Guests ride the runners of Snow Mountain Ranch dogsled teams. Image courtesy Jessica Averett. by Jessica Averett - Families who enjoy winter vacation adventures are all too familiar with the price tag that often accompanies them. Between warm clothing, expensive gear, and resort prices, planning a winter vacation may tempt parents to quickly clean out little Johnny's college … [Read more...]
Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary – 14 Must-Stops Along Route 1
by Jennifer Fontaine - An epic summer Pacific Coast Highway road trip is as American as warm apple pie ala mode, but the intricacies of planning accommodations and outdoor activities along the famous Route 1 one can prove a bit more challenging than simply following grandma’s recipe. Complex itineraries, careful budgeting, and a thousand hours of in-car entertainment can take … [Read more...]
It’s All Happening at the Bermuda Zoo (and Aquarium, and Natural History Museum)
by Erin Kirkland - Dr. Ian Walker knows his place at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum, and Zoo; and right now, it’s in the tortoise pen, scratching the outstretched necks of Sally and Crooked Nose. The two, aged 50 and 100, respectively, had lumbered over as soon as they heard Walker’s voice carry across the shaded courtyard near their enclosure. We’re on a tour of the facility, … [Read more...]
Conquering the Mendocino Coast of California with Non-Committal Teens
By Annie Gallagher Yearout - What sort of ridiculousness are we in for? Two teenagers and a single mom on a road trip together, where service for cell phones and connections to social media might just be interrupted for a few moments by windswept beaches, spouting whales and wild bike contraptions that fly along train tracks? Why, an insanely cool adventure to Mendocino, … [Read more...]
70+ Family Friendly Things To Do In The White Mountains, New Hampshire
Arethusa Falls hike by Jean Grant - Meander in a meadow of spiky lupine, hike to the alpine summit of New England’s highest mountain, bask in crimson and yellow autumn foliage along country roads, or swoosh down powdery ski runs. A plethora of outdoor excursions await in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The 800,000-acre hardwood White Mountain National Forest is … [Read more...]
Mammoth Lakes, California: Summer family travel just got more adventurous
by Rina Baraz Nehdar - My son, Kaleb, held his hands high, testing his grip on the grimy rope, suspended from a branch above his head. Although I wanted him to be brave, part of me pictured his hands slipping and his little body landing with a dull thud onto the sharp rocks as he attempted to swing into the lake. Besides our screams of terrified excitement, Gull Lake, near … [Read more...]
The Complete Quebec, Canada Family Road Trip Itinerary
by Erin Kirkland “Attache ta tuque!” This is what my Uber driver, natty ball cap askance on his bald head, shouted when I mentioned I was beginning a seven-day road trip to explore sections of Quebec. The literal meaning is “Secure your hat on your head,” and in modern vernacular translates to “Hold on tight!” because something unexpected or exciting is coming your … [Read more...]
San Ignacio, Belize: Finding culture & adventure fit for a teen
by Amy Whitley - The moment my seventeen-year-old son and I stepped out of the airport shuttle van and into the small porte-cochère of San Ignacio Resort Hotel in the Cayo District of Belize, I understood why this property is affectionately known as ‘the only jungle in town’. Literally steps from the lively bustle of downtown, the moment you step through the open-air doorway, … [Read more...]
Porto Family Holidays: The Best Places to Eat, Sleep, and Adventure
by Kristin Kizer - Located on the Rio Duoro, Porto, Portugal is a thriving metropolis that dates back to around 300 BC. Many of the historical structures still exist, although some of the oldest houses are currently at risk of collapsing. In 1996 UNESCO recognized the historical downtown center of Porto as a World Heritage Site. This designation affirms that the area is … [Read more...]
Mobile, Alabama Outdoor Family Travel Guide
by Stephanie Harper - Mobile, Alabama is known for the earliest Mardi Gras celebration (which locals will argue is the first) and the Tensaw River Delta and Mobile River. An estuary with unique and diverse wildlife can be found there for year round exploration. Surrounding Mobile Bay are a plethora of family activities and outdoor adventure that even a coastal expert couldn't … [Read more...]
30+ Fall Family Adventures in Rockford, Illinois
by Stephanie Harper - Fall is the perfect time to visit Rockford, Illinois as the colors are bright and leaf-peeping is the showstopper, while taking in the sights. With weather dropping comfortably in the 40’s, there’s plenty of activities to keep you warm all day! Rockford is just one of the cities that borders along Rock River and is an hour-long drive from Chicago. With … [Read more...]
USA Road Trip Planner – 10 Best National Parks in Southwestern US
by Jean Grant - Planning a family road trip to the Southwest? Try this epic USA road trip itinerary which hits the 10 best national parks in Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. Our family made a slight modification of the classic Grand Circle road trip for our April school break, soaking in 10 destinations, including US national parks and monuments, national forests, … [Read more...]
Colorado’s Sylvan Dale Ranch Offers Outdoor Fun for All Ages
by Tami Mittan - Guest or dude ranch vacations are gaining in popularity as a top choice for family travelers. All-inclusive properties like Colorado's Sylvan Dale Ranch offer a taste of Western lifestyle, along with plenty of outdoor activities. If you are looking for some refreshing, unplugged fun, it just may be the perfect fit. Are dude ranch vacations well suited for a … [Read more...]
40+ Things To Do In Eau Claire : A Wisconsin Family Vacation Guide
[Photo courtesy Greg MacLeod] by Karen Ung - “We are passionate not pretentious,” says Troy Hoyt as we sip his Soul Brewed Coffee in the soon-to-open Shift Cyclery and Coffee Bar. The same could be said of family friendly destination Eau Claire, Wisconsin; Hoyt’s home town of 65,000 which is tucked between Madison and the Twin Cities. Touted as “mini Portland,” Eau Claire … [Read more...]
40+ Things To Do In Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains + 3-Day Trip Itinerary
by Stephanie Harper - With backdrops of majestic peaks and sunshine beaming through the green plumage from any direction you decide to adventure in, it’s no wonder Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains beckon families to come out and play every year. | Related: Five Ways to Inspire Teens and Tweens to Hike | The Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains are one of the most beautiful and … [Read more...]
Ultimate Family Adventure Awaits on the San Juan Islands
by Jennifer Fontaine - The low-key, beachy archipelago called the San Juan Islands, which is sandwiched between the mainland and Canada's Vancouver Island, feels like a world away. But in reality, it's only a short (hour-plus) ride on the car ferry from Anacortes, Washington. The ferry stop of Friday Harbor on San Juan Island is the best-known town and has the most services and … [Read more...]
40+ Things To Do In Camden Maine – A Family Vacation Guide
Collecting seashells and playing with seaweed after a sail to Lasell Island [All photos courtesy Jean Grant] By Jean Grant - From the southern beaches to West Quody Head Light, and pristine Baxter State Park to iconic Acadia National Park, a Maine family vacation can be breathtaking and exhilarating. As a Mid-Atlantic native, I had my preconceived notions about the land … [Read more...]
