The Lollipop Road

Posts Tagged ‘family destination’

As part of what seems to be a never-ending home search, we had the opportunity to stay at the Marriott Courtyard in Fitchburg, Massachusetts this past weekend.  Located in the central part of the state, this seems to be more of a destination than a resting place.  Attached to the hotel is a huge 55.000 square foot water park called Coco Key Resort, so if you do decide to stay here, you better like kids!  On to the review…

The Reservation Process

You can make a reservation in a couple of ways.  If you are looking for a water resort package, you can reserve through the Coco Key Reservation page.  Otherwise, you can go to Marriott’s website and reserve as normal.  I did the latter as I was using Marriott Reward Points (this property is a Category 2, which is a good value).  A few clicks and the reservation was confirmed.  Regular weekend rates start at $115/night or you can get a water park package starting at $149/night.  If you are booking a package, be sure to go through the Coco Key Resort, as the rates are cheaper than going through Marriott.

Things To Do

The main attraction here is the Coco Key Water Resort (day passes are $20 on weekdays and $30 on weekends), but there is more to do nearby.  Whether it’s skiing in the winter or hiking and biking in the summer, you can have fun at Wachusett Mountain located less than 15 minutes away.  In downtown Fitchburg, you’ll also find the Fitchburg Art Museum (kids under 12 are free).   Bottom line – this is a great weekend family destination!

The Exterior

The hotel is situated near the intersection of Route 2 and Route 31.  Set atop a hill, the drive up to the hotel provides a scenic introduction to the giant complex that consists of the Coco Key Water Resort, Courtyard and Convention Center.  Despite the size of the complex, there is a lack of convenient parking.  On busy days, I can see the convenient lots filling up quickly.  The exterior was clean, modern and very impressive.

Check-In

We checked-in after 7PM and there was lots of activity in the newly designed lobby.  Although there were several guests waiting to be serviced, there was only one clerk actually working with guests.  Rather than having a single desk area, there were 4 with no direction as to where a line should form, which added to the confusion.  Although the process went smoothly and the clerks were friendly, future visits to the desk would prove equally frustrating due to the design and lack of staff.

Hotel Amenities

As I said, this hotel is quite impressive, inside and out.  The modern lobby has a sitting area with television, quaint open concept bar area for light snacks and drinks and a large internet cafe that was always hopping.  Down the hall, there was also a simple restaurant (a bit pricey, but family friendly), a fitness room with professional equipment and an indoor pool with hot tub (free).  The only negative is that the pool was always crowded and is a bit small for the number of families that frequent this hotel.

Connected to the hotel, you will also find the Coco Key Water Resort lobby, which is simple and kid friendly with seating, video games and the entrance to the water resort.  There is also 60,000 square feet of meeting space, which no doubt makes for an interesting combination during peak season.

The Room

There are a total of 245 rooms on 6 floors.  Our room on the 5th floor was generous in size with 2 queen beds, a large desk and entertainment area, chair with ottoman, closet and decent size bath.  Also available are King with sofa bed and Suite with living room.  There was ample space for the kids to play and sleep, so in that respect they get an A+.

Overall, the room was clean, but I did find trash underneath the bed skirt and there was a bit of excess dust in/near the cooling unit.  Unfortunately, the fan on the cooling unit never shut off, regardless of what we did, so that was a bit of an annoyance.

On the tech side, the LCD television was great and offered lots of channels for kids, including Disney, Nick, the Cartoon Network and Showtime.  There was no on demand feature, however, there was a docking station to hook-up your toys to the TV.  The wireless internet signal was a bit weak and slow, but at least it worked consistently.

Amenities included an iron, ironing board, luggage rack, hair dryer and ample toiletries.  Storage space was a bit limited and we could have used more towels, but overall the room was roomy and family friendly.

Unfortunately, we have to note that the ice machine on our floor was not operational.  There was also a leak in the stairwell that left puddles of water on the stairs, which created a hazard.  With all of the kids that this property attracts, this should have been repaired immediately.

Conclusion

The Courtyard by Marriott Fitchburg is a great family hotel with lots of nearby attractions.  You can enjoy an entire weekend vacation without leaving the hotel!  The rooms are attractive, roomy and family friendly.  There are plenty of amenities for both kids and adults as well as plenty of other kids to play with while mom and dad sneak away for a quiet lunch.

We would like to see them pay a bit more attention to maintenance and address the setup of the front desk area.  Otherwise, this is definitely an excellent property.

Disclosure

Visiting a National Park is an interesting, educational and exciting activity for kids and during National Parks Week (April 17th-25th), it’s FREE!

Our Top Five Picks For National Parks Week…

1. Yosemite National Park is our top pick.  After all, with roaring waterfalls (Yosemite Falls is one of the tallest in the world) as a result of melting snow, Yosemite is the best place to visit this time of year.  The Glacier and Tioga roads are closed, but there is still plenty to do…like see BIG trees!  Lodging books up early, so be sure to secure a spot before you head out.
2. With wildflowers in bloom and average daily temperatures in the 70s, Zion National Park is a sure bet destination during National Parks Week.  Take advantage of the mild temperatures and slip into the park before the road construction begins in May.  The water may be a bit cold (to hike the Narrows), but there are plenty of other activities to keep you busy.  Check out our article on Zion before you go.
3. There has been lots of activity in the family friendly areas surrounding the Great Smokey Mountains, which makes this National Park a top pick for National Parks Week.  You can check out the wildflowers and waterfalls, then head down to Pigeon Forge to check out the new Titanic Museum Exhibit.  Be sure to review the current road closures before you go.
4. Shenandoah National Park has lots to offer in spring and with Aramark offering  a two-for-one deal at Skyland resort, this is another great weekend family getaway.  Wateralls should be running, wildflowers should be blooming and with any luck the mud will have turned hard again.  Check out our article on Shenandoah before you go.
5. Opening to vehicle traffic just in time for National Parks Weeks, Yellowstone National Park rounds out the list.  Roads from Mammoth to Old Faithful (via Norris and Madison Junctions) are scheduled to open today as is the road from the West Entrance to Madison Junction.  If you are lucky, you will get to see the lingering winter landscape while enjoying the convenience of driving your vehicle into the park.  Check out our article on Yellowstone before you go.

If you enjoyed these photos and would like to see more, visit Photo Friday at Deliciousbaby.

Disclosure

In anticipation of National Parks Week (April 17th-25th), we’re exploring several of our Nation’s most popular National Parks.  This is Part 2 in our series on Lassen Volcanic National Park.  Be sure to check out Part 1 for some general information on the park and it’s activities.

Lodging

Normally this is where we would write about a grand scenic lodge, but unfortunately, there is no actual lodging within this park.  Now, having just said that there is no lodging in the park, that isn’t completely true.  Located 17 miles north of Chester, Drakesbad is a rustic (no electricity in rooms) guest ranch that offers food and lodging packages (plus activities) to provide an authentic guest ranch experience.  Although visiting Lassen is certainly a likely activity, this experience is more of an adventure vacation unto itself, so we do not consider it lodging per se.  Open from June 3 through October 11, packages start at $140 per person per night.

If you are looking for overnight accommodations, the closest options are near the Southwest entrance at Mill Creek and Mineral, CA.  The Lassen Mineral Lodge is quite basic and not very attractive, but hey, it is close (about 10 miles) to the park.  They only have 20 rooms, so during peak season, you will want to make a reservation in advance (starting at $69/night).  With a restaurant, general store and gift shop, at least there is some activity to occupy your evenings. 

The Mill Creek Resort is a bit more rustic, but charming.  Housekeeping cabins sleep up to 4 people, which provides a bit more flexibility for those longer stays.  They also have a restaurant and grocery store on premisis as well as a post office.  The best part, of course, is that they also have a playground for the kids!  Rates start at $80/night.  Camping is also available.

If you do not mind being a little farther out, you will also find plenty of lodging options in Chester, about 30 miles east of the Southwest entrance.

Camping

This is one of that parks that makes for a perfect family camping getaway.  The higher elevation gives rise to moderate temperatures, even during the height of the summer.  With daytime highs in the 80s and nighttime lows in the 40s, a mid-July escape is still comfortable.

The largest and most popular campground in Lassen is at Manzanita Lake (open May 27-October 31).  Located just a mile from the Northwest entrance, the campground offers 179 sites (including pull-through RV sites) with the conveniences of a camp store, flush toilets, pay showers, potable water, laundry facilities and a dump station for RVs (all sites $18/night). There is also a museum, several family friendly hiking trails nearby, kayak rentals and a boat launch, making this a popular spot for camping families.  A portion of the sites are open to advanced reservations or you can try to snag one of the first-come first-served sites that become available each day. Although check-out is at Noon, you can check-in at anytime, which makes snagging a spot during peak season a bit more interesting.

A bit down the road you will find Crags Campground (open June 11-September 21), which offers 45 sites (RVs allowed) for the bargain price of $12/night.  If you’re not looking for many amenities (vault toilet and potable water only), but want a convenient location, this is it.  Of course, there is a catch, all sites are first-come first-served.

Located about halfway down the main park road, you will find two campgrounds at Summit Lake.  Summit Lake North (open June 25-September 21) offers 46 sites, flush toilets, potable water and a boat launch (all sites $18/night), while Summit Lake South (open June 25-October 26) offers 48 sites and vault toilets in addition to potable water and a boat launch (all sites $16/night).  With views of Lassen Peak, fewer sites and fewer amenities, this area will provide a more quiet experience.  Both Summit Lake campgrounds allow RVs and select sites are available for advance reservations.

ALERT - During the summer of 2010, 11 miles of the main park road will be repaved from Manzanita Lake south to Dersch Meadows.  In addition, repaving of Summit Lake North and South Campgrounds roads will affect campers.

If you are looking to explore the Northeastern area of the park, you will find Butte Lake (open June 4-October 26) to be a popular camping destination. With its 101 sites ($16/night), flush toilets, potable water and a boat launch, Butte Lake is a great spot for a family camping weekend.  Butte Lake campground does allow RVs and offers advance reservations for select campsites.  Access is by gravel road, which depending upon time of year can be a bit rough.

Finally, the only year-round campground is located near the Southwest entrance.  This 20 site, walk-in only campground does offer potable water and flush toilets and is conveniently located near the Visitor Center, however, it might not be the best choice for families.  All sites are $14/night on a first-come first-served basis.

For advance camping reservations, visit www.recreation.gov.

Food Service

 In the main part of the park, you will find food service at both the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center and the Manzanita Lake area.  With a well stocked camper store and some prepared items, Manzanita is the best place to get your picnic supplies, while the Visitor Center offers a quick stop for prepared foods.  There are countless picnic spots along the way, but the best places are Manzanita Lake and Summit Lake North.  If you are looking for a sit-down restaurant, you are in the wrong place – you will need to head back to Mineral, Mill Creek or Chester to find one.

Lassen Volcanic National Park is one of the lesser known jewels in our National Park system.  I like to think of it as Yellowstone meets Yosemite with perfect summer weather that makes visiting a welcomed relief from the hot desert parks that loom to the south.  Try it once and you will be going back again and again.

Disclosure

In anticipation of National Parks Week (April 17th-25th), we’re exploring several of our nation’s most popular National Parks.  Visiting a National Park is an interesting, educational and exciting activity for kids and during National Parks Week it’s FREE!

This week we’ll be exploring one of our Nation’s smallest and most unique parks, Lassen Volcanic National Park.  Located in Northeastern California, there are two main entrances to the park.  The main park road connects the Northwest entrance (about 50 miles east of Redding) and the Southwest entrance (about 45 miles east of Red Bluff).  About a three-hour drive from Reno, Nevada, this is also an easy overnight trip if you’re in the area.

If you want more of an extended vacation, you’ll find both Lava Beds National Monument  and Mount Shasta nearby.  Be aware, however, that this is snow country and the road through the park may open as late as July and close as early as October, making it a very short season.  Check the road status before you head out in order to avoid disappointment.

Regular admission is $10 per vehicle for a 7-day pass.  Allow 1/2 day to explore the park and a full day if you plan on climbing Lassen Peak.

Visitor’s Centers

Despite Lassen’s small size and snowy weather, there is a year-round visitor’s center (Kohm Yah-mah-nee) located near the Southwest entrance.  Open from 9AM-5PM (6PM in season), you’ll be able to explore exhibits, get some information on the park and participate in Ranger led activities (in season) before heading out onto the trails.  In addition to facilities, they also have a small cafe and gift shop (open year-round).

At the Northwest entrance, you’ll find a small museum and bookstore (open Memorial Day weekend through October 31) that chronicles the tales of Lassen Peak’s most recent eruptions (1914-17).  This also doubles as the visitor center for the Northwest entrance, so there are limited facilities; you will find restrooms and a picnic area nearby.

ALERT: Make sure that you have adequate fuel prior to entering the park.  Fuel is available at the Manzanita Lake Camper Store during the summer season only.  The next closest fuel is in Chester or Red Bluff.

Things To Do

Lassen is often frequented as an auto-touring destination.  Driving the main park road from north to south you’ll encounter wildlife, amazing views and easily accessible parking areas and pullouts to snap a few photos.  However, there is much more if you’re willing to explore.

Hiking

Hiking in Lassen is quite varied.  One of the most popular hikes is climbing to the top of Lassen Peak (over 10,000 feet at its summit).  Although this 5 mile (RT), 2,000-foot climb can be strenuous at times, if you’re an active family with teenage kids, it is doable.  Your reward will be a panoramic view of the surrounding peaks and the devastated area below.  If the wind is blowing just right, you might also get a whiff of the sulfur in the air.  After all, this is still an active volcano, even though it has been dormant for almost 100 years.

As with any advanced hike, you’ll need to bring plenty of water, food for emergencies, a good protective sun hat and hiking boots (although I’ve seen plenty of poor souls do it with sneakers).  Also be aware that due to the elevation at the summit, you may experience shortness of breath, dizziness, headaches or other symptoms of altitude sickness.  Each person is different, so don’t just assume that you’ll be okay.  If you experience any symptoms, you should stop and turn around immediately.

For those of us saddled with younger kids or who aren’t up to the climb, there are several other interesting trails to explore within the park.  The Devastated Area at the base of Lassen Peak offers an easy 1/2 mile trail that tours the area hit by the 1915 eruptions (part stroller friendly).  In the Manzanita Lake area, you’ll find several family friendly trails, including Lily Pond (1 mi RT), Manzanita Lake (1.5 mi RT) and Reflection Lake (0.6 mi loop).

If you’re willing to expend a bit more energy, there are a couple of moderate hikes that we highly recommend.  The first is Bumpass Hell (3 mi RT).  Although the trail is a bit rocky in places and there are some narrow passes, you’ll find that there is only a 300 foot elevation change, so the hike is doable for most families.  The surprise that awaits you is quite spectacular (okay, not Yellowstone spectacular, but still nonetheless).

The other trail that we recommend is Mill Creek Falls (4.6 mi RT).  Although this trail is a bit long, the elevation change is only about 300 feet and the scenery will be in stark contrast to what you experience at Bumpass Hell.  You’ll also have a good shot at seeing some wildlife, so keep you’re eyes open.

Other Activities

In addition to auto-touring and hiking, you’ll also find plenty of other activities to keep you busy.  You can rent kayaks from 10AM – 4PM at the Manzanita Lake Camp Store for about $10/hr.  They usually have both singles and doubles, but they are on a first-come first-served basis, so be sure to go early.  If you bring your rod, you can also fish in many of the lakes on a catch and release basis.

You’ll also find plenty of Ranger-led activities as well as a junior ranger program for the kids.  Bicycling (on paved roads only) and horseback riding are also a fun pastime.  You’ll have to bring your own and horses are restricted to select trails, so be sure to check is advance.

Take a look at the Park Newspaper for a complete listing of all there is to do in and around the park.

Be sure to check out Part 2 of this series where we take a look at Lodging, Camping and Dining in the park.

If you enjoyed these photos and would like to see more, visit Photo Friday at Deliciousbaby.

Disclosure

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Kissimmee Tourism. All opinions are 100% mine.

Before we had kids, I think we’d been to Disney just once. but now that we’re on the other side of the fence, we find ourselves constantly searching for family friendly destinations that also appeal to us as parents.  We’ll, that isn’t always easy, but fortunately, Kissimmee and its surrounding attractions provide one of those few places where there actually might be too much to do.  Rather than listening to the kids ask for the one hundredth time, “when are we going home?”, maybe for once we’d actually be able to relax while knowing that the kids are enjoying everything that the area has to offer.

We like to travel on a budget, so one of the places that we’ve had our eye on is Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort.  While rooms start at only $82/night, you still get all of the amenities and perks of staying at a Disney property, including free transportation throughout the Walt Disney World Resort and extended theme park hours.  In addition, they offer babysitting, food delivery, two pools (one kiddie friendly), a playground and a video arcade.

Using this as a home base, you can visit the various Walt Disney World theme parks, including Disney’s Animal Kingdom®, which is right nearby.  An easy one hour drive and you can explore Kennedy Space Center, Cocoa Beach or embark on one of the many cruise ships that depart from Port Canaveral.

As a matter of fact, that is exactly what we’re doing next month.  We are combining our cruise with some exploration of the endless area activities.  An early dinner in Old Town followed by a round of mini-golf will be the perfect family outing before heading back to the airport.  So, this doesn’t have to be just a destination, it can be coupled with any cruise, be part of the cruise itself (several cruise ships now make Port Canaveral one of their port stops) or stand alone as an action packed family vacation destination.

There aren’t many places where kids and adults can come together and have a blast, but this is definitely one of them.  Get more information and plan your next Kissimmee area vacation now!

Disclosure