their site. Find out more: http://www.bluewaternc.com

Thanks to the Crystal Coast Tourism Authority for hosting my stay on Emerald Isle. For more help planning your own visit to the Crystal Coast with kids, visit www.crystalcoastnc.org. For more North Carolina family travel recommendations click here.

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And the best part about visiting Boston with kids is that you can do most of it on foot without overdoing it with the museum visits, which can easily turn into family death-marches after a couple of days.  It helps that Boston is so easy to navigate on foot, although some of the cobble-stoned and brick sidewalks in the historical section can be a challenge with a stroller.

Below are some suggestions to help you get the most of your family trip to Boston, with plenty of history and plenty of play time, a classic hotel that is sure to keep the kids on their best behavior(!), and a great spot to enjoy clam chowder in a historical setting.

Activity 1: Play in the Country’s Oldest City Park

Boston Common is the oldest city park in the United States.

Boston Common is the oldest public park in the United States. Through the years, it has served as a British Redcoats encampment, an anti-slavery meeting place, and a World War I Victory garden. Today, it’s a wonderful place to take a little break from the city and spend a lovely afternoon with the kids.

A perennial family favorite, the Frog Pond is a splash/spray pool in the summer and is transformed into a small ice-skating rink in the winter. With a nearby carousel and the excellent Tadpole Playground within arm’s reach, you could plan on spending hours here. And don’t miss the park’s most famous attraction, the Make Way for Ducklings statue. It’s based on the beloved children’s book by Walter McCloskey about a family of ducklings that makes its home in Boston’s Public Garden. Website: www.boston.gov/parks/boston-common

Activity 2: Set Sail on the USS Constitution

“Old Ironsides” herself can still be boarded in Boston Harbor.

Built during the birth of the United States and named by George Washington himself, the USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned ship in the U.S. Navy. Its colorful history includes fighting pirates off the Barbary Coast and defeating four British frigates during the War of 1812. Her nickname, Old Ironsides, attests to this ship’s unsinkable legend. A Navy crew mans the ship and also serves as interpretive guides during your visit, sharing tales of the ship’s fascinating history.

The USS Constitution Museum, also on site, has plenty of hands-on exhibits to keep little ones entertained and older ones and their parents informed. Website: www.navy.mil/local/constitution/visitors.asp

Note: Visiting hours are limited so check the website for a full schedule. Admission to the ship is free and there is a suggested donation for the museum. You will need to show ID and have your bags checked for entrance.

Pinnable for Your Trip Planning – Article Continues Below

Activity 3: Play Indoors at the Boston Children’s Museum

No trip to Boston with Kids is complete without a visit to the Boston Children’s Museum.

History is great but sometimes, especially in the cold depths of winter or during a summer heat wave, you need to get the kids indoors to expend some energy. The Boston Children’s Museum is the second oldest children’s museum in the country and is definitely one of the best.

Kids find plenty of ways to get the wiggles out, from the indoor “skating” area, which takes sock-skating to the next level, to a huge climbing structure. You’ll also want to spend time exploring the various theme rooms found throughout the museum’s three floors. The construction room is always a hit as is the Japanese house, a two-story hundred-year-old merchant’s house from Kyoto.

Try to visit first thing in the morning on a week day. It gets crowded on weekends and holidays. Website: www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org

Tip: If you have a membership to your local children’s museum that has reciprocal admission privileges (many do), you may be able to get in free of charge.

Activity 4: Stroll Through History on the Freedom Trail

Exploring the historic Freedom Trail on a trip to Boston with Kids.

The beautiful thing about the Freedom Trail is that you can get a really good feel for the times and events of that pivotal point in history without having to spend much time indoors. It’s perfect if you’re expecting a fair-weather visit to Boston with kids. This two-and-a-half-mile trail illustrates the history of the American Revolutionary War. Explored it all in one day or split it into several days if you prefer.

Begin your tour with a family reading of Longellow’s poem “Paul Revere’s Ride.” Then head to the Old North Church and Paul Revere’s House as they are both located in Boston’s North End. Old North Church is where Paul Revere famously signaled “one if by land, and two if by sea.” Across the street from the church you’ll see Paul Revere’s house. Built in 1680, is the oldest standing structure in Boston, and where he lived with his family when he took his famous midnight ride.

Also of particular interest to kids is America’s first public school, Boston Latin School. And the “who’s who” of Boston cemeteries, Granary Burial Ground, is where Benjamin Franklin’s parents, Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, and all the Boston Massacre victims are laid to rest. Website: www.thefreedomtrail.org

Tip: Download a map of the freedom trail to plan out your route. https://www.thefreedomtrail.org/freedom-trail/maps.shtml

1 Great Place to Stay: Loews Boston Hotel

Location, location, former police station? Loews Boston Hotel.

Loews Boston Hotel is a crisply-renovated hotel in a classic building. This former police department headquarters (tell the kids to be on their best behavior) is in a great location. It’s just a five-minute walk to Back Bay Station and five minutes from the Public Garden and Boston Common. They offer adjoining rooms, fabulous bathrooms, and free coffee in the lobby.

Also, check out the Loews Loves Kids program during your visit. You can request to borrow a stroller, car seat, and toys, and, for older kids, a lending library of video and board games and a guide of teen-friendly local activities and shopping. Website: https://www.loewshotels.com/boston-hotel

1 Great Place to Eat: “Chowda” and Chocolate Chips at Faneuil Hall Marketplace

Get your “chowda” on at Boston’s 18th Century Faneuil Hall.

You may find that you return to Faneuil Hall again and again during your visit to Boston with kids. Thanks to the wide range of choices in this massive food you won’t be stuck eating pizza at every meal. And it is in a historical site (OK, that one isn’t much of a reach—you are in Boston, after all). Faneuil Hall was the site of many of the nation’s famous speeches; perhaps most noteworthy are those by Frederick Douglass and Samuel Adams.

When in Boston, you’ll need to try Boston clam chowder and Boston Chowda Company serves one of the best. You can also get Maine lobsta—I mean lobster—rolls, New England pot pies, and sandwiches and wraps. And since you’re in the great food court that is Faneuil Hall, dessert is only steps away. Don’t miss the scrumptious chocolate chip cookies at the Chipyard. Website: www.bostonchowda.com and www.chipyard.com

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