Pit Stops - Pitstops for Kids

U pick apple farms: Historic Sponsel’s Minnesota Harvest

September 30, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

Families visiting or living in the Twin Cities can get their autumn apple fix at Minnesota Harvest, one of the biggest u pick apple farms in the midwest. With more than 50 varieties of apples grown on the farm, families can certainly find their favorite, and enjoy a long growing season well into late autumn.

If you want to make a day of it, add a horseback ride through Minnesota Harvest’s picturesque countryside, or peruse the offerings at the on-site bakery. Harvest bakers keep the kitchen stocked with fritters, apple bread, and dumplings.

On weekends, artisans and crafters are on site selling local and homemade goods, so be sure to support local artists while you’re at the farm. Check their picking schedule to time your visit with your favorite harvest, or plan your visit to coincide with a weekend event, such as band performances. Every weekend in autumn includes family activities such as a petting zoo, tours of the historic farm, and wagon rides. A sunflower maze is up and running as well!

Distance from the interstate:

30 minutes from I-394.

Admission:

$2 admission on Saturdays and Sundays, which includes: wagon ride, kiddie wagon ride, the sunflower maze, and a petting zoo. BBQ is available most weekends for an additional per plate fee.

Directions:

Minnesota Harvest is located at 8251 Old Highway 169 at Apple Lover’s Lane in Jordan, Minnesota. It’s 45 minutes from Minneapolis via I-394 and MN-100.

Photo credit: Flickr/BrianBirke

Educational Travel: Is Temple Square Salt Lake City for everyone?

September 27, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

On a recent drive through Salt Lake City, we decided to stop (for the first time) at the city’s famed Temple Square, and it made me wonder: is Temple Square Salt Lake City for everyone? I’ll start with a disclaimer: we’re not of the LDS faith. Because of this, the site does not hold any symbolic or sentimental meaning to us, other than as a significant player in Utah’s rich history. We visited for the purpose of touring the grounds, enjoying the gardens, and glimpsing the beauty of the temple from the outside.

That said, we were underwhelmed. We absolutely missed some sites (and if any were must-see’s, please inform us in the comments) but we did hit the visitors centers, the home of the Tabernacle Choir, the Museum of Mormon History, and the meetinghouse adjacent to the Temple. I’d describe myself as quite informed about the Mormon religion, so the information in the visitors centers did not provide me with any significant new information, and overall, I expected the museum to feel more educational (in an historical way) than promotional. I was disappointed in this regard, as I hoped to inform my kids about Mormon history more so than Mormon theology. Perhaps this was an unrealistic expectation, as I certainly assumed religious content would play a big role.

The garden grounds were pretty and peaceful, but not inspiringly so, and while the temple itself is pretty, it simply didn’t hold the interest of my kids (who, again, have no emotional connection to it). I can see how a visit to Temple Square could be quite meaningful to an LDS family, and to anyone at special times of year (such as Christmas, when I hear it really shines), or if we’d had the chance to hear the choir, but on an average weekday, the detour to see the square fell flat.

Based on this experience alone, I suggest going to Temple Square Salt Lake City during the following times or under the following circumstances:

1. If it holds emotional, spiritual, or historical significance for your family.

2. During a special event, or to catch a musical performance. The Tabernacle Choir rehearses every Thursday at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 9:30 am. There is an organ concert three times daily. Seasonal events would also be well worth the visit.

3. If you plan to spend some time researching your family history (we did not delve into this aspect of the square).

If you do go, you’ll enjoy the following family-friendly amenities:

1. Plenty of space for your kids to stretch their legs and play quietly (within reason).

2. Clean and ample bathroom facilities and drinking fountains.

3. Good dining options.

Date last visited:

June 2013

Distance from the interstate:

Five minutes from I-80

Admission cost:

Free.

Hours of operation:

Check website.

Directions:

From I-80, take 600 So (I-80 exit), following the downtown Salt Lake City/Temple Square signs.

Tougas Family Farm: U-Pick apple orchard

September 25, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

U Pick apple orchards Massachusetts: An autumn tradition for many families, Tougas Family Farm in Northboro, Massachusetts offers some of the best apple and peach picking in the Northeast, as well as family harvest activities and harvest baked goods for purchase, such as apple cider doughnuts, freshly baked pies, and cookies.

Plan your visit to coincide with the harvest you’d like to pick by using Tougas’ picking schedule. You can also see picking conditions and best fruit selection right on the site. Throughout the summer, pick berries, then switch to peaches and apples in autumn, followed by pumpkins. Only 40 minutes from Boston, families can enjoy a city escape without needing to make a weekend or family trip of it.

Unlike some harvest festivals and farms that are more like carnivals than working produce suppliers, Tougas is still the real deal: their farm is authentic, and while you’ll find some family fun on site, the main focus here is the fruit and the communal experience of picking it yourself. Get recipes on site, and head home for a day of baking. The Tougas family has owned the farm since 1981, and it’s been a family operation exclusively since.

Find more apple picking around Boston!

Admission/Rates:

No admission charge. Rates are by the pound, and vary by fruit and season.

Distance from the interstate:

Several minutes from I-290.

Directions:

From Boston, take the Massachusetts Turnpike, I-90, west to exit #11A for I-495. Take I-495 north to exit #25B for I-290 west. Follow toward Worcester. Take exit #24, Church St., Northboro/Boylston. Turn right towards Boylston, take your first right on to Ball Street, and follow the signs up the hill!

Photo credit: Flickr/lakelou

Berkeley CA’s Adventure Playground

September 23, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

Remember playgrounds without padded mats below every surface and safety bars at every turn? Remember building forts in backyards with scraps of plywood and old nails? So does Adventure Playground Berkeley, located at the marina in Berkeley California. This play space has been in operation for 35 years, and is refreshingly unafraid of a lawsuit. We loved every minute.

Adventure Playground is a park for kids that’s a work in progress. Every structure has been created by kids, for kids out of recycled materials. Kids can run loose, playing in all the forts, climbing towers, and structures, or take part in building. Just pick up some trash or loose nails in the park and turn them in to the park staff for tools. On offer: saws, hammers, nails, paint, paintbrushes, and all the scrap wood, old tires, and other cast-off building supplies you could want.

Parents have the option of dropping off kids 7 and older for up to 3 hours unsupervised in Adventure Playground for $10/hour, or individual family groups (with fewer than five kids) can visit with parental supervision for free. (Families or playgroups with five kids or more are considered a group and need a reservation.)

We spent two hours in the park, and could have used more time. The kids immediately set to work building a ladder onto a pre-existing fort, then added a second-floor platform with the aid of a park staff member. (We were told two-story structures couldn’t be built without a railing built first, but this was the only ‘rule’ we heard all afternoon.) The kids then explored the rest of the area, playing on rope climbing nets, trying out the park zip line, and swinging from rope ladders and bars. In addition to all the building going on (construction is on-going), kids can grab a paintbrush and paint anything they like, or they can poke around in the shaded garden area with water fountains, a strawberry patch, and benches.

Tip: Wear closed-toed shoes in the park (parents too). There are a lot of loose nails on the ground, plus boards with splinters. Kids under age seven are welcome with parents, but be advised: kids under three may get hurt by the debris on the ground. The park is definitely geared toward the school-aged set.

There are no restrooms in the park proper, but a city park exists adjacent by the marina with public bathrooms and picnic grounds. Free parking.

Date last visited:

August 2013

Distance from the interstate:

Two minutes from I-80.

Admission:

Free for families. Groups are $73/2 hours.

Hours of operation:

Daily during summer; weekends 10 am – 5 pm weekends during the school calendar year.

Directions:

From I-80, take the University Ave exit in Berkeley. Follow University to the marina.

Educational Travel: Three Island Crossing State Park, Idaho

September 13, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

Back to school doesn’t have to mean only back to the books! Explore educational travel with pit stops to historic sites! Case in point: when traveling through Idaho on I-84, families may think there’s not much in the way of a pit stop past Boise. About one hour east of the Boise/Nampa area, it’s well worth a stop at Three Island Crossing State Park. Located in the town of Glenns Ferry, Three Island Crossing is the site of the Snake River crossing of the Oregon Trail. Hundreds of wagon trains crossed here where three small islands in the river allowed pioneers to sidestep the swift current (with mixed success).

The state park offers RV and tent camping, cabin stays, and an excellent interpretive center. With few motels in the area, we opted to spend a night in a Three Island Crossing cabin, which was a great pick for a casual camping experience. The cabins are located right on the Snake River in the day use area of the park (don’t follow signs to the campground). A handful of cabins dot a long lawn overlooking the river, and come equipped with electricity, heaters/air conditioners, and bunk beds for up to five. Outside, families get a covered patio with porch swing, BBQ, fire pit, and picnic table. Bathrooms are within walking distance (with showers), but these were temporarily closed during our visit. Instead, pot-a-potties were on site. Fresh water from faucets is easy to access.

The interpretive center is located between the day use and cabin area and the upper campground, and includes interactive exhibits on the Oregon Trail and the Three Island Crossing. Emphasis is placed on the intersection of not only the river and trail, but of the Euro-Americans and Native Americans at the crossing. There are thorough exhibits on the Native population in the area as well. Among our kids’ favorite displays: a packing list for the Oregon Trail, the life-sized covered wagon, and an actual Oregon and California Trail guidebook written by Langford Hastings, guide on the ill-fated Donner Party.

Date last visited:

June 2013

Distance from the Interstate:

Right off I-84.

Admission:

Day use fee applies for those visiting the interpretive center (center is free). Cabins were $45/night at time of our visit.

Operating hours:

Park: sunrise to sunset Center: 9 am to 4 pm

Directions:

From I-84, follow signs to 1083 Three Island Park Drive in Glenns Ferry.

What to do in Ketchikan Alaska with kids

September 11, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

There’s plenty to do in Ketchikan Alaska with kids! Whether in Ketchikan a day or two before or after a cruise or in the city for an extended time, there are a few must-sees.

SE Alaska Discovery Center

One of the best museums we viewed in Alaska, the SE Alaska Discovery Center is located in the heart of downtown Ketchikan, in easy walking distance of the cruise ship terminals. Start by viewing the 28 minute film, then tour through various ecosystems of Alaska, including rain forest, intertidal, and more. There are also exhibits on the fishing and crabbing industry, Alaskan Native populations and customs, and Alaskan wildlife. The museum exhibits don’t replace going out to see the ‘real thing’, but does give a great overview of the area. This stop would be best at the start of an Alaska vacation.

The museum is located at 50 Main Street. Admission is $5 per person.

Historic Creek Street

Ketchikan is known for its role as a gateway to the Klondike gold fields, and has a somewhat sordid past to reflect this pioneering history. Creek Street houses rows of historic buildings built along the pier over a large creek, most of which are now tourist shops. It’s worth a stroll along the boardwalk to catch glimpses of spawning salmon in the creek in summer and imagine what the town used to look like. A word of caution: Dolly’s, a one-time brothel, has been restored to its former glory for tours. Contrary to what the tour guides will tell you, the vast majority of parents would not consider the tour appropriate for children. The content discussed and some of the artifacts within the house are graphic. Learn from our mistake!

Misty Fjords National Monument

The best way to experience Misty Fjords National Monument is by boat. If you’re lucky enough to be cruising via small ship, you will have likely cruised through Misty Fjords, but if not, definitely include it in your day excursions. The best tour of the region: Misty Fjords and Wilderness Explorer, a 4.5 hour boat tour of the national monument run by longtime Alaskan-owned company Allen Marine. It’s easy to see wildlife aboard this two-story vessel, such as bald eagles and seals. There’s a natural onboard to point things out and answer questions, and snacks and tea and coffee are provided. We were most impressed by the 3,000 foot granite cliffs on either side of the boat, the numerous waterfalls, and New Eddystone Rock sticking out of the green-blue water.

Tip: If souvenir shopping, Ketchikan has ample opportunity to buy made-in-Alaska wares, such as Alaskan Native art or beadwork made locally. Ask shop owners whether their products are made in the state; you’d be surprised how much comes from oversees.

Exploring Mendenhall Glacier, Juneau Alaska

September 9, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

Part of the Tongass National Forest, Mendenhall Glacier is one of Alaska’s most accessible glaciers. Located just outside Juneau Alaska, Mendenhall can be driven to by tour bus or private vehicle, or can be explored from above via float plane or helicopter. While some helo tours do include a landing on the glacier, visitors arriving by car or bus will have access only to view Mendenhall and Mendenhall Lake via observation deck or trail.

Exploring Mendenhall with kids:

If possible, allow at least two hours to explore Mendenhall. Start at the visitor’s center, which is set above the entrance for optimal viewing of the glacier. Kids can look through high quality telescopes at viewing stations within the visitor’s center, and everyone will learn more about glacial activity (and Mendenhall in particular) before exploring it in person. The park service staff are very knowledgable, and though Mendenhall is run by the US Forest Service, kids can participate in a Junior Ranger curriculum. Tip: If you are on a cruise ship itinerary and don’t have time to finish, the completed booklet can be turned in in Ketchikan.

Take the Nugget Falls trail from the visitor’s center to the glacier. The trail is less than one mile on even terrain and is well maintained, and will take you to the base of the glacier and the shore of Mendenhall Lake. The rushing water of Nugget Falls flows into the lake here, creating quite the dramatic destination. This is a great place to get family photos at the glacier, and kids will burn off energy running around in the sand by the lake.

Date last visited: July 2013

Hour of operation: 8 am to 7:30 pm daily in summer. Open Fri-Sun in winter.

Directions: Mendenhall is at 6000 Glacier Spur Road. Follow signage from Juneau.

Educational Travel: California Trail Center Elko Nevada

September 6, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

Yes, you can still travel with your kids after back-to-school…just make it educational! In the following weeks, we’ll be highlighting historical and educational pit stops to explore with your school-aged kids.

The California Trail Center Elko Nevada a gem along I-80. Housed in a beautiful building just off the interstate; don’t pass it, as you won’t see another turn off to return to it for another 16 miles. This impressive museum takes visitors along the entire path of the California Trail, through a circular building that ‘starts’ in Independence, Missouri and ends in the Sacramento Valley of California. The trail itself crossing the path of this site just outside of Elko, and wagons as well as Native American wigwams are erected outside overlooking the basin.

Interactive exhibits for kids abound in the center, from small wagon replicas with wooden blocks representing supplies that kids can ‘pack’ themselves to light-up, multi-sensory maps of the various overland trails with pros and cons for each. Young kids will enjoy dressing up in period clothing (with explanations for the various articles of clothing and even a full-length mirror on-hand) and older kids will be fascinated by a well-done film about the ill-fated Donner Party. In many locations throughout the center, audio tours go into more depth, and actual quotes pulled from journals and letters give the American pioneers a voice.

Perhaps most delightful about the California Trail Center is the number of docents strolling throughout the museum, ready to answer questions and offer stories related to the history of the era. Docents wear period clothing and act as living history lessons as they exhibit settler-era rifle fire and how to cook over a buffalo-chip fire (just two examples).

We actually missed the turn-off (hence the warning above!) and returned 16 miles to visit the museum, and felt it was well worth the set-back to our travel schedule. For more Western pioneering history pit stops, check out our reviews additional I-80 pioneering museums, such as Donner Memorial State Park and Emigrant Trail Museum and of Sutter’s Fort, California.

Date last visited:

June 2013

Distance from the interstate:

Right off I-80

Admission cost:

Free!

Dining:

None. There is a grassy area that would work for a picnic, however.

Hours of operation:

Wednesday through Sunday, 9 am to 5 pm

Directions:

From I-80, take Exit 292 nine miles from Elko (look for signs).

Best Juneau day excursion: Sled Dog Discovery and Mushers’ Camp

September 4, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

If given the opportunity to visit the Sled Dog Discovery and Mushers’ Camp in Juneau Alaska, take it! It may well be the best Juneau day excursion for kids. This scenic camp deep in the Tongass National Rain Forest is a 30 minute bus ride from the Juneau cruise terminal (a camp driver will pick you up), and once there, visitors are treated to dog heaven. (Note: you should probably like dogs to enjoy this excursion!) The camp’s primary purpose (apart from tourism, of course) is as a summer training camp for sled dogs. Many Iditarod athletes are here, working out on dirt instead of snow during the summer months.

The Sled Dog Discovery experience:

We started our experience boarding a sled dog buggy (summertime sled) and meeting our musher. I was impressed that these staff members are more than just ‘drivers’: our musher had run several dog sled races, and was at the camp to exercise Iditarod dogs for their owner. We took a circuit through the rain forest of about a mile, and while this is not a long ride, and the dogs don’t go as quickly as they do on the snow, it’s still fun and scenic. Our musher said their pace is determined by the team and their training level; we had two seven-month-old pups in our team who were clearly still learning the ropes. This video below shows the experience well:

After our ride, we greeted the dogs, then met with another musher who talked with us about the racing lifestyle of the teams and owners, and allowed the kids to try on mushing jackets and other equipment. We then moved on to the highlight of our experience: meeting the puppies. The camp had two litters at the time of our visit and we were all able to hold and cuddle the weeks-old puppies. What fun!

While waiting for your bus ride back to Juneau, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and cider is available, and guests can warm up by a bonfire. The entire camp is beautiful; make sure to take the time to walk across the suspension bridge over a flowing creek!

Date last visited: July 2013

Cost: $129 for adults, $89 for kids

Directions: Meet at the Juneau cruise terminal directly off the ships.

We experienced the sled dog camp as part of our Alaskan Dream Cruise experience, for the purpose of review.

Juneau Alaska with kids: lesser known Mt. Roberts Tramway hiking

September 2, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

If you’re experiencing Juneau Alaska with kids, you’re most likely arriving by cruise ship. If you’re very lucky, you’re cruising via a small-ship cruise, disembarking ahead of the masses, but even if you’re onboard a large cruise ship, families can escape the crowds of downtown Juneau. The trick is getting kids to pass up the Juneau souvenir shops lining the dock in favor of harder-to-reach but rewarding hiking spots.

The Mt. Roberts Tramway is located in the heart of touristy downtown, and costs a whopping $31 per adult, $15 per child to ride (we recommend you do so via a cruise excursion instead, or buy a combination pass), but once you’re on the tram, you leave downtown behind. The views on the ride up are amazing (even during partly foggy or rainy weather), and once at the top, it’s fairly easy to ditch the crowds by skipping (yet more) souvenir shops and the top-of-mountain restaurant. Head to the nature center, where (amid even more souvenirs!) kids can find information about the mountains here, including what wildlife to be looking for. Hint: there are mountain goats up here!

From the nature center, the Alpine Loop Trail is only .5 mile, but fairly steep with commanding views. (Bring binoculars.) From this loop, it’s easy to add more length by taking one of the many side trails (they all end up eventually back on the Alpine Loop and then back at the nature center.

If you want to escape humanity entirely, opt to hike the trail back down to Juneau (instead of taking the tram back down). The trail is clearly marked on Mt. Roberts’ trail maps (pick one up when you arrive), and doesn’t take as long as you’d think…probably because it’s all downhill. This said, the way is steep and often slippery. We recommend kids be at least eight years old (you are your child’s best judge) and that everyone has good footwear. Do not attempt in rain. The trail will deposit you on the opposite end of downtown Juneau from the tram (approximately a 10 minute walk back). The plus side of ending away from the tourist zone: you will pass several historic houses (including one resided in by Sarah Palin) en route back to the main drag.

Hiking in Juneau is a great way to experience the beautiful scenery here (and I bet you’ll still have time to buy a t-shirt or two). Stop for lunch after hiking at The Hanger, located right on the bay. The kids will enjoy watching the float planes take off and land, and the food is fast and delicious.