Nestled in the lush hillside just minutes from Mill Valley, CA, Muir Woods National Monument is a must-do for families visiting San Francisco's Bay Area. Only minutes outside of the city, it makes for a perfect pit stop en route to San Francisco or a nice day trip to escape city crowds. Called a 'tree lover's monument', Muir Woods is a very accessible park of walking trails and visitor … [Read more...]
Portland Saturday Market, Portland Oregon
May 10, 2012 By
Often, one of the best ways to get to know a city is to experience one of their seasonal festivals or street markets. From March through December of every year, the Burnside Bridge area of Tom McCall Waterfront Park and Ankeny Park in Portland Oregon comes alive with the Portland Saturday Market. One part artisan vendor market, one part touristy festival, and one part foodie heaven, the … [Read more...]
Wildlife Safari
May 7, 2012 By
Every once in a while, a potential pit stop surprises me. We'd traveled Oregon's I-5 stretch countless times before we took the opportunity to visit Wildlife Safari outside Winston, Oregon. Why the delay? I tend to be suspicious of roadside animal attractions: as a card-carrying PETA member, I want to be sure the zoos and preserves I support are in the best interest the animals. I'm glad to say … [Read more...]
Guide to Portland food carts with kids
May 3, 2012 By
Ever since getting my first taste of food cart eating in Vancouver last June, I've sought out food trucks and carts while in cities. I've found great food cart fare in Boston and traditional hot dog cart fare in New York City, and given Portland, Oregon's foodie bent, I wasn't surprised to find the food cart craze had hit the City of Roses as well. During an overnight at downtown Portland's … [Read more...]
Wings and Waves Water Park
April 26, 2012 By
After lunch would be a good time to move from the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum to the Wings and Waves water park. (The exception to this rule would be during peak holiday weekends, when the lines for rides at the water park escalate by mid-day. This, however, is not the norm.) You can't miss the water park, which is adjacent to the museum buildings and topped by an Evergreen commercial … [Read more...]
Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum
April 26, 2012 By
When I first heard that McMinnville Oregon's Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum was one part aviation history museum, one part military vehicle and firearms collection, one part 3-D theater, and one part water park (yes, water park), I couldn't imagine how it all fit together. I worried that the 70,000 square foot indoor water park would seem gimmicky in comparison to the museum, which would feel … [Read more...]
Educational Animal Kingdom attractions (your school-aged kids will love)
April 23, 2012 By
Can a theme park be educational? We had our doubts...until being schooled by Disney's Animal Kingdom. Usually fans of the latest and greatest headliner attractions (read about how to tour any Disney theme park attraction in 15 minutes or less), my school-aged sons and I spent our latest visit touring the park from a less thrill-seeking perspective, exploring the many environmental, zoological, and … [Read more...]
Tour any Disney theme park attraction in 15 minutes or less (all day, any day)
April 19, 2012 By
Note: For current FastPass+ tips for touring Walt Disney World parks, please see our Understanding FastPass+ post. The below information still applies to touring Disneyland Resort parks. No one should wait more than 15 minutes for any Disney theme park attraction…no matter what season, day, or park. Touring Disney line-free can be done, even during the busy Spring Break, summer, and holiday … [Read more...]
A stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
April 16, 2012 By
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of our family's favorite--if not thefavorite--DisneyWorld resort. When readers ask me, "Why pay to stay at a DisneyWorld resort?" I always cite Disney's impeccible attention to detail, from the in-room touches to the grand lobbies to the on-site restaurants...always themed to perfection. No where is this attention to detail more evident than at Animal Kingdom … [Read more...]
What’s included on a Disney cruise (and what you’ll pay extra for)
April 12, 2012 By
Before our first Disney Cruise Line experience on the Disney Fantasy, I had no idea what to expect. What I learned: it's important to know what's included on a Disney cruise, and what you'll pay more for. What's always included in a Disney Line Cruise: 1. All meals, from you embarkation lunch to your departure breakfast. Remember, there's no additional charge for ordering extra appetizers or … [Read more...]
