Recently, my mother planned a surprise, two-day vacation for my family. My younger siblings, ages 12 through 16, had no idea what was happening when my parents woke them in the morning, drove 45 minutes to an agreed-upon rendezvous point—where my husband and I joined them—and boarded the train to Hermann, MO. There we enjoyed local food, watched the Missouri River glide by under the scorching sun and toured a winery along with houses dating from the 1850s.
It was a delightful break from the routine for all of us. We got to explore a city we had known nothing about, sleep under a different (and quite charming) roof, eat great food and reconnect with each other as a family.
Sometimes life gets too busy, and we forget to look around and see each other and the region in which we live. If you feel the need to get away, consider booking a train ride to a new town!
The Key is Planning
Why not pick a destination randomly? Open a map, close your eyes, and let your finger drop. Your next family outing can be the town or city to which you came closest.
- Buy your tickets in advance. Amtrak (www.Amtrak.com) offers inexpensive tickets which can be purchased online. There are many discounts and specials available weekly. Often a train ride is less expensive than taking a car, with gas prices as they are.
- Once you’ve decided on your destination, research the place. Regional publications, such as Missouri Life or Kansas! Magazine, often feature in-depth guides to little-known towns around the state, and usually have online searchable databases. Also, read the town’s website, investigate the historical locations nearby and check the Food Network website to see if any restaurants nearby have been lauded for killer food.
- Plan for a lot of walking if you don’t choose to rent a vehicle or take a trolley at the other end. Clothes and shoes should be comfortable and weather-appropriate.
- You might find it exhilarating to surprise the children. Make it easy on yourself by packing clothes and activities while they are at school, so that you have nothing to do but wake them up and look mysterious on the day of your travels. Obtain permission for them to be absent from school if you go during the week, but make sure to swear teachers to secrecy!
- Great snacks that fit in carry-on bags include string cheese, crackers, juices, apples and cookies. Fun activities for kids include coloring books, the newest in a popular series of chapter books, action figures and car games.
Enjoy your family anew in a different context. Learn about the region in which you live. Discover the joy of planning a surprise for the ones you love.
Have fun!
Emily McIntyre is a Kansas City-based freelance writer and harpist who has placed work in a wide variety of publications. She also writes a blog, softexplosions.blogspot.com. When not writing she enjoys reading, cooking and making music under a variety of conditions.