Family Trip Deals

Enjoy a Minnesota Resort vacation as families have for generations. Premier Minnesota Resorts represents the best of the best in Minnesota resorts. Family owned, most for many generations, with your family in mind. Family owned Minnesota Resorts understand the importance of your annual or periodic vacation to Minnesota’s Northland.

Each Premier Minnesota Resorts offers a distinctive experience that comes from years of expertise in serving discriminating clients. They know what you expect and how you would like to be treated when you vacation at a MN Resort.

The guests say, on the website, that they are always pleasantly surprised to discover the Premier Minnesota Resorts continually exceeding their expectations. And many of these guests come back year after year for more of this unique Premier Minnesota Resort experience.

Timber Bay Lodge & HouseboatsOn Birch Lake…Babbitt, MN
â–ª Deluxe cabins with fireplaces and decks
â–ª Houseboats sleeping 2 to 10 people
â–ª Excellent Walleye, Northern and Smallmouth Bass Fishing
â–ª Beautiful 20 miles long Birch Lake

Timber Trail Lodge & OutfittersOn Farm Lake…Ely, MN
â–ª Four season family resort on the edge of the BWCA
â–ª Secluded shoreline on a chain of four lakes with direct access to the Boundary Waters
â–ª Lakeside Cabins & Private Lake Homes.(log cabins, deluxe cabins & fireplaces available)
â–ª Full service Boundary Waters canoe trip outfitters

Pehrson LodgeOn Lake Vermilion…Cook, MN
â–ª “Property of the Year 2004″ Minnesota Association of Innkeepers
â–ª 21 of 26 cabins new or recently remodeled (1-5 bedrooms)
â–ª Spectacular Lake Vermilion location/renowned Lake Vermilion fishery
â–ª Expansive sand beach/action packed and educational children’s programs

Timber Bay is the perfect place for your spring fishing trip, summer family vacation or fall getaway. Whether it’s a houseboat vacation or a stay at our family resort, you’ll always be surrounded by the peacefulness of Northern Minnesota and Birch Lake.

Timber Bay houseboats offers you the unique opportunity to escape into the wilderness and add adventure to your vacation. Fish, swim, and relax as you pilot your own houseboat on beautiful 20 mile long Birch Lake. While renting a houseboat you will be surrounded by beauty and solitude similar to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area while having the convenience of motor use and the comforts of home. Explore forested shorelines, rocky islands, and sheltered bays. Watch for eagles, loons, and bears.

Birch Lake near Ely, MN. is never crowded and is ideal for boating, camping, fishing, canoeing, swimming or just plain relaxing. At the end of the day enjoy a starlit sky from the deck of your log cabin or from the top of your Timber Bay houseboat.

Golf: When you’re ready for a change of pace, you can always take in a round of golf at one of the areas three championship golf courses – The Legend and Quarry at Giants Ridge and the Wilderness at Fortune Bay. These three golf courses have helped Northern Minnesota become a golfing vacation destination. Giants Ridge was recently named as one of the Worlds Top 6 Golf destinations.

For more information go to www.timberbay.comor call 1-800-777-7348. You can also email them HERE.

Olympic Peninsula in Washington State is a place my kids have enjoyed very much. Riding the ferry is always so much fun for kids, and it’s not very expensive either. Seattle has a lot to offer for entertainment, such as the Olympic Game Farm (on the peninsula), the Science Center (Seattle), the pier, and Pikes Market, which has some of the best seafood I’ve ever eaten.

Olympic Peninsula, Pikes Market, ferry, Seattle, Washington State, Science Center, seafood

A few years ago, I spent a lovely ten days on the island of Oahu with my daughter. The weather was perfect, and as winter settles in and I get more cold and snow than I want to think about, that is where I think about going. My favorite sight was Pearl Harbor, as my grandfather is a Pearl Harbor survivor, but there was a lot to do other than that. Some tips for traveling Oahu:

Oahu

Oahu, home of world-famous Waikiki Beach, is the most-visited Hawaiian Island. But Waikiki is only part of the allure. From Diamond Head crater to Pearl Harbor, Iolani Palace to the Banzai Pipeline, you’ll find unique attractions plus fine restaurants, shopping, golf courses, and nightlife.

When to go

Oahu enjoys the best weather of the Hawaiian islands, with temperatures in the mid-80s throughout the year. High season (when crowds flock to Waikiki) is mid-December to early March, and again from June to early September when families come to visit.

Are we there yet?

Flight times
6 hours from Seattle, San Francisco, or Los Angeles; 7.5 hours from Denver; 11 hours from Newark

Inter-island flight times
Oahu to Maui: 37 minutes
Oahu to Big Island: 40 minutes
Oahu to Kauai: 37 minutes

Must-see sights

Diamond Head
Pearl Harbor/USS Arizona Memorial
Waikiki Beach
Chinatown

Insider tips

Find gorgeous leis at a great price in Chinatown, but bring cash. Most stores in Chinatown don’t accept credit cards.

TheBus (Oahu’s bus transportation system) takes you around the entire island for $1.50.

For the kids (or the kid in you), find a shave ice stand and try a true taste of Hawaii.

Expedia.com features a great travel package to stay in the Marriot Resort on Waikiki Beach. For more information, go here.

Happy travels!

expedia.com, Hawaii, Oahu, Waikiki, Marriot, shave ice, TheBus, Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head Crater, Iolani Palace, Bonzai Pipeline

I came across a great site that offers many tips for flying with young children, as well as a comparison of travel products to make your life easier in transit.

Some of the products are a baby flight safety vest, a sit n stroll flight stoller, and a diaper bag/child carrier rolled up in one.

See the site HERE to compare prices and view other great products for your travel needs!

flying with children, traveling with infants, baby flight safety vest, sit n stroll flight stroller, diaper bag, child carrier

from SmarterTravel.com

Top Travel Deals of the Week

New Southwest systemwide sale from $29 O/W*
These prices are the best around, but other airlines will likely rush to match them.

Ends tonight: $29 O/W fares on AirTran*
AirTran beat its competitors for many of the routes we checked.

$58 R/T sale fares on Spirit*
Spirit’s prices are some of the best available.

Lowest available Hawaii fares on Aloha from $149 O/W*
You won’t go wrong with this sale.

British Airways Europe sale fares from $290 R/T*
Destinations include Athens, Rome, London, and Paris.

Spring flights to Europe from $399 R/T*
1-800-FlyEurope’s sale has some good prices for April and May travel.

Buy one ticket and get one free from South African Airways*
Travel between New York or Washington, D.C., and Cape Town or Johannesburg.

Fly to 23 destinations in Asia for $1,399 with the All Asia Pass*
Fly round-trip to Hong Kong and visit 22 other cities in Asia for as little as $1,399.

Spring Australia sale fares on Qantas from $948 R/T*
Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns, and Brisbane.

Las Vegas vacations from $113*
Two-night winter packages from a handful of providers.

San Diego four-night vacations from $227
Find out which provider has the best prices for winter San Diego vacations.

Costa Rica vacations from $705
Seven-night vacation packages start at $705 with departures from New York.

Up to 25,000 miles with frequent flyer deals from six airlines
Earn up to 25,000 miles or get award discounts with these new deals.
Last-minute airfares from $98 R/T*
Browse the latest last-minute fares from five airlines.

FREE THINGS TO DO IN LAS VEGAS

Raging battles, fierce beasts, sweet treats — there are plenty of free Las Vegas attractions to delight you and your family..

The Aquarium at the Silverton

Located within the cozy Silverton Hotel, a 117,000-gallon saltwater aquarium provides entertainment on a scale one can enjoy only in Las Vegas.

Bonnie & Clyde Getaway Car

This display at Primm Valley Resort & Casino not only includes the original car that the infamous robber couple of the 1930s died in, but also the shirt Clyde died in, old Barrow family photos and a few handmade items manufactured by Clyde himself in prison.

CBS Television City Research Center

Ever thought you could do the job of a network executive, deciding which shows are put on the air and which ones end up in the waste bin? The network jobs are hard to come by, but you can weigh in on the decision-making process by letting your opinions be known at the CBS Television City Research Center at MGM Grand.

Conservatory at Bellagio

Crafted by a team of 100 horticulturalists, the Bellagio’s conservatory features elegant, elaborate arrangements of plants and flowers in its bright, airy atrium.

Ethel M Chocolate Factory

Ethel M Chocolates panders to the sweet tooth in all of us. Located seven miles from the Strip, its free admission entices us to the factory, through which many a visitor goes for a behind-the-scenes look at the candy-making (and tasting) process.

Fountains at Bellagio

Every evening, a water and music show plays again and again in the spectacular fountains filling the quarter-mile-long lake in front of the Bellagio.

Fountain shows at Caesars

No civilization put on a greater spectacle than ancient Rome, and now you have a chance to witness the glory for yourself at Caesars Palace’s fountain shows.

Fremont Street Experience

The Fremont Street Experience will have you dancing in the street with its $70 million light canopy and 540,000-watt sound system.

Las Vegas Preview Studios

Take part in the advertising and product testing of a wide array of products, including movie trailers, television shows, slot machines and even food. Become a part of the process and give your opinion on the latest products.

Lion Habitat at MGM Grand

One look into the MGM Grand’s lion habitat and you’ll be hooked. The majestic cats command adoration whether they’re chasing a large ball, licking their immense paws or just lyin’ around.

Marjorie Barrick Museum

With displays of Western culture, desert life and the history of ancient Mexico, the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Natural History is both educational and vibrant.

Masquerade Village at the Rio

It’s Mardi Gras Vegas-style at the Rio’s Masquerade Village. Revelers are immersed in the sights and sounds of the world’s most famous carnival.

M&M’s World

M&M’s World may be the most delicious attraction in Vegas. And judging by its scores of visitors, M&M’s World must be doing something right.

The Museum of the American Cocktail

Dedicated to the education and preservation of the colorful history of the cocktail, The Museum of the American Cocktail is arranged in a timeline format, tracing the history of the cocktail through the past 200 years.

Neon Museum

The open-air museum was created by the city of Las Vegas to preserve these vital pieces of Vegas history.

Penske Wynn Ferrari Maserati

A longtime fan of the exquisite craftsmanship of Ferraris, Steve Wynn has created the ultimate tribute to the Italian carmaker with the opening of Penske Wynn Ferrari Maserati.

The Sirens of TI

Part muse, part temptress, part pirate, watch as the Sirens of TI battle a band of pirates in Sirens’ Cove, located at the front entrance of the popular hotel and casino.

Streetmosphere

The Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian adds a little ‘Streetmosphere’ to the shopping experience, providing fun and entertainment for all that visit.

Sunset Stampede

Take a symphonic journey through the Wild West at Sam’s Town.

Volcano at the Mirage

Every hour after dusk, the Mirage volcano explodes forth for crowds of curious Strip onlookers.

White Tiger Habitat at the Mirage

Siegfried & Roy’s famous white tigers are living in style at the Mirage. The sparkling, multimillion-dollar habitat offers visitors a free peek at the majestic animals. Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo
The Flamingo’s brilliant neon sign is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable on the Strip. And visitors can take a closer look at the creatures who inspired the bright display at the hotel-casino’s very own wildlife habitat.

For more information on Las Vegas entertainment, this is a great site!

Las Vegas, Las Vegas attractions, free entertainment, Nevada, Siegfried and Roy, white tigers, Mirage, Flamingo, Streetosphere, Sunset Stampede, Sirens of TI, volcano, Ethel M chocolate, M&M store

As promised, I would like to tell you about some great places to dine with your family, children included, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Of course there is always the traditional buffet, of which I found many. See an inclusive list here . I am not personally a fan of the buffet because I think they invite gluttony, but sometimes you will want a variety of food for a low price to feed your brood.

For a non-buffet option, there is the Rainforest Café which serves American food with prices around $15-25. The food is no-nonsense, but the atmosphere is paradisiacal, at least in a child’s mind. There is lush vegetation surrounding a 10,000-gallon saltwater aquarium and animatronic animals which my little animal-lover daughters were quite charmed by.

If your kids are older or more movie-savvy youngsters, they would probably enjoy dining at Planet Hollywood. With prices similar to those of the Rainforest Café, the fare is American as well as gourmet pizza and pasta. The ambiance draw is, of course, the hundreds of items of memorabilia from movies of all years and genres.

For great burgers at a cost of $15 or less, the place to be is Cheeseburger at the Oasis, located inside the Desert Passage at Aladdin. The main draw for the parents is the price, but the atmosphere is cute as well, with a cheerful tropical feel. Keep in mind that this is not one of those places you can hit at 3 a.m., as it closes at 11 p.m. on weeknights and midnight on weekends. If it were me and my children, this would not be a problem, however! I would be long since asleep!

Stay tuned for cheap or even *free* family entertainment in Las Vegas!

Las Vegas, Nevada, vacation, vacation with kids, dining in Las Vegas, Oasis, Rainforest Cafe, Planet Hollywood, buffet

Thinking of a trip to the Western United States? I’d wager most Western-bound travelers in the world have heard of Las Vegas, Nevada. It’s not a place seen as kid-friendly by many, but I traveled there with three kids in 2001 and had a wonderful time. It was a great place to vacation because it’s relatively inexpensive to fly to Las Vegas from most major hubs in the United States. It also has great places to stay that are kid-friendly and good food at reasonable prices, many attractions and great weather. Today I’d like to focus on the number one priority: finding a place to stay!

While in Las Vegas in 2001, we were lucky enough to stay with some friends who had a time-share with an extra studio apartment. As this was something they had paid for long ago, we just took them out to dinner to sort of pitch in. Unfortunately, not everyone has such generous friends and will need to find a hotel that their family will enjoy.

One of my favorites is New York-New York. It has an amazing outdoor roller coaster that adventurous parents and older children will enjoy. My then husband and his friend had a great time on it! There is also a fabulous pool and spa to be enjoyed by all. If your family loves water, please keep in mind that the New York-New York’s pool is also outdoor and therefore seasonal.

Another great Vegas hotel is Excalibur. My kids were charmed by the lobby alone because of all the knight and medieval decor, but it also has Merlin’s Magic Motion Machines which are roller coasters where you can take a four minute ride for only $4. These are quite intense little rides and probably not for very small children. They can be kind of scary!

The hotel that most people think of when thinking kids in Vegas is, of course, the Circus Circus. With rooms starting around $37 per night, it is one of the more reasonable hotels as well. The year-round indoor circus act attracts young and old alike. My children were fascinated by the strength of the actors who were performing the acts. They also loved that there were rides that they could all take rather than rides only for older children. I loved that there was no reservation required for the circus acts because I am not always much of a planner!

A less well-known hotel (at least for those traveling with children) is the Mandalay Bay. Not only does this exhibit have an amazing assortment of exotic sea creatures such as jellyfish and sharks, there is also a “touch pool� where everyone is encouraged to pet Southern Rays, Port Jackson Sharks and Horseshoe Crabs. My children are huge pet fans and loved this very much. Be warned that this is not a free exhibit, however, and you will pay $15.95 for adults and $11.95 for children to enter.

If all of your children are over the age of three years old, another hotel you might want to look into is the Luxor. Shaped like an Egyptian pyramid with a light shining far up into the sky, it has interesting architecture that my kids thought was kind of cool. Not only that, but it has a huge IMAX Theatre inside and a huge arcade as well. Kids of any age over three are sure to love both!

In my following articles, I will cover where to dine with your family in Las Vegas as well as cheap and even free attractions. Stay tuned!

Las Vegas, vacation, traveling with kids, New York - New York, Luxor, Excalibur, Mandalay Bay, Circus Circus, IMAX, arcade, roller coaster, touch pool