MomsTribute
Vacation planning can be loads of fun! In fact, we here at MomsTribute.com, with premium blogs about parenting, agree that planning is at least half the fun. You might be wondering where to take your family this year and, if you are, then you might also be wondering which spots have the best places to visit with kids.
With that in mind, I want to talk about road trips and national parks. The United States is full of amazing, breathtaking, and thrilling national parks. From forests to canyons, rivers to mountains, and geysers to monuments, American national parks have something for everyone. And with a total of 63 official national parks, chances are that your own state (or at least a neighboring state) has a fantastic spot you can visit without too much hassle. This means you’ll get to spend valuable time with your kids and introduce them to some of the most memorable landscapes in the country.
Here’s a travel tip! Download the free kid friendly venue app to see what other busy working moms recommend in your area! This is a great time management tool, and it can help a ton when it comes to planning a road trip. With it, you could see which kid-friendly restaurants people recommend as well as other best places to visit with family in the area.
If you want to go as far north as Maine, you might consider taking your family to Acadia National Park. They call it the Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coast, and this is for good reason! There are over 100 miles of hiking trails, beautiful coastal scenery, and campsites where your family can enjoy the great outdoors to its fullest.
One of the best parts of road trips and national parks is that in almost all instances, families can bring their dogs along. This is a huge benefit for pet owners. Just be sure to check the specific rules and regulations of whichever park you plan to visit.
If you’re in the south, you might consider taking a road trip to Everglades National Park in Florida. This park protects the southernmost twenty percent of the Everglades. Visiting here will mean seeing wildlife, swampland, and amazing flora and fauna. You can schedule excursions while you’re visiting, including air boat rides or visiting alligator parks.
If you’re taking a road trip to get to your destination, you’ll want to make sure you pack lots of snacks, entertainment, and comfort items. This will help ensure everyone stays comfortable and happy.
Here’s a travel tip! Consider out-of-the-box entertainment options. Toddlers and young kids love busy boxes, crafts, and coloring books. Another great idea that I’ve used with my own kids is bringing a metal baking sheet and a zipper bag full of magnets. Kids love these and will play with them again and again.
Even older kids, though, can get bored with their electronic devices. This is especially true if you’re taking a longer trip. Consider picking up a couple of old-fashioned road maps for them to peruse. You can also buy activity books like crossword or sudoku.
If you’re going to be in the northwest region, you could always consider Alaska. Glacier Bay National Park is at the very top of my family’s bucket list, and in fact we’re hoping to make it there in the next year or two (though driving is only possible part of the way!)
If that’s just a bit too far north, then you might consider Mount Rainier National Park. Located in Washington State, you’ll still get glacial views and mountain peaks. Visiting in the summer will also reward you with amazing summertime meadows as you enjoy the scenic trails around this (still active) volcano.
Because of the desert landscape, your choices for national parks in the southwest are vast (no pun intended!) One of the most obvious is the Grand Canyon National Park, but others include Zion National Park, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, and Bryce Canyon National Park.
The Grand Canyon can be viewed on multiple sides and from multiple states like Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado. Carlsbad Caverns is in southern New Mexico, and both Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park are in Utah.
Two of the most famous National Parks in the Midwest are the Badlands National Park in South Dakota and Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming (a small percentage is in Montana and Idaho). If you’ve ever heard of Old Faithful, you’ve heard of Yellowstone! Besides seeing geysers like Old Faithful, there is so much to do in these amazing spots, including fishing, snowmobiling, and hiking.
National Parks are often considered treasures, and it’s no wonder. Taking your kids on a road trip this year to visit one or more national parks is a fantastic family vacation opportunity. You’ll be able to create lasting family memories, and we here at Mom’s Tribute are sure you won’t regret that!
Katie C
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