1000 Things To-Do

Winter is a great time of year to indulge your indoor hobbies. Whether you enjoy reading, visiting museums, indoor skydiving and rock climbing, journaling, movies, or music, there’s something to do in and around Provo for just about everyone.

Museums:
The BYU Museum of Art in Provo is one of the top university museums in the U.S. Located on the BYU campus, the museum has a permanent collection of more than 16,000 pieces with an emphasis on American and religious art. The Springville Museum of Art was the first museum ever built in the state of Utah for the visual arts and houses more than 2,000 original works of art (the majority created by Utah artists), plus one of the largest modern Russian art collections outside of Russia itself. Also take a peak at the Woodbury Art Museum located right in University Mall. Local history buffs may want to check out the Peteetneet Academy and Museum, housed in an historical landmark building in Payson, about 15 minutes south of Provo.

Children’s Activities:
The family-friendly Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum in Provo is home to close to three million preserved animal and insect specimens, including a liger (half lion, half tiger)…we liked the “Bean Museum” so much, we wrote about it twice. Little ones will love the Treehouse Children’s Museum in Ogden. It’s about 90 minutes north of Provo, but this creative, hands-on museum has an endless supply of imaginative entertainment and is well worth the trip. While you’re up this way, older kids (and adults) will enjoy the Salomon Center, an all-in-one entertainment center with indoor skydiving, rock climbing and surfing, restaurants, and a 13-screen megaplex theater.

Books, movies, and music:
For those who prefer their leisure time to be a little more low-key, we have some great suggestions for joining or forming book clubs, plus some favorite spots to check out a good book, music, and movies:
–Libraries are more than just books these days. Check out Provo and Orem Public Libraries for books, movies, story time and special events, plus free wireless internet.
–Browse around at Barnes & Noble and Borders bookstores (and don’t forget weekly children’s story time).
–Pioneer Book is a well-stocked independent bookstore located on Center Street in Provo (they even have a vault filled with rare books).
–Fidjiti in Pleasant Grove is a great place to gather with girlfriends for an afternoon of scrap booking or Giant Journaling.
–Muse Music is a small venue in downtown Provo for local bands, mainly indie and alternative.
–BYU offers free movies on campus; it’s a great place to see foreign movies, or films that make you think.

Baby, it’s cold outside…but that doesn’t mean you have to stay home!

Noelle, Provo Editor

Ask any Tucsonan how they feel about the arrival of October and cooler temperatures and they will undoubtedly answer with a tremendous sigh of relief. Summer has been a long, hot haul for those of us living in the Old Pueblo and the month of October always signals relief from triple-digit heat. Now that day-time temperatures are dipping into the 80s, it is time for us to come out of our reverse-seasonal hibernation! What better way to celebrate the desert’s version of fall than to visit some of Tucson’s amazing outdoor attractions while enjoying our gorgeous weather? If you are looking for some ideas about where to go and what to do, consider these attractions:

Tumamoc Hill – A Treasure in the Desert: Looking for an urban hiking excursion with great city views? Check out Tumamoc Hill, located just west of downtown Tucson, and enjoy a short evening hike, perfect for catching a spectacular Tucson sunset. The hike is 3.1 miles in length and takes about an hour to complete at a moderate pace. It is also well paved and wide, which means that strollers can be taken up and down the mountain without difficulty.

The Serenity of Silverbell Lake: Did you know that there is a man-made lake in Tucson where you can go fishing? Silverbell Lake is an oft-overlooked gem on the west side of town off Silverbell. Tucked off the road, in what is officially Christopher Columbus Park, it is a lake complete with boats and people fishing. So grab your fishing poles, pack a picnic, and head for the lake!

Wildflowers in Tohono Chul Park: You don’t have to travel far or forge an unbeaten path in order to enjoy some desert flora and fauna. You can head to Tohono Chul Park, which is about a ten or fifteen minute drive from central Tucson. Wander the concrete paths through this desert botanical garden, take in the wildflowers, visit the gift shop, and enjoy refreshments in the Tea Room.

Saguaro National Park: Need to get out of the city for bit and hear the sound of desert rock crunching beneath your boots? Then don your sunscreen and hat, bring ample water, and set out for hike in the scenic landscape of the Tucson Mountain District of this national park. The visitor’s center can provide you with information about the area, as well as recommendations about which walking or driving tour to take.

Hiking Sabino Canyon: All deserts have an oasis and Sabino Canyon is certainly one of Tucson’s. Why not set out for a desert nature hike that also features cool canyon pools? The paved road in Sabino Canyon allows for easy walking, cycling, or tours by tram. With many hiking trails and tram destinations to choose from, you can make a day or an afternoon of your adventure in this Tucson landmark!

Fortunately for Tucsonans, our fall is much like a second spring when the city and its inhabitants come back to life after a grueling summer. It is a perfect time of year to take advantage of the cooler weather and experience some of the unique outdoor attractions that Tucson has to offer.

Editor’s Note - Thank you to our Tucson Editor, Amy, for the content of this Monday City Spotlight.

Boise, Idaho has a reputation for being a family-oriented city with plenty of friendly folks and opportunities for family fun. As fall deepens and we get closer to those days when it’s too cold or nasty to venture out, it’s a perfect time to explore this great city–either to enjoy these beautiful, crisp autumn days, or to check out some indoor places that might relieve cabin fever come winter.

Outdoor activities abound around town and via short trips to the hills. Why not hit the Boise Zoo and check out the wild animals (the ones that don’t live in your house and go by the title of “children”!) The new Africa exhibit is open plus there are events like Boo at the Zoo at Halloween and Claus and Paws at Christmas time. For a free look at some wild animals, take a drive to Marsing and look for the wild horses that live in the Owyhees (be sure to bring a vehicle suitable for off-roading.) There is also great nature fun to be found both at the MK Nature Center and at the Birds of Prey Visitors Center at Lake Lowell. And both of these have indoor activities for wintery days as well as outdoor exploration.

More outdoor fun can be had at a plethora of parks. Veterans Memorial Park, Julia Davis Park, Ann Morrison Park, and Kathryn Albertson Park all have walking paths or are connected to the Boise Greenbelt. Most of them also have playgrounds for the kiddos. And as long as it isn’t windy or rainy, all of this can be enjoyed even if you have to bundle everyone up from the top of the head to the tips of the toes. Camels Back Park is a great place for frisbee and also has a nice playground. And Adventrue Island Park is a kids’ paradise, living up to its name.

At least until the end of October, sometimes longer, corn mazes and pumpkin patches provide a fun outing. There are several of them around town, one of them being Linder Farms in Meridian. But if you like your walking excursions to be more than getting lost in a corn field, strolling on paths such as the Warm Spring-Mesa, or hiking a bit out of town like at Red Moutain can get you out in the fresh air and invigorate your mind. One note, if you do have small kids some of the hikes might be a bit much. Do some more research before planning an outing.

Of course at this time of year, nothing says Boise spirit like tailgating or even just attending a BSU game. Break out the blue and orange (and some warm clothes!)

If history or museums are your thing, especially if your kids are a little older, both and indoor and outdoor displays and exhibits are available. Outdoors, combine a healthy walk with reading the lamp posts (Intrigued? Checke it out!) Or explore the Anne Frank Memorial, a moving tribute to this young legendary figure.

Indoors, spend an afternoon at the Idaho Military History Museum, Boise Art Museum (affectionately known as BAM), or the Boise Train Depot.

Finally, there are a variety of options for being inside but still working off excess energy. One of these is Boondocks, complete with Laser Tag as well as arcade games inside, and mini-golf and go-karts outside. And Peak Fitness provides fun and learning with a rock climbing wall and instruction.

Basically, there is no excuse for sitting around wishing for something to do–and this is only a sampling of options! And if none of these outings sound interesting, why not get out and find your own adventure, then write about it and become a contributor to the site? At least check out the rest of boise.onethousandthingstodo.com for more fun things to do, including date nights and night life.

Editor’s note - Thanks to Marta in Boise for supplying us these great ideas!

Utah is certainly a kid-friendly state, and accordingly thereʼs no shortage of Halloween fun for the whole family. Here are some of our favorite activities to do this time of year. Don’t just sit there…go out and have some spooktacular fun!

Boo at the Zoo (Hogle Zoo, Salt Lake City): Lions and tigers and scares, oh my! Hogle Zooʼs annual Halloween event, Boo at the Zoo, is for kids 12 and younger, and is included in the price of regular zoo admission. Kids can dress up in their favorite costumes and trick-or-treat at booths set up throughout the zoo. Boo at the Zoo will be held Saturday, October 25, 2008 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Cornbellyʼs Pumpkin Fest and Maze at Thanksgiving Point: Get ready for Halloween fun at Thanksgiving Point! From traditional pumpkin picking to the only-in-Utah David Archuletta corn maze, there are tricks and treats for kids (and adults) of all ages.

Pumpkinland, Orem: This very child-friendly, affordable little pumpkin patch sitting between Geneva Road and Interstate 15 will likely become an annual tradition once youʼve had your first experience.

Halloween Cruise on the Provo River: No blood and gore on this light-hearted boat ride. The swamp-like ambience of this stretch of the river is reminiscent of an Okefenokee tour, minus alligators, mosquitoes and some of the greenery. The boat was hand powered, literally. Our wiry guide, and his first mate who boarded the ship via zipline a few minutes into the journey, pulled our boat using cables that hung overhead. Twinkly lights and dozens of jack-o-lanterns added to the atmosphere.

Pack Farms Pumpkin Patch, Farmington: At the Pack Farms pumpkin patch in Farmington you can go out into the field and cut your pumpkins right off the vine (or they can do it for you). Pack Farms also has a childrenʼs corn maze, a hay maze, and a fun scarecrow gallery.

Be sure to check Provo.OneThousandThingsToDo.com in the next couple of days for posts about more things to do, including The Witches at Gardner Village, Black Island Farms in Syracuse, and more local Halloween fun.

And remember, you donʼt have to go to a Halloween party in order to get dressed up! Check out the fun these ladies had during their Superhero- and Princess-themed Girlʼs Night Out.

If dressing up isnʼt your thing, then just hop in the car and drive the Alpine Loop. Go solo or bring a date. Relax, enjoy, and bask in the glory of fall.

Editor’s Note:  Thanks to Noelle our Provo City Editor for supplying this great information.

Ahhh, sweater weather…there’s nothing quite like it. The clear skies, crisp air, and falling leaves just make me want to spend every possible minute outdoors before it gets too cold. Luckily, here in Utah we average more than 200 sunny days per year, so even as the mercury drops outdoor recreational opportunities abound.

Early autumn is the perfect time to take advantage of all that Provo and the surrounding areas have to offer. With quick access to mountains, rivers, and a plethora of parks, there’s something to please every interest and age group. Hiking, rock climbing, sight-seeing, even open-air shopping…this is the place for outdoor-lovers.

• Rock Climb Red Slab in Provo’s Rock Canyon : Most rock climbers in the world probably have to drive at least half an hour to their nearest climbing gym. Are we spoiled or what???! Half an hour will get us to hundreds of world-class climbing routes and, if you prefer, at least half a dozen professional indoor gyms.
• Provo Canyon, Bridal Veil Falls : One of the greatest things about Bridal Veil Falls is that it can be enjoyed on so many different levels. Except during winter months when they close the lower road (the old highway) for avalanche danger, you can drive right to it. The paved Provo River trail skirts its base, providing access to walkers, skaters and bikers.
• Little Sahara Sand Dunes, 1 Hour from Provo : Utah is packed with more diversity and fun locations than most residents realize. A short hour drive from Provo, Utah, for example, can transport you to a different - and surprisingly interesting and beautiful - world. Introducing Little Sahara State Park, a.k.a Jericho Sand Dunes.
• Rock Canyon, Provo : Today we went to Rock Canyon. We haven’t been since last summer, and I’d almost forgotten how beautiful it is. There aren’t too many things you need to know if you’re going to go: basically, wear good shoes, and bring water and your camera.
• Big Springs Park, Provo Canyon : My husband wanted to go on a date this weekend. We love walking in the mountains, so he planned for us to go up into the canyon and walk the trails at Vivian Park. We went with the express purpose of taking pictures of nature. We actually kept going past Vivian Park up to Big Springs National Park, which is just about ten minutes farther up the road.
• Touring BYU Campus, Provo : Yesterday we went to BYU campus and walked around with my husband’s family. This was something we hadn’t done in a really long time—since we first started dating, actually—and I’d forgotten how gorgeous BYU is.
• Red Butte Garden, Salt Lake City : If you’re looking for a relaxing and peaceful way to spend an afternoon, I suggest Red Butte Garden, in the foothills above Salt Lake City. Located on the University of Utah campus, Red Butte is the largest botanical garden in the Intermountain West, with a focus on regional horticulture. It covers more than 150 acres, featuring 18 acres of gardens, plus walking paths, hiking trails, ponds, and a children’s garden.
• Payson Memorial Park, Payson : We went to Payson City Memorial Park today. It’s a quaint little town park that makes you feel like you’re back in the 50’s, why you ask? Well, you are surrounded by old architecture that has been preserved and there is a bandstand where every Sunday at 8pm you can come and hear the Payson City Band play. Not only does it have the charm of days gone by but it has the benefits of an updated park as well. Most of the playground equipment is new and there is a community pool also.
• Kennecott Bingham Canyon Mine : If you’ve ever played with a Tonka truck in a sand box you’ll appreciate the Kennecott Bingham Canyon Mine. It’s located about 40 miles northwest of Provo and 25 miles southwest of Salt Lake City (exit I-15 around West Jordan). The $5 entrance fee for passenger vehicles is donated to charity and tax-deductible. You pay at the security gate, then drive about four miles to the visitor center which overlooks the mine.
• Milling Around Historic Gardner Village, West Jordan : I love to visit Gardner Village! It’s the perfect place to spend an afternoon with your entire family, and also a wonderful girl’s day out. There are almost two dozen charming little shops, a restaurant and a bakery, and a petting zoo where you can send your husband off with the kids while you indulge in a relaxing treatment at the day spa…or just shop your heart out!

If your kids are anything like mine, being stuck inside has them bouncing off the walls. Here are some of our outdoor family favorites of which I plan to take full advantage before cabin fever sets in!

• Utah‘s Hogle Zoo : Nestled at the mouth of Emigration Canyon, Utah’s Hogle Zoo is home to about 900 animals, including endangered and threatened species and several Utah natives. You’ll find all of your typical zoo favorites here, many in surroundings recreated to mimic their natural habitats.
• George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park, Ogden : If you think dinosaurs are dino-mite, then you don’t want to miss the George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park in Ogden, UT! Dinosaur Park is an exciting opportunity to wander into the prehistoric past and imagine what the earth (and Utah) was like when dinosaurs roamed freely.
• Castle Heights Playground at Nicholls Park, Fruit Heights : In just about every playgroup we’ve ever participated in, someone has mentioned “that park with the castle near Kaysville”. The local gem they’re referring to is the Castle Heights playground at Nicholls Park in Fruit Heights. It’s one of those places I kept meaning to look into but never got around to it. Lucky for us we were recently invited to a birthday party there. It was the perfect backdrop for a princess party.
• Salem Pond, Salem : Salem Pond is a beautiful family friendly location, as long as you keep an eye on the tots as you are next to open water. My family and I have been there several times so it has become a favorite of ours.
• Layton Commons Park (The Duck Park), Layton : As a new mom, one of my first missions when I moved here was to find a park with grass, shade and swings. Believe it or not, that wasn’t easy to find in this arid region, especially since so many playgrounds are in newly developed housing areas. I was thrilled to discover Layton Commons Park, a lushly-shaded, 47-acre, city-owned park located at 437 N. Wasatch Drive in Layton.

Was your summer as busy as ours?  As you can see, it’s been a week or so since we’ve been able to post our Monday City Spotlight as well as our Thursday What To Do This Weekend posts.  I’m sure you, as were we, were enjoying the last few moments of summer before school started.  Oh and then school started.  It’s nice to get back to a schedule with all the kids.  Two are in school, so it’s nice to have things organized again.  We love the summer, but we area always all over the place.  How about you?  Well, as we prepare for what should be a cold and snowy winter in most parts of the country, let’s look at some of the things you could do this very weekend in Spokane!

• Spokane County Interstate Fair : Upon entering we immediately headed to the animal barns. Since our kids can name all the farm animals we thought it would be an appropriate place to start. We started with the pig barn and were blessed to see a few baby pigs. They were crying and asking for their mom, but they were so cute. After the pig barn we headed to the cow barn. They kids went nuts when they saw the cows. After a quick tour through the cows we headed to the chickens, bunnies and ducks.
• Carver Farms : I always know fall is coming quickly when corn is ready to pick. And for our family, no place is better to pick corn than Carver Farms (9105 N. Idaho Road, Newman Lake, WA). A couple of weeks ago on our way home from Idaho, we came home through Rathdrum on Trent and made a quick stop at Carver Farms for some fresh corn.On this particular day we were just after corn. We will have to go back in mid-September to dig potatoes. After stopping at the shed to see which corn crop was ready, I grabbed a bucket and was back in the car to drive to the corn field. This year corn was $3 a dozen. A little pricier than normal, but I enjoy picking my own, knowing where it came from and knowing it was not sprayed with pesticides.
• Peach Picking on Greenbluff : I can smell the peaches as we drive around Greenbluff this past weekend. Nothing is better, to me than fresh peaches. They are so versatile. You can eat them plain, over ice cream, in a cobbler, make syrup to use over pancakes or in a margarita.We got up early to go pick peaches so we could beat the heat and headed to Walterʼs Fruit Ranch. Walterʼs has so much to do that it is a perfect place to take a 2 year old. While we waited for the Fruit Loop Express to take us to the peach trees, my son was able to feed the chickens, look at a rabbit and visit the goats. They also have a new play structure so he was able to burn up so me energy on the slide.
• Liberty Lake Farmers Market : The Liberty Lake Farmers Market is located at 1421 N. Meadow Lane Road, Liberty Square Parking Lot. It is open every Saturday May through September 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is very easy to find from I-90 and there are signs from the freeway to the Farmers Market.

I love farmers marketʼs in the summer as you can get fresh produce, meat, eggs and flowers from local growers at great prices. This time of year there is not an overabundance of fresh vegetables, but today there was plenty of fresh herbs, garden starts, fruit, meat, flowers, Italian food, and bread and pastry items. I also saw a lavender booth and other personal items. In a few short weeks the local famerʼs markets will be bustling with fresh fruit and vegetables.

• Spokane Farmers Market : This past Wednesday after working out, we decided to swing through downtown Spokane and visit the Spokane Farmerʼs Market. The Spokane Farmerʼs Market is in its 10th year and is located at 20 W. 2nd Avenue (between Division and Browne). It operates from May through October every Saturday 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. and Wednesdays beginning mid-June from 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
• Cat Tales Zoological Park : This past weekend we had some out of town visitors, one of which had visited the Cat Tales when she was here last summer and wanted to go back. Being of hardy Spokane (albeit transplanted) stock, we braved the elements of a brisk November afternoon to visit this wonderful zoological park located just a few miles north of Spokane at N. 17020 Newport Hwy, Mead, WA 99021. In regards to the zoo itself, they are home to many incredible animals such as leopards, jaguars, lions, rare tiger species, bobcats, lynx, pumas, as well as bears, reptiles and birds. Many of these animals have been rescued from unfortunate circumstances. You can walk through the zoo on your own or one of the zoo volunteers can take you on a tour. The tour provides a lot of great information, not only about that particular species, but also about that individual animal. Some stories are sad, some colorful, some laced with famousness, but the best part is that they are now at a place that understands them, loves them and has their best interests at heart.
• Hidden Acres Ranch : Saturday October 13th was a beautiful sunny day. After we went to church at Church of God 7th day located at 2929 N. Freya. Our family decided to drive to Hidden Acres at Greenbluff. There are several growers and each has unique things to offer families on an afternoon or day excursion. Some grow berries, some grow apples and peaches and other fruits. The drive its self any time of year is beautiful and scenic but the Autumn is resplendent with color. ReneeSande wrote about Walters Fruit Ranch my article is about the neighboring Hidden Acres Ranch.

The last week of summer vacation: The best summer had to offer!

I always hate to see the end of summer. With me, even though it is not officially over yet, when school starts it signals an end to the outdoor activities I love to participate in. For most of us in the Vancouver area, that last day is Labor Day. With one week of freedom left now is the time to go over all of the posts at Vancouver.onethousandthingstodo.com and pick out one or two that really piqued your curiosity. Then go have some fun!

For some of you that might be a day trip to the beach, for others a family outing at a park, for still others a chance to see some of Vancouver’s early history while the sun is still shining.

I have been trying to stick close to home this summer and have visited many of the local parks. My personal favorite comes as a surprise even to me and it was not so much because the memory of that day is warm and pleasant, and the park is local and free; but that Camas Heritage Park offers so much variety: boating, skiing, swimming, picnicking and hiking while amenities include restrooms, parking, a playground, benches and picnic tables. You cannot ask for more in a favorite spot.

Some of the other great posts include:

Cascade Springs “Earth Friendly Garden Tour”

Sailing on the Columbia
Be sure to check out the comment for another sailing idea!

An early dinner capped off with a scenic ride on the Aerial Tram

Unique Ambience in Astoria, OR.

Tide Pooling and Café Hopping In Cannon Beach

Not Your Ordinary Dinner-and-a-Movie Date Night

Esther Short Park on a Saturday afternoon–Vancouver

Affordable Golf With a View–Troutdale, OR.

Mighty Mouse of Vancouver submitted this article.

I’m a little late in filing this report this week, sorry about that.  I’m actually vacation in Western Montana and looking for more great things to do here.  I took my kids to the local school in Hot Springs Montana to play on the park this morning, it’s supposed to be 101 today, and it gave me the idea for today’s Monday Morning Spotlight.  I’d like to highlight some great family activities that our writers have participated in and wrote about at the Tacoma.OneThousandThingsToDo.com site.

Now, we don’t have it all covered, but there are some great things to do with your family in and around Tacoma.  I used to live in Sumner, so we spent a lot of time hiking, fishing and huntin’ on the Carbonado Glacier (spelling might be wrong).  Our writers have taken their family to see wolves, play in nature areas and many of the great parks and playgrounds around Tacoma.

So sit back, read through a few 1kToDo posts and plan your next family outing!  Oh, if you would like to write for OneThousandThingsToDo.com, just email us at contribute@onethousandthingstodo.com.

• Brown’s Point Playfield - Last week I went to Browns Point Park not expecting a whole lot. Mainly, it was just convenient. It seems like the proposed renovations were either on hold, or just being done sporadically. But I had a pleasant surprise two weekends ago. After months of being under renovation and patiently waiting, the park and playground is complete.
• China Lake Nature Area - While battling traffic down busy South 19th Street near Fircrest, it is not surprising that most people don’t even notice the small gravel parking lot of the China Lake Nature Area.  The parking lot might not be much to look at, but if you venture a little further you will discover one of the most surprising nature areas in Tacoma.
• Pioneer Park - Like most people, I look forward to Saturday all week. This is especially true in the summer time when the weather is nice and it creates the perfect opportunity to venture out with my two year old and enjoy the sunshine after a long winter cooped up indoors.
• Wolf Haven - Today my treat to my family was taking them to a place I have enjoyed since I first went when I was just a little girl. Today we took a trip to Wolf Haven International. Wolf Haven is one of the world’s largest and most respected wolf sanctuaries right here in the Pacific Northwest.
• Meeker Mansion - Today we went to the Meeker Days in Puyallup, WA. Besides our family enjoying the food, music, and different stands we also took a little time out to go in and see Meeker Mansion. I loved the mansion and had always wanted to see it. While there I learned all about it, and the things that came before. I enjoyed every minute of being inside it, and even enjoyed the little bit of ghost stories that were shared too.
• Point Defiance Zoo - What a better way to spend a Sunday with the family then to head down to Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. I took my family to the zoo this past weekend and found that it was a great way to sped time together. From tigers to fish we all found something special there that we really enjoyed. My oldest enjoyed watching the tiger with dad, my youngest was all excited about the sharks and fish, but me I found the new area just finished there that holds the ring-tailed lemur to be my favorite part. I enjoyed my time at the zoo much that not only did we get a seasonal pass, but I also applied to work there too.
• Washington State History Museum - As the sun raised so did my family. And today we decided to take a trip back in history. Today I took my family to the Washington State History Museum. My favorite part of our trip today besides being with my family were all the statues and such that taught me things that even I didn’t know about the state we live in. My husband enjoyed the railroad exhibit that they have there. And of course our boys enjoyed everything. My oldest told me that he could just pick one part he liked, because it was all fun to him.
• Fort Steilecoom Off Leash Dog Park - Being the owner of two energetic dogs, I have learned that no matter where I live, I should always know where the nearest off-leash dog park is. My dogs are never happier than when they are bounding across a wide-open space with boundaries bigger than my modest backyard. They can run to their hearts’ content; and, when we get back home, I can benefit from the peace and quiet in the house while they lie on the floor exhausted.
• America’s Car Museum - Today I wanted to try going somewhere different with my family so I decided to take them to the LeMay American Car Museum. I fell in love with these cars many years ago when Harold LeMay was still alive, and my father would take me to his car shows. Today I wanted to share with my little ones that same experience. My oldest son fell in love with what he called, “the pretty cars.” I myself found it to be enjoying as always to see the car I grew up looking at every year in my life. But my most favorite part was the American Muscle Cars.
• Mt Rainier - This past weekend my other half and I decided that it was time to take our youngest son who is 1 years old to his first trip up to Mount Rainier National Park. Once we arrived at the park, we first stopped at Narada Falls where we sat and enjoyed a wonderful picnic lunch, while getting the chance to see some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Washington State. After lunch we continued up the mountain stopping at the many viewing areas along the way. Finally by mid day we made it to the top at Paradise.
• 5 Mile Drive - Tacoma - I always remember this route like an old reliable friend. Before the drive you have to enter at Point Defiance Park; I love being greeted by the large pond with the waterfall, ducks and birds relaxing, enjoying their life. There are families and friends lying on the grass so peacefully. It’s funny to think that annually I walk through this very same park in a people-congested hunger frenzy during the Taste of Tacoma.

Wow, that sure is a lot and I could go on, but wouldn’t it be more fun to discover them yourself?  If you want more just go to our Tacoma site and browse or search!

Don’t forget that we want to hear from you too!  You can use the comments section below to let us know what’s on your mind.  Go check out a few of these things and come back and let us know.  But I have a question for you - what is your favorite place to take your family in Tacoma?

Welcome to our newest feature at OneThousandThingsToDo - Thursday’s What To Do This Weekend! We’ll be highlighting some great activities to do over the weekend in one city each Thursday morning, just in time for you to plan your activities. Today we are discussing some great things to do in Vancouver Washington, but don’t forget to come back each week or subscribe via email or our RSS feeds to keep up to date on new posts!

Spend the weekend discovering the rich history Vancouver, Washington has to offer. It all started in 1792 when Lt. William Broughton navigated 100 miles upriver from the mouth of the Columbia and named the area Point Vancouver, to commemorate having served under Capt. George Vancouver. In 1828 Dr. John McLaughlin renamed the area Fort Vancouver and moved the headquarters of the Hudson’s Bay Company here, making the location one of many firsts: The oldest non-native settlement in the Northwest.

The downtown area features several “things to do” for anyone interested in our history. You can make a day of it by parking and walking to many of the locations, or spend a few days to really enjoy some of the features available. My favorite experience at the fort was attending a Brigade Encampment some years ago. Everybody was dressed in authentic gear for a trip across the Rocky Mountain to the east coast in several covered wagons. I can’t even imagine doing it on today’s roads, let alone when you had to forge your own trail!

• Vancouver’s Oldest Apple Tree:he Old Apple Tree Park is located at 112 Columbia Way and is scheduled to host a festival the first week in October from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm after a two-year hiatus. It used to be that a trip to see the Old Apple Tree was, if not for it’s age, boring; at least for me. It was planted near the old Fort in 1826 when Hudson’s Bay Governor, Sir George Simpson, was given the seeds from an apple eaten at a farewell dinner and asked to plant them. The tree bore its first fruit, one apple, in 1830.
• Vancouver Officers Row–beautiful and historic: Do you like to get outdoors now, while the trees are turning green and the birds are learning to sing again? That’s the way I feel, too, and I found a great place for walking this weekend; along Officers Row in Old Town Vancouver. There are paved paths, mostly level, and all of them accessible to strollers or wheelchairs. There’s parking across the street.
• Fort Vancouver heritage garden–beautiful!: The garden at Fort Vancouver is a heritage garden, meaning that it contains plants that we would have seen here when the fort was in operation in 1845. Notice the arch over the entrance to the garden and the snowball bushes on either side of it. Snowball bushes are European, and would have been brought by ship from England—a journey that took the better part of a year.
• Clark County Historical Museum Vancouver: An important part of old town Vancouver’s history—you may have noticed that I like history—is the Clark County Historical Museum on Main street. This first photo was taken before the huge and beautiful old elm out front had to be removed due to terminal root-rot.
• Historical Fort Vancouver: Before we go to the fort itself, let’s stop in to the Visitor’s Center, up the hill from the fort on the corner of E Reserve and Evergreen Blvd. The visitor’s center is free, and there’s lots of information here about the history and archeology of the fort. There’s a gift shop, too, where we can buy replicas of items used at the fort, and items made by hand in the smithy or carpenter’s shop.
• Esther Short Park on a Saturday afternoon: Esther Short Park is 155 years old and over the decades has served as the town square, hosted a wading pool and skating rink and has come to be considered Vancouver’s centerpiece, its hub of community, culture and history. The park is host to the open air Vancouver Farmer’s Market on the weekends and is bordered by a variety of shops, cafes, and boutiques.

So don’t miss out on these activities and more to come! Don’t forget to comment if you like, we love to hear from our readers. If you have more ideas, just let us know!

Special thanks to MightyMouse, our Vancouver editor, for all these great ideas!

The beaches of Honolulu and Oahu, today on our City Spotlight! It’s another wonderful Monday morning here at OneThousandThingsToDo.com and as I sit here in the rain in the continental United States, my mind floats to my friends on Oahu who write for OneThousandThingsToDo.com. So much can be written about this amazing island, but one of the most written about are the beautiful beaches on Honolulu and the entire island of Oahu. If you are planning a vacation to Hawaii, or just looking for another beach to enjoy, you definitely have to read all our posts here. We really have a beach for everyone, so you’ll be able to enjoy your stay in many different ways. The beaches in Oahu are amazing, and I think you’ll agree! Check these out:

• Kulamanu Beach: When my wife and I wanted to find a beach that’s off the beaten track but still on the south shore, we found it in the form of Kulamanu Beach. This is a public but little known beach that is roughly in between Waialae Beach and the easternmost beaches of Diamond Head. To get there you pass through a very nice residential neighborhood. When you see the corner of Kulamanu Street and Kulamanu Place, you’re almost there—just walk downhill toward the ocean.
• Ala Moana Beach:A friend of mine recently invited me to spend an afternoon at Ala Moana Beach Park with her and her family. It was the day of their annual family picnic, and she promised I’d have a great time. I enjoyed my drive to the beach, which is located right across from Ala Moana Shopping Center.
• Waialae Beach: My wife and I and another couple live in Waikiki and decided to do two interesting things in one: we rented little scooter-bikes and drove them to Waialae Beach. I call them “scooter-bikes” for lack of a better term—they are motorized three-wheeled vehicles with seats for two people, including the driver, and a small trunk space in back. They are painted bright colors like yellow and red, and have orange bike flags attached to them for better visibility to traffic.
• Diamond Head: When my wife and I want to go to an un-crowded beach right next to Waikiki, we head for the shores of Diamond Head. The iconic landmark of Oahu, Diamond Head is the extinct volcano on the east end of Waikiki. There are upscale neighborhoods such as Hawaii Kai that border the land side of Diamond Head, but the side that faces the oceans has some of the best beaches on Oahu’s south shore.
• For DeRussy Beach:My wife and I have made a few visits to Fort DeRussy Beach, on the west end of Waikiki (towards Ewa), and have always done something different each time we went. It’s an excellent beach to spend the day at. We found that the beach here is wider than on Waikiki Beach proper (i.e. the area in front of the Royal Hawaiian), and there is a protected area inside the reef offering calm and shallow water. There are also beach rentals on the sand for kayaks, floats, and aqua bikes.
• Walls: Bodyboarding (also known as “boogie-boarding,” after Morey Boogie, a popular brand of bodyboard) is a form of wave riding where riders use a short foam board to ride waves, usually in a prone position, but also sometimes knee-boarding or even standing up. In Waikiki there is great bodyboarding spot called “Walls,” named after a prominent seawall there with a gazebo on the end of it. This structure is formally known as the Kapahulu Groin. To get there, go to the intersection of Kapahulu and Kalakaua in Waikiki.
• Oahu Circle Island Tour: There’s no reason to limit your visit on Oahu to Honolulu and Waikiki. The diverse island of Oahu is small enough to drive around in one day, and it is well worth the effort. In fact, driving tours of the island are so common that one of the more popular general routes has a name: the “circle island tour.”
• Oahu East Side: I recently moved to Hawaii and I’m pretty much seeing and learning things first hand here. I have to say, I think I made the right decision. My cousin recently bought an LR camera and he took me to a beach-hopping drive starting from Waimanalo to take his toy on a field test.
• Makapuu Tide Pools: Oahu’s Windward side is packed with abundant natural treasures. One really fun treasure to explore is the trail to Makapuu Lighthouse. On the way to the lighthouse, you can hike down to the lava rock surface that houses the warm tide pools.
• White Plains Beach: If you live in Ewa Beach or Kapolei, you don’t have to drive very far to get to some great beaches. One of these is White Plains Beach, near Kalaeloa. From what I understand, this used to be a part of Barber’s Point Naval Station, but is now open to everyone. Finding it, however, isn’t that easy unless you know where you’re going. Maybe this is why it’s not super crowded like some of the more touristy beaches. White Plains is definitely off the beaten path, and as you’re driving there, you may even wonder if you’re going to the right place!
• Eternity Beach: The next really cool, out of the way place I’d like to tell folks about is one of our favorite beaches on the planet. It’s known to the locals as Eternity Beach. Some of my friends will probably want to kick me for telling the world about it, so let’s hope it remains a secret!

But don’t worry if you didn’t read about a beach in Oahu that you liked here, just search for “beaches” at honoulu.onethousandthingstodo.com or go here, Oahu Beaches, to read about all the amazing beaches our writers are visiting right now!