Landmarks to Visit
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Explore Pioneertown: A Wild West Adventure Near Joshua Tree
Did you know that there is an adorable old-timey town just outside of Joshua Tree? Pioneertown Joshua Tree is located in Yucca Valley, just a stone’s throw from the national park and is an easy drive from Palm Springs. From Joshua Tree, it’s about a 20-minute drive to Pioneertown and from Palm Desert, it’s about 50 minutes. When I first heard about this little town, I couldn’t wait to bust out my best wild wild west clothing and head on over for some cute photo ops, delicious food and a Wild West gun fight. What is Pioneertown Joshua Tree? Pioneertown is a 1880’s themed town that was designed as a…
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Chichen Itza Tours: Cruise Excursion
If you book at Mexico or Western Caribbean, there is a decent chance you will also be able to book one of the Chichen Itza tours as a shore excursion. But if you’re like me, sometimes the number of shore excursions can be overwhelming. I’m never sure which to pick or if I even want to book an excursion. When we went to Progreso, Mexico, however, I knew I wanted to take the opportunity to visit Chichen Itza. We had been to a few different popular Mayan ruins sites in the past, but Chichen Itza was one place we still hadn’t visited. Chichen Itza is the most famous, and therefore…
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Dia de Los Muertos San Diego Celebrations
My kids attend a Spanish immersion school where they receive instruction in Spanish every day and learn about the Mexican culture. Because of this, they have always had a big appreciation for Dia de los Muertos and the traditions that come with this holiday. We’re lucky to live in such a diverse city, and whether you live in San Diego or are just visiting, you can find amazing, family-friendly Dia de Los Muertos San Diego celebrations to enjoy throughout the county. Fiesta de Reyes, Old Town, Oct. 1 – Nov. 2 Old Town is one of my favorite San Diego destinations, especially this time of year. The Dia de Los…
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4th Grade National Parks Pass: Free!
Did you know that there’s such thing as a 4th grade national parks pass that all 4th grade students can get for free? It’s true! As part of the Every Kid Outdoors initiative, all 4th grade students get a free national park pass that’s good for the entire year–including through the end of summer! The pass is valid through Aug. 31 each year. How Do I Get My Free Pass? It’s easy! All you have to do is visit the EveryKidOutdoors website and click a couple of buttons. Then print out the pass. That’s it. It only took me about 20 seconds to get. How Does it Work? This pass…
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Flagstaff Lava Tube: Plan Your Visit
A few years back, my sister and I decided to take our families to Flagstaff for Spring Break so that we could see the Grand Canyon. We rented a house in Flagstaff that would fit everyone, and on our first night there, I posted a picture. Somebody on Facebook replied and told me that we had to go see the Flagstaff Lava Tube while we were in the area, and I am so glad they did. Even though the Grand Canyon is absolutely amazing, I think going to this lava tube was truly the highlight of our trip. Since then, anytime anyone we know is in the area, I always…
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A Perfect 3-Day New York City Itinerary
A New York City Travel Itinerary for Any Kind of Traveler I first visited New York City when I was 22 years old. I instantly fell in love. And I wouldn’t want my life to turn out any differently than it has, but part of me wishes I had left home and gone to college there. Because, man, what a great city it is to experience when you’re young, wild and free. But no matter what phase of life you’re in, a trip to New York City will be a memorable one. It’s truly a bucket-list travel destination. Planning a trip to the Big Apple can feel overwhelming—there’s just so…
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Ultimate Family Guide to Mexico’s Mayan Ruins
When I first took the family to the Yucatan peninsula, I knew I wanted to see some Mexico Mayan ruins. I had no idea there would be so many different options to choose from. How far were we willing to travel? Did we want to climb the ruins? Did we want to go to any nearby cenotes? All of those are things to take into consideration when choosing which ruins to visit. Here are some of the most popular ruins you can visit in Mexico, along with information about what to expect and how to access them. Check out my post about using the CBX to fly out of Tijuana…
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Coronado Beach, CA: Planning Your Visit
Coronado is one of the most charming beach communities in San Diego. It’s best known for the famous Hotel del Coronado and its beautiful beaches. If you’re planning a visit to San Diego, Coronado should be high up on your priority list of places to visit. Personally, I think Coronado has the best beaches in San Diego. But the La Jolla beaches come in second (and sometimes have less windchill than Coronado). So, if you have enough time in town, I’d recommend checking those our too. Here’s everything you need to know about the different Coronado beaches. How To Get To Coronado Beach Despite Coronado often being referred to as…
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Polar Express in Williams, AZ: An Arizona Family Vacation
If your family loves Christmas magic and the spirit of Santa (or even just cozy holiday traditions), then riding The Polar Express in Williams, Arizona is an unforgettable addition to your Arizona family vacation. We went when our kids were 7, 6, and 3—and watching their faces light up as the train rolled toward the “North Pole” was pure joy. We’ve also heard from plenty of families with both older and younger kids who had just as much fun, so it’s truly a memory-maker for all ages. If Williams, AZ, is too far from you, check out these other popular Polar Express experiences throughout the U.S. Making a Road Trip…
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Nakalele Blowhole Maui: Parking, Safety Tips & What to Know Before You Go
If you’re looking for unique things to do in Maui, the Nakalele Blowhole is one of the most dramatic natural sights on the island. This powerful ocean geyser shoots water high into the air—but it’s also one of the most dangerous spots on Maui, so knowing what to expect before you go is key. In this post, I go over the specifics about how to get to the Nakalele Blowhole and more importantly, how to stay safe at the Nakalele Blowhole, as many people have lost their lives there. Interested in more Maui hot spots? Here’s your guide to Black Rock Beach. Plus, check out the Best Stops on the…
