Family Fun Travel Tips for Traveling Anywhere IV

Resist fast food joints when you are on the road, particularly those ever-present national chains. While some children have difficulty exercising their palates, traveling offers a great opportunity to try new, local cuisines. This will help you and your children appreciate local cultures and history, as well as give you a tasty break.

Remember, too, that “national” foods vary in flavor across the country. For example, Mexican food cooked in a restaurant in Los Angeles may very well be prepared quite differently in a kitchen in San Antonio. If your children like Mexican food, they may not know this and may not care just as long as they are getting a taco. Also, because there are some similarities, you might be able to introduce your children to food from Peru or other South American countries with little resistance.

If your kids enjoy spicy fried chicken at home, you might be able to get them interested in Cajun food if you are in Louisiana. Barbeque is barbeque, that is, unless you are in Memphis, Tennessee. Of course, if your children hate fish, you will probably not be able to interest them in the traditional Friday night fish fry in Wisconsin or clam chowder in New England, but hey, there are other items on the menu. At least you can go for it!

So, the next time that you are traveling, push yourself and your children. Try something new, or something old flavored a little differently. It is part of what makes traveling special.