Indianapolis Motor Speedway - Hall of Fame Museum

Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a nice place to visit for car and race enthusiasts. Kids enjoy pictures with Turbo and posing with a race car. A big hall full of vintage race cars mostly Indy 500 winners and memorabilia. Located next to the speedway, visitors can plan a quick visit to the museum.

Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, Cincinnati , Ohio

Located in downtown Cincinnati, Cincinnati Zoo is a feast for eyes in spring. The garden blooms in spring every year with around 100,000 Tulips and million other bulbs . This is by far the best place to spend  a day in April. Plan a visit on Thursday for free concert in April.

There are wide variety of exhibits to capture the interest of kids and adults equally. Watch gorillas in the gorilla world caring for the babies and grooming or let the monkeys in the small island can entertain kids . Touch the turtle shell and feed the turtles . Capture lots of pictures amid tulips and animal sculptures.

This Zoo houses wide variety of animals from around the world. The peacocks always love to put up a show for their visitors. While the wild cats relax a the eager visitors take pictures !!!! These white Tigers are by far my favorite.

Indiana Dunes State Park, Chesterton, Indiana

Indiana Dunes State park ...... Summer, Beach, Splashing Waves and Sand Castles.. this has it all. This 15 mile beach on the shores of Lake Michigan is an easy access summer beach for people in Midwest. No need of explaining how fun beaches are. Better to leave heavy stuff like strollers in the car as they wont be of much use.

Toledo Zoo and Aquarium, Toledo, Ohio

Free admission for mothers on Mothers day and free admission for fathers on Fathers day with your children of course. Definitely you can expect large crowds on these days. A perfect place for family outing on a summer day. Be prepared for long walks which can be bit strenuous for younger children. 

The zoo starts off with Arctic encounter where you can watch several animals like Penguins, Polar bear up close. A short walk away is Safari Railway, runs around the African safari where you can catch a glimpse of animals feeding or resting under a tree shade. Cross the bridge to get to more exhibits. Flamingos, Elephants, Lions, Camels, Apes, Reptiles and what not .This zoo houses vide variety of animals and it is a lot of ground to cover !!!

Zoo staff rolled out a big cart with a big snake on it. Kids gathered for a petting session while scared parents like me stood few feet away watching 😕

Make sure to visit the Aviary. It houses varied species of birds from all across the globe. Lot of gift shops and food stalls to pick up a souvenir or quench your thirst on a hot summer day. Make sure to bring extra water bottles and have fun.

Olympic Park & SkyView, Atlanta, Georgia

Olympic park is a good retreat for families on a hot day. Rooted in the heart of downtown Atlanta, this is a short walk from Georgia Aquarium / World of Coke. Parents can relax and rewind while kids have fun in the water fountains and play areas. Hey admission is free and a quick stroll with a view of high rises wouldn't hurt.

SkyView Atlanta is right across the street from Olympic part. With 14$ entry for an adult, it is on the expensive side for the views. Though, looks beautiful from outside. Parking is available for around 10$ or feel free to catch a tram.

Rock City, Lookout Mountain, Georgia

Ohh the views from the top of the lookout mountain were spectacular. The walk way was perfectly designed, looked like my 4 year old didn't mind the lengthy walking. You can bring your pet along with you.

Combo tickets are sold for Rock City, Ruby Falls and Incline at the ticket booth. The path took us through a grand corridor, needle's eye, goblin underpass, fairy tale land and many more... Swing-a-long bridge was particularly fun.

The view of falls, mountains and spring blossoms made the walk pleasant and memorable

Anna Ruby Falls, Helen, Georgia

If you find yourself in a cute town named Helen for spring break or summer vacation in North Atlanta, make sure to visit Unicoi State Park and Anna Ruby Falls. Both can be covered in the same day. Unicoi State Park has cabins to rent too. Unicoi lake has a small beach for kids or you can go boating in the lake. Anna Ruby Falls is a short drive away from Unicoi lake. A short stroll from the parking lot (~.5 miles) will take you to the falls.

Lake Isabella, Cincinnati, Ohio

Web site: http://www.greatparks.org/parks/lakeisabella.shtm
Address: 10174 Loveland-Madeira Rd. Loveland, OH 45140
Time taken : 2 hours min.
Admission Fee: 2$/day or 10$/year

I should say, it is very pleasant place away from all the traffic. For 2$ entry fee, its a good value for money. It has a small play area for kids and lots of benches and picnic tables next to the lake. I enjoyed watching people fish and the cool breeze.

The boat house has a good stock of fishing roads, baits and all the supplies required for fishing. Also fishing license can be purchased here.This Place is great for fishing tours for kids. It has 28-acre pay fishing lake.Row boats are available for rental.

How ever the area of park is very small and it does not have any walking trails.

From Lake Isabella, there is canoe access to Little Miami River. Even though I did not have a canoe, I just took a small walk in the woods .

The Maid of The Mist, Niagara Falls, New York

Niagara Falls is one of the world famous attractions of New York State which, millions of tourists visit each year. The falls is located in the America's oldest state park, Niagara Falls State Park. Over years, Niagara state park added several attractions like Aquarium of Niagara, Discovery Center  to promote tourism and keep its visitors engaged. Amongst all the attractions, The Maid of The Mist is the most beautiful attraction.

The one hour boat tour takes visitors up close to the falls. Feeling the mist and hear the splash as you take a ride. This attraction is definitely need to be in any traveller's bucket list. The experience is amazing and there are no words to explain it. On a summer day, if all things fall in place, you can see a rainbow or two during the ride. Strollers are not normally allowed in the boat ride but feel free to take them along with you in case of young children. The cold splash of the mist can be annoying for the little ones. 

I visited this place twice and I find it equally amazing every time I see the falls. Take time to watch an amazing display of colourful fireworks over the falls. In summer months, almost every year, fire works over the falls is open on Wednesday, Friday, Sunday and few Holidays. If you miss the fireworks, check out the illumination of the falls which is equally amazing and open mostly every day.

The Maid of The Mist ride is operational from April till early November. Be sure to check the dates before you plan a trip. If you are planning to do more than one activity at the falls, Niagara Falls USA discovery pass might be economical. It covers multiple attractions at a discounted price. Check the website for operational days and prices.
A short walk from the state park leads to shopping center, restaurants, souvenir stores and street food.

National Cherry Blossom Festival, Washington DC

Washington DC is best viewed in full bloom and I can cross this off from my Bucket list of places to visit. Every year cherry trees are in full bloom for around a week between last week of march and first week of April. We visited this place for 100th anniversary in 2012. 3000 cherry trees were gifted by the Mayor of Tokyo to the City of Washington DC in 1912. Each year, National Cherry Blossom festival is celebrated to commemorate the friendship between two nations. The view of tidal basin with a row of cherry trees in full blossom was splendid. Above is the picture of beautiful blossoms with Thomas Jefferson Memorial as a backdrop. As such, spring in east coast is beautiful with flowers in full bloom. Viewing the monuments in pink and green backdrop made the trip much more memorable.

Website: National Cherry Blossom Festival

Parking: 28$ flat fee