Visiting Boston and the historic Boston Tea Party

Visiting Boston and the historic Boston Tea Party

Dec 5, 2013

There may be 21st-century LED holiday lights all over Boston, but we’ve time-traveled back to 1773 — Dec. 16, 1773 to be exact — the night that literally changed the course of American history.

New ways to light up your holidays this season

New ways to light up your holidays this season

Nov 28, 2013

Virtually every town and city in the country has holiday festivals and displays. You just have to make time to enjoy them. Skip the mall Santa (my kids always bawled) and take them someplace where you can all gawk at spectacular light displays

Two new ways families can take the stress out of flying

Two new ways families can take the stress out of flying

Nov 21, 2013

Want to get whisked through security? It may be too late for Thanksgiving, but if you are flying for Christmas, you’ve got time to sign up for Global Entry, the trusted traveler network that allows you to make your way quickly through special lines and customs by using automated kiosks at 97 domestic airports through the TSA Pre-check Program.

Family gatherings at Gettysburg for 150th anniversary of Lincoln’s address

Family gatherings at Gettysburg for 150th anniversary of Lincoln’s address

Nov 14, 2013

At the time, no one expected the speech to be a big deal. Lincoln had merely been asked to make a few remarks at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, here in the Pennsylvania countryside, just four months after the searing battle that turned the tide of the Civil War.

Gather the family for a holiday feast at a country villa

Gather the family for a holiday feast at a country villa

Nov 7, 2013

You can gather the gang in a beautifully decorated home without doing all the work that typically entails, and without cooking at all — unless you want to. All you’ve got to do for a stress-free holiday is to celebrate at a vacation villa or condo rather than at your overcrowded house.

To Keystone CO – one of the most kid-centric ski areas in the country

To Keystone CO – one of the most kid-centric ski areas in the country

Oct 31, 2013

Keystone is Vail Resort’s most kid-centric resort, with kids-ski free (as long as you book a two-night stay), night skiing tweens and teens love and daily “Kidtopia” activities. There’s a parade through the village on Saturdays with kids being twirled around in tires, free cookies and hot cider in the ice-skating rink, the chance to meet and greet the avalanche dogs and ski patrollers, free kids sundaes and more.

Exploring Niagara Falls — at the water and beyond

Exploring Niagara Falls — at the water and beyond

Oct 24, 2013

What I didn’t realize then — and I was glad to discover now — was how much there is for families — even those on a tight budget — to see and do here, beyond exploring the falls in what,

San Diego’s “Kids Free Month” draws the family travelers

San Diego’s “Kids Free Month” draws the family travelers

Oct 17, 2013

This month, kids can get into SeaWorld free in San Diego, Calif. Kids can also get into LEGOLAND, the San Diego Zoo, more than 30 San Diego museums and even ride free on Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner (typically one child with each adult paid admission). That’s no small thing

In Aspen, kids playing with their food is encouraged!

In Aspen, kids playing with their food is encouraged!

Oct 16, 2013

Never were two boys more unlike one another than mine when it comes to cooking. My elder son, Tanner, age 8, abhors anything remotely culinary, while my younger, Brady, age 5, was all but born with an apron wrapped around his waist, a wooden stirring spoon in his hand. The consummate chef and critic.

10 ways to kick-start family Halloween outings during October

10 ways to kick-start family Halloween outings during October

Oct 3, 2013

Kids don’t have to wait until Halloween to don their costumes and collect treats — not when every place from museums to aquariums to zoos to theme parks are celebrating Halloween the entire month of October with haunted houses, spooky corn mazes, special shows and as many treats as parents will permit. Orlando alone offers more than 80 Halloween events in the six weeks leading up to Halloween and showcases Halloween happenings all throughout October.