Thank you to the Inn on Boltwood for providing a media rate. All opinions are my own.
There’s nothing quite like the charm of a historic inn. However, we’ve stayed in a few historic hotels that were desperately in need of modern amenities or updates. Western Massachusetts is just over two hours from Plymouth Rock and the perfect place to turn the clock a bit. The Inn on Boltwood is the perfect refuge and allowed us to experience both history and comfort during our two nights in Amherst.
Inn on Boltwood Review
The Inn on Boltwood is a historic hotel located on the Amherst Common immediately adjacent to Amherst College. The elegant Inn was completed in 1926 and known as the Lord Jeffery Inn until early 2019 when it was re-branded as the Inn on Boltwood. The Inn’s 49 guest rooms are each unique and blend antique furnishings with modern amenities like pillow-top mattresses, luxury linens, high definition flat screen televisions and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Front entrance of the Inn on Boltwood
Inn on Boltwood Lobby
Upon arrival, we were greeted by two cheerful and helpful staff members who checked us in and gave us suggestions for the best place to watch Fourth of July fireworks nearby at the University of Massachusetts that night. The lobby of the Inn on Boltwood included plenty of gathering space for guests to relax. There were also tables and chairs set up in the hallways around the Inn that many guests, including one middle or high school guest, used as a respite. While we didn’t spend much time in the common areas of the Inn during our busy few days, I certainly would have enjoyed sipping my morning coffee in the living room area.
Inn on Boltwood lobby
Inn on Boltwood Guest Room
The Inn’s colonial architecture is much like many of our neighboring homes in Shaker Heights, and we felt right at home. Our Georgian brick home was constructed in the late 1930s, and we are really lucky to have many family heirloom furnishings. But, comforts like renovated bathrooms are high on our list when booking hotels. The Inn on Boltwood checked all our boxes and more. Our guest room featured a hard wood floor almost identical to ours at home and also a large area rug. The dark cherry beds, bedside table, dresser and desk had an antique feel but also had modern conveniences like slow close drawers.
Inn on Boltwood guest room
The grayish green walls and white woodwork were almost identical to our master bedroom, and the Roman shades were effective, classy and easy to use. This stylish room perfectly blended an antique vibe with stylish modern decor.
Inn on Boltwood guest room sitting area
The bathroom featured my favorite white subway tiles and classic black and white diamond mosaic floor tiles. The sink had plenty of counter space, and the plentiful racks and hooks made it easy to hang and organize each of our towels. The shower had a sleek glass door and unbelievable pressure. The Bee Kind bath products blended lemon and honey scents together, forming a memorable aroma.
Inn on Boltwood bathroom
Amherst Common
The Inn on Boltwood is located in Amherst Common, a lovely town center. The Grace Episcopal Church across the street from the Inn is a Gothic Revival church that dates back to 1865. Amherst Town Hall is also an exquisite, castle-like building. As we were headed out of town early on Saturday morning, we saw the stalls being set up for the Amherst Farmers’ Market. Amherst Common is clearly the ideal location for a home base in Western Massachusetts.
Grace Episcopal Church in Amherst
The Inn is within walking distance of Amherst College, one of the oldest institutions of higher education in Massachusetts. It’s biggest claim to fame is its acclaimed alumna, Nancy.
Amherst College
Inn on Boltwood Fitness Center
The Inn on Boltwood’s fitness center features free weights, a recumbent bike, two treadmills, and elliptical and a flat screen television. Although we did not use it during our stay, it was clean and welcoming.
Inn on Boltwood fitness center
Inn on Boltwood – A Quaint Historic Hotel
The Inn on Boltwood also offers guests free adjacent parking, coffee and ice water in the lobby and on-site restaurant. The Inn is that rare hotel that is designed to make guests feel at home and comfortable while enjoying New England charm in an ideal setting. We certainly hope to stay here again on our next visit to Amherst.
Thank you to Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art for hosting our family’s visits and to the Inn on Boltwood for providing a media rate. All opinions are my own.
My aunt and uncle live near Amherst, Massachusetts, and I’ve visited them many times over the years since my early childhood. I love the rural beauty of Western Massachusetts and particularly their farm, which abuts Bull Hill in Leverett. While I made solo trips in 2017 and 2018 to visit them, the kids have not been to Western Massachusetts since 2016 when we took a fall getaway trip to New England. With a few days off around the Fourth of July holiday, we decided to plan a trip to Amherst. Unfortunately, my husband was not able to join us due to work conflicts. Because our kids are now 11, 9 and 4, I felt more comfortable taking on the long car journey as a solo parent. In addition to visiting my aunt and uncle, there are many amazing things to do in Western Massachusetts with kids that made the long drive well worth it.
Visit the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
A year ago, I flew into Hartford to visit my aunt and uncle and on my drive between Hartford and Leverett, I passed through the center of Springfield, Massachusetts where a building with a large spherical dome caught my attention. I later discovered that the nine-story dome was the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. I couldn’t fit in a visit during that quick one-night trip, but I knew that my two sons would absolutely love to visit the next time we came to Western Massachusetts as a family. When I started planning our 2019 trip to Amherst, the Basketball Hall of Fame was at the top of our must-see list.
Basketball Hall of Fame Dome, currently under renovation
We had started the 575 mile drive the previous day, explored Rochester and stopped for the night near Oneida, New York. We woke up on the Fourth of July and had a three-hour drive to Springfield. Luckily, the Basketball Hall of Fame does not close for Independence Day, and we arrived at about 11 a.m. ready to stretch our legs and check out sports memorabilia. The main lobby had one of our favorite exhibits with players’ favorite quotes and plaques depicting shoe sizes. Shaquille O’Neal, who wore a size 22, had the biggest feet. Here’s the comparison from my daughter’s youth size 11.
Shaquille O’Neal’s shoes compared to my daughter’s
At the information desk, we collected our tickets and learned that the Basketball Hall of Fame was hosting a free throw contest at 2:00 p.m. on Center Court to commemorate the Fourth of July holiday. My two boys immediately looked at me and asked if they could participate. I sent a message to my uncle to let him know we would leave after the contest as we entered the Basketball Hall of Fame theater to watch a 12-minute introductory film that provided an overview of basketball history and highlights, including our favorite basketball memory, the Cavaliers’ 2016 national championship win.
Basketball Hall of Fame theater
As we boarded the elevator, the guide told the kids to look for two gold medals and a golden sneaker. While my boys were most excited to enter the Basketball Hall of Fame, read the mini biographies of the Basketball Hall of Fame inductees and check out basketball memorabilia, my daughter was a bit bored with the Honors Ring, despite the scavenger hunt assignment. She was more interested in what was happening on the court below.
Bob Lainer’s golden sneaker
In the Players’ Gallery on the second level, the boys continued spending time reading and exploring the exhibits, particularly those embedded in a locker room display. They learned a great deal of basketball history.
Checking out the Michael Jordan exhibit
But, all three kids really enjoyed all the interactive exhibits on the second floor. They tested how high they could jump, grab a rebound and tried out a pop-a-shot not unlike the one in our basement.
Pop-a-shot at the Basketball Hall of Fame is so much better than in our basement
My younger son loved the virtual hoops game and took eighth place on the leader board. My older son was wearing a royal blue shirt that was almost the identical color to the game’s green screen. As a result, much of his body was invisible on the television screen. He wasn’t able to dribble or shoot and gave up on the game before his turn was over. Our lesson was not to wear royal blue clothes to the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Virtual Hoops leader board
The Media Center was also a big hit. The kids were able to record a live sports news cast and watch it back and also check out the view of Center Court from a sky box. Those are definitely the best seats in the house.
View from the half court sky box at the Basketball Hall of Fame
We finished our tour on Center Court where the kids all shot hoops, tried dunks and checked out the historic hoops, including a peach basket. We decided to eat lunch before the free throw contest. We returned to Center Court about 10 minutes before the contest began. The largest crowd we had seen on Center Court gathered for the contest, and there was a lot of excitement from the participants. The boys took a few warm up shots and lined up.
As the contest began, I turned to the woman next to me and said, “Every one of them thinks they might win.” In round one, each of the 30-40 contestants took a single regulation free throw. Only five made it on to the second round, including my older son. Round two included another single free throw attempt, and my son was one of two contestants who made it to the third and final round. The other finalist was an adult who seemed about twice my son’s height and definitely had basketball experience and skills. It was clear that my son was the underdog but exciting that he made it this far. The host announced that each finalist would take three shots in the final round. The other finalist went first and made one of his three shots. My son missed his first and swished the next two, winning the contest. Check out the video clip of his winning shot below.
His prizes included the basketball used in the contest and a drawstring backpack filled with Basketball Hall of Fame swag, including a t-shirt, hat, basketball cards, net and a miniature basketball. He was elated, and I have to admit that I was both surprised and excited for him. All those hours shooting hoops in the driveway really paid off.
On the way back to our car, we stopped at the Coaches’ Circle Monument, which was sculpted by Brian Hanson and unveiled during the 2015 Hall of Fame Enshrinement. My son was especially excited to be leaving the Hoop Hall with souvenirs.
The Coaches’ Circle Monument at the Basketball Hall of Fame
The Basketball Hall of Fame was all we hoped for and more. Even though the Hall of Fame is currently undergoing a major $22 million renovation that is expected to be completed next year, our visit was truly unforgettable. The boys want to come back every time we visit Western Mass. We definitely recommend a visit to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts for any basketball enthusiast.
Basketball Hall of Fame Hours: The hours for the Basketball Hall of Fame vary by season, but it is generally open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or 5:00 p.m. and closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas.
Basketball Hall of Fame Tickets: As of July 2019, Basketball Hall of Fame admission costs $25 for adults age 16 to 65, $20 for seniors age 65+ and $16 for children age 5 to 15. Children age four and under are free.
Basketball Hall of Fame Parking: Free parking is available in a lot adjacent to the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Eat at the Basketball Hall of Fame Restaurants
After we explored the exhibits and did a bit of hoop shooting, we worked up an appetite for lunch. Luckily, the Basketball Hall of Fame includes six restaurants on site that are each open to the public as well as visitors to the Hall of Fame. We headed to the entrance and chose to eat at Max’s Tavern for lunch.
Max’s Tavern served typical American fare and offered a kids’ meal that included several vegetables and reminded me of the food pyramid advocated by Michelle Obama.
My oldest ordered the cheeseburger off of the regular menu, and the burger was at least six inches tall. He has a pretty incredible appetite and polished off the entire burger with no problem. He was completely fueled and ready to compete in the free throw contest. We loved the atmosphere, sports memorabilia and classic tavern decor.
Things to Do in the Amherst Area
We headed from Springfield to the Amherst, Massachusetts area. Amherst is a quintessential Colonial town known as Emily Dickinson’s hometown and the home of Amherst College and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. In addition to visiting my aunt and uncle, we checked out a few of the area’s best attractions as well.
Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art has been on my list of attractions to visit in Amherst for several years. Eric Carle is an award winning author and illustrator of picture books who is best known for The Very Hungry Caterpillar, which is one of our family’s favorite picture books and has been rated the #2 best picture book ever by the School Library Journal.
Four large murals painted by Eric Carle for this Museum dominate the entry way. These murals reminded us of Monet’s large scale paintings but with bolder colors and more abstract style. The paintings were my oldest son’s favorite part of the entire collection.
Eric Carle’s wall murals
Eric Carle lived nearby in Northampton, Massachusetts for over 30 years and founded The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art with his wife in 2002 to celebrate picture book art. Carle is now 90 years old and resides in Key West, Florida, but continues to collaborate on projects and visits The Carle several times each year. We learned about Eric Carle’s life and his bold, graphic artistic style that unexpectedly led him to picture books.
The Carle’s West, Central and East Galleries all house rotating exhibits that include works both from the Museum’s permanent collection and some that are on loan. The West Gallery currently holds Eric Carle Makes a Book, which explores Carle’s story inspirations. The kids explored this exhibit by completing a scavenger hunt and then working on their own mini-books.
The Central Gallery housed an exhibition honoring the 50th anniversary of William Steig’s Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. My two youngest set to work preparing the most delicious picnic lunch. We weren’t as familiar with William Steig’s books but have already reserved a few from our library.
The East Gallery featured the works of Peter Sis, an author and illustrator who we were also not particularly familiar with but now plan to read his collection. I read Fire Truck to my daughter in the gallery, and the kids used rubbing plates to make labyrinths and also did some maze drawing.
Our favorite part of The Carle was probably the Art Studio. Like many moms, I’m ecstatic when my kids have the opportunity to create art in a bright studio with all the materials already prepared and ready to go. We worked on animal collages. As we worked on our projects, five or six other families came into the studio, and there was plenty of room for everyone.
The Carle’s art studio
For younger kids not yet ready to do cutting and gluing, there were magnets, bright blocks and a host of switches and knobs to explore while other family members worked on their projects.
We are so glad we finally made it to The Carle. With so much of its actual collection rotating and many interactive art projects, we would definitely enjoy returning on our next trip to Western Massachusetts.
The Eric Carle Museum Hours: The Carle is generally open on Tuesdays through Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sundays from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Carle is also open on Mondays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in July and August.
The Carle Tickets: As of July 2019, admission to The Carle costs $9 for adults and $6 for youth ages 1-18, students, teachers and seniors. Families can take advantage of a special for admission for two adults and two youth for $22.50.
The Carle Parking: Free parking is available in a lot adjacent to The Carle.
Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory & Gardens
Magic Wings in South Deerfield, Massachusetts is a truly magical place for families to visit and an ideal way to follow up a visit to The Carle. Magic Wings includes an 8,000 square foot, climate-controlled, glass conservatory filled with about 5,000 absolutely beautiful butterflies. In addition to the conservatory, there are a number of educational exhibits and a cafeteria.
While we often visit butterfly exhibits in botanical gardens and zoos, Magic Wings stands out as exemplary. It is both larger than the average butterfly exhibit and there are so many more butterflies. Visitors are asked not to touch butterflies or hold leaves or twigs as butterfly landing grounds, but those who are patient and stand still are likely to have one of the butterflies land on them at some point.
We purchased a $1 guide to the butterflies in Magic Wings before we left and wish we would have had it with us to help identify the different butterfly species during our visit. We ate lunch at the on site food court and air conditioned eating area. We ordered sandwiches and hot dogs and got soft serve ice cream for dessert. It was the perfect break to butterfly observing, and we were ready to head back into the conservatory for a second visit after our meal.
Magic Wings Hours: Magic Wings is generally open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Magic Wings Tickets: As of July 2019, admission to Magic Wings costs $16 for adults, $14 for seniors age 62 and over and $10 for youth age 3-17 and through 22 with a valid student identification. Children under age three are free.
Magic Wings Parking: Free parking is available adjacent to Magic Wings.
Time Spent at Magic Wings: We spent about two and a half hours at Magic Wings, including lunch.
Yankee Candle Village
Yankee Candle is a scented candle manufacturer and retailer that started in South Hadley, Massachusetts. The flagship store opened in 1982 in South Deerfield, and Yankee Candle Village developed around that store to offer New England crafts, toys, a Bavarian Christmas Village and other gifts and collectibles in addition to scented candles.
We last visited the Yankee Candle Village in 2008 and noticed my oldest’s first tooth while he was laughing at the enormous stuffed animals. It’s no surprise that we spent all of our time in the Yankee Candle Village during this visit in the toy shop and viewing the Christmas display. The kids wanted everything but settled for gumballs from the coolest gumball machine we had ever seen.
Yankee Candle Village Hours: Yankee Candle Village is generally open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., but hours may vary during holidays.
Yankee Candle Village Parking: Free parking is available adjacent to Yankee Candle Village.
Time Spent at Yankee Candle Village: We spent about 20 minutes in the toy, candy and Christmas sections of the Village.
Mount Sugarloaf State Reservation
I always enjoy going to the highest point in a city or region and getting a birds-eye view of the area. Mount Sugarloaf in South Deerfield is the perfect location for viewing the Connecticut River. Because it is possible to drive to the summit, it is easily accessible for families with young children. Our trip there in 2008 had added excitement as Mel Gibson just finished filming Edge of Darkness at the summit of Mount Sugarloaf. The observation tower had been temporarily renovated and had not yet been returned to its pre-filming state, and the Fall colors were brilliant.
The view from summit is stunning, and the vantage from the top of the observation tower is even better.
Mount Sugarloaf Reservation Hours: The Reservation is open from 9 a.m. to sunset. Summit Road is open from mid-May through mid-October.
Mount Sugarloaf Reservation Admission: There is no admission fee to visit Mount Sugarloaf.
Mount Sugarloaf Reservation Parking: Parking permits can be purchased at the entrance to Mount Sugarloaf. The parking fee is $5 for cars with Massachusetts license plates and $10 for cars with all other license plates.
Time Spent at Mount Sugarloaf: We spent about a half hour at Mount Sugarloaf Reservation.
Hiking in Western Massachusetts
There are also many opportunities for hiking in Western Massachusetts. On our last trip in 2016, my aunt and uncle suggested a family hike at Rattlesnake Gutter, which was a perfect location for us to hike with the kids. It was mostly flat with a clear path and beautiful wooded scenery. We found some of the best Fall colors there and collected a few leaves to iron flat to preserve. My daughter enjoyed the hike from the comfort of her carrier and even took a nap.
Because we live in the suburbs, our kids loved the opportunity to spend a day outside hiking.
Experience Farm Life
There are many working farms in the Amherst area, and my kids were delighted that my aunt and uncle live on one of them. We took a hike around their pond, through their barn and circling their fields and got up close and personal with the Belted Galloway cows living on their land. We affectionately call these “oreo cows” because of the white belt at their middle flanked by black sides.
While my aunt and uncle don’t often have young visitors, they diligently pointed out bull frogs in the pond, explained the hay baling process and many other special features on the farm. My kids loved exploring the farm.
We visited as hay harvesting was being finished up on my uncle’s farm. On the first day of our visit, the hay was neatly arranged into rows. When the work was completed, my kids were offered short ATV rides, which they very willingly accepted.
On the second day, the hay was baled and harvested. I found the harvesting process fascinating. The hay baler was connected to a tractor and created compressed bales that were catapulted into the flatbed trailer for easy transportation. There was something artistic about watching the hay bales gracefully fly through the air.
My aunt and uncle’s farm is not open to the public, and every day is definitely not a harvest day. However, there are many farms to visit in the Amherst area.
Places to Eat in the Amherst Area
Atkins Farms
Nancy went to college in Amherst and suggested that we stop at Atkins Farms. It turned out to be the perfect breakfast stop before our visit to The Carle, which is just down the street. The bakery offers so many options of delicious donuts. We each chose our favorites and then ate at a table in the cafe. My daughter enjoyed her chocolate covered donut so much that much of it ended up on her face. We picked up some staples for our long car ride home before heading to The Carle.
BridgeSide Grille
We eat at the BridgeSide Grille almost every visit. It’s a lovely family restaurant with locally sourced meals. I love the homey atmosphere and tasty meals.
BridgeSide Grille Hours: BridgeSide Grille is generally open from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Tuesdays through Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Sundays.
BridgeSide Grille Parking: Free parking is available in an adjacent parking lot.
Sugarloaf Frostie
On Independence Day, many area restaurants were closed; however, Sugarloaf Frostie was open. It was the perfect night for outdoor dining, and the sandwiches were surprisingly good. Of course, we followed up our meal with ice cream for dessert.
Western Massachusetts Itinerary
We packed many activities into our two days in Western Massachusetts and still had plenty of time left for exploring my aunt and uncle’s farm.
Day 1:
Basketball Hall of Fame
Fun on my aunt and uncle’s farm
Dinner at the Sugarloaf Frostie
Check in at the Inn on Boltwood
Day 2:
Breakfast at Atkins Farm
The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
Watching hay baling
Magic Wings
Mount Sugarloaf
Yankee Candle Village
Dinner at BridgeSide Grille
There are so many fun things to do in Western Massachusetts that we recommend this area as an ideal weekend destination. Even though it’s a long drive for us, we’ll most certainly be back sooner rather than later. Planning a trip to Western Massachusetts? Check out our entire series of posts relating to New England.
Thank you to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for hosting my family’s visit. All opinions are my own.
Guest Author: Our kid blogger, Messi Jr. is an eleven year old sixth grader who loves travel, soccer and basketball.
My family and I recently took a fun and exciting road trip from Cleveland, Ohio to Amherst, Massachusetts. Although the focus of the trip was to see our uncle and aunt, we went to many cool places and learned many amazing things as well. My favorite attraction was the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. I faithfully watched the Cavs during their four post-season national championships and played basketball in my church league for at least five years and was ecstatic when my mom told me she would take us to the Hoop Hall. At the Basketball Hall of Fame, we learned about the greatest basketball players and the history of the game and got to shoot around on Center Court trying out old and new hoops. We also competed in a free throw contest.
First, when we entered the Basketball Hall of Fame building, we saw exhibits for 15 of the all-time best basketball players in glass cases. Inside each case, there was the player’s jersey, shoes and a little screen detailing some of their personal highlights and achievements. We also got to compare our shoe sizes to the pros. Shaquille O’Neal wore a size 22!
My sister’s shoe compared to Shaquille O’Neal’s
Once we were done checking in, we watched a 12 minute video about the evolution of basketball and learned that basketball was invented by James Naismith in Springfield in 1891. The video was the perfect introduction to the Basketball Hall of Fame.
With some background knowledge, we headed to the third floor Honors Ring. As we circled around level three, we read a paragraph about each Basketball Hall of Fame inductee.
We next went down to the Players’ Gallery on the second floor where we looked at lockers filled with players’ memorabilia and played some interactive games that compared us to average NBA basketball players. The interactive exhibits measured how high we could jump to catch a rebound or dunk and also included a virtual reality basketball game and pop-a-shot.
After the Player’s Gallery, we went down to Center Court on the first floor where there was a regulation basketball court with two pro-sized hoops and also different hoops lining the walls from a peach barrel to the newest hoop. There was also a dunk zone where almost everyone can find the perfect sized hoop to dunk on.
Finding the perfect hoop to practice my dunks
In the Basketball Hall of Fame complex, there are several restaurants. We had lunch at Max’s Tavern where I ate a huge burger. After we were done, we raced back to Center Court for the free throw competition. All the participants lined up and took a regulation free throw. Those who made the shot stayed on the court while those who missed watched from the sidelines. The sudden death rounds continue until there are two finalists. In the final round, the two finalists then take three free throws each, and the whoever makes more becomes the winner. Out of about 40 participants of all ages, I won! My mom thinks I was lucky, but really, it came down to pure skill. This video shows my winning shot at the Basketball Hall of Fame Free Throw competition.
For winning the Free Throw competition, I received the competition ball, a drawstring backpack, a Basketball Hall of Fame hat and t-shirt, basketball cards, a miniature basketball and a net.
The Basketball Hall of Fame was a very fun place to visit, and I learned about basketball history and have a new appreciation for the sport. I recommend the Basketball Hall of Fame to anyone visiting Springfield, Massachusetts, especially basketball fans.
We spend way too much time looking at other people’s beach vacations on Instagram and wishing we had sand stuck between our toes. While some of the best beaches in the world are known for surf and parties, families generally look for more low key beaches with calmer waves. Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, there are so many great beaches for families in North America. We asked some fellow family travelers to share with us their recommendations for the best beaches in North America with kids and came up with this amazing list:
Akumal Bay Beach – Mexico
One of the most kid friendly beaches in all of Mexico’s Mayan Riviera might be the beach on Akumal Bay. Known as one of the best places in all of Mexico to easily swim with sea turtles right from the shore, Akumal Bay Beach is also great for kids of all ages. As an added bonus, it is fairly easy to reach as it is located between the major tourist centers of Playa del Carmen and Tulum on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
With silky, fine white sand and almost no waves due to the natural reef protecting the area, Akumal is a great place for turtles and also your little ones. With many palm trees and places to throw down a towel, it’s a fun beach to spread out water toys and let the little ones enjoy the calm waters.
There are also a few restaurants, plus washrooms just off the beach, so it is easy to grab something to snack on while enjoying a day at the beach.
Recommended by Micki and Charles Kosman from The Barefoot Nomad. Find out more from Micki and Charles about Akumal.
Destin Beach – Florida
Destin, Florida is home to an amazing white sand beach with emerald colored ocean water on the Gulf of Mexico. It is the perfect beach for kids since the sand is super soft and the water is crystal clear. Families can spend all day at the beach building sandcastles and playing in the gentle water and then finish the night off with a beautiful sunset over the ocean. Beach life at it’s best!
For some non-beach action, Destin is filled with great family friendly restaurants, pirate cruises and dolphin cruises, fishing expeditions, go-carts and arcades – Destin has it all!
Recommended by Bryanna from Crazy Family Adventure. Find out more from Bryanna about Destin.
Fort Myers Beach – Florida
Fort Myers Beach is fun for all ages! The northern end of the island is home to numerous bars and restaurants that let visitors dine or drink beachside. The southern end of the island is mostly home to condos and quiet beaches. North or south, a sunset view is on the horizon (literally), and anyone will be glad to pull up a chair. While nearby Sanibel Island is known for being a sheller’s dream, we found numerous sand dollars on Fort Myers Beach that were just washed up on the shore. Beach access points are throughout the island but they do contain metered parking and it’s $2/hour.
Fort Myers Beach is family-friendly because the sand is spacious with no major drop-offs. Being on the Gulf of Mexico, the calmer water makes it easier to watch small children! In perfect weather conditions, it can be as smooth as a warm bathtub. We traveled in November, and there were few tourists, but do note that November is hurricane season.
Recommended by Leah Yoder from Yoder Toter Blog. Find out more from Leah about Fort Myers.
Ko Olina Beach – Hawaii
Ko Olina beach on O’ahu does kid friendly better than any other beach on the island. What sets Ko Olina apart from the other Pacific Ocean beaches are the four manmade lagoons. Instead of waves crashing right on top of swimmers, they crash into a rock wall before gently moving to the shore. This calm water makes Ko Olina the ideal beach for kids of all ages.
For a short trip to the beach or an all day excursion, Ko Olina is set up to accommodate the whole family. Each lagoon comes equipped with showers, restrooms, and changing rooms. If visitors happen to forget sunscreen or sand toys, there are convenience stores within walking distance of each lagoon.
Ko Olina also offers a wide range of kid friendly entertainment. For an authentic Hawaiian experience, head over to the Paradise Cove Luau for arts and crafts, dinner, and a wonderful show. For a more laid back experience, stick around Lagoon 1 for Ko Olina’s Disney Movie Night under the stars.
With everything this beach has to offer, kids and parents of all ages are sure to have an excellent experience at the wonderful Ko Olina.
Lewes is a Mid-Atlantic beach on the bay; the sand is coarse and the water cool. Houses line up right along the beach and the local Dairy Queen has been the only place to buy food on that beach for 30 years. Everyday, a sand bar pops up at low tide.
Nearby family-friendly activities include:
Grab an ice cream at Kings Ice Cream and stroll to the St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Cemetery, which features tombstones dating back to the early 1700s.
Let the kids pretend to be pirates and head out to the Pirates of Lewes Expeditions.
Fisherman’s Wharf provides head and charter boats for fishing excursions, including gear, bait and fishing assistance.
Cape Henelopen State Park has a surf-filled public beach. Hike the World War II bunkers, climb the observation towers, and pretend to search for enemy submarines. Buy gear, bait, and a fishing license from the store at the end of the pier, and then drop bait.
Walk Rehoboth’s boardwalk to Funland, a family-owned carousel. Enjoy its original rides and a few thrill ride for older kids. Afterwards, head for a walk and dinner on the boardwalk.
Recommended by Alison Netzer from Five Family Adventurers. Find out more from Alison about Lewes.
Martha’s Vineyard – Massachusetts
The Island of Martha’s Vineyard off the coast of the Cape Cod peninsula offers a beach for every type of taste and family. From calm waters and big waves, to beaches only accessible by hiking, families will find a different beach experience to fill their days and nights while on The Vineyard. The cliffs and lighthouse of Aquinnah (aka Gay Head) is an experience unique to The Vineyard. No trip to Martha’s Vineyard would be complete without heading out to the fishing village of Menemsha to eat fresh lobster and watch the sunset. Lastly, families can incorporate history by taking their kids to swim at The Inkwell Beach and watch the famous Polar Bears of Martha’s Vineyard as they engage in their ocean exercise (daily at 7:00 a.m. early July until Labor Day) which is deep in history, community and culture. The Polar Bears are a group of African American men and women who swim and pray each morning in the waters of The Inkwell Beach. Once families experience what the regulars call being on vineyard time, the kids will be asking to make an annual pilgrimage to the island.
Even though many may not consider South Beach somewhere to bring children, it is an amazing, kid-friendly beach. At South Point Park, parking, playground, bathrooms, splash pad and a snack stand are available before even hitting the sand! The beach isn’t as large, so pulling a stroller is just a small workout. There are a lot of locals on the weekends, so come early for a good spot or consider visiting on weekdays. Because there are no chair or umbrella rentals on this section of the beach, it’s necessary to come prepared.
A few more things to do with kids in the South Beach area include:
Flamingo park with an amazing water park area for the kids
Bike path following the whole stretch of Ocean Drive
Lincoln Road shopping, dining and street performers
Parrot Jungle shows and snacks
Miami Children’s Museum for a break from the sun or a rainy day activity
Have fun, and pop into Mangos for a salsa show and mojito!
The Outer Banks of North Carolina (or OBX as locals call it) is super kid friendly because there is literally something for everyone. With over 100 miles of coastline, kids can surf, skim board, boogie board, and swim to their heart’s content. If they’re not into waves, they can play in the sand or head over to the sound side where adults can fish, crab, kayak, paddleboard, or rent a boat or jet ski. For families looking for a more rustic experience, there are areas to drive a 4×4 onto the beach, camp, or look for wild horses. And when the children get tired of the sun and sand, there is also the aquarium, water park, lighthouse, or the local historical sites. The possibilities are endless!
Recommended by Julie from More than Main Street. Find out more about why Julie’s family loves this area in her kid friendly Outer Banks guide.
Vanderbilt Beach, Naples, Florida
We are lucky enough to travel to southwest Florida every year, and our favorite beach in the region is Vanderbilt Beach. Located in North Naples, at the end of Vanderbilt Beach road, this beach, known as “Vandy” by the locals is such a great family spot! Access to the beach is free, and there is a parking garage adjacent – with only a $7 parking charge. From the garage, it’s a short walk to the sand. The beach is beautiful and clean, with warm, calm and clear Gulf of Mexico water. It’s a great spot to rent a Stand Up Paddle Board, a kayak, or as we always do – a jet ski!
This beach has clamshells and chairs for rent, life jackets for use (free), bathrooms and a little snack bar. It does get crowded, but go early and/or walk down the beach a bit for a more empty spot to lay your blanket. Also, plan to spend the day – Vanderbilt Beach is a very popular place to watch a beautiful, southwest Florida over water sunset!
By Harmony Skillman from Momma To Go. Find out more from Harmony about Naples.
Waikiki Beach, Hawaii
Few beaches carry a cachet the way Waikiki does. Mention the name, and the listener immediately pictures hula dancers, royal Hawaiian surfers, and a mile long silky stretch of golden sand slowly melting into the warm embrace of the Pacific Ocean. Hawaii, and the island of Oahu where Waikiki is located, does not need any introduction. This is where people go to enjoy the sun and the sea, to see and feel the tropics and the legendary hospitality of the islands. This is the land of Moana and Lilo, of play and plenty.
It is almost true, at least the part of the silky sand and the warm ocean. Since Waikiki beach literally is located in front of several great hotels – and condo complexes behind them – it is easily accessible for people who want to enjoy the ocean. The beach is accessible with a stroller, but there are not too many public restrooms available on the beach itself.
Although the big surfing waves are not suitable for small kids, a toddler will run and laugh an entire day, trying to avoid the waves (or catch them). There are also several wavebreaks along the beach, creating calm pools where smaller kids can play. The water is shallow, and the sand is silky and smooth.
Those mild breezes rustle palm trees and banyans behind you. The tropical sun illuminates the holiday landscape, coating everything golden. Just remember sunscreen on the kids. The sun is a lot stronger than it seems.
There’s no question that the Mayan Riviera is littered with stunning white sand beaches with turquoise water; however, it was Xpu-Ha Beach that impressed us the most. What we loved most about Xpu-Ha Beach was how shallow the water was for a long time and how small the waves typically were. It was also pretty quiet, with only one major resort and a few other boutique hotels along the beach. As parents of two young children, we enjoyed having the space to let them run and also being able to let them play in the water without worrying they would be knocked over by the waves. With the calm water, it was also a great spot to try stand-up paddleboarding for the first time and letting the kids get out on the board for a ride.
Xpu-Ha beach is located approximately 35 minutes south of Playa del Carmen, Mexico. The beach is public and free, but there is a small fee to drive on the access road to get to the beach.
Recommended by Celine Brewer from Baby Can Travel. Find out more from Celine about the Mayan Riviera.
Guest Blogger: Ruth Mendes is a wife and mami of 4 active and globe-trotting kids (ages 12, 9, 6 and 4). She’s always loved a good adventure and truly believes that it’s possible to not only travel with, but actually enjoy exploring with children. Join her as she shares her family’s adventures and inspires you to get out of the house with your kiddos. Find Ruth’s blog atHave Kiddos Will Travel.
Winters in New England can result in a certain amount of cabin fever, which can only be exacerbated by a house full of young children. Our family’s solution is to bundle up and take advantage of the marvelous variety of fun family activities in the Boston area, which we did recently over our children’s winter break. Our trip ended up being the perfect opportunity to enjoy fewer crowds and unique outings in a quintessential New England city. With a mix of history, culture, restaurants, free and budget friendly activities, sports teams and museums, Boston is truly an amazing family travel destination.
Top Recommended Winter Activities in Boston
Attend a Theater Performance: Boston is known for a variety of cultural theater experiences. During our trip, our family watched Urban Nutcracker which is just one of many family friendly theater experiences available. Check out this detailed list of family friendly theater options.
Visit the Sea Life at theNew England Aquarium: Boston’s New England Aquarium is located on the wharf, which is an ideal location for taking in many kid friendly Boston sites, including the Boston Children’s Museum, Legal Seafood and the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum. In other words, the New England Aquarium is truly a great starting point for exploring Boston with kids! Plan on arriving early if you wish to avoid crowds and take advantage of several of the hands-on exhibits and staffed educational tables. The aquarium docents proactively went out of their way to interact with our children and, while this aquarium is not the largest in the New England area, I highly recommend it due to its location and the quality of the information provided by the staff.
Step Back in Time at theBoston Tea Party Ships and Museum: From the moment that you walk up to the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum, you will be transported back in time to the event that escalated the American Revolution.
ExperienceBoston Winter: Boston Winter’s unique winter outdoor marketplace, located in the City Hall Plaza, offers an outdoor shopping market, ice skating loop and a wine tent. It’s conveniently located near many of the Boston attractions. We enjoyed a Christmas Eve visit.
Christmas Eve visit with Santa at Boston Winter
Boston Children’s Museum: Boston truly offers one of the best children’s museums and it’s a must see for families visiting the city.
Pro Tip:The museum offers discounted admission on Fridays between 5-9 PM when it’s $1 for everyone to enter.
Enjoying one of the many hands-on exhibits at the amazing Boston Children’s Museum.
Boston has many historic sites, including the Massachusetts State House, and as an added bonus, many of these historical stops are free! Be sure to:
Explore Boston’s Public Garden: Boston’s Public Garden is the first botanical garden in the United States. While you can ride the swan boats during the warmer months, ice skating is the main attraction in the winter. This is a great place to enjoy the weeping willows and views of the Boston State House.No family trip to Boston would be complete without stopping by the statues honoring the Make Way for Ducklingsbook.
Take a walk on the Freedom Trail: Some of our family’s favorite stops on the Freedom Trail include The Boston Common, The Massachusetts State House, Park Street Church, Old South Meeting House, Old State House, Faneuil Hall, Old North Church, the USS Constitution and the Bunker Hill Monument.
The Union Bar in Boston with the Freedom Trail right up frontBeautiful brownstones
Explore the Boston Omni Parker House Hotel: The Omni Parker House Hotel is a historical landmark. The Hotel’s Parker Restaurant was where the Boston Cream Pie originated. Malcolm X was a busboy at the restaurant and President John F. Kennedy frequented the restaurant and hotel. This brochure provides information about the historical significance of this Boston Gem.
Experience Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall Marketplace: The Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall Marketplace may be too touristy for some, but when visiting Boston during the holiday season with kids, you will want to stop by and enjoy the Blink light show and street dancers. Our kids braved the cold to watch the Blink light show, which runs from November 29th until January 1st every 1/2 hour from 4:30 – 10 PM.
Watching dancers in front of the Quincy Market
Explore the USS Constitution and Museum: The USS Constitution, which was nicknamed Old Ironsides, is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world and a real treat for families to explore. It is located at the Charleston Navy Yard. Free admission is an added treat for those traveling with children.
Eat and Shop at American Girl Boston: While not located in Boston proper, those traveling into the city may consider adding a pit stop at American Girl Boston, a one of a kind store and restaurant, when traveling to Boston.
I don’t believe in breaking the bank when traveling with four children. My dining recommendations include a variety of budget friendly eateries as well as restaurants. This would not be my restaurant list for an adults only trip to Boston.
Merengue Restaurant is a one of a kind cultural dining experience with its Dominican cuisine and is a must do if you have a car or are headed to the zoo.
Barking Crab, with it’s convenient location near the Boston’s Children’s Museum, is a favorite for those times when your children need to eat now. While this Boston dive doesn’t offer a children’s menu, the selections are New England specialties that are favorites for kids of all ages. Our kids love the clam chowder and fish and chips while we adults indulge in lobster rolls.
Maggiano’s Little Italy. On this particular trip to Boston, we experienced one of those family crisis moments when our kids were just “starving,” at 2 pm on Christmas Eve and we had originally planned on heading home to Connecticut for dinner. We decided to risk walking in to Maggiano’s without a reservation. The hostess laughed to my face, but I noticed an open 6 top at the bar area. Lesson learned, Bostonians don’t play with their Christmas Eve Italian dinner, and the restaurant is fully booked weeks prior to Christmas. We ended up enjoying an amazing family style Italian dinner prior to heading home to open our Christmas pajamas and tuck our kiddos to bed on Christmas Eve. Pro tip:they did have a kid’s menu, but we also recommend ordering family style as the portions are humongous which ensures that you will have leftovers for lunch the next day.
Union Oyster House, a historical icon located just steps from City House Plaza and Faneuil Hall, with the Freedom Trail literally on it’s front steps. Where else can you combine history and delicious food while breaking bread with your kids at a restaurant where President Kennedy dined? Pro tip: go in between meal times to avoid huge crowds and stick to appetizers, like the clam chowder and calamari, to avoid sticker shock. You are truly there for the history and memorabilia, so no need to feed children 3-course meals while visiting.
South Street Diner, an old school diner, is one of those experiences your children will talk about for years to come. It’s a typical American diner and local favorite, so take advantage of the fact that kids don’t know how to sleep in while on vacation and head early to ensure a table. You will love watching your kids experience folks sitting at stools and telling stories like family. The food is great and the value can’t be beat.
Boston Chowda Co. We are complete foodies and thus our children have sophisticated palates and by the time they can sit up, absolutely love a good cup on New England Clam Chowder on a cold day. The Boston Chowda’s location in Faneuil Hall provides convenient access for a quick snack or pick me up in order to ensure that are kids have the energy to explore the city.
P.F. Chang’s is located in the theater district near Chinatown and the Boston Common. This chain restaurant provides consistent family friendly options when you need to feed a large family ten minutes ago.
Yard House. With its proximity to Fenway Park, Yard House provides great food, ambiance and a typical Boston experience for families. Take advantage of their weekday (3-6 PM) half price appetizer offerings.
Accommodations
Our favorite Boston area hotel for large families is Marriott’s Custom House. This Marriott timeshare hotel offers larger rooms and a prime walking location for families looking to explore Boston on foot. Our room offered our family space to spread out with a king-sized bed in the main bedroom and a separate living room with a pull-out couch, table and kitchenette.
From the living room portion or our room, our view included Boston Wharf, Logan International Airport, the New England Aquarium and many more Boston sites.
We also enjoyed the amazing view of Boston from the Hotel’s 26th floor observation deck.
The Hotel’s dome was a sight to see.
The one-of-a-kind clock tower makes the Marriott Custom House identifiable from a distance.
Final Thoughts
Our winter break in Boston was fabulous. We are glad we were not dissuaded from traveling by the cold temperatures. If you have additional time and access to a car, we also enjoy visiting the nearby New Bedford Whaling Museum, Plymouth Plantation, Gloucester, Cape Cod and the Islands, Old Sturbridge Village and the Decordova Museum and Sculpture Park. The towns near Boston offer a playground environment for families and thus if you have more than a weekend to explore, I highly recommend spending time in these nearby areas.
Boston is one of those great American cities we haven’t visited yet with our kids, but Ruth’s post was inspiring and now we can’t wait to plan our trip to visit this historic city!
New England is a quintessential fall getaway destination and a great place to take kids. The fall colors are brilliant and set against quaint towns. Even though fall color can be pretty spectacular in Ohio, we made New England trips in October 2008 and October 2016 to enjoy New England fall. My husband experienced fall for the first time when he lived in Connecticut for five years before we met and has so many fond memories of fall in New England that he wanted to share with our kids. We love visiting New England – our favorite New England destinations are Amherst, Massachusetts, where my aunt and uncle live, and New Haven, Connecticut, where my husband attended Yale’s School of Management.
The inherent planning problem with a fall foliage trip is that the timing and vibrance of fall colors varies from year to year and cannot be predicted in advance even if you consult a fall foliage map. Our 2008 trip coincided with my husband’s business school reunion at the height of an especially vibrant fall color that year. Our 2016 trip overlapped a school holiday and was a bit early for that season, which was never as vibrant as 2008.
The trek to New England by car for us is at least eight hours and the longest car journey we have attempted as a family. However, logistically, it is much easier to drive than fly, especially when we decided to add on stops in Princeton, New York City and Chautauqua in 2016. To make it easier on everyone, we try to leave in the late afternoon so that the kids are sleeping for the last few hours. That has worked for us with varying degrees of success.
Amherst Area
I have made a number of trips to the Amherst area over the years visiting my aunt and uncle who live nearby in Leverett. Because our oldest was only eight months old during our 2008 trip to New England, we were excited to have the chance to take our two, six and eight year old kids to explore the their farm and the nearby area. There are not a plethora of hotel options in the area, so we booked a room at the Howard Johnson’s, which was conveniently located as the closest hotel to their home. We booked through Priceline for $90. Although our stay was brief, we were pleasantly surprised by the hotel, which included a hot buffet breakfast that we were not aware of at the time we made the booking. There are a number of fun activities for families in the Amherst-area to enjoy at any time of the year.
Mount Sugarloaf
I always enjoy going to the highest point in a city or region and getting a birds-eye view of the area. Mount Sugarloaf in nearby South Deerfield is the perfect location for viewing the Connecticut River and fall foliage. Because it is possible to drive to the summit, it is easily accessible for families even with young children. Our trip there in 2008 had added excitement as we were there just a few days after the Mel Gibson movie Edge of Darkness had completed filming on site. The observation tower had been temporarily renovated and had not yet been returned to its pre-filming state.
View of the Connecticut River from Mount Sugarloaf
Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory
The Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory & Gardens is a great place to take kids. Magic Wings includes a glass conservatory filled with absolutely beautiful butterflies. If you keep still, one may even land on your hand. In addition to the conservatory, there are a number of educational exhibits and an outdoor butterfly garden.
Hiking
There are also many opportunities for hiking. My aunt and uncle suggested a family hike at Rattlesnake Gutter, which was a perfect location for us to hike with the kids. It was mostly flat with a clear path and beautiful wooded scenery. We found some of the best colors there and collected a few leaves to iron flat to preserve. My daughter enjoyed the hike from the comfort of her carrier and even took a nap.
Because we live in the suburbs, our kids loved the opportunity to spend a day outside hiking and exploring my aunt and uncle’s farm. The pond had dried up after a dry summer, but we toured the barn and saw the cows that are kept on the property and just ran around and had fun.
The Amherst area is a great place for families to visit. Next time I go back, I want to check out the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. I think that my younger son, who is a big fan of Eric Carle and art in general, would particularly enjoy.
New Haven
Because my husband graduated from the Yale School of Management, a stop in New Haven is always on our agenda when we are in New England. New Haven is conveniently located between Amherst and New York City, so we booked a night at the Omni New Haven Hotel through Priceline at a nightly rate of $164. Although we arrived late and left early, we really enjoyed the Omni and the amazing view out of our window. It was centrally-located and well-appointed. The lobby is like a grand living room, and my boys played chess while waiting for us to check in.
My husband really wanted to enjoy a white clam pizza at Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana. Unfortunately, they were out of clams when we called. We also wanted to go back to his favorite Thai restaurant where we ate lunch twice in 2008, but we were both bummed to find it closed. So, we were 0/2 on food nostalgia in New Haven. Luckily, the highlight of New Haven is really the Yale campus. I absolutely love the Collegiate Gothic architectural style. We were able to tour the gym, which has many aspects common in Gothic Revival architecture includes all the conveniences needed for a modern gym.
The Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library was another fun stop on our campus visit. The stunning building has outer walls made of translucent marble that prevents the collection from being exposed to direct sunlight. This is one of the world’s largest libraries dedicated to rare books, and a complete copy of the Gutenberg Bible is on permanent display.
We also peeked inside the Sterling Memorial Library, which was also built in a Gothic Revival style and is reminiscent of a Gothic cathedral. It was so beautiful, I wanted to study inside.
No trip to Yale University is complete without a trip to the Yale University Official Bookstore for some Yale swag. Our boys have been wearing Yale baseball caps since their toddler days, and my husband hoped they would fall in love with the campus as he had. Of course, the campus is so breathtaking that it’s hard for anyone to not want to return to Yale, and we have two boys who both plan to attend college there.
Our fall journey to New England in 2016 was an amazing adventure, even if the colors were not as brilliant as we had hoped. You may not be able to predict when and if peak color will occur, but it’s a great trip to take regardless.
My three-year-old daughter and I were recently sitting at the puzzle table of a nearby library while waiting for her story time to begin. I was making small talk with another mom sitting with her young sons, and she came to my rescue and directed me to the ABC books when I could not locate Chica Chica Boom Boom on the shelves. I explained that my daughter had listened to the book when she attended Art Stories at the Cleveland Museum of Art the day before with her nanny and was desperate to read it with me. The other mom responded with, “my kids are too young for the art museum.” I was not exactly sure how to respond because the thought of being “too young” to visit any museum had never crossed my mind.
Not Too Young
My husband and I really enjoy visiting art museums. My daughter visited her first art museum, the Art Institute of Chicago, when she was two months old. Since then, she has made a repeat trip to the Art Institute of Chicago and also visited the Cleveland Museum of Art many times as well as the Tate Modern, the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery in London, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Gallery in D.C. While she clearly does not remember those early trips, she gained familiarity with art museums in the process. At the age of three, my daughter now walks around the Cleveland Art Museum, holding my hand and discussing which paintings catch our attention.
My sons also enjoy art museums and can distinguish a Monet from a Van Gogh (two of my favorites). Their favorite special exhibition was Cleveland Museum of Art’s “Painting the Modern Garden: Monet to Matisse” in the Fall 2015 that included pieces that influenced Monet’s garden painting and reunited CMA’s Water Lilies with the other two panels of the triptych and displayed them together (no photography permitted). On our first trip, I took all three kids, aged one, five and seven, alone. We all loved it so much that we came back a few weeks later with my husband. After going to the exhibit for the second time, my five-year-old son came home, asked for paints and created his own version of water lilies.
My five-year-old son’s Water Lilies painting
Kid Moments
If your children are new to visiting art museums, start with a short trip of about 45-60 minutes. We play a “game” when we enter a new gallery. I ask each kid which is their favorite piece. We then go and specifically examine each of our favorite pieces before moving on to the next room. Sometimes, we read the plaque on the wall, other times, we briefly discuss color choice or artist technique that made that piece stand out, but we try hard not to dawdle.
Kid Caution
While there is no age that is “too young”, it is necessary to be careful when bringing a child into art galleries as some art is accessible to small hands. The stroller or front carrier is the safest place for infants or toddlers. Many art museums do not permit backpacks or back carriers because the wearer could accidentally cause damage by brushing up against the art. Older children need to have enough self-control to understand that they must stay right with an adult and not touch the art work before going into galleries. However, many art museums have interactive child-friendly exhibits like the ArtLens Gallery at the Cleveland Museum of Art that everyone can enjoy.
Our Favorite Art Museums
We have visited many art museums with kids, but these are our favorites:
Metropolitan Museum of Art is the largest art museum in the US and boasts a permanent collection of over two million works. The Met is located on Fifth Avenue in New York City. We were a few of the Met’s over 7 million visitors in 2016 that made it second to only the Louvre in number of visitors. Our boys were especially excited to find Seurat’s final study for A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte. Admission to the permanent collection is free, but the suggested donation is $25 for adults.
One of two lion statues guarding the Institute’s Michigan Avenue entranceGustave Caillebotte’s Paris Street; Rainy DayGeorges Seurat’s A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte
National Gallery (Washington D.C.) is the third largest art museum in the US. When we are visiting the Mall, we take a quick stop through the impressionist galleries and the outdoor sculpture garden. On our most recent visit, my husband was holding our daughter, who was then two. They stopped in front of a Degas, and she looked at the painted ballerinas and commented, “Daddy, I really like this painting” to the shock of the visitors around her who had no idea that she thought she was merely “playing” a familiar game. Admission is free.
The National Gallery, London is the fourth most visited art museum in the world with over six million visitors annually. It is located in Trafalgar Square and houses a relatively small collection of about 2,300 paintings, almost all of which are on permanent display.
The National Gallery, LondonVan Gogh’s Sunflowers
Cleveland Museum of Art is the art museum we frequent most often. CMA is located in Cleveland’s University Circle area on the near east side. A massive expansion project began in 2005 and was completed at the end of 2013 increased floor space by 65% and included the glass-roofed Ames Family Atrium. It has a permanent collection of 45,000 works and significant Egyptian and Asian galleries. We always make sure to spend a few minutes sitting on the bench in front of Monet’s Water Lilies (Agapanthus) and enjoy the Armor Court. Rodin’s Thinker, which sits outside the front entrance, was partially vandalized by a bomb in 1970, and the statue’s lower legs were destroyed and have not been restored. Admission to the permanent exhibitions is free, but there are fees for special exhibits.
Monet’s Water LiliesRodin’s Thinker with damaged legs
With some precautions and child-centric activities, art museums truly can be enjoyed by all ages. While infants and toddlers may not have specific memories of the museums they visit, those who go to art museums are more likely to grow into young children who enjoy art and visiting galleries.
Our favorite part of The Carle was probably the Art Studio. Like many moms, I’m ecstatic when my kids have the opportunity to create art in a bright studio with all the materials already prepared and ready to go. We worked on animal collages. As we worked on our projects, five or six other families came into the studio, and there was plenty of room for everyone.
Because we live in the suburbs, our kids loved the opportunity to spend a day outside hiking.
The 
