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...
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Orlando Haunted Houses and Spooky Thrills in Orlando
Say the word Orlando and "vacation" may come to mind, along with theme park rides, thrills, and characters. But come Halloween, some people prefer the spooks and chills of the hauntingly horrifying holiday complete with Orlando haunted houses. Others, especially those with younger children, may seek a more light-hearted approach to the autumn occasion. We’ve found a few fun Halloween...
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The 10 Best Themeparks For Family Vacations
At almost any time of year, family planners can count on a theme park to shift the annual vacation into high gear. Whether you’re planning a long vacation or just a day trip, a themepark is the perfect destination for family bonding no matter the age of your children. In “America's Most Popular Family...
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Halloween Fun and Frights in Philly, Scranton, Lancaster & Pitttsburgh Pennsylvania
It's almost that time of year again when families search for Pennsylvania haunted houses and kids don their costumes and head out looking for a Halloween adventure. Families who will be in the Philadelphia, Scranton, Pittsburg or Lancaster regions between September and November can start planning now; you're sure to have a haunting Halloween as well as the weeks before and after. Tons...
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Outdoor Adventure At Glacier Bay National Park
Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska welcomes more than 400,000 visitors every year, even though the park cannot be accessed by car. This UNESCO World Heritage Site -- a body of water and coastline crusted with huge glaciers -- can only be reached by air or by sea. Getting to Glacier Bay National Park Luckily for those who aren't cruising,
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Introducing Rocky Mountain National Park
More than 415 square-miles of rock-ribbed wilderness draws nearly three million visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park every year. Easily accessible from many entrances in Colorado, the park is heavily used by locals as well as tourists, and is beloved for its mountain...
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Alaska Overland At Denali National Park
Since its discovery over a century ago, Denali has seen many hopeful explorers braving its hard terrain. From the early miners who dug through tough rock to gold seekers during the Gold Rush and mountaineers who cherish the thrill of conquering a peak, Denali National Park has long been a goal of visitors...
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Mariposa, The Heart of Yosemite
According to Jeffrey Hentz of the Yosemite/Mariposa Tourism Bureau, in Yosemite National Park, "everyone is a photographer." The park's breath-taking views of over 1,100 square miles of natural scenery create the perfect backdrop for anyone with a camera. Yosemite was established as a national park in October...
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Making Walt Disney World with Kids Easy
Frommer's Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World with Kids is the perfect family vacation companion for that magical kingdom of crowds and confusion.Although not the flashiest guidebook out there, the 854-page The Unofficial Guide...
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Family Tee Time Golf With Kids
As golf becomes more popular with younger generations, golf resorts are catering to grandparents and parents interested in upping their game with kids -- whether on vacation or during special skills camps. By incoporating youth golf programs, one-on-one instruction and kid-friendly discounts, many golf resorts are bringing families closer together for the love of the sport. Whether your...
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Passports Overboard? St. Thomas Resort in USVI Welcomes Families
Looking for a great family escape for Spring Break? Didn't have time to get a passport? The Frenchman's Reef and Morning Star Marriott (800/524-2000) is offering a variety of packages, including the “Escape! Family Package” offer. This offer requires a 3-, 4-, or 5-night stay, which...
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Excellent Baby Book for Expectant Mothers
I know expecting mothers have a lot to think about in the time before baby comes. First- time mothers must also deal with the pressures of not knowing what is to come. While there are many available guidebooks on the market for expectant mothers, I find it’s hard to know whether to buy one and if you do, whether it will be helpful. The...
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Gulf Coast Family Beach Vacations In Panama City
While Panama City Beach was once noted for its college Spring Break scene, today it welcomes families with its white sand Gulf of Mexico beaches and crystal blue waters. Having just returned from a beach rated #3 in the United States by TripAdvisor fans, I can verify that this sunny destination is a family vacationer’s paradise. I walked the beach, did some sightseeing, relaxed, and ate wonderful...
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Rio the Movie Introduces Kids to New Cultures
Teaching children about foreign cultures is an important aspect of family travel. Whether traveling domestically or abroad, families are sure to encounter various customs that are different from the ones taught at home. These experiences can help shape a child’s understanding of how other people live, including what they eat, where they shop and how they dress. ...
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Tours Combine Adventure and Volunteering
If you enjoy adventure and helping others, and you're looking for ideas for your next vacation, then Adventure Center might have the answer for you. Adventure Center is a group of travel experts who will consult and guide your family in developing a travel itinerary from more than 2,000 global adventures. Whether you and your older children are...
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All-American Family Weekend from $269/N
Baseball season is now open and that means plenty of family bonding over this great American pastime. Ballparks across America are welcoming kids of all ages -- while munching on classics like peanuts and crackerjacks -- to witness top athletes play the sport. For families planning vacations with a ballgame included in the itinerary, consider a great package that includes...
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Real Ranch Camp in Colorado for Teen Wranglers
If you know a teen that loves the great outdoors, is interested in horses and is looking for something to do this summer, then Devil's Thumb Ranch in Tabernash, Colorado may have something to offer you. Teens ages 10 to 14 can experience ranch life on a 5000-acre working farm. The Devil's Thumb Ranch Junior Wrangler Day Camps will work with...
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Carnival Cruise Ship-Building Contest to Benefit St. Jude’s
Cruises are fun for kids of all ages. So is building your own mini cruise ship to help support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Carnival Cruise Lines is launching a new contest for kids 13 and up to build a model Carnival ship out of everyday items. The “Build a Ship” contest is part of a series of contests and other activities...
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Cheap Tickets For A Broadway Show
Broadway bound? Get the most out of your trip to the Big Apple with a visit to a live show or performance. New Yorkers know how to find cheap seats.We think catching a live show or musical is a great way to experience the best of New York City. There are many opportunities to see a live show, both on- and off-Broadway, with a story line that is appropriate for the entire family, no matter...
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Brunswick And The Golden Isles Of Georgia
You don't have to be Gatsby to savor the family activities available in the little-known, mid-Atlantic coastal retreats of St. Simon's and Jekyll Islands, Georgia. The Golden Isles off the coast of Georgia offer a great escape from the humdrum routine of daily life. The most popular times to visit the area, located on the Atlantic between Savannah, Georgia and...
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Star Trekking: Funny Guy Jon Stewart & Family in Orlando
We all love Jon Stewart on his Emmy-Awarding winning TV show, "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart." He is well-known for making America laugh on the hit, self-titled Comedy Central show because he's so good at turning current events into laughable matters. What we might not realize is that Jon Stewart is also a family man. According to sources at Wikipedia, Stewart and his wife, the...
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This Guide Plans Your East Coast Road Trip
With so many suggestions for what to do, where to eat and stay, the Drive I-95 guidebook can certainly help any road trip planner.Ever wonder what it would be like to travel down the entire East Coast? Interstate Highway 95 is the stretch of road that can take you from New Hampshire to Florida. If you travel the highway from beginning to end, you will have seen the entire East Coat. If this...
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10 Best Family Destinations For Snowsports
In a new family vacation planning guidebook, the FTF community selects their 10 favorite snowsports destinations for a family vacation.In the winter and spring, family ski trips can be a fun and adventurous way to bring the whole clan together. Many resorts now provide family-friendly services and offer activities for all ages, both on and off the slopes. In “
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Best Family Destinations Guidebook Helps Create Idiot-Proof Vacations
While opportunities are endless in terms of travel, how does one decide where to go and what to do once you are there? The "Complete Idiot's Guide to the Best Family Destinations" answers these questions...
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Cherokee Celebration of American History in Oklahoma; $20 for kids
This year will mark the 150th Anniversary of the American Civil War. While many historic and cultural events are taking place across the country, some stand out above the rest. If you will be in Oklahoma in the coming months (March through October), check out the Cherokee Nation Cultural Tourism program that will honor the importance...
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Big Laughs for Travel Writers’ Night Out
In the travel industry, many companies host events for travel writers to promote a destination, present a new product or announce an exciting accomplishment. As a journalist, these events are fun ways to mingle with colleagues, meet with representatives and find interesting new story angles. Sometimes the events are bold and glamorous (if any of you read my blog about the Hilton Spa,...
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Star Trekking 12:10: Justin Bieber Pop Star, Film Star, Comic Book Star
In a recent survey by TRUSTe, an internet privacy company, 10% of parents admitted to secretly logging in to their child’s Facebook account. In the same survey 72% of parents said they monitor their child’s online activity and 85% check their child’s Facebook page at least once a week. The digital capacities of this decade have far surpassed the means of traditional...
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Star Trekker: 12:10: Oprah Goes Down Under with Elvis
Oprah Winfrey, the popular talk-show host, billionaire and philanthropist, may not have children to travel with, but she still surrounds herself with family. She lives with her long-time boyfriend, PR Rep Stedman Graham, and several dogs. She is well-known for her close, controversial friendship with Gayle King, Editor of Oprah’s O magazine. She likes to...
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Who Judged You: The 2010 Teen Travel Writing Scholarship
The Family Travel Forum Teen Travel Writing Scholarship has recently announced its 2010 winners, but the process for selecting these award-winning travel blogs started back in May. The Family Travel Forum Teen Travel Writing Scholarship has recently announced its 2010 winners, but the process for selecting these award-winning travel blogs started back in May. Between May 1 and August...
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The Ultimate Twilight Experience in Forks, Washington from $99/N
Are you a fan of the ever-popular "Twilight" series written by Stephanie Meyers? Have you followed Bella Swan throughout her journey in Forks, Washington? Did you know that Forks is now a popular tourist destination where avid fans can witness the places that Bella traversed? The old town of Forks, Washington is located on the Olympic...
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Celebrate Cultural Festivals with World Party
For those who want to celebrate and party in a different state, country or continent, Rough Guides World Party has compiled the best destinations just for you. Ever wonder how other countries celebrate special occasions? Is partying one of your favorite pastimes? Then the Rough...
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Pet-Friendly Ski And Snowsports Resorts
10 dog-loving resorts so when you want to hit the slopes, all those pets who enjoy winter weather will be able to join you in the fun. We all love our pets, and sometimes it is difficult to leave them behind when we travel. If your family loves your dog and you all love to ski or snowboard, now you don’t have to feel bad about leaving your furry friend behind. Whether your...
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Guidebook Explores 500 World Destinations Before They’re Gone
These 500 sites around the world face extinction from environmental and man-made pressures. Author Holly Hughes wants you to see them before they disappear forever.As a world traveler, writer and editor, Holly Hughes has seen a lot. In Frommer’s 500 Places to See Before They Disappear, she takes the reader around the globe to some of the world’s most precious...
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Discover San Francisco & Wine Country Through Restaurants
With over 100 years of experience, the France-based Michelin Red Guide gives readers confidence in the dining and hotel choices they honor.If you are planning a trip to San Francisco or if you live in the area and want to find some new places to eat, The Michelin Guide might be able to help. The fifth addition of "Michelin Guide San Francisco, Bay Area and Wine Country 2011" promises to “provide...
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Iconic Roadtrips With A Sense Of Humor
Lonely Planet publishes a detailed guide to the best US road trips for those who like to travel with a plan.Aside from the first few pages that are filled with color photographs, "USA’s Best Trips" seems a bit dull. But don’t let the lack of luster fool you, this guide is a detailed bible to American road trips. The writing team offers quite a sense of humor in their eulogies...
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Frommer’s Day by Day Guides – London In 1 Day Or More
For travelers who want to see the most sights in the shortest amount of time, Frommer's London Day by Day was written for you.The new Frommer’s Day by Day series of pocket-size guidebooks is perfect for anyone who is looking for the best places to visit in the shortest amount of time. Even if you will be staying in your destination for an extended period, these books breaks down...
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Navigate St. Louis with a Helpful Moon City Handbook
Written with the insight of local experience, passion and deep knowledge, the Moon Handbook city guides are a perfect companion for your next trip. With more than 30 years of experience, Moon Handbooks have gained a good reputation with a diverse group of travelers. Moon’s writers are acknowledged experts and they provide detailed, first-hand knowledge about the places...
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Star Trekker: Julianne Moore as Mom, Author and now Playwright
Julianne Moore is many things in life: a redhead, an actress, a mother and a children’s book author. Her first book, Freckleface Strawberry, is about a young girl who struggles with insecurities, namely having freckles and red hair. Moore says the book's storyline has been influenced by a childhood when she was taunted and called the book’s namesake. While...
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Tarpon Springs, Florida
Check out Florida's Greek village for a bit of history, fishing and wildlife viewing along the Anclote River and the Gulf of Mexico.The charming blend of Victorian homes, Floridian-style residences, and the early settlement site at Spring Bayou constitute only a part of what Tarpon Springs, Florida is all about. The entire community revolves around Dodecanese Boulevard, the main street...
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Twin Cities of Minneapolis And St. Paul, Minnesota
Read how the Twin Cities offer lots of choices for a family with many interests -- and their stressed out mom.I was born under the sign of the twins and, like most Geminis, I am utterly indecisive. I constantly feel pulled in two directions by strong opposing forces, also known as my children. Their names are Devin, a 10-year-old boy, and Daelyn, a 7-year-old girl -- polar opposites with different...
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