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: 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!