I am forever on the lookout for gifts that are practical and needed but also fun. That's a hard combo to find. We travel a great deal and the kids always look forward to their next trip so I often focus my gifts on something they can use on their next adventure. These are a few things that have been winners for us.
Read moreKids Fire Tablet or I-Pad? It's an easy answer.
In this day and age, it’s almost inevitable that you will buy an electronic device for your child. It’s also been our experience that a portable media device can make long hours of travel much easier for the entire family. But what is the best option?
Read moreCamping Pack List For Camping With Kids (Campground, Not Backcountry)
Packing lists are some of my most useful travel hacks and have been honed after years of forgetting things big and small. After you pack up everybody, drive to the mountains, pass the last gas station. get all set- up at the campsite, and then realize you have no propane for your camp stove, you will see the appeal as well. My camp packing list includes everything we might need- sleeping, cooking, food, other so we don’t have anymore of those mishaps and just an awesome time instead!
Read moreBiking the Swamp Rabbit Trail With Kids
The Swamp Rabbit Trail is my favorite thing about Greenville. My family loves to get out on a bike, and this is an easy trail to do it. Start your trip in the morning, so you can bike to the small town of Travelers Rest in time for lunch. Along the 10 mile route, you can explore Linky Stone Park, grab an ice cream at the Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery, linger at the lake at Furman University, and reward yourself with a nice lunch in Traveler’s Rest.
Read more9/11 Museum With Children: To Go Or Not To Go?
The 9/11 Museum is absolutely a place I would visit at least once in your life, to learn more about this devastating event and its place in American history, as well as to remember those who died. But it is an emotionally taxing place and obviously brings up some very hard questions from your kids. Ones that I am not sure I will ever know how to answer. But just because an event is hard or unpleasant doesn’t mean it should be ignored. Here is everything I learned from my visit and my thoughts on what you should think about before deciding to take your own family.
Read more7 Fall Weekend Getaways Within 4 hours of Atlanta
Each of these destinations offers something different- whether you're looking to escape to a fun mountain town, visit a national park, or simply take a day trip to a fantastic museum. No lodging research needed or activities to plan out-- it's all covered in detail, saving you time and effort that you would rather spend on your vacation, not planning it.
Read moreJaguars and Toucans and Tapirs, Oh My! The Belize Zoo Rocks.
If you are at all interested in the animals native to Belize, this place will be a winner. It's small place, easy to see in 2 hours or less, and has personality (the handwritten signs that rhymed were a favorite). They only have animals native to Belize and the enclosures are basically fenced off portions of the surrounding jungle so it feels more like a safari than a Zoo. We loved it.
Read more10 Tips For Taking Kids To Tikal
Tikal is bucket list kind of destination and deservedly so. The Mayans built something truly impressive here. Just walking through the paths between the structures is an experience as well because of the diverse wildlife you can see and the dense foliage of the jungle. This summer marked my 3rd trip to Tikal and on each trip I have figured out how to do things a bit better. Many times that has been the hard way. Don't repeat my mistakes.
Read moreYes, You Can Hike The Narrows In Zion With Kids: Everything You Need to Know
The Narrows is one of the most iconic hiking trails in the world because of its spectacular scenery, easy access, and the uniqueness of hiking in a river. It has been on my bucket list for years and even though I crossed it off with the day trip section, I have now added the two-day hike to my to-do list. It was a fantastic hike that the kids thoroughly enjoyed and still talk about. It totally lived up to our expectations.
Read moreA Simply Awesome Day In North Cascades National Park Complex
If you drive just over 2 hours northeast of Seattle's airport, you will find my new favorite national park, the North Cascades. It has everything you could want from an outdoor adventure--hiking trails to breathtaking views, amazingly tall trees, pristine mountain lakes for kayaking, glaciers calling out for photography, and lots of uncrowded campgrounds.
Read more10 Reasons To Visit Iceland
Iceland may not be the obvious family vacation choice, but it should be. Known as the "land of fire and ice,” Iceland's breathtaking scenery is largely due to the fact that it is one of the most volcanically active areas on earth. You will see this activity first-hand as you drive along its southern coastline which showcases a constantly changing geography of flat farmlands, mountains, fields of moss-covered lava rocks, black sand beaches, and steaming geothermal pools.
Read moreA Paris Walk Everyone in the Family Will Love
One of the best ways to see and experience Paris is by walking its streets. That being said, walking for any distance with children can be a challenge. That’s why this Paris walk is the best stroll for the family.
Read moreCummins Falls State Park - A Not So Hidden Gem That Is Still Worth Discovering
Cummins Falls State Park is one of Tennessee's newest state parks (dedicated in 2013), but people have been trekking to the 75 foot high falls for generations.
It is not the easiest of swimming holes to get to, but the magnificent falls and swimming hole at the end are enough of a draw that 250,000 people visited the falls in 2015. I wouldn't go near this place on Labor Day weekend, but on a Monday morning in May, it was a gorgeous pit stop on a drive between Nashville and Knoxville on I-40.
Read moreWhy You Should Go To The Peloponnese On Your Next Family Vacation
Greece has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to vacation destinations. Should you go to an iconic island like Mykonos or maybe see the world famous, cliff top monasteries at Meteora? Or should you spend all your time in Athens, soaking up the history and museums? What if you could go to a place that has a little bit of everything that Greece has to offer- beaches, ancient ruins, scenic coastal beauty, delicious food, and picturesque towns. Sounds pretty perfect, right? Welcome to the stunning Peloponnese Peninsula.
Read moreScience And Fun? Yes Please. Both Can Be Found At The Tellus Science Museum In North Georgia
This is a great museum- with a wonderful planetarium, interesting exhibits, and a fun kids section. If you are looking for a enjoyable and easy day trip for you and your kids from Atlanta or Chattanooga, you should definitely check out the Tellus Science Museum in Cartersville, Georgia.
Read moreGreenville, SC- A Weekend Of Food And Outdoors
I have been reading about Greenville for awhile, its food scene and the 20 mile Swamp Rabbit Trail, a rails to trails project that goes right through town. After 3 days there, I can say all its recent buzz is well deserved. We hiked, we biked, and we ate our way through town, having a great time the whole way. If you are looking for a weekend getaway spot, Greenville should be at the top of your list.
Read moreLooking For Educational And Fun Things To Do In Atlanta With Kids? Visit The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park
The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park was an excellent adventure, full of interesting immersive experiences, thought-provoking displays, and beautiful grounds for the kids to run a little bit. I would highly recommend it to anyone traveling to Atlanta with kids of any age, as there was something for everyone to enjoy.
Read moreA Simply Awesome Day in Southwest Utah
Welcome to our series “A Simply Awesome Day in...” where we share a full day’s excerpt from one of our family vacation destinations. Today, we offer a fun day from our 7 day Southwest Utah Itinerary. Day 4 details a sunrise hike in Bryce Canyon, followed by a scenic drive and some more short, kid-friendly hikes.
Read moreNever Used Airbnb? It Will Change The Way You Travel
If you are new to the world of Airbnb, let me just say it will open your mind to what can happen with travel accommodations. No more tiny hotel rooms, tip- toeing around as soon as the kids go to bed. Cook full breakfasts in your own kitchen and do laundry mid-trip. So grab a glass of wine, a comfy spot on the couch, and follow these steps below to find your amazing Airbnb.
Read moreHow To Find the Perfect VRBO Property
Staying in a hotel can be great, especially for short stays. But for longer trips, I look for an apartment or house to rent. Finding the right property takes quite a bit of time, but it’s worth the effort. Here are some tips when searching VRBO.com for that perfect vacation rental.
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