One week in San Diego with kids: San Diego itinerary

San Diego is one of our favorite spring destinations: it's warm, offers up both beaches and culture, and can be affordable for a week-long visit. Here's what not to miss with kids during a one week San Diego itinerary: As travel today remains uncertain, please keep your safety and the safety of others in mind at all times. If you are comfortable with traveling, please travel responsibly and … [Read more...]

Three things to do in Acadia National Park with kids

Acadia National Park may be quite a hike from the nearest urban center or major airport, but this beautiful corner of downeast Maine offers families unlimited adventures, from bikes to boats to hiking trails and, if you’re lucky, the earliest sunrise in the continental US! Acadia is a relatively small park, and offers a lot of short, gentle hikes (and some tough ones as well) in addition to their … [Read more...]

Summer in Big Bear with kids

The town of Big Bear Lake may be Southern California’s favorite snow destination in winter, but this small community has a lot going on in summer, too. An easy drive from San Bernardino, CA, Big Bear is at a respectable 6752 feet in elevation, making it a legit mountain destination for families, with pine forests, wildlife, and plenty of hiking and biking. Here’s what to do and where to stay in … [Read more...]

Planning a family vacation To Miami

After its record 15.5 million visitors in 2015, Miami easily holds its status as one of the premier tourist cities in the US. And that’s not surprising at all, given its warm, sunny climate, beautiful white sand beaches, and abundance of popular historic sites and entertainment stops. We've visited Miami many times, and have learned there's much more to this destination than the glamour of South … [Read more...]

St. Louis with kids: Visiting the free St. Louis Zoo

Voted the #1 free attraction in the United States in 2016, the St. Louis Zoo is a "must-see" for anyone visiting the area. With no admission costs, well-kept grounds, beautiful sculptures and water fixtures, and the large collection of animals, this is a great place for cost-conscious families to visit. Did we mention it's free? What you get for your free admission: The zoo is housed in … [Read more...]

Nebraska with kids: Henry Doorly Zoo

In 2014, the Travelers’ Choice Awards named the Henry Doorly Zoo, in Omaha, Nebraska, its #1 zoo. This park, with its wide walkways lined with evergreen and deciduous trees, is well worth an extended visit by families of all ages. Here's how to plan your day at Henry Doorly Zoo with kids: What to see at Henry Doorly Zoo with kids: Henry Doorly Zoo is a sprawling complex, and for the most … [Read more...]

Five family friendly activities in Sarasota

While a vacationing family may be perfectly satisfied with spending their entire vacation on the beach in Sarasota, a family that wants to dig deeper (or is considering Sarasota as their new home), will need to have knowledge of some of the more family-oriented activities in Sarasota and the surrounding areas. Even a vacationing family may want to get off of the beach for a while, especially … [Read more...]

Kansas City with kids: LEGOLAND Discovery Center and Sea Life

Ready to explore Kansas City with kids? Kansas City, Missouri’s Crown Center is a year-round draw for families, in part because of two high-profile attractions: LEGOLAND and Sea Life. LEGOLAND Discovery Center: A visit to LEGOLAND Discovery Center-Kansas City begins with a short demonstration of how the iconic bricks are made. Afterward, guests can opt to ride the Kingdom Quest laser ride, … [Read more...]

Grand Rapids with kids: John Ball Zoo review

The following post is written by Pit Stops for Kids’ Midwest contributor, Kate Basi. Going to the zoo is a classic family outing in every part of the world. Grand Rapids, Michigan’s John Ball Zoo  is not large, but the unique opportunities it offers guarantees it a place in kids' memory. The first thing to watch for upon arrival is "Nessie," the water sculpture in the lake beside the … [Read more...]

Children-Friendly Activities around Lisbon

If one had to choose a single word to describe Lisbon, the amazing capital city of Portugal, chances are that, that word would be “charming”. There are many other words that spring to mind, such as romantic, picturesque, sunny and striking, with this city looking like something straight out of a Disney fairy-tale. Thanks to the fact that this is one of the oldest cities in the world, Lisbon … [Read more...]