Stepping into the wilderness, whether for one night or a month long adventure, opens up a world of new experiences. I’ll be the first to admit that, while I enjoy a good hike, I’m just not a sleep in the wilderness kind of person. My husband, on the other hand, recently returned from what has become his annual backpacking adventure with the guys, this time in North Cascades National Park in scenic Washington. Keep reading to see a few of his photos from this beautiful area. He’s been backpacking on and off for over 40 years, and has many wonderful memories of time spent in the wilderness. The peace of hiking in relative solitude, the joy of finding a pristine mountain lake, or the calm of watching a spectacular sunset or night sky are just some of the reasons he loves to head off into the backcountry. Whether you go with a hiking buddy or off for a family adventure, proper planning and preparation can go a long way to minimizing the challenges you are sure to find along the way. My husband has traveled with both kids and adults over the years, and offers these 5 backpacking tips along with some gear suggestions for beginner backpacking.
*This post was updated April, 2023 
Photo: EXIT Plan, an Escape Room Adventure
Imagine being locked in a small room with your family or friends, knowing you only have one hour to work as a team to figure out how to escape. That’s the premise behind escape rooms, one of the latest trends in family entertainment which have cropped up all over the country. The themes vary, ranging from detective style mysteries and spy missions, to high school detention classrooms and mental institutions. Most rooms are typically recommended for ages 10 and up, although some are geared towards older teens due to the nature of the room.
Virginia may not rank as one of the largest in square miles, but the geographic diversity across the state always surprises me. Over the past few years, I’ve found myself spending more time in Southwestern Virginia, a part of the state which I had explored sporadically over the years. What had I been waiting for? The mountain views are spectacular, and the opportunities for outdoor adventures plentiful. Last spring, I was lucky to discover a small slice of the New River Trail, not far off Interstate 81 in Hiwassee. It’s part of New River Trail State Park, which is a unique linear park running parallel to the New River for almost 40 miles. Fall is the perfect time to head to southwestern Virginia and checkout New River Trail State Park for yourself, and here are 3 fun things to do when you get there.
*This post was updated August, 2022. 
When this post was published in late 2015, the National Park Service was getting ready to celebrate their 100th birthday, and kicking off the Find Your Park initiative. The campaign was not only about national parks, but “state parks, local parks, trails, museums, historic sites and the many ways that the American public can connect with history and culture, enjoy nature, and make new discoveries.” Great Smoky Mountains National Park definitely fits the bill as a place to connect with all of the above. As part of the Appalachian Mountains, known to be some of the oldest mountains in the world, there are over a dozen peaks in the park with an elevation over 5,000 feet. Besides the expansive views, things to do at Great Smoky Mountains National Park include hiking, exploring historic structures, and viewing cascading waterfalls, along with searching for wildlife like elk and black bears. Each time we have visited over the years, we have discovered something new.
Imagine spending the day on an island that is home to plant and animal species found nowhere else in the world. You’re probably thinking you have to travel to the Galapagos Islands in South America, right? But did you know that the Channel Islands off the coast of California are home to 145 unique animal and plant species? Thousands of years of isolation have created this amazing natural environment, and in 1980, five of the eight Channel Islands (Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Anacapa, Santa Rosa and San Miguel) were designated as the Channel Islands National Park.
When people think of visiting Philadelphia, places like Independence Hall and the Philadelphia Museum of Art come to mind. But did you know that one of Tripadvisor’s top attractions in Philadelphia is a prison? Not just any prison, but the historic, fortress-like Eastern State Penitentiary. Located in the Fairmount neighborhood, it’s just a short 5 or 6 blocks from the famous Philadelphia Museum of Art. My daughter and I decided to visit Eastern State during our recent road trip to Philadelphia. Please note, it’s not recommended for kids under the age of 7. Admission includes a free audio tour, best for ages 12 and up. Here’s 3 reasons why you should consider taking a tour, and why I included it in Unique Philadelphia – 5 Places to Add to Your List. Plus it’s definitely a fun thing to do with teens in Philadelphia.
*This post was updated December, 2021 
If you live in the US, you probably know that Florida is one of the more popular states for tourism. Whether you travel by car on Interstate 95, or fly into one of the larger cities, most families will visit Florida at one point or another. While the majority of tourists head to the popular Orlando area, there are so many other amazing places to visit on both sides of the state. Here are 3 special places we loved during a road trip to the Gulf Coast, each unique in its own way. You can easily combine them into a week long vacation, creating some amazing vacation memories along the way.
*This post was updated June, 2020 
Thinking about our travels through Washington and Oregon brings back so many special family memories. It was an area of the country my husband and I were eager to explore, even though it was not considered a hot vacation destination from the DC area. I planned an 1,800 mile loop from Seattle that was balanced between National Parks, big cities and small town attractions, with extra days spent in Seattle and Portland. It was easy to find awesome attractions that were unique to this part of the country, along with special activities that I knew would appeal to my kids. Here are 10 favorites in Washington and Oregon that are perfect for teens and tweens.
*This post was updated April, 2025 
Are you ready to celebrate? In August, 2016, the National Park Service turns 100, with special events and programs all year long. There has never been a better time to visit our wonderful National Parks, and if you need more convincing, here are 5 amazing reasons to visit your favorite park.
Is a houseboat vacation rental on your family travel bucket list? Houseboating was always something that caught my attention, with dreams of relaxing on the water and watching the sunset from the boat deck. In Virginia, there’s no better place for houseboating than beautiful Smith Mountain Lake. Often called the “Jewel of the Blue Ridge,” Smith Mountain Lake has over 500 miles of shoreline, and combines the best of lake life with the scenic backdrop of the Blue Ridge mountains. It’s the ultimate family bonding experience when you are all together on a 39’ boat for a few days! Here’s what I discovered during our 3-day houseboating adventure on Smith Mountain Lake, including 6 helpful tips for first-time houseboaters.
*This post was updated April, 2023 |
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