Autism and Travel : 50 Family Vacation Tips

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autism and travel family tips

Autism and Travel

April is Autism Awareness month. Those who love someone with autism are aware of it every day. For those who don’t, you probably will at some point, since the new stats released show that 1 in 68 people will be diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. I have had lots of experience, both personally and professionally, regarding Autism Spectrum Disorders, and I love and care about several people who are on the autism spectrum. As this is a travel blog, I decided to write this post about Autism and Travel. I compiled tons of great travel tips from friends who are parents of children with autism, as well as professional colleagues who work with those on the spectrum.

Before we get into the travel tips, I have to state the old adage “if you meet one person with Autism, then you’ve met one person with Autism.”  Meaning, all people will manifest symptoms differently, and people with autism are as unique as snowflakes (oh, and the rest of humans). Therefore, not all of these tips will apply or be helpful to all situations. Conversely, many of these tips will also be helpful to parents of children with other diagnoses, such as ADHD and Anxiety Disorders (which often have overlapping symptoms with Autism Spectrum Disorders anyway), or even parents with children in general. I have found many of these tips to be personally useful, and I thank, with all of my heart, the friends who shared their ideas with me. There is no one I admire more than those I have met along this journey (you know who you are). As I write these tips, I use the terms ‘kids’ and ‘children’ because that is my frame of reference and area of professional knowledge. Many of these tips can also apply to adults as well.

OK, now for the helpful stuff…

50 Family Vacation Tips

Before-Trip Preparation:

  • Consider starting out small, by staying for one night in a local hotel or at a relative’s house, so that your child will have some experience with getting used to sleeping in an unfamiliar environment if this will be a new experience for him/her. Repetition and practice can be your friend & it will be a common theme here.
  • Research your destinations carefully as you plan your trip. There are some places that are known for being easier to visit for people with special needs. Disney is known for being a great destination for those with special needs, and there are many other places as well.
  • If your child has a special interest, consider making that a part of your trip (ie a train museum for a train enthusiast, the National Portrait Gallery in DC for a fan of US Presidents). Even if these sites aren’t of interest to you, it can add so much joy to the trip when watching your child light up with excitement at seeing these places and his/her obsessions up close and personal.
  • Show your child YouTube videos of specific places (rides, hotels, inside of an airplane, buildings, etc) so that he or she can start to develop a visual picture of where you are going. You can pretty much find anything on YouTube (both good and bad, of course)!
  • Make a Social Story about your trip and where you are going, adding in things that the child will be expected to do (ie “John will stand in line while waiting to get on the ride”). Social Stories can be very effective for some kids, for most situations.
  • Make a Social Story about various aspects of the travel (ie if you are going to the airport, make a story about going through security). Be very specific with details. If you yourself are not sure of details of travel logistics, ask around (google is also your friend).
  • Show your child photos of the locations, places (hotels, amusement parks, etc), and modes of transportation (like airplanes, trains, etc) you will be visiting.  You can often order brochures and maps (like a Disney theme parks map, for example) ahead of time.
  • If visiting people the child has not met or seen in a while, make a photo book with their photos and names (ie “This is Aunt Mary”). Also, give these people a heads-up about Autism before you arrive & maybe send them some links to your favorite articles to expand their awareness and understanding.
  • Do a faux ‘run through’ (aka a role play) of a situation that might be part of your travel experience, like taking shoes off at the airport and walking through the security line.
  • Practice things that might be stressful for your child multiple times (ie When the security at the airport asks your name, you say “John”, repeat until he/she is comfortable doing this with you playing the security guard, change roles and practice again).
  • Find photos and/or articles about your vacation and make a “pre-vacation” book.  Look at it with your child every night.
  • Try to find out ahead of time where the “calm” areas are in a place that you may visit in case the child needs a quiet place to take a break, etc.
  • Write out a schedule/routine for your time away and review it regularly before the trip. You can post it right next to the daily home routine, if you have one,  so you can identify changes and practice the differences (ie we have breakfast at home everyday but on vacation, our schedule says we will eat breakfast at the hotel).
  • Some children do better with preparations that start a month or more in advance.  For others, that can be anxiety-provoking instead of calming & they do better with only a few days of advanced preparation. Know which of these methods works for your own child, and prepare accordingly.
  • There are lots of forums out there related to specific destinations – read as much as you can & ask questions to get tips from other families who may have some of the same experiences.
  • Call ahead to hotels and airlines to let them know that your child has a special need, any specific food allergies or restrictions. For example, let them know if you are in need of a quiet room at the end of the hallway in the hotel and explain the reasons why. Let the airline know about any needs that you may have as well. Most people are very helpful and want to make your experience as easy and pleasurable as possible.
  • Some airports have an Autism Access Program, like the one described here at the Philadelphia Airport.  If this is available to you, it looks like it could be very helpful for making airline travel easier.
  • Try to book direct flights to avoid layovers, plane changes, and additional ear-popping mayhem.  Also make an effort to get the bulkheads seats, as to avoid kicking the backs of seats and getting dirty looks from other passengers.
  • Speaking of other travelers, some parents swear by the “I have autism card”.  There are many variations of this (check Pinterest for some great ideas), but it is basically something that you can hand to people who are giving you a hard time that says something along the lines of “I/my son/daughter have Autism and things may be difficult for me at times. Please try to be kind and understanding.”
  • Make a “countdown to vacation” calendar at home, where you can mark off the days until you leave. Also bring a calendar along on the vacation with the day that you will be returning home so that you can mark off the days of the vacation as well. You can do this via a calendar app as well.
  • If your child uses a picture schedule at home and/or school, consider making one for the vacation as well. You can put things like waiting in line, the steps of going through security at the airport, the stops along the way on a road trip, etc). As each step is completed, you can take the picture away to show that it is complete.  You can even use the picture schedule for your practice runs at home.
  • If your child has sensory needs, consider your destination carefully and prepare for it.  For example, if your child has not been to a beach & you want to try it, set up a sandbox at home & have him/her play in the sand at home first. You can also set up a small pool outside to literally “test the waters” for a possible visit to a hotel pool. You should try on hats, sunglasses, rash guards, sunscreens, or anything else you may need for your vacation, at home before you leave. The same would be true for a cold weather destination with snow, snowpants, hats, and gloves, but why would you want to go somewhere like that? (Kidding…sort of…I’m partial to warmth!).

Considerations for Packing:

  • Make a list of the essential things that your child relies on (sunglasses, blanket, vitamins, loveys, special toy or object, etc), and don’t forget to bring those things.
  • In addition to having a list of essentials, make sure to have a check list for those essentials to make sure that they are accounted for and not left behind when you leave. I have heard horror stories about left-behind, rare, hard-to-replace favorite toys or objects. Don’t take the risk of that happening to you.
  • If your child responds to a reinforcer, make sure to bring plenty of it so that you can offer it often during the stressful times (ie I will give you a jellybean for every 30 seconds that you stand calmly and patiently in this line – airport security lines keep going through my head!).
  • Bring preferred foods along with you if your child is specific about food items & you think they may be hard or inconvenient to buy while you are on vacation.
  • For kids with food allergies, bring plenty of your allergy-friendly snack foods.
  • Bring a comfort item for bedtime (blanket, songs on ipod that they listen to at night, stuffed animal, etc) which can be a difficult time when away from the familiar home setting.
  • Bring a letter from your doctor regarding your child’s allergies, diagnoses, specific need.  Some places offer special guest assistance to those with specific needs. Many places will let you bring in your own food, even if they don’t usually let the general public do so.
  • If you are going to anywhere that has a water play area (find out ahead of time if they do), bring a swimsuit and/or change of clothes. This would have helped a friend of mine to avoid a major meltdown.
  • Pack extra socks in your day bag/purse in case feet get wet outdoors or at an amusement park.
  • Bring back-up chargers for all of your electronic devices.
  • Bring a small bag of sensory-friendly toy items for the airplane, restaurant, lines, etc.
  • Bring some new things to play with/look at for the airplane, restaurant, etc. You can wrap each item individually (aluminum foil works well) & give out one each hour, 30 minutes, 10 minutes if you are desperate!
  • Bring some old favorite toys/items that you put away for a bit prior to the trip. Having familiar items in a new place can sometimes be helpful.
  • If you are bringing a favorite item, consider getting a second one as a “back up” to leave at home in case the one you bring gets lost or broken.
  • If the child has sensory needs, consider things like earplugs, certain clothes, textures, bring own bedding if needed, noise machine, headphones.
  • If you have a tablet or ipod, load it with some favorite movies and shows for entertainment in the car, plane, etc.

 

Considerations for Safety:

  • Get some kind of identification with names, cell phone numbers, medications, special considerations (ie if child is non-verbal) made, like a necklace or bracelet. If your child will not wear something like that, you can get labels made that can be sewn onto clothing, zipper tags, or shoelace tags. There are even custom-made temporary tattoos that can be made with the identification information on them. I have friends with children who tend to elope who have purchased GPS tracking devices as well.
  • Purchase the same brightly colored t-shirt for each day of vacation so that the child stands out & you can easily remember what she/he is wearing if she/he gets lost.
  • Purchase the same shirt for the child and the parent to wear.  If the child gets lost, the parent can point to his/her t-shirt to show what the child is wearing.
  • Carry with you a recent photo of the child.
  • Make a Social Story for child about various types of community helpers (police, workers, etc) so the child knows who to go to in case of emergency.

 

While you are on Vacation:

  • Check restaurant menus ahead of time to make sure that there are food items that your child can/will eat.
  • Try not to deviate from a meal/eating schedule to avoid hunger and routine related difficulties.
  • Check to see how far your destination is from a Walmart/Target/Kmart in case you are in need of an essential item.
  • Make a daily schedule of your activities, and be very specific about what you will be doing and when. Although vacation seems like it should be more relaxed, for some kids, this will make for an overall more relaxed state of mind and a more enjoyable experience for all.
  • Make sure that you have a back-up plan in case something changes (bad weather, a ride is closed, etc).
  • Lines (and waiting, in general) can be a difficult time. Consider giving a new “thing” at the beginning/end of each waiting portion ($1.00 toy, silly putty, gum, etc).
  • As hard as it may seem after reading this long list of things to do…remember to try to relax and have fun.  If you, as the parent, are feeling extremely anxious then it can impact how the child is feeling. Have a huge cocktail and put your feet up (ok, that’s not real professional advice, but I had to put that in there somewhere!). You are a fantastic parent & are doing your best! Sometimes a good sense of humor really is the best remedy of all.

 

What are your tips and tricks for traveling with a child with Autism or any other diagnosis?

Pennsylvania Dutch Country Family Vacation

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We have been fortunate enough to be able to make visits to Pennsylvania Dutch Country several times for family vacations (sometimes even several times each year!).  Often known as Amish Country, Lancaster, or Lancaster County, the area really consists of many towns and villages. With names like Intercourse, Bird-in-Hand, and Paradise, PA you really can’t go wrong on any trip to this beautiful area. The town of Hershey is close by as well, and it is generally included under the PA Dutch Country umbrella.  If you are making a family vacation out of it, you can visit any of these areas while staying in another. If you are doing an East Coast trip, you can add PA Dutch Country to a longer road trip to places like Philadelphia (about 1.5 hours away), the Delaware and Maryland beaches, Baltimore (about 1.5 hours), Washington DC (2 hours) or New York City (3 hours).

I have compiled some of our favorite things to do when we visit PA Dutch Country.  It is an extremely family-friendly place to visit, and can also be great for couples as well (my parents went on their honeymoon here!). There are many more things to add to this list, but these 20 are a good start as you plan a family PA Dutch Country trip (and you should).

Pennsylvania Dutch Country Family Vacation

 20 Family-Friendly Things to Do

1. Cherry Crest Adventure Farm

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Cherry Crest Adventure Farm is a great place to spend a day when the weather is nice and you want some outdoor fun for the kids!  We have been several times, and our kids just love it.  There are tons of fun family-friendly activities, like a huge corn maze, animals to pet and feed, tractor rides, and so much more.

One of the many fun activities at Cherry Crest Farm in PA Dutch Country

One of the many fun activities at Cherry Crest Farm in PA Dutch Country

2. Sight & Sound Theatre

Even for those of us who are not religious, the productions at the Sight & Sound Theatre are pretty amazing.  They “bring Bible stories to life” with their various productions. We saw an amazing show there (Jonah). The sets for their shows are very elaborate & they even use live animals, which was pretty cool.  When I asked my daughter what she learned from the story of Jonah and the Whale she said “don’t jump off a boat, even if God tells you to.” That’s my girl.

Sight & Sound Theatre in Lancaster County, PA - Jonah

Sight & Sound Theatre in Lancaster County, PA – Jonah

3. Dutch Wonderland

Dutch Wonderland is a cute amusement park that is great for kids that are on the younger side.  We brought the kids here a few times when they were younger, and they absolutely loved it.  There are lots of rides and a water play area for little kids, but with older kids I would go to HersheyPark instead.

Dutch Wonderland is awesome for little kids!

Dutch Wonderland is awesome for little kids!

 

4. Hershey Park

Hershey Park at Christmas!

Hershey Park at Christmas!

I have so many great, funny, and gross Hershey Park stories to share, but I will save those for another time.  We’ve been to Hershey many times, in different seasons, and it is always so much fun.  There are rides that are suitable for the entire family, from little kids to those daring roller coaster lovers (and then there’s me, who gets to hold the bags for everyone because I’m too chicken to ride).  Hershey Park is consistently rated as one of the best amusement parks in the country.  There is a fun water park area within the park as well. It is a great addition to a PA Dutch Country trip.

Where else can you get your picture taken with a life-sided Hershey chocolate bar?

Where else can you get your picture taken with a life-sized Hershey chocolate bar?

5. Lancaster Science Factory

If you’ve explored my website much, you can tell that we are a family of science loving nerds. Or at the very least, science museum lovers.  We visited the Lancaster Science Factory on one of our trips, and we really enjoyed it.  We like the hands-on learning that these kinds of places deliver, and this one didn’t disappoint.  It was small, which suited our purposes fine, as we didn’t have an entire day to devote to the visit.

Fun family times at the Lancaster Science Factory

Fun family times at the Lancaster Science Factory

6. Horse and Buggy Ride

There are so many horse & buggy ride providers that I cannot even remember the names of the ones that we have used.  We have taken these rides through the Amish countryside a few times, and have always really enjoyed it.  It’s not hard to find places to hop on a buggy when you are in PA Dutch Country, and I highly recommend giving it a try. The farm scenery is just gorgeous, and most of the guides are very knowledgeable and will answer my your dumb questions about Amish culture (ie Can Amish people drink alcohol? What is Rumspringa? Is there really an Amish mafia?).

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7. Kitchen Kettle Village

There are lots of things to do in Kitchen Kettle Village, and you can spend a few hours walking around and taking it all in.  There are shops where you can buy local items like canned foods, cafes, and one of the above-mentioned buggy rides.  The kids can ride a pony & get their picture taken with a sign that says Intercourse (worth the trip).

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8. Farm Stay

I am reluctant to even mention this because we love it sooooooooo much, and it is already really hard to get a reservation. There are a few places in the area where you can stay on a working farm in a B&B type of lodging and participate in some of the farm activities.  Our favorite is Rocky Acre Farm (let us make our reservations first, and then you can try it).  The farm house has a variety of different types of rooms that you can stay in, and a fabulous (communal style) breakfast is included.  There are tons of cats and kittens, which is a dream come true for my daughter. The kids can collect the eggs that are used for breakfast, you can milk and feed the cows, take an ATV ride through the farm, a tractor ride & just completely decompress.  This is a very family-oriented place (ie not romantic & I would never stay here without kids).

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Feeding the baby cows

Feeding the baby cows

Collecting eggs from the hen house

Collecting eggs from the hen house

Milking a cow

Milking a cow

9. National Christmas Center

It’s Christmas all the time at the National Christmas Center! You can pretty much see every type of Christmas related item ever created on display here. There are lots of decorated trees, of course, as well as information on the history of Christmas customs. When we were there, Santa was there too (it was right around Christmastime) and the kids got to do the whole sitting on Santa’s lap thing. Plus they have old-school Santa themed cigarette displays.

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Who knew that Santa smokes?

Who knew that Santa smokes?

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10. PA Dutch Food

There are a seemingly endless number of smorgasbord restaurants in Lancaster County.  My husband has a deep-seated hatred of the word smorgasbord, possibly related to a traumatic childhood smorgasbord memory, so we call them buffets. Pennsylvania Dutch food is a thing, so there are tons of restaurants dedicated to it in the area.  I admit, it’s not my favorite, but we always go to a buffet or two (when in Rome….) while we are visiting. There are things like buttered noodles, lots of meats, pickled things, scrapple, fried things, and lots of pies (shoofly and whoopie). Pretzels are popular too.

11. Mini Golf

Just like the multitude of horse & buggy rides, there are tons of mini golf places in the area. We have a mini-golf fan in the family, so we have tried a few of them here.

12. Pretzel Factory Tour

There are a couple of pretzel factories in the area, but the one that we visited was the Julius Sturgis pretzel factory.  We were able to take a tour to see how the pretzels were made in the original ovens, and we were each given a piece of dough and were taught how to make a pretzel ourselves.  It was lots of fun & the pretzels are great. There is also the Intercourse Pretzel Factory, which I remember enjoying on a visit with my parents many years ago.  Plus you may prefer the name.

13. Hershey’s Chocolate World

Right next to Hershey Park, but separate from it, is Hershey’s Chocolate World. It is free to get in, and they have the best milkshakes ever! There is a store where you can purchase all of the candy. Yikes!  There is a free ride where you learn how chocolate is made, and they pipe in some faux chocolate scents to make you want to eat all of the chocolate. It works. They also have things like a make your own candybar assembly line (fun) and a 4D movie (ok). Those extras cost money, but you don’t actually have to be visiting HersheyPark to visit Chocolate World.

Making our own candy bars at Hershey's Chocolate World

Making our own candy bars at Hershey’s Chocolate World

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14. Doll Outlet

If you have a family member (no gender-bias here) who is a fan of dolls, then he or she will love this doll outlet!  The Doll Outlet has what appears to be millions of dolls and doll related items.  The huge variety of outfits that fit American Girl Dolls was a big hit with my daughter. They even have Amish-style outfits for your AG doll.

15. Strasburg Railroad

This is a must-do for the train enthusiast in the family.  The Strasburg Railroad runs right by Cherry Crest Farm (above).  It is a steam train that takes you through the Amish Countryside for a 45 minute ride.  If you have a Thomas the Tank Engine fan (ugh!), then it gets even better.  They have special days out with Thomas  that are very popular & the train is actually pulled by a Thomas train.  I am so happy that we are past the Thomas phase.  Good luck to those of you who are still in it. Is it better or worse that Barney and/or Teletubbies?

16. Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire

Medieval torture device at the PA Ren Faire

Medieval torture device at the PA Ren Faire

What can I say about the PA Ren Faire? If you want to see a bunch of grown men prancing around in period costumes, wearing tights, and talking in strange accents, all while getting really drunk on ale & eating huge (genetically modified?) turkey legs…this is the place for you! There are jousting tournaments and human chess. There are performers (and wannabe performers) everywhere you turn.  Music, comedy, magic. Lots of food. Some of the best people watching ever. We go almost every year & have so.much.fun.  I think we are weird.

God save the Queen? At the PA Ren Faire

God save the Queen? At the PA Ren Faire

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The Renaissance Faire usually runs from August to October, and they have various theme weekends (family, Celtic, etc).  There is a Hampton Inn directly across the street, and we have stayed there for the pure convenience of it.  It is expensive (for what you get) around the Faire time, so this can be a good use of Hhonors points if you have them.

One of the old school rides for kids at the PA Ren Faire

One of the old school rides for kids at the PA Ren Faire

 

17. Amish Tours

There are lots of different types of Amish tours throughout the area. I have visited the Amish Village many years ago, and I remember learning about various aspects of Amish life (one thing that sticks out in my mind is tobacco plants…weird). On most of our more recent visits, we have chosen to take the horse & buggy rides and visits to farms as a way to experience the beauty of the area and as a way to observe (from a distance) the Amish lifestyle.

We love the beauty of the Lancaster County countryside

We love the beauty of the Lancaster County countryside

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18. Herr’s Snack Factory Tour

We haven’t visited the Herr’s Factory yet, but we have had it on our list of possible things to do during our visits.  The times for the factory tours never seem to fit into our schedule, but it does look like a fun thing to do as a family.

19. Turkey Hill Experience

In all of our visits to PA Dutch Country, we have yet to try the Turkey Hill Experience, but it is on our list for next time. “The Turkey Hill Experience features interactive exhibits allowing you to learn about dairy culture, the story of Turkey Hill Dairy, and how the company’s ice cream and iced tea flavors are selected and created. You will truly experience what it’s like to be a Turkey Hill Dairy ice cream maker for a day, including the opportunity to create your own virtual ice cream flavor. In addition, you can sit in our vintage milk truck, milk our mechanical cows, star in your very own Turkey Hill commercial, and enjoy plenty of free samples of iced tea and ice cream!”

20.  Lapp Valley Farm

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Great ice cream and a beautiful farm setting…how can you go wrong? Lapp Valley Farm is consistently mentioned when the discussion turns to the best ice cream ever.  It is homemade and really creamy.  You can walk around a bit and see the farm animals and the peacocks. Just beautiful.

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Bryce Canyon National Park with Kids

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Bryce Canyon National Park with Kids

There are no words that can accurately describe Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah. It is a place that needs to be visited, explored, and absorbed. Words and photos are not capable of doing justice to the unearthly hoodoos (the stone pillars) that make up this scenery. It is a place unlike any other, and one that changed the way I thought about the planet.  I just kept thinking “I can’t believe a terrain like this exists” and was just in awe the entire time we were there.  I think even the kids were taken aback by the sight of it.  Bryce Canyon National Park is a perfect place to visit with kids.

Bryce Amphitheater

Bryce Amphitheater from Inspiration Point

There are various points throughout the park that are accessible by car and that give great views looking down into the Bryce Amphitheater from up above.  We explored some of these viewpoints, and took part in a Ranger-led discussion about the formation of the hoodoos (as a part of the Junior Ranger program). 

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In order to really get the best feel for Bryce Canyon, you have to hike down into it.  It looks intimidating from the top, but it is totally do-able.  Even with kids. It is a steep descent and ascent at certain points, but it is a great workout and so worth it!  You do have to have some physical stamina, but even the kids were able to do it (not without some complaints about tired legs though).

download (19)download (18)download (17)Hiking down into the Amphitheater allows for the best views of the various hoodoo formations

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 The Queen’s Garden/Navajo Loop Trail is about 3 miles, and is steep in some points.  It is probably best for elementary aged kids and older, as there are parts that are somewhat difficult.  It gives you great views of the park up close and personal.

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download (12)There are some places to stop and rest! Make sure to bring plenty of water.

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Thor’s Hammer is one of the more well-known formations (it is the single one sticking up in the background) & can be viewed from the Navajo Loop Trail.

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Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah was one of my favorite places we have ever visited, and I would recommend it to anyone with kids who are old enough to do some hiking.  Even if the kids are younger, you can still get some wonderful views without hiking too much.  We even saw some really fit people carrying a baby in a back carrier and hiking through the Amphitheater!

We stayed at the Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon hotel.  It is directly across the street from the Best Western Ruby’s Inn, and we chose it because it was newer.  Both are in an excellent location right near the park entrance. We had dinner at Ebenezer’s Barn & Grill, which is pretty much in the same parking lot as the hotel.  It was a Cowboy Dinner Show with a buffet and entertainment.  Yes, it was totally cheesy, but the kids LOVED it! My daughter even waited in line to get the performers’ autograph’s afterward & she still talks about the show.  We were literally the only Americans there (they ask you what country you are from when you enter & then they incorporate that into the show) out of about 500 people. Kind of embarrassing, kind of amazing. It just goes to show that we enjoy being tourists in our own country. The rest of you (if you’re American) are missing out.

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Las Vegas with Kids?

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Las Vegas with Kids?

In the summer of 2013 we took a monster road trip vacation to visit tons of National Parks and some other places along the way.  Las Vegas, Nevada was a logical stopping point along our route.  I must admit though, I was not excited about it in the inital planning phase. I can understand the appeal of Las Vegas for adults, but we were taking a family vacation.  I was skeptical.  But it was the best place to stop and recharge for a couple of days along our journey, so I started my research.  It turns out that there really are a surprising number of things to do for families in and around Las Vegas.

We didn’t actually do most of the things on this list, so I can’t give you a first-hand guide ( like I prefer to do), but I thought that this was a helpful list for planning a trip to Las Vegas with kids:

Las Vegas with Kids :

If you want to spend some bucks -

Free Things to do in Las Vegas with Kids :

What we did in Las Vegas with the kids:

Our plan was to find a family-friendly resort hotel with a great pool & just swim for 2 days straight.  We had already been traveling for weeks, and doing lots of hiking and exploring.  We wanted a place to rest and recharge, so we chose to stay at the Tahiti Village (using AAdvantage miles), which is off of the strip (this was a positive for us with the kids).  It had a full kitchen, washer and dryer, and a separate bedroom and living room. There was also a huge pool AND a lazy river. The customer service at the hotel was awful, and I would never stay there again & would not recommend it, but it worked for our plans for relaxation and swimming.

Las Vegas with Kids!

Las Vegas with Kids!

We did visit the Las Vegas strip one evening & went to MGM.  We ate at the Rainforest Cafe, which is always a favorite with our kids. We also walked over to the M&Ms store (and bought a bunch of candy, naturally).  Our personal preference was that we didn’t want to expose our kids to too much of the Vegas strip at their ages.  I know that this is a controversial topic, as I read a ton of back and forth about it on various Tripadvisor forum threads. Lots of people feel very strongly about this.  We weren’t die-hard against it, but just felt it was the right decision for our family to avoid it. This is America, thankfully, and you have the right to choose what works best for your own family.

Las Vegas M&Ms Store!

Las Vegas M&Ms Store!

 

Have fun in Las Vegas with your kids!

Universal Studios Orlando For Free!

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Universal Studios Orlando For Free!

Family Theme Park Vacation. For Free. During Holiday Break. Yes, we did it!

We generally like to travel around Christmas/New Years break because the schools are closed and it’s the perfect time for us to get away.  The time leading up to Christmas is the busiest of the year for me at work, and I am so in need of a vacation once Christmas is over!  Unfortunately, the rest of the world (at least those with kids or who work in schools) also seems to have the same idea! That leaves us with three chioces 1) plan ahead in order to use our miles & points for our vacation 2) be extremely flexible with where we are going to go or 3) pay top dollar.  Number 3 is not an option for us.

We really wanted to visit Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida.  We have been to Disney World about a million times, but had never been to Universal.  Or, as they say on the Disboards, the “dark side” (I’m not joking, that’s really what they call it). Because we have been traveling so much in the past couple of years, we like to avoid paying for anything travel related, if at all possible.  So I sought out a way to get our flight home from Orlando (we had flown into Fort Myers to go to Marco Island), our Universal hotel for 4 nights, and Universal Studios tickets for the 4 of us.

This is what I did.  It worked out perfectly for us, YMMV (your miles may vary), literally.

1. Loews Royal Pacific Hotel

This is one of the 3 onsite Universal Orlando hotels.  There are major advantages to staying Onsite, especially if you happen to be a Harry Potter fan.  The main advantages that were important to us:

  • Get in an hour early (before parks open) to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  This perk enabled my HP-obsessed daughter to go on Harry Potter the Forbidden Journey seven times….yes 7 times in 2 days
  • “SKIP THE REGULAR LINES with Universal ExpressSM Unlimited ride access in both theme parks – a FREE benefit worth up to $89 per person, per day^ (valid theme park admission required). It’s the fastest way to ride – enjoy unparalleled access all day long, as often as you’d like!”
  • Proximity to the parks – we didn’t use our rental car for the entire time we were there.  We made the short walk or took the water taxi to the parks

How did we stay for free? We used our American Airlines AAdvantage miles to book hotels, which you can do here.  Make sure that you sign in to your account, because they somehow show much higher point amounts when you are not signed in.  We have also booked Disney hotels using this method & you can read about that here.  For our 4 nights (during a holiday, high-season period) we “paid” 21,000 – 23,000 points per night.  When I priced it out at the time, it would have been $1800.  It was so worth it for us.

This is an example of a search that I did for the Loews Royal Pacific using AA miles

This is an example of a search that I did for the Loews Royal Pacific using AA miles

 

2. Universal Studios Theme Park Tickets

Another major expense of any theme park vacation is the park tickets, especially when you have a family to pay for!  We were able to get our tickets for free using our American Express Membership Rewards points.  The price (in points) of the tickets can fluctuate, and sometimes they do run out.  When we got ours, we were able to get 2 adults passes and 2 children’s passes for 3 day park tickets.  I think it was about 12,000 points for the kids and 15,000 for the adults.  At the time, it was a buy 2 days get one free promotion at the parks.  There have also been times when you could get these tickets for just 5,000 MR points.

The current offerings on the Amex site for Universal Studios tickets

The current offerings on the Amex site for Universal Studios tickets

 

3. Flights from Orlando to Philadelphia

We were able to use our Southwest points to get from Orlando to Philadelphia.  My husband and I both have Southwest Companion Passes, which I will write about another time.  The basic gist of it is, if you get 110,000 Southwest points in a calendar year, you get to bring a companion on any of your flights (paid or points) for free.  It’s the best thing since sliced bread (which, apparently, is younger than Betty White, but I digress).  We only had to use about 18,000 Southwest points total to get all 4 of us home.

So, that is how we went to Universal Studios for free at one of the busiest times of year! And we had an amazing time & may even be considering going over to the Dark Side for good.

Hogwarts...Forbidden Journey...best ride ever

Hogwarts…Forbidden Journey…best ride ever

Some cool props from comics that the kids have never heard of...this SHOULD be Spongebob World

Some cool props from comics that the kids have never heard of…this SHOULD be Spongebob World

 

Is it a bad parenting to have your daughter's pic taken with the Duff Beer Guy, Duffman?

Is it bad parenting to have your daughter’s pic taken with the Duff Beer Guy, Duffman?

Pretty much my life motto, for real

Pretty much my life motto, for real. Thanks Dr. Seuss

 

Cheap Family Science Center & Museum Pass…..HURRY!

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Buy an Annual Pass for 4 for less than $50! Plus get admission to 300 other Museums!
Buy an Annual Pass for 4 for less than $50! Plus get admission to 300 other Museums!

How to get a cheap Family Science Center & Museum pass….limited time offer!

One of our favorite things to do as a family, whether at home or while traveling, is to visit family-friendly Science Museums.  Last week we went to the Maryland Science Center in Baltimore for the second time, and we had a blast!

I came across this deal today on Living Social for an annual membership for a family of 4 to the Maryland Science Center.  I used the code 15OFFMARCH in the promo code section to bring the total down to $52.70, which is a fabulous bargain.  On top of that, I will get 6% cash back by going through the Ebates shopping portal (if you are unfamiliar with shopping portals, see this and this).

This is a limited time offer, so I wanted to make sure that you all can take advantage of this if you are interested.

Now, here is the best part of this deal….

There is a group of about 300 museums that have a reciprocal relationship with one another.  Meaning, if you have an annual pass for one museum, you can use it to get into other museums & science centers within the group.  You can find the current list here, and I can say that we have been to several of the museums on that list (including our recent visit to the Franklin Institute).  We have a trip to Chicago coming up, and there are some places on this list that I was eyeing up for our visit.  I am excited about this because I am always looking for ways to save money on our family activities on our vacations. My plan is to bring the Living Social voucher with me (since we won’t be in Baltimore again before Chicago for me to get the actual pass in hand). I may also see if there is another way that I can get the pass in hand without going to Baltimore first. I have read from others that this should work, so we’ll see!

You can also read about the restrictions here. It looks like museums within 90 miles of each other are excluded, and possibly museums within 90 miles of your home.  I have heard from others that the enforcement of these restrictions is pretty non-existent, but YMMV.  The admission is good for general admission, so things like IMAX tickets will cost extra (thanks Captain Obvious).

So HURRY UP and get this deal while it is still available people!

Baltimore with Kids : 17 Things to Do

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Baltimore with Kids

Baltimore, Maryland is a perfect family getaway.  There is so much to do within an easy radius, and it is close to places like Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and the Maryland and Delaware beaches if you want to make a longer trip out of it.  We visited again for the 3rd time (with the kids), and we have been a few times without them as well.  You can read about where we stayed here.  I compiled this list of 17 things to do with your kids in Baltimore, most of which we have done on one of our family Baltimore trips.

1. Maryland Science Center 

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This is one of our favorite science centers that we have visited as a family.  It is hands-on learning at its finest, with lots of exhibits that kept the kids (and us) very interested an entertained.  It is right in the Inner Harbor of Baltimore. Our favorite exhibits were the dinosaurs/paleontology, Newton’s Alley, and Your Body: The Inside Story (the kids particularly liked anything toilet-talk related). They also have an IMAX theater and a planetarium.  Teachers can get in free (basic admission) with teacher ID.

Future Paleontologist? At the Maryland Science Center

Future Paleontologist?

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Outside of the Maryland Science Center, Baltimore

Outside of the Maryland Science Center, Baltimore

 

2. Walking around the Inner Harbor

On a nice day, just walking around the Inner Harbor area is a fabulous activity.  You can see some gorgeous views from different points around the harbor.  Plus there are places for the kids to run around when it’s not too crowded.

Walking around the Inner Harbor, Baltimore, MD

Walking around the Inner Harbor, Baltimore, MD

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Inner Harbor view from Maryland Science Center

Inner Harbor view from Maryland Science Center – bring bread to feed the ducks!

3. Top of the World

The Top of the World is an observation area on the 27th floor of Baltimore’s World Trade Center. From their website “Top of the World has expansive windows that frame the Inner Harbor, the surrounding city and beyond to the Chesapeake Bay. Discover Baltimore’s history as guides reveal fascinating facts and personal reminiscences that make Baltimore come alive! ”

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4. National Aquarium

One of the premier aquariums in the USA, Baltimore’s National Aquarium has lots to see and do for families. There are 2 rainforest areas (my favorite!), dolphins, jellyfish, and tons of other sealife to learn about. We saw the 4D Spongebob show, which was a huge hit (although the kids were sad that it was short).

Jellyfish at the National Aquarium

Jellyfish at the National Aquarium

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5. Ripley’s Believe it Or Not

If you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all, or so I’m told.  We have visited a Ripley’s before, and the kids LOVED it! Yes it is cheesy and weird, but it is something fun for the family to do.  This location is right in the Inner Harbor and very convenient to all of the other Inner Harbor attractions.

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6. Port Discovery Children’s Museum

We visited this Children’s Museum when the kids were a bit younger, and it was awesome.  They say that it is for kids under the age of 10, but I would say that it would probably be best for about ages 8 and under.  There is a lot of hands-on pretend play and learning opportunities for the kids.  The Museum is within walking distance of other attractions, such as the Aquarium.

7. Fort McHenry National Monument

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This was one of our highlights of our last trip to Baltimore.  We hadn’t known anything about it prior to our visit, but we learned a lot while we were there.  This fort was known for its role in the War of 1812, when it was attacked by the British Navy.  The attack was what inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem “The Star-Spangled Banner”.

A cannon at Fort McHenry

A cannon at Fort McHenry

There are places to explore, like the old cells and dungeons

There are places to explore, like the old cells and dungeons

The grounds at Fort McHenry are beautiful for walking around and exploring

The grounds at Fort McHenry are beautiful for walking around and exploring

 

8. Water Taxi

“The coolest distance between two points.” The Water Taxi Stops at Baltimore’s Best Attractions: Aquarium, Harborplace, Science Center, Rusty Scupper, Pier Five, Harbor East, Maritime Park, Harborview, Locust Point, Fell’s Point, Captain James, Canton Park, Fort McHenry

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9. Oriole Park at Camden Yards

My husband would be really proud of me for writing this.  He loves visiting different ballparks, and this is a favorite.  We were not in the right season to visit this time, but I am sure we will get here with the kids at some point.  The stadium is in a convenient location within the city, which makes it very easy to get to.  You can take a tour of the park too, which sounds like it would be a fun thing to do with the family.

10. Little Italy

We walked a few blocks from the Inner Harbor to Little Italy for dinner.  The streets are well-kept and lined with Italian flags and too many Italian restaurants to choose from.  We didn’t choose well, as our dinner was not very good & was quite disappointing (at Daleiso’s).  The line for Amicci’s was much longer, which was probably a sign that we should have eaten there.  We had dessert at Vaccaro’s Pastry Shop, which was very good (and had a long line)

Little Italy, Baltimore, MD

Little Italy, Baltimore, MD

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11. Buying Candy

When we are traveling, we can never resist the candy shops, even if they are overpriced and hyped up like It’s Sugar. Located right in the heart of the popular attractions, this place is hard to miss (and hard to drag the kids away from).  It looks like there is a 15% off coupon, so you might want to print that out in case you end up spending 100 bucks on candy that you could have gotten from CVS for $10.  It is kind of neat (and scary for a parent) to see ginormous versions of candy favorites though.

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12. Eating

There are tons, and tons, and tons of chain kid-friendly restaurants to choose from in the Inner Harbor area.  Realizing and being perfectly aware that these are not gourmet chowhound-worthy places, you can still get a decent meal in a family friendly atmosphere knowing that some place will have the kid trifecta of mac & cheese, chicken fingers, and/or burgers.  My kids wanted to go to Noodles and Company, and we don’t have one around here.  It was very good, and a very reasonable price.

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13. Urban Pirates

We have not done this, but a friend of mine has & did recommend it. They have family adventure cruises that include pirate activities, games, songs, blasting water cannons, and a hunt for stolen treasure.

14. Paddle Boats

You can rent paddle boats & electric boats right in the harbor.  All passengers must be at least 2 years old and weigh at least 35 lbs. All passengers are required to wear life vests while onboard the paddle and electric boats. Children aged 12 years and below must be accompanied by an adult. After dark, all passengers 17 years and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Baltimore Inner Harbor Paddle Boats

Baltimore Inner Harbor Paddle Boats

15.  Historic Ships

You can take a tour of the various historic ships that are located right in the harbor. They have different types of programs and tours, such as audio tours.  There are 4 ships (Sloop-of-War USS Constellation - Pier 1, Inner Harbor, Submarine USS Torsk - Pier 3, Inner Harbor, Lightship Chesapeake - Pier 3, Inner Harbor, USCG Cutter Taney - Pier 5, Inner Harbor) and you can pay to visit one, two, or all four ships.

One of the Historic Ships with a street performer entertaining nearby

One of the Historic Ships with a street performer entertaining nearby

16. Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse

You can tour this lighthouse, which is right in the Inner Harbor, for free.  We climbed up inside of it and read the information inside to learn about the history of the lighthouse.  Plus it makes for a pretty photo.

Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse, Baltimore, MD

Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse, Baltimore, MD

17. The Maryland Zoo

For you zoo lovers out there, this is said to be a nice, small zoo. It sounds like a good place to spend a few hours, especially if your kids like to see animals.  In addition to the regular zoo animals, you can pay some extra money to ride the carousel, fee a giraffe, ride a camel, or take a train ride.

OVERALL…..

We love visiting Baltimore with the kids.  There is so much to do, and it only gave me flashbacks of  The Wire* one time.

*one of the best shows ever made, go watch it right now!

 

 

 

 

Oahu with Kids: 14 Things to Do

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Oahu with Kids – 14 things to do & places to go

There is so much to do on the island of Oahu, Hawaii.  Aside from the fact that the state’s capitol and most world-famous beach are on Oahu, there are many places to visit and things to do to entertain a family for pretty much infinity.  We didn’t even scratch the surface on our week-long visit, but we wanted to give you this Oahu with kids guide so that you can start planning your own adventure!  We hope to go back someday to re-visit many of these places and to see some things that we missed on our first trip. 14 Things to do in hawaii with kids

     1. Hanauma Bay

The kids checking out Hanauma Bay from above

The kids checking out Hanauma Bay from above

Hanauma Bay was one of our favorite places in all of Hawaii. It is very easy to get to by car from Waikiki (about 10 miles). As you enter, you have to watch a short video about Hanauma Bay preserve and the importance of protecting its (incredible) sealife. There is snorkel equipment available for rent, although it is not the best quality & you may be better off bringing your own or renting elsewhere. The snorkeling is easy and fantastic, and you will see tons of sea creatures!

Snorkeling in Hanauma Bay

Snorkeling in Hanauma Bay

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       2. Halona Blowhole

The drive from Hanauma Bay to the Halona Blowhole lookout is only about 2 miles.  The Kalanianaole Highway hugs the coast for some gorgeous views and lookouts to pull over and enjoy the views. Kalanianaole Highway Views

Halona Blowhole, Oahu, Hawaii

Halona Blowhole, Oahu, Hawaii

 

Kalanianaole Highway Views

Kalanianaole Highway Views

 

       3. Kailua Beach

Kailua Beach is very popular with families, and we really enjoyed spending time there.  It was easy to get to & there was a lot of parking in the lot .  The scenery is gorgeous!!! Kailua Beach3

Kailua Beach

Kailua Beach

 

       4. Kualoa Regional Park

Kualoa Regional Park is a beautiful beach park with gorgeous coastal views.  It is a good stopping point for photos of the small islet called Mokolii (Chinaman’s Hat).

Chinaman's Hat off of Oahu's Windward Coast

Chinaman’s Hat off of Oahu’s Windward Coast

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       5. Macadamia Nut Farm

Very close to Kualoa Regional Park is Tropical Farms Macadamia Outlet Farm.  In addition to the beautiful grounds, there is a shop that sells Macadamia Nuts and fruits grown on site.  They have samples of different flavored mac nuts & also sell souvenirs (we bought a pretty watercolor painting there).

At the Macadamia Nuet Farm, Oahu

At the Macadamia Nut Farm, Oahu

 

        6. Laie Point

Laie Point State Wayside is a fabulous place to go for an incredible view and to watch some crazy people jump off of some really high cliffs.

Laie Point...A gorgeous viewpoint and photo op!

Laie Point…A gorgeous viewpoint and photo op!

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       7. Polynesian Cultural Center

The Polynesian Cultural Center was a must-do for our family, and I am happy that it was because we had so much fun. It is a great hands-on learning experience (our favorite kind).  You can learn about the various peoples and their cultures, while having fun at the same time.  We played games, watched shows, went to a great dinner, went fishing, and learned to hula dance!

Learning to hula at the Polynesian Cultural Center

Learning to hula at the Polynesian Cultural Center

 

Playing games at the Polynesian Cultural Center

Playing games at the Polynesian Cultural Center

Fishing at the Polynesian Cultural Center

Fishing at the Polynesian Cultural Center

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       8. Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck

Oahu’s North Shore is famous for its shrimp trucks serving fresh, local shrimp.  We visited Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck for a cheap, fast, and delicious meal.   Giovanni's Shrimp Truck, Oahu, Hawaii

          9. Pu’u o Mahuka Heiau State Historic Site

This was an interesting stop along our way.  It is the largest Heiau (religious site or temple) on Oahu.  Pu’u o Mahuka Heiau was probably built in the 1600s, which was really hard to wrap our heads around.  Hands-on history (or eyes-on in this case)…that’s what I’m talkin’ about. Take a break from the mai-tais and learn something here people. download (3)

People still leave food offerings at the Pu' u o Mahuka Heiau.

People still leave food offerings at the Pu’ u o Mahuka Heiau.

        10. Turtle Beach – Laniakea Beach

Step away from the sea turtles

Step away from the sea turtles

I’ll be honest, this was probably my favorite place in all of Oahu.  So much so that we went back twice. We had never seen a sea turtle until we visited Oahu, and to just walk out onto the beach and see tons of them was an incredible sight.  There were lots of other tourists there, so it was certainly not a quiet setting, but it still felt very special.  There are volunteers there to answer questions and protect the turtles from psychos.  You can’t touch the turtles (duh!), but you can get close enough to observe them and admire their longevity.

Turtles on the beach! If you don't think this is cool then something is wrong with you

Turtles on the beach! If you don’t think this is cool then something is wrong with you

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Looking for turtles in the water

Looking for turtles in the water

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        11. Haleiwa and Shave Ice

Haleiwa is a cute town on the North Shore of Oahu.  There are restaurants, shops, and beautiful beaches.  No discussion of Hawaii would be complete without the mention of shave ice.  It is just so good.  As much as I hate snow right now, the texture is like light, fluffy snow.  Our favorite flavors were the ones that were made of real fruit (or tasted that way anyway) and were not syrupy.  We tasted the shave ice at too many of the places everywhere we went.  Aoki’s was our favorite in Haleiwa.

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       12. Ko Olina Lagoons

Ko Olina is a resort area on the leeward side of Oahu, with several resort hotels (including the JW Marriott where we stayed…see our review here).  Because of the resorts, this is a popular family destination.  There is more info in my hotel review, so I won’t be redundant, but here is some eye candy:

Sunset view from our balcony at the JW Marriott Ihilani

Sunset view from our balcony at the JW Marriott Ihilani

 

         13.  Pearl Harbor

You have to use your judgement on this one with kids.  At the time when we visited Oahu (2012) my kids were not at an age that I felt comfortable bringing them to Pearl Harbor and trusting that they would be respectful and well-behaved enough.  We felt that this memorial deserved reverence and did not feel that our kids could (with certainty) act in a way that we saw fitting for the situation.  That is just us, so you can make your own call.  Kids are certainly welcomed to visit.  For us, we decided it would be best if my husband went on his own & he felt that it was a good choice. download (2)

        14. Waikiki Beach

A visit to Oahu doesn’t seem complete without seeing world-famous Waikiki Beach.  It was definitely not the highlight of our trip, but we were glad that we visited and spent a couple of nights there.  See here for more detailed information about our Waikiki experience.

Surfing lessons are a great Father's Day present!

Surfing lessons are a great Father’s Day present!

Embassy Suites Waikiki with Kids: Hotel Review

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Embassy Suites Waikiki Hotel

Embassy Suites Waikiki Hotel – view from the pool

Embassy Suites Waikiki with Kids – Review

Where:  Waikiki Beach, Oahu, Hawaii

When: July 2012

Who: Family of 2 adults and 2 young school aged kids (that would be the 4 of us!)

The Hotel:

We spent 2 nights at the Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach hotel on the island of Oahu, Hawaii.  It was in a great location, within walking distance to the beach and many other things that we wanted to do.  It was is a huge hotel, and it was extremely family friendly.   We used American Airlines miles to pay for our hotel, as I detailed here in this post about Disney Hotels, so it was free for us to stay here.  I don’t remember the exact cost (in miles) for the room, but I do remember that we got an excellent redemption value.  Hotel prices were very high because we were there for the July 4th holiday, and using miles worked out perfectly for us. For some reason that I am not quite sure about (cute kids is my guess), they upgraded us to the largest room type (2 bedroom, 2 bathroom) and we were told that it was the best room in the hotel.  It had a huge balcony with ocean views as well.

View from our balcony at the Embassy Suites Waikiki

View from our balcony at the Embassy Suites Waikiki

Bedroom #1 in our suite at Embassy Suites Waikiki

Bedroom #1 in our suite

Bedroom #2 in our suite Embassy Suites Waikiki

Bedroom #2 in our suite

 

Because who doesn't want to see a picture of a toilet

Because who doesn’t want to see a picture of a toilet

If you have to see one toilet, might as well see both

If you have to see one toilet, might as well see both

The Embassy Suites Waikiki includes a decent cook-to-order breakfast (like all Embassy Suites hotels) and also includes a happy hour where you can get as many watered down drinks as you are willing to stand in line to get.  Actually, the happy hour at the Embassy Suites Waikiki was great.  It was at the pool, and the drinks were pretty good.

The Pool:

For our family travels, the pool is always an important factor.  We aren’t super picky about it, but do enjoy a good pool when one is available to us.  The pool at this hotel was nice and the kids had lots of fun making friends and playing in the pool until dark.

View of the pool looking down from our balcony - those tiny dots are the kids

View of the pool looking down from our balcony – those tiny dots are the kids

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The Location:

There are tons of places to walk that are close to this hotel.  You can walk across the street to Waikiki Beach.  There are plenty of restaurants within easy walking distance as well.

Surfing lessons are a great Father's Day present!

Surfing lessons are a great Father’s Day present!

Overall…. We really loved this hotel, our huge upgraded room, and the location.  We would definitely stay here again if we go back to Waikiki.

National Parks Annual Pass

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Hi, I'm the Grand Canyon & you can use your National Parks Annual Pass to visit me

Hi, I’m the Grand Canyon & you can use your National Parks Annual Pass to visit me

America the Beautiful National Parks Pass

In July and August of 2013, the 4 of us set out on an adventure to explore some of this country’s most beloved and mind-blowingly beautiful National Parks.  We had only been to one National Park (Assateague Island) prior & had purchased an America the Beautiful National Parks Annual Pass while we were there.  It is actually called America The Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.  But that’s too long, so here is some information about the AtBNPP (just made that up):

America the Beautiful National Parks Pass - Things to know

  • $80 Annual Pass provides access to 2,000 parks and recreation areas
  • Annual Pass can have 2 owners, and kids up to age 16 are always free (so one pass was good for our whole family!)
  • Can be purchased at many parks (in Visitor Center), by calling 888-275-8747, option 3, or online here
  • Military and their dependents can get a free pass! Doesn’t apply to us, but I’m happy to hear about this because they totally deserve it.
  • You show your photo ID and pass in the booth or location where you would normally pay for your park ticket
  •  Ours was good for more than the year because we bought it in July 2013, and it expires in August 2014
  • Most parks cost $20 so we saved some decent cash by purchasing the pass
  • If you are 62 or older then you are in luck, it’s really cheap for you. More here.

 

 National Parks Annual Pass – Some places where we used ours:

Bryce Canyon National Park

Death Valley National Park

Everglades National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park

Yosemite National Park

Zion National Park