ftfstaff author at My Family Travels
Three boys in a pool get their picture taken in front of the Schlitterbahn Galveston sign.
Article
Wet And Wild At Schlitterbahn Waterparks

Being voted the “World’s Best Waterpark” for 24 years is a guarantee that your family will find Schlitterbahn a fun, imaginative, aquatic entertainment center. Just ask the...

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Clearwater Beach has some of the finest sand for castle building, body burying and sand sculptures in the United States.
Article
St. Petersburg And Clearwater, Florida Attractions

The St. Petersburg Clearwater family attractions include so much of what a vacation in Florida should have. Expect some of the nation's finest beaches, facing the calm and shallow...

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Mt. Rushmore
Article
Road Trip USA: Great Sights of the West – Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone And The Grand Tetons

Plan a Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone road trip to experience the West's top national parks and monuments. Share other interesting Western sights in South Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming...

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Teen taking a lesson from a pro at Classic Swing Golf School in Myrtle Beach.
Article
You Thought Beach? Myrtle Beach Golf Is The New Game

Many families expect a beach when they get to Myrtle Beach, but our family prefers a Myrtle Beach golf vacation. The beach is there, of course. The Grand Strand...

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Cover art of the Kid's Guide to Washington DC
Article
A Real Kid’s Guide to Washington DC

Just in time for summer, there's a brand new edition of

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The C3 Pass gives visitors to certain cities the city pass savings for three attractions and, like other CityPASSES, it is delivered via mobile phone. Photo c. CityPASS
Article
Big City Deals With City Pass Savings

Who's not interested in multi-attraction tickets and city pass savings for several US cities? Many of these discounted attraction passes cover sights in Canada and the top European...

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Three covers of the Negro Travelers' Green Book from the years 1947, 1948 and 1955 at the New York Public Library
Article
Making Our Travels More Meaningful

Social, economic and political forces have persuaded many families to commit to more meaningful travel since the pandemic pause.

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Man viewing steam rising from a hot spring at Yellowstone National Park.
Article
Gorgeous Yellowstone Winter Getaways with Family Snow Tours

One of the country's most impressive national parks is featuring Yellowstone winter getaways for select dates through early March. Plan now to experience this vast park -- a favorite...

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Illuminated boats reflect off the Potomac River during Alexandria Virginia's Holiday Boat Parade of Lights. Photo c. Evan Michio for Visit Alexandria
Article
Alexandria, Virginia In Winter – Top Attractions

Historic Alexandria, Virginia in winter is all about Scottish traditions and holiday cheer. It's a great time of year to visit this small town neighboring the nation's capital....

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New paint job on Disney Monorail celebrates the 50th anniversary at the WDW resort.
Article
10 Tips To Get The Most Bang for Your Orlando Buck

Families on a budget heading to Florida's theme park capital should heed these money-saving Orlando tips to get the most bang for their vacation buck. Planning ahead with the help...

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Chateau Frontenac on top of the Quebec City ramparts.
Article
Quebec City, Canada Attractions

Tour an 18th-century European old town, water parks, zoos, monuments and the river -- Quebec City attractions that are fun for families in all four seasons.

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Grandchildren on the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach
Article
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Attractions

Typically hot in the summer (average high temperatures in the upper 80's F) yet more temperate during the rest of the year, Myrtle Beach attractions make it South...

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Elvis Presley statue on the waterfront.
Article
The King of Tupelo, Mississippi

I recently overheard two guys who'd scaled Kilimanjaro, run Class VI rapids on the New River, and rested their heads on the most expensive pillows in Paris agree that none of their...

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Article
Foodie Families In Puerto Vallarta

The Pacific coast Mexican resort of Puerto Vallarta has made a name for itself among the foodies of the world, thanks to a chef-friendly culture and its proximity to great seafood,...

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Kids stand at water's edge while a man does cartwheels on beach.
Article
Surfing Resorts In California And Hawaii

I have been an avid surfer since I was a kid, so when my wife and I vacation with Hannah, now 2, I expect to go to a surfing resort. The

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tennis playing boy
Article
Top Family-Welcoming Tennis Resorts

Here's your go-to resource for the top-ranked tennis resorts and tennis training camps in the world which accommodate families and their tennis-playing children. It's time to get...

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Goat with baby goats.
Article
Farms Stays and Agritourism Around the World

Use this directory of agritourism resources -- agricultural businesses that extend hospitality to guests -- to plan farm stays. Your kids will learn where food comes from and will...

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Lady Gaga wax statue in London Madame Tussaud's wears the famous Telephone Hat from designer Philip Treacy
Article
Star Trekking: Lady Gaga Shrieks Viva Las Vegas

The Grammy's make us dream about the big year for Lady Gaga. When one of the world's most flamboyant and individual performers joined the A-list at Madame Tussauds in...

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Wish you were here sign in snow
Article
America’s Top 10 Snowy Cities

Think you've got it bad? Here is a list of the average annual snowfall in America’s 10 Most Snowy Cities, according to The Weather Channel

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Yavapai on the South Rim
Article
Family Road Trip USA: The Grand Canyon From Phoenix To Las Vegas

This great American family road trip, the Grand Canyon road trip, takes you through Phoenix, Arizona and Las Vegas, Nevada past red rocks, blue...

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Frustrated woman at computer
Article
How To Avoid Typical Travel Ripoffs

As smart as we all are about buying vacation packages online, it's important to refresh our scam antennae to avoid travel ripoffs.

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Article
Two Days in Cappadocia, Turkey

Get away from Turkey's big cities and find all the culture, beauty, and fresh air you're searching for in the west: Cappadocia. Ready...

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Article
Free Travel Fun In Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania is known for its proximity to the historic Gettysburg Battlefield, as well as for its institutions of higher learning including Gettysburg College and...

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Curious George with tent
Article
Introduce Family Camping To Little Explorers

Is it time to introduce family camping to your little explorers? This year especially, when warm nights beckon cooped-up kids to brave the wilds of the back yard and beyond, you'll...

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Cows fighting for herd dominance in Valais. Photo by Francois Perraudin.
Article
Fighting Cattle in Valais, Switzerland

Fighting cattle are an unusual natural attraction and a good enough reason to go to places we've never heard of to experience such a treasure. Since we know that cattle...

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Beachfront pool of Mahekal Beach Resort, Playa del Carmen.
Article
Playa del Carmen Best Places To Stay

Mexico's busy little port Playa del Carmen is a hotbed of small boutique hotels and condos that are the best places to stay for families who want to get away from large all-inclusive...

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Turkish Airlines toy kit for travelers.
Article
See Istanbul with Free Sightseeing and Stopover Tours

We really appreciate what Turkish Airlines has done to make families feel welcome, by offering free sightseeing and stopover tours in addition to in-flight toys, family entertainment...

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Playing hockey outside on a frozen lake.
Article
Playing With Ice – Ice Safety

Whether you're snowboarding, fishing, skating, or just taking a slippery stroll, knowing ice safety could save your life. During...

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Elk Mountain Pennsylvania, boys in the snow with ski gear
Article
Pennsylvania Ski Resorts Welcome Beginners

January is Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month and Pennsylvania ski resorts want all the beginners in your family to learn in their state! Did you know that tens...

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FTF Teen Travel Writing Scholarship logo by FamilyTravelForum.com
Article
Family Travel Forum Announces Winners Of 2019 Teen Travel Writing Scholarship

(New York, NY – September 24, 2019) Family Travel Forum (FTF) and its travel industry partners congratulate the winners of the 2019 FTF Teen Travel Writing Scholarship. Completing...

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Colonial era homes in Philadelphia's Historic Districts.
Article
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Attractions

Take a closer look at spots tourists love and local families' favorites to discover don't-miss attractions when exploring Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with the family. To make exploring easier, Philadelphia...

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Article
Travel in the Machine Age: Robots Join the Frontline Workforce

Since HAL and his offspring, C-3PO and R2-D2, first entered popular culture, humans have grown accustomed to the notion of benevolent robots being trained to serve them. And while...

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Boulderdash, Lake Compounce
Article
Lake Compounce – Fun Family Activities In Northwest Connecticut

The northwestern corner of Connecticut around Waterbury has many fun attractions for the family including the traditional Lake Compounce amusement park. Whether you’re going for a day or a weekend away,...

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Hersheypark Cupfusion ride
Article
Hershey, Pennsylvania Attractions

A trip to Hershey, Pennsylvania is not complete without the taste of chocolate, and the Hersheypark themepark, ZooAmerica and Chocolate World are all fun attractions for everyone in the...

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Infant flight travel vest by Baby B'Air.
Article
The Baby B’Air Infant Vest For Lap Children

Just because the airplane doesn't give your little ones their own chair, doesn't mean they can't buckle up in a Baby B'Air designed Flight Travel Harness. If you've read our 8...

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Guests at the Cityscape Lounge on the 46th floor of the Hilton San Francisco Union Square
Article
San Francisco, California Hotels

With so many lodging options and a plethora of unattended rentals, choosing the right hotel -- with a good staff and a convenient neighborhood -- can make your visit to San Francisco, California less stressful....

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Article
Car Rentals: Child Safety Not Included

One would think that at any car rental agency, child seats would be available without much fuss. Think again; our report just may convince you that the only safe thing to do is bring your own. According...

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cross-country skiing
Article
Bend, Oregon For High Desert Adventure Vacations

Bend is the focal point in central Oregon for active lifestyles and outdoor adventures, with sun all over, snow fun at Mt. Bachelor and recreation for all ages and athletic abilities. Nestled at the...

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Article
8 Ways Travel Alerts Should Impact Your Vacation

Frightening travel alerts, amplified by the 24-hour news cycle and lots of genuinely bad news, have become a daily occurrence… and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Although terror incidents, strikes,...

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Snowboarding at Serre Chevalier.
Article
France Skiing Hostel Style – Six Nights Room, Board from 248 Euros

In a special promotion only a youth hostel could afford, the Serre Chevalier Hostel in the...

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Article
More Great Summer Vacation Ideas

Will this summer be for mountain hikes and canoeing? Beaches and sandcastles?  Shopping, shows and food truck tours? Perfecting your Spanish, celebrating our National Parks? Whatever your pleasure,...

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Article
5 Tips For Booking Successful Vacation Rentals

With more online resources available, and larger multigenerational family groups traveling together, it's time your family explores the vacation rental option for your next getaway. 1. Why a Vacation...

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Article
A Bethlehem, PA Christmas for a Holiday Wonderland

While some of you may hear the name Bethlehem and picture mangers and farm animals, the revitalized former Steel Capital in eastern Pennsylvania has their own take on the Christmas season....

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Article
Top 10 National Parks For Family Vacations

Everyone agrees that the national parks are a treasury of great escapes from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Working with an annual budget over $3 billion and a crew of...

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Article
Award-Winning Vermont Resort Rolls Out Discount Ski Deals

There are some great winter discount packages coming out of Vermont as more snowflakes fall -- after a big snowy start to the season. At Smugglers Notch in the north country, the #1 Family Ski Resort in...

Read More    2 min read

Bora Bora Bungalows at Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
Article
The Top Disney World Deluxe Resorts

Wondering which of the deluxe Walt Disney World properties is worth the big bucks? It largely depends on style and location; some are built around the Magic Kingdom, some are adjacent to the other theme...

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Article
Trends: Halal Tourism, By and For Muslims

Travel by Muslims, whether or not they are actively religious or following Islamic social laws, is a market segment known as Halal Tourism. (Halal means a code of dietary laws, similar to the kosher dietary...

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Article
Discover Vienna, Austria

Find museums, palaces, art, shops and even a beach in the heart of Europe, making Vienna a perfect destination for family travelers. Vienna, Austria's capitol city, is a bustling urban metropolis that...

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travelmediashowcase-com logo
Article
Travel Media Showcase Sponsors Teen Scholarship

Travel Media Showcase (TMS) is where the travel trade meets one-on-one with a broad spectrum of invited travel journalists and bloggers. Now in its 19th year, and held in a different location annually,...

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Article
Top 10 Orlando Vacation Attractions

Does Orlando equal Disney World? Not completely -- there are so many different and varied experiences to be had.  Here's information for those seeking even more themepark pleasures at Universal Orlando's...

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Article
FTFChat Twitter Tips On Money And Family Vacation Planning

Learn from Twitter Tips that came out of a Family Travel Forum -

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Article
Orlando Attractions For Theme Park Haters

Getting beyond it's role as the theme park capital of the United States, Orlando also has a fascinating variety of natural, cultural, historical, and downright unusual activities--so many, in fact, that...

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Article
Why Stay at Disney World Hotels And Resorts?

If touring Walt Disney World theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios along with the waterparks Disney's Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach) is your family's next...

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Article
Disney Theme Parks Worldwide Expanding

At the annual fan-con #D23, organized by Disney’s most loyal fans in Tokyo this month, the company’s top executives revealed that characters from Pixar, Marvel and classic Disney franchises would...

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Article
7 Safety Tips To Keep Flying Babies Safe

New research based on data from inflight accidents has led doctors to reexamine the travel safety information given to parents of infants and toddlers. These new recommendations for safer airline...

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Sunset over Lake Michigan.
Article
Five Family Beaches On The Great Lakes

From New York to Wisconsin, the Great Lakes' shoreline includes hundreds of family beach getaways for watersports, fishing and outdoor adventure. The Great Lakes of the United States...

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Article
Stay Together in 2 Rooms at Really Big Orlando Resort

It's always a great time to visit Orlando, and the 200-acre World Center Marriott

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Article
Which One’s Right for You? Industry Experts Rank the Ski Resorts

The ski season has just begun and we already have a few surveys from industry experts to help families customize the choice of best ski resort. According to the 

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Article
Experiential Trips and Vacations Top Teen Travel Trends in 2017

The Family Travel Forum Teen Travel Trends...

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Article
Custom Itinerary: San Francisco And Yosemite on Tight Budget

Q.  Cathy P. and family of St. Peters, Missouri are visiting San Francisco and Yosemite National Park and want budget hotel and sightseeing ideas along...

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