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BC’s New Family Friendly Holiday
British Columbia has a new holiday that celebrates families. “Family Day” will occur on the second Monday of February, starting this year (2013). Here’s a quick round up of events that will happen next Monday throughout BC, including street entertainment and face painting in Vancouver, all-ages concerts in Victoria and free skating in Nanaimo. Family activities such as skiing and snowboarding on Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, sleigh rides, snowmobile tours, snowshoeing, Nordic skiing, ziplining and ice skating are always on the menu at Whistler and on Family Day, many local activity operators are offering discounts on these experiences. Whistler Blackcomb is offering half-price lift tickets to B.C. residents on Monday, February 11 and including a…
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Last-Minute Kid-friendly Winter Escapes in Washington & Oregon
It’s not too late to go somewhere for winter vacation. Here’s a quick rundown (and a few opinions) on Destination Resorts’ getaway options in our area. SUNRIVER RESORT Web: Sunriver Resort Location: Central Oregon Phone: 541-593-1000 Sunriver Resort is my favorite property in our region. This winter, Sunriver is offering over 100 workshops, camps and childcare options through “Traditions.” Among the offerings: sleigh rides, snowshoe and caving tours, magic shows and Fort Funnigan (both of my kids gave the Fort their approval). I love the new indoor pool, generously sized condos, solid dining options and all the great options in Bend. It’s close to Mt. Bachelor, too, for the fresh-powder fans. Sample…
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Family Travel! Cari’s family visits Eastern Oregon
Cari Gesch, a Portland-based mom to two kids (ages 10 and 4), travels the Northwest with her trusty camera in tow. This professional photographer (check out her blog, Wahkeena Exposures — it has tons of awesome photos and travels focused on Oregon) recently went with her husband and kids on an Eastern Oregon escape. Let’s discover what her kids loved most about life east of the mountains — and what it’s like to travel Oregon in a 32-foot-long RV. All photos courtesy of Cari Gesch. Q: What did you do on your family trip to Eastern Oregon? Which activities did the kids enjoy? My oldest, Sage (age 10) really enjoyed…
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Washington State Round-Up: From the Coast to Cascades (and beyond)
As you probably know by now, Cascadia Kids isn’t my day job — yet. I write travel articles for a wide variety of print publications, including the Washington State Visitors’ Guide, which is available on many of the Washington State ferries, in the Whole Foods, and at many visitors’ centers throughout the state. Here’s a quick sampling of the articles I wrote for the guide (you’ll find more inside the print pub). Some of the articles focus on places I haven’t yet written my family guides for, including Whidbey Island, Washington Coast and Kitsap County. They’re all on my to-do list, I promise! But the to-do list is pretty long…
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Tofino with Kids: Advice from a dad insider
Tofino is where wilderness and luxury meet. It’s a wave-washed destination where even the public campgrounds are never far from million-dollar views. John Platenius is the parent of two children (ages 5 and 7) and a resident of Tofino, a top summer vacation spot along Vancouver Island’s western shore. Platenius has just put out a fine new book on the region, Tofino Guide, retailing for $19.95. Read more at his Tofino-focused website or leave questions below in the comments. Here are Platenius’ tips on things to do with kids in Tofino, his recommendations for great hotels and campgrounds, and even the best hiking trail with a preschooler. (Photo at right, Platenius’s son playing on a Tofino beach)…
