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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Fine cuisine on the slopes and at the Alta Lodge
These days, the chefs say, guests tend to want lighter dishes with a more international flair and expect the Alta Lodge to accommodate all varieties of diets.
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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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Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Snow Vacations | Travel Diaries
Family traditions endure over generations at the Alta Lodge
By Eileen Ogintz ALTA, Utah — All it took was one Sports Illustrated cover to start a family tradition that has lasted more than 50…
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Yin and Yang: Alta and Snowbird ski resorts in Utah
Snowbird is known for its steeps and deeps; its cliffs, glades and moguls as well as The Cliff Lodge, which boasts one of the best spas in Ski Country
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Alta, Utah: Old-fashioned family ski resort and home of a legend
Located in Little Cottonwood Canyon, Alta is about 30 miles from Salt Lake City and enjoys a unique micro climate characterized by over 547 inches annually
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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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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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Destinations | Families & Groups | Getting There | Parks & Outdoors | Snow Vacations | Weekly Column
On an adventure this winter
The good news is there are ways to get away safely this winter, as long as you continue to mask up and practice social distancing.
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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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Best of Taking The Kids | Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Parks & Outdoors | Weekly Column
Here’s to new culinary adventures!
Likely because we are stuck at home, I’ve been thinking about once-in-a-lifetime outdoor meals we’ve enjoyed on vacation.
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Cruises & All-Inclusive | Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Parks & Outdoors | Volunteer & Service | Weekly Column
On a different kind of cruise (when it’s safe)
While big-ship cruises are a lot of fun, there is also growing interest for small-ship adventures that in some cases don’t cost much more than a big ship.
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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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Taking the kids: Missing the cheer of the Europe’s Christmas markets
Germany normally has some 2,500 holiday markets Most are canceled or virtual this year and no one is cruising
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20+ holiday gifts for travelers that they can use at home this strange holiday season
As public health officials urge us to stay put this holiday season, I was thinking about how much fun it could be to whip up some of those dishes or drinks we enjoyed on travels past
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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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10-plus Black Friday travel deals worth considering for 2021
As the holidays approach, there’s no better time to think about where we want to go next, once it is safe. Cheer up the family by planning a trip for next year
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BLACK FRIDAY/ CYBER MONDAY — 49 travel deals for 2021
With promising news on the vaccine front, this is an opportune time to book great travel deals for 2021. Black Friday/Cyber Monday (Nov. 27 & 30) traditionally offer some of the best deals of the year
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Destinations | Families & Groups | Lodging | Pandemic Family Travel | Snow Vacations | Weekly Column
Planning for ski season during the pandemic
Many ski areas will open before Thanksgiving, promising to be ready with additional pandemic protocols to keep us safe.
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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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Steak, lobster, chicken, trout: Gourmet fare at a dude ranch in Colorado Springs
By Eileen Ogintz COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — We are at over 8,000 feet up a steep gravel road from Colorado Springs in the Pike National…
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The Ranch at Emerald Valley – history, charm, family-central by The Broadmoor
Today, all that is left of the Nanny’s cabin is the foundation and a huge stone fireplace after a fire many years ago. Camp Vigil is now The Broadmoor’s Ranch at Emerald Valley.
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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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Dreaming of a Sustainable Trip to Norway In 2021
We might not have been doing much traveling this year with our families because of Covid-19, but that doesn’t mean we can’t start bookmarking some of our favorite spaces and places for 2021.
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A quick fall getaway to Vail. Forget something? The Antlers can substitute most anything
Unlike most rental condos, The Antlers at Vail come equipped with aluminum foil, plastic wrap and containers, a fully equipped kitchen and more. The location also can’t be beat—at the Lionshead base area a short walk on a pedestrian path from Vail Village.
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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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Sailing the BVI: stopping for lobsters in Anegada on a chartered catamaran
We’ve been sailing around the BVI on a chartered catamaran. We sail to Anegada for the lobsters as well as the beautiful empty, wind-swept beaches
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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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12 must-haves for gearing up for a fall outdoor adventure
This fall, with remote work and school, many families are taking the opportunity for a fall getaway focused on the outdoors where we feel safest. The right gear will help keep you comfortable — and confident — on your adventures.
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Better and best: Thoughts on our last day rafting the Grand Canyon
Everyone is glad to have been unplugged from the news for a week, didn’t mind the mitigations that are the result of the Pandemic and are genuinely glad to be here
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Three waterfalls in one day in the Grand Canyon!
The first waterfall on the agenda is Elves Chasm, requiring a difficult, steep hike and scrambling over rocks and boulders. “But definitely worth it when we got there”
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Big rapids, beautiful waterfalls: Day 4 of our raft trip down the Grand Canyon
We navigate more than two dozen rapids including “the big three,” starting the day with Hance Rapid, which drops 30 feet over its length; Hermit with its 10 consecutive “haystick” waves, and Crystal rated a 10
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Day 3 in the Grand Canyon: tragic crash site, fun on the Little Colorado River
The hot hike is soon forgotten. We all consider how privileged we are to be playing in a place few Grand Canyon visitors ever see – the Little Colorado River
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Day 2 in the Grand Canyon: exploring the “ancients,” a dubious crowd estimate and birthday cake!
I sit up in my sleeping bag and look around. We are steps from the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. The light on the multi-hued rock—pink, orange, brown is spectacular as the sun comes up
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Rafting the Grand Canyon with Western River Expeditions
We are diverse group of 32 (not including four guides) on this seven-day rafting adventure in the Grand Canyon, from across the country and generations.
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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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A hike to remember: North Rim of the Grand Canyon
After a five-mile hike, we’re sitting on a rock taking in the panoramic view from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon
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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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Family dynamics, safety concerns upend pandemic gatherings
When it comes to big multi-generational families, not everyone is on the same page about what they should do to protect themselves and others, wearing masks, social distancing and washing hands frequently.
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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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Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Travel Diaries
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.
