New Yorkers are lucky in that there are many places close to NYC with kid-friendly vacation rentals, and kid-friendly activities. From the Hudson Valley to the Poconos, the Berkshires to the Catskills and beyond, there are options—and not all of them cost a fortune. Whether you’re looking for a nearby vacation rental for a few days, or perhaps a longterm Airbnb rental for an extended stay, we found family-friendly vacation rentals worth a book! (Some are even pet-friendly!)
Spread out at this pet-friendly vacation rental in the Hudson Valley located on one acre with a babbling brook! Deluxe but cozy furnishings, high ceilings, lots of light, wifi, and enough space to sleep eight (plus three-and-a-half bathrooms) may make you want to stay in this renovate 1900 barn for a while!
A hot tub, tank pool, outdoor movie screen and fire pit nestled in the wilderness? Yes, please! (And that's just on the outside!) Stony Hill Ranch has four bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths, as well as a "Jam Shed" where you can rock out for an additional deposit. The property is in Kerhonkson, NY near the Shawangunk Mountains, but also near a Wal-Mart if you need to stock up on things.
The kind-hearted proprietors of this cozy cottage near Great Barrington, Mass, have discounted the rate for weekly and monthly rentals to help people find some respite from the city. In addition to being near area attractions like a nearby beach and hiking, this place looks primo for enjoying fall foliage, and its even got its own gazebo for taking in nature's splendor.
This pet-friendly rental is cooler than you. A modern house that's small but stylish, this cabin near Rhinebeck, New York has a year-round heated pool, outdoor shower, mod fireplace, deep egg soaking tub, and a separate glass house—"a retreat from your retreat."
It's cute and compact and the price is right! This little cottage in the Poconos is small but mighty, with peaceful sitting areas, a fire pit, grill, patio string lights, and it's also pet-friendly. Plus, it's near hiking, flea markets and other area attractions.
If you and the clan have ever dreamed of camping out in a geodome on a farm upstate (who hasn’t?), we’ve got good news! The Outlier Inn in Woodbridge New York is a 12-acre property with multiple accommodations that range from cottages and bungalows to tiny houses and a kitschy 50s trailer. But it’s the geodome that caught our eye. It’s BYO Bed for this affair—it’s a wood floor— but you and the kids will have lots of room to spread out. Amenities include outdoor hot showers, a sink, and clawfoot bathtub. There’s also an outdoor kitchen with fridge, sink and grill, and guests are welcome to explore the acreage, meet the resident animals (sheep, angora goats and rabbits, dairy goats, and chickens) and buy organic produce from the farm’s greenhouse and garden. The Inn is located in Sullivan County, close to Bethel Woods, the Catskill Park, Neversink Unique Area and Sam's Point.
Settle in at this New Fairfield, CT cabin across from Candlewood Lake and a two-minute drive from Squantz Pond State Park. This little house has stylish touches all around, as well as a fire pit and patio, outdoor shower and even an inflatable hot tub!
We see a fun fall outing at this loft apartment in a renovated 19th century barn in New Paltz. Head up for a couple days for apple or pumpkin picking, enjoying the fall foliage, etc. The barn is up to date with all the conveniences of wifi, A/C, washer/dryer, and is near both the town of New Paltz and outdoor spots for hiking and enjoying nature.
Embrace your farmhouse daydreams at an affordable rate in this historic, restored Northampton, Mass house. The two-bedroom, one-and-a-half bath house is located in the charming downtown, and has a authentic features like wide-plank wood floors, a (narrow) spiral staircase and farmhouse sink. There's also a grill and garden sitting area.
It's not cheap, but that's not how things are in the Hamptons. Live the Hamptons lifestyle for a spell in this lovely four-bedroom, two bath house in Sag Harbor. Close to the village shops and town beaches, this bayside charmer has rolling lawns, a deck for taking in sunsets, lots of space and even a a game room.
If you’re looking for a low-key, reliable way to entertain the kids (and yourself) on the weekend, how about a little treasure hunting at these local indie and flea markets? The weekly or monthly events offer plenty of vintage and handmade finds for you to discover. Double-check the website to confirm any changes or updates to mask and social distancing protocol as well as confirm the event is still happening. Read on for all the details. Happy treasure hunting!
The mothership of all flea markets, this must-go market takes place every 2nd Sun. For over 50 years this market has been delivering one-of-a-kind, vintage pieces to Angelenos and there is no slowing down (thankfully!). No matter what you are into, there's something for everyone whether it's plants, furniture, records, tchotchkes, collectibles, arts and crafts, clothes or food.
Hours: 9 a.m. for general public; 5 a.m.-9 a.m. for VIP Rate: VIP is $20; regular admission is $10 per person (must be exact cash only, no change); kids under 12 are free
"Sunday Fundays" are back but this time with wider aisles and vendors being more spread out across campus to observe social-distancing so you and your little ones can hunt for one-of-a-kind treasures. There are hand sanitizing stations available but no water fountains so plan to bring your own water or expect to purchase water on site. Parking is available on campus as well but is limited.
When: Every Sun., 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Cost: $5 cash at entrance, $5 + fees for contactless tickets Where: 7850 Melrose Ave. Fairfax Online:melrosetradingpost.org
Organized by The Odd Market (the same group that hosts Odd Nights at the Autry), the Los Feliz Flea is a curated market with over 100 vendors selling antiques, collectibles, and more. Boasting plenty of shady areas and socially-distanced tables for kids to sit and eat at, this free-to-park and free-to-enter is by far the best value for treasure hunting.
When: Every Sat., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Where: John Marhsall High School
While it may not have the same kid-friendly games and entertainment as Melrose and Los Feliz, this neighborhood market is chock-full of colorful and unique finds (both vintage and handmade), along with friendly vendors, including some pint-sized entrepreneurs. The vibe is cool and hipster-y, but in a fun-filled, welcoming way. Added bonus: It's free.
When: Every Sat., 9 a.m.-4 p.m. & Sun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Where: 1911 Sunset Blvd. (in the lot of Taix in Echo Park) Echo Park Online:silverlakeshop.com
This popular artisan market and evening festival may be on hiatus during the winter months, but it's back as of Apr. and will continue through Sept. 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Bring a blanket and spread out on the sprawling Autry Museum lawn where there are inflatables in one direction and craft and toy vendors in the other. But that's not all: there's also live music and all the food trucks.
When: Every 3rd Fri. of the month Where: Autry Museum of the American West
This westside affair located on the grounds of the Santa Monica Airport ($5 to enter, kid and on-site parking are free) will entertain young and old with a variety of vintage and one-of-a-kind finds. Are the kids getting bored? Wander over to the runway observation deck where you can watch small planes take off and land regularly—a must for aviation fans.
When: 1st & 4th Sun. 7:00 a.m.-3 p.m. Where: Santa Monica Airport Interim Open Space Santa Monica Online:santamonicaairportantiquemarket.com
Topanga Vintage Market
Bring the family ($4 per person to enter, kids under 12 are free) to Pierce College in Woodland Hills to discover what is touted as "one of LA's top sources for vintage." When in session, expect 200 vendors, great food trucks, and live music at the Topanga Vintage Market. Be sure to keep an eye out for local artisans providing free demos for kids to enjoy.
When: Every 4th Sun. of the month Where: Pierce College
While technically not a flea market, Smorgasburg LA is a free-to-enter, open-air event featuring top food vendors serving up Korean dumplings, Peruvian tacos, "Salt n Peppa Lobsta" and more. Plus, once a month the market also hosts Hecho in LA, with a live DJ and the family-friendly I Love Micheladas beer garden.
Put travel on your 2020 bucket list, and book some family time at one of these brand-new hotels and all-inclusive resorts. From the much-anticipated new LEGOLAND NYC property to Caribbean resorts that cater to all members of the family, we’ve got the list for you. Scroll through for major travel inspo, and book your getaway today!
LEGOLAND New York Resort—Goshen, NY
Wave the stars and stripes and start counting down to the fireworks! LEGOLAND® New York Resort will hold its bricktastic Grand Opening celebration on July 4, 2020. LEGOLAND New York Resort will be the largest LEGOLAND theme park Merlin Entertainments has ever built, with more than 50 rides, shows and attractions across seven themed “lands” on 150 acres. When it opens on July 4, 2020, LEGOLAND® New York Resort will introduce the LEGO® Factory Adventure Ride featuring the world’s first use of on-ride tracking technology. By identifying the attributes of guests and mapping their position in the virtual space, the ride transforms riders into LEGO® Minifigures right before their own eyes!
You'll have to wait until 2021 to stay on-site at the property as the LEGOLAND New York Hotel will open the following year.
Across from DISNEYLAND® Resort and adjacent to the Anaheim Convention Center, the Westin Anaheim Resort will be a stunning retreat for families vacationing in Orange County. In the heart of the Anaheim Resort District, this newly constructed 618-room hotel is a great central launching point for all Southern California adventures with Huntington Beach a short drive away and both Los Angeles and San Diego within two-hours’ drive from the hotel. Enjoy new guest rooms with Westin Heavenly Beds® for a great night’s sleep, a concierge lounge plus four innovative and exciting restaurants and bars, including a rooftop bar with amazing panoramic views of Disney’s fireworks.
You won't be able to wait until 2020 for the brand-new Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya to open its doors. It will offer 276 oceanfront swim-up pad suites and flat suites, plus four sprawling Nickelodeon-themed signature penthouses (including your favorite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and SpongeBob SquarePants) perched on the top floor of two modern six-story buildings. All-inclusive luxury means you'll spend lots of time at the 500,000-square food Aqua Nick, which includes a lazy river, water slides, a splash park, an interactive water playground for toddlers and mini relaxation pools.
Located in the rapidly-growing Seaport neighborhood along South Boston’s waterfront, Hyatt Place Boston Seaport District is expected to open in the spring of 2020 with 297 guestrooms. The new upscale select-service hotel will provide guests with close proximity to the Institute of Contemporary Art, Fan Pier, Liberty Wharf and more. Additional hotel amenities will include a rooftop lounge, free breakfast for World of Hyatt members and a 24/7 menu with freshly prepared food.
Located within the historic Fort Worth Stockyards, Hotel Drover is a $100 million, four-star, Marriott Autograph Collection boutique hotel and rustic resort named for the legendary Drovers, who herded cattle along the Chisholm Trail. Hotel Drover will feature 200 beautifully appointed rooms and suites, as well as 15,000 square feet of meeting space and a dramatic, elegant barn for weddings, meetings, and social events. Hotel Drover will boast a true western aesthetic, marrying handcrafted elements with genuine Texas hospitality. The hotel’s backyard will offer fire pits, a lushly landscaped pool area, and paths to stroll Marine Creek.
Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection—Kamuela, HI
Opening on the tranquil, scenic shores of the Island of Hawaii, the newly-reimagined, family-friendly Mauna Lani Auberge Resorts Collection is set to debut in January 2020—as Auberge’s first in Hawaii. Boasting contemporary guest rooms and suites, five private bungalows, five restaurants and lounges, three pools, a signature spa, a wellness haven, active pursuits, cultural programming and an interactive Holoholo Kids Circle, families will want for nothing as they delight in panoramic Pacific views and revel in Auberge’s gracious service. Taking advantage of Mauna Lani’s storied and sprawling land, the educational and fun kids' programs range from cultural immersion, athletics and wellness, to culinary classes, movies under the stars, moonlight storytelling and navigation.
LEGOLAND® Florida Resort is inviting brick fans to #VacationLikeAPirate in 2020 with the announcement of the “Year of the Pirate” including the grand opening of LEGOLAND® Pirate Island Hotel. Located just 130 kid-steps from the theme park entrance, LEGOLAND Pirate Island Hotel will feature 150 LEGO-filled rooms (including four suites), a heated pool (complete with LEGO soft bricks to build in the pool), hundreds of LEGO models, in-room LEGO treasure hunts and exclusive character experiences. Similar to the popular LEGOLAND Hotel, each room will include two separate spaces: a kid’s sleeping area and an adult area.
Opening early 2020 in downtown Cincinnati, The Lytle Park Hotel, part of Autograph Collection, is an imaginative collaboration between two historic buildings and the celebrated Lytle Park just outside its doors. The property will feature 106 oversized guestrooms, including 18 two-bedroom suites that are perfect for families. Cleverly blurring the lines between park and hotel, The Lytle Park Hotel will boast a central wine and cocktail bar, a fine-dining Italian restaurant and lounge, and Cincinnati’s only four-season rooftop bar and event space offering views of Lytle Park, downtown Cincinnati and the Ohio River.
Long regarded as one of the world’s greatest getaways, Rosewood Little Dix Bay will re-open in January 2020 following a four-year closure due to the 2017 hurricanes. Inspired by its natural setting, the exclusive resort has been reimagined for today’s ultra-luxury traveler with 80 new guestrooms, suites and villas that will offer a level of refinement unrivaled in the Caribbean. Spanning 500 acres on half a mile of beach, the resort will include four distinct dining venues, two pools, a state-of-the-art fitness center and Sense®, A Rosewood Spa set high on a bluff at the cliff's edge. A family-friendly destination, Rosewood Little Dix Bay will offer a wide array of activities including a tennis center, Rosewood Explorers Club, hiking trails, watersports and beach drops.
Opening in December 2020, the Royal Uno® All Inclusive Resort & Spa is a beachfront resort located in the Cancun Hotel Zone. This all-inclusive resort welcomes guests of all ages, and will have five new restaurants serving international, Mexican, Italian and Asian cuisine and offers all kinds of fun including a kids club, plus a kids' water play area, a family room for video games, and more. There are 540 new rooms in total and options include one-and two-bedroom suites with either a private ocean view terrace or balcony, queen or king-size beds. Guests can kayak and sail on the lagoon, and there are plenty of daily activities to keep everyone busy.
Omni Viking Lakes Hotel is scheduled to open on the Viking Lakes campus in fall 2020 in Eagan, Minnesota. The four-star, full-service 14-story hotel will include 320 rooms and suites offering guests first-class accommodations with Omni Kids Crew. The Kids Crew program brings the personalized Omni experience to the youngest guests: Upon check-in, children receive a backpack filled with fun items designed specifically for them. The backpack includes an activity book with stickers, an e-book, crayons, binoculars and a small tabletop game. They’ll also receive milk and cookies delivered to their guest room on the first night of their stay. Omni is also launching a Junior Chefs menu in 2020 (Think unique menu items for kids like breakfast tacos, rainbow yogurt breakfast bowls, a Chinese takeout dish and Jenga French toast). Located adjacent to the Minnesota Vikings’ brand new headquarters and practice facility, the design of Omni Viking Lakes Hotel features elements inspired by the American-Nordic landscapes and the dynamic and unpredictable character of its climate.
The family-friendly Renaissance New York Chelsea Hotel is set to be one of the tallest buildings in Manhattan's enchanting Flower District. Set on the former site of New York’s beloved Antiques Garage flea market, the hotel pays homage to the area’s vintage appeal with an immersive “secret garden” design concept. Encouraging guests to “look and look again,” whimsical touches are sprinkled throughout the property, including more than 50 hidden bunny icons. With 341 guestrooms and spacious suites, the property is near Manhattan attractions like Hudson Yards, the Empire State Building and Madison Square Garden.
The 2,050-room Dockside Inn and Suites will open in 2020 as the second wave of Universal’s Endless Summer Resort. This coastal-themed hotel is also a value property, with rates starting at $76 per night. Inspired by sand, sea and breathtaking sunsets, this retreat has a coastal vibe and comes with all the fun and convenience of staying with Universal—including awesome hotel guest benefits. With plenty of standard rooms and spacious, two-bedroom suites that sleep six, it’s a great spot for families of any size to base their Universal vacation.
Hyatt House Nashville/Downtown-Sobro—Nashville, TN
At Hyatt House Nashville/Downtown-Sobro, guests can make themselves at home in the heart of Music City. Slated to open in early 2020, the hotel will feature 217 extended-stay rooms with full kitchens or spacious one-bedroom suites spanning 454 square feet. The hotel will be located minutes from many Nashville landmarks, Ryman Auditorium, Bridgestone Arena, trendy restaurants and high-spirited honky-tonks. Hotel amenities will include complimentary breakfast for guests at the Omelet Bar, small bites and shareables at the H Bar, an indoor pool and grab ‘n' go snack at the H Market.
The Gordon Hotel in Eugene, Oregon will be opening in October 2020, will have a significant focus on art and design, and will strive to engage guests with first-hand experiences. A focal point of the lobby will be an "art bar" stocked with art supplies like pencils, watercolors and clay, along with an industrial sink for cleaning up after fits of inspiration or family time creating a unique souvenir. Also, guest hallways will feature local art and interactive pieces, like strings of colorful postcards from previous guests.
The new property will feature 82 rooms and complement the nearby existing 5th Street Public Market (a mainstay in the community) with an additional market alley showcasing local and regional food, beverage and retail shops, including a collection of experiential, craft-focused vendors; an adjacent co-working space; and a rooftop bar with sweeping views of the downtown Eugene skyline.
The Frenchman's Reef Marriott Resort & Spa—St. Thomas
2020 will bring the return of the Frenchman's Reef Marriott Resort & Spa and a new, adjacent resort under Marriott's Autograph Collection, Noni Beach, a St. Thomas Resort. The resort complex located on the Caribbean Sea will provide several distinctive dining experiences for families and singles. The Frenchman's Reef Marriott Resort & Spa, dramatically situated atop a harbor-side cliff with panoramic ocean views, will boast 384 guest rooms, including 28 spacious suites, three resort pools including an infinity edge pool with swim-up pool bar, a state-of-the-art luxury wellness spa, and 85,000 square feet of extraordinary indoor and outdoor event space. The family-friendly resort will have ample activities for kids that will teach them about the environment and how we can help preserve it. There will also be activities for the whole family to enjoy making a stay at Frenchman’s Reef unforgettable.
An architectural beauty surrounded by palm trees, tropical blooms and the turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean, Conrad Punta de Mita provides stunning views from anywhere in the resort. Guests can relax in a coastal-chic guest room, sink their toes in sandy beaches and indulge in premier dining and endless activities. Families will especially love the three outdoor pools, tennis and basketball courts and 24-hour indoor/outdoor fitness center along with land and water activities for all ages.
Opening January 2020, The Ranahan by Welk Resorts is located on six acres of a scenic bend in the stunning Blue River and minutes from the historic town of Breckenridge. The brand-new, ranch-inspired resort pays homage to town’s history as a mining and ranching community through native stone and timber design. Even the name Ranahan is derived from the “Ranny,” the term for a top ranch hand or a good all-around cowboy.
Families will enjoy spacious one- and two-bedroom villas with fully-equipped kitchens, a living room with a flat-screen TV, balcony or patio and fireplace. Amenities include a state-of-the-art fitness center, lively indoor/outdoor pool complete with slide and splash pad, hot tubs, fire pits plus barbecue stations. The resort’s prime location is across the street from Breckenridge Golf Club and within easy access to skiing, bike trails, fishing, shopping and dining and much more.
Hotel Cerro will be the first full-service, luxury hotel to open in the college town of San Luis Obispo. The property has a variety of room types, from double queens to spacious suites with flexible sleeping arrangements that are great for families. It has a rooftop pool and deck with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. The countryside is one of the big attractions of SLO—it has miles of bike paths, hiking trails and family-friendly beaches in nearby Avila Beach and Morro Bay, not to mention stunning Montana de Oro State Park on the coast.
Located in the heart of historic downtown Bozeman, Montana, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants will turn the National Guard Armory building into a 122-room hotel with a signature restaurant, a speakeasy featuring music and live entertainment and 8,000 square feet of meeting and event space. The new Kimpton will also feature a concert hall designed to attract top musical performances, as well as a rooftop pool and bar, where guests can enjoy breathtaking views of the Bridger Mountain Range.
The hotel’s location will attract a broad spectrum of outdoor enthusiasts, with Yellowstone National Park as well as Big Sky and Bridger Bowl ski resorts at its doorstep. In addition to Bozeman’s premier outdoor offerings, which extend to incredible biking trails and fishing adventures, the city is also home to a vibrant art and music scene.
The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee—Greensboro, GA
The family-friendly waterfront retreat’s multi-million-dollar renovation has begun and will spring new life into the luxury guest rooms and suites, Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge Level, and guest experiences—all capturing the spirit of effortless lake life. A special focus is being placed on the resort’s youngest guests with the construction of a shorefront family pool and a brand new Ritz Kids center nearby, serving as home base for all things fun.
Holiday Inn Express® Trier is a modern hotel situated on the shore of the River Mosel. In the morning, enjoy a complimentary healthy breakfast in its comfortable breakfast room, then enjoy a 20-minute walk along the river to the city center. The city center is the oldest city of Germany which offers multiple sights and many attractions including the oldest city gate “Porta Nigra”, the old thermal bath as well as the Dome. As with other Holiday Inn Express properties, breakfast is complimentary.
Joie de Vivre and Destination Hotels Beach Resorts—Oceanside, CA
Expected to be completed late 2020, Oceanside’s brand-new Joie de Vivre resort and its sister property by Destination Hotels (both by Hyatt) will make up what will be the largest beachfront development on the San Diego coastline in over 20 years. Fronting Oceanside’s historic pier and sandy beach and within easy walking distance to restaurants, museums and shopping, both properties will offer families a stunning location from which to experience a Southern California beach vacation.
The Joie de Vivre hotel will feature 160 guest rooms and suites – most with private, ocean-facing balconies. Amenities include a restaurant, expansive rooftop pool, meeting space and a public garden. The property also will be the new home for Oceanside’s beloved “Top Gun” house, named for its appearance in the popular movie from the 1980s. Dating back to the year 1887, the historically-protected Queen Anne Victorian is being meticulously restored to its original splendor and will re-launch as a curated food outlet.
Oceanside’s Destination Hotels resort will boast a residential, upscale beach house feel with 226 guest rooms and suites, most with full or partial views of the ocean. Noteworthy amenities include a signature restaurant, an indoor-outdoor bar lounge, a luxury spa, an elevated 9,000-square-foot pool deck and extensive event space, including a poolside living room and terrace.
Set to debut March 1, 2020, in the exclusive resort enclave of Mexico’s emerging Costa Mujeres, just north of Cancun’s Hotel Zone, Planet Hollywood Beach Resort Cancun will offer guests of all ages an upscale and unforgettable all-inclusive vacation. The resort will feature 898 luxury suites, as well as an all-star line up of activities and adventures for travelers of all ages. Children are sure to enjoy the Stars Kids Club, a unique kids club program designed to spark the imagination of younger guests or have a blast at the new JUMP trampoline park. The whole family can channel their inner PGA player at the mini-golf course, wind down the lazy river, zoom down slides at the water park or test out their surfing skills on the FlowRider® surf simulator. Keeping with the Planet Hollywood lifestyle, the new-build resort will be reflective of the iconic '90s brand boasting authentic Hollywood memorabilia and curated entertainment experiences.
The ultimate glamping vacation, Under Canvas, creates an immersive escape that connects travel and nature and encourages being Outside Together. Guests of all ages can fall asleep under the stars, wake up to the sounds of nature and enjoy a day of endless activities amongst incredible views of America’s most iconic national parks and monuments.
NEW for 2020, Under Canvas Acadia, 75 lodging tents set on 100 acres, will comprise of more than 1,200 feet of coastline just a short 35-minute drive to the acclaimed Cadillac Mountain Trail and Acadia National Park.
Legacy International Center Resort & Spa—San Diego, CA
Legacy International Center Resort & Spa is located in the heart of San Diego’s famed Mission Valley. Featuring a 126-room hotel and conference center, an International Experience Center, and a 500-seat performing arts theater, this one-of-a-kind resort will become one of the region’s premier family-friendly destinations.
The International Experience Center will feature a dramatic 18-foot-tall interactive globe that gives visitors the chance to learn about different cultures. The Legacy Center’s flight motion simulator attraction will include a thrilling 4-D, 100-seat motion theater, conceived by former Disney Imagineers, where guests can experience “Wings Over Israel,” a full sensory “hang gliding” tour of Israel complete with sights, sounds and scents.
Set your sights for the British Virgin Islands in late 2020 to visit Bitter End Yacht Club after extensive renovations that were the result of the 2017 hurricanes that hit the islands. In the 2020 winter season, Bitter End will debut all-new world-class marina facilities complete with a two-story, open-air marina complex and lounge with expansive views of the North Sound and setting sun. Later in 2020, the club will introduce enhancements to the nautical village including yacht management programs, a casual beachfront restaurant and bar, private event space and an epicurean market for provisioning. Following on the heels of the marina and waterfront rebuild, the resort development will include a variety of unique accommodations and hospitality amenities.
Construction has already begun on a new 127-room hotel with anticipated completion as early as Fall 2020. The four-story hotel, located on a portion of the Chapel parking lot near Copper Road and Ten Mile Circle will consist of 127 guest rooms offering a mix of two queen beds, king beds and suites. With a spectacular panorama of Copper Mountain and the Sky Chutes, the Creekside Hotel will feature an outdoor patio nestled along West Ten Mile Creek complete with fire pits and hot tubs, giving guests a chance to unwind and soak in the views after a day on the slopes. The hotel will be a significant new addition to the resort’s Center Village and will provide easy access to unmatched Colorado adventure.
Alaia Belize, Belize’s first Marriott International Autograph Collection property, is opening December 2020 on Ambergris Caye’s San Pedro Town (dubbed La Isla Bonita by Madonna). The beachfront community resort will sit on over 20 acres and feature a hotel, as well as two- and three-bedroom condominiums and oceanfront villas available for purchase. Alaia will boast world-class amenities for the whole family, including a beach club, rooftop suspended pool and lounge (a first for Belize), full-service spa, fitness center, kids club, dive shop and live art gallery with family-friendly activities.
The Ben West Palm is shaking up the hospitality scene in West Palm Beach as it gears up for an opening in mid February 2020. As the first water-facing hotel in the downtown area, the highly anticipated property will be the ideal launch point for an unforgettable South Florida family vacation. Drawing inspiration from the Ben Trovato Estate, Byrd Dewey’s South Florida home that helped put West Palm Beach on the map, the hotel will reflect its roots with whimsical details throughout the property, like sliding bookcases and edgy fixtures intended to be discovered by guests and visitors.
The hotel will welcome all members of the family, including the four-legged ones, with pet-friendly offerings that include bath amenities like a plush bathrobe to match the human’s, and a special menu for canines. Other family-friendly offerings will include an interactive F&B program that includes weekly chef-led tours to the local green market, where families can pick up a wicker basket at the lobby and follow Chef Andre’s lead to the freshest produce of the day and enjoy a family meal back at the hotel. For a day of exploring, visitors can hop on one of The Ben’s colorful bicycles and pedal to the beach, wander through Rosemary Square and end the day back at the pool, where the kids can enjoy a dip and mom and dad can take in the views with a glass of wine in hand.
Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana—Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Hyatt
All ages resort Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana will be part of the greater Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt Zilara complex. Located on Juanillo Beach in the private community of Cap Cana, the grand opening date is set for March 2020. In addition to multiple pools on property, there is also a water park that is being built with both kids and adults in mind (large slides, lazy rivers and a splash pad for the little ones). Food and beverage offerings will span fast food, Italian and Asian/Mongolian among others along with an old-school diner offering everything from a robust selection of coffee to ice cream sundaes for kids.
In 2020, the 43-story The Royal Atlantis Resort & Residences will deliver a new generation of luxury with dramatic architecture, a 1.5-mile private beach, 35 world-class restaurants, a rooftop infinity pool overlooking the ocean and 795 lavish guest rooms and suites and 231 residences. Adventurous families need only travel next door to its iconic sister hotel Atlantis, The Palm for access to Aquaventure Waterpark with the Middle East’s longest river ride, Lost Chambers Aquarium with 65,000 marine animals, Wavehouse with the world’s first 3-axis rotation VR simulator and more.
An architectural landmark turned luxury hotel, Villa Copenhagen, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts will open its doors in April 2020, offering 390 guest rooms and suites. Set in the century-old Central Post and Telegraph Head Office, Villa Copenhagen holds a prime location next to the famed Tivoli Gardens and the Meatpacking District. Families can enjoy the outdoor heated pool, the private rooftop garden and the uniquely designed courtyard, which will serve as a vibrant social space. Also unique to the hotel are its genuine connection to the city’s history, interior green spaces created to promote calm, well-being, and sociability, and traditional Danish and international dining options.
Set on eight acres of oceanfront in Palm Beach, Amrit Ocean Resort & Spa is ideal for a relaxing family getaway along the coast of Florida. The resort will feature coastal design elements across the 153 guest rooms and 34 grand luxury wellness suites with floor-to-ceiling windows to soak up the unobstructed ocean views from its Singer Island location. Families will also find solace in the 11 penthouse residences (each with private rooftop terraces), ideal for multigenerational families. For parents focused on wellness, relaxation is available throughout the resort from an infinity pool steps from the shore, a four-story spa, and, private beach cabanas, and a full-service salon.
In early 2020, Half Moon, one of the Caribbean’s most iconic resorts, will open a stunning new luxury hotel experience. It will feature 57 spacious accommodations, two restaurants, three bars, a Salamander Spa, a vegan café, an expanded beachfront with a natural swimming cove, an infinity-edge swimming pool and a market café. These enticing new offerings will join the existing amenities that have made Half Moon Jamaica’s top resort, including a golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., and the Sugar Mill restaurant, which is consistently ranked as Jamaica’s best.
Opening January 2020, the all-new beachfront resort situated on a white sand beach overlooking the Caribbean Sea offers 537 elegant rooms and suites. Now® Natura Riviera Cancun features a modern design surrounded by lush nature including a lazy river, waterfalls and a grotto bar. Guests can enjoy the brand’s signature Unlimited-Luxury® experience, where everything from reservation-free gourmet cuisine to top-shelf spirits is included. Activities and thrilling entertainment for families include an infinity pool complete with a waterslide, a Rollglider aerial ride, and the Now Spa by Pevonia® designed to look like the region's remarkable cenotes.
Cuyama Buckhorn is a hotel in the Santa Barbara County area known as the “Hidden Valley of Enchantment.” It’s a classic motel getting an incredible revamp from two LA designers and is set to be completed in late Spring 2020. The vibe is Stone Barns meets Marfa, meets something like Scribner’s Catskills Lodge. Right now rooms are open on weekends (the café/restaurant is fully open); the pool/bar area and additional rooms, lobby, etc. will be completed in the spring. The road from Ojai to New Cuyama is the only unmarked Scenic Highway in North America—it's a great California road trip to take with kids. The property features double rooms that can comfortably sleep four, and the restaurant features classic dishes using fresh ingredients from farmers in the area. Parents and kids alike will enjoy the pancakes for breakfast or the Buckhorn Burger for lunch and dinner.
The bustling harbor around San Francisco’s landmark Ferry Building can easily become your kiddo’s favorite spot to disembark when you are in the know about where to go. Cruise the Ferry Building and its plaza and you’ll find ferries and fireboats, produce and playgrounds, adventure and history, and more. Here are our picks for what to see, do, and explore at this popular waterfront hub.
photo: Kate Loweth
View from the Bay Built in 1898, the Ferry Building is located at the end of Market Street, with a sprawling plaza between. Vintage streetcars (which take you down to Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf) use the plaza for turn-around. You can arrive at the Ferry Building by bus, streetcar, car, or boat. The west side, along the Embarcadero boasts market stand on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and the east side is host to the Saturday farmer’s market. The east side is also where the ferries dock. Look (and listen) for its turn-of-the-century clock tower.
photo: Amber Guetebier
Romp However you get there, hungry and thirsty troops can head straight inside. The more energized set can head south toward the Bay Bridge. Watch for info kiosks about sea life, as well as the historical signage and embedded sidewalk plaques which are part of the Barbary Coast Trail. Your little ones will look mighty small compared to the giant sculpture of a Bow and Arrow.
photo: Amber Guetebier
Head a little further south to check out SFPD’s Station 35, home of the fireboats! You’ll be likely to spot the fire-engine too. Be sure and look for the Popeye logo on the side. Once you’ve appeased your mini-heroes, head back toward the Ferry Building, making a stop at Pier 14 to get a new perspective of the fire-boats and ferry terminals.
photo: Kate Loweth
Chomp Come here hungry. In addition to stalls teeming with fresh produce, there are dozens of restaurants and food stands in and around the Ferry Building. Kids will love the Cowgirl Creamery grilled cheeses and Acme Bread Company offers an array of sandwiches. On weekends you can find the most divine biscuits (bacon maple is our favorite) at Biscuit Bender. This weekend-only stand is located right next to MIJITA. Take your noshes out to a bench and watch the ferries come and go.
photo: Kate Loweth
For a more sophisticated sit-down meal, we definitely recommend you booking a table at Boulettes Larder. Offering breakfast, lunch and everyone’s favorite Sunday brunch, the entrees focus on fresh, local ingredients and the Bloody Marys come with a kick. Nab a table on the water side and don’t forget to save room for the beignets—they are out of this world!
photo: Kate Loweth
The line at Humphry Slocombe shows that Ferry Building visitors know a good thing when they see it. Expect to find innovative flavors here with Blue Bottle Vietnamese Coffee and Secret Breakfast (bourbon and cornflakes) being local favorites and Malted Milk Chocolate a kid fave.
photo: Amber Guetebier
Shop The Book Passage has a wonderful kid’s section that includes tiny chairs and a small selection of toys and puppets. Kids will appreciate the wild variety of mushrooms at Far West Fungi and the Ferry Buildings boat-centric goodies at Bay Crossings.
Fog City Flea
Fog City Flea brings an eclectic lineup of makers and merchants from the Bay Area and beyond offering handcrafted jewelry, apparel, accessories, apothecary, housewares, furnishings, and well-edited vintage. Curated exclusively for the Ferry Building by the team behind Upstate New York’s renowned Phoenicia Flea, Fog City Flea takes place Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through November 17, 2019.
Flea market shoppers are invited to bring along the whole family and experience the Flea Circus Kids’ Activity Area, which includes face painting, arts and crafts stations, a coloring zone, a Lego zone, games and more, with a weekly rotating theme. Tickets for the Flea Circus will be available for $10 per guest and cover all activities. The Flea Circus will be held every Sunday through November 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the foot of the front staircase leading up to the Grand Hall, where Fog City Flea takes place.
photo: Kate Loweth
Stomp (and Roll) Burn off that second scoop at Sue Bierman playground. Located across the street (and just north) from the Ferry Building, this picture-perfect playground includes a killer view of Coit Tower. The area along the Embarcadero is awesome for skates, scooters, and bikes. Bike rentals are available near the front of the building.
photo: Kate Loweth
Another fun area to run around is at the Vaillancourt Fountain, located right next to Sue Bierman Park. It’s a nice cool spot to sit with a picnic while the kids follow the concrete steps behind the falling water. Don’t miss a visit to the always-free San Francisco Railway Museum, a great place to learn about this area’s history. It’s located right next to the fountain in the same building as the Hotel Vitale.
photo: Kate Loweth
Go Beyond Still want more? Travel north on the Embarcadero and you’ll find the Exploratorium. It’s an easy walk from the Ferry Building and you can grab a pedicab for tired legs on the way back. Travel south on the Embarcadero to the South Beach neighborhood, just a few blocks past the Bay Bridge, and you’ll find the home of the SF Giants, Oracle Park.
Getting There Nearly every transit line in the city converges nearby. You can take MUNI, BART (to Embarcadero station), or hop on a ferry if you are coming from the North, East, or South Bay. There are also a handful of parking garages and metered parking. This is a hot-spot for tickets, so watch the time limit even if you’ve pumped the meter with quarters!
photo: Kate Loweth
Make it a Staycation
We love the Hotel Vitale for it’s perfect location right across the street from the Ferry Building. You’ll get Bay views from the roof decks and loads of activities for families right around the corner. Parents can relax with massages at the on-site spa. Kids will especially love the Embarcadero Explorers Package that comes with four tickets to the Exploratorium, kids binoculars to scope out the Bay Bridge and a fun gift bag that includes a kids’ Giants hat, SF puzzle, color-changing sunglasses and more.
Good to Know There are two restrooms located in the Ferry Building. On Jackson Street at Davis, just a few blocks past the playground, there’s a Safeway and a less-crowded Starbucks. The Embarcadero Center also has public restrooms and more shopping.
Insider’s Tip: The farmers market is open three days a week—Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Saturday market can get pretty crowded and navigating a stroller can be a challenge. There are free guided walking tours at noon on Tuesdays and Saturdays, courtesy sfcityguides.org.
If your little one dreams of kick flips, mastering the 50-50 grind and dropping in to a massive bowl, then you likely have a skater on your hands. While this distinctly California hobby has been around since our childhood, these days there are more sweet spots than ever to practice sick tricks. We’ve narrowed down our favorites below. So gear up your grom with a helmet, knee and elbow pads, and wrist guards and say L8TR SK8TR!
Playland at 43rd Ave.
This teeny community-built skatepark is the perfect spot for little ones, and also features a community garden and play space. It’s maintained by neighbors who pitch in to perform everything from routine maintenace to paint new murals, making it a real gem.
SoMa West Skate Park
Skateboard legend Tony Hawk helped to build this park (score!), with plenty of opps for (literally) dropping in, or just hanging out to watch.
Beneath the Central Freeway, Valencia and Duboce Streets
San Francisco, Ca
Online: sfrecpark.org
Hilltop Park When you’ve reached the giant 70-foot sundial, you’ll know you’re there. This is the city’s first public skateboard park, with a large skating bowl, hilltop views, and even cement slides (so bring the cardboard).
La Salle & Whitney Young Cir.
San Francisco, Ca
Online: sfrecpark.org
Balboa Skatepark This newer, all wooden skate park in Mission Terrace is calling all kiddos to get off the screens and skate into full-action mode.
San Jose Ave and Ocean Ave.
San Francisco, Ca
Online: balboaskate.org
La Raza Park /Potrero del Sol As San Francisco’s largest skate park, this is the place to be. It has a Greek-style temple and colorful murals, and the weekend mornings draws lots of parents and younger kids.
City View Skate Park
This park has the coolest setting of the old Alameda Navy Base—plus miles of beautiful water views. Big bonus (more for you than them): lots of antique flea market shopping nearby.
Braille House and Skatepark
On weekdays, the Braille House functions as a studio for filming YouTube videos but come spring, summer and winter break they open the doors for skate camps. Private lessons are also available on select weekends and occasionally the crew opens the door for open skate.
Fremont Skate Park A spacious park means there’s everything from stairs to rails to benches. Lots of options here for kids to practice popping those ollies.
Kennelly Skate Park From ramps to classes, this park can take the kiddos from newbie to full-fledged skater. Even BMX riders can use the park on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3–4:30 p.m., and Sundays from 1–2:30 p.m.
Berkeley Skate Park Get ready for massive: 18,000-square-feet, complete with beginner-friendly areas plus classes, a skate club—and even scholarships. Park closed during events and rainy days.
Harrison St. (skatepark is located at Harrison Park)
Berkeley, CA
Online: berkeleyskate.ca.us
Joseph Emery Skate Spot
Located behind a CVS between Park and 45th Street, this park is also famously situated just outside Pixar Studios. The park is narrow, but spans the length of two city blocks and features plenty of skateable paths for little ones, mini ramps and a bowl for advanced skaters.
Off of San Pablo Avenue between 45th Street and Park Avenue
Emeryville, CA
Jack Holland Skate Park
This skate park may be small but it’s varying ramps and rails offer tons of potential, espeically for beginners. The park features shaded, stadium seating and a restroom. Bonus: It’s located right next to a playground just incase every little member of your family isn’t into allies (yet).
16301 E 14th St.
San Leandro, CA
San Ramon Central Park This park is especially perfect for the youngest skaters. On weekends the priority usage is reserved for kids 11 and under. There’s also 40 more acres surrounding the skate park to explore, including a maze of water features, lots of trails, and picnicking galore.
Lake Cunningham Regional Skate Park This one wins the award for largest skate park in California with some of the biggest and bestest features in the world (read: world’s biggest cradle, tallest vert wall, and largest full pipe . . . how cool is that?!). Also check out their birthday packages, lessons, rentals, camps and live music in the summer.
Greer Skate Park
Greer is a 70’s style bowl park with fast flowing lines and a rounded lip that allows for fast and easy rollins/outs. The volcano in the center of the medium bowl has rough grindable lip.
Mill Valley Skate Park
Recently totally renovated in Spring 2019 and sitting adjacent to the Bay Trail and Mill Valley Middle School, this pristine new skatepark already has a loyal following amongst Mill Valley’s young skaters. The upgraded park features smooth, new concrete and plenty of ramps for beginners to advanced (though local residents urge parents to limit use to actual skateboarders and not little tikes on scooters). Most weekends you’ll find Hot Diggity food cart serving up snacks, drinks and hot dogs.
425 Sycamore Avenue (Mill Valley Middle School)
Mill Valley, CA
McInnis County Skate Park
You haven’t experienced a skate park until you’ve seen this gigantic sea of bowls, ramps, and half-pipes, and all surrounded by a beautiful landscape of rolling hills. Scooters are allowed in the park each day until 1 p.m. and there are lots of hiking trails for before and after.
Proof Lab
Easy means one-stop shop! They have gear, indoor ramp time, art, and even a cool cafe. Here’s their list of local instructors (check with Proof Lab for the most updated indoor ramp hours): prooflab.com/surf-skate-lessons
54/244 Shoreline Hwy.
Mill Valley, CA
415-380-8900
Online: prooflab.com
Corte Madera Skatepark
This one’s not the biggest, baddest of the bunch, but because of its sweet size it’s for the mini-shredders in your life. Bonus: ice cream truck on hot days, and a huge playground right next door.
Waffles and champagne in bed. A (long) nap. Maybe even a massage. These are all good ways to spend Mother’s Day. Another way to celebrate this occasion is by supporting Bay Area small businesses run by some of the coolest moms around. Take a look at how these women balance creative careers and kids.
Lorena Siminovich of Petit Collage
Petit Collage
If you’re a parent there’s a very high probability that your respective child has a toy from Petit Collage. Founded by Lorena Siminovich some 12 years ago in San Francisco, the eco-friendly line has grown to include wonderfully graphic puzzles, wooden toys, coloring and sticker books, backpacks, lunch boxes, cool crafting kits, soft organic baby toys and much more. Her nine-year-old daughter has grown up watching her mom design this dream line of toys but now this little observer is beginning to turn the tables. “Matilda has been a muse from the start, participating in product testing, endless photoshoots, and always giving creative feedback,” says Siminovich. "Now she is proposing products for us to make! She is definitely the inventor type.” Who can blame her, in addition to her mother’s creative toy line, her father owns and curates one of the Bay Area’s coolest toy stores, Mapamundi Kids in Noe Valley. While Siminovich hopes Matilda will consider entrepreneurship as a possible career path, she has a feeling that’s not too far off. "Last week she brought a notebook to the flea market, that said something like cost/improvements/profit, so I get the feeling she already got the bug.”
Fine artist, owner of the incredible home textile line Jenny Pennywood and also the co-founder of the clothing line SEE SUN. As is that weren’t enough, Jen Garrido is also the mother to Jemma, 7, and nine-month-old Juna. What’s her secret? The San Francisco resident says having kids has made one thing clear: “I don't have time to dilly dally,” says Garrido. “I have to be focused in order to get things accomplished. A good, clear to-do list is always a must or else I feel like I am floating in the wind.” And while her daughters are still quite young, they’re already helping their mother in more ways than they may realize. “In small ways they serve as fit models sometimes, but in a larger way, they serve as inspiration to create a flexible and profitable business just so I can be with them as much as possible.” As for what she hopes they get out of the deal, simply the knowledge that with hard work they can accomplish whatever they choose.
Kris Galmarini is the owner and designer behind Neve and Hawk, an ethically-made surf-inspired lifestyle brand for families with a shop in Marin County’s San Anselmo. Mother to Neve, 10, Shepard Hawk, 7 and Sebastian, 1, Galmarini and her husband Bob started their business by turning their bedroom into a screen printing room, where they would work once their children were tucked in bed at night. "Fast forward six years and we now have grown that brand into something really special,” says Galmarini, who designs and sells clothing for women, men, children and infants. “Functionally, I want to design something that can grow with a child if possible or be worn multiple ways for more wear. Ethically, I want to design something that takes up the least carbon footprint to help keep our planet nice for my kids and their kids.” And speaking of her kids, they are no longer sleeping on the job. (Well, the eldest two, at least.) Once school is out, Neve and Shepard pop over to the shop, where they help clean, organize and even assist in all-ages screen printing classes, among other creative workshops. “I just hope they look back on growing up in our store with fondness,” she says. “We want to raise our children to have street smarts, empathy and grit—humans that can be faced with challenges and tackle them head on, not shy away.”
Lisa Wong Jackson had been running a successful graphic design business called Good on Paper for more than a decade when last year she decided to dip her toes into retail, too. The shop she co-owns in downtown Albany is called Morningtide—a lifestyle shop that features locally and or handmade homewares, clothing, toys and yummy treats. While life with kids (Lucas, 8 and Theo, 5) forced her to shift the priorities of her graphic design for more work/life balance, her boys are also influencing her latest venture. “With Morningtide, my kids inspire me to choose products for our shop that I would own in my own home,” says Jackson, whose father owned a shoe store where she dreamed of playing store. “I think having the kids at the shop occasionally gives our business a family vibe that’s positive, fun and inviting,” she says. Her boys are learning to make their mark on the shop, too, based on some skills they’ve no doubt picked up from their cool mom. “Theo pretty much designed the Morningtide logo. One day he was practicing writing the letter ‘m’ over and over on a piece of paper on the floor. I told him to keep doing it and soon I had a bunch of versions that I scanned and cleaned up on my computer.” Meanwhile, Lucas is killing it in the customer service department. “Lucas loves to come in the shop, greet customers and occasionally ring them up. Inserting their credit card is his favorite part.”
Lisa Milestone has been helping local parents up their birthday party game since she opened her first shop Pippa & Co. more than four years ago in Alameda, followed by a second last year in Berkeley. Brimming with the best modern balloon bouquets, as well as giant balloons decorated with colorful tissue tassels, her well-curated stores are packed with the goods for every festive occasion—think banners to paper goods as well as fun favors right on down to the sparkling candles. Mom to Tycho, 7, and Pippa, 5, Milestone says the idea came naturally. “The entire concept and idea for my shop came from throwing parties for my kids so they were definitely the inspiration,” says Milestone.“ As they've gotten older, their love of balloons and decorating has only reinforced the family business.” But the best part is what her kids are leaving the shop with. “My hope is that they see their mom having it all; the family, the happy home and a thriving business.”
People always ask product designer Audrey Smit, founder of This Little Street how she does what she does with four girls. “And I don’t know,” says Smit. “It’s almost that I have so much more energy with them around. They bring so much life and beauty, and yes, let’s be honest, mess too, to our lives. It’s a happy mess, and I love it that way.” Smit’s office is based in a sunny nook turned office in the family’s Berkeley home (outfitted with enough chairs for her daughters to sit alongside her) where she designs whimsical floral wallpaper as well as rompers and dresses adorned with foxes, acorns and budding florals. She credits her girls Olivia, 8, Madeline, 7, Freia 4, and Penelope 2 for upping her creativity. “I have always been a creative person, but seeing life through their eyes has made me want to bring a new new magical universe to life. Hence my outburst of inspiration to design new clothing collection. I even just launched a new, super whimsical travel book series for kids. My girls are a constant source of inspiration for my work.”
If you’ve ever coveted a cozy wall hanging that you spotted on Instagram or Pinterest, chances are it was made by Meghan Shimek. The Oakland fiber artist uses a beautiful, raw, thick wool called roving to create the colorful and texture-rich pieces. Meghan’s inspiration for starting her business actually came after her son Grey, now 6, was born. "I don't think I ever would have pursued art professionally if it hadn't been for him,” says Shimek. “Watching him as a baby and how everything was a new experience, it opened up my eyes that the world, and my life, didn't have to follow the mold I had made for it. I think there is a lot of playfulness in my work and that comes from having an active and curious child.”
“Our kids have yet to fill a single spice jar, but they love to raid our cinnamon stick supply and play ‘shop’ while we work,” says Erica Perez, who co-owns Oaktown Spice Shop in Oakland and Albany with her husband, John. “They also taste all of our recipes during development, although usually the verdict is, ‘too spicy!' Seriously, though, if I make a recipe that pleases their palates and ours, I know it'll work for other families, too.” Spicy food aside, what pushed Erica and John to expand goes back to their kiddos, Lusia, 4, and Rafa, 2. “So having children, and wanting to spend time together as a family, pushed us to grow our business so that it could be managed by others on nights and weekends. That was a key step in making it possible for us to continue to grow the business in other ways.” And while they may not be on the spice jar assembly line quite yet, Perez hopes they are building memories of the spice shop, from the huge sacks of peppercorns to all those cinnamon sticks they’ve consumed, that will last a lifetime. “Of course they will no doubt remember the aroma of the shop, our car, our clothes, our hair—everything! I also hope they feel empowered to pursue their ideas in unconventional ways and to take calculated risks.”
Birgit Sfat, founder of the Over the Ocean, a concept store for European design for families, started her business three years ago as a means of creating a flexible schedule to spend time with her daughter, Milla, 9. “Since I curate children’s clothes and toys, she is also my inspiration for the brand selections,” says Sfat, who works from a chic and cozy basement office inside their San Francisco home. “My girl has always been a wild one and I know how important it is that she feels comfortable. Our children's clothes are well-made pieces that need to stand the test of time and play and I would never sacrifice comfort for style.” Millia has also become quite involved in the family business, from assisting with art direction at photo shoots to order fulfillment and everything in between. “She loves to help me unpack collections and wrap orders. She tells me to also order bikinis and not only swimsuits. On our backyard pop-up shop event (May 4-5) she will make a lemonade stand for our little customers.”
Jennifer Viale is the owner of Oakland boutique Bella Vita, which carries locally-made toys and frocks for women and children, mixed among a perfect hit of vintage furniture and accessories. Mother to 12-year-old Olivia, being a small business owner has its benefits: “I work hard but I'm also able to make my own schedule. I love that I'm able to drop my daughter off at school and pick her up,” says, Viale, who opened the College Avenue shop 18 years ago. Having practically grown up in the shop, Olvia now helps around the shop on weekends and after school. “She has great input and she is amazing with customers.” But beyond the rad consumer relations skills Olivia has gleaned, Viale hopes what she learning will go beyond the shop. “I want her to know she can accomplish anything she wants,” says Viale. “I want her to be a strong, independent young lady.”
Whether you’re on the hunt for cool vintage toys or an antique baby crib, LA has world-renown flea markets filled with incredible treasures just waiting to be discovered. And kiddos can learn a lot from exploring these treasure troves with you on weekends. They’ll learn about small businesses, they’ll learn the importance of being eco-conscious in their community and how to create groovy items by simply recycling and upcycling. They’ll even learn how to bargain and negotiate for a better price. So grab some sunscreen, a hat and your best shopping bag because we’ve rounded up the top 6 fleas you need to check out, stat!
Melrose Trading Post Every Sun., neighborhood families flock to the Melrose Trading Post at Fairfax High School. Filled with a thoughtfully curated selection of handcrafted artisan goods, one-of-a-kind finds, vintage clothing, albums, and antique furniture, there’s definitely something for everyone. Kids will dig the Melrose Sunday Music Series featuring tons of live music by local talent on the Greenway Arts Main Stage. There are also food trucks and a snack stand or two to keep hangry tots happy. Also, this is one of the only markets where dogs are welcome – so be sure to bring Fido along! But the very best part is that general admission and vendor fees help provide jobs for Fairfax High students, fund field trips, sports equipment, campus beautification projects, teachers programs and more – truly giving back to LA’s educational community.
When: Every Sun, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Cost: $3
Parking: A limited amount of free on-campus parking is first come, first serve.
Good to Know: Limited valet service is available for $5 at the Melrose and Gennessee entrance but most guests park in nearby neighborhoods and hoof it over to the market. Just be sure to pay attention to permit only and time restriction signs.
Melrose Trading Post
Fairfax High School
7850 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles
Online: melrosetradingpost.org
Topanga Vintage Market The 4th Sun. of every month, stop by the Topanga Vintage Market at Pierce College in Woodland Hills for some of the coolest vintage and most unusual antiques in town. Whether you’re browsing for antique globes, fine China, or an old-timey Mickey Mouse phone that reminds you of childhood – you’re bound to find it here. Arrive early and ensure your pick of the best inventory possible. There are also plenty of food trucks and live entertainment on hand to feed little ones’ bodies and spirits while you get your shop on.
When: The 4th Sun. of every month, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Cost: $3; 12 and under, veterans and active military are free.
Parking: Free parking is available – be sure to enter campus at the Mason Ave. entrance.
Good to Know: You can take the Metro here! The Orange Line stops right across the street from the market at the Pierce College stop.
Topanga Vintage Market
Pierce College
Victory Blvd. at Mason Ave.
Woodland Hills
Online: topangavintagemarket.com
Rose Bowl Flea Market Keep an eye peeled because you’re bound to spot some of Hollywood’s biggest celebs browsing next to you at LA’s most unique flea market, the Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena. For over 50 years, on the 2nd Sun. of every month, vendors have been selling their wares to LA’s enthusiastic treasure hunters. With an average of 2,500 vendors on site, you may not be able to reach them all in one sitting – but hey, that’s more to explore next time! There’s plenty of food (check out the market special of a hot dog and beverage for $4) and drinks available throughout the market, including wine and beer – holla!
When: 2nd Sun. of every month, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Cost: $9; 12 and under are free.
Parking: Plenty of free parking is available on site or you may pay for VIP preferred parking closer to the entrance.
Good to Know: Tickets are available at the gate or in advance online through the Rose Bowl Flea Market site. Express admission is also available from 8 a.m. – 9 a.m. for $12 per person, early admission is available from 7 a.m. – 8 a.m. for $15 per person or VIP admission is available from 5 a.m. – 7 a.m. for $20 per person. But just know not all vendors are even moved in and completely set up until 9 a.m.
Long Beach Antique Market
Often named one of the top flea markets in the country, the Long Beach Antique Flea Market has been the go-to destination for treasure hunters and bargain seekers in the know since 1982. With over 20 acres of home décor, clothing, jewelry and vintage collectibles, it’s more than worth your time to drive to the LBC the 3rd Sun. of every month. Chances are you’ll spot everything from a vintage Louis Vuitton baby bag and gorgeous turquoise bracelets to a stunning mid-century dresser and indigo shibori throw that would look fab in your tyke’s nursery. You have to hit the market early to get the really great finds, but on many items, you’ll really snag a bargain here. There are food and beer options as well so shoppers (big and small) keep smiling.
When: 3rd Sun. of every month, 6:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Cost: $6; 12 and under are free.
Parking: Free parking is available around the market area.
Good to Know: $12 early admission with entrance to market from 5:30 a.m. – 6:30 a.m.
Long Beach Antique Market
Long Beach Veterans Stadium
4901 E. Conant St.
Long Beach
Online: longbeachantiquemarket.com
photo: Pasadena City College Flea Market via Facebook
Pasadena City College Flea Market The Pasadena City College Flea Market held on the 1st Sun. of the month is known for its wonderful selection of antiques and collectibles and boasts one of the best record marketplaces in all of Southern Cal. So if you’re looking to introduce your littles to the vinyl of your younger years, this may just be the spot to find it. Vendors are super friendly and accommodating, prices are fair and pooches are welcome – what more could you ask for!?
When: 1st Sun. of the month, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Cost: Free.
Parking: $2 parking is available at the structure on the corner of Hill and Del Mar.
Artists & Fleas Brooklyn-born flea market empire, Artists & Fleas, finally made its way out west and serves up some of the chicest artisan and craft fare around every 2nd and 4th Sat. in Venice. Smaller in size and expertly curated, this market is much easier to navigate than some of the other behemoths out there. From vintage clothing and cool jewelry to beauty products and healing crystals (it is Venice after all), Artists & Fleas is a relaxing weekend outing for LA families. A variety of small batch confectioners and food trucks are on site as well providing much-needed nourishment for haggling and hunting. Pups are welcome too!
When: 2nd and 4th Sat. every month, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Cost: Free.
Parking: Street parking, nearby lots and free bike parking
Final Treasure Hunting Tip: Don’t forget to bring lots of cash when you hit the flea market circuit. Though some vendors are happy to take credit cards, some may not and cash is king when it comes to easier bargaining.
What are some of your fave flea markets around town? Give us the scoop and let us know if we missed yours in the comments below!
Seattle boasts a vibrant farmers market circuit that’s ramping up for the warmer months and we’re here to help you plan your course. If you’re looking to stock your larder, delight in tasty street foods or just commune with your neighbors, cast your line in any direction and you’ll find farmers, artisans and artists offering their wares in neighborhoods all around the city. The best part? Your kids may even eat a veggie or two! Read on for a breakdown of the city’s neighborhood farmers markets (both year-round and seasonal) by day.
photo: Matt Mornick courtesy of Pike Place Market PDA
WEDNESDAYS
Locals already well-versed in the city’s farmers market circuit will want to swing downtown for the Pike Place Evening Market, which promises 20 produce vendors plus live music and cooking demonstrations in the most picturesque of Seattle settings. Families take note: organizers have planned kid-friendly activities for the second Wednesday of every month. A bit further south, the Columbia City Farmers Market has been a bustling addition to the neighborhood for nearly 20 years. The music tent will be back again this year, giving kiddos a place to dance to local musicians. If you’re north of the ship canal and don’t want to make the trek south, Wallingford’s Farmers Market will again be set up in Meridian Park, making it the best ready-to-picnic market of the lot. Make a meal of the fresh produce, or grab a slice from Veraci Pizza to eat in the shade of the 100-year-old apple trees—kids can romp on the playground after.
Pike Place Evening Farmers Market
Pike Place at Pine St.
Seattle, Wa 98101
Online: pikeplacemarket.org/eveningmarket
Dates: Wednesdays, May 31-Sept. 27, 2017
Time: 3 p.m.-7 p.m.
Columbia City Farmers Market
South Edmunds St. & 37th Ave. S.
Seattle, Wa 98118
Online: seattlefarmersmarkets.org/markets/columbia-city
Dates: Wednesdays, May 3-Oct. 11, 2017
Time: 3 p.m.-7 p.m.
Wallingford Farmers Market
Meridian Park
4649 Sunnyside Ave. N.
Seattle, Wa 98103
Online: sfmamarkets.com/visit-wallingford-farmers-market
Dates: Wednesdays, May 17-Sept. 27, 2017
Time: 3:30 p.m.-7 p.m. (Chefs only 3 p.m.-3:30 p.m.)
photo: Kelly Doscher
THURSDAYS
There’s perhaps no farmers market so accommodating to kids as the Queen Anne Farmers Market. The selection of vendors is fairly small but well curated—with plenty of berries to fill tiny bellies—but the real draw is the impressive assortment of artisan foods and rotating roster of street food trucks like Biscuit Box, Nosh and The Grilled Cheese Experience. Go for your groceries, stay for dinner. Up north, the Lake City Farmers Market gives the neighborhood—which doesn’t have a predominantly organic grocery store—much-needed access to farm-fresh veggies. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, duck into the nearby Lake City library and peruse the children’s books.
Queen Anne Farmers Market
Crockett St. & Queen Anne Ave.
Seattle, Wa 98109
Online: qafma.net
Dates: Thursdays, June 1-Oct. 12, 2017
Time: 3 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Lake City Farmers Market
N.E. 125th St. & 28th Ave. N.E.
Seattle, Wa 98125
Online: seattlefarmersmarkets.org/markets/lake-city
Dates: Thursdays, June 8-Oct. 5, 2017
Time: 3 p.m.-7 p.m.
photo: Katie Gruver
FRIDAYS
The city’s newest farmers market is the Phinney Farmers Market, which was added to the lineup in 2007 and this year features later more convenient hours. It’s a petite setup in the neighborhood community center’s parking lot, but it’s big enough to pick up enough veggies for the week and grab an afternoon snack. Also, be sure to hit the Zucchini 500 Race on August 26 (3 p.m.–6 p.m., other dates and times at other markets can be found here) where kids can make and race their own veggie cars. Another parking lot market (hey, it means these both have actual places to park!) is Madrona’s Farmers Market, ironically in the Grocery Outlet lot. What it lacks in ambiance, it makes up for in convenience: This ‘hood, like Lake City, lacks grocery options, and this is a place to catch many of that same popular meat, produce and artisan food vendors from other markets in the city.
Phinney Farmers Market
Phinney Neighborhood Center (upper lot)
N. 67th St. & Phinney Ave. N.
Seattle, Wa 98103
Online: seattlefarmersmarkets.org/markets/phinney
Dates: Fridays, June 2-Oct. 6, 2017
Time: 3:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Madrona Farmers Market
Grocery Outlet parking lot
Martin Luther King Jr. Way & E. Union St.
Seattle, Wa 98122
Online: sfmamarkets.com/madrona-farmers-market
Dates: Fridays, May 19-Sept. 20, 2017
Time: 3 p.m.-7 p.m.
SATURDAYS
Folks flock to the University District on Saturdays for good reason: the U-District Farmers Market is one of the city’s most established, one of the few year-round markets and one of the best places to spend a Saturday morning. A few years ago, the market moved to the Ave., and now there’s even more space for the plentiful vendors and frolicking families. And though there are numerous options for lunch after shopping for locally sourced meat, bouquets of fresh flowers and farm-grown veggies, you must make room for a snack from Ellenos yogurt (try the passionfruit or one of the other flavors you can’t find in grocery stores). On a smaller scale across town, the Magnolia Farmers Market sets up shop right in the village, making it easy for customers to peruse the shops nearby as well. Can’t find a meal for everyone after shopping the market? Time your visit to coincide with a meal at Serendipity Cafe to take advantage of their kids’ play space (and killer brunch).
University District Farmers Market
University Way N.E. & N.E. 50th St.
Seattle, Wa 98105
Online: seattlefarmersmarkets.org/markets/u-district
Dates: Saturdays, year-round
Time: 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Magnolia Farmers Market
33rd Ave. W. & W. McGraw St.
Seattle, Wa 9819
Online: seattlefarmersmarkets.org/markets/magnolia
Dates: Saturdays year-round, except July 29, 2017
Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
photo: Kelly Doscher
SUNDAYS
The end of the week makes for the broadest variety of farmers markets, perfect for meal prepping the rest of the week. The West Seattle Farmers Market, Ballard Farmers Market and Capitol Hill Broadway Farmers Market are all year-round, and each have their own distinct vibe and loyal clientele. West Seattle and Ballard share many favorite market vendors—Hayton Farms Berries, Sea Breeze Farm, Alvarez Farms, Tall Grass Bakery and more—so it makes sense to stick with whichever market is closer to home. Both are extremely kid-friendly—so much so that you’ll have a hard time tearing the Littles away. Capitol Hill’s market setup along Broadway offers plenty of farm-fresh produce, and the ready-to-eat food there is among the best at any market (more than one awesome restaurant has been born out of these vendors!). Try Miri’s Poffertjes—tiny sweet and savory Dutch pancakes—and El Chito’s gourmet tamales. The year-round Fremont Sunday Market is a different kind of beast: part food truck pod, part farmers market, mostly flea market with some 200 vendors selling everything from vintage toys to pickles. It’s a little wacky, like the neighborhood itself, but kids—and their fun-loving adults—will absolutely love it.
West Seattle Farmers Market
California Ave. S.W. & S.W. Alaska St.
Seattle, Wa 98116
Online: seattlefarmersmarkets.org/markets/west-seattle
Dates: Sundays, year-round
Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Capitol Hill Broadway Farmers Market
Broadway Ave. E. & E. Pine St.
Seattle, Wa 98122
Online: seattlefarmersmarkets.org/markets/broadway
Dates: Sundays, year-round
Time: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Fremont Sunday Market
3410 Evanston Ave. N.
Seattle, Wa 98103
Online: fremontmarket.com
Dates: Sundays, year-round
Times: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
photo: Pike Place Market PDA
Pike Place Market is Going West! Coming this June 29, the Pike Place Market will be celebrating the Grand Opening of their newest addition, the MarketFront. 40 years in the making, the MarketFront’s day has finally come due to the impending replacement of the Alaskan Way Viaduct and the broader re-building of the waterfront. With its Western Ave. location bridging Seattle’s downtown to Elliott Bay, visitors will enjoy sweeping views of Mount Rainier and The Olympic Peninsula while they munch on market-fresh finds.
The expansion will provide nearly 50 new spaces for farm and craft vendors, and a new Producers Hall, which will feature Old Stove Brewing Co., Honest Biscuits, indi chocolate and Little Fish seafood restaurant. Add to that tons of new public art and 300 new parking spaces, and there’s no excuse not to head downtown to check it out!
Pike Place MarketFront
1531 Western Ave. (parking)
Seattle, Wa 98101
Online: pikeplacemarket.org/marketfront
Dates: Mon.-Sun., year-round
Times:
Breakfast: Starting at 6 a.m.
Fresh Produce & Seafood: Starting at 7 a.m.
Official Market Bell: 9 a.m.
Crafts Market: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Farm Tables: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Merchant Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Restaurants: 6 a.m.-1:30 a.m. (varies by season)
For a full listing of every farmers market in the area, check out Tilth Alliance.
Which farmers markets do you and your family frequent? Tell us what you love about buying local in the Comments below!
Just like dining and playing, shopping is shifting outside for the summer. Flea market season is upon us — and the fun is entirely family friendly. Put on your bargain-hunting hat and plow through antiques, vintage jewelry, furniture and other gems. Your little allowance earner will be tempted to burn his savings on toys, baseball cards, plush animals and even old-fashioned treats like popcorn, fudge and ice cream. Read on to hear about four fleas in Chicago or within an hour’s drive.
photo: 3 French Hens
3 French Hens French Country Market Several years ago, three women set out to show their neighbors that they didn’t need a passport to enjoy the beauty and treasures of a traditional French market. They created this charming attraction in the streets of Morris, Illinois, about an hour southwest of Chicago. Now run by two of the original hens, the market has a romantic, Euro feel that echoes that look of the historic town it’s located in.
Why parents love it: The quaint setting is a welcome escape from city life. Market vendors set up booths near the pretty canals that cut through town. It’s the ideal cadre for browsing fine crafts, antiques, baked goods, fresh produce and flowers. For lunch, step back to the early 1900s at Letty Mae’s Tea Room, where hot soups, salads and deli sandwiches are served on vintage china.
Why kids love it:
Vintage toys and plushes keep the small fry eagerly browsing. Take a break in town at Sweet Tooth, an old-fashioned candy store known for its in-house popcorn, fudge and ice cream.
3 French Hens Market
Held the 2nd Saturday of every month, from May through October, from 8 a.m.- 2 p.m.
Free
123 W. Illinois Ave.
Morris, IL
815-513-5600
Online: 3frenchhensmarket.blogspot.com
photo: Kane County Flea Market
Kane County Flea Market In far west suburban St. Charles, hundreds of vendors spread out on cement paths and grassy knolls, and set up shop in covered sheds. The pastoral setting sets the mood for good, old-fashioned bargain shopping (and haggling, if you’re game for that). Helen Robinson, know by many as the “Queen Flea,” started the market almost 50 years ago. Nearly 5 decades later, it’s still considered among the best of the Midwest and was named one of the top 10 places to shop for antiques by USA Today.
Why parents love it:
Talented sellers like Mark Allen, Urban Farmgirl and Whimsy got their start at Kane County Flea Market and have since gained a mega following in Chicagoland and beyond. You’ll find flowers, garden art, vintage glassware, clothing, tapestries, antique furniture, tools, art and more than the average array of oddities (think yard art made from recycled golf clubs and a recycled bowling alley floor turned into a table).
On your way in, skip Dunkin’ Donuts in favor of Dave’s Coffee Cakes — you can’t go wrong no matter which cake you pick.
Why kids love it: We hate to mention them twice, but kids love cake, too! And, Dave’s Coffee Cakes will certainly keep the littles happy. Otto’s Corn and Lemonade by the N Trades building offers some of the best freshly squeezed lemonade this side of the Mississippi. Thirst quenched, head to Crackin’ Geodes in the arena building. For $1, your little shopper can select a rock and have it cracked open to marvel at the quartz formations inside.
Kane County Flea Market Held the 1st Sunday of every month from 7 a.m.- 4 p.m., and the preceding Saturday (March through December) from noon-5 p.m. This market is never cancelled, even during inclement weather.
Cost: $5 for adults; children under 12 are free. Parking is free.
Kane County Fair Grounds
525 S. Randall Rd.
St. Charles, IL
630-377-2252
Online: kanecountyfleamarket.com
photo: Maxwell Street Market
Maxwell Street Market This iconic open-air market is important to Chicago’s ethnic and musical history. Around for more than 100 years, it was once described as “the Ellis Island of the Midwest” because many new immigrants set up push-cart shops to support their families selling anything they could to survive. When blues musicians played this venue they realized in order to be heard over the noise of the market they needed electric instruments and amplifiers, which led to the birth of the electrified Chicago Blues genre of music. Many believe this sound actually evolved into the creation of rock ‘n’ roll and inspired bands like The Rolling Stones, Led Zepplin and The Beatles.
Why parents love it:
Maxwell Street Market is not a place where you’re going to easily score precious antiques or vintage collectibles; the discoveries are more on par with those of a massive rummage sale. But you will find fresh produce, purses, perfume, jewelry, clothing, bikes and various household products at deeply discounted prices. Live music is still a prevalent component of this market.
The stars of Maxwell Street Market are the food vendors who sell some of the most authentic ethnic foods available anywhere in Chicago.
Why kids love it:
Swing by the XOCO Churro Truck for Rick Bayless’ famous creme-filled churros. For an inexpensive lunch, grab a queso quesadilla with handmade tortillas from Rubi’s and horchata (a traditional Mexican sweet rice drink) and have an impromptu picnic. The summer kickoff, held May 14, will include live music and loads of activities for the stroller-set.
Maxwell Street Market Held every Sunday, year ’round, from 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
Free (Be sure to bring cash because most vendors don’t accept anything but the green stuff.)
800 S. Des Plaines
Chicago, IL
312-745-4676
Online: maxwellstreetmarket.us
photo: Randolph Street Market
Randolph Street Market One weekend a month you can soak up 300 eclectic market vendors in what is described as the “Mecca of Cool” by its fans. Clearly, the distinction is because of the urban energy and vibe. A favorite of well-known local designers and decorators, Randolph Street Market harbors art, fashion, jewelry, antiques, food, drinks and live music.
Why parents love it:
When you’re in the mood for city energy, rather than country calm, head here. The selection is boundless and includes ethnic crafts at the Global Goods Bazaar, the Fancy Food Market that features chocolates, cakes, breads, spices, oils and salsa to-go, a Vinyl Depot with thousands of collectable records and accessories from virtually every decade and style. For purchases of more than $200, the market offers free or discounted delivery service to downtown locations, so you can avoid strapping big finds to your baby buggy. Oh, and don’t miss the incredible food vendors.
Why kids love it: New for the 2017 season, Randolph Street Market is introducing a monthly Kids FunFair and Pirate Arcade. Young shoppers can enjoy a day of pirate-themed carnival games and a petting zoo. While you hunt for finds, they can go looting at the front gate for a treasure map and activity sheet so they can explore and engage in the market right alongside you. At the end, they hand in their completed sheet at the Pirate Arcade and pick a prize from the treasure chest, as well as snag a goody bag filled with bubbles, crayons and more.
Add to the adventure by taking the free Michigan Avenue trolley from Water Tower Pumping Station, which runs, May-September, every hour from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and returns every hour from 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Randolph Street Market
Held the last full weekend of each month from May through November, and also December 15 & 16, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: Adult general admission is $10 at the gate; $8 purchased online. Valet parking is available for $10. Children under 12 are free.
47 W. Division St.
Chicago, IL
312-666-1200
Online: randolphstreetmarket.com
Where’s your favorite place to bargain hunt with the kids?
Whether your tot shows an early appreciation for vintage or is simply happy to munch on the abundant Kettle Corn offerings, there’s more at the Bay Area’s bevy of antique flea markets for this little set than you might expect. From starting collections to creating cool bedrooms and unearthing old toys, we have some easy ideas for exposing children to the fun, colorful and creative world of reuse at your local flea. Your kids are up at the crack of dawn anyway, right? So let’s get shopping.
Photo by Chantal Lamers
Kiddos First Collection
First, let your kiddo know what’s in it for them. Many vendors sell inexpensive items that are perfect for the makings of a new collection. Not only does it make the flea market like a treasure hunt for them, too, it also helps retain their interest. Some items we love to collect include patches, plastic toy horses and souvenir pennants. Bonus: Depending on the age of your child, you can give them a budget and let them do the bargaining.
Photo by Chantal Lamers
Ready for a Kids’ Room Refresh?
If you look closely, the flea can provide never ending inspiration for decorating and accessorizing your kiddo’s respective rooms. Antique and vintage dressers can double as storage and as a changing table. And because these older pieces are often pretty sturdy they’ve proven that they can stand up to a toddler’s tough love. Also keep an eye out for pendants and chandeliers, kid-sized play tables and chairs, rocking horses as well as toddler and twin sized bed frames. Remember, just about anything can be painted.
Alameda Flea by Chantal Lamers
Now onto the art and accessories. A lot of vendors sell wood plaid Pendleton style blankets that aren’t only great for layering on top of beds but super for picnics and ballgames, too. Along the way you might also spot wrought-iron animal piggy banks, those aforementioned souvenir pennants and all kinds of paintings that can be accumulated for mini gallery style walls. Old metal and woven baskets are also aplenty here and make for great toy storage. Get input from you child and, before making a purchase, check pieces to make sure they are safe.
Photo by Chantal Lamers
Dress Em in Vintage
Depending on the flea you’re attending, there may be dozens of clothing vendors, too. Vintage children’s clothing is gaining popularity and this is usually a great place to snag vintage OshKosh B’gosh overalls and pinafores. Check measurements, not sizes, for a more accurate fit.
Photo by Chantal Lamers
Toys, Toys, Toys!
Now, onto the toys. A very plentiful item at the flea market is old enamelware (bowls, cups, buckets, pots) and the likes of small metal jello molds. The more worn and chipped versions are usually pretty cheap and are great for outdoor play kitchens and sandboxes. There are also vintage aprons and wood kitchen toys up for grabs like rolling pins and potato smashers that any potential top chef will totally cherish. Another little draw for kids is all of the old office supplies. Rulers, staplers, mini chalkboards and tape dispensers are easy finds that kids will love to add to their school or art stash.
Photo by Chantal Lamers
If you have a baby doll fanatic at home, you can easily score inexpensive doll cradles, highchairs and clothing, too. If you have a kiddo who digs diggers, there are all kinds of metal toys trucks in all sizes that are great for indoor and outdoor play. (Some prime condition trucks can be super pricey but there are always bargains to be found.) Also in abundance are Fisher Price toys, from the classic A-Frame to the festive preschool and cottage dollhouse, you parents might even more inclined to purchase these plastic pieces of nostalgia.
Photo by Chantal Lamers
Flea Market Survival Guide
Again, depending on the age of your children consider bringing a baby carrier, stroller and or wagon. Dress in layers and wear SPF and bring a large canvas bag for stashing purchases. Depending on the venue, the only bathroom offerings could be outhouses so be prepared with extra hand wipes. Finally, remind children too ask for help if they want to check out an item and encourage them to ask vendors questions. And whatever you do, don’t forget the snacks!
The Best Bay Area Flea Markets
The Alameda Point Antiques Fair is the largest of its kind in NoCal. Join hundreds of other treasure seekers to the island to browse over 800 antique dealer booths. Children under 15 are admitted free. There are food vendors here, too, so you won’t leave hungry.
When: 1st Sunday of Every Month, 6 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Alameda Point, Alameda Point
2900 Navy Way
Alameda, Ca Cost: $15/adult if you arrive before 7:30 a.m.$10/adult between 7:30 and 9 a.m.; $5/adult after 9 p.m.
The Treasure Island Flea host local Bay Area artists, makers, collectors, vintage designers, and indie and Etsy creators. Specialty food vendors and a revolving selection of SF food trucks sell gourmet food including Mini Donut Sundaes! Enjoy your treats on the Great Lawn with an amazing view of San Francisco and plenty of kid-friendly activities.
When: Last weekend of each month, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Where: Treasure Island, Avenue of the Palms
San Francisco, Ca Cost: $3/Person. 12 & under, free.
The Alemany Flea is small in comparison but there are always good deals. This rummage style market is best for pickers who have some patience. You can stroll through pretty quickly and it’s free to enter.
When: Every Sunday,7 a.m. – 3 p.m. Where: 100 Alemany Blvd.
San Francisco, Ca Cost: Free
— Chantal Lamers
What’s on your shopping list? Share your wishlist with us in the comments below!
