Karilyn Owen

7 Things to Know for Hiking Valley of Fire State Park

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Hiking Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada is one of the best nature escapes you can do in the state. This small park is big on features offering a variety of notable Instagram photo spots, great hikes for all ages as well as stunning views no matter where you turn. The diversity on offer here is spectacular. From canyons, petroglyphs and beautifully striped rock formations, this small park provides incredible opportunities for exploring.

While there are a great number of parks outside of Las Vegas, this one should be the top of your list to visit. We previously visited this park years ago on a quick jaunt from Las Vegas, but seeing it again with fresh eyes and a 10 year old gave us a new love and appreciation for the park. 

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Best Family Road Trips in the US

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One of our all time favorite ways to travel is by road. Prior to having kids road trips were few and far between. Usually just as a means to get somewhere that was too expensive to fly! I wasn’t looking to take it slow, savoring each little moment as much as I do now with a child in tow. And I’m not alone. Road tripping is one of the most popular ways for families to vacation. It is cheaper, easier and families can go at their own pace.  I asked my fellow travel bloggers for their top family road trips in the US that everyone should take at least once.

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Celebrating Holi with Kids: Holi Activities at Home

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One of our favorite memories of when we lived in India was celebrating Holi with kids. For the years we lived there, we never missed one and we knew we needed to carry on the tradition once we arrived to the US. Along with celebrating Diwali each year to not only to keep up connections to where my son was born, we have found celebrating these holidays to be a great way to share this snippet of life in India with our friends here.

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17 Spectacular Things to Do in Death Valley

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Looking for a spectacular place to visit that feels out of this world? Then, check out our favorite things to do in Death Valley to consider for an out of this planet trip.

What do you think of when you hear Death Valley? Hottest Place on Earth. Yep. Desolate and barren. Yep. Even though Death Valley is synonymous with these images, I think that like most people, I didn’t really have a clear image in my head of what it would look like. I’m not quite sure what I was expecting, but what I got definitely wasn’t it.

The following is our rundown with our thoughts on the best Death Valley things to do, where to stay and eat and one day itinerary suggestions for those just passing through Death Valley on a day trip.

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40+ Car Camping Essentials For Families

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These days everyone is venturing into the outdoors, looking to get away from the crowds. From hiking to camping, there are a multitude of options to experience nature. Here we share our top car camping essentials for families (and even those without kids!) to get you going this spring and summer. In addition to this list, I also have a family camping packing list that is printable here if you want that to help packing for all of our car camper friends!

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

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9 Amazingly Fun Things to Do in Madison with Kids

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When I was in college applying for graduate school Madison, Wisconsin was top of my list. I’d never been, and wasn’t sure I could manage the cold, but it sounded like an ultra hip town just like Austin where I was living.

Life took me in another direction, but when I was recently invited to visit Wisconsin I was so excited to finally see the university town I had longed to move to way back when. It was all I had envisioned and more.

Turns out there is also a ton of amazingly fun things to do in Madison with kids, which is why it should be on your radar if you are ever in the area.

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10 Terrific Things to Do in Tennessee for Families

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Tennessee may not seem like your obvious first choice of destination for a family vacation. However, The Volunteer State has a lot going for it. There are so many amazing family friendly things to do in Tennessee from taking in the iconic music, beautiful national parks and of course food!

The state has been home to musical icons such as Dolly Parton and Elvis Presley, and is often considered the birthplace of country and blues. It has a rich well-preserved history and a range of fascinating museums and monuments. It’s also home to the Smoky Mountains and has a lot of natural beauty to offer. 

All in all, there are a lot of great reasons to visit Tennessee. Below are just some of the best family activities to consider while on vacation in this state. 

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10 Amazing Budget Travel Destinations

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From Asia to Central America, this year’s list of the best budget travel destinations has something for every type of traveler. Whether you want to stick close to home or venture off the beaten path, we have scoped out some of the best in cheap destinations with amazing experiences. 

While some of these may be a bit more adventurous than some of you are looking for, we also include several places in the US that are a bit less touristy than your typical Los Angeles or New York trip while still offering a ton of things to do, amazing places to eat and fun for all ages.

If you see a place that strikes your fancy, there are so many amazing travel deals right now. Read our post on how to travel more and check out Flighthub to see what they have going right now!

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Adventures in Homeschooling

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Since the inception of this blog, I really haven’t written much here except for travel or local adventures. However, as we venture into homeschooling (again), I want to share my frustrations, triumphs and finds with others who might be considering this or who find themselves in this situation due to the current environment. I find … Read more

7 Must Visit Spots on the McKenzie River, Oregon

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Oregon is renowned for outdoor recreation and the wild and scenic McKenzie River, Oregon is a great place to experience so much the state has to offer. The McKenzie River is a tributary of the Willamette River that runs through this area and is a favorite spot for mountain bikers, hikers, and rafting and fishing enthusiasts alike

On our multi-family road trip to Oregon, we started our adventure on the the McKenzie River located in the lush green forests east of Eugene. This river is not only beautiful, it is special in that it is fed by a network of cold (ice cold!) springs located under lava flows in the Cascade Range. Some of this water has been underground for 7 years! Because of how the river is supplied, even with the epic drought in the West, the river never runs dry.  

From hiking on old lava flows to relaxing in ancient hot springs, the McKenzie River in Oregon is loaded with family friendly fun. The McKenzie River area is one of our favorite spots to visit in the Pacific Northwest. Read on for our recommendations on what to do, where to stay and what to eat while visiting this beautiful part of Oregon.

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6 Epic Natural Hot Springs Near Mammoth

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Are you looking for the best natural hot springs near Mammoth? If so, come right on in!

If there is one thing that everyone in our family can agree on, it’s our love for hot pools of water! It can be a jacuzzi or a natural hot spring, just as long as it’s hot. On our recent road trip to the Mammoth Lake area, we decided to take some time to hop around to the different hot springs in the area. I knew of a few, but we found so many more – some of which we couldn’t even venture out to see due to the roads being a mess after winter.

I guess we will have to go back in the fall when the leaves are changing colors and the air is getting cooler to check those out. For now, here are some of the favorite hot springs in California near Mammoth mountain that we found.

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3 Amazing Things to Do in San Juan Capistrano with Kids

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Looking for a great day trip in Southern California? There are so many things to do in San Juan Capistrano, that it makes the perfect day trip from most anywhere in the southland. A few weeks ago we finally had the opportunity to head down to see what it’s all about. Read on to see what we thought about this famed Southern California day trip destination.

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11 Fun Things to Do at Mission San Juan Capistrano with Kids

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For years I have had it on my massive LA bucket list to take the train down to check out Mission San Juan Capistrano. However not being a California native I am not too up on California history so I wasn’t sure exactly why I needed to visit this jewel of missions so it continued to be pushed down my list. We were invited down by the Mission to check it out, so we hopped on the train not quite sure what the day had in store for us.

Boy was it a mistake to put this visit off for so long. The Mission San Juan Capistrano is so much better than I had anticipated and now we can’t wait to visit again. It is a wonderful mixture of history and culture provided in an inspiring and educational package that even the youngest visitors can appreciate. And yes, it’s even engaging for those who aren’t history buffs!

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15 Fantastic Things to Do in Israel with Kids

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Are you considering traveling to Israel with kids? Visiting Israel this past year with my son was one of the big surprises on our year away. This complicated country often gets bad press and as such doesn’t end up high on family travel destination lists, but it should! Israel offers a myrida of great things to do for all ages and types of travelers.

Whether you are religious or not, Israel is an amazing place to travel due to the fascinating history, unique landscapes and of course the delicious food. Read on to find out why we loved Israel and think that more families should put this little country rich in history on their wishlist.

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12 Spectacular State and National Parks Near Las Vegas

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Las Vegas is well known for its casinos and nightlife. However, surprising to most, Las Vegas is also a great hub for exploring some of the west’s most beautiful nature. There are several great state and national parks near Las Vegas, offering visitors a mix of glitz and glamour while also showcasing some of the best natural landscapes in the US.

With cheap flights in and out of Las Vegas and tons of things to do with families, more and more travelers are using this city as the gateway for some of the best outdoor experiences in the West. Below we provide a comprehensive guide to 12 amazing state and national parks near Las Vegas, including national monument and recreation sites.

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10 MUST Read Tips for Traveling to Israel (+ What to Do)

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Are you traveling to Israel soon? If so, read on for our top tips on traveling to Israel along with the best things to do in Israel included too!

Israel is a beautiful, complicated, full of history country. Only the size of New Jersey, this country is bursting with amazing places to visit for both the religious and non religious. However planning a trip to Israel brings a lot of unknowns for first time visitors. After spending almost a month in the country this year with my son, I want to share this detailed travel guide with you including all that I wish I had known before visiting Israel. 

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

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10 Mistakes to Avoid When Visiting the Taj Mahal in India

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If you are on a trip to India, the you will surely be planning visit the Taj Mahal in Agra. As one of the premier attractions in India it is on every bucket list, but there is a lot of information to know before you go to ensure you have the best visit. 

This white marble magnificence was ordered to be built by Shah Jahan for his most loved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Often called a monument to love, the Taj Mahal is spellbinding, no matter how many times you see it. 

After living in India for a decade and visiting the Taj Mahal many times throughout the years, with and without kids, I share with you my top 10 mistakes to avoid when visiting the Taj Mahal. Make sure to read all of this as it contains very important information that will make or break your once in a lifetime visit to this iconic landmark. 

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

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Festival of Colors: Tips to Celebrate Holi in India

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Is celebrating the Festival of Colors, also known as Holi in India on your bucket list? If so, keep reading to find out all about how to celebrate one of our all time favorite holidays. After 10 years of celebrating it in the streets of India (and 7 in Los Angeles), we have become experts … Read more

Where to Stay in Tucson with Kids

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If you are heading to Southern Arizona, you must visit the wonderful town of Tucson. Below we provide you with some great options on where to stay in Tucson with kids!

For me, when planning a trip somewhere, one of the biggest roadblocks is figuring out where to stay. Every destination is filled with so many options – from budget options and home stays to fancy resorts. Do you want to stay in downtown Tucson or near the University of Arizona? A historic hotel, bed and breakfast or you just want something with a pool and hot tub! This can be one of the most overwhelming parts of travel planning. After our 10 day visit and hours of research, I wanted to share it all with you. 

All of the hotels listed below are super family friendly offering various amenities to help you enjoy your time in Tucson. There are a ton of other options in the city that we also had the opportunity to check out, but these are our favorites that we would highly recommend if you are planning a trip to the Sonoran Desert any time soon!

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

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