Five haunted hotels worth visiting this Halloween…if you dare

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 … [Read more...]

5 fun yet creepy places to spend Halloween

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 … [Read more...]

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

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 … [Read more...]

Spooky Pit Stops: Salem Massachusetts

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 … [Read more...]

Five fall weekend getaways to take on a budget

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 … [Read more...]

Fall pit stop: 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 … [Read more...]

The MaiZe at the Pumpkin Patch

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 … [Read more...]

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

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 … [Read more...]

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

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 … [Read more...]

U pick apple farms: Historic Sponsel’s Minnesota Harvest

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 … [Read more...]