Welcome to 
I consider myself a bit of playground aficionado. I get tired of the same old lot with a couple of swings and a slide. If I feel this way, I imagine my children must as well, which is why I am always on the hunt for a new park to be discovered. This same sentiment holds true for when we travel. Parks are a great way to run out some extra energy after being in a car all day, wind down after a long day of exploring a city, or just catch a glimpse of some of the places that are held close in the hearts of local children.
Trekaroo member TravelMom has put together a great list of destination worthy playgrounds in the Greater Seattle/Pugent Sound area. This list is a great resource for families visiting the region and locals who are looking to spice their playground time up a bit. Just reading about the hill perfect for kite flying at Magnuson Park the salmon slide and faux tide pools at Carkeek Park, and the working farm at Kelsey Creek Park in Bellevue is enough to make me want to hope on a plane and head to the Pacific Northwest.
To read the entire list of parks in the Seattle area that you and your kids HAVE to visit, click here.
Do you have an outing that you would like to spotlight this week?
Perhaps its a post about a vacation you just took or a day trip that you think our readers should know about. Or maybe its a post about the vacation you are currently planning and going to book through Trekaroo! Link up something fresh from your blog using the Mr Linky below.
PLEASE READ AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS.
Step 1: Pick a recent post (past couple of days)
Step 2: Under “Name” write: “Title of your blog post (blog name)” – blog name in parenthesis
Under “url” paste: the link to your blog post (not your home page)
Step 3: Grab the Spotlight Thursday image and link to this post so your readers can see who else is playing along this week.
We want to be sure that everyone who participates in Spotlight Thursdays gets their moment in the spotlight so blogs that don’t link back will unfortunately have to be removed.
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Sharlene Earnshaw (aka doubleadventure) is Blogger-in-chief for Trekaroo and the blogger behind Double the Adventure.
Travel with kids to: CA | CO | DC | FL | HI | IL | MA | NC | NY | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA
When families think of great destinations to view fall foliage, California is not typically the first state that comes to mind. More often than not, people head to the eastern half of the country to witness New England’s dramatic color, or The Great Smokey Mountains ablaze with reds, oranges, and browns. Lucky for us west coasters, there are still plenty of great places to experience autumn’s splendor without hopping a plane and battling the “leafer” crowds. Here are a few of my favorite spots for seeing fall color in the Golden State.
Photo courtesy wunderground.com
There are few places in California more beautiful than the Eastern Sierra in the fall. Quaking aspens flanking the lake seem to glow as the sunlight penetrates their leaves. There is just something about the granite covered mountainside reflecting in the lake with fiery trees highlighting the foreground that keeps drawing people back to June Lake year after year. Come early in the season before the snowfall begins and the area around the lake loses its flashiness and takes on its winter coat.
Seeing the fall colors in Napa Valley is an experience unto itself. Wineries are just finished celebrating “the crush” and the night air is distinctively crisp. In between stops at wineries (yes, there are plenty of family friendly wineries out there), be sure to walk a trail or two in Bothe-Napa Valley State Park. The big leafed maple are gorgeous and sound so wonderful crunching underfoot.
Photo courtesy nps.gov
Yosemite is like the prom queen. She never had a bad hair day and always looks picture perfect. No matter what the season is, Yosemite never stops short of wowing whoever graces her presence. While many of the trees in the park are evergreen, there are still maples, oaks, and dogwoods to spice up the scenery come mid-October. The fall weather makes for nice mid-afternoon strolls on the parks hiking trails.
Photo courtesy flickr user goldenstatephoto
Yes, there really is fall color in San Diego County! At 4,000 feet in elevation, palm trees and sandy beaches give way to mountain air, apple orchards, and some wonderful opportunities for leaf peeping. This historic mining town is a great place for Southern California natives to get a taste of fall without having to hop on a plane. Grab a cup of hot apple cider and enjoy the view before heading back on down the mountain and into the land of endless summers.
California’s capital is filled with more than high rises and legislature. It is also a city with over 110,000 city-owned trees (and many more privately owned), which makes for quite a vibrant spectacle come fall. When I lived in Sacramento, I absolutely loved taking the bridge over the river and gazing down at the beautiful trees below. My kids loved jumping in piles of leaves in city parks and searching for the biggest maple leaves bigger than their tiny faces. If you can pick any season to visit the City of Trees, make it the autumn.
Samuel P Taylor State Park in Marin County
15 miles west of San Rafael, the Bay Area crowds are non-existent and coastal redwoods intermingle with oaks and firs to create a lovely fall spectacle come late October. Samuel P Taylor State Park is a great place to hike, bike, and enjoy the golds and browns popping against the evergreens. Pt Reyes National Seashore is just down the road and an especially nice place to take in the sunset this time of year.
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Sharlene Earnshaw (aka doubleadventure) is Blogger-in-chief for Trekaroo and the blogger behind Double the Adventure.
Travel with kids to: CA | CO | DC | FL | HI | IL | MA | NC | NY | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA
Welcome to
Oregon is known for being, at times, a bit eccentric. From the days of the early settling of the Oregon Territory, unique characters came out West in search of opportunity in logging, mining, and fishing jobs along the coast. Some of these folks settled in the remote parts of the Rogue River Canyon, and it wasn’t the easiest area to access. Well, the US Postal Service has always prided itself on its ability to deliver the mail, and they didn’t want to make the Rogue River Canyon it’s exception. The solution? Jet boats. Since 1895, there has been uninterrupted mail service up the Rogue River delivered via jet boats. Right about now you might be thinking to yourself, sure, this is interesting, but why is it being discussed on a family travel website? I will tell you why- because families can hop on board these mail boats and experience a wild river in a way like no other!
Photo courtesy railtravelcenter.com
The Oregon coast has always been renowned for the dramatic beauty of its coast, and Gold Beach is a great place families to set as home base while they explore the southern reaches of the shoreline. The mouth of the Rogue River happens to be located in Gold Beach, as well as Jerry’s Rogue Jets, the people who deliver the mail upriver. They have 64, 80, and 104 mile round trip excursions available that include lunch or dinner, depending on what time of day you take the excursion. Normally, powered watercraft are not allowed on a federally designated Wild and Scenic River, but these special mail boats are the exception, and a great way for families see a truly wild river up close and personal. Wildlife is abundant in this area, and bear and bald eagle sightings are even possible! This is truly one of those unique and memorable opportunities that shouldn’t be passed up.
Note: I received no incentive to endorse the mail boat tours. I just remember them from when I was a kid traveling up the Oregon Coast and always thought it was such a cool experience that I thought I would share it with all of you!
Do you have an outing that you would like to spotlight this week?
Perhaps its a post about a vacation you just took or a day trip that you think our readers should know about. Or maybe its a post about the vacation you are currently planning and going to book through Trekaroo! Link up something fresh from your blog using the Mr Linky below.
PLEASE READ AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS.
Step 1: Pick a recent post (past couple of days)
Step 2: Under “Name” write: “Title of your blog post (blog name)” – blog name in parenthesis
Under “url” paste: the link to your blog post (not your home page)
Step 3: Grab the Spotlight Thursday image and link to this post so your readers can see who else is playing along this week.
We want to be sure that everyone who participates in Spotlight Thursdays gets their moment in the spotlight so blogs that don’t link back will unfortunately have to be removed.
- – - – - – - – - – - – - – -
Sharlene Earnshaw (aka doubleadventure) is Blogger-in-chief for Trekaroo and the blogger behind Double the Adventure.
Travel with kids to: CA | CO | DC | FL | HI | IL | MA | NC | NY | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA
Portland, Oregon is a beautiful river city known for its aesthetics and culture. Its a great place to find outdoor adventure, a thriving arts & music scene, and access to all sorts of eco-friendly experiences. There is plenty of family fun to be had in the downtown area and the rest of the Willamette Valley. Trekaroo is proud to be launching Portland this week and looks forward to exploring the rest of the state of Oregon with all of you wonderful members of the Trekaroo community.
So, what have Trekaroo families shared thus far?
- 236 Activities listed in the Portland/Willamette Valley Region alone! Have you been to any of these kid-friendly places? If so, add your insight! Did you see something we missed? Be sure to share your experiences.
- Activities and hotel reviews across the 4 main regions of Oregon: Willamette Valley (Portland), Southern Oregon, Central Oregon, and Mt. Hood / The Gorge
- A list of Kid-friendly hotels in Portland waiting to be rated by parents like you
- Lots of fun lists like:
- Top Kid Activities in Portland as voted by Trekaroo families
- 5 Family Activities for $5 or less in Portland
- Cheap and Fun Eats in Portland!
- Things to see and do around Portland with Children
- Favorite kid-friendly restaurants in the Portland Metro Area
- Favorite Rainy Day Activities in Portland
- Family-Friendly Ski Resorts in Oregon with Kid Programs
- Favorite places to walk or hike in Oregon
Have you experienced Portland or any other part of the beautiful state of Oregon with your kids? Tell us all about your experiences – good and bad. Join now and start writing reviews. New members get to take advantage of Welcome Rewards. A gift card to Amazon, Starbucks, or REI was enough to convince me to join way back when!
What location is next? Georgia! Be part of the founding team to help launch Georgia on Trekaroo by sharing about activities you like and the best places to stay.
Special thanks to the 47 families who have collaborated to build a list of fantastic kid-friendly recommendations with their reviews! In particular, special thanks are due to PDXBloss, pitstopsforkids, bayareababyblog, Beaverton Mama, Living Beaverton, Camillegrimshaw, thriftyportlandmom, Leigh Anne, fani*fam, McPippi, and naturalist who have gone above and beyond to inside scoop and create such helpful lists for Portland and Oregon.
And of course, thanks to team Trekaroo who sacrifice so much to pull it all together.
Put on those rain boots and get out there!
Esther Lee (thelees3) – CEO
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Trekaroo – a reviews site dedicated to exploring and traveling with kids.
Travel with kids to: CA | CO | DC | FL | HI | IL | MA | NY | OR | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA
This week, Trekaroo is excited to be launching Portland, Oregon. We are dedicating the entire week to the beautiful state of Oregon and decided to kick it off with a guest post from a Pacific Northwestern mom in the know, Lora Shinn of Cascadia Kids. She has put together a great list of places to stay, play, eat, and shop while enjoying a weekend in the Rose City. You’ll find these great kid-friendly Portland destinations, plus more fantastic insider Northwest info in her book, Northwest Kid Trips.
Where to Stay: Hotel Monaco
This lovely hotel provides lots of great extras, including goldfish babysitting, a wine (and juice) hour and children’s bathrobes. The kid backpacks keep children busy – but the primo downtown location ensures easy access to the MAX line, which delivers families to Washington Park.
If you’d like to go with a neighborhood stay, this Northwest Portland hotel offers suite-style rooms right in the middle of a genteel neighborhood packed with restaurants, coffee shops, parks and boutiques. Book a room with a kitchenette, so you can take advantage of farm-fresh picks from the Portland Farmers’ Market.
Where to Play: Washington Park
Photo courtesy Washingtonparkpdx.org
For a full day of fun, ride the MAX line from downtown Portland to the 78-acre Washington Park, a springboard to three great attractions: Portland Children’s Museum, the Oregon Zoo, and World Forestry Center Discovery Museum. Mix and match according to your child’s age — Portland Children’s Museum is fantastic for the under-8 set, Oregon Zoo for all ages, and World Forestry Discovery Museum for older children. Eat well at the Portland Children’s Museum’s café, which serves sturdy sandwiches. From the Oregon Zoo, hop aboard the 30-gauge tracks of the Washington Park Zoo and Railway for a sojourn to the Rose Garden and the Portland Japanese Garden.
No visit to Portland is complete without a stop at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, a carnival of science excitement. Turn a bottle into a rocket that shoots over 8 feet high, make your hair stand on end with electricity, and let your preschoolers run wild in the Science Playground’s woodland area.
Where to Chow Down: McMenamins Kennedy School
Want a uniquely Portland experience? Head to this indoor playground, a school converted into an entertainment space. Catch a big-screen kid flick while seated in vintage-style velvet sofas, and dining on pizza or a burger. This spot is a fantastic option for anyone with a child over age 6.
Anyone who dines on the road with kids knows how we can all crave quick, healthy food (and a break from the fried greasy-grease that often shows up on “family restaurant” menus). This wholly Northwest restaurant chain puts whole-foods options on the table, including wraps with fresh fruit, beans and natural chicken, rice bowls with cilantro pesto and simple quesadillas with fresh-cut salsa.
Where to Shop: Finnegan’s Toys and Gifts
One of the biggest and best toy stores this side of the Mississippi. Expect to drop a few dollars here, because you’re bound to find a puzzle, puppet or poppet that you’ve never seen elsewhere. Nestled into downtown Portland’s streets, and just a few blocks away from the rose-bricked Pioneer Courthouse Square.
A trip to Portland would be incomplete without a visit to Powell’s, a real city-block’s worth of bookstore. Prepare to get lost in a world of words. Shelves hold vintage 50s books extolling manners, contemporary chapter-book classics, brand-new board books and everything in between. Low, round tables offer a spot to sort through your selections.
Related:
- All 236 Activities listed in the Portland/Willamette Valley Region
- Kid-friendly hotels in Portland
- 5 Family Activities for $5 or less in Portland
- Cheap and Fun Eats in Portland!
- Things to see and do around Portland with Children
- Favorite kid-friendly restaurants in the Portland Metro Area
- Favorite Rainy Day Activities in Portland
- Family-Friendly Ski Resorts in Oregon with Kid Programs
- Favorite places to walk or hike in Oregon
- Activities and hotel reviews across the 4 main regions of Oregon: Willamette Valley (Portland), Southern Oregon, Central Oregon, and Mt. Hood / The Gorge
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Trekaroo – a reviews site dedicated to exploring and traveling with kids.
Travel with kids to: CA | CO | DC | FL | HI | IL | MA | NY | OR | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA
When people ask me for my favorite family friendly vacation destination on the West Coast, my answer is always the same- San Diego. With its Mediterranean climate, stunning beaches, and endless activities, its nearly impossible to have anything less than a great vacation in this Southern California beach town
Though much of the country has experienced record breaking heat and humidity this summer, San Diego has hardly seen a day above 90. Now, with fall fast approaching, many people across the nation will be turning in their tank tops and shorts for parkas and scarves. Not in sunny San Diego! Fall brings the California Coast some of its best weather and gives visitors the chance to keep those shorts from being packed away for just a little bit longer. The summer crowds may be long gone, but warm days spent lounging by the pool or splashing at the beach are far from fading.
This past spring, my family and I were lucky enough to be guests of the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina in San Diego. I immediately fell in love with the tropical but contemporary decor, bay front location, and amazing pool area. Not to mention the fine but still family friendly dining at the Hyatt’s own Red Marlin restaurant, the on site children’s programs, the watercraft rentals, and the spa. Oh the spa. Suddenly my recommendations for families to make San Diego their vacation destination were followed by the suggestion of making the Hyatt their home base during their stay. You can read my entire review of the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina here.
Another great thing about the Hyatt’s bay front location is that the resort is within walking distance of SeaWorld. This marine park has great animal exhibits, shows, and even water rides which are perfect for cooling off on a warm autumn day. Be sure to check out Blue Horizons, SeaWorld’s new show. It has a dolphin show meets Cirque du Soleil feel and is very entertaining.
If are interested in taking your family on a sunny San Diego autumn getaway, be sure to check out the Hyatt Mission Bay Spa and Marina’s Sunshine on Sale package . From September 7th through the end of the year, book two nights at the Hyatt MB and you will receive a third night at the resort for free! What a great way to extend the weekend and soak up few extra rays before winter chill back home sets in.
And now for…
The Steal: Win a Weekend Stay at the Hyatt Mission Bay and Tickets to Sea World
Number of Winners: 1 winner
Prize: Two nights at the Hyatt Mission Bay in San Diego, CA and four (4) one day passes to Sea World San Diego
Visit the Hyatt Mission Bay Spa and Marina website and tell us what hotel amenities or activities you are most looking forward to enjoying if you win.
For additional entries, feel free to do any or all of the following. Each one counts as an extra entry but be sure to leave a separate comment for each one. This is how we keep track of extra entries.
- Fan Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina on Facebook.
- Fan the Red Marlin restaurant on Facebook.
- Fan the Blue Marble Spa on Facebook.
- Follow the Blue Marble Spa on Twitter.
- Write a review on Trekaroo and post a link to it in the comments (include your Trekaroo username) one entry per review
- Subscribe to the Trekaroo Blog
- Tweet a link to this Monday Mad Steal via @Trekaroo
- Post this on your Facebook Wall using the Facebook Share link above
- Fan Trekaroo on Facebook
- Follow Trekaroo on Twitter
- Post this giveaway on your blog
- Subscribe to Trekaroo in your reader
Rules and guidelines:
- 18 years of age or older
- US Residents only
Deadline to enter: Sunday, September 12, 2010 at 11:59PM PST
What is Monday Madness?
Every Monday, Trekaroo announces on our blog, either a fantastic giveaway or an incredible deal. It could be a green water bottle, a hotel stay on Maui or theme park tickets. Return every Monday to the Talking Trekaroo Blog for the details. Want a reminder? Become a Trekaroo member or follow us on facebook or twitter.
Thanks to Contest for Moms, Online Sweepstakes, CashNet Sweepstakes, and Sweepstakes Advantage.
Disclosure: My family received a complimentary stay at the Hyatt Mission Bay. I received no other compensation besides the stay and dinner and the Hyatt didn’t state any requirements that I express any particular point of view. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
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Sharlene Earnshaw (aka doubleadventure) is Blogger-in-chief for Trekaroo and the blogger behind Double the Adventure.
Travel with kids to: CA | CO | DC | FL | HI | IL | MA | NC | NY | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA
Every now and again, I need to experience something a little kitschy while on vacation. You know, something that makes me feel like a tourist. Luckily, duck tours are around to provide that perfect amount of cheesiness while still giving families a great way to see a city. A “DUCK” is a World War II style amphibious landing vehicle which allows riders to experience the streets and waterways without ever having to leave to switch vehicles. They are typically manned by tour guides who are full of personality and great information about their hometown. And, best of all, they seem to be popping up all across the country. So where do you find a little bit of goodness? Well, here are five duck tours to get you started:
Photo courtesy Boston Duck Tours
This tour is a Boston classic. Ride past historical sites such as Boston Common, the Old North Church and Faneuil Hall all while being informed and entertained by great tour guides who filled with fun facts about Beantown. Of course, no Duck Tour is complete without a little time on the water and this trip takes you down the Charles River. Quack at kayakers and enjoy the skyline before coming back on land and finishing the tour. Have you been on this tour? Tell us about it!
Grab the kids and hop on board for a quacktastic tour of Philly. Explore the Old City before plunging into the Delaware River for a view of New Jersey and the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. Kids will love the free duck kazoos (aka: quackers) but parents may want to “accidentally” lose the noise makers after the ride for sanity’s sake. Have you quacked in Philly? Share your experience with other Trekaroo families.
3. Just Ducky Tours of Pittsburgh
Photo courtesy Just Ducky Tours
Head on over to Station Square and take a ride on the duck. Enjoy the architecture and historic sights of The Burgh all from your seat on an amphibious vehicle. This tour takes riders out on to the Allegheny, one of Pittsburgh’s famous Three Rivers. Did you find things just ducky in Pittsburgh? Share you story.
4. Original Wisconsin Ducks in the Wisconsin Dells
For over 65 years, The Original Wisconsin Ducks have been taking families on a fun tour of the beautiful dells of the Wisconsin River as well as scenic Lake Delton. Squeeze through Red Bird Gorge and enjoy the shaded trails and famous rock formations of the Wisconsin Dell region all while being entertained by some good old fashioned cheeseball humor. Have you experienced the original duck tour in the Wisconsin Dells? We would love to hear your thoughts.
5. Ride the Ducks, San Francisco Duck Tours
Take a ride from Union Square out to Chinatown and North Beach all while learning fun facts about one of the greatest cities on the planet. Yes, the locals may look at you funny, but as long as you have a sense of humor about yourself, there is plenty of fun to be had. This tour’s water entry is near Pacbell Park, in McCovey Cove. Rumor has it that more often than not, passengers are spotted quacking while dancing away to YMCA…. Did you shake your tale feathers on board an amphibious vehicle in San Francisco? Tell us what you thought!
Are you still looking for more duck tour fun? Trekaroo researchers have discovered duck tours in Seattle; South Beach; San Diego; Austin; Fort Lauderdale; Portland, Maine; Honolulu; Long Beach, California; Hot Springs, Arkansas; Ketchikan, Alaska; Galveston, TX; Washington DC; and Albany, New York. If you have been on any of these tours, be sure to share your experiences with Trekaroo families and write a review!
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Sharlene Earnshaw (aka doubleadventure) is Blogger-in-chief for Trekaroo and the blogger behind Double the Adventure.
Travel with kids to: CA | CO | DC | FL | HI | IL | MA | NC | NY | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA
Lately it seems like more and more families have been making San Antonio their vacation destination. The Alamo, Riverwalk, and fabulous Mexican cuisine all bring visitors to this vibrant Texas city. However, the surrounding Hill Country is gorgeous and equally worthy of your time. So rent a car and explore the land outside San Antonio city limits. Here are five day trips to consider adding to your Texas itinerary:
Live the Strange Life in Austin:
You can’t pass up the opportunity to visit a place whose motto is, “Keep Austin weird.” Check out the stunning State Capitol Building or take a stroll through the University of Texas campus. Or, for a wide variety of activities all in one place, spend a day at Zilker Park where you can ride the miniature train, swim in Barton Springs pool, eat a picnic lunch, check out the walking path that hugs the river, and run around at the playground.
Explore the shops and waterways of San Marcos:
Just south of Austin, you’ll find the town of San Marcos, home to Texas State University and their glass-bottom boats. A tour guide will tell you all about the spring-fed waterway and the plants and animals that inhabit it. While you’re there, check out the small aquarium near the boarding area. On the way out of town, do some shopping at Prime Outlets and Tanger Outlets, two malls located just off I-35.
Mosey on Down to Bandera:
The Cowboy Capital of the World, Bandera is a must-visit for families who have an aspiring cowboy or cowgirl. Stop by the old-fashioned general store located downtown and have a soda or an ice cream (Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie visited this spot a few years ago!). History lovers will want to take a look at St. Stanislaus Church and the Bandera County Courthouse, both of which are Texas Historic Landmarks. Be sure to visit the Frontier Times Museum, where you’ll see everything from 19th-century dental equipment to seashells.
Enjoy the German Charm of Fredericksburg:
This is one of my favorite towns in Texas. The downtown area is filled with historic buildings, including the birthplace of Admiral Nimitz. The beautiful Vereins Kirche, a 1935 recreation of the 19th-century church that used to stand in the town’s Markplatz, is a perfect place for a few family photos. With lots of interesting shops and places to eat, you’ll find plenty to do in this Hill Country town.
Take a drive up US 281:
Sometimes the journey is more important than the destination. If you’re in the mood to hit the road, try driving north on US 281 from San Antonio. You’ll see open fields, old abandoned gas stations, and small towns with friendly people. This route will take you all the way to the Dallas/Fort Worth area (about a 5 hour drive without stops), so you can go as far, or stay as close, as you’d like. If you’re driving in the morning, stop by the Blue Bonnet Café in Marble Falls for a delicious old-fashioned breakfast.
Sarah V. is a San Antonio based blogger who loves to write about her family’s journeys in Texas an beyond on her blog, Wandering Off. Her site is a great resource for those planning a trip to San Antonio or looking to add a little bit of Texas to their life. You can also find Sarah chatting away about travel on Twitter, via the user name @wandering_off .
