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Got a case of wanderlust that won’t quit? Your next family holiday out West is a click away. Our moms have bounced around the globe testing out family vacation spots from campgrounds to African safaris and they’re dishing the dirt on what works, what doesn’t and what you need to know before you go. Get all the family travel information essentials you need (from a traveling mom's perspective, natch!) to dive into your next family vacation adventure out West.
Here you'll find family holiday ideas for Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Idaho, California, Oregon, Washington, Nebraska, Kansas, Hawaii, South Dakota, North Dakota and Alaska.
Everyone knows that Las Vegas is full of adult fun year round, but there are also tons of fall activities for families in Vegas too!
Gilcrease Orchard is a u-pick farm where you can take the kids to pick whatever fruit and vegetables are in season. During October the kids can pick pumpkins and play in the hay maze. Gilcrease Orchard is found in the northern part of Las Vegas at 7810 North Tenaya Way.
Springs Preserve’s Haunted Harvest is a family friendly event they host each year. The Haunted Harvest has a haunted house, trick or treat stations, carnival games, live educational entertainment and for an additional fee you can go on a haunted hay ride along the trail system. Go have fun from 5 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 21-23 and 28-31. Admission: $8 for adults, $5 for children 5 to 12 and free for 4 and under. Members receive half off the regular admission price. Springs Preserve is located near Meadows Mall at 333 S. Valley View Blvd.
FunTown Frightfest is located at the Galleria Mall in Henderson. This year they will have haunted houses, a haunted hay ride, vendors, a runaway train, bungee jumping, pony rides, a not so scary kid’s park, midway games, carnival rides, inflatables, adult rides, and a pumpkin patch. This event runs from October 7th - 31st, Mon-Fri - 4pm to 10pm Sat-Sun - 12am to 10pm. General Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for kids 9 & under. Children with disabilities receive free admission. The money raised will go to the Autism Foundation.
The Farm is five acres of family fun. My kids love this place and I do too! The kids get to see chickens, ducks, peacocks, rabbits, pigs, cows, llamas and more. During October they have carriage rides, a hay maze, and pony rides. In addition to picking out a pumpkin you can buy fresh eggs, honey, baked goods, jellies, fruits, and veggies. You can find The Farm at 7222 W. Grand Teton Drive in Las Vegas.
McKee Ranch only costs $20. Your $20 donation gets your whole family into the Ranch where the kids can climb the haystack pyramid, go on a hayride and feed the animals. Your family gets to pick out one pumpkin to go home with as well. McKee Ranch is located 8982 S. Dean Martin, just south of Blue Diamond Rd. The pumpkin patch is open until October 30th, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays, and 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends. Don’t forget to bring carrots and crackers to feed the farm animals!
Stu Miller’s Pumpkin Patch has locations all over Las Vegas. Each lot has a bungee jump, mechanical rides, games, petting zoo, a giant inflatable slide, other inflatables and of course pumpkins!
Meagan is our Military Traveling Mom. You can also find her blogging at Mommy Travels. She has a passion for family travel, including maximizing military travel options. For more of Meagan’s adventures find her on facebook Mommy Travels, or follow her on twitter @MommyTravels
Haven’t made it to the pumpkin patch yet? From toddlers to teens, the pumpkin patch has something fun for all ages. There are many pumpkin patches to explore in the Seattle area, here are two of my family's favorites:
Headed to So Cal? Want to go to the Spa that the locals go to? Leave the hotel lobby and head to Huntington Beach to Cloud Mover Day Spa. The Orange County Hot List rated Cloudmover #1 for Best Massage in 2011 and Best Day Spa in the OC for 2010 
When I first started taking my oldest daughter Laura to Bishop's Pumpkin Farm seventeen years ago, I had no idea I'd be starting a family tradition that has continued to create and grow fun and memories even now with my youngest daughter Elizabeth and all our other kids in between.
Over the years, we’ve been treated to movies featuring Dinosaurs, like Land Before Time, Ice Age and even Jurassic Park, and now prehistoric dinosaur-fans can take in the T.Rex Encounter, at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, from September 16, 2011 through January 8, 2012. Dinosaurs are huge, intimidating and intriguing to children and adults of all ages, but everyone has a special place in their hearts for these historic creatures.
My husband and I went away for the weekend for our 10th Anniversary. I wanted a quiet, relaxed pace for our weekend away from our kids. My mom was flying in to babysit: we had to maximize our time together, but not get too bogged down in activities. I love my kids, but I didn’t want to think about them. This vacation was meant to be about me and my husband.
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