Bahamas: Sea Squirts at Atlantis

Atlantis offers a program for kids 3-6 called Sea Squirts, which offers young ones the opportunity to get up close and personal and learn more about the sea animals that live at the resort.

Sea Squirts participants get to pet and feed several varieties of baby sea life, like this shark. They receive careful instruction and one-on-one oversight.

They also check out the turtles! In the basement, she saw and held Atlantic Green Sea Turtles.

She also loved the young zebra shark, and came back explaining to me why it is called a zebra shark, even though the adult version has spots.

The zebra shark definitely knew it was feeding time! She came right up to the platform where she knew children would soon be offering her fish to eat.

Bria wasn't so sure about holding fish in her hands, so the guide picked one out for her that she could hold by the tail...

...then she dumped the rest of the bucket out for them to eat on their own.

Next was the tank of rays. The children learned that it is important to shuffle your feet, to avoid stepping on them.

Then they learned how to feed the krill to the rays from their bucket by shaking it in their hands to break it up.

Bria wasn't about to do that, either, so he taught her how to swirl the krill with some water in the bucket to break it up, then toss it out to feed the rays.

Sea Squirts is a one hour program, with about 20 minutes of marine activities and 30-40 minutes of feeding time. The program is about $40 and includes a keepsake swim shirt. One adult is asked to accompany each squirt.

Reservations can be made at Atlantis Guest Services. We recommend making a booking near the beginning of your stay, because they can be booked up a few days out.

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Bahamas: Bites of Nassau Food Tasting and Cultural Walking Tour

Thanks to the reviews at Trip Advisor, we ventured out on a Bites of Nassau food tasting and cultural walking tour, and we are so glad we did! In all of the time we have spent in Nassau and on Paradise Island (this is our second trip), it was by far the best experience we have had.

Whether you are a foodie or just like to dabble in local cultures and foods, this tour is a great way to get to know Nassau and the Bahamas.

The tour met at the front entrance of the gorgeous Christ Church Cathedral, established in 1670. The church has had a few reincarnations in the community, and the one that stands today is the fifth church building, which opened for services in 1841. In 1861, the building (made with locally quarried cut limestone blocks) was extended to the east and became a cathedral - making Nassau a city. This was only the first of many architectural highlights along the walking tour, an unexpected treat as we took a step into the feast culture of the capital island.


Our guide, Murray, was a fountain of interesting information, and the tour groups are intimate, allowing for easy navigation of the city's busy streets.

Murray explained that the tour is designed to start off slow and easy, and build to a crescendo of sights, sounds, and flavors.

And that is exactly how it went, as we started off with a little slow cooking. Our first stop was Bahamian Cookin', a local favorite established in 1986 and featuring the delicacies lovingly created by Miss Mena and her granddaughters - three generations cooking authentic Bahamian food. We enjoyed a sampling of authentic dishes, including chicken, baked macaroni and cheese, plantains, peas and rice, and coleslaw. While we ate, our guide shared about the history of each dish and the cooking techniques employed.


Tip: Bahamian Cookin' is at Trinity Place, across from Central Bank, and is open for takeout at breakfast and sit down service at lunch.

From there, we walked through the gardens of Graycliff, a colonial mansion featuring a hotel, restaurant, and much more. Originally built in 1740 by the famous Caribbean pirate Captain John Howard Graysmith, the mansion has a rich history, including being owned and occupied by royalty from 1966 to 1973.

We visited both the Graycliff Cigar Factory and Chocolatier, featuring handmade cigars in the Cuban tradition and handcrafted chocolates that really tempt the senses. Our tasting included a local beer or soda in the cigar lounge and two very different and very delicious bonbons in the chocolate factory.

Tip: Check out Graycliff's pizza offerings on Friday evenings. You won't be sorry! Also, ask about their day passes for the relaxing pools and hot tub.

Our next stop was Van Breugel's Bistro and Bar, a Euro Bistro established by Chef Freddy van Breugel (we enjoyed this stop so much we cancelled our dinner reservations at the resort and returned that evening - blog post on that to follow). We savored small bowls of a coconut curry conch chowder that was just the right amount of spicy and delicious. One of the highlights of this stop was the discussion about locally sourced ingredients, and the efforts of Van Breugel to really marry the local fare with his background as a saucier. We were definitely appreciative!

After Van Breugel's, we had the opportunity to explore the city's rich heritage a bit, seeing a few local landmarks and hearing about their history. We saw the Governor General's House, which sits on the hill overlooking downtown, and features a statue of Christopher Columbus on the steps.

Out of respect for the residence and the business that is being conducted at the Governor General's House, visitors are asked to stay behind a yellow line across the driveway from the house.

We also saw a home called Balcony House, which held significance in the desegregation of Nassau.

Next we moved on to a place called Bay Street Station, where we enjoyed what Murray dubbed an "educational tasting," where he shared with us about a number of spices and seasoning combinations commonly used in the Bahamas, along with some lovely sweets. We couldn't resist purchasing a few jars of the lovely spicy curry powder!


With two stops left, things were really starting to move quick, and we next moved to a family-run Greek restaurant called Athena Cafe and Bar. Located at the corner of Bay Street and Charlotte Street North, Athena is one of the top rated eateries in Nassau. We had a delicate Greek salad with fresh touches and a tasty authentic feta cheese. The hospitality was amazing, and the atmosphere was very family friendly.

Fittingly, we finished our tour at the Tortuga Rum Cake Company. The rum cake bake shop has quickly become a staple in the Bahamian culture, just as it is across the Caribbean. The cakes are made fresh daily, and the entire stock of the shop turns over about every day and a half, Murray explained, so the cakes are very fresh. And delicious! We tasted the Original Golden flavor, and purchased a variety pack to bring back and share with the family that didn't join us on the tour. If you have never had a Tortuga Rum Cake, you are missing out. It is moist and delicious, and you can almost smell the sea air when you bite into it.

The tour is $69 for adults and $49 for children, and we found it to be excellent value. Reserve your tickets online at Tru Bahamian Food Tours, and be sure to share any allergy information, they were great about working with people, from what we saw.

In all, we walked about 1.5 miles, with some hills and stairs involved. We brought along a stroller, which was a lifesaver for little legs (and big backs, because we didn't have to carry a five year old when she got tired).

If you will be traveling to Nassau or have a port day there on your cruise, we highly recommend the Tru Bahamian Food Tour.

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Florida: Weeki Wachee Springs and Buccaneer Bay

Want to find the best-kept secrets in an area you are visiting? Chat with the locals. We were buying a snack in St. Augustine and got to talking with the college kid who was running the snack bar (he is going to school to be a NICU nurse - how cool is that?), and he made a few suggestions about other places we should take the girls while in Florida. Another local heard us talking and joined in with a tip - Weeki Wachee Springs.

An hour north of Tampa, Weeki Wachee claims to be one of the smallest towns in the country, with a population of 12 (maybe they should spend some time in Eastern Montana?) and a mayor who herself is a former mermaid.

Opened in 1947, the park is the baby of Newton Perry, who was former U.S. Navy and trained SEALS to swim underwater in World War II. Perry was a promoter and a performer, but he was also an inventor - he invented the free-flowing air hose supplying oxygen from an air compressor that allows the mermaids to stay underwater for long periods of time, giving the illusion of breathing underwater with no breathing apparatus.

The spring is pretty amazing in itself. Named Weeki Wachee by the Seminole Indians (meaning little spring or winding river, depending who you ask), the bottom has never been found, despite the efforts of divers. More than 117 million gallons of water, an even 74.4 degrees year-round, comes up through the spring each day. It feeds the Weeki Wachee River, which is a beautiful clear river meandering through curves and turns 12 miles to empty into the Gulf of Mexico.

We took a 20 minute boat ride down the river, but there was an option to rent a kayak and paddle down, too.

We saw birds and fish, two turtles on a log, and an alligator named "Lefty" hanging out along the river. Our guide told us it is more common to see other animals on less busy days.

The river boat ride was a great way to see the gorgeous clear waters of the Weeki Wachee River.

Next we went to the mermaid show. They recommend you line up early, and they mean it! Lining up starts 30 minutes before the show, and goes until capacity is reached.

The mermaid show is performed underwater, of course, but the audience is underwater, too - in a 400 seat submerged theater. The theater is 16 feet below the spring, allowing you to get face-to-face with the beautiful mermaids as they perform their underwater ballet and tricks like eating and drinking underwater.

Reading about the park ahead of time, I must admit I expected more magic and mystery surrounding the mermaids. Instead, we got a behind the scenes look at the history of the Weeki Wachee mermaids and learned a lot about what makes the whole thing tick. That was fun, too, but not what I expected. In fact, the mermaids performed without their tails from about halfway through the show, and showed off some incredible diving skill with a 117-foot free dive.

There are other shows available, as well, so maybe we just selected the wrong one if we were looking for illusion. But it was hot, and no one was up for standing in line for another show.

The girls got their picture taken with a mermaid! Bria kept staring at her, she thought she was beautiful and pretty amazing.

Then it was time to cool off. And I do mean cool off. If 74.4 degrees sounds warm, think about your body temperature. Brrr! We were all pretty shocked when we jumped in the spring. But the water was clear and gorgeous, and we were excited to try the water slides.

Even Bria went down the slide. She stood in line for a long time, but when she splashed into the water, it was well worth it. She did it by herself!

Buccaneer Bay was added 1982. According to their website, it is the only spring-fed water park in Florida. There are four slides, and tubes are available to rent for floating on the river.

This park has the distinction of being a very "local" feeling place - in fact, there are a lot of references (in the show and in talk about the park) about it being a surviving piece of "old" Florida. You can feel that when you are there, and the history is well commemorated. 

A friend who was born and raised in Spring Hill (just a mile or two down the road from Weeki Wachee) described the spring as the "life blood" of Florida. It was very busy the day we were there, and the website says they fill up during the summer and have to cut off entrance. So come early!

Admission prices are reasonable - $13 for adults, $8 for kids 6-12 and free for children 5 and under. That price includes the mermaid show, boat ride, reptile show, and Buccaneer Bay. Annual admissions are also available. They are $60 for an individual or $120 for a family, and because it became a state park in 2008, that includes parks across Florida.

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9 Legendary North Dakota Places to Bring the Family

Looking for a legendary way to spend your summer? North Dakota is the place to go! Here are nine of our favorite hot spots to spend a sunny day in the Roughrider State.

Dakota Dinosaur Museum - Dickinson

Roaming the halls of dinosaur bones never goes astray with our children. The fact that many of the dinosaurs in the Dakota Dinosaur Museum were found locally adds an awesome twist to this great adventure in learning and makes it a stop we love to make when we are in the Dickinson area.

There is a children's corner, which is a fun place to sit and take a break from the excitement, and a park outside for running around on the grass after.

Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for kids 3-12. Watch your dates, though - the museum closes for the season on Labor Day.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is one of our favorite places for wildlife viewing in North Dakota. Bison roam freely, which is usually the only kind of traffic you will encounter. We were excited to learn that 186 species of birds call the park home, too! How many can you spot? And don't forget the Prairie Dog Town! Watching the black-tailed prairie dogs is well worth the hike.

There is lots more to see, too. Drive the scenic loop, check out the visitors centers, and lots more.

There are two units of the park - the North Unit is located 14 miles south of Watford City on Highway 85, and the South Unit is accessible from exits 24 and 27 off Interstate 94, near the Montana border.

Entrance is $20 per vehicle, or use your National Park Pass.

Tip: If you don't already have a National Park Pass, we highly recommend it - it is a bargain at $80 and gets you into national parks for a year. We make a point of visiting national parks whenever we can, and the experiences are well worth it!

North Dakota Heritage Center

For learning about the history of this beautiful state, no location has more to offer than the North Dakota Heritage Center, on the capitol grounds in Bismarck. There are thousands of exhibits chronicling the state, including art, interactive exhibits, and lots of technology. In addition, learn about the energy development that is currently evolving the state into a destination for workers from across the globe.

Plan to stay a while, and pop into the James River Cafe for a bite to eat midway through. As you are leaving, be sure to look up - you are standing next to the tallest building in North Dakota! You are more than welcome to walk the grounds, which are a part of the capitol's Arboretum Trail.

Knife River Indian Village

Spanning nearly 1,800 acres near Hazen, the Knife River Indian Village is the place to go to see archaeological remains from the Northern Plains Indians. We love to explore the exhibits, including going inside the earthlodges we had previously only seen in books. There are lots of tools and other items to see, and the ranger talks are very informative.

In addition to the Native American history, Lewis and Clark came through here in October of 1804, camping nearby at Fort Mandan, so this free site is a fun place to add to your Lewis and Clark knowledge.

International Peace Gardens

The International Peace Gardens have a little something for a range of tastes. With historical sites, beautiful flowers, an interpretive center and so much more, there is sure to be something to please everyone in the family. Plus there is lots of room to run off some energy! Take the time to explore one of the park's many hiking trails, wander through the Formal Garden, or wander through the peace poles to read "May Peace Prevail" in 28 different languages.

Located near Dunseith on the border between North Dakota and Manitoba, the Peace Gardens are a symbol of the relationship between two countries. The park is sprawling - check out this map to plan your visit.

A daily pass is $15, and a season pass is $30.

Note that you are crossing through Canadian customs on the way back from the park, so bring along the family's passports to make for smooth sailing. If you don't have passports, photo ID is required, and you may spend a little extra time at the crossing.

National Buffalo Museum

Jamestown, North Dakota is home to the National Buffalo Museum, a can't-miss stop along I-95. The bison (or American buffalo) played a significant part in the area's history, and this site offers the opportunity to learn more through a series of exhibits and artifacts.

Plus there is a live herd, featuring the only true albino bison in the world, named White Cloud. And of course the world's largest buffalo! The 26-foot tall concrete bison, weighing more than 60 tons, has been standing over Jamestown since 1959.

There is also a frontier village and gift shop. The museum is $5 for adults.

Geographical Center of North America

Have you ever wondered where the geographical center of North America is located? If you're driving along Highway 2, you'll soon learn it is in Rugby, North Dakota. Everyone needs to pile out of the car and take the obligatory family photo next to the 15 foot obelisk that marks the site!

Fort Union and Fort Buford

This is really three sites in one. Start by checking out the Confluence Center, located at the confluence of the Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers 20 miles west of Williston. The center features traveling exhibits (at a charge of $5 per adult and $2.50 per child, which also includes Fort Buford), and a beautiful view of the rivers.

Next door, explore Fort Buford State Historic Site, the remnants of a military fort built in 1866. There is a stone powder magazine, cemetery site, and an officers quarters building, where visitors can now explore a museum. A few times a year, there are also reenactments at the fort, which are a special treat.

Fort Union Trading Post is a few miles to the west, on the border with Montana. The fort was an important fur trade post between 1828 and 1867, and is filled with interesting nooks and crannies to scope out. Watch a blacksmith hammer out a horse shoe, climb to the top of the fort and look out over the river, and visit the exhibits inside the Bourgeois house on the site where seven Native American tribes traded buffalo furs and smaller furs for goods from around the world. During the summer months there are often tepees set up out front, for added interest. 

Medora

A list of North Dakota attractions wouldn't be complete without mentioning historic Medora, located near the western edge of the state. Options for a real cowboy-inspired experience abound. Check out the website to learn more.

If you have an evening to spare, don't miss the pitchfork fondue or the Medora Musical!

Where have your North Dakota adventures taken you? Share your favorite spots in the comments, we'd love to read them!

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by North Dakota Tourism. All of the opinions expressed are our own!

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Utah: Junior Ranger at Great Salt Lake Marina

At five, the best thing in the world may very well be to become a Junior Ranger. Every state and national park we visit, Bria checks with the staff to see if they have a program.

During our stop at Great Salt Lake State Marina outside of Salt Lake City, she was so excited to find they did!

Junior Ranger programs teach children to "Explore, Learn and Protect" our National Parks. The programs are activity-based, usually including a park-specific workbook filled with ways to learn about the park.

The workbook at the Great Salt Lake Marina included some sensory activities that were a big hit (sit quietly and look, listen, smell, etc. then write down what you sensed), along with a word search, drawing, and bird identifying. These booklets are a fantastic way to move from the backseat to fully engaged in the environment.

Children complete a set number of activities based on their age (younger children do a few pages of the booklet, older children complete the entire thing), along with additional interactive activities. Sometimes they are asked to pick up litter, or attend a ranger talk.

While she was exploring, she even made friends with a small snake!

After doing all of the outside activities, she moved inside to view a movie about the Great Salt Lake (she was very intrigued by the concept of being able to float in the water without swimming), then shared her answers with the Park Ranger.

Following the execution of the Junior Ranger oath, she was awarded a badge and congratulated on her new role. She is always proud to add a new badge to her collection!

Junior Ranger programs are almost always free (we have once or twice run into ones that required a small donation - Yellowstone, for example), and are an excellent way to build curiosity in young travelers.

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Florida: Potter's Wax Museum in St. Augustine

We kind of let the guy selling trolley tickets talk us into going to Potter's Wax Museum. (He was sweet and fun, how could we say no?) A maze of life-size figures representing popular culture and history greeted us as we escaped the heat of the day to explore.

Bria was excited to see the Star Wars characters. "Daddy loves this movie!" she proclaimed, and posed for photos to send him.

And of course Elvis. She's always happy to see Elvis!

There were figures from science, including Marie Curie and astronauts. Overall the tour took about 20 minutes, with the adults wandering behind the children as they moved at their own pace.

And the founding fathers - it was fun to match up who was where and talk about things each would be known for.

The wax museum is located in St. Augustine's Old Drugstore building. The building is an Italianate structure built in 1886, which would become the Speissegger Drug Store until the 1960s. The history of the building added to the experience, and we enjoyed reading about it on the historical marker.

This attraction is open from 9-6 Monday through Thursday and until 9 on Friday and Saturday. Admission is $10.59 for adults and $7.41 for kids 6-12. Children 5 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased online, or in combination with a trolley ticket for a discount.

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