The Best Nautical Museums on the East Coast
Growing up near the water, I have spent many a day both IN and ON the water in a boat. Over the years, my family has enjoyed learning about the sailing and the boating industries. There are many ways, and places, to explore all types of boats throughout the Northeast. Here are 11 spots we love and 4 more we’re hoping to visit in 2021:
10 Art Museums With Virtual Activities for Kids
You might be surprised to learn that my family, children included, like visiting art museums. Art museums have come a long way from just “silently standing and looking at paintings some old guy or girl made a million years ago.” Today, so many art museums are finding new ways to engage children and welcome families into their galleries. We wrote about the many benefits of taking children to art museums last year in this post featuring the Guggenheim in New York City. A huge bonus? Most of these museums, and other art museums, offer FREE admission for children, usually ages 16 and under.
20 Places We Love in Massachusetts
Massachusetts is my home state and I am proud to be a Bostonian and loyal Red Sox- Patriots- Celtics- Bruins fan (although, truth be told, I really only follow baseball). Growing up, my family explored many parts of Massachusetts, but over the past 30+ years many new places have opened. Whenever we visit my family, or my husband’s extended family who lives in the western part of the state, we find a new spot to enjoy. I hope to keep adding to this list over time, and expect to create a list for each New England state (eventually, maybe EVERY state!)
Enjoying a New England Fall With Kids Without Looking at Leaves
I love that I grew up in New England, and recent travels have confirmed I will always be a New Englander. One of my favorite things about living in New England is the change in seasons, and there is (arguably) nothing more beautiful than fall in New England. However, I would argue that it takes a more “mature” desire to spend significant time looking at foliage. I don’t know too many toddlers, children, or teenagers who enjoy going for long drives in the country just to look at leaves. If your children are anything like mine, they like to do things, especially when the weather is still warm enough to be outside for extended periods of time.
Here is a list of some of my family’s favorite things to do in the Northeast during the fall and links to full, detailed blog post. Yes, you’ll still see plenty of beautiful foliage while traveling to these spots, but your children will be happily engaged, entertained, and energized:
Highlights of 2017
My 2017 was filled with lots of fun travels. My family and I stayed mainly in New England, but we still managed to cover over 5,000 miles from northern Maine to New York City, and many places in between. For all of my new readers and followers, I thought I would highlight some of my favorite places and my most liked (and shared) posts from 2017:
Peabody Essex Museum Salem, Massachusetts
On a recent trip to Salem, Massachusetts (read my full review here) I was given a press pass to check out many of the local sites from Destination Salem. Check out salem.org for well researched resources for everything to see, eat, do, and where to stay in Salem. At the very top of my list of places to explore was the Peabody Essex Museum. My parents, who live in Massachusetts, visit at least once a year and always share how much they enjoy the Peabody. It is bright, airy, and has lots of open spaces.