There is so much to see and do in the Grand Canyon area, families often miss many of the fun activities. Of course, there is the awesome view from the rim of the canyon itself. And we’ve all heard about the mule trains that go half-way down for day rides and all the way down for over-night rides, but the next time you think about sharing this truly American wonder with your kids, consider making this trip more than just a spectator sport!

 

Maverick Helicopter Tours operates several helicopters, including the new “ECO-Star,” which is truly the Rolls-Royce of helicopters. This quiet and spacious copter has room for eight and provides every passenger with a fabulous view. And while you’re on your flight a video camera records your personal experience, including what you say, so it’s a good idea not to mention you’re having a bad hair day unless you want it recorded for posterity. There are different canyon tours. All ages are welcome on the tours. Everyone will leave with a new perspective of the canyon and its magnificent majesty.

 

The city of Williams is “The Gateway to the Grand Canyon.” Located on historic Route 66, this place is a little gem. Just a few hours from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, Williams is a quaint and picturesque town.

 

From Williams, The Grand Canyon Railway will take you up to the South Rim where you can spend some time exploring before the return trip, or you can stay at the canyon and return in a day or two. The railway is a fun experience for both kids and adults. Each car has a different atmosphere. But no matter what car you ride in, the fun won’t stop from the moment you board until the time you step off of the train two hours later. Entertainment is the key on this railway. And during the trip don’t be surprised when the train is robbed. They’re not Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, but these robbers are every bit as fun to watch as Paul Newman and Robert Redford. With music, costumed entertainers, food and drink, as well as spectacular scenery and wildlife along the route, The Grand Canyon Railway is a must-do for every family visiting the area. To put it simply, it’s pure fun.

 

A family vacation at The Grand Canyon involves more than looking at a hole in the ground. There are plenty of wonderful activities for everyone, and don’t forget to bring your camera. You’ll want to remember everything about this magnificent part of the country.

 

https://www.thetrain.com/

https://www.maverickhelicopter.com/

 

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment business for 20 years. She also writes about technology and has been a travel writer for the past 12 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

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On the banks of the Tennessee River is the charming town of Florence, Alabama. With a residential population of about 37,000, this is home to the University of North Alabama. Founded in 1818, Florence, the city that was named after the beautiful city in Italy, sits in the northwest corner of the state.

 

Having grown up in the 60s with images of the civil rights riots and marches on TV, when I first thought about Alabama my mind immediately went to its former governor, George Wallace, so I wasn’t really sure what to expect when we walked through the town. What I discovered was a beautiful town with extremely friendly people. And there is a lot of history here.

 

Florence was the birthplace of W.C. Handy in 1873, otherwise known as the Father of the Blues. About the town, Handy said, “Where the Tennessee River, like a silver snake, winds her way through the clay hills of Alabama, sits high on these hills, my home town, Florence.”  His birthday (November 16) is celebrated annually, and the museum holds a collection of his personal papers. The library is considered a great place to learn about African American history.

 

The downtown area is small, but it is quaint and enjoyable to discover. We browsed around a book store and stopped in for some refreshments in a local eatery. Everyone was so friendly. When you think of a small river town, this is exactly what comes to mind. It is perfectly manicured and clean.

 

A Frank Lloyd Wright house sits on Riverside Drive and is now a National Historic Property. Although no battles were fought in Florence, it still holds a lot of Civil War history. Popes Tavern, one of the oldest buildings in the town, took turns being a hospital for Union and Confederate troops. It all depended on who controlled the area at the time. One time it could be Union held, and later Confederate. I don’t know if they kept track how many times it changed hands.

 

The University of North Alabama is a picturesque little campus. I always enjoy walking around colleges so we took a little stroll around this campus. What we discovered were two very big and very real lions – Leo and Una. The campus started housing lions in the 1970s to honor the athletic teams, the UNA Lions. The new Lion Habitat is a central part of the 130-acre campus. It is a place where students and visitors can go to visit the lions, and it also is a nice place to sit and study. The lions draw a lot of tourists to the campus. Well, how many campuses do you know that are home to live lions?

 

UNA is the ninth name for this place of higher education. It began in 1930 as LaGrange College and changed its name several times until it finally took its current name in 1974.

Florence is a cute town filled with friendly folks. It’s the seat of government for the region and has a strong retail trade center, banking center, and of course, the University of North Alabama. If you’re ever in the area, check out this peaceful and pleasant town. Walk around the streets and see the attractive homes, the quaint shops, and meet the friendly folks. I am happy we discovered this attractive little town on the banks of the Tennessee River.

 

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment business for 20 years. She also writes about technology and has been a travel writer for the past 12 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

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With the climate of Anchorage, Alaska, Flagstaff, Arizona is a year-round vacation destination with much to offer – and it’s only 150 miles from Phoenix. Flagstaff is a hub of train activity and believe me, you’ll see and hear more than a hundred trains that pass through all day, every day. I recently had the pleasure of discovering the charms of this delightful area with a friend. We learned there is a lot packed into this city.

 

Flagstaff is more than just home to Northern Arizona University. The Arboretum offers guided tours through the 200 acres of beautiful grounds. We were taken by the beautiful scenery in the botanic garden and all the surroundings. Everywhere we turned it was like a picture postcard. And we have the pictures to prove it.

 

The Museum of Northern Arizona has exhibits featuring the rich history of the state. With artifacts and artwork, this is a wonderful place to learn about the people who lived in this part of the country before freeways, cars, and even trains. The native cultures and traditions are displayed in a magnificent building that sits in a picturesque setting. There is a lot to see here, and don’t forget to snap a few pictures. Just don’t take any photos of the dolls on display – you won’t know which ones have “curses” on them. We were a little camera happy and took several photos before we discovered that some of the dolls brought bad luck. Thank goodness for the “delete” button on digital cameras. Delete, delete, delete. Whew. That saved us from bringing bad luck back with us! While we might not believe in all the ancient curses, we didn’t want to take any chances. You never know!

 

Our next stop was the Riordan mansion, a giant house that was built in 1904 by one of the city’s first families. This place is huge. There are over 40 rooms and 13, 000 square feet. Take a guided tour of the place and see how this family lived back at the turn of the century – the twentieth century.

 

The altitude here is 7,000 feet so it feels like an alpine ski town. And speaking of an alpine ski town, when you’re in Flagstaff you must eat at Altitudes Bar ‘n Grill. The atmosphere is rugged and the food is yummy. With everything from homemade soup, sandwiches, pasta and more, there is something here for every taste. And be sure to listen for the trains that come through the town regularly. When a train passes by there are special “shooters” of the day. They have half price burgers on Mondays and other specials throughout the week. My personal recommendation is their veggie burger, however if you prefer meat, they have that too. But this place is more than just food – it’s a lot of fun as well.

 

 

And while we’re on the subject of food and drink, The Arizona High Spirits Distillery is the highest altitude distillery in North America. Originally a micro-brewery, this place has evolved into a distillery of spirits, with a state of the art custom still brought in from Germany. They make some pretty tasty vodka here. And for something a little different and more Arizonian, you’ve got to try some pink prickly pear vodka. But even more than simply quenching the thirst of their customers, Arizona High Spirits Distillery has a license to distill alcohol for alternative fuel! Talk about your “high” octane! They are working with the U.S. Forest Service and the university to research alternative fuels and lessen our dependency on foreign oil. Three cheers for Arizona High Spirits Distillery!

 

While we were in Flagstaff we took a little detour to the Wupatki National Monument, which is only about 40 miles from the city. This is a true historic site. We walked through the trails to the pueblo ruins and felt as though we were literally stepping back in time. This is an awe-inspiring way to learn about how these people lived.

 

 

These are just a few places to visit while you’re in Flagstaff. There are many more things to do and places to see here. The Embassy Suites Hotel is a great place to stay when you’re in town. It’s comfortable, easily accessible to everything, affordable, and perfect for families.

 

Flagstaff is known as the “City of Seven Wonders” because of its proximity to seven scenic locations: The Grand Canyon, Oak Creek Canyon, Walnut Canyon, Sunset Crater, Meteor Crater, Wupatki National Monument, and the San Francisco Peaks.

 

And just a note about how the city got its name. On July 4, 1876, one hundred years after the country was born, some settlers from New England hung a flag on a tall pine tree, which became the flag staff. This tree, or flagpole, became a landmark and supplied the name for the city. That’s just an interesting tidbit to remember when you’re visiting Flagstaff, Arizona.

 

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment business for 20 years. She also writes about technology and has been a travel writer for the past 12 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter

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Madame Tussauds opened in London over 200 years ago and has been a tourist destination in that city for over two centuries. Since 1999 visitors to Las Vegas have been able to take in the lifelike wax figures in Madame Tussauds Las Vegas next to the Venetian Hotel on the famous Las Vegas Strip.

 

This is more than a museum. It is an experience because visitors can “interact” with the wax figures. For instance, there is a room in which Elvis is sitting in a convertible sports car. Visitors may climb in next to Elvis and take their picture with “the King.” And they can have famed chef Wolfgang Puck “pour” them a glass of wine. In other words, instead of simply having the figures on display, there are vignettes in which visitors can “interact” with the “people,” and the props are right there for visitors to use to create memorable photographs. The figures are not only touchable, people are encouraged to get close to them.

 

So, you’ve never met Leonardo DiCapprio but have always wanted to? Take a photo next to the incredibly lifelike wax figure and tell your friends you and “Leo” had some fun together!

From the Rat Pack to Celine Dion, Sandra Bullock, Halle Berry, Jennifer Lopez, Shirley MacLaine, Elvis, George Clooney, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, etc., there is a wide variety of Hollywood celebs from the past and present. Or, if you would prefer, there are some favorite sports personalities as well.

 

The majority of the figures are truly life like. Take Bond, James Bond, in his Daniel Craig incarnation. This wax figure is the spitting image of the super spy.  And let’s not forget about Johnny Depp. This figure is an amazing replica of the real thing.

 

On a personal note, I have had the opportunity, and in most cases the pleasure, of interviewing a good portion of these figures face to face and I can say that it was a fun experience to see them in wax form. Having seen them in flesh and blood I admit I still enjoyed this place. The figures are amazing.

 

Besides “real” people, there is a section devoted to MARVEL superheroes, which includes a fun 4D film in which visitors get not only a thrilling 3D 10-minute movie, they also get into the action in an experience that uses all the senses – except taste. The special effects (water, wind, etc.) make viewers feel like they are right in the movie along with Hulk, Spider-Man, Iron Man, and Wolverine.

 

Madame Tussauds is a fun way to spend some time when you’re in Sin City.

 

For more information or to purchase tickets at a discount, go to their website at https://www.madametussauds.com/LasVegas/.

 

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment business for 20 years. She also writes about technology and has been a travel writer for the past 12 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter

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The newest resort at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida is one of their “value” resorts. But just because it is a value resort, don’t think they skimped on anything! They didn’t. On the contrary, the Art of Animation Resort is truly amazing.

 

Resort Information

 

The resort is divided into four different areas: The Lion King, Finding Nemo, Cars, and The Little Mermaid. The Lion King, Finding Nemo, and Cars areas have suites that can sleep six, and The Little Mermaid section is comprised of standard rooms. Each family suite is equipped with a microwave, coffee maker, sink, and refrigerator. Note: there are no ovens.

 

With 864 standard rooms and over 1200 family suites, this place is large. But it isn’t overwhelming because of the different sections and environments. The standard rooms start at $100 per night, depending on the  season, and the suites start at $250. Considering the suites can sleep six, this is quite a bargain, or “value” as they say at WDW.

 

The Art of Animation also has the largest pool in WDW, with the exception of the Yacht and Beach Club. Actually, there are three pools here. The large one is at The Little Mermaid section. Finding Nemo and Cars each have pools in their regions as well.

 

The Story

Walking into the lobby of the resort is amazing. It’s colorful and filled with sketches of the characters we all know and love. The lobby tells a story in itself, and if you are not clued into all the little things surrounding you, don’t worry. At 12:30 pm every day guests can take a guided tour to discover the story about the hotel and the history of the art of animation.

 

The Suites

The suites are works of art in themselves! Truly, they have to be seen to be appreciated. And I definitely appreciate all the Disney ingenuity that went into designing them.

 

Finding Nemo is a memorable film, thanks to the wonderful characters. The Finding Nemo portion of the resort is designed to make guests feel like they are underwater. But you don’t need a scuba tank for this adventure. It’s a beautiful environment that takes you into the world of Nemo, Dory, Marlin, Nigel, Crush, Squirt, Mr. Ray and the rest. And don’t worry about the seagulls. While they periodically chant “mine” they won’t cause a mess on the ground. No need to worry about seagull poop here!

 

So, you might be wondering what makes the suites so unique. I’ll tell you! They are designed around the theme of the section, so in the Finding Nemo section the suites are based on the themes and characters in the film. Everything -and I do mean everything – in the rooms reflects the specific theme.

 

If you stay in a Nemo Suite, look up. The ceiling lights look like clusters of bubbles. And the shower curtain is a picture of Bruce the shark. Each suite has a dining table that converts into a bed ala murphy-style. In this section of the resort, when the bed is pulled down a picture of Nemo and Marlin sleeping together is exposed. The designers didn’t miss a thing.

 

Take a short walk from Nemo to Radiator Springs where everything Cars surrounds you. You’ll transition from an underwater environment to a rural western environment, where cars of all shapes and sizes live. At the pool the private cabanas are in the shape of cones like the Crazy Cone Motel. No detail is skipped at this resort.
Suites in the Cars section are designed around automobiles and trucks. Even the couch looks like a bench seat from an old sedan. And when the bed replaces the dining table, a sleeping Mater is exposed. How cute is that? And in the Lion King area, the murphy beds expose a picture of a sleeping Simba.  Even thought the Little Mermaid building has standard rooms, guests are still surrounded by Ariel and her friends.

 

The Art of Animation resort is truly a work of art.  And it is an ideal location for families. Simply select which theme you want – Finding Nemo, Cars, The Lion King, or The Little Mermaid – and you will be immersed in that movie with all the memorable characters that have become part of our lives and culture.

 

Even if you stay at another resort in Walt Disney World, I encourage you to take a look at this remarkable and yes, magical place in your spare time.

 

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment business for 20 years. She also writes about technology and has been a travel writer for the past 12 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter

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If you are planning a family vacation and you cannot decide between Hawaii and Walt Disney World, I have the perfect solution. Disney’s Polynesian Resort is like stepping into a real Hawaiian setting, only instead of flying across the Pacific Ocean, you get there by flying across the country to Orlando, Florida. And besides the Polynesian feeling, you are just a short Monorail ride to the Walt Disney World theme parks. The Polynesian Resort is one of three resorts at WDW served by the monorail system, which makes it easy to get to and from when you want to leave this peaceful setting and venture out into the magic of all things Disney.

 

When you arrive at the resort you get a lei just like you would in Hawaii. And once you step into the lobby you feel as though you are not in Florida but a Polynesian paradise. And with the “Spirit of Aloha” dinner luau, you will completely forget you are on the mainland. This is not one of those rush-through-dinner luaus. They serve family style so you can stay at your table and enjoy the setting and your family while taking in the surroundings and music. And once the show begins, guests are treated to an array of dances from the islands of the South Pacific. You might be lucky enough to get to dance with the performers. Hula, anyone?

A real treat is the Best Friends Breakfast with Lilo and Stitch, and a couple of their Disney friends. Bring your Ohana and enjoy a delicious feast to start your day with fun and flavor. Scrambled eggs, fruits, breads, Island-style potatoes, meat selections, and Mickey waffles are served family-style, and if you want more, just ask! During your meal, Lilo, Stitch, and whoever happens to be around (when we were there Mickey and Pluto joined in the fun) wander around meeting the guests and posing for pictures. Who can resist a hug from Stitch? And children can join in a parade around the room led by Lilo and Stitch. This is a highlight for kids. I didn’t see one grumpy face in the crowd.

 

Disney’s Polynesian Resort is located on the Seven Seas Lagoon. Look across the lagoon at night to see Cinderella’s castle lit in all its glory.  The resort offers guests an array of dining options, shopping, supervised childcare at the Neverland Club, and a tropical paradise. Check with the resort for days and times of the Spirit of Aloha luau and Best Friends character breakfast.

 

So, that covers the tropical part of your vacation. How about some more Disney magic? Just hop on the monorail at the front of the resort, grab a watercraft, or catch a motor coach to visit one of the theme parks. The location of Disney’s Polynesian Resort makes it easy for guests to enjoy the entirety of Walt Disney World.

 

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment business for 20 years. She also writes about technology and has been a travel writer for the past 12 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter

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