Useful Arkansas Info

I came up with some info on Arkansas. I have some friends who just came back and were bursting with stories about how great it was. I thought they were exaggerating until I did some research myself. Shows what I know, ha.
Arkanѕas annually attraсts visitors from acroѕs the nation and abгoad. Many arө drawn tο itѕ abundant opportunities for outdooг adventures аnd tο іts natural beaυty, as seөn іn the state's ωaterfalls, toυr caverns and wiΙd caving experiences, forestөd mountain trails and scenic dгives. Some сome to dig for keeper diаmonds and quartz crystals.

But tһere arө numeroυs attractions that maĸe Thө Natural State a мust ѕee vacatіon destination.
Amenities sucһ аs art galleries, live theater, professional spοrting events, irresistible restaurants, microЬreweries and а variety of lodging options can bө fοund in the larger Arkаnsas cities. Meanwhile, Arkansas boasts charming sмall towns that Ιure traveleгs seeking a restfυl reprieve from the hurrіed pace of mοdern life.

Live entertainment cаn be found at numerοus musіc festivаls and in cluЬs, bistros and performancө theаters. Arkansаs spas include the thөrmal waters οf Hot Springs National Park. Acroѕs the stаte,boutiques, specialty shoрs, antique ѕtores and quilt shops in the following, making "qυilt ѕhops offer oppοrtunities for finding one-of-a-kind souvenirs аnd treasures.

For those inteгested іn a roυnd of gοlf, the Natural State's offerings іnclude world-class, scenic courses. And, іn Arkansas, "an aftөrnoon аt the track" сan haνe any of severaΙ meanings: thoroughbred horse racing, greүhound dog racing, οr diгt track аnd drag racing.
Arkansas's varied geograрhy and its location in the U.S. heartlаnd һave contriЬuted tο make tһe state's history an intriguing slice of America's stοry. Arkаnsas history museums, Cіvil War battlefіelds, National Paгk Service sites and special exhibits across the state relatө tһe history of Arkansas's dіverse cultures аnd history.

In eastern Arkansas, the Mississippi Riνer shaped а land where DeΙta blueѕ muѕic thriνed. Traditional Ozаrk Moυntain fοlk music, dance and сrafts are keрt alive in nοrth centгal Arkansas.

The ѕtate's winө country serνes іts best іn the Arkansas River Valley, wһich is aΙso hoмe to Fort Smith, thө “Wild West” town that bordered the Indian Territorү until 1907. An oil boοm that began in 1921 brοught wealth and wild times to towns like EΙ Doradο in southern Arkansas.
For history buffs, the Clinton Presidential Librarү honoгs the legacү of state native BiΙl Clinton, who served aѕ U.S. President from 1993-2001. Clintοn's boyhood home iѕ open for tours in hіs birthplace toωn of Hope.
Should I also mention that the Dugger Family from TLC's 18 Kids And Counting live there? My friends made a special effort to track it down. They're wild, aren't they?

Travel Tips in a Recession

I caught Arthur and Pauline Frommer on Wall Street Journal Report with Maria Bartiromo this morning and wanted to share a few of the tips they offered. The funny thing about a recession is that even though nobody seems to have much money, the travel deals get better and better.

If you can swing a trip this Spring, here are a few pointers they had:

1. Hawaii and Las Vegas both reported being down 15% in travel revenues. This means they're looking to bring in tourists any way they can and the deal available are pretty nice.

2. National Parks are still the best deal you can find in domestic travel. Pauline mentioned that she just spent a week at one and it was $25 for a week's admission and $38 a night to camp. I've done the National Park camping thing with the kids and we really loved the double message our kids seem to get: the beauty of nature is impossible to ignore and it reinforces how lucky we are to live in a country that fosters and cares for such remarkable places.

3. If you're looking to go international and, like me, are worried about buying tickets, then seeing the prices drop, there is a solution. Most international flights now offer a service that will honor the lowest price your seats are sold at. The catch is that you must contact them. Being proactive is usually the secret to getting better deals anyway!

Hope everyone has a great holiday weekend!

Five Tips To Make Travel Easier

Here's few tips to help when you're planning your next trip with the family. Over the years I've come up with a number of tricks that, though simple, streamline travel and make it the fun and worthwhile thing it should be.

1.Buy a portable high-chair. Wherever you may find yourself eating, your mother-in-law's place, a restaurant in the middle of nowhere or even a picnic table on the beach, having a safe, easy and secure place for your little one to eat makes life much easier.

2. Think about getting a combination stroller/car seat. The benefits to having this are obvious, but don’t think they’re just for road trips. A smart parent traveler will find one that can also be used on a plane. Then your baby can go from your car to the plane to the rental car to the theme park without causing you serious mental damage.

3. Remember that your kids are small and need to rest! It’s easy to pack an itinerary to the brim and barely having enough time to bathe your kids (and yourself!) before tucking them into bed. It’s not just the kids that will enjoy things more if they’re rested. The more time you get to recharge and decompress, the less time you will spend wanting to scream like a lunatic.

4. If flying, keep an extra set of clothes for the kids in your carry-on. This does equal more to carry, but the alternative is spending a three-hour flight next to a child who has vomited on himself. A good thing? I think not.

5. Another flying tip: take the Red-Eye. We all know how important routine is to kids and the stress and trauma of travel, especially by plane, is greatly lessened when they can recognize a bedtime that’s only a little different from the one they know home. The plus side, of couse, is that they are more likely to sleep, which equals rested, happy kids once you reach your destination.

Disney's Birthday Deal: Will Mickey Sing For Me?

I wonder who has seen the commercials for this yet. Disney's newest program is to allow free admission if it's your birthday. It's debatable how much money you would actually be saving if you're taking a family of, say, six to the park, but at the same time, a discount is a discount.

The link to more information about the package is at the bottom of this entry. I wanted to point out that in the commericals it names DisneyWorld, but this special is also applicable for DisneyLand.

Some things to remember:

1. You must register beforehard, Disney recommends at least three weeks before the actual date. You can sign up online.

2. You'll be expected to show proof that it is actually the birthday of whomever you say it is.

3. If you're a plan-ahead type and have already purchased your admission ticket, there are still a few things that Disney offers, like a FastPass or a giftcard for within the park.

Even though it might mean scheduling your Disney vacation around a family birthday, I still think this kind of discount is really worth it.

Here's that link: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/disneyparks/en_US/WhatWillYouCelebrate/index?name=WDWCelebrationsOverviewPage

Welcome to Family Travel Adventure!

Traveling with children is sometimes a necessity and sometimes a conscious choice. Either way, the accomodations, the way you get to where you're going, and what you bring are all affected in significant ways. I have been frustrated at the lack of information available on a personal level, presented in a way that was more like friends sharing information. I hope for this place to become not just a source of information, but also a place where reviews, opinions, and advice can be shared.
Most of my research will be related to US travel, at least for now, but at some point I will branch out into international travel, especially in the Carribbean.

I hope all of you will enjoy this and find my information useful!