profile

Tonya Denmark

I provide travel recommendations for families with teens, as well as travel planning advice to get the most out of your vacation.

PostsLinksProductsRecommendations
Featured Post

Our New Road Trip Planning Resource is Live 🚗

Hey there, Reader! Over the past 20 years of planning family vacations—especially the kind that involve teenagers, coolers full of snacks, and playlists on shuffle—I’ve learned that road trips offer something special. The freedom to explore, time to connect, and the chance to actually enjoy the journey. That’s why I created something new:USA Road Tripping —a resource built for families (like mine and maybe yours!) who want to hit the road without hitting a wall trying to plan it all. Here’s...

14 days ago • 2 min read

Hey friend, You ever feel like summer starts speeding up the minute school lets out? One minute you're dreaming of road trips and bonding time with your teen... The next, it’s almost July and you're frantically Googling “last-minute family vacations that don’t suck.” I’ve been there. And that’s exactly why I created this Visitors Bureau planning guide + printable. Instead of hopping from one travel site to another, just head to your destination’s Visitors Bureau first.They’ve already done the...

21 days ago • 2 min read

Hiya! The 4th of July is just around the corner, and if you're like me, you're probably wondering how to make it special for your family, especially those hard-to-impress teenagers. Remember the days when a simple backyard barbecue and sparklers were enough? Now, our teens are craving more excitement and memorable experiences. That's why I've put together a list of 4th of July vacation ideas that are sure to thrill the whole family: Beach Escapes: Think Florida's Gulf Coast with its...

28 days ago • 2 min read

Hey Reader, Planning a summer getaway with the family? Remember, hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with peak activity typically between August and October. Living in Florida for over 20 years, I'm well aware of hurricane season, but that doesn't mean it didn't affect our travels. A few years ago, what was supposed to be a straightforward road trip from New York back home to Florida turned into a real-life game of “dodge the hurricane.” We had to reroute around the entire state...

about 1 month ago • 2 min read

Hey Reader,, Ever tried planning a vacation that includes your teens and your in-laws? If just reading that gives you a headache, you're not alone. Coordinating different schedules, preferences, and energy levels can feel like herding cats. But here's the good news: with a bit of strategy, it's entirely possible to plan a trip that keeps everyone—from your adventure-seeking teen to your relaxation-craving parent—happy. I've put together some resources to help you navigate the complexities of...

about 1 month ago • 1 min read

Hey Reader, It’s that time of year again. School’s nearly out, the sun’s working overtime, and if your house is anything like mine…the teens are already plotting their summer snack strategy more than their summer plans. But I’d love to know—what’s on your summer travel list? Whether you're escaping to the mountains, road-tripping to Grandma’s, or just trying to squeeze in a few weekends away between soccer tournaments and SAT prep… I want to hear what you're planning. Every year, I get emails...

about 2 months ago • 2 min read

Hey Reader, Graduation season is here. And while most people are shopping for dorm gear and notebooks, you and I both know your teen would rather be boarding a plane than organizing a desk. If you’ve got a travel-loving teen graduating this year, I pulled together a list of gifts they’ll actually use on their next adventure. No fluffy “congrats” mugs or generic gift cards. We’re talking: – Smart, stylish gear that makes airport life easier – Travel-ready tech that keeps them connected...

2 months ago • 2 min read

Hello Reader, If your calendar’s been overflowing (join the club), and Mother’s Day somehow snuck up on you, here’s your second chance to make it meaningful. Instead of scrambling for gifts or reservations, start planning a trip that gives you and your mom the one thing you both never have enough of—time together. Whether it’s a weekend road trip, a cozy cabin stay, or a scenic national park you’ve both talked about visiting, this is your sign to hit pause and reconnect. And if you’re the mom...

2 months ago • 2 min read

Hey Reader, Two weeks ago I mentioned how we rented an RV with RVShare. (In case you missed it.) And maybe you’re toying with the idea of RV camping this summer, but there’s this little voice in your head whispering, “Isn’t that expensive?” Totally get it. I thought the same thing before we rented an RV through RVShare. But then I did what I always do—I opened a spreadsheet. Here’s what I found: Hotel for 4 people x 5 nights = ~$1,200 (Assuming you're not squeezing four humans into one room...

3 months ago • 2 min read

Hey Reader, When my kids hit their teen years, I wasn’t sure if our family adventures were going to survive. Suddenly, sports schedules, friend hangouts, and opinions (so many opinions) took over. But we found our sweet spot—and it was between trail markers, waterfall lookouts, and late-night s’mores at a national park. National parks became our reset button. And this week? It’s National Park Week. Which, fortunately, is item number one on the list of things that make planning your next...

3 months ago • 2 min read