Jackie Jones

Latest posts by Jackie Jones

Hilton Head with Kids: 20 Best Things To Do in Hilton Head, South Carolina

Submitted by Jackie Jones on Sat, 06/17/2023 - 12:54pm

With 12 miles of gorgeous beaches, great restaurants (especially for seafood lovers), and a relaxed southern vibe, Hilton Head Island, SC is the perfect destination for a family retreat. Located 45 minutes outside Savannah, Georgia, Hilton Head boasts white sand, salty sea air, and plenty of kid-friendly attractions should you tire of the ocean.

My family recently spent a week in Hilton Head and came home refreshed and recharged, with some wonderful memories. If you are looking to relax while connecting with your kids, I highly recommend this low-country resort town.

Here are 20 of our favorite things to do in Hilton Head, South Carolina with kids, including the best Hilton Head hotels and restaurants for families. For more family vacation ideas in the sunny South, visit our Southern States Vacation Guide.

Visiting Dollywood with Kids: Everything You Need to Know

Submitted by Jackie Jones on Sat, 05/27/2023 - 12:00pm

Ride the iconic Dollywood Express, a coal-fired steam train.

Dollywood, the Dolly Parton-inspired theme park in Pigeon Forge, TN, has become one of the top amusement parks in the US for families. Set in the stunning Great Smoky Mountains, the park has over 50 rides, daily musical shows, and an iconic coal-fired steam train that runs along its periphery.

Located next door is Dollywood Splash Country, a 35-acre water park. And with a new Dollywood resort set to open in fall 2023 (HeartSong, which joins Dollywood's DreamMore Resort), families can plan a full vacation at Dollywood.

My family recently visited Dollywood, and wow—what a trip! Read on for details from our adventure and answers to your biggest questions, like: What are the best rides at Dollywood? What ages is Dollywood for? Is Dollywood little-kid-friendly? And if you're looking for even more family-friendly theme parks, check out our Family Amusement Parks & Water Parks Guide.

Frost Science Museum: Miami's Must-See Family Attraction

Submitted by Jackie Jones on Sun, 04/30/2023 - 9:23am

Get close to underwater creatures at the Frost Science Museum's massive aquarium. Photo by Jackie Jones

The Frost Science Museum, with a whopping six levels, hundreds of hands-on exhibits, an aquarium, and a planetarium, is a must-see Miami attraction. Prepare to spend all day at the 250,000-square-foot Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, which explores the human body, the science of flight, and the solar system, among its many STEM-friendly displays. Frost Museum is located at the picturesque waterfront Maurice A. Ferré Park, not far from the Miami Brightline train station.

Read on to map out your ideal day at the Frost Museum, and for more ideas on planning kid-friendly Florida trips, check out our Florida Family Travel Guide.

Fargo with Kids: 21 Best Things to Do in Fargo, ND

Submitted by Jackie Jones on Sat, 04/08/2023 - 12:00pm

You'll find some gorgeous street everywhere you turn in Fargo, ND.

Don't cha know: Fargo, ND is a vibrant city with lots of family-friendly attractions and great restaurants. This town—the most populous in North Dakota and located just over the border from Minnesota—is becoming a real travel destination. And while Fargo may be best known for its namesake 90s movie (an absolute classic, though not appropriate for kids), it's much more than just a place to hear funny accents. Fargo, ND has become a real foodie city with top-notch museums, a zoo, and even a Viking ship on display.

Here are our favorite things to do in Fargo, ND with kids, including some delicious Fargo restaurants and a few great hotels in Fargo, ND for families. Check out our Midwest Travel Guide for more great cities to visit with kids, like Chicago and Minneapolis.

Columbia with Kids: 25 Best Things To Do in Columbia, SC

Submitted by Jackie Jones on Sat, 03/18/2023 - 12:22pm

Take a free tour of the South Carolina State House, the state's capitol building.

Though Columbia, SC may not get the publicity of neighboring cities like Charleston and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina's capital city has plenty for families to love. Located in the center of the state, "Soda City" boasts top-notch museums, attractions for animal lovers, delicious restaurants, and beautiful hotels. It's a somewhat small city with wide streets, a walkable downtown area, and a youthful vibe (it's home to the University of South Carolina). Columbia, SC is also full of the southern charm and hospitality you'd expect from a city in the South. In fact, I'm not sure I've ever encountered such polite folks!

Here are our 25 favorite things to do in Columbia, SC with kids, including great family-friendly restaurants and hotels in Columbia, SC. Check out our Southern States Vacation Guide for more places to visit in the sunny South.

Sugar Sand Park: South Florida’s Best Kept Secret Playground Plus Free Science Museum

Submitted by Jackie Jones on Sun, 12/25/2022 - 9:00pm

Riding the carousel at Sugar Sand Park, photo by the author

There are parks and then there are parks, and Sugar Sand Park in Boca Raton definitely falls into the latter category—guaranteed to blow your kids away and keep them entertained for hours. Located right off I-95 between Miami and West Palm Beach, this park is truly a local gem. Features include a gigantic, all-inclusive playground with a splash pad in the middle, as well as a free science museum for children. But that's not all! The 132-acre park also has a carousel and a theater with regular family programming.

Here's more on why Sugar Sand Park is my family's new favorite play spot, and what you can expect when planning a visit.

All Aboard South Florida's New Train: Riding the Brightline to Miami

Submitted by Jackie Jones on Sun, 11/06/2022 - 2:37pm

No traffic, comfy seats, and an element of adventurous fun—these are all reasons why my family has fallen in love with the Brightline train, the high-speed rail service that connects West Palm Beach to Miami (with a stop in Fort Lauderdale). Anyone who lives in South Florida can tell you that the roads between these cities get congested, especially on a Friday afternoon. The Brightline presents another option for travelers. For kids and their parents, it also means an experience they're unlikely to forget.

So what exactly can you expect aboard the Brightline? And when does this South Florida train service expand to other cities in Florida? Read on for all of the details, including a special Miami Polar Express Christmas Train. And to find out about more of our favorite train rides in Florida, check out our 10 favorite scenic train rides in Florida.

Las Vegas, Nevada: 48 Awesome Things To Do in Vegas with Kids

Submitted by Jackie Jones on Sat, 10/08/2022 - 12:00pm

Take a spin around the lazy river at Mandalay Bay.

"Kid-friendly" is probably not the first word that comes to mind when you think of Las Vegas, but America's playground for adults is increasingly becoming a popular family vacation destination. While there are plenty of casinos and other grown-up activities on the Strip, there are also many fun things to do in Vegas with kids, including parks, museums, shows, and memorable restaurants. Many Las Vegas hotels also offer amenities specifically geared for children.

My kids and I had a blast on a recent trip to Sin City, and my youngest is already asking when we can go back. Here are 48 of the best things to do in Vegas with kids, including delicious restaurants and kid-friendly hotels in Las Vegas. You'll see why Las Vegas made our list of the 30 best warm and sunny family vacation ideas! Check out our Family Travel Guide for more great options for your family's next trip.

Latest posts by Jackie Jones

Pages