You probably haven’t heard of most of these places…but they are dear to these Club members’ hearts. Maybe you’ll discover the same beauty they have in these out of the way treasures.
 

BELINGRATH GARDENS
By: Sarakat, 12, AL (aka SaraKat)


OOOHHHH! Belingrath Gardens in Mobile, AL is so gorgeous! It is a beautiful tourist hot spot. Lots of schools take field trips there, too. They have all sorts of flowers: FoxGlove, Hidrangia, Geraniums, Tropical Greenhouses, and MANY more! You can also see humming birds in the green houses if you are lucky! They have a front lobby with vending machines and sometimes you have a tour guide. In the lakes, you can see turtles, swans, and geese. It is like a fairy topia filled with gorgeous animals and plants. They also have a metal statue of a lion that I particularly like to sit on and someone take a picture. They have the beautiful Japanese section with waterfall, ponds, cool huts and lots of boardwalks. They have pretty bamboo throughout the park, too. It is a wonderful place to spend quality time with friends or family, and see the wonderful views of Mobile, AL!
 

ALL ABOARD FOR SHETFIELD ISLAND
By: lauren, 11, (aka noni)


Have you ever heard of Norwalk, Connecticut? That’s the place to go for a true Connecticut adventure. Once you board the ferry, you’ll know you’re in for a surprise. After many free beverages and a few trips to the on-board bathroom, you are there! At first, Shetfield Island looks like nothing but a few old ruins from long ago, but soon that will change. As you look around the island, the surprise that you were waiting for is there. You follow the tour guide into the 1840 lighthouse. As he tells you about your surroundings you wonder what it was like to be a light house keeper. Before you know it, you are heading up the stairs to the 2nd floor. The next thing you know, you don’t believe your ears. You tour guide is telling you that in 2 tiny bedrooms slept 12 kids. It may sound impossible, but it is true. Now to the top. Up there tiny stairs and through the hatch you are at the top. You can see every thing. You are looking at NYC (New York City) 33 miles away and Long Island 8 miles away. Next you stop a the snack shack, grab a few snacks and you’re off to the old estate. Along the path you can see butterflies, birds, and bugs. Before your eyes are the ruins to the old estate. The Mansion was burnt down, but you can still see the walls. Now off to the beach. Shells here, horseshoe crabs there, and a great view to the side. Here comes the ferry…say goodbye to Shetfield Island and you’re on your way. This was truly an adventure for me and my family. Maybe you too can share the magic with your family.
 

DEFINITELY DELLS!
By: Lindsey, 9, (aka lindseybeth11)


Are you looking for a great vacation spot? Well Wisconsin Dells is the place to go! And it’s fun for all ages. (So if you have little brothers and sisters you should bring them too!) Some of the bigger and fancier hotels like "Kalihari" and "The Wilderness" have very big water parks which are better for older kids. Where as "The Grand Marquis" has a very nice water park inside and out and is great for all ages. If you’re way too hot check out "Noah’s Ark," America’s largest outdoor water park. There are LOTS of stores there so if you love shopping just go downtown. There are also lots of attractions like, Wizard Quest, Go Carts, Ripley’s Believe it or Not, The Exploritorium, The Wisconsin Ducks, Tommy Bartlet’s Water Show, and The Magic Show. See! That already fills 7 days up! The restaurants are GREAT! If you go downtown at night you might even see a street juggler! My family has been going to the dells ever since I was 3. And now I’m 9!! So tell your parents that next time you go on vacation you want to go to Wisconsin Dells!
 

PIGEON FORGE/ GATLINBURG, TN
By: Emily, 11, (aka hsmlover_14)

 

This year for vacation my family, and my cousin Hannah and I all went to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, TN. It was one of the best vacations I’ve ever had. If you ever go there, I recommend seeing the Dixie Stampede. So much fun! Warning: You eat with your fingers, so make sure they are clean and be prepared! Also, there is a new science museum, called Wonder Works. It was SO much fun! It was built to look like a major disaster just happened that sent wonder works flying across the country, and landing on top of the Music Mansion. Inside, it’s all one big illusion. You go through a spinning vortex (tunnel) that takes you to the museum part. I also recommend going to see Cade’s Cove. It was beautiful. Tennessee was amazing!