North America Archives - My Family Travels
Uniformed marching band parades the grounds at Colonial Williamsburg. Photo c. pixels.
Article
5 Top U.S. Historical Sites That Inspire Kids to Learn Through Travel

Travel introduces children to a world of stories, so they can look beyond books and learn through travel. Some U.S. historical sites make this even more engaging, blending hands-on...

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Parents and kids are scrambling over rocks on summer hike in Vail Valley.
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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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A two-bedroom family suite sleeping 6 at the Endless Summer Dockside Inn, one of Universal Orlando's best options for value lodging.
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Budget Family Suites Hotels At Universal Orlando Resort

A few years back we reviewed the budget family suites at Universal Orlando. During a recent stay at the Cabana Bay Beach Resort, we toured them again and found...

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New, posh glamping tents are weatherproof and well furnished for outdoor living.
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How Luxury Glamping Tents Redefine Outdoor Experiences

Camping has long been associated with simplicity, rugged living, and a direct connection to nature. However, the evolution of outdoor travel has brought a new level of comfort...

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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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Historic Gideon Putnam Hotel is home to an original hydrotherapy spa. Photo c. Allison Tibaldi
Article
It’s Saratoga For The Win: Family-Friendly Saratoga Springs, NY

Saratoga Springs NY, which came to prominence as a 19th-century resort, boasts many things to do with kids. If natural mineral springs, horse racing, gambling, and luxury hotels...

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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

Read More    4 min read

LEGO Driving School awards all graduates a driver's license.
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Welcome LEGOLAND New York To The Catskills

LEGOLAND New York is a playful version of the plastic brick theme park that successfully reflects its urban locale. Our family, like many in the tri-state area, is glad it chose...

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The Hard Rock Hotel has an incredible Gift Shop packed with replica and original rock n'roll memorabilia.
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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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Florida is ideal for budget summer getaways because there is water everywhere. Photo c. Denys Kostyuchenko for unsplash.
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Weekend Wanderlust: Florida Mini Adventures That Don’t Require A Passport

Many Florida residents are choosing to explore their own backyard. It makes sense. Planning a vacation that involves long flights and complicated bookings is not always possible....

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Woman teaches baby how to swim in indoor pool.
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How To Teach Babies And Toddlers To Swim

As parents, we want to know how to teach our babies to swim because the desire to see, feel or hear water is universal. People from all walks of life seek its soothing yet refreshing...

Read More    7 min read

woman at laptop computer
Article
14 Travel Hacks You May Not Know For Planning A Bucket List Adventure

Make Bucket List dreams come true, and affordably, by using a few of my favorite travel hacks. Current research and a lifetime of travel experience taught me some new tricks to...

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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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The Sandpearl resort boasts a lagoon pool right along the beautiful white sand beach of Clearwater, Florida.
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Favorite Clearwater Beach Family Resorts

Clearwater Beach, Florida is so popular that you need to book ahead to guarantee the best Clearwater Beach family resort for your needs. Many factors make our pick of the top resorts...

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Empty gold sand beach with a row of sunchairs under umbrellas along the Caribbean coast of Mexico.
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All Inclusive Resort Tips For Families: What’s Really Included And Why It Matters

All inclusive resorts are a popular choice for families because they promise to take the hassle out of vacation planning. What do all inclusive resorts offer? They offer convenience...

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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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Woman holds up papers being notarized. Photo c. Andrea Piacuadio via pexels
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Consent to Travel Letter Forms

Thank you for requesting these Consent to Travel forms. They are the documents required for travel with minors, shared as a service of the Family Travel Forum community.

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Family at airport security
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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...

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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,...

Read More    44 min read

Players confront costumed guards in 'Squid Games The Experience', an immersive game in New York.
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Summer Blockbuster Stays: Family Entertainment Hotels Where Pop Culture and Fun Collide

Why pay for theme parks when there are hotels with entertainment for families? This summer of budget-watching is the ideal time to discover unique family resorts and hotels with...

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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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Aerial view of beach at Seaside Heights, Jersey Shore with Casino Pier in background
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Top 5 Family-Friendly Jersey Shore Towns for an Unforgettable Vacation

So you know you are reading about the Jersey Shore. But if you’re expecting a write-up on Snooki and the rest of the MTV gang, or a Bruce Springsteen expose,...

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Aerial view of long security lines at Jeppesen Terminal at Denver International Airport.
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Global Entry And TSA PreCheck Reduce Airport Hassles

Over the past month, I've been renewing my Global Entry and TSA PreCheck status. With increased immigration scrutiny at all borders, they're more...

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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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The Victorian style front porch and bright red door of the Virginia Hotel in Cape May, NJ. Photo c. Virginia Hotel
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Cape May, New Jersey Attractions Lure Families

Picturesque, Victorian style homes, quiet lanes, and family attractions go hand in hand in Cape May, New Jersey. The beautiful seaside getaway I visited with my...

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Teen Travel Trends Report cover from 2015.
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Teen Travel Trends: A Look At Where And Why Teens Travel

Thank you for your interest in "Family Travel Forum Reports: Teen and Student Travel Trends." We have collected a lot of anonymized data on where teens travel and why they go....

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Grandfather and grandson play with ducks in Pittsford, NY town park.
Article
At 200, An Erie Canal Cruise Is A Bucket List Adventure

Discover the magic of a New York canal cruise on the iconic Erie Canal. Slow travel back to 1817, when construction began on...

Read More    7 min read

Lightner Museum occupies the former Hotel Alcazar in St. Augustine.
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From Fort Mose To The Civil Rights Movement: Tracing Black History In St. Augustine

Look past the Spanish fort, ornate Moorish buildings and main plaza to discover Black history in St. Augustine, Florida. More than 450 years ago, the first Africans in North America...

Read More    13 min read

Groupd doing a tour on Segways at the Palm Beach marina in Florida.
Article
Road Trip USA: Florida Beach Road Trip Along US1 From Jacksonville To Key West

Welcome to Routes 1 and A1A, the twin coastal roads along the Atlantic coast between Jacksonville and Key West that form the greatest Florida beach road trip.

Read More    15 min read

RVs in campground with kids on bikes.
Article
Resources For Family Camping Vacations

An enthusiastic camper, let me share some resources for family camping vacations to help in planning your next big U.S. camping trip. My tips should help whether you prefer a tent,...

Read More    6 min read

Rearview mirror with a road receding into the distance.
Article
Favorite Resources For Planning Family Road Trips

Planning family road trips is a major undertaking, but long distance driving makes for one of the best value and most rewarding vacations you can do.

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Parent supervising a young girl on the beach as she walks towards the water at dusk.
Article
Spring Break Water Safety Tips for Kids and Families

Families are heading to beaches, pools and lakes this holiday, so it’s a good time to remind everyone of essential water safety tips for families. According to 

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Snoopy and family
Article
California Haunted Houses and Halloween Happiness

Discover ghosts, goblins and Halloween costumes along with ghoulishly fun frights at California haunted houses, theme parks and other Halloween venues. Since the fright industry...

Read More    7 min read

Boy wearing a surfer's rasher to guard against the sun at the beach.
Article
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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woman at laptop computer
Article
Best Sites for Vacation Packages – Top Travel Deals

We are often asked how to save money with vacation deals, so we are sharing our favorite sites for discount travel booking. As a network of frequent traveling parents, we do a...

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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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Family group enjoying the outdoor firepit and s'mores at the RumFish Beach Resort in St. Pete Beach, Florida. Photo c. Tradewinds Resorts
Article
Family Reunion Planning: 6 Steps to Stress-Free Success

Are you in charge of doing the family reunion planning this year? If so, here's my in-depth guide to get you started. With...

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Family getting ready for a sleigh ride to dinner at Park City Mountain Resort.
Article
Park City Peaks: A Multigenerational Ski Adventure

Multigenerational ski adventures, when grandkids can ski with grandparents in snowy destinations, are my ideal family vacation, spring or winter. When someone wants to hit the...

Read More    10 min read

Skill catching zone at Atlanta's College Football Hall of Fame
Article
Atlanta Georgia Attractions: 12 Top Places to Visit

Atlanta, Georgia attractions will thrill families seeking culture, history, and recreation. As Georgia’s biggest city, there are so many sights you could spend weeks here.

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Young girl dresssedf in pink on a bumpber car. Photo c. Magic Mountain Fun Center.
Article
Columbus Ohio Attractions

The state's capital and largest city, Columbus, Ohio has affordable, entertaining attractions that make family travelers very happy. My family should know, after so many visits...

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Girl sitting on float on the sand squirts sunblock from a bottle. Photo c. campus for pixels.
Article
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

Sunrise, before the crowds hit the beach, is a wonderful time to explore. Photo c. pexels
Article
U.S. Virgin Islands – Choosing the Perfect Island for Your Vacation

No passport? No problem with our family's reviews of the U.S. Virgin Islands to help you decide which of America's Caribbean isles is right for your family beach vacation.

Read More    9 min read

Aerial view of the Coral World Ocean Park Underwater Observatory on St. Thomas. Photo c. Coral World
Article
St. Thomas, Family Adventures In The U.S. Virgin Islands

Kayak, snorkel, "snuba" and more with the family on the beautiful beaches of St.Thomas. It's one of the most popular of the U.S. Virgin Islands because there's so much going for...

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Kayak and canoe launch by the side of a river with kayaker in the background.
Article
Explore Vermont Camping On Lake Champlain

Sleep under the stars with close friends and family at a Lake Champlain camp when exploring Vermont. I've been there so I know the Lake Champlain Islands guarantee the summer's...

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The undersea world is so magical. Watch fish swim by as a ray hangs out in the sand off Grand Cayman Island. Photo c. Ashley Spencer.
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How To Travel With Teens And Keep Everyone Happy: Top Tips

“Honey, when you take the kids, it’s not a real vacation, it’s just a change of venue.” Aunt Ruby’s wise observation...

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Tombstone at Harriet Tubman gravesite in Auburn, New York.
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Keep Going: Harriet Tubman In The Finger Lakes of Central New York

Celebrate the legendary freedom seeker, suffragist and abolitionist, Harriet Tubman, in the Finger Lakes region. Ms. Tubman called Auburn, on Owasco Lake, her...

Read More    9 min read

Woman in bathing suit on a beach chair at one of the Viva Wyndham all-inclusive resorts.
Article
Summertime: Sun Precautions When The Heat Is On

Doc Holiday updates you on specific sun precautions to take during the blistering heat of summer, especially when traveling with very young children.

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Mother and son at water's edge in Capetown, wearing sun protection clothes and hats.
Article
Exploring Nature’s Impact on Children’s Mental Health

Exploring nature often sparks joy and wonder. For children's mental health, however, its effects go much deeper. It fosters emotional balance and mental well-being in ways research...

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Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee
Article
Destinations Where Black Culture And Black Lives Matter

Explore historic attractions, institutions and unexpected sites of Black culture where Black lives matter. These destinations will fuel fascinating conversations about race and...

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