We often return to places that we have really enjoyed in the past, especially when it's a place of learning and science that completely fascinates the kids. The Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, Tennessee is just that: engaging, fun and perfect for family travel. Fyi, I just want to apologize in advance because this article is going to be one big gush of
We’ve been to Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield a few times now. It’s one of those places that has both historical significance and modern day appeal. What? What sort of appeal is there to a battlefield, particularly with kids? Well, we’ll tell you. There’s more the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield site than just what the name prescribes. In addition to the history
One of the best family travel trips we’ve done was our visit to Jacksonville Beach and St Augustine. Experiencing Florida’s Historic Coast with the kids was so much fun and we did SO MANY THINGS. So, I got to do some Jacksonville solo travel and it was totally different. I didn’t get up early and assemble breakfast for the kids
You know that we’re all about family travel and experiencing everything together or having the random weekend as a couple. Well, I (Rob) just did the unthinkable: solo travel. Whaaattt?!?!?! Yes, it’s true. I spoke at WordCamp in Jacksonville, Florida (#WCJAX) and made the journey all by my lonesome. Thank goodness for Mister BNB. MisterBNB totally saved my trip and
Why in the world are we making a non complete guide to lighthouses in the USA?? Simple: there are so many lighthouses that one could not possibly hope to visit them all
Originally written for GaysWithKids.com When people ask us where our favorite places to return to for family travel are, we’re pretty quick with our answers: Cabo San Lucas, Disneyland, Georgia/Florida… Georgia and Florida? Like, the South? Yes, it’s true. We’ve written before about how the South is changing and how it’s worth giving a second chance, and we hold to that.
Georgia, ooohhh Georgia… Yep, it’s on our mind a lot because we love it. Or at least we love most of it. And we always think it’s hot in the South. Like, always. It’s not though. Did you know they can get snow and frost and stuff? OMG! Okay, that’s an extreme reaction to standard weather, but when we travel
By now you know that we’re in love with St Simons Island, Georgia. It’s nautical, historical, beachy, covered in Spanish moss. Perfect. So, what’s the best way to see and get a good feel of the island? Biking St Simons Island from end to end is just awesome. Family travel can sometimes limit your activity choices, but then it also
The southeastern United States is a really fascinating area. It’s got the colonial and Civil War history; it’s full of tidelands, swamps and interesting wildlife; and its own past is a varied collection of maritime lore and people. As you stroll through the village area of St Simons Island, it’s got that quasi-Caribbean feel with the Spanish moss dripping everywhere
And our lighthouse obsession continues… On St Simons Island, the largest of Georgia’s Golden Isles, there stands a picturesque beacon just off the boardwalk. It’s surrounded by palm trees, oaks and green grass. It’s not too tall, but clearly breaks the skyline: the St Simons Island Lighthouse. You know we love to visit lighthouses for many reasons, but the attraction of
Historical sites rock for family travel. Well, most of the time. No, all of the time. Here’s why: they’re a snapshot of a moment in time that we’ll never experience again. Sometimes those sites are really well preserved and you can step back in time with little use of the imagination. Heck, sometimes there are even folks in costumes to
If there’s one thing that’s iconic of a coastal vacation or anything maritime, it’s lighthouses. They’re tall, striking, weird buildings that really bring the feel of the ocean directly onshore. In the Pacific Northwest we have them every 100 meters (total exaggeration) because it is so stormy and foggy all of the time, and a lot of our lighthouses are
A town like St Augustine, Florida is great to explore with kids because there are so many sights and fun things to do around every corner. We didn’t do half of what we could have, but we still did a ton. Every town or city has its must-see sights. In NYC you’ve got the Statue of Liberty, San Diego has
Our family is all about the beach and you know we #LoveFL. At home, we live across the street from the beach. We go on weekend trips to the beach. We go walking on the beach even if it’s a freezing cold day and there’s not a chance of getting in the water. You know what’s perfect? Staying in a
You’ve been in St Augustine all day and are ready to end it on a high note. The town is wonderful and it’s so calm and relaxed everywhere, but you’ve been walking so much because every narrow street is just taunting you to head that way. You’re tired. What can you do to make the most of the last few
Before we had kids we’d relax each night by watching HGTV or the Food Network and dream about renovating our kitchen or maybe dining out every night. And then kids happened and we realized that we’d rather build with blocks and eat grilled cheese sandwiches. But then we travel and are immediately reminded that there is so much amazing food
When we first heard about the King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort, we’d never heard of St Simons Island, Georgia. To us, the Georgia coast consisted of Savannah and maybe Tybee Island… wait, is that in Georgia? Oh yes, it is. Anyways, we peeked at it and were like, wow, um, the beach is gorgeous and the island is
Beyond pirates and forts, we were excited to experience alligators in Florida. One reason we knew we’d #LoveFL is because gators are our favorite animal…next to sharks. When we found out about the St Augustine Alligator Farm we just had to go. Without researching it at all we added it to our itinerary (thinking maybe it was a food farm).
We often tell strangers about Seattle and how the Pacific Northwest is the land of neighborhoods where there is a different vibe in every area. Each district of the city has its own parks, pizza and breweries. Breweries. Many of them. Everywhere. Because of this interesting aspect of our northwest culture, we love being out with the kids and trying
Before we got to Florida, we’d built it up a bit to our kids. You know, it’s all pirates and alligators everywhere. With that, we also told a few lies… like there are pirate forts and you can find treasure on the beach. Well, that built up the excitement even though we lost a little credibility. Never fear though! Our
When you’re traveling with your family and you don’t have your own kitchen, it’s pretty likely that you’ll be dining out… a lot. That’s both fun and irritating. We love restaurants, for sure, but we don’t love showing up someplace and then looking for a kids menu and it’s just a grilled cheese sandwich or a hot dog. Or you
Although we travel a lot and it seems like we’re always on the go, we don’t really stay many places that make us want to return…or sad to leave. Normally it’s just the surrounding sights that we’re there for and that’s always been fine for us. The Casa Marina Hotel in Jacksonville Beach, Florida recently hosted us though, and now we’ve
Unless this is your first time visiting our blog, you know that we LOVE aquariums. We will find time to visit them on 90% of our trips (when available). We were welcomed into the Georgia Aquarium recently to experience all that the sea has to offer…in Atlanta, and for a Behind the Scenes tour. It was pretty cool. Like, way cool.