Family Travel: Nashville, Tennessee

KITC would like to welcome back guest blogger, Stephen Johnson. Stephen Johnson is an Ottawa writer who loves to write about family travel.  During the summer, you will most likely find him and his family at a local fair or festival. During the winter, a beach in Mexico is a likely bet.  

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If you like music, you will love Nashville, Tennessee.  Often cited as the home of country music, Nashville is also home to a vibrant rock, blues and folk scene.  The good news is Nashville is also a great place to visit with kids. After a recent trip to the Music City, here are a few of my suggestions.  

Things to do -  Country Music Hall of Fame - A great place to start any visit to Nashville is at the Country Music Hall of Fame.  As one would expect, the Hall of Fame traces the history of country music. A few of my favourite displays included seeing Elvis’s gold car and more guitars from famous singers than I could count.   

The kids will be happy at the Hall of Fame as well.  The Taylor Swift Educational Centre has plenty of interactive displays and kids activities.  The day I visited the museum was jam-packed with school groups.  

As one of the add-ons to your Hall of Fame ticket, a person can do the RCA Studio B tour.  A short ten minute bus ride from the Hall of Fame,  Studio B is where Elvis recorded many of his greatest hits.  Other recording artists at Studio B included Dolly Parton and the Everly Brothers.  Our guide explained the history of the studio and why it was world renowned for the sound achieved in the studio.    The tour was very interesting but might be more geared towards older kids.  

Another addition you can choose to do is the Hatch Show Print Tour. Hatch Show Print has been a letterpress print since 1879.  Today, the print shop is housed within the Country Music Hall of Fame building.  The tour covers the history of the print shop, how posters are made and perhaps best for kids,  you get a chance to make your own poster. Some of the famous artists who have had their concerts promoted by Hatch posters include Elvis Presley, Hank Williams and Duke Ellington.   

Old Town Trolley Tour Nashville -  One of the best ways to get an overview of Nashville is to take a trolley tour.  The tour is a hop on hop off service with fifteen possible stops. I found the tour to be a great introduction to the history of Nashville.  Our guide was very knowledgeable and had a good sense of humor. The entire tour was about an hour and forty minutes. It was very kid-friendly and many of the stops would appeal to kids including several large parks.  

I also chose to do the evening Soul in the City music tour.   Our guide brought along his piano keyboard to play a few tunes on the bus.  We were introduced to the musical history of Nashville including studios where some of the best known hits have been written and recorded.   We also made a stop at a cafe where we got to see a song-writing circle. A trio of three musicians were sharing their songs.  

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum - Nashville -  I love Madame Tussauds because it is a very passive way for kids to learn about history.  I got to take my photo with almost lifelike wax figures including Justin Timberlake, Bono and Beyonce.  None of the above have ever invited me to their house so my photos at Tussauds are the closest I will ever get to the stars.  There was also a large section about the history of country music. As mentioned, the museum is a great place to learn history and have fun at the same time.

Soundwaves Water Experience -  This may be the favourite attraction for any kid visiting Nashville.  Set in the impressive Gaylord Opryland Resort, this indoor/outdoor water park features multiple waterslides, a lazy river and rapids river, a younger kids area and a crowd surfer.  

I appreciated the water experience also offered an adults only area where one could rest and relax.  

During the summer, the outdoor area features more waterslides and even a huge LED screen.  

Where to Eat

Barbecue is almost considered a food group in Nashville.  Jack’s Bar-B-Que,  found along the main entertainment strip, Broadway Avenue, was one of my favourites.  The place wasn’t fancy but served up delicious smoked chicken, pulled pork and brisket.  It is tradition to order a meat and three, meaning three side dishes. I loved the mac n cheese and the cornbread.  

The Peanut Shop - The Peanut Shop is like taking a trip back in time.   The shop has been at the same location since 1927. It originally was a Planters Peanuts store.   The day I visited, I was greeted by the friendly owner Kathy. The smell of freshly roasted nuts filled the shop.  The walls were decorated as if it was still 1927. Every type of nut was on sale along with items like licorice and gum balls.  

I ordered a bag of sweetened cashews and roasted peanuts.   They were the most delicious nuts I have tasted in my life.   Before I left Nashville, I made several trips back to the Peanut Shop and would have brought home half the store if it was not for import food regulations!

Where to Stay   Nashville is booming right now and it is a tourist city so it is a good idea to book ahead.  I had an enjoyable stay at several hotel properties.

Drury Plaza Hotel Nashville Downtown - This hotel was so new, it took awhile for my taxi driver to find it.  The day I checked in, the 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm free happy hour was just starting for guests of the hotel.  We were offered buffet style finger foods like nachos and sliders. Of course, there were juices and pops for the kids and adults are offered two free adult beverages if they so choose.  It was the perfect bridge between supper and going out to explore the city.

The hotel is located within easy walking distance of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Broadway and all downtown attractions.  

The following morning, the breakfast buffet was delicious.   My room was very clean and the hotel comes with free WiFi.  

Hotel Preston - Hotel Preston was quirky in the best sense of the word.   In true Nashville spirit, guests are able to borrow guitars from the front desk.  Perhaps the next great hit will be composed with a Hotel Preston guitar.   

The hotel staff were very friendly, including the front desk staff who offered me an umbrella on a rainy Nashville day.  

The hotel also has a regular-changing art exhibition featuring local artists.  

The standout for me at Hotel Preston was the on-site restaurant, Blackwood.  I had excellent Southern food including fried chicken and waffles for breakfast and a yummy burger for supper.  Prices were very affordable and the taste was far beyond standard hotel fare. There is also live music there certain nights of the week.  

The hotel is located very close to the airport and is a short Uber ride from downtown.  The hotel also offers a shuttle to the airport.

Gaylord Opryland Resort  - This hotel could be worth an entire article on it’s own.  Listed as the largest non-casino hotel in the United States, this hotel is an architectural marvel.  As previously mentioned, it is home to an indoor/outdoor waterpark, a nine-acre indoor garden and an artificial river that offers boat tours and even has waterfalls.  There is a free fountain light show that would be worthy of anything found in Vegas.

The resort is so huge, guests are given a map to navigate the property.   Part of the fun is getting lost and exploring all the nooks and crannies of the hotel.

The resort is conveniently located within walking distance of the Grand Ole Opry.  The resort offers a shuttle bus downtown and to the Grand Ole Opry and Opry Mills shopping mall.  

If you go - The only problem visitors to Nashville will have is finding enough time to do all the activities.  You can literally find venues playing music from breakfast until the wee hours of the morning. A great place to find information about everything going on is www.visitmusiccity.com.

I found Uber to be a great way to get around the city.   All the drivers were very friendly and offered local tips that were useful.  I also found all the local residents to be polite and friendly as well. Don’t be afraid to ask for directions or just chat.  There is a good chance the person working at the coffee shop or front desk at your hotel is also working on the next hit record or is the lead guitarist for your favorite musical group.  

Family Travel: Buffalo, New York

KITC would like to welcome back, guest blogger, Stephen Johnson. Stephen Johnson is an Ottawa writer who loves to write about family travel.  During the summer, you will most likely find him and his family at a local fair or festival.  During the winter, a beach in Mexico is a likely bet.  

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Buffalo New York is a great place to visit with a family. You might think there is a typo in this sentence or it was April Fool’s day when I wrote this article. There is no typo and we are about six months away from April Fools. Buffalo may not be top of mind like Orlando or Hawaii but our family had an awesome trip to the city. Here are a few things we did. 

Buffalo Bisons Baseball Game - The Buffalo Bisons are the Triple AAA affiliate for the Toronto Blue Jays. In short, that means you get to see the future stars before they get inflated salaries and egos to match. We took in a game with the Bisons taking on the Syracuse Mets. 

We got to see Bo Bichette, who is now a major star for the Toronto Blue Jays. Aside from the baseball, there were plenty of other things to keep our interest. David spent much of his time trying to get on the stadium tv and succeeded. I had fun watching a drink vendor who wore the classic Saturday Night Live Conehead and had a jersey with Conehead on the back. 

The fans were some of the best I have ever met at a sports event. They were into the action and very friendly when I mentioned we were from Ottawa. The stadium is located downtown and even though it was constructed in 1987, it has a classic old-school feel. 

Buffalo Riverworks - Buffalo Riverworks are grain silos that have been converted into an entertainment complex. Activities include ziplining, a ropes course, brew pub and even an indoor roller-skating rink. Being from Saskatchewan, I never imagined grain silos could have so many different uses. 

David opted to try the zipline course which went between the grain silos. David tried all four ziplines. He ended up not making it all the way across two ziplines as he does not weigh a lot. The guides were great at assisting David. At no point was he in danger. The last zipline was quite comical as he was perched about ten feet over the crowd and everyone cheered when David made it to the end.

David’s thirst for adventure was temporarily quenched so we checked out the interior of Riverworks. There was a teen roller derby tournament going on. There were teams from various areas including Ontario. The space also featured a very popular brewpub. We did not try the food but it looked delicious.

There is also a ropes course, climbing wall and a skating rink in the winter. Definitely the coolest grain silo I have ever visited. 

Buffalo Canalside - Much of the resurgence of Buffalo can be credited to the development of the Buffalo waterfront. The day we visited the area known as canalside, there were fitness classes going on, a music festival and salsa lessons. There are plenty of restaurants in the area and a Tim Horton’s that even has a small exhibit about the Buffalo Sabres hockey team! 

There are also numerous family attractions including river cruises, a children’s museum and the Buffalo Naval and Military Park. David, Sandy and I enjoyed seeing the World War II naval ships and even a submarine. 

Martin House Complex and Buffalo Zoo - I have included both attractions since they are within easy walking distance of each other. The Martin House is a must see for an architecture fan. The complex was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright who is considered one of the leading American architects of the 20th Century. Both the exterior and interior of the buildings were stunning. We took the one hour tour which proved to be just right for David. Longer tours are offered and there are a number of other Frank Lloyd Wright buildings in the Buffalo area.

The Buffalo Zoo is only about a ten minute walk from the Martin House. The zoo is well worth a visit and has all the animals you might expect including lions, giraffes and gorillas. David’s favourite area was the amphibian and reptile center. The zoo is located in Delaware Park which would be a perfect place for a picnic before or after the zoo.

Where to eat - It would be remiss to visit Buffalo without trying chicken wings. I quickly learned that Bufallonians take their wings seriously. Ask for the best place and opinions will vary. It is generally accepted that the Anchor Bar was the birthplace of wings. The day we visited, the lineup was quite long so we picked Gabriel’s Gate restaurant. I can say the wings were the best I ever had. The sauce was evenly applied and the wings themselves were juicy. Nothing like the frozen ones I have tried from the grocery. 

We had a very comfortable stay at the Embassy Suites Buffalo. The hotel was located right downtown so was close to everything. Breakfast was also included. I can recommend the omelettes!

For more information about Buffalo, visit, www.visitbuffaloniagara.com

Disclosure: Stephen was comped for hotel and attractions for the purposes of this review, but all views are his own.

Family Travel: Boston, Massachusetts

KITC would like to welcome back, guest blogger, Stephen Johnson. Stephen Johnson is an Ottawa writer who loves to write about family travel.  During the summer, you will most likely find him and his family at a local fair or festival.  During the winter, a beach in Mexico is a likely bet.  

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Boston is one of the best family destinations we have ever visited.  Have a history buff in your family? Boston was the cradle of the American Revolution and has all the historic sites to prove it.   Is your son/daughter a budding intellectual? A tour of Harvard University and MIT will be right up their alley. Just want to eat great seafood.   Boston is located right on the Atlantic Ocean and has several lobster shacks that are visited by both locals and tourists.

Here is our family’s comprehensive but far from complete guide on what to see, where to stay and where to eat in Boston.  

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum - I have always been a political junkie and amateur historian.  That is why the JFK Library and Museum was top of the list for me when we visited Boston.  The museum, as one would expect, chronicles the life and presidency of JFK.   

A visitor to the museum first starts with an excellent overview video which JFK himself narrates.  The narration is taken from excerpts of radio and television interviews.  

After the video, there are numerous fascinating exhibits including the 1960 election versus Richard Nixon, the Cuban missile crisis and the U.S space program.  The assasination of Kennedy is only lightly touched upon as the museum is meant to be a celebration of his life and legacy.   

The architecture of the building is also stunning as a full glass atrium provides outstanding views of the Boston Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean.

Our son, David, loved the museum as there are many interactive features.  It might be best visited by older children as the young ones may not find it that interesting.  

The museum is not right on the subway line but there is a free connector bus from the subway to the museum that runs every twenty minutes.  

Boston Tea Party Ship and Museum - It would be remiss to visit Boston without taking in at least one of the historical sites of the American Revolution.  Without getting into deep American history, the throwing of tea into the Boston Harbor by the colonists against the British was one of the pivotal events that led to the start of the American Revolution.  

Set on a replica ship, the attraction does a great job of recreating the events of the Boston Tea Party.   Period actors lead visitors through everything from the town hall to actually throwing crates into the Boston Harbour.  David loved repeatedly throwing the crates into the harbour and then using the ropes to bring them back up.  

It should be noted this was not the original ship or location of the Boston Tea Party.  The ship is an accurate replica and the location is the closest they could find to the original.  

There are numerous other Revolutionary War sights in Boston but perhaps few as interactive.  

Skywalk Observatory - My wife, Sandy, said her favourite attraction in Boston was the Skywalk Observatory.  It is easy to understand why. Set on the 50th Floor of the Prudential Center building, the Skywalk offers a 360-degree view of Boston.    

A person is provided with an audio guide which adds a lot to the visitor experience.    The audio guide goes into detail about the political and social history of the city. There were a children’s audio guide and one for adults making it perfect for all ages.

The Skywalk had much more to offer than just stunning views.  There were various exhibits about Boston including the Dreams of Freedom museum which highlighted the positive effects immigration and diversity has had on the city.   

I also enjoyed the exhibit highlighting Boston's sports history.  As a Canadian, Bobby Orr scoring the 1970 winning goal in the Stanley Cup struck a particular chord.  

We ended our time at Skywalk watching the two excellent videos in their theatre.  The first video did a flyover of the major attractions in Boston and the second gave an overview of the history of Boston from an immigrant’s perspective.  

Skywalk is located downtown thus is easily accessible by transit and a short walking distance to other attractions.  

Old Town Trolley Tours and Ghost and Gravestones Tour -  I feel one of the best ways to see any city is to take a hop-on hop-off trolley tour.  One of the best ones we have ever taken was the Old Town Trolley Tour in Boston. The tour covers eighteen different stops and is about two hours in length.  Both of our guides were very entertaining and informed. I was impressed the guides were able to negotiate the busy Boston streets while still providing commentary.  

The tour covers various points in the city but it is well-worth starting at the beginning to get the full experience.  

The trolley company also offers an evening Ghosts and Gravestones tour which examines the spookier side of Boston.  The tour started out with our guide donning a madman style costume that could have won best dressed at any Halloween party.  Our first stop was an old graveyard in Boston’s north end. Our guide told a number of spooky stories but also provided historical context to his commentary.   We toured several other spots with our final destination being the Granary Burying ground. This cemetery is one of the oldest in the United States and includes the gravestone of Paul Revere.  There was a suitably bone-chilling scare near the end which I will not give away.  

This attraction was very entertaining but may not be the most suitable for young children.  

Harvard and MIT walking tours -  There are perhaps no other learning institutions more iconic in North America than Harvard and MIT.    We wanted to visit both places and thought the student-led Trademark Tours was the perfect option.

We met our Harvard student guide, Emily, at Harvard Square.  Emily was entering her final year of studies. She immediately told us several amusing stories and gave us an insider’s perspective on being a student at Harvard.  We saw several famous spots including the John Harvard statue. She also showed us the dormitory where Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg lived.  

We wrapped up our tour at Harvard and hopped on the subway to MIT.  We met our guide, Luis, who had just completed his degree in Aerospace Engineering.  Luis filled us in on the history of MIT and some of the scientific breakthroughs that have been developed at MIT.  He also told us some of the pranks MIT students have pulled over the years including putting a reconstructed police car on top of a building.  Working siren and everything!

Where to eat - There is no denying that Boston is an expensive city.  We did find a few restaurants at a decent price and tasty food. My son’s favourite restaurant was Spyce.  He loved it because the salad bowls were largely made by robots with staff only adding the final touches.  I frankly thought it was going to be a gimmick but the food was delicious and affordable. Another favourite for the whole family was Joe’s American Bar and Grill.  The food was elevated pub food and nothing could beat the location along the water.  

It is also worth a trip to the north end where there is an abundance of Italian eateries.  We loved the pastry at both Mike’s and Modern Pastry.

Where to Stay - Again, Boston is not a cheap city.  We chose to stay out in the suburbs and take the commuter train every day.  We bought two seven day paper Charlie Cards for about $44.00.  It gave us unlimited subway rides, limited ferry transit and limited commuter train access.  It is well worth the price if you are planning to use public transit.  

For more information about Boston, visit, www.bostonusa.com.

Disclosure: Stephen was comped for the attractions for the purposes of this review, but all views are his own.

Family Travel: Loon Mountain, New Hampshire, USA

KITC would like to welcome back, guest blogger, Stephen Johnson. Stephen Johnson is an Ottawa writer who loves to write about family travel.  During the summer, you will most likely find him and his family at a local fair or festival.  During the winter, a beach in Mexico is a likely bet.  

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Our family thinks one of the keys to a great family vacation is to make frequent stops along the route.  Especially if it is to see fun attractions.  Loon Mountain Resort, located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire fit the bill.  

We arrived at Loon Mountain after being on the highway for two hours.  I read online that the resort had the longest scenic gondola ride in New Hampshire and also had ziplining.  Perfect for our son, David.  

We checked into the adventure centre and opted for the full adventure package so we could try all the activities.  Our first destination had to be the gondola. Heights and I have a mixed relationship so I was somewhat tentative to take the gondola.   My fears were quickly dispelled as we were treated to a smooth ride and breathtaking vistas.  

It took us about ten minutes to reach the summit.   We decided to go check out the glacial caves trail where a person has a chance to explore the caves.   While on the glacial cave trail, we first came across the outdoor amphitheatre. The amphitheatre was located on the sloped mountainside with seating providing an amazing view of the surrounding valley.  I could not imagine a more stunning location for any type of event.  

We continued along the trail and came to our first cave.  The space to explore the cave was tight which added to the challenge and fun.  Eleven-year old David fared well crawling in-between the spaces with relative ease.  My wife, Sandy, also proved quite capable. I used the excuse that I was wearing sandals thus did not have proper footwear!  David and Sandy explored three or four more caves with David completing the entire circuit.  

It was now time for lunch so we decided to try the summit cafe.   I was frankly expecting so-so food with outrageous prices because the view was so spectacular.  Instead, we were treated to tasty food at a reasonable price with the views included for good measure.  

After lunch, we took the gondola back down the mountain and headed to the adventure centre.  The centre serves as a basecamp for all activities at the foot of the mountain. David first wanted to try the ziplining.    He got suited up and zipped across an idyllic mountain stream. Sometimes, I wonder where David got his genes for adventure. I enjoy mild pursuits like hiking and biking but ziplining is not top of my list.   

Once done the ziplining, we were almost done for the day.  David wanted to do one last activity, the rock-climbing wall.  He strapped into the harness and was ready to climb away. He reached the top of the climbing wall and rang a bell at the top to signify his achievement.  

It was now sadly time to go and head back to Ottawa.   We did not have a chance to check out some of the other activities including the aerial forest adventure park and mountain biking.  Next time, we would like to extend our stay in the White Mountains as there are many outdoor activities to experience.  

If you go - Loon Mountain Resort is about a five hour drive from Ottawa.   It would be advised to book accommodations ahead of time as the area is a very popular tourist destination all seasons.  

For more information about Loon Mountain Resort, visit, www.loonmtn.com.  

Disclosure: Stephen received free passes for the purposes of this review, but all views are his own.

Family Travel: Dynamic Earth, Sudbury, Ontario

I grew up in Sudbury, Ontario, and although I didn't appreciate it as much at the time, it is a beautiful city with lots of things to do for families. A five-hour drive from Ottawa's west end, Sudbury offers families a plethora of beaches including Moonlight Beach, Bell Park, and Windy Lake and makes for a great long weekend destination.

I now visit Sudbury twice a year, every spring and fall, to spend time with my grandfather. My most recent trip up was with my mom and my ten-year-old daughter. We all thought spring is the perfect time of year to check out one of Sudbury’s most popular tourist destinations, Dynamic Earth.

Of course, there is also Science North, which is known for its Bed of Nails, resident beaver and porcupine, flying squirrels, as well as many other interactive nature and science-related exhibitions. I hope to explore Science North again more when I return in the fall!

In the meantime, if you have never heard of the Bed of Nails before, check out this fun promotional video from Science North:

Dynamic Earth

This trip, we decided to visit Dynamic Earth. I hadn't been "down in the mines" since I was a kid and I was excited to share the Underground Tour experience with my daughter. When you arrive at Dynamic Earth, you are assigned a start time, which is typically every hour on the half hour. We got there 45 minutes before our underground tour started, so we took advantage of the additional exhibitions that are included with admission.

It was a beautiful day so we, of course, took the opportunity to snap pictures of the infamous Big Nickel that stands on the top of the hill at Dynamic Earth. The Big Nickel is a replica of the 1951 Canadian nickel and has been a selfie hotspot since before selfies were a thing! According to the Dynamic Earth website it, “symbolizes the wealth that Sudbury has contributed to the Canadian economy through nickel production.” I love that access to the nickel is barrier-free, which means anyone can walk or use a wheelchair to get up close with the Big Nickel. You may have heard that there were once other large coin monuments that shared space with the Big Nickel… you can learn what happened to them by visiting the Big Nickel, but I still believe the rumour that they rolled away. ;)

The always accessible Big Nickel

After visiting the Big Nickel, my daughter explored the Outdoor Science Park. This park is unlike any other! It features science and mining themed play structures, vehicles and slides safe and fun for kids of all ages. My daughter lived sliding down the “molten slag” slide towards a real slag pot and climbing the net climbing structure.

When we finally ventured back inside, we spent time learning about colour minerals on the mineral wall and playing in the mine training centre downstairs that featured virtual operating equipment such as a rock breaker, excavator and mining drone.  

Of course, the real attraction was the underground tour. The tour starts by taking a big glass-windowed elevator down seven storeys. The guided group tour takes you through their demonstration mines through the ages. During the approximately hour-long underground tour, you learn the evolution of mining in the Sudbury region from the turn of the century to modern mining and also includes a mock-dynamite explosion. It's unlike any other tour I have been on, and I found it very interesting to learn about what went on under the ground all those years of living there. Also, you can purchase a postcard at the gift shop before heading down and mail it in their underground mailbox – a fun way to let others know how much fun you’re having! It’s a very realistic experience and makes you appreciate the dark and damp conditions miners continue to work in every day!

If you’re planning a family trip to Sudbury, Ontario make sure to include Dynamic Earth! Here are some tips to make the most out of your time there: 

• Pick up your underground tour pass for the next available tour time as soon as you arrive (you may be tempted to visit the Big Nickel first, but depending on when you arrive there will be plenty of time to do that!).

• The temperature underground is approximately 13C (55F), so make sure you are dressed for cool and damp conditions by bringing a jacket and wearing running shoes.

• I recommend the underground tour for children aged three and up, but there are strollers available underground!

• It is dark when you first get in the elevator and when you first arrive underground. Make sure little ones are prepared by letting them know it will be dark, but also that there will be lights and that they are safe.

• There are flashing lights.

• There is a café on site if you want a quick bite to eat as well as numerous bathrooms.

• Dynamic Earth is typically closed from October to March each year.

• The Big Nickel is free to visit any time of the year!

For more information on Dynamic Earth, visit: https://sciencenorth.ca/dynamic-earth/.

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Disclaimer: I received passes to Dynamic Earth for the purposes of this review, but all opinions are my own.