From Coast to Coast: Kid-Friendly Bed and Breakfasts
Bed and Breakfasts often are thought of as a spot for romance, but don’t let that dissaude you from bringing the whole family along for the trip. Many inns offer kid-friendly accomodations and the unique setting will enchant youngsters more than any cookie-cutter motel. Here are some choices for your next family vacation.
The Wildflower Inn, rated as “New England’s Best Family Resort,” by Yankee Magazine, will charm your family with its country setting and myriad of activities. In the mornings, the innkeepers at this Lyndonville, Vermont bed and breakfast offer supervised activities for children, which include anything from games to crafts to nature walks. There are activities to suit every age group, from toddlers to teenagers. In the evenings, children enjoy fun at Daisy’s Diner, which includes both kid-friendly meals as well as entertainment. There are a variety of accommodations, from spacious bed and breakfast room to three-room suites with kitchenettes and washers and dryers. The breakfasts are a delight for the whole family, a three-course spread that include such delights as teddy bear pancakes.
A stay at Villa Park House, just four block from the Jersey Shore in the town of Spring Lake, is sure to please the whole family. The kids will enjoy the close access to the beach, boardwalk and nearby Six Flags amusement park. Parents will appreciate the historic charm and romance of a restored Victorian. The innkeepers provide many thoughtful amenities, as well as serving a delectable full breakfast each morning. Beachgoers will appreciate use of beach tags, towels, umbrellas and chairs. Guests also can borrow the innkeepers bicycles. There is badminton and croquet available at the inn, and several parks nearby. The Historic Village at Allaire is special treat, and allows families to go back in time and experience life in the early 19th century.
Experience the old west at the Vee Bar Guest Ranch in Laramie, Wyoming., where families will find starry skies, fresh air and mountain views. There are 800 acres to enjoy here and plenty of activities sure to please the everybody. From campfire cookouts to horseback riding to fly fishing, there is plenty to keep everyone busy. Guests can hike along well-marked trails or even take part in cattle work. The scenery, lush green hills with a mountain backdrop, is unforgettable. The ranch even has a saloon stocked with board games and a pool table. The accommodations are sure to charm, from rustic country cabins to suites that look out at the river. The Western country dcor is warm and inviting and rooms are spacious, with plenty of room for relaxation.
For the cowboys and cowgirls in your crew, chose the western-themed the Las Palomas B&B in Santa Fe, NM. It is made of authentic adobe bricks to provide a true cowboy feel and to fit in with the nearby Historic District of the city. But don’t let Las Palomas’ charm fool you: This is a modern B&B complete with a bistro and fitness center. Kids are welcome at Las Palomas, and the innkeepers have a few special things waiting for them. There is an outdoor play area with swings and slides for small children. The innkeepers “Kids Box” includes items such as outlet safety plugs, high chairs, kids chairs and tables, games, books, videos, toys, safety gates, cribs, and night lights.”
Located in the Blue Ridge Mountain foothills in South Carolina, Sunrise Farm B&B can be found inside a Victorian farmhouse on 10 acres of land. Taking it slow is the name of the game at Sunrise: “Guests may relax in wooden rockers and wicker furniture on the large wrap around porch and enjoy the beautiful mountain and lake views,” says the inn’s website. “In the winter, guests may enjoy hot cider by the crackling fireplaces.” For breakfast, look forward to homemade specialties such as banana-chocolate chip mini muffins, fruit and yogurt parfait, blueberry pancakes, garden vegetable and herb frittata, and maple sausage. Close to mountain hiking, clear lakes for fishing and boating, bird watching, sight-seeing and golfing, Sunrise Farm B&B prides itself on being kid-friendly. That’s why it has lots of farm pets for them to see, including Muffin the pot-bellied pig, Lady and Sunshine the miniature horses, and barn cats Oreo and Ginger, among others.
Finally, on the west coast in California, the Capay Valley Bed & Breakfast in Capay has its own zoo! That’s right: Your children can get up close and personal with llamas, zebras, a miniature donkey, a pygmy goat, sheep, ostrich, and, of course, a dog and cat. To get the kids excited, log onto this B&B’s website and let them take a 360 degree virtual tour of the animals! Add an outdoor pool, horseback riding, comfortable accommodations (there are even two cottages), and the Capay Valley B&B’s beautiful wide open space, and the whole family will want to stay. And yes, pets are even welcome.
