O'Phalen Adventures

Tag: Travel Itinerary

Things to do in Huntsville AL: The Ultimate List!
When we left New York City to become a fulltime travel family, I never would have guessed how much time we’d spend in Huntsville. But we have family there, and it makes for a great “home base” to circle back to, so we’ve spent about a year there altogether. So it’s about time that I share our list of fun things to do in Huntsville AL with you!
Huntsville is a really family-friendly destination, and a mild climate for nine months of the year (it’s really hot in summer!). If you need a place to stay, we like The Westin for a fancier stay or Embassy Suites for a more budget option. For RV parks, check the options on Campspot!
Things to do in Huntsville AL: Museums
Jumping for joy at the Space & Rocket Center
Space & Rocket Center. The Space & Rocket Center is one of the city’s major draws, and it’s popular for a reason! This is our #1 on the list of things to do in Huntsville AL. If you have an ASTC-affiliated membership, you can get in free. If not, it’s worth the price! If you’re planning on hitting up two or more Huntsville area attractions, this North Alabama Multi-Attraction Pass includes the Space & Rocket Center and is a great deal.
Botanical Gardens. The Huntsville Botanical Gardens is a wonderful way to spend half a day. The grounds are gorgeous, and it’s a particularly family-friendly garden. There’s a whole kids section that has interactive play areas — bring a bathing suit and towel in warm weather! The garden is included in the North Alabama Multi-Attraction Pass.
Museum of Art. Huntsville’s Art Museum is small, but worthwhile. They have rotating exhibits that are really interesting and offer Thursday night wine and art nights for $5 a person.
Earlyworks Children’s Museum. This children’s museum isn’t the largest we’ve ever been to, but worth a stop on a rainy or hot day. It’s also included in the North Alabama Multi-Attraction Pass, or you can receive a discount with an ACM-affiliated membership.
Burritt on the Mountain. Burritt on the Mountain is a historic mansion and park with gorgeous views of the city. It’s fascinating, and there are plenty of spots to have a picnic lunch with some of the prettiest views you can get of Huntsville. Admission to Burritt on the Mountain is included in the North Alabama Multi-Attraction Pass.
Cook Museum. The Cook Museum is about 30 minutes from Huntsville, but it’s worth a trip out! It’s another small but mightly museum, and my kids love it. It’s compact enough to not be overwhelming with toddlers, but has enough science information to interest older kids. The museum is included in the North Alabama Multi-Attraction Pass.
Jesse Owens Museum. The Jesse Owens Memorial Park is about 40 minutes from Huntsville, but is also worth the trip. It’s a fascinating stop where you can learn about how amazing Jesse was, walk inside his childhood home, and compare your athletic prowess to his long jump record. This museum is also included in the North Alabama Multi-Attraction Pass.
Ave Maria Grotto. The Ave Maria Grotto is about an hour from Huntsville, but so unique that it’s worth the drive, especially if you’re visiting Smith Lake. It’s a park with miniature reproductions of famous buildings. The grotto is included in the North Alabama Multi-Attraction Pass.
Things to do in Huntsville AL: Outdoorsy
Chasing waterfalls
Monte Sano State Park. Monte Sano State Park has miles and miles of hiking trails, and a campground that’s lovely and peaceful. The North Plateau Loop offers pretty views and an easy two mile stroll for some light exercise.
High Point Climbing. If you love indoor rock climbing, High Point Climbing is an excellent place to do it! It’s affordable, and family-friendly. Check their website for monthly homeschool days, where kids climb for cheap!
Cathedral Caverns State Park. If you love exploring giant caves full of stalagmites and stalactites, Cathedral Caverns is the place to visit! Book cave tours in advance if you have a specific time in mind. Admission is included in the North Alabama Multi-Attraction Pass.
Waterfall Hikes. North Alabama has dozens of gorgeous waterfall hikes, ranging from easy strolls to harder day hikes. One of our favorites is Sougahoagdee Falls, which is a relatively flat three miles with an absolutely gorgeous payoff at the end. You can walk behind the waterfall, too!
Cave Exploration at Neversink. If you’re looking for a more intimate cave adventure, Neversink Cave Preserve is a fun option for the adventurous. Make sure to bring a helmet and a headlamp and reserve your permit in advance!
Things to do in Huntsville AL: Fun Date Nights
Street art in Downtown Huntsville
Street Art Downtown. Downtown Huntsville has a surprising amount of beautiful street art to enjoy, and one of my favorite free activity ideas is to take a walking tour of a city’s street art. Check out this map for where to find some cool pieces!
Rage Room. If you feel the need to get out some pent up anger, how about the Rage Room? Smash a variety of items and leave feeling restored. Always a good time!
Huntsville Havoc or Rocket City Trash Pandas Game. Huntsville has its very own sports teams to root for! Check out Huntsville Havoc or Rocket City Trash Panda tickets for a night night out.
Pints & Pixels. Who doesn’t love an old-fashioned arcade? Add in some great brews, and you’ve got the recipe for a good time at Pints & Pixels.
Walk Bridge Street. Bridge Street is an open air mall with dozens of stores, restuarants, and even a movie theatre. It’s a great place to stroll and window shop on a nice evening, and it offers a little something for everyone.
Campus 805. Campus 805 is a great craft brewery with lots of room to chill inside or relax outdoors. It’s perfect for a date night or a place to take the kids to let them run around on the giant field while you enjoy a nice drink and meal.
Things to do in Huntsville AL: Kid Centric
Roller skating at Insanity
Rollerskating at Insanity Complex. Insanity Complex offers old school rollerskating and arcade games in a fun and casual environment. Our kids love skating there for just $5 on monthly homeschool days.
Trampoline Park. Huntsville has several options for trampoline parks, such as Flow or Altitude. They’re a great way to get kid energy out when the weather is dreary or blazing hot, and they offer monthly memberships for families in town for long enough to enjoy it.
Bricks & Minifigs. Our kids absolutely love Legos, and I love the discounts we get on buying used sets at Bricks & Minifigs. These stores are in many cities around the country, and they all offer discounted used sets, specialty minifigures, and hard-to-find rare pieces. Totally worth a stop!
Tigers for Tomorrow Sanctuary. If you have an animal lover, it’s worth the drive to visit Tigers for Tomorrow to meet these incredible animals. Admission is included in the North Alabama Multi-Attraction Pass.
Things to do in Huntsville AL: Our Fave Places to Eat
Dinner at Mangia
Mangia Italian Restaurant. Mangia is a delicious Italian restaurant that makes up for its lack of ambiance with absolutely delectable food. I’ve never tasted better cheesy bread in my life, and we’ve never had a bad meal here.
Taco Mama. Taco Mama has several locations across the South, and it’s always busy because the casual Tex Mex food is so good. It’s a great option for date night or families, and I highly recommend piling your make-your-own nachos high with as many veggies as you can!
Stanlieo’s Sub Villa. Stanlieo’s is a Huntsville classic that doesn’t look like much, but provides crave-worthy sub sandwiches. Our whole family loves eating there, and I especially appreciate how many vegetarian sub options there are.
Al Shish Palace. Al Shish is delicious Lebanese food in a casual setting. Don’t forget to order some fries with a side of garlic dip — you won’t regret it!
Ol Heidelberg Cafe. Ol Heidelberg is a classic German restaurant that’s very popular in Huntsville. Their food is authentic and delicious, and I highly recommend you try out their famous assortment of cakes for dessert.
The Yard Milkshake Bar. Is it even a restaurant list without an outrageous dessert option? The Yard serves over-the-top milkshakes perfect for a special occasion celebration, even if that special occasion is just Friday night.
Things to do in Huntsville AL: Seasonal
Apple picking at Scott’s Orchard
Hubert Family Tulips. Hubert Family Tulip Farm is a beautiful Spring excursion for families or anyone who loves flowers. You can take photos in the flower fields and cut your own tulip bouquet to take home.
Apple Picking at Scott’s Orchard. Scott’s Orchard is right outside of town and an excellent option for festive apple picking. Don’t miss the slushies inside at the farm store!
Fall Farm Festival at Lyon Family Farms. There are many options for Fall farm fun in and around Huntsville, but we like Lyon Family Farms. There are outdoor games, tractor rides, giant slides, pumpkin picking, and more. Fall festivals are an essential on the list of things to do in Huntsville AL.
Tinsel Trail. If you happen to be visiting Huntsville at the holidays, don’t miss the Downtown Tinsel Trail! Free to the public, it’s a beautiful way to spend an evening walking around a park filled with Christmas trees decorated in all sorts of styles.
Galaxy of Lights. Although the Botanical Garden is listed above, it hosts a special Christmas celebration called the Galaxy of Lights that’s worth noting here. The garden is lit up with twinkly lights and fake snow, and it’s absolutely magical. Early on in the season you can walk the trail, and that would be my recommendation rather than driving it.
I hope this list helps you with ideas for fun things to do in Huntsville AL! Let me know if I’ve missed anything in the comments.
For more of our travel recommendations, check out these posts:
Follow our adventures on Instagram:

Get an email when we post and never miss an adventure:

* indicates required

Email Address *
First Name
Last Name
July 31, 2024
Hiking Las Vegas: 4 Unmissable Hikes You’ll Love!
I’m so thrilled to share our favorite picks for hiking Las Vegas with you today! As a fulltime travel family, we’ve spent a few weeks in Vegas on separate trips. There are fun things to do in the city, but it’s also totally surrounded by gorgeous outdoor adventures! These are the four hikes we tried out during our time in Vegas, and honestly it’s hard to choose a favorite. They were all fantastic hikes!
If you’re hiking with kids and need tips for that, I’ve got you covered. I also have family-friendly outdoorsy gear linked up here.
Without further ado, let’s get to the hiking Las Vegas ideas!
Hiking Las Vegas Trail Suggestions
Bowl of Fire
Bowl of Fire
The Bowl of Fire hike is a huge bang for your hiking Las Vegas buck. There’s not much of a designated trail, mostly wander around where you want once you get to the slick rock. We walked 3 mostly flat miles, and it was absolutely gorgeous. Beautiful red rock formations, flowering cacti (in the spring), and fun caves for the kids to explore.
There is very little sun on this trail, so keep that in mind when planning when to go. The trailhead is down a wash where 4×4 is recommended, but a friend in her minivan made it just fine. There’s one hill that was the hardest part of the drive.
This hike is also located within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, so you’ll need an America the Beautiful pass (National Parks) to get in free or pay to enter. This is the closest of all of the hikes on this list to downtown Vegas!
Anniversary Narrows
Anniversary Narrows
The Anniversary Narrows hike is a really unique looking slot canyon that’s super fun for the kids and/or photography buffs. It’s also about 3 miles if you start from the furthest trailhead option, which requires a couple of miles of driving down dirt/gravel road.
4×4 is also recommended to access this trailhead, but I don’t think it’s strictly necessary. Use your best judgment and stop and park wherever you feel you should (we parked here). You can simply walk the wash for longer if you don’t feel comfortable driving the whole way, but there’s no shade and that wash section is a bit boring.
Once you get into the slot canyon section, it’s shady and cooler. This hike is also located within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area!
Valley of Fire State Park: Fire Wave, White Dome, Seven Wonders Loops
Valley of Fire State Park
Everyone recommends the hour+ drive out to Valley of Fire State Park, and for good reason! It’s absolutely stunning out there. There are a lot of places to get out and hike in the park, but we chose the Fire Wave, White Dome, Seven Wonders loops.
I highly recommend this hike because it’s also around 3 miles and mostly flat, but it packs a real punch. There are cool geological features throughout the whole hike that kept our whole group in awe. There’s very little shade on this hike, so I recommend visiting early or late in the day. I would choose golden hour if possible!
There is a fee to enter the state park, but if you’re hiking Las Vegas, this is a don’t-miss.
Gold Strike Hot Springs
Gold Strike Hot Springs
The Gold Strike Hot Springs hike is by far the hardest hike on this list. AllTrails has it listed at 5 miles, but my phone clocked it at 7. Regardless, it has tons of bouldering, rope and ladder obstacles, and a fair amount of elevation loss/gain. It closes in the summer because it’s actually dangerous to do when it’s too warm out.
If I haven’t scared you away yet, I do still highly recommend this hike if you’re a strong enough hiker! It’s gorgeous to hike down into the canyon and end up at the base of the Hoover Dam, plus there are fantastic hot springs to soak in at the bottom (don’t submerge your head underwater!).
We loved this hike! We made it with 3/6/8 year olds, although we do hike every week so we’ve been training. Bring sandals and swimsuits!
I hope this list of ideas helps you enjoy your time hiking Las Vegas! The strip is fun, but I’ve been really blown away by how much outdoorsy beauty there is just outside the city, too. For all of these trails (especially Gold Strike!), bring way more water than you think you’ll need. Hiking in the desert is thirsty work! We’ve got the hydration packs our kids use linked here.
Disclaimer: Product links in this blog post may be Affiliate links, and I will earn a small commission for each purchase made through these links at no extra cost to you. Affiliate income helps fund our family travel and allows me to keep creating inspiring family travel content for you. I so appreciate when you use my links to make purchases you would have made anyway.
For more about our travel and hiking adventures, check out these posts:
Follow our adventures on Instagram:

Get an email when we post and never miss an adventure:

* indicates required

Email Address *
First Name
Last Name
May 6, 2024
Things‎ to‎ do‎ in‎ Skagway‎: Beautiful Glaciers & Gold Rushing!
Our family spent a magical four months RVing Alaska last summer, and I loved it so much that I want everyone else to experience it, too! It’s one of our favorite places we’ve been in four years of fulltime travel. We even collaborated with the Skagway, Alaska tourism board to promote what a fun place it is to visit! So I’m thrilled to share our favorite things to do in Skagway Alaska with you today.
If you’re planning an Alaska trip, I’ve written an e-book about everything we learned from living there for an entire summer! There are sample itineraries, ideas for every major town, and the best places to camp:

RV Alaska with Kids Travel Guide

$25.00

If you’re looking for Alaska vacation ideas, you’ve come to the right place! This guide features 20+ pages of what we learned throughout a summer RVing Alaska with Kids.

RV Alaska with Kids Travel Guide quantity

Category: Destinations, Ebooks, RV Life

Tags: Alaska, Destination, RV
Things to do in Skagway Alaska:
Walk the historic downtown
If you do nothing else in Skagway, simply walking around the adorable little downtown area is a real experience. It’s gold rush era kitschy with a splash of Alaska glacial mountain range charm. The buildings are all adorably painted, and there are fun shops like the bookstore with the historic spelling of “Skaguay” painted on the front. Duck in and out of the stores and enjoy imagining that you showed up as one of the ambitious (and foolhardy?) gold rushers. Consider a meal at the Red Onion Saloon, a restaurant with a brothel museum that shares the building’s storied past upstairs.
National Park site
Speaking of gold rushers, Skagway has a wonderful little National Historical Park Visitor’s Center that you absolutely should check out. Read the displays and watch the short film to get context about why the town even exists. I can almost guarantee that you’ll be absolutely blown away by how many gold rushers descended upon the Yukon and what harsh conditions they survived.
White Pass & Yukon Railway
This historic train ride takes you through absolutely breathtaking views of the mountain pass that gold rushes had to climb (carrying a year’s worth of supplies!). It’s a pricey trip, but absolutely worth the money if you love vintage trains or gorgeous views. It’s definitely one of the iconic things to do in Skagway.
Take a hike
There are several hiking options around Skagway that range from a casual walk to a more strenuous option. You can walk from downtown to the Lower Reid Falls, which is a pretty walk and also nearby the Gold Rush Cemetary. For more of a challenge, consider the Dewey Lake Trails that lead to beautiful alpine lakes and have lovely views of the harbor from above. Experienced hikers might consider the Chilkoot Trail outside of town, which requires overnighting and a permit. But for an easier option, simply start the trail and turn back when you’re ready to head back to your comfy bed that night!
Dyea trip
History buffs might enjoy a day trip out to the historic Dyea town site. It’s the town that existed before Skagway was founded, and though there isn’t much left of it now, the setting is gorgeous. It’s a lovely place to camp or simply play on the rocky beach, plus the Chilkoot Trail starts out here. If you’ve followed my advice and watched the video at the National Park visitor center, you’ll have an appreciation for why this spot is important.
Stop in for a donut or a brew
Consider checking out the local brewery or donut shop for a special Skagway Alaska treat. Klondike Doughboy serves “doughboys” or sweet fried bread that’s delicious on a cold or rainy day. Skagway Brewing Company is another must-try local stop and an excellent place to warm up from the drizzle.
Sled dog mushing
If it’s in the budget and on the bucket list, I would highly recommend trying one of the local sled dog mushing tours. It really is a fun time to be pulled along by a team of happy dogs, and the scenery is amazing.
Carcross day trip
Carcross is just a brief jaunt into Canada from Skagway, and it’s absolutely breathtakingly beautiful. If you have the time (and a rental car, train ticket, or guided tour!), please add Carcross to your sightseeing list. The drive alone is worth it, plus Carcross offers a summertime outdoor shopping center with locally made crafts, amazing Indigenous artwork, the Carcross desert, and the oldest general store in the Yukon. We drove through Carcross rather quickly and wished we’d had more time to stay!
Ferry to Haines
If Haines, Alaska isn’t already on your list, it’s worth a ferry ride over for the day! The ferry takes just 45 minutes and you’ll be in Skagway’s less touristy sister city with lots of opportunities for bear and bald eagle sightings. If you’re interested in visiting Haines, check out my post about what to do there!
I hope this post was useful to you in planning your time in Skagway! There are so many fun things to do in Skagway, Alaska.
If you need help packing for your trip, be sure to check out my Alaska packing list and take a look at the other posts I’ve written about our time in Alaska:
Follow our adventures on Instagram:

Get an email when we post and never miss an adventure:

* indicates required

Email Address *
First Name
Last Name
April 12, 2024
Things To Do in Tucson with Kids: Discover A Unique Desert City!
We just spent a couple of weeks in Tucson, Arizona, and we love it there. It’s actually our second time visiting this artistic desert city, so we’re full of ideas for things to do in Tucson with kids! As a full time travel family, it’s rare that we re-visit cities, so you know this one has to be fun.
If you happen to be traveling in an RV and are looking for a place to stay, here are our favorite Arizona boondocking spots. And if you’re planning an Arizona road trip, you might want to check out Sedona with kids, too!
Things to do in Tucson with Kids: Hiking

We loved Valley View Overlook trail in Saguaro National Park enough to visit it in both 2021 and 2024!
Saguaro National Park
If you’re into being outdoors in any way, it would be a crime to miss visiting Saguaro National Park. We’ve visited twice now, and I would happily go back again and again. Even if you’ve seen saguaro elsewhere, the sheer density of them in the park is pretty amazing. If you can, check out a ranger talk for some context about these magnificent cacti. I really enjoyed the one we attended because it gave me several different ways of observing what’s going on with the saguaro we see.
If you’re short on time, the Western part of the park is where it’s at. Our favorite hikes with kids include the Desert Discovery Nature trail, which is really just a short walk, but has gorgeous desert plants. And my absolute favorite is the Valley View Overlook trail, which is breathtaking at sunset and just before. Don’t miss the Signal Hill petroglyphs if you’re into those and doing the Junior Ranger program at the Visitors Center.
Sabino Canyon Hikes
Sabino Canyon has several options for gorgeous hikes, depending on how hard you want to hike. The parking areas fill up on weekends, so look into the shuttle service if you’re going at peak times. There’s a great Visitor Center here that you should check out if you have time!
Things to do in Tucson with Kids: Museums
Pima Air & Space Museum
Pima Air & Space Museum
The Pima Air & Space Museum is an absolute must if you have plane lovers in the family (maybe even if you don’t!). It’s the largest air and space museum I’ve ever been to, including around 300 planes on display. My plane lover was enthralled, and I even found some of the unique planes (like a vintage Air Force One) interesting. Because most of it is outside, it’s really little kid friendly.
Biosphere 2
Biosphere 2 is absolutely fascinating because it houses multiple biomes you can visit. Actual scientific research into the impact of climate change on these biomes is ongoing there, so you know they’re incredibly authentic. Visitors will be amazed at being immersed in these varied places. This museum isn’t cheap, but it is very cool.
Ignite Sign Art Museum
I absolutely love neon signs, and my kids think the bright colors are fun, too! This small museum is perfect for short attention spans and pretty pictures. Plus, they offer neon bending demonstrations on select days, which is an extra cool perk!
Flandrau Science Center
This science museum is small, but mighty! And we got in for free with our ASTC reciprocal membership, so definitely use that if you have it. There are some fun and interactive exhibits designed by ASU grad students, plus a tiny tide pool touch tank and an IMAX theater. If you’re only visiting one museum, I might not choose this one. But it’s a great activity for inclement weather days!
Children’s Museum Tucson
The Tucson children’s museum is an adorable and hands-on way to spend a cold (or super hot!) day. It’s interactive and fun for toddlers through elementary school, plus they often have free events so check their calendar! It can get crowded on weekend days, so perhaps best for a weekday if possible.
If you love museums with your kids, you might want to check out our list of U.S. favorites right here:
Download the FREE list of our favorite museums for kids

We’ve created a totally FREE PDF list of our favorite museums for kids that you can download right now by signing up for our newsletter.

Things to do in Tucson with Kids: Downtown & Nearby
Historic Pima County courthouse
El Presidio Plaza & Visitor’s Center
El Presidio Plaza is absolutely gorgeous and worth a stroll. There was even live music while we were there! Plus, our kids loved splashing their hands in the fountain. The historic courthouse building houses the city’s delightful visitor center. There is an interactive map of the area and several large displays about the city’s history and culture. The visitor center is definitely worth a short stop!
Downtown Street Art (Goddess of Agave)
Tucson has a surprising amount of street art downtown, and it’s worth a wander. There are a few beautiful pieces near El Presidio Plaza, but our favorites were the Goddess of Agave (North 7th avenue) and the pieces near it.
Ride the Streetcar
If you have kiddos who love riding trains or even just tired legs, consider a ride on the Tucson streetcar. The Sun Link streetcar is currently free, and riding is a great way to get an overview of downtown. Maybe you’ll even catch some street art from the windows!
A Splash Pad
It’s not surprising that a city this hot would specialize in splash pads to cool off, but these splash pads are amazing! Tucson has dozens of splash pads, but some family favorites are Heritage River Park and Brandi Fenton.
San Xavier del Bac Mission
The San Xavier del Bac Mission is a gorgeous church with beautiful grounds on the Tohono O’odham reservation. It’s free to enter and walk around, and it’s absolutely beautiful. Bonus: try some fry bread being sold in the parking lot! If you’re looking for how to talk to your kids about Indigenous people, you might be interested in this post.
Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo is a small zoo, with a ticket price that’s just right! Adult tickets are only $10.50, which is a fabulous admission price for a zoo. We didn’t visit this zoo ourselves, but I can’t possibly write about things to do in Tucson with kids and ignore the fact that there’s a perfectly kid-sized zoo there.
Tucson Botanical Gardens
If you or your kids love beautiful desert plants, this is the place for you! It’s large enough to be fascinating, but small enough to be accessible for families with small children.
Things to do in Tucson with Kids: Day Trips
Kitt Peak Observatory Tour
Kitt Peak Observatory Tour
This was a surprisingly cool detour for us! It’s about an hour from where we were staying, but totally worth the drive. Not only was it free with our ASTC membership, but the tour of the telescope was really fascinating. The views from Kitt Peak were worth the trip, too! Be aware that toddlers might find it dull, but the adults sure didn’t! Our big kids were into it, too.
Mount Lemmon
Driving up to the top of Mount Lemmon takes some time, but the views are worth it! There are lots of hiking opportunities, but there are plenty of views straight from the overlooks. And snow-loving kiddos will be excited to play in the snow at the top in the winter! There’s also skiing for the winter sports inclined. Check out these web cams for snow updates.
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is another desert preserve where you can appreciate the beauty of the Sonoran desert. Lots of hiking opportunities exist there, or you can just enjoy the cacti from a scenic drive.
Nogales, Mexico
For families looking to day trip south of the border, Nogales, Mexico is an easy option for those with passports. Stroll the market and experience Restaurant Bar La Roca before heading home for the night. The easiest way to visit (paperwork wise!) is to park your car here and walk across the border.
I hope this post has been helpful in discovering things to do in Tucson with kids! If you’re taking a road trip with kids, I HIGHLY recommend a Yoto player for the journey. And if you’re wanting your kids to journal about your trip, consider this instant download from our store:

State Worksheet / Travel Journal for Kids

$2.00

If you’ve ever wished for an easy way to capture what your kids learn as you travel, this is it! Forget other state worksheets that require boring, irrelevant details like the state flower. Let’s write about what we learned and experienced! This state worksheet digital product includes leveled worksheets for kids: one two page log…

State Worksheet / Travel Journal for Kids quantity

Category: Printables, Roadschooling

Tags: Homeschooling, Printables, Roadschooling
For more of our Arizona adventures, check out these posts:
Follow our adventures on Instagram:

Get an email when we post and never miss an adventure:

* indicates required

Email Address *
First Name
Last Name
February 6, 2024
Boondocking in Alaska: 17 Enchanting Spots for Big Rigs
There is no better place to boondock than in Alaska, in my opinion. So it was time to write a boondocking in Alaska post!
If you want to read absolutely everything I’ve written about our summer adventure RVing Alaska, check out my Alaska post.
What Makes Boondocking in Alaska So Special?
Here are the reasons why I think boondocking in Alaska is the best:
1. It is plentiful. You can pull off and park literally anywhere it doesn’t say you can’t camp.
2. The views are absolutely bananas. Like overlooking a glacier right from a roadside pulloff. How can you beat that?
3. Alaska RV parks are lovely, but *very* expensive and booked out months in advance. You can skip the cost and booking drama by boondocking.
4. Boondocking often gets you a lot closer to all of the outdoorsy action than camping in town, saving lots of driving time.
Boondocking definitely requires more gear, though. If you’re interested in what we consider our boondocking essentials, check out my list here.
If you’re planning a trip to Alaska, you can’t miss our insider guide to everything I wish I’d known about RVing Alaska before we went!

RV Alaska with Kids Travel Guide

$25.00

If you’re looking for Alaska vacation ideas, you’ve come to the right place! This guide features 20+ pages of what we learned throughout a summer RVing Alaska with Kids.

RV Alaska with Kids Travel Guide quantity

Category: Destinations, Ebooks, RV Life

Tags: Alaska, Destination, RV
Now, on to the boondocking in Alaska spots!
Boondocking in Alaska: Interior Alaska
Portage Boondocking
Portage is a great base for nearby hiking and paddling (and even day tripping through the tunnel into Whittier!). I even recommend it as a stop on my 7 day Alaska itinerary. There are two nice spots here. The first can be found on Portage Glacier Road at N 60°47’33.30″, W 148°54’1.38″. This spot is right on a pond and has room for a few rigs. It does fill up though, and we weren’t able to fit. There’s also zero cell service here. Our backup spot was Portage Valley Parking at N 60°51’12.36″, W 149°0’23.46″. This spot is a big parking lot right off of the Seward Highway. It’s noisy during the day, but plenty quiet at night. Super level and good cell service. We stayed for several days and loved the views and easy parking!
Eagle River Boondocking
Eagle River is a great boondocking location if you’re looking to be convenient to Anchorage. This location is the North Fork Eagle River boat launch and a big highway pullout on the way to the Eagle River Nature Center at N 61°16’6.54″, W 149°20’54.06″. Cell service on this road is not good.
Palmer Boondocking
Palmer is a place we returned to several times for its pastoral prettiness and convenient location. We stayed at several spots here, including an RV park (if you want info on the best RV park, it’s in my Alaska ebook!). Here are two Palmer boondocking sites I’d recommend. The first is just outside Palmer called Slipper Lake at N 61°43’57.00″, W 148°55’19.98″. The location is convenient and the lake is pretty with swans swimming on it. The cell service is two bars, the road in is rough for .25 miles, and there is shooting range noise during the day. The second spot is on the Matanuska River at N 61°30’12.30″, W 149°1’40.32″. It’s a very pretty spot with decent cell service, but scout ahead. If the river is running too high, there isn’t enough sandbar to camp on.
Glacier View Boondocking
This was one of my favorite parking spots in all of Alaska. We stayed here twice for the gorgeous glacier view and ease of parking. It’s a highway pulloff on the Glenn highway at N 61°56’51.00″, W 147°8’49.98″. It would make a good base for a Matanuska Glacier tour, but it’s not near much else. Luckily the view is an experience in itself.
Boondocking in Glacier View
Talkeetna / Denali State Park Boondocking
This spot is between Talkeetna and Denali State Park, and it made a great jumping off point for visiting both. It’s the old East West Express Trail at N 62°24’43.20″, W 150°15’21.12″. It’s an overgrown scenic viewpoint with plenty of room for big rigs. We also were basically alone back there in the woods for a few days with usable cell service.
Outside Denali National Park Boondocking
This spot is an excellent spot for boondocking just outside of Denali National Park. It’s a pullout on the Parks highway at N 63°32’25.50″, W 148°48’21.72″. With how far in advance the park camping books up, this can be a great spot for last-minute planners.
Valdez Boondocking
Valdez is a stunning destination that shouldn’t be missed (I’ve written about what to do there!). The city has cracked down on boondocking recently, but I have two spots to recommend. The first is right outside of town on the riverbed at N 61°4’37.86″, W 146°10’45.30″. Scout ahead because the road in is rough and water levels make a big difference in accessibility, but cell service is good. It’s gorgeous, too. The second location is half an hour outside of town in Thompson Pass at N 61°9’6.60″, W 145°43’37.26″. It’s got gorgeous glacier and mountain views, plus plenty of room. No cell service, though.
Boondocking in Alaska: Kenai Peninsula
Moose Pass Boondocking
Moose Pass was such a favorite boondocking spot that it topped our list of favorite camping spots in Alaska! This Trail Lake dirt parking lot is at N 60°30’10.74″, W 149°22’6.78″. Cell service is decent here and lots of room. Its biggest perk is being able to kayak right from the yard and watch float planes landing. It also makes a decent base for Seward if you don’t mind driving in.
Kayaking on Trail Lake
Exit Glacier Road Boondocking
The closest boondocking to Seward is on Exit Glacier Road. There are various spots on the riverbed for smaller rigs, but big rigs are best served by the roadside pullout at N 60°10’12.60″, W 149°30’47.28″. Exit Glacier Road is the perfect jumping off point for hiking to the Harding Icefields, but there’s no cell service on the road.
Skilak Lake Boondocking
Lower Skilak Lake has a state park style dry campground that’s free at N 60°28’15.84″, W 150°28’5.94″. It’s absolutely stunning, and you can launch a kayak right from your site. Full disclosure: most sites are not sized for big rigs, but it was empty enough that we could shove our 37′ fifth wheel halfway into a spot and not be in anyone’s way. No cell service and a bumpy road to get here, but a great place to break up the trip between Homer and Seward.
Outside Homer Boondocking
Homer has also made boondocking in town impossible, but you can camp directly on the beach at Whiskey Gulch at N 59°49’52.02″, W 151°49’19.80″. Scout ahead to see if you’re comfortable with the steep hill coming out. If you are, it’s a beautiful spot and accessible to Homer sightseeing.
Boondocking in Alaska: Southcentral Alaska
Haines Boondocking
We fell in love with this sweet little boondocking spot right outside of Haines. It’s just a roadside pulloff, but with views from the couch of the ocean! It’s at N 59°15’30.72″, W 135°26’26.22″. We had slow cell service here, but could drive quickly into town or walk right down to the beach. It was also right near the ferry so we had easy access when we ferried to Skagway! Catching the northern lights here multiple nights didn’t hurt either.
Northern lights in Haines
Skagway Boondocking
There’s no big rig accessible boondocking in Skagway, BUT you can stay at Garden City RV with no hookups for just $10 a night. Its easy location made this a no-brainer for us. Bonus for super cheap, hot showers.
Carcross Boondocking
Okay, Carcross is not technically Alaska. But if you drive into or out of Skagway, you’ll come through Carcross. Don’t be like me and leave little time to stop. Carcross is unbelievably beautiful. Stop at Big Thing Creek at N 60°3’30.18″, W 134°34’1.38″ and take your time exploring this amazing area.
Road to Haines Boondocking
This also is in Canada, but you’ll drive through on the way to or from Haines. This area of British Columbia is also absolutely stunning, and I recommend a stop. The gravel area at N 59°43’10.50″, W 136°36’8.52″ is big rig friendly and surrounded by gorgeous views. No cell service, though!
I hope this list of boondocking in Alaska spots for big rigs was helpful! Please let me know in the comments if you try any of them.
If you’re overwhelmed by learning to boondock, but you want to take advantage of these amazing Alaska boondocking spots, I can relate! We learned to boondock in Alaska because of these places, and I write a boondocking 101 guide that’s packed full of everything I wish I’d known when we started:

Boondocking 101 Guide

$7.00

This 10-page guide will assist RVers in learning the basics of boondocking, or camping off-grid! We share everything we’ve learned as a family living off-grid and boondocking in our RV.

Boondocking 101 Guide quantity

Category: Ebooks, RV Life

Tags: Boondocking, How To, RV
And if you need help itinerary planning, don’t forget to check out my RV Alaska ebook!
Disclaimer: Product links in this blog post may be Affiliate links, and I will earn a small commission for each purchase made through these links at no extra cost to you. Affiliate income helps fund our family travel and allows me to keep creating inspiring family travel content for you. I so appreciate when you use my links to make purchases you would have made anyway.
For more about our adventures in Alaska, check out these posts:
Follow our adventures on Instagram:

Get an email when we post and never miss an adventure:

* indicates required

Email Address *
First Name
Last Name
January 12, 2024
Things To Do in Sedona with Kids: Astonishing Hikes & Epic Adventures
Sedona doesn’t normally top the list of family destinations, but there are so many things to do in Sedona with kids! Our family of five has been full-time traveling for over three years now, and Arizona is a place we keep coming back to. It has such diverse and amazing landscapes, and the weather from Fall to Spring is pretty lovely, too.
This was our first time in Sedona, though, and we enjoyed our time here a lot. The obvious downside to Sedona is that it’s crowded because everyone else enjoys it, too! But the worst of the crowds can be avoided or mitigated with some planning and utilizing off-peak hours. Plus, although I wasn’t a big fan of the shuttle system to some of the hikes (mostly because they don’t run often enough IMO), our middle child loved the shuttle ride more than the hikes. So if you have a bus-loving kid, there’s that!
Let’s talk about all of the wonderful things to do in Sedona with kids though!
Things to do in Sedona with Kids: Hiking
Most visitors to Sedona are probably here to experience the absolutely epic hiking. I’ve shared some hikes here that range from “not really hiking” to “moderately challenging even for our experienced hiking family.” If you’re new to hiking as a family, check out my 10 best tips for hiking with kids to get started!
Raven Caves
Raven Caves is a perfect very short hike for families that want to do some cave exploring. The caves are so amazing for kids to climb in and around, and they’re so close to where you park. It’s also way less crowded than the more popular Sedona hikes. Just be sure to hold onto little ones’ hands! And bring a headlamp.
Airport Mesa Vortex
You can hike a moderately challenging loop around Airport Mesa, or you can just watch the sun set at Airport Mesa Vortex. For the vortex, park at the lot on Airport Road and walk a few minutes to a perfect sunset view. Get there early because the lot is small and it’s a popular sunset spot.
Bell Rock
Bell Rock is another relatively short and easy hike that’s perfect for children and grandparents alike! The views are gorgeous, and the hike is less than a mile long. Do this one early or later in the day because the sun is relentless here.
Subway Cave
Now we’re on to the more challenging hikes! Subway Cave was probably the hardest hike we did for two reasons. One, it was just long at over six miles. Two, the scramble into the cave was the trickiest we’ve done so far as a family. We made it, though! Definitely wear toddlers. The view in the cave is unbelievable, but you’ll want to hold kiddo hands tightly. The cave is reached via Boynton Canyon Trail; use the map so you don’t miss the Cave Spur (turnoff)! Parking is challenging here, but there’s more parking on Boynton Pass Road. Your America the Beautiful Pass on your dashboard counts as paying for parking!
Devil’s Bridge
Devil’s Bridge
The Devil’s Bridge hike is one of the easier “iconic” Sedona hikes in my opinion. It’s 4 miles round-trip, and you can shave off half that with a 4×4 vehicle that you’re brave enough to drive on Dry Creek Road to the trailhead. We saw people doing it in older SUVs and trucks, but we also saw someone rip their truck’s step off. I wouldn’t take our F350, but I would definitely drive it in a rented Jeep! We just hiked to the official trailhead from Dry Creek Vista Parking, which is very small. There is more parking on Boynton Pass Road, or you can take the free shuttle. Just pay attention to when that last shuttle arrives!
Soldier Pass
Soldier Pass is another iconic Sedona hike (and the main picture for this post is from there!), and it’s one of the shorter ones. The round-trip hike to the cave is under 4 miles. You can also hike just 15 minutes to the stunning Seven Sacred Pools if you’re not up for a longer hike. This hike was probably the most scenic we did on the actual hike itself and not just the end destination. The parking lot is tiny, and it’s completely closed Thursday-Sunday when you have to take the shuttle.
Cathedral Rock
Cathedral Rock is one of the most famous Sedona hikes, and one of the more challenging vertical climbs on this list. It’s a short 1.5 mile hike, but it gains more than 700 feet of elevation and involves lots of scrambling. We turned around about 2/3 of the way through because I wasn’t comfortable with the kids, but it’s doable for the adventurous family with kids 7+! And the views are amazing. This parking lot is also tiny, and it’s completely closed Thursday-Sunday when you have to take the shuttle.
West Fork of Oak Creek
Oak Creek is just north of Sedona, and it’s different from the rest of these hikes for a few reasons. One, it’s not a “red rocks” hike, but the canyon is still pretty. Two, it would be a great hike for really hot days because it’s shaded and you follow the creek to splash in. And three, you can do less than the whole hike and still find enjoyable views. Similar to the other hikes though, the parking lot is busy. Go early because it only opens to allow new cars in a few times a day once it’s full. Parking is $12. I’ll be candid and say that this was by far not my favorite hike we did, but I did include it here because I think it’s a good option for hot days.
Things to do in Sedona with Kids: Sightseeing & Exploring
For those who don’t want to or can’t hike, there are still beautiful options for things to do in Sedona with kids. Here are some of my suggestions!
Chapel of the Holy Cross
The Chapel of the Holy Cross at sunset is not to be missed, in my opinion. We are not a religious family, but the sunlight streaming through these glass windows and the architecture of the building are both breathtaking. Respectful reverence is appropriate when entering, as with most places of worship. But it’s otherwise totally kid-friendly to walk in and sit for a few minutes. My kids enjoyed taking turns standing in the place where it appears the Jesus statue is looking at you.
Chapel of the Holy Cross
Jeep Tour
If hiking is too challenging or not your family’s thing, there are many Jeep tours in the area that can get you out to similar red rocks views. We didn’t take any to recommend, but the Pink Jeep Tours looked fun!
Grasshopper Point Swimming Hole
There are a few places around Sedona with fun swimming holes for hot days, and Grasshopper Point is one of the most accessible. A short walk takes you to a fun swimming hole, where you’ll probably want water shoes if you have them! This is also the perfect place for a picnic. $12 for parking.
Sedona’s Rainbow Trout Farm
The Rainbow Trout Farm is a fun excursion for kids who’d love to catch a fish! You pay by the fish you catch (and $1.50 per person to fish). You can grill them yourselves, or you can take them home. There is no catch and release.
Tlaquepaque Stroll Arts & Shopping Village
This is a charming upscale arts and shopping area that might be fun for families to walk around. They have really unique stores, art galleries, and outdoor sculptures, and the Spanish-inspired architecture is gorgeous. There are also really special outdoor events for things like Dia de los Muertos and a December lantern walk. Check for events during your visit!
Watch sunset from Javelina Cantina or Molé Sedona
These two Mexican restaurants are casual enough for families and boast incredible red rocks sunset views. Enjoy the view after a busy day and get some delicious food to go with it.
Oak Creek Native Goods Stalls
On your way back from the Oak Creek hike, stop in this parking lot and browse authentic Native arts and crafts for sale. My kids were enamored by the beautiful beadwork and immediately wanted hair clips and bracelets.
Oak Creek
Sedona Public Library
You know we love a library when we travel (have you read my library cards for non-residents post yet?). I’ve included the library on this list because it would be a great option to cool off or stay out of a stormy day!
Harkins Theatres Movie Theatre
There is a small movie theatre in Sedona that would also be a great option for inclement weather days. Or if your legs are too tired from all that hiking!
Things to do in Sedona with Kids: State Parks & National Monuments
Slide Rock State Park
Slide Rock State Park should top the list of things to do in Sedona with kids if 1. It’s warm enough to be in chilly water and 2. Your kids are big enough to swim. You can absolutely visit with smaller kids, but the rock water slides are the best part. Wear water shoes for traction, and be prepared for it to be busy in the summer. $20 for a car to enter.
Red Rock State Park
Red Rock State Park is one of the most beautiful state parks ever. There is a small visitor center, cool guided ranger programs, and lots of family-friendly trails with stunning red rocks views. Entrance fees are $7/adult, $4 for 7-13, and free for 6 and under.
Montezuma Castle National Monument
Montezuma Castle is a neat national monument site in Camp Verde, not too far from Sedona. Check out the massive cave dwellings of the Sinagua People and an educational visitor center with a Junior Ranger program. $10/person or free with an America the Beautiful Pass.
Tuzigoot National Monument
Tuzigoot National Monument is another Sinagua pueblo dwelling in Cottonwood, and it makes for a quick, uncrowded stop. Really interesting museum with the indigenous history of the area, and a pretty view of Jerome in the mountains. $10/person 16+ or free with an America the Beautiful Pass.
Palatki Heritage Site
Palatki Heritage Site is another cliff dwelling that also features petroglyphs. You will need a reservation to visit, and it’s down a rough 6 mile dirt road. But it is stunning! Tours are free.
Camping on the road to Palatki
Things to do in Sedona with Kids: Day Trips
If you want to stay in Sedona on your Sedona trip, I wouldn’t blame you. But since we stayed in the area for months, I feel it would be irresponsible of me not to mention the other fun family activities around here! Here are some things to do within 90 minutes of Sedona if you’ve exhausted all of the things to do in Sedona with kids.
Jerome
Jerome is such an adorable little ex-mining town in the mountains. You can visit Jerome State Historic Park, stroll the artsy downtown, and take in the breathtaking views. For more Jerome ideas, check out my friend Mel’s post on one day in Jerome.
Verde Canyon Railroad
For your train lovers, the Verde Canyon Railroad in Cottonwood is not cheap, but it is a fun (and scenic!) excursion. Some say it’s more scenic than the Grand Canyon railroad, and there is a December holiday train.
The Science Vortex
The small but fun Science Vortex is an affordable outing for families who love science or need an indoor break. It’s only open on Thursdays and the weekend, but if you can catch it, it’s a blast. Family admission is only $15, or free with an ASTC reciprocal membership.
Out of Africa Wildlife Park
The Out of Africa Wildlife Park is not a cheap experience, but may be worth it for animal lovers. It’s a walking or driving safari style zoo in Camp Verde that also features a zip line for older kids and adults. Tickets start at $28.
Flagstaff Snow Park
If you’re visiting in winter months, Flagstaff Snow Park looks like a blast. Tubing starts at $25 a person for a half day.
Meteor Crater
Meteor Crater
This amazing Meteor Crater is northeast of Sedona, and it really is an impressive natural wonder. Tickets are $27 for teens and adults, $18 for kids, free for 5 and under.
I hope this post helps you plan by giving you lots of ideas for things to do in Sedona with kids! If you visit, let me know in the comments 🙂
For more about how we travel with kids, check out these posts:
Follow our adventures on Instagram:

Get an email when we post and never miss an adventure:

* indicates required

Email Address *
First Name
Last Name
December 26, 2023
Best Museums for Kids NYC: Insider Tips
We may be a nomadic family now, but we launched from Brooklyn! We lived in New York City for over ten years. So who better to share a list of best museums for kids NYC?
There’s a common misconception that NYC isn’t a great destination for families, but I think that couldn’t be further from the truth. True, there are certain transportation and crowd logistics to overcome. But it’s so worth it for the vast array of cultural experiences NYC has to offer!
This list encompasses my absolute favorite museums in New York City that I think are great choices for families. Some are children-oriented, but most are just amazing choices for anyone that happen to be interactive and kid-friendly. Those are the museums that are always my favorite anywhere — welcoming to children, but still fascinating for adults!
If you’re taking a vacation to NYC, consider printing out this kid travel journal to fill out as a record of your trip!

State Worksheet / Travel Journal for Kids

$2.00

If you’ve ever wished for an easy way to capture what your kids learn as you travel, this is it! Forget other state worksheets that require boring, irrelevant details like the state flower. Let’s write about what we learned and experienced! This state worksheet digital product includes leveled worksheets for kids: one two page log…

State Worksheet / Travel Journal for Kids quantity

Category: Printables, Roadschooling

Tags: Homeschooling, Printables, Roadschooling
Now let’s get to the good stuff!
Best Museums for Kids NYC List:
American Museum of Natural History
The American Museum of Natural History is world-famous for a reason: it is amazing. It’s also massive! There are dinosaur bones, a planetarium and butterfly garden, rare gems, all the animals your heart could desire, and even an entire blue whale sculpture hanging from the ceiling. This museum is the quintessential big-city museum for animal lovers (like most kids!). Bonus points for watching A Night at the Museum before your visit to get the family extra excited.
Admission starts at $28 for adults, $16 for kids (suggested admission for Tri-State area residents!). Advanced ticket reservations required. This museum is right off Central Park, which makes it perfect for before or after a park picnic.
Museum of the Moving Image
The Museum of the Moving Image is one of those museums that I would recommend to almost anyone visiting NYC. It’s the only museum in the country dedicated to the art, science, and technology of movies. They have Star Wars memorabilia and a hands-on Jim Henson exhibit, plus a bunch of programming for families. There are exhibits like a booth where you can practice recording your own voiceover. It’s a super fun place! Plus, tickets are more affordable than some of the more famous museums.
Admission is $20 for adults, $10 for children. If you head to Astoria for this museum, get some Greek food in the neighborhood while you’re there!
New York Transit Museum
New York Transit Museum
The New York Transit Museum is the *ultimate* destination for kids who love things that go! The basement of this museum is a decommissioned subway station filled with vintage subway train cars. You can walk through all of them and observe how subway technology and comfort evolved. It is fascinating! There are also interactive kid-friendly exhibits upstairs like a nearly life-sized play bus. This museum is a can’t-miss if you have a train loving kid (or grownup!) in your group.
Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children. FREE if you have a museum membership with ASTC reciprocity! This would be a great museum to combine with a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge.
Brooklyn Children’s Museum
Of all of the many children’s museums in NYC, the Brooklyn Children’s Museum is the best in my opinion. The Manhattan one is fun, but always absolutely packed. In Brooklyn, there are some small animals to observe, a giant bus to play on, a grocery store to pretend shop in, and rotating exhibits upstairs. My kids’ favorite part was always the water play section, though, where we have spent so SO many happy hours. Bonus is that parking is easy right outside this museum if you’re driving in.
Admission is $15 a person, free hours on Thursday afternoons. Consider adding on time in Prospect Park or at the Prospect Park Zoo to your day here.
Brooklyn Children’s Museum
Tenement Museum
The Tenement Museum is another super unique-to-NYC experience. It offers guided tours through historic tenement buildings to illustrate the history of immigrants in NYC. It’s a really interesting experience with paid actors leading the way. I would take mid-elementary kids and up, only because standing still and quiet might be challenging for the younger kids.
Admission is $30 per person. If you make it downtown to this museum, I highly recommend adding on time in Little Italy or Chinatown. Wo Hop is our favorite Chinese restaurant in the neighborhood.
The Morgan Library & Museum
The Morgan Library & Museum varies in its exhibits widely, but I’ve included it on the best museums for kids NYC list mostly because of the library. It took my breath away the first time I saw it because it truly resembles the library from Beauty & the Beast. If you have book lovers or Belle wannabes in your family, this museum is worth a stop. It’s also so conveniently situated near other outings you’ve probably planned in Midtown, unless the other museums on this list.
Admission is $22 for adults, free for 12 and under. This museum is right near the Empire State Building, Grand Central Station, and 5th Avenue shopping you might already be planning.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is another one of those iconic NYC museums. It’s massive (you could never see it all in one visit or ten!), so there really is something for everyone. Some of the special exhibits are absolutely mind-blowing if you love art. Our kids always especially enjoyed the Egyptian rooms, where you can walk inside a whole temple. To help get your kids even more excited about visiting The Met, read The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. The kids in that story live in the museum for a week!
Admission is $30, free for under 12 (suggested admission for Tri-State residents!). Afternoon tea at Alice’s Tea Cup would be the perfect combination with a visit to The Met.
The Cloisters
The Cloisters is an homage to all things medieval. Medieval art set in a building incorporating medieval architecture. Plus gorgeous gardens! What kid wouldn’t want to explore a castle and then stretch legs outside in a beautiful garden? This museum is a fun excursion way uptown where it’s a more relaxed vibe for anyone feeling overwhelmed by urban life.
Admission is $30, free for under 12 (suggested admission for Tri-State residents!). Explore Fort Tryon Park afterwards or hop across the river into the Bronx to tour Yankee stadium.
Queens County Farm Museum
The Queens County Farm Museum is a working farm that has been producing food for New Yorkers for over 300 years. There are livestock, seasonal events like hay rides, and an interactive children’s farm. This is the perfect outing for anyone looking to connect with local agriculture within the city limits.
Admission is free, except on certain ticketed days. Out of towners might consider combining a trip here with the New York Hall of Science or a delicious meal in Queens’ Koreatown.
New York Hall of Science
The New York Hall of Science is a fun and interactive science center for all ages. It’s packed full of hands-on exhibits that range from complex science to toddler play. My kids always adored the interactive bubble exhibit. This is the perfect way to end a trip through the best museums for kids NYC.
Admission starts at $22 for adults, $19 for children. FREE if you have a museum membership with ASTC or ACM reciprocity! Out of towners might consider combining a trip here with the Queens County Farm Museum or a delicious meal in Queens’ Koreatown.
Bookmark this post with the best museums for kids NYC from someone who lived there with kids for a long time! I hope it helps you as you plan your NYC visit. And let me know if you have any questions in the comments. If you’re interested in museums in other places, check out our best museums for kids list!
Disclaimer: Product links in this blog post may be Affiliate links, and I will earn a small commission for each purchase made through these links at no extra cost to you. Affiliate income helps fund our family travel and allows me to keep creating inspiring family travel content for you. I so appreciate when you use my links to make purchases you would have made anyway.
For more of our travel tips with kids, try these:
Follow our adventures on Instagram:

Get an email when we post and never miss an adventure:

* indicates required

Email Address *
First Name
Last Name
December 20, 2023
Things to do in Haines Alaska: 9 Unique Adventures
There are so many fun and unique things to do in Haines Alaska! One of our biggest takeaways from our time there is that it’s a really underrated Alaska destination. Haines has all of the small, authentic port town vibes with way fewer tourists (and tourist traps!). We loved the week we spent there during our summer RVing Alaska.
Here is a list of our favorite things to do in Haines Alaska.
1. Chilkoot Lake State Recreation Area
This small state park right outside of Haines Alaska has SO much to offer. First, it has a beautifully scenic boat launch where you can kayak around the lake with alpine glacier views. You’re also allowed to fish for salmon there (make sure to have a permit!). But maybe the most fun part of this park is that you can observe bears fishing for salmon from less than 100 feet away. This was the best bear viewing we got all summer because we didn’t shell out multiple thousands of dollars for flightseeing to Katmai National Park.
2. Chilkat State Park
Despite the similar name, this park is on the opposite end of town. We hiked the Battery Point Trail, which was an easy 4 mile family-friendly trail through gorgeous old growth forest that offers multiple scenic beach views along the way. My kids loved all of the unique fungi we spotted, too.
3. The Hammer Museum
I maintain that you cannot make a trip to Haines without visiting the Hammer Museum. It’s one of the quinntessential things to do in Haines Alaska. It’s really a cabin style home converted into a museum that you can visit in under an hour. I expected it to be hokey and a tourist trap, but it was actually pretty fascinating to see how many different industries rely on hammers. Even my kids were really into this stop.
4. The American Bald Eagle Foundation
This is another one of those must dos in Haines. How often do you get to see a bald eagle up close? Haines is absolutely packed with Eagles and you’ll likely see one if you spend any time outdoors, but getting an up close look is pretty special. And you can feel good about supporting these rescued animals while you’re at it.
5. The Haines Sheldon Museum
This tiny museum surprised and delighted me. The upstairs features absolutely gorgeous indigenous artwork and some hands-on opportunities for kids to engage with it. It also gives historical context for Haines and features a special apple tree outside in the courtyard. We were lucky enough to visit on a September day when apples were being harvested and were offered a big bag to bake with!
6. The Haines Borough Public Library
Maybe visiting the library isn’t high on your vacation bucket list, but I’d encourage you to reconsider. This library has a gorgeous facade featuring indigenous art, and it’s the perfect place to rest, recharge, and use some free wifi or read a book underneath the big, beautiful windows. It has a cute children’s section that my kids adored.
7. Try to Catch the Northern Lights
Southeast Alaska isn’t always the first place people head when trying for Aurora Borealis sightings because it can be very overcast. But it is possible to see them there! If you find yourself in Haines from September to May, it’s worth a shot to check the Aurora chances with an app like My Aurora Forecast. We saw them twice in one September week!
8. Window Shopping
Haines only has a few stores, but they are delightful! Our favorite was The Bookstore. It’s absolutely adorable and has an incredible curation of Alaska books. Plus, employees there *volunteer* their time to keep the public library open on weekends. How amazing is that?! That reason alone is enough to land this bookstore on the best things to do in Haines Alaska list in my book 😉
9. Take the Ferry
Haines is an Alaska Marine Highway hub, so it’s a great place to catch a ferry to anywhere else in Southeast Alaska! We met folks who had day tripped to Juneau, and you can also head to Gustavus if you’re wanting to visit Glacier Bay National Park without being on a cruise. We opted to drive to Haines and then take the ferry to Skagway on our way back south. We loved this choice, as the ferry trip alone felt like an excursion.
I hope this post with things to do in Haines Alaska was helpful!
If you’re looking for where to park your RV in Haines Alaska or for more information on how to have an amazing Alaska RV trip, check out our RVing Alaska e-book:

RV Alaska with Kids Travel Guide

$25.00

If you’re looking for Alaska vacation ideas, you’ve come to the right place! This guide features 20+ pages of what we learned throughout a summer RVing Alaska with Kids.

RV Alaska with Kids Travel Guide quantity

Category: Destinations, Ebooks, RV Life

Tags: Alaska, Destination, RV
For everything we’ve written about our incredible summer RVing Alaska, check out these posts:
Follow our adventures on Instagram:

Get an email when we post and never miss an adventure:

* indicates required

Email Address *
First Name
Last Name
October 23, 2023
Alaska RV Trip: Everything You Need for a Fantastic Trip!
I’m so excited to officially launch our Alaska RV Trip travel guide! We spent an entire summer and part of fall RVing all around Alaska with our small children, and I’ve packed everything we learned into this e-book.
There is a sample 7 day itinerary, 14 day itinerary, month long itinerary, and whole summer in Alaska itinerary. There is a city-by-city activity guide with kid-friendly Alaska activities, and each city has a recommended camping in Alaska spot (one RV park with hookups and one boondocking spot). I’ve shared free activities in Alaska and bucket list splurge worthy excursions. There are tips about driving in Alaska and a packing list with everything you’ll need to stay warm, dry, and safe in Alaska.
I really believe that this travel guide will save you hundreds of hours of research when planning your Alaska RV trip. I also know from talking to other RV friends that it has insider activities that many tourists miss. Whether you’re driving your own RV up or renting an RV in Anchorage, this guide will make your trip so much more memorable.
Keep scrolling below for more Alaska blog posts, too!

RV Alaska with Kids Travel Guide

$25.00

If you’re looking for Alaska vacation ideas, you’ve come to the right place! This guide features 20+ pages of what we learned throughout a summer RVing Alaska with Kids.

RV Alaska with Kids Travel Guide quantity

Category: Destinations, Ebooks, RV Life

Tags: Alaska, Destination, RV
And if you need more personalized planning help for your Alaska RV trip, you can book a call with me here! I can almost guarantee it’ll be worth the cost with the money you’ll save from having insider advice on how to approach an Alaska trip.
For all of the free tips I’ve shared here about our Alaska RV trip and an amazing summer in Alaska, head to my Alaska highlights on Instagram and check out these posts:
Frequently asked questions about this Alaska RV trip travel guide:
Will I receive a copy of this in the mail?
No, this is an e-book which will be available for download straight to your computer in PDF form. You won’t receive a physical book copy, but you can take the e-book to a print shop and have it printed and bound for just a few dollars if you like!
Do you recommend campgrounds in Alaska?
Yes! For each destination, I’ve included my top pick of RV park and boondocking spot for those who prefer to be off-grid.
Will this be helpful for travelers without children?
I think so! There are only a handful of kid-specific recommendations that aren’t also fun for adults (like special playgrounds!) and a whole lot of information that will be applicable to everyone (like easy day hikes!).
Can I use this guide if I don’t have an RV?
Absolutely! I recommend campgrounds to stay at, but you can also buy a cheap tent and use that instead. Or just use the itineraries and activity guides and choose your own hotel / short-term rental!
Were you paid or compensated in any way for any activities or campgrounds in exchange for your recommendation?
Nope! We paid for everything out of our own pockets.
Follow our adventures on Instagram:

Get an email when we post and never miss an adventure:

* indicates required

Email Address *
First Name
Last Name
October 9, 2023
Alaska Road Trip: Driving the Alaska Highway
The first step of an Alaska road trip is getting there! It took us 6 driving days to travel 1,257 miles from Dawson Creek, BC to Tok, AK on the Alaska Highway (or the Alcan Highway!). We drive slower and for shorter days because we’re towing our 37′ fifth wheel RV. You could definitely do it faster in a car.
One of the things that we learned was that only 5% of visitors arrive to Alaska via the Alaska Highway. After driving it ourselves, we can see why! We had to replace all 4 truck tires, a leaf spring on the RV, 2 cabinet door hinges, and some screws! You also can start your Alaska road trip by flying into Anchorage or taking the Alaska Marine Highway to Haines.
But it truly feels like an accomplishment to have made it on the Alcan. Even if we saw nothing in Alaska, the drive was so gorgeous that it wasn’t a wasted trip. Not to mention the many bears, moose, bison, bald eagles, foxes, and caribou we saw!
I’ll talk more about these places in future posts, but here are the major sights we visited along the way:
- Mile 0 sign Dawson Creek
- Tetsa river lodge’s famous cinnamon rolls
- Toad River bridges
- Folded Mountains viewpoint
- Muncho Lake
- Liard River hot springs
- Welcome to the Yukon Sign
- Watson Lake Signpost Forest
- George Johnston museum
- Teslin Tlingit Heritage Center
- Whitehorse’s Miles Canyon
- Haines Junction’s Village bakery
- Kluane Lake
I found planning our Alaska road trip to be really challenging because there are very few resources on doing this with kids, the itineraries I found tended to be for just a week long trip, and the typical tourist activities are ridiculously expensive for a family of five.
So I wrote a travel guide for an Alaska road trip with kids that includes everything we’ve learned!

RV Alaska with Kids Travel Guide

$25.00

If you’re looking for Alaska vacation ideas, you’ve come to the right place! This guide features 20+ pages of what we learned throughout a summer RVing Alaska with Kids.

RV Alaska with Kids Travel Guide quantity

Category: Destinations, Ebooks, RV Life

Tags: Alaska, Destination, RV
Now, on to the Alaska Highway recap! We started our Alaska road trip in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, which is the official start of the Alaska Highway!
It felt like a real accomplishment just to make it to mile 0, after traveling thousands of miles and overcoming passport hurdles. Dawson Creek is kind of a strange place, with what felt like half irritated locals annoyed with the other half of irritating American tourists.
Dawson is the last place for major supplies for a looooong time, and we took advantage of a few days to stock up and rest. That was a good call because the trip up the Alcan was a real journey in every sense of the word.
Alaska road trip day 1: Dawson Creek ➡️ Fort Nelson
It was an easy drive, minus a few long, steep grades. But it also wasn’t scenic, and we spent our only night in Fort Nelson figuring how to get our shredded front truck tires replaced, so I have no pictures from that day. The Fort Nelson visitor center is a great place to stop if you want information about the next section of the drive, plus it features free wifi and a free RV sani dump big enough for any size RV if you need it. Definitely make sure you fill up on gas here because you won’t see anything resembling affordable gas again until Watson Lake.
Alaska road trip day 2: Fort Nelson ➡️ Liard Hot Springs
This was when our Alaska road trip started getting gorgeous. We drove through fog so dense on Summit Pass (the highest point on the Alcan) that I couldn’t see the lines 😬 Summit Lake was absolutely beautiful when we drove back down, so your experience of it will really vary based on the weather. But then the area around Muncho Lake was stunning, and I would camp in the provincial park there were I to plan the trip again. If you have your own kayak, I highly recommend launching your kayak on Muncho Lake!
Liard River Hot Springs was pretty amazing. The hot springs were deliciously hot and relaxing and in a stunning setting. The boardwalk to the springs is a moose habitat. We got to watch a beautiful moose munching on a dinner of aquatic plants with fog rising over the marsh as we headed back from our soak.
Word to the wise: although the Liard River Hot Springs campground is convenient and allows RVs our size, I would not rate it as big rig friendly. I fit ours in there, but it took me circling twice. The neighbors even came out to say they were impressed 😅 You can, however, camp in the overflow lot across the street, which would be my advice for anything longer than a class C. Also, the gas in the Toad River / Muncho Lake / Liard River area is SO expensive. I don’t even want to talk about how much we paid haha.
Alaska road trip day 3: Liard River Hot Springs ➡️ Watson Lake
Watson Lake’s main attraction is the infamous Sign Post Forest. But this day was the day we crossed from BC to the Yukon, and that felt like a huge deal! Yukon is so so so remote that traversing it feels like an accomplishment. It made me realize how “remote” places in the lower 48 just really aren’t the same type of remote 😂 We were so excited to make it to a new part of Canada and to one that is so legendary.
The Watson Lake Sign Post Forest was started by a homesick guy helping to construct the Alaska Highway. It now contains over 90,000 signs from all over the world! We even found one from where we left — Huntsville, Alabama! It also has rusted out vehicles that actually helped build the Alcan, which were a kid fan favorite. The whole site is surprisingly large and really special feeling.
Visitors are encouraged to leave their own sign, and we did! Dan made a sign that said The O’Phalens out of Lego, which is very on brand for our family. People have made signs out of anything they have on hand. We found this stop to be even more interesting than we’d expected.
My advice about Watson Lake itself, though, is to gas up and keep on driving somewhere else to stay. There’s nothing wrong with Watson Lake, but there are so many more scenic options.
Alaska road trip day 4: Watson Lake ➡️ Whitehorse
We broke up the driving on this day with one of my favorite Alcan stops: Teslin! Teslin is a small town, but an excellent place to learn about the indigenous people of the area, the Tlingit (pronounced Klink-it).
The Tlingit are known for many things, including this beautiful style of artwork featured in a giant mural painted on the George Johnston Museum. This was a small but excellent stop for learning about how the building of the Alcan impacted the indigenous people of the area and what traditional lifeways looked like before the road system.
There was also the Teslin Tlingit heritage center, which had gorgeous totem poles out front, cultural artifacts inside, and an absolutely stunning display of graduation dresses as a temporary exhibit. We learned that local indigenous high schoolers often get two graduation celebrations. One is with the high school in Whitehorse where they have to leave to attend and one is at home with their community to celebrate their return.
We took a “break” for a couple of days in Whitehorse, the capitol of the Yukon. Most of our time there was spent replacing the rear truck tires (are you noticing a theme? 😂) which now looked bad after being told they were fine in Fort Nelson. One of the things that’s hard about the Alaska highway portion of the trip is that if you need anything, it’s hard to find! Even in Whitehorse, the biggest city on the road. Our tire saga included having to buy tires at one shop and drive them to another 🙃
Dan did take the kids out to the Miles Canyon hike, which was pretty but not a must-do for us. Although to be fair, our standards for beautiful views have gotten outrageously high! There is also a hot springs we didn’t get the chance to try out because it’s not kid-friendly, but it looked nice.
Alaska road trip day 5: Whitehorse ➡️ Destruction Bay
This leg of the drive was unbelievably scenic, as we drove alongside the dramatic mountains in Kluane National Park. We also spotted a grizzly right alongside the road! Kluane National Park also makes for great stargazing and aurora spotting in spring and fall because it’s a Dark Sky park.
We stayed in Destruction Bay at Congden Creek campground, which is first come first served with no hookups. Lakeside spots fill up fast, but the wooded pull-through are peaceful, too. No cell service though! I planned to do some hiking in the area, but our late start due to tire drama meant we had to skip it. We played by the gorgeous (but chilly) lake before dinner and then rested up for the last couple of hours of driving before Alaska!!
Alaska road trip day 6: Destruction Bay ➡️ Tok, Alaska
This was the toughest part of our entire Alaska road trip by far. We drove for hours not able to go above 40 mph, sometimes averaging 15 mph for miles. This is probably much easier if you’re not towing anything, but was a long, tough stretch in our RV. Consider splitting this up into two days if you’re towing and not in a rush.
Beaver Creek is a tiny town, but the visitor center has adorable free endangered animal coloring books. Our kids have been working on them for weeks! Highly recommend a stop if you have kids who would appreciate that. Otherwise, there’s not much on this stretch to stop for except the Alaska welcome sign!
That feeling you get when you make it to the Alaska part of your Alaska road trip after 8 days on the Alaska Highway!
Alaska road trip: Timing
If you don’t want to drive in snow, you have approximately from late May until mid September to do an Alaska road trip. That’s no guarantee, but it means you’ll likely not encounter any snow. I *highly* recommend driving the Alcan in mid-September for the incredible foliage. I mean, take a look at this forgettable stretch of road in June that was stunning in September:
Alaska road trip: Alaska portion!
Head here for my 7 day Alaska itinerary or buy the e-book with longer itineraries here. I’ve done all the planning for you!
For more posts about our adventures in Alaska, check these out:
Follow our adventures on Instagram:

Get an email when we post and never miss an adventure:

* indicates required

Email Address *
First Name
Last Name
September 24, 2023
7 Day Alaska Itinerary: Glaciers, Dog Sledding & Salmon!
An action-packed 7 day Alaska itinerary filled with bucket list adventures like glacier hikes, dog sledding, and gorgeous Alaska views!
One of my superpowers is travel itinerary planning, and today I’m sharing some of my superpower with a sample 7 day Alaska itinerary! I took my in-laws on a trip to Iceland back in 2017, and my father-in-law recently confessed that when he learns someone else has been to Iceland, he immediately feels bad for them because their trip can’t have been as amazing as the one I planned for us. Hilarious and sweet.
Even I found planning a trip to Alaska to be a challenge, however, and I learned so much spending a whole summer here that I want to share with you! So I’ve put together this 7 day Alaska itinerary for those of you thinking about planning a trip up here. If you want more details on how to plan the best Alaska trip ever, please feel free to check out my e-book about RVing Alaska! It has longer itineraries for those of you with more time, 20+ pages of activity ideas, a thorough packing list, and more! You might also like my blog posts on our favorite camping in Alaska spots and the best hikes in Alaska with kids (or without!). Now, let’s get to the itinerary!
7 Day Alaska Itinerary
Day 1: Fly into Anchorage and head to the Palmer/Wasilla area, where you’ll spend the next two days. Visit the Iditarod Headquarters museum in Wasilla and take a short dog sledding ride for $10 a person (or a longer, pricier one if you can!). Grab a picnic at the grocery store and drive up to Hatcher Pass for a sunset hike and picnic. I recommend the April Bowl trail.
Day 2: Get an early start and rent ATVs from Alaska Toy Rentals for a trip out to the Knik Glacier if you’re comfortable driving off-road. If you’re not, an hour drive out to Matanuska Glacier offers glacier hiking tours or ice climbing.
Day 3: Stop at Alaska Chicks in Wasilla or Palmer for a cute hoodie. Then start the drive south through Anchorage on the scenic Seward highway. Stop at every viewpoint on the Turnagain Arm, including Beluga Point! It’s breathtaking, and you might catch a tidal bore coming in if you time it right. Drive up Portage Road to hike Byron Glacier or take a boat tour to Portage Glacier. Sleep for the night in Alyeska if you don’t have an RV, Moose Pass if you do.
Day 4: Finish the drive to Seward, stopping at Bear Creek Weir on your way if it’s summer and the salmon are running. Have a more relaxed day walking the waterfront park, scoping out the local murals, and taking a walk on Fourth of July Beach. Then get to bed early for the next few days of big adventures because you’re more than halfway through your 7 day Alaska itinerary!
Day 5: Spend the whole day on a kayaking tour to Bear Glacier Lagoon with Liquid Adventures. If you don’t love kayaking, take a wildlife boat tour. Have dinner at one of the cute local restaurants and head to bed for an early start tomorrow.
Day 6: Get an early start on a hike to the Harding Icefields if you’re an avid hiker. Enjoy the Alaska SeaLife Center or go on a wildlife boat tour if you’re not!
Day 7: Drive back to Anchorage. Stop at the Anchorage Museum or the Alaska Native Heritage Center if you have time. Congrats, you’ve just had the best week of your life! 🙂
Note: This 7 day Alaska itinerary assumes you’ll be flying in and out of Anchorage, as most people do. It also assumes you’ll be staying on the road system. If you’re comfortable driving something as large as a U-haul truck, I’d recommend renting an RV for this trip because you’ll be able to camp in gorgeous spots. If not, there are plenty of hotels and airbnbs available. This itinerary also does something somewhat controversial and skips Denali National Park. I know, I told you it was controversial. Denali is gorgeous, and you should go there if Denali is on your bucket list. However, it wasn’t my favorite part of our summer because of the crowds and the plethora of amazing views and wildlife elsewhere. I think heading to Kenai Fjords National Park in Seward is better if you only have a week.
To find more of our insider tips for RVing in Alaska, check out our RV Alaska for Families e-book.

RV Alaska with Kids Travel Guide

$25.00

If you’re looking for Alaska vacation ideas, you’ve come to the right place! This guide features 20+ pages of what we learned throughout a summer RVing Alaska with Kids.

RV Alaska with Kids Travel Guide quantity

Category: Destinations, Ebooks, RV Life

Tags: Alaska, Destination, RV
Follow our adventures on Instagram:

Get an email when we post and never miss an adventure:

* indicates required

Email Address *
First Name
Last Name
September 3, 2023