travel Archives - Page 2 of 2

September 17, 2018 by Makenna Sievertson

The Napa Valley is well known for its sprawling wineries and luxurious adult getaways, but the region is also home to several opportunities for family-friendly adventure. Located about an hour north of the San Francisco Bay area, visitors of all ages can enjoy the famous California climate while exploring the protected natural landscapes, various restaurants, or a relaxing spa day in the mineral pools.

Outdoor Attractions

Calistoga’s Old Faithful Geyser is a definite family favorite and is one of only three “faithful” geysers in the world. Even the most restless kids will be entertained with a 350 degree spout of water erupting every half hour. The sprays of mist form spectacular rainbows, creating the perfect photo opportunity with a serene Napa landscape. While waiting for the eruption, families can stop by the Old Faithful Animal Farm, a petting zoo featuring Tennessee Fainting Goats, Jacob’s four-horn sheep, and Guard llamas.

For a little natural history lesson you can drive five minutes up the road to the Petrified Forest. Take a walk through the worlds largest petrified redwood trees that were turned to stone 3.4 million years ago by a massive volcanic explosion. The redwood trees, now extinct, have become fossils and are decorated with sparkly mineral quartz that are sure to catch your eye.

Food and Drink

Couple Tasting at The Calistoga Inn and Brewery, Calistoga, Napa Valley, California

Foodies on Foot is a pet and family accessible culinary walking tour highlighting several restaurants in Historic Downtown Napa. The 3-hour tour features 5-7 different eateries with picky eater friendly dishes like pizza and ice cream. Kids under six eat free, those between 6-12 are half price ($35), and the ticket price is $70 for everyone in between.

Many parents would be weary of bringing their children along for a wine tasting, but Castello di Amorosa has more than enough activities to keep your little knights and princesses occupied. The idyllic reproduction of a 13^th century Italian castle is near exact, with a moat, dungeon, and suits of armor available to explore. Peacocks, emus, and sheep roam the grounds and can keep the younger ones occupied while parents enjoy an authentic Tuscan wine or cheese tasting.

For something more hands on, The Culinary Institute of America at Copia offers Family Funday every Sunday for all ages and experience levels. Bring the whole family for an hour-long cooking demonstration that teaches both adults and children useful cooking tricks and kitchen skills. The courses always end with a taste of that day’s dish, so your family can learn and enjoy some culinary secrets from some of the best chefs in California.

Arts and Culture

The di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art is centered around the charming Winery Lake and features several educational programs and exhibitions for all ages. Two galleries and a walkable Sculpture Meadow highlight contemporary Bay Area artists on the sprawling 217 acres in Napa’s Carneros region. Admission is free for children 17 and under and the museum offers additional discounts for seniors, military, educators, and students.

Family Lodging

Carneros Inn Resort, Napa Valley, California

Silverado Resort and Spa ($) offers one or two bedroom suites with a full kitchen, private patio, and Wi-Fi access. While parents are enjoying a day at the spa or picking up treats at the Silverado Market and Bakery, children ages 6-12 can participate in a supervised eight-week Golf, Tennis, and Swim Camp (GTS).

At the Indian Springs Calistoga Resort ($$) you can choose between a room, cottage, bungalow, or full house for your visit. It is home to two swimming pools, including a temperature regulated Olympic sized mineral pool. The casual atmosphere is perfect for a relaxing getaway, and the amenities include several outdoor games and complimentary bikes to explore the town.

The Carneros Resort and Spa ($$$) offers several cottages with ample space for the whole family. The resort has three restaurants on-site, two pools, fitness classes, and a selection of dog-friendly amenities for your furry friend. Carneros also hosts Kids’ Night, June through September, with board games, ping-pong, and a kid-friendly movie.

August 30, 2018 by

If you didn’t get the chance to see the great outdoors this summer, you certainly still have time. The incredible fall colors and crisp cool air make any autumn camping trip an incredible weekend outing for the whole family. Outdoor fun doesn’t have to be exclusive to summertime, so whether you want to take a day trip or stay overnight, these beautiful places will make fall your favorite time of the year.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park (TN)

With camping options ranging from backcountry backpacking to developed front country campgrounds, the Great Smoky Mountains offers a wonderful experience for every type of adventure. With five different forests and scenic autumn drives and hikes, camping has never been more beautiful. Offering hikes that are specifically for kids as well as guided hikes, the Smoky Mountains has scenic landscapes that everyone can enjoy and even learn from. For more relaxed vacationers, the 800 square mile park has 384 miles of road to drive down where you can experience all the beauty the park has to offer. Experiencing deep fall colors for hundreds of miles, the awe-inspiring beauty of Great Smoky Mountains National Park makes it a can’t-miss destination for any autumn camping trip.

Julian (CA)

Julian is a quaint town nestled in the Cuyamaca mountains, just a short drive away from San Diego. Famous for their apples, Julian is the perfect place to go camping during the fall season. With activities from boating and hiking to touring historic gold mines and visiting a fall pumpkin patch, Julian is a great place to experience the great outdoors in the height of the fall season. The town even has a pie baking contest this September, as well as a country fair and scarecrow display.

White Mountain National Forest (NH & ME)

With 2018 being the 100^th anniversary of the forest, you don’t want to miss camping in this incredible location during the fall. White Mountain National Forest offers a ton of camping areas accommodating RVs and tents, and they also have cabins available. You can spend time collecting minerals and rocks, picnicking with your family, or simply taking in the scenic fall views. This forest also has incredible tree canopy colors, and it has miles of roads to drive down and take in the never-ending beauty. With landmarks like historic farm houses and old stone walls, you will never know what lies around the corner in this incredible forest.

Capitol Reef National Park (UT)

With unique landscapes from cliffs and canyons to domes and even something they refer to as a wrinkle on earth, you’ll want to check out Capital Reef National Park. A bonus feature of going in September are the apple and pear fruit orchards that are available to pick through the month. Experience the park both during the day and after dark with the incredible views of an endless starry night stretching for hundreds of miles. With a range of adventurous and laid-back campgrounds, Capitol Reef National Park is a unique and incredible place to visit.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park (MI)

Sleeping Bear Dunes is an incredible place to take your family camping this autumn. You can camp on the rustic mainland with or without modern amenities, or even camp on one of the park’s islands. There are close by towns full of quaint local shops and tons of kid-friendly activities that are engaging and educational. Take your family to one of the museums or lighthouses, or take a rewarding hike on their famous sand Dune Climb. Ranger-led tours, a breathtaking drive, and backcountry serenity are all features of this historically rich National Park perfect for your next family camping trip.

August 3, 2018 by

We all know the best way to cool off during the summer is with a nice dip in the pool. You and your family can splash all day long at these incredible water parks and resorts that are fun for the whole family!

Kalahari Resort (Wisconsin Dells, WI)

Courtesy of Kalahari Resort

With both an indoor and outdoor waterpark, this resort will bring your family adventure, fun, and relaxation. Bond with your family in the resort’s escape room, enjoy time with your kids in the arcade, and even enjoy a virtual reality gaming experience where your body is the controller! The Resort boasts tons of water rides for thrill seekers of all levels as well as a relaxing indoor and outdoor spa. You and your kids can even become a mermaid or learn to surf with one of the water park’s swimming lessons. This summer, experience a daily dance party with a fantastic DJ in the outdoor water park. With so much to do with the entire family, you’ll wish summer would never end at the Kalahari Resort.

For more info: Website Here

Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark (Boyne Falls, MI)

Courtesy of Avalanche Bay

Michigan’s largest indoor water park offers many fun-filled activities for the whole family. With rides and slides both big and small, there is so much fun to be had. Enjoy being splashed by 800 gallons of water that drop every fifteen minutes, or ride their newest thrill ride that you have to see to believe! Stay at the connected Boyne Mountain Resort and dare to go zip lining, eat some delicious food, and wind down with relaxing evenings at the spa after long days of summer fun. This summer and fall, enjoy annual events such as a family-friendly music festival and a Harvest Festival, plus so much more.

For more info: Website Here

Water Country USA (Williamsburg, VA)

Courtesy of Dollywood and Water Country USA

As the Mid-Atlantic’s largest waterpark, Water Country USA packs epic slides, splash areas, a wave pool, and more all in one place. With a 1950s surfing theme present throughout the park, you can soak up relaxing beach vibes while having never-ending adventures. Water Country USA offers raft rides big enough for the whole family, and you can even rent a cabana to take a break from the slides’ twists and turns. The park also offers a waterproof cashless wristband so you don’t have to worry about bringing your wallet to every ride. Being a sister park to Bush Gardens Williamsburg, you can enjoy park hopper passes and take your whole family from relaxing cabanas to thrilling rides.

For more info: Website Here

Enchanted Forest Water Safari (Old Forge, NY)

Courtesy of Enchanted Forest Water Safari

This water park meets a theme park with a land full of incredible water slides and classic carnival rides! There are so many unique sights to see at this park including a petting zoo, the Museum of Enchanted Memories, and even a forest where you will see famous storybook characters and scenes among the towering tree canopy. Ride the park’s newest water slide, Walter’s Wild Slide, with the entire family as you race down a 4-lane track to see who will make the biggest splash at the bottom. You won’t have to stress about hunger with Walter’s All-You-Can-Eat Summer Cookout served every evening until August 26^th! During your trip, experience the beauty of Old Forge, NY while staying in a cabin or hotel, or while camping in a cottage or tent.

For more info: Website Here

Great Wolf Lodge (Anaheim, CA)

Courtesy of Great Wolf Lodge Southern California

Splash, swim, and play at one of the best water parks in the country. The best part is that your family can enjoy this water resort all year round as The Great Wolf Lodge in Anaheim is completely indoors and has activities sure to satisfy every member of your family. With standard and cabin-themed hotel rooms, critter character appearances, and even a toddler-friendly bowling alley, the Great Wolf Lodge offers unique and inclusive experiences for everyone. Fun truly is around every corner with the immersive MagiQuest game where your child can choose a magic wand, play for as long as they want, and become the star of their own game. Take some time to relax with your kids at the Scooops Kid Spa and indulge with one of many dessert-themed spa treatments. With fun in every corner of the resort from a character breakfast buffet to thrilling water rides and even a forest friends show, you will not be disappointed with your stay at the Great Wolf Lodge.

For more info: Website Here

July 27, 2018 by

Check out our Summer Fun Guide featuring 2018 NAPPA winners. Bring on the fun! #summer #fun #kids #parenting #baby #travel #summer #must-haves #SummerEssentials #PlayLearnConnect #NAPPAWinner

June 3, 2018 by Christina Jennings

Whether you’re road-tripping to Grandma’s or flying to a fun family vacation, traveling with kids can be tough. Here are some awesome new NAPPA Winning products that can make your travel time go just a little bit more smoothly.

Perfect Granola

The Perfect Granola granolas and granola bars are healthy and delicious and all made with superfood ingredients without added refined sugars, corn syrups, chemicals, or preservatives. We share our profits with homeless shelters, outreach centers, and Food Banks and employ students living in poverty to offer them work experience and a chance at a brighter future.
$5.99
For the entire family
www.theperfectgranola.com

Sprout Stage 2 Plant Based Protein Organic Baby Food Purees

Made from whole, organic and non-GMO ingredients, Sprout’s Stage 2 plant-based protein purees are a delicious protein alternative to meat and dairy-based products, offering 2 grams of vegetable-based protein from organic chickpeas and beans. Available in 3 varieties including Butternut Blueberry Apple with Beans, Carrot Chickpeas Zucchini Pear, and Sweet Potato White Beans with Cinnamon, in 3.5-ounce pouches with twist-off, re-sealable caps.
$1.37
For 6 months +
www.sproutorganicfoods.com

Sprout Organic Crinklez

Sprout Organic Crinklez is a delicious veggie snack, made with PLANT POWERED chickpeas and popped with colorful carrots, spinach, and beets that you can see in every bite. Toddlers love the taste of this fun crinkly, crunchy snack, and parents love that Sprout uses the cleanest ingredients that are certified organic and non-GMO. Available in Cheesy Spinach and Pumpkin Carrot flavors, Crinklez are gluten-free and contain no added sugars, colors, flavors, or anything artificial!
$2.99
For toddlers 12 months +
www.sproutorganicfoods.com

Sprout Organic Crispy Chews

Crisped whole grain rice, fruits and vegetables are blended together in this delicious, chewy organic fruit snack. Made with a full serving of REAL fruits and veggies and a soft, crispy chewy texture enjoyable for toddlers to eat, Crispy Chews is perfect for little fingers learning to pick up and self-feed. Available in Red Fruit Beet & Berry and Orchard Fruit & Carrot flavors in five, single packet portions which makes on-the-go snacking easy!
$2.99
For toddlers 12 months +
www.sproutorganicfoods.com

BubbleBum Car Booster Seat

BubbleBum is the original, inflatable car booster seat for kids ages 4 – 11 (weight: 40-100 lbs) that keeps kids comfortable and safe on all car rides! Weighing less than one pound, BubbleBum fits three across the back and can deflate in seconds, making it simple to throw in a large purse or backpack. It’s ideal for road trips, fly-ins with car rentals, Uber/Lyft/Taxi rides and everyday carpooling. Winner of 6 IIHS Awards.
$29.99
For kids 4-11 years old
www.bubblebum.co

mifold Grab-and-Go Booster Seat

mifold® Grab-and-Go booster seat® is the most advanced, compact and portable child car safety seat in the world. It’s more than 10x smaller than a traditional booster and it’s just as safe. mifold works in the exact opposite way to a traditional booster seat. Instead of lifting the child up, mifold brings the seatbelt down. Perfect for carpooling, with grandparents or other relatives, in taxis, on holiday, in rental cars and more.
$44.99
For kids 4+ years, 40 lbs – 100lbs, 40 inches+
www.mifold.com

CarGo Seat

CarGo Seat is an ingenious product designed to empower “little travelers”. CarGo allows children to utilize their booster seat for stowing magazines, books, crayons, even snacks while traveling and fits smartly into vehicles once arrived. It’s overhead bin friendly AND it has rollers for easy transit.
$59.95
For children 5 to 8 years+ (booster seat age/weight requirements vary by state)
www.cargoseat.com

Twistshake Sippy Cup

These cups are a terrific stepping stone for children who have grown out of their baby bottle. Its spill free spout supports the active lifestyle of children and the easy-to-grip handle lets your little ones play without making a mess. A revolutionizing, patent-pending fruit mixer innovation that lets child and parent alike create amazing drinks. Mix your favorite fruits and berries with water and shake to create a delicious, healthy, natural fruit infused water.
$9.49
For ages 1-2
twistshake.com

Happy Travels! And remember to #PlayLearnConnect with #NAPPAAwards!