Family Travel Tips & Stories

State 5 of 50: Pennsylvania There is a point every year when summer is winding down, the leaves start changing and you realize there are only so many beautiful weekends left before cold weather settles in. I wanted something outdoors. Something families could enjoy during that little window between summer heat and winter coats. That is exactly what I was thinking when I started researching Pennsylvania fall adventures for this week's 50 States, 50 Vacations article. I found a

State 4 of 50: Michigan When I started this 50 States, 50 Vacations series, I thought finding an unexpected vacation idea in each state would be the hard part. Turns out, the hard part is choosing just one. I've had that problem with every state I've researched so far, but Michigan finally got me. Every time I thought I had found this week's adventure, I found something completely different that made me stop and think, wait...Michigan has that too? So this week, instead of ch

Young child sitting in a vintage airplane cockpit at the Air Zoo in Portage, Michigan.

State 3 of 50: Wisconsin Workers gathering floating cranberries during a wet harvest When you think about a Wisconsin vacation, Wisconsin Dells is probably one of the first places that comes to mind—I know it is for my family. But did you know Wisconsin has another surprising vacation destination: Wisconsin Cranberry Country? As summer begins to wind down and families start thinking about fall getaways, parts of central and northern Wisconsin prepare for one of the most color

Walk part of the Appalachian Trail and discover the wild ponies that make Virginia’s Grayson Highlands feel like a magical land.

State 1 of 50: Arizona Grand Canyon Railway traveling through Grand Canyon National Park. NPS photo. Did you know there is a train you can ride into the Grand Canyon—with Western musicians, cowboy characters and restored vintage railcars? Let me take you to the charming Route 66 town of Williams, Arizona. This historic town is home to one of the most unique Grand Canyon experiences, in my opinion: the Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel. Your adventure begins before the train even

If you are wondering how to get your first passport, the process is easier than many people expect. Most of the work involves gathering the correct documents, completing one form, having a passport photo taken, and submitting everything in person. The hardest part may simply be waiting for your new passport to arrive. Here is the process broken down into simple steps. This guide is for U.S. citizens applying for their first U.S. passport. Passport fees and processing times we

Do you need a passport to go on a cruise? The answer is both yes and no. Some cruises allow eligible U.S. citizens to travel without a passport, while others require every passenger to have one. The answer depends on where your cruise begins, where it ends, where it travels, and the rules of the cruise line. This information is written for U.S. citizens. Permanent residents and citizens of other countries may have different documentation requirements. When You May Cruise Wit

We had just finished a long vacation filled with Disney in almost every form—Walt Disney World and a Disney cruise. Both parts of the trip included a tremendous amount of walking, excitement, and adventure. By the final morning, we were exhausted. Traveling with two children can be tiring on an ordinary day, but after such a full vacation, everyone was running on empty. It was early, and the kids did not want to wake up, get dressed, or function. Honestly, neither did I. The

Before our first Disney World trip, I kept trying to explain that we needed to get there early. I knew there would be rides, crowds, walking, photos, stops for food, bathroom breaks, and a hundred little things that always take longer when you are traveling as a family. But when you have never been there, it is hard to understand the size of it all from pictures, maps, or someone else trying to explain it. My husband honestly thought we had plenty of time. And to be fair, I u

Before I cruised with my two-year-old, there was one part of our stateroom that made me nervous: The balcony. A balcony room sounded beautiful. Coffee while the ship pulled into port. A quiet ocean view after the girls were asleep. A little extra space to breathe. But my youngest was the kind of toddler who saw something climbable before I even noticed it was there. Chairs, couch arms, playground equipment—she was my little half-monkey. So while everyone else was excited abou

Parents, Bring the Tissues: What I Didn’t Expect From a Princess Makeover Experience Some vacation moments are planned. ​ You book the appointment. You pick the outfit. You make sure everyone is dressed, fed, and where they need to be on time. ​ But then there are the moments you do not fully expect. ​ The ones that sneak up on you. ​ For me, one of those moments happened during a princess makeover experience with my daughter. I thought it would be fun, of course. ​ But there

Cruising with toddlers can be wonderful, but swim diaper rules, splash areas, and kids’ club requirements can make a big difference. Here’s what families should ask before booking. Cruising can be an amazing family vacation. The ships, the food, the entertainment, the destinations, the memories — there is so much to love. ​ But if you are traveling with a baby, toddler, or young child who is still in diapers or swim diapers, there is one very important detail you should know