Just a few short hours from Miami is a place where palm trees sway in the breeze, restaurants and tiki bars pop up along the blue-green water, and colorful signs greet you at many of the local shops. It’s the Florida Keys, a chain of islands connected from Key Largo to Key West by the Overseas Highway. Often people ask: Is the Florida Keys kid friendly? With state parks like Fort Zachary Taylor and Bahia Honda for swimming and snorkeling, the Key West Aquarium and colorful Mallory Square, and accommodations like the family friendly Hawks Cay Resort, there are plenty of things to do throughout the Keys. We found it to be the perfect place for a tropical summer family vacation. Our kids who were teens at the time enjoyed a variety of activities, from snorkeling to a ghost tour. Here are 10 things you should put on your list when visiting the Florida Keys with teens.
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One of my favorite things about the Mid-Atlantic area is the seemingly never-ending places to explore. And what better way to see them than from a bike trail. Besides the physical benefits of getting out on a bicycle, it’s the perfect way to view an area from a different perspective. One scenic bike trail that tops our list is the Mount Vernon Trail. You can’t beat the views of the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial as you pedal along the trail on the Virginia side of the Potomac River. Besides the popular DC bike trails, there are other wonderful places nearby well-suited for an active day or overnight trip from the DC area. These include Maryland’s Eastern Shore and bike-friendly Lewes, Delaware. Here you can combine fun cycling routes with delicious local food and drink. So if you live in DC, Maryland, or Virginia, and wonder Where are scenic bike trails near me? keep reading for our top picks throughout the Mid-Atlantic. Plus we include some favorite stops for coffee, a beautiful garden, and gelato!
Since I was a little girl, I have visited Rehoboth Beach, Delaware almost every summer. We would spend at least a week or two at the beach during the summer, along with weekends in the spring and fall, staying at our family cottage in nearby Dewey Beach. My childhood memories are filled with days on the beach, sailing in Rehoboth Bay, and nights roaming the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk. I continued this tradition with my own kids, creating new memories along the way. Although I have been to other beaches over the years, I am always drawn back to the Delaware beaches. Rehoboth Beach is located within easy driving distance from the Washington, DC area, and over the years has earned its nickname as the “Nation’s Summer Capital.” If you are looking for a great East Coast beach vacation spot, here are three good reasons why you should consider a warm-weather vacation at Rehoboth Beach. Plus keep reading for more activities in the area and a few tips from our many trips to Rehoboth over the years to help make the most of your visit.
 What do a bonsai museum, cherry blossoms, and the National Herb Garden have in common? Visitors can find all three and much more at the fabulous U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, D.C. A true gem in the city, this 451 acre facility less than 15 minutes from the U.S. Capitol was established by Congress in 1927 as a facility to conduct research for the U.S. Department of Agriculture while also providing public education programs and serving as a public garden. While slightly off the main tourist path, the National Arboretum in DC still draws over half a million visitors per year, and if you visit, you will understand why. It’s an easy drive from downtown DC, and there’s plenty of free parking in several lots found throughout the Arboretum. So here’s my 6 reasons to add a visit to the U.S. National Arboretum to your Washington, DC bucket list.
Are you planning a trip to Alaska? If so, you’ll want to spend at least a day or more visiting Denali National Park & Preserve. Ranked by landmass, Alaska holds claim to some of the largest national parks in the United States, with Denali coming in at number three at a whopping 6 million acres (with Wrangell-St. Elias and Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve at one and two, respectively). It’s certainly the largest national park that I have ever visited, with its namesake Denali towering at 20,310 feet. But don’t let the massive size scare you. There are activities for everyone, including easy hikes, bus tours, and a visit with the famous sled dogs. Whether you are visiting Alaska on a land trip or on a cruise, here are some things to do with at least two full days to spend enjoying the spectacular landscape of Denali National Park.
Now that the cold days of winter are here to stay, it’s a perfect time to daydream about spring weather and seeing the iconic Washington DC Cherry Blossoms. Any good DC bucket list should include a spring visit to see these beautiful trees in full bloom. You’ll find the majority of the trees, along with the largest crowds, near the Tidal Basin and East Potomac Park. Here’s 5 tips and things that we have learned over the years to help make the most of viewing DC's Cherry Blossoms. Be sure to read our helpful Guide to Visiting Washington, DC for more resources and things to do while you are in town.
Have you been to Denver lately? It had been a while since we visited, and the Mile-High City did not disappoint! We spent five days exploring Denver and the surrounding area and discovered it’s the perfect base for city adventures and outdoor recreation. The weather in mid-October was mild with sunny skies and moderate temperatures. Besides all the great things to do in downtown Denver, you don’t have to travel far from the city to find scenic parks like Roxborough State Park for hiking and outdoor activities. Plus there are easy day trips, including a spectacular train ride through Royal Gorge. As you make your list of things to do around Denver, Colorado, check out these 8 fun ways to explore the area, including several free things to do.
 Do you ever need a bit of inspiration to get ready for the holidays? A holiday, weekend getaway with dazzling lights, an outdoor holiday market, and gorgeous plants and flowers in all their seasonal glory might be just the inspiration you need! That’s exactly what we found during a December getaway to Philadelphia and Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania. The city sparkles with the scenes of the season during the holidays. The festivities kick off with the arrival of Santa at the end of the oldest Thanksgiving parade in the country, then move into high gear with holiday light displays and seasonal outdoor shopping. Once you’ve taken it all in, leave the city behind for an afternoon/evening stroll at Longwood Gardens, home to the magical A Longwood Christmas. It’s a December weekend getaway sure to put you in the holiday spirit!
*Updated for 2024 
It’s been a few years since I wrote 5 Cities in the USA with Fascinating Street Art. Since then I’ve embraced the chance to search for interesting murals in cities all around the country, with 3 more cities standing out for their sheer volume of art—Philadelphia, Denver, and Long Beach. While searching for street art may not be the first thing you think of when visiting a place like Philadelphia or Denver, it’s worth planning time to see the amazing works of art scattered throughout these cities. And, year after year, week-long festivals have brought new murals to Long Beach, California. Artists are being commissioned in each of these cities as part of larger art initiatives to not only revitalize neighborhoods but to share messages of hope or detail the history of a community. Here are more details of what to expect when it comes to street art in these 3 cities. You can make your own decision about which city should be crowned the mural capital of the USA!
When I started researching our 10 day trip in Alaska, I realized that spending time in Seward was a must-do for many reasons. Among other things, it is home to Kenai Fjords National Park, glaciers, and abundant marine life. Seward is about two and a half hours from Anchorage by car, but you would want to make time for stops along the way. It’s also a busy cruise port during the summer season. Whether you travel to Seward by the Alaska Railroad, bus, or car, you’ll enjoy beautiful scenery along the way. After arriving by train, our first view of Resurrection Bay and the snow-covered mountains gave us pause to stop and take it all in. We spent 3 days exploring Seward, which gave us a chance to enjoy activities like a wildlife cruise and kayaking during the day and the local restaurant scene at night. The jaw-dropping scenery on a Kenai Fjords National Park cruise is one of the top reasons to plan a visit to Seward.
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