Fall Festivals - Pitstops for Kids

Five haunted hotels worth visiting this Halloween…if you dare

October 28, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

My kids tend to be frightened by kid-friendly haunted houses, let alone a haunted hotel, but if yours are made of heartier stock, a stay at one of the following haunted hotels might be just what you need for a memorable Halloween vacation.

The Grove Park Inn, Asheville, NC:

Rumor has it that the ghost known as the Pink Lady has been haunting the hallways of the historic Grove Park Inn for more than half a century. If you happen to catch a glimpse ghost-hunters’ style, you’ll know her by her flowing pink gown. This young woman was a guest in Room 545 in the 1920’s before either jumping or being pushed to her untimely death in the Main Inn’s Palm Court five floors below. Sightings of the Pink Lady still occur, most often by children.

The Homestead, Hot Springs, VA:

One of the top family resorts in Virginia, the Homestead enjoys a long history since opening in 1766. Reportedly, the 14th floor remains haunted to this day after a jilted bride took her own life in the early 1900s. Look for her waiting for her husband-to-be’s return while not enjoying the Homestead’s many recreational family activities.

Omni Mount Washington Resort, Bretton Woods, NH:

The Omni Mount Washington is known for its fantastic mountain scenery and outdoor activities, but indoors, the ghost of the wife of railroad tycoon (and resort builder) Joseph Stickney haunts the hallway surrounding Room 314. Visitors to this room have reported seeing the woman sitting on the edge of the bed. To play upon this haunted theme, the Omni is offering a Haunted Canopy Tour in late October, during which families can fly above the trees in the dark, dodging what may be more ghosts…and a goblin or two?

The Peery, Salt Lake City, UT:

The historic Peery Hotel, an Ascend Hotel Collection Member, is a Salt Lake tradition. Built in the late 19th century, the hotel is the oldest in the city and offers a rich history with Prairie-style architecture. Recently remodeled into a luxury boutique hotel this year, the hotel offers modern amenities but the past still haunted the hotel today. Guests have reported saying an old hotel guest still hasn’t checked out and still haunted the elevators. Some guests have even reported hearing bangs and seeing things slide across the floor. Even if you don’t believe in ghosts, the hotel is the perfect place to stay in Salt Lake City where you’re near Temple Square, Capitol Theatre and within walking distance of downtown.

Hotel Del Coronado, San Diego CA:

A famed San Diego landmark, the Hotel Del Coronado is know for more than just luxury family vacations. As the story goes, the ghost of Kate Morgan, still haunts the hotel in the form of cold spots and breezes. Morgan checked into the Coronado to meet with her estranged husband, then shot herself on the nearby beach when he never showed. When not seeking out her ghost, families will want to take advantage of the Southern California sunshine and less traditional Halloween activities such a surf lessons and sandcastle building.

Have you stayed in a haunted hotel? Did you check out immediately, or enjoy the thrill of it?

5 haunted hotels to visit this Halloween

5 fun yet creepy places to spend Halloween

October 20, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

If you’re a wimp about the supernatural like me and my family, you’ll be content to spend Halloween safely at home, carving a few jack-o-lanterns and calling it a night. If however, you and your kids are made of heartier stock, read on to find five of the most fun, yet creepy places to spend Halloween this year.

1. Gettysburg, PA:

Don’t get me wrong…we love Gettysburg, but it can feel creepy after dark, no matter the season. If that’s your thing, stay at the Federal Pointe Inn, Gettysburg, PA, located right in town. The historic boutique inn was once a school in 1896. Today, the inn has been beautifully restored to complement its rich past and the history of the town. The inn is located within walking distance of downtown Gettysburg where you can take a candlelight walking tour. Find more tours and haunted offerings in our guide to the town of Gettysburg.

2. Virginia City, Nevada:

Want to spend Halloween in a lovely yet slightly creepy mining boomtown? Of course you do! Virginia City is a great place to teach kids about early pioneering and mining history in the Sierra Nevada, but in autumn, the area’s somewhat seedy past–filled with gunfights and card sharks–takes on a delightfully ghoulish air.

Affectionately called ‘Hauntober’, families can use the Virginia City Comstock Adventure Pass to gain entry into the town’s many museums, living history houses, and mine tours. There’s even a very frightful (yet also highly educational) cemetery in town. Step inside a dark mine, just as early miners did over a century ago, and if you’re brave enough, take one of the town’s many ghost tours (many take place in saloons but are still teen-friendly).

3. Salem, Massachusetts:

Want to be super creeped out this Halloween? Go to the epicenter for hauntings, Salem MA. Best known as the location of the infamous Salem Which Trials, this region plays up their place in history with psychic walks, dark tours, and haunted trolley rides, none of which is for the faint of heart. If you have kids who can handle the dark chapter in history, take a visit to the Witch House museum on the corner of North and Essex Streets. Want something a bit more tame? Salem also hosts a fun costume parade for children and plenty of harvest foods and street foods. Plan your trip to Salem here.

4. New Orleans, Louisiana:

Combine a scary Halloween night with some outdoor adventure and excitement with a visit to New Orleans’ eerie Manchac Swamp, where ancient trees and wispy Spanish moss cast an air of mystery and intrigue. If the hair on the back of your arm is standing up when you visit, there’s a reason: hundreds died in this swamp during a tidal wave, earning it the nickname ‘haunted swamp’.

In the city, plenty of evening walks, ghost tours, and lantern-light costume dramas vie for attention to creep you out. Then there’s the city’s love of voodoo…adding to the ghostly and otherworldly atmosphere. Check out Haunted History Tours in the French Quarter. Need somewhere to stay? Consider a stay at a New Orleans hostel.

5. Estes Park, Colorado:

Estes Park makes the list thanks to the town’s creepiest hotel, also known as one of the most haunted in the nation. The Stanley Hotel is known for two things: its ideal views and location near Rocky Mountain National Park, and being the inspiration behind Stephen King’s The Shining. Multiple witnesses (aka guests) have declared the hotel haunted, as well as the hotel’s founder, F. O. Stanley.

Of course, after braving a night in the lovely Stanley Hotel, take some time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park, which is breathlessly beautiful in the late fall. You might even forget how frightened you were.

Check out five more haunted hotels to visit this Halloween.

5 fun yet creepy places to spend Halloween

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Grown-up Getaway: What to do in Breckenridge in fall

October 18, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

Why would you go to Breckenridge in fall? As one local resident, mountain bike pro, and chef put it, “Why wouldn’t you?” Autumn is a special time in this Colorado mountain town.

When I arrived in mid-September, I half-expected a ghost town: after all, Breck is known for skiing. Instead, I found a town alive with a quiet, happy hum of activity: tourists and locals alike were enjoying the fall weather while hiking, biking, and enjoying special events only found in Breck in fall. Here’s what to do with a weekend getaway with or without the kids:

Go hiking:

Leaf peeping is at its peak in September! For a challenging hike, head up Spruce Creek Road (just a few miles out of town off Hwy 9) and park at Spruce Creek Trailhead. The Spruce Creek Trail takes hikers through alpine forests for just over two miles, then connects with the Mohawk Lakes Trail. This final 1.7 mile section gets steep, past snow melt waterfalls and the remains of mining structures en route to Lower and Upper Mohawk lakes…well worth the effort. Look for mountain goats and plenty of fall color on the slopes opposite.

Need more ideas for local hikes or want to hike with an expert? Contact CBST Adventures in town and go with a pro!

Get a massage:

While in Breck, I had the best massage of my life at Harmony Health Massage and Wellness Spa. What made it so special? Owner and massage therapist Inanna Hall, who took on the task of getting travel day stress out of my shoulders and neck from a holistic, almost spiritual approach. Her philosophy is to approach any massage from an intuitive angle, and it showed. I had one of her synergy massages, and added a session with oxygen for only $30. This is a smart thing to do while adjusting to Breckenridge’s high altitude.

Get on a mountain bike:

There’s more mountain biking in and around Breckenridge than you’ll know what to do with. Pick up a hiking and biking trail map when you arrive, and use the universal green (easy), blue (intermediate), and black (expert) color coding to pick your routes. Most of the marked trails around town are single or double track, though dirt roads can be tacked on for good measure. As a beginner-intermediate mountain biker, these are the trails I tackled:

Lower Flume: Access the Lower Flume trail directly from town via the recreational bike path (more on that below). From the Breckenridge Recreation Center, follow the path out of town to where it connects with Lower Flume. Or, follow Main Street down to the 7-Eleven, turn right, and access from the recycling center.
Betty’s Trail: Find this intermediate trail right off Reiling Road. It’s just under one mile, and parallels the road most of the way (you won’t get disoriented). While it goes up and down, it’s not too rocky, though you’ll want to take care on the sharp turns.
Turk’s Trail and Reiling Drudge Trail: Further up Reiling, a parking lot offers access to a wider network of trails, including intermediate Turk’s and easy (and short) Reiling Drudge. Turk’s has quite the incline and tends to be rocky, but intermediate to advanced riders will love that it connects to more in the blue category, or can be looped with easy B&B.The Reiling Drudge Trail is fun because of the historical plaques marking remnants of mining history in the area.
XLOU8: My favorite intermediate trail I experienced, XLOU8 can be accessed from the same Reiling Drudge parking lot, and connects to Minnie Mine trail. It’s up and down, fairly free of rocks, and has an interesting mine to ride past.
Pence Miller: This intermediate trail can be accessed directly from Mountain Thunder Lodge via a short access trail. It winds above the resort area at the bottom section of the ski runs.

Pick up a mountain bike to rent for the day or multiple days at Avalanche Sports, located on North Main. They’ll give you a helmet, which is essential. Also bring water, a snack, and a layer or two for any ride. While it’s easy to return back to town fairly quickly from most easy and intermediate trails, it’s still good to be prepared for any weather. Find trail maps here.

Not sure you want to mountain bike? Take the recreational bike path through town instead. This paved path runs almost to Keystone!

Take a distillery tour:

The Breckenridge Distillery has a tasting room on Main Street, but also a full factory tour offered at their distillery on Airport Road. This tour is fascinating…and yes, it includes samples. Each tour is 30 minutes, and takes guests from a tasting area to the distilling rooms and barreling rooms. Our tour guide knew the business inside-out, and answered all our questions relating to both the distilling process and the variety of spirits created (which include vodka, bourbon whiskey, bitters, and seasonal specialties). Tours are free! Must be 21 or over.

Stroll around town:

Main Street runs from the ski resort village all the way down to the far end of town, and is chock full of great dining and shopping. And no, it’s not dead in the fall. Instead, it’s intimate, with locals emerging after a busy tourist summer season. Check out the shops, eat a crepe at Crepes a la Cart, grab a craft cocktail at Modis, and just take in the scene. While walking downtown, consider taking a historic walking tour from the Breckenridge Heritage Alliance.

Need dining recs? We have them!

Take in the Breck Film Fest:

The Breck Film Fest takes over town one week every September, and is a fun opportunity to see Hollywood in the mountains. Come for opening night, and grab affordable tickets to the opening show or opening night party. We were lucky enough to see the feature film for the festival’s Adventure Reel, Snowman. The atmosphere is relaxed, casual, and ultra-cool.

What do you like to do in Breckenridge? In what season?

Spooky Pit Stops: Salem Massachusetts

October 8, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

If you have kids who laugh in the face of fear, this pit stop is for you! (And if you don’t, keep reading anyway; there’s something here for the fainter of heart as well!) The Salem Witch Trials of 1692 placed Salem, Massachusetts on the map as one of the spookiest places in the U.S., and while thankfully, superstition and ignorance have gone the way of pilgrim hats, the town still does a great job of scaring you silly throughout the weeks leading up to Halloween.

Located off I-95, Salem is an easy detour during road trips, and you can easily enjoy their haunted attractions in a few hours. Throughout the month of October, enjoy their Haunted Happenings, which run daily and include pumpkin festivals, harbor cruises (highlighting Salem’s rich pirating history), a street fair and carnival, and trick-or-treating. The truly scary stuff starts after dark, with witch trial reenactments and candlelit walking tours such as the Terror Trail and Witch Trial Trail (not for young kids).

If you have school-aged kids who can handle the dark subject matter, the Salem Witch Museum (19 1/2 Washington Square North) is one of the best of its kind, with life-sized replicas of the key players in the witch trials, audio/visual displays, and reenactments. (Young kids can enjoy the autumn weather and play with an adult on the beautiful grounds nearby.) The Haunted Neighborhood at the Salem Wax Museum (288 Derby Street) is also excellent, but again, not for anyone frightened easily.

Dates offered: Now through October 31st

Distance off the interstate: Several minutes off I-95.

Hours: Most attractions open daily. See daily itinerary and schedule below for details.

Dining options: A comprehensive list of family-friendly dining choices can be found here.

Website: This site has a calendar of events for the town and community.

Admission: Varies by activity. Nightly walking tours are $12 for adults and $5 for kids under age 17. If you think you might do it all or a bit of everything, combination tickets are available. Ask at any single museum or attractions, or at the visitor’s,tourist center.

Directions: Slight left at MA-128 N. Take exit 25A to merge onto MA-114 E/Andover St toward Salem.

Five fall weekend getaways to take on a budget

September 14, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

School’s in session, and magically, travel costs have dropped! Resorts and theme parks across the U.S. are offering discount packages to entice autumn travelers, but what if you only have weekends free? Try any of the following give fall weekend getaways that won’t break the bank. Bonus: not a crowd in sight!

1. Visit a local farm

We can’t say enough good things about farm stay vacations. Most states have farm stays within a half day’s drive from urban areas, making it easy to get away from it all and still leave Friday night after school and work. The best farm stays offer the chance to get your hands dirty (we love feeding time at dusk and herding sheep…harder than it looks!), but plenty are hands-off if you’d rather hike, bike, or sit on a porch swing, taking in the views. Farm stays are affordable, include breakfast (and sometimes additional meals), and include built-in entertainment of the outdoorsy sort. Be aware that many farm stays book rooms ‘B&B style’, which means there may be a fee for more than two people in a room. If you’re unsure whether a farm is kid-friendly, call and ask: almost all farm stays are small businesses, ensuring you can easily connect with the folks right on the property with one phone call. Can’t get away overnight? Make it a day trip, patronizing a U-Pick orchard or berry patch.

2. Stay the night in a yurt or fire tower

Fire lookouts (functional and retired) are enjoying a period of rebirth as exotic sleeping quarters, and they’re not just for the summer months. In fact, fire towers, coastal yurts, and other unique camping accommodations often remained booked solid from June-August, making the autumn months ideal for families with more flexibility. In fact, our favorite fire tower trip took place in February! Bring plenty of warm clothing, but rest assured that unlike tent camping, you’ll have a roof over your head and usually electricity and heat. Fire towers cost less than $75 per night, making them the cheapest ‘motel’ you’ll find with views like these! Bring card games, books, and plenty of hot chocolate. Find additional northwest yurts, towers, and cabins.

3. Ride the rails

Amtrak vacations are expensive…but not in the fall! We priced a ride on the Cascades line through Oregon and Washington, and found fares to be 65% lower in September than in June. And there’s no need to book the pricier sleeper cabins: plan an itinerary that takes you 4-6 hours from home, book one night in your destination, and return home the next day. The kids won’t mind the travel time: while on Amtrak, it’s fun to check out the views from the panoramic cars, eat in the dining or cafe car, and play games in the parlor car. Parents can relax instead of drive, or plan out the day’s itinerary at the destination.

4. Take a city field trip

Remember those hotel discounts I mentioned? You’ll want to take advantage of those! Autumn is our favorite time of year to tour major cities: their museums are less crowded (and school field trips haven’t amped up yet), restaurants have less wait time, and hotel pools are frequented only be the occassional business traveler…and you. Grab CityPass booklets when you go, as we did in San Francisco: you’ll likely have time to actually see all the attractions on a quiet fall weekend!

5. Sleep in a national park lodge

Remember how those fire tower stays get booked fast for summer? That goes double for national park historic lodges. Take advantage of America’s national parks’ off-season and stay in comfort. We especially love Oregon’s Crater Lake Lodge, and Montana’s Many Glacier Lodge. Fall is a great time to spot wildlife, hike trails without summer heat, and canoe across lakes. Just be aware that some seasonal activities, such as horseback stables or swimming beaches, may be closed until spring. Tip: now’s the right time to book your national park lodge stay for next summer, too!

Still not seeing what you’re looking for? Check out more fall getaways!

5 fall weekend getaways to take with the kids

Where do you plan to go this autumn? Tell us about your trip in the comments!

Fall pit stop: Seven Oaks Farm

September 20, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

Halloween fun at Seven Oaks Farm!

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

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

Date Last Visited: September 2010

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

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

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

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

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

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

Things To Do
Central Point

The MaiZe at the Pumpkin Patch

October 30, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

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

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

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

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

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

Date last visited: October 15, 2011

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

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

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

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

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

Spooky Pit Stops: Find a corn maze in 47 states!

October 14, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

Even so-called ‘family friendly’ haunted houses have become more and more frightening in the past few years, making us less enthusiastic about recommending them. If you’re looking for some Halloween family fun that doesn’t involve ultra-scary haunted houses or ghost tours, look to corn mazes with nighttime operations (spooky without the scares).

Ready for the travel hack? Find a corn maze near you easily with The MAiZE! If you haven’t heard of the MAiZE, it’s the world’s largest cornfield maze company, and it currently has locations in 47 states and several Canadian provinces. Chances are, you have a MAiZE near you, making it easy to find a fun maze pit stop or autumn activity that’s Halloween and harvest focused without the scary elements.

Our favorite MAiZE is the MAiZE at the Pumpkin Patch in Portland, Oregon. Located within one of the biggest harvest festival farms in the area, this MAiZE sports a Portland Timbers soccer club theme, which is a hit with my kids. Other MAiZEes feature local themes as well. The Timbers maze is cut in the shape of the Timbers’ logo, which kids need to weave their way through to find the exit.

What we love about MAiZE:

1. All are located within a harvest festival or u pick farm, which means you can make a day of the adventure should you like, and families enjoy a nice ambiance.

2. All offer a family-friendly, non-scary option. Some are designed for younger kids exclusively, while other MAiZE routes have nighttime hours with haunted maze options or simply dark maze opportunities. Check with the MAiZE you plan to visit to find out what they offer and plan accordingly. During the day, every maze is kid-friendly, and all take approximately 1 hour to navigate.

3. They’re everywhere! Find the MAiZE nearest you.

Admission cost:

Admission varies by MAiZe. The Portland MAiZE cost $7 for adults, $5 for kids 6-12 (5 and under free) during the day, with the option of a haunted maze for $10 at night.

Find more spooky pit stops!

Photo credit: Flickr

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

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