From Coast to Coast: Kid-Friendly Bed and Breakfasts

by Jane Leisteiner

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 peaceful, idyllic country setting of Lyndonville, Vermont is where you’ll find The Wildflower Inn. Rated by several esteemed publications as New England’s top inn for families, the innkeepers offer a variety of activities for all ages. The innkeepers offer a swimming pool, batting cages, board games, volleyball, ice skating, sledding and much more. During the summer season, supervised children’s programs allow parents to enjoy some quality couple time. Programs are available for children of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers. Children can spend the evening enjoy kid-friendly cuisine and evening activities at Daisy’s Diner, while parents dine at Juniper’s, the inn’s own restaurant , serving everything from rainbow trout to Shepherd’s pie.

Treat your family to a little history by the sea at Villa Park House, located just blocks from the beach in Spring Lake, New Jersey. This charming bed and breakfast is located in a beautifully restored Victorian and rooms reflect the period dcor without being too fancy for families. You can even pack light, knowing that the innkeepers provide guests with beach tags, beach chairs, towels and even beach umbrellas. Hearty breakfasts are served either in the inn’s grand dining room or on little tables on the veranda. In addition to the fun of the beach and boardwalk, Six Flags Great Adventure and Wild Safari amusement park is a short drive away.

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.”

Once a cotton plantation, the Sunrise Farm Bed and Breakfast in Salem, South Carolina, now serves as a family-friendly country vacation experience in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. There are ten acres to enjoy, and the kids will love meeting the many friendly farm animals such as Muffin, a pot-bellied pig, or perhaps Elvis, a pygmy goat. The rooms are done in a comfortable, country style with antiques and quilt-topped beds. After a homemade breakfast and visit to the animals, head out and enjoy all the area has to offer, from whitewater rafting to hiking and fishing or even visiting local museums.

Surrounded by mountains and rolling hills, the Capay Valley Bed and Breakfast is an ideal spot to get away from it all and enjoy a nature-filled family getaway. The B&B is located a short drive from Sacramento in its namesake town of Capay. The grounds include a real zoo, with a variety of beautiful creatures, such as zebras, a tortoise, ostrich and plenty of farm animals. The grounds include a swimming pool and walking and hiking trails, and there is badminton and croquet available. In addition to rooms in the main house, there are two 880-square foot cottages with private porches and kitchenettes. Within a half-hour or less of the inn, you’ll find whitewater rafting, a nature preserve and plenty of parks.

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