Family Activities
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The Best Amusement Parks in America for Families, Thrill Seekers, and Bucket-List Travelers
My son asked me the other day if we could make it our goal this summer to visit as many amusement parks as possible. He’s on a big rollercoaster kick. And he knows how to appeal to his audience too because he said, “we can even make a vacation out of it!” While I don’t exactly want to spend my summer hopping from one theme park to the next, it did make me want to do some research to find out which parks are the best amusement parks in America and where they are located. What I learned is that if there’s one thing the United States does exceptionally well,…
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Inflatable Water Parks in the U.S.: Colossal Splash Destinations for Summer 2026
Awhile back, I wrote about our experience at the Lake Gregory inflatable water park near Lake Arrowhead, California. We had so much fun spending a day at the lake. And the kids loved the obstacle course. Last summer, we camped at Newport Dunes RV Resort, which also has an inflatable water park. The kids loved that one too. So that started my mission of finding the most fun inflatable water parks across the U.S. If you’re looking for a summer vacation idea that gets the whole family off the lounge chairs and into the water, inflatable water parks are where it’s at in 2026. Now you know I love a…
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Campgrounds with a Water Park: The Best RV Resorts in the U.S. with On-Site Water Fun
I love water parks, and I love camping. So anytime I have the opportunity to have a campsite with a water park just steps away, I jump at it. If you’ve ever dreamed of combining the freedom of camping with the excitement of a full-blown waterpark, you’re clearly not alone. Campgrounds with a water park are quickly becoming one of the most popular ways for families to vacation in the U.S. Instead of just a basic pool or lake access, these destinations go all-in with waterslides, lazy rivers, splash pads, wave pools, and massive aquatic play zones—all right on site at your RV resort or campground. For families, it’s a…
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Best Family Vacation Spots for Spring Break This Year
After the cold winter months, I love having a fun Spring Break trip to look forward to. And Spring Break might look a lot different now than it did in my college days, but there are still so many great family destinations that provide fun in the sun (or even snow!). No matter what it is you’re looking for, these are the best family vacation spots for Spring Break. Personally, I love looking at Spring Break as a kickoff to the warmer months ahead, so I love a Spring Break destination that is sunny and warm. But one of our closest friends loves going skiing for a week every year…
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Things to Do in San Francisco With Kids
San Francisco is one of the best cities in California, and is definitely worth a trip to visit. And luckily, visiting San Francisco with kids is easy. There are so many fun things that the whole family can enjoy. Whether you’re passing through as a stop on a longer road trip, or you’re spending several days in the city, you’ll want to check out these fun things to do in San Francisco with kids. And, if you’re limited on time, check out this San Francisco one-day itinerary to make the most of your time. Where to Stay in San Francisco There are many different areas in San Francisco that you…
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Kids Hiking Boots & Gear: What You Really Need
Hiking is one of our favorite things to do, especially when we’re traveling. Not only is it a great way to get the kids outdoors and moving, it’s a great way to really explore new areas and see more than just what’s visible in a car. But I know firsthand that hiking with kids is not always the easiest or most enjoyable experience. Having the right kids hiking gear, such as boots and Camelbaks, can make a huge difference. I want to point out that one thing I love about hiking is that you don’t really need a ton of stuff. Snacks and water are probably the most basic and…
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Top Restaurants in Old Town San Diego
I am born and raised in San Diego, and I can honestly say that Old Town is probably one of my all-time favorite things about San Diego. Even though I’ve been dozens of times, I absolutely love walking around Old Town and then grabbing a bite to eat at one of the many fantastic Old Town San Diego Restaurants. A visit here needs to be on every San Diego itinerary. Although I will rarely pass up the Mexican food restaurants when I’m in Old Town, there are actually many different types of food to choose from in Old Town–it’s not all Mexican food. What is Old Town? Old Town is…
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Best Los Angeles Attractions for Families in 2026
Los Angeles is one of the best cities in California, and it has so much to offer. You can’t possibly get bored there. In fact, just the opposite. You might have a hard time deciding which attractions to prioritize since you likely won’t have time to do everything. That’s why I created this list of the top Los Angeles attractions for families. I’ve incorporated a little bit of everything on this list. From free attractions like hiking and beaches, to some of the many amusement parks and museums, this list of Los Angeles attractions for families should have plenty to please even your less-than-enthusiastic teenagers. Where Should You Stay? Los…
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Best River Floats in Texas
There are so many fun things to do in Austin with kids. And when we visited over spring break, one of the things I was adamant about doing was river tubing, so I wanted to know where the best river floats in Texas were. My research showed me that there are many excellent floating rivers in Texas, each for their own reasons. While we were in Texas, we checked out some of these tubing rivers in Texas. Most of these we did for free on our own, but we also paid to do a Texas Tubes river float down the Comal River so we could do the famous Tube Chute…
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Walking Through Stars Hollow: An Exclusive Event for Gilmore Girls Fans
If you’re anything like me, you probably fell in love with the town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut, while watching Gilmore Girls. Grabbing a coffee at Luke’s Diner, strolling past Doose’s Market, and wandering through the town square–it all seemed magical. Especially since having grown up in San Diego, the idea of of small town like Stars Hollow truly sounded magical. And I am thrilled to have experienced this magical fictional town, even if for only a few hours. On occasion during the holiday season, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood transforms its iconic Midwest Street backlot into the town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut, creating a limited-time, immersive experience that feels like…
