North America

Embark on a memorable journey across North America with our comprehensive family travel guides. Whether you’re planning to travel with kids, enjoy luxury travel, explore exciting SCUBA diving spots, or dive into adventure travel, our blog offers insights for every type of traveler. Discover the best destinations for multigenerational travel, ensuring fun and relaxation for all ages. From breathtaking national parks to luxurious resorts, our expert tips will help you create unforgettable North American experiences for your entire family.

  • 15 Best Hiking Trails for Families in California
    In California, there are many great hikes for families. You will find a wide range of trails that can provide a fun and exciting activity for your family. From the Pacific Coast Trail to the Pinnacles National Park, we’ve highlighted the 15 best hiking trails for families in California. The two most popular hikes in … Read more
  • Best Things to Do in Vancouver with Kids
    Incredible scenery, quality education, and numerous immigration programs attract people from all over the world to Vancouver. According to the travel portal Big 7 Travel, Vancouver, Canada is called the friendliest city in the world. Vancouver has been named the best city in the world by to The Economist three times. We decided to list … Read more
  • 10 Fun Things to do with Kids in Calgary
    Calgary is known as the center of the Canadian oil industry. It also plays host to the Calgary Stampede, an agricultural exhibition influenced by western culture, leading to the nickname ‘Cowtown.’ But are there fun things to do with kids in Calgary? The tourism industry in Calgary has provided everything you would want for children … Read more
  • 5 Best Places For Family Vacations In Canada
    Canada is a nation built for outdoor adventure. For plants and animal lovers, there are zoos and aquariums. For entertainment-seekers, there are amusement parks and cowboy-skills to check out. Here is a list of five destinations with the reputations as best places for family vacations in Canada. 1. Niagara Falls Niagara Falls is the second largest … Read more
  • Lindeman Lake, BC a Vancouver Side Trip
    Vancouver is famous for the Grouse Grind, St. Mark’s Summit, Eagle Bluffs, and Quarry Rock to name just a few, but some of them, I’m looking at you Quarry Rock, can be too jam packed. Visitors to Vancouver looking for some great hiking may want to venture off the beaten path and check out Lindeman … Read more
  • Glamping in a Droplet Trailer
    We recently had the opportunity to borrow a Droplet Trailer for a long weekend of camping – in our own backyard! Disclosure – we were gifted this experience so we could share our opinion. As early as April, Vivi and I start sleeping under the stars in a tent. We’re not roughing it, we have … Read more
  • “The Science Behind Pixar” at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science
    I’ll bet you have a favorite Pixar film, but do you know what it takes to make one? Now you can go behind the scenes and learn about the magic of animation in the new exhibit “The Science Behind Pixar,” at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Follow my blog with Bloglovin This traveling … Read more
  • Things to do in Comox with kids
    Comox, BC is an outdoor adventure mecca. There are so many fun things to do in Comox with kids, here are a few of our favorites. We take the ferry from Tsawwassen to Duke Point, Nanaimo, and drive an hour and a half north. There’s also a ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo. Spend the … Read more
  • New Orleans with James Lee Burke
    When I die, I’d like James Lee Burke to write my eulogy.  That sounds macabre I’m sure, but I love his writing, and I know he would make me sound like one of the flawed and broken  but lovable characters in his books. You’d know that I was someone who has made bad choices, but you’d … Read more
  • Indoor Skydiving in Perris, CA
    Looking for an easy side trip from LA or Palm Springs? Head to Perris, California and try indoor skydiving! We took turns flying in the wind tunnel and it was so much fun.  The noise was a little intense for her, at the time she could still barely stand the sound of hand dryers in public … Read more
  • Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, Carlsbad, CA
    My first visit to the La Costa Resort was in February of 2010, less than a month before Vivi was born. I drove down from Palm Springs for a friend’s birthday celebration. We had a huge two bedroom suite, it was gorgeous. The property is beautiful and I explored and spent time relaxing while my … Read more
  • Spend a fun-filled family day in National Harbor, Maryland
    If you take the family to Washington, DC you’ll have a lot to explore and discover. But if you’ve already been and want to see something new outside of DC, then National Harbor could be the ticket for you. Travel Time It’s only 20 minutes from Reagan National Airport (DCA) by car to the Fort … Read more
  • 6 Fun Facts About Florida #LoveFL
    I just learned a bunch of facts about Florida I want to share. Florida has so much more to it than beaches and Disney World – though I admit that all of my visits since becoming a parent involve beaches and Disney World. LOL 1. Florida is not the southernmost U.S. state in the United … Read more
  • New TSA Real ID Requirements for Travel in the US
    If you’ve been waiting in line at airport security in the US recently, you’ve probably noticed the big blue signs advertising the new identification requirements coming next year. Here’s what you need to know about the new TSA Real ID requirements for travel in the US. The big news is that your driver’s license or other state-issued … Read more
  • 3 Terrific Weekend Getaways From Vancouver
    Vancouver is a gorgeous destination on it’s own, but there are many nearby places to add to your itinerary. Locals are likely to head off in one of these directions when they want weekend getaways from Vancouver. Here are three family friendly side-trips. 1. Whistler Beyond being a world class ski and snowboarding destination, Whistler … Read more
  • Whistler Children’s Festival
    Returning July 5-7, the annual Whistler Children’s Festival on Whistler Olympic Plaza. Featuring an action-packed schedule of creative activities and interactive performances, the festival is the perfect way to celebrate the end of school and let imaginations run wild. Each year, the Whistler Children’s Festival transforms Olympic Plaza into a playground of creativity, music, and crafts. Now … Read more
  • Disney Fastpass Tips
    If you’re heading to Disneyland, or Disneyworld you will likely have heard of Disney FastPass, but do you know how it works and when you can use it? Here are a few tips to make the most of the program. Your entry ticket gives you FREE access to FastPass, so hang onto it, in fact … Read more
  • Sonoma Harvest Music Festival
    You’ve heard me rave about the great times Vivi and I had at BottleRock Napa two years in a row. I’ll say it again, we love family friendly outdoor concerts and festivals! The Sonoma Harvest Music Festival looks like it’s right up our alley! Sonoma Harvest Music Festival at B.R. Cohn Canceled for 2020  July … Read more
  • Camping with Sparkling ICE Mystery Flavor
    This post is sponsored by Sparkling ICE Mystery Flavor but the content and opinions expressed here are my own. Every April we put our tent up on our balcony so we can start sleeping under the stars whenever the weather is nice enough. My daughter loves camping and we’re always on the lookout for camping … Read more
  • Experience Vancouver with Kids
    This gorgeous city has so much going on all the time. I wanted to create a list of as many of the ways you can experience Vancouver as I could find. I will very likely have to update this list often! Vancouver Attractions The PNE / Playland – Playland opens in May every year, and … Read more
  • Vancouver’s Indian Summer Festival
    Travelers to Vancouver in the summer are met with so many fantastic festivals and events, it’s hard to know where to begin. Here’s one you won’t want to miss. The 9th annual Indian Summer Festival returns to Vancouver, bringing locally and internationally renowned artists to venues across the city from July 4 to 14. With the provocative … Read more
  • A Mexico Motocross Adventure
    During the years X2 and I lived in Mexico we had a lot of adventures that the average tourist likely wouldn’t risk. One such adventure was X2’s last minute entry into a motocross race in Merida. We both raced on Cozumel and in Playa del Carmen and Cancun, but Merida was a mission to get … Read more
  • Vancouver Beaches and Outdoor Pools
    Vancouver is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, and even if you aren’t here to ski or hike, you can enjoy all the seasonal outdoor pools and Vancouver beaches. Vancouver boasts eight ocean beaches adding up to roughly 18 gorgeous kilometers of shoreline. There are also 5 seasonal outdoor pools. We have Vancouver’s Park Board … Read more
  • Kid-Friendly White Rock Beach Patios
    ‘Tis the season – for sipping margaritas on White Rock Beach patios. If you’re visiting White Rock (less than an hour from Vancouver, BC), here are four of my favorite spots. Zapoteca Mexican Grill 5495 Marine Drive, White Rock, BC V4B 1C9 (604) 536-6677 Zapoteca has a small patio on East Beach and serves the most … Read more
  • Squamish + Whistler Day Trip
    Squamish and Whistler each deserve a week to really enjoy all they have to offer, or at least a weekend, but don’t let that stop you from planning a Squamish + Whistler day trip if that’s all the time you have during your visit to Vancouver. Here’s an itinerary for a fun Squamish and Whistler … Read more
  • Experience Vancouver With Visitors
    It’s fun to experience Vancouver with visitors and share what we love about this city. We get to play tourist and enjoy our favorite Vancouver attractions. We have a short list of must-do experiences, so when we have a limited amount of time to show our guests around, we stick to these: Greenheart Treewalk at … Read more
  • Mountain Biking in Bellingham, WA
    Adults and kids can expect to have a great time mountain biking in Bellingham, so if you’re planning a visit to the PNW, pack your biking gear! Kids of all ages can safely ride the well maintained trails that wind through the city. Bellinghamsters (yeah, that’s a thing LOL) are proud to live in Washington … Read more
  • Family Fun at Playland Amusement Park in Vancouver
    Playland, one of the oldest attractions in Vancouver draws over half a million guests every year for the rides, attractions, games and carnival food – have you heard of Beaver Tails? Playland is a city-owned amusement park operated by the Pacific National Exhibition between May 4th and Sept 15th every year. As someone who grew … Read more
  • Trinity Groves – a West Dallas Foodie Mecca
    Just across the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge in West Dallas, you’ll find family-friendly Trinity Groves. A neighborhood with a trendy restaurant and retail development including a Restaurant Concept Incubator Program, where chefs test new restaurant concepts before determining whether or not they are successful enough to expand nationwide. The area is undergoing a massive overhaul … Read more
  • Summer Concert Series at Robert Mondavi Winery #VisitNapaValley
    If you’re considering a trip to Napa, check out the dates of the The 50th annual Margrit Mondavi Summer Concert Series, presented by Inside Access from Chase. It is one of the most beloved wine, food and music events in Napa Valley, and will be a fun family-friendly addition to your visit. St. Paul and … Read more
  • Pacific Coastal Cruises, a twist on traditional cruising
    Looking for a unique way to experience the coast of British Columbia? Check out Pacific Coastal Cruises to follow the route first established by Captain George Vancouver through one of the most species rich coastal marine environments on Earth. Pacific Coastal Cruises & Tours has been added by Destination Canada (DC) to the  Canadian Signature Experiences (CSE) collection. There are … Read more
  • Best Things To Do In Houston With Kids
    If you’re looking for a fun family friendly city that offers year-round sunshine and an enormous list of attractions, take a closer look at Houston. Here are the best things to do in Houston with kids. Summer in Houston is stinking hot, so try to plan your visit between late September and early June when the … Read more
  • Disney With A Toddler – Managing Expectations
    I’m so glad I ignored the people who told me not to do Disney with a toddler and tried to convince me to wait until Vivi was older.  It’s true, she doesn’t remember the magical moments from her first few trips, but I do! Seeing Disney through the eyes of a toddler will make you … Read more
  • Visit Vancouver in Winter – So Much To Do!
    This city is lovely all year long so families planning to visit Vancouver in winter shouldn’t worry about finding fun things to do. Instead, you should worry about not being here long enough to do it all! Here are 5 fun winter events in Vancouver: Updated Dec 12, 2021 VanDusen Festival of Lights Holiday Heights … Read more
  • In New Orleans – Food Is A Main Attraction
    Travel opens you up to new cultures and new food experiences, so in my mind travel has always been a way to go forth and eat all the things!  Despite being mostly a non-meat eater since I was 12, I’ve always been open to trying things when I travel, especially if it’s a famous local … Read more
  • Why You Should Visit Phoenix With Kids
    Adults flock to Phoenix for the 365 days a year that the golf courses are open.  It’s not just a playground for the grown ups though. To those of us in the PNW it’s a quick and inexpensive flight from Bellingham Airport, so when we need to see the sun, there’s no reason not to … Read more