If you have wanted to see Niagara Falls in person for years, and are planning a trip to the region with your family, it’s important to have an itinerary that covers more options than just seeing this magnificent natural phenomenon.

While the falls themselves are amazing, and attract millions of visitors every year, when you have kids with you, you also need to have other activities on your list to choose from. Read on for a selection of family-friendly destinations you can consider checking out when you arrive.

Niagara Freefall and Interactive Center

No matter the ages of your children, once you have checked into your chosen Niagara Falls hotel, you should head to the Niagara Freefall and Interactive Center for some play time. Here you will find something to interest everyone; and it is a perfect choice when the weather isn’t so great.

At the Center, for starters your family can get a feel for the thrill of skydiving, without the risk. Indoor skydiving is possible for children 7 years and older, and for groups of up to four people at a time. The activity is completed within a wind tunnel flight chamber, and has users flying at air speeds approaching 140mph.

If that’s not enough, at the Freefall and Interactive Center you can also let the kids go nuts with tokens for the many interactive arcade games on-site, or have some family time playing Lazerball. This game is paint-free and mess-free, and uses soft, reusable foam balls rather than paint. The Center also offers a mechanical bull ride and a 32-foot high rooftop rock wall for climbers of many abilities.

 Old Fort Niagara

A great educational outing for your family when you’re  in the Niagara region is Old Fort Niagara, on the U.S. side of the falls. Perfect for history buffs and novices alike, the Fort, which was built in the 1700s, is the oldest operational one of its type in the country. It was used primarily during the French, Revolutionary, and Indian Wars, and over the years has been owned and used by the Native American, French, British and American troops.

If possible, try to schedule your visit to Old Fort Niagara with the attraction’s special event periods. You and your kids will have the opportunity to meet some on-site re-enactors who recreate the lives of past garrison members for visitors.

At other times of year, you can watch hourly musket demonstrations, and examine the site’s well-preserved cannons, barracks, rooms, and other exhibits. While at the Fort, you can also enjoy self-guided audio tours, and take in the scenic view of the falls, plus Lake Ontario and the Niagara River, from the Fort’s high vantage point.

Nightmares Fear Factory

If you are looking for something to please teenagers, or children over 7 who don’t scare easily, then put a visit to the Nightmares Fear Factory on your itinerary. This not-for-the-faint-hearted experience has been operating for more than 30 years, and is located inside a classic-style haunted house found at the top of Clifton Hill in Canada.

Participants in the Fear Factory are challenged to “survive” as they walk through the attraction in groups of up to six. This is done at your own speed, as you are led through the house by a trail of red lights – pretty much the only illumination in the attraction.

At this memorable destination, you will be scared at many points along the way, plus you’ll find that changes are made regularly so you can visit often. If, however, the family chickens out and can’t quite complete the experience, there is no need to feel deflated. Nightmares Fear Factory actually boasts about the fact that more than 140,000 people have chickened out at some point along the way since the haunted house opened!

Niagara SkyWheel

Another top attraction in the Niagara region that is suitable for all ages is the Niagara SkyWheel, on the Canadian side of the falls in Clifton Hill. This approximately 15-minute experience takes passengers 175-feet high, and is the largest observation wheel in Canada.

Ride the SkyWheel and you will enjoy a beautiful birds-eye view of Niagara Falls and the surrounding area and, if you visit around dusk or later, you can also take in the Falls Illumination show when the water lights up in the colors of the rainbow, and the city skyline sparkles.

Each SkyWheel journey includes at least four rotations on the Ferris wheel, and families can ride together in their own gondola. If you’re a keen photographer, you’ll surely love the opportunity provided by the SkyWheel too. When up in the air you can take snaps of the falls from a new angle that captures both the Horseshoe and American Falls at one time; plus you can get to see for miles in every direction.

 

For most families, a vacation is a time for the kids to have fun, run around, and get into playful mischief. Even though the parents will get plenty of enjoyment out of it, most of the time it’s the children who reign supreme. But what if your kids are all grown up, or with a babysitter? Well, buy those motorcycle tires for sale and come along with us for some adventure, parental style.

Take Your Bikes for a Spin

Unfortunately, it can be tough to be a motorcycle enthusiast and a parent, as most little children are not safe riding on the back of a hog. It’s not impossible, but that means that usually you have to take the car instead of your bike. However, when the kids are gone, you and your partner can strap on some Yamaha parts, put on your best motorcycle gear, and hit the road in style. Whether it’s a quick jaunt down the highway or a multi-day trip, nothing compares to seeing the world on your bike.

Whitewater Rafting

If you’ve never set foot on a raging river, then you have not known true adventure. If you’re new to the sport, start off with something easy like a level two, then work your way up. Also, be sure to go in a group so that you don’t have to battle the rapids by yourselves. The best thing about rafting along the river is that you can relax and crack open some beers while you drift on to the next stop.

Hang Gliding

So far, we’ve covered the open road and the water, but when it comes to adventure, feeling the wind beneath you is an exceptional experience that cannot be replicated. Hang gliding is a feeling of freedom as you gently sail down to the ground. Again, be sure to use all of the proper safety equipment and start with a professional, but no matter how you slice it, hang gliding is a ton of fun.

While having a vacation with the kids is fun and all, it is nice to get out and see the world on your own. Whether it’s putting new motorcycle tires for sale on your ride or flying through the air, adventure is waiting around the corner.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Ocala/Marion County VCB for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.

Whether you are a new couple or have been together for 50-years, it is always nice to spend time together just the two of you. Not only is it important for couples to take the time to rekindle their romance, but spending time away from the everyday stresses of life is healthy for your relationship. If you want a place to celebrate your relationship and enjoy yourself, spend Valentine’s Day in Ocala/Marion County, Florida this year! Here are some great places to go during your romantic Florida Travel :

Enjoy Romantic Ocala/Marion County Lodging

Ocala/Marion County has lodging that can accommodate any experience you may want to have with your loved one. With great hotels, bed and breakfasts, and cabins, you can make your romantic getaway fit both you and your loved one. Here are some of the top rated romantic Ocala/Marion County Lodging

1. Angler’s Resort Motel: Enjoy a beautiful scenic atmosphere on the Withlacoochee River. With kitchenettes, a Tiki bar, a relaxing atmosphere, live music and good times, Angler’s Resort Motel is the perfect place to spend a weekend getaway or Valentine’s Day.
2. WoodSpring Suites Ocala: This lovely home away from home makes the perfect extended stay. With a full kitchen, stove, and full-size refrigerator, you have the comfort of your home away from daily stresses. Not only is it a romantic getaway, but you can get this amazing suite starting at $179 per night.
3. Shamrock Thistle & Crown Bed and Breakfast: This 3-story Victorian Bed and Breakfast is the perfect romantic getaway. With fireplaces, a hot tub, solar heated pool, and whirlpool suites, you can have a whole vacation full of romantic bliss. Not to mention fresh, hot breakfast neither of you cooks.
4. Horseshoe Lake Park and Retreat: Retreat to a rustic-style cabin along the banks of Lake Park. Each cabin has a kitchenette fit with a microwave, fridge, and gas stove, living room, dining room, and a crystal view of the lake making it a home away from home.

Take Advantage of the Many Ocala/Marion County Activities

Ocala/Marion County offers a little fun for everyone. With activities and events that fit everyone’s interests and getaway needs, you’ll never want your Valentine’s getaway to end! Take your Valentine on a romantic adventure with Ocala/Marion County Activities they will love!

1. Arts and Culture. If you love to take in the arts and culture, you won’t be disappointed in Ocala/Marion County. Discover the arts at the Ocala Civic Theatre featuring the Marion Ballet theatre, go back in time at the Ocala Drive-in Theatre, or spend the day at the Silver River Museum.
2. Enjoy a Romantic Dinner for two. You can always find a great restaurant that will bring you both closer together in Ocala/Marion County. You will want to try Amrit Palace Indian Restaurant, Ivy House, and La Cuisine French Restaurant for a romantic meal you’ll never forget.
3. Take time to See the Sights. Marion County offers a wide range of sights you won’t get to see anywhere else. Take time to see these musts in Marion County: Painting with a Twist, Picasso’s Pallet, Monkey Junction, Endangered Animals Rescue Sanctuary, and Bubba Raceway Park.
4. See the outdoors. If you don’t mind the cool, crisp air, Ocala/Marion County offers you beautiful scenic outdoor activities, zip lining, canoeing, and so much more.

What are you waiting for? Book your trip to Ocala/Marion County, Florida for a romantic getaway you won’t ever forget!    

Moonlight is a new organizational app that helps families explore the great outdoors without worrying about logistics.

Most moms know that planning a camping trip for a whole family can quickly change from a fun, carefree event to a stressful, logistical nightmare.  From juggling the reservation information to figuring out who’s responsible for bringing what, camping sometimes seems like more trouble than it’s worth. That’s why Active Network, LLC created the Moonlight app.

Active Network, LLC, has just launched their Moonlight app for iPhones. Moonlight is a social-based app that aims to help families and adventurers coordinate their outdoor trips.  Whether you’re headed out for a day at the lake or a week under the stars, let Moonlight help you plan your summer getaway.

Moonlight covers all the bases of trip planning.  Active Network’s partnership with ReserveAmerica lets you sync and share your reservation information with all the members of your trip, ensuring that everyone ends up in the same place at the right time.

“We are excited about the release of our new app, Moonlight. We saw a need in the market to deliver this technology using our unique positioning as the largest provider of campground reservations through ReserveAmerica®.  We are already working on exciting new features to be released in the coming months,” says Greg Ingino CIO and Head of Commerce.

More than just a reservation coordinator, Moonlight also includes a comprehensive checklist feature that allows you to divide up campsite responsibilities, pre-trip shopping lists, and assign packing duties.  After you decide what needs to be done, Moonlight lets the user divvy up responsibilities by sharing and exporting the lists. You can even assign tasks to certain people, to make sure everyone does their part! By splitting up preparation tasks, campsite jobs and grocery shopping, Moonlight makes sure nothing will get forgotten, and no one gets stuck with all the errands!

Moonlight is available for free from the App Store, but users can upgrade to the ad-free, pro version of the app for just $5.99/year.  The upgraded app also includes a database of delicious, expert-approved campfire recipes, a resource to find activities, and an improved app experience without ads.  In the future, Moonlight will include insider secrets about destinations and geo-notification technology!

When planning is this easy, there’s nothing stopping your family from exploring the great outdoors!

 

Known to many as the “Las Vegas of the East”, Macau is a city full of lights and excitement. Situated on the western banks of the Pearl River Delta less than 70 km from Hong Kong, the autonomous territory is not only one of the most densely populated cities in the world but also one of the richest. Exciting discoveries can be made around every corner, which is why it’s no big surprise that Macau has recently become a popular tourist destination for many people around the world. This exciting place has something to offer for everyone. We’ll show you which attractions you definitely shouldn’t miss on your trip.

Senado Square

This beautiful town square will leave you speechless. It’s paved with wave-patterned Portuguese mosaic and in its centre sits an elegant fountain. Take your time to look around and enjoy the splendour of the European-style buildings surrounding you – it’ll be hard to believe that you’re actually in Asia. Senado Square is a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site and from here it’s easy to reach many of Macau’s other attractions, including St. Dominic’s Church and the ruins of St. Paul. You’ll also have no problems finding good restaurants in the area.

Ruins of St. Paul

If you come to Macau without visiting the ruins of St. Paul, then you haven’t really been to Macau. They are the most visited attraction in the city and its most treasured icon. The facade and stairs are all that remain of the early-17th-century church. The former Jesuit church was Asia’s greatest monument to Christianity and even today the fusion of architectural styles show Macau’s interesting duality. It’s a busy place, but it has its own unique atmosphere that is not to be missed. In the evenings ,/the ruins are beautifully lit, so it’s worth visiting them during the day and at night.

 

A-Ma Temple

Built in 1488, A-Ma Temple is the oldest and most famous Taoist temple in Macau. It’s also said that when the first Portuguese sailors arrived here, the locals would only reply with “A-Ma-Gau” (Bay of Goddess A-Ma) thus giving Macau its current name. This is a quieter part of Macau with a rich history and some stunning views, so it’s well worth a visit.

Venetian Macau

When in Rome… or Macau for that matter, you don’t want to miss out on visiting the largest casino in the entire world. The Venetian Macau is a huge entertainment complex on Cotai Strip. Here you’ll find everything you could ever wish for. All of its 3,000 rooms are luxuriously decorated, have Italian marble bathrooms and offer guests over 70 sqm of space. You can shop in one of over 350 exclusive shops, take a ride in a real Venetian gondola or watch one of the great shows.

If you’re interested in luxury, history, shopping, relaxation or a little bit of everything, then Macau is the place for you. This place has everything you could wish for, so it’s not hard to see why it’s getting more and more choose to visit it.