One for the Road: 1,000 Places to See in the U.S. and Canada

by Kelly Amabile on

Yesterday we suggested a tool to use for logistical aspects of your travel planning. Today we overwhelm you with a list of destination choices for North America, a semi-tribute to America during the recent holiday.

Earlier this spring, Patricia Schultz, author of the mega 1,000 Places to See Before You Die, released a second version:1,000 Places to See in the USA and Canada Before You Die. So now you’ve essentially got about 2,000 places (minus the overlap) to choose from. Yikes!

This 1,200-page monster has loads of suggestions for travelers — things you can do this summer and throughout the year. The book is organized by region, and includes subject-specific indices sorted by interest — wilderness, great dining, best beaches, world-class museums, sports and adventures, road trips, and more. And hey, mom and dad — there’s also a handy index that breaks out the best destinations for travel with kiddies. Plenty to pick from in this one!

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GADLING’S TAKE FIVE: Week of April 8

by Adrienne Wilson on

It was an interesting week here at Gadling with two very notable moments here. First we reached our 10,000th post! (Come one everyone – Golf claps, por favor!) Then there was our “Official Honoree” award in the 2007 Webby Awards, but most importantly it was a week filled with fun, informative and interesting travel related posts. Let’s look back at a few you may have missed.

5. Pocketed Security Sock:
Anyone who has ever endured the discomfort of stashing their cash and values away in the very same shoe they’re using to tour the city has probably placed an order of at least a couple pairs of these Pocketed Security socks. Designed to protect your small valuables and provide peace of mind and a happier sole who wouldn’t want to own some of these? Sometimes that nifty money belt isn’t enough.

4. Whogoslavia Means Traveling With Kids:
While I don’t have children I found this plug particularly inspiring. For those who think kids will bring a complete halt to travel and a social life all together this is one to check out. Have the best of both worlds and take your children to as many places as you can afford or have the time and make them apart of your social life. It might be a small world at Disney World, but it is a big world outside of those theme parks. Tackle it together!

3. The Extreme List:
I’d like to think I’m a bit of an “Extremist,” but after looking at this list of extreme things to do on your vacation far off and away the truth is I’m more of a wimp. If you are ready to not only follow the off-the-beaten track trails and wish to speckle it with a bit of danger and daring feats try climbing, swimming, diving, biking, or hiking some of these spots.

2. A Canadian in Beijing: Walls and their Greatness:
Anyone following Ember Swift’s time spent in Beijing is probably green with envy. This week she has left us with a slew of dispatches from the Asian city on the changing of the leaves to bathroom squatting instructions to pics of her standing at the Great Wall and even her landing her first gig! All I can say to that is two words: Rock On!

1. “Naked Sushi” Arrives on the Shores of America:
Ever dream of picking your spicy tuna or hamachi off a beautiful naked woman’s body? Well you don’t have to go to Japan or join a gang for this one. Instead you can take a trip right over to Sunset Blvd in Hollywood and feast away. Like Neil, I think I’ll pass

21 (+3) Tips For Getting Kids Excited About Travel

by Willy Volk on

Last week, we offered several keeping-kids-on-road-trips-happy ideas, including printable car activities and a car trip check list. Having no kids myself, I thought these tips would be plenty.

Unfortunately, blogger Wendy Perrin called us out on it, claiming that our tips “just don’t work” for her kids. Consequently, we thought we’d try to scrounge up a few other ideas for parents looking to distract their children. Not only did we find a few more tips — we found 21 more.

The folks at We Just Got Back have a round-up of 21 websites designed to get kids excited about travel. From showing them a webcam-preview of your destination (think: bear cam, or panoramic views of Seattle from atop the Space Needle!), to nipping in the bud the inevitable “How does this work?” questions, like How are interstate highways are numbered?, they’ve got a slew of ideas for parents who want their children to fall in love with travel.

Granted, these are all pre-departure activities. For on the road, Wendy suggests revving up the old “engine guessing game.” She’s also an advocate of Crayola Color Wonder paper and pens and Crayola’s flip-top markers to keep little ones entertained.

When I was young, the “Trip Fairy” used to bring me one small toy “if I was good,” each night I spent on the road. I remember being extra-good in order to get that gift. It all worked out so beautifully, until Mom had to push the envelope, and call me as the “Trip Fairy.” Of course, I recognized her voice immediately. Man, my world really came tumbling down when that happened last week.

[Thanks, Christine! Photo: -kirra-]

Trunki, the Trendy Bag from Trendykid

by Willy Volk on

Though it looks like a tiny blue pig, our little friend Trunki is really a ride-on or pull-along suitcase for kids. Available in ether hot pink or neon blue, Trunki is small enough to be “carry-on approved,” but large enough to boast 5 gallons of storage capacity. Wow, you can stuff some junk in that Trunki.

The 5-pound suitcases, which run $40, will be available starting in May.

Restless Kids? Printable Car Activities!

by Willy Volk on

I mentioned yesterday that my family goes on road trips with some regularity. To pass time in the car, we always make sure we have: fresh music on the iPod; several magazines with lots of pictures; one box of Trivial Pursuit cards; and a hip flask filled with grain alcohol. (Just kidding, we hardly ever take the Trivial Pursuit cards.) We don’t have kids. If we did, we might be looking for other ways to pass the time in the car. What about printable car activities?

Mom’s Minivan is a site dedicated to providing kids travel games and road trips ideas. In addition to details on how to make a cootie catcher and art from aluminum foil, Mom’s Minivan has some pretty great Printable Car Activities, including car bingo and — my favorite — Travel Scavenger Hunt Cards.

The cards are so cool, that, even as an adult, I’m thinking about printing off a couple for our next trip to the Keys. Bonus points for the person who sees the snowman!