While we lived in Spokane, WA, we spent a good deal of time at neighboring Lake Pend Oreille at Sandpoint, Idaho, and in the winter skiing Schweitzer Mountain. Schweitzer is located above the lake deep in the snowy peaks, and feels like it, too! Families will want to be ready for any weather this far north, but will be rewarded with prime skiing and snowboarding as well. Where to stay: … [Read more...]
Sertoma Butterfly House and Purdy Marine Cove
November 1, 2012 By
If you're visiting Sioux Falls, South Dakota for a few days, or just passing through on I-90, the Sertoma Butterfly House and Purty Marine Cove offer a high-quality and educational stop that won't break the bank. One of many quality free or cheap attractions for families in Sioux Falls! Housed on Sioux Falls innovative Outdoor Campus, where local families and visitors can stop in to take other … [Read more...]
Great Plains Zoo and Delbridge Museum of Natural History
October 29, 2012 By
A perfect half-day pit stop off I-90 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the Great Plains Zoo is manageably sized, but more importantly, carefully managed to be a high quality zoo experience in the heart of the midwest. Plus, Great Plains Zoo has a Kidscore of 66. (Learn more about Kidscore.) Great Plains Zoo is so open and accessible, it feels like a park that just so happens to house an … [Read more...]
Best Western Plus Ramkota Hotel in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
October 17, 2012 By
From the outside, the Ramkota Hotel, a Best Western Plus property, looks like just about any other large-scale interstate-adjacent motor inn. Once inside, visitors immediately know there's more to it: the Ramkota delivers big on the extras travelers with kids need, such as a full-scale restaurant (and bar, just saying) and large year-round indoor water park facility and seasonal outdoor pool. … [Read more...]
Amelia Park Children’s Museum (Westfield Children’s Museum)
August 16, 2011 By
Located right off the Mass Pike (I-90), the Amelia Park Children’s Museum (often called the Westfield Children’s Museum) is perfect for families looking for a place to let little ones run wild for an hour or two. The museum is made up of one long room with smaller stations along the edges, such as a pretend bank and grocery store, a collection of Little People toys, and a stage with costumes, a … [Read more...]
Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory
July 19, 2011 By
A great way to spend a rainy (or snowy, or sweltering) day with young kids while traveling in western Massachusetts is the Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory. The conservatory (or as my toddler calls it, “Butterfly Farm”) is a huge greenhouse filled with trees, flowers, turtles, lizards, and of course, butterflies. One of its biggest selling points is the fact that the greenhouse is kept nice and … [Read more...]
Summer in the Berkshires: Tanglewood Amphitheater
July 11, 2011 By
An afternoon or evening spent enjoying live music in the beautiful outdoor amphitheater at Tanglewood is a great addition to any family vacation in western Massachusetts. Tanglewood is located in the picturesque town of Lenox in the heart of the Berkshires. On a recent visit, we packed our cooler with sandwiches, cheese and crackers, fruit salad, and strawberry shortcake and picnicked the night … [Read more...]
The New England Aquarium and Boston Children’s Museum
July 2, 2011 By
Both The New England Aquarium and the Boston Children’s Museum are perfect half-day activities, especially if the day in question is as cold and rainy as ours was! We decided to spend one afternoon at each, and could have easily spent more time! My nephew and niece joined us for our time in Boston, so we had kids aged 8 months to 12 years touring both attractions. We loved the aquarium … [Read more...]
Boston with kids: Boston Duck Tours
June 30, 2011 By
Before visiting Boston, I kept hearing about Boston Duck Tours, and how it was a must-do with kids. Turns out, their reputation precedes them for a reason! This tour is the perfect way to gain an overview of the city while the kids (and adults) are highly entertained. The fun begins as soon as you board your 'duck', a W.W.II style amphibious landing vehicle, and are introduced to your … [Read more...]
Boston with kids: a stay at Marriott’s Custom House
June 28, 2011 By
Marriott's Custom House is hands down the most unique Marriott Vacation Club property I've ever seen. Originally built in 1847 as a--you guessed it--custom house for 1/5th of the world's wealth brought in at the busy harbor, the hotel is one of the most impressive historical buildings in all of Boston, and yet its one-of-a-kind features are seamlessly integrated with Marriott Vacation Club's … [Read more...]
