-
5 Reasons to Travel in Fall
Fall’s official, folks. The leaves are drifting, the winds are blowing and besides, the calendar says so. Autumn’s a fabulous time to travel in the Pacific Northwest and Canada with kids, and here’s why: 1. Value. Prices in the “shoulder season” tend to be about 25-30% less than in summer. Look for discounts in popular, expensive summer destinations — Washington’s islands, Oregon’s coast and Vancouver Island. Whistler, in BC, is between ski and summer seasons and hotel prices reflect that reality. City prices drop, too. Even if it’s raining, there are always scores of kid-friendly indoor museums and attractions to keep you warm and dry. 2. Leaf-peeping. Much of Cascadia’s…
-
Museum Madness: Free Northwest museum entry on September 25
On September 25, 2010, you and a guest can gain free entry to one of the Pacific Northwest’s fabulous museums, thanks to the Smithsonian Magazine’s Museum Day. Go to the site to see the complete list, but for family-friendly options, here are my picks and why you should go: Hands On Children’s Museum in Olympia, Washington, for general fun. Fort Nisqually Living History Museum, in Tacoma, Wash., for pioneers. Washington State History Museum in Tacoma, for two floors of hands-on history. KidsQuest Children’s Museum in Bellevue, Wash., for more little-kid options. Nordic Heritage Museum, in Seattle, for vikings and a Lego warrior ship. Seattle Art Museum, for oddball modern art…
-
Seaside, Oregon with Kids
Fall might be the perfect time to hit the beach. At least according to Jackie Boucher, a Vancouver, BC mom who also blogs at Wee Life (and that beautiful blog is more than a wee bit addictive). Last year, Jackie traveled over six hours to reach the gorgeous Oregon Coast, along with her husband Adrian and their son, Spenser, then age 5. The family loved their destination, the outrageous family-fun town of Seaside. “It was quirky and kitschy and fun with loads of stuff for kids,†Jackie says. Jackie and hubby had been to the Oregon Coast before, pre-baby Spenser. But back then, the coast was only a stopover on…
-
How Did You Spend Your Summer Vacation?
Yes, this is just like a Cliff Notes vesion of “What I did on my summer vacation†essay you remember from a few years (or decades) ago. Where did you go this summer? A new coast escape? A time-treasured family cabin? Someplace close? A day trip? A weekend getaway or two weeks away? I visited a few spots, too, mostly for work. It was a mix of day-long road trips, weekend getaways and one or two longer sojourns. Our last trip logged an extra 821 miles on our long-suffering Honda. So look for family travel blog posts in the near future on: Semiahmoo Resort, Washington Whistler, BC. Kitsap Peninsula, Washington…
-
The I-5 Drive: Stops from Portland to Seattle
Three hours is just too long to sit in the car. The infamous slog between Seattle and Portland invariably adds a few more hours due to bizarre traffic snafus. (What is the energy vortex causes the mysterious slowdowns in Tacoma, Olympia and Chehalis, anyhow?) Put it all together, and you’ve got a real tantrum starter for parents and kids alike. Unless you give up for a little bit, pull over and chill out. Here are a few of our favorite kid-friendly stops along the Seattle-to-Portland I-5 route. Exit 7: Burgerville. This Salmon Creek Burgerville (on the edge of Portland) is a fast-food diner that thinks it’s a restaurant – thank…
