From picnics in open spaces to stepping back in time with visits to historical sites, nature excursions to walking and driving tours, small towns offer options for off-the-beaten path getaways. All provide plenty of relaxation and outdoor adventures, with fewer crowds and room to wander.
But, planning trips can be so frustrating … especially when your kids are bored and begging for ideas on something fun to do … away from the backyard! “Traveling with kids shouldn’t be so hard. We wanted to make family trips easy so, we researched and wrote books about years of experiences,” says Family Travel Mom, Michele Z. KIDS LOVE TRAVEL GUIDES include great hints on what kids like best.
Kids can discover places to race and fly over giant sand dunes or just dip your toes in the water. Watch a butterfly form before your eyes or learn the secrets of a perfect children’s garden.
Another weekend you’ll discover where ponies swim and dolphins dance, or dig into archaeology and living history. Search for real treasure, pirates, castles and lost civilizations. Cross prairies, romp around forts, or venture on journeys of Indians and explorers.
And what about the wonders of nature – the roar of the falls, fossils, fish ladders or pine forests. Rent a boat to traverse a new river or smile at the antics of baby animals in zoos.
The books provide all the details a family needs to
know (i.e. maps, directions, websites, prices, reviews) to save lots of
time. PLUS:
The ACTIVITY INDEX is helpful. Choose to explore Animals & Farms, Outdoor Exploring, or Historical sites that often have walking trails and gardens.
Limited budget, don’t worry – each book finds lots of places to visit for little or no charge!
Packed full of over 500 places designed for children between the ages of 2-15. Updated regularly.
Quick look Favorites in each region.
Tried & true Suggested Lodging & Dining that appeal to kids. Often we mention candy shops & Mom & Pop ice cream shops around the corner from major attractions.
The series offers 16 regional travel guides: Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, The Carolinas, Virginia, Wisconsin, I-75 & I-95
Grab your KIDS LOVE TRAVEL GUIDE and Create your own old-fashioned Road Trips! Books can be purchased at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Updates are on https://kidslovetravel.com/travel-books/
(Morning tour starts at hotel lobby at 10am and ends at 12:30pm for lunch)
Come explore the Philadelphia of the people caught up in the world changing events of 1776. I will lead you through Old City Philadelphia, including: Independence Mall, home of the Liberty Bell, and Independence Hall to learn about the people shaping our early republic. We will then continue to Benjamin Franklin’s grave to learn about the famous Philadelphian, Arch Street Meeting House to explore the role of the Quakers, Betsy Ross’ House where we get insight into the role of women, Elfreth’s Alley to meet the everyday people of revolutionary Philadelphia and Christ Church, the place of worship for many prominent Philadelphians. We’ll grab lunch at an original cheesesteak place, Campos.
Independence Hall requires timed tickets reserved well in advance. I have secured them! (You must confirm you want to go to get one). Betsy Ross House is $10.00. Others free or donation. This walking tour is within 6 blocks of the hotel. We’ll stop back at the Hotel to freshen.
Campo’s Steak & Hoagies Campo’s is a family run sandwich shop that has been making Philly’s best cheesesteaks, hoagies, and specialty sandwiches since 1947. Those in the know order their cheesesteak with two words only: cheese selection (provolone, American or Whiz) and “wit” or “without” onions. Campo’s is proudly served at Citizens Bank Park and is the official cheesesteak of the Philadelphia Flyers. 214 Market Street (2nd & Market)
PART TWO – Experience Center City Philly LOVE! (Tour starts at hotel lobby at 1:15pm and ends about 3:15pm)
LOVE Park is most famously the home of Robert Indiana’s iconic LOVE statue, which has resided in the space almost continuously since 1976. The park is located near City Hall, offering views of the architectural treasure, including William Penn’s statue. Since Rocky’s first triumphant onscreen run up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art in 1976, the 72 steps have become an international destination. Those interested can trek up the stairs, pumping their fists in the air as they cherish the spectacular view of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and the city skyline. Cheesey? Definitely. Fun? Absolutely!
On the way to/from the Rocky photo ops, we’ll grab an iced coffee and a treat from Federal Donuts. We’ll end our Highlights tour with a cold one at Independence Beer Garden and a view of where we started, Independence Park. The afternoon tour is a lot of city and parkway walking. If it’s too hot or stormy, we’ll take a PHLASH bus or modify the plan.
Federal Donuts – People come here for one thing: deep-fried joy! It’s delivered in the form of Korean-style chicken, with a variety of rubs and glazes, and hot fresh or fancy doughnuts in constantly changing flavors like cinnamon brown sugar, blueberry pancake, strawberry lavender and chocolate éclair — and coffee, of course. 1776 Benjamin Franklin Parkway or 1632 Sansom Street, https://federaldonuts.com/
Independence Beer Garden, is an expansive, all-American beer garden overlooking Independence National Historic Park. The Beer Garden is a lovely spot to sit back and enjoy a cold beer on a warm summer day. They also offer a great Happy Hour with items like tasty Sliders and fresh chips and guacamole. HAPPY HOUR | WEDNESDAY – SUNDAY | 3PM – 7PM (everything $5-$7.00). https://www.phlbeergarden.com/
Lunch/Shopping/Snacking suggestion (7 blocks from hotel):Reading Terminal Market – Set below a former railroad terminal, Center City’s 127-year-old Reading Terminal Market serves as both a tourist destination and a trusted source for fresh food for locals. The public space provides open seating where customers can enjoy a world of cuisines from dozens of restaurants, including Pennsylvania Dutch and sandwich slingers like DiNic’s, serving up hot roast pork sandwiches that rival the city’s much-lauded cheesesteaks. Retail merchants sell housewares, jewelry, linens and more. There’s a gift shop selling Philly LOVE souvenirs and a Philly Pretzel shop, too. 51 N. 12th Street https://readingterminalmarket.org/
Happy Hour or Dinner suggestion (Uber, near walkable, posh, Rittenhouse Square): Harp & Crown – Its glass-façade, 24-foot ceilings, and chandeliers are glamorous pieces balanced with funky vintage wallpaper and leather club chairs, millwork and natural tones throughout the space. Guests enjoy new-American dishes amongst the space including a 32-seat bar. Featured here: pizzas, small plates and seasonal fare — and a two-lane bowling alley tucked in the basement called Elbow Lane (reservations required for groups of nine or more; based on availability, smaller parties can walk in). Happy Hour | Walk-In @ Bar + Lounge: 4:00pm – 7:00pm. 1525 Sansom Street, http://harpcrown.com
KIDS LOVE I-95 – Your Family Travel Guide to I-95. 500 Kid-Tested Fun Stops & Unique Spots from the Mid-Atlantic to Miami
Welcome to Side-Tripping with Kids – a New Way to Travel Quick Stops along I-95.
SideTrips!: travel just minutes off the interstate to learn of hidden messages and historic secrets. Fly in Space and see priceless national treasures. Escape rooms full of bugs, enchanted gardens, explosive museums, pirate ships, and haunted lighthouses & forts. See George Washington’s teeth, experience a Civil War battle, and find the elusive Fountain of Youth.
We’ll tell you exactly how to find unique landmarks and favorite pit stops, too. Make spontaneous or planned sidetrips and get to know your favorite destinations better! All on a budget of time and money.
The print books are available at Bookstores and Online Retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble. NOTE: Amazonoften runs sales on our best selling titles each season.Our travel guides are best suited to print books so you can easily mark and highlight places you want to visit next!
An Organized Family Travel Guide to Exploring “Kid-Friendly” Pennsylvania – 600 Fun Stops & Unique Spots
Your kids will love finding where to discover Oil and take a tram ride deep into Coal Mines…hike along tall trees, great lakes, waterfalls and grand canyons…tour fun Snack Food Factories…twist your own Pretzel…take a peak at Polar Bears and Groundhogs…travel around Train Curves and Inclines…or, “meet” Ben Franklin, Abraham Lincoln and even see some real Christopher Columbus stuff!
Each chapter is a day trip zone including points of interest, events and suggested lodging and dining options.
Save Time. New features include QUICK TOURS and web resources to quickly help you make the most of a short trip in each chapter. Searching countless hours on the internet? We give you fast travel facts, prices, and our kid-tested reviews for every listing. We did the work so you don’t have to.
Save Money. Once you purchase the book you’ll have access to a special page of online updates that keeps your book FRESH for years. Plus, we’ve found many places to visit for little or no charge.
The books are available at Bookstores and Online Retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
On a recent trip we found a wonderful base hotel, The Beach House, from which we could play. Comfortable rooms, right on the beach, good food and drink served at the Porch and Tiki Hut, a spacious pool area with loads of lounge chairs, and the best part, easy access to all this island offers!
The Porch drinks poolsidelunchbox kids meal (safe from sand and water)
We puttered around the island, too, and can offer some insider tips:
Coastal Discovery Museum: A great spot for learning about the history and the Lowcountry’s natural surroundings. The kids can romp and play around history and unique natural environs. The grounds are free to access, and they hold regular hands-on learning events:
hands on activitieskids roombutterfly housesalt marshstorytime arealive oaks look like octopus treesCoastal Discovery Museum
Sea Pines Resort: Hilton Head Island’s original resort, and home of the PGA Tour’s RBC Heritage. Explore the natural history or ancient Native American shell rings at the Sea Pines Forest Preserve, shop at Harbour Town, visit the animals at Lawton Stables or the Salty Dog at South Beach Marina.
Sandbox Children’s Museum: An interactive and sensory experience for kids. This brand-new building opened just two years ago. While you are there, check out the Lowcountry Celebration park, Hilton Head Island’s newest and award-winning park, complete with a playground modeled on a replicate of the Adventure – the ship in which Capt. William Hilton discovered the island. It’s located in the popular Coligny district – where the Beach House is located.
Harbour Town Lighthouse: A climb to the top is a history lesson of Hilton Head Island, and the views of the Calibogue Sound offer a beautiful view – especially during sunset. https://harbourtownlighthouse.com/
Kids can easily climb this lighthouse and the reward is the walk around the top!
Bluffton parks: Just over the bridge of Hilton Head is Bluffton, which has been growing with young families. Their parks are state-of-the-art: Oscar Frazier, Wright Family, Martin Family, and DuBois. Bluffton is also home to a thriving arts and culinary scene, as well as the beloved Thursday Farmers Market. https://www.visitbluffton.org/
Get on the water: Family-friendly adventure on the water. They offer dolphin tours, kayak and boating excursions, and so much more.
Biking is one of the best ways to see the island! Hilton Head Island is a Gold-Level Biking Community and with over 50 miles of back paths, it’s easy to get around on two wheels.
Beach: Make sure you catch the sunrise! There’s also no better way to spend your day than on the beach.
Places to eat: there are a dozen ice cream shops and candy shops. Best kids meals are found at the Salty Dog and the Crazy Crab. Order a seafood boil and share it as a family.
Virginia is for love and February 14th is the perfect time to introduce a new edition of KIDS LOVE VIRGINIA, An Organized Family Travel Guide to Kid-Friendly Virginia! All the listings have been UPDATED, about a dozen places closed (mostly little museums that didn’t survive the pandemic shutdown), yet a handful of new places opened or added significant new attractions.
The print books are available at Bookstores and Online Retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble. NOTE: Amazonoften runs sales on our best selling titles each season.Our travel guides are best suited to print books so you can easily mark and highlight places you want to visit next!
ALL INCLUSIVE RESORTS – Mom or Dad at a conference in a tourist town? Why not stay, work and play together and maybe never have to leave the property. Consider Resort Conference complexes.
But are these resorts too elegant? At a maximum, we look for relaxed elegance. Here’s a rundown of all the family-friendly amenities we explored during a recent visit: (we never needed to leave the property for three days):
· Kids Nite Out (weekend evenings for ages 4-14 with extra hourly fee) offering a variety of supervised activities…play areas, group games, computers, arts and crafts, movies, board games, treasure hunts.
· Guest Rooms – include high-speed internet connection, modern flat screen TVs, mini-frig and spacious, high fluff beds.
· Full service Spa
· 18-hole golf course (golf camps for kids)
· Fishing dock and lake
· Many pools, including a lap pool, family pool, adult quiet pool and kiddie wading pool plus jacuzzis
· Hiking trails with interpretive signs
· Two lighted tennis courts
· Sand volleyball, bocce ball
· Video game room
· Horseshoes, ping pong
· Complimentary equipment available for some sports, by reservation thru the fitness spa area.
· Complimentary bus shuttle to major theme parks in the area
· Loads of restaurants on premises. The Cafés are our favorite because most are open 24 hours (late night or early morning eaters) and serve absolutely wonderful, freshly made in front of you, salads and sandwiches.
Our budget travel tips for making Holiday Getaways more affordable.
Besides using one of our guidebooks to get unique ideas for places to go, here are some other suggestions we offer.
1. PLAN 2 – 4 ACTIVITIES within a one hour drive time of each other. Base you choices on the season of year. Holiday Trolley Tours are so fun – singing carols and sipping hot cocoa…invite cousins, grandparents, etc. along.
2. If your budget allows, have the VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH A TV unit. Play Christmas movies all the way…
3. Choose FAMILY FRIENDLY LODGING. Our family “vacations for a living” so we found budget hotels the norm. We joined hotel memberships and charge cards. We look for hotels with indoor pools and free breakfast. For some reason, if they offer both, they are more likely to be clean and family-friendly environments.
4. HISTORY is easy, if you SNEAK IT IN! Engage your kids by learning with Santa and his elves. Historical homes are basically boring to tour in the summer, but near the holidays, what stuffy old house doesn’t smell sweet with the scent of cinnamon and gingerbread cookies?
What about you?
Do you have some tricks you’ve learned that make traveling to visit relatives at Christmas less stressful but still inexpensive and fun?
Do you ever wonder if your kids would want to join you on a short journey back to your hometown? Wonder more what it would be like to be a tourist in your own town?
Sometimes, as your children age, it’s time to change things up a bit.
Over Christmas Break, I presented my kids with a present of a trip to just one city, just one part of the city – downtown (pittsburgese: pronounced dahntahn) PITTSBURGH – my birth town.
Here’s how I suggest you set this up: (no matter the town)
1. Book a hotel downtown – one with an indoor pool, restaurant, and downtown shuttle service is best.
2. Find the best way to see downtown in all it’s splendor. Most often that is some sort of transport.
3. Try a local history museum – discover trivia you probably never knew…
4. Gravitate to any cultural area of shopping/dining/markets so you can sample the “flavors” of the city.
I live in the Midwest so we’re used to seasons. And…any sports fan knows the change of sesaons means the change in sports played too.
We decided to explore a City of Champions – Pittsburgh, PA – just for its sports.
Take a Guided Tour
After a short (1 to 2 hour) tour you have the lay of the land.
Use Shuttles
Many big sports cities offer shuttle service to/from nearby hotels or major attractions right to the front door (or dock) of the sports arena/field.
Gateway Clipper tours and shuttles on the river
Go to Games
Pro Baseball/Hockey/Soccer games often have tickets available for a fair price.
Heinz Field pregame activities
Go Behind the Scenes
Take a stadium tour or attend a training camp.
Try to Find Sports History
Usually it isn’t hard to find a local museum with plenty of local sports history memorabilia.
Pick Lodging and Dining
With a local flare or within a short walk/shuttle to games.
Some of our favs:
Marriott Pittsburgh City Center – The official hotel of the Pittsburgh Penguins is right next to the Consol Center (home of Penguins NHL Hockey). Uptown flair. Take their shuttle to the games or the Strip. Within 6-8 blocks of most downtown shopping/dining.
Cambria Suites Pittsburgh at Consol Energy Center. Friendliest shuttle drivers ever. Lots of sports fans stay here.
Pamelas Diner crepe pancakesPamelas Diner crowded
THE STRIP! Blocks of pure Pittsburgh. Along the Allegheny River just northeast of Downtown is the mile-long stretch known as The Strip District. Here, industrial and warehouse spaces have been reclaimed to support a bustling marketplace. During the day, this area serves as Pittsburgh’s most popular market district, offering the freshest foodstuffs, including enticing polish, irish, italian, and greek smells wafting from the door fronts and dozens of street and store vendors selling much “BLACK AND GOLD”. (the Strip: pg 305 of KIDS LOVE PENNSYLVANIA)
For those of you following along by means of KIDS LOVE PENNSYLVANIA, pages 291 thru 313 . We promise, with our books as your base we give you all the help you need to plan any daytrips – even the Sports fanatic kind!
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