We’ve all become experts at enjoying outside activities this past year. And Big Bear Lake has no shortage of incredible family adventures to be had in the great outdoors. From camping to hiking, biking to kayaking, families can easily find their niche in this beautiful Southern California mountain lake escape. Located in the San Bernardino National Forest, this four-season recreation hub is a must-visit spot for SoCal families (or anyone who is looking for a rejuvenating getaway out west!). Here’s why:
1. It’s a Quick Trip from LA, But Feels Worlds Away
Peace out, traffic. Buh-bye, schedules. Big Bear Lake’s breathtaking mountains are a much-needed escape from the hustle and bustle of city and suburban life. In just 2-3 hours, you’ll be far from the LA metropolis. Whether you’re here for a weekend or a longer stay, there’s nothing better than packing up the car in the morning and officially being on vacation by lunchtime. Parents and kids will feel connected to nature and totally disconnected from the daily grind.
2. There’s Snow in the Winter
Southern California residents love an occasional snow experience. At Big Bear, winter brings all the things you definitely don’t see every day—snowfall, skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and plenty more cold-weather fun. Get your lift tickets and hit the slopes all day. Explore the valley’s stunning landscape via a snowshoe tour with Action Tours or the Big Bear Discovery Center. Check out Big Bear Snow Play for fun family tubing (day or night!). And as Anna always asks, “Do you want to build a snowman?” Of course, your beach baby does!
3. You Can Truly Experience Lake Life with Watersports
Days spent on the lake are a must in summertime. Big Bear has six full-service marinas—perfect spots to head out on a pontoon boat, kayak, jet ski or stand-up paddleboard. Thrill-seekers will love the adrenaline rush of wakeboarding or tubing around the lake. And for fishing adventures, book a charter to reel in a variety of local fish. Stop at Big Bear Sporting Goods for everything you need to set out on the lake. And for a different viewpoint, discover the scene from ziplines or segways.
4. There’s One of the Only Alpine Zoos in the U.S.
The Big Bear Alpine Zoo is an incredible place to meet some of the area’s “wild” residents. This rehab facility brings injured, imprinted and orphaned animals into a safe haven to heal or stay permanently if they aren’t able to survive in their natural habitat. (FYI: 90% of the animals brought to the Zoo are successfully released!) Book a guided tour and be sure to catch an "Animal of the Day" or Behavioral Enrichment presentation. Kids and grownups alike will be fascinated by watching the zoo’s animal keepers encourage these resilient animals to thrive.
5. It’s a Hiker’s Happy Place
From paved turf to rocky terrain—and everything in between—there are tons of hiking trails throughout the area. Get the lay of the land from the staff at the Big Bear Visitors Center. They’ll provide a map and great recommendations on choosing a trail. Take in all the surrounding beauty—rocks, towering trees, wildlife, and of course, the majestic mountain views. Hiking with littles? This is a great blog post on must-see spots from a local mom. For those who enjoy camping, there are awesome spots to pitch a tent and make s’mores, too. (And who can pass up a toasty marshmallow under the stars?)
We’ve made our way to the mid-summer months, and now is the time to pack in the family getaways. Before the kids head back to class, we suggest you head to Eugene, Oregon for a quick weekend escape or a fun family day trip. From the Cascade Raptor Center to the Eugene Saturday Market we have put together a family getaway itinerary that has a little something to keep everyone in your crew entertained.
Eugene makes for a fantastic day trip or overnight getaway because of it's proximity to Portland. It's is about two hours from Portland via the I-5, and the drive is gorgeous. For this jam packed family day you'll want to pack swimwear, sunscreen, towels, and sand buckets and shovels.
Get up close and personal with over 40 birds of prey at this engaging non-profit. Get close enough to the enclosures to actually see through the nose holes of a turkey vulture! Each bird has been rescued, rehabbed, and deemed unfit for release which allows us to get a great education about these awesome hunters. You and your kids will love reading the stories of each individual bird and how they came to be captive, educational birds. The staff is engaging and happily answers any questions your kids may ask.
Location: 32275 Fox Hollow Road, 97405 Hours: Tues thru Sun 10a-5p Admission: Adults $10, Children 12 and under $7
Skinner's Butte Park Skinner's Butte Park is considered one of the gems of Eugene and can be found nestled between the Fifth Street Public Market and the Whitaker District . This historic spot offers and abundancy of beauty and hours and hours of play. The park includes 100 acres of property along the Willamette River which offers water lovers in your family the opportunity ti cool off while splashing around, skipping rocks, and float sticks. Other features that are sure to thrill your whole family are the Columns climbing area, RiverPlay Discovery Playground, the Skinner City Farm community garden, acres of lawn and meadows, hiking trails, and bike paths. Your little monkeys will love scaling rock walls and getting wet and wild in the spray park. Bring a blanket and picnic basket filled with treats. There's plenty of shade for mom and dad to relax in while the kids wear themselves out.
Eugene Saturday Market You haven't experienced Eugene if you don't hit the Eugene Saturday Market. Laying claim to being the oldest open-air crafts market, each Saturday, Lane County's favorite artisans, chefs and musicians bring their creations to the market for locals and visitors alike to experience. There are approximately 200 booths with handmade goods to check out, and plenty of food carts selling good eats and treats when tummies get hungry.
Shopping isn't all that's available at this unique market. Don't forget to bring your dancing shoes. Eugene's best entertainers are regularly found playing cool tunes in the middle of the market. Get ready to take in some real local flair!
Laughing Planet For a lunch that is quick, nutritious, and entertaining, head to Laughing Planet. This local establishment is knowns for serving delicious grub that satisfies both grownups and kiddos alike. There is an assortment of burritos, tacos and salads to choose from and the food is served surprisingly fast. There's even an entire menu just for kiddos, with plenty of healthy options for them to choose from that they are guaranteed to love.
Location: 760 Blair Blvd, 97402
Fifth Street Public Market If your crew has varying tastes, then head to the Fifth Street Market where you can choose between a variety of quick bites or sit down delights. Market eateries include Carlita’s Rooftop Mexican restaurant, Drunken Fish Seafood restaurant, Handel’s Ice Cream, NorthWest Burgers and more. When you are done eating, there's plenty of shops to peruse. Depending on the day, the market hosts entertainment, so you may event catch live music by local entertainment.
Location: 296 East Fifth Avenue, 97401
Hours: Open Mon-Sat 11a.m.-7 p.m., and 5:00pm on Sundays. (The hours of each shop may vary.)
The Signature Inn in Eugene is our top pick for where to stay when your day trip to Eugene turns into an overnighter (or longer) getaway. This newly remodeled retro-modern Inn, is conveniently located near downtown, The University of Oregon, and Eugene Airport (EUG). There are a number of eateries within walking distance of this spot, including The Cornbread Cafe (for vegans and people who just love a good breakfast).
Recently remodeled, the rooms are chic blended with a classic Americana feel. Your stay is sure to take you back to the 60's in the all of the best of ways. The rooms feature soft bedding, vibrant décor, a flat-screen cable TV, and microwave. This spot is sure to become your home away from home. Choose from a king, queen, two double beds, or three double beds options. There are rooms to fit most families of all sizes.
Location: 1055 W 6th Ave, Eugene
—Annette Benedetti
photo via pexels
Editor’s note: Accommodations were paid for by The Signature Inn but all opinions expressed here belong to the writer.
“Traveling with kids is so easy,” said no one ever. If you’ve ever boarded an airplane with a baby, you know that the amount of stuff a small person needs is in inverse proportion to their size. Diapers, wipes, a change of clothes for all parties, snacks, a breast pump, and more and more and more—they all need to fit into your carry-on bag. And you want everything to be easily accessible.
Co-founders Gemma Gaisano Ng and Daniel Ng are parents themselves and they know the struggle it is to travel with little ones—the constant digging through your diaper bag to find the paci clip or favorite toy. No Reception Club just released its first two products, the Getaway Bag and the Sidekick, and you’re going to want to get in on the kickstarter pronto!
The sleek Getaway Bag speaks to Gemma’s fashion background as it is totally functional with design features you don’t see in other family travel bags. The narrow shape makes it easy for any parent to carry and the stylish black exterior makes it more of an everything bag than a diaper bag. Gemma and Daniel worked with a bag designer with 20+ years of experience and you can definitely tell when you see the bag in person (which we did!).
Here’s what you’ll love about the Getaway Bag:
InstantSide Access into the bag’s two largest compartments, making it easier and faster to retrieve what you need.
Flexible Organization System with 2 “shelves” that velcro securely into the main compartment. Create 1, 2 or 3 sections. based on your needs.
Odor-Resistant Emergency Compartment at the base to isolate and contain any “accidents” along the way. It’s waterproof too.
AnEssentialsCompartment for the quickest side-access to critical items including diaper changing essentials—it also perfectly fits Sidekick!
Parent Pockets in the hood, front, and back panels to store everything you personally need like a laptop, passports, money, snacks and more.
The Sidekick is awesome for so many reasons:
It’s a totally discreet waist or shoulder pack that fits all the diaper-changing essentials.
The magnetic back flap gives you one-handed access to your wipes pouch inside. This totally brilliant feature makes it so you can use one arm to muscle your squirmy toddler on the changing table while accessing wipes with the other hand.
There’s an included changing pad.
How to Get Your Getaway Bag and Sidekick Get in on the Kickstarter that launches on July 13, 2021. It wraps up August 15, 202`1 with products shipping out in time for the holidays.
Are you dreaming of snowy scenes, improbable romance, quaint small towns and cheesy but enjoyable dialogue? Then we’ve got the scoop for you! Hallmark has announced its annual Christmas in July event, featuring new movies and binge-worthy classics.
Starting the weekend of July 10, tune in to catch Crashing Through the Snow, starring Amy Acker and Warren Christie. Maggie (Acker) joins her ex-husband and his girlfriend Kate for a getaway to Aspen, Colorado. Before you wonder about the logistics of vacationing with an ex, don’t worry, love is still in the air. Maggie meets Kate’s brother (Christie) and we have to imagine sparks flying on the ski slopes.
Also on July 10, you can binge some of your favorite Hallmark Christmas selections from 2020, including Love, Lights, Hanukkah and A Tree Grows in Colorado. The following weekend, tune in for “Soap Sunday” because obviously Hallmark movies are exponentially better with soap opera stars. Keep an eye out for Cameron Mathison in The Christmas Club and Jesse Metcalfe in Christmas Next Door.
Finally, on July 24 and 25 you can start your countdown to the holiday in earnest with some of the greatest hits from Hallmark. Crown for Christmas,The Nine Lives of Christmas, and Christmas Under Wraps! Similar, but just different enough to keep you glued to the screen. Grab the wine, popcorn and enjoy some self care!
It’s been a big year for Friends fans. With the reunion special finally airing, it’s time to start looking for ways to get your next fix, and we’ve got the answer!
Travel agency Fana World Travel has just announced the Cruise with Friends vaycay. Setting sail May 15 to 21, 2022 on the Celebrity Equinox, the getaway offers the perfect atmosphere for uber fans to mingle with each other as they travel to Key West, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, Mexico.
Cruise with Friends will be limited to 500 Friends fans and will be a complete experiential trip. You’ll get to compete in a themed costume contest, trivia game and more!
Prices start at $1648 per person for an inside stateroom, with a double occupancy requirement (or double your rate if you’re flying solo). You’ll also get unlimited surf Wi-Fi, $150 shore excursion credit and a premium beverage package included with your fees.
Make sure you’re ready to cruise, as all fees are non-refundable. One last tidbit: despite being a Friends-themed cruise, the OG actors will not be aboard this summer getaway.
Warm weather is on the horizon, but why should your taste buds miss out on all the summer fun? Say hello to a sweet and spicy treat that will have you craving a summer vaycay.
Pringles Wavy Pineapple Habañero brings together sweet pineapple and smoky peppers for the ultimate summer snack!
photo: Courtesy of Pringles
Gareth Maguire, senior director of marketing for Pringles, “We love epic flavor combinations at Pringles, and these new tropical-inspired crisps are no exception. The sweet and spicy flavor will have snackers in vacation mode all summer long, making backyard grills and local beach trips feel like a getaway.”
Pringles Wavy Pineapple Habanero are available only at Walgreens and Duane Reade stores for a limited time for $1.59 per can.
To kick summer off with even more style Pringles is giving fans the chance to win a vacation to Hawaii or Mexico when they purchase a can of the new flavor. To enter, take a photo of your receipt and upload it to KFR.com/holaloha by Oct. 14.
There’s nothing like the great outdoors—fresh air, s’mores by the fire, and of course, enthusiastic little ones excited to sleep outside… or, sort of outside! When it comes to camping, some of us can be extremely resourceful—cooking our own food, sleeping under the stars, and roaming through perilous landscapes. Then, there are those that thrive outside but prefer some creature comforts while “roughing it”! For those that want a hotel experience under the open skies there is glamping! We’ve rounded up the best ways to spend a weekend in nature while still nurturing modern needs. Scroll down for the best places to glamp with kids near the DMV.
If you've ever longed for a 5-star hotel experience in the great outdoors, check out Hideaway Co., a Western MD-based glamping experience created by regional boutique hoteliers. For those looking for a kid-free getaway (which is ALL of us after a year of 24/7 childcare!), Hideaway Co. hosts romantic weekends and girlfriend getaways filled with massage appointments, wine and cheese pairings and curated excursions. There are also a handful of family-friendly weekends for those looking for a no hassle way to camp with kids. Memorial Day, Father's Day, July 4th and Labor Day weekend are all open to families and feature arts-and-crafts, outdoor movies (with s'mores, of course!), kid-friendly excursions (like horseback riding and river floats) and kid-favorite menu items.
If you need a unique, off-the-grid weekend but still require doors, the Getaway home might be your cup of tea. Created by two Harvard grads, these homes are geared towards folks that need to escape the city, and dive into nature,but without having to wrangle their own camping gear. The stocked cabins ( ideal for 2-4 people) are tucked away near Shenandoah National Park and are designed to let you unplug, but not tooseverely . Homes have a full bathroom, kitchen, running water and queen bunks where your family can hide away! These tiny cabins let you get all the camping feels without the actual tent so you don't have to try to corral small children on your vacation. Sometimes doors are a beautiful thing!
Cost: $249+/night Where: Shenandoah National Park Online:getaway.com
Assateague Cottages at Assateague State Park
What little kid doesn’t love horses? Or the beach? Together, and you have a destination fit for the youngest set. Camping is allowed on the MD side of this island, famous for its wild horses. Oceanside walk in sites are approximately 200 feet from the parking lot and cost $30. But a buggy shoreline and strong ocean winds can make these sites difficult to manage with littles. Enter Assateague Cottage, hand built tiny homes that can be dropped off at your campsite. These cabins were built with Thoreau in mind and feature a simple design meant to enhance a visit to nature. They do not cluttered with a stove, sink or icebox so you have more room to move around your cabin. Assateague Island is approximately a three hour drive from DC.
What a dream come true! Treehouses are the main attraction at Maple Tree Campground in Rohrersville, MD near Harpers Ferry. Go rustic or deluxe as you enjoy a night’s sleep amongst the leaves in one of ten treehouse options, or a fun an fanciful family retreat in the Hobbit House built underground. The campground has outdoor showers with hotwater and indoor bathrooms.
Cost: $43+/night
Townsend Rd. (Rohrersville, MD)
Online: thetreehousecamp.com
Good Intentions Farm
Tentrr
Nestled by a creek, the Encore tent experience at Good Intentions Farm feels secluded while still having all the perks and amenities of a nearby barn (think hot water, a fridge, outlets and more) just a short walk away. Kids love this camp site for its close proximity to a Clydesdale horse farm; children are welcome to feed the horses and handle a real lasso. You can kayak, canoe, fish, hike or horseback ride and, the best part, it is a quick one hour drive from DC.
So, Junior has his mind set on a yurt. You won't disappoint here, where the tiny, house-like tents can be found sprinkled on a picturesque Shenandoah Valley site. Booking a yurt stay here means you don't have to sacrifice refrigerators, microwaves, coffee pots, toasters, comfortable bedding, propane gas grills, or even a picnic table. It's all here!
Cost: $110/night
Where: 1912 Egyptian Bend Rd., Luray, VA
Online: massanuttensprings.com
Blue Moon Rising
Blue Moon Rising
If your kids dream of taking up permanent residence in their outdoor playhouse, they will love these tiny, eco-friendly cabins perched near Deep Creek Lake. The property features 16 unique structures built from recycled materials. Each unit is equipped with a kitchen and bathroom. Near by, Swallow Falls State Park offers family-friendly hiking and stroller-accessible trails where visitors can view five different waterfalls.
Located about two hours from D.C., Rose River Farm offers the ultimate glamping experience. The property features three large luxury yurts. Yes, your fam can stay in a yurt! Yurts include amenities like A/C and heat, two full bedrooms and two full baths, a full kitchen, a flat screen TV, and high speed WiFi. Each yurt also features a wall of windows and a big porch to capture the spectacular views of Old Rag Mountain, the Rose River Valley, and a pond full of fish. There is even a charcoal grill and a big outdoor fire pit so you can cook outside and hang with the fam. While this Virginia getaway caters to a more posh posse, outdoorexploring and adventuring can still be a big part of the agendawith nearby guided kayak tours and horseback rides.
Cost: $250/night; $1500/week
>3099 Old Blue Ridge Tpk. (Syria, Va)
Online:roseriverfarm.com
Fancy Gap Caboose
Fancy Gap Caboose
Ever wonder what it would be like to live in a caboose?Come spend some time in an authentic refurbished, modern, railroad caboose along the Blue Ridge Parkway! Your kids will drool over this experience. Spend the day hiking down to Grassy Creek where you canhang among the trees. Play "I Spy" with the kids to see if they can spot does, turkeys and bucks. Sit outside at night and see the thousands of stars that light up the serene skies. The site has three cabooses that sleep two guests each. Each caboose is fully furnished with a kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. There’s even a Jacuzzi! The cabooses each have decks with rockers and charcoal grills so you can enjoy being outside.
Cost: $117/night
Where: Fancy Gap, VA
Online: glampinghub.com
—Meghan Yudes Meyers, Guiomar Ochoa and Linda Bennett
Camping sounds great until you spend hours packing, forget the tent pegs when you get to camp and you’re inevitably swarmed by mosquitos. Fortunately Great Wolf Lodge is offering a simpler way to get the camping experience this summer through their Summer CampIn Celebration. From crafts to a campfire ceremony, the lodge is bringing the great outdoors to you!
All 18 North American locations will be participating from May 27 through Sept. 6. Campers of all ages will be able to earn badges by participating in interactive games, fitness activities and arts and crafts projects. At the end of the day, you’ll be able to participate in campfire sing-alongs and enjoy s’mores by the lodges’ own “s’moreliers.” Keep an eye out for special character appearances from Wiley the Wolf, Oliver Raccoon, Sammy the Squirrel and others!
“GreatWolfLodge is proud to offer a fun, safe getaway for families looking to create lasting, heartwarming memories this summer and beyond,” said Kenny Funk, senior vice president of resort experiences for GreatWolf Resorts. “Our Summer CampIn celebration invites families to relive the time-honored tradition of summer camp with ease, allowing the opportunity to relax and spend quality time together enjoying all the fun summer events at our resort.”
Don’t forget the pool party, because Great Wolf Lodge is first and foremost an indoor waterpark. Along with this summer’s camping activities, you’ll be able to enjoy the usual waterslides, raft rides and water play areas for the whole family. You can find locations all over the country, from the original in Wisconsin to the newest coming to California. Grab your backpacks and swimsuits and book your stay now!
The Season of Family Reunions has a nice ring to it! A new study from Travelocity showed most people who stayed home during the pandemic miss socializing with family above all and 69 percent of non-parent respondents plan to travel for leisure within the next nine months, compared to 80 percent among parent respondents
From April 20-24, Travelocity surveyed more than 1,000 participants who live in the U.S. to gain better insight on summer travel plans. As restrictions begin to loosen nationwide, respondents are overall eager to travel and 67 percent note that being vaccinated personally plays a key role in their decision. Forty-two percent of non-travelers said that the main barrier up to this point is that it did not feel safe.
Among parents, 71 percent said they’d travel whether or not their children had received the COVID-19 vaccine. They’re also quite in touch with changes in the travel industry, with 66 percent noting that they’re extremely or very familiar with safety developments.What will travel look like this summer? Respondents with upcoming vacations planned said they’ll visit family (24 percent), hit the beach (16 percent), take a road trip (13 percent) or travel internationally (9 percent). Almost two thirds will get there by car (60 percent) and the rest plan to fly (35 percent).To help make getaway dreams come true, Travelocity is partnering with Thrifty Car Rental to give away two deluxe road trips, valued at $25,000 each. Even if you don’t win, you’ll be in good company if you’ve booked upcoming travel. We foresee lots of hugs in near future!
––Sarah Shebek
Image courtesy of Travelocity
Featured image courtesy of Pixabay
You don’t need an excuse to want to experience 27 miles of brilliant white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. But if you do happen to have a special occasion on the horizon, Panama City beach is a top spot to celebrate. From big birthdays to festive holidays, PCB is the perfect getaway for marking a milestone.
Start planning your dream getaway at VisitPanamaCityBeach.com!
Milestone Events
A vacation is a great way to celebrate a big birthday, graduation or family reunion. With over 17,500 places to stay, it’s easy to find a location to accommodate your group. During the day, spend quality time enjoying boat tours, hitting the waves on jet skis, biking through gorgeous national parks, reaching new heights while parasailing and taking a dive to explore marine life. With so many awesome outdoor activities to choose from, there’s something for everyone in your crew to do together. Fun photo tip: if you’re in PCB for the big 4-0, be sure to take a celebratory pic under the Pier 40 boardwalk entrance.
For an unforgettable evening gathering, book a beachside bonfire in the sand as the sun goes down. Endless Rentals can set up your very own pop-up party with a firepit, chairs, s’mores, and tables in the sand.
Visiting for couples-only escape? (Hint hint: big anniversaries are the perfect time to ask grandparents to babysit!). Spend leisurely days hanging out on the beach, seeing the sights on a pontoon boat and winding down with a sunset cruise.
A BFF Retreat
After a year of hunkering down at home and major burnout from managing virtual school, a trip with your best friends may be just what you need to recharge. (Peace out, leggings… hello, warm weather wardrobe.) Rent a house or stay at a resort with your crew—sans kids and spouses. Spend the day relaxing on the beach, taking a rejuvenating hike, sipping cocktails as the sun sets, enjoying delicious dinners and staying out way past your bedtime for dancing and music.
Extra Special Holidays
Sometimes the best holiday gift is a vacation (in which winter coats are a distant memory). Panama City Beach is a wonderful place to create traditions your family will remember forever. Check out PBC’s Beach Home for the Holidays events for information on tree lightings, concerts, Santa and Mrs. Claus sightings and more.
Culinary and Cocktail Celebrations
The return of UNwineD is an excellent reason to toast. This annual culinary festival is set to take place in Aaron Bessant Park on June 4-5. The weekend kicks off with a VIP garden party hosted by Southern Living. During Saturday’s Grand Afternoon Tasting, guests will sample cocktails, craft beer, wine and delicious food from the area’s leading chefs. Be sure to bring a picnic blanket and chairs to enjoy a laid-back afternoon in the park.
And Just Because…
No matter the occasion, wind your day down at Schooners, known for its casual vibe and great food. Each night as the sun sets, they fire an old cannon to commemorate another beautiful beach day and kick off an evening of fun.
Make your big day even more special with a family trip to Panama City Beach! Get everything you need to book your trip at VisitPanamaCityBeach.com.
