Vertigo

Megaphobia(rollercoaster)

Speed(rollercoaster-very fast)

The roller coasters such as Speed and Megaphobia are scary to young children so be careful if you are taking them on them. Vertigo can be described as this:Skydiver and flings you everywhere as if you are on a rubber band! Dont worry the rope is sturdier than a rubber band but you have to be minium height to go on Vertigo. The website is shown here.

Okay anyway where was i? It is very easy to find Oakwood so thats resolved. Sometimes, though when the weather is really bad, some of the more 'high' rides are generally closed for park customer safety. About the prices anyway. You bring your family along you get a nice discount. As with most Theme Parks, the disabled and the senior citizens get a ood discount as well. Added to this, if you book online(3 days before your visit minimum) you get a huge 10% discount. If you take advantage of this, the other discounts, the holiday discounts as well, you could save a mint and take your family there for so much less!

Oakwood also feautures a nice Plan Your Visit page for the family or solos. This helps you plan in advance to the kids boredom in the car, The 'Are We There Yet?' comments, pets, eating, where to park etc. This is very useful if you want to make sure that everything on your fun day at Oakwood goes without a hitch and you don't regret it for the rest of your life.

Well anyway good luck!

I Will Be Back!!(In terminater accent)

Baltimore is a city marked by its rich historical background, diverse cultures, culinary hospitality and an indispensible political heritage. Located on the western coast of the Chesapeake Bay, Baltimore has always been the hub of maritime trading. Though often considered as the neglected child of the East Coast, as compared to New York City and Washington DC, Baltimore has a lot to offer to those who wish to explore it for its possibilities.

The heart of Baltimore lies in its Inner Harbor. Though it has been around since the 1600s, the recent cultural revival has morphed it into one of the most coveted tourist destination. 1 To get a quick overview of the experience the Inner Harbor Baltimore has to offer, the most viable option would be to "Ride the Ducks" or take the Sea port Taxi. The "Ride the Ducks" is a vehicle/boat that takes you on an hour and a half long tour along the Inner Harbor, showing most of the historical sites of Baltimore namely Camden Yards, Westminster Hall, where the graves of the founding fathers of the city of Baltimore are situated, Carroll Mansion and the Shot Tower. The driver doubles as a tour guide as well and points out the highlights of the historic city as well as gives a brief overview of the heritage of the place. Though at $25 it is pricier than most of the attractions, this tour is a must if there is a time constraint.

The Sea Port Taxi is the other option if time limitation or costs are a concern. Initially serving as a means of transporting residents, this water taxi has quickly become a major tourist attraction with stops on tourist spots such as the major venues of Inner Harbor, Fells Point with its Maritime Museum and the Harbor Point, and Canton, with the Chesapeake Wine Company and the Water Front Park. The taxi can be ridden with a flat daily charge of just $5 and tourists can make as many stops as they like.

However, if a bird's eye tour catches your fancy, the best bet would be the Top of the World Observatory Level and Museum located at the 28th at the World Trade Center at Baltimore. The building is shaped like a pentagon, so a five sided panoramic view of the city can be seen. The site also offers audio visual tours of the various points of interests, namely the harbor, the aquarium, Fells Point, Federal Hill and beyond. Binoculars are located, albeit for a charge, at different locations along the windows. The ticket costs a mere $5 and the location also includes a restaurant with a breath taking view, a gift shop and a museum.

Probably the most crowd pleasing attraction is The National Aquarium. The aquarium houses more than 10,500 specimens of at least 560 species.2 The aquarium is a must-see for all nature lovers. With live sharks and rays floating by and colossal sections of the biodiversity of life in Australia or the Amazon jungle or the Arctic Circle, this experience is both educational and awe-inspiring. For young and old alike, the dolphin show and the four dimensional theatre experience holds special charm.

Another point of interest would be the National Historic Seaport of Baltimore. This seaport has had its fare share of maritime exposure over the last three hundred years. It contains the USS Constellation which is the only vessel left from the civil war, Federal Hill, Fort McHenry and Fells Point, Knoll Lighthouse and many more, as points of interest.

The Maryland Science Center is also a popular spot. With exhibits on Physics, Astronomy and Biology, the Center also includes a 3D IMAX theatre. The theatre also holds other 3D movies from time to time.

Conversely if the aim is to sit back and relax while enjoying the sights, the best option would be to cruise along the Inner Harbor in one of the many cruises, the most popular being the Lady Baltimore, Bay Lady and Prince Charming. The cruises offer both local and international cuisines along with spectacular views. On special holidays, namely Christmas and the fourth of July, the ships are beautifully decked and offer more variation in terms of the entertainment provided.

On the other hand, if you happen to be a shopaholic, Harbor East is the place to go. Home to fine dining, hotels and the most expensive boutiques, this area includes Grille 700 and Victor's Café which are not to be missed. However, to get the feel of a small town, the Lexington Market should be visited. Located in downtown Baltimore, this 200 years market boasts of selling fresh produce by small vendors. The aroma, the colors and the noises make this market a very tourist attracting venue. The marketplace even has a stage where local events are held and depending on the time of the year, one can even see circus elephants on a stroll, or witness a crab race or enjoy an ice cream festival. However, if large crowds are to be avoided, it is advised to plan your visit accordingly.

The downtown of Baltimore also houses some of the most interesting museums. The Jewish Museum of Maryland contains items which encompass the Jewish lifestyle in Baltimore. The museum rotates its exhibits making it a perennially fresh tourist spot. It also contains a book store and a gift shop. Furthermore, if you wish to explore more regarding the Jewish memorabilia, the Holocaust Memorial may also interest you. Built in the 1980s, and depicting boxcars used to transport Jews, it serves as a reminder to the world of the horrors of the Holocaust. The house of the famous writer Edgar Allen Poe, also serves as a museum. Located in downtown Baltimore, it is open to exhibit and consists of items used by the author in his lifetime. Mother Seton House is also a very important structure in American history as the owner of the house was the first American woman to be raised to the status of sainthood. After her death, the house has been labeled as a historical site and is open to public on weekends through a prior appointment. Also listed as historical site, is the Emerson Bromo Seltzer tower. Built by Captain Isaac Emerson in 19113, it is based on the tower of Palazzo Vecchio in Italy. The initial design had a lighted blue bottle revolving on the top which was later removed in 1936. The four sides of the building show huge clocks at the very top of the building. The Westminster Hall, also in down town Baltimore should not be omitted as it is the resting abode of the most noted men in the history of Baltimore, namely the founding fathers, the first four mayors as well as Edgar Allan Poe.

For the sports fan, the Oriole Park and The Babe Ruth Birth Place and Museum, both located in downtown Baltimore, are an unbeatable experience. The Oriole Park is a beautiful stadium with a lovely view. Close to the Inner Harbor and other downtown attractions, it boasts to be one of pioneers of the modern day baseball stadiums. Besides watching a game, tourists can also tour the stadium on weekdays where the stadium is free to learn about the history of the making of the stadium. The stadium also has a high standard restaurant in comparison to the others which only have hotdogs and beer to offer. Needless to say, these items are also available if your preference lies in the latter. The Babe Ruth Museum is housed near the stadium and for a mere $6 for adults, gives the tourists and fans a peek in the life of Baba Ruth before he became a Yankee. Also lying adjacent to the Oriole Park, near the Hamburg Street station, is the M&T Bank Stadium. A must see for football fans, this stadium is the latest as well as the most modern of the stadiums in the United States. Besides hosting national level football games, it also hosts occasional games of lacrosse, high school and college level football matches.

Besides the downtown, Baltimore has other neighborhoods which are dotted with both cultural and historical spots. Mount Vernon for example is just one of them. Lying close to the downtown, Mount Vernon owes its popularity to the Saint Alphonsus Church, The Baltimore Basilica, the Washington Monument and the Johns Hopkins Peabody Institute. Known for its Gothic architecture, the Saint Alphonsus Church is a historical landmark where the Blessed George Matulaitis and St. John Neumann are said to have prayed. Built by the famous Robert Cary Long, it took three years to build, by 1845, and the tower another ten. With high ceilings and a shimmery interior, the church is an architectural marvel. Most of the windows still possess the original stained glass artwork and adds to the tranquility of the atmosphere.

However, much older than the Alphonsus Church is the Baltimore Basilica. Built by Benjamin Latrobe, Its construction took fifteen years, from 1806 to 1821. The cathedral has been modeled on ancient Greek temples with the six pillars defining the architecture. Still maintained to most of its original glory, the Basilica also contains ornately stained glass windows. Most importantly, it is the oldest catholic cathedral in the United States.

The tallest and the most visible structure at Mount Vernon would be the Washington Monument. The marble Statue of George Washington stands tall on a 178 feet marble column. The column comprises about 230 steps, which over a breath taking view of the area, but should be attempted by only those who are not acrophobic. For those who might not be brave enough to climb, the base of the column also contains a museum.

Regarded as the musical voice of Baltimore, the Peabody Institute is also situated at Mount Vernon. Founded in 1857 by George Peabody, it consists of the most lavish concert halls where musicians from all over the world come to perform. Now a part of the Johns Hopkins University, this conservatory offers music lessons to those who can afford. However the students, teachers and various performers offer free concerts from time to time.

The neighborhood of Fells Point is another historic location that is a must see. It houses the famous Maritime Museum, which consists of old naval artifacts, the Harbor point, with its ice skating rink, among other attractions, and the Baltimore American Indian Center which is the hub of Native American Culture. For art lovers, The Art Gallery of Fells Point as well as the Angeline's Art Gallery is also present. The former displays local art, where most of the items are for sale. The later, however, is more of a gift shop with items such as pieces of local arts as well as trinkets and baubles can be found there. It is an excellent place to go to shop for souvenirs. For the sailors at heart, cruises are available. The Ketch Pintita, offers night sailing and breakfast in the morning on the deck. Sailing courses are also available. The Catawampus II also offers sailing lessons as well as private charted cruises. These are ideal for a small party or a private wedding.

Other points of interest could be the Federal Hill with Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, the Federal Hill Park and the Riverside Park. Marking a very historic chapter in the history of the United States, this is a popular tourist spot.

Besides those mentioned, the Greek Orthodox Cathedral, the Conservatory at Druid Hill Park, the Chesapeake Wine Company, the Canton Water Front Park, the Johns Hopkins University, the Baltimore Museum of Art and Little Italy with its Italian restaurants, are some of the other must visit spots. Besides, Baltimore is dotted with a number of eateries. Famous for its Blue Crabs, Baltimore's seafood can be enjoyed on various locations along the inner harbor and the down town area. Exotic cuisines like Ethiopian, Indian, Mexican, Middle Eastern, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish and Italian are also available.

Baltimore has a rich history that dates back to the time of the conception of the United States. Its historical and cultural neighborhoods, new high rise hotels, shopping venues, numerous restaurants, bars and pubs make it attractive to every style and taste. The experience of Baltimore cannot be summed up in a few words, or penned down on a page. It has to be experienced firsthand, and over and over again, to get the real understanding of how great a city this is.

Another not-to-miss piece of Phoenix is the Desert Botanical Garden which has the world's finest collection of desert plants. It has 50 acres beautiful outdoor exhibits which is the home to 139 endangered species from around the world. Its located in Papago Park in Central Phoenix.

Climb Piestewa Peak, also known as Squaw Peak is part of the Phoenix Mountains Preserve is the place from where you can get a great view of the city. The two main attractions at Piestewa Peak are the Summit Trail and the Circumference Trail.

If you adore art walls, there are more than 100 art gallaries in Scottsdale Art Walk that you can enjoy every Thursday evening, year round (except Thanksgiving) from 7-9 p.m. There are Special Event ArtWalks with live music along the streets and special themed events several times a year.

The Phoenix Zoo again is a wonderful place to visit. The Phoenix Zoo is opened most of the year from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. You can see the gila monsters, giraffes, raptors and elephants and also take a pedal boat ride in the lake, enjoy a snack or take the Safari Shuttle. During summer, one should try to get there as soon as possible, since many animals head for shade and hide during the heat of the day.The tickets are very reasonable.

If you love adventure, the Drive Apache Trail is among the best memorable drives you will ever visit. The 46 miles between Apache Junction and Roosevelt lake provides you with the most scenic part of this challenging drive. If you are a nervous driver, it might not be for you.

If you are a fashion freak, the Scottsdale Fashion Square is the best place to visit. With 250 stores and restaurants, this Square is where you can boost your shopping. Tiffany, Burberry, Gucci, Fossil, Foot Locker, Swarovski Bebe, Williams-Sonomoa, Victoria's Secret, name it you have it.

There are many more places like the Chase Field (also known as Bank One Ballpark), Boyce Thompson Arboretum,Rawhide Western Town and Steakhouse, Golf at Gold Canyon Ranch, Dinosaur Course, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, South Mountain Park and Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot that are worth mentioning.

The parkway in Pigeon Forge is packed with things to do, from helicopter rides to go cart racing. My children had a blast. The best part of it though is that you don't have to stray far to find something interesting to do. Regardless of age you will have a great time. You can park the car and take the trolley to anywhere you need to go. Sure beats wasting your gas.

There are several things that we did not get to do this year, like the Dixie Stampede and Wonder Works… The list goes on but there is always next year.

Kaitaia is a town that is close to Cape Reinga.

Kai means food and Taia means oil.

Kaitaia has many tourist attractions, like the far north regional museum, the ninety mile beach and the sand dunes, and the Cape Reinga walkway.

Auckland

Auckland is New Zealand's largest city, with a population of about 1 million.

It has the Southern Hemisphere's tallest structure and it's called the Sky Tower.

The most popular newspaper, The New Zealand Herald, is printed here.

Rotorua

This city has lots of Maori people in it and lots of steaming natural pools.

These natural pools come from hot springs.

Then there's the Skyline Skyrides, with lots of activities and fun games to keep the whole family excited. There is also Wai-O-Tapu, a massive collection of bubbling hot mud pools and geysers.

Wellington

This city is the capital city of New Zealand, and also holds the Beehive, New Zealand's parliament building, although there are no bees in there, there's lots of insects there to suck all the money out of you in the form of tax.

Christchurch

This place is freezing cold!

There are also some ski fields in this area if you're interested. Other tourist attractions include the Canterbury museum, botanical gardens, Cathedral Square, and the arts centre.

Also check out the Sumner beach. Besides stunning views, there are lots of restaurants nearby to fill you up.

Invercargill

Not much things to see here, although you could try out one of those delicious Bluff oysters.

Some tourist attractions are the Stewart Island flights, Venture Southland, and the Invercargill brewery.

Queenstown

It's even colder out here!

The Skyline Skyrides won't keep you interested for long.

Some other things to keep you interested in Queenstown are the Cardrona Adventure Park, Frogz white water sledging, and the Kawarau jet.

Nelson

Not much to see and do here, but you can still ride the boats to some of the area's more remote bays, islands and beaches. I recommend you to visit the Abel Tasman National Park and walk the Abel Tasman Walkway.

Mexico City is a major tourist attraction for foreigners and Mexicans alike. It is a great vacation spot for anyone. Once you arrive you will find all kinds of activities and attractions just waiting for you.

Pyramids are not built on many cities of the world. Teotihuacan is one city where you will find pyramids and temples which are proud relics of civilizations dating back hundreds of years. It's just an hour outside of Mexico City and you will find this archaeological treasure one of its kinds.

If you want to view the second most visited Roman Catholic shrine in the world, you should visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Built on a hill, north of Mexico City, this shrine is the most important pilgrimage site in the country and is visited by several million people every year.

The "floating gardens" of Xochimilco are about 23 kilometres from the historic centre of the city and take a little more than an hour to reach there. The gardens grown on rectangular frames anchored to the lake floor on the canals of Xochimilco are awe inspiring. They are one of the biggest tourist attractions of the city.

The night life of this vibrant city has variety to offer. But one must be cautious going out at night. The orchestras, theatres, bars, clubs and endless sources of entertainment are always ready.

If you are interested in seeing museums, graphic art, photo galleries or works of muralists, Mexico City has them all.

These are just a few of Mexico City's attractions. The city has many more activities for every age, every interest and every budget; offered through out the year. Mexico City is ready to welcome you whenever you want.

A group of Houston parents founded the museum with the hope of making early childhood development into a community-wide priority; and it now offers a variety of learning and educational services to a wide range of families.

The museum houses 14 multi-disciplined and bilingual exhibits and an auditorium seating 166, as well as a resource library for parents to aid with early childhood learning and development and also maintains programs reaching into the local schools, social service agencies, day care centers libraries, and community centers. It boasts of serving more children than any other youth museum in the U.S. per square foot.

Admission is only $5 per person, with special Free Family Nights every Thursday from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.

The John C. Freeman Weather Museum, founded and operated by meteorologists, opened in 1987 as part of the Weather Research Center; in April of 2006 the museum was relocated into a renovated 1930's mansion, its current location, in the Houston Museum District. This is the first and only museum of its kind in the United States. In 2007 the museum adopted “Radar The Weather Dog” from KPRC.

The museum has as its mission and goals to educate people about the weather, weather safety and to make people weather-wise. With this goal in mind, the museum maintains many interactive exhibits such as a local TV set up, WRC-TV, which allow visitors to experience the role of a weather reporter. Visitors can also find out of if there is a risk to their homes and communities from storm surge flooding which occurs during Category 5 hurricanes. The museum also conducts other educational programs such as Weather Camp and Weather Labs. To find out more about these programs, contact the museum for more information.

General admission to the museum is priced at a reasonable $5.00 for Adults, and $3.00 for Children and Seniors. Kids under the age of 3 are free. There is also free admission on Thursday from Noon until 4PM. There are guided tours available for a fee.

You're planning a family trip to Seattle and you want the most entertainment for your dollar. Who do you ask for ideas? Locals, of course. Here's a local's list of fun things to do and ways to travel that won't break the bank.

• Take a ride on a Washington State Ferry

   Leave your car behind and walk on at Pier 52 and ride for $6.70 round-trip ($5.40 for youth/$3.35 for seniors) to Bainbridge Island (30 minutes each way) or Bremerton (60 minutes each way). The scenery as you cross the Puget (pronounced pyu'jet) Sound is breathtaking, and if you choose to de-bark at either destination and walk a few blocks you'll find quaint shops and parks. For a sailing schedule check here.

• Check out the world-famous flying fish at the Pike Place Market

   Vendors sell everything from fresh flower bouquets to kitsch in three floors of possibilities. Don't miss the fresh doughnuts on the street level and many delicious restaurants peppered throughout the marketplace. Fresh seafood can even be packed up to take home with you or send to your favorite people.

• Forget the Space Needle where you'll pay $16 for an elevator ticket

   The Bank of America Tower (known to locals as the Columbia Tower) is 76 floors high (almost 100 meters higher than the Space Needle), and you'll pay about $5 to get to the observation deck on the 73rd floor. The only drawback is you'll have to go on a weekday during business hours to take the tour. You can call 1.206.386.5151 for tour schedules.

• Downtown buses are free to ride within the "Free-Ride" Zone

  This is basically all of the main downtown area. To find out how to get around on the bus you can go here and enter your current and destination locations and you'll get detailed instructions where to go and which bus(es) to ride. You can also ride the Seattle Street Car, a light rail that goes from the shopping district to east Lake Union, or the Monorail from the shopping district to the Seattle Center.

• Seattle Center Fountain

  On a sunny summer day you can't beat it. Set between the performing arts halls and the Pacific Science Center, the fountain shoots water from hundreds of jets, sometimes choreographed to music. Are you thinking, “I've seen that at the Bellagio in Las Vegas?” This is different- you can descend the steep concrete embankment and cool off in the spray of the fountain. Hours of entertainment for the kids-and it's free. But bring a change of clothes.

• Ye Olde Curiosity Shop on Pier 54 (1001 Alaskan Way)

  The coolest gross stuff in the city resides in this shop, including Sylvia and Sylvester, the mummies (yes, real mummies) that guard the back of the store, two-headed pigs in jars and an African voo-doo monkey wearing its intestines on its head. A few steps further is Ye Olde Curiosity Shop Too, a continuation of the first. You can just look around or find some very unique souvenirs.

• Lunch

  While you're down at the piers checking out the Curiosity Shop, head over to Anthony's Fish Bar for amazing fish tacos (it's a Seattle thing) or clam chowder. Or, for the best fish "n chips in town, go to Ivar"s. Nothing at Ivar's tastes bad, and their tartar sauce is arguably the best in the world. Not to mention they've been a Seattle institution for 70 years.

• Travel to Ballard and tour the Hiram M. Chittenden locks and the fish ladder

  The locks make it possible for boats to pass from Lake Washington to the Puget Sound and back. Boats enter a chamber that seals on either end and raises or lowers the water level to meet the level of the body of water they're heading toward. It's fun to watch and it's free entertainment. Be sure to cross over and check out the fish ladder. During peak salmon season you can peer through windows and watch hundreds of fish as they make their climb to the spawning grounds.

• Pacific Science Center

  It's a bit of a splurge, but if your kids love to see how things work it's worth the price. Depending on the size of your family it might be less expensive to buy a family season pass than to pay the entrance fee for one day, and you often get passes to the Imax Theater with your pass. Check before you buy.

• Experience Music Project

  Skip it. It's not worth the entrance fee-you'll be bored within 30 minutes. Trust us on this. No really. Don't do it.

• Alki Beach in West Seattle is Prime People-Watching Real Estate

  Take a picnic lunch and a blanket. The beach is sandy; there are several restaurants along Alki Avenue and lots of interesting people. If you stay until dusk you're in for an amazing sunset and view of the Seattle Skyline, so don't forget your camera!

• Tacoma

  If you've seen enough of Seattle you could take a day-trip about an hour to the south to Tacoma and check out the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium or watch some glass blowing at the Museum of Glass. You might even catch Dale Chihuly doing his thing.

When you travel to Seattle bring a variety of clothing. If it's the middle of summer you'll still need a jacket for the cool evenings and possibly even the days. Seattle natives know to dress in layers-you'll see a lot of Capri pants, t-shirts, hoodies and wind/rain resistant lightweight jackets. Bring your sandals, but also your socks. It's not a fashion faux pas to wear your wool socks with your Birkenstocks in Seattle. We recommend you also bring or plan to buy an umbrella, even in the summer. We can't keep our beautiful city green without a little rain, now can we?