Making Lemonade on an Emergency Airport Layover
I got a pound of lemons: an air traffic delay in Fort Lauderdale, a flight cancellation, being rerouted to Chicago O’Hare, an accident at LaGuardia, emergency airport closures, and a snow alert that forced me to spend 26 hours at an airport hotel. If not for that, I might never have “made lemonade” in Rosemont, Illinois home to Chicago's O'Hare Airport. Seemingly a suburb...
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On Earth’s Edge In Tofino
If you’re looking for an adventurous family vacation immersed in nature, Tofino should be on your list. This small community on the West side of Vancouver Island, in the province of British Columbia, Canada, offers striking scenery, active adventures and a hip atmosphere that should delight even hard-to-please teenagers. It is not easy to reach
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What Makes Best Western Hotels Special
When I recall the Best Western hotels we’ve stayed in, there’s always a pleasant surprise, an offbeat architectural detail, unexpected kid-friendly perk, or a free breakfast buffet worthy of a five-star resort. My husband calls Best Westerns “idiosyncratic.” He says of the lack of uniformity, “It’s so refreshing.” Having recently attended the annual Best Western Convention...
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50 Tips For Car Trips
Here's our pick of the top 50 tried n' true road trip tips, culled from families who've logged enough road miles to circumnavigate the globe. Whether you're driving to the local mall or across the sands to Timbuktu, there's bound to be a tip for soothing the kids that you haven't thought of! Prepare the Car & Family Before Departure 1. Make sure your vehicle or...
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Manhattan Movie Madness: New York’s Film Locations
Walking around Manhattan on a cold and windy day in December is not how I wanted to spend a Friday morning with a friend from out of town. But, during her weekend visit from Toronto, Michelle (being the television and movie buff that she is) was very eager to finally see all of the buildings, restaurants and street corners that she's come to know and love from movies and TV shows. So we...
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Alexandria, Virginia’s Winter Attractions
Not as "big city" as the nation's capital, the historic town of Alexandria, Virginia celebrates Scottish traditions and more each winter in a festival that all family members will really enjoy. Founded in 1749 and is listed on the National Register of Historical Places, Alexandria is steeped in history and is nationally recognized for its abundance of 18th- and 19th-century architecture. The numerous...
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A Teen’s Guide To Packing For A Family Vacation
Your family has announced that you are all going on vacation this year. You are filled with excitement and the first thing you want to do is throw some clothes into a suitcase and just go already. However, being unprepared will only stress you out and ruin your vacation experience. Before you depart, read these steps in preparation for your trip. Here are some tips from a fellow teen...
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Jacksonville’s Great Outdoors (And Beyond)
As we packed up the car and double checked our contraband (sugar-free suckers, charged up kindles, books, and markers), my daughter asked again what the place was called we were going. "Jacksonville! It's a city in Florida." I told her and made sure I had enough coffee to sufficiently caffeinate my way through the next 5-1/2-hours in the car with my kiddos. "But I thought we...
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California Haunted Houses and Halloween Happiness
If ghosts, haunted houses, goblins, and Halloween costumes are on everyone’s mind, there’s now something ghoulishly fun for all fear tolerances including California haunted houses, theme parks, and other Halloween fun. Since the fright industry has grown so quickly, both mild and terrifying fun are available throughout the fall. We’ve found some great events (many of them free) in San Francisco,...
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Gathering The Clan, Reunions At Florida’s Disney World Resort
There's no easier way to plan a togethering vacation -- what small family reunions are sometimes called -- than at a Disney theme park with grandparents in tow. Let's look at some recent stats. We know that more than 37% of grandparents who travel, have traveled with their grandchildren on one or more leisure trips...
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