There are few things I love more than getting away for a few days. My husband and I have a few favorite destinations that we previously enjoyed as a couple, and now bring our daughters along to. We typically prefer to travel during less popular seasons, which means less traffic, smaller “crowds,” and lower hotel prices.
Cape May, NJ in the Spring
This adorable town includes the pedestrian-only Washington Street Mall full of shops, sweets, and eateries. There is also the Cape May Promenade that runs parallel to the beach. We have enjoyed staying and dining at Cape Resorts properties; Blue Pig Tavern at Congress Hall is one of our favorites. We also love to make a trip up to the Cape May County Zoo (a few towns north of Cape May); the county park property also includes playgrounds and the Tree to Tree Adventure Park (ages 7+).
Boston, MA in the Summer
For this annual trip we like to stay at The Custom House in the Harbor area, next to Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market. Some of our go-to activities include: visiting the Boston Children’s Museum and the Museum of Science, going for a Swan Boat ride in the Public Garden, and splashing in the Frog Pond in Boston Common. Other popular attractions include: the New England Aquarium, Duck Tours, tours of the Freedom Trail, and shopping on Newbury Street. We eat mostly casual meals on this trip; Flour Bakery and Boston Public Market are our go-to eateries. For much more information about Boston, visit our sister site, Boston Moms Blog.
Washington, DC in the Fall
Although we miss seeing the Cherry Blossoms, the weather in DC is still warm in the Fall. We typically do a lot of walking on this getaway, and I highly recommend bringing a stroller along. Admission to the Smithsonian Museums is free, which makes it really easy to visit as many as you’d like, for as long as you’d like. The National Zoo is a must-visit, especially to see the Giant Pandas. This past year is the first year that we brought our children on a walk to see the White House and some of the National Monuments; tours are also available. As for where to stay, it really depends on what you’re planning to do and your budget. Over the years, we have stayed in the city (Westin Georgetown) and outside (Arlington, VA and Alexandria, VA); each location has been a totally different experience. For much more information about Washington, DC, visit our sister site, DC Area Moms Blog.
The Sagamore (Bolton Landing, NY) in the Winter
The Sagamore is a popular Lake George summer resort that offers a whole different type of fun in the winter. Some hotel guests may opt to ski nearby, but we prefer to spend our days on site. The main building has an indoor pool, and “The Rec” building has indoor mini golf, a climbing wall, sports and games, scheduled activities, a “Kids Club,” and more. On many winter evenings there are live music and s’mores at the fire pit. I have no desire to swim in Lake George, but I’ll gladly enjoy the gorgeous view.
