Author Archive
Plan a Visit Hull Massachusetts
Author Alexine
The town of Hull is a wonderful little town on the south shore of Massachusetts. It is the perfect place to take your family for a vacation in the summer months. The weather is nice and the beach stretches for miles. There are plenty of activities for any age group so you never have to worry about things to do. To help plan your summer vacation in Hull here are some of the wonderful opportunities the town has to offer.
Nantasket Beach
The town of Hull is a peninsula so there is plenty of beautiful water view. There is a bay on one side and an ocean on the other. The ocean side of the town is where Nantasket Beach is located. You cannot miss this beautiful attraction as it is well marked all over the south shore.
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Plan a Visit to Cape Ann Massachusetts
Author Alexine
The beautiful town of Rockport is located in Cape Ann near the northern most part of Massachusetts’s coastline. This old town has been an ideal destination for visitors for many decades. With plenty of beautiful scenery and surrounded by beaches this is a wonderful vacation spot for your family and friends. To help plan your visit here are some fun things to do while vacationing in Cape Ann Massachusetts.
Lighthouses
There are five gorgeous lighthouse locations on Cape Ann’s coastline including the spectacular Twin Lighthouses. These two lighthouses were built in 1789 and have been lighting the coast of Rockport. The other four lighthouses were constructed in the 1800s so there is plenty of history behind these magnificent structures.
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Five Great Summer Outings for Toddlers
Author Alexine
When it comes to entertaining toddlers there can be quite a few challenges due to their size and mobility. Toddlers can run around and have lots of energy to use but are not always the best listeners. It is important to keep them entertained and safe at the same time. To help you enjoy the good weather here are five great summer outings for toddlers.
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Martha’s Vineyard is The Perfect Vacation Spot
Author Alexine
If you make a plan to visit the north eastern part of the United States this summer, save a day or two for a trip Martha’s Vineyard. This little island south of Falmouth Massachusetts is a wonderful getaway for families and friends. With ocean views abundant and lots of little places to see there is sure to be something for everyone. Here are some helpful tips to make your trip to Martha’s Vineyard more enjoyable.
Ten Things to Take to the Beach with Babies and Toddlers
Author Alexine
If you plan a family vacation or visit family this summer you might just be heading to a beach or two. With warm weather in full force the water never looked so great. After a long winter indoors it is nice to get out and enjoy the summer weather.
While the beach is great it can be a challenge with little ones. To help make beach trips easier on you here are ten things to take when you have babies and toddlers.
1. Beach Umbrella
As a must with little children and to give you a break from the sun, beach umbrellas are wonderful. Make sure you have a large one with a tilting mechanism so you can direct the shade accordingly. This will give you and the children a place to relax when you eat your lunch or rest from swimming.
2. Sunscreen
It is important to bring plenty of sunscreen with you to the beach. When children play in the water and sand it rubs off so you want to reapply every couple of hours they are exposed to the sun. Try a natural sunscreen that does not have any chemicals if you are worried or your child has sensitive skin.
3. Beach Chairs
While sitting on the sand is perfectly fine it is nice to have a chair along so you do not have to sit so low. A nice beach chair with reclining is nice to nurse your baby or enable you to get up fast to chase your toddler. You can pick one up at a drug store for pretty cheap in the summer months.
4. Baby Tent
If you love to go to the beach, than you will want a baby tent along in your vehicle this summer. They are small, convenient and perfect for keeping baby safe and sound. With an enclosed screen area they keep bugs from biting baby and give them a place to roll around and play with their toys.
5. Beach Toys
Once your child is more interested in the sand, beach toys are a must. They keep children busy for hours digging holes, making sand castles and colleting rocks or seashells. Be prepared to fetch many buckets of water for you little one as this is a great way for them to play and cool off.
6. Swim Diapers
The swimming diapers are a wonderful invention because they catch the solid mess but do not hold on to the water. Regular diapers become overly wet and can explode on your baby causing a huge mess of diaper filling. To avoid this mess pack a few swim diapers in your beach bag.
7. Towels
Make sure you pack a few extra towels when you go to the beach with little ones. Whether they need a place to sleep in the shade or a blanket to keep warm from the cool breeze, extras are nice to have along. Kids also have a tendency to get towels wet and sandy so it is nice to have an extra one to dry them off after the final rinse to get clean.
8. Swim Attire
While the typical bathing suits are great for little boys and girls they do not block much from the sun. Pack an extra swim shirt for the kids so they do not get too much sun exposure. This will prevent you from having to worry about sunburns. Also remember sun hats because those are a lifesaver too.
9. Floats
While boogie boards and life jackets are great to have along it is also nice to remember the baby floats. They are perfect for babies and toddler when you want to get a swim in yourself and need to bring them with you. Make sure your baby is sitting up on their own before you think about using a baby float without holding them in there.
10. Cooler
Packing a cooler with plenty of drinks, snacks, sippy cups and sandwiches is important for taking to the beach. A small cooler on wheels is a great accessory and you can find them at sporting goods stores along with all the other coolers. Be sure to add a few ice packs to the cooler so your food and drinks stay cold.
While there may be other essentials that you always take to the beach this list of items is important with little ones. Enjoy your trip this summer and have fun spending time at the beach.
By: Alexine
Great Road Trip Destinations in Eastern United States
Author Alexine
While road tripping might be at the top of your list this summer it can be tricky to make it to the destinations on the western half of the country.
To give those of you on the east side of the country some fun destinations to seek out, lets explore some great road trip destinations in the eastern United States.
Acadia National Park
Located in Maine the Acadia National Park is a great place to take a day trip or spend a week camping and exploring nature. With lots of wagon trails you can get far on a bicycle or just by hiking around Maine’s coast. There are plenty of mountains and bodies of water to explore as you venture throughout the park. Make sure you have reservations for camping during the busy summer months to ensure you can stay as long as you expected.
White Mountain National Forest
If you want a fun outdoor destination in eastern United States then look no further than the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire. With plenty of activities to take part in and scenery to enjoy you are sure to have a great time visiting this beautiful place. You can go fishing, climbing, hiking, biking, horseback riding and lots of different water activities. There are even adorable cabins to stay in if you do not want to stay in your own tent.
Washington D.C.
While visiting Washington D.C. there is not a lot of nature to explore but there is plenty of rich history and lots of monuments to admire. You can take tours of the area or be your own tour guide as you travel throughout the area by taxi, bus and on foot. Do not forget to stop and admire the White House, Washington’s Memorial, Lincoln’s Memorial and the World War II Memorial. These are some of the largest attractions in the area along with many other important historical displays.
Great Smoky Mountains
Located in eastern Tennessee is a fabulous National Park filled with wildlife and outdoor activities for everyone in the family. The Great Smoky Mountains are home to over seventeen thousand plant, animal and invertebrate species. Some of the mountain peaks rise over six thousand feet above sea level making them a great day hike for any mountain climber. Take the time to plan your visit and make camping reservations for summer as it is busy that time of year.
Everglades
If you plan on taking a trip south down to Florida then you will want to make sure that the Everglades are in your itinerary. This is the largest subtropical wilderness in the country and has some of the most beautiful scenery in the entire southeast filled with reptiles, amphibians, mammals, birds and fish. Take your time in the Everglades National Park as there is so much to see and explore that you need more than just a day to visit.
Have Fun Road Tripping
While these five places along the eastern side of the United States are great to explore there are plenty of cities and small towns along the way. Plan your trip accordingly so you can visit the more time intensive sights without being rushed or trying to make a reservation far down the road. Enjoy driving and remember to take your camera and binoculars along to be able to take in all the sights.
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Great Road Trip Destinations in Western United States
Author Alexine
This summer will hopefully come earlier than last year and when is there a better time to hit the road with your family.
Taking a road trip is always fun whether it is just you and a friend or your spouse and kids. To help you plan a fun vacation for yourself and the family this summer here are some great road trip destinations in western United States.
Grand Canyon
This spectacular sight is located in Arizona but is very close to Las Vegas, Nevada. You can visit the Grand Canyon National Park and see the canyon from many different angles. There are tours for flying into the canyon which give you a completely different perspective.
Hoover Dam
The Hoover Dam is one of the largest dams in the world and is something you have to see to even believe. From its sheer size to all the mechanics and engineering used to build such a magnificent sight it is worth the money to take the tour.
Zion National Park
This park has some of the most beautiful scenery you could imagine from the rock formations to the sandstone canyons. Zion National Park is defiantly a sight you do not want to pass up if you are driving through the state of Utah or close to the southwestern corner in Nevada or Arizona.
Mount St. Helens
If you are heading north along the west coast or staring somewhere near Washington State then you do not want to pass up visiting Mount St. Helens. This Cascade Volcano is still acting up and when you stop in the visitor center you can watch a movie of the eruption.
Mount Rainier
Further north in the Cascades is Mount Rainier which is one of Washington’s finest sights. Sitting high above the skyline in Seattle and Tacoma you cannot miss this spectacular view. Driving up to Paradise meadows and stopping at the observation areas along the way to admire this beautiful volcano is surely worth the drive.
Glacier National Park
Heading east from Washington along Route 2 you will bump into the Flathead, Montana where Glacier National Park is located. This beautiful park is home to real North American Bison that roam free along with Grinnell Glacier which is one of the last ice formations in the lower forty eight.
Mount Rushmore
Located in South Dakota is the magnificent Mount Rushmore where you can experience part of the United States history first hand. This monumental sculpture is there as a symbol of some of the founding fathers of the United States. Through rich historical information and beautiful sights you will get a little piece of history when visiting Mouth Rushmore.
Rocky Mountains
South west of Mount Rushmore is a mountain chain that has some of the most breathtaking scenery. The Rocky Mountains are home to elk, mule deer, big horned sheep, black bears, moose and more. With miles and miles of hiking trails in the Rocky Mountain State Park you are sure to see plenty of beautiful sights.
Keep on Driving
While you can easily make an entire vacation out of driving to one of these magnificent sights there is always a chance you can stop and two or more. Road trips where you stop at several beautiful locations are always fun and allow you to see more of our beautiful country in one long drive. You can plan your road trip to be like a loop so you drive through many states and experience lots of culture along the way.
Four Fun Places to Take Your Family for Spring Vacation
Author Alexine
If you are looking for a fun place to take your family for spring vacation you may feel a little overwhelmed. There is a lot to think about like the cost of transportation and the activities you can participate in. To help make your decision a little easier here are four fun places that your family would love to visit this coming spring vacation.
Key West, Florida
Whether you take a long road trip south to Florida or fly into one of Florida’s large cities and rent a car it is quite an adventure to get to Key West. Miami and Fort Lauderdale are the closer large airports but there are usually great deals into Orlando Airport from major cities.
While you are in Key West, Florida you can take the family to the beach to snorkel and play in the warm sunshine without leaving the country. There are also plenty of great restaurants with fresh food and tasty drinks for the adults. Then after dinner there are playgrounds and performers in the parks for the whole family to enjoy.
Orlando, Florida
The Orlando area is full of family fun with tons of theme parks, amusement parks and other family activities. Home of Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World and many more fun attractions you will not get bored in Orlando, Florida. Make sure you book your hotels soon though because this is a popular destination for families to visit for school spring break.
Yosemite, California
For a family that loves the outdoors and nature visiting a National Park for spring vacation is the perfect family vacation. Yosemite is one of the most beautiful National Parks in the United States and has plenty of great activities to do together as a family while getting a little history lesson along the way.
If you want to camp then that is always an option but spring can still be pretty cool in the Yosemite Valley. As an alternative to camping there are plenty of beautiful hotels and lodges nearby where you can rent rooms. This allows for the comforts of restaurant dining along with warm beds and possibly a pool.
The Bahamas
If you would like to take your family on an island hoping adventure then a cruise of the Bahamas is the perfect family vacation. From the cruise ship amenities and activities to the beaches and hot spots along the way you are sure to all have a wonderful time. Check where the best deals are leaving for the Bahamas so you can book the appropriate flights near the port.
While you may be worried about taking a cruise to the Bahamas due to needing passports that is not a problem if you order them ahead of time. You can use alternative forms of identification while on the ship but you need a passport to get back into the United States at the return port.
Book Soon
While it may only be approaching February break, spring vacation is right around the corner and ticket prices will start going up soon. The dates of spring vacation are well known amongst the airlines so try and fly on specials or drive to your destination or port if possible. Have fun planning your spring vacation and hopefully you and your family will enjoy one of the destinations listed above.
Fun Things to do in Las Vegas Other Than Gambling
Author Alexine
If you are planning a last minute weekend getaway or winter break trip to Las Vegas on a budget then gambling most likely is not on your to-do list.
On the other hand you may be the kind of person that does not believe in gambling or chooses not to take part in such activities. Whatever your reason for not taking part in gambling there are plenty of other activities in Las Vegas. Here are some fun things you can do while visiting Las Vegas other than gambling.
Comedy Productions
If you love to laugh out loud and have a good time without putting a huge hole in your pocket then a comedy production is a great choice. There are plenty of great actors and actresses that put on comedy shows on a daily basis in Las Vegas. Check out show listings to see which productions are in town when you visit as some are touring the country and only pass through for a short while.
Theatrical Productions
Shows that entertain with a mix of emotion or by telling a story are another great choice while visiting Las Vegas. You can get tickets to shows like the Blue Man Group, Disney’s The Lion King and a variety of Cirque du Soleil productions. These types of productions are amazing and draw you into their fun and drama. Do not miss out trying one of them out while you are in Las Vegas.
Comedian Shows
Most professional comedians stop in Las Vegas at some point throughout the year as it is a big vacation spot. You will find a variety of comedians taking the stage every night and depending on your taste there is a comedian for you. There are comedian actors that stop by multiple times per year and comedians that are in Las Vegas all year round.
Animal Shows
Circus acts and animal shows are one of Las Vegas’ most well known entertainment sources for visitors. The men and women who work with those large cats make the audiences sit in awe as the show goes on. With magic and training combined there is not a more breathtaking experience then the danger of these people working with such dangerous creatures.
Tours
With gorgeous natural surrounding just hours from Las Vegas there are plenty of beautiful tours to take part in. There are tours at the Hoover Dam, Zion National Park, Grand Canyon, Colorado River, Lake Meade, Red Rock and Death Valley. These are some of the most beautiful places to experience in the United States so do not forget to book yourself a ticket on one or more of these tours.
Golf
If you love golfing then Las Vegas has what you are looking for when it comes to the weather and courses. Beautiful greens and plenty of space for golf courses that are sure to knock your socks off. Do not forget to bring your golf clubs if you plan on taking part in some of these beautiful courses. It may cost a little extra to check them but the experience is totally worth it.
Exhibits & More
Throughout Las Vegas are plenty of amazing exhibits and activities you can experience. There are aquariums, animal exhibits, roller coasters, indoor skydiving, movie theaters and much more. Do not feel pressured into gambling in Las Vegas as there is so much more to do. You are sure to have a great time taking part in all the other activities that you will not have to worry about all the casinos.
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Tips for Saving Money on Your Last Minute Travel Plans
Author Alexine
When a family emergency comes up or you have an extra long weekend and want to go visit a friend or family member you have to make last minute travel plans. This type of traveling can be costly due to the increase they put on last minute plane ticket prices to make profit on business travelers. To help avoid these costly seats here are some ways you can save money on your last minute travel plans.
Last Minute Deals
If you happen to have time off of work or need to get to your family for an emergency you may have luck finding a last minute deal. These tend to be offered by airlines at the larger airports around the country so if you live in a small area it may be hard to find. Talk to your local travel agent to see if any of these last minute deals are available to you.
Alternate Airport
When traveling last minute it is important to have as much flexibility as possible to get the best deals. If there is an airport that is a little further away you should check and see if they offer a better deal than the closer airport. You can call the airlines directly to talk with a ticketing agent and see what they have available from the airports in your area.
Air Miles
If you have a large amount of air miles accumulated and are looking for a reason to use them then last minute travel is a great opportunity. While they may not have seats on their own airline or partners there is the option to use more air miles to get on multiple carriers. This would allow you to spend air miles instead of a huge chunk of money to get to your destination.
Train Travel
While train travel is not the fastest way to get to a long distance destination it can help with getting you to a less expensive airport. When you live in a more rural area with a small airport then consider booking yourself a train ticket to the closet international airport where you can get cheaper flights. This will save you quite a bit of money since train tickets are a fraction of the cost of airplane tickets from some of the small airports.
Bus Travel
Traveling by bus is also not a very fast way to get to a long distance destination but can be used as a way to get to a larger airport. Sometimes a bus ticket to the closet large city can save you a few hundred dollars on parking your vehicle or taking a plane. Make sure you check on weather predictions and possible cancellations before you rely on bus travel in winter months.
Drive
While driving is an easy and less expensive way to get to your destination when it is not that far away, it is hard to rely on driving to a far away destination. As an alternative to driving the whole distance you can see if an airport a few hours away has better flight deals than your local airport and drive part of the way. The huge downside to driving is figuring out what to do with your car while you are away since parking can be very expensive.
Shop Around
The best thing to do when traveling last minute is to shop around and compare total cost of the trip to and from your destination. If you map out all of the possible ways to get to the destination then it is easier to determine which itinerary saves you the most money. This may mean you have to take the train or bus to another airport or leave on a redeye. Good luck making your last minute travel plans and hopefully you can get where you need to go on time.
