Archive for May, 2009
No matter what time of year it is when you visit Aspen, there is always something going on even in the off season. The town is small, but there are usually several types of entertainment offered each evening in different parts of the small town. Generally, you won’t have to search too hard to find some entertainment – but it is better to know exactly what is going on all over town, so you can choose the Aspen nightlife that best suits your interests.
First, call the Chamber of Commerce in Aspen a few months before your trip if possible. Ask them what events are planned for the time period that you will be there. Events are usually scheduled well in advance, and finding out about these events well in advance will not only help you to better make your plans, but it will also allow you to purchase needed tickets in advance. Nothing will be more disappointing than arriving in Aspen and finding out that your favorite band is in town for a sold out show!
Events can come up at the last minute as well. Upon your arrival to your lodge or hotel, ask the concierge about events that will be taking place during your stay. If you have already contacted the Chamber of Commerce, you will know most of what is going on around town – but there may be a few surprises in store for you.
Don’t forget to check with the Chamber of Commerce offices in nearby towns and villages! Snowmass is a village that almost seems to be a part of Aspen – but it isn’t. Contact the Snowmass town hall to find out what events are scheduled in the village during your visit.
Have a plan before you arrive in Aspen. Use Internet resources, as well as the information that you learn from the various Chambers of Commerce and your lodge to plan your daytime and night time activities while you will be in Aspen. Again, there is always something to do in Aspen, and if you don’t plan ahead, you will waste a lot of time trying to decide what you want to do.
While you want to go in with a plan, leave a day or two open – with no plans. Use these days for shopping expeditions or simply take a quiet walk through the quiet Victorian neighborhoods. Go to a restaurant that isn’t in your plans, or spend some time in the Great Room at your lodge. There is always something to do…but sometimes, it is nice to have nothing to do as well!
You’ve probably seen videos and CDs for babies. There are some theories that classical music can make your baby smarter, and exposing your baby to music is part of what we do to introduce them to all the sights and sounds of their world.
Music can definitely help calm your baby down and put him in a restful state at bedtime or nap time. What are some good choices for a baby?
Almost anything you love or use for relaxation is good for a baby too. There are good collections of Mozart or Bach for bedtime. The music of Enya can be very soothing as well. Georgia Kelly’s harp music is also relaxing and peaceful.
When your baby’s awake, there are lots of nursery rhymes or music from kids’ movies that can stimulate his senses. We’ve known kids who respond to minimalist Phillip Glass’s music; it’s simple and rhythmic and when they get older, they’ll dance with it. Spirituals and soft gospel music are also good choices to help the baby get to sleep.
White noise, in the form of a fan (not directed right at the baby), or from sound machines that simulate the sound of an ocean or rain can be restful as well, and can block out noise from the home. You don’t need to create an artificially silent environment for the baby, however, since that can make it harder for them to get to sleep when the home’s rhythms and noises get back to normal.
This is a great time for you to explore classical music as well, if it’s not already part of your life. The same music that’s helping your baby get to sleep can help soothe your own nerves and provide a wonderful time of bonding and restfulness for you and your baby together.
If the thing you look least forward to on vacation is wracking up vicious amounts of debt on your Master Card, then you’ve come to the right place. I’m here to offer advice on free things to do while visiting San Francisco. Granted, it is not wise to think that you can go on vacation without spending any money and have a good time. However, it is quite possible to be very selective when deciding where to spend your money by having alternative entertainment options that cost little or no money.
Rather than a top ten list, which can be a little long winded, I’m going to provide a top five list. My sincere hope is that you will use this list as inspiration for finding your own free or low cost entertainment while visiting San Francisco. On to the list:
- San Francisco Botanical Gardens. The climate of San Francisco provides a unique atmosphere that allows the growth and maintenance of plants from around the world. As a result the San Francisco Botanical Gardens offers a look at plants that are rare almost anywhere else on earth. The Gardens are 55 acres and host more than 7500 plants from around the world.
- Chinese Culture Center. This center offers resources about the Chinese culture in San Francisco in addition to many programs that are available to learn about the artistic and cultural contributions that the Chinese community has made to this great city.
- Fort Point National Historic Site. This site has special historical significance. Its original intent was to prevent invading forces from entering San Francisco Bay. By the end of the Civil War the massive cannons that had been used for this purpose were obsolete. The last of the original 126 cannons was removed around 1900. During the 1930’s, the fort was used as a headquarters for the building of the Golden Gate Bridge. This Fort has played a vital role in our history and is worth a visit, especially considering the fact that it is free.
- Stern Grove Concerts. These concerts only take place on Sunday afternoons during summer months but are well worth checking out if you have a sunny Sunday afternoon available during your stay. The goal of these concerts is to educate the masses and potentially inspire future musicians. A love of music is the second best gift you can give a child, second only to a love of reading. It’s a great way to spend an afternoon, and it’s free!
- Wells Fargo History Museum. This museum is a fun side trip for the family. Not only does it tell the history of Wells Fargo as it pertains to San Francisco, but it also tells of Black Bart and other stagecoach robbers while providing visitors with the awe inspiring story of the great earthquake of 1906 and the role of Wells Fargo in the recovery process. I believe that young and old alike will find this museum to be a lot of fun, especially for the price.
If you are visiting San Francisco and need some great family friendly activities to fill your days, then this is definitely a great place to start. I hope that you can find a few more things than I have mentioned here to help fill in gaps and entertain the young and old on your vacation alike. Remember not to over plan your trip, as some of the greatest times to be had are spontaneous rather than planned.