Interstate - Pitstops for Kids

Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort and Spa review

August 21, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

Want to be central to LegoLand and San Diego, but stay at a hotel with a distinct ‘beach’ feel? The Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort and Spa is located one street off a lifeguard-manned beach, with ocean views from both rooms and the outdoor pool and lounging complex, and is still within easy driving distance to area attractions.

Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort and Spa review:

Located in Carlsbad, one of my favorite family-friendly beach towns, Hilton Oceanfront is decidedly upscale while remaining casual. We found the staff to be extra friendly and courteous, and loved the cool-tone colors and water-and-sand vibe. The outdoor areas featured local vegetation, cabanas, papasan chairs, and fire pits.

Room amenities:

This hotel is very family-friendly! We stayed in a standard room with an ocean view, which had a mini fridge, microwave, and coffee-maker. We loved the ability to make easy snacks and breakfasts in-room. First-floor rooms in our category include a patio, which we enjoyed to look out over the ocean. Note: you do have a street separating you from the sea. The Hilton also offers suites and less expensive standard rooms without views.

Hotel amenities:

The pool area is the best feature of the Hilton, as far as my kids are concerned. The salt-water pool features a zero-depth entry, and is nicely heated. There’s a decently-sized kiddie pool/wading pool and a hot tub. All pools are outdoor, with plenty of seating, lounge chairs, and fire pits adjacent.

An onsite restaurant overlooks the pool area and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and room service is available. There’s also a nice coffee service in the lobby. The exercise facility is not overly large but has everything you need: cardio machines, weights, medicine balls, and yoga mats. It overlooks the pool as well, which I always find to be a nice touch when I’m working out.

You’ll need to hop in your car to access other local dining, but self-parking is free! WiFi is free to Hilton Honors members (this is a free membership you can sign up for anytime). In short, the number of included amenities really makes Hilton Oceanfront stand out as family-friendly. Most hotels we experience in this category charge piecemeal for wifi and parking, and certainly don’t include microwaves in the rooms.

Rates:

Rates started at $195 for a standard room during the time of our visit (spring). Rates vary by season, of course.

Distance from the interstate:

Located right off I-5.

Directions:

From I-5, exit at Poinsettia Lane/Aviara Parkway. Turn west onto Poinsettia Lane, then south onto Carlsbad Boulevard. Turn east onto Ponto Road and resort entrance is immediately on the right at 1
Ponto Road, Carlsbad.

As I disclose whenever applicable, we stayed at Hilton Oceanfront as guests of the resort. Hosted visits make up-to-date reviews on Pit Stops for Kids possible.

WilloughVale Inn and Cottages, Vermont

August 18, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

Few places are as beautiful and family-friendly as Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. Think brisk fall days, clear lakes, and great hiking. If you’re looking for a great place to stay while visiting, I highly recommend the WilloughVale Inn and Cottages at Lake Willoughby. Lake Willoughby is cool, clear, and beautifully situated between two steep mountains, making it an idea spot to swim and play in summer and hike and boat in autumn, all while enjoying the view. The WilloughVale Inn sits right on the shore, and even has a lakeside playground with a play structure, a shed full of lawn toys, and a water trampoline moored about 30 feet off the shore. There are also canoes, kayaks, and a paddleboat available to guests of the inn free of charge.

We stayed in one of the lakeview cottages, and enjoyed a full kitchen, living room (with a fireplace!), two bedrooms (one with a Jacuzzi tub!) and a beautiful porch with stunning lake views. The cabin made it easy to serve the kids an early breakfast, accommodate naptimes, and put the kids to bed early without hiding out in a hotel hallway waiting for them to fall asleep! Dinner at the inn was a breeze too: Gil’s Bar and Grill has a nice selection for adults and kids, and even serves a popular local delicacy: Ben and Jerry’s!

What to do at Lake Willoughby:

The lake will keep you busy, especially if you have water babies in your group, but just in case you encounter a rainy day, there are plenty of day trips in the Willoughby area. The WillougVale Inn has a list of activities including the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium in St. Johnsbury, VT and (in season) the Vermont Corn Maze in Danville, VT. We lucked out during our visit and caught the Sunday afternoon show at Bread and Puppets, a local theater company specializing in…you guessed it…puppets! The Bread and Puppets campus has a puppet museum and produces shows during the summer (check the website for times and dates). Bread and Puppets is a unique experience, and I’ll only recommend it if no one in your group finds giant papier mache puppets, um…creepy.

For a tamer option, the Cabot factory is about 30 minutes away in Cabot, VT and the Ben and Jerry’s factory is always a hit (about an hour away in Waterville, VT).

Date last visited:

7/15/2012¬–7/17/2012

Distance from the interstate:

About 20 miles off I-91 at exit 23 in Lyndon, VT.

When to visit:

Summer and fall are the peak seasons at Lake Willoughby, but the WilloughVale is open during the winter, and I’m willing to bet it’s a beautiful place to spend a few snowy nights as well!

Lodging rates:

Summer prices are from $99/night in the main inn; up to $319/night in the lakefront cottages.

Food services:

Gil’s Bar and Grill at the WilloughVale is open Tuesday–Sunday during the summer (Wednesday–Sunday during the shoulder season, and weekends only after October 15th) and offers casual food such as burgers and ribs, as well as a kids’ menu. There is also a tasty roadside stand (think frosty-freeze) about 2 miles north on route 5A. (This roadside stand even serves poutine, for those of you who have spent time in northern New England/Cananda and aren’t worried about your cholesterol!)

Directions:

Directions and driving times to WilloughVale Inn from nearby cities are listed on the website.

As we disclose whenever applicable, we were hosted at WilloughVale for the purpose of review. While we appreciated the chance to experience Lake Willoughby, this compensation came with no expectation of a positive review.

A stay at Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel with kids

August 9, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

Parents might assume a Ritz Carlton hotel is too, well, ritzy for a family vacation. In fact, the family-friendly offerings at Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel make the acclaimed resort a smart choice for families looking for great vacation value.

Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel with kids:

The Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel is located right on the Pacific Coast between the beach towns of Laguna Beach and Dana Point, CA. While a stay is expensive by any standards, your room rate stretches beyond luxury accommodations (which are often lost on kids): families will enjoy excellent service, a completely relaxed atmosphere, hassle-free access to a beautiful beach, and local expertise tapped from the team of concierges, bellhops, and front desk staff.

Kid-friendly offerings at Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel:

Families looking for an ideal beach day can take advantage of the Ritz Carlton’s Beach Butler Service, which not only brings your family straight to the beach via beach shuttle, but also keeps your hands free: ‘beach butlers’ will bring all your essentials to you (and always have towels and sunscreen on-hand).

The Dana Pool is tucked into a garden courtyard, with exposure to sunshine but not wind. Located adjacent is pool dining and beverage service, and ice water is always available. We loved that plenty of pool toys were available, and that kids were welcome in the hot tub. An additional pool exists on the Monarch side of the hotel, and tennis courts and basketball courts are also available for families, as well as a full-service fitness center for adults.

On site at the Laguna Niguel property is Eco Adventures, with opportunities for families to experience the local environment with sea hikes, snorkeling, surfing, and more. We attended the then-called Forests Under the Sea snorkeling program, which included a fun (and informative) naturalist talk followed by a full snorkeling trip to nearby Woods Cove in Laguna Beach.

Check it out on the Pit Stops for Kids YouTube channel:

We were able to learn more about the sea life we’d been spotting while snorkeling on our own, and learned what we could do to help sustain the beach and ocean life eco-system. Tip: Ambassadors of the Environment is available to non-resort guests as well, and is a great value for those looking for an informative half-day ocean excursion.

Date last visited:

July 2012

Distance from the interstate:

Right off PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) in Orange County, CA.

Room rates:

Room rates vary by season and type, from $500-well over $1000. At the time of our visit, we stayed in an oceanview fireside room, located off the Dana Lawn. This location was great for kids: it featured an outdoor fireplace and small patio leading to plenty of lawn space for kids to play on (complete with a horseshoe pitch). Rooms include marble bathrooms, luxury bedding, and in the case of an oceanfront room, amazing views. Note: one thing our Ritz Carlton room lacked was complimentary coffee and tea service, standard in almost all luxury hotel rooms. (Secondary note: my kids are only frowning in the following photo because the sun is in their eyes. They didn’t care about the lack of coffee service…that was all me.)

Dining:

The Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel offers several dining options for families, all featuring wonderful service and ambiance (but all costing families accordingly). We ate an incredible meal at Raya, where our server couldn’t have been more friendly to the two kids I had with me (ages 11 and 13). The food was delicious, but even more impressive was the sunset seen over the Pacific from the floor-to-ceiling windows. Raya is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and while dining here for every meal will not be budget-friendly, I do recommending budgeting for at least one special meal here.

For faster, easier-on-the-wallet fare, the Marketplace serves up a nice, quick breakfast. The poolside dining offers high-qaulity snack and lunch foods (including excellent nachos), but for stays of more than a day or so, I recommend buying some groceries and making use of the mini-fridge. The concierge can recommend many off-property restaurants as well. Tip: if you plan to eat most meals on-property, it may be worth the expense to book a ‘club level’ room. Club level guests enjoy five daily food services included in their room rate, including lunch foods, full breakfasts, and cocktails.

Directions:

From most points in Orange County or LA, guests will take I-5 to Crown Valley Parkway, then turn left (south) on the PCH. From Laguna Beach, the hotel is a straight shot down the PCH (about 15 minutes’ drive).

As I disclose whenever applicable, I experienced the Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel, the Ambassadors of the Environment program, and Raya as guests of Ritz Carlton. While this hospitality is appreciated, it did not come with expectation of a positive review. (And I did pay for my own nachos.)

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Things to do in Ojai with kids

August 7, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

When most travelers think of Ojai California, they imagine a lush Southern Californian oasis of spas, retreats, and artistic shops and galleries…not exactly kid-paradise. In fact, an Ojai vacation can be family-friendly, as long as you know where to stay, where to find child-friendly activities, and what to avoid. Read on to ensure a relaxing Ojai getaway…with the kids.

Get outside.

Ojai is located 90 minutes outside of Los Angeles, and only 12 miles inland of Ventura California. While in Ojai, families can enjoy the cooler mountain air (especially in the morning and evening) while exploring the pristine Southern California landscape on foot or on bike. Area hiking ranges from easy strolls to strenuous treks along jeep roads, but local experts can help you find the right Ojai hiking for your family.

For school-aged kids, The Mob Shop at 110 W. Ojai Avenue offers bike rentals and guided bike rides throughout the hilly town and surrounding areas. If off-road biking is too challenging for your group, a paved bike trail follows Highway 33 into Ojai. We were able to catch this trail directly from our Ojai hotel to ride into town for a treat or early dinner.

Even if you’re staying in Ojai, consider a day trip into Ventura for a Channel Islands National Park excursion. Boats to the islands depart from the Ventura harbor on a regular schedule; in summer, plan to swim and snorkel, and in winter, hike or kayak around this sanctuary.

Shop.

No, not all Ojai shopping is kid-friendly, but families are surprised by how much is. Best of all, adults will have just as good a time. The Casa Barranca wine tasting room is located right next door to Ojai Ice Cream on popular E. Ojai Avenue, and both make for a nice walking or shopping break. Farther down the same block are a number of boutiques featuring local artists and handmade goods: while small kids will need to be reminded not to touch, this is a great opportunity to show kids the wealth of the Ojai artist community.

Bart’s Books is located off the beaten path on Matilija Street, but is well-worth the walk. Kids and adults will be entranced by this open-air bookshop filled patio to (not) ceiling with used books. Bart’s Books even operates on the honor system: patrons can come after-hours and leave coins in the slot by the door to make purchases. If you have readers, plan to spend upwards of an hour exploring this haven, and if you have younger kids, let them explore the winding aisles of bookshelves, interior rooms, patios, and outdoor fireplaces while you peruse. When everyone’s tired, head back to Ojai Avenue to play at Libbey Park.

Visit Lake Casitas Recreational Area.

During the summer months, families must take an afternoon to visit nearby Lake Casitas and its lake, picnic grounds, and campground. You can’t swim in the lake (it’s drinking water), but the recreational area goes one better: the Lake Casitas Water Adventure is a water park playground with wading pools, a lazy river, and water play equipment. Camping is available at Lake Casitas as well: they now offer reservations one year in advance, and in the high season, it’s recommended.

Sleep affordably.

Despite its heavenly weather and landscape, Ojai lodging is surprisingly down-to-earth. If camping is not your thing, I recommend the Blue Iguana Inn, located outside of Ojai on Highway 33. The Blue Iguana offers family-sized bungalows with full kitchens, giving parents the convenience of cooking in, and plenty of room for kids to roam on their fully landscaped, lushly beautiful property with pool and hot tub. The Blue Iguana certainly maintains an atmosphere of peace and quiet, but kids are welcome.

The Montage Laguna Beach: beach luxury for families

August 2, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

Laguna Beach is one of Pit Stops for Kids’ Best Beach Town picks, and one of our family’s favorite places to visit in California. Any family vacation to this sunny ocean-front artist colony will be well-spent, but if you want to take your Laguna Beach family trip over the top, stay at the Montage Laguna Beach.

A Preferred Hotel with the Preferred Family seal of approval, the Montage Laguna Beach combines luxury hotel accommodations with family-friendly beach relaxation. Situated right on the Pacific at Treasure Cove, the Montage is steps away from public Aliso Creek beach and within walking or free shuttle distance of downtown Laguna Beach. Families can enjoy the outdoor Mosaic Pool, extensive gardens, tennis and basketball courts, and fitness center.

Activities and Programs:

The Montage Paintbox program is designed for kids ages 2-12, and takes kids outdoors as well as indoors for supervised play and programming. Available by the day or by the hour, kids don’t need to be potty-trained for Paintbox Petite (2-5) and will be served meals. The older kids have the opportunity to learn about the local ecosystems through Paintbox during thematically inspired days.

The Montage Laguna Beach has a full spa with yoga classes, and the virtual concierge can arrange for day trips to Southern California attractions. If you’re like most guests, you won’t want to leave the property except to ride the free shuttle into Laguna Beach to check out the art studios, galleries, shopping, dining, and beach-vibe.

Aliso Creek beach:

Aliso Creek is steps from the Montage (guests enjoy an easy walkway with showers, foot baths, and towel stands) and offers a long stretch of sand to play on. At the far end, Aliso Creek has a concession stand and playground on the beach (as well as public parking), and Aliso Creek tide pools are among the best in Southern California. Note: Aliso Creek’s ocean floor drops off quickly, causing waves to break hard on the shore. Families with young kids who want to swim would do better to go into Laguna Beach and swim at Main Beach.

Room rates and amenities:

Rooms at Montage Laguna Beach range from standard hotel rooms to suites, bungalows, and villas, with rates starting at $495. (Yes, really.) Their Family Fun Package includes overnight accommodations, daily breakfast credit (value to $50), half day at Paintbox, and a children’s welcome amenity at check in. You won’t find a bargain at Montage properties, but you will find value. If it can fit into your vacation budget, I recommend the experience.

Dining:

Dining is available on-site, including room service. For family-friendly meals, I recommend dining earlier in the evening, or taking the shuttle downtown for a fun, casual meal at Ruby’s Diner or Johnny Rockets. Of course, Laguna Beach is filled with authentic California cuisine; you really can’t go wrong.

Directions:

The Montage Laguna Beach is located directly on Highway 1 (the Pacific Coast Highway) in Laguna Beach. From I-5, take the Laguna Beach exit.

Photo Credit: Mel(issa) and Alex E. Proimos.

Deschutes river rafting with Sun Country Tours

July 19, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

During our recent visit to Pronghorn Club, we were fortunate enough to enjoy the Big Eddy rafting trip with Bend, Oregon’s Sun Country Tours. ‘Short but sweet’, the Big Eddy trip is only 1.5 hours long (2.5 door-to-door from Sun Country) but promises more whitewater than most families see on the average float or raft trip (at least it was more than we had seen!).

Deschutes river rafting:

Our trip began with a short bus ride from Sun Country to the Big Eddy drop-in site on the Deschutes River (near majestic Mt. Bachelor), conducted by a friendly bus driver. Once on the water, we met with our guides (one per raft of 4-6 guests), donned lift jackets and were assigned oars (kids must be taller than the handle to be issued one), then started down the 3 mile stretch of river on the tour. Both the beginning and ending feature calm, still water ideal for swimming, and our guide encouraged the kids (and adults) to jump from the raft and float downstream. The kids especially loved being spun around while standing on the bow of the raft, one at a time.

The river offers a few ‘warm up’ class 1 and 2 rapids before the class 3 Big Eddy, before which the guide pulled us over to the river bank to dock and overlook the rapids before tackling them. The kids loved seeing what we were going to raft, and our guide used the opportunity to instruct the adults in the group on where to paddle and when (though I promptly forgot). Once back on-board our raft, the kids were secured in safe spots (Toby was given a special rope to hold) and we were on our way.

The whitewater of the Big Eddy was truly like a wall after wall of water; we were bounced from crest to crest, and the kids shrieked with more delight on each one! I loved the experience, despite continually looking back in the boat to ensure my kids were still in it! Afterward, everyone was laughing with relief at surviving the thrill (including the six-year-olds in our group who hadn’t been too sure about the whole thing). We celebrated with a few more small rapids, during which the kids were allowed to ‘ride the bull’ (I.E. sit on the front of the bow with no hands). We docked after the last of the rapids, and were transferred back to Sun Country.

Distance from the interstate: Five minutes from Hwy 97.

Cost per person: The Big Eddy tour is $46 per person. Other Sun Country tours start at $73.

Dining options: None. The Big Eddy tour is easily fit in between lunch and dinner or breakfast and lunch. Full day tours include lunch.

Directions: Sun Country is located at 531 SW 13th St., Bend, OR. From Hwy 97, take exit 138 toward Downtown/Mt Bachelor, then turn right onto NW Hill St. Continue onto NW Colorado Ave. At the traffic circle, continue straight onto SW Colorado Ave. Turn right onto SW Emkay Dr., then take the 1st left onto SW Donovan Ave. Take the first right onto SW 13th St.

As I disclose whenever applicable, we experienced the Big Eddy tour as guests of Sun Country Tours and Pronghorn Club. While we appreciate their hospitality, this compensation came with no expectation of a positive review.

Three northwest backpacking routes for families

July 17, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

Parents with young children: you absolutely can backpack with kids! Our family has found success by choosing backpacking routes that are short on distance but big on rewards, whether that be in the form of a fun lake or river to swim in, dramatic scenery, or both. The following three northwest backpacking routes for families deliver.

Before you read on, check out our tips for backpacking with kids!

Northern California’s Trinity Alps:

Just south of dramatic Mt. Shasta at the top of Northern California, the Shasta-Trinity National Forest offers some of the best backpacking for families. While word is now getting out, the Trinity Alps used to be very uncrowded, while still offering up vistas on par with the Sierra Nevada.

For families, we recommend the 5.2 mile route from Swift Creek Trailhead to Granite Lake. From the Swift Creek Trailhead of the Trinity Alps, families hike for one mile before crossing Swift Creek at a large bridge and taking the Granite Lake Trail. After that, it’s 4.2 miles of a pretty strenuous uphill hike. Take your time, knowing that you don’t have to hike too far but will be rewarded with one of the most stunning alpine lakes you could ask for.

Make a home base at Granite Lake, and spend an extra day day-hiking up above it (the terrain turns to sub-alpine granite with great views). If you want to make a full loop of it, you can continue to Horseshoe Lake, reconnecting with the original Swift Creek Trail to follow the creek back to the parking lot. We have always been content to simply play at Granite Lake, however.

How to get to the trailhead: Swift Creek Trailhead is at the end of Swift Creek Road, accessed from Highway 3. (From I-5, grab Highway 3 at Yreka.) You’ll pass a national forest ranger station near Fort Jones, where you can grab your backcountry permit.

On the Granite Lake Trail

Southern Oregon’s Sky Lakes Wilderness:

The Sky Lakes are beloved to our family. They’re right in our backyard, so we’ve logged a lot of hours on trails here. The great thing about Sky Lakes is the flexibility; there are multiple options for making larger or shorter loops between its many small alpine lakes. The elevation is lower than many backpacking routes, so the nights will remain warmer (but you’ll also experience more mosquitoes, so aim to visit in August or September).

The Sky Lakes are generally split between Lower Sky Lakes Basin and Upper Sky Lakes Basin. You can see it all in a 12 to 14 miles loop, but we recommend staying on the Upper Sky Lakes Basin end to see Trapper Lake and Lake Margurette. You can camp at either, and experience the other in a day hike, should you wish. Start at Cold Springs Trailhead, and when the trail splits, follow the upper toward Natasha and Margurette lakes. The entire hike is only about 3.2 miles, and isn’t too steep. If you’re ambitious, you can also access the Pacific Crest Trail above Trapper, and walk along it for a while.

How to get to the trailhead: Cold Springs Trailhead is located off Highway 140. From Medford (and I-5), take Highway 62 to Highway 140. At mile marker 41, you’ll take gravel road FR 3651 at the Cold Spring Trailhead sign, and follow it 10 miles to the parking lot.

Setting up camp

Central Oregon’s Jefferson Park:

Very few wilderness areas are as breathtakingly beautiful as Jefferson Park. And yes, it is indeed a veritable ‘park’ of alpine creeks, lakes, trickling waterfalls, and towering peaks. You have to earn it though: the route in from either side takes some time for families. We recommend the slightly shorter route from Whitewater Trailhead (the other option is Breitenbush Trailhead further north).

You’ll go about four miles before reaching Whitewater Creek, with stunning views of Mt. Jefferson all the while. After the creek, you’ll join the PCT temporarily as you enter the park. Once in, you’ll see many trail options leading a short distance to multiple small lakes. We suggest Russell Lake or Scout Lake. Take fishing poles, and the fish seem to really bite here. You can rejoin the PCT for a long day hike should you wish, or can simply set up camp and enjoy the lake. No matter which lake you pick in the park, the round-trip mileage will be about the same: 11 miles or so.

How to get to the trailhead: Take exit 253 off I-5 in Salem. Drive 60 miles east on North Santiam Highway 22. Between mileposts 60 and 61 (10 miles beyond Detroit), turn left on Whitewater Road 2243. This gravel road forks in about 100 yards, keep right. Follow this road 7.5 miles where it dead-ends at a large parking area.

Jefferson peak

I think it’s time for us to discover some shorter backpacking routes in Washington state next! While we have experience in this region, it’s for longer hikes for more experienced backpackers. If you know of great routes for families in Washington, please leave them in the comments. And always remember to call the local ranger station before your trip for weather and trail closure information, as well as any detailed driving directions you may need.

Summer in the Berkshires: Bousquet Mountain Adventure Park review

June 26, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

Bousquet Ski Area’s Adventure Park is a vertical playground of high rope courses, zip lines, nets, and ladders, all set against the backdrop of the beautiful Berkshires. With three levels of course ‘elements’ to master, everyone will be challenged here, and everyone can get a taste of what ropes courses are all about.

Bousquet Mountain Adventure Park review:

We met first with our instructor, who fitted us in harnesses and gloves and explained to us how our clips and ropes worked. It seemed complicated at first (and we’d done this before!), but once we’d had time to go through the steps with her and review what we’d learned on the practice cables and zip line (very low to the ground), we felt very confident about maneuvering through the course. I loved that due to Bousquet’s cable and clip safety system, it’s virtually impossible to be completely unclipped from the cable at any given time. I felt completely at ease allowing Nate (12) and Calvin (9) loose on the course, always with instructors nearby.

Of course, I wasn’t about to miss out on the opportunity to play on a high ropes course, so I joined in, too. The first level is relatively low to the ground, and a great place to get the hang of things. Participants go in one direction through the elements, which eliminates traffic jams (a non-issue since there were only a few other people on the course at the time) and ensures you experience everything. Once you’ve completed Level 1, you’ll want to try Level 2 (straight above you), though of course, if you opt out, you can experience Level 1 again. Level 2 was certainly more challenging to me, and by Level 3, I was ready to leave it to the kids (i.e. monkeys).

One of the best parts of Adventure Park are the zip lines that connect elements. We’d experienced zip lines and high ropes courses before, but not together! Attached to each of our harnesses were zip line apparatuses (apparati?) which we used to zip ourselves from area to area on short zip lines. (Note: on the higher elements, some ‘commando’ work is required for lighter, shorter people; you’ll zip part way, then need to pull yourself the rest of the way, which takes some upper body strength!)

We couldn’t help but compare Bousquet’s Adventure Park to Big Sky, Montana’s high ropes course, and though the scenery was certainly more stunning at Big Sky, the kids preferred Bousquet’s multi-level course. I found Big Sky’s course to be more dramatic (it’s higher, for one, and accessible only by rope ladder), and had a hard time directly comparing them.

The Adventure Park is awesome, but what makes Bousquet great for traveling families are the multitude of other activities to do on-site in summer! Toby (age 6) and our nephew Homer (age 2) were too young to explore the Adventure Park (where participants must be 70 pounds and at least 48 inches tall), but with mountain day passes, had free rein of the water slides, activity pool, and miniature golf course. Day passes also include three activity tickets to be used for the bungee trampoline, bounce house, climbing wall, go-kart track, or Frisbee golf course. Everything is located in one place (including the Adventure Park), which makes it easy for families to pick and choose how they spend their day based on interest and age, while still staying together.

Note: We were told that kids under five feet tall could only experience Level 1 of the Adventure Park, but after completing this level, our instructors allowed Calvin (just shy of five feet) to continue on up. It was explained to me that the height requirement is in place not due to safety, but due to cable placement; some cables on the higher elements are spaced in such a way that the reach from the child’s harness to the cable might be uncomfortable. Also, kids’ lower weight ensures they will need to complete some upper zip lines ‘commando’ style. We didn’t find the former to be a problem, and Calvin enjoyed the latter! I always recommend following an operation’s guidelines and deferring to their instructors’ judgment.

Ticket costs: Adventure Park passes are $35 per adult (over 5 feet tall) and $29 for juniors (under 5 feet tall). Day Mountain Pass tickets (which include the above listed, minus the Adventure Park) are $28. Activities can be purchased ‘a la carte’ as well, but the day pass is by far the best deal! In fact, we’ve reviewed many zip line and ropes course locations, and I can say without doubt that Bousquet’s offers the best value on a high ropes course I’ve ever seen!

A spectator pass can be purchased for those not experiencing the activities for $7.50. (I always appreciate when an operation offers this!) And be sure to check Bousquet’s ‘deals’ page before planning your trip: they offer $10 Mondays on their Mountain Passes and $20 Tuesdays for the Adventure Park!

Hours: Bousquet’s summer hours are 10 am to 5 pm, daily.

Reservations: 413-442-8316. We didn’t need reservations arriving when the park opened at 10 am on a week day, but to be safe, call ahead!

Website: http://www.bousquets.com/

Directions: Bousquet is located at 101 Dan Fox Drive, Pittsfield, MA. From Boston, take Exit 2 off the Massachusetts Turnpike to Routes 20 & 7 North. Follow signs for Bousquet and Pittsfield Airport (left at light onto Dan Fox Drive for 1 mile).

As I disclose whenever applicable, we experienced the summer activities, including the Adventure Park, as guests of Bousquet Ski Area. While we appreciate their hospitality, it in no way guaranteed a positive review.

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