When I originally launched Travel Mamas in 2009, I had no idea that I’d still be sharing family travel stories on this blog 12 years later. In fact, I really didn’t know what a blog was until my book agent told me to start this site! Over the past dozen years, though, TravelMamas.com has grown into one of the world’s most popular personal travel blogs. I’m honored to share my travel and global lifestyle tips with readers like you. To celebrate the 12th anniversary of Travel Mamas, I’m counting down our 12 most popular stories of all-time!
(Photo credit: luckyphotographer, Depositphotos.com)
12. Grand Canyon with Kids – What You Need to Know Before You Go
The Grand Canyon is one of the most awe-inspiring places on Earth. No wonder these 17 Grand Canyon tips resonate so much with readers! Read this story to learn about things to do at the Grand Canyon, nearby day trip and pit stops, and where to eat and stay near this national park in Northern Arizona.
(Photo credit: Disney On Ice)
11. Tips for Disney On Ice with Kids
Even if you don’t live near a Disney theme park, you can still experience the magic of Disney close to home with Disney On Ice. To maximize the fun factor, check out these eight tips for attending Disney On Ice with kids.
(Photo credit: Lyla Gleason, The Globetrotting Travel Mama)
10. Best Beach Hotels for Kids – Recommended by Family Travel Experts
Nothing says “vacation” more than a day at the beach. This round-up of dreamy, kid-friendly beach hotels will make any family want to jet off to a tropical locale for some splashing, sunbathing, swimming and smoothie sipping!
(Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)
9. Why and How to Host a Vision Board Party
Travel often plays a big role in the images added to a vision board. Learn how to host a vision board party including what to buy, how to structure the party, how to make vision boards with kids, and what NOT to do.
(Photo credit: CoCo Key Water Resort)
8. Best Indoor Hotel Pools for Families
New to the list this year, this collection of the best indoor hotel pools is fun for families no matter the weather outside. Dive into this list of watery oases!
(Photo credit: Mall of America)
7. Things to Do at Mall of America Besides Shop
Do you know how much there is to do at Mall of America besides shop? I do! Check out these 30 fun activities at this mega mall in Minnesota.
(Photo credit: Melpomene, Depositphotos.com)
6. Flying with a Baby or Toddler – 15 Tried and True Tips
Flying with young children can be a daunting endeavor. It’s no surprise, then, that list of tips for traveling with a baby or toddler has been our most popular blog post of the past couple of years.
(Photo courtesy of Woodlands Resort)
5. Best Hotel Pools for Kids in the USA
To compile this round-up of the 10 best hotel pools for kids in the USA, I went to the experts. I asked some of the most popular family travel bloggers to share their favorite kid-friendly hotel pools from their travels. Of course, I included a couple of my favorites, too!
(Photos from Amazon.com)
4. Best Travel Toys for Kids, from Babies to Teens
The best travel toys can make the difference between a cherished family vacation and a long journey you’d rather forget. Discover some of my favorite distractions for family vacations by age — from babies and toddlers to preschoolers, grade school children, tweens and teens.
(Photo credit: Travel Mamas)
3. Top Disneyland Rides and Attractions for Babies and Toddlers
Amusements abound for all ages abound at this California theme park. Young Disney-goers are sure to go gaga for this list of the best Disneyland rides and attractions for babies and toddlers.
(Photo credit: David Roark, Disney)
2. Dos and Don’ts of Disney’s Castaway Cay
In addition to remaining popular for years, this story also holds the record for most comments on a non-giveaway post. Discover the wonders of Disney’s Castaway Cay with these tips from family travel experts.
(Photo courtesy of Birch Aquarium by Scripps)
1. Best San Diego Attractions for Kids
Holding steady in its first place spot, the most popular blog post on TravelMamas.com is about a place I know and love well. As a mom who lived in San Diego for 15 years, my picks for the best San Diego attractions are popular with family vacationers year after year.
That’s me — The Travel Mama! (Photo credit: Travel Mamas)
The Travel Mamas’ Guide
You might be wondering…whatever happened to my book? You can get your copy from Amazon or Barnes & Noble, that’s what!
My First-Ever Blog Post
I thought it would also be fun to share my first-ever family travel blog post. Take a look at the story that launched it all, Why We Travel with Children.
Why we travel with children (Photo credit: pat138241, Depositphotos.com)
Save this List of Family Travel Stories
For future reference and reading, be sure to save this list of our best blog posts. Simply pin the image above to Pinterest. We hope you’ll follow Travel Mamas on Pinterest while you’re at it!
What stories would you like to read on this global lifestyle and family travel blog? Let us know in the comments below!
About Colleen Lanin, The Travel Mama
Hi Colleen!
Congratulations on 10 years – it’s a great a accomplishment.
Here’s to many more viral posts and family adventures!
Carrick
Thanks so much, Carrick! I’d really love some more viral posts! Wouldn’t we all?! 🙂
Congratulations Colleen!! Wow 10 years, that’s amazing. If you are ever heading to the Midwest look us up. My husband and I own Kishauwau’s Starved Rock Area Cabins and our property is just a 10 minute drive from Starved Rock & Matthiessen State Parks. Starved Rock is the largest state park here in Illinois with amazing hiking & stunning views. If you’re a nature buff you would love it.
Our property is host to 17 cabins spread throughout our 65 acre wooded property on a bluff above the Vermilion River. We offer a totally unplugged, peace and quiet getaway for our guests and cater to everything from just 1 couple looking for a romantic getaway to single family vacationers to large family reunions. Kids love the swings that hang from the large oak trees out in our big yard and parents love getting their kids away from their technology, even if just for a little while. I would love for you to check us out. You can also see the wonderful reviews we work so hard for by just googling Kishauwau’s Starved Rock Area Cabins reviews. You may also see Kishauwau Country Cabins, that’s us too. I took on a DBA back in December. We are very shadowed by the state park and they do not really send business our way as they also have cabins. I am really working to find ways to gain more visibility this year and I thought travel writers might just be the key.
Hi Terisa – Your cabins sound wonderful for family vacationers! Please feel free to reach out to me at colleen.lanin@travelmamas.com about working together. 🙂
Thanks for this post! It’s such a great cross section of your travels and blogging journey. I have to go read them all.
Thank you, Stacie! You & I met shortly after we both started blogging. It’s been fun to follow your blogging journey as well!
This is such an inspiring post. 10 years?! Congratulations! ? I would like to read all your Disney posts ?
Thank you! And as for the Disney posts, as they say in Beauty and the Beast…be my guest! 🙂
Wow congrats on 10 years! I’m going to check out the Disney on ice post now because I might take my kids this month!
Thank you! And enjoy Disney On Ice with your kids! 🙂
Congrats on your 10 year anniversary! Blogging definitely isn’t for sissies 🙂 I didn’t know you could swim with manatees, so now I’m off to read that post to learn more!
So true! Anyone can start a blog, but only those with grit can keep one going! Also…I hope you go swimming with manatees someday! 🙂
wow, that is incredible that you have been blogging for 10 years. congratulations to you! xx
Thank you! My, how things have changed over the blogging years!
Isn’t it insane to reflect over TEN YEARS and remind yourself of everything you’ve accomplished!!! Also, it’s weird to look back on what blogging USED TO BE LIKE and what it’s like today! I have been blogging for 8 years and man oh man has the atmosphere changed entirely!! I don’t hate it but I also don’t really LOVE what blogging has become to some. Personally, I blog because I just love it – but I know this is not the case for everyone. I can see first hand that YOU are with me though, you do this because you LOVE it 🙂
So wonderful that you have a passion for blogging, too, GiGi! I think readers can tell that bloggers like us are truly passionate about what we do. Congrats on 8 years of blogging & best wishes for many more!
Congratulations! I just passed thirteen! I went to an inspiration board party and it was a blast. I wonder if they read your post!
Wow! Congrats on 13 years of blogging! You really were a pioneer in the blogging world. I hope you had a great time at your vision board party, too! 🙂
Isn’t it amazing how much ten years can change us?? It sounds like you used those ten years to the fullest!
Kind of crazy to imagine where I (and Travel Mamas) will be in 10 years!
Congratulations on the anniversary! It takes hard work, determination and constant motivation to reach 10 years. 6.3 million visitors is super impressive too! Imagine the number of people you inspired along the way. 🙂
Thanks so much, Ronnie! My favorite thing ever is when someone tells me they read a story of mine & then decided to book a vacation to that destination, buy that product I recommended or follow my travel tips! My goal really is to inspire families to travel more often & better!
Congratulations! 10 years is a major achievement in this world of blogging! I enjoy reading your travel articles. They are all well written, making me feel that I am actually in the same place as you.
Thanks so much, Annmarie! 🙂
Congrats on your blog’s 10th year anniversary!
Thank you!
I am so glad I found your blog! There is so much material here to keep me busy and informed, for hours! Very cool!
Yay! So glad you are liking Travel Mamas! 🙂
Congratulations on the success of your blog! You have some really great content so it’s no wonder you have done well!
Oh, thank you, Beth! So kind of you!
The biggest congratulations ever for having one of the top 10 travel blogs! That is a amazing achievement! I hope to be like you one day 🙂
Thanks so much, Porsha! Best wishes for much success with your blog!
Happy Anniversary, Travel Mama!!!
Thank you, Sara! 😀
Congratulations, Colleen!! You do such a great job!
Thanks so much, Edie! 😊
Happy Birthday! I’m not brave enough to repost my very first post. It was terrible! Here’s to many more anniversaries 🙂
Ha! I have definitely deleted some terrible Travel Mamas’ stories over the years, Corinne! They can’t all be winners, I guess! 😂