Jackie Jones

Latest posts by Jackie Jones

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

Raging Rivers Water Park is the place to be on a hot day in Bismarck.

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.

Guide to Visiting Mount Rushmore and Rapid City, SD with Kids

Submitted by Jackie Jones on Sat, 09/14/2024 - 12:00pm

To truly understand the wonder of Mount Rushmore, you'll need to see it in person!

There are few national landmarks as iconic as Mount Rushmore, the massive granite sculpture in Keystone, South Dakota depicting four of the country's most beloved presidents (George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln) surrounded by the majestic Black Hills and a forest of Ponderosa pine trees. The carvings may even be one of the first images that come to mind when you think of the American landscape.

Mount Rushmore attracts more than two million visitors a year. This year, that included my family. While the landmark is the big draw for a vacation in this part of the country, it's also just one of the many activities offered in the area. (Watch out, Branson, Missouri: South Dakota is becoming a genuine family fun center!)

Here's your guide to visiting Mount Rushmore with kids, plus things to do nearby in Keystone and Rapid City, SD. Also check out our Midwest Family Travel Guide for more vacation ideas.

Ft. Myers with Kids: 25 Top Things To Do in Ft. Myers, Florida

Submitted by Jackie Jones on Sat, 06/08/2024 - 10:56am

Fort Myers beaches are a favorite destination for locals, snowbirds and vacationers. Photo courtesy of Visit Fort Myers

Ft. Myers, Florida—the gateway to the state's southwest region—is a city full of water-play opportunities, interactive museums, and a history that includes two of America's most famous inventors.

Though arguably more urban than Naples, its neighbor to the south, Ft. Myers also has stunning beaches. I'm talking about white sand, warm Gulf Coast water, and mild weather pretty much all-year round. The city was greatly impacted by Hurricane Ian in 2022, but it has largely bounced back. With great restaurants and resorts to boot, it's an ideal spot for a family vacation.

Read on for our top 25 things to do in Ft. Myers with kids, from Ft. Myers Beach to kid-friendly Ft. Myers hotels. Also, check out our Florida Vacation Guide for more trip ideas in the Sunshine State.

Tulip Festival and More Things to Do in Holland, MI with Kids

Submitted by Jackie Jones on Sat, 04/27/2024 - 12:00pm

Families with kids should definitely swing by the Windmill Island Gardens.

Each spring, travelers from around the world descend on the small town of Holland, MI to take part in the annual Holland tulip festival. There, they get to see millions of colorful tulips in full bloom. It's an amazing spectacle, complete with carnival rides, parades, and performances.

But while the festival lasts just a few weeks in May, this town on the shores of Lake Michigan is also a great destination for a summer vacation, as my family and I discovered. About 2.5 hours from Chicago, Holland, MI is beachy and affordable, and many unique attractions and restaurants highlight its Dutch influence. (Ebelskiver anyone? For those who don't know, it's a delicious Danish dessert!)

Read on for more about the Tulip Time festival and other top attractions in Holland, MI, including great hotels in Holland, MI. And check out our Midwest Travel Guide for other vacation ideas.

Latest posts by Jackie Jones

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