Search Results for: zion

Glamping trips to book this summer

Have you ever enjoyed turn-down service…in a tent? How about foot warmers, breakfast in your camp bed or nightly s’mores service? Even if you’re a hardcore camper, happy to rough it, c’mon…this sounds pretty great, right? Get your glamp on at the following glamping resorts in the western U.S. Over the top: The Resort at Paws Up, Montana Located on Montana’s Blackfoot River, Paws … [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...]

Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows review

Can't get to Hawaii or Mexico to escape the winter and don't love Las Vegas? Head to Pheonix Arizona's cozy neighbor, Scottsdale, for a relaxing, family-friendly and tranquil desert getaway at Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows. A Hyatt property tucked away on 20+ acres in the shadow of lovely Camelback mountain, the Andaz has a vibrant personality and friendly vibe. Upon arrival, guests are … [Read more...]

Year-round outdoor exploration from St. George Utah with kids

Need a home base for your Zion National Park adventure? How about a launching point for fall and winter outdoor exploration of Southern Utah? St. George fits the bill, with red rock canyons, mountain bike and hiking trails, and Virgin River. Families can bike, rock scramble, discover new parks, and even get some culture in St. George. Here’s what not to miss, awaiting discovery just outside your … [Read more...]

How to spend two days in Banff National Park, Alberta

Hopefully, you have more than two days to explore Banff National Park with kids, but if you are limited on time, here's what you should do first. Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies: Whyte Museum is a great place to start. It may be small, but does an excellent job with both an art gallery and exhibits detailing the history of the park, starting with the First Nations' presence and … [Read more...]

Adventure travel for your phone: Tech 21 case review

Gone are the days when leaving your phone on the charging dock, at the ski lodge, in your backpack, or in the car is an option. I'm a big fan of outdoor adventure travel, but also a big fan of having my phone with me when I'm on vacation. It's often my camera, my communication device, my note taker, and my navigator. But I hate it when I feel limited because I'm worried about my phone. My … [Read more...]

Facing serious concerns when traveling with kids: how to get past the ‘fear factor’

  Any parent traveling with kids off the beaten path has fielded questions from nay-sayers: “Are you sure it’s safe to travel to Mexico?” “You’re taking your kids how far along what trail?” “How long will you be gone?” “Solo, you say?" As a parent who makes her living encouraging people to travel with their kids, I bristle at these fear-based inquiries. They are not … [Read more...]

Top 10 family hiking trails in Utah

It's difficult to select only ten great family hiking trails in Utah, but the trails in Utah's national parks are especially good places for families to explore the natural wonders of the world together. These are my family's favorite trails from each of Utah's national parks. I use two criteria for determining whether a hike is family-friendly. First, the hike must be easy enough for a … [Read more...]

Our top ten national park travel moments

The Pit Stops for Kids family does our best to do more than 'talk the talk' of family travel: we pack up the kids and walk the walk...through rainforests and woods, deserts and beaches, striving to take our kids beyond the boundaries of what they know of our corner of the natural world. I suppose it's no surprise that our top travel moments have occurred on just such 'foreign' soil as our own … [Read more...]