Archives for May 2018

May 28, 2018 by: Lesli

7 Places to Go Canoeing in the Midwest

Canoeing is a fun, easy watersport that everyone in the family can enjoy. Take your family on a fun adventure with this list of places to go canoeing in the Midwest.

When the summer heat’s upon us, everyone is looking for ways to enjoy the warmer weather while also keeping cool. Canoeing is a great way to do just that.

With dense forests and an abundance of rivers and lakes, the Midwest offers some of the best canoeing locations in the United States. Here are seven of the most beautiful places to go canoeing in the Midwest.

Places to go canoeing #1:

Boundary Waters Canoe Area – Minnesota

Boundary Waters Canoe Area is located in the Superior National Forest in Minnesota. There are over 1200 miles of canoe routes at Boundary Waters. With canyons, cliffs, islands, and beaches this is one of the most beautiful areas to go canoeing within a National Forest.

Canoeing is a fun, easy watersport that everyone can enjoy. Take your family on a fun adventure with this list of places to go canoeing in the Midwest.

Places to go canoeing #2:

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore – Wisconsin

Canoeing along the coast of Lake Superior promises to be one of the most thrilling destinations in the Midwest. The Apostle Islands area consists of 21 islands, most of which you will be able to reach with a canoe.

The highlight of this trip is canoeing through the sea caves along the coastline. The caves were created from waves and ice over thousands of years. The sandstone caves are only accessible from the water. If you aren’t an expert canoer, you may want to join a tour or hire a guide for this trip.

* Family Friendly Tip: The Apostle Islands Lakeshore has frequent closures due to the periodical harsh conditions of the area. Always check the site before heading out on your adventure.

Places to go canoeing #3:

The Little Miami River – Ohio

Canoeing on the Little Miami River is a fantastic experience for the whole family. Children as young as three and pets are allowed to accompany you on as you sail down the Little Miami River.

The River is over 100 miles long with many places where you can begin and end your trip. Make sure to pack a picnic so that you can enjoy lunch and a take swim during your trip.

Places to go canoeing #4:

Turnip Rock – Michigan

Turnip Rock is a rock formation with a small, skinny base and a large top covered in grass and trees. Its unique shape and the surrounding Lake Huron make this a stunning canoeing location.

Typically this trip takes about 4 hours and is 7 miles long. Once you arrive at Turnip Rock, you’ll be able to ditch your canoe and explore for a while.

Places to go canoeing #5-7:

Eleven Point National Scenic River, Current River, and Meramec River – Missouri

The Eleven Point National Scenic River meanders through the Mark Twain National Forest and surrounded by stunning foliage and the breathtaking Ozarks. During your trip you’ll pass gentle rapids. This river is perfect for a short day trip or an overnight adventure as there are several campgrounds along the river.

* Family Friendly Tip: Read about a family’s experience on the Eleven Point National Scenic River.

Closer to St. Louis, you’ll find the Current River and the Meramec River. Both are beautiful places to camp, canoe, and spend time together as a family.

Canoeing is a wonderful way to experience the great outdoors with your family and friends. No matter your age or skill level there is a river or lake just waiting to take you on the adventure of a lifetime.

May 20, 2018 by: Lesli

5 Inexpensive Cities in the USA for Kids

Family Vacation Ideas: 5 Adventurous and Inexpensive Cities in the USA

Family Vacations are amazing times to grow, learn, and build family bonds. These family vacation ideas keep your family busy and keep your budget small. Check out these five inexpensive cities in the USA to visit.

So you want to take your family on vacation, but money is tight. Don’t worry! There are many budget-friendly places in the US that will delight your family and your pocketbook. Everyone will find something that they love in these five budget-friendly cities.

Inexpensive Family Vacation Ideas – City #1: Washington D.C.

Our nation’s capital is one city that everyone should visit in their lifetime. Its historical significance alone earns it a spot on this list. It is budget friendly because almost all of the major landmarks are free. While you are in the city you will want to wear good walking shoes.

After checking out the National Mall and the Lincoln Memorial take a stroll through one of the 17 free Smithsonian Museums. Check the events calendar before you go because Washington D.C. also hosts several free festivals and events throughout the year.

*Family Friendly Tip: Use the Metro system to get around, especially if you have over 4 people in your party. Purchase a card for each family member. We did cards with $20 on them for each person for a week. We ended up a few dollars short, and had to reload. The minimum for reloading is $10, so we spent a few dollars more than we needed. However, we will be going back, so I’ll hang on to the cards for the next trip.

Inexpensive Family Vacation Ideas – City #2: Jacksonville, Florida

Jacksonville is a great place to visit if you want to be near the ocean. Most beaches are free to visit and if you pack a picnic lunch the entire trip will cost you very little.

There are plenty of things to do around the city as well. Make sure you check out Friendship Fountain downtown, the Jackson Landing, and the Sally Corporation while you are in town.

If you’re looking for a little history, check out St. Augustine. It’s only a few miles south of Jacksonville, and boasts some of the oldest structures in the USA.

*Family Friendly Tip: Many nights the dolphins come up the river to feed in the evenings. The wall at the edges of the Castillo San Marcos are a perfect place to see them!

Inexpensive Family Vacation Ideas – City #3: New Orleans, Louisiana

Just walking down the street in New Orleans is a party. You’ll find musicians on every street corner and corner markets and cafes with very affordable po-boy sandwiches, gumbo, and beignets.

The city hosts several free festivals so plan to go during one of them to get even more bang for your buck. Make sure to tour Saint Louis Cathedral and the Cities of the Dead while you are there.

Inexpensive Family Vacation Ideas – City #4: Houston, Texas

Houston has a little bit of something for everyone. Several close and beautiful beaches offer plenty of chances to swim, build sandcastles, hike, and view lighthouses. Discovery Green, located downtown, provides exciting events for people of all ages.

If you’d rather be indoors and out of the heat there are several free and nearly free museums and theatres in Houston. Some are only free on certain days to make sure to check their website before you go.

Inexpensive Family Vacation Ideas – City #5: St. Louis, Missouri

St. Louis is located in the center of the country which means that most of the continental US can get there without traveling too far. St. Louis is especially suitable for children as you can visit the St. Louis Zoo for free.

The city also offers several free museums such as the St. Louis Museum of Art. After a long day of visiting the zoo(One of our top 11 in the USA!) and museums take a stroll through Forest Park.

Amazing vacations don’t have to cost a fortune. Gather up your family and head out to one of these budget-friendly cities and take advantage of all the deals that they have to offer.

May 2, 2018 by: Lesli

5 Tips for Planning a Staycation

When you need a break from your routine, but don’t want the stress of travel, a staycation is a great idea. Learn 5 staycation planning tips to plan for a time of family fun and relaxation in your own city.

The entire premise of a staycation is that you aren’t leaving town. To have the best staycation for your family, you’re still going to need to do some planning for your days.

With any vacation, you are sure to spend some time planning out your meals and activities. Planning the perfect at-home adventre starts long before your first day of vacation arrives.

Staycation Planning Tip #1

Leave Work Behind

The first thing that you’ll want to plan is to leave work behind. Don’t check your work emails or take calls from the office. Unplug your work laptop and stick it in a closet if you have to!

Work can wait but time with your family passes quickly. The same goes for kids who may have homework and chores. Pretend that those things are a thousand miles away during your staycation.

Staycation Planning Tip #2

Don’t Focus on Cleaning

Secondly, you need to accept that you are on vacation and let the housework go. The dust and vacuuming can wait until your vacation is over.

You might even want to purchase paper plates and plastic silverware ahead of time so that you don’t spend your time washing dishes.

Staycation Planning Tip #3

Plan Meals in Advance

Next, plan your meals before your staycation begins. You’ll want a good mixture of dining out, home cooked meals, and picnics. Make sure you have a food budget for the week in place and do your grocery shopping before your trip begins.

A good schedule would be to have breakfast at home, picnics or quick meals for lunch, and then go out somewhere nice for dinner. You can get your kids involved in the planning process by letting them pick restaurants to visit or find a fun way to surprise them with where you are going every day.

*Family Friendly Tip: Want to still eat out, but stay in budget? Eat out for lunch, which is usually cheaper. You can then have sandwiches for a quick, easy, relaxed dinner at home.

Staycation Planning Tip #4

Plan Family Fun Activities

You’ll want to plan activities for your family for every day of your vacation. These plans can be as simple as a day of movies on the couch or more elaborate such as a themed movie day with popcorn and movie-themed crafts and snacks.

Even though it’s a staycation, you should still plan a few day trips. No matter where you live you’ll be able to find something fun to do. It could be a trip to the zoo, an amusement park, a national park, the movies, a concert, or just about anything that you can dream up!

Staycation Planning Tip #5

Put Your Phone in Time-out

Lastly, you need to put the phone down. If you want to be genuinely present and have the perfect staycation with your family then you need to be there for them.

Phones are a wonderful thing, but they are also a huge distraction. Don’t share every detail of your staycation on social media. Just spend time with your family. You can always share pictures of your staycation later if you want to!

You don’t have to fly around the globe to have the perfect vacation. All you need is your family, some planning, and a little imagination and you’ll have the perfect adventure with your family at home.