November/December 2002

Because many companies and individuals continue to cut back on travel in these uncertain economic times, combining a working trip with a family vacation just makes sense. After all, most convention cities offer fun and exciting entertainment for people of all ages. Knowing this, EXPO set out to identify the 20 best destinations for combining afamily vacation with an exposition.

Rather than start from scratch on the selection criteria, we looked at the selections of FamilyFun magazine’s readers, who each year rate the best travel destinations in the United States in the magazine’s Family-Friendly Travel Awards. We culled their 
answers to identify 20 cities that provide fun for families, while also offering a convention center with at least 50,000 square feet of exhibit space.

Boston 
This popular destination for families features the Museum of Science, one of FamilyFun readers’ favorite museums in the Northeast, as well as the Children’s Museum. The U.S.S. Constitution, also known as “Old Ironsides,” rests in Boston harbor, and the New England Aquarium attracts families. For show-goers, Boston has several convention centers, including the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, the Bayside Expo and Conference Center, theJohn B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center and the World Trade Center Boston.

Charleston, SC
The city where history lives boasts many attractions of interest to visitors 
of all ages, from historic Fort Sumter to Yorktown. Families can frolic on world-class beaches and see marine life up close at the South Carolina Aquarium, or visit 30 art galleries in the French Quarter district, established in the 18th century by the French Huegenots. For show attendees, the Charleston Civic Center offers 100,000 square feet of exhibit space.

Chattanooga, TN
This city’s name comes from the Creek Indian word for “rock coming to a point” and refers to the 88-mile Lookout Mountain that begins in Chattanooga. The city boasts the Tennessee Aquarium, the world’s largest freshwater aquarium, and the Walnut Street Bridge, the world’s longest pedestrian bridge. The Chattanooga Zoo, Lake Winnepesaukah and Raccoon Mountain Caverns provide other great diversions for families. And the Chattanooga Convention Center gives 
show managers 50,000 square feet of exhibit space.

Chicago
Six Flags Great America is one of FamilyFun readers’ favorite amusement parks in the Midwest. Chicago, the birthplace of the skyscraper, also has Navy Pier, with more than 50 acres of parks, gardens, shops and restaurants. The city boasts dozens of museums — including the Museum of Science and Industry, the Field Museum and the Chicago Children’s Museum — as well as the Shedd Aquarium. And show managers can choose from threefacilities: McCormick Place, Navy Pier and the Hyatt Regency Chicago’s Riverside Center.

Denver
This family friendly city boasts many locations for shows, including the National Western Complex, Colorado Convention Center, Denver Merchandise Mart Complex and John Q. Hammons Trade Center. Attractions popular with families include The Children’s Museum of Denver, the Colorado History Museum and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Tiny Town, another great attraction, is a kid-sized village with dozens of “Old West” buildings built at 1/6 scale. The city also features eight theaters and more than 2,000 restaurants.

Duluth, MN
The Duluth Entertainment Convention Center features 100,000 square feet of exhibit space and a 2,400-seat auditorium. Nearby Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world, and visitors can check out the Great Lakes Aquarium & Freshwater Discovery Center, with 70 species of fish and 30 interactive exhibits. The Bananaz Family Entertainment Complex features laser tag, virtual parachuting, rock climbing, race car simulators and more. In the winter, visitors can enjoy skiing on 24 runs and more than 175 acres.

Honolulu
Families love to visit historic Pearl Harbor and the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial in Honolulu, as well as the U.S.S. Missouri. Popular Waikiki Beach hosts more than 4 million visitors each year who enjoy canoeing, kayaking, surfboarding, boogie boarding, paddle boating and snorkeling. Children will want to visit the Honolulu Zoo andthe Waikiki Aquarium. This island city features the Hawaii Convention Center with 200,000 square feet of exhibit space, as well as the Neal S. Blaisdell Center.

Minneapolis/St. Paul
Minneapolis, the City of Lakes, has 22 lakes within the city limits and more than 15,000 throughout the state. Two popular museums in St. Paul are the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Minnesota Children’s Museum. Minneapolis also boasts the Minneapolis Convention Center, while St. Paul offers the RiverCentre, with nearly 99,000 square feet of exhibit space. A skyway pedestrian connection system links the downtown public library, the James J. Hill Library, Landmark Towers and RiverCentre.

New York City 
One of the most popular museums in the Northeast, the American Museum of Natural History, is located in this city. And who can visit New York without marveling at the Statue of Liberty and the Ellis Island Immigration Museum? The Empire State Building, the Bronx Zoo ... the list just goes on and on. For shows, New York City features the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, the Show Piers on the Hudson, the UnConvention Center at Pier 94 and the Hilton New York.


Orlando, FL 
This well-known Southern city boasts two of FamilyFun magazine’s top amusement parks in the Southeast — Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. SeaWorld Orlando is another popular family destination. In addition, the ocean is just a 45-minute drive away. The home of Mickey Mouse offers many facilities for shows, including the Orange County Convention Center with more than 1.1 million square feet of exhibit space, the Orlando World Center Marriott and the Expo Centre.


Philadelphia
The home of the Liberty Bell, Philadelphia offers many fun attractions for families. The Franklin Institute Science Museum is a top museum destination in the Northeast, and Independence Hall draws thousands of families each year. In addition, the Philadelphia Zoo is one of FamilyFun readers’ top zoo picks in the Northeast. The city’s historic and waterfront park begins just four blocks east of the Pennsylvania Convention Center with 440,000 square feet of exhibit space — and features Philadelphia’s earliest settlements. In addition, Independence National Historical Park is America’s most historic square mile.

Pittsburgh
This family-friendly city boasts the popular Carnegie Science Center and the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium. Other 
family-oriented attractions include the Fort Pitt Museum and Blockhouse, the National Aviary and the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. And Pittsburgh is one of the most bridge-filled cities in the world. To host shows, Pittsburgh is home to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, as well as the Pittsburgh Expo Mart.

Portland, OR
The “City of Roses” boasts the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and the Children’s Museum, two winning attractions for FamilyFun readers. The Portland Art Museum and the Oregon Zoo are other popular destinations for families. In addition, the 38-mile MAX light rail system is free through the 330-block downtown area. Show space includes the Portland Metropolitan Exposition Center with nearly 333,000 square feet of exhibit space and the Oregon Convention Center.

Rapid City, SD
Rapid City provides easy access to the Mount Rushmore National Memorial just 25 miles away and the Black Hills of South Dakota, two enduring attractions for families. The Journey Museum and the Museum of Geology provide fun for visitors of all ages. And visitors can find more than 4,000 hotel and motel rooms in and around the city. In addition, this family-friendly city features the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center with 55,000 square feet of exhibit space.

San Antonio 
In San Antonio, the two-and-a-half-mile long River Walk, or Paseo del Rio, enchants visitors of all ages with its European-style sidewalk cafes and river taxis that deliver visitors to the newly expanded Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. The Alamo and Fort Sam Houston are must-see features for history buffs. SeaWorld Adventure Park and Market Square, the largest Mexican marketplace outside of Mexico, are popular sights for visitors as well. And the Alamodome offers exhibit space for shows.

San Diego
This city’s 70 miles of beaches are popular with FamilyFun readers. And the San Diego Aerospace Museum, the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld Adventure Park and the San Diego Wild Animal Park are all fun destinations for families. This sunny California city — daily temperature averages 70.5 degrees Fahrenheit — offers the San Diego Convention Center right on the water, the San Diego Sports Arena and the San Diego Concourse Convention and Performing Arts Center.

San Francisco
The Exploratorium museum is a fascinating destination for families. The Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, and Fisherman’s Wharf make San Francisco one of FamilyFun readers’ top Southwest destinations. The city’s fascinating Chinatown district covers 24 blocks with exotic shops, dim sum restaurants and museums. San Francisco boasts multiple facilities for shows, including Moscone Center and new addition Moscone West, opening in 2003; the Cow Palace; the Concourse Exhibition Center; and the Hilton San Francisco.

Seattle
In Seattle, families will enjoy visiting the Pacific Science Center, the Children’s Museum and the Museum of Flight. In addition, the Woodland Park Zoo, the Seattle Aquarium, the Space Needle and the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks are other fun attractions for families. Pike Place Market, the nation’s oldest continually working farmer’s market, is a must-see, as well. Seattle boasts two substantial convention centers: the Stadium Exhibition Center and the Washington State Convention & Trade Center.

St. Louis
The Magic House and the Science Center are top museum destinations in the Midwest. And visitors love the Gateway Arch, with its Museum of Westward Expansion, and the hands-on contact with animals at Grant’s Farm. At 1,293 acres, Forest Park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States, and it includes the St. Louis Zoo, the Art and History Museums, the Science Center and much more. St. Louis features plentyof space for shows at America’s Center, which contains 502,000 square feet of exhibit space.

Washington, DC
This city definitely offers a multitude of attractions for history buffs. The National Museum of Natural History, the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of American History and the Capital Children’s Museum are all top picks. Other popular features include the White House; the Capitol; the National Zoo; and the Washington, Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials. Facilities with space for expositions include the New Washington Convention Center, the D.C. Armory Starplex and the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel.

Elizabeth Ingram is the Editor in Chief of EXPO magazine.