In Concord, NH there is a great place that is a tribute to 2 New Hampshire space pioneers: Alan Shepard, America’s first astronaut to travel into space, and NASA’s teacher-in-space, Christa McAuliffe. This small discovery center is filled with many hands-on activities that teach families about space. It is a fun place to spend a few hours. A few of our favorite experiences included:
Southern New Hampshire residents have a gem of a museum right in our backyard. The Currier Museum, located in Manchester, is the perfect way to spend an afternoon filled with culture. The museum has a large collection of American and European art. They even have a Picasso as well as a Monet. The paintings are well labeled and at times there are even detailed place cards displayed that you can use to better understand what you are looking at.
Ever notice how relaxed and less stressed you are when on vacation? The hours just float by in a carefree daze. Ok…that may have a little bit to do with the margaritas that started at noon but there’s more to it. There’s something magical about a vacation because of one thing…DOLCHE FAR NIENTE. Come again? Italians have a saying… ‘dolche far niente’… which translates into, “sweetness of doing nothing.” It is the accepted act of doing nothing of importance, and some Europeans have made it an art form. To me, it is the most rewarding things about vacation.
OVERVIEW: Lion King in NYC was by far the best play we have ever taken the girls to. We’ve seen some local theater with them but nothing compared to Broadway and this Tony award winning show. As most of you know, Lion King is a play about a young lion, Simba, who is to succeed his father as king. He is convinced he is to blame for a horrible death and he flees into exile. He meets some inspiring friends, falls in love, and returns to claim the kingdom that is rightfully his. Pretty deep stuff huh? Well, Disney has a way of creating cute, talking animals as characters and adding some catchy music so it suddenly becomes kid-friendly. The play is actually based on Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Kids and adults will be singing the soundtrack, containing music by Elton John, for weeks to come.
The SEE Science Center is located in one of the beautiful old mill buildings in Manchester, NH. It consists of 2 floors of hands-on exhibits that cater to toddlers as well as older kids. I loved that each activity explains the science behind it, as well as encourages kids to make a hypothesis or align the activity to a part of their lives.
Kids will have so much fun exploring topics such as force, light, sound, electricity, simple machines, and much more. My girls were entertained for 2 hours and could have kept going. It is a fun place to use your creativity (pretending the submarine is under attack) while also getting out some energy (pulling yourself up with a pulley). It is a great place that will hold the attention of both kids and parents and is filled with activities you can enjoy together.
I’m always looking for fun ways to keep my girls active. Last year my 9-year-old participated in an amazing program called Girls On the Run, a countrywide program that begins with girls in 3rd grade. It was one of the most fun activities my daughter has been a part of. It takes Girl Power to a whole new level!
If you are in Boston and looking for something that all ages will enjoy, the Boston Museum of Science is a safe bet. It is one of our favorite places and there is so much to do that we never do the entire thing in one day. Our typical visit includes exploring the different wings of the museum, seeing a few shows, and having lunch in the cafeteria. There are so many different things to do that no two visits are ever the same. Here are a few of our favorite things to do:
Sao Miguel, Azores is one of the most beautiful, friendliest islands we’ve ever been to. It is located 950 miles from mainland Portugal but it is a completely different world. The island has a gorgeous coastline, stunning flowers, and perhaps the best seafood I’ve ever tasted. It is the largest island of the Azores but can be viewed in a day or two. It was here we got to experience the best cozido we’ve ever had!
One of the coolest meals we’ve ever experienced was in Sao Miguel. The island has lots of hot springs so they have created an interesting way to cook your meals. They take a pot and fill it with delicious, local ingredients, cover it, and place it directly in the ground. There the food slowly cooks by volcanic steam and after 5-6 hours you get a perfectly cooked meal created by Mother Nature. It is like an underground crock pot!
This morning I jumped from an airplane, landed on the top of a snowcapped mountain, and skied down a black diamond trail. Well…ok…not exactly. I actually just went up the Magic Carpet and came back down a few times but I can tell you it was just as scary! I am 40 years old (Ugh…that can’t be right) and I am just learning how to ski.
If anyone deserves to be the leader of this country, it should be the creator of American Girl Dolls because that person is an absolute genius! If you have young girls I’m sure you know all about these dolls because they are a cult for young girls in the US. I am not quite sure what makes this doll so special but they seem to have a magical power over the female gender that convinces you a doll needs a multitude of outfits and accessories. And if you think the company is just about the dolls, you haven’t hit the tip of the iceberg.