Hey, Mom and Dad! Looking to plan a vacation that’s fun for the whole family this holiday season? We’ve given you a hand by showcasing three destinations where kids of all ages are virtually guaranteed to have a good time. Need help narrowing down your choices? Start by deciding how far from home you want to travel.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA Distance from Bellevue: about 1,260 miles Why go: Year-round sunny skies and 70 miles of beaches, plus world-class attractions. Don’t-Miss Attraction No. 1: The San Diego Zoo www.sandiegozoo.org Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! The world-famous San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park, and the affiliated Wild Animal Park north of the city, offers a look at these creatures and many more, including monkeys, pandas, apes and polar bears. At the zoo, families can experience a variety of adventures, such as strolling along a riverbed that leads to a tiger’s lair, wandering through a
simulated tropical rain forest and getting up close to reptiles that look like they belong in Jurassic Park. A special Children’s Zoo features more than 30 animal exhibits designed with younger visitors in mind and includes a Petting Paddock where children can touch the coats of sheep, goats and other gentle creatures. (If you visit during the summer or on a weekend, check out Dr. Zoolittle’s zany science show.) The Wild Animal Park features large African and Asian exhibits where lions, elephants and other exotic animals roam.
Don’t-Miss Attraction No. 2: Seaworld San Diego www.seaworld.com/sandiego/ See dolphins and other marine animals as never before at SeaWorld, San Diego’s top tourist attraction since its opening in 1964. From viewing lovable Shamu the Killer Whale at the popular show “Believe” to touching a dolphin’s fin or getting up close to a shark, SeaWorld offers a variety of underwater adventures. For the younger ones, the Sesame Street characters are a prominent presence at the park these days. Visitors have an opportunity to see Big Bird, Cookie Monster and friends in a “4-D”
movie where they appear to leap off the screen, ride family-friendly Sesame Street-themed rides and even dig in to a breakfast buffet with Elmo and friends. A holiday celebration with special shows, animals and live music takes place on Nov. 28–30; during the weekends Dec. 6–7 and Dec. 13-14, and daily Dec. 20-31. Other Area Attractions: Birch Aquarium in La Jolla; whale-watching cruises during the winter months; Children’s Museum, Fleet Science Center and Natural History Museum at Balboa Park (the “Smithsonian of the West”).
WILLIAMSBURG, VIRGINIA Distance from Bellevue: about 2,949 miles Why go: The Williamsburg area—part of “America’s Historic Triangle” with Jamestown and Yorktown—gives kids a (fun) history lesson along with entertainment. Don’t-Miss Attraction No. 1: Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area www.colonialwilliamsburg.com This 301-acre area recreates the 18th century through 88 original structures, as well as hundreds of houses, shops and public outbuildings, and historic gardens with plants and blooms authentic to the time period. Buildings indicated by a flag at the entrance are open to the public. Period furnishings and costumed guides (including some famous faces, such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson) make wandering the grounds even more authentic. Special children’s programs let kids prepare to defend the rights of free citizens, act in a historic play and talk to “founding fathers.” There are also displays of the same types of sheep, cows, horses, oxen, chicken and fowls that lived in the town 200 years ago.
Don’t-Miss Attraction No. 2: Busch Gardens Europe www.buschgardens.com/BGW/ Take your kids on a whirlwind tour of Europe without leaving the States! Busch Gardens Europe—named for its parent company, Anheuser-Busch, and an old-world European theme—offers a combination of roller coasters and other rides along with Broadway-style shows. The park is organized into nine areas known as “hamlets,” which are dedicated to six European countries: England, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, Germany and France. Rides range from the thrilling to the gentle. Children
will love watching magic acts in the Land of Dragons and seeing the gray wolves, bald eagles and other critters at Jack Hanna’s Wildlife Reserve. Family-friendly dining options are abundant, and include Trappers Smokehouse and themed restaurants Das Feshas (German) and Ristorante della Piazza (Italian). Other Area Attractions: Yorktown, the site of the final major battle of the American Revolutionary War; Norfolk, the site of the world’s largest naval base; Virginia Beach, which has a three-mile oceanfront boardwalk.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA Distance from Bellevue: about 3,081 miles Why go: The central Florida city has been nicknamed the “Theme Park Capital of the World.” Don’t-Miss Attraction No. 1: Walt Disney World www.disneyworld.com This Mecca of all things Disney features four major theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom), two water parks and more in an area the size of Boston. The Magic Kingdom is the “classic” Disney theme park (and the best of the four for young tots), with signature attractions, such as the Haunted Mansion and Splash Mountain, not to mention a roaming cast of Disney characters. At Epcot, families can go on an international tour of the 11 “countries.” Disney’s Hollywood Studios is dedicated to the big screen with movie-themed rides, tours of working studios and live shows based on Indiana Jones, Beauty and the Beast and other favorite characters. Animal Kingdom features—you guessed it—a host of animals in a variety of habitats.
Don’t-Miss Attraction No. 2: Universal Orlando Resort www.universalorlando.com Universal Orlando Resort offers two very different theme parks—Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida—in one location. At Islands of Adventure, kids see their favorite
stories brought to life on five remarkable “islands” through rides, live shows and other attractions, including a Spider-Man ride that shows Spidey swinging and climbing in 3-D. In 2009, a “theme park within a theme park,” based on the Harry Potter series, will make its highly anticipated debut. At Universal Studios Florida, kids can go behind the scenes at a real film and television studio. The younger generation will get a kick out of attractions such as Shrek 4-D—which picks up where the Oscar-winning movie left off—while adults will get a blast from the past in the JAWS attraction, which puts visitors face-to-face with three tons of great white shark. There are also live shows based on The Blues Brothers, Beetlejuice and more. Other Area Attractions: SeaWorld Orlando; Busch Gardens (an African-themed park in Tampa); Wet ’n’ Wild Orlando water park.
