With only 18 summers in a child’s life, it’s very important that you make an effort to plan for something special to capture those childhood memories with your kids and if possible extended family.

Have you ever considered a vacation with your extended family?

I personally recommend planning for a summer vacation getaway with your children and children’s grandparents. Planning it at the end of the summer somehow seems to make summer feel longer. It’s also a special way to end the summer making memories before the business of the school year starts.

For our family, it’s our way of pressing pause and really enjoying moments with our children and with our parents.

Disclosure: Wyndham provided us with a complimentary vacation condo during our stay. I did not receive any monetary compensation for this post. All opinions expressed are my own and my family’s.

Planning a Trip with Extended Family

We planned a multi-generation stay in Orlando with grandparents who are visiting us from India.
This summer trip we were invited as guests at the WyndhamBonnet Creek Resort in Orlando. Here’s a sneak peek of our stay at this gorgeous resort along with some tips we’ve learned after traveling with our whole family for many years.

These tips can help you plan your next adventure with your extended family to your favorite destination.

As you begin to plan for your family vacation getaway it’s always best to get together and find a system that works for everyone. Here are a few online tools that we use as a family with my parents, my husband’s parents, our siblings and their families, and even close friends when we plan vacations with a large group.

We’ve planned quite a few trips with kids that include family members and I’d like to share some tips that work best while planning. It takes a little time and finesse to plan all your fun vacation activities.

Pick a Destination

This is probably the hardest task of them all!

As a family, we keep an ongoing list with our extended family of places we’d like to explore.
We each try to find budget-friendly deals at those locations when possible. We’ve traveled to the beach, mountains, and even a cruise together with multi-generations but pretty much any location can work.

We have a Pinterest Board filled with Places to Travel if you’re looking for inspiration. This summer we wanted to be in Orlando with a variety of options to choose from.

{Click here} for my post about places to Visit in Orlando.

Find a Destination to Accommodate a Large Group

As you are choosing a vacation destination I recommend looking for a location that can hold a large group with multiple rooms. Booking a large space at times can be more budget-friendly too.

We all need space at times during the extended trip, especially when you have little ones who need naps too so having separate sleep areas can help. Be sure that it provides a full kitchen. With a large group on vacation, you can save a lot of money making meals at home together. Many larger places require a week’s stay so keep that in mind while you are searching.

We planned our trip at Wyndham Bonnet Creek in Orlando at the end of summer because of the choice of having 1, 2, or 3 bedrooms with your vacation condo. The condo had a large common area for all of use to spend time together and at the same time also had the ability for us to each get ready in our own areas and for the kids to have some playtime together too. 

The full size kitchen and eating area was a helpful feature so that everyone could sit down to eat together at mealtime. There’s something very special about having all of your family eating meals together for a period of time that helps to build connections and memories.

One thing to keep in mind as you schedule is to give your family time to just enjoy the space that you’ve booked for the week. Many facilities have great amenities to keep your family entertained. Our resort, Wyndham Bonnet Creek, had far more amenities than we could ever have anticipated. Plus they have a daily activities calendar too. We enjoyed discovering all of the features together each day. 

They had 5 pools, splash park, 2 lazy rivers, private cabanas, hot tubs, kids’ playground, volleyball court, ping-pong tables, pool tables, walking path, fitness center, game rooms, picnic area with grills, kids craft center, and much more! We packed a few family games that we knew everyone loves to play too for back in the room too when we need downtime to refresh.

Honestly the lazy river, near our condo in Tower 5, attracted our family the most and we spent several hours there floating around the pool in our tubes. I loved that there were grandchildren, grandparents, aunts, uncles and parents all doing the same thing with smiles, laughter and relaxation.

We floated and swam around it as we enjoyed the castle features and cannons that splashed us. We packed a snack and drinks in our cooler so that we could stay there a bit longer. A few of the pools even had water slides, one even looked like a pirate ship!

One of the highlights of our trip at Bonnet Creek was each night to be in our room on the balcony when it was time for Disney’s Fireworks. Since the resort is on Disney property you are so close! From our balcony all of us joined together to watch them at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. They were gorgeous reflecting over the water.

Create a Vacation Board on Pinterest

• Research Local Attractions together as a whole family and add pin ideas onto a shared Pinterest Board.
• We usually make our secret board so no one needs to see what we’re planning outside of our family.
• Plus then we can type below in the comment section opinions about things and why they are ideal.
• You could even add the price of the venues on the pin description so you can budget accordingly.
• We make ours a Place Board so we can also highlight where the locations are that we are pinning. Makes it so easy to find when you are at your destination.

One tip is to start with a hotel’s feature page. Many Hotels have already done the search for you on what’s close by. Many hotels and visitors bureaus have also started creating their own Pinterest Boards too.

Ideas for Things to do in Orlando

We did spend quite a few days at Bonnet Creek Resort however since we were there for a whole week we also had days to go on adventures together in the mornings or afternoons. We spent time at Downtown Disney Area near the Resort. Then we drove up to International Drive to explore the new Sea Life and the Orlando Eye.

We also drove over to the Florida Mall to go to the new Crayola Experience. No trip to Orlando is complete without a beach trip so we drove up to the Central Florida Zoo on our way to Daytona Beach. It was so much fun exploring these locations together as a whole family. 

Plus we had our good friends who are local join the fun a few times too! The more the merrier!

Of course, with the resort on Disney property, we could have easily spent time visiting the Disney amusement parks.

We’re saving that for our next time visit this fall when it’s a bit cooler. Here’s our Planning for Disney Pinterest Board we can’t wait!

Perhaps a quick trip to SeaWorld too, we loved it last holiday season.

Create a Google Calendar-

One way that we’ve found to be effective is to use a Google Calendar to schedule out our days. Once you add multiple people to an experience it’s helpful to be sure everyone in on the same page and has felt that their interests are being expressed.

You could even add in a link from your Pinterest board pin to be sure everyone knows what’s planned.

Communicate on a Google Document or Facebook Group–

Find one method that works for your family to discuss the trip. We’ve done both ways and either way using a Google document or a Facebook group with files works well. It’s a way that no matter where you log in, you can view it and add to it when needed. It also keeps an Audit track of who added what notes.

Share Responsibilities with Everyone–

We took turns being the person who does various roles such as cooking dinner. It’s a vacation and trust me it takes a little bit of work with so many people in one spot to be sure one person doesn’t feel that they need to take care of the whole family. The kids really get into helping when they know what’s expected of them too. 

We hung the task list up on the fridge so everyone could remember what they committed to. Having so many family members in one space it’s important to keep things organized.

Create a Vacation Meal Plan Together-

We all have our own little things that we enjoy eating so take time before the trip to plan out what needs to be added to the grocery list. My suggestion is to only send one person or two to the store to grab all the items on the list.
It can be overwhelming if everyone joins the shopping adventure.

Take a peek at the area you are visiting and find a few select restaurants that you want to save as special experiences together. With larger groups see if they take reservations so that your family isn’t having to wait for long periods of time for a table. Bring something for ALL the kids to do so that they are entertained. Bigger tables tend to take a little bit longer for service, especially when all the grown-ups are having fun talking.

Discover Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort

Our vacation at Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort had a variety of options to keep our family entertained and make lifelong memories together. The property was well maintained with active and friendly staff. The landscaping surrounding the entire property made you feel like you were in a tropical paradise. Our condo itself was beautifully furnished with everything you need for your family to live there for a week but still make it feel like a special experience in an upscale family friendly space.

The Vij Family Review

Our family had an amazing vacation at the resort that we will never forget. I’ve already asked my parents to look at their calendars to see when we can book a trip with them and the kids to return. The kids’ favorite was the lazy river feature. The view from our room in Tower 5 on the 10th floor made our experience extra special each morning and night.

Grandparents Review

Our favorite was the fireworks each night with our grandchildren and the evening walks around the beautiful lake.
Being able to spend time together as a family was priceless.

Aunt and Uncle’s Review

It was such a fun trip for our extended family to stay together and enjoy quality family time at Wyndham Resort. Kids enjoyed the lazy river with cousins and activities offered by the resort. Watching fireworks from the balcony was one of the memories that will stay with us forever. We can’t wait to plan our family reunion again there.

We hope you find these tips helpful as you plan your next vacation getaway with extended family. With the convenience of online tools, you’ll be set for success and able to spend quality time with your whole family making memories that last a lifetime.

Have a tip for vacationing with extended family? Please tell us below in the comment section.

Thank you Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort

Thank you to our new friends at Club Wyndham for inviting us to be their guests for the week. Club Wyndham is a leader in providing world-class vacation ownership experiences, with more than 75 resorts found in America’s most popular destinations.

Be sure to follow them on Facebook,Twitter,Instagram,Pinterest and visit their siteto check out how you can book your next trip

Club Wyndham** LIKE IT? PIN IT!**

Click here to see MORE Travel Ideas

We were provided 2 nights of accommodation in exchange for our review of the Lone Star Court Hotel by Valencia Group Hotels. All opinions expressed are my own and my families from our stay. 

Making a decision on where to stay in a new place is always an adventure. As a traveler you look around the surrounding area and find the main attractions that are close by to the hotel. However there’s one main focus which is the hotel and what experience your family will get from it. On our recent trip to Texas we discovered a gem of a retro styled experience stepping back in time in Austin, Texas. 

We found an Austin style boutique hotel that was a big hit with our family, especially the kids. 

Lone Star Court Hotel: A Retro Chic Hotel in Austin Texas

The Lone Star Court Hotel is unlike any other hotel I’ve experienced with my family. From the moment you arrive with the old restored car out front, you know the stay will be memorable. As we checked in, the pops of color were inviting throughout the hotel.

The doors are a bright turquoise fun contrast to the wood exterior of the 3 story hotel. All the rooms face in towards the welcoming courtyard with two orange rocking chairs on your front patio. The entire space is warm and inviting as you check-in to the hotel.

The kids loved the onsite greeter “Jack” who’s the hotel’s dog. Country chic with perfectly placed pieces for a retro pop makes it an unforgettable experience.

We were in for a bit treat, once inside our room, the hotel design had so many fun pops of retro design. With mason jar touches in the bathroom that has a wooden barn door to divide up the space. The sofa is a completely retro design inviting you to sit for a bit.

One of my favorites in the design was the retro turquoise SMEG refrigerator.

This hotel is perfect for out-of-town guests but honestly, I can imagine it’s a pretty fun hotel for an Austin staycation as well for locals.

One of a Kind Hotel Courtyard in Austin

The courtyard area is what makes this hotel stand apart from any other place. There is a group area where local bands can perform or you could host a group get-together. Here’s their calendar of upcoming bands.

At night the lights strung across the space making it quite magical.

My husband and I enjoy a cocktail there from the hotel restaurant called the Water Trough while the kids were enjoying the nightly campfire. Bring stuff for smores or they even have a package deal you can book that includes them.

They also have a few fire features throughout the outdoor space at night that simply transforms the space for your experience every evening.

The swimming pool felt like it was designed to feel a bit like you’re at a local swimming hotel hanging out with friends. My kids would have stayed there the entire trip if we would have let them.

There were a few water features nearby too that were nice to listen to at breakfast time.

Homemade Breakfast at Lone Star Court Hotel

The Lone Star Court offers complimentary breakfast with your stay in the Water Trough Restaurant each morning. The fresh fruit stood out from the typical continental breakfast that hotels typically offer. The scrambled eggs with green onions and cheese, so yummy!

I loved that they had a few board games on the fireplace too to encourage the sit-back and relax atmosphere of the whole hotel.

Water Trough Restaurant at the Domain in Austin, Texas

We had a very special opportunity to host an event for the Valencia Group Summer Book Drive campaign called Book Smart. They had a wonderful opportunity for both hotel guests and locals. Bring a book and get a drink from the bar at The Water Trough.

We hosted a group of bloggers on our last evening there and enjoyed the fun items featured on their menu. Many thanks to Volunteer Spot for sending Jessica and Arthur to join the event!

I can see this as a terrific spot for some of the shoppers at The Domain to stop in or from the Tech-Hub that surrounded the area too. Adding local bands playing, it seems like it’s a buzz of the community for fun and food. One of the group’s favorites on the menu was the handmade salsa chips and BBQ tacos!

Plus their happy hour drink choices were really fun. If you live in the area it would make a great happy hour spot near the Domain.

Lone Star Court’s Book Drive

Lone Star Court’s book drive benefits Recycled Reads. Recycled Reads is run primarily by volunteers with materials withdrawn from the Library’s collection and community donations. They raise money for the Austin Public Library and are an active participant in the City’s Zero Waste Initiative by ensuring obsolete materials are handled in an environmentally responsible way and kept out of landfills.

Recycled reads are proud to be celebrating its 5th year anniversary this year.

Vij Family Review of Lone Star Court Hotel

The kids were thrilled with just about everything that Lone Star Court had to offer. After driving from Florida to Texas the beds were absolutely amazing to sleep in with their deep mattresses.

When we returned back to the hotel one evening after exploring The Domain we discovered all of the lights on in the courtyard and fire blazing. It was a BIG hit!

It’s fun to think about how our parents may have experienced travel at motor courts back in the day with the pops of retro design in this. Ask for the third floor, it has the best view of the courtyard!

I personally would love to host a family reunion, wedding, or retreat for bloggers or teachers here, as the event space is just as fun too! As one may say who’s a bit obsessed with Pinterest, it’s a hotel with many pinnable moments!

Be sure to Follow Lone Star Court onTwitter, Facebook, and Instagram for their latest bands and vacation packages!

Our Top Place to Stay in Austin, Texas

Many thanks to Lone Star Court for having my family as your guest! We can’t wait to return when we visit my son in Austin on our next trip.

Click here for more Tips for Places to Travel…

One special beach that we enjoy the most is St. Augustine Beach.  We excited to discover that KOA was located there just 3/4 mile from the beach.

We decided to discover “What’s Behind the Yellow Sign” and book our first stay at KOA Kampgrounds.

This is a sponsored post by KOA Kampground and Trekaroo, all opinions expressed are my own. 

Learning about History at Florida Beaches

Florida is packed full with history with its beaches up and down the coast line and one of the most famous places is St. Augustine Florida, the oldest city in the United States of America. In fact they are getting ready to celebrate their 450th Anniversary.

We took our family to St. Augustine for two nights to enjoy the KOA campground and explore the city in way that we’ve never done before. Typically we’ve always done day trips there from where we live. While researching our family adventure about the campground I was impressed that they have so many resources available on their website.  

KOA even sent us a reminder as we were getting ready for the trip with things to pack and how to prepare for camping. I can imagine as a first time camper, like our family, this is quite helpful as well as the app that they’ve created for campers.

Read my review on Trekaroo

Learning About History While Camping at St. Augustine Beach

The #1 spot to start your Adventure into History is the St. Augustine Fort called Castillo de San Marcos .

Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry fort in the continental U.S. Originally constructed by the Spanish between 1672 – 1695 with major modifications from 1738 – 1756. Later, the British, Spanish and Americans all made changes to the Castillo before it was finally retired as an active fortification in 1900. 

There are more areas in St. Augustine as well that we plan to visit on our next trip there they are Fort Mantanzas National Monument and Fort Mose Historic State Park .

One of the easiest ways to get our town is to either park at the Visitors Center Parking Garage or spent a little and enjoy the Old Town Trolley Tours. 

Thanks to the Florida Historic Coast we were provided complimentary media passes to use the tour bus and visit the main attractions in St. Augustine to share with you. The KOA General store even sold tickets for the Old Town Trolley.

St. Augustine Tourist Attractions

Here are some of our favorite places we to visited in St. Augustine to learn about US history. There are so many to choose from!

• St. Augustine Old Jail
• Old Store Experience Museum
• St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum
• Oldest Wooden School House
• Colonial Quarter
• Lightner Museum
• Flagler College
• Ponce de Leon Fountain of Youth Archeological Park
• St. Augustine Lighthouse Museum

Look for a feature next week of St. Augustine with details on each location we visited!

St. Augustine Beach KOA Kampground

The deluxe cabin has a deck looking over onto the lake. The lake it is filled with wildlife including some turtles, fish, ducks and cranes. We took a few walks around the fishpond and observed so many different kids of birds.

There were even paddle boats available to rent. The kids enjoyed observing the turtles the most while we were there. In fact of all the things we did that was their favorite.

Here are some additional tips for camping with kids.

The deck itself was it’s own escape for the adults with a gas barbecue and table and chairs with an umbrella to make picnicking fun.

My only wish was that we booked our trip in the cooler months to enjoy the fire pit, makes me want to return again in the winter in Florida because it would be amazing with the kids to do Smore’s out by the fire.

I must confess the Deluxe cabin was so comfortable with it’s air conditioning inside. My husband and my two children were a perfect fit in this deluxe cabin two-bedroom cabin was a perfect fit.  

It was helpful having the kitchenette there with mini refrigerator and cabinets filled with plates, cups and utensils for our meals.

Staying Overnight in St. Augustine Beach

Having the campground so close to things to do in the city of St. Augustine Beach made it so convenient.  We were able to catch two sunrises while we were there.  I wish my girls both road bikes well and we would have just biked our way to the beach from the KOA campground.  This is one of my favorite times at the beach with my girls. 

Celebrating the day as it arrives and collecting the sea shells left out from the nightly low tide.  Then we would head back to the cabin for breakfast, a quick swim in the pool and get ready for our day in the city of St. Augustine. What a fun way to start each day of vacation.

When you’re visiting the oldest city in the United States of America there is quite a few things to choose from. it was so cute to see my girls take their map from St. Augustine’s Visitor’s Bureau and decide what they wanted to do. Here’s a list of all the Attractions in St. Augustine.

Planning Out “Kid Time” When Exploring History

We spent two days of seeing as much as we could learn about in St. Augustine and when you have siblings are varying ages they don’t all understand on the same level the places you are exploring. One thing we’ve learned is to plan a kid-focused activity to end the day. 

The first day we went on an adventure on the water with the St. Augustine Scenic Cruise . It was a great way to sit back and relax on a boat, enjoy the sunset and get a view of the Lion Bridge, The Fort and the Lighthouse. We even were able to watch a group of dolphins swimming along with us. 

I can only imagine the stories on the waterways from all these years of travelers, including the pirates. Then we headed back to the cabin for a BBQ on our deck.

The second day we planned a trip to the beach at the of our day. After raising kids for many years, I have to admit this is our favorite time to take a family to the beach. The sun isn’t quite as strong and it’s behind you on the east coast.

It was fun to watch the kids explore the low tide and even catch a few tiny fish. A perfect way to end our adventure in St. Augustine.

**Like It?  Pin It! **

Click here to see more Places to Travel

“Eat. Walk. Be Merry.” How can you not love a company who have that as their motto.

We received complimentary tickets from Chicago Food Planet to share about our experience on the tour with our readers. We accepted the invitation and shared on my instagram account at each stop while we were on the food tour. All opinions expressed are my own… ok confession well maybe my husband’s too.

Chicago Food Tour

Chicago Food Planet offers four different types of tours as you explore Chicago. Even on our trip to Chinatown in Chicago I was able to peek at their tour there and see what they’d recommend. Plus a little tweet out and they responded back with a link which was super helpful.

Here’s a peek at our experience on the Gold Coast and Old Town Tour.

We first met in the Gold Coast Area of Chicago, the homes in this area are so pretty and the spring flowers made everything so happy and cheerful. We met with our group at Lou Malnati’s home of the deep dish Chicago style pizza.

One of my favorite features on the food tour was the history and details the guide is able to share with you about the location and food you’re sampling. The pizza to be honest was hard to resist eating just one slice, it was so delicious but we had to save room for the rest of tour. We did work our way back there on another day to enjoy our very own deep dish pizza in Chicago.

One nice thing is that the tour book includes coupons as well.

Then we walked over to Tee Gschwendner for some raspberry mango green tea and a little background information about the types of tea.; I was amazed at the variety of loose teas they had available.  It was the perfect time for the tea as we had a little walk ahead of us to Old Town Chicago.

Next up was Kamehachi which is the first sushi restaurant in Chicago. We sampled their sushi and saki in the upstairs area which had beautiful Japanese interior design influence. Our guide Angela was such a treat to listen to at each stop as she explained in detail this history of the restaurants in Chicago.

Across the street we ventured over to The Fudge Pot with a little back scene tour of their shoppe and some history about chocolate.  We enjoyed our chocolate covered butter toffee, wish we would have stopped to bring some home to our girls or perhaps a molded chocolate, they had so many choices to choose from.

When I met my husband I was exposed to so many new spices with Indian food but those were nothing to our next stop at the world famous The Spice  House. We ventured to a gorgeous outdoor area in the back and explored a variety of cinnamon and a few other spices.

Our final destination was a big win in my books with Europeans pastries at the Delightful Pastries. The was the first time I had tried a pierogi, so delicious! Plus the macarons where so moist and popping with color and flavor.

My husband and I had such an amazing time together on this 1.3 Mile trip to explore 7 Chicago hot spots for food. Once we finished up we continued north to do a bit more sightseeing in Lincoln Park including the Lincoln Park Zoo and Chicago History Museum. I must admit walking the streets of the town in Gold Coast and Old Town was such fun appreciating the architecture and local businesses in Chicago.

Although it was just my husband and I on this trip, I can imagine how much fun our kids would have had on this food tour with Chicago Food Planet. Food Tours can be a useful tool for exposing your child to new foods and location in a fun environment. One of the teenagers on our tour tried sushi for the first time and found out she liked it. We look forward to bringing our kids with us the next time we go on a Food Tour while traveling. It’s the best way to explore a city, through their tummies.

Have you ever gone on a food tour? Where? Share your experience in the comments below.

Thank you Chicago Food Planet Tours!

Click here to read more about Things to DO in CHICAGO

Click here to see more ideas for Places to Travel

I am amazed at how many fun things there are to do in Chicago with kids.

Disclosure: I received 2 complimentary passes from Smart Destinations for this review and have included my affiliate link for you. 

Chicago Attractions to See

Visiting cities for the first time can be overwhelming at times, especially when you live in a smaller town like we do. Then add to the mix traveling with kids and it gets a little more complicated.

One tip I suggest it to check out the Go City Chicago Pass in the region you’re traveling to and see the top place they make as options to a pass.

What is a GoCityCard

They’ve basically hand picked the top spots so that you can go their with a discount. We selected Go City Chicago All-Inclusive Pass to maximize the spots we could visit while in Chicago on our first trip there. It’s an all inclusive pass that gives you a ticket to all of their featured locations to choose from.

Chicago’s pass included 25 different locations plus discounts to quite a few more.

Purchase All-Inclusive Pass: Go Chicago Card

Attractions to Visit in Chicago

Here are the tourists attractions that are included with the Go City Card in Chicago.

• SkyDeck Chicago
• 360 CHICAGO
• Art Institute of Chicago
• Shedd Aquarium
• Adler Planetarium
• The Field Museum
• Museum of Contemporary Art
• Museum of Science and Industry
• Chicago Architecture Foundation
• Chicago Children’s Museum
• Navy Pier Ferris Wheel and Rides
• LEGOLAND Discovery Center
• Brookfield Zoo
• Chicago Theatre Tour
• Chicago History Museum
• Robie House
• Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio Tour  
• Lincoln Park Zoo offers

Go City Chicago Pass: Save up to 55% on 25+ Chicago Attractions, Museums, and Tours for one Low Price!

Transportation Options Included on your Go City Pass too

• Hop-on/off Trolley: 2-day pass
• Architecture River Cruise
• Classic Lake Tour
• Tall Ship WINDY
• Panoramic and Scenic North Side Tour
• Grand Tour
• Historic Chicago South Shore Tour

So many things to choose from as you select which package to get from Go City Pass. We used a 2 Day pass and were able to complete quite a few from the list. Let me show you where to start as you decide what locations are right for you and your family.

Selecting Places to Visit in Chicago

We went the kid-friendly route so that we could share with you where to maximize your time as you visit Chicago with your family. As we choose where to go we also kept in mind the ease of getting their and maximizing your time with your pass.

The south side of downtown by Lake Michigan has the Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium and The Field Museum plus an incredible view of the city of Chicago. We started here and used their parking lot.

I wish we would have taken one of the blue bikes for rent in town once we were done so we head to the Navy Pier the route looked so beautiful as we drove past it and they are pretty close to each other.

We decided to park the car there at the Navy Pier and take the Architecture River Cruise which was probably our favorite out of the whole trip. The guide discusses all of the buildings as you stroll past them on the river.  Plus a little history about the river itself. 

So much fun if you only do one thing in Chicago I’d recommend this tour.

Once we returned we took a peek at the Children’s Museum which was simply amazing. A perfect spot for you to allow the kids to just be kids and explore and discover for a bit. There are several rooms there for your child to choose from to play in.

We finished up with dinner at the Navy Pier and a fun ride on the Ferris Wheel.  We also walked down to the end of the Pier for a peek at the view of Lake Michigan and of the city at Sunset, quite a view!

Don’t miss the water fountains indoors too, the kids will love those. 

We started our second day with the GrayLine double-decker bus tour so that we didn’t have to wait as long in the lines for the Skydeck Chicago and 360 Chicago. The nice part about the Go City Pass is that you get to skip the line as many locations to the fast pass line. 

If you grab your tickets for the Hop On Hop Off Tour bus ahead of time at Palmer House you can also jump onto that bus tour once you’re ready to move on from this location. That way you can hop around the city listening to the history about it and take in the sites plus you can finish and enjoy the things at Millennium Park once the last bus makes it run at 4:45.

We enjoyed the guided tour around the city as we jumped on the bus from Millennium Park and took it to 360 Chicago and also walked around the Historic Water Towers and grabbed a little chocolate treat from Ghirardelli’s and Hersey’s. My daughter wanted to be sure we saw the American Girl Doll Store as well.

Then we hopped back onto the bus to head to the Skydeck Chicago at the Willis Building (aka Sears Tower) The bus took us through Magnificent Mile on Michigan street and down beside the river past and even past the Chicago Theatre, it was quite a fun ride as well. One of our tour guides Frank even played a few famous Chicago songs to add to the experience.

A must-stop on your tour of Downtown Chicago is a walk to Grant Park to see the Buckingham Fountain and other statues at the park. Plus head over to Millennium Park to see the Cloud Gate, BP Steel Bridge, and new children’s park Maggie Daley Park from this area.

These areas are all free of cost but I must mention that The Art Institute for Chicago is there as well which most of the locals told us is a must for your list. It’s included on your go city pass.

We found off 9th Street there were a few parking garages that were much less in cost and not too far of a walk if you’re just visiting this area.

Choose How to Get Around Chicago

One thing you need to know about Chicago is that parking can be quite expensive and at times hard to find. We found that if we found zones where we were going to visit we could have a few parking spots where we could leave the call all day and know it would be a budget friendly choice.

There are a few zones where you can find quite a few attractions which work out well too. The metro can be another option to get around town or the buses. Each local we chatted with mentioned how great the public transportation is there. Plus there are always taxi’s or uber available if needed.

Here’s my driving in the city of Chicago. (Click here)
Looking for a Food Tour in Chicago (Click here

My husband and I were able to cover to many places using our GoCity Pass. We would never have been able to see all of the choice with a 2 day pass but they do have 3 day or 5 day too. I love that you can pick and choose what do see based on your interest. There were so many things that would have been PERFECT for my two younger children to enjoy and also my college-aged son.

I hope you have a chance to explore Chicago soon! 

Share with me what your favorite attraction is in Chicago when you visit!

Click here to see more Places to Travel

Go City Chicago Pass

We have a senior in our house.  He’s getting ready to head out on his own and we’re in the process of car shopping.  One of those big parenting decisions to make it what type of car your child gets for the first time.  Drivesshopreached out to us to explore the city in one of their vehicles a Mitsubishi Mirage and share about it with you. 

Test Drive with a Mitsubishi Mirage

After driving the Mirage around the city for a week we realized that this just might be the right size for him.; With a roomy interior with comfortable seating front and rear it would be perfect for getting around the city for work and with friends.

The parents in us felt much better knowing that they have created RISE which is a Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution Construction that deflects and transfers crash energy away from occupants. A big win in my books. Plus it has 7 interior airbags including driver’s knee impact protection and rear passenger doors. Having all of these features helped it to earn a Best of Class in Safety Award.

We used the car to go sight seeing at some of Chicago’s Top Tourists Attractions and we also took it on the road to the suburbs for some appointments and to meet with some of my favorite bloggers.  I had a chance to meet in person Jennifer Hughes from The Jenny Evolution and The Sensory Spectrum. 

I also had the chance to meet with Laura Marshcel from Lalymom and her adorable 2 year old son .  Then for a special night out at we meet with Danya Abraham from Lemon Lime Adventures and Project Sensory. 

I can’t not express how thankful I am to be able to connect with bloggers when I travel. I learn so much each time from them.  

The Mirage comes with lots of features like push to start with power windows, mirrors, doors on all models.

Plus the Key FOB which gives you fast key passive entry and remote operated locks and hatch.  Making getting in and out super easy. I imagine it would make it super easy for my son to go and visit with his new friends in the city.  

We enjoy taking our car on our Chicago Food Tour too!  (Click  here to see)

When it was time to fill up the tank I think my jaw about dropped.  Just 20 bucks and we were done. The Mitsubishi Mirage gets 37 city and 44 highway which was terrific on our budget. It was named to the American Council for Energy Efficient Economy’s “Greenest Vehicles” list. A big win in this mom’s books!

 Mitsubishi Mirage

I’d like to introduce you to the 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage.The Mirage gives the buyer the FREEDOM to enjoy life by EMPOWERING them to do more, go farther and for far less money than they thought possible. Whether you are into loading up a few friends and heading to a concert, driving around town to find the best shopping or enjoy long road trips through national parks, a Mirage can help you get there and still have money to play.

Click here to see our Top Places to Visit in Chicago

Looking for a bigger vehicle?  Check out our road trip adventure with a Kia Sedona .

Shopping for a new car? You may also like these car reviews…

A big thanks to Driveshop for providing this vehicle loan for review. All opinions are mine alone.

Your kids will thank you for bringing them to this hot spot in Toronto.

Chelsea Eaton Hotel

We received a night stay as media in exchange for sharing about our experience as Chelsea Eaton Hotel guests. All opinions expressed are my own and my families.

Canada’s Largest Hotel the Eaton Chelsea Hotel

This summer we decided that we were going to take our family out of the United States to Canada for a quick visit from New York.  We searched the internet and discovered Chelsea Hotel. 

As Canada’s largest hotel, Chelsea Hotel, Toronto offers 1,590 contemporary guest rooms and suites for business travelers and tourists. Just driving up this this location in downtown Toronto was an adventure with our kids with all of the tall buildings! 

We loved the location which was easy to find and conveniently close to the attractions in Toronto. 

Mom tip: Due to it’s size there were a few times when waiting for the elevator it took a little bit more time so plan accordingly if you’re on a tight schedule. 

Variety of Room Sizes Available

The hotel manager took me on a tour of the entire Chelsea hotel which was completely amazing to the variety of spaces available for visitors. They have your typical hotel rooms with King beds and 2 Double beds but they also have a studio kitchenette, a one bedroom suite and their quite popular family fun suite. 

Be sure to book early if you want the Family Fun Suite, they get reserved quickly.

Family Fun Zone

The highlight of our stay at Chelsea Hotel was the Family Fun Zone.  The Family Fun Zone consisting of an indoor family pool, 130 ft ‘Corkscrew’ waterslide, Kid Centre and Club 33 Teen Lounge. The fact that the Corkscrew waterslide goes in and out of the building was just simply awesome! 

Typically as you know at hotels kids are not the featured guests but at Chelsea Hotel kids are most definitely the featured guests. The kids have their own special check-in counter where they receive a little welcome package. 

There was even a robot who interacted with kids in the lobby when we were checking in plus a popcorn station too.

Guests can bring their child to play in the play space at the Kid Centre. Plus Child Care is available at the Family Fun Zone as well.  How cool is that!

Need a little escape from the kids… Club Room guests can enjoy access to the exclusive E-Club Lounge on the 27 floor for adults only which gives you amazing views on the city too.

Choices of Restaurants

As we searched for what to eat after check-in we discovered that there are quite a few options available to guests within the hotel itself. Which after driving for a good portion of our day I was glad to keep the car in the parking garage and find a spot to eat.

For breakfast, we did buffet style and headed outdoors to the patio dining area which was so beautiful.

Chelsea Hotel, Toronto serves a range of cuisines, cocktails and culinary delights in the four dining venues:

• Market Garden and express|o Coffee Bar: Casual and convenient, Market Garden is the one-stop solution for busy travelers.
• Bb 33 Bistro and Brasserie: Guests can start their day with the buffet breakfast or choose from the a la carte breakfast menu.
• Centrally located, T Bar; is the venue of choice for a quiet coffee or pre-dinner cocktail
• Monarchs Pub: Toronto’s go-to destination for the city’s best live music and watching sporting events.

Special Offers at Chelsea Hotel, Toronto

Be sure to keep your eye out on the special offers that they offer on their website. The Family Getaway Package keeps calling our name to return.

Plus if you show them your room key they have a special counter in the front that can help you book tickets with a discount to all of the attractions in Toronto.  Show Your Key and Save Option. 

We headed to a fun amusement park on an island in Lake Toronto called Centerville. We even took a ferry boat ride to get to this adorable island called Toronto Island Park.

Gorgeous Event Space

With over 24,000 ft² of meeting and function space, Chelsea Hotel, Toronto can meet the needs of the most meticulous event planner. The adaptable, accessible facilities include two multi-purpose ballrooms for large-scale events, a series of executive-friendly boardrooms and private business suites. 

I would love to be able to attend an event here, honestly even host an event here for my INSIGHT Blogger Retreat!

Follow the Vij Family on Instagram

Vij Family Review

The Eaton Chelsea Hotel was a welcomed hug after a very long road trip where the kids felt that they were a special guest. It was so refreshing to be able to kick back and enjoy the hotel itself with the kids.

The pool area and playroom kept them entertained and created some great opportunities for family time together, which is exactly why we took our vacation. 

Our room had been recently remodeled and had some terrific views of the big city. The kids loved it.

We look forward to returning again in our traveling adventures. Thank you so much to Eaton Chelsea for inviting us to be your guest.

Click here to see more Places to Travel

You may also enjoy these travel recommendations…

 Langham Place New York, 5th Avenue

We received a night stay as media in exchange for sharing about our experience as Langham Place guests. All opinions expressed are my own and my family’s.

My family of four was invited to stay at Langham Place on 5th Avenue for our vacation in New York City.  We didn’t know what to expect as this was our first trip to New York. I must admit we were blown away by all that this hotel had to offer.

One of a Kind Welcome

Upon arrival, each guest were greeted by an amazing staff who brings you to the elevator to begin your stay at Langham Place. The bellman and the doorman made quite an impression with the girls welcoming them to the hotel. It was quite a personalized greeting as we walked in the door to check-in. 

Prime Hotel Location in New York

Langham Place is located between Bryant Park and the Empire State Building which made it possible to walk to so many of the iconic locations of the city. On one side of the hotel, there are beautiful views of the Empire State Building. 

Our suite was a corner suite looking at both Fifth Avenue and the Empire State Building.  Each time we glanced out our windows it literally drew us in for quite some time. There are a variety of views from Langham from Fifth Avenue, the Empire State Building, Midtown Manhattan, and 36th Street. 

In fact, the Langham Place is named one of the Top Hotels in New York by US News and World Report.  

Floor to Ceiling Window Views of New York City

Be sure to catch the views at different times of the day, the whole perspective changes. The views from each window on the corner unit are breathtaking. Especially if you’re at all like our family living in a smaller city. But I have a feeling no matter big city or small city this spot is a hot spot for travelers alike.

Ideal Hotel Location in New York City

From this prime location, we were able to walk with our two kids to Time Square, The Empire State Building, Macy’s, New York Public Library, and the Rockefeller Center. 

Here are a few photos from our walk that evening we checked in and heading out to dinner.  The view of the Empire State Building at night makes this room over the top!

Plus we were able to get tickets to ride the Big Bus Tours anywhere else we wanted to go to that day.  This means it was super easy to get to the Statue of Liberty, the World Trade Center Memorial and Central Park along with all of the amazing museums that New York City has to offer. 

We used a New York City Pass to get access to each of these memorable locations. 

First Class Selection of Rooms for All Types of Guests

One of the features of Langham Place is the variety of rooms available for guests. There are 214 rooms each with amazing views of Manhattan highlighted with the floor to ceiling windows. Each room is spacious and inviting with contemporary décor. 

The management took me on a tour of the various rooms that I’ve featured for you below ranging in size and price points. 

The room features amenities like Miele appliances, Duxiana beds, Italian Pratesi linens, rainfall showers and deep-soak tubs. The hotel’s 57 luxury suites are equipped with full kitchens as well as private washer/dryer sets. In such a busy city these amenities were such a treasure to discover. 

Spa and Fitness Options

Langham Place Spa featured 11 different spa treatment rooms and a full fitness area. I wish I would have had more time there to enjoy the spa facilities. Can image what fun it might be to book a girl weekends with friends here. Who would you invite?

Dining Features

Dining Features at the Langham Place offer a few selections from afternoon tea, a longue-type area for guests, and even a fine dining experience with renowned chefs. Love the convenience in New York when there are places to eat right where you are staying. Such a time saver for busy travelers. 

Vij Family Review of Langham Place …

This hotel was a pleasant surprise to the business of New York.  It was quite sophisticated for our family of four, which is exactly why we will never forget this experience.  The next time we’re in New York this will be our place to stay it was that amazing with its personal touch of the service. 

Our girls even got a little treat for the turn-down service that evening. It’s the little things that add up to memorable vacation experiences. 

The convenience of how close it was to everything made it even more wonderful. The views from the window in our room were unforgettable!  We look forward to visiting again soon to Langham Place. 

 Here are more additional reviews of Langham Place   

Check out our trip to Eaton Chelsea Hotel in Toronto, Canada, a top spot for families.

Be sure to follow Langham Place NY on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram,Pinterest

Click here for more Tips for Places to Travel

Here are a few more travel recommendations for you…

I shared with you a few months ago that I got the chance to escape for a week with my husband to this famous area.

Here’s our visit to Half Moon Bay, trust me a place you’ll want to visit too!

Top Places to Visit in San Francisco Area

Here are a few spots if you’re in San Francisco you don’t want to miss. I’ve linked them up to their destination sites for easy reference when you’re picking a location to visit.  

Many are free, we also used our Go City Pass to visit quite a few of our favorite spots!

Travel Tips for a San Francisco Weekend Get Away 

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to stay for the weekend in a very special hotel with my husband. We were invited by the owners, brothers Tom and Robert Field, to the San Remo Hotel on Mason Street in the local North Beach Neighborhood. Built after the famous earthquakes of 1906, it’s a famous Victorian Style Hotel with unique charm. 

It’s not very often when you can feel like a part of a community while on vacation but this spot does just that. Plus it was so convenient to everything near Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39 we could walk everywhere!

Stepping Back in Time in San Francisco Bay

San Remo Hotel has this unique Old World feel to it with Victorian Heirloom furnishings and hallways that are a walk through history with pieces hand-selected. You can tell that the owners put great thought into it as they renovated it.

Every day we started bright and early and were out the door for our next adventure walking down to the bay, the Cable Car, or the Sight Seeing Buses, so convenient! The hotel staff was so welcoming no matter what time you passed by the front stairway to head to the street you were greeted with a friendly smile and hello.

There’s no technology in the rooms just charm and history and a fun way for couples to reconnect and share your favorites from the day’s adventures.

We had never stayed so close to the San Francisco Bay before and were pleasantly surprised with how convenient it was to be there without a car. 

The City of San Francisco Visitors Bureau was very welcoming to their city with a top-notch website that makes finding just the right spots to visit easy to find.

Here are some of my favorites that we were able to walk to from our Hotel quite easily.  

• Pier 39
• Fisherman’s Wharf
• Boudin Bakery
• Ghirardelli Square
• Aquarium of the Bay
• Lombard Street 
• Blue and Gold Fleet (Don’t miss the photo opportunity at the end of your trip, I love the informational book that comes with the package about the Bay.)

Take the SightSeeing Buses in San Francisco

One of the best things we did was use our Pass to the City SightSeeing San Francisco Tour Bus. We appreciate that they extended a media pass to us to explore how their tour bus line works.

Before on my trips to San Francisco, I had always driven the city and had honestly no idea what I was missing by handing over the steering wheel and enjoying the ride throughout the city.

Places to Visit by the San Francisco Bay

If you’re stopping by the San Francisco Bay my favorite spots we were

• Crissy Field
• The Presidio
• Palace of Arts
• Exploratorium
• Golden Gate Bridge
• Painted Ladies at Alamo Square  

Day Trips from San Francisco

We were even able to enjoy a Day Trip Adventure by bus to

• Sausalito
• Meir Woods
• Napa Valley 

You could also consider taking a rental car to

• Half Moon Bay
• Yosemite

Sites to Visit in San Francisco Area

The next few days we explored around the San Francisco Area even more. These are some of my favorite places to visit.

• Golden Gate Park
• California Academy of Science
• Tower at de Young Fine Art Museum
• Lands End Trail
• Sutro Baths

Are you ready to schedule your trip!

Take advantage and use this guide Visit San Francisco and the Virtual Visitors Guide.  If you’re looking for a budget friendly and memorable experience take a look at the San Remo Hotel and book your visit.  

Don’t forget to check out the Official San Francisco Pinterest Board with tons of ideas for where to visit with gorgeous pictures.  Love using Pinterest to plan my trips!  

Here’s the link.  http://www.pinterest.com/onlyinsf/ 

What place would you visit first in San Francisco?

Tell me in the comment section!

Click here to see more Places to Travel

Follow The Educators’ Spin On It’s board Places to Travel and Tourist Spots to Visit on Pinterest.

Disclosure:  This post was not sponsored. We did however receive a complimentary stay at San Remo Hotel for two nights. The San Francisco Visitors Bureau gave us complimentary Go City Pass, Pier 39 Passes and City SightSeeing Tour Bus passes. All opinions are 100% my own and my husband’s and our many travels to the bay area.

Orlando can be an amazing location for tourists and locals. People literally travel from all over the world to visit the numerous Orlando attractions. One hidden secret is that there are so many other resources for mini vacation spots with your family that are budget-friendly, especially if you’re looking for something away from the main Orlando theme parks.  

Planning a Staycation as a local can be just as much fun to find those hidden gems we forget to visit.

Image Source Wikipedia

If you don’t live in Orlando come back tomorrow for a list of staycation ideas for over 60 cities!  

Click here for 60+ Cities Staycations

Planning a Staycation in Orlando

Here are some of my favorite spots for a perfect little getaway this summer with your kids in Orlando!

Hotel Adventure in Orlando

After living in Orlando for nearly 30 years we are always trying to find new things to do. One of my biggest tips is to book a hotel for your staycation, there are SO many to choose from in Orlando! It’s a memory your kids will never forget. Even if that’s all you do.

Here’s our experience at Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort and Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort.

TIP: Find a hotel with an amazing pool that includes a yummy free breakfast & free cocktail reception hours. So much more bang for your dollar!

Orlando Overview Image Source Wikipedia

Indoor Fun in Orlando

• Orlando Science Center
• Medieval Times
• Orlando Museum of Art
• Orange County Regional History Museum
• Free Summer Movies 
• Free Summer Bowling 
• Crayola Experience 
• Monkey Joes 

Outdoor fun In Orlando

• Central Florida Zoo
• Kennedy Space Center {had to include, worth the travel}
• Leu Gardens
• Lake Eola Park
• St. Johns River Cruise
• Rocks Springs  …horseback riding
• Fun Spot Entertainment Center
• Miniature Golf…anywhere is fun!
• Check out a Playground new to you or Orlando Park for an adventure too!
• Have you looked at the most current Events at local Orlando Venues?

Discovering Springs and Rivers In Orlando image source Wikipedia 

Water Fun in Orlando 

• Splash Pads in Orlando  There are tons of local Splash Pads in Orlando  Barnett Park, Shady Park, Downtown Disney, Dr. P. Phillips Community Park, Capehart Park, Downey Park Splash Playground, Fort Mellon Park
• Springs near Orlando There are some amazing Spring Located in Central Florida including Blue Springs, Rocks Springs in Kelly Park, You can even Book a Canoe Ride on Wekiva Springs.
• Uptown in Altamonte Springs Crane’s Roost Lake is a beautiful location for families to visit, picnic, stroll around the lake which includes quite a few bridges.  Plus enjoy a Fountain with a Laser light show each evening at 7, 8 & 9 pm
•  Scenic Boat Tour in Mt Dora if you’re up for a little adventure.
• BEACH  AND most importantly… you have to drive to the beach!  EAST or WEST it’s less than two hours away. One of our favorite spots have been the Splash Pad at Daytona Beach and Honeymoon Island on the Gulf Coast.

Uptown Altamonte Springs at Crane’s Roost Lake  image Source wikipedia

Shopping Fun in Orlando

• Outlet Malls in Orlando  Premium Outlet Malls have a few locations. We love the life-sized chess game and playground at the Vineland location. The International Drive location has a stream and little area with activities for kids.
• Point Orlando Point Orlando is a favorite culinary spot with a few kid friendly options. Monkey Joe’s is an indoor spot for kids to jump around, literally!  There’s a Movie Theater too. Take some time to at least drive by Wonderworks, your kids will love it!

Downtown Disney image source wikipedia

Theme Parks in Orlando

If you’re still looking for a bit of the Theme Park Magic without the Ticket Price here are a few tips from a local who’s entertained quite a few out of town guests with these plans!

• Disney World Let’s start with one of the Most Known Attractions in Orlando Disney World ! There are many options to purchase tickets for…. Magic Kingdom , Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon  If you can go for the ticket price do it while they kids are still little they’ll love it! The Florida Residents’ Pass is the best ticket option when they are available.
• Disney Springs Did you know that for minimal cost or for FREE you can visit Downtown Disney?  Located on Disney property it’s our go-to spot when we want to sneak in a little Disney Magic without having to go to the theme parks. Disney Springs, formerly known as Downtown Disney has many options for Kids to do! Featured locations are Lego Store, T-Rex Restaurant and Fossil Dig, Rainforest Cafe, Bippidi Bobbidi Boutique, Boat Ride, Train Ride, Photo Opp with Disney Statues, Little Splash Pad for Kids, Carousal, Tons of Restaurants, Bowling, Movie Theater, Balloon Ride and MORE!!!
• Disney Boardwalk Did you know you can visit Disney’s Boardwalk for free too? You can catch a glimpse of Epcot’s fireworks in the evening too.
• Universal Studios Universal Studios and Island of Adventure are a big hit with family. I have a little local secret if you head to City Walk for an evening getaway it can be tons of fun. Don’t forget to sneak in a little boat ride with the kids. They have quite a few restaurants, a movie theater and sometimes there is street music. Wet ‘N’ Wild can be an entire day and night of fun too!
• Sea World  Sea World, Aquatica , Discovery Cove Year after year Sea World is just about the only park that we just simply can’t not visit which is why it’s the one pass we always have. With younger children it’s nice to not have to be rushed and fit into lines. There are so many little spots to simply sit and observe the marine life. Plus as your kids get older there are some fun rides and a splash park for them too.
• Legoland 

Budget Friendly Ideas for Vacations in Orlando

Living in Central Florida with Kids can be such a treasure to our families. At times I forget how lucky we are to have all of these amazing attractions in our backyard! Giving ourselves a break from some of them is important to make those trips extra special when we do go.

Plus there are times when our budget needs to take things a bit more local. Take the chance to explore a few more options this summer.

A big thank to Savings Lifestyle and The Happy Housewife for hosting this Staycation Series. With a city as large as Orlando, I know there is a lot more that could have been included. So, if you’re favorite Orlando area spot is missing, please tell us about it in the comments below!

You may enjoy these travel destinations with your family…