Gawking at giant gingerbread creations
Wherever you find yourself this holiday season, you are likely to discover ever bigger and elaborate gingerbread structures to inspire your home creations
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To NYC and beyond Manhattan during the holiday season
Some 6 million visitors from around the world come to the Big Apple this time of year, more tourists than at any other time of year
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5 Reasons You Need To Take The Kids to Santa Fe NM in 2018
Santa Fe is the city different with a bustling art scene, a cultural hub and a restaurant scene that will have foodies from both sides of the coast drooling with jealousy
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Building a gingerbread chapel at the historic Broadmoor Resort in CO
The Broadmoor Resort’s 17-foot high gingerbread house this year is a replica of the Pauline Chapel, due west of the sprawling resort that was completed in 1919 by the owner of the resort, Spencer Penrose, for his wife Julie as a place of reflection
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The Holidays at Denver’s Historic Brown Palace Hotel
For many Denver families, the holidays include a visit to the historic Brown Palace Hotel to see the extravagant Christmas lights, enjoy a sumptuous tea under the holiday lights or do Breakfast with Santa.
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Holidays in a hotel? Relax and avoid family stress
This year, we’re not home for the holidays but we’re not guests or hosts. As the Thanksgiving holiday coincided with a family Bat Mitzvah in Denver, we’re comfortably ensconced at the Marriott Denver West Hotel
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Making holiday lights a post-Thanksgiving tradition
There’s no better time to see who has the biggest and best holiday lights than as soon as the Thanksgiving dishes are done. In some cases, before Thanksgiving if you are looking for ways to get everyone out of the house
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Debunking Thanksgiving myths
That first Thanksgiving in 1621, the Pilgrims and Native Americans from the Wampanoag tribe feasted on venison, shellfish, and while there might have been wild turkey, there were just as likely swans, ducks and geese.
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Supporting Sonoma County
No one wants to at all diminish the horrible impact of the fires. They just want people like you and me to realize that the best way to help is to visit
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Gathering the gang when budget isn’t a concern (and when it is!)
Those who are looking for the ultimate where-I-spent-the-holidays bragging rights (and have $40,000 to spare) can gather the gang Thanksgiving or Christmas (seven bedrooms in separate cabins) this holiday season for a three- or four-night experience
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Taking the Kids — away from the crowds to play in the snow
We discovered one week last winter that, despite the tumbles, it’s exhilarating for everyone in the family to have the chance to try a new snow activity like snowmobiling, horseback riding, snowshoeing, backcountry skiing or biking on “fat bikes,”
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To San Diego, where kids are free all month!
Welcome to San Diego, considered California’s birthplace, and one of the most kid-friendly cities in America
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Celebrating Halloween for an entire month
You’ll need that costume a lot sooner than Halloween since theme parks, zoos, haunted attractions, farms, even zip lines everywhere are touting Halloween festivities and scares all October long
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To the Smithsonian National Museum of African-American History & Culture
Since the museum opened Sept. 24, 2016 on the National Mall, next to the Washington Monument, nearly 3 million people have visited the 12 inaugural exhibitions
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Vacation rentals are perfect for families that like to enjoy home-cooked meals
My far flung family loves to cook when we are together on vacation so we like to stay in condos where we can spread out and enjoy homemade meals—whether chili and just baked corn bread, spaghetti bolognese, or steaks cooked over the condo grill.
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Taking the Kids — to a fall festival
There’s a lot to celebrate in fall — not the least of which is the kids getting back to school and out from underfoot. There are festivals galore
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Visiting Chicago in summer: Baseball, pizza, burgers and The Bean
Everyone told my mom and dad that the first thing we should eat was get deep dish pizza. We made our way to the original Pizzeria Uno in downtown Chicago.
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To Acadia National Park in Maine
Welcome to the only national park in the northeastern United States. Last year, when the park celebrated its centennial, it had its busiest year in 27 years, with a record 3.3 million visitors
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Taking the Kids — to see the solar eclipse on August 21
We’re talking about a different kind of milestone, but one equally memorable — the 2017 total solar eclipse, something that happens only rarely in this country. It’s an event they’ll remember all their lives, and should be good for many science projects to come.
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To ski country in summer when it is more affordable
Hike one of Colorado’s famous Fourteeners — one of the 50-plus mountains that rise more than 14,000 feet — hike to Vail’s famous Back Bowls through a sea of wildflowers or mountain bike on miles of trails. Welcome to Vail in summer.
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Taking the Kids — to family reunion central
As fun as Colorado is in the summer, there’s something more important going on here at the YMCA of the Rockies. “It’s eating and joking around with all of our cousins.”
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One Big Adrenaline Rush at Adventures on the Gorge in West Virginia
While a lot of people are still trying to figure out what an “adventure resort” is, Adventures on the Gorge is showing their guests of all ages what a vacation destination should look like
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What’s new at theme parks this summer?
There is certainly lots to choose from this summer — 170 new rides, slides and experiences at 75 parks and attractions across the United States and in Canada
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Families love the Four Seasons in Vail Co. for “glamping” and more
Get ready to get spoiled—for a few days anyway. That’s why the Johnstons, including Kendall, 11, and Reagan, 13, have decamped from Denver to the Four Seasons Resort in Vail for their fourth weekend—this time the Fourth of July.
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At the Broadmoor’s Sunday Brunch you might want to start with dessert
It’s hard to resist when Banana Fosters, plum Calvados crepes, bread pudding, apple cobbler, ice cream sundaes, strawberry buttermilk panna cotta, raspberry mojito cupcakes, snickerdoodle crème brulee, even a vegan chocolate pot au crème are there for the taking
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Generations gather to reconnect at quadrennial family reunion
There are lots of milestones at our reunion—25th and 35th anniversaries; 80th, 70th, 60th, 50th and 30th birthdays. One of the grandmothers tried to give the family a quick family history lesson
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In Rocky Mountain Nat Park – hikes are great, but beware crowds
if I’d done my homework, the Rocky Mountain National Park rangers would have told me to hike early, as parking spots at some of the popular trailheads—like Beaver Lake, a four-mile round trip hike that is kid-friendly—are gone by 8:30 am.
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YMCA of the Rockies is Family Reunion Central
Welcome to Family Reunion Central. In fact, the Estes Park Center and its sister resort Snow Mountain Ranch host more than 1,300 reunions a year—more, they believe, than any other venue in the United States.
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Learning a little history on July 4th
if you play your cards right, you’ll all have fun celebrating the nation’s birthday — and learning something about American history at the same time.
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Orlando’s Top 5 Hotspots for Teens
Orlando is bursting with trendy and exciting places to visit, especially if you’re a teenager.
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Orlando Is Universal: Volcano Bay Impresses Big Time
f you are an amusement park enthusiast, you know Orlando is full of them. However, Universal Orlando has brought a new water theme park like none other: Volcano Bay.
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Planning a family summer vacation – let the kids help figure it out
I’m sure the kids have lots of ideas, and they may not all involve theme parks. It’s a good idea to talk to the kids about what you’re thinking for a summer trip
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Learning about mummies at the American Museum of Natural History
The new exhibition Mummies at the American Museum of Natural History gives us a rare glimpse into lives and cultures of the past, thanks to 21st-century tools and technologies
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Disney Springs – No Entrance Fee; Plenty to see, shop and eat
Deviled Eggs, hush puppies and fried chicken on biscuits. Yum! But I’m not in rural Florida. I’m in the middle of Orlando at Art Smith’s Homecomin’ Florida Kitchen.
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The food is part of the adventure at Disney’s Pandora-The World of Avatar
Welcome to Pandora-The World of Avatar at Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom that is set to open May 27. The food is a big part of the experience
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Sneak peek at Disney’s Pandora — the World of Avatar
the challenge is riding on the back of a giant Banshee high over floating mountains, plunging through ancient caves, splashing a scary giant sea creature
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A Weekend Trip to Boston for Baseball and History
Boston has long been a city synonymous with history and sports, and while the Patriots and Tom Brady have had quite a successful decade, if you ask any sports fan in Boston who the number one team is, they will emphatically let you know this is a Red Sox town.
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Westgate River Ranch Resort Offers Upscale Cowboy Living in Central Florida
When we got to Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo and soaked up the sights of longhorn cattle and horses, I immediately forgot we were in Florida.
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To San Francisco to commemorate the “summer of love”
Take the kids and grandkids to San Francisco where the city is marking the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love with a year’s worth of special events, exhibits, concerts and more.
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Disney transformative? Try new Pandora at WDW and Guardians at DisneyLand this summer
Often families head to Disney because they want to escape the real world. With the opening next month of Pandora-The World of Avatar at Animal Kingdom, a visit can be a transformative adventure
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A Portland, Maine Family Vacation at the Inn by the Sea
The Inn by the Sea in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. A private boardwalk leads through a wildlife sanctuary to an idyllic sandy beach, where you’ll see lobster boats and sunsets straight out of an Edward Hopper painting.
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Free attractions in Washington DC this spring
It doesn’t cost anything to visit the Lincoln Memorial at night, to play pilot in a mock cockpit at “America by Air,” a permanent exhibit at the National Air and Space Museum, attend a family event or one for young children at the Museum of African American History and Culture or visit the giant pandas at the National Zoo.
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Off the rails and trails in Arizona for Cubs Spring training
A quick father-son trip to spring training in the Cactus League to see the World Champion Chicago Cubs (yes that’s still sinking in). Air travel misadventure our first day followed by adventure in the Sonoran Dessert on day 2.
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On the Russian River in Sonoma County CA
We’re kayaking in the mouth of the Russian River in Jenner, CA as one harbor seal after another pops up his head. We see Egrets, Great Blue Herons, Ospreys with fish in their mouths, going to their nests presumably.
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Sonoma County CA: a foodie paradise
There are about 500 restaurants in Sonoma County—places to get fresh crab and sandwiches on just-baked bread, freshly made soup and all varieties of cheese.
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Three days in Sonoma County – a birthday treat at a special spa
I’m soaking in a natural thermal pool that’s heated to more than 90 degrees. Even better, the setting couldn’t be more bucolic—flowering shrubs all around. We’re at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn Willow Stream Spa,
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Tips and pleasures for late season snow fun on and off the slopes
Wherever you opt to ski this spring break, expect plenty of sunshine, great deals and packages, even at the poshest resorts.
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March is spring break month – some last-minute ideas
Who says spring break is just for college kids? Certainly not the families impatiently waiting in line at Orlando theme parks, but at least it’s not as hot as in midsummer!
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Finding hidden gems in snow country
There are other hidden gems like Ski Cooper elsewhere in Colorado and around the country for snow-loving families, suited especially for those with young kids and families just learning. Here are five good bets:
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At Ski Cooper – a half hour and a world away from Vail and Breck
It feels as if I have the entire mountain with its fresh snow all to myself—and it’s Saturday. Welcome to Ski Cooper, just outside of Leadville with 39 trails and four lifts spanning 400 lift-served acres and no artificial snow
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In Leadville CO — the highest town in the USA!
Just an after dinner stroll. In 10,000-plus feet altitude. In the snow. What could be more fun after a delicious dinner in a Yurt cookhouse?
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Historic sites and museums to visit during Black History Month
February is the ideal time to visit a historic site or explore a museum exhibit celebrating African American History Month, which is also celebrated in Britain and Canada.
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Terranea, A Southern California Resort Respite
Perched on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, Terranea is a rambling resort on 102 acres of land, pristine and brimming with flora and fauna
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Football, roses and art – Pasadena CA has it all
Pasadena, just 12 minutes from Downtown LA via light Metro Rail, has a lot to offer every day—not least the sunshine, 300 days a year.
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Six LA museums guaranteed to wow families and kids
But this wasn’t a big holiday sale. People were waiting for the chance to get free tickets to The Broad, Los Angeles’ newest contemporary art museum.
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How about a quick pre-holiday getaway?
Make it an overnight when you head to see that favorite holiday light display or museum exhibit. Go see Santa somewhere else besides the mall.
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Ushering in the holidays with cool light displays
For a lot of us, heading to holiday light displays has become as big a Thanksgiving weekend tradition as football and pumpkin pie.
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A Mother-Daughter Yoga Retreat To Kripalu in the Berkshires
Kripalu, a wellness retreat in the beautiful Berkshires, offers guests a flexible program with the opportunity to practice as much or as little yoga as desired.
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How they make it all happen in Clearwater FL
Lisa Chandler wants everyone to love Clearwater Beach “by far the most family oriented beach in the state of Florida,”
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Fun and education on the beach in Clearwater FL
We just have to decide what we want to do on the six-mile long Clearwater beach just before Sunset.
