Picture a series of pristine alpine lakes nestled between mountain peaks and jagged ridges. There’s a small slice of wilderness in the central Cascades of Washington known as the Enchantments, and hiking-in is the only way to access this area of astounding natural beauty. My husband Rick recently spent 6-days backpacking through the area with 3 other hiking buddies on an adventure that began and ended at the Snow Lake trailhead near Leavenworth. Although I’m not a backpacker, I’m really excited to share some of his pictures and stories from this special place.
*Updated January, 2024
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Planning a trip to Hawaii can be a bit overwhelming, especially for first-timers. Researching what island(s) to visit along with must-do activities can be very time consuming. During all my trip research and conversations with friends, Maui kept popping up as the island that offered the perfect mix of activities (several free or low cost) and tropical island beauty for our first family trip to Hawaii. We ended up staying in Kihei, which turned out to be a central location for all the things we wanted to do during our Maui family vacation. Here’s my suggestions for 8 family-friendly things to do on Maui that we enjoyed that will give you a flavor of the beauty that makes Hawaii so special.
*Updated March, 2023  We just got back from a relaxing weekend with friends in the mountains in Southwest Virginia. It’s a place where the highway winds through the mountains, the rivers are wide, and the towns are small. Lately I’ve been spending more time in this part of the state, and I’ve come to appreciate many of the special things this quieter part of Virginia has to offer. There are plenty of outdoor options, like hiking, biking and water activities, especially during the warmer months, along with the opportunity to experience small town charm and homegrown music. So next time you are heading on Interstate 81 in Virginia, take some time to check out these 5 cool things to do along the way.
*Updated July, 2022  During our recent Maui family vacation, driving the iconic Road to Hana was at the top of our must do list, and now I understand why it's so highly recommended. Starting in the town of Paia, this popular stretch of highway heads east for 64 miles towards the small town of Hana, and showcases much of the natural beauty of Maui. Along the way you will find numerous waterfalls, a spectacular black sand beach and plenty of scenic vistas. The road is rather narrow in spots, with over 54 bridges, many which only allow for a single lane of traffic to pass, as well as over 600 curves with a minimal shoulder in many spots. You can choose to leave the driving to someone else as part of a tour, but I think it’s best viewed on your own time. Read on for 6 tips to help make the most of your drive, along with a short list of our favorite stops along the spectacular Road to Hana.
*Updated May, 2022 
As this post is published, it’s National Park Week, a time to celebrate the spectacular places around the U.S. that belong to all of us. Over the last 10 years, our family has taken several road trips to visit many national parks, including iconic parks like the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. But one of my favorite road trips was the one we took to the Four Corners region and beyond of the Southwest. We spent 13 days exploring, making a loop from Albuquerque, New Mexico, through Colorado, Utah and Arizona and back to New Mexico. The places we visited on that trip had some of the most unusual landscapes in the U.S., particularly 3 Utah National Parks - Arches National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion National Park. Here are some things to know and tips to help you plan a visit to see these unique national parks in Utah. *This post was updated January, 2024 
When you visit Washington, DC, you'll find plenty of advice about what to see, where to eat and how to get around. Of course, there are all the wonderful monuments and memorials on the National Mall, along with the amazing (and free) Smithsonian museums. But after living in the DC suburbs for many years, we’ve found that there are also many other cool things to do around town. Check out this list of 10 fun things to do around Washington, DC and be sure to read our guide to visiting the city, with tips and resources to help plan a visit.
*This post was updated March, 2019 
If someone asked me to describe Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, I would say it reminds me of an east coast beach town without the beach! Think of a place with tons of attractions for kids of all ages, a variety of lodging options, and plenty of restaurants and ice cream shops. Throw in a scenic mountain location just a short drive from Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and you have a family-friendly vacation destination with something for everyone. Our road trip to Tennessee was inspired by my daughter's invitation to a school related conference in Nashville, and Pigeon Forge seemed like an ideal spot to explore before heading to Nashville. We were not disappointed with all the things to do in Pigeon Forge plus the fun activities in the surrounding area.
*This post was updated April, 2022  As 2016 comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on familyTravelsUSA and how it has impacted my travel experiences. My initial purpose was to simply share a few family road trips but I can look back now and see that it has been a great personal motivator for me to seek out and share new adventures in the United States. Along the way, I hope that I have provided inspiration for readers to explore new places both across the country and in their own backyard. My kids may not remember every detail of every single place we have visited, but I’m happy knowing that I have exposed them to the great outdoors, iconic national parks, new foods, big cities small towns, and tons of fun adventures from coast to coast. So as you plan your next vacation, consider these 7 reasons to explore the USA in 2017 and beyond, no passport required!
*This post was updated December, 2020 
Fall is in the air, with clear blue skies and cooler temperatures throughout most of the U.S. If you are like me, schedules get busy and traveling slows down a bit. Spending a day or weekend at a state park is the perfect way to get out and enjoy this beautiful weather. While America’s state parks may not get as much media attention as their national park counterparts, their popularity has grown in recent years with more and more people heading outdoors. This is largely due to the accessibility of many parks, especially for day trips. Many state parks are also pet-friendly. For inspiration, I’ve reached out to fellow travel bloggers from around the country who have weighed in with some their favorites, each with a link to a blog post with more details. Check out these 8 state parks for fall travel and start planning a day or weekend fall family outing.
*This post was updated August, 2022  Virginia may not rank as one of the largest in square miles, but the geographic diversity across the state always surprises me. Over the past few years, I’ve found myself spending more time in Southwestern Virginia, a part of the state which I had explored sporadically over the years. What had I been waiting for? The mountain views are spectacular, and the opportunities for outdoor adventures plentiful. Last spring, I was lucky to discover a small slice of the New River Trail, not far off Interstate 81 in Hiwassee. It’s part of New River Trail State Park, which is a unique linear park running parallel to the New River for almost 40 miles. Fall is the perfect time to head to southwestern Virginia and checkout New River Trail State Park for yourself, and here are 3 fun things to do when you get there.
*This post was updated August, 2022. |
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