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  • Spotlight: Kidspace Children’s Museum (Pasadena, CA)

    Spotlight: Kidspace Children’s Museum (Pasadena, CA)

    Just about everyone has heard of Pasadena, California. Home of the Rose Bowl and the Rose Parade, Pasadena is steeped in history. Despite growing up just two towns over from Pasadena and having spent the past nine years traveling to the area to visit family, we managed to overlook a gold mine of an activity for kids’ fun and entertainment: the Kidspace Children’s Museum!

    The Kidspace Children’s Museum is presently located on over two acres of land right in the shadows of the Rose Bowl. Originally, the museum was located at the California Institute of Technology as a community project of the Junior League of Pasadena, but over the decades, the museum has evolved from a small local attraction to encompass over 2.2 acres of gardens designed to encourage children to learn and explore.

    As I mentioned earlier, my family has been traveling to the Los Angeles / Pasadena area for nearly nine years with children, but for one reason or another, we never actually made it over to Kidspace. After our visit this month, I’m pretty sure we are going to be regulars!

    My three year old sensed that he was going to have a blast from the minute he spied Kidspace’s entrance off in the distance. There was a trail of large rocks leading to the museum, which begged to be climbed. My son made a beeline for the brightly colored balls which collectively held the topiary that spelled out “kidspace” as soon as we parked.  The entrance to the museum itself was whacky and fun, with lots of bright colors and shiny objects to touch and feel.

    The first thing my kids did after we entered was run off to explore the “Physics Garden.” The Physics Garden contains a number of stations where kids can conduct hands on experiments with science. My three year old loved simply hopping from station to station and seeing what the older kids were doing, but I was surprised to find that my 8.5 year old seemed to enjoy the stations and had fun running his own experiments.

    We spent a good amount of time in this area, before heading indoors, where my preschooler discovered, much to his delight, multiple indoor climbing structures. I literally thought, at times, that we might never see him again, he was so happy to climb out of our sight.

    We spent quite a bit of time exploring the indoor climbing structures before we realized that there was another outdoor area that was even larger and more expansive that the outdoor science garden. The immediate concrete area outside the indoor climbing building was set up like a miniature city, with tricycles and street signs.

    Although my preschooler was not interested, the city driving area was adjacent to a small playground that would be suitable for toddlers.

    What drew my boys like magnets was the large playground structure located further beyond this immediate paved area. My kids literally sprinted off and spent the next 15-20 minutes running, climbing, chasing.

    There were a number of separate stations in this “big kid” play area, including a climbing wall, which my 8.5 year old was happy to test out. Sadly, our time exploring was cut short because the weather turned bad – yes! We actually got caught in a rare downpour during our visit to Los Angeles!

    We ended up spending a good 2 hours at the museum and upon leaving, my preschooler said, “I had fun there. I wish we could go back again.” High praise for a little boy who spends his days visiting museums all over Washington, DC! I am looking forward to returning to Kidspace the next time we are in town as there’s much more to explore, including the indoor reading and crafting areas.

    Pro Tips:

    • I had never heard of the ASTC Travel Passport Program before Catherine’s post on visiting the La Brea Tar Pits, but I decided to look into the program just prior to our trip to California when I realized that many museums located in Los Angeles participate in the program. Indeed, I paid $100 for an annual membership to my local children’s museum and in exchange, received free reciprocal entry for my family of four to Kidspace ($56 value). I know we will be back and plan to visit other participating museums as well, so this benefit will quickly pay for itself over the course of the upcoming year.
    • Parking at Kidspace is a bit of a logistical nightmare if, like us, you’re visiting when there’s an event at the Rose Bowl. Kidspace shares a parking lot with the Rose Bowl and the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center and also happens to be located along the Arroyo Seco Trail…. So, there’s lots of cars and although the parking lot is large with plenty of parking, expect to do some walking. I’ll also note that the parking lot isn’t numbered or sectioned off in any way, so it’s a bit of a treasure hunt to find your car when you’re ready to go home!

    • Although we visited between meals, there’s plenty of space to sit and enjoy a picnic, and we saw many families doing  so throughout the museum.

    • Consider bringing an extra pair of shoes/pants if you have children who like getting wet. It was muddy and overcast/raining on the day we visited, but I gathered from numerous parents around us that kids like to run and jump in the streams located at the far end of the museum. I’m sure on hot days it is a welcome reprieve, so come prepared!
    • If you’re a nursing mom, there are these nursing pods located sporadically throughout the museum. I have never seen these before, but it’s a nice option to have!

    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 of our favorite locations, please check out our other Spotlight features! And, be sure to check out our entire series on fun things to do with kids in Los Angeles!

  • Things to Do in Las Vegas With Kids

    Things to Do in Las Vegas With Kids

    Las Vegas with kids, really?  Sin City may not be an obvious location for a family vacation, but we had a blast. As full disclosure, gambling and night clubs weren’t a draw before we had kids, so it was no biggie to forego completely after kids.  Many families wonder if it’s expensive to travel to Las Vegas.  Because Vegas offers more hotel rooms than any other US city.  Competition for amenities and value is intense, and mid-week hotel prices are quite reasonable compared to similar hotels almost anywhere else, even including the standard resort fees. The weather is nice most of the year, and kids find the Strip’s “neon canyon” as entertaining as adults.  Las Vegas Boulevard (aka the Strip), has been named as the world’s most visited tourist attraction with almost 40 million annual tourists and offers shows and activities for all visitors.  We loved our trip and would go back in a heartbeat because there are so amazing things to do in Las Vegas with kids.

    The famous Strip

    We visited Las Vegas when I was six months pregnant with our first son and then again seven years later with our three kids, aged 7, 4 and 6 months.  During our “babymoon” trip, we flew into and out of Las Vegas and also traveled to Grand Canyon National Park, Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park.  We would love to visit Bryce and Zion with kids, especially after reading 10 year old Andrew’s review of Zion, but we weren’t able to add those on during our 2015 trip to Las Vegas, which was inspired by our oldest son’s desire to see the Grand Canyon.  We flew to Las Vegas, where we spent a few days at the beginning and end of the trip and visited Grand Canyon National Park and Sedona in the middle.

    Beautiful Las Vegas view from our room at Caesars Palace

    Our hotels in Las Vegas have been highlights of our visits.  Our favorite hotel on the Strip is the Bellagio, which featured a gorgeously appointed room that had an amazing city view.  We could check out the water fountain shows from our room.

    Our room at the Bellagio

    Off the Strip, our favorite resort is Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa, which is located about 15 miles west of the Strip.  We booked a night at Red Rock after such a lovely stay at sister Station Casinos hotel, Green Valley Ranch, Casino, Resort & Spa.  Both resorts are significantly more low-key and relaxed than those on the Strip.  While Green Valley is more conveniently located close to the Airport, the scenery surrounding Red Rock gives it its edge.

    The boys loved Red Rock Resort

    We have also enjoyed some great meals, including the one of the most popular buffets on the Strip, Bacchanal Buffet in Caesars Palace.  Bacchanal opened in 2012 and has been ranked as the top Las Vegas buffet by USA Today.  We enjoyed the modern food presentations in this upscale restaurant.   Our favorite Thai meal was at Lotus of Siam, which was rated as the best Thai restaurant in the U.S. by Gourmet Magazine.  It’s located in a strip mall not far from the Strip, and the food was quite tasty.  Here are five fun family activities to consider when visiting Las Vegas with kids:

    Las Vegas Kids’ Activities

    #1:  Visiting Las Vegas’ Casinos

    Las Vegas hotels and casinos are lavishly themed and fun for kids of all ages.  Most of the interesting parts of the casino complexes are separated from the gaming sections and have nothing to do with gambling.

    Caesars Palace is the Strip’s oldest hotel that opened in 1966.  This opulent resort features reproductions of Roman statues and the high-end Forum Shops mall.  Kids will particularly enjoy the moving statues at the Forum.

    Caesar’s Palace

    The Bellagio is a $1.6 billion resort that opened in 1998 with an Italian theme.  The main lobby of the Bellagio features Fiori di Como, an installation of 2,000 colorful handblown glass flowers designed by Dale Chihuly.  My kids loved the flower displays in the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, which were decorated for the Lunar New Year, the Year of the Sheep, at the time of our visit.  As a bonus, there is no admission fee for the Conservatory.

    Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

    The Venetian is the world’s second largest hotel with more than 7,000 suites and beautifully recreates Italy’s most romantic city with reproductions of famous frescoes and Venice landmarks.  The gondola ride through the mock canals and outdoor man-made lake is a popular attraction.

    Venetian Gondola Ride

    The Luxor is a 30-story bronze pyramid, named after the Egyptian city, and opened in 1993.  The entrance is through the legs of a giant Sphinx, a recreation of the Great Sphinx of Giza.  A xenon light beam is projected from the apex of the pyramid at night and can be seen from planes as far as 250 miles away and supposedly from space, too.  The hotel elevators (aka “inclinators”) travel along the inclines of the 350 foot pyramid at a 39 degree angle.

    We also enjoyed Mandalay Bay’s tropical theme, the Excalibur’s medieval theme inspired by King Arthur and his knights, and Paris Las Vegas‘ Parisian cobblestone streets.

    Families with children can walk through most casinos but cannot stop.  Note that the distances between casinos are deceivingly large, and driving is the best way for families to get around.  Luckily, the casinos generally offer free parking, even for non-gamblers.  Because the weather was ideal, we did walk to the nearby casinos on either side of us and across the street but drove when visiting further casinos.  We also took advantage of the free tram that runs between the Excalibur, the Luxor and Mandalay Bay.

    • Kid Facts:  Steve Wynn opened the Mirage in 1989 as the city’s first mega-resort, the largest hotel in the world and the most expensive hotel-casino ever constructed.  Its success led to the transformation of the Strip as old casinos were torn down to make room for massive complexes styled after some of the world’s most desirable tourist destinations like Rome, Venice, Paris, Egypt and New York.

    #2:  Checking Out Las Vegas’ Outdoor Displays With Kids

    The Bellagio’s 8.5-acre artificial lake features the famous dancing fountains, The Fountains of Bellagio.  The 1,200 jets stream up to 460 feet into the air and burst choreographed water accompanied by over 4,500 lights.  The fountain show runs every quarter or half hour in the afternoons and evenings.  Make sure to check out the schedule.  With different music showcased, it is enjoyable to watch more than one show!  We were so glad we visited the Bellagio with kids.

    The Mirage’s Volcano “erupts” at 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. each evening and also 10:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.  Our kids were mesmerized by the fiery eruption, which we caught a few times during our stay.  The Volcano fits in nicely with the Mirage’s Polynesian theme.

    Mirage lagoon before the eruption
    Eruption!

    The Eiffel Tower in Paris is one of the world’s most recognizable icons.  It is the #1 destination on my middle child’s bucket list.  While Paris-Las Vegas’ half-scale, 460 foot Eiffel Tower replica is not a substitute, it fueled his desire to see it in real life.  Years after our visit, my son remembers vividly how the Eiffel Tower replica was built around and into other buildings in the resort’s complex.

    Paris-Las Vegas’ Eiffel Tower
    • Kid Facts:  The Fountains of Bellagio were the largest fountain in the world when they opened.

    #3: Visiting Pools at Las Vegas Family Resorts

    The pools we have visited in Las Vegas are particularly extravagant and cater to guests of all ages.  Most pools allow only guests to use their pool facilities, so it’s important to do some pool research before booking a resort or plan to visit one of the pools that permits non-guests with an admission fee.   My daughter had her first pool experience at Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis at Caesars Palace and loved it.  These pools are modeled after Roman baths and include Roman statues and reminded me of the Hearst Castle pool.  Obviously, this was a memorable place to first experience a pool.

    The pools off the Strip also have gorgeous pool facilities.  We enjoyed the swimming complex at Red Rock Resort before heading to the Airport for our red-eye flight.

    Red Rocks pool

    We particularly enjoyed the luxurious chaise lounges at Green Valley Ranch’s pool, which did not require an additional booking fee like many on the Strip.

    The pool at Green Valley Ranch

    Many resorts in Las Vegas also have complimentary spa indoor facilities for guests over 18, including an indoor hot tub.  One downside to traveling to Las Vegas with kids is that adults have to take turns in order to enjoy these facilities.

    Indoor hot tub at Green Valley Ranch
    • Kid Facts:  I could find no interesting facts about Las Vegas pools, but almost all kids will love them!

    #4:  Visiting Las Vegas’ Red Rock Canyon With Kids

    The natural red rocks just outside of Las Vegas are the perfect contrast to all of the artificial lights on the Strip.  We thoroughly enjoyed the scenery of the sandstone and limestone cliffs when traveling to and from Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa. We did not have a chance to hike the scenic loop at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area but definitely hope to do at least part of that hike on our next trip.

    • Kid Facts:  The Red Rock area was under an ocean 600 million years ago.  Sandstones were deposited about 250 million years ago, and oxidation of iron in the sediments caused the red coloring.

    #5:  Visiting Las Vegas’ Hoover Dam With Kids

    The famous Hoover Dam is a 726 foot dam located on the Nevada-Arizona border about 35 miles from Las Vegas.  The water flow of the Colorado River used to rise dramatically in the spring and slow to a trickle in the summer and was therefore an unreliable water source. Hoover Dam was constructed to control destructive floods, ensure a steady water supply to the Colorado River basin and generate inexpensive electricity.  The Dam continues to provide water and electricity to Nevada, Arizona and California.  Las Vegas benefitted substantially from the influx of construction workers, who started arriving in 1931, the same year that gambling was legalized. By the time this engineering masterpiece was completed in 1935, there were a number of gambling clubs open in Las Vegas.

    The top of the bridge is open to pedestrians and vehicles.  We took the opportunity while visiting Hoover Dam to explain how a dam works.  The boys were particularly interested in how the changing water depth effected the mountains on the water’s edge.

    The half-hour guided power plant tour gives visitors the chance to see the still-functioning generators up close.  We were amazed at the architectural detail inside the dam.

    • Kid Facts:  Construction of the Hoover Dam cost $49 million.  At its base, the Dam is 660 feet thick (compared to its 726 foot height).  The amount of concrete used could build a two-lane highway from San Francisco to New York.

    There are so many wonderful things to do in Vegas for visiting families even after you strip out the gambling, shows and night clubs.  Luxury accommodations are generally available at a significant discount compared to other cities.  The casinos are a feast for the eyes, and buffets and famous restaurants provide a real feast.  The hotel pools rival some of the best in the world, and we would love more Las Vegas family fun, especially because Vegas is conveniently located near Grand Canyon National Park and other amazing Southwest destinations.  We definitely recommend traveling families consider a trip to Las Vegas for kids.

  • Fun Family Hidden Gems in Florida

    Fun Family Hidden Gems in Florida

    It’s Spring Break time, and many families will be heading to Florida.  With Disney World, Universal Studios and thousands of miles of beaches, Florida may be the family vacation capital of the world, but there are also so many great spots that do not get as much attention as the world-famous theme parks.  We asked traveling families for their family favorite hidden gems in Florida and found these amazing places to put on our list!

    Fun in the Sun While Swimming in the Hotel Pool in the Middle of Winter

    Ever planned an action filled family vacation only to ask the kids what their favorite part was and for them to respond: swimming in the pool? Seriously, this has happened to me more times than I could count including on our last two visits to Disney. As a result, during our last pre and post cruise trip to Orlando, I decided to focus on exploring hotel pools, and it was a huge hit. My four kids and I (hubby joined us for cruise only) enjoyed water slides, splash pads, lazy rivers and poolside dance parties while Connecticut was hit with a Nor’easter.

    Recommended by Ruth Mendes from Have Kiddos Will Travel.

     

    Ohana Character Breakfast at Disney’s Polynesian Resort

    Our family enjoyed a mouse free Orlando trip, and I wanted to give our youngest an opportunity to feel like he went to Disney World without breaking the bank and spending thousands of dollars on a pre and post cruise Orlando stay. The Ohana Character Breakfast at the Polynesian Resort with Mickey, Lillo, Stitch and Pluto provided us with a delicious meal, character signatures, pictures and interactions without paying park admission and spending time waiting in the hot sun.

    Recommended by Ruth Mendes from Have Kiddos Will Travel.

    Rainbow Springs State Park

    Rainbow Springs State Park is a stunning state park only an hour and a half from Orlando.  The water is warm year-round, making it the perfect place to go swimming with kids.  One of the coolest experiences is diving into the crystal-clear water with a snorkeling mask, which is sure to entertain kids (and adults) of all age.   It’s only $2 for entry per person with children under six getting in for free, so it’s a great deal for families looking for a budget day trip in Florida.  It’s also possible to go tubing down the river, but advance reservations are required.

    Recommended by Karen of Wanderlustingk.  Find out more from Karen about Rainbow Springs State Park.

     

    Glazer Children’s Museum

    The Glazer Children’s Museum in Tampa makes for a fabulously fun and educational day out for the whole family. The focus is on making learning fun, and all exhibits are interactive and entertaining. We learned all about the weather system of Florida (and got slightly wet in the process!), took part in our very own stage show (costumes included) and tried out various careers in the imaginative play area. Probably my favorite children’s museum yet! There’s even a splash fountain outside to cool off from the Floridian heat!

    Recommended by Karen from Are We There Yet Kids. 

     

    Bo’s Ice Cream

    Bo’s Ice Cream is a small, unassuming ice cream shop in Tampa that’s full of possibilities. Open since 1954, it has a variety of choices from a simple chocolate cone to extravagant sundaes and milkshakes, all at a decent price. It’s not unusual for the shop to be packed, but they have a convenient drive-thru window as well as benches for parents to share the moment with their kids. The tradition of going to Bo’s has been handed down through the generations – there’s nothing wrong with an ice cream cone!

    Recommended by Jamie of Crashed Culture.

     

    Dinosaur World

    Dinosaur World in Plant City, Florida is about a 30 minutes drive east of Tampa. The park is lush with tropical foliage and filled with life size displays of all kinds of dinosaurs sure to please any dino-philes, including our five year old boy who is absolutely obsessed with dinosaurs.

    There are playgrounds for big kids and little tykes, as well as numerous covered picnic areas. We were allowed to bring in snacks, and we saw many families with coolers. There are also fossil digs and cave shows that occur every hour. We didn’t have time for the cave show, but the three kids (ages 3, 4, and 5) all enjoyed the fossil dig. They were allowed to pick 3 fossils and take them home.

    The park itself is well planned and situated. It was 81 degrees that day in February, but I could imagine a sweltering summer day and the need to escape the heat. The park has several covered exhibits to fit this need. Overall, Dinosaur World is a fun and leisurely destination, especially for travelers needing a break from the lines and crowds associated with larger theme parks.

    Recommendation from Chanta C.

     

    Weeki Wachee Mermaid Show 

    The mermaid show in the town of Weeki Wachee, Florida could be the last of its kind. For an entrance fee of $13, visitors sit in front of a large glass-fronted natural spring where half a dozen mermaids (and mermen) perform the story of Hans Christian Anderson’s Little Mermaid underwater. They lip sync, dance, and act without weights and seemingly without needing to breathe. Occasional turtles, fish and manatees also make an appearance. It was very mesmerizing and made me want to desperately believe in mermaids. The Weekie Wachee Mermaid Show is a throwback to the old glory days of road trips. Just like other small road trip attractions though, it’s in danger of disappearing forever. Go see it before it does.

    Recommended by Jill of Jack and Jill Travel.  Find out more from Jill about the Weeki Wachee Mermaid Show.

     

    Shelling in Sanibel Island

    Sanibel Island in Southwest Florida is a perfect spot for family vacations and a place that kids love as much as Mom and Dad. Separated from the city of Ft. Myers by a palm tree-lined causeway, Sanibel is quiet and secluded, with paved bike paths running the length of the island. But the most fun on Sanibel is combing the white sandy beaches for amazing seashells – little gifts of the sea – that wash up everywhere. They’ll capture kids’ hearts and imaginations for days. Don’t forget to bring mesh bags for shells and goggles for diving in the crystal clear shallow water!

    Recommended by Lori Sorrentino of Travlinmad.  Find out more from Lori about shelling on Sanibel Island.

     

    Sarasota Jungle Gardens

    Nestled in the shade of over 100 different species of palm trees, the Sarasota Jungle Gardens provides a wonderful opportunity for families to learn about native Florida wildlife. A variety of different shows are hosted throughout the day, and visitors can hand feed a flock of friendly flamingos after walking the Jungle Trail, which is also home to a turtle pond and a petting zoo. Willing volunteers can also become a perch for one of their many resident birds or hold a young alligator. Families will also enjoy the large shaded play area for kids and an on site restaurant with a variety of snacks and cold treats for sale, perfect for a hot Florida day. 

    Recommended by Leslie Stranathan.  Check out Leslie’s YouTube video about Sarasota Jungle Gardens.
    Hollywood Beach Hike

    During a recent last minute long weekend in Hollywood, Florida with my boys, my sister and my nephew, my sister and I longed for the excitement of the “Hollywood Broadwalk” about two miles north of our Hallendale Beach hotel.  I was cautiously optimistic when I proposed a “beach hike” to Hollywood to our crew.  We began our journey alongside the ocean, and soon I was carrying everybody’s sandals and water bottles.   Though we guessed it would take forty minutes, we enjoyed letting the kids set the pace, playing catch with the ocean waves and a found coconut, destroying abandoned sandcastles, and appropriating cast-off water guns.    They watched couples canoodle in the water and prospectors explore with metal detectors.

    Before we knew it, the Broadwalk, a 2.5 mile broad pedestrian way, with its array of iffy restaurants, bike rental shops and even a farmers’ market appeared before us, and we brushed the sand off of our toes.   It was time for fish and chips.  We chose Bonny & Read’s based primarily on its large sunny deck – a spot where we could order our food and enjoy a drink while the kids played on the beach playground-directly in our line of sight, while the sun set.

    I confess that while they enjoyed setting off as the sun set on the beach, my kids weren’t up for the roundtrip, but even in a Lyft, felt proud of themselves for the mileage they covered… as they negotiated the next ice cream stop.

    Recommended by Suzann Moskowitz.

     

    Drum Circle Sunset on Nokomis Beach

    The Nokomis Beach drum circle is a unique experience for the whole family. It’s held each Wednesday and Saturday evening year-round on Nokomis Beach beginning two hours before sunset. We needed to arrive early to find a spot for our blanket and chairs near the front of the large crowd that eventually surrounded the circle.

    Our children loved playing with juggling sticks, drums, hula-hoops and dancing with people of all ages inside the drum circle as the sun began to set.  A drum circle on Nokomis Beach is definitely a unique experience in Florida.

    Recommended by Jill Greising-Murschel of Let’s Travel Family.

    Florida Everglades

    Take a one-hour airboat tour of the Florida Everglades to get up close and personal with alligators in the Everglades swamps of South Florida. Kids of all ages will enjoy the thrill of gliding past marsh grasses as an expert guide educates them about the wildlife. Be sure to keep the little ones on the inside seats of the boat, because these alligators are real! After the airboat ride, the team from Animal Planet’s “Gator Boys” will present a 20-minute show with the alligators as part of the Everglades Holiday Park of Fort Lauderdale!

    Recommended by Cindy Loe of One Perfect Day In Travel.  Find out more from Cindy about the Florida Everglades.

    Glass Bottom Boat Tour

    Ever wondered what life would be like as a marine animal? We experienced it up close in Key Largo during the Glass Bottom Boat Tour from John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, America’s first underwater park. Apart from Hawaii in the USA, the largest living coral reef is spread across the coast of Florida. The 2½ hour boat tours traverses through the vast mangrove plantations then deep into the ocean for a glimpse into the underwater world.  We all huddled around the glass and were charmed to see the beautiful fish, the coral reef, and the diverse aquatic ecosystem. It was a sight to see the excitement on kids’ face.  It’s the best way for kids and non-divers to espy this underwater world.

    Pro Tip – Travelers who suffer seasickness should avoid or take medication before the tour.

    Recommended by Neha Kulshrestha.  Check out Neha’s recent post on South Florida.

    Key Biscayne

    Key Biscayne, a barrier island just a few minutes east of Miami, is a great place to visit for a few hours, a day or even stay for a week. The Key has much to offer kids and adults of all ages: a public beach, a State park, biking, canoeing, food, golfing, kayaking, kiteboarding, paddleboarding, sailing, shopping, skateboarding, snorkeling, tennis, wakeboarding, walking and windsurfing.

    At the southern end of Key Biscayne is Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, home to a historic lighthouse built in 1825. Guided tours of the lighthouse and lighthouse keeper’s cottage are given year round. The park has 2 restaurants, picnic areas, a mile long beach, nature trails and a playground. A reef located six miles off shore also protects this beach from heavy surf.

    Recommended by Tracy McKenna.
    Crandon Park Beach

    More than just a beautiful beach, Crandon Park Beach on Key Biscayne has a great nature center and an amusement center. At the nature center be sure to check out the touch tank as well as other displays throughout the center. Self-guided nature walks allow visitors to explore the mangroves, sand dunes and seagrass beds. There are opportunities to see a heron or osprey, maybe even come across a sea star, puffer fish or sea turtle. The beach is protected by an offshore sand bar which prevents crashing waves, perfect for young children.

    Recommended by Tracy McKenna.

    We can’t wait to try out some of these Florida hidden gems during our next winter or spring break trip.  Be sure to check out our entire category of blog posts on things to do and places to visit in Florida including Florida cities to explore with kids.

  • 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.

  • Attending Mass on Vacation: Our Five Most Memorable Experiences

    Attending Mass on Vacation: Our Five Most Memorable Experiences

    Vacation is often a time when Catholic families forego attending weekly Mass due to inconvenience or lack of familiarity.  However, we make a point of attending Mass when traveling and have had some pretty amazing experiences along the way – even when the service isn’t even in English.  By attending Mass, we have the opportunity to see how Catholics around the world are united by this weekly ritual, which is not something you can generally experience by merely touring a church or cathedral.

    Attending Mass while on vacation requires advance planning, especially when we are traveling with or visiting non-Catholics.  We regularly consult Mass Times online before our trip to find Mass schedules for churches near by our accommodations.  The Mass Times site has helped us locate a services for Easter Mass in Toronto, near a work retreat in Columbus, a few blocks from our friends’ Upper East Side apartment in Manhattan and a newly constructed church in Frederick, Maryland.  One of the most unusual Mass experiences was at Basilica of Mary, Queen of the Universe in Orlando.  The Basilica is not a parish and does not have weekly bulletins but was built to service Catholics tourists.  It’s congregation is almost entirely made of up tourists each week.

    St. John Vianney in St. Pete

    Following our favor of fives, here are the five most memorable Catholic churches we visited around the world.

    #1: Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve in Goa

    The time we attended Mass in Goa under the protection of armed guards made me realize that I too often take religious freedom for granted.  We spent Christmas 2006 in Goa, where a terrorist alert was issued indicating that Al Qaeda was targeting the area for an attack on tourists.  The church where we attended Midnight Mass was heavily protected due to the large gathering of Catholics.  Luckily, no attacks occurred, but that truly an unforgettable experience.

    #2: Saint Anthony’s Friary Church and the Holy Ghost Church in Bangalore

    Spending Holy Week in Bangalore was another unforgettable experience.  While Hinduism is the most common religion in India, there are also almost 20 million Catholics.  Holy Week services at our church at home are well attended but the church is not packed.  If you arrive 20 minutes early on Easter Sunday, you are pretty much guaranteed a seat.  The services we attended in India gave “standing room only” a new meaning.  Multiple services are held almost hourly in different languages, and hundreds of chairs are set up outside with large screens live video streaming the Mass.  We attended Holy Week services at Holy Ghost Church and Saint Anthony’s Friary Church.  We arrived at least 30 minutes before each service began to park and then wait outside the doors for the prior service to finish.  As soon as the prior Mass ended, people rush in to find a seat.  Nonetheless, everyone is dressed up and reverent and patient with the large crowds.  The Masses we attended in India were all in English but celebrated with very different music and crowds than we were accustomed to.

    Waiting for Mass

    #3: Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica of Saint John the Baptist in San Juan

    Attending Mass on vacation often includes language barrier issues.  While honeymooning in Puerto Rico, my husband and I attended Mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica of Saint John the Baptist, one of the oldest cathedrals in the Americas and conveniently located in Old San Juan just across the street from our hotel.  The entire Mass was in Spanish, and while we didn’t understand the exact words being said, we could follow along during the readings, songs, prayers and homily.  The service gave us the opportunity to quietly reflect – a rare opportunity in the excitement of the past few weeks.

    The Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica of Saint John the Baptist

    Our experience in San Juan helped us realize that attending Mass in another language can be quite special as well.  On a recent trip to the D.C. area, the most convenient Sunday Mass for us to attend happened to be in Spanish.  Due to our scheduling Jenga necessary to fit in everything we had planned, we decided that the timing was more important than attending Mass in English.  We forewarned our boys, but our two year old daughter was quite confused and stated rather loudly at a quiet moment of the service that she did not understand what they were saying.

    #4: St. Peter’s Parish in Akureyri, Iceland

    Our visit to St. Peter’s Parish in Iceland was definitely an experience we will never forget.  The entire population of Iceland is only about 330,000, and the country has about 12,000 Catholics, seven Catholic churches and about nine priests.  We were lucky that we stayed in Akureyri, the second largest metropolitan area outside of Reykjavik (with a population of 17,000) because one of the few churches outside Reykjavik is located here.  St. Peter’s is located in a building the size of a house.  The sanctuary was comparable to a large living room and seated maybe 25-30.  The priest flew in from Reykjavik for  Sunday Mass, which was said in Icelandic.  After the service, we were invited to the church hall in the basement for coffee and pastries.  The priest could not attend because he was headed to the airport for another Mass.  Our kids never want to miss our church’s monthly Donut Sunday and were thrilled to find a similar tradition in Iceland.  We sat with a few parishioners and had lovely chats.  My daughter was mesmerized by an older gentleman with a long white beard who she was convinced must be Santa.  We were pretty far north, after all.

    St. Peter’s Parish

    #5: St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City

    We have had some pretty extraordinary experiences even during “typical” English Masses.   While attending Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, my mom and I were fortunate to hear Archbishop Edward Egan say Mass.  Our visit was just a few months after Egan participated in the 2005 papal conclave.  He served as Archbishop until his retirement in 2009 and died a few years later in 2015.

    St. Patrick’s Cathedral
    Archbishop Edward Egan

    When I was leaving for a recent work trip, my daughter reminded me that I needed to go to church in Phoenix.  I wasn’t able to fit Mass into my short, packed, mid-week trip, but was thrilled that she sees travel and Mass to be intertwined.  Our tradition of attending Mass on vacation gives us the opportunity to spend an hour not as tourists but as fellow worshipers.  Despite different songs, prayers and even languages, we are united with Catholics all around the world in our weekly celebration.  This cultural and spiritual experience only enhances our travels.

  • Paris With Kids: Five Fun Family Activities

    Paris With Kids: Five Fun Family Activities

    Guest Blogger: Vanessa and Sergio are high school sweethearts from Austin, Texas who love traveling the world and experiencing new cultures and traditions with their daughter. To keep up with this international trio, follow along on Instagram or visit their website, TravelChicFam.

    Our foodra truck ride outside the Musee d’Orsay!

    Paris, France has always been a favorite city of mine. This one city holds the best of the best in art, culture, breathtaking sights and French cuisine.  As the cherry on top, it’s also bursting with romance and, for those traveling with kids, children’s parks perfectly situated through the entire city!

    While pregnant with my daughter, I thought traveling would no longer be possible, but I was wrong! After a year of not traveling, I began experiencing “traveling blues” and decided to plan our first family trip to take place when my daughter would be 20 months old. I excitedly and anxiously began planning our 10-day trip to Paris: flights, transportation, hotel, sites and destinations, family photo shoot, and so much more! Before having a baby, we would have likely booked two or three cities as part of one vacation, but decided to stick to one city for our first family vacation and see how baby girl would travel. As an added surprise, traveling with a child reminded us to slow down, to visit family friendly sites, and to value each moment, laugh, and experience. We also took as many photos as humanely possible so that we could document the experience. Our visit to Paris with a young child was not without challenges, but overall the experience was amazing and life changing. I can confidently say that my now three year old absolutely loves to fly, thrives when she spends quality time with her parents, and enjoys the different sites and children’s parks that we build into our adventures.

    Without further ado, here are my Five Fun Family Activities for Paris With Kids!

    #1. Disneyland Parks

    In the many months I spent planning our trip to Paris, I knew that the one thing I wanted to do was to plan a stop at one of the most magical places on Earth: Disneyland Paris. It was the least we could do for our 20 month old, after dragging her to a different country.  We were visiting in early September, which is considered off-season, so the crowds were minimal and wait times for rides was short.

    Disneyland Paris is comprised of two parks: Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. You can pay to visit one park or both parks. For this occasion, we chose to only visit Disneyland Park as our daughter loves princesses, and we knew that the big mid-day parade would be taking place at Disneyland Park. We arrived around 11am and were able to easily purchase tickets and ride a number of rides, including Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Le Carrousel de Lancelot, Alice’s Curious Labyrinth.  We also visited Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, La Tinier du Dragon, Liberty Arcade, and Discovery Arcade. We made sure to stop and watch the famous Disney parade with all the princess characters, and we ate lunch at Au Chalet de la Marionette, which had a decent selection of food for adults and children.

    By the time we left the park at 7pm, we were beyond exhausted. Although we wished we had seen the fireworks, we had a great experience and of course, left with Minnie Mouse ears, a Mickey Mouse balloon, Disneyland souvenirs, and a number of chocolate treats. If I had to do it all over again, I wish we could have arrived a little earlier so that we could visit both parks and stay for the fireworks, but given the one hour distance from our hotel to Disneyland and my daughter’s age, we were just thrilled that she had an amazing experience.

    Pro-Tip: We took a taxi from our hotel to Disney, but you can also take the Metro. We chose a taxi because it was much faster and easier for our little family. Prices vary, depending on location and transit time, so be sure to price check all your options.

    #2: Jardin du Luxembourg

    The Jardin du Luxembourg is a true gem located in the center of Paris. It covers 25 hectares (over 60 acres) of land filled with beautiful gardens, open-air cafes, puppet shows, rides, slides, musical performers, and sailboats in the pond by the Luxembourg Palace. On a sunny day, you can grab lunch and relax on the green or in one of the many chairs sprinkled throughout the park as you watch your little one run around to release some much needed energy.

    Our favorite activity was the miniature sailboats, which are available for rent or purchase if you don’t happen to have your own to bring! There were many vendors located along the pond and we rented a miniature sailboat that came with a large stick, to use to push the sailboat out and onto the pond. My daughter could not push the sailboat on her own, but my husband was happy to oblige and help maneuver the boat. He had just as much fun playing as all the kids. This is a must visit family friendly park for all to enjoy. By the looks of the native French speaking crowd around us, this is local favorite and so a great way to experience real Parisian family life.

    #3: Parc Zoologique de Paris

    The Parc Zoologique de Paris a great place to visit with children, especially if they love animals. Admission is pricey at 20 € per adult / 15 € per child (ages 3-12) but well worth it. The zoo’s landscape is designed to showcase the animals in their native ecosystem and is home to around 180 species and over a thousand animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates. During our visit, we saw a variety of birds, monkeys, fish, jaguars, zebras, and giraffes. And, judging by the crowds, this is another spot that most local Parisians take advantage of with their families, and we were again fortunate to have no trouble with crowds.

    #4: Musee de l’Orangeries & Musee d’Orsay

    When one thinks of a museum in Paris, I’m sure the Louvre comes immediately to mind. The Louvre is amazing, but also full of tourists and crowds. Although definitely a place that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime, I was not sure that it was the best place to take a baby or toddler. For this special trip, we decided to visit the Musee de l’Orangerie and the Musee d’Orsay, which showcase fantastic works by Monet, Van Gogh, and many others, but without the tourist appeal of the Louvre.

    We visited the Musee de l’Orangerie first, where we viewed Claude Monet’s famous painting of the water lilies. The mural and all sides of the walls were so incredibly breathtaking, I had to stop and just enjoy the experience. While I was busy being awed by the beauty of the art, my daughter paced all the rooms of the museum with her daddy. We then went upstairs and enjoyed a quick bite to eat before heading to the Musee d’Orsay.

    At the d’Orsay, we saw Ballet Rehearsal by Edgar Degas, Blue Water Lillies by Claude Monet, Self Portrait by Vincent Van Gogh, and countless others. The museum is large, but we had an idea of what we wanted to see before arriving, which helped make our experience more manageable.

    Pro-Tip: It is 9 € to visit one museum, or 16 € to visit both, so we chose to visit both and save some money.

    #5: Eiffel Tower

    Last, but definitely not least, the most iconic site of all, the Eiffel Tower. Although you can pay to go up to the top of the tower, I personally think the best view is the free one from the bottom. There are two children’s parks at the North side of the tower that are fenced in for security and, happily, there are vendors nearby who sell an assortment of snacks and gelato for the children (and adults!) to enjoy a tasty treat.

    Picnicking on the grounds of the Eiffel Tower.

    While viewing the Eiffel Tower, we spied a carousel across the street, which many children enjoy riding, including my daughter who rode it up to four times! On a beautiful sunny day, be sure to take some time to have a picnic on the green near the Eiffel Tower. It’s easy to pick up a baguette or a tasty sandwich and a bottle of wine and enjoy the beautiful view, while the little ones stretch their legs running around outside. We have a wonderful time and will cherish our memories forever.

    Riding the carousel… for the fourth time!

    Final Thoughts?

    Paris has so many different things to see and do, but these are truly my top Five Fun Family Activities to take advantage of in Paris. As I continue to explore the world with my daughter, I learn more about her personality and try to incorporate her interests and wishes as well. My goal, as a mommy, is to take my daughter to one new country a year. Our first was Paris, and we also have Rome and Barcelona on the agenda. Traveling with a child has its challenges, but seeing their smiles and the memories we create as a family are priceless.

  • 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.

    source

    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!).

    IMG_0533
    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.

    IMG_0532
    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.

  • A Family Trip to the Grand Canyon

    A Family Trip to the Grand Canyon

    The Grand Canyon is a gorge of the Colorado River that is often considered one of the Wonders of the World.  The mile deep canyon was carved by the Colorado River over the past 6 million years as rugged plateaus have been cut into the rock.  Grand Canyon National Park‘s magnitude is astounding, and pictures cannot capture its breathtaking proportions or the beauty of the fine details and shadows.  Even on my fourth visit, I was giddy with excitement for that first peek over the rim. We all loved our family trip to the Grand Canyon.

    Lightning over the Grand Canyon

    Why Visit the Grand Canyon With Kids?

    In February 2015, Phoenix hosted the Super Bowl, which highlighted the Grand Canyon.  My son, who had recently learned about canyons in his first grade classroom asked me, “When are you going to take me to the Grand Canyon?”  The fact that my husband and I visited while I was pregnant with him and that he technically had been there was no consolation.  I promised him I would take him someday.  Someday turned out to be much sooner than expected when we happened to find a flight deal as part of Spirit Airlines‘ expansion into the Cleveland market to Las Vegas with perfect timings overlapping our kids’ upcoming Presidents’ Day holiday.  The Grand Canyon was definitely a bucket list location for my inlaws, who immediately wanted to join us.  We decided not only to book a trip only two weeks in advance, but to keep the destination a surprise for our four and seven year old boys.  We had no concerns about how our six month old, who was already a seasoned traveler, would handle her first red-eye flight and also added on a few days in Sedona.

    Visiting the Grand Canyon when I was six months pregnant with our first son

    My seven year old had only two guesses for the location of our mystery trip – 1. Disney World and 2. the Grand Canyon.  He was certainly ecstatic when we told him at the airport that we were headed first to Las Vegas for a few days and then to Arizona to see the Grand Canyon.  It was our first time flying on Spirit Airlines, which requires additional fees for checked and carry on luggage.  Our family of five was able to pack all the layers and gear we needed for a wide range of temperatures into one large suitcase and had an easy flight to Las Vegas before driving to the Grand Canyon a few days later.

    Visiting the Grand Canyon 

    Within Grand Canyon National Park, there are two rims, which may be only a maximum of 18 miles apart, but traveling from one rim to the other takes over 200 miles by car or a really long and treacherous hike through the Canyon.  We visited the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.  The South Rim is open year around and far more developed than the North Rim, which is open only from May 15 to October 15 each year when it offers restaurants, accommodations and a campground.  We wanted to visit Grand Canyon National Park rather than the Skywalk, which is located about 2.5 hours from Las Vegas and drove about 4.5 hours to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon after three nights in Las Vegas.  We were not able to find accommodation inside the Grand Canyon National Park for this last-minute trip and booked one night at the Grand Hotel, which was located in Tusayan about one mile from the South Entrance.  The Grand Hotel had a felt like a lodge and features comfortable rooms and a heated swimming pool.

    We were all thrilled to see the canyon.  My son’s immediate reaction was that the Grand Canyon was much wider than he expected but not as deep.  Because we visited during the off-season, we were able to drive along Hermit Road to each of the vistas.  This seven-mile road is closed to private vehicles from March through November when it is serviced by a shuttle bus.  While my husband and I used the shuttle bus during our October 2007 visit, the flexibility of driving our own cars with our large group during the off-season was certainly helpful.  Because we were visiting the Grand Canyon in February, there was a risk of snow, but we totally lucked out with good weather and avoiding crowds.  Here are five fun Grand Canyon activities for families:

    #1: Grand Canyon Rim Trails

    Hiking along the Rim Walk on the South Rim is a fabulous way to explore Grand Canyon National Park without the treacherous descent to the floor of the Canyon.  I had previously taken a few hour hike about halfway into the Grand Canyon and then back up while visiting the North Rim in 2002, but that wasn’t something I wanted to attempt while pregnant or with kids.  The entire Rim Walk follows along the Canyon along for about 13 miles on mostly paved trails.  The hike from Hermit’s Rest to Grand Canyon Village is about eight miles.

    Enjoying the view from the Rim Walk

    When the shuttle operates along Hermit Road from March to November, it is easy to hike from one shuttle stop to the next along the Rim and then pick up the shuttle.  The Hermit Road Greenway Trail is even suitable for biking.  My husband and I enjoyed some of these hikes during our “babymoon”.   Traveling with a group of eight including two grandparents, two young kids and an infant, we chose to limit our hiking to the paved path of the Rim Walk around Grand Canyon Village.  This stroller-accessible hike offers spectacular views, which we regularly stopped to enjoy.  Next time, we hope to try some more adventurous but easy hikes, including Shoshone Point.

    The trails into the Grand Canyon have many switchbacks
    • Rim Walk Facts:  Much of the Rim Walk follows the 1912 alignment of Hermit Road.
    • Rim Walk Caution:  It is necessary to keep a close eye on young kids anywhere near the rim of the Grand Canyon.  The barriers are definitely not child proof.  It may seem extremely dangerous, but have only been 53 fall fatalities between the mid-1800s and 2015.

     

    #2: Sunset at the Grand Canyon’s Hopi Point

    Watching sunrise and sunset at the Grand Canyon’s Hopi Point is definitely a must-do.  It’s amazing that the sun rises and sets so brilliantly every day, but we only seem to appreciate it when we are traveling.  The sun makes truly exceptional entrances and exits at the Grand Canyon as the colors and shadows constantly change.  Even after spending most of the day exploring the various viewpoints, watching the sunset is definitely a highlight.  Hopi Point is the most popular west-end vista for sunset views because of its unobstructed views of the western canyon.

    Hopi Point offers a view of the Colorado River.  Seeing the creator of this canyon masterpiece was a particular treat.

    • Hopi Point Facts:  Hopi Point is named for the Native American Hopi tribe of Northeastern Arizona.

     

    #3:  Sunrise at the Grand Canyon’s Grandview Point 

    Grandview Point offers an amazing sunrise view but requires a bit of a hike as it is located 12 miles east of Grand Canyon Village along Desert View Drive.  Waking up early enough to catch the sunrise may be more challenging with kids, but we used the fact that our kids had not fully adjusted to the time change to our advantage.  We were prepared for chilly temperatures with winter coats, hats and gloves.  This is a heavily wooded area, and our boys enjoyed climbing some low trees while waiting for the sun to make its appearance.

    • Grandview Point Facts:  The Spanish are believed to have first seen the Grand Canyon from Grandview Point.  The original canyon lodge was originally at here as well.

     

    #4:  Eating at the Grand Canyon’s El Tovar Dining Room With Kids

    The El Tovar is a historic hotel that sits on the edge of the Grand Canyon.  El Tovar was designed by Charles Whittlesey, a famous southwest architect, and looks like a Swiss chalet from the exterior and a log-house on the interior.  We had an amazing lunch at the El Tovar Dining Room on Valentine’s Day.  While our group was strolling along the Rim Walk, I sped ahead of the our group to arrive before the restaurant opened for lunch service.  I gladly accepted the separate dining room that I was offered, which was perfect for our party of eight. We all enjoyed our lunch and made sure to sit on the front porch afterwards to take in the view.

    • El Tovar Facts:  El Tovar opened in 1905 before the area was designated as a protected national park and has been a National Historic Monument since 1987.

     

    #5:  Participating in the Grand Canyon’s Junior Ranger Program

    Like most National Parks, Grand Canyon offers a Junior Ranger program for its young visitors.  Our boys had previously earned Junior Ranger badges at Yosemite National Park and were excited to participate again. We picked up South Rim Junior Ranger Activity Book, and they each completed their age-appropriate activities.  Then, we attended a ranger-led program, and the two of them took the Junior Ranger pledge and earned their badges at the edge of the Grand Canyon.

    We discovered lots of fossils on our ranger-led program

    • Junior Ranger Facts:  The Junior Ranger motto is “Explore, Learn, and Protect!”  The Junior Ranger Pledge is, “As a Junior Ranger, I promise to teach others about what I learned today, explore other parks and historic sites, and help preserve and protect those places so future generations can enjoy them.”

    As part of the Every Kid in a Park program, all fourth grade students in the US can receive a free pass to visit all federal lands and water with their families, including National Parks, for one year.  My little guy who inspired this trip three years go just received his, and we can’t wait to put it to use.

    Grand Canyon National Park with kids is definitely bucket-list worthy for any family.  With easy trails and the Junior Ranger program, we found Grand Canyon kid-friendly.  It’s likely to be a destination that requires more than a “once in a lifetime” visit.  When traveling to the area, make sure to check out our other favorite Arizona and Nevada destinations.

  • Italy With Kids: Five Fun Family Day Trips from Tuscany

    Italy With Kids: Five Fun Family Day Trips from Tuscany

    Guest Blogger: Jade and Ryan were busy planning a month long trip away from home when they found out Jade was expecting. They didn’t let that deter them – they just brought along their three month old… For more on the Davies family, from East Gippsland, Victoria, Australia, follow them on Instagram.

    In April 2017, we spent six glorious days in Tuscany with our three month old infant, Henry. Our time in Tuscany was at the end of a month long vacation that began with five days in New York City and 14 days in the UK visiting family.

    Who spends a month living out of a suitcase with a three month old infant?

    We had just started planning our month long trip when we found out I was pregnant. Although we did pause, many times, and wonder whether we should just wait and take the trip when the baby was older, we really had no option to turn back or cancel the trip as we were traveling with family, and they had already booked their flights. So, we plowed on and continued making plans even though the trip would ultimately require us to live out of a suitcase for a month with a three month old infant!

    How did we prepare for a month long vacation?

    Prior to having kids, we had traveled extensively, but most of it was of the backpacking variety that did not require much prior planning or organization. Knowing that I would be traveling around the world with an infant, I thought maybe I should have more of a plan. So, I began first by researching transportation options to figure out the logistics of flying and traveling with an infant and all the items required. My biggest concern was how to transport our family while traveling with an infant – train? bus? taxi? car hire? We opted to rent a car and mostly used it to get around although buses and cars were our usual mode of transport before kids.

    How did we get to and get around in Italy?

    We flew from Bristol, UK to Pisa, Italy with Easyjet Airlines on an early morning direct flight that took just over two hours. This gave us a whole day of travel upon arrival. I happily grabbed the window seat, which I prefer as it tends to give us a little more room to stretch out, and Henry slept the whole way. I had already booked a car for pick up at the airport, and the rental car company provided a car seat, which we were able to install ourselves. Car seat laws differ by country and rental car companies don’t always provide car seats, so we inquired ahead of time.

    It was a one hour drive from the airport to where we were staying, and the car came equipped with a navigation system, which provided super easy instructions in English. Henry does not mind the car, so he slept most of the way.

    Where did we stay?

    We rented a gorgeous two-bedroom apartment on a hilltop overlooking Tuscany, located in Uzzano, a commune in the province of Pistoria. The apartment was truly amazing – it came equipped with a full kitchen, laundry, two bedrooms, and two bathrooms. We had plenty of space, which was great, as my parents were also traveling with us. The only downside to the apartment was its location – about an hour long drive to Florence and an hour to Pisa, so while this would not have been ideal if we had only been in Tuscany for a short time and/or did not want to rent a car, this was a great location for us because of the space and the amenities. We also spent one day in Uzzano, exploring the small town that consists of about four streets and a big church on the top of the hill. Henry needed a rest day after our day trip to Venice, so Uzzano was a great place to have a relaxing, low key day.

    Our apartment complex

     

    View from our home base.
    Our rest day in Uzzano.

    What did we do?

    Given the location of our accommodations and our use of a rental car, we decided to break out trip up into small day trips. Over the course of six days, we took day trips to various destinations around Italy. Although we frequently found ourselves wishing we had more than one day to explore any particular city, it was a good overview and having a designated place to sleep was nice, given that we were traveling with an infant.

    1. Pisa

    Our first adventure was to visit Pisa, a small walled city. We literally followed the road signs saying “Leaning Tower of Pisa” and the paid parking signs…. which led us to a parking spot right across the road from the famous tower. We paid 15 € to park there for the day and just took our stroller with us. The city was flat and easy to get around with the pram. We wandered around the Leaning Tower and the surrounding buildings and took all the cheesy tourist photos that you would expect… it had to be done. There was a one hour wait to get into the building itself, so we just looked from the outside. We enjoyed a sumptuous lunch of pizza, pasta and breads, from a restaurant on the street leading away from the tower. After lunch, we strolled the streets and just enjoyed the beautiful architecture, before grabbing gelato and heading back to the car.

    We had to!

    On the way back to the house, we stopped at Villa Garzoni, the beautiful home where Pinocchio author Carlo Lorenzini spent his childhood. It was about 22 € per person to enter, but well worth it. Collodi, the town where Villa Garzoni is located, is roughly one hour driving distance from Florence, but would also be a great day trip, especially for those traveling to Italy with older kids as there is a Pinocchio gallery to visit as well.

    Villa Garzoni

    2. Florence

    The city center of Florence is a no drive zone, so we had to park outside the city and walk. We parked at a parking lot near the train station, which cost about 20 € for the day. Knowing we would be doing a significant amount of walking, we took the stroller and used it heavily, including on the 15-20 minute walk from the train station into the heart of the city

    Our first stop in Florence was the Piazza di Santa Maria Novella, a city square that features Santa Maria Novella, a Gothic Renaissance basilica completed in the 14th century. We picked up a coffee before heading over to San Lorenzo Market. As we meandered along the winding streets, we stumbled across many beautiful buildings and churches.

    Once we arrived at San Lorenzo Market, we all enjoyed delicious pizza made from the fresh produce sold at the downstairs market. It was exciting to be in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the marketplace and we loved every minute of it. After lunch, we went on a mission to find the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, a Renaissance Palace that I learned about in school and was eager to visit. The Palace is now the seat of the Metropolitan City of Florence as well as a museum, and I was thrilled when we spotted a local artist showing her work in the downstairs gallery.

    San Lorenzo Market

    From the Medici Palace, we went to Santa Maria del Fiore (commonly known as the Duomo), which unfortunately, was completely booked and had a 2.5 hour long wait to tour. Traveling with an infant, we did not think it would be wise to wait, so we just enjoyed the beauty of the Duomo and adjacent Florence Baptistry from the outside. We were also disappointed that we did not get to tour Uffizi Gallery, which was closed for renovations.

    The magnificent Duomo

    During our day in Florence, we also crossed the Ponte Vecchio, a medieval stone closed-spandrel segmental arch bridge over the Arno River. We loved walking along the river, getting lost in the beauty, architecture, and culture of Florence. We made sure to enjoy gelato from one of the many shops around the city.

    Ponte Vecchio
    Gelato – yum!

    We also saw the replica of Michelangelo’s David at the Palazzo Vecchio. The original was originally placed at the same location but moved indoors to the nearby Galleria dell’Accademia for conservation.

    A replica of Michelangelo’s David

    Photo credit We Go With Kids

    Pro-Tip: We visited the first week of April, and there were so many tourists that we got blocked out of visiting many locations, like the Duomo. Be sure to pre-book any items that are on your bucket list to ensure the opportunity to visit.

    3. Cinque Terre

    La Spezia is located in the Liguria region of Northern Italy, and is the start of the Cinque Terre, a rugged portion of coast on the Italian Riviera that consists of five villages. It was a 90 minute drive from our house to La Spezia, which took a good chunk of time out of our day. Once we arrived in La Spezia, we took the train that departs from La Spezia station every 20-30 minutes and stops at every town along the Cinque Terre for those who don’t want to or can’t walk it. With an infant, we had no illusions of walking it and used the Ergo 360 on this day trip instead of the stroller for ease of maneuverability.

    Our first stop was at Monterosso al Mare, which happens to be the last town on the Cinque Terre line and the only town that has its own beach. We strolled the historic old town at our own leisurely place and enjoyed popping in to visit beautiful old churches.

    From Monterosso al Mare, we boarded the train to Vernazza, the quintessential Cinque Terre town. We enjoyed lunch at one of the restaurants leading down tot he waterfront and afterwards, walked up the cliff side overlooking the town.

    Unfortunately, by the time we stopped to check our watches, it was time to jump back on the train to La Spezia and drive back home for a late dinner. I wish we had one extra day to explore the other towns, but the distance from our home base was just too great. I was glad to use the carrier, rather than the stroller because most of the towns along the Cinque Terre were on the side of a cliff and maneuvering the stroller on/off the train would have been not only tricky, but exhausting.

    4. Venice

    Our day trip to Venice was long as it began with a one hour long drive from our house to Florence, and then a two-hour train ride to Venice. Henry hated the train and was very upset during the entire ride, which I spent walking him up and down the aisles to try and calm him down.

    We arrived in Venice at 10 am, which gave us plenty of time to explore and take our time strolling around the canals and taking in the stunning architecture. There were tons of restaurants and churches on every corner, so definitely take your time and enjoy the sights. One easy way to cover a lot of ground is to go on a gondola ride, but we found on a previous trip that it was beneficial to negotiate with a vendor instead of just using the first one that you see, as they will likely spot that you’re a tourist and charge you quite a bit more than if you just put in some leg work.

    Pro-Tip: Avoid taking your stroller to Venice, if possible. We brought our stroller because of forecasted rain and cold temperatures but had trouble managing with it over the bridges and stairs. It would have just been easier to use a baby carrier instead. It can be extremely expensive to stay in Venice, but take a look at main land options and consider catching a ferry/boat or train across to spend the day in Venice.

    5. Montecatini Terme and San Gimignano

    We spent our last day in Tuscany visiting the towns of Montecatini Terme and San Gimignano. Montecatini was close to our home base in Uzzano, so we thought this would be a great location to visit. The town was filled with stunning old bath houses and the landscape was gorgeous; unfortunately, they were still closed for the season. I would highly recommend visiting Montecatini and its bath houses in the summer.

    On a whim, we decided to drive to San Gimignano, because it was so close to Montecatini. WOW, am I glad we did! San Gimagnano is a small walled medieval town perched on top of a hill. We took advantage of the public parking (5-10€ for the day), but you can also just catch a bus into the city or walk. We arrived just in time for lunch and ate at a restaurant in the Sant’Agostino Square. The weather was absolutely brilliant, so we sat outside and had pizza and drank vino. Afterwards, we walked the streets and did some last minute shopping, while on the hunt for the world’s best gelato.

    Final Thoughts

    We ate a lot of pizza, wine, and gelato during our time in Italy, but we love Italian and the food was amazing. While we did eat a lot, we also felt like we did so much walking that we burned off quite a few calories. Because we visited touristy locations, we did not experience any language barriers. It was easy to buy diapers and wipes locally. If we went back, we would prefer to stay in metropolitan areas and spend more time exploring each city. The rental car was convenient, but we might try exclusively using trains next time. Although we did a lot of driving, we loved every minute of it and definitely recommend exploring Italy with kids.