We Go With Kids!

Author: Nancy Canter

  • White House Tour for Kids

    White House Tour for Kids

    Having lived in Washington, DC for over a decade, a tour of the White House is something that has always been “on the list” of things to do, but not something we have actually gotten around to doing. I decided earlier this year that it was an opportunity we should not pass up and decided to look into the process of arranging a tour of the White House.  Even though there was a lot of waiting up front, I highly recommend a White House tour for kids visiting Washington DC.

    White House Tour Tickets

    The President’s Park, or The White House, is generally available for public touring Tuesdays through Saturdays, excluding holidays. Tours are self-guided, and although the White House is maintained by the National Park Service, the National Park Service does not operate tours.  For US citizens and legal residents, tours can be requested via your member of Congress. Citizens of foreign countries can request tours via their embassy in Washington, DC. Tours are pre-scheduled, and the NPS website warns that visitors should request tickets well in advance of their scheduled trip to Washington, DC.

    I requested our tickets for a White House tour through Senator Mark Warner’s website. Although the procedure may vary depending on which member of Congress you’re requesting tickets from, Mark Warner’s website was easy to understand and very thorough. Individuals are permitted to submit three different dates that fall between three weeks and three months of the date of request and instructions were clearly spelled out on the website. Almost immediately after I submitted my request (group size, email address, tour dates), I received a confirmation email stating that my request had been received and that I would receive further correspondence from the White House.

    My request for a White House tour was submitted to Mark Warner’s website on January 26 and three days later, on January 29, I received an email from the White House indicating that my request had been received. The email requested additional information, including the full names, dates of birth, and social security numbers for all individuals seeking to participate in the tour. The deadline to submit the information was February 2, one week from the date of the email and the email clearly indicated that the tour was not yet confirmed and that any confirmation of a tour would come 2-3 weeks prior to the requested tour date.

    Now, I actually managed to completely forget about the White House tour and that we had requested a tour on certain dates. I had originally put down three dates and neglected to mark them on my calendar. On March 2, one month after the registration deadline for submitting names and background security check information, I received an email from the White House Visitor’s office saying our tour was confirmed! We were given a date and time and instructions regarding what was permitted and what was not permitted.

     

    White House Tour Rules 

    On the day of the tour, we arrived early and simply found street parking. We walked over to the White House, passing by the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, which is occupied by the Executive Office of the President and the Office of the Vice President, on our way over. The EEOB is a beautiful building and I always find it to be impressive.

    As per the email instructions, we found our way to the entrance located at the intersection of 15th Street NW and Alexander Hamilton Place NW but we were dismayed to find an extremely long line. We waited at the back of the line for a little bit, before rumors indicated that visitors who had a 12:30 tour (which we did), were able to  enter the complex.  We decided to walk up to the front of the line and check and yes! Lo and behold, those with a 12:30 tour time were permitted to enter (it was 12:30 when we got into the outside line), so we quickly entered the complex where we found… another line.

    As I looked in dismay at the line(s) in front of us, my preschooler happily proceeded to run off and jump up and down the steps to this statue.

    I won’t lie, the lines were long and onerous…. but, they weren’t as long and onerous as I thought they would be. From the time we entered the complex to when we entered the actual White House, we waited in three lines for a total time of about one hour. Although my three year old did not love waiting in line, at least the weather, although chilly, was relatively warm for winter in DC.

    Multiple signs indicating working canines and yes, we saw many in action!

    Once we were inside the White House, wee were a bit surprised to find that it was truly a self-guided tour. We were free to walk and browse at our own pace, and there were Secret Service members littered about, ready to engage and answer questions. They were surprisingly friendly and full of information. One member, when asked about the rolled back carpets, said that the carpets are rolled up for tours but that otherwise, the carpets are unfurled, the ropes (closing off entry to the rooms) are open, and people are free to enter and use the rooms as they see fit. She also mentioned that just a few days prior, the entire hall of rooms had been open for a St. Patrick’s Day party and that there were upwards of 300+ guests milling about the White House.

    The White House Rooms

    Upon entry, we walked the halls of the downstairs, where we saw photo montages from past and present. The view of the back yard was spectacular.

    It was St. Patrick’s Day after all!

    I was amused to find even a White House gift shop!

    The truly beautiful rooms, however, were upstairs… I absolutely loved seeing the State dining room, which was much smaller than I expected, and the character of each individual room was lovely to admire.

    I loved seeing the State dining room, which was MUCH SMALLER than I expected!

    Per the guards, the rooms that are available for touring change, depending on the needs of the building. Presumably, returning visitors might see something different each time. Although, I’m almost certain the tour begins downstairs, and all visitors get to see the photo montages and the view of the yard.

    Walking through the White House took us at most 30 minutes and we never felt rushed or crowded. Although sometimes there would be a group gathered at one particular spot, we simply moved away and looked at something else, then returned when space opened up. It really was a much more enjoyable experience than I expected, especially given that I was wrangling my three year old during his customary nap time.

    As we exited the building, I turned around to admire the exterior architectural details, which were much more intricate than I expected. I also noticed that we walked past the Treasury Building, which, along with the EEOB, flanks the White House.

    Final Thoughts:

    • I would absolutely visit the White House if given the opportunity and if you know you’re coming to DC, you should put in a tour request well in advance.
    • Don’t worry about what you’re wearing – there were people there in ties and people in yoga pants and/or sweats. No one blinked an eye.
    • I was there with my rather rambunctious three year old and none of the guards blinked an eye. I’m pretty sure they’ve seen it all, so don’t worry about bringing kids provided you can keep them from truly running amok.
    • As I’ve mentioned before, the White House is conveniently located nearly right across the street from the Renwick Gallery, so this is a great opportunity to double up on DC activities without having to travel too far.
    Walking past the Renwick on our way back to the car.

    Be sure to check out our entire category of posts on things to do and places to visit in Washington, DC with kids! We are so lucky to call this place home and hope that our tips and tricks come in handy as you plan your own adventure in Washington, DC!

  • Immi Go Car Seat Review

    Immi Go Car Seat Review

    If you know me, one of the things you’ll probably know is that I’m a bit of a car seat fanatic.  Over the years, I’ve purchased and used over a dozen car seats and/or booster seats and it should come as no surprise that I was chomping at the bit to finally try out the IMMI GO on a recent trip to Los Angeles. Here’s my IMMI Go car seat review for those debating whether to add this item to your travel arsenal!

    All packed up and ready to go!

    Weighing in at 10 lbs and only 16.5 inches at its widest, the IMMI GO car harness was developed when Uber decided they wanted to offer their customers a car seat option. Designed and tested for children 31″ – 52″ and 22 – 55lbs, the IMMI GO is a great alternative to kids who are in between the convertible car seat and backless booster stage. I’ve written previously about car seats and how difficult the harness booster / high back booster seat is to travel by air with because of the way the two pieces tether together (and frequently come apart during transit). The IMMI GO is truly the most amazing substitute and I’m thrilled to have it as part of our arsenal of travel car seats.

    The IMMI GO’s small size was easy for me to carry on (and there’s a carry handle on top as well) and I just simply tucked it into the overhead cabin on our flight to LAX. Upon arrival, we opened up the car seat, attached it via LATCH, and hooked the top anchor onto the backseat anchor point. Although the IMMI GO will not work with a car that does not have a top anchor, this was not a problem with any of the cars we own or even any taxis/rentals we have been in, but I did notice that it would not work in my mom’s 1998 Camry because well, it’s a bit outdated.

    My three year old was absolutely thrilled to sit in the IMMI GO. He’s still in a convertible car seat at home, so this was a big step up for him – he got to ride in a “BIG SEAT” like his big brother.

    I was super thankful to have the IMMI GO because of it’s small size and ease of installation, but I’ll admit, it was hard to watch my little guy slumped over when he fell asleep. The convertible car seat provides more of a cushion and “seat back” for him to comfortably sleep than the IMMI GO, but that can’t be attributed to the IMMI GO’s design – it’s simply a function of the high back booster seat. For comparison purposes, here’s a photo of my son sleeping in a convertible car seat from the day before.

    Overall, I give the IMMI GO two thumbs up and highly recommend it to parents looking for a travel car seat for their 3-4 year old, but who aren’t quite ready yet to let their kids ride in a backless booster. The IMMI GO is so much easier to travel with and install than a high back booster seat, and I am thankful that I don’t have to compromise either my son’s safety or my sanity in order to keep him safe on our travels.

  • Product Review: Inflatable Footrest for Airplane

    Product Review: Inflatable Footrest for Airplane

    Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, We Go With Kids will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase of an inflatable footrest for airplane. Opinions are the author’s.

    Airplane inflatable cushions or airplane inflatable footrests are all the rage right now, and I don’t mean the basic neck pillows that I invariably forget to pack before every major trip (although with Catherine’s Ultimate Packing List, I should never have this problem again). I’m talking about inflatable cushions that are designed to turn a standard economy seat into a bed for young children.

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    Pricing and features vary considerably, starting from the super affordable Mode Relax, Travel Pillow Foot and Neck Rest which is available for just $22 on Amazon, to the Fly Tot, which at the time of writing, can be purchased for $131 on Amazon (double unit with footpump).

    For my recent cross country six hour flight, I opted to purchase the Mode Relax, simply to test it out and see whether it would suit my preschooler.

    By way of background, my preschooler is a tall three year old who does not like to snuggle for his naps. Instead, he prefers “space” and will frequently inch away from me in bed, if my arm happens to graze his (he doesn’t like to cuddle, but he does insist on being close, hence why I’m stuck waiting for him to fall asleep most nights)! Having flown a handful of cross country flights with him already, I knew that it was extremely unlikely that he would nap on the plane since he simply will not sleep on me. Thus, for $22, the Mode Relax seemed like something that might be worthwhile, if it would help him get comfortable enough to sleep on the six hour flight that happened to involve an extremely early wake up (5am!).

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    deflated foot pillow (left) and neck pillow (right)

    The travel pillows (footrest and neck pillow) comes packaged in a small black drawstring bag, that handily fit into my carry on. About the size of a small travel pillow, I didn’t mind the size, although I was worried momentarily about my ability to re-stuff the travel pillow back into the bag after inflating it. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t a problem.

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    I managed to fit the content back in the bag, despite hasty plane folding and stuffing.

    I purposely waited until my toddler showed signs of being tired en route, about two hours into our six hour flight, before I suggested “making a bed” for him to sleep on. He happily agreed and was positively delighted by the “little bed” that appeared before his very eyes!

    Using the stopwatch on my phone, I timed how long it took me to blow the thing up by mouth and was surprised to find that it did not take nearly as long as I expected: less than 3 minutes. My toddler loved having a place to rest his head and he quickly demanded back scratches. Given that it was his first time seeing a neck pillow, his usage of it was somewhat unorthodox, but I let it slide.

    For the record, my toddler never actually fell asleep using this cushion. He was too enamored by its existence to fall asleep. But, it did help him relax comfortably on the flight and, as an added bonus, it kept him from kicking the seat of the person in front of him. For “only” $22 and given its relatively small size and light weight, it will definitely be something I take with us on future flights, at least until he stops kicking the seat back in front of him as a matter of course.

    While this is a nice, inexpensive tool for us, it is by no means a must have or essential item. I would ditch it in a heart beat if there was no space in my carry on (and because of that, the inexpensive $22 option is definitely the better way to go). That said, I was glad to have an inflatable footrest on this trip as I was traveling solo with two kids and thus, needed very single possible means of entertaining my non-cuddly preschooler during the cross country flights. As an added bonus, he didn’t end up using the neck pillow so I got to use it — because, as expected, I left my behind.

  • Spotlight: Frying Pan Park With Kids

    Spotlight: Frying Pan Park With Kids

    Where else can you find a working farm open daily for visitors just 45 minutes from downtown Washington, DC? Why, Frying Pan Park in Herndon, Virginia! Kidwell Farm, located on property, is a working 1930s style farm with horses, chickens, peacocks, sheep, and much much more. The Farm also contains 15 acres of crops, which are used to supply feed for the livestock and, if you are lucky and visiting in the spring, there are usually newborn lambs or pigs, nestled close to their mothers in the hay.

    My youngest was able to get up close and personal with a horse on our last visit to Frying Pan Farm.
    New spring lambs, born just a few days before our visit.
    Making use of the conveniently located slats to peek at livestock.

      Frying Pan Farm is not only an excellent place to expose kids to farm animals, but if you happen to be like us and live in the city far away from farmland, then it’s also a great opportunity for young kids to “ride” on tractors – something both my boys loved to experience as toddlers.

    “Driving” his tractor.

     

    There are no paved sidewalks or walking paths, so I do not recommend bringing strollers. Carriers are useful for young children who may get tired. Be sure to wear appropriate footwear (aka rain boots) if it is raining or has recently rained. There are no concessions on property, but you can absolutely pack a picnic to enjoy on site.

    Frying Pan Park is located at 2709 West Ox Road, Herndon, VA 20171 with Kidwell Farm open daily from 9am – 5pm. Parking and admission are both free, making this a perfect budget friendly family activity.

    Be sure to check out our entire category of posts on things to do and places to visit in Washington, DC with kids! We are so lucky to call this place home and hope that our tips and tricks come in handy as you plan your own adventure in Washington, DC!

    Every so often, we encounter a place that is so fabulous for those traveling with kids that it is worthy of being featured on its own. For more fun locations, please check out our other Spotlight features!

  • Los Angeles With Kids: Five More Fun Family Activities

    Los Angeles With Kids: Five More Fun Family Activities

    With a population of 39.5 million, California is the most populous state in the country with three million residents more than all of Canada. Los Angeles is home to nearly four million residents and the greater metropolitan area (including Long Beach) boasts a population of 18.7 million people. It’s no surprise that there is tons of fun stuff to do in Los Angeles with kids!  In fact, earlier this year, Catherine, her mom, and her son shared Five Fun Family Activities in Los Angeles from a combined work/leisure trip. Here, I’d like to share with you Five More Fun Family Activities!

    #1: Long Beach 

    Long Beach is located roughly 25 miles south of Los Angeles proper and is the second largest city in the Los Angeles area (after Los Angeles, of course). As a child growing up in Southern California, I knew of Long Beach for only two reasons: (1) home of the Queen Mary, and (2) the large container ships that would come in to harbor as Long Beach is a major shipping port. I remember paying one visit to the Queen Mary when I was in high school, but otherwise, Long Beach was something of a no man’s land, with nary an attraction that would make the 45 minute drive worthwhile.

    In the late 90’s and early 2000’s, Long Beach experienced a revitalization of sorts and became a worthwhile destination of its own. The Aquarium of the Pacific, or, the Long Beach Aquarium, opened in 1998, and is a wonderful place to spend the day with kids. Located at Rainbow Harbor Marina, in the heart of downtown Long Beach, the Long Beach Aquarium offers not only wonderful viewing of sea life, but also abundant add on opportunities, such as ocean boat rides, play time on the beach, and even fine dining along the water front.

    Having visited Long Beach on a number of occasions now, I heartily endorse making plans to spend an afternoon at the Aquarium or, if you want to be really wild, plan to spend a night in Long Beach and take full advantage of everything the city has to offer. We did this on a more recent trip to Long Beach, purchasing both Aquarium tickets and a harbor tour as part of a package directly from the Aquarium, then spent the evening at hotel nearby so that we could enjoy dinner and a few hours of sand time on the beach before heading back to Los Angeles.

    #2: Huntington Library

    Another one of my top places to visit whenever we are in Los Angeles visiting family is the Huntington Library. The Huntington boasts an impressive library collection, with seven million manuscripts and 430,000 rare books, as well as an extensive art collection, focusing on European Art from the 15th – 20th centuries. But, the true beauty of the Huntington lies in its extensive gardens and grounds, which take up over 120 of the 207 acres owned by the Huntington.

    Strolling around the Japanese Gardens on his first visit to the Huntington.

    The entire garden is child friendly and my kids particularly love the Asian gardens, but note that the gardens can get extremely crowded and that food and picnicking are only permitted in designated areas and at the cafe and tea room. Advance purchase of tickets is not required and honestly, we have never found it to be necessary.

    #3: Hike the San Gabriel Mountains

    The high school I attended is conveniently located at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. There are a number of hiking trails, but one of my favorite as a child is the Sturtevant Falls Trail which begins at Chantry Flat, a designated Recreation Area within the Angeles National Forest and a starting point for many historic trails up in the San Gabriel Mountains.

    The Sturtevant Falls Trail is a lovely 3.5 mile hike that is extremely kid friendly, with the exception of the last 0.6 miles back to the parking lot. You heard me – the hike begins with a steep 0.6 mile paved walk down to the beginning of the trail. The steep paved incline is glorious at the beginning of the hike, but believe me when I say it has been torture when we are tired and facing the incline at the end of the hike. I’ve seen many families bring umbrella strollers and use the strollers to push young children back up the hill after the hike, but I’ve also seen many parents carrying five year olds up the hill after the kids have given up. Definitely be prepared and know that it’s a rough walk back up to the parking lot.

    A look at the steep paved incline at the end of the trail!

    Pro Tip:

    • A National Forest Adventure Pass is required to park at the trail head. These can be purchased at a small shop located near the official parking area, although you can also just pay either $5 or $10 (depending on availability) to park at the small shop, which is privately owned and managed.
    • Parking does fill up quickly in the mornings.
    • Pack plenty of water – there are no fountains or amenities available once you begin your hike.

    For those with older kids (teenager+), definitely consider using Chantry Flat as the base for a longer hike. My husband and I recently did the 16-mile round trip hike to the Mount Wilson Observatory, via Chantry Flat. It’s a steep climb (nearly 4,000 feet elevation gain) over 7-8 miles and the ledges are tight, so this is not something I would attempt with a toddler or even most elementary aged children. However, the views of Downtown Los Angeles are spectacular on a clear day.

    View of Downtown Los Angeles along the Upper Wilson Creek Trail

    #4: Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanical Gardens

    The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanical Gardens is another fan favorite for my household. Unlike the Huntington, the Arboretum is greatly unsung and most people aren’t even aware that it is there. It is rarely ever crowded and there are a number of tour options, including docent led walking tours that are included in the price of admission.

    One of my favorite things about the Arboretum is the opportunity to get up close and personal with one of my favorite birds: the peacock! The city in which the Arboretum is located, Arcadia, has a number of free roaming peacocks and many of them have chosen to call the Arboretum home. My kids loved the opportunity to see these majestic and beautiful birds up close.

    #5: Travel Town located in Griffith Park

    Griffith Park is one of the largest municipal parks in the country, with over 4,200 acres right smack in the middle of Los Angeles. There are a number of attractions within the Park, some of which are free, but some do require admission (for example, the Gene Autry Museum or the L.A. Zoo).

    For those looking for something to do with young kids, Travel Town may be of particular interest. Travel Town is an outdoor museum dedicated to preserving the railroad history of the western United States. There are a number of locomotives on display, some of which are available for climbing and sitting, and both my sons absolutely adored this stop as young/old toddlers.

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    As an added bonus, there is no admission to Travel Town (although donations are gladly accepted), so this is truly one of the most budget friendly options for families with young children visiting Los Angeles!

    I hope you enjoyed my list of Five More Fun Family Activities in Los Angeles! Be sure to check out the original list of Five Fun Family Activities in Los Angeles and our entire category of posts on Los Angeles and California before your next trip to the Sunshine State with kids!

     

     

  • Spotlight: Renwick Gallery With Kids

    Spotlight: Renwick Gallery With Kids

    The Smithsonian Institute is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex. Anyone who has visited a Smithsonian museum knows that they offer an unparalleled opportunity to see just about everything from dinosaurs to America’s founding documents and all at the low low price of free. Yes, in case you did not catch that, the Smithsonian museums are free (including the National Zoo)! I’ve already featured visits to the various Smithsonian museums in Washington, DC, including the Udvar-Hazy Center, the Portrait Gallery and the Botanical Gardens, but today, I want to encourage those contemplating a visit to Washington, DC to move beyond the more popular Smithsonian tourists offerings and explore a hidden gem that those of us who live in DC love and visit: The Renwick Gallery with kids!

    The Renwick Gallery is a relatively “young” museum by Smithsonian standards. Having just re-opened in November 2015, the Renwick is home to the Institute’s contemporary craft and decorative art collections. While housed in a gorgeous historic building located just a block away from The White House, the Renwick’s exhibits change frequently and the exhibits typically take over the entire museum. Indeed, the Renwick is currently scheduled to close from February 20 – March 30 for the building take over of No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man.

    Even if modern/contemporary art is “not your thing,” I highly recommend the Renwick Gallery as an ideal location to visit with kids because of the large scale nature of the exhibits. From November 2015-July 2016, the Renwick was home to  WONDER, which my then-18 month old toddler absolutely adored. Unlike traditional art museums with paintings and objects behind glass, WONDER’s three dimensional creations and vibrant colors really brought art to life for my toddler.

    We took a little break to enjoy this colorful red chair!
    My toddler, standing in the middle of the room and taking in the whole experience.

    The upstairs level was overtaken by a large rainbow display suspended in the air and filled with people of all ages, just sitting and enjoying the way the light and the colors interacted. As you can imagine, my toddler felt right at home in this setting!

    Practical Tips:

    • The Renwick is not stroller friendly. There is a entrance located off 17th street (not the main entrance) where you can stroller your child in and park the stroller downstairs, before taking an elevator up to the main level.
    • The Renwick is located only a block or so from The White House, so it’s an easy walk over to the White House for a photo opportunity. While you’re there, be sure to pop into St. John’s Episcopal Church, the yellow church across Lafayette Square from the White House. It’s a beautiful, historic church that every sitting president, since James Madison, has attended on at least one occasion.
    A photo opportunity in front of the White House.

    Be sure to check out our entire category of posts on things to do and places to visit in Washington, DC with kids! We are so lucky to call this place home and hope that our tips and tricks come in handy as you plan your own adventure in Washington, DC!

    Every so often, we encounter a place that is so fabulous for those traveling with kids that it is worthy of being featured on its own. For more fabulous locations, please check out our other Spotlight features!

  • Southeast Ohio with Kids: Five Fun Family Activities!

    Southeast Ohio with Kids: Five Fun Family Activities!

    George Washington once said, “the settlement of southeastern Ohio was not accidental, but the result of the careful deliberation of wise, prudent, and patriotic men.”* For those traveling with kids, Southeast Ohio is an outdoor paradise! This corner of Ohio is home to 15 state parks, three nature preserves, seven state forests, and many hunting and fishing areas. For my children, Southeast Ohio also happens to be home to their very doting and loving grandparents, so it’s not surprise that this is hands down their favorite place on earth.

    Some good old fashioned outdoor fun in Grandma and Grandpa’s backyard!

    Located only 60 minutes from the Ohio State Capital, Columbus, Athens is the perfect destination for an overnight stop. Having spent many, many nights in Athens, these are our top five fun family activities in Southeast Ohio!

    #1: Bike Path / Brewery Tour

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    The Hockhocking Adena Bikeway in Athens is one of my favorite places to bike ride with my kids. Unlike the Mount Vernon Bike Trail near my home, the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway is never crowded, does not cross any major roads or streets, and has a perfectly bucolic view as it meanders along the Hocking River before disappearing into the woods leading up to Nelsonville, Ohio. The Bikeway is 21 miles long and mostly built on an abandoned railroad grade and a great way to spend a few hours riding or, if traveling with older children, an entire day riding through Athens County.

    One of the most delightful developments in the past five years or so has been the introduction of microbreweries and cideries… along the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway!

    These brochures (with maps!) are available for free at the micropubs and cideries.

    This past Thanksgiving, my husband, father-in-law, and eight-year-old son biked the trail and made three separate brewery stops where my mother-in-law, and I met them with my two year old in tow.

    If when visiting Athens, I highly recommend spending a few hours on the Bikeway and make a few pit stops along the way. For visitors not traveling with their own bikes, there are a number of local bike shops that have rentals available.

    #2: Burr Oak Lake

    Burr Oak Lake was built as a multiple-use reservoir for flood control, water supply, and recreation. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources operates and maintains the parking lots, wells, bathrooms and launching areas in along the lake. There are also a number of outfitters offering boats available for rental, guided fishing trips, and even horseback riding!

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    A few years ago, my family spent a few hours on a pontoon boat in the lake and had a wonderful experience. After a few hours on the water, we enjoyed lunch at Burr Oak Lodge & Conference Center. By no means would I consider this a fancy experience, but for those looking for some quality outdoor time, this is definitely something to consider. There are also numerous hiking trails, swimming beaches, geocaching, and camping sites available for those looking to spend more than just a few hours of outdoors time.

    #3: Experience the Country!

    The number one reason why we visit Southeast Ohio is to see family, but I personally love that my kids get to spend time outdoors, enjoying the fresh, country air. Two hidden gems in Southeast Ohio that we have come to love are:

    Libby’s Pumpkin Patch – Libby’s Pumpkin Patch is a u-pick pumpkin patch about 30 minutes from Athens.  Libby’s specializing in large carving pumpkins, pie pumpkins, and outdoor fall decorations. Fall visitors to Southeast Ohio should definitely plan to visit. During the summer, the farm also offers assorted berry picking opportunities, so follow the farm on Facebook to check out what is available. When we were there a few years ago, my mother-in-law and I loaded up on pumpkins while the kids had a blast on the hayride, jumping on the outdoor decorations, and sampling the homemade pumpkin chili and ice cream available for purchase.

    The giant hay spider at Libby’s!
    Tractor rides are ALWAYS fun!

    White’s Mill – White’s Mill was built in 1809 along the Hocking River and was purchase by the White family in 1912. Over the years, as the needs of the community have changed, White’s Mill has adapted from what it was originally, a mill, to a local store that offers home/pet goods, gardening supplies, and now, locally made items that make great Christmas gifts or souvenirs. My family happens to love White’s Mill and my children have grown up visiting what they affectionately call “the Chicken store” with Grandpa. And yes, we have purchased chicks and continue to purchase chicken feed from White’s Mill pretty much every time we are in town!

    View of White’s Mill from across the Hocking River.
    Enjoying some outdoor time with the chickens back at the house.

    #4: Ohio University / Town of Athens

    Ohio University is the oldest university in Ohio with extremely loyal alumni and is located right in the heart of Athens, Ohio. The town of Athens is full of small, independent shops and funky retailers, so it’s a great way to spend a few hours window shopping before taking a walk on the beautiful campus grounds. My family’s current favorite lunch spot is Jackie O’s, a microbrewery and pub, with a great menu and beer sampler. I’m also partial to O’Betty’s Hot Dog Museum,  where my personal favorite menu item is not a hot dog, but the delicious chili cheese fries!

    A sampler of beer at Jackie O’s comes on an Ohio shaped board.

    #5: Hocking Hills State Park

    The Hocking Hills State Park is a smorgasbord of outdoor fun located about 45 minutes from Athens. The park contains seven separate sections and there is truly something for everyone there: hiking, exploring caves, canoeing, zip lining, camping and more. There are also rental cabins available, making this the perfect location for those, like me, who love the outdoors but prefer to sleep on a real bed at night.

    Ash Cave

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    Be sure to check out our Ohio posts for things to do when visiting the 17th State.

    *Howe, H. Howe’s History of Ohio, Volume 1. Page 133. 

  • The Road Less Traveled: Upper Peninsula, Michigan With Kids!

    The Road Less Traveled: Upper Peninsula, Michigan With Kids!

    Almost everyone I know has been to Michigan at some point in their life, but I know very few people who have been to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula!

    The Upper Peninsula is the northern of the two major peninsulas that make up the U.S. state of Michigan. It may also be referred to as the UP or Upper Michigan. The peninsula is bounded on the north by Lake Superior, on the east by the St. Marys River, on the southeast by Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, and on the southwest by Wisconsin.

    The Upper Peninsula contains 29% of the land area of Michigan but just 3% of its total population. Residents are frequently called Yoopers (derived from “U.P.-ers”) and have a strong regional identity. Large numbers of French Canadian, Finnish, Swedish, Cornish, and Italian immigrants came to the Upper Peninsula, especially the Keweenaw Peninsula, to work in the area’s mines and lumber industry. The peninsula includes the only counties in the United States where a plurality of residents claim Finnish ancestry.[1]source

    Getting to the Upper Peninsula, or the UP of Michigan, is, of course, the biggest obstacle to actually visiting. It is approximately four hours driving distance from Ann Arbor, MI to Allenville, MI, one of the first towns after you cross the Mackinac Bridge and enter the Peninsula. So, any visit to the UP automatically begins as a road trip up north!

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    Note that pedestrians are not permitted on the bridge, except during the Labor Day walk when the governor leads walkers in walking the five miles across the bridge. If you happen to be driving through during Labor Day weekend, schedule some extra time to allot for the delays or join the walk yourself!

    Our visit to the Upper Peninsula took place in the late summer and we rented a small cottage along the Anna River, just a few miles south of Munising, which sits on the southern shore of Lake Superior. The cabin itself, the Anna River Cottage, appears to no longer be available for rent, but I encourage you to look around as a quick glance at VRBO and Homeaway suggests there are a number of options at very reasonable rates.

    Anna River

    The stream behind the house, the Anna River, is a perfect stream for young anglers – there is a nice flow, but it’s not too deep or fast.

    During our visit, we took a quick drive to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, which remains one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited and was less than two miles from our cabin.

    With over 100 miles of trails, the Lakeshore is stunning, however, it’s not place I would recommend with young children unless you’ve done extensive prior research on the trails as many are located on cliffs. Although, we visited in the late summer when the weather was still quite pleasant, it does get cold up in the UP very quickly and we could see traces of one of the major wintering activities as we drove through the Lakeshore: snowmobiling! Indeed, snowmobiling in Upper Michigan is quite popular and we saw numerous places where you could rent equipment and/or arrange for guided trips. Although our boys are still young, I would definitely consider returning to the UP in the winter when they are older so we can snowmobile.

    In addition to the Lakeshore, we also enjoyed driving through the various scenic areas where often found ourselves in the midst of birch forests.

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    The trees are tall and thin with white bark and grow very close together in a dense forest. Being so far north, the landscape was definitely different from anything we had ever seen in the southern/western United States.

    Finally, the thing we enjoyed most about traveling to the UP was that it was so quiet and peaceful. Unlike the other trips we have taken “out west” — Yellowstone, Yosemite, even Denali — there is literally no traffic in the UP and very few tourist attractions, if any, once you get past the Mackinac Bridge. We never ate dinner out one time during our four night stay, rather, we just stopped by the local grocery and picked up a few items and either prepared a simple meal at home or over the fire pit. We did manage to work in a sampling of the “pasty,” which is like a calzone/meat pie.

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    There are different fillings you can choose, but we loved the simple meat and potato option. These also made excellent items to pack with us and take on our hike – the perfect portable meal.

    Although Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is remote and difficult to visit, if you find yourself with the time and opportunity to do so, I definitely would! I’ve always wondered about that slice of Michigan hanging around up north all by itself. The added bonus, of course, is that if you’re interested in hiking and camping, you can get a lot of that done in the UP without spending a lot of time negotiating tourist traps or other drivers in traffic. Although an Upper Peninsula vacation might not be automatically what people think of when they think of ideal family getaways, there are plenty of things to do in the Upper Peninsula and our family trip to “UP MI” ranks high on our list of favorite getaways!

  • Spotlight: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center / National Air and Space Museum With Kids!

    Spotlight: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center / National Air and Space Museum With Kids!

    Located in Chantilly, VA, a quick 30-45 minute drive from Washington, DC, the Udvar-Hazy Center or, as we locals like to call it, “the Dulles Air & Space Museum” is an off the beaten path destination that I highly recommend for anyone visiting Washington, DC. Let’s face it, the weather in Washington, DC is fickle and there are many days during heavy tourist season where the weather is just too unpleasant to be outside. If you’re tired of being drenched in sweat the minute you step outside your hotel room, Dulles Air & Space is the place for you!

    Dulles Air & Space has two large hangars, displaying thousands of aircrafts and space ships. When my kids were early walkers, we frequently took advantage of Air & Space’s wide corridors and open expanse of space to let our kids run and burn off their energy, especially in the winter or spring when the weather was frequently too cold or too wet for us to be outside.

    My now eight year old started visiting Air & Space when he was just getting on two feet!

    If you have any experience visiting museums with young children, you know that it can frequently be a harrowing experience to actually get anything out of it yourself. Between maneuvering the crowds, chasing little feet, and reminding sticky hands not to touch, we frequently find that we, as the adults, miss out on a lot of the experience. I’m happy to report that the Dulles Air & Space museum is different because the nature of the exhibits (airplanes and space shuttles!), makes it easy for even the adults to catch as glimpse before eager little feet run off. The Blackbird, the Concorde, the Enola Gay, and the Discovery Shuttle are all located at Dulles Air & Space and they’re impressive enough to catch the fancy of even the youngest museum goers.

    Things to Note:

    • The museum is open daily from 10am – 5:30pm and although admission is free, there is a parking fee of $15 per vehicle before 4pm.
    • There is a McDonald’s cafe located on the second floor so if you get hungry and need to catch a bite to eat, that’s always an option.
    • If you have older kids, there is also an IMAX Theater and Planetarium that may be of interest. My children also love to watch the preservation and restoration activities taking place in the Restoration Hangar, where there are frequently specialists working hard to assess and preserve artifacts for everyone’s enjoyment.
    • Do not confuse the Dulles Air & Space Museum with the National Air & Space Museum in Downtown, Washington, DC. Both are operated by the Smithsonian, but are uniquely different. The downtown museum has traditional exhibits and a children’s science area that is fantastic for children ages 3-6. The downtown museum, however, can get extremely crowded during busy tourist season as it is located on the mall and within walking distance to most major tourist sites. The Dulles Air & Space Museum featured in this post can mostly be described as “a bunch of cool airplanes and space craft hanging out in giant hangars.” In other words, super awesome for little kids who need to burn off energy in sub-optimal weather conditions. It’s also a wonderful place to visit with older children, especially as they learn more about air and space travel. My oldest son is not quite at the age where the Enola Gay or the Concorde means anything to him – but you can be sure we will visit when he is!

    Be sure to check out our entire category of posts on things to do and places to visit in Washington, DC. We are so lucky to call this place home and hope that our tips and tricks come in handy as you plan your own adventure in Washington, DC!

    Every so often, we encounter a place that is so fabulous for those traveling with kids that it is worthy of being featured on its own. For more fabulous locations, please check out our other Spotlight features!

  • Virginia Wine Country with Kids!

    Virginia Wine Country with Kids!

    Virginia has nearly 300 wineries and dozens of wine trails sprinkled throughout the state. There are 10 general wine regions in the state, ranging from the Blue Ridge region to the Northern Virginia region, very close to our home in Washington, DC. Do we really visit wineries with kids? Yes, yes we do!

    Virginia wineries are, for the most part, child friendly. We have been visiting wineries in Virginia since before my oldest son was born and we continue to visit wineries even though we now have two kids (and sometimes a dog!) to bring along for the ride.

    The wineries we tend to visit most often are located in two different regions: Northern Virginia and Central Virginia. The Northern Virginia wineries are located just about an hour away from home and are an easy activity for a leisurely Saturday or Sunday when the weather is nice. The Central Virginia wineries are usually reserved for our fall getaways when we rent a cabin for a long weekend and sneak off to the greater Charlottesville region.

    Northern Virginia Region Wineries

    If you find yourself in Washington, DC and searching for a day trip away from the city, the Northern Virginia wineries are truly a treat. Just a short one hour long drive from DC (traffic depending, of course!), we frequently drop into a winery as part of another event or activity. Our favorite wineries are:

    Chester Gap Cellars – Family owned and operated, Chester Gap is a small producing vineyard with incredible white wines. We visited years ago when the winery was just getting started, and we have loved seeing their wines pop up on finer restaurant menus throughout town. We have met the winemaker and his lovely wife (they also have a son who we met ages ago but is probably a grown man by now!), and the staff in the tasting room is always happy to entertain well behaved children.

    my son hanging out on a barrel in the tasting room
    our hostess was so enamored by my son that she held him while my husband played with the grape cultivator model

    The Winery at La Grange – The Winery at La Grange is one of our favorite wineries to visit because the tasting room is set in the historic Manor House at La Grange.

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    The house itself is fun to explore, but my kids particularly love to run around in the expansive outside space. We frequently stop at La Grange for a glass of wine and then sit outside to enjoy the outdoors, while our kids take a much needed car break.

    Barrel Oak Winery (“BOW”) – Barrel Oak is probably not the best place to visit for those seeking an exclusive wine experience. But, if you happen to have kids or dogs and enjoy a fermented grape or ten, BOW is a GREAT place to visit. I’ve been fortunate to attend many events at BOW, including a morning yoga class followed by a wine tasting. The winery really does emphasize fun and unlike some wineries that have been restricting crowd side and hinting that children are not welcome on weekends, BOW is committed to having fun with friends and family, including your favorite four legged dependent!

    Bluemont Vineyard – Like BOW, Bluemont Vineyard is truly a family friendly place and it is conveniently located literally around the corner from Great Country Farms, a local U-Pick farm with abundant activities for children. I highly recommend spending a morning at Great Country Farms with your little one and then driving down the road to Bluemont for lunch (the Tasting Room offers simple eats like flatbreads and sandwiches, perfect after a few hours of strawberry picking) and some wines before heading back to DC – truly a perfect day trip and a little something for everyone.

    strawberry picking before a visit to Bluemont Vineyard
    sample menu offering at Bluemont Vineyard

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    Central Virginia Region Wineries

    Our favorite Virginia wineries are those in the Charlottesville area, mostly because of the breathtaking landscape. Located approximately three hours away from Washington, DC, the Charlottesville wineries certainly are more of an investment in terms of time and effort, but if you happen to be visiting for the weekend, you absolutely should pop in and get a sip or two.

    Barboursville Vineyards – Our favorite winery to visit is Barboursville. Arguably one of Virginia’s most well-known wineries, Barboursville is frequently extremely crowded and elbow room only, but the wine and the space easily make up for the crowds. The winery has an outstanding restaurant, Palladio (which I wouldn’t recommend dining at with small children as it is definitely high end dining!), and a small herb garden where they grow items for the restaurant.

    The garden at Barboursville

    The flagship wine at Barboursville is Octagon, which is stored in the Octagon room and is available for peeping.

    my toddler, running amongst the aging barrels of Octagon

    On weekends, Barboursville offers a vertical Octagon tasting, which takes place in a more private, less crowded environment. I highly recommend this experience!

    The Octagon Tasting Area

    Grace Estate Winery – Grace Estate Winery is a great winery to visit if you’re looking for simple snacks and some outdoor space for your kids to run around. We have visited Grace and taken advantage of the small snacks they offer to feed our children.

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    The winery also has gas grills, free wifi, and outdoor games (like corn hole), which makes it a lovely place to spend a few hours on a nice afternoon.

    Final Thoughts

    I would not say that Virginia wineries make an effort to cater to children – they do not offer grape juice or playground space, and you’d be lucky to find outdoor activities like the corn hole set we found at Grace Estate. The most you’re going to find is a sad bucket of toys that won’t even hold a toddler’s attention.

    A pretty sorry excuse for a kids’ toy basket, if you ask me!

    But, I have never hesitated to visit a Virginia winery with my kids because by and far, the winery experience is just fine for kids. There’s always ample space to run around outdoors and plenty of indoor stuff to keep a child’s attention for a few minutes. Of course, you’ll want to come prepared with snacks, treats, and even a iPad (heaven forbid!) just in case things get rough, but it is possible to visit wineries and have a good time with kids!