Southwest Missouri is filled with old-fashioned pit stops and slices of Americana. Case in point: Fantastic Caverns, 'America's only ride-through cave'. Fantastic Caverns is one of those natural wonders that probably should be protected by the US government, but is instead a privately-owned tourist attraction, making you worry a little bit. But go anyway (despite, or maybe because of, the … [Read more...]
All-American pit stop: shopping at American Girl Place Chicago
June 30, 2015 By
Francesca Mazurkiewicz is a Chicago-based travel blogger and working mom of two young children. Along with her family, Francesca is out to prove that she can have it all - a family, a career, and a travel lifestyle. I’m not a girly-girl and never have been. I never played with dolls as a little girl but there is something about American Girl dolls… As a traveler and a history enthusiast, I was … [Read more...]
Wet Planet Whitewater adventure rafting near Columbia River Gorge
May 25, 2015 By
Julie Henning runs Road Trips for Families, a resource for families love to get out on the open road and let their adventures unfold. Fed by underground aquifers and the glacial melt of nearby Mount Adams, the second-tallest mountain in Washington State, the White Salmon River never runs dry. A brisk 40 degrees, anyone venturing out on the river encouraged to wear a wetsuit, booties, fleece, a … [Read more...]
Tubing on Kauai: Kauai Backcountry Adventures
May 4, 2015 By
One of the most unique excursions families can take on Kauai is a tubing adventure through a sugar cane plantation. This adventure is very hard to describe until you’ve tried it: essentially, families are guided through the flumes and tunnels of unused irrigation channels on a now-defunct plantation for a fun, beautiful, and pretty thrilling ride through Kauai’s jungle-like east … [Read more...]
How to see the Na Pali Coast Kauai: Holo Holo Charters
April 29, 2015 By
Wondering how to see the Na Pali Coast Kauai? There are four ways to see the famous (and roadless) Na Pali Coast along Kauai’s west shore. Families can take a helicopter tour, kayak tour, hike the Kalalau Trail, or take a chartered sailing tour. We opted for two of the four: we hiked several miles of the trail (the entire 11 miles requires a permit), and saw more of the coastline via … [Read more...]
Learn to surf in Hawaii: Hawaiian Surfing Adventures
April 27, 2015 By
If you want to learn to surf in Hawaii, you need to learn from the locals. The minute we checked in at Hawaiian Surfing Adventures in Hanalei Bay, Kauai, we knew we were with o’hana, or family. We met many members of the Alapa family, who have owned this business for years. We were met by an uncle, driven to the beach by the father, and taught by a son and cousin. Everyone took pride in the … [Read more...]
Earth Day every day: outdoor adventures that teach kids to love nature
April 22, 2015 By
In our part of the world, Earth Day usually dawns chilly and soggy. For many years, I dutifully took my kids out to the local celebration (always held outdoors, of course) so we could freeze for a few hours while batting around an oversized globe-patterned beach ball, learn about sustainable housing and bio-diesel, and eat local produce. Don't get me wrong: there's nothing wrong with any of that. … [Read more...]
Best of 2014: Best destinations for families you can book now!
December 22, 2014 By
Every December, we take time to reflect upon the past year of travel, and select five experiences---yes, just five!---that we crown the best of the year. Last year, our top travel experiences of 2013 took us from Alaska to the Caribbean. This year, we're focusing on the American West and MidAtlantic, showcasing everything from five-star city hotels to cabins. We stand behind these picks as … [Read more...]
Flying for the fun of it: Take a trip with San Juan Airlines
October 27, 2014 By
Yes, you read that right: flying can be fun! In an era when it's 99% hassle (even for kids!), I had a great time remembering what I love about flying when I spent a morning with San Juan Airlines. Check out my flight from Seattle to Friday Harbor, WA: Yes, I'm smiling. Actually, I grinned most of the flight. Why? On a small plane--in this case, a Cessna 172 three-seater--it's easy to remember … [Read more...]
Couples getaway: Oregon cycle tour with LifeCycle Adventures
October 22, 2014 By
At Pit Stops for Kids, we’re fans of adventurous travel for kids, so it will come as no surprise that when we want to get away for an adults-only vacation, my husband Charlie and I prefer an active, outdoorsy pursuit of our own. We also love wineries, outside-the-box local lodging, and farm-to-fork dining, indulgences absolutely possible to enjoy with kids, but— if we’re being honest here … [Read more...]
