Travel

Never stress again about camping with little ones. I’ve got a whole checklist of items for you to make it super easy to pack for your next camping trip!

Traveling with babies and kids can be an amazing experience full of rewards you could never imagine. But the pitfalls are there, too. A little bit of preparation goes a very long way in ensuring you and your family have the absolute best travel experiences.

Do you love hiking? Do you get to go often? If you’re newer to hiking, you may not realize that there is actual gear you should have on hand for your hiking trip. Aside from food, water and a quality backpack, you’ll also want to make sure you’ve got a good, quality pair of hiking …

Truth time: I hate camping with kids Now to be clear, I don’t hate the entire camping experience. I enjoy campfires. I’m a big fan of s’mores. There’s always something magical about laying back and staring up at the stars, which can be hard to do in the city with too many lights. Often there’s …

This post is in partnership with Hampton By Hilton. I am a member of their Real Travel Community, and I have been compensated for this post.  Real travel isn’t always easy. Traveling as a family can be the stuff of nightmares when you have very young kids, and trying to make the most of a difficult …

As you may remember, I have an ongoing partnership with Firefly® as part of their Healthy Habit Helpers team, and as part of that, I get sent occasional care packages with new products for the kids to try out. This summer, we were very lucky to be sent an amazing package full of travel essentials to make our …

This post is in partnership with Hampton By Hilton. I am a member of their Real Travel Community, and I have been compensated for this post.  Anyone who knows me knows that I have spent a lot of my life traveling. As a kid, my parents moved us all around the country, living in different …

This post may contain affiliate links. Is your family planning on going on a few camping trips this summer? If so, you might be looking at buying your first tent. While tent shopping isn’t the hardest thing you will ever do, it is something you will want to take seriously. Buy the wrong one and …

A few weeks ago, the folks at our local Toyota dealer reached out to me to ask if I was interested in driving around in one of their brand new Toyota Siennas for a week and in seeing the amazing Ballet West performance of The Little Mermaid at the Capitol Theater downtown. I admit that …

This post originally appeared on IHG’s Brooklyn Travel Guide. It is republished here with permission. The distinct culture, deep-rooted history and magnetic energy of Brooklyn make it one of the most beloved and revered destinations in America. Celebrated around the world for its big-city excitement and unique brand of authenticity, this buzzing New York City borough–the …

Des Moines, the capital of Iowa, may not seem like a must-see destination city. It doesn’t top many people’s bucket lists yet, but it certainly could. Des Moines is a city rich in hidden gems, with stunning museums, beautiful parks, and amazing attractions galore. If you’re looking for your next adventure, look no further. Here are …

A trip to Disney World can get super expensive. Especially for a family of 4-6 people. I know people that have spent almost $10,000 dollars on a Disney Vacation. That is easy to do if you go for every bell and whistle there is. But if you are like me and strive to keep a …

This post originally appeared on IHG’s London Travel Tips. It is republished here with permission. London offers a wealth of art and culture, trendy shops and global dining opportunities on both sides of the River Thames. Its thriving entertainment scene ranges from theatres and concerts to clubs and comedy venues. When the excitement gets too …

Sitting down to dinner at Epcot World Showcase is a culinary delight. But if you want to sample all the showcase has to offer, you need to snack your way around the world. Epcot consists of eleven countries: Mexico, Norway, China, Italy, United States, Japan, Morocco, France, United Kingdom, and Canada. Each country has food …

When most people think of Orlando, they can’t help but think of Disney. Perhaps Universal Studios or SeaWorld are close seconds, but most people who travel to Central Florida are after the Walt Disney World experience. For those who are after more than just a cartoon mouse, however, there’s a rich variety of experiences to …

One thing you need to know before starting is that it is absolutely impossible to do everything in one day. There are things you are going to have to miss. The best thing you can do is research each land and then figure out what are must-dos. If you break your day down into manageable …

About a year and a half ago, I got tired of driving a mini van. Okay, that’s not totally true. It wasn’t that I got tired of driving it, it’s just that I was tired of having to be stuck with one car in this family of five. Either I had to drive my husband …

Pittsburgh is one of the most family-friendly cities in the U.S. Once one of the nation’s major industrial centers, Steel City has a wealth of incredible museums and attractions thanks in large part to the industrialists who called Pittsburgh home. It’s definitely bucket-list worthy for art lovers, foodies, and sports fanatics alike. But if you want …

This post originally appeared on IHG’s Miami Travel Guide. It is republished here with permission. Miami, with world class beaches, vibrant Latin influences and gorgeous Art Deco architecture is the ultimate destination for a beach vacation. You’ll find relaxation, trendy nightclubs, amazing cuisine, cutting-edge art galleries and plenty of culture, and there are great hotels …

This past weekend was amazing. My husband’s company Christmas party was being held Friday night, and since they are headquartered in Aliso Viejo, California, the party was being held in Buena Park! For those not so great at geography, that is Disneyland’s back yard. Since spouses were invited to come, Mark managed to convince me …

A couple of months ago, I decided to book a trip. Now that Dexter is in school, I have come to the realization that the rest of our lives are going to be ruled by school days. No more impromptu Tuesday morning treks to the mountains. No more being able to plan a vacation in …

  A few weeks ago, the amazing people at Hyundai offered to send me out one of their beautiful 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe SUVs to review, and I literally JUMPED at the chance. Mark and I have been discussing the possibility of buying a new car, and I have loved the Hyundais I’ve driven in …

A couple weeks ago was Mark’s and my third wedding anniversary. It fell on a Wednesday, and he was going on a guys only camping trip on Saturday, so we knew the only day we’d have to celebrate would be a Friday. Mark took the day off work, and we had a big plan of …

If you’ve ever taken a trip with kids, you’ll know that they almost always seem to be hungry at the least opportune times. You could be driving in the middle of no-where and suddenly your child is filled with a ravenous hunger that just won’t let them, or you, forget. If you’re planning on hiking …

Most people flock to Utah to see the amazing scenery, but have you ever thought about the foods you can experience? If you are a total foodie, you will love this list of Utah Food Challenges. There are over 15 different restaurants to choose from. You can pick from breakfast challenges, burger challenges, and even …

Utah is known for its majestic scenery, and for good reason! Our Utah Bucket List takes a trip around the state, visiting some of the National Parks that have views that are second to none. The Great Outdoors Zion National Park – Many people who visit Zion National Park say it’s the most beautiful place …

Haunted in Utah Utah is one big old creepy place, depending on where you go. The southern part of the state is especially freaky given how big, open and desolate it is. Driving through it can be scary, as there are literally no houses, no people, and no gas stations for literally hours, depending on …