Beat the Heat: Water Park Edition

In previous postings, we have discussed some great ways to handle the Virginia summer weather including the heat! Well, as we battle another bout of it, we are checking out a few other ways to manage to have the best vacation ever while keeping cool.

So if you have been here on certain days you will ask yourself if it is possible to keep cool by staying in the water all day. We assure you it is... Try one of our fabulous water parks! While you might be heading to our area with dreams of historical discoveries, epic roller coaster rides, and lounging on the beach, don't forget to make a trip to one of local water parks. If you are headed to Busch Gardens during your stay, you may want to look at adding Water Country when you purchase your passes.

Want to make it easier? How about sleeping at the water park? You read that right. Reserve your room at Great Wolf Lodge and enjoy their onsite water park. Best part: you don't even have to step outside in that heat to enjoy it. Great Wolf Lodge features a spectacular selection of rides and water adventures with the luxury of being indoors. Check out GWL's other amenities on their website.

If you already have a place to stay, but still want to enjoy a water park, one of our favorite options is Ocean Breeze in Virginia Beach. Ocean Breeze offers 16 different water slides and well as pools, playgrounds and other attractions. They have some great events too! Our favorite is Dive-In Movies on Fridays during the summer. Be sure to explore season pass options and look at purchasing corporate discount tickets online. And make sure your check out their birthday options if you are having a party this summer. Go to their website for deals on tickets and other opportunities.

So plan your water park trip today!  And no matter where you end up making a splash, just make sure you stay cool and safe!

Give Me A Break...

We all know that feeling. No vacation on the horizon and we are spent. How about a day off to tide you over until that next big break right in your own backyard, so to speak? Here are a few ideas for a quick retreat...

Museums. The obvious one. Check out what exhibits are in your area and see the museums and galleries you have probably never been to or at least not in a while. Planetariums are a fun option too if one of your museums has one.

Zoos. Pick a day with some nice weather and spend it wander around surrounded my exotic animals. Add a trip to the aquarium too if you like...

Train. Grab a ticket from your local station and take a ride. Whether to another town for a night or on a scenic tour for a few hours, it makes a great get away... 

Amusement or Water Park. Everyone has one within a few hours of them. Find out what yours is and head there for a day of fun and excitement for all ages.

Behind the scenes. Find out what your local area has to offer and see if you can get a behind the scenes tour of it. Perhaps a sports stadium, a factory or other claim to fame locally, all have a complicated operation going on inside and it would be fun to check it out.

Tell us what your favorite ways to spend a much needed day off are! And check out our Facebook page for the latest updates on fun events and ideas in the Hampton Roads area. 

Pinterest: Your Newest Travel Agent

Are you a pinner yet? We are and we are completely addicted. Pinterest has become the fastest growing social network recently and it is quite easy to see why. Organization becomes even simpler and more fun that ever on this innovative site.

An awesome way to use it is for your vacation planning! Here are five easy ways to organize your trips using Pinterest...

1. Make a board of places you want to visit.
2. After you pick one, make a board of the things you want to do while you are there - museums, beaches, stores, etc.
3. Make a board of food you want to try on your trip. This will make menu planning a breeze...
4. Make a board of some local flare you want to get for yourself or others while you are there. That way, you won't be spending your entire trip hunting down souvenirs.
5. Use the Pinterest search to find other awesome things other people have found at your destination. This is a great alternative to just googling.

Also, check out our Pinterest page: https://pinterest.com/vacationchannel/. Follow us and we will be glad to follow you back!

Keeping The Troops Happy

Destination? check. Travel arrangements? check. Itinerary that makes all members of the family positively giddy with delight? Hmmmm...

That's a tough one for sure, but if you are vacationing with some smaller members of the gang, your ideas of fun and theirs might be a bit off. But whether you are planning a beach escape, a big city adventure, or a theme park getaway you can stock up on some neat, simple tricks to keep your pre-schoolers happy in any setting. Here are few tips to keep everyone happy no matter where you go...

Go Digital: Not you, the kids! Invest in a children's digital camera and let them capture the moments...

Happy Hunting: A lot of destinations, museums and theme parks particularly, have some sort of scavenger hunt-like activity for kids to give them a little motivation to enjoy the setting. Call ahead or go online to see what is offered. If they don't have one, do a little research and make up your own!

Let's Split Up!: Depending on what sort of trip you are taking, your destination is likely to have options for activities for your kids to enjoy while you get in some time on your own. Check with your hotel or resort to see what they offer and see if there are any other local destinations that have offerings as well.

Find a happy medium: Add a stop at a place that caters to fun for all ages. There are several parks around the country that offer that opportunity. Great Wolf Lodge is a perfect example of such a place. As a hotel and indoor water park, they have a a unique and convenient offering. Check out their website for more information: http://www.greatwolf.com/williamsburg/waterpark/rides.

For more ideas, especially if you are coming to our area, check out www.vacationchannels.com. And be sure to add your ideas in the comments.