Forget about standing in long lines or getting up extra-early to drive an hour to the mall. This year LEGOLAND Florida’s Black Friday deals offer the park’s biggest savings of the year—and you can score deep discounts for seven days.
Save at least 50 percent on vaycay packages and annual passes from Wednesday, Nov. 27 through Monday, Dec. 3, 2019 online at legoland.com.
photo: Edward Linsmier for LEGOLAND Florida Resort
This year’s deals include 50 percent savings on vacation packages at LEGOLAND Pirate island Hotel, LEGOLAND Hotel or LEGOLAND Beach Retreat. Black Friday packages start at $58 per person per day (plus tax) for stays between Jan. 5 and Jun. 30, 2020 and include a one-night stay plus a two-day theme park and water park combo pass for each member of your family/party. Available stays exclude nights from Apr. 4 through Apr. 11 and May 22 through May 24, 2020. Along with the park tickets, hotel guests who purchase this special package will also get free breakfast with each paid night, free parking and an exclusive LEGOLAND holiday gift set.
If you’d prefer an annual past, you can also score more than 50 percent off the Awesomest Annual Pass. Get the 12-month unlimited admission pass for $99 (regularly priced $209.99) during the seven-day sale. Not only will you get a years’ worth of admission to the theme and water parks, but you’ll also get free admission to all seasonal events during the “Year of the Pirate,” exclusive hotel savings and free standard parking. If you decide to venture away from LEGOLAND Florida, you cal also visit Madame Tussauds, SEA LIFE Aquariums, LEGOLAND Discovery Centers, the San Francisco Dungeon, LEGOLAND California and LEGOLAND New York (opening in 2020).
LEGOLAND Florida’s Seven Days of Black Friday Deals starts at midnight on Nov. 27, 2019. Visit the theme park’s website here for more information.
If treehouses and llamas sound like the perfect recipe for a family vacation, you’ll want to book a stay at a llama and alpaca sanctuary in Atlanta.
Atlanta resident Kara O’Brien has transformed her backyard into an animal sanctuary that is home to two llamas and four alpacas who are free to roam around the property and mingle with the guests who book a stay in the Alpaca Treehouse or Llama Cottage.
According to the Airbnb listing the relaxing retreat is the number one most wish-listed Airbnb in Atlanta. “It’s a place where people can come together and celebrate each other and are really happy,” O’Brien told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “and that’s something that we didn’t really expect when we started.”
If you can’t foot the bill for the $375 a night stay in the rustic treehouse, you can can enjoy a one-hour Atlanta Llama Alpaca Experience at the sanctuary for $50 per person that will give you the chance to get up close and personal with the animals and feed them.
You can get just about everything on Amazon—including a house! So if you’re looking to add a she-shed, outdoor man cave, backyard retreat, or just up the fancy ante with your very own guest house, the mega-online retailer has one for you.
Before you hire an architect and contractor, check out these Amazon options. And yes, some of them come with free shipping too!
Allwood Sommersby Garden House
This tiny house sells for $8,360 and includes free shipping (but it's not eligible for Amazon Prime).
Lillevilla Escape
At $4,990 plus free shipping, this wood cabin pick is at the lower end of the small backyard house spectrum.
Allwood Arlanda XL
The contemporary style will spruce up your yard—for a cool $9,790 (and free shipping!).
Allwood Claudia
With windows galore, this tiny backyard guest house ($8,250 plus free shipping) is perfect for picturesque yards.
Allwood Summerlight Cabin
This light (in color, not weight) wood cabin sells for $6,950. And again, it comes with free shipping.
Moms work hard and sometimes a couple of hours at the spa or, a fun night out with the girls, just isn’t enough to rejuvenate. Give that special do-everything lady a real treat with a weekend away from home. There are some great nearby getaways and retreats that will have mom feeling like a million bucks and ready to return home to her tribe full of energy. Book these great stays now, and show mom how much you really love her! Read on to find out more.
Just a quick two-hour drive away, Astoria has everything mom has been dreaming of. With easy access to the Columbia River and Oregon Coast beaches; a multitude of museum and heritage sites; and endless number of hiking trails and outdoor activities—mom will have plenty to do. A climb to the top of the Astoria Column—600 feet above sea level— will give her a nice little adrenaline rush and a beautiful view of Young’s Bay, the Coast Range, the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean. Or, she can really get her blood pumping with a zip-line adventure with High Life Adventures! Have her bring a friend and they can kill a whole day soaring through trees.
Downtown Astoria is adorable and filled with shops that mom is sure to enjoy perusing. After a day of browsing local goods, she’s sure to have worked up an appetite. Mom can grab a bite at the Fort George Brewery where any Portlander will feel right at home with their selection of craft beers, pub food and pizzas. Or, she can hop over to T. Paul’s Urban Cafe for some fine seafood dining and dessert.
Book mom a stay at the Best Western Astoria Bayfront Hotel where she will enjoy a spacious room, access to a pool and hot tub and a free full breakfast each morning. What a bonus! If you want to make mom feel really loved, suprise her with a 90 minute relaxation massage for $110 at Malama Day Spa. She is sure to return home with an extra big smile after this amazing treatment.
Best Western
555 Hamburg st. Astoria Cost: Rooms start at $112/night Online: bestwestern.com
photo: via Rooted and Open
Sacred Mother’s Retreat Give mom an opportunity to spend a weekend meditating, getting her yoga on, writing and getting in touch with her artistic side along with a group of women who know exactly how she feels: other moms. This retreat is nestled in the Central Oregon Cascades at the serene Suttle Lake Camp. It is specifically designed for mothers looking to relax and connect with others. Unlike many retreats, this one is all-inclusive, so for one reasonable payment of between $350 -$400 (depending on choice of accommodation) mom gets to enjoy all of the workshops led by professionals, chef-prepared organic meals and family-style lodging.
Along with workshops, yoga and meditation; mom will have the opportunity to join guided hikes and enjoy a free session with visiting practitioners. Some of the treatments she can choose from include massage, reiki and intuitive counseling.
The Sacred Mother Retreat is held twice a year. Once in June and again in October.
There is nothing quite like a weekend stay at a cabin in the woods. Mt. Rainier is the perfect place to send mom. With the National Park open year-round, she can get in all of the outdoor adventures she’s been dreaming of. If she’s been wanting to snow shoe, the higher levels don’t melt until well into summer and there are plenty of lowland hikes that will take her through towering trees, along babbling rivers and streams, and by crystalline waterfalls. Book her a ride on tram at Northwest Trek and she may even get an opportunity to meet wildlife up close and in person! Or book her a ride for only $41 on the Mt. Rainier Railroad where she will see the wilderness area from a truly unique perspective all while relaxing in style.
While hotels are nice, there’s nothing like a night or two in a luxury cabin. Three Bears Lodge has eight cabins available. All have hot tubs, fire pits, and wood stoves for mom to enjoy. She’ll love spending her evening soaking under the stars with a glass of wine in her hand. Be warned…she may never want to come home.
Three Bears Lodge
Ashford Wa.
Cost: Vary by cabin
Online: rainierlodging.com
Just a three hour drive from Portland, Seabrook is a small town on the Washington coast that offers mom a dream retreat from the from the demands of daily life. Book her a luxury cottage through Seabrook Cottage Rentals. There are a variety of options available, some with fireplaces for mom to cozy up next to with good read and some with hot tubs perfect for soaking under the stars in.
That special lady in your life will love strolling around this idealistic little town where her car will go unused for the entirety of her stay. She can rent a bike from Bucks Bike if she wants to get around faster than on foot, but for the most part, everything she wants or needs is a quick walk away including the stunning coast line and great dining options like Front Street Market and Frontager’s Pizza Co. And mom will love grabbing a sip at Stowaway Wine and Cheese Bar.
If you want to make sure your favorite lady feels extra special and returns to you at her best, make sure to book a massage at Spa Elizabeth where she will receive unparalleled service. Give her a beach giveaway she will never forget. After all, she deserves it.
A new year means it’s time to start drooling over the 2019 HGTV Dream Home! The HGTV Dream Home Giveaway is the cable network’s biggest annual giveaway of a fully furnished home—and this year’s massive mountain palace is located in Whitefish, Montana.
The 3,650-square foot lodge-style retreat home is located on the edge of Glacier National Park with stunning views and is valued at more than $2.3 million. This year’s Grand Prize not only includes the home and all it’s furnishings, but a 2019 Honda Pilot Elite and $250,000 cash prize, courtesy of Rocket Mortgage and Quicken Loans!
Keep scrolling to see some of the amazing photos of this to-die-for home.
Mountain Modern Paradise
It's nothing but the best for this year's Dream Home, which has been constructed with reclaimed historical resources, timber frame architecture characteristic to the area and uses custom craftsmanship. It was designed by Timber Forge Design and built by Malmquist Construction but all we really care about is that this house is gorgeous inside and out.
An Outdoor Oasis
You won't be short on outdoor living when it comes to this home, which includes plenty of amenities. Expect to enjoy an upper deck and lower patio with dining and lounging space, a grill, fire place, Scandinavian hot tub—and a private chair lift directly to the ski mountain. Hold on while we grab our skis!
This Gorgeous Garage
Only a parent can truly appreciate a good garage, and you're going to need a sweet space to park that new Honda Pilot anyways! The Whitefish home comes complete with a three-car garage that not only includes pretty storage, but a television. Finally, a retreat for moms.
A Giant Great Room
They say the kitchen is the heart of the home, but we aren't so sure after checking out this great room. The oversized windows allow for ample viewing of the gorgeous scenery and the decor is all Montana.
Sit back and enjoy the linear gas fireplace that's covered in sheet metal on the L-shaped sofa, while putting your feet up on a concrete and wood coffee table. Several retro pieces and plenty of layered rugs give this rustic-inspired home an updated look. If you need us, you know where to find us!
One Dazzling Dining Room
You won't be sacrificing the view when you sit down in this amazing dining area, with sliding doors that open directly on to the deck. The room's location amid the open concept places this area directly adjacent to the kitchen, which makes it perfect for casual or fine dining.
The sculptural table is made with a metal top, so not only does it look amazingly cool, it'll hold up under your kiddos.
OMG LOOK AT THIS KITCHEN
If the five-star appliances aren't enough to wow you in this kitchen, that oversized island with a brushed metal top just might. The design of this space creates ideal traffic flow and tons of workspace, while the contrasting upper and lower cabinets make it look just stinkin' cool.
Lovely Lodge Living
Why yes, we will enjoy some extra space in our lodge style bonus room, thank you very much! This navy-painted room is decked out in vintage skis with mid-century modern decor pieces. Rustic wood textures will get you in the Montana spirit, you know––right before you hop on your private ski lift to the slopes.
This Pretty Little Powder Room
Energy-efficient windows, a slow closing toilet lid, Carerra marble countertops and a soothing dark paint color make this powder room a sanctuary. Located right off the main family living space, it also makes for a quick getaway for moms who "just need two minutes alone!"
A Mesmerizing Master Bedroom
Metals and rustic wood combines in this amazing master bedroom with lofted ceilings and French doors that lead to a decked seating area. The soft autumnal color palette makes this a relaxing retreat fit for any exhausted parent!
And a Magical Master Bath
A walk-in shower with dual shower heads and full body sprayers means you may prefer spending most your time in the bathroom! Enjoy soft green paint, a double vanity, a separate water closet to confine the toilet for privacy. The space offers a unique open concept bath and shower set up, where the tub is actually in the shower, so there's also that.
...And a Mom-Worthy Master Closet
Talk about dream closets! The Dream Home doesn't let us down with the master closet, that boasts tons of built in shelving, rods and cabinetry to contain your super cool mom wardrobe.
The Perfect Pet Nook
Why yes, there IS a place for all your pets at the Dream Home! The area under the stairs has been transformed into a pet sanctuary to store supplies and a space to corral Rover. It's complete with a Dutch-style swinging half door, fun graphic art and comes completely stocked with a supply of gourmet wet and dry dog food––because of course.
A Beautiful Bunk Room
Kids and adults alike would enjoy a stay in this bunk room, which boasts a twin mattress over a full bottom bunk bed. The loft-area sleeping space is rustic with plenty of Montana vibes. The handrail leading to the room is made from an old ski lift cable, so it's just plain fun getting upstairs!
And a Bunk Bathroom, Too
This guest bathroom is perfect for lodgers of the bunk room and the buffalo check guest room. The bright paint and white details keep it clean and fresh, while the walk in shower comes with a rain shower head for ultimate relaxation.
A Good-Looking Guest Room
There are plenty of guest rooms to go around in the Whitefish home, and this particular Western decorated space (with hipster flair) is found on the second floor. The custom bed frame and handmade pillows prove it's all about the details...and did we mention it comes with an advanced, smart sleep bed that auto-adjusts for firmness? Genius.
Ridiculously "Read" Guest Bedroom
You'll want to sneak away for a few hours of reading if you're staying in the barn wood red guest bedroom. Plenty of books are organized by color to make the collection its own work of art and the hanging pedestal lamp over the bed is a reader's paradise.
Terrific Teal Guest Bathroom
The ensuite bathroom to the red guest bedroom packs big design details, from the oversized black and white checked tile shower, to the red accents to coordinate with the adjacent bedroom. The modern space is flush with energy efficient windows, Carrera marble––all things glam.
There's Even a Lovable Laundry Room
This space is the gorgeous hallway that leads to a spacious mudroom and high-tech laundry room that comes with a stacked slate electric washer and dryer. A beautiful utility sink, water sensor to prevent flooding and bright and airy windows means that laundry is almost fun when you do it in the dream home.
If you’re ready to call this dream home your own, don’t forget to enter the HGTV Dream Home sweepstakes! The entry period has already open and runs through Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. Viewers can enter twice per day via HGTV.com and be sure to check out all the rules at the HGTV website.
Blink and you’ll miss the newest attraction at the Happiest Place on Earth: Disneyland’s secret bar found over at Disney’s California Adventure Park. Hold up—a secret bar at Disneyland? The Terrace Lounge is Carthay Circle’s newest bar and it’s a kid-free zone, perfect for enjoying a few cocktails.
Carthay Circle is already home to it’s own restaurant in addition to the exclusive Club 33 bar, 1901, which is located behind that basic door to the far right of the main entry. But if you want to hit up the adults-only Terrace Lounge, you’ll have to say the secret password. We’re kidding! (Sort of.) So, how do you get into this swanky retreat?
To access the new lounge, you’ll need to enter the glamorous Carthay Circle lobby and ask one of the hosts for the Terrace Lounge. From there, you’ll be led to the back of the restaurant and up a hidden staircase to the rooftop bar.
One upstairs, you’ll be taken to a private , 24-seat balcony. Since it’s so new, the secret spot doesn’t have any signature drinks or menu items yet. But you will have access to the same cocktails as the regular Carthay bar downstairs in addition to a few unique nibbles, for now.
The Terrace Lounge does not accept reservations so you’ll be at the mercy of the crowds. And we mentioned no kids, right? If that’s not magical, we don’t know what is!
Visiting the art museum gives you more than just a view of beautiful artworks. You’ll probably feel a boost of creativity and inspiration as you walk through the space. It might even help reduce your stress—unless you’re a parent.
If the thought of visiting such a distinguished place with children in tow strikes you as anything but transcendent, you’re not alone. We think a successful museum visit really is possible, though, with a bit of advance planning and reasonable expectations. And when it comes down to it, the benefits of giving your kids (and yourself) such an experience are worth it.
I spoke with Melissa Tanner, Family Programs Educator at The Art Institute of Chicago about how to prepare for a family visit to the art museum. First, she suggested, familiarize yourself with the family-centered programs and resources at your city’s museum. Most offer kid-friendly maps or activities tailored to younger audiences. Tanner also suggested picking a few artworks to visit during your time at the museum, or focusing on one particular collection rather than attempting to see everything at once. “It really depends on your child and what they need for their experience to be an enjoyable one,” Tanner told me. “Maybe you’ll see one artwork; maybe you’ll see five; maybe you’ll be distracted by something else that’s not on your list.”
If your children have never visited an art museum, prepare them for what to expect when you arrive. When talking about museum manners, Tanner advises to “focus more on what they can do rather than all the things they shouldn’t. For example: we can take pictures of artworks we love as long as we aren’t using flash, and we can draw our own art while we’re at the museum as long as we’re using a pencil.”
Involving children in the role of caring for art will also encourage museum manners. “Conservation science a really cool job, and kids can help take care of the museum while they’re here,” Tanner says. “We begin every program talking about why we enjoy art with our eyes instead of our hands. There are oils in our hands, and even though we can’t see them, oils can be harmful to works of art over time. The reason we can have things that are really, really old is because people respect our art.” Kids will love the sense of being part of a mission to protect the museum and its treasures.
Once you’re at the museum, engage with your kids by interacting with the artworks you encounter. Talk about what you see. Ask very small children to point out colors and shapes or play ‘I Spy’ with an extra-large painting. Direct school-age kids to a particular piece, and think about what might be happening in the piece (if it’s a narrative) or how it makes you feel (if abstract). Asking open-ended questions and building on the concepts they already know will maximize learning during your time at the museum.
The art museum is a rich environment for learning and thinking creatively, but the ultimate goal should be for your kids to enjoy their experience. Take snacks or retreat to the café if you need a break. Many museums boast gardens, courtyards, or rooftops perfect for releasing pent-up energy and family rooms for hands-on art activities.
“Maybe your child won’t remember what artwork you saw together at age three, but at age four, they’ll remember they had fun that time at the museum, and they’ll want to go back,” assures Tanner. “When they’re five, they’ll remember something more, and so on.”
Museums encourage lifelong learning. As your children follow you through exhibits, they’ll begin to understand—whether consciously or not—that learning is for everyone. They’ll encounter opportunities to think critically[4] about new ideas and develop empathy for diverse perspectives. Their creativity, curiosity, and imagination will thrive as they bring to life the stories of artists and their artwork. Taking your family to the art museum isn’t such a risky idea after all. Turns out it’s one of the smartest.
I'm a boy mom, urbanite, optimist and photographer who is incessant about finding beauty in the everyday moments of life. I love to encourage fellow city parents as they navigate urban life with kids and founded The Sidewalk Club to do just that. City family solidarity is our thing. 💙🏙
You’ll never outgrow your desire for a tree house escape. So put your head in the clouds gazing at these amazing lofty abodes (you can even visit a few to turn your dreams into reality!). From ducking into a Hobbit home in the Black Hills to sleeping amidst the mango trees in Bali, one glance at these sky high retreats may send you globetrotting. Scroll through our slideshow and watch your wanderlust soar to new heights!
The 7th Room
Located a lofty ten meters up in the pines, this amazing modern retreat sleeps five and boasts panoramic views and skylights for viewing the magnificent northern lights. The designers of The 7th Room included a brilliant 'experience level' that consists of a terrace made of net which allows pine to grow and spread through it so visitors can climb onto it and either look down below to the forest floor or lie on it to gaze up at the starry sky.
If you’ve got a crew with spurs that jingle jangle jingle, then you’re in the market for a cowboy vacation. From open prairie to luxury ranches, we’ve found 11 places worth hopping along to. Click through the gallery to find your next home on the range.
Ely, Nv
For living cowboy history, Nevada still takes center stage. The Ely and White Pine area in Nevada is original Pony Express Territory, along US Hwy 50. Every summer the old express route is ridden between St. Joseph, MO to Sacramento and Ely is along the way. This is ranching country, too so there’s no shortage of cattle and sheep as far as the eye can see. Spend a day horseback riding in Great Basin National Park and then rest your weary bones at Hidden Canyon Retreat. You can explore nearby wagon train trails, historic log cabins, caves, warm springs, abundant wildlife including wild mustang viewing and more. But the real gem of Ely is the Northern Nevada Railway Museum, which offers different themed train rides designed to take riders back to that Wild West experience. There's a Pony Express mail experience and even a staged robbery! It's open year round and worth the trip alone.
Why should the kids be the only ones to get all the fun of s’mores, campfires and crafts? Camp Mom takes adult summer camps to a whole new level with an energizing retreat made just for moms.
From traditional camp activities, like arts and crafts and zip lining, to workshops on parenting and stress management, Camp Mom promises to “put your happiness back at the top of your to-do list.” Learn techniques for reducing stress, make new connections that can lead to lasting mom friendships and most importantly have some good old-fashioned fun.
The day camp is a one-day retreat, perfect if the realities of mom life won’t let you get away for long. The day involves parenting workshops, camp games, dance classes, outdoor activities, like trapeze and trampolining, crafts and two meals.
Camp Mom will be held on July 29, 2017 from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. at Driftwood Day Camp in Melville, New York. Tickets are $175 and include a take home swag bag, and a sweet camp t-shirt.
Have you ever attended an adult summer camp? Share your experience in the comments below.
