state - Pitstops for Kids

Where to eat in Breckenridge (in any season)

October 22, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

Breckenridge, Colorado is not just a ski town. It’s also a hiking town, a mountain biking town, a fall leaf peeping town, and yes, a foodie town. Here’s where to eat out, whether you’re in town for the snow or the trails.

With the kids:

Need apres-ski or hiking spots big on fun, deck-space, brews for mom and dad, and a casual ambiance? Here’s where to go in town.

Breckenridge Brewery:

Located at 600 S. Main Street, Breck Brew is one of the nation’s top micro-breweries. It’s also very kid-friendly. While mom and dad enjoy a flight, kids can get down with great burgers, sandwiches, and other pub fare.

Motherloaded Tavern:

This cozy spot at 103 S. Main Street is both casual and sophisticated. Foodies will like the irony of comfort foods going gourmet, and kids will just be happy to recognize nearly everything on the menu. Think homemade mac and cheese, chicken and waffles, and pot roast…need I go on?

Crepes a la Carte:

This one’s a no-brainer. Located at 307 S. Main Street, Breckenridge’s famous crepe cart has friendly outdoor seating (with fire pit in winter) and fast service. A crepe is a full meal here, and comes in an easy-to-carry paper cone. Best ‘street food’ in Breck, hands down.

Giampietro Pasta and Pizza:

This casual, small dining establishment at 600 South Park comes personally recommended by a Breck local with kids of her own. Get calzones large enough to split, and mom and dad, check out the tequila menu.

Downstairs at Eric’s:

Eric’s has pub-style food with a large arcade area for kids. Perfect for holing away on a chilly winter evening, it’s easy to lose track of time at Eric’s!

Without the kids:

Twist:

This foodie heaven at 200 South Ridge offers a modern take on comfort food. We had a seasonal salad with a beet and goat cheese ravioli, but other menu offerings included a meatloaf, a mac and cheese, and a kabob. The menu here changes four times a year, and Chef Matt Fackler personally sources ingredients, picking the best of the best, whether they come locally or from further afield.

Modis:

Best cocktails in town! Modis’ mixologists create one-of-a-kind craft cocktails that pair wonderfully with their dinners. We went at happy hour (3 pm to 6 pm during our visit) and sat up on the rooftop deck. The lettuce wraps and sliders are divine! Find Modis at 113 South Main.

Breakfast in Breck:

Cuppa Joe:

Located at 118 South Ridge, Cuppa Joe is a local institution. Arguably, they serve the best coffee in town, but don’t leave without getting one of their massive breakfast burritos or a granola bowl.

Amazing Grace Natural Foods:

Find Amazing Grace tucked away in a friendly older house at 213 Lincoln. Sit on the back deck in summer, or duck inside for great breakfast sandwiches and egg dishes made with only quality natural ingredients.

Where do you like to eat in Breckenridge? Favorite foods on the mountain? Let us know!

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?

Where to hike in Breckenridge with kids

October 15, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

Think Breckenridge, Colorado is only a winter ski destination? No way! This mountain town is a great pick for summer and fall travel as well, offering historical significance, museums and culture, great dining, and, our personal favorite, excellent hiking for families.

When families arrive in Breck, they’ll find maps with literally dozens of hiking trails accessible right from town. Many of these hikes will include mining history built in, either the form of signage explaining historical significance or historical structures or mining equipment that remains behind. Here’s where to hike in Breckenridge in multiple categories:

Easy hikes:

Burro Trail: Accessed directly in town, the Burro Trail has a gentle grade (it was literally the trail burros used to haul gear). The first half mile is easy-breezy, perfect for young kids, and then it keeps going for miles, all the way out of town to high elevations. Families can connect to the Spruce Creek Trail and Wheeler Trail further afield.
Sawmill Creek: This 1.5 mile loop starts just below and west of Snowflake Lift, which is close to Four O’Clock Road and Kings Crown Road. It has minimal altitude gain, and there’s plenty of shade along the way. The trail leads up to a beautiful reservoir: bring a picnic lunch!
Reiling Drudge Trail: This trail, located at the top of Reiling Road, connects to several top-notch mountain biking trails. It’s multi-use, but an easy, short hike to the Reiling Drudge. This remnant from the mining era is impressively intact, and shows how this type of mining impacted the environment (you can see the piles of rock and ore still left behind, though the scenery is still very pretty). Historical markers tell hikers more about the site. If you want a longer hike, continue from the drudge trail to the Minnie Mine Trail. Here, you’ll see more plaques and remains of mining buildings.

Kids don’t want to hike? Head to River Walk Park, where kids can wade in the Blue River in summer and fall and play on the playground in all seasons.

Harder hikes:

Mohawk Lakes: This series of alpine lakes can be tackled in an eight mile loop, or families can simply hike to the first few. From the trailhead, it’s just over three miles to Lower Mohawk, which sits in a bowl with Upper Mohawk just out of sight above it. They’re followed by several more lakes along a chain. The path can be steep at times, but the way is broken up by lots to look at: kids will love the historic mining remnants still cluttering the landscape, and snow melt waterfalls such as Continental Falls. Get to the trailhead by heading out Hwy 9 and turning right on Spruce Creek Road. Park at the trailhead 1.2 miles up.
Bakers Tank Loop: While most of this five mile loop trail is intermediate, there are a few climbs to be had. The trail follows an historic railroad line and has Western mountain views. Start at the Bakers Tank Trailhead on Boreas Pass Road. The first three miles are along Boreas Pass Road, heading south.
Black Powder Pass: At 3.4 miles (roundtrip) with an elevation gain, this hike is solidly in the intermediate range. From Boreas Pass Road, go up to the top of Boreas Pass, and take the trail just before the Section House. Families get above the tree line without a long hike, but remember, you’ll be at over 12,000 feet, so take your time. Look for views of the Tenmile Range.

Hardest hike:

Crystal Lakes: Get above the tree line hiking to the Crystal Lakes. These small, high alpine lakes sit at over 11,000 feet, and the way is very steep in places, and mostly exposed. Access these lakes from the Burro Trail or drive partway up Spruce Creek Road or Crystal Lake Road (4×4 driving essential). Look for picas (like small rabbits that make a high pitched call) and mountain goats.

Tip: Want to get a taste of mining history in the area without hiking to it? Head to the Country Boy Mine, where kids can go inside mine shafts and pan for gold. This historical site has very good, though realistic, tours. Young kids may be frightened when the lights are turned off and hydraulic machinery is turned on to stimulate how it would have felt and sounded like in the mine in bygone eras.

Note: No matter where you hike in Breckenridge, you’ll feel the significant elevation. Get tips on dealing with high altitude!

Have you hiked in Breckenridge? Where do you recommend?

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.

Oregon Farm stay with kids: Willow Witt Ranch

September 16, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

A farm stay with kids is an amazing way to experience a destination! Not only are farm stays often affordable, they allow families the opportunity to meet locals, learn about sustainable agriculture, and have plenty of space to play and roam. Many farm stays are located within easy driving distance of wonderful family travel destinations.

This summer, we’ve had the opportunity to experience two farm stays, each on opposite ends of the continent. Right after Memorial Day Weekend at the start of summer, we stayed a night at Southern Oregon’s Willow Witt Ranch. Willow Witt is located only 30 minutes from Ashland, Oregon, perfectly situated for any family visiting the area for its river rafting, mountain lakes, or Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Tip: use Farm Stay US to find kid-friendly farm stays on your travel route.

Willow Witt sits on a high mountain meadow in the heart of the Siskiyou Mountains, and is a working high altitude goat, pig, and chicken farm. Willow Witt’s two owners are passionate about being stewards of the land they’re lucky enough to live and work on, and their diligence is evident in the care of their animals, their dedication to organic, free-range, and pasture-fed ranching, and their friendly, hands-on approach.

Staying at Willow Witt:

Families have their pick between farmhouse accommodations at Willow Witt’s Farmhouse Studio (sleeping six), the three-bedroom Meadow House (sleeping 10), or campground accommodations a short walking trail away. The indoor accommodations both include full kitchens, and farm-fresh breakfast. The campground offers tent camping sites or walled canvas tents. The camping sites are rustic; while some spaces are cleared, others are not well marked. We likened the campground to backpacking spaces. Willow Witt lists 12 sites, which is accurate, though some are very close together; I would venture the campground would serve 3-4 separate groups well, or one large group.

Willow Witt’s walled tents are nearly ‘glamping’ status: they come furnished with beds, linens, and other furniture, and a wood stove. All camping families (walled or tent) have the use of an amazing outdoor kitchen (run with propane gas) and outdoor wood stove. Onsite bathrooms with full plumbing (flush toilets, sinks, and showers) are clean, light, and comfortable, and for the more adventurous type, outdoor showers are also onsite.

There’s no electricity at the camping area, but the Willow Witt owners have thoughtfully outfitted the bathrooms and kitchen with lanterns, and the kitchen is stocked with dishes, cups, cooking utensils, and pots and pans. Several tables and chairs sit outside the covered kitchen area. The campground is located just up the hill from the ranch site, approximately a quarter mile from the barn. We enjoyed the Willow Witt ranch dogs keeping us company at the campground.

Farm activities and service projects:

We were lucky enough to experience Willow Witt with my son’s 3rd grade class. Willow Witt is known for their educational projects, and during our stay, we were able to help owner Suzanne with a wetlands project. We helped protect the watershed by working in the meandering creeks in the ranch meadows for a few hours. We also experienced an extensive farm tour. Families visiting the farm solo are also given a tour, and can opt to help with morning chores as available.

Three loop trails depart and return to Willow Witt, and additional hiking is a short drive away at nearby Grizzly Peak. Families can drive into Ashland in 30 minutes, or to boat or swim at Emigrant Lake in 20 minutes. Serious bird watchers come from all over for the birding at Willow Witt, and mountain biking is available nearby as well.

If you want to have time to enjoy the peacefulness of the ranch as well as enjoy local activities, I suggest booking at least a three night stay. If you’re staying a shorter period of time, plan to plant yourself at the ranch and take full advantage of your immediate surroundings!

Willow Witt as a working ranch:

Willow Witt does have a ranch store, where their organic, sustainable, and cruelty-free CSA meat and dairy products are sold. They are also represented weekly at the Ashland and Medford farmers markets. Willow Witt also books packing excursions in the mountains, using their own pack goats.

Rates:

Camping starts at $40 per night, which is an amazing bargain when you consider the use of the outdoor kitchen and clean bathrooms. Walled tents are $125 per night (May through October) and sleep up to four. The studio and farmhouse rent for $180 and $225, respectively, in the high season. They are available year round. The value for all accommodations is astounding.

Directions:

Willow Witt is located off Oregon’s Dead Indian Memorial Road by Grizzly Peak. From Ashland, visitors take Highway 66 to Dead Indian Memorial to Shale City Road. Do not use GPS, but rather follow these directions. GPS will lead you astray!

A rustic cabin stay at Silver Falls State Park, Oregon

September 7, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

A state park stay can be a great way to safely travel with the family during COVID-19. For up-to-date information on park closures and updates in Oregon, check here.

Located approximately 25 miles east of Salem, Oregon off Highway 22, Silver Falls State Park is the largest in Oregon. With each site tucked away under the canopy of the temperate rain forest, however, you’d never know it. Silver Falls is easy to get to off I-5, but feels a million miles away from the adjacent farmland and towns.

Silver Falls offers traditional tent and RV camping loops, as well as rustic cabins (similar in amenities to Oregon State Parks’ rustic yurts). Group lodging is available in their conference facilities. We stayed in rustic cabin #10, and highly recommend it for optimal seclusion.

The rustic cabins:

Each cabin in the cabin loop (separated from the tent/RV loop by a covered pedestrian bridge) has plenty of space, but #8, 9, and 10 especially are set apart from the others. In fact, you are required to park about 20-50 yards away (depending upon cabin) and cart your supplies in by provided wheelbarrow (which the kids thought was half the fun).

Each cabin has two basic rooms: a front room with a table and four chairs and a futon that converts to a double bed, and a back room with a built-in bunk-bed and additional double bed. The cabins have electricity and heaters, but no bathrooms or running water. Bathrooms with hot showers are a short walk away (and exclusive for the cabin loop) and running water is within yards of each cabin at outdoor faucets. Cabins also have porches of varying size (the ones right on the loop have larger ones, whereas #8-10 have smaller ones) and fire pits and picnic tables.

No cooking is allowed in the cabins, but BBQs can be set up outside, and we simply used our camping cookstove at the picnic table. You’ll want a cooler with ice for perishables, as there is no mini-fridge. Right behind Cabin #10 is a short woodland trail leading directly to the banks of Silver Creek, which makes for lots of fun exploring for kids while parents are relaxing (or more likely, unpacking).

Tip: Stay on the trails, because poison oak is abundant! If you have young children, be aware that though hidden behind trees and vegetation, the road leading to South Falls is quite close to the cabins. Adventurous children could wander there.

Things to do in the state park:

In addition to area road biking and fishing, Silver Falls is a hiking mecca. You’ll want to reserve at least a half day, if not a whole day to exploring the Trail of 10 Falls, the trailhead of which is located past the day lodge in the day use parking area. This is a challenging loop of, you guessed it, 10 waterfalls, and these aren’t just minor rapids, either. Four of the ten are large enough that the trail arcs behind them, for hikers to get a behind-the-scenes view, and all are spectacular.

The entire loop is 8.7 miles, but you don’t have to commit to that length. The first waterfall, South Falls, is within yards of the trail entrance, and on a paved walkway. After peeking behind it, hikers will find the Canyon Trail (Trail of 10 Falls) which will take you another 3/4 of a mile or so along the lush canyon floor beside Silver Creek to Lower South Falls, which is also definitely worth seeing. From there, continue on the Canyon Trail another mile to North Falls (and beyond) or look for the Maple Ridge Trail 1/3 of a mile beyond Lower South Falls for a short-cut back to the trailhead (and parking lot). The Maple Ridge Trail starts out with some tough switchbacks, but evens out on the ridge to make an easy jaunt back. (If you go this route, your entire hike is just over 2 miles, and you see two major falls.)

Near the trailhead, there’s ample picnic grounds, as well as a swimming area. The highs were only in the low 70s during our visit, so we didn’t swim, but this section of Silver Creek is deep and still, and there’s a nice grass area surrounding it.

And yes, the area has some wildlife worth watching too. There are warnings about the bears and mountain lions in the park, so with the kids, consider going nearby and preferably during the day. For a night safari, ensure professionals accompany you. On the fun side, carry your thermal binoculars along. Thermal imaging has many limitations, so the binocular may not give you the best picture, but cats barely come out in the daylight- don’t miss them.

Distance from the interstate:

25 miles from I-5

Cabin and camping rates:

Cabins are approximately $45/night in peak season. A campsite is as low at $15.

Dining options:

There are a few small towns near Silver Falls, and the lodge at South Falls offers limited cafe hours, but in general, you’ll want to pack your own food in.

Directions:

From I-5, take Highway 22 east from Salem, Oregon. Follow signs to Silver Falls State Park.

Tips to planning your family trip to Chicago

August 31, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

When it comes to traveling with kids, not all cities are created equal. Luckily, Chi-Town is one of our favorite kid-approved metropolises, offering loads of fun for the whole family. From the towering T-Rex at the Chicago Field Museum to the Penguin Cove exhibit at the Lincoln Park Zoo, the Windy City is a generous host to kid-friendly adventures. Keep reading for tips on planning your family trip to Chicago.

Essential Items to Pack

Strollers: While Chicago is a fantastic kid-friendly city, it’s still a busy place, and you may need to adjust your plans to accommodate young children. For example, the layout of Chi-Town makes walking through the city a tourist’s dream. But it’s still a busy metropolis with lots of traffic, distractions, and the typical hustle-bustle of a big city. So avoid mishaps by packing a stroller or baby carriage so you can explore Chicago while keeping your tiny tots safe. Ideally, pack a stroller with an umbrella or enclosures to shelter young ones from the city hubbub.

Comfortable Shoes: While Chicago has phenomenal public transportation, the hot spots studded throughout the city are easy to get to by foot. With this in mind, be sure to pack good walking shoes because even if you stick to taxis or the L Train, you and the family will have to hoof it in Chicago.

Pack for the Season: What you take on your family trip to Chicago depends on what time of year you go. Summertime is the most popular because the city gardens are robust, and the temperatures are ideal for a Chicago boat tour or a splash in Lake Michigan. If you launch your adventure in the Summer, remember that it can get hot and sticky in the city, so pack cool clothing and forget the sunscreen. Spring and autumn pose cooler temperatures and chances of rainfall. These seasons can also be unpredictable, so your best bet is to pack with layers in mind; take sweaters or jackets that can be easily shed and stuffed in a backpack. If you and the kids opt to brave the winter in the Windy City, bundle up because it gets cold. Take coats, gloves, hats, and good winter boots.

What to Know When You Go to Chicago for a Family Trip

Age-Appropriate Attractions: Chicago offers endless adventures for kids of all ages. Many attractions feature a mixture of options that appeal to adults and children alike. For example, the Lincoln Park Zoo offers engaging activities and exhibits the kids will love and also caters to parents by serving local craft brews, or you can even attend a cocktail-making class on the zoo grounds. The Shedd Aquarium and Millennium Park are also good options as they are entertaining for young minds and also engaging for adults.

Budget-Friendly Options: If your family is vacationing on a budget, you may want to invest in a Chicago City Pass. The Pass will save you 53% on gate prices at attractions such as Skydeck Chicago, the Museum of Science, Adler Planetarium, or the Field Museum. An alternative to a Pass might be the Go Chicago Card. It offers similar discounts with a 55% savings on many attractions that may not be included with the Chicago City Pass. Another savings option is the For the Explore Pass. The discount is 40% off gate entry prices, and you’re limited to three to five attractions. Go to the city of Chicago’s website to get the details on the many pass options available and pick the one that best fits your family’s budget and travel goals.

Eating Out: There are tons of family-friendly restaurants, eateries, and yum-shops in Chi-Town. For example, your kids will swoon over Marie’s Candies; their Atomic Sundae is so sensationally sweet, you’ll be searching for dentists in Plainfield IL! Or try RJ Grunts close to Lincoln Zoo for kid-centric meals served on retro cafeteria trays. Wherever you choose to sample the local cuisine, remember that restaurants can get busy early. Avoid crowds by making reservations whenever you can. If that’s not possible, try to plan dining excursions during off-peak hours or go early before restaurants get packed.

Make Early Reservations: Depending upon when you are planning your family trip to Chicago, do yourself a favor and book early. The earlier you get your airfare and hotel reservations the better your odds for getting premium amenities at a cheaper rate. Remember that summer is a popular time for tourists, so if you’re going in the summertime, make early reservations to avoid missing out on the accommodations you and your family want.

Get Tickets Online Beforehand: Chicago is known for famous attractions, museums, and entertainment venues. Whenever possible, buy your tickets online and in advance. Chicago’s art festivals, music events, and beloved tourist attractions fill up fast during the peak travel season. So getting your tickets before you go will ensure you and your family have top spots at events and attractions. Buying tickets beforehand will also help your family avoid long lines and waiting to get into your desired destinations.

Remember the Golden Rule

Planning your family trip to Chicago is crucial to having a great time in the Windy City. But don’t get so caught up in strategy that you forget the golden rule: Have fun! No matter which exciting attractions you and the kids visit, always remember to stay safe and have a jolly good time while you make lasting memories during your family trip to Chicago.

Grown-up getaway: What to do in Fredericksburg Texas in Hill Country

August 20, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

Haven’t considered Texas Hill Country for your next Grown-Ups Getaway? I hadn’t either, until checking out this pastoral oasis in the heart of Texas. Warm almost year-round and with much, much more to offer than it’s small 10,000 population suggests, the quaint German-Texan town of Fredericksburg beckons. Couples will find ample B&Bs, guest houses, and boutique hotels, prime shopping and dining, and exceptional wine tasting. Here’s what to do in Fredericksburg Texas in Hill Country:

Acclimate to Fredericksburg with a stop at the visitor’s center one block of Main Street on E. Austin. From here, you can take a trolley tour of the historic buildings in town, including the famous Sunday Houses (which German immigrant farmers would use on the weekends when they came into town for church and trading) and the kirche (fortress and central meeting hall, still at the heart of Fredericksburg today). I recommend this tour as a good way to orient one selves and get an idea of where you’d like to return to during your stay.

Wine tasting along Main Street:

The Hill Country is home to 50+ wineries. These wineries lie predominantly along Highway 290 (more on that in a minute) but many have tasting rooms right on Main Street in Fredericksburg. They are only open until 4 or 5 pm, so get there in the afternoon after a light lunch, but these tasting rooms are a great way to sample the best the area has to offer either before or after wine tasting along 290. You can’t miss them: literally, there are tasting rooms about every third or fourth storefront along Main Street. Enjoy!

Wineries:

The Fredericksburg wine scene is emerging and with a vengeance. Pick up a Texas Hill Country wine map at the visitor’s center or look at texaswinetrail.com or wineroad290.com but focus on 2-3 wineries you want to see most on and just off Highway 290. It’s nice that the wine scene in the area is so concentrated. I recommend Four Point Wine at 10354 E. US Highway 290 first, as this winery combines the best of three wineries in Texas, with options for wine tastings daily and even wine and cheese and wine and chocolate pairings scheduled most days (reserve in advance via the website).

Next, check out additional offerings along 290 before diverting off the highway to lesser-known but rare-find Narrow Path Winery. Narrow Path has a brand-new ultra-modern tasting room overlooking pristine Hill Country scenery, with charcuterie plates and some of the best wine I tasted in the Hill Country. It’s worth the detour.

En route back to town, make a stop at Das Peach Haus to taste some additional local wines and check out the many artisanal jams, jellies and marinades on offer at Fischer & Wieser Specialty Foods (on site). This historic fruit stand is now much more!

Shopping:

Fredericksburg is well-known as a shopping mecca. For a town of about 10,000, it has world-class boutique shopping, and even for the non-shoppers among us, you’ll want to carve out some time to stroll Main Street and the surrounding blocks. Why? Four words: Fairtrade and locally owned. You can’t really go wrong, but I especially recommend peeking into L.M. Easterling Boot Company if you’re considering custom-made cowboy boots (a process that takes several months and will set you back several grand) or just want to check out their off-the-shelf options for a fraction of that price. (Headquarters Hat on Main Street is also a fun choice for more economical boot shopping). Definitely make a stop at Raven + Lily too, where absolutely everything in the store is fairtrade. Owner Kirsten Dickerson sources her wares from marginalized communities of women worldwide, and every item for sale, from dresses to jewelry to leatherwoods, has a story. While there are several Raven + Lily locations nationwide and a robust online business, the owners live local and are likely in the shop.

Dip down a block to two to check out the antiques and eclectic mix of offerings off Main Street, then cross to Backchalk Home and Laundry for a delightful mix of home goods and furniture sourced from around the world by local owners.

If you didn’t take time to stop at their fruit stand, Fischer & Wieser has a tasting room on Main Street, too. This local jam and jelly business is so much more than that: it’s a truly local business that now incorporates a store with local jams, jellies, glazes and marinades. You definitely want to buy their blackberry chipotle marinade to take home. If you have time to reserve a cooking class, go to www.fwcookingschool.com.

Bike riding:

The Hill Country of Texas offers miles and miles of quiet country roads ideal for cycling. Rent bikes with Hill Country Bicycle Works on 702 E Main Street and enjoy suggested routes through the pastoral terrain. This is called Hill Country for the reason; don’t expect not to work for your evening wine or beer. However, you’ll be rewarded with lovely live oaks, pastures of cattle (and maybe a donkey or two) and goats and sheep. Hill Country Bicycle Works offers road bikes, hybrids, and even electric bikes for rent out of Fredericksburg or Kerrville.

Wildseed Farms:

Often a must-do for anyone visiting Fredericksburg, Wildseed Farms not only offers photo ops with bluebonnets and poppies but affords the opportunity to buy wildflower seeds for your region (the gardening for dummies equivalent, in my opinion!). Also onsite are casual lunch options and plenty of shopping (boutique and garden variety) and wine tasting at on-site Wedding Oak Winery. Are there better wineries to visit on 290? Yes, but the location sure is convenient!

National Museum of the Pacific War:

You can’t visit Fredericksburg and not visit the National Museum of the Pacific War. www.pacificwarmuseum.org This impressive museum is at the quality to belong in a world-class city, and yet it thrives in Fredericksburg, home of celebrated admiral Nimitz (born in Fredericksburg). This sprawling museum floored me, truly. I would expect no less in Washington DC, truly. Plan to devote most of a day here, with breaks (your ticket, only $15 for general admission) is good for 48 hours for a reason). If you ask at the front desk, they’ll tell you what not to miss if you only have a few hours, but I suggest spending the morning, then returning after lunch for at least an additional hour. This museum not only honors the life of Admiral Nimitz and celebrates the service of George W. Bush (Texas native) but primarily pays tribute to the many, many men and women who sacrificed so much during WWII. What I love best: this museum doesn’t erase. It shows the experience of both Americans and Japanese during the conflict in the Pacific in multiple galleries and interactive displays. Don’t miss the Pacific Combat Zone (a block away) with houses the garage for WWII vehicles and a reconstructed battlefield. Those who love WWII planes and boats will be in heaven.

Where to eat in Fredericksburg:

Der Linderbaum: Start with traditional German food to get a feel for Fredericksburg. Come hungry, because this is German food at its finest, and plan to linger to enjoy live music and soak in the ambiance.

Milagros: The live music and inviting patio are at the stars at Milagro’s, which serves a rather eclectic mix of traditional Mexican favorites like fajitas and enchiladas and Fredericksburg staples like sausage and sourkrout. Even on weekdays, live music can be found; on the night we visited, the country music duo sang a mixture of traditional country songs (think Kenny Chesney and Johnny Cash) to Tom Petty numbers and 90’s alternative. It was a delightful mix.

Tubby’s Ice House: Stop at Tubby’s for lunch after making your way through the National Museum of the Pacific War (yes, this is a must-do). Trust me, you need their frosé (frozen rosé) if the weather is at all warm (which it will be). Pair it with one of Tubby’s street taco options or burgers.

La Bergerie: This artisanal market specializes in fine wine, cheese and charcuterie (make yourselves a picnic to go). The wine is hand-picked from fun and affordable local bottles to rare finds, and tall charcuterie is cured at La Bergerie with heritage Texan meats. www.labergerie.com

Where to go for after dinner nightlife:

Elk Store Winery and Distillery:

Do yourselves a favor and head here after dinner, located right on Main Street. Long a reputed wine bar and beer bar, Elk Store now boasts a distillery, too, with made-on-site gin, whiskey, moonshine, and vodka. The bar staff will walk you through a tasting, or you can’t go wrong with their menu of prohibition-era cocktails. I recommend the pecan pie moonshine (straight up or mixed). You’ll want to linger here an hour or more, either in the cozy interior with walls of wine bottles or out back, on the attached patio with fire pit.

Luckenbach:

Have you heard of Luckenbach, Texas? Made famous by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson, who penned an idyllic ode to the burg, Back to the Basics of Love. Luckenbach was once a trading post back in 1849, where Comanche Indians traded commodities with American settlers. In 1970, the entire town was put to sale, and bought by a trio of Texans who ‘didn’t want their bar to close’. It’s second life began as a bar, dance hall, and watering hole for locals. Today, Luckenbach has live music 364 days a year from 1 pm until closing. It’s eight miles outside of Fredericksburg, five miles south of the intersection of Highway 290 and FM 1376. Their bar takes cash only, so come ready!

Where to stay: Herb Farm

Stay where you won’t miss your kids…because kids aren’t even allowed. Fredericksburg’s Herb Farm is indeed a working herb farm with an attached restaurant in a historic Fredericksburg homestead. The current owners (who also own the unique Hangar Hotel that abuts the Fredericksburg airport) have added fourteen quaint guest cabins and a 15,000 square foot spa facility. This is the place to stay on the edge of town for rest and relaxation…and not a kid in sight. Pets are not allowed in the cabins either, and while not part of your stay, 90% of guests opt for a spa treatment during their stay. The onsite restaurant has a full bar and delicious breakfast menu, though breakfast is not included. Between cottages, the herb farm beckons with meandering trails between the lavender and thyme. Yes, it’s as idealistic as it sounds.

If you can’t get a cottage at Herb Farm, numerous apartments for rent along Main Street offer historic yet comfortable lodging right in the center of the action, which means you can leave your car parked for days.

Disclosure: I was invited to Fredericksburg Texas for the purpose of review. All opinion remains my own.

Grown-Up Getaway: Wine and dine in Lubbock Texas

August 17, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

Last spring, we outlined the perfect Grown-Up Getaway to charming Fredericksburg, Texas, in the Hill Country. Now we’re back with one more–perhaps unexpected–Texas getaway: Lubbock. Everywhere I went in Fredericksburg, I was told by winemakers that their grapes came from this city in the West Plains. So naturally, I had to go see Lubbock for myself.

If you’ve driven through Lubbock, Texas before, you might assume this west Texas city of approximately 250,000 is primarily comprised of strip malls and suburbs. However, dig a little deeper into the heart of Lubbock, and you’ll find some true gems hiding in plain sight.

What to do on a Lubbock Texas getaway:

Lubbock is a college town, so most of its culture spans out from Texas Tech and the recently growing urban downtown core area.

Starting your days:

Starting with your morning cup of joe, head to J&B Coffee in the college district for great drip brew and breakfast sandwiches, or to Sugar Brown’s Coffee, where you can soak up great ambiance inside or outside.

Wine tasting:

This is big country, with an abundance of land. As winemaker Bobby Cox of Pheasant Ridge put it, if Texas wineries planted on half the land available, they’d grow more grapes than Europe’. As a result, tasting rooms in Lubbock’s High Plains AVA can be spread out, and often, vineyards are off-site. That said, here are the best options for your Texas wine tasting tours.

Kim McPherson of McPherson Cellars

Burklee Hill Vineyards: With an inviting tasting room located in the Historic Kress Building in downtown Lubbock, Burklee Hills tastings that can be enjoyed indoors or out. The owner has been growing grapes since 2002, and has been custom crushing since 2016. They make a particularly good dry Muscat, and have won awards for their Malbec.

McPherson Cellars: Back in town, McPherson Cellars is run by Kim McPherson, whose father, Doc McPherson is considered the ‘Father of Texas wine’. McPherson Cellars offered the best of anything I tasted in Lubbock, so it’s a must-do. Plus, the tasting room is easy to get to, and fun and funky. The outdoor patio is inviting with couches and sculpture art, and across the street, McPherson’s wife runs one of the best restaurants in town (see below). Not to be missed at McPherson: the dry rosé, Grenache, Tempranillo, and Sangiovese.

English Newsom Cellars: Located out-of-town on Woodrow Road, English Newsom Cellars is also the real deal: their huge facility is putting forth serious contenders for the best wine in Lubbock, in my opinion.

Pheasant Ridge: Out of town on Courtney Road, Pheasant Ridge is the oldest winery in the area, and the 7th oldest in Texas, bought in 1978. They grow seven varietals on-site, and while the tasting room isn’t fancy, there’s a nice canopied seating area out front, with views of their 30 acres of vines (more are off-site), and like CapRock and McPherson, especially, their staff in the tasting room know their stuff.

Are you more of a beer person? Brewery LBK is the area’s up-and-coming brewery, located downtown in the Pioneer Building!

Dining:

If you follow our plan for a Lubbock weekend, you’ll spend the bulk of your day at area wineries, so plan on light bites and charcuterie plates until dinner. I promise you’ll want to come to the following restaurants hungry.

The West Table Kitchen and Bar:

With a seasonally-changing menu and a young chef who has returned to his hometown after training in California and working across the US, the West Table on Broadway Street makes use of prime downtown space in what used to be the historic Lubbock Hotel. Now, it’s a fine dining venue with high ceilings, tile floors, and exposed beams, with an attached artisan wine event space and the afore-mentioned Brewery LBK in the same building. Make sure to try one of their craft cocktails; I loved their spin on a Whiskey Smash. Get the roasted poblano peppers if they’re offered as an appetizer.

Tip: Upstairs the Pioneer Pocket Hotel offers renovated suites with clean lines and contemporary touches. Stay here and you can go right downstairs for coffee in the mornings.

La Diosa Cellars:

Tucked away in downtown Lubbock across the street from McPherson Cellars, La Diosa is the success story of Sylvia McPherson, wife of winery owner Kim McPherson. She’s put her interior decorating background to work to create a warm, eclectic atmosphere, and her tapas-forward menu is the real deal. She’s tapped into her family’s Spanish and Mexican heritage to create a unique and truly beautiful menu. Start with the sangria, and don’t be afraid to be adventurous.

Cocina de La Sirena:

This gem for modern Latin American cuisine is located right off the highway, and looks quite unassuming behind an old motel-turned-artisan boutique strip. But step into the courtyard and you’ll find patio dining under twinkling lights and a cozy interior with a stellar bar. Come for happy hour and small plates, or settle in for dinner, but either way, the margaritas and homemade salsas outshine almost everything (and that’s saying something). The owner is truly passionate about local sourcing, and everything is fresh.

Funky Door Bistro & Wine Room:

Best known for its fondue (in West Texas? Yep!) this restaurant serves to showcase the best of Texas wine, plus varietals from around the world. They have over 650 labels, so plan to stay awhile!

Want more to do? Try to plan your trip for the First Friday Art Walk downtown, which features food trucks and multiple gallery openings, and learn more about Lubbock native Buddy Holly’s history at the Buddy Holly Center. In spring of 2020, a huge downtown development project, the Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts & Sciences, will open across from the civic center, offering theater space and event space with the capacity to host Broadway productions and world-class musical guests.

Top kid-friendly campgrounds in New York state

July 29, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

If you’re thinking about taking a camping trip with the kids, New York might not be the first destination that comes to mind. While it’s true the Empire State is known for big lights and its big city; there are a surprising number of campgrounds in New York that can be perfect for you and the kids. Read on about campgrounds in New York State that offer fun, excitement, and adventure while catering to kids of all ages.

Kid-Friendly Campgrounds in Upstate New York

Campgrounds in New York state abound! The Upstate region of New York State offers a slew of breathtaking views and a ton of delights for kids. Here are a few camping destinations that satisfy every need, including amenities for children.

Woods at Bear Creek: If rustic isn’t your family’s style, then this campsite can offer you all the essentials you need for a more upscale kid-friendly camping adventure. This destination might be a great way to ease the kids into ‘roughing it’ because they can enjoy a glamping trip that affords creature comforts while still enjoying the great outdoors. Woods at Bear Creek cabins are fully furnished, equipped with towels, linens, and satellite TV. They also have great enticements such as games, two swimming pools, and fire pits for you and the kids to toast marshmallows.

Adirondacks Jellystone Park: A kid-friendly camping spot and beloved for its association with Yogi Bear and his sidekick Boo Boo, Jellystone Park in the Adirondacks is a welcoming destination for the whole family. This is a must-visit destination because it offers a myriad of accommodations. From deluxe yurts, treehouses, RV Rentals, or old-school sites for tents, Jellystone can provide you the carefree, kid-centric vacation you’re craving.

Family Fun Campsites Near NYC

Relish the best of both worlds by sharing the glories of city life with your child while also enjoying the great outdoors. Here are a few incredible campgrounds close to New York City that accommodate nature-loving kids’ needs yet are still close enough to take a bite out of the Big Apple.

Newburgh KOA Holiday Campsite: This KOA location is just over an hour’s drive from NYC and boasts ample opportunities for the kids. The grounds abound with nature trails that any child would relish while catching butterflies or spotting deer. It accommodates RVs and tents as well as kid-friendly cabin rentals. It also provides many perks for you and the fam, including fishing, mini-golf, swimming, biking, and more.

Parks in NYC: If you’re looking to take the whole family for a city adventure but still want to commune with nature, think about exploring the New York City park system. Savor the metropolis under the stars with special camping events featured each year in the Big Apple. The city offers family-friendly camping functions in the parks, such as fireside sing-alongs and s’more fests. Children are welcome, so expect to enjoy the pleasures of NY camping while never having to leave the big city.

Kid-Friendly Campgrounds in Western NY

Western New York is a wonderland for campers and kids who love to romp in the woods any time of year. Whether you’re looking for camping RV style, glamping, or going rogue, this region of New York has plenty of opportunities for you and the kids to make grand camping memories together.

Triple R Camping Resort: While it definitely has resort status and caters to kids, the Triple R also has many retro camping opportunities available for the whole family. At this hot spot in Franklinville, NY, you have many options ranging from rustic to deluxe. They provide fully furnished cabins as well as permit hardcore camping tent-style. Additionally, they make things easy, so all you have to do is break out the just add water pancake mix, spark up the campfire, and enjoy breakfast with the whole troupe in the glow of a smashing sunrise.

Hidden Valley Camping Area: With an in-ground pool, kid-friendly camping store, playground, and live music, this is an ideal spot for your New York camping trip excursion. Hidden Valley in Jamestown provides many amenities that fit the unique needs of parents traveling with children, including fun events and tons of activities. It’s also closely located the Chautauqua Institution, which hosts a load of recreational venues such as nature appreciation lectures, craft-making, interfaith programs, and other delightful opportunities that will keep you and the kids engaged in heaps of fun.

Top kid-friendly campgrounds in New York state.

If you’re searching for the perfect travel destination that welcomes kids and has a wealth of enjoyable potential, then look no further than New York. From city-camping to sprawling glamp-style camping in Upstate NY or rustic tenting and RV rentals, you and your kids have incredible options when you visit this area for ultimate campground awesomeness.