Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport

January 3, 2010 By

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport
Dallas, TX

If you find yourself with a few anticipated (or not anticipated) hours to kill in an airport, you could do much worse than Dallas-Fort Worth International. For starters, DFW’s Sky Link rail system makes moving from terminal to terminal a breeze (and commutes within the same terminal take only a minute or two). In Terminal B, you’ll find the Pepsi Junior Flyer’s Club, a 685-square-foot aviation-themed play area complete with a padded floor, raodway, bridge, car, plane, and air and traffic control tower. (Two other, smaller, clubs exist in Terminals C and D.)

DFW's Sky Link transit system

DFW’s Sky Link transit system

Date last visited: December 2009

Hours and Admission Prices: Free. Open whenever the terminals are open. Non-supervised.

Bathrooms: Nearby.

Food Services: Within the four terminals at DFW are no fewer than six McDonald’s restaurants. That’s not newsworthy, but this is: the one in Terminal D (and perhaps others) is equipped with video games such as Mario Kart, a soccer game, a Harry Potter game, and a version of Mario’s Yoshi games. The best part? They’re FREE.

Website: http://dfwairport.com/

If anyone has visited the Junior Flyer’s Club recently and has a photo to share, please let us know!

Agrirama: Georgia’s Museum of Agriculture and Historic Village

December 30, 2009 By

1392 Whiddon Mill Road
Tifton, Georgia

Photo courtesy of Brown's Guide to GA

Photo courtesy of Brown’s Guide to GA

Always one to love living history exhibits, I knew Id found the perfect pitstop in Tifton, Georgia’s Agrirama, Georgia’s Museum of Agriculture and Living History Museum. Touted as where the present meets the past’, Agrirama is a 95-acre complex featuring an historic village with over 35 structures which have been relocated to the site and faithfully restored or preserved. Included is a museum, a main street, farmsteads, homesteads, a schoolhouse, community buildings, and more, all replicating the 1870-1890’s era. And it’s located on I-75, which makes it a very convenient pitstop for families heading down the interstate toward Florida! Sherri Smith Brown of Brown’s Guide to Georgia reviewed it recently, writing:

Costumed interpreters perform the daily activities of life¦you’ll see people working in the fields, the sawmill, the turpentine still, the blacksmith’s shop and the gristmill. On Main Street, you can visit the drug store, the print shop and the train depot. A 1.3-mile railroad system circles the site; but due to state budget cuts, the steam locomotive only runs during special events. You can walk through farmsteads of different eras as well as a mid-1890s one-room schoolhouse.”

Distance off the interstate: Less than a few minutes!

Hours and Admission Prices: Open Tuesday-Saturday from 9am until 4:30 pm
Closed for Labor Day, Thanksgiving Holidays (Thursday & Friday) and
Christmas Break (December 20 – Jan 5).

Admission is as follows: Adults – $7.00, Seniors – (age 55+) $6.00, Children – (5 – 16) $4.00, Children 4 and under FREE. (Group rates are available.)

Food Services: The Sandwich Shop is on premises. For a good price, you can find hamburgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, or get it to go with one of their sack lunch options!

Website: http://agrirama.com/main/index.php

Directions: Easy to find right off I-75 at Exit 63B. Turn right at 8th St, then continue onto Whiddon Mill Rd.
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Tupelo Honey Cafe

December 6, 2009 By

12 College Street
Asheville, NC

While on the road with kids, we all know there’s a time and place for quick, easy stops at well-known, comforting-in-their-familiarity fast food chains like McDonald’s and the like. But there are also times when you’d be doing yourself a disservice by turning a blind eye to the local options. After reading The Q Family Adventure’s account of dining options in Asheville, NC, I knew they’d experienced one of those times.

Seasonal outdoor dining at Tupelo Honey Cafe

Seasonal outdoor dining at Tupelo Honey Cafe

As Amy of The Q Family writes, there are several great dining options in Asheville, but none come as highly recommended across the review boards as The Tupelo Honey Cafe . The New York Times describes the interior as “an old fashioned tea room.” After dining there for breakfast, Amy and her family described it as “Oh.. My.. Word…” which I think pretty much says it all. (See their menu here.)

The Tupelo Honey Cafe is all about community and local consumption. From the official website: In an attempt to bring simplicity and food production closer to home Executive Chef Brian T. Sonoskus has established a farm, Sunshot Organics, to provide natural, pesticide-free local food to the restaurant’s tables. Whenever possible, they buy organic and support local farmers, artisans, merchants and businesses, and serve all organic free-range chicken and eggs. Asheville City Bakery bakes our bread. Our artwork, photographs, flower vases and even our open’ sign represent the work of local, young artists.

Good to Know: Says Amy: I didn’t know that they opened at 9AM but it was a perfect timing for us. We waited a bit for them to open with a long line of customers¦Once we got inside, we got seated right away. If we were about 20 minutes later, we would have to wait probably another 30-45 minutes.(A new location in South Asheville is slated to open soon.)

Date last visited: October 2009

Distance off the interstate: two minutes

Hours: Breakfast & Lunch: Tuesday – Sunday 9:00am-3:00pm
Dinner: Tuesday – Thursday 5:30pm-9:00pm, Friday & Saturday 5:30pm-10:00pm

Website: http://www.tupelohoneycafe.com/ Phone: 828 – 255 – 4863

Directions: From I-240, take exit 4C for Haywood St toward Montford Ave. Turn left at Haywood St then take the 2nd right onto College St.

John Ascuaga’s Nugget Casino Resort

December 3, 2009 By

1100 Nugget Avenue
Sparks, NV

As I disclose whenever compensated while reviewing a location, my family did enjoy a complementary stay at John Ascuaga’s Nugget. We did, however, pay full price for all food and extras. This compensation came with no expectations or agreements for a positive review.

John Ascuaga's Nugget Casino Resort

John Ascuaga’s Nugget Casino Resort

Due to its night life and casino industry, it’s easy to overlook Reno, Nevada as a family destination. However, the city and its surrounding areas have a lot to offer in all seasons (Mt. Rose, the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and Lake Tahoe are all short drives away), and as my family and I recently experienced for ourselves, there are kid-friendly hotel options (besides well-known Circus Circus). John Ascuaga’s Nugget Casino Resort is a clearly defined part of the Reno skyline with its two 29-story towers (and 1,600 rooms), located just three miles from downtown.

We arrived at 2pm. Half an hour later, we were checked in (exceptional front desk service), parked, and checking out the view from our 25th floor tower room.

Toby looks out over downtown Reno and the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range

Toby looks out over downtown Reno and the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range

Standard queen bed tower room at the Nugget Resort

Standard queen bed tower room

But we didn’t linger, because what the kids were really itching to get to was the Atrium Pool. Located on the second floor, this year-round, indoor pool is aptly named; its spacious solarium setting allows for light, views, and a feel of the outdoors while swimming in a covered, heated space. With an Olympic-sized main pool and connected ‘soaking pools’ (or massaging pools, as my four-year-old called them), there was plenty of room to let loose some pent up energy stored from our long drive. An oversized adult-only hot tub is located at the far end of the pool deck, poolside food service is available, and a pool attendant is always on duty (although life guards are not). A full-service salon and health club are located adjacent to the pool (although I didn’t have time to check either out, unfortunately).

Nugget's Atrium Pool

Nugget’s Atrium Pool

Pool scene mid-day

Pool scene mid-day

After dinner, we tried out the Skywalk Arcade. At the time of this posting, on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights, the Nugget will double your school-aged kids’ token purchase. (You’re asked to show school ID; since our kids’ elementary school doesn’t have IDs, they took us at our word, which was nice.) $20 total got each of our three kids (and my husband) $10’s worth of tokens. We were there over an hour, and everyone came away with typical arcade prizes after cashing in their prize tickets…rubber snakes, bouncy balls, parachute men, and the like.

Toby challenges his great-grandmother in the Nugget arcade

Toby challenges his great-grandmother in the Nugget arcade

We asked for a roll-away bed for our preschooler, and it was brought to our room immediately. The beds were comfy, and best of all, the swimming wore the kids out: they were all asleep within minutes of bedtime.

Date last visited: November 25, 2009

Distance off the interstate: one minute

Room Rates: Approximately $50-$70 plus tax and resort fee for a standard room with two beds at the time of this review.

Food Services: Eight within the hotel, including a buffet (closed the night of our stay), Starbucks, steakhouse, and a family café (adequate food with prices in the mid-range of $7-10 a plate, but slow service on the night we dined there).

Website: http://www.janugget.com/

Directions: From I-80, take Exit 17 for Rock Blvd/Nugget Ave. Go 0.1 mile then keep right at the fork, following signs for Nuggget Ave/Victorian Square. Merge onto Nugget Ave.

 

Bear Creek Recreation Site

November 13, 2009 By

Highway 42
Oregon

You won’t find a better place to stop along windy Highway 42 on your way to the Oregon coast than the Bear Creek Recreation Site. Located between Roseburg and Coquille off Highway 42, look for the sign on the right-hand side directly after the Bear Creek bridge. There’s parking for several cars, a picnic area, bathrooms, and a beautiful foot bridge over Bear Creek ending in a short trail through the dense forest.

Looking down at Bear Creek from the foot bridge.

Looking down at Bear Creek from the foot bridge.

If the site is crowded, drive a few more miles to Sandy Creek Bridge, one of Oregon’s last standing covered bridges. It will be on the north side of the highway (right), 1/4 mile west of the Remote exit.

Date last visited: November 2009

Distance off the interstate: Directly off Hwy 42. Approximately 30 miles from I-5.

Hours and Admission Prices: None. Camping is permitted at the single site, but for a 24-hour maximum.

Hiking the trail along with the dog.

Hiking the trail along with the dog.

Bathrooms: Flush toilets and sinks, all quite clean. Open year round.

Food Services: None.

Website: More information can be found at recreation.gov.

Directions: From I-5, travel west (from Roseburg or Winston) on Hwy 42.

 

High Falls State Park with kids

November 2, 2009 By
High Falls (photo courtesy of Georgia State Parks)

High Falls (photo courtesy of Georgia State Parks)

76 High Falls Park Dr
Jackson, GA

Mondays are for dreaming, and today, I’m dreaming of being out-of-doors, enjoying autumn sunshine! Late fall can provide some of the best hiking and nature walking, and if you’re living in or driving through Georgia on I-75, High Falls State Park is a beautiful place to stop and explore for an afternoon or an entire weekend!

High Falls State Park with kids:

Hike the 4.5 miles of trails, visit the waterfall on the Towaliga River, and explore the site of a grist mill (in the remains of a ghost town). High Falls also boosts a lake, picnic shelters, boating, and fishing. Canoe rentals are also available.

Throughout the month of November, check Georgia State Parks’ Leaf Watch guide (and for your summer visits, remember that there’s a seasonal swimming pool as well)!

There’s also plenty of tent, trailer, and RV camping, but if you think it’s too cold to camp this last in the season, think again! With beautiful rustic yurts, traditional camping can be extended all year long! (As you may know, I’m a big fan of yurts!)

Distance off the interstate: One mile off I-75

Hours and Admission Prices: Daytime parking fee is $5 per car. If you’re interested in visiting one of Georgia’s other state parks, such as Red Top Mountain, lodge rates have been reduced significantly for the off-season! Find a room here: http://gastateparks.org/core/item/page.aspx?s=171331.0.1.5&mode=h

Food Services: Says Georgia State Parks Public Affairs Coordinator Kim Hatcher, There’s a great Southern restaurant one exit north (Buckner’s) with some of the best fried chicken in Georgia!

Website: http://www.gastateparks.org/info/highfall/

Directions: From I-75, take Exit 198 at High Falls and go 1.8 miles east on High Falls Road.

This pit stop submitted by Kim Hatcher. Thank you, Kim! I’m always happy to promote the beauty of state parks!

Crescent City, CA

October 22, 2009 By

Hwy 101
Crescent City, CA

McCoy family beachcombing at Enderts on a foggy summer day.

The McCoy family beachcombs on a foggy summer day.

The entire beach town of Crescent City, CA makes for a breathtakingly beautiful pit stop any time of year! A great place to start is Enderts Beach in Redwoods National Park. Says reviewer Angie McCoy, “It’s a great flat beach with a picnic area, parking and bathrooms. You go just 2 miles south of Crescent City (Hwy 101) to Enderts Beach Road. Take this road for awhile and you’ll see signs to the beach/picnic area. There is also a trail/overlook on this road (a recommended hike).”

Next, head to Ocean World, a privately funded aquarium located just off Highway 101 by the Crescent City Harbor. Young kids will love the ‘touch and feel’ tide pools and everyone will want to pet sharks and see a sea lion show.

Ocean World packs quite a bite!

Ocean World packs quite a bite!

Fifteen miles outside of Crescent City on Highway 101 is Trees of Mystery (15500 Highway 101 North), a groomed interpretive trail through the redwoods complete with a Sky Trail gondola, museum, and restaurant.

Bonus pit stop! The playground in Crescent City is great – it’s very similar to Bear Creek but much bigger. We had a lot of fun there – it’s on the waterfront at the south part of town near the lighthouse.”

Date last visited: August 2009

Distance off the interstate: All along Hwy 101

Hours and Admission Prices: No fee for Enderts Beach. Admission to Ocean World is $9 for adults and $5.95 for kids (call 707-464-4900 for hours) and admission to Trees of Mystery is $14 for adults, $7 for kids (under age 3 is free). Call 1-800-638-3389 for current hours.

Food Services: Crescent City offers a few fast food chains as well as several local seafood spots.

The Cathedral at Trees of Mystery.

The Cathedral at Trees of Mystery.

Website: Not the official site, but this blog gives a beautiful overview of Enderts Beach.

Trees of Mystery: http://www.treesofmystery.net/tofm.htm

Ocean World: http://www.oceanworldonline.com/new/

Directions: To Enderts Beach: from Crescent City, take Highway 101 south for 2-3 miles, then turn right onto Enderts Beach Road. Follow the road all the way to the end, where there’s a small parking lot. Note that you’ll pass the vista point just before the parking lot.

 

Riverbanks’ ‘Boo at the Zoo’

October 19, 2009 By

Boy holding a pumpkin

500 Wildlife Parkway
Columbia, SC

Ready for a scare? (Or more likely, lots of laughs?) If you’re in the Columbia area of South Carolina, you won’t want to miss Riverbanks Zoo and Garden’s Boo at the Zoo.

Always a great pitstop for families, Riverbanks is throwing a party all next week! From the official website: The family-friendly Halloween event runs from 6 to 9pm each evening. Children 12 and under are invited to wear costumes for a spook-fest complete with Frankenstein’s Foam Zone, an eeky freaky DJ dance party and a trick-or-treat trail with candy and more! Kids can also venture inside the Crow’s Nest Hay Maze, ride on the haunted carousel and explore the zoo at night!

Event dates: October 23 – 30, 6:00-9:00pm

Distance off the interstate: Right off of I-126.

Hours and Admission Prices: Tickets (must be purchased in advance): $6 for zoo members, $8 for general public.

Website: http://www.riverbanks.org/events/boo.shtml

Directions: From Charlotte/Rock Hill: Take I-77 S to Exit 18, I-277 for about 1 mile. Exit I-20 W. Continue 8 miles to Exit 64A. Merge to one of
3 left lanes on I-126 E (Columbia/downtown). Exit Greystone Blvd. Turn left off ramp and follow signs.

From Charleston/Orangeburg: Take I-26 West to Columbia (Exit 108). Follow I-126 (76) to Greystone Blvd./Riverbanks Zoo. Follow signs.

From Greenville/Spartanburg: Take I-26 to I-126 (76). Exit at Greystone Blvd./Riverbanks Zoo. Follow signs.

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Goebbert’s Pumpkin Farm

October 9, 2009 By

Boy holding a pumpkin

40 W. Higgins Road
South Barrington, IL

In South Barrington, Illinois, you’ll want to spend a fall Saturday or Sunday at Goebbert’s Pumpkin Farm. Their fall festival, running from September 26th through October 31st, includes a haunted house and camel rides in addition to the standard pumpkin patch, corn maze, and petting zoo! And their farmer’s market and cafe offer some of the best local produce and homemade goods of the area. Says Kat (now of North Carolina) in a recent review at www.trekaroo.com, “In Illinois we always, ALWAYS, went to Goebbert’s Pumpkin Farm in South Barrington. They are fabulous! There are other very good farms in the area, but Goebbert’s is the best – my kids just loved going there; every year about this time would beg to go!”

Goebberts Pumpkin Farm on a crisp fall day.

Goebberts Pumpkin Farm on a crisp fall day.

Distance off the interstate: Just a few minutes!

Hours and Admission Prices: There is no general admission, and parking is free. Tickets for individual attractions, such as wagon rides, pony rides, corn stalk maze and straw maze, vary from $4.00 per person to $7.00 per person, depending on whether you visit on weekends or weekdays.

Bathrooms: On the premises.

Food Services: The Red Barn Cafe has a full menu of homemade treats, hot dogs, sandwiches, and hamburgers. Open seven days a week, 9am until 6pm during the harvest season. There’s also a fall harvest market, so you can take home goodies as well.

Website: http://www.pumpkinfarms.com/SBarrington.html

Directions: From I-90 (partial toll road), take the IL-59 exit then turn left (onto Sutton). Turn right onto W. Higgins.
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Red Top Mountain State Park

September 24, 2009 By

Boy holding a pumpkin

50 Lodge Road SE
Cartersville, GA

Autumn is officially upon us here in the northern hemisphere, and I’m very excited to kick off a new series of pit stops centered around fall festivals and events with Red Top Mountain State Park’s Fall at the Homestead! Located just one mile off I-75 on beautiful Lake Allatoona, there’s no better time to visit Red Top Mountain State Park than this weekend (September 26-27). Not only will you have the opportunity to take part in their autumn festival, but you’ll park for free! This Saturday only, all Georgia state parks are waving their parking/vehicle fee.

A hiking trail in Red Top Mountain State Park in autumn.

A hiking trail in Red Top Mountain State Park in autumn.

More on Fall at the Homestead (Sept. 26-27):

From the official website of Georgia state parks: Step back to the early 1800s with a visit to Vaughn Cabin to learn about pioneer life. Try your hand at candle dipping and woodworking, or play a few games. On Saturday night, we will fire up a large furnace for the always popular iron pour. Come early to buy scratch blocks to design your own keepsake. We’ll fill it with molten iron, and once it cools late that evening, you can take it home. ($7 scratch blocks for iron pour.)

While you’re visiting, be sure to take advantage of the many hiking trails and the swimming beach Red Top Mountain State Park has to offer!

Distance off the interstate: 1.5 miles from I-75 exit 285.

Hours and Admission Prices: Free parking on Saturday, September 26th. $5 parking on Sunday.

Bathrooms: Yes.

Food Services: Many picnic shelters are located along the lake shore as well as a restaurant located within the lodge. The Mountain Cove Restaurant is open year-round and serves buffet and a la carte meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Website: www.GaStateParks.org/redtopmountain

Directions: From Atlanta, take GA-401 N/I-75 N for 37 miles, then take Exit 285 for Red Top Mountain Road. Follow for .3 mile, the keep right at the fork to merge onto Red Top Mountain Rd SE.

Thank you to Kim Hatcher, Public Affairs Coordinator of Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites for providing the information on this event! 
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