Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Eastern USA for Kids
Dining with Children
The local restaurant industry seems built on family-style service: children are not just ac-
cepted at most places, but are often encouraged by special children's menus with smaller
portions and lower prices. In some restaurants children under a certain age even eat for
free. Restaurants usually provide high chairs and booster seats. Some restaurants may
also offer children crayons and puzzles, and occasionally live performances by cartoon-
like characters.
Restaurants without children's menus don't necessarily discourage kids, though
higher-end restaurants might; even at the nicer places, however, if you show up early
enough (right at dinnertime opening hours, often 5pm or 6pm), you can usually eat
without too much stress - and you'll likely be joined by other foodies with kids. You can
ask if the kitchen will make a smaller order of a dish, or if they will split a normal-size
main dish between two plates for the kids. Chinese, Mexican and Italian restaurants seem
to be the best bet for finicky young eaters.
Farmers markets are growing in popularity in the region, and every sizable town has at
least one a week. This is a good place to assemble a first-rate picnic, sample the local
specialties and support independent growers in the process. After getting your stash, head
to the nearest park or waterfront.
EASTERN LIT FOR KIDS
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Little Women(1868) is Louisa May Alcott's wonderful book about girls growing
up in 19th-century Concord, Massachusetts.
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Henry Wadsworth Longfellow combined history, poetry and suspense in his clas-
sic Paul Revere's Ride(1861).
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Six-year-old Eloise(1955) lives in the Plaza Hotel in NYC, a prime place to launch
into all sorts of mischief.
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Tween sleuths solve a mystery involving ghosts, treasure and Frank Lloyd
Wright's Robie House in Chicago in The Wright 3(2006) by Blue Balliett.
Accommodations
Motels and hotels typically have rooms with two beds, which are ideal for families.
Some also have roll-away beds or cribs that can be brought into the room for an extra
