Tag Archives: kid-friendly hotels

Want Simpler Times. Go Back in Time to the Real Walton’s Mountain

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VISIT VIRGINIA…and the BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY – before the weather turns too cold and foggy. NW Virginia – NELSON COUNTY.  Walton’s Mountain Visit. You’ll first want to visit www.nelsoncounty.com, where you’re invited to click on the “Visitors” section and view some pictures and descriptions of a land similar to those words of “John Boy” Walton describing Drusilla’s Pond or Grandpa picking wildflowers way up on the mountain top.

Nelson County contains over 400 square miles of adventure and just one stoplight!  Just 6 miles off the Blue Ridge Parkway, Crabtree Falls is the largest vertical drop waterfall east of the Mississippi River. Each year approximately 170,000 newly-hatched brook, brown and rainbow trout are nurtured to maturity at the Montebello State Fish Hatchery (pg. 119) then released to stock all trout waters east of the Blue Ridge Parkway. (located on Route 690, one-half mile off SR 56). 

Families with young kids will want to visit the Montebello General Store (SR 56, 540-377-2650).  Not only will you find snacks and old-fashioned goodies (like sassafras candies), but you can trout fish in their pond across the street at the Camping Resort.  You only pay for what you catch. Bring your own equipment or purchase some there. Every child is pretty much guaranteed to get a catch in season (early spring or late fall is best 😉

The Walton Mountain Museum (pg. 113, Kids Love Virginia) is a special blend of history, nostalgia and even a dash of entertainment. Be sure to start by watching the intro video as it really gets you in the mood and helps you understand this time and place as it really was compared to Hollywood.  On our last visit we had just finished watching the entire Walton’s series so we were proud to find out that the various quiz questions and the kids scavenger hunt (ask for it) were not as difficult as the last visit years ago. The folks who run this place are outstanding hosts!

Lodging and Dining in the Area

Base from the middle of it all…Lovingston Village Inn – painted Bavarian motif outside, local hand-painted murals inside each clean, simple room.  Rates under $60.00. (US 29 434-263-5068).  Lovingston Cafe – (Bus 29. 434-263-8000). Their kids menu is presented in the front cover of a children’s book you can read while you wait on your food. Most kids Menu items are under $4.00 and adult entrees average $11.00.  Their outdoor shaded patio is adorable.

Planning family travel during Thanksgiving or Winter holidays?

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 & we’ll offer warm & cozy travel options.

8 More Reasons to Side Trip along I-95

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1. Penny-pinchers and spendthrifts alike cash in on the fun at the hands-on Money in Motion exhibition at the Federal Reserve Bank, featuring a giant tube stuffed with $100 million in shredded cash, the “Match Wits with Ben” game and a some impressive high-denomination bills. 6th & Arch Streets

2. A day at Franklin Square could include a ride on an old-fashioned carousel, a game of mini-golf, a romp on a modern playground and a family picnic. 6th & Race Streets, (215) 629-4026

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3. Wannabe sailors can spend the night in the nation’s most decorated battleship, the Battleship New Jersey, and take tours of the officers’ and crew’s mess halls, communications center and high-tech command center. 62 Battleship Place, Camden, (856) 877-6262.

4. Home to more than 8,400 aquatic animals of some 500 species, including sharks, penguins, stingrays and hippos, the Adventure Aquarium also features a 4D theater, dive shows, live animal talks, performances and a giant 760,000-gallon tank. 1 Aquarium Drive, Camden, (856) 365-3300.

4. In addition to the Butterfly, Railroad, Dinosaur and Storybook gardens, the four-acre Camden Children’s Garden horticultural wonderland has added a new Fitness Garden where kids can crawl, climb and learn about healthy living. 3 Riverside Drive, Camden, (856) 365-TREE

5. At Linvilla Orchards, the oldest working farm in Delaware Valley, families can pick their own seasonal fruit, hop on a hay ride and buy fresh-baked pies. 137 W. Knowlton Road, Media, (610) 876-7116.

6. ·Guests who want to stay in the middle of the action check in to the Doubletree Hotel Philadelphia, located on the Avenue of the Arts near performing arts meccas, great restaurants and fashionable shops. Families can spend some time at the rooftop pool, sundeck and racquetball courts, and kids get a free cookie at check-in. 237 S. Broad Street, (215) 893-1600

7. Those who have a taste for sweets and history stop by The Franklin Fountain, an old-fashioned ice cream saloon serving up handmade ice cream, banana splits, thick shakes, sundaes and flavored soda water. 116 Market Street, (215) 627-1899

8. Fresh produce and prepared foods ranging from cheesesteaks to cannolis are the offered throughout the historic Reading Terminal Market. 12th & Arch Streets, (215) 922-2317

Did you guess that KIDS LOVE TRAVEL and the Family Travel Mom is wandering along Interstate 95 this week?

LODGING AND DINING: CHICAGOLAND

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Jenny and I were off to Chicagoland to speak at a Homeschool Conference and came across A new place to dine and lodge. Whether you’re flying in (these are close to the airport) or driving in like us, this is a good area to base from. If you are driving in, you might want to take I-290 as I-90 is great scenery (downtown Chicago from the Sears Tower side) but loads of traffic!

DOUBLETREE HOTEL CHICAGO – Arlington Heights

As you enter the lobby and checkin, you’ll be greeted by friendly staff, yes, but even better – the smell of warm chocolate chip cookies! Each evening around checkin time, they bake their famous cookies (people love them so much they now ship them in tins) to give to guests as a welcome gift. If that doesn’t “grab” the kids attention, maybe the Fluffy bed and pillows in your room (popular Sweet Dreams pillows and plush top bedding) or the nice indoor atrium pool area and walking courtyard green space will. Just outside the fitness and pool area is a snack bar called Cravings – open 24 hours for late-night snack craving purchases. If you want, you can take the complimentary local area shuttle to the nearest Metra station and board the transit into downtown Chicago without the fuss (and expense) of parking.

The Birch River Grill Restaurant on the property was very good. (serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily) When you first walk in, it gives you a cozy feel…with a glowing fireplace one might find in a fishing lodge. A friendly wait staff and the smell of delicious food greet you at the entrance. They serve inspired

Girls Night Out

American dishes in generous portions. Everyone is sure to find something that they would enjoy to eat, from Granny Apple & Onion Soup (which is topped with cheese and fresh baked crisp apples) to even the simplest and cheesiest Mac & Cheese.  Signature meat entrees include Grilled Pork Tenderloin Served with real smashed potatoes and rustic cranberry apple sauce or grilled, rubbed steak served au jus.  Even the desserts are amazing, from a yummy carrot cake for two to the chocolate lover’s favorite Chocolate Temptation Cake (even the name makes you tempted to get it!). And, the Doubletree Cookies & Milk is the classic ending to Doubletree dining. Who would think a city known for pizza and beef would also have so many Southern twists (ex. Sweet potato fries or fried green tomatoes) and East Coast turns (crab cakes).

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DC FOR FREE – WASHINGTON, D.C. ON THE CHEAP

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One of the most visited cities in the country, Washington, D.C. is a huge attraction. But, many big attractions come with a big price tag. Here’s how we suggest doing this must see American attraction on a budget:

  • Overnight in nearby Virginia suburbs close to a Metro Station so once you get up in the morning – you can easily navigate the Metro or highway into town. The Holiday Inn Chantilly Dulles-Expo is one choice. It is located near the Udvar-Hazy Center, just minutes from Dulles International Airport. The hotel features spacious guest rooms with free wireless high speed internet, free airport shuttles 24/7 and even a free drop off to Udvar-Hazy Air & Space Museum. In general, travelers find the best hotel rates on weekends and in late summer or winter. Rates start at $189.
  • Meals – try to plan it so that you only eat one paid meal out each day. Base that “one meal” on the time of day when your family can get the most value or volume of food. The hotel offers Kids Eat Free at Bob O’s Restaurant with a daily continental breakfast buffet, a full a la carte breakfast and dinner menu. Their appetizers are actually my favorite – especially the mini crab cakes! Another option, if you don’t mind fast food, is one of six chain restaurants right across the street (Wendys, Arbys, Chick-fil-A, etc.).
  • Cheap Meals (continued): For the remaining meals of the day, pack a backpack full of non-perishable PB&J sandwiches, apples, breakfast bars and water bottles or juice boxes to drink. If you like to picnic, the National Mall and West Or East Potomac Park have cheap parking spaces (if you can find one) and dozens of lawn sites to spread out a picnic blanket. You’ll be dining, al fresco, by a view of famous monuments. Also, surrounding the White House are oodles of vendors offering the best prices in town on souvenirs and sandwiches. It’s a block or two walk to lawn space between the Lincoln & Washington Monuments.