The Family Travel Files Vacation Planning Information

For active families summer family vacation time is precious and it is pointless to spend a minute or a dime on predictable and boring activities in vacation places without a natural WOW! Factor. [Read More]

How "green" can a family vacation be? Listen to the tidal rush from the viewing deck at Hopewell Rocks. Sit on the rocky shoreline and count whales; glide the channels of the Bay of Fundy or hike a boardwalk along the Atlantic Coast. [Read More]

The Daytona Beach area offers a remarkable number of earth friendly experiences for families to share. [Read More]

Tampa has brainpower spots for families that directly engage all ages and provide a fun factor at the same time. The Tampa Bay area has enough for three maybe four complete vacations. [Read More]

DC offers enough museums, theaters, events, and activities to fill a book. Our action list focuses on the best places to enjoy science and nature including the best options for families with school age children. [Read More]

Guidebook in the car, map pre-marked in yellow our day trip target Clonmacnoise, one of Ireland’s most significant ancient monastic sites not far from Shannon Bridge and the edgy, earth-friendly sculpture park at Lough Boora. [Read More]

The bonus of a Montana winter vacation is yards and yards of fresh white stuff, marked only by an occasional rabbit trail. The falling snowflakes seem like lace in motion and the challenging terrain includes dramatic scenery and loads of fun not just on the downhill slopes. [Read More]

Chicago offers families a multitude of entertainment options – always edgy and fun. From awesome music and art venues in Grant Park to the non-stop fun on Navy Pier the city delivers on the fun stuff. [Read More]

The size of London makes family vacation planning at time confusing and we also know that no two families are alike so the perfect family friendly hotel list is not possible. My suggestions for deluxe pillow spots include 51 Buckingham Place, Athenaeum, Draycott, Hilton Green Park, and The Metropolitan. [Read More]

Sharing family vacation experiences without electronic connections has its benefits. Spending time sans cell phones, pagers, IPods or IPads means more time to be shared - sort of a self-imposed family time out together. [Read More]

From icons of the ancient world and classic forms of transportation to Segway tours and memorialized pasta, the city remains eternally remarkable. I have assembled a short list of the best museums in Rome, including the Vatican “Family Tour” as well as eerie catacombs and contemporary venues - each worth a visit. [Read More]

Known by many as “Ski Town USA,” community maintains old-fashioned charm and conveys a friendly welcoming atmosphere. More than 40 Olympians call Steamboat home and smile at the mention of Howelsen Hill, their in-town ski hill. Steamboat Ski area is the second largest ski area in Colorado and receives more than 300 inches of snow on average. [Read More]

On Oahu the choices for fun are endless. Enchanting and awesome, diverse and dynamic, the island is loaded with good stuff for families. Kiss a fish or pet a ray; sing with a dolphin or snorkel over a crater; sail with the wind or ride in a jungle mobile; practice the hula or giggle at a pachyderm; gaze at the stars or build a sand castle. [Read More]

Located in the southeast of Ireland an easy day trip from Dublin Kilkenny is worth the effort for the art, shopping, stained glass windows, and the scrumptious brown bread, breaded French camembert and chutney, and pea soup at Hibernian Hotel Restaurant. [Read More]

Easy going and off-the-beaten-path, Waynesville and Maggie Valley offer an ideal spot for families wishing to enjoy winter sledding, skiing and making angels in the snow without long lines. [Read More]

This city displays an amazing amount of creative energy and makes vacationing with kids a delight. Beginning with Pike Place Market offering plenty of lively entertainment, the city makes for a lively urban family adventure. We have a list to make planning the fun easier. [Read More]

Atlanta is a great city for traveling with teens, offering a mix of history, exploration and pure fun sure to guarantee everyone has a great time. Shop the Underground, go face to face with a kangaroo and make your own watermark – this is the fun stuff! [Read More]

For active families Boone in the North Carolina High Country may be just about perfect. Cool air, starry nights, miles of pathways for hiking or biking, friendly people, and unique attractions without long lines to seep away valuable family vacation time. [Read More]

The Coachella Valley in Southern California is blanketed with natural beauty and framed by snow-capped mountains. Sunny days, starry nights and a delightfully arid desert climate make vacationing pleasantly care free. [Read More]

In addition to miles of world-class beaches, easy flowing estuaries, woodland pathways, moonlight paddles, turtle quests, surfing, kayaking and golden artifacts from sunken Spanish galleons, the area also has plenty of unique shopping places, entertaining theater and awesome art. [Read More]