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    Creepy Collections: Discover summer scares in area attractions

    You won’t need air conditioning to get the chills, this summer. It seems almost every city in our area is offering something a little spooky and freaky, from the Pacific Science Center’s “Science of Fear” in Seattle to The Oregon Zoo’s animatronic dinos to surrealist bird-people at the Vancouver Art Gallery. Here’s your guide to the best summer exhibits in our area. Seattle Goose Bumps! The Science Of Fear at the Pacific Science Center. June 11 – September 5, 2011 This freaky fun at Pacific Science Center focuses on why and how we feel afraid. See what spooks you – and discover the science behind your scare. Give yourself a…

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    What You Need to Do in March: 7 things to put on your calendar

    Want to plan for an awesome spring and summer? Achieve a few (or all) of these items in March: Make your camping reservations for this summer, if you haven’t done so yet. Reserve through Washington State Park Online Reservation Service (Washington) or Reserve America for Oregon. They’re going fast – when I checked, availability was very limited at some popular parks. The scramble for BC campsite and yurt reservations starts on March 15 at 7 a.m. PST at the BC Camping Reservation Service (Discover Camping). Read more on camping with kids in Washington State, camping with kids in British Columbia and camping with kids in Oregon. Book your room for hot…

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    Free & Cheap Fun with Kids for Winter Holiday Break

    What are you doing this week? Check out these lists of great cheap and free fun in our region — and maybe add a few more of your own. These lists were written in summer, so you’ll have to gloss over some suggestions and skip those fountains (brr). But you should find plenty of fantastic activities here. And if you’ve already done everything in your own city, plan a weekend getaway trip to a nearby city and take advantage of their fab freebies: Best Kids’ Bookstores in Cascadia 35 Free and Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Vancouver, BC 10 Things to Do with Kids in Vancouver (Rainy Day…

  • Oregon Coast with Kids
    Day Trips,  Other,  Portland

    Daytrip! Four Portland day trips with kids

    On certain winter weekends, you’re cooped up inside the house, kids bickering and frustrated while the rain pounds outside. Sounds like it’s time for a daytrip. A daytrip is a break from the usual routine. Hop in the car for an hour or so, motoring down the freeway and along country lanes. Enjoy a movie or a museum or a hot chocolate (or all three). Bring a change of clothes in case the kids want to play at a park (despite rain or snow). Over the next few weeks, we’ll explore daytrips based out of the Portland, Vancouver and Seattle metro areas. Home Base: Portland Oregon Coast with kids daytrip…

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    Where to Go for U.S. Thanksgiving Getaways

    Not everyone heads across the country (or county) to visit relatives at Thanksgiving. If you’re looking for a four-day getaway, here are a few ideas: A four-star hotel Thanksgiving stay in Vancouver, BC: The obvious benefit of traveling to Canada? Canadians don’t celebrate U.S. Thanksgiving any more than they celebrate the Fourth of July. Which means schools are in session and hotel rooms are plentiful. You can breeze in and out of museums (like Science World) and attractions without fighting the hordes of summer or school’s-out masses.  I love Vancouver’s rainy day attractions and almost always get the perfect, upscale Priceline hotel for a great price (typically around $80/nt). Don’t…