South Africa is a country rich in history, culture and wildlife. No matter what your interests, you and your family will find a life changing adventure to embark upon here. Whether it be spotting the Big 5 in the Kruger National Park or hiking up Cape Town’s iconic Table Mountain, there are so many things to do in South Africa with kids. Mark and Mila, the dynamic duo behind Mountain IQ, are avid mountain hikers and, as native of South Africa, Mark is here to share his invaluable list of Top Five Family Friendly Activities in South Africa.
Top Things To Do in South Africa
#1: Hike the Challenging and Beautiful Table Mountain in Capetown
View from the top of Table Mountain
When you think of things to do in Cape Town, it’s likely that the first thing that comes to mind is Table Mountain – Cape Town’s number one tourist attraction. But there are so many different trails you and your family can choose to go up the mountain.
The trails are of varying lengths and difficulty. If you have younger children it may be better to take the cable car to the top and then walk across the top of the mountain to Maclean’s Beacon. This is a relatively short walk, but it offers spectacular views of the city and the Atlantic Ocean. If you are planning on taking the cable car, be sure to book in advance to skip the lines. Since the Table Mountain cable car is such a popular attraction, it is also worth getting there early to avoid the crowds. Children under four can ride for free!
If your children are slightly older, you can take the popular Platteklip Gorge or the Skeleton Gorge Trails, amongst many others. Make sure to pack lots of snacks, water and cover up to protect yourselves from the dangerous local sun.
The views from the Table Mountain summit are incredible, you may even be lucky enough to spot a dassie, which are small mammals that live in the rocks and are simple adorable. There is also a restaurant atop the mountain for you and our family to get refreshments once you have completed your hike.
Cape Town is known to have unpredictable weather, so check the weather forecast to avoid being stuck in the wind, rain or fog. The fog is what gives the mountain its name – when the clouds descend on it, they make it look like a tablecloth. If you are planning a few more adventures around the region, here are some more great hikes around Africa.
#2: Enjoying the Adorable and Happy Penguin Colony at Boulders Beach in Capetown
Penguin Colony at Boulders Beach
Boulders Beach is located 40 minutes outside of Cape Town and offers the unique opportunity to see a large number of wild African Penguins. You and your family can spend the day watching these adorable creatures frolic amongst the waves at this beautiful beach, and, if you are brave enough to hop into the frigid Atlantic Ocean, you can even take a swim with the penguins. Although, it may be prudent to rent a bodysuit to enjoy the experience more.
It is important to remember that although cute, the penguins are still wild animals, and you absolutely should not touch them as they have razor sharp beaks and will defend themselves if they feel threatened. The penguins call Boulders Beach home all year round, but South African summer (November till March) is the best time to visit to see them in large numbers. If visiting in January, you may even get to see some baby penguins moulting on the beach!
In order to gain access to the boardwalks, which is the best spot to view the penguins, there is a small conservation fee. Individuals who are not citizens of South Africa pay a bit more, but at ~$11 for adults and ~$6 for children, it is well worth the expense. For information on fees for all South African parks, visit this official site.
#3: Mesmerizing Wildlife of the Kruger National Park
Kruger Lion
Everyone dreams of going on an African Safari, and what better place to go than the Kruger National Park? With nearly 2.2 million hectares of diverse South African landscapes, the Kruger National Park is the most famous wildlife reserve in South Africa and arguably in the world.
The wildlife in the park is plentiful, and visitors are almost most guaranteed to see all of the Big 5 most dangerous animals – buffalo, elephant, rhino, lion, and leopard. There are a number of options for accommodation, whether you are looking to camp or perhaps even enjoy the luxury of a private game lodge, where game rangers take guests on game drives where they explain the local game and wildlife. Summers in the Kruger can get pretty hot, so it may be worth finding accommodation with a pool, in order to cool down during the day.
Hermanus, a once small fishing town located 90 minutes from Cape Town, is a great spot to take the family whale watching. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has voted Hermanus as one of the 12 best whale watching destinations in the world. The Telegraph also named Hermanus as one of the best destinations worldwide to watch marine mammals.
The best time to go whale watching is between July and November with the months of September, October and November being the absolute best time. This is the period when the Southern Right Whales begin mating. Hermanus’s famous Whale Watching Festival also takes place in September, when the normally quiet town becomes bustling with tourists eager to get a glimpse of these spectacular creatures. Visitors can choose to whale watch from land, boat or even a scenic flight. Those who are feeling particularly brave can even rent a kayak and paddle around Walker Bay as the whales breach, but be prepared to get wet along the way!
Sea sickness can also be an issue for those who have never been kayaking in an active ocean before. So consider taking first timers on a taster ride before the adventure and, if needed, you can purchase anti-motion sickness pills, which need to be taken two hours in advance.
#5: Educational Visit to the Cradle of Humankind
The Protea Flower: The National Flower of South Africa
For those looking for something a little more educational, the Cradle of Humankind is a fantastic option that will be enjoyed by both adults and children. The Cradle of Humankind is one of South Africa’s 8 World Heritage Sites. The main attractions are Maropeng and the Sterkfontein Caves, located just a short one hour drive outside of bustling Johannesburg.
It is here where humankind is believed to have originated. Look around the exhibitions in Maropeng and then travel down into the Sterkfontein caves where there are excavation sites as well as an underground lake. Caves’ tour is an amazing experience, and it is actually better for kids, as they fit into narrow passages much easier than adults and will most probably find those the most fun!
There are plenty of things to see and kids will definitely remain entertained the entire day. After working up an appetite, there is a variety of restaurants in the area for refueling. Tickets to access both Maropeng and the Sterkfontein Caves are ~$8 for adults, ~$5 for children between 4 -14, and free for children under 4 years.
Nancy’s Note: South Africa is near and dear to my heart as it is where my husband and I chose to celebrate our 10 year anniversary (without kids). It’s also the vacation that spurred the creation of We Go With Kids!
Kauai has long been high on my list of destinations to visit. Having just moved from the East Coast to the West Coast last summer, a trip to Kauai suddenly became much more feasible for our family of four when it was no longer a 12+ hour journey. When time came to plan our spring break, I did some quick research and within hours had my family of four booked (flights + hotel) for a week long stay in Kauai for next to zero dollars out of pocket. A busy work schedule coupled with two kids in different schools prevented me from doing as much research as I would have liked, prior to our trip to Kauai. Thus, we ended up embarking on a relatively unscheduled and unplanned week in Kauai, with just broad notions as to what we would like to do, but not actually having activities scheduled in prior to departure. We ended up having a ast in Kauai and I would say it is one of my Top 5 Family Vacations – perhaps even Top 3! Here’s my list of things to do in Kauai with kids!
1. Shaka Guide North Shore Kauai Driving Tour
Shaka Guide offers guided GPS tours on four Hawaiian Islands: Oahu, Big Island, Maui, and Kauai. In 2013, my family visited Maui with our then 4 year old and did purchase a guided CD tour of the Road to Hana. I don’t believe Shaka Guide was available at the time, but given the rave reviews online, I decided to download the Shaka Guide prior to our trip to Kauai and it turned out to be a great decision. The Shaka Guide North Shore Kauai Driving Tour provides three hours of audio guidance and although my husband was skeptical at first, it ended up introducing us to some of the highlights of our trip, including the “Gilligan’s Island” Beach and our hike down to “Secret Beach,” all of which we likely would not have found had it not been for the Shaka Guide.
Gilligan’s Island Beach; likely my favorite beach on the planet.
The walk down to Secret Beach; we followed a woman carrying a surfboard on her head because, of course we did.Secret Beach
The beaches we experienced as part of the Shaka Guide were so great that we ended up planning a whole day around a return trip to one of the featured beaches, Gilligan’s Island Beach. Our Shaka Guide tour ended up being approximately 3.5 hours, including numerous stops and hikes down to various places, like Secret Beach, so for $10, it was money well spent. Our kids enjoyed it as we were definitely off the beaten path in Kauai.
2. Kayak Hanalei Bay
One of the fun memories I have of my pre-college years is kayaking with my brothers. When I was in high school, we had some crazy kayaking adventures in Catalina Island and San Diego. Suffice it to say, kayaking is high on my list of things to do, anywhere we are, and my husband and kids have become accustomed to my building in kayaking time wherever we are.
Kayaking Hanalei Bay was one of the kayaking adventures I was really hoping to experience in Kauai. Although my four year old has kayaked with us before (usually as the middle person on a two person kayak), I didn’t know if he’d be able to go the distance as part of a larger kayaking excursion. Kayak Hanalei offer double kayak rentals at $60/day for pre-1pm rentals and at a reduced price of $45 for post-1pm rentals. After a morning spent exploring the North Shore, I decided that we might as well see how my four year old would do on the kayak. Given that it was after 1pm, we paid $90 for two, double kayak rentals, which came complete with wet bags.
He was so comfy, he fell asleep on the ride down to the confluence and had to be shaken awake
To my surprise, we had a fabulous time! We barely made it back by closing time, 5pm, as we decided to extend our little kayaking excursion from the bay to the confluence; but long story short, we saw sea turtles, disembarked to enjoy a snack (and beer for the adults), and just overall enjoyed being out on the water. I highly recommend this adventure with kids.
3. Spend the Day at the Beach
My husband and I are busy people who like to be on the go when we are on vacation. Our kids, however, can happily spend the day at the beach. We made sure to build in plenty of beach time and Kauai’s unspoiled beaches were the perfect backdrop.
To get the most of our beach days, we actually spent a few dedicated beach days going from beach to beach. Some beaches offered protected areas for snorkeling and others were just good for general lounging. We simply packed a picnic lunch, stocked up on towels from the hotel, and took off for the day. Apply sunscreen as I definitely got a bit singed one day!
4. Coffee Plantation
Lyndgate Farms chocolate farm on Kauai offers a three hour “branch to bar” tour and tasting. Knowing full well that tour wouldn’t hold my kids’ attention, we skipped right to the important part: the chocolate tasting. Lyndgate Farms offers free tasting of all its chocolates and my kids each got to pick their favorite. We purchased a number of bars and I was glad to see they came with complimentary cooler bags to keep them from melting. My kids also enjoyed swinging on the giant swing in the parking lot, before getting back in the car.
5. Attend a Luau
Although I’ve been to Hawaii a handful of times, I never attended a luau until this trip. Although hokey and probably not worth the money to experience again, I’m glad we did it this time. As an added bonus, my kids loved the fire dance.
6. Take a hike!
There are a number of great hiking opportunities in Kauai and we took full advantage of these great adventures. On a rainy morning, we took a short hike near our hotel in Kapaa, and the boys not only managed the whole thing on their own two legs, but had a great time as well.
Anyone else hearing the Jurassic Park theme song here?
7. Hawaii Shave Ice
No trip to Hawaii is complete without Hawaii Shave Ice. We happened to stumble across Jo Jo’s, a Kauai classic, after a long hike up Waimea Canyon, and were happy to partake.
8. Miniature Golf
Mini-golfing at Kauai Mini Golf, located at Anaina Hou Park is a wonderful way to spend a few hours with kids. Not only is the course littered with native plants, but my kids really enjoy mini golfing, something that we rarely get to do in the hustle and bustle of daily life.
9. Visit Waimea Canyon
We spent a full day hiking Waimea Canyon and absolutely loved the experience even with our four year old in tow. But, for those who aren’t up for the day long hike, know that there are plenty of ways to experience Waimea by car. There’s not only a great lookout near the main parking area, but we took a tour down a road (that ended up leading to a restricted military base) and climbed a random hill (yes! all four of us) where we were treated to some amazing views. Do it. You won’t regret it.
10. Sunset Cruise of the Napali Coast
Experiencing the Napali Coast was a non-negotiable item on my list of things to do in Kauai. I’m glad we were able to find a vehicle in which to do it — Captain Andy’s Na Pali Sunset Cruise. Click here for my review of Captain Andy’s Na Pali Sunset Cruise.
Our family trip to Kauai was such an amazing experience that I really think I’ll be hard pressed to ever be persuaded to go on a beach vacation somewhere else. I hope our list of things to do in Kauai with kids will help inform your trip to Kauai!
During our family vacation to Italy this past summer, we followed the classic itinerary and visited Venice, Florence and Rome. We were not disappointed by these bucket list destinations in any way, but it was clear from our few detours off the beaten path that Italy has so much more to offer to tourists. We’re already dreaming of a return trip to Italy, which will definitely include more stops off the beaten path in Italy. We asked our favorite travel bloggers to recommend their favorite places off the beaten path spots in Italy and came up with this amazing list (which included a few of our own favorites):
Northern Italy With Kids
#1: Cittadella With Kids
Cittadella is a beautiful walled city located between Vicenza and Venice. Our favorite part about Cittadella was being able to walk all the way around the 13th century walls, where we enjoyed amazing views of the city.
We stayed in Vicenza for my husband’s work conference, so it was a quick 30 minute drive away. There is plenty of parking on the ring road around the walls. I wouldn’t recommend driving into the walled city. Try to find a parking place close to one of the four gates for easy entry. Cittadella is a quaint city that doesn’t require more than a 1/2 day to explore. We arrived in the late afternoon and stayed until dinner.
After entering through the south gate, we grabbed some ice cream at Gelateria Antica Porta before making our way to the entrance to climb the walls. The entrance is located near the north gate and is easily accessible via the stairs (don’t bring a stroller). We paid our entrance, grabbed an informational paper and began our walk. The walk is pretty safe for children with some guard rails, but keep an eye on toddlers. After our walk, we descended and headed to dinner at Birreria Torre S.N.C. Cittadella is great for kids because it features a medieval wall, a huge playground near the south gate and ice cream shops. The city is not pedestrian only (so watch the kids near the road), but the sidewalks are wide, and it’s easy to navigate.
Small Italian towns don’t come quainter than Como, on the southern tip of Lake Como. We visited for one day, but I think three days is probably ideal. It’s easy to reach by train, 30 minutes from Milan, and the walk down to the Lake takes visitors through the gorgeous old town. Stop for a coffee outside the Duomo or the Basilica di San Fedele, a beautiful 10th century church.
Kids will love the funicular ride into the surrounding hills and adults will love the breath-taking views from above. If it’s hot, there’s a cute little play area with some splash fountains – remember to bring a swimsuit and towel. Visiting families will be spoiled for choice when it comes to restaurants, with so many available on the left side of the Lake. Most will be open for lunch, closing at around 3 and opening again for dinner at seven.
Como is a great base to explore the other lakeside towns and to find some lake beaches. There are regular steam boats and ferries visitors can use to get around. Another option is to hire a car and head into the hills, but make sure it’s a small one, the streets are pretty narrow. And no, we didn’t see famous residents, Amal and George, but there’s always next time….
One of our favorite family destinations in all of Italy is the lovely town of Lucca. Located in northern Tuscany, less than two hours from Florence by train, Lucca dates back to medieval times and has a timeless charm that makes it perfect both as a base to discover the area and as a stop during a Tuscany road trip.
We first visited Lucca with the kids when they were 3 and 5. The town can be visited in a matter of hours, but it is worth taking a few days as it is really easy to enjoy with children. The city still retains its medieval walls, and this means a large section of its center is car free. Our kids loved running around its small streets and were charmed by the many musicians fillings the air with beautiful notes: Lucca is the home town of composer Puccini, and his legacy is very much alive! Older kids are likely to enjoy cycling along the city walls, and visitors of all ages will love Lucca’s many restaurants that offer delicious Tuscan fare.
Recommended by Marta Correale from Learning Escapes. Find out more from Marta about Lucca with kids.
#4: Milan With Kids
Last year we spent six days in Milan with our little boy, who was 3.5 at the time. Compared to flights to Rome or Venice, the flight from Amsterdam to Milan was very cheap, and Italy was still on our bucket list, so that was an easy choice. The city is easy to navigate with public transport and very family friendly. Like the flights, accommodation is also a lot more affordable in Milan. It’s still a big city, so don’t expect ‘Asia cheap,’ but we managed to find a one bedroom apartment for €53 per night. We looked at hotels too, but with our little one in tow, a separate bedroom was a big plus. And to save some money, I cooked us dinner a few nights. We really enjoyed riding the old trams and visiting Sforzesca castle. Don’t forget to plan at least a half day for a visit to the Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Technologia (Science and Technology Museum). San Siro Stadium, the ‘Temple of Soccer’ is worth a visit if you kids are soccer fans, and for race enthusiasts there is the Autodroma Monza. While not the obvious choice for a city trip to Italy, Milan really is a nice place to visit with kids.
Orvieto is just off the highway that connects Rome and Florence, yet many visitors pass right by on their rush to get to Tuscany. Yet this medieval, Umbrian city is much quieter than its hilltop counterparts in Tuscany. With so much to do for kids, it deserves at least a pit stop, if not an overnight stay. The Orvieto Cathedral is simply stunning, a rival to the Duomo in Florence (minus the magnificent dome). Those who don’t mind a little adventure can climb down into St. Patrick’s well or take a tour of the Orvieto Underground. Even without visits to the museums and attractions, kids will love running through the park and exploring the cobblestone streets in the evening. Parents can enjoy wine tasting at a sidewalk table while kids play in the piazza with locals and finish off the evening with a gelato.
Recommended by Tamara from We 3 Travel. Find out more from Tamara about Orvieto with kids.
#6: Panzano With Kids
Panzano is a quaint picturesque Italian town and is located in the Chianti/Tuscany region between Siena and Florence. Easily reachable by rental car, visitors will find it roughly equidistant from Bologna in the north (2 hours) or Rome in the south (2.5 hours). We recommend using this hilltop village as a base for at least four nights to explore the sites and tastes of the Italian countryside. Some of our favorite things to do in Panzano include taking a family cooking class at Toscana Mia, sampling offerings from the 7th generation butcher Dario Cecchini, visiting one of the many Renaissance villages and abbeys within a 30 minute drive, dining at one of the world-renowned wineries, and enjoying gelato or espresso in the town square. We recommend spending your nights at Villa Le Barone, a 16th century villa that is loaded with charm and history. The Independent Apartment is a perfect space for families and features a double bed plus two single sofa beds and offers privacy and a beautiful view of the rolling Chianti Hills. We enjoyed spending time on the property as the pool, tennis courts and bicycle and walking trails give visitors an opportunity to get the kids outside and immerse themselves in this breathtaking countryside.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of Italy’s most recognizable landmarks because of its unintended tilt. Even though it isn’t the only leaning tower in Italy or even Pisa, it is world-renowned because of the degree of its tilt, the beauty of its architecture and the fact that Galileo used it in experiments that showed that objects of different mass fall at the same rate. We spent a night in Pisa staying at a hotel across the street from the Leaning Tower when driving from Bologna to Florence. The view of the Tower from our room was amazing. While we planned to arrive late and head out after breakfast and a walk around the Field of Miracles, we extended our stay to tour the Cathedral and Baptistery and climb to the top of the Leaning Tower.
Cinque Terre or Five Lands is a string of five picturesque fishing villages in the Liguria region of Italy. The five villages are: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. We were lucky enough to visit Riomaggiore several years ago on a road trip through Liguria and parts of Tuscany. Riomaggiore really took our breath away with its colorful houses perilously perched on the rocky cliffs off the Mediterranean coast. We were so taken with the undeniable beauty of this place that we vowed to return in the future and properly explore all five villages.
It is not possible to drive into Cinque Terre. To get there, we parked our car in the town of La Spezia and hopped on a train that takes visitors to all five villages. The train ride from La Spezia to Riomaggiore is only 10 minutes and is very affordable. The ride between each of the rest of the towns is only 5 minutes or less. Since we had very little time to explore, we only visited Riomaggiore. But visitors who have enough time to visit all five should buy a Cinque Terre card to save money and gain access to hiking trails and museums. Make sure to validate your ticket at one of the yellow machines at the train station before boarding the train! Exploring by train rather than foot is easier for those who have difficulty with their mobility or have very young children. Just be aware that the train is very crowded during high season. We felt like sardines in a can. Also, once in the towns, be prepared for lots of stairs and elevation changes when exploring. Because of the terrain, a super thorough sightseeing may not be for everyone.
When we return to explore Cinque Terre in the future, we would love to hike from village to village and stay in each for a couple days, or perhaps even longer.
Recommended by Bea from PackYourBags.Org. Find out more from Bea about Italy’s Liguria region.
#9: San Gimignano With Kids
We spent a lovely afternoon in San Gimignano. While driving from Pisa to Florence, we wanted to explore a typical Tuscan town and were so glad we chose this beautiful walled, hill town. We could see the 14 medieval towers miles before we reached the outskirts of town and parked just outside the wall and walked into the city center and quickly came to Piazza del Duomo. The adjacent Piazza della Cisterna, which is named for the cistern that was accessed from the center of the square, was the perfect place for a glass of wine (for the adults) and some gelato (for the kids). The line at the world-famous Gelateria Dondoli was too long, and we desperately needed to sit in the shade, so we choose Le Terrazze instead. After we were all refreshed, we decided that we couldn’t miss a 360 degree hilltop view and took a short walk to the Rocca. San Gimignano is a beautiful medieval hill town, and it was a refreshing break on a trip spent mostly in large metropolitan tourist centers to spend a few hours in this quaint town.
Just a short walk from ritzy Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure is the perfect base for families wanting to explore the Italian Riviera. Santa Margherita is a small port, fishing town and a popular resort with Italians. Its shingled shoreline boasts a couple of beach clubs, and the sea front is lined with cafes, restaurants and of course gelateries.
Visitors strolling along the pretty cobbled streets stumble upon a magnificent baroque church and a castle with impressive views of the Ligurian Sea. On summer evenings, the town lights up with free entertainment and dancing.
Santa Margherita is well serviced by public transport or families can drive from the closest airport at Genoa. To explore the Ligurian coast, visitors can walk to Portofino or take a day trip by train to the Cinque Terre. In summer, a ferry service hops along the coastal towns of the Italian Riviera. After spending a week in Santa Margherita, visitors will return home with that la dolce vita aura Italians are famous for.
Recommended by Katy Clarke of Untold Morsels. Find out more from Katy about the Italian Riviera with kids.
#11: Siena With Kids
We stayed near Volterra, so the drive to Siena was just over an hour away, but perfectly worth it. Siena has the wow factor with medieval architecture, a beautiful elaborate (yet unfinished) cathedral and symbolic neighborhoods, which even today people take heed of.
To make the most of visiting the beautiful medieval city of Siena with kids, I would highly recommend paying for a walking tour. We went with ‘Ariana and Friends’ who can tailor and pitch the tour exactly to your needs. We learned that Siena is comprised of 17 historic neighborhoods, each with its specific symbol showcased outside. Look out for dragons, caterpillars, geese, wolves, porcupines and more! Each family belonged to a neighborhood based on their profession or status.
Not to be missed are the Basilica San Domenico and the Duomo, or a run around the Piazza del Campo and soak in the sights. There is a small exhibition for children inside the Santa Maria Della Scala (located opposite the Duomo) with several interactive opportunities too.
For families visiting during the hot summer months, the swimming pool in Acquacalda may appeal. There are two outdoor pools: a large one with space for both swimming and relaxing and a smaller one for children.
We have been to Italy multiple times and have to admit that it’s an extremely kid-friendly place to travel. However, there are more towns, churches, or museums than any child can handle – not to mention the huge crowds in the popular tourist destinations. This summer we took our kids to the Trentino region in Northern Italy, and it became our favorite place for a family vacation in Italy. Trentino has it all: spectacular mountain landscapes, quaint little towns, authentic Italian feel, and an incredible variety of family-friendly activities.
Visitors can enjoy activities ranging from hiking to mountain-biking; spend a day at an adventure park, try bouldering, or explore the exhilarating yet family-friendly Via Ferrata trails. There are even special canyoning opportunities that are suitable for families with kids from five years and up. Not into that much action? No worries. There are animal parks, petting farms, playgrounds, and plenty of beautiful mountain lakes where visitors can row a boat or go for a swim. One thing that is lacking in Trentino is the crowds. It’s the perfect place for a truly family-friendly Italian vacation off the beaten path.
Treviso is a quiet, much less touristy and a little less beautiful version of Venice. We arrived with our rental car and stayed for one day and night before continuing to its famous neighbor. Walking through the city with our toddler, we loved the colorful buildings on the many waterways. There are of course a lot of restaurants, and because Treviso is not a touristy city the meals are very affordable. Romano is known for having the best ice-cream in town. So be prepared to stand in line, but after that you will enjoy some of tastiest Italian ice-cream ever. They provide a bib for kids and adults.
There are many low-key attractions in town. Cycling fans will want to check out the Pinarello shop with the bike Froome used for his Tour de France wins. We also found a great playground on the Vialo Bartolomeo d’Alviano in one of many parks in Treviso. While Treviso does not host any special child friendly museums or theme parks, the laid-back atmosphere and friendly people makes it very suitable for families with young children. I do suggest bringing a stroller as the city center is rather big.
Recommended by Tikva from GezinOpReis (Dutchtravelfamily). Find out more from Tikva about Treviso with kids.
#14: Volterra With Kids
Volterra is one of the most picturesque small towns in Tuscany. Located just over an hour from both Florence and Siena, this medieval town is best reached by car, but trains and buses are also an option. We would recommend a stay at a local agriturismo, as there are plenty in the area, and they are great options for families. We stayed at a lovely vineyard, Fattoria Corzano e Paterno, and drove to Volterra for the day.
Volterra dates back to Etruscan times, and visitors should spend time exploring the remains of the 4th century city walls, the Etruscan Museum and Porta all’Arco, one of the town’s main gates built by the Etruscans. Kids will love exploring the Roman Theater ruins, one of the best preserved in Italy. Dating to the 1st century BC, the site includes the remains of the stage, seats, a forum, and even baths.
After the ruins, spend time wandering the medieval streets of Volterra. Be sure to shop at the local alabaster shops, and make a stop at Piazza dei Priori, the main square, and home to the oldest town hall in Tuscany. Don’t miss the sandwiches at Panineria Al Vicolinio and gelato at L’Isola del Gusto before heading home for the day.
In Matera, Italy, visitors can stay in a cave! That by itself was a highlight for our kids, but there are many other things to do in this UNESCO Heritage Site. Visiting families can ride a tuktuk-style taxi around town to get a nice tour, visit a free museum of miniature replica of the town, or have gelato in one of the charming town squares.
We stayed in Matera for three nights, three days and spent two days exploring the town and a day trip out to the Bari Coast on the third. Matera is about a two hour drive from Naples, an hour and a half from Bari, and five hours from Rome. There are several cave hotels around town, but we stayed at the Residence San Pietro Barisano and had an amazing time! The rooms are right in front of the restaurant, so on one of the nights, we got to go outside our room and have a romantic dinner overlooking the town after the kids went to bed. We would recommend going to Matera with kids in a heartbeat!
We love Ostuni in Puglia! Known as the white city, it can be seen for miles around, shining in the hilltop! We flew into the nearby town of Brindisi, but Ostuni can be also reached by plane from Bari or via cruise ship. Out five day stay was perfect giving us time to explore Ostuni and the surrounding area, including the UNESCO world heritage site Alberbello and also allowed for plenty of beach time! I recommend staying with kids in a trulli house. These traditional dry stone huts with conical roofs are common in the region and offer added authenticity that visitors won’t find anywhere else.
Recommended by Leona Bowman from Wandermust Family. Find out more from Leona about Puglia with kids.
#17: Salve With Kids
Salve is located in the province of Lecce, Apulia region and entirely within the Salento peninsula, often called the “heel” of the Italian “boot”. The village is set in the countryside amidst olive groves and native Mediterranean scrub. Perfectly nestled for easy reach to the sea-front fortified gems of Otranto and Gallipoli and Leuca, the luxurious seaside town, and Lecce, the capital of the province and a Baroque masterpiece town.
White fine sand with shallow and crystal-clear water provide some of the most acclaimed beaches of the Ionian Salento Coast which are ideal for families with younger kids. On the Adriatic side you find breathtaking cliffs, caves and alcoves. Hidden and secluded tiny beaches among these cliffs provide excellent swimming and snorkeling stops for families with older children. Visitors can also rent a small boat and explore this beauty at their own pace.
During summer peak season, Salve and the surrounding area is a very lively place with kids as there are fun fair rides along the beach promenade and plenty of good restaurants to choose from. For families who prefer a quieter time and don’t mind if some of the activities are already shut down for winter, September is a great month to visit. Easiest way is to arrive by air directly to Brindisi – Salento airport – from where you can rent a car and drive about one hour south.
Our last trip to Italy brought us to a city many visitors ignore: stunning Siracusa. Located on the East coast of Sicily, Siracusa dates back to Greek times and now mixes seamlessly ancient history, medieval charm and a modern vibe.
The city has two main areas of interest for visitors: the old city center, Ortigia, and the archaeological park. It is possible to visit both in one day, but we recommend you schedule at least a couple of days to appreciate Siracusa’s splendor.
Ortigia is the part of the city we loved the most. There is a plethora of beautiful buildings. The main duomo overlooks a large square perfect for kids to run around, and just a short walk down the road is the famous fountain of Arethusa and its resident ducks! Older kids are likely to enjoy the archaeological park where they can visit the infamous Latomie and the largest Greek theater in the area, truly a sight to behold. Nearby, inventors in the making can experiment to their heart content in the museum of Archimedes’ inventions, which pays homage to the city’s most beloved son.
Recommended by Marta Correale from Learning Escapes. Find out more from Marta about Siracusa with kids.
#19: Sorrento With Kids
My family and I traveled from Rome to Naples on a train for 1 hour and 20 min. Once we arrived we had a private guide, Lovely Amalfi Coast Tours, drive us down to the Amalfi Coast where we toured Ravello and Amalfi, had lunch in Positano and ended in Sorrento! We stayed in Sorrento for two nights in a very nice four star hotel called the Grand Hotel De La Ville that overlooked Sorrento and Mt. Vesuvius. This hotel has two rooftop pools with the best views in town! Across the street is a wonderful children’s park, Parco Giochi Don Luigi Verde for families with small children that has plenty of slides, swings, rides, trampoline and a refreshment and snack bar for a quick bite to eat. Another attraction near the hotel is a lemon orchard, Giardini Di Cataldo. This orchard has lemon trees growing all over, and while the adults sample the famous limoncello, the little ones can run around wild and let out their wiggles out. Heading into the town is a must and is only about a 15-minute walk from the hotel. Venturing through the charming cobblestone streets and vendors is all part of the adventure. There are plenty of shops, restaurants and gelato to keep the whole family happy!
Our family recently discovered a wonderful place in Italy, truly off the beaten path. We have been to Italy several times, to places, like Rome, Florence and Venice – the usual suspects. But this time, we wanted to cool off in the Italian Alps, as the summer in Europe has been unusually hot. Before we set off on our road trip, we thought we knew what to expect from the Italian Alps, but we were in for quite a surprise. For our one-week camping and hiking excursion, we chose the region of South Tyrol (or Alto Adige in Italian). This is the home of the Dolomites, which are part of the Southern Limestone Alps. As we soon discovered, not all European Alps were created equal. We’ve been to the Alps in France, Switzerland, Austria and other parts of Italy, but the Dolomites just took our breath away. No wonder, the Dolomites are on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Not only are these mountains beautiful, the towns picturesque, lakes out of fairy tales, but also, we were surprised to find out that in this part of Italy, German is widely spoken by the local population, as well as Italian. In fact, all names of places in this region have both an Italian name and a German name.
During winter the Dolomites are very popular with skiers, but since we were there during the summer, here is what we did:
We slept in a tent at the Camping Olympia in the town of Dobbiaco (Toblach in German).
We hiked around one of the most beautiful lakes on the planet, Lago di Braies (Pragser Wildsee in German).
We explored the picturesque towns of Dobbiaco (Toblach) and Villabassa (Niederdorf in German) on bicycle.
We stuffed our faces with a local dish named “knodel” (“canederli” in Italian). I think I found my new favorite food.
We explored the bucolic countryside.
So, for visitors looking for a different experience in Italy, with no crowds, surrounded by nature, with pristine lakes and a slower pace of life, look no further than the South Tyrol region in northern Italy.
One of the few things that many traveling to Iceland with kids end up skipping is the hike to Solheimasandur Beach. For obvious reasons, making the four mile hike to Solheimasandur Beach with kids may not be everyone’s idea of fun and, I can only imagine that Iceland’s whimsical weather causes its own fair amount of disruption. Luckily for me, my trip to Iceland with kids involved only one kid and, at nearly nine years old, I knew that barring extremely inclement weather, we would be able to make the hike out to the downed navy plane on Solheimasandur Beach.
In 1973, a United States Navy DC plane ran out of fuel and crashed on Solheimasandur black beach, on the south coast of Iceland. Everyone on the plane survived and it appears the reason for the crash was that the pilot switched over to the wrong fuel tank. The remains of the wrecked plane are still on the sand and when planning our trip to Iceland, I knew this was one stop that I definitely wanted to make.
As you may recall, my original hope was to visit Solheimasandur on the drive from Reykjavik to Reynisfjara on our arrival date. I under estimated how tired we would be after a red eye flight from Washington, DC, so, with my son completely passed out in the backseat of the car, I decided to skip the hike on drive south. I did, however, pull off into the large parking lot to do a bit of reconnaissance. I was happy to have done so as the sign informed me that the hike was 4 miles out and back and suggested that we plan to spend 3-4 hours for the round trip.
I wish we could have taken the hike on our arrival date as the weather was gorgeous. But alas.
The morning of our return journey from our beach cottage on Reynisfjara to Reykjavik, I was thrilled to see that the rains had mostly stopped. I decided then and there that we would be making the hike to the plane wreck.
The hike itself was not extraordinary. It’s basically a flat two mile walk out to the plane on a rocky path. Although the rain had stopped, it was still extremely cold and windy so my son and I were glad to be bundled up and he was glad to have a warm hat on. The air was moist so we ended up slightly damp, even though there was no rain.
For most of the hike there was nothing to see but then all of a sudden, the plane appeared in the mist. It literally is right out there in the middle of nowhere.
If you look closely, you can just spot the plane and the other visitors in the distance.
Personally, my favorite thing about the whole experience was that we could explore the plane.
My son loved climbing in and around the plane and checking out all the nooks and crannies. We spent about 15 minutes checking out the plane before turning around for the cold walk back.
Pro-Tips:
There are absolutely no facilities – no bathrooms, no emergency phones, nothing. So be sure you have what you need and are in good condition for a 4 mile out and back walk.
There was a steady stream of other hikers the entire time and about 15 other people at the plane when we were there.
The sign (close up below) recommends allotting 3-4 hours for out and back hike, but my son and I completed the entire thing in about 90 minutes. The cold weather definitely helped us walk quickly.
Overall, I was glad that the weather cooperated sufficiently for us to take the hike. Although clear blue skies would have been preferable, it was well worth the stop and definitely something you should cross off your bucket list!
Rincón de la Vieja is an active volcano located just 15 miles from Liberia. As one of six active volcanoes in Costa Rica, Rincón de la Vieja last erupted in 2017 and forms the highest point in Rincón de la Vieja National Park, a large conservation area. The Park also has a number of fumaroles and hot springs, which we gladly explored on our day trip to the Park.
Getting to Rincón de la Vieja National Park:
The Park has two entrances, one at Santa Maria and one in Las Pailas. We drove our rental car from the Andaz Papagayo to the Las Pailas park entrance, which we knew in advance would take about 90 minutes. Although we had purchased the GPS map of Costa Rica for our Garmin, the map kept directing us through windy back roads in Liberia. At one point, we were clearly in a residential area, and the road transitioned from paved-but-in-rough-shape to dirt. I quickly decided at that point that we should turn around and head back to the main intersection in Liberia. Luckily for me, I had just enough cell reception to google “getting to rincon de la vieja,” and I was able to find this website, which provided us with the following set of instructions:
To Las Pailas sector: Coming from Liberia International Airport, drive to Liberia city (turn left out onto the main road from the airport). At the main intersection into Liberia (Santa Rosa plaza on your right, Burger King on your left, McDonalds in front of you), turn left. Drive about 3.5 kilometers and you will see many signs for “Rincon de la Vieja National Park Las Pailas sector.” Turn right into the entrance after the Ebais clinic on your left and continue on this road for about 20 kilometers to the national park entrance and the trail heads.
There is a parking lot where the administration office is, which is where you’ll buy the entrance tickets.
The website is dated March 2016, but I can tell you that the Ebais clinic no longer exists and there are not “many signs…” There may have been one sign directing us to the Park, but it certainly was not at the intersection where we were supposed to turn right. Pro Tip: I wish I had looked up the GPS coordinates as others report having more success using that method than simply entering the destination. The approximate GPS map coordinates of Rincón Las Pailas are latitude 10.773, longitude -85.3499.
Prior to entering the Park itself, we encountered a private road with an individual collecting toll to access. I was instantly thankful that my husband stopped at an ATM while we were trying to find proper instructions in Liberia because there is no way we would have been able to pay the private access toll to the gentlemen collecting the fee. Not only did he not speak English, but he also seemed a bit peeved that all we had were large bills (thanks to the ATM). The toll fee was 700 CR or approximately $1.25 USD per person. Note: he did not charge an access fee for the kids.
Private road toll collector.I paid this 700 colon entrance fee with a 20 MILLION colon bill. I’m pretty sure the guy wasn’t happy with me.
Once we were granted access on the private road, we continued the main road up to Park. Along the way, we passed a number of hotels and adventure outfitters, as well as quite a few podiums, which I quickly learned were for skydiving. We also passed a few groups of people clearly on a horseback riding tour.
What to do at Rincón de la Vieja National Park?
When we arrived at the Park, I was surprised to see this completely modern and beautiful building surrounded by a dirt parking lot with rather haphazardly parked vehicles everywhere. As we entered the building, I was pleased to learn that we could pay the fee via credit card in USD (which is what I did).
Be sure to bring your passport!
After paying the fee, I showed our tickets to a woman sitting at the desk, who wrote down our ticket numbers and time of entry. We also had to show these tickets when we left, which leads me to believe that this is how they track visitors to make sure they leave the Park.
Once inside, we used the modern facilities (which we sincerely appreciated) and my youngest took the opportunity to gawk at the snakes displayed in jars of formaldehyde.
There were fountains for filling water bottles and also hoses for rinsing off feet.
My husband and I took a quick inventory of the hikes available. There are a number of hiking trails in the Park, and there are quite a few that are accessible from the Las Pailas, which is why we chose Las Pailas. One of the hikes is an 8 km hike to the summit of the volcano, which was closed due to recent volcano activity.
Without any idea of what the hike to the La Canegra waterfall would be like, we decided that while 4.3 km (or 2.67 miles) might be a tad ambitious with our 3.5 year old, we should still give it a try and see how far we could get. Spoiler alert: we didn’t get very far.
The deceptively mild beginning of the waterfall hike…
The hike starts off easy enough with a wide open grassy path. Along the way, we passed the closed trail to the crater. Unfortunately, the path quickly turned hazardous and became not only rocky, but extremely steep and filled with branches. We were probably just 1/2 a mile in before I realized there was no way we were going to get down from the hike with our 3.5 year old intact, so we turned around.
This was probably the fourth or fifth climb of its kind … and the point at which I decided we needed to turn back.
Back at our original starting point, we decided to go on the third available hike: a 3 km (or 1.86 mile) loop around boiling mud pots. Having visited Yellowstone, my husband and I weren’t all too impressed by the boiling mud pots, but it was a first time experience for our kids and our 8 year old particularly loved seeing all the different fumaroles and volcanitos. Much of the path is paved and there are no steep climbs, so this was an easy walk for our family of four. Some portions of the path are shaded, which we appreciated, because it was very hot being out in the direct sunlight, especially whilst surrounded by active volcanoes.
Final Thoughts and Tips:
Our experience at the Park itself was slightly underwhelming, but I blame that largely on the fact that we could not hike to the waterfall or visit any of the hot springs due to having a 3.5 year old in our party. It was a nice way to spend the day, however, and my kids loved seeing the volcanic activity up close. Personally, I was thankful we had rented a car and were driving ourselves to Rincón instead of participating in one of the many shared tours offered through the hotel. The hotel’s prices for a trip to Rincon would have cost us $288 total ($98/adult and $46/child ages 3-10). While the tour includes roundtrip transportation, lunch, admission fee, and a bilingual guide, we would not have been able to do the hiking portion of the tour or would have had to split up because there’s no way my 3.5 year old could have lasted the entire hike. In fact, while on our less than 2 mile loop around the hot pots, we saw numerous family groups that were clearly on some kind of private tour similar to the tour offered through the hotel. Long story short, I was thrilled that our day trip to Rincón set us back only $37.50 out of pocket ($2.50 in private toll access and $35 for two adults and one child to enter the Park as children under 6 are free) and would recommend anyone traveling to Rincón consider renting a car and making the trip yourself as it is perfectly safe and manageable.
If you’re traveling to Rincon de la Vieja with kids, be sure to:
pack plenty of water, sunscreen, hats, and mosquito repellent,
wear breathable clothing as it can be very hot (it was in the high 90s when we visited and we were all boiling by the end of our walk around the fumaroles),
bring your passport as it is required to purchase your admission ticket to the National Park,
use the facilities located at the entrance as there are no facilities later on, and
be prepared for anything. As we finished our walk around the fumaroles, we saw that the trail to La Canegra was closed without warning or explanation. It would be a huge disappointment to head up there hoping to climb La Canegra only to find the path closed.
With a population of 39.5 million, California is the most populous state in the country with three million residents more than all of Canada. Los Angeles is home to nearly four million residents and the greater metropolitan area (including Long Beach) boasts a population of 18.7 million people. It’s no surprise that there is tons of fun stuff to do in Los Angeles with kids! In fact, earlier this year, Catherine, her mom, and her son shared Five Fun Family Activities in Los Angeles from a combined work/leisure trip. Here, I’d like to share with you Five More Fun Family Activities!
#1: Long Beach
Long Beach is located roughly 25 miles south of Los Angeles proper and is the second largest city in the Los Angeles area (after Los Angeles, of course). As a child growing up in Southern California, I knew of Long Beach for only two reasons: (1) home of the Queen Mary, and (2) the large container ships that would come in to harbor as Long Beach is a major shipping port. I remember paying one visit to the Queen Mary when I was in high school, but otherwise, Long Beach was something of a no man’s land, with nary an attraction that would make the 45 minute drive worthwhile.
In the late 90’s and early 2000’s, Long Beach experienced a revitalization of sorts and became a worthwhile destination of its own. The Aquarium of the Pacific, or, the Long Beach Aquarium, opened in 1998, and is a wonderful place to spend the day with kids. Located at Rainbow Harbor Marina, in the heart of downtown Long Beach, the Long Beach Aquarium offers not only wonderful viewing of sea life, but also abundant add on opportunities, such as ocean boat rides, play time on the beach, and even fine dining along the water front.
Having visited Long Beach on a number of occasions now, I heartily endorse making plans to spend an afternoon at the Aquarium or, if you want to be really wild, plan to spend a night in Long Beach and take full advantage of everything the city has to offer. We did this on a more recent trip to Long Beach, purchasing both Aquarium tickets and a harbor tour as part of a package directly from the Aquarium, then spent the evening at hotel nearby so that we could enjoy dinner and a few hours of sand time on the beach before heading back to Los Angeles.
#2: Huntington Library
Another one of my top places to visit whenever we are in Los Angeles visiting family is the Huntington Library. The Huntington boasts an impressive library collection, with seven million manuscripts and 430,000 rare books, as well as an extensive art collection, focusing on European Art from the 15th – 20th centuries. But, the true beauty of the Huntington lies in its extensive gardens and grounds, which take up over 120 of the 207 acres owned by the Huntington.
Strolling around the Japanese Gardens on his first visit to the Huntington.
The entire garden is child friendly and my kids particularly love the Asian gardens, but note that the gardens can get extremely crowded and that food and picnicking are only permitted in designated areas and at the cafe and tea room. Advance purchase of tickets is not required and honestly, we have never found it to be necessary.
#3: Hike the San Gabriel Mountains
The high school I attended is conveniently located at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. There are a number of hiking trails, but one of my favorite as a child is the Sturtevant Falls Trail which begins at Chantry Flat, a designated Recreation Area within the Angeles National Forest and a starting point for many historic trails up in the San Gabriel Mountains.
The Sturtevant Falls Trail is a lovely 3.5 mile hike that is extremely kid friendly, with the exception of the last 0.6 miles back to the parking lot. You heard me – the hike begins with a steep 0.6 mile paved walk down to the beginning of the trail. The steep paved incline is glorious at the beginning of the hike, but believe me when I say it has been torture when we are tired and facing the incline at the end of the hike. I’ve seen many families bring umbrella strollers and use the strollers to push young children back up the hill after the hike, but I’ve also seen many parents carrying five year olds up the hill after the kids have given up. Definitely be prepared and know that it’s a rough walk back up to the parking lot.
A look at the steep paved incline at the end of the trail!
Pro Tip:
A National Forest Adventure Pass is required to park at the trail head. These can be purchased at a small shop located near the official parking area, although you can also just pay either $5 or $10 (depending on availability) to park at the small shop, which is privately owned and managed.
Parking does fill up quickly in the mornings.
Pack plenty of water – there are no fountains or amenities available once you begin your hike.
For those with older kids (teenager+), definitely consider using Chantry Flat as the base for a longer hike. My husband and I recently did the 16-mile round trip hike to the Mount Wilson Observatory, via Chantry Flat. It’s a steep climb (nearly 4,000 feet elevation gain) over 7-8 miles and the ledges are tight, so this is not something I would attempt with a toddler or even most elementary aged children. However, the views of Downtown Los Angeles are spectacular on a clear day.
View of Downtown Los Angeles along the Upper Wilson Creek Trail
#4: Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanical Gardens is another fan favorite for my household. Unlike the Huntington, the Arboretum is greatly unsung and most people aren’t even aware that it is there. It is rarely ever crowded and there are a number of tour options, including docent led walking tours that are included in the price of admission.
One of my favorite things about the Arboretum is the opportunity to get up close and personal with one of my favorite birds: the peacock! The city in which the Arboretum is located, Arcadia, has a number of free roaming peacocks and many of them have chosen to call the Arboretum home. My kids loved the opportunity to see these majestic and beautiful birds up close.
#5: Travel Town located in Griffith Park
Griffith Park is one of the largest municipal parks in the country, with over 4,200 acres right smack in the middle of Los Angeles. There are a number of attractions within the Park, some of which are free, but some do require admission (for example, the Gene Autry Museum or the L.A. Zoo).
For those looking for something to do with young kids, Travel Town may be of particular interest. Travel Town is an outdoor museum dedicated to preserving the railroad history of the western United States. There are a number of locomotives on display, some of which are available for climbing and sitting, and both my sons absolutely adored this stop as young/old toddlers.
As an added bonus, there is no admission to Travel Town (although donations are gladly accepted), so this is truly one of the most budget friendly options for families with young children visiting Los Angeles!
I hope you enjoyed my list of Five More Fun Family Activities in Los Angeles! Be sure to check out the original list of Five Fun Family Activities in Los Angeles and our entire category of posts on Los Angeles and California before your next trip to the Sunshine State with kids!
George Washington once said, “the settlement of southeastern Ohio was not accidental, but the result of the careful deliberation of wise, prudent, and patriotic men.”* For those traveling with kids, Southeast Ohio is an outdoor paradise! This corner of Ohio is home to 15 state parks, three nature preserves, seven state forests, and many hunting and fishing areas. For my children, Southeast Ohio also happens to be home to their very doting and loving grandparents, so it’s not surprise that this is hands down their favorite place on earth.
Some good old fashioned outdoor fun in Grandma and Grandpa’s backyard!
Located only 60 minutes from the Ohio State Capital, Columbus, Athens is the perfect destination for an overnight stop. Having spent many, many nights in Athens, these are our top five fun family activities in Southeast Ohio!
The Hockhocking Adena Bikeway in Athens is one of my favorite places to bike ride with my kids. Unlike the Mount Vernon Bike Trail near my home, the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway is never crowded, does not cross any major roads or streets, and has a perfectly bucolic view as it meanders along the Hocking River before disappearing into the woods leading up to Nelsonville, Ohio. The Bikeway is 21 miles long and mostly built on an abandoned railroad grade and a great way to spend a few hours riding or, if traveling with older children, an entire day riding through Athens County.
One of the most delightful developments in the past five years or so has been the introduction of microbreweries and cideries… along the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway!
These brochures (with maps!) are available for free at the micropubs and cideries.
This past Thanksgiving, my husband, father-in-law, and eight-year-old son biked the trail and made three separate brewery stops where my mother-in-law, and I met them with my two year old in tow.
If when visiting Athens, I highly recommend spending a few hours on the Bikeway and make a few pit stops along the way. For visitors not traveling with their own bikes, there are a number of local bike shops that have rentals available.
#2: Burr Oak Lake
Burr Oak Lake was built as a multiple-use reservoir for flood control, water supply, and recreation. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources operates and maintains the parking lots, wells, bathrooms and launching areas in along the lake. There are also a number of outfitters offering boats available for rental, guided fishing trips, and even horseback riding!
A few years ago, my family spent a few hours on a pontoon boat in the lake and had a wonderful experience. After a few hours on the water, we enjoyed lunch at Burr Oak Lodge & Conference Center. By no means would I consider this a fancy experience, but for those looking for some quality outdoor time, this is definitely something to consider. There are also numerous hiking trails, swimming beaches, geocaching, and camping sites available for those looking to spend more than just a few hours of outdoors time.
#3: Experience the Country!
The number one reason why we visit Southeast Ohio is to see family, but I personally love that my kids get to spend time outdoors, enjoying the fresh, country air. Two hidden gems in Southeast Ohio that we have come to love are:
Libby’s Pumpkin Patch – Libby’s Pumpkin Patch is a u-pick pumpkin patch about 30 minutes from Athens. Libby’s specializing in large carving pumpkins, pie pumpkins, and outdoor fall decorations. Fall visitors to Southeast Ohio should definitely plan to visit. During the summer, the farm also offers assorted berry picking opportunities, so follow the farm on Facebook to check out what is available. When we were there a few years ago, my mother-in-law and I loaded up on pumpkins while the kids had a blast on the hayride, jumping on the outdoor decorations, and sampling the homemade pumpkin chili and ice cream available for purchase.
The giant hay spider at Libby’s!Tractor rides are ALWAYS fun!
White’s Mill – White’s Mill was built in 1809 along the Hocking River and was purchase by the White family in 1912. Over the years, as the needs of the community have changed, White’s Mill has adapted from what it was originally, a mill, to a local store that offers home/pet goods, gardening supplies, and now, locally made items that make great Christmas gifts or souvenirs. My family happens to love White’s Mill and my children have grown up visiting what they affectionately call “the Chicken store” with Grandpa. And yes, we have purchased chicks and continue to purchase chicken feed from White’s Mill pretty much every time we are in town!
View of White’s Mill from across the Hocking River.Enjoying some outdoor time with the chickens back at the house.
#4: Ohio University / Town of Athens
Ohio University is the oldest university in Ohio with extremely loyal alumni and is located right in the heart of Athens, Ohio. The town of Athens is full of small, independent shops and funky retailers, so it’s a great way to spend a few hours window shopping before taking a walk on the beautiful campus grounds. My family’s current favorite lunch spot is Jackie O’s, a microbrewery and pub, with a great menu and beer sampler. I’m also partial to O’Betty’s Hot Dog Museum, where my personal favorite menu item is not a hot dog, but the delicious chili cheese fries!
A sampler of beer at Jackie O’s comes on an Ohio shaped board.
#5: Hocking Hills State Park
The Hocking Hills State Park is a smorgasbord of outdoor fun located about 45 minutes from Athens. The park contains seven separate sections and there is truly something for everyone there: hiking, exploring caves, canoeing, zip lining, camping and more. There are also rental cabins available, making this the perfect location for those, like me, who love the outdoors but prefer to sleep on a real bed at night.
The Upper Peninsula contains 29% of the land area of Michigan but just 3% of its total population. Residents are frequently called Yoopers (derived from “U.P.-ers”) and have a strong regional identity. Large numbers of French Canadian, Finnish, Swedish, Cornish, and Italian immigrants came to the Upper Peninsula, especially the Keweenaw Peninsula, to work in the area’s mines and lumber industry. The peninsula includes the only counties in the United States where a plurality of residents claim Finnish ancestry.[1]source
Getting to the Upper Peninsula, or the UP of Michigan, is, of course, the biggest obstacle to actually visiting. It is approximately four hours driving distance from Ann Arbor, MI to Allenville, MI, one of the first towns after you cross the Mackinac Bridge and enter the Peninsula. So, any visit to the UP automatically begins as a road trip up north!
Note that pedestrians are not permitted on the bridge, except during the Labor Day walk when the governor leads walkers in walking the five miles across the bridge. If you happen to be driving through during Labor Day weekend, schedule some extra time to allot for the delays or join the walk yourself!
Our visit to the Upper Peninsula took place in the late summer and we rented a small cottage along the Anna River, just a few miles south of Munising, which sits on the southern shore of Lake Superior. The cabin itself, the Anna River Cottage, appears to no longer be available for rent, but I encourage you to look around as a quick glance at VRBO and Homeaway suggests there are a number of options at very reasonable rates.
Anna River
The stream behind the house, the Anna River, is a perfect stream for young anglers – there is a nice flow, but it’s not too deep or fast.
During our visit, we took a quick drive to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, which remains one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited and was less than two miles from our cabin.
With over 100 miles of trails, the Lakeshore is stunning, however, it’s not place I would recommend with young children unless you’ve done extensive prior research on the trails as many are located on cliffs. Although, we visited in the late summer when the weather was still quite pleasant, it does get cold up in the UP very quickly and we could see traces of one of the major wintering activities as we drove through the Lakeshore: snowmobiling! Indeed, snowmobiling in Upper Michigan is quite popular and we saw numerous places where you could rent equipment and/or arrange for guided trips. Although our boys are still young, I would definitely consider returning to the UP in the winter when they are older so we can snowmobile.
In addition to the Lakeshore, we also enjoyed driving through the various scenic areas where often found ourselves in the midst of birch forests.
The trees are tall and thin with white bark and grow very close together in a dense forest. Being so far north, the landscape was definitely different from anything we had ever seen in the southern/western United States.
Finally, the thing we enjoyed most about traveling to the UP was that it was so quiet and peaceful. Unlike the other trips we have taken “out west” — Yellowstone, Yosemite, even Denali — there is literally no traffic in the UP and very few tourist attractions, if any, once you get past the Mackinac Bridge. We never ate dinner out one time during our four night stay, rather, we just stopped by the local grocery and picked up a few items and either prepared a simple meal at home or over the fire pit. We did manage to work in a sampling of the “pasty,” which is like a calzone/meat pie.
There are different fillings you can choose, but we loved the simple meat and potato option. These also made excellent items to pack with us and take on our hike – the perfect portable meal.
Although Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is remote and difficult to visit, if you find yourself with the time and opportunity to do so, I definitely would! I’ve always wondered about that slice of Michigan hanging around up north all by itself. The added bonus, of course, is that if you’re interested in hiking and camping, you can get a lot of that done in the UP without spending a lot of time negotiating tourist traps or other drivers in traffic. Although an Upper Peninsula vacation might not be automatically what people think of when they think of ideal family getaways, there are plenty of things to do in the Upper Peninsula and our family trip to “UP MI” ranks high on our list of favorite getaways!
Guest Blogger: Crisel, her husband, and her two year old daughter are Australian expats, currently living in the Soloman Islands, a sovereign country consisting of six major islands and over 900 smaller islands in Oceania. They are planning a world tour beginning in 2019, but in the meantime, are traveling to as many of the Soloman Islands and countries in the Pacific as they can. They can be found on Instagram.
Our family decided to look into a cruise after a recent international flight that involved a screaming two-year-old. Our goals were simple: less plane, less car and less time stuck in a hotel. My husband and I love to travel as much as we can and explore different places, but as our daughter has moved past the infant stage into the terrible twos, it has become more difficult. The idea of boarding a cruise ship and having everything within reach – pool, restaurants, cafés, entertainment area, kids’ area, and spa – was intriguing. And on top of that, we would wake up with a new place to explore every morning!
The cruise we booked was the Golden Princess Cruise Ship to New Zealand. Since we were traveling during the school year, the theme of the cruise was targeted to adults, but that didn’t deter us and, as an added bonus, our daughter got so much attention from the cruise staff because there were so few children on board. Our main goal was to have a relaxing holiday, which we did.
Waving goodbye to Sydney Harbor.
Our cruise to New Zealand began in Sydney with two days of straight sailing to Fiordland National Park. Once there, we spent a full day cruising along Milfound Sound and Doubtful Sound, where we experienced the most magnificent views of our lives. From the ship, we saw endless mountains and breathtaking waterfalls, including Mount Tutoko, the highest peak in Fiordland National Park. Mount Tutoko was surrounded by glaciers, which were stunning.
Mount TutokoFiordland National Park
After a day spent cruising along Fiordland National Park, we arrived at our first stop: Dunedin. Getting off the ship for the first time was very exciting and there was a shuttle bus that took us to the city center where we discovered shops, cafes, and local markets. The short bus ride to town was my daughter’s favorite activity and our first stop was at a local café to get our daily dose of caffeine.
After getting our fill of caffeine, we took a short walk to the Town Hall. My daughter took advantage of a small park in front of a church to chase and feed pigeons. We also went to the Cadbury Chocolate Factory while stopping, along the way, to play at a little maze garden in front of Dunedin’s historic railway station.
Playing in the maze outside Dunedin Railway Station.
From Dunedin, we re-boarded the ship and stopped at five other places: Akaroa, Wellington, Auckland, Tauranga and Bay of Islands. Each morning, we would wake up and have a new place to explore. At every stop, we would visit the parks, markets, cafes, beaches, and generally look for places where our daughter could run around freely. We did make an effort to avoid touristy areas and shopping centers as our time was limited.
Feeding and chasing pigeons in Auckland.
Our favorite stop was Paihia, Bay of Islands. The beach was stunning, and there was an awesome kids’ park nearby where we spent quite a bit of time. The cruise ship did offer a shuttle bus ride from the ship to the center of Paihia, but we elected to walk to town instead, as that would give my daughter time to run around and also so that we could spend more time at the park and the beach. When my daughter got tired, I carried her on my back, and we continued to explore. While in Paihia, we enjoyed fish and chips at a local restaurant and ice cream for dessert. We also visited a local art market that had a lot of unique art from local artisans, including wood crafts, underwater creatures made of metal, and clothing made from organic cotton.
Paihia BeachCarrying my daughter on my back after she got tired of walking!
Our second favorite place was Tauranga. Unfortunately, my daughter did not feel well that day, so my husband and I took turns exploring Tauranga while the other stayed on the ship with my daughter. Tauranga was my personal favorite stop because the place is beautiful – white beach, boutique shops, funky cafes, and friendly locals. I also had the opportunity to climb Mount Maunganui, which, at 232 meters above sea level, took me about an hour to accomplish. There were many families with kids climbing the mountain at the same time and I would have loved to have experienced it with my daughter as the view from the top was superb.
The cruise line offered day excursions and tours that we could pay extra to experience, but we decided even before we booked the cruise that we would not do any extra excursions because of our two-year-old. Although it would have been fun to experience some of the offered excursions, such as the glow worm caves and The Lord of the Rings film set, it would have been too much for our daughter. Instead, we had a great time exploring each stop at a leisurely pace with our daughter and, after a day of exploring, we simply went back on board the cruise ship to relax either by the pool, or by watching a movie in the room. The best part about the cruise was that we did not rush around and plan every single minute of our time, like we usually do, we just went with the flow.
My daughter enjoyed the onboard activities.
What we liked about the cruise:
Everything is on board. Pretty much everything we needed and wanted was on the ship. Although we booked an ocean view room, we were upgraded to a room with a balcony that gave us a little bit more room, especially with a toddler. We spent most of our time outside and away from our room, but it was nice to have the extra space.
Food was amazing. There were so many food options onboard. There was buffet, a la cart, or fine dining. We loved fine dining every night and tried so many different and delicious dishes. We chose anytime dining option that allowed us to have dinner whenever our daughter was ready. The staff was very accommodating and provided both kids’ menus and kids’ activity packs at meals.
Waking up in a different place every morning. Yes! You sleep in one city and wake up to a different one. This was great because we did not need to pack and unpack our luggage.
Everyone is so friendly. From housekeeping staff to waitresses to entertainers to guests. Everyone was so friendly.
What we did not like about the cruise:
Entertainment shows took place every night after dinner, but because my daughter had to go to bed, we were unable to all attend. My husband was kind enough to let me watch entertainment shows every night while he put our daughter to sleep, but it would have been nice to enjoy as a family. The shows included stand-up comedy, concerts, and international talent shows. All shows were appropriate for children, so I would have taken my daughter if they had offered the shows during the day.
The Kids’ Club was for kids ages three and up. Because my daughter was not three, we could not use the Kids’ Club, and babysitting was also not available, so we had no date nights.
We gained a lot of weight on the cruise!
Our cruise had to end after 2 weeks!
Additional Thoughts:
My daughter still naps once a day, so we usually walked her around in the pram or I carried her on my back until she fell asleep. Her naptimes provided my husband and me with an opportunity to recharge and unwind, either at a café or by continuing to explore quietly until she woke up.
Because we were traveling with a toddler, a full day (7-8 hours) of exploring the city was enough for us. We would definitely return to the Bay of Islands and Tauranga again for a family holiday if given the opportunity, but the cruise was a great opportunity to visit and get a sense of the location.
My daughter loved the cruise life! She enjoyed the elevators, the buffet breakfasts, and the opportunity to break up our day by visiting and exploring new places, playgrounds, parks, shops and cafes. My daughter also loved the entertainment on the ship, in particular dancing to the music that played in the Piazza.
I would absolutely recommend a cruise for families with toddlers as it is an easy way to have a relaxing holiday while exploring many different places. I suggest checking to make sure that the cruise you are interested in caters to families with children and would also check to make sure that you can take advantage of the Kids’ Club and the minimum age (most cruise lines offer Kids’ Club for ages 3+).
Guest Blogger: Our kid blogger, Steve, is an eight year old boy who loves Legos, Harry Potter, and Minecraft. Steve also loves to travel because it is fun to see new things every single day.
Last summer, my dad, grandfather, grandmother, mom, brother, and I went to Alaska. It was a very cool trip, especially since we got to see new things every day. I am going tell you about my favorites things we did.
#1: Glacier Walk
My first favorite was that when we got to Alaska, we walked on a glacier. After we got past most of the glacier, we saw a big frozen over pond that we could walk on with crampons. It was a very long hike and while we were walking there, we saw my dad climbing on the side of a glacier. We also saw a little tiny stream with little pieces of ice floating in it. The stream led over to a different frozen over pond where the water would freeze over.
#2: Flying in the Mini Plane
I liked when we flew in a mini plane to a little town where we did the glacier hike. I liked what the plane looked like and we got little sets of headphones with microphones so we did not have to hear the big engine and so when we talked, other people could hear us.
#3: Scavenger Hunting
We went on a kayaking trip and stopped at a little island, where there were lots of trees that had been ripped up. We did a little scavenger hunt. We all needed to find mussels, a crab, and barnacles. After my mom found all of those, I started to look and I found lots of mussels and barnacles. The crab my mom found was just a big huge crab head, but the ones I found little tiny mini crabs. When I picked one up, the head was like a little hatch, with nothing inside. I think a bird pecked open the head and ate the brains.
#4: Glacier Landing
Close to the end of the trip, we took another plane ride. When we landed, snow covered the ground. My grandpa, dad, and I had a massive snowball fight. It was awesome.
#5: Puffin Encounter
We went to the aquarium and were able to do a puffin encounter. We were able to feed the puffins fish and we got to see them and go up really close to them. At the end, they had these little tiny things of krill that they would toss all around the water. Only one family at the time can do the puffin encounter and everyone can watch you do it from the other side of the glass. A fun fact about puffins is that puffin eggs are basically about half as big as the puffin stomach.
#6: The Boat Ride
We took a big boat ride for several hours. We got to see a big whale and lots of puffins and other birds.
#7: Dog Sled Ride
We went to this place where we got to ride on these little tiny cart buggy things. Since it wasn’t snowing, we did not have sleds. In front, there were huskies pulling us. My brother fell asleep halfway through the ride. What was really fun about it was that you actually get to pet and hold a baby husky and see the dogs up close in real life, instead of in a movie, like Balto.
#8: Panning for Gold
There was a big water device, here water would flow through over bumps, and every few seconds you could take a big scoop of dirt, dump it on to the top of the device. The water would push the dirt, but the gold would get stuck in the bumps. You could use tweezers to get the gold out. Anything that was not gold would fly around in the water, but the gold would get stuck because it is much more dense than dirt. The guy who was running the panning for gold place would give you a little tiny bottle to drop all your pieces of gold in. Earlier that day, someone found a very small ruby and he gave it to me to put in my bottle.
Alaska was an awesome trip and I had so much fun. My favorite thing about the trip was that we were all together all the time.
Anyone else hearing the Jurassic Park theme song here?
9. Visit Waimea Canyon
Once inside, we used the modern facilities (which we sincerely appreciated) and my youngest took the opportunity to gawk at the snakes displayed in jars of formaldehyde.
Having visited Long Beach on a number of occasions now, I heartily endorse making plans to spend an afternoon at the Aquarium or, if you want to be really wild, plan to spend a night in Long Beach and take full advantage of everything the city has to offer. We did this on a more recent trip to Long Beach, purchasing both Aquarium tickets and a harbor tour as part of a package directly from the Aquarium, then spent the evening at hotel nearby so that we could enjoy dinner and a few hours of sand time on the beach before heading back to Los Angeles.
My first favorite was that when we got to Alaska, we walked on a glacier. After we got past most of the glacier, we saw a big frozen over pond that we could walk on with crampons. It was a very long hike and while we were walking there, we saw my dad climbing on the side of a glacier. We also saw a little tiny stream with little pieces of ice floating in it. The stream led over to a different frozen over pond where the water would freeze over.
Close to the end of the trip, we took another plane ride. When we landed, snow covered the ground. My grandpa, dad, and I had a massive snowball fight. It was awesome.
We went to this place where we got to ride on these little tiny cart buggy things. Since it wasn’t snowing, we did not have sleds. In front, there were huskies pulling us. My brother fell asleep halfway through the ride. What was really fun about it was that you actually get to pet and hold a baby husky and see the dogs up close in real life, instead of in a movie, like Balto.
There was a big water device, here water would flow through over bumps, and every few seconds you could take a big scoop of dirt, dump it on to the top of the device. The water would push the dirt, but the gold would get stuck in the bumps. You could use tweezers to get the gold out. Anything that was not gold would fly around in the water, but the gold would get stuck because it is much more dense than dirt. The guy who was running the panning for gold place would give you a little tiny bottle to drop all your pieces of gold in. Earlier that day, someone found a very small ruby and he gave it to me to put in my bottle.