family

Your Escape on the Cape

Your Escape on the Cape

A popular television series recently spotlighted the long chain of thin barrier islands arching out into the Atlantic Ocean, but North Carolina residents and visitors alike have long treasured the stunning 125-mile (201 kilometers) stretch and Cape Hatteras, where Ocracoke and Hatteras Island meet. Situated in the center of the roughly 70-mile-long (113 kilometers) Cape…

Family Time on Kaua‘i

Family Time on Kaua‘i

The oldest and considered the quietest of the Hawaiian Islands, Kaua’i offers an appealing mix of history, accessible beaches, and family-friendly outdoor activities. Here are some fun day-trips and excursions in this picturesque slice of paradise. Hanalei Bay Head to the North Shore for a day of family fun. The peach-sandy beach and blue-green waters…

Easy, Breezy

Easy, Breezy

Legend has it, Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes were created by the giant footsteps of lumberjack Paul Bunyan, and his blue ox, Babe, as they explored the state, enamored by its upper-Midwest charm.  The town of Breezy Point sits adjacent to one of Paul and Babe’s largest footsteps, Pelican Lake. At 8,367 acres (3,386 hectares), the body…

Good Times in Gatlinburg

Good Times in Gatlinburg

The great outdoors seem even greater in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Here, among one of the nation’s oldest mountain chains, the tallest trees overshadow plentiful wildlife and blue skies brighten every mood. Originally the hunting grounds of the Cherokee people, the original settlement was founded in the early 1800s, and Gatlinburg continues to offer bits of history…

Lakeland Adventures in England

Lakeland Adventures in England

Affectionately known as the Lakes, this mountainous British wilderness is wonderful for exploring — and it’s a perfect place for memorable family adventures. Jump right in with exciting water sports at Lake Windermere. Rent stand-up paddleboards or a rowboat for the whole family from Stoked Watersports and glide along tranquil waters while taking in the…

Unwind in Style

Unwind in Style

Ideally located on South Carolina’s Atlantic coast, families flock to this fun-loving hub of activity for its 60 miles (97 kilometers) of magnificent shoreline, oodles of entertainment options — WonderWorks, a water park, and Broadway Grand Prix to name a few — and state parks showcasing the area’s seaside beauty. Must-Do: After getting your beach…

Street-Food Paradise

Street-Food Paradise

From idyllic beaches and lush mountain interiors to spicy-hot flavorful food and a mesmerizing underwater world, Thailand’s largest island, Phuket, has so much to offer. Whether you’re looking to relax, be active, or indulge your foodie self — or a mixture of all three — Phuket is an island crowd-pleaser for the whole family. Must-Do:…

BabyLand General Hospital

BabyLand General Hospital

Finally, a hospital you’ll never want to leave. Theodora Aretha and Crystal Lorraine — more than three decades later, I remember their names and the pure joy my sister and I felt when our parents gave us our very own Cabbage Patch Kids! In the 1980s, Cabbage Patch Kids, the adoptable dough-faced dolls (with birth…

A Day Away From the Parks

A Day Away From the Parks

Your Orlando trip is going exactly as planned. You’ve patiently queued your way through all the major theme parks, felt your stomach drop while riding the latest roller coasters, savored an exorbitant quantity of cotton candy and ice cream, and made heartwarming memories along the way. The only thing missing from your family’s fun-filled theme…

The sea splashes over surf-eroded rocks against a cloudy California sky.

Believe the Hype of San Diego

Some of San Diego’s most-well known attractions are worth a visit and the accolades. San Diego lives up to the hype. Sure, it can feel as though this (way) Southern California city is always included on annual “best places to live” lists and “best places to visit” directories, so it’s easy to be a little…

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