Showing posts with label East Coast Family Vacations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label East Coast Family Vacations. Show all posts

Family-Friendly Adventures Await in Kent Narrows, Maryland

East Coast Family Vacations , family vacation ideas
Family-Friendly Adventures Await in Kent Narrows, Maryland


Looking for a family-friendly getaway that lets the family enjoy the outdoors. Then, take a look at Kent Narrows, Maryland, nestled on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay. This is a hidden gem for families seeking memorable outdoor adventures and opportunities to connect with nature. From scenic bike rides to educational experiences, here's a roundup of family-friendly activities in this picturesque waterfront town.


We spent a few days in the area for a quick getaway to relax and unwind before school craziness started. Kent Narrows is family-friendly but is also the perfect place to escape and have a romantic weekend with your partner.


We stayed at the Hyatt Place Hotel, which is located on the water. You can read my review of the hotel here.



As we started our day to explore the area, we stopped at Sugar Doodles Sweet Shop for a delicious smoothie to help us beat the heat. Sugar Doodles offers breakfast items, acai bowls, sweet treats, ice cream, and much more.





Kent Narrows is centered around boat culture, but if you are not a boater, it is still interesting to walk around the marinas. At the Kent Narrows Boatel, a truly amazing and environmentally innovative indoor marina, we watched the workers take boats out of the water and place them back into the Boatel. This is something truly unique and very fun to watch.






The next stop on our adventure was the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center.

This center is perfect for families who want to spend time outdoors and want an educational experience. CBEC offers a range of programs and activities that immerse visitors in the region's natural heritage. Explore nature trails, observe wildlife, rent a kayak for the day (at super reasonable rates), register for a kids program, go geocaching, or have picnics.



The next stop on our adventure was Ferry Point Park and Chesapeake Heritage Visitor Center, but unfortunately, it is closed until 2024. Once it opens again, this waterfront park offers expansive green spaces, a playground for the kids, and picnic areas with picturesque bay views. 


At this point of the day, we worked up an appetite and were ready for a delicious lunch at Harris Crab House. Check out our review of restaurants here.


A few other ideas to do with families in Kent Narrows


Discover the rich maritime history of Kent Narrows along the Waterman's Way Heritage Trail. This self-guided walking tour takes you through the town's past, highlighting its ties to the Chesapeake Bay's fishing and seafood industries. The trail is dotted with informative markers that provide insights into the area's heritage, making it an educational and enjoyable activity for the family.


In addition to the Waterman's Way Heritage Trail, Kent Narrows boasts several other scenic walking and nature trails. Explore the wetlands and wooded areas, spot local wildlife, and soak in the tranquility of the natural surroundings. These trails offer an excellent opportunity for kids to connect with nature and learn about the local ecosystem.




For a memorable family bonding experience, consider booking a fishing charter in Kent Narrows. These guided excursions are perfect for both novice and experienced anglers. The local waters are teeming with various fish species, providing an exciting opportunity to catch dinner while creating lasting memories with your loved ones. If going out on a boat is not your thing, you can fish from Wells Cove Public Landing.


Another fun activity is to rent bikes or bring your own and take a leisurely bike ride along the scenic waterfront. FIN Bike Rental offers a wide selection of bicycles, including options for children, making it an excellent activity for the entire family. Pedal along the waterside promenade, take in the salty breeze and enjoy the captivating views of the Chesapeake Bay. It's a fantastic way to explore the area's natural beauty at your own pace.


Kent Narrows, Maryland, offers an array of family-friendly activities that combine the natural beauty of the Chesapeake Bay with opportunities for education and outdoor recreation. Whether cycling along the waterfront, exploring nature trails, or embarking on a fishing adventure, you'll find plenty of ways to create cherished moments with your family in this charming coastal town. So, pack your bags, grab your loved ones, and embark on an unforgettable journey of discovery and fun in Kent Narrows.



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Review of Hyatt Regency Baltimore Maryland

Baltimore Maryland , East Coast Family Vacations
Review of Hyatt Regency Baltimore Maryland

During the President's Day break from school my family and I stayed at the Hyatt Regency in Baltimore.  The Hyatt is in a wonderful location for anyone visiting the Inner Harbor area in Baltimore.  The hotel faces the harbor so you are close to all the action and have a spectacular view.  You are also in walking distance to the Baltimore Ravens football stadium and the Baltimore Orioles baseball stadium.

 The Staff
Many hotel chains these days say that they have the best and friendliest staff. The Hyatt Regency Baltimore delivers on that promise. Every staff member we passed all through the hotel no matter what their job was said hello and asked us how they could assist us. They truly seemed eager, almost happy for us to make a request so they could help us with something/anything. It made us feel at home and appreciated as a customer.

Check In
The check in process was quick and easy and the staff was helpful with offering suggestions on what we should see during our visit.  I noticed that if customers are waiting for check in, staff member would come up and offer to help them in any way they could.  


Rooms
The rooms at the Hyatt are spacious enough for a family of 4.  I loved that the windows are floor to ceiling  and you could have amazing views of the harbor.  Each room has a mini refrigerator which is perfect for drinks or small snacks when your family is relaxing in the room.  The beds were very comfortable.  I also liked that they had a noise machine in each room to block out your typical hotel sounds.  I think this is great for families because children sometimes have a hard time falling asleep in hotels.


Restaurant Bistro 300

 Not everyone is a fan of eating at hotel restaurants, but you definitely need to check out Bistro 300.  They just recently opened up in this totally renovated space.  We ate breakfast and dinner and both times our meals were delicious.

 Dinner
Hyatt has a philosophy of making sure that the food they serve is as fresh and flavorful as it can be.  My kids loved the choices on the new children's menu.  Plenty of healthy choices like whole wheat spaghetti and turkey meatballs, salad k-bob, sunbutter, jelly and banana sandwich.
My kids choose the steak with mashed potatoes and asparagus.  They gobbled up their meals, without me encouraging them to take a few more bites.  My 10 year old who is extremely a picky eater actually ate the asparagus and she usually doesn't eat it at home.  She also commented that the mashed potatoes were much better than moms.  My 7 year old who is a big fan of mashed potatoes said that she could tell that they were homemade and not from a box.  My husband and I ordered the cream of crab soup that had large chunks of crab in it and the Harbor salad (similar to a greek salad) both were a great way to start off our meal.  For our meals we got the Sweet Corn Cioppino and the Dry Aged New York Strip.


Since the kids did such a great job eating their dinner we decided to do desert. The kids loved the home made twinkies, (they never heard of twinkies before).  My favorite was the black forest trifle with pop rocks, the pop rocks had all of us cracking up at our table because they were so much fun the eat.  We had never tried Moorenko's ice cream before and we enjoyed all the different flavors like bread pudding ice cream, chile pepper ice cream, and cinnamon ice cream.

 We left our meal very stuffed from all the delicious food we tried.  The staff at the restaurant was also extremely nice at explaining the menu to us and suggesting food choices.

 Breakfast
We went back to Bistro 300 for breakfast in the morning we were checking out.  They offer a breakfast buffet with fresh fruit, eggs, bacon, fresh muffins and much more.  They also have a menu with plenty of selections for a yummy breakfast.  The kids can do the buffet or they can order from the kids menu and get cinnamon pancakes, breakfast smoothie, fruit and yogurt, top your own taco and cereal.

 Overview
The Hyatt Regency in Baltimore is a great location for a family getaway this summer or during a school break.  In the summer they do have a roof top pool with sun deck.  The hotel also offers a walkway to the Inner Harbor area, which makes it much safer to get there.  The staff goes out of their way to make your stay enjoyable and relaxing.
For more information:  http://baltimore.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels-baltimore/


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Port Discovery Children's Museum in Baltimore Maryland

Baltimore Inner Harbor , Baltimore Maryland
Port Discovery Children's Museum in Baltimore Maryland

Port Discovery offers three floors of interactive, educational exhibits and ever-changing programs for children ages birth through 10. Kids can crawl through Tot Trails. Get healthy and fit in Kick It Up!. Splish splash in Wonders of Water. Shop and pump gas at the Royal Farms Convenience Store and Fill’er Up Station. Cook and serve food in Tiny’s Diner or climb and slide through KidWorks, a 3-story urban tree-house (play gym/obstacle course).

 Permanent Exhibits

 Kick It Up! Brought to you by UnitedHealthcare
Get fit and healthy in the brand new soccer and games stadium complete with electronic score board and goals. Designed as an indoor soccer stadium, Kick It Up! is a unique exhibit that offers hands-on programs to get children’s arms and legs moving and hearts pumping.

 When children are not engaging in a friendly game of soccer, the field transforms into an interactive, electronic games arena where they can ride bikes; compete in an “i-Dance off”; test their balancing skills; and play challenging games against the electronic T-Wall.
Kidworks

 KidWorks (recommended for kids ages 5 and up)
Climb, crawl, jump, and slide through our three-story urban treehouse, KidWorks. My kids loved this exhibit. Dare to cross a narrow rope bridge and who knows what you’ll find on the other side! For safety reasons children and adults who plan to play and climb KidWorks must wear sneakers. This is by far the most popular exhibit. I also liked that it was big enough that parents could go into the treehouse at certain access point to find their children. They also had Port Discovery staff members in the treehouse to assist children if they were lost or needed help.

Miss Perception’s Mystery House
Solve a baffling case of the the missing Baffeld family! Pick up clues left behind by Constance, Eubie, Abbie, and Ivy Baffeld using your detective-sharp research, literacy and problem solving skills. This is truly an odd experience but your kids will love its quirkiness. 
Royal Farms Convenience Store and Fill'er Up Station
Learn how to make healthy choices in a convenient world in this mini interactive convenience store! Pretend you are the customer or employee and stock and scan various foods. Check the items in your cart against the food pyramid to see how many healthy food items you selected. Be sure to fill the Royal Farms VW Beetle with gas and check its tire pressure before you leave! My children loved this hands-on, grown-up shopping experience.
Special Exhibits
The Wizard of Oz Children's Educational Exhibition (Now through September 15th, 2013).
Dorothy, Tin Man, and Scarecrow await at Port Discovery Children's Museum's new traveling exhibit, The Wizard of Oz Children's Educational Exhibition.

 This interactive fantasy-adventure takes children and families over the rainbow to continue the celebration of the film's 70th anniversary milestone. Travel from the Gale Farm in Kansas to the colorful Land of Oz where you can explore Munchinkland , The Crossroads, the Witch's Castle , and Emerald City with Dorothy and her friends.
  • Visit Professor Marvel's Wagon and create your own tornado in Dorothy's bedroom.
  • Explore Munchkin houses and meet Dorothy's friends the Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion and the Tin Man.
  • Enter The Emerald City and create a "Horse of a Different Color," play at the kaleidoscope and prism stations
  • Climb the mountain to the Wicked Witch's Castle to capture the Wicked Witch's broom from Winged Monkeys.

 Safety and Security
They take safety seriously here. When you arrive you and your children are given bracelets that match. In order to get out of the facility you must show your bracelet to a staff member stationed at the exit. Only if all bracelets match, can you exit the building. I felt a lot safer with this level of security.

 What should you wear? Everyone should dress ready for play! Sneakers or flat soled, closed toe shoes are recommended and are required if you plan to climb KidWorks. For your comfort and safety, do not wear high-heeled shoes or boots, open-toed sandals or flip flops, and be sure to remove any loose or hanging jewelry before you play. An extra set of clothes is recommended if playing in the Wonders of Water exhibit.

 Are there any restaurants within walking distance? Yes. There are several family-friendly restaurants and fast-food facilities within a 2 block radius of the Museum including Joe Squared Pizza, Subway, Mex Baltimore, Yolly Molly (Yogurt), Luckie's Tavern, Panera Bread, P.F. Changs, and Miss Shirley's. Power Plant is located two blocks away and offers restaurants including Phillips, Potbelly, Hard Rock Cafe, Chipotle and more. Additional restaurants are located at Harborplace, just 3 blocks away from the Museum. You can also bring a bag lunch.

 Port Discovery really shouldn't be missed if you plan a trip to the Baltimore Harbor. It will occupy about a 1/2 day, so you may want to plan to visit the National Aquarium or the Science Museum for a full day of adventure for your family.

 Check out a video of our visit

For more information: www.portdiscovery.org

Location:  35 Market Place Baltimore, MD 21202


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Review of Great Wolf Lodge

East Coast Family Vacations , Indoor water parks PA
Review of Great Wolf Lodge

Looking for a place to take the kids over Spring Break, or for the perfect summer vacation?  Well look no further than the Poconos at Great Wolf Lodge.  Recently my family and I went to Great Wolf Lodge to check out what they have to offer for families.


lobby area
When you arrive, the fun starts the minute you step onto the property.  Check in was easy and simple.  Everyone staying in your room will be given a bracelet that they wear the entire time you are on the property.  This serves as your room key and you have the option to charge food on the bracelet too.  I like the fact that the bracelet was our room key and I didn't have to worry about carrying a key-card around.  My kids loved that they could unlock the door without asking me for the key.


family suite

 We had a family suite that had plenty of room for my family of four.  We also had a balcony outside that overlooked a mountain that was beautiful.  Once we settled in, we hit the water park.
Water Park
The water park is a huge indoor playground for the whole family.  It is divided into different sections.  There is a water park for the little ones with small slides, and spray and play features.  They also have a giant tree house that kids can climb, spray and slide through.  Older kids can take a turn on the many slides like the double barrel drop or the hydro plunge.  Tweens/Teens will have fun on the Coyote Cannon (think of a toilet bowl because it drops you into a big bowl that you swirl around in and fall out the bottom) or Alberta falls that twists you in and outside of the indoor portion of the water park (even in winter time).  The whole family can enjoy Crooked Creak (a lazy river) or take a ride with the family on River Canyon Run.  And don't think you won't get wet. If you hear a bell that sounds like a train you may get soaked.  I did and my kids loved it!

I was happy to see that the life guards really watched the pools, they walked back and forth constantly looking at the pool.  They take safety very seriously at Great Wolf, which made me feel safe while my kids were swimming.

Other Activities
You would think that the only thing to do at Great Wolf is the water park, but you would be wrong. There are plenty of activities for your family to do outside the water park.  Each evening there is a story time in the lobby, along with face painting, dance parties and much more.  I loved that I saw kids walking around the lodge in their pajamas waiting for story time.
Bowling Alley

There is also indoor Glow Golf, a bowling alley, an arcade, a kids spa, and much more.  Something that I saw that kept the kids really engaged was MagiQuest.  With MagiQuest you purchase a wand in the store and you go on a magical adventure to unlock clues.

Food
There is a snack bar in the water park area, you can buy drinks, sandwiches and snacks.  There is also a sit down restaurant in the lodge, the evening we went it was a buffet and there was plenty of choices even for the picky eaters in your family.  If your craving Pizza Hut pizza, or a sweat treat they have you covered.  You can also order a pizza and take it back to you room and relax.  Oh, and Starbucks lovers don't fear, they even have a Starbucks in the lodge.
Dinner Buffet
Tips:
  • Go during the week for less crowds
  • Pack at least 2 bathing suits so if you go back to the water park later in the day you can put a dry bathing suit on
  • No reason to bring beach towels they have towels in the water park
  • Once you check out of your room on your departure day,  you can stay and enjoy the resort amenities until 9pm.
  • There is a locker room in the water park to change
  • You can rent lockers in the water park
  • Rooms all have small refrigerators in them for drinks and food
Check out some of the highlights from our trip
For more information:  http://www.greatwolf.com/poconos/waterpark
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