Nine Holiday Activities for Kids in New York City
New York City is a magical place any time of year but the holiday season is an especially wonderful time to visit with children. There are the famous window displays and decorations on every street corner and building, and countless pop up shops and restaurants, but most children will tire of just “looking” pretty quickly. This week, we’re sharing (early because tickets for many events just went on sale and will sell out quickly!) nine holiday activities for kids in New York City and we promise adults will want to do them, too!
The Hew Hampshire State House in Concord, New Hampshire
The New Hampshire State House, located in the capital city of Concord, is the home base of New Hampshire’s 24 State Senators, each Senator representing 55,000 residents, and 400 House Representatives, one for every 3,500 residents. State House members have other full time jobs and several college student members are current House members (the minimum age to be a House Representative is 18 years old). The House Chamber, 204 years old (in 2023) is the oldest, continuously used House Chamber in the United States- the only additions over the years have been carpet, electricity, and female representatives. The original State House was built between 1816-1819, with additions in the 1860s and the addition of elevators and restrooms in 1910.
Donald M Kendall Sculpture Gardens at PepsiCo in Purchase, New York
The Donald M. Kendall Sculpture Gardens at the World Headquarters of PepsiCo are named for the former chairman of the board and chief executive officer of PepsiCo, Donald Kendall. The sculpture collection was started in 1965, five years before the World Headquarter building opened. Today, the 160+ acre Purchase, New York campus, located one hour north of New York City, is free to visit during the spring, summer, and fall seasons and is a great spot to explore with children.
James Monroe’s Highland in Charlottesville, Virginia
Highland, a 535 acre former plantation resting in the hills of Charlottesville, Virginia, was the home of America’s fifth president, James Monroe. While Monroe never lived at Highland full time, he spent significant time (sometimes for months at one time) from 1799-1826 with his wife and three children. The main house was built in 1799 and the guesthouse was added in 1818. Monroe hosted several guests, including John Quincy Adams and many political figures and dignitaries over the years. There were also dozens of enslaved men, women, and children who worked at Highland for over 150 years and historians are currently conducting ongoing research and restoration to uncover the true story behind the people who lived and worked at Highland.
10 Family Friendly Attractions in Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield, the third most populated city in Massachusetts, may be most well known as the “Birthplace of Basketball” but is also home to many historical sites and family friendly attractions.
The greater Springfield area is located in Western Massachusetts, about 90 miles west of both Boston and Providence, Rhode Island and 30 miles north of Hartford, Connecticut. The attractions in this post are spread throughout towns in Hampden and Hampshire Counties. Hampden County includes the city of Springfield and almost two dozen towns from Brimfield in the east and Tolland in the west, and includes Holyoke and Ludlow. Directly north of the Hampden County is Hampshire County, which includes towns another 20 towns, a couple of which are home to the Five College Consortium: Amherst College (in Amherst), Hampshire College (in Amherst) , UMASS Amherst (in Amherst), Smith College (in Northampton), Mount Holyoke College (in South Hadley).
10 Places to Explore at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello in Charlottesville, VA
In addition to being America’s 3rd President (from 1801-1809) Thomas Jefferson is also known for prestigious roles include Governor of Virginia, writer of the Declaration of Independence, the first Secretary of State, the second Vice President, and the founder of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia. Jefferson’s Monticello (pronounced “ch-ello” not “cell-o”) is Italian for “Little Mountain” and is celebrating it’s centennial anniversary of being open to the public since 1923. Over the past 100 years, the main house has been restored and the property has been expanded to include several museum exhibits, outdoor gardens and vineyards, a restaurant, expansive gift shop, and daily programs and events to engage the entire family.
The Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Virginia
The Omni Homestead in Hot Springs, Virginia has been on our must visit list for years and last week we were able to enjoy a few days at one of the most beautiful and relaxing resorts we have ever had the privilege of visiting. Located three and half hours southwest of Washington D.C. , the Omni Homestead is one of America’s first resorts, opening in 1766. Over the past 250+ years, The Homestead has welcomed 23 of the 46 U.S. Presidents, hundreds of dignitaries from around the world, and generations of families who visit each year to unplug, relax, and enjoy the beauty of the Hot Springs.
Exploring the New Hampshire Historical Society in Concord, NH
While visiting the New Hampshire state capitol of Concord recently, we enjoyed a tour of the New Hampshire Historical Society, which celebrates the rich history of the Granite State.
Celebrating its 200th birthday in 2023, the New Hampshire Historical Society was a gift of Edward Tuck, son of a wealthy businessman who founded the Dartmouth Business School, to the state of New Hampshire. Tuck gave most of his lifetime of fortune back to various charities in New Hampshire and ultimately wanted to build (what he called) a “temple” to the Granite State near the State House. Finished in 1911, the building takes up an entire city block and is diagonal to the State House in downtown Concord. Over the past century, several renovations have been made to the building to make it more energy efficient and accessible for all visitors.
The building was built in a Greek revival style, including the ceiling and walls of the rotunda, which are made of Siena marble from a quarry in Italy that was owned by the monks of the Old Convent and shipped to America. The floors and staircase are made of Hauteville marble from France. Make sure to stand in the middle of the atrium and look up at the Oculus and have children complete our “I Spy” game while touring the exhibits.
10 Ways to Explore the McAuliffe Shepard Discovery Center in Concord, N.H.
The McAuliffe Shepard Discovery Center in Concord, New Hampshire is a science museum and planetarium that honors the life’s work and legacy of the first American in space and Derry, New Hampshire native, Alan Shepard, and Concord High School social studies teacher and the first teacher in space, Christa McAuliffe. Opened as a stand alone planetarium and memorial to Christa McAuliffe in 1990, the center added Alan Shepard to its honorees, and then expanded to include a full science museum in 2009. The 45,000 square foot center one of the most popular attractions in the capital city of Concord, New Hampshire, just hour north of Boston. There are dozens of interactive STEM exhibits that will engage the whole family.
Playing “I Spy” At the Pierce Manse in Concord, NH
On a recent visit to New Hampshire’s state Capital of Concord, we wanted to learn more about the only US President to come from New Hampshire: Franklin Pierce and his estate, the Pierce Manse. America’s 14th president, serving one term from 1853 to 1857, Franklin Pierce was born in Hillsboro, New Hampshire and later served as a lawyer in Hillsboro. The seventh of nine children, Pierce’s father was a two time New Hampshire Governor in the 1820s. Pierce graduated from Maine’s Bowdoin College, where he met lifelong good friend, author Nathaniel Hawthorne.
10 Tips for Having Fun at SplashDown Beach in Fishkill, New York
Our first visit to SplashDown Beach was a couple of years ago when we were exploring Dutchess County (read our full City Guide here). Our whole family LOVED the waterpark! After a recent, super fun visit to the park’s nearby sister resort Rocking Horse Ranch, the resort invited us back to Splashdown Beach and told us to bring a few friends. Everyone enjoyed a picture perfect summer day!
SplashDown Beach, located in Fishkill in the heart of Hudson Valley in New York, first opened in the mid 1980s as a spot for locals with young children to cool off during hot summer months. The Turk family, founders and owners of the popular, all inclusive, nearby Rocking Horse Ranch, bought the park in the early 2000s and expanded the 13 acre property to include rides and attractions for all ages. Today, the waterpark has almost two dozen rides, multiple pools, plenty of dining options, and tons of space to spread out and soak up the sun.
15 Ways to Explore the Crane Estate on Castle Hill in Ipswich, Massachusetts
On a recent visit to the North Shore of Massachusetts, we explored one of the most beautiful Gilded Age estates, the Crane Estate, set high on a hill above one of the most beautiful beaches, Crane Beach, in Ipswich, Massachusetts. The estate has been carefully restored and preserved by the Trustees, who oversee more than 100 properties throughout Massachusetts.
The Crane Company, founded by Richard Teller Crane, in 1855 was well known for their brass fixtures and bells, most famously used to help build the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Later, his son, Mr. Richard T. Crane, who focused the company on manufacturing various bathroom fixtures, purchased Castle Hill and began renovating and expanding the property. The Cranes, who were based in Chicago, had summer homes in London, England and Jekyll Island, Georgia. The first home on the Ipswich property was built in 1912 but later torn down as it was properly outfitted to withstand the elements of the nearby ocean. The current estate, with 59 rooms, was built in a timeless English style similar to the Cranes’ London estate and finished in 1929. Over the years, the Cranes restored over 3,500 acres in Essex Bay, Choate Island, and Ipswich. The estate also includes the 700 acre Crane Wildlife Refuge, made up of Castle Neck (which borders Crane Beach), five islands, and salt marshes.
Playing “I Spy” at Canterbury Shaker Village in New Hampshire
On a recent trip to beautiful Concord, New Hampshire we stopped at nearby Canterbury Shaker Village for an afternoon of exploration and learning about the history and lifestyle of the Shakers.
The Shakers first formed in the early 1700s in England. Known as “Shaking Quakers” because of their erratic dancing during worship, the founders were previously members of other religious groups, including English Quakers and Methodists. A group of nine people, led by Mother Ann Lee, came to New York in 1774 to build “Heaven on Earth” and eventually made their way to Canterbury, New Hampshire, just north of Concord, in the early 1790s.
40 Ways to Have Fun this Summer at Rocking Horse Ranch Resort in NY
Rocking Horse Ranch, a top rated family resort in the heart of New York’s Hudson Valley, has been our must-visit list for years. A few years ago we explored many parts of the Hudson Valley and several locals told us we had to check out resort. This past week we finally had the opportunity to explore the 500+ acre resort, which is less than two hours from both New York City and Hartford (Connecticut) and three and a half hours from Boston, Massachusetts.
Playing “I Spy” at the New Britain Museum of American Art in Connecticut
One of the oldest museums dedicated to American art, the New Britain Museum of American Art began in 1853 as the New Britain Institute, a cultural resource for the vibrant city of New Britain. Located in the Historic section of New Britain on the edge of Walnut Hill Park, known at one time as the Hardware City of the World, New Britain was booming as a manufacturing industry in the 20th century.
Eight Ways to Have Fun at the Lupa Zoo in Springfield, MA
The 20 acre Lupa Zoo in Ludlow, Massachusetts (just 15 minutes from downtown Springfield, Massachusetts) is home to over 500 animals, including everything from bobcats, zebras, bears, and donkeys to camels, antelope, goats, ostriches and emus. Polish immigrants Henry and Joan Lupa owned a landscaping and construction business in the 1960s and 1970s and later grew such a large collection of farm animals that locals began visiting. The Lupas decided to open a zoo to the general public in 1996. Today, there are additions that include ponds with several species of birds, a critter garden, and an indoor habitat for sloths, lizards, snakes, and more! Kids of all ages will enjoy learning about, and seeing up close, over 100 species of animals.
Playing “I Spy” at the Vermont State Capitol
Vermont, the 14th state in the union, chose Montpelier as the state capital because of its central location and accessibility to the nearby Winooski River. The first State House, a traditional wooden meetinghouse, was open from 1808-1835, and then moved and expanded to a nearby, larger space from 1836-1856, until a fire destroyed most of the State House in January of 1857. The third, and current, State House was completed in 1859, built in an Italian Renaissance revival style, with all features made from masonry and cast iron; only the dome (57 feet high and covered in gold leaf) is made of wood. (Even the doors and staircase railing were painted to look like mahogany!)
The Vermont Senate Chamber, which has 30 members, is the oldest senate chamber in America that is still actively used and still has all of the original furniture and lighting from 1859 (except for two filing cabinets and a computer). The 150 member House Chamber is the largest room in the State House. Vermont legislators have no private offices at the State House; they conduct business at their chamber desks or in groups in large committee rooms on the first floor. And unlike most state Capitols, there is no rotunda inside the Vermont State House, the dome is an exterior ornament.
Hubbard Park, located behind the State House, is home to walking trails, a fitness trail, an interpretive trail, a 54 foot stone tower, and picnic shelters. The State House complex welcomes visitors all year and encourages exploration of its grounds.
20 Reasons Kids Will Love ECHO Leahy Center in Burlington, Vermont
The ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, a 34,000 square foot science and nature museum located right on the waterfront of Lake Champlain, has over 100 interactive exhibits, experiments and activities and is home to over 70 species of fish, turtles, frogs, and snakes. There are tons of hands-on activities for all ages, a special toddler space, a weather forecast television studio, a resource library room, rotating exhibits and tons of aquarium tanks. On a recent trip to Burlington, Vermont we enjoyed exploring ECHO think it is a must visit spot in Burlington.
Summer 2023 Connecticut Bucket List
Every summer, our family makes individual bucket lists of things we want to do and places we want to explore. We usually have a good mix of perennial favorites and new-to-us spots. This week, we thought we’d share some suggestions of things to do in Connecticut this summer (most of which can easily be modified for your neck of the woods). We’re sharing this list now because 1. We always like to be ahead of the game and 2. Some of these activities require reservations that will fill up quickly.
10 Kid Friendly, Springtime Activities in Burlington, Vermont
One of the most popular parts of the “Green Mountain state”, Burlington is located in the north western part of Vermont, on the shore of Lake Champlain, the largest freshwater lake in the United States (after the five Great Lakes). Burlington is home to Champlain College and the University of Vermont (with St Michael’s College and CCV Winooski nearby) and has over 500 acres of open, recreational space and almost three dozen parks. There are tons of biking and walking paths (see #10 on this list) and three sandy beaches (Oakledge Park, North Beach, and Leddy Beach) open to the public. The Sand Bar State Park and Mount Philo State Park are great options for swimming, boating, picnicking, and hiking. There are tons of family friendly attractions for each season (tons of winter recreation options and plenty of ways to explore in the summer sunshine), but this week on the blog, we’re highlighting 10 spots families can enjoy all year.
Welcome to Coast2CoastwithKids! My family and I love road-tripping across America and finding new educational places to explore. Follow along on our adventures here and check our travel tips and recommendations. Click here for more information about my family.
Let’s Keep in Touch
Sign up with your email address to receive news and blog updates. I promise not to share your personal information without your permission.
