On our winter wonderland weekend in Traverse City, Michigan, we had plenty of fresh air and opportunities to burn calories. This made us hungry. Very hungry. To a foodie’s delight, Traverse City supports regional food, independent restaurants, and culinary variety. With kids in tow, our mantra has always been affordable, healthy, and fun. Here’s where we re-fueled:

Bay Bread  Company

Appropriately marketing itself as a neighborhood bakery, Bay Bread company at 601 Randolph St. is in the heart of the  “Little Bohemia” neighborhood*.  Serving up breakfast, lunch, espresso drinks, and bakery items “to go”, Bay Bread Company supplies area businesses with freshly-baked loaves. Hungry patrons can select from forty different kinds of bread, ranging from traditional rye to pesto batard, onion loaf, cinnamon swirl, sunflower, wheat and many more.

Unique to the Bay Bread dining experience is an upstairs seating area called “TheRoost”. In the building next door, go up, down, up, and then up to what I imagine was recently a second-floor apartment (the shower in the bathroom gives it away). With tables and cozy seating areas, your food is delivered by bakery staff. Self-serve coffee refills occur in the in the kitchen. Feeling at home in the living room, kids can find a spot on overstuffed couches and read books in baskets stocked just for them. The kids ordered the Cafe Kids Pack, which includes half a sandwich (choices are PB&J, grilled cheese, turkey and cheese, or just cheese) with a drink and a cookie for $4.65.

* Also known as Slabtown, Bohemian immigrants used slabs of scrap lumber from the local mills to construct their homes.

Red Mesa Grill

Located near the Sugar Beach Resort Hotel (our home away from home on the East Bay), we were thrilled to discover the entire lunch and dinner menus at Red Mesa Grill are available for carry out. Specializing in Latin American fusion food—just spicy enough for us Midwesterners—Red Mesa Grill is known for guacamole made fresh every day. With a bustling dining room on a cold evening in January, the colorful building includes covered outside seating just asking for a margarita and lazy Sunday afternoon in August (we’ll be back to test this theory out).

Quite possibly the most attentive telephone service we’ve ever had, a custom dinner for two picky eaters and two famished adults was ordered and ready for pick up in twenty minutes. With food enough for two meals, we carried home a cup of salsa, a cup of guacamole, and an armload of chips as our appetizer. Grabbing kids’ activity bags stuffed with goldfish crackers, wikki stix, and activity sheets, we were thankful for the food and entertainment on the drive home to Wisconsin.

Items on the kids menu include a Mexican hot dog, pizza, chicken strips, Mexican grilled cheese, a taco, kid’s hamburguesa, and Caribbean fish fingers and range in price from $5.29 to $7.99. Dinners include a side and drink (we picked fruit and rice). Parents of kids with gluten concerns can ask for a Celiac safe menu (also available online).

Weather you’re heading up to Traverse City for next month’s Cherry Capital Winter!Wow Fest or you want to see why Good Morning America recently ranked the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore the most beautiful place in America, it’s time to come out of hibernation and head “Up North” to a place where Michiganders really know how to play in the snow. With enough cold fun to keep you plenty warm, here are some of our favorite places to gear up and get everyone some fresh air:

Snowshoeing
Empire Bluff Trail

A nature-lovers paradise, trails and paths criss-cross their way across the greater Leelanau Peninsula. To visit the area for the first (or fifth) time and to leave without a trip to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is truly a missed opportunity. In order to fully appreciate the views by snow shoe, consider the 1.5 mile (round trip) hike on the Empire Bluff Trail. Overlooking Lake Michigan (parents, keep an eye on your kids as you approach the bluff), the trail makes the ascent at a calorie-burning incline. Younger kids may need to take breaks (carry water and stop to take photos); the return trip will have you trying to keep up. A plethora of snowshoeing trails are described on the Traverse City website here, or pick up a pamphlet at the Traverse City Convention and Visitors Bureau (equipment rentals and area outfitters are also listed).

Snow Tubing
Timberlee Hills

For the adventure seekers in your family, consider spending a few hours snow tubing at Timberlee Hills, ten minutes east (and up) from downtown. A family-owned operation, the “hill” at Timberlee Hills offers breathtaking views of the peninsula from the summit. Take a good look, as the scenery goes by too quickly on the trip back to the bottom of the tube lift. Included with the cost of the hourly lift ticket is the use of single and double tubes (groups can also hook their tubes together and take a tandem ride). Waiting at the basin is Hilltop Hideaway, a banquet room that doubles as a warming house, bar, and eatery (hot chocolate, anyone?). Our visit to Timberlee Hills was after dark (when the sun sets at 5PM, this is not so hard to plan). To see a glimpse of our “totally wicked” run, check out our ride speeds in this short video. Hint: Check the Timberlee Hills website and/or Facebook page for coupons, deals, and other fun events.

Snowmobiling
Blue Sky Rentals

On a trip to Traverse City, why not rent a snowmobile and see why so many year-round residents can’t wait for the first snowfall. A necessary mode of transportation during blizzards and sever weather, snowmobiles are a way of life in Michigan. With recreational trails aplenty, the folks at Blue Sky Rentals will help outfit your sledding adventure. With rates ranging from four hours to a full week (and one and two-person machines), Blue Sky Rentals can also provide a trail guide if you are new to the sport. Visit the Blue Sky website for prices, packages, trail conditions, Michigan snowmobile laws, and customer photos. Blue Sky also partners with the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa on their Winter Fun activity package (see below).

Winter Fun: Glide, Slide, and Stride
Grand Traverse Resort & Spa

Offering a “Winter Fun for Everyone” activity package, the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa (located north and west of downtown along the East Bay; or just look for the seventeen-story glass tower jutting up into the blue sky) offers a variety of winter activities for guest and resident alike. Ranging from ice skating, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, dog sledding, snowmobiling, and kid-friendly winter activities (like snow tic-tac-toe, pictured above), equipment rental and reservations can be made through the Clubhouse or with the help of the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa smart phone app.

Where to Stay
Sugar Beach Resort Hotel

A warm oasis on the snowy-white landscape, Sugar Beach Resort Hotel sits on the southern end of the East Bay. With 600-feet of beach front, make a snowman in the winter or head inside to the indoor pool and hot tub. With a complimentary breakfast-overlooking the bay in the second-story breakfast bar-you’ll calculate the savings of eating a full meal with kids in tow (assuming you can drag them away from the pool or game room).

Enjoying two “to go” evening meals in the comfort of our family suite, we appreciated the four person kitchen table, microwave, and refrigerator almost as much as the nearby laundry room (winter = wet everything). In the evening, rent DVD’s from the front desk (or plan ahead bring your own) or hang out by the fireplace in the front lobby (look for bowls of fruit, coffee, and regional newspapers and magazines).

For more ideas on what to do on a winter weekend in Traverse City, pick up a copy of “Traverse City for Kids: 106+ Fun Things to Do and See” (also available at the Traverse City Convention and Visitors Bureau or online here). Organized by season, winter begins on page 20 and includes suggestions for sleigh rides, traditional sledding, downhill skiing and snowboarding, and even winter river tubing (who knew!).

Thanks to advances in satellite technology, social media, and the Groundspeak Geocaching smart phone applications, geocaching as a family hobby is wildly growing in popularity. Yes, you can enjoy finding all the caches in your neighborhood and even treasure hunt on a day trip or two. But what about geocaching as a reason to take a family vacation? At Road Trips for Families, we call it Going on VaCachen®.

Here are some places to take a VaCachen in 2012:

Traverse City, Michigan
Convention and Visitors Bureau

In the winter months, Traverse City, Michigan transforms into a winter wonderland with sledding, skiing, snowmobiling and even dog sledding. But ask anyone who has attempted a Midwestern geocache in the middle of January, and they’ll confirm the misery of finding ground zero under a bank of snow. Thanks to the Traverse City Convention and Visitors Bureau, you’ll find a kid-friendly container in the comforts of the reception area (during non-business hours, die hard cachers can find a small container with log book hidden on the grounds). Pick up a local map and maybe even a travel bug or two.

Young Harris, Georgia
Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa

If you’re staying at the Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa in Young Harris, Georgia, look for ammunition canisters and quart jars containing unique trivia clues. Organized by staff in the Sweet Treat Emporium, Brasstown’s Geocaching Adventure is appropriate for both children and adults.  Guests who complete the Adventure and correctly answer all trivia questions qualify to win a prize. GPS systems can be rented for $30 for the first day and $15 each additional day.

Fayetteville, North Carolina
GPS Trail Trek of Cumberland County

The Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau  is using geocaching as a means to promote the community to others and help locals get to know the community. The GPS Trail Trek is a geocaching tour of Cumberland County and is comprised of fifteen caches places through the county. Visit the site for a list of coordinates, additional clues, and even a video documenting the experience.

Bedford, Pennsylvania
Omni Hotels & Resorts

Sometimes it’s nice to have all the logistics figured out for you! If you’re in the Allegheny Mountains and feel like getting into nature on your next family vacation, the folks at the Omni Hotels & Resorts have set up a 90-minute geocaching seminar and scavenger hunt on the property. GPS devices are included in the cost (see the website for full details—advance reservations may be required).

Decatur, Alabama
Civil War Geocaching Challenge

Civil War enthusiasts can participate in a 21^st century treasure hunt and learn about Civil War-related attractions and their unique stories behind each destination while visiting the state of Alabama. Developed and coordinated by the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Appalachia Civil War Passport takes visitors on a journey to some of the state’s most prominent Civil War attractions by way of satellite technology.

To take the challenge, participants must first pick up the free Appalachia Civil War Passport either by downloading a copy here  or by visiting the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau located at 719 6^th Avenue SE in Decatur. Twenty geocache sites are included in the challenge. As participants find the caches, they must self-stamp the passport using a stamp placed in each cache container. Completed passports can be returned to the Visitors Bureau and exchanged for a commemorative coin of the 150^th anniversary of the Civil War.

In the age of digital everything, vacation memories are no exception in our virtual world. From instant Facebook posts to uploading You Tube videos, documenting your family road trip is as intimate and creative as you want it to be.

Completely underestimating the number of digital photos taken during our twenty or so adventures in 2011, explaining our current filing system is best described by the word convoluted. A scrapbooker in my single years, fast forward one decade and add three kids. Gone are the leisure days spent hand-writing witty antidotes onto gingham-patterned note cards. Road Trips for Families is it for now, people.

When invited to review the My Memories Suite scrapbook software from the folks at MyMemories.com and Story Rock, Inc., I jumped at the opportunity. After downloading Version 3 of the the software to my PC and watching a few video tutorials, I took a deep breath and dug deep into the digital annals of family fun. Truth be told, the experience confirmed my profession as a writer and NOT graphic designer. Could someone please explain the difference between chartreuse and light green?

To see what naturally creative and talented people can do with the help of creative and powerful software, go to Google Images and search  “My Memories Digital Scrapbook”. Holding a much fancier example in your minds, behold, page one of my album cleverly titled 2011 Road Trips: Not bad for a first attempt, eh? Taking the experience a bit further down the electronic rabbit hole, I exported the entire file to a video format compatible with You Tube (adding background music for the fun of it). Losing some of the default “for print” resolution, importing an equivalent magnitude of photos in any other way would have otherwise taken me all day (locating the source folders was really half the battle).

MyMemories Suite retails for $39.97 US, with templates, kits, and downloads available on the website. Some downloads are free, others are not–discount clubs and kits are also available and explained on the My Memories website. If you order the software and want $10 off the top, use this code at checkout: STMMMS2980.

But wait, there’s more!

Up for grabs is a free copy of My Memories Suite for one lucky road warrior. Leave a comment in this post with someplace on your travel “bucket list”. We’ll pick one winner at random on January 31. Good luck!

This post comes to us courtesy of Carmel L. Mooney, editor of Road Trips for Couples.

Different types of cruise experiences abound but perhaps nothing offers a more “Wonder-ful” appeal for multi-generational travel than a cruise aboard the Disney Wonder. (and a trip to Disney Resorts afterwards)

Much like the Disney Magic, its sister ship, the Disney Wonder boasts 11 decks and comfortably accommodates 2700 passengers. Nearly a thousand cast and crew members cater to the guests on the Wonder’s Mexican Riviera voyage.

For Disney- Loving Families, a magical Disney cruise experience starts the moment you board this spectacular vessel from the World Cruise Center in San Pedro, California, just a short ride from LAX.

FUN FOR GROWN UPS TOO

What makes the Disney Wonder, and any Disney cruise so magical is the approach to offering activities, dining, serene and quiet places, while offering world class entertainment for all ages and lifestyles.

Disney Wonder’s Captain Thor says, “Our ships are unique in that we target couples, elderly, and families. You can get away and relax in our adults-only areas. As people have become more familiar with our product, we see really wide demographics now.”

When we were recently cruising on the Disney Wonder, my husband and I found it “Wonderful” to be able to escape from the busyness and activities, and yes, even the kids, to simply enjoy a relaxing afternoon in the adults-only pool. Other relaxing adult areas were easy to find.

We found fine dining in Palo, a lovely Italian style restaurant serving exquisite cuisine, a welcome respite from a busy day of family activities as this is an adults-only option as well.

With its elegant Venetian glass and inlaid wood paneling, this romantic spot offers 270 degree sweeping panoramic views of the sea. Floor to ceiling windows and a circular layout afford a unique dining experience. A back-lit bar and open kitchen add to the ambiance. Chef Stephan says, “The galley is open and we love to interact with the guests.”

Numerous lounges and coffee bars with specialty coffee drinks and magazines also allowed us some quiet down time as did the Spa and Fitness Center which both are reserved for grown ups.

Adults-only comedy, art shows, and performances were peppered throughout the itinerary too.

While on board our family met numerous muti-generational traveling families who enjoyed these more mature aspects as well as a well-rounded array of activities that all generations could engage in together. While onboard, several different TV and music trivia games drew participants of all ages, as did golfing tournaments, ping pong tournaments and cooking and ice sculpting demonstrations. Karaoke parties and talent contests seemed to also attract all ages as did some of the professional acts. The guest juggler on our ship was nothing less than astounding. The adults-only sand artist was not only unique, and talented but created art in good taste.

The wait-staff in all of the beautifully themed dining rooms were some of the best we have ever encountered on any ship or cruise line. Each night families are rotated to variously themed dining venues where the same wait-staff follows them from place to place. This proved excellent for several reasons. The wait-staff knew all our preferences and those of the children by the second night and were always a step ahead with preferred beverages and sides. The various dining rooms with spectacular effects, imagery, music, décor, and themes kept things interesting, entertaining, and upbeat.

ENTERTAINMENT

Disney’s onboard world class shows are magnificent. As Jeffrey Mouton, the Dance Captain of the Wonder’s dance crew of 25 says, “We do five Broadway-style shows for our guests on each sailing. Disney’s world famous attention to detail and quality shines through from the costumes and lighting to the effects. Some of the effects we have are award-winning and make the audience literally gasp. Each and every show is family-friendly. The production value is amazing and all steps and costumes are different in each production show. We are also the only cruise line that can show first run movies onboard in our movie theater.”

It was evident that all kids loved the Pirate Deck Party and fireworks display which is a highlight of every sailing. The entire ship becomes Pirate-themed all night starting at dinner with the waiters and music right up to the dance party on deck and finishing with the fireworks show right off the ship’s deck which was truly fantastic.

PORTS OF CALL

Ports of Call for the Mexican Riviera sailing are Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas which both offer a myriad of activities for families and couples alike. Snorkeling, sport fishing, shopping, tours, zip-lining, ocean kayaking and dolphin experiences are just a few of the countless options.

As if this were not enough, many families choose to go from one Disney venue to another by leaving the Disney Wonder cruise when it returns back to the World Cruising Center, to then visit Disneyland and California Adventure, just a short drive away.

For those who truly love Disney, this is the most “Wonder”-ous way to enjoy all things Disney.

No matter what time of the year you order your double dose of Disney you’ll enjoy the magic but this year a family can extend the Disney Holiday Fun into January 2012 with Disneyland’s longer Holiday celebration through Jan. 8, 2012.

Spending over half of this past August away from home and solely responsible for all three of my kids, I missed two things: adult conversation and aerobic exercise. Hindsight what it is, I’m turning the experience into a learning opportunity.

Knowing the limitations of the kids’ age range (twenty one months between the oldest and youngest), I needed a way to burn off steam without losing anyone (that is, keeping everyone entertained and contained in the hotel room).

Enjoying the benefits of a Kids Yoga program near our home in Madison, Wisconsin, studio sessions have gained body awareness, balance, flexibility, and self esteem. Bringing the experience with us wherever a laptop can be used, the Storyland Yoga DVD by Playful Planet is a fantastic resource for family road trips. Especially at the end of a long (sedentary) drive, yoga is a fantastic way to stretch your body and get your circulation and digestion back on track.

Available— and just in time for Christmas—at Playful Planet online and Amazon.com, Storyland Yoga is the creation of California-based yoga mom Karen Duggan. Featuring two 20-minute yoga sessions on the DVD (Save the Whale and Condor Trek), instructor Ahmed Fahmy engages the kids with his story—moving them into and out of flow-based yoga positions as the group plays the role of various animals and creatures on the nature-based adventure.

Packing Storyland Yoga in our laptop bag on a recent out-of-state Thanksgiving break, we were thankful for the indoor diversion as sunlight and warmer temperatures have seem to both disappeared at the same time. Even at a rest stop, incorporating positions from the DVD can empower the most frazzled of us all.

In the spirit of giving and good cheer, Road Trips for Families is honored to participate in the 2011 Passports with Purpose (PwP), an annual fundraiser hosted by some of your favorite travel blogs. In its third year, PwP has raised money for a school in rural Cambodia ($30,000 in 2009) and a village in rural India (rallying with over $64,000 in 2010). Partnering with Room To Read, PwP has set a goal of $80,000 to  build two libraries for children in Zambia, Africa. A family-travel site and parents of our own literate kids, we feel particularly inspired by this year’s fundraiser.

Here’s how it works:

• Travel bloggers around the globe register their websites with PwP.
• Prizes ranging from tours, hotel packages, clothing, travel gear, electronics, gift certificates and loyalty points are donated by fantastic sponsors (more on this in just a bit).
• Between November 30 and December 16, donations are made in $10 increments through the PwP website. The more you bid on a prize, the greater your odds are for winning (donations are tax deductible and winners are selected at random—a bunch of rules and FAQs can be found on the PwP website).
• Winners are notified on December 23. (Last year we didn’t win, but we sure felt good about our 2010 charitable contribution.)

 Our fantastic sponsor:

Thoroughly enjoying our visit to several Ohio State Park Lodges earlier this fall, we asked our friends at Xanterra Parks & Resorts to participate in the 2011 PWP program. Generously donating a Buckeye lodging package for two people at a Xanterra-managed Ohio State Park Lodge of their choice, here are the details:

Xanterra operates  Hueston Woods State Park Lodge in Southwest Ohio, Maumee Bay State Park Lodge in Northwest Ohio, Mohican State Park Lodge in Central Ohio, Punderson Manor State Park Lodge in Northeast Ohio, Shawnee State Park Lodge in South Central Ohio, and  Deer Creek State Park Lodge and  Salt Fork State Park Lodge in Central Ohio.

Maumee Bay Cottage

The popular Buckeye Lodging package is available at all lodges mentioned above and features two nights of accommodations, one dinner for two, one breakfast for two, and a gift shop credit. Valued between $250 and $450, the prize is available until December 31, 2012. Gratuities not included. Based upon availability. Some blackout dates will apply, and they vary from lodge to lodge.

Thanks for participating and your support!

P.S. Follow Passports with Purpose on Facebook or the #PWP Twitter hashtag.

The Aloha State

One of our favorite games to play on a road trip involves finding as many license plates from different states as we can during the course of our trip. Obsessively stalking the rear-end of vehicles on our 1100 mile drive to South Carolina last summer, we used sheets of paper, pencils, and a wooden clip board to cross off 43 of 50 states (Hang loose! We even spotted Hawaii somewhere near Lexington, Kentucky.). An inexpensive way to track our progress, inevitably someone melted a candy bar on our map and it fell into the sliding door jam…twice.

Since our old-school method of playing the license plate game, we discovered the State Plate app for the iPad. This looks like a fantastic download for high-tech families lucky enough to own the iPad. In the mean time, we were thrilled to discover a sturdier version of the U.S.A License Plate Game from the kid-experts at Melissa & Doug*.

West Virginia Spotted in a Parking Lot

Durable, colorful, and educational (in true Melissa & Doug form), the U.S.A. License Plate Game involves zero flying projectiles (game pieces are held together with tight bands, flipping to show a sample license plate design, the name of the state capitol, and two colors—red or blue). Used to play the traditional license plate game, track your trip itinerary, or pit family members against each other in a friendly game of trivia.

A perfect time to play the license plate game, holiday travelers were spotted from 26 different states as we spread our journey out over the long Thanksgiving weekend. Spotting Florida at a red light, Colorado on an on-ramp, and West Virginia in a parking lot, ideal places for license plate variety are rest stops, popular restaurants, and hotel parking lots. Assigning the kids with the task of flipping the game pieces and locating the states, we may have taken a ridiculous detour or two in the name of vacation-induced OCD.

U.S.A. License Plate Game

A fun Christmas gift for the road-tripper in your family, the U.S.A. License Plate Game is our de facto pick this year. No batteries required.

*We asked the folks at Melissa & Doug to take the game on the road with us this past holiday weekend. We’re not giving it back.

Shrimp Festival 2011

Until I visited the region with family during the 2009  National Shrimp Festival, I held the notion Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama was strictly a golfers paradise. Walking around in light flamingo Polo-shirts, my paradigm involved drinking Arnold Palmers in vehicles touting ample trunk space. While tee times are as coveted as much as mandatory relaxation, you’ll find plenty of spots to make a castle other than in the sand trap.

Sunset from Wild Hearts (Double Rainbow Added for Fun)

Wild Hearts Cruises

Our number one recommendation for families visiting the ocean is to get out into the water on an educational cruise. Providing visitors with several different types of daily cruises (dolphin, nature, eco, sunset, and picnic/snorkel) Wild Hearts Cruises located in Orange Beach, Perdito Key, and Gulf Shores. From the luxury of a 53-foot open ocean catamaran, Wild Hearts comfortably accommodates multiple parties and an extended family up to 49 people (reunion, wedding, or special celebration). In the peaceful quiet of the cruise, you’ll see ocean life and views of the mainland in a Jacque Cousteau kind of way. Children are welcome aboard (kids 5 and under are free) and discounted prices are available for kids age 17 and younger and groups of 12 or more.

The Woody (Photo Credit: Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism)

The Track Family Recreation Center

A popular after-dinner entertainment spot The Track Family Recreation Center (or just “The Track”) is perfect for tiring kids out. Featuring a large indoor arcade, bumper boats, miniature golf course, go-karts, and rides (for both big and little kids as well as adventure seekers), families could easily spend several hours trying to fit everything in. When visiting The Track for the first time, know that patrons are welcome to bring in their own drinks and food (ice cream and snacks are available at the snack shop). Parents with kids of various ages, weights, and shortness can consult ride requirements online (plan ahead to wear sunscreen or get wet if you come during the day or ride in the bumper boats). If you have a need for speed, the Wild Woody is a three-story spiraling wooden race track with single and double-passenger karts. Other options include a classic track (with stadium seating for parents and fans) and a kiddie course with rookie carts (kids four and older can drive).

Lemur Island at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

Located just over a mile from the beach, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo in Gulf Shores features over 300 animals on the seventeen acre location. Home to lions, tigers, bears, monkeys, reptiles, kangaroos, and the famous “Chuckie” the 11-foot alligator, kids can get up close with farm animals in the petting zoo. With discounted admission for seniors, military families, and children, plan to budget a few dollars and spring for one of the zoo’s six animal encounters (including camel rides, baby animals, lemur encounters, and an outback experience that includes meeting a kangaroo). Outgrowing the current location, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo has exciting plans to move into a new green zoo over the next two years. If you’re looking for a break from dolphins, turtles, and jellyfish, spend an afternoon at the zoo.

Waterville USA

Home of the $3 mini golf, Waterville USA is Gulf Shores’ water and amusement park. Open May-September, a day pass to Waterville USA is $29.95 and includes amusement plus all the water you can’t find in the nearby ocean. A popular hangout for local kids on summer vacation, Waterville USA has an indoor arcade and bounce house in the event of a rainy day.

Where to Stay:

Lazy River at Caribe, The Resort (Photo Credit: Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism)

Caribe, The Resort

An exclusive condominium property in Orange Beach, Caribe, The Resort is a community of individually-owned condominium units available for vacation rental. Ranging in size from 1400 to 2400 square feet, families looking for the comforts of home with on-site resort amenities—including over 40,000 square feet of water spread out between eight outdoor pools, three indoor pools, nine hot tubs, and a lazy river—will also love the mile and a half of unobstructed ocean views. Because the units are owned by families, each unit is as unique as the family that calls it home away from home. Commonalities include private balconies, gourmet kitchens, and Jacuzzi tubs. If you can drag the kids out of the water (ocean, pool, or over sized bath tub), check out the tennis courts, fitness centers, and game room. Caribe, The Resort is perfect for large groups, multi-generational families, and people generally looking to re-connect with each another without cramming into a traditional hotel room.

View from the Lincoln Park Zoo Nature Boardwalk

To live in the Midwest and have never experienced the culture, food, architecture, diversity, and entertainment that is Chicago is a sad thing indeed. For many of us quite comfortable in the regional cost of living and slower pace of daily life, Chicago can take us a bit by surprise. Between parking, tolls, and a 10.25% sales tax, the price of progress does come with a few extra vacation expenditures. Relatively inexpensive by East and West Coast standards, a weekend in the Windy City is still worth budgeting for. Recently spending four days in the, here are some ways we saved money on our trip to town.

Meatballs for Less at IKEA

Knowing many downtown hotels charge anywhere between $10 and $40 extra to keep a vehicle in the hotel parking ramp, we booked a room at the Homewood Suites in the popular Chicago suburb of Schaumburg (parking is 100% FREE). Conveniently located near O’Hare International Airport, Schaumburg is a haven of high-end shopping, dining, and recreation. Arriving at Homewood Suites on a Thursday night, our first evening meal was on the house in the hotel dining area. A full complimentary dinner with adult drinks is offered to hotel guests Monday through Thursday (hot breakfast is complimentary every day of the week). This is standard practice at Homewood Suites across the country. Stocking our full refrigerator with food purchased at the nearby Whole Foods grocery store, we enjoyed a home-cooked spaghetti dinner as well as a trip down the block to the affordably-priced IKEA Restaurant (Meatballs for Less is now $2.99). Packing snacks and filling water bottles from home helped combat impulse purchases at overpriced museum cafes.

The Carousel at Navy Pier

Located within five miles of four different stops on the METRA commuter transit system, catching a train ride downtown not only saves gas and time (Chicago is notorious for commuter traffic jams), Weekend Family Fares allow up to three kids under age 11 to ride FREE with a fare-paying adult. Families serving in the military receive additional discounts (see all of the fare discounts here).

Planning to visit many of the popular downtown museums and attractions, we used the Go Select Chicago pass for discounted admission prices over the course of the long weekend. In many cases the Go Select Chicago pass allowed us to bypass long lines (anyone with young— already excited and growing impatient—kids will appreciate this perk).

Getting Wet at the Chicago Children's Museum

If your Chicago itinerary calls for a visit to Navy Pier, make sure to ask for a Chicago-Style Fun coupon book from the concierge at the main Information desk. The coupon book has dining and shopping discounts, as well as coupons for the attractions, rides, and aquatic sightseeing tours. The Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier (incidentally one of the best children’s museums we’ve ever been to) offers reciprocal admission for eligible members of participating ACM (Association of Children’s Museums) institutions, valid for up to 4 people per membership.

Along the lake shore on the north end of “The Loop” is Lincoln Park, Chicago’s version of Central Park. Always FREE (and open 365 days per year), the Lincoln Park Zoo is a fantastic place to pass an entire morning or afternoon (alas, zoo parking is not free, so plan ahead). With a balance of indoor and outdoor exhibits, the zoo offers breaks from both heat and windchill. Feeling somewhat rushed during our two hour speed walk through the zoo, we’d detour to downtown just for the chance to visit again.

LEGOLAND Test Center

Back in Schaumburg, we enjoyed an afternoon at the LEGOLAND Discovery Center (again, three cheers for FREE parking). An indoor attraction for LEGO fans of all ages and genders, our visit included two different rides, a model builder workshop,and touring the LEGO MINILAND (we visited during the cleverly-named Brick-or-Treat, and the entire museum embraced a G-rated spooky Halloween theme). Spending the majority of our visit building and testing LEGO Racers, a trip through the 4-D cinema was almost as big of a hit as our LEGO souvenirs. Hint: If your child subscribes to LEGO Magazine, check the back cover for discount admission coupons to Discovery Center locations nationwide).

As an aside, Chicago newbies may want to take advantage of the FREE Chicago Greeter program offered by the Chicago Office of Tourism (read the related story here). Other personal FREE museum recommendations are the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame and the Chicago Cultural Center.

Today’s guest post is written by automobile-expert Sean Gray. Sean works with CashForTrucks.com, a company that buys cars and helps people sell their junkers and replace them with new ones.

If you’re a frequent road tripper, you know that comfort, fuel economy, and practicality mean different things when you’re on a road trip than when you’re hitting the super market. Station wagon aside, here are three family-friendly vehicles for all types of travel:

Honda Odyssey EX

Although it sports the classic minivan style, the Honda Odyssey EX packs a lot more punch than the typical soccer mom variety. Not only does it handle more like a touring car than a boxy van, the stark carpool motif is gone and luxury touches like touch-glide doors and DVD players are in. Heavy loads and steep inclines are a breeze with the 244-hp 3.5L V6 engine and 5-speed automatic transmission that gives you towing capacity of 3500 lbs with the full package. The clever backseat can be reconfigured to suit many situations—either as individual seats with a console in between, one long bench or flatten them out completely for maximum cargo space. At 23 MPG on the highway and 16 MPG in town, it does do much better than most vans its size. Depending on how you configure the seats, your cargo capacity can vary between 38.4 to 147.4 cubic feet. The biggest drawback is the low ground clearance if you have to handle rough or snowy roads. This feature undoubtedly adds to its overall stability by lowering its center of gravity, however, making it handle much better on wet roads or in icy conditions.

Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen

Lurking in this sporty looking wagon is a surprising amount of space, both for passengers and cargo. With the option of diesel and the turbo power ride, the Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen gives economy cars a run for their money. The diesel engine mileage is up to 40 MPG and the gas powered version can pull off 30 MPG on the highway and around 21 MPG in the city. The stable body design gives it sports car level handling and the 170-hp 2.5 engine can hit 60 MPH in 8.4 seconds, not bad for a station wagon! Expect German touches throughout the interior with tons of standard features and high-end options like a power sliding panoramic sunroof and a touchscreen navigation panel. The 4MOTION all-wheel drive is so popular in Europe that most US buyers have to settle for the 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic, but all models have the multilink rear suspension for the smoothest possible ride. Fold up the rear seats for 66.9 cubic feet of cargo space and when they’re upright you have 32.8 cubic feet at your disposal. Though you don’t feel like you’re driving a station wagon or a compact car, this well-engineered design somehow manages to qualify for both categories while giving you the kind of performance you expect from a high-performance automobile.

Cadillac CTS-V Wagon

A limited production version of the already impressive Cadillac CTS wagon, the supercharged 6.2 liter V8 gives this model all the power you need for any situation. As expected, this wagon delivers a silky smooth ride with ergonomically designed seats and finger tip cockpit control and naturally handles like a dream. Carry five passengers comfortably and still have 25 cubic feet of cargo room at your disposal. Fold down the seats and you can have 58 cubic feet in all. Magnetic ride control and six-speed manual or automatic transmission give you ultimate control which is a good thing since you can go from zero to 60 MPH in 4.2 seconds. Don’t expect great mileage with that kind of power, the best it can do on highway cruise control is 19 MPG and 14 MPG in the city.

Expecting sun bathers and sand castles and unmanned kites hovering in the steady breeze, Mother Nature had a hidden agenda as she joined up with us on our beach vacation in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama. Running through the white sand towards Atlantis and his gleaming trident, Chariots of Fire came to a needle-scratching halt as we hurdled over jelly fish. And lots of them.

According to this recent news article in AL.com online, our October encounter with the moon jellyfish was old news to folks in Mobile and along the Florida Panhandle. A record year on a typical 10-year population cycle, wind, currents, tides, and hurricane-season deposited a plethora of these non-lethal species right on up to our hotel. Stocked with seldom-used sting kids, the concierge calmed our fears and suggested we avoid anything with pink dotted circles. Local kids (shown above) were thrilled to bling out their sand sculptures with nature’s fruit snack.

Up early the next morning for a (sandaled) walk on the world-famous white sand, a hushed crowd of onlookers stood a respectful distance from a lifeless dolphin deposited by the tide. Possibly one of four reported deaths during our stay in paradise, moments like these remind us of our own mortality. Some living into their forties, wild bottlenose dolphins are susceptible to viruses, infections, pollution, and old age, among other natural and unnatural causes.

Detrimentally impacting marine life and stressing the ecosystem, reminders of the 2010 British Petroleum oil spill are subtle today. Inquiring about the small force of “treasure” hunters combing the beach with butterfly nets, I helped add a few quarter-size tar balls to their collection. Like the person interviewed in this recent Huffington Post article, removing the material from my fingers required half a bar of soap.

Sure as the sun rises, death begets new life and Alabama gave us one of the most spectacular memories on Earth. Using the moonlight to guide us a few hundred meters from the lights of our hotel, we encountered a group of onlookers and volunteers from the Alabama Sea Turtle “Share the Beach” Volunteer Program just as the first of 47 loggerhead turtle hatch-lings emerged from the sand. Led by instinct along a walk as old as the dinosaurs, a collective bon voyage went out to the babies as the surf took them out to find a meal. Because photos (or any light-emitting anything) was not permitted during this formative journey, watch this video and live a bit of the moment yourself.

Because we are an outdoor family and because we believe in education on vacation, Alabama has added to the living marine biology lesson started in Florida and South Carolina. Given the opportunity to see life and death and impress upon us all the importance of treating her with respect, a nod to you Mother Nature. Thanks for coming along.

Uniquely its own, Orange Beach and Gulf Shores is affordable, peaceful, and offers places to rest and places to be entertained. Read where we ate fresh sea food and stay tuned for suggestions on family-friendly fun.

Mix one part sun with equal amounts of white sand, fresh air, and salt-water and  Gulf Shores, Alabama will whet your appetite in a New York Minute. With ample dining venues and endless opportunity for fresh, regional sea food, we ate our way down the coast with kid-friendly dining on the stomach (er, brain).

The Hangout

Backing up to prime-time ocean-front property, The Hangout is a popular “hang loose” casual dining establishment (where 59 ends and the fun begins).With generous indoor seating and spacious patio space, kids can enjoy dancing to live music, playing in the sand hill, and a trip through the foam machine (this You Tube video gives you an idea of what to expect and what to wear). Adult-focused after the sun sets, The Hangout features hamburgers, chicken strips, fried shrimp, grilled chicken, and grilled mahi on the Kids Menu (10 and under, served with fruit cup, spuds, or mac and cheese for $6.50). A seasonal family-style breakfast is available during peak travel months (kids eat for $4.50).

LuLu’s at Homeport Marina

Situated on the inter-coastal waterway that meanders out to the Gulf of Mexico, LuLu’s at Homeport Marina is the creation of none other than Lucy Buffett. Adding her personal touch to the menu, the venue, and the atmosphere, LuLu’s will add some color to your family vacation. Designed to keep patrons of all ages entertained before, during, and after their meals, kids can play in LuLu’s fountain for youth (two words: mud pie), listen to live music, shop in the retail store, climb the Mountain of Youth (a three-story climbing apparatus), or just watch the boats motoring by.

Featuring an allergy menu organized to avoid gluten, eggs, seafood, shellfish, dairy, and soy, parents can order according to dietary needs or choose from the traditional Kids Menu. For kids 14 and under, choices include a grass-fed beef cheeseburger or quesidilla ($4.95) or  fried shrimp or grilled or fried fish ($5.95). For a regional treat, try the L.A. (Lower Alabama) caviar (black-eyed peas in balsamic vinaigrette for $4.95) or  fried crab claws (fresh and local ) for $18.95 (plenty to share, if you can).

Tacky Jacks

Down and across the inter-coastal waterway from LuLu’s at Homeport is another brightly-themed Gulf Shores dining venue. Spacious and airy, Tacky Jacks is ever-so-slightly scaled down from its neighbor to the North. Featuring a sandy beach with toys and a gift shop, Tacky Jacks appeals to a slightly older, karaoke and sports-loving crowd. Catering to kids with a Little Vittles (12 and under) menu, choices are Lil’ Chickies, Small Fry Shrimp, Tots Grilled Cheese, and Lil’ Fishies ($5.99). Adventurous (and famished) families can attempt a Mexican Garbage appetizer or share 1/2 pound of Royal Red Shrimp.  A popular Tacky Jacks beverage is the Bushwacker, a frozen “adults only” milkshake.

Sweetie Pies

Last, but certainly not least, leave some room (and a few notches on your belt) to experience dessert, Alabama style. Sweetie Pies, a family-owned deli and bakery on the Gulf Shores Parkway, is known for just shy of twenty specialty pies. Baked fresh daily, a trip to Sweetie Pies will feel a bit like the first-time in a candy store. If you can make a decision, pies can be enjoyed by the pan or the slice. From meringue (key lime, lemon, and even chocolate peanut butter) to traditional (southern pecan, peach, sweet potato, and blueberry), enjoy your treat in the dining room or take it on a field trip to the beach.

Renting a redbox DVD at a gas station in Alabama

As a general rule of thumb, we provide our kids with unlimited opportunities for self-entertainment (i.e., looking out the window) for road trips under nine hours. This is partly because our Hail Mary minivan is as analog as it gets and partly because most computer repair shops generally frown upon jerry-rigging laptops using a combination of bungee cords and Newton’s Third Law of Motion. That said, there are occasions when even the most seasoned road warriors are faced with choosing between the digital baby sitter and eating our offspring.

Redbox to the rescue.

About two summers ago it dawned on me we could rent and return DVDs as we traveled. Allowing kids to select new movie releases and video game rentals from one Redbox location, we’d drive 400-500 miles, find another self-service kiosk and repeat the process at $1.20/rental ($1.50 for Blu-ray/$2 for video games) . With now nearly 28,000 locations nationwide and a handy mobile app (we use the iPhone app, but Android is also available), the rent, travel, rent process is much more streamlined than calling your husband for help from 1642 miles away. The smart phone apps also allow you to browse titles and reserve advance copies.

Currently subscribers to Netflix from our home mailing address, Redbox “on the road” offers the additional flexibility and instant gratification necessary for preserving your mental health when driving solo, say, to the Gulf of Mexico from Wisconsin in two days. (!)

Viewable from the car, hotel room, airplane, train, and boat (we make lots of trips across Lake Michigan), the folks at Redbox are generously donating 20 FREE DVD rentals to the first 20 people (one each) who leave a comment on this post with their favorite road trip movie.

Today’s guest post is submitted by Shannon Entin, traveling, homeschooling mom on the pursuit of happiness. Visit Shannon’s new travel blog, 100 Routes Across America.

For less than $5 per person, the Duquesne Incline is a fun, inexpensive way to spend a couple hours in Pittsburgh. The Duquesne Incline is a cable car that transports people to the top of Mount Washington. Restored in 1963, the Incline features original hoisting gear and cable cars that date back to the late 1800′s.

My family boarded the beautiful wooden cable car and began our trip up the incline. I admit to feeling nervous about being hoisted up the steep hill by the original gear that moved coal centuries ago. I don’t have a fear of heights, but it was a tiny bit unsettling the way the cable car just stuck out and hung off the side of the mountain! And while we were ooh-ing and aah-ing over the incredible view, we shared the car with a businessman on his way home from work – it was just part of his daily commute.

At the top you are greeted with an amazing panoramic view of the city from an observation deck. My son was excited to see Heinz Field (where the Steelers play football) and PNC Park (where the Pirates play baseball). I loved seeing all the bridges that connect Pittsburgh and how those three rivers come together.

When you’ve had your fill of the view,  you’ll find the Incline station overflowing with beautiful artwork offering a pictorial history of Pittsburgh. You can see how the city has changed over the years through industrial development and natural disasters.  There’s also the opportunity to take a tour of the machine room to see the inner workings of the original hoisting equipment. The gift shop has unique maps, posters, artwork, and souvenirs.

If you wander outside the station, you find yourself on Grandview Ave. There’s not much to do there, but if you’re ready for a bite to eat, I suggest the Grandview Saloon. Prices are in line with any restaurant in a city — $10-$20 for sandwiches and salads, $20 – $40 for steak, seafood and pasta entrees.  I had this amazing concoction…

The Grandview Prime Salad: A traditional house salad topped with an 8 ounce U.S.D.A. Prime Center Cut New York Strip Steak, and french fries with cheese on top of that. Heaven.

While the food was fantastic, the view was even better. There is an outdoor terrace right above the Incline or an indoor dining room with a wall of windows offering that same panoramic view of Pittsburgh.

Whether you’re in Pittsburgh for a few days or a few hours, the Duquesne Incline is a great pit-stop on any road trip.

Parking is free at the Duquesne Incline and a round-trip ride is $4.50 for adults and $2.20 for kids. Visit http://duquesneincline.org for more information.