Fall Travel Activities: It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown

A rite of passage in the Fall is taking time to take in the orange, brown, and red hues. Maybe certain foods remind you of this cooler season. One tradition might be to take a drive or a hike with kids in tow to embrace the Fall foliage. Another favorite autumn activity with kids that, even for those of us who live in Florida, does not require traveling far from home is the pumpkin patch.

Taking the kids to the pumpkin patch, regardless of how authentic, is a great interactive activity as the children select the perfect pumpkin for carving fun. This particular year, we took our toddler to a Florida pumpkin patch and what was more entertaining than actually picking the pumpkin was our daughter’s fascination with the scarecrows and the hay. She spent at least an hour reenacting The Wizard of Oz.

Beyond the nearby pumpkin patch ritual, IgoUgo® has pulled together a list of autumn activities for families that are beyond the usual. Don’t spend fall getaways in the car; check out the leaves while navigating a giant corn maze, hawk watching, attending festivals and beyond.

“Fall is a perfect time to enjoy the changing leaves, but leaf peeping isn’t the only way to experience the autumn glow,” said Michelle Doucette, content manager at IgoUgo.com. “There are a number of fall activities where the foliage can be enjoyed while experiencing something new.”

IgoUgo editors, with the help and recommendations of their savvy members, have pulled together some unique and fun alternatives for welcoming the changing season:

Corn Mazes
Corn is not just something for cookouts – this year there are corn mazes popping up in almost every state of the country, providing endless hours of fun for those not afraid to get a little lost!

IgoUgo members recommend the Amazing Maize Maze in Huntersville, NC, which takes place from September through November. “Every two years, thousands of people descend on Rural Hill Farms to get lost in a corn maze. One nice thing is you make new friends, as you will be certain to pass the same people over and over again who are as lost as you are.”

Hawk-Watching
While the birds are heading south for the season, look north to experience some of the most amazing hawk- and bird-watching. The fall is the best time to spot exquisite birds that are hard to find in other seasons. IgoUgo members recommend Lynchburg, Va., and the Appalachian Mountains: “If you come in fall, you can see the hawks as they make their way from north to south. Take a drive up or down the Blue Ridge Parkway, and pull off at many of the roadside areas to eye the terrific views.”

Editors also recommend checking out the many spots along the Mississippi Flyway – one of the routes used by millions of birds to fly south for the winter. Horicon Marsh in central Wisconsin is one of the largest cattail marshes in the world, and a stopover for millions of migrating Canadian geese each fall.

Pumpkin Picking and More
There are “pick your own” farms across the country for all kinds of fruits of the harvest such as blueberries, blackberries, peaches and apples. IgoUgo members note that a trip to pick apples near Syracuse is “worth the drive to the country on a crisp fall day.”

But it would not be Fall without at least one pumpkin-picking activity. IgoUgo editors suggest taking the activity to the next level and finding a festival.

The Pumpkinfest in Mishicot, Wis., “is a celebration of harvest with a parade, free petting zoo and hay maze, pumpkin-carving contest, hayrides and costume contest. The downtown area of Mishicot becomes a sidewalk bazaar with many local stores and craftsmen participating. The Fox Hills Resort hosted a bonfire just after sunset and we were given all the s'mores we could eat amid scary stories,” says one IgoUgo member.

Belated Fairs
Unlike summer’s often sweaty affairs, the straggling state fairs of autumn offer pleasant weather and a colorful backdrop to their even more colorful midways. Arizona’s state fair (October 10-November 2) embraces the season with kids’ harvest activities, while adults enjoy the dynamic show outdoors. As one IgoUgo member divulged, “Phoenix is a wonderful and unknown place to enjoy the changing of the seasons and the fall colors.”

What unique Fall activity have you discovered with your kids that might start a new tradition?

Photo Credits: Fall lake foilage, www.igougo.com; Corn maze, www.igougo.com; Pumpkin patch, www.tltravels.com

Cayman Islands for Kids

The Cayman Islands is comprised of three separate islands: Grand Cayman; Cayman Brac; and Little Cayman. A popular cruise stop for Western Caribbean cruises as well as a solo vacation destination, Grand Cayman, the largest of the islands, offers a variety of activities from water sports to beach activities, from historical tours to nature, and from scuba diving to even Hell.

Cayman Islands might also have a financial reputation, and not always good as often written about in John Grisham books, but what some might not immediately think of is this tropical destination as a tropical family travel destination. Offering many kid-friendly activities, there is much to do for parents and kids alike outside of its famous beaches.

During a recent visit to Grand Cayman, I purposely sought out activities that would provide a different experience than just the beach. The island did not disappoint. A favorite attraction that I recommend for adults and kids to visit is Boatswain’s Beach. Upon entering the park, you venture into the land of sea turtles which delighted our toddler. She was in awe as she saw these giant turtles which many were larger than her.

According to Boatswain’s Web site, the largest turtle in the pond is an elderly female (about 70 years old) weighing about 575 pounds! There is a touch tank on the premise where you can hold a yearling. Kylie was fascinated by this opportunity and it provided a unique photo opportunity.

Fairly new (opened in 2007), is a new Predator Reef and Breakers Lagoon that guests can swim in and see sea life up close and personal. Those who opt to snorkel in the lagoon can see colorful fish and marine life in the park boundaries and can get very close to the shark tank as they view these creatures through the viewing panels. This new addition is quite impressive and should not be missed. For those not wishing to get wet, the sharks and other predatory fish can be viewed from land.

Another section of the park is its Caribbean Bird Aviary, which provided another entertaining activity for Kylie during our visit. She was enthralled by the variety of birds and their noises.

There are admission prices for the entire park or just the turtle farm. Depending on how much time you have to spend will determine which ticket you select. Kids three and under are free. If there during a port visit on a cruise, perhaps just attend the turtle farm as there are so many other activities to visit and adventures to experience.

Photo Credit: Tropical Latitudes Travel