Editor’s note: Call ahead to see whether the restaurant you’d like to visit for BBQ is currently offering indoor dining, patio dining, take-out or delivery––and plan accordingly.
Got a craving for a messy BBQ meal with all the amazing sides like gooey mac ‘n’ cheese and creamy cole slaw? We know where you can get the best BBQ at the best BBQ restaurants in San Diego. From fall-off-the-bone deliciousness and the most tender brisket to kids meals and secret sauce, we’ve found a BBQ joint that’s right for you. Scroll down and check out our round-up of 7 BBQ hot spots in San Diego to enjoy with your family.
Phil’s BBQ
A trip to Phil's BBQ is an iconic San Diego family tradition. Messy but worth it, try the mesquite grilled baby back ribs, beef ribs, or chicken made with Phil’s secret sauce. There are plenty of sides to choose from: fresh-cut fries and potato salad to corn on the cob and steamed veggies. For littles, the "Ticklers" menu offers a smaller portion of BBQ chicken or ribs.
Whether it’s the pulled pork sandwich, tri-tip or pork ribs, you’ll find tasty BBQ at Park 101. Kids can roam around or plop down on the astroturf, play the giant Connect Four game or bean bag toss, plus dogs are allowed too! There's open-air seating, cozy fire pits and a kids menu with choices like BBQ pork sliders. Bonus: kids get free cotton candy once they finish their meal.
If you enjoy hickory-smoked BBQ, then this is your spot. Meats are smoked up to 13 hours, and the BBQ is served piping hot, tender, and delicious. From Iowa baby back ribs to the mouth-watering pulled pork sandwiches, you’ll have plenty of sweet-tasting options. Further, add-in house-made sides like the signature coleslaw, potato salad or ranch beans for a finishing touch. Even more, there's a menu for half-pints from which littles can order BBQ ribs, a grilled cheese sandwich and more. Kid entrees come with french fries or fresh fruit.
This cute neighborhood spot serves up local faves like BBQ burnt pork belly ends with mac n’ cheese or perfectly cooked brisket. Also, from the kids menu, the mini porker with waffle fries is a winner. You’ll find great service and family fun.
8622 Lake Murray Blvd. San Diego, CA 92119 Online: thepioneerbbq.com
Craft brew and BBQ? Grab a seat at Iron Pig Alehouse. We recommend the pulled pork sammie served on a brioche bun with slaw––or the baby back ribs entree comes with two sides like seasoned fries and southern greens and Texas toast. Even more, littles have their own menu with choices like buttered noodles or 1/2 BBQ sandwich.
This Cohn Restaurant serves up baby back ribs with a choice of two sides. We love the onion rings, collard greens, creamed corn, and, who can resist the mac n' cheese? There's a cool kid play area (for ages 10 and younger) that keeps the littles busy. Also, you can sit and have your pick of over 36 beers on tap while your sidekick plays nearby. Plus, free soft serve anyone?
Hankering for a basket of warm cornbread? Then, head over to Felix’s BBQ. Whether it’s the baby back ribs, brisket, tri-tip or pulled pork, it all tastes good. Also, it’s sides options galore with braised cabbage, black-eyed peas, mac n’ cheese, and more. The meat is tender and the sauce is sweet and smoky. What’s more, the kids menu has a range of choices from spare ribs and catfish nuggets to peanut butter and jelly and grilled cheese. Fries included, dig in!
3613 Ocean Ranch Blvd. Oceanside, CA Online: felixsbbq.com
Travel plans have changed drastically since the COVID-19 outbreak. If you are looking to get away for a day or two there are plenty of fun and safe options. These unique experiences will surely be one your kids will never forget.
Tony Stark’s Cabin from “Avengers: End Game”
Airbnb
If your little ones are big Iron Man fans then they might be excited to spend the night in Tony Stark’s lakeside cabin from Avengers: End Game.
The cabin, which is located on 800 acres of private property in Fairburn, Georgia, just 20 minutes from the Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, is available to rent through Airbnb.
Atlanta Alpaca Treehouse in the Bamboo Forest and Llama Cottage
Airbnb
If your idea of a fun family vacation involves treehouses and llamas then Airbnb has the perfect rental for you.
The rentals are located at 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.
Harry Potter's Childhood Home - De Vere House
Airbnb
Now you can spend the night in Harry Potter’s childhood home. The IRL home, known as the De Vere House, is listed on Airbnb.
The home, which is located in the medieval village of Lavenham in England has one bedroom, one shared bath and is the perfect size for two guests.
Twelve Parsecs
Airbnb
If you’re planning a trip to a galaxy far, far away, Airbnb has the perfect place for you to stay in Orlando, Florida.
Twelve Parsecs is a 9-bedroom house located just 15 minutes away from Disney World, making it the perfect place for a family of Jedi warriors to rest their heads while visiting Galaxy’s Edge.
Hagrid's Hut
North Shire
Harry Potter fans have the chance to spend a cozy night inside Hagrid’s rustic Hut, or rather, a replica of his magical home. The Groundskeeper’s Cottage, which is made to look like the moss-covered stone hut where Hagrid resides, is available for booking in North Yorkshire, England.
Got a craving for a messy BBQ meal with all the amazing sides like gooey mac ‘n’ cheese and creamy cole slaw? We know where you can get the best BBQ at the best BBQ restaurants in San Diego. From fall-off-the-bone deliciousness and the most tender brisket to kids meals and secret sauce, we’ve found a BBQ joint that’s right for you. Scroll down and check out our round-up of 7 BBQ hot spots in San Diego to enjoy with your family.
A trip to Phil's BBQ is an iconic San Diego family tradition. Messy but worth it, try the mesquite grilled baby back ribs, beef ribs, or chicken made with Phil’s secret sauce. There are plenty of sides to choose from: fresh-cut fries and potato salad to corn on the cob and steamed veggies. For littles, the "Ticklers" menu offers a smaller portion of BBQ chicken or ribs.
Whether it’s the pulled pork sandwich, tri-tip or pork ribs, you’ll find tasty BBQ at Park 101. Kids can roam around or plop down on the astroturf, play the giant Connect Four game or bean bag toss, plus dogs are allowed too! There's open-air seating, cozy fire pits and a kids menu with choices like BBQ pork sliders. Bonus: kids get free cotton candy once they finish their meal.
If you enjoy hickory-smoked BBQ, then this is your spot. Meats are smoked up to 13 hours, and the BBQ is served piping hot, tender, and delicious. From Iowa baby back ribs to the mouth-watering pulled pork sandwiches, you’ll have plenty of sweet-tasting options. Further, add-in house-made sides like the signature coleslaw, potato salad or ranch beans for a finishing touch. Even more, there's a menu for half-pints from which littles can order BBQ ribs, a grilled cheese sandwich and more. Kid entrees come with french fries or fresh fruit.
This cute neighborhood spot serves up local faves like BBQ burnt pork belly ends with mac n’ cheese or perfectly cooked brisket. Also, from the kids menu, the mini porker with waffle fries is a winner. You’ll find great service and family fun.
8622 Lake Murray Blvd. San Diego, CA 92119 Online: thepioneerbbq.com
Craft brew and BBQ? Grab a seat at Iron Pig Alehouse. We recommend the pulled pork sammie served on a brioche bun with slaw––or the baby back ribs entree comes with two sides like seasoned fries and southern greens and Texas toast. Even more, littles have their own menu with choices like buttered noodles or 1/2 BBQ sandwich.
This Cohn Restaurant serves up baby back ribs with a choice of two sides. We love the onion rings, collard greens, creamed corn, and, who can resist the mac n' cheese? There's a cool kid play area (for ages 10 and younger) that keeps the littles busy. Also, you can sit and have your pick of over 36 beers on tap while your sidekick plays nearby. Plus, free soft serve anyone?
Hankering for a basket of warm cornbread? Then, head over to Felix’s BBQ. Whether it’s the baby back ribs, brisket, tri-tip or pulled pork, it all tastes good. Also, it’s sides options galore with braised cabbage, black-eyed peas, mac n’ cheese, and more. The meat is tender and the sauce is sweet and smoky. What’s more, the kids menu has a range of choices from spare ribs and catfish nuggets to peanut butter and jelly and grilled cheese. Fries included, dig in!
3613 Ocean Ranch Blvd. Oceanside, CA Online: felixsbbq.com
While you pen your New Year’s resolutions consider adding a new tradition: the family bucket list. Whether you’re new to the area or have called DC home for decades, there is always something new to see and hidden gems to explore. Not sure where to start? We’ve created a seasonal checklist of things to see and do in DMV so you can create an epic road map for the year ahead (and, while you’re at it, the decade!). Happy New Year!
1. Snow ball fight! If DC is lucky enough to get a good dusting of snow this winter, the Washington DC Snowball Fight Association (yes, it exists) hosts a flashmob-style, family-friendly snowball fight. Stay tuned to their Facebook page for deets.
2. Cure cabin fever by sliding, swinging, climbing, and jumping around at one of DC’s indoor playgrounds.
3. Skate circles around the Pentagon Row Ice Rink, and then thaw off by snuggling up at one of the rinks fire pits.
4. Visit Mount Vernon, the estate once occupied by George Washington, where this time of the year is filled with super fun candlelight tours, chocolate making demos, and camel sightings (really!).
photo: Kelle Hampton
5. Take a break from the brisk with a spot of hot tea at a “Girlie Girl” tea party.
6. Grab your coats and some hot chocolate, and head out to spy one of the DMV’s spectacular light displays.
7. Get stuffed on handmade pop tarts (think: peppermint fudge) at Ted’s Bulletin. P.S. Don’t worry, there’s still some time before swimsuit season.
8. Let your toddler explore mazes, obstacle courses, tunnels, and slides at Kid Junction, a 10,000 square foot fully-enclosed facility in Chantilly, VA.
9. Want to save some money? Snag a parent-approved free kid’s meal.
10. Spend the morning at the National Aquarium. With over 750 species of underwater critters, puffin feedings, a 4D Immersion Theater, and more, the aquarium has something for everyone.
11. It’s the season of giving so volunteer at Food and Friends, where you and your minis can prep and deliver hot meals to people living with challenging illnesses.
photo: iStock
12. Eat dinner by a toasty fire at one of the DMVs restaurants that keep their fireplaces going all winter long. .
13. Chase butterflies at the Smithsonian’s indoor Butterfly Habitat Garden. Bonus: The climate-controlled environment is kept at a toasty 80 degrees.?
14. Spend the day—watching boaters, exploring historic houses, and noshing on cupcakes—in beautiful Georgetown.
15. Warm up with a bowl of chili (and/or a half smoke) from D.C.’s iconic Ben’s Chili Bowl.
16. Experience a jazz concert designed for young music lovers at the Kennedy Center’s Terrace Gallery.
17. This wouldn’t be a bucket list if we didn’t encourage you to go skiing or snowboarding; and the best part is that you don’t even have to travel far to hit the slopes.
SPRING
18. The Kennedy Center opens its doors for visitors to check out local, national and international talent for free.
19. Kayak, paddleboat or SUP (aka stand up paddle boarding) Head over to the Key Bridge Boathouse to take a class or rent a boat or board.
26. Pack a picnic basket – or toss an extra applesauce pouch into the diaper bag – and chow down next to a towering statue of Teddy Roosevelt or between zip lines at the Adventure Park at Sandy Spring Friends School.
27. Waterside fun isn’t just for summer. Check out all the options at District Wharf.
28. Stretch your vocal chords – see what we did there? – with kid-friendly sing-alongs at Bobby McKey’s.
29. Go off to see the Wizard at Watkins Regional Park Wizard of Oz Playground Don’t forget your camera! There’s a real life yellow brick road at this park for your crew to skip down.
43. Head to the Chesapeake for a day or spend the night Follow geotrails, go boating, hunt for fossils, and more!
44. Explore underground at Luray Caverns Whether you want to tire the kids out on an endless hike, ride an elevator 34 stories down, or listen to nature’s pipe organ, the opportunity to go spelunking is just a cave away.
photo: Urban Pirates
45. Take an Urban Pirates Ride on the Potomac Perfect that pirate aaaarrrrrgggghhh!
46. Three words: yoga with goats Yes, goats. What more is there to say about that?
47. Take your team out to the ballgame Of course we’re rooting for the Nationals.
48. Oooh and ahhh at fireworks on the 4th of July Scope out the best spots to set up here.
photo: Smithsonian Folklife Festival
49. Share culture at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival This free festival, which features master artisans and tradition bearers, takes place for two weeks every summer.
FALL
58. Take to the great outdoors to admire the colorful fall foliage. Or hop on a train if that’s more your speed.
59. Find all things pumpkin at your local grocery store, but for the real deal – plus fun slides, petting zoos and gourds gone wild – check out an areat pumpkin patch.
60. Doctors aren’t the only things apples can keep at bay. A trip to a pick-your-own orchard can be a great way to stave off the ever-charming “I’m booooored” blues.
88. Location is everything, and we are lucky to be close to so much American history. Head down I-95 to Colonial Williamsburg. Take a detour to Great Wolf Lodge – a hotel and water park in one – to earn extra points with the kids. Stay the night or get a day pass.
photo: iStock
89. Take comfort in a bowl of soup as the mercury slowly falls.
90. DC isn’t the only place for museums. Hop on I-95 north to Baltimore to check out all Baltimore has to offer.
91. Go where climbing the walls won’t end with someone in time out: rock climbing gyms.
I live in California and in a very small house. It’s in the most beautiful part of the country but space is at a premium. It doesn’t have a yard, it doesn’t have a garage (sorry husband) and it doesn’t have the large room dedicated play area that I see when I type in “kid’s playroom” on Pinterest. What it does have is a perfectly reasonable amount of spaced gated off for our son to explore, play and crawl safely. My son is starting to crawl now, and for the first 9 months of his life I would look at our quaint house and say “See it’s not so small! The baby has SO much room to wander.” Granted wandering at that time consisted of laying on his back with the occasional roll thrown in there but I didn’t see size as a limitation. Fast-forward to month 10. We have a full blown crawler. If it’s something he can grab ahold of he wants to pull himself up. If he sees a door he needs to push thru it. If he sees open space he must explore it. I immediately began feeling that parental guilt over our lack of 5000 sf of crawling space so I grabbed my phone and quickly looked on Redfin to see what type of houses were available that “were great for kids”. After that dismal exercise along with the realization that we can’t simply move to get more open floor space I then went to my other best friend, Amazon.com and started doing a frantic search for play rooms. Sandboxes. Indoor slides, Water tables. Fabric tunnels. I thought to myself “If I can’t make more space at the very least I can build him a play yard”. You name it I put it in my cart. At the end of my “binge carting” I looked at the total and the total made me think a new house was the best option again. I went and talked to my husband and told him of my plan and he was the voice of reason I needed. “The Children’s Museum! That museum has all the space we need, all of the toys and best of all no clean up.” He was right. A few weeks earlier we had purchased an annual pass to the Bay Area Discovery Museum (in Sausalito, CA) for $250 per year for a family of 4. It had everything: water tables, climbing gyms, slides, space, art, and learning. And it wasn’t trying to be crammed into our tiny home. And I thought a children’s museum had art and sculptures geared towards children… who knew!!
So just for fun I wanted to share with you the cost savings (not to mention space savings) of all of the items I felt in a panic I needed to create in my own playhouse in our house. All of these items (and in a better version) can be found at your local children’s museum, and for a fraction of the price.
1. Outdoor Playset (Retail Value $500+). The children’s museum has every type of swing set you can imagine. Monkey bars, slides, rings, and ours in Sausalito even has an old boat the kids can play in.
2. Water Table: (Retail Value $60+). Not only can your child splash around in a water table but they can do it without you needing to throw down a tarp in your home. Many museums have elaborate water sections that include rivers, actual fish and the ability to splash around.
3. Sand Box: (Retail Value $100+). Not only do you not need a vacuum to sweep up the mess BUT the museum we attended had that magic sand that doesn’t break apart into a billion literal sand particles. Genius!
4. Musical Instruments (Retail Value $400+). Xylophones, bells, chimes, drums. It’s all there and more. I have found that my son is intrigued by loud noises these days so double bonus that these stay out of sight until our next trip to the museum.
5. Climbing Equipment (Retail Value $1000+). This one was huge for us. Inside the museum they had two unique rooms specifically for kids under the age of 3. Each room had climbing walls, soft flooring, buildings, slides, tiny mountains and tunnels. It was a climber’s delight. My son really loved the tunnel he could navigate thru. I loved the space he had to explore.
6. House Cleaning Services (Retail Value $1200 per year). This had to be mentioned. The joy I felt when I got to leave the museum knowing I wouldn’t have to pull out the vacuum, I wouldn’t have to scrub down the table, replace the water in the water table, pull sand out of my couch cushions, and so on made me squeal with delight. How great is it knowing your child can have a blast and you don’t need to deal with the mess?
7. Toys toys and more toys (Retail Value $1000+). Stuffed animals, robots, art projects, hula hoops, giant blocks. The list goes on and on. And even better the museum replaces these items out every few months so they are new to your child. Forget birthday parties take me to the museum!
8. Space (Retail Value -Going Rate for Square Feet). This was the big one for me. I want to make sure that my son has the ability to roam around and we have found it at the museum. So many rooms to explore, space to wander, it made me feel as though we aren’t doing him a disservice by not having a huge home with a gated yard.
I know I may have given up some secret that may cause the museum to become overcrowded, and Amazon may lose some revenue but the more kids who can enjoy this experience the better.
I encourage you all to drive down to your local children’s museum, buy that yearly pass, and then treat yourself with the savings above! Or save it. Or maybe split the difference. Any way you slice it its money well spent and such a wonderful way to spend time with your child.
Janelle is a Pacific Northwest native who escaped the rain and now resides in the Bay Area with her husband and their two sons. A tech industry leader by day and a craft mommy reheating up leftovers by night, just balancing a house of cards as best as she can.
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.
Well-known as The Waterpark Capital of the World, Wisconsin Dells does way more than provide waterpark thrills and adventures on more than 200 plunge drops, tube rides, racing speed slides, bowls, water roller coasters, surf machines, wave pools and lazy rivers. And, of course, there’s a plethora of other attractions for all ages as well. This family-friendly destination brings multigenerational relatives together—the indelible memories created here will be the fodder for stories told around the dinner table for years to come. Pack the kids in the car, set out on a short three-hour road trip, and see for yourself why Wisconsin Dells has been touted as one of the Midwest’s best-rated vacation hot spots. Here are 10 ways families can enjoy Wisconsin Dells.
Start your vacation by diving into one of the best waterparks to start your vacation: Noah’s Ark Waterpark, America’s largest waterpark, spanning a whopping 70 acres with three miles of waterslides.
The smallest littles of your group will love splashing around in one of the four children’s water play areas or with a parent in one of the two wave pools. Paradise Lagoon has special rides and slides built just for them. Older kids will have a hard time not screaming on Raja: The World’s Largest King Cobra, which starts six stories up in the air and ends with a trip through the snake’s mouth. The Black Anaconda is a raft jaunt that three people can experience, and Time Warp is a bowl design that four family members can enjoy. If you need a break from the sun, check out the 4-D Dive-In Theater or the Safari Adventure Mini Golf, ideal for the whole family.
Wisconsin Dells houses over 8,000 hotel rooms, so picking the right one might seem a herculean task. Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort wins for being America’s largest indoor and outdoor combination waterpark and resort, built to thrill with over 500,000 square-feet of waterpark fun—that’s the same size as 12 football fields! Spend your day splashing around in four indoor and four outdoor waterparks at this resort—cabanas are available throughout to enhance your stay.
If you’d like to check out the dry adventures, pop over to the: Click ‘N Climb Challenge Walls, indoor and outdoor Go-Karts, CYvrSPACE Virtual Arena, Northern Lights Sky Ropes Course, Wild West Bumper Boats, indoor and outdoor mini golf, Mega Prize Arcades, Room Escapes, Timberland Playhouse, Wilderness Canyon Zip Line, and Horse Drawn Wagon Rides. You won’t go bored here, that’s for certain.
The award for the largest indoor waterpark in Wisconsin, traversing 125,000 square-feet, goes to Kalahari Resort Waterpark. Everyone, from young to young-at-heart, will enjoy a stay at this resort, which features a world-class spa, with manicure, pedicure, facial and massage treatments even for kids; varied dining, including options for even the pickiest of eaters; and a huge indoor waterpark. If your kids have ever dreamed of becoming a mermaid, shark or surfer, the Kalahari Resort Waterpark’s trainers can help.
Of course, there are plenty of other activities to do here as well: bowling, arcade, escape room, and The Arena virtual reality experience. Tom Foolerys Adventure Park features 100,000 square-feet of interactive fun for the whole family with awe-inspiring rides, activities and games. Siblings will magically play together and have those bonding moments that all parents hope for.
Get Your Thrills: Amusement Parks That Can't Be Beat
Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park
For thrill-seekers, or for people who like to watch from the safety of the ground, there are numerous amusement parks in Wisconsin Dells, perfect for the intrepid members of your family.
BigFoot Zipline Tours Fly through the oak and pine trees, from tower to tower, on Wisconsin Dells’ first zipline. Seven separate paths will provide hours of smile-inducing fun for your family. For special savings, purchase a package and enjoy multiple area attractions like the Dells Army Duck Tours, WildThing Jet Boats and BigFoot Zipline Tours.
Big Chief's Go Karts This family-friendly classic adventure is not only adventuresome but also, it’s affordable. For only $3.00, you’ll ride up and over hills and around hairpin turns with as much speed as you can muster. Grab some noshes and drinks afterward—definitely not before, unless your stomach is made of steel—at Pizza Pub, B-LUX Grill & Bar, Mr. Pancake, or Dairy Queen.
Heightened Adventures Heightened Adventures offers a Zip Line and Adventure Park located within Chula Vista Resort on six tree-filled acres. Seven zip lines and four ropes courses will keep your kids busy and active—it will be the best screen-free “online” experience yet. If mom and dad want to join in on the fun, there’s a Black Course for confident climbers over age 12, full of challenging obstacles and zip lines.
Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park Wisconsin Dells is known for having a lot of “firsts” and “biggest” attractions and Mt. Olympus is no different. It’s here that you’ll find the world’s first upside down wooden rollercoaster, with the world’s longest underground tunnel: Hades 360 Wooden Rollercoaster. Other must-visit attractions include: The Underworld Go-Kart Track, The Manticore swings, Almighty Hermes Swing, Cyclops Rollercoaster, Little Titans Rollercoaster, Kiddie Train, and more.
There are multiple ways to get in and around Wisconsin Dells through informative and fun scenic tours. Dells Trolley Tours, Ghost Boat’s “Journey to Haunted Canyon”, Lost Canyon Tours’ horse-drawn carriage rides, and Baraboo Tours for pedicabs are all standouts worth looking into for a memorable afternoon.
Canyon Creek Riding Stables is one of those adventures that sticks with you long after you’ve dismounted your horse. Go on a one-hour trail ride with your family, taking in nature’s beauty at every turn—ancient rock formations and a waterfall will delight every rider. Journey through a 200-foot tunnel, see Boot Hill Cemetery, and explore Canyon Creek’s Tombstone western town, where you’ll be greeted by the local sheriff and possibly Jailhouse Bob. Once you return, don’t forget to visit the petting zoo where you can feed farm animals.
Wisconsin Dells abounds with interactive activities that are sure to spark your imagination and get your creative juices flowing. Challenge your brain power at Ripley Believe It or Not! Museum. Test your gem-finding skills and intuitive powers at Great Wolf Lodge’s MagiQuest and ShadowQuest collaborative games. Find the elusive golden skull at the Lost Temple. Pan for gold at Dells Mining Co. Learn about photography at H.H. Bennett Studio.
Circus World in Baraboo is entertaining for all ages, Palace Theater in the Dells showcases Broadway musicals and Disney classics, and the Crystal Grand Music Theatre is perfect for music lovers. For a classic Wisconsin experience, however, don’t miss the Dells Lumberjack Show. Watch brawny lumberjacks, made strong by that good Wisconsin dairy, compete in Canoe Jousting, Standing Block Chop, Ax Throwing, and Crosscut Sawing.
Popular amongst visitors is the Tommy Bartlett Show, a 90 minute, action-packed live event that will have you on the edge of your seats. With stunts, acrobatics and water skiers, this is anything but your ordinary show. It's been wow-ing fans for 67 years with extreme water skiing, incredible boat stunts and light-hearted comedy.
Watch 70 different species of animals, roam around as you ride on the Old Fort Dells Engine Number 9 Safari Train Ride. You can see more than 400 animals here, including an Artic fox, sloth, kangaroo, wildebeest, lion, and tiger. Timbavati Wildlife Park has it all—Swine Time Pig Racing, illuminating wildlife presentations, giraffe and camel feeding stations, and a large petting zoo and animal nursery for hands-on animal encounters. For a great lay of the land, start your adventure at the observation tower. You’ll spot things that you never thought possible for a day in Wisconsin.
A change of scenery, outside of the waterparks and adventure courses of the Dells, might be in order. Visit downtown, which is accessible and walkable and worth a look-see. Buy souvenirs at one of the many gift shops, sip espresso in a coffee house, and even get a photo keepsake at Capone's Original Old Time Picture Studio (there are a number of these photo studios). Downtown is a great place to stop for lunch or dinner, treat the kids to fudge and candy, see what you can find in one of the antique shops, and stretch your legs along the Scenic River Walk. You might just surprise yourself with what you’ll find.
The Tommy Bartlett Exploratory – Interactive Science Center, formerly known as Robot World, will delight and inspire your family through interactive scientific discoveries and science. This exhibit is STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) at its best, an educator’s dream. With 175 opportunities for learning, your kids will delve deep into science experiments, space exploration, technology-heavy activities and games of skill. This is the sort of place that a young kid can enjoy alongside an older sibling—in short, it’s fun for all.
Why travel when there’s so much to offer here in our own urban backyard? Grab your little explorers and trek to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park! This 1,017 acre urban oasis offers loads of free and cheap activities to keep the kids busy for days. Scroll through for 20 of our faves!
1. Vist the deYoungsters Studio
Erin Feher
Kids break dancing against a laser-light backdrop, toddlers finger painting without making any mess at all and tiny artists admiring their sculptures displayed among blue chip masterpieces—all this and more happens inside the de Youngsters Studio, an interactive (and always FREE) play space and gallery at the de Young Museum. Read all about it here.
This gorgeous spot in the Music Concourse is the perfect spot to enjoy a free musical performance. The Golden Gate Park Band has been playing free public concerts on Sundays every year since 1882. Check the schedule here and look for especially family-friendly performances where they play the music of Disney and Pixar.
The Golden Gate Angling & Casting Club's monthly free fly casting lessons are generally held on the second Saturday of each month year-round from 9:30 a.m.-noon at the Golden Gate casting ponds. These lessons are followed by a free small lunch courtesy of GGACC. Free loaner equipment is also available on a first come, first served basis, but please try to arrive by 8:45 a.m. to take advantage of this limited free equipment.
Give your kids a taste of the de Young without stepping foot in a gallery. Head up to the Hamon Education Tower Observation Deck, which you can access for free (pay admission to access the rest of the museum). Simply turn right after entering the de Young and find the elevators that'll transport you to the glass enclosed room featuring stunning panoramic views of the city.
Find It: 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr, San Francisco, CA
5. Dance to the Beat at Hippie Hill
Every weekend drummers and dancers gather at Hippie Hill for a drum circle. Just follow the beat and whoops of singing and laughter to join in the merriment with this group of musicians. Bring your own drums, dance, or picnic on the large expanse of grass with your kids who always seem to march to the beat of their own drum.
Find It: Enter on John F. Kennedy Drive, behind the tennis courts, north of the Koret Children’s Quarter
6. Wheel Around
Take advantage of the Park's street closures and hit the pavement on your wheels. Whether you're a biker, love the tricycle, or can't get enough of your rollerblades, this is a prime time to cruise the Park without worrying about cars. Be sure to stop by at 6th Avenue Skate Park right off of JFK Drive to see the roller- and inline-skaters who put on moves that include backflips, the electric slide, and more—all while skating to funk music coming from an old school speaker and boom box.
The closure details: Every Sunday JFK Drive is closed from the East End (Kezar Drive) to Traverse Drive. Saturdays April through September cars aren't allowed on JFK Drive from 8th Avenue to Traverse Drive.
Find It: 6th Avenue and John F. Kennedy Drive
7. Visit the de Young for Free
de Young Museum
While youth 17 and under have always gotten in free to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (which include Golden Gate Park's de Young as well as the Legion of Honor), these museums recently upped their game and added additional free day initiatives. San Francisco residents now get in free every Saturday! The museums also joined the Museums for All program to offer free admission to individuals with disabilities. They will continue to offer their free first Tuesday admission program.
Find it here:de Young Museum, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco, CA
8. Plan a Picnic
It almost goes without saying that nothing beats an afternoon picnicking in the Park. Pack a basket full of goodies (if you're on the East end of the park we suggest picking up sandwiches from the Haight Street Market or Say Cheese in Cole Valley) and plop down on the grass. A couple of favorite spots include the AIDS Memorial Grove and Shakespeare Garden. Both offer a tranquil and less-crowded area for lunch.
Find It: AIDS Memorial Grove (Intersection of Bowling Green Drive & Nancy Pelosi Drive) and Shakespeare Garden (Martin Luther King Drive, Between Nancy Pelosi Drive & Music Concourse Drive)
9. Travel to Japan
Step into the Japanese Tea Garden and you're immediately transported to the Land of the Rising Sun. Explore the Garden's statues, waterfalls, gorgeous landscaping and regal lanterns. The serene environment may just have the calming effect on your kids you were looking for.
Good to Know: Enter before 10 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday or Friday and admission is free. Other times and dates cost $6 for residents ($9 for non-residents); $2/kids 5-11; kids 4 and under get in free.
Find It: 75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco, CA
10. Throw a Frisbee
18 holes of fun aren't just for golfers anymore. The Park's frisbee golf course is a great place to learn how to throw a frisbee. Wind your way through the woodsy course where you'll find trees, bushes and other obstacles blocking your way to the hole.
Find It: Marx Meadow between 25th and 30th Avenues on the North side of the Park
Be sure to stop by the two waterfalls in the park: Huntington Falls and Rainbow Falls—both captivating with lots of area to explore. Take the stairs and the trails, encounter the local wildlife and take in the views. You won't be disappointed!
Good to Know: Prayerbook Cross is situated near the top of Rainbow Falls, follow the trail off of JFK Drive and check out this historic, Celtic-style, local landmark.
Find It: Rainbow Falls (John F. Kennedy Drive near Crossover Drive) and Huntington Falls (at Stow Lake)
12. Visit an Official Landmark
WolfmanSF via Wikimedia Commons
Take a break from the norm and escape into a world of rare and exotic plants, at the official landmark—Conservatory of Flowers. Visit different ecosystems, engage all of your senses and enjoy the welcoming gardens.
Good to Know: Open Tues.-Sun. 10-4:30 p.m. Free to all visitors on the first Tuesday of the month. Residents: $6/Adults, $4/youth 12-17, seniors and college students with ID, $3/children 5-11 and children 4 and under are free. General Public: $9/adults, $6/youth, seniors and college students, $3/children 5-11 and children 4 and under are free.
Find It: 100 John F. Kennedy Drive, San Francisco, CA
It’s always a good time of the year to visit the San Francisco Botanical Garden. The Bay Area’s weather and signature fog provide the perfect conditions for several plants from all over the world to thrive. Enjoy a walk through its 55 acres of green, open space and learn about over 8,500 kinds of plants from all over the world.
Good to know: Admission is free for all San Francisco residents (with proof of residency)and daily to all between 7:30-9 a.m. Non-residents: $8/Adults, $6/Youth 12-17, $2/Children 5-11 and children under 4 are free.
Spreckles Lake on the north entrance of the park is home to the San Francisco Model Yacht Club, the only venue left in the U.S. that is home to racing freesail yachts. Stop by the club house (open when attended by a member) and check out their collection of boats. Bring your little captains and enjoy watching these miniature models parade and race across the lake, Tues.-Thurs., 1 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays as early as 9:30 a.m. Don’t miss the Rubber Ducky Round-Up!
Find It: Spreckles Drive at 36th Ave., at the Park's Fulton St. entrance.
15. Stop and Smell the Tulips
The North (Dutch) Windmill located on the western section of the park is one of two historic icons dating back to 1902. Serving once as a water pump for the area, the Dutch Windmill is now home to the Queen Wilhelmina (late queen of the Netherlands) Tulip Garden. Take in the lovely sight of bright colored tulips and other blooms in the serene surroundings. Relax on a bench or on the inviting grass and listen to the crash of the waves near by.
Good to Know: This garden is quite a sight when in full bloom. The best times to visit are in February and March. The South (Murphy) Windmill is not too far away. Be sure to stop by and see this impressive model, which is the largest of its kind. Don’t forget your camera!
Find It: 1690 John F. Kennedy Drive, San Francisco, CA; The South (Murphy) Windmill (Lincoln Blvd and La Playa St.)
Since 1996, every Sunday you can boogie on down with festive and boisterous swing dancers on JFK Drive (all for free!). From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. shimmy with the best of 'em and if you're a beginner and need instruction, show up for the noon to 12:30 p.m. novice lesson. Lindy in the Park brings the music and instruction, you bring the dance moves and the cheer. All ages and abilities are welcome.
Find It: South sidewalk of John F. Kennedy Drive, between the de Young Museum and the north entrance to the Music Concourse
17. See The City’s First Real Zoo
Playgrounds. Check. Running Paths. Bison. Double check. While bison (aka buffalo) aren't the first thing that you think would belong in an urban park, the huge shaggy creatures are nonetheless breathtaking. Visit the Bison Paddock to get a glimpse of these huge animals as they roam around their grassy enclosure.
Fun Fact: Before the city opened its first zoo in the 1930s, animals like elk, deer and bison were corralled in Golden Gate Park for visitors to experience. The bison in the paddock today are cared for by the SF Zoo staff.
Find It: 1237 John F. Kennedy Drive, San Francisco, CA
There's no denying that the Koret Children’s Quarter (formerly the Children's Playground) is always high up on any Bay Area parent's list of must-visit playgrounds. After getting your fill of swinging, crawling, and sliding, pop over to the historic carousel to take a spin on the merry-go-round that was originally carved in 1914.
Good to Know: The carousel is open daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and Friday through Sunday the rest of the year. Year-round hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with the last ride at 4:15 p.m.
Cost: $2/adults, $1/children 6-12, children under 5 are free with a paying adult. Children under 40″ must ride with a paying adult.
Find It: Martin Luther King Jr Dr & Bowling Green Dr, San Francisco, CA
19. Paddle Around the Lake
Bring extra bread and crackers to feed the ducks at Stow Lake. Looking for more adventure? Rent a boat and cruise around the Lake. The boathouse offers a fleet of rowboats, pedal boats and electric boats, though if you want a more relaxing experience without having to pedal the entire time, we suggest the latter
Good to Know: Boathouse open daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Rates: $22-$37.50/hour. depending on boat. Rentals are first-come, first-served.
Find It: 50 Stow Lake Drive E, San Francisco, CA
20. Grab a Bite
Park adventures create big appetites. Head to Park Chalet's back grassy patio where you can lay out a picnic blanket or grab an Adirondack chair, and indulge in bites and brews. The summer at Park Chalet brings live music, so be sure to check their weekend music schedule.
Find It: 1000 Great Highway, at Ocean Beach, San Francisco, CA
Have you booked your Spring Break vaycay yet? If not, you’re in luck—because LEGO Movie World at LEGOLAND Florida has officially opened. And yes, everything is awesome.
So what can you expect from this new LEGOLAND Florida attraction? The newest and largest expansion of the theme park is 80,000 square-feet, which means your kiddo will have plenty of room to roam around and explore their favorite attractions straight out of The LEGO Movie franchise.
When Pokémon GO debuted three years ago, it was a literal game-changer; after all, what could be more revolutionary than a video game that encourages you to get up and explore the real world? Now, take that idea and add Harry Potter to it, because Harry Potter: Wizards Unite is coming soon—and here’s everything we know so far.
Niantic, the makers behind the uber popular hit, Pokémon GO, will release the new Harry Potter mobile RPG later this year. The design of the game will be similar to Pokémon GO in that it will require players to get outdoors and roam around in order to play.
While the gameplay details have been pretty sparse so far, ScreenRant reports that players will be able to choose between three different jobs: Magizoologist, Auror or Professor. Each profession will come with its own strengths and weaknesses when it comes to playing the game. The plot of the game revolves around something called the “Calamity,” which involves protecting the magical world from Muggles.
While there’s no official release date set, Niantic promises the game will debut sometime in 2019. The company has also revealed that Harry Potter: Wizards Unite will be available for both via iOS and Android.