 We all get excited when we are packing up our suitcases and heading out the door for vacation. But if you are like me, you hate the look your dog gives you every time you leave the house. So why not take them with you on your next weekend adventure? Luckily in the DC area and surrounding suburbs, there are many dog friendly spots, including several that are part of the national park system. So take a hike, a stroll along the Potomac River, have a picnic or just spend some time outdoors enjoying nature with your furry friend. Here are 4 adventures that have been dog tested for fun! And don't forget to bring lots of water and extra treats!
*This post was updated June, 2024
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Of all the cities we have visited as a family, I have to say that I was most excited when we planned our Pacific Northwest vacation. Maybe it was the allure of traveling to a part of the US that I had never been. The city has so much to offer, with a number of attractions that are especially appealing to tweens and teens. We didn’t get to do all of these on our trip, but #7 is definitely on my list for a future visit. Read on to learn about ten fun ideas for things to do with teens in Seattle.
*This post was updated March, 2023 
San Francisco is an awesome city for so many reasons. Not only does the city offer unique opportunities such as riding on cable cars and walking across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, there are plenty of nearby places you can visit in a day trip. We spent several days in San Francisco during a California road trip and loved every minute of it. Here are some suggestions for all ages of things to do in the San Francisco area, most which we were able to do during our three day visit.
*This post was updated March, 2023  Recently I had the chance to spend a long weekend in beautiful, southern California. It was a whirlwind trip for a family wedding, and the timing couldn’t have been better. Spending a few days in the warm California sun after shoveling mounds of snow during the January blizzard was the perfect family getaway. Unlike most of our trips, we had no big plans, other than to enjoy the wedding with family, walk on the sand and watch the sunset. It’s these same type of laid back activities that I always find myself coming back to whenever I visit, including a recent visit in 2022. So here are my 6 free (or really cheap) things to do in southern California.
*This post was updated March, 2022  One thing I love about the US is that you can find unique cities from coast to coast. Each has its own charm, ranging from history, museums and local foods, to unique parks and playgrounds. Our family road trips have always included spending time in cities big and small combined with visiting attractions and National Parks. It’s an awesome opportunity to explore activities that you might not find in your home town. For this post, I reached out to family travel bloggers near and far to come up with a list of their top 3 things to do in cities around the United States. From coast to coast you’ll find many family friendly ideas, each linked to a more detailed post. Hope your favorite city is on the list!
*This post was updated May, 2021. 
When this post was published in late 2015, the National Park Service was getting ready to celebrate their 100th birthday, and kicking off the Find Your Park initiative. The campaign was not only about national parks, but "state parks, local parks, trails, museums, historic sites and the many ways that the American public can connect with history and culture, enjoy nature, and make new discoveries.” Great Smoky Mountains National Park definitely fits the bill as a place to connect with all of the above. As part of the Appalachian Mountains, known to be some of the oldest mountains in the world, there are over a dozen peaks in the park with an elevation over 5,000 feet. Besides the expansive views, things to do at Great Smoky Mountains National Park include hiking, exploring historic structures, and viewing cascading waterfalls, along with searching for wildlife like elk and black bears. Each time we have visited over the years, we have discovered something new.
 As I put the finishing touches on this blog post, I hear the weatherman say that is going to be close to 70 degrees this weekend! All the more reason you should consider visiting DC during the colder months. Most tourists, as well as locals, tend to visit between March and October. But December and January are often wonderful times to see some of the more popular attractions like the National Archives Museum and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum because the crowds are much smaller (excluding the week between Christmas and New Year’s). With that said, the weather is never predictable, with 70 degrees temperatures one week and snow the next, so be prepared. You should always check before you go for any closings or late openings due to weather. Besides staying warm in all the free museums, here are five fantastic reasons to head to DC during the colder months.
 It’s that time of year again, when the weather starts to turn colder, and the sound of holiday music begins to fill the air. Make the season special by visiting one of the festive holiday markets that can be found throughout the US. Each offers a unique buying opportunity for that hard to please person on your list. As an update to last years post, Visit a Holiday Market, which highlighted 5 popular markets in the US, here are 3 more east coast venues to add to the list. So bundle up and try something different this holiday season.
 Imagine spending the day on an island that is home to plant and animal species found nowhere else in the world. You’re probably thinking you have to travel to the Galapagos Islands in South America, right? But did you know that the Channel Islands off the coast of California are home to 145 unique animal and plant species? Thousands of years of isolation have created this amazing natural environment, and in 1980, five of the eight Channel Islands (Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Anacapa, Santa Rosa and San Miguel) were designated as the Channel Islands National Park.
If you are in the DC area and are looking for something to do, why not head west for the day or evening and visit nearby Loudoun County. Depending on the time of day, in just a bit over an hour you can be driving on scenic country roads and visiting quaint small towns. You’ll find a mix of outdoor activities along with unique shopping and plenty of places for a picnic. Here are 5 ways you can enjoy this slice of countryside, including some of our favorite family activities.
This post was updated August, 2022 |
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