Great Everyday Meals Magazine | By Momma Cuisine Spring/Summer 2017 | Page 12

One unique aspect of the Gettysburg dining scene is the opportunity to go back in time and expe- rience what it would have been like to be dining in the 1800s. To get the complete colonial din- ing experience there are several restaurants that have costumed staff serving Civil War-era meals. Farnsworth House Inn Restaurant and Dobbin House Tavern are two tasty options to enjoy an his- toric American-period experience to the fullest. GEM: What are some can’t-miss activities in these cities? FT: You’ll find plenty of site-seeing and family fun at all three locations.  For sun, beach, pools and water sports Mazatlán has you covered. You can take a short boat trip to Deer Island where you can relax enjoy an island barbeque and beach activities. You can watch the daring cliff-divers and visit the Lighthouse, one of the tallest natural lighthouses in the world. Tour the Malecón, over 4 miles of beautiful beachfront walkway. Walk, bike or ride in one of Mazatlán’s unique Pulmonias, an open-air small taxi. You’ll see monuments, historic sculptures, street ven- dors and breathtaking sunsets. The Pino Suarez Open Market is a place to find local specialties as well as great bargains on Mexican crafts and souvenirs. Many resorts are all-inclusive and provide lots of activities on-site. We recommend El Cid Resorts . They have family-friendly suites with de- licious food choices and great amenities for the budget-conscious traveler. If you go to Traverse City in the springtime you can expect to see the cherry blossoms. There are also many events, including the Empire Aspar- agus Festival with its own parade, 5K run and plenty of games for the kids. Other great activities include visiting the indoor farmers markets, wine tastings (for the grownups) and simply strolling the main streets enjoying all the shops, galleries and restaurants. Hiking, biking, kayaking, golfing, 12 | GEM Food Mag - April-June 2017 fishing horseback riding are all fun outdoor activ- ities in Traverse City. If you happen to be bird lovers, you’ll appreciate the spring migration from mid-April to mid-May, which is a wonderful time see many unique spe- cies of birds that are passing through. The Great Lakes Children’s Museum is also a fun way for the family to intera ctively learn more about the area. The Cherry Festival happens in the summer as does Michael Moore’s Traverse City Film Festival. Gettysburg is a place for the family to dig deep- er into American History. There are many op- tions for touring the Gettysburg Battlefield, tak- ing historic walking tours or learning about the Underground Railroad. You can choose to take your tours by walking, horseback, Segway, bus or in your own car. Local rangers are on hand to be sure that all your questions are answered. If you’re a little more adventurous, there are also Ghost Tours, some even done by walking with candle- light, where you can hear about experiences and stories all around town. The Eisenhower National Historic Site is also an interesting look inside the life of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. When you’ve had your fill of history there are plenty of opportunities to visit orchards, wineries, shops, spas, or get active golf- ing and horseback riding. Looking for something really special? Try a hot air balloon ride for an un- forgettable view of Gettysburg.    GEM: Can you recommend where to look for great last-minute travel deals? FT: Sign up for Travelzoo.com. They provide last-minute deals on travel, some even in your own hometown for staycations. You may use Grou- pon for local deals but they also have many travel deals. Just be sure to read all the fine print before buying the deal. The site airfarewatchdog.com is another tool that you can set for places you’re looking to travel to or from and it will let you know when great airfares are available. Most often you need to act quickly as they sell out fast.