This stunning beach is a half-hour from Forks, WA and about 3 1/2 hours from Seattle. Ruby Beach is off Highway 101 pretty much in the middle of nowhere—and that’s part of its charm.

Whether the weather is moody or bright, this beach won’t disappoint. Its sea stacks, gnarled driftwood, swimming hole and dramatic views make Ruby Beach an unforgettable spot in Washington.

Exploring Ruby Beach, WA

Ruby Beach lies within the traditional Hoh and Quinault territories.

This Olympic National Park beach is best known for its rocky beach, dramatic sea stacks and tumbles of driftwood. You can climb into and onto rock formations throughout the beach.

(Edie, our mountain goat, wanted to climb to the tippy top of every rock she saw. Thankfully she listens when we tell her to come down. Mostly.)

When you first arrive at Ruby Beach, you’ll notice that Cedar Creek creates a kid-friendly swimming hole just past the trail access point. We saw kids full-on swimming here and floating on logs. This spot is not open to the Pacific Ocean, so kids don’t have to worry about waves.

Even if you forgot the swimming suits, the pool just begs to be waded through. Or try your hand at skipping rocks!

Speaking of rocks, look closely around rock formations at low tide for sea stars, sea anemones, crabs and other ocean life.

Out to sea, spot Abbey Island to the north. Sea stacks are what locals call the smaller rock outcroppings in the ocean. These rock formations offer habitat to the Olympic National Park’s wildlife. And they look positively eerie when emerging from the mist!

The short Ruby Beach hike

When you search online, you might come across articles on the Ruby Beach hike. In reality, the “hike” is a quarter-mile walk down to the beach.

The trail is paved but steep. (I carried 5-year-old Maxine the whole way up during one visit and was definitely out of breath at the top!) This hike is not an accessible trail, although there is an accessible view point at the very top.

The Ruby Beach trail is quite narrow, so you’ll come closer than 6 feet to other people when you pass. I found that the vast majority of people were respecting social distancing and mask wearing guidelines.

At the base of the short Ruby Beach hike, you’ll find two entries to the beach. The first access point requires you to scramble over quite a bit of driftwood. The second access point includes a little path carved around the wood, though you’ll still need to step over weather-bleached logs in a few places.

If you’re looking for a strenuous Olympic National Park hike, Ruby Beach isn’t for you. But if you want a short walk with a big reward, you’ll want to add this to your itinerary, especially if you need a place to stretch your legs on a road trip.

What to expect on this gem of a beach

Olympic National Park is the ninth most-visited national park in the US, drawing more than 3 million visitors in 2019. So when you head to Ruby Beach, don’t expect an empty stretch of coastline.

Even during COVID times, Ruby Beach becomes quite busy. The parking lot fills up and the short hike down to the beach is narrow. You’ll come into contact with other people so wear your mask.

That said, with so much space to spread out, you won’t feel crowded once you get down to the beach.

Mornings are less busy at Ruby Beach, so aim to arrive early to have a better chance of snagging a parking spot.

Vault toilets are available in the parking lot off Highway 101, and when we visited, they were well maintained. You’ll also find dog waste bags in a dispenser for your four-legged travel buddy. (Even if you don’t have a dog, take a bag and fill it with any garbage you find on the beach. Throw it in the trash on your way out.)

As this is a national park, know of a few additional rules:

• Drones are not allowed on Ruby Beach (or anywhere else in any national park).
• Do not take any souvenirs (rocks, driftwood, etc.) from the beach.
• You are also on traditional Native Nations land. Treat it respectfully.

Directions to Ruby Beach, Washington

Whether you’re taking an Olympic National Park road trip, camping nearby or making a day trip of your visit, directions to Ruby Beach, WA are straightforward.

If you’re coming from Seattle, Tacoma or Olympia, drive to Aberdeen and then head north on Highway 101. You’ll pass a few small towns but this is wilderness. Tall trees tower over the two-lane highway.

About 10 minutes north of Kalaloch Lodge, you’ll see a sign for Ruby Beach. The parking lot is on the west (ocean-side) of the highway, so you’ll need to cross oncoming traffic. If you reach the Hoh River, you’ve gone too far.

If you’re coming from the northern Olympic Peninsula, drive south on Highway 101. A half-hour south of Forks, you’ll find the Ruby Beach parking lot on your right. You’ll reach it about 10 minutes after crossing the Hoh River.

By the way, if you’re on an Olympic National Park road trip, you need my book Road Trip Games & Activities for Kids! The 33 fun, customizable games and free printables will keep you entertained along every mile! Simply click the image below and snag yourself a copy today.

Gorgeous Olympic National Park beaches

It’s impossible to pick the best beaches in Olympic National Park. If you were to make a list, though, Ruby Beach would be on it.

This extremely photogenic stop off Highway 101 won’t disappoint folks looking to take photos on the Olympic Peninsula.

If you’re looking for other Olympic National Park beaches, drive north past Forks, WA to Rialto Beach. Read everything you need to know about this spot (including a low tide-only hike!) in my full post on exploring Rialto Beach, WA.

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This stone and sand beach, with its eerie Tree Graveyard and massive collection of driftwood, is unlike anyplace else. And if you time your visit right, you can hike to Hole in the Wall. This unique rock formation at the end of the beach is only accessible at low tide, when you’ll also find tide pools and a path to a remote stretch of sand.

Some of my favorite features of Rialto Beach, WA:

• Tree Graveyard: line of standing bleached trees along the shore
• Driftwood: piles of twisted wood washed ashore
• Stone beach: a mix of agates (some as big as a fist) and volcanic rock (many perfect for skipping)
• Hole in the Wall: a majestic rock formation less crowded than the main Rialto Beach
• Sea stacks: offshore islands, called sea stacks, dot the horizon
• Wildlife: home to eagles, shorebirds, sea otters, sea lions and whales

Read on for all the details you need on visiting Rialto Beach, Washington. My post outlines the must-know info for the hike to Hole in the Wall, where to park at Rialto Beach, COVID-19 restrictions and Rialto Beach camping.

Background on Rialto Beach, WA

Rialto Beach is just north of La Push, WA, a town on Quileute Native land. (You can see La Push from Rialto Beach by looking south across the Quillayute River.)

As of this writing, all Native land in this area, including La Push, is closed to restrict the spread of coronavirus. That means no visitors at all. As a result, First Beach and Second Beach are inaccessible. Once we’ve moved past the worst of this virus, I’m excited to visit for La Push Days, a July event that celebrates Quileute culture.

Rialto Beach is about 20 minutes west of Forks, Washington. Forks has the most lodging, restaurants, cafes and grocery stores in this area if you need to stock up on anything.

And if any of these places or names sound familiar, it might be because you recognize them from the Twilight series. These books are set in Forks, WA and the surrounding area. Jacob Black and the other characters who can turn into werewolves are members of the Quileute Nation.

Exploring Rialto Beach, Washington

Rialto Beach is a gorgeous, easily accessible beach on the Olympic Peninsula. Unlike many other beaches in the area, you don’t have to hike at all to reach the shoreline. What’s more, an accessible sidewalk leads to a viewpoint that overlooks the beach.

Millions of round rocks cover the shore here. They’re primarily volcanic stone, their edges worn into smooth ovals after years and years. Keep an eye out for agates, too. We found some that were the size of my fist. (A reminder to leave everything you find, as this is part of a national park and marine sanctuary.)

From the Rialto Beach access point, you can walk a short ways south. Before long, though, you’ll reach Quileute land, which is currently closed to visitors.

When you turn north, though, you have more than 1.5 miles of beach to explore. The farther you walk, the fewer people you encounter.

Rialto Beach is part of the Olympic Peninsula so you need to be prepared for any kind of weather. One day we visited and the beach was blanketed in a thick fog. Another day I returned and saw nothing but sun; I ended up in my tank top. Even if it’s sunny and hot where you’re staying, the micro-climates along the Olympic Peninsula could cause a weird pocket of fog, rain or clouds.

As Rialto Beach is primarily rock, we left our sand toys in the car. I also recommend wearing sturdy shoes, not flimsy flip flops, as you’ll be walking over lots of rocks.

Finally, check out the sea stacks that rise out of the Pacific Ocean. These rock islands, or outcroppings, used to be part of the stone headlands where land met the sea. Over time, the ocean eroded the softer rock around what are now sea stacks, leaving them standing alone in the water.

Tree Graveyard and driftwood at Rialto Beach

One of the most striking features of Rialto Beach: the line of bleached tree skeletons lining the shore, nicknamed the Tree Graveyard. These eerie trees stand like sentinels watching the ocean. I like to imagine them staying on the lookout for pirates. (Maxine is all about playing pirates at the beach!)

These wind-battered sitka spruce trunks create a border between the beach and the green forest inland. They look a bit like rib bones sticking up from the shore.

Enormous piles of driftwood also draw visitors and professional photographers to Rialto Beach. We loved checking out the gnarled roots and splintered trunks that line the beach. Most of these are safe to climb or sit on, but be careful: You never know when one could shift.

Previous beach-goers built forts of driftwood, many of which are still standing. Maxine and Edie explored every one, creating imaginary games inside.

Tides and storms constantly reshape this beach, so it’s different every time you visit. I can’t wait to be surprised by the changes next time we go!

Hike to Hole in the Wall, WA

First and foremost: Hole in the Wall is accessible only at low tide. You’ll need to time your hike so you don’t get stranded with no way back until the next low tide.

Aim to arrive at Hole in the Wall about a half-hour before low tide. (Check tide charts here.) That will give you enough time to explore the rock formation and tide pools before heading back as the tide turns.

I needed less than 2 hours round-trip to do the Hole in the Wall hike. That said, I was walking very quickly (since low tide was shortly before sunset) and I didn’t have kids with me. You may need more time than I did.

About 1.5 miles north of the access point to Rialto Beach, you’ll find a dramatic rock formation called Hole in the Wall. Here, time and the constant push of the tides have carved an opening in the basalt cliff.

A quick moment to geek out: Geologists believe that this part of the Olympic Peninsula formed from the cooled eruption of undersea volcanoes. When volcanoes spewed lava far offshore, that lava hardened into basalt on the ocean floor. Then, as two tectonic plates slowly collided, this basalt buckled up—forming the cliffs we admire today.

So when you explore Hole in the Wall, you can impress everyone by explaining how they’re actually walking on cooled lava from more than 34 million years ago.

To get to Hole in the Wall, you’ll start at the main Rialto Beach access point. Take a right when you reach the beach. Walk north along the shore for about 1.5 miles, when you’ll arrive at Hole in the Wall.

Along the way, you’ll cross Ellen Creek at about the 0.8 mile mark. Dogs are not allowed past this point. (Our pup Finn stayed behind on this hike.)

As you hike, watch the waves—I spotted a few sea lions. I also counted at least four bald eagles soaring overhead.

The hike to Hole in the Wall is more of a beach stroll than a proper hike: There’s no elevation gain, and your “trail” is just the shoreline. That doesn’t diminish this area’s stunning beauty.

Accessibility: Hikers will have to cross Ellen Creek. When I hiked to Hole in the Wall, I was able to walk up and around the creek so didn’t get my feet wet, but conditions are always changing. You may need to scramble here.

Additionally, you can see Hole in the Wall a bit from the south. But to really experience it, you’ll need to climb over uneven rocks and slippery spots. This is not a good hike for people with mobility limitations.

Tide pools at Hole in the Wall

Once you arrive at Hole in the Wall at Rialto Beach, you’ll want to explore. The outgoing tide leaves behind pools of water that collect in dips in the rocks. Sea anemones, sea stars, crabs and little fish all make their homes in these tide pools.

As you walk, be very careful. First of all, the seaweed that grows on the rocks is quite slick. Secondly, you’re walking over someone’s home. Watch where you step so you don’t crush a sea creature.

Remember that the tide pools are protected as part of the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Look but don’t disturb the animals or habitats in the tide pools.

The tide pools extend for yards and yards toward the sea. As you make your way around the tide pools, you’ll come to the north side of Hole in the Wall. Lots of people stop here to take a photo of themselves in the hole.

Remember, keep an eye on the time and the tides. You’ll need to head back when the tide turns. This area becomes cut off from the main Rialto Beach as the tide comes in.

Rialto Beach camping

We haven’t camped at Rialto Beach—yet—but are excited to try!

Many folks camp north of Ellen Creek and even on the stretch of sand past Hole in the Wall, which is accessible only at low tide.

Campers must buy an overnight permit for Rialto Beach camping. Permits can be found at the Wilderness Information Center in Port Angeles. *Coronavirus update: The WIC is closed for social distancing. As of now, you must reserve your wilderness camping permit online. Here are instructions to get your permit online.

Although camping here is rugged—there are no toilet facilities and few semi-established sites—it’s quite busy. You will be sharing the area with plenty of other campers. Rialto Beach’s popularity as a camping spot makes it even more important to stick to leave no trace principles: Pack out all garbage and bury waste far from water sources (i.e. Ellen Creek).

As this camping area is remote, you’ll need to pack in all food and supplies. You can purify the fresh water at Ellen Creek for drinking water. All food must be stored in a bear canister. This is a national park wilderness after all! The hardware store in Forks also sells a variety of bear canisters.

Dogs are not allowed on overnight stays. Plenty of trees make excellent spots to hang hammocks, though—bring one that’s compact and lightweight like this one, which stuffs into a little bag for easy transportation!

Must-know details to visit Rialto Beach

Rialto Beach is within the Olympic National Park. That means you’re not able to collect rocks, driftwood or any other souvenirs from the beach.

Rialto Beach is even more popular now that access to First Beach and Second Beach is restricted. The parking lot is small and fills up quickly.

The shoulders along Mora Road have quite a lot of parking spots, though. Whenever I’ve visited Rialto Beach, I’ve had no trouble finding a parking spot on the side of the road, even during the summer. Note: All your wheels must be completely off the pavement or else you could get towed!

Safety reminder: If you park on the shoulder, you’ll need to walk on the road to reach the beach. (There is no sidewalk or trail.) You won’t be alone, and drivers move slowly on this stretch of road. That said, be extra-aware of your surroundings and move to the shoulder whenever cars pass. Hold onto children and keep dogs on a very short leash.

Rialto Beach maintains vault toilet facilities but bring your own TP and hand sanitizer in case it’s not well stocked.

Remember to wear your mask. You’ll pass plenty of people walking to and from the entrance to Rialto Beach. Once you get to the beach, you’ll be able to maintain social distance.

An unforgettable Olympic National Park beach

My family has officially fallen in love with the Olympic Peninsula and the Olympic National Park. From the forests and the hikes to the beaches and rock formations, there’s simply so much to experience in this gorgeous corner of the country.

Our five days camping and exploring in this area felt cruelly short. But I’m a big believer in leaving something to look forward to the next time we visit. We have plenty of plans to return as soon as we’re able!

Something tells me you’re hankering for a trip to the Olympic Peninsula, too. When you go, stop at Rialto Beach and let me know what you think.

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Riverfront Park in Spokane is a hundred-acre park downtown. My girls loved every minute exploring the expansive park, in part because it has so much to offer families. So when you visit Riverfront Park in Spokane with kids, hit up all these kid-friendly activities!

Below, find details about parking and logistics of Riverfront Park and what to do in Spokane with kids. In fact, I detail everything in a half-day itinerary so you’ll hit all the highlights.

Bang for your buck: Riverfront Park in Spokane with kids

Here’s everything you need to know about Riverfront Park, plus a half-day itinerary of what to do with kids in Spokane.

Park safely and caffeinate

Downtown Spokane is fairly safe, but $8 for attended all-day parking is worth the peace of mind for me. That’s why we parked in the lot behind Atticus Coffee & Gifts in downtown Spokane. And since we were there, we of course had to fuel up: The girls each got a hot cocoa and split a delicious orange-chocolate scone. I got a chai latte and bought the most decadent candles that smell just like Christmas.

Now that you’re toasty and caffeinated, walk across the street toward the river for your first stop in the Riverfront Park in Spokane!

The biggest red wagon in the world

When you’re in Spokane with kids, you simply have to visit one of the most recognizable landmarks of Riverfront Park in Spokane: the enormous Radio Flyer wagon and slide! This 12-foot-high interactive sculpture has stairs kids can climb, then they can slide down the handle. My kids couldn’t get enough of this, in spite of the ice on the slide!

The Radio Flyer in Spokane was built in 1990 by sculptor Ken Spiering, and it’s attracted families in Spokane ever since.

While you’re at the Radio Flyer in Spokane, you’ll see another interactive sculpture that honors childhood: alphabet blocks that spell out “City” and “Spokane.”

Walk to the waterfall

Next, walk past the Looff Carousel and continue on the park trail, toward the river. You’ll take a right when the train dead-ends, then take a left onto the bridge. You’ll walk over the Spokane River and the Upper Falls.

It’s a gorgeous view from up here!

Stop for a snack

When you cross the bridge, take a left and walk to My Fresh Basket, about 10 minutes away. This Whole Foods-like grocery store has tons of ready-to-eat options, a salad bar, custom sandwiches and more. The food was almost all good, but skip the sub-par miso soup. (Meh.)

Level 10 travel tip: Eat upstairs or—better yet—on the spacious outdoor patio, if weather allows. There are also clean restrooms upstairs!

(If you need more ideas on how to turn a grocery store into the most kid-friendly restaurant ever, click over to my post!)

If you’re not hungry yet, grab some food to go. Riverfront Park in Spokane is also a great spot for picnics!

Spot the Lower Falls

Next, walk down to the north side of Spokane River to see the Lower Falls. You’ll find the best viewing spot directly under the bridge at Monroe Street.

You’ll probably get sprayed just a teeny bit, but that gives you a taste of the falls’ power!

Level 10 travel tip: Take a close look at the whirlpool created by the waterfall on the north bank of the river. Can your kids spot anything inside it? Over the weekend we visited Spokane with kids, we saw the same basketball swirling around for several days!

Get a bird’s eye view

When you’re ready, walk back across the river over Post Street. At the entrance of Riverfront Park, you’ll see the Spokane SkyRide, a gondola that takes you high above the park.

Buy your tickets inside then come back out to wait in line. On a sunny Sunday afternoon, the girls and I had to wait about 2 minutes—it was super-easy! Kids under 2 are free; kids 2-12 are $5.75, and adults are $7.75.

Level 10 travel tip: Buy your tickets to the carousel at the same time as the SkyRide tickets. You’ll save time since you won’t have to wait in line again.

The SkyRide takes about 15-20 minutes to circle you up over Riverfront Park and then over the Lower Falls. Know that you’ll pause along the way, giving you time to take a good look. I am afraid of heights but actually felt really secure. The gondolas don’t swing back and forth like a ferris wheel compartment, and everything is enclosed in glass so I had to fear of kids falling out. I totally recommend this one-of-a-kind family-friendly activity in Spokane.

Ride the carousel

If your kids are like mine, they’ll want to ride the carousel in Spokane as their first activity, but it doesn’t open until 10 or 11 (depending on the season—check the Looff Carousel website for hours). So now that you’ve explored the rest of Riverfront Park with kids, it’s time to reward the littles’ patience!

Tickets to the carousel are $2, or you can get a day pass for $5. Kids under 2 are free.

The historic carousel used to be outside, but the city refurbished it and moved it into a beautiful building of all windows. Your kids can choose one of 54 bejeweled horses (or one of the other animals, like a tiger or dragon).

Once the carousel in Spokane begins, those of you on the outside edge (and those of you with long enough arms) can reach up and grab little rings from a contraption outside the carousel. Then as you circle around, toss the rings into a picture of a goat. If you get the ring in, you win a free ride on the carousel!

Level 10 travel tip: If your kids are young, they won’t be able to reach the rings as they ride around. But the carousel employees are quite friendly, and if you ask, they’ll give your child a ring after the ride is finished.

Skate your heart out

When we visited Spokane with kids, the city’s skate park was closed. But when you’re looking for what to do in Spokane with kids most of the rest of the year, definitely check to see if it’s open—it looked so fun! The Ribbon is aptly named: Instead of a skate rink like the ones I grew up with, The Ribbon is a winding path, kind of like a lazy river.

During the summer, it’s open for roller skates, scooters and rollerblades, and in the winter it’s open for ice skates. We just happened to arrive when they were busy converting it from concrete to ice.

You can rent skates here, and safety equipment is free. It looked like a total blast—we’ll definitely try this out the next time we visit in Spokane with kids.

Level 10 travel tip: Bring cash. In the plaza outside the carousel, you’ll find street performers and people making animal balloons. The girls loved their balloon puppies!

That’s it—you’ve just explored the best of Riverfront Park with kids!

More family-friendly activities in Riverfront Park, Spokane

Spokane is serious about attracting families. That’s why it makes so much sense to visit Riverfront Park in Spokane with kids, especially when you factor in the free family-friendly activities.

Depending on when you visit Spokane, look for these weekly activities at Riverfront Park:

Food trucks & music

On Tuesday afternoons from 11-2, food trucks sell street food while musicians play. Head to the Orange Bridge to find them, but really you can’t miss ’em!

Trivia & food trucks

Ok, so beer and wine tastings are more an attraction for grown-ups, but kids love the scene at these Friday night gatherings, too. Bring the whole family down for food truck fare—hey, you won’t have to cook! Fridays from 5-8.

Free scooter and skate rentals

On Sundays from 1-3, kids can rent scooters and skates for free. The area around the Looff Carousel is well paved and has only a gentle rise, so it’s a safe place for even beginners. Rather have fun without wheels? Other kid-friendly activities, like chalk and giant bubbles, often make an appearance during this time.

Summer splash pad

During Spokane’s hot summer months, the plaza between the Looff Carousel and the SkyRide becomes a splash pad. It’s the perfect way for families to cool off in Spokane’s hot weather!

Even more family-friendly activities in Spokane

Check out Riverfront Park’s events list for other family-friendly ideas of what to do in Spokane with kids. Recent days included a parkour clinic, a chalk art competition and a fall-themed portrait spot set up in front of Spokane’s clock tower.

If you’re driving to Spokane, make sure to read my post about what to do, eat and see between Spokane and Portland. It’s the must-see guide for family road trips between Spokane and Portland!

How about you—have you ever been to Spokane? Do you have any recommendations on what to do in Spokane with kids?

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What you’ll get visiting Gifford Pinchot National Forest

This 1.3 million-acre national forest surrounding Mt. St. Helens is an absolute treasure. Visiting Gifford Pinchot National Forest is a slam-dunk sure-bet for stunning views, gorgeous hikes, nature play and family-friendly camping.

From views of snow-capped mountains to second-growth forest (since some of this area was decimated during the 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens), from pristine creeks to kid-friendly hikes, I can’t wait to revisit Gifford Pinchot National Forest with kids.

Explore, play, discover in Gifford Pinchot

With 1.3 million acres, it’s tough to write an exhaustive list on visiting Gifford Pinchot National Forest with kids, so I won’t even try. What I will do is share a few highlights.

Camping at Gifford Pinchot

We stayed at the Iron Creek Campground in Gifford Pinchot National Forest, which is about a 20-minute drive from Randle, Washington. The campground is large—it has just under 100 sites—but sites felt roomy. The campsites are divided between four loops, and we couldn’t even see our neighbors from our spot.

Campsites are shaded and are tucked in the forest, which means you don’t get hot, direct sunlight as soon as dawn comes. In fact, one morning the girls slept until 8 am!

The family-friendly campground in Washington includes flat, paved roads for bike riding and a 1.5-mile loop trail that winds along the Cispus River and around the entire campground. It was easy terrain for our kids to hike, and there were plenty of downed logs to climb on along the way. We also stopped at a river bank to throw rocks in the river, of course!

Note that the only restroom facilities are vault toilets. (The kids mostly peed outside anyway, abiding by my dear Uncle Dick’s rule to never miss an opportunity to pee outside!!)

Level 10 travel tip: You can get ice (or ice cream!) in Randle if you run out.

Hikes and waterfalls in Gifford Pinchot National Forest

At the recommendation of one of the campground hosts, we hiked to Covel Creek Falls, about a 10-mile drive from Iron Creek Campground. Park in front of the Cispus Learning Center (46.4399° N, 121.8486° W) then cross the road to catch the trail.

You’ll hike through old-growth fir and spruce forest and along Covel Creek. The intensity and variety of green hues had us stopping to marvel throughout the 3-mile kid-friendly hike. The girls loved crossing logs and climbing onto tree stumps—they’re like little forest fairies!

Note that signage isn’t great along the trail, and two bridges are out. That just means there are two places you have to scramble a bit, but we were far from the only family who managed. I helped Kiwi (aged almost 3) up and down some of the embankments, and Peeper (aged almost 5) managed on her own. “Obstacle conquered!” Peeper shouted each time, and she was so proud!

IMG_6576 from Catherine Ryan Gregory on Vimeo.

The real payoff is Covel Creek Falls, a gorgeous waterfall you can hike behind. The final ascent just before the waterfall is steep, but Peeper managed it. (By this time I was wearing Kiwi. Hey, she made it most of the way up!) We very carefully walked down behind the waterfall, and it was an unforgettable experience for the girls.

Level 10 travel tip: When it gets steep, you’ll be tempted to turn around if your kids start to complain. About halfway up the steep section there’s a level spot with fallen logs that’s perfect for a snack break. Power up here then tackle the rest of the ascent—you won’t be disappointed in Covel Creek Falls!

Mt. St. Helens Visitor Center

If you’re driving to Gifford Pinchot from Portland, make sure to stop at the Mt. St. Helens Visitor Center at the base of the volcano. For us on our road trip from Portland, it was exactly halfway to our destination in Gifford Pinchot and so was a perfect opportunity to use the bathroom (I have the world’s smallest bladder!) and stretch our legs. The Mt. St. Helens Visitor Center is almost exactly one hour from Portland.

Inside the visitor center, you’ll find an information desk that was more like a hotel concierge. The park staff were incredibly helpful in recommending kid-friendly trails around Mt. St. Helens and telling us about road closures. (Even in late May, several passes on Mt. St. Helens were still closed due to snow.)

We also walked through the interpretive displays ($5 admission for adults). My kiddos were much to antsy to wait while I read the (sometimes long) explanations so I didn’t get to learn as much as I’d like about the eruption, but they did enjoy some of the interactive parts of the exhibit—mostly pushing buttons and walking underneath a model of the volcano. There is also a short video that plays twice an hour at :05 and :35, but we didn’t watch it: The last thing I wanted for my kids after a road trip was to sit down!

Level 10 travel tip: If you’re pressed for time, feel free to skip the interpretive displays. We only spent about 10 minutes walking through, but I don’t mind spending the admission fee for such a short time: I figure it’s my way of supporting the park, since parking here is free.

Hiking Silver Lake at Mt. St. Helens

From the Mt. St. Helens interpretive center, you can access a 0.6-mile hike around Silver Lake—an ultimately kid-friendly and accessible trail. This short hike is entirely flat, goes through forest as well as wetlands, and has bridges—which are pretty much my kids’ favorite things on the planet.

(Our conversations about kid-friendly hikes go something like this: Me: “We’re going on a new hike today!” Kids: “Yeah but are there bridges?” Me: “…”)

We listened to the distinctive call of red-winged blackbirds, which nest in the cattails growing in the wetlands here. The girls also chased butterflies and loved looking for other wildlife. Thousands of migratory birds pause at Silver Lake, making it an excellent spot for bird-watching. Also, a fascinating bit of trivia: Silver Lake is also home to the Bladderwort aquatic plant, which is carnivorous! When insects brush against it, a piece of the plant closes around the unsuspecting bug and is slowly digested. Feed me, Seymour!

Stopping at Silver Lake is the perfect hike and way to stretch your legs when you’re traveling to Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

Exploring Gifford Pinchot National Forest with kids

There’s so much to see in Gifford Pinchot National Forest—it’s like nature’s playground.

So much of kids’ lives today are scripted, scheduled and constrained, so I cherish time my girls spend outside. As we kept repeating all weekend, “We have no agenda.” So if the girls wanted to hold a centipede for five minutes, cross the same stretch of creek 10 times or get “lost” in the woods behind our campsite, it was all good. We had no place to be except present.

Covel Creek, Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Washington from Catherine Ryan Gregory on Vimeo.

That’s the true treasure of going to a place like Gifford Pinchot National Forest with kids: It’s off the grid. It’s beautiful. It’s quiet. It’s the perfect environment to reconnect with each other and with nature.

We’ll be heading back to Gifford Pinchot, Washington again soon. There’s still so much to explore! See you out there!

PS – Don’t miss my post all about the Best Camping Hacks!

The post Stunning Gifford Pinchot National Forest: Camping, Waterfall Trails + More appeared first on To & Fro Fam.

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The ultimate book for Oregon family hikes

Hiking is hands-down one of my favorite things to do, and that didn’t change when I had kids. What did change was the kind of hikes we tackled. Gone were the days of summiting mountains and pushing all-out up switchbacks—we had to adjust to more kid-friendly Oregon family hikes.

Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to find new Oregon family hikes, so we ended up going to the same places weekend after weekend. There’s nothing wrong with that (especially when the closest hike to home is the breathtaking Camassia Natural Area!), but my whole family appreciates a little variety here and there.

Then I cracked open Oregon & Washington 50 Hikes with Kids, written by Portland’s own adventure educator Wendy Gorton. Not only did the hiking book give me a ton of ideas for new kid-friendly outdoor adventures, it also provided scavenger hunts for each and every hike.

I’m so confident you’ll love this hiking book as much as we do that I’m giving away a copy to an Oregon or Portland family. Read on to see how you can enter this giveaway!

Why you need a family hiking book

When Eric and I had our first child, we’d just carry Peeper in a carrier or hiking backpack and head to our usual favorite trails. But when she started to walk, we quickly realized that our hiking-as-usual MO wasn’t safe for our little one.

Many of the Oregon hikes nearby have steep dropoffs on the trails, poison oak or steep climbs. These minor hazards are easy for adults to deal with, but small children can lose their footing. (Nearly every outdoorsy parent in the Pacific Northwest took a close look at which hikes they attempted after a mom died trying to rescue her son, who had fallen off a trail and down a cliff on a popular Oregon hike.)

Besides safety, choosing a family-friendly hike is just more fun—for everyone. When you pick Oregon family hikes that are short enough, flat enough and safe, kids feel like they can enjoy hiking on their own. Parents don’t have to carry overtired kids down the trail. And everyone is satisfied because they actually hiked what they set out to hike.

Friends know us as the family with lots of suggestions for Oregon family hikes, but I’d never considered many of the destinations in this wonderful hiking book. My copy is now full of Post-It flags, reminding me of all the outdoor adventures yet to come.

Extra features in this family hiking book

When I go hiking with the kids, I tend to use a book to suggest trails and how to get there, then leave the book in the car. I’ve been bringing this hiking book along with me, though, because of all the extra features in it.

My absolute favorite extra is the scavenger hunt customized to every hike, complete with full-color photos.

I have always loved scavenger hunts—my mom used to make one for my birthday parties, sending me and a bunch of friends knocking on neighbors’ doors to collect pennies from 1983 (my birth year) and other random bits and bobs. My kids love the adventure of a scavenger hunt, too—I think it makes them feel like they’re pirates searching for treasure.

So when we start a kid-friendly hike in Oregon or Washington, we crack open 50 Hikes with Kids to see what we should be on the lookout for.

For example, we recently took this hiking book’s advice and headed to Lacamas Creek Falls in Washington. We met up with a blogger friend of mine, Lindsay from Running with Tongs, and her kids. The kids were thrilled when they spotted one item on the scavenger hunt—a robin. Peeper later found another item, thimbleberry bushes. That scavenger hunt item was actually an education opportunity for me: I didn’t know what the white flowers were, but now I do!

Oregon & Washington 50 Hikes with Kids is full of those details. I learned so much with this hiking book, and my whole family is excited to see where it brings us next.

Win a copy for your own family adventures!

We love this hiking book so much that I want to give every outdoorsy parent in the Pacific Northwest a copy. Unfortunately that’s not in the cards, but I can do a giveaway for one lucky family!

If you want ideas for new family-friendly hikes in Oregon and Washington, please enter the giveaway here.

I’ll see you on the trail!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The post My new favorite book for Oregon family hikes (& win a copy!) appeared first on To & Fro Fam.

But don’t wait to have fun until you arrive at these day trip destinations. Enjoy every mile along the way, too, with my book Road Trip Games & Activities for Kids! (You don’t have to be a kid to love these 33 games, I promise!!!) Click the image below to get your copy in e-book or paperback.

Day trips from Portland you’ll absolutely love

These Portland, Oregon, day trips require almost no planning, and they definitely don’t require overnight stays. But last-minute day trips don’t have to feel like a consolation prize. They’re a fun (and budget-friendly) way to explore Oregon.

I selected a few of our favorite day trips from Portland that are all easy to access from the metro area and are perfect for a quick family getaway or a romantic escape. If you leave in the morning, you’ll have time to enjoy your destination and make it back home by bedtime.

So what are you waiting for? Pack a cooler with snacks, make sure your camera is charged and hit the road. These day trips from Portland will make memories you and your family will enjoy all year long.

1. Oregon Coast Day Trip

Weather on the Oregon Coast is hit or miss this time of year, but Oregon-born kids won’t mind a little rain when they’re building sandcastles, chasing seagulls, and tempting the tide. (“Can’t catch me!!!”)

We love Cannon Beach for family day trips from Portland, and the girls love Seaside for its on-the-sand swing sets and carousel, but you pretty much can’t lose wherever you stop.

For help deciding where to go, check out my epic guide to the Oregon Coast.

2. Sisters, Oregon Day Trip

This tiny Central Oregon town is often overlooked en route to Bend, Oregon, but Sisters is quaint and fun to explore, too. You can spot the region’s many mountains in what locals jokingly call the “skyline,” ride horses on a guided trail ride, play disc golf, hike, bike along the Metolius River at Camp Sherman, and of course, pick out some candy at the old-timey shops along Main Street.

If you go to Sisters, Oregon, you’re only a short drive from Skylight Cave, an off-the-beaten-path adventure where you can see sunlight streaming in from holes in the cave ceiling.

3. Hood River Day Trip from Portland

Hood River might be better known for grown-up activities (like wine tastings and brewery hopping), but there’s plenty to entertain the whole family on this fun day trip from Portland, too.

We love the local ice cream joints, hikes in the area, and of course the Fruit Loop when apples, pears, cherries and peaches are in season.

You can also just hang out in Hood River. Watch kitesurfers skim across the water in the Columbia River Gorge, browse cute shops downtown and enjoy al fresco music on a weekend.

4. Columbia River Gorge Day Trip

The lower viewpoint at Multnomah Falls just reopened after recovery from last year’s Eagle Creek Fire, so this is a great resting place to stop on your drive farther out the gorge.

If you need some time indoors, check out the Maryhill Museum on the Washington side of the Gorge. You’ll be able to marvel at Native American weavings, Rodin sculptures, and the museum’s resident peacocks.

Level 10 travel tip: Some of the hikes on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge are still closed from the wildfire’s damage. Most hikes on the Washington side escaped severe damage so they’re still open—but they’re significantly busier than they used to be, especially on weekends.

5. Astoria Day Trip

I absolutely adore Astoria. It’s close to the coast but has its own personality, and kids have so much to do in Astoria.

On a Spring Break day trip, you can ride the trolley down the edge of town along the Columbia River, visit any of the many museums (the Maritime Museum is a good place to start), and definitely climb the Astoria Column, which gives 360-degree views. (Kids can also purchase little airplanes at the Column’s gift shop to fly from the tippy top!)

Level 10 travel tip: Stop at Buoy Beer, where you can see sea lions off the pier—and through a glass section of the floor inside! Kids love to watch the behemoths beneath their feet as you wait for a table.

For more on this quaint town, read my post on a romantic weekend getaway in Astoria.

6. Olympia Day Trip

Yes, I know this one’s in Washington, so it’s not technically an Oregon day trip—but you can get there from Portland in two hours.

We love visiting Olympia. Washington’s capital has a bit of the crunchy, progressive personality of Portland, but it’s right on the Sound and so it has its own attractions, too.

Our favorite kid-friendly activity in Olympia is the indoor and outdoor Hands-On Children’s Museum of Olympia. The girls love exploring the many rooms and themes (including a section outside where you can build waterfalls with sand, rocks, and dump trucks), and I appreciate that it incorporates so much science discovery.

For more details about this kid-friendly museum, read my full post on the Hands-On Children’s Museum.

Olympia also has a ton of parks for outdoor fun. Our favorite is Priest Point Park, where you hike through old-growth forest to get to a rocky beach.

7. Tacoma Day Trip

Another Washington day trip—but this one is fun, too, I promise! Seattle’s lesser-known sibling city was named in Sunset Magazine’s 20 Game-Changing Places to Live list, and there are lots of family-friendly attractions.

The Tacoma Children’s Museum has plenty to entertain kids. They have a really cool spot where kids can build with life-sized Lincoln Logs. (Finally, a place where Peeper can satisfy her quest to build a life-size castle!)

Then throw stones into the water at Owens Beach, ride the (free!) light rail, Link, from downtown to the Tacoma Dome, or make engineering, science, and art projects at Tinkertopia.

8. Catalana Cellars Day Trip

A kid-friendly, visually stunning place where parents can taste wine, and kids can explore the grounds? Sign me up! Villa Catalana Cellars, outside Canby and just a half-hour from Portland, is modeled after 12th-century Spanish architecture, so you’ll get a European vacation feel without ever leaving Oregon.

This estate is open on Saturdays and is the perfect choice for your next Portland day trip. The whole family can explore the grounds (including a rare plant nursery, olive groves, and even a bocce court), and the 21+ set can taste their wines ($10 tasting fee).

Want more? Read my whole post on visiting Villa Catalana Cellars.

9. Aurora Day Trip

Ranked as one of the nation’s best antiquing communities, Aurora, Oregon is a quaint town fully in touch with its history. Although the idea of taking kids into an antique store might make you sweat, it can actually be a super-fun way to spend some time with kids—and allow them to be responsible and safe.

They’ll really get into it if you give them each $5 and challenge them to find the weirdest thing in the antique store, and have a tiny prize for the winner—or surprise the whole gang with cupcakes at The White Rabbit Bakery. (Their seasonal cupcake this week is Oatmeal Cream. Yum!)

You could also combine a trip to Aurora with Catalana, as they’re close by. Two for the price of one! This makes for an awesome weekend getaway from Portland if you’re looking for a longer trip.

10. Silver Falls Day Trip

Oregon’s largest state park includes a wealth of hiking trails, including some that go behind waterfalls. (That’ll get kids excited!)

Just know that some of the trails can get steep and slippery and so aren’t ideal for little children. (I wore Max and Edie when they were little.) The state park also has a top-notch playground!

When you get chilly, warm up in the lodge with some hot chocolate. They also have snacks and some food.

11. Mt. St. Helens Day Trip

Just an hour north of Portland is Mt. St. Helens—the volcano that erupted in 1980, covering the region in ash. You and your kids will be able to see just how this habitat has completely changed from that destructive day.

Start at the interpretive center, and explore to your heart’s content.

12. Neskowin Ghost Forest

Just two hours from Portland, the Ghost Forest in Neskowin appears at low tide—then disappears again as the tide moves in. Just beneath the beach lies a petrified forest of Sitka spruce trees, and you can only explore this Oregon hidden gem when the water pulls the sand away.

Plan on arriving in Neskowin an hour before low tide to make your way to the beach in time to give this fun day trip in Oregon its due justice.

For all the details, read my full post on the Neskowin Ghost Forest.

13. Eugene day trip from Portland

Eugene is the second-largest city in the state, but that’s not why it’s one of the best day trips in Oregon. Track Town USA, which also happens to be where I grew up, is home to the University of Oregon Ducks and mecca for Prefontaine-loving runners.

I always recommend a few things for visitors to do in Eugene:

• Walk along the Willamette River—or better yet, float or kayak it!
• Hike Spencer’s Butte—it has a gorgeous 360-degree view of the city and beyond
• Eat from one of the many mini-restaurants in 5th Street Market

If you want even more ideas, click to my post on fun things to do in Eugene and the best family-friendly Eugene restaurants. 

14. Wine country near Portland

The highest concentration of wonderful wineries near Portland is in the Dundee-Newberg-McMinville area. Just an hour from downtown Portland, vineyards sprawl over the rolling hills, and tasting rooms pop up all along Highway 99.

You’ll get to taste oodles of pinot noir, which this wine region is famous for, along with other varietals including pinot gris and Riesling.

My favorite winery near Portland, Stoller, is a great first stop for folks wanting a great day trip in Oregon. They have enormous grounds, including a tire swing and a mini disc golf course. The real stars, though, are the Adirondack chairs to relax in and the sparkling pinot noir rose to sip.

And if you’re taking your kiddos along, make sure to read my post on going wine tasting with kids.

15. Mt. Hood Day Trip

If you’re looking for day trips from Portland, Oregon, you have to consider heading up Mt. Hood. We go up this volcano every chance we get (and don’t worry, it’s not an active volcano!!).

In fact, we go up so often that the mountain frequently appears in my kids’ drawings, and when they pretend a cardboard box is a plane or car, they’re typically heading to Mt. Hood in their imagination.

If you’re wondering what to do on Mt. Hood, I recommend that everyone take at least a short hike. This area is simply full of amazing trails for every comfort level, skill, and age. My girls have been hiking various trails on Mt. Hood since they were babies!

A few of the kid-friendly trails on Mt. Hood I recommend: Old Salmon River Trail near Rhododendron, Oregon; Lost Lake; and Little Zigzag Falls.

16. Smith Rock State Park

One of the most impressive locations in Oregon, Smith Rock State Park, is a Portland day trip you should definitely make. At about 2 hours 45 minutes from Portland, it’s a bit of a drive for a day—and 100% worth it.

There’s a catch, though. If you’re going to Smith Rock on a weekend, get there as early as humanly possible. On a recent day trip from Portland, my kids and I arrived at 12:30—and there were literally zero places to park. We had to turn around and leave! 

Once you arrive at Smith Rock, take in the views. Then choose which hike you’ll do—from the difficult Misery Ridge trail to the fairly easy River Trail to the very short Homestead Trail. 

No matter how you spend your time at Smith Rock, it’s almost guaranteed to be unforgettable. 

17. Long Beach, Washington

Long Beach, WA is just across the river and border from Astoria but has a totally different feel. For one thing, this Washington beach town is actually on the ocean, while Astoria was built along the Columbia River. 

Photo courtesy Pacific County Tourism Bureau

Stroll down Long Beach’s boardwalk that overlooks the ocean, stop by the town’s kite museum or hike around Cape Disappointment. And if it’s safe, park your beach chair on the sand and watch hundreds of kites fill the sky during August’s International Kite Festival.

No matter what time of year, the two hours’ drive makes this day trip from Portland totally doable—and totally memorable. Check out my post on Seaview and Long Beach, Washington!

Photo courtesy Pacific County Tourism Bureau

Explore Oregon’s family-friendly destinations on your Portland day trip

I am bowled over by the wonderful family-friendly activities and sites the Pacific Northwest has to offer.

My kids, husband, and I live in a state with boundless beauty, appreciation for history, and a dedication to good old fashioned fun—and we couldn’t be more grateful.

Are there any spots on this list you haven’t visited yet—but are excited to see? What Portland day trips do you love that I missed? Please share in the comments!

The post 17 Unforgettable Day Trips from Portland, Oregon to explore the PNW appeared first on To & Fro Fam.

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The Hands On Children’s Museum in Olympia is our go-to spot!

We’ve been to the Hands-On Children’s Museum in Olympia many times, and we’re always planning our next visit before we even leave. The curious kid’s paradise is one of my favorite family-friendly activities in the Pacific Northwest in part because it’s fun for a wide range of ages.

For example, when we go, we meet up with my nephew, who will turn 7 this summer. My girls can’t get enough of the museum, either. We started going when my younger daughter hadn’t even turned 1 yet—so the Hands-On Museum in Olympia is great for babies through elementary aged kids.

Even though we’ve been many times, we continue to discover new activities, features and spots. Before you go, get excited! I’ll preview some of the best features of this Washington children’s museum that will build kids’ creativity, curiosity and joy of experiencing STEAM.

A Washington children’s museum that parents don’t hate

When you have kids, you end up checking out every kid-friendly destination within driving distance. That means I’ve been to a lot of duds, people. (Pretty sure you have been, too.) Scuzzy play structures, ball pits you’re sure are petri dishes, outdated displays—I’ve seen a lot of supposedly family-friendly museums and attractions that make me want to run away as quickly as I can.

The Hands-On Children’s Museum in Olympia puts those poor excuses of a family-friendly destination to shame, partly because parents love this Washington children’s museum just as much as their kids do. And that’s not only because their kids are having fun; parents get in on the action, too!

The best parts of the Hands-On Children’s Museum in Olympia

One of the things about exploring a great children’s museum is discovering the place for yourself. Kids in particular love to find their own way around a new destination, but I won’t say anything if you guide them to the most fun parts of the children’s museum.

Ball lifter

At one point, I lost track of my older daughter, but I didn’t panic—I was about 99% sure I’d find her at this museum exhibit. (I was right.) I don’t blame her for wanting to come back to this part of the children’s museum time and time again—it is so fun to snag a ball from the water, pop it into the tube and watch it shoot into the air!

This exhibit also has a section that blows fog out of a tube. Kids can engineer complex systems diverting the fog here and there with short sections of pipe.

Without even knowing it, kids are learning engineering—and the joy of STEAM education.

Outdoor discovery center

Generally, I avoid going to children’s museums on nice days because I’d rather spend time outside. The Hands-On Children’s Museum in Olympia gets around this problem by including a huge outdoor space that has just as many fun opportunities for exploration as the indoor exhibits.

When we first step outside at the museum, the girls don’t even know what to do with themselves. They run from activity to activity because they’re all so amazing. Our favorites include the tricycle track, the gardening center (which has a cool space for water play), the dinosaur/bulldozer rock zone, and the waterfall.

Level 10 travel tip: Bring a spare change of clothes for your kids. They’ll likely get all wet in the water features in the outdoor discovery center or the gigantic water table inside near the Emergency! exhibit. And if they’re not wet, they’ll likely be dirty from the sand box or the mud pie kitchen!

Tides to trees climber

Why take the stairs when you can climb a massive tree-like play structure to get to the museum’s second floor? In the ultimate proof point that the Hands-On Children’s Museum in Olympia was designed for kids, the tides to trees climber lets children scurry up, up and up—all the way to an eagle’s aerie!

The climber has platforms and bridges where kids can peek down below them—and wave at their parents. The height also gives them a different perspective on the other areas of the museum. For example, the girls got a totally different look at the ball lifter from inside the climber, so they had a new POV on what happened to the balls when they shot into the air.

Build it!

The Build it! section of the Hands-On Children’s Museum is tucked away on the second floor, and we didn’t even find it until our third visit. My younger daughter had so much fun trying on construction safety equipment and building kid-sized buildings that we’ll definitely make it back on our next trip.

Take a peek and you’ll agree: It’s a solid bet this section of the museum is inspiring future architects, contractors, DIYers and other builders.

Scarf wall

This is my second-favorite part of the entire museum (after the ball lifter). You (or your kids—ha!) can stick silk scarves and other light materials into the vast system of clear tubing and watch the items get whooshed away in a current of air.

If your kids are fascinated by making things move, a little ways away on the second floor they’ll find a spot where they can engineer parachutes and other flying contraptions, then test them out in an air blaster. My older daughter loved making tiny versions of hot air balloons and watching them fly into the air!

Maker Space

Upstairs kids will find an enormous maker space. Different tables have an array of supplies, from clay to pens and paper to materials to make an LED light circuit.

Museum staff and volunteers are on hand to help kids—but they’re also welcome to tinker and craft, following their imagination and inspiration wherever it leads.

Something for every age (including babies!)

I don’t love that a lot of children’s museums are designed with only older kids in mind. Thankfully, the Hands-On Children’s Museum in Olympia breaks that mold.

Upstairs, families with young children can safely and comfortably play in the Snug Harbor. This area is meant only for kids under 4 years. There’s even a padded section set into the ground where crawlers and new walkers can get their wiggles out safely (without escaping!).

I particularly liked this section of the museum when my littlest was a baby. I didn’t have to worry about her getting run over by larger kids, and the activities in there—from cuddly stuffed animals to a safe play structure shaped like a boat—are perfect for tinies.

Level 10 travel tip: If you’re breastfeeding, there are comfortable and low-distraction seating spots in the Snug Harbor. If you want more privacy, ask a museum employee or volunteer—they’ll take you somewhere more secluded.

Kids on the young end will also like the make-believe section at the entrance of the children’s museum. There, they can sell each other groceries in the play store, harvest apples and go for a ride in a pretend car. Little ones also find plenty to do outside, from climbing in the waterfall to digging in the sand. Imaginative play is welcome here!

Visiting the children’s museum for families with special needs

On a regular day, children’s museums are overwhelming for me—I’m sure that environment feels even more chaotic for children with an intellectual disability or processing disorder. Luckily, this Washington children’s museum offers sensory-friendly days and other accommodations.

Look on the museum’s web site for upcoming sensory-friendly events. These include mornings where the museum opens early, so kids who are sensitive to noise and crowds can explore the exhibits before the rush of visitors. These mornings offer discounted admission, and local organizations offer resources and ways to connect with other families living similar experiences.

What’s more, visiting the Hands-On Children’s Museum during sensory-friendly events allows kids and their families to enjoy the museum without feeling judged.

That said, children on the autism spectrum or with other sensory needs are always welcome at the museum. The front desk offers noise-canceling headphones anytime, for free.

7 ways to make the most of your visit to the Hands On Children’s Museum

1. Look for kid-friendly activities

On a recent day, my younger daughter and I worked with a museum employee to build a bird nest supplies catcher. We later hung it on a tree branch in front of our window, where we watch native birds take the yarn and alpaca wool to line their nests. Another day at the museum, costumed super heroes wandered the building and high-fived kids. There was also a workshop on making comic books that was included in the museum admission.

2. Pause for snacks

We travel to the Hands-On Children’s Museum in Olympia from Portland two hours away, so to make the most of our visit, we stay for hours. The girls (and we adults!) pause partway through our stay to fuel up at the Play Day Cafe, which sells snacks and kid-friendly food. You can also bring food from home; just make sure to eat only in the cafe area, not in the exhibits.

Level 10 travel tip: When you and your kids have had enough to eat, challenge them to find a teeny-tiny animal family living somewhere in the Play Day Cafe. (Hint: Look for critters that live in the tree!)

3. Climb up the Lighthouse

The lighthouse, which is in the outdoor area of the museum, doesn’t look like much from the outside—but it provides an incredible view. Not only can you scope out the other outdoor activities you want to play in; you can also see the dome of the capital building off in the distance!

4. Get your music on

Throughout this Washington children’s museum, your kids will find ways to experiment with sound and music. Even before you get inside, there are enormous percussion instruments three or four kids can play at a time. Outside near the greenhouse kids can start a band with the instruments set out next to the giant hand chairs. And upstairs onstage, kids can create their own silly songs and perform a show while a friend hits buttons to make sound effects.

5. Tinker

Throughout this Washington children’s museum, kids will find opportunities to tinker. Stations are set up to spark an idea or project—such as an insect hotel or fairy house—and kids are encouraged to bring their own ideas to the table. Tinkering is a wonderful STEAM concept that encourages problem-solving, a growth mindset and grit as they try new things.

6. Look for special guests

Check out the museum’s web site to plan your visit around guests making a special appearance. On a given day, kids might be able to meet Bat Girl, learn how to weave from a natural fibers expert or read to a specially trained dog.

7. Join an early education class

Throughout the week, early education experts lead classes for parents and their young children at the museum. Classes are free with admission or membership and include an activity, story time and an art project.

Visiting the Hands-On Children’s Museum in

Olympia: The nitty-gritty details

• Admission to the museum runs from $13-15, though babies are free and there are discounts for seniors, military members and EBT cardholders.
• Membership pays for itself in three visits, so if you come often, this is definitely your best choice.
• A parking lot directly next to the museum is just $1 per hour but often fills up, so you might need to find street parking.

If you’re looking for kid-friendly activities in Olympia, Washington or elsewhere in the Pacific Northwest, make sure this children’s museum makes it onto your itinerary. You won’t be disappointed, and your kids will be talking about it for weeks!

PS – If you’re looking for another family-friendly museum in Washington, check out my post on the totally off-the-beaten-path Burke Museum in Seattle, which includes dinosaur bones!

Have you ever been to the Hands-On Children’s Museum in Olympia, another Washington children’s museum, or another family-friendly museum in the Northwest? Tell me about it!

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We look at it every day, so when we planned to visit Seattle’s Burke Museum of Natural History with kids, my little dinosaur lovers were beyond excited.

Despite my own fascination with dinosaurs and fossils, I’d never been to the Burke Museum in Seattle. Heck, I’ve been to Seattle dozens of times, but I’d never even heard of the Burke Museum until I started researching kid-friendly things to do in Seattle.

Most people haven’t, either—but that makes this gem much less crowded than other family-friendly spots in Seattle.

So when I came across this natural history museum that had a dinosaur exhibit in Seattle, I put it on our list of activities. (I don’t plan an itinerary or set anything in stone when doing family vacations—I prefer to allow for lots of flexibility, which means less disappointment in the end.)

And we definitely weren’t disappointed. We were all excited to see dinosaur bones—and we ended up getting even more than we hoped for.

Exploring the Dinosaur Museum, Seattle

Complete skeletons of prehistoric animals populate the Seattle dinosaur exhibit that you’ll first see at the Burke Museum of Natural History’s entrance. I was especially partial to the fossils of the mammoth, with its enormous tusks.

Can you imagine meeting one of those in the wild?! Clearly, the girls were excited to see this big guy, too!

Why the Burke Museum is a great place for kids

There are plenty of fossils and dinosaur skeletons in Burke Museum of Natural History and it’s no wonder people often refer to it as the Seattle dinosaur museum! Kids have a great time looking at them and it makes for a fun outing in the city.

What’s more, hands-on activities—like feeling a cast of a dinosaur’s footprint—help little ones engage with natural history.

I love that the Burke Museum also addresses the science behind evolution in a kid-friendly way. One entire wall is covered in a tree of evolution that shows how different animals share a common ancestor. And right after that display, a dinosaur skeleton that looks remarkably like a bird hints at the connection to modern-day avians.

In addition to the main dinosaur exhibit, you can see scientists working on several projects—including uncovering a Tyrannosaurus Rex skull.

Admittedly, I was more interested in watching them work than my kids were (“Look, girls, a real-live paleontologist!!!” #fangirl), but it did give them a chance to see how the fossils get to look museum-perfect.

More than fossils at the Seattle Natural History Museum

The entire bottom floor of the Burke Museum of Natural History is dedicated to Native American artifacts and other cultures. The section featured textiles, masks, carvings, and other beautiful relics from Pacific Northwest Tribes.

I admired how the Burke Museum treated the sometimes dubious history of how collectors got some of the artifacts.

One carving, for example, had been stolen from the roof of a Native American building a century ago. The Burke Museum reached an agreement with the tribe to keep the carving for a short time longer before it will return it.

While we were at the Burke Museum, they also featured an exhibit of home shrines from around the world.

Visiting Seattle’s Burke Museum of Natural History for kids: What you need to know

• The Burke Museum of Natural History is housed on the northwest corner of the University of Washington campus.
• Entrance fee for kids under 5 is free; older children and adults have a $22 entry fee.
• Coat check is free. Wahoo!
• Parking can be tight around the University of Washington. Instead of driving around, you can pay for your parking at the UW kiosk at the university entrance; they’ll tell you where you can find an open space.
• In the main dinosaur exhibit, there’s a section in the back with a bunch of plastic dinosaurs for kids to play with. It’s a great opportunity for little ones to do what they do best: play!
• Kids will need 1-2 hours to explore the dinosaur museum. You can see all the exhibits in that time.

So if you’re looking for things to do in Seattle with kids—especially if your children love dinosaurs—the Burke Museum is an easy win, free of crowds and an inexpensive but memorable visit. Enjoy, and ROAR!

What do you do in Seattle with kids? What is your favorite family-friendly activity, destination or restaurant in Seattle?

The post A Dinosaur Lover’s Wonderland: Seattle’s Burke Museum of Natural History appeared first on To & Fro Fam.

We don’t make the road trip to Spokane all that often, and every time we go my niece is enormous! I know babies grow (duh), but holy smokes even a little distance makes time fast forward like crazy.

We’ll be driving to Spokane again this spring, so for our road trip to Washington, I’m prepping by investigating what to do between Portland and Spokane with kids. Because when you’re in the car for 6 hours with two very active children, you need to plan your road trip itinerary as if your life depends on it. (Sometimes it does—or at least it feels like it does—like when you want to jump into traffic after your 4-year-old asks “Are we there yet?” three minutes after getting into the car.)

*meditative breathing*

So if you happen to tackle an Oregon-Washington road trip, here’s what to do between Portland and Spokane, especially if you have kids.

Where to eat between Portland and Spokane

You’ve packed a bucketload of snacks because you’re an uber prepared mom, but there comes a point when all the squeezies and fun-sized packages of fish crackers won’t satisfy your kid’s appetite. And let’s be honest: Sometimes your family needs a break from the car even more than they need food.

When looking for where to eat between Portland and Spokane, look for a casual, quick, family-friendly restaurant. Bonus points if it has a play area or a park nearby!

Between Portland and Spokane, eat at:

pFriem Family Brewery in Hood River, OR

pFriem Family Brewery and restaurant is just minutes off I-84. Its kids menu is standard but good quality; parents will appreciate the delicious sandwiches and salads. Check out the brewery store next to the restaurant, where you can buy bottles—or even a pFriem growler, which they’ll fill from a tap—of their varied beers. Just make sure to pack those beers in the cooler; if they get warm, they’ll get skunky. No thanks!

Big Jim’s Drive In in The Dalles, OR

Big Jim’s Drive In is a fast option offers kid-friendly fare like burgers and fries. It also has an outdoor patio so kids can move (instead of sitting!). Even better: You won’t feel as guilty when they drip melted ice cream from the restaurant’s handmade cones.

Farmer’s Markets

Depending on the day, you can stop at farmer’s markets—and eat really locally—in the Tri Cities, Hood River and The Dalles. Farmers markets often have food trucks or independent booths that sell prepared food.

What to do between Portland and Spokane

My two kids are, ah, spirited on the best of days. Sticking them in a car seat for hours is like shaking up a bottle of champagne: When you pop the cork—BOOM! FIZZZ!—they are ready to go.

So when it came to planning what to do between Portland and Spokane, I knew they’d need to get out of the car and have a chance to play. After all, I don’t want them using all their little kid energy kicking the back of my seat!

What’s more, Kiwi—who hasn’t napped consistently since before her second birthday—is much more likely to fall asleep in the car if she takes an outdoor break from the road trip.

Here are some great places for kids and families to get out and move in a Portland to Spokane road trip.

The Children’s Park in Hood River, Oregon

The Children’s Park is an outdoor wonderland offers chances for kids to climb, jump and play. The enormous wooden fort is sure to inspire imaginative play—just be prepared to talk in old-timey king and queen accents to get your prince and princesses back in the car.

Earl Snell Memorial Park in Arlington, Oregon

I hadn’t planned on stopping at Earl Snell Memorial Park, which is just off the I-84 exit, but we discovered it on an earlier road trip to Spokane when Kiwi was throwing a giant fit in the backseat. The park has a playground and a sandy beach with a super-calm spot of the Columbia River. If you’re traveling with your pup, note that the southern part of the park is off-limits to dogs (head to the northern side for pooch-friendly spots). You can also visit the caboose just outside the park, off the road, during summer hours. Choo-choo!

The Playground of Dreams in Richland, Washington

The Playground of Dreams had me at its name. As part of a long park that runs along the Columbia River, one section includes a giant turreted play structure that is a dead ringer for a medieval castle. (FYI, the structure makes it hard to keep track of itty bitty kids, so stick close!) If you make the road trip between Portland and Spokane with kids in the summer, The Playground of Dreams also has a splash pad—though it gets packed.

What to plan between Portland and Spokane

Before your kids get overly stir-crazy, tip them off on something super-fun you’ve planned. Looking forward to something will help them hold on for a few more minutes—or maybe even a half-hour. So if you already ate and you already played, mentioning another destination can keep kids occupied. Try these kid-friendly stops between Portland and Spokane.

Photo by Don Graham, creative commons

Bonneville Dam and Fish Hatchery in Oregon

Your kids might not understand hydroelectricity (heck, you might not either!), but you don’t have to be a PhD to marvel at the power of this giant hydropower dam on the Columbia River, where energy we use to power toasters and charge phones is actually produced. Kids will love Bonneville Dam‘s underwater windows to watch fish make their way up the fish ladders. (The best times to spot various fish are June, August and September.) Meanwhile, kids can see other fish and even feed trout at the Bonneville Fish Hatchery, and it has viewing spots to watch spawning salmon in October and November.

Country Mercantile in Pasco, Washington

This produce/knickknack/ohmygoshthechocolate stand just off Highway 395 is impossible to miss, thanks to its gigantic sign. But be warned: You’re not going to get out of the Country Mercantile without buying a lot of sugary goodies. To head off your kids’ begging for every.single.treat they see, give them each $1 that they can spend how they see fit—it’s a lesson in budgeting and it saves you from saying “no” ten thousand times. Don’t forget to buy a bunch of locally grown peaches (or whatever else is in season when you pass through). They’ll totally make up for all the fudge you eat.

Mike’s Ice Cream in Hood River, Oregon

This tiny shop is adored by locals and tourists alike. The line may look long, but the scoopers are efficient, and you and the kids will be eating your cones in the plentiful outdoor seating in no time. Mike’s Ice Cream is not open in the winter, and it only accepts cash. If you’re craving ice cream during other months, stop at Hood River’s Gorge Ice Cream—it has great vegan and gluten-free options, too.

Rocking a Portland to Spokane road trip

The drive between Portland and Spokane isn’t the most scenic or action-packed stretch of highway in the US. But with lunch stops, parks to play in, special destinations and of course a whole lot of car games, you can make this family road trip one to remember—for all the right reasons.

Do you have tips on what to do between Portland and Spokane? Or do you have a favorite road trip travel hack? Please share!

The post Rock your road trip between Portland and Spokane—with kids appeared first on To & Fro Fam.