Have Kids, Will Travel: Five Ideas for a Summer Road Trip from DFW!

Five more weeks of school and summer will be here!

Are you ready?

If you're like me, i.e., someone who loves travel and live life on the go, you're probably already lining up your summer travel plans. Maybe you're considering a trip down to Galveston to soak up some south Texas sunshine, or you're thinking about a weekend in San Antonio to see the Alamo and let the kids play at SeaWorld. These tried and true trips are quick drives from DFW and affordable for Texas families.

But, if you're like me, you may be wanting something a little different this summer. Maybe you want a new state, a new destination. Something driveable- because hello!- flights are expensive, especially if you have a bigger family. Driving just makes sense a lot of time for a lot of reasons. 

Maybe you want the beach or lake for a little laidback summer fun. Or maybe you prefer the bright lights of a big city. These five destinations- all driveable and none in Texas!- offer tons of activities and family-friendly fun for groups large and small. 

If you're looking for an off-the-beaten path getaway with the family this summer, consider one of these five fun destinations you can easily roadtrip to from Arlington. 

Five fun summer road trip ideas from Arlington, Texas

Time to plan summer travel! Check out these fun road trip ideas from DFW.

Branson, Missouri

Guys, I don't mean to brag, but I consider myself an expert on Branson. And not because I've actually ever even been to the city (how I escaped spending my four years of college in the Show Me State but never actually made it to Branson is beyond me!). But, for more than a year now, I've written a weekly blog post about Branson for ABC Campground in Branson, and I'm blown away every week by how much there is to do there.

Why vacay in Branson:

Drive time: 7 hours from Arlington

Where to stay: Take your pick. You can camp, stay at a hotel or resort (how cool does Grand Country Resort look?) or even find a fun AirBnB.

What to do: See a show- there are magic shows and comedy shows and variety shows- and they all sound wonderful. Go to the Titanic Museum. Take in some thrill rides at Silver Dollar City. Ride the Branson Ferris Wheel, relocated in recent years from Chicago's Navy Pier. Boat on Lake Taneycomo. The possibilities are endless! 

If you need any recommendations, just ask! And one of these days I'll actually head that way myself... I love me some Missouri!

Lake Hamilton/Hot Springs, Arkansas

Lake Hamilton is a gorgeous spot in Arkansas for a lake getaway. Less than 5 hours by car from Arlington, Lake Hamilton is located in the Hot Springs area and offers a cozy retreat from the tourist-y city while still being close enough to enjoy its amenities.

Why vacay in Lake Hamilton:

Drive time: 4.5 hours from Arlington

Where to stay: If you want to stay on the water, look for a house or condo for rent on the lake. Otherwise, staying in Hot Springs will give you easy access to both the city and the lake. Emerald Isle Resort looks like it have a lot to offer at a great price! 

What to do: At the lake, go boating, swimming, fishing, canoeing or simply relax and enjoy lake life. Nearby in Hot Springs, you can go to the Mid-America Science Museum (we highly recommend this spot!) or try out the Magic Springs Theme and Water Park. Don't forget to check out the national park and Bathhouse Row to learn a little about Hot Springs!

A trip to the lake is always fun in summertime. 

Gulfport, Mississippi

I can't stress enough how much we enjoyed our visit to Gulfport last year. The shores of Mississippi certainly don't offer the same beaches as Alabama or Florida, but "the Secret Coast" has its own personality and offerings to make it worth your trip. Not only is it less expensive to vacation on Mississippi's coast, it's closer, too!

Why vacay in Gulfport, MS:

Drive time: 8.5 hours from Arlington

Where to stay: We stayed in Gulfport, right on the water. However, the Mississippi Coast is made up of 12 communities that offer condos, AirBnBs, motels and more. There is a Margaritaville on the water that looks fabulous as well as a myriad of hotels to choose from. 

What to do: Go shrimping! We can't recommend a Biloxi shrimping tour enough. Not only is it educational and fun, you'll get to see dolphins and all sorts of marine life on the water. Play at the beach. Go to the nearby waterpark. Check out the Mississippi Aquarium. Let the kids play at Lynn Meadows Discovery Center. Shop in Ocean Springs. Go gambling in Biloxi. Trust me- there is a TON to do in coastal Mississippi!

Fun in coastal Mississippi!

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

It's hard not to hear the lyrics to Garth Brooks' "Callin' Baton Rouge" as I write about this Louisiana town! Baton Rouge is an interesting town with a storied history. The capital of the state and home to Louisiana State University (LSU), Baton Rouge is a southern city with deep roots and lots to do for families. 

Why vacay in Baton Rouge: 

Drive time: 6.5 hours from Arlington

Where to stay: There are a number of hotels right along the Mississippi River that are fun and accommodating for families. If you want to splurge, the Watermark Baton Rouge comes highly recommended. There are also several hotels attached to casinos if you are looking for tons of amenities under one roof.

What to do: Learn about animals at the Baton Rouge Zoo or about sea life at the Blue Zoo. Splash around at the nearby waterpark. Check out Knock Knock Children's Museum or the Louisiana Art & Science Museum. Take a swamp tour and learn all about the Bayou and the animals, reptiles and fish that call it home. 

Santa Fe, New Mexico

New Mexico is a state filled with stunning geography and a rich history. Santa Fe is nestled at the very southern edge of the Rocky Mountains and is a city that offers a lot of family-friendly fun year round. Did you know? Santa Fe is the highest capital city and third highest city in America!

Why vacay in Santa Fe

Drive time: 9 hours from Arlington 

Where to stay: There is no shortage of gorgeous hotels in Santa Fe. So many I looked at were well, well out of my price comfort zone. The Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder came up time and time again but even that was at my absolute max budget. So, this may be a town I find an AirBnB in, and, a quick search shows there is no shortage of those, either! 

What to do: Meow Wolf looks incredible, and the Santa Fe Children's Museum would be a blast for kids. Railyard Park offers lots to do, and you could always stroll and shop downtown. Learn about Native American culture during your trip. Go gambling during your trip or go for a hike in the mountains. 

Where will you travel this summer?

Affordable Family Travel: Must-Follow Tips to Maximize Travel on a Budget

With all the travel content I've been posting lately, I've gotten more than a few questions about how I can afford to travel as frequently as I do with kids. While I have, admittedly, gone on several media trips this year where large portions of my trip are comped, I have also simply prioritized travel with my kids. 

I grew up the daughter of a flight attendant, and every long weekend and break from school was a chance to travel. In my 20s, before kids and a mortgage, I had a job where I traveled almost weekly. Sure, life on the road can be draining. but I love it! I want to travel as often as I can with my kids, so I've compiled my best tips for budget-friendly travel with kids! By keeping my per-trip cost down, I can afford to take my family on more trips. We simply love life on the go!

We love to travel! 

I also recently did a list about beach-day must-haves for Zulily. We did two beach trips this year, to Port Aransas and Coastal Mississippi, so I wrote an article for Zulily about must-have items when you pack for a day at the beach!

Budget-Friendly Tips for Traveling with Kids

• I know these days that AirBnB is all the rage. And I've stayed at more than a few AirBnBs in my day (my brother was an early employee at the company so I'm pretty partial for personal reasons!). But, with kids, I prefer hotels. I find them to be financially equal to or less expensive than AirBnBs in the area. Let me tell you why...
• I pick hotels with pools. This way, at the end of a long day, the kids can unwind and hang out in the pool. We don't always use the pool, but we love to have the option.
• Free breakfast! I try to always pick a hotel with free breakfast. This adds up monumentally over time. I always make my girls wake up and fill up on free breakfast before we hit the ground running. We grab apples and bananas to stick in purses and backpacks and eat a full breakfast so we are ready to explore and play until mid-day when we break for lunch. 
• Safety. Honestly, when I'm traveling with my husband or extended family members, I don't think as much about safety. But, when I'm alone with my girls, I worry about safety. Hotels feel safer because there is always someone at the front desk and other people close by. I feel safer arriving back at a well-lit hotel after dark than I do at a house or condo where I don't know the area.

We prefer to stay in hotels when we travel.

• Okay Steph. I hear you on some great reasons to book hotels. But I have more than two kids! And most hotels are only made for families with two adults and two kids. How do you work around that?
• This took us some time to work out, honestly. I have three kids. When I travel with my husband or my mom, that makes five people. Tricky when most hotels are meant to sleep four or fewer people. We simply can't afford to book adjoining rooms or two rooms with every trip. My trick? A cheap blow-up mattress from Walmart! Seriously. We always book the biggest space we can at the best rate. Typically, that gets us two queen beds or a king-sized bed with a pull out couch. Not always ideal for sleeping five people. So we travel with this mattress. Easy to blow up and fit a kid. We take turns with which girl sleeps on the mattress. And, honestly, if we are flying and can't fit one in our bags, we simply hit up a Walmart at our destination and buy one there. At the end of the trip we simply leave it behind. Best money spent all trip...
• Cool. So, you've helped me navigate saving on a hotel room. Book a room at a great rate, eat the free breakfast, utilize the pool and buy a blow up mattress to sleep an extra kid or two. But what about food? We spend sooo much on food when we travel!
• When we get to a new city, we hit up a Walmart or Target first thing. We load up on lunchables and non-perishable snacks. We snag water and other drinks that will cost us four times as much anywhere else. When we head out for the day, I stuff my backpack or purse with snacks and drinks. This saves us so much when we are out all day.
• We also don't do a lot of sit-down meals when we travel. Not that we don't want to! But $60 plus tip per meal can add up if you do that two times a day for five or six days. It's just not feasible! I do a lot of couponing apps (like Ibotta and Shopkick) and redeem my rewards for gift cards before a trip. We aim for gift cards to Starbucks, Chili's, McDonald's, etc. Then we try to find these places in each city and use money I've "earned" elsewhere. Coupled with free breakfasts from hotels and snacks (and lunchables) bought cheaply from a big box retailer, we eat well for less. We plan two-three nicer meals per city and budget for those.
• Got it. It's okay to say no to big fancy meals every day on vacation! But what about activities? Everything costs money these days! How do we do all things without spending all the money?
• This is the hardest part of budgeting for vacation honestly! We start by picking out the free things to do in a city before we start on paid activities. Once we've filled our schedule with free things, we start on paid activities. To find discounts, I always google the activity we want to do plus the word discount. Sometimes this yields unexpected discounts that add up! Also look for discount passes such as Pogo Passes (use code Everything for $5 off per pass) or City Passes in any city you visit and prioritize the activities you want to do. Don't forget to sign your kids up for the free National Parks Pass if you have a fourth grader this year- it will save you more than you realize!

Enjoying a free activity in Philadelphia- seeing the Liberty Bell!

Other tips I have....

- Join ALL the rewards programs. Even the ones you think you will never use again. You just never know! Multiple stays at the same hotel room yield free nights, and enough coffees from Starbucks means free Starbucks! 

- Check with the local visitors' center in any city you visit. Sometimes they have coupons you can use for local attractions and events.

- If you are a member of any local museums or zoos, check your reciprocal benefits! Oftentimes you can use your Fort Worth or Dallas Zoo membership for free admittance to other zoos around the country.

- Check for age-based discount. Ask for a child discount or senior discount. If you are military, check for discounts. If you have AAA or other similar memberships, check for discounts! Small discounts can add up to big amounts of money over time.

- Don't check bags. I repeat... Don't check bags when you travel by air! Not only will it save you money, it will force you to pack lighter. Use the hotel soap and shampoo- save money by not buying travel-sized items that are marked up at local stores. 

- Check for corporate discounts with your employer. Right now, rental cars are crazy-expensive. I had booked a car for our recent trip at $900 for the week. My husband's employer, however, has a corporate rate negotiated with a rental car company. He booked using his corporate discount and got a bigger car than what I was able to book and the total cost was only $600!

What are your favorite ways to save on travel? What tips can you share with the rest of us to afford the travel of our dreams without the hefty price tag?

 

Have Kids, Will Travel: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Vacationing in Cabo with Kids

When you think of a Mexico vacation, you probably don't think about bringing the kids along.

Don't worry- I didn't either. 

Posing at the Cabo sign at the marina!

Mexico makes me think of margaritas at the swim-up bar and digging my toes into the sand while nursing a Modelo. I don't so much think of chasing my kids through the neighboring country to the south.

But Cabo with kids is actually really fun! It turns out there is plenty for families to do in Cabo. Although if you were expecting an inexpensive Mexican holiday you're probably headed to the wrong spot...

Things to Know about Traveling to Cabo

- Cabo San Lucas is on the west side of Mexico, at the southern most point of the Baja California peninsula. 

- Cabo is about three hours by direct flight from DFW. Cabo is on Mountain Standard Time, so you gain an hour going and lose an hour coming back.

- You do not currently need a Covid test to get to Cabo but you will need one to return to the United States.

- Cabo is not the spot for you if you want to spend time on the beach. Because the Pacific Ocean brings big waves and strong undertows, there are very few areas of Cabo where you can swim in the ocean or Gulf.

Kids Activities in Cabo

Boat/Snorkeling Tours: We booked a snorkeling tour with Caborey and loved every minute. We paid $215 for three kids and two adults. The tour was four hours- we boarded at 10:30 and set sail just after 11. We sailed for about an hour and got to see Cabo's famous "el arco"- called this because it means land's end in Spanish, and this is the point where the Gulf of California becomes the Pacific Ocean. We got to snorkel in Chileno Bay for about 30 minutes and saw tons of gorgeous fish. After snorkeling, we got back on the boat and had lunch- teriyaki chiken, rice, veggies and bread, plus unlimited drinks. We got back to the marina around 3 pm. The girls had a blast!

Posing at the Arch before snorkeling. 

Swimming with the Dolphins: Swimming with the dolphins is one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences I think everyone should try. I paid a ton for our experience- $285 for 30 minutes for 4 people- but my girls loved every. single. second. We arrived at 9:45 for our 10 am experience at the Cabo Dolphin building on the marina. At 10, we were given life jackets and instructions and then went up to meet our dolphin, Ali. We were placed with three other people. Each person in our group got to dance with the dolphin, ride the dolphin holding his fins, get a kiss from the dolphin and hug the dolphin. We were cleaned up and ready to leave by 11. It was an expensive but worthwhile experience. Just don't ask how much I paid for the pictures...

Swimming with dolphins! 

Cabo Adventure Park: The Wild Canyon Adventure Park came highly recommended by a friend of a friend who lives in Cabo. We debated partaking in this all-day experience but, in the end, decided not to. Not because it doesn't sound amazing! You can ride camels, go zip-lining, play at a splash pad, ride UTVs, run (or ride) across a crazy suspension bridge. My girls would have loved every single one of those experiences. In the end, though, we decided that the cost was just too much. We figured it would have been about $650 for the five of us (two kids and three adults because my 11-year-old would be an adult). But we've heard such good things! Next time...

Beaches in Cabo

Again... Cabo is not the spot to go if you are wanting to hang out at the beach. Florida or Alabama will give you show stopping beaches... And closer to home! But if you want a beach fix on your Mexican getaway, here are a few spots to try:

- Medano Beach - A sweet spot where you can rent an umbrella from a beach vendor for $20 and get drink (and food) service from an on-the-beach restaurant. Just beware: this beach is packed with vendors trying to sell you everything from hats to bracelets and so much more. They will drive you bonkers for sure!

Checking out the water at Medano Beach. 

- Chileno Bay Beach - This beach, located closer to the airport than the "downtown" area of Cabo, this beach doesn't have vendors (beyond the guys that will help get you set up with an umbrella because the sun is relentless!). There is a rocky area where kids can climb and play and a laidback atmosphere as well as free parking on site. 

- Costa Azul - This gorgeous beach is also located closer to the airport than downtown and is truly beautiful. There are spots here where you can try surf lessons! You can watch the waves roll in and man are they big! The girls loved working on cartwheels here and dipping their toes in the sand... I just wouldn't let them go out too far!

- Pedregal Beach - This is another beach closer to the downtown area where kids can climb on rocks and play around. We didn't make it to this beach but it does come highly recommended.

Places to Eat in Cabo (with kids!)

7 Seas Seafood Grill- Gorgeous spot situated looking down at the water. Located near the airport, 7 Seas has delicious seafood and drinks. 

Zipper's Bar and Grill- Zippers is the place to go if you want to eat and the kids want to play. They can play in the sand while you have a drink and wait for the food. This spot had the best portions and prices of any spot we ate in Cabo. The nachos fed three of us and were so so good!

The Office- The Office is a fun spot on Medano Beach with yummy drinks and decent food. Just beware- don't let them sit you next to the fence barrier between the restaurant and the beach or vendors will drink you batty your entire meal. 

Smiles after our meal at The Office! 

Cascadas- We went to Cascadas our last night in Cabo for a fancy, festive meal and Cascadas did not disappoint. Although this spot in on Medano Beach, it is far enough away from the vendors that they won't make you too crazy! My oldest had lobster for the first time at Cascadas and loved every bite.

Lobster at Cascadas in Cabo! 

Mi Casa- We loved Mi Casa because, honestly, it felt like stepping onto the set of Coco! The experience felt authentically Mexican from start to finish, with a mariachi band roaming during our meal and flan cake served to my daughter to celebrate her ninth birthday. The food is a little less traditional but I found it delicious. Highly recommend!

Cabo Wabo Cantina- If I'm being honest, this is one of the few spots we ate that I wasn't impressed with. The menu is small, the service was eh. It's definitely a tourist trap, fueled by Sam Hagar's name attached to it. I could see it being a fun place to enjoy pricey drinks and party with adults- but you can skip it when you bring the kids to Cabo.

Flora Farms- Guys. If you don't take my advice on anything else on this list... This is the one recommendation you shouldn't skip out on! Flora Farms is farm-to-table food and drink that will knock your socks off. The food is delicious and reasonably-priced, there is a playground for the kids (and games on the placemats!), everything is wide open and fresh and green. There are shops and Instaworthy spots galore. Highly highly recommend! 

Instaworthy photo spot at Flora Farms. 

Need a sweet treat in Cabo? There is a Haagen Daz on the marina and a Dairy Queen downtown. We also ate at the gelato stop at our condo and they had the best green tea ice cream ever!

Where to Stay in Cabo

We stayed at Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach. There is a market for quick shopping on site as well as a gift shop. There is a large food hall with sushi, a bar, American fare, an ice cream shop, sweets shop and more. There's a golf course and multiple pools- and staff is happy to zip you around the resort, which is incredibly hilly, in golf carts. We loved it! 

Enjoying the infinity pool at our resort. 

What do you love to do in Cabo?

Have Kids, Will Travel: Hot Springs, Arkansas!

Before deciding to visit Hot Springs, Arkansas, for Spring Break, I knew nothing about Hot Springs.

I mean, I knew it was a quick drive from DFW. It took us about five hours by car to arrive in Hot Springs from Arlington. I knew the city had, well, Hot Springs. But aside from those two facts, I didn't know anything about the Hot Springs area of Arkansas.

Have Kids, Will Travel: Hot Springs, Arkansas!

So... Let me start this latest edition of Have Kids, Will Travel from the EA crew by giving you some information about Hot Springs!

Hot Springs with Kids: Facts

- Hot Springs is located in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas and has a population of about 40,000 people.

- The center of Hot Springs is the oldest federal reserve, and this year Hot Springs National Park celebrates 100 years as a National Park.

- Hot Springs is famous for Bathhouse Row, a street lined with bathhouses that rose to notoriety in the 1920s as a place to go and soak up the ambiance from the natural hot springs that could, it was believed at the time, cure a number of ailments. These bathhouses were particularly popular with baseball players of the era, who tended to drink heavily and thought the hot springs could "boil" the bad out of them!

Bathhouse Row's history. 

Hot Springs with Kids: Things to Do

If you're headed to Hot Springs with kids, here are your best bets for activities with your kids in tow!

Mid-America Science Museum- This science museum is a fun spot for kids of all ages to spend an afternoon. There are lots of exhibits displaying rocks and gemstones that can be found in Arkansas. There is a play area for small kids and a fun water feature my kids enjoyed. The outside space is phenomenal... There is a dino hike and a climbing structure that had my kids running and jumping endlessly. The admission price is super reasonable but check your calendar before you go- this spot is closed Monday through Wednesday.

Mid-America Science Museum in Hot Springs, Arkansas. 

Arkansas Alligator Farm & Petting Zoo- This spot is a MUST when you visit Hot Springs. Whether gators are your thing or not, your kids will thank you for letting them get up close with alligators! Pet goats, bunnies, alligators and more, as well as feed the alligators and small birds for an additional price. You need to plan an hour to an hour and half for this stop, but, seriously, if you are headed to Hot Springs with kids, don't skip this place! The staff is super friendly and personable and "holding an alligator" was my girls' favorite part of our trip.

Arkansas Alligator Farm & Petting Zoo in Hot Springs, Arkansas. 

Bathhouse Row- Take a walk down memory lane when you stroll down Bathhouse Row! Read up on the history of these bathhouses before you wander down the street and look at the gorgeous buildings because the history is so interesting! The other side of the street is lined with yummy places to grab a bite to eat or do some shopping. Lamar Bathhouse is now a place where you can stop and buy a few souvenirs, and Superior Bathhouse is now a brewery! 

Bathhouse Row.

Hot Springs Mountain Tower- Hike 1.5 miles up the trails from Bathhouse Row to escape 216 feet into the air! The Hot Springs Mountain Tower will give you gorgeous views of the parks and water bodies in the surrounding area. 

Spots that are on our list to check out on our next visit:

Magic Springs Theme and Water Park; 

Lake Catherine 

Hot Springs with Kids: Grab a Bite (Where to Eat)

If the kids are hungry (aren't they always?!), grab a bite of one of these two spots right off Bathhouse Row. Both are local and super yummy! Then grab dessert or ice cream. Because dessert or ice cream!

Superior Bathhouse- Honestly, we ate here because this spot was a bathhouse and is now a brewery! It is the only brewery in the country that uses water from the surrounding hot springs. The food was super yummy, the beer was delicious and the building is really cool and old-timey.

Superior Bathhouse & Brewery

The Trough- This fun spot has inexpensive, great-tasting food and plenty of games (pool, shuffleboard) to keep your kids occupied until the food arrives. This spot also has a lot of live music to entertain you as you dine. 

Fat-Bottomed Girls Cupcakes- This spot has been featured on Food Network and sells cupcakes, ice cream and frosting shots! There is a fun attached gift shop with lots of sassy trinkets. I wish every cupcake shop sold frosting shots. Because honestly- frosting is the only reason I even eat cupcakes!

Sweet Treats from Fat-Bottomed Girls Cupcakes in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

What are you favorite spots in Hot Springs that we missed? I can't wait to go back!

Have Kids, Will Travel: Durango, Colorado

Colorado is my happy place.

Mountains and cooler weather and snow and skiing and outdoor living. All these things speak to me!

Hubby and I decided to sneak away to the mountains for a few days after Christmas to enjoy some family time and show our kids snow! I grew up outside Chicago, so, I know snow. But my youngest, who is 7, hasn't seen proper snow in years. Years! We knew it was time to take to the mountains.

We settled on Durango for a couple of reasons. 

1. It's only a 12.5 hour drive from Arlington. Yep, I said only!

2. We heard great things about Purgatory Resort and wanted to ski there.

3. Durango has hot springs to soak in after some cold days on the mountains.

What To Do With Kids in Durango, Colorado

Places to Eat

Is there anything better than finding awesome food in a new town? No, I don't think so either! While Durango is full of great places to eat, these are our four favorite meals that we ate:

Bird's Durango- Chicken is always a crowd-pleaser with my group, and this spot was no exception. The sandwiches, named after celebrities, were a smash hit and my oldest won't stop talking about her "honey and chicken biscuit that was soooo good!"

Switchback Tacos- Because tacos. And Mexican Street Corn. And spicy margaritas. This place serves tacos a la carte so you can pick and choose what goes on your plate. Plus, they have delightful vegan options! This place was a favorite for us. 

Homeslice- When in doubt, order pizza. Or, at least, that's what we do at our house when we can't decide what to eat! I love barbeque chicken pizza, husband likes all the meat and the girls like cheese and more cheese. This spot pleases everyone's palate and left us wanting to make another trip!

Steamworks Brewing- This place served me the best non-burger burger I have ever had. EVER. Seriously. The quinoa burger is my favorite thing I've eaten in some time. Don't skip it when you go to Durango!

Places to Visit

Santa Rita Park- Let the kiddos burn off some steam at this city park with the mountains for a backdrop. Run, play and breathe in the fresh mountain air.

Durango Train- We actually didn't visit the Durango Train Museum or ride the train during our visit- and the girls haven't let us forget it! It's impossible to drive downtown and not see the train, which had an old-timey, wild wild west feel to it. We traveled immediately after Christmas, meaning the Polar Express train ride was still happening at the time. It's on our list for our next visit already!

Pleasant Journey Alpacas- Learn all about these adorable animals from the friendliest farmers! We spent two hours here, petting and playing with the alpacas. The owners are nice and chatty, and the experience is free. Just be sure you email ahead of time, and plan to make a purchase from the gift shop. My husband swears the socks he bought there are the best pair he has ever owned!

Durango Hot Springs- I can't begin to tell you what a cool experience the Durango Hot Springs were! We went one evening late and the kids went nuts. There are multiple pools at varying temperatures (there are some that are adult only and some that are open to all ages). There was one large pool for kids and swim and play tag. The snow on the ground around the pools and the nearby mountains make the experience serene. My advice? Bring sandals or flip flops and a robe. It's hard to go from pool to pool without shoes or something warm to keep you from freezing (ask me how I know!) because the ground is so cold!

Downtown Durango- Plan a few hours to stroll downtown. Grab a bite. Or a beer. Shop for cold-weather gear, local teas and candles, clothing and so much more. We had a blast strolling the streets. And don't skip the candy shop, Fuzziwig's Candy Factory. It's a candy-lover's heaven!

Skiing at Purgatory Resort 

One of the reasons we chose Durango was to ski at Purgatory Resort. It's consistently a top-rated resort in Colorado and, even better, kids 10 and younger can sign up on their website for a free season pass to ski! The resort has a number of ski-in, ski-out vacation rentals, although we didn't stay onsite. There is also a spa, restaurants, ski rentals, toy shop, ski gear shop and more.

We went during peak time, and the slopes were crowded. I didn't ski, but my husband and girls did. It snowed the entire day our first day on the mountain, which was beautiful and cold! The lines were long, and Covid restrictions added to the wait times. It was hard to find a place to sit if you weren't skiing (like me) because seating was a premium. Because of Covid, there was nowhere inside to sit and stay out of the cold. These are things to consider if you are thinking of a ski trip with a non-skiier.

My youngest took a lesson the first day because she had never skied. We also had to rent gear for three girls for two days. We paid $395 for two days of rentals for three kids plus morning ski lessons for one. The girls all skied for free after that. The price seemed competitive. Lift tickets for my husband were $100 per day, and he has his own gear. 

The girls found a small hill that they loved and skied it on repeat while my husband and middle daughter did the big runs. The youngest got in about 14 runs in 4 hours on the small hill. We stopped to grab ramen and warm waffles from Waffle Cabin the second day and loved it. The first day we stopped for lunch at the on-site pizza place and the wait was very, very long for food plus a table indoors.

We had a blast in Colorado being outdoors in the snow and sunshine. We plan to make a yearly trip after Christmas to Colorado and are already planning for next year. What spot should we hit next?!

(We stayed at the SpringHill Suites in Durango. We planned and paid for our entire trip- nothing was hosted or sponsored and I am sharing simply to promote a great little town in Colorado!)

Have Kids, Will Travel: Weekend in Wichita

 My kids and I are on a quest to visit all 50 states. 

So when I found out that Wichita, Kansas, is only 5.5 hours from Arlington, I knew it was the perfect weekend escape for my crew. 

A quick internet search about Wichita gave me these bits of info about Kansas' largest city.

~Wichita is located in south central Kansas, where the Little and Big Arkansas Rivers meet. It is about 160 miles north of Oklahoma City. 

~Wichita is nicknamed the "Air Capital of the World" because several major airplane manufacturers have facilities there, including Airbus and Learjet. 

~Wichita is home to the largest airport in Kansas. 

I grew up in the Midwest, so I'm pretty partial to the downhome feel of those middle-of-the-country states. (Although I'm also a Missouri Tiger, and this gives me mixed feelings about all things Kansas!) I love the weather in the Midwest (Summers aren't as hot as in Texas and Winters aren't as mild), and my kids delighted in the fact that there was still a small amount of snow on the ground upon arrival in Kansas. We all took an instant liking to the place!

I had never been to Kansas before this visit to Wichita, meaning I was seeing the state and landscape for the first time alongside my kiddos  Together we explored downtown, shopped for treasures at Lucinda's, ate so much yummy food at Chicken N Pickle, hung out with the animals at the zoo and so much more! We also can't say enough good things about our hotel, the Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview. 

The EA definitely recommends putting Wichita on your schedule for a fun summer road trip. To get to Wichita, you hop on I-35 and drive north for about 375 miles. Plan to stop near Stillwater at the Cowboy Travel Plaza to gas up and let the kiddos stretch and play on the indoor pirate ship play area! A four-day weekend should give you plenty of time to explore the best of Wichita and get a feel for the city that considers itself the Heart of the Country!

Must-Visit Spots in Wichita

Exploration Place- This wonderful science spot along the Arkansas River is a kid's happy place. Study aviation, play in a medieval play area, experience high winds in the wind tunnel, learn about the Plains, test your skills as a guitarist and more. This spot is hours of fun for kids! I love when learning and fun combine for the ultimate afternoon. 

The Museum of World Treasures- This is a fascinating spot for older kids (I would recommend for 10 and up). Learn about the United States' Presidents, see relics from many of the great wars the US has been involved in, see ancient artifacts from long-gone civilizations and so much more. There is a kids' play area on the third floor that looked fun but was closed during our visit. The rest of the museum was interesting for my fifth grader and me, but my other two girls (8 and 7) weren't quite as enthralled.

Sedgwick County Zoo- observe almost 400 species of animals at this zoo, the seventh largest in the country. Get up close with farm animals, walk through the Rainforest exhibit, learn about multiple venomous snakes (I skipped this part!) and so much more at this animal sanctuary. We especially loved seeing the tigers!

Botanica-  In the summer, stroll the gorgeous gardens and ride the carousel. In the winter, stroll through the Illuminations display, which will make you feel as though you've stepped onto the set of a Hallmark movie. The gardens even have a great gift shop with some absolute gems, so don't forget your wallet!

Kansas Aviation Museum- This is honestly one of those spots that pleasantly surprised me. We are an airline family (my husband helps build fighter jets, my brother is a pilot and my mom is a flight attendant!), so airplanes fascinate us. While I was personally interested in exploring aircrafts from yesteryear, I really didn't think this museum would hold the girls' interest very long. Well, I love being wrong! This museum has a kids' area on the second floor that allows kids to simulate flying planes, work in a control tower and more. We spent hours learning and playing. Plus, this spot is free for kids 12 and younger and their adult chaperones Fridays before noon through the end of 2020! Don't underestimate this spot- its as fun as it is educational and fascinating!

Where to Eat in Wichita

I'm not sure if I should admit how much I like to eat, honestly. But there is certainly something fun on vacation about finding spots that locals love. We tried out three places we would definitely frequent if we lived in ICT!

Chicken N Pickle- Let me just start by saying we spent more than $150 and 6 hours (spread over two days) at this destination restaurant and playground! This spot has an ice rink and pickleball courts, as well as life-size versions of some of your favorite games, including Battleship. Order a chicken sandwich or the chicken and waffles, grab a drink and spend an afternoon playing and relaxing. We are getting one of these in Grand Prairie next year, and guys... Just try to beat me there!

Picassos Pizzeria- This is a spot where you get some serious bang for your buck! Snag a pizza slice bigger than your head for less than $10. I highly recommend the BBQ chicken slice. So. Good. The kids' menu is super affordable and sure to fill up and delight even your pickiest eaters! Plus it's next door to a cute local boutique to grab some souvenirs. 

Bite Me BBQ- Unfussy local barbeque at great prices! My middle daughter actually ordered the fish tacos (because I always have one who likes to be difficult) but we all found something on this menu to fill our bellies, and we all went home happy! I'm a huge fan of BBQ turkey sandwiches from barbeque joints and this one did not disappoint.

Must-Stop Shops for your Weekend in Wichita

The Nifty Nuthouse- If you, like me, have a wicked sweet tooth, you won't want to skip The Nifty Nuthouse! This locally-owned shopped, a Wichita staple since 1937, has everything you need to gift or enjoy yourself. From nuts of all flavors to gum and unique gifts to savory treats, The Nifty Nuthouse is the candy shop you dreamed about as a kid. We visited during a busy time but had plenty of friendly employees standing by ready to help us!

Lucinda's- This great spot in Wichita's Old Town is sure to have something for everyone you are shopping for! From pretty bracelets to cheeky coasters and local t-shirts to kid's gifts, this shop was fun to visit (and even more fun to drop some dollars at)! We found trinkets for several people on my Christmas list, and the girls found a few goodies to remind them of our trip as well!

Bungalow 26- If you are a lotions and potions girl like I am, don't skip this shop! This gorgeous spot, located near Picasso's Pizzeria, has tons of locally-made wares and trinkets to bring a piece of Kansas back to Texas with you! I may not be a Wichita native, but I loved all the candles that boasted the various neighborhoods that make up the city. They all smelled so good!

We didn't make it to the Great Plains Transportation Museum or the Old Cowtown Museum, or a host of other spots that looked equally fun! Wichita really is a great spot to escape to for a weekend away from DFW. It's affordable, driveable and great for all ages. 

If you need more information on Wichita, visit Visit Wichita for inspiration!

*Please note: parts of my trip were sponsored or hosted by Visit Wichita. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Have Kids, Will Travel: Must Be Memphis!

Let's be honest. 

Traveling with kids isn't always easy.

And it certainly isn't cheap.

But I love to kids. And I have kids and will travel. I will get in the car and road trip anywhere. When people ask me where my favorite place I've been is I always answer "someplace I have yet to visit!" (Followed by Paris. I LOVE Paris). 

So I decided to start with easy-to-tackle weekend trips with my girls. Places that were driveable and offered a change of scenery.

When a quick Apple Maps search of Memphis showed me that Justin Timberlake's old stomping grounds were a mere seven hours from Arlington, I couldn't wait to hop in the car and just go! 

Memphis, here we come!

Memphis!

Fast Facts About Memphis:

-Memphis is in the southwest corner of Tennessee, just across the Mighty Mississippi from Arkansas. 

-Memphis has a population of 1.3 million people, making it Tennessee's second most populous city.

-Memphis, TN, was named after Memphis, Egypt. 

-Memphis is home to Elvis' famed Graceland and the site of Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1968 assassination. 

-Memphis is best known for it's music scene. It is well-known for the Blues, shaped by a mix of musical influences including country, rock and roll, soul and hip hop. 

-Memphis is home to Beale Street, a street well-versed in musical history.

Planning a Weekend in the Home of the Blues with Kids!

I worked with Memphis Tourism to plan my weekend away in this fun city in Tennessee's southwest corner. The Tourism Board suggested I check the zoo, the Civil Rights Museum, the Peabody Ducks, Sun Studios, Beale Street and, of course, Graceland! We also checked out Shelby Farms and the Bass Pro shop located inside the Memphis Pyramid, which is home to the country's largest free-standing elevator (how is that for random-fact Friday?). We feasted on Memphis barbeque and brunched at Memphis' oldest café, Arcade, and stayed at the fabulous Hotel Napoleon downtown. The views of the Mighty Mississippi from downtown were pretty fabulous. Memphis is a fun city!

Places to Visit in Memphis

Memphis Zoo & Aquarium

The Memphis Zoo is gorgeous and located on 76 acres in Memphis' Overton Park. It has more than 3500 animals and opened in 1906. We loved that the zoo incorporated so many animals, from farm animals (donkeys, chickens) to cold-weather animals (penguins, polar bears), and so many more. Our favorites were the playful hippo and the sneaky red panda, who spent our whole visit high up in a tree above us (and took us forever to find!). This time of year, the zoo also does a big Zoo Lights display to celebrate the holidays. 

The National Civil Rights Museum

The National Civil Rights Museum is one of those places you visit and it changes your world view. I got a perspective on the history of the US that I wasn't necessarily taught in school. I was engaged from the time I walked through the doors of this museum, and I wish every person in the US could spend time here learning about our nation's past. The museum is built around the Lorraine Motel, the spot where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968. My kids were fascinated by this fact because they have studied MLK so much in school. The next time you're in Memphis, don't skip this museum. 

Sun Studios

Honestly, I'm not a huge music buff. Although my dad is a big fan of Johnny Cash and Elvis, I grew up loving typically 80s and 90s music. Sun Studios wasn't a spot I was just dying to see. It sits on an unassuming corner, and we visited on a cold, rainy day. Immediately inside the doors to the studio is gift shop with loads of memorabilia from the studio that put Elvis on the map. The tour, however, was so very worth it... Even my kids loved it (although kids younger than 5 are not allowed). The entire tour is about an hour and gives you the history of how Elvis was discovered and some insight into the recordings of the Million-Dollar Quarter in the 50s. The girls walked away with guitar picks, stickers and a lot of knowledge about Elvis for kids their age!

Beale Street

"Walking in Memphis. Walking with my feet 10 feet off of Beale." Marc Cohn, Walking in Memphis

Beale Street is one of those American walkways famous for its history and its party ways. Grab a drink and see the famous goat at Silky O'Sullivans. Shop for souvenirs and enjoy some ice cream at A. Schwab's, Beale Street's longest-operating business. Take a walking tour with BackBeat Tours to learn all about the people and stories that put Beale Street on the map. Fun fact- did you know that B.B. King, who got his start in Memphis, was born Riley King, and B.B. stood for the Beale Street Blues Boy, shortened to B.B.? 

Graceland

The iconic home of the King himself, Elvis Presley, is a must-do when in Memphis. You can tour the first floor of the mansion as well as the grounds, his private airplanes and all the store fronts with his various outfits and musical memorabilia through the years. You can also grab food onsite and tons and tons of incredible souvenirs. The tours are self-guided with tablets (and narrated by John Stamos!) and are fun for all ages. My kids loved seeing the mansion, which hasn't been updated since Elvis died in 1977. It was even decorated for the holidays during our visit!

The Peabody Ducks

This simple tradition will delight your children! Stop by the Peabody Hotel in downtown Memphis daily at 11 am or 5 pm to see the Duck Master march the ducks to and from the elevator that goes to and from the ducks' rooftop sanctuary. It's a fun tradition to behold. Then shop for souvenirs at the shops within the hotel. They have cute non-glass wine glasses, just sayin'...

Bass Pro Shop

Visiting the Bass Pro Shop in Memphis was honestly a spur-of-the-moment decision. You see the big glass pyramid that is now home to Bass Pro on the banks of the Mississippi as you drive into Memphis from the west, and you initially think- huh? It turns out the pyramid wasn't built to be a Bass Pro Shop but, well, here we are! Bass Pro opened its doors there in 2016, and this location is so unique! Kids can see alligators and fish, as well as Santa in the winter. There is also a hotel built into the pyramid, as well as the country's highest free-standing elevator. We took the elevator up and walked out on the glass overlook, modeled after the overlook at the Grand Canyon. The views of Memphis were stunning! We recommend a stop here for the sheer oddness of it!

Where to Eat in Memphis

You can't visit Memphis and not eat barbeque! But honestly, the city has so many great places to eat it's hard to know where to start! Here are a few of our favorite places.

Central BBQ

Casual BBQ with multiple locations. I had the pulled chicken and baked beans and loved it! Very yummy. I also had a Wiseacre Beer, from a local brewery in Memphis, and thought it was just what my Saturday night needed!

Corky's BBQ

This spot came highly recommended by multiple friends so I knew we had to check it out. I haven't eaten beef in decades, but I was the only person in my party of five who didn't eat the beef, and there wasn't a scrap left after the meal if that tells you anything! Everyone is my party gave their sandwiches two thumbs up. I can attest that the pulled chicken was amazing!

Rendezvous BBQ

We actually didn't visit Rendezvous on this trip- we ran out of time! I ate there years ago, though, and loved it. The restaurant is tucked away downtown and truly a Memphis staple. Yum!

Arcade Restaurant

Memphis' oldest café was as charming as it was delicious! We had brunch on a busy Sunday and loved the ambiance and busyness of the joint. The food was typical diner fare and the coffee bottomless- my favorite kind of brunch spot! This spot is a Memphis icon and a place you must visit when you roadtrip to Memphis! 

There were so many more spots we never made it to in Memphis... The Children's Museum came recommended by friends. And Shelby Farms Park has lots of outdoor activities to partake, although the playground was closed during our visit because of Covid. The Pink Palace Museum was also on our list of places to visit before we ran out of time! 

Memphis is a great, easy spot to drive to from DFW to teach your kids about American history. There is plenty to do for a long weekend away that will leave you happy you decided to travel to Tennessee!

*please note- Memphis Tourism hosted me for my trip. Parts of my trip were paid for by the tourism board although all thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Have Kids, Will Travel: North Texas Jellystone

North Texas Jellystone is a spot I've wanted to escape to for years. Not only is it close by (less than 30 minutes from Arlington in Burleson, Texas!), but it is full of outdoor activities that my husband and I would have engaged in as kids. From arts and crafts to Gaga Ball and fishing to foosball, kids (and adults) can find a plethora of things to do away from dreaded screens.

Jellystone offers year-round fun. We have talked for years about visiting in the summer because Pirate's Cove, the onsite waterpark, would offer my girls hours of fun. However, we opted for fall because there is just something wonderful about cooler nights and shorter days (and I love love love fall festivals, pumpkin everything and a good excuse to get into your Halloween costume more than once a season!).

There are lots of options for lodging at Jellystone, and the option you pick really depends on the number of people in your party and the amount of cash in your budget. If you are a true outdoorsman, tent camping might be for you! Renting a tent site is the cheapest way to do Jellystone, and community bathrooms are available to use. If you are an RVer, you can pull up your RV to a campsite and enjoy. (You can even rent an RV if you are curious as to what vacationing in an RV might be like!) There is even a brand-new pirate ship on site that is multiple levels and accommodates multiple people and parties per room and per floor. 

After looking extensively through all options, we decided on the new 2-bedroom family cabins that sleep up to 10 people with two bedrooms containing a queen bed each and a large open loft with three queen mattresses. We had nine people camping with us, so this fit our group the best! Our cabin came complete with a fridge and microwave, screened-in porch and AC. Outside there was a fire pit and picnic table and inside there were multiple TVs, in case you, like my husband, need one to fall asleep to. Aside from linens and towels, we carried in everything that we needed for the weekend, including firewood, utensils, plates and so on. We were given two parking spots with our rental and extra cars were $10 each. We also paid for 9 guests for two days. Additional guests we wanted to bring in for the day would have been $25 each. There is a two night minimum on most bookings. (I did not receive any sort of discount or incentive for my stay or my review. I paid the same prices anyone else would have had to for the same accommodations on my selected dates)

Once you arrive at Jellystone, the opportunities for entertainment are truly endless! Year-round, there are three playgrounds for kiddos, complete with swings, slides, monkey bars and more. There is a GaGa Ball pit, Laser Tag, Paintball (this activity costs additional money), fishing at Stafford Lake (bring your own supplies), two basketball courts, foosball, trails for hiking and more. In warmer months, there are two on-site pools in addition to Pirate's Cove Waterpark. You can rent golf carts to zip around the property, bring your bikes to move around or simply walk, as we did (this earned more than a few complaints as we moved over to accommodate golf carts!). There is also a spot to purchase arts and crafts to make and assemble on property as well as a gift shop and snack shop. While we brought in our own food for most of the weekend, we did order Mr. Jim's Pizza Saturday evening and they delivered right to our cabin!

We absolutely loved the Fall Festival that launched the first weekend of October. Sure, things look a little different than they may have a year ago because of Covid, but Jellystone did a good job of keeping things as normal as possible. There were costume contests and pumpkin painting (bring your own pumpkin!). We participated in a "pumpkin fling" with a slingshot and a pie pumpkin. We walked around the property locating wooden pumpkins and snapped photos by them. Once we found all 18, we showed our photos at the gift shop to receive small bags of candy. There was a nightly rolling dance party with Yogi Bear and a DJ that encouraged us to dance and move around. And, Saturday night, there was a Carnival de Jynx, where we played carnival games to earn prizes and went through a haunted house! I brought six girls into the haunted house and only brought out four not crying, so, I guess it was pretty spooky! 

This is the second Jellystone property we have vacationed at in recent years (we went to the property in Cherokee, NC, in summer 2018) and we loved our experience. We want to find another location to visit in a year or two!

Quite honestly, Jellystone is a bit pricey. If you are looking to just camp and don't need all the amenities, you could most certainly find less expensive accommodations in DFW and beyond. I also recommend Jellystone for families- individuals without kids might not love all the children running around all day. While I paid quite a bit of money for the weekend to not include any food or drink, when I break down the cost per person per day, it wasn't terrible. There are most certainly less-expensive weekend getaways around town, but this is a fun option if you are looking for a spot for your kiddos to unwind!

I think what we loved the most about this vacation was letting the kids wander off a bit. My girls are getting older, and I'm starting to trust them a bit more than I used to. At Jellystone, I could let the girls wander to the playareas without me and trust that they knew how to get back. The girls loved telling me they were "headed off to hang out" without me. It was refreshing! I've heard so many people say this about Jellystone. It is truly a spot where kids can be kids.

Tips & Tricks for a Successful Jellystone Visit:

1. Plan meals ahead of time. Bring in all the food you can fit in your car! Once you are there you won't want to leave to go get anything!

.2. Don't forget bug spray. And suncreen. And firewood. And a lighter.

3. Bring bikes for the kids. Or scooters. It's fun for them to ride around with the other kids at the property. 

4. Bring flashlights. It gets dark at night!

5. Check the schedule on Jellystone's Website or app. There are lots of fun activities every weekend!

What did I miss?

Find out more info or book your own trip here: www.northtexasjellystone.com