2820 SE Ferry Slip Road Newport, Oregon The Oregon Coast Aquarium is a local gem of northwestern Oregon. Due to it's manageable size (you can get through it in 1-2 hours), it serves well as a pitstop along US Highway 101. Admission is a little steep at $14.95 per adult and $9.45 for kids 3-12, but the aquarium is on par with the best, despite its size. The aquarium houses six main exhibits, … [Read more...]
Sideling Hill Service Plaza
June 23, 2009 By
Taylor, PA The Sideling Hill Service Plaza is one of 18 on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, but only one of two hosting a farmer's market of locally grown fruits and vegetables (the other one is located in Allentown). Says Mara of The Mother of all Trips, We pulled off at the Sideling Hill Service Area on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in between Harrisburg and Altoona to discover that it is a lovely … [Read more...]
Lithia Park
June 18, 2009 By
Lithia Park Ashland, Oregon is a stunningly beautiful 93-acre park in a garden setting situated within easy distance of 1-5 for either a quick pitstop or an afternoon detour. Located on the north end of Ashland, Oregon in their pedestrian-friendly downtown, there are several entrances to this sprawling park, but the easiest to access from the city center is on Winburn Way. Park either in the city … [Read more...]
Gunter Air Force Base
May 25, 2009 By
Gunter Air Force Base Montgomery, Alabama As today is Memorial Day, it seemed fitting to post a pitstop for military families. If that applies to you, and you are driving I-65 in Montgomery, Gunter Air Force Base may be a good (and affordable) overnight option. Lucia at Dim Sum, Bagels, and Crawfish stopped over with her family recently: $46 for two bedrooms separated by a bathroom and fairly … [Read more...]
Multnomah Falls
May 18, 2009 By
Multnomah Falls Oregon It's hard to miss Multnomah Falls when traveling I-84, but you really need to stop and see it up close to appreciate its 620 foot height. And this pitstop doesn't have to take a lot of time. From the parking lot, walk under the road through the pedestrian tunnel to the lodge and base of the falls (amazingly, even with a spectacular waterfall yards away, my kids were … [Read more...]
Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center
May 3, 2009 By
2211 Dug Gap Battle Road Dalton, Georgia If you miss the Georgia Welcome Center a few miles north, or it's too cold or wet to let the kids run around outside it, consider a pit stop at the Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center, locally called the Dalton Trade Center. There is room to stretch, but small enough to not get lost. The bathrooms are spectacularly clean. And of course, … [Read more...]
Bear Creek Park
May 1, 2009 By
1520 Siskiyou Blvd Medford, OR Bear Creek Park is an excellent pitstop that quite frankly, I forgot to review earlier because it's right in my hometown. It's also, however, right off of I-5 but tucked out of sight, making it a perfect candidate for Pitstops for Kids. Bear Creek Park is huge, and has something for everybody. On the east end of the park are a dirt BMX track (try it out if you … [Read more...]
Sweet Tomatoes
April 25, 2009 By
6600 SW Cardinal Lane Tigard, OR I once forced my children to sit tight in the car an extra 70 miles past our pre-determined dinner-stopping-point in order to push on to Sweet Tomatoes. And even considering the whining, loud singing, and general disgruntlement, it was worth it. For those who aren't familiar with this restaurant chain (which is brought to us by the same fine folks as Soup … [Read more...]
The Varsity Restaurant
April 22, 2009 By
61 North Ave NW Atlanta, GA Make sure you're hungry for a meal while cruising through Atlanta on I-75, because you're going to want to stop at The Varsity. According to a member of Disboards.com's Transportation board, it's a must: To say they serve burgers and chili dogs is unfair. It's indescribable. You'll find burgers, hot dogs, and chili at The Varsity, but according to most reviews, … [Read more...]
Jelly Belly Factory Tour
April 11, 2009 By
1 Jelly Belly Lane Fairfield, CA What I seem to remember most about Jelly Belly's California factory is the absolutely horrendous tantrum my then-three-year-old (now seven-year-old) decided to throw somewhere between the sorting floor and the tasting room. And yet, despite the fact that mortal embarrassment is my first connotation with this attraction, it still makes my list of reviews. It's … [Read more...]
