Thompson Mills State Historical Site

13655 Boston Mill Drive Shedd, OR This pit stop has been submitted by Ken of Ken's World. Thank you, Ken, for supporting Pit Stops for Kids! Thompson Mills State Historical Site, located near I-5 in Shedd, Oregon, offers a glimpse into the area's early farming and irrigation days with an impressive number of interpretive displays and knowledgeable staff. Opened in 2007, visitors can try … [Read more...]

Sumpter Junction Restaurant

2 Sunridge Lane Baker City, OR The following review was submitted by Ken of the blog Ken's World. Thank you, Ken, for your contribution to Pit Stops for Kids! Sumpter Junction Restaurant makes for a great pit stop along I-84 while driving through Eastern Oregon. What makes Sumpter Junction more than just a diner? The G-Scale train that passes through the restaurant every few minutes while … [Read more...]

Travel Tip: Legoland’s Premium Play Pass

If you plan to visit the increasingly popular Legoland California in Carlsbad, CA during their peak summer and holiday periods, you might consider upgrading your admission tickets to Premium Play Passes. Not widely advertised, this upgrade allows every passholder front of the line access for every ride, all day long and preferred seating for every show. The cavat: you pay dearly for this … [Read more...]

Nike Town Portland

930 Southwest 6th Avenue Portland, OR Portland, Oregon offers a wealth of family-friendly attractions (in fact, I have so many to review, I'm behind!), but if you have a sports fan in your group, you'll want to spend some time at Nike Town. The world headquarters of all things Nike, Portland outdoes itself with this two-story retail center in downtown (near Pioneer Square). Kids (and adults) … [Read more...]

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry

The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, or OMSI for short, is both a landmark and beloved institution in Portland, Oregon. Situated right on the bank of the Willamette directly across from the downtown district, OMSI is one of the best places (and arguably the best place) to take kids in the area. Nate and his friend Jonah get a lesson in the Physics Lab. With multiple exhibits … [Read more...]

Best Beach Towns: What to do with Kids in Bandon, Oregon

Summer may be drawing to a close, but fall is the very best time to visit Pacific Northwest coastline! The Oregon Coast spoils families with miles upon miles of great beaches and beach towns, but one of our favorites remains Bandon. Located about midway up the coast, Bandon offers a little of everything: small town charm without being too touristy (but just touristy enough), gorgeous coastline, … [Read more...]

Courtyard by Marriott Portland/Beaverton

8500 S W Nimbus Drive Beaverton, Oregon The Courtyard by Marriott in Beaverton makes for a nice, centralized home base while exploring the Portland area. While we'd normally stay downtown and take advantage of the MAX system, if you plan to visit the suburbs as well as the city center, Beaverton is a good option. We had a mixed bag of service at this location. Prior to arrival, I was … [Read more...]

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

John Day Fossil Beds (Image via Wikipedia) Kimberly, OR Eastern Oregon offers much in the way of outdoor exploration for families, but the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is often overlooked. There are 3 locations along Hwy 26, but the visitor center and main displays are at the Sheep Rock Unit on Hwy 19 off of Hwy 26 (about 70 miles east of Prineville). There is a fantastic visitor … [Read more...]

Submarine Force Museum

1 Crystal Lake Road Groton, CT This stop was submitted by Karin Burgess of Mystic Country. Thank you, Karin, for your support of Pit Stops for Kids! Planning a family vacation that takes you through Connecticut or just driving down I-95? You'll want to stop in the submarine capitol of the world and tour the FREE Submarine Force Museum to give your kids an up-close and personal view of … [Read more...]

The Dinosaur Place

1650 Hartford-New London Turnpike Oakdale, CT This stop was submitted by Karin Burgess of Mystic Country. Thank you, Karin, for your support of Pit Stops for Kids! Whether you're visiting Mystic, CT as a family or just passing through on I-95, The Dinosaur Place makes for a great pit stop complete with educational activities, fun and games, the chance to stretch your legs, and food. Along … [Read more...]