Typically when most people think of Newport, Rhode Island they think of beaches, boats, and summertime fun. While all of this is certainly part of the city’s identity, there is much more to Newport for you and your family to enjoy. We recently got to spend a weekend in Newport during the Annual Newport Winter Festival. Even with the winter weather, we enjoyed our time outdoors. The beauty of the Atlantic Ocean is everywhere and there are so many family friendly activities to take advantage of to enjoy the area and learn about its rich and mischievous history. Newport Rhode Island is a renowned ‘tres chic’ community. Before our recent visit,I knew about its history of opulence and grandeur but was not aware of the roguish past.
Rogues to Riches History-Yo ho ho
Local history is well preserved by Newport citizens. During the Revolutionary War, Newport was a very active port and much of that history, preserved by the Historical Society, can be seen at their downtown museum and through interactive tours. My family enjoyed a Lantern Tour of Historic Newport by a very knowledgeable docent from the Newport Historical Society. We learned that many colonists seeking relief from persecution landed in Newport as did many pirates running rum. These are the rogues that put Newport on the map many years after the natives discovered this rich piece of paradise. Our kids’ sentiments- “no pirate’s life for me”.
The Newport Mansions are reminders of the decadence of the Gilded Age and the opulence of summer cottages before taxes. The kids marveled at the grandeur of the staircase at the Elms mansion and the size of their kitchen, even though it was not modern. This ‘cottage’ was built for the Edward Berwind family who had made their fortune in coal. Our kids were able to see how their cottage vacations of today compared to those of the wealthy from the Gilded Age. Ours are a bit homier, to say the least. There are 10 mansions and facilities owned by the Newport Mansion Preservation Society that are open to visit. It’s easy to imagine being a princess walking into these beauties.
Wintertime waterfront fun
Pirates running rum once sailed the very waters we could see right from our hotel .We were lucky enough to stay right on the harbor at the Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina. The weather, although sunny while we visited, was tremendously windy. We watched the boats rock outside our hotel window and were able to shop in the stores across America’s Cup Avenue.The wind could not deter us from enjoying another outdoor activity: Ice skatiing. The Newport Skating Center is located a block from the hotel and we enjoyed skating outdoors right on the harbor with the ocean in sight.
If you would like to enjoy Newport more like the pirates before you, get on the water. Seal safari’s from Seal Watch Cruises and other tours are available year round. If your family is more the landlubber type head for one of the city’s beaches which are open year round and feature free parking in the off season. Easton’s Beach is a quick drive or longer walk from the center of Newport. The water may not be inviting for swimming in the winter, but beach combing is definitely in order. The crowds are nonexistent and the shells and sea life are plenty. This beach also offers up a carousel and small aquarium making it a great way to spend a few hours. The beach is also close to the historic Cliff Walk, a 3.5 mile walk with history dating back to native days. The walk follows the Newport bluffs past fabulous estates and historic mansions.
Eat
The New England coast is known for its fresh and tasty seafood. On a trip to the Barking Crab we indulged on a meal of crab, clam and lobster. A family that came in behind us decided on a 10 pound lobster from the tank and my kids said adios a lobster friend they had just made upon entering. Seafood is not all Newport has to offer. We sampled a bunch of tasty wings from a dozen local establishments at a chicken wing cook-off at the Newport Hyatt Regency. Newport knows wings. The winner was Nikolas Pizza, my youngest daughter’s favorite. My roguish son was even temped by the suicide wings at Wings to Go. It was a flaming feast he won’t soon forget!
Annual Newport Winter Festival 2012
The city of Newport and its 1 million citizens make for a community focused city. During February they host a Winter Festival that lasts over a period of 10 days. There are shows, restaurant food contests, craft stations, music, and much more. Purchasing a Winter Festival button for $9 allows discounted admission into a number of attractions as well as discounts off area restaurants, making it a great way to experience the city!. One of our favorite experiences was family day at Easton’s beach where we dug for wooden blocks like pirates digging for treasure and won kites. We spent some time taking advantage of the wind with those kites and created some great memories. The Newport Art Museum had a theater ‘whodunit’ production requiring audience participation. The play followed household help from a mansion during the Gilded Age and all of their antics. After the production we searched the museum for clues and interviewed the suspects still in character. It was a great way to spend a night with the family. There are so many activities in Newport we actually had to choose which we would participate in. The Winter Festival is held each February so you can experience the rogues to riches of Newport each year and not just in the summer.
This post is based on a trip our family took to Newport. We were provided a 2 night stay by the Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina and a VIP pass to some attractions. My review was not influenced and all opinions are my own.
Michelle Brennan is Trekaroo’s New England Destination Guroo
Travel with kids to: CA |CO | DC | FL | HI | IL |MA | NC | NY | OR | PA | TN | TX | UT | VA | WA
Picturesque and quaint, Vermont’s tiny towns of clapboard Colonial homes, church steeples and pristine country side oozes with New England charm. The state is filled with unspoiled scenery, most of it either lush forest or pristine countryside dotted with farms. It is also a place filled with fun childhood surprises perfect for exploring, so let’s get started!
10. Adopt a Bear
Photo via Flickr user Sgclark
Visit the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory and take a 30-minute tour of the place where adorable fury pals are born. If you’re lucky to visit during a production time you’re likely to see activities such as the cutting station where the 20 different fur parts needed to make a bear are cut with precision; the sewing station where 14 bears are sewn at the same time; as well as pinning and stuffing and other activities carried out to bring these wonderful friends to life. Whether production is in full swing or not, your family can conduct some retail therapy in the Bear Shop or create a teddy for your own in the Make a Friend for Life Factory.
Have you been to the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory? rate and review your experience.
9. Hop a Train
Photo via Flickr user Putneypics
What kid doesn’t love to pretend they’re headed toward Tidmouth Shed where Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends live on the Island of Sodor? Riding the rails of the Green Mountain Railroad brings the imaginations of young engineers to life. Old-school diesels run on three routes; the Green Mountain Flyer runs from Bellows Falls to Chester Depot, the Champlain Valley Flyer runs from Burlington to Charlotte, and the White River Flyer runs from White River Junction to Thetford. While most excursions depart from the station during the spring and summer months, there’s an Easter Bunny train in March, a Halloween ride for adults and children in October, and Polar Express trips in December.
Is there a train lover in your family? Book a stay at one of these train themed resorts across the US.
8. Get the Scoop
Photo via Flickr user Helen
If it’s not fun, why do it? This question was posed by one of the founders of Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream when the duo started their deliciously iconic company. Stop by the factory to get a firsthand account of how all that sweet fun is created. From the video overview to the look out over the factory floor, your family will get a well-rounded orientation to how your favorite flavors are created and packaged.
While you’re there, visit the Flavor Graveyard so you can stop mourning for Wavy Gravy, Rainforest Crunch, Devil’s Food Chocolate, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and other flavors that have gone to the great beyond. Tours are offered daily for a minimal fee and culminate with a nice sized scoop of yumminess!
Don’t spoil your appetite; there are some great places near Ben & Jerry’s to grab a delicious meal.
7. Enjoy Some Cider
Photo via Flickr user Ribarnica
Observe the production of hot apple cider donuts and the pressing of fresh apple cider itself at the Cold Hollow Cider Mill. You may even get to see crews fire up the evaporator in the jelly room! The free self-guided mill tour begins with an educational video that shows the cider making process, and then visitors simply follow the tumbling apples on the floor through the rest of the experience. Established in 1974 in a historic, old Vermont barn, Cold Hollow has become New England’s most famous cider mill. Can you smell the donuts now?
Have you been to Cold Hollow Cider Mill? Please share you scoop and write a review.
6. Be a Natural Scientist
Photo via Flickr user Abbeybatchelder
Montshire Museum offers hands-on experiences with natural and physical sciences, astronomy, ecology and technology through more than 125 exhibits. Located near the Connecticut River, the museum has both indoor and outdoor exhibits for budding young scientific minds. Kids can conduct activities with air, weather, math and mechanics while interacting with the museum’s indoor attractions. Outdoors, walk through an impressive scale model of the solar system (it’s a 2 mile walk to pluto!), enjoy the foliage and nature trails in the Woodland Garden, and explore the science park that includes experiments with water and sound.
You look hungry! We have a food adventure for you just five minutes away!
5. Sample Authentic Vermont Maple
Photo via Flickr user Metimbers2000
Swing by the End O Road Maple Sugarhouse and let the Neill family give you a walk-through of the traditional method for making maple syrup. Made in a wood-fired evaporator fed by a few sap lines, the result takes the sweet form of maple cream donuts, candies, even maple lemonade! Learn facts about sugaring, enjoy some free samples, and get up close look at antique equipment originally employed in this yumminess. One important tip: wear boots or shoes you don’t care about because it’s muddy around this sugarhouse!
Don’t quit your exploring here, there’s a lot more to see nearby.
4. Get Outdoors
Photo via Flickr user Jillibee
The Trapp Family Lodge and Resort is a natural playground offering something for everyone in the family. The resort’s Mountain Kids Club features activities such as swimming, fishing, and art classes. Depending on the season, you can also expect to enjoy guided hikes, rock climbing, snowshoeing, ski lessons, snowman contests and bonfires as well. Guests enjoy all of this fun in Austrian-inspired lodging at this 2500 acre mountain resort. Can’t you smell that clean mountain air right now?
Check out Vermont’s other kid-friendly resorts.
3. Be a Farm Hand
Photo via Flickr User JackVinson
Your kids can look for eggs in the chicken coop, help milk one of the cows, or they can select from at myriad of other hands on activities at Shelburne Farms. This 1400-acre working farm on the shores of Lake Champlain not only produces many of the food products Vermont is known for, it also offers walking trails, a children’s farmyard, tractor rides and all sorts of fun in its boundaries. Take in the gorgeous scenery while on a picnic, sing with friends around the campfire or enjoy the fall foliage while engaged in a scavenger hunt on one of the trails. You can even book a room at the farm’s inn and soak up the pastoral life all weekend long. The farm is open for summer camps, preschool programs, and even sleigh riders during the winter.
Don’t stop exploring here. Shelburne Farms the gateway to Vermont’s largest city. Check out kid-friendly activities in Burlington.
2. Visit Smuggler’s Notch
Photo via Flickr user Paul-W
Smuggler’s Notch has a history as breathtaking and colorful as its landscape. Located in the Green Mountains, the thousand foot cliffs, the boulders the size of homes and the flora have witnessed clandestine activities such as 19th century runners smuggling goods back and forth to Canadian trade markets, and later saw fugitive slaves risking their lives as they journeyed through the notch to freedom. The last instance of smuggling here came during the 1920s as liquor was brought through the narrow pass during Prohibition.
It’s a fantastic place for your kids to unleash their boundless energy exploring the amazing caves and climbing the enormous boulders on the hiking trails. Once the youngsters learn that they are standing in renegade hideouts, who knows what area history they may be open to learning?
Need a place to stay during your visit? We have a suggestion for you.
1. Hit the Slopes
Photo via Flickr user Starrgazr
Vermont is a haven for skiers, giving them their pick of an array of downhill experiences. From mega-mountains like Killington and Sugarbush to Stowe’s Mount Mansfield, the powder is beckoning. But if you aren’t ready to start taking on those double-black diamond trails just yet or you’re just introducing your little ones to the sport, there’s a ski resort for you here. Check out the elegantly groomed and affordable Burke Mountain, home of the first ski academy in the United States. Many of the runs seem made for novice skiers. There’s also Bolton Valley, which caters to varying skill levels and offers a $10 savings on lift tickets for students, children and seniors. So wax your skis, get out that equipment, the mountains are waiting for you.
Not ready to slalom? See where you can go sledding and tubing in Vermont.
Want more 50 states fun? See more posts in our series:
Top Ten Things for Families to do in Alaska
Top Ten Things for Families to do in California
Ten Things for Families to do in Colorado
Top Ten Things for Families to do in Massachusetts
Top Ten Things for Families to do in Nevada
Top Ten Things for Families to do in New Mexico
Top Ten Things for Families to do in Pennsylvania
Top Ten Things for Families to do in South Dakota
Top Ten Things for Families to do in Utah
Kristine Dworkin (aka: Kristined) is one of Trekaroo’s Northern California Destination Guroos.
Travel with kids to: CA |CO | DC| FL | HI | IL |MA | NC | NY | OR| PA| TN | TX | VA | WA
The happiest places on earth are about to get even better. 2012 is bringing in tons of new additions to the Disney resorts and cruise lines.
Disney World
Image courtesy Walt Disney World Resort
The Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland has begun to roll out the largest expansion in park history that will nearly double its current size. New rides like The Great Goofini, Under theSea- Journey of the Little Mermaid, a Seven Dwarfs train ride, and an additional Dumbo ride are on their way. Beast’s Castle and a brand new restaurant, Be Our Guest, which will immerse you in the wonder and magic of the film, are also on the roster. The brand new Fantasyland Train Station is already set to open and the rest of the magic will be finishing up early next year.
The Magic Kingdom has already unveiled “Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom,” an interactive experience included with park admission. Guests begin by meeting Merlin the magician, who gives guests special magic spells on keepsake cards. A scavenger hunt style mission takes you searching for clues to find infamous villains’ hiding places where you can help to thwart their evil plans.
At Epcot, the fan favorite ride, Test Track, will close in April to make room for the new Chevrolet Design Center, set to open in the fall. Guests will have the chance to design their own Chevy concept car and then hit the track to see how their model fairs on the road. If that’s not enough to get your engine going, head to the Richard Petty Driving Experience. A new circuit, the “Exotic Driving Experience,” will put you behind the actual wheels of Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and Porches. Six lap prices start at $99.
This May, Disney will begin to unveil its 25th Disney World resort. Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will feature family suites themed after the animation of films such as The Lion King, Cars, Finding Nemo, and The Little Mermaid and is sure to delight film enthusiasts of all ages. At the Disney’s Port Orleans Resort-Riverside, guests now have the chance to sleep in a royal guest room, modeled appear as if your favorite prince or princess once slept there. Small treasure keepsakes will be “left behind” as gifts from their favorite characters, fancy linens, beautiful beds and lush décor are all part of the newly designed theme.
Disneyland Resort
Photo Courtesy Disneyland Resort
Disney California Adventure’s five-year expansion will finish up this summer as Cars Land opens June 15th. Inspired by the Disney•Pixar film Cars, Cars Land is 12-acres adding three brand new attractions, dining, and shopping. The most anticipated ride is the Radiator Springs Racers which puts guests in the “cars” racing bumper to bumper with other families through the intricately designed hills and terrain of Radiator Springs. The entrance to Disney California Adventure will be transformed into the brand new Buena Vista Street, transporting guests to Los Angeles in the 1920s. Red Car Trolleys will transport guests throughout the area and to the Carthay Circle Theater, a model of the original theater where Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs premiered in 1937; the theater will feature a lounge and the Carthay Circle Restaurant, said to be the new premier restaurant in Disney California Adventure. Rounding out the new summer fun at the park will be the Mad T Party music and dance area in Hollywood Land and a brand new Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop at Pacific Wharf. In addition, Downtown Disney will open California’s first Earl of Sandwich restaurant early in the summer.
Cruises
Photo Courtesy Walt Disney World
Disney’s newest cruise ship, the Disney Fantasy, sets off for its maiden voyage on March 31st from Port Canaveral, FL, taking 4,000 lucky guests on a week long tour through the Caribbean in spectacular Disney style. Two new Broadway style musical shows, a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for princess or pirate transformations, Muppet led interactive detective adventure games, and an interactive Aqua Lab and Aqua Duck water coaster are sure to impress.
In addition to adding a new ship, Disney cruise line is setting sail out of three new ports: New York City, Seattle, and Galveston, Texas. The Disney Wonder is headed from Seattle on a 7-night Alaska and Victoria cruise while New Yorkers will have their choice of a Disney cruise on the Disney Magic to the Bahamas or a sail up the New England coastline. Texans will have to be a bit more patient, but when the Magic finishes up its New York tour, it will head south to offer 7-night Western Caribbean cruises.
Resources
Want more detailed information? Pick your park:
Disneyland | Reviews | Fastpass | Rider Swap | Character Map | Best Rides for toddlers| school aged kids | teens & tweens
Disney California Adventure | Reviews | Fastpass | Rider Swap
The Magic Kingdom | Reviews | Best rides for teens & tweens
Disney’s Hollywood Studios | Reviews | Fastpass | Special Events
Disney’s Animal Kingdom | Reviews | Fastpass
Planning your day | Busy Day Activities | Apps | Ridemax | Resort Hotels | Children’s activity centers | Best Pools Near Disneyland | Hotels offering Kids Camps Near Disney World | Hotels near Downtown Disney | Special Needs | Best Disney World Restaurants | Parades | Resort Hotels with Story Rooms | Hotels for Large Families or Groups | Dinner Shows | Disney World Special Events |
Share your favorite Disney tip with other Trekaroo readers. Disneyland | Disney California Adventure | Magic Kingdom | EPCOT | Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Don’t forget to enter to win our Disneyland Resort Vacation!!
______________________________________________________________________________
Katie Bodell is Trekaroo’s Assistant Editor, a wife, & a mom to three sweet California girls.
Travel with kids to: CA |CO | DC | FL | HI | IL |MA | NC | NY | OR | PA | TN | TX | UT | VA | WA
-America the Beautiful, Katharine Lee Bates
The majestic beauty of the state of Colorado served as the inspiration to this classic American hymn. The Centennial State is so rich in natural beauty and diversity that it just begs for you to get outdoors and explore all it has to offer. No matter what season of the year you visit Colorado, you are sure to find an amazing adventure.
10. Jump off a Cliff
Photo by: Soaring Treetop Adventures
Parents, take a deep breath: thrill seeking families will love all the extreme sports and activities available in Colorado. Hike or climb your way up one of Colorado’s 54 “fourteeners”, mountains peaking out at over 14,000 feet! Take to the heights in a hot air balloon, or paraglide out over the landscape below. Rent a jeep and take on the rugged terrain with all four wheels driving. Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park’s giant canyon swing launches daring riders 1300 feet out and over the Colorado River trailing below! The park’s “wild” cavern tour, alpine coaster slide and zip line are a must! The largest zip line course in the world, Soaring Treetop Adventures in Durango, is accessible to kids and adults from age 5 and up!
Hit the sky with Colorado’s Zip Lines | Hang-gliding | Hot Air Balloons
9. Follow Ancient Footprints Back in Time
- Photo by: Trekaroo/gbkgwyneth
Mesa Verde National Park in southwest Colorado is home to the remains of Colorado’s oldest inhabitants, the Pueblos. The park offers easy, short hikes to ancient ruins and longer guided tours to some amazing must-see cliff dwellings from 1500 years ago! Active families can climb ladders, crawl through tunnels and really get into the dwellings. Nearby, visit Hovenweep National Monument to explore six ruins during a 1 ½ hour, peaceful and easy walking tour for all ages and stages. The Canyons of the Ancients, which boast the largest density of known archeological finds in the nation, is easily accessed from the Anasazi Heritage Center, a federal museum and ruins site (and a good spot to use restrooms and enjoy the picnic grounds!)
Centrally located, Durango is the perfect place to stay & play while enjoying the ancient ruins.
8. Hit the Water
Photo by: Trekaroo/slofamilylife
In late spring and summer, snow melts away to a white water river-rafting paradise. The Arkansas River is America’s most rafted on river and offers trips varying from family-friendly class II waters all the way to extreme class V rapids for experienced riders. Numerous rivers and outfitters across the state offer safe, family expeditions to get you started, and on calmer waters you can enjoy a variety of types of boats for experiences from lazy to crazy. Fishing picks up when the waters begin to tame, so be sure to take advantage of the plentiful rivers of Colorado.
Find family-friendly rafting trips in Colorado | across the US
7. Tour Natural Beauty in Old-Fashioned Style
Photo by: Trekaroo/Kimmy
Enjoy Colorado’s scenic beauty without the stress and frustration of driving. Start your enthusiasm for trains by visiting the Colorado Railroad Museum, designed as an 1880’s train depot with replica trains and an awesome array of hands on activities for the little ones. When you are ready to journey for yourself, ride one of the state’s numerous railways boasting open air cars, incredible scenery, and impressive bridges. The Royal Gorge travels first class along the Arkansas River and has numerous dining options available, even fine dining for a special occasion, while the Cog Railway in Colorado Springs travels to the top of Pike’s Peak (14,000 feet). The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad operates year round through the San Juan National Forest and includes entrance into their freight museum with ticket. Many of Colorado’s trains host special events for year-round holidays, offer exceptional dining options, and even offer your teen the chance to solve murders on board a murder mystery train.
Check out eight Scenic Railways across Colorado to explore.
6. See the Wild Life
- Photo by: Trekaroo/Gretchen
Colorado has your animal fix covered! The Denver Zoo is lauded as the most popular cultural attraction in all of Colorado; despite the 1.6 million annual visitors, Trekaroo users say their visits are relaxed and calm. Free summer programs are the highlight for many visitors. More animal encounters can be found at the nearby Butterfly Pavilion and Downtown Aquarium (which also hosts mermaids!!). The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, in scenic Colorado Springs, sits at an altitude of 6,800 feet and boasts over 200 animal species. For a change of pace, ride the historic carousel or take the Mountaineer Sky Ride to the top of the zoo to play on the kid-friendly playground. If you’re looking for buffalo, head about 20 miles west of Denver to Genesee Park’s Buffalo Preserve where you can get up close & personal with a herd of about 40 wild buffalo, for free!
Colorado Springs is a beautiful vacation spot. Start your planning here.
5. Make your Home on the Range
Photo by: Flicker/woodleywonderworks
Iconic scenery, big sky and beautiful weather make Colorado a rancher’s dream. If you can splurge for an all-inclusive resort, try your hand as a cowboy at a dude ranch. Family programs, camp-outs, cattle drives, entertainment and exceptional dining will draw your family together with a lifetime of cherished memories. If a day trip is more likely to fit the bill, check out one of Colorado’s numerous ranches and farms open for tours, horseback riding, and chuck wagon dinners.
Explore Colorado’s Ranch Vacations | Day-Tripping Ranch Locations
4. Experience Education
Photo by: Trekaroo/Zoe Ocampo
At the Children’s Museum of Denver, hands on education takes place in such clever and creative ways that your kids might not even know they are learning. Giant dinosaurs, a planetarium and a space odyssey highlight the best of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, which consistently receives rave reviews on Trekaroo. If you have a free afternoon, venture to The Wildlife Experience just south of Denver. This museum focuses on learning about wildlife habitats through hands-on-displays and films best geared to school age kids and up.
Check out the top ten children’s museums across the US.
3. Explore the Mile High City
Photo by: Flickr/Larry Johnson
Sitting at an altitude of 5,280 feet, Denver was founded by miners less than 150 years ago, and is still full of youth and excitement. Downtown, take the free US Mint tour where you can watch the amazing transformation of money and learn about minting history. Denver Botanic Gardens is set in the beautiful tree-lined Cherry Creek area and has its very own 3-acre children’s garden just perfect for exploring and observation. The Red Rocks Park & Amphitheater hosts year-round concerts set in front of stunning red rock mountains; come on an off day and tour the facilities and the beautiful red rocks and then stop at the nearby Dinosaur Ridge where you can touch dinosaur bones and walk in their footprints! If your little ones need to get some energy out, head to Westlands Park in Greenwood Village for more than just the typical play structures, but also water fountains, tree houses, climbing walls, music makers, a skate park and plenty of picnic space. This park has been voted the “Top Playground” of the Rockies and we are sure you will agree.
Find the best deals on lodging in Denver. Hungry? Enjoy super-cool restaurants in Denver for kids.
2. Glide through Powder
- Photo by: skiloveland.com
The impressive hills and vast terrain of the Rocky Mountains, coupled with snow fall levels up to 465 inches a year, Colorado is a skiing and snowboarding winter wonderland. The state has 26 ski resorts, many with kid’s clubs, ski schools, awesome packages for families, and even a resort boasting the world’s highest Starbucks (at 10,850 feet). The winter season in the mountain towns like Keystone, Aspen and Vail can sometimes extend well into spring offering skiers the chance to enjoy an impressively long season. If, like me, the idea of your kids (or self) flailing head-over-heals in a cartoonish avalanche of snow scares you away, never fear. The soft mountains of snow are also just right for good, old-fashioned (and not so terrifying) cross-country skiing, sledding, making snowmen and snow ball fights.
Best Colorado Ski Resorts for Families | Ski Resorts offering schools and daycare | Colorado Sledding & Snow Play Spots
1. Discover diverse National and State Parks
- Photo by: Trekaroo/thelees3
Colorado’s land is incredibly diverse and the park systems reflect a unique display of beauty. At Great Sand Dunes National Park, the highest sand dunes in North America, your climb is rewarded with a year-round, non-dependent-on-weather “sand”board or sled down the hills. Rocky Mountain National Park offers abundant animal life, gorgeous scenery and plenty of family hikes and campgrounds. Just outside Denver, Roxborough State Park offers a unique juxtaposition of swaying prairies and jutting red rock formations. In the northwest, experience the closest thing you can get to a jungle at Rifle Falls State Park. Take the short 5 minute hike in the morning to the falls for a sweet, sunlit view of three majestic waterfalls surrounded by lush foliage. From prairies, lakes and plains to stunning mountain tops and forests, Colorado’s parks cannot be beat.
Need more info? Try our handy guide on exploring Colorado’s national parks.
______________________
Want more 50 states fun? See more posts in our series:
Top Ten Things for Families to do in Alaska
Top Ten Things for Families to do in California
Top Ten Things for Families to do in Massachusetts
Top Ten Things for Families to do in Nevada
Top Ten Things for Families to do in New Mexico
Top Ten Things for Families to do in Pennsylvania
Top Ten Things for Families to do in South Dakota
Top Ten Things for Families to do in Utah
Katie Bodell is Trekaroo’s Assistant Editor, a wife, & a mom to three sweet California girls.
Travel with kids to: CA |CO | DC| FL | HI | IL |MA | NC | NY | OR| PA| TN | TX | VA | WA
Taking a summer trip to Alaska has been one of my family’s greatest memories. My kids remind me often of the times we spent picking wild strawberries and raspberries, taking a train ride through a gold mine, trying to fall asleep at 10pm while it was bright daylight outside, and spending more than three weeks with their favorite cousins.
As I was planning for our trip, I naturally assumed that the further north you travel in Alaska, the colder it would be. I was pleasantly surprised to find this not to be true! Fairbanks is warmer in the summer than other parts of Alaska because it is further away from the ocean. Even though it rained on us frequently during our visit, many days were a balmy 75 degrees and sunny. With almost 24 hours of daylight, the wild berries were ripe for the picking any time of the day.
If visiting Alaska is on your “bucket list”, I would highly recommend visiting Fairbanks. Most tourists only make it to the southern sections of this beautiful state, but visiting the central area is like discovering a pearl in an oyster. If you can fly into the area and spend a week discovering all that it has to offer, I’m sure that your family will create memories to last a lifetime.
Our Top Family Friendly Activities in Fairbanks
Riverboat Discovery
We took a three hour Riverboat Discovery cruise down the Chena River on a 4-story paddle wheeler that showed us the heart and history of Alaska. Nearly everything I wanted my kids to experience in Alaska happened during those three hours. We watched a float plane take off and land, viewed a team of sled dogs race through the forest, tasted smoked salmon, visited a native Athabascan village, learned their early methods of arctic living, and grew to love the state of Alaska. This was the most “touristy” activity we participated in during our vacation, but it is definitely recommended.
Need a place to stay in Fairbanks? Try the Hampton Inn & Suites, Pike’s Waterfront Lodge, or Sophie Station Hotel
Pioneer Park
Large and free, Pioneer Park is often visited by tourists and locals alike because it features museums, fun playgrounds, and a train ride. Our proudest moment while at the park was braving the -40 degree icebox to get a sense of what it feels like outside in Fairbanks during the winter. It was incredible to throw hot water into the air and see it fall down in ice crystals. After using a frozen banana to pound in a nail, I was more than happy to open the door and step outside to more reasonable temperatures.
Been to Fairbanks in the winter? Tell Trekaroo readers all about it!
Georgeson Botanical Garden
Everything is big in Alaska, including the vegetables and flowers. At Georgeson Botanical Garden, a kid friendly garden maintained by the University of Alaska, families will enjoy seeing massive cabbages and zinnias the size of a dinner plate. My children absolutely loved playing in the hedgerow maze and in the little log cabin, both located in the children’s garden.
Have you been to the University of Alaska Museum of the North?
El Dorado Gold Mine Tour
Gold fever struck our family after finding eight or nine flakes of real gold in our pans at the El Dorado Gold Mine Tour. This tour is a great mix of history, excitement, and adventure in finding gold. Complete with a train ride, a sluice box demonstration, and instruction in proper panning techniques, all ages will appreciate the time spent here. Perhaps the greatest treasure for my kids was finding the free cookies and hot chocolate in the gift shop.
Eat a “miner’s dinner” at Gold Dredge No. 8
Alaska Pipeline
I vividly remember learning about the Alaska Pipeline in my elementary school Social Studies class and was amazed at how it could stretch all the way across the largest state in the US. Seeing an “Alaska Pipeline” sign on the side of the road to the El Dorado Gold Mine got me quite excited to see this big thing up close and personal. Looking at a big pipe might not be on everyone’s “must-see list,” but I appreciated the history, diagrams, and viewpoint of this great pipe. And it made for a great place to take a picture of our family in Alaska!
View more of the Alaska Pipeline on the Dalton Highway and stop at the Artic Circle Trading Post.
Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge
Walking through the quiet boreal forest was one of my favorite memories of Alaska. At Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge, boardwalks line the path through the white-barked birch trees, while ferns and various conifers dot the landscape. My kids spied sandhill cranes enjoying a lunch in the meadow. A series of trails takes visitors by the meadow and through the forest with interpretive signs to explain the unique features.
Check out the beautiful Wedgewood Resort with trails to Creamer’s Field.
Fairbanks Visitor Center
I do not normally spend much time in visitor centers so stopping by the downtown Fairbanks Visitor Center was a pleasant surprise. Our kids traveled through the museum-like rooms with displays on the distinct seasons of Alaska and how animals, plants, and humans have adapted to the harsh winters. They got to enter a “cabin” in the woods and see how homesteaders started life in the early days. We watched a movie in the theater, eyed the many books and souvenirs in the gift shop, and then headed outside for a self-guided tour of Fairbanks.
While in downtown Fairbanks, visit the Ice Museum and see Alaska winters in the summer.
Looking for a place to eat in Fairbanks?
Knotty Shop
Just 30 minutes south of Fairbanks sits a cleverly named gift shop that takes its name from the unusual growth of burls in spruce trees. This wood is then handcrafted into a variety of beautiful wood pieces that make for excellent gifts. The kids posed with the knotty wooden animals in the front yard and then we headed inside for some of the best ice cream I have ever tasted. Mounted wildlife lined the walls of the store, which was filled with authentic Alaskamade gifts. It was definitely worth the drive.
While south of town, visit North Pole and the Santa Claus House.
Been to Fairbanks? Share your scoop!
Want more Alaska fun? Check out Family Friendly Summer Activities in Fairbanks and read more about the 49th state:
Michelle McCoy (aka Mcfam) is Trekaroo’s Southern California Destination Guroo. She and her husband, Matt, have 3 boys and a girl ages 3 to 11. They love traveling to National Parks and camping, but when life with young kids keeps them home, they find their fun in traveling to the local beaches in Orange County and hiking in the wilderness areas nearby.
Travel with kids to: CA |CO | DC | FL | HI | IL |MA | NC | NY | OR | PA | TN | TX | UT | VA | WA
