Old Sturbridge Village

Do you ever wish you could step back in history to see what life was like in New England? At Old Sturbridge Village you can do just that. Prepare to transport back in time as you wander through this enchanting re-creation of a 19th-century rural village. From historic buildings to costumed interpreters, explore the sights, sounds, and stories of yesteryear in this captivating destination.

Explore 200+ acres and 40 historical buildings, chat with costumed historians as they work the tasks of the past, and be inspired by the stories of early 19th-century rural New England life.

Come with us as we explore this fun spot. Because we were on a tight schedule, we weren’t able to go into all the buildings. I can’t wait to return with the rest of my family and explore the whole village. Here are some fun stops we did get to see:

Center Meetinghouse

This was the gathering place for town meetings, elections, and Congregational worship services.

Fenno House

We loved looking at the adorable sheep in the yard at this home that was known for spinning, weaving, and dyeing woolens.

Cabinetmaking Shop

These cabinetmakers made a variety of objects from fancy furniture to basic wooden tools used around the home and farms. Today they were making legs that can be used for tables and chairs.

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February 16, 2022 mytravelingkids.com

AVENGERS S.T.A.T.I.O.N.

Las Vegas, Nevada

During the pandemic, my oldest daughter introduced us to the world of Marvel. Every week we would have a family movie night and she played each movie (in chronological order no less) and we grew to love the Avengers! We were so excited to visit the AVENGERS S.T.A.T.I.O.N. when we were in Vegas. It did not disappoint. There was so much to see, but let me show you some of our favorite parts. Time to head inside.

Mission Brief:

To delve into the history and profiles of Captain America, Hulk, Thor and Iron Man. Your goal: To interactively assemble case files on each of the characters and move on to become qualified members of the AVENGERS S.T.A.T.I.O.N. If you think you have what it takes. If you think you can be something more…

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January 10, 2022 mytravelingkids.com

House of Seven Gables

Salem, Massachusetts

If you are in Salem, MA, and want to get away from all the talk about witches, The House of the Seven Gables may be the destination for you. This historic home, built in 1668, is best known today as the setting of world-renowned American author Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 1851 novel. Take a guided 45-minute group tour through this seaside home. You’ll have an expert guide that is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the subject. Never read the book? Don’t worry…most visitors haven’t. It’s a wonderful way to get a glimpse of what Salem was like at that time period.

What do you see during your visit?

Let me show you a peek at some of the rooms you’ll view:

Make sure you go outside an look at the view of the harbor.

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October 14, 2021 mytravelingkids.com

A Visit to Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA

PEABODY ESSEX MUSEUM

If you are looking for a lovely activity for the whole family to do while you’re in Salem, Massachusetts, the Peabody Essex Museum is a wonderful option. It was a gloomy, rainy day outside when I visited and it was the perfect place to spend the morning. Take a peek at some of the pieces that I most enjoyed:

Protector Goddess, mid-1800’s. Artist in Kerala, India

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September 2, 2021 mytravelingkids.com

7 Ways to Entertain Kids at Museums

I love going to museums and have always wanted my kids to be just as excited about them as me. Their first museum was visited in a stroller, and when they were finally able to walk it was time to explore the Museum of Natural History in NYC. Some of my friends think it’s pointless to bring their kids because they don’t get anything out of it. Seriously? How can you possibly stand next to the statue of David and not get anything out of it? However, how do you entertain kids at museums?

Now don’t get me wrong, my kids and I don’t stand at a painting and discuss the contrasting and muted tones or the use of negative space. It usually sounded more like, “Hahaha…look Mom…BOOBS!”

My girls have been to museums in NYC, Boston, Portugal, London, and Greece and have never once told me they were bored. When they were young, they treated a museum as a place to use their imagination and they come up with some pretty cool ideas. Now that they’re teens they still love going to museums. I asked the girls to share in their own words some tips on how they’d entertain themselves at museums when they were younger. Take it away ladies…

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November 11, 2019 mytravelingkids.com

Picasso Museum, A Gem in Barcelona, Spain

The Picasso Museum, which opened in 1963, is another must-see attraction while in Barcelona. The museum shows the deep connection Picasso had to the city, and you will learn all about what made Picasso one of the most famous artist in history. Let me tell you all about it…

Where is this fabulous building located?

Getting to the museum is a delight, because you will weave through small dark alleyways in a gorgeous section of Barcelona. The building itself is a work of art, and it fits in well with the Gothic architecture of the city.

All about museum tickets…

The Picasso Museum is one of the most popular attractions in Barcelona, so I would suggest buying tickets online before you go. They like to keep crowds to a minimum, so they only allow a certain number of people in at a time. As with most attractions, the tickets are timed and you will need to arrive during your window or you will not be allowed to enter.

Ticket costs…

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October 9, 2019 mytravelingkids.com

Beauport, Sleeper-McCann House: A Hidden Gem in Gloucester

Another hidden gem in Gloucester is the gorgeous Beauport, Sleeper-McCann House. This stunning piece of architecture was the summer home of interior designer, Henry Davis Sleeper. It is a 14,200 square foot work of art that is perched on a lovely piece of property overlooking Gloucester Harbor. He used the house to show off his interior decorating skills to potential clients, as well as a summer retreat that he loved to share with friends and family.

This beautiful home has twelve bedrooms, eight bathrooms and twelve fireplaces (some worked and some were there for effect). Here are some of my favorite spots in the house:

Amber glass is displayed in this back-lit area when you walk into the house.

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October 7, 2019 mytravelingkids.com

Hammond Castle: Explore a Castle on the Coast of Gloucester

When in Gloucester, Massachusetts, the number one place you MUST visit is Hammond Castle, an actual European castle perched high on a bluff on a stunning New England shoreline. You will feel like you’ve stepped back in time as you explore the grounds of this magical place. Built by John Hays Hammond, Jr, a scientist, inventor, and art connoisseur, it was completed in 1929 as a wedding gift to his wife. He was one of the most eccentric man I’ve ever heard about and you’ll learn all about him throughout your visit. Let me show you around…

IT ALL STARTS OUTSIDE

Peek through the arches to see Gloucester Harbor and Eastern Point light.

It is such a peaceful spot as you look out at the water.

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September 24, 2019 mytravelingkids.com

Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum: Stepping Back in Time in Boston

For my birthday this year, my girls and I decided to head to Boston to check some things off our list that we’ve wanted to do. Since we were already planning to do the Old Town Trolley Hop-On Hop-Off bus, (don’t forget to read all about our ride!) we decided to get off at one of their last stops… the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum. Also, since it’s summer vacation, it’s nice that they got to learn about an important time in American history (Just don’t tell them it was educational…sssshhh). I really had no clue what to expect, since I’m not too thrilled about doing tours through museums. I was pleasantly surprised that the tour is actually a fully immersive tour. The characters were so authentic, we felt like we had stepped back in time. Here’s a peek at our experience:

Our first stop was to go to the meeting house to meet us with some of the local townspeople on this historic night in 1773 Boston.

Since it is a dangerous time, we were given a feather to represent a disguise, as well as cards that told us all about the character we were.

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August 15, 2019 mytravelingkids.com

Victoria Mansion: A Historic Gem in Portland, Maine

There’s nothing more fun than discovering a hidden gem in one of your favorite cities. While attending the Women in Travel Summit last spring, I went on The Real Portland Tour and our guide told us we HAD to get inside of the Victoria Mansion because there was nothing like it in Portland. I hadn’t been able to take that building off my mind so while my girls were in camp this summer, I decided it was finally time to go in and take a peek. I was lucky to have a private tour with Torie, who was able to bring life to the history of the house. Let me show you around…

Also known as the Morse-Libby House, Victoria Mansion was built between 1858-1860 for Ruggles Sylvester Morse and his wife Olivia. Can you believe it was their summer home! The outside of the home is stunning and will make you stop in your tracks to look at it.