Back in our younger days, a trip Uptown meant fancy dinners and dancing into the night. These days a trip Uptown means family friendly dinning options and activities. We've traded in getting dolled up at night for juggling nap time and feeding schedules in the afternoon.

This afternoon we set out Uptown on a family friendly adventure. We started the day at 7th Street Market for lunch. It's one of my favorite places to go because it fits everyone's dietary needs, it's family friendly, and there's adult beverages. It's the kind of place where you can start off with a vanilla sugar latte at Not Just Coffee, order spicy tuna rolls from Bonsai Fusion Sushi and a chorizo pie from Pure Pizza because you were craving both, and wash it down with a local craft beer from Tank's Tap.

Oh, wait, that's exactly what we did!

Almond Milk Vanilla Sugar Latte - Not Just Coffee

There are many other options, too: artisan sandwiches, crepes, cheese boards, fresh juice, and wine to name a few.

After devouring our lunches we crossed the light rail tracks to ImaginOn, the most fun children'ts library in the whole wide world (at least in my opinion), for a few hours of air conditioned fun. We stumbled upon a Mr. Potato Head activity exhibit that was a sensory overload for the kids, followed by story time with dogs and playing with toys in the Trolley room.

But the fun did not stop there, no sir! We changed the kiddos and set out across the street to the First Ward Park to check out the splash pad. I had no clue what a splash pad was before having a child but we have now been to several, some paid and some free. It's basically a fountain that you can play in without being judged. Not that I've ever gone inside an actual fountain or anything... The one in First Ward Park is small but mighty and was enjoyed by all the kids and adults alike.

Our fair skinned children were frolicking around sans SPF so we set a 15 minute time limit for the splash pad fun since it was 95 degrees outside and not a cloud in the sky.

We wrapped up just in time to get the kids home for nap time.

Dinner consisted of leftovers from the night before: Peruvian chicken (marinade) over quinoa salad, avocado, and a spicy jalapeno sauce. Combine everything into a bowl and enjoy!

P.S. Here's a little video I put together of our day!

What are you favorite toddler friendly activities Uptown?

Birch Collective

An Adventure Uptown...with Kids

Birch Co.