4175 Highway 101 North, Tillamook, Oregon Located conveniently along scenic Highway 101 between the tourist towns of Cannon Beach and Lincoln City, the Tillamook Cheese Factory makes for a great pit stop and picnic lunch spot (1-2 hours max). You can take a self-guided tour of the production floor (viewed from above), then sample all the cheese you want (yes you read that right!). Definitely … [Read more...]
Cave Campground California
April 1, 2010 By
Junct. of Hwy 89 and Hwy 44 Hat Creek, CA Part of the Lassen National Forest, Cave Campground near Hat Creek makes for a nice pit stop along Hwy 89, especially if you only have time for a bathroom break and maybe a picnic lunch. (If you have more time at your disposal, consider hiking to the falls at nearby McArthur Burney State Park.) The campground, open with full services April through … [Read more...]
Kid Time! Discovery Experience
March 23, 2010 By
Kid Time!, previously K.I.D.S, is a great place to stop and play while driving I-5 or just visiting the Rogue Valley, especially if the weather isn't cooperating. A large, hands-on kids' museum and play space, Kid Time has lots of imaginary place areas, including a store, a kitchen, a lemonade stand, a full stage and costumes, a camping set-up complete with tent, picnic table, and camping … [Read more...]
Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium
March 18, 2010 By
5400 N. Pearl St. Tacoma, Washington If you're looking for a zoo that's easy to access off the freeway but rivals the big names, stop at Tacoma's Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. Exhibits and sections include an Asian forest, marine discovery center, aquarium, polar exhibit, and red wolf sanctuary. The newly added Kid Zone is a great place to let kids run around and explore. From the … [Read more...]
Science Center of Iowa
March 11, 2010 By
401 West Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway Des Moines, IA The Science Center of Iowa is an ideal place to stop and play for at least several hours. There are shows and demonstrations scheduled throughout the day, no matter how high the attendance, which is nice on uncrowded weekdays. Visit the IMAX theater as well (currently showing Avatar) and the star theater for night sky demonstrations. From … [Read more...]
Cantrall Buckley County Park
March 5, 2010 By
Cantrall Road Ruch, Oregon If you're exploring the pioneer town of Jacksonville (10 minutes off I-5) and have more time to spend, drive out into the Applegate Valley and visit Cantrall Buckley County Park. Set on the shores of the Applegate River, Cantrall Buckley has a long, sloping lawn and picnic areas. The river is slow-moving in this area and great for wading, minnow-fishing (bring nets!) … [Read more...]
Andalo’s Clubhouse
March 4, 2010 By
420 High Street Portsmouth, VA The Children's Museum of Virginia is currently closed for renovations, and in the meantime, they're diecting families toward Andalo's Clubhouse in Portsmouth. While not as extensive as a full children's museum, Andalo's does the job as a place for kids to stop and play on a dreary winter day or while traveling. You'll find the usual imaginative play centers, such … [Read more...]
The Petersen Urban Wildlife Refuge
March 2, 2010 By
1400 Delmarva Lane Wilmington, DE The Russell W. Petersen Urban Wildlife Refuge is 212 acres of protected urban wetland along the Christina River just outside downtown Wilmington. Reviewer Mara of The Mother of All Trips writes, "The place is a fascinating intersection of the industrial and the natural. Freight trains thunder over a sculptural bridge that spans the river. To the north, the … [Read more...]
Mrs. Grossman’s Sticker Factory
February 23, 2010 By
3810 Cypress Dr. Petaluma, CA If you look back with longing to your sticker-trading days, you won't want to pass up a stop at Mrs. Grossman' Sticker Factory in Petaluma, CA. Free one-hour tours run multiple times per day, and include a video, a guided tour of the sticker factory, a fun sticker craft, a visit to their sticker museum, where you can see every sticker Mrs. Grossman's has ever … [Read more...]
Moab, Utah and Arches National Park
February 16, 2010 By
Since not all great places to stop with kids are along the major interstates, Pitstops for Kids! has added a new series called Off the Beaten Path. First up, beautiful Moab, Utah and its surrounding areas. We had the pleasure of visiting Moab while touring national parks of the southwest, and quickly realized we could have happily spent many more than the one night we'd reserved in the town. … [Read more...]
