Joanna and Michael Crain have been living in Beijing for six years. Their twin girls Mackenzie and Mackaylee (3) were adopted from Dongguan, Guandong Province and currently attend The Children’s House International Montessori Kindergarten. Joanna is the president of Chin-EASE Destination Management, an event management firm that helps professionals plan trips to China, while Michael is a senior consultant at Bingham Consulting. In 2009, the couple co-founded Chi Fan for Charity, which organizes charity dining events across the city. These working parents took time out of their busy schedules to share their favorite family hangouts in Beijing.
Favorite Family Restaurant Chef Too – Chef Billy always does a great job welcoming children and provides a beautiful place where parents can enjoy themselves.
Favorite Dessert
The chocolate soufflé at Mosto is the family’s all-time favorite.
Best Place to Play Indoors
Fundazzle
Family Rituals
After church on Sundays, the girls like to hit up Fatburger for hot dogs and French fries.
Favorite Place to Shop
The grown-ups buy mostly tailor-made items at Wendy’s in Yashow Market, but also shop at Zara and Mango. The kids get outfitted at Yashow Market and The Gap.
Rainy Day Activity
Stay in bed, cuddle, eat popcorn and watch movies. Also, the girls love baking with Momma.
Best Place for a Special Occasion
It’s a three-way tie between Capital M, Maison Boulud, and Temple Restaurant Beijing. All three have served up some magical memories!
Favorite Weekend Activity
The girls are still small, so the Crains just relax by spending time in Ritan Park or eating out for lunch (sometimes at Obentos in Central Park).
Favorite Day Trip
Mutianyu
This article is excerpted from beijingkids August 2012 issue. View it in PDF form here or contact distribution@beijing-kids.com to find out where you can pick up your free copy.
Photo by The Bloom Family Photography