Articles

Candyce H. Stapen

Article / Slideshows

10 Great Fall Foliage Family Trip Ideas in 10 Different U.S. States

Think differently about family getaways this autumn. Instead of looking at leaves through a car window, find new ways to surround yourself with the brilliant colors of September,…

Article / Air Travel

Not All Kids' Car Seats Are Approved for Airplanes: Know the Rules

Don't assume that you can automatically use your child's car seat on an airplane. It depends on the seat you own.

Article / Slideshows

7 Companies You Can Trust for Great Family Vacation Packages

Planning a successful family vacation is work—but not if you let a packager do the work for you. Buying a vacation through a tour operator frees you from the tedious details of…

Article / Slideshows

Best Multigenerational Trips: Family-Friendly Vacation Ideas

Multigenerational trips are a rising travel trend, and that makes sense. A vacation between grandparents, kids, and grandkids gives extended families time together without the…

Article / Air Travel

Can Kids Use TSA PreCheck with Their Parents? Sometimes. Here's How to Know

If you have TSA PreCheck and you want to bring your kids through the security screening line with you, there are some rules you should know first.

Article / Slideshows

Down-Home Away from Home: 7 Great Farm Stays for Families

A farm vacation connects you and your family with nature and a simpler way of living. Kids feed goats and lambs, collect eggs, and get on a first-name basis with resident cows like the…

Article / Slideshows

10 Places for Native American Vacation Experiences with Your Family

Listening to Native legends around a campfire, taking a Jeep ride through the high mountain desert, watching the colorful swirl of dancers at a powwow—exchanges with Native peoples…

Article / Slideshows

Holiday Dazzle: The USA’s Most Spectacular Winter Light Displays

Wanna go on a holiday lights safari this winter? You have plenty of options. When the weather turns chilly, gardens, zoos, racetracks, caverns, city parks, resorts, and mansions across…

Article / Slideshows

10 Great Places to Vacation Where Your Kid Can Learn How to Ski or Snowboard

It's an unforgettable family experience: Carving tracks on a run and catching air in a terrain park are fun for all ages, especially when everyone learns how to do it together. Ten…

Article / Slideshows

Spend Less for Outdoor Vacations at These Family-Friendly Canadian Resorts

It’s no secret that in Canada the great outdoors is especially, well, great. Families from the U.S. who head north for vacations in Canadian nature-focused resorts benefit as well from…

Article / Family & Kids

Do Kids Need Their Own Memberships in Global Entry?

Do children need to enroll in Global Entry, or can they simply tag along on their parents’ memberships?

Article / Slideshows

Family Vacation in Puerto Rico! These Resorts are Good with Kids

Puerto Rico is back! After Hurricane Maria’s devastation and Covid’s exclusion, the best hotels have been rebuilt, refreshed, and reopened—and families are returning. Some popular…

Article / Slideshows

Scenic and Thrilling Whitewater Rafting Trips for Families

Whitewater rafting is a thrilling and surprisingly family-friendly adventure, giving kids, parents, and grandparents the chance to build teamwork while navigating churning waterways…

Article / Money and Fees

How to Save Money on a Vacation Rental and Get the Lowest Price

Congrats—you’ve found a great vacation rental for your family! Here’s how to be sure you get the best price and protect your purchase.

Article / Family & Kids

6 Crucial Things Parents Can Do to Childproof a Vacation

Even places that welcome kids don’t necessarily childproof their units. That’s up to you.  

Article / Slideshows

Happy Trails! 8 Great Hikes for Families—from Day Trips to Overnight Treks

Taking a family hike is a fun and rejuvenating way to immerse yourself in the epic landscapes of the United States. Whether you opt for a quick day trip or a guided multinight journey,…

Article / Slideshows

6 Great Dude Ranches and Guest Ranches in the U.S. and Canada

Vacations don’t get more all-American (or all-Canadian) than this: spectacular scenery and outdoor adventures with your kids or grandkids at a dude ranch. You’ll feel wind-in-your-hair…

Article / Health, Insurance, Security

5 Ways to Ensure A Vacation Rental Meets Your Definition of Clean

Every vacation renter claims their units will be clean, but in reality, many of them cut corners. Here's how to make sure your Airbnb or home rental is sanitized to your own standards.

Article / Slideshows

Great Biking Parks, Trails, and Tours for Family Vacations in the USA

A vacation that includes cycling can be a feel-good thrill for kids and teens and can be throwback fun for parents and grandparents. Pedaling together on easy terrain brings a host of…

Article / Slideshows

Great Family Adventures for Spring and Autumn in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah

A little bit of adventure goes a long way toward a successful family vacation. By sharing an out-of-the-ordinary experience and tackling the challenges together, kids and adults build…

Article / Slideshows

Family-Friendly Ski Resorts with Fun Activities for Non-Skiers

An exhilarating way to enjoy winter with your kids is by taking the whole fam to a snowy mountain resort. But when there are non-skiers and non-snowboarders in your group, you’ll want…

Article / Slideshows

Winter Family Fun, Beyond Skiing: Off-the-Slopes Adventure in the U.S. and Canada

There’s a lot more to winter outdoor adventure than downhill skiing. Dogsledding, snowshoeing, cross-country treks, horseback riding, and cycling across snow with special “fat bikes”…

Article / Money and Fees

Warning: Some Vacation Rentals Don't Include Access to Property Amenities

You might assume that when you book a vacation rental, you automatically have the right to use its amenities, like the pool or the golf course. But that's not the case.

Article / Slideshows

Great Family Resorts for Fall Foliage Fun Around North America

Families who crave autumn leaf-peeping don’t have to resign themselves to piling into cramped cars for fall road trips. They can just stay in comfort at a full-service hotel that…

Article / Slideshows

America's Great Living History Museums and Experiences

Living history breathes excitement into textbook studies. At role-playing attractions across the United States, you and your kids can feel as if you have traveled centuries back in…