Living in Bozeman, MT, we get plenty of friends and family visiting us on their way from Bozeman to Yellowstone National Park. We are fortunate to live within 2 hours of both the West Entrance and North Entrance to Yellowstone. This is the information we share with them and it’s proven to be a great itinerary for all!
Read moreHow To Get Airport Lounge Access For The Whole Family
Why I think paying for airport lounge access is worth it when flying with kids (or even by yourself). Besides the included food, drinks, and speedy WiFi, you get a precious commodity all too rare when flying- space. And you get special help if things go wrong with your flight plans, a huge bonus. Find out which airline credit card is our favorite for lounge access for the whole family (not all of them allow you to bring your kids with you!)
Read moreOde to the Kavu Bag, A Perfect Bag For Travel
I love gear. Let me just state that first. I am a gear collector who can browse an outdoor store looking at gadgets I will probably never need but just look cool. If I am looking for something I need, I will research for hours until I find exactly what I want. I love a well- designed object that does what I need it to do without extraneous and usually useless gimmicks.
Read more5 Things Not To Do When Visiting Athens, Greece
Athens is a wonderful city that I have been lucky enough to visit multiple times throughout my life. The first was as a backpacking student and I was armed with a less than sufficient amount of knowledge about the city but more than a sufficient amount of beer. Mistakes were made, lessons were learned, and I had a fabulous time. The trips that followed honed my skills and I began to feel pretty comfortable traveling to Athens. The most recent trip, however, involved extended family members and four kids so it was a different ballgame altogether from my previous trips. New mistakes were made and new lessons were learned, but we all still had a fabulous time. These are just 5 of the things I have learned the hard way not to do when visiting Athens:
Read moreA Simply Awesome Day in Yellowstone National Park
There is so much to see in Yellowstone National Park, but the Lamar Valley is a must see for wildlife viewing. Find out where to stay, where to eat, best places for wildlife viewing, and easy hikes for all to enjoy in the Lamar Valley.
Read moreA Simply Awesome Day in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Living just 30 minutes from the entrance to the Smokies, we are often asked about a one day itinerary for friends and family visiting the park. Although you could easily spend a week here, we think this one day plan captures the spirit and beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Read moreEverything You Wanted To Know About Elkmont Campground In The Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Want to take a trip to the Smokies and camp in the woods but not sure what to expect? We’ll tell you everything you need to know about Elkmont Campground in exhaustive detail- what campsites are the best, how to reserve, and all the little things that will help you plan your trip. This family friendly campground is one of our favorites in the Smokies and we return to it again and again.
Read moreGlamping In A Yurt At Cloudland Canyon State Park- All The Details You Want To Know
The yurts at Cloudland Canyon State Park are a great way to feel like you are camping without having to do any of the work normally associated with camping. Spacious, quiet, private, and even with electricity and AC, we had a good time on our glamping adventure and would do it again. It was especially helpful as this was a just an overnight trip when we couldn’t bring any camping stuff with us.
Read moreSummer Fun In Big Sky, Montana
Big Sky, MT is known for its winter skiing, but it is just as beautiful in the summer with its blooming wildflowers, scenic mountain ranges, and variety of outdoor activities. You could easily spend a week here, especially if you add a day trip to Yellowstone National Park which is just one hour away. Here’s what we did during our summer trip to Big Sky.
Read moreYour Guide To Biking Cades Cove in the Smokies
Cades Cove is notoriously the busiest area of the Smokies. So what’s a local to do? Fortunately, the good news is that you can bike or walk the loop without cars on Wednesdays from early May to late September. This is one of our favorite things to do in the Smokies, and we share all the details you need to know to enjoy this unique and fun experience.
Read moreA Simply Awesome Day in Bozeman, Montana
Stopping in Bozeman on your way to Yellowstone National Park? You’ll find plenty to do in this fun western town. Here’s how to spend a perfect day. What to do, where to eat, and where to stay in Bozeman, MT.
Read moreCades Cove Campground In Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Use this local’s years of experience at gorgeous Cades Cove to find out everything you need to know about camping at Cades Cove Campground. Best campsites, best activities, how to explore the cove without people- all the hacks and know-how I have accumulated over the years to make your family’s trip the best it can be.
Read moreHiking Alum Cave Trail To Mount LeConte With Kids- Family Hikes In Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Want to hike to Alum Cave and Mount LeConte? Wondering if your kids can handle this can't miss Smokies trail? We have details, tips, and hacks to help you hike this spectacular trail, one of the most popular and iconic hikes in the Smokies.
Read moreFavorite Hikes With Kids In The Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Our favorite family hikes in the Smokies are not too long nor exhausting and typically have a highlighted feature such as a waterfall, creek, or historic cabin that the kids will enjoy. There are many, many more hikes but we have narrowed down our recommended hikes for kid-pleasing, shorter, easier walks in the woods!
Read morePhelps Lake in Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park is simply awesome with its jagged mountain peaks, alpine lakes, wildlife, sagebrush meadows, and forests filled with aspens and fir trees. You’ll find it all on this wonderful hike to Phelps Lake on the Lake Creek-Woodland Trail Loop.
Read moreThe Best Place To Swim In Grand Teton National Park
The Teton’s String Lake is shallow, so although it is still very cold, it’s not quite as freezing as some of the other lakes found in Grand Teton National Park. Its sandy bottom is easy on the feet making it a very kid-friendly lake to swim and float. My girls brought their snorkel masks and had a blast.
Read moreHighlights And Tips For Visiting Glacier National Park
Montana’s Glacier National Park is definitely a bucket-list worthy destination for any family. You will love the alpine lakes surrounded by stunning mountain peaks, the availability of hiking trails that are fairly easy for the kids yet incredibly scenic, and the high probability of actually seeing wildlife every day of your visit.
Read moreGrand Teton National Park With Kids-What To See and Do
Favorite family-friendly hikes, awe-inspiring views, swimming holes, float trips, horseback riding, wildlife viewing tips, rainy day activities, and more “can’t miss” jewels of Grand Teton National Park are described in detail in this 5 day itinerary for Grand Teton National Park.
Read moreCapitol Reef National Park- It’s So Worth It!
Capitol Reef is a great national park in Utah for a family who doesn’t want the logistics of coordinating the park shuttles of Zion, waiting in the entrance lines of Arches, or negotiating the crowded parking areas at popular trailheads.
For us, Capitol Reef provided scenic beauty, plenty of easy hikes, and while we were there, minimal people. We came away refreshed, not frazzled, and certainly awe inspired!
Read moreCool Off In The Clear Water of Lake Jocassee in South Carolina
Devil’s Fork State Park offers excellent camping sites next to the clear, cold water of Lake Jocassee which is located about one hour from Greenville, SC. The buzzword descriptions like “Lake Tahoe of the East” or “South Carolina’s Little Switzerland” are spot on for this wonderful spot in South Carolina.
Read more