Downtown dining in Palm Springs with kids

Palm Springs may be a more appealing destination to adults than kids—after all, it’s known for golf, spas, wellness retreats, and shopping—but we found the downtown area to be surprisingly kid-friendly. We saw many other parents with kids in tow, and our own kids really enjoyed the city. Whether you spend your Palm Springs day at the tramway, Joshua Tree National Park, or the local water park, … [Read more...]

Palm Springs with kids: Renaissance Hotel Palm Springs

Ready to head to Palm Springs with kids? The Renaissance Hotel Palm Springs is a great pick for a reasonably priced, stylish hotel pick right near the downtown Palm Springs action. What the Renaissance lacks in extra amenities offered elsewhere in the Palm Springs area, such as a kids’ club, tennis courts, or on-site golf, it makes up for in location. Only two blocks from downtown Palm Springs, … [Read more...]

Keystone lodging review: The Springs at River Run Village

During or latest winter Keystone ski trip with kids, we stayed in a two-bedroom condo in River Run’s The Springs. At the end of our trip, my nine-year-old declared it the best ski lodging he’d experienced. Why did he rate it above other ski-in, ski-out resort lodging? Three reasons: 1. the Springs pool, 2. the proximity to the River Run Gondola, and 3. the fact that it’s surrounded by … [Read more...]

Grown Up Getaway: Miami beyond the beaches

Maybe you’ve ‘done’ South Beach. Or maybe, you remember the Miami of the ‘80s and ‘90s, when South Beach defined the city. Whether beachside clubbing and hot days on the sand are not for you, or whether you’re ready for something different, check out Miami beyond the beaches for your next Grown-Up Getaway. Here’s your ready-made itinerary for your Grown Up Getaway Miami: Start in the artsy … [Read more...]

Mendocino Coast: Little River Inn review

The Mendocino coastal area offers stunning natural beauty, warm hospitality, quaint, unpretentious towns, and outdoor exploration galore! It's a great region in which to base your California northern coastal road trip, and a stay at Little River Inn is a must! Tip: We tacked a trip to the Mendocino coast onto our Grown-Up Getaway to Sonoma, and the two destinations paired beautifully, but … [Read more...]

Grown-Up Getaway: Sonoma County without the kids

Sonoma County is certainly a kid-friendly destination, but to best enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, fine dining, and wine tasting opportunities of this region of Northern California, we suggest planning a getaway to Sonoma County without the kids. Here's how we went about it, including our favorite wineries, dining opportunities and hotel options. Grown-up Getaway: Sonoma County without the … [Read more...]

Grown-Up Getaway: Downtown Las Vegas and Fremont Street

If your usual Las Vegas stomping grounds include only the Strip, or if, like me, you think 'been there, done that' when it comes to a Las Vegas getaway, a stay (or even just a day) in historic downtown Las Vegas may be just what you need to see this city from a different perspective. Downtown Las Vegas is located toward the 'top' of the Strip, above the Stratosphere, and retains some of the … [Read more...]

Northstar California Resort with kids: what you need to know for a great ski vacation

Between the expense, the equipment, and the logistics of getting everyone where they need to be (preferably with both gloves), skiing with kids can be daunting. Northstar California makes it easier by continuing to be one of the friendliest and most family-oriented mountains my family and I have ever skied. With a fun, centralized ski village, luxury accommodation options, and multiple ski school … [Read more...]

Grown-Up Getaway: Sunriver Oregon escape

We've written about planning a winter or spring getaway to Sunriver, Oregon with your family, and about skiing at Mt. Bachelor with kids and snowshoeing with teens in the Deschutes National Forest. Sunriver is an ideal playground for outdoorsy families, located just outside of Bend in the Central Cascades, but I'll let you in on a little secret: Sunriver Resort makes for a great grown-up getaway … [Read more...]

Best snowshoe tour in Bend: Wanderlust Tours

Another day, another excellent outdoor experience with Wanderlust Tours! What makes Wanderlust the best snowshoe tour in Bend? My family and I first experienced Wanderlust during a kayak tour of the Cascade Lakes of Central Oregon, and loved our afternoon so much, we came back for a winter Cascade Mountain Snowshoe tour. Yes, Wanderlust gets our highest possible endorsement: a return … [Read more...]