Family Travel Ideas
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Aquariums to Volcanoes: 25 spring break ideas
So, what are you doing for spring break? A whole week — and me without plans. So I came up with a list of 25 great ways to spend your family time, from half-day museum visits to multi-day resort experiences. 1. Go tidepooling at Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach, Ore, Shi Shi Beach, Wash., or Botanical Beach in Port Renfrew, BC. 2. You’ve done 3D – now go for the 4D experience at the Vancouver Aquarium in Vancouver, BC. 3. Spend the night on an active volcano — sleep at the National Park Inn on Mt. Rainier. 4. Skip the petting zoo and go on a farm stay. 5. Park your…
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10 Tips for Enjoying Farmers Markets with Kids
Wherever our family travels in Washington, Oregon and BC, we always visit a produce market. Almost every destination offers a farmers’ market, whether the big-city Pike Place Market or the tiny, thriving Cannon Beach Farmers’ Market. In fact, we find farmers’ markets so fun that we sought them out in Paris (mmm, stanky cheese!), Provence (chickpea crepes) and Italy (fresh tomatoes). Here are my tips for enjoying farmers’ markets with kids: Check the market’s website before you head out the door. Use the site to pull together a scavenger hunt for in-season produce, print out maps, look for coupons or find out when a children’s performer will be on the…
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Packing Checklist for NW and BC Vacations
Our weather is unpredictable but our climate is mild. We dress in layers, and prep for rain and sun. The Cascadia uniform: T-shirt, hoodie, rain-proof jacket, jeans, water-repellent shoes. The Pacific Northwest dress code is casual and natural. We wear a lot of dark and vibrant colors. White, not so much. In the cities, women don’t typically wear much make up. We wear jeans to fine restaurants and yoga pants pretty much everywhere else (I’ve shown up to pick up my kids from school in my pajamas, and no one even noticed — or maybe they were just too Seattle-nice to say anything to my face). If you look in…
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13 iPhone Apps for Your NW Trip
Need ferry fares, Oregon traffic maps or the Spokane weather forecast? There’s an app for that. Need the kids to chill on the long I-5 drive? There’s a nap for that. Here are 13 apps to consider for your trip in and around Washington, Oregon and BC. You’ll find all in the iTunes Store. A caveat: If you plan to use a web-boosted app in a country not included in your iPhone coverage, find out how much it’ll cost you to use your data plan. ————————————– 1. Â BorderWait by RBJZ Post Industries |Â $0.99 This app displays times at the American/Canadian border, so you can decide which crossing to take. Locals…
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Farm Stays with Kids in Washington, Oregon and British Columbia
Reader Question: Where can I vacation in a family-friendly bed and breakfast — on a working farm — in Washington State, Oregon or British Columbia? – Juliana, mom of two kids (5 and 1), Seattle, Wash. ———————————————- Thanks for the great question! Here’s a quick rundown of what I found online. Unlike larger hotels, most bed and breakfasts do not allow children to stay free, but you’ll get a cool experience in exchange. Because few are listed on sites like Tripadvisor.com, I might call to speak with the owners, and ask for a reference if you’d like to hear from someone who enjoyed their visit. British Columbia family-friendly farm stay:…
