Farms and Festivals - Pitstops for Kids

Five resort towns with 4th of July parades

June 30, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

Due to summer travel plans, we usually spend 4th of July away from home. Sometimes, missing our hometown 4th of July parades bums the kids out, so wherever we find ourselves, we try to seek out the local parade festivities. As a result, we’ve experienced new customs, enjoyed local culture and foods, and Toby, always outgoing, has always made new friends. Below, find details on the 4th of July parades in five of our favorite resort towns across the U.S.! Maybe they’ll be on your family vacation route this holiday. Happy birthday, America!

Jackson Hole, Wyoming:

Jackson Hole’s Howdy Pardners 4th of July parade always begins on Snow King Avenue from the Rodeo Grounds to Glenwood, continues on Broadway, and ends on Willow Street. If you’re staying in town, grab a curbside seat early in the day. While one parent holds everyone’s place (a thankless job!), the other can take the kids over to the Amazin’ Jackson Hole Maze for some water gun fight action. Kids rent water guns, pick teams, then spread out in the large maze area complete with water barrels for refills and platforms for scoping out the enemy. Kids are paired as best as possible by size and age, but very young kids may get scared. The parade starts at 10:30, but families will want to stay for the 6 pm town square frontier shoot out or the evening rodeo.

Where to stay: overnight a short car drive away in Grand Tetons National Park’s Colter Bay Village to combine a small town holiday with national park adventure. Alternatively, stay in town in a VacationRoost vacation home.

Park City, Utah:

This iconic ski town is transformed in the summer months to reflect Park City Utah’s love of the rugged outdoors in warm weather. Start your day with muffins or scones in one of the town’s many breakfast restaurants, or participate in 5K run. Then get a spot for the parade down the main street, which includes over 70 floats and an Air Force fly-over. You’ll still have most of the day to go mountain biking or hiking to escape the crowds, or you can stay for the fireworks.

Where to stay: Westgate Park City Resort is far enough from town (located at The Canyons Resort) to offer some tranquility when you’re ready for it.

Seaside, Oregon:

Families celebrating the 4th of July in Seaside might just as likely be wearing windbreakers as swim suits and shorts, but fog, wind, or sun, the party is happening! The Celebrate Freedom 4th of July parade starts at the Seaside Museum, ending at the annual Old-Fashioned Social. The party goes on all day until it’s dark enough for fireworks on the beach. While not waiting for the parade, buy taffy at the famous Seaside Candy Man or make sand castles on the wide, open beach.

Where to stay: find a vacation home near the beach and rent it for the whole week to enjoy the town before and after the crowds descend.

Branson, Missouri:

Among the most patriotic resort towns in America, Branson’s celebration starts with a parade-type event families can participate in! The Spirit of ’76 celebration at Branson Stockstill Park and Branson Landing traditionally starts at 9 am, during which you can join others donning their red, white, and blue for a family-friendly event. Ice cream and flags are complimentary, which you can bring with you to one of the many fireworks displays on nearby Table Rock Lake or in Moonshine State Park.

Where to stay: the Chateau on the Lake Resort is the site of the best evening fireworks, and offers swimming, boating, a full-scale spa, and dining for the remainder of your vacation in Branson.

Stowe, Vermont:

The Moscow parade starts the celebration, which doesn’t end until Stowe’s annual fireworks display. Between events, check out the Village Festival from 11 am to 3 pm, for face painting, music, carnival-type activities for the kids, and a full seven miles of shopping. The parade starts at 10 am, and kids can watch local softball and soccer tournaments, a 4th of July tradition in Stowe.

Where to stay: Settle in near Stowe at Smuggler’s Notch Resort, where kids will stay just as busy the rest of the vacation week with kids’ club activities, hiking and biking, golf, and kid-focused parties.

Photo credit: inparistexas

This post written in partnership with VacationRoost.

Fall pit stop: Seven Oaks Farm

September 20, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

Halloween fun at Seven Oaks Farm!

If you’re driving along I-5 through Southern Oregon in October or November, the place to stop is Seven Oaks Farm, just outside of Central Point. The Country Store is open every weekday (and Saturdays), as is the U-Pick pumpkin patch, herb garden, flower garden, and fall decoration shop. On weekends, Seven Oaks turns into kid paradise with pony rides, hay rides to the pumpkin patch, a hay bale maze, tire swings, and other fun attractions. Sip some cider, grab some local produce, and take home enough apples to make a pie or applesauce later! Check out their produce chart to see what goodies will be available for purchase (U-Pick or in the store) when you visit!

Distance from the nearest interstate: Right off I-5.

Date Last Visited: September 2010

Hours: 9 am to 5:30 pm daily during the harvest season. Call for updated hours for other times of year. 541-664-2060

Admission Prices: FREE. Some weekend attractions are extra, but we’ve always found them to be a good deal! Pumpkins, apples, and other produce is sold by the pound. Wheelbarrows and carts are available for use!

Dining options: Seven Oaks Country Store is open six days a week (closed Sundays) from 9 am to 5:30 pm, and has a large selection of local produce, jams, jellies, fruit, and the like. For a quick lunch after playing at the farm, many fast food options line I-5 near the Central Point exits.

Website: http://www.7oaksfarms.com/

Directions: Coming from I-5 South, take the first Central Point exit, which will put you on Rogue Valley Blvd., we are less than a mile up on the left hand side. Coming for I-5 North, take the last Central Point exit, and turn left on Rogue Valley Blvd., we are less than a mile up on the left hand side.

Where do you go pumpkin picking in the autumn? Let us know in the comments!

Things To Do
Central Point

Summer in the Berkshires: Hancock Shaker Village

June 18, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

The Berkshires is a wonderful region in Massachusetts to explore with kids, and summer in the Berkshires can’t be beat! Parents will appreciate the rural, countrified setting with farmer’s markets, rolling hills, and quaint towns, and kids will find plenty to do in the form of roadside ice cream stands, gentle streams and rivers, and museums and gardens.

The Hancock Shaker Village is located outside Pittsfield (the county seat), near the New York state border. This sprawling property is preserved beautifully from the time Massachusetts Shakers communed here, with gardens, lawn, and buildings to explore. The Shaker way of life was peaceful and industrious, with an emphasis on equality, hard work, and kindness that is still taught at the property today.

Families can start with a short video, or make their way immediately to a self-guided tour, which includes the famous round barn (ideal for milking productivity), the main Shaker living quarters (with dining rooms, kitchens, infirmary, laundry rooms, children’s rooms, and more), a blacksmith shop, tannery, and coops of chickens, turkeys, and sheep.

Kids will not want to miss the Children’s Discovery Room, in which docents will help kids make bracelets of yarn, learn Shaker games, and milk a replica cow. Dress up clothes from the period are on-hand to try, as well as a Shaker chair to mend.

In every building, ask a docent to tell you more about the place! In most buildings, experts are demonstrating different types of Shaker work; during our trip, we had a great conversation with a local blacksmith, who made the five-year-old in our group his own handmade nail. In another section, a man was spinning wool, and in a third, stablehands were mucking out stalls. Holstein cows grazed nearby.

Plan to spend a few hours in the village, with time to check out the shop (kids can buy old-fashioned simple games or candy) and have a picnic. There’s a cafe on-site, plus space for bringing in outside food. We opted for a combination: picnic food complimented by hot dogs bought on-site.

Date last visited:

June 20, 2014

Distance from the interstate:

Right off Route 20, not far from I-90.

Admission:

Adults are $18, teens are (13-17) $8, and kids 12 and under are free!

Hours:

Open seven days a week (including holidays) from 10 am to 4 pm in winter, 10 am to 5 pm in summer.

Directions:

If using GPS, plug in the address instead of the name of the destination: 34 Lebanon Mountain Road, Hancock. Get full directions here.

Women and wine: Mother’s Day wineries to visit in Oregon

May 7, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

The best Mother’s Day I ever spent wasn’t during an expensive vacation or at a fancy spa or restaurant. It was at a winery a few miles from our home. We packed up the whole family, and drove along the Applegate Wine Trail from Jacksonville, Oregon, stopping along the way to taste Southern Oregon wines, enjoy the spring temperatures, and let the kids play near the inviting Applegate River and in budding vineyards.

Wineries that welcome moms and kids in Oregon:

We love the trend we’re seeing toward family-friendly wineries. I’ve noted this shift everywhere from California to South Dakota, with wineries adding dining options, lawns to play on, games for kids, and even organized events and activities. By no means is this an exhaustive list, but a few of our favorite Oregon wineries that embrace the whole family include:

Willakenzie, Willamette Valley

Willakenzie is the place to be on sunny days in the Portland area, to use their outdoor paths and ample outdoor space. Let kids run around the estate looking for hawks and longhorn cows, walk through vineyards (ask first!) and talk to staff…they’re highly kid-friendly. The tasting room itself is large and the wines are excellent. Can’t get here for Mother’s Day? Willakenzie has food truck weekends not to miss, starting Memorial Day weekend.

Troon Vineyard, Applegate

I was introduced to Troon during their annual Easter Egg hunt and celebration…it doesn’t get much more kid-friendly than that! We’ve since returned for their Mother’s Day brunch, which is a must-do for Southern Oregon families. On any day, their tasting area spills from indoor to outdoor, with lots of seating, rolling lawns, outdoor games for kids, and room to explore.

Red Lily, Ruch

Red Lily is located in the Applegate Valley, not far from the quaint town of Jacksonville. The best thing about it: Red Lily is located on a creek, with space to wade and swim in the summer months! It’s also under the flight path of hang gliders, so kids can keep an eye on the sky while playing. Families can bring picnics to eat by the river, or enjoy a glass of wine in their casual but comfortable barn interior.

Abacela, Roseburg

At Abacela, not only are kids invited, but family dogs are, too! Owners are asked to pick up after their animals, of course. This winery is one of the very best in the region, in my opinion, and is situated in a lovely spot overlooking the surrounding countryside. Pick up a bottle to enjoy while the kids play, or do a tasting flight while they throw a ball for the dog!

Stoller, Dundee

At Stoller, you’ll find a Frisbee golf course, tire swing ready-made for the kids, and plenty of Adirondack chairs awaiting your family. The views stretch from Yamhill to Mt. Hood, and the winery boosts 100% estate-grown fruit. Don’t want to leave at the end of the day? Three houses are available to rent on the property.

How to celebrate the ‘Oregonian way’ from afar:

We’re lucky in Southern Oregon to live in a winery-rich region, but mothers everywhere can enjoy Oregon wines. Consider a Cellar 503 membership for Mother’s Day! We recently wrote about Cellar 503, explaining how this wine membership works and who can join. The short answers: Cellar 503 offers Oregon wine to members every month, and it’s for everywhere, everywhere!

Cellar 503 is known for celebrating women winemakers! Included in past wine club selections are the winemakers of EdenVale Winery in Medford, Day Wines and Maysara Wines of Willamette Valley, and Hip Chicks Do Wine of Portland. Cellar 503 selected the women who make wine at these wineries because of their skill and artistic expression and to elevate women in this traditionally male space. Congrats!

What to do in Texas Hill Country with kids

April 18, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

Spring and fall are perfect times of year to visit the quaint town of Fredericksburg, tucked away in the scenic Hill Country of Texas. The weather is warm but mild, making this an economical spring break getaway for families within driving distance or those wanting to escape colder weather in the north (who want to stay in the States for break). If you aren’t familiar with Fredericksburg, this tourist town of less than 10,000 attracts millions of visitors per year, who enjoy their German-Texan heritage, historic buildings and museums, excellent shopping and fun dining scene.

What to do in Texas Hill Country with kids:

Start at the Fredericksburg visitor center located just one block from Main Street on E. Austin. Here, you can start with a trolley tour to orient yourselves to the town. The tour highlights area history, including the unique town square, which the German settlers utilized for everything from celebration (think Octoberfest!) to protection from the Comanche tribes in the area. Kids will find the trolley tour fun (it’s about 45 minutes long, but you can hop off as desired), but mostly, this is a good chance for Mom and Dad to get a feel for the downtown area to decide what to come back to later.

Next, explore the National Museum of the Pacific War. Wondering why there’s a sprawling, world-class museum dedicated to WWII’s Pacific theater in the heart of little Fredericksburg, Texas? It’s thanks to one of their own, Admiral Charles Nimitz. When the town expressed interest in creating a museum in his honor, he only agreed if they highlighted all the men who served under him and the women who sacrificed on the home front, instead of only focusing on his career. The result: a massive, beautiful museum that does an excellent job of telling the story of both the American experience in the Pacific as well as the Japanese perspective. There’s a fairly small gallery focusing on Nimitz, with the rest of the main museum offering gallery after gallery that walks visitors through the WWII Pacific theater chronologically. You get a feel for the early conflict, then experience the bombing of Pearl Harbor in a very tasteful and dramatic gallery. More rooms follow, highlighting the years of battles in the Pacific.

Note: Look for the kiosks with audible oral history. The museum has curated thousands of first-hand narratives from veterans of the Pacific theater, some of which are on offer in the galleries. Take a moment to listen to their stories in their own voices.

There are also outdoor spaces and galleries with WWII planes and vehicles, and even submarines and torpedos. It’s very impressive all they have on display here. Be sure to save time to see the Japanese Garden of Peace outside and the Pacific Combat Zone (one block away). This space is where they do reenactments and even when not in use, the battlefield is fascinating the behold. There’s a hangar with multiple vehicles as well.

Tip: This museum takes a lot of time and takes a lot out of you. Your tickets (which are only $15 for adults, by the way) are good for 48 hours. I suggest breaking up this museum into two visits, with at least a lunch break in-between, if not a whole day.

Next, check out the Pioneer Museum Complex on the edge of downtown. This outdoor museum is much more manageable and takes you through the general experience of the German immigrants who settled Fredericksburg. A short video tells the story of their hardships upon arrival to the New World, then families can tour through multiple buildings, including a farmstead, barn, blacksmith shop, and even a schoolhouse. Docents and museum workers are on-hand to answer questions, and a self-guided map leads you through.

Outside of Fredericksburg, do not miss Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farmstead in Lyndon B Johnson State Park. This large state park has a lot going on, including wild bison herds and Texas Longhorns, and the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park (a national park site) where families can tour Johnson’s Texas White House. But kids will be most interested in the Sauer-Beckman farmstead, and that’s where you should start.

This living history site is nothing short of amazing. Docents and state and national park rangers work the farmstead daily (8 am to 4:30 pm), and when I say ‘work’, I mean work. Dressed in period costume, they keep a working, productive farm, including milking cows, tending to sheep and chickens, making bread and butter, canning vegetables, butchering and curing meats, sewing and weaving…all of it. They live without electricity or running water all day long, and in every room in every building, kids can observe their work and ask questions. I learned how to utilize the gallons of milk produced by their cow every day without the aid of refrigeration…it involves turning milk to cream to butter to curds and whey to cottage cheese to hard cheese, basically!

There are gardens and pastures to check out, and kids can observe the natural wind energy produced by the windmill. If you’re at all interested in knowing how to ‘live off the grid’, talk to these guys! Everyone was fascinated.

Afterward, drive the short distance to the national park side of the park to see Lyndon B. Johnson’s ranch, which includes a guided house tour and the chance to check out their airstrip and airport hangar. Older kids may be interested in this, but if you have young kids, I recommend spending more time at the living history park or enjoying the beautiful park grounds, which include a river, picnic areas and even a swimming pool (open seasonally).

With the rest of your time in Fredericksburg, explore the fun shopping and dining downtown. It’s a casual town and there are plenty of places to eat outdoors or enjoy play spaces (especially in the main square). If you have a babysitter at the ready, carve out some time to enjoy the wine scene in Fredericksburg, or the emerging distillery scene (see my post on Fredericksburg for grown-ups).

Where to eat in Fredericksburg with kids:

Fredericksburg boasts plenty of casual dining options, most of which have live music at night, which is a plus when you’re trying to entertain squirmy kids. We most enjoyed the following:

Clear River Pecan: this is a go-to place for ice cream or a coffee drink as a pick-me-up in the afternoons

Burger Burger: Great for a good burger, obviously, with a nice patio overlooking Main Street

Tubby’s Ice House: this local joint is just across from the Pacific museum, making it a perfect lunch spot. Their street foods include tacos and burgers and kids can get homemade popsicles while grown-ups enjoy frosé (frozen rosé). Yes, it’s as good as it sounds.

La Bergerie: make yourselves a picnic with the charcuterie on offer at this artisanal market (Mom and Dad, grab a bottle of wine to go with it). All the meats here are Texan and cured on site.

Fredericksburg Pie Company: a must-do, especially during the spring peach season!

West End Pizza: This classic pizza joint has lovely outdoor seating and homemade, wood-fired pizzas. Best of all, their salads are very good, so you can eat fairly healthy if you want to.

Where to stay:

Stay at Fredericksburg Inn and Suites right off Main Street. You can walk to everything, and the suites include a separate living space with doors, making it easy to put kids down for the night before Mom and Dad turn in. I loved the big pool area with grass and outdoor BBQ pits. There’s ample seating outside, perfect for winding down the day with a glass of wine (wine bottles are available for purchase right at the front desk). The included breakfast is decent (your average continental breakfast offerings of waffles, eggs and bacon, yogurt, toast and muffins and cereals).

Disclosure: I experienced Fredericksburg at the invitation of the tourism board, for the purpose of review. All opinion remains my own.

The MaiZe at the Pumpkin Patch

October 30, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

A fun outing for kids of all ages, the MaiZe at The Pumpkin Patch consists of acres of twisting, turning stalks that kept our group of kids entertained (and lost!) for nearly an hour. Located on picturesque Sauvie Island about 10 minutes from downtown Portland, The Pumpkin Patch is just one of many area farms and organic produce markets that give this beautiful location its fall festival atmosphere.

This autumn, the maze is cut in the shape of the Portland Timbers logo in celebration of their inaugural year in the MLS; an additional haunted maze is open after dark, and suggested for only those over age five. (And unless you have a particularly brave child, I’d amend that to include up to around age 10.)

In addition to the maze, the farm hosts wagon rides, an animal barn that operates much like a petting zoo, a hay pyramid, a produce market, and, of course, a pumpkin patch. It gets very busy on weekend afternoons, so I’d advise arriving close to their 10 am opening time for parking and room to explore. Getting an early start also allows families to spend the remainder of the day perusing the many additional farms on the island.

Tip: Be sure to wear cool weather gear and rainboots if it’s recently rained. The ground gets very muddy!

Of course, the MaiZe is just one of many Portland area fall pit stops. To find more, and read about where other traveling families are heading this autumn, check out this discussion on fall festivals at the KOA Campfire community!

Date last visited: October 15, 2011

Distance from the interstate: 8 miles from I-5.

Hours of operation: Sunday through Thursday 10 am to 6 pm, Saturdays and Sundays 10 am to 10 pm. (Haunted corn maze open weekend nights 7 pm to 10 pm.) Hours are for the months of September and October only.

Admission costs: Adults $7, kids 6-12 $5, under age 6, free. Additional fees apply for pumpkin purchases, though animal barn and hay pyramid are free. Haunted maze is $10 per person, regardless of age.

Food Services: Vendors are on-hand with festival fare: caramel apples, hot dogs, cider, corn on the cob, and the like. We apppreciated the inclusion of a quesadilla vendor…untraditional, but welcome!

Directions: The Pumpkin Patch is located at 16525 NW Gillihan Rd in Portland. From downtown, take Hwy 30 west toward Mt. St. Helens for 10 miles. At the junction for Sauvie Island, turn right and over the bridge. Follow signs to the Pumpkin Patch one mile further.

5 fun ways to view the total solar eclipse in Oregon

August 16, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

On Monday, August 21st, a total solar eclipse will cross over 14 U.S. states. In the week leading up to this rare event, tourists from across the world will converge to see the moon’s shadow touch the earth. The shadow (called the umbral cone) will make landfall in Oregon just north of Newport at 10:15 am PST, then make its way east across the state. Hotels along the path of the eclipse are already maxed out, and reservable Oregon campsites are completely filled.

If you haven’t made your reservations yet, don’t worry! Try your luck with dispersed camping on Oregon public lands, opt for a first-come, first-served campground, or check out one of these fun ways to view the total solar eclipse!

Bring the family to a Willamette winery:

Brooks Winery, located along the path in Amity, Oregon is hosting a Total Solar Eclipse Event August 20th-21st. On the 20th, families can participate in a BBQ supper followed by live music and a star talk, then are invited to camp right at the winery. On the 21st, the day will begin with yoga followed by a sparkling wine brunch and a talk by Professor Ethan Siegel, an astrophysicist from Lewis & Clark College. The eclipse viewing will then be followed by pizzas from the winery’s wood-fired oven and, yes, more wine. Families are also invited to bring their own picnics and explore the grounds. The two-day package will set you back $350, with a discount for just the 21st.

A little further south, Illahe Vineyards will host a similar eclipse viewing from 9 am – 12 pm on Monday, August 21st. Light food will be available for purchase, as well as complimentary eclipse viewing glasses for a prime panoramic viewing experience. Day only tickets are only $50, and include a wine flight for the adults and light food.

Attend Central Oregon’s Moonshadow Festival:

Running August 18-22nd, the Moonshadow Festival will be held at Wine Down Ranch near the Crooked River Valley. This 2100 acre traditional western ranch will provide camping options for both tent camping and RV camping, or day passes can be purchased for any of the four days of the festival. We recommend getting tickets early, however! Day passes are $50, and camping for the festival will set you back as much as $600 (still much less than a hotel room).

Go to the Willamette Country Music Festival:

This year’s festival is August 17-20th in Brownsville, but event planners have decided to extend one day to include eclipse viewing on the 21st. Tickets are only $25 for Eclipse day, and camping on site is another $200. There will be live music and entertainment during the day, as well as a fireman’s breakfast. Gates will open at 7 am on the 2st.

Head to the Salem fairgrounds:

In addition to an event at the actual capitol building, Salem will host an eclipse event at the state fairgrounds, hosted by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI). The event will start at 6 am, with the viewing at 10:17 am. OMSI is only selling 8,000 tickets at $8 apiece for adults and $6 for kids. Parking is only $5. As this is the best deal we’ve seen yet for eclipse viewing, ticket will go very fast!

Look for smaller events on the Oregon coast:

Want to escape (some) of the crowds? Head to where the eclipse will first be viewed, in Pacific City, Depoe Bay, Lincoln City, and Newport. Try to get a campsite in one of Oregon’s first come, first served state campground sites on the north coast or better yet, try camping on Oregon’s public lands, then drive to the eclipse towns early in the morning. Remember that most campgrounds will be hosting small events as well, including informational talks. Good luck to you!

A Boston 4th of July: Tips for Celebrating on the Esplanade

June 28, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

All people want to spend the Fourth of July in special fashion. If you’ve never been to Boston, heading there in the beginning of July is as good a time as any. Below, you’ll find tips regarding how to spend it right during the Esplanade celebration.

Weather:

New England weather is fickle, and natives know weather patterns change on a dime. In July, temperatures can range from the 60s and get up into the 90s, not to mention thunderstorms may inspire a downpour in the blink of an eye. To be certain you’re spending the celebration in hospitable conditions, check the weathercast at WBZ Accuweather, or, use your smartphone to check the CBS Boston Weather App.

Clothing:

There’s no dress code to enjoy the festivities, but if you’re concerned about your level of comfort, you’ll want to bring a light jacket or sweater; it can get mighty chilly during the evening hours. During the day, you’ll want to bring along sunscreen if you burn easily or a hat to keep the sun off of your face. As mentioned, weather conditions change quickly; it is a good idea to bring along an umbrella or rain coat just in case.

Shoes:

Regardless of how you get to the center of festivities, walking will be on the itinerary. Therefore, ensure you wear a good pair of comfortable shoes. This is especially a concern if you’re driving to the event; you’re more likely to win the Boston Marathon than find a great parking spot during the celebration. Event organizers encourage goers to take public transportation to be more green and to alleviate traffic coming into the city. Alternatively, if you’re coming out of town, peruse the web to find hotels in Boston residing by the festivities.

Public Transportation:

The closest trains (on the Boston side) are Charles-MGH (on the red line) and Arlington Street (green line). The trains are open late on the Fourth and expected to offer free rides home after 10 pm.

Handicap Parking:

All are encouraged to attend the festivities, and handicapped parking is offered at the Charles Circle LAZ Parking Lot (adjacent to the Massachusetts Eye & Ear Hospital). Of course, the police will be vigilant to ensure that no one without handicap plates take advantage of limited parking spots. The lot will close once full or after 6 pm (whichever comes first).

Leave at Home:

Though convenient, backpacks are not allowed in addition to shopping bags. Additionally, coolers (on wheels), fireworks, grills, propane tanks (BBQ equipment), and firearms are to be left behind since none of those items are permitted inside the festivity grounds. Sorry, Boston loves animals but they are not allowed inside! Of course, you can attempt to ‘sneak’ something in, but it’s not a good idea; security checkpoints are in effect, and items not allowed inside will be confiscated.

Vantage Points:

There are multiple areas to enjoy the events taking place. The Oval is considered the ‘best seat in the house,’ with the right side optimal for watching the fireworks exhibition. However, lines to get in this area start early and the space fills quickly. Don’t assume you can send one friend to reserve space for more people; such tactics are not allowed! The Island Lagoon is also a good area, but will be considered a secure area too; you’ll need a bracelet to get back inside once you get in. Speakers are aligned along the Charles River; you won’t be able to see what’s going on, yet you’ll be able to hear the music and festivities from there. It’s not ideal to see the fireworks due to a number of trees from there, though you may be able to maneuver yourself around the crowd and get a good position.

Some attempt to see the sights from the Mass. Ave Bridge but it’s off limits to the public, and depending on police and civil officials, the Longfellow Bridge may also be closed to the public. Memorial Drive will have speaker towers and food vendors. Alternatively, if you know someone with a boat, you can park in the Charles River for a truly exceptional view of the celebrations.

Jane Sandoval is a travel consultant. She loves to write about her experiences online. Her articles can be found on many travel and vacation sites.

Foodie fun for families: Oregon Chocolate Festival with kids

January 27, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

If you’re in the Pacific Northwest, a family trip to Ashland, Oregon should be on your radar. With both the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) and Rogue River in its backyard, Ashland is known for its outdoor adventure. And of course, it’s also a theater destination, as home to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. In recent years, Ashland has sprung onto the culinary scene as well, with brew pubs, wineries, and restaurants. Have a foodie family? Come in early March to enjoy the Oregon Chocolate Festival with kids.

The Oregon Chocolate Festival has always called Ashland home. Last year, it was held at the fun, retro-styled Ashland Hills Hotel and Suites, with over 30 chocolatiers and a total of 44 vendors. In addition to sweet samples from all the chocolatiers, located from around the state, the festival hosts dessert contests, auctions, and demos from local chefs.

How to plan your day at the Oregon Chocolate Festival with kids:

The festival runs three days, over a Friday-Sunday. We recommend attending on Sunday, which is a shorter, and therefore cheaper day. Start with the Willy Wonka 5K fun run. This low-key race includes a 1/2 mile sprint for kids and a traditional 5K for everyone in the family, strollers and dogs welcome. Stay afterward to peruse the vendor booths, taking at least a few hours to sample the chocolate from everyone! Yes, you will overindulge!

Grown ups: in addition to the chocolate booths, cider and wine booths are set up. For the kids, water stations are plentiful, and there’s usually some form of hot chocolate or liquid chocolate to try.

When you enter the festival (held indoors), you’ll be given a schedule. Pay attention to this information, because it tells you when and where to see chef demonstrations and other events. On the Sunday we visited, we watched a 30 minute demonstration on making a eucalyptus-infused chocolate dessert and the grown ups attended a beer and chocolate pairing class. These classes and demos are included in your ticket price.

After you’ve had enough chocolate (it DOES happen eventually!) head outside of the hotel to find Ashland’s best food trucks. This is a great opportunity for a low-cost and easy lunch!

Once you’ve ‘cleared your palate’, head back inside for more samples and to make some purchases of your favorites. All the booths we visited took debit and credit cards, so bringing cash wasn’t necessary. We ended up with several treats we couldn’t resist, as well as business cards so we could order from chocolatiers outside our area.

Tip: Be sure to vote for your favorite chocolate creation or business in the ‘people’s choice’ style awards. On Saturday afternoon, ‘official’ awards are given out as well.

Festival ticket prices:

Friday and Sunday are half-days and $15 each. Saturday is a full day, with $20 tickets. Multi-day tickets are available, but probably not necessary. Kids 8 and under are free!

Where to stay:

Combine a trip to the Oregon Chocolate Festival with a family getaway in Ashland. Stay at the site of the festival at the Ashland Hills Hotel and Suites with their package deal. In 2016, it was under $160 for a room and tickets for two (just add any youth tickets needed). Read a full review of this hotel. We’d plan to ski one day at Mt. Ashland Ski Area and attend the festival the next!

We received tickets to the Oregon Chocolate Festival free of charge, for the purpose of review. We thank the festival for their hospitality.

Nebraska with kids: A stop at Arbor Day Farm

July 27, 2016 By Amy Hagstrom

When J. Sterling Morton, founder of Arbor Day, moved to the Nebraska Territory in the 1850s, he wanted to build a home overlooking the Missouri River, but there weren’t enough trees on the grasslands to do it. Morton decided to change that. Today, the fruit of his efforts is the 260-acre Arbor Day Farm, devoted to fostering a love of trees and nature in children and adults alike.

The Arbor Day site consists of two largely separate entities: the state park, and the working farm.

Arbor Lodge State Historical Park

Arbor Lodge, the Morton family’s three-story mansion, sits in a shady, 72-acre state park. The park is free and open to the public daily, and has a playground and walking trails. You can also stroll through the family gardens. Arbor Lodge and its carriage house require an admission fee, which may be purchased separately or bundled with a visit to the farm, which lies across the street.

Tree Adventure

The Arbor Day Farm is a working tree farm, vineyard and orchard. The public area is known as the Tree Adventure. Here, you’ll find:

Two outdoor nature classrooms, which contain areas for art, tree house-building, and music. (Our kids, ages 4-11, didn’t want to leave this area!)
A greenhouse where seedlings are sprouted for shipping and planting all over the country, as well as a cooler in which you can choose a seedling to take home and plant.
Two “rope” adventures: a tightrope and a spider web climbing apparatus.
The paved “tree house” and 2/3-mile wood chip “South Table Creek” trails, both of which are studded with quirky and fun artwork. The tree houses are freestanding structures; my kids had envisioned something more Swiss Family Robinson, but the tree houses are beautiful structures nonetheless. Plan to let your younger kids have some pretend play time here. Both trails offer lots of interpretive boxes, from a chance to imitate bird sounds to a set of signs to help you identify trees.
The Discovery Ride is a canopied wagon that travels around the farm to demonstrate the history and mission of the farm. If you visit in the late summer or fall, you might get to stop and pick an heirloom apple straight off the tree in the “preservation” orchard.

Most of the Tree Adventure is wheelchair/stroller accessible, but not the wood chip trail and the upper levels of the tree houses. Give yourself at least 3 hours to do justice to the Tree Adventure, and if you have a whole day, give yourself permission to fill it.

Shopping, Dining, and Lodging at the Arbor Day Farm:

Both the Arbor Lodge and the Tree Adventure have gift shops; the Tree Adventure shop is filled with home-baked pies, popcorn, jams, jellies, and wines, including wine tastings. The staff was very accommodating, and we were able to take advantage of this even with our kids around. The cafe adjacent to the gift shop serves basic hot dogs and burgers, as well as pies. The farm also provides a shaded picnic area, so you can bring lunch with you. Sit-down dining is available at the Lied Lodge, a log-cabin inspired hotel and conference center, featuring an indoor lap pool, sauna, and fitness center.

Hours/Admission:

The Arbor Day Farm is open daily; check the website, since hours vary by season. The best value for visiting the Arbor Day Farm is the all-access day pass, which grants access to the Tree Adventure and the Arbor Lodge mansion, at $15 for adults, $11 for children 3-12. If you’re on a tight schedule, you can purchase separate entry either to the mansion or the Tree Adventure (adults $8, children $6). Discovery rides are separate at $5 for all ages. The Arbor Day Farm also offers a variety of annual passes, outlined here.

Directions:

The Arbor Day Farm is located in Nebraska City, NE, 45 minutes from both Omaha and Lincoln.

My family and I experienced the site as guests of the Arbor Day Farm, in exchange for an unbiased review.