11 Ways to Have Fun in Wilmington, Delaware this Spring
Our family recently spent a wonderful weekend enjoying the historic sites, kid friendly attractions, beautiful parks, delicious food, and warm hospitality of Wilmington, Delaware. Spring is the perfect time to visit Wilmington, as many of the historic homes are opening for the season and the gardens are alive with vibrant flowers and plants.
10 Ways to Explore Hagley Museum and Library in Wilmington, Delaware
On a recent trip to beautiful Wilmington, Delaware, we had the opportunity to learn all about the history of the du Pont family and the DuPont Company, one of the first- and largest- supplier of black powder. One of the best ways to learn about the company and prominent Delaware family is to explore the…
10 Spots to See on the Tour of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
One of the premier performing arts centers in the world, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts was the vision of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. It was originally going to be named the National Cultural Center, but after John F. Kennedy’s assassination in 1965, the center was named in Kennedy’s honor as a living memorial…
Nine Things to Do in Newport, Rhode Island This Spring
The “City by the Sea”, Newport, Rode Island is a popular spot to visit any time of year, but the spring season offers its own benefits: beautiful weather, many popular attractions open without the summer crowds, and plenty of outdoor spaces to enjoy. In addition to its over three miles of waterfront on the Narraganset…
Nine Ways to Explore the Sailing Museum in Newport, Rhode Island
On a recent visit to Newport, Rhode Island, we enjoyed exploring one of Newport’s newest museums- The Sailing Museum. Opened in the spring of 2022 on Thames Street in the heart of Newport, the Sailing Museum celebrates the sport of sailing, the individuals who have made sailing popular, and the pure joy that comes from…
10 Ways to Explore the Plains of Abraham Museum in Québec
Founded in 1908 as a historic area within the Battlefield Park of Québec City in Québec and deeded to the city, The Plains of Abraham is one of the largest city parks in the world. The 240+ acre park, named for Abraham Martin (former pilot to the king and friend of Samuel de Champlain) is…
Ten Places to Explore at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C.
Washington D.C., the capital of America, is full of historical places and attractions that are FREE and open to the public throughout the year. One of the most beautiful spots to explore is the Library of Congress, located on Capitol Hill and next door to the Supreme Court Building.
Touring the Assemblée Nationale du Québec in Québec City
On a recent trip to Québec, Canada, we made sure one of our first stops was a visit to the Parliament Building, home of the National Assembly, to learn all about French Canadian government. A National Historic Site, the National Assembly Parliament Building was built between 1877 and 1886 on Parliament Hill, inspired by the…
Touring La Citadelle de Québec
The biggest military base in North America, La Citadelle was built by the British from 1820-1831 on Cape Diamond, the city’s highest point. La Citadelle was built to control who had access to the northern parts of Canada and to protect Quebec from future American invasions, after the invasion during the War of 1812. La…
Seven Tips for Planning a Teenage Birthday Trip with Crystal Springs Resort in New Jersey
We place great emphasis on gifting our children experiences and believe birthdays are the perfect time to celebrate the gift of friendship with a special trip. For a recent celebration, our daughter wanted to go away for the night with some of her closest friends. We immediately thought of one of our favorite resorts, Crystals…
Touring the Morrin Centre in Québec
On our recent visit to Québec, we had the opportunity to explore several historical attractions and learn about many parts of Québec’s history. One of the most unique spots in the city (and actually, that we have ever toured) is the Morrin Centre, one time jail, one time university, and now part museum and part…
The Auberge Saint Antoine Hotel in Québec
On a recent trip to Québec, we had the wonderful opportunity to stay at the Auberge Saint-Antoine, a Relais and Château property (one of only 450 hotels in the world with the distinct honor). Located in the heart of Old Port of Québec, the Saint Antoine is steeped in history and offers many wonderful amenities.…
Six Spots to Explore at Le Monastère Des Augustines in Québec, Canada
In 1639, three young Augustinian Sisters traveled from France to found the first hospital in North America north of Mexico and to evangelize the locals. They spent a few years traveling around North America before returning to Quebéc in 1644 to build the original Hôtel-Dieu de Québec monastery hospital in 1691, which also included a…
Where to Eat in Mont Tremblant, Quebec
We recently returned from a wonderful visit to Mont Tremblant for Christmas. The resort of Tremblant is well known for their world class skiing and snowboarding, as well as year round outdoor activities. While there was not much snow when we visited, there were plenty of wonderful restaurants- see the full list of Village restaurants…
10 Things to Do at the Musée de la Civilisation in Québec City
The Musée de Civilisation, located in the heart of Old Québec near the harbor, celebrates the rich history of the diverse population of Québec, including the many Indigenous people, Inuit, artists, scientists, inventors, and explorers.
2023 Year in Review: 52 Highlights
One of my favorite year end activities is posting our Year in Review. We love looking back on all of our adventures from the previous year and giving thanks for the blessing of travel. We also like looking at some of our “trends”; this year was filled with many cool spots throughout New England (heavy…
15 Tips for Planning a Family Reunion
This time of year, many families are thinking ahead to school breaks and summer as perfect opportunities for a family reunion. I’ve helped organize several family reunions in Maine, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts, and also planned multigenerational trips to special places like StoryLand in New Hampshire, Woodloch in Pennsylvania, Martha’s Vineyard, and New York…
All Access Tour of Madison Square Garden in New York City
The “World’s Most Famous Arena”, Madison Square Garden is home to NBA and NHL franchises New York Knicks and New York Rangers, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, dozens of concerts, and 365 days of entertainment.
Exploring the Morgan Library and Museum in New York City with Kids
What was once the private library of American financier Pierpont Morgan, The Morgan Library and Museum opened to the public in 1924, three years after his death. JP Morgan created one of the largest personal libraries in history, with over 350,000 volumes. Morgan collected first editions of dozens of authors from Byron, Dickens, and Poe…
Five Tips for Exploring the Empire State Building in New York City
The #1 attraction in America according to TripAdvisor, the Empire State Building is home to 1,000 businesses and offices (it even has its own zip code!) but also attracts over four MILLION visitors every year. Now the 6th tallest building in America and the 43rd tallest building in the world (as of 2023), the Empire…
13 Places to Hike in Connecticut for National Take a Hike Day
This coming Friday, November 17th is National Take a Hike Day and while we wouldn’t label ourselves big hikers- we use the term “hiker” loosely- we have come to love getting exercise while enjoying the beauty of nature and fresh air. During the pandemic, and since then, we have explored many of Connecticut’s state parks;…
Touring the Maryland State House in Annapolis, Maryland
On a recent visit to Annapolis, Maryland, we enjoyed learning all about the history of the state, and significant American history, while touring the State House in the heart of Annapolis. Annapolis, Maryland was the capitol of America from November of 1783 through August of 1784, the first peacetime capitol and the only state house…
Nine Northeast Resorts to Enjoy this Winter
You may think I am rushing fall by writing about things to do in the winter in the Northeast, but now is the time to plan! The Northeast is known for its beautiful winters and activities such as skiing (in all its forms!), snowboarding, snowtubing, ice skating, and more. But if you and your family…
Touring the Met Opera House in New York City
On a recent trip to New York City, we enjoyed a tour of the largest opera house in the world, the Metropolitan Opera House. Now part of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the Metropolitan Opera was founded in 1883 and the first opera house was located at Broadway and 39th Street. As the…
Playing “I Spy” at Jefferson’s Monticello in Charlottesville, VA
On a recent visit to Charlottesville, Virginia (check out our posts featuring James Monroe’s Highland and one of my most favorite resorts, the Omni Homestead), we spent a wonderful afternoon at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello (see ALL the ways to explore Monticello here).
Touring the Wang Theatre at Boch Center in Boston
On a recent trip to Boston (we’ve got dozens of posts featuring popular Boston attractions), we finally had the chance to tour of Boston’s most famous venues: The Wang Theater at the Boch Center. The Wang Theater at the Boch Center opened in 1925 as the Metropolitan Theater in the heart of downtown Boston. Over…
Exploring the Annapolis Maritime Museum
On a recent visit to Annapolis (check out our post featuring one of the BEST tours we have ever taken- the historical walking tour of the US Naval Academy.) we stopped at the Annapolis Maritime Museum to learn about the nautical history of the area. (Looking for other great, seaside spots? Check out our posts…
Touring the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland
Founded in 1845 by George Bancroft, Secretary of the Navy, the US Naval Academy, located in the heart of Annapolis, Maryland, is the college that trains officers for both the Navy and Marine Corps. What started as a 10 acre campus with 50 students and 7 faculty members has expanded to a 338 acre campus…
Nine Holiday Activities for Kids in New York City
New York City is a magical place any time of year but the holiday season is an especially wonderful time to visit with children. There are the famous window displays and decorations on every street corner and building, and countless pop up shops and restaurants, but most children will tire of just “looking” pretty quickly. …
The Hew Hampshire State House in Concord, New Hampshire
The New Hampshire State House, located in the capital city of Concord, is the home base of New Hampshire’s 24 State Senators, each Senator representing 55,000 residents, and 400 House Representatives, one for every 3,500 residents. State House members have other full time jobs and several college student members are current House members (the minimum…
Donald M Kendall Sculpture Gardens at PepsiCo in Purchase, New York
The Donald M. Kendall Sculpture Gardens at the World Headquarters of PepsiCo are named for the former chairman of the board and chief executive officer of PepsiCo, Donald Kendall. The sculpture collection was started in 1965, five years before the World Headquarter building opened. Today, the 160+ acre Purchase, New York campus, located one hour…
James Monroe’s Highland in Charlottesville, Virginia
Highland, a 535 acre former plantation resting in the hills of Charlottesville, Virginia, was the home of America’s fifth president, James Monroe. While Monroe never lived at Highland full time, he spent significant time (sometimes for months at one time) from 1799-1826 with his wife and three children. The main house was built in 1799…
10 Family Friendly Attractions in Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield, the third most populated city in Massachusetts, may be most well known as the “Birthplace of Basketball” but is also home to many historical sites and family friendly attractions. The greater Springfield area is located in Western Massachusetts, about 90 miles west of both Boston and Providence, Rhode Island and 30 miles north of…
10 Places to Explore at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello in Charlottesville, VA
In addition to being America’s 3rd President (from 1801-1809) Thomas Jefferson is also known for prestigious roles include Governor of Virginia, writer of the Declaration of Independence, the first Secretary of State, the second Vice President, and the founder of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia. Jefferson’s Monticello (pronounced “ch-ello” not “cell-o”) is Italian…
The Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Virginia
The Omni Homestead in Hot Springs, Virginia has been on our must visit list for years and last week we were able to enjoy a few days at one of the most beautiful and relaxing resorts we have ever had the privilege of visiting. Located three and half hours southwest of Washington D.C. , the Omni…
Exploring the New Hampshire Historical Society in Concord, NH
While visiting the New Hampshire state capitol of Concord recently, we enjoyed a tour of the New Hampshire Historical Society, which celebrates the rich history of the Granite State. Celebrating its 200th birthday in 2023, the New Hampshire Historical Society was a gift of Edward Tuck, son of a wealthy businessman who founded the Dartmouth…
10 Ways to Explore the McAuliffe Shepard Discovery Center in Concord, N.H.
The McAuliffe Shepard Discovery Center in Concord, New Hampshire is a science museum and planetarium that honors the life’s work and legacy of the first American in space and Derry, New Hampshire native, Alan Shepard, and Concord High School social studies teacher and the first teacher in space, Christa McAuliffe. Opened as a stand alone…
Playing “I Spy” At the Pierce Manse in Concord, NH
On a recent visit to New Hampshire’s state Capital of Concord, we wanted to learn more about the only US President to come from New Hampshire: Franklin Pierce and his estate, the Pierce Manse. America’s 14th president, serving one term from 1853 to 1857, Franklin Pierce was born in Hillsboro, New Hampshire and later served…
10 Tips for Having Fun at SplashDown Beach in Fishkill, New York
Our first visit to SplashDown Beach was a couple of years ago when we were exploring Dutchess County (read our full City Guide here). Our whole family LOVED the waterpark! After a recent, super fun visit to the park’s nearby sister resort Rocking Horse Ranch, the resort invited us back to Splashdown Beach and told…
15 Ways to Explore the Crane Estate on Castle Hill in Ipswich, Massachusetts
On a recent visit to the North Shore of Massachusetts, we explored one of the most beautiful Gilded Age estates, the Crane Estate, set high on a hill above one of the most beautiful beaches, Crane Beach, in Ipswich, Massachusetts. The estate has been carefully restored and preserved by the Trustees, who oversee more than…
Playing “I Spy” at Canterbury Shaker Village in New Hampshire
On a recent trip to beautiful Concord, New Hampshire we stopped at nearby Canterbury Shaker Village for an afternoon of exploration and learning about the history and lifestyle of the Shakers. The Shakers first formed in the early 1700s in England. Known as “Shaking Quakers” because of their erratic dancing during worship, the founders were…
40 Ways to Have Fun this Summer at Rocking Horse Ranch Resort in NY
Rocking Horse Ranch, a top rated family resort in the heart of New York’s Hudson Valley, has been our must-visit list for years. A few years ago we explored many parts of the Hudson Valley and several locals told us we had to check out resort. This past week we finally had the opportunity to…
Playing “I Spy” at the New Britain Museum of American Art in Connecticut
One of the oldest museums dedicated to American art, the New Britain Museum of American Art began in 1853 as the New Britain Institute, a cultural resource for the vibrant city of New Britain. Located in the Historic section of New Britain on the edge of Walnut Hill Park, known at one time as the…
Eight Ways to Have Fun at the Lupa Zoo in Springfield, MA
The 20 acre Lupa Zoo in Ludlow, Massachusetts (just 15 minutes from downtown Springfield, Massachusetts) is home to over 500 animals, including everything from bobcats, zebras, bears, and donkeys to camels, antelope, goats, ostriches and emus. Polish immigrants Henry and Joan Lupa owned a landscaping and construction business in the 1960s and 1970s and later…
Playing “I Spy” at the Vermont State Capitol
Vermont, the 14th state in the union, chose Montpelier as the state capital because of its central location and accessibility to the nearby Winooski River. The first State House, a traditional wooden meetinghouse, was open from 1808-1835, and then moved and expanded to a nearby, larger space from 1836-1856, until a fire destroyed most of…
20 Reasons Kids Will Love ECHO Leahy Center in Burlington, Vermont
The ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, a 34,000 square foot science and nature museum located right on the waterfront of Lake Champlain, has over 100 interactive exhibits, experiments and activities and is home to over 70 species of fish, turtles, frogs, and snakes. There are tons of hands-on activities for all ages, a special…
Summer 2023 Connecticut Bucket List
Every summer, our family makes individual bucket lists of things we want to do and places we want to explore. We usually have a good mix of perennial favorites and new-to-us spots. This week, we thought we’d share some suggestions of things to do in Connecticut this summer (most of which can easily be modified…
10 Kid Friendly, Springtime Activities in Burlington, Vermont
One of the most popular parts of the “Green Mountain state”, Burlington is located in the north western part of Vermont, on the shore of Lake Champlain, the largest freshwater lake in the United States (after the five Great Lakes). Burlington is home to Champlain College and the University of Vermont (with St Michael’s College…
25 Ways to Love the Springfield Museums in Springfield, Massachusetts
One of the most popular attractions in the Western part of Massachusetts, the Springfield Museums are a collection of five museums that showcase over 130,000 artifacts related to the areas of science, history, art, and culture. Located in downtown Springfield, the third largest city in Massachusetts, 90 minutes west of Boston and 30 minutes north…
Six Ways to Explore the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Massachusetts
Recently celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2022, the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, Massachusetts honors and showcases the life and work of Eric Carle and other picture book artists and publications. The Carle Museum is the first American museum devoted to picture book art. The museum is located on the edge…
8 Ways to Explore the Ben & Jerry’s Factory in Waterbury, Vermont
Started in 1978 in a renovated gas station in Burlington, Vermont, Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream has become one of the most popular ice cream brands in the world, now with over 500 Scoop Shops worldwide (more than 200 in the United States alone!) and almost 100 varieties of ice cream. Ben and Jerry’s has…
10 Things to Do at the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory in Shelburne, Vermont
We just returned from a quick trip to Burlington, Vermont and enjoyed exploring many of the popular attractions. One of our first stops was to the Vermont Teddy Bear Company in nearby Shelburne, Vermont. Vermont Teddy Bear Company founder John Sortino first stitched a bear for his son in 1980. That same year, he stitched…
10 Rainy Day Activities in Manhattan Teenagers Will Love
New York City, and specifically Manhattan, is a magical place any season and in any weather and for any age. But our recent storms in the Northeast inspired a reader to ask us for recommendations for rainy day activities in the Big Apple. And knowing that she has teen-aged kids, we offered suggestions that we…
Five U.S. Travel Books Kids Will Love
Our children have always enjoyed reading and will spend hours a day reading, no matter where we are. Fortunately, they can read in the car and we often make a big Barnes and Noble order before a road trip. And while they mainly stick to fictional series, they do like to take a break for…
10 Ways to Explore the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum on Cape Cod
Built from 1907-1910 to commemorate the first landing of the pilgrims on board the Mayflower on November 21, 1620, the 252 foot Pilgrim Monument is the tallest all granite structure in the United States. Visitors can climb all 170 steps and 60 ramps to the top and be rewarded with views as far away as…
10 Money Saving Travel Tips
We have always prioritized spending time with our children and gifting them experiences over material possessions (see this post and this post). Traveling with children can be expensive, but we’ve learned a few tricks over the past decade for saving money while road tripping.
10 Ways to Explore the Kartrite Resort in the Catskills
Opened in the spring of 2019, the Kartrite Resort and Indoor Waterpark, spread across 1,600 acres in Monticello, New York in the Catskills, is a great spot for kids of ALL ages. The resort includes a two acre, 80,000 square foot indoor waterpark- the largest in all of New York- plus an indoor entertainment center,…
Playing “I Spy” at The Bushnell Performing Arts Center in Hartford, Connecticut
Named after local civic visionary Horace Bushnell, The Bushnell Performing Arts Center opened as Bushnell Memorial Hall in 1930, less than two years after the groundbreaking ceremony, and was fully restored in 2005 for its 75th anniversary. Known as a presenting center (because all sets and costumes are brought in for each show), The Bushnell…
Fun in Waterbury, Connecticut: Mattatuck Museum and Fascia’s Chocolates
Waterbury, Connecticut is Connecticut’s 5th largest city, located in the western part of the state on the Naugatuck River. The “Brass City” is known for its waterways and was once the heart of the American brass industry, employing over 50,000 brass workers in the early 1900s. Waterbury was once part of the Mattatuck Plantation, so…
City Guide: 25 Places in Manhattan Kids Will Love
We are fortunate to live an hour outside of New York City and we take advantage of our close proximity as much as possible. There are so many family friendly places in the 22 square miles of New York City that our list could potentially go into the hundreds! For this week, however, we’ll stick…
10 Reasons to Love Smugglers’ Notch Resort in the Winter (even if you don’t ski!)
Smugglers’ Notch resort in Jeffersonville, Vermont is well known for being one of the top ski resorts in America and routinely received accolades for being a top ski resort for families, a top New England fall destination, and one of the best adventure and vacation spots for kids. Known as “America’s Family Resort”, Smuggs is…
Five Ways to Explore the Woods Hole Science Aquarium on Cape Cod
The Woods Hole Science Aquarium is part of the Woods Hole Oceanic Institute (WHOI), which is a nonprofit education facility that focuses on marine science and engineering. The WHOI has a campus spread out throughout the village of Woods Hole and it includes a Visitor Center and Discovery center, both of which are open to…
The Paley Center for Media in Manhattan
First opened in 1976 as the Museum of Broadcasting, the Museum of Television and Radio changed names and moved to the heart of Midtown Manhattan in 1991, followed by another renaming and reopening as the Paley Center for Media in 2007 to honor William S. Paley. The owner of several prominent radio stations in the…
City Guide: 11 Ways to Explore Cape Cod in the Winter
I was lucky enough to grow up less than 40 minutes from Cape Cod and spent many a summer day on the Cape’s iconic beaches. However, the Cape is a beautiful spot to visit anytime of year and the winter season offers a peaceful, calmer pace of relaxation. We recently spent part of our holiday…
Playing “I Spy” at Carnegie Hall
The finest acoustics concert hall in the world, Carnegie Hall is home to over 250 seasonal concerts and an additional 500+ independently produced events every year. It’s not considered an opera hall (no operas are performed) nor is it a performance center (no ballets or Broadway shows- find out by playing I Spy below), but…
10 Ways to Explore the Cape Cod National Seashore
The Cape Cod National Seashore is one of the most popular spots on the Cape, attracting 4.5 million visitors each year. The 43,608 acres of the Seashore are spread out across six towns and on both the Cape Cod Bay and Atlantic Ocean sides of Cape Cod, the “flexed arm” of Massachusetts. Overseen by the…
Year in Review: 2022 Highlights
This past year, 2022, was an incredibly difficult year for our family. Our son unexpectedly passed away on January 1st, and while we don’t get too personal on this blog and choose to focus on our travel adventures, we could not reflect on the year without acknowledging our profound loss and deep sadness. We did…
The Best Disney World Dining Recommendations for 2023
Last week, we shared an updated (for 2022) post featuring our tips for making successful Disney World dining reservations. Over the years, we have learned many ways to make your trip to Disney World as smooth as possible (spoiler: it takes some planning, some luck, and some flexibility). This week, we’re sharing an updated list…
11 Tips for Making Dining Reservations at Disney World
This past summer, we visited Disney World and had the opportunity to try some new restaurants and revisit old favorites. It was our fourth trip to Disney World in the past decade (check out our adventures staying at the Polynesian Resort and the Contemporary Resort and our adventures at Disney Springs. ) We had previously…