Things to Do in North America

Nurturing children's creative passions for a chance at a successful and innovative 21st Century, the Children's Creativity Museum (formerly ZEUM) offers an interactive arts and technology museum for kids. Building on the idea that collaboration and creativity are the earmarks of fun and learning, the Children's Creativity Museum offers a wide range of engaging activities for youths. Whether it's sculpting out of clay, developing characters in an animation studio, taking the "mystery box challenge," or simply blowing off steam on a carousel and the playgrounds, the Children's Creativity Museum is always a hit for the young and old. It's also conveniently located in the Yerba Buena Gardens complex, a hub of activity and culture in heart of Downtown.

Lovers of land and sea can wander the quiet galleries of the Cape Cod Maritime Museum and gain unlimited access to historical documents, impressive models and incredible art. Travelers say the intimate space, which warmly welcomes visitors from across the globe, has a charming vibe and friendly, knowledgeable staff, too. The unique boathouse showcases some of the best of wooden boats and a boatbuilding workshop in the museum's basement offers travelers a behind the scenes look at how these beautiful old-school vessels are made. Guides and craftsmen will share stories about the old-world art and explain how the Cape Cod Maritime Museum helps local schools apply math and science concepts from the classroom in the real world. It's the perfect way to spend a few afternoon hours before heading to the nearby harbor for a boat cruise or a meal.

Located on Florida's southernmost Gulf Coast, Chokoloskee Bay is about ten miles (16 km) long and two miles (3 km) wide and is separated from the Gulf of Mexico by the northern end of the Ten Thousand Islands. A popular destination for fishermen and water sports enthusiasts, the waters of Chokoloskee Bay offer a vast assortment of saltwater fish such as grouper, flounder and red fish for anglers. The sheltered mangrove islands of Ten Thousand Islands offer plenty of areas for kayakers to explore.

In the heart of Chokoloskee Bay is Chokoloskee Island, a small area that is considered the last great frontier in the Everglades. Settled by Native Americans two thousand years ago, modern settlement began in 1874. If you visit the island, check out the Historic Smallwood Store, which is housed in Ted Smallwood's general store. Now a museum, it's on the National Registry of Historic Places and is an authentic glimpse into the colorful"”and sometimes bloody"”history of this region.

While this area of Mazatlan has gone through several periods of ascent and decline, a government focus on restoration incentives and sensible zoning laws has resulted in spruced-up buildings that are also functional. The exteriors remain historic, but inside the owners have flexibility in making the (often deteriorated) space work for current needs. So there's a good range of nightclubs, boutiques, galleries, restaurants, and residences. Many buildings in the Old Mazatlan area date from the late 1800s and early 1900s, when the bustling port city was wealthy from shrimp, fish, minerals, and an iron foundry.

The historic sights of Old Mazatlan are concentrated in a rather limited area near the Plazuela Machado, a small, tree-filled square with a wrought-iron kiosk in the center. Nearby is the ornate, neoclassical Teatro Angela Peralta, which opened in the 1860s and was later renamed for the singer: she died of yellow fever a few days before she was to perform here.

On the edge of the historic district are several other spots worth the walk. The late 1800s church here is an oddity in several respects, including Moorish touches and even Stars of David by the door. The main zocolo is not nearly as attractive as Plazuela Machado, but is a good spot for watching how the locals bide their time.

If you're looking for guaranteed pink flamingo sightings, a trip out to Celustun is your best bet. There's a pleasant enough beach where you can spread out a blanket, look for shells, or go swimming, but the main reason to visit is to hire a boat captain to take your party out on a flamingo tour. You head into a lagoon area where the big pink birds hang out each day, flying around and settling down in shallow areas in large groups to look for food. It's rare to come here and not see a few dozen flamingoes in bunches as you troll around on the boat.

The tour also usually includes a "petrified forest" with mangrove stumps sticking out of the mud and a visit to a swimming hole on land filled by cool, clear spring water. It's a great place to cool off from the viewing time in the hot sun. Afterwards there are a variety of inexpensive seafood restaurants near the beach and town square, all serving shrimp ceviche, fresh-caught fish from the Gulf of Mexico, and cold beer or margaritas.