Sumpter Junction Restaurant

September 21, 2010 By

Photo courtesy of Ken’s World

2 Sunridge Lane
Baker City, OR

The following review was submitted by Ken of the blog Ken’s World. Thank you, Ken, for your contribution to Pit Stops for Kids!

Sumpter Junction Restaurant makes for a great pit stop along I-84 while driving through Eastern Oregon. What makes Sumpter Junction more than just a diner? The G-Scale train that passes through the restaurant every few minutes while you eat! Train buffs and curious kids (and adults) will love the attention to detail and fun atmosphere.

Date last visited: August 2010

Distance off the interstate: Right off I-84.

Hours: Open for Breakfast at 6:00 am everyday! (Lunch & Dinner till 9 pm.)

Website: None.

Phone: 541-523-9437

Directions: From I-84, take exit 304 for OR-7 S toward Geiser Grand Hotel/Historic District/Baker City Center. Turn right at OR-7 S/Campbell St , then turn right at Sunridge Ln.

Travel Tip: Legoland’s Premium Play Pass

September 17, 2010 By

Toby enjoys a Legoland horse ride minus the wait!

If you plan to visit the increasingly popular Legoland California in Carlsbad, CA during their peak summer and holiday periods, you might consider upgrading your admission tickets to Premium Play Passes.

Not widely advertised, this upgrade allows every passholder front of the line access for every ride, all day long and preferred seating for every show. The cavat: you pay dearly for this convenience, and with a limited number of passes available per day, they go fast.

The nitty-gritty: PPPs are $150 per adult and $130 per child (almost double regular admission). They include 1 day admission to Legoland and the CA Sea Life Aquarium and front-of-line privileges. (I do not believe they include water park admission.) Each day, only 100 PPPs are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. To snag a set on a crowded day, plan to arrive at the park at least 45 minutes before opening. (When we experienced Legoland with PPPs, 55 of the 100 had been sold by the time we arrived 1 hour before park opening.)

Where you get them: Pay for regular admission at the main booth to enter the park, then head to Guest Services, where you can upgrade your tickets to PPPs. (You can access Guest Services even before park opening.) PPPs aren’t sold at the admission booths. In fact, when we visited, they weren’t advertised on their pricing board in any way. Even at Guest Services, you need to ask for Premium Play Passes specifically.

The way it works: At Guest Services, each member of your party who upgraded to a PPP will be issued a wristband (when we went, it was yellow). These must be worn all day! At each ride or attraction, go to the exit (similar to how you’d access rides with a disability pass). Show the attendant your wrist bands (they’ll probably spot them immediately) and follow instructions for boarding the ride (in our experience, within 30 seconds to 2 minutes). All day long, you’ll never enter a regular line.

 

Our experience: To be honest, when we decided to try the PPP, I was unsure about how I’d feel about boarding rides in front of people who had waited in line. Sure, it’d be awesome, but would I feel like a jerk? The answer: yes and no. At times during the day (at especially crowded rides with long waits), I did feel a bit uncomfortable (it was weird for our kids, too!). However, the way Legoland has designed the PPP, you never directly ‘cut’ in front of waiting people, for which I was grateful. Because you enter at the exit, most regular guests never know you’re there (or what you’re doing). And the park employees are very good at getting PPP holder on rides quickly (that’s what you paid for, after all) and smoothly. We never encountered an employee who didn’t understand the system, and there was never any ride where the PPP didn’t apply, no matter how long or short the wait time.

And for us, the value of the PPP was measured way beyond the lack of wait time. If you’re the type of theme park guest who gets anxious about getting to the ‘big’ rides early in the day, staying on a schedule so that you avoid major crowds, or try to plan your break and meal times around crowd levels (that’s me!), the PPP will give you a peace of mind that slows your whole day down. Instead of worrying about what ride lines were filling up, we could spend time meandering the Mini-Land exhibits and posing next to lego-fied Darth Vader (all my preschooler wanted to do!). I didn’t rush my kids, took lots of breaks in the middle of the day, and generally felt stress-free…which I’m pretty sure is how a day at Legoland is supposed to feel!

The moral of the story (at least from a travel perspective!): The PPP is a perfect example of a little research going a long way. At Pit Stops for Kids, we always advocate pre-planning, and since the PPP isn’t well advertised, it’s definitely something you can only take advantage of if you know what you’re looking for. Any time you opt for something the general public is not readily made aware of, you’re going to find a crowd-reducing measure. We ended up having a memorable day of fun with our kids because we knew what was available.

Worth the price?: Definitely, if you’re visiting during peak season. The PPP buys not only convenience, but time, a commodity in short supply while theme park touring. If you plan to visit while California schools are in session (and avoid Spring Break weeks, winter breaks, and three-day weekends), the PPP will not be worth the price. But if you go on a weekend in August (which is when we found ourselves there), I’d recommend it, especially considering how large Legoland is becoming.

For more Legoland tips, Pit Stops for Kids recommends the Unauthorized LegoLand Guidebook by Bridget Smith.

We upgraded our park admission to Premium Play Passes at our own expense. Legoland CA did not pay or compensate us for this review in any way.

 

Nike Town Portland

September 16, 2010 By

930 Southwest 6th Avenue
Portland, OR

Portland, Oregon offers a wealth of family-friendly attractions (in fact, I have so many to review, I’m behind!), but if you have a sports fan in your group, you’ll want to spend some time at Nike Town. The world headquarters of all things Nike, Portland outdoes itself with this two-story retail center in downtown (near Pioneer Square). Kids (and adults) love to see the newest shoe styles and apparel offered by Nike, displayed in their modern building with catwalks, glowing floors, and glass elevators. Various sports are represented in different rooms, and there’s a decent kids’ section upstairs.

Tip: If you’re not keen to pay the price for the top-of-the-line new products showcased at Nike Town, consider a stop at one of Nike’s outlets afterward for some serious (and more economical) shopping. We always find great deals at the Nike Outlet Store in Woodburn, OR (20 minutes south of Portland).

Date last visited: August 2010

Distance off the interstate: Ten minutes off either the I-5 or I-405 into downtown Portland.

Hours: Summer: 10am-7pm Winter: 10am-6pm

Food Services: None on site, but many options are at your disposal in the surrounding blocks. For something simple, Subway, McDonald’s, and a few other quick service restaurants are directly across the street.

Website: None. Their phone number is: (503) 221-6453

Directions: From I-5 south, take the Hawthorne Bridge onto Main Street. Follow Main Street east to 6th. Curbside parking is available, as are several parking garages. If you’re riding the MAX, you want to get off on the Pioneer Square South station.
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Oregon Museum of Science and Industry

September 14, 2010 By

The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, or OMSI for short, is both a landmark and beloved institution in Portland, Oregon. Situated right on the bank of the Willamette directly across from the downtown district, OMSI is one of the best places (and arguably the best place) to take kids in the area.

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Nate and his friend Jonah get a lesson in the Physics Lab.

With multiple exhibits (including Turbine Hall, Life Hall, Earth Hall, and Science Playground in addition to guest exhibits, an IMAX and a planetarium) for all ages, staffed science labs where kids don safety goggles and roll up their sleeves, stunning displays (the beginning of life display is particularly moving) and fun experiences (try the earthquake house), you can easily spend a day here. There’s also a working submarine to tour, a toddler and preschool area (with changing displays), and an entire hall of brain teasers that kept our grade schoolers busy for over an hour!

Tip: If you’re visiting from anywhere in the Northwest and have a membership at your local children’s museum or science museum, stop by the membership desk prior to paying admission and see if your membership can be applied toward free admission to OMSI. It did in our case! Even if you don’t have your membership card with you, the desk personnel are happy to call your local museum and verify your membership that way.

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Nate gets an astronaut’s perspective.

Date last visited: August 2010

Distance off the interstate: Five-ten minutes off either the I-5 or I-405 into downtown Portland.

Hours: Daily 9:30 a.m.—7:00 p.m. (until September 6). Fall hours:  Tuesday-Sunday, 9:30 a.m.—5:30 p.m. (starting September 7).

Admission: $12 for adults, $9 for kids. IMAX, planetarium, and submarine are extra costs (see website for pricing). Combo packs are the way to go if you plan to do extra things!

Food Services: Inside the museum is both the OMSI Cafe and Galileo’s. There’s also a sack lunch area.

Website: www.omsi.edu

Directions: From I-5 or the 405, take Naito Parkway (downtown) to the Hawthorne Bridge. Cross the river onto Hawthorne Ave, and turn right onto Water Ave.

Best Beach Towns: What to do with kids in Nantucket, MA

September 7, 2010 By

Beachside vacation living on Nantucket, MA

It’s no secret that Nantucket, Massachusetts is a destination beach town for families. It’s been listed in the same breath as Martha’s Vineyard and Cape Cod as a premiere summer playground for decades. We were lucky enough to see this idyllic island getaway from a local’s perspective, and suggest the following activities, beaches, and shops for families visiting with kids (some may surprise you!):

Where to Play: If you’re visiting with young kids, everyone on-island will point you in the direction of Children’s Beach, located at the end of Harbor View Way, and for good reason. Protected by the harbor, the water is calm and lends itself to easy wading, splashing, and sand castle building. Plus, it boasts a great playground right on the sand and is close to shops and restaurants. Also within walking distance from town, however, is Jetties Beach. With rolling sand dunes, a snack shack, another playground (they’re onto something here!), and both protected and unprotected surf, our kids felt there was more to explore (and loved walking the sandy boardwalk over to the shack for ice cream cones).

When you’re ready for a break from the beach, be sure to check out the Whaling Museum (13 Broad Street). There’s a staffed room just for young kids to try activities and games, and lots of interesting exhibits for the older set (some might be disturbing if you have a whale lover in your group).

Then if you really want to get off the beaten tourist path, head down Madaket Road just past the dump (yes, you read that right) to Turtle Pond. (With older kids, you can easily bicycle here from town.) Are there really turtles here? You bet. And they’re huge. Bring pieces of raw chicken (yes, you read that right, too) to dangle on string as bait, and they’ll rise to the surface to nibble. Needless to say, kids can’t get enough (but keep little fingers out of reach of turtle mouths!).

There are also many walking and home tours offered by the Nantucket Historical Association. Most won’t hold the interest of very young kids, with the exception of the church tower at the First Congregational Church (62 Centre Street). Kids can climb 94 stairs to the top of the tower, which affords beautiful views of the entire town (and most of the island).

Calvin and Nate ready to feed turtles at Turtle Pond.

 

Where to Shop: There’s lots of fun shopping in town, but if you want to keep kids interested, head to The Toy Boat (41 Straight Wharf) and buy a traditional wooden boat (they have everything else you can imagine, too) to sail on nearby Children’s Beach.  Then head to Bookworks (25 Broad Street) to pick out some titles about the island’s maritime history.

Where to Eat: We loved Cap’n Tobey’s Chowder House (20 Straight Wharf) for fast service and a kid-friendly atmosphere. Be sure to stop by The Juice Bar (12 Broad Street) during afternoon or after-dinner strolls through town; they have the best ice cream (and a great selection of Nantucket Nectar juices).

Where to Stay: As hotel prices can get crazy on Nantucket, we opted to stay in a home rental. Most are rented by the week, and there’s an abundance to choose from (reserve early and consider a fall getaway for reduced rates). Our favorite vacation home rental company with a nice selection on Nantucket: Home Away.

Looking for a West Coast beach town? Check out our Great Beach Towns article on Laguna Beach, CA and Bandon, OR!

Best Beach Towns: What to do with Kids in Bandon, Oregon

September 4, 2010 By

Face Rock State Park

Summer may be drawing to a close, but fall is the very best time to visit Pacific Northwest coastline! The Oregon Coast spoils families with miles upon miles of great beaches and beach towns, but one of our favorites remains Bandon. Located about midway up the coast, Bandon offers a little of everything: small town charm without being too touristy (but just touristy enough), gorgeous coastline, plenty of activities, and plenty of fresh, salty air. (Just be sure to bring a jacket, because Oregon beaches aren’t exactly known for bikinis and suntans!)

Where to Play: Bandon is all about the beach! Our favorite for beach combing, kite flying, and sand castle building is Face Rock Scenic State Park, right off Hwy 101 on the south side of town. (Follow signs from downtown). Be sure to check out the caves in the sides of the outcroppings of rock on the sand (at low tide). If you need a break from the sand, try your hand at picking cranberries (or just sampling them) at Faber Farms and Cranberry Scoop Gift Shop (from U.S. 101, head east 1 1/2 miles on State 42 South and turn right on Morrison Rd. Watch for the farm’s sign after about 1 mile.)

Where to Eat: Without a doubt, you’ll want to stop at the Bandon Fish Market for some fresh fish and chips, located in the Old Town Waterfront (right by the bay). (They also serve corn dogs and fries for the non-seafood-eating set.) Their seating is outside only, so bring sweatshirts as it gets chilly next to the water, but it’s fun to watch the fishermen on the wharf while waiting for your food. After your meal, cross the street to Cranberry Sweets and More. They’re not kidding about the ‘and more’ part: you’ll find chocolates, truffles, taffies, and every other kind of candy imaginable in addition to their signature sweets. The best part of this store is the abundance of samples. You can easily eat your way around the store, which makes it very fun for kids (and adults)!

Bandon Fish Market

Where to Stay: We usually opt to camp at nearby Sunset Bay State Park (north in Coos Bay area), but if you’re staying a full week, consider a home rental. There are many on offer, from sprawling beach houses fit for a family reunion to small cottages in town. If you’re only visiting for a day or two, we’re tried (and loved) The Best Western Inn at Face Rock.

Want a warmer beach town? Check out our Great Beach Towns article on Laguna Beach, CA!

Courtyard by Marriott Portland/Beaverton

August 30, 2010 By

Courtyard by Marriott Beaverton

8500 S W Nimbus Drive
Beaverton, Oregon

The Courtyard by Marriott in Beaverton makes for a nice, centralized home base while exploring the Portland area. While we’d normally stay downtown and take advantage of the MAX system, if you plan to visit the suburbs as well as the city center, Beaverton is a good option.

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We had a mixed bag of service at this location. Prior to arrival, I was given incorrect information about the type of room we had reserved (I was told a roll-away bed could fit, when in fact it couldn’t). Had I been given the correct information, I would have known to bring extra bedding for one child, or upgraded to a larger room (none were available at check-in). Note: Unless you upgrade to a large suite, families of five cannot be  accommodated.

The rooms are on the small side, but clean, and we liked that one of the beds converted into a couch for extra floor space during the day. The indoor pool/hot tub area was large and a great place to spend the morning hours as we waited for the Portland fog to clear. There’s also a nice exercise facility and free wifi both in-room and in their large business center off the lobby.

Date Last Visited: August 2010

Distance from the Interstate: 15 minutes from I-5.

Room Rates: Rates range from $89 to $135, with many online and seasonal deals. Be sure to check what’s available!

Dining Options: The hotel offers a buffet breakfast in their on-site cafe, which regularly charges $10 per person, but is included at no extra cost for most room rates. This is not advertised, however, so be sure to ask at check-in whether your room qualifies. If so, it’s a great deal, with a very good variety of hot and cold breakfast items. If not, I’d walk across the street to the collection of fast food restaurants (including a good bagel place and a Starbucks) instead of paying $10 a person.

Website: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/pdxcy-courtyard-portland-beaverton/

Directions: From I-5, take the 217 Beaverton/Tigard Hwy. At Exit 4, take ramp and follow signs for SR-210/Scholls Fy. Road. From Scholls Fy, turn left onto SW Hall. Turn left onto Nimbus.

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

August 19, 2010 By
Clarno palisades, John Day Fossil Beds Nationa...
John Day Fossil Beds (Image via Wikipedia)

Kimberly, OR

Eastern Oregon offers much in the way of outdoor exploration for families, but the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is often overlooked. There are 3 locations along Hwy 26, but the visitor center and main displays are at the Sheep Rock Unit on Hwy 19 off of Hwy 26 (about 70 miles east of Prineville). There is a fantastic visitor center kids really enjoy with huge dioramas with sound effects depicting the area millions of years ago. There is also a big room with art projects and hands on displays for kids. Short (1 mile round trip) hikes and an even shorter nature trail are in the area.

Note: These fossils have nothing to do with dinosaurs! So don’t let the little ones get their hopes up for dinosaur bones!

Distance off the interstate: On Hwy 19, two miles from Hwy 26.

Admission: Free!

Tip: The visitor center is free and has nice restrooms, but no food services.

Hours: Summer: 9am-5pm Winter: 9am-4pm

Food Services: None on-site. A nice pit stop on the way is at Prineville (on Hwy 26 between Redmond and John Day). There’s an indoor McDonald’s Play Place and Dairy Queen, but even better is the lovely city park. (Make a left on N. Elm off Hwy 26 to Ochoo Creek Park). The park boasts a community pool, restrooms and a creek. There is also a fire fighters memorial for 9 local smoke jumpers who died in a Colorado fire.

Website: http://www.nps.gov/joda/

Directions: The Visitor Center at the Sheep Rock Unit is located on Highway 19 between the towns of Dayville and Kimberly, 2 miles from the junction of Highway 26 and Highway 19.
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This post included in Trekaroo’s Talking Trekaroo for Spotlight Thursdays!

Submarine Force Museum

August 17, 2010 By

1 Crystal Lake Road
Groton, CT

Submarine Force Museum (photo courtesy of Mystic Country)

This stop was submitted by Karin Burgess of Mystic Country. Thank you, Karin, for your support of Pit Stops for Kids!

Planning a family vacation that takes you through Connecticut or just driving down I-95? You’ll want to stop in the submarine capitol of the world and tour the FREE Submarine Force Museum to give your kids an up-close and personal view of our rich naval history. Located on the Thames River, the museum sits next to the actual US Naval Submarine Base and across the river from the Coast Guard Academy, and features a real and formerly operational nuclear submarine. Says Karin of Mystic Country: “Every kid I know who has gone thinks this is a cool site to see!”

Submarines are also built built here along this river, and if you’re lucky you might see a sub coming in or going on a tour of duty (sightings are rare but exciting as there are no schedules for these for security reasons). Read more about this museum: http://seemysticcountryct.com/family-fun/our-rich-nautical-history-comes-alive-at-the-submarine-force-museum.html

Distance off the interstate: Right off I-95 north or south in Groton, Connecticut.

Admission: Free!

Tip: Not open on Tuesdays.

Hours: 9 am-5 pm (summer hours) Call 800.343.0079 for up-to-date hours for other seasons.

Food Services: There are limited vending services on-site. In the summer of 2009, the museum opened their “90 North Cafe at the north end of the parking lot. It’s open for food seasonally, but you can bring your own picnic lunch and enjoy their picnic area on the Thames River.

Website: http://www.ussnautilus.org

Directions: Off I-95 exit 86 N or S in Groton, CT.
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The Dinosaur Place

August 12, 2010 By

Shaking hands with a predator (photo courtesy of The Dinosaur Place)

1650 Hartford-New London Turnpike
Oakdale, CT

This stop was submitted by Karin Burgess of Mystic Country. Thank you, Karin, for your support of Pit Stops for Kids!

Whether you’re visiting Mystic, CT as a family or just passing through on I-95, The Dinosaur Place makes for a great pit stop complete with educational activities, fun and games, the chance to stretch your legs, and food. Along their nature trails, spot 30 life-sized dinosaurs, then let the kids loose in the playground or splashpad (summer only). Kids can also dig for gems in a candle-lit mine, pan for gold, and play paleontologist (recommended for ages 5 and up)!

Extra Tip: Plan on spending several hours (and lightening your pocketbook a bit…although you can find discounts by packaging activities).

Distance off the interstate: 10 minutes off I-95.

Admission:

Outdoor Adventure: ages 2-59 $11.99 in off-season, $18.99 in summer (with splash-pad)
Indoor Adventure: separate admission for each indoor activity, such as jackpot mine ($10.99) and Bone Zone ($12.75).

Hours: Open daily.

Food Services: The Cobalt Cafe is located in the main building and offers pizza, sandwiches, wraps, etc. There’s also an ice cream shop and a snack shop. A picnic area is available.

Website: http://www.thedinosaurplace.com

Directions: From Mystic, CT: Take I-95 South to Exit 82, Route 85. Turn right onto 85. Travel about 6 miles. Dinosaur Crossing is on your left, see Monty, the T-rex!
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