Hey there, So, Taylor Swift said yes, and suddenly Kansas City is the center of the universe. While Swifties everywhere are dreaming of wedding dresses and Super Bowl rings, I’m over here thinking… it’s about time Kansas City got some love. Truth? It was one of my most surprising favorite cities. We stayed right downtown at an IHG hotel, explored the Power & Light District (hello, food and live music!), and spent a peaceful afternoon at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. That sculpture garden?...
22 days ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader, If your phone is bursting with photos from summer trips, but they’re still stuck in your camera roll, you’re not alone. I finally did something about ours, and I’m obsessed with how it turned out. I printed a bunch of our family photos with Mixtiles and created a gallery wall right next to our National Park pin map. Here’s a peek of my wall. It’s the perfect combo of where we’ve been and who we were with. That map was a Christmas gift, and now it finally feels complete with our...
29 days ago • 2 min read
Hey friend, If you’re anything like me, August sneaks up fast. Between back-to-school shopping and end-of-summer chaos, it’s easy to think the window for a summer trip has slammed shut. But here’s the truth: there’s still time for one more quick getaway—and yes, your teens will actually want to come along. We’re squeezing in a last-minute trip to the Orlando theme parks later this month before my daughter heads back to college. It’s not about a long-haul vacation. It’s about creating one more...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Hey friend, Every year, I try to tell myself I’ve got time before Thanksgiving travel gets hectic—and every year, I’m reminded that families are booking earlier than ever. This year? I’m seeing it firsthand. Traffic to my Thanksgiving travel guides has already spiked, and that tells me one thing: people are locking in their plans now. If you’re thinking about a family getaway this fall, here are three destinations worth booking ASAP: 🍂 Asheville, North Carolina Cool mountain air, cozy cabins,...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader, So I’m mapping out the next destination guide and realized…I don’t want to decide this one alone. You’re the one planning real trips with real teens—and honestly, no one knows better what you need than you. So let’s make it fun. Will you help me pick what to focus on next? Here are the top 3 I’ve narrowed it down to: Arizona – Red rocks, desert hikes, and one unforgettable road trip route. Michigan – Small towns, freshwater beaches, and just enough outdoors to keep teens off their...
2 months ago • 2 min read
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...
3 months 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...
3 months 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...
3 months 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...
3 months ago • 2 min read