When the kids’ summer vacation comes full swing, that’s when your job as “planner of all things fun” begins as well. And no one can argue that a beach-bound respite falls at the top of most people’s wish list of places to visit during the summer—including us! But aside from the usual fun in the sun, we highlight two spots that offer a little bit of WWII history to boot!
BY CAR: Corpus Christi, Texas
What to do:
Get the travel games packed and the portable DVD player charged—they’ll come in handy for the 7-hour drive. But once you arrive, Corpus is chock-full of things to do. Your little landlubbers (ages 5 and up) can break in their sea legs with a surfing lesson or two through Padre Island Surf Camps, while you kick back on the shore with your favorite book or catch up on some zzz’s (just make sure to slather on the sunscreen). And right on Corpus Christi Bay is the USS Lexington Museum. The WWII-era aircraft carrier has plenty to explore, from the jets on the flight-deck to the rooms, halls and galleys that 3,000 crewmembers once occupied. Open daily from 9am-5pm. $13.95 adults;
$11.95 seniors (60 and up) and active or retired military; $8.95 children (4-12); free for kids 3 and under.
361/774-2264; padreislandsurfcamp.com
361/888-4873; usslexington.com
Where to stay:
The four-diamond-ranked Omni Corpus Christi Hotel Bayfront Tower boasts spectacular views, a decked-out fitness center, outdoor heated pool and much more. Tip: Sign up for the hotel’s Select Guest loyalty program (it’s free) and get Wi-Fi access in your room, gratis. And with The Omni Sensational Kids program, your tykes will get a goodie bag upon check-in and even a suitcase filled with games and books. Better still, kids ages 4-12 eat free (from the children’s menu at the hotel’s various restaurants). Room rates vary according to availability.
361/886-3510; omnihotels.com
What to eat:
Normally we wouldn’t point you toward the nearest fast-food joint. But our very own Whataburger was actually founded in 1950 in you guessed it: Corpus Christi. What began as tiny burger house on Ayers Street has now exploded into over 700 restaurants across the Nation, serving up custom-ordered burgers, chicken strips and … do we really need to go over the menu? The Whataburger by the Bay is a massive, 6,000-square-foot, two-storey restaurant overlooking the marina. The double-decker flagship is probably one of the swankiest chains around—as far as fast food goes.
361/881-9925; whataburger.com
BY PLANE: Oahu, Hawaii
What to do:
After taking the 8-hour flight across the Pacific, you’ll soon discover that the long haul is certainly worth it. With postcard-esque vistas and tourist-friendly locals, Oahu is an ideal family escape, indeed! If you’ve got an adventurous kid in tow, you can give him some bragging rights to take back with him by letting take a surfing lesson on the waves of Waikiki. Founder and instructor Erik Lillmars at DCX Surf School gives children as young as 4 the basics of this “sport of kings.” And in the heart of Pearl Harbor, history buffs can come aboard the Battleship Missouri Memorial and experience the Mighty Mo’s grandeur firsthand. It was on board this very battleship that the Japanese formally surrendered to United States during the end of WWII. Open daily from 8am-5pm; Admission starts at $20 adults; $10 children (4-12).
808/926-1414; surfingoahu.com
808/455-1600; ussmissouri.com
Where to stay:
A feast for the eyes and senses, the sprawling grounds of the Hilton Hawaiian Village are filled with fragrant gardens, relaxing water features and exotic animals such as flamingos, penguins and parrots amidst the gorgeous flora. Perhaps one of most child-friendly resorts on the island, the Hilton is ready to entertain the whole family with children’s activities, restaurants with kids meals available and water sports aplenty—the resort even has its own private lagoon. And if you forgot to pack a swimsuit or sunglasses, fret not: The on-site shopping rivals the bevy of boutiques along Kalakaua Avenue. From bikinis to shades to Louis Vuitton pareos—they’ve got you covered. The resort also has a fireworks show every Friday night, so if you’re there on a weekend, make sure to catch it! Room rates vary upon availability.
808/949-4321; hiltonhawaiianvillage.com
What to eat:
Venture out the North Shore of Oahu (about an hour scenic drive away from Honolulu) and stop by one of the many shrimp trucks/shacks along the road for a plateful of succulent shrimp. Thanks to local aqua farms, folks can get a taste of some of the freshest shrimp in town. Though there are several to choose from, a few of our faves include Romy’s Kahuku Prawns and Shrimp as well as Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck. Read the boards to see what’s cooking (try the garlic-sautéed variety, served with rice), place your order, find a bench, then get ready to get your hands dirty and peel some of the tastiest shrimp you’ll ever eat. Afterwards, head over to historic Haleiwa town nearby and try Matsumoto’s shave ice. Trust us, the famous sno cones are worth the wait in line. Tip: Get it local-style: with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and sweet azuki beans.
808/232-2202; romyskahukuprawns.org
808/293-1839; giovannisshrimptruck.com
808/637-4827; matsumotoshaveice.com
