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. Located 45 minutes from I-70 in Utah along US Highway 191 (2 hours from Grand Juncton, Colorado), Moab is one part champion of the arts, one part gateway to adventure and three parts sun-baked natural beauty.

Moab, Utah and Arches National Park:

Double Arch in Arches National Park…great for climbing and hiking!

Why it’s worth the drive: Moab is home to both Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, which showcase some of the most stunning geological formations we’ve ever seen! Arches in particular is breathtaking, and offers many easy hikes and vista points for kids to explore. We started at the overlook for Delicate Arch (an easier hike with great views), then drive the short distance to Double Arch. You’ll see the visitor’s center directly after entering the park, but do that last when the temperatures rise. (General Tip: whatever your activity, get up and go early; later in the day, temperatures can be unbearable in summer.)

The town of Moab has much to offer in and of itself. If your kids will tolerate such activities, there’s ample shopping (for everything from boutique clothing to high end outdoors equipment to fine art). If you’re up for some adventure, rent bicycles and explore the area on the many trails or book a dune buggy or Jeep expedition to see more of the desert. Read more about our impressions of Moab.

Chuck-wagon style dinner at the Bar M

Date last visited: July 2009

Distance off the interstate: 45 minutes.

Hours and Admission Prices: The National Parks charge $10 per vehicle. Hours vary by season. Check the official websites for more information. There are many hotel and motel options. We stayed in the Days Inn Moab (426 N. Main), which was in walking distance to restaurants and shops and had a nice pool and free wi-fi.

Food Services: Moab is known for both its fine and casual dining. Our favorite spot was a small cafe called the Wake and Bake (57 S. Main), where you can get homemade crepes with a multitude of fillings and eat out on their sun-touched patio. We also ate one dinner at the Bar M Chuck Wagon, a fun wild-west themed dinner show located a few miles out of town. The BBQ offerings and entertainment were family-friendly (and the pre-show ‘shoot out’ was great), but very young kids might get bored (ours did). If you go, be sure to get reservations!

Website: http://www.moab-utah.com/

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Riverbanks’ ‘Boo at the Zoo’

October 19, 2009 By

Boy holding a pumpkin

500 Wildlife Parkway
Columbia, SC

Ready for a scare? (Or more likely, lots of laughs?) If you’re in the Columbia area of South Carolina, you won’t want to miss Riverbanks Zoo and Garden’s Boo at the Zoo.

Always a great pitstop for families, Riverbanks is throwing a party all next week! From the official website: The family-friendly Halloween event runs from 6 to 9pm each evening. Children 12 and under are invited to wear costumes for a spook-fest complete with Frankenstein’s Foam Zone, an eeky freaky DJ dance party and a trick-or-treat trail with candy and more! Kids can also venture inside the Crow’s Nest Hay Maze, ride on the haunted carousel and explore the zoo at night!

Event dates: October 23 – 30, 6:00-9:00pm

Distance off the interstate: Right off of I-126.

Hours and Admission Prices: Tickets (must be purchased in advance): $6 for zoo members, $8 for general public.

Website: http://www.riverbanks.org/events/boo.shtml

Directions: From Charlotte/Rock Hill: Take I-77 S to Exit 18, I-277 for about 1 mile. Exit I-20 W. Continue 8 miles to Exit 64A. Merge to one of
3 left lanes on I-126 E (Columbia/downtown). Exit Greystone Blvd. Turn left off ramp and follow signs.

From Charleston/Orangeburg: Take I-26 West to Columbia (Exit 108). Follow I-126 (76) to Greystone Blvd./Riverbanks Zoo. Follow signs.

From Greenville/Spartanburg: Take I-26 to I-126 (76). Exit at Greystone Blvd./Riverbanks Zoo. Follow signs.

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Goebbert’s Pumpkin Farm

October 9, 2009 By

Boy holding a pumpkin

40 W. Higgins Road
South Barrington, IL

In South Barrington, Illinois, you’ll want to spend a fall Saturday or Sunday at Goebbert’s Pumpkin Farm. Their fall festival, running from September 26th through October 31st, includes a haunted house and camel rides in addition to the standard pumpkin patch, corn maze, and petting zoo! And their farmer’s market and cafe offer some of the best local produce and homemade goods of the area. Says Kat (now of North Carolina) in a recent review at www.trekaroo.com, “In Illinois we always, ALWAYS, went to Goebbert’s Pumpkin Farm in South Barrington. They are fabulous! There are other very good farms in the area, but Goebbert’s is the best – my kids just loved going there; every year about this time would beg to go!”

Goebberts Pumpkin Farm on a crisp fall day.

Goebberts Pumpkin Farm on a crisp fall day.

Distance off the interstate: Just a few minutes!

Hours and Admission Prices: There is no general admission, and parking is free. Tickets for individual attractions, such as wagon rides, pony rides, corn stalk maze and straw maze, vary from $4.00 per person to $7.00 per person, depending on whether you visit on weekends or weekdays.

Bathrooms: On the premises.

Food Services: The Red Barn Cafe has a full menu of homemade treats, hot dogs, sandwiches, and hamburgers. Open seven days a week, 9am until 6pm during the harvest season. There’s also a fall harvest market, so you can take home goodies as well.

Website: http://www.pumpkinfarms.com/SBarrington.html

Directions: From I-90 (partial toll road), take the IL-59 exit then turn left (onto Sutton). Turn right onto W. Higgins.
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Red Top Mountain State Park

September 24, 2009 By

Boy holding a pumpkin

50 Lodge Road SE
Cartersville, GA

Autumn is officially upon us here in the northern hemisphere, and I’m very excited to kick off a new series of pit stops centered around fall festivals and events with Red Top Mountain State Park’s Fall at the Homestead! Located just one mile off I-75 on beautiful Lake Allatoona, there’s no better time to visit Red Top Mountain State Park than this weekend (September 26-27). Not only will you have the opportunity to take part in their autumn festival, but you’ll park for free! This Saturday only, all Georgia state parks are waving their parking/vehicle fee.

A hiking trail in Red Top Mountain State Park in autumn.

A hiking trail in Red Top Mountain State Park in autumn.

More on Fall at the Homestead (Sept. 26-27):

From the official website of Georgia state parks: Step back to the early 1800s with a visit to Vaughn Cabin to learn about pioneer life. Try your hand at candle dipping and woodworking, or play a few games. On Saturday night, we will fire up a large furnace for the always popular iron pour. Come early to buy scratch blocks to design your own keepsake. We’ll fill it with molten iron, and once it cools late that evening, you can take it home. ($7 scratch blocks for iron pour.)

While you’re visiting, be sure to take advantage of the many hiking trails and the swimming beach Red Top Mountain State Park has to offer!

Distance off the interstate: 1.5 miles from I-75 exit 285.

Hours and Admission Prices: Free parking on Saturday, September 26th. $5 parking on Sunday.

Bathrooms: Yes.

Food Services: Many picnic shelters are located along the lake shore as well as a restaurant located within the lodge. The Mountain Cove Restaurant is open year-round and serves buffet and a la carte meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Website: www.GaStateParks.org/redtopmountain

Directions: From Atlanta, take GA-401 N/I-75 N for 37 miles, then take Exit 285 for Red Top Mountain Road. Follow for .3 mile, the keep right at the fork to merge onto Red Top Mountain Rd SE.

Thank you to Kim Hatcher, Public Affairs Coordinator of Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites for providing the information on this event! 
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