ftfstaff author at My Family Travels
Parents and kids are scrambling over rocks on summer hike in Vail Valley.
Article
13 Reasons to Try a Top Value Mountain Resort in Summer

Ski mountain resorts offer great summer values at rental condos, which also make a cozy home away from home. Just select your destination resort carefully.

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The lagoon pool makes a day at the Loew's Royal Pacific Resort just as fun as visiting the themeparks. Photo c. Universal Orlando Resort
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Loews Royal Pacific Resort – Your Perfect Universal Orlando Hotel

One of the Loews-managed hotels within Universal Orlando, the

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The How to Train Your Dragon Kids Suite at the Loews Helios Grand Hotel. Photo c. Loews Hotels & Co
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Loews Hotels Love Families

One of the top kid-welcoming boutique hotel chains, Loews Hotel family programs cater to all ages with special facilities, discounts and thoughtful amenities. According to

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The Hard Rock Hotel has an incredible Gift Shop packed with replica and original rock n'roll memorabilia.
Article
Universal’s Hard Rock Hotel At Universal Orlando Resort

"I love Rock n' Roll" might as well be the refrain at this elegant Orlando outpost of the Hard Rock dining and hotel empire. There's loads of rockstar and kid...

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The Portofino Bay at Universal Orlando features
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Loews Portofino Bay Hotel At Univeral Orlando, Florida

The Portofino Bay combines a fantasy Italian world with useful perks from the Universal Orlando themepark for a delightful stay. Like other Loews hotels (

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Liberty Bell, Philadelphia
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Best Hotels in Philadelphia for Families: Your Perfect Stay

When you're set to visit Philadelphia, one of America's most historic cities, you need a guide to the best family hotels in each district.

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Busy dad is rading and his girls playing in the aisle of an airplane.
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Shoes Off? Shoes On! The Latest Air Travel Tips To Ease Family Vacation Hassles

The Dept. of Homeland Security just announced the end of their shoes-off mandate, proclaiming the new policy will increase hospitality for travelers. Really? Given the...

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Dusk falls over beach at Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Article
Explore Cheapest National Parks – Save Big on Adventures!

Save money by exploring America outdoors on a cheap national parks vacation with our eight budget-saving trip planning tips.

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Family at airport security
Article
Required Documents And Travel Consent Letters For Travel With Minors

Whether you’re married and leaving a spouse behind to work; grandparents taking grandchildren on vacation; same sex couples with adopted children -- even a military family trying...

Read More    8 min read

Boy and girl spalsh in the water off of the Nantucket beach. Photo by Garrett Patz for unsplash.
Article
51 Summer Trip Ideas – Plan Your Perfect Family Vacation

It’s time for our annual roundup of the 51 best family summer trip ideas! Wave goodbye to work and school stress, and forget about travel hiccups or economic woes. Right now,...

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Book cover for
Article
Plan Your Next Trip With Our E-Book America’s Most Popular Family Vacations

Are you among the majority of Americans who say they didn't take a vacation at all in the past year? The US Travel Association reported 9 out of 10 Americans say their happiest...

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The restored 18th century homes of Elfreth's Alley Philadelphia
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Short Breaks And Weekend Getaways From Philadelphia

Philadelphia families know the big state of Pennsylvania offers many possible weekend getaways. But have you considered the big city life, sand beaches and roller coasters nearby...

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Boy wearing a surfer's rasher to guard against the sun at the beach.
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Fashionable Sun Protection Clothing

Protect yourself and your kids with sun protection clothes, hats, sunglasses, and other products that are effectively UV resistant and stylish. Increased awareness of the power...

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baby lying down on white fuzzy blanket
Article
How To Get Your Own US Passport & Start Your Adventure

Your U.S. passport is a travel essential because a U.S. citizen's birth certificate does not suffice to cross borders. That law applies to citizens of any age...

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Girl sitting on float on the sand squirts sunblock from a bottle. Photo c. campus for pixels.
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Best Spring Break Vacation Ideas

There's still snow and plenty of sun, so get out and choose your best spring break idea from one of our many affordable family vacation deals for 2025.

Read More    18 min read

Facade of Laura Plantation, a historic Creole style Louisiana Plantation. Photo c. Laura Plantation
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Best Family Plantation Tours Along Louisiana’s Great River Road

Discover how elegant Old New Orleans differed from the countryside on a Louisiana plantation tour along the Great River Road. Be sure to allow half a day to explore and experience...

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Dominica Carnival women in costumes
Article
Our 18 Favorite Mardi Gras Carnival Celebrations Outside New Orleans

Here are the top 18 places known among party-lovers and Catholics for superb Mardi Gras Carnival celebrations. The Mardi Gras or Carnival is such a popular and...

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Cruise ships docked at Caribbean port
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15 Family Cruises With Kids: Setting Sail for Unforgettable Adventures

Ready to say Bon Voyage? It’s time for our annual cruise with kids directory. Plan now because AAA projects 19 million Americans will go on ocean cruises this year, a 4.5% increase...

Read More    18 min read

Dig This! guests use heavy construction equipment in a huge Vegas sand box.
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Las Vegas, Nevada Attractions

We'll roll the dice on this and guarantee fun on your next Nevada vacation with our Las Vegas, Nevada family attractions guide. Pack our age-appropriate rundown of the best attractions...

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A 400-pound Peeps chick rings in the new year in Bethlehem, PA.
Article
Celebrate First Night On New Years

Archaeologists believe the Babylonians were the first civilization to celebrate "First Night" or the New Year. They planned an 11-day holiday tied to the vernal (spring) equinox...

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The Christmas Market, Noel de la Defense in Paris, is popular with locals for evening shopping and socializing. Photo c. Paris Touris by Debajit Kiran Paul Landscape
Article
Holidays At Europe’s Favorite Christmas Markets

There's never been a cheaper time to enjoy the holiday cheer radiating from the tents and stalls of Europe's Christmas Markets. Despite chill winds, snowflakes...

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Family studies Christmas lights in Myrtle Beach.
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Top Holiday Lights Celebrations Across America

We love holiday lights celebrations — the decorations, evergreens, religious displays and multicultural celebrations that light up cities and towns everywhere from November to...

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Covent Garden is festooned with Christmas ornaments at the holidays. Photo by Ben Pipe Photography for London Partners.
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What’s Free In London Over The Holidays

While spending money during Christmas seems the thing to do, there's a lot to do free in London England. Yes, London actually offers great traditional family activities that come...

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Family on snow-covered porch of cabin at YMCA of the Rockies Estes Park.
Article
The Best Ski and Snow Family Vacations

With snow in the forecast, our annual guide to the best ski and snow family vacation guarantees a fun time for all ages. This season, the top family mountain resorts are touting...

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Special effects, digital imagery and CGI exhibit at The Academy Museum explains some of the Hollywood magic seen in major new films.
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The Top Los Angeles Family Attractions

From movie star footprints to Koreatown, here’s a look at some of our favorite  Los Angeles family attractions. LA’s nickname the “City of Angels”...

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Motorhome parked on side of winding, dirt road leading to snow-capped mountain. By Siggy Nowak for Pixabay.
Article
Ten Safety Tips For Winter Road Trips

We've prepared these winter road trip tips because highway safety is a major concern on winter family adventures. With the anticipation of the holidays and exciting

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Road trip snacks are essential car trip accessories. Photo c. Ladislav Sturcell for unsplash.
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50 Tips For Road Trips

Here's our top 50 tried n' true road trip tips, culled from families who've logged enough car miles to circumnavigate the globe. 

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girl holding pumpkin
Article
Haunted Houses, Halloween Ideas and Weekend Breaks

Wondering if our directory of Halloween ideas will help you get your fright on? Across the country, discover the wide variety of haunted houses for kids and other organized Halloween...

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apple cluster
Article
Apple Picking And Pick Your Own Pumpkins

Apple and pumpkin picking U-Pick farms and local orchards are among Fall's...

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Mom and baby enjoy Boo at the Zoo event at New York's Bronx Zoo, photo by Julie Larsen-Maher c. WCS.
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Halloween in New York City for Free And Cheap Fun

Starting in early September, carved pumpkins, spooky ghosts and candy treats mark Halloween in New York City. Best yet, ghostly elves spread the spirit of autumn across the five...

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Charlie Brown and Snoopie ride the historic East Broad Top Railway to find a Halloween pumpkin. Photo c. Matthew Malkiewicz for East Broad Railroad Foundation
Article
24 Fabulous Fall Getaways For 2024

Fall is a fabulous time to get away without busting the budget, whether you want to take the kids apple picking and leaf peeping, head to a festival, or revel in your first trip...

Read More    34 min read

Vintage photo of girls dressed like twin vampires trick or treating at Pickerings Wharf in Salem, Massachusetts.
Article
Halloween Witches In Salem, Massachusetts

In search of Halloween witches in Salem, Massachusetts? Ready to give up the Sunday football game to take the kids exploring? Nothing is as Halloween focused as

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Spooky looking bridge at sunset leads to Baton Rouge.
Article
Baton Rouge Halloween, Haunted Houses, and Halloween Fun

Start weaving your ghost tales now so you're all set for a spooky Baton Rouge Halloween weekend break. Baton Rouge is the perfect budget getaway with your...

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Three children playing in a pile of leaves near a tree
Article
Leaf Peeker’s Guide To America’s Fall Foliage

Fall foliage tours and affordable leaf peeping road trips are easy to plan if you use this How-To, Where-To Leaf Peeker's Guide with tips on the best places to see leaf colors...

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Boy holding his catch while fishing at a mountain stream.
Article
Summer Fun At Western Ski Resorts

Western ski resorts known for winter and skiing offer summer fun at family-friendly mountain destinations. Parents love that lodging and activities are economical and the weather...

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Article
Autumn Adventures In A Corn Maze

Visit a farm with a huge corn maze the kids can puzzle on for a great autumn family getaway. Our favorite farms feature Escape Rooms carved into living cornstalks as the main attraction....

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Artistically painted pumpkin
Article
Autumn Interludes and Fall Family Festivals

Meet some uniquely American, slightly eccentric fall family festivals and plan an autumn interlude with the kids. We encourage travelers of any age to exfoliate...

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People joining in on the watermelon eating contest in Hope, Arkansas. Photo c. Hopewatermelonfest.com
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Don’t Miss the Hope Watermelon Festival in Arkansas

If you're heading for Arkansas and have a love for games, music, and most of all watermelon, make your way to the Hope Watermelon Festival and other easy-to-plan events around...

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Baby boy looks at pumpkin in his lap.
Article
Illinois Apple Farms – U-Pick ‘Em And Enjoy

Drive with us to U-Pick apple farms in the Illinois countryside. Pick a farm near Rockford, Caledonia, Winnebago...

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Reenactors march in Colonial Williamsburg to highlight Virginia's history.
Article
Best Family Hotels in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia – Kid-Friendly Stays

For a colonial multi-generational getaway, select one of Colonial Williamsburg's official hotels or review other Williamsburg area family-friendly lodging. The Historic Triangle...

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Road trip snacks are essential car trip accessories. Photo c. Ladislav Sturcell for unsplash.
Article
Car Trip Essentials And Survival Kit

We polled staff and site visitors to compile a list of the top 30 car trip essentials. Let's dive into the health, safety, and entertainment items guaranteed to keep road trip...

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Capitol building in Washington DC at night with snow.
Article
Family-Friendly Hotels in Washington DC: Perfect for Your Next Vacation!

Washington DC has approximately 149 hotels with 34,000 hotel rooms, ranging from economical chains to 5-star blowout hotels with swimming pools frequented by presidents and kings...

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Explore the Center for Civil and Human Rights, a must-see attraction for all ages in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo by Dustin Chambers for CityPASS.
Article
Best Weekend Getaways for Families from Atlanta

Living in The South's most happening city and looking for an Atlanta weekend getaway? Here's a guide to short break destinations near Atlanta, Georgia. But first, find the best...

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Mom and two kids float along the lazy river at Hilton Lake Buena Vista Palace in Orlando.
Article
Disney Springs Hotels Discount Orlando Rates

Many families don't realize that Disney Springs hotels offer discount Orlando room rates for every vacation period. This summer, they also feature free evening entertainment with...

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Sightseeing boats and attractions line Chicago's Navy Pier.
Article
Chicago, Illinois Family-Friendly Hotels

If you are looking for family hotels in Chicago, Illinois, here are some of the top kid-welcoming places to crash in style.

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Aircraft in flight.
Article
Stress Free Flying With Baby: 8 Must-Know Tips For Infant And Toddler Air Travel

Our flying with baby tips will protect baby's health in-flight, as well as the sanity of other passengers (and your own!) Discover answers to the 8 most common air travel with...

Read More    7 min read

Bourbon Street at night as the lights come on. Photo by Zack Smith/ PhotographyNewOrleans.com
Article
New Orleans, Louisiana Family Attractions You Must Experience

Dubbed “The Big Easy” and “The Most Interesting City in America” depending on your viewpoint, New Orleans family attractions will not disappoint. This charming Southern...

Read More    11 min read

Piazza del Duomo, your first stop in Milan, is home to great art and amazing shops.
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One Day In Milan Itinerary, Plus The Best Day After Attractions

A one day in Milan itinerary should include couture fashion design, fresh pasta and great art. What’s not to miss in Milan? Leonardo's "The Last Supper." What's the other top...

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Hotel guests watch fireworks display over the Pacific Ocean from their balcony at Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort, Oahu. Photo c. Hilton
Article
Forget Chasing Bargains: These Are Top Value Spring Break Vacation Deals

Whether you're suffering from Tiktok fever, relentless blizzards or restless kids, many families are looking for a last-minute spring break vacation. Don't worry -- last minute...

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Couples dancing to live music at the Sunday Jamboree in the Floyd Country Store, along the Crooked Road. Photo c. Floyd Country Store.
Article
Banjo, Folk, Country Songs – Driving The Crooked Road, Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail

Spend time in Floyd or Galax watching fiddle pickers perform and fall in love with Virginia's Heritage Music Trail. Old time, bluegrass, folk,...

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