A rich archive of weekly “Taking the Kids Columns” in newspaper syndication since 1992
Fall and winter are the most popular times to visit Vietnam, especially popular now as travelers seek affordable destinations where they can immerse themselves in different cultures and experiences.
Not only do the vast majority of travelers believe that traveling with friends and family brings them closer together but that they value experiences vs. acquiring more material belongings.
Who has collected the biggest leaves? The most sticks? The most different colored leaves as mementos of the fall?
Halloween events have already been in full swing for weeks — whether you want to hit a Halloween-themed festival, mega-theme park event, visit a haunted house or stay in a “haunted” hotel
Fall festivals are in big cities and small towns across the country, decidedly family-friendly, some a tradition dating back a half-century or more with a backdrop of spectacular fall foliage. Many are free.
We opted to stay in the smaller, less crowded Grand Lake at the Western edge of the park at the historic Grand Lake Lodge which opened in 1920 and is a national historic landmark. We stayed in one of the 75 cabins that originally were purchased as kit homes from Sears Roebuck & Company
While visiting northern New Mexico recently, we had the opportunity to drive on the last unpaved stretch in Santa Fe in a 1973 open-sided Swiss Military Vehicle.
According to data from the GlobalVetLink pet travel trends, roughly 78 percent of pet owners take trips with their animals every year. The majority travel by car but, according to the American Pet Products Association, of those who travel with their dogs, a growing number – 74 percent – have traveled by plane.
Welcome to Meow Wolf Santa Fe’s House of Eternal Return. This is an immersive experience like no other that has exploded in popularity since it opened here a decade ago. Today there are five open exhibits (Las Vegas, Denver, Grapevine, Texas, and Houston. Los Angeles is expected to open at the end of the year and NYC next year.
Via Ferrata at Taos Ski Valley is particularly popular with families with teens. It doesn’t necessarily require climbing experience. “Some parents drop their kids and say, ‘bring them back tired.’”
I hung on to Mr. Su, a Vietnamese man in his 60s or 70s, on the back of his motorbike as we weaved through traffic in Ho Chi Minh City, dodging cars, buses and other motorbikes down tiny alleys, across bridges and main roads, neon lights winking.
Having the right travel gear, whether you are heading to explore an undeveloped country, sightseeing in big cities, or camping can make a big difference in the experience
Locals and visitors are celebrating Colorado’s 150th birthday of becoming a state on Aug. 1 with special events, exhibits, concerts and more.
Although there are 550 wineries in the 47-mile stretch of Napa Valley – 55 right around tiny (population around 5,000) Calistoga – people are drinking a lot less and are seeking other ways to relax, often with kids in tow.
Have you taken your family to happy hour lately? Everyone is welcome – families, couples, groups of friends of all ages. It’s a good way to save on restaurant outings in today’s inflated economy.
Is your car seat secured properly? Did you pack a first aid kit? What about a ‘fact sheet’ with each family member’s medications, emergency contact numbers, etc.?
Curacao is the smallest country (just 160,000 residents) to ever have a team qualify for the World Cup. And it’s a great place for families to visit.
These days, a lot of us prefer an experience, especially if it is one we can share with those we care about most.
Big city celebrations are everywhere. Some are multi-day festivals. Some events are on June 20
Access to a preferred airport lounge has become a major driver of airport and airline selection, with 47 percent of lounge customers indicating they plan their routes based on lounge access and 82 percent indicating they choose a specific airline based on lounge access
There are many reasons to travel this summer. The kids will only be this age once. You are celebrating a special anniversary, graduation or birthday.
A new family travel trend is quietly gaining traction– parents traveling with grown kids, not just when they are out of college, but when they are well into middle age. I’ve met these families on luxury cruise ships, far-flung adventures, all-inclusive resorts, even on a white-water raft trip
Besides being the capital of Texas, and home to the University of Texas, with 55,000 students, Austin is famous for its music scene and festivals (Austin City Limits, among them) and cutting-edge culinary options, from hotel restaurants to food trucks.
The Sapa region of north Vietnam, famous for its steep, tiered rice paddies and tiny villages that are home to groups like the Hmong, known for their distinctive crafts and dress.
Not only do we yearn to get outdoors away from crowds, but camping enables a more relaxed pace. Families can also easily bring their pets, not only saving money on a kennel, but not stressing over leaving them behind.
April is Autism Acceptance Month, which aims to foster inclusion, understanding and support for those on the autism spectrum and their families.
Ready to get your hands dirty? Earth Day 2026 is April 22 with dozens of ways to get involved cleaning up our planet – and helping to make it healthier – whether you are home or traveling.
Ready to get to center stage? Not at a concert. We’re talking about America’s 250th birthday celebration.
Registering for travel alerts, purchasing travel insurance are essential for international trips today
Maybe you simply want to unplug and spend some unfettered time with your family. Maybe you want to climb a mountain or visit every Major League baseball stadium.
The aim this year is to celebrate the diverse contributions of women leading sustainability efforts across environmental, economic, educational and social justice movements and at the same time empowering others to act. Exploring what women have accomplished throughout our history is a great way to start.
In Jordan, Iftar has become the way many local families break their fast during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar observed by Muslims around the world by fasting, prayer, reflection and community
You will likely find tempting deals wherever you want to go this spring season. Frontier and Southwest are among the airlines offering spring deals.
Experts say it is important for kids to see parents have a life beyond being parents. And your getaway can be just as much an adventure for the kids, whether they are staying with grandparents, their best friends or a favorite babysitter.
There are plenty of options in North America where you can try on your winter Olympian.
During Wave Season, the cruise lines really roll out the perks to help sweeten the deals and encourage booking. For travelers, it’s a great time to compare deals
The National Western Stock Show in Denver is celebrating its 120th anniversary this year. The huge two-week event every January draws ranchers, farmers and city folk from all 50 states and 33 countries, typically more than 700,000 people.
Bonaire has long been known for divers as it has one of the earliest national marine parks that rings the entire coast
If you are hankering for a cruise, consider that January is the start of Wave Season when you can book some of the best deals of the year, with kids free, upgrades, on board credits and more.
Despite the political and economic turmoil that affected family travelers in 2025, I hope you are planning family getaways for the new year.
Bergen, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located on the west coast of Norway in the heart of the famous fjords
These days, heading to a snow resort offers a lot more than skiing and riding wherever you find yourself looking for some fun in the snow. And even the fittest person will likely need a day off from the slopes.
Holiday gifts they’ll appreciate from socks to first aid kits to merino wool garments to comfy boots…
Many of us are forgoing expensive vacations or flying this holiday season. But we could enjoy holiday traditions – or make new ones without spending a fortune by visiting a big hotel’s gingerbread display or seeing light displays at local zoos and botanic gardens.
The good news is there are holiday light displays in small towns, as well as big cities across the country and many are free. And for those who have had to forgo an expensive holiday vacation this year, spending the money to see the terrific holiday lights displays at local botanic gardens and zoos will not only be fun but an affordable holiday splurge.
Believe me, I’ve been there – the oven that conked out Thanksgiving morning; the relative who stormed out in a huff mid-dinner; the complaints about sitting at the kids’ table
Maybe this year is the time to give travel as a holiday gift. Research suggests people now prioritize experiences over acquiring more things – 72 percent, according to a recent survey from Longwoods International.
We were at the famous Les Halles de Lyon-Paul Bocuse, the fantastic indoor food market that has been in operation since the mid-19th century, but was moved here to this sleek building in the center of the city’s business district in 1970 and is a popular stop for tourists
However you envision your getaway to the snow, there have never been more options – and that includes overseas, which despite the cost of flights, can be less expensive than a comparable trip to the snow in the United States or Canada.
Scottsdale is a great bet for a fall getaway with or without the kids. Many come for golf, spa, hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding
Ask three people who have shared a vacation – even in the same family – and they will each likely have a different answer.
Halloween events and celebrations these days have already begun in many places from theme parks to themed festivals to haunted houses and hotels.
Balloon Fiesta (the 53rd) has become the world’s largest and premier international ballooning event. This year, it includes 543 registered Primary Pilots
Whether you are in the country and whatever your budget, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy fall colors
Whether you are a solo parent or a couple, you deserve to reward yourselves for making it this far.
There are about 130 passengers aboard the AmaSerena (the maximum is 164) and a very accommodating crew of 50 from around the world.
The good news is you can find a fall festival guaranteed to please whether you are traveling with or without kids.
Do a little time travel through several centuries at museums in Amsterdam that really know how to engage kids, whether we are talking art or history.
A late summer or fall getaway to the mountains can’t be beaten as more of us seek domestic and closer-to-home vacation options.
I’ve long been a fan of getting the kids out of their comfort zones on vacation, whether hiking to the top of a mountain, whitewater rafting, trying a new sport like rock climbing or simply navigating in an unfamiliar city or country.