outdoor pit stop - Pitstops for Kids

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and Mt. San Jacinto State Park

May 29, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

If you have a few days in Palm Springs, a trip to the Aerial Tramway is well-worth your time. This ‘world’s largest rotating tram’ takes visitors from the desert floor to over 8,000 feet in elevation to Mt. San Jacinto State Park in just a few minutes. The tram ride itself is fun for everyone (even those who experience ski resort gondolas and trams often), but the real gem is at the top. Mt. San Jacinto Park offers 54 miles of hiking trails in over 14,000 acres of alpine wilderness. Everyone can enjoy the novelty of soaring from a desert environment to an alpine forest within minutes, and once there, they can spend as much time as desired exploring the mountain scenery.

Hiking trails are well-marked, the three major trails offering something for everyone: the easy 1.5 Desert View Trail can be done in under an hour, or the Round Valley Trail offers a 4.2 mile loop more suitable to families with older kids. There’s also a 12 mile loop up San Jacinto Peak for experts. Once families depart the tram at the Mountain Station, they follow a paved walkway down to Long Valley, where the wilderness awaits. Since we’d done a lot of hiking in previous days of our trip, we opted to let the kids rock scramble and play at will in the valley area. In winter, an Adventure Center in the valley offers sled and snowshoe rentals plus gear.

Tramway tips:

The temperature changes dramatically between the desert floor and the Mountain Station, so families will need to bring extra layers. A good rule of thumb: expect the temperature to drop by 20 degrees.
Buy tramway tickets online to ensure your departure time. If you buy tickets at the Valley Station, expect a slight to moderate wait. During the time of our visit on a weekend during Spring Break, we waited an hour before boarding.
Expect the process of boarding to take awhile, from the time you park and take a tram bus to the entrance of the Valley Station to the time your departure time is called to board.
Due to the time and cash investment, plan to spend the better part of the day at the Mountain Station area.

Dining:

There are ample opportunities to purchase food, both at the Valley Station (where there’s a snack area and bar) and the Mountain Station (where families find a quick service type restaurant with pizza, sandwiches, and the like) as well as a sit-down dining experience. Outside food is also allowed, and picnic tables are located at both stations. Bring water bottles and fill them at drinking fountains.

Distance from the interstate:

The tramway is located six miles from downtown Palm Springs off I-10.

Admission cost:

Adult tramway tickets are $23 and children’s (12 and under) are $16. Discounted tickets can be had after 4 pm. Hours vary by season.

Directions:

From Palm Springs, take Highway 111 to Tram Way.

Wet ’n Wild Palm Springs with kids

May 14, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

In our experience Wet ’n Wild operations are largely the same wherever you go, but certainly, Palm Springs is an ideal location for one. Open in spring and summer, Wet ’n Wild Palm Springs includes all you could ask for in an outdoor water park and a sure-fire activity when in Palm Springs with kids: plenty of slides and tube rides, daredevil slides with sharp drops, small slides for the younger set, a large water clubhouse/play area, and most importantly for my kids: a lazy river and wave pool.

Note: Coming soon, Wet ’n Wild is adding a Wave Runner surf simulator. We saw construction ongoing during our visit, and wished very much it was already in operation!

Given Palm Springs hot, dry climate, it came as no surprise to me that this Wet ’n Wild location offered more than the usual cabanas with shade and misters (available for an extra rental charge) and ample shaded seating and lounger areas (free of charge). Still, I’d arrive early in the day to snag a good spot. We found the park to be generally clean, and the staff to be friendly and attentive to water safety.

Distance from the interstate:

An easy drive from I-10.

Admission and hours of operation:

General admission at the time of our visit was $36.99 for adults and $26.99 for kids 3-11. Hours vary significantly by season and day, so be sure to check the website for update information. Parking is $14 per day.

Dining:

Plenty of snack and quick-dining options abound in the park, including my kids’ favorite: Dippin’ Dots. Outside food is allowed at designated picnic areas just outside the main gate (get your hand stamped before exiting). We brought water bottles and small snacks into the park (our bags were checked and these items permitted).

Tip: Bring your own towels and sunglasses, or you’ll pay dearly for these items in the park.

Directions:

From Palm Drive, take Gene Autry Trail. Continue south for approximately 5 miles. Wet ‘n’ Wild is on left just past Mesquite Ave.
As I disclose whenever applicable, we experienced Wet ’n Wild as guests of the park, for the purpose of review. Without compensated admission, many pit stop reviews would not be possible.

Butchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay, BC

September 13, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

At first glance in a guidebook or two, I didn’t think the Butchart Gardens had much to offer a family with three active kids. I was wrong: the two hours we spent there waiting for a recent ferry crossing from Sidney BC to Washington’s San Juan Islands was both relaxing for us and interesting to our school-aged boys.

Located in Brentwood Bay, just minutes from the busy ferry terminal in Sidney and a short drive from Victoria, BC, the gardens were originally created to beautify area rock quarries, and the result is quite the incredible feat. The gardens are divided into several sections, including (but not limited to) a traditional rose garden, a peaceful Japanese tea garden, an Italian garden, and a sunken garden in the rock quarry, with viewing outlook. For kids in particular there is a carrousel, as well as several ice cream stands and snack shops. Boat rides are available, and if you look carefully while touring the bottom of the Japanese garden, you’ll find a viewing hole through a hedge with a great (secret) view of the harbor.

I’m not sure Butchart Gardens would have entertained my kids longer than a few hours, but as a way to spend the afternoon waiting for a ferry departure, it was very pleasant. It’s not a cheap pit stop, so if you don’t need to be all the way up in Brentwood Bay, I’d opt for the more traditionally kid-friendly Pacific Undersea Gardens in Victoria.

Date last visited:

July 2012

Hours of operation:

Generally 9 am to 9 pm in summer (although many summer events allow for later closings) and 9 am to 4 pm in winter. The gardens come alive at Christmas time, and have later hours during the season.

Admission:

Summer admission is $29 for adults, $14 for youth (13-17), and only $3 for children (12 and under) plus 12 percent sales tax. Winter admission is significantly less (except Christmas).

Dining options:

Many! The grounds have snack stands as well as three restaurants, from a coffee shop to elegant dining. Picnic grounds are also available in the parking area (on a grassy strip).

Directions:

The gardens are located at 800 Benvenuto Avenue in Brentwood Bay. They’re easy to get to from either Victoria or elsewhere on Vancouver Island. See full directions from each city.

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Tofino whale watching with Remote Passages

August 20, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

I’d heard the West Coast of Vancouver Island called the Galapagos of the Northwest, and never is that more apparent than while on the water, whether families are exploring tide pools, kayaking, or in this case, on the open ocean on a Remote Passages whale watch in Tofino BC.

Tofino whale watching:

Our Tofino whale watch with Remote Passages just may have been the crown jewel on the treasure that was our Vancouver Island trip. Over 2 1/2 hours long, they call it a Whale Watch Plus, and once you’ve experienced it, it’s obvious why: not only did we enjoy a gray and humpback whale watch, but also observed seals, sea lions, sea otters, puffins, sea stars, bald eagles, and jellyfish (and I’m probably forgetting something). We were there in time to ‘meet’ Tofino’s resident whales, but in migratory seasons, they’re even more abundant (and can include orcas). Note: all photos in this post are actual documentation of wildlife viewed, taken by me.

In addition to the abundance of wildlife viewed, what set our Remote Passages whale watch apart from any we’d experienced before is their Zodiac boat transportation and their guide expertise. Zodiacs seat only 12-14 passengers, and are open-air (a closed cabin one is available as well), allowing for unobstructed 360 degree views of the bay, harbor, and open sea. Unlike larger whale watch vessels, in which one side of the boat sees a spout and the other misses out (or runs scrambling to see), on a Zodiac, you’re literally right on the water, able to see everything. (This makes it ideal for young kids.)

Our experience started at 8:30 am for our 9 am whale watch, during which we were shown an orientation video that described the wildlife and ecosystem of the Tofino area and the Clayoquot Sound. We then donned full expedition jump suits for our journey. These are a full jacket and pant combo, so guests don’t really need to worry about what to wear on their whale watch. Just make sure you’re in sturdy shoes and have a light sweatshirt or long-sleeved shirt on under. The adult version has a built-in life jacket, and the kids’ version is a two-part ensemble: pants and jacket, with a regular life jacket on over. Remote Passages also offers fleece gloves and knit hats if desired.

Our captain and guide, Tyson, guided us onto the Zodiac, where we all had a perfect view of the ocean and surrounding (breathtaking) landscape. We cruised first in-between the small islands dotted around the sound, where Tyson stopped to show us the huge kelp beds whales like to feed on. Almost immediately, we saw the spout of a gray whale. Since whales typically spout and rise above the water 3-4 times before diving deep, we stayed close to view it for about 15 minutes, cutting off the engine and floating peacefully as we watched the whale rise and fall beautifully. I can’t tell you how wonderful it was for Toby, age 7, to be able to see the whale so easily; he’s usually scrambling for a better view for things like this, since he’s the shortest person in most groups. There was no stress to see, no rush to get anywhere, and we all just oohed and awed as Tyson told us more about these amazing animals. (Fun fact: many of the same whales return to Tofino year after year, and up to 200 stay here all season while their counterparts migrate farther north. Remote Passages guides can identify individual whales by the pattern of their barnacles on their backs. The kids had fun learning their names…yes, they name them!)

After a time, we left our friendly gray whale to explore more of the outer islands, where we could float right up near the rocky shore to spot jellies, sea stars, and an whole colony of seals. We watched their heads pop out of the water mere feet from us, and observed a dispute between two males on the rocks. Farther on, we sat still to photograph a set of four puffins floating on the sea, and caught a rare glimpse of a sea otter.

We headed out to open ocean in search of humpback whales, and were rewarded with four, two of which were a mother and calf. Tyson explained that ‘humpies’ were more likely to ‘fluke’ (show their tales as they dive deep), which we saw several times. We hung out with them for a time before needing to head back to the dock.

We had fine weather, but should you not, the small size of the Zodiac still allows for good viewing, though the water may be choppier. The suits keep you very warm, even in the wind while the boat is moving fast (though you’ll definitely want the gloves in cold weather). Once you return to the dock, hot peppermint tea awaits you.

Tips: You’ll want everyone in your party to be wearing sunscreen on their faces, and sunglasses are helpful. No matter the weather, the glare from the water is significant. Hats may fly off; I suggest using their knit caps that stay on better. The water was smooth they day of our visit, but if it’s choppy, captains carry seasickness remedies. We told ours that Calvin was prone, and he checked on him several times to make sure he wasn’t uncomfortable. (He was fine.)

Distance from the interstate:

Remote Passages is right off Highway 4 in Tofino.

Date last visited:

July 2012

Rates and reservations:

A whale watch is not cheap, so may need to be budgeted for. If you can only experience one Tofino-area excursion, my kids were split between a kayak tour of the intertidal zone or a whale watch. Both are offered by Remote Passages. For the most wildlife viewed, however, a whale watch can’t be beat. Rates are $69 for kids, and $89 for adults at the time of our visit.

Other excursions offered:

If a whale watch is not in your budget, or if you have very young kids who may not be up for 2 1/2 hours on the water, a great option is Remote Passages Meares Island drop-off. Only $20 per person, families enjoy at short (5 minute) Zodiac ride to take the self-guided Meares Island boardwalk rain forest trail. Alternatively, Remote Passages’ Coastal Bear Watch (also 2 1/2 hours) hugs the coastline of nearby islands to spot bears, and also other intertidal zone wildlife and eagles, seals, and shore birds. Their Hot Springs Explorer takes visitors all the way to to a natural hot springs in the ancient rain forest, but as this tour is 7 hours long, it’s best saved for older children and adults.

Directions:

Remote Passages is located at the bottom of Wharf Street, off Main. It’s easy to find!

Tofino on Dwellable

Summer in the Berkshires: Tanglewood Amphitheater

July 11, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

An afternoon or evening spent enjoying live music in the beautiful outdoor amphitheater at Tanglewood is a great addition to any family vacation in western Massachusetts. Tanglewood is located in the picturesque town of Lenox in the heart of the Berkshires. On a recent visit, we packed our cooler with sandwiches, cheese and crackers, fruit salad, and strawberry shortcake and picnicked the night away while listening to “A Prairie Home Companion”.

Tanglewood hosts all kinds of events, and is the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. It is also one of the few truly kid-friendly music venues I’ve been to. The lawn is huge, with plenty of room for energetic kids. The atmosphere is relaxed, and no one seems to mind if their picnic gets interrupted by the occasional soccer ball or wondering toddler. Show times are conducive to young kids too–“A Prairie Home Companion” started at 5:45 and ended with a sing-along at around 7:30/8:00.

Tip: To get the most out of your visit, show up early. We arrived at 4:00 for a 5:45 show, and had plenty of time to eat and explore before the show started. In anticipation of bedtime, we brought pajamas, and ended a blissful evening with a quiet ride home, complete with two sleeping kids in the back seat.

Date last visited: July 2, 2011

Distance from the interstate: Tanglewood is about 10 miles off of I-90/Massachusetts Turnpike.

Hours of operation: Tanglewood is a seasonal venue and operates from June through September. Check out show times and dates on the Tanglewood website.

Admission or ticket prices: If traveling with kids, I strongly recommend getting lawn seats (as opposed to the covered seats in the Koussevitzky Music Shed), which are $21. Kids under 2 are free. An unexpected plus: onsite parking is convenient and free!

Food services: Boxed dinners and picnics can be purchased online ahead of time, and there are two eateries on site (the Tanglewood Café and Grill) but the best (and probably least expensive) way to eat at Tanglewood is to bring your own picnic. People come armed with coolers, lawn chairs, blankets, and even candles for a more romantic dinner.

Contact: (617) 266-1200 or (888) 266-1200

Directions: Tanglewood is located at 297 West Street, Lenox, MA. Full directions can be found on their website.

Fair Oaks Farms

April 13, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

This review of Fair Oaks Farms has been submitted by Nicole Wiltrout of Arrows Sent Forth.

A stop at Fair Oaks Farms in northern Indiana is a great opportunity to teach your kids where their milk, cheese and ice cream comes from. Fair Oaks Farms is one of the largest dairy farms in the country. You’ll see cows being milked on a mass scale. Often, you’ll get to see a calf being born in the birthing room. While it’s not an organic farm and the sheer number of cows being raised there (30,000+) can be a bit overwhelming, the farm is committed to sustainable practices. It’s a chance to see what life is like on a real, working farm.

Fair Oaks Farms is also great because it’s one of the few stops on the three-hour stretch between Chicago and Indianapolis that offers kids something to do. Anyone who has traveled this stretch of road knows that it’s quite rural and lacks entertainment options or pit stops beyond fast food restaurants and gas stations. Read more about Nicole’s experiences at Fair Oaks Farms here and here.

Distance from the nearest interstate: Less than one mile from I-65

Date last visited: September, 2010

Hours of operation: Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Central time)

Admission cost: To take the Dairy Adventure tour, cost is $10 for adults and $7 for kids 3-12. In addition to the tour, this includes access to the Mooville play area (a large dairy farm-inspired outdoor playground) and the Dairy Fun Room, an indoor exhibit space devoted to educating kids about dairy farming.

The tour itself is probably not ideal for kids three and under. Our little guy (18 months old at the time) got pretty squirmy, although he did enjoy getting to see the cows. Next time we visit, we’ll skip the bus tour and spend more time letting him explore the playground and the Dairy Fun Room.

Dining options: If the admission price is beyond your budget, you should still plan a stop at the Cheese Factory building on the property. Here you can get Fair Oaks cheese, ice cream, milk, grilled cheese sandwiches, and other gifts. We ordered some delicious grilled cheese sandwiches and bought some of their cheese cubes to snack on the road. There is also a Subway at this exit.

Website: http://www.fofarms.com

Directions: Take I-65 to Exit 220 (Winamac/SR 14). Fair Oaks Farms is located just west of the exit. You can see the big barns from the highway and there are plenty of signs to direct you.

Nicole Wiltrout is a stay-at-home mom (who rarely stays home) and lives in Columbus, Indiana. Nicole writes about adventures at home and away with her husband and two-year-old son at http://arrowssentforth.com. You can also find her on Twitter at @arrowssentforth. She loves Hoosier road trips and is an Expert Blogger for the state’s tourism blog, the Indiana Insider at Visit Indiana.