Family activities and, of course, horses!
The Mattsons were so fearful this trip would also get derailed that they didn’t tell their daughters until they got to the historic White Stallion Ranch
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Backyard Vacations | Best of Taking The Kids | Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Travel Diaries
The White Stallion Ranch experience
If you thought a dude ranch was just about horses, think again—even a historic one like the White Stallion Ranch in Tucson, owned by the True family for decades
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Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Travel Diaries
The Cactus Garden at The Phoenician
They may sound like a mixologist’s drink names. But they are some of the different cacti here in a unique two-acre Cactus Garden at The Phoenician Scottsdale.
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Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Travel Diaries
Scottsdale AZ: family oasis in the desert
Scottsdale is a city of a lot of contradictions. Huge fancy resorts like The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess and The Phoenician with huge pools, more than 50 spas
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Families & Groups | Backyard Vacations | Best of Taking The Kids | Destinations | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Weekly Column
A unique Colorado experience
Only the huge stone fireplace is left of the Nanny’s Cabin and Camp Vigil is the kid-friendly Ranch at Emerald Valley, part of the historic Broadmoor Resort
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Wellness at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
The Well & Being Spa at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, one of the largest in Scottsdale, is inspired by the Havasupai oasis deep in the Grand Canyon
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The historic hotel on Route 66
The El Rancho Hotel, right on Route 66 in Gallup NM has hosted actors including John Wayne, Katherine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy…
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Taking the kids: Camping
Who cares if you get dirty? Who cares if you wear the same T-shirt for three days? No wonder most kids love to go camping!
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Off the beaten path near Moab, Utah
Cedar Bend cabin at the Whispering Oaks Ranch that has six bedrooms, six baths, two half baths, a pool table, poker table, outdoor decks and spectacular views
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The joys of river rafting in the rain
I’ve always thought misadventures make the best vacation stories. Our morning raft trip in the cold rain made another one
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Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Parks & Outdoors | Volunteer & Service | Weekly Column
Celebrating Earth Day safely all spring
As we begin to travel again (safely), many of us are paying more attention to the environment. Can you afford to go to Antarctica before more ice melts?
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Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Travel Diaries
Taking the (grown) kids on a vaxication
When I began to plan a spring get together with family, I had no idea everyone would be vaccinated.
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Taking the Kids: Planning a “Vaxication”
It was welcome news when the CDC updated its travel guidance: Those fully vaccinated can travel at low risk two weeks after receiving the last dose
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16 virtual travel adventures to inspire your future trips (once it’s safe)
When we updated our Virtual Family Adventure Guide, created early in the pandemic, we discovered there has never been so much opportunity for virtual travel.
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Family ties run deep at the historic Alta Lodge
Bill Levitt fell in love with Alta when he brought his family for a ski holiday, building a house in 1954 and buying the Alta Lodge, one of the first ski lodges in the country, in 1959.
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Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Disney | Families & Groups | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Weekly Column
To Orlando this spring — safely
When I last visited Walt Disney World — when I last flew — a year ago this month, no one I met was much concerned about COVID-19. They were too busy enjoying all that the Theme Park Capital of the World had to offer.
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Celebrating courageous women and girls whenever you travel
March is Women’s History Month and it commemorates and celebrates the vital role women and girls have played and continue to play
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Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Parks & Outdoors | Snow Vacations | Weekly Column
Spring skiing in the year of COVID-19
In some cases, the Covid-19 restrictions have enhanced the sking experience this year, said Nick Besch, skiing with his family at Copper
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Families & Groups | Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Parks & Outdoors | Volunteer & Service | Weekly Column
Calling all dino lovers
Now for the first time, dinosaur lovers can meet SUE outside of Chicago; Denver’s Museum of Nature & Science is the first stop
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On a (safe) spring break
Whether you want to hit the slopes in Colorado, get your theme park fix in Orlando, or laze in the giant pool overlooking the ocean at an all-inclusive in Mexico or the Caribbean, you’ve got plenty of affordable options — as long as you are comfortable traveling right now.
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Families & Groups | Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Lodging | Pandemic Family Travel | Weekly Column
Managing some romance this pandemic year
With Valentine’s Day this month and the pressure of working as well as overseeing young children and older ones’ remote schooling, everyone is desperate for some adult time, as well as a change of scene.
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Celebrating Black History Month — from home
This pandemic winter, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History kicks off Black History Month 2021 with its first virtual festival, dedicated this year to “The Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity.”
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Gearing up the family — including the pooch — for socially distanced fun in the snow
This pandemic winter, more of us are heading outdoors for some socially distanced fun in the snow, often with the pooch and kids in tow
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Exploring new places through food—from home
For many of us, exploring new places through food is a big part of why we like to travel–from farmers’ markets to local groceries, bakeries and restaurants
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Learning more about presidents
The inauguration and upcoming Presidents’ Day holiday are terrific teaching moments to introduce kids to the presidents and their families, starting with something all kids love to hear about, their pets
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Escape This Winter or Spring to a Family Dude Ranch
Choosing a vacation destination this winter or spring is a lot more complicated this Pandemic year than just deciding where to go. Think Dude Ranch!
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Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Parks & Outdoors | Snow Vacations | Weekly Column
Fun in the snow in new ways and on a budget
A growing number of families believe they can head outdoors in the snow safely — and not just to head to the downhill slopes
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THE KID’S GUIDE TO CAMPING
Falcon Guides is proud to announce the release of THE KID’S GUIDE TO CAMPING (978-1-4930-57887, May 2021, paperback) By Eileen Ogintz
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Getting creative with gingerbread this holiday season
At some resorts and city hotels, you can still applaud big gingerbread house displays, but more often you will find virtual displays in this pandemic year
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Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Parks & Outdoors | Volunteer & Service | Weekly Column
Lighting up your holidays, safely, 12 new drive-thru displays
There are plenty of socially distanced options at zoos, botanic gardens and museums across the country, though you need to make reservations and purchase tickets in advance
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Fun in the snow, despite COVID-19
Ski resorts hope that just as Americans flocked to the mountains to enjoy the outdoors safely this summer, they will this winter too and with remote school and learning, may opt to stay longer
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To Olympic City USA
Welcome to the new 60,000-square-foot U.S Olympic and Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs, Colorado, located at the base of Pikes Peak
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Taking the kids – and leaf-peeping safely
Whenever you head out to unfamiliar climes, you need to be prepared for the unexpected — a tumble on the trail, a rainstorm, a road so bumpy it leaves the back seat passengers queasy
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10 ways to celebrate Halloween safely in these strange times
This will be a different Halloween experience with virtual or socially distant outdoor costume parades, face coverings, socially distant trick or treating, frequent hand washing and the necessity to sanitize treats, if trick or treating is allowed at all
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Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Getting There | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Weekly Column
Fall road trip: exploring Utah’s Grand Staircase
We’re looking at the famous tall, red and pink hued Hoodoo rock formations in Bryce Canyon National Park in southern Utah
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A bucket list in the U.S. that few take
With cruises and many trips canceled, national parks have been jammed, but not on the Colorado River deep in the Grand Canyon.
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Families & Groups | Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Getting There | Parks & Outdoors | Weekly Column
Tips for the first time RVers this fall
Because of COVID, plus the desire to get outside safely with your own bathroom and kitchen, many Americans are turning to RVing
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SO MANY CHOICES FOR FALL GETAWAYS
This fall, with many schools, starting with remote learning and parents working from home, there is an unprecedented opportunity for a family road trip
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Backyard Vacations | Best of Taking The Kids | Destinations | Families & Groups | Parks & Outdoors | Travel Diaries
Bryce Canyon National Park: Hoodoo you think you’re feeling?
Hoodoos actually have eroded out of cliffs, forming thin walls of rock called fins.Isn’t nature amazing?! Here at Bryce Canyon we are at the top of what is famously called “The Grand Staircase”
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Taking the kids: To a museum safely
Many museums have reopened during the pandemic with restrictions, while many remain shuttered but with excellent virtual programming
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Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Getting There | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Weekly Column
Taking the kids: To Aspen this summer and fall
Everyone who visits Aspen — summer, fall or winter — should make time for an ACES activity, whether guided hike (there are free guided walks), winter snowshoe tours, storytelling, free junior naturalist activity books and the chance to visit the resident rescued Golden Eagle, Red Tailed Hawk and Great Horned Owl that can no longer live in the wild
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Even if it rains, glamping is still fun
For the uninitiated, glamping means experiencing the outdoors without the work or challenges (except maybe weather!) that camping typically requires
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Staying safe in national parks from COVID, bears, bison and more…
As well as keeping our distance and wearing masks to avoid contracting COVID-19, it’s imperative as we flock to national parks to consider what else we must do to keep ourselves and our families safe
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Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Getting There | Lodging | Pandemic Family Travel | Parks & Outdoors | Weekly Column
On the road this pandemic summer
We experienced the mask issue firsthand on our 2,850-mile road trip from Colorado to Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, social distancing as much as possible
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The short strange ride on an E-bike, up to Maroon Bells near Aspen CO
We headed up eight miles to the Maroon Bells, one of Colorado’s most iconic rides along Maroon Creek Road from Aspen Highlands to Maroon Lake
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Pizza in Aspen? Pizza in Heaven? This is Colorado
The Gant Aspen not only is Aspen’s only condominium hotel that offers food and beverage right here, but the new artisanal take out pizzas from Boulder’s popular Boss Lady Pizza has proved a huge hit on weekends.
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Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Lodging | Pandemic Family Travel | Parks & Outdoors | Travel Diaries
Pandemic Summer reunion in Crested Butte CO
This Pandemic summer, Elk Avenue has been made one way to allow for more outdoor socially-distanced seating and masks are required for those strolling on Elk Avenue.
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On a Road Trip in Eastern Utah
Many families like to anchor themselves in Moab because they can visit Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, as well as mountain bike, paddleboard, river raft, horseback ride, hike, fish, golf
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More masks everywhere – including Jackson Hole WY
Certainly, there is a lot to feel anxious about this summer whether you are at home or traveling with spikes in COVID-19 cases in many states. Locals in Wyoming, like elsewhere, say they are nervous seeing so many out of state license plates
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Planning Ahead for Next Year
there are also pluses to waiting until next year. Perhaps there will be a vaccine for COVID-19 that will make travel safer for all of us. And in many cases, you will get an especially good deal if you put down a deposit now.
