How to Float a River with Kids

One of our favorite outdoor activities to do as a family is float the river. It’s relaxing and fun. We typically float for half a day so somewhere between 3 – 5 hours. If you’ve never floated a river, it can be a little intimidating even though there’s no skill needed. There are a few designated areas that I call out below where you can float.

There are some things you need to know before you float. For example, what to wear and how to chill your drinks.  Use your judgment and make sure conditions are safe before heading out.

What to wear while floating the river:

• Clothes and shoes that can get wet like your swimsuit
• Shoes that stay on your feet, like river sandals, aqua socks, or even tennis shoes you don’t mind getting wet. Do not wear flip flops.
• Sunglasses
• If you wear glasses, straps to keep them secure are a good idea.
• Hat
• Wearable Drybag

Other Items to Bring

• Raft or tubes: In Texas, tubes are ideal, because it’s so hot and the water is warm. In Oregon and Idaho, rafts are better because the water is so cold.
• Life jackets: Laws vary by state, but everyone should always have a life jacket. Never take a child into a river without a life jacket.
• Paddles: You may not need them, but on the off chance you do, you will be happy to have them with you.
• Sunscreen
• Snacks: Pack snacks with minimal packaging.
• Non-alcoholic beverages
• Water: It’s important that everyone stays well hydrated while out in the sun.
• Mesh laundry bag: I use a mesh laundry bag and fill it with drinks and tie it to our raft. Typically the water is so cold it will keep the drinks super cold.
• Waterproof camera: Nowadays there are lots of waterproof cameras on the market.
• Air Pump: You will want to quickly fill up your tubes and rafts.

What else to bring, but leave in the car until the end:

• A change of dry clothes
• Towel

What Not to Bring

• Glass bottles or containers
• Styrofoam coolers or cups

Where to Float a River with Kids

Florida:

Fort White offers the most popular place to float in Florida at Ichetcucknee Springs State Park and is open May – September.

• Visitors bringing tubes into the park:  Enter park at the north park entrance located at 8294 SW Elim Church Road.
• Drivers will leave tubes and passengers at the tube drop off location in the upper parking lot area.
• Drivers will proceed to the South main entrance parking area located at 12087 SW U.S. Highway 27.
• Drivers will purchase a shuttle bracelet for transportation to North main entrance tube drop off from the general store. (The driver can also purchase tram bracelets for everyone in their party)
• Visitors renting tubes from within the park will need to enter the park at South main entrance instead, located at 12087 SW U.S. Highway 27.

Between Jacksonville and Tallahassee is Madison Blue Spring State Park, where you can float on weekends from May to September.

In Apopka, you can float Rock Springs Run in Kelly Park. Bring your own, or rent tubes for $5 – $7 from private outfitters located just outside the park. The float trip is short, it only takes about 25 minutes.  When you are done, it is a 5-minute walk on a paved sidewalk back to the start. The deepest part is about 5 feet and is much shallower in many places.

In High Springs you can do a short float down the Santa Fe River at Ginnie Springs. Put in at Devil’s Spring and float for an hour. You will exit at Twin Spring and walk back to where you parked. It takes around 15 minutes to walk back on the tubing trail. There are free air stations located in the park.

In Holt, in the Florida panhandle is Blackwater River State Park. Blackwater River offers a four-mile stretch of water that will take you 3-5 hours to float.

Spring Creek in Marianna near Tallahassee offers a four-hour tubing experience.  Start at Merrit’s Mill Pond where Spring Creek opens up to the Chipola River.

Georgia:

Near Atlanta, in Roswell, you can float the Chattahoochee River. You will only want to float here if it is over 80 degrees outside because the water is cold.

In Blue Ridge, the Toccoa River offers smooth rides through the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Idaho:

In Boise, you can float the Boise River.  (Some people even surf it, but we just float!) You can park your car at Ann Morrison Park and catch a bus. For a few dollars, the bus will take you up the river and drop you off at Barber Park. Last time we paid $2 per adult and they didn’t charge me for the kids. At the drop off point, there’s air available and you can inflate your raft or tube. You can also rent a raft or tube where they drop you off. I recommend using a raft because this river is extremely cold. It takes about two hours to float back down to the park. There are two small drops so you will have to hang on to your kids a few times.

Oklahoma:

In Oklahoma, in Chickasaw Country, you can float the Washita River. Washita River Floats will take you up the river and drop you off for a 4 mile float. It will take between 2.5 – 4 hours depending on how the river is moving. 

Oregon:

There are several rivers that you can float in Oregon, but we tend to stick to the same one. We float the Sandy River near Troutdale, Oregon. Start at Dabny State Park and pull out at Lewis and Clark state park. You do have to pay to leave your car in both of the parks. The last time we went it was $5 and they took credit cards.

Texas:

For the most part, there are shuttles available along popular Texas rivers. In Texas, the only legal access points are where bridges cross a navigable river. Keep this in mind if you’re doing it yourself and not using a shuttle service. The tube rental/shuttle companies are fairly cheap and make the whole thing super easy.

In San Antonio, you can float the Comal or Guadalupe River. Near San Antonio in Bandera is also the Medina River that can be floated

In San Marcos, you can float the San Marcos River.

In Austin, you can float the Barton Creek Greenbelt. There are no shuttles or tube rental outfits here.

In the Dallas/Fort Worth area, you can float the Trinity River.

Best Places to go Tubing in Texas

Virginia:

Most people float the South Fork of the Shenandoah River in Shenandoah Valley. Virginia has a no drinking in public law, so leave the booze at home.

Washington:

Yakima River Canyon is a popular place to float near Yakima, Washington. – Start at Umtanum for a three-hour float to Roza. Leave one car at Roza, this is where you will pull out of the river. It will likely cost $5 per car to park.

Get Travel Insurance

Unfortunately, there are a lot of things that can go wrong on any trip. Be prepared for the worst with travel insurance. We use Travelex or Safety Wing (often cheaper).

Book Flights

I use Skyscanner to find flights. I use it so much, I wrote an entire guide to finding cheap flights with Skyscanner! Another option for finding deals is FlightHub.

Book a Place to Stay

I recommend using Expedia.com or Hotels.com for most hotel bookings. I prefer to book directly with Marriott when I stay there because of their excellent military discount.

If you prefer staying in a vacation rental instead, I recommend VRBO. If you are looking for a hostel, I use HostelWorld.

Choose Activities and Tours

To find great activities in any area I use Viator. If we are visiting a city with lots of popular attractions I always check CityPass, PogoPass, and GoCard to see if they have discount cards available. Groupon also tends to have a lot of local travel deals.

When I want to book a full-on multi-day tour I use TourRadar. They’ve got fantastic weekly deals. If going somewhere in Mexico or the Caribbean, I use Apple Vacations.

Rent a Car or Get a Lyft

More often than not, Lyft is cheaper than Uber. Use my Lyft link for an $18 credit! For a car rental in any country, I recommend Hertz or Discover Cars.

Save Money on Gas

Upside a free app gets you cash back on gas! Use promo code RV2Q2 to get an extra 15¢/gal bonus on your first purchase.

Get a Visa

I use iVisa to get all of my Visas.

Travel Printables

If you found this information helpful consider buying me a cup of coffee aka helping me pay to put kids through college! Just scan the QR code or click the link. As always, thank you for your support!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended but doesn’t cost you any extra. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

The post How to Float the River appeared first on Mommy Travels.

Things to do in Seattle

There is an abundance of activities to be done in Seattle, Washington and many of them can be done at a discounted price using a  City Pass. Also, because of the large military population everywhere in Seattle seemed to offer a military discount.

The first Thursday of every month, numerous museums offer FREE admission to all guests! The Museum of Flight, Museum of Glass, Seattle Children’s Museum, Museum of History and Industry, and the Burke Museum. 

Chihuly Garden and Glass

Chihuly Garden and Glass is a beautiful tribute to Dale Chihuly. Dale Chihuly is a well known glass artists with exhibits at over 200 museums worldwide. Chihuly Garden and Glass has to be fully explored by visiting the Glasshouse and the Garden. Their hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 8:30am until 8:30pm and Friday through Sunday from 8:30am until 9:30pm.  Located at 305 Harrison Street.

Museum of Pop Culture 

Museum of Pop Culture is the coolest thing, if you are into pop culture. They recently added an exhibit by Jim Henson. The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimitedexplores Jim Henson’s groundbreaking work for film and television and his transformative impact on popular culture. This comprehensive exhibition reveals how Henson and his team of builders, performers, and writers brought to life the enduringly popular worlds of The Muppet Show, Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, and more. Their hours of operation vary according to season. Visit the website for exact hours. Plan on lunch at the Culture Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck. Located at 325 5th Ave North 

Seattle Art Museum

Seattle Art Museum is so much in one. There are three museum perfectly situated throughout downtown Seattle. You have the Seattle Art Museum located at 1300 1st Avenue,Asian Art Museum of Seattle (closed and under renovations until 2019) which is located at 1400 E Prospect Street and Olympic Sculpture Park located at 2901 Western Avenue. Visit one of them are all of them and take in the history. 

Seattle Glassblowing Studio

Seattle Glassblowing Studio is a great way to be up close and personal with the fine art experience of glass blowing. This studio presents so much about glass blowing that you will be totally fascinated with the craft. Sign up for a class to Blow Your Own Glass and experience it first hand. Their hours of operation are Sundays from 10am to 6pm and Monday through Saturday from 9am until 6pm. Located at 2227 5th Avenue 

Seattle Children’s Museum

Seattle Children’s Museum is where imagination comes to life. That is their motto and it rings true throughout the museum with their engaging exhibits. Plan your visit to get the most out of it. Their hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 10am until 5pm, Saturday and Sunday from 10am until 6:00 pm. Located at 305 Harrison Street.

Woodland Zoo

Woodland Zoo is not your traditional zoo. As a zoological garden you will find a new appreciation for The Tropical Rain Forest and the Butterfly Garden. Their hours of operation are 9:30am until 6pm daily. Located at 5500 Phinney Ave North 

Pike’s Place Market

Pike Place Market is Seattle! This is a local community favorite and literally the heart best of Seattle. Experience the farmers market, crafts market, waterfront dining and the Market Front. There is so much to do here and those are just a few. 

Starbucks Roastery and Tasting Room

Starbucks started in Seattle and you can see the original Starbucks at Pike’s Market, but what many don’t know is that they have this super cool Roastery.

The Space Needle

For great views go up in the Space Needle. It is one of the included attractions with the City Pass. They also offered a military discount when we visited.

Bridge Troll

One of the best things about Seattle is the random troll they have under a bridge. He is crushing a real Volkswagen. It’s hideous, yet awesome.

Pier 57

Carousel at Miners Landing on Pier 57 – In 1897, the steamship Portland, weighed down with the first load of gold from the Klondike, docked at the pier where Miners Landing now stands. Now, Pier 57 is home to the Miners Landing, a family-friendly shopping, restaurant and entertainment complex.

Seattle Great Wheel

The Seattle Great Wheel is a large Ferris wheel on pier 57. It has an overall height of 175 feet. I took the photo at the beginning of this article from the Seattle Great Wheel. The views are fantastic!

Point Defiance Zoo

 This zoo is small and lesser known, but it is fantastic. They do an interactive show with animals that is extremely well done.

Up Improve

This is an adults only comedy club. I’ve only been once, but it was a lot of fun. It’s located near the gym wall.

Jefferson Park

If you want to take your kids to an amazing playground while you are in Seattle our favorite is Jefferson Park.

Where To Stay in Seattle

Inn at the Market is a downtown hotel and is a recently renovated boutique hotel. With only 76 rooms you have great views available to you from the waterfront to downtown to the mountains.  Located at 86 Pine Street 

Palladian Hotel by Kimpton is another boutique hotel in downtown Seattle, close to Pike’s Market.

Monaco Hotel in Seattle is a boutique Kimpton hotel located in the heart of downtown Seattle. This beauty takes your breath away with its luxurious offering.  You must sign up their Kimpton Karma program which is their rewards program.  Located at 101 4th Avenue 

Residence Inn is always a nice choice for a family vacation. Always known for their space and two room accommodations this location is close to several attractions. Free internet, free breakfast, pet friendly and kitchenettes. Located at 800 Fairview Avenue North on the shores of Lake Union it is an excellent choice because of its proximity to downtown Seattle.

McMenamins Anderson School – If you are a fan of McMenamins properties you will be thrilled to know that they have a property just north of Seattle in Bothell.

Hyatt Regency Bellvue – If you do not mind staying in Bellvue, I highly recommend the Hyatt over here. I had a wonderful stay here.

Silvercloud Inn in downtown Seattle – I loved staying here with the kids. There’s a rooftop pool and hot tub that we enjoyed a great deal!

VRBO is always an excellent choice if you prefer the home feel. Just remember, to be selective, ask all the right questions, and be careful.

Great Wolf Lodge Grand Mound – If you don’t mind staying south of Seattle there is a Great Wolf Lodge about an hour south. It is a little smaller than other Great Wolf Lodge properties, but still super fun. I took my teens recently and they loved it.

Where To Eat in Seattle

There are loads of fantastic places to eat in Seattle. I will be updating this every time we visit, because we seem to never have a bad meal here.

• Six Seven Restaurant & Lounge is known for their ambience and lamb Bolognese.
• Beecher’s Handmade Cheese, is known for great macaroni and cheese.
• Bongos has an outstanding Cuban Joe.
• Shuckers Oyster Bar has an excellent selection of oysters and the Dungeness Crab Cakes are fantastic.
• Anthony’s Pier 66 & Bell Street Diner has an early (before 7pm) dinner selection of four for $24 that is delicious four course meal.
• Voula’s Offshore Cafe near the university is great for breakfast. 
• Black Bottle has the best tapas and an excellent happy hour. It’s in Bellvue.
• Sister’s European Cafe has the best sandwiches in the city. Three Sisters has been in Pike’s Market forever and they’ve never changed their menu because they don’t have too. Their sandwich creations with Mediterranean flair have already stood the test of time and people keep coming back for more.
• Los Agaves has the best tacos in town hands down, but be warned when they ask you if you want hot sauce you do not. Their hot sauce was created for fire breathing dragons. If you are the kind of person that loves to see if they can handle hot food, this will be your ultimate challenge!
• The Pink Door has been on my food bucket list for over a decade. I’ve heard it’s amazing.
• Pike’s Chowder as expected serves seafood chowders, but there is just something about this place. Their chowder is amazing and people line up out the door and around the building to eat here. So, if you are looking for that perfect bowl of clam chowder this is your place.
• Pike Brewing Company is a 25 year old gravity flow brewery and the perfect place to enjoy a local ale. While you are there, check out their museum going through the history of their brewery.

Weekend Trips from Seattle

27 Best Day Trips From Seattle

Seattle is a beautiful family fun vacation to explore. Plan your trip today and please come back to this article and share your experience.

Get Travel Insurance

Unfortunately, there are a lot of things that can go wrong on any trip. Be prepared for the worst with travel insurance. We use Travelex or Safety Wing (often cheaper).

Book Flights

I use Skyscanner to find flights. I use it so much, I wrote an entire guide to finding cheap flights with Skyscanner! Another option for finding deals is FlightHub.

Book a Place to Stay

I recommend using Expedia.com or Hotels.com for most hotel bookings. I prefer to book directly with Marriott when I stay there because of their excellent military discount.

If you prefer staying in a vacation rental instead, I recommend VRBO. If you are looking for a hostel, I use HostelWorld.

Choose Activities and Tours

To find great activities in any area I use Viator. If we are visiting a city with lots of popular attractions I always check CityPass, PogoPass, and GoCard to see if they have discount cards available. Groupon also tends to have a lot of local travel deals.

When I want to book a full-on multi-day tour I use TourRadar. They’ve got fantastic weekly deals. If going somewhere in Mexico or the Caribbean, I use Apple Vacations.

Rent a Car or Get a Lyft

More often than not, Lyft is cheaper than Uber. Use my Lyft link for an $18 credit! For a car rental in any country, I recommend Hertz or Discover Cars.

Save Money on Gas

Upside a free app gets you cash back on gas! Use promo code RV2Q2 to get an extra 15¢/gal bonus on your first purchase.

Get a Visa

I use iVisa to get all of my Visas.

Travel Printables

If you found this information helpful consider buying me a cup of coffee aka helping me pay to put kids through college! Just scan the QR code or click the link. As always, thank you for your support!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended but doesn’t cost you any extra. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

The post Seattle City Guide: What to do, Where to Eat, and Where to Stay appeared first on Mommy Travels.

Day 1 – Downtown Seattle, Seattle Waterfront, West Seattle

Spending the Morning in Seattle

Start your day with breakfast at Bacco Cafe, located near Pike Place Market.  From breakfast, head down to Pike Place Market to check out the produce, flowers, and handcrafted goods.  Pike Place Market is one of the most famous attractions in Seattle, and is the longest continuously run farmers market in the United States, operating since 1907.  When you visit, make sure to stop by the bubblegum wall in Lower Post Alley; a wall that’s been collecting gum since 1990!  (This is continuously cleaned but somehow gum continues to collect.)  You’ll also want to make sure to stop by the famous Pike Place Fish Market to watch the workers throw fish around.  Even as an adult, it’s always fun to see.

Before leaving Pike Place, stop for a pick me up at Indi Chocolate where you can buy some of the best chocolate chip cookies.  From Indi’s head down to the Seattle waterfront area where you can go on a ferris wheel ride and/or visit the Seattle Aquarium.  Currently, the waterfront is undergoing construction until 2025 where it will then be known as “Waterfront Park”.

Spending the Afternoon in Seattle

For lunch, head to Pier 50 where you can get a water taxi over to West Seattle to eat at Marination Mai Kai.  Not only is the food here incredible, but it’s very family friendly without outdoor picnic tables making it easy for kids to run around while waiting for food.  Plus you’ll get amazing views of the Seattle skyline!

To take the water taxi, walk to Pier 50 (801 Alaskan Way).  The ride from downtown to West Seattle only takes about 15 minutes and the taxi leaves every hour (but times are different depending which day of the week you go).  For more information on ticketing and times, check out this website.  Once you arrive in West Seattle, Marination Mai Kai is directly to the right of the dock.

If it’s raining in Seattle, instead of taking the water taxi to West Seattle, I’d recommend lunch at The Athenian Seafood Restaurant & Bar at Pike Place Market, and going on Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour to learn about the darker side of Seattle’s history.

Spending the Evening in Seattle

As for spending the evening in Seattle with kids, head to Gas Works Park for sunset.  The kids can run around and the adults can enjoy the beautiful skyline and watch the seaplanes come and go.  (Tip:  When you’re at Pike Place Market earlier in the day, pop into Wines of Washington to grab a bottle of wine to enjoy at Gas Works Park).

From Gas Works Park, walk 8 minutes west to Fremont Brewing.  Fremont Brewing is a large, open space with picnic tables and board games.  You can get Mammoth sandwiches or get takeout from one of the nearby restaurants, enjoy some beers, while the kids run around or you play games.  Restaurants nearby that I recommend include Fiasco, My Friend Derek’s Pizza, Pablo y Pablo, or Jai Thai.

Day 2 – Seattle Space Needle, Chihuly Gardens, Museum of Pop Culture

Spending the Morning in Seattle

For breakfast, head to Beacon Hill, one of Seattle’s quieter neighborhoods.  To get to Beacon Hill, you can take the Link Light Rail south towards Angle Lake and get off at “Beacon Hill”.  When you get off the train, take the elevator to the street, and you’ll find a coffee shop called Fresh Flours directly to the right of the train station.  Here you can grab some pastries and coffee before walking around the neighborhood.  As I mentioned, this is a quieter part of Seattle so it’s a really great, family-friendly area.  And depending on how small your children are, from Fresh Flours the Beacon Hill Playfield is only a 14 minute walk.

Spending the Afternoon in Seattle

From Beacon Hill, head to see some of Seattle’s most famous sights, starting with the Space Needle and Chihuly Gardens.  Unfortunately, there is not a light rail stop near the Space Needle.  So you can either get an Uber from Beacon Hill – or if your kids are too young and need car seats, you can take the light rail and walk from the Westlake station.  To get from Beacon Hill to Belltown on the Link Light Rail, get on the train heading north towards North Gate where you’ll get off at “Westlake”.  From Westlake, it’s about a 30 minute walk to the Space Needle.

If you’re planning to visit both the Space Needle and Chihuly Gardens (they are located next to each other and this is something I would recommend), I’d suggest purchasing a bundled ticket to save money.  You can check ticket prices and book here.

Another great museum to visit with kids is the Museum of Pop Culture, which is only a 1-minute walk from the Space Needle.  If you plan to visit all three of the attractions listed, you might want to consider purchasing a CityPASS to save money.

Spending the Evening in Seattle

As long as the weather permits, a really unique and fun activity you can do in Seattle is rent an electric boat and take it out for a spin on South Lake Union.  It’s a fun way to spend time in Seattle and it’s very family-friendly. You’ll rent from The Electric Boat Company and prices vary depending on which boat you rent and for how long you rent it.  There is no age limit and life jackets are available in both kid and adult sizes.

For dinner, I suggest dining out or getting takeout.  If you want to eat at a sit-down restaurant, I would head to Ballard where you can eat at an incredible Lebanese restaurant called Cafe Munir.  I love this spot for kids because you can share a bunch of different small plates and the atmosphere is pretty relaxed.

However, if you’d prefer to stay at the hotel, my favorite place for takeout food in Seattle is Cherry Street Thai.  They don’t offer delivery, but I promise it’s worth it to pick up and bring back to the hotel.  (You could even pick up the food before heading out on your electric boat.)

Family Friendly Hotels in Seattle

As far as where to stay in Seattle, I would recommend staying somewhere near a light rail station so you can easily get around the city.  My top neighborhood recommendations are Downtown, First Hill, Capitol Hill, and Pioneer Square (with my top recommendation being Downtown Seattle).  Fremont, Queen Anne, and Ballard are also great neighborhoods, but the Light Rail doesn’t currently operate in these neighborhoods which might make it tricky getting around.  Please know, there are many people experiencing homelessness in Seattle and I would exercise caution taking the light rail at night or walking around at night.

My top family-friendly hotel recommendations include…

• Palihotel Seattle
• Maylfower Park Hotel
• Lotte Hotel Seattle
• Kimpton Palladian Hotel in Seattle

How to Get Around Seattle

Seattle is relatively easy to get around on foot or train (depending on where you stay), and has limited parking spots.  For those reasons I would not recommend renting a car for the weekend.  Instead, I would rely on taking the Link Light Rail (the train), walking, or getting Ubers.

If you plan to utilize the Link Light Rail, it runs in a straight line from north to south and is very easy to navigate.  If you’re heading north, you’ll take the light rail to “North Gate” and if you’re heading south, you’ll take the light rail to “Angle Lake”.  To get tickets, you can buy it at the station or you can download the “Transit Go” app and upload your tickets from your phone.  The price of a ticket varies based on where you’re going.

Lastly, you can also get a rideshare to get around Seattle.  Both Uber and Lyft operate in Seattle.

Best Time to Visit Seattle

The best time to visit Seattle is from July-September.  There is very little rainfall and the weather is perfect at this time.  However, if you like to avoid and the crowds and are looking for better prices, Seattle is rainy – but welcoming all throughout the year.  This guide is based on visiting during the summer months, but I did try to give suggestions on things to do if you decide to visit during the rainy months.

I hope this guide convinces you just how much of a family friendly city Seattle is.  It’s the perfect place to spend a weekend with your kids.

Guest Author: Kylee is a NICU nurse passionate about making travel affordable and accessible to nurses. Inspiring nurses to travel both near and far, Kylee began Passports and Preemies in 2017 while volunteering in Skopje, North Macedonia as a way to reach nurses and advocate for the prevention of nurse burnout by traveling.

Read Next:

27 Best Day Trips From Seattle

10 Family Friendly activities in Seattle, Washington

The post How to Spend a Weekend in Seattle with Kids appeared first on Mommy Travels.

Great Wolf Lodge is an incredible resort that my family and I have visited on multiple occasions. For the most part, I was a bit too young to remember everything about these trips. One thing I do remember is the Halloween dance party and being terrified to ride the Howlin’ Tornado. This past weekend, we got to revisit this fun, family-friendly resort yet again. We packed our bags and grabbed a couple of friends, and began the drive to Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound, Washington.

At the time of this trip, we were driving a very large Dodge Durango SRT. It was incredibly nice and spacious. There was plenty of room for the six of us that came along on the trip and our luggage. My mother found out very quickly the amount of power within the Durango. The car could go from zero to sixty in a matter of seconds, and there’s a special launch button that we never got the chance to test out.

The drive took us nearly two hours, although it should have been less than an hour and a half. At the start of the drive, we immediately hit heavy traffic that kept us waiting around for quite a while. Everything turned out alright in the end, as we arrived at Great Wolf Lodge just around 5:30, giving us enough time to enjoy the evening.

The Hotel Rooms: Grand Bear Suite

Great Wolf Lodge has a variety of different hotel room and suite designs. It is likely that you will find yourself the perfect, and most comfortable hotel room for you and your party with just a bit of digging. I believe most of the rooms stick with the theme of the resort that is woodsy/cabin-like, making for a fun and unique stay at this lovely resort.

Sleep up to Eight People

Eight people? I know it sounds ridiculous, but take into account that this is the Grand Bear Suite. I believe it is one of the larger rooms at Great Wolf Lodge, although there are a few others that are just as spacious, if not larger.

The Grand Bear Suite has a king-size bed, two queen size beds, and a couch that pulls out into a bed fit for two. Each of these beds could fit two people, therefore you could technically sleep eight people. If you want me to take it up a notch, I’ll say that the king-size bed could probably fit three. Hey, throw someone in the bathtub for all I care. Great Wolf Lodge actually does care though and limits it to eight guests. Also, you have to pay extra if you bring more than six people.

I’d say the only problem with fitting such a great number of people into this hotel room is the amount of clutter. This really depends on the person or group of people staying in the room, but I know that my family does a really spectacular job at throwing their belongings all over a nice neat hotel room. Within a few minutes of entering a hotel room, my family can make it appear as though we’ve been living there for months, although that is the opposite of the case.

If you don’t have this problem, good for you.

Two Bathrooms

Considering the size of the hotel room, it does have two bathrooms. One of them has a bathtub, and both of them have a shower and a toilet. The bathrooms are fairly small, and a teensy bit cramped, but this isn’t out of the ordinary for most hotels. In general, the bathrooms weren’t bad. They’re bathrooms, after all.

 

The provided amenities such as a hairdryer and other bathroom supplies are average, although I do have one complaint. As some places do, Great Wolf Lodge provided a conditioning shampoo, rather than a bottle of shampoo and a bottle of conditioner. Many of you probably know that conditioning shampoo is not for everyone. Also, it is more than likely that guests are going to need to properly wash their hair during a stay at Great Wolf Lodge due to a visit to the hot and humid water park.

Overall, I very much enjoyed the Grand Bear Suite at Great Wolf Lodge. I shared the king-size bed with one other person and slept like a baby, we had a balcony with a view of the ropes course and splash pad, and there was plenty of room for all six of us.

Food and Dining

After dropping our luggage off at the room, my family and I made our way down to dinner. That night we ate at the Lodge Wood Fired Grill, and we also had the opportunity to eat at Great Wolf Lodge’s other restaurants later in the trip. There were a few different places to eat, and I enjoyed all of the food that I ate over the weekend. I left every meal satisfied. Keep in mind that there are also a couple of different places you can go to get candy, ice cream, and other treats.

Lodge Wood Fired Grill

The Lodge Wood Fired Grill had a pretty decent menu. Due to me not feeling so well (The cold has hit our area early this year), I ordered a mushroom risotto with a side of mac n’ cheese. The mushroom risotto was okay, and the mac n’ cheese was great. It was warm and cheesy, with bacon and a parmesan crust. You can also order mac n’ cheese as a meal rather than a small side. My family and I had ourselves a nice, friendly dinner, with plenty of tasty food.

The Loose Moose Cottage

The Loose Moose is Great Wolf Lodge’s buffet. We ate there once for breakfast and once for dinn

er. For both meals, there was an interesting variety of foods that all members of my family enjoyed.

The breakfast buffet had some pretty standard breakfast options such as eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, and biscuits and gravy. Then there were the less average options, like fried rice and pizza. All of it looked good, although the special breakfast pizza with eggs and sausage looked a bit curious.

At dinner time, the buffet was stocked with Chinese food, seafood, and good ol’ American food. Mom was very happy to be eating gigantic crab legs that night, and my brothers were equally happy to have the opportunity to stuff themselves with mashed potatoes and smiley face french fries. There was also plenty of dessert. I only took a few bites of the sweets here and there, but what I did eat was delicious.

Buckets Incredible Craveables

Buckets is located just inside the water park. It’s named after the large bucket on the play structure that dumps water every minute or so. This is where we decided to eat lunch before our water park fun. Buckets mainly serves up burgers and chicken tenders, and there are also a few salad options.

We did not have to wait in line for long, and we ordered as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, it did take them quite a while to serve us our food. This left everyone a bit aggravated, but everyone soon forgot about the annoyance as they dug into their food. I ordered the chicken tenders with crinkle fries. Both foods were warm and crispy. I ate almost every last bite, but it was too much food to finish completely. I was very happy with my lunch and headed off to the hot tub after.

Hungry As A Wolf

Hungry As A Wolf is a small pizza place inside of Great Wolf Lodge that is located just outside of the water park. Although it did take a while for them to serve us our pizza, the pizza was pretty good. If I were to eat there again, I’d simply make sure to order a bit sooner so that we aren’t waiting for quite as long.

The Great Wolf Lodge Water Park

Great Wolf Lodge has an amazing indoor water park that is great fun for the whole family. I myself enjoyed all of the rides and each of the pools. My mother and I especially enjoyed the hot tub, as we particularly love basking in the warm water and doing absolutely nothing.

Water Slides: Howlin’ Tornado and More

There are multiple different water slides within the water park at Great Wolf Lodge. All of them are thrilling and fun, and the lines never got incredibly long while we were there. My family and I had a total blast, although we were sometimes unwilling to leave the warmth of the hot tub and hop into the slightly colder waters of the pools and water slides.

The Great Wolf Lodge Howlin’ Tornado was hands down our favorite ride. Sliding into the darkness, you quickly arrive at a massive drop into a giant funnel. Although very bright inside the funnel during the day, the ride is even more thrilling at night. In the complete darkness, the slide before and behind you, including bumps and turns, is even more sudden and unexpected than during the day.

The same can be said of the other large slide, River Canyon Run. Although not as intense as the Howlin’ Tornado, it’s still incredibly fun. The slide is lit with colorful lights at night, and employees told us of Christmas time, where they play holiday music inside the water slide. I’d love to experience this for myself. Someday, perhaps.

Two more slides await guests at the Great Wolf Lodge resort, both of them smaller tube slides suited for one or two people. With these slides, you and your family have the opportunity to race each other to the bottom. The lines for these two slides is often much shorter than the line for Howlin’ Tornado and River Canyon Run, which are slightly more popular.

Amidst the main play structure of the water park are two small body slides. Similar to the smaller tube slides, you can also race one another to the bottom. Just keep in mind that you will have to make it all the way up the slippery platforms of the structure to get to the body slides.

Wave Pool and Other Areas

The wave pool at Great Wolf Lodge is of decent size. It never got too crowded, although you must be careful of other people and children amidst the waves. You never know when you might knock into someone.

A dip in the hot tub is in nice contrast to the coolness of the wave pool. There is only one hot tub, but it is fairly large and stretches into the outdoors. Our only problem with the hot tub was the amount of people in it. Sometimes the numbers were fine, only a couple of people and maybe their kids. At other times the hot tub was packed with people, adults, children in life jackets, and kids with goggles on. This made our hot tub experience slightly less enjoyable, but the younger kids allowed for a bit of entertainment.

One of the younger boys, that must have been around nine years old, approached my brother and his friend while we were having a casual conversation. The boy very confidently told us what bad people we were for using words like “heck” and “frick.” I didn’t really know how to respond because I don’t think I’ve ever been told not to use those words in my life.

There was another pool between the wave pool and the lines for the water slides. Basketball hoops and lily pads were the main attractions in this section of the park. My brother Jonah and his friends enjoyed running across the lily pads without the rope as fast as they could. I didn’t ever give them a try because I’ve never been good at those in the first place.

Activities at Great Wolf Lodge

Great Wolf Lodge has an incredible number of activities that most of the family can happily partake in. There are so many different activities that we hardly had enough time for them all. Between the water park and the activities, you’ll find your stay at Great Wolf Lodge chalked full of constant fun. Each of the activities listed below can be found on Great Wolf Lodge’s activity passes, such as the Paw Pass, Pup Pass, and Wolf Pass.

MagiQuest

Head on down to the MagiQuest shop at Great Wolf Lodge. Purchase a wand, and get it set up at the counter. There are a variety of wands to choose from, as well as many different wand toppers that make your wand extra special. I chose the golden wand and adorned it with a majestic unicorn topper. My brothers’ wands looked equally amazing, and so were their MagiQuest usernames. Jonah, of course, went with the name Shrek. His friend decided to be Bob, and Noah was Dave. I thought about choosing the nickname Kevin to complete the trio of minions from the Despicable Me movies, but I went in a different direction with the elegant name Dr. Phil.

When the process of getting our wands was complete, we roamed around Great Wolf Lodge, waving our wands at random objects. We never did get the chance to complete an actual quest, but this is because we were so busy with all of the activities at the resort.

Great Wolf Lodge Creation Station

After purchasing our wands, we headed up to the second floor. This is where you will find the Creation Station, right next to Hungry As A Wolf. The Creation Station is a place where you get to choose one of the six characters that represent Great Wolf Lodge. After choosing one, you have the option to stuff it yourself or let an employee stuff it. You can also pick out an outfit for your animal.

It’s Great Wolf Lodge’s version of Build-A-Bear Workshop. The employees said that they will actually be getting a Build-A-Bear workshop installed in place of the Creation Station.

After stuffing your animal of choice, the employees asked if we wanted to play the scavenger hunt that was apparently included with the animal. Although we were pretty set on trying everything we could, the workers also said it was aimed more for younger kids, so we declined. Of course, if you have young children, I’m sure this would be yet another fun activity to partake in during your stay at the resort.

The Ropes Course

Of course, we can’t forget about the ropes course. My whole family could see the ropes course from our windows and the balcony. Everybody was excited to climb the multiple stories and brave the course. All of us had been on a couple of courses similar to this one, although our friends had not.

The ropes course at Great Wolf Lodge is multiple stories high, with several levels full of obstacles. Each of the levels has two zip lines, one on each side. My whole family agrees that the ziplines were the best part. The course held a good variety of different obstacles that weren’t too challenging, but good enough.

I very much enjoyed the course, although I must say that you can only do one thing so many times before it starts to become a little bit boring. The ropes course was slightly less enjoyable this time, not because Great Wolf Lodge doesn’t have a good course, but because I’m a bit spoiled; this could also be tributed to me getting older. I’ve managed to outgrow these kinds of things, but not my stuffed animals.

Harvesting Moonstones

Great Wolf Lodge has both a mirror maze and a small area where you can pan for moonstones. The story behind the mirror maze is that you’ve ventured into a dark mine in search of moonstones. I’ll say that these two activities were the only ones that I didn’t enjoy as much. The mirror maze was small and easy to complete. Panning for moonstones was uneventful, although I do have some colorful rocks to add to my collection. I must say, if all you’re getting out of this activity is a bag of rocks, then you definitely shouldn’t pay money for this activity individually. You can buy colorful rocks for cheap at the store if you’d like.

Great Wolf Lodge Arcade and Glow Golf

Some of the activity passes also give you a round of blacklight mini-golf and twenty Paw Points to use in the arcade. The glow golf wasn’t half bad, although I will say that most of the games in the arcade cost nine Paw Points. Everybody ran out of credits pretty quickly. If you wanna have a good time at the arcade, bring extra money (if you got an activity pass with twenty Paw Points).

The arcade was like any other. There were a few claw machines, several motorcycle racing games, and pretty much all of the other games you’d expect at an arcade.

We hung around the Jumpin’ Jackpot for quite a while because Noah’s girlfriend had won the jackpot first try, and continued to play in an attempt to get it again. Unfortunately, that first jackpot was the only one she got, but that’s sure better than nothing.

Halloween Dance Party

After a long weekend full of fun and adventure, it was time to suit up.  As some of you may know, Halloween at Great Wolf Lodge is an event. Each of us got into our Halloween costumes in preparation for the costume dance party at nine o’clock. My whole family looked insane, but that’s okay. I was a unicorn, Mom was a pirate, Noah was a priest, and Jonah was… I don’t really know. We arrived at the dance party looking good. My brother Jonah and his friend spent a lot of time dancing and creeping out the little kids. People gave our group a lot of strange looks, but let’s be honest; we were the life of the party. It truly was a Great Wolf Lodge Halloween, for us at least.

To sum it up, my family had an absolute blast. Great Wolf Lodge just has so many great activities to choose from for kids and parents of all ages. There’s no way we couldn’t have a good time. I’m so glad we had the opportunity to visit Great Wolf Lodge for the weekend, and my whole family hopes to return sometime very soon.

Read Next:

15 Cool Hotel Rooms for Kids

7 Best Resorts in Dallas for Families

The post A Great Wolf Lodge Weekend appeared first on Mommy Travels.

A Phoenix from the Ashes

Originally erected in 1909, this establishment has seen more lives than a cat. After being engulfed by flames in the 1930s, it rose from the ashes during the Depression era. Its journey from a primary school to a windsurfing hostel, and finally to the charming hotel it is today, reads like a gripping novel you can’t put down.

The latest chapter? A complete renovation that marries minimalism with necessity, a concept appealing to the modern traveler who fancies “everything you need and nothing you don’t.” 

They’ve got free wifi and parking and allow dogs under 50 pounds. 

Hostel Sleeping Quarters: A Triple-Decker Treat

Imagine tucking yourself into a triple tall bunk in a room reminiscent of your childhood dreams, except with way better design. At just $30 a night, these bunks offer a nod to simplicity and community, especially since you must be 18 to book (hello, co-ed living). It’s like college dorms, but cooler and without the final exams. Plus, the original lockers and over 100-year-old books bought from a different school’s library sprinkle an educational charm you didn’t know you needed until now.

2 Bedroom Cabins

For those that want or need more room and privacy they have 2 bedroom cabins with a bathroom, tiny kitchen, and little dining area. We stayed in one of these and loved it! It was a peaceful stay and the area is so beautiful. 

Nourishment for Body and Soul

The on-site café promises more than just your average hotel breakfast. Offering a selection of healthy options that include sandwiches and bowls, the cafe ensures you start your day right. And let’s talk about the chalkboards – original pieces that whisper the secrets of countless lessons taught over the years.

Happy hour is every day from 4 – 6 PM with discounts on beer, wine, and some cocktails. 

Architectural and Wellness Wonders

The design intricacies, from the roof angled to frame the majestic mountains, to the Japanese and Chinese-inspired covered walkways, transform the hotel into a visual storybook.

The cedar temple and the hydrotherapy facilities, including a massive cedar dry sauna, indoor saltwater soaking pool, an outdoor hot pool, and a cold plunge pool, are not just amenities; they’re sanctuaries. A day pass here could easily turn into the most serene $30 you’ve ever spent.

The spa offers a variety of treatments including massages, facials, waxing, and more. I wish I could tell you how they were but they were closed for some reason when I was there. 

More Than Just a Stay

This isn’t merely a place to sleep; it’s a hub of community and wellness. Whether it’s hosting yoga events, facilitating retreats, or providing spaces for community gatherings like weddings or basketball games, The Society Hotel blurs the lines between a hotel and a community center. The gym, with its original flooring and refurbished lights, serves as a testament to the hotel’s dedication to preserving history while serving the community.

Concluding Thoughts

In a world where the lines between the past and the present often blur, The Society Hotel Hood River – Bingen stands out as a beacon of balance. It’s a place where history is not just remembered but experienced; where simplicity doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort and where community and privacy coexist harmoniously. For the traveler looking to shrink their space without shrinking their expectations, this hotel promises an adventure akin to the choose-your-own-adventure books of yore, with each stay offering a unique storyline crafted by the guests themselves.

So, when planning your next getaway, why not venture into the heart of history and simplicity at The Society Hotel? It’s more than a stay; it’s a step back in time, a leap into relaxation, and a journey towards a more connected self.

Check current rates.

Read Next:

8 Kid Friendly Wineries in Hood River

14 Best Hikes for Kids in the Columbia River Gorge

Get Travel Insurance

Unfortunately, there are a lot of things that can go wrong on any trip. Be prepared for the worst with travel insurance. We use Travelex or Safety Wing (often cheaper).

Book Flights

I use Skyscanner to find flights. I use it so much, I wrote an entire guide to finding cheap flights with Skyscanner! Another option for finding deals is FlightHub.

Book a Place to Stay

I recommend using Expedia.com or Hotels.com for most hotel bookings. I prefer to book directly with Marriott when I stay there because of their excellent military discount.

If you prefer staying in a vacation rental instead, I recommend VRBO. If you are looking for a hostel, I use HostelWorld.

Choose Activities and Tours

To find great activities in any area I use Viator. If we are visiting a city with lots of popular attractions I always check CityPass, PogoPass, and GoCard to see if they have discount cards available. Groupon also tends to have a lot of local travel deals.

When I want to book a full-on multi-day tour I use TourRadar. They’ve got fantastic weekly deals. If going somewhere in Mexico or the Caribbean, I use Apple Vacations.

Rent a Car or Get a Lyft

More often than not, Lyft is cheaper than Uber. Use my Lyft link for an $18 credit! For a car rental in any country, I recommend Hertz or Discover Cars.

Save Money on Gas

Upside a free app gets you cash back on gas! Use promo code RV2Q2 to get an extra 15¢/gal bonus on your first purchase.

Get a Visa

I use iVisa to get all of my Visas.

Travel Printables

If you found this information helpful consider buying me a cup of coffee aka helping me pay to put kids through college! Just scan the QR code or click the link. As always, thank you for your support!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended but doesn’t cost you any extra. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

The post The Society Hotel Bingen – Hood River: A Historical Gem with a Modern Twist appeared first on Mommy Travels.

Say Hi to a Reindeer

One of the best things you can do in Leavenworth is going to the cute reindeer farm that is just 5 minute’s drive from downtown. Here, you will learn about the reindeer that live on the farm, hold their antlers, and even get a tiny cup of food to feed them. You also get a free cup of hot chocolate or cider that you can enjoy while getting up close with the reindeer. Close to the farm is a shop that offers cute and attractive Christmas items, so you can stop there to do some shopping. 

The reindeer farm gets busy during the winter season, so it’s best to book your tickets before you head here.

Explore the Village of Lights

Every Christmas, the people of Leavenworth decorate the village with about 500,000 Christmas lights hence the term ‘Village of Lights’. One of the best things to do while you are here is to stroll through the area to take in the magical festive decor, take pictures, see live carols, and make a gingerbread house. You can also enjoy Gluhwein at the Gluhwein tents, try chestnut roastings, and enjoy the series of live entertainments.

The Nutcracker Museum

One of the best times to visit the Nutcracker Museum is at Christmas, especially since it’s dedicated to a Christmas icon, Nutcracker. At the Nutcracker Museum, visitors can explore the more than 7000 nutcrackers, some dating back to 500 years ago.

Shop at Christkindlmarkt

Leavenworth Christmas Market features a variety of goods like clothes, arts, food, and other Christmas-themed goods, making it a perfect place to do some Christmas shopping. Christkindlmarkt also features a lantern parade, Christmas-themed entertainment, and a display of goods by different artisans. This shopping festival offers the opportunity to try out Bavarian foods and is held at Front Street Park and Leavenworth Festhalle. 

Go Snow Tubing

Another fun activity to enjoy during your visit to Leavenworth is snow-tubing on the Leavenworth Ski hill. This exhilarating ride lets you reach the 100-foot hill, where you can enjoy a hot cup of cocoa around the fire. You can also enjoy other activities at the Leavenworth Ski Hill, like sledging, snowmobiling, sleigh riding, and skiing.

Eat at a Bavarian Restaurant

Leavenworth is home to many restaurants serving delicious German food where you can enjoy traditional favorites. One of the things you can do while on a Christmas trip to this village is to dine at as many Bavarian restaurants as possible. 

Ride the Alpine Coaster

Leavenworth has a massive alpine slide that runs year round. 

Try Brews at the Local Breweries

Being in Leavenworth in winter means there will be plenty of local brews to try out. There are tons of breweries and pubs where you can grab a beer, but one of the people’s favorites is the Icicle Brewing Company.

If beer isn’t your thing, you should try out a glass of Gluhwein which you will find at many Christmas markets. This German beverage is best enjoyed during winter, and it’s made up of wine spiced with cinnamon sticks, oranges, and star anise. There are also a lot of tasting rooms where you can try out fantastic local wines. 

Soak at Scenic Hot Springs

Scenic Hot Springs in Leavenworth is one of the most magical hot springs in Washington. Here, you will find three hot tubs suspended in a remote valley, and although they are on private property, you can reserve a spot to soak in them. 

Shop for Ornaments at Kris Kring

Kris Kring is the perfect shop for festive decor, ornaments, and souvenirs. The store features a collection of beautiful holiday ornaments that will make stunning home decor. 

Best Restaurants to Eat at Leavenworth

From Bavarian meals to 8 course dining experience, there are many restaurant options for you in Leavenworth:

Andreas Keller: This restaurant offers a great Bavarian menu over live music and gorgeous decor. Andreas Keller is one of the best German restaurants you can find in the town, and you get served by waiters in Bavarian attire. 

Gingerbread Factory & Danish Bakery: For gingerbread cookies and Danish pastries, you should head to this gingerbread factory on Front Street. 

Leavenworth Sausage Garten: For delicious sausages and large German beers, this restaurant is for you! They also serve delicious pretzels, potato salads, and Bratwurst.

Munchen House: Munchen House serves one of the best pretzels in town, and you can pair it with their great selection of wines.

Mana: Mana is a great fine dining option with a delicious menu made from high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. 

Tips for Enjoying Your Christmas in Leavenworth, Washington

Here are some of the tips for visiting Leavenworth at Christmas:

Book in Advance

Leavenworth gets a lot of crowds during Christmas because that is when most people come to this town. Aside from the fact that you need to prepare to deal with the crowds, you also need to reserve accommodation in advance to find a room. Some popular recommendations for visitors in Leavenworth include the Bavarian Lodge, Linderhof Inn, and Enzian Inn.

Bring Winter Clothing

Another tip to help you enjoy your Leavenworth, Washington Christmas is packing appropriately for winter. It gets really cold in this town, so pack enough winter clothing, like your jackets, snow shoes, and beanies, to help you stay warm while enjoying all the adventures this place has to offer. 

Arrive Early

If you don’t like crowds, then you should consider arriving in the town before or after Christmas. Although Christmas is just a day, celebrations start way before and continue after Christmas too. 

Know Where The Bathrooms Are

This may be a funny one, but the thing about Leavenworth is that most shops don’t have a public restroom. Meanwhile, between the cups of cocoa and glasses of beer, you will need a plan for when nature calls. There are public restrooms around the town, so it’s a good idea to get familiar with their location for when you need them. 

Where to Stay in Leavenworth

Bottom Line

Leavenworth is a great Christmas vacation, and you are sure to have the merriest celebration by following the above tips and guide. 

Read Next:

27 Best Day Trips From Seattle

Seattle Guide: What to do, Where to Eat, and Where to Stay

Get Travel Insurance

Unfortunately, there are a lot of things that can go wrong on any trip. Be prepared for the worst with travel insurance. We use Travelex or Safety Wing (often cheaper).

Book Flights

I use Skyscanner to find flights. I use it so much, I wrote an entire guide to finding cheap flights with Skyscanner! Another option for finding deals is FlightHub.

Book a Place to Stay

I recommend using Expedia.com or Hotels.com for most hotel bookings. I prefer to book directly with Marriott when I stay there because of their excellent military discount.

If you prefer staying in a vacation rental instead, I recommend VRBO. If you are looking for a hostel, I use HostelWorld.

Choose Activities and Tours

To find great activities in any area I use Viator. If we are visiting a city with lots of popular attractions I always check CityPass, PogoPass, and GoCard to see if they have discount cards available. Groupon also tends to have a lot of local travel deals.

When I want to book a full-on multi-day tour I use TourRadar. They’ve got fantastic weekly deals. If going somewhere in Mexico or the Caribbean, I use Apple Vacations.

Rent a Car or Get a Lyft

More often than not, Lyft is cheaper than Uber. Use my Lyft link for an $18 credit! For a car rental in any country, I recommend Hertz or Discover Cars.

Save Money on Gas

Upside a free app gets you cash back on gas! Use promo code RV2Q2 to get an extra 15¢/gal bonus on your first purchase.

Get a Visa

I use iVisa to get all of my Visas.

Travel Printables

If you found this information helpful consider buying me a cup of coffee aka helping me pay to put kids through college! Just scan the QR code or click the link. As always, thank you for your support!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended but doesn’t cost you any extra. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

The post Leavenworth, Washington Christmas Travel Guide appeared first on Mommy Travels.

The post 10 Family Friendly activities in Seattle, Washington appeared first on Mommy Travels.

I moved to Spokane as a 14-year-old girl in 1987. It took a while for the people and places of the Inland Empire to feel like home but now I have years of wonderful memories. Some things have stayed the same while there has been rebirth, deconstruction and new construction in other parts of the city and there is so much to see, experience, and enjoy. Here’s my list of the top 12 things to do while visiting Spokane.

Historic Davenport Hotel

You don’t have to book a stay at the Historic Davenport Hotel in Spokane to immerse yourself in its rich history. From the moment you enter the lobby, stepping foot onto the marble tile, you are instantly transported back in time. The walls are lined with photos telling stories of the past, and display cases on the mezzanine level contain items of interest from guests and events of a bygone era. 

Be sure to walk into at least one of these breathtaking ballrooms at the Davenport Hotel:

• Marie Antoinette Ballroom
• Isabella Ballroom
• Grand Pennington Ballroom

Dine at the Palm Court Grill for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Better yet have dinner in the upscale Peacock Room Lounge. The Davenport Salon & Spa offers a variety of services, treatments, and amenities but you will need to make reservations!

Spokane’s Downtown Skywalks

In February of 1963, Spokane’s first skywalk was built over First Avenue between Howard and Stevens. The rest of the 16-bridge system rapidly developed over the following decades. The idea was that as the downtown began to lose its vitality, an enclosed skywalk system would not only mimic the suburban mall shopping experience, but also separate cars and pedestrians.

They’re not as visionary as they once were and second-story shoppers will find more offices than shopping experiences as they traverse through the skywalk system but they are an important part of the history of the city and will make for fun photos.

Clinkerdagger Restaurant at the Spokane Flour Mill

Reservations are not required but its recommended to make them on weekends or holidays as this is a popular spot. Located in the historic Flour Mill. The Spokane Flour Mill worked regularly until 1972 before it closed its doors but was soon converted into a shopping center in preparation for EXPO ’74. 

Clinkerdagger Restaurant has a large portion of its seating on the side of the mill facing the water. If you’re lucky enough to get one of those tables, enjoy the views of the fast-moving Spokane River and Riverfront Park.

Riverfront Park

Take a walk around the beautiful Riverfront Park. Enjoy playgrounds, paved walkways, bridges that span the Spokane River, the historic clock tower and many revitalized structures from EXPO ’74.

You’ll find plenty to do at Riverfront Park including:

• Visiting the Pavilion
• Skate Ribbon
• Skyride
• Looff Carrousel
• Spider Jump
• Pedal Karts 

You’ll definitely want to photograph the clock tower and tickle the ivories on one of the “Play Me” pianos.

Oh and in the winter you can ice skate on the Skate Ribbon. How amazing is that!

John A Finch Arboretum

Located in southwest Spokane on 65 acres of wooded hills, the Arboretum is a botanical collection of trees and woody plants. Enjoy the varied landscapes which range from native pine forest to shady glen filled with rhododendrons. There are seasonal activities planned at the Arboretum year-round and tours are available. You can also download a Walking Guide for a self-guided tour. Visit in the fall if you can, you’ll never forget the beauty and contrast of the changes leaves.

Nishinomiya Tsutakawa Japanese Garden

The Nishinomiya Tsutakawa Japanese Garden was completed in 1974 and symbolizes the friendship of Spokane and its sister city, Nishinomiya, Japan. Entrance into the garden is free. Enjoy the manicured walking paths along with the tranquility of the landscape and pond.

The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist

St. John’s Cathedral is one of the few examples in the United States of classic Gothic architecture. The Cathedral, begun in 1925, is the fulfillment of the dream of the Right Reverend Edward Makin Cross, third Bishop of Spokane.

See what makes St. John’s an architectural destination. You can visit St. John’s Cathedral, 9 am-4 pm, Monday through Saturday, or take a guided tour. There’s no charge for small groups. If you can’t make it in person you can experience one of Spokane’s most beautiful and iconic buildings in this video from KSPS Public TV.

Arbor Crest Wine Cellars at The Cliff House Estate

A crown jewel of the Inland Northwest, Arbor Crest Winery is located on a cliff-top setting that will take your breath away. This is truly a unique place to visit. 

At Arbor Crest Wine Cellars you can expect to enjoy:

• Wines by the flight, glass or bottle
• Live music two evenings a week
• Legendary concerts in the summer months
• Beer from Square Wheel Brewing Co.
• Tasty food selections from the Wine Bar menu
• Lovely grounds, charming architecture and magical views!

Mt Spokane State Park

You could hike for days and not see the same view twice at Mount Spokane State Park. One of Washington’s largest state parks, Mount Spokane has 100 miles of trails in the Selkirk Mountains.

If you’re not up for a hike but want a stunning view, the charming, historic Vista House atop Mount Spokane offers THE BEST VIEWS. The best part is you can drive to the top, park and enjoy!

Kendall Yards

Kendall Yards is a modern neighborhood in a former rail yard, with panoramic river views and hip spots for brunch, cocktails, and pizza. An art walk on and around the paved Centennial Trail takes in striking murals and sculptures, while Olmsted Brothers Green has a play area and picnic shelter. In summer, the Kendall Yards Night Market features live music, food trucks, and stalls selling produce and gourmet snacks.

Oh, and if you don’t want to WALK on the paved Centennial Trail, you can rent a LIME scooter and enjoy the ride.

The Bing Crosby House at Gonzaga University

Gonzaga University houses a large collection of material relating to 20th Century singer and actor Harry Lillis (Bing) Crosby, a native of Spokane and alumnus of Gonzaga. Now part of Gonzaga, Crosby’s childhood home was built in 1911 and still stands at its original location. The main floor houses over 200 Crosby items including gold records, trophies, awards, and his Oscar for Going My Way (1944). What is not on display is stored in the University Archives and Special Collections’ vault in the Foley Center Library.

The museum is free to the public and free visitor parking is available behind the Crosby House Museum.

Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox

The Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox in Spokane, Washington was historically a 1931 Art Deco movie theater. It was designed by architect Robert C. Reamer, notable for his design of the Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone Park. It was part of the Fox Film Corporation Empire founded by studio mogul William Fox.

The Fox re-opened its doors in 2007 after undergoing restoration. This art deco treasure is owned and operated by the Spokane Symphony and serves as the Symphony’s permanent home and is an incredible venue for all of the performing arts. The theater is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Mica Moon Ziplines

At MicaMoon Zip Tour you can enjoy 9 zip lines, 2 hikes, and 8 tree top platforms during your zip line adventure. They also have ATVs. Located at 23403 E Mission Ave #111, Liberty Lake, WA 99019

Spokane has many surrounding cities and towns that definitely make it a destination point throughout your travels. Wonderful day trips include the wonderful cities of Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint, ID. You’ll also find the region’s largest theme park, Silverwood in Athol, Idaho. I know you’ll grow to love the charm and distinction of Spokane just as much as I do!

Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound, Washington

The post Top 13 Things To Do In Spokane appeared first on Mommy Travels.

Before our visit, I looked this place up and found the funniest comments. One comment was that there was no way Michael Jordan even eats steak because he is an athlete and athletes don’t eat steak. Now I don’t know much about athletes’ diets because I never was one, but I do know that the only time in my life I have seen Michael Jordan in person was at a steakhouse in Portland. Go figure!

We kicked off our meal with the garlic bread, a strong recommendation by our server. Upon the first bite, I saw why this savory bread paired with a blue cheese fondue is their signature appetizer.  It was absolutely delicious. Had we not been saving room for the rest of the meal I would have ordered some more of this. Between the kids and I, it was devoured in just a few minutes. That may be a record for us, but it was just so darn good.

Obviously steak is a theme here which means you can get steak many different ways including a steak benedict. It was phenomenal.

I went with the steak sandwich. For some reason, I just can’t pass up a steak sandwich. This was exceeded expectation and is one of the top three steak sandwiches I’ve had in the world. When I was pregnant with Noah all I wanted was a steak sandwich, so I’ve had over a hundred!

I have one child that orders a hamburger no matter what. Even at a steakhouse which is not right in my opinion. Regardless, it was excellent. 

Unlike the child I won’t name, Eden always orders a steak. I can tell the waiter finds this a little amusing when my tiny little daughter orders a steak, but she has great taste. The filet she ordered was superb. 

Now the most unexpected part of our meal was the 23 layered chocolate cake. Michael Jordan’s number on the Chicago Bulls was 23. This cake was to die for. I’m not even a fan of chocolate cake, but when a waiter doesn’t hesitate to recommend a specific item I take note. Our waiter recommended it and now I am recommending it. It’s absolutely wonderful. 

If you ever have the chance to visit Illani casino you must visit Michael Jordan’s steakhouse! There is a location in Chicago and Connecticut too.

Read Next:

Rally Pizza in Vancouver, Washington

14 Things to do at Great Wolf Lodge Grand Mound

The post Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse appeared first on Mommy Travels.

The United States has many stunning outdoor locations to visit, including some great lake locales. All of these have great views, and lots to do around these lakes. You will be sure to enjoy your vacation in one of these warm destination spots.

There are so many lake locations to consider, but here are some of the best lake options in the United States.

Best Lake Vacations in the United States

Arizona

Lake Havasu

Known as a spring break destination, Lake Havasu is so much more. Whether you love the water or the desert, you can have it all in Lake Havasu.

The sun is always shining and there are over 400 miles of shoreline along the lake. There are hotels, resorts, campgrounds, and general campsites right on the lakeshore. You can also rent a houseboat.

Lake Havasu is known for its water sports. You can water ski, wakeboard, swim or go Jet Skiing. Rent a boat or bring your own to enjoy the lake. 

If you want a unique view, try a hot air balloon ride. If you prefer to stay on the ground you can join a walking tour or rent a jeep.

Massachusetts

Walden Pond

Close to Boston, The Walden Pond State Reservation is worth a visit. Technically a pond, you have 400 acres with a small beach, canoeing and swimming, too. Boats are permitted, but no gasoline engines are allowed. 

You can walk the trails around the pond and even go fishing. The area has a lot of wildlife to observe as well. There are picnic areas and canoe rentals, too.

Maine

Moosehead Lake

Moosehead Lake is Maine’s largest lake and is 30 miles long and has almost 300 miles of shoreline. In the past, this area was only known by natives, but it is becoming a great spot for nature lovers to visit.

You can go kayaking, canoeing, and fly fishing at Moosehead Lake. There is white water rafting and you can even cruise the lake on a historic steamship.

The lake is next to the mountains, so hiking trails abound. Other popular activities are mountain biking, bird watching. There are also guided ‘safaris’ to catch a glimpse of moose in the area.

The Moosehead Lake area has campgrounds, and in the nearby town of Greenville, there are hotels and cabins. There are also shops and restaurants to visit in the area.

Missouri

Table Rock Lake

Table Rock Lake is close to the activities in Branson, but far enough away to feel relaxing. With 500 miles of waterfront, you can have lots of fun. There are hotels, lakefront resorts, and campgrounds for lodging choices. You can also rent a houseboat on the lake for a different vacation experience.

You can bring your own watercraft or rent a boat. There are over 20 public boat ramps around the lake. Fun activities on the lake include paddle boarding, kayaking, boating and waterskiing, and fishing, of course! You can swim and even try scuba diving. 

New Mexico

Elephant Butte Lake

When you think of New Mexico you probably don’t think of lakes. Elephant Butte Lake is just north of Truth or Consequences and is the largest body of water in the state. There are great sandy beaches here at the lake, too.

Elephant Butte Lake has fishing, boating, camping, and beautiful scenery. Many types of watercraft are allowed on the lake, including jet skis, kayaks, sailboats and pontoons, houseboats, cruisers, and ski boats. There are 3 marinas at the lake.

Since the lake is part of a State Park, you have access to picnic areas, playgrounds, and restrooms. There are cabins, an RV park, and places for tent camping.

New York

Lake Champlain

Lake Champlain is the sixth-largest U.S. ake and can be accessed through both NY and Vermont, so we’ll give you info on both.

The New York side of Lake Champlain has lots to do and it’s historic. The oldest natural tourist attraction in the U.S. is Ausable Chasm, which is a gorge of the Ausable River. A mini Grand Canyon, there are lots of hiking trails in this beautiful area.

If you want to get out on the lake you can rent kayaks, powerboats, and pedal boats. Lake Champlain is considered one of the best bass fishing lakes in the U.S. 

If you like history, there are many museums in the area. You can also plan a visit to Ft. Ticonderoga. There are plenty of places to stay, from hotels to cabins.

Finger Lakes

Technically the Finger Lakes is more than one lake each with their own vibe and things to do! The Finger Lakes are gorgeous and worth a visit.

Ohio

In Ohio, it is all about Lake Erie. Between Cleveland and Toledo, there are 100 miles of shore and nice towns to stay on your vacation.

Put-In-Bay

If you want an amusement park with beaches, try Cedar Point. You can also take a ferry over to Put-In-Bay. Put-In-Bay is quaint, and you won’t see cars. Get around via bike or golf cart. You can even visit a winery here.

Kelley’s Island is quieter and you can see glacier grooves on the island. There are beautiful Victorian homes to admire or stay at one that is now an Inn. You can play on 20 miles of shorefront and take leisurely bike rides.

Explore Marblehead Lighthouse State Park. You can tour the grounds and museums for free. If you like history see Perry’s Monument.

Oregon

Crater Lake

Crater Lake in south-central Oregon is one you don’t want to miss. This is a National Park and Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the U.S. There is a lodge and campground in the park. Klamath Falls is not too far away if you wanted to stay in town.

Crater Lake is known for having clear, deep blue water. It is simply stunning to look at. In the summer there are many activities to enjoy including boat or trolley tours, hiking, fishing, and swimming. There are also ranger talks and some evening programs for all ages. You can even take a volcano boat tour.

In the summer you will want to go along Rim Drive and see the scenic views all around the lake. There are also paths for walking or biking. The trails are usually open from July to October, depending on the weather.

Suttle Lake

Suttle Lake is tiny but also worth a visit. It’s near Sisters.

Texas

Lady Bird Lake

If you like a more urban vacation, don’t think you can’t enjoy a lake as well. Lady Bird Lake in Austin gives you the best of both worlds. Austin is a vibrant city with lots of indoor and outdoor entertainment.

While you can’t have motorized boats on Lady Bird Lake, you can enjoy rowing, canoeing, kayaking and dragon boats. There is a deep pool (Deep Eddy Pool) along the lakeshore that is great for swimming.

Surrounding Lady Bird Lake are hiking and biking trails. Zilker Park (Austin’s largest downtown park) is right next to Lady Bird Lake. You can also fish for bass, sunfish, and catfish in the lake.

Austin is a music city, and there’s lots of music and other events around the lake almost year-round.

Utah

Lake Powell

Lake Powell straddles the border of Utah and Arizona, but most of the lake is in Utah. Lake Powell is actually a reservoir on the Colorado River. Over 180 miles long and with almost 2,000 miles of shoreline, it is the second-largest man-made lake in the United States.

The crystal blue waters of Lake Powell stand in stark contrast the red rock canyon walls. There are sandy beaches and you can swim and boat. There is more water than land here, so you will want to get around by boat.

There are houseboats in some areas and lots of water fun. You can wakeboard, water ski, kayak, take a boat tour or go fishing. Some of the fish you can catch include Northern Pike, Walleye, Bass, and catfish. You can even take a dinner cruise.

One thing you don’t want to miss is the Rainbow Bridge National Monument. This is one of the largest known natural bridges in the world and is considered sacred by the many Native American tribes from this area. While you are not allowed to go under the bridge, you can view and take pictures from a distance.

Vermont

Lake Champlain Islands

In Vermont, you can visit Burlington and be near the lake. There is the wonderful Lake Champlain Islands that have 200 miles of shore to explore and enjoy. This is a quieter vacation to enjoy nature, but you are close to shops and can stay at a lovely inn.

Washington 

Lake Chelan

In north-central Washington State is the largest natural lake in the whole state. It is a narrow lake, but over 50 miles long. The lake is about 4 hours east of the Seattle area and is surrounded by mountains and vineyards.

Lake Chelan is a mecca for water lovers, as you can try jet-skiing, water skiing, kayaking, parasailing, canoeing, tubing or rowing. Parts of the lake are great for sailboats and windsurfing, too. Since the lake is crystal clear, you can also give snorkeling a try.

If you enjoy fishing and having fresh fish for meals, this area is great. You can fish for Burbot, Rainbow Trout, Chinook and Sockeye Salmon, and Smallmouth Bass.

Restaurants in the Lake Chelan Valley offer something for everyone and often include wine from the local vineyards. For a quick bite during the day there are plenty of takeout options, too.

Wisconsin

Winnebago Lake

The largest lake in Wisconsin is Winnebago Lake. This lake is 138,000 acres and a fisherman’s dream. There is open water fishing for bass and many others like Panfish, Musky, Catfish, Walleye and Sturgeon.

There are lots of opportunities for boating if that is what you like to do. With the lake being 30 miles long and 10 miles wide you have lots of room to launch and run your boat.

One of the reasons Lake Winnebago is popular is that you can drive around the lake and visit many great Wisconsin towns. Oshkosh is to the west, Appleton is on the Northside, and Fond du Lac is south.

Checkout High Cliff State Park on the Northeast shore and enjoy hiking, camping, a marina, an observation tower, picnic areas, and beaches.  Lakeside Park in Fond du Lac has picnic areas, a deer park, a playground, a marina, baseball diamonds, and boat launch ramps. You can rent canoes, bumper boats, and aqua bikes.

Have you taken a lake vacation with your family? We would love to hear about your best lake trip in the comments below!

The post Best Lake Vacations in the United States appeared first on Mommy Travels.