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Shenandoah Valley: Your Summer Family Getaway

Skyline Caverns
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This summer is all about getting back out there! It’s been a long, cooped up year, and we’re ready to have some adventures in the coming months. That’s why, when we heard about the Shenandoah Valley, a popular getaway destination that travel bloggers obsess over and families continually return to, we knew we had to give you the scoop!

This Virginia beauty spans over 12 cities, counties, and towns, and it’s about 140 miles long. All is to say that there is plenty to do and see when you visit this iconic region. What we love about this getaway is that your journey is as much a part of the adventure as your destination! You’ll get to take in the gorgeous Virginia landscapes as you make your way over. Road trip, anyone?

Frontier Culture Museum

If you’re looking to get outside of the city this summer with your family, then the Shenandoah Valley is the place for you. Some of the best kid-friendly activities include the Virginia Safari Park, where your kiddos can get up close and personal with animals from six continents, carriage rides through downtown Lexington, where kids get to feel like royalty as they tour around the town, and the Frontier Culture Museum, which is the perfect dose of educational fun that teaches kids and adults alike about how American culture is truly based upon African, European, and indigenous peoples.

But as NYC parents, we know how hard it is to plan a trip that pleases everyone. Yet that’s the very best part about the Shenandoah Valley: it has family-friendly activities that all ages will enjoy. There really is something for everyone, whether you have younger kids or bigger kids! The Discovery Museum is a must-visit, because it has fun exhibitions and programs that kids will surely get a kick out of. We also love Dinosaur Land, where your kids can explore prehistoric creatures, and of course, there’s the can’t-go-wrong Shenandoah National Park. Family fun is a given when you visit the Shenandoah Valley.

Shenandoah National Park

Now, we can’t talk about the Shenandoah Valley without diving into some of its natural gems that you’ll definitely want to check out. From exciting hiking trails to wildflower farms, you’ll get your fill of beautiful & engaging nature. Don’t miss out on the area’s many natural caverns such as Luray or Skyline Caverns, where you can see stone formations that will simply blow you away. If you’re looking for a more active adventure, then explore the seven bends of the Shenandoah River.

Dinosaur Land

A bit overwhelmed by how much there is to do here in the Shenandoah Valley? Yep, so were we. That’s when we came across the Shenandoah Valley Guides, which make it easier than ever to plan your next family vacay.

Want to learn more about the Shenandoah Valley? Visit shenandoahvalley.org and start planning your trip!

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This Is Cooperstown

<p>Nicknamed America's hometown, Cooperstown has small-town charm and world-class attractions including the National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum, a must-see for fans of the game and the ultimate homage to America's Pastime. Discover fine, folk, and Native American art at Fenimore Art Museum, acclaimed and varied performances at the Glimmerglass Festival, craft beer at Brewery Ommegang and Red Shed Brewery, fresh cider from the Fly Creek Cider Mill, great restaurants, four-season events, and outdoor fun.</p>

Monster Mini Golf

<p>Upon entering Monster Mini Golf, all perceptions of traditional mini golf will be spirited away by the indoor, 18-hole, monster-theme, glow-in-the-dark miniature golf course! The locations in <a href="https://monsterminigolf.com/deerpark/">Deer Park</a>, and <a href="https://monsterminigolf.com/gardencity/">Garden City, NY</a> invite guests to experience a host of family-oriented fun activities. Whether visiting for the first time or the one hundredth, mini golfers feel the excitement and adventure of playing mini golf amidst spooktacular monsters and custom, glow-in-the-dark, hand-painted artwork. While testing their skill on the fairways, lively music flows over the course from the unique “WEIRD Radio” station” and an interactive DJ entertains golfers with contests, awarding cool prizes for the wackiest reasons. While the course is challenging enough for adults, it is also quite playable for children. Monster Mini Golf is open year-round and frightfully fun for the entire family. In addition to miniature golf and thrilling arcade and redemption games, the locations offer additional attractions. <a href="https://monsterminigolf.com/deerpark/">Monster Mini Golf in Deer Park, NY</a> offers a Laser Maze and a Virtual Reality experience. The Garden City location offers a Laser Maze, Bowling, and a Virtual Reality Experience. Two very posh, private party rooms are also available and are perfect for any event. Monster Mini Golf looks forward to making it a monstrous success. Monster Mini Golf is indoors, ensuring that the event will always take place, regardless of the weather. It is a climate-controlled, affordable source of family entertainment. For more details please visit <a href="http://monsterminigolf.com">monsterminigolf.com</a> or find them on Facebook.</p>

Cucu's PlayHouse

<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;">Interactive, live-streaming music and movement class in Spanish for babies, toddlers and preschoolers!<br />Join us every day from Monday through Saturday at 1:30 pm EST to sing, dance and play together while learning Spanish from your home.</div> <div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"> </div> <div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;">This class is part of a Spanish Immersion Program where your child will be introduced to basic concepts like the animals, colors, numbers and letters. All of these through the universal language of Music. Each session is fun, interactive and engaging.<br />A selection of Children Songs in Spanish guides the class from start to finish. Activities are related to the lyrics, in order to familiarize the children with the words and their meanings. Some of the songs encourage the children to dance. Nilda uses puppets, musical instruments, and props to teach children basic vocabulary through action and interaction, rather than through translation.</div> <div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"><br />The classes are streamed on Zoom's webinar platform. Participants (children, parents, nannies) are able to join the video from their homes and interact with us in real-time, it is a fun and engaging experience.</div>