family friendly

21 Amazing Family Friendly Things to Do in Los Angeles for Halloween

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Are you in Los Angeles for Halloween or anytime during October? Read on for our list of 21 amazing things to do in Los Angeles for folks of all ages who are here during the Halloween season. Updated for 2019, find out some of our favorites that are on hold for the year and what new events have popped up instead!

This list was initially started to keep track of all the traditions my son wanted to do each year for Halloween. For him it’s not just the one day of trick or treating, rather it’s the build up that is the most fun. Decorating the front yard, visiting the 99 cent store for more cheesy, scary decorations and of course attending as many Halloween themed events as he can muster!

To make sure you are getting the most out of the season, here is our current list of all the things you can (and according to my 9 year old *must*) do.

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Is the Blue Lagoon Reykjavik really worth it?

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Heading to Iceland? And the Blue Lagoon? But you are wondering, is the Blue Lagoon Reykjavik really worth it? Read on for our pros and cons of visiting this iconic Iceland landmark.

If you read my post on flying to Europe with WOW Air, you know that we took that flight to check out the popular budget airline, but also for the ability to have a quick stopover in Iceland en route to Ireland.  Knowing we had very little time, I had only one thing on my to do list – go to the Blue Lagoon.

Yes, I know it’s touristy, but sometimes tourist attractions are that way because they are awesome. And I’m not one to be scared away from something just because it might be crowded or disappointing. My motto  – it’s better to have tried something and regret it than regret not doing it!

With that in mind, we decided to use our 1 day layover wisely with a quick stop to Reykjavik to pick up Icelandic wool, chocolate and local coins before heading to the Blue Lagoon for our scheduled entry time.

The Blue Lagoon, with its majestic blue water contrasting with the surrounding volcanic rock is one of Iceland’s top tourist attractions. But due to the immense popularity, it leaves some to wonder is it all hype or is it worth it? Below are our pros and cons to help you decide if it’s worth it for you.

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The Hotel Monaco in Seattle: Family Friendly Luxury

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hotel Monaco in SeattleLooking for accommodation in any city can be overwhelming. What area is the best place to stay? Is it walkable? How are the rooms? Is it kid friendly?  These are some of the thoughts that go racing through my head every time I am looking to book a hotel. I find booking accommodation to be one of the most overwhelming parts of planning a trip. However, when I see a Kimpton hotel in the destination we are traveling to, my stress is immediately reduced. Every Kimpton hotel I have had the pleasure of visiting has exceeded my expectations, which says a lot because I am not known to have low expectations for accommodation.

In Seattle, visitors are lucky because there are several Kimpton hotels to choose from. We were told that the Hotel Monaco was the most child friendly (and had availability for our dates!), so my search was quickly over.

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Free Things to Do with the Family in Los Angeles

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Free Things to Do in Los Angeles There are so many free things to do with the family in Los Angeles that it’s hard to keep up with them all. There are plenty of websites outlining free museum days, but I feel I am always missing something when I consult these. Instead, I decided to make my own calendar with reoccurring monthly events and free museum days. Since this is geared specifically for families with small children, I thought some of you might also enjoy checking this out. At the bottom of the post, you will also find a free calendar to download for your fridge! 

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Family Day at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro

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Sarcastic Fringehead at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, San PedroMy son has been begging to go to the aquarium, but our membership recently expired and I wasn’t ready to commit to another year. To appease him, and my pocket book, I began looking for other aquarium options in the area, when I remembered the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium was on my to do list (along with a super awesome hike to the Sunken City in San Pedro) so we decided to make a day of it and check several things off of our never ending LA bucket list!

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