state - Pitstops for Kids

Polar Caves Park

September 15, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

My favorite stop during our family trip through the New Hampshire lakes district was the Polar Caves Park in Rumney, New Hampshire.

I admit I was skeptical at first: the park looks a little funky with giant (and somewhat weather-worn) polar bear statues and a cheesy gift shop at the entrance. But once we entered the park and started up the wooden walkway to the caves, I took back every snide comment. The scenery is beautiful, the caves are dark and refreshingly cool, and there’s even a little zoo at the entrance with some surprisingly exotic pheasants.

The cave tours are unguided, but you can bypass any one of them if it looks a little too cramped for your comfort. They are surprisingly fun to navigate, with a good number of tricky spots and tight quarters. We managed all but one cave with a three year old, and part of the fun was letting him figure out how to scramble up and down the boulders and explore each nook and cranny.

A few tips will help you get the most out of your visit. First, the website says that the park opens at 9am, when actually, the gift shop opens at 9 and the rest of the park opens at 10. We’re early birds, so we showed up well before the park opened and had to spend about 45 minutes wandering around a gift shop with a toddler. Enough said. Second, strollers and baby backpacks are not allowed in the caves and they mean it: there is no way you’ll get through the caves with a stroller, and there’s only one or two where a backpack might fit. That being said, we had a 10-month-old in a front carrier and went through all but one or two caves.

Distance from the interstate: Five miles off I-93.

Date last visited: August 24, 2011

Hours of operation: Polar Caves Park is a seasonal park, and is open until October 16. Hours are for ticket sales; the park is open a little later, but tickets must be bought during the following hours: summer hours are 9am–5pm, and fall hours are 10am¬–4:30pm.

Ticket prices: Ages 11 and up: $15, ages 4–10: $11, under 4: free

Food services: Food can be bought in the main lodge, but there is also a nice picnic area with barbeques available (the website even mentions that you’re welcome to borrow barbeque tools if needed!).

Contact info: http://www.polarcaves.com/ (603) 536-1888

Directions: Polar Caves Park is located at 705 Route 25, Rumney, NH 03266. From I-93, take exit 26 for New Hampshire 3/New Hampshire 25/Plymouth/Rumney, then merge onto New Hampshire 3A S/Tenney Mountain Hwy. At the traffic circle, take the 1st exit onto NH-25 W, then turn left onto Old Route 25.

One Tank Wonders: where to travel after school starts

September 12, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

Our family vacations extensively during the summer months, but by autumn, school and sport schedules once again reign. Do we stop traveling? Never! But our adventures do take place closer to home. In fact, some of our favorite trips have taken place less than one tank of gas away from our hometown. Shorter trips are less stressful, usually less expensive, and easier to plan. You can be in the car by breakfast and home by nightfall if needed, or you can opt to pack for only an overnight.

Here in Oregon, the following are some of our favorite one tank wonders. If you live here too, I hope you’ll check them out!

Crater Lake National Park: Crater Lake is not just one of the true wonders of the world; it’s also full of kid-friendly activities in (almost) all seasons. Roads can close in the middle of winter, but spring and late fall afford snowshoeing, while summer and early fall offer perfectly clear days and miles of hiking trails. We always stop by Union Creek on Highway 62 on the way, where Beckie’s features the best milkshakes and burgers money can buy, and Natural Bridge campground gives kids a glimpse of the icy river rushing through lava tubes.

Bend: This Central Oregon high desert town offers whitewater rafting, biking, hiking, and more volcanic activity at Lavalands Recreational Area. Families will also love the High Desert Museum and in the winter, the skiing at nearby Mt. Bachelor. Stay in Sunriver, or to splurge, Camp Pronghorn.

Oregon Dunes Recreational Area: This past summer, we discovered the fun of camping on the Oregon dunes. Spread out by the Pacific near Reedsport, this section of land is protected from recreational vehicles, and is ideal for hiking and playing on. Families can camp directly adjacent to the dunes, and spend the day on the coastline, or driving to the nearby Sea Lion Caves.

Oregon Caves and Out and About Treesort: Cave Junction, Oregon is less than one hour from our home, and offers the fun of sleeping in your own treehouse! While at the resort, horseback ride or zip line, and be sure to bring food to cook in the communal kitchen or over the bonfire. A short drive up a scenic highway away is Oregon Caves, where kids can spelunk during 90 minute guided tours through the caverns.

I’d love to hear about your one tank wonders! This week, I’m discussing the topic over at the Around the Campfire online community. Come share your own one tank wonder!

Exploring the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area

September 9, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

Directly along Oregon’s stretch of coastal Highway 101 lie the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area: miles of sandy hills and valleys awaiting exploration! Never heard of it? I’m not surprised…many don’t realize these mammoth mountains of sand are so close at-hand for Northwest visitors!

The biggest of these dunes are about 10 miles south of Reedsport near the town of Lakeside in Eel Creek Campground. Off road vehicles are not allowed along this stretch of “seafront Sahara”. There are picnic tables and restrooms, and a $5 parking fee. It is only .05 mile walk (you cut through the campground) to the open dunes, which makes this a great pit stop for families traveling further as well as a destination. It’s possible to make a longer loop of it by following the trail from the campground to the beach and back (2.5 miles). We took snow sleds to try our hand at sand sledding, but they didn’t work as well as you might think! Instead, our kids had more fun just running up and down the dunes.

Families can also rent sand boards (like snowboards) nearby in the town of Florence. These rentals are about $20/day, and are a great activity for families with older kids who like skateboarding or snowboarding. They can be used wherever you like!

We opted for the day hike and hiked out to the ocean. Then we played at the beach for about an hour before walking back. Most of the hike we did barefoot, as the trail is sandy. The kids loved the wide expanse and played all kinds of games along the way; you could see them from miles away!

Another fun hike is Tahkenitch Creek, located north of Reedsport about nine miles. Due to the expanse of the Oregon Dunes Recreation Area, this area is still within its limits. It is well marked along Highway 101 and at one point, the trail crosses a creek that our kids ended up swimming in. The hike is two miles round trip to the ocean, but we got a bit lost on the trails and ended up hiking closer to three miles! The best part of this hike: finding dozens and dozens of sand dollars! (The weather can change quickly on the coast!)

Tip: About three miles east of Reedsport is Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area. It is right along the highway and well worth the stop in case there are elk. There is telescope viewer there to find out! We did not see any this time, but we have before. Families can picnic there, but there are no tables, just benches and large information panels. (No bathrooms!) Also nearby is the Umpqua Discovery Center, in Reedsport, which is a great way to acquaint yourself with the dune area.

Date last visited: November 2014

Distance from the interstate: All attractions located right along Highway 101.

Overnight options: We stayed at Eel Creek Campground. Want to overnight in a yurt? Try Sunset Bay State Park (a family favorite) or William Tugman State Park. The latter is closest, but in summer, does get quite loud with motorized sports on the nearby lake.

Dining options: Nearby Reedsport offers the usual restaurant fare: we ate at a pizza place with a nice salad bar, and there is also a Safeway and McDonalds. In the small harbor town of Winchester, try the fish and chips place floating at the T dock. It’s delicious!

Rates and reservations: Start at the Eel Creek Campground site!

Directions: Eel Creek Campground (gateway to the dunes) is located at 72044 Highway 101 in
Lakeside OR, 10 miles south of Reedsport.

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center

September 6, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

On a recent family trip to the New Hampshire lakes region, we spent a blissful morning at the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center in Holderness, New Hampshire.

The science center is made up of a network of trails dotted with animal exhibits ranging from insects and birds to mountain lions and even a black bear. For the younger crowd, the highlight of the morning was the Gordon Children’s Center, an interactive (and indoors!) playspace with slides, tunnels, and games, all focused on the animals and habitats on display at the science center. The staff also offer fun, informal animal shows every hour between 11am and 3pm.

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center also offers lake cruises on Big Squam Lake, and summer camps for kids as young as four years old. Overall, this is a fun, educational way to get off the lake for a morning or afternoon with kids of all ages.

Date last visited: August 23, 2011

Distance from the interstate: Approximately 5 miles off 93N.

Hours of operation: Trails are open daily from May 1 to November 1, 9:30–4:30.

Admission: Adults: $15; kids (3¬–15): $10; 2 and under free.

Food services: Picnic! There are picnic tables located in a covered area just inside the ticket office, as well as a grassy area to set out a blanket. There is also food available for purchase at the Kirkwood Café (June through September only).

Website or contact info: www.nhnature.org

Directions: Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is located at 23 Science Center Road, Holderness, New Hampshire. Directions can be found on the website, or on googlemaps.

Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, Dayton Ohio

September 3, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

The following pit stop is submitted by reader Erica Smith.

The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, located outside of Dayton, Ohio, includes exhibits on anthropology, astronomy, geology, robotics, and even a zoo! Erica and her family stopped on a recent road trip, and recommends it because it had spaces designed for multiple age groups (she has a one-year-old daughter and a four-year-old son), and exhibits that engage kids physically and intellectually. An added bonus is that the museum is located in a lovely park and wooded area, perfect for a picnic after the museum visit!

Tip: If time permits, consider a visit to Boonshoft’s sister site, SunWatch Indian Village, also located in Dayton. A national historic landmark, kids can learn about Ohio’s first residents at SunWatch, tour an American Indian village, and even observe archeological digs.

Date last visited: Summer 2011

Distance from the interstate: Just off I-75

Hours of operation: Monday–Saturday 9:00 am-5:00 pm, Sunday noon-5:00 pm.

Admission cost: Adults $8.50; children 2–12 and seniors $7.50; children under 2 are free.

Dining options: None on site; picnic areas available.

Directions: The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery is located just north of downtown Dayton at 2600 DeWeese Parkway. From north of Dayton, take 75 South and take the Wagner Ford exit (exit 57 B). Make a right (north) on N. Dixie, turn left onto Siebenthaler. Then take a left on Ridge Ave., and a right on DeWeese Pkwy. The SunWatch Indian Village is located at 2301 West River Road, Dayton. Take I-75 to exit 51. Go west onto Edwin C. Moses Blvd., which then turns into Nicholas Rd. Cross Dryden Rd./South Broadway St., then turn left onto West River Rd. for 1 mile, dead-ends at SunWatch.

County Line Orchard

August 29, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

The following pit stop is submitted by reader Erica Smith.

Hobart Indiana’s County Line Orchard is located right on the Lake and Porter county line, and offers all kinds of outdoor activities in the autumn season. Kids can pick apples, press cider, and visit the Kids’ Farm, featuring a mini-maze, play areas, bee yurts, animals, and more. A full-sized corn maze and country store will keep older kids and adults happy, too!

Date last visited: Fall 2010

Distance from the interstate: One hour from I-94.

Hours of operation: Store: 8 am to 6 pm daily. Kids’ Farm: 10 am to 6 pm daily.

Admission cost: Families can purchase admission to individual attractions, or save money on an all-access pass ($10). Full admission information is found at the County Line Orchard site.

Dining options: The orchard houses a full grill, a picnic area, a donut shop, and a country store. Trust me, you won’t go hungry! (Their donuts are highly acclaimed locally!)

Directions: The orchard is located at 200 South County Road in Hobart Indiana. From I-80 & 94, take exit 15A, or from I-90 (the Indiana Toll Road), take exit 21 (Ripley Ave.) At the second stop light (approximately 3 miles), turn left (east), staying on Rt. 6. At the third stop light, turn right (south) onto County Line Road. The orchard is one mile ahead just past a stop sign, on the right (west) side of the road.

A stay at Central Oregon’s Pronghorn Club

August 24, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

An unique and beautifully luxurious oasis in the heart of Central Oregon’s high desert, Pronghorn Club offers families the comfort and convenience of vacation homes, the fun of a family resort, and the excitement of a full-scale outdoor adventure outfit.

The primary draw of the Pronghorn Club is its signature Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course and (private) Tom Fazio course. Charlie (the Pit Stops’ dad and an avid–and pretty darn good–golfer, could only say ‘wow’ following his tour; both courses were that beautiful, and that challenging. The resort offers world-class instruction; the kids and I took part in their PGA TOUR Academy program, where we spent an hour with head instructor Mike Palen, learning the basics of swing and follow through. The program includes one-on-one time with the instructor, time to hit balls on the academy range, and high tech video analysis, allowing us to see our swing (and compare it to Tiger Woods’) Not bad for the kids’ first golf experience!

If you’re not a golfer (or only part of your party wants to hit the links), there’s plenty more to do. The resort’s Trailhead building houses Camp Pronghorn, a wing dedicated to kids with games, arts and crafts, ping-pong and foos-ball tables, and a full media center with all the video game consoles a kid or tween could ask for. (Open to all overnight guests.) Down the hall is the concierge desk for Pronghorn Adventures, where a concierge is ready to book family day trips with local second-party excursion partners. We spent one afternoon rafting the thrilling Big Eddy on the Deschutes River with Sun Country Tours before returning to the Trailhead to visit the resort’s outdoor pools: one a zero-depth entry with waterslide, one free-form, and two hot tubs (one for adults only). We loved that a huge basket of pool toys beckoned, and that we could order lunch or dinner from the Trailhead Grill (located beside Camp Pronghorn) and be served our meal poolside.

Tip: Camp Pronghorn is much more than an on-site play area: the staff runs a full-day kids’ program (9:30 am-4 pm) program five days per week, three of which feature off-site excursions. Depending on the day, kids will experience the Paulina Plunge bike tour, whitewater rafting, cave spelunking, zip-lining, fishing, and more; a huge value. During our visit, we departed Pronghorn with club leader Beau Kelly, a Central Oregon native, professional educator, and expert on local attractions. We experienced a private zip line followed by a picnic lunch and area cave tour; the kids had so much fun, they fell asleep on the car ride back (transportation and lunch is included).

On-site, bike rentals are available (and complementary for the first two hours) outside the Trailhead, and in the Clubhouse (directly across the way), families will find the spacious decks, a snack bar, a full-service spa, and the Casada Restaurant, which offers both cozy indoor dining and stunning sunset views on the deck.

The accommodations at Pronghorn are five star (be sure to click on the slideshow for more interior photos). The resort is comprised of ‘Resident Club’ condo-style homes, villas, and estates; overnight guests enjoy the former. Our Resident Club home was immaculately decorated in warm earth tones, boasted two fireplaces AND and outdoor fire pit, a full luxury kitchen, dining area with table for six, a comfortable living area (great room) with home theater system, three bedrooms, three bathrooms (including a master bath with jacuzzi tub), a single-car garage, extra parking, a back deck and balcony overlooking the golf course, an outdoor BBQ, and an office media space (with WiFi throughout the house). (And I’m sure I’m forgetting something!) A Pronghorn Resident Club condo would be the perfect place for a family gathering; I’m already envisioning returning for Christmas!

Date last visited: August 14-16, 2011

Distance from the interstate: 15 minutes from Hwy 97.

Room rates: Call the reservation desk at 866-372-1003 for room and vacation home information. Because Pronghorn is an unique member-driven vacation community, resort stays for overnight guests are completely customizable. Their front desk personnel are highly trained to meet the needs of your individual family. Be sure to ask about seasonal packages, such as stay-and-ski and stay-and-golf, both of which are good values.

Dining options: The resort offers two full casual-style restaurants ideal for families: the Trailhead Grill and Casada in the Clubhouse, where entries are between $10-25 ($7-10 on the kids’ menu). A fine dining restaurant, Chanterelle, is open on a limited basis. We enjoyed both the former, and also brought along groceries to make use of our gorgeous kitchen! Many dining options also exist in nearby Bend, Oregon (15 minutes).

Camp Pronghorn rates: Daily rates for Camp Pronghorn excursions (9:30 am to 4 pm, supervised and off-site) are $75 per child, per day.

Directions: Pronghorn Club is located at 65600 Pronghorn Drive. From Bend, OR, take Hwy 97 to Hwy 20. Take Hwy. 20 East (Greenwood Avenue) approx. 5 miles -Turn Left on Powell Butte Hwy. Continue past the Bend Airport on your right, then turn left on Pronghorn Club Drive.

As I disclose whenever applicable, we were guests of the Pronghorn Club during our three-day visit, and were provided with accommodations, food and beverages, golf, and family excursions at no charge. While we appreciate their hospitality, this compensation came with no expectation of a positive review.

Legoland California’s Star Wars miniland and water park

August 22, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

While we were in Southern California last week, I had the opportunity to stop by one of our favorite theme parks for the younger set: Legoland California.

We love Legoland for their whimsical, primarily-colored theme, their young kid-friendly rides, and ample activities for the toddler and preschool set, but most exciting on this most recent visit was the showcasing of their new Star Wars Miniland! Yes, we’re a family of Star Wars-loving geeks, but even if you’re not, you’ll be floored by the attention to detail present in this multi-section display. I could have stood and looked for hours!

Of course, Star Wars in miniature is not the only new draw to Legoland California. The Legoland Waterpark features a 45-foot tower featuring slides and cascading, dumping water, two sandy beaches, and my favorite: the ‘build-a-raft’ river where kids create their own floatation devices. One word of warning: if you’re planning to enter the park later in the day, beware that the water park does fill to capacity. When it does so, water park passes may not be purchased at the main gate until enough guests have exited the area. It’s best to go early, or purchase a regular ticket that can be upgraded should the water park open up.

One thing I love about Legoland is that while it has certainly grown, deals can still be had. Did you know kids eat free from 5 to 7 pm? Or that the park offers free admission in its last hour before closing? Be sure not to buy more ticket than you need: if you’re not planning to visit the aquarium or water park, you don’t have to pay for it!

Plus! Did you know Legoland Florida is slated to open in October of 2011?! Autumn is a great time for families to visit Central Florida: the crowds have thinned, the weather has cooled, and room rates throughout the region have lowered. This park will certainly be on our list the next time we’re in the state!

San Diego on Dwellable

San Diego Marriott Marquis and Marina

August 19, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

The Marriott Marquis and Marina is located in the heart of San Diego, California’s Gaslamp Quarter, situated directly on the bay. It does not include beach access, but the water is in easy reach via the harbor, where kids can watch the boats and parents will appreciate the family-friendly dining.

A major convention hotel, families can count on plenty of business and conference traffic during their stay, but the hotel is large enough that it won’t matter. My stay was during the 3,000+ person BlogHer conference (for which I was an attendee), and the public spaces didn’t even feel crowded. Located within the hotel is a Starbucks, a large gift and necessity shop, a UPS store, pool and lobby bars, and full room service. The outdoor pool is large and kid-friendly, and opens out onto the marina. Within walking distance are Gaslamp District eateries and shopping, and within minutes by car is SeaWorld San Diego, the San Diego Zoo, and the Wild Animal Park.

Rooms are fairly spacious, but be aware that standard room beds are on the narrow side! If you’re sharing them with kids, you may prefer to order a roll-away bed. Wireless internet is free in all public areas, but guests are charged $12 a day for in-room wireless. As is standard in most downtown city hotels, parking is $26 a day for guests with cars, and unfortunately, in San Diego, you’ll probably need one.

Date last visited: August 2011

Distance from the interstate: Five minutes off I-5.

Room rates: Standard rates are between $215-240 per night.

Directions: The Marriott Marquis is located at 333 West Harbor. From I-5, take the Front Street exit straight to the hotel entrance.

Downtown on Dwellable

Starved Rock State Park

August 18, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

The following pit stop was submitted by Pit Stops for Kids reader Erica Smith.

Starved Rock State Park is one of Illinois’ most beautiful natural landmarks. Located in Utica, Illinois and filled with canyons and waterfalls, Starved Rock offers breathtaking hiking, biking, exploration, and lodging. Families can stop by for the day, or consider it a destination!

Distance from the interstate: Five minutes from I-39, also near I-80.

What to do: Kids can meet and learn about animals at Fox Ridge, the new outdoor venue near the lodge, and entire families will enjoy hiking the many trails (open in all seasons). Land and water cruises are offered June through September, and events and festivals continue throughout the year.

Admission cost: Free day use.

Hours of operation: 7 am to 9 pm.

Dining options: Picnic areas are available, as well as casual and fine dining at the lodge.

Accommodations: Camping is available, and a full lodge is located in the state park. If you want to cater specifically to the kids, located right next to Starved Rock is Grizzly Jack’s Grand Bear Resort. Housing a full indoor-outdoor water park, plenty of in-house dining, and kids’ activities, this ‘Great Wolf Lodge’ type resort offers the best of both worlds: kid heaven adjacent to natural splendor. Rates can be found on the Grizzly Jack resort page. Since lodge accommodations are needed for water park admission, we recommend booking one night here, and subsequent nights at the lodge or campground.

Directions: The lodge and park are located east of the intersection of Routes 178 & 71 in Utica, IL. From I-39 southbound: Go south to I-80 east (exit #59). Go two miles to exit #81 (Rt. 178, Utica). Go south (right) 3 miles on Rt. 178 and follow the signs into the park.