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family-friendly

Pre-Back-To-School Quick Family Vacations

by Hilary on August 18, 2011

It’s not impossible to squeeze in a last-minute family trip before the kids are back at school. We’ve rounded up the most affordable, family-friendly vacations filled with some extra bonding moments for the end-of-summer-blues.

Orlando

Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge

Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge, Orlando

Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge, Orlando

Average Price: $226/avg. night
Pearls: Rating: 4.0 Pearls
Location: Disney World, Orlando
From the gazelles and giraffes freely roaming the grounds to the enormous pool with a waterslide, the safari-themed Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge was designed to amaze and delight children. Throughout the day, staff members lead (free) educational activities for children like craft-making, African drumming, or mini-lessons about the where giraffes come from. Here, even the learning is captivating.

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Top Golf D.C.: Golf goes high-tech

by Jill Berry on April 12, 2011

At Top Golf DC, each ball has a unique microchip that calculates the accuracy and distance of your shot

At Top Golf DC, each ball has a unique microchip that calculates the accuracy and distance of your shot

Days off school mean no homework. No bus pickups. No lunches to pack. In our household we bask in the glow of school holidays. We eat, play, shoot baskets, watch movies, and hang out. What’s not to love about this type of day? But five people in one house all vying for control of the remote or the game controller or a laptop makes for a crazy, noisy day. As a work-at-home-mom, my work day can become challenging with the kids and husband home from school. While it is tempting for us to stay home, every so often planning a trip on a day off school is a must. Some months ago we ventured out to a new type of high-tech driving range just outside Washington, D.C. While the kids finished up any lingering homework or played games with dad, I did my daily work tasks. Once I logged off, we set off for Top Golf.

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Shopping on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles

by Lesley Bracker on February 9, 2011

Shops on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles

Shops on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles

Melrose Avenue is one of Los Angeles’ most famous shopping streets, and was at its height in the punk-driven 80s. But Melrose has undergone a resurgence, and this time, it’s an upscale shopping experience.

The original thrift stores and trendy boutiques are still there, alongside tattoo and piercing shops, in the area between Fairfax and La Brea. But closer to La Cienega, and on  Melrose Place (yes, this is a real street), are some of the city’s most interesting designer boutiques. It’s also the chicest few blocks in all of Los Angeles.

When Marc Jacobs opened his flagship store on Melrose Place, then a Marc store and then a men’s store, it changed the dynamic of this once quiet stretch of Melrose Avenue.  Soon to follow were Carolina Herrera, Diane von Furstenburg, Paul Smith (with it’s shocking pink exterior) and Oscar de la Renta.  Homes and furniture showrooms have been transformed into charming boutiques.  Balenciaga has a beautiful shop seemingly brought here from the future, with its silver tile and silver leaf work, not to mention the LED lighting.  The newly opened Vivianne Westwood store comes with big fanfare, and Decades is not to be missed for designer resale and vintage designer accessories and clothing.

If you’re an Entourage fan, then you’ll recognize the Urth Cafe’s outdoor patio, a great place to stop for lunch. You’ll also recognize Fred Segal’s cafe, which is a little farther east on Melrose.  A new addition to the area is Rick Bayless’ Red O mexican restaurant, right across the street from Fred Segal. Other restaurants not to miss on Melrose are Lucques, Home of James Beard award winning chef Suzanne Goin, and also Comme Ca, a great french brasserie in the middle of busy Los Angeles.

If you’re into shopping, then this area is a must.

- Lesley Bracker

[Photo Credit: Flickr/Ann Althouse]

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Up close and personal: Rose Parade Float Showcase

by Lesley Bracker on December 27, 2010

Float at Rose Parade

Float at Rose Parade

For more than 120 years, the Rose Parade — full of marching bands, horses, and floral floats — has taken place on January 1 in Pasadena, California, just outside of Los Angeles. The beautiful famous floats are required to be completely covered by flowers or other natural materials, such as leaves, seeds or bark, making each one a marvel.

Have you ever wanted to see the infamous Rose Parade Floats up close? Watching the parade is an unforgettable experience, but seeing the craftsmanship takes it to another level. For two days each year, you can see them in detail.  They are on display on January 1st from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday, January 2nd from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (7 a.m. for senior citizens and disabled visitors).  You are able to walk within a couple of feet of each float!

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Getting in to the holiday spirit at Filomena of Georgetown

by Jill Berry on December 20, 2010

Tomato soup at Filomena's in Georgetown, Washington D.C.

Tomato soup at Filomena's in Georgetown, Washington D.C.

For my husband’s birthday dinner, my parents offered to take our family out to Filomena, a Georgetown institution. We readily agreed. It’s funny how you can live in a city for years and think you know every landmark, museum, restaurant, or tourist spot. I was anxious to see what I had been missing all these years.

Filomena looks tiny from the outside. As we walked in to Filomena, I got that old country feel. I could see Tony Soprano and his crew heading there for a fancy dinner. Definitely the kind of place famous for Mama’s meatballs, I was certain.

As I peered through the window to see what the restaurant was like, I spotted a pair of ladies in white aprons hand rolling and cutting pasta. Wow. I was amazed at the trays and trays of gnocchi and tortellini. How did these ladies hand-make pasta that looked so much like store bought? Each piece was perfectly shaped by hand before being placed on a large tray. Filomena must go through trays and trays of pasta each day.

Once I descended the stairs I saw how large the restaurant really was. As a tuxedoed manager greeted us at the bottom of the stairs, I spotted the dessert counter to my right. Scrumptious! My children squealed when they saw the life-size Santa Claus in the downstairs lobby. It’s an understatement to say that Filomena decorates for the holidays. I spied more than a dozen Santas — vintage Saint Nick  rather than the Santas of today — displayed on shelves in the main dining room. Numerous Christmas trees were dotted about the restaurant. Our kids were largely silent during the early part of the meal as they observed and then mentioned the different Christmas decorations they saw. Read More »

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Montana Avenue: The real local’s spot in Santa Monica

by Lesley Bracker on December 6, 2010

R+D Kitchen, a popular restaurat and bar on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica

R+D Kitchen, a popular restaurat and bar on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica

Santa Monica is known for its great shopping and fantastic restaurants (some of the best in all of Los Angeles), but Montana Avenue is where you’ll experience how the locals live, eat, and shop.

Montana Avenue’s shops, restaurants and cafes run along 12 tree-lined, charming blocks between 7th Street and 20th Street — ideal for a half day of exploring. Each block has a variety of boutiques, eateries and coffee spots, and you can glimpse the Pacific in the distance. Start on one end, walking one side of the street, returning the other end – it doesn’t matter if you start at 7th or 17th.  If you want to know how it feels to live in Santa Monica, this is where to go: not to the Promenade or Pier, but to this neighborhood.  In fact, you’re more likely to spot a celebrity here than any other area of L.A.

You won’t have trouble finding coffee, as there are several Starbucks, a Peets, and the famous Caffe Luxxe, known for its authentic lattes and devoted following (all are open as early as 6 a.m.).  Feel like taking a yoga class?  There are several studios, and yoginis carrying mats are ubiquitous. Want to buy a top that you won’t see anyone else wearing?  Your choices are literally endless, as there are no chains stores here — not a Gap in sight.  You will find a Kiehl’s, however, and a small William Sonoma. The boutique Planet Blue can be expensive, but they always have a great sale rack, and you’ll find items seen on a celebrity in this week’s People. Savannah is where to go for exclusive designer clothes and accessories.

For dinner, choose from local favorites Via Portafino, R+D Kitchen (with the street’s only full bar), or Father’s Office, with its famous burger. Babalu has an endless champagne brunch, Blue Plate is a local hangout for breakfast, and for lunch, consider Kreation or Rosti for their amazing salads.

Morning, noon, or night, this street is bustling with activity and will provide  a wonderful visit to a beautiful neighborhood.

-Lesley Bracker

[Photo Credit: Flickr/Muy Yum]

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Petersen Museum: A history of cars

by Lesley Bracker on November 23, 2010

The Peterson Museum in Los Angeles

The Petersen Museum in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is famous for many museums, including LACMA, MOCA, and the Getty. But did you know that one of the great automotive museums is here?  You can explore 100 years of the automobile, and its impact on our culture, at the Petersen Museum in Hollywood. Read More »

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Day trip from Los Angeles: Laguna Beach

by Lesley Bracker on November 8, 2010

Laguna Beach

Laguna Beach

On a clear, sunny, day, nothing beats the Southern California coast. Los Angeles has miles and miles of beach, and each beach community has its own distinct personality. But Laguna Beach, an hour south of L.A., is like nowhere else, anywhere, and epitomizes the So Cal vibe.

Laguna hasn’t changed much since the ’70s.  It’s filled with boutiques, cafes, surf shops and art galleries, but you won’t see a building taller than a couple stories, anywhere. There’s nothing cookie-cutter here. Park near Main Street and see downtown Laguna shops and galleries on foot. For a taste of the MTV show, walk the beach to Thalia and stand at the lookout area, or sit on one of the benches and enjoy the view, and then visit the infamous Thalia Surf Shop where all the local kids hang out. Read More »

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An old mall made new: Santa Monica Place

by Lesley Bracker on October 25, 2010

Santa Monica Place

Santa Monica Place

The newly refurbished Santa Monica Place is to-die-for. After three years and half a billion dollars (yes, you read that correctly), this old mall feels like a new mall.

It’s the only place in the Los Angeles area where you can shop by the beach (with the ocean breezes), dance to famous KCRW DJs under the stars at night, eat at rooftop restaurants helmed by famous chefs, and drink cocktails prepared by trained mixologists at any of the dozen bars.  All this with a view of the Santa Monica Pier, too. Read More »

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A hidden Los Angeles sanctuary

by Lesley Bracker on October 7, 2010

Lake Shrine Temple and Retreat, Los Angeles

The serene Self-Realization Fellowship in Pacific Palisades, dedicated by the famous Yogi Paramahansa Yogananda, is a beautiful 10-acre property landscaped with trees and flowers from around the world. You can’t see the property from Sunset Boulevard, as it’s hidden by thick foliage, but it’s worth seeking out — it’s a great spot for tourists to experience a different side of LA. Visitors can take one of the daily tours to learn about the site’s rich history; meditate in one of the shrines; or visit the portion of Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes at the Mahatma Gandhi World Peace Memorial, which sits on a gorgeous lake with swans, ducks and koi fish.

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