state - Pitstops for Kids

Family friendly Las Vegas: Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Desert Club Resort

August 23, 2013 By Sharlene Earnshaw

Guest post written by Sisily Calvert.

While most think of Vegas as Sin City, my family loves to take the challenge of finding family friendly Las Vegas Nevada experiences, as the city is our home away from home. We recently tallied up our trips to Las Vegas and in just the last four years since my daughter was born, we came up with a staggering 30 plus times. Believe it or not that is a decline from the 12 times a year we visited up until I gave birth in ’08.

“What does Vegas possibly have that is family friendly?” That is the usual question I get when other families learn about our obsession with this desert town. While there are several things that fill up our days while in Vegas, I want to talk about a recent gem that my family and I were so lucky to experience.

Our last six years have been spent in luxurious hotels in rooms that are bigger than our house, which of course makes mom and dad happy. What I’m about to let you in on is happiness for the entire family. The Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Desert Club Resort is nothing less than family vacation perfection. What started out as “how bad could it be,” turned into both my husband and me saying that hands-down, this was the best Vegas vacation we have had. Let me remind you we are not amateurs at the Vegas vacation thing. The Holiday Inn Club Vacations resort exceeded our expectations and completely undermined our previous stays.

Villas:

The minute we walked in we felt the comforts of home. What immediately caught this mom’s eye was the full kitchen: no kitchenette here. What I had wished I’d known is how comprehensive this kitchen was. So I will do my best to list everything I can remember: full size refrigerator, full size stove, full size dishwasher with soap, coffee maker with coffee, microwave, toaster, dishes, silverware, pots and pans, tea kettle and tea, wine opener, can opener, sharp knives, dish soap, dish towels, and paper towels. If I would have known there was a toaster and full size coffee maker, I would have been more prepared. Another huge bonus is the full washer and dryer in every villa. It was so wonderful to come home with a suitcase full of clean laundry; this was a first! Our villa seemed newly upgraded, with beautiful furniture, flat screen T.V., the biggest bathtub I have ever seen, plus updated kitchen and bathrooms. There is one thing that needs improvement and it’s the pillows, they are so hard and thick it was more comfortable to sleep without one.

Service:

Checking in was almost fun! That might sound weird, but from the moment we arrived it really felt different than other hotels in Vegas (not to mention other hotels in general). Other hotels should take notice; the Holiday Inn Club Vacations staff is trained and hired for customer service. What I found to be even more astounding is when a small problem arose, from phone call to door knock was less than five minutes. That has never happened anywhere I have stayed. Bravo to you, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, for hiring and or training people correctly.

Restaurant:

Prospector Joe’s Gold Mind Bar & Grill is their on-sight restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The food is reasonably priced and tasty. My husband enjoyed a chicken pesto Panini while I enjoyed an amazing beet veggie burger. Remember the incredible service that I was talking about; expect the same from the incredibly friendly and fun restaurant staff. It was 119 degrees the weekend we went and they threw in a complimentary frozen lemon-aid for my daughter!

Pool:

The pool is where we spent most of our time. The property has five pools spread out between the villas. We liked the pool closest to the restaurant because it had the waterfall and was a bit livelier. We also loved that if we got hungry or thirsty that we didn’t need to go far to get a quick bite or a cool drink.

Game room:

The Game Room was a really well equipped to entertain children and adults alike. Make sure you bring your quarters (they also have a change machine) and rack up a game of pool, air hockey, or video games. This was a great place to beat the heat and have a little friendly family competition.

Bottom line:

I would absolutely recommend Holiday Inn Club Vacations when traveling with kids. The atmosphere was so family friendly and fun. In some of the major hotels in Vegas people give you snarky looks when children tag along; not everyone loves the sound of children splashing in the pool when they’re nursing their hangover! Holiday Inn Club Vacations is a smart family choice considering all the amenities in the room as well.

Date last visited: June 2013

Distance from the interstate: near I-15

Room rates: Villas started at just $109 at the time of visit.

Directions: From I-15 North or South: Take the Flamingo Road East exit. Travel past the Strip (Las Vegas Blvd.) to Koval Lane. Turn left (north) on Koval Lane and the resort will be on your right.

Disclosure: My family and I received a complimentary stay to facilitate this write up. I was not told to express a certain point of view. All views are my own.

Photo credit: Sean McEntee, Sisily Calvert, Holiday Inn Club Vacations

What to do in Freeport, Maine with kids

August 21, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

When you think of Freeport, Maine, you probably think of outlet stores. That is, if you’ve even heard of it at all. And Freeport does have great outlets, including its anchor store, the original L.L. Bean and outlet. But there’s more for families to do in Freeport than shop.

What to do in Freeport Maine with kids:

1. Atlantic Seal Cruises: Freeport is right on the ocean, and families can join a cruise with Atlantic Seal Cruises to tour the bay, see lighthouses, and more. They offer clambakes and lobster bakes, and depart right from Freeport. Often, you’ll see osprey and eagles from the boat.

2. Blueberry Pond Observatory: Located on Libby Road in Freeport, this observatory offers guided tours where kids can see the moon, planets, and supernovas through a 12′ telescope. You get an astronomy lesson with your visit, and tours start as early as 6 pm in winter, allowing even young kids to stay up late enough to see the stars.

3. L.L. Bean Outdoor Discovery School: Sign up for fantastic classes offered through the L.L. Bean Outdoor Discovery School. Families can learn together how to kayak, fly fish, stand-up paddle board, and more. In fact, there are over 100 classes offered! This is a great way to introduce yourself to a sport that may be a great fit for your whole family.

Where to shop with kids in Freeport:

1. L.L. Bean, of course: The flagship store offers a huge selection of the latest gear and clothing, but also sports a climbing wall and other interactive features. This store is a great place to spend a rainy afternoon, because kids can be active and have fun while adults shop. Plus, L.L. Bean quality is legendary: we bought a toddler-sized rain jacket at this store in 2001. It’s still being worn by various members of our family! Don’t forget that in addition to the flagship store, there are several outlets, a specialty bike and ski shop, and a hunting and fishing shop.

2. Ben and Jerry’s: How can you go wrong? The Ben and Jerry’s location in Freeport is bigger than most, and have the newest flavors from Vermont. It’s located on Nathan Nye Street amid all the shopping options.

3. Island Treasure Toys: Located at 20 Bow Street, Island Treasure has a huge array of specialty toys and educational toys. If you’re on a road trip, this is a must-stop for their selection of car games and portable toys to take on the road. There’s also a great selection of books.

Where to stay in Freeport:

We recommend the Harraseeket Inn on Main Street. It’s located just outside of the main congestion of town, but still within walking distance, and it’s unique while still offering traditional hotel rooms instead of B&B rooms (which tend to be more adults-only oriented). We stayed here with a two-year-old, and had a great time exploring the grounds, which include a nice courtyard and indoor pool. The Harraseeket is a luxury (four diamond) hotel, but still casual and kid-friendly. For more economical accommodations, the Best Western PLUS offers standard lodging and an outdoor pool and children’s play area.

Photo credit: dchousegrooves and littlelionkat

Summer activities at Utah Olympic Park

August 16, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

If you’re staying in Park City, Utah in summer, definitely take time away from historic downtown and your resort pool to play for the day at Utah Olympic Park. Fun in winter, the park is even more action-packed during the summer months. Here’s what you can expect in terms of summer activities at Utah Olympic Park.

See Olympians training:

The park was built for the 2002 Olympic Games, and remains a training ground for ski jump, bobsled, and more. Most days at the park, guests can watch youth and adults training at the facilities. There’s also a free museum on Olympic history that’s well worth checking out.

Play on the zip-lines and ropes course:

For only $40 per person (far less than the cost of a ski ticket in winter!), kids get unlimited use of zip-lines, high ropes courses, and more. Guests choose from three levels of Adventure Courses: our eight-year-old opted for the most basic course, but quickly realized he was ready for more. It was no problem to send him on his way to try the more challenging elements. We loved the flexibility of the courses, and the all-inclusive rate. Kids as young as five can start on the Discovery Adventure. The Canyons Adventure is designed for age seven and up, while the Summit Adventure is for the most daring. There’s even a Drop Tower for taller kids.

Try a chair lift ride:

For kids who are not skiers, a chair lift ride is a great way to experience a fun aspect of the sport. And the views from the top of the chair include most of the valley, plus a new perspective on the challenging ski jump chute. Rides are inexpensive and a great compliment to a museum visit for younger kids or adults.

Go on the bobsled:

Older kids can experience the thrill of a bobsled ride on the only full-length course in North America. This ride is less intense than its winter equivalent (and less expensive) but still offers 5 G’s of force as you twist and turn down 15 curves behind a professional driver.

Experience zip-lines:

The Utah Olympic Park zip lines propel riders 50 mph. We loved that there are two side by side, so family members can enjoy this together. There’s also a more kid-friendly freestyle zip-line, which is shorter and less steep.

Try the alpine slide:

Perfect for younger kids, the alpine slide is tame enough for anyone (kids can ride with parents) but exciting enough to keep teens entertained riding solo. The slide is built with stainless steel construction, with straight-aways, drops and 18 banked turns.

Date last visited: June 2013

Distance from the interstate: minutes from I-40

Admission: Gold Day Pass is $65 for adults, $40 for kids, and includes everything except the bobsled ride ($75 extra cost). Some activities are unlimited. See details. Single activities can be purchased separately as well, for very reasonable prices between $5-$15.

Summer hours: hours for various activities vary, but generally, attractions start opening by 10 am and close at 6 pm.

Directions: The Utah Olympic Park is located at 3419 Olympic Pkwy. From Park City or The Canyons Resort, easily follow well-marked signage.

This post written in partnership with VacationRoost. We were not compensated for reviewing any of the activities above.

Old Trail Town Cody Wyoming

August 14, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

Cody, Wyoming is bursting with family-friendly historical sites. Not to be overlooked is Old Trail Town Cody Wyoming. While this Cody attraction won’t take families as long to tour as the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, it makes for a worthy hour of exploration.

Each of the 26 historic buildings in Trail Town are authentic dwellings from the 1850s-1910s, brought to Cody from all corners of Wyoming, Utah, and Montana, among other states. As a collection, they’re impressive enough, but each interior has been reconstructed to replicate life during the respective era. There’s a blacksmith shop, saloon, homesteading cabins, fur-trading cabins, and barns. Visitors can even walk into the Hole in the Wall cabin of Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid fame, and see bullet holes in the door of the saloon.

Of particular interest to us at Trail Town was the graveyard, which includes the grave of Jeremiah Johnson and other Western mountain men and women. A small museum houses letters written home from ranchers, fur trappers, and settlers, and Native American artifacts from the region. The whole property will take families approximately 1-2 hours to tour, depending on age of kids and interest level.

Date last visited:

June 2103

Distance from the interstate:

Right off Highway 20

Admission rates:

$8 per person for adults, lower for kids

Hours of operation:

8 am to 7 pm, May 15 to September 30.

Directions:

Trail Town is located on the west end of Cody on Highway 20 near the Cody Stampede rodeo grounds.

Cody Wyoming restaurants: where to eat on Sheridan Street with kids

August 12, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

Visitors to Cody, Wyoming will quickly see that this authentic cowboy town has a lot to offer in rich history, touristy shopping, and outdoor recreation. It also has a lot of saloons and bars, but family-friendly restaurants in Cody do exist in ready supply! Below, our top five picks for where to eat in Cody Wyoming for breakfast, lunch, and dinner:

Adriano’s Italian: For a nice dinner out, Adriano’s offers both delicious Italian fare and Western charm…a combination you may not have known could exist! Rodeo memorabilia, photos, and trophies line the walls of this cozy restaurant, and while the wait staff was overworked the night of our visit, the manager was friendly and attentive. Of special note: the garlic bread is to die for. Find Adriano’s at 1244 Sheridan Ave.

Peter’s: If you’re looking for a mid-day meal or sweet snack, Peter’s does not disappoint with counter-service burgers, hot dogs, and fries and a wide-variety of ice cream treats. There are tables for in-restaurant dining, or you can take your snack to go and eat while strolling the streets of Cody. Peter’s does offer breakfast as well. Find Peter’s at 1219 Sheridan Ave.

Irma Hotel patio dining: The Irma Hotel on Sheridan Ave is the scene of the nightly gunfight skit (every night at 6:30). It’s also an historic building, first built as a hotel by Buffalo Bill Cody for his daughter Irma. The dining room inside is a bit spendy and stuffy (and adjacent to a fairly loud bar), but outside on the shaded patio, a casual menu offers burgers, sandwiches, and salads. Come for the show and stay for the meal. Find Irma’s at 1292 Sheridan Ave.

Rocky Mountain MoJoe: Located closer to the west end of town, MoJoe’s serves the best coffee drinks in town, plus killer breakfasts that include saysage-stuffed pancakes, cinnamon-encrusted french toast, and egg sandwiches. They’re open for all meals, and have both indoor and outdoor casual seating. Find MoJoe’s at 1001 Sheridan Ave.

Granny’s: If you want to eat where the locals eat, head to Granny’s. Located on the east end of downtown across from the Buffalo Bill Village, Granny’s serves homestyle breakfast entrees like biscuits and gravy, egg scrambles, and sweet rolls the size of your kid’s head. On weekend mornings it gets quite crowded, but the wait staff is fast and friendly, and tables turn over quickly. Granny’s is located at 1550 Sheridan Ave.

Days Inn Hot Springs State Park, Thermopolis Wyoming

August 9, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

Pulling up to the Days Inn Hot Springs State Park in the town of Thermopolis Wyoming, I was instantly reminded of family road trip motels of my childhood. This Days Inn certainly has a ‘slice of Americana’ feel with its traditional motel layout, aging exterior, and eclectic decor, and like all good American roadside motels, has a personality of its own. In the Days Inn Hot Springs State Park’s case, this personality is exhibited in its extensive collection of wall-mounted animal trophies and wildlife and hunting photographs adoring the walls. This theme is only furthered in the attached Safari Club restaurant, which celebrates the life and conquests of a local hunter.

The motel is within steps of Hot Springs State Park attractions, including the Star Plunge and Teepee pools. And yes, this fellow greets you near the lobby. The motel even includes its own mineral hot springs’ fed jacuzzi in its outdoor courtyard (as well as a fresh water, chlorinated swimming pool), as well as private soaking tubs (for a fee) in its athletic center.

We had our share of hiccups at the Days Inn, including key cards that refused to work on particular doors and laundry facilities that were out of order (but not marked as such). This led to an unfortunate situation where we had washed (and soaking wet) clothing without access to a dryer. The motel staff remedied this problem, but needs to keep their facilities in working order (or offer warnings!).

The outdoor pool is adequate, though if you’re in Thermopolis, you’ll most likely be spending any swimming time in the large pool complexes in the state park. The athletic room features two racquetball courts–a happy surprise–and cardio exercise equipment plus weight systems, but to get there, guests must pass through a somewhat odd spa services area (where soaking mineral pools are available, as well as massage).

Rooms at the Days Inn are basic, and what you’d expect from a budget motel and no more. The one major perk after days on the road: the motel did have high-speed internet, which was most welcome. Otherwise, amenities are out-dated (we had trouble with our shower head) and the decor is uninspired, but if you want a truly authentic road trip motel experience in small-town America, this is it.

All this said, unless you’re a big game fan, or want your kids to experience this slice of Americana, we recommend camping in one of the beautiful campgrounds west of Thermopolis overlooking the Big Horn River if you need to stay the night, or to make the popular Hot Springs State Park an extended day trip or pit stop en route to Cody or Yellowstone National Park without a night’s stay in town. After a few hours in the state park pools, you’re only 1.5 hours from Cody, Wyoming.