An ideal day itinerary using Old Town Trolley Tours

May 19, 2014 By

San Diego’s Old Town Trolley Tour is an excellent way to get an overview of the city for first-time or infrequent visitors. The trolley drivers are entertaining and most stops are well-worth your time. However, admission is not cheap, so to make the cost of an Old Town Trolley Tour worth your while, plan to spend the whole day utilizing it.

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After a day on the trolley as visitors already familiar with San Diego, we designed what we consider the perfect all-day San Diego Old Town Trolley Tour itinerary for families:

The trolley begins running at 9 am (in most seasons) and makes stops every 30 minutes at 11 points of interest (two of which are hotels). The tour takes two hours to complete if you remain on the trolley, but the real beauty of this tour is the hop-on, hop-off feature, so you’ll want to utilize that. However, you certainly don’t need to get off at every stop.

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Step 1: Unless you’re staying at one of the two hotels on the tour route (Marriott Marquis or Hilton Bayfront), you’ll want to start at Old Town.

Arrive at 9 am at Old Town (the trolley station is located at the edge of Old Town Market on Twiggs). You’ll want to tour Old Town, but wait: the market is much more lively later in the day. Instead, board the trolley and start the tour.

Step 2: Get off at Stop B: San Diego Harbor.

Most families will want to either tour the USS Midway LINK or the Maritime Museum. Either will take about two hours to visit. If you don’t want to spend that much time, it’s still worth hopping off to walk along the harbor front to see the various ships docked: the historic Star of India, the Midway aircraft carrier, an historic submarine, and the odd cruise ship or two.

USS Midway

Step 3: Enjoy the trolley through stops C-H.

Get back on the trolley when you’re done with the harbor, and ride it through the next six stops (this will take approximately 30 minutes). The trolley will take you through the downtown area and give you the history of the founding of the city, plus point out Petco Park, the Gaslamp Quarter, and Horton Plaza. You’ll then head over the Coronado Bridge (with great city views) to Coronado Island.

Step 4: Hop off at Coronado-Orange Avenue.

Don’t get off at the first Coronado stop (on the bay side) but rather wait until the second stop near the ocean side. This is a great place for a causal lunch at any number of sandwich shops, plus a walk on the beach by the famous Hotel Del Coronado. Plan to spend an hour, then re-board the trolley.

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Step 5: Hop off again at Balboa Park.

The very next stop is Balboa Park, home of San Diego’s many kid-friendly museums and the San Diego Zoo. We recommend saving the zoo for a separate visit (as it deserves a full day) but definitely get off the trolley to walk the grounds of the park. The botanical garden is free, as are several smaller museums. If you want to spend a few hours (which we recommend), our top picks are the Museum of Man, San Diego Natural History Museum, or Reuben H. Fleet Science Museum.

Step 6: Stay on through Little Italy.

Unless you need a meal (the dining in Little Italy is stellar), stay on the trolley through Little Italy after Balboa Park and take it to Old Town. The nice thing about hopping on and off: each driver has different tidbits to share, making the tour entertaining no matter how many drivers you get.

Step 7: Disembark at Old Town.

You’ll want to visit Old Town Marketplace and the Old Town State Historic Park for at least two hours, after which Old Town is a great place to get an authentic Mexican meal for dinner. Our favorite sites in Old Town include the visitor center and historic exhibits in the Old Town State Historic Park square, the marketplace with lively colors and (mostly) cheap souvenirs, and the many snacks and old fashioned candle, soap, and candy shops. Look for the lady making tortillas!

This tour itinerary should take you from 9 am to past 6 pm. Of course, adjust according to your interests, but we found this to be a great use of the trolley (plus you skip the hassle of parking at all these locations).

old-town-san-diego

Trolley tickets:

Trolley tickets are $39 for adults and $18 for kids, making it a serious investment for your day. All the more reason to plan the perfect day’s itinerary to utilize it! Get trolley tickets online or at the Old Town or harbor kiosks.

As I disclose whenever applicable, we experienced the trolley as guests of the company, for the purpose of review. Without hosted activities, we wouldn’t be able to bring reviews to Pit Stops for Kids.

Wet ’n Wild Palm Springs with kids

May 14, 2014 By

In our experience Wet ’n Wild operations are largely the same wherever you go, but certainly, Palm Springs is an ideal location for one. Open in spring and summer, Wet ’n Wild Palm Springs includes all you could ask for in an outdoor water park and a sure-fire activity when in Palm Springs with kids: plenty of slides and tube rides, daredevil slides with sharp drops, small slides for the younger set, a large water clubhouse/play area, and most importantly for my kids: a lazy river and wave pool.

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Note: Coming soon, Wet ’n Wild is adding a Wave Runner surf simulator. We saw construction ongoing during our visit, and wished very much it was already in operation!

Given Palm Springs hot, dry climate, it came as no surprise to me that this Wet ’n Wild location offered more than the usual cabanas with shade and misters (available for an extra rental charge) and ample shaded seating and lounger areas (free of charge). Still, I’d arrive early in the day to snag a good spot. We found the park to be generally clean, and the staff to be friendly and attentive to water safety.

wet-n-wild-palm-springs

Distance from the interstate:

An easy drive from I-10.

Admission and hours of operation:

General admission at the time of our visit was $36.99 for adults and $26.99 for kids 3-11. Hours vary significantly by season and day, so be sure to check the website for update information. Parking is $14 per day.

Dining:

Plenty of snack and quick-dining options abound in the park, including my kids’ favorite: Dippin’ Dots. Outside food is allowed at designated picnic areas just outside the main gate (get your hand stamped before exiting). We brought water bottles and small snacks into the park (our bags were checked and these items permitted).

wet-n-wild-palm-springs

Tip: Bring your own towels and sunglasses, or you’ll pay dearly for these items in the park.

Directions:

From Palm Drive, take Gene Autry Trail. Continue south for approximately 5 miles.
Wet ‘n’ Wild is on left just past Mesquite Ave.
As I disclose whenever applicable, we experienced Wet ’n Wild as guests of the park, for the purpose of review. Without compensated admission, many pit stop reviews would not be possible.

Educational Travel: End of the Oregon Trail Museum

April 9, 2014 By

Historic Oregon City marks the official end of the Oregon Trail. It’s also home to the best Oregon history museum you’ve probably overlooked. Only minutes from downtown Portland, Oregon City and its End of the Oregon Trail Museum is easy to access via car or MAX, but often becomes overshadowed by other excellent Portland attractions for kids. The museum includes a wonderful indoor exhibit hall, a country store selling pioneer-era toys, candies, and garb, and gardens in the summer months. Families can also get information on area historic home tours.

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After checking in at the front desk in the country store, visitors are directed to the three main exhibit halls, where docents take you through the space. This is not a traditional tour, where guides are speaking to you all the time, but rather leading you and helping you along. In the first building, for instance, is a hands-on pioneer-era store, school, and wagon supply area, where kids are encouraged to play for a while. Young kids will like the school and store area, and older kids will love creating their own Oregon Trail supply list, then physically collecting the required items (bags representing flour, bacon, and coffee, medicines, tools, and the like) and fitting them into an actual wagon bed. All supplies must come in under 1000 pounds, so we kept track on our phone calculator.

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When they’ve played their fill in the first building, visitors are led to a hands-on activity (candle-making during our visit) and then to a 30 minute film depicting life along the Oregon Trail. All our school-aged kids were interested in the film, but very young children may want to opt out. The docents then lead families through to the third building, where the talking portion of the tour includes information on the Oregon City land office (where all Oregon Trail travelers had to ‘check in’ to get their land) and Oregon City history (it was the first capital of Oregon, and boasts additional firsts, such as the first hotel west of the Rockies, etc). The docents do a great job of keeping the talk engaging, with many questions directly to kids and many stories kids are interested in. You can stay here as long as you like (the docents will gamely keep answering questions) or can head outside to run around on the lawns, check out the gardens, and shop in the store. Free hot chocolate and coffee are offered in the store post-visit.

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Date last visited:

January 2014

Distance from the interstate:

10 minutes from I-5, right along I-205.

Admission:

$9 for adults, $5 for children 5-17. Kids under 5 are free.

Hours:

Summer: 9:30 am to 5 pm. Winter: 11 am to 4 pm.

Dining:

No food services are on-site. Pack a picnic lunch; picnic tables are available outside.

Directions:

The museum is located at 1726 Washington St., Oregon City. From I-5, take I-205 to Oregon City.

Portland Children’s Museum

March 31, 2014 By

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

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Now, why visit? With 12 main exhibits ranging from a play grocery store, a stage with working lights, curtain, and ticket booth, workshops and multi-level climbing and play spaces, baby and toddler sections, story times and planned events, and a wonderful water play area, Portland Children’s Museum is sure to keep kids 0-12 happy, happy, happy.

My own kids are starting to ‘age out’, but I’m hesitant to use that term, because on a very recent visit, our 12-year-old had a great time in both the Garage (a building and creation space using recycled materials) and in the clay studio. While kids of any age (with parental supervision) can try their hand at clay, kids do need to be 5 and up to enter the Garage (due to the use of glue guns and hammers and nails). I love the inclusion of this room to keep the attention of older kids!

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The layout of the museum is fairly open and free-flowing with the exception of the exhibits toward the back of the building (accessed down a hallway). If you have kids under 6, you’ll probably need to keep them on a short leash, so to speak, so as not to lose sight of them. It’s easy for kids to migrate from one section to the next as their interests dictate (which can be either a good thing and a bad thing, depending on your point of view). There’s space in the lobby to use as a ‘meet up’ place for older kids, but note that the museum’s traveling and temporary exhibits are housed off the lobby too.

New Outdoor Adventure:

portland-childrens-museum-outdoor-adventure

During our January 2014 visit, I was lucky enough to get a sneak peak of the new Outdoor Adventure, to open in April 2014. This inviting outdoor space lies adjacent to the museum, and encompasses the downhill slope around to the back of the building. With trees, rocks, trails, and a creek water feature, this space is dedicated to outdoor play…with unlimited options. It warmed my nature-loving heart to hear that the creative team behind the space understood the importance of keeping this area largely under-developed, allowing kids freedom of exploration. While switchback trails do exist up the slope, kids are not restricted to them, and the water feature is meant to be played in, around, and through. A covered wooden group space and amphitheater sits at the bottom of the outdoor space, and at top, digging space and a toddler space will sit adjacent to parent sitting and observing areas. The museum will provide rubber boots and other outdoor gear for play in any season, thanks to local gear donations.

Admission:

Ages 1-54: $10, over 54: $9
If you have a membership to another NW science or children’s museum, it’s likely good for admission for four. Be sure to bring your membership card with you and ask!

Hours:

9 am to 5 pm daily

Dining:

The museum cafe is located in the lobby, and offers very healthy fare for kids and adults, from soups, salads, wraps, and organic snacks.

Directions:

The Portland Children’s Museum is located in Washington Park, easily accessed by car or MAX. The address is 4015 SW Canyon Road, Portland.

Disclosure: As I disclose whenever applicable, we visited the children’s museum as guests of the museum, for the purpose of review. All opinions are our own.

Orlando: Life besides Disney

March 29, 2014 By

When people think of Orlando with kids, Disney World is likely to be one of the first places that spring to mind on the list of “must-dos”, particularly if you’re traveling with children However, there’s so much more on offer in Orlando that people seem to forget about. Alongside the thrills and spills of the theme parks, there are some terrific kid-centric activities that everyone should consider if they’re planning a trip. There are also some good deals on hotels and timeshares in Orlando outside of the Disney sphere, as well as bargains on flights, depending on when you travel.

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First thing’s first, you’re definitely going to want to visit some of Florida’s beaches. While Orlando is inland, the coast is only about an hour away, so if you’re going to be renting a car, you may as well go on an old-fashioned trip to the seaside, that most popular of trips! The kids will love the sun, sand, and surf here, and it’ll give you a great excuse to relax and soak up a few rays yourself. Be sure to pack your sunscreen though as temperatures here can soar to a whopping 92°F (33°C) in July. The Siesta Key is the perfect spot for a serene day out, with crisp white sands and clear blue waters.

Just because you’re on holiday, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t test the kids’ imaginations a little. You can take them to Ripley’s Believe It or Not, where they can put their own grasp of what’s real and what’s imaginary through its pace, and then drop in next door at WonderWorks. The kids will love this completely upside-down building — when you enter you’ll be the wrong way up. Step into the inversion tunnel and you can then head off into more than 100 interactive exhibits that the whole family is sure to love.

This is Orlando and the sun will be beating down on you, so, naturally, you’ll want some time to cool off. Lucky for you, Orlando is home to all kinds of water parks. SeaWorld’s Aquatica is amongst the best, with attractions including the HooRoo Run, a super speedy waterslide that will barely give you chance to scream before you’re plunging into the waters below. While you’re there (not on the slide itself, of course!), you can check out the sea life on display here, which will keep the kids enthralled and maybe even encourage them to learn more about animals.

So there you have it, already plenty of things to do other if Disney World doesn’t tickle your fancy. With a little research, you can find all kinds of extra activities. So, what’s on the agenda?

Photo credit: MarialArtsNomad. The above post is sponsored.

Five kid friendly New York City hotels for spring break travel

March 12, 2014 By

 Who doesn’t love New York City in the spring? Great travel deals abound in this ‘off season’, the weather is perfectly suited to museum touring or watching Broadway shows, and you might even luck out with a sunny day for Central Park. If you’re planning to visit New York City this spring break, pick from among the following five kid friendly New York City hotels: 

kid-friendly-hotel-nyc

1. Westin New York Grand Central:

Not only is the Westin New York Grand Central located–you guessed it–adjacent to Grand Central Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, but its new Family Fun travel package hooks kids up with a New York-themed backpack and travel activity kit and a special audio tour of Grand Central. The hotel’s guest rooms are all 310+ square feet or larger (big by New York City standards), and families booking the Family Fun package get a complimentary room upgrade when available.

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2. Affinia 50

We loved our stay at Midtown’s Affinia 50! Not only this hotel close in proximity to nearly everything–families can walk to Central Park, Broadway and Times Square, and Rockefeller Center–but the rooms are spacious beyond belief. Our family of six was able to stay in one suite, with room to spare. Plus, select rooms at Affinia 50 include full kitchens, which really assists a New York City travel budget. Affinia 50 also allows for ample downtime with a second floor guest lobby filled with comfy chairs, newspapers, TVs, and gaming centers for kids.

Affinia-50-hotel

3.  Hotel Beacon:

If you want to situate your stay on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, Hotel Beacon is for you. Half of Hotel Beacon‘s rooms are one or two-bedroom suites ideal for families, and the tree-lined streets up the West Side are quiet and safe. Families staying here are close to Central Park and its museums, including the popular American Museum of Natural History, and all rooms have kitchenettes.

Affinia-50-hotel

4. Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC:

With a reputation as a party hotel for young, hip New Yorkers, not many families consider a stay here. In truth, Gansevoort Meatpacking offers many incentives to families, including free baby amenities (such as wipes and even strollers on loan), Nintendo gaming consoles in the rooms, and a room service kid menu. Best of all, Gansevoort offers what few New York hotels can boost: a swimming pool. Located on the rooftop, the Gansevoort pool will be a vacation favorite!

5.  Omni Berkshire Place:

We love Omni hotels! Whenever we stay at one, the kids can’t wait to stand at the check-in counter with me. Why? They know they’ll get something special. At Omni Berkshire Place, kids receive a full suitcase of toys upon check-in, in additional to Omni’s promise of milk and cookies during turn-down service. Berkshire’s On a Whim package gives families 15% off even when booked last minute, and for families booking for spring break, their spring package includes a hotel credit and welcome fruit plate (always appreciated by our crowd!).

Portland hotel review: Embassy Suites Portland Downtown

March 5, 2014 By

As a brand, I love Embassy Suites. We always find tremendous value for the money here. The Embassy Suites Portland Downtown is no exception. While there are many great lodging options in downtown Portland (check our Portland hotel review listings), including several with perhaps more character and historical interest, we’ve yet to find a Portland hotel that offers more kid-friendly amenities amid luxury in the heart of the city. Need a few examples? Embassy Suites Portland Downtown offers true all-suite lodging—with two actual rooms per suite, not just a partition—one of the only on-site indoor pools in the downtown area, free cooked-to-order breakfast, a free evening reception, and a location two blocks from the MAX line and three blocks from the waterfront.

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Confession time: free breakfast is very important to us. With three growing kids, we really value this amenity, and while location is our first priority in choosing a hotel, free breakfast is right up there. It saves us time, money, and hassle. During our two night stay at the Embassy Suites, we ate two very happy meals in the lobby breakfast room, where my omelette-loving son was in heaven. Also offered: pancakes, fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, breakfast meats, oatmeal, grits, danishes and muffins, and cold cereals.

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Each day of our Portland stay, we left the car at the hotel and hopped on the MAX line (free in the downtown sector, cheap if venturing further) and went to Washington Park, Pioneer Square, and other stops. Not only was taking the MAX fun for the young kids in our group, we saved on driving and parking stress and expense. Parking at Embassy Suites is $25/day in self park, or $32 in valet (with in and out privileges). To me, valet parking is worth the upgrade.

valet-parking-embassy-suites

We opted for two suites at the Embassy for our group of nine, which suited perfectly (is that a pun?). The division (with door) between sleeping area and living area allowed us to put the young kids to bed while the teenagers could stay up later. In the outer (living) room, the pull-out couch slept two, though we found it to sleep one more comfortably. Our bedrooms had two queen-sized beds each. Our rooms had both microwaves and fridges, allowing us to store leftovers from dinners out and keep the necessary snacks and drinks on-hand for the toddlers, without having to hassle with coolers. Of course, you also have a coffee maker. We actually made full toddler-friendly meals in-room.

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For entertainment for the early risers, we hit the indoor pool and exercise facility. Located on the lower level, this space is pleasantly large and suited for kids. The exercise room is located above the pool, but does have frosted windows, so it’s not possible to see swimmers from the machines (for better or for worse, you decide). There are two hot tubs on the pool deck, and a decently-sized swimming pool with a fun fountain on one end. The pool is kept pretty cool. Changing rooms are not available on the pool deck, but towels are stacked and ready.

Every evening (usually between 4 and 6) the Evening Reception serves complimentary wine and light appetizers. While this service isn’t as kid-friendly as some (I’m looking at you, Hotel Monaco), it does offer some snacks for the kids. It won’t replace a meal, but works as a nice tide-over before a later dinner out.

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Rates:

At the time of our visit, standard suites started at $150/night.

Directions:

Embassy Suites Portland Downtown is located at 319 SW Pine Street in Portland, one block from Burnside and three from Naito Parkway. From I-5, follow signage to downtown/waterfront and take Naito Parkway to Pine.

Photo credit: Amy Whitley and Embassy Suites.

Portland with kids: Oregon Zoo

March 3, 2014 By

We love the Oregon Zoo! Like many Oregon Zoo reviews attest, we love that it’s small enough to be manageable in one day with young kids, but large enough to stay interesting time after time. We toured the entire thing with a five-year-old and three-year-old (plus older kids) and the entire loop took us about three and a half hours. With five main sections of the park—Great Northwest, Africa, Pacific Shores, Fragile Forests, and Asia, you’ll want to plan your visit around what interests you most if you have less time to ensure kids see their favorites before feet tire out. There’s also gardens, lawns, and plenty of food choices in the zoo.

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Some secondary attractions are seasonal—such as some food vendors and staffing at smaller exhibits like the Insect Zoo—but the zoo is open year-round. We visited most recently during a cold snap in early January, but still found most animals to be out and about (and quite lively). We recommend bringing a wagon or stroller for your younger kids (or renting them at the shop directly past the entrance) and planning on a mid-visit break on the lawn near the elephant exhibit at the back of the park. In winter, plan a mid-point break in any of the heated indoor exhibits with seating, such as the main space in Africa or the Amazon exhibit areas. Near the Insect Zoo and Lorikeet Landing, families can find respite in the form of kid-centric activities and programs about animals in kids’ own backyards during the summer months. This is also a great place to stop when feeling overwhelmed!

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During our visit, the popular zoo train was getting a makeover and new route, but it’s planned to be opened again in 2014. Ditto for a brand new exhibit on California Condors, to be located near the Great Northwest section of the park. In 2015, a brand new elephant land will be completed as well. The Oregon Zoo is certainly growing!

Zoo Lights:

zoo-lights

If you’re visiting during the winter holiday season, plan your visit around Zoo Lights, as we did. Enter the park at any time, and stay after dark to see the zoo transformed with thousands of twinkling and colorful lights along zoo pathways and train routes. See a glowing forest, enter rainbow-lit tunnels, and take in a world of animal sculptures. Zoo Lights tickets are sold separately if you don’t plan to enter as a regular zoo guest earlier in the day, and stays open until 8 pm. If you have young kids, plan to enter the park just a few hours before the lights turn on (around 4:30 pm) to ensure they have the stamina needed!

Admission:

Adults are $11.50, kids (3-11) are $8.50, and kids two and under are free.

Hours:

Hours vary by season. During our visit, the winter hours were 10 am to 4 pm. In summer, ground stay open until 7 pm. Zoos always close early to accommodate animals, so plan to arrive early in the day.

Tip: Make a full day of Washington Park by visiting the zoo, Portland Children’s Museum, and World Forestry Center, or in summer, visit the International Rose Test Garden or Woodlands Trail.

Dining:

Two main dining options exist in the park (both family restaurants with quick-service counter ordering). Both offer burgers, hot dogs, soups, and a few speciality items, plus generously-sized kids’ meals. The food is surprisingly good. Numerous snack kiosks are also on-hand, and food can be brought in by guests and eaten in designated areas.

Directions:

The Oregon Zoo is located in Washington Park, easily accessed by car (there’s a nicely sized parking lot) or MAX line.

Disclosure: As I disclose whenever applicable, our party received admission passes to the Oregon Zoo for the purpose of review. All opinions are our own.

Where to stay in Portland: Governor Hotel review

February 12, 2014 By

We’ve reviewed a good number of hotels for families planning a Portland Oregon vacation. No matter which you pick, our recommendation is to stay downtown, within walking distance of the fun shops, restaurants, attractions (and easy-to-use MAX transportation line) that make Portland such a family-friendly city. Downtown hotels will often lack the cost-saving perks of suburb hotels (free parking, free breakfast, and the like) but make up for this in my personal favorite hotel amenities: location and ambiance. Our Governor Hotel review below shows ways in which this property excels in both.

Governor Hotel review

The Governor Hotel is located downtown on 11th Avenue in Portland, adjacent to the bustle of food trucks, shopping centers, and the MAX.  Valet parking is the way to go; pull up curbside at the historic hotel, and the parking hassle will be taken care of for you. We visited the same night as a major evening event hosted by the Governor, and still had no delay getting our car when we needed it.

The lobby is small but light and elegant, and looks larger due to beautiful high ceilings. The front desk staff is among the most friendly and helpful we’ve experienced anywhere: immediately upon arriving, you know you’re in a four star hotel, but are greeted like you’re friends. It’s the perfect combination. Adjacent to the lobby is Jake’s restaurant (award winning in Portland…and good news; your room service menu comes from this kitchen). Down the hall is a large, airy, and light exercise room filled with state-of-the-art equipment, and free wifi is available throughout all the common areas of the hotel.

Governor Hotel review

Value:

Room prices reflect the four-star status of the Governor, but this doesn’t make it inaccessible to families. Kids 12 and under stay free with adults, and package deals are always listed on the Governor Hotel site. During our visit, we experienced the Elementary, My Dear package that included tickets to the OMSI traveling exhibit on Sherlock Holmes. The package price included a luxury room, dining credit at Jake’s, and two tickets to the exhibit, plus fun extras like a Sherlock Holmes hat, chocolate bar, and detective notebook. Since we planned to buy tickets to the exhibit anyway, the value was there. Note that you will pay $35 for parking daily.

Governor Hotel

Room Amenities:

We stayed in one of the Governor’s Princeton rooms, which occupy the 5th and 6th floors, are newly remodeled, and more spacious than standard rooms. (Rollaways are complimentary.) We appreciated the added security of key card-only access to these floors, and loved the high ceilings, large windows, and window panes that opened to fresh Northwest air. In our room, we found a mini fridge (which contained mini bar items but had room for our own snacks as well), a nice coffee and tea service (you know some are not so nice!) and a large screen TV, plus new iPod dock. We had plenty of plugs (crucial to charging devices while we travel) and bathrobes to don after using the shower and tub. Northwest wines are featured in the mini bar offerings, and The Governor will even bring you a pint of famous Salt and Straw ice cream (for a whopping $12, but I hear it’s worth it).

Dining:

Room service is available 24 hours a day, and Jake’s Grill and a Starbucks are located on site. Jake’s is fairly pricey (tip: stop here for a drink special before heading out for dinner), but the front desk staff can direct you to many casual restaurants within walking distance. We love the food trucks on Washington Street. We brought our own breakfast items (and easily stored them in our room) and ordered muffins and juice from Jake’s via room service to add a bit of comfort food to our meal.

Date last visited:

November 2013

Distance from the interstate:

A few minutes from I-5 and I-405.

Directions:

The Governor is located at 614 SW 11th. From I-5 South, merge onto I-405 South. Take the Couch St./Burnside St. exit and stay on 15th Ave. for two blocks. Turn left onto Alder. Turn right onto 11th Ave. Hotel entrance is on the left side of the street.

As I disclose whenever applicable, our stay at The Governor with the Elementary, My Dear package was complimentary, for the purpose of review. 

Fun winter activities for kids in NYC

January 31, 2014 By

Winter is considered by many to be one of the best times of year to visit the bustling city of New York. There are so many fun activities for both children and adults alike that you can be sure to keep your kids entertained during your stay. If you are currently looking to organize your trip you will be able to find many cheap hotels in New York online. With this in mind, here is a quick overview of some of the best winter activities for kids in the Big Apple.

fun-in-nyc-for-kids

Ice-Skating:

Taking the kids ice-skating is always a wonderful way to keep them entertained and active for a few hours in a family-friendly environment. New York is home to a number of ice rinks including those at Manhattan’s Rockerfeller Center, the Pond at Bryant Park and Central Park’s Wollman and Lasker Rinks. Admission costs are reasonable making this an affordable and incredibly fun day out for everybody.

Museums:

New York simply teems with exciting and interactive museums meaning that there will almost certainly be something to suit everyone depending on your children’s age and interests. Popular choices include the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the American Museum of Natural History, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan and the New York Hall of Science. Your children will be able to enjoy a fun and interesting day out in an educational environment.

Snow Days:

On special snow days in New York fun activities are organised across the city’s many parks. These activities tend to include sledding and snowman building as well as musical concerts and hot chocolate intervals. Lower Highland Park even hosts an unforgettable sleigh-riding fest for all the family to enjoy. When it snows you will be able to find information regarding the city’s snow days and activities on the NYC parks website.

Zoos:

New York’s celebrated zoos offer plenty of entertainment for the kids in the winter months. The city’s Central Park Zoo is home to a wonderful collection of colourful animal species as well as a large number of indoor exhibits for when the weather turns. Bronx Zoo and Prospect Park Zoo are all well worth a visit in the winter as there are less crowds and many animals are often more active than in the hot summer months.

Bowling:

Taking the kids bowling is the perfect way to spend some quality time as a family on any New York City vacation. The Big Apple is home to a number of top bowling alleys including Manhattan’s Lucky Strike Lanes, Brooklyn’s Melody Lanes and Queen’s Astoria Bowl. Your children will be able to benefit from the various child-friendly ramps and bumpers whilst enjoying a little complimentary popcorn and soda.

New York City has so much to offer even throughout the coldest and wettest months of the year. If you don’t mind braving the weather then there are plenty of outdoor activities to keep you and your family busy. Otherwise, indoor venues such as museums, theatres and play spaces are sure to go down well with the kids!

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