City Series - Pitstops for Kids

Where to stay in Chicago: Westin Chicago River North

December 21, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

The moment we entered the elegant lobby of the Westin Chicago River North at the blustery, snowy start of our winter Chicago weekend, we felt awash in warm and hospitality. While our hands and feet warmed up quickly, that cozy feeling never went away. For the entirety of our two night stay, we were met with smiles, helpful staff, beautiful surroundings, and convenient amenities. Here’s why we’ll definitely be back:

Westin Chicago River North provided impeccable service and hospitality from start to finish. Every question we had was answered promptly and competently, our room was spacious and had everything we needed, and the location was ideal for a fun weekend in the city.

We stayed on the 9th floor, with wonderful river views. We had a double with a full bath and shower, plenty of sink and counter space, and a spacious closet. WiFi is free for SPG members (free to join) and we had robes and a large flat screen TV with plenty of free channels so we could settle down comfortably during the chilly nights we visited. Out our window, we could watch the snow fall on the the Chicago River and enjoy the skyline.

River North has a club level lounge, which we took advantage of. For an added fee to your nightly rate, guests can access this lounge on the 20th floor, which puts out a full breakfast every morning, snacks during the day, and appetizers and small plates in the evening. All day long, a fridge with soda, water, and other non-alcoholic drinks are on offer. We find that with a family of five, this upgrade is always worth the money. Our rule of thumb: if we’ll be at the hotel to enjoy breakfast and at least one other trip to the lounge per day for snacks, the value is there. During our stay, the lounge put out several appetizers, cut veggies and dip, fruit, cookies, and a soup of the day each evening. We found this to be more than enough for us for dinner. At very least, it’s enough to feed the kids before having a dinner out for the adults. Wine and beer is also available in the lounge for an added fee. Other guests can also use the lounge, during which they pay $15 per visit per person. (Don’t do it this way…it won’t be worth it!)

From the River North property, we were only two blocks from the CTA lines we needed both for the train and the bus. We could easily visit the Sears (Willis) Tower, Millennium Park, and the Museum Campus (all in different directions) within 15 minutes by public transit. We loved being right on the river for a genuine Chicago feel. Note: Chicago’s CTA (Chicago Transit) is different than the Metra (short for Metropolitan Rail), which services the suburbs.

Special Westin touches:

I love Westin’s StayFit program, which allows you to rent exercise clothing and shoes for only $5. The gear is clean and stylish, and saves me room in my carry-on bag. The exercise facility on site is convenient and contemporary, and while not terribly large, it met my needs just fine.

Westin also provides a SuperFoods menu among their room service offerings in many hotels, including River North. Anything I can do to stay healthy and eat well during a trip, I’m grateful for!

I can’t say enough good things about the Westin River North concierge desk. During my stay, I was helped by three concierge staff members, and all three were excellent. I got wonderful recommendations on what to do in the city, then very specific directions when I needed them, and a swiftly called cab exactly when necessary (at oh-dark-thirty for a trip to the airport). Trust me, this doesn’t always happen!

The front desk staff at River North always greeted us with a smile, asked if we needed any bottled waters before heading out in the morning, and had infused water on hand in the lobby. Bowls of fresh fruit were abundant, and every public space was clean, well-lighted, and welcoming. When we returned after the end of a busy day in the city, we felt the sanctuary of a home away from home.

Rates:

Nightly rates started around $150 at the time of our visit (non-holiday weekend). Upgrading to club level was an additional $50 per night, which would definitely pay for itself.

Location:

The Westin River North is located at 320 N. Dearborn. We arrived from O’Hare, and took the Metra train Blue Line easily to the property. Valet parking is available if arriving by car.

As I disclose whenever applicable, we were hosted at Westin Chicago for the purpose of review. All opinions are our own.

Photo credit: Amy Whitley, Westin

24-hour Chicago winter itinerary with kids

December 18, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

On a snowy November weekend, my youngest son and I found ourselves in Chicago. Our trip there was accidental; we had been en route to Savannah, Georgia when we became stranded at O’Hare during the first snowstorm of the season. After 30-plus hours trying to continue our planned itinerary, our flight was cancelled and rebooked two days later. Rather than sit around waiting to depart, we decided to enjoy a Chicago winter itinerary. Here’s what we did with 24 hours in Chicago:

Morning: Head to the Museum Campus

Captain Obvious alert: Chicago in winter is cold! Rather than brave the weather all day long, start your itinerary with an indoors activity. We took Metra to the Museum Campus, which houses both The Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium. Families will want to budget at least three hours for each. Because we wanted to spend some time outdoors enjoying the wintry atmosphere as well, we opted to visit just one indoor attraction—Field Museum—but if you’d rather spend all day indoors (or the weather necessitates it), you could happily spend all day on the Museum Campus, checkout out both attractions.

We chose to visit the Field Museum for its temporary exhibits, including an excellent exhibit on Ancient Egypt and on Mastodons and Mammoths. In order to see these, we upgraded from a standard entrance fee to a full access pass, a difference of approximately $10 per person. With this pass comes admission to the museum’s 3D movie options as well. We started downstairs, checking out these special exhibits first, then moved our way up the museum to end with a 3D movie (check movie times when you enter). Favorite stops among the permanent exhibits included the mammals section and dinosaur section (which has a focus on extinctions during the ages).

We spent all morning enjoying the warmth of the museum, then ate lunch at the museum bistro, which had many healthy options, including a full salad bar and specialty sandwiches and soups. Alternatives include classic Chicago hot dog carts outside and—we were told later—food trucks on the museum ground floor.

Afternoon: Ice skating at Millennium Park

From the Museum Campus, we used the pedestrian underpass to access the nearest Metra bus stop, and took a bus back toward downtown to Millennium Park. We used Google Maps to find the correct bus lines for both the ride to and from the Museum Campus, and had no trouble using the system. If paying cash, our rides were $2.50 for adults and $1 for kids, each way.

At Millennium Park, the McCormick Ice Skating Rink is only about half a block further on foot. On the Sunday before the Thanksgiving holiday, the rink was crowded, but not unmanageable. Plus, the snowy weather added charm to the experience! We waited in line approximately 25 minutes to rent skates (they have a timed system here, so not too many people are crowding the rental area and rink at one time). Once on the ice, we could skate indefinitely. We enjoyed the rink for about 45 minutes, then took a break at the Warming Hut, which serves hot cocoa with a full hot cocoa ‘bar’ (toppings include several kinds of marshmallows, chocolate shavings, candy bar crumbles, and syrups), plus tea and coffee, to which liquors can be added. The hut has a padded floor, so there’s no need to take off skates while warming up.

We continued skating about 30 minutes or so, then unlaced so we could climb the stairs above the rink to check out the famous Chicago ‘bean’ sculpture, which overlooks the skating area. It was fun to see it reflecting the snowy Chicago landscape! We didn’t see much else to do outdoors in the immediate vicinity, but were told that had we been there just a week or so later, the ‘ice skating ribbon’ at adjacent Maggie Daley Park would have been open.

Early evening: City lights

Twilight hit the cityscape at approximately 4:30 pm, and we made our way back to the Metra stop to take a bus to Sears Tower (now called Willis Tower). The SkyDeck allows visitors to enjoy amazing views of the city from the 103rd floor, and even step out onto a glass floor for a thrill. Because we weren’t in the city long enough to warrant buying CityPass (more on this below), we had an hour wait in line for the SkyDeck (including the security line). We loved the views of the city with lights aglow, but agreed the wait was too long. There are two alternatives:

1. Buy CityPass tickets. We always buy CityPass when we visit participating cities, but our visit to Chicago was just too short this time around to make it worthwhile financially. However, if we’d even had one more day, we would have bought the tickets, which are approximately $95 for adults and $69 for kids, and allow entry to 5-7 attractions. With CityPass, families skip the majority of the queue at all attractions, and CityPass holders we saw at Willis Tower enjoyed very little wait time.

2. Head to Hancock Tower instead, and eat a meal at Signature Room on the 95th floor. I’m told the views here are just as amazing, and while you do need to purchase something to eat or drink to enjoy it, the price is less than SkyDeck. Unfortunately, during our visit, a small fire caused the building to close.

Evening: Dining in or out

I polled my favorite Midwest travel writers when I realized we’d be spending a day in Chicago, and they offered several great dining recommendations. Topping the list is Eataly, an upscale but fun Italian dining experience that even includes a Nutella bar. Eataly can be found at 43 E. Ohio. Other top picks are Pizzeria Due at 619 N. Wabash and Flo and Santos at 1310 S. Wabash. Where did we go? Back to our hotel to cozy up with room service! We loved ending our day in Chicago in our robes, looking out our window to watch the Chicago skyline.

Deal: Save up to 53% on Chicago’s 5 best attractions with CityPASS. Shop Now!

Alternate ideas for a Chicago winter itinerary:

While we couldn’t get to everything we wanted to during this trip, the following additional winter activities are on our radar for next time.

Museum of Science and Industry: This year, this museum is hosting an amazing robot exhibit called Robot Revolution, which cutting edge robots around around the world kids can interact with. During the holiday season, it also features Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light, which depicts holiday traditions from dozens of countries and cultures.
Christkindl Market: This annual German Christmas market is held on Daley Plaza, with traditional wooden huts and vendors from Germany.
A Christmas Carol: This show is also an annual tradition and almost always a sell-out, so get advanced tickets for the Goodman Theatre.
Zoolights: Held every holiday season, Zoolights at Lincoln Park Zoo showcases light displays across the zoo in the after-hours; families can come during daylight to see the animals and stay for the light show.
Navy Pier: Though a different experience than during the warmer months, Navy Pier has events and attractions open year round. Pick a day that’s not too chilly to be directly on the water. During our visit, it was simply too windy for us to feel comfortable at Navy Pier!

Where to stay: Westin Chicago River North

We stayed two nights in complete luxurious comfort at Westin Chicago River North, which offered the perfect downtown location for our adventure. Our room on the 9th floor overlooked the Chicago River, and we loved watching the snow fall on the water and bridges. We upgraded to club level, which allowed us to use the club lounge on the 20th floor included in our stay. While an initial investment, I always recommend upgrading to club or concierge level when available. Most offer a complete breakfast service, plus snacks and drinks available all day and an appetizer and small plates spread in the evening to easily feed children and even adults (depending the day’s offering). If you’ll be at the hotel enough to take advantage of at least the breakfast and one additional stop-in during the day or evening, the value is there.

From O’Hare airport, the Westin North River is only one metra train line away (blue line from O’Hare), plus a two block walk. It’s also only two blocks from the metra bus lines. The views are amazing, and the concierge desk is invaluable when planning a last minute itinerary!

Photo credit

Del Mar Racetrack: Fun for the whole family

August 25, 2015 By Sharlene Earnshaw

The following guest post is written by family travel blogger Amber Mamian of www.GlobalMunchkins.com.

Gorgeous weather, a nostalgic past, the season’s top race horses, jockeys and trainers plus free kids activities. Yes please! I’m talking about where the “Turf meets the Surf” at the famous Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in sunny California. This past weekend I had the opportunity to check out the racetrack for myself during the Pacific Classic… my family was lucky enough to tag-along.

Honestly what was not to love? The grounds were immaculate, there was plenty of food, friendly staff and fun activities to keep the kids occupied all day long. Did I mention that kids receive free admission and there are free kids activities on family weekends. Amazing! It really turned out to be quite the day. Let’s take a closer look.The drive to Del Mar is pretty easy since it is situated right along the coast and parking was a breeze too. They even have a cute little tram that drives you to the entrance.

Once you’ve arrived there are plenty of options to keep you entertained. I am a foodie so I always check out the food situation first. I was not disappointed. There were plenty of great options for dining including nine seated restaurants quite a few that even offered track-side dining. For the fancier restaurants and the Turf Club you must make reservations and abide by the dress code. We left those options to be explored at another time when we were sans kids. Today was all about soaking up the family day fun! So, we headed to the concession stands where they have everything from fresh caesar salad and gyros to hamburgers, corn dogs and cheese on a stick.

After filling our bellies we had fun walking around checking out the gorgeous paintings of past champion horses in the halls. There were also artists with equine art on display and gorgeous hats for the ladies. My daughter who happens to be a horse lover could have stayed there for hours. The boys, on the other hand, had seen the inflatable jumpers across the track and they were ready to go play.

So, our next stop was the infield where the family area was located. I was a bit leery about what types of activities would be on the other side of the tunnel and if the free price tag could really be true.To my pleasant surprise there were a ton of fantastic activities and they were all free of charge. Just a few tip jars should you feel obliged.

My boys wasted no time running over to the giant inflatable slides and competing with each other on the obstacle course. I appreciated that the staff had separate inflatables for the babies. (Our youngest was able to jump with kids her own size in the bounce house.) My daughter made a beeline to the pony rides where the most gentle and well groomed ponies stood waiting for her.

Next up were airbrushed tattoos and caricatures. I mean seriously guys: all free! Crazy! The wonderful caricature artist actually holds the World Record for Caricatures. He said he drew 45,000 caricatures while working at Disney over a five-year period. No amateur artist here. Impressive!

We peeled the kids away from the activities once the racing started. We watched a few races on the infield where there are several picnic benches and grass areas along the fence. It is actually a great view. Alternatively, there was also a bar area with tables under the shade and a giant tv screen should you want to let the kids run free and hang out to watch the races there.

After watching a few races we decided we wanted to head over towards the crowds in the stands. The excitement as the horses galloped past and the crowd started cheering was contagious! And, we wanted in on it!The kids found a spot right on the fence directly in front of the finish line. We watched race after race in that spot because the kids loved calling out the winner. We put a little bit of money down so the kids could take in the whole experience. They chose their horses and winners received a snow cone! Okay, everyone received a snow cone but you get the point. We were having fun!

I would highly recommend the Del Mar Racetrack to my own friends and family. Not only is it a great destination for locals but I think the track is equally as great for families passing through the San Diego area on vacation. The track was affordable and it made for an entire afternoon of fun. Plus, the fact that Seabiscuit once took the win there by a nose back in 1939 is pretty cool too!

The Del Mar Racetrack is open mid July- early September. Races run five days a week Wednesday– Sunday with the first post at 2pm except on Fridays when it begins at 4pm. Click here for upcoming events or to purchase admission tickets.

Must Pack:

Camera
Bottled water (bottles at the track are $3+)
Sunscreen
Snacks
Picnic Blanket if you want to sit and watch the races from the family area
Comfy shoes (not heels like I wore)
Tip money

Directions:

Del Mar Del Mar is located just west of I-5 freeway at the Via de la Valle exit in Del Mar CA at
2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd.

Amber enjoyed tickets to the racetrack as guests of Del Mar for the purpose of review.

Portland with Kids: Kimpton RiverPlace Hotel

June 17, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

If you’re headed to Portland with kids, location is key: you want to be near the Willamette River and within easy walking distance of downtown and the MAX. The Kimpton RiverPlace Hotel puts families in the heart of the city, affords kids fun views of the goings-on along the river, and provides parents with a few perks of their own.

RiverPlace is a Kimpton hotel, with Kimpton amenities.

If you’re familiar with the Kimpton brand, you know what this means: hosted wine hours, coffee, tea, and hot chocolate for the kids, a welcome mat rolled out for your family dog, and a staff that goes above and beyond. When we arrived 30 minutes past ‘wine hour’ on our most recent visit, the front desk staff poured us glasses to take up to our room. Nice touch!

Every time we come to RiverPlace, they have something fun going on. This summer beginning in June, they offer s’mores on their second-floor courtyard overlooking the Willamette. All we needed to do was let the front desk know when we were ready for the fire to be lit in the fire pit.

The first time I visited RiverPlace as a Kimpton hotel, it didn’t yet sport the trademarked Kimpton style and originality to its decor. As of early summer 2015, it absolutely does, and I felt right at home as a Kimpton Karma Rewards member (sign up, you get a $10 Raid the Mini-Bar credit!). The decor in RiverPlace that isn’t sporting a trendy ‘Kimpton’ look is very clean, not-quite minimalist, and warm, with stone, wood, and soft touches.

Location is key.

RiverPlace is located right off Naito Parkway south of popular Tom McCall Park (the greenway that runs along the river). Families can sit on the RiverPlace rocking chairs on the porch overlooking the Willamette, walk directly from the hotel along the greenway to the Portland Spirit river cruise, the Portland Saturday Market, or the downtown Pioneer Square area.

We love that we can let the kids burn off energy before dinner along the river walk, or explore the many boats along the small wharf jutting out from the RiverPlace Esplanade. Kids are happily distracted watching the crew teams rowing along the water. Along the esplanade are several good dining options for families, especially coffee shops and bakeries.

Room options:

We recommend booking a one-bedroom suite, which easily sleeps a family of five (when we stayed in one of these rooms, we had a king bed for the parents in the bedroom, a pull-out sofa double, plus a rollaway). Along with all this room, you also get a full kitchen and dining area, complete with all the pots, pans, and utensils you’ll need to prepare meals in.

The suites have a separate entrance, which means you can return to your room directly from the river walk, but are right next door to the rest of the RiverPlace, making it easy to settle in the lobby for the complimentary wine hour and coffee or hot chocolate in the mornings.

The absolute best thing about the RiverPlace suites, however, are the views. Our river-front room boasted huge windows in the living room area (with fireplace) and dining area overlooking the Willamette, plus a balcony with seating. The RiverPlace thoughtfully includes a pair of binoculars to use during your stay, which kids can put to use spotting eagles, boats, and more.

Other room options include standard king or two queen rooms in the hotel proper. These rooms have been recently remodeled with those gorgeous Kimpton touches, such as elegant headboards, new patterns for the duvets, and lovely artwork. Honestly, even without the space of the suites, we feel refreshed every time we stay in these rooms.

Downside:

There’s only one downside to the RiverPlace from my family’s point-of-view: RiverPlace does not have a pool in the hotel. However, this is true of many city hotels, so as long as families are prepared ahead of time, it shouldn’t be too big of an impact on the stay.

Kimpton Tips:

Before staying at any Kimpton hotel, by all means, join the Kimpton Loyalty Program. This program is free and easy to sign up for, and gives members perks such as the aforementioned $10 ‘raid the mini-bar’ credit and free wifi in rooms. I used both on my last visit and was very glad to grab a free Luna bar and Nantucket Nectars orange juice before heading out for the day…without paying mini bar prices.

Always, and I mean always, check the RiverPlace (or any Kimpton hotel) website for specials and deals. During our stay in June, we eyed a Northwest Residents package we’ll be sure to return for!

Date last visited: June 2015

Distance from the interstate: 1 minute from 405/I-5.

Room rates: RiverPlace rooms start at $199 for standard rooms. One-bedroom suites like the one we experienced start around $250.

Directions: RiverPlace is located at 1510 SW Harbor Way in Portland, and is easy to find. Valet parking makes arriving even easier.

As I disclose whenever applicable, I stayed at RiverPlace with a media rate, for the purpose of review.

Hotel Vintage Portland: Portland hotel review

April 10, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

I first visited Hotel Vintage Portland a few years ago, when it was known as the Hotel Vintage Plaza. If it was cool then, which it was, it’s even cooler now. This Kimpton hotel has undergone a major redesign, completely remodeling its common spaces and rooms.

On our visit to conduct a Portland hotel review a few days after the relaunch, the Vintage Portland was pleasantly busy on a Saturday night with a young, urban (dare I say hipster?) crowd, yet our family fit in perfectly as well. Maybe that’s the magic of Portland at work, where various crowds seem to blend with ease, but I think it’s also thanks to Kimpton hospitality and charm.

Where the new Vintage Portland shines: the lobby has always been hip and modern, sharing its space with the friendly Bacchus Bar attached to Pazzo Ristorante, but now, the second floor business meeting room spaces have been remodeled to offer leisure space filled with comfortable yet trendy couches, bean bag chairs, flatscreen TVs, and and shuffleboard and pool table.

Instantly deemed ‘way more cool’ than a teen club or kids’ play room by our kids, they spent a happy hour here, sharing the space with a few 20-somethings playing pool and sipping craft cocktails (the 20-somethings, not the kids). My husband and I settled ourselves right downstairs at the bar, where we could catch college basketball on the TV and still hear the kids, separated only by an open staircase.

As a family of five, we were put in a king suite, which features one bedroom with a king bed, plus a large living area with a corner couch that pull out to another bed. Due to the shape of the couch, it actually comfortably slept three (kids), which saved us from needing a rollaway (which was available should we have needed it). The bedroom was perfect for Mom and Dad, and in the spa king suite, the spa tub is big enough for most kids to swim in (seriously…young kids will scream with glee).

In true Kimpton style, our room was decorated in fun and trendy artwork that reflected the local area. It immediately said ‘Portland’ to me, which made me happy, even though we were in the city only one night before flying out of PDX in the morning. For families not needing a suite for five, standard rooms are also redecorated and roomier than most. All rooms feature the famous Kimpton bathrobes and free wifi for Kimpton members (join for free).

Room rates are in the higher range by Portland standards, around $375 for a room or $425 and up for suites. But a Vintage Portland stay is a value if you’re seeking a full immersion in Portland flare during your stay in the city. Most downtown venues are in walking distance, and MAX lines are available. For a special occasion or to earn Kimpton rewards, it’s absolutely a great pick.

Dining:

This is the category where Kimpton Hotels don’t fare as well for families; how I wish they offered some sort of complimentary breakfast! While the elegant Pazzo Ristorante is located on-site, it’s spendy for families (though excellent for a date night). However, families are within a few blocks of many dining options from Vintage Portland, including fast food and coffee shops. In the mornings, Vintage Portland has a nice coffee spread of their own in the lobby. If you stop in the lobby bar as we did, try the Pear Sidecar cocktail; it uses local pear brandy, giving you a taste of Oregon to go with your Portland decor.

Parking:

You will pay for parking at Vintage Portland, as you will at any downtown Portland hotel, so budget accordingly. If you’re headed to the airport as we were, and will not have a car, you have the affordable option of riding the MAX (station is just around the corner) or taking a cab. Our flight was early enough that we opted to reserve a town car to ensure we stayed on schedule; the front desk staff was able to make this arrangement for us.

Want to read about more Kimpton Hotel options in Portland? Check out our reviews of Hotel Monacco Portland and RiverPlace (look for this one to be updated soon).

Distance from the interstate:

Located just five minutes from I-5 and 405.

Directions:

The Hotel Vintage Portland is located at 422 S.W. Broadway, Portland OR.

As we disclose whenever applicable, we were hosted at Hotel Vintage by Kimpton Hotels, for the purpose of reviewing their remodel.

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.

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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.

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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!

Washington DC with kids: International Spy Museum

October 15, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

If you have kids 10 and up, you’ll want to include the International Spy Museum in your Washington DC itinerary. We absolutely loved it. Even though there are many free museums to tour in DC, it’s absolutely worth the price of admission.

Why we loved it:
This museum is one of the most interactive we’ve seen. It was created by a 30+ year veteran of the CIA, and it shows. The first section allows you to pick a ‘cover’: a new name, occupation, and cover story for your ‘mission’. You are asked to memorize it, then continue to ‘Spy School’. This section includes exhibits on various spy skills: the art of disguise, but also observation skills and common practices of the trade, such as dead drops (and others I can no longer remember…I wouldn’t make a good spy). There are tests you can take, games to play, and video screen challenges to test your skill.

After learning what it takes to be a spy, you continue the cover story game. On a bank of computer screens, you’re questioned about your cover, and, if you remember your details correctly, you’re given a second set of instructions (where to meet a contact, etc). Memorize these details, too, because you’ll need them at the last computer station. Tip: If you forget your details, you’ll be told the agent questioning your (in the computer game) is suspicious, and you may not get the info you need for the next part. Realistic, but frustrating. Since this first bank of computers is near the front where you picked your cover, it’s not too late to walk back and try again.

The next rooms in the museum take you through tools of the trade for soys through the decades, from packs of cigarettes that conceal cameras to the tiny bugs of today. It’s downright fascinating. Additional rooms detail the history of spying, from early cyphers to Civil War agents to WWII code breakers. Again, you’ll be entranced. At least we were.

At the end of this section, a last bank of computer screens will further test your knowledge of your cover, asking you to remember details from the earlier screens. It’s fun. Again, if you’ve forgotten stuff, your game will end early, but this time, it will be too late to go back for more info (unless the museum is very uncrowded). If you have younger kids in your group who struggle with this game, don’t worry: it’s a very small part of the overall museum. Our nine-year-old had a hard time with it, but our 12-year-old and 15-year-old loved it.

You tour the downstairs of the museum last. This large section is dedicated to James Bond villains. It’s cool, of course, but a bit intense for young kids. The good news is, it’s easy to skip this level with a convenient exit. Older kids who are not familiar with Bond will probably still be interested, because it shows various ‘bad guys’ and the techniques and weapons they used. Our older kids had seen Bond films with their dad and grandpa (avid fans) so they found it very interesting. There are a few more interactive exhibits here: for instance, kids can test their strength by hanging from a bar while wind whips around them and the bar shakes (simulating hanging from a ledge).

The last exhibit as you exit is on contemporary threats to communication, i.e., hackers. It showcases what may happen should a spy or terrorist hack into the US power grid. The result is quite apocalyptic. Young kids can be walked past this exhibit without grasping it’s meaning, but older kids may be alarmed. My older kids loved this exhibit best. They found it scary but also thought-provoking. To be honest, so did I.

The exit of the museum deposits you directly into a gift shop (of course), but it’s a quite fun one, with spy gadgets and lots of books and fun t-shirts. Kids may want to part with souvenir money here. Give yourself at least two hours to tour the whole museum. We had 1.5 hours, and were a bit rushed at the end.

Note: There are several additional programs run by the museum that we didn’t have a chance to try, including an hour-long spy game in the museum and a GPS-based scavenger hunt type game in the city. Both have an extra charge. If your older kids loved the museum and want more, I’d consider returning to play one of these games.

Date last visited:

July 2014

Distance from the interstate;

Right off the Mall, close to I-66 and I-395.

Admission:

$21.95 for adults (12 and up), $14.95 for kids (7-11). Kids six and under are free.

Hours of operation:

9 am to 7 pm in peak season. 9 or 10 am to 6 pm in off-seasons.

Dining:

There is no dining directly in the Spy Museum; however, the Shake Shack is located directly next door. This casual burger joint has the best frozen custard I’ve tasted!

Directions:

The museum is located at 800 F Street NW. The closest Metro station is Gallery Place/Chinatown. If you’re driving and parking (not recommended), use Panda Parking, which has partnered with the museum.

Wondering where to stay in DC? Check out our review of Grand Hyatt Washington.

Photos courtesy of International Spy Museum.

Washington DC with kids: Touring Mount Vernon

October 3, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

While you’re in Washington DC with kids, a stop en route to the city (or on your way out) at Mt. Vernon is definitely worth your time. We visited Mt. Vernon on our way into DC at the start of our trip, and spent approximately three hours. It’s definitely possible to spend more time.

Travel tip: If you’ll be pairing your Washington DC itinerary with some time at the beach, consider a Virginia Beach vacation rental. Kids can have some downtime on the shore after studying history!

George Washington’s Mount Vernon includes a state-of-the-art museum, beautiful grounds, a working farm with animals, Potomac River access, outbuildings and living history events, and of course, the mansion where Washington lived and died.

Tickets include entry to all of it. We started with the 20-minute film depicting the highlights of Washington’s life, then proceeded to the grounds where we had a guided tour of the house via timed entry. We visited during a busy summer day, so we did wait in lines, even though we’d purchased our tickets online in advance. (The timed entry marks the time to get in line for the house tour, not the time you’l actually go in.) Bring plenty of water, as you’ll be waiting in the sun.

The tour of the house takes about 25 minutes to go through, and shows Washington’s formal entertaining rooms, dining room, personal study, and several bedrooms, including the one he shared with Martha Washington and died in. You’re deposited outside, where you can tour the outbuildings on your own. During our visit, a team of university students were actively excavating an area behind the house, trying to find the site of the original well and other structures. It was nice to talk to them about their findings.

We toured the stables, smokehouse, and kitchens, then the final resting place of Washington and slave memorial (Washington owned many slaves). There’s a wooded trail to a slave cabin that I remember being very interesting from a previous visit, but the day we were at Mt. Vernon, it was too hot to make the trek. The farm (adjacent to the grounds) is also a good place to go when the weather cooperates. During our visit, baby pigs had just been born, and young sheep jumped in the pastures.

We saved the museum for last, relishing the air conditioning after so much time outside. Allow at least an hour for this space: there’s a lot to see about Washington’s life and American Revolution history. If you have young kids, look for the children’s activity room run by museum staff about halfway through the museum. They have daily crafts kids can do if they need a break.

Date last visited:

July 2014

Distance from the interstate:

Not far from I-95.

Admission:

Adults are $17 (12 and up), and kids are $8 (7-11). Under seven is free. When buying tickets online (recommended in summer to avoid long waits), select your tour time.

Hours of operation:

8 am to 5 pm, or 9 am to 4 pm, depending on the season. Open 365 days per year.

Dining:

Mt. Vernon has a food court, and the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant, which serves Colonial style food. We packed a picnic, and ate it on the grounds before realizing we weren’t supposed to bring in outside food. If picnicking, eat before you head inside.

Directions:

The estate is located 15 miles from the city, at 3200 George Washington Memorial Parkway. Follow the parkway out from Alexandria.

This post written in partnership with VacationRoost.com.

Washington DC with kids: When you have an hour or less

October 1, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

There’s so much to do in Washington DC with kids, families cannot possibly do it all in one visit. However, sometimes, you may find yourself with an hour or so free on our around the Mall. Here’s what we recommend:

National Archives:

Unless you plan to do some serious research on your family tree or a historical event, the main attraction in the National Archives is the original Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights, all located in the Rotunda. Tickets are free, but run with timed entry, and should be reserved in advance. Reserve your time here. Be advised there is a $1.50 service charge, and no refunds. If you’re rather skip the charge, you can get timed tickets at the archives on the day of your visit (but may need to wait).

Once inside (past security) at the time of your visit, there will—depending on the season—be a wait to see the Charters of Independence (the documents listed above). We waited about 25 minutes for our turn. Was it worth it? Yes, absolutely. Adjacent to the charters is a small museum that shows how the archives work to store so much information, and includes some fun exhibits like letters to the president that have been archived. The museum is worth about 20 more minutes of your time.
Location: The archives are located at Constitution Ave between 7th and 9th streets, and open from 10 am to 5:30 pm.

Ford Theater:

Ford Theater, where Lincoln was shot, and the adjacent home where he died, take about an hour to tour, depending on the season. It requires a free timed ticket, but even in peak season, we were able to get one the day-of, at the time we wanted, without a problem. Once you have your ticket, you go right in at the time designated, and sit in the theater, looking directly at Lincoln’s presidential box. Tip: for the best view, sit on the left-hand side. A park ranger gives a 15 minute presentation, describing what happened that night—John Wilkes Booth’s plan, how he accessed the box, and the timeline of the president’s evening. It’s very interesting.

Afterward, your ticket also allows entry to the house across the street where Lincoln died. Unlike in the theater, where every ticket-holder is allowed in en masse, ticket-holders are allowed into the home in smaller numbers. This means waiting in line outside. During our visit, we decided to skip this stop, because of the heat. If you wait to do it, allow closer to two hours to tour the whole Ford Theater site. There’s also a small but good museum to tour (also free, and included in some timed tickets…if you want it, your times are more limited.)
Location: Ford Theater is located at 511 10th Street NW, about three blocks up from the Mall.

Festivals on the Mall:

During most times of the year, the National Mall hosts ongoing outdoor festivals and street fairs. The Smithsonian institute runs several, including the Folk Festival in June and July. These festivals are free, educational, and colorful. They make for a good break from museum touring while in the area. During our most recent visit, we explored booths and checked out artisans from China and Kenya.

We were told the National Park Service has begun to limit permits for Mall festivals, so catch one while you can!

What’s your favorite pit stop in Washington DC?

Wondering where to stay in DC? Check out our review of Grand Hyatt Washington.

Get more Washington DC itinerary picks.

Washington DC with kids: How to take a White House tour

September 29, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

Going into the White House was one of the highlights of our Washington DC trip. Many families are unsure how to take a White House tour. It’s not as complicated as most think! The tour is self-guided, and takes about one hour door-to-door. (In DC, ‘door-to-door’ to us means security check through exit.)

The tour takes guests through a visitor entrance on the side, through a ground floor corridor. Families see 8-10 rooms, some of which can be entered (others are roped off). Rooms include the East Room, which is used for press conferences, among other things; the Green Room, used for receptions; the Red Room, famous as the First Lady’s place of reception and meetings; and the State Dining Room. The oval-shaped Blue Room is the closest visitors come to that better-known circular-shaped room upstairs, but it’s still very cool to see these ground floor rooms that are very much still in use.

In each room, Secret Service agents are on-hand to answer any questions. Definitely take advantage of their knowledge; you can practically make this a guided tour if you ask lots of questions and listen to the answers to others’ questions. They may be reluctant to tell stories of events they’ve seen recently in each room, but will be able to say what type of events take place. At the end of the tour, you go out on the South Portico overlooking the lawn, which is fun, too.

How to book:

Booking a White House tour is not complicated; however, it does take significant planning. Here’s what you need to do:

Six months before your trip (yes, really), start by deciding the exact day you want to tour. Go to this White House tour page to see which days of the week the building is open for tours (and if they’re even offering tours at all). You’ll need this information for the next step.
Go to the homepage of one of your members of Congress. (If this takes a Google search of representatives, don’t feel bad…) On the homepage, there will be the option of ‘requesting a White House tour’ on the member’s contact page. Email the Congressman or woman, listing the date you want.
A staffer of your representative will email you back with further instructions. You’ll need to submit the Social Security numbers and full names of everyone in your group.
Wait. You’ll be notified that your tour request has been submitted fairly quickly, but you won’t know whether you got your tour until two weeks before the tour date.
5. When you get notice you’ve been approved for your tour, print the attached form with your reservation number.

What to expect the day of your tour:

Be at the tour start location—15th Street and Alexander Hamilton Place—15 minutes before your tour. Tours can be cancelled at a moments’ notice, so call this number the day before, to make sure your tour is planned to go as scheduled: 202-456-7041. We got there 30 minutes before our tour start time, and were glad we did; the only restrooms are a block away at the White House Visitor’s Center, so we used the extra time to make that stop.

At your tour start time, you’ll be led in a line through two security check points. At both, you’ll need to give your name and show ID (age 18 and older). Kids don’t need ID, but ours were questioned casually by the Secret Service agents. They asked their names, then singled one out (the youngest) and asked him to list his brothers’ names (also touring). It was done in a friendly way, but was clearly to ensure the kids were who I said they were.

Do not bring a backpack or even a purse on your tour. You won’t be allowed in, and there’s no place to store them. You are also not allowed any food or drink, including water bottles, nor cameras. I brought my cell phone and my wallet, and that’s it. (Cell phones are ok, but cannot be used.) Bring your confirmation number, but once we give the guards our name, they looked up our reservation and we didn’t need the paper.

Do not try to bring other people: only the people on your reservation will be permitted in, without exception. Also: don’t let your kids pet the guard dogs. The security experience is serious, but conducted in a causal way; my kids were not alarmed.

Tip: The White House tours are conducted by the National Parks Service. When in line, kids are offered a Junior Ranger booklet. We didn’t try to fill it out while on tour—there’s too much to see!—but right afterward, we took the booklet to the Visitor’s Center on the Ellipse, and earned Junior Ranger badges. It was a novelty to have a badge from the White House!

No photos are permitted inside (nor social media), so forgive the lack of photos in this post. Guess you’ll have to go yourself to know what it looks like up close!

Wondering where to stay in DC? Check out our review of Grand Hyatt Washington.

Get more Washington DC itinerary picks.

Photo credit: Flickr commons.