I-70 - Pitstops for Kids

Where to stay in Keystone mountain resort area: options for every budget

October 9, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

Fall is in the air, and it’s officially ski trip planning season! Throughout the autumn and winter, I’ll be offering a large number of family ski vacation tips, recommendations, and resort reviews in partnership with Mountain Reservations, a great resource for budget-friendly ski trips.

If you’re considering a Keystone Resort ski trip with your family, you know how large (and somewhat intimidating) this Colorado ski resort can be. Considered a ‘best ski resort in Colorado‘, Keystone offers everything from luxury hotel rooms to vacation home rentals. What’s best for your family? Below, we’ve compared three distinct Keystone condominium options, all of which I’ve personally experienced, with something for every budget. Prices range widely from size of condo to season, so be sure to check the Keystone lodging page for up-to-date information.

Lakeside Village Condominiums:

Located within easy walking distance of the dining and recreation options of the Keystone Lakeside Village (adjacent to the Keystone Lodge), the Lakeside condo complex offers no-frills but very roomy ski lodging for families. Reserve condos of up to four bedrooms, and expect large living room space, full kitchens, and lobby ski locker areas. Laundry facilities are in every building. A great option for: large family groups who want lots of space without the isolation of a full rental home. The downside: families will have to take the shuttle bus (free) to the lifts each day.

Key Condo Condominiums:

A great budget option for families who want to be close to River Run village, Key Condo offers cozy, affordable lodging that’s still near the action. I was very impressed with the size of the smallest studio option: it included a bedroom, small living area, kitchen, bathroom with deep tub, and cute loft with double bed. You won’t be doing extensive entertaining in your Key Condo, but you’ll be very comfortable. A great option for: families who want to be near the outdoors (a stream flows directly outside) and don’t mind a five minute walk to River Run. The downside: while do-able, the walk to the lifts is a bit of a trek. Laundry facilities are on-site.

River Run Condominiums:

Not as roomy as the Lakeside Condos, the River Run condos are by far the newest and most beautifully appointed I’ve experienced at Keystone. Located right in the heart of River Run village, families have use of outdoor heated pools, hot tubs, and exercise areas, and are steps from the gondola, Kidtopia activities, and the ski school. A great option for: families for whom convenience is most important. The downside: River Run is the most expensive of the three listed condo options. For a deal on River Run condos, try an off-season Keystone ski resort visit!

Heading to Keystone for a romantic getaway?

For couples and families looking to splurge, the experience at the Ski Tip Bed and Breakfast cannot be beat. This historic inn is located near River Run, and transports visitors to a Swiss style chalet. I’ve had the fortune of experiencing a meal at the Ski Tip, and it was more than dinner…it was an experience. Couples or families can relax in the common room by the fireplace, or in nice weather, can enjoy wine on the patio. Run in B&B style, the Ski Tip is great for shorter visits or romantic stays. Since it’s located on the edge of the White River National Forest, it’s also ideal for cross-country skiers or snowshoers.

As I disclose whenever applicable, I experienced some of the Keystone condo options at a media rate. This post was written in conjunction with my relationship with Mountain Reservations as one of its Mountain Ambassadors.

Aerial adventure in St. Louis: Go Ape-St. Louis

June 9, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

Driving through beautiful Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park in St. Louis, you could be forgiven for thinking you’ve stumbled across an Ewok village. Actually, it’s Go Ape-St. Louis, an aerial obstacle course with ziplines.

The Go Ape experience

Our treetop adventure began with check-in at the red barn, where the attendant holds keys, wallets, and phones behind the counter for safe keeping. Before we headed out, a guide took us through safety training. Participants are responsible for securing themselves to the lines at every point during the adventure. That sounded intimidating to me, but the training was straightforward and thorough.

We started with a ground-level mockup of the safety systems used throughout the course, including the instructional signage posted at every crossing. Once the guide had checked our comprehension, we walked to the first station. It is low to the ground; for those who are unsure if they’re going to be able to handle the experience, this serves as a test site. If, after going through this first station, you don’t want to proceed, Go Ape offers a refund.

None of us quit, though. We went through one at a time so the guide could ensure we knew what we were doing. Then we were released to explore the course at our own pace.

Think of Go Ape as an aerial obstacle course. Each site begins with a rope ladder and ends with a zipline, but in between, we navigated bridges, swinging platforms, hanging rings, and more. (You do get a rest between—there are platforms between every component). As our guide said, what makes this fun is having to earn the zipline rides.

Obstacles are rated from easy to extreme, and any time there’s an “extreme,” there’s also an easier option. We took all the “extreme” paths, and I found it more physically demanding than I had anticipated. But I never felt in danger or even particularly aware of the height, because at all times, I was tethered to a safety line. I knew if I lost my balance, I’d only fall a foot or two at most. In fact, most of the time you can choose to take the easy way out and glide from one tree to the next, using the safety harness. But where’s the fun in that?

The single exception to the “short fall” is Go Ape’s central attraction: the Tarzan swing, which is pretty much exactly what it sounds like: a long arc across open space that ends in a net you have to climb to achieve the platform on the far side. There are actually two, and the first is a warmup for the second. That second is a doozy, but if you chicken out at the last moment, there’s a bypass. (I’m proud to say I made the jump. Although my 12-year-old showed me up by doing it twice.)

Video of the Tarzan swing:

Note age limits: Although some Go Ape locations have a course for younger kids, St. Louis does not—yet, at least. Here, it is open to ages 10 and up. One adult (18+) must be in the treetops for every two children ages 10-15. 16-17 year olds don’t need a chaperone on site, but they will need a waiver signed by a parent or guardian.

Ground Level at Go Ape:

If your family is like mine, your spouse and most of your kids wouldn’t touch an aerial obstacle course with a ten-foot pole. Never fear. Adjacent to the red barn is a spray park and a really nice playground. And if the family wants walk along at ground level and watch their more adventurous counterparts, they can do that, too. You’ll also find employees roaming the course to offer support and suggestions to those in the treetops.

The rope ladders at the start of each site are enclosed within a locked fence; you have to have a code to enter. Inside, Go Ape provides water and paper cups as well as educational signage about conservation, endangered species and information about the trees and undergrowth surrounding you.

Making a day of it:

A treetop adventure lasts 2-3 hours. But because Go Ape partners with state and local parks, there’s always more to do in the immediate vicinity. In St. Louis’ Creve Coeur Memorial Park, you can supplement your treetop adventure with fishing, kayaking, canoeing, dirt biking, or disc golf.

Preparing for your treetop adventure:

Wear jeans and sneakers, and bring gloves. You can go without, but your skin will be happier if you have them. If you forget, Go Ape sells gloves on site.

Hours/Admission:

Hours vary, but Go Ape is generally open March through November. Your best bet is to book online ahead of time. Walk-ins are accepted, but having a reservation guarantees a spot when you arrive. Check out their FAQ page to get more details.

Location:

Go Ape is located at 13219 Streetcar Dr., Maryland Heights, MO 63043. Parking is free on site.

My son and I enjoyed our treetop adventure as guests of Go Ape, but our enthusiasm for the experience is all ours.

St. Louis with kids: Missouri Botanical Garden

May 31, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

The Missouri Botanical Garden, established in 1859, is regarded as one of the top public gardens in the world. This 79-acre paradise, located only five miles from downtown St. Louis, exists thanks to local 19th-century businessman Henry Shaw, who admired the great public gardens of Europe and wanted to offer his hometown a similar resource.

The gardens are exquisite, with pools, ponds, and fountains to please the eye. You can easily spend a full day there, although the visitors’ guide provides a helpful list of what to see if you’re short on time. The tram tour, available April through October, lets you see the whole garden in half an hour without wearing out the little ones. The spherical Climatron houses tropical plants, and next door, the Brookings Exploration Center offers hands-on learning about plants, trees and the environments in which they grow.

If you have time for a more in-depth visit, you can wander the beautiful grounds, which are set up to showcase gardening styles from around the world. A few don’t-miss-this spots include:
Feeding Koi fish in the spectacular and often-photographed Japanese garden
Walking through Tower Grove House, Henry Shaw’s Victorian home, housed in the park (April-December)
The observation tower and maze beside the house (My kids played tag in it—which might not be wise or even possible if the crowds are big, but it was quiet in that part of the garden when we visited.)

Children’s Garden:

But without a doubt, the highlight of the Missouri Botanical Garden for families is the Children’s Garden. Open April through October (and requiring a separate admission of $5 for kids 3-12; little ones and adults are free), this extensive play area is one part garden, one part children’s museum, and one part playground. But your local park never had a playground like this! Each area represents a piece of Missouri history or geography: steamboat, tree house, cave, fort, Native American camp, and general store stocked with toy food, to name a few. There’s even a splash pad in the summer. (See this map to get a sense of the scope.)

Staff offers daily programming from 10:30-2, giving kids an interactive look at tree identification, wetland biodiversity, and more. Your kids will not want to leave this area. Even my preteen boy wasn’t ready to go.

Note: The Children’s Garden is large and when there are a lot of kids around, as there were the day we visited, it can be easy to lose track of your children. Set up a meeting spot and make sure your kids have your mobile number with them in case they need to ask an adult for help finding you.

Getting the most out of your visit:

Keep an eye on the weather. There are things to do indoors, but you will probably spend most of your time outside. On certain days, the garden offers interpretive and educational programming, and in the summertime there are concerts in the amphitheater. Large-scale exhibitions are also hosted in the summer—in 2017 the Climatron will be home to a collection of large glass art—and other festivals are scattered throughout the year. The garden can be crowded during some of these events, so plan accordingly.

Picnicking is NOT allowed on the grounds, but re-entry is permitted. Keep a cooler in the car or take time to enjoy one of the authentic Italian restaurants on The Hill, just a few blocks away. Easier still, eat on-site, at the Sassafrass Cafe, which offers mostly locally-sourced soups, salads, sandwiches and kids’ fare for $10 and under.

For a lasting keepsake of your visit, check out the large Garden Gate Shop, which sells plants, home furnishings, books and tools both for growing plants and for cooking up the fruits of your labor.

Accessibility:

By and large, the garden is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers, including much of the Children’s Garden. Walkways are wide and smooth. Parents with nursing or easily overstimulated children might want to take advantage of the “calming corner” inside the Brookings Exploration Center. For kids with sensory issues, check out the “Pre-Visit Guide” prepared by the garden.

Location, Parking, Hours/Admission:

Missouri Botanical Gardens is open 9-5 daily and is open in the early mornings and Wednesday evenings for walking. Admission is $12 for ages 13 and over; kids are free, and residents of St. Louis County get half-priced admission every day and free admission on Saturdays.

The Children’s Garden ($5 ages 3-12) and the tram ($4 ages 3-adult) require separate tickets, and during some special events, garden admission may be higher, so again—check the garden calendar.

The garden is located at 4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, MO, 63110. Parking is free on site, and there is quite a bit of it, but on busy days cars are parked for several blocks up the surrounding streets. Using public transportation will earn you a $1 discount on admission.

Our family visited the Missouri Botanical Garden as guests of Explore St. Louis, in exchange for an honest review.

Photo credit

The Magic House: St. Louis Children’s Museum review

May 15, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

In the last few years, our family has visited a number of children’s museums around the country. Generally speaking, you can’t go wrong, but The Magic House: St. Louis Children’s Museum stands out. Boasting 55,000 square feet of play-based learning, The Magic House ranks among the city’s top attractions for families.

St. Louis Children’s Museum review:

What to do:

Here’s the thing about the Magic House: it is huge. It is housed in a Victorian house that has been expanded on both sides, so there are two wings, each two stories plus a basement, plus the original house, which has a third level as well.

Inside, you’ll find all the usual suspects—a children’s village with a tree house, restaurant, grocery store, and hospital; a make-it workshop; a “balls in motion.” But you’ll also find a number of other interesting exhibits:

A sports training room where kids can try on football gear and test their strength and balance like college athletes.
“Recollections,” where a motion detector and a big wall allow you to make rainbow-colored art simply by moving your body (my daughter’s favorite).
Magnetic shavings choreographed to music and a “musical chairs” where simply sitting down and standing up turns on and off different sections of an orchestra.
“Wonder Works,” an extensive STEM area aimed at the younger set.
A three-story slide, climbable “beanstalk.” There’s an outdoor play garden.
The electrostatic generator, where you can make your hair stand on end—a Magic House classic.

One particularly notable area is the “Star Spangled Center.” Here, you will find a mock-up of the Oval Office, with a replica of the Resolute Desk. Kids can pretend to be the President and learn trivia about presidents present and past by looking inside the drawers or picking up the desk phone and dialing. My 8-year-old loved standing at the podium and reading portions of presidential speeches to a closed-circuit TV.

Getting the most out of your visit:

The above barely scratches the surface, so it probably won’t be a surprise to hear that this place is crowded—all the time. Be prepared for it. The attendant at the admission desk told me most days there’s already a line when the doors open. The quietest time of the week is Friday evening, when the Magic House stays open until 9 p.m. This was when we visited, and it was pleasant and relaxing. The space, however, was clearly designed to accommodate many more people than were there that night.

In my opinion, the Magic House is ideal for kids between 3 and 10. Our 11-year-old enjoyed himself, but he would have been ready to go long before his younger siblings. The museum offers special programming for preschool and elementary kids, and that is the age range that will enjoy it most.

Plan to spend at least 3-5 hours, and allow most of the day if you can. Make sure you have enough adults for the number of kids you’re bringing, and set up a meeting place in case someone gets lost. It’s a quirky building with a lot of nooks and crannies. Although it is fully accessible, it’s technically two additions connected to the main house only on certain levels, so you have to go up and down quite a bit to see everything there is to see.

Take advantage of the “calming corner” in the lower level. This is a space set up for nursing mothers and families with kids who need a break from the stimulation. It’s set up with quiet activities to keep littles busy while Mom nurses.

Admission is good for the whole day, so you can pack a cooler and eat lunch in the garden or in your car and return afterward. (Proof of admission is the sticker you receive upon admission, so don’t let the kids lose them.)

Food/shopping:

Food is available at the Picnic Basket Cafe, offering sandwiches and salads for $6.75 and snacks and drinks for a couple dollars. The museum store offers toys–good ones! The closest thing I saw to the usual commercial fare was a Batman spy kit. Otherwise, expect to find really good, brain-building, mostly non-electronic playthings.

Location/parking:

The Magic House is at 516 S. Kirkwood Road in St. Louis, Missouri. Directions and public transit info are available here. Parking is free on site; when school is not in session, overflow parking can be found at a nearby school and church.

Hours/Admission:

Hours vary seasonally, but the website posts the current week’s schedule. Admission is $11 for everyone over the age of one. The Magic House also offers membership options, starting as low as $25 for one child or $80 for a “value” membership that covers weekdays only.

Our family visited the Magic House as guests of Explore St. Louis, in exchange for an honest review.

A Visit To St. Louis’ City Museum

December 16, 2016 By Amy Hagstrom

When you hear the words “City Museum,” you might picture a building devoted to recording and educating the public about the history of a city—in this case, St. Louis, Missouri. You would be wrong. The building does contain bas-reliefs and barrels, retired safe deposit boxes and a vault—pieces of the city’s history. But you won’t find a single interpretive sign, because the City Museum is a three-story indoor-outdoor adventure playground built from salvage items.

Inside City Museum, you will find:

a three-story tree house with spiderweb netting and tunnels around the roots
hidey-holes, under-the-floor tunnels, behind-the-walls mazes, and wire mesh tube passages linking lower floors to upper floors, and from one play area to the next
a ‘circus’ with trapeze performances
a kiddie train and art area
a skateboard-like park (without skateboards)
the ‘enchanted caves’ featuring a pipe organ played by a live musician as well as a central shaft with spiral staircases to access the 5-and 10-story slides

The outdoor courtyard offers:

Two suspended airplanes, with wire-mesh cage-ladders and staircases leading to them
a castle tower with dungeon
slides
ball pits

On the roof (open weather permitting; requires an additional fee):

a Ferris wheel
more slides
a school bus protruding from the corner
a three-story dome with a cage fitted to the underside for climbing

The City Museum is an explorer’s paradise. Tunnels, hidey-holes and mazes are packed into every nook and cranny. Your kids (and you!) can spend all day exploring and not see everything.

Safety at City Museum:

About now, readers are probably wondering about safety. Rest assured, the museum is exceptionally well-designed. Yes, you will be very high off the ground. Yes, the cage-ladders are wire mesh. But they are very sturdy. The only two mishaps in our day involved head bumps at ground level; both times, staff members had ice packs on hand.

Getting the most out of your visit:

Adults: Come with an openness to adventure! Most pathways are big enough for adults (though they’re definitely a better size for kids). It’s a big place, and virtually everything is connected to everything else via tunnel or hidey hole. You can’t sit in one place and see every possible exit point, so plan to explore alongside your kids.
If you or your kids have severe issues with heights or enclosed spaces, this place might not be your cup of tea.
Lose the jewelry and wear long pants and sneakers. You’ll be on your knees a lot, and sandals will get caught on the wire mesh. In the winter, make use of the coat check to travel light.
In certain areas, even teens must have an adult on hand for entry.
Identify a meeting place in case someone gets lost.
Use the sharpies at the front desk to write your phone number on the admission wristbands, so if a child does get lost, s/he can ask an adult to call you. (Keep your phone in your pocket on vibrate. You’ll never hear it ring.)
Plan to spend as much time as you possibly can. My crew and I spent six hours there. My four-year-old had his fill after about four, but the older kids would have stayed until the museum closed.
There ARE some height restrictions. Check them out here.
There are no maps, because there is no point. The matrix is fabulously complex. It’s a place to be explored, not navigated.
Explore the website before going; it has lots of useful information.

Accessibility:

A few areas can accommodate a wheelchair/stroller, but in general, expect to be on foot. We didn’t bring our daughter, who wears knee-high orthotics; she would have had trouble getting around. During our visit, however, I did see a family with a visually impaired child navigating the outdoor matrix with the help of a touch cane.

Shopping/Food:

The gift shop offers souvenirs and clothing. Parents—one particularly useful item offered is knee pads! Those wire meshes can be rough on grownups! Also check out the Shoelace Factory for brightly-colored laces made using vintage factory machines.
Five eating establishments run the gamut from “circus fare” (popcorn, cotton candy, hot dogs) to sandwiches, salads, pizzas, and doughnuts. One even offers alcoholic beverages. Some are only open seasonally, so check the website.

Hours/Admission:

The City Museum is open Wednesday and Thursday from 9-5, Friday and Saturday 9 to midnight, and Sunday 11-5. Admission is $12 for ages 3 and up, with an extra $5 fee to visit the roof. Admission is discounted after 5 on Friday or Saturday, and annual memberships are available. The outdoor areas are open only in good weather. There’s lots to explore indoors, but if you can, plan around the weather.

Getting there:

The City Museum is at 750 North 16th Street, St. Louis, MO. Two parking lots are available adjacent to the building for $5.

My family and I visited as guests of the City Museum; our opinions are our own.

End of summer getaway: Alhonna Resort on Lake of the Ozarks

August 24, 2016 By Amy Hagstrom

Tucked into the side of a shady peninsula in a quiet corner of the Lake of the Ozarks is a homey, friendly resort that combines comfort and convenience with a low-key, no-fuss atmosphere. Alhonna Resort is a great place to get away from the crowds while still being in easy reach of tourist attractions and golf. Read on for all you need to know before booking Alhonna Resort on Lake of the Ozarks:

Accommodations:

Alhonna offers a mixture of cabins, motel rooms, and condos, all non-smoking (smoking permitted on decks and porches), with one to four bedrooms. We were given a three-bedroom condo with a king, two fulls, and a twin bed, which offered our family of six ample room to spread out. It had simple but tasteful furnishings, with a spacious kitchen counter with four chairs, a microwave and dishwasher, and a separate dining area. The two full bathrooms were stocked with soap, but be sure to bring your own shampoo. We had a comfortable couch and as a bonus, a day bed that the kids adopted as their favorite spot.

Our condo had a porch that overlooked the lake, where we could sit at the picnic tables and watch speed boats go by. We also got better wifi reception outside, so when we needed to use the internet, the porch was our go-to place. (We found wifi and cell signal to be sketchy in many parts of the Lake area because of the geography.)

Accessibility & Amenities:

The Lake is inherently hilly, but some of the lower units at Alhonna are accessible by ramp. The property is compact, so you’re never far from where you want to go. Housekeeping staff does not come in daily; this is really a home away from home, so if you need replacement towels and linens, visit the housekeeping area, across the street from the office. Note: you need to bring your own beach towels for use at the pool or on the boats. Alhonna does provide coin-operated washers and dryers next door to the housekeeping unit.

On site you’ll find two fire pits (wood available for purchase at the office), a sandbox and small beach, a fishing dock, both indoor and outdoor pools, hot tubs, and a small playground.

If you own a boat, you can bring it and dock it at the resort during your stay. If not, you can rent a variety of craft from the resort, from large-deck pontoons to fishing pontoons and bass boats, as well as ski boats, skis and tubes. They also offer a paddle boat, kayaks, and paddle board. It’s a point of pride with Alhonna’s owners that their boats are kept in tip-top condition. We made use of a beautiful pontoon for two hours’ cruising the lake and swimming in a small cove, then took out the paddleboat and a kayak in the quiet cove around the resort. Rentals start at 8 a.m. and all boats are due back in the dock by 6 p.m.

Dining:

Bobber’s Cafe and Lounge carries on the theme of comfort without fussiness. The atmosphere isn’t fancy but the food is fabulous. The sweet vanilla pancakes were out of this world, and the fried French toast made it onto someone’s plate every morning of our stay. You can get salads if you’re feeling healthy, or fried anything—pickles, green beans—if you feel like indulging. It’s a nicely rounded menu, with all the usual suspects and a few interesting gems like a tomato stuffed with chicken salad. You can dine inside or out on the veranda overlooking the pool and the lake. The lounge is adjacent to the cafe and has a billiards table and a couple of video games.

Rates & Details:

If you need more details, Alhonna has one of the best FAQ pages I’ve ever seen. Come during the week if you can, as weekends are always much busier at the Lake and crowds tend to be rowdier. Off-season rates start as low as $75; in-season rates range from $80-90 for the smallest units to $390 for the largest. One final point of interest: Alhonna resort will soon be featured in a new Netflix series called “Ozark,” with Jason Bateman.

Alhonna Resort is located at 677 Outer Drive, Lake Ozark, Missouri, just a few miles past the Lodge of the Four Seasons.

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Our family enjoyed Alhonna as guests of the resort, in exchange for an honest review.

Big Surf waterpark in Lake of the Ozarks

August 22, 2016 By Amy Hagstrom

Big Surf waterpark, in Linn Creek, Missouri, is an exceptionally well-maintained waterpark at the Lake of the Ozarks, offering thrill levels appropriate for all ages and comfort zones.

Park Features:

The wave pool

The centerpiece of the park is the wave pool, which runs ten minutes on and ten minutes off all day long. In the rest periods, it’s a massive zero-entry wading pool that, eventually, reaches a depth of 6 feet, though at least half of it is 3 feet or less. In the wave periods, you get deep swells and a few low breakers. The park rents single ($6) and double ($8) tubes, but truthfully we found good old-fashioned body surfing more fun—and easier on the stomach.

In this area of the park, music plays through loudspeakers, but unlike most pools and water parks, it’s kept to a good volume, loud enough to hear but not loud enough to have to shout over.

For little ones

For the little ones, Big Surf has two play areas. The first, with zero entry ranging up to about 18 inches deep, is aimed at little ones, with teeter totters and ride-on animals that squirt water, plus short open slides and even a bouncy swing for babies. The other, which reaches 4 feet deep, is aimed at the preschool/young elementary crowd, with short tunnel slides and a lily pad jungle gym.

For the more adventurous set

For the older crowd, the park offers five adventure rides. Several of these require riders to be 48 inches tall. The least intense involves riding an inner tube down a twisty slide and then bouncing through a series of short rapids separated by pools. The two most intense are the Space Bowl (think of a spiral wishing well, where you insert a coin and it rolls around on centrifugal force until it falls down the center) and Zambezi Falls, which involves a near-vertical drop. Where tubes are required, they are provided by Big Surf, and they are color coded for use in different areas of the park.

Lazy river

Threading between the adventure rides and the kiddie area is the Lazy River, which, along with the wave pool, was the favorite for our set of preschool- and elementary-age kids.

Other considerations:

The water in the park is crystal clear, and the grounds and walkways are exceptionally clean and well maintained. One especially nice feature is the large (free!) supply of infant, child, and youth sized life jackets. Amusement parks can be chaotic, and having the extra layer of security added a lot to our peace of mind. The park is well-staffed with lifeguards, too, although signage is quick to emphasize that you still bear primary responsibility for your kids’ safety.

Three-sided tents are available for rent around the edges of the park, and there are many tables with umbrellas and lounge chairs lining the wave pool and the kids’ areas. You can also rent lockers in which to keep wallets, keys, and phones.

If everybody gets tired of water play, there’s also a small basketball court, playground, and sandbox on an upper level.

Food/Shopping:

Outside food and drink are not allowed inside the park, but re-entry is permitted, so you can bring lunch and leave it in the car. A concession stand serves hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken fingers, and pizza as well as ice cream, pretzels, and funnel cakes. Meal combos are available. A gift shop sells branded merchandise at the entrance.

Hours/Admission:

Big Surf is open daily all summer and Saturday and Sunday until mid-September. Inclement weather closures are announced on the website header, Facebook and Twitter.

Single day tickets run $29.95 for ages 11-59 and $24.95 for kids 4-10, with discounted rates for non-swimmers, after-3 admission, and more. If you’re in town for a few days, hang onto your full-priced ticket. It’s worth a 50% discount for a return trip on another day. Also follow their Facebook page for specials and discounts.

Location/Parking:

Big Surf is located next to Highway 54 at Linn Creek, MO, a few miles south of the Lake of the Ozarks. Parking is free.

Our family enjoyed Big Surf Waterpark as guests of the Tri-County Lodging Association’s Lake of the Ozark’s Hospitality Bank, in exchange for an honest review.

Dog sledding and snowmobiling in Breckenridge

February 10, 2016 By Amy Hagstrom

The town of Breckenridge Colorado is known for its epic skiing and snowboarding, but there are many other ways to enjoy the snowy mountains here. Whether you want to plan a day away from the slopes during a longer vacation or have non-skiers among you, head out to Good Times Adventures, about twenty minutes from town.

Good Times Adventures offers snowmobiling tours as well as dog sledding excursions. It’s worth noting that snowmobilers have the opportunity to see sled dogs in action, as their kennels and sledding trails are located in the same area.

Snowmobiling in Breckenridge:

We booked Good Times Adventures’ most popular snowmobile tour, which is two hours in length and takes visitors through wooded trails up to an open vista along the Continental Divide. Personally, I was most interested in seeing the scenery: on a snowmobile, we could cover a lot more ground than on nordic skis or snowshoes. Without a doubt, however, my teens and pre-teen’s primarily interest was in the snow machines themselves, and the possibility of driving them. Here’s the nitty gritty:

Kids 15 and older can drive their own snowmobile, provided you’ve decided to purchase that option. They must be 18 or older to drive with a passenger onboard.
Good Times has over 40 miles of groomed trails, and each guide decides on a route, so you don’t see much of other groups once out on the trails.
Our group consisted of only 7 guests (5 machines), which was a pleasant surprise…we expected a larger group.
The trip starts and ends at a large open practice area, where you can get used to the machines (and have some fun going pretty fast). Our guide explained how to use the machines in about 10 minutes…even for novice snowmobilers like us, it was easy!
Snow suits and boots are provided if you want them, or you can wear your own gear. You must, however, wear their helmets, so don’t bother bringing your own. If you do, they’ll be stored for you.
You do have to bring your own mittens or gloves, eye protection (goggles), and face mask/scarf. You’ll really want one of these.
The ride goes through the scenic Swan River Valley and up to the Georgia Pass to the Divide, at over 11,000 feet.

Those of us unfamiliar with snowmobiles really loved this tour. However, if you snowmobile regularly, going in a group with a guide may be too tame for you. I liken it to horseback tours: because I’m familiar with riding, nose-to-tail rides are a bit boring to me. But they’re thrilling to those with less experience. You know your family: if your primarily motivation is to see scenery and have fun on machines that you don’t get to ride or drive often, this is a great way to spend an afternoon at Breckenridge. If you ride snowmobiles often, maybe this is not for you.

Scheduling: tours depart hourly. See the Good Times Adventures website for exact hours. Be there 30 minutes before your departure time.

Cost: drivers are $110 and passengers are $55. Kids 8 and under are only $25.

Dog Sledding:

Dog sled tours are in the same location, and include a meet-and-greet opportunity with the dogs, information from your musher, and time out on the trails behind the dogs. Visitors on the tour take turn in the sled and on back, guiding the dogs…the others are pulled in a comfortable sled wagon behind a snowmobile. The good: everyone gets lots of opportunity to see the dogs run. The bad: if you don’t like the noise of snowmobiles (as I don’t), you’ll be subjected to it. This is too bad, because dog sledding along quiet snow-covered trails is quite magical, and some of that is lost here.

Cost: Adults are $75, and kids 8 and under are $40.

Note: For either the snowmobiling or dog sledding experience, it’s customary to tip your guide or musher.

Getting here:

Fom downtown, head North on Hwy 9 (Main Street) approximately 2.5 miles until you get to the stop-light at the Tiger Road intersection. At Tiger Road, turn right and enjoy the scenery for about 6.5 miles until the road dead-ends in our parking lot. Shuttle pick-up and drop-off is also available from various points in Breckenridge.

As we disclose whenever applicable, we experienced snowmobiling as guests of Good Times Adventures, for the purpose of review. All opinions remain our own.

Where to stay in Breckenridge: Mountain Thunder Lodge review

October 28, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

When we’re on a ski vacation, or visiting a ski resort in summer to hike and mountain bike, we often opt to stay right inside the ski village…the hustle and bustle can be exciting and fun. But by far, the best perk of village lodging is the easy access to the slopes. Breckenridge is a very unique ski resort, in that its lifts and peaks stretch almost across the length of town. What this means to visiting families: ski-in, ski-out options can be had outside of the ski area village.

Mountain Thunder Lodge is an official Breck resort located a bit away from the ski resort village, but still within skiing and walking distance of the gondola. The upside: families are in a quieter, more homey setting, with room to spread out while still skiing in and out. The downside: riding the access gondola can mean spending quite a bit of time traversing Breckenridge Resort once on the mountain, depending on where you want to ski or ride on an given day.

In summer and fall, the location of Mountain Thunder Lodge is an even better deal: families are in ride-in, ride-out distance of mountain biking trails and the recreational bike path. In fact, two green (beginning) and at least one blue (intermediate) bike and hike trails are located directly behind Mountain Thunder. In all seasons, guests are in easy walking distance to Main Street.

Mountain Thunder Lodge consists of studio and one-bedroom to three-bedroom condos and 1-3 bedroom townhomes. All come with full kitchens. I checked out a one-bedroom condo, which had garage and elevator access and a spacious balcony. The living room area included a pull-out bed, and flowed into the kitchen area. I stayed in Building 5, which was close to the walking trail to Main Street and directly adjacent to the outdoor heated pool and hot tubs. Building 5 and 1 have small exercise rooms and each condo has a ski locker, located off the first floor lobby. Laundry facilities are located in each building, and are free of charge. Townhomes have their own laundry in-house.

We loved having access to year round swimming, and it was easy to get to town via the pedestrian tunnel (families just walk across the gondola parking lot after the tunnel, following signage to Main Street). Bike storage is available in each garage during summer months.

Mountain Thunder does not have its own dining on-site, but I never missed this; we were close to Main Street for our dining needs, and had a full kitchen as well. In our condo, maid service was limited, but we found we did not need service every day. Daily service can be arranged.

Room rates:

One-bedroom condos like described above average just over $200 per night. Rates go up in peak season. A two-bedroom condo is only slightly more cost at around $250 per night.

Directions:

Mountain Thunder Lodge is located at 50 Mountain Thunder Drive, just off Park Street and Ski Hill Drive. It’s a five minute walk from Main Street, and on the free shuttle route.

As we disclose whenever applicable, this stay was made possible by Breckenridge tourism, for the purpose of review.

Best Mountain Towns: Breckenridge Colorado

October 26, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

Yes, Breckenridge, Colorado could certainly fall into Pit Stops for Kids’ Best Ski Towns category; however, this resort town truly is a four-season destination. While it’s best known for winter sports, Breckenridge shines in the warmer months as well, boosting hiking, rafting, biking, and lots of storied history.

Here’s what to do with kids and without in Breckenridge, truly a Best Mountain Town.

For all ages:

Hiking: The Tenmile Range, plenty of 14-ers, and a network of in-town hiking trails give families an entire vacation’s worth of hiking at their fingertips. We love that parents with young kids can access trails like the Burro Trail directly from Main Street in town, whereas serious hikers will be quite challenged at higher elevations. See our entire post on hiking in Breckenridge with kids.

Shopping and eating: Always important activities on a vacation, shopping and dining options abound on Breckenridge’s Main Street and the blocks surrounding. Read our post on where to eat in Breckenridge, and be sure to take the time to walk along the Blue River Rec Path, taking in the fall colors in autumn and enjoying the snow in winter.

Skiing: Of course, Breckenridge Ski Resort is omnipresent in and around town. The peaks of this world class resort span across the town, and lift access is available at multiple points (making many lodging choices ski-in, ski-out. In addition to downhill skiing, Breckenridge’s hiking trails become snow shoe and nordic ski trails in winter. Pick up rental equipment at any one of a vast number of sporting goods stores in town.

Bike riding: There are miles of mountain bike trails around town (more on that below) but for families who don’t want to tackle this extreme sport, the Recreational Bike Path is paved, and connects Breckenridge with Frisco and even Keystone. Families can rent bikes and trailers and spend a day on the path. A rec bike path also winds through town, adjacent to the Blue River. Family tip: For families that pedal together, take a ride from the gate along Boreas Pass Road. It’s an old railroad grade, so the climb is mellow and you’ll see incredible views not far from where you start. The best part? It’s all downhill back to the car.

Historical tours and sites: Everywhere you go in Breckenridge, you’re surrounded by early settler and mining history. Families can see remnants of mining on the area’s trails: an easy hike on the short but beautiful Reiling Drudge Trail boosts an actual drudge and hydraulic mining area, and a longer, steeper hike on the Spruce Creek loop yields mining cabins and an old bull wheel.

Tip! Kids and adults will love the zipline and Gold Runner Coaster at the Fun Park. For history on the town, families can participate in gold mine tours and try their hand at gold panning. There’s also an array of outdoor activities for families to enjoy including, full moon rafting, summer dog sledding, fly fishing, hiking, horseback riding and more.

In town, stop at the Breckenridge Welcome Center on Main Street to tour an excellent and free museum on the town’s mining history. Next, go to the Edwin Carter Discovery Center, where kids learn about one of the area’s first naturalists, and the Barney Ford Victorian Home, also both free. The latter offers a living history tour of the home of Barney L. Ford, an escaped slave who made his fortune in the West. His is an inspiring story for both kids and parents (one tidbit: his mother stole a dictionary for him, hoping it would lead to a better life). There’s also a schoolhouse replica in his home.

If you have school-aged kids, consider booking a walking tour with the Heritage Alliance. Tours are $10 for adults and $5 for kids, and take about an hour and a half. Our guide taught us about the historical buildings in town we didn’t even realize were of significance, and toured us through two 1880s homes not open to the general public. It was absolutely interesting and relevant to kids of about eight and up. See all tours offered.

Check out the Country Boy Mine, just outside of downtown, to tour an actual mine shaft and learn about mining conditions for miners in the late 1800s. Best for older kids who are not afraid of the dark!

For families with young kids:

Be sure to take time while walking along Main Street to play at the small but inventive playground at the River Walk and River Walk Square. In summer, kids can wade in the Blue River here, too, jumping between the stones. The Breckenridge Mountain Top Children’s Museum sits adjacent to the ski village, within easy walking distance of Main Street, and is a good option during bad weather.

For families with older kids:

Rent mountain bikes if you’re family is comfortable on trails, and use Breckenridge’s excellent trail network. Trails are rated green, blue, and black, just like on the ski slopes, and are well-marked. Bike rentals can be found throughout town; we opted for Avalanche Sports. We love that you can ride directly from the rental shops (or your lodging) to the trails, but there are also trailheads with parking lots if you’re coming from further afield. Here are my favorites:

Lower Flume: Access the Lower Flume trail directly from town via the recreational bike path (more on that below). From the Breckenridge Recreation Center, follow the path out of town to where it connects with Lower Flume. Or, follow Main Street down to the 7-Eleven, turn right, and access from the recycling center.
Betty’s Trail: Find this intermediate trail right off Reiling Road. It’s just under one mile, and parallels the road most of the way (you won’t get disoriented). While it goes up and down, it’s not too rocky, though you’ll want to take care on the sharp turns.
Turk’s Trail and Reiling Drudge Trail: Further up Reiling, a parking lot offers access to a wider network of trails, including intermediate Turk’s and easy (and short) Reiling Drudge. Turk’s has quite the incline and tends to be rocky, but intermediate to advanced riders will love that it connects to more in the blue category, or can be looped with easy B&B.The Reiling Drudge Trail is fun because of the historical plaques marking remnants of mining history in the area.
XLOU8: My favorite intermediate trail I experienced, XLOU8 can be accessed from the same Reiling Drudge parking lot, and connects to Minnie Mine trail. It’s up and down, fairly free of rocks, and has an interesting mine to ride past.
Pence Miller: This intermediate trail can be accessed directly from Mountain Thunder Lodge via a short access trail. It winds above the resort area at the bottom section of the ski runs.

If you go:

Many families visiting Breckenridge in the summer months rent a car, but if you are flying in and out of Denver and the Breckenridge area is your only stop, a car is not necessary. We like to take Colorado Mountain Express to and from the airport (there’s WiFi onboard, so I can get work done on the drive) and once in town, we can access all hiking and biking via foot or with the Breckenridge Free Ride shuttle, which runs year-round!

Do you love Breckenridge? What time of year do you visit?