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.

Stay In A Yurt At Grayson Highlands State Park—It’s Simply Awesome!

September 18, 2023 Amy Ragsdale

Grayson Highlands State Park in Virginia is one of my favorite places in the world. I love the mountain balds with wild ponies grazing, the easy access to great trails with amazing views, and the high elevation of the park. The tent camping at Grayson Highlands, however, isn’t great. The sites are too small and close to each other. The work around? Stay in a yurt! Yurt 2, also known as “Split Rock” was our home for 2 nights during the first week of June. Read my full review.

The Insider’s Guide To Kiawah Island

August 29, 2023 Amy Ragsdale

Girl walking on beach at Kiawah Island with flock of seagulls

My family has been visiting Kiawah Island in South Carolina for the last 20 years. It’s our favorite beach destination in the South, because you can bike to everywhere on the island, the beach is wide and 10 miles long, and there’s not a hi-rise to be found here. This Insider’s Guide to Kiawah Island provides everything you need to know to plan your next family vacation- best places to stay, where to eat, things to do, and all the tips and knowledge we’ve gained on our vacations here.

Family Vacation To Yellowstone

August 27, 2023 Amy Ragsdale

Yellowstone National Park Grand Prismatic Spring

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!

A Simply Awesome Day in Yellowstone National Park

July 28, 2023 Amy Ragsdale

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.

A Simply Awesome Day in Bozeman, Montana

May 26, 2023 Amy Ragsdale

View of the "M" from Petes Hill in Bozeman, MT

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.

Phelps Lake in Grand Teton National Park

May 5, 2023 Amy Ragsdale

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.

The Best Place To Swim In Grand Teton National Park

May 5, 2023 Amy Ragsdale

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.

Highlights And Tips For Visiting Glacier National Park

April 26, 2023 Amy Ragsdale

Mountain goats on the Hidden Lake Trail in Glacier National Park — Mountain goats on the Hidden Lake Trail

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.

Grand Teton National Park With Kids-What To See and Do

April 25, 2023 Amy Ragsdale

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.

Capitol Reef National Park- It’s So Worth It!

April 24, 2023 Amy Ragsdale

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!

Cool Off In The Clear Water of Lake Jocassee in South Carolina

March 25, 2023 Amy Ragsdale

The beautiful, clear water of Lake Jocassee

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.

How To Get Cheap Tickets For Broadway Shows- What You Need To Do Pre-Trip And Why Visiting Box Offices Is Worth It

March 25, 2023 Amanda Luhn

Times Square in NYC lit up with lots of neon billboards advertising Broadway shows — Times Square in NYC on a cloudy March day. This is basically your starting place for Broadway shows as almost all of the theaters are a short walk from here. We took the subway here each morning as we headed out on our hunt for cheap tickets for one of the many, many musicals to choose from on Broadway. A little work and some luck led us to some great seats and some great shows.

Find out how we scored cheap tickets for 5 Broadway musicals in 5 days. (And also how I am an obsessive researcher and planner.) With a combination of a lot of pre-trip internet surfing, some walking around, and a little luck, we saw 5 fantastic shows on Broadway for less than $300 per person. I will give you all the details of how we did it- from how the ticket lotteries work, to what rush tickets are, and why walking around to box offices can really pay off.

Badlands National Park And The Black Hills With Kids- An Awesome 6 Day South Dakota Itinerary

March 20, 2023 Amanda Luhn

Looking down on Saddle Pass Trail in Badlands National Park — Waving at my brother from the top of Saddle Pass trail in Badlands National Park. He climbed up to this overlook but I was pretty content with the view where we were, which was fantastic. Of course, the views were pretty fantastic everywhere in Badlands.

This 6 day itinerary includes a complete itinerary for 6 days in South Dakota visiting Wind Cave National Park, hiking Black Elk Peak in Custer State Park, Mount Rushmore, biking the Mickelson Trail, Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, and of course Badlands National Park.

A Simply Awesome Day Biking The Mickelson Trail in The Black Hills Of South Dakota With Kids

December 5, 2022 Amanda Luhn

Mickelson Bike trail in the Black Hills of South Dakota — I mean, who wouldn’t want to spend the day looking at scenery like this?

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!

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.

Think You Shouldn't Travel to Alaska in January? Think Again.

November 1, 2022 Amanda Luhn

View from the bucket in a dog sled in Alaska — Mushing was never on my bucket list and it should have been. So much fun.

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.

3 Family Fall Getaways in the North Carolina Mountains

October 20, 2022 Amy Ragsdale

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.

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.

The United States Botanic Garden- An Oasis Of Calm In A Sea Of Tourists

October 10, 2022 Amanda Luhn

US-Botanic-Garden-Capitol-Washington-DC (1).jpg — You can see how big the Conservatory is in the US Botanic Garden and how close it is to the US Capitol building. It is such a great place to explore.

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.

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