Tag Archives: beach

Turtle Beach

Recently, I shared with you my 2-year-old daughter’s unusual fascination with all things scaly and skeletal. (Basically, she loves fish, turtles, dinosaurs, and various other reptiles.) With that in mind, I have been researching places that we can visit in order for her to see her favorite “friends” up close and personal. Next month, we will be traveling to Chicago to visit SUE at the Field Museum (she has already visited the Shedd Aquarium) and in a few months we are off to Hawaii where I will take her to Sea Life Park and “Turtle Beach.” What’s that you say, … Continue reading →

Galveston is More Than a Beach

So, maybe the water isn’t blue and the sand isn’t white. And maybe the shore is lined with masses of seaweed and jellyfish. Still, the Gulf is ours and we do our best to enjoy it! If you are planning a trip to Galveston, Texas, there are many things to see and do, even if you never go near the beach. [h]Moody Gardens[/h] Located at One Hope Blvd, Moody Gardens is best enjoyed over the course of a day or two. There is so much to do here that it really is best to take your time and savor every … Continue reading →

Style Watch: The Brazilian Bikini

How much do you know about the famous Brazilian bikini? Take a stroll on an area beach this summer and you may find yourself getting a crash course. Or, you can simply open any celebrity or fashion magazine and see what the hype is all about. During the summer months these magazines are filled with page after page of well-tanned, well-toned actresses/singers/models from Desperate Housewives, Eva Longoria to hotel-heiress, Paris Hilton; frolicking with their beaus-of-the-week in what is being called the must-have item of the season. While wishful thinking beach gawkers might still associate the Brazilian bikini with a dental … Continue reading →

Fourth of July Family Fun

When planning your family celebration for Fourth of July, do not forget to check with your local Chamber of Commerce for low cost and even free family activities. Find out if there is a parade that isn’t too far away and ask about free concerts in the park or hosted contests with prizes planned for that day. Some companies offer contests as promotions. Many fireworks displays are offered free of charge or for a small donation. In some locations events begin on July 3rd, so be sure to find out what’s going on in advance. If you plan to go … Continue reading →

Visiting Chicago’s “Concrete Beach”

I grew up in Hawaii, in a home just down the street from a popular black sand beach. As a child I don’t remember spending much time playing in our backyard, rather we (I have three brothers) spent our days building castles, forts and other sculptures with a mixture of powder soft sand and water from the Pacific Ocean. As a teen I left it all behind to attend college in the Midwest and to this day I can recall my horror when a roommate asked if I would like to spend the day with her at “Concrete Beach.” “Concrete … Continue reading →

Summers at the Shore

My dad grew up in New Jersey, the middle child in a family of eleven children. While all of his siblings married and remained on the East Coast my dad married and moved to Hawaii. Gone, but not forgotten. Each summer my parents would take me (and my three brothers) back East to visit family… and much of that time was spent at the Jersey Shore. (Specifically, Seaside Heights and Point Pleasant, New Jersey.) Seaside Heights, New Jersey is a popular shore community of 3,100 year-round residents, but in the summer the population swells to more than 30,000. Its close … Continue reading →

Destination: Hawaii–A Great Family Beach

My daughter loves to look at pictures of our family trips. Her most memorable moments have come during our trips to visit family and friends in Hawaii. The other day she pulled out a picture taken of her enjoying the day at a popular beach near my parent’s home. She’s decked out in a bright pink swimsuit with matching floppy hat happily splashing about in a crystal clear tide pool. It got me thinking about what a great time we had there and how kid-friendly the beach is. It’s called Onekahakaha Beach Park and I would highly recommend it to … Continue reading →

America’s Best Beach

If you read my blogger bio you know that I was born and raised in Hawaii. You may also know that as a Families.com travel blogger I promised that I would share tips on the Aloha state’s must-see attractions. Well, today I intend to keep my promise by highlighting one of the most beautiful spots the state has to offer. It is a beach that has been voted the best in America. Located about 90 minutes from where I grew up, it was once a popular spot frequented primarily by local residents, but it is now a destination for travelers … Continue reading →

A Day at the Beach–Part 2

My previous blog focused on what to bring to the beach. If you have kids, you know that a trip to the beach requires bringing more than just a swimsuit and sunblock. So, now that you know what to bring, we can tackle the question: “How am I supposed to schlep these supplies from the car to the sand?” Here are a few ideas. “Deluxe Wonder Wheels.” This is a product I found in a baby supply catalog, but you can get a similar one at any discount store. It is an all-terrain cart. It has four wheels; the front … Continue reading →

A Day at the Beach–Part 1

It’s spring and for many it’s a time to herald in the 3 s’s: sun, sand, and surf. And, whether you intend to spend a day or a week, a trip to the beach requires planning. I grew up in Hawaii, just down the road from a popular beach. My parents were pros at packing up four children for a day at the beach and used a “beach list” to help prepare for the trip. While it’s easy to remember the essentials: towel, swimsuit and the all-important SUNSCREEN, here are a few more items you may not want to leave … Continue reading →