5 things to do with teens in Chicago

By Jess, aged 17:

Over summer, our family spent the most amazing week in Chicago. Though very full on, we all had a fantastic time, and there is not one activity which I didn't enjoy. Chicago is a genuinely beautiful city; busy but not too loud or congested. There were things to do for all the family, and here are my highlights from the trip, which I think teenagers would particularly enjoy.

Baseball

I had really wanted to go to a baseball match as I felt it was a typical American thing to do. Instead of watching the more famous Chicago Cubs, we opted for the White Sox, and I had a really fantastic time. Unlike football games in the UK, the atmosphere was much more relaxed, with people walking around the whole time. I definitely enjoyed this, as I can get very stressed when watching live sports!

[caption id="attachment_4559" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] We really enjoyed watching the Chicago White Sox![/caption]

Despite never playing baseball before, the people sitting around us were more than willing to explain what was going on, and I found myself getting very engaged with the game. The experience felt very American, with an audience cam, lots of adverts for pizza, a fill in the song lyric game, and everyone standing up and singing "Take me out to the ball game" between the seventh and eight innings.

There were other activities in the stadium as well, such a speed pitching test and a free interactive centre for kids. Mum and I collected free badges and certificates to commemorate our first visit to the stadium, and the people sitting behind us were generous enough to give us White Sox temporary tattoos and t-shirts.

I would definitely recommend baseball games to people visiting the US - not only was the game exciting, but I loved getting a taste of what it's like to be a real American. Mum says that it was expensive though - and we were all shocked by the cost of the food and drink inside the stadium (a bottle of Pepsi was over $6!)

Our tickets to the baseball cost around $50 (they were more expensive because we chose to be under cover - a good decision, as it was very hot!).

Second City

Second City is a famous sketch and improvisational comedy troupe, known for producing stars such as Tina Fey and Steve Carell. I am a huge fan of SNL, and it was especially exciting spotting lots of famous names in the programme we were given. Our family saw a production named "Grinning from Fear to Fear", which included two sets of sketches and an improvisational section.

I thought the production was hilarious, and unlike anything I'd seen before. Ranging from meeting your girlfriend's parents to sleepless late night anxieties, the production was very well done, and I laughed more times than I can count. They also used a lot of suggestions from the audience and even brought people up onto stage.

This was definitely one of the highlights of my holiday.

Second City is not for younger children - the show we went to started at 8pm and didn't finish until nearly 11 and there was quite a lot of swearing in it. Tickets cost $52 each.

Cycling food tour

Cycling isn't something we do very often, so I was somewhat terrified at the prospect of cycling around busy Chicago streets. However, I shouldn't have worried: our Bikes, Bites and Brews tour with Bobby's Bike Hike was great. Our guide Ro was extremely friendly and enthusiastic, and she toured us for 13 miles across Chicago.

[caption id="attachment_4560" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] We loved all the food on our cycling tour with Bobby's Bike Hike, and the views were great too![/caption]

We sampled pizza, cupcakes, hot dogs, and drinks from all across Chicago, learning a lot about the city in the process. A particular highlight was eating delicious deep dish pizza from Lou Malnati's, and spending half an hour cycling down a cycle path right next to Lake Michigan. The views were brilliant, and it was very relaxing. The tour was both interesting and exciting, and we definitely wouldn't have had the confidence to ride around Chicago without a guide. The city was easy to ride around and the views were gorgeous.

I would definitely recommend cycling around Chicago, and there are lots of places to rent bikes from. Though we wouldn't have been able to navigate the streets by ourselves, the cycle path by the lake boasted brilliant views and was easy to make our way around.

This Bobby's Bikes, Bites and Brews cycling tour costs $66.75 for adults and $61.75 for students (Mondays to Thursdays) and lasts four hours. 

Disclosure: We were gifted the opportunity of taking part in Bobby's Bike Hire, the Bikes, Bites and Brews tour, in order to write about it. However, the company had no input whatsoever into this blog post.

Escape room

Our whole family loved going to an escape room at The Escape Game Chicago. Though only an hour long, our experience probably provided us with the most fun of anything we did over the holiday. Our challenge was called "The Heist", and our challenge was to retrieve a painting from the office of a man accused of stealing it.

[caption id="attachment_4557" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] We were pleased to find the painting with only two minutes to go![/caption]

I've been to three other escape rooms before, but this one was definitely the best. It was so well maintained, and some of the parts were genius. It was very difficult, but definitely not unmanageable or frustrating, and we were pleased to escape with two minutes remaining!

Escape rooms can be found all over the world and there are a copious amount in the UK alone, but I would recommend doing this one if you're in Chicago. We all had a fantastic time.

Read Rob's post on the Escape Game (he really loved it too!)
The Heist at the Escape Game costs $35.99 per person.

Beach

Chicago is particularly special as it is on Lake Michigan, so there are a copious number of beaches to relax on. We were all struck by the sheer size of the water - it seemed unfathomable that it was only a lake and not the sea! We went to the North Avenue beach, which was great as it was quiet, and there was a lot of space to sit down and unwind.

[caption id="attachment_4561" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Looking out to Lake Michigan on North Avenue Beach[/caption]

The water was ridiculously cold, but we appreciated that it wasn't salty like the sea. It also didn't get deep quickly, providing ample space for wading in the water and swimming. Chicago's beaches are especially notable as its gorgeous skyline is behind the lake, leading to gorgeous views wherever you look.

Overall, Chicago is a perfect place for teenagers, and I honestly enjoyed every aspect of the trip. Aside from these five highlights, there were so many other fantastic attractions, making the city perfect for all the family. I enjoyed incredible views of the city at the top of the Sears Tower, saw chicks being born at the Museum of Science and Industry, and looked at the largest T-Rex ever found at the Field Museum. Even activities which sounded boring, such as an architecture boat tour, were fascinating!

It may not a common holiday destination for those of us in the UK, but our trip to Chicago was great - both for the adults and the teens.

Read Rob's post on his two favourite activities: 

We also found useful information on the Choose Chicago website and the Enjoy Illinois website.

Dorset Adventure Park and Corfe Castle in Dorset

[caption id="attachment_4483" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Sarah in front of Corfe Castle[/caption]

We recently went on holiday to Dorset (a long blog post is on its way!). Here is one of the days which my son, Robert, who's 14, enjoyed the most and which he would highly recommend. It begins with Corfe Castle.

As regular readers of this blog will know, I am a history buff and love castles. Corfe Castle (a National Trust Property), which is located on the Isle of Purbeck, between Wareham and Swanage, is spectacular! It was built by William the Conquerer and has a long, magnificent history, not least the story of how the Royalists in the castle tried to hold out against the Roundheads during the English Civil War of the 17th century.

Corfe Castle is also the name of the very pretty village in which the castle is located and it's gorgeous to walk around - and to have an ice-cream or cream tea (or both!).

Let Robert tell you more:

Corfe Castle

Corfe Castle, or the ruins of Corfe castle, is a great place to go. Not only is it visually stunning, with great views of the architecture from the bottom of the hill and great views of the surrounding area on top – it is also a historic landmark with lots of boards to read and find out about what happened at the castle.

There are also lots of activities for kids of all ages.

[caption id="attachment_4484" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Robert helps to hold up the ruins![/caption]

Dorset Adventure Park

After our visit to Corfe Castle, we moved onto Dorset Adventure Park, which is only about 5 minutes away. Our hour in the water there felt much longer – it was one of the most fun activities of the holiday and Mum and Dad really enjoyed it as well, even though they were in the water for most of it!

Once kitted in our wetsuits and life jackets we walked to the first lake, called Castle Lake, because you can see Corfe Castle from the water, where we spent half an hour running, jumping and falling off obstacles. There were narrow poles to climb over, large hills to climb, and trampolines and other singular obstacles floating in the water. Everything is inflatable and if you fall off you have to swim to nearest entry point or attempt to climb back on where someone pulls you up by the life jacket. After Mum and Dad fell off multiple times before clearing the first obstacle I ended my fits of laughter and ran off on my own.

The next lake, the Woodland Lake, was even better – it had air bags, monkey bars and bigger slides, to name a few. There was also a tightrope with ropes to cling onto hovering above the water which I attempted many times but could not clear the third. At least I attempted it though, unlike my Mum and Dad!

[caption id="attachment_4485" align="alignnone" width="1200"] You can just see the Castle Lake and inflatables in this picture - in front of Corfe Castle[/caption]

There were about 10-15 obstacles or so in each lake and it never got boring.

If going with someone other than your parents you could race around the track or if you are really courageous you could hold battles where you try to push off your opponents.

The Adventure park was great to visit although it only takes up about two hours of your day. Corfe Castle was just a few minutes away so you could create a nice day out visiting the two.

We don't have any great pics of the water park because we had to put away our clothes and phone/camera!

[caption id="attachment_4486" align="alignnone" width="1200"] The castle ruins are really spectacular[/caption]

Need to know:

Corfe Castle is a National Trust property, and so free for National Trust members. Otherwise it has different costs for peak and off-peak times. The summer is peak time and it costs £10 for adults, £5 for children or £25 for a family ticket.

There are loads of activities over the summer for families, so do check out their website.

Dorset Adventure Park is open every day in the school holiday and costs £15 a person. You can also hire wetsuits and shoes, or bring your own.

Disclosure: We received free entry into Dorset Adventure Park in order to write about it. However, all the opinions in this blog post are our own and no one else had any input into them.

For more about Dorset, see the Visit Dorset website

Don't miss our post on what to do in Dorset - also written by Robert!

Read more:

A great day out at Thorpe Park (by Robert)

Cakes, a castle and cathedral, what to do in Lincoln

A visit to majestic Casa Loma, in Toronto

Soft serve filled cakes at Eva's Original Chimneys, Toronto

Jess, aged 15, writes: During our short stay in Toronto, our family had an amazing time visiting Eva's Original Chimneys. This shop makes chimney cakes, rolls them in various toppings, and then fills them with different treats. The result was a massive and incredibly delicious snack which I would love to have again!

I had found Eva's Original Chimneys from a video online, and subsequently begged my parents to let us go. Luckily they agreed, and while the shop is not in the centre of the city, it was very easy to get there. Though we had no idea how to navigate the subway system, we easily found the neccessary stop and walked to the shop.

[caption id="attachment_4188" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] There was such a wide variety of choices![/caption]

Once entering the shop, we were greeted by chimney cakes of all shapes and sizes. Chimney cakes are Hungarian cake treats, which are generally rolled into a cylindrical shape. The chimney cakes had been rolled in different toppings, such as cinnamon sugar, coconut, and graham crackers. There was an option to buy the chimney cakes by themselves, but we opted for the more calorific versions...

I chose the white chocolate raspberry cheesecake, which consisted of: a cone shaped chimney cake rolled in graham crackers, a chocolate to stop the toppings falling out, vanilla soft serve, berry coulis, cheesecake pieces, more soft serve, and strawberry sauce. Dad opted for a coconut themed option, mum tried a chocolate themed chimney cake, and Robert "made his own", choosing cheesecake, nutella, and pretzels.

[caption id="attachment_4189" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] With our treats![/caption]

When our chimney cakes arrived, we were astounded by their size. My one was taller than my head! The treat was scrumptious - especially the cheesecake and the cone. It was a really unique place to eat, tasted really good, and was generally really exciting. Our portion was so big that we had no reason to eat lunch, and were sated until supper.

Overall, we all had a really great time at Eva's Original Chimneys. It was a very special place with fantastic food, and I recommend it to anyone visiting Toronto.

You can find Eva's Original at 454 Bloor Street West, Toronto. The cones cost around 6-10 CAD each (that's around £3 to £6). Do note that it is a cashless shop, so bring a credit card!

Read about our trip to Toronto in more detail - and find out our tips for what to do!

Four days in Toronto with kids

Jess, aged 15, writes: We have just returned from a break in Toronto, Canada, where we spent four days discovering the city. We did everything from bus tours to cycling, and really loved our time in the city. There was a lot to see and do, the people were friendly, it was unusually clean for such a big city, and the attractions were very well done. Here are our highlights of the trip and what we'd recommend:

What to do

Jess writes: My favourite part of our trip to Toronto had to be the island cycling tour. We met our friendly and knowledgeable guide Mina early in the morning and were quickly armed with bikes and helmets. Soon, we found ourselves cycling downtown to the port, where we took a ferry to the Toronto Islands. We spent the morning cycling around the islands, and learning about their history. I particularly enjoyed visiting the beach, listening to ghost stories, and seeing the lighthouse. This was especially interesting as it was only built six metres away from the seafront, but sediment deposition means that it is now inland. We all had an excellent time - the islands were gorgeous, the stories were fascinating, and the cycling wasn't too strenuous. Despite not being used to cycling on roads, we all felt very safe. It was a wonderfully tranquil morning.

[caption id="attachment_4303" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Casa Loma was spectacular[/caption]

Brian says: One of the highlights of our trip was visiting Casa Loma, a huge medieval looking mansion surrounded by beautiful gardens and a fountain. The gothic exterior with its two towers in completely different styles makes it look a bit like a fairy tale castle.
We began our visit with the very interesting 20 minute newsreel type film about the life of Sir Henry Pellatt, the financier who spent millions building Casa Loma then was forced to leave in 1923 after going bankrupt. We really enjoyed looking at the film posters on the walls downstairs showing the many movies shot there, and there was also a TV screen showing some clips (e.g. X-men, Chicago, Cocktail etc) with captions letting you know which room had been used for that scene. We then took an excellent audio guide of the nearly hundred rooms, the most beautiful ones for me being the Round Room and the Conservatory. We then climbed up the narrow steps to the Norman tower, which gave stunning views of the city in the distance. We were there for about two and a half hours, and hadn’t seen everything we would have liked to (especially the secret tunnels) as we just ran out of time. It might be a tourist trap, but Casa Loma is definitely a must-see when you come to Toronto.

Read more about Casa Loma here, in a full blog post by Sarah.

[caption id="attachment_4304" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Ripleys Aquarium was a must-visit![/caption]

Robert, aged 12, writes: Ripley's Aquarium is one of the most popular, if not the most popular, tourist attraction in Toronto with so much to see and do for both kids and adults. There are loads of different creatures to look at including jellyfish, sharks, turtles and an octopus. Throughout the aquarium were loads of interactive things to play or touch. There was a section when you could feel how cold the water is for the fish, customise your own jellyfish or even feel some baby sharks. Some of the creatures were incredible to look at especially the ones in the tunnel - I loved watching the sharks swim over my head. Over all I had a really fun time and there was really something for everyone. There's even a play area for younger kids.

[caption id="attachment_4309" align="alignnone" width="1200"] If you like shopping, you need to visit the Eaton Centre![/caption]

Jess says: The Eaton Centre is the busiest shopping centre in North America, so we knew we had to give it a try. The Centre contains a range of shops (varying from high end to ones you may see on the high street) and we enjoyed walking around and finding chains which we don't have in the UK. We exited the complex with books, t-shirts, and trousers, and generally had a nice, relaxing time traipsing the stores.

Robert writes: One of the tallest, most symbolic buildings in Canada is the CN tower which can be seen from nearly all the city and even further away.

[caption id="attachment_4311" align="alignnone" width="1200"] View from the CN Tower[/caption]

Classified as one of the modern wonders of the world, the tower stands at 1,815 feet so the views are amazing. We went up the first viewing point which was great, you could see the whole city. You could pay extra to go up a few extra floors but it seemed pointless to me as it is the same view. One floor down were two glass walkways on which you could sit, jump or even lie on while looking down at the roads directly under your feet.

[caption id="attachment_4310" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Robert on the glass floor at the CN Tower[/caption]

I found the whole experience very enjoyable, but it was just another view which I've seen a lot of - and there were so many great things to do in Toronto that it wasn't my favourite.

[caption id="attachment_4308" align="alignnone" width="1200"] The spectacular Horseshoe Falls[/caption]

Sarah writes: It’s hard to tell you how wonderful our visit to Niagara Falls was without referring you to our full post on it (which you can see here!). It was, honestly, the most fantastic day and we cannot recommend it enough – it’s unlike anything else we’ve ever done.

[kad_youtube url="https://youtu.be/PhfPag2VQCw" width=200 height=100 ]

The Falls are majestic and beautiful, a real wonder of the world. And it doesn’t mater that Niagara is really busy, because all the people who are there simply want to enjoy what you do – extraordinary waterfalls!
I have never seen The Falls from the US side, but my husband assures me that the Canadian side, with the Horseshoe Falls, is far better. I can believe it. We experienced our trip from different angles – a helicopter above, a boat riding on and going down to see the Falls at the level at which they gush past. All were well worth doing.
We hired a car to get to Niagara and it took around two hours. We left early in the morning and would recommend that. It really was a wonderful day.

What to see

[caption id="attachment_4307" align="alignnone" width="1200"] The views from the islands were amazing![/caption]

Jess writes: Aside from Niagara, the best views on this holiday had to be on the ferry from Downtown Toronto to the Toronto Islands. During our cycling tour, we took a ferry from the port to Hanlan's Point, and the view was simply stunning. We had a clear, close up view of the Toronto skyline, the water shone in the sun, and there was a small breeze in our hair. It was truly lovely; very serene and tranquil. It made our visit to the islands even more special.

The City Sightseeing Toronto bus tour is another way to see the sights. The two hour journey takes you all around the sights of Toronto, giving lots of information. There was also a real guide, as opposed to listening through headphones and hearing the same annoying music again and again! The only negative of this was it could be difficult to hear the guide due to the microphone static. The trip was very pleasant, though traffic meant we moved quite slowly.

Where to eat

[caption id="attachment_4321" align="alignnone" width="1200"] The food at Eva's was so delicious![/caption]

Brian says: We ate some delicious food on our Canadian holiday, but Eva’s Original was one of the standouts. My sweet toothed daughter had found out about this before our visit, and it took us about 20 minutes to get there from our hotel downtown, but it was really worth it. Eva’s bake traditional Hungarian chimney cakes fresh on the premises. They look delicious enough all by themselves, but we added some extra calories by each having chimney cones which are filled with delicious vanilla soft serve ice-cream. I chose a cone that had been baked with coconut flakes, and a chocolate sauce topping. It was huge, but delicious, so I managed to finish it. We then saw that a couple at the table next to us were sharing one. Eva’s Original was a real treat, and I would love to go back again one day.

Jess writes: Kensington Market is very different to the rest of Toronto, as it is filled with vintage clothes stores and hipster places to eat. I would have loved to explore had we had more time, as there was lots to see and do. We had lunch at a waffle shop which was a bit of a let down, but I know that there were many other places to go to which looked nicer.

[caption id="attachment_4306" align="alignnone" width="1200"] The Beavers Tails were so delicious![/caption]

Sarah says: We found the BeaverTails stall down by the waterfront in Toronto. Quite honestly they were utterly delicious and it is lucky they don't seem possible to get in London, as I would galumph my way through them and become far too vast! Put it this way, we got one each and the couple sitting opposite us, shared theirs...
They are basically pastries with toppings on, but that doesn't sell them well enough! They are huge, the pastry (fried!) is delicious and the toppings - whether chocolate hazelnut or nutella are utterly decadent. A real holiday food!

Jess writes: In conclusion, we all had a lovely time in Toronto. Paired with an excursion to Niagara, it was a holiday with something for all the family. The atmosphere was friendly, it was easy to navigate, and there was lots to do. I definitely recommend a visit.

Disclosure: We were fortunate enough to be given a CityPass to try out when we were in Toronto. This meant we got free entry into a number of attractions and, as importantly, that we skipped the queue - particularly brilliant for the CN Tower and Aquarium! We genuinely thought the CityPass was fantastic as it gave you freedom to do what you wanted, when you wanted - but the company had no input into our decisions of what to do, or what we wrote in this post. The CityPASS costs around £55 per adult and £37 per child.
We were also very fortunate that Toronto Bicycle Tours provided us with the bicycle tour of the Islands, including bike hire and ferry crossing, on a complimentary basis. This usually costs around CAD 90 per person (around £54). However, they also had no input into this post and all our thoughts, as usual, are our own.

Going up the Kitzsteinhorn glacier in Kaprun, Austria

Jess, aged 15, writes: During a lovely lakeside stay in Zell am See, Austria, I was lucky enough to visit the Kitzsteinhorn glacier with my grandpa. In the winter, the Kitzsteinhorn is generally used for skiing, but in summer the mountain is perfect for walks and admiring the gorgeous views. Our trip was definitely one of the most impressive in the entire holiday, and we both had a really good time.

The Kitzsteinhorn is about forty minutes away from Zell am See (our base) by bus, and we arrived just past midday. After pausing for a small drink and a pastry, we began our ascent up the mountain in a funitel. This journey was certainly one of the standout moments of the entire holiday.

[caption id="attachment_4114" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] The gondola lift up the mountain was incredible![/caption]

The Gletscherjet I (glacier jet one) takes you unbelievably high, and the journey is about five and a half minutes long. The small capsule size and lack of midweek crowds meant that it was just me and grandpa by ourselves, and it was lovely to move around and talk freely without strangers next to us! The views were absolutely magnificent: the towering green mountains stretched into the distance, interspersed with tall trees and trickling waterfalls. This was definitely the most majestic point of our entire holiday, and I loved it.

[caption id="attachment_4136" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] We loved our gondola journeys up the mountain![/caption]

After exiting the funitel, grandpa and I took a walk around the area. Luckily, the ground was flat, making it very accessible. The area consisted of a sports and a souvenir shop, a restaurant, and a climbing frame for children (I enjoyed this, despite probably being too old!) Our walk was short, but very pleasant. We stumbled upon some lambs and a river, and the views beneath us were simply gorgeous.

There are lots of lifts to choose in the winter, but there is less of a choice in summer. Grandpa and I took the Gletscherjet II to the next level: a journey which took about three minutes. This was equally as impressive as our first journey, and again, we had the capsule to ourselves.

[caption id="attachment_4133" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] We took the Gipfelwelt up to the top of the Kitzsteinhorn[/caption]

There is a lot to do once outside of the Gletscherjet II, but grandpa and I decided to forgo this and take the Gipfelwelt 3000 to the highest accessible point of the mountain. This journey took us from the mountain's lush grassy hills to the snow-covered glacier, and we could see people partaking in snow sports beneath us.

[caption id="attachment_4113" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] At the top of Salzburg![/caption]

It was extremely exciting to be at the top of the Kitzsteinhorn, as this meant that we were at the highest accessible point of Salzburg: 3029m high. The Gipfelwelt 3000 panorama was a perfect place for admiring the incredible view and taking photos. It was a stunning view, and it was cool to be at the highest point in the whole of Salzburg!

[caption id="attachment_4134" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] The views of the glacier were remarkable.[/caption]

Next came the National Park Gallery, which is located in a 360m long tunnel through the Kitzsteinhorn. It was fascinating to be able to walk through the mountain. We learnt about the formation of the Alps and the different crystals in the Kitzsteinhorn, but had to turn back as the altitude was making grandpa feel slightly uneasy.

Finally, it was time to take the Gipfelwelt, Gletscherjet II, and Gletscherjet I back to the bottom of the Kitzsteinhorn. I had had an amazing time, and was honestly sad to leave. The views from the gondolas had been phenomenal, and the mountain had been just so quiet and beautiful. There was so much grandpa and I didn't manage to do (exploring more of the museum, going to the cinema, or trying out snow sports), yet we still had such a relaxing and interesting time. I would definitely recommend a visit to the Kitzsteinhorn; it was simply a lovely day out.

Jess and her grandpa went on a package holiday with Inghams, flying via Ryan Air from Stansted Airport to Salzburg and then taking a coach to Zell. They were gifted two “summer cards” from the Zell am Zee tourism board, but they had no input into this blog post.

Read more about this holiday here

- you can find out all the other wonderful things that Jess and her grandpa got up to!

Attending The Open Air Theatre, London

Jess, aged 15, writes: Our family loves to go to the theatre, but there is one London theatre which is definitely more memorable than the rest. This is the Open Air Theatre, located in Regent’s Park.

As you might be able to tell from the name, what makes the Open Air Theatre so unique is the plays are conducted outside. This is a really different experience to attending a West End theatre.

[caption id="attachment_4001" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Outside the theatre[/caption]

After a short walk through the gorgeous flowers and trees of Regent’s Park, you come to the entrance of the Open Air Theatre. After being admitted, you walk past the café, and come face to face with the stage. Regardless of the production, the stage always houses an elaborate and extremely impressive set. In this year’s production of “On The Town” (which has just finished its run), the set was of a naval dockyard, but this transformed into museums, restaurants, and the bustling streets of New York City.

I have seen five different productions at the Open Air Theatre: “The Tempest”, “The Sound of Music”, “To Kill A Mockingbird”, “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers”, and “On The Town”. While I cannot completely remember “The Tempest” (I think I was about six at the time), I have always really enjoyed my visits. My favourite has to be “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers”, which involved amazing singing and simply unbelievable dancing. This was such an exciting and joyous evening, which I really wish I could experience again. Unfortunately, this year’s production was not as good, but I think this was because it just wasn’t to my taste.

[caption id="attachment_4000" align="aligncenter" width="800"] The weather at the theatre ranges from rainy to very sunny![/caption]

Of course, being outside does have some drawbacks; namely the weather. All evening performances tend to get very cold and dark after the interval, but we combat this problem with lots of layers, scarves, gloves, hats, and blankets. Out of the five productions I have seen at the theatre, it has rained twice. Even during the heaviest of rain, the performances have never stopped - this year, the stage was simply wiped down twice before continuing.

The Open Air Theatre puts on such a wide variety of magnificent plays: comedies, musicals, serious drama, and more. It is so exciting to be outside - you can feel the wind in your face, hear birdsong, and even see the sun set! There really is something for everyone, and I would recommend experiencing it.

The Open Air Theatre is about 10 minutes walk from Baker Street tube station and is open from May to December each year. Prices range from £25 to £65 for the main musical theatre productions (the next one up is Jesus Christ Superstar), although there are often other events at weekends during the summer. This year there is also a production of Oliver Twist, aimed at those aged six upwards, and tickets cost £18.

Find out more from their website. 

 

What to do on a family trip to Lanzarote

If you’re craving some winter sun, we sympathise. January can be a hard month – coming down from the festivities of December, and at the same time suffering from short days, wind and rain. So perhaps you should start thinking about where you can spend next winter! We’d say that if you want a fun, family-friendly place with sun, you couldn’t do better than Lanzarote in the Canary Islands. It has everything you might want – and it’s not that far away.

Let’s start with the distance. Lanzarote, off the coast of west Africa, ticks many boxes for us because it’s only four hours or so by plane (as opposed to double that for the Caribbean or Florida) and is also a cheaper destination to visit than those further afield. It’s beautiful, very family-friendly (no resort is more than an hour away from the airport and many are nearer, which is a boon if you have little ones who’ll be tired after all that travelling) and you’ll be guaranteed some sun (although it’s not always bikini weather). Plus, it's clean and the islanders love kids.

The island has lots of accommodation options, from a number of upmarket luxury hotels to self-catering. When we holiday here I usually want to relax, so go for self-catering, where we can hang around in pyjamas if we want to, and have space to play board games or read on the veranda without anyone bothering us. In Playa Blanca where we usually stay, there are a number of nearby supermarkets which make stocking up very easy, and prices are around the same (or usually a little less) than at home.

Where to stay:

We’d highly recommend Playa Blanca, the southernmost town on the island which has gorgeous sandy beaches (even if the sand is brought in!)

[caption id="attachment_3627" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Jess in Playa Blanca, during a walk along the promenade[/caption]

There you have access to a number of gorgeous beaches, particularly Playa Flamingo, Papagayo and Playa Dorada, plus there is a promenade to walk along which is perfect for little legs and buggies (as well as teen legs and older ones!). It is very well served by shops and restaurants and has a marina at one end (with a market on Wednesdays and Sundays) and the old town at the other – all within around 20 mintues walk. Jess is going to write more on the joys of Playa Blanca very soon, so look out for that, but if you choose to stay here, you won’t regret it – not least the views across the Atlantic to Isla de Lobos and Fuerteventura (where you can take a ferry).

[caption id="attachment_3628" align="alignnone" width="1200"] The beaches in Lanzarote are gorgeous - and the sea is clear and blue.[/caption]

Other family-friendly locations include Puerto Calero (which is only around 10 minutes from Puerto Del Carmen), Costa Teguise (which includes an aquarium and waterpark and has a number of good restaurants and beaches) while Finca de Arrieta, an eco retreat is supposed to be brilliant for kids (we haven’t managed to get here yet though). Puerto Del Carmen is probably the most famous resort on the island, but it wouldn’t be my top choice for a family visit and is better for those looking for busy nightlife, pubs and bars. However, if you are travelling with teens who are looking for more excitement, it may be the right place for you.

Where to go:

[caption id="attachment_3625" align="alignnone" width="675"] A geyser seen at Timanfaya National Park[/caption]

Lanzarote offers a huge variety of places to go and is easy to get around by car (plus petrol is much cheaper than at home). It doesn’t have the most beautiful landscape (Tenerife is prettier to look at) but I always find the barren, volcanic effect of the southern part of the island pretty impressive, while the mountains are a world away from the hustle and bustle of London. I also love the lack of high-rise buildings – this is because of the architect Cesar Manrique who forbade it. In fact, there is only one building on the island which taller than three storeys, and that was built in Arrecife when Manrique was in the US for a few years. There are loads of lovely beaches to visit, including La Santa (for any surfers in the family) and Famara (on the north shore).

[caption id="attachment_3621" align="alignnone" width="675"] Fire erupting from the earth at Timanfaya National Park[/caption]

Timanfaya
Talking of volcanoes, you really should take a trip to Timanfaya, the fire mountain – at least if you have kids from around the age of 4+. Yes, you will face queues, but you will also love the views and the tricks you will see (particularly the way the water steams and shoots up when it’s poured onto the hot ground), and your kids will love the fact that they have seen a real volcano in this moon-like landscape. Very little ones may find the coach tour a little boring, but when we took ours, they were only 4 and 7 and they loved it.
Our tip: Go early or late as it gets very busy and you can end up queuing just to get into the park.

[caption id="attachment_3622" align="alignnone" width="1200"] At the Cactus Gardens (when the children were younger!)[/caption]

Cactus Garden

We first went here when Jessica (who is now nearly 15) wasn’t even three and would highly recommend it. It is basically what it says, a garden full of different time of cacti (more than 1,000 different species), but they are great to walk around and fascinating to look at for all ages. There is also a shop and cafe on site for afterwards. I know it doesn't sound that exciting, but honestly, it's great!

[caption id="attachment_3623" align="alignnone" width="1200"] At the Jameos del Agua,[/caption]

Jameos del Agua
These caves – a natural wonder - are absolutely stunning, and you and your kids will love watching the white crabs (which have no shells) who take on a kind of dreamlike quality due to the light shining on them in the seawater lake. Created by that man Cesar Manrique (again!) it’s all quite enchanting.

El Golfo
This isn’t great for very little children as you need to be really careful along the path, but if your kids are a little older, we’d definitely recommend a visit. Here you’ll see black sandy beaches, stunning views and the impressive sight of the dramatic green lagoon – an effect caused by the algae trapped there by the sea.
If you’re coming from Playa Blanca, it’s a lovely drive past the lava fields.
Tip: The lagoon is not far from Los Hervideros which is also worth a visit for its fantastic crashing waves.

Rancho Texas

This wild west theme park includes a zoo and also has regular bird of prey and sea animal shows which are great fun. It also boasts a small waterpark, so make sure you take a change of clothes!

Waterparks:

Aqualava is based in the area of Playa Blanca and has a number of enjoyable rides, plus a lazy river and wave pool. It is also good value.

Aqua Water Park, Costa Teguise – we have not been here for many years and have heard mixed reviews about the park, but it is the biggest one on the island, and if that’s what would make your kids happy, you should think about checking it out....

Other suggestions would be the seaside village/town of Arrieta where you can enjoy a fish lunch at one of the many restaurants overlooking the sea. On your way back from this, you can actually visit Cesar Manrique’s House where you can not only enjoy his art collection and work, but also see how he designed and built his own house. Young kids may not find this too enthralling (the volcanoes and beaches are better!).

If you like shopping, then you’ll enjoy a trip to Costa Teguise, which boasts the biggest outdoor market in all of the Canary islands. It’s held every Sunday and is well worth a visit.

You can also take a ferry from Playa Blanca to the neighbouring island of Fuerteventura and spend the day there. The boat takes less than an hour.

Plus, you can try out a pedalo from many of the beaches, or even a glass bottom boat or submarine (from Puero Calero Marina).

Be warned that while you will get some sun in Lanzarote, it’s not always baking hot. However, it will definitely be nicer than you will experience at home in December of January!

Final tip: We love hanging around Playa Blanca and enjoying the beaches, food and relaxing. We’d recommend you taking a trip or two, but think you will probably enjoy Lanzarote without having to exert yourself too much by being out and about! And you can always come back again, just as we have....

Read about Siam Water Park in Tenerife and some of that island's stunning beaches

Touring the UK's Largest Windfarm in Glasgow

[caption id="attachment_2436" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Pic courtesy of Whitelee Windfarm Visitor Centre[/caption]

Jess, aged 14, says: I am fascinated by the development sustainable energy sources, so I was really looking forward to visiting Whitelee Windfarm with my Grandma and my Uncle. Whitelee Windfarm contains 215 wind turbines spread out over 80km², making it the largest windfarm in the UK and one of the largest in Europe.

The visitor centre is only about 20 minutes from central Glasgow, so we drove there at around 11am. The air was cold but it was sunny and the sky was clear, meaning that we could marvel at the hundreds of windmills that stood before us. I'd never seen so many together before!

Entry to the windfarm and visitor centre was free, and we headed inside to try out the games and activities inside the exhibition. This was one large room, full of quizzes, interactive activities, and lots of information. I constructed my own wind turbine, learnt how they generate energy, and found out about the history of the site. We enjoyed the interactive exhibit which involved looking at the locations of the windmills, and picking which three we thought would generate the most power. Once we had picked, the model was turned on and the windmills spun round and round. Unfortunately none of us managed to generate the needed energy, but this was a fun insight into the management of a windfarm that we don't know about.

Next, I had my go at managing the power produced by the windfarm. I had to take into account aspects such as time of day and weather, and changed the locations of where the power was distributed to according to these variables. In reality, Whitelee Windfarm can generate 539 megawatts on a single day, which amazed me. This means that the windfarm powers 330,000 homes!

[caption id="attachment_2437" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Inside the exhibition (pic courtesy of Whitelee Windfarm Visitor Centre)[/caption]

We must have spent an hour in the exhibition - we watched videos, got fiercely competitive with strangers over a quiz (I'm pleased to say that I did the best in this), and took a look at the view of the site. We saw younger children partaking in an arts and crafts activity, but, being 13 at the time, I did not take part and instead we hopped on a tour bus to look around.

Bus tours around the site are only £3.50 for adults and £2.50 for children, and there was space for about 15 people on the bus. However, there was only one group there apart from our own, making the tour quiet and relaxing. Our tour guide was really kind and friendly, and encouraged us all to ask questions. He knew pretty much everything about the site, and told us some fascinating information.

Not only did we learn about the construction of the turbines, how they are controlled, and plans for the future, we also found out all about the site's ecosystem. There are lots of delicate flowers and animals in the area - there are over 145 plant species, 36 fungi species, 94 lichens, and a vast collection of birds, amphibians, reptiles, insects, and mammals. Apparently it is very rare to see one of these, but it is possible if you look very closely when walking by the turbines. The windfarm has over 90km of parks to walk and cycle down, but we preferred to stay on the bus.

The best part of our trip by far was stopping off by one of the turbines. I loved walking underneath it, listening to how loud it was, and marvelling at how tall and wide it was. I had seen many wind turbines in my life but had never realised how big they were!

Finally our trip was over. We had spent about two hours in total looking around the farm, and I had absolutely loved it. It was a really unique and astonishing place to visit that really opened up my eyes to the future of sustainable energy. What really made the site special was how interactive it is, meaning that it is great for adults and children alike. It was a really great experience, and I definitely recommend it if you have any free time in Glasgow.

Also in Scotland

Falkirk Wheel and Helix Park

Blair Drummond Safari Park

A Very Sunny Holiday in Domes of Elounda, Crete

Jess, aged 13, writes: When I found out that we were to be travelling to Domes of Elounda in Crete for our summer holiday, I was really excited. We don't usually visit sunny countries, let alone "luxury" resorts, so I couldn't wait to relax in the sun, go swimming in the sea, and eat loads of delicious food. However, I didn't realise that it was going to be so much better than that...

[kad_youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0dLZIyjQ1o" width=200 height=100 ]

 

We stayed in a family suite, and it was lovely. The rooms were large and spacious and upon arrival after midnight, we had sandwiches and fresh fruit in our room in case we were hungry! The bath products smelled amazing, and there was even a hot tub outside (though it took us a while how to work out how to use this!)

[caption id="attachment_2232" align="alignnone" width="1200"] The view from our villa was gorgeous![/caption]

The view from our villa was gorgeous, and was so fantastic that it made its way onto our Bests of 2015. We arrived at Domes of Elounda late at night, so we couldn't see anything out of our window until the morning. When I woke up and opened the curtains, I audibly gasped as the view was so stunning - the sea was a beautiful vibrant blue, the sun was high in the sky, and the famous island Spinalonga was in the middle. I ran into mum and dad's room, basically commanding them to draw their blinds as it was just exquisite!

There were so many different food choices at Domes, and everything we tried was delicious. My favourite place was Topos, a fish restaurant beside the sea. We loved the fresh fish and mezze (especially the fried courgette with tzatziki). The food tasted so fresh, and it was miles nicer than the Greek restaurants in London. We also loved the Minoan cooking, which is made outside Topos once a week. Everything is cooked outside in Minoan-style ceramic pots, and there was lots of bread, soup, meat, and salads.

[caption id="attachment_2233" align="alignnone" width="1200"] The food at Domes was all delicious (everything in the picture above is from breakfast!)[/caption]

The main buffet is named Tholos, and the breakfasts there were amazing. There were smoothies, cooked food, fruit, and looads of delicious cakes. They also made special food for Robert as he has allergies, which we all really appreciated. The buffet had special themed nights, such as fish night, Cretan night, Middle Eastern night, Greek night, and Italian night, but our favourite was Asian night due to the scrumptious curries. Mum and dad also had supper at the à la carte restaurant, Anthos, which they really enjoyed (and which was adults only!)

The beach at Domes of Elounda was one of the nicest I've ever been to: the view was magnificent, it was quiet, there were lots of places to sit (including some shade which we all appreciated), and there was the bar and the Topos restaurant nearby. The sea was fantastic; it got deeper and deeper very gradually, so we could wade in really far and go swimming. When you looked down, there were plants and possibly fish beneath you, and the water was so clear and blue. Some days, we spent our entire time at the beach as it was so lovely!

[caption id="attachment_2074" align="alignnone" width="1200"] The beach was gorgeous, sunny, and quiet.[/caption]

There was a water sports centre on the beach, and Robert was really looking forward to having a go. He went water skiing and says: "it was one of the coolest things I've ever done, it was so amazing and I want to do it again". Dad and Robert also went canoeing in the sea, and we all took a speedboat to the island of Spinalonga, which was so much fun.

[caption id="attachment_2234" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Robert adored going water skiing.[/caption]

We also spent lots of time by the swimming pool, which was absolutely massive. There was a special pool just for the adults, but (obviously) we didn't go in that one...

The Soma Spa at Domes of Elounda is luxurious, and there is even a special menu for kids. I enjoyed my watermelon facial, and mum and dad loved their massages. Domes also has lots of other activities in the resort, such as play rooms for kids (including table tennis and video games), private tennis lessons, and a magic show. All of these aspects made our visit even better.

[caption id="attachment_2236" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Robert had his own private tennis lesson![/caption]

We went on two trips during the holiday - one to Spinalonga, and another to Knossos. Robert has written about Knossos here, as there was so much to see that we think it deserves its own post! The palace of Knossos is a beautiful ancient palace, which proves that the Minoan civilisation actually existed. During our visit, we saw incredible murals, antique vases, and archaic architecture. It was utterly fascinating, although it was really hot...

[caption id="attachment_1880" align="alignnone" width="1200"] The ancient Palace at Knossos[/caption]

We also took a speed boat to the island of Spinalonga, which only took five minutes. This was so much fun, and I loved having the wind in my hair and seeing the water splashing around us. Spinalonga has a very long and interesting history - throughout history, it has been a leper colony, a fort for defence, and a refuge for Ottoman families fleeing Christian reprisals.  We spent about an hour exploring the island: climbing up old buildings, visiting an old church and a haunting cemetery, and then relaxing in the shade under trees. It was picturesque, but simultaneously so strange to think of such a pretty place being almost a prison to those with leprosy.

[caption id="attachment_2239" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Exploring Spinalonga was a strange experience - it was fascinating, but also very sobering.[/caption]

In conclusion, we adored our holiday at Domes of Elounda in Crete. Everyone was just so kind and friendly, everything looked and felt so luxurious, the food was delicious, and there was just so much to do. If only we could go back...

Disclosure: we were very fortunate to be hosted at Domes of Elounda, although they had absolutely no input into this piece. Rooms start from £120 per night for sea view suite, including breakfast and taxes. We flew to Domes via Easyjet and (because it was summer!) flights were not cheap - around £500 each. One upside was that we flew via Sovereign Holidays, which meant we had lounge access - a real boon as the flight was delayed!

More by us:

Travelling Times: Our Top Places to visit in 2015

A day in beautiful Broadstairs, Kent

 

Becoming Super Sleuths: A Visit to the Spy Museum in Washington DC

[caption id="attachment_1982" align="alignnone" width="940"] Killer lipstick courtesy of the KGB[/caption]

Jess, aged 13, writes: Over the half term, our family became spies at The International Spy Museum in Washington DC. As we had heard that this was the best museum in DC, we were really looking forward to visiting the museum and learning all about the world of spies. Our hopes were very high, and luckily, we were not disappointed! In fact, we all think that the Spy Museum is the best museum that we have ever visited...

Upon entry to the museum, we found ourselves in a room which had lots of different profiles on the walls. Our mission: assume one of the identities of these people, remember all the details about their personal life, and get them all correct when we were tested on them. I became Sandra Miller, a 62 year old female clothes store owner from Chatsworth, Illinois. While mum, Robert, and I had remembered all of the details about our characters, dad couldn't even remember his name (Dmitri Ivanov)!

Next, we watched a film, which told us all about what it takes to be a spy. It asked us if we were ready to become spies and sleuths, and we certainly were. We had our cover story memorised, and couldn't wait to go into action.

After the film ended, we found ourselves in a really large room, which was the main part of the museum. This was absolutely massive, and there was so much to see and do. First of all, we went through "border control", where we answered questions on the screen about our character. Some of the questions were about information that we had not been told, so we had to work hard to come up with the most believable answer. We all passed, and were given more information to memorise about the purpose of our visit, who we were meeting, and where we were going. This was lots of fun.

Mum, dad, Robert, and I all played a game where you had to assess if a situation was being monitored by a security system, hostile surveillance, or if you just happened to come across an unlucky break. We had to press the button we thought it was as quickly as we could, and Robert and I got very competitive! It was very exciting, and interesting to see how many obstacles a spy has to face to get around a place unnoticed.

We learnt about different spy techniques, such as swapping identical bags in a busy street, letting fellow spies know important information by leaving inconspicuous objects in public (such as gum or a cigarette packet), and leaving important documents in hidden places. We looked at pictures to try and find examples of these things, and mum and I spent a lot of time trying to find the right answers.

[caption id="attachment_1979" align="alignnone" width="940"] This object of destruction seemed very British[/caption]

There was so much to do that I really don't think I can list it all! Robert and I crawled through a ventilation shaft, and saw people standing around downstairs where we had been standing before. We learnt about how inventions in James Bond influenced real life spy tools, and saw the famous Kiss of Death lipstick-gun used by the KGB from the Cold War; it looked like something straight from a spy film! Other highlights were seeing a Bulgarian umbrella (just like the umbrella used by the KGB in 1978 to assassinate Georgi Markov with a poisoned pellet), and the postbox that notorious CIA double agent Aldrich Ames used to secretly communicate with the KGB. You can see some of these in the video we made of our trip in DC (below).

[kad_youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GW13vZlCLtM" width=200 height=100 ]

Another highlight was two videos showing how effective disguise can be. We were shown two people, and had to spot and arrest them when they were among other people. The first video we watched was set in an underground station, and we didn't manage to get the correct person the first time. We chose the right person the second time, but this was after clicking on every possible person and consequently arresting everyone in the station! This was amazing - the man we chose looked nothing like the man with the large brown beard that we were trying to find. Mum and I also enjoyed the video afterwards that showed us how these people had been made up to look entirely different. We must have spent over an hour in this room, watching videos, listening to audio clips, and being shocked and fascinated

Next, we walked through an exhibit all about spies and codebreaking in the olden times. We learnt about how it played a part in the American Civil War, and how Mary, Queen of Scots, wrote in code about her plan to assassinate Queen Elizabeth I. We found out about spies in Berlin during the Cold War, and I was particularly fascinated by the story of Joan Pujol Garcia, a double agent for the Allies who gave Germany false information during World War II.

[caption id="attachment_1981" align="alignnone" width="940"] Jess passed the test with flying colours (unlike her parents!)[/caption]

When this exhibit was finished, we were tested again on our secret personas. While mum and dad failed completely and were caught, Robert got out of the country but "needed some extra training". I, on the other hand, passed with flying colours, and may have gloated a bit too much to the rest of the family...

The museum's temporary exhibition entitled: "Fifty Years of Bond Villains" was amazing. I loved watching the videos, and thought that the parallels between the first Bond film (Dr. No) and the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 were astonishing. We saw lots of props from the Bond films, entered Blofeld's lair, and laughed at mum when she screamed (remarkably loudly) at a "shark" that came through a screen. There were lots of games to play, including defusing a "bomb" (only dad succeeded), holding onto a bar for as long as possible, and trying to stop your opponent from working out a secret code. This was brilliant, and I definitely want to see Spectre now!

[caption id="attachment_1980" align="alignnone" width="940"] Only Brian could safely defuse the bomb...[/caption]

One of my favourite parts of the museum was found in the James Bond exhibit. It was a collection of films, entitled "My Bond Moment". These were films narrated by retired spies, recalling times when they found themselves in a situation that could have been a scene in a 007 blockbuster. It was so interesting and unbelievable to think that they attempted these things, and mum had to drag me out afterwards. You can watch the videos here, and I highly recommend you do so.

We rushed through the end of the museum as we had to meet family, but it was still fascinating. The last part was centred around the 21st century, and we learnt about what would happen to America if the electric grids went down. Next came the massive shop which was packed with cool games and memorabilia, and before we knew it, it was time to go.

We must have spent over three and a half hours in the museum, and we definitely could have stayed for longer. I genuinely don't have a bad thing to say about it, as it was so unique, there was so much to do and see, and it was perfect for all the family. I thing that it is a must do if you are in Washington DC, and I would happily go back again!

Disclosure: The Spy Museum is free for under 6s and costs $14.95 for ages 7-11. Over 12s cost $21.95 each. We were fortunate to be gifted tickets in order to write about our experience. However, there was no input or suggestions about what we should write.

Read about our trip to Washington

We flew to Washington via First Class - read what it was like.

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