Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Planning
Kids often get discounts on motel stays, museum admission and restaurant meals; the
definition of child, however, can vary from age zero to 18 years.
Supermarkets have a great choice of baby food, infant formula, soy and cow's milk,
disposable diapers (nappies) and other necessities. In urban areas you'll find all manner
of organic and dietary-restricted kids food in restaurants and natural markets. If you
don't want to lug gear around for your whole trip, head to a baby-equipment rental com-
pany, such as
http://new.happylittletraveler.com
in Seattle,
www.katelynscloset.com
in
Portland or
www.weetravel.ca
in Vancouver. Diaper-changing stations can be found in
many public toilets, including ones inside the multitude of rest areas along highways and
interstates. Online services including
www.sittercity.com
and
www.care.com
can help
you find a babysitter.
When crossing the border from the US into Canada, be sure to bring birth certificates
or passports for each child; if a child enters the country with only one parent, she or he
must have a letter from the other parent saying it's OK for the child to enter Canada.
Very family-friendly destinations are marked with a icon.
Sweet Dreams
Most hotels accept children; a few offer babysitting services. Motels are even more fam-
ily friendly, sometimes boasting pool, playground and/or kitchenettes. Larger camp-
grounds often cater to families; yurts in state parks are a great way for families to camp
in some luxury.
Places that aren't as good for kids are youth hostels and B&Bs, which often don't take
children under a certain age. Consider asking some questions when booking. Do kids
stay for free? Do you offer playpens, cribs or roll-away beds? How far to the nearest park
or playground?
BEST PLACES TO STAY
Check out (and into) these places if you have young ones along:
ยป
Kennedy School (
Click here
) in Portland, OR. It's a former elementary school, but
there's no homework - just rooms in old classrooms and a theater in the old gym
(showing 'Mommy Matinees'!)
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