Beyond Disney: Things to do with kids in Orlando

We could have gone to Disney World. We could have gone to Sea World. We could have gone to Universal Studios or Discovery Cove. Instead we went spent our only full day in Orlando at the Science Center, where admission was free because we showed our membership card for the Academy of Sciences in San Francisco.

Maybe I'm a cheapskate depriving my children of fun, but my kids had a wonderful day at the hands-on museum. They watched baby alligators eat their lunch, raced soap box cars and learned about velocity, and built houses with blocks on an earthquake "shake table" and tested their engineering in an 8.0 tremor.

Here are 7 more things to do in Orlando with kids--beyond going to spendy amusement parks.

1) Pedal across a lake. Hop, skip, and jump along the mile-long path circling Lake Eola Park. You'll enjoy sweeping views of Orlando's skyline and colorful flower beds. You can also rent swan-shaped paddle boats ($15 per half hour), and feed the ducks. If you're hungry, Relax Grill right on the lake serves juicy burgers and blackened mahimahi. Info: click here.

2) Stop to smell the roses. Three miles of paved scenic walkways wind through Harry P. Leu Gardens' 50 acres of Southern styled gardens including one of America's largest Camellia collections, a formal rose garden, and a butterfly garden where it's fun for kids to look for winged insects. $7 adults, free kids. Info: leugardens.org.

3) Bite into a big sandwich. An Orlando institution since 1967, Beefy King is known for its roast beef and pastrami sandwiches. The meat is seasoned and heated over a steam vent, which moistens it and brings out its natural juices. Also, try the tater tots, onion rings, and thick milkshakes. Info: beefyking.com.

4) Get eye-to-eye with a gator. Thousands of alligators and crocodiles lurk in the 70 acres of swampy land making up Gatorland. Catch the crowd-pleasing show, Gator Jumparoo featuring the giant "lizards" jumping out of the water to snatch hunks meat from a trainer's hand. Also, feast on smoked gator ribs, watch gators wrestle, and amble along a boardwalk passing through the gator-filled swamp. adults $22.99, kids $14.99. Info: gatorland.com.

5) Hug a tree. Fifteen minutes north of town in Big Tree Park, you can take a walk and visit Florida's oldest resident, "the Senator." Approximately 3,500 years old and 18 feet tall, it is one of America's oldest bald cypress trees. Stroll along the boardwalk or bring along lunch to enjoy at one of the picnic tables. Free. Info: click here.

6) Cool off with an ice cream cone. Savor creamy, rich soft serve at Goff's Drive-in, an institution in Orlando's Parramore neighborhood since 1948. Info: click here.

7) Ride a merry-go-round. A retro amusement park in nearby Kissimmee, Old Town is the place to sip an old-fashioned root beer, go for a spin on the tea cups, ride the antique carousel and the wooden Ferris wheel, and step into the general store where you'll find collections of memorabilia from Coca-Cola and John Deere. Hundreds of motorcyclists rally through the streets on Thursday nights, and on Saturday nights the park comes to life with a vintage car parade. Live music every night at 7:30 p.m. Admission free. Info: old-town.com.

Know of any other fun things to do with kids in Orlando?

Barnacle Bills, St. Augustine, Fl.

"I have been on Prinivil for four years. It's a great drug."

I turn around and discover that four octogenarians are eating behind us at Barnacle Bills, a seafood restaurant in St. Augustine, Fl. I smile at my husband, who says "classic Florida," and turn my attention to the menu.

I read about Barnacle Bills on Chowhound, my favorite Web site for finding restaurants while on the road. A comment about the seafood being "fresh" and the restaurant being "family-friendly" had me sold. We were stopping in St. Augustine on our drive from Jacksonville to Orlando, part of our Thanksgiving road-trip.

The menu at Barnacle Bills offers a tempting array of seafood: coconut fried shrimp, crab cakes loaded with blue crab claws, and fish tacos simply prepared with diced tomato, cabbage, lime juice, and spicy salsa. I decide on the blackened mahimahi. My husband goes for the teriyaki shrimp. My son was excited to order shrimp when we first sat down, but then he realizes there's a kids' menu with mac and cheese. He quickly changes his mind. I'm disappointed because I know the protein-packed shrimp are a healthier option. Oh well!

"You have to have a good cardiologist."

I turn around and take a closer look at the seniors. They're drinking Bud Lights and feasting on a plate piled high with fried shrimp. They look as if they're in their late 70s, early 80s. They're smiling, laughing, enjoying one another's company.

The waitress takes our order. The kids start coloring their place mats. My husband begins to prep me on his cousin who we're visiting in Orlando: "He once picked me up from school wearing a gorilla suit."

"That's the beauty of the Mayo. They keep up with what's new."

The fish arrives, a flaky fillet, blackened and accented with lemon. It's bursting with flavor and deliciously sweet--better than candy. My daughter wants a bite. "This is so good!" she says, and then starts digging into my beautiful slab of fish. We're literally fighting for bites. This fish is that good.

"My daughter yelled at me: 'Don't you dare get a small turkey like you did last year. We want to take home leftovers.' And so I'm going to get the biggest turkey I can find that will fit into the oven. I'll show her."

I look back again. This conversation is way too interesting. They have now moved onto their second course--they're now eating fried fish and they each have a little dish of pickled beets. I wonder if beets are good for your heart.

We look up St. Augustine on Wikipedia on the iPhone--since we really don't have a clue about where we are:

Founded in 1565, St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied European established city, and the oldest port, in the continental United States...The city of St. Augustine was founded by Pedro Menendez de Avilas on September 8, 1565. Menendez first sighted land on August 28, the feast day of Augustine of Hippo, and consequently named the settlement San Agustin...In 1586 St. Augustine was attacked and burned by English privateer Sir Francis Drake. In 1668 it was plundered by English privateer Robert Searle and most of the inhabitants were killed.

"I had to stop drinking black coffee. I thought I had a tumor in my throat but actually the pain was from blisters caused by drinking coffee."

We learn that there are lots of sights and attractions in St. Augustine: Fort Matanzas built in the 1700s, the Lightner Museum with shrunken heads and mummies, and Castillo de San Marcos, a National Monument originally built by the Spaniards in 1672 to defend the Florida coast.

Unfortunately, we can't do more than drive by these attractions because we promised the relatives that we'd be in Orlando by dinnertime.

The kids fold their paper menus into airplanes. "Look it's a jet plane, Mommy! Watch it fly!"

I'm tempted by the pies on the menu: key lime, peanut butter, and Snickers bar--all homemade. When one of the airplanes zooms across the dining room, I decide my children aren't behaving well enough for pie.

"I think I'll have another Bud Light to wash everything down. And hey bring me a piece of pie and a cup of coffee with milk!"

Black: It's the fashionable color for travelers who pack light

Three black tops, one black cardigan, one black-and-gray striped sweater, a black dress, a gray skirt, a pair of jeans, and a pair of black boots.

This might sound like the wardrobe for someone following a Cure tour--but actually it's what I stuffed into my carry-on for our 12-day trip to the South. I was determined to avoid the fee for checking a bag, and so to limit the number of clothes I needed to sport coordinated outfits, I stuck with a simple color scheme: black.

It's versatile; it goes with everything; and it doesn't show dirt--so you can wear the same top for three days in a row without anyone knowing it.

And when you stick with a single color, you only need to pack one pair of shoes--although the shoes I brought look nothing like those pictured above.

Thanksgiving road trip

Why lug a 5-year-old and a 6-year-old across the country over the Thanksgiving holiday, a time of year when airports are packed, highways clogged, and the weather notoriously dreadful?

The answer to this question is complicated. Let's just say we're searching for long-lost relatives, warmer weather, and a breath of fresh air, in both a figurative and literal sense.

Our itinerary: Fly into Jacksonville, Fl. Drive to Orlando and spend two nights with some relatives. Drive back up the coast to Savannah, Ga., to soak up some Southern charm, and then charge on to Charleston, S.C., to spend Thanksgiving with another set of relatives. Stop by the Okefenokee Swamp on our way back to Jacksonville, and then return to S.F.

Here's a rundown of our first day:

8 a.m. We need to leave the house for the airport at 11:30 a.m. Can I pack for myself and two children in three and a half hours?

8:15 a.m. Packing for the kids is easy. Two pairs of pants each. One pair shorts. Three tops. PJs. Socks. Done!

8:30 a.m. Where are the kids' swim goggles? Looks like we left those at the pool. *&#?!

8:45 a.m. Printing out coloring pages and games from Kaboose.com--great resource for children's activities.

9 a.m. Which pair of shoes can I pack that I can wear with a dress and on a hike? I'm determined to bring only one pair of shoes for myself. I want to pack light so we don't have to check luggage; the airline we're flying charges $15 a bag. Ouch!

10 a.m. Snacks for the plane: dried mango, dried apricots, apples, almonds, and a few packs of gum.

10:30 a.m. "Where's the other booster seat? I looked everywhere for it."

"Uh, I left it at Mark's house. Sorry about that. We can buy a new one when we get to Florida."

11:29 a.m. I manage to stuff everything we need into three rolling carry-ons. I realize that it takes more effort to pack light.

11:30 a.m. Taxi arrives. "Mommy! Where's Marie! I forgot Marie! I need Marie." My daughter bursts into tears as I run back into the house to look for her stuffed cat.

Noon. Check in. Go through security. We fill 12 bins with all our crap--jackets, laptops, shoes, stuffed animals...

12:15 p.m. Lunch at Klein's Deli, where the sandwiches are big and imaginative and named after famous female icons of the 20th century. I order The Piaf: roast beef, cream cheese, horseradish, dill pickle, and tomato on dark rye. My husband orders The Kahlo: chicken salad with mango chutney, almonds, raisins, a dash of curry, lettuce and tomato on wheat.

1 p.m. At the newsstand: I pick up The New Yorker and In Touch. "Mommy can we get some Tic Tacs?" "No!" "Please!" I cave.

1:15 p.m. "Where have you been? They're boarding our flight?" My husband is mad because we're late in boarding our flight and we have a lot of carry-on luggage. "There won't be enough room for our carry-ones!"

1:30 p.m. We board the plane and find space for our luggage several rows behind us. The kids watch A Charlie Brown Christmas on the laptop. Ahhh! I can relax and read about Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes' dysfunctional marriage, and about Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt (isn't that over?).

1:45 p.m. "Mommy, can I have a Tic Tac?"

2 p.m. OMG! Jennifer and Brad send text-messages every day! And Tom and Katie might get a divorce.

2:15 p.m. "Mommy, can I have a Tic Tac?"

2:30 p.m. The kid sitting in front of us is sneezing and coughing--and he sounds like Darth Vader when he breathes. And then the dad says to the wife, "Honey, he feels really hot. Feel his forehead. Maybe we should take his sweater off." I grab my CleanWell hand-sanitizer from my purse: "Kids let's take a bath!"

3 p.m. "Mommy, can I have a Tic Tac?"

3:15 p.m. "Mommy, my Tic Tac is stuck in my Transformer, and I can't get it out."

3:30 p.m. "Mommy, can I have another Tic Tac?"

4 p.m. We sit next to a 17-year-old girl from Arcata. She's flying to Pensacola to visit her boyfriend who is the Marines and currently in training. "I hope he doesn't get sent to Afghanistan," she says.

4:30 p.m. Turbulence. "Mommy, are we going to crash?"

5 p.m. Tic-tac-toe with my 6-year-old. Hey, she beat me!

5:30 p.m. "Can we watch another movie?" Darn! Computer is out of juice.

6 p.m. I'm going crazy!

6:30 p.m. Hello Atlanta, Georgia! I love you! We get off the plane and buy burritos at Moe's Southwest Grill. "Mommy, this is the best burrito I have ever had," my 5-year-old says. (Living on the edge of San Francisco's Mission district obviously hasn't had an effect on my child's palette.)

7:30 p.m. We board another plane. One-hour flight to Jacksonville, Fl.

8 p.m. "Mommy, can I have another Tic Tac?"

8:30 p.m. (or 11:30 p.m. Florida time) We arrive at our destination. The computers are down at the rental car company so it takes nearly an hour to get a car. The kids are sleeping on the floor of the airport.

9:30 p.m. Step outside. It's balmy. Ahhh! "Mommy, I need to take my jacket off! Mommy I can't get my jacket off! Mommy!"

10 p.m. (1 a.m. Florida time) We check into the Best Western Executive Inn, about a mile from the airport. "Mommy, they have a swimming pool! Can we please go swimming!"

10:30 p.m. Lights are out. We're all in our comfortable beds. Ahhh! "Mommy, can I have another Tic Tac?"

Funniest family vacation photos

I love this blog post from TripBase: 13 Funniest Family Vacation Pics. They have compiled a bunch of photographs such as the one above that are certain to make you laugh--and recall just how painful and awkward a family vacation can really be (especially when you're 16 years old!).

To see all the photos: click here.

Best Western Offers Deals from 49€ (USD $73) per Night Across Europe During Two-Day Promotion

Best Western hotels across Europe and in Egypt are offering outstanding winter value during a two-day period. On Nov. 20 and Nov. 21, book a December, January or February stay on www.bestwestern.it/2daypromotion for rates starting at just 49€ per night, including breakfast. Family-size guestrooms and triple occupancy rooms start at just 69€ per night, including breakfast. Rewards program members earn 1,000 points per stay.

Countries participating in the promotion include: Armenia, Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Egypt, Finland, France, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, The Netherlands and Turkey.

For a list of the 400 participating hotels and rates, visit www.bestwestern.it/2daypromotion.

What I'm loving right now: NY Times Family Guide

I check The New York Times Web site every morning and go to the Travel section at least once a week, yet it was just today that I stumbled upon the "Family Travel Guide." Here, The Times has compiled all dozens of its past articles geared specifically to those traveling with kids in tow. You'll find stories on everything from trekking with llamas in Colorado to playgrounds in Amsterdam to camping in New York City (who new?).

It's fun to browse through the section and daydream about all the places you could take your kids. Forget Disneyland when you can tour the mosques and medinas of Marrakesh, walk through a butterfly rainforest in Florida, or go tubing in the Poconos.

I was particularly excited to find a piece on Savannah, Ga., as my kids and I will be exploring the Southern town in a few weeks. Now, I know to check out the Railroad Museum, sign up for one of the children's workshops at the Jepson Center for the Arts, and go for blueberry corn pancakes at the Firefly Cafe.

So often the articles in The Times are even better than the best guidebooks because the writers hone in on a single destination and thoroughly research it. They only write about restaurants where they have actually eaten, and when they're writing about a place from a family angle they can actually tell you about their children's experiences in that place.

Google's holiday gift: Free Wi-Fi in 47 airports

Beginning today, Google is footing the bill for wireless Internet coverage at 47 airports across the country.

Google says the Wi-Fi will be available until January 15, 2010, and they're also extending the free service to Virgin America flights within the continental United States.

The list includes airports in Austin, Boston, Des Moines, Las Vegas, Orlando, San Jose, St. Louis, and more. For a complete list, click here.

"This is one of our holiday gifts to our users, and when you connect, we also hope you'll take the opportunity to try some of the latest Google products," the company said in a statement.

The FAA estimates 100 million people will travel back and forth across the country during the holidays, and those hunkered down in airport terminals due to weather delays will likely appreciate the free Wi-Fi, according to CNNMoney.

Best Western Countdown to Savings

Best Western’s Countdown to Savings Sale starts today. For each day of this week, select Best Western hotels will offer deep rate discounts on bestwestern.com until the clock strikes 4 p.m. EST. A new theme each day will reveal new hotel deals.


Monday, Nov. 9: Hockey Cities

Boston, Mass.: Rates From - $139

Atlanta, Ga.: Rates From - $75


Tuesday, Nov. 10: Ski Destinations

Anchorage, Ala.: Rates From $80

Bozeman, Mont.: Rates From - $89


Wednesday, Nov. 11: Grab Bag

Durango, Colo.: Rates From - $79.00

Detroit Lakes, Minn.: Rates From - $68.00


Thursday, Nov. 12: Tropical Destinations

Honolulu, Hawaii: Rates From - $89.00

Tamarindo, Costa Rica: Rates From - $89.00


Friday, Nov. 13: Romantic Destinations

Sedona, Ariz.: Rates From - $175.00

Napa, Calif.: Rates From - $113.00

Winter getaways: $200 a day

Gatlinburg, Tenn.
Thousands of twinkling lights, a parade and decorated trees bring plenty of cheer to this snowy town that celebrates the cold weather with an annual Winterfest, running throughout November and December. Play: At nearby Smoky Mountains National Park (pictured), you can hike in the snow or cross-country ski on Clingmans Dome Road, which is closed to traffic for recreation. Eat: At Desserts & More, start with a healthy homemade quiche and then choose from the amazing array of pies ($4.99 a slice): from almond joy to peanut butter. Stay: On Main Street, the Best Western Zoder’s Inn offers a fireplace in the lobby, mountain views, an indoor swimming pool with a waterfall, and milk and cookies at bedtime.

Scottsdale, Ariz.
This town enjoys 300 days of sunshine a year. In the winter, the average temperature hovers in the high 60’s, but you can also get 80-degree days. Play: For sweeping views of the desert landscape, hike up the sheer sandstone cliffs of Camelback Mountain. It’s a strenuous climb but worth it on a clear winter day. Eat: The Mission in Old Town is one of the hottest restaurants around, but it can be expensive. If you belly up to the bar and order the guacamole ($12; they make it in front of you) and a margarita ($7), you can still sample the happening scene without emptying your wallet. Still hungry? Try the grilled street corn ($5). Stay: Swimming outside in winter? Yes, you can dive into the outdoor heated swimming pool at the Best Western Sundial Resort right in Old Town.

San Francisco, Calif.
California’s city known for its hills, Bay views and cable cars has some of its best weather in the winter. Yes, rain falls, but it’s not unusual to have a beautiful crystal clear day when you can comfortably walk about in a T-shirt. Play: The Golden Gate Bridge is the city’s most iconic landmark and it’s free to stroll across its 1.7-mile span. Eat: The Ferry Plaza is a foodie haven with dozens of stalls selling everything from homemade sausage to fresh-baked bread. At Taylor’s Automatic Refresher, known for its big burgers and sweet potato fries, you can easily eat for $10 a person. Stay: Only a few blocks from Union Square, the Best Western Carriage Inn sits in the heart of the city, and if you’re a AAA member you can often book a room for a little under $100.

Lake Placid, N.Y.
This little lakeside village surrounded by the Adirondacks has hosted two winter Olympics. It’s a great spot for sledding, ice skating, and skiing at the nearby Whiteface Mountain, where you can hit the slopes for $35 on select Sundays and $38 on certain Wednesdays. Play: At the Olympic Center, skate around the Olympic Speed Skating Oval where Eric Heiden won a record five gold medals in the 1980 Winter Games—costs only $5 for adults, plus a $3 skate rental. Eat: At the Lake Placid Pub & Brewery, the onion soup ($6), made with Moose Island Ale, is sure to warm you up. Also, try the steak salad ($11), and fish and chips ($10). Stay: The Best Western Adirondacks has an indoor hot tub and heated pool.

SeaWorld Orlando raises ticket price. Do you care?

SeaWorld Orlando is raising its base ticket price to almost $80, the Associated Press reports.

The base price of a one-day ticket to SeaWorld will rise $4 to $78.95. The move brings SeaWorld's base price to just 5 cents less than single-day, single-park tickets to Disney or Universal, both of which raised their own prices over the summer.

The news caught my eye because my family is going to Orlando soon, and my children are asking about visiting to SeaWorld. A $4 increase isn't huge, but $79.95 sounds like a lot. What do you think? Is the price too high? Or does it seem reasonable?

Thanksgiving road-trip tips

Planning to drive over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house this Thanksgiving holiday? AAA offers up the following tips to ensure your trip is safe and smooth.

• Get proper rest. Set aside time to pack your clothes, load your vehicle and get a full night's sleep so you can set out fresh and rested.
  
  
• Buckle up, and make sure all passengers are secured properly with safety belts and age-appropriate child safety seats. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, eight in 10 safety seats are not installed correctly. Contact your local AAA club to have a licensed child passenger safety technician inspect your child's safety seat for proper installation.
  
  
• Try to do most of your traveling during daylight hours, when visibility is best. If you find yourself driving into the glare of a rising or setting sun, consider taking a break until lighting conditions improve.
  
  
• Take stretch breaks and rotate drivers to stay alert. Driving drowsy is extremely dangerous and results in many crashes and deaths each year. A good rule of thumb is to make a rest stop every two hours or 100 miles, especially if you are traveling with children and pets.
  
  
• Keep children interested and involved in your road trip with a ready selection of cards, maps, family games, sing-along CDs and activity books -- especially ones with references to your destination. This will help keep them occupied and create more interaction among family members.

What tips do you have for travelers braving the road this Thanksgiving?