USA Archives - Mommy Kat and Kids

6 Reasons You Should Visit California On Your Next Vacation

October 22, 2020 by Kathryn 4 Comments

My family has taken a lot of vacations over the years, and discovered a lot of places to love. And one of the most fun-filled trips we ever took was to beautiful California.

When people think of California, places like Hollywood, Silicon Valley and the Napa Valley wine region tend to spring to mind. But the state has so much more than just that to offer!

From the state parks of Northern California to the famed San Diego Zoo, there’s something for everyone when they visit California, and so much to do that it’s impossible to see it all in a single trip! [Read more…]

Eleven Amazing Things To Do in San Diego with Kids

October 27, 2019 by Kathryn 11 Comments

Southern California is full of activities for families, and no city is quite as full of things to do with kids as San Diego and its surrounding area! From beaches to amusement parks and everything in between, it’s easy to spend an entire vacation in the city and not run out of things to do.

After two days exploring Buena Park, California on our family’s recent California vacation, we made our way to the San Diego area for a few days, and we packed a lot into our time there. If you’re looking for the best things to do in San Diego with kids, these eleven attractions in three different areas are ones you’ll want to check out!

Southern San Diego

1) Splashing It Up at Aquatica

On the outskirts of Southern San Diego is the fun-filled Aquatica Water Park, featuring waterslides, a wave pool, a lazy river and plenty of other great wet and wild entertainment. With the slides having minimum height requirements of 42” to 48”, it’s best suited to school-age and older kids, but there’s still fun to be had for all ages! [Read more…]

Two Days of Family-Friendly Fun in Buena Park, California

October 17, 2019 by Kathryn 33 Comments

While most people know that Anaheim, California is the home of Disneyland, far fewer people know that Buena Park, just 15 minutes away, is the home of Knott’s Berry Farm, the oldest theme park in the United States. And while Knott’s Berry Farm is by far Buena Park’s biggest attraction, it’s only one of the many kid-friendly activities the city has to offer!

Recently, my family had the chance to visit Buena Park for two days to experience all the highlights of the area. And we were blown away by how much fun we had from start to finish when in Buena Park! Wondering if it’s a place your own family might love? This two-day itinerary has all the highlights you may want to check out!

Enjoy Unlimited Pizza and Playtime at John’s Incredible Pizza

To make sure our family was well fed and ready for fun, we started our time in Buena Park by visiting John’s Incredible Pizza Co. This franchise is a favourite in Southern California and the Buena Park location is conveniently located in the Buena Park Downtown Mall.

[Read more…]

The Plantations of New Orleans – Exploring the History of Louisiana’s Slave Trade

August 30, 2019 by Kathryn 53 Comments

On our recent visit to Louisiana, I knew I wanted to get outside the cities and explore some of the history of the Southern state. The glitz and energy of New Orleans is appealing, but there’s also so much to learn when in the area.

Visiting a plantation was one of those educational experiences that I knew I didn’t want to miss. Louisiana plantations, unlike those in other Southern states, mainly grew sugarcane. And due to the state’s Creole influence, the plantations of New Orleans themselves have some unique features.

My family had the chance to visit many different plantations in the New Orleans Plantation Country area, and if you’re planning a trip and wondering which one or two you should visit, look no further. These are my thoughts on four of Louisiana’s most popular plantation tours. [Read more…]

Avery Island – Highlights of the Tabasco Factory Tour and Jungle Gardens

July 15, 2019 by Kathryn 15 Comments

Is there anyone that doesn’t love the spicy flavour of classic Tabasco sauce? In our family, the answer is definitely a resounding, “No!” And so on our recent vacation to Louisiana, when the city of Lafayette gave us the opportunity to check out the nearby Tabasco Factory Tour on Avery Island, we couldn’t have been happier.

Located about 45 minutes from Lafayette and just over two hours from New Orleans, Avery Island is a top tourist destination and a great spot for families. The island boasts the Tabasco Factory Tour on one side of the highway and the Jungle Gardens Tour on the other.

We headed to the island in the early morning planning to do both, and the boys couldn’t wait to get started. Planning your own trip to Avery Island? Here are the highlights you won’t want to miss! [Read more…]