Family "Quick Trips" Compliments Of GM Motor Club
FOR RELEASE: August 21, 2002Family "Quick Trips" Compliments Of GM Motor Club
Southfield, Mich. - Summer's coming to an end - but there's still time to squeeze in a few more family excursions before the weather turns cool. Whether you're a young family with toddlers or fun-loving grandparents, there are plenty of family-oriented "quick trips" to consider over the next few months.
- Park it and play. With 280 million visits in 2001 alone, discover what you've been missing at one of the 385 national park areas across the United States. Outdoor recreational activities abound, with more than 120 camping areas to accommodate just about every camping style and miles of hiking trails. Not to mention the historic battlefields, museums and breathtaking sites. To locate a National Park or historic site near you, visit the National Parks website at www.nps.gov .
- Pass the peanuts and Cracker Jacks. Baseball, America's favorite pastime, is a family friendly environment for fans of all ages. Most major league parks offer family ticket packages that include food and refreshments and sponsor "family day" activities such as fireworks, player autographs and giveaways. Weather worries? Make a pilgrimage to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Hundreds of thousands of fans, young and old, make the trip to Cooperstown, New York each year. For information, go to www.baseballhalloffame.org or call (888) HALL-OF-FAME or 888-425-5633.
- A Capitol Idea. A visit to your state capitol can be both enjoyable and educational for the entire family. Most state capitols, by design, are located no more than one day's (or less) drive from any point in the state. State capitols provide many opportunities for fun and information such as a state historical museum, state archives and library, plus tours of the capitol building. While you are there, make an appointment to visit your legislator and learn what is happening with your state's government.
- Hands-on fun. Almost every major city in the U.S. offers an interactive, hands-on children's museum. Currently, there are more than 200 children's museums breaking attendance records nationwide. Spend an afternoon at a place where your child is encouraged to touch fascinating and enlightening exhibits. The creative and fun environment of a hands-on museum delights and intrigues children of all ages. To locate a children's museum near you, visit the website of the Association of Children's Museums at www.childrensmuseums.org or call 202-898-1080.
- Factory Fanatics. Hundreds of interesting, family-oriented factory tours take place everyday across the country - at little to no cost. From the Ben & Jerry's Flavor Laboratory in Waterbury, Vermont to the Purina Farms Pet Center in Gray Summit, Missouri, there's something for the whole family to enjoy. The clattering of coin at the U.S. Mint, in either Denver or Philadelphia, is an extremely popular tour and the Binney & Smith Crayola factories in Easton, Pennsylvania and Winfield, Kansas bring out the kid in everyone. For more information on unique factory tours near you, visit the Family Travel Network at www.familytravelnetwork.com.
Sources:
National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior
National Baseball Hall of Fame
Child Magazine, February 2002
The Family Travel Network, www.familytravelnetwork.com
