Family-Friendly Spring Break Vacation Hot Spots

Since giving birth I have created two vacation lists. One includes favorite destinations that I loved visiting when I was a child. The other features all of the places I wish I could have traveled to as a kid. The upcoming school spring break allows us the opportunity to cross off more of the vacation destinations from the lists. Still, we have a ways to go before we run out of family-friendly travel spots. Some of the destinations we are hoping to visit in the next few years include: Grand Canyon: I’m pretty sure this top tourist spot is on … Continue reading

Super Savings on Spring Break Travel

Ordinarily, I would never consider spending spring break in Sin City, but when money talks, I listen. In this case, Spirit Airlines is doing the speaking with unbelievably low fares from Los Angeles to Vegas. How low is the discount carrier going to fill planes on its new route: try $9. Less than ten bucks to get to and from L.A. and Vegas—jaw dropping! Of course, after you add in taxes and fees the sale price goes up to $39 for a round-trip ticket, but still, that’s a lot less than it would cost to fill up your car and … Continue reading

Bahama Mama

This mama would love a spring getaway to the Bahamas! Of course, watching TV doesn’t help cure my wanderlust. If I had a dime for every time I’ve seen a commercial for the Atlantis resort in Nassau, I would have more than enough money to take my entire family on a trip there. What’s more, the Paradise Island mega-property is offering a spring deal that’s almost too hard to pass up. It includes a fourth-night free starting at $499 per person, including two passes to swim with the resort’s dolphins, plus kids 11 and under stay and eat free, as … Continue reading

Winter Visits to Water Parks

I never understood why some people visit indoor water parks during the summer. I suppose if you are afraid of getting sunburned, then indoor water parks come in handy. Also, you never have to worry about your vacation being rained out if you book a room at an indoor water park. Still, in my opinion, winter is the best time of the year to visit an oasis of watery fun. And with more than 215 water park resorts open in 35 states, you won’t have trouble finding one to splash around in. Some of my top picks include: Wilderness Resort … Continue reading

Making the Most of Your Holiday Trip the Waterpark

In a previous blog I suggested gifting your favorite family with passes to an indoor waterpark. These days practically every city in the nation is home to a resort that features an indoor waterpark. They are extremely popular with families since they can be accessed without getting on a plane, plus you don’t have to blow thousands of dollars to visit one. Since most resorts include the price of admission to waterparks in the room rate you can save right out of the gate. However, to really get your money’s worth it’s a good idea to make sure your kids … Continue reading

Make a Splash this Christmas

Here’s a great holiday gift idea for the family that doesn’t need another board game, blender, or photo album—a gift card to a water park. Several indoor water parks across the country are offering fabulous savings on weekend stays while others are offering bargains on day passes. The idea is to give families a fun place to bond while the kids are out of school. For example, Lake Harmony, Pennsylvania, home to the brand new Split Rock Resort & Golf Club, is offering amazing deals for its new indoor water park. The massive $19 million park, called H20ooohh Indoor Family … Continue reading

Love Chocolate? Try This Mississippi Mud Cake!

I have mentioned before that my spouse is from the South. His mom is a great cook. All of my really exceptional, ‘make-my-guests-say-wow’, desserts come from the South. All of my super duper phenomenal tasting chocolate recipes–come from the South. I have yet to visit any part of the South other than Florida, but I’m thinking that part of this “Southern hospitality” or “Southern charm” that I keep hearing about, must have something to do with the desserts. Seriously. . .I haven’t met a recipe or a cook for that matter, that hails from the South, that wasn’t simply scrumptious. … Continue reading

Super Summer Fun: Wet and Wild Waterparks

Today I’m wrapping up my series on wet and wild waterparks by spotlighting some of the most popular scream inducing soggy rides in California, Colorado and Minnesota. These parks prove how easy it is to get your family soaked this summer. If you are headed off on a summer road trip in the next few weeks and your car’s A/C bites the dust consider cooling off at one of the following waterparks: CALIFORNIA The hugely popular Raging Waters located in San Jose, California (about 50 miles from San Francisco) is home to more than 23 acres of wet and wild … Continue reading

Super Summer Fun: Wet and Wild Waterparks (Florida)

What would a trip to Florida be without visiting one of the areas many waterparks? The Sunshine State is home to more major waterparks than any other state in the entire country. It makes sense given that the region sees some the hottest year round temperatures than any other state in the nation. If you are planning a summer road trip to the sticky south you might consider making a pit stop to cool off at the following Florida attractions. They are wet, wild and filled with wonderful ways to beat the scorching summer heat: ORLANDO Aquatica by SeaWorld is … Continue reading

Super Summer Fun: Wet and Wild Waterparks (Midwest)

In a previous blog I briefly described the devastating toll the recent Midwest floods took on tourist hot spots such as the Wisconsin Dells. At the time I wrote that entry managers at the resort’s largest waterparks were desperately trying to get the word out that they were still open for business and looking to entertain the legions of families that flock to the Dells on an annual basis. I’ll have more details on the impact the floods are having on the region in a future blog, but in this post I want to continue with my series on the … Continue reading