Finding great bike trails in the Northeast

Ah, summer…the days are longer, the kids are out of school, and it’s a great time of year to grab your helmets and hit the bike trails. But if you want a trail that’s suitable for the whole family, it pays to do your research first.

One great resource is BikeKinetix. Founded by Barbara and Peter Lynn, a couple of avid mountain bikers, their site provides a comprehensive guide to bike trails in the Northeastern US. Their reviews are divided into different categories – romantic, historic, wildlife, covered bridges, beaches, and family – but a lot of the trails fall under multiple ones. The family section features trails that are easy to moderate difficulty. By selecting a specific trail you can find plenty of helpful information including maps (most are drawn by Peter Lynn), directions, path length, terrain description, elevation changes, and trail use. Their reviews offer detailed descriptions of their journeys along the paths as well as historical notes on the surrounding area.

From Maryland to Maine, you’re sure to find a trail perfect for your whole family!

http://www.bikekinetix.com

Making art fun (and free!) for all in Baltimore

Think most art museums go right over the heads of your kids? The Walters Art Museum in Baltimore wants to change that by making art accessible to visitors of all ages. Not content with merely a program or two, this museum features more activities and resources than a lot of “children’s museums.” On selected Saturdays at 1pm, you can take a guided 45-minute Family Tour through the museum’s collection of world art from pre-dynastic Egypt to 20th century Europe. Drop-in art activities on Saturdays from 11am-3pm let your children create artful projects related to the current collections or special exhibits. On weekends there are free interactive gallery materials located throughout the museum. These Artcarts, Discovery quilts, and Art sacks are filled with activities related to different collections – Greek, Renaissance, 19th century, and Asian. In addition, there are also Family Guides and Wondrous Journeys Passports that lead your kids to different pieces of artwork with fun facts about each. Check out their website for information on their Family Festivals and Family Flicks as well as tips to make the most out of your family’s visit.

Admission:
Free!

Hours:
11am – 5pm Wed – Sun
11am – 8pm Fri
Closed Mondays & Tuesdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve & Day

http://www.thewalters.org/programs_art_museums/programs_family.aspx