Pit Stops - Pitstops for Kids

Summer in Big Bear with kids

July 26, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

The town of Big Bear Lake may be Southern California’s favorite snow destination in winter, but this small community has a lot going on in summer, too. An easy drive from San Bernardino, CA, Big Bear is at a respectable 6752 feet in elevation, making it a legit mountain destination for families, with pine forests, wildlife, and plenty of hiking and biking. Here’s what to do and where to stay in summer in Big Bear with kids.

Spend time on the lake with a local:

Big Bear may be a tourist town, but it’s also a thriving year-round community that draws unique individuals to the mountain lifestyle. You can often find these residents at local watering holes (read on for a list), but the best way to tap into this great resource if you have kids in tow is to get out on the lake with Captain John. Captain John’s marina is located on the ‘quiet’ side of the lake in Fawnskin, right on North Shore Drive. He offers paddle boarding and boat rentals, but also guided tours of the lake in his own Duffy boat, which I highly recommend. Yes, you can sail with John himself, who has lived in Big Bear for decades. John is a wealth of knowledge about the area, and gives a great overview of the lake’s history in a way that will entertain everyone. Boat tours are approximately $20 per person, which is a great deal for what you get. Bonus: after or before your boat trip, play a round of frisbee golf on-site, for free!

Play on Snow Summit:

During winter, Snow Summit and Bear Mountain (now under the umbrella of Mammoth Mountain) provide a great place to teach kids how to ski. In summer, Snow Summit is the place for hiking, mountain biking, and chair lift rides. Lift tickets are available for single trips (for hiking down or simply eating a meal at the on-mountain restaurant), or available per day, for lift-served mountain biking.

Snow Summit has a full-service bike rental shop with Trek bikes designed specifically for single track mountain biking trails, which also rents out helmets and pads. Once on the lift, there are several gravity-based single track trails to choose from. Coming down the face of the mountain, the trails are intermediate and advanced (blue and black), but a green to blue option is available along Skyline (turning left at the top). If you’re a beginning mountain biker, get a lesson and ask about the skill builder park, a smaller track set up near the base area for practicing on terrain and features. Freeride and downhill bike rentals start at $68 for three hours for kids and $93 for adults (all day rentals also available), and lift tickets are $44 and $27 (child).

As an intermediate mountain biker, I loved the blue trails, both for the challenge of the terrain and the wooded, mountain setting. We stayed cool in the forest, and experienced mostly downhill with only a few climbs (all the better for stretching out the run). It took us the better part of an hour to come all the way down (with frequent breaks). Some of Snow Summit’s trails are actually ‘adopted’ from the forest service, which means they’re open to anyone to bike up and down without a lift ticket. If you have your own bikes with you and want a workout, ask for directions to the bottom of the forest service trails.

Hiking:

Downhill and uphill hiking are, of course, available at Snow Summit, but many additional options are easily accessible from Big Bear. The Wonderland Trail nature trail is only 1.5 miles (loop) with 20 posted stops.Use it as a self-guided tour to learn about the botany, geology and wildlife of this area. If you’re looking for longer trails, check this resource. If you have young kids, the Discovery Center is a great pit stop, with a nature ‘classroom’ of its own where kids can learn about animal species and ecology, plus an indoor area staffed with knowledgable volunteers. Note: this center is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Big Bear Alpine Zoo:

I never recommend a zoo unless I’ve checked it out personally and feel it cares properly for its animals The Big Bear Alpine Zoo has a misleading name, because it’s actually a rescue center for animals who cannot live in the wild due to injury or other situations. The staff is caring and knowledgable, and the small zoo is filled with shaded, well-maintained enclosures with grizzly bears, black bears, dear, raccoons, bald eagles, mountain lions, wolves, foxes, and many other animals. Plan to spend about an hour here! Admission is $12 for adults and $9 for kids, and you can know it’s going to a good cause.

Where to stay:

You can’t do Big Bear Lake justice in just a day. Plan to spend a long weekend in Big Bear with kids at The Lodge at Big Bear Lake. This hotel offers pretty standard rooms and a decent outdoor pool, but wins in our book because of the excellent made-to-order included breakfast at the attached restaurant. It’s also located in the heart of town, so families can easily walk to restaurants and shops.

Where to eat:

Like many small mountain towns, Big Bear Lake has many options for families. Throughout the walkable downtown core, you’ll find plenty of candy and ice cream shops, coffee shops, and restaurants. The best, according to us:

The Pines: for fine dining on the lake (date night, maybe?) The Pines takes great pride in its menu and has multiple specials per night. Locals tell us you could return many times before ever ordering the same thing twice. The Pines frequently has live music as well. 350 Alden Rd, Big Bear Lake

Big Bear Lake Brewing Company: This brewery is located right downtown and has indoor and outdoor seating. We recommend Mom and Dad order a beer flight to share, and everyone will love the burgers and salads. If the kids get restless, you can show them the brewing room (open to walk into). 40827 Stone, Big Bear Lake

Moonridge Coffee Company: Moonridge Coffee is located near the zoo, and is a charming and cozy coffee shop run by owners originally from Sisters, Oregon. 42646 Moonridge Rd, Big Bear Lake

Grown-up bars recommended by local Captain John:

I promised to list a few watering holes recommended by Big Bear local and boat captain John. When you go on a boat tour, ask him for his recommendations yourself, but these are a few ideas he gave me. Bonus: Captain John plays music at many of these venues on various nights of the week, sometimes with his local friend and musician Art Harriman.

Whisky Dave’s: 40740 Village Dr, Big Bear Lake

Captain’s Anchorage: 42148 Moonridge Way, Big Bear Lake

Murray’s Saloon: 672 Cottage Ln, Big Bear Lake

Directions:

Big Bear Lake is easily accessible from all points in Southern California. It’s one hour from San Bernardino on Highway 330 to Highway 18.

Pin for later!

As I disclose whenever applicable, I experienced Big Bear Lake as a guest of the destination, for the purpose of review. All opinions are my own.

Everything you need to know about visiting Toronto

July 6, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

There is really so much to like about Toronto. Toronto is the capital city of Ontario and it offers a wealth of fun activities. Plus, it is known for its diverse population. Within this guide, you will learn all about visiting Toronto and having a blast.

When To Visit?

To ensure that your trip is enjoyable, you’ll want to visit Toronto at the right time. Thankfully, Toronto is amazing throughout the year. You can visit in fall, late spring or early summer and have a great time. During these periods, you’ll have little to no trouble walking through the city. You should also think about visiting during September. After all, this is when the city hosts the Toronto International Film Festival and others.

Transportation

It is also pertinent to make sure that you’re going to be able to travel from attraction to attraction. Thankfully, Toronto offers plenty of transportation options. Renting a vehicle is a good idea if you’ve got the money and want extra freedom. However, you can also rely on the local transportation. There is an underground subway system. Or, you can take advantage of the buses and streetcars. If you want a little more privacy, you can always rent a taxi or an Uber. Either way, you shouldn’t have any problem traveling through the city.

The Weather

A lot of people are not fond of cold weather. Others hate hot weather. With this in mind, you need to learn a little more about the weather that Toronto experiences. July tends to be the hottest month. The average high is right around 70 degrees. January is the coldest. If you do not want to experience the extremes, you’ll definitely want to stay away during these times. Visit somewhere in the middle and you’ll enjoy your trip even more!

Before You Go

Before you head for Canada, you’re going to need to make sure that you have everything you need. You’ll need to pack the right clothing and you’ll need the required documentation. While it depends on where you’re traveling from, you’ll probably need a visa and an ETA. You can fill out the Canada ETA application online pretty easily. Getting your visa shouldn’t be too difficult either. With that being said, you should not let these speedbumps hold you back!

Finding Lodging

Unless you’re going to be sleeping on the street or with a family member, you’ll need to rent lodging in Toronto. Most of the major chains will have several locations in Toronto. If you want to get away from the crowds, you’ll probably want to avoid the downtown area and Malton. You can find some great motels at good prices on Younge Street. This is a good option for tourists, because you won’t have to walk far to reach the major attractions.

Dinosaur National Monument with Kids

July 4, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

Spanning both Utah and Colorado, Dinosaur National Monument is a national park destination too massive to tackle in a day, or even a few days. During our visit, we opted to check out only one section of the park, on the Utah side, but we tasted just enough of this park to know we’ll be back. Here’s how to plan a trip to Dinosaur National Monument with kids:

Know the lay of the land:

There are two visitors centers in the monument: Quarry and Canyon, which also represent the major points of access to the park. Quarry is located on Highway 40 in Utah near Vernal, at Jensen. It’s a short drive from the highway. Canyon is located further east on 40 on the Colorado side, with Deerlodge Park even further east. The Gates of Lodore access is on the opposite end of the park, to the north off 34 in Colorado. The entire park is filled with rivers and canyons (the Green River as well as the Yampa). Here’s what to do at each section.

Quarry:

This is your spot for viewing the dinosaur fossils Dinosaur National Monument is known for. Start at the visitors center and watch the short film on the discovery of dino fossils, then check out the exhibits until you’re ready to board the free open-air shuttle to the Quarry Exhibit Hall. This is a must-do: here, you’ll see the great wall of dinosaur bones embedded in the rock (preserved in this way so visitors can see how the ‘log jams’ of bones came to be, under layers of soil). You can even touch some of the 149-million-year-old fossils. Additional exhibits explain what you’re looking at, as do park rangers on duty.

After shuttling up to the exhibit hall, we recommend taking the short Fossil Discovery Trail on the way back down. It’s not shaded, so plan on this one early in the day, but it’s downhill, and there are three spur trails that will lead you to more fossils and even some petroglyphs along the trail. Take the free audio driving tour next, which leads you to more petroglyphs, or the longer Sound of Silence Trail or Desert Voices Trail. Shaded picnic areas are adjacent to the visitor center.

Canyon:

Aptly named, this is the gateway to Dinosaur National Monument’s canyon country. There are no dino fossils in this section of the park. You can drive the 31-mile Harpers Corner Road and hike a Harpers Corner (a short hike suited for kids). This section of the park is open seasonally however, as it gets very wet and sometimes impassible.

Deerlodge Park is the launching point for Yampa River trips, whereas the Gates of Lodore area is the launching point for Green River trips.

If you want to add a river rafting trip to your exploration of Dinosaur National Monument, we suggest going on OARS Rafting’s Gates of Lodore or Yampa rafting trip, to be fully immersed in the park in ways not possible by car on one’s own.

Fun things for families in San Francisco

June 27, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

San Francisco is one of the top destinations on the West Coast for families! With so much history, culture, and fun activities there’s so much to see and do no matter what your family is interested in! Traveling with kids can be stressful, that’s why it’s so important to plan activities in advance so you always have fun things planned! Hiring airport transfers to SFO should also be a part of your plan if you want a hassle-free travel going to your preferred destination and back to the airport. Once in the city, whether you opt for Bike Rentals San Francisco or a children’s museum, you’re guaranteed to have a great time with the entire family!

Bike Rentals

San Francisco is such a gorgeous city, it’s perfect for exploring by bike! You can find a variety of bike rentals that are perfect for families. With kid equipment, tandem bikes, and surrey’s, there are a lot of ways to elevate your bike experience. Tour the bay area with the sea breeze at your side! Ride bikes to your favorite attractions or just tour your favorite park in a new way. You’ll feel like a local in no time.

California Academy of Sciences

Though the California Academy of Sciences sounds like it might not have many things for kids and families, it’s actually one of the best things to do in San Francisco. The California Academy of Sciences has things like a four-story rainforest walkthrough as well as a planetarium. Explore the deep blue sea with the Steinhart Aquarium or experience an earthquake with the earthquake simulator. With a lot of attractions and hands-on activities for kids, it’s the perfect way to spend a day!

Exploratorium

For more of an educational experience, spend a few hours exploring the San Francisco Exploratorium! Specifically designed for kids of all ages, you’ll learn about things like natural disasters, electricity, and engineering all under one roof! With so much to see and do and a rotating list of exhibits, this museum is particularly perfect for families!

Pier 45

Pier 45 in Fisherman’s Wharf is home to one of San Francisco’s most historic attractions! You can tour a real WWII submarine which now calls Pier 45 home. This submarine went on a total of 6 missions in its lifetime and it’s still intact as a floating museum! For kids interested in submarines and history, this is a great way to spend a few hours! See the USS Pampanito for yourself to step into a real piece of US history.

The Coastal Trail

For outdoor enthusiasts, take in a perfect day in San Francisco by walking the Coastal Trail! This is a San Francisco staple which starts at SF Presidio and goes all the way to Ocean Beach. You can start or stop anywhere on the trail, and you’ll want to bring your camera! You can capture the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge as well as the beautiful blue water down below! Even if you don’t enjoy hiking usually, this is a trail you and your family won’t want to miss!

Ride the Cable Cars

Who said family-friendly activities have to cost a lot of money? Hop aboard one of the many cable cars in the city and go for a ride! While there are many lines to choose from, one of the local favorites is the Powell/Hyde line. This line goes from Union Square to Fisherman’s Wharf and it’s known for its stunning city views! You’ll also get to ride down one of the steepest streets in the city. Your kids might even think it’s a ride!

Are you ready to take a great trip to San Francisco with your family? Known as one of the most family-friendly cities in California, you can’t go wrong with a trip to San Francisco! With so much to see and do, not to mention stunning views, you’ll want to come back again and again!

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.

Fair Wind Big Island Kealakekua Snorkel Cruise review

June 1, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

Note: The Big Island is tourism-ready and Fair Wind is open for business after Hawaii’s recent lava flows.

Snorkeling on the west coast of Hawaii (the Big Island) is always a hit due to the incredibly clear water on the dry side of the island, and there’s nowhere better than Kealakekua Bay. This calm, sheltered bay is the home of the Captain Cook Monument and is well known for its clear water, pods of dolphins, and the multitude of fish. However, it’s hard to get here on your own!

Fair Wind Big Island Kealakekua Snorkel Cruise review:

Visitors can hike into the Captain Cook Monument (a four mile round trip hike, often hot and exposed), kayak across the bay (with the proper permits only; keep in mind that you are not permitted to dock your kayak at the monument, so you’ll have to have it attached to you while you snorkel), or join a boat tour such as the Fair Wind Big Island Ocean Guides. We chose the latter, and couldn’t have been happier with our choice!

Upon arrival at the Fair Wind offices in Keauhou Bay, we were fitted for masks and snorkels (fins were supplied on the boat) and provided with plenty of reef-safe sunscreen. If you don’t have your own, don’t worry—there was plenty available on the boat before, during, and after snorkeling. Once on board, we had a continental breakfast of muffins, quiche, fruit, and coffee while we cruised toward Kealakekua Bay. We even had a pod of spinner dolphins escort us around the point and into the bay! After a brief safety talk with info on where and where not to snorkel, we headed into the water for two and a half hours. Of course, because we had kids in our group (7 and 9 years old), they couldn’t resist trying out some of the other entertainment options on board. The Fair Winds II has two slides off the back of the boat that send the rider flying about 6 feet above the water. Needless to say, this was a big hit! There’s also a high dive off the top deck (my favorite!). Because we had so much time to spend in the bay, we found that we had plenty of time to enjoy the slides and high-dive without feeling like we were missing out on snorkeling.

Lunch was served near the end of the snorkel time, and gave us a chance to come in from the water for a little break. I found that one of the best things about having breakfast and lunch included was that we didn’t have to worry about lugging a cooler, sandwiches, etc. onto the boat and were able to pack light and enjoy the ride.

We had a great time on the Morning Kealakekua Snorkel and BBQ Cruise with Fair Wind; I would even say that no trip to the Big Island is complete without a snorkel experience in Kealakekua Bay.

Prices:

The morning cruise (2.5 hours snorkel time, plus breakfast and lunch): $149/adult; $89/child, + taxes and fees

For a less expensive option, consider the afternoon cruise to Kealakekua Bay (1.5 hours snorkel time, snacks only, same boat as the morning cruise): $89/adult; $49/child + taxes and fees

Disclosure: we experienced this snorkel cruise at a discounted media rate, for the purpose of review.

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!

How to get the most from your golfing getaway

April 25, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

Once upon a time, it would be fair to say that the golfing getaway was almost going out of fashion. Sure, they’ve always had the excitement factor (for those who are obviously into golf), but they often came with extortionate costs.

If you pick the wrong area of the world, at the wrong time, these costs can still exist. However, there’s no doubt that golfing holidays are becoming more cost-efficient, and ultimately increasing in popularity. Whether you head to The Belfry or Sawgrass; the very best courses in the world are acceptable.

In a bid to allow you to get as much as possible from your next golfing vacation, this guide has been put together. Let’s now take a look at some of the best tips to facilitate this.

Think twice about taking your own gear

In the art of saving money initially, it can be all-too-easy to fall for the first prices that airlines charge for your flight. In doing so, you don’t take into account the “extras” they charge – one of which can be for taking your own clubs.

It’s not been unheard of for some airlines to charge in excess of £70 for golf clubs and suffice to say, this adds a considerable amount to your budget.

As such, you need to work out firstly if you really need your clubs, and secondly if it’s more cost effective to just hire them at your chosen destination. In the case of the former, hiring other clubs might not be an option if yours are heavily customized, or if you simply struggle to use others. The second is all about your own research and finding out how much is charged in the destination you are heading.

Is there more to the region than just golf?

It’s a golfing holiday and the general consensus is that you should just think about playing. Of course, it never quite plays out like that. While you will be on the course for four or five hours a day, this is actually a small portion of your entire holiday.

Bearing this in mind, always make sure you ask the question on what you will be doing in those other hours. Is there any sort of nightlife nearby? Does the resort have a spa or pool? Will you simply be satisfied if it’s just your group hanging around the apartment? The answers to these questions can also affect your budget as it goes without saying that if boredom does set in, you’ll be quickly paying for a taxi to take you somewhere else during the spare hours.

How many courses are nearby?

In a similar vein, are you heading to an area with just one course, or are there plenty nearby? This again relates to possible boredom that sets in. After all, if you have arranged for your break to span a week, by the time you reach day four you will probably be tired of teeing up on the same course again.

Some of you might be happy with this, but for those who want a bit of variety, your initial research is of paramount importance.

Santa Fe with kids: dining, shopping, and touring

April 20, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

When most parents think of Santa Fe, New Mexico, spas and art galleries come to mind. However, this small town in the high desert has its share of kid-friendly activities. Here where to go, where to eat, and where to shop if vacationing in Santa Fe with kids.

Attractions:

There are a few must-sees in Santa Fe with kids. To start, you’ll want to tour the Plaza and Palace of the Governors with kids, which is located in the heart of downtown and within walking distance of most hotels. Historically a trading center, the Palace of the Governors features a shaded walkway filled daily with local artisans; the Native Americans here get their spot by lottery. Wares range from small handmade trinkets for a few dollars to $400 fired bowls and other pottery.

Also in the Plaza is the Five and Dime, a kitchy souvenir store filled top-to-bottom with fun gifts and foods. Be sure to head to the back of the store to try a Frito Pie; this Santa Fe treat is a bag of Fritos filled with chili, cheese, and toppings. Many other shops line the square, including Rippel, featuring authentic silver buckles and innovative hand-crafted jewelry, but even better for kids is the outdoor market area one block toward the Loretto Chapel and La Fonda Hotel on E. San Francisco: here you’ll find baskets of low-cost gems, necklaces, bracelets, and trinkets.

Canyon Road features over 100 of the world’s finest art galleries, but if your kids won’t last long in this environment (mine don’t!) head left of the Canyon Road entrance to the site of Fort Marcy and the Cross of the Martyrs. This regional park includes a short walkway up the hill to the site of the original fort from the 19th century, and offers a beautiful view of the city. Get your art fix by visiting the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, ideal for kids.

For adventure in the high desert, join Santa Fe Walkabouts for a 4×4 ride along historic Route 66 to see remnants from the Camino Real trading route and a fun drive to the bottom of a steep mesa.

Want to travel the US? Learn more about traveling to the US with ESTA.

Dining:

When choosing dining options in Santa Fe with kids, plan a meal at each of two restaurants, both located near downtown on Guadalupe Street. The Cowgirl Hall of Fame is well-known as a local watering hole with nightly live entertainment, but this fun and funky restaurant is so much more. Head to the back of this meandering establishment to find an outdoor seating area in a courtyard featuring a full-sized children’s play structure, plus chalkboard walls and other toys. Listen to the live music, enjoy one of many local microbrews on tap or a great margarita, and let the kids play! The food here ranges from burgers and fries to authentic New Mexican cuisine. We recommend the nachos as an appetizer.

Across the street at the railway depot is Tomasitas, with the most authentic Northern New Mexican cuisine in the city (according to locals). Tomasitas is completely casual, making it an excellent pick for kids, plus serves up the best margarita I’ve ever had. The guacamole and blue corn chips pair with the margarita perfectly, and their entrees range from enchiladas, tacos, chile rellenos, and tamales. All meals come with authentic sopaipilla (fried bread) and feature green or red chiles in the New Mexican tradition. Ask your server to have the chile sauce on the side if you’re not used to it: it’s very hot, but delicious! A kids’ menu is available, and restless kids can go outside with a parent to watch for trains.

Check out our review of the Inn and Spa at Loretto, our Santa Fe lodging pick.

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.