lanning a family summer getaway? Look no further than Embassy Suites Hotels, the brand known for giving guests more during every stay, and travel expert and television host Samantha Brown – experts in family travel. Together, they created this guide of top family travel spots, local must-see and must-do activities and insider tips on how to do, see and experience more this summer. Embassy Suites is also helping families get 300% more enjoyment out of every trip with its 300% MORE Pledge. Yes, that’s right. 300% MORE. And to start, ESH is crowning three new summer holidays – or as we call them, MORE-days – that give families 300% MORE excuses to hit the road and explore somewhere new. Look for three times the enjoyment every day, all summer long with Embassy Suites’ hallmark amenities that give your family the energy and the foundation for a terrific trip. The daily cooked-to-order breakfast gives families the Energy Assurance that they’ll get the right start to tackle a packed trip agenda. Two-room suites offer the Tantrum-Free Advantage where separate sleeping areas for parents and children translate to more restful sleep and fuss-free days. The Complimentary Evening Reception’s Pick-Us-Up Promise offers free drinks and snacks that can help bridge the gap from the day’s activities to dinner without any meltdowns. Now get traveling! 3 0 0 % M O RE S u m m e r JUNE 21 Summer solstice – more daylight hours to prolong the day JULY 8 More July Fourth holiday with fewer crowds and less traffic AUGUST 1 Or as Embassy Suites has crowned it, “July 32” – one more July summer day
Transcript
lanning a family summer getaway? Look no further than Embassy Suites Hotels, the brand known for giving guests more during every stay, and travel
expert and television host Samantha Brown – experts in family travel. Together, they created this guide of top family travel spots, local must-see and must-do activities and insider tips on how to do, see and experience more this summer.
Embassy Suites is also helping families get 300% more enjoyment out of every trip with its 300% MORE Pledge. Yes, that’s right. 300% MORE. And to start, ESH is crowning three new summer holidays – or as we call them, MORE-days – that give families 300% MORE excuses to hit the road and explore somewhere new.
Look for three times the enjoyment every day, all summer long with Embassy Suites’ hallmark amenities that give your family the energy and the foundation for a terrific trip.
The daily cooked-to-order breakfast gives families the Energy Assurance that they’ll get the right start to tackle a packed trip agenda.
Two-room suites offer the Tantrum-Free Advantage where separate sleeping areas for parents and children translate to more restful sleep and fuss-free days.
The Complimentary Evening Reception’s Pick-Us-Up Promise offers free drinks and snacks that can help bridge the gap from the day’s activities to dinner without any meltdowns.
Now get traveling!
300% MORE Summer
JUNE 21Summer solstice – more daylight hours to prolong the day
JULY 8More July Fourth holiday with fewer crowds and less traffic
AUGUST 1Or as Embassy Suites has crowned it, “July 32” – one more July summer day
Declared MORE-Da�!
Where � StayEmbassy Suites Atlanta –
at Centennial Olympic Pk
267 Marietta St
Atlanta, GA 30313
(404) 223-2300
Embassy Suites Atlanta -
Galleria
2815 Akers Mill Rd SE
Atlanta, GA 30339
(770) 984-9300
Embassy Suites Atlanta –
Kennesaw Town Center
620 Chastain Rd
Kennesaw, GA 30144
(770) 420-2505
Embassy Suites Atlanta –
Airport
4700 Southport Rd
Atlanta, GA 30337
(404) 767-1988
Embassy Suites Atlanta –
Alpharetta
5955 North Point Pkwy
Alpharetta, GA 30022
(678) 566-8800
Embassy Suites Atlanta –
Buckhead
3285 Peachtree Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30305
(404) 261-7733
Embassy Suites Atlanta –
Perimeter Center
1030 Crown Pointe Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 30338
(770) 394-5454
JUNE 21
JULY 8
Come dressed in a superhero costume to the
Fernbank Museum of Natural History to
celebrate Super Dads; 6/16
Explore the aquarium after-hours
during a fun sleepover at the Georgia
Aquarium; 6/22
Create a mini garden with magical stones, a
mythical creature and an extraordinary plant at
the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s Planting a
Wonderland; 6/22
Celebrate July 4th with fireworks displays at
Centennial Park and Lenox Square; 7/4
Enjoy free admission for the whole family to
Imagine It! Children's Museum of Atlanta; 7/9
Grab a blanket and head to Atlantic Station’s
Central Park to watch the classic film “Uncle Buck”
at the park’s outdoor movie amphitheater; 8/1
Take a lunch break with the Atlanta Street Food
Coalition food trucks parked at 12th and
Peachtree Street in Midtown; 8/1
AUGUST 1Tips from Saman�a
The Georgia Aquarium offers once-in-a-lifetime experiences like actually getting in the aquarium tank and swimming alongside its 25ft long whale sharks or having a hands-on encounter in an interactive tank with Beluga whales.
While in Atlanta take your kids on a trip down memory lane at Varsity Drive-In. Order burgers and fries from a car hop and have them delivered to your car window at a place that’s been open since 1928.
Family-Friendly Ac�v�es
GEORGIA AQUARIUM – View whales, manta rays and penguins in the largest aquarium in the world.
THE WORLD OF COCA-COLA – Hug the 7-foot Coca-Cola Polar Bear and taste 60 beverages from around the world.
CENTENNIAL OLYMPIC PARK – Play in the world’s largest interactive fountain featuring the Olympic Ring symbol.
IMAGINE IT! CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF ATLANTA – Learn and explore in a fun hands-on environment that sparks imagination and inspires discovery and learning through the power of play.
LEGOLAND DISCOVERY CENTER – Enjoy hours of interactive, Lego-filled imaginative fun.
ome to the 1996 Olympics and known as The Gate City, Atlanta offers Southern charm and a wide array of activities, both indoors and out, that will keep the whole family entertained.
and visit with animals after-hours during the zoo’s
Outdoor Campout. The very brave can even
sleep out under the skyscrapers; 6/21
Visit the famous Wrigley Field and watch
the Chicago Cubs take on the Houston
Astros; 6/21
Enjoy a delicious array of food complemented by
music and exciting activities for the entire family
at Taste of Chicago in Grant Park; 7/10-14
Work up an appetite with the Race to Taste,
a 5K run and two-mile walk to the Taste of
Chicago; 7/13
Experience the excitement of the
CONCACAF Gold Cup finals at
Soldier Field; 7/28
Like bacon? Visit the Edgewater neighborhood’s
Edge Fest, where the focal point is bacon. Eat,
drink, admire art from local artists and listen to
live music; 8/3-4
AUGUST 1Tips from Saman�a
Oak Street beach is the family favorite because it has amenities that the other beaches don’t have like restrooms, lifeguards and a “Beachstro” for pick-me-up snacks and lunch.
Another great place to cool off is at the Crown Fountain in Millennium Park. The fountain is actually made of two large video screens on either side of a play area. The video shows faces of people of all different ethnicities, but be careful; when their mouths open out comes the water! It’s a place of joy and fun as the kids and adults take off their shoes and splash around.
SHEDD AQUARIUM – Dive into an underwater world unlike anything your family has ever experienced.
CHICAGO CHILDREN’S MUSEUM – Embark on a learning adventure where play and learning connect.
LINCOLN PARK ZOO – Check out the zoo’s newest arrivals including two tiny takins, two gorillas and a Moholi bush baby.
ADLER PLANETARIUM – Learn about current NASA missions, discover the Milky Way and investigate what lies beyond in nine exhibitions and multiple theaters.
OAK STREET BEACH – Visit this kid-friendly beach area to cool off on a hot day and challenge the kids to a game of beach volleyball or Frisbee.
ocated on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan, The Windy City offers families a rich, multicultural and cosmopolitan environment alongside some of the best beaches in the country. Renowned for its sports fans, beautiful lakeside setting and deep-dish pizza, this city is great for family fun!
Tips from Saman�aKids will get a thrill comparing their footprints with that of dinosaurs that roamed the land over 68 million years ago. Dinosaur Ridge is just 15 minutes outside of the city and has 100s of tracks to explore and even the bones of a Stegosaurus and Brontosaurus.
The 16th Street Mall is a mile-long pedestrian promenade lined with shops, cafés and kid-friendly restaurants. There’s art and sculpture that kids will love. They can interact with things like a herd of colorfully painted buffalo or outdoor pianos.
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF DENVER – Enjoy innovative and interactive Playscapes and engaging daily programming.
DENVER MUSEUM OF NATURE AND SCIENCE – Explore the natural wonders of Colorado, Earth and the universe through a variety of exhibitions, programs and activities.
ELITCH GARDENS THEME & WATER PARK – Experience more than 45 rides and stunt shows.
MORDECAI CHILDREN’S GARDEN AT THE DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS – Discover how plants and animals live together on Marmot Mountain, hunt for bugs in the Glorious Grasslands and observe aquatic life at Pipsqueak Pond.
The Mile High City may be best known as the gateway to the Rocky Mountains, but family-friendly summer activities are aplenty, from museums and gardens, to sporting events and food festivals.
Family-Friendly Ac�v�es
T
Embassy Suites Denver – Downtown/Convention Center 1420 Stout StDenver, CO 80202(303) 592-1000
Embassy Suites Denver – Aurora4444 North Havana StDenver, CO 80239(303) 375-0400
Embassy Suites Denver – International Airport7001 Yampa StDenver, CO 80249(303) 574-3000
Embassy Suites Denver – Tech Center10250 East Costilla AveCentennial, CO 80112(303) 792-0433
Embassy Suites Denver – Southeast7525 East Hampden AveDenver, CO 80231(303) 696-6644
Tips from Saman�aThe gross-out factor always rates high with kids so while at the Audubon Insectarium skip lunch and attend one of the show times of Bug Appetite! You’ll be treated to a buffet of edible bugs like “six-legged” salsa, “red beans and yikes” and chocolate “chirp” cookies.
Yes you can take your kids to a jazz club. The famous Preservation Hall has a family-friendly policy of no drinking or smoking. Shows start at 8 PM which is pretty early for jazz musicians. This is a great way to introduce your kids to an American treasure.
LOUISIANA CHILDREN’S MUSEUM – Learn while playing with the museum’s array of interactive activities.
AUDUBON AQUARIUM OF THE AMERICAS – View 15,000 sea life creatures, representing nearly 600 species, happily living at this aquarium.
AUDUBON BUTTERFLY GARDEN AND INSECTARIUM – Discover 900,000-plus known species of insects and their relatives.
ALGIERS POINT FERRY RIDES – Enjoy a ferry ride along the Mississippi River to historic Algiers Point and strollthe Jazz Walk of Fame.
CAFÉ DU MONDE – Savor New Orleans’ famous beignets covered with powdered sugar.
he Big Easy is steeped in history, world-renowned for jazz, delicious Cajun and Creole food and a vibrant blend of cultures.
Family-Friendly Ac�v�es
T
Embassy Suites New Orleans - Convention Center 315 Julia Street New Orleans, LA 70130(504) 525-1993
Tips from Saman�aBeating the crowds becomes a sport in Orlando. One way to do it is if you’re staying within a theme park, see if you can see the fireworks from your hotel. This allows you to leave the park before they start, beat the crowds home and watch from the comfort of your own hotel. If you’re driving, you can still see the fireworks from the parking lot and even hear the music.
Need a break from the theme parks? Winter Park is a lovely neighborhood to walk around without having to buy a balloon, stuffed animal or T-shirt. There’s a beautiful farmers market on Saturday where you can stock up on homemade sauces, salsas and cheese.
SEAWORLD'S DISCOVERY COVE – Swim with dolphins, rays and tropical fish at this one-of-a-kind adventure.
ORLANDO SCIENCE CENTER – Discover the mysteries of science and enjoy an eye-opening experience for the whole family.
RIPLEY’S BELIEVE IT OR NOT – Explore the 10,000-square-foot Odditorium with hundreds of unique interactive exhibits.
GATORLAND – Fly down zip lines and get up close and personal with gators at this 110-acre theme park and wildlife preserve.
iscover everything that sunny Orlando has to offer! From the wildlife of the everglades, to interactive learning experiences, to an old fashioned day at the beach, there are attractions both in and out of the theme parks that everyone in the family will enjoy.
Family-Friendly Ac�v�es
D
Embassy Suites Orlando –Lake Buena Vista 8100 Lake StOrlando, FL 32836(407) 239-1144
Embassy Suites Orlando –Airport5835 T.G. Lee BlvdOrlando, FL 32822(407) 888-9339
Embassy Suites Orlando – International Drive South/Convention8978 International DrOrlando, FL 32819(407) 352-1400
Embassy Suites Orlando – Downtown191 East Pine StOrlando, FL 32801(407) 841-1000
Listen to five storytellers tell “Pinocchio’s” tale
at the Arden Theatre Company; through 6/23
Rock out with Mister G at the Philadelphia Zoo’s
Rock n Roar concert series; 7/9
Take the family out to the ballgame to
watch the Philadelphia Phillies take on
the Washington, DC Nationals at Citizens
Bank Park; 7/8
Journey to the Land of Oz and
take the family to the Broadway
musical “Wicked” at the Academy
of Music; through 8/4
Get fit at the 2nd Annual Hunting Park
Family Fun & Fitness Day and join
thousands of families running in the
Family Triathlon and Duathlon; 8/3
Declared MORE-Da�!
AUGUST 1 Tips from Saman�aThis city has the largest collection of outdoor murals in the world! The whole city becomes an open-air museum in which to take a tour. Strict museum rules don’t apply here and kids will love seeing the massive paintings while jumping, yelling and enjoying another museum no, no – eating ice cream.
Be sure to step into the lobby of the Comcast building to show your kids the largest television in the world. Measuring a whopping 83’ by 25’, you’ll be treated to an amazing technological show for free.
PENN'S LANDING – Get all aboard the USS Olympia and the Becuna submarine at the Seaport Museum.
FRANKLIN INSTITUTE – Explore Benjamin Franklin’s love of science and technology at this hands-on museum.
PLEASE TOUCH MUSEUM – Children are encouraged to touch, play and interact with numerous displays.
ADVENTURE AQUARIUM – Meet Mighty Mike, America’s biggest alligator, and other types of aquatic life during an underwater adventure experience.
INSECTARIUM – Watch spiders spin webs, ants collect food and other insects be creepy crawly at the largest insect museum in the nation.
hiladelphia is rich in our nation’s history, but with numerous museums featuring hands-on exhibits and interactive displays, families will find a lot more than history in the City of Brotherly Love.
Family-Friendly Ac�v�es
P
Embassy Suites Philadelphia –Valley Forge 888 Chesterbrook BlvdWayne, PA 19087(610) 647-6700
Embassy Suites Philadelphia –Airpo9000 Bartram AvePhiladelphia, PA 19153(215) 365-4500
Embassy Suites Philadelphia –Center City1776 Benjamin Franklin PkwyPhiladelphia, PA 19103(215) 561-1776
Experience San Antonio’s vibrant culture at Fiesta
Noche del Rio, an outdoor performance on the
RiverWalk featuring the songs and dances of
Mexico, Spain, Argentina and Texas; through 8/10
Take the family to see the San Antonio professional
women’s basketball team, the Silver Stars, take
on the Seattle Storm; 6/21
Celebrate America at Six Flags Fiesta Texas’
“Lights of Liberty” and enjoy stunning fireworks,
thrilling rides, award-winning entertainment and
summer fun for the entire family; 7/4-5
Bring the sleeping bag and spend the night with
Shamu at SeaWorld San Antonio’s Summer
Nights Sleepover; 7/6 & 7/9
Pack some blankets and snacks to watch
“Rise of the Guardians” at SplashTown Family
Waterpark’s Sunset at the Wave Pool; 8/2
Take in a show at the Majestic Theatre: “Treasure
Island”; 6/26-7/27 or “Seussical the Musical”;
8/9–9/21
AUGUST 1
Declared MORE-Da�!
Tips from Saman�aEl Mercado is a family must do! With piñatas dangling above, gargantuan sombreros, guitars and Mexican candy, this is a shopping experience both you and your kids will be delighted and energized by. Just remember it’s nearly impossible to pack a piñata.
The Twilight Family tour at the San Antonio Zoo is a relaxed way to see the animals once the day has quieted down. The crowds and the heat are gone but the animals come to life as their feeding time begins!
RIVERWALK – Board a river cruiser to explore San Antonio’s famous landmark featuring a public park, shops and restaurants.
THE ALAMO – Check out cool artifacts from the Battle of the Alamo like pioneer hero Davy Crockett’s buckskin jacket, antiquated flintlock rifles and old cannons that still stand to this day.
SAN ANTONIO CHILDREN’S MUSEUM – Engage in more than 80 interactive exhibits, including the H-E-B Kids' Market, a bubble ranch and kid powered elevator.
SAN ANTONIO ZOO – Get a real life African Safari experience at the new exhibit, Africa Live!
SIX FLAGS FIESTA TEXAS – Swim in a massive pool carved like the shape of Texas at Six Flag’s White Water Bay, free with park admission during the summer.
an Antonio offers a blend of family fun, history and rich culture. Stroll along the River Walk, visit the 300-year-old Alamo or enjoy summer thrills at a theme park.
Family-Friendly Ac�v�es
S
Embassy Suites San Antonio Riverwalk – Downtown 125 E. Houston StSan Antonio, TX 78205 (210) 226-9000
Embassy Suites San Antonio – International Airport10110 US Highway 281 NorthSan Antonio, TX 78216(210) 525-9999
Embassy Suites San Antonio – NW I-107750 Briaridge San Antonio, TX 78230(210) 340-5421
Tips from Saman�aSeaport Village is a totally stroll-able 14 acres along the water with beautiful views. Parents love the unique shops and free concerts on Sundays and kids can’t get enough of rides on a hand carved carousel from 1895. There’s also a face painter and balloon artist to keep everyone entertained.
The GasLamp Quarter is the historic district and its compact 16 blocks makes it easy to walk around. From here you can catch a friendly trolley ride to the San Diego Zoo and Balboa Gardens.
San Diego has a beach for everyone–even dogs! For a beach experience unlike any other head to Ocean Beach Dog Beach where on the weekends 100’s of dogs (and their owners) leave their leashes at home and play in the sand and surf.
BALBOA PARK – Stroll through the largest urban cultural park in the United States, often referred to as the “Smithsonian of the West.”
SEAWORLD SAN DIEGO – Watch the world-famous Shamu show and hop on a variety of thrilling rides.
THE NEW CHILDREN’S MUSEUM – Think, create and play through a variety of interactive children’s activities and exhibits.
SAN DIEGO ZOO – Check out koalas and their joeys at the new Australian Outback exhibit.
LA JOLLA – Relax at Children's Beach, watch the seals or visit La Jolla Village’s wide collection of boutiques, art galleries and restaurants, all just 12 miles north of downtown San Diego.
oak up the bright sunshine, warm breezes and beautiful beaches of San Diego – a gorgeous city made even better in the summertime!
Family-Friendly Ac�v�es
S
Embassy Suites San Diego Bay – Downtown601 Pacific HwySan Diego, CA 92101(619) 239-2400
Embassy Suites San Diego – La Jolla 4550 La Jolla Village DrSan Diego, CA 92122(858) 453-040
Where � StayEmbassy Suites St. Louis -–Downtown 610 North 7th StSaint Louis, MO 63101(314) 269-5900
Embassy Suites St. Louis –St. Charles/Hotel & Spa Two Convention Center Plaza Saint Charles, MO 63303(636) 946-5544
Embassy Suites St. Louis -–Airport 11237 Lone Eagle DrBridgeton, MO 63044(314) 739-8929
JUNE 21
JULY 8
Grab a blanket and pack a picnic for International
Picnic Day at The Magic House: St. Louis
Children’s Museum; 6/18
Be reminded that dreams really do come
true in Disney’s “Cinderella” at Stages
St. Louis; 6/19-30
Get your dance on with the Dirty Muggs at
the St. Louis Zoo’s Boogie Friday Night
Concert Series; 7/5
Play Ball! Kids 15 and under can run the
bases after the St. Louis Cardinals take on
the Marlins at Busch Stadium. Arrive early
before the game and enjoy games, prizes and
free North Star ice cream in the Ford Plaza; 7/7
Learn about the environment through song from
“The Raptor Project” band while birds fly
overhead at the World Bird Sanctuary’s
Concert Event; 8/1
Dive deep into dinosaur diets and make a
cast of a real dinosaur tooth at Dino Dinner
at the St. Louis Science Center; 8/3
AUGUST 1
Declared MORE-Da�!
Tips from Saman�aThe main “takeaway” of The City Museum is not to take yourself so seriously. With history lessons like “Corn Dogs through the Ages” and a rooftop Ferris Wheel called Big Eli even parents get to act like kids again.
At the entrance of Grant Farm are the stables of the famed and beloved Budweiser Clydesdales, home to around 25 Mares, geldings and even foals. Stand in the presence of these massive gentle giants and find out the physical requirements needed to become a Budweiser Clydesdale.
CITY MUSEUM – Walk inside a life-sized whale, slide down a 10-story spiral slide and visit the world’s largest pencil.
GRANT'S FARM – View 900 animals representing 100 different species.
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDENS – Run around in nature’s beauty and bounty in the 2.5-acre Children’s Garden.
CIRCUS HARMONY CENTER – Learn to flip, fly and juggle like circus performers.
WORLD AQUARIUM – View more than 10,000 outrageous sea creatures and fun river critters.
t. Louis is known as the Gateway to the West, but it’s also a haven for family-friendly fun, from exploring the Gateaway Arch to cruising down the Mississippi River.
Where � StayEmbassy Suites Washington D.C. – Chevy Chase Pavilion4300 Military Rd NWWashington, D.C. 20015(202) 362-9300
Embassy Suites Washington D.C.1250 22nd St NWWashington, D.C. 20037(202) 857-3388
Embassy Suites Washington D.C. –Convention Center 900 10th St NWWashington, D.C. 20001(202) 739-2001
Embassy Suites Dulles Airport13341 Woodland Pk Dr.Herndon, VA 20171(703) 464-0200
Embassy Suites Alexandria - Old Town1900 Diagonal Rd.Alexandria, VA 22314(703) 684-5900
Embassy Suites Dulles – North/Loudoun44610 Waxpool Rd.Dulles, VA 20147(703) 723-5300
Embassy Suites Tysons Corner8517 Leesburg PikeVienna, VA 22182(703) 883-0707
Embassy Suites Crystal City – National Airport1300 Jefferson Davis HwyArlington, VA, 22202(703) 979-9799
JUNE 21
JULY 8
Dig into a plate full of ribs at the 21st
Annual Safeway Barbecue Battle
benefitting the Boys & Girls Clubs; 6/22-23
Attend the summer premiere of Dr. Seuss’s “Cat
in the Hat” at the Adventure Theatre Musical
Theatre Center; 6/21-9/2
Go back in time by spending a day on an
18th century farm at Piscataway Park
with the Summer Days Farm Tour; 8/1
Learn how Georgetowners lived, ate and
entertained themselves by walking in their
footsteps during Georgetown Summer History
Week at Tudor Place Historic House and
Garden; 7/29-8/2
AUGUST 1
Throw down the picnic blanket and don’t
forget the popcorn! Watch “The Blind Side”
at the Crystal Screen 2013 Outdoor Film
Festival under the stars; 7/8
Explore different cultures at The Smithsonian
Folklife Festival, with song, dance, crafts and
storytelling; 7/3-7Tips from Saman�a
The Discovery Room in the Museum of Natural History is a mom favorite because it gives kids a chance to touch and
parents a place to sit down! Kids can feel the skin of an alligator, look at skeletons and try on costumes from around the world. Arrive early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds.
Kayaking along the Potomac is a wonderful way for families to see the monuments of our Capital from a completely different perspective. The Key Bridge Boathouse in Georgetown has been in operation for 68 years and has two-person kayaks so parents can double up with younger children.
NATIONAL CHILDREN’S MUSEUM – Spark the imagination with intriguing exhibits and innovative educational programs.
BE WITH ME PLAYSEUM – Play pretend grocery shop, stop in the pet store, make homemade toothpaste and play dress up all under one roof.
SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL ZOO – Explore the home to more than 2,000 animals including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates.
TURTLE PARK – Parents can take a break and relieve tired feet, while the kids run around in this shady playground.
BOAT TOUR ON THE POTOMAC – See the DC skyline from the water and get a unique vantage point of its famous monuments.
iscover the nation’s capital this summer. Explore unrivaled historical monuments, museums and parks that will teach your kids about their country’s history while having fun.
