family travel - Pitstops for Kids

Best Beach Towns: Puerto Vallarta with kids

March 22, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

Puerto Vallarta offers a bit of everything for families enjoying a Mexican vacation, from beaches to city life to mountains, all touched by the warmth of the sun. While accommodations are an important aspect of any family vacation, no matter how great the resort, I always advocate getting outside hotel grounds to explore your destination further. During our recent stay, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to depart hotel grounds to explore the culture, wildlife, and landscape of the area.

Puerto Vallarta’s downtown and famed Malecon boardwalk:

The downtown district and boardwalk are a 5-10 minute taxi cab ride from the Marina Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta beach resort areas (and will only set you back 80-100 pesos). While the area is unapologetically touristy, it makes for a fun taste of the city, and families armed with a sense of adventure can easily detour from the main drag onto more side streets for a more genuine experience.We started at the north end of the Malecon, where you’ll find bike rentals (and fun push car rentals for little ones), plenty of eateries, and, during the holiday seasons, amazing sandcastle works of art along the beach.

After poking around in the shops, we headed south to the other end, where we posed by Malecon’s arches, then veered up several blocks from the ocean. There we found the beautiful Church of our Lady of Guadalupe (open to the public most hours), quaint courtyards, and less touristy shops (including a candy store perfect for kids to sample traditional Mexican sweets). Continuing south would have taken us to the main flea market (located next to the Rio Cuale), housing several stories of art, food, and traditional craft vendors. Even if you’re only browsing, the area is a feast for the senses!

Puerto Vallarta’s public beaches:

North and south of downtown, Puerto Vallarta’s public beaches span from one end of the resort district to the other, offering an array of beach and water sports, more vendors, and fun in the sun. We were lucky enough to access public beaches right from the Velas Vallarta resort, but if you’re staying off the beach, follow public beach access signs. Once on the sand, it’s easy to walk from cove to cove. Right from the sand, extreme sports operations will ply you with offers for sports fishing excursions, parasailing rides, and the like; I recommend booking such extensive excursions through your resort conceirge instead. We did, however, rent a kayak from a vendor at the Malia resort desk (located in front of the Malia Vallarta resort north of the city center). For $15 (US) a hour, we could paddle out (with provided life jackets) to explore the ocean on our own. Even departing straight from the resort zone and not venturing far, we saw schools of fish, water birds of prey, and were told to expect dolphins.

Puerto Vallarta’s neighboring mountains:

When you’ve tired of the beaches (I know, right?), head for the hills. Puerto Vallarta is sandwiched between the Pacific and the Sierra Madre mountain range, which plays host to a number of hiking, horseback riding, and jungle canopy excurions offered by reputable tour operations. (Again, we recommend inquiring about these at your resort’s concierge or activities desk.) A hike-and-snorkel combination excursion can offer the best of both worlds, of course, but the more leisurely pace of a horseback ride can give families a glimpse of not only the mountain vistas but the rural lifestyle of Puerto Vallarta’s regional ranches and farms. We loved that Rancho el Charro offers rides from their family-owned ranch, provides lunch, and, in the case of their Wild Tour, takes guests to a breathtaking waterfall deep in the mountains.

Whatever your interests, don’t be afraid to venture out from the grounds of your resort to explore. Families will find Mexican residents of Puerto Vallarta to be friendly, fun, and happy to tout the many beauties of their city.

Best ski towns: Ashland, Oregon

February 13, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

A friendly community with a small-town yet academic atmosphere, Ashland, Oregon makes our list of Best Ski Towns despite the fact that it’s a full 20-minute commute from the slopes. What it lacks in proximity to powder it more than makes up for in charm, family-friendly shops and restaurants, and seasonal events, making it impossible to exclude. Located directly off I-5 in Southern Oregon and known for its vineyards, organic culinary scene, and Shakespearean festival (more on that below), Ashland is the most mild-weathered, cultured ski town we know.

Where to ski: I’m biased, as Mt. Ashland Ski Area is our home ski resort, but due to its small size and refreshing price point, it truly is a wonderful place for families. Mt. Ashland’s motto is, ‘It’s steeper here’, and they mean it! The runs are steep, but they’re not too long, allowing families to feel comfortable letting older kids and teens do some exploring. Mt. Ashland’s historic lodge is old school: the roaring fires and wood-cut benches are the real deal. (Sack lunches are welcomed, though the counter service restaurant serves a mean veggie burger, too.) You’ll find a ski and board rental shop and repair shop next to the lodge, reasonably priced (that seems to be a theme) lessons, and kids six and under ski or board for free.

Where to stay: Mt. Ashland doesn’t boast overnight accommodations, but thanks to Ashland’s world-famous Shakespearean festival, the town has no shortage of wonderful places to stay. If you plan to spend most of your time on the slopes, stay at the base of the Mt. Ashland access road at Callahan’s Mountain Lodge, but if you plan to spend any length of time exploring Ashland proper, I recommend staying in walking distance at boutique (and historically preserved) Ashland Springs Hotel or more economically at the Best Western Bard’s Inn, one of the nicest of its brand. Many B&B options also line the streets, and home rentals are usually available via HomeAway.

Where to eat: If you opt for a hotel room, no worries: given the culinary fame of this town, you won’t mind the lack of a kitchen! With kids, I recommend the filling (and innovative) breakfast options at either Dragonfly or Munchies. For an apres ski dinner, head to the cozy fireside dining room upstairs at Alex’s.

What to do when not on the slopes: Right in town, you’ll want to stop at the Ashland Centennial Ice Rink for a spin around this outdoor arena (across from gorgeous-in-all-seasons Lithia Park), before warming up at ScienceWorks Hands’ On Museum. You’ll also want to set aside time for some quaint shopping; even the kids will enjoy it, given the number of great toy and book stores. If your kids are old enough to appreciate great theater (and are able to stay awake after a day of skiing) evening tickets to a show at Ashland’s Oregon Shakespeare Festival (ongoing in their Globe and indoor theaters) are a must.

How to get here: From either CA or WA, take I-5 north or south. If flying, fly into Medford International Airport (MFR), located 15 miles north of Ashland.

Read more Best Ski Town picks!

Winter camping: extend your outdoor travel season

December 22, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

‘Tis the season for everyone at the Around the Campfire community to be talking about winter camping. What’s quickly become apparent, however, is that everyone’s interpretation of ‘winter’ and ‘camping’ is different. As an avid camper and backpacker, I’m glad to know so many versions of outdoor overnights exist; no matter what your comfort level or geographic location, there’s a way to continue to camp with your family in the winter months.

Unless you’re a hardcore snow camper setting out on snowshoes or skis (next month, my family and I will be that brave!), you’ll need think outside the box to get full enjoyment out of your winter camping experience. The following tips will ensure happy campers while enjoying campgrounds and recreational sites during the winter months:

1. Seek out alternative shelter. You don’t need an RV to camp in winter! If you’re camping in a wintry climate that eliminates the possibility of tent camping, look for a state or national park that offers overnights in yurts, cabins, or teepees. Oregon State Parks offers all three, complete with heaters, electricity, and cozy beds. And if you camp in a less developed campground, take a look at this review for bringing a heat source with you! In fact, winter is our favorite season to camp in state parks: reservations for those coveted yurts are easier to come by, and parks are nearly empty!

2. Go south or go coastal. An obvious solution, if you can swing it, traveling south to camp rewards families with the same low crowds in weather that might feel downright balmy to northerners. My favorite picks include Georgia’s Reed Bingham State Park and Florida’s Florida Caverns State Park. For those in driving distance of coastal regions, heading toward the shore or beach can ensure milder weather. Plus, those seasonal storms off the ocean can be exciting (as long as you’re prepared!).

3. Sandwich backcountry overnights with lodge or hotel stays. Programs like CascadeHuts, which operates a network of backcountry huts in the Mt. Hood national forest of Oregon, provide warmth, shelter, and safety to backcountry campers. (We’ll be reviewing our own experience hiking the Mt. Hood wilderness with CascadeHuts next month!) Similar networks exist in or near most national parks, providing families with a string of cozy accommodations. When tackling difficult camping adventures such as this (especially for the first time), plan to sandwich outdoor stays between nights in hotels or lodges with more of the comforts of home.

4. Carry the right gear. Obviously, the more comfortable your family is, the more fun you’ll have. For winter camping (even in mild climates), we bring down, 0 degree sleeping bags (Kelty makes good quality ones for a reasonable price), propane heaters, and lots of extra clothes so everyone has dry layers. In snow, appropriate clothing is a must, and in any area, hats, gloves, and raingear are a good bet.

5. For a winter experience without the overnight, seek out sno-parks. Most mountainous interstates and highways have several sno-parks along its route: look for them as you would rest areas or service stations. In addition to providing some quick snow fun for kids, sno-parks often boast cross-country ski trails, winter animal sanctuaries, or sledding hills. Overnight camping is sometimes permitted (though you’ll need to go prepared for a night in the elements).

Full-time family travel: live chat with Britt Reints

December 12, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

Tonight at Around the Campfire, we’re hosting a live chat with Britt Reints of In Pursuit of Happiness, in which she will discuss her family’s monumental decision to sell their possessions, alter their daily lifestyle, and set off to explore the U.S. in an RV full time.

The Pit Stops crew has taken our fair share of long road trips (as many as 21 days in a row!), so the idea of taking to the highway full-time intrigues us. But how to get away? Pay the bills? Stay in touch with our local community and family? Some of the questions I look forward to Britt touching upon include:

1. How have your children adjusted to life on the road? What type of schooling do you implement with them?

2. How do you plan your extended itinerary (or do you go where the road leads you)?

3. What difficulties have you encountered en route?

4. What have been some of the unexpected joys, surprises, and adventures you’ve experienced?

If the idea of full-time travel interests you, join us on tonight, December 12th, at 9pm EST! In addition to chatting with Britt, we’ll be giving away $150 worth of Visa gift cards to Live Chat participants! (Four $25 prizes and one $50 prize).

Hope to see you there!

The Oregon Vortex and House of Mystery

October 6, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

The Oregon Vortex, location of the House of Mystery is described as a natural wonder. A spherical field of force half above the ground and half below the ground, it amazes both kids and scientists alike.

A guide takes visitors on a tour explaining the “vortex”; how it was discovered and what it actually is. She or he demonstrates the phenomena and it is quite interesting. In our group, we had some skeptics who became believers! Then the guide takes you a few steps up the hill to where an old miner’s cabin slid down the hill. This is the “crooked little house” and has all kinds of optical illusions due to how it is slanted in the hill. Combine that with the whole vortex thing and it is pretty cool!

Distance from the Interstate: 15 minutes off I-5 near Gold Hill.

Admission cost: Adults $9.75, Kids 6-11 $7, 5 and under free.

Hours of operation: Open 7 days a week March through Oct. (from 9-5 in summer, 9-4 in fall).

Food services: None. Cold drinks are available in the gift shop.

Directions: The House of Mystery is located at 4303 Sardine Creek Left Fork Road in Gold Hill. It’s easy to find off the Gold Hill exit of I-5. Follow signage.

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.

Road-trip troubleshooting: when things go wrong on the road

July 25, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

I’ll admit it: I’ve run out of gas on the road during a family vacation. (I’ve also had a U-Haul trailer break down on me in the middle of the night in the middle of Washington State, but that’s another story.) It wasn’t much fun, and I’ll tell you what I wish I’d had at the time (both times): Allstate’s Good Hands Roadside Assistance.

Now I do (which as the laws of the universe dictate, means I’ll probably never be stranded again, right?). But the best part is, this Murphy’s Law guarantee of stress-free travel comes completely free: you don’t pay a dime for signing up for Allstate’s Roadside Assistance, and you never pay unless you use it. Regular readers of Pit Stops for Kids know that when we find a product that we find beneficial (and use ourselves) for traveling families, we promote it. Traveling with kids can be challenging enough at times, and we’re all about making it easier, more fun, and hassle-free, which is why you can sign up right here in this post. It takes about two minutes, and doesn’t require digging into your wallet or looking up any complicated personal information, I promise.

Of course, even once you have roadside assistance, it’s good to take practical measures to be prepared while on the road with kids. To that end, we always toss a few blankets and a small case of water bottles in the back of our vehicle (they come in handy during picnics and roadside stops), carry a spare tire and jump kit at all times, and bring car chargers for our cell phones. And ever since that day we ran out of gas, we take signs like this one (near California’s Death Valley) seriously:

Enjoy your summer, and safe travels! See you on the road!

Nantucket with kids: guide to beaches and biking

July 18, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

The island of Nantucket, Massachusetts is well-known as a summer playground for travelers of all ages, but with so much to do in the immediate vicinity of the harbor, the further reaches (only a few miles in any direction!) are often overlooked. Ferrying your car to the island is expensive, rentals even more so, but that’s ok: biking is more affordable, more fun, and easy to do on such a flat and manageably-sized piece of land.

Because biking is such a great mode of transportation on Nantucket, there are many rental outfits ready to provide you with bikes during your stay. On our most recent visit, we chose Young’s Bicycle Shop, located conveniently near the Steamship Authority dock one block from the harbor. Even more convenient? Young’s will deliver your bikes to your hotel or vacation home for a flat $10 fee. Bike rentals range from $20-50 per 24-hour period, depending on the bike type, and they carry everything from baby seats to ‘tag-alongs’ to trailers.

Finding your way around the island is easy with so many well-marked bike and pedestrian paths. Trails stretch all the way from Madeket to ‘Sconset, Jetties Beach to Surfside, Cisco to Brant Point light, and where the trails don’t lead, biking on the streets is safe and easy. In town, it’s necessary to walk bikes over the cobblestones and on sidewalks to avoid pedestrians, but out of town, biking with the flow of traffic is hassle-free and often faster than fighting traffic in your car.

We could easily carry our beach equipment on the backs of our rented bikes and in backpacks, and as a result, biked nearly everywhere we went on the island. Nantucket boasts close to a dozen distinct beaches along its miles of coastline, each one with a different personality. Below is a run-down of our favorites for all activities, ages, and interests:

Jetties Beach is perfect for families of all ages. Close to town without being crowded, it’s easy to bike to, the calm water is shallow and warm (you can walk for what seems like miles along a submerged sand bar), and the sand is dotted with seashells. Also appreciated by families are its clean bathrooms, lifeguards, playground, and full restaurant, complete with beach store for all the essentials, like sand buckets, towels, and paddle board. We loved their ‘leave a book, take a book’ shelf, where Nate found great summer reading!

Surfside Beach is located directly opposite of the town of Nantucket on the island’s unprotected south shore. The lack of the harbor means large waves (which have a habit of breaking nearly on shore). Wide and sandy, Surfside is a great beach for a game of Frisbee or paddle ball, sunbathing, and playing in the surf. Be advised, however, that the depth of the water greatly increases just yards from shore as the sandy bottom drops out abruptly. Lifeguards are on duty during daytime hours, and a snack shack serves fare such as hot dogs, drinks, and ice cream. One of the island’s many bicycle paths deposits visitors directly into the Surfside parking area.

Madaket beaches are great for visitors seeking isolation, crashing waves, and sunsets. A long bike ride from town, the journey to Madeket is beautiful and can be accessed entirely by bike path. Located at the end of the island on the western tip, Madaket is comprised of solitary vacation homes and windswept beaches; don’t expect many more services than a port-a-potty and a bike rack. Bring your own picnic, however, and you might forget you’re on a busy vacation island in the middle of high season on Madaket! Expect big, crashing waves, wind, and
frequent fog!

‘Sconset beaches are located at the end of another long bike ride, this time to the eastern side of the island. The town of ‘Sconset (short for Siasconset) is far less commerical than the heart of the Nantucket harbor area, but unlike Madaket, some services, such as a small grocery store stocked with ice cream, drinks, snacks, and souvenirs, do exist near the beaches. You’re likely to encounter more company as well; the homes nestled near the shore are almost always occupied in the summer months. Come to ‘Sconset beaches for picturesque beauty (think sand dunes, shingled cottages, and well-kept gardens), the family-friendly atmosphere (there’s almost always a kite or two flying), and the smaller (but still existent) surf.

Children’s Beach is located in the center of the harbor area, just west of the wharfs. Easy to bike or walk to from town, Children’s Beach is always busy due to its protected (though limited) beach access, views of the harbor (kids love to boat watch), and playground right on the beach. With virtually no waves, kids can splash and play in the warm water to their hearts’ content, and parents are within strolling distance to downtown shops and restaurants.

NYC with kids: making sense of subways, taxis, and trains

July 10, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

During our four days in New York City this past June, we relied exclusively on subway trains, taxi cabs, and our own feet to get us where we needed to go. Despite being accustomed to using public transportation in other cities, I will admit we found the NYC subway system to be overwhelming with kids…at first. By the time we were ready to leave, we (almost) felt we had it figured out, but to help other traveling families get a head start, below are my tips for navigating this busy, crowded, and exciting city.

1. Get a good map. Because multiple subway lines go similar directions (but deposit you in different destinations) and the first subway station you see may not be the one you need (that one may only be a block away!), it’s imperative to have a map detailing both subway lines and stations.

2. Follow the colors. More than one New York resident advised us to disregard the color system assigned to subway lines, instead focusing only on the subway number. We tried this…and ended up in the opposite direction of our intended destination more than once! I have a feeling this advice is more of the advanced variety, and we needed a beginner course. What we found worked better for us: relying on color to direct us to the station we needed, then number to direct us to the right train.

3. Ask, and then ask again. New Yorkers all seem to have their own way of navigating the subway system. They know the routes they take frequently, but seem as confused as we were when asked about other destinations. I wish I’d taken a photo of the moment we stopped to ask three beat cops standing on a street corner how to get from Union Square to East 50th on the subway, and all three of them scratched their heads and got out their iPhones to look it up. So certainly ask fellow subway passengers their advice, but once at the next juncture of your journey, ask again. The conflicting advice can be confusing, but like pieces of a puzzle, they usually fit together.

4. When navigating confusing routes, such as cross-town journeys that require transfers to up or downtown journeys, consider taking a cab. For our family of five (and we had six people with us while in New York), piling into cabs was sometimes cheaper than subway tickets, especially when our destination was close enough to keep the fare low. Other times, it’s simply worth the time savings to take cabs.

5. Last but not least, just get out there and GO. The only way to really get the hang of the subway system is to get on one (or two, or three, depending on how many wrong trains you take). And when in doubt, walk! (We often took a train up or downtown, then walked the cross-town distance to simplify matters!)

The details:

1. Subway and bus fare is $2.25 per person. It’s easy to purchase pre-paid subway cards, then refill them when necessary (and this is certainly the quickest way to go about it).

2. Our cab fares throughout Manhattan cost between $6-$15 a trip. Keep in mind, however, that NYC cabs only fit four passengers. If you have a larger group, you’ll need to take two cabs wherever you’re going. We opted for cabs a few times, bur relied much more heavily on the subway.

3. Whether taking subways or taxis, we planned on a budget of $50-60 per day for NYC transportation, and found that amount to be realistic for our group of six people.

4. A great way to travel between cities on the Eastern Seaboard is via Amtrak. After leaving NYC, we took the Amtrak train to Boston (from NYC’s Penn Station), and found it to be a very easy and relaxing way to travel. The four hour journey was comfortable, food services were available on the train, and the scenery was fantastic. Fare was low for daytime passage as well (it’s Amtrak’s sleeper cars that give me and my wallet a heart attack).

A word about airport transportation:

Before arriving in NYC, I was told by several sources (including the NY Transit Authority) that cab fare from LaGuardia to Manhattan would be $45 per cab (not including tip), so I considered opting for one of the various town car and limo services that offer rides from both airports (and Newark) to Manhattan hotels; the cheapest I found for our group size was $130 (be sure the price you’re quoted includes toll fare and tip). I’m very glad I did not use a limo service (due to a mis-communication) because our cab fare was only $25 per cab from LaGuardia to midtown Manhattan, definitely saving us money.