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?

Have Kids, Will Travel: Corpus Christi, Texas

We finally made it down to the bay!

I had been wanting to take the girls down to Corpus Christi and Port Aransas for a some time now. So when the Omni Corpus Christi offered me two free nights at their hotel, I knew it was time to make the drive!

Corpus Christi, Texas

- Corpus Christi is about six and a half hours by car from Arlington. Your drive will take you down 35 through Waco and Austin. If you take the toll road from Austin all the way to Corpus, it will save you time but cost you quite a bit in tolls. You can also pick up 37 in San Antonio and take it straight to the Texas Coast!

- The population of Corpus Christi is about 325,000 people. 

- Corpus itself is sheltered from the Gulf of Mexico by Mustang and Padre Islands. You can drive from Corpus to Port Aransas in about 45 minutes and from Corpus to South Padre Island in about 2 hours.

- The name Corpus Christi means body of Christ.

- Corpus Christi is home to the first Whatburger. Although the original burger stand is no longer around, there is a two-story Whataburger building on Shoreline Drive that opened in 1999 as a tribute to the original. 

- The 2001 movie Pearl Harbor starring Ben Affleck and Josh Hartnett was filmed in Corpus Christi. 

Hanging at the beach!

Where to Stay with Kids in Corpus Christi

We loved staying at the Omni Corpus Christi. They did give us two free nights and then we paid for an additional two nights at the property. Upon arrival, the hotel gave the girls backpacks filled with crayons and activities, which they loved working on before bedtime. The hotel features a great indoor/outdoor pool with a small splash pool outside and a hot tub inside. The hotel has a convenience store with a coffee shop in the lobby and well as a workout area and sauna on the second floor. There is also an on-site restaurant and bar. The staff is friendly and the location makes it easy for you to walk along the water in the evening and watch the boats pull into the marina. It's a short walk from the two-story Whataburger on Shoreline Drive as well as the Selena statue in Corpus. We highly recommend this fun hotel!

We loved staying at the Omni Hotel in Corpus Christi! 

What to Do with Kids in Corpus Christi

We spent three full days in Corpus and thought it was perfect! If you love time at the beach, you may want an extra day or two to spend time at Port Aransas or Mustang Island Beaches. We spent one full day at Port A and loved it! 

- Head to the beach! We went to Port Aransas. You can drive up to the beach and park there! A parking permit for Port A is $12 and is good for the calendar year. You can buy it at lots of spots but we grabbed ours from a local Stripes gas station. Don't forget beach toys, an umbrella or canopy, towels and sunscreen! There are also loads of jellyfish in the water right now... My girls caught seven in about an hour. Yes- caught. They are brave! (The majority of the ones they caught were large and clear- and those actually don't sting humans! Here is more information if you are worried about jellyfish. Just steer clear of the ones that are clear with bright orange throughout their bodies. Their stings can hurt!) If you don't want to make the drive to Port A, you can always head over to North Beach in Corpus, which is located right on the bay. The sand isn't as soft as in Port A, but there are cute places to eat and shop and lots of fun to be had!

- Visit the Texas State Aquarium. (We were given free tickets to the Aquarium in exchange for promotion on my blog) Guys- this aquarium was super fabulous! We spent four hours there but easily could have spent more. There are three levels to this aquarium. You can pet sting rays, interact with turtles, pet nurse sharks and view dolphins in an underwater viewing area. There are live shows centered around turtles, dolphins and sting rays (my girls loved feeding the sting rays!). The dolphin show was so entertaining and definitely a must-see. There is a 4D theater sponsored by Whataburger that plays two different shows on the half hour. There's a cafe, a coffee shop and gift shop. There's also a huge splash pad outside- so don't forget the kids' suits! The aquarium is situated right on the bay, less than 10 minutes by car from the Omni. Parking is $5. Don't skip this spot when you go to Corpus!

Cheesing for the camera at the Texas State Aquarium! 

- Tour the USS Lexington. I honestly wasn't expecting to love this "Museum on the Bay" even half as much as I did! The USS Lexington served in Pearl Harbor during World War II and was home to about 3,000 servicemen. The Japanese thought they sunk this ship at least four different times- and then it would pop back up on radar! That's how it got its nickname the "Blue Ghost." This ship was used as the setting for 2001's Pearl Harbor movie (love that movie). You can head to the top of the carrier and come up close and personal with lots of air crafts. We spent about three hours at the ship. There is a cantina on site. There is lots of walking up and down steep stairways. Overall I think this is a must-see in Corpus. Even my kids loved it! 

Smiling after our tour of the USS Lexington "Museum on the Bay" in Corpus Christi!

Places to Eat with Kids in Corpus Christi

If you have a Whataburger fan in your life, you should grab a burger from the two-story "Whataburger on the bay," just to say that you have!

Smiling outside the two-story Whataburger on the Bay in Corpus Christi, Texas!

Otherwise, we recommend the following spots:

Brewster St. Ice House- The downtown location is huge and super kid-friendly! There is indoor and outdoor seating, with bars inside and outside. The outside has a stage for live music as well as a large playground for kids. Drinks are reasonably priced and the menu isn't huge but definitely features something for everyone! Highly, highly recommend heading here with kids.

Railroad Seafood Station & Brewing Company- This local brewery had slightly fancier (and pricier!) fare, but man was it good! The Brussels sprouts appetizer was yum! There is indoor and outdoor seating as well as a decent kids menu. The place is open and clean and has a decorative motorcycle on the patio that my girls loved sitting on while waiting for our food.

Blackbeard's on the Beach- We loved the crab cakes here- soo good! This place is no frills and reasonably priced with a fun pirate theme. The girls loved reading the ghost stories on the restaurant's website while we waited for our food.

Bien Merite Cafe- This French bakery has delicious breakfasts and Insta-worthy drinks! My youngest loved her pancakes and my Matcha Latte was perfect. After you finish eating, stroll over to the next block and shop at Made in Corpus Christi, a great spot for locally-made souvenirs from your trip. 

Moby Dick's (at Port Aransas)- After a long day in the sun, we loved having dinner at this ocean-themed restaurant at Port Aransas. There's an attached gift shop with lots of trinkets and treasures so the kids can shop while you wait for a table plus lots of on-theme decor for kids to enjoy. The kids menu has lots of tasty picks for kids, too. When you're finished eating, wander next door to Winton's Candy Shop and indulge in some sugar-y treats. Lots of throwback candy plus delicious fudge. Just bring cash- this spot doesn't take cards. Then stroll two more blocks down and snap a pic in front of the Port Aransas mural for a fun souvenir from your trip!

Shopping for souvenirs at Moby Dick's in Port Aransas, Texas. 

We really enjoyed our trip to the coast! We hit Buc cee's in Temple on our way back for some treats and had fun soaking up south Texas. What are your favorite things to do in Corpus Christi? 

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: 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.*