Best Vacation Towns - Pitstops for Kids

Skiing Sugar Bowl Ski Resort with kids

December 6, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

Growing up in Northern California, Sugar Bowl Ski Resort was my hands-down favorite. I loved the front face of Mt. Lincoln, with its exciting dips and gullies, and the historic lodge reminded me I was truly in a Tahoe of a different era. I didn’t get back to Sugar Bowl for a long time, and when I did, I found that much had changed…in all the right ways.

The historic lodge is still there; it’s called the Village Lodge and is still connected via the old-school gondola that brings guests from the village parking area. However, there’s also a newer, more modern Mt. Judah Lodge, with its own base area and parking. While I was nostalgic for the village parking-gondola combination, I had to admit it was far more convenient to park at Mt. Judah. This base area houses the kids’ learning area, too, making it the best place for families in lessons to call home.

Skiing Sugar Bowl Ski Resort with kids is a no-brainer, because this resort really does have it all: it’s far enough off the beaten path that crowds tend to stay away, it gets some of the best snow coverage in Lake Tahoe and kids and teens who are advanced skiers and riders will have plenty of terrain to keep them challenged. Royal Gorge, one of the most extensive cross-country ski parks, is just next door, too.

If you have adventurous kids, check out the gated options at the top of Mt. Lincoln: ours love the steep front face with many options for moguls and tree skiing. Just be sure to take roped off areas seriously: there are several cliff areas on this face. Our second favorite area is off the Disney Express lift, which is almost entirely comprised of black diamond runs (a few blue intermediate runs are present for those who need them). On a powder day, head all the way over to Crow’s Nest Peak for gladed skiing.

Kids who gravitate to terrain parks will want to lap the Mt. Judah side, which also has some of the best blue groomers. One thing that Sugar Bowl lacks a lot of is easy green runs. You’ll find them, but the blue and black runs are by far the more abundant. Head to Nob Hill or Jerome Hill if you want to find a choice of green runs.

We enjoyed lunch at Mt. Judah lodge (I highly recommend the ramen bowls), but there’s additional dining at both the village lodge and the smaller mid-mountain lodge. Lodging can be found on-mountain at the historic hotel lodge, which has true European elegance in a rustic setting, or you can reserve a vacation rental home.

If you go, note that there are two parking areas; we recommend Mt. Judah. The drive is about 45 minutes from Lake Tahoe, near the Donner Summit and overlooking Donner Lake.

Disclosure: We experienced Sugar Bowl as guests of the resort, for the purpose of review. All opinions remain our own.

Winter holiday season at Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows

December 6, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

We’ve reviewed Squaw Valley in the past, and the info linked is still relevant, helping you plan your Squaw Valley ski trip! But we’re in the heart of the holiday season at Squaw Valley right now, and it’s amazing! For a taste of what this iconic ski resort is like during the festive holiday season, read on!

Holiday season at Squaw Valley:

For our family, spending the holidays at a ski resort cannot be beat. We absolutely love spending Christmas amid evergreens, snow, and ski slopes. Throughout December, The Village at Squaw comes alive during their annual Merry Days and Holly Nights, with holiday decor, a massive tree, and outdoor fire pits ready for marshmallow roasting. Events are ongoing (described more below). This festive ambiance is really all we need to get into the holiday spirit, but if you need more, you’ll find it!

In the days between Christmas and New Years, you can ski and ride with Jonny Moseley, go disco tubing (see more on this below!), try the mini snowmobiles, and enjoy holiday-themed concerts.

Learn about all your holiday options here!

Last year, during our two ski days leading up to Christmas, Squaw Valley got dumped on, with almost two feet of snow in two days. It was powder heaven on the slopes, and when we’d had enough, our lodging in the Village at Squaw Valley was only a few steps from the slopes. We spent the late afternoons in the hot tub in our building, playing Monopoly, and sneaking away for a hot toddy at the Plaza Bar (grown-ups only!). While in the lodge for lunch, Santa came by our table with candy canes.

We ate a holiday meal pre-Christmas at Plumpjack, located in the Squaw Valley Inn. Our four-course meal with the family was made even more special by the snow falling outside. And we never had to get in our car…a huge plus while on a ski vacation where weather becomes a factor to be reckoned with.

This year, we tried something new with Christmas Eve dinner at High Camp (much recommended, even though it had to be moved to the Olympic Lodge due to storm conditions on the mountain!), and saved our evenings for disco tubing. LED lights, lasers and live DJs made the snow tubing lanes festive (and exciting enough for teens!) from 5-8pm.

If you come to enjoy the holiday season at Squaw Valley, don’t miss:

The festive holiday atmosphere in the Village at Squaw Valley
The holiday meal offerings at Plumpjack, High Camp, or with Olympians at farm-to-table events.
Free sleigh rides: catch a ride between the Village at Squaw Valley and the Olympic Village Lodge
Free train rides through the ice sculpture garden: North Tahoe Catering sculptors create animals and shapes from ice in the Ice Garden at Olympic Village Lodge.
The chance to glimpse Santa on the slopes: during our visit, we caught sight of his bright red hat several times!
New Year’s Eve celebration: includes a torchlit parade and fireworks!

Photos courtesy of Squaw Alpine and Amy Whitley.

Pin it for later!

Skiing with kids: Diamond Peak ski resort

December 3, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

If you’ve skied in Lake Tahoe with kids, I’m betting it was not at Diamond Peak ski resort. Why? Because this Lake Tahoe local favorite is just enough off the beaten path that not enough visitors discover it. It’s very accessible, located, in fact, right in Incline Village on the northern Nevada side of the lake, and lower-than-average ticket prices beckon.

Diamond Peak has seven lifts in total, only one of which is a high-speed quad, but with the gorgeous views of Lake Tahoe from just about every angle, you won’t mind a longer ride uphill. Thanks to its smaller size, it’s easy for families to navigate: the ski school building is the first you come across from the parking lot, in fact, with just one larger building (the main lodge) above it. All the runs filter down into the same main base area, which means this part of the mountain does get crowded, but it also means you’re not worried about traversing to a second base area or losing your independently skiing kids because you weren’t clear about which area at which to meet.

Diamond Peak has nice gladed skiing when the conditions are right, with evenly-spaced trees for off-piste exploration, and the groomers are well-maintained and offer such great lake views you just might fall on your face trying to take it all in! There are just two main areas at which to grab lunch, the base lodge area and the Snowflake Lodge, located at the top of the Lakeview chair. We highly recommend the latter, because the crowds are absent here and the views amaze. (I know I keep mentioning the lake views, but oh my goodness…trust me, you would, too!) At Snowflake, you can find a spot on the spacious deck in nice weather and enjoy authentic BBQ with homemade sauces and sides. There’s also a darn good bar up there.

The parking lot does get crowded, simply because it’s small, so come early or utilize the free shuttles in service during the day to get visitors from the lot to the lodge. There’s also a free shuttle that goes back and forth down the hill to the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe. By the way, read our Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe review. While condos and ski cabins abound near Diamond Peak, there’s no on-mountain lodging, and the Hyatt Regency combines the best of two worlds: skiing and lakeside luxury.

If you go:

During the time of our visit to Diamond Peak, lift ticket prices were under $75 for adults and around $55 for kids, a great value for Lake Tahoe. There are also a lot of really cool deals: if you show a boarding pass, you get 50 percent off rentals, and if you show your ski pass to another resort (any other resort) you can get a $44 lift ticket. I’ve never seen such visitor-friendly deals! While we didn’t try the ski school, locals I spoke to raved about it. This is a very local mountain, so expect to see a lot of Incline Village families engaged in ski clinics, racing programs and the like. Definitely, ask them questions when riding up together on the chair!

Disclosure: we experienced Diamond Peak as guests of the resort, for the purpose of review. Photo credit: Diamond Peak and Amy Whitley.

Best Ski Towns: Luxury Vail ski vacation

November 25, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

It’s impossible to have a ‘best ski towns’ series and not include Vail, Colorado. There’s a reason Vail has been absent from our list thus far…it’s already on everyone else’s list. That said, Vail deserves a place on ours as well, because with perhaps the exception of Deer Valley Utah, Vail and its neighbor and Vail Resorts partner, Beaver Creek, offer up the most luxurious ski vacation experience we’ve tried. If you’re looking to book a luxury Vail ski vacation, here’s how to do it.

Luxury Vail ski vacation planning:

Start by setting the tone for your vacation by staying at The Sonnenalp. This Leading Hotels of the World-classified hotel delivers that coveted and rare combination: it’s both luxurious and comfortable. It’s right in the heart of the Vail Village, and the Sonnenalp ski concierge service ensures you never have to carry your own gear anywhere (plus you get a private ski locker and changing area directly across from Gondola One). I love the amenities at a hotel, but still want the space of a rental during a ski vacation, and at the Sonnenalp, almost all the rooms are suites. Vail Resorts-owned Arrabelle is also a home run, located in the Lionshead Village (a very short shuttle ride from Vail Village).

At Vail, the skiing and snowboarding can be fantastic, thanks to its sheer size and diversity of terrain, but a vacation here is also about the overall experience. To that end, when planning a luxury Vail ski vacation, take as much time to plan your dining reservations as you do your ski days. (Yes, it almost hurts me to write this, as an avid ‘go all day long’ skier, but when in Rome…)

With kids, definitely make at least one reservation at Swiss Chalet, located in The Sonnenalp. They’ll love the authentic Alpine cuisine, and fondue is fast to the table and fun to eat, keeping kids entertained. Other sure bets in Vail with kids: Bully Ranch, with casual burgers and to-die-for tater tots, and Blue Moose Pizza (a crowd-pleaser for sure).

If you and your partner or spouse can get away for a long lunch on the mountain, head to The 10th, Vail’s premiere on-mountain option (in my opinion). There’s just something so luxurious about a sit-down lunch during the heart of the day. Plus, the views are amazing, so even if you’re not skiing, it’s worth booking (you can take Gondola One up without ski gear).

Additional must-do’s for the grown ups: La Tour on East Meadow Drive for French cuisine in the heart of the village and Tavern on the Square in Lionshead Village. If you’re in the mood to stay out late, head to the Red Lion in Vail Village for the best live music (and a very local scene), then finish your evening out with a nightcap at King’s Club in Sonnenalp.

In addition to skiing, hotels and ski rental shops alike will rent or lend you snowshoes, which families can take on their own around the villages or up the nearby summit passes (if you have a car), or guided snowshoe trips are offered at Sonnenalp and other luxury properties.

Plan an evening in which you simply window shop (or productively shop…your choice) in Vail Village, Beaver Creek Village, or Lionshead Village, where you’ll find the top stores in outdoor gear, lifestyle wear and more, and then go ice skating on one of the many outdoor rinks (we counted three in Vail and one in Beaver Creek, but there are probably more). If interested, look to time your visit around world-class ski and board competitions: Vail and Beaver Creek host many, including the Burton cup and the Birds of Prey stop on the World Cup downhill tour. Best of all, viewing these competitions is often free.

Kids’ ski lessons are among the best quality in the world at both Vail and Beaver Creek (BC especially often wins awards and recognition for theirs), and as an added incentive (if you need it), near Vail’s ski school learning areas in Lionshead, a full ropes adventure course is on offer…tempt your kids to try this after their lessons are over for the day!

What do you love to do as part of a luxury Vail ski vacation?

Baja vacation: Cerritos Beach review

April 2, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

During the current Covid environment, face masking and social distancing is necessary everywhere in the world. When traveling to Mexico in spring 2021, testing is required within 72 hours of returning to the U.S. Read on for testing options in Baja.

Located approximately one hour north of Cabo San Lucas on the Baja peninsula of Mexico, Cerritos Beach is a laidback surf town perfect for a relaxed, socially-distant Baja vacation. Our Cerritos Beach review includes where to stay, where to eat, and what to do.

Cerritos Beach review:

Cerritos Beach is right of Highway 19 north of busy Cabo, down a dirt road. Yep, you’ll go from the highway immediately to dirt. No worries…this is Baja. Within this small surf community, you’ll find amazing food, great bars with low prices, and plenty of vacation rentals, Airbnbs, and studio rooms to rent. The beach is casual and fun, with amenities such as surf lessons, surfboard and boogie board rentals, and beachfront food. While sitting at the beach, you can order guacamole made-to-order, fresh cerviche, cold beers, and even a massage…all for roughly half what you’d spend on a beach in the States.

Where to stay:

We found this ideal AirBnb at Puesta del Sol, in the Sunrise complex on Cerritos Beach. I highly recommend it; it was only a five-minute walk to the beach, came with two surfboards, three beach umbrellas, three beach chairs, several coolers, plenty of beach towels, and a wagon to pull them all in. Directly downstairs from our two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit with rooftop lounging space and BBQ was a pool and bar (with lunch and dinner), and within a two minute walk were two other restaurants. We had everything we needed (once we’d made a stop at a grocery store between the Cabo airport and Cerritos).

There are plenty of other vacation rentals in the immediate area. We also recommend Barefoot Luxury Seaside Cerritos and the smaller huts right on the beach (check Airbnb).

Where to eat:

Where NOT to eat?? You can’t go wrong, honestly. The number one recommendation that we wholeheartedly endorse: definitely try Barracuda’s, located right next door to Puesta del Sol, directly up the dirt road from the beach. They have the best $2 tacos ever, plus wonderful margaritas and ‘surfers burritos’ big enough for two meals. The ambiance is wonderful too: all open-air in a garden-like setting.

Freesouls Cerritos Beach is also within a two-minute walk, featuring pizzas with ocean views and a pool to dip into while waiting for your food. Ditto for Riptide Bar and Grill, up the hill by the historic Hacienda (which you can usually tour, but was closed to the public at the time of our visit). And directly below our rooms at Sunrise, the Casa Maya had the hands-down best sushi and sushimi we’ve had in a very long time.

Cerritos Beach review: where to eat in Cerritos Beach Mexico

You can get cold beer and fresh cocktails at all of these locations, plus virgin drinks for the kids, and ice cream on the beach.

What to do in Cerritos Beach:

You’ll probably want to simply chill by the beach, pool, or on your personal rooftop in a hammock, but when you’re ready, there’s plenty to do. Surf lessons are about $50 for 1.5 hours, or you can get a massage on the beach for $40/hour. You can swim, surf, or boogie board (but remember that this is a surf beach, so waves can be sizable at times).

The town of Todos Santos is about 15 minutes north, offering fun shopping and more dining, and you can take just about any public dirt road toward the coastline and find more pristine beaches. From December to March, turtles are released on the beach in Todos Santos nightly; after mid-March, the releases are only every few days.

While Covid testing is required to re-enter the United States, Mexico offeres several testing options. The most affordable we found was to drive the short distance to Todos Santos where we received rapid tests at St. Jude’s for $50 U.S. each.

Cerritos Beach review: What to do in Cerritos Beach Mexico

You can drive the hour across the peninsula to La Paz to see the other coastline, but we were content to stay in Cerritos and Todos Santos, enjoying the sun, surf, and sand.

Have you been to Cerritos Beach? What are your recommendations?

Breckenridge winter vacation tips

March 5, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

I am lucky enough that I have now spent time in and around Breckenridge, Colorado in summer, fall, and winter. All are wonderful times to visit with their own merits, but winter certainly is a popular choice. With a world-class ski resort and magical winter atmosphere comes an increase in visitors and potentially challenging driving conditions. Here’s what you need to know to have an amazing winter Breckenridge vacation, from dining recommendations to ski tips.

Stay in a condo within walking distance of everything.

The first of our Breckenridge winter vacation tips is probably the biggest. The good news: staying within easy distance of both the slopes and the town is easy to do. Because Breckenridge spans five peaks with lifts touching down in locations across the town, most lodging along South and North Park Avenue, Village Road, and Ski Hill Road will be ski-in, ski-out, or close to it.

We stayed in this unit at One Breckenridge Place, managed by Great Western Lodging. We were about two blocks from the Quicksilver Lift at Peak 9, and one block from Main Street. The unit is a three-bedroom, with lots of room to spread out, cook some of our own meals, and do laundry. The condo village has access to a year-round pool and hot tub complex, which is just 100 yards from the door. Unfortunately, during our stay, the hot tubs were too dirty to use, but the pool was heated. I recommend paying a bit more for a unit at One Breckenridge Place with a private hot tub, which is located on the back deck.

Plan DEN-Breck shuttle trips carefully.

If you take a shuttle service such as Colorado Mountain Express from Denver International to Breckenridge (and we recommend this if you don’t want to hassle with a rental car or driving in wintery conditions), try your best to avoid shuttle times between 4 pm and 6 pm on Friday nights. Traffic is very heavy to the mountains on Friday afternoons, and you can expect your trip to take twice the standard 1.5 hour time. Sometimes, of course, this can’t be avoided…on our last trip, we had to travel on Friday, and had no choice but to get a 4:30 shuttle. Still, it helps to be aware and set expectations. Make sure everyone has water and has eaten a snack before departure.

Going home, if the weather is bad, consider calling your shuttle service to book an earlier departure back to DEN. We learned that CME aims to give travelers a four hour window (two to get back to DEN, with two hours buffer before flight). However, the drive can sometimes take as long as three hours or more in snow storms, and it’s generally up to you to ask for a new departure time.

Get take out for affordable meals.

When you’re too tired to go out to eat, order the ‘pasta bucket’ from Fattys. This local favorite pizza place on Ridge Street offers a take out option that feeds the whole family for about half what it would cost to eat out. Pasta buckets are $30 (you pick your sauce and pasta choice), and comes with rolls and butter. You can add a salad bucket for $20. For $50, we fed our crew of five, and had enough left-overs for lunch the next day. Fattys says their buckets serve 4-5, but we believe it’s closer to 6-8 (and we have teens who eat a lot!).

Eat lunch early or late on the mountain.

When skiing Breckenridge, avoid the base areas between 12 pm and 1 pm, opting to break for lunch at an upper mountain lodge instead. Crowds will be far thinner, and lift lines shorter. Use the Breckenridge Mountain app to see lift line wait times at a glance. We really enjoyed eating quick meals at Vista Haus on Peak 8 and The Overlook on Peak 9.

Use Ski Butlers.

Use Ski Butlers for any gear rentals. If your family owns skis, boards, and boots, and you’ll be skiing or riding for more than a few days, it’s usually more economical to check ski gear on the plane than to rent for multiple days. (Tip: Alaska Airlines allows free boot bag checked luggage with a ski bag.)

However, if you don’t own your own gear, use Ski Butlers. It’s easy to order your rentals online before your trip, and once you arrive, Ski Butlers brings your rentals to your condo or hotel room. The ‘butler’ fits you there, and even offers a direct line for any problems that may arise. We had an issue with one snowboard (the binding wasn’t set to our liking), and Ski Butlers came out the same evening and fixed the problem at our condo immediately. We were very pleased with their attention to detail and willingness to do what it took to ensure we were happy with our gear.

Beware of altitude sickness.

Don’t take the altitude lightly! See our post on avoiding altitude sickness, and be sure to drink lots of water before and during your trip to Breckenridge. I feel symptoms of altitude sickness with every trip, despite taking precautions. Know that one symptom can be insomnia…don’t be surprised if kids and adults have a hard time sleeping at first. Get to bed early, drink fluids, and avoid caffeine and alcohol at least on your first few nights.

Check for seasonal events and festivals.

We happened to time our latest visit to Breckenridge with the annual International Snow Sculpture championships, which meant we could view amazing snow sculptures created by teams across the world.

View during the evenings to see the finished sculptures lit up starting the day of the judging. There’s a people’s choice type of award as well, so be sure to pick your favorite and ‘vote’ with a dollar. Look for additional activities in and around the Riverwalk Center by the Blue River, where the sculptures are located.

Don’t forget to check out the arts district.

Located between Main Street and Ridge Street, Breckenridge’s art district is located in repurposed small buildings with pedestrian friendly walkways. You’ll find all manner of artisans here, and can usually watch them work in addition to buying in the galleries. Kids enjoy this too!

Think ahead before heading out to dinner.

Remember that many family-friendly dining options in Breckenridge do not take reservations. Instead, put your name in early, and use the time before your table is ready to shop along Main Street or check out the small history museum at the Welcome Center (along the Blue River near RiverWalk Center). Some restaurants, including one of our favorites, Downstairs at Eric’s, uses an app to tell you when your name is called. Just give them your phone number and you’ll know how many parties are ahead of you in line. Tip: for the best burgers in town, head down Main to the north end to Canteen. Expect big portions!

Don’t forget snow play gear!

Bring an extra set of gloves or mittens and a waterproof pair of snow boots for each family member, in addition to what you wear if you ski or snowboard. Exploring the village of Breckenridge is part of the charm of a vacation here, but kids will definitely get snowy on even the simplest walk down Main Street. They’ll find places to slide down hills and have snowball fights!

Disclosure: Our stay at One Breckenridge Place and our transportation on CME were provided complimentarily, for the purpose of review.

Best Ski Towns: Lake Tahoe region

January 7, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

Planning a family vacation to the snow in Lake Tahoe? There are multiple hamlets dotting the north and west shores of Lake Tahoe that deserve recognition! And to the south, the towns of Kings Beach, Tahoe City, and Homewood are also great ski communities, with their own activities and dining options. Here’s the scoop on the Lake Tahoe region in winter!

Hotels.com asked me to share my favorite activities and tips for exploring Tahoe in winter, so start here as you plan your wintery vacation.

West Shore:

West Lake Tahoe includes Tahoe City and Homewood, and is known as a quieter, more authentic–if you will–Tahoe. Families staying in this area will love the solitude, but will also need to drive about 30 minutes to most major ski areas.

Where to ski: The closest ski area on the west side of the lake is Homewood, which is also one of the oldest. Tahoe locals love Homewood for it’s amazing lake views, affordable lift tickets, and hometown vibe. We love it for beginners and for sleeping-in mornings while staying in a west lake vacation home! Also nearby: Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows are less than 30 minutes away (located between Tahoe City and Truckee).

Where to find snow play: For fun sledding and very basic, beginner skiing, head to Granlibakken, located in Tahoe City. For nordic skiing and general snow play, follow North Shore Drive just a mile or two from Tahoma and Homewood to Sugar Pine Point State Park. Also along North Shore Drive are multiple state sno parks (just get a CA sno park permit to put on your car). Want to go ice skating? Head to Squaw Valley, and take the tram to the Olympic ice skating rink at mid-mountain.

North Tahoe:

North Tahoe is known for great eateries, lakeside lodging, and proximity to Northstar California. The town of Kings Beach is both sporty and artsy, with plenty to do in both summer and winter. We love the ‘ski town’ vibe, which is very casual and kid-friendly.

Where to ski: As you can tell, we love Northstar! This resort has everything for all level of skiers and riders, and some of the best lessons in Tahoe as well. We recommend getting a private lesson for your whole family (more fun, and also more economical). Also on the north shore are Diamond Peak and Sugar Bowl (near Truckee-Donner area).

Where to find snow play: Families looking for snow play in North Tahoe can head to Truckee to ice skate on their community rink, or ice skate at the Village at Northstar. Sledding is fun at Kingvale sledding and tubing center, or at Soda Springs ski area, located near Sugar Bowl. As with the west side, it’s always a good idea to head to sno parks, too.

For South Lake Tahoe, see our South Lake Tahoe Best Ski Town page.

Planning a trip to Door County with kids

October 20, 2020 By Amy Hagstrom

The moment I heard Door County, Wisconsin described as ‘the Cape Cod of the Midwest’, this family-friendly destination made perfect sense to me. Despite the fact that Lake Michigan served as the ‘ocean’ in this comparison, the description was spot-on. Door County, the narrow ‘thumb’-shaped peninsula of Wisconsin, is comprised of scenic shoreline, quaint villages, and rolling farmland. It’s Cape Cod with a Midwestern style that delights.

Door County is the perfect weekend or week-long escape for families with kids within a day’s drive. What you get: plenty of shoreline, ample boating and fishing opportunities, camping, biking and hiking, and dining galore. This is a vacation destination just waiting for you to make it your own, whether you’re looking for art and culture, R&R, or outdoor recreation.

What to do in Door County with kids:

In addition to the 53 public beaches along its 300 miles of shoreline and cherry picking in July or August (check out the tart cherry selection at Orchard Country Winery and Market), Door County offers a multitude of turn-key outdoor offerings. What do I mean by ‘turn-key’? Nothing is at ‘expert’ level, unless you count the fishing, which is indeed impressive. Instead, families have the opportunity to do a little of everything.

Take a trolley tour with Door County Trolley:

Door County Trolley www.doorcountytrolley.com should be your first stop. They offer a multitude of trolley tours of the area, but their narrated scenic tour started it all, and gives you a great overview of the area. It’s $18.95 for adults and $13.95 for kids, and or guide and driver was highly entertaining and fun. You’ll get an overview of the history of Door County and see the main views and highlights, which will help you know what you want to go back and see during the rest of your stay.

For the grown ups: they also have a Murder and Mayhem tour, which highlights all the places of past crime on the peninsula, and a wine, spirits and brews tour, which includes wine tastings at multiple stops.

Hiking and biking:

Head to the biggest and brightest of Door County’s five state parks, Peninsula State Park. Grab a hiking and biking map at the entrance, or, if you know you’ll want to bike, rent at the entrance to the park at Edge of the Park. You can ride the perimeter of the park on paved road (noting that there will be traffic in summer), or, if you have older kids eager to try their hand at some single track, take some of the interior trails (see the map for designated biking trails).

If you’re hiking, a good option is the two-mile Sentinel Trail in Peninsula State Park. There are a number of other trails at your disposal too, which are fairly short in length but can be done in tandem or looped for a longer mileage. There are also 12 preserves in Door County with hiking trails; it’s a very progressive county when it comes to land conservation. You won’t find the development that you encounter at destinations like the Wisconsin Dells, for instance.

We hiked for about an hour at The Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor, a not-for-profit land sanctuary that aims to educate on land conservation efforts as much as it provides an opportunity for hiking. Start that the new and impressive visitor’s center at 8166 Highway 57, and opt for either a guided tour (multiple per day in the summer season) or a self-guided hike through the forests and swales (bodies of water). Either way, it’s $5 for adults and free for kids (up to age 18). The guided tour will be led by an enthusiastic member of the sanctuary, and I know that I personally learned a lot about the local ecology. That said, both the guided and self-led tour option includes a visit to the range lights (like lighthouses) with an interior tour. Combine as many of the mile or so loops as you’d like to create the hike for you. The first 1/3 mile from the visitor center to the ranger lights that mark the official start to the sanctuary is boardwalk, accessible for all.

Go cheese tasting:

Head to Wisconsin Cheese Masters and Door Artisan Cheese Company for samples of the best, then buy a few offerings to add to a picnic to enjoy on the lake or bay.

In Door County without the kids? Ask for the premium wine tasting flight at Harbor Ridge Winery, located adjacent to Wisconsin Cheese Masters. This boutique winery also offers a more basic tasting, but you’ll want to upgrade (on our visit, it was only a difference of a couple bucks). The difference: the premium tasting included cabs, pinot noirs and cab blancs made on-site from grapes curated from Walla Walla Washington and California. The more basic tasting included more sweet wines and fruit wines made from orchard fruits on-site. It depends on taste, but if you prefer a drier (grape) wine, you’ll want the premium.

Kayak the bay, lake or inland lakes:

Door County Kayak Tours is a locally-owned and operated kayaking company that’s always expanding to new outdoor pursuits. They offer several routes for kayaking around the Green Bay or lake side of the peninsula and are always flexible. When bad weather kept us from the lake, we re-routed (rather than needing to cancel) and enjoyed an exceptional paddle through the Mud Lake State Natural Area instead. A new perspective is had at water-level, and other tours operated by Gravity Trails offer views of shipwrecks in the lake, watery caves, and more.

Visit lighthouses:

Door County has an entire lighthouse trail of eleven lighthouses. The trolley company will show you around on their lighthouse tour, should you be so inclined, and several boat operations will show you lighthouses from the water, but you can also pick and choose favorites to see by car and on foot (or tractor…stay tuned for that story). It’s easy to see Eagle Buff lighthouse, since it’s located in Peninsula State Park, but Cana Island Lighthouse is a fan favorite because of its unique watery approach. Located in Baileys Harbor, Cana Island is indeed on its own tiny island. To get there, park at the parking area and cross the shallow causeway either by foot (wading in knee-deep water a matter of yards) or take the free tractor transportation (pulling a wagon you can ride in). Yes, it’s as fun and unique as it sounds. At the light, climb the steep steps (must be 36 inches) to the top for amazing views.

Where to eat in Door County with kids:

Breakfast at White Gull Inn: Don’t miss this stop. Operating in Fish Creek since the 1800s, White Gull Inn is a mainstay. Someone in your party must try the cherry stuffed French Toast (winner of Good Morning America’s Best Breakfast award), but everything else is equally wonderful. They also do a fish boil at this location, and though we tried a fish boil elsewhere, I’m told the White Gull Inn’s is comparable, with one exception (more on that in a minute).

Wilson’s Restaurant in Ephraim: Wilson’s has been in operation for the last 114 years, and its going strong. Located right on the water, you can expect long lines and waits here in summer, but in the shoulder season, it’s easy to get a table. They’re known for their ice cream and homemade root beer, but their burgers are amazing, too. Come for the food, but stay for the ambiance, which is still stuck in the 1950s. Alternative pick: if you just want ice cream, head to Door County Ice Cream Factory in the town general store (dating back to 1912).

The Cookery: If you want an inventive and interesting (and somewhat surprising menu), come to The Cookery in Fish Creek. Yes, they have traditional whitefish chowder (they’re known for it) and Door County cherry salad (everyone seems to have this in the Door), but they also have vegetarian grain bowls and very flavorful salads amid their comfort food offerings. Like most businesses in the Door, The Cookery is family owned and operated.

Fish boil: A tradition of Door County dating back to the early logging and fishing era, a traditional fish boil is a good way to feed a crowd. They’re still offered at locations such as White Gull Inn (see above) or at The Old Post Office, where we experienced one. What happens: guests first circle around a wood-burning campfire upon which a huge cauldron of water is boiling. Potatoes and onions are added (White Gull Inn does not add onions, a significant difference), and then whitefish. After the whitefish is added, kerosene is added, creating a huge ball of fire and smoke that impresses the audience and serves to burn/boil off the oily top layer of the water. The fish, potatoes, onions, and usually cole slaw is served buffet-style, and the whitefish lacks that ‘fishy’ taste you’d expect, since the fish oils are burnt off in the final burning of the oil. Cool, right? It’s a fun affair that’s as much about the experience as it is about the meal.

Without the kids? Head to happy hour! In addition to the premium flight at Harbor Ridge Winery, the Liberty Taproom in Egg Harbor and Island Orchard Cider in Ellison Bay are good picks. Pair any of these options with gallery hopping from Plum Bottom Gallery to Edgewood Orchard Galleries and Turtle Ridge Gallery and you have yourselves a perfect kid-free afternoon and evening.

Where to stay:

On the water. With a kitchen. That’s really the only criteria in my book, with kids. Why? Being lakefront (or bayfront…Door County has Green Bay on one side and Lake Michigan on the other) is the main draw for kids. And most Door County lodging is in a rural setting, apart from downtown areas, so you’ll want to grocery shop before arriving, and make most meals in-house, to avoid a lot of driving.

There are many options that fit this bill, from older and a bit dated, and most are within 15 minutes of one another in the various towns dotting Door County. I stayed at Sand Bay Beach Resort in Sturgeon Bay for under $200/night in summer, which was an economic choice that provided spacious rooms with kitchenettes (no stove or oven) and communal BBQs on the water, plus an indoor pool and hot tub. However, it is dated and about 15-20 minutes’ drive from the main villages of Egg Harbor and Sister Bay you’ll likely frequent. I also toured the Bay Shore Inn, which offers more upscale amenities.

Pin it for later:

Disclosure: I experienced Door County at the invitation of the tourism board, for the purpose of review. All opinions remain my own.

Best Mountain Towns: Jackson Hole Wyoming

September 10, 2020 By Amy Hagstrom

Ready for a Western vacation in a breathtaking setting? Jackson, Wyoming is one of the best vacation towns for families, in any season. We love to visit in summer, where we can base ourselves in Jackson to explore Grand Teton National Park, the Snake River, and area lakes and hikes. Here’s what you can expect in Jackson Hole, what to do, where to stay, and where to eat. Read on for our Jackson Hole Wyoming guide:

During a time when many vacations are not possible, outdoor activities in road trip-accessible locations offer the ability to safely social distance. Hotels.com asked me to share my favorite activities and tips for exploring Jackson Hole, so start here as you plan a safe and responsible vacation.

The center of Jackson Hole is pedestrian-friendly, with a central square decorated with elk antlers and more than a few Western wear clothing stores and outdoor stores. You’ll find plenty of cowboy bars and casual eateries in the center of town, too. Along the outskirts, families will find the larger resorts, including the ski resorts of Snow King (just outside town) and Jackson Hole (a few miles away). The entire region is framed by the majesty of the Tetons….Grand Teton National Park is only 20 miles away, up Hwy 26 or Hwy 390.

Where to stay:

There are as many types of lodging in and around Jackson as there are ways to enjoy this town. Families can opt for luxury at the Four Seasons Jackson Hole or the Teton Village area, or find lower-budget motels in town (book early!). One travel hack for this area is to book a stay at the Snake River/Jackson Hole KOA just outside town. By far the nicest KOA we’ve stayed in, their luxury cabins are immaculate, and include full kitchens and bathrooms. Located directly on the Snake River about 15 minutes from Jackson Hole, this KOA also offers its own float trip in season. In addition to luxury cabins, they offer standard cabins for well under the cost of a hotel room, and standard RV and tent camping sites, some of which are directly on the river.

As travel today remains uncertain, please keep your safety and the safety of others in mind at all times. If you are comfortable with traveling, please travel responsibly and within regulation as any travel is at your own risk. If you do decide to travel at this time, here are our recommendations:

Wear a face mask.
Bring hand sanitizer and wash your hands on a regular basis.
Check official websites before your trip for the latest updates on policies, closures and status of local businesses.
Book a hotel with free cancellation in case you need to change your plans at the last minute.

What to do in Jackson Hole:

Plan at least one full day in town. Find parking once, then leave the car during the busy summer months and hoof it from place to place…everything is close by. Browse the fun shops in the heart of town, then head down Snow King Avenue to Snow King Mountain Resort. Try the alpine slide here, or the other summer recreational offerings.

In warm weather, head next to the Amaz’n Jackson Hole Maze, where kids are given a water gun and sent into a large wooden maze to wage their water wars. This is good old fashioned fun at its best! Be sure to leave time to catch the historic Jackson Hole Rodeo, which performs every Wednesday and Saturday night in summer. Bring sweaters or a blanket…once the sun goes down over the Tetons, the summer air gets chilly!

Just outside of town, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort offers mountain biking with lift access during the summer months (and world-class skiing in winter). Families can also ride the ariel tram, try the bungee trampoline, or find hiking trails from Teton Village, at the base of the resort.

On a second day, plan a Snake River float trip from one of many operations based in Jackson Hole; we love to go with OARS. With the Tetons as a backdrop, Snake River floats are scenic but not high adrenaline affairs; look for wildlife and expect a packed lunch en route.

Head into Grand Teton National Park, entering the park at Moose to hike along Phelps Lake (we enjoyed bear sightings here), or continue on to Jenny Lake and String Lake for excellent swimming. Park at String Lake for the best kayaking, SUPing, and wading, but get there early in the summer months…it fills up fast. Farther into the park, rent canoes on Jackson Lake or take a horseback ride at Colter Bay Village.

Where to eat:

We’re not foodies. When we travel, we usually want healthy dining options in a casual atmosphere. In Jackson Hole, we love Pizzeria Caldera, MacPhail’s Burgers, and the Snake River Brewing Company. For great coffee and wifi, the Bunnery is our go-to morning location.

As I disclose whenever applicable, we are partnering with Hotels.com to bring you this post on Jackson Hole.

Give your Kids Adventure on a Riviera Maya Vacation

December 20, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

There are amazing places to go to for a family beach vacation, but few can match the Riviera Maya. Situated on the coast of Mexico, Riviera Maya offers you and other adults a chance to relax and unwind, and children an opportunity to explore, learn, play, and simply be kids.

Riviera Maya offers a range of excellent family accommodation options, especially in Tulum. The Tulum all-inclusive options, in particular, are great, especially because they offer so many options for having fun with kids.

The resorts organize a lot of tours and activities, so you can enjoy the area while you discover the Riviera Maya culture, the marvelous natural paradise of Tulum or have fun practicing sports! There are so many options for what to do in Tulum that you will never get bored!

Now that you’ve decided that you are going to Tulum in the Riviera Maya, what exactly is there to do?

Water Sports

Thanks to its coastal location, many of the better resorts have their own exclusive pools and beach. This gives you the perfect opportunity to participate in snorkeling, or stand up paddling or kayaking.

Exploring Mayan Ruins

Tulum is home to some of the most breathtaking Mayan ruins on the planet. This is a great way for children to learn about the Mayan civilization and be awestruck at what they see. Kids learn when they are having fun. Here are two you and your family should not miss:

Chichén Itzá– Chichén Itzá is one of the seven wonders of the world and was once a vibrant Mayan city. In the center, a huge pyramid dominates the region, and at certain times of the year, the sun creates an illusion that snakes are running up and down the steps.
Cobá– Forty-five minutes into the jungle and you will discover the remains of Cobá, a once-thriving Mayan city. The pyramid in the center is the main attraction with excavated roads linking the structure to other parts of the city. The visitor center helps to add context and is an excellent way for kids and adults to learn about the Mayans.

A Day or Days at the Beach

With the better resorts having their own exclusive beach, it makes sense to have a day or three relaxing and having fun. Kids love beaches as they can dig in the sand, go for a swim, and generally let off steam. You can have quality time with your kids and enjoy the sunshine soaking up rays and reconnecting with the world.

If you want to venture out of your resort, you’ll find Tulum beaches to suit all tastes. Given how great many resort beaches are, you’ll probably find you’ll make use to the one you can walk too.

A Grand Night Out

Resorts offer plenty of options for what to do if you want have fun, especially in the desirable location of the Riviera Maya. You can enjoy great food, karaoke, theme nights, and all kinds of entertainment.

If you are more sporty, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to participate in tennis, soccer, basketball, or enjoy a relaxing spa or workout in the gym.

The Riviera Maya offers you and your family the perfect vacation and staying in one of the great resorts makes it even better.