Shasta Cascade pit stop: Turtle Bay Exploration Park

If you've taken I-5 on a west coast road trip, chances are you've driven right through Redding, California. We had passed through numerous times before we had the opportunity to stop and check out this Northern California town. If you're looking for a place to stop with kids, it's a great choice! The Sacramento River runs through town, offering plenty of opportunity for families to cool off in … [Read more...]

Grown up getaway: Society Hotel Portland

Love unique properties, boutique hotels, and repurposed buildings? Portland has the motherload. It seems that every time I turn around, a new boutique property has opened in my favorite Northwest city. The latest: The Society Hotel, which we checked out on a rainy January weekend. No doubt about it, the Society Hotel is ideal for a grown up getaway, parent-child mini-vacation, or girls' … [Read more...]

Del Mar Racetrack: Fun for the whole family

The following guest post is written by family travel blogger Amber Mamian of www.GlobalMunchkins.com. Gorgeous weather, a nostalgic past, the season's top race horses, jockeys and trainers plus free kids activities. Yes please! I'm talking about where the "Turf meets the Surf" at the famous Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in sunny California. This past weekend I had the opportunity to check out the … [Read more...]

Exploring Mukilteo, WA with Kids

We partnered with Staybridge Suites on the post below. While sponsored, all opinions are our own. Seattle, Washington is a well-known vacation destination for families, and for good reason! But venture just a bit further north and parents will find a wonderful outdoor playground in Mukilteo, north of the city near Everett, Washington and Whidbey Island. This past June, we were able to … [Read more...]

Ashland Centennial Ice Skating Rink

If you'll be traveling along I-5 this winter season, you'll need a festive place to stop and let the kids play. Our pick: Ashland Oregon's Rotary Centennial Ice Skating Rink, located outdoors adjacent to lovely Lithia Park. Located near the Oregon/California border, Ashland is a vibrant town best known for its Shakespeare Festival and university campus, but families will find much to enjoy … [Read more...]

Educational Travel: End of the Oregon Trail Museum

Historic Oregon City marks the official end of the Oregon Trail. It's also home to the best Oregon history museum you've probably overlooked. Only minutes from downtown Portland, Oregon City and its End of the Oregon Trail Museum is easy to access via car or MAX, but often becomes overshadowed by other excellent Portland attractions for kids. The museum includes a wonderful indoor exhibit hall, a … [Read more...]

Stay the night in a fire lookout: a weekend on Pickett Butte, OR

We love camping in all seasons, but we also like to be (reasonably) comfortable. A number of years ago, we discovered Oregon state park yurts, and this year, we've added national forest fire lookouts to our off-season camping picks. If you might stay the night in a fire lookout, read on! Fire lookouts available for civilian stays are located across the US. To find one in your state, start with … [Read more...]

Portland Children’s Museum

The Portland Children’s Museum is one of the best places to spend a rainy morning or afternoon with young kids in Portland. For better or for worse, the word is out, and this excellent museum can get very crowded. Before describing any of the many reasons to visit, I have to start my Portland Children's Museum review by saying, ‘Get there early!’ Every time we stop by, we get there at opening at 9 … [Read more...]

Portland with kids: Oregon Zoo

We love the Oregon Zoo! Like many Oregon Zoo reviews attest, we love that it’s small enough to be manageable in one day with young kids, but large enough to stay interesting time after time. We toured the entire thing with a five-year-old and three-year-old (plus older kids) and the entire loop took us about three and a half hours. With five main sections of the park—Great Northwest, Africa, … [Read more...]

Pacific Science Center in the Seattle Center

Families visiting Seattle WA are drawn to the Space Needle like moths to flame, and there's nothing wrong with that: it brings them straight to one of the city's best attractions for kids: the Pacific Science Center. Pacific Science Center is showing some age on the surface, but inside, it's as vibrant as ever (or more so). In addition to its permanent exhibits on life science, natural … [Read more...]