Kids and Virginia - Where to Go, What to Do - All Year Round
July 9th, 2008 Categories: Book Report
Today when I was at the store (Potomac Yards Barnes & Noble), I saw two new books that seemed tailor made for anyone who:
- Has a family and is just moving to Virginia/Alexandria
- Has children (or nieces/nephews/cousins/grandchildren/etc) who are old enough for a day’s outing or
- Has lots of family and friends who love to visit.
The first is Fun with the Family - Hundreds of Ideas for Day Trips with the Kids- by Candyce Stapen ( $12.95). Stapen divides the book into six areas: the Shenandoah Valley, Tidewater and Hampton Roads, Northern Virginia, Eastern Shore, Central Virginia, and the Blue Ridge Highlands.
Within each section Stapen covers a wide range of activities from state parks to museums to homes or sites of historical interest and short descriptions accompany each. She also weaves topical “did you know” questions throughout as well as a plethora of fun facts. Where appropriate annual event calendars make for easy year round planning. Web sites and phone numbers are abundant as are places to stay and eat with a wide range of prices.
The second is Kids Love Virginia - A Family Travel Guide to Exploring “Kid Tested” Places in Virginia Year Round by George and Michele Zavatsky.
In addition to breaking the state into six areas, with the more pedestrian monikers of Northeast, Northeast/DC, Northwest, South Central, South East, and South West, the Zavatsky’s offers a city index that I thought was useful for planning purposes.
The Zavatsky’s emphasize the importance of age appropriate venues and checking - and double checking - days and hours of operation. I thought Kids Love Virginia offered more detailed descriptions and I really like their seasonal and special events section.
Another feature was a suggested list of business and local government facilities that offer public “tours” with advance planning.
Among others on their list were airports, water treatment plants (great for science experiments), Pizza Hut, Papa Johns and, oh be still my beating heart, Krispy Kreme Donuts!
All you need now is a good map book - ready, set, go!
Virginia
Thanks to my spouse and managing partner for this week’s book report.
