Tag: Family Fun

When you travel full time, your stops at Interstate Rest Areas are just as important as your intended destinations! Just as many family memories can be made! What family doesn’t have the “No pets allowed? Oh, well, I guess you can’t come!” joke? Over the years, we’ve found that many rest areas have letterboxes. They can also be great places to find painted rocks. During open hours, you can find travel information, tourist brochures, and maps. Maybe even some coupons or discount savings. Snacks and drinks are usually available in vending machines. And, of course, if you need to rest,…

I’m certainly not the food artist of the family, but sometimes you just have to have a little fun with it! So, my attempt at a Charcuterie Board for the non-vegans of the family. Ham, Salami, Pepperoni, Mozzarella, White Cheddar, Cheddar, Brie, and three other cheeses I couldn’t pronounce even if I remembered what they were! And some almonds, pumpkin seeds, and crackers… I mean, it made a fun snack! If you’d like some REAL inspiration to make a charcuterie board for your next family gathering, click on any photo below!

If you’re looking for BIG adventure on your way to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, be sure to truck it on over to Digger’s Dungeon in Poplar Branch, NC! Here, you’ll find an entire playground for ALL THINGS Grave Digger, THE premier Monster Truck on the Monster Jam Circuit! Grab all kinds of merch in the Grave Digger Fan Shop, take photos with the trucks, and get a taste of garage life at Digger’s Racing Shop! But, wait, you can also grab a bite at Digger’s Diner or Lil Digger Snack Shack! Get up close and personal with animals…

One great set of destinations to consider as you travel near or far, is visiting State Capitol Buildings in each state! History, culture, government, and gorgeous architectural elements await your enjoyment! Many State Capitols also have museums and exhibits that further detail everything from a state’s Native People, to its Geology, Wildlife, and more! You can also find monuments, memorials, statues, and gardens throughout most Capitol Grounds. Will the State Legislature be in session? Find out! Explore State Senate Floors, House Chambers, or maybe even meet Senators or Representatives in person! You could easily spend a morning, afternoon, or entire…

Along the natural beaches of Cedar Key, Florida, you can experience an abundance of marine animals in their natural Gulf habitats. Sand, surf, and the everchanging tides make way for starfish, shells, crabs, jellyfish, barnacles, seaweeds, and more! I took a few hundred photos, so I broke them down into a few albums: Album One: Starfish of Cedar Key! Album Two: Shells of Cedar Key! Album Three: Sisters Walking on Cedar Key Beach! Album Four: Random Shots on Cedar Key Beach! To learn more about anything you see, just click a photo! CLICK HERE for Florida Shell Guides! To explore…

Cedar Key is a quaint, but spirited, old fishing village nestled in a series of islands of the northwestern Gulf Coast of Florida. In town, you will find waterfront seafood shacks, old fashioned ice cream parlors, and and unique shopping opportunities. Along the natural beaches, you can experience an abundance of marinelife in their natural Gulf habitats. Sand, surf, and the everchanging tides make way for starfish, shells, crabs, jellyfish, barnacles, seaweeds, and more! I took a few hundred photos, so I broke them down into a few albums: Album One: Starfish of Cedar Key! Album Two: Shells of Cedar…

We spent a lovely evening exploring Cedar Key, Florida. Cedar Key is a quaint, but spirited, old fishing village nestled in a series of islands of the northwestern Gulf Coast of Florida. In town, you will find waterfront seafood shacks, old fashioned ice cream parlors, and and unique shopping opportunities. Along the natural beaches, you can experience an abundance of marinelife in their natural Gulf habitats. Sand, surf, and the everchanging tides make way for starfish, shells, crabs, jellyfish, barnacles, seaweeds, and more! Be sure to look closely at the photos below to see how the starfish move their little…

It’s definitely been a challenge over the course of the last year to spend time safely with family. But, the bittersweet fact remains, that life is fleeting. So, make time for family when you can, as soon as you are safely able to do so. Today, we spent an afternoon with Grandpa Ken, cooking out, and eating all the yummy foods to celebrate his 91st birthday… Fruit plates, veggie platters, stuffed mushrooms, nachos, salads, burgers on the grill, and fries… Followed with celebratory Birthday Cake, and scrumptious cheesecake. Happy Birthday, Grandpa Ken! What are your favorite foods to grill, or…

All along Broadway in Uptown Columbus, Georgia, you will find loads of fun family dining and shopping options, as well as tons of art! And I mean TONS! Everywhere you turn, there is something for your eyes to enjoy! Murals, street art, sculptures, statues, art installations, painted electrical boxes, banners, and more! They even have some Kelsey Montague pieces, which we LOVE finding on our travels. She has some full size What Lifts You wings, which I still need to add here. But, the mini-wings are great for kids and pets! Check out KelseyMontagueArt.com to see some of her incredible…

It was a little cold… And a lot wet… But, that didn’t stop us from grabbing a hot drink, and strolling through the quaint Georgia Mountain Town of Helen. This Bavarian-themed village boasts fun German drinks, snacks, and desserts; as well as bountiful German meals. The streets are lined with adorable shops, boasting unique wares from artisans, both local and afar. Woodcarving, wood-burning, glass-blowing, and candy-making… Just to name a few! Beer steins, music boxes, and even Dutch klompen! Pretzels, crepes, lattes… And did I mention candy? Oh, the candy! From Fasching, to Oktoberfest, and everything in between, if you…

We are ALWAYS on the lookout for the Best Boba Tea Places! WIN Bubble Tea in Nashville, Tennessee was super cool for FOUR reasons! First, they have a Self-Serve Topping Bar! So, that literally means you can add as many tapioca pearls as you want! Second, the teas are DELICIOUS! Third, the owner was AWESOME! Fourth, check out their swanky lounge, full of board games, card games, and other fun options! We planned on grabbing our teas and heading into downtown Nashville. But, instead, we ended up challenging each other to a Poker Tournament. Which, of course, I won! And…

Chancing across the Bonneville Salt Flats and the Bonneville Salt Flats International Speedway was another unexpectedly awesome gem of a find on the slow but lovely ride back East! Over 30,000 acres of wide open salt fields surround Interstate 80, just East of the Nevada / Utah Border. Remnants of Pleistocene-Era Lake Bonneville, this is the largest area of salt flats west of the Great Salt Lake. And it definitely looks and feels like you are traversing ancient lands, or even the alien surfaces of distant planets! The area is open to the public for general frolicking and enjoyment. There…

Oh, there are SO many wonderful waterfalls to explore in the Valdez area of Alaska! Where the Chugach Mountain Range meets the Prince William Sound is BREATHTAKINGLY GORGEOUS! As I put our notes together, I hope you will see why Valdez was OUR favorite stop in Alaska. So many people are quick to add Anchorage, Fairbanks, Denali, Seward, Kenai, and Homer to their To-Do Lists, and rightfully so, but we talked to so many families that weren’t sure Valdez was worth the time. Let me promise you, Valdez IS incredible!! And SO very worth your time! If you are planning…

This kid loves him some fishing, but hasn’t had a lot of opportunity to spend time with someone to help show him the ropes. I used to fish with my PaPaw growing up, but I’ve never really had the patience to learn the ins and outs of specific methods. In a strange stroke of luck, though, we happened across some fellow Full Time Families in Hope, Alaska; and Trent was kind enough to take some time to show Logan how to catch this beauty, as well as a few others! Our other friends, Doug and Harmony, cooked up the day’s…

Grizzly’s is the “True Alaska Curiosity Shop” and worth a look while enjoying Downtown Anchorage! They boast a huge selection of T-Shirts, Ulus, Smoked Salmon, Chocolates, Post Cards, Totems, Jewelry, Soaps, Made in Alaska, Books, Gifts, Alaska Souvenirs… And so much more! Check it out! How could you say no to this adorable gang?!

Billed as Alaska’s Biggest Gift Shop, we definitely appreciated their low prices on souvenirs. We always do our best to support small businesses as we adventure, and Polar Bear Gifts is an Alaskan-owned business with prices even lower than Wal-Mart in most instances. So, we figured we’d give it a shot. And, of course, I spent too much. But, I always do! We stocked up on magnets, license plates, stickers, and a few of the other goodies we add to our collections as often as we can. And, if nothing else, you definitely need a photo with the giant bear…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Great River Road Visitor Center at Freedom Park – Prescott, Wisconsin Located at the confluence of the St. Croix River with the Mississippi River in Prescott, Wisconsin, this The Great River Road Visitor Center will tick, not one, but TWO National Parks off your list! Learn about the geography and human history of each river, as well as the wildlife that call this lush area home! Lots of Junior Ranger fun can be found here as well! Ask about (OR download via these handy links!) St. Croix National Scenic Riverway Junior Ranger ProgramLet’s Go Fishing! Junior Ranger Angler ProgramMississippi National…

Upper Landing Park – St. Paul, Minnesota If you are heading to the Science Museum of Minnesota, be sure to check out the sights and sounds of Downtown St. Paul and the Mississippi River! The shoreline of the Mississippi River through St. Paul is part of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, a unit of the National Park System. CLICK HERE for the Locations Our Family Visited Within the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area! This NPS Site offers a list of ALL the Locations you can visit within the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area! CLICK HERE for…

Mississippi River Visitor Center – Mississippi National River and Recreation Area – St. Paul, Minnesota The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area is a unit of the National Park System that encompasses over 72 miles of the Mississippi River throughout the Twin Cities of Minnesota and surrounding areas. There are at least 60 different parks, museums, visitor centers, and other areas you can visit that are considered to be within the boundaries of this National Park! This particular location, the Mississippi River Visitor Center, is located with the Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul. There are some great digital…

Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® Bricks at the Science Museum of Minnesota Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® Bricks at the Science Museum of Minnesota Towers of Tomorrow includes some of the most iconic architectural marvels from all over the world! From North America, you will find Toronto’s CN Tower; Philadelphia’s Comcast Technology Center; Los Angeles’ Wilshire Grand Center; Chicago’s Willis Tower; Atlanta’s Bank of America Plaza; New York City’s Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building; and more! Famous skylines across Asia and Australia come alive with LEGO creations of Taiwan’s Taipei 101; Kuala Lumpur’s twin Petronas Towers; Marina Bay Sands…

Science Museum of Minnesota – St. Paul, Minnesota Weighing the Evidence – A Special Exhibit at the Science Museum of Minnesota CLICK HERE to check out ALL of the exhibits we were able to enjoy on our visit! Check Out Our SPGFAN St. Paul, Minnesota QUIKLIST! For ALL the Things to Do in Minnesota, CLICK HERE! See Everything Our Family Has Done in Minnesota! Click HERE or on Any Photo Below to Learn More withThese Science and Medical History Books!

Science Museum of Minnesota – St. Paul, Minnesota Exploring some of the regular permanent exhibits in the Science Museum of Minnesota – St. Paul, Minnesota. Most of these photos are taken in the Mississippi River Gallery, Collectors’ Corner, and the Human Body Gallery. CLICK HERE to see ALL the exhibits currently available at the Science Museum of Minnesota!And CLICK HERE to see ALL of the exhibits we were able to enjoy on our visit! Check Out Our SPGFAN St. Paul, Minnesota QUIKLIST! For ALL the Things to Do in Minnesota, CLICK HERE! See Everything Our Family Has Done in Minnesota!…

Garden Safari Gifts – Como Park Zoo & Conservatory – St. Paul, Minnesota Garden Safari Gifts at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is actually one of the best zoo gift shops I’ve visited thus far. They have such a bright, colorful selection of unique souvenirs, as well as an impressive array of high quality gift ideas. A rotating selection of items corresponds with special exhibits in the zoo. If I lived in this area, I’d probably do most of my holiday shopping here! Mother’s Day, Birthdays, Christmas Presents… I’d be thrilled to give or get so many of the lovely…

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory – St. Paul, Minnesota After a lovely morning in the Como Park Conservatory, we headed into the zoo itself. I took so many photos of the beautiful flowers, my phone died before we made it all the way through the collection of animals. We were mesmerized with the polar bears, especially since we’re ultimately headed to Territorial Canada and Alaska on this trip. But, we also got a kick out of the gorilla’s ear! I mean, it’s not every day you’re inches away from the backside of a gorilla with nothing but a single sheet…

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory – St. Paul, Minnesota There are so many GORGEOUS plants and flowers in the beautiful glass conservatories of Como Park Zoo & Conservatory in St. Paul, Minnesota. Some of my favorite flowers ever include lilies and orchids, and they have each in a beautiful abundance. I am also fascinated with ferns, and they have some of the lushest fern plants I have yet seen. We learned about spices and other tropical foods and flavorings. And the bonsai exhibit was intriguing. I always thought of bonsai as being a particularly plant species, but I suppose it’s…

Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville at Mall of America – Bloomington, Minnesota From animatronic Rainforest Animals, to Minnesota Twins history, to Jimmy Page’s guitar… Mama always said, “It’s 5 o’clock somewhere!“ Check out this Dining Guide for your next family outing to the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota! Just a few fun choices: Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.MargaritavilleRainforest Cafe (As of 2021, Hard Rock Cafe is closed) Love From MinnesotaMinnesota Twins MLB Team Site Check Out Our SPGFAN Minneapolis, Minnesota QUIKLIST! For ALL the Things to Do in Minnesota, CLICK HERE! See Everything Our Family Has Done in Minnesota! Dining Out With…

Minnesota Twins A Little Minnesota Twins baseball history right beneath your feet… Somewhere in Mall of America! Can YOU Find It? Check Out Our SPGFAN Minneapolis, Minnesota QUIKLIST! For ALL the Things to Do in Minnesota, CLICK HERE! See Everything Our Family Has Done in Minnesota! Click HERE or on Any Photo Belowfor Great Gift Ideas for the Minnesota Twins Fan in Your Life!

Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America! From the twirling, whirling excitement of Dora the Explorer and the Backyardigans, to the loopty-loops of the giant coasters… From the pineapple under the sea, to the whooshing of zip lines overhead… Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America! has crazy FUN for EVERYONE! And it’s all INSIDE! The LARGEST mall in the United States! You HAVE to see it to believe it! So, bring the kids to hang out with all their nostalgic Nickelodeon childhood besties, and enjoy almost 5 million square feet of dining, shopping, and riding the rails… All under one GINORMOUS…

The LEGO Store at Mall of America! Floor to ceiling awesomeness starts in the LEGO Store, and epic LEGO character adventure extends all throughout the Mall of America! Larger-than-life LEGO creations reign supreme far above your heads! Let YOUR Young Creator feast their eyes upon ALL THINGS LEGO, as they build to their hearts’ desires! Fashion custom outfits for Mini-Figs for the take-home, race bespoke vehicles with your new friends… And let all the colors and pieces transport you to a land only YOU can make-believe! Build It! And they will have FUN! The LEGO Store at Mall of America!…

Crayola Experience Mall of America Crayola Experience Mall of America Check Out Our SPGFAN Minneapolis, Minnesota QUIKLIST! For ALL the Things to Do in Minnesota, CLICK HERE! See Everything Our Family Has Done in Minnesota! Click HERE or on Any Photo Belowto check out Super Cool Crayola Products for Kids and Adults!

After an early afternoon flying kites at Cumberland Mountain State Park’s Kite Day Event, we spent some time hanging out on their playground with some of our new friends. Cumberland Mountain State Park maintains a regular schedule of fun events throughout the year for families. It is also a lovely destination for camping, hiking, biking, and paddling. If you find yourself in or around the Crossville or Middle Tennessee area, be sure to check them out. Over the years, we’ve attended Easter Egg Hunts, Birds of Prey Shows, Kite Day, and more! It’s always a great time in a gorgeous…

After a busy day Exploring Rock Island State Park in Rock Island, Tennessee, we spent the rest of the afternoon on the beach, building a driftwood fort along the banks of the Caney Fork River! The kids gathered wood, constructed a fort, and then pretended to be a wild family; hunting their food, planting their gardens, cooking their meals, and tending to their daily homesteading duties. Some of my most precious moments as a mother are watching my kids engaged so deeply in creative, imaginative, cooperative play that lasts for hours! I love witnessing their imaginative wheels turning; listening to…

There are so many waterfalls to explore in Rock Island State Park! And one is even more beautiful than the next! Walking, hiking, scrambling… Even just breathtaking vistas from the parking lot overlooks! The Caney Fork River Gorge is a stretch of rugged, rocky river bed like you’ve never experienced before! Trust me, my photos don’t do it justice! All levels of ability can enjoy nature, geology, science, natural history, and human history in this stunning unit of the Tennessee State Park System. Check out ALL of Our Family’s Adventures in Rock Island State Park! We’ve been working our way…

My little monkeys… They almost got the See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil Monkeys down pat! Sometimes you’ve just to stop and be silly! See Silly, Hear Silly, Speak Silly! Oh, and something about The Falls City Cotton Mill and the gorgeous waterfalls below! Check out ALL our adventures in Rock Island State Park in Rock Island, Tennessee! We’ve been working our way through the beautiful units of the Tennessee State Park System. Today’s adventures took us climbing, hiking, scrambling, waterfalling, and playing on the beach at Rock Island State Park in Rock Island, Tennessee! What a…

In the heart of Rock Island State Park, Spring Castle is a quaint little late 19th century-era structure, that remains today, looking quite magical, and even fairy-like, upon the hill on which it towers! Back in the day, it’s much more practical purpose likely consisted of providing refrigeration for the workers of the adjacent Falls City Cotton Mill. But, for now, it is, indeed, a majestic Fairy Castle deep in the enchanted woods! We’ve been working our way through the beautiful units of the Tennessee State Park System. Today’s adventures took us climbing, hiking, scrambling, waterfalling, and playing on the…

We’ve been working our way through the beautiful units of the Tennessee State Park System. Today’s adventures took us climbing, hiking, scrambling, waterfalling, and playing on the beach at Rock Island State Park in Rock Island, Tennessee! What a wonderful collection of adventures, and the kids had such a great time enjoying their hands-on fun in The Great Outdoors! I think we could all use a little more unstructured time outside, just playing, exploring, digging, building, pretending… Just living naturally…

One of our most valued traditions… Easter Egg Hunting! With over 400 chocolate-filled eggs hidden on 4 acres of land, it’s always quite the adventure!

Let the Easter Fun begin! Build-a-Bears! LEGO Minecraft! NERF Guns! Eeboo Games! Bubbles! And a whole lot of chocolate goodness! Ribby loves her new Bunny Babies, and Trillian dove right into her LEGO set! I’d say the Easter Bunny treated us well!

Tennessee is full of beautiful State Parks, and so many of them are very close to us. Pickett CCC Memorial State Park is right down the street, as a matter of fact! We’ve spent so much time here over the years. They recently added a new nature-themed play structure specifically for younger kids, and we had to check it out! I think it’s a hit! If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten path, absolutely gorgeous getaway, take a look at all that Pickett State Park has to offer. Hiking, camping, paddling, fishing, and more, all in the beautiful forested highlands of…

If you are looking for a unique, and absolutely unforgettable way to experience Zion National Park, consider doing so on horseback! Canyon Trail Rides takes you on a sightseeing excursion like no other!

We are frequently asked which National Park is our favorite. Out of the larger NPS Units, Zion, is, by far, my personal favorite. It is stunning. My heart is happiest amongst the Red Rocks… As the person who is always driving on our journeys, I especially enjoy being able to take advantage of the Shuttle Bus through Zion Canyon, so I can sit back, relax, enjoy the scenery, and snap some fun photos!

In Zion National Park, the Riverside Walk offers a pleasant stroll along the Virgin River, as it meanders through jaw-dropping red sandstone cliffs… You can walk along easy, well-maintained paths; and at any point, the kids can play in the shallow, bubbling river that parallels the trail. The trail starts at the Temple of Sinawava, which is the last Shuttle Bus Stop at the end of the road into Zion Canyon. For about 2 miles, things remain easily accessible. If you want to continue farther into the Narrows, make sure you do your homework on that, and come prepared with…

Weeping Rock is a lovely trail, with a magnificent destination! It is definitely a trail that I highly recommend to families visiting Zion National Park with kids of any age. It is uphill on the way to Weeping Rock, but it’s not unbearable. And then, it’s all downhill on the way back! But, the unique rock formation; the hanging gardens of moss and greenery; and the wildlife and wildflowers along the way, are well worth the time and effort! I also highly recommend the Emerald Pools Trail, and any length of distance you are up for on the Virgin River…

Of all the things we do, hiking volcanoes generally tops my list of absolute all-time favorites. And Snow Canyon State Park is my absolute all-time favorite State Park! Red Sandstone, Slot Canyons, Lava Fields… So much is happening here, and its all hands-on easily accessible fun for the kids! Going to be in or passing through Southern Utah in the vicinity of St. George, or Zion National Park? Definitely leave some time in your schedule to explore Snow Canyon State Park! It might just become YOUR favorite Utah State Park as well!

Snow Canyon State Park is our all-time FAVORITE State Park in the entire United States! Just west of St. George, Utah, you’ll find everything from Red Rock Slot Canyons, to Sandstone Cliffs, Fields of Ancient Lava Formations, Pioneer Writing, and tons of desert plants and wildlife! If you are passing through Southern Utah, perhaps heading to our from Zion National Park or Bryce Canyon National Park, be sure to add Snow Canyon State Park to your itinerary!

Ah, Snow Canyon State Park in St. George, Utah. Truly one of our favorite places on this planet. Most people come through this area headed for Zion National Park. But, I always urge them to consider some time in St. George to check out the awesomeness that Snow Canyon has to offer! This particular hike to Jenny’s Canyon is a short walk to a petite slot canyon. Hiking, rock climbing, and just hanging out in the desert amidst the glorious grandeur of all the red rock formations! Life doesn’t get much better in my book!

The reflective properties of the heavily salinated water of the Great Salt Lake make for some FABULOUS sunset views and photos! This truly is one of the more stunning spots I have ever watched the sun sink into the horizon below. Do you try to catch sunrises and sunsets on your vacations? The other-worldly ambiance of watching such a brilliantly hued celestial event right before your very eyes is the stuff of which family memories are made! And sunsets at Antelope Island State Park are some of the most magical, indeed! Check out ALL of Our Adventures on Antelope Island!…

After a day of hiking, rock scrambling, birding, wildlife viewing, and Junior Rangering throughout Antelope Island State Park, we’re finally here, along the sandy shores of the Great Salt Lake! If you know anything about the Great Salt Lake, I’m not going to sugarcoat it and tell you it’s a lovely day at the beach. Because, well, it might LOOK absolutely stunning…. But, the “noseeums” are a rather pesky species of insect that resides in the sand, thus making your time on the beach more of a wild safari experience, instead of a quaint time to relax and unwind. And,…

Bison, Coyotes, Antelope, and Mule Deer, oh my! Wildlife is everywhere on Antelope Island! And Buffalo Point Trail is an excellent choice to see it all! Check out ALL of Our Adventures on Antelope Island! Or, better yet, check out Everything We’ve Done in the Gorgeous State of Utah! Looking for travel inspiration for your own vacation planning? Check out our Utah QUIKLISTS! If you need Utah travel books, CLICK HERE, or on any photo below!

Even to the day you are reading this post, rock scrambling along Lady Finger Point Trail at Antelope Island State Park remains one of our favorite things we have ever done together as a family. My kids absolutely LOVED every second of climbing, scrambling, scooting, and hiking through these fun rock formations along the coast of the Great Salt Lake. If your kids love to rock climb, consider a trip to Antelope Island State Park, and take some time to play along the Lady Finger Point Trail! I hope you love it as much as my crew did! Lady Finger…

The Utah State Park System has a great Junior Ranger Program, just like those in the National Park System, that allows the kids to explore each park, and earn a REAL badge when they complete a book of awesome activities! Antelope Island State Park has a beautiful, state-of-the-art Visitor Center, full of hands-on exhibits and unique learning opportunities. And the park itself is loaded with plants, wildlife, birding, hiking, rock scrambling, and beach exploration along the shores of the Great Salt Lake! After you arrive at Antelope Island State Park, make sure you grab a Junior Ranger Book for each…

Hopefully you saw the post on Berthoud Falls itself! It truly is stunning! If and when you check out the Falls, be sure to enjoy some of the trails in that area! Here we are, just wandering through the forest, right around Sub-Alpine Level altitude! Rich in flora and fauna, the Rocky Mountains are just incredible!

Located along Highway 40, just north-ish of Empire, Colorado, and only about 8 miles off of Interstate 70, Berthoud Falls in the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forests is INCREDIBLE! An absolutely beautiful set of cascades, rolling down the rocky mountainside, and so easily accessible by all ages and abilities! Parking is just beneath the falls, and you really could spend some time hiking, scrambling, enjoying the flowers and leaves, and just taking in the absolute awe of Rocky Mountain Life at 9,800 feet elevation! Even if you are just passing through on Interstate 70, do yourself this favor! Take Exit 232, and…

After an All-You-Can-Eat Seafood Smorgasbord, and some Pirate Outfitting, the kids were all set for some old fashioned mutiny fun! Thankfully, our awesome hotel had the perfect ship for our creative endeavors!

Cruising the Utah backroads, Utah Highway 12 runs into Utah Highway 24 in Torrey. From here you can head East, towards the general direction of Arches and Canyonlands, by first passing through Capitol Reef! Capitol Reef National Park is another unit of the Utah Mighty 5, along with Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, and Canyonlands. As all of the Utah parks do, Capitol Reef boasts even more unimaginably beautiful scenic vistas of geologic splendor. You can hike and explore rock formations, wildlife, desert plants, and even ancient Native American Petroglyphs from the Fremont people that lived in the area from about…

Bryce Canyon National Park, one of the Mighty 5 National Parks of Utah, is a breathtaking expanse of geologic amphitheater, boasting countless red rock “hoodoos” that rise proudly from below. It’s definitely a unique experience. And gorgeous! We still haven’t done as much hiking here with the kids as I would like. It’s quite easy to get DOWN into the canyon, but getting back out can be a little tougher. I haven’t experienced a full range of trails here, so I don’t know what all is available. There may be some easier hikes more ideal for younger feet. But, do…