Historical Sites - Pitstops for Kids

Road Trip Through Spain: Madrid to Barcelona

June 3, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

Ask GoogleMaps how to get from Madrid to Barcelona, and you’ll be taken in a direct shot along the E-90. But take the road less traveled on a road trip from Madrid to Barcelona, and you’ll be rewarded with fewer tourists and a more authentic local scene. Starting in Madrid, take the E-901 from Madrid through Cuenca and Aragon before meeting up again with the E-90 or A-2 into the seaside city of Barcelona.

Rent a car in Madrid, then set out from the city by mid-morning. You’ll want to budget at least an overnight for this road trip, but you could certainly stretch it to two nights if you really want to linger.

Cuenca:

The medieval town of Cuenca is less than two hours from Madrid, on E-901. Cuenca’s famous ‘hanging houses’ are located here; the walled town is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Built by the Moors, Cuenca has Spain’s first Gothic cathedral, thanks to the Castilians who conquered the city in the 12th century. With kids, stop at the Parque Natural de la Serrania de Cuenca, where everyone can get out of the car for some hiking in this beautiful and visually interesting countryside. The narrow roads are steep in some parts of the park, but this just adds to the thrill for kids.

Before driving on, see the Casas Colgadas for a lesson in unique architecture; these houses seem to hover over the cliffs, with layers of balconies and gables. You can see them best from the old town, past the Puente de San Paulo footbridge.

Teruel:

Continuing on from Cuenca, head toward Teruel on the N-320 (connecting to the N-420). This section of the drive is about two hours and 45 minutes, but I recommend continuing on to Aragon for an overnight stop. Stop in Teruel for a break, however, taking in the gorges rising up from the Rio Turia in this industrial city. During this part of the drive, you’ll enter the mountain valleys and vineyards of the Aragon region. The villages tucked away between earth-colored hills are ancient, and look sunk into their surroundings. When I went through, I had to remind myself I was still in modern-day Spain.

Aragon:

Approximately six hours’ drive time from Madrid (but more like eight hours after a few stops en route), you’ll arrive in Aragon. Stay the night, then get up with the sun so you have time to explore this city before getting back on the road. Start with the Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar, the baroque cathedral where Catholic believers say Santiago saw the Virgin Mary. It opens at 7 am, so this makes for a nice pre-breakfast sight if you have early risers.

About 30 minutes drive away, in Zaragoza, is the Museo Pablo Gargallo, as well as rafting trips and float trips down the Ebro River. Spending most the day in the area to combine a bit of culture with some outdoor adventure is a great way to go; head out toward Barcelona in the mid-afternoon.

The remaining drive is just over three hours. Arrive in Barcelona as the sun is setting!

This post was written in partnership with Enterprise rental cars. Itinerary is my own.

Photo credit: Felipe Gabaldón, Andrew Gould, Jorge Correa

How to See a Family-Friendly Italy on a Budget

April 29, 2015 By Sharlene Earnshaw

First off, I want to thank Amy and Kate for hosting me on this blog. There’s a ton of great information on here for everything from summer trips to ski vacations, and I love that. Hopefully this post is a good complement to Amy’s post on day trips around Rome—Rome has some neat history for sure, but so do so many of the nearby towns!

Travelling with your family has its challenges, but it’s a great bonding experience and a great way to instill a love of travel in your children. Italy is a special country chock-full of history, food, and fun—but as you probably know, a visit to Italy typically comes with a pretty hefty price-tag. Footing the cost as even a single traveler can be rough, so how can you do it with a family? Don’t worry—it’s entirely possible! Here are some tips:

Getting There

Flights and accommodation will typically be the most expensive parts of your travel. Start cutting costs before you even arrive in Italy by shopping around for the best deal. Try to pack light so you don’t have to pay as much in baggage fees. Also remember that your cheapest option may not always be to fly directly to Italy—even though Rome is a huge city, you might find that it costs less to fly first into another city in Europe, like London or Paris, and then take a separate budget flight to Italy from there.

Of course, if you have a layover to kill, you’re going to have to keep the kids occupied. The thing is, an airport is just another world for your kids to explore; take a walk and look out the windows. When they get bored of that, sit them down with your smartphone or tablet and get them watching movies using the airport Wi-Fi. If it’s a foreign airport, you may have to use a VPN to circumvent Netflix’s geo-restrictions, but with a VPN hiding your true location, you’ll be good to go!

Figuring Out Where to Go

In general, the further south you head in Italy, the cheaper the prices are. And although many of the northern cities of Italy are beautiful, there’s no lack of charm in the southern parts of the country either. You’ll find plenty of fascinating ruins, sweeping landscapes, and wonderful glimpses into the culture of the country—and by sticking to one region of the country, you’ll also minimize your transportation costs. It is entirely possible to do a grand tour of Italy on a budget, but you won’t lose anything by staying south.

If you do decide to travel around, you may want to look into taking the slower trains rather than the faster (and more expensive) Eurostar trains. If you’re a bit flexible on the days, you may even find that budget airlines like EasyJet and Ryanair offer flights that are cheap enough for your budget.

Sightseeing

Many cities in Italy offer free walking tours, which can be a great way to get oriented and learn something about the history of the cities. However, children will often get bored during these tours, especially during tours with longer stops and more detail. Instead, it may be worth grabbing a guidebook or getting a map and printing off information from online. Have your kids take turns navigating to the next stop and being the tour guide (reading out the information from the sheet).

Once you’ve chosen your cities, do a web-search for something like “free things [CITY]” and you’re sure to come up with a list of activities that you could do on a budget. Seeing museums will add up, so if you plan to see a lot of them, you may want to look into getting a museum pass. Be realistic about how many museums you’ll see, though: if your kids get bored with the museums, you’re not going to learn much about the history anyway as you’re trying to keep them from going bonkers.

One way to keep kids occupied is to play a scavenger hunt game throughout the trip. Make a board with things they’re likely to find and see and do along the trip (eg. “Eat a slice of pizza”, “Hear an Italian man singing”). Have a competition to see who can collect the most “Italian experiences” throughout the course of the trip.

Eating

Eating out for every meal can get expensive, but there are a couple tricks you can employ. First of all, look for accommodation that offers a complimentary continental breakfast—even if you’re stuck eating boring cereal or toast for the whole trip, at least it’s one meal a day that you don’t have to worry about. You can also look for cheap bakeries that offer breakfast goods to cover you on that front. As for lunches, many Italians frown on tourists eating wherever they like in the cities, but find a park or a spot in the countryside and you can have a nice family picnic. You might also want to pick up some snacks and drinks from the local supermarket to keep you going throughout the day.

When eating at restaurants, you’ll want to head a little bit outside the touristy areas of the city and keep your eye out for cafés serving cheap Paninis and pastries—these are numerous all around Italy. And hey, your kids will never complain about another slice of delicious Italian pizza!

Despite its often-hefty price-tag, Italy is a bucketlist country for any traveler—and the younger you can expose the kids to some of the magic of this country, the better! You may not be able to see everything with them on the first visit, especially not if you’re trying to keep costs down and only visiting some of the museums and attractions, but hey, that just means you’ll need to go back again soon!

Hi, my name is Jess Signet. My parents were travelers since before I was born. Even in the womb, I was able to travel all over the place! Boy, did things NOT change as I grew older! Knowing there’s more to the world than the bubble I live in made me want to travel even further. Traveling is my drug and I’m addicted. (Please, no intervention!)

A family trip through historic Virginia

April 10, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

Located in the South Atlantic region of the United States, Virginia offers a wealth of American history and heritage that will fascinate as well as educate, making it an ideal location for a family outing. Also known as the “Old Dominion” and “Mother of Presidents”, Virginia’s nicknames result from an historic association with the British as a dominion of the English Crown and from the fact that it is the birthplace of a substantial number of presidents of the US, respectively.

Origins and early beginnings

Several indigenous groups of Native Americans first inhabited the area, including the Algonquian and Powhatan peoples. The Powhatan eventually became the lead influence for a number of tribes that collaborated in order to protect trade networks. As early as the sixteenth century, Western influences began, with expeditions to Chesapeake Bay by Spanish Jesuits. Many historians have speculated that the name Virginia came from the first exploration by Walter Raleigh in 1584, sanctioned by Elizabeth I of England, who was known as the “Virgin Queen.”

Today, you can retrace some of the fascinating key developments in Virginia’s history, particularly relating to the colonial period from 1607 to 1776, through visiting the family-friendly attractions that bring the heritage alive. Here are a few of the significant attractions you should be sure to look out for:

Famous sites and hidden gems

Old Town in Alexandria was home to the nation’s early leaders, including Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, who strolled its streets and were known to enjoy supping at Gadsby’s Tavern. The inn first opened in 1749 and today you can still dine here and enjoy a selection of early American menu options, including glazed duckling, said to be Washington’s preferred dish.

Besides eating out, visitors can also visit a small museum in two adjacent buildings, with varied exhibits including a portrait of Englishman John Gadsby, the founder of the tavern. It may be worth reminding the kids that Lieutenant-Colonel George Washington (as he was then) was an important and loyal soldier and that he led the Virginia Regiment on behalf of the British during the French and Indian War, which finally became part of the famous Seven Years’ War from 1756 to 1763.

Charlottesville has the distinction of being hometown to two US presidents – Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe, while another president, James Madison, came from nearby Orange in Orange County. You and your family will join about half a million annual visitors if you decide to take the opportunity to view Jefferson’s mountaintop home, Monticello, which is a UNESCO heritage site, as is the nearby University of Virginia.

Despite being relatively small, there are an impressive number of popular tourist events for visitors to the area, including entertainment at one of the four large venues, hot air ballooning and hiking, to name a few.

Fredericksburg was the boyhood home of George Washington and James Monroe, who also lived here before moving to Charlottesville. Almost a generation later in 1807, Robert E. Lee, the great Confederate leader, was born close by at Stratford Hall Plantation in Westmoreland County. Fredericksburg has more significant battlefields than any other Virginian town and in just one day, you can visit the battlefields in the town, as well as at Chancellorsville and the Wilderness.

Mount Vernon was home to George Washington in between his military and presidential duties. He resided at a plantation some eight miles south of Alexandria. Today you can take the family to see one of the most visited historic homes in the US at Mount Vernon, which has been completely restored to replicate Washington’s Georgian mansion. Enjoy viewing George’s dressing table and the china tea service belonging to Martha. Extensive additional visitor facilities are also nearby – a treat not to be missed.

Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown offer what must be the finest examples of colonial America, in terms of architecture and (in museum settings) furniture. Known as the Historic Triangle, Williamsburg alone boasts a multitude of famous buildings to explore, include 88 dating from the eighteenth century. You can check out the workplace of Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry, the Governor’s Palace, the former home of John D. Rockefeller Jr., Bassett Hall and the King’s Arms Tavern, where the Revolution’s most important people were known to eat and drink. If you’re a fan of social media, check out Outdoor Traveler on Twitter you’ll find information on their Williamsburg resort among others and links to book excursions in and around Virginia.

It seems that no matter where in Virginia you choose to go, you will find a warm Virginian welcome and a taste of colonial history and heritage that you simply won’t find elsewhere. Enjoy a great family trip through the Old Dominion.

Exploring Dallas History with Kids

March 30, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

Dallas isn’t just cowboys, the Cowboys, and Texas BBQ. As one of the oldest cities in the state, Dallas is steeped in local history. Best of all for parents, most exhibits in and around Dallas honoring the region’s history are free or low-cost for all.

See Founders Plaza: Located downtown in a unassuming park area, Founders Plaza showcases a replica of Dallas founder John Neely Bryan’s original settler’s cabin. Kids can see a map of the county circa the 1800s here, and in Pioneer Plaza, families can view a monument of bronze steer, representing the many animals driven along the Shawnee Trail during the 1850s.

Spend an entire day at Dallas Heritage Village: Located in Old City Park, this 19th-century Texas ‘town’ an historic Main Street surrounded by almost 40 beautifully restored buildings, dating from 1840 to 1910. Families can walk through Heritage Village on their own using self-guided tours, stopping to take in living history presentations by costumed staff. We love the doctor’s office (always interesting to see how injuries and illness used to be treated!), the train depot, and of course, the schoolhouse. Kids can go inside buildings, talk with re-enactors, and even dress up. A petting zoo is included in the ‘local’ farm just outside the town proper, and the general store encourages play, allowing kids to try the cash register (watch out…you’ll need to do calculations in your head instead of on a phone!). Purchases come in brown paper tied with string, and candies and soda pop for sale are all the old-fashioned favorites. While in the village, be sure to stop in at the old Millermore Mansion for a tour. Kids will see how ‘the other half’ lived a century ago.

Learn about Kennedy at Dealey Plaza: For some of us, only one generation stands between us and the event of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. To kids, it’s ancient history, which is one reason to take school-aged kids through this national historic landmark district. Located at the site of the assassination, Dealey Plaza and the rest of this district is home to several sites, including the Texas School Book Depository, Sixth Floor Museum (located within the depository building), and Pillars of Unity. The Sixth Floor Museum tells the story of Kennedy with the most details, but is still appropriate for most kids. There is a fee for the museum, but the district itself, including the park, is free to tour; pick up a self-guided map.

Step inside a cathedral: Teach kids about history and architecture at the same time while touring the Cathedral Shrine of Our Lady Guadalupe. This gothic building stands out in Dallas, as one of the last examples of high Victorian gothic design. Admission is free, and tours are self-guided when the cathedral is not in session for worship (this is a working church with congregation).

See a very old cemetery: Not many kids have walked the grounds of a pre-Civil War cemetery. Instead of creepy or disturbing, cemeteries can be good historical tools, if parents present them as such. The Freedman’s Cemetery Memorial, located downtown, pays homage to former freed slaves, buried in what was called a ‘freedman’s town’. Parents can teach kids the ground they stand on was once a community, and explain how this memorial honors the people who did not get the recognition they deserved during their lifetime. Admission is free.

Where do you go in Dallas to learn about history?

Photo credit

Best of 2014: Best destinations for families you can book now!

December 22, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

Every December, we take time to reflect upon the past year of travel, and select five experiences—yes, just five!—that we crown the best of the year. Last year, our top travel experiences of 2013 took us from Alaska to the Caribbean. This year, we’re focusing on the American West and MidAtlantic, showcasing everything from five-star city hotels to cabins. We stand behind these picks as the best destinations for families, 2014.

Best Destinations for Families: our picks from 2014

Experience Grand Teton National Park ‘behind the scenes’:

You’ve heard it from us before: no outdoor tour operation does family adventure better than O.A.R.S. We loved their Rogue River itinerary, so we embarked on their OARS Jackson Lake 2 night adventure confident we’d have an amazing time. What makes it so great? Beyond the near perfect guest service we’ve found consistently with O.A.R.S., the Jackson Lake kayaking adventure allows families to see a new side of Grand Teton National Park. We slept literally in the shadow of the peaks of Grand Teton, hiked to lakes less traversed by car camping families, and swam on the far banks of the lake, inaccessible to anyone without a boat. Check out our full review of the O.A.R.S. Jackson Lake 2 night kayak tour.

Play cowboy or cowgirl for a week:

Also located within the boundary of Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, Triangle X Ranch is has been around for generations as a working ranch and guest ranch. For many, it’s become an annual summer tradition; when we visited, we were surprised to learn that almost 80% of guests are on a return visit. That’s your true review, right there! While at Triangle X dude ranch, we got to ride our personal horses for the week two times per day, hike, relax at the ranch, go on Snake River float trips, and enjoy plenty of family bonding time around the campfires, in the kitchen and dining rooms, and while on the trail. Want to take your whole family to summer camp? This is it. Read our full review of Triangle X Ranch.

Learn US government and history in our nation’s capital:

School-aged kids get so much out of Washington DC! Truth be told, so do parents. I didn’t expect to love our time in the nation’s capital as much as I did; Washington DC is safe, walkable, and family-friendly. Best of all, almost all the attractions you’ll want to visit are free to the public. Many tours do require advanced planning, however, so best get started for your spring or summer visit! We recommend a Club-level stay at Grand Hyatt Washington: it’s a spurge, but also makes good travel sense. You’ll be close enough to the action to walk everywhere, and can eat most meals in the relaxed atmosphere of the club. Read our full review of Grand Hyatt DC.

Step back in time in Gettysburg:

What a sobering, awe-inspiring, and important historical landmark to visit with kids! Gettysburg, PA is a must-do with kids old enough to learn about Civil War battles in the context of US history. We recommend this trip for kids ages 8 and up, and suggest families stay 2-3 days before or after a trip to study more American history in Williamsburg or Philadelphia. The Gettysburg historic battlefield is best toured with a licensed battlefield guide; book one to ride with you in your car for the absolute best experience. Be sure to leave time to explore the town, too. Read our full review of our time in Gettysburg.

Play in the snow in the Colorado Rockies:

Keystone Colorado is arguably the most family-friendly ski resort in the Rockies. It certainly goes out of its way to cater to kids. However, this doesn’t mean Keystone isn’t up to the challenge of serious skiers and snowboarders: behind kid-centric Dercum Mountain, two more peaks await, with steeps and deeps, cat-accessed terrain, and plenty of bumps. After each ski day, Keystone pulls out all the stops, with daily Kidtopia activities geared just for kids 12 and under, weekly parades, and even fireworks displays. No wonder Keystone has been compared to Disney…on ice. Check out our long weekend at Keystone.

Where did your family’s 2014 travel take you? What are your top picks?

Guide to Whidbey Island State Parks

November 10, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

Whidbey Island, Washington is known for its picturesque coastline and pastoral setting. It’s true that Whidbey, located north of Seattle, offers abundant farm stands and a healthy agri-tourism trade, but many families –including mine!– had no idea how many beautiful, exciting state parks fill this small island! We recommend coming to stay at least three days in order to experience most of them.

Fort Casey State Park:

If you arrive via Washington State Ferry at Coupeville, you’ll notice Fort Casey State Park right away. This large park sits on the island’s west coast, and centers on the region’s military history. There are numerous batteries (created for defense but never used) lining the coast line, which contributed to the ‘triangle of defense’ offered by Fort Casey, Fort Worden (across the water in Port Townsend, WA) and Fort Flagler.

What to do here: Families will want to check out the batteries and commanders’ station, but should also visit the beach access and Admiralty Head Lighthouse. The light sits at Red Bluffs, and during day time hours in season, visitors can go inside and even climb the spiral stairs to the light. From here (and elsewhere in the park), kids can watch the ferries come and go from the landing.

Campground: Yes! It’s right next to the ferry landing (which can be a good thing or a bad thing…).

Ebey’s Landing:

Ebey’s Landing National Historic Reserve encompasses the entirety of the town of Coupeville, Ebey’s Prairie, and Fort Ebey State Park. It marks the homestead and founding location of the Ebey family, and protects the historical significance of this entire section of the island. Fort Ebey includes coastline, hiking trails, and more batteries.

What to do here: At Fort Ebey, play on the beach! This section of protected coastline offers up oversized driftwood perfect for building a beachside hut or fort of one’s own, and the picnic areas are protected from wind and surf. The bluff-side trail is one mile long, and takes families from the beach to the batteries overlooking it. It’s worth getting back in the car to check out Jacob Ebey’s House. The house is open seasonally, but the adjacent cemetery is worthy of a visit in its own right. Families can overlook the prairie, and step inside one of the many ‘blockhouses’ the Ebeys built as protection from Native American conflict.

Campgrounds: Camping is available on the beach (in a protected forested area) at Fort Ebey, and on the prairie at Rhododendron Park (near the Whidbey Island Naval Air Station).

Deception Pass State Park:

On the north tail of the island, Deception Pass State Park may be the most well-known. This breathtakingly beautiful park focuses around the Deception Pass bridge. Hiking trails are abundant, and the park hosts a busy marina with sightseeing vessels doing business.

What to do here: Park at the visitor’s center (stand) on the south side of the bridge, and hike down to North Beach (.2 mile). From here, families will get a great view of the bridge before they cross it. It’s also fun to see the many fishing boats in the current that flows quickly here. Additional hiking trails take you further afield, or you can opt to cross the bridge. Cross either on foot using the pedestrian walkway (an exciting experience!) or drive. Head to the marina dock on the other side, and take a Deception Pass Tours boat out on the water. This 45 minute tour in a catamaran Island Whaler takes you under the bridge and past the challenging water that churns there to the bay. During our tour, we saw porpoises and harbor seals, and many tour groups see whales. Tours are priced right at $24.95, and don’t last too long for young kids.

Campgrounds: campsites range from forested to open, on or near the water. Like the rest of the park, they’re gorgeous!

South Whidbey Island State Park:

South Whidbey Island State Park is smaller and quieter, and feature shoreline and forested areas. Primarily, it serves as a campground. Families get great views of the Olympic mountains!

What to do here: This state park is popular for clamming, but there’s also about three miles of hiking trails, fishing, and swimming.

Campgrounds: There are 46 tent camping spaces at South Whidbey. Of note: families may hear air traffic from the nearby naval base.

While enjoying any Washington State park, you’ll need a Discover Pass. Passes are $10 per day, or just $30 for a year!

Exploring Port Townsend with kids

November 7, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

Located at the very tip of Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula, Port Townsend has a lot to offer families. From the quaint waterfront town with its lively history to a storied military presence, exploring Port Townsend with kids includes hiking trails, fort batteries, ice cream shops, and touch tanks! Here’s what’s in store (and where to stay):

Downtown Port Townsend:

It’s easy to see the charm of this small town as soon as you enter, whether via road from elsewhere on the peninsula or by boat (more on that later). The shipyards are open to the public, which means boat-loving kids can see dry-docked vessels up close and personal, and Union Wharf offers great views of the ferry.

Start on Water Street, where kids will want to view the wooden boat outside the NW Maritime Center, then head across the street to City Hall Museum run by the Jefferson County Historical Society. We would have overlooked this museum had I not been taken there by a local: inside the historic courtroom, visitors can get an overview of the town’s history, then go downstairs to see old jail cells (Jack London is rumored to have spent a night inside) and exhibits on the region’s pioneering, Japanese, and native cultures.

Right nearby is Dogs-a-Foot, a hot dog stand with every type of hot dog desired. It’s a perfect lunch pit stop, with tables outside. Afterward, continue your stroll down Water Street for a stop at Elevated Ice Cream. This locally-owned and operated ice cream shop offers unique, locally-sourced flavors, and has a chocolate shop and candy store located next door.

Stop into any other shops that interest you; you’ll find a great local bookstore and numerous galleries. Note the historic architecture; Port Townsend has some of the best preserved buildings in the NW. If you have your car with you, don’t forget about ‘uptown’: historic Port Townsend built on both the wharf and in the hills, and families will find the best Victorian architecture overlooking the downtown region. This area features a lot of the town’s B&Bs, but you’ll also find wonderful bakeries, diners, and shops.

Note: If you’re in the downtown/shipyard area for breakfast, you’ll want to head to the Blue Moose Cafe on Haines for an authentic home-cooked meal. This local hangout is right in the shipyards, and has been overseen by the current cook (not chef!) for decades.

Fort Worden State Park:

We’re pretty sure Fort Worden State Park is the heart of Port Townsend as far as kids are concerned. This sprawling park is located just outside of downtown on the coast, with beach access, hiking trails, and picnic grounds. The central feature of Fort Worden is the fort, which served as defense against invasion during WWI. The invasion never came, but the many fort batteries remain, with platforms for artillery, ammunition storage rooms, and many more intriguing spaces for kids to explore. The batteries are open to the public, which is a very welcome feature in a world that has increasingly shut doors on historical sites. Kids will love climbing on them, running through their creepy, dark tunnels and hallways, and generally playing soldier. Parental supervision is absolutely needed, of course; small children could fall or get lost. Don’t worry, you’ll want to explore the batteries just as much! Prepare to spend hours here!

In addition to the batteries, Fort Worden is home to the Marine Science Center, located right on Battery Way. It’s open from April through October, with innovative saltwater touch tanks. The center staff bring sea life into the tanks in the spring, and release all the creatures in the fall. Daily, fresh salt water from the ocean adjacent is flushed into the tanks. Kids can touch many marine animals, and see more in additional aquariums. Across the street, the education building houses a whale skeleton and other educational exhibits with a conservation theme.

There are numerous walking trails through Fort Worden (grab a trail map when you enter) and some take kids to additional batteries (less crowded than the one near the beach). There are several campgrounds, and yes, the beach has swimming access. The Point Wilson lighthouse makes for a great backdrop to your Olympic Peninsula beach day!

Inland from the beach, the campus of Fort Worden remains, though quieter than in its active days. Currently, buildings and rooms can be rented for vacation stays, allowing families to further immerse themselves in the area’s history.

Yes, you can stay the night in Fort Worden!

Rentals include full homes on Officers’ Row, units in the Non-Commissioned Officers’ Row, or dormitory rooms. I checked out an Officer’s Row house, where I stayed the night overlooking the campus and ocean. Officers’ Row houses include 1 and 1/2 bathrooms, four bedrooms, a parlor and a dining room, and a full kitchen. It’s fun to see firsthand how officers and their families lived during WWI. These houses are not newly renovated, but are comfortable and very spacious. Kids can play outside, and everyone can walk to the beach, the light house, and the batteries. There is no wifi, but in the check-in building (which is newer), there is a sitting room and a coffee counter where your java and wifi needs can be met.

Beyond Port Townsend proper, the Olympic Discovery Trail weaves 120 miles between the town and La Push, on the western coast, and of course, the rest of the Olympic Peninsula beckons with Olympic National Park and numerous additional hiking trails and beaches. Read more about Olympic National Park with kids!

How to get here:

Port Townsend and Fort Worden are located on Highway 20, which connects with Highway 101. Families can also take Washington State ferries directly to town from Whidbey Island (Coupeville) or take the Puget Sound Express from the San Juan Islands. We recommend booking a whale watching trip with this company, even if you don’t need them for transportation to the peninsula. On our trip with Puget Sound Express, we saw humpback whales, porpoises, and harbor seals.

Port Townsend

Most haunted destinations in the US (and why kids should visit)

October 17, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

Curious about touring one of the most haunted destinations in the US? The following family travel destinations have tales to tell. Visit with ghosts in mind, or opt for a spirit-free experience with educational tours, historical sites, and kid-friendly attractions.

Gettysburg, PA:

It’s no wonder Gettysburg, Pennsylvania is haunted, given the significance of this intense three-day Civil War battle. However, it’s not just the battlefield that’s haunted in Gettysburg. In town, visitors can see the house where the sole civilian casualty took place, that of beloved Jenny Wade. According to local lore, Jenny was baking bread for Union soldier when she was shot through the window. In addition, the unmarked graves of numerous Confederate soldiers still dot the landscape of the town, including, apparently, in the flower beds of the Rupp House, shown above. Ghost tours in Gettysburg range from the truly intense to family-friendly. We recommend Sleepy Hollow of Gettysburg Candlelight Ghost tours.

Why families should visit: Gettysburg is among the most significant, meaningful destinations we’ve toured as a family. Best visited with school-aged or teen children, Gettysburg National Military Park brings the Civil War alive. We recommend spending at least two days here, and taking the tour with a licensed battlefield guide.

Virginia City, NV:

Never heard of Virginia City? This mining boom town (now near-ghost town) is located about 45 minutes into the high desert from Reno, NV. Once pocketed with thriving silver mines, Virginia City is now both a historical and tourist gem. Haunted sites are too numerous to list, but here’s a spoiler alert: nearly all of them are saloons that span the main street. Virginia City ghost tours tend to be pretty intense; most are geared toward adults only.

Why families should visit: We absolutely loved learning about mining history in Virginia City. Families can visit ramshackle museums (some of the best kind!), see the gambling tables where (supposedly) cheaters were shot during the Wild West, and even walk into a mine shaft that opens from the back of a saloon. Historic house tours are a must, as is the town trolley.

San Diego, CA:

In San Diego’s Old Town, the Whaley House has been thought to be haunted for decades. Built on the site of San Diego’s first public gallows in 1856, the Whaley House is supposedly haunted by Jim Robinson, a thief hanged there four years before the house was built. He can allegedly be heard walking in the halls, opening and closing doors, and making chairs rock and chandeliers seem to swing of their own accord. If that’s not enough, Whaley’s own daughter committed suicide here, adding to the heavy atmosphere of the location.

Why families should visit: San Diego’s Old Town remains full of history and lively culture, ranging from historic building tours (of the non-haunted variety) and storefronts selling everything from old-fashioned candy and candles to modern-day art and handcrafts. This is the place to start an Old Town Trolley Tour, which includes tidbits of history around the city. And yes, you can attend a ghost tour at the Whaley Museum (ages 12 and up).

Philadelphia, PA:

Philly is packed with early Colonial and Revolutionary history, of course, with sites ranging from Independence Hall to the site of Ben Franklin’s home. For a haunted location, however, visitors need to head out to Fort Mifflin, the only preserved Revolutionary War battlefield still in existence. It was here that nearly 400 malnourished, nearly frozen, and ill soldiers refused to give up, successfully defending the fort against British forces. Families can tour the fort in the day time, or if you’re really daring, you can even ‘sleep with the ghosts’ during a fort overnight.

Why families should visit: A visit to Philadelphia should be on every family’s bucket list. Go when kids are school-aged to get the most out of the historical sites, and plan to spend at least two days to cover a whole historical itinerary. A visit to nearby Valley Forge is also a must.

Would you visit a haunted location? Have you gone on a ghost tour with kids?

Photo credit: Jim Bowen

Washington DC with kids: Touring Mount Vernon

October 3, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Date last visited:

July 2014

Distance from the interstate:

Not far from I-95.

Admission:

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

Hours of operation:

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

Dining:

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

Directions:

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

This post written in partnership with VacationRoost.com.

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

October 1, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

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

National Archives:

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

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

Ford Theater:

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

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

Festivals on the Mall:

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

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

What’s your favorite pit stop in Washington DC?

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

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