10 Unexpected Places to Find Amazing Holiday Celebrations

Although 44% of Americans say they’d rather visit a dentist than an airport over Christmas, most families enjoy holiday travel, especially a drive to see over-the-top décor. 

Amazing Thompson House illuminated in Glen Allen, VA, c. TackyLightTour.com

This tradition is facilitated by TackyLightTour.com, a directory founded by Matt Burgess to help travelers find places with a minimum 10,000 lights within a 10, 25 or 50-mile drive. Imagine sights like the remarkable Thompson house in Glen Allen, Virginia, which glows beyond its lot lines. To enjoy 10 other unusual celebrations, plus dozens more starry lights displays, take a car, bus, train, boat or plane -- and an extra memory card – and we guarantee fun.

A Dollhouse at Winterthur, Delaware

 

Prep Kitchen in Dollhouse, photo courtesy Jim Schneck/Wintherthur.org

Explore an extraordinary dollhouse at the 175-room estate of Henry Francis du Pont in Delaware’s Brandywine Valley, now the Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library. Yuletide at Winterthur (Nov. 19-Jan. 8) includes "Currier & Ives Christmas,” jazz concerts, wine tastings and festive tours. The American decorative arts collection will premiere a six-foot, 17-room home with working lighting and needlepoint rugs handmade by former owner Nancy B. McDaniel. Marvel at more than 1,000 objects including miniature wreaths, trees and new toys for the toddler playing in the nursery. Strolling carolers, daily sing-alongs, and special performances take place in the Longwood Gardens Conservatory nearby.

A Boat Parade in Tempe, Arizona

 

Holiday Boat on Town Lake in Tempe, Arizona. Photo: courtesy Downtown Tempe Authority

The land-locked university town of Tempe, Arizona hosts an unexpected event Dec. 10, the Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade. Food trucks stand by as locals set up lawn chairs around Tempe Town Lake. The Santa boat is one of 50 illuminated, ornamented canoes, speedboats and sailboats parading at 7 p.m., accompanied by carolers and fireworks. Drive around to catch the glittery, spray-painted 25-foot-tall tumbleweed tree in Chandler (tree lighting Dec. 3); miniature 1880s Freestone Railroad in Gilbert; 8,000 hand-lit luminarias at Desert Botanical Garden; and the fun for kids ZooLights at Phoenix Zoo (Nov. 23-Jan.8).

Chocolate and Cactus Holidays in Nevada

 

Holiday Chocolate Tins from Ethel M. Chocolates, Henderson, Nevada

What happens at Ethel M. Chocolates' Botanical Cactus Garden in Henderson, Nevada doesn’t stay there – glittering lights and chocolate are a free treat Nov. 15-Jan. 1. Visit the redone chocolate factory, founded in 1981 by Forrest Mars after retiring from the famous candy company. A viewing aisle overlooks the production of preservative-free, gourmet chocolates; stop for a sample; then walk out to the three-acre Ethel M. garden, where 300 species of drought-resistant cacti and ornamentals are adorned with lights. The Nov. 15 lighting ceremony features several performers, and local choirs and Santa entertain each weekend.

Lights On and Around the Bay, Annapolis, Maryland

 

Jolly Express Reindeer Ferry in Annapolis Harbor; photo courtesy Sabrina Raymond

The colonial heart of Annapolis, Maryland exudes holiday cheer on water as well as land. From Nov. 22-Jan. 1, families love to drive by 60 animated and stationary “Lights on the Bay” displays, whose designs reflect on the gentle waves of Chesapeake Bay. Dec. 10 is the 34^th annual Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade, when thousands gather at the City Dock and U.S. Naval Academy sea wall to watch intricately lit and decorated boats pass by. Downtown stores encourage the giving spirit till midnight Dec. 1, 8 and 15; offering live music and refreshments to passersby.

Parade the Tractors in Napa Valley, California

 

The Berryessa Best in Show Tractor at the Calistoga Tractor Parade, photo: Olof Carmel Gallery

Celebrate over fine food and Cabernet in Napa Valley before the Annual Lighted Tractor Parade, honoring Calistoga’s agricultural heritage Dec. 3. Dress warmly to watch decorated vintage and modern tractors, antique trucks and choral groups riding construction equipment. Nov. 26, Napa’s 50th Holiday Parade of ornamented residents and pets kicks off the free, hop-on hop-off Holiday Trolley service running weekends. The Festival of Lights occurs Nov. 25, and downtown Yountville remains Napa’s pilgrimage site for celebrity chef followers throughout the season.

Cruise New Mexico’s Pecos River to See Holiday Lights

 

The Pecos River "Christmas on the Pecos" festival; photo courtesy New Mexico Tourism

Residents of Carlsbad’s Pecos River waterfront celebrate the holidays by decorating backyards and boat docks seen only from the river. During the 25th Christmas on the Pecos (Nov. 25-Dec. 31), nightly ferries will do 40-minute guided tours of New Mexico’s biggest celebration. Carlsbad also boasts the Calico Xmas Market, an arts n’ crafts fair for shoppers; and the festive Main Street's Electric Light Parade, both held Thanksgiving weekend. The charming children’s book, “Rocko, the Christmas Bat” is a fun souvenir of your Carlsbad Caverns visit.

Layover in the Christmas Capital of Texas

A Vintage North Pole Express in Texas; photo courtesy Grapevine, TX C&VB

Grapevine hotels love holidays: the enormous Gaylord Texan has ice slides and a skating rink, and Great Wolf Lodge has an indoor waterpark and falling snow. Yet this Texas town is so close to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport that you can feel the spirit during a brief layover. More than 1 million visitors attend 1,400 events between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, including a scuba diving Santa at the local aquarium, light show on historic Main Street, talking reindeer at the visitor’s center, and the vintage railroad’s North Pole Express to Santa’s Workshop.

Lakeside Holidays in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Dragon Slayer Lights Display, courtesy: Coeur D'Alene Resort, Idaho

Join the Nov. 25 Lighting Ceremony Parade as it marches to the Coeur d’Alene Resort, whose floating boardwalk overlooks this lake, mountains, and the evergreen forests of Idaho. Visitors carry candles, sing carols and watch fireworks until the resort’s 1.5 million strong Holiday Light Show is illuminated. Be sure to get tickets for daily cruises past a soaring, animated floating Christmas tree and a fire-breathing dragon. On the way to Santa’s North Pole Toy Workshop, Santa recites the names of each “nice” child on board.

European Traditions in Manchester, England

The main Chistmas Market in Albert Square; photo courtesy Mark Waugh/VisitManchester.com

You may picture wreaths on Big Ben, but England’s real holiday cheerio is Manchester. The 350 vendors of Manchester Christmas Market are at 10 central sites, Nov. 10-Dec. 20. Albert Square Market is unmistakable, with pan-European food and drink stalls and a huge illuminated Santa in front of historic Town Hall. St. Ann’s Square features grilled bratwurst, hand-carved wooden ornaments and gingerbread – much of it brought in by German purveyors. There’s a French Noel and a World Christmas Market, too. Known as birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, Manchester’s edgy Ancoats neighborhood, IMAX Virtual Reality Centre, burgeoning foodie scene and nearby Lakes and Peaks Districts will keep holidaymakers busy.

26 Days of Christmas in Iceland

RVK Jolastemning Church, Rekjavik; photo courtesy: Ragnar Th Siggurdson, VisitIceland.com

Icelanders begin Christmas 13 nights prior to 6 p.m. Dec. 24, and celebrate 13 days afterwards. Advent wreaths with candles and triangular lights burn against the long nights. Shoes sit in every window, so 13 Yule Lads can leave nice children a gift and naughty ones, a potato. Reykjavik’s holiday ice rink and small Christmas Market light up Ingolfstorg Square. The Christmas Village in downtown Hafnarfjordur, open weekends through Dec. 23, offers live entertainment, handcrafted items and homemade Icelandic delicacies. See more of this tiny island nation by whale watching, skiing Akureyri, and looking beyond holiday decor for the spectacular Northern Lights.

Can you share your favorite places for holiday lights?

Meet the Finalists: World Responsible Tourism Awards 2016

As many of us recover from a busy Halloween, the travel industry is gathering at the annual World Travel Market in London, a meeting and sales venue that influences where tour operators and media will send clients in the year ahead.

Since there's a global gathering of travel industry represented at WTM, it's also the time when a lot of other organizations present studies, innovations, and awards to garner the attention of the assembled.

Today, Responsible Travel has announced the 13 finalists in the 2016 World Responsible Tourism Awards, sponsored by Belize, with a strong focus on innovation.

We know you'll be interested in learning a bit about all the of them, and how they rose to these achievements. 

This video from their 2013 ceremony gives you a good sense of what these companies have accomplished in their work.

Innovation has Fueled Responsibility

Included among a particularly innovative list this year, according to their press release, is one of India’s largest hotel chains making the employment of people with disabilities and socially excluded groups a core part of its business model; an tour operator democratizing tourism by pioneering the ‘Buy one, Give one’ concept in travel; one of the world’s most iconic hotels with a successful program to rescue, rehabilitate and re-release adult sea turtles; and a tourism business offering migrant-led city tours to foster greater understanding between locals, tourists and migrant groups.

The 13 finalists will await the awards ceremony Tuesday, November 8th -- the tenth anniversary of World Responsible Tourism Day -- to discover who will be crowned the 2016 overall winner.

Justin Francis, founder of the World Responsible Tourism Awards and CEO of Responsible Travel, praised the progress made in the industry towards responsible travel. “In the early years of the Awards we saw the same people coming back year on year - now every judging day we have things we don’t know about, in sectors of the tourism industry we haven’t seen before, in places we haven’t seen before.

“This year we have seen levels of innovation that have surpassed our expectations, led by some truly entrepreneurial businesses. These are organisations which are using tourism as a counter to contemporary social problems, or translating ideas from other social businesses into the travel sector - they are pushing the boundaries of what responsible business can achieve”.

The full list of World Responsible Tourism Award 2016 finalists:

• !Xaus Lodge, South Africa
• Burj Al Arab Aquarium, United Arab Emirates
• Bushman’s Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Wellness Resort, South Africa
• East African Safari & Touring Company, Tanzania
• Elevate Destinations, USA
• Friends International – Childsafe Movement, Cambodia
• Lemon Tree Hotels, India
• Misool Eco Resort, Indonesia
• Sam Veasna Centre, Cambodia
• Sapa O’Chau, Vietnam
• Tren Ecuador, Ecuador
• Viaggi Solidali, Italy
• World Cetacean Alliance

We hope you'll check out their efforts, their goals and their accomplishments, and consider traveling with them for your next family adventure.

Will Colorado Prevail with Academy Members and Get an Oscar?

As you plan what outfit you'll wear to watch this year's Academy Awards ceremony, it's fun to think about traveling to the locations where the Oscar-nominated films were shot. Not everyone is interested in touring the freezing woods outside Calgary, Alberta, where The Revenant was filmed; or the bristling sand desert of Namibia where Mad Max: Fury Road was shot.

Samuel L. Jackson in "The Hateful Eight" shot outside Telluride

Enter The Hateful Eight, which was filmed in beautiful Colorado. The film directed by Quentin Tarantino is up for three awards in 2016:  Best Cinematography, Best Actress in a Supporting Role and Best Original Score. If you haven't seen it, this colorful post-Civil War Western follows a bounty hunter's adventures with seven very special guests at an inn near the stunning southwestern town of Telluride.

Thanks to the Colorado Tourism office, we can share a list of other scenic locations used by award-winning films over the years.

Hateful Eight (Telluride). Although the movie was filmed in the wilderness area, the fourteeners surrounding the town and the San Miguel River are seen throughout the film. The cast and crew were also seen around town frequenting popular restaurants and bars, and even joined the locals in Telluride Elks Park for a ski burn as a ritual to bring snow.

Badlands (Southeast). You thought it was South Dakota, right? Wrong. This 1973 Terrence Malick film was filmed in several locations throughout Colorado including Rocky Ford, La Junta, Las Animas, Delhi and Otero County. In the movie, the rich man’s home was actually filmed in two Colorado locations: exteriors were shot at Bloom Mansion in Trinidad, a historic home built in 1882; interiors in Rosemont Museum in Pueblo, an 1893 mansion that was later converted to a museum with nearly all of the original decor and furnishings.

Visitors still ride the Durango & Silverton Railroad that Butch and Sundance once robbed.

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (Southwest). In 1969, William Goldman wrote the famous western based on Butch and Sundance, a film that shot throughout the American West. Of several scenes filmed in southwest Colorado, the train robbery scenes were filmed on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. The bar scene was filmed at the New Sheridan Bar in Telluride and, when Butch and Sundance jump in the river off of Baker Bridge, they are jumping into the Animas River in Durango.  

Catch and Release (Boulder). In 2006, actress Jennifer Garner walked along Pearl Street Mall, the most iconic pedestrian-only shopping and commercial street in Boulder, while her character Gray Wheeler learns of her late fiancé’s wrongdoings. The movie was also shot at several other locations throughout Boulder.

Dumb and Dumber (Breckenridge, Estes Park). While Dumb and Dumber is set in Aspen, Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels (Lloyd and Harry) actually headed to the town of Breckenridge and to the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park to film the 1994 comedy.

Furious 7 (Colorado Springs). Remember that wild scene in Furious 7 (2015) that has the cast falling out of a plane in cars onto a mountain? That scene was filmed on Pikes Peak (or “America’s Mountain”) in Colorado Springs and along Monarch Pass.

How the West Was Won (Southwest). The circa 1962 western expansion film had an all-star cast including John Wayne, Gregory Peck, Carroll Baker and more. Several locations in Colorado were used: Silverton, Durango, Montrose and most notably, Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site in La Junta, built in 1833 as a trading post. Although the fort was burned down in 1849, it was reconstructed in 1976 and can be visited today.

Lone Ranger (Creede, Alamosa). In 2013, Johnny Depp, Armie Hammer and the rest of the Lone Ranger crew spent almost a month filming the remake of the western film in Creede and Alamosa. While filming in his role as Tonto, Depp signed autographs at the Town Hall and was seen shopping around town, particularly at the local store Rare Things.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith (Glenwood Springs). Mr. and Mrs. Smith (Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie) are a husband and wife who find out they are both assassins for opposing sides. Remember the climbing chase scene? It was filmed in Colorado’s Glenwood Canyon, a 12.5-mile-long canyon along Interstate-70 with beautiful scenery including the roaring Colorado River, 1,300-foot canyon walls and a hike to Hanging Lake, a stunning waterfall and crystal clear blue lake just one mile up from the road.

Set in Illinois, "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" was shot partly in Breckenridge.

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (Breckenridge). Nobody can forget the scene in the 1989 comedy when Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) takes the family to get the Griswold family Christmas tree near their Illinois home. The family was actually getting their tree in the Colorado mountain town of Breckenridge.

Silver City (Front Range). In 2004, the historic mountain town of Leadville hosted Daryl Hannah, Chris Cooper and Danny Huston on Main Street while they filmed this political satire/murder mystery. The film was set in Colorado and the crew also visited Argo Gold Mine in Idaho Springs, Cherokee Castle and Ranch in Sedalia and several locations throughout Denver.

True Grit (Southwest). In 1969, this western brought John Wayne, Kim Darby and Glen Campbell to the stunning San Juan Mountains in southwest Colorado to film several scenes in the movie. The courtroom scenes were filmed at the Ouray County Courthouse in Ouray while other scenes in the movie were shot in Montrose, Gunnison and Ridgeway. In Ridgeway, visitors can now eat at the True Grit Café, which was built in honor of the movie.

Can you think of other movies shot in the state?   Let us know!

Big Skies Over Montana Bigger (and Cheaper!) for #Falltrips

Don't expect the warm days of summer darkened by chilly nights, or the freezing days of winter followed by frigid winds -- the months between August and December are some of the best times to plan active fall getaways with your family in Montana.

Bison at Yellowstone National Park, photo courtesy of Mountain Sky Guest Ranch, Montana

The popular tourist areas around Yellowstone National Park are promoting their destination with fall discounts and special packages, especially since wildlife and fall color viewing are spectacular.

Our colleagues at the Family Travel Association are planning their first ever FTA Family Travel Summit at Mountain Sky Guest Ranch in Emigrant, near to the park's east side. In autumn, this very family-welcoming luxury dude ranch goes 'adults-only' with special rates and activities. Couples, friends -- even adult family members -- will  find the finest in horseback riding, hiking, fly fishing, sophisticated cuisine, and outdoor adventures. Come the summer time, when their fully supervised kids program is up and running, saddle up the younger family members for really memorable week-long vacations.

Deal: Mountain Sky is offering a fall special through Oct. 15 from $370 per person, 3N minimum stay.

The famous resort area of Big Sky is located less than an hour from Yellowstone's west entrance and, until the snows get thick, the wildlife and bird watching is at its best. Travelers may hear the bugle of a male elk in fall or see a variety of wildlife. Moose, foxes, bighorn sheep, coyotes and even black bears frequent the Big Sky area.

Deal: Yellowstone Tour Guides is offering a fall tour special through Oct. 31 for $150 per person.

"Fall is one of the most beautiful times to visit Big Sky, whether it’s enjoying the beautiful scenery on the back of a horse or zip-lining through the trees; learning to fly fish in Big Sky’s blue ribbon waters or enjoying fresh local cuisine with good conversation – there are many reasonably priced options for a memorable getaway here," said Visit Big Sky Executive Director, Kitty Clemens.


Several guest ranches and lodging facilities are offering fall getaway specials with reduced rates or added perks including the famous, very luxe, foodie enclave at Lone Mountain Ranch.

Deal: At Lone Mountain, guests receive a complimentary horseback ride with each night booked through Oct. 10. Lone Mountain Ranch  offers a complimentary night of lodging for groups of six or more women who take their “Lady Anglers” class.

The picturesque Rainbow Ranch Lodge is offering a taste of adventure with their “Zip and Raft” package which includes a half-day zipline excursion for two and guided rafting trip. Other available packages are: “Catch a Rainbow” and “Saddle Up” packages, which includes a two night stay and activities.

Deal: Special packages are available until the end of September.

Geyser Whitewater Expeditions offers combination adventure packages in fall, such as a fishing lesson and a half day horseback ride, along with individual excursions like the Ousel Falls Bicycle Adventure, where groups can take in the fall colors via mountain bike to see the spectacular Ousel Falls.

Deal: Prices start at $95 per person. Guests of Geyser Whitewater receive a reduced pricing rate of $99 per room at Buck’s T-4 Lodge.

The 320 Guest Ranch is giving guests a third night of lodging at no charge with a Sunday or Monday arrival.

Deal: The Ranch’s “Gourmet Getaway” is also available where guests can save $50, through Sept. 30, for a one night stay, dinner for two at 320 Ranch Steakhouse, and receive a bottle of house wine. Prices start at $275 per couple for a deluxe log cabin with two queen beds.

Big Sky Resort’s Huntley Lodge is offering a “Big Sky Adventure” package that includes lodging plus scenic lift ride to Big Sky Resort’s ski area and one adventure activity. Available activities: Lone Peak Expedition, ziplining, paintball, mountain biking, skeet shooting, and more.

Deal: 10 percent discount for one a night stay; 20 percent off of two nights; and 30 percent off of three nights.

From two to six bedrooms, Big Sky Luxury Rentals offers everything from small, rustic cabins to luxury suites and lodges that can accommodate as many as 15 people with a variety of budgets.

Deal: “Fall Fly Fishing” special: fourth night is complimentary, when three nights are booked.


We thank our Montana friends and colleagues at Visit Big Sky tourism for this roundup of current deals. Contact them directly for a complete list of activities, lodging facilities, and other seasonal discounts.

International Travel: What The Indian Traveler Is Interested In

As we prepare for the 3rd annual TMS Family Travel Summit in Riviera Nayarit, Mexico, we've begun exploring the theme of "Opportunities in International Family Travel & Reaching New Markets." We are asking, how and where do American families travel internationally?  How and where do families in other parts of the world travel internationally?

Silicon India reports a big increase in international travel by Indians and Indian families.

This 2014 survey done by eRevMax, a leading hotel online distributions and channel management solutions provider, caught our eye because it offers insights on the newest group of Indian travelers, many of whom have famillies.

Their infographic below, based on several market studies, shows that despite a relatively slower economic growth and some foreign exchange volatility, over 15 million Indian travelers were planning a foreign trip in 2014.

Interestingly, Dubai and Singapore were still number 1 and 2 respectively as the most popular destinations for Indians. However, SiliconIndia reports that for summer, the top destinations included Morocco, Bhutan, Greenland, Thailand and UAE.

Indian Travelers Book Travel via Mobile

With over 50% of all phones sold in India being smart phones, it’s no wonder that 33% of all travel related queries come from mobile. Indian business travelers have quickly adapted to mobile bookings, and 39% of them are making travel arrangements including reservations through a mobile device.

15 Million Outbund Indian Travelers ` Many Spending $1700 or More per Trip

The increase in disposable income along with a stable economy, easy access to credit, and exposure to media have influenced Middle Class India’s mindset and choices. Indians are now more aspirational and confident -- exploring new destinations and spending more on vacations.

The infographic notes that 38% of Indians plan to utilize spare cash on holidays and vacations. These outbound travelers are high spenders with average spending per trip crossing $1,700.

Indian Travelers Use Online Search & Social Recommendations as Inspiration

The report shows 51% of searches done online are related to travel. Indians clearly begin their travel planning through a search engine with 70% of destination selection being done through online search. Hotels top the list, with 54% of all travel related searches for accommodation.

India has the third largest number of Facebook users in the world. Social media has become the norm with 40% travelers consulting friends through social media on travel.

Here are some more of their fascinating findings.

Source: eRevMax

More Research to Come on International Travel by Families

We'll be sharing more information on the habits of international family travelers in the coming weeks, with followup after the April 20-23, 2015 conference.

With Autumn Leaves, Come #FallTrips and Harvest Festivals

Now that our kids are safely ensconced in their school seats, it's time to plan fun weekends that will keep the joys of summer alive... at least till midterms. That's why we think September is the best time to go apple picking, enjoy the fresh air, scuff some knees on tree limbs, and bring home a few bushels. It's one of the easiest staycation #falltrips we know, and a favorite from our annual Fabulous Fall Getaways roundup.

Leaf peeping is the favorite among all #falltrips

You can hop on a hayride to search for just the right pumpkin in mid-October. It's easy to find a u-pick farm with our directory of orchards and pumpkin patches near you and make it an overnight adventure.

We love the tradition of free fall festivals around the country and, because they boost local tourism, they are growing in number and scope.  For example, everyone of any age can enjoy Oktoberfest, that German ritual that dates to the 1810 wedding of Bavarian King Ludwig whose five-day party was such a hit that it was repeated for years afterward. In Germany, a whole month showcases local beers with Oktoberfest family events and community dinners where kids are always welcome.

Some Favorite Family Friendly Festivals

Start celebrating the golden aspen trees of the Rockies at the Breckenridge, Colorado Oktoberfest in mid-September, where Paulaner and local Breckenridge Brewery ales are served late into the nights. (Local families like to drop in Friday and Sunday afternoon.)

The Rockies are perfect for autumn hiking among golden aspen trees.

 Several towns with German heritage celebrate in the US, tops among them being Oktoberfest Zinzinnati (September 19-21) which draws 500,000 Samuel Adams fans to Cincinnati for the Running of the Weiners dachshund races.

For two weekends (September 20-21, October 4-5), the foothills of the Berkshires in Massachusetts and Litchfield County, Connecticut offer 50+ free, guided Housatonic Heritage tours that cover historic gardens and estates, canoeing on the Housatonic River, bike trails, behind the scenes at local farms and more.

From short to long and rough to posh, there's a festival for for everyone. Go to the Cranberry Festival September 26-28 on the island of Nantucket off the coast of Massachusetts.

The 33rd annual New Ulm Oktoberfest Minnesota, which takes place in several venues over the first two weekends in October, features both local brews and wines.

In early October, festival-happy Breckenridge has a day devoted to the pre-Halloween Family Fun Fest (think caramel apples and pumpkin carving) in the Riverwalk Center. Put the kids to bed and join the very popular Craft Spirits Festival (October 24-26) held in many of the town's historic pubs; more Breck Festival info here.

Tybee Island, a quirky beach town off the coast of Savannah, Georgia that's considered one of the best beaches for kids on the east coast, goes full Pirate October 9-12 with a costumed Pirate Victory Parade, Little Matey's Cove, Thieves Market, and kids' activities such as a petting zoo and Ferris wheel; under 12s welcome free.

Tybee Island's Pirate Festival has a really fun parade.

That same weekend, Oceanside, California marks the annual Harbor Days with arts'n'craft exhibits, live music, a sand castle competition, beauty pageant, Tiki Swim and more.

The 15th annual North American Wife Carrying Championship (October 11) pits couples against each other on a 278-yard obstacle filled track at Sunday River, Maine's Fall Festival.

The tranquil Mission San Luis Rey is the center of action on Dia de los Muertos celebrated October 26, 2014 in the Mexican tradition.

Lots of Germans in Texas will join residents at the 33rd annual Galveston Island Oktoberfest, which is three packed days of family events, rodeo and 4H activities, beer sampling, ooompah bands and high steppin'.

And before you know it, it will be time to shop for turkeys for Thanksgiving!

The Funnest #Falltrips - London in Autumn

Still feeling the glow (and the crazy rise in prices) two years after its successful Olympics, London has remained Americans' favorite place to travel internationally. 

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have restored and reopened Kensington Palace, open daily to visitors. Explore the gardens, snack in the chic cafe and enjoy the live show put on by the multimedia theatrical group, Coney, within the King's and Queen's State Apartments, where you'll also learn more about Prince George's namesakes.  

Families with toddlers will enjoy Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, whose solar-powered Timber Lodge cafe and adjacent playgrounds are a great place to let off steam.

The third weekend in September, Open House London is the quintessential "insider's" adult event, a weekend where more than 700 municipal and private buildings open their doors to the public. Tour power stations, the original Benjamin Franklin house and more, by road, foot and by boat with expert guides -- and it's all free. 

Red House, Bexley c. NTPL

We love the London Restaurant Festival from 8-27 October, because prices are kept in check with sampling menus. If you don't know what you want to eat, you can get on the Routemaster's Bus Tour for a Gourmet Odyssey. 

Theater-goers will find a frenzy of musical revivals ("Miss Saigon," "Book of Mormon," "Evita"), many of which have played on Broadway but which can be seen in London for a fraction of the price. If you're traveling with young kids, check out this great guide to live shows for preschoolers -- no wonder the Brits turn out so many Shakespearean actors. 

November 5th is Guy Fawkes' Night, and bonfires and fireworks light up the skies to commemorate Guy Fawkes' foiled attempt 400 years ago to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Keep the kids awake and you can teach them a bit of history during the many free festivities; Visit London keeps track of many other seasonal festivals.

Harry Potter fans of any age will get a big bang out of the new Warner Bros. Studio Tour, The Making of Harry Potter in Leavenden, about a half hour outside of London. Visitors get to see what the camera doesn't show by going behind the scenes and viewing the sets, costumes, props and visual effects.  

The Harry Potter Shop is at Platform 9 3/4 in Kings Cross Station, London N1 9AP

A real crowd pleaser, it's gained even more popularity since a very pregnant Kate, with Will and brother Harry, were caught play-fighting with wands from Ollivander's.  The Athenaeum Hotel, one of our favorites with 18 posh townhouse apartments adjacent to the main hotel, guarantee tickets to the tour when you book their Spellbinding London package which also includes breakfast, WiFi, a stocked minibar and access to the hotel's spa, gym and hot tubs (£370 for two). The Family Apartments sleeping four start from £625 (approximately US$947) per night. Double rooms are about half that price and kids 12 and under dine free at their restaurant.

For the best sightseeing values, take advantage of the current sale on the London Pass sightseeing card. Use the Oyster Card to get around buses and trains, and don't miss a visit to Kings Cross Station. This London tube stop was featured in the "Harry Potter" series as Platform 9-3/4, the portal to the Wizarding World. And if you can't get enough of Potter, take in the world-class collection at Regent's Park Zoo. Their Reptile House was the location where Harry learned he could speak to snakes, something that the whole family is welcomed to try. 

Great Family News Previewed at #TMSOrlando Family Travel Summit

It's not even over but I had to share an incredible evening in Orlando, Florida at the TMS Family Travel Summit held May 3-5, 2013 at the Hilton Orlando Resort.  For the impatient ones, let's cut right to the video:



How did we get there?   After two days of intense work, listening to:

• revealing insights from Amy Foster at Disney's Consumer Insights Team on why families travel and how it has lasting benefits in lives of children and overall family bonds
• Neal McCord from Give Kids the World, a village style  hotel for visiting children with life-threatening illnesses, who talked about families' need to give back, even on vacation or... especially on vacation
• Jeffrey Eslinger -- the original Big Data guy -- from D.K. Shifflet Associates, who analyzed and brought to life millions of data points to teach us that the Millennial Generation (born after 1981) are the most well traveled generation in the world today... and we have to please them!
• Peter Yesawich, who shared breaking news of consumer optimism from the 2013 Portrait of American Travelers -- news we were delighted to hear.

We talked resorts, transportation, road trips, airlines, cruises, tour operators, adventure trips, destinations, RVing, mountain vacations, ski industry, PR, dining, spa, luxury, budget and of course theme parks....

Friday night, we had a fascinating meal set up by Lisa Cole from Hilton Worldwide inside the banquet kitchen at the beautiful, 1400-room Hilton Orlando, where we dined on a wide variety of thoughtful, creative, healthful and delicious appetizers and watched as deconstructed mushroom tarts and pork sliders ran down a conveyor belt and were "plated" (garnish and sauces added) by a line of skillful, smiling chefs.

After all that hard work and all the food, we still had time for intense partying.
And Orlando Florida has an amazing variety of family attractions.

The Saturday Summit sessions were taken to a new level at Wave, the farm-to-table restaurant at Walt Disney World's Contemporary Resort -- who knew they raised anything but citrus in Florida?  In addition to dining on the freshest grouper, pork tenderloin and grass-fed beef sliders, the Disney culinary and nutrition team shared their experiences and insights on finding ways to serve guests healthier food, without them knowing it! About 6 in 10 children dining in Walt Disney Parks now choose a side of veggies with their kids meals instead of French Fries (though they're suprisingly non-fattening too).

The Disney team led by Rick Sylvain, Print/Online Publicity Director at The Walt Disney Company, then took us on a whirlwind tour of Art of Animation, their brilliant new Family Suites property that is solving the problem for big families who want to sleep up to 6 together... one of the main issues that came up at the Summit.

After a brief break back at the hotel where co-host Eileen Ogintz of TakingtheKids.com and I manned the Think Lounge -- the beautiful Presidential Suite at the Hilton Orlando sponsored by SeaWorld and Visit Orlando -- we headed out to the Universal Orlando Resort.

Quietly, quickly, we were ushered in through the back door to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the park's hugely successful new playground for all things wizarding.  Our group of 35 was totally wowed by our first butterbeers (well, not mine!) and a ride on our own, through the multi-sensory, multi-technology enabled Hogwarts Castle. Wow! At Ollivander's wand shop attendee Jamie Espinosa from Trafalgar Tours received her very own wand!

How could anything top that?

From there we were whisked over to the beautiful Loew's Portofino Hotel where our host Jennifer Hodges of Loew's Hotels and Resorts showed us around, and shared news of the resort's first moderate priced resort, the Cabana Bay Beach Hotel.  

Russ Dagon, a VP of Universal Creative revealed the fabulous new family suites themed to Universal's Despicable Me! movie coming to the hotel -- 18 of them will be online soon for your kids to make mayhem!

I sat with Alice Norsworthy, Universal's Exec VP, Marketing & Sales for a wonderful meal at the Portofino's waterfront restaurant. Yes, they really have some cute tenors belting out love songs!  We gossiped about family travel, where it's going, how can we make it better, how to get the word out about the amazing things being done in our niche industry, and what her 10-year-old daughter and my 21-year-old son were up to. Alice is justifiably proud of the stunning developments going on at Universal Orlando, in Hollywood, at their park in Singapore and ..... so many other places!

Then we were ushered into a ferry for a glorious ride across their lagoon to shhhhhhh....
a sneak preview of Transformers - The Ride.  You just saw it, and you can see it live after June 20, 2013 in Orlando.

Stay tuned, more to come after we wrap up Sunday.

More Than Academia in Massachusetts College Towns

What other than ‘pahkin’ ya cah in Hahvahd yahd’ is there to do in Massachusetts? As the college-bound flock to sit in the lecture halls of Harvard and MIT, this New England state has more to offer than r-less accents, Ivy League schools and Beantown. 

Cambridge, Amherst and Northampton, Worcester, New Bedford, Salem, and North Adams and Williamstown are brimming with cultural events and attractions not just for student populations, but also for travelers who want to experience the Bay State.

Boston Harborfront

From art exhibitions in Peabody to restaurants in Gloucester to historical museums in Concord, whether it’s an ocean view or ski resort you seek, residents and visitors alike can find worthwhile entertainment, activities and diverse nightlife.


Cambridge
You’re hard-pressed to look upon the Charles River without seeing a crew rowing in unison from one of Cambridge’s universities. The town is only a few minutes from the heart of Boston and two of the premier education and research institutions in the entire world. However, it’s not university life – but the vibrant culture – that makes up the identity of Cambridge.

Harvard Square, named for the school that populates its center, is a hub for all activities. With 90-plus restaurants, one not to miss is Mr. Bartley’s Burger Cottage, a nationally acclaimed joint that pampers meat lovers and vegetarians alike. Over 75 stores and independent boutiques, with wares ranging from music, clothing, books, crafts and jewelry, qualify this block as a bona-fide shopping center. Finding a place to stay is no trouble, with more than 15 lodgings located in Harvard Square.

History buffs will take to Cambridge’s various Revolutionary War monuments and tributes, including the Longfellow House, which once served as George Washington’s headquarters. Thespians can visit any of several theaters, which show movies, live productions, and art galleries, showcasing work from artists around the world. Alternately, enjoy the sights of one of America’s oldest cities along a tour of the Charles River.


Amherst and Northampton

Dormitories of University of Massachusetts

Northampton Skyline

Amherst and Northampton are liberal arts enclaves and the perfect destinations outside of the big city. Situated only nine miles apart in Western Massachusetts, these two towns are home to Hampshire, Smith, Mount Holyoke, Amherst, and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, which draw students from around the U.S.

Pristine wilderness surrounds the two towns and makes Amherst and Northampton a great destination for hiking, swimming, biking, and river paddling and strawberry picking. UMass runs a transit service between the schools and their surrounding communities, making travel quick and painless.

Though the scenery draws many, Amherst and Northampton have lively downtown cultural scenes complete with bookstores, cafes, pubs, all varieties of live music, and ten museums within easy reach. Broadway shows and dance troupes are often hosted at UMass Amherst. Restaurants ranging from Thai and Chinese to Mexican and African keep visitors well-fed.


Worcester
Situated in central Massachusetts, Worcester is at the crossroads of New England’s major cities and has much to offer those passing through. Clark University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, College of the Holy Cross, Assumption College, Becker College and Worcester State University all lend the community a distinct college feel.

The American Hockey League’s Worcester Sharks call the DCU Center home, and when they aren’t on the ice, the arena hosts concerts and road shows. The Worcester Art Museum boasts more than 35,000 art pieces spanning more than 5,000 years of human history. Higgins Armory has one the largest and oldest armor collections in America, including jousting outfits.

Union Station, Worcester

With more than 250 restaurants, Shrewsbury Street and Canal District are a haven for meal seekers. Shrewsbury Street also features various shops, giving visitors the chance to peruse clothes, crafts, and jewelry. Worcester hosts Broadway shows at Hanover Theatre and has great places for hiking, biking, and rowing.


New Bedford
Home to the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth and its nearly 10,000 students, New Bedford is the epitome of a college town.

Residents and visitors enjoy concert series, plays and musicals at the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center. Dweezil Zappa, son of the legendary artist and composer Frank Zappa, leads “Zappa Plays Zappa,” which features renditions of his father’s music. Other shows during the summer include the musical Hairspray and an Al Green concert.

Architecture enthusiasts will love the Rotch-Jones-Duff House, a restored Greek revival mansion with beautiful gardens that take up an entire block. Museums on whaling and glass provide other excellent ways to spend a day while boutique shops and lovely cafes can be found along walking tours of the city. New Bedford’s culture and attractions make it a great spot for people of any age.


Salem
About 20 miles north of Boston sits Salem State University. At 10,000 students large it’s well known for its nursing program, and students have the benefit of living in a an area that draws residents from around the Bay State to experience the town’s history and charm.

American Colonial Home, The House of the Seven Gables

Salem gained much of its fame from the notorious witch trials that took place during the late 17^th century, and today that history lends itself to the most festive Halloween celebration in the country. Visitors can relive the trials through observing reenactments, films, walking tours, and museums. The Peabody Essex Museum features the work of famous American photographer Ansel Adams and other artists. Salem also hosts a series of festivals throughout the summer. These festivals celebrate maritime history, the 4^th of July and jazz music.

Salem’s identity as a coastal town is commemorated through various activities and can be seen in the captains’ mansions that line the streets. Visitors can tour ships, sail on schooners, and walk around museums filled with treasures and artifacts.


North Adams and Williamstown
Situated in the Berkshires, these two towns offer scenes of breathtaking beauty. North Adams is home to the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, which offers a variety of academic pursuits, while Williamstown houses Williams College, one of the best liberal arts schools in America. Though best known for their education centers, it is the other attractions that make North Adams and Williamstown truly special.

Autumn is best spent in North Adams and Williamstown, which are rife with hiking and running trails and offer unparalleled foliage viewing. Summers in the Berkshires are just as enjoyable, though, as mild air and lush green hills provide a perfect pastoral backdrop to any outdoor excursion.

Boy Drawing in Gallery at Clark Art Institute

North Adams and Williamstown offer a range of indoor and fine art attractions. Of particular interest are the international display at The Williams College Museum of Art and the Clark Art Institute and one of the largest American centers for contemporary visual and performing art at The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art in North Adams. Quaint shops and restaurants provide service to passersby who need a bite or a drink. The North Adams and Williamstown area is an ideal destination for any travelers who appreciate nature, fine arts, and tasty cuisine. and 

For more information on Massachusetts and its college towns please visit The Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT) massvacation.com/college. Special thanks to the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism for the photos.

contributed by Julie Callahan via FamilyTravelForum