Destinations the whole family will love!

Ahhh, stuck in the car for days on end with whiny children, watching as the next layer of Nutter Butters gets ground into your floorboard (only to be sealed with a juice box). The joys of a family road trip are truly beyond compare.
In all actuality, road trips are still one of the best, and most fun, forms of the family vacation. Sure, things have changed— I certainly didn’t get to watch SpongeBob until my mind turned to mush. We looked out the window at nothing but highway and we liked it.
Okay, enough of my rambling, what I’m really here to say is to champion the road trip along with Lonely Planet. Now through Labor Day, they’re offering free downloadable road trip itineraries on their Facebook page in honor of the release of their upcoming book, USA’s Roadtrips: 99 Themed Itineraries Across America. I’ve downloaded several already and have been plotting the torture of my small children for many summers to come. They’re going to love the Wet & Wild West Coast trip. Even if takes them 20 years to realize it.

Start downloading your road trip itineraries HERE.
And while you’re at it, become a FAN of Kiddieuptravel.

Relaxing at Tranquility Bay, Florida. Just one of the Gulf area getaways you’ll find in Kiddieuptravel’s latest newsletter.

I’ve rounded up some of my favorite Gulf Area getaways in my late summer ‘10 newsletter. If for some crazy reason you haven’t subscribed to the kiddieuptravel newsletter, well, sign up below. And since you missed this one, you can read it here.

‘GIVE BACK TO THE GULF GETAWAYS’ NEWSLETTER

Although I guess the 4th should have me thinking about Philly (what with the Liberty Bell and all), my thoughts tend to wander northward on 95 towards NYC. So following this wonderful long, 4th of July holiday, there’s no better time for my review of the must-have guide book for any family planning on taking a bite out of the Big Apple.

Vacationing in NYC is a bit daunting for a family. As a parent (at least to younger children) you live and die by naps and bedtime. So just how does a vacation to the city that never sleeps fit in? Amazingly, with a little help from Fodor’s.
The experts in travel do what they do best in this easy-to-read and succinct enough-to-tote-in-the-diaper bag guide to NYC. But don’t let the smallish size of Fodor’s Family New York City With Kids fool you—there’s enough ideas to keep a family entertained and informed for days and days and days on end.
Covering everything from a general overview of the city to special recommendations grouped by a kid’s interest (dino buffs to princesses in training), NYC with Kids goes in depth on each major neighborhood and surrounding boroughs. The recommendations in each section are cross referenced with the chapters dedicated to museums, restaurants, hotels and maps. My personal favorite feature is the handy ‘Where can I find a …. ” for each neighborhood that includes not only parks but also the essential public bathrooms listings. Although, I have to say I have never gotten turned down at any restaurant when I walk in with a toddler in tow and ask to use the restroom.

While you don’t usually think of Fodor’s unless you’re thinking of travel, this is a great little book for visitors and residents alike, covering the well-known spots (Tavern on the Green, Rockefeller Center) to lesser-known gems (real fishing in central park, the Peanut Butter & Co Sandwich Shop). And they do it in a way that really works for parents—in-depth enough to be informed, but to the point enough to not tax a parent’s already maxed out brain cells.

$10.95+tax and shipping. Buy yours HERE.

Ice cream, parks, bathrooms. What more could you need?

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Kids with Liberty performers photo by VICTORIA PECKHAM