The Kids Taking Themselves: Exploring chocolate, caves, and coral reefs in Belize

The Kids Taking Themselves: Exploring chocolate, caves, and coral reefs in Belize

“I’m going to travel like this from now on!” Sarah exclaimed, while she was receiving exciting emails from MMC and Ya’axche about fun things to do during our trip. Not only do I feel like I truly took advantage of my last spring break in College, but I also made it educational…aren’t you proud Mom and Dad?

10 Tips for making family spring travel more fun

10 Tips for making family spring travel more fun

Some of you are just heading out on spring break. Some of you are there and are wondering why you left home. That’s because traveling with kids is never easy. It’s aggravating, stressful, expensive and wonderful. Keep reminding yourself that all the travel research shows that family vacations are responsible for the happiest memories we have—memories that last a lifetime.

LA’s awesome family attraction: Shuttle Endeavour

LA’s awesome family attraction: Shuttle Endeavour

Already, the California Science Center drew more visitors than any other museum in southern California—including 370,000 school kids. But since the Shuttle has opened, the museum officials are projecting visitation will be up nearly a million to 2.5 million, says Science Center VP William Harris.

Family vacation fun in Hollywood and Beverly Hills

Family vacation fun in Hollywood and Beverly Hills

Hollywood…and Beverly Hills.

It’s often what people think of when they think of LA but of course LA is a lot more than that, my friend Jennifer Miner who is one of the www.vacationgals.com and lives in suburban LA tells me.

Letting the kids lead the way in Washington, D.C.

Letting the kids lead the way in Washington, D.C.

On a rainy day, grab an umbrella and go to the National Mall in Washington, D.C. “Nobody’s there,” reports 11-year-old Sean, who is from suburban Virginia and was one of the local and visiting kids we interviewed for my new “Kid’s Guide to Washington, D.C.” While you are there, pick up a mini Washington Monument, “The best souvenir from Washington, D.C.!” offers William, 12, who lives in suburban Maryland.

Santa Monica: a great place for family vacation fun

Santa Monica: a great place for family vacation fun

When I go for a before dinner walk on the beach, there are adults—and kids—doing yoga, playing on the swings and the gymnastics equipment. (There is an area for the kids to climb mini ropes!) They are inline skating, riding bikes, swinging and jumping in and out of the surf and squealing with laughter. They are lining up for fresh lemonade and tacos, playing games in the arcade on the pier.

Disney is all about ears this year

Disney is all about ears this year

2013 is the Year of the Ear at Disney Parks with new limited release Disney Ear Hats available every month as part of Disney Parks’ Limited Time Magic—special experiences designed to surprise and excite guests when they visit. Of course you can get your ears autographed.

San Diego is more than the Zoo; museums and arts abound in Balboa Park

San Diego is more than the Zoo; museums and arts abound in Balboa Park

We all know that San Diego is home to the San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld but we may not realize there are so many museums that because they are in one urban park are so easy to visit (you can also buy a park passport that’s good for a week–$49 for adults and $27 for kids 12 and younger.

Six days in Southern California from Legoland to Hollywood

Six days in Southern California from Legoland to Hollywood

At the new LEGOLAND Hotel in Carlsbad, CA you—in consultation with your kids, of course—can choose which theme you prefer and your room will be decorated accordingly at the 250-room hotel set to open with great fanfare April 5.

A ski area in Vermont owned by skiers who grew up on there

A ski area in Vermont owned by skiers who grew up on there

It’s easy to see why families are attracted to Bolton Valley—the low-key atmosphere reminiscent of when parents learned to ski in Vermont and the fact that lift tickets are about 20-30 per cent less than at neighboring Stowe.