Showing posts with label New England. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New England. Show all posts
Thrifty Travel Fun: Northeast Kingdom, VT Read Post

Thrifty Travel Fun: Northeast Kingdom, VT

Whether you're hiking in the summer, leaf-peeping in the fall, or skiing in the winter, the northeast corner of Vermont is a prime destination for family travelers. The Stowe-Waterbury area is especially delightful - and has some tasty treats for families on a budget!

Get your fill of cider and donuts as the Cold Hollow Cider Mill.

1. I scream, you scream, we all scream, for ICE CREAM. (Even in the middle of a Vermont winter? Of course!) We aren't talking about just any old ice cream outing, though; we're talking about a visit to an ice cream lover's dream - the Ben & Jerry's factory in Waterbury. Taking a tour is optional, but at $4 per adult and kids under 12 free, it's a bargain. Be sure to go on a weekday, when you can stand above the factory floor and see the machines churning out pint after pint of the good stuff - it will make you appreciate your sample at the end even more! (And if you're there in warm weather, the grounds are fun to explore, and ideal for a picnic lunch.)

2. Did you save room for another tour (and perhaps one more tiny treat)? Just up the road from Ben and Jerry's is the Cold Hollow Cider Mill. This legendary mill presses cider year-round, and has been doing so since 1974. On the free, self-guided tour, kids will trace the process of cider-making from apple tree all the way to the cup in your hand. Be sure to check out the live Bee Observation Hive along the way. (And did I mention the bakery?)

3. Tracking down a local parenting website is a fantastic way to find out about kid-friendly events when you're traveling, and the Northern Vermont area has a stellar site called Find and Go Seek. Check it out for listings for everything from library story hours to ice skating times to theater performances; you'll find reviews of local, kid-friendly restaurants and businesses, too.

Accommodation Tip: Hunker down at the Best Western Plus Waterbury Stowe-Waterbury; rest up within arm's reach of all that fresh air and good, New England-style fun waiting for you in the morning!
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Thrifty Travel Fun: Portland, ME Read Post

Thrifty Travel Fun: Portland, ME

Maine's largest city has lots to offer vacationing families, from the historic Old Port District to soaring lighthouses to long stretches of sandy beach. Read on for three budget-friendly family-fun tips. 



1. The Portland Observatory, the United States' last surviving maritime signal tower, stands tall and proud in Portland, Maine, and those who climb alllll the way to the top are rewarded with a beautiful, 360 degree view of Portland and its surroundings. Guided tours are available as well, for a small donation.

2. Pack some GORP and head to Mackworth Island. This legislated bird sanctuary is reached by a causeway from Falmouth, Portland's next-door neighbor, and is the perfect place to spend a morning exploring. A kiddo-friendly, wood chip trail circles the heavily wooded island, and in addition to plenty of birds and other small creatures, you might just spot a fairy or three! The Mackworth Island Fairy Village has been a permanent, evolving fixture on the island since it was established several years ago by local families, and visitors are welcome to try their hand at building their own fairy home.

3. The Children's Museum and Theater of Maine, located right in Portland's Arts District, puts loads of fun under one roof. Kids can learn about Maine through locally-themed exhibits (think whales and lobster boats), along with many other hands-on, inventive exhibits. Feel like catching a show? See what's playing at the by kids, for kids Dress-Up Theater. Museum admission is budget-friendly at $9 per person (theater tickets are extra).

Accommodation Tip: How does the Best Western Merry Manor Inn sound for a cheerful, cozy place to rest your head? Easy access to everything on your sight-seeing list makes this the perfect pick. 
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Thrifty Travel Fun: Boston, MA Read Post

Thrifty Travel Fun: Boston, MA

Recent events have put Boston in everyone's thoughts, and it's the perfect city for this week's Thrifty Travel Fun post. A rich history, a plethora of museums and activities, and easy access to the rest of New England makes Boston an ideal family travel destination. Below, three outdoor Boston activities on the cheap!

Photo by hostelworld / Flickr

1. Boston is steeped in history, and The Freedom Trail is the perfect introduction to Colonial Revolutionary Boston, as well as an ideal way to explore the city on foot. The three mile-long trail takes you to 16 historical spots, including the Boston Common, Faneuil Hall, the Massachusetts State House, and Paul Revere's house. You can search around for a guided tour (Boston By Little Feet offers Freedom Trail tours specifically tailored to kids), or just pick a stretch to walk on your own. TIP: the section around Faneuil Hall is a good one if you're not sure the family's up for a full morning of walking and history-intake, and it will land you right by Quincy Market for lunch; with hundreds of food stalls, everyone in the family can pick out a different treat!

2. Hop on the "T" (it wouldn't be a real Boston visit without at least one ride) and head over to Cambridge's Harvard Square. Shops and cafes abound, and it's the perfect place to take in some prime street performances. Kids need to get a good romp in? The nearby Harvard Campus has plenty of space for an impromptu game of tag!

3. Before your Boston visit, be sure to read "Make Way for Ducklings," the darling children's classic that takes place in Boston. Then, head to the Boston Public Garden to see the bronze statues of Mrs. Mallard and all her ducklings! Climb on board, everyone: holiday card photo opp?

Accommodation tip: The Best Western Plus Roundhouse Suites is situated close to Boston's airport and many local attractions - and yes, they offer DIY waffle-making. 
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Thrifty Travel Fun: Concord, NH Read Post

Thrifty Travel Fun: Concord, NH

Nothing really beats the beauty of New England in the winter, and whether you're a family of skiiers or prefer to stay off the slopes, Concord, New Hampshire, has lots to keep a family busy (without breaking the bank).

1. Are you in love with llamas? Who isn't, really? Concord's Cicely Farm is home to more than 30 of the fuzzy, funny-looking creatures, and they'd love for you to come say hi. Visit the barn (no matter the weather), or if your family is really llama-crazy, take a guided hike on the farm. (Note: this is not a free activity. Barn visits are $10/adult and $5/child, and hikes are $35/adult and $15/child.)

2. Be sure to include a visit to the headquarters of the New Hampshire Audubon Society in your trip to Concord: no matter the time of year, kids will love learning about the natural environment and creatures of N.H. (Or, ok, they might just love seeing the really big raptors who live at the McLane Center.) Call or check the Center's website for current programming: think family-oriented bird walks, animal tracking classes, open houses, and more. Most are free or $5 per family!

3. If you're spending time anywhere in New Hampshire, be sure to bookmark NH.com's Free Things To Do page on your phone. From a statewide playground map (brilliant!) to a daily free events calendar, this site is the next best thing to having a family-trip-planning fairy along for the ride. Thanks to whoever's responsible for this gem!


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Best places to pick apples Read Post

Best places to pick apples

The best apple I ever ate was pulled off a tree at Kiyokawa Family Orchards in Oregon's Hood River Valley. I remember that piece of fruit well. Is was a rose-colored Honey Crisp with a dense, juicy flesh that was the perfect balance of sweet and tart.

I actually picked that apple myself at the Kiyokawa "pick your own" orchard. The beautiful setting amidst an orchard spreading across a valley overlooked by snowy Mount Hood only made the apple more delicious.

On a clear, cool fall day my kids and I filled a bucket with apples, and ate nearly half of our harvest on our drive back to Portland. We didn't even have enough leftovers for pie!

Across the country you'll find orchards where you can pull apples right off the tree. Here's a list of places to help you find a pick-your-own orchard:

About.com: Apple picking in New England

All About Apples: Online resource for Apple Varieties, Orchards, and Health

Apple Hill Growers Association, California

Massachusetts Department of Agriculture: Pick-Your-Own Apple Orchards

Mommy Poppins: Apple Picking Orchards in New York and New Jersey

New York Apple Country

Ohio Apples

Pick Your Own: Online database of pick-you-own orchards

Time Out New York Kids: Pick your own apples and pumpkins in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut

USA Today: 10 Great Places to Pick Your Own Apples

Virginia Apples: Guide to Pick Your Own

Photo: Courtesty Hilltop Orchards
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9 things to do with kids in Boston Read Post

9 things to do with kids in Boston

1) Walk the Freedom Trail. Follow this 2.5-mile painted path and you'll pass by Boston's most historic sites including our country's first public school, Paul Revere's house, and the site of the Boston Masacre. You can pick up free maps at the tourist information booth at Faneuil Hall, where the Sons of Liberty once met.

2) Fill up on mac n cheese at the Quincy Market. Adult tastebuds will be tempted by the lobster rolls and clam chowder at this famous food market, but little tummies much prefer the creamy cheesy pasta served at MMMac & Cheese, where the stuff is made-to-order in a skillet.

3) Say hello to the ducks at Boston Common. In the oldest park in America, children love to get their picture taken in front of the bronze re-creations of the mother duck and her ducklings featured in the classic book Make Way for Ducklings.

4) Enjoy a tasty dinner at Picco Restaurant. The thin-crust blistery pizza are scrumptious and kids love the margherita with only fresh tomato sauce, mozzarella, and a little basil. Also try the homemade ice cream.

5) Visit the Boston Children's Museum. Kids can clamber up a three-story staircase, create a collage in the art studio, or blow gigantic pubbles in the science lab. Admission is only $1 Fridays, 5-9 p.m.

6) Savor a Cannoli at Mike's Pastry. Quite possibly the best dessert that you will ever taste, these Sicilian treats have perfectly crisp shells and creamy ricotta fillings.

7) Take in a bird's-eye view of the city. Along the Harborwalk, stop at Independence Wharf, where you'll get sweeping views of Fort Point Channel and beyond from the 14th floor of the observation deck. High-powered binoculors allow you to zero in on the planes taking off and landing at Logan Airport.

8) Hop a boat. Catch a Boston Harbor Cruise shuttle from Long Wharf to Charlestown Navy Yard to see the famous USS Constitution.

9) Cross a bridge. Drive across the Zakim bridge--it's especially beautiful lit up at night. This is one of the world's widest cable-stayed bridges and it's the the most visually stunning aspect of the massive Big Dig project. Kids will think it's cool!
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