Mom Central Travels

Visiting Monterrey, Mexico

The third largest city in Mexico, behind Mexico City and Guadalajara, Monterrey is known mostly as a major industrial center, but it is a city rich in culture as well. Though you won't find ancient ruins here, there are countless museums, beautiful parks, and plenty of outdoor activities.

10 of my favorite attractions in Monterrey, Mexico

• Barrio Antiguo: In the Barrio Antiguo, or Old Neighborhood, you can find numerous bars, restaurants, and art galleries. It's especially lively at night, with live music blaring from various venues. The old-looking buildings and cobblestone streets are very different from the rest of the city. Every Sunday, one of the streets is closed so local artisans can sell their crafts.
• Bioparque Estrella: A great park for kids, Bioparque Estrella is a wildlife park that features a drive-through safari and a children's petting zoo. It's almost an hour outside of the city, but definitely worth the trek.
• Chipinque Ecological Park: Part of a larger National Park, Chipinque lies on top of a mountain, overlooking the entire city of Monterrey. There are plenty of picnic areas, and hiking, biking, and jogging trails. Just 20 minutes from downtown, it's the perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle. Plus, the temperature up there is usually much cooler than that of the city.
• Cola de Caballo: The focal point of this attraction is an 80-foot waterfall that resembles a horse's tail, or a “cola de caballo.” It's almost a mile uphill from the entrance to the falls; my favorite way to get up there is on horseback!
• Grutas de Garcia: I'm always fascinated by caverns. The Grutas de Garcia, over 60 million years old, are no different. A cable car takes you up to the entrance. I found that ride to be scarier than the dark caves themselves!
• Macroplaza: One of the largest public squares in the world, the Macroplaza is the heart of downtown Monterrey. There are restaurants and museums nearby, but sometimes it's fun just to walk around the park.
• Museo de Arte Contemporaneo (MARCO): My favorite museum in Monterrey is the Museum of Contemporary Art. There are 11 showrooms filled with works of art from Latin America’s most important contemporary artists.
• Parque Fundidora: Within this park's 281 acres, there are museums, plazas, a botanical garden, manmade lakes, playgrounds, an ice skating rink, and a Sesame Street-themed amusement park. You can spend an entire day here, maybe even two! 
• Paseo Santa Lucia: A riverwalk that connects the Macroplaza and Parque Fundidora, this manmade channel is a fairly new attraction, only having been finished in 2007. A cruise down the almost two-mile long river is lovely, especially at night. The entire riverwalk has free WiFi, which is a neat feature!
• Presa la Boca: About 45 minutes outside of Monterrey is a lake big enough for a variety of water sports. Rent a boat, jet skis, or just relax along the shore.

Mariana Perez blogs about life as a stay-at-home mom to two beautiful little girls over at Riding With No Hands. Follow her daily adventures on Twitter @ohMariana.

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Photo courtesy of eperales.

A visit to Oyster Bay and Sagamore Hill

Is there any other historical figure to have such a major effect on our relationship with nature than Theodore Roosevelt? A colorful man with a zest for life, he is a man that children can identify with and Sagamore Hill in New York is the perfect place to introduce them to him.

His home away from the White House, Sagamore Hill is a Victorian house set upon a hill that once overlooked Oyster Bay. This is where the president played with his children, met with important political figures, and wrote his books.

Touring Sagamore Hill – My husband was excited to bring our family to tour the house at Sagamore Hill. As a student, he remembered field trips to the house and enjoying the large game heads and animal skins throughout the house. Infused with Roosevelt’s love of books, nature, and his family, the house is a wonder to children and their parents. The house has most of the original furnishings including some of the family’s prized possessions, like Roosevelt’s Rough Rider hat and sword. The house is kept unlit like it would have been in Roosevelt’s day and it’s easy to imagine the Roosevelt family rambling in the 23 room house.

The Theodore Roosevelt Museum at Old Orchard and Farm Buildings – Also included on the Sagamore Hill Historic Site is General Theodore Roosevelt Jr.’s home. This building houses exhibits and a movie to give guests a better understanding of the president’s family and political life. On the property are some of the original farm buildings, including the tool and carriage sheds, and landscaped gardens. Guests are invited to walk down to Cold Spring Harbor on a tree-lined nature trail.

Roosevelt’s Oyster Bay – The Roosevelt family has a long history in Oyster Bay and have left their mark in the small village. The Oyster Bay Long Island Railroad Station was often used by Roosevelt as he traveled during his stint as the New York City Police Commissioner and later as President. The later reconstructed Derby-Hall Bandstand was the site of Roosevelt speeches. A stop in Oyster Bay should also include a walk in the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary & Audubon Center. The center was first created as a songbird preserve but is now home to birds of prey, reptiles, and amphibians.

To plan your trip to Sagamore Hill and Oyster Bay, visit the National Park Service website here or the Audubon’s website here. You can learn more about Theodore Roosevelt at the Almanac of Theodore Roosevelt. 

Chris Flynn is mom to two rambunctious boys. A homebody at heart, Chris fell in love and found herself moving around like a gypsy. When she isn’t packing, on a plane, or in a car, you can find her at Mom’s Favorite Stuff or on Twitter.
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Image of Theodore Roosevelt Statue, Oyster Bay, New York courtesy of oquendo.

Cappadocia, Turkey: a unique family destination

Living in Turkey, my husband and I had the opportunity to visit some of the most beautiful and unique places on Earth. Cappadocia was one of our favorite stops and we visited there many times.

The name Cappadocia refers to a region of rock formations created by volcanic eruptions located in eastern Anatolia and includes the cities of Göreme, Nevsehir, Uçhisar, and Ürgüp. The entire area has a long history ranging from the Hittite Empire to the Ottoman Empire. Visitors can’t stop from being inspired and awed by the vision of “fairy chimneys” and underground cities, and the area is a travel destination for many.

Getting There – We chose to drive the four hours from the capital city of Ankara, our home. For most of the way, the two lane road is used by slow buses, farm equipment, and overloaded trucks. I’ll admit to my fair share of motion sickness along the way as we passed each one. The area is also reachable by bus, plane and train. Kayseri, which is an hour drive from Göreme, has an airport and train station. Bus services are available to Göreme and Nevsehir.

What to See – Rock castles, underground cities and churches are all on display for visitors. Simply driving into the valley and you’re already seeing large rock towers carved out over time by natural elements to form what locals call “fairy chimneys.”

Our favorite spot was the Göreme Open Air Museum, a former monastery built into the rock formations. Visitors can see where Christians hid from persecution and thrived in caves and underground caverns. Churches with beautiful and ancient murals are all on display.

What to Do – Besides visiting the local museums, you can also hike across the valley. Maps can be found in travel offices or from your hotel. We stopped in the “Valley of Love” and enjoyed a closer view of the fairy chimneys. We found the walk to be very easy and a perfect stop for little ones to stretch their legs. Hot Air Balloon tours take off at sunrise in Göreme and take you through the valley. If you choose not to go up, the balloons are a beautiful sight from the ground and are viewable from some of the hotels.

What to Eat and Buy – Turkish food is one of my favorite cuisines. From the fresh cucumber and tomato salads to the grilled meats, travelers can have a great meal in Cappadocia. One of my favorites is mantı. Similar to a meat ravioli, this dish is served with a red tomato sauce and yoghurt. Cappadocia is a great place to purchase carpets and pottery. We purchased a few of our carpets and many tiles, vases, and bowls from the area.

Where to Stay - We stayed in a few of the different hotels in the area and had a wonderful time in each one. The most unique of them is the Museum Hotel. Children especially would love sleeping in one of the cave rooms. The hotel also has modern accommodations, including a lovely swimming and restaurant.

Information about the area can be found here and here.

Chris Flynn is mom to two rambunctious boys. A homebody at heart, Chris fell in love and found herself moving around like a gypsy. When she isn’t packing, on a plane, or in a car, you can find her at Mom’s Favorite Stuff or on Twitter.

A historic trip to the New Bedford Whaling Museum

My husband was ecstatic. We planned to visit the New Bedford Whaling Museum because of his love of all things history and maritime related. On the other hand, I wasn’t so sure. Would it be bleak and dark because of the topic? Would the boys understand or be bored by it all? There was no need to worry. Instead of being disinterested, the boys were intrigued and excited. It was a trip worth taking.

The New Bedford Whaling Museum is located in the old whaling port of New Bedford, Massachusetts. A tribute and testament to the seamen and the prey they hunted, the museum is home to paintings and portraits, glassware, ceramics, models, and whale skeletons. Exhibits are both interesting and educational, giving my family the opportunity to learn in a comfortable environment.

Here are some of the highlights from our trip:

• Skeletons of the Deep – They are large and imposing but these whale skeletons are also beautiful. Five whale skeletons (including that of a mother and her unborn calf) are displayed in the museum. These majestic creatures are awe-inspiring. Parents and their children will not just learn about the hunt for the whale but about the species themselves.
• The Forecastle – Guests can walk aboard a full-scale reproduction of the forecastle  of a whaleship. The boys were most interested in the bunks located below deck and wanted to try them out for themselves.
• The Lagoda – The largest ship model in the world is located in the museum’s Bourne Building. At eighty-nine feet, the model is an exact half-sized replica of a whaleship. At this time, this exhibit is closed but an interactive online exhibit is available here.
• Treasures of Old Darmouth –This exhibit hosts the Old Darmouth Historical Society’s collection. The paintings housed here are breathtaking, especially the landscapes by William Bradford.
• British Paintings and Scrimshaw – There’s more than just the history of whaling portrayed here. Journals and paintings give a glimpse into the life of a sailor. My sons were certain they had stepped into a museum dedicated to pirates and ran from display to display.

There is more to New Bedford than the Whaling Museum. We enjoyed a walk through the New Bedford Whaling National Historic Park and a stop at the Visitor’s Center. The Seamen’s Bethel (known as the Whaleman’s Chapel in Moby Dick) is close by, with it’s prow-shaped pulpit. You can find more information about the New Bedford Whaling Museum here and the New Bedford area here.

Chris Flynn is mom to two rambunctious boys. A homebody at heart, Chris fell in love and found herself moving around like a gypsy. When she isn’t packing, on a plane, or in a car, you can find her at Mom’s Favorite Stuff or on Twitter.

Visiting the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.

One of the lesser known, off-the-beaten-path museums in Washington, D.C. - and one of my favorites - is the National Building Museum. With its bright red brick exterior, it stands out from all the other architecture in the city.

A beautifully-carved frieze wraps around the building, depicting a parade of military Civil War units and serving as a tribute to that significant period in American history. Walk inside and look up towards the windows high above and you’ll see 244 busts, each in their own little nook. There are eight models, representing different building occupations – architect, developer, financier, engineer, construction worker, craftsman, bricklayer, and landscape architect.

Most impressive are the Corinthian columns that divide the Great Hall. Measuring 75 ft. (23 m) tall and 8 ft. (2.4 m) in diameter, they are among the largest in the world. Having originally housed the Pension Bureau, a government agency created to serve the needs of Union veterans, it became the National Building Museum around 30 years ago.

What to do at the National Building Museum

Exhibits change frequently, but always revolve around architecture and design. Current exhibits include a showcase of Washington, D.C., designs for domestic architecture of New England, and a special presentation of this year's US Department of Energy Solar Decathlon finalists.

Our favorite exhibit is an area called the Building Zone. It’s a play space, a permanent exhibit just for the museum’s youngest visitors, ages two to six. The Building Zone allows kids to get hands-on with a variety of different kid-friendly building materials - jumbo foam blocks, giant Legos, ride-on bulldozers, trucks, and more, with a huge playhouse in the center of it all. There's a spot to curl up and read a book, puzzles and magnetic toys to play with, and a dress up area, too.

On unbearably hot, cold, or rainy days, there can sometimes be a line of kids and their parents waiting to get into the Building Zone, but don't fret! If it's crowded, playtime is limited, so your kids will get their turn.

The LEGO Architecture: Towering Ambition exhibit

This past week, a fun new exhibit opened at the National Building Museum. LEGO Architecture: Towering Ambition features 15 of the world's most iconic buildings, all made entirely of LEGO bricks, one of which reaches almost 18 feet tall! The buildings include replicas of the Empire State Building, the World Trade Center, Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece, Fallingwater, the St. Louis Gateway Arch and the world's tallest building, Dubai's Burj Khalifa, which incorporates over 450,000 LEGO pieces. Wow! The exhibit runs until September 2011 so you have plenty of time to plan your trip! Admission is $5, except for the first Tuesday of the month, when it's free.

There's also a gift shop and a small restaurant inside the museum. The shop sells unique toys, jewelry, and home decor. The Firehook Bakery and Coffee House offers a variety of sandwiches, soups, salads, baked goods, and drinks. If you'd rather venture out, there are also restaurants within walking distance.

Located at 401 F Street NW, in the heart of Washington, D.C., the National Building Museum is open daily and convenient to public transportation. In fact, the Judiciary Square Metro station, on the red line, is right across the street! Sometimes the museum closes for special events, such as Presidential inauguration balls, so be sure to check the calendar before you go. Admission is free, but a small donation is appreciated.

Visit nbm.org and follow @buildingmuseum on Twitter for more information on this fun museum!

Mariana Perez blogs about life as a stay-at-home mom to two beautiful little girls over at Riding With No Hands. Follow her daily adventures on Twitter @ohMariana.

A summer vacation in the White Mountains

Driving into the mountains of New Hampshire is like hitting the refresh button for me. I’m not sure if it’s the sight of lush trees up the slopes of towering mountains or the clean, fresh air filling my lungs. I feel centered. Memories of my own childhood visits filled my mind as my husband and I visited the White Mountain area this week with my sons. While we wouldn’t be hiking this time around, I knew that just being surrounded by nature would give my family the much needed rest we all deserved in a summer of chaos.

In planning this trip, I had two major goals. I wanted to keep our travel plans simple and us flexible. The rising sun and the sounds of the Pemigewasset River would be waking us up instead of the jarring sounds of an alarm clock. The second goal was to make sure that we did something for everyone. It was the simplest trip to plan but yet the one that has left us all the most refreshed. Here is what he did on our White Mountain Summer vacation:

• For the Boys. There were two stops we made specifically for my sons, Story Land and Clark’s Trading Post. I’ve already shared my thoughts and experiences on Story Land here. Clark’s Trading Post is located in Lincoln and hosts an assortment of attractions. The favorites for my boys is the trained bear performance and the ride on the White Mountain Central Railroad. You can learn more about Clark’s Trading Post here.
• For Mom and Dad. For my husband and I, it started with picking the right place to stay. We wanted just the right hotel and found it on Loon Mountain at the Mountain Club. Our room looked out over the river, which serenaded us through the night. The indoor and outdoor pools were much loved by our sons and we both took turns using the saunas and hot tubs. It was the perfect lodging for this trip.
• For Everyone. Who can resist great deals? I know we couldn’t. We visited Settler’s Green in North Conway a few times during our stay and scored some major deals. The best part is that a large playground and splashground kept the boys entertained while we each took turns checking out our favorite stores, like Bass, Gap, Old Navy, Under Armour, and Gymboree.

If you’d like to learn more about the area and plan your own vacation, take a look at VisitWhiteMountains.com.

Chris Flynn is mom to two rambunctious boys. A homebody at heart, Chris fell in love and found herself moving around like a gypsy. When she isn’t packing, on a plane, or in a car, you can find her at Mom’s Favorite Stuff or on Twitter.

Image of White Mountains New Hampshire courtesy of nealaus.

Visiting St. Augustine with the family

St. Augustine is one of the most charming and unique cities to visit. With an incredible history and a warm presence, St. Augustine offers so much to visitors. Whether you’re searching for the perfect spot for a getaway for two or a family vacation, the city has incredible shopping, amazing attractions, and ghostly adventures. Our family vacations to Daytona Beach always included at least one stop in the historic city. We visited the sites, shopped in some of the cutest boutiques, and ate at some great little restaurants.

Here’s what you need to know about America’s oldest city:

• History. Founded 55 years before the pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock, St. Augustine has enough historic sites to keep any history buff busy. The Castillo de San Marcos, a Spanish fortress and one of the oldest standing structures in North America, is now a national park and open to visitors. A trip to the 15 acre archeological park, The Fountain of Youth, will educate guests about Ponce de Leon’s famous search for the water. The St. Augustine Historical Society has several old homes open to the public, including Florida’s oldest house and the oldest surviving Spanish Colonial Dwelling in Florida.
• Ghostly adventures. Travelers in search of the other side of St. Augustine’s history must take advantage of one of the several ghost tours available. ghoST Augustine has some of the most unique tours, like the Haunted Pub Tour where you can enjoy some ghost history while visiting four local pubs. 
• Attractions. The St. Augustine Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum is the original and oldest of the chain of museums. Besides the odd and unusual items on viewing at the museum, Ripley’s also offer sightseeing train tours of the city. Guests can jump on and off with tickets that are valid for three days. Children will love visiting the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park. Don’t let the name fool you. Many animals beside alligators live here and you’ll be amazed to find anacondas, monkeys, owl, vultures, and more at the Alligator Farm.
• Shopping and eating. St. George Street is a pedestrian-only mall lined with historic buildings and quaint boutiques. Grab a beer at the St. George Tavern, a local and tourist favorite, or lunch at the Mill Top Tavern, where you’ll find great food and live music.

More information about the sites and scenes to visit in St. Augustine are available here and here.

Chris Flynn is mom to two rambunctious boys. A homebody at heart, Chris fell in love and found herself moving around like a gypsy. When she isn’t packing, on a plane, or in a car, you can find her at Mom’s Favorite Stuff or on Twitter.

Image of St. Augustine Light courtesy of chriswsn.

A family vacation in Daytona Beach

One of my first and still favorite vacation spots is Daytona Beach. Every year Spring Break meant hanging out at the beach, swimming in the pool, and eating some great food. As I got older and became a fan of NASCAR, Daytona Beach meant quality beach time and the night race. Here is what Daytona Beach has to offer families.

Sea turtles – From the middle of May until the end of October, the beaches along the area are the breeding grounds for the sea turtle. Sea turtles crawl up into dry sand to lay their eggs, which will hatch two months later. Imagine watching a hundred hatchlings crawl back into the ocean. Families can visit the Marine Science Center to learn more about the turtles and see their seven hospital pools and the turtles they are rehabilitating.

The Daytona 500 Experience – If you’re not able to catch one of the two races held at the Daytona International Speedway, this is the next best thing. Guests can drive like “The King” with the Richard Petty Driving Experience or watch a 3D movie in the IMAX theatre. Guests that like a behind-the-scenes look can take the 30-minute tram tour of the speedway. Want to get a taste of what it’s like to be a pit crew member? Visitors are given the opportunity to beat the clock in the Chevy 16-Second Pit Stop Challenge.

The latest attraction at the Daytona 500 Experience is the Walk of Fame, where you can match your handprints and foot prints to some of the sports’ biggest stars like Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, and Jimmie Johnson. 

The Bandshell – Located in Oceanfront Park, the Bandshell is a 5,000 seat amphitheatre. Built in 1937 and lately renovated, the Bandshell is made from coquina and looks like a huge sand castle. A summer concert series is hosted there and is free to guests. You may remember the Bandshell from MTV’s Spring Break coverage in the ‘90s.

Chris Flynn is mom to two rambunctious boys. A homebody at heart, Chris fell in love and found herself moving around like a gypsy. When she isn’t packing, on a plane, or in a car, you can find her at Mom’s Favorite Stuff or on Twitter.

Image of Daytona Beach courtesy of chenines.

Visiting Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

I've been living in Virginia for almost 12 years, yet somehow I feel like I haven't even begun to tap into all that the state has to offer! Of the cities I've visited, one of my favorite places in Virginia is Colonial Williamsburg.

More of an educational trip than the typical amusement park outing, and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Virginia, Colonial Williamsburg takes you back in time. The first time we visited, my oldest daughter was only a few months old, so we just took a couple of hours to walk around the historic district, had lunch at a tavern, took some photos, and went back to our hotel. The best part? It was free! This allowed us to see all that Colonial Williamsburg has too offer, without paying the hefty admission.

We decided that we wanted to see more, so we made another trip to Williamsburg a few months later. The second time, we paid for an all-access guided walking tour and it was well worth the price. We were able to visit all the buildings and even tour the Governor's Palace, which up until then I had only seen from the outside.

Tips on visiting Colonial Williamsburg

• Plan ahead. Holidays, such as Christmas and the Fourth of July, are very special, and maybe even the best times to visit! Check the daily schedule for detailed descriptions of all the days' events.
• Dine at a tavern. Making dinner reservations ahead of time is key. Just like Disney World, or any other major attraction, tables at on-site restaurants go fast! The tavern food isn't out of this world, but the atmosphere does give you a sense of what life was like in the 1700s.
• Wear good shoes. You have to leave the car behind at the Visitor's Center, as cars are not allowed within the historic area, so you'll be walking a lot. Don't forget a stroller for the kids!
• Research special offers. Your hotel may provide you with discounts for Colonial Williamsburg and surrounding attractions. Maybe even a package deal! Check their website ahead of time, and ask the front desk for more information. If you buy your passes online ahead of time, you can often get a discount. Oh, and kids under 5 are free!
• It's great for kids. Toddlers and preschool-age kids may get a little bored here, but you'd be surprised how much school-age children will enjoy their time at Colonial Williamsburg! The history lessons they learn in school are brought to life through captivating reenactments by knowledgeable and friendly staff and volunteers that work, dress, and talk just as they would have in colonial times. You'll encounter a blacksmith, shoemaker, carpenter, and a dozen other tradespeople, see what plantation life was like, and maybe even meet a Founding Father! Kids would also love a ride in a horse-drawn carriage!
• The perfect weekend trip! You can probably see all you'd like to see at Colonial Williamsburg in a day, so plan on visiting another settlement, such as Jamestown or Yorktown, the next day. If you've had enough of history, Busch Gardens and Water Country USA are just minutes away!

Resources:

• The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
• Visit Williamsburg

Mariana Perez blogs about life as a stay-at-home mom to two beautiful little girls over at Riding With No Hands. Follow her daily adventures on Twitter @ohMariana.

Shopping your way through Freeport, Maine

There aren’t many better ways to spend a vacation than scoring some major deals on clothing, home goods, and accessories. For my family, it was the way we spent part of our annual trip to Maine and New Hampshire at the end of summer. It was our opportunity to pick up a cool new school wardrobe, while saving our parents money.

Now I enjoy surfing the racks and shelves for my sons, my husband, myself, and looking for gifts along the way. One of our favorite shopping stops is Freeport, Maine. Located on the shores of Casco Bay and around two hours from Boston, Freeport is the perfect destination for a long weekend or a day stop before heading out to somewhere else.

What Freeport has to offer

Freeport is home to over 56 outlets including The Gap, Dooney & Burke, The Children’s Place, Coach, and Nine West. Take a look at this map and see all of the outlets, stores, and boutiques. The center of the town has many shops in easy walking distance, while others can be reached within a short drive.

Tired of hoofing it? Rest on park benches sprinkled around town or enjoy a meal of Maine favorites like blueberry pancakes or lobster rolls.

Something for everyone

If your big guy isn’t a fan of shopping, he might just surprise you once you mention the biggest attraction in Freeport, the L.L. Bean flagship store. Three million people visit the store yearly, which is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. There are also three other locations, including a factory store. There are many other stores that may have exactly what he needs, including Nike, Bass, and The North Face.

Getting the most out of the deals

Planning an outlet stop on your next vacation? Be sure to prepare to get the most in savings. For lodging and activity planning in Freeport, check out available packages here, including a “babymoon” for expectant parents. If you belong to AAA, visit the website to find some extra coupons. Currently, they’re offering 15% off at the Banana Republic Factory Store and Gap Outlet. More coupons specific to Freeport can be found here.

Chris Flynn is mom to two rambunctious boys. A homebody at heart, Chris fell in love and found herself moving around like a gypsy. When she isn’t packing, on a plane, or in a car, you can find her at Mom’s Favorite Stuff or on Twitter.

Image of LL Bean Freeport, ME courtesy of ckelly.