Winter Escapes with Toddlers

 

The rain and gloom of winter has settled in. Moods are starting to droop; your toddler is getting restless. It's time to get out of town, shake off the winter blues and explore something new.

Pack up your family and hit the road (or air) to discover what the Pacific Northwest and beyond has to offer this winter. Whether you crave a little sand and surf, a ride down the slopes, or just want to hit the pavement as you take on a new city, you will find something even the littlest traveler in your clan will enjoy.

 

 

 

Don't Break the Bank in Portland

Point your car south and head to the "City of Roses" for a vacation that is sure to impress all ages. Your preschooler will love the hands-on action at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and the Portland Children's Museum, and you won't want to miss a little outdoor nature exploration at the Lan Su Chinese garden. Tickle those young taste buds with a few stops at Portland's legendary food carts – an easy on-the-go approach to feeding restless tots while satisfying the grown-ups hunger for food adventure.

Toddler Tips

Munch

• Kenny & Zukes Deli, 1038 S.W. Stark St., Portland.
• Deschutes Brewery Portland Public House, 2010 N.W. 11th Ave., Portland.

Rest

• Hotel Monaco Portland, 506 S.W. Washington St., Portland. Located in the heart of downtown, this hotel offers large suites for families, a morning coffee bar, plus a goldfish to borrow for your room. Paid parking. Splurge.
• Embassy Suites Downtown, 319 S.W. Pine St., Portland. (Booking tip: ask about winter specials.) There's an indoor pool, free cook-to-order breakfast, and all suites include fridge and microwave. Paid parking. Value.

Play

• Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), 1945 S.E. Water Ave., Portland. Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admissions: Adults $12, youth $9, children under age 3 are free (does not include submarine, Omnimax or Planetarium). Parking: $3.
• Portland Children's Museum, 4015 S.W. Canyon Road, Portland. Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission: Ages 1-54 $9, 55 and up $8, under age 1, free. Free first Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. Save $1 when you buy tickets online. Parking: $4 fee.
• Lan Su Chinese Garden, 239 N.W. Everett St., Portland. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: Adults $9.50, students $7, children under 5 are free; family pass $28 (2 adults and 2 students). Events: Chinese New Year Lantern Viewing Evenings in February (tickets are $20).

 

Embrace Winter at Lake Chelan

Summer may be long gone, but the action on Lake Chelan is far from over. Winterfest, the lake's biggest event of the season, kicks off on Jan. 1 and is packed with so much fun that everyone in the family will be screaming for more. If fireworks, world-class ice sculptures, live music and bonfires aren't up your alley, you can still enjoy a bit of quiet tranquility skipping stones and searching for freshwater shells on the lake. Chelan also neighbors one of the smaller ski resorts east of the Cascades, which means lift tickets are cheaper allowing your family to indulge in more time on the slopes.

Toddler Tips

Munch

• Campbell's Pub & Veranda, 104 W. Woodlin Ave., Chelan.
• Local Myth Pizza, 122 S. Emerson St., Chelan.

Rest

• The Lake House, 407 N. Lake St., Chelan. Each one to three bedroom unit comes with a full kitchen, Wi-Fi access, washer and dryer. Extras include an outdoor heated pool, hot tub and fire pits. Value.
• Campbell's Resort, 104 W. Woodlin Ave., Chelan. Every room overlooks the lake and includes a fridge, microwave and Wi-Fi access. Value.

Play

• Echo Valley Ski and Tubing Area, 1700 Cooper Gulch Road, Chelan. Tubes are provided to guests. Ski rentals are available through Lakeland Ski Shop. Lift tickets: $25 daily rate (includes tubing hill), $20 half day rate, $10 just tubing; children 5 and under ski and tube free. Private ($50) and group ($25) ski and snowboarding lessons are available twice a day.
• Winterfest Festival (Jan. 11-13 and 18-20) There's plenty for adults to do, and don't miss Snowflake lane (Jan.18th and 19th only) just for the little ones, including face painting, crafts and even temporary tattoos!

 

Tackle the Slopes in Whistler, BC

With the winter winds comes a bit of that cold, white stuff that kids just can't get enough of at this time of year. Preschoolers are finally old enough to start skiing in Whistler, so it is time to hit the slopes to start a lifelong love of winter sports. Ice skating, tubing and a quick dip in your hotel's heated outdoor pool will bring the whole family together for a little extra bonding time off the mountain.

Toddler Tips

Munch

• Crepe Montagne, 4368 Main St., # 116, Whistler.
• Pasta Lupino, 4368 Main St., # 121, Whistler.

Rest

• Pan Pacific Whistler Village Center, 4299 Blackcomb Way. This all-suite resort includes free Internet access, and full kitchens plus complimentary hot breakfast, heated outdoor saltwater pool, and the convenience of Whistler Village right outside your door. Paid parking. Splurge.
• Aspens on Blackcomb, (ResortQuest Whistler condos) Condo style accommodations feature a full kitchen, free Wi-Fi, ski in/ski out to Blackcomb, and a location just above Whistler kids' ski program.
  Budget Tip: Travel voucher sites like Groupon and LivingSocial regularly offer discounted hotel nights in Whistler. Value.

Play

• Ice skating, $5 for skate rentals; helmets are free to borrow.
• Whistler Blackcomb Tube Park, Base 2 Zone on Blackcomb – Two-hour lift tickets (does not include tax): Adults $24.11, youth $20.09, children (3-12) $15.26. Children must be at least 3 years old to tube.
• Ski/Snowboard lessons, Whistler Village Kids Daily & 2-Day Ski or Snowboard: $149 full-day lesson with lift; $208 2-day weekend lesson with lift. Note: snowboarding only is open to kids 4 years and older.
• Whistler Kids Winter Childcare, $85 for a full day (18-48 months). Your hotel can also recommend babysitting services for younger children.

Note: all prices are in Canadian dollars.

 

Hop a Weekend Flight to San Diego

Not everyone has enough time to jet set to a tropical island, but you can head south to play in some of California's best theme parks for the weekend. Explore the San Diego Zoo or the Birch Aquarium to get up close and personal with spotted leopard cubs and starfish. Discover how our trash can be reshaped and reused at the New Children's Museum "TRASH" exhibit. With temperatures in the 60s all winter long, you may just want to pack those long dormant tank tops and sandals for a walk on the beach.

Toddler Tips

Munch

• Corvette Diner, 2965 Historic Decatur Road, San Diego.
• Tin Fish Gaslamp, 170 Sixth Ave., San Diego.

Rest

• Omni San Diego Hotel, 675 L St., San Diego. This downtown hotel has rooms and suites that include refrigerators (upon request), Internet access and the Omni Hotel Sensational Kids program. Paid parking. Splurge.
• Homewood Suite Liberty, 2576 Laning Road, San Diego. It's close to the airport, with suites that include full kitchens, free breakfast and Wi-Fi access. Value.

Play

• San Diego Zoo, 2920 Zoo Drive in Balboa Park, San Diego – Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. One-day zoo pass: Adults (ages 12 and up) $44, children (3-11) $34, under age 3 free. 2-day zoo pass or 1-day zoo and Safari Park pass: Adults (ages 12 and up) $79, children (3-11) $61, under age 3 free.
• Birch Aquarium, 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla – Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission: Adults $14, children $9.50, under age 2 free.
• The New Children's Museum, 200 West Island Avenue, San Diego – Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sundays noon to 4 p.m. Closed Tuesdays. Admission: Ages 1 and over, $10; second Sunday of the month is free for all. "TRASH" exhibit runs until September 2013.

Budget tip: If you plan on visiting many of the city's top attractions, look into the Go San Diego Card, which includes all of the attractions listed above plus so much more. Adults $199, children $165, under age 3 free.