state - Pitstops for Kids

Amelia Park Children’s Museum (Westfield Children’s Museum)

August 16, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

Located right off the Mass Pike (I-90), the Amelia Park Children’s Museum (often called the Westfield Children’s Museum) is perfect for families looking for a place to let little ones run wild for an hour or two. The museum is made up of one long room with smaller stations along the edges, such as a pretend bank and grocery store, a collection of Little People toys, and a stage with costumes, a disco ball, and a microphone for the more theatrically inclined. Adjacent to this room is a large play area with Nurf air guns, a rocket ship, and a twisty slide. The layout of this museum is great, especially for those of us with the toddler/baby set, because it’s so easy to keep track of two kids (from a central vantage point, you can see just about the whole museum).

If you’re staying in the area for a while, especially in winter when the weather can get in the way of outdoor activities, it might be worth buying a year membership. The price of admission on your first day is subtracted from the membership fee, meaning that for another $20 or so, you can come and go as you please for the rest of your visit.

Date last visited: July 29, 2011

Distance from the interstate: One mile from I-90.

Hours of operation: Monday: 10-4, Tuesday/Wednesday: closed, Thursday: 10-4, Friday: 10-4,
Saturday: 10-7, Sunday 10-4

Admission prices: $7 for anyone over 1 year (free for anyone under a year). They also have discounts for students, teachers, and senior citizens.

Food services: Technically, you aren’t allowed to bring food into museum, and there’s nowhere to buy food when you’re there. However, we’ve certainly had a few snacks inside and haven’t been hassled by staff.

Website and phone: http://www.ameliaparkmuseum.org/ (413) 572-4014

Directions:: The museum is located at 29 South Broad St., Westfield, MA. The Amelia Park complex includes an ice arena and a Boys and Girls Club. Drive through the complex and the museum is located at the back.

Disney done right: how to survive (and thrive!) in summer crowds

August 12, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

The first advice I offer any family asking how to get the most from their Disney theme park experience is to visit in the off-season. Of course, such a plan isn’t always realistic. If your only option is to visit Walt Disney World or the Disneyland Resort in the summer season, take heart! It is possible to best the crowds and the heat and have a fabulous time.

During our three-day visit to the Disneyland Resort in August, we experienced every attraction we wanted, had time for relaxation, and never waited longer than 15 minutes in any line. Below you’ll find our top suggestions on maximizing your peak summer Disney experience:

1. Arrive at parks at ‘rope drop’. It sounds simplistic, but aside from utilizing FastPass (more on that below), arriving at park opening is the best way to beat crowds. Imagine theme park crowds as a breaking wave: get there first, and you’ll remain at the forefront of that wave all day long. We noted the difference during our August trip: at 8:15 am (with a general population park opening of 8 am) the standby wait time for the hugely popular Star Tours was under 15 minutes. Nearby, Space Mountain’s standby time was 10 minutes, and the new Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage was 5 minutes. By 9 am, we’d done all three and had snagged FastPasses for later in the day, while Star Tours’ standby line had increased to 60 minutes, Space Mountain’s to 45 minutes, and Nemo’s to 30 minutes. The FastPasses for Star Tours were listing return times after 7 pm. We moved on, riding that wave.

2. Use FastPass in an organized, deliberate manner. Most park visitors now know to utilize Disney’s ingenious FastPass system, but many still neglect to make the most of it. When crowd levels are high, fast passes for key attractions will run out by as early as mid-morning, so plan to gather the ones you want most as close to park opening as possible. We always send a Fast Pass ‘scout’ to obtain our FastPasses for our first attraction while the rest of our party jumps in the standby line for another ride directly following rope drop….this is often the only standby line we stand in all day. Remember that a new FastPass can be obtained as early as the first time listed on your current FastPass, and that FastPasses for water rides such as Grizzly Run in California Adventure and Splash Mountain in Disneyland won’t run out until later in the day (when people get hot); plan to snag those by mid-morning to ride in the heat of the day. (Or ride early morning to avoid any line at all!)

3. Seek out quiet park areas to escape the crush of the crowds: In Disneyland, nothing beats Tom Sawyer’s Island for some R&R. Kids can run and play without standing in lines, and adults can find a shady bench to decompress. If you all want to sit down for a bit, consider taking a ride on the nearby Dixie Queen steamboat. Even in peak season, seats are available, and it’s always shaded. If your food budget allows for it, make a reservation for the quiet, darkened Blue Bayou Restaurant, located inside Pirates of the Caribbean. You’ll enjoy the ambiance, and escape the heat. In California Adventure, enter the Redwood Challenge Trail play area, where kids will climb ropes and cross bridges and zip down zip lines and adults, again, can blissfully sit. Bear in mind that neither Tom Sawyer’s Island or Redwood Challenge have food vendors; bring in a snack or water bottles.

4. Stay on-site. I’m a firm believer in staying at a Disney resort. While they’re often more expensive nightly than other area hotels and motels, they pay for themselves in the perks. During our August trip, we stayed at the Disneyland Hotel, where guests are given two extra FastPasses per guest per night which my kids called ‘magic FastPasses’ (as you can use them for any ride, at any time). Guests also enjoy extra park hours, and fun Disney touches in their rooms (my kids loved the musical headboards on the beds and their Mickey wake-up calls). The best perk of all, however, is simply logistical: staying at a Disney resort, you can easily take park breaks and won’t have to pay theme park parking fees. Each afternoon of our stay, we exited the parks and enjoyed a few hours in the Disneyland Hotel pools.

5. Eat at off-peak times and skip beverage lines. By the time lunch or dinner rolls around, the last thing anyone wants to do is stand in another line. To beat crowds, plan your meals during off-peak times. We always each lunch right at 11 am and dinner at 4 pm, adding a later evening snack. Many lunch venues are just opening at 11, giving us our pick of seating. Carry water bottles and powdered drink mix (to make drinking fountain refills taste better) to always have drinks on-hand, saving you time and money.

Every family’s schedule, budget, and preferences are different, but even if you can only take advantage of 3-5 of these tips, you’ll have a more relaxing, fun, and cost-effective theme park experience during peak season. Will you still become worn down by crowds and feel the heat? Sure, at times, and at the end of each day, you may still say, ‘Next time, let’s come back in January’, but at least you’ll be smiling as you say it.

To maximize our visit, our family used Southern California CityPasses during our three days at Disneyland Resort. As I disclose whenever applicable, these passes were provided free of charge, but came with no expectation of a positive review.

Disney done right: a stay at the Disneyland Hotel

August 11, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

Until last week, my family and I had never stayed on-site at the Disneyland Resort, despite numerous trips to the theme parks. After last week’s stay, I may never visit Disney any other way. Our night at the newly improved Disneyland Hotel granted both tangible and intangible perks I don’t think I could do without!

We arrived at the hotel in the morning before park opening, and the front desk Cast Members had us registered and back out the door in time for California Adventure’s ‘rope drop’. I loved that they were able to store our bags and issue us key cards with an assigned tower (of three: Adventure, Frontier, and Fantasy) so we could skip the registration line later and use the pools at our leisure. We were told we’d receive a text with our precise room number once it was available after 3 pm, and we hit the park!

The walk to California Adventure and Disneyland from the Disneyland Hotel is a short hike through Downtown Disney, but if you’re headed to the latter and already have park passes, the fastest and easiest way (unless you don’t want to break down a stroller) is through the Monorail station located right next to the nearby Rainforest Café, which will take you directly into Tomorrowland.

We stayed in the parks until 2 pm, when we opted to return to the hotel to make use of one of the best perks of staying on-site: an afternoon pool break. The kids loved the ‘D Ticket’ pool and ‘Monorail’ water slides (though they missed having a larger swim area…can’t wait for the construction to finally be complete!). By 4 pm, we were ready to change for dinner and a return to the parks, but hadn’t yet received our text. Upon further investigation, I realized our key card envelope included a phone number we could call to check on the status of our room; when I did so, I learned it was indeed ready! I don’t know what glitch prevented our text, but if you have the same problem, use the number to double-check!

Our room in the newly remodeled Frontier tower was surprisingly spacious, and I love that it accommodated our family of five: an extra day bed is built in for a child. The kids couldn’t get enough of the light-up, twinkling headboards, and I loved the view of the pool area with its retro Disneyland signage. We even got a glimpse of the Disneyland fireworks later that night!

Staying on-site at the Disneyland Resort truly does keep families immersed in the ‘magic’ of the theme parks, from the small touches in the rooms to the character sightings in the hotel (Toby ran right into Goofy in the lobby—literally!). Taking advantage of the close proximity to the parks and the extra magic hour opportunities shaves time off busy vacation schedules, and we were surprised to learn that from now until September 5th, guests at the Disneyland Hotel receive two extra FastPasses per guest per night! Our kids called these ‘magic’ FastPasses, as they’re good for any ride, at any time!

Note: Though it lights up invitingly, the Monorail slides close earlier than the rest of the pool complex (at dusk, for safety reasons); let your kids know!

Date last visited: August 3, 2011

Room rates: Rates are more affordable than you might think! Check the reservations page for current prices; on the night we stayed (in peak season), it was under $200.

Dining options: The hotel houses several restaurants, including the Goofy’s Kitchen character meal (which we enjoyed), Tangaroa Terrace, Steakhouse 55, and the very fun Tiki Room-themed Trader Sam’s, located poolside and offering drinks and appetizers. Spend some time inside soaking up the ambiance and observing what happens when guests order certain drinks! (Children welcome.)

Directions: The Disneyland Hotel is located at 1150 Magic Way. From I-5, exit Disneyland Drive and follow signage to Downtown Disney.

As I disclose whenever applicable, we stayed at the Disneyland Hotel free of charge as part of a two-day Disney bloggers event. Though we’re grateful for Disney’s hospitality, this compensation came with no expectation of a positive review.

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

August 10, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

The following pit stop is submitted by reader Erica Smith.

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is located along the shores of Lake Michigan and is easily accessed from I-94. With 15 miles of beach, outdoor activities, and park programs, there’s plenty for families to do. Stop for a few hours en route on I-94, or make it an overnight!

Things to do: Hike the sand dune of Mt. Baldy, then reward yourself with a swim at the bottom of the trail, or spend the day at either Central Beach or Kemil Beach in Michigan City. For more area hikes, stop by the Indiana Dunes visitor’s center (directions below). Don’t forget to enroll kids to become Junior Rangers!

Date last visited: Summer 2011

Distance from the interstate: Several minutes from I-94.

Hours of operation: Most locations are open sunrise to sunset.

Admission cost: $6.00 per car, per day. Camping fees are $15.00 per night.

Dining options: There’s great picnicking at Lake View, located at the NW corner of Lake Front Drive and Broadway Street in Beverly Shores. Restaurant dining is available in all towns, as are convenience stores and grocery stores.

Overnight options: Dunewood Campground offers 75 sites (both tent and hook-up).

Directions: Families can access the national lakeshore via I-94, the Indiana Toll Road, I-80/90, U.S. Highway 20, Indiana State Highway 12, and various state roads. Check the official page for full driving directions. The visitor’s center is a good place to start: it’s located on Highway 49 between highways U.S. 20 and Interstate 94.

Universal Studios Hollywood with kids and tweens

August 8, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

It’s been years since we’ve ventured any further north than Anaheim in search of theme parks during our annual vacation to Southern California, so in late July, we braved the commute up I-5 from Orange County to Los Angeles to revisit Universal Studios Hollywood.

Knowing Universal is a great pick for older kids, tweens, and teens, I opted to spend the day there with Nate (12) and Calvin (10) using Go Los Angeles tickets from Smart Destinations. A 3-day card gives you a day at Universal Studios, which you can upgrade to a Front of the Line pass should you desire.

What to do: Universal Studios Hollywood is different than other area theme parks in that its focus is more heavily on shows and tours than on ride-type attractions. Because visitors need a basic grasp on the movie-making industry and at least a small background on popular films in order to appreciate these shows and tours, older kids and teens enjoy the park more than young children and toddlers. Our kids (ages 10-12) loved the Studio Tour, which they deemed worth the 45 minute wait (during the peak of summer) despite not being familiar with all the TV series and films featured. The King-Kong 3D attraction in the middle of the hour-long tour added action, as did the special effects on several lots and sound stages. Adults will get a kick out of driving through working sets (we saw the sets of Parenthood and Desperate Housewives on our tour).

Another highlight was the WaterWorld stunt show, shown hourly throughout the day. No need to have seen the Kevin Costner film beforehand; the show demonstrates various stunts within an acted script that’s easy to follow, and tons of fun to watch. After learning how stunt doubles do their job, head to the back of the Upper Lot to the Special Effects show, to learn about CGI, green screens, and other digital effects. Again, these attractions are best for kids old enough to understand the basics of how a movie is made (or at least old enough to have the attention span to learn).

Nate loved both Revenge of the Mummy the Ride and Jurassic Park the Ride, though Calvin opted out of the former, wary of things ‘jumping’ out at him (and they do!). Both kids liked The The Simpsons the Ride, though all three would have been too scary for them just a few years ago!

Tip: The park is comprised of Upper and Lower Lots. The entrance is located on the Upper, which means it fills up fastest, but the Lower opens half an hour after the Upper on most days, forcing visitors to stay put. If you plan to take the Studio Tour, do this first (located toward the back of the Upper Lot), because it only gets busier later in the day. Once you’re done with the hour tour, the Lower Lot will be open, but still relatively uncrowded, due to Jurassic Park being a water ride. Later in the day, the wait will be long, but any time before lunch, it typically remains under 15 minutes.

If you do bring young children: There are sections just for them, though they are not abundant. Young kids will like the Nickolodeon water play area and the Curious George playground and ‘jungle’ (foam ball play area). None of these attractions require waiting in line, but do get crowded. Keep in mind that the few ride-type attractions in the park do have height requirement. If you have fearful or sensitive young kids (or kids of any age), beware the scary content in all Universal shows and attractions (including the Studio Tour): all play up the studio’s various monster and horror creations, such as King Kong, Jurassic dinosaurs, mummies, Frankenstein, and the like. Even Chucky and Norman Bates mother from Psycho make more appearances in the park than my kids would like.

Tip: To beat summer crowds, get to Universal (or any theme park) early. Arriving before ‘rope drop’ ensures staying ahead of the masses; we rode The Mummy and Jurassic Park two times each without a line between 9:30-10 am.

Admission: Admission varies based on height instead of age. Current prices can be found on the official site.

Hours Current park hours.

Dining: Multiple casual dining and counter service restaurants are located within the park, but to escape long waits and crowded table seating areas, we recommend leaving the park and dining in City Walk (directly adjacent). Just be sure to get your hands stamped, and remember to keep your ticket stubs to get back into the park.

Parking: General parking is $15 per car ($20 for preferred parking). We parked in the Jurassic garage at the end of City Walk, which was quite uncrowded).

Directions: From I-5, take Highway 101 Hollywood. Exit on Universal Studios Blvd.

Bend’s High Desert Museum

August 7, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

Located on Highway 97 just outside Bend, Oregon and minutes away from the all-seasons resort of Sunriver, the High Desert Museum makes for an ideal pit stop en route through Central Oregon or a great half-day activity while vacationing in this family vacation hot spot.

With indoor and outdoor exhibits, wildlife shows, and walking paths, families can easily spend most of a day here. (If you pack a lunch, there’s ample picnic space.) We love the river otter habitat (I could watch those playful animals swim for hours!), the living history features, and Raptors of the Desert Sky show. Indoors, historical exhibits take visitors through central Oregon history with covered wagon displays, descriptions of life on the Oregon Trail, Native American dwellings, and lessons in area volcanic activity. Basically, there’s something for everyone here, and the museum does a wonderful job illustrating the diversity of stories Central Oregon has to tell.

Note: If you’re visiting during the summer months, a stop at nearby Lava Beds National Monument is a must. Kids can see exactly how lava shapes the landscape, hike a cinder cone, and brave a cave. Closed during winter months!

Distance from the interstate: Right off Highway 97

Date last visited: January 2010

Admission costs: Summer: $15 for adults, $9 for children (under 4 free). Winter: $10 for adults, $6 for children (under 4 free).

Hours of operation: Summer: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily ( May 1 through October 31). Winter: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily (November 1 through April 30). Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

Food services: The Rimrock Cafe offers family fare in the form of sandwiches, soups, and wraps. It’s open 10 am to 4 pm in summer, and has plenty of seating. Families can also picnic outdoors.

Directions: The museum is located at 59800 Highway 97, 16 miles south of Bend.

Pier Cove Beach, Fennville Michigan

August 5, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

The following pit stop submitted by Jessie Voigts of WanderingEducators.com.

A small, beautiful beach, Fennville’s Pier Cove Beach features a small creek that lets out into Lake Michigan, which is often warmer than the big lake. It’s perfect for small kids to splash in! Families can also find rocks and logs and make sculptures! In the big lake, kids (and adults!) will swim to their hearts’ content. Oh, and dogs are welcome! This is the perfect pit stop to escape crowds; the only drawback: there are no bathrooms or changing rooms, so plan accordingly!

Travel tip: Beware the poison ivy on the south side of the staircase! Stick to the right! No lifeguard on duty.

For more information on area beaches, head over to Top 10 Beach Towns on Michigan’s Sunset Coast at Wandering Educators.

Closest interstate or highway: US31, Fennville Exit (M-89).

Cost of admission: Free!

Hours: Sunrise to sunset.

Dining options: None; bring a picnic!

Directions: From US31, take the Fennville exit (M-89). Head West toward Lake Michigan. At the T, take a left (south) and drive to another stop. Take a right (west) and go around the curve. Pier Cove is about 25 feet down the road on the Lake side (right). There are about 10 parking spaces.

Oval Beach, Saugatuck, Michigan

August 3, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

The following pit stop submitted by Jessie Voigts of WanderingEducators.com.

Saugatuck’s Oval Beach is a popular pit stop along the coast of Lake Michigan for a reason: ranked by Conde Naste traveler as one of the 25th best beaches in the world, it boasts wonderful dunes (including Mount Baldhead), family amenities such as a playground and concession stand, and picnic areas complete with grills and a deck. It features two beach areas (one that is flatter, and one that is accessed by stairs). Sometimes you’ll get huge waves, and sometimes very calm waters. It’s all fun: bring some sand toys, a Frisbee, a kite, and plenty of towels and sunscreen. The only drawbacks? It can get crowded in summer, and the faucets only run cold water (brr!).

For more information, head over to Top 10 Beach Towns on Michigan’s Sunset Coast at Wandering Educators.

Closest interstate or highway: US31

Cost of admission: Park fees apply.

Hours: Sunrise to sunset.

Dining options: Oval Beach does have a seasonal concession stand, but more dining is available in nearby Saugatuck.

Directions: From Highway US31, take the Blue Star Highway exit, and head west. Turn left at the Kalico Kitchen, and follow that along for several miles until you see a sign on the left for Oval Beach.

Hallmark’s Kaleidoscope

July 30, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

The following pit stop has been submitted by Julie of Kansas City and My Kansas City Mommy. Thank you, Julie, for sharing such a great pit stop!

Visiting Kaleidoscope does take a little bit of planning. They open during scheduled sessions (daily), which you can see on their calendar page here (which also includes contact information to reserve a ticket). Tickets are recycled, so can only be secured on the day of your visit. If you want to enjoy Kaleidoscope with your child, be sure to secure tickets for a family session. Kids five and over can also participate in the walk-in individual sessions!

Distance from the interstate: Minutes from I-35 or I-70.

Hours of operation: Open daily May 27th-Oct. 17th (including holidays) from 10 am-5 pm.

Admission rates: Free for all ages.

Food services: None.

Website: www.hallmarkkaleidoscope.com

Directions: Kaleidoscope is located at 2500 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO. From I-35, Follow I-35 North to the Broadway exit (#2U). Turn right on Broadway and follow to Pershing Road. Turn left at Pershing and go to Grand. Turn right onto Grand. You can follow the signs from there!

From I-70: Follow I-70 West toward downtown Kansas City. Closely follow signs to Downtown/13th Street. Take the Downtown/13th Street Exit (Exit 2P). Continue west on 13th Street to Grand. Turn left onto Grand. Follow Grand to Crown Center.

Summer in the Sierras: Plumas County CA with kids

July 28, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

For the Pit Stops for Kids family, writing about summer vacations in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, and in particular, Plumas and Sierra counties in California, is quite literally like writing about home. My husband and I both grew up in this alpine area, and love sharing it with other traveling families.

Plumas County is located one hour west of Reno, Nevada and 2.5 hours north of Sacramento, California. Past the foothills of the Gold Country, this summer playground offers alpine recreation in the form of hiking, lake and river swimming, fishing, golfing, and wildlife viewing. If you’re looking for expensive resorts and polished kids’ programs, look elsewhere. Plumas County is steeped in true wilderness: you’ll find rustic lodges, comfortable inns, ample camping, and gorgeous scenery (but the first Starbucks and the first stop light just went in the past few years).

We suggest families make Graeagle, California their home base, as this tiny town east of Quincy on Highway 89 is centrally located to the best hiking, fishing, and golfing. (Plus, it has a frostee freeze to die for on a hot summer day.) From there, explore the network of hiking trails and lakes in the Lakes Basin Recreation Area, go antiquing or hit award-winning links, schedule a horseback ride, or just float lazily in the town’s popular Mill Pond on an inflatable raft. Whatever you do, don’t plan to leave for at least a week!

Where to stay: This depends on the type of vacation you’re looking for. If you’re camping, expect only bare bones amenities (pit toilets and communal running water are the standard), a drawback that’s more than made up for by the total immersion in your wilderness surroundings. Our favorite campground is Lakes Basin, a short drive from Graeagle up Gold Lake Highway. If you’re looking for a motel, the River Pines Resort offers both motel rooms and weekly home rentals.

What to do: Where to start?!

Hiking and lakes: Families will love exploring all the beautiful alpine lakes this region offers. The gateway to our favorite lakes (connected by a network of hiking trails) starts from Lakes Basin Campground at the Lakes Basin Recreational Area (seven miles up Gold Lake Highway from Graeagle, follow signs). From there you’ll find trails ranging from easy to moderate to a variety of great swimming lakes. Pack a lunch and towels in a backpack and make an afternoon of it!

For lakes accessed by car, consider Sand Pond (five additional miles up Gold Lake Road near the intersection of Highway 40), where the shallow depths and sandy bottom are perfect for younger kids. A few miles away via surface road (follow signs from Gold Lake Road) lies Packer Lake, which boasts picnic sites, a swimming platform, and a lodge from which families can order lunch to go. (Order their milk shakes!)

Right in town, you’ll find the Mill Pond, a local swimming favorite surrounded by grass, quaint shops, and a snow-cone hut. Bring your inflatables and sunscreen!

Local history:

Twenty minutes away from Graeagle by car lies the historical gold mining town of Johnsville, CA (up the Graeagle/Johnsville Road). Tour the stamp mill and a period home at Plumas Eureka State Park, then learn about the area’s mining past at the museum.

If you have kids interested in trains, drive ten minutes from Graeagle up Highway 70 to Portola, where you’ll find the

Family fun: Graeagle is known for its golfing and fishing. Anyone in town can point you in the direction of the best courses, and the same goes for fishing holes. Our favorite places to drop a line with kids are the Feather River (near Portola) and the Yuba River (near Bassett’s Station on Highway 49).

Where to eat: For family fare, Gumba’s Pizza in nearby Blairsden CA can’t be beat. In summer, sit on the deck while the kids play air hockey in the game room. The Graeagle Frostee is also a hot spot in summer (plan for a line during the lunch rush), and a fun miniature golf course is located right next door. For a nice night out, try the dining room at Graeagle Lodge (20 minutes up Gold Lake Road).

Find more information on area lodges and campgrounds!