Aloha to The Descendants

There are a number of wonderful movies that feature the scenery of Hawaii.  We've listed a number of them in past posts.  But while The Descendants is still in theaters, we encourage you to check it out.  For George Clooney's performance surely.  But also for the setting -- no resorts here, but rather a side of Hawaii that the locals live -- and love.

Books for Kids in and about NYC

The NYC Insider has long been an enthusiastic recommender of books for children that take place in New York City.  Some time ago we posted a list of our favorites, with the thought that young visitors to the city might read one or more of these in preparation for their trip.
This year, several more enticing NYC titles were published that seem worth a look:
Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade written and illustrated by Melissa Sweet
This book's brilliant combination of collage, design, illustration and text tells the story of how a German immigrant named Tony Sarg helped introduce balloons to the Thanksgiving Day parade.
The Carpenter's Gift: A Christmas Tale About the Rockefeller Center Tree written by David Rubel, illustrated by Jim LaMarche
Set in the Great Depression, this is a story about kindness, decency and memory centered around the origins of the famed Rockefeller Center tree.
Subway Story written and illustrated by Julia Sarcone-Roach
Part adventure, part history of NYC's subway system, all charm and fun.
City of Orphans, written by Avi, illustrated by Greg Rush
A NYC "newsie" named Maks Geless fights off gangs and solves a mystery.
The Inquisitor's Apprentice written by Chris Moriarty, illustrated by Mark Edward Geyer
A mixture of mystery and magic.

Quidditch Comes to New York City

The Quidditch World Cup is this weekend on Randall’s Island – all day Saturday and Sunday.  Kid's all-day tickets are $4.99 for one day; adult tickets are around $9.99 – not including finals games on Sunday evening.

While games take place on ten fields, musical and circus entertainers will be performing continuously at the main stage area and scattered throughout the event site. Performances will include over a dozen Wizard Wrock bands, other local NYC bands, Coney Island sideshow performers, fire jugglers, sword swallowers, contortionists, live animals including owls... you name it, they've got it.

Flying with the Family

The New York Times had a great article yesterday about the hassles involved these days in flying on commercial airlines with children:

Are We There Yet?  When Families Fly

For more tips and tricks that will help you navigate travels with your family, see:

Things to Pack When Travelling with Young Children
Important Tip for Traveling with Minors
Kid-Friendly Destinations
Traveling with Children
Airport Activities for Kids
Finding a Family-Friendly Place to Stay

7 Reasons to Love San Francisco

1. Autumn in San Francisco, when the fog finally lifts.
2. Hills, hills, hills -- you can get a good workout just by running a few errands.
3. Gumps - for 150 years, this store has stood as an icon of style, with its mix of beautiful objects from California, the Far East and Europe.
4. San Francisco's eclectic, international flavor.
5. GoCars - snazzy two-seaters that offer a GPS-based tour of the city.
6. The panoramic view from Coit Tower.
7. Golden Gate Park - with over 1,000 acres of greenery and 3 lakes there is lots and lots to explore.