What’s new at Disneyland in California? Lots!
Ready to race? Radiator Springs Racers is one of the most elaborate attractions ever created for a Disney theme park as the “Cars” gang gathers to get us ready for the big race.
-
-
Baltimore Ahoy! The Charm City Delights
The sweet smell of steamed Maryland crab seeps from red-brick laid store fronts around every corner, and reminders of the great naval battles of the War of 1812 linger not just in history books, but throughout this intensely American city.
-
Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Disney | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Parks & Outdoors | Travel Diaries
Eating healthier at the theme parks
Of the more than 12 million kids meals served last year at Disney Parks and Resorts in the U.S., parents stuck with the healthier options six out of 10 times. Now Disney will enhance these efforts by further reducing sodium in kids’ meals and introducing new well-balanced kids’ breakfast meals.
-
Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Disney | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Lodging | Weekly Column
Visiting Orlando’s parks like the One Percent
No waiting for buses, navigating crowded parking lots or walking more than you or your kids can take. Hall whisks you around Walt Disney World in a private car that he parks exactly where you want to be.
-
Finding new ways and places to celebrate July 4
Maybe this July 4th you’ll be home marching or watching a local parade. Maybe you’ll be visiting the relatives and cheering on nieces and nephews as they march. Maybe you’ll be celebrating some place new, joining in special and unique celebrations.
-
Coasters are great, but never force a child to ride
If the kids balk when you get to the front of the line, walk away. Tell your child there’s always next year.
-
First stop on a family trip to NYC — Central Park
In my new book The Kid’s Guide to New York City, I do my best to make sightseeing in the Big Apple fun for kids as well as parents, with plenty of tips from local (play soccer in the park!) and visiting kids (try roasted nuts from a vendor! )
-
Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Weekly Column
Lots to do in the mountains and farms of Vermont in summer
The kids have already petted a chicken (and learned they’ll eat cantaloupe, as well as worms) met the baby calves Fiona and Danika and the draft horses Joe and Jim. Certain days of the summer, kids, ages 10 to 15, can become a farm vet for a day…
-
In Virginia, a Tattoo is not what you might think
Traditionally a tattoo is a ceremonial military performance. The Virginia Arts Festival’s International Tattoo is a huge tribute to this tradition.
-
Healthy food is part of the kids’ adventure at some hotels
Finally, it appears, the hotel industry is paying attention to what traveling families have long been saying: Make kids’ menus healthier; give kids more choices!
-
Orlando treats you like a VIP
Who doesn’t want to be treated like a VIP on vacation? We all do, of course, cutting lines, getting pampered, seeing what most tourists don’t. Orlando offers plenty of VIP options for the entire family—assuming you’re willing to pay extra for the privilege, of course.
-
Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Parks & Outdoors | Volunteer & Service | Weekly Column
Interacting with the Turtles at SeaWorld Orlando
TurtleTrek is home to adult and juvenile sea turtles, including hawksbill, Kemp’s Ridley, loggerhead and green sea turtles — all of whom, like Grandma, have been deemed nonreleasable by the Florida government.
-
Verbolten bolts you at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Orlando isn’t the only place with new attractions this summer. Get ready to climb aboard Verbolten, an all-new multi-launch, indoor/outdoor roller coaster opening at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
-
Backyard Vacations | Beach Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Weekly Column
Discovering the beauty of the California Coastal region
During our five-mile hike, we see plump yellow banana slugs, the tiny Calypso orchid and blooming trillium, a member of the lily family. But the best part is the conversations with my daughter, Reg, who lives across the country from us in San Francisco. I’d forgotten how conducive hiking is to catching up!
-
Backyard Vacations | Cruises & All-Inclusive | Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Lodging | Travel Diaries
Farm to table at the historic Ocean House in Rhode Island
Jane Dane, the mom of three, is a modern day Forager. That means it is her full time job to act as the liaison between local farmers and the chefs at the luxe 49-room Ocean House in Watch Hill, RI which is a designated Relais & Chateau property with a focus on farm to table cuisine.
-
Lots of places to rediscover your inner Titantic
The real point here is to encourage youngsters and their parents to “journey to new depths of discovery.” That includes a 4-D theater where SpongeBob SquarePants takes you and your kids on an undersea adventure, complete with mist and bubbles
-
Prepping for a Family Road Trip
If you’re looking for family vacation ideas, consider taking a road trip. Driving to your family vacation destination is often more affordable than buying plane tickets for the whole family
-
A Spring Skiing Adventure at Heavenly and Kirkwood ski resorts
Heavenly Ski Resort. We both agreed that this ski area had been aptly named. We looked out over the giant span of beautiful Lake Tahoe from the top of the mountain.
-
Time to plan your visit to our National Parks
My youngest daughter, Mel, says those national parks trips when she was little (and complained her legs were “broken” from all the hiking) spurred her interest in environmental science — her college major
-
An Easter brunch to remember — Day Five
We are at the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay’s Sunday Brunch that is so popular in the Bay area that people drive an hour or more to indulge.
