Honolulu with Kids

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure.
Please see my suggested resources.

August 9, 2017 By Jennifer Lambert 32 Comments

Attractions in Honolulu, Hawai’i for families are plenty!

Honolulu is the Hawaii state capital and of course, there are lots of fun things to do in the big city!

Honolulu Zoo
Waikiki Aquarium
Discovery Center Children’s Museum
Pearl Harbor
Pacific Aviation Museum
Diamond Head
Ko’olina
Bishop Museum
Friday Night Fireworks on Waikiki Beach (FREE)
Lili’uokalani Botanical Garden (FREE)

Be sure to check out:
Hawaii Activities
Non-profit Sustainable Tours
Reef Safe Advocacy

Honolulu Zoo

This is a nice zoo with mammal, birds, and reptiles. There are also lovely gardens to enjoy.

There’s a great children’s area with a petting zoo and playground.

We loved the exhibits you can climb inside for closer looks!

General Admission
$14.00 – Adult 13+
$6.00 – Children 3-12 yrs.

Kama’aina/U.S. military*
$8.00 – Adult 13+
$4.00 – Children 3-12 yrs.
* I.D. required for kama’aina/U.S. military rates.
FREE – Children 2 and under

Waikiki Aquarium

A lovely Hawaiian aquarium with coral life, monk seals, aquaculture, seahorses, and jellyfish.

We loved viewing the shallow aquariums and experiencing the touch pools.

General Admission
$12.00 – Adult 13+
$5.00 – Children 4-12 yrs.

Kama’aina/U.S. military*
$8.00 – Adult 13+
* I.D. required for kama’aina/U.S. military rates.
FREE – Children 3 and under

Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center

A fun children’s museum featuring the temporary special exhibits and permanent exhibits like the human body, busy town, world cultures, farming, rainforest, and Hawaiian habitats.

General Admission
$12.00

Kama’aina/U.S. military*
$10.00
* I.D. required for kama’aina/U.S. military rates.
FREE – Children under 1

Friday Night Fireworks in Waikiki!

Every Friday night around 8 PM, Hawaiian Hilton Village sets off a fireworks show – and it’s FREE! It’s great to plan a picnic, watch the sunset, and then view the fireworks!

Lili’uokalani Botanical Garden

Portions of this garden were once the property and favorite picnic grounds of Queen Lili`uokalani, the last reigning monarch of Hawaii. She later donated her land to the City and County of Honolulu to be used for the public’s enjoyment. This developing garden is devoted to native Hawaiian plants. It’s FREE!

Diamond Head

This is a great hike with gorgeous views!

$5.00 per car or $1 per person for pedestrians. CASH ONLY. NO PETS.

The 0.8 mile hike from trailhead to the summit is steep and strenuous, gaining 560 feet as it ascends from the crater floor. It was hard for us with little ones!

Pearl Harbor Historic Sites and Memorials

USS Arizona Memorial
Battleship Missouri Memorial
USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park

Kids have to be over 8 years old to go on tours, but most of the smaller memorials are accessible to military ID holders.

We took my parents on the private tour of the USS Arizona for military members and it was something we’ll never forget!

Pacific Aviation Museum

Over 70 years of Pacific aviation history. Full access to 50+ aircraft and all exhibits, including WWII Hangars 37 & 79, MiG Alley, historical videos, the Museum Store, Laniakea Café and the award winning Pearl Harbor documentary East Wind, Rain.

General Admission
Adult: $25
Child (Ages 4-12): $12
Kama’aina & Military Admission
Adults: $15
Child(Ages 4-12): $10
FREE – Children under 4

My daughter is a history buff and went to a Tuskegee Airman presentation and book signing.

Bishop Museum

Hawaiian cultural heritage and natural history, a planetarium and science museum.

We also loved the Farm Festival in July.

General Admission
Adult: $22.95
Child, ages 4-12: $14.95

Kama’aina/Military Admission
Adult: $14.95
Child: $10.95
FREE – Children under 3

Ko’olina

Kapolei has great quite lagoons and kid-friendly beaches. It’s just a short drive from Honolulu.

Whale watching is another great activity in this area. We saw honu, dolphins, a few spouts, and some fins.

Ko’Olina is a romantic location for couples to stay or dine or visit. The marina offers lots of options for fishing, snorkeling, and whale watching. Ko’Olina also has the Aulani Disney Spa and Resort now.

The area around Honolulu offers so much for families!

We loved living on Oahu for three years, exploring most of what the island had to offer. Some things we didn’t get to see or do since we had very little children. We’d love to go back!

We also traveled to Mau’i, Kaua’i, Ni’ihau, and The Big Island.

Booking.com

Pin155

155 Shares

You might also like:

North Shore with Kids

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure.
Please see my suggested resources.

August 2, 2017 By Jennifer Lambert Leave a Comment

North Shore Attractions

The beaches on the North Shore are best for families to visit during summer months. The waves get huge mid-November through March and host the famous Triple Crown of Surfing Championships.

There’s TONS to do on the North Shore of Oahu!

Matsumoto’s Shave Ice
Shrimp Trucks
Ted’s Bakery
Haleiwa Joe’s
Uncle Bo’s
Ray’s Chicken
Art Galleries
Surf Shops
Puʻu o Mahuka Heiau State Monument

Be sure to check out:
Hawaii Activities
Non-profit Sustainable Tours
Reef Safe Advocacy

There are several pretty and safe beach spots for kids!

We loved visiting new beaches year-round.

Waimea Beach and Nature Park
Turtle Beach – great for honu viewing!
Sharks Cove – great for snorkeling!

Polynesian Cultural Center

It’s an absolute tourist trap, but a must-do! We all loved it.

Kids receive a “Passport to Polynesia” booklet which includes:

Spaces to collect stamps from each island village to show they completed the games or activities
A schedule of the day’s activities geared toward the family experience
Space to write down the greetings for each island
A fun illustration and the name of each island’s games or activities to help the keiki remember it when they return home.

We learned about all the Polynesian Islands. Each island exhibit showcases games, dances, costumes, art, and more about that island’s culture.

General Admission
Adult: $59.95
Child: $47.96
Under 4 FREE

Ali’i Luau and General Admission Package
Adult: $114.95
Child: $91.96
Under 4 FREE

The canoe parade showcasing each island with its representatives dancing in traditional dress was stunning.

We had great seats for the show.

We gorged ourselves at the Ali’i Luau Buffet & Dinner Show.

Dole Plantation

Originally operated as a fruit stand beginning in 1950, Dole Plantation opened to the public as Hawaii’s “Pineapple Experience” in 1989.

The Gardens are lovely. The Maze is fun. The Pineapple Express Train Tour is not to be missed!

Combo tickets for all three tours (best deal):
Adult 22.00
Child $18.00
Kama‘aina/Military $20.00

The North Shore of Oahu is a must-see!

We loved living on Oahu for three years, exploring most of what the island had to offer. Some things we didn’t get to see or do since we had very little children. We’d love to go back!

We also traveled to Mau’i, Kaua’i, Ni’ihau, and The Big Island.

Booking.com

Linking up:

Pin9

9 Shares

You might also like:

Kaneohe with Kids

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure.
Please see my suggested resources.

July 26, 2017 By Jennifer Lambert Leave a Comment

We lived in Hawai’i for three glorious years. We loved learning about the culture and history. We enjoyed the food and traveling all over the islands!

Attractions in Kaneohe: The Windward Coast

Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden
Bellows Air Force Station
Sea Life Park
Hanauma Bay
Kualoa Ranch – Lots of movies and shows filmed there like Jurassic Park, Pearl Harbor, Lost, and Hawaii Five-O. There are ATV tours.
Kane’one Sandbar

Be sure to check out:
Hawaii Activities
Non-profit Sustainable Tours
Reef Safe Advocacy

Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden

This was one of our favorite places!

Ducks and flowers are exciting.

Waimānalo Beach at Bellows AF Station

117 recreational lodging rentals: cabins, condos, camp cabins, campsites, and RV sites. Rent equipment or take classes at Turtle Cove.

We loved just going to pretty tree-lined beach. The surf sometimes got a little rough and the lifeguard would warn us about the children getting knocked over by the waves.

Sea Life Park

This is the ocean park shown in the movie 50 First Dates with Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore.

You can opt for encounters with dolphins, sharks, sea lions, rays, and more!

Admission
$39.99 (13 and older)
$24.99 (3-12 years)
FREE – Children under 2

The Windward Coast near Kaneohe offers so much for families.

We loved living on Oahu for three years, exploring most of what the island had to offer. Some things we didn’t get to see or do since we had very little children. We’d love to go back!

We also traveled to Mau’i, Kaua’i, Ni’ihau, and The Big Island.

Booking.com

Linking up:

Pin16

16 Shares

You might also like:

Our Ni’ihau Day Trip

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure.
Please see my suggested resources.

April 4, 2017 By Jennifer Lambert Leave a Comment

In March 2009, Aaron and I spent a 3-day weekend in Kaua’i.

The Hawaii ITT trip was an all-inclusive (plane, hotel, rental car, meals) and Ni’ihau helicopter tour!

I don’t remember it costing more than $500 for all of it. It was an amazing weekend, the two us, alone. We’ve never had a weekend alone, before or since.

The helicopter tour was about 30 minutes from Kaua’i to Ni’ihau. Then we had a couple hours to explore, ate a picnic lunch, and flew back to Kaua’i.

About Ni’ihau:

Keith Robinson and his brother, Bruce, own the approximately 70-square-mile island of Ni’ihau in the Hawaiian island chain, which has been in the private possession of their family since their great-great-grandmother, Elizabeth McHutchinson Sinclair (1800–92), purchased it from King Kamehameha V for US$10,000 in gold. He is also the manager of a private botanical garden on the Hawaiian island of Kauaʻi. Robinson makes his home on Kaua’i, but visits Ni’ihau at least once per week on average.

We flew in the helicopter from Kaua’i to Ni’ihau.

I’d never been in a helicopter before!

We zoomed all around the island…saw whales near the surface, the lovely Lehua Crater, and wild horses!

I love how all the Hawaiian islands have their own interesting and original landscape.

We landed and were given our instructions.

We had only a couple hours to explore. It was chilly and rainy.

As soon as we landed, I rushed over to see the beach!

The water was pretty chilly.

There were seals sunning themselves and a couple turtles bobbing in the waves.

We walked along the beach, exploring and gathering shells.

The shells on Ni’ihau are exquisite and the jewelry made with them are very expensive.

Common colors are ke‘oke‘o (white), ‘ākala (pink), lenalena (yellow), and ‘ōma‘oma‘o (green). Shades of colors are often identified as ‘āhiehie (light) or ikaika (dark). A few other terms include kahakaha (striped), ‘ōnikiniki (spotted), ‘āpu‘upu‘u (bumpy), and even waha ‘ula‘ula (red mouth).

We loved our time on the Forbidden Island of Ni’ihau!

Be sure to check out:
Hawaii Activities
Non-profit Sustainable Tours
Reef Safe Advocacy

Booking.com

Pin15

15 Shares

You might also like:

Our Kaua’i Weekend

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure.
Please see my suggested resources.

April 3, 2017 By Jennifer Lambert 24 Comments

In March 2009, Aaron and I spent a 3-day weekend in Kaua’i.

The Hawaii ITT trip was an all-inclusive (plane, hotel, rental car, meals) and Ni’ihau helicopter tour!

I don’t remember it costing more than $500 for all of it. It was an amazing weekend, the two us, alone. We’ve never had a weekend alone, before or since.

We stayed at the Kaua’i Hilton Beach Resort. It apparently is now an Aqua hotel and not a Hilton property.

We stopped at Fort Elisabeth to get a picture because our eldest daughter is named Elizabeth!

We enjoyed local beer at Brenneke’s Beach Broiler.

We stopped at Kaua’i Coffee Plantation and got a sample.

Chickens are everywhere! Some places, we were scared to get out of the car since they seemed ready to attack.

Monk seals are protected. In Hawaiian, they are known as Ilio-holo-i-ka-uaua, or “dog that runs in rough water.” You can see the rope on the sand to keep people from getting too close. It’s illegal to get closer than 50 yards to a monk seal or sea turtle.

Turtles were swimming near the rocky beach!

Another was sunning on the beach.

All sea turtles in Hawaii are protected by both State and Federal Law! It is illegal to kill, capture, touch or harass sea turtles. Fines can be as high as $25,000 and may include a year in prison.

There’s a place to pull over and park to view Spouting Horn, a rock and wave phenomenon that is quite lovely.

We enjoying seeing famous Wailua Falls!

Waimea Canyon was misty when we first got there, but then it cleared up for a picture!

We loved seeing Kaua’i. It was a special time without the kids!

Be sure to check out:
Hawaii Activities
Non-profit Sustainable Tours
Reef Safe Advocacy

Booking.com

Pin20

20 Shares

You might also like:

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure.
Please see my suggested resources.

September 29, 2016 By Jennifer Lambert Leave a Comment

We visited the Big Island of Hawaii for Elizabeth’s 9th birthday in October 2009. I was pregnant with Alex at the time.

It’s a quick and cheap hop over from the island of Oahu on Hawaiian Airlines. We lived in Honolulu for three glorious years.

We actually stayed inside Volcanoes National Park.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a very educational family trip with so many activities for everyone.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Family Trip

There are two campgrounds and lodge.

We stayed in an amazing 3 Bedroom Cottage with Kitchen & Jetted Tub at Kilauea Military Camp.

Here is where a newer lava flow meets an older lava flow.

On Steaming Bluff, overlooking the caldera.

Walking past Steam Vents. It was ethereal and made the forest look misty and magical.

We loved seeing the vibrant and stunning flowers that grow nowhere else in the world!

Aaron and Liz walked along the Sulphur Banks Trail (Ha‘akulamanu). It’s 0.6 mile.

The warning signs said the odor could be hazardous to pregnancy, young children, or anyone with heart or breathing problems, so I took the younger girls to the visitor’s center to wait.

Aaron also took the girls to view the Lava Tube. It was wet and slippery and dark, so I stayed behind for that one.

The rock formations inside the lava tube were very interesting.

As easy hike for kids is Crater Rim Trail to Waldron Ledge. It’s 1 mile.

There are some awesome views!

Our last day, we hiked Devastation Trail. It’s 1 mile.

It is still revitalizing after being buried by cinders from the 1959 Kīlauea Iki fountain eruption.

The kids loved the Jagger Museum.

Liz earned her Junior Ranger badge!

Be sure to check out:
Hawaii Activities
Non-profit Sustainable Tours
Reef Safe Advocacy

Areas of Study at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park:

Botany, Geology, Mythology, History, Ecology, Meteorology, Forestry!

Education Resources:

Volcanoes National Park Junior Ranger Program
Volcanoes National Park Teacher Curriculum Materials
Hawaiian Unit Study from Adventures in Mommydom
Hawaii State Study Notebooking Pages from The Notebooking Nook
State Study Pages Bundle from NotebookingPages
Volcano Unit Study from Stacy Sews and Schools
Volcanoes Lapbook and Unit Study from Homeschool Share
Volcanoes Mini Study from DIY Homeschooler
Volcanoes Unit Study AND Hawaii Unit Study from Homeschool Helper Online
Winterpromise Free Volcano Study
Hawaii Activities from Rose Garden Homeschool
Hawaii State Pack from Enchanted Homeschooling Mom
The Island Below the Star Literature Unit Study from Homeschool Share
Hawaii Unit Study from Craft Knife
Hawaii Printables from EdHelper
Enchanted Learning Hawaii Printables
DLTK Hawaiian Activities and Printables
Education.com Hawaii Resources
Hawaiian Activities from ChildFun
A to Z Kids Stuff Hawaii Facts and Fun

Booking.com

Linking up:

Pin5

5 Shares

You might also like:

Big Island Hawaii with Kids

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure.
Please see my suggested resources.

September 27, 2016 By Jennifer Lambert 30 Comments

We visited the Big Island of Hawaii for Elizabeth’s 9th birthday in October 2009. I was pregnant with Alex at the time.

We stayed in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

It’s a quick and cheap hop over from the island of Oahu on Hawaiian Airlines. We lived in Honolulu for three glorious years.

We included FUN activities for the whole family – parents and little kids (we had a toddler and preschooler) and our older daughter.

Be sure to check out:
Hawaii Activities
Non-profit Sustainable Tours
Reef Safe Advocacy

We hiked ʻAkaka Falls State Park. It’s a circular hike through a jungle. It was super sticky in the rainforest. The waterfall view was so worth it!

We visited the small but lovely Pana’ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens to see Namaste, the white tiger, who has since passed away. They have a lovely monarch butterfly sanctuary.

The gardens were beautiful.

We toured the lovely Japanese-inspired Liliʻuokalani Park and Gardens.

lili%ca%bbuokalani-park-and-gardens-pagoda-bridge

bridge-in-lili%ca%bbuokalani-park-and-gardens

We should have worn swimsuits to play in Rainbow Falls (Waiānuenue). The water is calm with a little sandy bank and there’s always a rainbow to be seen!

The black sand at Punaluʻu Beach was lovely for pictures in white dresses.

The best kid beach we found was Kahalu`u Beach Park. Great little sandy beach area and tidepools for exploring. Perfect to view the sunset.

Visiting Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park was like traveling back in time.

Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park preserves the site where Hawaiians who broke kapu (one of the ancient laws) could avoid death by fleeing to this place of refuge or puʻuhonua. The offender would be absolved by a priest and freed to leave. Defeated warriors and non-combatants could also find refuge here during times of battle. The grounds just outside the Great Wall that encloses the puʻuhonua were home to several generations of powerful chiefs.

The 420-acre site was originally established in 1955 as City of Refuge National Historical Park, but was renamed on November 10, 1978. It includes the puʻuhonua and a complex of archeological sites including: temple platforms, royal fishponds, sledding tracks, and some coastal village sites. The Hale o Keawe temple and several thatched structures have been reconstructed.
The park contains a reconstruction of the Hale O Keawe heiau, which was originally built by Kona chief Kanuha in honor of his father, King Keaweʻīkekahialiʻiokamoku. After the death of Keaweʻīkekahialiʻiokamoku, his bones were entombed within the heiau. The nobility (ali’i) of Kona continued to be buried until the abolition of the kapu system. The last person buried here was a son of Kamehameha I in 1818.

pu%ca%bbuhonua-o-honaunau-national-historical-park-tiki

We were disappointed in the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory. No tours, just looking through the window and there’s a gift shop with samples.

We wasted a drive to the South Point to snap a photo of the plaque. It looked like a desert and only a portable potty.

But don’t miss a trip to the Punalu’u Bake Shop!

We only viewed the Captain Cook Monument across Kealakekua Bay.

Although there are theories that Spanish or Dutch sailors might have stopped here much earlier, the first documented European to arrive was Captain James Cook. He and his crews on the Resolution and Discovery sighted Kealakekua Bay on the morning of January 17, 1779. He estimated several thousand people lived in the two villages. On January 28, he performed the first Christian service on the islands, for the funeral of a crew member who had died.
Cook had entered the bay during Makahiki. This was a traditionally peaceful time of year, so he and his men were welcomed and given food. Cook and his crew stayed for several weeks, returning to sea shortly after the end of the festival. After suffering damage during a storm, the ships returned two weeks later, on February 14. This time relations were not as smooth.
After the theft of one of Resolution’s small boats by a local native Hawaiian, Cook attempted to lure Hawaiian chief Kalaniʻōpuʻu aboard to hold as hostage until the boat was returned. A skirmish ensued during which Cook was killed, near the spot where he had first set foot on the island.

The monument can be accessed by a 1-hour hike from the road or by crossing the bay by boat.

Where we ate:

I cannot express how much we loved eating at Merriman’s. They also have locations on Maui and Kauai!

Ken’s House of Pancakes is great for breakfast or brunch. We took Liz for her birthday breakfast.

Hilo Fish Company is a lovely restaurant for seafood.

We did not enjoy touristy and commercialized Kona, but we stopped at Kona Brewing Company for my husband to try their beer. Since I was pregnant, I didn’t get any!

The Big Island of Hawaii has so much to offer everyone – history, lovely gardens, great food, and natural wonders.

Education Resources:

Volcanoes National Park Junior Ranger Program
Volcanoes National Park Teacher Curriculum Materials
Hawaiian Unit Study from Adventures in Mommydom
Hawaii State Study Notebooking Pages from The Notebooking Nook
State Study Pages Bundle from NotebookingPages
Volcano Unit Study from Stacy Sews and Schools
Volcanoes Lapbook and Unit Study from Homeschool Share
Volcanoes Mini Study from DIY Homeschooler
Volcanoes Unit Study AND Hawaii Unit Study from Homeschool Helper Online
Winterpromise Free Volcano Study
Hawaii Activities from Rose Garden Homeschool
Hawaii State Pack from Enchanted Homeschooling Mom
The Island Below the Star Literature Unit Study from Homeschool Share
Hawaii Unit Study from Craft Knife
Hawaii Printables from EdHelper
Enchanted Learning Hawaii Printables
DLTK Hawaiian Activities and Printables
Education.com Hawaii Resources
Hawaiian Activities from ChildFun
A to Z Kids Stuff Hawaii Facts and Fun

Pin169

169 Shares

You might also like:

Yellowstone National Park

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure.
Please see my suggested resources.

September 8, 2016 By Jennifer Lambert 23 Comments

Since we were stationed in Utah, I couldn’t let up the opportunity to visit Yellowstone pass us by.

It was a little daunting to plan a long road trip with little ones, but they did great!

We all agree it’s our favorite trip in the USA so far.

We visited Yellowstone National Park over several days to see everything.

The park is essentially two big loops and we did a section each day.

We stayed at Colter Bay Cabins in Grand Teton National Park which was awesome and nearby.

We ate a lovely breakfast buffet each morning at The Ranch House Restaurant then drove into Yellowstone Park to see the sites and picnic, but we came back to Colter Bay each evening to grill dinner and play at the rocky beach.

We entered at the South Entrance.

There were forest fires, and we had to check on road closures each day.

We saw the remains of trees. We learned that forest fires are healthy for the forest since many cones won’t open without the heat. The ash replenishes the soil and new growth is already seen!

It was desolate, but beauty from ashes!

The only stretch we didn’t get to make it to due to the fires were from Canyon Village to the Fishing Bridge.

I splurged and bought Tori and Katie these lovely scavenger hunt cards and notebooks for our car rides.

It was pretty exciting to see the Continental Divide.

Day 1: Old Faithful

There is a ton of stuff to do at the Old Faithful Geyser area.

Educational backpacks for kids to check out with thermometers, drawing tools, and all sorts of fun stuff.

Boardwalks to walk around to view all the other fun geysers and hot pools.

A great little museum where kids can learn and explore and earn a Junior Ranger badge.

We watched Old Faithful about three times. It was so fun and fascinating.

The best part?!

Our son had been toilet training and was *this close* to having everything just click right into place. He refused to wear diapers or pullups anymore, so accidents were horrendous and messy and we were traveling and worried about all that. A lot.

When he told me he had to go, I took his hand to lead him to the single toilet bathroom in the visitor’s center. The girls were reading signs in the little museum and Aaron was at the viewing window.

He didn’t want me inside with him, so I waited right at the door.

A few minutes later, he opened the door a crack. He was so proud.

We flushed and washed. I told him to go tell his dad.

My favorite memory of Yellowstone is my son running through the Old Faithful Visitor’s Center towards his dad, yelling, “I pooped! I pooped! I POOPED!” while all the French people and Asians stared at him like he was being abducted.

Then we got to see Old Faithful again.

We had a lunch picnic outside the gift shop at Old Faithful.

Then we got some ice cream at the shop and sat on a bench to rest. And watched Old Faithful again.

Day 2: Geysers and Gibbon Falls

These elk crossed our paths and were so close we could almost pet them. But we didn’t. We were so good.

We stopped at Madison for a picnic lunch and break.

Norris was probably our least favorite location. We didn’t even complete the trail before we headed back to the car.

When driving, you have to watch out for the animals!

This big guy stopped traffic:

Day 3: Mammoth Hot Springs

Historic Fort Yellowstone is near Mammoth Hot Springs. There’s a little museum and lots of shops and restaurants.

We drove from Mammoth to Canyon. It’s a beautiful landscape.

From the car, we saw lots of deer and antelope.

Deer were frolicking and foraging by the roadside.

Day 4: Canyon Village, Yellowstone Falls, and West Thumb

Liz completed the Junior Ranger program at every center in the park. The hardest one was at Canyon Village.

We saw a baby bear! Lots of stupid people had pulled over and were out of their cars, chasing it with cameras. We slowed down and I snapped this out the window. We left before Mama Bear appeared.

The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and the Falls were lovely.

West Thumb was our last stop at Yellowstone.

The geysers, hot springs, and colorful pools are always amazing.

Yellowstone tips:

Clothing layers and good walking shoes. The weather changes quickly. It’s cool in mornings and evenings, but warms up during the day. It’s very bright if the sun shines, so sunglasses and hats are good to bring.

We ate picnic lunches every day to save money. And it was easier to have a cooler of healthy foods and snacks with us. We could stop whenever we needed at a picnic site for a break or meal.

Stay on the boardwalks, walking paths, and trails. We didn’t venture away from the safety of these.

Don’t bother animals. Don’t try to touch them or feed them.