CT: Thimble Island Kayaking

Branford, CT Exit 56: What better way to experience Coastal Connecticut waterways than in a kayak. You can paddle through large tidal rivers, smaller freshwater rivers, lakes, & marshes,  and along Long Island Sound’s many beaches and islands; They are made for kayaking.

Kayaks are  easy-to-paddle crafts and  are perfectly suited to quietly explore the area’s tranquil nooks and crannies. You can observe birds and wildlife, and small streams and shallow marshes can easily be navigated. A day on the water, slowly paddling and observing brings you back to nature.
Thimble_Is_sunset

This is about a 2 1/2 hour excursion of easy paddling. Little or no previous experience is required. Basic instruction and environmental explanation is provided by guides certified by the American Canoe Association. Reservations are required.

Location: Stony Creek Dock, Branford
Date & Hours: paddle June – October (check schedule for dates and times and don’t forget to reserve)
Tel: 800-391-3837
paddle@ctcoastalkayaking.com

 

 

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CT: Quinnipiak Schooner

New Haven, CT Exit 46:  Did you ever want to sail on a tall ship? Here’s your chance.

The 91′ Schooner Quinnipiak is the flagship of New Haven and offers afternoon, sunset and specialty sails through the waters of New Haven Harbor and the Long Island Sound.

With a daily public sail schedule you can join the captain & crew of the Schooner Quinnipiack on one of many  2-hour excursions to choose from.

Whether a Sunset Cruise,  Brunch Sail, Harbor TourHarbor Science Sail, a good time is had by all.schooner

For a  fun family experience, try the Family Pirate Sail, where  you and your child can sail away on an exciting adventure with the ships pirates,  enjoying games, sail raising, treasure map making, tattoos and pirate costumes are encouraged. Best of all, everyone leaves with a treasure bag.

Location: Long Wharf Pier, 389 Long Wharf Drive, New Haven
Dates: May 11- Sept 30
Hours :Daily 9am -10 pm –  please check schedule for days/times and availability of each excursion.
Tel: 203-535-2016 or 203-865-1735
http://schoonerinc.org/public-sails.html

 

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FL: Eco-Shrimping Tours

FL , exit 373 : This 2 hour Eco- Shrimping Tour lead by a  group of marine biologists, will allows nature enthusiasts to experience the operation of the Otter Trawl shrimp net much like the nets used in the commercial shrimp industry today. Passengers will be actively involved in the process of deploying and retrieving the net, as well as viewing the catch as it is displayed in an on board aquarium. Each of the creatures will be identified and then released back into the wild. The tours include the wilderness setting that surrounds Amelia Island encompassing Cumberland Island National Seashore, the Tiger Islands and Tiger Basin, and the Fort Clinch Aquatic Preserve.

The tour offers many opportunities to spot wildlife including dolphins that are giving birth, manatees that migrate from the springs in central Florida into the salt water to mate and give birth. Sea turtles visit and nest on the sandy shores and an abundance of shore birds are always seen wading along the shore and feeding. The tours are interactive, educational and fun for passengers of all ages.

Location: Amelia River Cruises, 1 North Front St., Fernandina Beach
Date: June 10 – August 17
Hours: Mon- Sat  departing for 2 hours at  at 10 am
Tel: 904-261-9972
www.ameliarivercruises.com

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PA: Hear Sauerkraut Band at Kutztown Folk Festival

PA : Good old-fashioned summer fun and nonstop entertainment happens all day at the 64th Annual Kutztown Folk Festival.  It’s the oldest folk  festival in America, priding itself in celebrating the Pennsylvania Dutch Culture.

With activities and interests geared towards the entire family, this nine day festival has something for everyone to enjoy. Demonstrations of traditional crafts, folklife, historical reenactments, antiques, traditional music, and dancing run non-stop. Visit the largest Quilt Sale in the Nation, featuring over 2,000 American made quilts. Watch square dancing, catch a comedy show or enjoy the sounds of  a strolling Sauerkraut Band, continuous entertainment on 5 stages everyday and  the best Pennsylvania Dutch food and treats to be had anywhere.

Children can enjoy hands-on adventures;  Noah’s World animal park, hay mazes, do-it-yourself mural paintings, rides, and their own children’s stage makiing this Festival a memorable  family experience. Pets are welcome on a leash.

Location: Kutztown Fairgrounds, 225 N, White Oaks, PA
Date & Hours : June 29 – July 7: 9-6
Tel: 888-674-6136
www.kutztownfestival.com

 

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MD: New Visitor Center Opens at Exit 38, Savage Mills

MD Exit 38: Howard County will open a new Visitor Center at Historic Savage Mill, in Savage, Maryland. The new center highlights the story of Commodore Joshua Barney, local hero of the War of 1812, and opens on his birthday, July 6th. This strategic location will link the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail between Washington, DC and Baltimore while honoring Barney near his home. Visitors will be offered an engaging opportunity to meet the Commodore as portrayed by living historian Myron Peterson and learn about the Commodore’s life and role in the Chesapeake Campaign of 1813-1814.

Historic Savage Mill, an 18th century textile mill on the National Register of Historic Places, produced canvas that supplied sailors and soldiers for nearly 150 years. Now, fully restored, the Mill offers visitors shopping, dining, art galleries, outdoor adventures and more, all within a beautiful, historical setting. The first 50 guests to the Center can enjoy red, white and blue cupcakes and be entered to win Howard County goodies.

Location: 8600 Foundry St, Savage, (New Weave Building in the Food Court area)
Date & Time:  Commodore Barney’s portrayal July 6, Sat 12-1 pm only, visitor center open Sat & Sun 12-5
www. visithowardcounty.com

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FL: Space Shuttle Atlantis Finds a Home

FL Exit 212: Space shuttle Atlantis will be unveiled at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on June 29 for its new mission ­to inspire those who visit it; It will be on permanent display. The Space Coast will be one of only four destinations worldwide where visitors will be able to view an orbiter and one of only three destinations where visitors will be able to view one that traveled to space.

Space shuttle Atlantis made NASA’s historic final launch, completing the 30-year shuttle program. Atlantis will be housed in a brand new $100 million interactive exhibit complex. The shuttle is dramatically showcased as if it were in orbit – as only astronauts have had a chance to see it – departing from the International Space Station.

Rocket Launches – Though the Shuttle program has ended, visitors can still catch sight of unmanned rockets that continue to launch from Kennedy Space Center. Visit www.spacecoastlaunches.com to learn about upcoming rocket launches.

Location: Kennedy Space Center
Date and Time:  Starting June 29, 2013
Hours: Daily 9-5
Tel:  321-449-4444
www.kennedyspacecenter.com

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MD: Sip, Shiver and Stroll in Ellicott City

MD: Exit 43 – Not for the faint of heart. On one special evening, for one inclusive price, brave visitors can embark on at route to stroll 18th century streets and enter some of historic Ellicott City’s most haunted pubs, taverns and shops. They  will meet costumed interpreters who will share chilling stories from the Spirits of Ellicott City tasting tour. Each stop includes spirited Maryland Wine tastings and locally inspired appetizer-style food. You can purchase additional food and beverages before, during or after the event.

Additionally, you will receive a “Bag -o- Booty” with gifts, local information and dining shopping and valuable saving incentives at area restaurants, shops and entertainment. Each Sip, Shiver & Stroll participant will also receive a complimentary ticket to Ye Haunted History of Olde Ellicott City Ghost Tour to be used at a future date.

Location:  Howard County Maryland Welcome Center, 8267 Main Street, Historic Ellicott City.
Date and Time: Wed, June 19: 5–8pm
Tel: 410-313-1900 for reservations or online
www.visithowardcounty.com
Cost: $50 per person, must be over 21, ticket price includes: 4, 3oz wine tastings, appetizer-style food at 4 participating locations, historical interpretation and a “Bag-o-Booty”.

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NC: Barrel Racing Finals

NC Exit 13, Lumberton, NC -Southeastern Agricultural Events Center will host the Five Star Barrel Racing Association barrel show on Saturday June 15.

For those not familiar with barrel racing, the horse and rider enter the arena, follow a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels, then dash across the finish line where time is the determining factor.

The  show begins with exhibitions for horses and riders, followed by a Pee Wee class which consists of riders from ages one to ten years of age. There is also a youth barrel race and an open barrel race for any age rider.

The exhibitions begin at 8am until 10:30am.  Finals for the barrel race will begin at 11:00 am.

Location: Southeastern Agricultural Events Center
1027 US Highway 74 East Lumberton NC
Tel:  843-672-4180
Date and Time: Sat June 15  starting at 8 am, finals at 11am
Cost: $3 for spectators

www.fivestarbarrelracing.com
barrelracing

 

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FL – Free Day at Re-Named Science Museum

FL Exit 68:  The South Florida Science Center and Aquarium has just been re-named so it is having a party on June 7th when admission will be free all day. The building may look small, but it is hugely interactive, so travelers of all ages will enjoy playing here. You can feel the density of solids, see how guitar strings vibrate, try out the frozen shadows room (loved that!), learn to write in hieroglyphics or check out Dr. Saul Rotter’s butterfly collection.

Adults were all lined up playing the wall of brain teasers (balance nails, color match) and little ones were in the microscope room. If you’ve ever wanted to see one, there’s a mammoth tusk and a 3,000-year-old child mummy.

The planetarium offers 5 daily shows, and in the aquarium you can find genetically altered fish which fluoresce under UV light in the presence of toxins in the water. There’s Subway for lunch. Outside there’s an interactive garden with echo tubes, whisper dishes, mini-golf and a butterfly area.

Location: 4801 Dreher Trail N. in Dreher Park, Palm Beach, FL
Hours: M-F 10-5, Sat 10-6, Sun 12-6
Free Day: June 7
Tel: 561-832-1988
www.sfsm.org or www.sfsciencecenter.org

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NC – Clydedales Horses Visit Airborne Museum May 25

NC Exit 46: At the Airborne & Special Operations Museum  in Fayetteville, NC, the world famous Clydesdale horse will be visiting on May 25th from 11-1 pm. These huge horses are known as the “gentle giants”.  Anheuser-Busch will present the eight-horse Budweiser Clydesdale hitch allowing photo opportunities in front of the museum.

Also in front of the museum, is the original Iron Mike statue. He  represents all paratroopers in the U.S. Army who are always watching, waiting, and alert.

The museum depicts the legends of those who jump into battle. The impressive 5-story glass walled lobby sets the stage with 2 fully deployed parachutes: a WW II era T-5 round chute and a modern MC-4 square chute. Look for the story of Lieutenant Bill Ryder, leader of the Test Platoon, who on August 16th, 1940 became the first American soldier to jump.

You can walk through a section of a C-47, sit on crates in a WW II Army briefing hut, learn about gliders that landed jeeps and bulldozers, see a famous UH-1 (Huey) helicopter from ‘Nam days and a Desert Storm hide-site.
Another exhibit traces the development of the Special Forces, or “Green Berets”, from the summer of 1952 to Operation Enduring Freedom.

Tel: 910- 643-2779.
Hours: T-Sat 10-5, Sun 12-5
For a cellphone audio tour: 910-216-3040
Date and Time: Sat May 25: 11-1
www.asomf.org

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