Here at Pit Stops for Kids, we travel approximately once or twice a month, all year round. In December of every year, we take a moment to reflect on the past year's trips, and try to select the five that stood out the most. It's a tough decision, and always, there are multiple contenders. But we have our winners! Use the list below as inspiration as you plan your travel for the coming year! Top … [Read more...]
Florence Italy at Christmas
December 7, 2016 By
Last holiday season, we made a last minute decision to add Florence, Italy to our European family vacation. We arrived in Florence on December 24, Christmas Eve, and left December 27. While planning, I worried that perhaps, spending Christmas in Florence wouldn't feel festive...after all, their seasonal Christmas markets close before Christmas Day. However, I couldn't have been more wrong. … [Read more...]
Guide to Paris Christmas markets
November 30, 2016 By
One of our favorite memories of a Paris Christmas was touring the many Paris Christmas markets across the city. Some Christmas markets pop up fairly spontaneously from year to year, but there are a few staples you'll find to be consistent. Here's where to go to find Paris Christmas markets, plus tips for best enjoyment of these seasonal wonders. Top Paris Christmas markets: The biggies each … [Read more...]
Guide to Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley Peru
October 17, 2016 By
We traveled through Peru with Vantage Adventures, which I highly recommend. However, this guide is designed to be useful to you whether you’re traveling with Vantage, another tour company, or on your own. The Sacred Valley of Peru is a stunning region of high mountain plains dotted with quinoa, wheat, and Incan corn, impossibly high peaks covered in glaciers, and valleys nestled with medium to … [Read more...]
4 reasons Tampa Bay is great for kid visitors
October 6, 2016 By
The Tampa Bay and surrounding areas offer a variety of family-friendly activities to experience on your next visit. With exciting theme parks such as Busch Gardens and Adventure Island, the best blue water beaches in the nation, and plenty of museums and nature trails, you and your kids are sure to have a full itinerary during your Florida stay. We’ve narrowed down the best kid-friendly … [Read more...]
Guide to Cusco Peru with kids
October 5, 2016 By
We traveled through Peru with Vantage Adventures, which I highly recommend. However, this guide is designed to be useful to you whether you’re traveling with Vantage, another tour company, or on your own. Cusco, Peru is the capitol of the Incan empire, and home to 500,000 Andean people. It’s a beautiful, vibrant, colorful city of contrasts. One minute, I’d feel as though I’m in the heart of … [Read more...]
New Hampshire with kids: Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves
August 31, 2016 By
The Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves is a great location for exploration that families can take at their own pace. It starts with a three-fourth mile boardwalk through the gorge. You may remain on the boardwalk, or, if your kids love off-roading, you can explore the boulder caves. This is an excellent outdoor activity in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The Mysterious Boulder … [Read more...]
Big Surf waterpark in Lake of the Ozarks
August 22, 2016 By
Big Surf waterpark, in Linn Creek, Missouri, is an exceptionally well-maintained waterpark at the Lake of the Ozarks, offering thrill levels appropriate for all ages and comfort zones. Park Features: The wave pool The centerpiece of the park is the wave pool, which runs ten minutes on and ten minutes off all day long. In the rest periods, it’s a massive zero-entry wading pool that, … [Read more...]
Exploring Bridal Cave Missouri with kids
August 17, 2016 By
Missouri is well known for its caves, and the Lake of the Ozarks, an hour south of the state capital, boasts several that are open to the public. Of these, the most well-known is Bridal Cave, which lies beneath Thunder Mountain near Camdenton, Missouri. Bridal Cave got its name from a legendary Native American couple who got married in one of its front “rooms.” It has hosted over three thousand … [Read more...]
Nebraska with kids: Where to play and eat in Omaha
August 10, 2016 By
Situated at the intersection of Interstate 80 and the Missouri River, the city of Omaha offers a surprisingly broad array of great attractions for families--and for Midwestern families, a vacation destination within driving distance of home. We've already covered Omaha's world-class zoo, two of its museums, and the Holiday Inn Downtown. For more of a taste of where to eat in Omaha, read … [Read more...]
