As you probably know, this is the 100th anniversary of the National Park System as well as the 75th anniversary of the completion of Mount Rushmore. In celebration the Mount Rushmore Memorial has created a list of 99 activities to complete in and around the Black Hills. Our family, in our effort to do big things, has committed to completing all 99 of the activities by the end of 2016. The following is a log of our accomplishments for the month of May.
You can follow our continuing efforts via Twitter (@TrailheadFamily #Activity99). I will also update this blog at the end of each month.
If you would like to see our previous accomplishments, you can checkout the earlier post: http://trailheadfamily.blogspot.com/2016/04/activity-99-march-april.html
Devils Tower National Monument (5/12)
Learn to say the name of the rock Devils Tower is made of
Walk the Tower Trail
Complete the Junior Ranger Program
Learn how Devils Tower and Bear Butte are related
Learn about Devils Tower by reading the Visitor Center Displays
One of our favorite traditions is taking a yearly trip to Nauvoo Illinois. While this is often thought of as the Mormon Mecca, it is actually a great family vacation spot for people of any faith who have an interest in history and inexpensive family fun. We constantly receive requests for advice on how to plan an effective trip to Nauvoo and decided to put together a list of suggestions. This post will be the first in a series of recommendations regarding how to effectively vacation in Nauvoo.
Scheduling Your Trip
The historic sites in Nauvoo are open year round, but there is definitely more things for kids to do during the summer. Think about your expectations and choose the timing of your trip accordingly.
The Nauvoo pageant, the largest draw to the area, typically runs the last three weeks of July. While the pageant is wonderful it also brings larger crowds, making it difficult to get tickets for the indoor shows and carriage rides. If you have younger children the largest advantage of going during the pageant is the pre-pageant Country Fair which includes outdoor games, dancing, crafts, and a puppet show. On any given year our family may or may not attend the pageant, but we always spend as much time as possible at the Country Fair.
Fortunately most of the shows are running all summer long, so even if you don't come during pageant there is still plenty to do. Read through the recommendations below and figure out what will work best for your family. Then check online to see when each activity starts for the season.
Personally we like the first week of July. The city of Nauvoo puts on a great fireworks display and we can catch some of the other shows before the pageant starts. We usually stay for a whole week so we can still catch one night of each pageant, which is usually enough for our kids.
Daily Planning Vignettes
One of the most powerful things to experience in Nauvoo are the short Vignettes performed by members of the pageant cast. These performances highlight the spirit of Nauvoo in a way that you can't feel anywhere else. Most of the Vignettes are designed for an older audience so young children may get bored. If your kids would have trouble staying quite during a 15 minute monologue, then we wouldn't recommend trying to bring them to the Vignettes. We usually split up with one parent (often Mom) bringing one of the older kids to a vignette while the other adult (usually Dad or a grandparent) takes everyone else to the Pioneer Pastimes.
The one Vignette designed for children is the Youth of Zion. Whereas the other Vignettes are spiritual readings from historic journals, the Youth of Zion is a fun musical performance with some history mixed in. The timing of this Vignette can make it difficult for first time visitors who are trying to do it all, but this is one of the best performances for kids that struggle to sit still.
Shows
When people refer to Nauvoo as "Mormon Disney" they are most likely referring to the countless shows, all of which happen to be free. You will want to reserve tickets for the indoor shows plenty far in advance, and if you are visiting during the pageant we would recommend calling for tickets yesterday.
Obviously if you are visiting during the month of July you will want to watch the Nauvoo Pageant and possibly the British Pageant if it is playing. I can not stress enough the potential for these performances to change your life. Although you many be tempted to arrive early and get a seat up front, if you are bringing young children I would recommend instead getting a comfortable spot in the center back near the sound control booth. While amazing, the pageant is long and we typically end up helping little ones with multiple trips to the restroom. It is sometime also nice to stretch your legs, something not possible when you are in the middle of the crowd.
The two must see shows for kids are Just Plain Anna Amanda and Sunset on the Mississippi. Just Plain Anna Amanda is a musical comedy performed by the Young Performing Missionaries, college kids who spend the summer singing for visitors. Although it is possible to get in on standby, you will want tickets. The front row is reserved for kids, and it is worth showing up early and sending your kids up front. The show begins with a puppet show comedy act, followed by a musical showcasing what life was like for kids at the time. Just be prepared as our kids repeat the songs and jokes from this performance all year long.
Sunset on the Mississippi is our favorite show, as it combines the best of the Young Performing Missionaries as well as old people acting silly. The show is outside so you don't need tickets, plus if your kids get antsy they can get up and dance. You will want to come early so your kids can participate in the children's parade before the show begins. The only negative is that Sunset on the Mississippi conflicts with the Country Fair which makes for a difficult decision during pageant season.
For the slightly older crowd, we highly recommend Rendezvous in Old Nauvoo. This is a romantic comedy staring some very silly old people. Since the senior missionaries in this performance are not professional actors, it is hilarious to see them get out of their comfort zones. This is not a show for little kids, but if you have extra adults, and you can get tickets to the early showing, you may want to send the little kids to the Country Fair while a couple people catch this performance. If you brought along grandparents they may appreciate being sent to Rendezvous as a light hearted date and break from the grandkids.
When you look at the schedule you will see "The Promise" listed. This is a good show, but not exciting enough for some younger audiences. That said, if the forecast shows rain we would definitely try to grab some tickets. We try to get seats by the door because we usually end up taking at least one of our kids out to the hall.
One of the greatest parts about Nauvoo is the seemingly random musical performances that will crop up as you are walking around town. Be on the lookout for performances by the Nauvoo Brass Band and Bagpipers. We are sure there is a schedule posted somewhere, but we usually just catch them as we are hanging out around town.
If you are visiting Nauvoo during the summer, but not during pageant, you may be lucky enough to each one of the BYU traveling groups stopping by for a performance. Make sure to check the dates on the website to see who might be in town.
Rides
If you are looking for a relaxing activity you may want to consider taking either a Wagon Tour through Old Nauvoo or a Carriage Ride through the countryside. Both tours take about an hour, which may be a bit long for younger children, but they are great activities for grandparents. Tickets for these rides are distributed at the Visitor's Center first thing in the morning. If you are visiting during pageant the tickets will be gone quickly so make sure to arrive early. It is possible to get a seat or two on standby, but if you have kids with you then we wouldn't recommend this tactic.
The preferred alternative for young children is to take the oxen ride. This is a quick ride and doesn't require tickets. The kids will love seeing the oxen, you will get some cute pictures, but yet it is a much smaller commitment to you schedule. Make sure to visit the oxen early in the day as they will often stop the rides early if it gets hot outside.
Although not a ride, this seems like a good spot to mention the Hand Cart Trek. We have taken young kids on the Hand Cart Trek but wouldn't recommend it. This is a wonderful activity to save for your teenagers. Remember you will be back so don't feel like you have to do everything on this trip.
Historic Sites There are over 30 historic sites to visit in Old Nauvoo, far more than you can visit in one (or even 10 trips). Our kids have a list of favorites that we must visit every year, usually because of the free goodies, and then we add at least one new site with each visit.
The Brickyard should be your top priority, and our kids often go twice in the same trip. The depth of information varies drastically depending upon who is giving the presentation, but the kids are really just there for the free brick anyways. From a teaching perspective, this is a great opportunity to talk with your kids about the atonement.
Your next stop will probably be the Scovil Bakery, followed by a visit to the Family Living Center. The Bakery gives out free cookies, and who doesn't love cookies. The Family Living Center includes demonstrations of many common household tasks from the timeperiod. Kids love helping to make rope, and if you time it right you can score some killer homemade bread.
The last "must see" site is the Webb Brothers' Blacksmith Shop. This presentation is a little long for some younger kids, but this is the best place to learn about how the pioneers prepared to leave Nauvoo. As a bonus, if you needed one, everyone receives a keepsake prairie diamond ring at the end of the presentation. If your younger kids can't sit through the presentation you can play in the grass outside and they will still receive the souvenir at the end.
If you have young children, your goto place will quickly become Pioneer Pastimes. This play area includes pioneer clothes for dressing up as well as a number of games. Our kids average nearly 2 hours per day visiting Pioneer Pastimes. Make sure to bring your camera because the kids will look adorable in their little outfits. Although there are missionaries there to help, please remember that you are still responsible for supervising your own children.
While we visit the above sites every year, all of the sites in Old Nauvoo are staffed with missionaries who can share unique information about the city and life at the time. We really enjoy visiting the Print Shop, Browning Gunsmith Shop, and the Brigham Young Home. The Seventies Hall is wonderful for adults, but not great for kids. The Pendleton Home and Log School, though not our favorite, is tailored more for the school age audience. If it is your first visit to Nauvoo, we strongly recommend that you take a trip to the Joseph Smith Historic Site (run by the Community of Christ) in order to visit the Red Brick Store and Smith Family Cemetery.
Probably the coolest historic site is the Cultural Hall. The Cultural Hall is used as the stage for both Just Plain Anna Amanda and Rendezvous in Old Nauvoo, which makes it difficult to get a formal tour of the building. That said, if you can get in for a tour the history of the building, and particularly the upstairs dance hall, is just awesome.
Planning your Sunday
While it is nice to remain flexible during the week, it is often beneficial to plan out your Sunday activities as Nauvoo is one of the most spiritual places you can spend your sabbath.
It may sound strange, but we would highly recommend that you go to church on Sunday morning. We have attended both the missionary ward and the family ward while visiting Nauvoo. Either way it is a unique experience. Attendance can vary, but expect a huge turnout. We have gone for the past 10 years and have rarely been seated in the chapel.
After church we typically take family pictures. Whether you are LDS (and want pictures in from of the temple) or are just looking for some good scenery, Nauvoo is absolutely beautiful.
Sunday is our favorite time to visit Carthage, although it is also the busiest time to visit Carthage. The Brass Band performance is wonderful for kids and a great way to feel the spirit. After the performance we will often take the opportunity to share our testimonies and teach our kids about why we are willing to make the hard decision in life. Although there are also wonderful vignettes inside the Carthage Jail, it is a tight space and probably best only for older children. We prefer to make a separate trip to see the inside of the jail.
While the shows don't run on Sunday, most of the historic sites are still open on Sunday afternoon, so this is a great time to peacefully explore Old Nauvoo.
If your kids are up for it, or if they can sleep in a stroller, then Sunday evening is a wonderful time to visit the Trail of Hope. This walk out of Nauvoo can easily be a spiritual highlight of your life. Make sure that you are both spiritually prepared for this walk and that you bring bug spray.
We hope you find this information useful. We will be posting additional advice for visiting Nauvoo over the coming weeks. Nauvoo is a great tradition and one we hope you will consider experiencing with your family.
In celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the
National Park System and the 75th anniversary of the completion of
Mount Rushmore, the Mount Rushmore National Memorial has put together a list of
99 activities events, places to visit, or fun things to do throughout the Black
Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming.The
Mount Rushmore Memorial has promised a small prize package, and more
importantly bragging rights, to whoever completes the largest number of
activities.
After discussing this with my wonderful wife, we decided
that we would complete this entire list of activities before the end of 2016.To increase the commitment even further I
started telling everyone I could find (including the head of the Mount Rushmore
Memorial) that my family would complete the list.
I will be periodically posting updates via Twitter
(@TrailheadFamily #Activity99) as the activities are completed.I will also try to keep this blog updated throughout the year.
For a full list of all Activity 99 activities checkout the
site:
In celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the National Park System and the 75th anniversary of the completion of Mount Rushmore, the Mount Rushmore National Memorial has put together a list of 99 activities events, places to visit, or fun things to do throughout the Black Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming.The Mount Rushmore Memorial has promised a small prize package, and more importantly bragging rights, to whoever completes the largest number of activities.
I will be periodically posting updates via Twitter (@TrailheadFamily #Activity99) as the activities are completed.I will also try to keep this blog updated throughout the year.
For a full list of all Activity 99 activities checkout the site:
Minuteman Missile National Historic Site (March 19th)
I hadn't realized South Dakota's important role during the cold war, and how extensive the US nuclear arsenal had become. We are fortunate that that period of history came to an end, but also that someone had the foresight to preserve this site for our posterity.
See the new Visitor Center
Take a selfie in front of the blast door (This is a hard one. You need to get tickets early in the morning and then come back for the tour. They only take 5 people on the tour at a time, so don't expect the whole family to be able to go.)
Get the park stamp
Take a picture of the end of the Missile at Delta 9, exit 116 on I-90 (This is a good activity while waiting for the control center tour.)
Find former Silo sites in the area (We still have to find some more of these, but here is the map indicating where they are located.)
Below is a video of our eventual journal to find the sites
Children's museums are popping up all over the country and provide some of the best designed activities for families. Although most parents know how awesome these museums are, many avoid them because they are seen as being too stressful. Below are some hints to make the Children's museum experience more pleasant for the whole family (mom and dad included).
1) Meeting Place - Every parent’s nightmare when visiting a children’s museum is hearing their name announced over the loud speaker requesting them to go to the front desk to meet their child. Yes we are glad that our kids is safe, but we also feel embarrassed that everyone now knows that we let our precious blessing out of our sight. Note, I am a firm proponent of not watching your child’s every move and really a children’s museum is an awesome place for kids to develop self-efficacy, but not all parents think that way. The solution to avoid those judging stares is to properly select a safe place for you and your child to meet if (when) you get separated.
I highlight the term “properly” to suggest that there are good and bad places to choose as a meeting point. Most importantly, make sure it is a place where your child would want to hang out. They may be waiting for 15 minutes or more before you notice that they missed their check-in time. If the meeting spot is boring then after 2 minutes your child will start asking people “have you seen my mommy”. As any parent knows this question only has to be asked once before your name blasts across the loudspeaker. Hint: To keep the meeting spot from getting boring, don’t spend too much time there prior to heading home. Other recommendations for choosing your safe spot: choose someplace with lots of other parents and kids (you don’t want your kid to be alone), avoid locations with lots of small places for them to hide, stay close to a walkway so you don’t have to go deep into an exhibit, and be consistent between trips to the same museum so your kid doesn’t get confused.
2) Get a Season Pass - Rather than going into all of the reasons we buy season passes I will just point you to our video explanation. In short, season passes make you a better parent. We will often buy a season pass for the children’s museum at the largest nearby city. Living in South Dakota our nearest major city is Denver, and yes we have a season pass even though the museum is 6 hours away.
Bonus Hint: Children’s museums participate in reciprocal programs where you can buy a pass at one museum and get free or discounted access to other children’s museums across the country. There are two major reciprocal programs in the US, and most museums participate in one or the other. On the rare case that you live near a museum that participates in both (ex. Discovery Gateway museum in SLC) you win.
3) Teach Kids to Recognize Staff - One of the first things we do when we arrive at the museum is to identify a couple of staff members. Most museums provide staff with a unique outfit indicating that they work there. This is as much for safety as professionalism. Make sure your children know who the employees are and that it is ok to get help. Note: In most public settings we teach our kids that if they are scared or lost it is ok to ask for help from anyone who looks like a mom. It is worth the risk of a panicked parent if our kids feel confident that they are safe. In a children's museum the staff is used to having wandering children and make for consistently more relaxed assistance.
4) Know the Exhibits - Before you start visiting exhibits develop a game plan. You can probably guess which exhibits you kids will just love (aka. bubbles), and which ones will only occupy their attention for a brief period of time. Some parents choose to visit the most exciting exhibits right off the bat, ensuring that the older kids have enough time at their favorite places before the younger children break down. Other parents choose to save the best for last, visiting the most educational areas first rather than forcing it at the end of the trip. Neither technique is inherently better, but it is important to be deliberate with your decision. If you are visiting the museum with a spouse or friend it is also important to communicate this decision so all adults are on the same page.
5) Be prepared for the Water - Some of the best exhibits include water. If you bring a change of clothes, or even rain boots, you can let your kids get soaked and have a blast. I personally don't like to go anywhere without a change of clothes for both myself and the kids, but these clothes usually end of staying in the car. If I know there is water at the museum then the clothes come along.
6) Bring Food - Not all museums allow outside food, but many do. Have an assortment of snacks to occupy kids while you are trying to congregate between activities. Also bring a larger lunch as museum food is typically expensive. Most importantly know the rules regarding food before you go. There is nothing more stressful than getting your kids settled for a snack just to have a staff member tell you that you have to eat someplace else. (Hint: I always plan to spend a little money on treats from the museum. Popsicles don't travel well but can cheer up any day.)
7) Make it Fun AND Educational - A lot of thought goes into making children’s museums educational and they often incorporate complex concepts related to physics. Older kids should be given challenges such as restating the printed material in their own words. It is amazing how quickly kids can learn Newton's Laws when presented in terms they understand.
When you have lots of kids money often becomes a struggle, especially when you consider the cost of hotel rooms. Yet, we have discovered that there are actually many benefits to splurging a little and getting a suite for your family. Below are our top seven reasons why we will get a suite.
1) Money - While suites are more expensive than a typical room, they are often cheaper than getting two separate rooms. The standard hotel room has a maximum capacity of 4-6 people, which isn’t near enough for a large family. While I will admit to breaking this rule on many occasions, I have learned that there are important reasons why hotels don’t want you to treat the room like a clown car. If you are considering getting a second hotel room (aka more beds and a second bathroom) then a suite may be a less expensive option. There is also the added benefit of getting to share a bed with your spouse.
2) The Door - Most suites provide some sort of separation between the sitting area (where the kids will sleep on the pull out couch) and the bedroom. This may be a door, a staircase, or at a minimum a partial way. When you have just spent a hours in the car with your kids it often becomes necessary to get away. Although a door won’t block all of the sound, it at least provide the option of not breathing the same air as your kids for a few minutes, and possibly all night.
3) Perks - A little known fact is that some hotels actually provide extra perks to customers staying in their suites. For example, on a recent trip to Colorado Springs we stayed in the Hotel Elegante. Unfortunately upon arriving I discovered that we would have to pay for our breakfast in the morning, a huge added expense for our family. Yet, by simply upgrading our standard room to a suite (which only cost me $75) we would have access to the Premier Lounge. The Premier Lounge provided not only a free hot breakfast and free snacks (and booze for those who drink) in the evening, but also a comfortable and quite place to take my kids when they were restless in the middle of the night. The cost of breakfast alone nearly covered the upgrade.
4) Two TVs - I love that most hotels now carry the Disney channel, but personally there is only so much I can watch during a trip. Although somewhat obvious, one of the biggest benefits of staying in a suite is having separate TVs for kids and adults. We don’t typically use the TV, and prefer to still stream shows from my laptop, but it is nice to have an option other than cartoons and bad acting.
5) The Bathtub - I know it doesn’t always happen, but when it does it is heaven sent. I am talking about the separate bathtub, which in suites sometimes turns into an oversized jacuzzi tub. Kids stink in general, but when traveling it seems impossible to keep them from getting extra smelly. Yet for some reason it is also much more difficult to bathe every kid every day when you are on the road. If your suite has a separate tub and shower then you can clean your children twice as fast. Bath time is also more fun when you aren’t rushing to let the next person climb in behind you.
6) Feeling Special - Hotel staff must hate me, because I am always asking for additional items brought to my room. I have yet to find a hotel that starts you off with enough bath towels, pillows, blankets, or beds for a large family. At the very least I find myself asking for a bed for the baby, but if there is space in the room I will sometimes get a full roll away bed plus the sheets and blankets to match. While these requests may draw strange looks with a standard room, the judgement disappears when you are staying in a suite. All of a sudden the hotel staff is there to serve you, and even remembers your room number without having to ask. This may come from a false perceptions that everyone staying in a suite is a big tipper, or possibly you just stand out as most unique, but in either case it feels good.
7) A Happy Wife - It goes without saying, which is why I say it constantly, the most important part of having a fun trip with your family is to keep your spouse happy. There is nothing better than seeing the look of relief on my wife’s face when she sees that she won’t be spending another night in a sardine can. There are lots of benefits to having a happy wife, but to keep this G rated lets just say your trip will go much better if you are in a suite.
Although this may sound like a big plug for spending a fortune on your hotel, you need to know that I am just as cheap as I have always been. As a family we prefer to camp. Even when we stay in a hotel I personally don’t reserve suites as my initial purchase but rather find an inexpensive room online (often using Priceline’s name your price feature) and then ask for an upgrade upon arrival. On a few occasions I have been upgraded to a suite for free, but usually there is some small charge associated with the upgrade. Typically the discounted room price plus the upgrade is still about the same as I would have paid for a standard room at full price. As a disclaimer this doesn’t always work, especially if you plan to arrive at the hotel after 5 or 6pm, by which time hotels have often run out of their best rooms. If you travel infrequently, or if money isn’t an issue for you family, then the safe bet is to just suck it up and book the suite. You may pay twice as much for your room, but you will also get twice the sleep.
