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Spotlight: Phoenix Art Musuem With Kids
The Phoenix Museum of Art is the Southwest’s largest museum for visual arts. It attracts highly acclaimed temporary exhibitions, but also houses a permanent collection of contemporary European and American art. The Museum offers voluntary donation hours throughout the month. When in Phoenix, it’s definitely worthwhile to stop at the Phoenix Museum of Art with kids.
- Kid Facts: The Phoenix Art Museum opened in 1959, just 47 years after Arizona became the 48th state to join the US.
Visiting the Phoenix Art Museum With Kids

The Phoenix Art Museum’s family focused activities are outlined in the Museum’s “I’m Here With Kids” pamphlet. The Museum offers Discount Tire Free Family Weekends every second weekend of the month and also Make It!, which includes hands-on activities on the last Wednesday of the month (during the Museum’s voluntary donation hours). The unique outdoor sculpture garden is a highlight for those visiting with kids, especially Sui Jianguo’s Jurassic Age sculpture of a caged red dinosaur. This sculpture is reminiscent of Clifford, the big red dog and particularly interesting to kids.

The Museum’s child-focus extends to the James K. Ballinger Interactive Gallery (aka the Hub). The Hub offers an open area with stadium seating, bright paintings and books for kids to interact with art at their own pace.
- Kid Facts: The current exhibit on display in the Hub is Poetry in Motion, which includes works of art that use line, color, shape and form to as poetic reflections of the world.
Favorite Exhibits at the Phoenix Art Museum With Kids

Our favorite exhibit was Carlos Amorales’ Black Cloud, which is on display at the Phoenix Art Museum for one year. Black Cloud includes 25,000 black paper moths and butterflies affixed to gallery walls. Mexican artist Carlos Amorales was inspired by the annual migration of monarch butterflies and conceived of a plague of moths swarming through the Museum. The sheer number of moths and butterflies is overwhelming and reminded me of an eerie scene from Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds, but the beauty and detail of each individual insect was stunning.
- Kid Facts: This is the second time that Black Cloud, which premiered in 2007, has been on display at the Phoenix Art Museum. More than 30 different species of moths and butterflies are depicted.
Gilbert Stuart’s painting of George Washington definitely required a double take. This was one of Stuart’s paintings of Washington that served as a basis for the image that appears on the front of the one dollar bill. I found $1 in my handbag to compare.
- Kid Facts: Artist Gilbert Stuart is best known for his unfinished painting of George Washington known as The Athenaeum, which is the basis for the 75 copies, including this one.
Yayoi Kusama’s You Who Are Getting Obliterated in the Dancing Swarm of Fireflies is a mixed-media installation with LED lights on exhibit through 2020. This was definitely a surreal installation and disorienting at first. Kusama was inspired by a Japanese folk tale about a person in a field with 10,000 fire flies. Kusama brings the tale to life in a dark, mirrored room with dangling LED lights. It is one of the few art exhibits in which “do not touch” does not apply. It is impossible not to touch a few of the thousands dangling lights while weaving through the installation. Photographs just cannot do this exhibition justice. It has to be experienced in person.
- Kid Facts: Kusama is a contemporary artist and is one of the most well-known living Japanese artists.
Cornelia Parker’s Mass (Colder Darker Matter) was another favorite exhibit, which was made from burnt wood of a Texas Baptist church struck by lightning, wire and string. The burnt wood appears to float in place in mid-air and is stunning to view from many angles.
- Kid Facts: When Cornelia Parker was nominated for the Turner Prize in 1997, she exhibited Mass (Colder Darker Matter). The Turner Prize is the UK’s most prestigious art honor that is awarded annually to a British visual artist by the Tate. The only time the Turner Prize shortlist included only female artists was in 1997.
The Phoenix Museum of Art features artists from the American Southwest and Mexico, as well of area landscapes. We particularly enjoyed Thomas Moran’s Zoroaster Temple at Sunset, which magnificently captures the Grand Canyon.
- Kid Facts: Thomas Moran was a landscape artist famous for his paintings of Yellowstone. He first traveled to the Grand Canyon in 1873 to document this natural wonder and completed this painting in 1916.
Phoenix Museum of Art With Kids

We were glad we stopped at the Phoenix Museum of Art and definitely suggest planning a visit to the Phoenix Museum of Art with kids for a wonderful educational experience about art and the Southwest. While we had only had a few hours in Phoenix during this visit, we can’t wait to check out all the other family-friendly things to do in Phoenix the next time we are in town.

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!
March 5, 2018
Spotlight: Frying Pan Park With Kids

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

My youngest was able to get up close and personal with a horse on our last visit to Frying Pan Farm.

New spring lambs, born just a few days before our visit.

Making use of the conveniently located slats to peek at livestock.

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

“Driving” his tractor.

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

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

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

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

March 3, 2018
Travel Tips: The Ultimate Packing List For Vacations With Kids

Packing is an important travel skill that became more complicated when we started traveling with kids. Through my years of traveling before kids, including weeks spent backpacking in Europe, I learned to be an efficient but comprehensive packer without using an actual list. Before I used a packing list for family travel, it was challenging to make sure we had everything we were likely to need, but not too much more. This ultimate packing list for vacations with kids has been a game changer and helped me efficiently pack for any family trip.

The Packing List for Family Vacations

I now pack for myself and my three kids when we travel as a family. My love of charts, Excel and to do lists combined when I created my first packing list for our trip to Orlando in October 2011 but only recently realized that they were a “thing.” I use my two-sided packing list to prepare for all of our family trips. The first side includes miscellaneous items that we need to make sure to take. The second side covers person-specific items of clothes and gear with columns for each of my three kids and myself. By using tally marks to identify the number of each item already packed, I can quickly determine how many of each item that I have for each person and who still needs pajamas or socks. I create outfits as I add items and try to pack basic wardrobe pieces when possible so that matching isn’t an issue. There have definitely been times when something was missed because I didn’t double-check the list, but those oversights are now less frequent.

Using a packing list is more essential when traveling to an area where essentials may not be readily available. Our resorts in Riviera Maya have had gift shops with slim selection and high prices for any forgotten items, and coin laundry was not available. We needed snorkeling gear, sand toys, swimwear, evening attire, traveling clothes, emergency medicines and diapers and wipes for 10 days. By using a packing list, I came home with some, but not many extra diapers and wipes. Luckily, no desperate trips to the gift shop were needed because the diapers size I needed was not available!

Because tally marks are used to identify how many of each item I have already packed, I use the same list for a short weekend getaway as well as a trip abroad. I am constantly adding and deleting items as our family’s needs change. I’ve included sub-lists for beach, baby and gear that are not needed for every trip, but it’s easier to cross off items that will not be needed than to try to remember what I might need for each type of trip.

Packing Efficiently for Family Vacations

Efficient packing helps us avoid the frustration of lugging around more than we need. Because the discount airlines that we often fly have steep charges for any luggage bigger than a backpack, packing light actually saves us money, too. We avoid luggage fees and have invested in suitcases of varying sizes so that we always have the largest possible option permissible. When recently traveling to Treasure Island and Clearwater for three nights, we traveled only with one backpack/personal item each and paid no luggage fees. On our trip to Iceland in 2017, we also each carried a small backpack containing the majority of our own clothes. Our coats, inflatable BubbleBum car seats, shoes and excess clothing and gear were all combined into a single checked suitcase. So, we only needed a one checked suitcase for a 10-day tour of Iceland for five of us, and we still definitely had more than we needed.

Packing for Trips with Infants and Toddlers

Infants and toddlers have unique packing needs and therefore a dedicated section on our packing list template. Good thing that their clothes are small because the rest of their items tend to be bulky. Make sure to pack a significant number of outfits, considering unexpected diaper leaks. With babies, there are also necessities that must be available at all times like diapers and wipes that I always remember to pack more than I anticipate needing, especially when traveling to a location where they are not widely available.

Our kids sometimes require excess baggage for sleepovers with their grandparents

Packing List for Family Beach Vacation

Because beach vacations require specific equipment and attire, we have dedicated a separate section on the our packing list template focusing on beach packing needs.

Why We Love Our Packing List for Traveling With Kids

Using a packing list helps make travel preparation easier and travel more comfortable even less expensive. Intrigued about what our free printable family packing list template looks like? Take a peek at our WGWK Ultimate Packing List (PDF) and WGWK Ultimate Packing List (Word) and personalize for an upcoming trip.

Check out our other Travel Tips for more advice about traveling with kids.

February 27, 2018
Los Angeles With Kids: Five More Fun Family Activities
With a population of 39.5 million, California is the most populous state in the country with three million residents more than all of Canada. Los Angeles is home to nearly four million residents and the greater metropolitan area (including Long Beach) boasts a population of 18.7 million people. It’s no surprise that there is tons of fun stuff to do in Los Angeles with kids! In fact, earlier this year, Catherine, her mom, and her son shared Five Fun Family Activities in Los Angeles from a combined work/leisure trip. Here, I’d like to share with you Five More Fun Family Activities!

#1: Long Beach

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

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

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

#2: Huntington Library

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

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

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

#3: Hike the San Gabriel Mountains

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

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

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

Pro Tip:
- A National Forest Adventure Pass is required to park at the trail head. These can be purchased at a small shop located near the official parking area, although you can also just pay either $5 or $10 (depending on availability) to park at the small shop, which is privately owned and managed.
- Parking does fill up quickly in the mornings.
- Pack plenty of water – there are no fountains or amenities available once you begin your hike.
For those with older kids (teenager+), definitely consider using Chantry Flat as the base for a longer hike. My husband and I recently did the 16-mile round trip hike to the Mount Wilson Observatory, via Chantry Flat. It’s a steep climb (nearly 4,000 feet elevation gain) over 7-8 miles and the ledges are tight, so this is not something I would attempt with a toddler or even most elementary aged children. However, the views of Downtown Los Angeles are spectacular on a clear day.

View of Downtown Los Angeles along the Upper Wilson Creek Trail

#4: Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanical Gardens

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

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

#5: Travel Town located in Griffith Park

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

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

source

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

I hope you enjoyed my list of Five More Fun Family Activities in Los Angeles! Be sure to check out the original list of Five Fun Family Activities in Los Angeles and our entire category of posts on Los Angeles and California before your next trip to the Sunshine State with kids!
February 25, 2018
A Weekend in Treasure Island, Florida

After a few months of winter in Cleveland, our family jumped at the chance to take a last-minute trip to central Florida in early February. We have planned family vacations with as little as a few weeks notice in the past. But, booking flights for our family of five less than six days before our departure was a new record for us. While flight and hotel deals are sometimes available for last-minute travelers, we were not lucky enough to score an amazing deal. We were just glad that we could take advantage of a few days off and get some natural vitamin D and family down time. Our three kids (ages 10, 7 and 3) are always up for any adventure, especially if it involves sand and sun, and they were ecstatic about our surprise trip to visit Treasure Island in Florida!

A Family Trip to Treasure Island Florida

We flew to Tampa on Spirit Airlines because their direct flights from Cleveland had the most convenient times for our three-night trip. For the first time, we traveled without any checked or carry-on luggage. We brought only one backpack/personal item each but had sand toys and more clothes than we needed (thanks to our tailored packing list).

Where is Treasure Island, Florida?

Treasure Island is a barrier island west of St. Petersburg, Florida and about 30 minutes from the Tampa International Airport.

Review of the Treasure Island Beach Resort in Florida

There are many great options for Treasure Island, Florida hotels. We wanted to stay at a resort right on the Gulf Coast and didn’t consider any of the plethora of VRBO or Airbnb options. By the time we booked our trip, many hotels in the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area were already full. We totally lucked out when we found a room at Treasure Island Beach Resort. This property appealed to us because we wanted a beach-front property but at a quieter beach with a great pool and nearby restaurants. Treasure Island Beach Resort ticked all of those boxes and more. This property was probably the newest resort we have ever stayed it having just opened in March 2016. It is so new that Google Satellite does not yet show the completed resort.

Watching sunset at Treasure Island beach

Treasure Island Beach Resort was designed specifically to cater to the wants and needs of family travelers. The interior art deco design features modern whites and blues. Each of its 77 suites has a kitchenette, its own patio with either Adirondack chairs or a small dining table and a view of the Gulf. The bathrooms are impeccably appointed and large. Parking at the ground-level garage, pool towels and bottled water are all included in the resort fee. The lobby offers chocolate chip cookies and fruit punch all-day long.

We booked a room with a king bed and pull-out couch but were ecstatic to be upgraded to a suite upon our arrival. Edwin, the resort’s bellman extraordinaire, enthusiastically escorted us to our fourth-floor suite, which included two identical bathrooms, full kitchen facilities, a living/dining room with a pull-out couch and a separate bedroom with a king bed and bathroom. It also featured two chests of drawers (each of our kids had 1-2 drawers of their own) and two flat screen televisions.

As Edwin showed us our suite, he joked with the kids that the bathroom on the living room side of the suite was for their use only and that they should not use the adults’ bathroom. My daughter, the perpetual rule-follower, took his words as law and absolutely refused to use the bathroom off the bedroom, even when it was more convenient. Edwin was a joyful presence throughout our stay and definitely a highlight of the resort.

We felt right at home in our luxurious and spacious suite. The 2018 Winter Olympics started on the day of our arrival, and we enjoyed watching the nightly coverage as a family. We ended up bringing in take-out two of our three nights, and the in-room refrigerator and microwave allowed us to bring home leftovers and eat them for breakfast and snacks, which we could enjoy at the patio table or in the living area.

Treasure Island Beach Resort’s Pool

The pool deck was exactly what we were looking for. The heated pool was located at the far edge of the deck with a plexi-glass wall that gave the effect of an infinity pool. We also thoroughly enjoyed the hot tub and the fire pit area. The lounge chairs were not only pretty but also comfortable, and most had a view of the Gulf. Very attentive servers were available to bring food and drinks from the bar.

The pool at Treasure Island Beach Resort

The view from our balcony at Treasure Island Beach Resort

Things to Do in Treasure Island, Florida

Visit the Beach in Treasure Island, Florida

The Treasure Island beach is set back farther than others we have visited. From the resort, we had to cross a small pathway to reach the beach, and from there, it was still a bit of a hike to the water. We spent time on the beach each of our days in Florida but only rented an umbrella and chairs on the one day that we really dedicated to Treasure Island beach when we spent the afternoon with cousins who are lucky to call central Florida home. A trip to the beach is so much more fun when you have friends to enjoy it with you.

Splashing in the water at the Treasure Island beach

I enjoyed visiting with my cousins while we watched the kids play.

The sand at Treasure Island beach is not quite as pristine as it is at Clearwater Beach, but it was a much better beach for collecting shells. It was great fun to examine shells and pick out our favorite ones to carry back with us. I also brought home a bit of some sand. Now, if I could only be crafty enough to create a really great ongoing beach in a bottle souvenir to commemorate our beach trips….

Restaurants in Treasure Island, Florida

We did not venture very far from our resort for meals, but we still found a number of family-friendly restaurants. Some of our favorites include:

VIP Lounge & Mexican Restaurant in Treasure Island

We had a lovely lunch at the VIP Lounge & Mexican Restaurant and were lucky to catch $3 margarita day. The margaritas (and fajitas, quesadillas and chips) were delicious. Their steak, which was expertly prepared and served in strips, was a particular highlight. We ate outside on the back patio, which was a special treat considering our plane required de-icing before departure from Cleveland. The servers were also jovial and attentive. It was a memorable meal that happened to coincide with the NBA trade deadline. My son was wearing his Isaiah Thomas jersey, and a server stopped by and told him that Thomas had just been traded to LA. I checked my phone and found that the news literally broke only a few minutes before. By the time we finished our meal, five other Cavs players had also been traded. The boys were initially bummed, especially because they had attended the Cavs game the night before and watched an amazing overtime win, but fingers crossed that it’s a positive move for the team. We liked VIP so much that we picked up take-out another night.

Britt’s Coal Fire Pizza in Treasure Island

Because the kids were ready to relax and watch the Olympics after we finally made it in from the pool and hot tub, we picked up a few pizzas from Britt’s Coal Fire Pizza, located from across the street and enjoyed them in our suite.

Captain Bill’s Beach Kitchen

We had lunch at Capt. Bill’s Beach Kitchen with our cousins. Capt. Bill’s was conveniently located within walking distance of our resort. The restaurant was undergoing new management, but provided lovely food and atmosphere, complete with live music.

Salty Rim Grill in Treasure Island

We ventured out to the Salty Rim Grill on our last night in Florida. The Grill is located on the Intercoastal, and we had a view of the water from our patio table. They offered kids’ meals and seafood.

The beach and hotel pool were the biggest draws for our family during our weekend stay in in Treasure Island, but we also enjoyed a side trip to nearby Clearwater.

Visiting Treasure Island, Florida

Treasure Island with kids was the perfect location for a weekend family getaway at the beach. We’d all go back in a heartbeat.

Doesn’t a beach vacation sound amazing? Be sure to check out our posts on nearby Clearwater with kids and our entire category of posts on things to do and places to visit in Florida with kids.

February 23, 2018
Spotlight: Renwick Gallery With Kids
The Smithsonian Institute is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex. Anyone who has visited a Smithsonian museum knows that they offer an unparalleled opportunity to see just about everything from dinosaurs to America’s founding documents and all at the low low price of free. Yes, in case you did not catch that, the Smithsonian museums are free (including the National Zoo)! I’ve already featured visits to the various Smithsonian museums in Washington, DC, including the Udvar-Hazy Center, the Portrait Gallery and the Botanical Gardens, but today, I want to encourage those contemplating a visit to Washington, DC to move beyond the more popular Smithsonian tourists offerings and explore a hidden gem that those of us who live in DC love and visit: The Renwick Gallery with kids!

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

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

We took a little break to enjoy this colorful red chair!

My toddler, standing in the middle of the room and taking in the whole experience.

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

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

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

Every so often, we encounter a place that is so fabulous for those traveling with kids that it is worthy of being featured on its own. For more fabulous locations, please check out our other Spotlight features!
February 21, 2018
Spotlight: Clearwater Marine Aquarium With Kids
Thank you to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium for hosting our family’s visit. All opinions are my own.

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is not a typical aquarium. It allows visitors to spend time with rescued and awe-inspiring animals while maintaining an educational focus and throwing in a bit of Hollywood. We have been to many wonderful aquariums that offer amazing displays of marine life. Unlike almost every other aquarium, however, Clearwater Marine Aquarium does not buy, breed or sell any animals and is dedicated to the rehabilitation and release of rescued marine animals. The only permanent residents are animals who have some permanent condition that precludes a safe release. Clearwater Marine Aquarium is not only the home of Winter, the world-famous bottlenose dolphin who overcame all odds after losing her tail and uses a prosthetic tail, but is also the main filming location of two movies about Winter, Dolphin Tale and Dolphin Tale 2. We definitely recommend visiting the Clearwater Marine Aquarium with kids!
- Kid Facts: Clearwater Marine Aquarium opened in a former water treatment facility in 1979.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium With Kids – Dolphin Tale

The number of visitors to Clearwater Marine Aquarium grew exponentially since the debut of the Dolphin Tale movies. As a result, expansion seemed inevitable, and Clearwater Marine Aquarium has been careful to maintain its education focus and not venture into theme park territory. The parking garage was completed in 2017, and construction began on the two-year expansion of the Aquarium in December 2017 that is expected to be complete by January 2020. Temporarily, visitors parking in the garage need to walk alongside the construction zone to reach the Aquarium. The kids enjoyed following Winter’s signs to the temporary entrance.
- Kid Facts: Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s expansion includes two four-story buildings and a new dolphin habitat.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium With Kids – Winter the Dolphin

The highlight of Clearwater Marine Aquarium is definitely the Winter Zone, which is home to both Winter and Hope, the stars of Dolphin Tale and Dolphin Tale 2. Winter was rescued in December 2005 after being entangled in a crab trap near Cape Canaveral in 2005 when she was only two months old. Because the entanglement cut off circulation to her tail flukes, her tail ultimately deteriorated and caused her to swim unnaturally. Winter was not expected to survive, and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium received recommendations to euthanize her after her rescue. However, she persevered and overcame incredible odds. Hanger Prosthetics created a silicone-and-plastic tail with a specially-designed gel sleeve that allowed her to swim properly.

Winter – Photo courtesy of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium
- Kid Facts: Dolphin calves usually spend their first few years with their mothers, learning important survival skills. Because Winter was separated from her mother at about two months and had a prosthetic tail, she was not a candidate for release and became a permanent resident at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium With Kids – Winter’s Inspiration

Winter has become an inspiration to children and adults with medical conditions or disabilities. People travel from all over the world to meet Winter, and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium displays pictures and cards from inspired visitors and friends in Winter’s Gallery of Hope. Winter also made quite an impression on my kids. My daughter sleeps with her Winter souvenir every night.
- Kid Facts: Clearwater resident Maja Kazazic lost her leg at age 16 when she was injured by a motor shell rocket grenade in Bosnia. She was inspired by Winter and wanted the same doctor who treated Winter. Hanger Prosthetics also made her a prosthetic leg with the same type of gel originally created for Winter. Maja volunteers at Clearwater Marine Aquarium weekly and is a motivational speaker.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium With Kids – Hope the Dolphin

Hope was rescued from the Indian River Lagoon December 2010 as an orphaned dolphin attempting to nurse from her mother, who had died after becoming beached. Because her mother died before teaching her important survival skills, Hope was also not a candidate for release. Before our trip, we watched Dolphin Tale 2, which includes a dramatization of Hope’s rescue. We enjoyed watching Hope’s feeding during our visit.

Maintaining its educational focus, Clearwater Marine Aquarium never requires its animals to “perform” for visitors. However, dolphin Nicholas enjoys showing off for visitors. Nicholas is also a bottlenose dolphin who was rescued with his mother on Christmas Eve in 2002 when he was about six months old. His mother, Noelle, died a few days later but Nicholas was left with severe sunburn. When his burns healed, Nicholas like Winter and Hope, was not a candidate for release due to his separation from his mother at such a young age. We were lucky to watch one of his presentations during our visit.
- Kid Facts: Nicholas has successfully predicted the outcome to many national championships and portrayed Mandy in Dolphin Tale 2.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium is an animal hospital and constantly treating rescued animals. We got to see the Surgical Suite, which was featured as a movie set in Dolphin Tale 2 as a turtle ICU.
- Kid Facts: This surgical suite was the set for Dolphin Tale 2 scenes featuring medical care for the sea turtle, Mavis. Permanent resident, Harold, played Mavis. Harold was rescued in 2010 and is non-releasable because of vision impairment.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium With Kids – Turtle Rescues

At Clearwater Marine Aquarium, we also learned about turtle rescues. Many turtles were effected by the recent cold weather in Florida and brought in for rehabilitation. By the time of our visit in February, 80 rescued turtles came to Clearwater Marine Aquarium in 2018, compared to a total of 79 in all of 2017. Additionally, 39 turtles had already been released this year, compared to 29 in 2017.
- Kid Facts: Clearwater Marine Aquarium released 29 green sea turtles effected by cold temperatures on nearby Honeymoon Island on January 25, 2018.
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium also treats many green turtles infected with the fibropapilloma virus that causes benign tumors on soft tissues. These highly contagious tumors can be removed with laser therapy, and cured turtles can be released back into the ocean. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is participating in research to find the cause of the fibropapilloma virus and why it typically effects only green turtles. Because the fibropapilloma virus is highly contagious, infected turtles are quarantined in tanks separated from turtles rescued for other purposes.
- Kid Facts: Current research suggests that the fibropapilloma virus may be connected to agriculture and waste-water runoff.
Mavis’ Rescue Hideaway features Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s resident sea turtles, including Harold. Divers were doing a scuba presentation during our visit.
- Kid Facts: On Valentine’s Day, a Clearwater Marine Aquarium volunteer was married in an underwater wedding in the Aquaium’s turtle habitat.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium With Kids – Pelicans

We also met Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s pelicans. Matthew and Tyndall reside in Rufus Beach, which was named for the pelican featured in the Dolphin Tale movies. Rufus was played by Ricky, one of Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s permanent residents, who resides in the new aviary with Skylar.
- Kid Facts: Pelicans are flighted birds that can have wingspans up to 11 feet.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium With Kids – Cooper and Walle

The kids also enjoyed otters Cooper and Walle at the Otter Oasis.
- Kid Facts: Walle is a five-year-old otter with more energy than fifteen-year-old, Cooper.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium With Kids – Dolphin Tale Memorabilia

Clearwater Marine Aquarium features lots of memorabilia from the Dolphin Tale movies and pictures from the films that were especially fun for my kids, who really enjoyed both movies.

Our favorite bit of memorabilia was the houseboat. Our amazing guide, Julia Anderson, expertly answered our countless questions about the movies and the Aquarium. We not got to see many of the animals featured in the movies but also learned a good deal of “fact v. fiction” about the movies. The movies maintain key elements, but there was some dramatization for Hollywood purposes.
- Kid Facts: The lookout on top of the houseboat frequented by Hazel in the Dolphin Tale movies was deemed too unsafe for filming. All scenes were filmed looking up into the lookout, which was actually placed on the ground.
Most aquariums are educational facilities that help visitors enhance their knowledge about marine life. Clearwater Marine Aquarium offered not only an educational experience but showcases inspirational examples of animal perseverance and the necessity to protect marine life. Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and release marine animals and also focuses on environmental conservation. Located about an hour from Tampa and two hours from Orlando, we totally recommend a trip to Clearwater Marine Aquarium with kids of all ages.

Every so often, we encounter a place that is so fabulous for those traveling with kids that it is worthy of being featured on its own. For more fabulous locations, please check out our other Spotlight features! Also, be sure to check out our post on Clearwater Beach with kids and our entire category of posts on things to do and places to visit in Florida with kids.
February 18, 2018
Visiting Clearwater Beach With Kids

A trip to the beach is relaxing at any time, but living in the snow belt, a few days at the beach in the middle of winter is especially restorative. We usually travel in the summer or over the kids’ Spring Break and somehow managed not to schedule a winter respite in a warm destination for a few years but rectified that mistake this year by booking flights to Tampa in February. My husband and I had never visited the Tampa area and particularly enjoy traveling to new places, While we stayed in Treasure Island, we spent a lovely afternoon at Clearwater Beach. Our three kids (aged 10, 7 and 3) are always up for any adventure, especially if it involves sand and sun, and we absolutely loved our visit to Clearwater Beach with kids.

Why to Visit Clearwater Beach, Florida

We decided to spend our long weekend on the barrier island just outside Tampa. While we stayed in Treasure Island, we spent an afternoon at Clearwater Beach, and scoped it out in anticipation of future visits. It’s no surprise that Clearwater Beach is consistently named as one of the best beaches in the US. With beautiful white sand beaches and clear Gulf waters lined with resorts, this truly is an amazing beach to visit. In 2016 and 2018, Clearwater Beach received the Traveler’s Choice Award for the best beach in the US by Trip Advisor. It’s no surprise that there are so many great things to do in Clearwater Beach and many options for Clearwater Beach hotels.

Lunch at Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill

Parking in Clearwater is limited, but we scored a spot in the hourly beach parking lot right next to Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill, where we had a magnificent lunch. Frenchy’s chain of restaurants in Clearwater have been an institution since 1981. Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill is so popular that there was a short wait for a table. Luckily, we had an amazing “waiting room” on the impeccable sand beach. As we were rinsing off our feet after a few minutes wading in the Gulf, the host called our name and led us to on the patio with a perfect beachfront view.

View from Frenchy’s patio

We all thoroughly enjoyed our meals, which started with grouper nuggets and Frenchy’s garlic crab fries as appetizers. My husband enjoyed the grouper nuggets so much that he ordered a second basket as his entrée. I had the delicious Caribbean jerk chicken sandwich, and my oldest son pretty much polished off his Angus tip sirloin. The kids’ menu was perfect for our two youngest, and the hurricanes were absolutely divine.

After lunch, we pulled the kids’ beach toys out of the trunk and headed back to the beach where we rented an umbrella and two beach chairs for the afternoon from the Palm Pavilion Beachside Bar. We were able to take advantage of the Palm Pavilion’s live musician featured as part of their Music on the Deck series.

Palm Pavilion

Things to Do at Clearwater Beach, Florida

It was heavenly to just kick back and relax while the kids engaged in some hard-core sand play. I may or may not have taken a short nap.

Sand fun

My view

Although the temperatures were in the high 70s, the water was a bit too chilly for me to do much more than dip my toes. But, there were people in the somewhat frigid water. My husband and sons braved the cold to join them and wandered out into the Golf at least waist deep. The waves were calm, and the water was crystal blue.

Clearwater Beach has such pristine white sand that feels like powder and was so comfortable under our feet. However, it was much busier than the beach at our resort and not ideal for collecting shells. The kids still found a few to add to our collection right at the water’s edge. We had a great time in Clearwater, Florida with kids.

We didn’t check out the Sunsets at Pier 60 Festival that offers music and artisans, street performers 364 nights a year (weather permitting) but certainly enjoyed watching the sunset over the Gulf every night and the sky light up in brilliant colors afterwards.

On our way back to our resort, we stopped at Ice & Cream for $3 hand spun milkshakes. that were the perfect ending to a magical day at the beach. As an added touch, the owner posts his personal mobile number in the store. Based on our pleasant experience, I’m guessing he doesn’t get many cries of outrage.

We recommend a visit to Clearwater with kids. Our family had a lovely evening and could easily spend a weekend in Clearwater. The beach was definitely more lively than our resort in Treasure Island, and it very well may be our next Florida beach destination.

Every so often, we encounter a place that is so fabulous for those traveling with kids that it is worthy of being featured on its own. For more fabulous locations, please check out our other Spotlight features! Also, be sure to check out our post on the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and our entire category of posts on things to do and places to visit in Florida with kids.

February 14, 2018
Southeast Ohio with Kids: Five Fun Family Activities!

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

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

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

#1: Bike Path / Brewery Tour

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

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

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

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

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

#2: Burr Oak Lake

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

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

#3: Experience the Country!

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

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

The giant hay spider at Libby’s!

Tractor rides are ALWAYS fun!

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

View of White’s Mill from across the Hocking River.

Enjoying some outdoor time with the chickens back at the house.

#4: Ohio University / Town of Athens

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

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

#5: Hocking Hills State Park

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

Ash Cave

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

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

February 11, 2018
South Korea with Kids: Five Fun Family Activities!

Guest Blogger: Melanie, her husband, and their spunky toddler, Miss C, are American ex-pats who live most of the year in Thailand. Like We Go With Kids, they recognize that having children doesn’t mean you lose your desire to travel and have reimagined traveling with kids to include destinations around the globe! Melanie’s journeys can be found on her blog, Adventure Family Life, and on Instagram.

South Korea Family Trip Blog

South Korea is a vibrant, modern country with plenty to offer any traveler. This is no less true for those traveling to South Korea with kids. Last October, we traveled to South Korea with our 21 month old Miss C, accompanied by friends and their nine-month old baby. Our group of six traveled by bus from city to city and used the city train and bus system within Seoul. For those who have never been to South Korea with kids, we were pleasantly surprised by how child-friendly South Korea is and encourage you to put it on your list of places to visit with kids! Here are my top tips for a South Korea family trip.

Row of shops in Sokcho, South Korea

Getting Around in South Korea With A Toddler

South Korea’s train system is one of the most affordable and comfortable ways to travel the country. Children under four travel free on trains when accompanied by an adult and children, and children ages four to 13, travel at half price. The train stations in larger cities such as Seoul, Yongsan, and Busan, have fabulous nursing rooms and the high-speed KTX train even has baby-changing and nursing rooms right on board. Most of South Korea is stroller-friendly, and subway stations have escalators and/or elevators that allow stroller users to easily navigate the station.

Buses are plentiful within major cities and, as an added bonus, children under age 7 can ride the bus and subways for free. This really helps makes a Korea family trip affordable!

Shopping in South Korea

Shops and department stores are extremely child-friendly. Many department stores and mega stores, like E-Mart and Lotte Mart, provide strollers for guests to borrow for free. Many stores also have children’s play areas for when children to use to burn off some energy.

Children’s items, especially clothing, can be very expensive in department stores. However, I found some great deals on some super-stylish children’s clothes the last time I was at Namdaemun Market, so it never hurts to look.

Restaurants in South Korea

Most restaurants have high chairs, but you will need to ask for them when you are being seated as they are not brought out automatically. If your child is not proficient at chopsticks, you can ask for a fork. More and more restaurants offer play areas for children, making dining out even more enjoyable for parents!

Things to Do in Korea with Kids

Throughout the country, you will find many different attractions that are geared towards children. Most of the popular attractions in Korea welcome children to come and play and learn. Here are a few of our favorite things to do in South Korea with kids:

#1: Theme Parks in South Korea

Photo credit: Image by Yoj Rasaili from Pixabay

There are a number of theme parks across South Korea that are perfectly suited for children of all ages. We visited Everland, one of the largest theme parks in the world, located about 25 miles away from Seoul in Yangin. The park is fun for the whole family, and there is plenty of tasty food for everyone to enjoy. There are activities for even the youngest visitors. As an added bonus, Korea’s theme parks have nursing rooms that are often even stocked with baby wipes and diapers just in case an emergency arises! My friend was able to nurse her nine-month old in public throughout our trip without any issues.

#2: Stay in a Traditional Korean Homestay

One of the most memorable experiences we had in South Korea was staying in a traditional Korean homestay, a hanok. There are many homestay options available in the older section of Seoul, and the some homes can be hundreds of years old! Most of the homes that are available for booking have been renovated to include indoor plumbing, but you can expect to find paper pasted walls, old-style furniture, and traditional decor (most homes do offer television and WiFi!). We originally booked our homestay online via booking.com. I simply read reviews and booked the one with the best reviews. We arrived at our original booking at around 9pm and the owner told us that our room was “broken,” but that his cousin had room for us, so we took a quick ride over to Gongsimga, which is where we ended up staying.

At Gongsimga, each room had private, en suite bathrooms and there were five or six separate bedrooms with private baths that each family could stay in. The rooms had WiFi and a small tv, but there was no furniture other than the bed on the floor. The family we stayed with absolutely adored our daughter. It was cold when we were there, but the rooms are heated via the traditional ondol method of floor heaters, and we slept on a mat on the floor, which kept us nice and toasty. While it may not be an option for everyone, if you happen to co-sleep already at home or when you travel, this may be an ideal set up for you because the rooms are designed for all guests to seep together in one bed on the floor.

Each morning, we had breakfast together with the hosts and other guests. Our hostess was very kind and prepared a special meal for Miss C every morning and made sure she had a comfortable place to sleep. They also helped us locate an open restaurant when we arrived late, without having eaten dinner. The homestay experience is definitely rustic and not for everyone, but we had fun. The only draw backs that I can think of are that the plugs were all Korean plugs (versus a modern hotel which would have traditional plugs) and although there was a small courtyard on property, it was not really a great place to relax. Also, the kitchen is not really open for use as the family lives/sleeps in the kitchen, so you definitely felt like you were invading their private space if you needed something from the kitchen. Luckily, we did not spend a ton of time there as we are pretty active travelers. For sleeping and breakfast, the homestay suited us just fine.

#3: Seoul Children’s Museum

The Seoul Children’s Museum is located within the National Museum of Korea and offers various cultural activities and programming for children. There are more than 100 interactive displays spread over three floors where kids can have so much fun that they won’t even know they are learning! As an added bonus, children under three are free. As a government-owned museum, the Seoul Children’s Museum an amazing experience offered by the government of South Korea for kids!

#4: Enjoy the Outdoors in South Korea

The Korean countryside is incredibly beautiful and has a lot to offer visitors by way of scenery. The time of year greatly affects where you will want to go and what outdoor activities you will want to engage in.

During the summer, head to the beaches. In the wintertime, check out the ski resorts. During the fall (when we visited), head to Sokcho, where you can visit Seoroksan National Park and catch some of the most incredible fall foliage in Asia.

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A post shared by Melanie Grosjean (@adventurefamilylife)

If you plan to spend all of your time in Seoul, you will have plenty of opportunities to experience nature as there is plenty of green space right in the city. One of the best views of the city can be enjoyed by taking a cable car to the top of Namsan mountain, also known as Seoul Tower.

View of the city from Seoul Tower

#5: Visit the DMZ with Kids

Korea’s Demilitarized Zone (“DMZ”) is a popular tourist attraction, but only children over age 10 are allowed to visit the Joint Security Area.

South Korea soldiers marching alongside the Freedom Bridge

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Although we were not able to visit the JSA because we were traveling with a toddler, there are numerous attractions in the DMZ area that you can visit with kids, such as observatories and infiltration tunnels. In an effort to save money, we tried to take a public city bus to the Mount Ohdu Unification Observatory, but ended up getting lost. It was pouring rain outside and we ended up at a random shopping mall, the Paju Outlets, which is located ridiculously close to the DMZ. Unfortunately, we were too tired and wet to continue trying to get to the Observatory and, by that time, my toddler was DONE! We did see some guard towers and barbed wires and, at one point, even glance into North Korea for a split second. In retrospect, I wish we had booked a tour instead of trying to save money and do it ourselves. Regardless, the point is that there are ways to experience the South Korea DMZ with kids and those on a family trip to Korea should make plans ahead of time to ensure success.

Final Thoughts About Traveling With Kids in Korea

All things considered, visiting South Korea with kids is a no-brainer as you would be hard pressed to find a destination anywhere on the planet that is more child-friendly. Koreans loved our daughter and spoiled her everywhere we went, thus giving her ample opportunities to experience Korean culture. As an added bonus, we were able to relax and enjoy the experience as it was so easy to get around and incredibly friendly to those of us traveling with young children. We spent a total of 10 days in South Korea, three in Seoul, four near Sokcho, then another three in Seoul. The language barrier in Seoul was not bad, and although bus drivers either did not speak English or were not willing to speak English, we had no difficulty getting around. I purchase a SIM card at the airport so I could use Google Maps to figure out the bus routes. There was less English spoken in Sokcho, but it did not prove to be that much of a problem as I had the SIM card.

Thanks to Melanie for sharing her South Korea family trip blog about South Korea with a toddler!

February 9, 2018