Staycation Destination - Family Life News

There was a time when the lumber industry was king in Pennsylvania, and that rich legacy is preserved at the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum. That’s our destination on this season finale of Family Life “Staycations.”

Kodak. A name synonymous with photography...and it all started with George Eastman.  On this edition of "Staycations," Eliza Benington, a senior marketing officer, gives us a snapshot of all t hat's offered inside the George Eastman Museum.

It's a nostalgic trip back in time to when riding the rails was the way to travel. On this edition of "Staycations," we're off to tour the sights of New York's Finger Lakes region from the vintage cars of the Finger Lakes Rail Experience, where Steve Hooper is both general manager and the train engineer.  

On a fateful day in 1901, it became the most important building in America…and it’s still full of fascinating history. On this week’s edition of “Staycations”, we visit with Executive Director Spencer Morgan at Buffalo’s Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site, which provides a unique snapshot of a time when the Pan American Exposition, William Mcki...

Many outside of the Central Pennsylvania still know of Williamsport, thanks to its long-standing reputation as the birthplace of Little League baseball. On this edition of Staycations, we learn all about its rich baseball history from Adam Thompson, Executive Director of the World of Little League Museum.

It's been called the bloodiest battle fought on American soil, and the greatest man-made disaster in our history. The pivotal three-day battle between Union and Confederate troops in July, 1863 still has much to teach us about our nation's history...and those lessons are brought to life at the Gettysburg National Military Park, where Jason Martz is a Public Affairs Specialist. You can learn more a...

We kick off another summer of Staycation destinations in Western New York with lots of laughs at Jamestown, New York's National Comedy Center. Their Magager of Marketing & Communications, Megan Eckwahl, also offers up a preview of the annual Lucille Ball Comedy Festival August 6-9. 2026. Learn more at comedycenter.org.

They stand tall on the Buffalo waterfront, telling an important part of American history to generations new and old. On this edition of Family Life Staycations, we're off to the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park - dominated by its three big ships - the USS The Sullivans, the USS Little Rock and the submarine USS Croaker. Our guide is Director of Operations and US military veteran Bil...

Once upon a time, rail was king, and Pennsylvania was a rail hub with few peers. On this episode of Family Life 'Staycations,' all aboard for an audio tour of Scranton, PA's Steamtown National Historic Site, as Park Ranger Erica Kennedy tells us about its formation and the rich history of Pennsylvania railroading it contains for all to enjoy.  

The need for play is embedded deep in the human race, and the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, NY celebrates all the ways we play in myriad ways. In this edition of Family Life Staycations, we speak with Sara Poe, Strong's Senior Vice President for Marketing and Guest Experiences about the museum's history and all it has to offer to kids and the young at heart. Learn more at museumofpl...

They once ruled the seas....and even today, their majesty of the waves remains undeniable! In this edition of Family Life 'Staycations,' we're off to the shoreline of Erie, Pennsylvania to preview Tall Ships Erie 2025 - August 21st-24, 2025. Our captain for this audio voyage is an experienced hand at the helm, and at promoting the love of all things sailing - Captain Billy Sabatini does all t...

It's been around for over 3,000 years, and is every bit as important today as it was back then. We're talking about glass - and nowhere will you find a more comprehensive compilation of its rich history than at CMOG - the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, NY. Learn all about its glistening treasure trove of artifacts and family-friendly hands-on activities from CMOG's Chief Marketing Officer and...

He was the 'Tom Hanks of his day' - and much more. Indiana, Pennsylvania's most famous son is honered by his hometown at The Jimmy Stewart Museum - detailing a "Wonderful Life" that included not only famous movies such as "It's a Wonderful Life," "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" and so many more, but also his time as a top U.S. pilot during WWII. We hear about the museum's many displays chronicling...

Coal was king for a long time in parts of Pennsylvania, and that legacy lives on in the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour in Scranton, where visitors can check out a coal mine by traveling 300 feet down. We hear about the industry's history there, and what visitors can expect when they head below, from mine foreman Edmund Neidlinger in this episode of "Family Life Staycations."

The Erie Canal is celebrating the bicentennial of its completion this year, and a great place to learn about its rich history is the Erie Canal Museum in downtown Syracuse, NY. We speak with Derrik Pratt, the museum's Directorof Operations and Educational Programs.

Punxsutawney - the small Pennsylvania town with the global reputation for its annual Groundhog Day festival - hails itself as the "Weather Capital" of the World." So it's only fitting that it's also home to the Punxsutawney Weather Discovery Center. Executive Director Lisa Waksmunski gives us some local weather history, and an audio walkthrough of the center.

It’s “Staycation Destinations” on Family Life Keystone Elk Country Visitors Center – the PA Wilds North Central Pennsylvania is gearing up for a massive influx of tourism, as we move past Labor Day Weekend. The Elk Country Visitors Center at Benezette, Pennsylvania, sees 400,000 guests annually. Add in the people who go elk watching each … Read More Read More

Staycation – Elk Country – Bonus Content   Pennsylvania Elk Country Educator Ben Porkolab is featured on this week’s Family Life “Staycation Destinations”. You can hear that primary feature here from FamilyLife.org/newspodcasts.   He also wanted to add some advice for those who go to the Elk Country Visitors Center, any of the nearby national … Read Mo...

It’s “Staycation Destinations” from Family Life The beauty and majestic power of Niagara Falls draws tourists from all across the region and all across the world. The power of those millions of gallons of water has powered the generation of electricity which now accounts for all the electrical power used in New York State. The … Read More Read More

It’s “Staycation Destinations” on Family Life The last week of August marks the anniversary of a milestone that transformed northwest Pennsylvania — and transformed the world. It was 1859, when “Colonel” Edwin Drake struck oil at his new well south of Titusville. As he and his team developed the infrastructure to drill, store and transport … Read More Read...

This week’s “Staycation Destinations” feature took you on a radio tour of Edwin Drake’s Well #1. It essentially became the birthplace of the modern petroleum industry. The Drake Well Museum and Park, with its indoor and outdoor exhibits, tells of this history. In this additional interview segment, Emily Weaver of the Friends of Drake Well … Read More Read More

It’s “Staycation Desinations” on Family Life This week, a visit to a unique phenomenon of nature, in North Central Pennsylvania. The Coudersport Ice Mine has been a longtime attraction for locals and out-of-town visitors. After being closed for a number of years, Gary Buchsen (the father) reopened the Ice Mine ten years ago. Between Memorial … Read More Read More

The JELL-O Gallery – Le Roy NY It’s “Staycation Destinations” on Family Life The hometown of Jell-O brand gelatin continues to celebrate the century-plus of fun, wiggly food. The Le Roy Historical Society intentionally chose a more-fitting name for its museum — this is an art gallery. As you’ll hear in this podcast, some of … Read More Read More

It’s Staycation Destinations on Family Life We take a Trolley to this week’s Staycation Destination. The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum offers a ride into pre-automobile history. Most people think of the Land of Make-Believe in Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood when they think of trolleys. However, the electrified mode of transportation was real-world big business, shaped the development...