Travel

Things To Do in Lafayette LA – Exploring the Heart of Cajun Country with Kids

June 17, 2019 by Kathryn 52 Comments

Visiting New Orleans, the city of live music and delicious food, has been a dream of mine for a while. But I soon realized that there was a lot more to Louisiana than just the Big Easy and decided that I should make a trip with the whole family to explore the best attractions Southern Louisiana has to offer.

Our first stop was Cajun Country and the heart of Cajun Country is Lafayette. This family-friendly city about two hours away from New Orleans has a laid-back vibe that was instantly appealing. After checking into our room at the beautiful SpringHill Suites Lafayette South, we were ready to explore the best kid-friendly things to do in Lafayette, LA. And luckily, the city has something for everyone!

For Younger Kids – Children’s Museum of Acadiana

Families with toddlers, preschoolers or young school-aged children will adore this hands-on children’s museum. Packed with everything from a kid-sized grocery store to a real ambulance, children are invited to climb, touch, play and pretend to their heart’s content. [Read more…]

Family Road Trip Tips: Fun Games to Play in the Car

June 4, 2019 by Kathryn 3 Comments

When you were a kid, how did you and your siblings pass the time during a road trip? If you grew up pre-Internet, you probably remember sitting in the back, staring out the window as the scenery rushed by, maybe teasing your siblings and, of course, asking “Are we there yet?” approximately every 15 minutes.

That is, until Mom or Dad suggested some fun games to play in the car. Even if you rolled your eyes and proclaimed road trip activities lame (as many a teenager has been known to do), you probably secretly had some fun nonetheless — and likely cherish those memories of time spent together with your family.

Now, you’ve got a family of your own and you’re heading out on the road. No doubt your kids would be happy spending hours on their smartphone, tablet, gaming system or other electronic device…but where’s the family fun in that?

Nope, as a mom it’s your duty to stick to your guns, impose screen time limits and brush up on these classic road trip games! [Read more…]

Destination Deadwood – A Two-Day Itinerary of Things To Do in Deadwood SD

March 24, 2019 by Kathryn 11 Comments

When our family decided to take a road trip to South Dakota for a week in the summer, we only had a few vague ideas about what we wanted to see and do.

We knew we’d be making a trip to Mount Rushmore, of course. We planned to spend a day in Rapid City as well. And we’d heard from a few friends that Deadwood was a must-visit spot, too.

After checking out the distances between attractions, we decided to make Deadwood our home base. I expected it would be a pleasant spot to spend a day or so exploring. But I certainly didn’t expect that my whole family would fall in love with the tiny Old West city.

Deadwood is one of those special destinations that has something for everyone. And after our first evening strolling down the city streets, we knew we’d be spending more time there than we had planned!

Planning your own trip and looking for things to do in Deadwood, SD? This itinerary will help you see the best the city has to offer! [Read more…]

A One Day Family Itinerary of Things To Do in Orlando with Kids

January 10, 2019 by Kathryn 37 Comments

It’s no secret that my family loves the Orlando area. From golf courses to amusement parks, we’ve explored the popular tourist destination to its fullest, and found many of the best things to do in Orlando with kids.

Like most families, our top priority when in Orlando is usually visiting the theme parks! Checking out all four parks at Walt Disney World in one day was exhausting, but amazing. And we all loved the rides and pop culture at Universal Orlando.

But I knew from our many trips down International Drive that the city itself had just as many things to do in Orlando with kids. And so, on our most recent vacation, I decided that we would spend a day exploring some of the best family attractions and activities the city has to offer.

Wondering where to start when looking for things to do in Orlando with kids? This one-day itinerary had the whole family smiling when we headed home!

A Ride on ICON Orlando

We started our day with a ride on the ICON Orlando observation wheel. This 400 ft. ride is the largest observation wheel on the United States’ East Coast. It’s a popular nighttime attraction, since the city and theme parks look so magical when they’re lit up. But it’s equally enjoyable during the day, and we loved finding all the places we’d visited in the past from above! [Read more…]

7 Things To Do in Idaho

November 30, 2018 by Kathryn 2 Comments

Regardless of whether you’re planning a multi-day trip, a long weekend or even a family excursion of a lifetime, Idaho has something for everyone. It doesn’t matter what kind of holiday you end up choosing, Idaho has a way of providing experiences you won’t get elsewhere else.

If you’re searching for an ideal place to spend a getaway, there are many different cabin rentals in Idaho that will provide a great base to relax, explore and have some adventures.

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Wondering how to spend your days? Here are some of my top things to do in Idaho:

Roaring Springs Waterpark

This is the biggest waterpark in the American Northwest and is situated in Meridian, just six miles from Boise. This year-round attraction offers a wide range of rides for all ages and incorporates many speed slides, kid slides and wave pools to enjoy. Many of the rides are ideal for little ones, making the waterpark a great family choice.

You can also visit the Pinz Bowling Center and Wahooz Family Fun Zone via the connected walkway. The way that one spot provides a variety of different activities in addition to the slides and wave pools make this one of the best water parks I have ever seen.

Yellowstone Bear World

Yellowstone Bear World could best be described as a drive-thru wildlife park. Here you can observe dim wolves, moose, wild bears, white-tailed deer and other different creatures indigenous to North America. The park is located near Yellowstone National Park, making it an ideal way to kill two birds with one stone and visit both.

You can even take part in getting up-close and personal with the bear cubs while bottle-feeding. This is a truly unique experience that you aren’t likely to find anywhere else in North America. In addition, the park has a great petting zoo and a number of amusement rides for children to enjoy.

Schweitzer Mountain Resort

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Schweitzer is king of the mountain (no pun intended) when it comes to ski resorts in Idaho. There are over 2900 acres of beautiful land that is just waiting to be explored. With over 92 ski runs snaking through the resort, there is truly something for skiers of all levels. Don’t worry if you have never skied before either, lessons are available to help get you started!

The location in the Selkirk Mountains also gives the resort some glorious views of Lake Pend Oreille on the southeast and of the nearby Bitterroot and Cabinet mountains. The summit is 6,400 feet high and has a number of chairlifts that make this one of my favourite places to ski in all of North America (yes, Canada included).

Museum of Clean

It might sound a little confusing when you hear the name, but the Museum of Clean in Pocatello is a place that everyone should visit if they are in the area. The complex is huge, with around 75,000 square feet, and is especially great for children.

The museum itself focuses on the importance of cleanliness in all aspects of our lives. This doesn’t just mean being clean at home, but also with our water, air and food sources, and practically anything that needs to be clean to benefit our lives. The exhibitions are very hands on and it is definitely great to spend a few hours here, but you probably won’t see everything in a day!

Lava Hot Springs

The Lava Hot Springs has become something of an Idaho favourite and the reason is a pretty simple one. Bubbling hot springs boast mineral-rich water that doesn’t have any sulfur, so there are no unpleasant smells! It’s amazing to think that over two million gallons of water gush through the springs each day.

This also means the springs clean themselves and makes for an amazing place to relax all year round. The springs are around 102 to 112 degrees Fahrenheit and are great in any weather. The facilities are also top notch too with an indoor aquatic centre (open all year) and an outdoor swimming complex (open in the summertime). The Springs themselves are open 363 days every year, so there is no excuse to miss them!

Silverwood Theme Park

idaho silverwood theme park

Silverwood had a humble beginning with just a steam train and a few other rides. The park has grown significantly in size over the years and is now one of the most popular and fun-filled amusement parks in the northwest. You can find the park around 47 miles from Spokane, near Coeur d’Alene.

Stone Beach Water Park was added in 2003. The park has around 65 rides, slides, and other attractions. The highlights are definitely the Riptide Racer, Aftershock, Corkscrew and Panic Plunge. It is also great to see the familiar faces of the park mascots Garfield and Odie strolling around the park.

Sun Valley Resort

This is a winter resort like no other, located between the inclines of the Bald and Dollar Mountains. The resort has a variety of attractions to suit all kinds of travelers. The skiing is fantastic here, making the resort a great winter destination. This doesn’t mean that it isn’t a summer destination too. It offers some amazing hiking, mountain biking, horse riding and a number of other sports. A definite highlight is taking the gondola up to the Roundhouse and enjoying the sunset over a glass of wine and the roaring fire.

If you are looking to unwind, there are naturally a number of spa and wellness options to suit everyone. Sun Valley Resort is truly an everyman’s holiday destination for all seasons.

Whether you prefer kid-friendly amusement parks, adventurous ski hills or getting hands-on with nature, Idaho really does have something for everyone. Pick a few must-try activities and plan your trip today!