Top Family Travel Tips and Vacation Spots of the Year

Since I launched this family travel tips website in 2009, my kids have grown from babies into teens and TravelMamas.com has grown into one of the world’s most trusted travel blogs. I’m honored to continue to share dreamy vacation spots, travel tips for all ages, and global lifestyle articles with readers like you. To celebrate the 14th anniversary of Travel Mamas, I’m counting down our 14 most popular stories of this past year! 

The Travel Mama Colleen Lanin and her teenage kids
That’s me, The Travel Mama, hanging out with my teenage kids on vacation in San Juan, Puerto Rico! (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)
Best Travel Toys for Kids, Babies and Teens
(Photos from Amazon.com)

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14. Best Travel Toys for Kids

I have spent years searching for the best travel toys, activities, games, and crafts to make long travel days fly by. Separated by different age groups, this list of the best travel toys for kids will make road trips, long flights, and train travel easier and more enjoyable for the entire family.

Best San Diego Attractions for Kids
(Photo courtesy of Birch Aquarium by Scripps)

13. Best San Diego Attractions for Kids

This story is a long-standing favorite on TravelMamas.com. As a mom who lived in San Diego for 15 years, my picks for the best things to do in San Diego with kids appeal to family vacationers. That’s why I make sure to keep this story up-to-date year after year.

8 Tips for Disney On Ice with Kids
(Photo credit: Disney on Ice)

12. Quick But Essential 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. It’s a great way to enjoy world-class skating and the wide-eyed wonder for which Disney is renowned. To maximize the fun factor, check out these quick but essential tips for Disney on Ice with kids.

Grand Canyon
(Photo credit: luckyphotographer, Depositphotos.com)

11. Grand Canyon with Kids – What You Need to Know Before You Go

The Grand Canyon is one of the most popular national parks in the United State and one of the most awe-inspiring places on Earth. No wonder these Grand Canyon tips resonate so much with readers! Learn about things to do at the Grand Canyon, nearby day trips, and where to stay near this national park in Northern Arizona.

Tips for road trips with a toddler or baby
(Photo credit: AChubykin, Depositphotos.com)

10. Best Tips for a Road Trip with a Toddler or Baby

Road trips with babies and toddlers might seem daunting even to experienced travelers. Good news, fellow parents! These expert tips for a road trip with a toddler or baby will ensure a smooth ride for all.

The Peninsula Chicago's indoor pool with a view of the Windy City
(Photo credit: Peninsula Chicago)

9. Best Indoor Hotel Pools for Families

This collection of incredible hotel swimming pools is fun for families no matter the weather outside. Dive into this list of the best indoor hotel pools for kids. This massive hotel stretches across 141 acres and has something for everyone to enjoy during a Caribbean vacation.

backyard barbecue party tips
(Photo credit: photographee.eu, Depositphotos.com)

8. Backyard BBQ Party Ideas to Impress Your Guests Without Stress

Take your taste buds on a tasty journey with these ideas for a backyard BBQ party. These smart and inventive tips will impress your guests without stress so you can truly enjoy the shindig.

Montreal with kids
(Photo credit: aetb, Depositphotos.com)

7. Fantastique Things to Do in Montreal with Kids

As the largest French-speaking city in North America, Montreal stands out as a unique and historic metropolitan area. Its French Canadian charm is mixed with many immigrant cultures, making this city in the Quebec province a lively mix of people, food, and attractions. Find 11 fun things to do in Montreal with kids.

Atlantis Bahamas Resort
(Photo credit: Atlantis)

6. Top Things to Do at Atlantis Resort

Atlantis Bahamas Resort boasts amazing water adventures, beautiful sand beaches, and luxurious accommodations. This massive hotel stretches across 141 acres and has something for everyone to enjoy during a Caribbean vacation. Explore 20 things to do at Atlantis Resort.

Disneyland rides and attractions for babies and toddlers
(Photo credit: Travel Mamas)

5. Top Disneyland Rides and Attractions for Babies and Toddlers

Amusements abound for all ages abound at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure theme parks. Younger children are sure to go gaga for this list of the best Disneyland rides for toddlers and babies.

Scottsdale, Arizona sunset
(Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

4. Scottsdale with Kids – Fun Things to Do in the West’s Most Western Town

Scottsdale, Arizona may be best known for its abundance of swanky spas, golf courses, and shopping malls. Thankfully, families will find a wealth of kid-friendly attractions in my hometown, too. Explore exciting activities in Scottsdale with kids.

Strawberry Limeade Royal Caribbean mocktail
(Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

3. Royal Caribbean Mocktails: Zero Proof Drinks at Sea

Let’s toast to tempting alcohol-free beverages at sea with my round-up of the best cruise mocktails! Discover inventive concoctions on cruise ships like a Blueberry Nojito or Shirley Ginger. Plus, learn about Royal Caribbean’s drink package options.

Mardi Gras World in New Orleans with kids
(Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

2. Kid-Friendly Things to Do in New Orleans

The Big Easy may be best known for beads and Bourbon Street, but there is another side to this Louisiana city. Parents may be surprised to find a bounty of attractions for families in NOLA. Let the good times roll with these things to do in New Orleans with kids!

Flying with a baby
(Photo credit: Melpomene, Depositphotos.com)

1. Flying with a Toddler or Baby (Tried and True Tips!)

A plane ride with young children can be a daunting endeavor. It’s no surprise, then, that this list of tips for flying with a baby or toddler has been our most popular blog post for four years in a row! If you’re planning your first trip on an airplane with young kids, be sure to read this advice for flying with a car seat, the best way to make long-haul flights go smoothly, and which healthy snacks to pack for your next family vacation.

 
Dad and young kids hiking in Julian, California
My kids and husband when Travel Mamas first launched (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

Why We Travel with Kids

A lot has changed since the start of this family travel tips blog! Here’s the story that launched it all, Why We Travel with Children.

The Travel Mamas' Guide: How to Vacation with Babies and Young Children and Stay Sane

The Travel Mamas’ Guide

I wrote a book about how to travel with babies and young children, too. You can get your copy from Amazon or Barnes & Noble!

Best Family Travel Tips from Travel Mamas

Save this List of Travel Tips and Family Trip Ideas

For future vacation planning, be sure to save this list of our best family travel tips and family vacation ideas. Simply pin the image above to Pinterest. We hope you’ll follow Travel Mamas on Pinterest while you’re at it!

What type of holiday travel stories and tips would you like to read here in the future? Let us know in the comments below!

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74 Comments

  1. Congratulations! Reaching 14 years of blogging is a huge accomplishment! I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy reading your travel articles. They are all so well written that it feels like I’m right there with you, experiencing the same things you are.

  2. It’s impressive to see how much the site has grown since its launch in 2009, and it’s no wonder why it’s become one of the world’s most trusted travel blogs. Your dedication to sharing dreamy vacation spots, travel tips for all ages, and global lifestyle articles is truly appreciated by readers like me. Congratulations on the 14th anniversary of Travel Mamas, and I can’t wait to see what new adventures and stories you’ll share in the future!

  3. Oh, I need to check these popular destinations off my bucket list before the kids are too old to fully appreciate them. Family trips are great memories fro the kids!v

    1. Alita – Kids learn so much about the world through travel. Good for you for making family travel a priority!

  4. I am flying with a toddler coz we are going back to my country but I don’t really know the things I should do. I know it’s challenging so I was looking for tips. Thank you! You got some really expert tips here about traveling. keep it up.

  5. Now that the kids are a bit older, we want to travel more this year. Thank you for the tips. My goal is to go to the grand canyon with kids but I was hesitant because I know I will be traveling with kids thanks for the tips.

    1. Brianne – Happy to share my tips for traveling to the Grand Canyon with kids! I hope you have a wonderful family trip!

  6. Wow, this is so amazing!
    A decade of beautiful, mess, happy, and wonderful family trips.
    Happy 10th Anniversary!

    1. Thank you! It’s actually 14 years of beautiful, messy, happy, wonderful family trips! 🙂

  7. I did the zero proof mocktails on Wonder of the Seas last March. I really like how they are trying to accommodate non-drinkers.

    1. Brian – Awesome! Even though I do drink alcohol, I love Royal Caribbean’s mocktails! So much variety!

  8. Oh wow! Such a longstanding blog. I love it! And I think it’s great that your kids are older now b/c you can speak to traveling at several different stages. You have great advice!

    1. Thanks so much, Jennifer! The minute we think we’ve figured out parenting, the kids grow and we have to figure it all out again! 😂

  9. What a great roundup of all your greatest hits this year! I’m heading to Disney and Atlantis with my kids in the next year, so these tips will come in so handy!

    1. Nicole – How exciting! Enjoy Disney and Atlantis — both are so much fun for families!

  10. These all sound pretty amazing. I think we’d probably love the Atlantis resort as it has something for everyone. We always bring plenty of toys to keep the kids entertained.

    1. Melanie – Atlantis is such fun for families, I hope you can visit sometime soon! And, so smart of you to pack lots of travel toys — it really makes a difference when traveling with kids!

  11. This is a great list of family vacation ideas. I think the kids are old enough to take to the Grand Canyon and I haven’t been there in years!

  12. That is amazing! Happy Anniversary!
    We love traveling as a family and these tips are super helpful!

  13. Happy Birthday! I’m not brave enough to repost my very first post. It was terrible! Here’s to many more anniversaries 🙂

    1. Ha! I have definitely deleted some terrible Travel Mamas’ stories over the years, Corinne! They can’t all be winners, I guess! 😂