 When you visit Joshua Tree National Park, you’ll find more than just hiking, rock climbing, star gazing, and viewing the iconic Joshua trees. The park is home to Keys Ranch, a place where you feel like you have stepped back in time, surrounded by artifacts from an old movie set in the middle of the desert. In fact, since 1975, this spot in Joshua Tree National Park has been listed on the National Historic Register. The artifacts at Keys Ranch set the scene for a story of grit and determination of Bill Keys and his family. I wasn’t sure initially if this 90 minute ranger-led tour would fit in with our two day itinerary for Joshua Tree National Park, but it was actually a nice break after a few hikes in the morning and lunch. Here’s 3 reasons to book the Keys Ranch Tour on your visit to Joshua Tree National Park, plus a few favorite photos.
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If I’ve learned one thing about visiting America’s National Parks, it’s that each park truly offers something unique. California’s Joshua Tree National Park, home to two different desert ecosystems, the Colorado and the Mojave, is no exception. Our recent California trip to visit family gave us the opportunity to explore the park’s roughly 800,000 acres. So what’s special and what’s there to do in Joshua Tree? Experiences at the park span scenic drives, hiking and rock climbing to stargazing, ranger-guided tours at historic Keys Ranch, and unique flora and fauna. Read on to learn about our favorite Joshua Tree hikes, a two day plan for exploring the park, and tips you’ll want to save if you are planning a visit.
*This post was updated March, 2023 
Are you looking for a family-friendly vacation destination that offers a variety of outdoor activities? I’ve rounded up a list of ideas from fellow travel bloggers that includes diverse locations ranging from the coast of Oregon to the mountains of Virginia. They share their experience with what makes each destination special, along with ideas for things to do while you are there. After putting together this post, I’ve discovered a few new places that I have added to our travel list! Keep reading to learn more about 18 ideas for an active family vacation and start planning your next trip.
Do you always stay in a hotel when you take a vacation? Certainly the ease of booking, liberal cancellation policies, full amenities, and on-site dining are all great reasons to go this route. Over the years traveling as a family, we’ve had wonderful experiences in hotels of all shapes and sizes, including the Grand Beach Hotel Surfside in Florida with its rooftop pool, the spacious suites at the Magic Castle Hotel in Los Angeles (who can forget all the free snacks and drinks!), and the quaint Motel Del Rogue perched on a river in Oregon. But with a family of five, as the kids got older we quickly outgrew most hotel suites. That’s when we began searching for vacation home rentals and condominiums, through sites like VRBO and Airbnb. I remember nervously booking a cabin in the mountains of Tennessee, worried that I was sending money to a random stranger and there would be no recourse. Fast forward to 2022, and we now have quite a few vacation rental experiences under our belt. So whether it’s a long weekend or long vacation, here’s a few reasons to consider a vacation home rental, plus some things to know before you book.
 Have you ever considered taking a cooking class while on vacation? While making a meal with the locals in a picturesque town in Italy is still on my bucket list, I hadn’t really thought about it when we were planning our November trip to New Orleans. It was hard enough trying to decide where to eat, with so many amazing restaurants to choose from. In a place where the local cuisine has made a name for itself, taking a class at the New Orleans School of Cooking was the perfect way to learn the history behind some of the city’s iconic dishes. Each class combines the hospitality and history of New Orleans cuisine in a fun and engaging way. Chef instructors guide you through the steps for classic dishes like Crawfish Étouffée, Jambalaya, and Bread Pudding, weaving in the layers of global influence to the local cuisine and culture. So as you make your list of things to do in New Orleans, don’t miss adding a cooking class at the New Orleans School of Cooking.
When you first arrive in New Orleans, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of restaurants and bars that seem to be on every corner. But if you read 8 Fun Things to Do in New Orleans, you know that visitors can also find other fun ways to spend the day. On our recent trip, we had a few new experiences on our to-do list to round out our New Orleans getaway, including a museum visit and cooking demonstration class. So whether you want to explore the historic French Quarter, or make a visit to City Park, here’s 6 interesting things to consider as you make your list of things to do in New Orleans. And in case you get hungry along the way, I’ve included a few places we enjoyed to grab a bite to eat while you are in the neighborhood.
I don’t know about you, but as the weather turns cooler, I often feel this mad rush to get active outside! Now more than ever people are discovering the simple joy of spending time in nature. One easy way to get outdoors without traveling far from home is to head to your local state park. In Virginia, we are lucky to have 41 diverse parks scattered throughout the state. In the past year and a half alone, we have discovered natural wonders, waterfalls, bald eagles, and hidden places on the water. Plus we love that Virginia State Parks are both super family and dog-friendly, with many easy, accessible trails. Read on to discover 3 Virginia State Parks in particular that we think are worth exploring--Natural Bridge, Shenandoah River, and Mason Neck State Parks. Plus find ideas for other fun things to do near each park. And while you travel around the state keep a lookout for all the unique LOVEWorks, like the one above we found at Natural Bridge State Park.
Head to Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary For a Unique Kayaking Adventure9/3/2021 
Did you know there is a place less than an hour from Washington, DC where you can kayak through history? Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary in Charles County, Maryland gives you the chance to glide among the ‘Ghost Fleet’ — the remains of over 100 wooden steamships built as part of a massive World War I American shipbuilding effort. Even more amazing is the amount of life that this unique ecosystem now supports. Besides an abundance of marine life, common bird sightings include bald eagles, herons, ospreys, and cormorants. Not to mention the sanctuary is home to islands of vegetation woven into the skeletons of the sunken boats. Kayaking here will bring you up close and personal with both a piece of America’s history and the natural world. Here’s what you need to know before you spend the day kayaking and exploring at Mallows Bay in Maryland. May to September is the recommended time for this exciting outdoor adventure in the DC area, but of course it’s all weather dependent.
Have you ever planned a road trip just for food? I just did and it was so much fun! After reading stories about the legendary white clam pizza at Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana in New Haven, Connecticut, I knew I wanted to try it for myself. So when an opportunity to take a short road trip presented itself, I decided it was time to see what the buzz was all about! Plus I had been daydreaming about spending a summer day eating fried clams and lobster rolls at a waterfront New England clam shack. Since food was the primary focus of the trip, I convinced my adult son to join me for this last-minute mother/son adventure. We made the most of our short visit, even with torrential rains and delays due to a tropical storm that barreled through the area. In the end, we discovered 5 stops you won’t want to miss as you eat your way through coastal Connecticut.
Have you ever heard of the New River Gorge National River in West Virginia? Don’t let the name fool you, the New River is considered to be the second oldest river in the world. The area was recently redesignated, and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve became America’s 63rd national park. We recently spent a few days exploring this expansive, outdoor area and came away impressed by the scenic views and variety of activities. Like most of our national park visits, there was much to see and do, and not enough hours in the day. Besides the scenic mountains, the area offers multiple levels of hiking and mountain biking trails, white water rafting, rock climbing, fishing, and a thrilling opportunity on the New River Gorge Bridge Walk. As a bonus, the park has no entrance fees! Keep reading to find things to do at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, plus a few tips to know before you go.
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