Whether you cycle the entire 109 miles or just rent a bike for an afternoon, the Mickelson Trail is an awesome adventure for the whole family. It is an absolutely gorgeous ride through some of the most beautiful parts of the Black Hills. With 4 train tunnels and over a hundred bridges, not to mention rolling hills, open pastures, and old gold mines dotting the trail, there is plenty to look at and enjoy on the Mickelson Trail!
Read moreEasy Hikes Near Blowing Rock, NC
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.
Read moreThink You Shouldn't Travel to Alaska in January? Think Again.
Traveling to Fairbanks in January turned out to be a much better idea than I thought it was going to be. When my friends invited me on the Alaskan vacation they were planning, my first thought was "Alaska? In January? Have you met me???" But a chance to check off an elusive bucket list item, the Northern Lights, got me on a cross-country plane flight to Fairbanks, Alaska hauling a suitcase stuffed with warm clothing.
Read more3 Family Fall Getaways in the North Carolina Mountains
The hot temperatures have subsided, the leaves have started to turn, the apples trees are ready for harvest, and the water cooler talk has turned to college football. It must finally be fall! Now is a great time to get the family together to enjoy an easy scenic hike, go apple picking, pitch a tent, or stroll down Main Street. So pack up the family and check out these 3 great fall getaways to Asheville, Brevard, and Bryson City, NC.
Read moreWhy We Love Theodore Roosevelt Island In Washington DC
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.
Read moreThe United States Botanic Garden- An Oasis Of Calm In A Sea Of Tourists
Looking for a something a little bit different in Washington DC and without the overwhelming crowds? Try the US Botanic Garden, a gorgeous cacophony of green right by the Capitol Building. You can visit a tropical rainforest, a desert, and see carnivorous plants among lots of other things in the huge greenhouse, and kids will enjoy exploring all the nooks and crannies of the outdoor gardens. Our family always enjoys a stop here to escape the crowds of the other attractions on the National Mall.
Read moreMy Favorite Art Museum For The Whole Family In Washington, DC
Looking for a non intimidatingly large art museum that the kids will actually find interesting? The National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museums are a 2 for 1 special that our family has always enjoyed. Sharing one building and one theme (the story of America through its art and people), we make it a scavenger hunt for the kids to find portraits of certain presidents or influential people that impacted America. Because the museum isn’t on the Mall, it doesn’t get quite as busy as some of the other attractions in DC, an always appreciated bonus!
Read moreHiking Black Elk Peak With Kids
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.
Read moreWind Cave National Park- An Absolute Must Do Addition To Your Black Hills Vacation Itinerary
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.
Read moreFamily Skiing at Bozeman’s Bridger Bowl
Having skied at the destination resort of Big Sky for the last decade, our family decided to try something different. Don’t get me wrong- we still love Big Sky Resort with its endless choice of terrain and trails. We ultimately decided to go just one hour north of Big Sky Resort to check out Bozeman’s local ski area at Bridger Bowl.
Read moreSki Discovery In Montana Is A Discovery Worth Finding
Discovery Ski Area in western Montana is a discovery worth finding. Fabulous runs, uncrowded, nice variety of terrain, uncrowded, inexpensive, family-friendly, did I mention uncrowded? We had a wonderful day skiing here with the family and everyone agreed more people should know about this place. Or wait, maybe they shouldn’t???
Read moreSequoyah Birthplace Museum And Fort Loudoun State Park- Family Fun In East Tennessee
Looking for a day of fun outside with maybe a little education thrown in? Then spend the day reliving the French and Indian War at Fort Loudoun and learning about Sequoyah’s remarkable alphabet at these two fantastic sites on beautiful Tellico Lake. Afterwards, enjoy a lakeside picnic or rent a kayak or standup paddleboard from the park’s Visitor Center. All in all, a perfect day!
Read moreThe Definitive Guide To Cloudland Canyon State Park
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.
Read moreExperience Southern Charm In The Upstate- A Weekend Getaway In Greenville With The Family
Looking for someplace new to discover but only have a weekend to spend? Look no further than Greenville, South Carolina. Repeatedly making “best of” lists because of its amazing restaurant scene and the fantastic Swamp Rabbit Trail, your family will have a fabulous weekend of fun in this charming small city.
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 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 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 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 more