Amy Hagstrom - Pitstops for Kids

Lake Placid lodging: Crowne Plaza Resort

December 8, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

My family and I have visited Lake Placid in late summer, and although we have a great time kayaking, hiking, and rock climbing, I continually thought to myself “OK, but I really need to come back in the winter!” Well, the snow fell, and we headed back to the Adirondacks last February, this time for some skiing and snowshoeing. Because Lake Placid has hosted two winter Olympic games (1932 and 1980), it has a wide variety of off-the-slopes entertainment, including ice skating, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and—for the adventurous types in your group—bobsled and skeleton racing. Because my kids are on the young side (3 and 5), we stuck to some hikes, exploring the town, and downhill skiing.

Lake Placid lodging: the Crowne Plaza Resort and Golf Club at Lake Placid is a great place to make your home base for exploring the area. It’s just a short walk up the hill from the Olympic Center and Main Street Lake Placid with restaurants, shops, and even a toboggan run onto Mirror Lake. Because it’s up on a hill overlooking Mirror Lake, it has beautiful views of the surrounding mountains, especially from the main lobby of the hotel. We stayed in a suite in the Adirondack wing of the hotel, with a separate bedroom (with soaking tub!), kitchenette, and a pullout couch in the spacious living room.

The Crowne Plaza has plenty of amenities—including restaurants on site, a fitness center, and a pool and hot tub. The pool, and especially the hot tub, was busy in the afternoon with the after-ski crowd. We visited during February break, which may have increased the number of families, but it was great to see so many kids splashing and warming up after a day on the slopes! (For those looking for a quieter getaway, I would avoid visiting during school vacations.)

The dining options at the Crowne Plaza turned out to be very kid-friendly as well. We had breakfast each morning at MacKenzie’s Restaurant in the hotel, which includes a breakfast buffet complete with an omlette bar, pancakes, eggs, oatmeal, and much more. One night we had dinner at the slightly fancier Lake Placid Club Boathouse. I had some reservations about this, because my kids are not great eaters under ideal circumstances, and sometimes behave like wild animals when let loose on a restaurant. But we had an early dinner (5:30 reservations) and the restaurant was practically empty (probably a little too early for those doing a full day at Whiteface). The staff was friendly and accommodating, and the food was great. My 5-year-old told me that the next time we go there, I should have the noodles with butter, because it was delicious…must be a house specialty!

Winter rates at the Crowne Plaza range from about $125/night midweek or $200/night weekend for a standard hotel room with two queen beds, to $350-$400/night for a suite like the one we had. They also offer “Ski and Stay Getaway” packages, which include breakfast and a lift ticket to Whiteface. These packages cost $119/person, /night midweek, or $169/person, /night weekends. The midweek package has the option of booking a third night and third day of skiing for free. Considering that an all-day adult lift ticket at Whiteface is $85/day, this is a pretty good deal!

Date last visited:

February 17–20, 2014

Distance from the interstate:

Lake Placid is pretty remote, and is not really on the way to anything, but it’s still worth a visit! It’s about a 2 or 2 ¼ hour drive from Albany, about 30 miles off Interstate 87.

Directions / Contact:

The Crowne Plaza Lake Placid is located at 101 Olympic Drive in Lake Placid, NY 12946. Call or email them at 1-877-570-5891 or [email protected].

As I disclose whenever applicable, my family and I stayed at Crowne Plaza as guests of the resort, for the purpose of review. Kids are the best critics, so you can be sure your little ones will enjoy Crowne Plaza as well!

Winter driving tips for holiday road trips

December 3, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

It can happen in an instant, and last February, it did: one moment, we were making the turn from an icy highway onto a ski resort access road, and the next, we were sliding into a snowbank, nose first. Luckily, everyone was ok, but our car suffered upon its impact with the wall of snow. After rolling into the parking lot, we spent valuable ski time accessing the damage and making sure our car would be able to deliver us back home safely. Our brush with the snowbank turned out to be only a minor inconvenience (and the cost of our deductible), but it served as a good reminder to always be prepared.

Read on for winter driving tips for holiday road trips

Keep snow chains in your car at all times:

I’m embarrassed to say we had our chains with us the day we got up close and personal with the snowbank, but hadn’t taken the time to put them on. If you’re not familiar with their installation, practice at home (this can be a good activity to do with school-aged kids and teens). If you really don’t want to hassle with it, consider winter snow tires.

Travel with extra supplies:

In winter, we have two extra blankets, a few flashlights (with batteries), and a jug of drinking water in the back of the car at all times. You never know when you’ll be caught on a pass that closes or stuck roadside. If you’re not already packing these items, also pack:

a pair of winter boots
gloves
a small shovel

You’ll be very glad to have them if you need to get out to install chains or dig yourself out of snow.

Know your comfort level:

In our winter driving experiences, we’ve seen it many times: a driver slows past the point of caution and to the point of danger to others. When climbing a steep, icy hill or navigating a windy winter road, slowing too much can cause traffic behind you to lose momentum…and then traction. To avoid causing a mess behind you, only drive a road you feel comfortable navigating at a steady, safe speed, in a vehicle that’s up for the challenge. Of course, this is easier said than done. If you do feel overwhelmed in a white-out or ice situation, wait until you reach level ground, and pull over when safe. Better yet, consider paying for a shuttle from your resort to your ski area or even from the airport. The price may be worth the peace of mind.

Check tire pressure and windshield wiper fluid levels before leaving home:

We learned this tip the hard way, when forced to search everywhere for an open garage on a holiday weekend in December, while road tripping to Canada. Tip: ask for recommendations at local gas stations. Attendants there can often point you in the direction of shops that remain open. It’s far easier to deal with mundane maintenance issues while you’re still at home. Using precious vacation time to inflate tires gets old very fast. Also make certain you replace older tires and have the proper tires for your car, in all seasons. Tyre-Shopper is a good place to start for UK readers.

Have roadside assistance at the ready:

Whether you opt for a pay-as-you-need-it service like Allstate’s Roadside Assistance, which you can learn more about in this post on road trip tips, or subscribe to AAA, have a plan in place for roadside emergencies.

Top travel apps for winter road tripping:

You’ll need plenty of pit stops during your winter road trip! In addition to utilizing the hundreds of reviews on Pit Stops for Kids (did you know your smart phone will automatically load our mobile app?), check out the following for indoor play spaces and museums, low cost gasoline, and road side help.

Trekaroo app: Leave your own reviews of the restaurants, hotels, and attractions you visit on the road and help out other parents. The Trekaroo mobile app works much like TripAdvisor, allowing you to help out others (and read real parent reviews while on the go).

Pillows and Pitstops (UK): For my UK readers, Pillows and Pitstops is like the Pit Stops for Kids of Britain! I love that parents can plug in their beginning and ending locations, and get ideas for their route.

Fuelcaster: Gas prices tend to go up during peak car travel periods, such as winter holidays. With Fuelcaster, we can check on fuel prices as we go, predicting what we’ll pay. This way, we can know whether it’s best to ‘top off’ or wait. Just don’t run out of gas trying to find the best deal!

Department of Transportation: There are plenty of traffic apps out there, but dot.gov should be your starting point for road conditions in every state. We like to check the desktop site before we leave, then have the mobile site loaded on at least one phone during any winter trip.

Do you need more winter driving tips? We have our best all-season road trip advice at the ready!

Photo by: Flickr/miguelb

Budget airlines: Tips and tricks for a smooth flight

November 26, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

With a family of five, we often fly on budget airlines, and while abroad, budget airlines in Europe. While we certainly enjoy the comforts and perks enjoyed on higher-priced air carriers, on many trips, the savings on these low cost flights outweigh the lack of perks. However, it’s important for families to know what to expect (or more accurately, what not to expect) when buying budget airline tickets in order to have a pleasant flight.

Tip #1: Book directly through the budget airlines.

Go ahead and find deals on an airfare deal finder like Kayak or CheapOAir (we use them all the time!), but then click over to the budget airline’s website and look for the same flight to book directly. Why? We found out the hard way after booking a Frontier Airlines flight through CheapOAir. We found ourselves with an extra carry-on item (a homemade souvenir our son Tobias had crafted and couldn’t part with), and had to pay to bring it onboard, even though he didn’t have any additional carry ons with him. Had we booked through Frontier directly, we would have been entitled to free carry-ons*. It’s also helpful to book directly through the airline website when you find yourself in need of extra help at check in, or have any routing issue. Just like when booking hotel rooms, brands are happier to help their loyal customers. Buying through a second-party site screams ‘deal finder’ not ‘loyal flier’.

*Check Frontier for current carry-on baggage policies.

Tip #2: Consider upgrading to priority boarding:

I know, I know, the whole reason you’re booking a budget airline is to save money! But when you buy the bare bones ticket on airlines such as Allegiant, for example, you’re almost guaranteed to find yourself at the end of the boarding line. If you’re carrying on bags, you’re likely to have them re-directed to checked baggage. If this is ok with you (hey, free checked bag!), then do not upgrade to priority boarding. But if having your bags with you is important (we usually want to get going immediately upon landing, not wait for bags), upgrade!

Tip #3: Read the fine print regarding carry-on bags:

Remember our Frontier flight? On many budget airlines (including Frontier and Spirit, last time I flew both these carriers), there is a charge for carry-on baggage. There are exceptions: travelers who book directly through the airline are often entitled to free carry ons, but you have to read the rules…which change regularly. Southwest still offers free carry ons and even two free checked bag for travelers who book directly through their site, for example. Always do your research, and find out if the budget airline you’re considering has a partner airline, such as Delta, American, and Alaska. If so, your loyalty mileage plan membership may entitle you to free carry-ons or checked luggage.

Tip #4: Book two one-way tickets to save money, and search by single passenger.

Because most budget airlines are regional, they often offer extremely cheap fare on select days of the week. Use the airline’s fare calendar or ‘flexible dates’ tool (like the one below) to find the cheapest days to fly. Compare the cost of two one-way tickets vs round trip fare. Likewise, if you have older kids who can sit alone if needed (best for short flights), always check ‘one passenger’ when searching for fares, even if you’re shopping for your whole family. Airline ticket generators find the lowest fare in the seating tier that accommodates your whole party, so if there are two remaining lowest fare seats, but four people in your group, all four of you will be ‘upgraded’ to the next lowest fare tier. If two budget seats and two slightly more expensive ones will be ok with you, check ‘one passenger’ when searching.

Tip #5: Consider paying more for long haul flights.

When our whole family traveled to Cancun last year, we flew on (now-defunct) Air Tran. We got a great fare, but the brutal truth is, our red-eye, five-plus hour flight across the country from the Pacific Northwest was pretty miserable on a bare-bones airplane. Forget about food service (or even complementary drink service), or comfortable seats or decent in-flight entertainment. We don’t mind skipping these perks on a shorter flight, but for a few more hundred dollars, we would have been far happier on a higher-priced air carrier for this long flight.

If you take heed of the tips above, it’s entirely possible to have a happy, contented flight on a budget airline, and save money to boot. We’ve happily flown Frontier Airlines, Allegiant Air, and Southwest without issue, when we knew what we were getting, booked directly, and leveraged our bigger budget frequent flier reward memberships where possible.

West Palm Beach vacation: Marriott’s Oceana Palms

November 17, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

Interested in a West Palm Beach vacation? I was curious about the Florida coastline, so for my first trip to Florida outside of Orlando, I checked out the Palm Beaches area north of Miami. Um, it’s kind of ok here. Maybe I should venture beyond Disney more often!

I stayed at Marriott Oceana Palms, which is a Marriott Vacation Club property. I knew I’d be happy with the resort, as I’d absolutely loved my stay at the Marriott Vacation Club in Boston, and recommend it every chance I get. However, when many parents see the words ‘vacation club’, they think it must not be for them…they either assume they can’t book if they’re not a member, or worry they’ll be pitched to once on site. I can assure you: Marriott Vacation Club isn’t your grandparents’ time share. This points-based vacation ownership program is completely different, with tons of flexibility. However— and this is the kicker —you don’t need to be a Marriott Vacation Club owner to book Marriott Vacation Club villas, anyway.

Quite honestly, this is one of the best ‘think outside the box’ alternatives to booking standard hotel rooms. For the cost of one beachfront hotel room (usually with a square footage of under 400), families can reserve an entire two-bedroom villa with over 1000 square feet of living space, including a kitchen and washer-dryer.

The Oceana Palms is a small, intimate resort right on the beach of Singer Island in West Palm Beach. It looks and feels like any other high-end Marriott resort: you get kids’ clubs, activities and programming, dining, pools and exercise rooms, and beach access. There are two towers in Oceana Palms: the Sunrise Tower and the Sunset Tower. At first glance, it appears that the Sunrise Tower, which is closest to the beach, is the obvious choice. However, thanks to great architectural design, both towers have ocean views. And some villas in the Sunset Tower have larger balconies.

What’s in your villa:

All villas at Oceana Palms are the same: two-bedroom units with everything you need, right down to the whisk in the kitchen. You’ll find laundry soap next to the washer, dish towels and plastic garbage bags, and hair dryers and shampoo. Sometimes, when families rent vacation homes or units, they don’t know what will be waiting for them. We had one unfortunate trip to a vacation home in which we discovered the ‘full kitchen’ lacked an oven! At Oceana Palms, everything is here. You also get two full bathrooms, one on which has a walk-in shower and the other of which has a large tub. Free wifi is available in the rooms and across the resort. The photo below shows a view from a Sunset Tower villa. Get up-to-date room rate information here.

What to do on site:

Oceana Palms boosts ideal beach access…the surf and sand is just steps away past the pool area. At the beach equipment stand, check in with Tony, who can hook you up with snorkel gear, boogie boards, and cabanas. Otherwise, lounge chairs are free for guest use. I split my time happily from beach to pool (which older kids could do on their own quite safely).

In the pool area, you’ll find a zero-depth entry area for young kids, plus a splash zone. On the other end, a lap pool is situated in a quiet corner, and additional pool space occupies the area in-between. Oceana Palms schedules quite a bit of daily activity, with DJs, movie nights, and lessons in everything from crocheting to guitar (a staff member actually learned guitar in order to teach it). If you’re an activities person, you’ll find as much here as you would in an all-inclusive resort. However, if you want a quieter environment, it is possible to escape it.

For additional entertainment, the resort has small details that go a long way. Throughout Oceana Palms, you’ll find ping pong tables, pool tables, lawn games, BBQs for guest use, and a large, fenced play area for young kids. My children spend hours at simple entertainment venues like this!

Oceana Palms has a drop-in dedicated kids’ club space and a teen space, both of which are fun and inviting…and casual, which is nice for families on vacation. There is a casual dining Marketplace, plus poolside Reflections, both good for burgers, sandwiches, and drinks. You won’t find upscale dining on site, but that’s what your full kitchen is for: I recommend shopping before arrival and making many meals in your villa.

What to do in Palm Beaches:

You’ll want to venture off-site while at Oceana Palms. We took a short drive off Singer Island to Jupiter Beach, where to toured the historic Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse. The guided tour includes a walk up the many spiral steps to the top of the lighthouse, where amazing views await, and a stop in the small but well-done museum. Pair your excursion to the lighthouse with lunch at Guanabanas, a waterfront bar and grill located adjacent. Guanabanas is more than a restaurant; it’s a full dining experience with the best ambiance I’ve seen for a classic Florida feel. The whole place is outdoors, with vegetation, overhangs, and straw roof shelter.

For another night out, consider heading to the Sailfish Marina on Palm Beach Shores. Part fish market, part marina, and part upscale seafood restaurant, Sailfish has something for everyone. The large building is fairly loud, which means kids will fit right in, and when they get squirrelly, take them outside to the marina, where they can purchase fish food to throw into the water. Wait for the feeding frenzy to begin!

How to get here:

Marriott’s Oceana Palms is located at 3200 North Ocean Drive, Riviera Beach, Florida. It’s just over the bridge on Singer Island, 15 minutes from the West Palm Beach airport.

Where do you stay in West Palm Beach? Would you consider trying a Marriott Vacation Club villa?

As I disclose whenever applicable, my stay with Oceana Palms was hosted, for the purpose of review. All opinions are my own.

Three Oregon getaways to take without the kids

November 14, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

Yes, we’re all about traveling with kids, but let’s face it: sometimes, Mom and Dad need to get away…solo. If you’re looking for a parents-only getaway in the Northwest, it’s hard to beat Oregon. Not to toot my home state’s horn too loudly, but we do have it all: nature and outdoors pursuits, wineries and farm-to-fork restaurants, and city sophistication. If you’re ready to get away, pick a date, and enjoy any of the following Oregon getaways…without the kids.

couples-getaway

Hint: couples getaways make for great holiday gifts to a spouse!

Hood River:

We were lucky enough to experience Hood River, Oregon while on a LifeCycle Adventures customized cycle tour through the Columbia River Gorge. If the idea of biking along scenic byways past fruit stands in the shadow of Mt. Hood appeals to you, I recommend booking a tour. But you can experience Hood River via a short drive from Portland, too.

Where to stay:

villa-columbia

We called the Villa Columbia home. This B&B is situated at the edge of downtown Hood River, overlooking the impressive Columbia. From the patios, watch kite boarders ‘surf’ the waves of the river, or just relax in the cozy living room of this beautiful home. If you’re cycling or paddle boarding during your stay, the villa has a full downstairs storage area for your gear, and our suite had a large jacuzzi tub and great views.

Breakfast at Villa Columbia is artfully created and served by owner Bobba, who is inspired by her Eastern European roots in her cooking (though she tells us she does not use recipes…fresh, local ingredients are all that’s needed). During our stay, we ate yogurt and granola topped with local berries and melon, then a savory crepe filled with local heirloom tomatoes, avocado, and feta cheeses.

villa-columbia

Where to eat:

You cannot go wrong with a stroll through downtown Hood River…any restaurant you choose will be great. If you’re looking for a brewery, we had a nice casual meal overlooking the river at Full Sail Brewery, where we sampled flights of beer that paired well with artisan burgers and good old fashioned fries.

For a more intimate dinner, check out the 6th Street Bistro, which also serves a lighter lunch on its patio and in the upstairs bar area. The salads are excellent, as are the beers and ciders on tap. Speaking of which, if cider is your thing, stop by Fox Tail Cider en route to Hood River, where over 10 local ciders are on tap. You can get a flight here as well (for as little as $7) or pick one to sip while pursuing their fruit stand.

What to do:

cycling-my-hood

No trip to Hood River would be complete without a drive along the Fruit Loop. This network of fruit stands and orchards span across the Columbia River Gorge, and are open for business from spring through fall. Pick up a Fruit Loop map (available just about anywhere in town) and head out for a day of fruit sampling, picnicking, and generally having a leisurely time of it.

If you’re up for something more strenuous, take a walk or bike ride along the Historic Columbia River Highway. This pedestrian and cycling-only road was once the main thoroughfare along the Gorge, and is now the perfect route for cyclists, runners, and walkers looking for great views of the river and Gorge. If walking, we recommend the hike from the parking area at Mark O. Hatfield Trailhead (west) to the first observation area along the river. If cycling, it’s possible to do the whole highway to the tiny town of Mosier in about an hour (then an hour back).

Willamette wine country:

bergstrom-willamette-valley

If your idea of a perfect parent getaway involves a winery or two, head to the Willamette Valley. Meander through the towns of Newberg and Dundee, tasting wines throughout any afternoon (though weekends are best), then end up in McMinnville for the night.

Where to stay:

Hands down, you must stay at A’ Tuscan Estate. We’re not always sold on B&Bs, but a vacation without the kids is a good opportunity to try one. You won’t be disappointed with A’ Tuscan Estate. Located about five blocks from the downtown streets, this property is actually a pair of homes. We stayed in the smaller Craftsman home, where we had the entire downstairs floor. We had use of a full kitchen, living space, dining area, bedroom, and bathroom, plus access to an outdoor garden and sitting area. We didn’t need this much room, but had we so chosen, we could have made dinner in with ingredients from a farmer’s market instead of eating out. A nice touch.

a-tuscan-estate

Be ready to be wowed in the mornings, while enjoying breakfast made by owner Jacques, who has a long and storied career in the culinary arts. Jacques served us a decadent quiche, homemade pastries, and local fruit, and told us guests must stay at his property for 17 nights before the breakfast menu will be repeated.

Note: if a B&B just isn’t your thing, we highly recommend the boutique hotel Allison Inn, located nearby.

Where to eat:

When not being pampered by Jacques, head downtown in McMinnville to eat at La Rambla, a Spanish cuisine establishment with a great vibe. La Rambla is casual but intimate, which to me, means romantic without being stuffy. There’s a great bar at La Rambla, an extensive wine list, and great tapas. Before deciding, however, it’s a good idea to check the ‘board’ a block away at Thistle, the local farm-to-fork offering. Thistle’s chalk board menu is constantly revolving…during our stay, we preferred the offerings at La Rambla, but it could have just as easily gone the other way.

What to do:

bergstrom-winery

You’re in wine country, so the #1 activity during your weekend away will be wine tasting. (Yes, it’s a hard life.) Pinot Noir is the variety of choice here, and you’ll find the best offerings in Dundee, Newberg, and McMinnville. We headed out to the Chehalem Mountains region of the valley, where we could hit Adelsheim, known regionally for their pinot, then Bergstrom (right up the street). Each have a very different feel: at Adelseim, you’ll get detailed tasting notes at a sleek granite bar, and at Bergstrom, you can sit on the patio overlooking the vineyards and chat and laugh with friends.

Grape Escape tour guide Oregon wine country

If you’re just not sure where to go, I recommend hiring Grape Escape for the day. These guys know Willamette wine, and will take couples around the valley, making stops at suggested wineries (or your picks). We had a great day with Grape Escape, and can’t wait to do it again.

Portland:

Living in Oregon, we enjoy many Portland weekend getaways. Most of the time, we experience Portland with kids, but every once in a while, we need to get away solo. Our ideal Portland Oregon getaway…without the kids…looks a bit like this:

Where to stay:

hotel-monaco

When it comes to boutique hotels in Portland, everyone has their favorites. We are admitted fans of Kimpton Hotels, so our picks for a quintessential Portland experience with or without the kids include RiverPlace, Hotel Vintage Plaza, and Hotel Monaco Portland, all of which have been reviewed on Pit Stops for Kids.

On our most recent visit, we crashed at Hotel Monaco (our ultimate fave), in a king premiere suite. For the first half hour or so after checking in, we just basked in the luxury of it, from the jacuzzi tub to the plush robes to the sitting room area with downtown views. I adore Hotel Monaco’s high ceilings, quirky decor, and fun furniture.

hotel-monaco-pdx

We came to our senses in time to remember Hotel Monaco’s happy hour downstairs, and got ourselves a glass of Oregon pinot on the house, then played a game of giant Janga. Yes, that’s a thing. The Hotel Monaco lobby is more like a living room, with drinks set out, comfy sofas and a fireplace, and usually, a resident dog.

I love the mini bar offerings in Hotel Monaco rooms (and the ample mini fridge space for those dinner leftovers) and the doormen and front desk staff are exceptionally helpful with directions and reservations. Every time I’m here, I truly feel welcomed back and pampered…a feeling that’s rarer and rarer in travel.

hotel-monaco-pdx

In the mornings, I like to exercise at Hotel Monaco (the exercise room is on the 9th floor, so there’s no need to traipse through the lobby while sweaty), then grab Starbucks coffee or hot chocolate with all the fixings in the lobby. There’s coffee in the room, too, of course, as well as wifi. Just become a Kimpton member to access wifi for free…easy peasy!

Parking at Hotel Monaco is a valet affair, but reasonably priced for the city. If you drive a hybrid car, expect to pay half rate! We recommend leaving your car with the valet and taking MAX or walking through downtown Portland…no need to hassle with it again.

Where to eat:

Portland happy hour

We’ve rounded up a number of fun happy hour spots in the city. You can’t go wrong with any of the above, but should you not want to leave your hotel, the Red Star Tavern is attached to Hotel Monaco. They have a good happy hour menu of small plates, and inventive cocktails. Their bar is lively but chill, and couples can as easily cozy up in a booth instead up belly up to the bar.

Interested in comfort food? Check out Mother’s Bistro, located at . Mother’s is our go-to pick for soups, mac and cheese, and other wintery weather fare when Portland is experiencing its signature drizzle, and has a killer brunch on Sunday mornings (it will be crowded!).

Prefer to eat on the go? We love Portland food trucks! Located in designated pods around the downtown sector of the city, food truck fare ranges from gourmet pasta dishes to inventive burgers to ramen noodles. Grab something and eat it along the Willamette, on a bench overlooking the water.

What to do:

We love walking or hiking through Portland parks or enjoying a leisurely browse through Powell’s. This cavernous bookstore takes up an entire city block, and includes a coffee shop. You’ll need a map to navigate it all (available at the entrances) and without the kids in tow, you can expect to be there a while.

Portland Tom McCall Park

If you hit Portland during a weekend from spring through fall, the Portland Saturday Market is a must. Located under the Burnside Bridge, this outdoor market and street faire will keep you busy all day. Stroll through the stalls, people-watch, and sample local produce and artisan foods. Tip: start here, then spend your late afternoon at Powell’s.

On sunny days, a walk through Portland’s Pearl District or a drive out of the city through the Columbia Gorge can be a great day trip. Head out I-84 and stop at Multnomah Falls, then detour onto the historic river highway. After all, you’re in no rush!

Visit Whidbey Island with kids: Exploring Coupeville

November 12, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

Whidbey Island may be small, but it’s tall, as my sons have noted after a map study. When families come to visit Whidbey Island with kids, it’s useful to stay in the center of the island, within easy access of attractions such as Deception Pass to the north, and the Clinton ferry landing to the south. The best home base: Coupeville.

Coupeville WA is located within the boundaries of Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve, which means its historical buildings and landmarks have been preserved. What remains is a beautiful little town on the shore, with quaint shops, fun eateries, and a lovely pier. We recommend spending at least one full day exploring the island’s many state parks, then at least one more visiting its many farms, agricultural stands, and farm-to-table restaurants.

Every year, Whidbey Island plays host to a free farm tour. Can’t make it? That’s ok: there are Whidbey Island farms perfect for kids at any time. Start at Greenbank, located in Loveland near Coupeville in the heart of the island. Greenbank has its own organic farm school, and 151 acres of public farmland as well as historic farm buildings. Families can visit the gardens, but kids and adults alike will really love checking out the shops onsite. Kids can sample pies, farm cheese, and numerous other artisan, local food items in the farm store.

If you can’t get enough farm store goodness, make 3 Sisters Market your next stop. Operated by 3 Sisters Beef, this shop sells the sisters’ (yes, they exist and we met them!) grass-fed beef and also showcases many other farm fresh products from around the island. It’s located on Holbrook Road in Coupeville.

In the town of Coupeville, visit Lavender Wind Farm, where you can not only buy island-grown lavender products, but kids can get a feel for the many uses of this plant. Sample lavender tea, lavender cookies, and lavender lotions. Across the street, stop by Bay Leaf for an artisan sandwich and a chance to see gourmet food products from France. They also sell Penn Cove Shellfish mussels, which are harvested right on the island.

Stroll through town, and take time to walk the pier and see marine exhibits at the end. Coupeville also has a nice bookstore and toy store.

Where to stay:

In Coupeville, we stayed at Blue Goose Inn, a bed & breakfast in the heart of town. Blue Goose is comprised of two historic Victorian homes (side by side) and has beautifully appointed, comfortable rooms. The sitting rooms are historic but cozy to utilize to read a book or work on your computer (there’s wifi throughout), and the breakfast is served in a sun porch overlooking the water. The food was all homemade and primarily locally-sourced…another good hands-on lesson for kids learning about farm-to-fork eating.

If you have young kids who cannot stay in a B&B room solo (rooms are double occupancy only at Blue Goose), there is a garden suite with kitchen and more space. We also recommend the family-friendly lodge units at Captain Whidbey, an historic inn just outside of town. This property is right on the water, with beautiful grounds and an on-site dining room for a nice meal in.

Have you toured Whidbey Island? What did you like best?

Guide to Whidbey Island State Parks

November 10, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

Whidbey Island, Washington is known for its picturesque coastline and pastoral setting. It’s true that Whidbey, located north of Seattle, offers abundant farm stands and a healthy agri-tourism trade, but many families –including mine!– had no idea how many beautiful, exciting state parks fill this small island! We recommend coming to stay at least three days in order to experience most of them.

Fort Casey State Park:

If you arrive via Washington State Ferry at Coupeville, you’ll notice Fort Casey State Park right away. This large park sits on the island’s west coast, and centers on the region’s military history. There are numerous batteries (created for defense but never used) lining the coast line, which contributed to the ‘triangle of defense’ offered by Fort Casey, Fort Worden (across the water in Port Townsend, WA) and Fort Flagler.

What to do here: Families will want to check out the batteries and commanders’ station, but should also visit the beach access and Admiralty Head Lighthouse. The light sits at Red Bluffs, and during day time hours in season, visitors can go inside and even climb the spiral stairs to the light. From here (and elsewhere in the park), kids can watch the ferries come and go from the landing.

Campground: Yes! It’s right next to the ferry landing (which can be a good thing or a bad thing…).

Ebey’s Landing:

Ebey’s Landing National Historic Reserve encompasses the entirety of the town of Coupeville, Ebey’s Prairie, and Fort Ebey State Park. It marks the homestead and founding location of the Ebey family, and protects the historical significance of this entire section of the island. Fort Ebey includes coastline, hiking trails, and more batteries.

What to do here: At Fort Ebey, play on the beach! This section of protected coastline offers up oversized driftwood perfect for building a beachside hut or fort of one’s own, and the picnic areas are protected from wind and surf. The bluff-side trail is one mile long, and takes families from the beach to the batteries overlooking it. It’s worth getting back in the car to check out Jacob Ebey’s House. The house is open seasonally, but the adjacent cemetery is worthy of a visit in its own right. Families can overlook the prairie, and step inside one of the many ‘blockhouses’ the Ebeys built as protection from Native American conflict.

Campgrounds: Camping is available on the beach (in a protected forested area) at Fort Ebey, and on the prairie at Rhododendron Park (near the Whidbey Island Naval Air Station).

Deception Pass State Park:

On the north tail of the island, Deception Pass State Park may be the most well-known. This breathtakingly beautiful park focuses around the Deception Pass bridge. Hiking trails are abundant, and the park hosts a busy marina with sightseeing vessels doing business.

What to do here: Park at the visitor’s center (stand) on the south side of the bridge, and hike down to North Beach (.2 mile). From here, families will get a great view of the bridge before they cross it. It’s also fun to see the many fishing boats in the current that flows quickly here. Additional hiking trails take you further afield, or you can opt to cross the bridge. Cross either on foot using the pedestrian walkway (an exciting experience!) or drive. Head to the marina dock on the other side, and take a Deception Pass Tours boat out on the water. This 45 minute tour in a catamaran Island Whaler takes you under the bridge and past the challenging water that churns there to the bay. During our tour, we saw porpoises and harbor seals, and many tour groups see whales. Tours are priced right at $24.95, and don’t last too long for young kids.

Campgrounds: campsites range from forested to open, on or near the water. Like the rest of the park, they’re gorgeous!

South Whidbey Island State Park:

South Whidbey Island State Park is smaller and quieter, and feature shoreline and forested areas. Primarily, it serves as a campground. Families get great views of the Olympic mountains!

What to do here: This state park is popular for clamming, but there’s also about three miles of hiking trails, fishing, and swimming.

Campgrounds: There are 46 tent camping spaces at South Whidbey. Of note: families may hear air traffic from the nearby naval base.

While enjoying any Washington State park, you’ll need a Discover Pass. Passes are $10 per day, or just $30 for a year!

Exploring Port Townsend with kids

November 7, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

Located at the very tip of Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula, Port Townsend has a lot to offer families. From the quaint waterfront town with its lively history to a storied military presence, exploring Port Townsend with kids includes hiking trails, fort batteries, ice cream shops, and touch tanks! Here’s what’s in store (and where to stay):

Downtown Port Townsend:

It’s easy to see the charm of this small town as soon as you enter, whether via road from elsewhere on the peninsula or by boat (more on that later). The shipyards are open to the public, which means boat-loving kids can see dry-docked vessels up close and personal, and Union Wharf offers great views of the ferry.

Start on Water Street, where kids will want to view the wooden boat outside the NW Maritime Center, then head across the street to City Hall Museum run by the Jefferson County Historical Society. We would have overlooked this museum had I not been taken there by a local: inside the historic courtroom, visitors can get an overview of the town’s history, then go downstairs to see old jail cells (Jack London is rumored to have spent a night inside) and exhibits on the region’s pioneering, Japanese, and native cultures.

Right nearby is Dogs-a-Foot, a hot dog stand with every type of hot dog desired. It’s a perfect lunch pit stop, with tables outside. Afterward, continue your stroll down Water Street for a stop at Elevated Ice Cream. This locally-owned and operated ice cream shop offers unique, locally-sourced flavors, and has a chocolate shop and candy store located next door.

Stop into any other shops that interest you; you’ll find a great local bookstore and numerous galleries. Note the historic architecture; Port Townsend has some of the best preserved buildings in the NW. If you have your car with you, don’t forget about ‘uptown’: historic Port Townsend built on both the wharf and in the hills, and families will find the best Victorian architecture overlooking the downtown region. This area features a lot of the town’s B&Bs, but you’ll also find wonderful bakeries, diners, and shops.

Note: If you’re in the downtown/shipyard area for breakfast, you’ll want to head to the Blue Moose Cafe on Haines for an authentic home-cooked meal. This local hangout is right in the shipyards, and has been overseen by the current cook (not chef!) for decades.

Fort Worden State Park:

We’re pretty sure Fort Worden State Park is the heart of Port Townsend as far as kids are concerned. This sprawling park is located just outside of downtown on the coast, with beach access, hiking trails, and picnic grounds. The central feature of Fort Worden is the fort, which served as defense against invasion during WWI. The invasion never came, but the many fort batteries remain, with platforms for artillery, ammunition storage rooms, and many more intriguing spaces for kids to explore. The batteries are open to the public, which is a very welcome feature in a world that has increasingly shut doors on historical sites. Kids will love climbing on them, running through their creepy, dark tunnels and hallways, and generally playing soldier. Parental supervision is absolutely needed, of course; small children could fall or get lost. Don’t worry, you’ll want to explore the batteries just as much! Prepare to spend hours here!

In addition to the batteries, Fort Worden is home to the Marine Science Center, located right on Battery Way. It’s open from April through October, with innovative saltwater touch tanks. The center staff bring sea life into the tanks in the spring, and release all the creatures in the fall. Daily, fresh salt water from the ocean adjacent is flushed into the tanks. Kids can touch many marine animals, and see more in additional aquariums. Across the street, the education building houses a whale skeleton and other educational exhibits with a conservation theme.

There are numerous walking trails through Fort Worden (grab a trail map when you enter) and some take kids to additional batteries (less crowded than the one near the beach). There are several campgrounds, and yes, the beach has swimming access. The Point Wilson lighthouse makes for a great backdrop to your Olympic Peninsula beach day!

Inland from the beach, the campus of Fort Worden remains, though quieter than in its active days. Currently, buildings and rooms can be rented for vacation stays, allowing families to further immerse themselves in the area’s history.

Yes, you can stay the night in Fort Worden!

Rentals include full homes on Officers’ Row, units in the Non-Commissioned Officers’ Row, or dormitory rooms. I checked out an Officer’s Row house, where I stayed the night overlooking the campus and ocean. Officers’ Row houses include 1 and 1/2 bathrooms, four bedrooms, a parlor and a dining room, and a full kitchen. It’s fun to see firsthand how officers and their families lived during WWI. These houses are not newly renovated, but are comfortable and very spacious. Kids can play outside, and everyone can walk to the beach, the light house, and the batteries. There is no wifi, but in the check-in building (which is newer), there is a sitting room and a coffee counter where your java and wifi needs can be met.

Beyond Port Townsend proper, the Olympic Discovery Trail weaves 120 miles between the town and La Push, on the western coast, and of course, the rest of the Olympic Peninsula beckons with Olympic National Park and numerous additional hiking trails and beaches. Read more about Olympic National Park with kids!

How to get here:

Port Townsend and Fort Worden are located on Highway 20, which connects with Highway 101. Families can also take Washington State ferries directly to town from Whidbey Island (Coupeville) or take the Puget Sound Express from the San Juan Islands. We recommend booking a whale watching trip with this company, even if you don’t need them for transportation to the peninsula. On our trip with Puget Sound Express, we saw humpback whales, porpoises, and harbor seals.

Port Townsend

Flying for the fun of it: Take a trip with San Juan Airlines

October 27, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

Yes, you read that right: flying can be fun! In an era when it’s 99% hassle (even for kids!), I had a great time remembering what I love about flying when I spent a morning with San Juan Airlines. Check out my flight from Seattle to Friday Harbor, WA:

Yes, I’m smiling. Actually, I grinned most of the flight. Why? On a small plane–in this case, a Cessna 172 three-seater–it’s easy to remember why flying is fun! Gone are the barriers between you and the act of flight, such as large airline cabins, in-flight service, and movies on your laptop. Gone, too, are the discomforts: overcrowded conditions, delays, and grumpy fellow passengers. Instead, it’s just you and the pilot, an empty runway before you, and the heady sense of disbelief when you actually do defy gravity.

Do I really do this all the time?

Not like this!

San Juan Airlines, like several other small carriers in the Northwest, operate flights primarily between the small islands that dot the landscape between Seattle and Canada. They fly out of Bellingham, with stops in Anacortes, Friday Harbor, and smaller island and mainland destinations. However, they are also available for charter flights to over 16 destinations, from Spokane to Kamloops BC. Occasionally, they fly out of Boeing Field in Seattle, which is where I caught a ride.

When to consider a small carrier flight:

Obviously, flying on a 2-3 passenger airline is rarely going to be the economical choice. However, it’s worth considering whenever you’re traveling to hard-to-reach destinations, because sometimes, it will make the most sense. When I flew San Juan Airlines, I did so because I needed to be on San Juan Island at a specific time, and had I driven and taken a ferry, I would have had to leave my home 24 hours earlier in order to make the schedule work for me! In this case, time was indeed money.

Other times, flying instead of driving may be the best choice if you want to make your travel day as memorable as your vacation. On my San Juan Airlines flight, my pilot, Brett, doubled as a tour guide, pointing out many landmarks as we flew. When I wanted to see something closer, he happily did a circle around the harbor, allowing me to get all the photos I wanted. We’ve paid for scenic helicopter flights when on vacation before; I’d consider a flight with San Juan Airlines to be just as exciting and fun (plus you’re actually getting to your destination!).

Plus, consider this: no security lines, no boarding passes, no baggage carrousels…no waiting! Now that’s flying!

How to book with San Juan Airlines:

Their website makes it pretty clear, especially if you’re traveling their regular route. If you’d like a charter flight, simply fill out their form or give them a call. They’re a small operation, which means you’ll talk to a real live person when you pick up the phone. Tell them what you need, and they’ll work with you to find the route that’s best. Since I had flown into Seattle at SeaTac, for instance, I needed a flight from Boeing Field (in Seattle), not their regular location in Bellingham. Luckily, a flight was available for me!

How to find San Juan Airlines at Boeing:

Boeing Field is located less than 10 miles from SeaTac, but it’s a big place. San Juan Airlines operates out of the Landmark Terminal, which is located at 7149 Perimeter Road. Give your cab driver the exact address, or you could be circling around Boeing for a while! If you don’t get lost, the cab fare will be about $25 in normal traffic conditions. The waiting room is casual and comfortable, with fresh fruit, coffee, and wifi available.

Have you taken a charter flight? Where?

Couples getaway: Oregon cycle tour with LifeCycle Adventures

October 22, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

At Pit Stops for Kids, we’re fans of adventurous travel for kids, so it will come as no surprise that when we want to get away for an adults-only vacation, my husband Charlie and I prefer an active, outdoorsy pursuit of our own.

We also love wineries, outside-the-box local lodging, and farm-to-fork dining, indulgences absolutely possible to enjoy with kids, but— if we’re being honest here —even more enjoyable as a couples getaway. How to combine everything we like into one getaway? We found LifeCycle Adventures, an Oregon cycle tour company that offers customized cycling getaways.

Check it out!

LifeCycle Adventures hosts tours in Oregon, California, Hawaii, and the San Juan Islands of Washington. Because their Oregon tour routes are in our backyard, we headed to Portland, where we overnighted downtown at Hotel Monaco PDX (our favorite Kimpton hotel) before meeting LifeCycle Adventures owner Tony Blakey for a three-day ride.

Tony’s Oregon itineraries include a Willamette Valley tour, focusing on area wineries and featuring rolling terrain and quaint college towns, and a Columbia River Gorge tour, which takes cyclists around Mt. Hood before dropping them into the spectacular Columbia River Gorge at Hood River. We sampled a bit of both, so I could tell all you cycling parents out there which to book. As it turns out, we couldn’t decide which we liked better, so the good news is, you can’t go wrong.

Willamette Valley experience:

LifeCycle Adventures’ Willamette routes take cyclists from the outskirts of Portland through Forest Grove to McMinnville or Newberg, both in the heart of wine country. I say ‘routes’ instead of ‘route’ because every tour is customizable. Before embarking, we had communication with Tony via email or phone, during which we outlined our cycling experience (not much) and our objectives for our trip (to work up just enough of a sweat to ‘earn’ nice meals each evening). From our information, Tony compiled three route options per day, all ending at the same lodging location but offering various mileage. We could then choose our route as late as the day-of, after assessing sore muscles.

We started our journey with a quite easy 20 mile ride from beautiful Stewart ‘Stub’ State Park along the Banks-Vernonia State Trail, which is a car-free bike path. At the tiny town of Banks, we transitioned to quiet country highways en route to Forest Grove. We had a great lunch at Maggie’s Buns, then transferred by van (hello, Tony!) to our accommodations in McMinnville. Along the way, we stopped at several Willamette Valley wineries, which we absolutely could have accessed on bike, had we wanted to ride all the way into town.

Along the way, Tony was only a phone call away, should we need him or the services of his passenger van, outfitted with bike racks, extra water bottles, the rest of our luggage, and plenty of Clif Bars.

We spent the night at A’ Tuscan Estate, a quiet and understated B&B located just a few blocks from downtown McMinnville. Quite possibly, A’ Tuscan Estate is the loveliest B&B we’ve ever experienced. Owners Jacques and Liz are perfect hosts, with a fountain of knowledge about food, dining, and the hospitality industry (just read any of the numerous books on these subjects authored by Jacques, all available for perusal in the living spaces).

We strolled the quaint downtown of McMinnville, stopping in at tasting rooms and concluding our night at La Rambla, a polished downtown eatery with Spanish cuisine. At A’ Tuscan Estate, we enjoyed an entire suite in the inn’s Craftsman bungalow, where we had a full kitchen, patio, garden, and living room should we need it. For breakfast, chef Jacques put together an amazing three-course feast, which included three kinds of juice, local fruit, a light-as-air quiche, and homemade pastry. Try getting on your bike and riding after that!

Columbia River Gorge experience:

Cyclists opting to tour the Columbia River Gorge start in or around Government Camp, Oregon, at the edge of Mt. Hood. Those wanting to go further can start lower, and begin with a climb…no thanks! We coasted from Cooper Spur, picking up speeds up to 30 miles per hour on the steep decline from the mountain. Once deposited into the fruitful valley, we stopped for a picnic lunch at a fruit stand (there are plenty en route) and then geared up (pun intended) for a steeply rolling route into Hood River. We tackled closer to 30 miles on this day, and found that with just a few stops (once to try a flight of ciders at Red Tail Fox Farm, once to take in a view of the river and Gorge), the mileage was very do-able. We rolled into Hood River around 5 pm, and checked into Villa Columbia.

This beautiful B&B is situated right off the Columbia, with views from just about every corner. The comfortable living room and dining room are available for guest use, as are the porches and an upstairs sitting room. We were in easy walking distance of Hood River dining, and decided that after our longer ride, we deserved a beer. Full Sail Brewing overlooks the river, where we could watch kite surfers while enjoying a flight and burgers.

From Hood River, cyclists can continue to follow the Columbia on day 3: we opted for the Historic Columbia River Highway, closed to cars, which parallels the river toward the Dalles. More ambitious cyclists could continue on the historic byway, but 20 miles was enough for us on Day 3!

What LifeCycle Adventures provides, and who it’s for:

We are on bikes about once a month at home, and do not consider ourselves to be serious cyclists. Because LifeCycle Adventures customizes all their itineraries, it’s a perfect getaway for anyone who is active and comfortable on a bike. For those who are ready to go out and kill it, Tony has routes for you, too.

During our trip, we came to think of LifeCycle— and Tony —as our personal concierge. He picked us up daily, transported all our luggage to our B&Bs, checked us in (so we could just jump into a shower the minute we arrived), provided us with lunch and dinner recommendations, and, best of all, provided us with detailed route instructions, tailored specifically to us.

Here’s an example of our itinerary. In addition to this, Tony offers many more maps and support documents. We felt safe and in control at all times.

This customization was perfect for us: we are familiar with the area and comfortable on bikes, but not familiar with biking the area. Every morning, we had a briefing with Tony, during which he showed us our route on a map, then —and this is the kicker —provided us with detailed step-by-step directions and maps, which we could keep at the ready on our bikes. We were equipped with bike pumps, directions, snacks, and phone numbers, so we never felt overwhelmed by routes or road challenges.

Before our trip, Tony meticulously created a customized tour book with our exact routes and mileage, plus town guides for each of our destinations. I’ve never seen such detail put into a customized itinerary. If you want to try an cycling adventure but don’t want to be responsible for planning out a complicated route based on abilities, traffic, and road conditions, absolutely leave it to Tony.

Included in a LifeCycle tour is use of bikes and helmets, full route planning, overnight accommodations, which are also customizable (you pick your price range), and full ground support. Our accommodations provided breakfasts, and we bought lunches and dinners on our own.

Can kids go?

Tony welcomes families with kids, and reports that older kids and teens do best. When deciding whether to bring the kids, keep in mind that while the riding can be modified to fit almost anyone, the general pace of a cycling trip is more leisurely than most kids enjoy. We lingered over meals, slept in (wow!) and spent most of each day on a bike or at a winery or fruit stand. Kids who are very into cycling will love it. Others may be looking for a more varied trip by Day 2. You decide!

How to book:

There’s a wealth of information on the LIfeCycle Adventures website, and I recommend doing a thorough reading, then calling the company to talk to someone in person. Tony and his team will be able to plan something perfect for your abilities, budget, and time frame.

As I disclose whenever applicable, we experienced our cycling itinerary as compliments of LifeCycle Adventures, for the purpose of review. All opinions…and sore muscles… are my own.