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National Parks You Should Visit

April 11, 2013 By Jody Halsted Leave a Comment

What National Parks do you have on your bucket list? Yellowstone? The Grand Canyon? Maybe Arches? All amazing family travel destinations.

Did you know that there are 59 National Parks across the US? With parks across the country, it’s easy to find a great National Park to visit for a weekend or an extended family vacation.

6 National Parks You Probably Haven’t Visited

Buffalo in Theodore Roosevelt Park. Photo credit: LoyalDefender2004 on Flickr

...these six lesser-known national treasures can be blissfully uncrowded while still delivering outstanding natural landscapes and wildlife viewing.

For children, a park visit can be extra special. Most of our national parks offer a free Junior Ranger program that typically includes a booklet of questions and scavenger hunt-like activities. Once tasks are completed, each kid receives a Junior Ranger certificate and badge. Can’t make it to a national park this summer? Some parks will even let kids earn a Junior Ranger badge online.

Click to continue reading the article 6 Great National Parks You’ve Never Visited at MiniTime.

See other National Parks articles here at Family Rambling.

Filed Under: Clips, Hawaii, MIchigan, Midwest, Mountains, National Parks, North Dakota, South, South Carolina, Texas, USA, Utah Tagged With: Fun for Kids, Hiking, National Parks, Travel Resources, US travel

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6 Spring Break Getaways for Your Family

February 12, 2013 By Jody Halsted 5 Comments

With cabin fever really beginning to set in, it’s no wonder that many families view spring break as an escape. While many set their sights on sun and sand, we tend more toward experience and adventure.

6 Fun Family Spring Break Vacations

Grapevine, Texas

Historic Downtown Grapevine is filled with unique boutiques, funky art galleries, local wineries and delectable dining.

Grapevine is a fun suburb of Dallas and has everything a family could want for a great getaway. Spend a couple nights at the Great Wolf Lodge before heading down the road to more economic dwellings next to Grapevine Mills. 6 Things to Do in Grapevine

Visit LegoLand Discovery Center and SeaLife Aquarium at Grapevine Mills
Ride the Grapevine Trolley to the historic Downtown. Watch glass blowers, enjoy authentic French pastries, eat freshly made gelato and wander through the fabulous boutiques and galleries.
Ride the Grapevine Vintage Railroad to the Fort Worth Stock Yards.
Watch the twice daily shootout on Main Street.
Eat great Texas grub at Love and War in Texas
Take a few minutes to visit the 9-11 Flight Crew Memorial

Fort Worth, Texas

Bronc Riding at the National Cowgirl Museum, Fort Worth

The kids will love Bronc Riding at the Cowgirl Museum

Fort Worth is a city of both cowboys and culture. Stay in Downtown Fort Worth at the Fort Worth Hilton, the hotel where JFK spent his final night. 6 Things to Do in Fort Worth

Visit the Fort Worth Stockyards and watch a cattle drive. Don’t forget to buy a cowboy hat or boots!
Take in a rodeo.
Visit the museums of the Cultural District. Do not miss the Cowgirl Museum.
Eat on the patio at Joe T Garcia’s. It’s like eating in a castle garden… that serves authentic Mexican food.
Wander around Sundance Square, the business and entertainment district of downtown Fort Worth.
Learn to ‘boot scoot’ at Billy Bob’s Texas- the world’s largest honkey tonk. Yes- you can bring the kids!

Boston, Massachusetts

Meeting Ben Franklin at Faneuil Hall in Boston

Boston holds so much history and the stories that go with it are exciting. Your kids won’t realize how much they are learning! 6 Things to Do in Boston

Rent a seaside cottage. No, it won’t be warm enough to play on the beach, but the cost will be lower than summer and the views incredible.
Walk the Freedom Trail. Tour “Old Iron Sides”. Explore the Old North Church. History lives here… immerse yourself in it!
The New England Aquarium has lots of penguins and an interesting central tank with a spiral walkway from bottom to top. Or catch a whale watching tour!
Take a drive down to Plimoth Plantation. Step back in time to when the Pilgrims arrived. And don’t forget to tour the Mayflower II, a replica of the original.
Eat fresh seafood!
Boston is the Ireland of the US- be sure to visit a pub. I recommend the Black Rose near Faneuil Hall.

Chicago, Illinois

Downtown Chicago reflected in the Cloud Gate Sculpture

While not a sunny and warm destination, Chicago has lots to offer during spring break! 6 Things to Do in Chicago

Visit the Shedd Aquarium or the Field Museum. (Tip: Get Shedd tickets online to bypass the long lines or consider a Chicago City Pass.)
Visit Navy Pier and ride the Ferris Wheel.
Eat at Ed Debevic’s; have a little attitude with your lunch.
Shop- or just window shop- along the Magnificent Mile. Kids will love the Disney Store and don’t forget the American Girl flagship store is here.
Play at Millennium Park. Take your photo in ‘the bean’, wander the gardens.
If you’re heading in from the Midwest, consider taking the MegaBus. It’s relaxing, affordable and you won’t have to pay those crazy downtown parking fees!

St. Louis, Missouri

The Magnificent Gateway Arch in St Louis

St. Louis is filled with fun family activities- many of them free! 6 Things to Do in St. Louis

You can’t visit St. Louis and miss the Gateway Arch. Entry to the Arch- and the museums below- is free. The ride to the top is well worth the cost- the views are amazing.
The St. Louis Zoo is free, though it will cost you a bit to park. Explore Forest Park, which surrounds the zoo, for other fun, free activities.
Young kids will love the Magic House, and can easily spend a day there. You can leave for lunch and return with a hand stamp.
Take the kids to the Anheuser-Busch Brewery Tour. It’s kid friendly- and wait til you see the stable for the Clydesdales!
Expose your kids to fun art at City Garden.
For a fabulous stay within walking distance of many of the downtown attractions, book a room at the Omni Majestic. To really spoil yourself, get the Ambassador Suite.

Sunny Arizona (Tempe, Mesa and Chandler)

Feeding a Giraffe at the Phoenix Zoo

You’ll be surprised how much fun your family can have near Phoenix! 6 Things to Do in Sunny Arizona

Explore a ghost town in Apache Junction. At the base of the Superstition Mountains is the Goldfield Ghost Town. From here you can take a trail ride, tour a gold mine or head out on hikes through the mountains where many believe a large vein of gold is waiting to be found.
Get tickets to a baseball game. Many MLB teams have spring training in the area.
Stroll through downtown Chandler during the Third Friday Art Walk.
The Arizona Museum of Natural History and the Arizona Museum for Youth are both in Mesa. Hands on sneaky education!
Spend a day at the Phoenix Zoo. It’s very walkable and you can bring in a cooler with food and drinks.
Get inspired for your own spring garden at Agritopia. Eat at Joe’s Farm Grill where everything on the menu is locally sourced.

Filed Under: Arizona, Eastern US, Illinios, Massachusetts, Midwest, Missouri, South, Texas, USA, Western US Tagged With: Boston, Fun for Kids, Massachusetts, St. Louis, Texas, Travel Resources

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Drivable Destinations in the Midwest

January 26, 2013 By Jody Halsted Leave a Comment

Spring and summer travel are on the minds of many here in the Midwest as we battle cabin fever and cold snaps. I’ve had a chance to remember quite a few of the places we’ve visited and the fun we’ve had as I’ve been writing reviews for MiniTime, a new travel resource for families. Think of it as Trip Advisor with kids in mind. You can search for family friendly hotels and destinations based on location and the age of your children. It’s a great way to find out if that “must see” attraction will be fun for both your toddler and teen! You’ll also find plenty of helpful articles from experienced family travelers (like me!), as well as packing lists, travel tips and reviews from families just like yours.

Drivable Midwest Destinations

I understand that you want to get away, but money is always a factor. We love weekend escapes here in the Midwest for low cost, fun family breaks.

St. Louis

The Magnificent Gateway Arch in St Louis

St. Louis is a great place for families on a budget! Spend a day at Forest Park. The St. Louis Zoo is free, as are the museums located in this expansive green space. Do a Budweiser Brewery tour. Yes- it’s family friendy (the kids will love the Clydesdales!). You can’t visit St. Louis without taking in the magnificent Gateway Arch. Entry to the Arch and museums below is free- the only cost is riding to the top. For a truly memorable stay, choose the Omni Majestic downtown.

Kansas City

Union Station in Kansas City

When visiting Kansas City, Crown Center is the place for family fun. Free attractions like the Hallmark Visitors Center and Kaleidoscope are just as popular as the new LegoLand Discovery Center and SeaLife Aquarium. Kid friendly dining can be found at Fritz’s Railroad Cafe (where your food is delivered by train!) and Crayola Cafe. Shop til you drop in the fun stores and stay at one of two on site hotels. Just across the street are Union Station, with its terrific Science Center, and the World War I Museum and Liberty Memorial.

Chicago

Downtown Chicago reflected in the Cloud Gate Sculpture

Ah, the fun a family can have in Chicago! Splurge and stay at the all suite Omni Hotel on the Magnificent Mile. From here you’re within walking distance of Millennium Park, the Field Museum, Navy Pier and the Shedd Aquarium. Shop at the incredible stores along Michigan Avenue- including the American Girl store and a terrific Disney Store. And eat at Ed Debevic’s for food with attitude.

LeMars, Iowa

Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor

Probably the least known destination on this list, this small town is home to the Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor. More ice cream is made in LeMars, Iowa each year than in any other place in the world. The annual Ice Cream Days celebration is the perfect excuse for a summer road trip.

Join Me at MiniTime

Not only will you find reviews and recommendations that will fit your family, you can also join MiniTime and leave your own reviews. In exchange for your great reviews, MiniTime will reward you with prizes like gift cardsand iPads. You could even win a trip to Disney World! Join me at MiniTime and let’s inspire families to travel!

Disclosure: I am a paid contributor to MiniTime. My opinions are my own; it’s an idea I wish I had thought of.

Filed Under: Illinios, Iowa, Midwest, Minnesota, Missouri, Travel Resources

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Taking the Kids to Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament

January 22, 2013 By Jody Halsted Leave a Comment

Posing with “Our” Knight

Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament is a restaurant filled with experiences you’re not likely to find outside of a Renaissance Faire. Dashing knights swinging broadswords, a lovely princess and galloping horses.

We took the girls to the Medieval Times in Dallas during a recent trip. I admit to being a bit hesitant prior to our arrival. Would the kids balk at the food? Would the sword fighting be too violent for them? Would they be bored?

I needn’t have worried. As we left the girls were already asking to return the next time we will be in Dallas.

Arriving at Medieval Times

You’ll know you’re at the right place as soon as you pull into the parking lot. A massive castle fasçade stands behind a moat, heavy wooden doors open and welcoming.

Though you may be able to walk in for a show, it is recommended that you make a reservations. This will assure that your party can all sit together. You also need to arrive, or wait to be seated, as a group. Seats are given first come- first served, unless you pay for VIP front row seating.

Your tickets are exchanged for paper crowns in your knight’s colors and tickets showing the row in which you will be seated. Have a professional photo taken with royalty before entering the open waiting area. While you’re waiting you can browse the gift shop or enter the torture chamber.

The doors to the arena open a few minutes before show time and the entire room move, en masse, toward their entry. Seating is actually quick and organized- I was really impressed how well the servers handled the crowd!

Dining at Medieval Times

Food and drink choices aren’t plentiful, though there is a bar available (additional charge) if your drink preferences run beyond Pepsi, iced tea or water. Your smiling wench or page will introduce you to your knight, though you have to listen carefully as the crowd is noisy and each section has a server doing the exact same thing!

There is no ordering from a menu, your napkin outlines the evening’s feast:

Items are served throughout the first half of the tournament and, I must admit, it was quite tasty. The tomato bisque was warm and creamy and the chicken was perfectly roasted. Probably the best part- for the kids, anyway- was that there is no silverware! yep, you eat with your fingers; not even a dagger to remove meat from bones.

The Tournament at Medieval Times

It would be very easy for the entertainment at Medieval Times to come off as “campy”, think ‘A Knight’s Tale’, but other than a few scripted lines that are meant to elicit groans, the show is entertaining and exciting. The Tournament pits six knights against eachother; 3 from the East and 3 from the West. As you cheer and jeer the knights compete in tests of skill, tossing flowers to the ladies of their court after each competition. The weapons used by the knights are real, the swings of the swords and tumbles from horses are well rehearsed and natural looking. The sharp clangs of metal meeting metal are accompanied by real sparks, not a trick of light. The beautiful white Andalusian horses are breathtakingly graceful and full of joy as they perform. The destriers that carry the knights as they joust are fluid in their movements. The horses are pure pleasure to watch.

Though dinner at Medieval Times isn’t someplace you would visit weekly, it is an adventure out of the ordinary and great fun during a family vacation or for a special occasion.

Tips for Visiting Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament

Disclosure: We would like to thank Medieval Times Dallas for hosting our family.

Filed Under: California, Eastern US, Florida, Food and Restaurants, Georgia, Illinios, Midwest, New Jersey, South, South Carolina, Texas, USA, Washington DC, Western US

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Tips for Visiting The Field Museum in Chicago

December 13, 2012 By Jody Halsted Leave a Comment

To wrap up 2012, I wanted to share my 10 most popular posts of the year. The 3rd most popular post has tips for visiting one of Chicago’s most popular destinations!

Originally published April 11, 2011, this post covered a few things I wish I had known about visiting the Field Museum before our trip to Chicago.

In this article I talk about purchasing your tickets, parking and planning your visit. I even touch on dining at the Field Museum- there are a few options available.

Sue, the largest and best preserved T-Rex ever found

Field Museum Facts

The building is massive, be sure to wear comfortable shoes!

You’ll find restrooms on every level of the museum, but the two large family restrooms are on the ground level.

The second Monday of every month is “Target Free Second Monday”- no admission charge.

The museum has an incredible library. Though appointments are encouraged all you have to do is request a member of Protection Services for access.

Continue reading the popular article Things I Wish I Had Known Before Visiting the Field Museum…

Filed Under: Illinios, Midwest, USA

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Riding the MegaBus with Kids

December 6, 2012 By Jody Halsted Leave a Comment

To wrap up 2012, I wanted to share my 10 most popular posts of the year. The 4th most popular post is a personal favorite- and our preferred method for Midwest travel to Chicago.

Originally published April 6, 2011, I share my family’s experience riding the MegaBus with kids!

View from the front row of the double decker from Chicago to Des Moines

Since the time of that first trip, we’ve ridden the MegaBus a few more times- and even sat in the very front, top seats of a double decker! In this post I cover what to expect on the bus, a few handy things to bring along- like lunch and baby wipes- and how incredibly relaxing it is to turn over the driving to someone else and not have to worry about baggage fees!

Unlike the bus with the dog on the side, MegaBus makes two stops on it’s route to Chicago; the second in Iowa City to pick up and drop off passengers and one in Utica, Illinois for a quick rest stop. Because of the limited stops MegaBus gets you to Chicago in about the same time it would take to drive yourself.

Each 6 hour ride passed quickly; not once did we hear “Are we there yet?” or even a hint of whining. Apparently bus rides are enjoyable for the entire family!

Continue reading the popular article Should I Ride MegaBus with Kids….

Filed Under: Driving, Illinios, Iowa, USA

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Fun Family Outing: The Oklahoma Aquarium in Tulsa

November 22, 2012 By Jody Halsted Leave a Comment

To wrap up 2012, I wanted to share my 10 most popular posts of the year. Post #6 surprised me a bit… who knew that so many people enjoyed aquariums!

Nemo, Dory & more Underwater Friends

Originally posted February 1, 2012, this post shares handy tips for visiting the Oklahoma Aquarium in Tulsa.

The majority of Midwest aquariums are fresh water, filled with river fish. The Oklahoma Aquarium is a salt water aquarium with a very large tunnel trough the shark tank!

A family can spend most of an afternoon here.

I recommend walking the long, nautical hallway to the sharks and working your way back to the entrance. The Oklahoma Aquarium has dozens of nooks to explore and this may be the best way to ensure that you see it all.

Read more of the popular article The Oklahoma Aquarium in Tulsa: An Afternoon of Family Fun

Filed Under: Midwest, Oklahoma, USA

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See the Best Of Chicago with CityPass

November 13, 2012 By Jody Halsted 3 Comments

Thanks to Francesca of The Working Mom Travels for this guest post!

I’m lucky to have grown up and to still live in such a vibrant city like Chicago. I truly enjoy getting to be a tourist in my hometown and taking in all it has to offer, and to play tour guide to out-of-town visitors. Most recently, I got to be both tourist and tour guide when two of my oldest friends came to visit from Michigan. It was a serious “girls weekend”, filled with shopping, great meals, and sightseeing.

The sightseeing was made easy, thanks to having a Chicago CityPASS. At $84 for adults (ages 12 and up) and $69 for children (ages 3-11), the Chicago CityPASS provides admission to five of seven of Chicago’s top attractions: Shedd Aquarium; Sky Deck Chicago; The Field Museum; John Hancock Observatory OR Museum of Science and Industry; and Adler Planetarium OR Art Institute of Chicago. If tickets for all of these attractions were purchased separately, the total for adults would be $167.50; for children, $149.50. That makes CityPASS a steal for a fun family vacation, right?

On top of saving a whole lot of money, CityPASS also can save you a lot of time with Fast Pass entry. Especially when traveling with young, and possibly hungry and tired, children, getting to skip long lines can be a vacation-saver! I found this feature to be most invaluable, even for us adults, especially when visiting John Hancock Observatory on a busy Saturday night. We bypassed the line for the elevator to get to the top of the tower, though it wasn’t very long. The line to get back down from the Observatory, however, was insane. I kind of felt badly for all the people waiting in such a long line to go back down the ninety-four floors, but not badly enough to forfeit my Fast Pass! We sauntered right past a ton of people who had been waiting for at least thirty minutes, right onto an open, waiting, and empty elevator. Ah, CityPASS has its privileges…

Night View from Hancock Observatory

Fast Pass is not offered at Art Institute of Chicago but included with the CityPASS is a free audio tour. The handheld device was quite helpful at various exhibits throughout the museum. We just had to dial in the corresponding number to hear additional information about the pieces.

The Art Institute of Chicago

At Shedd Aquarium, CityPASS holders will again bypass potentially long lines with the Fast Pass. CityPASS also includes admission to: Shedd’s new aquatic show featuring dolphins and beluga whales, which will no doubt be a hit with the youngsters; and to the fascinating Jellies special exhibit, featuring more varieties of jellyfish than I could ever imagine!

Jellies

One of the newest and coolest attractions in Chicago is The Ledge at the top of Willis Tower (formerly known as Sears Tower). Guests can step out onto the balcony and stand 103 floors above Chicago and look down on the city through the glass floor. I haven’t been brave enough to do it yet (I’m kind of afraid of heights) but my friends went out onto The Ledge and reported back; they agree it is “very cool!” Fast Pass up to and unobstructed views from Sky Deck were good enough for me.

The last attraction included in CityPASS that we could have visited, but didn’t because we ran out of time, is The Field Museum. The T. rex, Sue, calls The Field Museum home, as do almost twenty-six million other artifacts. CityPASS grants visitors access to all special exhibits and a 3-D movie.

Using CityPASS for our girlfriends’ weekend was the best decision we could have made. It saved us time (to shop a little more) and money (to spend while shopping; see how that works?), and I definitely recommend it for anyone visiting Chicago.

Francesca of The Working Mom’s Travels is a Chicago-based working mom and travel blogger. She believes travel is a state of mind: we do not have to physically travel to far-off locales to have meaningful travel experiences; we can do so even in our hometowns. Francesca’s aim is to prove that it is possible to maintain a career, a family, & a traveler’s lifestyle all at the same time, and employs the cooperation of her husband and her daughter to accomplish her mission. You can find Francesca on Twitter (@WorkMomTravels4848484848) and on Facebook.

Photos by Francesca M.

Disclosure: CityPass supplied the Chicago passes to Family Rambling. Francesca was not compensated for her review.

Filed Under: Illinios, Midwest, Recommended Travel Products, USA

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Best Free Zoo in the US: St. Louis Zoo

November 8, 2012 By Jody Halsted Leave a Comment

To wrap up 2012, I wanted to share my 10 most popular posts of the year. Post #8 is takes us back to St. Louis and our visit to what is, in my opinion, the best free zoo in the US.

Originally published on September 2, 209, this post keeps its popularity by providing fun family vacation advice for those on a budget!

In this article I take readers on a mini-tour of the zoo and also mention the bits of the zoo that have a fee: parking, the railroad, carousel and Children’s Zoo.

Explore the St Louis Zoo by Train

Who doesn’t love a zoo? St. Louis has an amazing free zoo in Forest Park, one of the largest urban parks in the US. We spent a very enjoyable afternoon here.

Although the zoo is free street parking is sparse and it will cost you $11 to park in either the north or south lots. It’s a small price to pay- most zoos this nice would cost more for a family of four to enter. Parking in a lot will also get you a coupon book with saving on snacks, souvenirs and zoo memberships.

Read more of the popular article St. Louis Zoo in Forest Park

Filed Under: Midwest, Missouri, USA

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Great Hotel Near Mall of America: Best Western Plus Bloomington

November 6, 2012 By Jody Halsted 1 Comment

As I was planning a mid-week trip to the Minneapolis suburb of Bloomington (home to the Mall of America) for a business trip, I considered staying at the nearby waterpark hotel (read my review here) until I saw that the waterpark isn’t open during the week in the “off season”. Since my girls were coming along – one of the benefits of homeschooling – a stay at a waterpark hotel with no waterpark access would just be cruel.

Choosing to Stay at the Best Western Plus Bloomington at Mall of America

Thankfully, there is a family friendly alternative located right next door to the Mall of America. The Best Western Plus Bloomington has plenty of features to make everyone in the family happy.

Top of my list: budget friendly rates, free wi-fi and free hot breakfast!

As anyone traveling with kids knows, eating out can get expensive, so we look for hotels that provide a free breakfast. The breakfast buffet at the Best Western Plus provided a great variety of foods that kept my family happy. The hot items changed daily and included cheese omelets, sausage, biscuits & gravy, scrambled eggs, bacon, French Toast and a make-your-own-waffle bar. Continental breakfast items were plentiful as well, with enough varieties of fruits, cereals and pastries to fill the belly of even the pickiest kid!

Rooms at Best Western Plus Bloomington

Double Double Room at Best Western Plus at Mall of America The entire hotel, from the large, open lobby, to the spacious rooms had a muted elegance. Browns and golds in the decor echoed the hardwood furnishings and stone tile throughout the room. Beds were sumptuous and comfortable, welcoming for a night’s sleep or for spreading out homework. A work desk, large dresser and armoire helped contain all our things neatly. A large TV sat on top of the dresser, while a microwave sat on a shelf, and a mini fridge was nestled inside.

The bathroom was beautifully tiled and large, for a hotel bathroom, with plenty of space for personal care items. The only thing really missing in this hotel room was enough room to hang wet swimsuits. Bring a travel clothesline to solve that problem (it’s one many hotels have).

The Kids Will Love the Pool Area at Best Western Plus Bloomington

But the main reason for choosing this hotel was the pool area. While it can’t be termed a “water park”, there was enough here to keep my girls happy.

Fun family hotel near Mall of America; Best Western Plus Bloomington

Pool area included kids pool, deeper swimming pool, hot tub, and large sitting area with video games and snacks for purchase.

The girls would splash in the kids area, slip down the slide and stand under the dumping buckets of water. Then they were off to swim in the deeper pool and even spent a few minutes in the soothing hot tub. The seating around the pool area was plentiful and comfortable; I relaxed and read a book, glancing up every few minutes to make sure the girls were safe.

Right Across the Street from Mall of America

The Best Western Plus Bloomington is directly across the street from the Mall of America; you’ll walk just as far to get into the mall from many of the on-site parking areas. You can also catch the light rail, if your plans include downtown Minneapolis.

Also within walking distance are 3 restaurants, as well as the on site Red Rossa Italian Restaurant.

The Best Western Plus Bloomington at Mall of America is a terrific option for a fun family vacation getaway in the Twin Cities.

See more images of the Best Western Plus Bloomington in my Flickr.

Family Rambling would like to thank the Best Western Plus Bloomington for hosting us during our recent trip to the Twin Cities.

Filed Under: hotel, Hotels and Lodging, Midwest, Minnesota, USA

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National Parks You Should Visit

6 National Parks You Probably Haven’t Visited

6 Spring Break Getaways for Your Family