There’s no doubt that frequent family travelers have a list of must-haves. But you can’t squeeze everything into a suitcase, car, or carry-on bag. Below is a list of must-haves for families that are ‘seasoned’ travelers and those who are taking their first trip.

Healthy family

You probably already know that it’s important to get regular checkups. Your health is a MUST-HAVE for your family travel. Traveling when you’re sick is never a good idea. You won’t have any energy and you can make the people around you sick.

It’s never a good idea to travel with with sick children.

Make sure everyone sees the doctor before you leave on your family vacation. It’s important that your family is in good health to travel. Otherwise, you could find yourself dealing with sickness on your vacation, and you trip will be a short one.

Toys

Family road trips can be fun! [...]

The latest travel trend is grandparents traveling with grandchildren — with and sometimes without parents. Grandparents traveling with grandchildren can bond with them and create memories that will last a lifetime. Below are tips for grandparents traveling with grandchildren — follow these and you’ll have the time of your life!

Choose a travel destination that’s “right” for everyone.

It’s important to plan a family vacation that appeals to everyone; otherwise, traveling with grandchildren may not be fun. Ask your grandchildren where they’d like to go and what they’d like to do on vacation. Review all of the travel ideas and plan a vacation that everyone will enjoy.

Air travel.

You don’t want air travel to be your first vacation with your grandchildren. However, after you’ve traveled a few times, plan a beach or adventure vacation that requires you to fly to the destination.

Tip #1: Book non-stop flights [...]

Greensburg/Decatur County, Indiana offers endless possibilities for a getaway no matter what your interest.

FORE! Golfers love to hit the links as early and as often as possible. Three area clubs offer diverse options for all golfers ranging from beginner to pro. Package options are available. Biking more your thing? Check out our Bike Southeast Indiana guide, which offers trails and shops throughout four Southeastern Indiana counties.

Girls Getaway? Shopping options abound from our Shop and Stay packages with Premium Outlets of Edinburgh. Or maybe a crafty interlude, plan a visit to our Tree City Stitches Quilt Shop and a look inside Crafts and Occasions. Whatever you choose you’ll want to top it off with a stop for lunch or tea at the Gilded Lily Tea Room.

History. Begin with a stop at our Courthouse located in the heart of downtown Greensburg. See our world famous Tower Tree. [...]

Isle Royale National Park, an island wilderness in northwest Lake Superior, is only accessible by seaplane or boat. Rock Harbor Lodge provides the only lodging in the Park (housekeeping cabins, several newly-renovated lakefront lodge rooms, full service restaurant/ grill onsite.)

For the adventure traveler, naturalist, outdoor enthusiast, avid fisherman and hiker, Isle Royale provides a dramatic escape from the fast pace of everyday life. There are no roads or cars on the island. Enjoy165 miles of hiking trails and spectacular views of Lake Superior plus sightseeing tours of historic lighthouses and abandoned copper mines. There’s 16 hours of summer daylight, thus extended recreational time. Plus, summer visitors may experience the magic of the Aurora Borealis! Ferries run seasonally from Grand Portage, MN, Houghton and Copper Harbor, MI. A seaplane operates from Houghton, MI. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day only. Room / ferryboat packages available. [...]

The attractions in Prestonsburg can suit the travel thirst for all ages. The diverse and fun places to visit range from water recreation, music entertainment, elk watching, harness racing, craft shopping, golf, and all kinds of special events.

Speaking of thirst, have you ever wondered why so many national artists hail from right here in Eastern Kentucky? Well, we think it’s in the water! So, beginning in 2012 our US 23 Country Music Highway “Road to Fame” talent search contests will be searching for the next Loretta Lynn, or Ricky Skaggs, or even Dwight Yoakum. Competitions begin soon, with the grand finale June 16 at the Mountain Arts Center. Go to www.cmhroadtofame.com for details.

Enjoy the fine places to lodge and eat and enjoy the great hospitality. Call us for detailed information at 800-844-4704 or visit www.prestonsburgky.org.

HAPPY TRAILS MY FRIEND!

Located in the old New York Central freight depot in Medina, NY, the Medina Railroad Museum is the largest railroad and toy train museum in NY State. The depot was built in 1905-06 and is the largest wood-frame freight house ever built by the NY Central Railroad Company.

The museum features the world’s largest collection of railroad artifacts and memorabilia known to exist under one roof. See the longest HO-Scale model train layout and diorama all on one floor, an immense 204 ft. by 34 ft.

Enjoy our several family-friendly special events throughout the year. In May our Day Out with Thomas and in the Fall our Winery Trains, our Fall Foliage Trains and the magic of the Polar Express. Kids of all ages love the experience of this museum all year round.

Medina Railroad Museum
530 West Avenue, PO Box 136
Medina, NY [...]

ALERT!:

This is a post directed to all those teens out there who want to have the best family vacation this summer but are worried about how to do that AND get along with nagging parents, annoying siblings and visits to museums of natural boredom.

There IS a way to make sure you don’t fall asleep for the whole time you’re at your Tennessee log cabin or South Carolina resort.

Travel Tips for Teens #1: Play Along

Okay, so your dad really wants to go to some old house that was built about nine million years ago and you could care less. You COULD mope and groan and make everyone miserable… but that wouldn’t get you anywhere. Instead, play along with your dad’s big adventure. Ironically, if you think positively, you’re more likely to enjoy the family vacation getaway, even as you’re hearing a tour guide say “antique” for about the fiftieth time.

Travel Tips [...]

Babies are awfully cute when they gurgle, coo, laugh and sleep. But they aren’t known for being the best family vacation getaway companions. That’s why you need to be prepared!

“Baby’s Best Family Vacation” Travel Tips from GuestQuest:

TAKE TOYS! — No, wait. Make that “take favorite toys”. If Junior loves his old, beat-up teddy bear with the missing eye, you’d be wise to ensure it makes the journey from your home to your family vacation destination.

KEEP A ROUTINE — Okay, this can be tough, especially when you want your family vacation getaway to include lots of late nights exploring the moonlit beach or the thumping city nightlife. However, if you want to remember your journey with fondness, it’ll behoove you to stick to routines as much as possible.

AVOID TRAINING BABY DURING THE TRIP — Think you’ll introduce “the potty” during your visit [...]