San Francisco — a museum-goer’s paradise

San Francisco — a museum-goer’s paradise

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.

Memories of a sailing trip in the Caribbean

Memories of a sailing trip in the Caribbean

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)

Guest blog: Tips for finding the perfect family-friendly Bed and Breakfast inn

Guest blog: Tips for finding the perfect family-friendly Bed and Breakfast inn

Not all inns and B&Bs offer the right fit for families with children. Many travelers choose inns and B&Bs for romantic getaways and a break from the kids. Yet, even as recent economic instability has challenged the travel industry, family travel has remained steady and is now on the rise once again. Innkeepers have realized they can have their parents and kids too living harmoniously at the same inn. This guest blog by B&B experts Marti Mayne and Sandy Soule offers tips on finding the right inn

Taking the Kids — On a Cruise to Europe

Taking the Kids — On a Cruise to Europe

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..

Attention young moms — vacations get better as the kids get older!

Attention young moms — vacations get better as the kids get older!

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

A backyard vacation at a unique resort in Northwest Connecticut

A backyard vacation at a unique resort in Northwest Connecticut

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!

On a Safe and Green Trip to Mexico’s Riviera Maya

On a Safe and Green Trip to Mexico’s Riviera Maya

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.”

AT MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK – WHO SAYS LEARNING CAN’T BE FUN?

AT MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK – WHO SAYS LEARNING CAN’T BE FUN?

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.

Know your passenger rights

Know your passenger rights

You and your kids should no longer be stuck on a tarmac for hours on end — thanks to brand new government regulations. The new Department of Transportation rules that have just gone into effect mandate that passengers on domestic flights be allowed to get off a plane after three hours on the tarmac

Tripping through California with grown children leading the way

Tripping through California with grown children leading the way

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