A Simply Awesome Day In North Cascades National Park Complex

August 29, 2024 Amanda Luhn

Diablo Lake in North Cascades Natioanl Park Complex. Take your kayak out and enjoy the scenery! — Diablo Lake in North Cascades National Park Complex. Take your kayak out and enjoy the scenery!

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.

A 2 Day Itinerary In Hydra, Greece With Kids

October 27, 2023 Amanda Luhn

The view from a coastal walk on Hydra, Greece. Text on picture says "Two Days in Hydra: A Complete Itinerary. What To Do with Kids On This Amazing Island" — The view from one of the coastal walks in Hydra. Not bad eh? You hardly miss a car when you get to do this.

A complete guide to your two days in Hydra with the family. Kid- friendly activities like best hikes and beaches on the island, plus where to eat and stay make planning your Hydra vacation a breeze. Slow down and enjoy the unique way of life on this car- free Greek paradise!

Weekend Getaway To Brevard, NC- All The Details!

October 13, 2023 Amy Ragsdale

Triple Falls in Dupont State Forest in Brevard, NC

Brevard, NC is the ideal town for a couple’s retreat or getting the family outdoors with its access to easy hiking trails and scenic mountain vistas. Brevard’s charming downtown offers small cafes, shops, restaurants, and a couple of breweries so it’s perfect for a walk around. With its proximity to popular Asheville, Brevard could even serve as a base camp for a day trip to Asheville’s infamous Biltmore Estate and Gardens. We share all the details for a terrific weekend- where to stay, best restaurants, and things to do in Brevard, NC!

A Weekend Getaway to Bryson City, NC

October 9, 2023 Amy Ragsdale

Sunset picture from our cabin rental just 5 min from downtown Bryson City, North Carolina. I love this charming mountain town for lots of reasons but the views of the Smokies is definitely one of them.

Bryson City, North Carolina is loaded with attractions that the whole family will enjoy-- between train rides, playing on the water, its proximity to the Smoky Mountains National Park, and the charming downtown with great food and a casual vibe. You will have a fantastic weekend!

A Fun Weekend Getaway In Asheville, NC With Kids

October 5, 2023 Amy Ragsdale

Asheville is our family’s “go to” for a weekend trip. It’s a fun, artsy town with great restaurants and what seems like a craft brewery on every block. Asheville is known as a great weekend getaway for couples, but it’s also worth visiting with the family. Between stops at family-friendly breweries and restaurants, your kids will find plenty of things to do whether exploring the city’s downtown or venturing out to nearby hiking trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Short Hike To Amazing Views From Buzzard Rock in Mount Rogers National Recreation Area

September 19, 2023 Amy Ragsdale

This amazing high elevation hike on the Appalachian Trail to Buzzard Rock in southwest Virginia offers meadows, forests, and an open mountain bald. Add some amazing views and a bit of rock scrambling, and it’s a surefire winner for the family.

A Weekend Getaway In Abingdon, Virginia - Where To Eat, Where To Stay, And Things To Do

September 18, 2023 Amy Ragsdale

Trestle on the Virginia Creeper Trail near Abingdon, Virginia

For my family, we repeatedly visit Abingdon for two main reasons: biking the Virginia Creeper Trail (a 34 mile rails to trails pathway) and hiking the trails at nearby Grayson Highlands State Park, famous for its soaring mountain views and wild ponies. Here’s everything you need to know to enjoy these two wonderful things to do on your next visit to Abingdon, Virginia - when to go, where to stay, and our favorite restaurants in Abingdon.

Easy Hikes at Grayson Highlands State Park

March 20, 2023 Amy Ragsdale

Grayson Highlands State Park is famous for its wild ponies and access to a beautiful section of the Appalachian Trail, but you’ll also find plenty of amazingly beautiful trails for those seeking shorter hikes.

Children especially enjoy the trails at Grayson Highlands, because some of the best trails are not only super short but all of them provide something fun along the trail like fun rock scrambling and typically lead to an incredible high elevation view or water feature.

3 Short Hikes In Badlands National Park Great For Kids

February 8, 2023 Amanda Luhn

You can arrive at this otherworldly landscape just 15 minutes after you left the car in Badlands National Park. This is Door Trail, one of 3 trails sharing the same parking area near the Northeast Entrance to the park.

Looking for something short and sweet to do in Badlands National Park? These 3 hikes- Door, Window, and Notch Trails- share one parking lot just 10 minutes from Interstate 90. All 3 trails are scenic and fairly easy trails that give a great taste of what makes the Badlands so special. Our kids really liked exploring them, especially climbing the fun ladder on Notch Trail.

Saddle Pass - Medicine Root - Castle Trail Loop Hike in Badlands National Park

February 6, 2023 Amanda Luhn

Overlook of Saddle Pass Trail — View down from a rock outcropping overlooking Saddle Pass Trail. One member of our group ran up but the rest of us elected to stay on the trail and wave up at him. You can see the trail ascending up the rock formations on the right of the picture.

Saddle Pass to Medicine Root Trail to Castle Trail is a nice day hike of about 4.8 miles that combines rock scrambling, strolling through the prairie, plus fantastic views out over the classic rock formations of the Badlands all in this one hike. Our family really enjoyed this hike - interesting and varied enough for the kids (but not too long) while the adults got to take lots of pretty photosand feel like they stretched their legs.

Easy Hikes Near Blowing Rock, NC

November 7, 2022 Amy Ragsdale

Two of my favorite family hikes are located on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Blowing Rock, NC. I have to admit, however, that I will always choose these hikes with or without the kiddos. They are just that good. Both Rough Ridge and Flat Top Tower trails offer incredible vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains and are worth every step.

A Simply Awesome Day In Shenandoah National Park With Kids: Spectacular Vistas, Waterfalls, And Several Easy And Fun Hikes

October 21, 2022 Amanda Luhn

View from rocks atop Bearfence Trail in Shenandoah National Park — This is the view you get a measly 25 min after you left the car on the awesome Bearfence trail, one of our favorites.

Looking for 360 views from the shortest hikes ever? Look no further than Shenandoah National Park. We loved our day in the park, hiking and rock scrambling and exploring the awesome and appropriately named Skyline Drive. It is easy to get Shenandoah from interstate 81, has lots of hikes for all ages, 5 campgrounds or 2 historic lodges to stay in, and some of the best sunset views from a park I have ever seen. Don’t drive past the signs for Shenandoah on I-81, stop for half a day (or several days) and get to know this fabulous national park.

Why We Love Theodore Roosevelt Island In Washington DC

October 13, 2022 Amanda Luhn

The pedestrian bridge from the Rosslyn side of the Potomac that leads to Theodore Roosevelt Island — The pedestrian bridge leading to the island in the middle of the Potomac River.

While Washington. DC is a fantastic family vacation destination, packed with museums and historical monuments, sometimes you need an activity that just lets the kids run a little and provides you with a little serenity. Enter Theodore Roosevelt Island, an urban forest dedicated to our conservationist 26th President. Take a walk in the woods just steps away from the National Mall and find my favorite off the beaten path memorial in DC.

Hiking Black Elk Peak With Kids

September 21, 2022 Amanda Luhn

Are you into hiking the tallest peaks in every state? Or big hikes with big rewards but still doable for most families? Either way, Black Elk Peak should be on your to-do list when visiting the Black Hills. Our whole family enjoyed this hike even though it was fairly strenuous. Not only does the top have fantastic 360 views of the Black Hills (the big reward), but the trails up and down were full of impressive rock formations, showy fall colours, and even some mountain goats who took time out of their busy mountain goating to pose for me.

Wind Cave National Park- An Absolute Must Do Addition To Your Black Hills Vacation Itinerary

August 1, 2022 Amanda Luhn

Sign showing the cave below at Wind Cave National Park — I loved the scenery above and below the ground at Wind Cave National Park. It was amazing to think of the miles of cave under us that we just got to explore.

Wind Cave is a fantastic national park that often gets overlooked in comparison to its more famous neighbors in the Black Hills of South Dakota. We are here to tell you—you should definitely add Wind Cave to your Black Hills vacation itinerary as it is not to be missed! Touring one of the most unique cave systems in the world was a lot of fun for our entire family. Afterwards, take a lovely hike through the prairie where the kids can now say they have walked over and under the same part of the Earth. Not something you can say too often! And to make it all even better, the wildlife watching was some of the best in the Black Hills.

Your Guide To Norris Dam State Park

February 18, 2020 Amanda Luhn

Overlooking Norris Dam and Norris State Park

Norris Dam State Park makes for a perfect place to spend a day (or a few days!) with the family. Go explore Norris Lake on a rented pontoon boat or a paddleboard or hike on one of the park’s many trails. Or maybe go fishing, camping, mountain biking, or learn some TVA and Appalachian history at the Dam Visitor Center or the Lenoir Museum. Norris Dam State Park is a fantastic family destination with something for everyone.

The Definitive Guide To Cloudland Canyon State Park

November 15, 2019 Amanda Luhn

Clouds + canyon = you can see how Cloudland Canyon got its name

Hiking, biking, waterfalls, cabins, tents, and yurts- what’s not to love about Cloudland Canyon State Park. Oh yeah.. it also has some pretty spectacular views too. Find out everything you need to know about this wonderful state park.

Yes, You Can Hike The Narrows In Zion With Kids: Everything You Need to Know

July 8, 2018 Amanda Luhn

The Narrows is one of my favorite hikes. Ever.

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.

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