Thrifty Travel Fun: Tacoma, WA

Thrifty Travel Fun: Tacoma, WA Read Post

Thrifty Travel Fun

Thrifty Travel Fun: Tacoma, WA

Ranked one of the most walkable AND most liveable cities in the country, Tacoma, WA, is also a great destination for a family vacation. Read on for three thrifty family fun tips in this Puget Sound port city. 

Pure, vibrant magic at the Chihuly Bridge of Glass

1. Wright Park encompasses 27 beautifully maintained acres just begging to be explored. Home to a rich collection of more than 100 native and exotic species of trees, it's the ideal place to pass an afternoon. Be sure to stop by the playground (and the sprayground too, if you have warm weather), and leave time for a walk through the W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory, a gorgeous glass-paned greenhouse housing up to 500 blooming plants at any time.

2. Sometimes all it takes is the basics: kids will love taking a ride on the Tacoma Link Light Rail, which runs from the Tacoma Dome Station to the Theater District. And how much is it? It's free, it's free!

3. The Chuhuly Bridge of Glass, a one-of-a-kind gift to the city of Tacoma, is not to be missed. This covered pedestrian bridge connects the Museum of Glass to the downtown area, and is decorated with works by the world-renowned (and Tacoma-born) glass sculptor Dale Chihuly. Prepare to be drawn into a magical, whimsical world of cherubs, sea creatures, swirls and whirls, all blown from candy-hued glass.

Accommodation Tip: After a busy day of sight-seeing, lay your head down at the Best Western Plus Tacoma Dome Hotel; you'll be close to the action for Day Two (just don't forget to fuel up on a delicious, complimentary breakfast first). 

Read More

Seattle family vacation: Our favorite photos

Seattle family vacation: Our favorite photos Read Post

Seattle

Seattle family vacation: Our favorite photos

My family spent a fun weekend in Seattle. Here are our favorite photos from our trip.

Read More

Seattle family travel rule No. 10: See loads of airplanes at the museum of flight

Seattle family travel rule No. 10: See loads of airplanes at the museum of flight Read Post

Seattle

Seattle family travel rule No. 10: See loads of airplanes at the museum of flight

It's a bird. It's a plane. It's a 2-month old baby taking to the skies at the Museum of Flight.

Before going to the airport and catching a plane back to San Francisco, we stopped at the Seattle Museum of Flight. Located at Boeing Field, the museum that's home to one of the largest collection of airplanes in the world is on the way to the airport.

Brightly colored airplanes hang like toys from the ceiling of the museum. Each plane has its own story. There are planes that have flown in wars and those that have performed in air shows. A replica of the Wright Brother's 1903 Flyer is on display. There's also a Blue Angel. And one of the museum's most recent acquisitions is a Concorde, the world's fastest jetliner.

Read More

Seattle family travel rule No. 9: Listen to the lion's roar at the Woodland Park Zoo

Seattle family travel rule No. 9: Listen to the lion's roar at the Woodland Park Zoo Read Post

Seattle

Seattle family travel rule No. 9: Listen to the lion's roar at the Woodland Park Zoo

We actually heard this lion roar at the Woodland Park Zoo. He opened his mouth really wide and let out a loud call. I could practically see my son's knees shaking. 

This zoological garden is home to over 1,100 animals from tiny insects to the largest land mammal on the planet, the African elephant. In the tropical rainforest we saw toucans showing off their pretty feathers and big beaks, and in the arctic area penguins marched across faux snow. The animals living accommodations are spacious and clean and the grounds are pretty and wooded. Lots of trees and grass. My son said, "Mom, I'd like to live here" and then he heard the lion roar. I think he might have changed his mind.  

It's a quick 10-minute drive from Seattle Center to the zoo. We drove a rental car but you can also hop on a bus. 

Read More

Seattle family travel rule No. 8: Get eye-to-eye with Olive Oil the Octopus at the Seattle Aquarium

Seattle family travel rule No. 8: Get eye-to-eye with Olive Oil the Octopus at the Seattle Aquarium Read Post

Seattle

Seattle family travel rule No. 8: Get eye-to-eye with Olive Oil the Octopus at the Seattle Aquarium

On a perfectly clear Saturday afternoon, we arrived at the Seattle Aquarium at about 3:55 p.m.—just in time for the 4 p.m. octopus feeding, which I'm pretty certain is the coolest thing at the aquarium. My kids made their way through the crowd and got a seat in front and they stared wide-eyed and amazed through the entire presentation. The octopus is named Olive Oil and she's fed twice a day at noon and 4 p.m. If you're going to the aquarium, plan your visit around this. Most of the day, Olive Oil is curled up in a big ball but she spreads her tentacles and swims around during the feeding.

Read More

Seattle family travel rule No. 7: Go out for pizza

Seattle family travel rule No. 7: Go out for pizza Read Post

Seattle

Seattle family travel rule No. 7: Go out for pizza

A tale of two pizzas: Dining out at Tutta Bella and Serious Pie

My husband's cousin lives in Seattle with her kids and she recommended two pizza places for dinner: Tutta Bella and Serious Pie. We tried both and liked them both but for entirely different reasons. Here's the lowdown.

Tutta Bella

Tutta Bella pulls authentic Neopolitan pizza from its brick oven.

Tutta Bella dishes up fresh, plentiful salads and chewy, charred thin-crust pizzas. You can start with a plate of brushetta and order a nice glass of pinot grigio. This is a place that will please adults palate but it's also kid friendly. Children can order the margherita pizza (cheese and a little basil) and choose a flavor from the gelato bar. There's also a spacious outdoor patio where families can sneak away and not be overly concerned about bothering fellow diners. We felt entirely comfortable and welcome dining here with our baby and two older kids. We could easily walk to the Westlake location from our hotel, the Best Western Plus Executive Inn.

Serious Pie

Potato pizza, anyone?

With 10 restaurants, his own radio show and farm, Tom Douglas is Seattle's James Beard Award–winning celebrity chef. I wouldn't push a stroller through the door of most of his places such as Dahlia Lounge and Lola. But your well-behaved kids and sleeping babies will be warmly welcomed at his downtown gourmet pizzeria where pies come topped with unusual ingredients such as kale, potatoes and homemade fennel sausage. My kids especially liked the root beer floats and I enjoyed the best slice of coconut cream pie I've ever tasted. But be prepared to wait. We couldn't even get in on Friday night and we waited two hours (went to the top of the Space Needle and down) on Saturday. Was it worth it? My daughter would tell you, definitely yes, for the rootbeer float.

Read More

Seattle family travel rule No. 6: Visit the Space Needle at the right time

Seattle family travel rule No. 6: Visit the Space Needle at the right time Read Post

Seattle

Seattle family travel rule No. 6: Visit the Space Needle at the right time

We arrived in Seattle on Friday night and after dinner we decided to visit the top of the Space Needle. With our CityPASSes in hand, we walked right into an elevator and in 41 seconds we shot to the top of the city's world-famous icon, originally built for the 1962 World's Fair.

Even on an overcast night, the view was breathtaking and resembled something out of a Batman movie, with twinkling skyscrapers giving the fog a yellow glow.

The experience was particularly special because my father was at the World's Fair. "See that football field down below," my father said. "For the World's Fair that was a lake and they had a water ski show."We circled our way around the viewing deck, only a few other lone tourists among us, as my dad pointed out attractions from the fair. We could see the Pacific Science Museum below and he remembered an exhibit featuring appliances of the future: a microwave, refrigerator...

We all fell in love with the Space Needle that night and on Saturday afternoon my 9-year-old son announced that he wanted to visit the top again at sunset. We all liked the idea. Since the fog had cleared, we figured the view would be even more spectacular and we'd get a look at the surrounding mountains.

We arrived at the Space Needle at 7 p.m. as the sun was sinking toward Puget Sound, but this time we didn't walk right up to the elevator. Instead we waited in a line that snaked around the base for an hour.

When we arrived at the top, the sky was nearly dark except for a swath of pink washed across it, the last remainder of a sunset we missed. The viewing deck was packed and we had to fight for a spot to take in Seattle's twinkling lights. No matter, my kids were thrilled to be at the top of the Space Needle once again and we took these gorgeous photos.

What I learned:

If you don't want to wait in along line for the Space Needle go in the early morning between 9 and 10 a.m. or late at night, after 9 p.m.

If you want to catch the sunset from the Space Needle, get in line at least an hour and a half before the sun sets and prepare to wait in line.

Read More

Seattle family travel rule No. 5: Save money by purchasing a CityPASS

Seattle family travel rule No. 5: Save money by purchasing a CityPASS Read Post

Seattle

Seattle family travel rule No. 5: Save money by purchasing a CityPASS

Seattle is loaded with family attractions, from the Experience Music Project where you can check out George Lucas's original sketches of Darth Vader to the Aquarium where a 64-pound octopus gets fed twice daily at noon and 4 p.m. And then there's the sleek and slender Space Needle topped with a saucer that looks like it's meant for space voyages to Mars.

All of these places charge admission and if you want to do it all, you'll need to spend some money. But you can drastically cut back on the expense with a CityPASS. By purchasing admission to several attractions you get nearly 50 percent off the price. You also get to skip ticket lines.

The Seattle CityPASS includes admission to the Space Needle (two visits), Seattle Aquarium, Argosy Cruises, Pacific Science Center, EMP Museum, and either the Woodland Park Zoo or the Museum of Flight. An adult pass costs $74, saving you $60; a kid pass is $49, saving you $40. You have nine days to visit the attractions.

Read More

Seattle family travel rule No. 4: Go quackers on a Duck tour

Seattle family travel rule No. 4: Go quackers on a Duck tour Read Post

Seattle

Seattle family travel rule No. 4: Go quackers on a Duck tour

The best—and most—entertaining way to see Seattle is on a Ride the Ducks Tour, which you can pick up in Seattle Center just a block from the Best Western Plus Executive Inn.

On these wild and raucous tours, a group of tourists load into a World War II amphibious landing craft that whirls around the city past the top sights and then drops into Puget Sound, offering breathtaking views of the Seattle cityscape.

Along the way a flamboyant and high-energy tour guide—who either drank eight cups of Starbucks before coming into work or is a close relative of Richard Simmons—shares facts about the city, plays funky music and cracks jokes that are laugh-out-loud funny. The tourists are all invited to enjoy the fun by blowing on yellow duck-bill-shaped noise makers.

I'm pretty sure our captain, who called himself Flip, drank 10, not the required eight, cups of Starbucks. He had more energy than anyone I've ever encountered. He was dancing, hooting, hollering and rattling off jokes throughout the entire tour: "That's Pioneer Square! I don't know whey they call it a square when it's really shaped like a triangle. Must have been budget cuts."

We rolled past the Space Needle, the Aquarium and bustling waterfront, through the hip Fremont District and under the Aurora Bridge where we got a look at the Ballard Troll before diving into Puget Sound where we motored past the Sleepless In Seattle houseboat. As Flip told a few jokes about Meg Ryan ("She drove over that bridge the wrong way), he turned on the movie's theme song, An Affair to Remember. In fact, Flip played music throughout the adventure, all of it cleverly chosen. When the Duck dove into the Sound, we listened to the theme song from the TV show Gilligan's Island.
The highlight of the tour: Flip invited guests to come to the front of the ship and sit in the "captain's seat." We decided that our 2-month-old baby had to visit the bow. Flip was so overwhelmed by her cuteness that he couldn't even think of a funny crack to make.

 At the end of the tour, we got a special photo with Captain Flip.

Read More

Seattle family travel rule No. 3: Bed down at the foot of the Space Needle

Seattle family travel rule No. 3: Bed down at the foot of the Space Needle Read Post

Seattle

Seattle family travel rule No. 3: Bed down at the foot of the Space Needle

We didn't need a night light in our room at the Best Western Plus Executive Inn in Seattle Center. The brightly lit Space Needle stood right outside our window, giving our room a soft glow.

I wouldn't let my husband close the black-out curtains when we went to bed because as I fell asleep I wanted to gaze outside at the sleek structure topped with a sphere that looks like a fly saucer. There's something really cool about falling asleep with the Space Needle, but then again, there's just something really cool about the Space Needle.

Read More

Seattle family travel rule No. 2: Take public transportation from the airport into town

Seattle family travel rule No. 2: Take public transportation from the airport into town Read Post

Seattle

Seattle family travel rule No. 2: Take public transportation from the airport into town

Seattle Center Monorail provides easy access to the Space Needle.
Hop on at Westlake Center and ride directly to Seattle Center!
(Megan Ching / Seattle Monorail Services)

We landed at Sea-Tac airport at 4:30 p.m. Our next stop was the Best Western Plus Executive Inn in downtown Seattle.

But how to get there? If we rented a car or took a taxi we knew we'd hit the roads smack in the middle of rush hour. Seattle supposedly has some of the worst traffic in the United States.

We decided to take the Link light rail—a great decision. The clean, modern train whisked us downtown in 45 minutes and cost only $8 for our family of five (obviously the newborn was free).

Even on a Friday night we all got seats, and we were sitting among a group of 90-year-old vets who flew planes in World War II. A rapper from Los Angeles found the men remarkable. When he spotted their World War II jackets, he called out, "No way! You guys were in World War II. That's like way cool." And then he proceeded to rap off the top of his head. We were all howling with laughter and clapping.

The Link ends at the Westlake Station and then it's a short walk to the Monorail ($6.50 for our family of five). This elevated, aerodynamic train zips for one mile from downtown to Seattle Center and when we stepped on I thought we might see the Jetsons on board. Huge windows that rise from the ground to the ceiling offer big views of the skyline and the Space Needle. My sons eyes were the size of flying-saucers on this ride that he called "so awesome."

The Monorail dropped us at the foot of the Space Needle and then it less than a five minute walk to the Best Western Plus Executive Inn—although we took our time to get some photographs of Seattle's most iconic structure.

 Door to door, from the airport to our hotel, it took us about one hour and 15 minutes and we spent only $14.50.

Read More

Seattle family travel rule No. 1: Bring a grandparent

Seattle family travel rule No. 1: Bring a grandparent Read Post

Seattle

Seattle family travel rule No. 1: Bring a grandparent

How can you travel with three kids and actually enjoy yourself? Bring grandpa!

With two kids and a newborn, I knew my husband and I would stumble through Seattle on our family weekend getaway. One parent would always be stuck with our newborn and the other would get exhausted running after our two older kids.

 We decided to call in an extra set of hands: My dad. In the video above, the kids are greeting their grandfather when we arrive in Seattle. They're thrilled!

 After meeting grandpa, we checked into our rooms at the Best Western Plus Executive Inn Seattle. We got two rooms and the two older kids were happy to stay in a room with their grandfather (who would let them stay up late!) and my husband and I shared a room with our baby.

Read More

Seattle—Here we come!

Seattle—Here we come! Read Post

Seattle

Seattle—Here we come!

Seattle might be known for its rain and gray skies, but in fall the sun is
often shining and the city sparkles. (Seattle CVB)

Our family welcomed a new baby two months ago. For obvious reasons we spent our summer at home changing diapers. This is unlike our family. We're usually on the go in July and August.

And so we decided that as soon as Julia hit the two-month mark (the time when most experts agree babies are ready to travel), we'd leave town.

Since our two older kids are in school a long weekend is our only option.

Where to go that's close to San Francisco? Seattle!

It's an easy two-hour flight from S.F. to this dazzling city that gets its best weather in the fall. You can't beat a clear, balmy day in Seattle, with the sparkling waters of Puget Sound, the grassy parks and meandering walkways, and the Cascade and Olympic mountains, covered in a light sprinkling of powdered sugar, circling the cityscape. What's more, Seattle has all the makings of a family vacation with a zoo, an aquarium, a science museum and a 605-foot-tall space-age tower rising above it all.

"We have to go up the Space Needle," my 9-year-old son said when I told him about the trip. "We might see space ships from up there."

I didn't have the heart to tell him that we probably wouldn't see any flying saucers but I did say that I hope we get some sunny days for optimal viewing.

I need your help
This week I'll be putting together our itinerary for the two-day adventure. I'd love to get some reader suggestions. What should we do? Where should we eat?

We'll be staying at the Best Western Plus Executive Inn within shouting distance of the Space Needle. I'd love some suggestions within walking distance of our hotel.

Read More

Thrifty Travel Fun: Seattle, WA

Thrifty Travel Fun: Seattle, WA Read Post

Seattle Thrifty Travel Fun

Thrifty Travel Fun: Seattle, WA

Heading to Seattle with kids? Stick these three activities to the list - for no more than the cost of a pack of bubble gum.

Photo by Abhinaba / Flickr

1. Eww, gross, the Seattle Gum Wall! Authorities have tried to scrape it clean, but to no avail. Chew til the flavor's gone, then add your hunk of Bazooka to the stickiest wall in the world.

2. Scamper around the nine-acre Olympic Sculpture Park: free and open to the public 365 days a year, and plenty of room for wiggly, active travelers tired of sitting in a car.

3. Have you ever met a child who doesn't thoroughly enjoy getting soaked in a fountain on a sunny day? How about a fountain that spews 9,000 gallons of water? Dig out that spare set of clothing - and the camera!

More great Seattle activities available from Cascadia Kids.

Read More

Issaquah, Wash.: A cool, little place with the best hot chocolate ever—M&Ms!

Issaquah, Wash.: A cool, little place with the best hot chocolate ever—M&Ms! Read Post

Seattle

Issaquah, Wash.: A cool, little place with the best hot chocolate ever—M&Ms!

My best friend from growing up lives outside Seattle near the town of Issaquah, Wash. This small town has grown into a sprawling suburban community yet it's still pretty and green, surrounded by mountains and located at the foot of a long lake.

My son and I visited for a few days on our recent spring break trip to the Northwest. Here are a few highlights as well as places we hope to visit on our next trip:

Issaquah Cafe: The hot chocolate and pancakes come topped with tiny M&Ms. In other words, my son liked this cozy breakfast spot. I was also quite happy with my pumpkin waffle.

Historic Train Museum: An exact replication of the original structure and materials.

Boehm’s Candies: The Edelweiss Chalet where you can buy these local chocolates looks as if it were plucked out of the Swiss Alps and plunked down in Issaquah. The traditional wooden alpine chalet is oozing with old world charm—and the sweet smells of hand-dipped chocolate truffles.

Cougar Mountain Zoo: This sweet and tiny zoo with breathtaking views of the cascades is home to a few tigers, cougar cubs, a herd of reindeer, and other interesting animals.

Read More

Red sports car: Perfect wheels for a mother-son trip

Red sports car: Perfect wheels for a mother-son trip Read Post

Seattle

Red sports car: Perfect wheels for a mother-son trip

I always ask to rent an economy, compact car.

"The cheapest one you've got!" I say.

Well, when my son and I went to rent wheels in Seattle over our spring break trip, the cheapest car they had left was a cherry red Mustang sports car.

"Whoah!" my 7-year-old son said. "How fast does it go mommy?"

We never found out how fast it goes as I'm a cautious slow driver, but we did have a lot of fun cruising Seattle in our red hot car. Better yet, Budget charged us the economy, compact price.

Read More