Preparing for your vacation or travel trip
To begin preparing for your road trips, you need to find out information about what you are going to do and how you are going to get there. You need to plan the logistics.
How?
Let's say everybody picked "visit a museum" as his/her favorite thing to do. Where can you find out about museums in your area?
- The Internet - go to search engine and type in "museums, the name of your city"
- Convention and Visitor's Bureaus - your local visitor's bureau is loaded with information on things to see and do. Find their number in the phone book or look them up on the website and ask them to send you listing of museums in the area.
- Local and State Tourist Offices - lots of great brochures on things to do and places to see
- Ask your friends if they've been to any cool museums
- Concierges at hotels know a lot about things to do in the area of their hotel - ask them
- Local phone book will have museums, attractions, tour operators listed (perhaps a tour operator has special trips to museums)
- Local colleges and universities know a lot about museums - ask their information desk to help you find some good ones to visit
What things are important for you to know if you are visiting a museum or other tourist site?
- What is the cost for adults and children?
- What hours/days is it open?
- Is there an age limit?
- Is there parking nearby?
- What is the cost of parking?
- Does it have a restaurant or gift shop on-site or nearby?
- What days/times are most crowded and least crowded?
- Are any days free?
- Are there any special exhibits coming up?
- Is there a fee or an extra fee for the special exhibit?
- Do you need tickets for the special exhibit? How do you get them?
- Do they have any special kids programs? What? When? Cost?
- Is it handicap accessible?
- Are there a lot of stairs that grandma and grandpa have to walk up?
Have the museum send you a brochure that describes everything you can see and do. Then, everybody pick which thing they most want to see.
Perhaps you can go to the library ahead of time and get some books about the people, paintings, places or things you are going to see in the museum. This will help you have a better understanding of what you are looking at when you are there.
Do you know how to drive to the museum? How long will it take to get there? Should you pack a picnic lunch for the drive there, or should you eat at the museum?
How long will you spend at the museum?
Do you have any spending money to buy a fun souvenir at the museum's gift shop?
Did you bring your camera?
As you can see, there is a lot to do to get prepared for a fun "ROAD TRIP!"
Next Step: Journey >>
