Lindsay Halladay

Latest posts by Lindsay Halladay

Find Fall Foliage near Los Angeles: 13 Pretty Drives To See Fall Leaves

Submitted by Lindsay Halladay on Fri, 09/23/2022 - 10:33am

Head over to the Snow-line Orchard in Oak Glen to pick apples and see fall foliage. Photo by Don Graham/Flickr

Ready for some cool, crisp autumn air and a bright expanse of fall foliage? Perfect, because a spectacular show of fall leaves is within a short drive from Los Angeles at multiple locations. There are lots of options for pumpkin picking in Los Angeles but if a relaxing fall drive is more your speed, pack some pumpkin-spiced snacks and hit the road. Not only are our suggestions filled with cute towns and gorgeous hikes, but they also provide fantastic photo ops with stunning multi-colored leaves as a backdrop. (Just in case you're already starting to think about that family holiday card photo!)

For more fall activities from our bucket list of things to do this fall, fall day trips from Los Angeles, and local fall festivals, be sure to check out our Los Angeles Fall Fun Guide.

The Proud Bird's Aviation Park: a New Airplane Playground by LAX

Submitted by Lindsay Halladay on Sun, 09/22/2019 - 5:40pm

When you have a kid like mine (obsessed with airplanes, grilled cheese, and curvy slides at playgrounds) then a well-timed trip to the new Aviation Park at The Proud Bird is an afternoon dream come true. We were excited to attend the new playground's recent opening day festivities, featuring models of life-size fighter planes, a view of the jets landing at nearby LAX, face painting, snow cones, and lots of playtime. Whether you're already heading to LAX to pick up the in-laws, flying off for vacay, or desperate for a new park to break up the after-nap routine, The Proud Bird is definitely worth a visit.

Perfect Spots for Your LA Baby's First Birthday

Submitted by Lindsay Halladay on Mon, 05/06/2019 - 2:16pm

Congratulations! You made it through baby’s first year, and now it’s time to celebrate. If you’re like me and totally not into hosting your child’s first birthday party at home (read: cleaning, shopping, cooking, decorating, hosting...cleaning again), don't worry.

The weather in LA is so beautiful that outdoor birthdays are possible nearly any time of year. If that's not your speed, the Southland boasts plenty of awesome indoor options as well. Here are 12 great spots of both varieties—from pricey to free with one surprise at the end—to smash a cake and tire out the kiddos so everyone can go home and take a well-deserved nap.

You know what else a birthday needs? Gifts! Get tried-and-tested favorite gift suggestions the Best First Birthday Gifts, and more in our Guide to Top Toys and Gear for Kids.

The Paley Center for Media: A Fun Trip Down TV & Radio's Memory Lane

Submitted by Lindsay Halladay on Mon, 02/11/2019 - 12:17pm

Does having kids bring back memories of TV shows, cartoons, and jingles from your own childhood? Wouldn't it be cool if there were a place where you could watch them? Enter The Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills. Whether you're making peace with some weekend screen time, or you've simply exhausted the other great LA museum and librar y options, this place is worth checking out. With an archive of more than 160,000 radio and television programs, this small but mighty museum offers a fun (and free!) way to connect with the family over TV past and present.

10 LA Libraries with Great Play Spaces You Have To Try

Submitted by Lindsay Halladay on Mon, 02/04/2019 - 12:37am

Playtime with friends at the DTLA Central Library

The Southland's rainy season may be short lived, but even if we're thrust into blazing heat again next week, either way having fun, free, indoor options for the kiddos is a must. You probably already know some local storytimes at LA libraries. Maybe you've checked out a few of our drive-worthy special libraries or any number of the awesome free perks your library card offers. But do you know the libraries where you can get a great book and engage your little one in some good old-fashioned indoor fun? You're in luck; here are our picks for LA's 10 best libraries with play spaces where you can do just that.

Grand Park's Free Holiday Lights Display Makes a Trip to DTLA Worthwhile

Submitted by Lindsay Halladay on Sun, 12/16/2018 - 11:24pm

Enjoying things that go sparkle in the night is a great way to create a holiday outing without breaking the bank, and if you'd like something more interactive than the good ol' drive past the neighborhood lights, head over to Grand Park's free Winter Glow light display in Downtown LA.

Is Your Family Ready for a Ghost Town Vacation at this Popular SoCal Tourist Spot?

Submitted by Lindsay Halladay on Sun, 10/14/2018 - 8:27pm

Replica of the original Calico 1880s schoolhouse. Photo by Brian Johnson

If you thought vacations in ghost towns were only for sitcom families, think again! Just a short drive from LA is the Calico Ghost Town, an old mining town that boomed in the 1880s but was abandoned not long after. Walter Knott, of Knott's Berry Farm fame, restored the town in the 1950s into a Wild West locale perfect for a family vacation. And while Calico may or may not have actual haunted houses, it can be a wonderful Halloween month outing all the same.

How To Navigate DTLA's Central Library with Kids

Submitted by Lindsay Halladay on Fri, 07/13/2018 - 5:32pm

Exploring a love of reading at DTLA’s Central Library. Photo by Lindsay Halladay

Built in 1926, Downtown’s Central Library is an LA landmark famous for its remarkable art, architecture, children and family programming, dedicated librarians, and extensive collections for any avid learner. It can be a remarkable place to visit with kids—with an important caveat.

A journey to the Central Library is different from a jaunt to your local branch. Over the last year or two, the homeless population has taken refuge here at an unprecedented rate, and this has noticeably changed the experience. That said, we still found there are many ways for a family to enjoy this historic and delightful facility with a few key pointers.