One of the best pit stops mid-road trip is a stop at a working factory. Not only does this experience teach kids about industry and business, but it can be an opportunity to sample some delicious treats.

The Jelly Belly Factory in Fairfield CA offers a 40-minute free tour of its facilities (departing at regular intervals all day long) which lets visitors view the production floor from a second-story bay of windows. However, if you have a true jelly bean lover (or anyone interested in the way things work), splurge for the Jelly Belly University tour.

We've experienced both, and while the free tour is a great choice for families with very young kids or groups on a budget, the JBU Tour takes the experience to a whole other level. You start in the factory store, where you sign waivers and make sure you're wearing pants (versus shorts!) and closed-toed shoes. Then you meet your personal tour guide. Ours, Ron, was fantastic. He not only knew all about Jelly Belly and how these little beans are made, but he knew how to engage kids and keep them interested during the 1.5 hours of our tour. Everyone, from the adults to my seven-year-old, were completely engrossed. (And that's not just because he kept feeding us Jelly Bellies!)

We donned disposable lab coats, gloves, and hair nets before entering the floor (remember, this is a real, working factory…no germs or sticky fingers allowed!). Right away, my kids spotted a huge bin of beans, and immediately wanted to jump in. We all resisted however, as we took in the massive production areas. We started at the beginning, learning how a bean goes from nothing but powder to gaining its signature shape, to being infused with flavor, to receiving its shiny coating. And don't forget about that tiny 'Jelly Belly' stamped on its surface! The process was fascinating: we were able to walk from station to station, watching the factory 'cooks' work their magic at the various mixing bowls, drums, and assembly lines. At each stage in the process, we sampled beans…learning exactly what each part of the process adds to the overall flavor.

Most fascinating to the kids was the huge 'kitchen', where the beans were molded and baked in industrial ovens the likes of which they'd never seen. I found the packaging room most interesting: the robotic assembly process was supervised by (human) supervisors who remained constantly diligent that each and every bag of Jelly Bellies was properly created, sorted, and packaged.

We met various factory workers along our way, who took time to explain their process to us and offer us (yet more) samples of what they were working on. We taste tested beans that had just been 'baked', beans that had not yet received their candy shell, beans that were just out of the mold, still dusted with cornstarch. We learned that a single Jelly Belly takes 5-7 days to create (and you can taste the difference between 1-2 day olds and 7 day olds)!

I worried that my seven-year-old would get squirmy on such a long tour, or forget the 'no touching' rule, but he was so interested (and was fed beans by Ron so often) that he did just fine. My 10 and 12-year-olds were equally interested. After the tour, we received fun Jelly Belly University t-shirts, took some photos (no photos are allowed on the floor…we might have been Skittles spies!), and were given an entire bagful of Jelly Belly samples. (Tip: buy Jelly Belly 'Belly Flops', the irregularly shaped beans they sell for half off!)

The Jelly Belly University tour is $47 per person, and kids have to be at least six years old. No more than six people are permitted per group, and you'll want to make reservations ahead of time. (It's also only offered on weekdays, because the factory floor is not in production during the weekends.) Is it worth the steep ticket price? If you're looking for a truly unique experience, yes. Our guide was excellent, and we got a lot out of it. The whole tour is well run. It's not for families just looking for a quick stop to burn off energy, but is worth saving up for if you have school-aged children.


As I disclose whenever applicable, my family and I were hosted on the JBU tour at no charge, for the purpose of review. While we appreciated the opportunity, it came with no expectation of a positive review.

We love Kimpton hotels, and Hotel Monaco in Portland, OR didn't disappoint. They go the extra mile for kids, with welcome pack upon arrival, fish tanks in the rooms, and personalized notes. This Kimpton hotel includes a mascot with four paws: the concierge is a seeing eye dog trainer, and always has a faithful companion in the lobby. It's pet-friendly for your dog, too. The rooms are spacious and beautiful, and there's a great program in the lobby every evening with complimentary wine and snacks and drinks for kids. Best of all, they always set up entertainment for kids at that hour: our kids painted on easels and played playstations. In the morning, expect a complimentary hot chocolate bar with tons of extras!

Bottom line: you'll pay more to stay here, but they will take care of you!

We reviewed Northstar-at-Tahoe on a three-day weekend in February, and loved their extensive groomed runs! We stayed in the heart of the village in the Big Horn Lodge (recommended for easy lift access) and it was worth the cost. We had access to the slopes, to dining, to swimming and hot tubs, and had a full kitchen AND laundry room in our condo. The atmosphere at Northstar is festive (be sure to roast s'mores on any of the many open fire pits!), the food is great, and when you're not skiing, kids can ice skate.

Eat at Rubicon Pizza, and be sure to bring ice skates (also available to rent)!

My East Coast editor recently stayed three nights at Smuggler's Notch, VT with her three-year-old and one-year-old, and even with kids that young, had a fabulous time. Smuggler's Notch's packages are very affordable (and include lodging, lessons, child care, swimming, and more) and the kid programming is the best we've seen. She had time to take in a private lesson while her kids were on the slopes (and in child care) and despite the fact that neither of her kids are used to daycare environments, they felt very comfortable.

Bend's Pronghorn Club is one part luxury golf resort, one part outdoor getaway, and one part family resort. It's primarily a member's residence club, where property owners spend vacations, but overnight accommodations are available through their reservation desk. We stayed there for two nights in August of 2011, and loved how they customize their vacation packages for every family. On site, families can enjoy their outdoor pools, spa, restaurants, tennis courts, and children's club in addition to world class golf. Off-site, Bend offers all kinds of outdoor experiences, including river rafting, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and skiing, all of which can be arranged through Pronghorn's Adventure Club.

Accommodations are suites and full-sized townhouses, so families can spread out and enjoy full kitchens, outdoor BBQs, whirlpool tubs, washer and dryers, fireplaces, and wifi.