by Esther of Babyccino

1. Petit Bateau reversible striped outfits. They are super cute, extremely cozy, work great as pajamas but are perfect for daywear as well. My babies travel in nothing else! (For babies 0-2.)

2. Phil&Teds MeToo Chair. This little chair will hang on nearly every table, is super light (less than 1 kilo/2 lbs), is flat (2.5 cm /1 inch when folded), and can be used from 6 months to 3 years (or about 18 kg). Comes with a harness and is easy to clean. It looks really, really good too. A must have in my opinion! (No, I don't have shares in the company!)

3. 'Restaurant Bag'. A little fabric bag with a zipper that holds a handful of small toys (animals, cars, crayons, mini books, finger puppets etc). My children only get to play with this bag when we are travelling or when we're sitting in a restaurant (hence the name). Works wonders.

4. Samsonite Pop-Up Baby Beds. These travel beds are fantastic, as they will fit in any suitcase and are super light and easy to assemble. They are really cozy too! I also like that they have a built-in mosquito net.

5. Sigikid musical frog. I always bring my children's musical toys wherever we go. They have had them since they were born, and the familiar melody always makes them feel more at home in their new surroundings.

Elizabeth Connolly | Cookie Travel Intern

Here at Going Places, we can't get enough of Halloween. Since a night of neighborhood trick-or-treating just isn't enough to satisfy our desire for all things spooky, we found some great Halloween-themed events for this weekend.  So, pick one of these destinations, hop in the car, and gear up the family for a haunted weekend getaway.

1. Haunted Happenings (Salem, Massachusetts): In this most bewitching of towns, take part in a "Witch Trial Trail," by hearing the story and witness the sites of the 1692 witch trials or just enjoy the costume ball and the live music. Going on now through November 2.

2. Country Mercantile Maze & Harvest Fun (Pasco, Washington): Come and celebrate the holiday with a straw bale maze, petting zoo, pumpkin patch, and hay rides. October 31, 9 am to dusk.

3. Boo at the Zoo (Sacramento, California): Dress up the kids in their costumes and bring them to the Sacramento Zoo for trick-or-treating, live entertainment, and spooky crafts. October 31, from 4:30 pm to 8 pm.

4. Art After 5: Halloween Night at the Museum (Philadelphia): The Philadelphia Art Museum is hosting after hours Halloween-themed fun evening out. Bring your little ones (12 and under get in free) for a night of ghost stories, tarot card readings, spooky art tours and a costume contest. October 31 at 5 pm.

5. The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze at Van Cortlandt Manor (Lahaska, Pennsylvania)- Head to the historic Hudson Valley and visit the Van Cortlandt Manor to partake in the lighting of 4,000 hand-carved jack o'lanterns. Check out the dinosaurs, snakes, ghosts, fish, and flowers all made out of pumpkins, October 31, 6:30pm.

Colleen Egan | Associate Web Editor

Politically speaking, D.C. isn't a particularly sweet place. However, this city is serious about its baked goods. As a former Washingtonian, I've spent years conducting field research to find the District's best cookies, brownies, cupcakes, and other sweets. Picking just one is like asking a parent to pick a favorite child (they're all special in their own way!), but I've narrowed it down to my five go-to spots:

1. Baked & Wired: With treats like Soccer Mom Bars and Butter Big Ass cookies, this Georgetown bakery and coffee shop infuses its sweet treats with a little sass. Pick up a few Bee Sting Bars and a cup of joe on your way to a walk along the C&O Canal.

2. Furin's: This Washington institution has been baking cakes for more than 40 years (mmm...Black Forest), but the delicious -- and timely -- sugar cookies, like the new Obama and McCain editions, are equally addicting.

3. Hello Cupcake: A new addition to the District, this Dupont Circle cupcake destination has already won a cult following with creations like Vanilla Gorilla (banana cake and vanilla cream cheese frosting) and De Lime in De Coconut (lime cake with coconut cream cheese frosting), plus several vegan and gluten-free selections.

4. Firehook: There might be 11 outposts of this bakery and cafe in the D.C. area, but I'm partial to the Cleveland Park location (just a few blocks from the zoo!), where I can grab an iced coffee and peanut butter cookie and kick back with the Sunday Post in the huge, oasis-like backyard patio.

5. Georgetown Cupcake: The District has reached a state of cupcake mania. In fact, while strolling down M Street with a carrot cupcake in hand, a woman approached me and asked, rather wild-eyed, "Is that from Georgetown Cupcake?!" Billed as the District's "first and only cupcakery," this frosting mecca lives up to the hype.

We found this delicious photo of Baked & Wired cupcakes from Rachel from Cupcakes Take the Cake on Flickr.

Jenny Rosenstrach | Cookie Features Director

1. Great Falls State Park: This park is on both sides of Potomac in Virigina and Maryland and has really nice walking paths for all level hikers.

2. C&O Canal: Park and walk a little stretch or you can bike for miles right on the canal. Rental bikes are available.

3. Arlington Cemetery: Sounds macabre and not kid friendly, but it's beautiful. It's one of the prettiest parks you'll find in D.C. and it has tons of history. Older kids will be fascinated by the Tomb of the Unknowns.

4. Restaurant Eve: Chef Cathal Armstrong's kid-friendly restaurant in Alexandria is such a favorite that we wrote about it in Father of Invention last year.

5. Frederick Key: Catch one of this minor league team's games about an hour outside of the District in Frederick, Maryland.

Find more ideas and activities in our D.C. city guide.

Melissa Biggs Bradley | Founder of Indagare.com

1. Boston Duck Tours
Don't let the tourist trap vibe frighten you. Even locals jump at the chance to take visiting friends on one of the city's famed Duck Tours. The 80-minute ride on converted WWII-era amphibious landing vehicles includes a drive-by of the city's neighborhoods and landmarks plus a cruise in the Charles River. Although the animated guides border on corny, they are exceedingly well informed and never lose the interest of thier passengers, both young and old.

2. Memorial Drive
Through mid-November, Cambridge families get their Sunday exercise jogging, biking, and skating along the banks of the Charles when the city turns busy Memorial Drive into a pedestrian thoroughfare. Closed between Western Avenue and Mount Auburn Street (the section closest to the Harvard campus), the area offers a perfect place to enjoy the crisp fall air and burn off youthful energy. Rent children's and adults' bikes from Cambridge Bicycle then finish your athletic outing with a picnic of sandwiches and bakery goods from Harvard Square's best gourmet deli, Darwin's.

3. Walden Pond
While your kids may not be ready to read Thoreau, they'll love exploring his retreat near historic Concord. The 462-acre Walden Pond State Reservation includes a web of hiking trails that circle the lake (swimmable in warmer weather) and a replica of the philosopher's one-room cabin - a simply furnished structure that will positively shock your children with its lack of indoor plumbing and cable TV. While the area is particularly stunning during the peak of fall foliage, it's also a great place to strap on snowshoes or cross-country skis when snowy weather turns the park into a winter wonderland. Guided walks are available year-round.

4. Fenway Park
A highlight for baseball fans of all ages is a visit to the sport's most fabled stadium, Fenway Park. Although there's no bad time for a trip, the most exciting season occurs in the fall as the Red Sox fight their way towards the playoffs. If kids can't sit through an entire game, take a tour of the ballpark or grab a seat by the windows of the newly opened Bleacher Bar and enjoy its views of the outfield.

5. Frog Pond at Boston Common
When skating season kicks off on November 19, the Frog Pond in Boston Common becomes one of the city's top outlets for active kids. Great as an afternoon activity, the rink remains open in the evenings and feels especially magical around the holidays when it is ringed by lit trees. Defrost afterwards with hot chocolate at the Four Seasons' Bristol Lounge.

Courtney Adamo | Babyccino

(Adamo is a mom blogger living in London)

No matter what time of year you're traveling to London, the bad news is that you're almost certain to encounter some rain.  The good news is that there are plenty of indoor activities and kid-friendly restaurants to visit.  Also, the rain doesn't slow down the Londoners -- they'll just be clad with 'wellies' and 'brollies' (rain boots and umbrellas).  So get going!

1. London Transport Museum:  This little museum in the heart of Covent Garden gives a detailed history of London's public transportation.  On display is an original steam locomotive from the 1800s, horse-drawn trams, London's first motor bus, and an electric trolley bus from the 1930s. They have a variety of hands-on exhibits for kids and allow children to climb aboard the vehicles and even sit in the drivers' seats! 

2. Tea at The Orangery Restaurant in Kensington Gardens: Located in the center of the park, directly across from Kensington Palace. They have a kid's menu, plenty of highchairs, and will create a kids' version of afternoon tea to make your kids feel welcome and comfortable. If the rain has let up after you're finished, you can let your kids play at the adjacent Princess Diana Memorial Playground, known to Londoners as the 'pirate ship' and always a huge hit with kids.

3. The Natural History Museum:  This is one of my favorite museums in London, especially for kids. The giant life-sized model of a blue whale and other sea creatures is definitely a hit with kids, as well as the dinosaur exhibit and roaring animatronic T-rex! 

4.) Harrods Toy Department: At London's famous and fancy department store, be sure to check out the food hall on the ground floor -- food halls in department stores are unique to London, and this one is very impressive.  Then, take your kids to the fourth floor, where you'll find an expansive toy department.  There's also a kiddie restaurant called Planet Harrods, a pet kingdom, and a breastfeeding and baby care room on the same level. You can get your kids' hair cut here, and you can also visit Santa at Christmas time. This may sound like a cheesy tourist activity, but I promise that local mums do it all the time!

5. St. Paul's Cathedral: This is an activity for older kids. Check out the main floor of the cathedral, and check out the great monuments and statues.  Then climb up 259 steps to the whispering gallery, where a whisper to the wall on one side can be heard on the other. Then climb up 119 more steps to reach the Stone Gallery, encircling the outside of the dome and offering a great view over London. The most impressive view however is from the Golden Gallery, 152 steps more -- ouch!  But it's worth it.

When you've made it down, you can visit the crypt, where amongst others Admiral Horatio Nelson, the Duke of Wellington and the great architect of this church, Sir Christopher Wren, are buried. So you can teach your children a thing or two about British history! The restaurant is also located in the crypt. If it's still raining you can have lunch or tea here, but if the sun finally comes out (it does happen in England!), I suggest bringing your food outside for a picnic in the gardens.

Rebecca Etter | Cookie Travel Assistant

As autumn approaches we are getting closer to apple season (yum!)

1. Annual Harvest Festival at Reading Terminal Market Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The usually bustling Filbert street is shut down to become an urban farm complete with local produce, hayrides, and hot apple cider.

2. Darlington Apple Festival Darlington, Maryland
This festival includes an outdoor stage for entertainment, pumpkins, a play area where kids can build their own scarecrow, and, of course all things apples (my favorite are the apple fritters!)

3. Johnny Apple seed Days Festival Paradise, California
Celebrate Johnny Appleseed with a delicious slice of homemade pie and check out one of the local artisans' work on display.

4. Apple Squeeze Festival Lenox, Massachusetts
The quaint village of Lenox turns into a country fair complete with apple-related fare, plus face painting, dog shows, and a giant pumpkin contest.

5. Applefest at Stribling Orchard Markham, Virginia
Enjoy freshly-picked apples from the orchard while listening to live blue grass music and browsing through the wares of local vendors, like JeanMare Designs who make fun jewelry for children and adults.

Interested in finding out about more autumn festivals? Check out our national directoryof upcoming events.

Yolanda Edwards | Cookie Travel & Lifestyle Editor

1. Family Travel: From their news section (very UK-based, but they always have good reading suggestions), to their travel info, it is well-vetted, well-written info.

2. Trip Advisor:  I always check this site before I go to a hotel to see what former guests have written, positive and negative, so I have some sense of what people's experiences have been.  Makes me feel a bit more in control!

3. Roadfood: Whenever we are going on a road trip, I try to figure out where some interesting food stops are along the way...even if we don't make it, I like knowing they are there.

4. Chowhound: I use this for restaurant or market ideas when I travel to cities around the States.

5. Guardian: A very smart travel section of an English newspaper, with no fees to look at it.  Here's one of my favorite links on family holiday websites.

Melissa Biggs Bradley | founder of Indagare.com

Want to pat a pot-bellied pig or befriend a bunny? These petting zoos, many of them on multi-generation family farms, offer the best kind of hands-on experience.

1. Shelburne Farms
Shelburne, Vermont
802-985-8686

With a historic Farm Barn that is simply stunning and a gorgeous pastoral landscape, Shelburne Farms is a treat for all ages. Kids can cradle a chicken in their arms, gather eggs, milk a cow, perch atop a tractor seat, and watch the farm's award-winning cheese being made.

2. Belkin Family Lookout Farms
South Natick, Massachusetts 
508-653-0653

Belkin Family Lookout Farms has a whole range of animals for kids to enjoy--from cows, sheep, and goats to ostriches, emus, and rheas. Established in 1651 and located just west of Boston, it's one of the oldest continuously working farms in the country. 

3. Farm-in-the-Zoo at the Lincoln Park Zoo
Chicago
312-742-2000

After checking out the giraffes on the north end of Chicago's fabulous (and free) Lincoln Park Zoo, kids should head south to the Farm-in-the-Zoo. There, they can meet a four-horned sheep, pet a rabbit, learn to milk a cow, and play with interactive exhibits.

4. Zoomars Petting Zoo & Bird Park
San Juan Capistrano, California
949-831-6550

There are more than 100 animals at Zoomars for kids to discover, including sheep, horses and even a 100-pound tortoise. Afterwards, they can try out the train and pony rides and visit a bird park full of vibrant macaws and parrots.

5) Davis Farmland
Sterling, Massachusetts
978-422-6666

A family farm for seven generations, Davis Farmland introduces children to rare breeds of cows and sheep, some of whom are endangered.

by Rebecca Etter | Cookie Travel Assistant

With the current economic climate, train travel is on the rise, and why not? These train trips won't charge you and extra 15 bucks for your bags or drain your wallet for gas money. Even better, they'll give you something beautiful to look at outside your window.

1. California Zephyr. Traveling from Chicago to San Francisco you'll almost overload on gorgeous scenery as you pass through it all the Rockies, Sierra Nevada, and tons of beautiful lakes, canyons, and bays.

2. Pacific Coast. On Amrtrak's Coast Starlight train from Los Angeles to Seattle, enjoy the views from the glass-ceiling of the dome car and take in the ocean, beaches, and lush forests.

3. Maine Eastern Railroad. One of the coolest parts about taking a trip on this liner is that you'll be able to experience quaint seaside villages while riding aboard a restored vintage railcar. A great time to go is in the fall -- just before they shut down for the winter -- to experience the lush foliage.

4. Grand Canyon Railway. Take a ride on the historic Grand Canyon railway and enjoy your up close look at one of our nation's greatest natural wonders on and old fashioned steam train.

5. Metro North Railroad from New York City to Hudson, New York. There is something completely refreshing about this budget-friendly trip, maybe it's because you start out at Grand Central Station in New York City (basically chaos) and you slowly start drifting away from the city experiencing more green and you feel yourself relax. Check out our upstate New York road trip for options along the way.

Genevieve Brown | Senior Editor, windowseat.travelocity.com 

Almost every domestic airline now charges for a second-checked bag, and most of the major airlines charge for the first. Parents know that traveling with the kids often means traveling with lots of gear, and no one wants to waste their vacation dollars on services that were once free. Shipping services and UPS are gaining popularity among families, but even if the charge is nominal, it's still going to cost you. Instead, get creative and use these five ways to get around the fees.

1. Stay loyal or travel with someone who is. We all know those frequent-flier miles are getting harder and harder to use, but those with elite status are generally exempt from the checked-bag fees. That and being first to board (more room in the overhead!) are a few of the remaining perks of being an airline loyalist.

2. Upgrade. If you can't use miles for a free ticket in coach, you may be able to use them for a free upgrade to business or first class. Customers traveling in these cabins don't have to pay for checked bags.

3. Choose carefully. A few airlines still allow at some free checked baggage. AirTran, Delta, Continental, and JetBlue, Mexicana , Midwest, and Virgin America charge for the second-checked bag, but still allow passengers to check one for free. Southwest allows two free checked bags.

4. Jet set. International travelers - particularly outside of North America - are with few exceptions, still allowed two free checked bags.

5. Stick it to the hotel. First it was gas cards, now it's baggage reimbursements. Hotels early to get in on the trend of paying you back for checking your bags include several properties participating in the "Pack Your Bags for Amelia Island" promotion, giving guests a room credit of up to $80 when you stay three or more nights and show your checked-bag receipt before September 30. Loews Hotels reimburses guests up to $30 per room (enough to pay for the first-checked bag to take a round-trip flight) on their final bill with a bag receipt from the airline through September 1. Kimpton Hotels "We Got Your Bag" offer issues a room credit of up to $25 when guests show proof of the baggage charge through September 9.

Amanda Jones | Travel Writer & Photographer

SOUTH ISLAND

1. Queen Charlotte Sound Track

The four-day trek goes along gorgeous bays through native bush of the South Island's Marlborough Sounds. After a long day of hiking, you stay in luxury lodges each night - no camping required! There are two strenuous days, so this excursion isn't recommended for kids under 10. Guided walking tours are also available.

2. Routeburn Track

Located in Queenstown, this popular adventure destination is one of New Zealand's famous hikes through ancient forest. With younger children you can venture in for one day and return in the afternoon. Guided walking is available.

NORTH ISLAND

3. Waiheke Island

For an easy day trip from the city of Auckland, catch a one-hour ferry to bucolic Waiheke Island (famed for wineries and beaches) and hike the three-hour Matiatia to Oneroa walkway. Great views and bush experience. Go here for more information.

4. Cape Reinga

At the very tip of New Zealand is the Cape Reinga Coastal Walkway, with giant sand dunes and miles and miles of dramatic, empty beach. The track is three to four days long (involving camping), but day hikes to the Te Paki dunes are a good alternative.

5. Lake Waikaremoana

For families wanting a real adventure involving three to four days of relatively easy hiking and stunning scenery, try the Lake Waikaremoana Track on the eastern coast in the Hawkes Bay region (also known for great wine). The only options on accommodations are the Department of Conservation's rustic "tramping huts" or camping. Guided hikes are available.

Email us with your travel stories and tips!

Helen Truszkowski |Travel Writer

Long-haul flights can be a drag, and when you're flying with kids, you can bet it'll feel twice as long! These five airlines have gone out of their way to help you and your pint-size passengers rest easy at 35,000 feet: They feature discounted fares for infants and children; they offer early boarding for families; They let families take strollers right up to the aircraft door; They've got free bassinettes and baby seats; and they provide a bevy of kid channels and movies on the seatback screens (plus a discreet parental lock that allows you to block channels you don't want your child tuning into). If those perks have you perked up to fly, check out the distinct services that make each of them unique.

1. British Airways

The "feed families first" policy ensures kids get their meals - which include a portion of fruit or veggies     early in every meal.

2. Lufthansa

Special "Lu's World" kids' meals were developed by star chefs and include creative, healthy dishes such     as "Tiger's Tail," which is a rolled pancake filled with chicken and veggies (recipes are available for        parents to try at home). And, kids receive a Lu's World Pack containing sketchbook with crayons, finger     puppets, matchbox cars, and jigsaws.

3. Qantas Airlines

Emergency supplies of baby food, cereals, milk, baby bottles, and brushes are available.

4. Gulf Air

With Gulf Air's free Sky Nanny service, specially trained employees offer help with boarding and              disembarking, plus offer parents a much needed break during a long mid-air journey.

5. Virgin Atlantic

At your children's disposal are is an extraordinary variety of entertainment options, including more        niche kids channels such as V.Tots (for preschool-age children), V.KiD (for 5-11 year olds), V.T (for        teens), and Baby IQ programs geared towards language development. (Of course, a pile of blockbuster     movies and up to 35 Nintendo games are also available.)

Long-haul flying tips:

-Once you've settled your child in the bassinet, turn off the overhead vents. Recirculated air is not          purified and can spread germs.

-Blankets are not necessarily laundered between flights even though they are repackaged.

-Long-haul flights using larger planes have baby changing facilities, which are usually located in the rear airplane restrooms.

-To ensure availability, ask about baby food, kids' meals, baby seats and bassinets when booking.

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Email us with your travel stories and tips!

Melissa Biggs Bradley | founder of Indagare.com

Sleeping out under the stars is one of the great rituals of childhood. But for parents, the real luxury is being able to do so without abandoning creature comforts. These retreats will give you a taste of the wilderness without requiring you to live like a backpacker.

1. Clayoquot Wilderness Resort
    Tofino, British Columbia
    888-333-5405
    250-726-8235

At this high-end retreat in the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere off the west coast of British Columbia, kids    can learn to fish or ply a canoe through the pristine waters. Best bet: one of the 20 canvas tents             situated along the Bedwell River. Three-night packages from $4,750 CAD per adult, less for children.

2. Sun Valley Yurts
    Arrange through: Sun Valley Trekking
    208-788-1966

For those who long to explore Idaho's Smoky Mountains without lugging in a tent, Sun Valley Trekking     offers backcountry yurts and huts. Nestled at an elevation of 8,700 feet and equally appealing in             summer or winter, Coyote Hut is equipped with lanterns and a wood stove-just bring your own                 marshmallows. Cost: from $30 per person, per night (minimum of $150 per night).

3. Maho Bay Camps
    St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
    800-392-9004

Maho Bay Camps are simple, sunny and sublime: eco-friendly cottages perched on platforms and             connected by wooden boardwalks. Nearby are soft white-sand beaches, colorful coral and turquoise       waters. Rates from $80 a night.

4. Tent City at Paws Up
    Greenough, Montana
    800-473-0601

Rustic yet refined: that's the spirit of Tent City at Paws Up, in the wilds of Montana. Yes, they're tents, but tents with fine linens and even electricity. Rates from $485.

5. El Capitan Canyon
    866-352-2729

By day, lose yourself in 300 acres along the coast near Santa Barbara. Then retire to your tent and get     cozy under a warm duvet. From $115 a night.

Be sure to check out these other comfortable camping destinations.

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Email us with your travel stories and tips! 

Yolanda Edwards | Cookie Travel and Lifestyle Editor

Avoid the endless layovers and missed connections and jet to these destinations in just one flight.

1. Four Seasons Resort at Peninsula Papagayo
    Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica (Fly into Liberia)

2. Rosewood Mayakoba
    Riviera Maya, Mexico (Fly into Cancun)

3. One and Only Palmilla
    San Jose del Cabo, Mexico (Fly into Cabo)

4. Aqualina
    Sunny Isles Beach, FL (Fly into Miami)

5. El Conquistador
    Fajardo, Puerto Rico (Fly into San Juan)

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Email us with your travel stories and tips!