Tag Archives: USA

Visiting The Kennedy Space Center With Kids

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I last visited the Kennedy Space Center when CAM was almost 18 months old. We had a great visit. He napped or nursed on the KSC Tour buses, we oohed and aahed at how cute he was tottering between the rockets in the Rocket Garden. Of course I had it on my must-see list of things to see and do for our current trip to Florida.

Yesterday, I spent six hours at Kennedy with an extended family group including five children with ages ranging from three to 13. (The 13-year-old has ADHD and is on a medication vacation, so don’t assume he was just a parental helper. No, our hands were truly full.) Boy, what a wake-up call that was.

I’m not going to go into what you can see and do at Kennedy and why it’s worth a visit (I still think so), there’s plenty of information on the Kennedy Space Center website. Instead, I am going to suggest two things which I think would make a visit to KSC tremendously easier for a family group such as ours.

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Firstly, the bus tour is waaaaay too long. We had unanimous agreement from all the children in our group on this point. Especially because most of the time is spent waiting in line to catch the next bus and particularly because the only stop on the tour which they really enjoyed was the visit to the Apollo/Saturn V Center. There should be a tour which goes to that stop only. Yes, I know that would add logistical complexity into the management of buses and visitors, but I refuse to believe that in the grand scheme of things this isn’t a simple operational research problem for some smart NASA folks. I mean, come on, it’s not rocket science :-).

Secondly, a hunt-the-space-trivia puzzle sheet would have been a huge bonus. I think my children are pretty representative of most very active boys. They loved being at NASA, loved looking at the exhibits but basically exhibited the attention span of a glint of goldfish while dashing through the various exhibit halls. Every time one of them stood still for a second to read about something one of the others would call from a different display with a “Oh, wow! This is so cool!” and they’d be off again. They’re ready and willing to learn all about the evolution of the space program and the shuttle program, a little help to encourage this would be fantastic. I found myself making up questions (“How do astronauts pee in space?” was a particular favorite) and trying to keep track of who’d answered which question. I’m a space novice but I was struggling to come up with questions.

I don’t expect there to be a limitless supply of question sheets and pencils at the entrance to KSC. With the number of visitors to the center daily, I think that really would be too much. But, if there were downloadable PDFs on the NASA or Kennedy Space Center website, I’d be more than happy to have those printed out and ready for my next visit.

On balance, we had a really good day at KSC. The Shuttle Launch Experience was a huge hit with the older boys. The six-year-old balked in the ante-room to the ride, so a warning to parents visiting with children six and under, even if your child meets the height requirements, someone needs to be prepared to wait outside the ride if necessary. My three-year-old niece could have spent all day playing at the Children’s Play Dome. Also, we didn’t have time to visit the IMAX and I know from past experiences of taking my children to space-themed IMAX shows at the Pacific Science Center in Seattle that movies on an extra-large screen with plenty of popcorn are always well received by this discerning demographic.

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Family Friendly Holiday Events in Seattle

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Christmas is my favorite holiday of the year. I love the carols, the lights and decorating a good (real) tree. As my children are getting older, I don’t have as much opportunity to visit holiday-themed events in Seattle  but that didn’t stop me finding out what’s going on. (Thanks to my friend Meg Paynor for pulling together some of the things on this list for me).

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Winter Family Fun In Seattle

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This is Seattle in mid-winter. It can be a pretty grey place. At this time of year when it’s dark early in the evenings and daylight hours get shorter every day (shorter by 3 minutes per day from now until December 21st actually), it’s not so easy to drum up enthusiasm (or energy) to get out and about with your children. I thought I’d help preempt this feeling by sharing some of my favorite winter family fun activities in Seattle.

Winterfest at Seattle Center

This is a family fun activity which you can check out many times between Thanksgiving and the end of the year. There’s so much on offer you can be sure you’ll do something different on every visit. The Winter Train and Village will captivate very young children for much longer than you think is possible and when their attention wanes, the Children’s Museum on the lower floor of the center is always worth a visit. For older children, a visit to the Ice Rink is a must. We’ve finished many winter days at Winterfest with a play at the Seattle Children’s Theater. This year their performances of Peter Pan will, I’m sure, entertain many children through the holiday season. For older children, there’s the Black Nativity at Intiman or a performance by Seattle Repertory Theater. There will, as always, be endless performances of the Nutcracker by PNB.

A walk on Candy Cane Lane

The Ravenna Park neighborhood owns the market for dazzling holiday decor in Seattle. This small cul-de-sac near the University of Washington takes this responsibility seriously. The houses and public spaces in the neighborhood are festooned with brightly-lit seasonal embellishments, but very tastfully and with a focus on sharing a message of peace and goodwill. Park your car and take a walk to best enjoy the lights. It’s a short walk which your toddler will be talking about months later. I couldn’t find a website with definitive dates for when the show starts, but from prior experience, I think you’d be safe to plan a visit in mid-December.

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Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship Festival

For me, the Christmas Ship Festival is a quintessential family activity which everyone should try at least once. The boats are not luxurious and you may not be into holiday carols but on a clear night the music echoes across the lake and whether you’re on the deck (which can be chilly) or enjoying the warmth of the interior of the boat, it’s a truly different way to get into the spirit of the season. You can also enjoy the sights and sounds from the shore since each cruise stops at one or two waterside parks. The schedule specifies which park and the time of the stop.

If you’d prefer to be singing yourself, maybe you should register a team in the Great Figgy Pudding Street Corner Caroling Competition which benefits Pike Market Senior Center and Downtown Food Bank.

Roasted Chestnuts

For me, it wouldn’t be Christmas without roasted Chestnuts. I picked up this habit when I lived in Dublin before husband and children. There was nary a chestnut to be found in the short time we lived in California, but on our first Christmas in the Pacific Northwest I remember picking up a bag at the public market on Granville Island in Vancouver B.C. and realizing, happily, that I was again living in a place of hot treats on a cold winter’s day. In the Seattle, I’ve been able to reliably find this Dickensian delicacy outside Uwajimaya in the International District. (Not that you’d expect to find them there, so if anyone knows why, do share…)

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Jingle Bell Run

If you read this blog regularly, it’ll be no surprise to you that the last thing on my list is a run. But, before you write off the Jingle Bell Run as something which is not quite for your family, let me share my first impression of this event. We’d rushed to get into town on time and barely made the registration deadline. We weren’t quite sure what we were supposed to do with the bells we were given on registering. Standing in line with the other families with strollers, as we tied the bells to our shoes, I was completely unprepared for the sounds of thousands of bells jingling as the actual run started – not to mention the costumes. I will never forget the sight of a Christmas tree running past – six runners in a 3-2-1 formation wearing a large triangular piece of green felt and colorful swim caps which, from above, looked like tree lights. Even if you don’t run it’s an event that’s worth checking out.

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Family Weekend Getaways: Westport Washington

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This is the second post in a series on easy family weekend getaways. With school in full swing and budgets tight, the dreaded stay-cation may be around for a while. This is my way of showing that you don’t need to turn your back on family vacations altogether, that mini-vacations in your own region can be fun and affordable. This guest post is by my friend Margaret who recently spent the weekend with her family in Westport, Washington.

If you live in the Seattle area, you have children (and maybe a dog), and you want to take a three-day weekend vacation during the school year, sometimes the thought of planning a getaway seems more trouble than it’s worth. But what if it could be easy? What if you could pack your car and drive two hours away, stay in a nice, roomy place with a view of the Pacific Ocean from your living room, a state park next door, and more sand dollars on the beach than your kids can fit in their pockets? And your dog can come, too. Would you do it then?

Everyone deserves a break from routine, and it doesn’t have to be a lot of work. When I discovered our kids had a four-day break from school this October, I decided to plan a little trip to the coast. The catch was that I wanted a place that could accommodate our family dog, and I knew we wouldn’t be relaxed in a cheap motel. After looking at a map of Washington, I decided to start my search in Westport, which looked like the shortest drive from the south Sound area. An internet search with keywords “Westport dog-friendly accommodations” turned up a number of links, but one caught my attention. A resort called Westport by the Sea, a condominium complex, offered a number of dog-friendly units for rent.
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Choosing A Vacation Rental

On the Westport By The Sea web site I was able to view detailed interior photos of each unit and a map showing the location of all the buildings. This set-up made it easy to select the best choice for our family, an oceanfront, second story, two-bedroom condo with a clear, beautiful view of the sea. The off-season price tag didn’t seem overwhelming, either. For $239 a night plus a standard cleaning fee, we stayed in “Baileys’ Surf Shack,” a nicely decorated and clearly treasured family getaway.

Vacation Rentals Help Keep Costs Down

If that sounds expensive, consider that we didn’t eat a single meal out – we packed up our coolers and had a fully equipped kitchen waiting for us. We found every kitchen item we could have wanted, so cooking all our kids’ favorite foods was easy. And while $75 initially seemed a little steep for a cleaning fee, I understood why when we arrived. This place was nice, with granite counter-tops and down comforters and fluffy white towels and robes. We felt at home right away, which meant we could focus on the fun parts: walking the beach, digging in the sand, swimming in the heated pool, watching the waves as we played board games and enjoyed meals together. (For a less pricey option, a one-bedroom condo at $179/night still sleeps four, with a sleeper sofa in the living area.) There are usually a few more rules at this sort of accommodation (as opposed to a hotel), but this is the main benefit of condo vacations: you can take your family to a new place without rocking your world too much. That’s ideal when your kids have to make the transition back to school right away.
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Westport Attractions

Some other attractions include the Westport Light State Park adjacent to the property. Grays Harbor Light Station is located here. One night we took a late evening walk into the park, on a path that led us into the middle of the dunes. Away from all the man-made lights, our kids got to see more stars than they ever see living in the city. We picked out all the constellations we knew and talked about how small we really are, living on this planet — a conversation we’d never have hanging out at home!

Another activity I brought along was a surprise, a ferris wheel Erector set (a Schylling product). Our two boys, ages 5 and 8, spent hours helping put it together. They liked receiving a “gift” on their trip away, and we enjoyed the peaceful view while working on a project together. Other hits were Yahtzee and Scrabble, which both came with the condo.

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Family Weekend Getaways: Walla Walla Washington

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When the school schedules for my children’s schools synchronize so that they’re both out of school on a Friday, it’s an invitation for us to squeeze in a short break. I love these mini-vacations during the school year. Yes, it’s a pain to close the door on a pile of chores and have them waiting for me (and then some) when I get home, but it’s a great feeling to hit the open road and leave our normal routine behind even for just a few days.

Walla Walla Washington

This time we’re going to Walla Walla. A non-trivial four-hour drive from Seattle, it’s absolutely worth the effort. With our bikes strapped to the back of the car, a fun-filled but fairly low-cost weekend is pretty easy to organize.

Walla Walla Accommodation

As home to Whitman College and a host of excellent wineries and vineyards, Walla Walla has plenty of accommodation choices. From Bed-and-Breakfasts to luxury vineyard lodges to chain hotels, there’s something to suit every budget. On our cheap-and-cheerful weekend, we usually opt for a bare bones motel. If you’re planning a romantic weekend away, the Inn at the Abeja Winery is a perfect choice.

Family Activities in Walla Walla

There’s no question but that we’re drawn to Walla Walla because of the wine. This will be our fourth time to go wine tasting with children on bikes. For me, it’s a perfect family day out. We stop at the Farmer’s Market on Saturday morning to pick up picnic supplies, fill our backpacks and hit the long, fairly flat, fairly quiet road. We’ve cycled around wineries with a toddler in a trailer, one child using a ‘big kid bike’ which didn’t have gears and with a preschooler on a trail-a-bike. This will be our first trip where everyone will be on regular bikes. We might just all get to each stopping point at the same time. But if we don’t, that’ll be OK too because wineries are about so much more than tasting the wine. There’s rows of vines to walk along, machinery to examine and cool storerooms with oak barrels stacked high to explore (if the vintner allows, of course). And if the idea of bikes and wine-tasting with kids doesn’t work for you, downtown Walla Walla and Whitman College are both fun to walk around with younger children.

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Walla Walla Wineries

There are way too many wineries in Walla Walla to list here and far too many to visit in one day. We’ll plan on a 15-mile (or so) cycle and try to plan our route to hit 3-5 wineries along the way. Planning to finish at the Walla Walla Regional Airport is always a good idea since there are a cluster of tasting rooms in refurbished WWII buildings in that area. If you think that sounds a little crazy remember that this is where you’ll find Dunham Cellars, Tamarack Cellars and Buty.

Other wineries in the area include K Vintners, Seven Hills, L’Ecole No. 41 and Woodward Canyon – to name just a few.

Walla Walla Fine Dining

Now that our boys are a little older, WanderDad and I will be able to feed them early in the evening (kid-friendly food in a kid-friendly environment) and leave them watching a movie in our hotel room while we treat ourselves to a sumptuous dinner at Whitehouse Crawford.

After an active day’s cycling, great wine and great food, there’s usually a satisfied bunch in our car on the drive home to Seattle.

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Walla Walla Things To Do

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Photo Friday: Lime Kiln State Park

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We all have them: photos of our children which perfectly encapsulate both time and place and the child’s personality.

When we visited Lime Kiln State Park on San Juan Island this past Labor Day, BigB was bound and determined to see some ‘real tide pools’ i.e. tide pools which were actually, you know, on a beach – as opposed to the ‘fake tide pools in the Seattle Aquarium‘. So here he is, in full hot-weather, sun-protective gear, with only his nose in the water. Apparently the display of cold-water anenomes and other tide pool vegetation was worth the effort.

We actually stopped at the park since it’s known as one of the best land-based locations for whale watching. There are three pods of Orcas living in the waters around these islands and they frequent this channel regularly.

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Unfortunately, we didn’t see any whales on our visit, but we did see seals and porpoises. And, of course, the tide pool show :)

Another great Photo Friday.

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Photo Credit: seamusnyc

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Sunset Over Lake Washington

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This is why the Pacific Northwest is stunning during the summer months. When the sun shines, we get spectacular sunsets with flaming colors reflected over lakes and mountains.

This photo was taken at the marina at Carillon Point in Kirkland, WA looking west towards Seattle and the Olympic Mountains.

Enjoy more fun photos at DeliciousBaby.

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Summer Family Fun In Seattle
Family Hikes In Seattle

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Four Tips For Finding Vacation Rental Accommodation

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I’m a huge fan of renting vacation properties directly from owners as an economical, affordable and sanity-preserving choice for family vacations. Sanity-preserving because I am a princess with regards to sleep in that I need my eight hours every night, no exceptions and that can be very difficult in a shared hotel room with two children – particularly when one of those children is a night-owl and the other an early-bird.

I recently helped a family member find a property for their upcoming vacation using Homeaway.com. My relative contacted me today expressing her satisfaction “for all my hard work”! I spent perhaps an hour researching and finding a property for them using a method I’ve practised many times when planning trips with my children. I’ve shared my steps below. Leave a comment and let me know if you agree, disagree or have any suggestions to improve this.

Research Neighborhoods At Your Destination
I use a guidebook for this step and if possible, I talk to someone who knows the area in question. In this case, I used the Lonely Planet Buy By Chapter service, picking up a couple of chapters of their guidebook for the state in question. I’ve found that it’s very useful to have some basic information on the neighborhoods in a city or the towns in a resort area before I start looking at property listings. If I can, I pick up a local map (or use Google maps) to get a feel for the geographic layout also.

Research Available Listings
With some information on the region you’re interested in at hand, browse through the property listings for that area. My current favorite site for this is Homeaway.com because I find their search tools very intuitive to use. Using their Advanced Search, I can search by keyword, property size, price, dates amenities and other criteria.

I use a $1,000/week price rule-of-thumb when browsing listings. Using this as my mid-point, I can scan for suitable properties at or around that price range as my starting point for further research. I’ve used this rule-of-thumb for a number of years while renting properties in various countries and so far I’ve had no problems finding comfortable, clean and usually pleasant houses and condos to rent. (See below for my math if you’re interested). It’s always great when I find that the properties at that price point are too big or too luxurious for my needs. If this happens, I re-start my search using a lower price point – usually dropping by $200 at a time.

The next criteria I use to cull the candidate property list is reviews. If there are no reviews for a property, I usually drop it from my list. If you really like the look of the property another option is to contact the owner and ask for reviews from previous customers.

Finally, I examine all the photos supplied critically. I expect there to be clear photos of the kitchen, dining areas, bathrooms and bedrooms. The absence of any photos of a room mentioned in the property description makes me suspicious. I love it when an owner includes a diagram of the floor plan however I have found that this is something usually not shown on the property listing but something which an owner will supply on request.

Contact The Owners
At this point you should have 3-5 properties which look interesting to you. The next step is to contact the owner and ask for further information. Many owners will have their own website on which they provide additional information on the property (and sometimes the area too) over what is shown on the bare listings on a service like Homeaway.com.

It’s been my experience that the more responsive the owner, the more likely it is that you will have found someone whom you can trust and from whom you can be comfortable renting. Owners who don’t answer enquiry emails or don’t answer your questions about the property directly in this research stage are not likely to be helpful if you have problems after you have arrived.

Repeat The Above Steps
At least until you’ve found a property and an owner which you think will work for you. This can sometimes take multiple concurrent conversations with a number of owners and sometimes it can take just one phone call. Keep in mind that your owner-direct vacation rental experience is likely to be more successful more quickly if you start to look early for popular rental periods such as high summer or winter holidays.

Additional Info: The Math Behind $1,000/Week Vacation Rentals
I don’t like to pay large amounts of money for the bed I sleep in when I travel, but I do like my bed to be clean. I love the ambiance and luxury – and room size – of a four or five star hotel, but the cost of such accommodations are generally well above my price range. So, stripped to bare bones, I did some research on the price of a bed in a hostel and in general, a private room in a hostel costs between $20 and $25 per night. Since there’s four of us, that’s $80 – $100 per night for the cheapest form of rental accommodation available or $480 – $600 per week. Pretty darn cheap – but it comes with very little privacy. I like having a private kitchen and bathroom and I love my kids having their own bedroom(s). Using $100 each as the value I put on each of these amenities gives a top-line price of $900 for a week for a family of four in a private house or condo, rounding up to $1,000 to account for extras such as air conditioning, cable tv and a cleaning service. As I say, using this as a starting point has worked for me for many years.

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Summer Family Fun In Seattle

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This summer we’ll be in Seattle and I’m looking forward to it. Seattle has a pretty well-deserved bad weather reputation for our damp and dreary Winter (and sometimes Spring and Fall too), but in the summer we have lazy, hazy days with the sun glistening off the waters of the lakes and the Puget Sound. The mountains east (Cascades) and west (Olympics) frame the horizon and Mt. Rainier, snow-capped, dominates the cityscape. With our northern latitude, we have long balmy evenings and glorious sunsets. I’m waxing poetical here, I know, but honestly, it’s hard not to.

This July we have guests coming to stay: relatives with three children ages seven, five and three. The’re coming from Portugal (to escape the heat of the Algarve) and they’ll be staying with us for two weeks. It’s the kids first visit to Seattle and I’m eager to help them make the most of their visit and so I spent some time this past weekend planning what I hope to take them to do and see while they’re here. Naturally, as with any family vacation, these are just a list of ideas and these plans could be turned upside down depending on temperament, tantrums, weather, interests or just plain kids-being-kids.

If some of these days seem short on activities, it’s because I’ve found that when planning a family trip, it helps to just plan one activity a day and to allow ample time for just hanging out and having fun – time which we don’t always get during our daily lives.

Day 1: I’ll spend the day introducing our visitors to our neighborhood so that they can find important things like cafes, ice-cream stores and parks while we’re at work during the following week. This is Seattle, so it’s not too surprising that even in my almost-suburban neighborhood there’s at least eight espresso joints from which to choose. My favorites are Zoka Coffee Roaster and Diva Espresso – both local companies. For ice-cream, these kids are in for a treat since we’re lucky enough to have the original Molly Moon homemade ice-cream store just down the street and newcomer Fainting Goat Gelato in case the line at Molly Moon’s is too long (it’s a popular spot). I expect that choosing a park in which to play will be a daily occurrence for my young guests. There’s a long list to choose from, but those with wading pools will be high on the list – a perfect way to spend some quality outdoor time with younger children in Seattle in the summer.

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Day 2: My boys love water play on hot summer days and having a picnic by the International Fountain at the Seattle Center has always been a fun day trip. Playing around the fountain as the water and starts and stops – in time to the music – is a big hit with kids of all ages. It’s not for the faint of heart though, it can get crowded and younger children should be with a parent. If the International Fountain is just too much, the quieter, more secluded Fountain of Creation is just a few steps away on the north side of Key Arena.

Before we leave the Center, we’ll take some time to check out some of the other onsite attractions including the Pacific Science Center, The Children’s Museum, Space Needle and EMP – not to mention the Fun Forest .

Day 3: Today will be a Mom’s day. At the very least we’ll go for a kid-free walk, run or bike ride. I’ll make some beautification appointments in advance at either Ummelina or Habitude and we’ll finish the day at the Summer Concert Series event at Chateau St Michelle with a picnic on the lawn.

Day 4: I’m not a fan of theme parks (too loud, too many people, too expensive), but I do make an exception for water parks. Wild Waves is just off the I-5, an easy 30 miles south of Seattle in Federal Way. For us, it’s always been a once-a-summer, special event – my kids are looking forward to this daytrip already! It is pricey: entrance tickets are $28.99 + tax, but this year, the City of Seattle is selling reduced price tickets ($21) at community centers through September 7th.

Day 5: I’m calling this “Downtown Day”. I’ll be giving my guests tickets for the Ride the Ducks city tour and guest passes for the Seattle Aquarium. I’ll be suggesting that they stop for sandwiches at Three Girls Bakery or Le Painier on Pike Place Market for lunch but to take their food across the street to Victor Steinbrueck park where they can enjoy the sunshine and watch the ferries as they ply the sound.

Day 6: If you’ve ever planned a trip with kids you’ll know that it’s important to schedule some downtime. A day or a morning where there’s nothing at all on the agenda. This day could get moved up or back or duplicated, but in all the time I’ve traveled with my boys, it’s served me well to always include a do-nothing-day as I plan our trip.

Day 7: Holiday viewings of ‘Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory‘ is a family tradition in my family. I can’t wait to see and hear what these kids think of the sights and sounds at Theo’s Chocolates. They may be too young to remember all they learn while taking the factory tour, but I expect it will be a highlight of the trip nonetheless.

Day 8: There are so many things to do at the Seattle Center that it only seems fair to add a second visit.

Day 9: Have you ever been a local who just never took the time to visit a prime tourist attraction in your city? I’ve never taken an Argosy Seattle Harbor Cruise but I do know – from other guests who’ve visited and taken the cruise – that it’s a fun 1-hour tour of Seattle giving a completely different perspective on the city and the harbor. (I have discount coupons from SeattleTourSaver which I can use – thanks alaskatravelgrm).

Day 10 and 11: No visit to Seattle would be complete without experiencing the great, great Pacific Northwest outdoors. So, we’ll be camping. I’m still considering where to camp, although old favorites like Salmon La Sac will always be a good choice and the Hood Canal is a fun spot for family camping. We’ll have fun introducing our guests to fine american camping traditions such as ‘smores :)

Is there anything you love to do with family or friends when they come to visit which you think I’ve missed? Do leave a comment.

If you’re looking for a family-friendly hotel in Seattle, check out my review of the Hotel Monaco.

Seattle summer skyline photo credit: rickz

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Photo Friday: Waimea Canyon Kauai

waimea-canyon-kauai

Worldwide we’re being bombarded with gloomy economic news and forecasts full of doom. I’ve been more than a little battered around by the effects of this over the past few months and so today, for Photo Friday, I’m posting a little pick-me-up for me – I hope you enjoy :)

This photo was taken at the rim of Waimea Canyon in Kauai. But not from the viewpoint on the road. Oh no, we hiked the Canyon Trail and then continued on UP to the lookout over the rim. It was about a 3 hour hike with some elevation gain. BigB, in the Baby Bjorn, was about 10 days old, I know we stopped for at least one diaper change and maybe even a quick nurse along the way! It was eight years ago (long before I was blogging about my travels with my children), so I’ll defer to the TravelingMamas for an excellent summary of trails in this park.

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Hiking (and more) in Seattle

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