Families & Groups

Travel ideas and reports for families and groups, including multigenerational families

Backyard Vacations | Families & Groups | Parks & Outdoors | Taking the Kids Blogs

On the road again — exploring America in an RV
Byuser June 6, 2011June 28, 2023

RVing may not be for die hard backpackers like my grown kids, but it’s still a great way to get kids outdoors and get some R&R. You don’t have to worry about what to do when it rains either. Sure gas prices are high, but some families park their RV in one spot rather than touring the region. What a great way to explore one part of the state or one national park, returning to the camp ground in the evening where you’ll find congenial neighbors, activities, Wi-Fi in many places and even swimming pools.

Read More On the road again — exploring America in an RV
Beach Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Lodging | Travel Diaries

Four days in Los Cabos and the OneAndOnly Palmilla
Byuser June 6, 2011June 28, 2023

Cabo—Los Cabos “the capes” is the name generally given to this area –a 20-mile long stretch of white sandy beaches and resorts between San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. One&Only is between the two towns at the tip of the Baja Peninsula—the meeting point of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez. It’s a less than two-hour flight from Los Angeles or Phoenix, with non-stops from Chicago, Texas and even Newark. People love it here because winter or summer, the weather is reliable—no rain except in September, I’m told.

Read More Four days in Los Cabos and the OneAndOnly Palmilla
Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Weekly Column

Among East Coast cities, Baltimore is sometimes an afterthought — WRONG!
Byuser June 2, 2011June 28, 2023

Sometimes in our rush to take the kids to see major museums and historic sites, we skip smaller cities like Baltimore — ideally located 40 minutes north of Washington, D.C., and 90 minutes south of Philadelphia — that are not only easily navigable (even free buses) but can be easier on our wallets.

Read More Among East Coast cities, Baltimore is sometimes an afterthought — WRONG!
Families & Groups | Taking the Kids Blogs

Trying to teach a teen on the virtues of travel
Byuser June 1, 2011June 28, 2023

The sheer size of the place can’t help but impress even the most jaded teen. Some of the towers soar more than 100 feet. The massive pillars look like tree trunks, stone chameleons, tortoises and turtles.

Read More Trying to teach a teen on the virtues of travel
Families & Groups | Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Getting There | Weekly Column

Despite high gas prices, families will hit the road this summer
Byuser May 26, 2011July 2, 2023

This summer, with every electronic accoutrement and despite high gas prices — the current national average price for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline is $3.95, $1.04 more than last year — most of us will still hit the road, according to AAA, though nearly four in 10 of us will adjust our travel plans as a result, suggests a new survey from TripAdvisor

Read More Despite high gas prices, families will hit the road this summer
Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Lodging | Weekly Column

It’s the era of boutique hotels — and they’re getting family friendlier
Byuser May 19, 2011June 28, 2023

Across the country and even abroad, such small unique hotels are gaining a following among families who appreciate the intimate atmosphere, the service and the fact that they have, well, more personality than big chain hotels. Small hotels don’t necessarily cost any more and in some cases they cost less.

Read More It’s the era of boutique hotels — and they’re getting family friendlier
Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Lodging | Volunteer & Service | Weekly Column

San Francisco — a museum-goer’s paradise
Byuser May 12, 2011June 28, 2023

Whether your kids are science geeks, future engineers or artists, or you just want them to have a unique experience, San Francisco’s two-dozen museums deliver. The California Museum of Sciences — one of the city’s top tourist draws since its move to Golden Gate Park — is the only place in the world to combine a natural history museum, aquarium and planetarium in one building. It’s the greenest museum in the world.

Read More San Francisco — a museum-goer’s paradise
Destinations | Families & Groups | Taking the Kids Blogs

Memories of a sailing trip in the Caribbean
Byuser May 10, 2011June 28, 2023

Everything changed that trip in one fell swoop. My kids—aged 21, 19 and 14 at the time—decided after years of following us on vacation, it was time for them to lead mom and dad on an adventure, they said (though they expected us to pay for the privilege, of course)

Read More Memories of a sailing trip in the Caribbean
Families & Groups | Cruises & All-Inclusive | Food and Dining | Weekly Column

Taking the Kids — On a Cruise to Europe
Byuser May 5, 2011June 28, 2023

Aboard a cruise ship you can relax and meet families from around the world, instead of schlepping from city to city. And after an exhausting day of touring, you return to a place where most everyone speaks English and there are big swimming pools, familiar food and, with morning-till-night youth activities, a welcome break for mom and dad..

Read More Taking the Kids — On a Cruise to Europe
Families & Groups | Destinations | Travel Diaries

Attention young moms — vacations get better as the kids get older!
Byuser May 2, 2011June 28, 2023

Happy Mother’s Day! I’ve been on those “I can’t believe we’re spending so much money for such a non-vacation” trips with my three kids more times than I want to remember. Here’s the good news for all of you young moms: Vacations get easier as the kids get older and more self sufficient

Read More Attention young moms — vacations get better as the kids get older!
Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Lodging | Travel Diaries

A backyard vacation at a unique resort in Northwest Connecticut
Byuser May 2, 2011June 28, 2023

Talk about a unique family getaway — yes, while this is primarily for adults and couples there are family weekends with a litany of kids’ activities — pony rides nearby, a bonfire with s’mores, croquet on the lawn, biking and hikes, fishing in the pond… you can even sleep in a helicopter!

Read More A backyard vacation at a unique resort in Northwest Connecticut
Beach Vacations | Cruises & All-Inclusive | Destinations | Families & Groups | Lodging | Weekly Column

On a Safe and Green Trip to Mexico’s Riviera Maya
Byuser April 28, 2011June 28, 2023

Locals and tourists scoff at the notion that they might not be safe here or along the Riviera Maya (www.rivieramaya.com), which stretches south of Cancun to Tulum. “Mexico is a big country and the violence is so far away from here,” explains cab driver Fernando Morales, who has lived in this area all his life. “Once people get here, they relax.”

Read More On a Safe and Green Trip to Mexico’s Riviera Maya
Families & Groups | Parks & Outdoors | Taking the Kids Blogs

AT MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK – WHO SAYS LEARNING CAN’T BE FUN?
Byuser April 25, 2011June 28, 2023

It is amazing that we are standing in stone rooms where families flourished so many centuries ago. Balcony House is one of the best preserved sites in the park and offers a spectacular view down into Soda Canyon. There are some 38 small stone rooms and two ceremonial kivas here with plazas and even some of the original wood poles that formed a balcony.

Read More AT MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK – WHO SAYS LEARNING CAN’T BE FUN?
Destinations | Families & Groups | Travel Diaries | Uncategorized

Tripping through California with grown children leading the way
Byuser April 21, 2011June 28, 2023

Reg and Dan set the itinerary and the pace, while we picked up the tab. It’s nice for a change not to be in charge and to be able to let grown children lead the way, catching up with them about their lives when we’re not distracted by extended family gathered for a big event or holiday. It’s also nice to be able to just focus on one child at a time too

Read More Tripping through California with grown children leading the way
Destinations | Families & Groups | Lodging | Travel Diaries

More choices than you may think on Mexico’s Riviera Maya
Byuser April 18, 2011June 28, 2023

Along the Riviera Maya south of Cancun, you have your choice of more than 300 hotels (some 38,0000 rooms from tiny 15-room beach front hotels like the Playa Azul in Tulum to Massive all inclusive to upscale condos like the Condo Hotels right in the heart of Playa del Carmen.

Read More More choices than you may think on Mexico’s Riviera Maya
Beach Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Parks & Outdoors | Travel Diaries

A unique biosphere on the Mexican Riviera Maya
Byuser April 15, 2011June 28, 2023

Welcome to Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve — the name in Mayan language translates to the Entrance to the Sky — with 1.3 million acres the largest protected area in the Mexican Caribbean that is part of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Program and a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is unique for its diverse geography.

Read More A unique biosphere on the Mexican Riviera Maya
Beach Vacations | Destinations | Disney | Families & Groups | Taking the Kids Blogs

Disney gearing up for big Hawaiian resort opening
Byuser April 14, 2011June 28, 2023

Yes, Mickey Mouse and all his pals will be in residence on Oahu late this summer when the new Disney Resort Aulani is set to open. And if the place is anything like the Disney team promises, it will set a new bar for family resorts everywhere

Read More Disney gearing up for big Hawaiian resort opening
Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Weekly Column

The many ways to visit the Grandest of Canyons
Byuser April 14, 2011June 28, 2023

The Grand Canyon, set aside as a national monument by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1908, became a national park in 1919. Today, it remains one of the most visited parks, drawing more than 4.3 million visitors a year. Families from around the world come here to experience what is widely considered one of the great wonders of the world. Like I said, wow!

Read More The many ways to visit the Grandest of Canyons
Beach Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Travel Diaries | Volunteer & Service

Exploring the history of the Mayas
Byuser April 14, 2011October 3, 2023

One of the best preserved coastal Maya sites — it was at its height between the 13th and 15th Centuries — Tulum is built along the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula on the Caribbean Sea –the high cliffs protecting the city from hurricanes even in ancient times. Tulum was one of the last cities inhabited and built by the Mayans.

Read More Exploring the history of the Mayas
Beach Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Lodging | Travel Diaries

Four days on Mexico’s Riviera Maya (Yes, it’s safe!)
Byuser April 13, 2011June 28, 2023

Four days on Mexico’s Riviera Maya (Yes, it’s safe!)

Read More Four days on Mexico’s Riviera Maya (Yes, it’s safe!)