Tag: museum

  • Fall Getaway: Long Weekend in Connecticut With Kids!

    Fall Getaway: Long Weekend in Connecticut With Kids!

    Guest Blogger:  David, his wife, and their five year old son, B, have lived all around the United States, but are currently stationed in Okinawa where David enjoys producing movies and eating pancakes in his spare time. You can find David’s videos of their Okinawa adventures on YouTube.

    Some say that the best thing to see in Connecticut is either New York City or Boston. Having grown up in Hartford, Connecticut, I can tell you they are wrong – sort of.  As a child, fall in New England meant raking up leaves and slipping on those said leaves – not fun. Although the foliage was always bright and colorful, I just never paid much attention to it, taking it for granted as just part of regular life. After eight years living in Tampa, however, I started getting homesick. Palm trees are nice and all, but it’s just way too green all the time. Green and hot.

    A few years ago, after having lived in Florida for many years, I decided to take my Miami born and raised son “leaf peeping” and join the annual pilgrimage of thousands of people who visit New England every year for a glimpse of its magnificent fall foliage. I booked my family on a flight to Bradley International Airport in Hartford, Connecticut, which is centrally located to everything in New England and also, conveniently, close to my family.

    Having fun at the New England Air Museum

    Where to Stay:

    I will get some grief for this, but the Hartford area is full of outdated hotels, or absurdly expensive hotels. There is no need to sacrifice your wallet for a lame place to hang your hat. I always choose the Hyatt House in Windsor, which is only a short drive from the airport, recently built, and quiet. The location is great for exploring the state with your family, the rooms are big and clean, and they offer free breakfast in their cafeteria style eating area. Windsor is Connecticut’s first town, with many small shops and a fountain on the town green.

    Where to Eat:

    There are two places near the Hyatt that are great options for a quick bite to eat. For breakfast or lunch, Dom’s Broad Street Eatery, located in the heart of Windsor, has wonderful food, huge portions, and is where the locals like to eat.  Wilson Pizza Palace, is another place I would recommend and is located at the north end of the town of Windsor. The state of Connecticut has wonderful pizza and while New Haven gets the southern Connecticut glory, I think Greek owned Wilson Pizza Palace holds its own in representing the northern part of the state. Grab a meatball grinder or a large Wilson Special Pizza to go! The Hyatt House has a kitchen, dinnerware, and flatware in every room, so you can lounge in the comfort of your pajamas while eating the most memorable pizza of your life. Wilson is cash only and resides in an old McDonald’s. When you visit, tell them the Cuban sent you – it will make them smile and give you Wilson Pizza Palace street cred.

    Note the upside M’s – Yankee ingenuity!

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    Aside from Dom’s and Wilson Pizza Palace, I recommend checking out the local culinary scene near whatever activity you have planned.

    What to Do:

    Connecticut Trolley Museum:

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    The Connecticut Trolley Museum is just a 15 minute drive from the Hyatt (see Connecticut IS small) and is the oldest incorporated museum dedicated to electric railroading in the United States, founded in 1940. My five year old loves trains and riding on trains, so this was a must visit for us. In the fall, the Museum has offers a pumpkin patch and also an after dark spooky ride called “Rails to the Dark Side,” which is rated PG-13 and not recommended for young children. Just be sure to bundle up as it does get cold and have your cameras ready as the rides offer nice scenery and foliage views.

    New England Air Museum:

    The New England Air Museum has over 100 aircrafts located in a huge heated warehouse. There are numerous cool exhibits, including opportunities for your kids to sit in the cockpit of an actual fighter jet or an old helicopter. There is plenty of room for the kids to run around and explore, while learning a little bit of history and science. My son loved getting in and out of helicopters and jets and also exploring the toys in the gift shop. Volunteers are friendly and helpful and this is just an all out wonderful destination especially on a rainy day.

    Mystic Seaport:

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    In a town made famous in the 1980s by Julia Robert’s performance in the movie Mystic Pizza (yes, Mystic Pizza really does exist although the pizza is meh), Mystic Seaport or the Museum of America and The Sea is one of the nation’s oldest maritime museums and has a lot to offer. Per the website,

    The Museum’s grounds cover 19 acres on the Mystic River in Mystic, CT and include a recreated New England coastal village, a working shipyard, formal exhibit halls, and state-of-the-art artifact storage facilities. The Museum is home to more than 500 historic watercraft, including four National Historic Landmark vessels, most notably the 1841 whaleship Charles W. Morgan, America’s oldest commercial ship still in existence.

    Full disclosure: I hate this place. Growing up in Connecticut meant dozens of field trips here to learn about how the early settlers churned butter – just what a teenager with raging hormones want to spend the day seeing. Although I am jaded,  I can now appreciate what Mystic Seaport has to offer. In addition to the old New England exhibits, recent more modern exhibits have also been added. And, Mystic Aquarium is also just down the street. You can pre-purchase tickets to both the Seaport and the Aquarium online and save yourself the hassle of waiting in line.

    The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss:

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    The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum is a 30 minute drive from the Hyatt. Although technically located in Massachusetts, this museum is not to be missed if you grew up reading Dr. Seuss books or if your kids adore them. The Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden is a small park outside with sculptures of his most famous characters and is a must visit, no matter what the weather is. The museum has been recently renovated so make sure to check the website for hours and tickets, which can also be purchased online.

    The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame:

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    While in Springfield visiting the Dr. Seuss museum, pop over to the Basketball Hall of Fame, where children under four are free. Basketball fans will enjoy the interactive exhibits and enjoy the court for shooting hoops. The museum is conveniently located in an area that houses some amazing restaurants, including Plan B Burger Bar and Max’s Tavern.

    Brown’s Harvest:

    Brown’s Harvest in Windsor is a special place for me, as this is where my parents took me as a child for our pumpkins and Christmas trees. Back then, it was just a stand, but Brown’s Harvest has evolved and now boasts a corn maze, haunted hay ride, and a small shop where you can buy cider and apple doughnuts. Apple doughnuts! If you have not tried them, book your trip now! Brown’s Harvest is only a 10 minute drive from the Hyatt and is located on the northern end of Windsor, headed towards the airport. I was thrilled to share the experience with my son, who had a blast running around the pumpkin patch and washing down apple doughnuts with hot apple cider.

    Drive!:

    One of the best things about Connecticut is that it is a small state. A drive through the lower Connecticut River Valley has a lot to offer. I always recommend that people consider taking the Ultimate Foliage Tour of Central Connecticut. I’ve done it and it was amazing. The foliage is constantly changing and varies depending on where you are. Make sure to consult the foliage tracker and remember to explore and drive as much as you can. There are numerous small towns off the beaten path, some great history to be experienced, and pumpkin patches galore!

    Final Thoughts: 

    As you can see, there’s plenty to do in Connecticut! If you absolutely must, New York City and Boston are easy day trips and are each only about a two hour drive in opposite directions from Windsor.

    We hope you enjoyed David’s thorough review of things to do in and around Hartford, Connecticut!If you find yourself inspired to visit New England, be sure to visit Catherine’s Fall Getaway: New England for more ideas. Fall also happens to be our favorite season here at WGWK, so be sure to check out our more expansive Fall Getaway series.

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  • Chicago With Kids:  Five Fun Family Activities

    Chicago With Kids: Five Fun Family Activities

    Chicago is a city of iconic architecture, stunning lake views, renowned museums and recent renovation practically everywhere.  With its metropolitan atmosphere and dash of Midwestern charm, Chicago is not surprisingly one of our favorite cities.  It is a quick flight away from Cleveland, so we are lucky to visit the Windy City almost every year and have taken children aged two months to five years.  We are definitely planning a long overdue Chicago trip with all three kids in 2018.

    When traveling to Chicago by plane, there is easy access to downtown on the “El” (elevated) train from Midway on the Orange Line or O’Hare on the Blue Line.  We usually arrive at Midway during morning rush hour and always take the El downtown.  Once downtown, we walk almost everywhere or occasionally take an Uber.

    We have stayed in many hotels in Chicago, but here are a few of our centrally-located favorites:

    • The Ritz Carlton, Chicago – This is probably my favorite hotel in the US.  It is located in the Water Tower Place right next to the John Hancock Center on the Magnificent Mile and has indoor access to the mall.  The rooms are impeccable, and the lobby is an absolute delight.  The hotel completed a $100 million renovation in July 2017, and its delightful lobby has been completely transformed.  The fountain was replaced with a floor to ceiling art installation.
    • Palmer House – A Hilton Hotel – We have stayed at this historic hotel several times.  It is located in the center of the Loop and was also recently renovated.  The lobby magnificently maintains its original splendor with a stunning mural on the ceiling and seems right out of Downton Abbey.
    • Hyatt Regency Chicago – This is Chicago’s largest hotel with comfortable guest rooms located in two towers.  Also recently renovated, the lobby features BIG Bar’s stunning liquor tower.

    There are so many fun family activities in Chicago, but here are our top five.

    #1: Navy Pier

    With about 9 million visitors each year, Navy Pier is a major Chicago tourist attraction.  It’s a bit of a hike to get there from downtown, so we hopped on one of the seasonal free trolleys after dinner on our last night in Chicago.

    The Pier was constructed in 1916 as a commercial-shipping pier and redesigned as a tourist attraction in 1995.   The Ferris wheel is the obvious centerpiece of the Pier.  We enjoyed a night ride in 2013 on the pictured Ferris wheel that was retired in 2015.  The new bigger and better $26.5 million DW60 opened in May 2016.

    The carousel on the Pier was a big hit with our kids.  We were lucky that there was almost no line, and we able to ride many times in a row.

    Navy Pier offers fun for all ages, including a mall, the IMAX Theatre, the Chicago Children’s Museum, a house-maze, the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows, the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre and an 18-hole minigolf course in the summer.  You’ll also find the expected souvenir shops, restaurants and bars.

    #2:  River Cruise

    Chicago architecture was world-famous long before the Trump International Hotel and Tower became the fourth tallest building in the world upon its completion in 2009.  The city practically had a blank slate after the Great Chicago Fires of 1871.  Chicago’s architectural icons include the skyscrapers such as the Willis Tower (the world’s tallest building from 1974-1998 and formerly known as the Sears Tower) and the John Hancock Center, the neo-Gothic Tribune Tower (home of the Chicago Tribune), Frank Lloyd Wright’s Rookery Building, the art deco Merchandise Mart and the mixed-use Marina City with an exposed parking ramp that has been likened to Sagrada Familia.

    With many of the landmark buildings located along the river, several tour companies offer architectural river boat tours.  The most popular is offered through a partnership between the Chicago Architecture Foundation and Chicago’s First Lady Cruises.  We planned to take that tour with our three and five year old sons but waffled after learning that children are discouraged and also require a full price ticket.  We opted for the more family-friendly Mercury Skyline Cruiseline, which offers a narrated architectural tour and a bit of cruising on Lake Michigan.

    Trump Tower
    Marina City Towers
    City view from Lake Michigan

    #3:  The Field Museum of Natural History

    The Field Museum is one of the world’s largest natural history museums.  It opened in 1893 and was named to honor its first major benefactor, Marshall Field, the founder of the Chicago-based department store who donated $1 million to the Museum in 1894.  It is located on Museum Campus along Lake Michigan.

    The Field Museum boasts one of the world’s best dinosaur collections.  Sue, the world’s most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton, has been prominently displayed in the main hall of the Museum since 2000.  However, Sue will be moved upstairs in early 2018 when a cast of the world’s largest dinosaur, which was found in 2014, moves in.

    With two young boys who were excited about prehistoric creatures, we definitely did not miss the dinosaur exhibit.

    We also explored an Egyptian tomb in the three-story Inside Ancient Egypt exhibit.  This exhibit includes one of the world’s largest collections of human mummies.  This was our boys’ first exposure to Egypt, but they were fascinated and have since enjoyed Egyptian exhibits at the National Museum of Natural History and the Cleveland Museum of Art.

    As members of the ASTC Passport Program, we also enjoyed free admission with our reciprocal membership to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.

    #4:  Adler Planetarium

    Our kids love space as much as they love dinosaurs.  My older son wanted to be an astronaut through pre-school and had a great time visiting the Adler Planetarium.  The Adler Planetarium was the first planetarium in the western hemisphere and named for philanthropist Max Adler, who donated funds after visiting a planetarium in Munich.  The beautiful stone building houses many interactive exhibits and three theaters, including the most technologically enhanced planetarium theater and a high-definition 3D theater.

    Our boys enjoyed the interactive exhibits focusing on the planets, solar system and space exploration, and, of course, the planetarium show.  As members of the Association of Science-Technology Center’s (ASTC) Passport Program, we also received free admission with our reciprocal membership to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.  However, we did have to pay extra to attend the theater show.

    At the tip of Museum Campus, the Adler Planetarium boasts one of the best views of the Chicago skyline. 

    #5:  Millennium Park 

    Millennium Park was designed in the late 1990s to honor the third millennium.  Construction costs ballooned from $150 million to $475 million, and the opening was delayed until 2004. Today, the park is a widely popular destination for both Chicago residents and tourists and attracts over 25 million people each year.

    The centerpiece of Millennium Park is the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, a bandshell used for outdoor music performances.  The Pavilion was designed by Frank Gehry using his characteristic curved stainless steel plates and features a sound system designed to replicate the sound experience of an indoor concert hall.

    Cloud Gate is a public sculpture located at the center of AT&T Plaza in Millennium Park and nicknamed “the Bean” because its shape.  The Bean is created with stainless steel plates that have been welded together and highly polished so that there are no visible seams.  Sir Anish Kapoor designed the sculpture to resemble liquid mercury and the sculpture’s curved surface creates a distorted reflection of the city’s skyline. Construction costs escalated way above the original estimate of $6 million and ultimately cost almost four times that amount.  The Bean was privately funded through donations and unveiled in 2006.  This is a highly interactive sculpture that visitors are encouraged to touch, and it is so popular that we have never been able to get a picture without also capturing dozens of other visitors.

    Baby meets the Bean
    Skyline reflection
    Visitors can walk underneath the Bean

    Chicago is an amazing city to visit that definitely offers something for everyone.

  • Los Angeles With Kids:  Five Fun Family Activities

    Los Angeles With Kids: Five Fun Family Activities

    Los Angeles has so many great attractions for kids – even if Disneyland is not on your itinerary.  During my recent trip to L.A. with my mom and son, we had only two days in the city.  Due to centrally located accommodation and easy transportation, we were able to maximize our time and fit in these fun family activities.

    #1:     Santa Monica Pier

    The Santa Monica Pier was my favorite spot in Los Angeles.  It may be because I’m a Midwesterner, but I try to find a way to make it to a beach anytime I travel near the ocean or sea.  In Santa Monica, the Pier adds a great deal of excitement to the otherwise typical Pacific beach.  The original pier opened in the early 20th century, and the amusement park followed a few years later.  The Santa Monica Pier Aquarium – Heal the Bay was just closing when we arrived, but we would have loved to check it out. Pacific Park, the amusement park, features the world’s first and only solar paneled ferris wheel and eleven other rides, including a roller coaster.  In a city known for Disneyland, it is notable that Pacific Park is the only admission-free amusement park in the city.  Pacific Park is free to enter, but you do pay for ride tickets.  I particularly loved how the bright colors of Pacific Park popped against the ocean and sky.  There is also a Carousel located in the Looff Hippodrome adjacent to the Pier that we somehow missed entirely.

    On our stroll down the pier, we passed musicians, artists, magicians, souvenir shops, carnival games and various food stalls.  My son was particularly intrigued by a magician doing tricks for a crowd and a painter who was painting the pier on a piece of slate.  The Santa Monica Pier was our last stop before our red-eye flight, and my son was itching to choose a memento of our trip to bring home with him.  I was proud that he picked a framed painting made by the local artisan painting on the Pier instead of some cheap trinket.

    As the sun began to set, we headed off the Pier and onto the beach.  There’s nothing quite like the feeling of sand between your toes and standing at the water’s edge while listening to the waves ebb and flow.  We really savored those moments as we waded into the Pacific.  I do wish I lived closer to a coast.

    After sunset, we washed and dried our feet and decided to eat dinner before heading back downtown.  We thoroughly enjoyed our last meal of the trip at Del Frisco’s Grille, located right across from the Pier’s entrance.  We dined in their enclosed patio during Game 3 of the World Series.  We are Clevelanders who watched the Indians’ epic season and hoped that we would be rooting for our team during the championship series.  So, we were somewhat invested despite our team’s early playoff departure.  When Los Angeles won the National League championship, I thought this trip would inspire my son to root for LA, but he chose to support the Astros instead.  He did learn the important lesson while watching the Astros win two World Series games during our trip that if you are watching a sporting event in public and not supporting the home team, it’s polite to cheer quietly.  He had a great time watching the game on the flat screen television while eating his hand-shaved prime steak sandwich.

    We loved Santa Monica and didn’t mind the crowds.  Families looking for quieter beaches should check out one of these great Los Angeles beaches for kids.

    #2:    The Getty Center

    Like going to beaches, visiting art museums and getting the best view around are both generally high on my list when traveling.  The Getty Center is definitely a can’t miss in my book because it offers a fantastic art collection and an amazing view.  As added bonuses, a funicular transports visitors between the parking area and the museum, and there is no admission fee.   The Getty Center is a campus of the J. Paul Getty Museum located in Brentwood and funded by the J. Paul Getty Trust, the world’s wealthiest art institution.

    We took an Uber to the museum and were dropped off at the rideshare drop off conveniently located next to the security line and funicular entrance.  We received a museum guide and daily schedule while waiting for the next car to take us up the hill to the museum.  I discovered that the daily impressionist tour was scheduled to begin in 15 minutes.  We were a bit tight on time and planned to head to the impressionist galleries anyway, so the tour was definitely a treat.  The docent was informative and interesting as she directed us through the impressionist galleries, and the tour culminated with Vincent Van Gogh’s Irises, one of the Getty’s most notable paintings.

    Van Gogh’s Irises

    The Getty Center was designed by Richard Meier and completed in 1997.  It is known for its modern architecture and use of travertine and stunning outdoor gardens where the plants double as sculptures.  The Central Gardens, designed by Robert Irwin, contain over 500 plant varieties that visitors enjoy while strolling on a tree-lined walkway.  As you weave your way to the central pond, you pass a stream bubbling alongside the path.  Irwin’s statement, “Always changing, never twice the same” is carved into the floor to remind visitors of the evolving art.

    Resemblance to Mickey Mouse – intended or coincidental?

    The beautiful cactus garden was placed on the edge of the ridge with sunlight all day long.

    My son enjoyed the impressionist tour (particularly the Monet and Van Gogh paintings), the gardens and the view.  He also found the phone charging station, which were located back by the restrooms near the main lobby, particularly fascinating.  The Phone Charger worked like a hotel room safe.  You connect your phone to the proper charger inside the box, close the door and enter a four digit code to lock the door.  At anytime, you can access your phone by entering your code.  It is obviously a genius invention, and we can’t wait until they are more common.  The Getty Center really has thought of everything to impress its visitors.

    There is no Metro stop near the museum, so travel to or from the Getty during rush hour can be challenging, and the Uber timing estimates can be very inaccurate.  It took our driver about an hour to drive to the pick up point initially estimated to be nine minutes away and then another hour to travel downtown, so we ended up downtown an hour later than Uber’s original estimate.

    #3:     La Brea Tar Pits & George C. Page Museum

    On the day we flew to LA, my son attended a field trip to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History specifically focusing on mastodons and mammoths. While we were discussing options for things to do on our trip, he literally lit up when he heard about the La Brea Tar Pits & Museum.  So, after our brief stop in Hollywood, we jumped into an Uber and headed to La Brea.   I called my husband from the car and asked him to sign us up for a family membership to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History as ours had expired a few months earlier.  Members of museums participating in the ASTC Travel Passport Program receive reciprocal entry to member science centers and museums all over the country, including the La Brea Tar Pits.  The email confirmation came before we made it to La Brea and was all we needed to gain free entry to the George C. Page Museum.

    The LaBrea Tar Pits are shallow pools of oil that coagulated into asphalt and trapped Ice Age animals.  The Tar Pits are registered as a National Natural Landmark, and over 3.5 million fossils have been found on the site, with excavation continuing year round at Project 23 and seasonally at Pit 91.

    We bought tickets to Titans of the Ice Age, the 25-minute 3D movie showing in the Museum’s theater.  The movie showed how Ice Age animals would get stuck and then preserved in the tar pits.  The computer-generated imagery and 3D effects really bring the animals to life and interestingly convey the history of Ice Age animals.

    My son was fascinated by the Fossil Lab where you can watch paleontologists working on specimens collected from Project 23.   With 10 minutes to spare before our showing of the movie began, he headed back to the Fossil Lab to watch.  One of the Museum’s very helpful docents identified the paleontologist with the mask as the head curator.

    After viewing the completed fossils, watching the movie and observing the Fossil Lab, my son had an opportunity to try separating fossils himself.  With all these great hands on opportunities, it’s not surprising that the stop at the La Brea Tar Pits & Museum was his favorite of our trip.

    After visiting the Museum and Site 23, we headed up Wilshire Boulevard and had a quick lunch at Johnnie’s New York Pizzeria, right next to the SAG-AFRA building (no celebrity sightings).  We did not have time for a leisurely lunch and were thrilled that we were able to get indoor table service of pizza slices (generally permitted only as take out during peak times) because the restaurant was not busy.  The pizza was very tasty.

    #4:     Hollywood

    We made a quick stop at the Hollywood and Highland entertainment complex.  The big excitement of this stop was that setup for the Latin American Music Awards occurring that evening at the Dolby Theatre, was ongoing.  Before kids, I used to regularly watch movies in the theaters when they were released and was a huge movie award show fan.  Now that my movie watching occurs through DVDs or Netflix months after the award show season is over, I don’t watch much of the awards shows but do try to catch at least a few minutes of the coverage of the celebrity arrivals in front of the Dolby Theatre.  So, it was a treat to see how it’s done – albeit with a purple carpet.

    My mom and I had fun walking down Hollywood Boulevard and looking at all the stars.  The motion picture camera, a radio microphone, a television set, a record or a theatrical mask symbols identify the celebrity’s genre.  My son repeated about 20 times, “Do you know who these people are?” and generally made me feel old.

    Purple carpet for the Latin American Music Awards

    We planned to stop at the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre (now known as the TCL Chinese Theatres) to see the concrete blocks with celebrities’ signatures, handprints and footprints of popular celebrities.  However, the area in front of the Theatre was completely blocked off due to a movie premiere.   It was definitely a busy Thursday in Hollywood.

    So, we headed over to the Hollywood and Highland Center to get a view of the Hollywood Sign in the Hollywood Hills.

    After taking a few obligatory pictures of the iconic Hollywood Sign, we saw a gelato vending machine.  So, I made this little guy’s day by giving this novel concept a try on his behalf.

    Before heading off for our next stop, we took a quick peak in Ripley’s Believe It or Not!  The entry fee was a bit steep, and we had other museums we wanted to see more, so we did not make it beyond the lobby.  However, the lobby provided a few minutes of fun entertainment and even a fortune reading by Zoltar.

    Where does the water come from?
    Fortune reading

    #5:     Walt Disney Concert Hall

    The Walt Disney Concert Hall, home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra, is arguably the world’s most unique concert hall.  It was designed by Frank Gehry, an architect known for his use of corrugated steel and unexpected lines. Disney Hall opened in 2002, about one year after Gehry’s Case Western Reserve’s Weatherhead School of Management, which also utilized steel was completed.  I have been a fan since I saw a Gehry exhibit at the Guggenheim in 2001.

    My son plays the violin and often goes to Cleveland Orchestra performances in Severance Hall, a very different building just down the street from Gehry’s Weatherhead School of Management.  The Disney Hall offers guided and self-guided tours, and we opted for the self-guided tour due to time constraints.  We particularly enjoyed the spectacular gardens and many unique views of the building.

    Disney Hall definitely sticks out in the LA skyline

    I’ve heard that some larger conferences offer kids’ activities for older kids and hope this is a trend that catches on.  Being away from family is hard for working parents who need to travel for their jobs, and I was very lucky that my mom and son could join me on this trip.  They really had a fantastic days in Los Angeles and joining them on a few of their adventures made the trip so much more enjoyable for me, too.

    For information about accommodation and transportation options in Los Angeles, check out Los Angeles With Kids:  Tinseltown Logistics and our entire series on Los Angeles with kids.

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  • Not Too Young for the Art Museum

    Not Too Young for the Art Museum

    My three-year-old daughter and I were recently sitting at the puzzle table of a nearby library while waiting for her story time to begin. I was making small talk with another mom sitting with her young sons, and she came to my rescue and directed me to the ABC books when I could not locate Chica Chica Boom Boom on the shelves.  I explained that my daughter had listened to the book when she attended Art Stories at the Cleveland Museum of Art the day before with her nanny and was desperate to read it with me. The other mom responded with, “my kids are too young for the art museum.”  I was not exactly sure how to respond because the thought of being “too young” to visit any museum had never crossed my mind.

    Not Too Young

    My husband and I really enjoy visiting art museums.  My daughter visited her first art museum, the Art Institute of Chicago, when she was two months old.  Since then, she has made a repeat trip to the Art Institute of Chicago and also visited the Cleveland Museum of Art many times as well as the Tate Modern, the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery in London, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Gallery in D.C.  While she clearly does not remember those early trips, she gained familiarity with art museums in the process.  At the age of three, my daughter now walks around the Cleveland Art Museum, holding my hand and discussing which paintings catch our attention.

    My sons also enjoy art museums and can distinguish a Monet from a Van Gogh (two of my favorites).  Their favorite special exhibition was Cleveland Museum of Art’s “Painting the Modern Garden: Monet to Matisse” in the Fall 2015 that included pieces that influenced Monet’s garden painting and reunited CMA’s Water Lilies with the other two panels of the triptych and displayed them together (no photography permitted).  On our first trip, I took all three kids, aged one, five and seven, alone.  We all loved it so much that we came back a few weeks later with my husband.  After going to the exhibit for the second time, my five-year-old son came home, asked for paints and created his own version of water lilies.

    My five-year-old son’s Water Lilies painting

    Kid Moments

    If your children are new to visiting art museums, start with a short trip of about 45-60 minutes.  We play a “game” when we enter a new gallery.  I ask each kid which is their favorite piece.  We then go and specifically examine each of our favorite pieces before moving on to the next room.  Sometimes, we read the plaque on the wall, other times, we briefly discuss color choice or artist technique that made that piece stand out, but we try hard not to dawdle.

    Kid Caution

    While there is no age that is “too young”, it is necessary to be careful when bringing a child into art galleries as some art is accessible to small hands.  The stroller or front carrier is the safest place for infants or toddlers.   Many art museums do not permit backpacks or back carriers because the wearer could accidentally cause damage by brushing up against the art.  Older children need to have enough self-control to understand that they must stay right with an adult and not touch the art work before going into galleries.  However, many art museums have interactive child-friendly exhibits like the ArtLens Gallery at the Cleveland Museum of Art that everyone can enjoy.

    Our Favorite Art Museums

    We have visited many art museums with kids, but these are our favorites:

    • Metropolitan Museum of Art is the largest art museum in the US and boasts a permanent collection of over two million works.  The Met is located on Fifth Avenue in New  York City.  We were a few of the Met’s over 7 million visitors in 2016 that made it second to only the Louvre in number of visitors.  Our boys were especially excited to find Seurat’s final study for A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.  Admission to the permanent collection is free, but the suggested donation is $25 for adults.
    Van Gogh’s Irises
    One of two lion statues guarding the Institute’s Michigan Avenue entrance
    Gustave Caillebotte’s Paris Street; Rainy Day
    Georges Seurat’s A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte
    • National Gallery (Washington D.C.) is the third largest art museum in the US.  When we are visiting the Mall, we take a quick stop through the impressionist galleries and the outdoor sculpture garden.  On our most recent visit, my husband was holding our daughter, who was then two.  They stopped in front of a Degas, and she looked at the painted ballerinas and commented, “Daddy, I really like this painting” to the shock of the visitors around her who had no idea that she thought she was merely “playing” a familiar game. Admission is free.
    Van Gogh’s Green Wheat Fields, Auvers
    Lime Green Icicle Tower
    Monet’s Water Lilies
    • The National Gallery, London is the fourth most visited art museum in the world with over six million visitors annually.  It is located in Trafalgar Square and houses a relatively small collection of about 2,300 paintings, almost all of which are on permanent display.
    The National Gallery, London
    Van Gogh’s Sunflowers
    • Cleveland Museum of Art is the art museum we frequent most often.  CMA is located in Cleveland’s University Circle area on the near east side.  A massive expansion project began in 2005 and was completed at the end of 2013 increased floor space by 65% and included the glass-roofed Ames Family Atrium.  It has a permanent collection of 45,000 works and significant Egyptian and Asian galleries.  We always make sure to spend a few minutes sitting on the bench in front of Monet’s Water Lilies (Agapanthus) and enjoy the Armor Court.  Rodin’s Thinker, which sits outside the front entrance, was partially vandalized by a bomb in 1970, and the statue’s lower legs were destroyed and have not been restored.  Admission to the permanent exhibitions is free, but there are fees for special exhibits.
    Monet’s Water Lilies
    Rodin’s Thinker with damaged legs

    With some precautions and child-centric activities, art museums truly can be enjoyed by all ages.  While infants and toddlers may not have specific memories of the museums they visit, those who go to art museums are more likely to grow into young children who enjoy art and visiting galleries.