Jackie Jones

Latest posts by Jackie Jones

Little Rock with Kids: 25 Things to Do in Little Rock, Arkansas

Submitted by Jackie Jones on Sat, 05/31/2025 - 12:00pm

Kids will have the time of their lives on the giant slide at Riverfront Park.

Little Rock, Arkansas is a city with a robust political history, a mild climate, and tons of things for families to do—especially those who enjoy time outdoors. Just under two hours west of Memphis, Tennessee, Little Rock is the state's capital and its most populous city.

Set on the banks of the Arkansas River, Little Rock has a way of feeling like a big city and a small southern community all at the same time. This area may be home to a US president, yet the city still seems quaint and unintimidating. Little Rock boasts top-notch museums, world-class hiking, and great restaurants, making it an ideal travel destination for families.

Read on for our top 25 things to do with kids in Little Rock, Arkansas, including where to eat and where to stay while in town. Check out our Southern States Vacation Guide for more fun cities to visit in the South!

Big Bend National Park Lodging, Seeing Stars, and Best Things To Do with Kids

Submitted by Jackie Jones on Sat, 05/24/2025 - 12:00pm

There are several easy hikes in Big Bend National Park that kids of all ages enjoy.

Big Bend National Park in southern Texas is an excellent destination for families looking to spend time together "off the grid." The park is vast, rugged, and remote, spanning more than 800,000 acres along the border of the US and Mexico, right in the heart of the Chihuahuan Desert.

Big Bend is one of the least visited national parks, but I'm here to argue that should not be the case! Big Bend offers amazing hiking, memorable wildlife viewing, adventures on the Rio Grande river, and spectacular stargazing at night. Visiting does require serious planning because it is so far removed from modern civilization (cell phone service, for example, is unreliable at Big Bend). Yet a trip here may just change your life, as it did for me and my kids.

Read on for our guide to visiting Big Bend, including itinerary ideas, a Big Bend National Park map, where to eat, and lodging and hotels near Big Bend National Park. Check out our US National Parks Family Travel Guide for more national parks to visit with kids, including our top-ten list of family-friendly national parks.

St. Pete with Kids: 25 Best Things To Do in St. Petersburg, Florida

Submitted by Jackie Jones on Sat, 03/29/2025 - 12:00pm

Flamingos are a star attraction at St. Pete's Sunken Gardens.

Sunny St. Petersburg, located on Florida's Gulf Coast, is a gorgeous location for families seeking a beach getaway. Not only does this city just south of Tampa hold the record for the most consecutive days of sunshine, St. Pete is also an art mecca. Colorful street murals adorn most public spaces, and the city boasts several world-class museums: most notably the Salvador Dali Museum, a stunning facility both inside and out.

With a cute downtown, a thriving restaurant scene, and family-friendly hotels, it's no surprise that more families are choosing St. Petersburg as their vacation destination.

Here are 25 of our favorite things to do with kids in St. Pete, including family-friendly dining options and St. Petersburg hotels. Be sure to check out our Florida Vacation Guide for more trip ideas in the Sunshine State!

30 Things To Do in Rochester, New York, with Kids

Submitted by Jackie Jones on Thu, 02/13/2025 - 1:14pm

There's even a carousel in The Strong National Museum of Play.

Rochester, New York, is widely known as the gateway to the Finger Lakes region or the perfect stopover on a road trip to Niagara Falls. But, this Upstate New York city stands on its own as a great family vacation destination with good food, world-class museums, and a ton of history. Set right off the banks of Lake Ontario, Rochester, New York, is also full of natural beauty.

Here are 30 of our favorite things to do in Rochester, New York, with kids, including family-friendly hotels and restaurants in Rochester, New York. Check out our Adirondacks and Catskills Family Travel Guide for more New York State family vacation ideas.

10 Free Wildlife Centers for Family Fun in the West Palm Beach Area

Submitted by Jackie Jones on Sun, 02/09/2025 - 6:00am

Meet Bubba the bearded dragon at River Center in Jupiter. Photo by Steven Morales

Here are 10 locations where families and kids can interact with animals and learn about nature in the West Palm Beach, Florida, area.

West Palm Beach with Kids: 50 Things To Do in West Palm Beach, Florida

Submitted by Jackie Jones on Sat, 01/18/2025 - 12:00pm

Kayaking is one of the many outdoor activities available at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park.

Tourists might think of West Palm Beach, Florida and Palm Beach County as a preppy playground for America’s elite, but it's actually a family-friendly hub with lots of fun activities at a variety of price points. People visit to frolic in the miles of gorgeous Atlantic surf, but greater West Palm Beach, Florida also has a lot of fun things to do off the sand, including animal adventures, interactive museums, sporty activities, water parks, and more.

Here are 50 things to do in West Palm Beach, Florida with kids, including delicious local restaurants and fabulous hotels and resorts. Be sure to also check out our list of top things to do in Martin County, West Palm's neighbor to the north. And if you're looking for more fun vacation ideas in the Sunshine State, visit our Florida Family Travel Guide.

Bismarck with Kids: 20 Things to Do in Bismarck, North Dakota

Submitted by Jackie Jones on Sat, 11/16/2024 - 12:00pm

The Lewis and Clark Riverboat offers summer cruises on the Missouri River. Photo courtesy North Dakota Tourism.

OK... so Bismarck, North Dakota is probably not among the first places you think of when looking for a family-friendly destination, but this capital city has a lot going for it. Aside from the state Capitol (which you can visit for free), Bismarck, ND boasts a fabulous zoo and a free history museum. It also has that warm Midwestern appeal and those great accents, similar to what you'd find in Fargo, another great North Dakota town.

My kids and I had a blast exploring Bismarck! Read on for our top 20 things to do in Bismarck, ND with kids, including great restaurants and places to stay. Also, check out our Midwest Travel Guide for more great cities to visit with kids.

Bozeman with Kids: 25 Best Things to Do in Bozeman, Montana

Submitted by Jackie Jones on Sat, 10/05/2024 - 12:00pm

The Montana Grizzly Encounter is a bear rescue facility where you can see grizzly bears up close.

The fast-growing city of Bozeman in southwestern Montana is truly a nature lover's paradise. Surrounded on all sides by mountains, Bozeman is not only beautiful, it offers an abundance of family-friendly sporty activities, as well as museums that highlight its affection for the wild. (Got a dinosaur lover? Bozeman boasts one of the largest fossil collections in the world.)

Many visitors fly in to Bozeman on their way to Yellowstone National Park, but to rush through this Big Sky city would be a mistake. As my family learned during a weeklong trip, there are so many cool things to do here year-round.

Here are 25 of our favorite things to do in Bozeman, Montana, including great restaurants and places to stay while visiting. Also check out our Midwest Family Travel Guide for more vacation ideas.

Latest posts by Jackie Jones

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