These off the beaten track museums are some of the most unique things to do in NYC. These museums don’t have the same crowds you’ll find at other NYC experiences, and many are free museums in NYC!

Below, I’ll highlight my favorite unusual New York museums, from art museums to obscure galleries to even a spot where admission gets you a big ol’ bowl of delicious stir fry.

So if you’re looking for non-touristy things to do in NYC, you’ve found a bunch. I know you’ll love these museums in NYC as much as I did!

American Folk Art Museum

The American Folk Art Museum near Lincoln Center houses some of the country’s most significant art from self-taught artists. We’re more used to seeing masterpieces from painters and sculptors who studied art for decades, but this NYC museum highlights those who have created original works without training.

Their art education may be limited, but these artists’ imagination is not. Within this off-the-beaten-path New York museum, you’ll see paintings depicting everyday life, sculptures wrought from everyday objects and scenes sketched on the back of paper bags (the only paper some artists had). You may even see something that makes you rethink your definition of art.

How to visit the American Museum of Folk Art

Address: 2 Lincoln Square, New York City
Hours: Closed Mondays. Open hours vary; check web site for opening times. Closes 7pm.
Admission: Free (donations gladly accepted)
Nearby public transportation: 1 train

Neue Galerie

This New York art museum on the Upper East Side’s Museum Mile may be only blocks away from the city’s most famous museums, but it doesn’t have the same crowds or lines. The Neue Galerie (yep, that’s how they spell it), pronounced “Noya,” focuses on German and Austrian art of the 20th century. It calls a lovingly restored brownstone home.

The Neue Galerie displays works of fine art alongside beautifully designed objects such as chairs, glassware and a tea set I still fantasize about owning. I found myself staring at one portrait by Gustav Klimt, taking in the swirls and whorls of the patterns around a woman painted in gold. “Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer” is one of my favorite paintings in all the New York museums—and I’ve been to just about every one.

Note, though, that children under 12 are not allowed in the Neue Galerie outside of special events and visits, such as Family Mornings. In addition, you cannot bring even empty water bottles into this NYC museum.

How to visit the Neue Galerie

Address: 1048 5th Ave, New York
Hours: Thursday – Monday, 11am – 6pm. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
Admission: $12-25
Special admission days: First Fridays of the month, admission is free from 5 – 8pm. Children under 12 years are not admitted during First Fridays.
Nearby public transportation: 4, 5, 6 trains

Bard Graduate Center Gallery

Although I lived in New York for several years and go back often, I’d never heard of the Bard Graduate Center until my most recent visit. This unassuming museum on the Upper West Side, just a block and a half from Central Park, is one of New York’s best off-the-beaten-path discoveries. When I talk about it, even people who have lived in New York for decades say they’ve never heard of the Bard Graduate Center, much less been inside.

When I visited this little-known New York museum, it featured an exhibition on French fashion during World War I. Dresses, uniforms, magazines, photographs and catalogues were displayed on the museum’s three floors. I love looking at old fashion, so I was thrilled to take in the century-old gowns and caftans. But I learned a lot, too. The exhibition thoughtfully connected through-lines between fashion, feminism, social change and war.

I saw maybe two or three other people at the Bard Graduate Center, besides the incredibly nice woman at the counter. I had the museum almost entirely to myself. This museum is one of New York’s hidden gems that I can’t wait to revisit every time I’m in NYC.

How to visit the Bard Graduate Center

Address: 18 W 86th St, New York City
Hours: 11am – 5pm Friday – Sunday and Tuesday, 11am – 8pm Wednesday – Thursday. Closed Monday.
Admission: $5-7
Nearby public transportation: 1, B, C trains

Morgan Library and Museum

When you think of New York libraries, I’m about 99% sure you’re imagining the famous New York Public Library branch in Midtown with the enormous stone lions out front. After all, the NYPL has been in countless movies, from Sex and the City: The Movie to Spider Man.

I’m going to tell you about another library that doubles as a museum—one almost no tourist ever visits.

The Morgan Library and Museum was financier Pierpont Morgan’s home, which he filled with room after room of rare books and art. When it became a museum in 1924, conservators kept the rooms looking just like they had when this very wealthy collector built it. So as you walk through the Morgan Library and Museum, you’ll see not only paintings on the wall but also sculptures on book shelves, couches and chairs, writing desks and fireplaces ready to be lit.

Some of this little-known museum’s rare books are cracked open, including a Gutenberg Bible—only one of 49 in the world. A gallery in the front of this New York museum holds seasonal exhibitions. When I visited, it highlighted the charcoal portraits of John Singer Sargent.

How to visit the Morgan Library and Museum

Address: 225 Madison Avenue at 36th Street, New York City
Hours: Vary, check the web site for hours. Closed Mondays.
Admission: $13-22, free for children under 12
Special admission days: Admission to the Morgan Library and Museum is free Friday nights from 7-9pm. Live jazz plays in the atrium, and wine and other drinks are available for sale.
Nearby public transportation: Grand Central Station (4, 5, 6, 7 and S trains)

Museum at Eldridge Street

The Museum at Eldridge Street is one of the most beautiful locations in New York City. It’s also one of the most hidden gems in all of Manhattan.

This historic synagogue in the Lower East Side was transformed into a museum. Its caretakers restored what had become a dusty, pigeon-filled building. With its epic stained glass windows, you won’t soon forget this underrated museum in NYC.

You’ll take a self-guided tour through the synagogue to learn about Jewish immigrants to the U.S. To learn more about what to expect in this Lower East Side museum (and for more photos!), read my full post on the Museum at Eldridge Street.

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How to visit the Tenement Museum

Address: 12 Eldridge Street, New York City
Hours: Sunday – Thursday 10-5. Friday 10-3. Closed Saturday. Check the website for closures for Jewish holidays.
Admission: $8-15
Special admission days: Pay what you wish admission on Mondays and Fridays
Nearby public transportation: B, D trains at Grand St

Tenement Museum

New York is a city of immigrants—in fact, almost of all of the United States traces its heritage from elsewhere, except Native Americans. New York’s Tenement Museum tells real stories of the immigrant experience to root our understanding of how NYC was shaped by newcomers—and continues to be formed by that history.

The Tenement Museum in the Lower East Side takes visitors through one of several buildings where dozens of immigrant families lived. We did the Irish Outsiders tour, one of eight tours offered, each of which focuses on one immigrant group. Joining a tour is the only way to visit the Tenement Museum. Although I’m generally not a tour-loving person, I can’t imagine seeing this museum any other way.

In the Irish Outsiders tour, we learned of one Irish family, the Moores, that made New York its home in the 1800s. In just an hour, I came to care deeply for these real people who lived in the very building where I stood. Our tour guide brought them to life, sharing their struggles and celebrations while weaving in context of what life was like for immigrants during that time. I may not have remembered facts and statistics from a plaque, but I’ll never forget Bridget, the family’s matriarch, or Baby Agnes, who didn’t live to see her first birthday.

The Tenement Museum in New York is brilliant in the way it shares living, breathing history with visitors. It makes immigration, an issue that might feel abstract or contentious, feel concrete and personal. I want every single visitor to attend one of the tours in this New York hidden gem. I know I’ll be back to experience the other tours.

“Immigration is not a political story. It is a human story.”

-David, a Tenement Museum tour guide

I wouldn’t bring young children to the Tenement Museum, though. The tours involve a lot of standing and listening, and young kids would get restless. Children 0-5 are not admitted.

How to visit the Tenement Museum

Address: 103 Orchard Street, New York City
Hours: The museum opens at 10am and closes between 6:30 – 8:30pm, depending on the day.
Admission: $22-27.
Special admission days: You must join a tour to visit the Tenement Museum. Tours often sell out, especially on the weekends, so it’s best to buy tickets in advance. That said, some tours are more popular than others, so you have a better chance of getting last-minute or day-of tickets to these tours, or all tours during weekdays.
What’s more, this New York museum offers discount for military members, teachers, people who are disabled and people who live in the neighborhood (with zip code 10002).
Nearby public transportation: F, M, J and Z trains

Level 10 travel tip: The Tenement Museum also has an excellent gift shop, accessible to the public without the need of tickets. If you’re looking for New York gifts, books or souvenirs, the Tenement Museum is one of NYC’s best places to find them.

The Frick Collection

If you’ve ever wanted to imagine what it’s like to live as a zillionaire in a New York mansion, the Frick Collection is the place to do it. This little-known museum is right down the street from the Met and the Guggenheim, but it’s off the beaten path. I recently went to the Frick Collection on a Saturday morning, when there were no crowds and zero lines—compared to the Met, where you can expect to wait upwards of 30 minutes just to buy your ticket in.

The Frick Collection has kept the look and feel of a residence, displaying paintings in rooms still furnished with couches, tables, desks and the like. This hidden gem specializes in art; in fact, it displays three paintings by Johannes Vermeer—of the only 34 Vermeers known in the world.

In addition to the art, the museum’s courtyard is worth a visit in its own right. This central spot is lit by the many windows set into the roof, and its fountain casts a spell of calm over the entire room. Tropical plants and flowers breathe life into the courtyard. It’s an excellent place to sit for a while—a peaceful refuge in bustling New York.

As a heads-up, the Frick is in the middle of proposing updates and remodels to the Frick Museum. The current proposal is controversial because it would turn some rooms into traditional museum galleries with white walls (and no plush setees). So before you visit the Frick Museum, check its web site to ensure construction won’t interrupt your visit.   

Children under 10 years old are not admitted.

How to visit the Frick Museum

Address: 1 East 71st Street, New York City
Hours: Tuesdays – Saturdays 10am – 6pm. Sundays 11am – 5pm. Closed Mondays.
Admission: $12-22
Special admission days: Wednesdays 2 – 6pm are pay what you wish for admission. Admission is free First Fridays from 6 – 9pm.
Nearby public transportation: 6 and Q trains

Museum of Food and Drink

I almost literally stumbled across Brooklyn’s Museum of Food and Drink when walking to meet a friend for lunch. This little museum is definitely off the beaten path but is worth a visit, especially if you’re particularly interested in the cuisine the museum is highlighting when you’re in town.

When I recently went to the Museum of Food and Drink, it focused on Chinese-American restaurants. The first thing I noticed was how good it smelled in there—as if I were walking into a restaurant, not a museum.

I thought the museum’s displays were overly text-heavy. To get the most out of the exhibit, I had to read a lot, and I missed more interactive opportunities. That said, I enjoyed looking at all the menus and learning about Chinese-American food: from the patterns of immigration (and discrimination) to opening restaurants for Chinese workers to adapting recipes for American tastes.

I didn’t realize that my ticket also got me a taste of one of the sample recipes. I sat down at the counter and talked with the chef, who told me about his own family’s history of immigration from China while he stir fried a cauliflower dish in an enormous wok. Talking with the chef—hearing his very personal stories, including how one grandfather fled totalitarian China by swimming miles through the ocean until he reached an island—was by far the best part of my experience at the Museum of Food and Drink.

How to visit the Museum of Food and Drink

Address: 62 Bayard Street, Brooklyn
Hours: Friday – Sunday 12 – 6pm. Closed Monday – Thursday.
Admission: $7-14, children 5 and under are free. These general admission tickets include one tasting.
For the full tasting of 3 dishes, tickets are $17-25.
Nearby public transportation: M train

Jewish Museum

Also along Museum Mile—5^th Avenue on the Upper East Side, where there’s practically a museum on every block—sits the Jewish Museum. This institution celebrates Jewish contributions to art and culture.

When I recently visited, I loved the expansive exhibition on Edith Halpert, one of the most influential gallerists in United States history. She was revolutionary as she championed artists who were also African American, Jewish, Japanese American, self-taught or another marginalized identity. And she celebrated their works during controversial times, from World War II (when the US government interned people of Japanese descent) to the McCarthy era.

The New York museum’s permanent collection is a mix of modern and contemporary art alongside traditional works, such as cases to hold the Torah. New York’s Jewish Museum also holds a world-class collection of menorahs, including one carved from wood stolen from factories in a concentration camp.

Regardless of your background or religion, the Jewish Museum in NYC is an excellent add to an art lover’s list.

How to visit the Jewish Museum

Address: 1109 5th Avenue at 92nd Street, New York City
Hours: Thursday 11am – 8pm, Friday – Tuesday 11am – 5:45pm. Closed Wednesdays.
Admission: $8-18. Children 18 and under, as well as active duty military and their families, are always free.
Special admission days: The Jewish Museum is free to visit on Saturdays and Jewish holidays. Know, though, that its audio guides are unavailable on Saturdays.
Nearby public transportation: 6 train

Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum

The Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum isn’t technically a hands-on children museum, but it’s one of the most engaging museums for children (and adults!) I’ve seen.

First of all, this New York museum’s displays are so varied that every room offers a surprise. From a piece of oversized light bulbs filled with moving mechanical butterflies to a room where visitors can design and display their own wallpaper, the Cooper Hewitt is never dull.

I can’t believe I hadn’t ever visited, or really heard of, the Cooper Hewitt until my most recent trip to New York City. I can’t help but be disappointed in all those years I missed this innovative and thought-provoking museum.

How to visit the Cooper Hewitt

Address: 2 East 91st Street, New York City
Hours: Monday – Friday 8am – 6pm. Saturday 10am – 7pm. Sunday 10am – 6pm.
Admission: $9-18 ($2 off your ticket if you buy online). Children 18 and under are always free. $10 tickets for people with disabilities.
Special admission days: Saturdays are pay as you wish from 6 – 9pm.
Nearby public transportation: 4, 5 and 6 trains

Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian

Lower Manhattan is not exactly off the beaten path—Battery Park, the Statue of Liberty and Ground Zero draw thousands of visitors each day—but tourists rarely visit the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian. That’s a shame for them, but nice for you: You’ll be able to explore the artifacts, dress and art of North America’s Native Americans without fighting any crowds.

This off the beaten path museum highlights different tribes and cultures, showing the variety of clothes, pottery, beadwork, paintings and sculpture from across North America. The museum also addresses head-on the history of violence against Native Americans.

I appreciated the hands-on digital displays alongside some pieces. My kids would love playing with the touch screen in front of a traditional outfit. And downstairs, the imagiNATION Activity Center invites kids to dive in to Native American culture and design. Kids can pretend to kayak, build a bridge by weaving together ropes and build an igloo with blocks.

The museum building itself, the Alexander Hamilton Customs Building, is breathtaking, too. I spent almost as much time admiring the building’s intricate details as I did immersing myself in Native American craftsmanship.

How to visit the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian

Address: 1 Bowling Green, New York City
Hours: 10am – 5pm, Thursdays open until 8pm
Admission: Free
Nearby public transportation: 4, 5, J, Z, R and W trains

New York City Fire Museum

History buffs and kids alike find a lot to love about the New York City Fire Museum. This off the beaten path museum in Soho has filled an old fire station with artifacts and memorabilia of fire fighters dating from when the city was still called New Amsterdam, not New York.

Antique fire engines, lanterns and other gear fill entire rooms. Old posters give visitors a sense of how fire fighters fit into a city much different from today’s—for example, I learned about fires and other emergencies in the city’s Five Points neighborhood, near modern-day Chinatown and the Lower East Side.

I loved the second floor’s parade fire engines, which fire fighting brigades would proudly ride down the street during city celebrations. Clearly, New York loved its fire fighters long before their sacrifices on 9/11.

Speaking of which, the New York Fire Museum also has a memorial for fire fighters who died in the attacks on the World Trade Center Twin Towers. The memorial, covered in photos of those who were killed, was overwhelmingly emotional. If you visit the New York Fire Museum with kids, decide ahead of time how you’ll address this history with your children.

If you’re curious to learn more, read my full post on the New York Fire Museum here.

How to visit the New York Fire Museum

Address: 278 Spring Street, New York City
Hours: 10am – 5pm daily.
Admission: $5-10
Special admission: Free for active and retired military, and active and retired members of FDNY/NYPD/DSNY/PANYNJ 
Nearby public transportation: 1, C and E trains

Museum of the City of New York

This New York museum is along Museum Mile, but it’s not on the beaten path by a long shot. The Museum of the City of New York is just up the street from the Met and the Guggenheim but gets way fewer visitors.

That’s too bad, because this underrated museum is so cool.

On a recent visit, the museum hosted an exhibit on the puppets of New York, from Sesame Street characters to larger-than-life puppets from the city’s Halloween parades.

My favorite section of the museum was a photography exhibit showcasing how the city has changed over the decades. The black and white photos showed neighborhoods that looked as if they’d been bombed, graffiti-covered subways and block parties for famous musicians. I couldn’t stop thinking of those photos for the rest of my trip. It’s incredibly how much New York has transformed.

How to visit the Museum of the City of New York

Address: 1220 5th Avenue, New York City (at 103rd Street)
Hours: Friday – Sunday, 10 – 6.
Admission: $14-20. People 19 and under enter free.
Nearby public transportation: 6 train at 103rd, 2/3 trains at 110th Street/Central Park North

El Museo del Barrio

Just one block away from the Museum of the City of New York, El Museo del Barrio is absolutely worth a stop. El Museo was founded as a counterweight to the privilege of white male artists who dominate traditional fine arts museums.

In El Museo, you’ll find exhibits that center artists of Latin American descent. It also makes an effort to highlight queer and other voices traditionally left out of fine arts circles.

On a given visit, you’ll see paintings and sculptures, just as you would in most other museums. El Museo also curates video, installation, and unconventional pieces. Recently, we saw sculpted bags of Takis, paintings decorated like quinceañera cakes and a wall covered in shredded paper as if it were a giant piñata.

How to visit El Museo del Barrio

Address: 1230 5th Avenue, New York City
Hours: Friday – Sunday 11-5
Admission: $5-9 suggested admission. Children 12 and under enter free.
Special admission days: Members of the Whitney get free admission.
Nearby public transportation: 6 train at 103rd, 2/3 trains at 110th Street/Central Park North

The most underrated museums in NYC

These unique, non-touristy museums in NYC probably won’t be on most visitors’ itineraries—which makes them even more appealing in my book. These unusual things to do in NYC are underrated not because they’re not worth visiting but because they’re off the beaten path.

That makes you want to go to these New York museums even more, doesn’t it?!

When you visit—whether you go on museum free days or pay full admission—let me know how you like them. And definitely give me the heads up of which New York museums or other unique things to do in NYC I should check out on my next trip!

The post Full guide to unusual New York museums: Unique things to do in NYC appeared first on To & Fro Fam.

These family travel bloggers have gone before you—and so very thoughtfully made more than a few Disney mistakes. Here, they’ve graciously shared those stumbles so you don’t have to follow in their footsteps!

I learned quite a few Disney tips and hacks, too. So whether you have a Disneyland vacation coming up or you’re simply dreaming of a getaway to Disney World, you’ll definitely want to learn from these expert family travel bloggers. Read on for common Disney mistakes that cost you money, cost you time, cost you fun—or end up in meltdowns! Then read their best Disney tips to make the most of your family vacation.

This post contains affiliate links, which have no extra cost to you. These links earn me a small income that allows me to continue to bring you free family travel advice.

If you want even more Disney goodness—and I’m 99% sure you do—then download these Disney quote printables, all for free! When you sign up, you’ll get five designed Disney quotes that’ll inspire your next trip.

Expensive Disney mistakes

Uh-oh, these Disney mistakes can cost you a lot of money! Make sure you don’t make these mistakes so you have plenty of money for your next family vacation… or at least enough to get an extra Dole Whip.

Not budgeting for your full vacation

MISTAKE: Not budgeting
DISNEY DO IT: Researching and planning your Disney costs—even the sneaky ones

Family holidays are rarely cheap these days, but a trip to Disney can be in a different league when it comes to cost. People are often attracted by a cheap flight cost, or a special deal for accommodation or park tickets, and then the Disney vacation is suddenly happening without much thought to the total cost of the vacation.  

We would highly recommend creating a budget for your Disney vacation so that you have a clear idea of what the trip might cost you and allow you to plan and save for this dream vacation. 

Some of the elements to think about for you Disney vacation include:

• the costs of getting to Disney, including flight costs and all the added extras
• accommodation costs including any resort fees
• park tickets
• in-park experiences
• non-Disney activities
• food and drink costs
• visa or travel insurance costs
• how you’ll get around whilst you’re on your trip

When you think of, and budget for, how much the entire Disney vacation will cost, you’ll be much more prepared. And when there are fewer (expensive) surprised on your family trip, you and your kids will be able to fully enjoy your Disney vacation.

Ellie writes at Family Travel Pro, a site that shares insider travel professionals’ advice for tips to travel better with your kids.

(If you’re looking for places to trim your budget, take a peek at exactly how I saved more than $2,000 on a Disneyland vacation. And don’t forget to compare prices of hotels near Disneyland—take a peek at the map and booking tool below.)

Paying full price for souvenirs

MISTAKE: Paying out the nose for Disney souvenirs
DISNEY DO IT INSTEAD: Buy your Disney souvenirs outside the park and bring them in

I nearly had a heart attack when I saw the price tags at the gift shop on our first trip to Disneyland. I was so glad I didn’t make the expensive mistake of paying full price for souvenirs!

If you want to save money on Disney souvenirs, plan ahead! You can buy nearly identical mouse ears, bubble wands, plush toys and more outside the park for a fraction of the cost.

We don’t get our kids a ton of souvenirs—we tend to travel on a tight budget—but I did want to get Maxine and Edie a few special mementos from our first trip to Disneyland. So beforehand, I bought them each a stuffed Minnie.

Then when we were getting ready to walk to the park, I exclaimed, “What is that green sparkly light in the sky?! It just zipped by—was it a dragonfly?”

The girls went to investigate. While they were gone, I placed these Minnie dolls in their stroller seats. My kids rushed back and told me I’d probably seen Tinkerbell! Then they noticed the toys—and nearly lost their little minds. They guessed that Tinkerbell had left them presents!

Maxine and Edie still talk about my Tinkerbell sighting and the Disney souvenirs she left behind.

See, you can get Disney magic—while staying on a budget!

-me!

Time-wasters at Disney

You planned. You budgeted. You endured your child melting down at the airport on the way. You deserve to enjoy your family vacation at Disney!

Unfortunately, many people make the common Disney mistakes that eat up that precious time.

Here are Disney mistakes that waste time—and what to do instead.

Wasting time waiting for food

MISTAKE: Eating at restaurants and waiting in line at fast-service spots
DISNEY DO IT INSTEAD: Use mobile food ordering on the My Disney Experience App

We were Disney World first-timers back in April, and our preference was for more Space Mountain, Expedition Everest, visits with Belle and Jasmine, Jedi Training, and the Frozen Sing-along and less time for Pecos Bill Nachos, Dole Whips and Backlot Express burgers. Unfortunately, though, we wasted a ton of time waiting in line to grab some grub.

The best way we could have saved those precious minutes was by doing a mobile food order in advance at a quick service restaurant—the ones where there are no servers and are just ‘order at counter’ places to eat.  

Simply pull up your My Disney Experience app to locate “Mobile Food Orders.” Search for the restaurants and add your order, including custom requests like dressing on the side. Hit “Purchase” and your order will be loaded. When you are in the vicinity of the restaurant, hit “prepare my order” and the kitchen will start making your food.

Pick up is quick and easy (most restaurants have a specific area for online order pick ups) and you can avoid some really long lines, particularly during peak eating hours. However, what I did not realize is that you cannot use your gift cards for online orders (which is another reason it did not work for us—we were paying for everything with gift cards). All orders are either attached to your main Disney account or you can pay with a credit card.

Avoiding restaurants and standing in line for food means more time for Mickey, Mulan and memories!

Lori Green LeRoy writes about family travel at Maps, Memories & Motherhood.

Wasting time waiting for the It Rides

MISTAKE: Spending all your time trying to get on the most crowded rides
DISNEY DO IT INSTEAD: Focus on rides and attractions with low traffic to make the most of your time at Disney

The most common mistake that people visiting Disney theme parks make is chasing the fads of the most popular rides. These are the rides that are all the buzz—everyone wants to get on at the same time. Some of such rides, like Radiator Springs Races in Disneyland, consistently have wait time of over sixty minutes.

On a typical afternoon, some of these attractions have lines just to get the FastPass. For some rides, FastPasses are completely gone by midday. If you’ve stood in line to get a FastPass, you might have wasted an hour of precious time for a ride that only lasts 5 minutes or so.

To avoid this Disney mistake, visitors should draw their attention to less popular (but no less fun) rides, attractions and activities that are never busy. For instance, Redwood Creek Challenge Trail in Disney California Adventure Park or the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh ride in Disneyland are wonderful attractions—without the wait.

There are nearly a dozen of such rides and activities in Disneyland and California Adventure parks combined, ranging from educational encounters with President Lincoln on Main Street USA to the exciting exploration of Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island to a self-guided tour of Boudin Bakery (bread tasting included free of charge!).

If you’re worried about hitting the It Rides, you might want to focus instead on doing more with your limited time. Don’t stress out and enjoy your visit!

Tatiana Sorokina blogs about family travel at Family Road Trip Guru.

Wasting time to meet Disney characters

MISTAKE: Not using FastPass on Disney characters meet and greets
DISNEY DO IT INSTEAD: Use those FastPasses to make your kids’ dreams come true

On her very first trip to Disney World last summer, all my 4 year old daughter was interested in was meeting Disney princesses. I am so thankful that someone told me to use some of our Fast Passes on the character meet and greets to ensure that we met her favorites.

If you’ve got small kids in tow and they are set on meeting their favorite Disney characters, book those character meet and greets ahead of time to avoid major disappointment! The best thing we did was book one for the first thing in the morning. Then, we rope-dropped the park and headed straight to the meet and greet.

If there was a short line, we didn’t use the Fast Pass reservation and just got into the regular line. We then changed the Fast Pass reservation for something else so we didn’t lose it.

Don’t underestimate how long the lines can be for Disney meet and greets, even for the less popular characters.

Shannon Elizabeth shares inspiration and real-world advice for parents traveling with their kids at Grab My Passport.

Disney mistakes that disappoint

Your kids are so freaking excited for your Disney vacation!!! (Heck, you are, too!) Unfortunately, some Disney mistakes can put a damper on that enthusiasm.

Here are common mistakes that dull that Disney magic—and how to make the most of your trip to Disney.

Trying to do too much in 1 day

MISTAKE: Cramming all of Disney into a single day
DISNEY DO IT INSTEAD: Take your time to explore a Disney park without the rush

Sometimes it’s a cost thing or a time thing, but lots of parents ask me if one day is enough for a Disney World or Disneyland. And the answer is that, sure, you can do it. But you aren’t really going to get the most out of your time or your very expensive entrance fee. At best it will be rushed and underwhelming. At worst it will be stressful for you and a meltdown in the making for your kids.

Getting to the park early always makes sense. Lines do get longer as the day goes on. And the after-dark parades and shows have special effects that are really incredible; you want to catch them. That’s a long day. If you try to power through, by the time the fireworks are exploding over the castle, your kids will be too cranky to care, or sound asleep in your stroller. There’s nothing magical about that.

A second or third day also allows you to take a midday break, be it with a leisurely lunch or a return to your hotel for pool time and a nap. Extra time also allows for do-overs when things go wrong and patience when the line for that must-meet princess is long. It also gives you room to ride Peter Pan’s Flight three times over because your kids love it or pause to watch that parade you didn’t know would happen that your kids are enthralled by.

Finally, we loved having time to just walk around the parks and absorb all the great little details and hidden fun that make Disney parks unique. The animatronic Tiki Hut is a tucked away, low-key attraction that we never would have taken the time to see if we were rushing through a one-day visit. But we absolutely loved it. And it’s the little moments like this that provide the best memories.  

Eileen Gunn shares family travel tips at FamiliesGo! Check out her post on advice for families going to Disney World for the first time.

Letting hunger ruin your trip

MISTAKE: Not bringing enough snacks into the Disney park
DISNEY DO IT INSTEAD: Stock up on balanced munchies to hold you and your kids over between meals.

One of the biggest mistakes I’ve made on our Disney vacations is not bringing enough snacks for our family into the parks. Without fail, we’d be in a long ride line when one of us would start to get cranky. That person would then get the rest of us cranky. And all this usually stemmed from someone being hungry.

I suggest people pack easy to eat snacks so they can stay fueled up in between meals. One of our favorite snacks are the Mickey-shaped goldfish crackers you can find at Target! We also like to bring snacks with protein, like shelled pistachios or beef jerky.

On our last trip to Disneyland, we actually had groceries delivered to our hotel, which was awesome! That meant we could bring in grapes, baby carrots, little bottles of fruit smoothies, and yogurt drinks. We stored these in a little cooler bag that we kept in our backpack and things stayed fresh all morning.

By bringing snacks into the Parks, it’s a great way to keep your family happy and stick to a budget. Plus, by saving money at Walt Disney World or Disneyland, you can splurge on your favorite Disney treats like churros, Dole Whip, or Mickey bars!

Marcie Cheung writes an all Disney, all the time family travel blog at Marcie and the Mouse.

Being surprised—in a bad way—by rides

MISTAKE: Not researching rides ahead of time
DISNEY DO IT INSTEAD: Look up height requirements, scariness level and other ride factors before you go

Save yourself and your kids from disappointment and stress with a little research ahead of time! Every park has different ride and show options but not every attraction is an option for every kid due to their height and/or sensitivity level. Measure your children’s height before you travel to Disney and make notes on which rides they aren’t tall enough to ride. (You can also filter rides on the Disney app by height requirement.) Don’t waste a fast pass on a ride only to find out later that your entire family can’t participate or it leaves one of your kids in tears.

Once you know which rides are an option in terms of your kids’ height, take the time to watch videos of them on YouTube. This extra step before you go to Disney allows you to screen for intensity and scary parts. Even innocent-sounding rides, like the Snow White’s Scary Adventures, can be terrifying for little ones!

Sometimes the actual ride might not be scary but the introduction or theming might create an issue for a sensitive kid. Screening rides before you go to Disney will let you both prepare for anything unexpected. If you know what you need to avoid ahead of time, you can ask for work-arounds. For example, the introduction to the Haunted Mansion often spooks kids more than the actual ride but cast members can help you bypass that part of the attraction. That way, you and your sensitive kiddos can skip straight to the ride! This keeps the trip fun—not terrifying—for everyone.

Stephanie Woodson blogs at Explore More, Clean Less, where she shares her Disney World 5-day itinerary.

Forgetting to rest

MISTAKE: Not planning for a down day
DISNEY DO IT INSTEAD: Include a day for playing at the beach, splashing in the pool and just hanging out

Our family loves Disney, but we only get to go once every few years. So when we go, we go hard: all day, every day. But on our last trip to Disneyland, by day two, everything hurt. We were only four days so we were relentless and pushed on. Our kids begged to use the hotel pool, but we were there for Mickey! 

By day three, my feet were beyond painful, and I took Advil around the clock. By day four, it was all a daze. We left for home, never dipping our toes into the hotel pool. 

It honestly didn’t occur to us to take a rest day. That trip, while still magical, would have been so much more thoroughly enjoyed if we’d planned time to rest.

For our next trip to Disneyland, we’ll plan a day in the middle without any walking, with no dinner reservations or “must do” bucket list activities. A day to relax poolside while the kids enjoy freedom to play, and our only decisions are what to order for dinner or whether to take a nap. (Maybe a massage or even a pedicure for me—hey, a mom can dream!) After all, the next day, Disney awaits!

Heather Hicks writes about outdoor Oregon adventure at Oregon Outdoor Family.

Saving money by scrimping on magic

MISTAKE: Reserving lodging outside the park
DISNEY DO IT INSTEAD: Stay on-property at one of the Disney hotels

One of the biggest mistakes I have seen my friends make when planning a Disney vacation is staying off-property. Walt Disney World Resort is more than just a destination. It is an entire experience, and staying at the resorts on property is just as much a part of the experience as the theme parks. 

The legendary Disney magic begins prior to arriving to the Disney resorts if you take advantage of their Magical Express transportation. Your luggage is taken care of once you check-in at your home airport and you are taken to the resort property, only seeing your luggage again once you get into your room! 

But even if you get to the Disney hotel on your own, you will feel the pixie dust from the first minute you check-in. The resort cast members sprinkle Disney magic with every interaction, just as they do in the theme parks. 

Each hotel has its own theme, which sets the stage of transporting you to another land.  The hotels are full of activities to keep the kids busy, from the pools to game rooms, restaurants, characters, craft rooms, and special activities often corresponding to the resort’s theme. There is so much for the kids to do on off-park days, that you can easily stay at the hotel and still feel like you are at Disney.  

And, with nearly 30 different hotels and resorts at different price points, ranging from value to deluxe,  there is a Disney hotel for almost every budget. There is even Fort Wilderness where you can camp in a tent, RV, or a cabin! 

Guests staying on property are also eligible for Extra Magic Hours (meaning you can beat the crowds with early park entry or stay past closing on certain days) which is not offered to off-property guests. 

And, with free transportation to the theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs, you can’t beat the convenience of staying at a Disney hotel.  Whether you travel by monorail, bus, boat, or minivan (think Uber in a Minnie Mouse outfit), staying at a Disney hotel should always be top of your list when planning a Disney vacation. Staying off property just cannot compete with the extra magic and convenience families get from staying on property.

Keri B. was a Disney cast member for two years and now blogs about family travel at Bon Voyage with Kids. Read her post on traveling with kids for the first time for excellent tips and advice!

Disney mistakes that take a toll on comfort

Punishing your poor feet

MISTAKE: Wearing the wrong footwear
DISNEY DO IT INSTEAD: Choose comfortable shoes that stay comfy as you walk for miles

One thing people do not realize when they plan a Disney vacation is the amount of walking that will do. On average, people will walk anywhere from 10-14 miles in one day at Walt Disney World. There is a lot of ground to cover before you even enter a park.

To give you an idea of the size of the parks, the loop around World Showcase in Epcot is more than one mile! Add in all of the standing in lines for rides, attractions, and character meet and greets, and your poor feet and legs will be exhausted by the end of the day. 

Supportive shoes are one way to combat the stress and fatigue your body will face. Wear your favorite sneakers (make sure they have sufficient support!) or buy shoes specifically for your Disney trip. Brands like Teva, Tom’s, and Keen are perfect for a day at Disney. Give your new shoes time to break in by wearing them before the trip. Finally, pack band-aids and moleskin blister protectors in your park bag just in case you get a no-fun blister.

Lauren Stites blogs about family travel at Where The Wild Kids Wander.

Renting a stroller at Disney

MISTAKE: Using a Disney rental stroller
DISNEY DO IT INSTEAD: BYO stroller for everyone’s comfort

I’m surprised how often I hear people recommend renting a stroller at Disney. After just one experience renting a stroller at Magic Kingdom with a toddler, I will never do it again. We didn’t plan on renting a stroller in Disney, but one day we left our stroller at our rental home and decided to save ourselves from battling traffic and parking by renting one at the park.

Since we were visiting family and only had one day at Disney, we decided in advance to have our 18-month-old nap on-the-go. The nap and ride technique isn’t something we do often, but in his reclining stroller with a shade it’s not a problem.

The rental strollers at Disney, alternatively, are hard plastic with no shade and only a single belt versus a 5-point harness. As you can imagine, our little guy fought a nap on that hard stroller and almost slid out of it several times.  He woke up early into the nap and ended up falling asleep in my arms for the first time since he was a baby.

While the Disney strollers may work if you want a backup for an older toddler whose legs are tired, I definitely don’t recommend them for babies or younger toddlers. Lesson learned!

Amanda Emmerling writes about all things travel with a little one at Toddling Traveler.

Keeping your tots strapped in

MISTAKE: Keeping your toddler either strapped in the stroller or strapped in a ride
DISNEY DO IT INSTEAD: Let your toddler roam and get those wiggles out

To avoid kid meltdowns, I’ve found it helps to calm their minds and remove them from all stimulation. There are a few good spots on the Disneyland property that are a little secluded and can help your child relax and unwind from the day. 

The first place is the Baby Care Center that has amenities like private nursing rooms with rocking chairs, a main room with TV and seating, and other things parents many need in a pinch. This is perfect to get away from it all and it’s very clean inside. 

The other spot, which is my all time favorite, is Pirate’s Liar on Tom Sawyer’s Island. It literally is away from it all and doesn’t have any rides, lines, vendors, stores, or anything that would be overstimulating. Your child can just walk around in the serene environment, much like a park, or sit down to watch the boats and canoes pass by. You can even escape from the heat under a shady tree or rock cave. The best part is the lack of people.

It’s the ultimate parent Disneyland hack to avoid meltdowns in your day!

Christy Mindell, who goes by Cree, writes the blog Wild and Cree, where she shares her photography and travel tips.

Not taking advantage of accommodations

MISTAKE: Not getting a Disability Access Service Card if you need one
DISNEY DO IT INSTEAD: Take advantage of disability accommodations at Disney parks

One thing that’s so magical about Disney parks: They are 100% set on making sure you have a magical time. To that end, they include accommodations for visitors who need special services.

Do you use a wheelchair? Do you have a child who is on the autism spectrum? Do you have some other disability that makes you squirm when thinking of standing in all those lines?

The Disney Disability Access Service Card allows visitors with a disability (including ones that aren’t visibly apparent) to get return time passes to rides, activities and park features. You just have to request the card at a Guest Services kiosk. You’ll fill out some paperwork and take a photo (so you can’t just give the card to someone else). It’s pretty straightforward.

If you or someone in your family has a disability, the disability pass at Disney could mean you have a much more wonderful trip to Disney. Why not use it?

If you have anxiety, or you’re feeling overwhelmed and nervous about your upcoming trip, I wrote a post all about how to overcome Disney anxiety—in planning your trip and while you’re there. I hope it’s helpful!

-me!

Plan a fun Disney vacation by avoiding these mistakes

I have a Post-It note taped at my desk: It reads

Failure is just information.

It totally inspires me to take a learner’s mindset so I don’t get too self-critical when I slip up.

Consider this post, then, full of the most useful information to help you plan a fun Disney vacation.

By learning from these family travel bloggers’ Disney mistakes, you get to avoid them! Chances are, you’ll make some different Disney mistakes. After all, we’re human.

Once you do, though, come back here and share them with us! And don’t wait until the last minute to book accommodation. Make sure you get the best price by reserving your hotel early!

Do you have any Disney mistakes that you’ve made—and learned from? Share them below in the comments!!!

PS – If Disney is on your mind, you’ll definitely want to read my post about the Disney PhotoPass. I break down the pros and the cons of using this feature—and share if the Disney PhotoPass is worth its cost.

The post 14 most common Disney mistakes (+ how to avoid them!) appeared first on To & Fro Fam.

If you haven’t yet visited Manzanita, Oregon, you’ll want to include it in your getaway plans ASAP. It’s a tiny town of just over 600 people on the Oregon Coast. It’s smack dab in the middle of Seaside and Tillamook on Highway 101, yet it remains a (mostly) hidden treasure.

Unique things to do in Manzanita, Oregon

If you’ve never heard of Manzanita, Oregon, you’re not alone! Most people living elsewhere in Oregon stick to the better-known cities, and many Oregonians have never been to Manzanita.

So I don’t blame you for wanting to know just what makes this Oregon Coast town special. Well, I have alllll the details for you below with my favorite things to do in Manzanita.

If you’re stopping by Manzanita, OR on an Oregon Coast road trip, don’t forget to snag your copy of my book, Road Trip Games & Activities for Kids! (I promise it’s fun for adults, too!) The e-book and paperback versions include instructions for 33 games, plus ideas to customize each one to suit your crew’s preferences. Simply click the image below to get your copy!

Eat your heart out at the best Manzanita, Oregon restaurants

On a recent trip to Manzanita, we ate at the San Dune Pub (not a typo; it’s actually spelled like that—I know, very confusing), since I’d read they serve chocolate pie off-menu. Alas, the bartender—who had made the pies before her shift started for something like 14 years—got tired of all that baking, so no more chocolate pie. *sob*

The Sand Dune Pub is one of the main Manzanita restaurants in town and has basic pub fare. My table ordered burgers, fried oysters and salad. The main garden salad is seriously a full meal! This Manzanita restaurant also has a large outdoor patio, though we ate inside under a skylight for beautiful natural light.

Other Manzanita Restaurants

You’ll also want to try the famous cinnamon rolls at Bread and Ocean, a cozy bakery in town that also serves deli salads and paninis. They often sell out of the cinnamon rolls, though, so go early to make sure you get one!

If you’re with the kids and need to grab some lunch quick, order a hot dog from Manzanita Mudd Dog. This hot dog cart has picnic table seating, but I recommend taking it to go and eating it on the way to the nearby Manzanita Oregon beach.

Finally, if you are feeling snacky and don’t want a sit-down restaurant in Manzanita, head to Wild Community Cafe. This down-to-earth spot sells grab-and-go bites, makes espresso coffees and other drinks, and has a small natural food store. Don’t forget to leave a little note in its sweet “Thoughts, Wishes & Whims” jar.

Explore Manzanita Beach, Oregon

The reason you come to the Oregon Coast is the beach, right? Manzanita’s beach is wide and long, leaving plenty of space to slowly walk and let the tide’s rhythm relax you. I literally feel my shoulders ease downward out of my ears the second I take a deep breath on the beach. Ahhhhhh.

When I recently went to Manzanita, Oregon with three girlfriends, we couldn’t help but do cartwheels, jump over saltwater puddles and chase huge flocks of seagulls! (Ok, that last part was just me. I couldn’t help it! The seagulls weren’t impressed.)

Also on a recent day, a nonprofit was teaching small teams of people to sift the sand for microplastic debris. Volunteers were cleaning up the tiny pieces of pollution that continue to break down in the water—and get eaten by sealife (and, eventually, humans). I love to see community action!

One of the best things to do in Manzanita, Oregon, is to explore the great outdoors! Throw a rock and you’ll hit an amazing rock on the Oregon Coast: They’re everywhere! Manzanita is no exception.

My favorite hike near Manzanita, Oregon is a 1-mile round-trip, kid-friendly hike to the beach in Oswald West State Park.

Simply park in the large parking area, a 4-minute drive north of Manzanita, take the walking path beneath Highway 101, and follow the signs to the beach. (Or, more realistically, follow the surfers! It’s a super-popular surfing spot.)

Just a half-hour away is another hike near Manzanita in Ecola State Park. The dramatic bluffs offer amazing views of the Pacific Ocean (and, sometimes, migrating whales!).

Go shopping in Manzanita

If it’s a gloomy day and you’re wondering what to do in Manzanita, Oregon, I have the perfect alternative to hitting the beach – Go shopping instead!Like most other towns on the Oregon Coast, Manzanita has plenty of cute shops for browsing. But what I loved about Manzanita is that not every store has the same-old cheap, touristy sweatshirts as every other place.

I loved Moxie, a fair trade boutique that buys from artisans all across the world. I bought my girls each an adorable animal figurine, though these handmade cup cozies were calling my name! (How adorable are they?!)

Oregon Coast Clothing Co. sells hats, t-shirts and sweatshirts with an edgier style than you typically see in beach towns. In fact, it would be more at home in Portland than on the Oregon Coast, but lucky us! It found its home in Manzanita. I was especially drawn to its muscle tank tops and hats.

Salt & Paper sells pretty much the only postcards in town. And boy are they beautiful! The Oregon Coast landscape photography puts most other postcards to shame, TBH. (I sent one to my family, since I mail postcards to my family wherever I go!)

Bonus: Salt & Paper also sells delicious taffy made in a gluten-free, nut-free factory, so you can eat taffy without worrying about your allergies.

Manzanita, Oregon: My favorite tiny town on the Oregon Coast

I absolutely love Manzanita, Oregon. Its laid-back, independent vibe speaks my language.

If you’re more about exploring tiny towns than fighting crowds of tourists, you’ll want to visit Manzanita, Oregon. Shop in the independently owned stores. Walk the Manzanita Beach. Sip a cup of coffee and eat fresh-baked bread. Simply enjoy this little Oregon Coast town—I know I did.

Have you been to Manzanita on the Oregon Coast? Did I miss any of your favorite things to do there?

PS – If you are looking for more fun on the Oregon Coast, don’t miss my 24-hour itinerary for nearby Florence, Oregon or my in-depth post on the secluded community of Bella Beach, Oregon.

The post The Best Things To Do in Manzanita, Oregon: Your New Favorite Tiny Town on The Oregon Coast appeared first on To & Fro Fam.

When you’re planning family travel, I bet you’re a bit like me: You probably fall into a bit of a kid-friendly activities rut. You visit a children’s museum and the city’s main park and the zoo, which are all wonderful—but sometimes, you want a family activity that spices up your trip.

That’s why I’m sharing these quirky and fun things to do in Portland with kids that are slightly different from the usual family activities you may enjoy!

After all, doing something out of the ordinary makes the experience more fun and memorable, research reveals. One study found that changing things up gives us a surge of the feel-good chemical dopamine. That improves our mood—and it also makes us more likely to seek out more new experiences.

So trying something different has a snowball effect, which you can turn into more and more memorable family vacations!

And I’m pretty sure your kids are like mine: They like to do things that are unusual, unexpected and totally surprising. If that’s the case, here are 13 super fun kids activities in Portland.

If you’re planning family travel in Oregon, then, definitely hit the highlights as there are so many awesome family activities to enjoy. But work some unexpected, off-the-beaten-path items into your itinerary, too.

Want some ideas? These quirky things to do in Portland with kids will surprise the whole family!

Best unusual things to do in Portland with kids

I’m so excited for you to explore these hidden gems with your family. I’ve covered everything from outdoor adventures to relaxed activities for kids in Portland, Oregon!

The most memorable periods of our lives are when we break the script.

Chip and Dan Heath, The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact

1. Build a terrarium

Roosevelt’s Terrariums recently invited me to build a terrarium at one of their evening workshops, and I seriously loved it. Not only did I have fun landscaping a tiny habitat for ferns and other plants, I also was thrilled that with close to zero effort from me, the terrarium could survive for generations.

For someone who kills even succulents, this was good news.

A terrarium workshop in Portland would be such a fun and memorable activity to do with elementary-aged kids and older.

This quirky Portland activity would be best for locals and people visiting on a road trip, though, as it’d be hard to bring a terrarium through airport security!

2. Get hands-on with puppets in Portland

You could probably guess that Portland has an art museum, a children’s museum, and a science museum— but did you know it has a puppet museum, too?

The Portland Puppet Museum in Sellwood is home to rotating displays of more than 2,000 puppets from around the world. Yes, some of them are super creepy, but most are supremely cool.

Even better, kids can play with the puppets! If you’re looking for fun things to do in Portland with kids, putting on your own puppet show with these one-of-a-kind creations should definitely be on your list.

3. Explore a submarine

Boop boop boop—submarine sound effects are 100% welcome on the USS Blueback, the submarine permanently docked in Portland’s Willamette River. Kids who are interested in the military or trucks/diggers/emergency response vehicles will be enthralled, but this submarine-museum is a great activity for the whole family.

You’ll have to buy a special, scheduled entry to the USS Blueback along with your ticket to OMSI, Portland’s science museum. Then you can walk around inside the submarine, getting up-close with the controls, periscope, and other equipment.

4. Go rock climbing

This certainly tops my list of the best things to do with kids in Portland.

Most of the time when you’re on a family vacation, kids are told not to climb: Stay off that sculpture, please come down from there, good grief you’re going to break your neck!

The opposite is true when you go to a kid-friendly rock climbing gym.

We recently tried out The Circuit, a bouldering gym with three locations in Portland—and my kids were obsessed. An entire section of the Tigard location (just minutes from downtown Portland) is geared toward kids, with easier walls and slides to get down once they reach the top.

My older daughter also crushed the adult routes, scampering up six different walls, as she reminded us many times.

When it was time to go, the girls cried. “But I want to live here!” Edie said. You probably won’t want to move in to a rock climbing gym, but this quirky family activity in Portland is definitely worth a visit.

Level 10 travel tip: Check out Groupon before you go: The discount site sometimes have cheaper passes for The Circuit bouldering gym.

5. Hike to a real witch’s castle

Ok, I don’t know if there’s actually a real witch at this Forest Park destination, but it’s fun to pretend and makes for an exciting activity for kids in Portland!

Forest Park is the country’s largest urban park, full of miles of trails within Portland. The witch’s castle is a stone ruins along one path that’s within easy hiking distance even for kids.

The witch’s castle is small for something with such a grand name, but you can go inside and walk around the ruins. My kids thought it was pretty much the coolest hike we’ve ever done. You can see why!

I wrote all about hiking to the Portland witch’s castle with kids over on my other blog; click on over if you want more details.

6. Ride the air train

Want a really good view of Portland’s skyline? See it from above on the Portland Aerial Tram.

For just a few bucks, you can ride from the top of a hill all the way down to the Willamette River inside a pod suspended from overhead cables.

You’ll see 360-degree views of the city. On a clear day, you’ll also spot Mt. Hood in the distance.

7. Eat a totally weird donut

My friend and photographer Sarah Giffrow shared these photos of Voodoo Doughnut with me

If you’re wondering what to do in Portland with kids, this is the answer! They will flip at all the donut options at Voodoo Doughnut.

Portland has a ton of truly excellent donut bakeries, with more popping up with each passing month, but the original quirky donut place remains Voodoo Doughnut.

It’s easy to spot Voodoo Doughnut in downtown Portland—it usually has a line out the door.

Go during the week for shorter wait times, and let your kids indulge in a huge sugar bomb. They can pick from donuts topped with Oreos, cereal, or even bacon. Or go with the signature donut, shaped like a voodoo doll with a stake through its doughy heart.

My friend and photographer Sarah Giffrow shared these photos of Voodoo Doughnut with me

8. Pose in front of a giant banana

Portland has truly wonderful street art—just ask my kids, who shout out, “There’s a mural, mama!” whenever we pass one. (And we usually pull over just to take a closer look!)

One of my favorite murals in Portland also happens to be the city’s oldest. The giant banana, also called Art Fills the Void, is one of the Portland-iest quirky things to do in Portland on this list.

If you visit Portland’s banana mural in June, walk a few blocks northeast to the Ladd’s Rose Garden. This historic garden is at the center of the maze-like Ladd’s neighborhood, and it’s a gorgeous spot to relax and let the kids play in the early summer, when roses are at their peak bloom.

Check out my post on even more tips on when and where to see amazing flowers in Portland!

9. Do a downward dog during cat yoga in Portland

At Purrington’s Cat Lounge, you can join an hour-long yoga class along with a roomful of humans—and cats! Kids under 15 must be accompanied by an adult. 

The class also has an extra half-hour for meditating, taking an extra-long corpse pose with a kitty perched on your chest, or simply playing with the cats. Cat yoga is one of the most quirky things to do in Portland—and something you’ll 100% be glad you tried.

You can also sit and sip a drink among all the adoptable kitties. But don’t blame me if your kids want to take one home. Either way, this is one of the best things to do in Portland with kids.

10. Visit Portland’s Wishing Tree

I don’t know how it started, but Portland’s Wishing Tree is home to hundreds of hand-written hopes. Visit this iconic but weird landmark in Portland to read others’ wishes—and leave your own, of course.

The Portland Wishing Tree is located at 2954 NE 7th Avenue.

11. Eat a super weird dessert at Rimsky’s

When I was in high school, I sometimes rode the train from Eugene to Portland to stay the weekend with my older sister, who lived here. She introduced me to Rimsky-Koraskoffee House, the weirdest coffee and dessert place in town.

It’s decorated like your quirky aunt moved in, and it serves over the top sweets and coffees. The tables rotate slowly enough that you won’t notice until your ice cream sundae has moved to the other side of the table!

And the bathrooms are totally weird. Don’t take my word for it; see for yourself by visiting this weird Portland landmark.

12. Drink hot cocoa on a double-decker bus

Portland is crazy about coffee, and I’m crazy about Tov, a totally weird Portland cafe that operates out of a double-decker bus. It serves the usual barista drinks (I recently got a delicious chai latte with a perfectly balanced mix of spices) in an unusual location.

So if you’re looking for quirky things to do in Portland, order a drink and sip it in this twinkle lit, magical bus.

13. Find a toy horse

A century ago, folks rode horses—not cars (or unicycles!)—around Portland. And instead of paying at a parking meter, they simply tied their ride to a ring in the ground.

Luckily, these Portland horse rings are still around!

Although you won’t find any actual horses tethered to Portland’s horse rings, you will find tiny toy ones—if you know to look for them.

As you walk around Portland’s historic neighborhoods, keep an eye to the ground. You’ll spy the Portland horse rings on the curbs of sidewalks. Folks who live here, who love to keep Portland weird, tie little horses to the rings to surprise and delight others walking by.

This quirky thing to do in Portland can’t be done anywhere else, so keep a sharp eye—and your camera—ready!

The best things to do in Portland with kids – ready, set, go!

Now that you’ve read about some of the weird and quirky things for kids to do in Portland, I’ll bet you’re inspired to let your own freak flag fly. (That’s what we do here in PDX.)

After all, the murals and bumper stickers tell us to keep Portland weird!

Which of these activities do you think would be the most fun? Do you have any suggestions for weird family activities in Portland to add? Tell me in the comments!

The post 13 Quirky and Fun Things To Do in Portland With Kids appeared first on To & Fro Fam.

After all, flowers in the Portland area are the perfect antidote to a long, grey, drizzly winter. You can’t help but smile at the sight of tulips, roses or dahlias.

The thought of flower festivals in Portland keeps me going through the winter, in part because going to a flower farm is one of my family’s favorite activities in Oregon. We enjoy the flowers in the field—and of course bring home a bouquet to brighten up the house!

We first started going to the tulip festival in Oregon—or, as I like to think of it, the gateway drug to Oregon flower festivals. But once I realized this state grows much more than tulips, I began seeing flower festivals everywhere!

So if you’re planning travel to Oregon this spring or summer, these best places to walk among the flowers in Portland area are must-see destinations.

Our 10 favorite places to see flowers in Portland

Ready to stop and smell the roses—and lavender, and tulips, and lots of other flowers in Portland? Here are our favorite spots to take in the blooms.

Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival in Oregon

The Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival is the most famous flower festival in Portland. Millions of tulips bloom at this tulip festival in Oregon every spring, creating fields of vibrant color my kids and I absolutely love to explore.

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A post shared by Family Travel Expert Catherine (@toandfrofam)

Know that the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival is a working farm—so it does get muddy on rainy days! (Spring days in Oregon are as temperamental as a toddler—you never know if you’ll get sunny skies or a downpour.) Wear boots and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty because if your kids are anything like mine, they’ll find the first puddle and fall butt-first into it.

The tulip festival near Portland also has vendors, food, a playground my kids love and some family-friendly attractions, such as a bounce house and pony rides (for an additional charge). Weekends draw big crowds as well as extra activities—like hot air balloons!

If you’re looking for flowers in the Portland area this spring, you can’t miss the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival—the biggest and most colorful tulip festival in Oregon.

(2019 update: The late snows and frost in Oregon delayed the tulip blooms. According to the festival, the second week of April should be the best time to visit the tulips.)

Rhododendrons in Portland

These native flowers, which grow on bushes that can grow several stories tall, are everywhere in Oregon. They thrive in the Pacific Northwest’s rainy climate, and their peak bloom is usually in May.

There’s a rhododendron festival near Portland in Florence, OR on the coast, but you don’t have to drive that far to enjoy them. The Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden is a gorgeous place to see these flowers in Portland.

It’s a meticulously designed and landscaped garden on 9 1/2 acres near Reed College. Your kids will love seeing the ducks on the rhododendron garden’s ponds and marshlands, and the variety of rhodies will impress any flower-lover.

Camas flowers in Portland

I know, you’re thinking, What in the world is camas? Although this wildflower is much less well known than the other flowers in Portland, it was critical for Native Americans, who ate the bulbs of these blooms.

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My favorite place to see camas flowers near Portland is at Camassia Nature Preserve in West Linn. Just three minutes off I-205, a mile-long loop takes you through fields of purple camas when it’s in bloom, usually late April. The trail is mostly flat—perfect for hiking with children—and includes a beautiful view of Mt. Hood on a clear day.

You can also attend the Camas Festival in Tigard in April.

Oregon lavender farms

Get ready to breathe in… and relax. No, you’re not in a spa; you’re in the famous Oregon lavender farms!

Lavender grows extremely well in Oregon, and you’ll find wonderful lavender farms near Portland. Our favorite is Lavender Valley on Mt. Hood, a small farm near Hood River where you can stand in the lavender fields within sight of Mt. Hood’s snowy peak. (5965 Boneboro Rd, Mt. Hood, Oregon)

Early to mid-summer tends to be peak lavender season in Oregon. There are also lavender festivals throughout the summer, where vendors set up their wares, you can wander through the fragrant fields, and you can buy lavender-scented lotions and candles to enjoy back at home.

Here is a map of Oregon lavender farms—find one near you when you visit Portland this spring and summer!

Irises in Portland

When I was growing up, wild irises popped up every spring in our yard, so I have a special place in my heart for these gorgeous blooms. Luckily, I get to see irises in Portland, too!

The absolute best place to see irises near Portland is a bit south of the city, at Schreiner’s Iris Gardens in Salem, Oregon. It’s a 45-minute drive from downtown Portland and you’ll see 10 acres of every color of iris. Iris bloom season is May, and the garden is open daily during the month.

Weekends have vendors, tastings and of course fresh-cut irises to take home. You can also buy rhizomes to plant at home, and workshops on how to plant and separate irises happen periodically through May.

Cherry blossoms in Portland

The best place to see cherry blossoms in Portland is the Tom McCall Waterfront Park, which winds through downtown Portland. The Willamette River separates East Portland from West Portland and has dozens of cherry trees planted along its banks, which makes it one of the most gorgeous places in Portland every spring.

The timing of cherry blossoms depends on weather, of course, and they don’t last long—particularly because of this region’s rain. But look for cherry blossoms March to April.

While you’re here in Portland, Oregon, stop by the Portland Japanese Garden. The gardens have a weeping cherry tree in the Flat Garden and Yoshino cherry trees in the Strolling Pond Garden. They’re beyond gorgeous places to see flowers in Portland!

If you’re up for a longer drive, visit the Northwest Cherry Festival in The Dalles in late April. There’s a cherry-themed parade, local vendors, samples and of course lots of cherry-flavored goodies.

Roses in Portland

The International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park is home to more than 10,000 rose bushes, which makes it the best place to see roses in Portland. This garden is public so it’s free for anyone to explore; you just have to pay for parking along the street or take public transportation.

The best time to see roses in Portland is June, but they bloom late spring through early fall.

Level 10 travel tip: If you’re in Washington Park to see roses in Portland, you’re right next to tons of other family-friendly destinations! Check out my post on the Portland Japanese Garden, the Oregon Zoo and the Hoyt Arboretum, which are all within minutes of the Rose Test Garden.

Roses bloom across the city, so keep an eye out for these fragrant flowers in Portland. One of my favorite places to see roses in Portland is the Ladd Circle Rose Garden, at the heart of the maze-like Ladd’s Addition, an historic neighborhood in Southeast Portland.

Portland Rose Festival

You can’t talk about flowers in Portland without mentioning the Portland Rose Festival, which happens over several weeks from the end of May to beginning of June. The star event of the Portland Rose Festival is the Grand Floral Parade, which shuts down part of the city to allow for hundreds of floats. You can also literally stop and smell the roses at the festival’s rose show.

Festival of Flowers in downtown Portland

Pioneer Courthouse Square is nicknamed Portland’s Living Room because it’s a central meeting place for everyone in town. The open-air area, which covers an entire city block, is home to live music, a gorgeous fountain, a visitor’s center—and a flower festival in Portland.

The Portland Festival of Flowers is an installation of more than 20,000 blooms. Like everything else in Pioneer Courthouse Square, it’s free and open to the public. This year, it will run May 22-June 4, 2019.

Level 10 travel tip: While you’re in Pioneer Courthouse Square, don’t miss a photo with one of Portland’s most recognizable (and Instagrammable) landmarks—the Umbrella Man!

Dahlia Festival near Portland

At the end of the summer—the last weekend in August and Labor Day weekend—brings gorgeous dahlia blooms. This flower festival near Portland is a half-hour from downtown at Swan Island Dahlia Farm in Canby, Oregon. The festival includes food, music and of course thousands of dahlias in bloom.

Not in Portland during the dahlia festival? Swing by the farm anyway for cut flowers July-September. This farm has cultivated many of its own varieties of the flower. Ask staff which ones!

Where to see flowers in Portland

Once spring arrives in Portland, everyone goes nuts for the outdoors: We’ve earned it after a long, grey winter! So do like a local and take in these flowers in Portland. Between dahlias, lavender, irises, a tulip festival in Oregon and more, you have plenty of options to choose from.

Have you visited any of these flower festivals in Portland? Did I miss any you love? Please share below!

PS – If you’re looking for more activities near Portland, take a look at my post on 14 day trips from Portland!

The post 10 gorgeous flower festivals in Portland (+ nearby) appeared first on To & Fro Fam.

I turned to the internet, of course, and what I didn’t find was an article outlining the pros and cons of whether to rent a car in Vancouver, BC. So I decided to write it.

I’m confident this guide will help you figure out if you should rent a car in Vancouver. Read on for the factors that will influence your plans the next time you visit Vancouver, BC—and read to the end to see what we ended up choosing!

Is it worth it to rent a car in Vancouver?

I’d never been to Vancouver, BC before my siblings trip so I didn’t know exactly what to expect. If you haven’t been to this beautiful Canadian city, either, here are things to consider before deciding to rent a car in Vancouver.

1. Cost of a rental car vs taxis and public transportation

A taxi ride from the Vancouver Airport (YVR) to downtown is $35 Canadian, plus tip. Fares are likely more expensive if you are traveling farther out than downtown, as well as returning to the airport. If you add it up, you’ll likely pay at least $80 Canadian in taxis to and from the airport.

On the other hand, you can also depend on public transportation. The Canada Line, Vancouver’s rapid transit train, leaves from both the domestic and international terminals. You can get downtown in about 30 minutes—roughly the same amount of time as a taxi.

The Canada Line fare from the airport to downtown costs between $8-10, depending on if you’re using cash or a metro card. Fare to the airport is between $3-4. Here are details on where to catch the Canada Line from YVR.

Compare those costs to renting a car from YVR. For a weekend trip with a compact car, you’ll pay around $50 US, which is about $66 Canadian, including fees.

2. Weekend vs weekday

The cost of renting a car might vary from weekends to weekdays; in addition, traffic is a lot different! Much like other cities, weekday traffic is significantly worse than on weekends. If you’re uncomfortable driving in an unfamiliar city in dense traffic, you should consider not renting a car in Vancouver during weekdays.

3. Day trips outside Vancouver, BC

When you visit Vancouver, will you be staying within the city, or are you planning day trips? There are gorgeous parks and hikes within an easy drive of Vancouver, and Whistler is only an hour and a half away.

Shuttles can get you between Downtown Vancouver or YVR and Whistler; here is a list of shuttles to the mountain. Know, though, that going on a shuttle will take longer than driving directly, and you’ll be limited to when you can go and leave. What’s more, you need to consider the time (and effort) it takes to get yourself (and your ski gear) to the shuttle stop.

If you’re planning a lot of day trips from Vancouver, you should consider renting a car at YVR.

4. Are you staying downtown?

When you visit Vancouver, you’ll see a wide selection of high-end hotels downtown. If you’re staying downtown, renting a car in Vancouver doesn’t make a lot of sense for several reasons.

Firstly, you’ll have to deal with downtown Vancouver traffic, which is more congested than elsewhere in the city. Next, you’ll have to pay to park, which is quite expensive if you’re parking overnight or at the hotel valet service. Finally, if you’re downtown, you’re central to public transportation and many of the things you’ll want to do in Vancouver.

If you stay outside the city (e.g. in one of Vancouver’s short-term rentals like AirBnB), it might make more sense to rent a car in Vancouver. Take into account how far away you’re staying from public transportation lines.

5. How many people are you traveling with?

If you’re traveling with more than four people, remember that if you take a taxi, you’ll need two. After all, only five people can squish into one cab, and one of them has to be the driver! If you rent a car in Vancouver, though, you can pick a car or crossover that will fit your entire group. That might make it more economical to rent a car instead of relying on taxis or public transportation.

6. No rideshares

When I first asked, Should I rent a car in Vancouver?, I just figured we could Uber or Lyft when we needed. Then I realized that Vancouver doesn’t have ridesharing services.

7. Are you traveling with kids?

If you’re going to Vancouver with kids, that will affect your decision to rent a car or not. Dealing with car seats on your flight is a real pain, but once you install them in a rental car, you don’t have to worry about it anymore. Usually, driving yourself is quicker than dealing with public transportation—a real consideration for parents, since you don’t want to squander valuable meltdown-free time in shuttling your kids between bus lines.

If you take taxis, your kids won’t be riding in car seats, which isn’t the safest option. But a taxi will drop you directly at your destination and you won’t have to deal with parking.

On the other hand, taking public transportation with kids can be great. My children love riding buses and trains. Most public transportation also allows strollers. On the downside, you may have to transfer between lines (and potentially wait out in bad weather). And once you reach your stop, you may have to walk to your actual destination, which can take a lot of time and effort for little ones.

8. Dealing with parking in Vancouver

When I asked a travel Facebook group Should I rent a car in Vancouver? just about everyone mentioned how awful parking is. That said, I didn’t find it to be that bad, at least over a weekend!

Street parking is available in just about all of Vancouver’s neighborhoods. Some is even free if you leave within a few hours! For paid parking, make sure you have coins to fill a parking meter. You can pay with your phone, but honestly I didn’t know how to deal with that using an international number.

Did I rent a car in Vancouver?

I know you guys have been held in suspense (ha!), so here is the big reveal: I did rent a car in Vancouver, BC. And I’m so glad I did! Here’s why:

• There were 5 of us who met up in Vancouver, and most of us arrived at different times. That meant we would have spent $160 Canadian on taxis to and from the airport alone.
• If we wanted to take a taxi within the city, we would have needed two, since our group couldn’t fit in one car.
• We stayed outside of downtown in a lovely 4-bedroom AirBnB. I loved the neighborhood feel of our place, but it was a bit of a trek to public transportation.
• I wanted things to be easy. My sister is 7 months pregnant, and I didn’t want us to spend a bunch of time figuring out routes on public transportation.

The real cost of renting a car in Vancouver, BC

Here’s what I spent on our rental, all in Canadian:

• $112 on a rental for a crossover, including basic insurance and fees
• $22 in gas
• $16 in parking

That’s a total of $150 Canadian, which is $113 USD. To me, spending that money wasn’t significantly more than what we’d all pay, collectively, on public transportation. And the savings of time and hassle certainly outweighed a few extra dollars on our Vancouver vacation.

If you do rent a car from YVR, pay attention to where the pick-up is located. The pick-up will say either shuttle to car or car on airport. If convenience and saving time are major factors in your decision to rent a car, make sure the rental car company you use offers car on airport—without having to take a shuttle.

I rented our car through Alamo, which had a pick-up and drop-off location about a 2-minute walk from the terminal. It was so nice to not have to ride a shuttle off-site!

I’d love to hear your experiences of renting a car in Canada or in other places you’ve gone. When you travel, do you typically rely on public transportation, or do you rent a car? Let me know in the comments!

The post Should you rent a car in Vancouver, BC? appeared first on To & Fro Fam.

Now I know what you’re thinking (because I thought it, too): How do you bring kids to the Nutcracker ballet? Won’t they talk through the whole performance? What if they kick the seat in front of us? Will it be scary? Can kids even sit that long?!

If it’s your child’s first ballet, no wonder you’re anxious! But it is 100% possible to enjoy the Nutcracker with kids. Heck, I’m living proof! Edie has been going to the Nutcracker since she was 3, and Maxine started joining us when she was 4. I’m not only still alive to tell the tale—I’m also excited for you to enjoy the ballet as a family!

Better than that, though, I’m going to share 19 tips to enjoy the Nutcracker with kids, whether it’s their first ballet or fiftieth. (Now that would be impressive.) Below, I’ll share my best advice to make attending the ballet with kids not only bearable—but fun. Plus, at the very bottom, I answer families’ most common questions about going to the Nutcracker with kids.

Plus, I’m updating this post for the 2021 Nutcracker season (since just about every aspect of life needs extra advice these days). You and your kids can have fun at the Nutcracker this year!

You may just start a new family tradition!

This post may contain affiliate links. Clicking and buying provides me a small income at no extra expense to you. Thank you for supporting To & Fro Fam!

How to go to the Nutcracker with kids

Doing anything new with young children can be stressful. Doing something new in a theater filled with other people where your kids are expected to sit still for two hours should earn you some legit parenting badges. 

But don’t give up before you even try to go to the Nutcracker with kids! I did it; so can you! Here’s how.

What to do before the Nutcracker performance

Here are some tips to see see the Nutcracker with kids—before you even leave home. Remember, preparation is key to having fun at a new family activity.

1. Go to the ballet during a matinee

I don’t know about yours, but my kids aren’t their best at 7pm. The witching hour is not a great time to see ballet with kids, but luckily, just about every ballet company offers matinee performances. Go to the Nutcracker with kids in the middle of the day: Most theaters offer 2pm shows or similar timing.

Bonus: Some ballet companies offer tickets to matinees at a discounted price!

2. Get cheaper Nutcracker tickets

I don’t know about you, but I have a hard time paying full price to see the ballet with kids. Since I’m just as focused on my children not kicking the person in front of us as I am on the performance, I don’t want to spend a ton of money on tickets. (I say this even though I absolutely value the hard work of all the performers and backstage folks who make this incredible production happen every year. They’re incredible!)

Here are some ways to get cheap tickets for the Nutcracker:

• Buy tickets on Cyber Monday. Many ballet companies offer discounted tickets after Thanksgiving.
• Sign up for your local ballet company’s newsletter. Performing companies will email subscribers when they have cheap Nutcracker tickets on sale.
• Look into Groupon. This is what we did one year, and I got half-off Nutcracker tickets. 

When you buy cheap Nutcracker tickets, you’re more likely to actually go to the ballet with kids. You’ll also be less stressed—no I paid $67 for this ticket so you’d better enjoy every single moment! That’s no fun for anyone. 

3. Buy tickets on the aisle

If you have any questions whether your kids will be able to sit through the entire Nutcracker, buy seats next to the aisle. If you have to make a quick getaway, you’ll have an easier time exiting if you don’t have to step over a dozen people on your way out. 

If your kids do need to leave early (as Edie once did when we saw the Cinderella ballet in Portland), it’s easy to slip out when you’re sitting next to the aisle.

4. Read books ahead of time

My girls are big readers, so I got a Nutcracker book for us to read before we attended the performance. Reading a Nutcracker book helps kids get to know the characters and the plot (to the extent there is one, ha!). 

Being more familiar with the Nutcracker story helped my kids sit through and enjoy the ballet; it will for yours, too. I really like this version, created by Jan Brett (the author/illustrator who made the much-beloved book The Mitten). Get yourself a copy before you attend the ballet with kids so you can read it several times before showtime.

5. Listen to Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite

If you’re an adult with ears, you’re familiar with at least some of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite—it’s some of the most-played classical music of all time. Your kids might not recognize it though. Yet.

So put on classical music when the kids are playing and point out when a Nutcracker song comes on. Pull up the entire suite on Spotify when you’re eating dinner. Or borrow a CD from the library and listen to it when you’re driving to soccer practice. 

My older daughter now perks up when a Nutcracker song comes on: “Hey!” she says. “This is from the Nutcracker!”

6. Watch the Nutcracker on YouTube

There’s no need to watch the entire performance—that’s a bit overkill—but pull up a dance or two for your kids on YouTube. Then watch it alongside them.

Talk about the dance, what’s happening in the story, what the characters might be thinking or feeling, how it’s totally impressive that the ballerina can stand on the tip of her toes—anything to interact with your kids. The more they engage with the ballet, the more into the live Nutcracker performance they’ll be. 

Search for the dance of the Sugarplum Fairy and the waltz of the Snowflakes.

7. Dance it out

If your kids are anything like mine, they’ll want to dance immediately after watching the Nutcracker on YouTube. Cue up the Nutcracker Suite and dance on! Just turn on your camera to capture the unbelievable cuteness.

This is what the girls did immediately after we watched YouTube videos of the Nutcracker. Look at all those lifts and spins!

IMG_5251 from Catherine Ryan Gregory on Vimeo.

8. Take a ballet class

If your children are into ballet, sign them up for a ballet class or camp. Even super young children can take dance classes, and they’re beyond cute in leotards and ballet shoes. 

Truth be told, I signed up my girls for a week-long ballet camp one summer when they were wee, and it did not go well. They were super cranky the whole time and several days asked to go home. Maybe we’ll try it again next year, especially now that my older daughter is convinced she’s ready to be the Sugarplum Fairy.

What to do during the Nutcracker performance

You bought your tickets, you prepared your kids, you’re ready to go—hooray! Now that you’re seeing the Nutcracker with kids live, here’s what to do.

1. Get their wiggles out

The day of the Nutcracker performance, make sure your kids have an active morning. You want them to expend all their energy before going to the Nutcracker with kids.

So take them to the park, crank up the music for a dance party or let ’em loose on the trampoline. You want them to use up some of that legendary kid energy.

2. Talk about what will happen

That Daniel Tiger episode—”When we do something new let’s talk about what we’ll do!”—totally has a point. So explain to your kids what to expect when they see their first ballet. That might sound something like this:

“First we’ll find our seats. A little later, the lights will go down, and the orchestra will play music for a little bit. Then the big curtain will come up, and the dancing will start! There will be a break in the middle of the show called the intermission, when we can go to the bathroom and eat snacks. Then we’ll watch the second part of the show.”

The more kids know what to expect, the more comfortable they’ll be with a new experience.

Note: Even if your kids have gone to the ballet before, if it’s been a while, you should still talk it through. This is especially the case if you take them to the Nutcracker in 2021. Many kids may be extra nervous to do things in public since the pandemic began.

3. Eat and pee before the show starts

If you go to a professional performance, you won’t be able to leave and reenter the theater during the show. (The light from opening the door, and stepping over other people in the audience, disturbs everyone else.) So make sure everyone uses the potty, has a drink of water and eats something before the performance starts!

If your kids are like mine and for some reason resist using the bathroom, tell them ahead of time that this is an expectation. You can weave it into the summary of what the performance will be like.

4. Get a booster seat

Many theaters offer booster seats for free—check at customer service or coat check. Sitting higher will help your littles see the show.

5. Meet a ballerina

Most ballet companies have a meet-and-greet area for kids to see ballerinas and other Nutcracker characters. Look for them before the show, during intermission and after the performance. 

I recommend taking these adorable photos before the show starts. During intermission, you may need to return to the restroom, so best to get it done ahead of time!

6. Bring snacks

I don’t know about your kids, but mine can hardly go 5 minutes without asking for a snack. But most theaters don’t allow food once you’ve sat down in your seats. (I told my girls it was because they didn’t want the Mouse King to get into the seats and eat the crumbs!)

Still, bring a variety of easy-to-eat snacks for intermission. You’ll want to have your own on hand in case you end up waiting in the bathroom line, or the line for concessions is too long.

7. Pee during intermission!

My kids swore up and down that they didn’t have to pee during intermission, but I made us all go to the bathroom anyway. Big shocker: They did, in fact, need to go.

It would be a huge bummer if they had a potty emergency 5 minutes into the second half of the performance. So make your kids go during the break. 

8. Order snacks ahead of time

I’m not sure if this is just something Keller Auditorium in Portland does, or if it’s a brilliant trend nationwide: But here in Portland,  you can order your intermission snacks ahead of time, then just waltz up to the counter and pick ’em up. No waiting in super-long lines.

You just might want to order yourself a champagne to congratulate yourself for being so smart (and for successfully going to the Nutcracker with kids). 

Ordering a special treat like a cookie can make going to the Nutcracker as a family even more memorable. If your kids are like mine, they will reminisce about the cookie just as much as the actual performance!

9. Don’t sweat the kid stuff

Your children are young; they’re going to wiggle in their seats and talk during the performance. There, I said it. They’re not adults, so they shouldn’t be expected to act like adults.

So try not to get annoyed when they ask questions or move from their seat to your lap and back again. It’s totally normal.

10. Know your kid isn’t the only one

When it’s your child announcing “I’m going to be Clara next year” in the loudest whisper ever, it’s easy to feel embarrassed—but all the kids around you are probably embarrassing their parents, too. 

One year, my daughter was asking questions during the show because, well, she was 3. The lady behind us shushed her. I was like, Woman! She’s a kid. You’re at the matinee of the Nutcracker. Manage your expectations! Well, I thought that in my head and rolled my eyes at her. I hope that’s what I conveyed.

But the truth is, people going to the matinee of a kid-friendly ballet should know that kids are going to be kids! So they just need to chill out.

I have very strong opinions about this. Kids deserve to go to the ballet. And they won’t learn to love the performing arts unless they get the chance to experience them. So please, please don’t let a fear of cranky and kidless adults get in the way of going to the Nutcracker as a family.

And if you do get some serious side eye, send the unempathetic grinches my way. I’ll tell them off for you.

11. Be prepared to cut your losses

That said, if your children really aren’t doing well, you should feel 100% good about leaving early. If they really can’t sit, are crying, or are asking to leave, make a polite exit. 

After all you want your child’s first ballet to be a positive experience—for your little one and you! Leave before it gets ugly and  you’ll look forward to next year’s Nutcracker with kids even more.

More questions for going to the Nutcracker with kids

How long is the Nutcracker?

We went to the Nutcracker produced by Oregon Ballet Theater in Portland. The show started at 2pm and ended at 4:10. The Nutcracker is 2 hours long, give or take a few minutes. The show also had a 25 minute intermission, which is common for productions of this ballet. 

What is a good age to take kids to see the Nutcracker?

I started taking my older daughter to see the Nutcracker when she was 2 1/2, but that is definitely on the early side. She could sit through almost the entire show; we left about 5 minutes early. 

I started taking my younger daughter when she was 3 1/2. She had a hard time sitting in the second half of the ballet, though she did a good job overall.

4 is a good age to take kids to see the Nutcracker for the first time. That said, your child needs to be able to sit through roughly the length of a movie. If they can do that without many problems, they’re ready to see the Nutcracker ballet for the first time.

Is the Nutcracker too scary for kids?

The Nutcracker does have a few scary parts for children. There’s a section with the Mouse King and the other human-sized mice battling toy soldiers that was a little frightening; also, Drosselmeyer can be a little scary. 

I told my kids about these parts ahead of time, so they weren’t surprised by the scary parts. I also held my younger daughter on my lap during these parts. 

Overall, though, the Nutcracker is not too scary for kids. 

Do you have any questions about going to the Nutcracker with kids? Post them in the comments below and I’ll be happy to answer them!

Whether you’re going to your child’s first ballet or your kids are performance pros, I hope these tips on seeing the Nutcracker with kids helped. If you have any hacks to add, please share them in the comments!

The post 19 essential tips to enjoy the Nutcracker with kids + family [2021 Update] appeared first on To & Fro Fam.

I was so focused on planning the Disney portion of our vacation, though, that I neglected to research much about Crescent City, CA. It turned out to be ok though! When looking for the best things to do in Crescent City, I had a ton of options to choose from.

I know you’re short on time. If you’re looking for what to do in Crescent City with kids, I have everything you need to know right here. No bopping around the internet doing a million searches; just read on for info on the California Redwoods, downtown Crescent City, restaurants, lighthouses and more.

Crescent City with kids made easy

Where to eat in Crescent City with kids

If you follow only one piece of advice on what to do in Crescent City with kids, make it this one: Eat at SeaQuake Brewing. This restaurant in Downtown Crescent City was one of the highlights of our 1-day stop! The brewery is insanely kid-friendly, the food was excellent, and it’s a super-easy walk to Beach Front Park (more on that below).

I ate the delicious Thai Chicken Salad, which was big enough to satisfy my day’s requirement of vegetables (which is doubly appreciated when you’re road tripping and are stuck munching on gas station snacks all day). Hubs got a chicken sandwich. They have lots of gluten-free options, too.

And people, their kid menu was substantial. Best of all, though, they were so accommodating with my picky eaters! My younger daughter didn’t like the macaroni and cheese for some reason, and the server brought out a kids’ grilled cheese instead at no charge! (You can bet she got a hefty tip.)

And then came a surprise at the end of the meal: The girls got to pick out children’s books to take home! Turns out that the owners of SeaQuake Brewing are huge proponents of children’s literacy, and they have a basket of books for kids to choose from. The girls were beyond jazzed.

What to do in downtown Crescent City with kids

Crescent City is itty bitty—fewer than 8,000 people live in this California small town. You don’t have to worry about getting lost or fighting traffic!

Here are some of our favorite things to do near downtown Crescent City with kids. 

Play at Beach Front Park

This park is my favorite thing about downtown Crescent City. Imagine a giant fort, complete with slides, swings and playhouses, and you get Beach Front Park. 

My kids spent more than an hour playing here, and they didn’t want to leave. Ever. They begged me to move the family to Crescent City.

You don’t have to uproot your whole life; just carve out at least an hour to let your kids go nuts at Crescent City’s best park. It’s on the harbor and across the street from Seaquake Brewery, too! 

See the lighthouse

The Battery Point Lighthouse is mere minutes from downtown and a must-see when you visit Crescent City with kids. At low tide, you can walk up to the lighthouse, but the spit of land is covered by water at any other time.

Even if you don’t make it to Battery Point Lighthouse for low tide, definitely go: The pebble beach is lovely, and your kids will have a great time hunting for agates on the beach. 

Go antiquing

Like many beachside towns, Crescent City has a wealth of antique stores. (What is it about coastal towns that makes them a center for antiques? Anyone??) I can’t vouch for the quality of them—I’m definitely not an Antiques Roadshow-level expert—but they’re awfully fun to explore as a family!

Check out the boats at the Crescent City Harbor

If your kids are into boats, you definitely won’t want to miss visiting the Crescent City Harbor. Here, you’ll see hundreds of fishing boats moored along floating docks. 

We visited just before sunset, when fishermen were returning to land. The girls enjoyed watching them unload the boats and bring in their nets and crab pots. 

Walk along the harbor jetty

Walk a little farther south and you’ll find a jetty you can safely walk down with the kids. This is a favorite hangout for the area’s sea lions. Your kids can get a pretty close glimpse of the sea lions—just remember they’re noisy too!

Taste local cheese

In downtown Crescent City, you can stop by Rumiano Cheese to sample a whole bunch of flavors. I learned that they’re the oldest family-owned cheese company in California, and they make the first non-GMO-certified organic cheese in the US!

Play at a Crescent City beach

Pebble Beach is Crescent City’s most popular beach. Just a few minutes’ drive from downtown Crescent City, it’s an easy trip to make with the littles. South Beach, just outside of town past the harbor, is another popular beach among locals.

My girls demanded sand, too, so we explored the beach near the harbor at low tide. The outgoing water made an incredible bumpy pattern in the sand. 

See the Redwoods near Crescent City

Seeing the Redwoods in Northern California was one of the main reasons we went to Crescent City with kids. I just knew the peace of the Redwoods would be just what we needed after 3 days at Disney!

I wasn’t wrong. We drove about 25 minutes from Crescent City to the Stout Memorial Grove, a perfect kid-friendly hike in the Redwoods within the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. We took about an hour to walk the loop, which was almost entirely flat.

The Stout Memorial Grove is an ideal place to explore 300-foot-high redwood trees from Crescent City. You’ll see giant trees, have a chance to climb on downed logs and learn about this unique ecosystem. We went on a weekday morning and bumped into only 2 other small groups. 

If you want to see the Redwoods from Crescent City, take the short drive to the Stout Memorial Grove in Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park. It’s the perfect family-friendly Redwoods hike in the area. Don’t miss a natural hideout/treehouse on the loop trail, where several trees have fallen to make a sort of tree cave! My girls loved playing in this “tree castle,” as they called it. 

Where to stay in Crescent City with kids

We stayed at the Lighthouse Inn, which is on Highway 101, the main drag that goes through Crescent City. The hotel is across the street from the Crescent City Harbor and is convenient for seeing all of Crescent City with kids.

We booked a family room with two separate bedrooms, each with a king size bed. The girls were like, “WHAT we didn’t even know they made beds this big!” Now my older daughter says her twin bed is too small. 

We stayed just one night in Crescent City, but the Lighthouse Inn was just what we needed for a short trip. The breakfast was decent (standard continental breakfast with bagels, muffins, oatmeal, etc.). There wasn’t a pool, but the great price made up for that. (I paid just $87 for a two-bedroom family suite!)

We had a wonderful time in Crescent City and would definitely go back. Next time, I’d explore even more of the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park and visit more of the beaches. 

I hope this post helped you if you were wondering what to do in Crescent City with kids. Let me know if you have any suggestions to add! Comment below with your own recommendations. 

The post 9 best things to do in Crescent City with kids appeared first on To & Fro Fam.

In my research, I came across the option to download pictures taken in the park by professional photographers. I couldn’t help but wonder, is the Disney PhotoPass cost worth it?

The Big Question: Is Disney PhotoPass Worth It?

Pretty sure you’re with me on this: I’m all about making the most of my vacation dollars. After all, the more you save, the more family vacations you can take, and the more you can focus on enjoying time with your kids (rather than on your dwindling bank account). So when I was planning my budget Disney vacation, I wanted to ensure every dollar was spent well.

Did it make sense to pay extra for the Disney PhotoPass? Did the Disney PhotoPass cost outweigh the benefits? I found the research I did to be super confusing, so I’m so glad you’re here. Instead of bopping all around on the internet, you can find in one spot everything you need to know about the Disney Photo Pass.

After my family and I spent three days between Disneyland and California Adventure, I have some wisdom to share, whether you’re a Disney pro or going to Disney for the first time. So if you’re wondering, is the Disney PhotoPass worth the cost?, read on. I’ll break down the pros, cons and bottom line of whether you need the Disney PhotoPass.

And, since I already know you’re excited about your Disney vacation, I’m pretty sure you’ll also want my free Disney quotes printable. I designed 5 different inspiring Disney quotes so you can put ’em up on your fridge, in a frame or by your desk at work to remind you of your upcoming vacation! Here’s how to get yours:

Disney PhotoPass cost, logistics, and details

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all that Disney has to offer, don’t fear. I’ve detailed everything you need to know about the Disney PhotoPass, below!

What is the Disney Photo Pass?

Throughout Disney properties, professional photographers post up at popular spots and take photos for you. When we went to California Adventure, for example, a Disney PhotoPass photographer was taking images with Buzz Lightyear.

The photographer will scan the QR code on your Disney app that connects the images to your PhotoPass account. If you don’t have the app, they’ll scan a QR code on a credit card-sized card that you can show to other photographers to have all your images in one place.

You can either buy the photos individually or buy daily access to Disney PhotoPass.

What’s the Disney PhotoPass cost?

You get unlimited Disney PhotoPass downloads when you buy MaxPass, which is the mobile version of FastPass. So the Disney PhotoPass cost is $10/day.

Some Disney annual Passports include a year of free downloads on the PhotoPass, but this depends on the terms in which you bought the Annual Passport. (Confusing, I know!)

I often get asked if you can buy one photo from Disney PhotoPass. Whilst you certainly can, there is a ctach! If you opt to download photos individually, they cost $16.95 apiece. Yipes!

Clearly, this makes zero sense, since you can get an entire day’s worth of photos plus the features of Disney MaxPass for less than that.

Read More: 14 Most Common Disney Mistakes And How To Avoid Them)

What are the benefits of Disney PhotoPass access with MaxPass?

Lots of people add MaxPass to their Disney passes automatically. After all, it’s really convenient to get a FastPass ticket via your phone instead of going to a physical FastPass ticket distribution (which sometimes has lines of its own). FastPass essentially holds you a place in line, which is a clutch for popular attractions at peak times.

Yet when you’re doing Disney on a budget, don’t automatically shell out money for anything without considering the pros and cons! There are so many add-ons and extras that they’ll add up fast.

That said, there are a lot of benefits of using the Disney PhotoPass MaxPass:

• Someone else takes the photos. Isn’t it nice to give up responsibility for something on your family vacation?
• You can be in the photos. Don’t you want to be in a few photos? Please note that the professional Disney PhotoPass photographers are also happy to take photos with your phone if you don’t have PhotoPass.
• The images are high quality. Downloads are high-resolution.
• Get magical overlays. If a Disney photographer asks your child to hold up her hand just so, you might take a look at the photo afterward and find that Tinkerbell is perched on her finger! That’s the magic of Magic Shots. (These opportunities are not available at every PhotoPass location.)
• The photographers are professional. You can depend on getting a good image: No cut-off heads or fingers in the frame.

What are the cons of the Disney PhotoPass?

There aren’t a ton of cons of the Disney PhotoPass, other than the cost. Some people will shrug at the Disney PhotoPass cost—$10/day isn’t prohibitive for many. But if you’re doing Disney on a budget, every cent counts.

Here are the other cons of the Disney PhotoPass:

• Scarcity. There aren’t many Disney PhotoPass photographers throughout the park.
• Photo Pass photographers are hard to find. If you filter the map on the Disney app, it will show where photographers sometimes are posted, but it’s not updated in real-time, so you find them based on luck.
• Most characters don’t have a PhotoPass photographer. When we visited Disney over three days, I think there were only 4 Photo Pass photographers at the Disney characters we met: Buzz Lightyear, Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse, and Tinkerbell.
• Photos aren’t that different. When you compare photos taken with an iPhone to those taken with the Disney PhotoPass, the quality isn’t much different. (Scroll down to see a side-by-side comparison.)

Is Disney PhotoPass worth it & do you need it?

As with most family travel planning questions, the answer is individual. That said, let me help you with the decision.

If you’re already set on adding the MaxPass to your Disney passes, the answer is of course yes: You get the Disney PhotoPass automatically when you use MaxPass.

So what did we do?

The first day of our budget Disney vacation, I bought Disney MaxPasses for our family of four—for $40. The MaxPass cost would have been fine except we didn’t use the FastPass feature at all! You see, my kids are too little to do most of the rides that actually have the FastPass feature.

What’s more, we only met one character on our first day that had a Disney PhotoPass photographer. And when I saw the photos after the fact, I could hardly tell the difference between the photo the PhotoPass photographer took (on the left) and the one my mother-in-law took on her iPhone (on the right).

So after hardly using the Disney MaxPass on Day 1 of our Disney vacation, we didn’t buy it the following days. And I didn’t miss it at all.

Signs you don’t need to invest in the Disney PhotoPass cost

Adding the PhotoPass on your park pass (via MaxPass, at $10/person/day) doesn’t make sense for everyone. Here are the signs you don’t need the Disney PhotoPass:

• You have a decent camera on your phone.
• Your kids are little and won’t ride most of the rides with FastPass features.
• You don’t mind asking other people to take your photo (This is my go-to way of avoiding the Disney PhotoPass cost)
• You consistently take decent photos of your kids—ones that aren’t blurry, cropped weird or with fingers in the frame.

Read More: Anxiety At Disney: The Anxious Mom’s Survival Guide

Disney PhotoPass takeaways

Here are my last 2 pieces of advice to make the most of your Disney PhotoPass.

Let’s say that you’re willing to pay the Disney PhotoPass price but your kids are little or uninterested in the FastPass rides. Then you can buy just one MaxPass.

You’ll still get the PhotoPass feature at just $10/day, and if you’re using MaxPass primarily for the photography, not everyone in your group needs one. Just designate one person to be the official CEO of Disney PhotoPass—and be responsible for having the pass’s QR code ready for the photographer.

If you’re still on the fence about whether or not the Disney PhotoPass is worth it, here’s my advice: Don’t buy it at first.

Get a QR code from one of the PhotoPass photographers and show the card to all the others you encounter that day. At the end of the day you can decide whether you want to buy a $10 MaxPass and connect it to that day’s photos.

That way, if you only see one Disney PhotoPass photographer in a day (like we did), you can skip buying that day and save your $10.

I hope this article on the Disney PhotoPass cost, details and logistics was helpful. It’s actually the post I wish I’d found and read before our first Disney vacation.

If you liked it, will you please share by pinning to your Disney Pinterest board or emailing to a friend who’s planning a Disney trip? I’d so appreciate that because they could use the practical, detail-oriented advice, too.

And if you haven’t already read my post detailing how my family of 4 spent 3 days at Disneyland for just $138, don’t miss out! In that post, I detail every step I took to save $2,289!

Finally, don’t forget to snag your own free Disney quotes printable!

The post Is the Disney PhotoPass cost worth it—or a waste of money? appeared first on To & Fro Fam.

I know there are moms out there who know every trick and hack to make the most of every second at Disney. I’m not one of those. But I am sharing the nitty gritty details of our budget Disney vacation—down to the last dollar. In this blog post, I’ll explain how I saved thousands of dollars on our family Disney vacation.

So if you want to go to Disney but don’t think you can afford it, or if you’re planning to go but just want to save on a Disney vacation, you’ll want to read through to the very end. I have so many good Disney hacks to help you save money—so you can focus on enjoying the happiest place on Earth!

Before I dive in to all my money-saving tips for Disney, though, I want you to check out my book! Road Trip Games & Activities for Kids shares 33 fun, customizable games and free printables that will keep you entertained for hours. Driving to Disneyland was one of the big ways we saved on our Disney vacation—and you can, too. Click the image below to get your copy in e-book or paperback!

And if you want to get even more pumped for your upcoming trip to Disney, you’ll want to get these free Disney quote printables. That way, you can download them and put them somewhere you’ll see ’em often, like your fridge or on the wall of your office. They also make great kids’ room decor! Just sign up here and I’ll deliver them to your inbox ASAP.

This post contains affiliate links. When you click and buy, I earn a small commission that helps me continue to bring you free travel content. This does not alter the price you pay. Thank you for supporting To & Fro Fam!

How to plan a budget Disney vacation

Now that you’re ready to save big dollars on your Disney family vacation, let’s jump in. Below, you’ll find out how I saved on Disney tickets, a hotel just 5 minutes away from the park entrance, food both inside and outside the park, and Disney souvenirs.

Don’t spend more than you have to. Take my lead and plan a budget Disney vacation now.

How to save on Disney tickets

Want to know how I paid zero dollars out of pocket for Disney passes for a family of four? Here’s a sneak peek.

Don’t pay retail for Disney tickets

Normally, for two adults and two kids, a three-day pack of tickets would cost $1,088. After a bit of research, though, I opted to save on Disney tickets by buying through aRes Travel. Our three days of tickets cost $1,014.

aRes emailed me PDFs of our tickets, which I printed out before leaving home. Disney staff scanned them at the park entrance and gave us our actual Disney tickets (which I scanned into the Disney app on my phone—don’t want to lose those babies!). That means they were “straight to gate” tickets—we didn’t have to go to the ticket counter outside the entrance first.

So to buy cheaper Disney tickets, I saved $74 using the third party ticket-seller aRes.

(I am not an affiliate for aRes; I was just really happy with our savings and the ease of using their service.)

Don’t buy Park Hopper tickets

With Park Hopper tickets, you can go back and forth between Disneyland and California Adventure, which are located just across a plaza from each other. Some people do this to take advantage of slow times at certain parks. For example, during the Paint the Night Parade at California Adventure, crowds might be lighter at Disneyland.

We were doing Disney on a budget, though. We opted to not do Park Hopper tickets at Disneyland since we have never been to either Disney or California Adventure. We knew we’d have plenty to do within one park without hopping across the way. What’s more, Park Hopper tickets are significantly more expensive, even with discounted tickets through aRes or similar third party sellers.

To save even more on Disney tickets, I saved $110 by not getting Park Hopper passes.

Cash out your rewards to buy Disney tickets

Here’s the big, big, big way I was able to save money on Disney tickets: I cashed out my rewards on my credit card. I use Chase Sapphire, where I get 1% back on all purchases, plus 5% back on select categories each quarter, without paying an annual fee. (I am not an affiliate for Chase.)

I hardly use my debit card; instead, I use my credit card for buying just about everything. Then I pay it in full every month before interest accrues. Over a few years, I earned $1,531—more than the total cost of our Disney tickets! So you better believe I used this “free” money to pay for our passes.

By using my credit card as a sort of savings plan, I saved $1,088 on Disney tickets by using credit card rewards. 

How to save on food at Disney

Save on restaurants at Disney

Food in Disneyland adds up, especially if you’re buying multiple meals a day for a family of 4.

For example, at Racho del Zocalo—a quick-service restaurant in Frontierland—kids’ meals are $8 and adult meals are around $15. But a fountain drink is $4, so with beverages, expect to pay about $60 for a family of 4. Other quick-service restaurants (e.g. Galactic Grill in Tomorrowland) are similarly priced.

Here’s the thing, though. I hate standing in line for food and paying for a full meal my picky eaters won’t even eat. That’s why I packed food for everyone—and saved money during our family Disney vacation.

We would have eaten three lunches at Disneyland, and at $60 apiece, I saved $180 by packing our lunches.

Save on snacks at Disney

I’ll give Disneyland this: Their restaurant prices are actually fairly comparable to food outside the park. That said, though, drinks and snacks are so expensive inside the park!

Disneyland allows you to bring in outside food and drink—so take advantage and plan ahead for a budget Disney vacation!

Bring a variety of snacks you and your kids can eat on the go—and especially in line. While you’re out exploring the park, your kids won’t want to sit still to eat, but while you’re waiting to meet princesses or ride the carousel, you can totally get your kids some calories.

Here’s a list of snacks we brought in:

• crackers—mini-Ritz cheese sandwiches, cheddar rocket ships from Trader Joes, etc.
• granola bars

Level 10 travel tip: I recommend the ones that aren’t coated in chocolate, as they melt in the heat and get your kids’ hands majorly messy

• fruit—sliced apples, grapes
• veggies—cucumber slices, cherry tomatoes, baby carrots
• dry cereal
• tofu dogs
• sliced turkey and cheese
• fruit leather and squeezie fruit pouches
• hummus and pretzel dip packs

It’s hard to say how much we helped our budget Disney vacation by bringing in food. Conservatively, you’d pay $30 a day in snacks at Disney for a family of 4. So by packing food every day, I estimate I saved $90 by bringing our own snacks.

We did end up eating a few snacks bought in the park, though. We bought popcorn ($5 for a medium-sized carton) and frozen chocolate-covered bananas (also $5 each). My advice for buying snacks inside Disney: Choose wisely. I didn’t mind buying frozen bananas for the girls because it was hot and bananas are actually good for you. And I didn’t mind buying popcorn because I love it (YUM!) and I didn’t buy the super-spendy souvenir popcorn “purse.”

Additionally, look for snacks you wouldn’t be able to get outside the park. My mind explodes at the thought of spending $3.99 on a small container of sliced apples, for example, but you can’t get Dole Whip anywhere else.

Finally, avoid buying beverages in the park if you can at all. Bottled water is $4, as are fountain drinks. Bring in your own refillable water bottles, juice boxes, even pop! I brought in bottled iced tea every day because mama needs her caffeine.

Save on restaurants outside of Disney

Now there’s an iHop right across the street from the Disneyland entrance, but I’m not a giant fan of chains, and I’d rather save money than spend a bunch on low quality food. Most hotels have a free continental breakfast, but the hotel we chose—the Grand Legacy—didn’t. (That’s one reason why a night stay at this hotel is cheaper than others in the same area.)

If you go out to eat at breakfast, you can expect to spend about $7 on a kids’ meal and about $13 on an adult entree. Add in beverages—juice for the kids and coffee or tea for the grown-ups—and you’ll probably pay about $55 for breakfast for a family of four, including tip. That adds up!

Instead, I brought food to eat at breakfast. Two mornings we had quick breakfasts, so I had bananas, bagels, yogurt, milk and cereal as options for our family of four. But one morning we planned a leisurely morning at the hotel—my girls needed extra sleep to recover from staying up late for the fireworks show at Disney. So while the girls slept in, I cooked a super-easy hot breakfast in our hotel room!

With a little planning on our budget-friendly Disney vacation, I saved $165 by eating breakfast with food from home.

Additionally, we ate dinner in the hotel instead of a restaurant. We made sandwiches (I even brought gluten-free bagels from Trader Joe’s for myself). I also bought several premade salads before we left and had those on-hand for our meals.

The girls ate instant macaroni and cheese, yogurt, tofu dogs, make-your-own Lunchables (with crackers, turkey, cheese and cucumbers), and “grilled” cheese sandwiches. We were able to warm up food in the microwave, and we made good use of the mini-fridge.

My kids are picky eaters anyway, and they ate much better in a calm, controlled environment of the hotel as opposed to a restaurant (or when watching an episode of Spirit—ha!). And for a family of 4, it would cost about $75 to eat out—and to throw away all that food my kids didn’t touch.

By heading back to our hotel for dinner (which even left time to go back to Disney for nighttime fun), I saved $225 by making dinner in our hotel room.

Other ideas to save money on restaurants near Disney: Search restaurant.com and Groupon for discounted gift cards you can buy. It’s not uncommon to find a $25 card for $10, for example, which saves a ton!

How to save on hotels at Disney

When I was researching hotels near Disney, I found that paying about $150 per night for a standard two-queen room was about average for a basic hotel. I chose to stay at the Grand Legacy at the Park in Anaheim because it’s a 5-minute walk from Disney and it has a pool.

Rooms at the Grand Legacy are $157 per night during the low season of November. (They may vary depending on when you go to Disneyland.) Instead of paying for the hotel nights, though, I used rewards from a hotel bookings website.

You see, I travel for work, and I nearly always book through the same website so I rack up loyalty rewards. Every 10th night I book, I bank a free night. I saved up my free nights and redeemed them at the Grand Legacy for our family Disney vacation. So by planning a budget Disneyland vacation, I saved $471 on hotels by using a hotel loyalty program. 

Word to the wise, though: We did have to pay $17 per day to park at our hotel. When you’re comparing prices of hotels near Disney, double-check to see if breakfast and parking are included. Those factors may influence where you decide to stay on your budget Disney vacation.

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly hotel near Disneyland, compare prices here:

Save on Disney souvenirs

With all the Disney swag being sold on every corner, it’d be easy to double the cost of your Disney vacation just by buying souvenirs! Here are three ways to save on souvenirs.

Avoid the shops

It’s impossible to avoid all the merchandise—after all, every street is lined with shops and stands with blinking, glowing, musical stuff.

That said, the entrances of both Disneyland and California Adventure are primarily stores. They’re not rides or attractions, just places to spend a ton of money! So steer your kids away from these shops and toward the characters who also make this zone their home base.

Buy Disney gear ahead of time

Before we left town, I bought a few items the girls would love—and would want to buy at the park. For example, I bought a plush Minnie Mouse for each child from CVS for $10 apiece—much better than the $30 each inside the park!

I also talked to a few other moms and read up on Disney blogs to find out what other souvenirs kids tend to want at Disney. I went to the Dollar Store and bought glow-in-the-dark jewelry and wands, plus Disney bubbles. When we went to the fireworks show at Disneyland, the first thing they wanted was glowing bubble wands. Lo and behold, I had a version of what they wanted! I had paid $4 instead of $52!

I also brought along crowns we already had so they wouldn’t want to glam out at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique ($$$$$$) or even buy mouse ears (at $28 apiece). And I ordered Disney character autograph books online for $7 each instead of $20 at the park.

The one thing we did spend an exorbitant amount on: glow-in-the-dark Mickey balloons. The girls asked for them every single day, multiple times a day. They finally wore us down. And that, my friends, is how we spent $30 on two balloons. #AndYetShePersisted

So we spent $68 instead of $238, and I saved $170 by bringing souvenirs from home!

Get a Disney gift card

Our family knew we’d be taking the girls to Disneyland, and so for their birthdays, my mom gave them a Disney gift card. I held onto it for something special that would be a gift from their Nana and Grandpa Shempy.

On our last day, the girls found a toy they absolutely begged for: Jessie and Woody from Toy Story. So I busted out the Disney gift card from Nana and bibbidi bobbidi boo, the girls had their precious toys—at no expense to me! We sent Nana a video of the girls playing with their toys on Pixar Pier saying “thank you!” There was even enough left over to buy milkshakes.

So we saved $69 on toys by using a Disney gift card that was given to my girls as a birthday present.

Dollar by dollar: What I spent on our budget Disney vacation

Budgeting is hard. Budgeting for a budget Disney vacation is even harder. It’s difficult to figure out exactly how much you’ll need for every aspect of a Disney family vacation, so I’m sharing it all in this blog post.

Now that I’ve given you a play-by-play of everything I spent on our budget Disney vacation, it’s time for the grand reveal. Here’s the breakdown of what I spent on our budget Disney vacation:

Park tickets: $1,198 $0

Hotel: $471 $0

Parking: $51

Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks: $465 $15

Souvenirs: $238 $68

Cost of our 3-day Disney vacation for a family of 4: $138

TOTAL SAVED on our budget Disney vacation: $2,289

One caveat: I didn’t count the money I spent on groceries, since I’d be paying for that at home anyway. I also didn’t include the gas money it took for us to travel to Anaheim, California, since families travel to Disney in all sorts of ways. So as you plan your budget Disney vacation, keep those details in mind: You’ll have to budget for groceries just as you would at home, and you have to figure out transportation.

If you’re curious about the Disney PhotoPass—the service that gets your professional photos from inside the park—read my post diving into whether the PhotoPass is worth the cost.

The truth of Disney budget vacations

I truly hope that this behind-the-scenes/bank account peek helps you figure out how much you’ll spend on your own Disney family vacation. I also hope it shows there are ways to make even a Disney budget vacation a ton of fun—and that you don’t have to shell out thousands of dollars to enjoy the trip!

I also know that planning a Disney trip can be stressful. In fact, for some of us moms, it can trigger some major anxiety. That’s why I wrote an entire post on managing anxiety at Disney. If you think you’d benefit from the steps I took to get my anxiety in check and actually enjoy the family trip, I know you’ll want to click over to read it through.

So tell me: Have you been on a Disney family vacation? Was it a struggle to pay for it? Do you have any budget Disney tips? Please share in the comments!

PS – I’d love for you to share this post on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter because I’m pretty sure your friends and family would welcome hearing about all these budget Disney vacation ideas!

The post How I saved $2,289 on our budget Disney vacation (+ you can too!) appeared first on To & Fro Fam.

You not only can pull off a fanny pack—you should!

I’ve become a fanny pack evangelist because I love fanny packs. They’re practical. They save me from neck and shoulder pain. And they’re cute!

(Just don’t call my fanny pack a belt bag—I’m not in denial. It’s a fanny pack.)

Not convinced? Read all the reasons why I love fanny packs, then get yourself one. At the bottom of this post, I’ve pulled together my favorite ones (including the galactic fanny pack I wear, of course!) and tips on how to wear a fanny pack.

I promise: You can pull this off. Here’s why you should try.

This post contains affiliate links, which adds no extra cost for you. When you click through, I may earn a small income, which helps me continue to bring you family travel tips for free.

Fanny packs: The ultimate mom accessory

Whether you already rock a fanny pack (high five!!!!) or are wondering how to wear a fanny pack, these reasons to love ’em will have you embracing the 80’s throwback in no time.

1. Go hands free

When you wear a fanny pack, your hands are free to take photos, dole out snacks and hold onto your kids’ hands.

(Even still, my youngest says, “Mama, think of what you could do with eight hands!”)

2. Pockets when you wear leggings

I am an unabashed fan of wearing leggings all the time. I’m pretty sure you agree that leggings 24/7 is the best mom uniform ever: All the comfort and the cute styles without having to worry about what to wear (or a dry cleaning bill).

The only problem with leggings is they have no pockets!

The brilliant solution: Fanny packs. Wearing a fanny pack is basically like adding pockets to leggings.

3. Carry what you need—and no more

If you’re like I was before I started using a fanny pack, your purse is full of stuff. You have whatever you need—and a whole lot more. I would find random toys, doodads from birthday party goodie bags, used tissues and bouncy balls in my purse.

But now that I use a fanny pack, I carry my wallet, phone, keys and a snack for the kids. I have just enough room for what I need so I don’t end up being a pack mule.

4. Hike with just what you need

On a related note, I wear my fanny pack when my family goes on short hikes. If we’re out walking the dog or hiking for just a mile or so, I don’t want to carry a big backpack—it’s overkill. But I can carry just enough with my fanny pack.

5. Find that perfect accessory to babywearing

My kids are 3 and 5 now, so I don’t wear them that often (though I still do on the trail sometimes). When they were smaller, though, babywearing was constant. Yet my Lillebaby carrier (which I absolutely love and still sometimes buy for friends’ baby shower gifts) didn’t include a pocket, so I had nowhere to put my keys and phone.

I started to wear by fanny pack along with my baby carrier and my problem was solved!

6. Stash a secret pocket

My fanny pack has two zippers—the front one, where I carry everything I need, plus one that lies flat against my belly. It’s safe and secure, which is why I carry my passport there when I travel abroad (like here, when I visited Huaca Pucllana in Lima, Peru). I also keep a small set of just-in-case items there at all times: In a snack sized ziplock I carry a few band-aids, several Ibuprofen and a hair tie.

(Wondering where I am in this photo? Check out my post about the best things to do in Lima, Peru.)

7. Save your shoulders and neck

Recently I learned I have several bulging discs in my neck. (Glamorous, I know). Suddenly it made sense why I’d get severe neck and shoulder pain when I wear a purse: Having anything on one shoulder threw me out of alignment and aggravated my injury.

When I wear a fanny pack, I have so much less neck and shoulder pain. We moms are constantly holding a million things at once—a kid on one hip and 40 pounds of groceries in the other hand, for example—and we need to give our bodies a break. Wearing a fanny pack is one easy way I do just that.

8. Stop hitting people with your purse

Moms, you’ve been there: You lean over to see your child eye-to-eye or tie their shoe, and your purse swings forward, bopping them in the face. Ow!

Fanny packs stay put. No more hitting people with your shoulder bag!

9. Avoid gross situations with your purse

You know when you use a public bathroom and there’s no hook to hold your purse? You end up wondering what in the heck to do with it while you do your business. And when you sit down at a café or restaurant, you probably put your purse on the floor, picking up whatever germs other people’s shoes left behind. Yuck.

When I wear a fanny pack, I don’t have to worry about where to hang it. I just keep it on.

How to wear a fanny pack

Now that I’ve convinced you to love this mom-friendly accessory, you might be asking how to wear a fanny pack.

Personally, I wear mine on my front, so it’s actually more of a belly pack. When it comes to how to wear a fanny pack, I prefer it on my front so I can easily grab what I need.

I wear it low over my hips, not around my waist.

You can also wear a fanny pack in the back, over your bum. Sometimes I’ll swing it around this way if I’m carrying one of my kids so it doesn’t get in the way.

On the other hand, if I’m in a crowd, I don’t wear my fanny pack in the back because I worry someone will pick my pocket.

Thirdly, you can wear your fanny pack across your chest. I have friends who do this, making a fanny pack a hybrid shoulder bag. It’s not ideal if you have neck or shoulder pain like me, although it’s better than a purse because it stays close to your body and therefore doesn’t pull you to the side as much.

However, wearing a fanny pack across your chest doesn’t work as well if your bust is on the bigger side.

My favorite fanny packs

Now that you’ve been won over by my fanny pack evangelism, you might be wondering which one to buy. The great news about fanny packs is they tend to be durable but not that expensive, so you can totally buy several and rotate them, just like a (cheaper) purse.

Need some ideas? Check out my 8 favorite fanny packs below!

Glitter glamor

I’m actually putting this glitter fanny pack on my wish list for Christmas/my birthday (since they’re around the same time). I could definitely use a little extra glam in my day-to-day!

Totally radical 80’s throwback

This hologram-like fanny pack makes me want to break out my scrunchie and leg warmers.

Utilitarian and unisex catch-all

If you want something that’s not flashy, this no-frills fanny pack is ideal. (And you might be able to persuade your husband to wear it! Maybe…)

Flirty flair

Sometimes girls do just want to have fun. I like this tropical-inspired fanny pack because it makes me think of beautiful warm weather (and cocktails with umbrellas in them).

Preppy practicality

I love this simple fanny pack because it’s cute (and comes in many colors), but it’s also understated—perfect for traveling moms who might be more comfortable in collared shirts.

Sleek style

Ok, so this red belt bag isn’t actually a fanny pack, but for those of us who need a bit of a gateway drug to fanny packs, embrace this red tailored leather!

Sporty spice

Whether you actually run marathons or just like athletic wear, this sporty fanny pack is adorable and practical.

Space kitties!

You could also buy the space cats fanny pack I wear every day—then we could be fanny pack twins!

It’s no secret I love fanny packs, but how about you? Would you try out this mom-friendly style now that you know how to wear a fanny pack?

The post 9 reasons I love fanny packs (and why you should rock a fanny pack, too) appeared first on To & Fro Fam.

Take a look at my favorite things to do in Miraflores, Lima from my recent trip to the incredible city. Add these to your itinerary—or pin this post for later. Whether you’re traveling to Peru right now or South America is on your bucket list, you’ll want to visit Miraflores, Lima.

Not convinced yet? You will be by the end of this post!

This post is not sponsored. I tried and loved everything on this list personally, and I think you’ll love these things to do in Miraflores, too!

11 Unforgettable things to do in Miraflores, Peru

In no particular order, here are my top 11 things to do in Miraflores!

1. Stroll along the Malecón

A boardwalk winds along the edge of the cliff overlooking the ocean throughout Miraflores. For fresh air, ocean views, and a pedestrian-friendly outing, you can’t beat the Malecón. There are also bike rentals at the Larco Mar, the high-end mall that overlooks the ocean, and you can cycle along the Malecón’s bike paths (painted red).

If you’re wondering what to do in Miraflores with kids, the Larco Mar also has a playground named after Paddington, who arrived in London from Peru.

Level 10 travel tip: Look north to see Lima’s lighthouse, which warns passing ships from crashing into the rocks here.

2. Go cat-spotting at Parque Kennedy

The triangular park in Miraflores, Lima is called by its whole name, Parque Central, on many maps, but most people call it Parque Kennedy. It was named for the American president but these days it’s more famous for the hundreds of stray cats that call it home.

Locals leave them food and volunteers give them veterinary care, so they seem quite happy. They’re also friendly, so if you’re missing Fluffy at home, you can always get your cat fix here.

Level 10 travel tip: In the evenings, you might find an informal and impromptu dance party in one of the mini-amphitheaters in Miraflores, Peru’s Parque Kennedy. Join the crowd if you know salsa or bachata, or simply admire everyone else’s moves.

3. Get a taste of pre-Incan history at the Huaca Pucllana ruins

The contrast between 1,500-year-old pyramids and the chichi homes of Miraflores is a perfect expression of Lima: grounded in history but always pushing forward.

The hour-long tours are mandatory at Huaca Pucllana—no roaming about on your own—but you’ll learn much more about the three pre-Incan cultures who worshiped at this Miraflores, Peru ruins that way. The mud bricks that form these pyramids are still mostly intact and survived earthquakes—and the motorcross races that used to take place here before the ruins were excavated, protected, and preserved.

When researching things to do in Miraflores, don’t miss these urban ruins. 

4. Have a fabricgasm at the Amano Textile Museum

Wandering throughout Lima, you’ll see plenty of examples of Peru’s signature textiles—some mass-manufactured, some painstakingly hand-woven—and you’ll learn about this tradition’s roots at the Amano Textile Museum in Miraflores.

This impressive collection stands out with its detailed explanations in both Spanish and English so you get a sense of history along with the wow factor of centuries-old textiles. Plan for about an hour exploring this impressive museum in Miraflores, Peru, which displays ceramics and other art in addition to its comprehensive collection of pre-Incan textiles.

Level 10 travel tip: For an additional 20 soles (US $7), you can see the archives of blankets, clothing and more that aren’t on display.

5. Taste all the pisco at the Pisco Musuem

Ok, so the Museo del Pisco isn’t actually a museum, but if you come with an open mind, you’ll still learn plenty about Peru’s national drink from the incredibly friendly and knowledgeable waiters. The second (and admittedly less atmospheric) Pisco Museum location in Miraflores is right next to Parque Kennedy, and its expansive cocktail list will take a while to look through.

The canchitas (fried and salted corn) are the best I tried in Peru, and the rest of the tapas menu is delicious, too (try the fried cheese served with guacamole—you won’t be disappointed). Your list of fun things to do in Miraflores must include trying pisco, and you might as well drink it at one of the more respected bars in Lima.

Level 10 travel tip: Don’t limit yourself to iconic pisco sours here, and to make the most of your visit, come with friends (as long as they’re friends who are willing to swap tastes!). My hands-down favorite cocktail in Peru was the Flor de la Canela, which included a beautiful blend of cinnamon and cardamom and was a refreshing departure from the often-sweet cocktails made from pisco. Another standout: the Cocamanto, which draws just a hint of flavor from the coca leaf.

6. Join the faithful at the Iglesia de la Virgen Fátima

This church in Miraflores isn’t typically open to tourists, but if you stop by during mass times—generally 7 and 9am on weekdays and Saturdays and throughout the day starting at 7:30am on Sundays—you’ll get an authentic taste of Lima life while admiring this gorgeous iglesia.

The stained-glass windows let in the morning light in, and faithful locals slide in throughout the service. Stay for a few minutes after mass finishes to wander in the church and admire the artwork.

7. Let the local ceviche blow your mind

Ceviche (or cebiche, as it’s spelled in Peru) is raw fish or other seafood cured in an acid, typically lemon juice.

Such a simple explanation doesn’t even begin to describe the incredible tastes of the ceviche and tiraditos (thin strips of raw fish and other seafood, similar to ceviche) served at La Mar Cebichería. It’s not easy to choose from the traditional dishes served here, but my favorite was the tiradito chalacos.

Level 10 travel tip: This Miraflores restaurant is large, so it can accommodate bigger groups if you make a reservation or are prepared to wait. If you do need to wait for a table, they’re happy to seat you at the bar or bring you a menu so you can plan out your delicious meal to come.

8. Watch fútbol with locals in Miraflores

Soccer—or football/fútbol, to the rest of the world outside the US—is a force that brings people together. Peruvians are no exception.

If you’re looking for things to do in Miraflores, simply head to the concentration of bars around Parque Kennedy. At any given time, there’s probably a soccer match going on. Cheer for whichever team the locals are rooting for and make some new friends!

9.Feel the love at Parque del Amor

On the Malecón, you’ll find an entire park dedicated to love. The sensual statue at the park’s center gets the most attention, but I was even more smitten with the mosaic walls that wend around the park.

Quotes from love poems are set into the walls, and you’re sure to find a few favorites.

10. Eat tamales that will make you turn vegetarian

Peru’s tamales aren’t the Mexican ones you’re used to, but one taste of Panchita’s veggie tamales will have you swear off meat for good (or at least as long as you have a steady supply of these beauties).

When looking for where to eat in Miraflores, don’t miss Panchita’s criolla cooking. 

11. Sample local beer im Miraflores

Peru’s craft beer game is strong—and you can taste your way through about 20 local cervezas at Curaka Bar in Miraflores. One of my favorites: the Magdalena Pálida. If you can’t decide what you want, order a tasting flight and find your own new favorite!

Still wondering what to do in Miraflores, Peru

Bottom line: If you’re looking for things to do in Miraflores, there’s plenty to choose from. When you travel to Lima, Peru, don’t miss Miraflores, the neighborhood that offers so much!

And if you’re wondering where to stay in Miraflores, definitely check out my review of the Dazzler Hotel, Lima.

The post 11 BEST things to do in Miraflores that will make you fall in love with Lima, Peru appeared first on To & Fro Fam.