Spooky Pit Stops: Salem Massachusetts

If you have kids who laugh in the face of fear, this pit stop is for you! (And if you don’t, keep reading anyway; there’s something here for the fainter of heart as well!) The Salem Witch Trials of 1692 placed Salem, Massachusetts on the map as one of the spookiest places in the U.S., and while thankfully, superstition and ignorance have gone the way of pilgrim hats, the town still does a great job of scaring you silly throughout the weeks leading up to Halloween.

Located off I-95, Salem is an easy detour during road trips, and you can easily enjoy their haunted attractions in a few hours. Throughout the month of October, enjoy their Haunted Happenings, which run daily and include pumpkin festivals, harbor cruises (highlighting Salem’s rich pirating history), a street fair and carnival, and trick-or-treating. The truly scary stuff starts after dark, with witch trial reenactments and candlelit walking tours such as the Terror Trail and Witch Trial Trail (not for young kids).

If you have school-aged kids who can handle the dark subject matter, the Salem Witch Museum (19 1/2 Washington Square North) is one of the best of its kind, with life-sized replicas of the key players in the witch trials, audio/visual displays, and reenactments. (Young kids can enjoy the autumn weather and play with an adult on the beautiful grounds nearby.) The Haunted Neighborhood at the Salem Wax Museum (288 Derby Street) is also excellent, but again, not for anyone frightened easily.

Dates offered: Now through October 31st

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

Hours: Most attractions open daily. See daily itinerary and schedule below for details.

Dining options: A comprehensive list of family-friendly dining choices can be found here.

Website: This site has a calendar of events for the town and community.

Admission: Varies by activity. Nightly walking tours are $12 for adults and $5 for kids under age 17. If you think you might do it all or a bit of everything, combination tickets are available. Ask at any single museum or attractions, or at the visitor’s,tourist center.

Directions: Slight left at MA-128 N. Take exit 25A to merge onto MA-114 E/Andover St toward Salem.

 

West Palm Beach vacation: Marriott’s Oceana Palms

Interested in a West Palm Beach vacation? I was curious about the Florida coastline, so for my first trip to Florida outside of Orlando, I checked out the Palm Beaches area north of Miami. Um, it’s kind of ok here. Maybe I should venture beyond Disney more often!

where to stay in palm beach

I stayed at Marriott Oceana Palms, which is a Marriott Vacation Club property. I knew I’d be happy with the resort, as I’d absolutely loved my stay at the Marriott Vacation Club in Boston, and recommend it every chance I get. However, when many parents see the words ‘vacation club’, they think it must not be for them…they either assume they can’t book if they’re not a member, or worry they’ll be pitched to once on site. I can assure you: Marriott Vacation Club isn’t your grandparents’ time share. This points-based vacation ownership program is completely different, with tons of flexibility. However— and this is the kicker —you don’t need to be a Marriott Vacation Club owner to book Marriott Vacation Club villas, anyway.

Quite honestly, this is one of the best ‘think outside the box’ alternatives to booking standard hotel rooms. For the cost of one beachfront hotel room (usually with a square footage of under 400), families can reserve an entire two-bedroom villa with over 1000 square feet of living space, including a kitchen and washer-dryer.

singer-island

The Oceana Palms is a small, intimate resort right on the beach of Singer Island in West Palm Beach. It looks and feels like any other high-end Marriott resort: you get kids’ clubs, activities and programming, dining, pools and exercise rooms, and beach access.  There are two towers in Oceana Palms: the Sunrise Tower and the Sunset Tower. At first glance, it appears that the Sunrise Tower, which is closest to the beach, is the obvious choice. However, thanks to great architectural design, both towers have ocean views. And some villas in the Sunset Tower have larger balconies.

What’s in your villa:

All villas at Oceana Palms are the same: two-bedroom units with everything you need, right down to the whisk in the kitchen. You’ll find laundry soap next to the washer, dish towels and plastic garbage bags, and hair dryers and shampoo. Sometimes, when families rent vacation homes or units, they don’t know what will be waiting for them. We had one unfortunate trip to a vacation home in which we discovered the ‘full kitchen’ lacked an oven! At Oceana Palms, everything is here. You also get two full bathrooms, one on which has a walk-in shower and the other of which has a large tub. Free wifi is available in the rooms and across the resort. The photo below shows a view from a Sunset Tower villa. Get up-to-date room rate information here.

oceana-palms

What to do on site:

Oceana Palms boosts ideal beach access…the surf and sand is just steps away past the pool area. At the beach equipment stand, check in with Tony, who can hook you up with snorkel gear, boogie boards, and cabanas. Otherwise, lounge chairs are free for guest use. I split my time happily from beach to pool (which older kids could do on their own quite safely).

In the pool area, you’ll find a zero-depth entry area for young kids, plus a splash zone. On the other end, a lap pool is situated in a quiet corner, and additional pool space occupies the area in-between. Oceana Palms schedules quite a bit of daily activity, with DJs, movie nights, and lessons in everything from crocheting to guitar (a staff member actually learned guitar in order to teach it). If you’re an activities person, you’ll find as much here as you would in an all-inclusive resort. However, if you want a quieter environment, it is possible to escape it.

oceana-palms

For additional entertainment, the resort has small details that go a long way. Throughout Oceana Palms, you’ll find ping pong tables, pool tables, lawn games, BBQs for guest use, and a large, fenced play area for young kids. My children spend hours at simple entertainment venues like this!

Oceana Palms has a drop-in dedicated kids’ club space and a teen space, both of which are fun and inviting…and casual, which is nice for families on vacation. There is a casual dining Marketplace, plus poolside Reflections, both good for burgers, sandwiches, and drinks. You won’t find upscale dining on site, but that’s what your full kitchen is for: I recommend shopping before arrival and making many meals in your villa.

What to do in Palm Beaches:

juniper-inlet-lighthouse

You’ll want to venture off-site while at Oceana Palms. We took a short drive off Singer Island to Jupiter Beach, where to toured the historic Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse. The guided tour includes a walk up the many spiral steps to the top of the lighthouse, where amazing views await, and a stop in the small but well-done museum. Pair your excursion to the lighthouse with lunch at Guanabanas, a waterfront bar and grill located adjacent. Guanabanas is more than a restaurant; it’s a full dining experience with the best ambiance I’ve seen for a classic Florida feel. The whole place is outdoors, with vegetation, overhangs, and straw roof shelter.

guanabanas

For another night out, consider heading to the Sailfish Marina on Palm Beach Shores. Part fish market, part marina, and part upscale seafood restaurant, Sailfish has something for everyone. The large building is fairly loud, which means kids will fit right in, and when they get squirrelly, take them outside to the marina, where they can purchase fish food to throw into the water. Wait for the feeding frenzy to begin!

How to get here:

Marriott’s Oceana Palms is located at 3200 North Ocean Drive, Riviera Beach, Florida. It’s just over the bridge on Singer Island, 15 minutes from the West Palm Beach airport.

Where do you stay in West Palm Beach? Would you consider trying a Marriott Vacation Club villa?

As I disclose whenever applicable, my stay with Oceana Palms was hosted, for the purpose of review. All opinions are my own.

Washington DC with kids: International Spy Museum

If you have kids 10 and up, you’ll want to include the International Spy Museum in your Washington DC itinerary. We absolutely loved it. Even though there are many free museums to tour in DC, it’s absolutely worth the price of admission.

international-spy-museum

Why we loved it:
This museum is one of the most interactive we’ve seen. It was created by a 30+ year veteran of the CIA, and it shows. The first section allows you to pick a ‘cover’: a new name, occupation, and cover story for your ‘mission’. You are asked to memorize it, then continue to ‘Spy School’. This section includes exhibits on various spy skills: the art of disguise, but also observation skills and common practices of the trade, such as dead drops (and others I can no longer remember…I wouldn’t make a good spy). There are tests you can take, games to play, and video screen challenges to test your skill.

washington-dc-with-kids

After learning what it takes to be a spy, you continue the cover story game. On a bank of computer screens, you’re questioned about your cover, and, if you remember your details correctly, you’re given a second set of instructions (where to meet a contact, etc). Memorize these details, too, because you’ll need them at the last computer station. Tip: If you forget your details, you’ll be told the agent questioning your (in the computer game) is suspicious, and you may not get the info you need for the next part. Realistic, but frustrating. Since this first bank of computers is near the front where you picked your cover, it’s not too late to walk back and try again.

international-spy-museum

The next rooms in the museum take you through tools of the trade for soys through the decades, from packs of cigarettes that conceal cameras to the tiny bugs of today. It’s downright fascinating. Additional rooms detail the history of spying, from early cyphers to Civil War agents to WWII code breakers. Again, you’ll be entranced. At least we were.

At the end of this section, a last bank of computer screens will further test your knowledge of your cover, asking you to remember details from the earlier screens. It’s fun. Again, if you’ve forgotten stuff, your game will end early, but this time, it will be too late to go back for more info (unless the museum is very uncrowded). If you have younger kids in your group who struggle with this game, don’t worry: it’s a very small part of the overall museum. Our nine-year-old had a hard time with it, but our 12-year-old and 15-year-old loved it.

You tour the downstairs of the museum last. This large section is dedicated to James Bond villains. It’s cool, of course, but a bit intense for young kids. The good news is, it’s easy to skip this level with a convenient exit. Older kids who are not familiar with Bond will probably still be interested, because it shows various ‘bad guys’ and the techniques and weapons they used. Our older kids had seen Bond films with their dad and grandpa (avid fans) so they found it very interesting. There are a few more interactive exhibits here: for instance, kids can test their strength by hanging from a bar while wind whips around them and the bar shakes (simulating hanging from a ledge).

The last exhibit as you exit is on contemporary threats to communication, i.e., hackers. It showcases what may happen should a spy or terrorist hack into the US power grid. The result is quite apocalyptic. Young kids can be walked past this exhibit without grasping it’s meaning, but older kids may be alarmed. My older kids loved this exhibit best. They found it scary but also thought-provoking. To be honest, so did I.

The exit of the museum deposits you directly into a gift shop (of course), but it’s a quite fun one, with spy gadgets and lots of books and fun t-shirts. Kids may want to part with souvenir money here. Give yourself at least two hours to tour the whole museum. We had 1.5 hours, and were a bit rushed at the end.

Note: There are several additional programs run by the museum that we didn’t have a chance to try, including an hour-long spy game in the museum and a GPS-based scavenger hunt type game in the city. Both have an extra charge. If your older kids loved the museum and want more, I’d consider returning to play one of these games.

shake-shack

Date last visited:

July 2014

Distance from the interstate;

Right off the Mall, close to I-66 and I-395.

Admission:

$21.95 for adults (12 and up), $14.95 for kids (7-11). Kids six and under are free.

Hours of operation:

9 am to 7 pm in peak season. 9 or 10 am to 6 pm in off-seasons.

Dining:

There is no dining directly in the Spy Museum; however, the Shake Shack is located directly next door. This casual burger joint has the best frozen custard I’ve tasted!

Directions:

The museum is located at 800 F Street NW. The closest Metro station is Gallery Place/Chinatown. If you’re driving and parking (not recommended), use Panda Parking, which has partnered with the museum.

Wondering where to stay in DC? Check out our review of Grand Hyatt Washington.

Photos courtesy of International Spy Museum.

Washington DC with kids: Touring Mount Vernon

While you’re in Washington DC with kids, a stop en route to the city (or on your way out) at Mt. Vernon is definitely worth your time. We visited Mt. Vernon on our way into DC at the start of our trip, and spent approximately three hours. It’s definitely possible to spend more time.

mount-vernon

Travel tip: If you’ll be pairing your Washington DC itinerary with some time at the beach, consider a Virginia Beach vacation rental. Kids can have some downtime on the shore after studying history!

George Washington’s Mount Vernon includes a state-of-the-art museum, beautiful grounds, a working farm with animals, Potomac River access, outbuildings and living history events, and of course, the mansion where Washington lived and died.

Tickets include entry to all of it. We started with the 20-minute film depicting the highlights of Washington’s life, then proceeded to the grounds where we had a guided tour of the house via timed entry. We visited during a busy summer day, so we did wait in lines, even though we’d purchased our tickets online in advance. (The timed entry marks the time to get in line for the house tour, not the time you’l actually go in.) Bring plenty of water, as you’ll be waiting in the sun.

mt vernon gardens

The tour of the house takes about 25 minutes to go through, and shows Washington’s formal entertaining rooms, dining room, personal study, and several bedrooms, including the one he shared with Martha Washington and died in. You’re deposited outside, where you can tour the outbuildings on your own. During our visit, a team of university students were actively excavating an area behind the house, trying to find the site of the original well and other structures. It was nice to talk to them about their findings.

washington-dc-with-kids

We toured the stables, smokehouse, and kitchens, then the final resting place of Washington and slave memorial (Washington owned many slaves). There’s a wooded trail to a slave cabin that I remember being very interesting from a previous visit, but the day we were at Mt. Vernon, it was too hot to make the trek. The farm (adjacent to the grounds) is also a good place to go when the weather cooperates. During our visit, baby pigs had just been born, and young sheep jumped in the pastures.

washington-dc-with-kids

We saved the museum for last, relishing the air conditioning after so much time outside. Allow at least an hour for this space: there’s a lot to see about Washington’s life and American Revolution history. If you have young kids, look for the children’s activity room run by museum staff about halfway through the museum. They have daily crafts kids can do if they need a break.

potomac-river

Date last visited:

July 2014

Distance from the interstate:

Not far from I-95.

Admission:

Adults are $17 (12 and up), and kids are $8 (7-11). Under seven is free. When buying tickets online (recommended in summer to avoid long waits), select your tour time.

Hours of operation:

8 am to 5 pm, or 9 am to 4 pm, depending on the season. Open 365 days per year.

Dining:

Mt. Vernon has a food court, and the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant, which serves Colonial style food. We packed a picnic, and ate it on the grounds before realizing we weren’t supposed to bring in outside food. If picnicking, eat before you head inside.

Directions:

The estate is located 15 miles from the city, at 3200 George Washington Memorial Parkway. Follow the parkway out from Alexandria.

This post written in partnership with VacationRoost.com.

Washington DC with kids: National Air and Space Museum

There are many worthy museums along the Mall, and it can be hard to know which to see while visiting Washington DC with kids. If yours are airplane, science, or space fans, you’ll want to make the National Air and Space Museum a priority. Like the other museums, the Air and Space is massive, and will require at least half of your day. We recommend hitting this (and any major museum) early in the day, to avoid lengthy security lines.

washington-dc-with-kids

Right when you enter from the Mall side, you’ll be able to touch a moon rock. Start here for the first ‘wow’ from the kids. The capsule from Apollo 11 is here in the main hall as well, and numerous other impressive space artifacts. The downstairs exhibit halls seemed more committed to hands-on science, with almost a science museum feel, with several rooms devoted just to kids. Ours enjoyed participating in scheduled programs in this area, such as a paper airplane making contest. We learned quite a bit about balance and stability in the process! Young kids will want to spend a good deal of time in these halls.

air-and-space-museum

Upstairs, the larger planes and the Apollo 11 Skylab are available for touring; definitely check out the interior of the Skylab to see where astronauts went to the bathroom, slept, and ate. Numerous planes grace this level, and exhibit halls include aviation during WWI and WWII, military unmanned vehicles, and a space exhibit on exploring planets. There’s a section on the Wright Brothers upstairs, and another on the early history of flight downstairs. It seemed like these two exhibit halls could have been combined or at least next to each other.

air and space skylab

Overall, the Air and Space museum looked a bit more worn than the other Mall museums; I’d love to see it get an overhaul. There’s an IMAX theater, and we were very intrigued by all the movie selections. We saw one, but the IMAX broke down before we could see a second. There’s a planetarium that we didn’t get to as well.

Date last visited:

July 2014

Distance from the interstate:

Minutes from I-66 and I-395. Close to I-95.

Admission:

Free. IMAX movies and Planetarium are extra ($9 and $7 for adults and kids, approximately).

Hours of operation:

10 am to 5:30 pm daily, except Christmas Day. Extended hours are possible in summer.

Dining:

There’s a museum cafe, but also a nice food court across the Mall underground between the two wings of the art museums. If you have the time and patience to go through another security check, it may be worth the effort. Tip: No matter what we do, we always bring water bottles and refill them at water stations. We save $10-15 per meal by not purchasing drinks, and save from adding to the plastic bottles piling up, too.

Directions:

The museum is located at Independence Avenue at 6th Street, Washington DC. Get off at the Smithsonian Metro stop, or walk from most points on the Mall.

Wondering where to stay in DC? Check out our review of Grand Hyatt Washington.

Get more Washington DC itinerary picks.

Where to stay in DC: Grand Hyatt Washington

Wondering where to stay in DC?  We love Grand Hyatt hotels. When budget allows, the Grand Hyatt option ensures great service and even better amenities. (Check out our additional Grand Hyatt reviews for Seattle, San Diego, and Kauai.)

where-to-stay-in-dc

Grand Hyatt Washington is no exception. With a great location on H Street (five blocks from the Mall and four from the White House), a Metro stop in the building, and a pool, it’s excellent for families visiting Washington DC with kids.

Room amenities:

grand-hyatt-washington

I don’t know what it is about them, but Grand Hyatt beds are amazingly comfortable. We stayed in a standard double room, which included a mini-fridge, large flat-screen TV, shower and bath, and free wifi. We had an iPod docking station and a work desk with multiple charging docks/plug-ins, which was very welcome. We had a view of H street and free wifi, but it’s the little touches I love most: the bedside reading lights, the illuminating glow of the bed stand light panels, and the killer in-room coffee (that’s unusual!).

Hyatt Grand Club:

hyatt-grand-club

For approximately $75 per day, families can upgrade their room to include Grand Club access (or book a 12th floor club room). We had club access during our stay, and it worked very well for us. What’s included: the Grand Club is located on the 12th floor, and accessible only if your keycard is activated. In the club, a private dining area includes iPads and TVs, plus a computer station and printer and newspapers. Cold and hot drinks, including soda, waters, coffee, tea, and hot chocolate are available at all times. During breakfast hours, a full continental breakfast, including lox, cheeses, oatmeal, quiche, cereals, danish, breads, and juices, is on offer. During lunch, expect a full lunch spread with sandwich makings, etc. Between lunch and dinner, a trail mix station, cold drinks, and homemade cookies are available, plus fresh fruit. At dinner, appetizers include cheese plates, crab cakes, small salads, sushi, and the like (it’s different every night). Can you make a full meal of it? We do! During dinner, wine, beer, and liquor are also on-hand, paid by an honor system. In the late evening, desserts are set out.

grand-hyatt-washington

If you’re at the club during these meal hours, the upgrade is absolutely worth the price, especially if you’re feeding the whole family. Before deciding, take a hard look at your itinerary to decide where you’ll be during meals. We’ve found that it’s worth it to us if we eat breakfast there, plus one other meal, eating the other out on the town. It’s also wonderful to grab cold water bottles or juice every day before heading out. In DC, there’s lots of walking and it can be hot, so we returned to the room daily for a break, allowing us to take advantage of the club.

Hotel amenities:

grand-hyatt-pool

The Hyatt uses the on-site FIT club for its guests, which includes a full fitness center and indoor pool. There’s a sauna in the locker rooms (for adults only). The pool is small and can get crowded, but is still an luxury to have in a downtown city hotel.

We appreciated the free wifi throughout the hotel, and the bellman service. There is valet parking (I believe it was $40 per day), and the Metro’s Center Station is located below the lobby. We didn’t need a car at all: we either walked, took a taxi, or took the Metro everywhere in the city center. (For reference, a cab ride to or from nearly all points along the Mall cost about $6. In the summer heat, it was worth it.)

metro-center-station

The hotel has a concierge on-hand during daytime hours, available in the hotel lobby. Definitely take advantage of his or her expertise.

Dining:

We dined in the Grand Club, but there are numerous restaurants onsite, including a Starbucks, deli, casual ‘Grand Slam’ restaurant, the upscale Grand Cafe, and local favorite Cure bistro. Room service is also available. In short, you won’t need to leave the hotel for food if you don’t want to. If you do venture out, Five Guys is located two blocks away, and Shake Shack is four blocks away on 9th.

shake-shack

Date last visited:

July 2014

Distance from the interstate:

Close to I-95, I-66, and I-395.

Rates:

Rate vary widely, depending on the season. During the time of our 4th of July visit, rates were above $400 per night, but can be as low as $159 per night. Don’t assume any hotel is out of your price range until you’ve checked the current rates.

Directions:

The Grand Hyatt is located at 1000 H Street, only blocks from just about everything. Take the Metro to the Metro Center station from the airport, or take a cab if you don’t have a car.

As I disclose whenever applicable, we were guests of the Grand Hyatt during our stay. All opinions are our own.

Virginia farm stay with kids: Belle Meade Farm

We’d planned to tour Shenandoah National Park on our full day in Western Virginia; instead, on a sunny Monday in June, I found myself lazying on the dock of the inviting pond at Belle Meade Farm, the kids practicing their high dive from one of the pond’s wooden platforms. Earlier, we’d followed the advice of Belle Meade’s resident chef and explored a little-known trail at the base of Old Rag Mountain, leading to inviting swimming holes, and were now well-settled into a routine of swimming, canoeing, and reading. We’d made the right call.

virginia-farm-stay

Belle Meade Farm’s bed & breakfast focuses on sustainable living, hospitality, and farm life, and offers four rooms (with varied occupancy) on its 138 acres adjacent to Shenandoah National Park. For a Virginia farm stay with kids, it can’t be beat. The property plays host to streams, meadows, incredible views, and a holistic farm housing pigs, horses, cattle, and chickens. Guests can use the outdoor spaces, including a large outdoor pool and hot tub, patio, deck overlooking Old Rag Mountain, and a cozy living room and dining room. Owners Mike and Susan can point families in the direction of local activities and destinations, or direct kids to the on-site swimming pond with floating docks, diving platforms, a rope swing, and canoes. Yes, it’s heaven.

belle-meade-farm

We visited during the middle of a long tour of the East Coast between visiting historic Williamsburg and Washington DC. A stop at a farm stay with Susan and Mike was just the break we all needed to rewind, regroup, and relax before tackling more city life and history.

Farm stay component:

virginia-farm-stay

belle-meade-farm-animals

belle-meade-farm

Like all farm stay destinations we review, Belle Meade is a working farm. We love getting involved, helping with chores and caring for livestock. However, like all farm stays, the amount of ‘work’ we do depends solely on what’s needed at the time, and at the farm owners’ discretion. During our stay at Belle Meade, the kids collected eggs, helped put the animals ‘to bed’ at night, and fed the pigs, rabbits, and horses. However, what’s on offer during another families’ stay may vary. I always remind my kids prior to any farm stay that ‘we’ll see’ what’s needed. Mike was generous with his time, and great about letting us know when an opportunity to help was at hand.

virginia-farm-stay

Bed and breakfast:

Think a B&B can’t be for kids? Well, sometimes (and some places) that’s true, but not at Belle Meade. Kids are welcome, but as with any B&B, I only recommend bringing kids who are old enough to be respectful of other guests. During our stay, we enjoyed the company of two other couples, so we certainly weren’t solo at the farm. A stay at Belle Meade includes a full cooked breakfast, made by talented chef Anna (who lives on-site). Anna inquired about any allergies or preferences, then surprised us each morning with a feast (many of the ingredients directly from the farm or locally sourced). Each morning, breakfast was fantastic.

belle-meade-bed-and-breakfast

Room amenities:

Each room at Belle Meade is different. We had a group of four (one teen, two kids, and one adult) and had two rooms. Rooms have modern, new bathrooms with showers and tubs, and comfortable beds with wonderful views out the windows. We brought a cooler for our lunch and snack foods, and the kitchen was able to keep us supplied with ice. We brought our own drinks, and eat dinner in town (the staff has great recommendations).

belle-meade-farm

What to do nearby:

As noted above, Belle Meade is located close to Shenandoah National Park. We drove to the Old Rag Mountain trailhead in 10 minutes (where there’s a small kiosk to pay park admission), and the larger entrance at Thorton Gap is only 20 minutes away. Ask about kid-friendly hikes nearby, or try Skyline Drive in the park. Families able to bring bikes can meander along the country roads, and dining choices are abundant in the nearby towns. For a casual meal, we recommend Burgers ‘N Things in Sperryville. Their burgers, fries, and shakes are great!

belle-meade-farm

virginia-farm-stay

Note: Belle Meade is far more than just a farm: it’s an educational community. In addition to teaching B&B guests about sustainable farming by example, it also runs a school, day camp, and many retreats and events. If you visit during the summer, expect day camp kids to be on the farm during weekdays. Beware: your kids will want to join in the fun!

More things to do in Virginia!

belle-meade-pool

Date last visited:

June 2014

Distance from the interstate:

Belle Meade is located within easy driving distance of I-66 or I-15.

Rates:

Room rates (for single or double) range from $160-$220 night, and include breakfast. Rates may vary.

Directions:

The farm is located at 353 F.T. Valley Road, Sperryville Virginia. Follow directions listed on the website.

As disclosed whenever applicable, we experienced Belle Meade Farm as guests of Mike and Susan. Without their hospitality, we’d be unable to bring farm stay reviews like this one to Pit Stops for Kids. All opinions are our own.

Where to eat with kids in Philly

Philadelphia is a lively, exciting city with a vibrant night life and food scene. Sometimes, a foodie city doesn’t translate to good eating with kids, but Philly is the exception. The fun, flavorful, and sometimes funky eateries adults rave about in the city are often kid-friendly, too. Here’s where we like to eat with kids in Philly.

shanes-candy-philly

City Tavern:

This historical tavern serves food from the colonial period, using, in some cases Benjamin Franklin’s own recipes. During the late 18th century, City Tavern was at the heart of the American revolution, playing host to many political talks and news. Now, the wait staff sports Colonial garb, and the food’s still excellent. The bill will be high for this tourist favorite, but it’s well-worth budgeting for a meal here. Our favorites: the pot pie, corn chowder, and raspberry shrub (infused soda water drink).
Location: City Tavern is located at 138 S. 2nd St., within walking distance of all Old City hotels..

Mrs. K’s Koffee Cup:

mrs-k-koffee-cup

We loved Mrs. K’s Koffee Cup for its no-frills air, rock-bottom prices, and fun diner atmosphere. We felt very ‘in the know’ sitting next to business men and women grabbing a bagel before work. All seating here is at the counter, and we didn’t pay more than $6 per meal at breakfast. Mrs. K’s was a short walk from our hotel, so it quickly became our go-to breakfast spot. We liked the simple egg and hash brown breakfasts, omelets, and French toast. The wait staff is friendly and fast, and the ambiance is high-energy.
Location: Mrs. K’s is located at 325 Chestnut, right down from the Omni Hotel and Hotel Monaco.

Jones:

Jones Restaurant is a well-known establishment at the heart of the historic center. While this restaurant specializes in omelets and brunch dishes, it’s not just for the morning hours. We ordered omelets for dinner, and enjoyed the chance for eggs and tater tots (which come with every egg dish) very much. Jones also serves pot pies, burgers, and sandwiches, as well as specialty dishes. The menu prices are a bit hefty, but this restaurant is a solid hit. Note: we ordered take out at Jones, and it took an unusually long time. After waiting 45 minutes, the restaurant manager gave us our meal free of charge. I am still happy to give Jones a good review for two reasons: the manager was quick to do what she could to correct the mistake, and I asked around: this restaurant gets consistently good reviews. I think we just hit it at the wrong time.
Location: Jones is located at 700 Chestnut Street.

franklin-park-philly

The Franklin Fountain:

Ready for an old-fashioned ice cream experience? Franklin Fountain features ‘soda jerks’ instead of cashiers and counter service ice cream scoopers, and a full menu that includes egg creams, phosphates, and a dizzying array of ice cream flavors, sundaes, shakes, and malts. Be prepared for a line out the door on weekend evenings, and bring cash: Franklin’s doesn’t take cards or checks. We loved the Franklin Lemonade (a mixture of sherbet, fruit, and soda water) and the honeycomb ice cream.
Location: Franklin Fountain is located near Penn’s Landing at 116 Market Street.

Shane Confectionary:

shanes-candy

Located a few doors down from The Franklin Fountain, Shane Confectionary is even more sweetly old-fashioned (pun intended). Selling old-school candies such as licorice, gum drops, and even—gasp—bubble gum cigarettes, Shane’s also offers fudge, chocolates, and salt-water taffy. Entering the store, the eye is dazed by all the glassware, bottles, and pretty paper packaging; plan on plenty of time to decide what you want. We love that they weigh and sell Shane’s candy in little paper cones just like in the old days.
Location: Shane’s is at 110 Market Street.

Reading Market:

reading-market

Located approximately 8 blocks from the historic part of town off 11th, the Reading Market is absolutely worth the detour. Go for breakfast to grab local, homemade donuts, pastries, egg dishes, or pancakes for under $10, or pick out a fruit salad and freshly squeezed juice. Half the fun is walking through the stalls of this massive indoor farmer’s market, which also features herbs, meats, handmade goods, and other wares. The market is open until 4 pm daily, so it’s best for breakfast or lunch. The walk to this part of town is pretty, and it’s an easy jaunt back to historic sites along Market Street.

Want itinerary advice for a two-day Philly trip? Start with our post on historical sites for kids in Philly!

CityPASS

What about the cheese steaks? We ate famous Philly cheese steaks at several downtown and Old Town food trucks, and didn’t fall in love with any of them. Feel free to enlighten us as to the best cheese steak in the city in the comments.

Philly with kids: how to plan for a two-day historical itinerary

 

Philadelphia has so much history in their many museums, exhibits, and attractions, families could easily be here 3-4 days. We only had two, so we had to make some tough decisions. We did manage to tour all the following Old City attractions in Philadelphia over the course of a day and a half, plus visited the Philadelphia Museum of Art and enjoyed some good eats

Independence Hall:

There’s no cost to tour Independence Hall, the site of the meeting of the first congregational congress and signing of the Declaration of Independence. You do, however, need to reserved timed tickets for entry. This can be done day-of at the Visitor’s Center one block away, but on busy summer days, we highly recommend doing this ahead of time online (there’s a small service fee of $1.50 per ticket). Arrive at the hall 30 minutes before your tour time to go through security (you can bring bags in) and then queue up in the back courtyard. The tour is only 30 minutes long, but is fantastic: our National Park guide kept all the kids’ attention and conveyed her obvious passion for history with all the adults. The whole process will take an hour. Tip: Remember, many sites, such as Independence Hall, are run by the National Parks service. Kids can earn Junior Ranger badges here. Get a booklet at the Visitor’s Center.

philly-with-kids

Visitor’s Center and Liberty Bell:

I’m lumping these two attractions together because of their proximity to each other. Start at the Liberty Bell first thing in the morning, as the line does get crazy long, crazy fast. Tip: if you just can’t wait in the line, there is a glass window at the very front where people can glance in at the bell (and you’re not cutting in front of anyone). What you miss: the exhibits explaining the significance of the bell that unfold as the line continues). Head to the Visitor’s Center next and see one of two 20-30 minute movies continuously running in the theater. This is the time to grab those Junior Ranger booklets. There is no cost for either attraction.

independence-hall

Betsy Ross House:

We really enjoyed touring Betsy Ross’ house. Before the self-guided tour through her little home, I had no idea what her life had been like, other than the fact that she sewed the first flag. The tour gives you a great overview of what life was like for average citizens in the late 18th century, but also gives more details of Betsy’s life. Tickets are $5 for adults and $4 for kids, and there’s an audio tour option. Definitely worth the cost of admission.

Christ Church and church graveyard:

philly-with-kids

Christ Church is stunning, and there’s a particular wow factor to sitting in George Washington’s pew. This is a living, working church (with a congregation today) so entry is free, and docents are on-hand to point out where Betsy Ross sat, Washington sat, and more. The church graveyard is located a few blocks away, and costs $2 to get in. Inside, most of the signers of the Declaration of Independence are buried here, including Ben Franklin. It’s possible to see Franklin’s grave from outside the gates through an opening in the fence, if you don’t want to go all the way in. We really enjoyed touring through the old gravestones.

Elfreth’s Alley:

philly-with-kids

Near Christ Church is Elfeth’s Alley, the oldest neighborhood in the US that has been continuously occupied by residents. Walking down the narrow alley is free, but remember that people live here…it’s not ok to look in windows, etc. A small museum is open part-time. Be sure to walk all the way down and turn left though another small alley to the end: there’s an interesting board that tells about the residents from the 18th century.

National Constitution Center:

The National Constitution Center is a larger museum on Arch Street and houses the Museum of We the People, plus America’s Town Hall and many civic exhibits. Kids can vote in a voter’s booth, see a replica of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, take the oath of office as President of the US, and learn about the Constitution. There’s a lot of reading in here, so we recommend skipping it if your kids are all under age five. Definitely start with the multi-media theater production; it’s fantastic.

Franklin Court:

This small court behind the row of Market Street buildings Franklin once owned features the Franklin Museum and the site of Franklin’s house. The house has long since been torn down, so a metal frame has been erected in its place, marking where it once stood. Exhibits talk about the house and show original bricks and the original basement. We didn’t get a chance to see the main museum; tickets had been sold out for the day. Hit this spot by at least lunchtime and you should be ok. The courtyard is quiet and cool, which is another plus.

Franklin Square:

philly-with-kids

Not to be confused with Franklin Court, Franklin Square is located at the end of the Old City district and features a working carousel, playground, and miniature golf course. The golf course’s features are all replicas of Philly historical landmarks. Play a game for about $25 for a family of four. This area is nice for a break from historical touring, but would be the first thing we omitted from the itinerary if time were an issue.

Philly Duck Tours:

philly-with-kids

A fun way to get an overview of any city is through a Duck Tour with Ride the Ducks! We take advantage of these in any city in which it’s offered: the amphibious ‘duck’ vehicle is operated by a funny, entertaining tour guide and takes guests over the land and water of Philly. The tour is 90 minutes, and by the end, adults are oriented to the city and kids have a grasp on what they’ll be seeing later that day. We book our Duck Tour for morning of our first day.

Where to find all the above attractions: Maps are available at the Visitor’s Center. Definitely pick one up. All the above attractions are within walking distance of each other.

CityPASS

What you need to know about touring Philly with kids

Five kid-friendly attractions in Ogunquit Maine

Sometimes, looking for the perfect vacation destination can get a bit hectic, especially if you have a family and are searching for a kid-friendly spot. With rising prices in theme parks like Disneyland, Six Flags and Universal Studios, parents across the U.S. are now looking for cheaper vacation alternatives that don’t sacrifice fun over price.

Ogunquit Maine

Highlighted in an article by Trip Advisor, many families in the East Coast are considering going north to Maine instead of driving down south to Florida’s amusement central. In the past few years, many coastal towns in Maine have undergone radical visitor-pleasing changes in efforts to boost tourism.

One town that’s garnering mass interest is Ogunquit, Maine, a small, resort town located on the southern tip of the state. Ogunquit has been generating substantial interest because of its family-centered attractions, top tier resort commodities, pristine lobster-rich coastline and golden beaches. If you’re looking to take a family vacation in the next few weeks, here are five kid friendly-attractions that’ll make you want to consider making it your next family destination.

Marginal Way

If you’ve ever seen the scenic beach panoramas that grace the silver screen, you may find that they have nothing on historical Marginal Way, a famous beach strip just off the coast of Ogunquit. Marginal Way has been described as beautifully pristine and fun for the whole family. Marginal Way is definitely a hidden beauty of Maine, secluded and free from hordes of tourists. Marginal Way is the perfect destination for families that want to have a calm, family beach day.

Perkins Cove

Perkins cove is a small community at the edge of Ogunquit that brings beauty and quaintness to the town. Perkins Cove is known as a fishing district, famous for its lobsters and assortment of fruits. This small commercial district is perfect for a family outing or dinner. There’s simply no better seafood in all of Southern Maine than at Perkins Cove.

Mount Agamenticus

If you’re the kind of parent that lives an active lifestyle, a trip to Mount Agamenticus may be just what you’re looking for. This forested monolith is located near Ogunquit–not hard to spot from the town square. Mount Agamenticus provides visitors with miles of hiking trails, ranging from beginner to advanced. Mount Agamenticus is perfect for an outdoor excursion with your kids.

Ogunquit Playhouse

If you think Ogunquit is all about attractive natural settings, think again. If you want to get a good dose of culture, you may want to make your way to downtown Ogunquit to attend a local theater production at the Ogunquit Playhouse. Shows range from locally written productions to national shows, like Legally Blonde or Les Miserables. If you enjoy attending theater productions, why not watch a show at the famous Ogunquit Playhouse?

Ogunquit Museum of Modern Art

If you don’t get your fill of local culture, you may want to head to the Ogunquit Museum of American Art. Though small compared to the Met, this museum houses an extensive collection of American art that dates back to the American colonial era. The Ogunquit Museum of American Art also features pieces of local art, giving visitors a feel of the local artistic scene. The setting of the museum is panoramic, located beachside on historic Shore Road.

The accommodations in Ogunquit are very family friendly just like the other attractions it has to offer. This pleasant seaside town is an excellent choice if you want to break free from the idea of a trip down to tourist-packed amusement park central but still have a family vacation worth remembering. You won’t regret it!


Travel Gear We Use: Stonz Wear Bootz

new-masthead.logo.042513Stonz is a children’s outerwear and boot company homegrown in Vancouver, BC. Pit Stops’ kids is partnering with Stonz this fall to help families get outfitted for winter travel. Yes, our kids wear Stonz on our own adventures! Why Stonz winter bootz? These rugged, waterproof boots are incredibly lightweight. Kids won’t mind wearing them in slushy, wet, and snowy conditions while traveling, and they won’t weigh suitcases down, either. We love: the traction of the boots, plus the easy velcro and buckle closure, so we can get a tight fit even while getting boots easily on and off. Buy Stonz Winter Bootz
at Amazon, or find more Travel Gear We Use.

 

Distance from the interstate:

10 minutes.

Directions:

Find Ogunquit from I-95 in Maine. Take Berwick Road or Captain Thomas Road from the interstate.

The above post is written in partnership with Stonzwear.com. Photo credit: Flickr.com/Yatmandu