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Hands On House Children's Museum ( http://http://www.handsonhouse.org/ ) in Lancaster makes learning about our surroundings fun. The museum has exhibits that incorporate the local economy (...
Hands On House Children's Museum ( http://http://www.handsonhouse.org/ ) in Lancaster makes learning about our surroundings fun. The museum has exhibits that incorporate the local economy ( agriculture - the financial aspect of running a farm, coal mining, fishing) into fun activities for the kids. Although the space seems small upon entry, I found that the space is laid out well. It was just enough activities to keep the kids entertained for 3 hours.
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If you are in the area, you have to try authentic Pennsylvania Dutch cooking. Drive to Bird In Hand Restaurant (...
If you are in the area, you have to try authentic Pennsylvania Dutch cooking. Drive to Bird In Hand Restaurant ( http://www.http://www.bird-in-hand.com/index.php/places_to_eat/eat_overview/restaurant_smorgasbord/ ). They offer smorgasborg style (buffet) or entrรฉe style food. Comfort food is what I can best describe it. The moon pies and shoo fly pie are worth taking home from the bakery. The restaurant is located in the heart of Amish country so the drive alone is very scenic.
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The food offered here are generous and the steaks are worth noting. The price range is $15-$20 and they offer full bar. I liked the waitstaff, they were very accommodating in serving such a large...
The food offered here are generous and the steaks are worth noting. The price range is $15-$20 and they offer full bar. I liked the waitstaff, they were very accommodating in serving such a large group even with kids. After a big day of activities, Big A's is a good place to catch a good meal. This is a nice establishment, a good place to take a date and eat in the mood lighting. They are located off Rte 209 ( http://www.travelingusa.com/business/thebigasestroudsburg/index.html?from_cat=Food ).
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If you love southern fried chicken, candied yams, potato salad and Sweet Potato Pie or Bread Pudding for dessert, you have to try this small mom n' pop cafe. They are located in the Eagle Valley...
If you love southern fried chicken, candied yams, potato salad and Sweet Potato Pie or Bread Pudding for dessert, you have to try this small mom n' pop cafe. They are located in the Eagle Valley mall across the street from the gym is Miss Celie's. I loved the food and the owner was very nice, he came out and talked to us. This is a casual cafe, they do take-outs and take Visa or Mastercard. My advise, go early because they do run out of stuff from time to time. Visit their site to view their full menu ( http://www.misscelies.com ).
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If you're ever up headed to Bushkill Falls and hankering for a joe, pass up this Dunkin' Donuts location. The service I received here was aggressively confrontational. Faced with an owner that...
If you're ever up headed to Bushkill Falls and hankering for a joe, pass up this Dunkin' Donuts location. The service I received here was aggressively confrontational. Faced with an owner that would argue over a $3 drink, I won't back down. But really, do you need to argue over coffee? Not worth my time (I was in a hurry). Dunkin' Donuts needs to work on Quality Assurance, Sensitivity training or something with their franchisees. I'll pass up the Rte 209 Dunkin' Donuts any day.
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Roche Harbor ( http://www.rocheharbor.com/index.html ) is a peaceful resort in the tip of the San Juan Islands. Only accessible by boat or plane, Roche Harbor offers privacy and escape from the...
Roche Harbor ( http://www.rocheharbor.com/index.html ) is a peaceful resort in the tip of the San Juan Islands. Only accessible by boat or plane, Roche Harbor offers privacy and escape from the hub-bubs of city life. The main hotel, Hotel de Caro, was a favorite destination for President Roosevelt, 100 years ago. The area used to be a lime & cement mining lot, but has since become a beautiful place for weddings and weekend get-aways. Depending on the time of year, it is very quiet in the island, you can go bike riding, kayaking, whale watching or just walk the grounds. There is one chapel in the island. and the minister uses a biplane between the islands for mass! This is a link to the island webcam ( http://www.islandcam.com/roche.html ).
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The Yaquina Head Lighthouse is the tallest in Oregon's rocky coast. It is also very picturesque out here. Up the 93 feet, you can view the Fresnel lenses, one of the few prism type lenses still in...
The Yaquina Head Lighthouse is the tallest in Oregon's rocky coast. It is also very picturesque out here. Up the 93 feet, you can view the Fresnel lenses, one of the few prism type lenses still in existence. There are quite a bit of steps on the circular stairs, 118 I think (but don't quote me), but the volunteers manning the lighthouse have such great stories to tell. From on top, you can look out to the Pacific Ocean. Who knows, you might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a pod of migrating whales! This is a view from their vebcam ( http://cil-www.oce.orst.edu/yhead/latest.c0.snap.html ). This is the actual location of the lighthouse ( http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?searchtype=address&title=Map%20to%20Yaquina%20Head%20Lighthouse&zoom=8&formtype=latlong&latlongtype=decimal&latitude=44.6767&longitude=-124.08 ).
If you like ghost stories, visit this site from the Lighthouse Friends ( http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=133 ). The lighthouse is manned by Friends of Yaquina Lighthouses, a volunteer run organization ( http://www.yaquinalights.org/ ). Just in case you didn't know, it's very windy out by the lighthouse, so dress in layers!
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After going to the aquarium, or, if you just happen to be by the Yaquina Bay Bridge AND Hungry, be sure to stop by Rogue Brewery. The food is good, the view reminds me of the scene from Free Willy...
After going to the aquarium, or, if you just happen to be by the Yaquina Bay Bridge AND Hungry, be sure to stop by Rogue Brewery. The food is good, the view reminds me of the scene from Free Willy where the whale jumps over the little boy to get over the jetty. You can also get a tour of the brewery.
Leave the stroller in the car, to get to the eating area, you need to walk through the brewery, mind the forklift, and walk up a flight of stairs. Upstairs, the staff pleasantly greets you in a tie-dye shirt, shorts and Birks (I don't remember if Margaritaville was playing in the background). Anyways, there's plenty of warm wooden benches upstairs and a great view of the wharf and jetty below. You can see the fishing boats coming and going - quite serene. I think the brewmaster served us.
You can sample all the Ales on tap, fresh from the source. The food is good - my husband had the burger. I enjoyed the clam chowder and bread. I think the bread had beer in it - it was pretty good. The kids meals are served on a paper lined Frisbee (that they can take home).
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If you are driving down Highway 101 by Yaquina Bay Bridge, stop at the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport and stretch your legs out a bit.
This aquarium is small enough for a child to walk around...
If you are driving down Highway 101 by Yaquina Bay Bridge, stop at the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport and stretch your legs out a bit.
This aquarium is small enough for a child to walk around with you and it is not too busy. We enjoy walking through a water tunnel in the "Passages of the Deep" exhibit and see the sharks swim around us (The water tunnel is known as "The Tube" and is 8 feet below surface and 8 feet above the sea floor).
Next, it's great to hear the docents talk about the coastal birds: tufted puffins, guillemots in the aviary exhibit during the feedings.
Then, there is the "Enchanted Seas" exhibit to see the seahorses, but we're usually pretty hungry by then (something about seeing fish for hours).
Finally, I always get emotional when I read the kids letters to Keiko.
If you are in the area for vacation, this is a fun, relaxing day activity with the family. Visit their website and see the live cams throughout their exhibits ( http://www.aquarium.org ).
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If you're ever in Portland, you have to visit Powell's Bookstore ( http://www.powells.com ). This is the biggest bookstore I have been to, and is well worth taking the road trip from Seattle. They...
If you're ever in Portland, you have to visit Powell's Bookstore ( http://www.powells.com ). This is the biggest bookstore I have been to, and is well worth taking the road trip from Seattle. They have such an extensive collection that the technical section, is in another building across town! I am not a big reader, but I can spend the day just browsing through their aisles. For example, in the kids section, they have shelves filled with Nancy Drew books, The Hardy Boys, Little Golden Books. If you have a book that you are looking for, check out Powell's. They might just have it.
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