City Series - Pitstops for Kids

Boston with kids: walking the Freedom Trail

July 1, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

A must-do when visiting Boston with kids, the Freedom Trail is a 2.5 mile red-brick walking trail that leads to 16 historic sites, every one an important piece of the road to American freedom. I’ve heard of families worrying this tour would be too dull for kids, but we didn’t find that to be true at all! Not every site garners kids’ full attention, but it’s ok to gloss over a few in order to fully investigate the ones that interest your group most. Allow older kids turns navigating along the red brick path and reading aloud about the stops along the way, and you’ll be surprised at how much time they spend learning more.

If you opt to go the self-guided route (which I recommend if you have young kids whose interest may web and wane), you can start and end anywhere, but it’s best to begin at Boston Common. There you’ll find a useful visitor information center, where you can pick up a Freedom Trail booklet with descriptions of the sites you’ll see and a map to mark your progress along the trail.

The whole trail could take you half a day if you stop to enter the various sites (which you definitely should!) or longer if you also stop for a meal or shopping. The map is useful mostly to alert you to what you’re looking it; the trail is well marked in red brick, so you can’t get lost or go wrong. For our family, the highlights were Paul Revere’s house (which you can tour), the Granary Burying Ground (where many American revolutionaries, signers of the Declaration of Independence, and Ben Franklin’s parents are buried, among others), and the U.S.S. Constitution, moored near the end of the trail (and also open to visitors). In fact, the promise of boarding ‘Old Ironsides’ is what kept Toby (age 6) going for the last half mile or so! Once there, touring the ship is free (though wait times do exist in the middle of the day during high season).

Date last visited: June 2011

Admission costs:The trail is itself is free as well, but you’ll pay small admission prices to visit Paul Revere’s House and the Old State House. (I recommend both, and you can buy a combination ticket.) ‘Walk into History’ tours are also available for $13 for adults, $7 for children if you’d like a guide, but they run 90 minutes and don’t include the whole route (plus may be over the heads of kids 10 and under). Audio guides are great for older kids, however: you can get them for $15 at the Visitor Information Center at Boston Common.

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Tip:A stop at the National Park Service building (across from site of the Boston Massacre near Faneuil Hall) is a must if your kids have National Park Passports to stamp. You can also pick up great maps there.

Website: http://www.thefreedomtrail.org/

Note: The Freedom Trail has a Kidscore of 85. Learn more about Kidscore.

Boston with kids: Boston Duck Tours

June 30, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

Before visiting Boston, I kept hearing about Boston Duck Tours, and how it was a must-do with kids. Turns out, their reputation precedes them for a reason! This tour is the perfect way to gain an overview of the city while the kids (and adults) are highly entertained. The fun begins as soon as you board your ‘duck’, a W.W.II style amphibious landing vehicle, and are introduced to your ‘conDUCKtor’, who both drives the vehicle and narrates the tour.

The tour takes visitors throughout the city while the conDUCKor points out sights such as the Public Garden, points along the Freedom Trail, Copley Square, the State House, various museums, and historic buildings. Then, well before even young kids can get squirmy, the vehicles drives straight into the Charles River where it floats downstream. The views are wonderful, but even more fun is the amazement of the kids, especially when they’re all given turns at the helm of the ‘boat’.

Our tour, aboard the red, white, and blue (and aptly named) ‘Liberty’, was conducted by ‘Captain Foghorn’, who was lively, funny, and friendly throughout the tour. We were taught how to ‘quack’ at game passersby on the street and other tour vehicles, and the kids were free to blow their ‘quackers’ (duck whistles), which were less annoying than you’d think (but still $4 each). Captain Foghorn peppered his narrative of the city with personal anecdotes, jokes, and current events, keeping adults as entertained as the kids. The total time for the tour is 90 minutes (though a shorter version is available) and all the kids in our group, from age 2-12, called it one of their favorite activities in the city.

Tip: Plan to arrive at your tour 1/2 hour before departure time, and bring sweatshirts or jackets, as it gets cold on the river!

Date last visited: June 2011

Ticket prices: Tickets are $32 for adults, $22 for kids 3-12, and $10 for under 3. This price seemed steep to me, but after experiencing the tour, I can say it’s worth it! Be sure to get tickets ahead of time online, as they do sell out.

Save up to 43% on Boston’s 5 best attractions with CityPASS. Shop Now!

Hours: Tours depart seven days per week, rain or shine, from mid-March through November. See website for more information or details about the abbreviated tour departing from the New England Aquarium.

Website: www.bostonducktours.com

Directions: When purchasing tickets, visitors have two options of tour start locations, The Museum of Science (1 Science Park) or the Prudential Center in the Back Bay (53 Huntington Avenue). We choose the Prudential Center, and easily found the duck tour booth upstairs, then boarded our vehicle one block away.

As I disclose whenever applicable, our party received complimentary tickets to experience the Boston Duck Tour. While appreciated, this compensation came with no expectation of a positive review.

Boston with kids: a stay at Marriott’s Custom House

June 28, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

Marriott’s Custom House is hands down the most unique Marriott Vacation Club property I’ve ever seen.
Originally built in 1847 as a–you guessed it–custom house for 1/5th of the world’s wealth brought in at the busy harbor, the hotel is one of the most impressive historical buildings in all of Boston, and yet its one-of-a-kind features are seamlessly integrated with Marriott Vacation Club’s commitment to family programs and amenities. My father, with whom we were fortunate enough to share this portion of our trip, put it this way: “You come to Boston for the history, and end up staying in it.”

I fear I cannot adequately describe our Eagle Suite rooms (located on the 21st floor) in order to do them justice. (Photos don’t do them justice, either.) Have I stayed in suites as luxurious? Yes. As luxuriously unique? No. Located near the top of the tower just under the clock face, the two suites on this floor conform perfectly to their surrounds and the integrity of the historic building. The floor-to-ceiling windows look out upon a birds-eye view of the Back Bay, harbor, and Beacon Hill, and the high ceilings and quaint nooks and crannies reminded us were not in the average hotel room (as if the view could make us forget!). The balconies of these suites sit under the shadow of massive stone eagle gargoles standing sentinel, and only four stories up, the four-sided clock face itself serves as a Boston landmark.

The interior of all Custom House suites feature full kitchens, a separate bedroom, dining space, living space, a large bathroom, and full closets. Carpeted steps led between our rooms and around bends molding to the layout of the tower in which we were housed. Every detail was cared for, from the coffee for the full-sized coffee maker, to the full-sized toaster, to the four chairs surrounding a table actually large enough to sit and eat around. The single caveat: suites only sleep four (though roll-aways are available should your party need more sleeping space), so families of five or more will need two rooms.

One of the most unique features of this already unique property is the observation deck on the 26th floor. Available only to guests, this deck is the only outdoor observation area of the city, and offers stunning 360 degree views. It’s closed in inclement weather, but otherwise available at guests’ leisure. On the 2nd floor, museum artifacts from the Peabody Essex Museum in nearby Salem tell the story of the building’s history, and guests can explore the Counting Room where commerce once boomed (and armed guards once patrolled the balcony walks above to ensure fair trade). This room is now used for nightly entertainment and the morning breakfast buffet. The hotel also has a decent-sized fitness facility considering the space available (on the 25th floor) and families have access to the indoor swimming pool (and larger fitness center) across the street at the Custom House’s sister property, Marriott Long Wharf.

The Custom House concierge and activities director, Ellen Silverman, does a fabulous job ensuring there’s something for everyone, every day, in keeping with Vacation Club standards. In addition to the MAZE activity room for the younger set (open with parental supervision all day and located on the 20th floor), the Custom House offers a game room stocked with air hockey, pool, and video games (and complimentary washers and dryers!) right behind the clock face on the 24th floor, a private movie theater with frequent showings, a daily craft for all ages, and nightly entertainment that jives with the historical aspect of the hotel. During our visit, this entertainment took the form of an Irish folk singer one evening (we listened to him in the historic Counting Room) and a costumed historical narrator the next.

And then there’s the Custom House’s incredible location. Just two short blocks from the State House (on the Freedom Trail route) in one direction, one block from Faneuil Square and Quincy Market in another, and half a block from the New England Aquarium in yet another, visitors can walk nearly anywhere. Great family dining is abundant in a 2-3 block radius. Oh, and if that’s not enough, a T stop is located just outside the door, which we used extensively.

If you’re coming to Boston to learn about the history of the city, and want somewhere luxurious but also convenient and comfortable for a family, The Custom House is where you want to be. I know I’ll be back.

Room rates: You don’t have to be a Marriott Vacation Club member to stay at The Custom House. (And you can use Marriott Reward Points, too!) Nightly rates vary by season and availability, but the weekend low rate the week we stayed was $339.

Directions: The Custom House is located at 3 McKinley Square. We walked the four short blocks from the Amtrak station during our trip, but driving it is easy, too. From 93 North, take Exit 23. Stay left after tunnel and follow signs to the aquarium. At first traffic light turn left following signs for aquarium. Take a right onto State Street. Hotel is 1st driveway on the left. Taxi fare from Logan International is approximately $30.

As I disclose whenever applicable, I stayed at The Custom House with a significantly discounted media rate. While appreciated, this rate in no way guaranteed a positive review.

Exploring Vancouver B.C.: Sewell’s Sea Safari

June 26, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

Ready for a wet and wild way to spend a day in Vancouver, B.C.? Sea Safari tours of the beautiful Howe Sound and adjacent fjords are conducted by Sewell’s Marina, located right on the water west of the city. A full service operation, visitors can rent various sized boats to tour the bay on their own, join charter fishing trips, or sign up for the wildly popular (and with good reason) Sea Safari. These two-hour eco-tours run daily from April to October, and introduce visitors to the stunning scenery and wildlife of coastal British Columbia from aboard a custom-designed, high-speed, 30 ft. rigid hull inflatable boat.

Tours sometimes depart from Canada Place in Vancouver, or visitors with cars can drive north to the marina directly. Plan on seeing fabulous wildlife, perhaps even including seals!

Extra tip: Dress in layers. Even in summer, Vancouver can be chilly, and you’ll be on the water! Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and a sweatshirt or light jacket at the very least!

Date last visited: I didn’t get a chance to experience this adventure for myself, but was briefed by Sewell media staff.

Operating Hours: Mon-Sun, 8 am to 7 pm

Ticket prices: $73 per adult, $43 per child (Canadian prices)

Reservations: (604) 921-3474 You can also make advanced reservations here.

Directions: Located at 6409 Bay Street in West Vancouver, the Sewell Marina is an easy drive from downtown. From the city centre, head west on Georgia Street (towards Stanley Park) and cross the Lions Gate Bridge following Hwy 99 North. At the North end of the Lions Gate Bridge, follow the overhead signs to West Vancouver and Horseshoe Bay (17 km ).

Turn right up Taylor Way (still following the signs to the ferry terminal at Horseshoe Bay). At the top of Taylor Way there is a major intersection with signs showing the way to Horseshoe Bay and Whistler. Turn left onto Highway 1 and head west, following all signs to Horseshoe Bay. Stay in the far right lane and exit (3) at the Horseshoe Bay “Village” sign. Exit 3 is the same as for ferries. Take village lane. This will bring you into Horseshoe Bay village. At the water, turn left on to Bay Street. Look for the blue building your next immediate right – in the center of the bay, to the right of the big propeller water fountain, is the home of Sewell’s Ocean Adventure Center.

Exploring Vancouver B.C.: Capilano Suspension Bridge

June 23, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

Only ten minutes outside of the city center, Vancouver offers family-friendly outdoor attractions kids will go crazy for in Capilano and Grouse Mountain. The first stop (and an easy free shuttle ride from Canada Place), is Capilano Suspension Bridge, an engineering marvel stretched 450 feet across a high river gorge in thanks to nineteenth century Vancouver settler and builder George Grant Mackay. In the years since its completion, the bridge and its surrounding businesses, including a restaurant, have been turned in to an interactive playland ripe for exploration.

In addition to daring a trip across the bridge (which felt very sturdy but does sway alarmingly in the breeze!), kids can get a ‘squirrel’s eye view’ of the alpine rainforest canopy in the park’s Treetop Adventure, a network of ariel platforms connected by smaller bridges making their way through the dense forest. From there, a selection of forest paths lead visitors through the forest floor, where wildlife is pointed out on educational displays, ponds and undergrowth host small critters and ducks, and smaller, arched bridges traverse streams.

Just for kids: Capilano does a great job drawing kids into the eco and educational aspects of the Treetop area with an interactive scavenger hunt. Upon completion (which takes kids through various tasks they find through clues) they receive a prize.

The park’s newest feature, the Cliffwalk, was my favorite. Completed in early 2011, this exhibit leads visitors out over the edge of the gorge on a glass and steel pathway (with solid glass side rails). It was a thrill to look down and see only air! The views were fabulous, and you can get great photos of the suspension bridge from the Cliffwalk, too.

From Capilano, it’s an easy public bus ride ($2.50 fare) to Grouse Mountain (ten minute ride), where a veritable outdoor playground awaits. For the price of admission, families can take the Skyride tram to the top of the mountain, explore the wildlife refuge, watch productions on the Theater in the Sky, take a chairlift ride, and more. For additional cost, zip lines and the Eye in the Sky wind turbine will catch kids’ eye. If you think you’ll have kids wanting to do it all (like mine), extra activities can be bundled with general admission.

Extra Tip: If Capilano leaves you wanting more, another (free) suspension bridge exists outside of Vancouver. You’ll need a car to visit the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge, but the effort will be rewarded with an even more authentic view of natural British Columbia. Check out five other adventurous things to do with kids outside of Vancouver at local blogger The Travelling Mom.

Date last visited: June 13, 2011

Distance from the interstate/city: Five to ten minutes outside downtown Vancouver.

Hours of operation: May 28th-September: 8:30 am to 8 pm.

Admission costs: Adults are $32, youth (age 13-16) are $21, children (6-12) are $12, and under 6 are free. Get 20% off if you arrive at the park an hour before closing! (This is do-able: the park generally takes 1-1.5 hours to view.)

Food services: There are several snack shops and a counter-service restaurant within the park, and a cozy cottage-style full-service restaurant directly across the street (a great choice while waiting for your shuttle).

Website: www.capbridge.com

Directions: Catch the free shuttle from Canada Place in Vancouver (it also stops at several downtown hotels), or drive through Stanley Park over Lion’s Gate Bridge and along Capilano Road to 3735 Capilano.

Exploring Vancouver, B.C.: Granville Island with kids

June 20, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

When I set out to explore Vancouver’s Granville Island on a sunny Monday afternoon, I didn’t expect to like it as much as I did. Known best for its upscale public market and boutique shops, I certainly didn’t think it would have much to entice kids. I was wrong. Granville Island began winning me over before I even got there: from the dock at the very end of Hornby Street, I waited (all of two minutes) for the Aquabus to carry me across the hairsbreath of water that separates the mainland from the island, and when it arrived in all it’s cute, multi-colored glory, bumped up against the dock, and the operator gave a friendly wave, I was in love.

Once on-island, the public market is only a few blocks away. I stepped in, looked around, and instantly reached for my camera: the colors, smells, and sheer artistry of the arrangement of food and wares was enough to take my breath away (or just make me want to breathe very deeply). I’d wondered what there’d be for kids to do, but between the samples being offered around every corner, the merchandise piled high in all directions, and the people watching, I shouldn’t have worried.

I immediately bought a French crepe with cinnamon and sugar, then set out to see what other tricks this little island had up its sleeve. The shops along the adjacent streets were indeed upscale, but not stuffy. I’d estimate that I’d feel comfortable taking my kids into at least every other one to poke around. The best was one (or rather several) I stumbled upon by accident: Kids Market on Cartwright Street. This two-story marketplace stuffs 25 shops under one roof, and the result is an eye-popping array of toys, stuffed animals, puppets, clothing, and books overflowing from every countertop, shelf, and hallway. If the kids get tired of wandering (ha!), there’s even a play space with brightly colored tubes and ball pits that run the length and height of the building.

After my visit to toy heaven, I returned to the public market for lunch: the countless options within close proximity make it an ideal place for a family meal. Among the long stretch of food stalls, I found a vegetarian Thali dish served on a tin plate (you get a $2 deposit back for returning it). Next to me, a toddler ate organic cheese and grapes bought a few isles down, and a little girl worked her way through a danish as big as her head.

Also on-island are restaurants, comedy clubs, art galleries, parks, and kayak and boat rentals. Talented street musicians perform most days, and kids can walk along the harbor watching the boats come in. It’s a wonderful way to either spend very little money or quite a lot while experiencing Vancouver.

Date last visited: June 13, 2011

Distance from downtown Vancouver: Two minutes by boat or bridge.

Admission: None, but passage on an Aquabus will cost $3.25 for adults and $1.75 for kids (one way) from the Hornby dock. No need to purchase ahead of time. (Full list of schedules and fares.)

Hours of operation: The island is open seven days a week, 9 am to 7 pm.

Directions: The Hornby dock is a 15-20 minute walk from most points in downtown Vancouver. (It took me 20 from Canada Place.) City bus routes can also get you there. If you opt to drive, the Granville Bridge is accessed by Granville Street.

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Exploring Vancouver, B.C.: Stanley Park by bicycle

June 17, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

Vancouver’s Stanley Park consists of an expanse of wilderness at the northern end of the city that begs for family exploration. It’s dotted with totem poles, lakes, botanical gardens, beaches, and even an aquarium and offers hiking, carriage rides, interactive historical and ecological displays, and playgrounds. It’s also 1000 acres in size, which makes it the ideal space to explore by bicycle. We found several bicycle rental companies in the immediate vicinity of the park entrance on West Georgia Street, and settled on Spokes, a friendly, bustling shop at the corner of Denman and West Georgia (look for its bright orange and yellow signage). We arrived on a summer Friday afternoon, and completed the rental process and were outfitted with bikes, helmets, and bike locks within minutes. Families can start riding directly from the shop (just walk the bikes across the intersection at the crosswalk and merge onto the Seaside Bike Route, otherwise known as the Stanley Park Sea Wall. The Sea Wall bike route hugs the water along the edge of the park, and affords incredible views of the bay, Lion’s Gate Bridge, and the downtown Vancouver city scape as you round the point of Coal Harbor. No cars are allowed on the path, and it’s well-marked to direct two-way bike, pedestrian, and roller blade traffic. It does get narrow at some spots (which can be especially tricky to navigate around bends), but assuming your kids aren’t racing each other (perhaps an erroneous assumption), everyone should come out unscathed. If you follow the Sea Wall all the way around the park, you’ll have pedaled over eight kilometers, wrapping back around to West Georgia Street by way of the scenic Lost Lagoon lake. If that route’s more than you (or smaller legs) bargained for, several additional bike paths cut through the interior of the park, cutting a significant portion off the loop (and as a bonus, they take you past Beaver Lake and the intersection for the Vancouver Aquarium, and miniature railway, which we didn’t get the chance to try but I’m told are excellent). Note: Bike and pedestrian traffic along the sea wall is counter-clockwise only, so turning around and retracing your steps is not an option. The best thing about biking the Sea Wall (apart from all the sightseeing ground you’ll cover while everyone gets exercise) is the abundance of stops for kids along the way. Five minutes into your ride, you’ll encounter the totem pole replicas carved out of red cedar at the Brockton Point Interpretive Center, educating visitors about First Nations history. Further along, the wall gives way to small sandy beaches with drift wood logs, rock formations, and softly lapping surf. Further still, your kids will roll to a stop (and walk their bikes) past a huge playground complete with a water play splash park (with air-blown ‘drying station’), climbing structures, and slides. Around the <i>next</i> bend, there’s a large outdoor pool overlooking the bay, another playground, and an echo-y tunnel to hide in (or rather your kids will, giving you a heart attack). After the pool, the sea wall ends and the bike route climbs the hillside to run adjacent to the traffic on Park Drive, but we still felt very safe; the path is still bike/pedestrian only and any intersections are clearly marked with stop signs. It was at this point that we opted to cut through the park interior back to West Georgia, allowing us to ride past the botanical gardens and entrance to the aquarium. (To go this route, catch the intersecting path at Pipeline Road, about four kilometers into the loop.) Hours of operation: Stanley Park is open during daylight hours. Spokes bike rental is open 8 am to 9 pm, seven days a week. No reservations are required! Bike rental rates: Rates vary depending on the style of bike you’re renting. Child rates start at approximately $4.50/hour or $13/a half-day, adults a few dollars more. Tandem bikes and bike trailers are also available. Food services: Several exist throughout the park. Along the sea wall, families will find more than one burger/seafood joint, and a snack shack-type food stand near the pool. We didn’t stop, but I’m sure I remember smelling French fries and funnel cakes. Website: www.spokesbicyclerentals.com Directions: You can actually follow the bike and pedestrian path (sea wall) all the way from Canada Place, turning left and walking one block on Delman Street, but it’s an approximately 20-30 minute walk with small children. Otherwise, the drive is about 12 blocks West Georgia and Burrard.

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The Four Seasons Vancouver: kid-friendly luxury

June 15, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

Last week, had I been asked to describe the Four Seasons family of resorts, I would have used phrases such as ‘exceptional reputation’, ‘luxury accommodations’, or ‘famed attention to detail’. After spending three blissful days at the Four Seasons Vancouver, I can add: ‘family-friendliness’.

Surprised? You shouldn’t be. The same qualities that make the Four Seasons Vancouver an outstanding resort for adult travelers are what make it great for kids: the staff knows how to go the extra mile, and then does it…your entire stay. Kids are catered to with their own room service menu, child-sized robes, and kid-friendly (and wallet-friendly) food in the Four Seasons Vancouver’s YEW Restaurant and Bar (they eat breakfast for free, for starters). I love that children are served healthy (and appealing) appetizers immediately upon sitting down to eat, along with a small toy or goodie with high entertainment value like Wikki Stix. In fact, Kids in the Kitchen cooking classes are offered for children as well, during which your aspiring chefs can experience a real working kitchen under the supervision of Four Seasons pastry chefs.

My room during my Four Seasons stay was perfectly configured for family travel: the suite featured both a bedroom and living area/bedroom with pull-out couch (separated by glass French doors) and two full bathrooms. (The bathrooms are small, but both feature tubs in addition to showers.) Two LCD TVs, two full closets, and two sets of chairs and corner tables made spreading out easy.

The indoor/outdoor pool and fitness center were only an elevator ride away (it was fun to view the outdoor 4th floor deck and garden space from our 26th floor window), and for those early morning swims the kids just have to take? Parents can sit poolside with a complimentary paper, coffee, and fruit.

Does this level of customer service and amenity come with a price? Sure. But what family travelers receive in return far outweighs the room rate: the chance to relax with their kids, and the opportunity to unwind after a busy (and let’s face it…sometimes stressful) travel day with little ones. The boost such amenities offer parents, especially while touring a busy city like Vancouver, can be the difference between a tiring, hurried vacation and a truly enjoyable one.

Date last visited: June 10, 2011

Room Rates: Check the Four Season Vancouver reservation page for up-to-date room rate information.

Reservations: Book online, or call (604) 689-9333.

Restaurants and food services: The YEW Restaurant and Bar is decidedly upscale, but a great option for families in the morning hours. What’s even better for families is the Four Season’s full in-room dining menu, complete with children’s menus for every meal.

Directions: The Four Seasons Vancouver is located at 791 W. Georgia Street in the heart of the City Centre. Note: The main entrance of Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver is located on Howe Street, which is a one-way street. Guests using an electronic navigation system to locate the Hotel should input “650 Howe Street” to arrive at the Hotel’s front entrance.

If arriving from the airport, simply take the Canada Line (rapid transit system) directly to the hotel. The Canada Line departs from the Link Building, which is located between the domestic and international terminals.

As I disclose whenever applicable, the Four Seasons Vancouver hosted my stay in full in a deluxe executive suite. While I appreciate their hospitality, it came with no expectations of a positive review.

San Diego Zoo

March 30, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

A San Diego institution and for good reason, the San Diego Zoo offers visiting and local families alike an escape from the city into an extensive and beautifully maintained animal kingdom. If San Diego is your family’s vacation destination, you won’t want to miss this featured attraction.

Note: The San Diego Zoo has a Kidscore of 100. Learn more about Kidscore.

Given Southern California’s temperate climate, there’s really no bad time to visit this world-class zoo. Visitors will want to try to avoid summer’s warmest days, but due to the layout of the exhibits and the lack of ‘rides’ or other attractions, crowds are usually a non-issue. We’ve visited on a mid-summer weekend and haven’t had a problem.

We love not only the wonderful (and world-famous) array of exhibits, animal habitats, and expert programs at this zoo, but the ease (and fun!) of transportation through the park. Your admission ticket includes unlimited use of the guided bus tour (for when you’d like park guides to show you around) and the express bus (for when you know exactly where you want to go), and the Skyfari Aeriel Tram (my kids’ favorite mode of transportation in the park!). Less time hoofing it (pun intended) makes for more time and energy spent on making new animal friends (and for far less whiny travel companions…and I’m not just talking about the kids).

What you won’t want to miss: No trip to the San Diego Zoo would be complete without a visit to the Giant Panda exhibit in Panda Canyon (but there are days when they can’t be disturbed, so prepare your young panda lovers beforehand). While there, be sure to tour their panda research center as well!

In Asia Passage, the Sun Bear exhibit is one of our favorites for its meandering trail through dense forest. You’ll leave the sun of San Diego behind as you explore this awe-inspiring area!

Discovery Outpost features the Children’s Zoo (no, there are no children on display), reptile house, and insect exhibits. (The entrance to the ariel tram is nearby, too).

Travel Tip: A good way to beat the heat, crowds, or tired feet is to take in one of San Diego Zoo’s animal shows. Most are only 30 minutes or less, giving kids just long enough to rest and rejuvenate before hitting those exhibits again.

Date last visited: August 2009.

Distance from the interstate: Just a few minutes off I-5!

Admission Fee: Ticket prices vary by age and number of days, and whether you want to add admission to San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park. Current pricing information.

A word on the San Diego Safari Park: When purchasing tickets, families have the option of adding entrance to this partner park to the price of admission. It’s well-worth the money, but bear in mind that it’s not located on-site, but 35 miles (1 hour driving time) from San Diego Zoo. Be sure you have an extra day to devote to it before purchasing!

Hours: The zoo is open every day of the year, from 9 am to 6 pm (seasonal nighttime hours extend closing time by three hours to 9 pm on select summer days).

Dining: There are a lot of restaurants to choose from within the park, but our favorite is the Treehouse Cafe. Located in the Lost Forest section, the cafe’s multi-level decks offer great views of the park, entertaining the kids while they wait for their food and orienting adults as they plan the afternoon.

Directions: The San Diego Zoo is located at 2920 Zoo Drive in Balboa Park, just north of downtown San Diego. From Interstate 5 (Los Angeles and Orange County), take the Pershing Drive exit and follow the signs. From Interstate 15 (Escondido and Riverside), take State Route 163 south to the Park Blvd./I-5 South exit. Exit at Park Blvd. Turn left on Park Blvd. and head north; Zoo entrance is off Park Blvd. at Zoo Place.

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SeaWorld San Diego

March 28, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

SeaWorld San Diego has long been a San Diego landmark, and for good reason. Every time we visit, we’re amazed anew at how much the park offers and how enjoyable a day it provides. I don’t know why we’re surprised!

We’ve been taking our kids almost annually since they were babies, and every year, there’s something for everyone. We love the relaxed feel of the park, focused so much more on marine shows than long lines (although we’ve noticed a change with the addition of more featured attractions). Families can grab a daily schedule at the entrance and plan their day around who wants to see what, and know that in their downtime, play areas such as the Sesame Street Bay of Play await the little ones and rides such as Journey to Atlantis await the more daring. There are a lot of souvenir shops in the area so you will be spoiled for choices. There’s even a store that exclusively sells Cookie Monster onesies from Kigurumi.co.

We always like to start our day visiting the sections of the park that get congested later in the morning, such as the Wild Arctic or Shark Encounter. Open areas such as the Forbidden Reef and Rocky Point Preserve are more manageable later in the day. Of course, if you have ride enthusiasts in your group, try to hit those first! The show stadiums seat thousands, so it really doesn’t matter if you save those for later in the day. Extra Tip: Be sure to look for the new turtle exhibit, Turtle Reef, to open in summer of 2011!

A word on the ‘extras’: When you purchase your tickets at the entrance, take a moment to glance over the tour and special experiences offered on the day of your visit at the information booth. The behind the scenes tours are not expensive to add to your ticket, and well worth your family’s time. We’ve also tried the Dine with Shamu event (re-opening Spring 2011), and while it’s more expensive, we recommend it, especially if you have young kids or are touring the park with kids without the help of another adult. When I bought our Dine with Shamu tickets while touring SeaWorld solo with my seven and five-year-olds, I wasn’t sure it would be worth the cost of the upgrade, but I hadn’t considered the value in a relaxed dining atmosphere with no need to claim tables, wait in line with kids, or balance multiple food trays on one arm. We loved the buffet (although my kids are light eaters), and our table directly in front of the killer whale tank, where we watched them swim and train throughout lunch. During our meal, a trainer came to speak to us, demonstrated some behaviors for us with the whales, and allowed for some photo ops. With only a few dozen diners, it felt like a private show, and I didn’t have to beg anyone to sit still or wait for their food. I’m not sure I’d do it again with older kids, but with the younger set, it’s very valuable…especially if they have a hard time seeing over the heads of the crowd during traditional shows.

Admission: SeaWorld day tickets are good for up to seven days, and start at $69. If you think you might be back within the year, however, annual passes are a wonderful deal (you can even pay for them in low monthly increments).

Distance from the interstate: A few minutes off I-5.

Hours: Check the SeaWorld website for exact hour information at the time of your visit.

Directions: SeaWorld San Diego is located at 500 SeaWorld Drive. From I-5, exit SeaWorld Dr. and head west one mile, following signage.