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Top 7 Family Friendly Restaurants in Boulder, Colorado

When you live in a place that’s named “Foodiest Town in America”, dining out becomes a part of the lifestyle. However, when you have two picky eaters in tow, you have to choose your culinary destinations wisely. Will there be enough adult-friendly options for mom and dad? Will there be enough healthy-bland options for the kids? Lucky for us, living in a foodie town gives us a wide-variety of choices – and a wide-variety of price points – to keep everyone in our family happy.

The Southern Sun

The Southern Sun

One of the biggest perks of our yuppy/hippy community is the Sun family. The Mountain Sun opened its doors back in the mid-90’s appealing to the young downtown-hippy crowd with their fancy microbrews and high-quality-no-nonsense good food. When they opened a slightly larger sister pub, The Southern Sun, several years later, the hippies-turned-families flocked. Piles of super-delicious-what-do-they put in-those-things-anyway nachos and community games make this restaurant a top choice for our family.

Murphy’s Grill. Photos by Susan Tucker

Murphy’s

After soccer on Thursdays we like to stop by another Boulder staple, Murphy’s Grill in North Boulder. Much to our delight and surprise, this is also when Mr. Lamont, the local magician, happens to do table performances. (I tell you ever since meeting Lamont, the magic tricks are never-ending at my house.) You can hear the oohs-and-ahhs from around the restaurant as Lamont stops off for his five-minute performances. And, to top it all off the food is pretty darn good, too! A kids menu that offers broccoli or carrots as a side – that my four year old will actually order – awesome!

Mustard’s Last Stand. Photo by Let Ideas Compete

Mustard’s Last Stand

One of our favorite things to do is to ride our bikes along the creek path to downtown Boulder. Sometimes, we get hungry along the way. Lucky for us, Mustard’s Last Stand is a quick easy stop for a fun lunch. Not only do they serve up the best dogs (burgers, sandwiches and fries, too) this side of the Wrigley Field, they will also supply you with a blanket for a creekside picnic! The kids love the corn dogs. I love the veggie dogs. Yum!

Photo by Backcountry Pizza & Tap House.

Backcountry Pizza and Taphouse

When mama needs Mr. Pesto, mama needs Mr. Pesto and Backcountry Pizza and Taphouse has what mama needs. Since I’m really the only one into a pesto, fried chicken, tomato and kalamata olive pizza, it’s a good thing that Backcountry Pizza has a quite large menu that appeals to the entire family (even the in-laws) with burgers, salads, sandwiches and, of course, pizza. A selection only matched by their extensive beer list. Throw in the game room and this restaurant is a crowd-pleaser every time.

Photo by Casa Alvarez.

Casa Alvaraez

Who doesn’t love a free meal? We love free meals and we love good, authentic and fresh Mexican food. Casa Alvarez offers Kids Eat Free every day with the purchase of an adult meal. Just for joining their club. (Ok!) Our kids love the burritos and we love their tasty margs.

Sushi Zanmai. Photo by Sushi Zanmai

Sushi Zanmai

Shhh! Here is a secret. Boulder’s funnest Karaoke spot doubles as a family friendly restaurant. Sushi Zanmai offers a $6 kids’ meal. It comes with a choice of two entrees—including tofu, shrimp, egg and rice, Japanese-style “chicken nuggets,” and gyoza—a cup of miso soup, rice, edemame, fruit and vanilla or green tea ice cream for dessert. Mom and dad get their unagi…. and karaoke, too (if they’re feeling particularly sassy.)

Glacier Homemade Ice Cream & Gelato

If you consider ice cream a food group – and I do – then you will most certainly LOVE my last pick – Glacier Homemade Ice Cream & Gelato. Good thing we’re biking distance, so we can work off some of those sinful calories. We love to enjoy our Death by Chocolate, Funky Donkey and Carmel Oreo scoops from one of the oversized couches or on the outside patio. If we’re in a hurry, we like to grab a homemade cookie/ice-cream sandwich for the road.

As our foodies-in-training grow and their taste buds mature, we look forward to expanding our restaurant ventures.

May 7, 2013 Posted by Susan Tucker In Family Tagged backcountry pizza, boulder, casa alvarez, Family Friendly Dining, family friendly restaurants in boulder, glacier ice cream, mountain sun, murphy's grill, mustard's last stand, southern sun, sushi zanmai Comments 1

Face Your Pregnancy Travel Fears

Pregnancy is a beautiful and somewhat scary time for a woman. We watch what we eat, stay away from toxins, and try to avoid anything that may harm our growing baby. Many women stick close to home thinking any sort of travel may be too exhausting, or could hurt their child. I’m here to tell you (and please note that I am NOT a doctor) that travel is not only OK, but it is beneficial to you. You need to get out, explore, stretch you muscles, and most of all stay sane during this nine-month incubation period. You just have to be smart about it.

Second Trimester babymoon

Generally by your second trimester you should start to feel a bit better. Not like yourself, but your energy will hopefully be coming back, and your morning (or all day) sickness will be dying down a bit. This is the time to head out the door. Your third trimester will bring along with it a bigger baby, more backaches, and travel restrictions from your doctor and the airlines. Take advantage of this 3-month window while you can.

Plan carefully

If you suffered from severe morning sickness in your first trimester, think about avoiding boat travel and opting for plane, car, or even train travel for your getaway. Pick a quiet spot where you will be sure to relax, but also have options to get out and explore. Your body needs to move no matter how much your brain says to sit on the couch.

Keep hydrated

You know you need to drink extra water while pregnant, but that is never more true as when you travel. Planes dehydrate you, and added activities will too. If you opt for a beach vacation, or even trekking in the snow, you will need to have that water bottle on hand to avoid any complications.

Snacks. Snacks. And more Snacks.

I don’t know about you but I was a very cranky pregnant woman. If my blood sugar dropped my husband knew he had to pull over at the first possible spot to get me food of any kind to avoid the monster mommy crawling out. Have cereal bars, fruit, nuts, or some other sort of healthy snack in your bag at all times when traveling. If you are hiking there isn’t always a convenience store near by to satisfy your craving.

Remember your personal style

Pregnancy is a time to throw on those comfy pants, but also time to show off your body at its best. Whether you are headed to your closest city, jet setting off to Europe, or playing the life of a beach bum in the Hawaiian islands, now is the time to show off that gorgeous body, wear clothes that make you feel beautiful. Try new colors, a new pair of shades, fresh make up routine, and pull out all that fab jewelry and accessories in your closet. Soon enough baby will be here and you may forget about you for a little while.

Whether this is your first or your fifth child we all know life is going to change a bit once that baby arrives. Now is your time to celebrate your family in its current size before your new addition changes the dynamic, which it will in the best way possible.

All advice is from my own personal experience. Please consult your doctor before planning travel of any kind if you are unsure of your physical ability to do so.

May 6, 2013 Posted by Keryn In Family, Featured Posts, Travel Tagged Baby, first trimester travel, Pregnancy, pregnant and traveling, second trimester travel, Travel, Traveling while Pregnant, traveling while pregnant tips Comments 3

Travel is All About Options

When you announce that your little bundle of joy is on the way the words “you will never travel again” starts to pop up left and right, as if your life stops until your darling children are off to college. Even worse, people start to talk about all of the theme parks you are destine to visit, because that is surely the only place capable of entertaining your children for more than 30 minutes. Well stop right there ladies. I’m here to tell you that there is a big wide world out there just waiting for you to explore with your kids, and most of it is not made of plastic. Here’s a little sampling of the adventures that our planet has to offer, and yes, I have done them all with a toddler and baby in tow.

Hawaii, The Big Island

Let’s start off small with the Hawaiian Islands. While most families head to Maui because it is so easy to get around, in fact it was our first trip with my oldest son, I say turn your back on convention and head to Hawaii’s Big Island. If you want a great town with baby beaches, restaurants, and easy access to stores galore then your best bet is to stay in Kona. The farmer’s market there is scrumptious and just down the street you will find the best french toast of your life at Island Lava Java. If you are looking for a quieter experience, head to the east side of the island south of Hilo. You will have more time to explore Volcanoes National Park away from the crowds, and have the chance to rub elbows with the locals at the Pahoa Farmer’s Market. The Champagne Ponds are the perfect place to let your little ones explore while you sneak a little snorkeling in, or you can head to the fresh water ponds and black sand beach south of Kapoho.

London, England

Another no brainer, but often overlooked spot, is England’s capital city of London. This is a major metropolitan area with grocery stores carrying diapers, baby food and formula in many of the major brands you know from back home. And in case you hadn’t heard, they also speak English there, making it a breeze to navigate the city and ask for help. If your kids are Pixar fans you can bet they will be thrilled to walk by Parliament to get a peak at Big Ben, or as Cars 2 fans know him, Big Bentley. There are plenty of public parks, playgrounds, and most of the museums are free, making this a parent’s dream destination if they want to pop in a little educational experience into the itinerary.

Loreto, Mexico

This is not your average college spring break destination. Oh no. Those kids head south of Loreto on the Baja Peninsula to soak up the sun and more than a few margaritas in Cabo. You can safely bring your kids to this sleepy little town on the Sea of Cortez, where retired snowbirds head south to stay warm for the winter along side the gray whale population that is a must see when in the area. With only one flight per day, and a 2-hour direct flight from LAX, you could be on the beach or sitting at your pool by the afternoon. If you want an authentic experience, skip the expensive resorts outside of town, and stay at a local inn or casita run by locals or American expats. You will be able to walk to some of the most delectable food you can imagine at rock bottom prices, and there are at least three shops to grab ice cream for the kids after a long day of adventure.

Kyoto, Japan

Crossing the Pacific may seem like a stretch for many families, but I am here to tell you that it is possible AND worth it. Kyoto is a city rich with tradition, culture, architectural wonders, and some of the most beautifully presented food you will ever lay eyes on. The city is pretty flat, making it easy to walk, and the bus system is exceptional. Even though you may not find as many English speakers as you thought you would, everyone is excited to help you, and they aren’t afraid to try a little sign language and miming to communicate. There are exceptional parks and open green spaces to let your kids run as well as easy to follow paths at the temples and shrines that keep toddlers roped in when mom and dad want to explore a few cultural elements. Prices can seem high, but if you find a nice rental off the main drag, cook a few meals in your temporary home, and dive into the food courts in the basements of the department stores, you can make this a very economical excursion.

Vancouver, Canada

While our neighbors to the north may get a bad rep for excessive amounts of snow and a very sparse population, Vancouver offers up city amenities your entire family will be rushing out the door to explore. The Vancouver Aquarium in Stanley Park and Science World will help you cram in a ton of learning fun on your next vacation. Once you’ve had enough science run off to Granville Island to sample some of the areas best produce, handmade desserts, and readymade foods for a picnic lunch before heading over to the Kids Market. Warning: your kids will never want to leave! If you are looking for a little more outdoor adventure don’t miss the Capilano Suspension Bridge, Grouse Mountain and a stroll through Chinatown.

With so many incredible spots that are not only easy to navigate, but also very kid friendly, why would you ever limit yourself to the package idea of what a family vacation has to be? Open your mind to the possibilities, throw a dart at a map, let yourself dream a little, and then start planning your next adventure with your kids. Who knows, maybe they will actually start to teach you a little along the way.

Apr 29, 2013 Posted by Keryn In Family, Travel Tagged asia, baja, Beaches, Big Island, British Columbia, Canada, Family Travel, Hawaii, japan, kyoto, London, Mexico, UK, Vancouver Comments 6

Traveling to NYC and Boston With a Toddler

Recently my husband and I took our 21-month old daughter on a weeklong trip to NYC and Boston, and although we’ve been to NYC a million times, and took our daughter when she was a year old, going with a toddler was a whole different experience. So here’s a trip report from a mom’s perspective.

New York City with a Toddler in Tow

We took our amazing but large UppaBaby Vista, and I can’t tell you how many times that trip I wished I had just given in and bought that umbrella stroller already – because the sidewalks of NYC are small and there are LOTS of people bustling to get around. And the restaurants are tiny, many without highchairs or changing tables (we got to become experts at changing her standing up.) Most of the ones we went to did not have room for a stroller, so we’d have to park our stroller outside on the sidewalk and hope it was still there when we came out (thank you Shake Shack for your indoor stroller parking!)

Pre-baby, we would walk around, shop, eat, the usual. With toddler in tow it’s all about how do I entertain you all day long. And taking the subway? Forget about it (did I mention how gargantuan and heavy our stroller felt this trip?). We did take the Metro a handful of times, and the best is to just forgo the stroller all together if you can, and wear your child. But that doesn’t work out so hot if you know you’re going to be out and about all day, and aforementioned child is weighing more and more each day. Also, toddlers don’t like to walk forever, eventually they poop out and want mommy to hold them the rest of the 10 blocks, so to us, our stroller was a necessity.

We ended up taking more cabs than we ever have before. And we didn’t often venture super far from our Upper West Side home base. What NYC has going for it – Central Park. We easily spent almost an entire day here. Little Miss loved the Castle playground, horses, musicians, and all of the other activity surrounding us – and we loved sitting on a bench. We also attempted a trip to the Manhattan Children’s Museum, but be forewarned, on cold days with a lack of options to entertain children with, it appeared every single parent/nanny in the world goes there. There was seriously a line stretching outside and around the block! So we opted to skip that and instead indulge in some delicious Chinese-Peruvian cuisine at Flor de Mayo instead (NOTE: Getting seated by the fish tank to keep the kid entertained is key).

And one can’t miss the American Museum of Natural History with a kid – although fair warning, attempting to go during Spring Break is the equivalent of going to Disneyland during the holidays. But there are enough dinosaurs, whales and dioramas there to awe both child and parent. After hitting up our fave NYC spots like the Chelsea Market and High Line Park, and getting to try some new eateries (please go and get the pork buns at Momofuku Noodle Bar – to.die.for.), we were ready to bid NYC adieu.

Staying with Airbnb

Soon after we flew off to Boston for the very first time. We stayed in Cambridge as we were visiting family at Harvard, and it was an ideal location, especially with a tot in tow. Instead of going the hotel route, we chose to use airbnb, which I highly recommend, to rent a 1-bdrm apartment for the duration of our trip. It was perfect. Great location right across from the gorgeous Cambridge Public Library (which has an amazing children’s floor), and having a bedroom with a door that shut was amazing since Little Miss goes to bed earlier than we do and we didn’t want to have to lie there in the dark for hours playing on our cells (who knows what I’m talking about?) There was a full kitchen, which is great for making snacks, etc. It was also less expensive than getting a hotel room. Win-win.

Exploring Boston

Cambridge itself is super charming. The brick buildings and cobblestone streets made me feel like I was in Harry Potter. It’s lovely to stroll through the gorgeous Harvard campus and peruse Main Street. Of course, Little Miss loved the World’s Only Curious George Store. And another perk is that Boston is just a short Metro ride away, and is small enough to be able to walk everywhere. We did part of the Freedom Trail while Little Miss napped in her stroller and ate the requisite cannoli at Modern Pastry. Then a short hike over to Faneuil Hall for some decadent lobster rolls and creamy clam chowder. The great day was capped off by a date night (gasp!) at the amazing Giacomo’s followed by “the best ice cream in the world” at Toscanini’s.

The following day we visited the Boston Children’s Museum which is kiddie heaven. One could easily spend the entire day here, which is good, because admission for 3 was not cheap. And on a particularly icy day, it was the best use of our day. And of course, one does not go to Cambridge without eating at the college-town institution, Mr. Bartley’s Gourmet Burgers where one can order The Viagra, Mindy Kaling, or Conan O’Brian, just to name a few (I went with The Viagra, and it was delicious!)

All in all, it was a memorable and fun trip that we’ll treasure forever. Traveling with kids isn’t the easiest, but so worth it, in my opinion. I already can’t wait for next little family adventure!

Apr 23, 2013 Posted by Esther Carlstone In Family, Travel Tagged american museum of natural history, arbnb, Boston, Boston children's museum, cambridge public library, central park, chelsea market, faneuil hall, giacomo's, high line park, modern pastry, momfuku noodle bar, mr. barley's gourmet burgers, NYC, Toscanini's, travel to boston, travel to new york, travelling with kids, UPPAbaby Vista Comments 1

Hotel review of The Sheraton Los Cabos, Mexico

This post was originally post on ChildMode, small edits have been made.

Last week I shared my review of the Westin Los Cabos and I mentioned I had a favorite of the two properties and well, this is my favorite!

From the second I arrived at The Sheraton, Los Cabos I knew that this was going to be a little slice of heaven! The traditional hacienda style of this property is comfortable yet chic, I loved this type of architecture. I also enjoy properties that instantly make me feel right at home, as if I was returning to my private beach bungalow and I have to say, the Sheraton did a fine job at welcoming me home.

I had a ground floor ocean front room and and it really could not have been more perfect, I was also on the end and literally steps from the beach. My room had a patio with a little grassy hill area, which I thought would be perfect for my kids to roll around on. When traveling with kids sometimes it’s the smallest things that make a big difference. Even the towel and swimsuit drying rack on the patio is very much appreciated for traveling families. The bathroom had gorgeous tile work and the bathtub had shutters that opened so you could see straight to the beach.

The Pools

They have a variety of pools scattered around the property and they just kept getting better and better. Some pools are beach front while others are set in the garden areas, have a bit more shade and a little more private. There are shallow entry pools painted with turtles to welcome the little swimmers. One pool has a jacuzzi in the center and of course, what resort isn’t complete without a swim up bar! You can definitely find your perfect poolside spot with so many different options.

Family Note: In April 2012 they expanded the property with a brand new Kids Klub and pool area that has a full interactive water park facility with splash pads and water slides. This will also serve as a safe and secure place where parents can drop off their kids for the day. The site was under construction while I visited but I am sure it will be a kids paradise when it is finished. (I’d be happy to go back and give it a test.)

The Spa

The Cactus Spa offers a variety of treatments, everything from facials, massages, body wraps and even a vichy shower room. The women’s locker room included a steam room, sauna, showers, lockers and all the female spa essentials. It has a co-ed relaxation area and a co-ed hot tub area with 3 hot tubs with three different temperatures. This area was tranquil, quiet and the sound of the waterfall put me right into the spa mood.

The Food

The Sheraton, Los Cabos has two five star resturants on the property and the food at both places was amazing! D Cortez Grill which over looks the Sea of Cortez and the elegant Pitahayas Restaurant, winner of the five-star diamond award from the American Academy of Hospitality for seven years, features eclectic pacific rim cuisine. Both of these meals were incredible, one ended with our entire group smoking cuban cigars and then heading out for a night on the town and the other ended with a glowing desert and a tour of the Sheraton’s wine cave. It’s hard to choose which night was better.

Its hard to tell with this dark picture but this dish was A- MAZING!

Both D Cortez Grill and Pitahayas are both fine dining restaurants and so you’ll want to dress up a bit. Both are perfect for having a romantic dinner but are totally suited to bring the kids along too. Kids might like Pitahayas a bit more since you are dining in a grand hut like structure and there is live music. Although, right outside the D Cortez Grill there is a large fire pit that kids might equally enjoy as well. You can also find poolside casual dining at the Sirenas restaurant, which had some of the best guacamole. For family style breakfast and lunch there is Tomatoes, a buffet-style restaurant perfect for finding something for everyone. If you are not into buffet style dining you can order off their menu too.

Wine Cave and Tequila Bar

As I mentioned, they have a wine cave on the property and is available to host a private dinner party. It’s a bit chilly but absolutely gorgeous. La Suerte is the low key sports bar which has over 100 different kinds of tequila. This is definitely a great place for the guys to catch a game and hang out.

Family Travel Perfection

This is a resort that has the best of both worlds, it is super kid friendly while remaining chic and sophisticated. I understand that it is difficult to cater to all the needs and demands of families. Moms want it all when they travel, they’ve worked hard to get there and some might say they expect perfection. I’d say that the Sheraton, Los Cabos is pretty close to my idea of a family vacation perfection. I am dying to go back.

Disclosure: This was a press trip I took in December of 2011 and all expenses were paid. This hotel review was first published on ChildMode. I share this with you because it is still one of my top favorite trips and I would recommend The Sheraton Los Cabos to any family traveling with kids to Mexico.

Mar 26, 2013 Posted by Andrea Fellman In Family, Travel Tagged Cabo, Family Friendly Resorts, Family Resorts, Family Travel, Hotel Reviews, Hotels, Los Cabos, Los Cabos Mexico, Mexico, Mexico Travel, Sheraton Hotels, The Sheraton Los Cabos, Travel, Traveling with Kids Comments 0

Trapeze school on the Santa Monica Pier

Trapeze School with LARA BAR

Some days my job is pretty frickin’ rad. I mean, one week I am climbing an Ice Tower in Canada and the next week I’m at trapeze school on the Santa Monica Pier. Which caused me to say this “ If you have to sign a waiver and strap on a safety belt I’ll do it!” to my friends Sarah and Yvonne from MomsLA who invited me to take part in this “Uber Moment” with LARA BAR. And well, I am not one to say no to something as amazing as this!

Trapeze School of New York is the company that runs a trapeze school that is literally right on the Santa Monica Pier. Which is the most amazing location because right as you are standing high up on the platform and just before you fly through the air you get an incredible view of the pacific ocean. It truly was a special moment, but you have to take it in quick because you’re not on that platform very long.

Trapeze Fashion

What does one wear to trapeze school? Comfortable clothing and a safety belt of course! That belt was really tight.

The inspiring woman behind LARA BAR

LARA BAR hosted this event and so I was able to meet the founder of LARA BAR and hear her story of how LARA BAR was started. Lara Merriken came up with the idea on a hike in Colorado when she wanted a better option for a snack bar that tasted more like her trail mix, so and most importantly for it to taste good! So she went home and started to dig into the natural foods industry and started experimenting with natural ingredients, a Cuiseart and a rolling pin. She used her friends and family as her focus groups and even worked at Whole Foods for 3 years while perfecting her bars and her knowledge in the natural food industry. Whole Foods would let her give out samples of her bars on the weekends.

She started with five flavors; Cherry Pie, Apple Pie, Cashew Cookie, Banana Cookie, and Chocolate Coconut Chew. The first batch of bars I produced for retail had to be sealed by hand — all 500 of them! Her company has since grown to producing millions of LARA BARS a year.

UBER Delicious!
The latest LARA BAR is the sweet and salty UBER bar that comes in Apple Turnover, Bananas Foster, Cherry Cobbler and Roasted Nut Roll. They are made with all natural fruits and nuts.

Coming Soon:

ALT – LARA BAR the Alternative Protein Bar™, which will be their first bar to have added protein. Many bar brands use soy or whey protein, but ALT uses an alternative protein source: peas.

WATCH The Trapeze VIDEO highlights from MomsLA

Mar 16, 2013 Posted by Andrea Fellman In Family, Travel Tagged activities, All Natural Snack Bars, Andrea Fellman, Family Travel, fitness, health, Health & Wellness, LA, LARA BAR, los angeles, MomsLA, Nutritional Bars, Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica Pier Trapeze, savvy sassy moms, Things to do in LA, Trapeze, Trapeze School, Trapeze School Los Angeles, Trapeze School New York Comments 1

Hotel review of the Westin Los Cabos, Mexico

The Westin Los Cabos, Mexico

Last year I went to Mexico with Starwood Properties to review The Westin and The Sheraton. Both are fantastic properties but very different from one another. I definitely had a favorite. I was there to look at these properties from a Moms perspective. When reviewing hotels for families there is a lot to take into consideration, it’s a tall order to make the kids and the parents happy.

There is no doubt that the architecture of the The Westin, Los Cabos is stunning. You arrive a few floors up and can see straight to the ocean and the building looks as if it was partially built into the red rocks. When the sun is setting the buildings have a warm glow of reds, oranges and purples. The design of this hotel is also unique because every room has an ocean view.

The view of the ocean from my room was spectacular, not even branch from a palm tree blocked my view. I could also see straight down to the pools and white sandy beaches, I could not wait to put my feet in the sand. The heavenly bed was, well heavenly and I loved listening to the sound of the waves crashing all night long. I also liked that the bathroom had an opening with shutters so that even while in the bathroom or bathub I could still see the beautiful blue ocean.

Family Note:

The glass railing and wooden horizontal beam made me nervous and I have to say that if I brought my kids to stay here I would insist on a lower level room. My five year old monkey would have no problem climbing on the wooden railing thinking it was a place to sit.

The Pools

The infinity pools over looking the ocean were gorgeous. I felt the pool area was rather small and they did not have much room for both relaxing adults and kids to be splashing around. As a Mom I am always very conscious of other people trying to relax and enjoy the pool, I never want my kids to ruin someone’s perfect day in paradise. Through out the property there are many little pools and ponds, which I wasn’t sure if some of them were mini kids pools or if they were there strictly for decoration. I would imagine my kids would be thinking the same thing and jump right in! The property is a little tough to navigate, it needs a few more signs and arrows pointing you in the right direction.

The Spa

The Spa has 7 treatment rooms, swiss and vichy showers, along with sauna, steam room, tennis courts, and a fitness center. I was a little disappointed in the spa area, it felt a little like a doctor’s office instead of a relaxing atmosphere. The spa needs a lounge or special relaxation area to help make it feel more tranquil and get you in the spa mood.

The Food

They have a variety of restaurants and bars on the property. Arrecifies is a beautiful restaurant overlooking the Sea of Cortez and has an upscale flair. It is also connected to On the Rocks Bar, which has 25 different flavored Martini’s. They also have themed buffet style restaurant for casual dining at La Cascada. Where some nights they project old movies onto the wall for you to watch while having dinner.

The Kids Club

The kids club is for ages 4 -12 yrs old. It is a nice, clean and safe area for kids to do crafts, watch TV and play games. They had smaller slides and climbing toys for toddlers but this equipment was too young for kids ages 4 and up. The kids club here is really meant to only drop off the kids for a couple of hours. I think it may have needed a little more to keep older kids entertained or I fear they would be bored after about two hours. They do have a miniature golf course which of course any kid would love!

I would recommend this property to young couples, honeymooners and for a girlfriends getaway. This is a lovely hotel, the service was great and my room was spectacular but I am not sure this would be my first choice for a family vacation.

This was first published for ChildMode and I have made some editorial changes.

Disclosure: This was an all expense paid press trip. All my savvy thoughts and sassy opinions are my own.

Mar 13, 2013 Posted by Andrea Fellman In Family, Hotels, Travel Tagged Cabo San Lucas, Family Travel, Hotel Review, Hotel Reviews, Los Cabos, Los Cabos Mexico, Mexico, Resorts, Travel, Travel to Mexico, Traveling with Kids, Westin Hotel, Westin Hotels, Westin Los Cabos Comments 1

The Monterey Bay Aquarium

By far and away one of our favorite, favorite, favorite spots to go for a little staycation is the Monterey Bay Aquarium. It is about an hour and a half drive from the Bay Area but always gets the “2 thumbs up” from our little man. Our general itinerary looks like this (yes, we go that frequently):

9:00 Depart San Francisco

10:30 Arrive at the Intercontinental, check in and buy tickets for the Aquarium (they are 2 days for the price of 1).

11:00 Walk over to the Aquarium which is a block away

12:30 Meander over to El Torito for some great sea otter and dolphin sightings while dining

2:45 Head Back to the Aquarium to see various animal feedings at 3

4:00 Let the smell of Nestle Toll House guide us across the street for some warm cookies and milk

About the Monterey Bay Aquarium

It was founded in 1984 by four marine biologists and gift funding from David & Lucile Packard, and based in the former Hovden Sardine Cannery, The Aquarium’s goals are to educate people on the marine-world that makes up Monterey Bay and beyond through the use of state-of-the-art aquariums, displays, interactive exhibits, and presentations. There is a huge emphasis on everything being done tastefully, humanely and educating in a manner that everyone can understand. Some of the exhibits thatwe love are the sea otters, penguins, sea horses, jellyfish and the feeding of the kelp forest.

Depending on the nature of our trip, we generally stop at the Aquarium for a couple more hours the next morning before heading back home. While, we generally center our trip around going to the Aquarium several times per trip; it is nice to make a pit stop with the whole family in Carmel or Pebble Beach.

Family Travel Tips:

1. Buy Aquarium tickets at the Intercontinental: 2 days for the price of 1 or purchase them ahead of time at AAA or at the Intercontinental Hotel

2. Check out the Gilroy Premium Outlets on your to or from the Bay Area…one of favorite outlet stops is Lululemon

3. Snag a window seat at El Torito and one is sure to see sea otter cracking clams on their chests, whales and pelicans galore

4. Check Travelzoo for great hotel deals on the Intercontinental or Portola Hotel and Spa

Mar 12, 2013 Posted by Veena In Family, Stroller Adventures, Travel Tagged California, Family Travel, Monterey Aquarium, Monterey Bay Aquarium, San Francisco, See Monterey, Travel with Kids, Traveling with Kids, Veena Goel Crownholm Comments 0

A perfect family ski trip at Big White Ski Resort

Family ski trips can be tricky, because you never know if the snow conditions will be good or if all the work and money spent getting your family to the mountain will be enjoyable or just leave you feeling like you created a whole lot of stress and work for yourself. Too bad there isn’t a mountain that can guarantee perfect snow…. well HELLO Big White Ski Resort! I’ve snowboarded on plenty of big mountains from Whistler to Mammoth and many times at our local LA mountain Big Bear and I can’t remember the snow ever feeling quite like this. BIg White’s tagline is “It’s the Snow” and it truly is the incredible snow. They like to call it champagne powder and for very good reason. I felt like I was in a Big White snow globe!

Getting There

United Airlines has just opened up their direct flight from LAX to Kelowna, BC and it’s only a 2 hour 40 minute flight, then about another hour to get up to the ski resort. Not bad when compared to flying up to Whistler (3.5 hours) and taking another 2 hours to get up to the mountain. We stayed right on the mountain in a ski in ski out two bedroom suite at the Stonebridge Suites. It was beyond beautiful and most of them come with a private hot tub right on the balcony.

The Village Center

This the hub of the mountain where you will find the gondola, the kids ski school and daycare center, equipment rental, restuarants and a few retail shops. The check in process to rent equipment was quick and painless, you can rent snowboards, helmets, boots, ski’s poles, and even snowshoes.

This mountain is massive, it has 118 runs and 16 chair lifts. My first day on the mountain we participated in “Ladies Day” a program they do every Wednesday that is just for ladies which includes a lift ticket, professional lesson with an instructor who gave us some pointers and professional tips and a delicious lunch. The second day we spent the morning with two amazing ski hosts that gave us a real in depth tour of the mountain.

Kids Centre, Ski School and Daycare:

The kids center is a one stop shop for your little ones. They have a variety of lessons for all different levels of experience. They handle all the rental equipment right there on site and all the kids can wait inside before their lesson. Each child is given the Flaik GPS system so Mom and dad can check in on where they are on the mountain and also see everywhere they went at the end of the day. The child center has a fully operating kitchen so the kids are fed lunch right there. They also can accomodate any allergies or special diet restrictions such as vegetarian or gluten free.

Kids Shopping: Don’t worry if you forgot to pack something Moms, because they have an entire kids store with everything from snowpants to funky helmet hats.

Adventure Park

The Gondola connects the Village Center with the Happy Valley Lodge and Adventure Park. The Adventure park is where the beginners and kids magic carpet is also located. If you want to take a break from the slopes you can go ice skating, hit up the tubing park, rent a snowmobile or climb the incredible ice tower, like I did! This was one of the hardest things I’ve done and I’ve done A LOT. I wanted to quit halfway up but luckily I had my snow mamas, Luxury Travel Mom ,Travelling Mom and The Go To Mom cheering me on and I made it to the top! I highly recommend you challenge yourself and spend the $20 to do this, the sense of accomplishment is priceless.

Dining

Down in Happy Valley there are a few dining options. Moose Lodge has a super kid-friendly atmosphere for and they host nightly activities for the kids. It’s the perfect place for families to unwind after a long day on the slopes! Kettle Valley Steakhouse & Wine Bar is also located in Moose Lodge and features incredible menu of reserve beef, game, seafood and wine from the Okanagan wineries. Here I tried Ice Wine for the first time and I highly recommend ordering the the Apple Bomb for dessert!

On our last night we were treated to dinner at the chefs table at Carvers which serves North American cuisine with Indo-Canadian fusion. The chef is pictured here with his sister and Mother who all work in the family business. It was like being guests in their own home with a view right into their kitchen. He paired each course with a wine selection and the entire meal was delicious. I normally don’t care for lamb and I loved this lamb! This is definitely a hidden gem at Big White.

The MUST See and Drink

If ice climbing is not for you, that’s okay, but you must stop by the Gunbarrel Grill for their famous Gunbarrel Coffee. It is an incredible show that they put on for you right at your table and you won’t be disappointed. They wheel over a cart with glassware, booze, a fire burning stove, and a shot gun! The drink itself consists of coffee, Brandy, Creme de Cacao and Grand Marnier. You can substitute with decaf coffee or hot chocolate if you prefer. Now, I dont want to spoil the fun so my pictures will have to give you the basic idea but I’ve never seen or heard of anything like it. It’s sure to warm you up!

I can’t really say enough about my experience at Big White, I felt like I was at some secret ski resort and village where everyone was family. The mountain was never packed, no line for chair lifts, and no fighting to find a seat to sit at lunch. The people were all very helpful and friendly as if you were guests in their very own home. It’s really quite magical and the perfect place for a family ski trip, I cannot wait to get my family up there!

Disclosure: This was a press trip and all my travel expenses were paid. I share this with you because we love to travel and it is truly an amazing ski destination that I would go back to in a heartbeat. All my savvy thoughts and sassy opinions are my own.

Feb 28, 2013 Posted by Andrea Fellman In Family, Travel Tagged Big White, Big White Ski Resort, Canada, Family Ski Trips, Family Travel, Family Winter Getaways, Kelowna, Kelowna BC, Kelowna British Columbia, Skiing with Kids, Snowboardning Comments 3

City Gems: Dallas

{I love to travel. I also love to eat, blog and shop. I know many moms around the country who are just like me and so I thought why not have some of those savvy moms share their favorite places with us. So that the next time we’re in town we’ve got the inside scoop on where the true city gems are. We want to take a virtual walk in your shoes through your little town, big city or sassy suburb. Who better to do that then a local savvy Mom who has shopped there, changed a diaper and spilled coffee there. ~Andrea}

The first up in this blog series is from Valerie Rowekamp and she is taking us to Dallas, Texas.

I have been proud to call Dallas home for my entire life. It’s a city with southern charm, rich history, diversity, sophistication, and is the No. 1 visitor and leisure destination in Texas. Here are just a few of my personal favorite city gems!

Foodie Favorites

photo credit Dallas Observer Blog

Velvet Taco is where fresh, gourmet, made-from-scratch tacos are created and consumed until the wee hours of the morning. I can guarantee you that you’ve never experienced a taco (or sangria) quite like they serve up in this funky little Dallas taco shop.

Food Trucks can be found all over the metroplex serving up unique gourmet goodness on wheels. We stalk the trucks on social media and hit them up when we’re at events/festivals. Some of our favorites are Nammi Truck, Trailercakes, and Jack’s Chowhound.

Family Time

Dallas Zoo is the largest zoological experience in Texas and a great place to play, learn, and see animals. I love that my children get to see and feed animals in their own natural-looking habitats and they love features like the Children’s Zoo (with a playground, interactive petting zoo, bird habitat, and splashing stream.

Texas Rangers games in the Ballpark are one of our favorite sports venues because it has an amazing baseball themed indoor playground and activities for little baseball fans.

Style In My City

The Blues Jeans Bar is a pub-themed boutique where a “bartender” will help you find the perfect pair of jeans. I discovered this gem of a store when a local mom’s group hosted a shopping party and I was blown away by how enjoyable shopping for jeans could be when you have an expert to ensure the perfect fit.

NorthPark Center is a luxurious retail masterpiece featuring shopping for any budget with lots of art, great food, a sculpture garden, and children’s library. The sculpture garden is better than any indoor play area I’ve ever been to because it’s in the center of the mall yet still outdoors and you can dine on the patio of a restaurant while the kiddos frolic in poop-free grass.

Late Nights at Dallas Museum of Art

Date Night

Dallas Museum of Art hosts Late Nights once a month where the Arts District stays up late with live music, food, wine, and activities. It’s perfect for a date even if you have kids in tow because there are activities for all ages like pajama yoga for the kids and films for adults.

Grapevine is a historic town just outside of Dallas that is famous for it’s small town charm, restaurants, and wineries. It’s the Napa Valley of the DFW area and also home to Grapefest wine festival.

Hotels

Omni Dallas Hotel is a luxurious (and kid-friendly) downtown hotel that boasts local flavor and spectacular views of the city. Original art by Dallas artists is featured in every hallway/room and I really love Texas Spice, the farm-to-table restaurant in the hotel. My kids adored the “Little Explorer” backpack they received with tools and goodies on our arrival.

Great Wolf Lodge is an indoor waterpark resort that is fun for the whole family. Seriously, the kids tired out before we did during our stay and I can’t remember the last time we had so much fun!

Dallas is a city with something for everyone (especially families).

Have you been to Dallas? Do you live in Dallas? What are some of your favorite City Gems?

Please share in the comments below!

Valerie Rowekamp is a free-spirited former pro-cheerleader who shares style tips and inspires viewers to live beautifully through her blog CharmedValerie and YouTube channel. Valerie lives in the Dallas area with her adventurous husband and two beautiful little boys.

You can also find her on facebook, twitter, pinterest, instagram, and google+.

Feb 26, 2013 Posted by City Gems In City Gems, Family, Travel Tagged Blue Jeans Bar, Charmed Valerie, City Gems, Dallas, Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas TX, Dallas Zoo, Family Travel, Food Trucks in Dallas, Great Wolf Lodge, moms, Moms in Dallas, Omni Hotel Dallas, Places to eat in Dallas, Texas, Things to do in Dallas, Travel, Velvet Taco Comments 3

Category : Family

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Family Travel Tips:

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The Village Center

Kids Centre, Ski School and Daycare:

Adventure Park

Dining

The MUST See and Drink

Foodie Favorites

Family Time

Style In My City

Date Night

Hotels