The Lollipop Road

Posts Tagged ‘family activity’

After much uncertainty earlier this year, Edaville Railroad announced that it would remain open for yet another fun filled season. Hooray! This past weekend gave folks a preview of the park with a frightfully ghoulish “Ghost Train”. Although the rides were not open, it was a scary fright fest that had patrons excited about the upcoming 2011 Festival of Lights at Edaville Railroad.

Edaville was started back in 1947 when Ellis D. Atwood (EDA) purchased two-foot gauge rails from Maine and brought them back to his cranberry bog plantation in Carver, Massachusetts. He built a 5 ½ mile loop around the bogs to simultaneously service the bogs and give sightseeing tours to paying customers. He added amusement rides and lots of holiday lights to give New Englanders and tourists alike an amusement park experience like never before.

From November 25th through January 1st, families may enjoy Edaville’s traditional Festival of Lights, along with all of the rides that make little ones squeal with delight. Weekday hours will be 4PM until 9PM, with weekend hours from 2PM until 9PM. Please review the full schedule before heading out.

In addition to the traditional train ride, there will also be The Polar Express train this year, as well. The Polar Express will run at 4:30PM, 5:30PM, 6:30PM and 7:30PM on the following dates: November 18, 19, 20, 28, 29, 30 and December 5, 6, 12, 13, 24, 31. With the exception of the last two dates, the remainder of the park is closed during this event. The cost is $30 per person (under 2 free) and includes hot chocolate, cookies and a small gift. Please make reservations in advance.

For additional information about Edaville’s specific attractions, be sure to read our full review from the 2010 season.

Edaville Railroad is located in Carver, Massachusetts. Friday, Saturday and Sunday are the busiest days, so if you’re looking for maximum enjoyment and minimal crowds, visit on a weekday or as soon as the park opens. Admission is $18 for adults, $16 for seniors and free for kids under 2. Watch for coupons on their Facebook page.

Disclosure

Last night my heart sank as I watched my son’s eyes well up with tears. My husband and I had taken our two little munchkins to Edaville Railroad for the Festival of Lights and my 5 year old had just asked if we could come here every year. I had to break the news to him that Edaville may be closing permanently on January 2nd, 2011. He asked why someone would want to close such a magical place, but I couldn’t explain it to him. He doesn’t understand that sometimes, despite the best of intentions, people can’t afford to keep things operational and that no matter how hard you look, sometimes, there just isn’t a buyer.

UPDATE – It was announced on September 24th that Edaville would stay open, beginning its new season on October 1, 2011!

Edaville was started back in 1947 when Ellis D. Atwood (EDA) purchased two-foot gauge rails from Maine and brought them back to his cranberry bog plantation in Carver, Massachusetts. He built a 5 ½ mile loop around the bogs to simultaneously service the bogs and give sightseeing tours to paying customers. He added amusement rides and lots of Holiday lights to give New Englanders and tourists alike an amusement park experience like never before.

My husband had heard that Edaville may be closing it’s doors soon, so we decided it was now or never to take our growing family for a visit, before it was too late. We arrived at 3:40PM (20 minutes before opening) after a 2-hour trip from our home. Mom and dad were tired, but the kids were excited and ready to explore, especially after seeing the train and all the lights in the distance. We dressed the kids in their snow bibs (highly recommended) and other winter gear and we were off.

There are a total of 11 amusement rides for the kids to choose from. Some rides are for the littlest children, in the 2-4 year old range, and include a miniature train, flying turtles, and a bumpy caterpillar (that my son said was like driving with mommy). Other rides are geared toward the 4-10 year old range, including high flying planes, twirling drums, soaring elephants, and spinning spaceships. A few rides are even reserved for the older children (and some brave adults). There is also an antique carousel and a Ferris wheel. A couple of the kiddie rides will accommodate adults as well. Daddy had the privilege of riding with the kids; he may have had as much fun as they did! All in all, we felt that the selection of rides, as well as the fun factor helped to make this a great outing.

One of the biggest attractions at Edaville, of course, is the train ride. It takes about 10 minutes to complete the 2.5 mile loop and with its comfortable bench seats and huge glass windows, you get a relaxed setting and an awe-inspiring view while watching the 7 million lights go by from the comfort of the coaches. All of the ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ from passengers mesmerized by the largest display of lights in New England really can get you in the Holiday spirit. Unlimited rides are included, but to avoid the crowds, be sure to go early for the shortest wait (the last train departs at 8:00 PM).

Of course, Edaville also has the standard amusement fare, including eateries and games (with fun prizes), as well as gift shops, a ball crawl, forest maze, model trains and Cranberry World Museum. Let’s not forget Santa; you can visit with him up until 8:30 PM and have a photo taken with no obligation to purchase. To be honest, our family saw little of the above activities due to the fact that they also have two Thomas tables set up with the usual trains, tracks and destinations. And as many of you with Thomas-loving children know, your kids love to play with other train tables more than their own!

Despite nippy toes, our family had a fantastic time during our 3 hour visit. Our children enjoyed many of the amusement rides as well as riding the train, seeing the lights, playing with the train table and looking around the gift shop. They won a prize playing an amusement type game, studied the old steam trains and made a lot of happy memories to last throughout the Christmas season. Children of all ages will enjoy this wonderful park, but we feel that children 3-12 would most enjoy everything Edaville has to offer.

Edaville Railroad is located in Carver, Massachusetts and is open from 2-9 PM on weekdays and from 4-9 PM on weekends, except Christmas Day, when they are closed. Friday-Sunday are the busiest days, so if you’re looking for maximum enjoyment and minimal crowds, visit on a weekday or as soon as the park opens. Admission is $18 for adults, $16 for children 2-12 and free for kids under 2. Be sure to print your $2 off coupon before heading out.

The Park closes for the season on January 2^nd. Sadly, this may be the last day of operation for this historic and fun park. If you live in the area or are lucky enough to be visiting New England during the Christmas season, why not make some happy memories at this iconic amusement park that so many of us know and will fondly remember.

Disclosure

Yellowstone National Park attracted nearly 94,000 visitors during the 2009-2010 winter season, barely a drop in the bucket when compared to it’s record setting 3.3 million visitors last year.  However, fewer visitors means fewer crowds and cheaper prices.  Don’t get me wrong, Yellowstone is still expensive, but the winter hotel rates can be more attractive than peak summer rates, especially if booked in a package.  Just be prepared to face bitter cold days where any sliver of sunshine makes you wish you were on a beach in the tropics.  In the end, it’s all worth it.

Staying Inside the Park

Mammoth Hot Springs and Old Faithful are the only two locations for in-park lodging during winter.  Nestled in a sprawling “valley” at a cool 6,200 feet, the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel is reachable by car and is open to guests from the week of Christmas through the first week in March.  Offering a variety of rooms and amenities, there are options for every visitor.  And by amenities I mean a private bath, you won’t find televisions (except in suites), radios, internet hook-ups or air-conditioning here (of course there is heat).  Mammoth is unique in that this 1930′s era hotel still offers shared baths…but for $87/night during peak season, you can’t beat the price.  It works for families with teens, but probably not for those with younger kids.

Of course, if you don’t mind shelling out a few more bucks, you can upgrade to a mid-range room that includes two double beds and a small bath for $117/night.  Not all mid-range rooms have bathtubs, so if you plan on bathing the kids, be sure to request one in advance.  If you really want to splurge, a suite with it’s two queen size beds, sitting area, cable TV and private bath will set you back $439/night.  Rates are based upon double occupancy; kids under 12 are free when staying with two adults.  Each additional adult in a room is $11/night.

About 30 miles from West Yellowstone and 50 miles from Mammoth, the Old Faithful Snow Lodge is in stark contrast to the budget minded Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel.  Built in 1999, the lodge boasts a soaring post and beam lobby, intimate sitting areas, cozy fireplace and simple but tasteful western style accommodations.  Open from mid-December through the first week of March, the Snow Lodge offers lodge rooms with two double beds and private bath for $197/night.  If you’re willing to venture out into one of the Western Cabins, really a four-plex motel style unit, you’ll pay $143/night for two queen sized beds and private bath.  If you’re really adventurous, the quick selling duplex style Frontier Cabins (not recommended for families in winter) are simplistic motel style units with shower for the bargain price of $96/night.  Snowcoach shuttles to Old Faithful are available from Mammoth, Flagg Ranch and West Yellowstone for an additional fee.  Rates are based upon double occupancy; kids under 12 are free when staying with two adults.  Each additional adult in a room is $11/night.

Beware: Old Faithful’s Western Cabins and Frontier Cabins are somewhat isolated from the Snow Lodge in winter and since you won’t have motorized transport, walking is required.

There are no televisions in standard park accommodations, which leaves lots of time for family activities.  Exploring the gift shop at the Snow Lodge can be an activity in itself – there are just so many cool things, but you’re really here to enjoy the outdoors.  Both locations offer ice skating for a small fee (skates included), cross-country skiing (guided, unguided or instruction), snowshoeing (guided or unguided), snowmobiling (guided only), snowcoach tours and best of all, hot tubbing ($21.63/hour – Mammoth only).  Snowcoach tours and express shuttles are also available between lodges, to/from Flagg Ranch and to/from West Yellowstone.  Check out the full selection of tours and equipment rentals offered by Xanterra.

Many tours offer half-price fares for children 2-11 and allow children under 2 to participate for free, so getting out and into the park is affordable, even with kids.  The best tours and activities for families are:

1. Ice Skating – it’s cheap, it’s convenient and it’s a great nighttime activity
2. Hot Tubbing – Each tub accommodates up to five with attached changing rooms for one low price.  A terrific evening of relaxation after a long (cold) day outside.
3. Snowmobiling – Although prices are steep ($275/day), kids under 12 ride free with an adult.  This is an awesome activity that allows you to explore the park and see everything close-up.  Minimum age is generally 7 and up for passengers and 13 and up for drivers.
4. Snowcoaching – As a backup for young kids and the less adventurous, a snowcoach tour is perfect.  From the warmth of the snowcoach you can view wildlife, magnificent scenery and learn about the park.  You’ll also have time for a little bit of outdoor exploration at select stops.
5. Skiing/Snowshoeing – With instruction, shuttles and several guided tours, there are plenty of options for the family.  For $15 per adult and $7.25 for children under 12, you can take one of 4 round- trip daily “ski” shuttles that allow you to explore the park on “foot”.  Equipment rental is also available.

If you’re visiting Mammoth and have a vehicle, take an afternoon to venture into the Lamar Valley (toward Cooke City).  You’ll have a chance to see the grey wolves, bison, bighorn sheep and various other wildlife.  A keen eye and persistence will pay off.  Be cautious, however, as the road to Cooke City can be snow covered and slick at times.

Eating a big breakfast, packing snacks for daytime and enjoying a leisurely evening meal will become routine.  At the Snow Lodge, you’ll find the Obsidian Dining Room, which offers some unique fare and sizeable portions in an upscale rustic setting.  The Geyser Grill at the Snow Lodge offers quick breakfasts and more casual fare for the family on the go.  Unlike the rustic atmosphere of the Snow Lodge, the Mammoth Dining Room is a bit more stark and casual.  Food at dinner is hearty and satisfying, although we found breakfast to be much more exciting.  You can also order boxed lunches to go.  The biggest complaint is usually about service or price.  Yes, service can be a bit leisurely, but hey, you’re on vacation and there’s not exactly anywhere to rush off to in the evening.  Price is relative – if you fill up at breakfast, have a light lunch and go casual for dinner, you’ll spend a little less.

ALERT: Dining reservations are required for the Obsidian Dining Room in winter.  Dinner reservations are highly recommended for the Mammoth Dining Room in winter.  Reservations may be made up to 60 days in advance and peak times fill up early.

Finally, a more economical way to see Yellowstone in winter may be by reserving a package.  Xanterra, the park’s concessionaire, offers several packages from $129 per person for two nights.  Packages include breakfast, a welcome gift, discount card, hot tub rental (Mammoth only), unlimited ice skating and other activities and transportation depending upon the package and lodge chosen.  There are also special Lodging and Learning packages for kids 12 and over that provide a more in-depth look at Yellowstone through educational excursions throughout the park.

Visiting Yellowstone in winter was the single best winter vacation experience that we’ve ever had.  Although the ability to explore on your own is more restricted nowadays, it’s still an amazing destination.  You might not be able to hike through two feet of snow on the Norris Geyser Basin trail, but you’ll still have loads of fun!

Check out previous posts in this series:

Part 1 – Visiting Yellowstone in Winter – Introduction To The Park

Part 2 – Visiting Yellowstone in Winter – Getting There And Around

Enjoy the photos!  For more amazing photos, please visit Photo Friday at DeliciousBaby.   

Disclosure

Well, another fall foliage season is winding down. As a matter of fact, your last opportunity for leaf peeping in much of New England may be this coming weekend. Here are some of my fall foliage photos taken around MacDowell Lake in the Monadnock region of New Hampshire. This is a great place for family leaf peeping as they offer a playground and plenty of open space to play. If you’re in the area, check it out before the trees are bare!

If you’ve enjoyed these photos, please visit Photo Friday at Deliciousbaby for more.

Disclosure

October is one of the best months to enjoy the outdoors with your kids. The summer heat has mostly faded and the fall colors have started to appear. Oh, and don’t forget Halloween – what could be more fun than dressing up in costume and getting candy! In the spirit of fall, we’ve put together five of our favorite fall activities to do with the kids.

• The best part about raking leaves is jumping in them! I like to think of this as a three part activity. First, everyone can pitch in and with their size appropriate rake, make a couple of giant sized piles. The next step is the most fun – jump into the pile, through the pile and roll around in the crinkly, crumpled mess. The final step is cool too. Everyone gets to make their own pumpkin. Buy several Halloween pumpkin plastic trash bags and fill them to the stem with leaves. They’ll make a great decoration through the holiday, then you can easily dispose of them. Who knew “work” could be so much fun!
• Let’s stay on the same path and talk about all of the cool projects that you can do with leaves. I like to think of this as the fall version of shell collecting – leaf collecting. Have a scavenger hunt. See who can find the biggest leaf, the smallest leaf, the most colorful leaf and the most interesting shaped leaf. Collecting is definitely half of the fun. Next, you can press the leaves between the pages of a book overnight (don’t use dry leaves as they make quite a mess). Now they are ready to use. You can make collages, trace them and color your own or make a placemat. Check out some other fun ideas.
• One of the outings that we all look forward to each year is the trip to the pumpkin patch. This year we chose a crisp fall day and headed out to the farm to find the best pumpkin in the whole world. We loaded up the wagon and started the hunt. Thirty-five pounds later we had two winners! The activity doesn’t end there. As Halloween gets closer, you can have a big carving event. Both of our kids love gutting the pumpkin and making all sorts of funny faces. With the inside pulp, teach the kids to make pumpkin bread or pumpkin spice cookies. One pumpkin – three activities.
• One of the more stressful activities for parents and fun activities for kids is selecting and making a Halloween costume. We’ve had a baby (our son was born on Halloween), a pumpkin, two wizards, a cowboy and a pirate. Get the kids involved and have a brainstorming session by flipping through catalogs or websites. Try to stick with costumes that are innovative and require as little sewing as possible (unless you have the talent and equipment). Shopping for supplies is probably the most stressful, but let your kids assist in the process. By getting them involved, they will gain a sense of accomplishment and their special costume will always bring back fond memories.
• Fall is a great time to do some repurposing – have the kids get together a few old toys and some winter clothes to donate to the less fortunate. Go shopping as a family and pick out a turkey and trimmings to bring to a local shelter. Donate your time helping an elderly neighbor clean their yard. ‘Tis the season to be jolly and generous. Teaching kids the rewards of giving is probably the best activity of all.

Disclosure