My youngest son and I just returned home from a fantastic weekend getaway to the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa! We snuck away for a few days, just the two of us. This place is perfect for families, but would also be fun for a couples or friends! Below, I’m including everything you need to know to plan your visit to this amazing resort!
The Property
This pet-friendly resort sits on 300 acres in San Antonio, Texas. It’s close to SeaWorld and only twenty minutes from the historic San Antonio River Walk. But, it felt like we were worlds away from the bustling city! Once we arrived and parked our car, we never left! The resort has so much to offer, from nature trails, on-site restaurants, bicycle rentals, a water park, and more! It felt a little overwhelming, but the hotel staff is incredible and we left the check-in area with a list of daily events and a detailed resort map.
Our Room
We booked a king room with a balcony and were placed in a newly renovated section of the resort! The room was spacious and the bed was comfy! We enjoyed the room so much, we ordered room service for dinner one night and just hung out and watched movies on the huge tv!
5-Acre Waterpark
Most of our time was spent at this impressive water park! And it’s so big, we often felt like we had the entire place to ourselves. Here, you will find a lazy river and tubes, a beach area with sand, a very large pool, a hot tub, a water slide, the Flow Rider, and two different outdoor bar and grills!
Dining
There is no shortage of amazing dining options at this resort! We enjoyed eating lunch and snacks at the pool grill, we ordered room service for dinner and breakfast one day, and treated ourselves to a fancy dinner on our last night. Seriously, there really is no reason to leave once you arrive!
This upscale steakhouse was to die for. We both enjoyed our four course meal. To start, you’ll have bread and butter delivered first. The tomato-basil butter was delicious! The kids will then get a small grill cheese sandwich and a fruit kabob. Entrees then arrive, Jake and I both had fillets. I also ordered a side of mashed potatoes and these sides are family style. So Jake and I both had plenty to go around. Then, the kids will get a dessert. Jake had the cookie dough with apple slices, pretzels, and graham crackers. Plus, the bartender sent over a fun drink for him to try! The service and the food was impeccable!
We ordered room service for dinner and then again for breakfast the next morning from Springhouse Café. Both options were great, but we enjoyed the breakfast the best!
The pool bar and grill made snacking and lunchtime so easy! You can walk up to the bar and place an order, or you can order with a waiter/waitress right from the pool or lounge chairs and they will bring your order right out to you.
Here is a complete list of dining and bar options at the resort. There were a few other places that we didn’t try! There is also a small store inside that has a Starbucks and sells sandwiches, pasta salads, and café style foods.
Activities
The resort offers many on-site activities besides the waterpark! You can find bike and walking trails, campfire chats, wildlife feedings, volleyball, ping-pong, corn hole, s’mores and outdoor movie nights, golfing, and spa treatments. There really is something here for everyone!
We spent most of our days at the water park, but in the evenings we made s’mores and played so many games of ping-pong and corn hole. We also enjoyed watching deer in the evenings by the campfire. Jake begged me to add more nights to our reservation, he loved this resort!
Things to Pack
Bathing suits – for the family
Pool bag – include sunscreen & waterproof phone case
Cover up
Casual Clothes – for all restaurants & activities
Tennis shoes – for hiking or bike riding
Blanket – for outdoor movie
You don’t need to bring along too much, the resort has it all! Just be sure to bring along the basics for visiting a pool and waterpark. You do not need pool towels, they have plenty around the pool. Just be sure to return them or you will be charged for them. I wish we had brought a blanket for movie nights!
While we didn’t leave once we arrived, this resort is located in San Antonio. Click here for more ideas on things to do in San Antonio if you or your family want to venture out to the city! We love San Antonio, there’s so much to do here.
All in all, the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort is one of the best resorts that we’ve ever visited! The layout and activities made it a great getaway and everything was easy. Which was great since I was there without my husband! We felt safe the entire time and we both truly had a blast! If you’re looking for a fun, relaxing, stress-free vacation, then this is the place to go!
Last year we took an epic road trip from Texas to Montana, and then back home! Below, I’m including 14 must see spots on your road trip to Yellowstone! This road trip adventure will take you through Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado.
We are notorious for driving through Texas as quick as we can and not making too many stops in our home state. But, if you’re looking for a quick, fun, colorful stop, then check our Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, TX. Don’t forget to bring along a can of spray paint!
Address: 13651 I-40 Frontage Road, Amarillo, TX
New Mexico
Amarillo, TX to Farmington, NM
If you’re coming in from Texas, New Mexico is a great place to stop for the night! We stayed in Farmington, NM and that was about a twelve hour drive for us from home. We typically don’t like to drive that far in one day, but we wanted to knock out a big chunk early on to have more days for exploring. And Texas is a huge state to drive through!
The Aztec Ruins are a fun and educational stop in Farmington, NM. We spent about an hour here, exploring the different areas of the ruins. The boys loved all of the prairie dogs!
Shiprock is an iconic sight, rising 1,583 feet tall, about 30 minutes from Farmington! Be aware, it’s considered a sacred place to the Navajo tribe and is not open to the public. We just made a quick stop for a photo on the side of the road!
Directions from Farmington: Take US 64 west to Shiprock and make a left at the intersection with US 491. Continue 7.1 miles on US 64 and 491, and turn right (west) onto the paved Indian Service Route 13. Continue 7.6 miles on IR 13 and turn right (north) onto IR 5010, which is a dirt road. Follow IR 5010 north to Shiprock, which is about 3.5 miles away.
I have always wanted to see Monument Valley, so we made sure to add this route to our road trip itinerary! I am hoping to explore more of this area on a future trip out west. We just drove through, and stopped for a quick photo at Forest Gump Point. I typed that in on my GPS and it led us there! The landscape here was impressive and I am so happy we added this quick detour to our route!
Monument Valley is located on US Highway 163.
Utah
Monument Valley to Moab, UT
Utah is one of the coolest states we’ve ever visited! On this trip, we drove through Moab on our journey to Yellowstone. Of course, we had to stop for some hiking! There are so many amazing spots in Moab to explore. If you’re short on time, I recommend hiking up to Wilson Arch. If you have more time on your road trip, you can stay in Moab for a few days to explore the two National Parks here!
Wilson Arch is a quick, five minute hike from the side of highway 191, about 20 minutes south of Moab. It’s mostly uphill, but we were able to hike up and back down without any issues. You can find the pull out to park right alongside the highway, and even though it’s not very crowded, you’ll see other cars along the road. We like this hike because you don’t have to pay to explore here!
Arches National Park is the site of over 2,000 natural sandstone arches. It’s one of those places that you just have to see to believe! My boys loved exploring this park and keep asking to go back. There are so many areas to explore, if you’re short on time you can even just drive through and stop at different overlooks to take in the different arches. If you have time for a hike, I recommend the three mile hike to the iconic Delicate Arch! Keep in mind, you do need a timed-entry permit to enter Arches National Park from April 1st-October 31st.
Directions to Arches: From Moab, drive north on US 191 for five miles. You will see the sign for the entrance!
I think I prefer Dead Horse Point State Park over the Grand Canyon, it’s that scenic! You don’t need a ton of time here, we just parked and walked along the overlook trail. The views are absolutely breathtaking!
Directions to Dead Horse Point: Drive nine miles northwest of Moab on US 191 and then 23 miles southwest on Utah 313 to the end of the highway. You will see signs for Dead Horse Point along the drive!
Another amazing National Park in Moab is Canyonlands! The area called Island in the Sky is right next to Dead Horse Point State Park, so you can knock these two places out at one time! The overlooks are truly amazing. If you don’t have much time, I recommend checking out Mesa Arch!
Directions to Canyonlands: From US 191 north of Moab, UT 313 leads to Island in the Sky district. You will keep driving past Arches NP and will see signs for Canyonlands National Park.
Idaho
Moab, UT to Twin Falls, ID
Idaho has to be the most underrated state we’ve ever visited! We were blown away with the views, the waterfalls, the hiking trails, the mountains, and more! On our road trip, we decided to stay in Twin Falls for a few nights to explore the area and spend some time outside of the car. This ended up being a great choice and one of my favorite destinations of the entire trip!
Can you see the people on the trail behind the waterfall?
Did you know that you can hike behind one of the tallest waterfalls in Twin Falls? I had no clue until I began researching stops along our route. The 200 foot waterfall is quite impressive by itself, but having the opportunity to walk behind it was really special!
Directions to Perrine Coulee Falls: This waterfall is just outside of Centennial Waterfront Park. You’ll see cars parked along the street next to the falls. You won’t miss this one, it’s close to the road that leads through the park!
Shoshone Falls is also known as The Niagara of the West! If you’re in Twin Falls, you have to visit this park! There are several different paved trails with different views of the falls. And, you don’t need a lot of time here to experience the magic!
Shoshone Falls Park Address: 4155 Shoshone Falls Grade, Twin Falls, ID 83301. There is a $5 entrance fee per vehicle.
If you’re driving from Twin Falls, you should make the stop to hike around Upper Mesa Falls near the Idaho, Montana border! I really had no clue that Idaho was full of so many amazing waterfalls. This is a very short hike to a 114 feet high, 200 feet wide roaring curtain of water!
Directions to Mesa Falls: You’ll find Upper Mesa Falls in Ashton, Idaho off of Hwy 20 via Scenic Byway 47. I used the Alltrails app for directions and we had no issues finding it. There were also signs along the drive.
Montana
Twin Falls, ID to West Yellowstone, MT
Up to this point, our trip was fantastic, but then we arrived in West Yellowstone, MT and found out that Yellowstone National Park was closed. Yes, we are some of the unfortunate people that made the trip only to learn that other areas of the park had encountered historic flooding. So, we never actually got to enter Yellowstone. We were so sad, but found other things to do in the area.
We had been so excited to see wild animals in Yellowstone, so it made sense to visit the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center. Plus, it was directly across the street from our lodging. It is a fantastic facility! We loved seeing the bears and were so excited when the wolves woke up and began moving around. We spent several hours here viewing the animals, hearing their stories, and exploring the museum inside.
Address: 201 S Canyon St, West Yellowstone, MT 59758. It costs $16.50 for adults, $11.50 for kids.
Wyoming
West Yellowstone, MT to Jackson, WY
Our trip was completely redeemed once we made it to Jackson, WY! The Grand Tetons are absolutely gorgeous. And, the best part is that we got to encounter a real bear in the wild!
One can easily spend weeks here and not see everything that this National Park has to offer. We had the chance to spend a couple of nights here, and we were able to spend two full days hiking in the park. If I had one place to recommend, I’d suggest the Jenny Lake area! If you want to see wildlife, hike on the Phelps Lake Overlook trail, that’s where we saw the bear!
Visitor Center Address: 100 Discovery Way, Moose, WY 83012
Colorado
Jackson, WY to Colorado Springs, CO
By the time we made it to Colorado Springs for the night, before journeying back home, we were exhausted! This is such a neat destination, you can easily spend a week vacationing here alone. So, even though there are tons of activities and attractions to explore here, we opted for a quick visit to Garden of the Gods.
Garden of the Gods has been a favorite of mine since I was a kid! I knew I wanted to bring my boys here. They’ve actually visited this place on several different occasions, it makes for a great stop! My boys love the easy walk around the different rock formations. And the climbing is their favorite part! Plus, it’s always a good idea to get the kids tired before beginning a long trip back home! Don’t miss out on the museum inside the Visitor Center.
Address: 1805 N. 30th Street Colorado Springs, CO 80904
We spent two weeks adventuring through the desert and over mountains on this road trip! Even though we didn’t get to see the main attraction on this trip, we still had a wonderful time and made tons of memories! This road trip did involve a lot of planning, especially for the weather! It was warm in some places, but snowed in others, all within just a few days.
Road Trip Tips
Have a plan! Make sure to know your route and where you plan to stop and stay each night!
Get your vehicle checked before your road trip!
Make sure you have a first aid kit in your vehicle.
Bring plenty of snacks and drinks for the drive!
Pack some hydration tablets, such as Zaca, to help stay hydrated—especially at higher elevations—and be sure to carry plenty of water.
Create a playlist. If you have kids, have them help you!
Stop often for breaks.
Don’t try to drive too long each day unless you know you and your kiddos can handle it.
Prepare for the weather at each destination on your adventure!
Be patient, expect traffic and weather delays from time to time.
Don’t try to pack in too much each day!
Have fun!
I’m sure we missed a ton of awesome places on this road trip! We do have plans to one day return to Yellowstone, taking a different route. Be sure to check out more of my blog posts for complete travel guides and itineraries! Good luck on your next road trip, I know it’s going to be amazing!
Who knew that St. Louis would turn out to be a really fun adventure and a great place to visit with kids? To be honest, I didn’t know much about St. Louis, but I really wanted to see Gateway Arch National Park. On our trip, we ended up discovering so many kid-friendly activities and attractions! Keep reading to learn where to stay, where to eat, and what to do with kids!
We’ve visited St. Louis twice now after having so much fun on our first trip. Our visits have been in May and in October. I really enjoyed both visits, but our October visit is my favorite. The weather was very pleasant and we spent most of our time outside, which is always our favorite way to spend the day.
Fall in St. Louis
Where to Stay
Both times we’ve traveled to St. Louis, we’ve stayed at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch. This hotel is only steps away from Gateway Arch National Park! The location makes all of the difference. Once here, you really don’t even need your vehicle! Most places are within walking distance, which makes it so easy to explore and not worry about parking. Plus, you can’t beat the views from your room!
The view from our hotel room!
What to Do
St. Louis is packed full of kid-friendly activities and attractions to explore! I’m sure we didn’t even scratch surface on all that this city has to offer. Below are some of our favorite kid-friendly activities!
The Gateway Arch is an impressive sight and makes a great family photo op! But, there’s a lot more to this place. The museum in the visitor center is very educational and we enjoyed learning more about it’s construction. Plus, you can take a ride to the top and the views are awesome! Full disclosure, the ride up is not for the faint of heart. And I don’t recommend going on a windy day, the arch actually moves a little with the wind. But it is sure fun to say we’ve been inside!
The City Museum is unlike anything we’ve ever experienced! I mean, knee pads are recommended. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was so excited to take my boys here. We all had a blast! There are so many spaces to explore, ranging from caves to treehouses, and even a rooftop area. It truly is a unique experience and fun for all ages! This is truly one of those places that you just have to see to believe!
My boys both play baseball and they love all things related to the sport! So, it was a no brainer that we would check out Ballpark Village! We spent the afternoon walking around the area, shopping for baseball gear, eating outside, and listening to live music. If you’re a baseball fan, I highly recommend making a stop at this place! There’s a lot to see and do, including shops, the Cardinal’s baseball museum, catching a game, and there are a lot of dining options!
I had no idea that there would be so many outdoor adventures in St. Louis! Right behind our hotel, we walked along the St. Louis Riverfront Trail. The weather was gorgeous and we enjoyed the history of the river, especially the information about the Lewis & Clark expedition! This was a great area to run around with our kids and our pup. This trail is about twelve miles, but we didn’t go that far!
We always enjoy visiting past president’s homes. So, when I learned that Ulysses S. Grant had a home in St. Louis, we dedicated some time for a visit. The grounds are stunning and we learned a lot about this family’s time here. There is a lot to explore, including the museum, the house, and the wooded land surrounding the home.
Since we were visiting St. Louis in October, I thought that a haunted history walk would be a lot of fun! We love creepy, scary things and it was definitely creepy! We enjoyed our guide and learned a lot about St. Louis’s past history. I am not sure if this is a seasonal tour, but I highly recommend this activity if you’re there in October!
A fun outdoor park is Kiener Plaza! We ventured this way and let the boys run around and burn off some steam. My boys don’t leave the house without bringing a football along, so they played catch and just ran around for an hour or so. There are fountains and a splash pad, outdoor tables for picnicking, a playground, and a lot of open space!
Fun game of football
Where to Eat
Below are the places that we really enjoyed dining at on our visit! These places were great for us, but most imporantly, our kids liked them and found great things to eat. And if you’ve traveled with kids, you know that to enjoy the day, the kids must be well fed!
Breakfast – We typically grabbed breakfast at the Starbuck’s located inside our hotel. Jereme and I need our daily cup of coffee to start the day. We grabbed muffins and croissants and then took our breakfast outside and ate on the lawn near the Gateway Arch.
Lunch – We found ourselves eating lunch at the Ballpark Village since there were several options there! Our favorite was Sports & Social. We enjoyed the drinks and the outdoor dining option!
Dinner – Our favorite dinner place was the Old Spaghetti Factory! We all love good pasta and the kids enjoyed the three course kids menu!
All in all, St. Louis was a pleasant surprise! If you’re looking for a fun city to explore with your kids, that won’t break the bank, then I recommend giving St. Louis a chance. You won’t run out of kid-friendly activities and there is so much to see and do. It’s also a very dog friendly city, so if you have a dog, bring it along!
If you’re driving in from the south, be sure to stop by Uranus Fudge Factory for lots of great sweets and lots of laughs!
If you follow along on our adventures, then you already know that we love to explore the outdoors and hike around National Parks. But, we also enjoy changing it up sometimes and venturing to the city with our boys. Below are 5 fun cities to explore with kids!
5 Fun Cities to Explore with Kids: DC, New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Dallas!
Washington, DC
Touring the White House was on my bucket list for years!
Washington, DC was the first big city we traveled to with our kids. It was such a great “starter city” for our family. Not only is it extremely walkable, there’s so much to do. And the best part is, there are several free activities around the city to enjoy!
The boys’ first request was a visit to the Lincoln Memorial!
We’ve traveled to DC in September, November, and March. We got lucky on all of our trips and had gorgeous weather each time. DC is stunning in the fall, but just as beautiful in the spring with the cherry blossoms in bloom!
My littlest boy, cherry blossoms, and the Capital!
My favorite visit was our trip over our Thanksgiving break in November. The city was not crowded at all, which made it easy to explore the museums and we didn’t have to wait long for dining at restaurants. The only downside is that we were not able to tour the White House because it is closed this week for Christmas decorating.
We can say we’ve been inside George Washington’s house! It was beyond amazing!
Be prepared for a lot of walking. We clocked an average of ten miles per day when we were there! Our boys were only five and nine on our first visit and were tired, but made it just fine! We did use a taxi to get from the airport to our hotel. There are also several taxis that stay around the National Mall area, mostly near the Lincoln Memorial. We jumped in a few of those when the boys were too tired to make the walk back to the hotel for the night.
Posing with the White House
Our most memorable moments of our trips to DC were going inside the White House, watching President Trump leave the White House on Marine One, seeing George Washington’s actual teeth on display at Mount Vernon, and seeing the original United States’ flag & the Declaration of Independence!
George Washington’s actual teeth on display at Mount Vernon!
New York City is an amazing destination for just about anyone! I’ve traveled to the Big Apple with my boys twice now and honestly, we can’t wait to go back!
Our first visit to the Statue of Liberty!
We’ve visited NYC in June and in November. Summertime can get pretty hot, but we’re from Texas, so we’re used to it. Our first day in the city on our November visit was extremely cold, but the rest of the days felt really nice.
My favorite, Christmastime in NYC!
I loved both visits, but there’s something really special about traveling to this city before Christmas! We enjoyed the Christmas décor so much. So, I have to say that our trip over Thanksgiving break in November was my favorite. I highly recommend visiting this week if you can! We got to see the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and experience all of the Christmas spirit at the same time!
You should also prepare to walk a lot in this city, too! Besides walking, we also used the subway system to navigate around the city. It’s definitely true, you’ll never be able to do everything on your list in one visit, so don’t over plan activities and pack in too much each day. We picked one major activity per day that was a must do/must see and it worked out well for us!
The boys’ first subway ride!
Of course, there are different activities based on the season you’re traveling. Some of our favorite New York City memories are riding the subway for the first time, going inside the Statue of Liberty, watching the Macy’s parade balloons being inflated, watching Elton John perform in the street in front of Saks, and finally seeing Naked Cowboy in Times Square!
Awesome experience getting to watch the Macy’s parade balloons being inflated the day before the parade!
We were so pleasantly surprised with our first ever visit to Philly! This city is fun, historical, and full of many different activities to explore. And it’s so easy to maneuver, which made it even better for me since I was there with my boys, without Jereme.
The Liberty Bell!
We visited Philadelphia in late June and were only there for three days. The weather was fantastic! It was in the low 80s while back home in Texas it was already pushing 100 degrees.
Independence Hall
I loved that we were comfortable to walk around the city from morning until evening! I feel like we left the city with more early American knowledge than ever before. The old buildings and historical sites, basically everywhere in Philadelphia, have me yearning for another visit!
We happened to visit the Betsy Ross House on Flag Day!
Be prepared to walk a lot in this city, too. Again, it’s very easy to maneuver, but we clocked in eight to ten miles each day exploring. The boys were a little older, one was almost seven and the other was ten during our visit.
We walked to New Jersey on the Ben Franklin Bridge!
My favorite moments in Philadelphia were seeing the room that our Founding Fathers developed the ideas for our country in person, watching early American time period re-enactments, seeing an actual ghost on our Philly ghost tour, and watching my boys get excited to learn so much about Benjamin Franklin! We had an absolute blast and I hope we are able to return again soon with Jereme!
We road tripped to Chicago a few years ago on a total whim when we realized it wouldn’t take us that much longer to drive to than our yearly trips to Colorado. Since that first trip, I’ve traveled back another four times!
The Bean
Most of my trips to the Windy City have been in the summertime, only once did I visit in the fall. We love being outside, so walking around Chicago was something that my family enjoyed. In the spring and early summer, the weather is gorgeous, and I still can’t get over the flowers that are blooming virtually everywhere!
I loved the flowers!
My favorite trip was our first summer visit. We packed in so much and had a wonderful time together. Plus, I had previous students that had recently moved to the city from Texas, so they showed us all around!
Even though we had our car with us since we road tripped, we walked just about everywhere. We left our car at the hotel the whole entire time. We clocked an average of ten miles each day that we were here. We did brave the bus one time, but otherwise we enjoyed walking.
Walk back from the Planetarium
My favorite memories in Chicago are seeing Payton Manning filming on the Chicago River, eating delicious food the entire time, exploring the aquarium with my boys, and of course, seeing the house that Home Alone was filmed at!
If you live near the Dallas area, or you want to visit Texas, this recommendation is for you! I’ve lived near Dallas my whole entire life, but never really visited as a tourist until last summer. My best friend and I took our boys for a few nights, and we truly had a blast!
A rooftop pool is a must!
We visited in July, and true to Texas, it was HOT. But, that’s not anything we’re not used to. We planned mostly indoor activities and booked a nice hotel with a rooftop pool.
We spent a lot of time swimming!
I wouldn’t really call Dallas a walkable city, we needed our car for most of the places we decided to visit. But, it’s not nearly as crowded as the other cities mentioned above and we never had any issues finding places to park. If you’re visiting from out of town, I do suggest renting a car!
Even though Dallas is close to home, we still had such a great time on our “staycation!” We didn’t even get to do everything on our list, but fun was had by all. My favorite Dallas memories are visiting the George W. Bush Presidential Library, going inside the Reunion Tower and up to the GeO-Deck, lounging by the rooftop pool, and not having to drive too far on our road trip here from home!
No matter which city you plan to visit, a fun time is guaranteed! My boys both agreed that New York City is their favorite city of the five. Mine is Philadelphia! Be sure to check back soon to see what we’re up to next. And don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!
If you enjoy thrilling adventures, then I highly recommend a white water rafting trip! My family went a few summers ago and had an exhilarating experience. Our boys were seven and ten at the time, so this is an activity that is suitable for adventurous families! Keep reading to learn what to expect white water rafting if you’ve never been before.
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Choosing the Right Rafting Trip
First, you will need to choose the rafting trip that is right for you! There are typically different options that guided rafting companies provide. These range from scenic float trips to rafting trips in extreme rapids! Be sure to know what you can handle. We chose a Class 3 raft trip with our kids and it was a pretty intense work out! I suggest booking your raft trip as soon as you know the dates you will be traveling. These trips fill up quick!
Class 1: Scenic floats trips
Class 2: Non-thrilling, not many rapids
Class 3: Kid friendly – mild, easy, beginner level, expect to get wet
Class 4: Moderate
Class 5: Extreme, expert level
Class 6: Advanced, the most dangerous
What to Expect on Rafting Day
Upon arriving for our guided trip, we signed waivers and were fitted for life jackets. Then we moved into a room to watch the safety video. I won’t lie, watching this video made me really nervous. I was so worried about one of our boys falling out of our raft. Thankfully, it did not happen! But, we were prepared for what to do in case one of us fell out or if the raft flipped over. We also learned different commands that the guide would be calling out to us during the trip. It is really important to pay attention to the video, but the guides do review all of this information before venturing off for the day!
Once everyone was fitted for their gear and had viewed the safety video, we were then divided into groups and assigned a guide. We shared a raft with a man and his son, so there were six of us, plus our guide in one raft. We were given some time to chat with our groups because many were sharing rafts with new friends. Keep in mind, unless you are with a large party, you will likely be combined with others to fill the raft. Then, we helped the company load up rafts onto a trailer and we all hopped on a bus to head up to the mountains for our trip! During our ride, we reviewed more of the expectations and commands while enjoying the mountainside views along the way.
When we got to the spot where we’d begin the journey, we helped to unload the rafts and paddles, then joined our guide at the riverbank. He placed us where he felt we would be best in the raft. Jereme and I were together up front with Jake between us. Jett was right behind Jereme and the other two members of our group were in the back of the raft. This part of the river was flowing, but there weren’t rapids around us yet.
We were able to float for a bit before the river got wilder! We enjoyed getting to know our guide and the others in the raft. And we all asked our guide tons of questions, mine specifically was about the chances of our kids falling out of the raft. The guide was reassuring and said that he hadn’t had anyone fall out of any of his rafts so far that season and we were there in mid-July.
There were several spots in the river that did get pretty intense. We loved it though! The guide knew when and where those areas were, so he prepared us ahead of time and would tell us what side of the raft should paddle and when. All in all, it was such a fantastic experience and my family’s favorite adventure of our entire week in Colorado!
You should definitely expect to get wet and you should expect a full upper body workout. My arms were so sore the next day! But, it was totally worth it.
Best Time to Go White Water Rafting
Typically, the white water rafting season runs from May through September. The rivers will be flowing when the snow from the mountains melt, so you should plan to wait until at least the spring for this adventure. Our rafting trip was mid-July and we had a fantastic trip with the perfect amount of rapids for our family. Holidays and weekends will usually be more crowded, so if you can, try to book your trip on a week day!
What to Wear
I wasn’t really sure what to wear for the trip, so I packed us all dry fit athletic clothing. The boys wore their swim trunks with a dry fit top. I put my bathing suit on under my clothing. We also wore lightweight, quick drying, water shoes! They were very comfortable and fit securely under the grips we were instructed to put our feet in on the raft. We had the option to rent full body wetsuits, but chose not to. We were given life jackets, paddles, and helmets to use during our trip.
I suggest bringing towels and an extra set of dry clothes and shoes to change into once you’re back from your rafting trip. We also made sure to bring sunscreen. I did not bring my phone or camera, but there was a photographer that followed us to different spots along the river and took photos of each raft. Packages were available to view and purchase after the trip was over for around $50. I also left my sunglasses behind because they didn’t really fit well on my face under the helmet that you will be required to wear.
The Company We Rafted With
We rafted on the Poudre River in Colorado with the company A Wanderlust Adventure. We chose their most popular rafting trip, Taste of Whitewater. This trip is a half day and is recommended for families! Prices for this trip start at $77 per person, but the price can change based on the date you select.
Where Else Can I Go Rafting?
Click here for a list of the best places to go rafting in North America!
If you’re adventurous, or you want to be, then this is definitely an activity that I highly suggest trying out. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any other questions!
I never thought I would be one to say that I spent one summer traveling way too much! But here I am, thinking back to the summer of 2019. I got a little overzealous in planning adventures for that summer and I don’t want you to make the same mistakes that I did! So, keep reading to learn why I feel like I traveled way too much over summer break years ago.
Why I Won’t Ever Spend the Whole Summer Traveling Again
Summer Flew By
I was away so much that it felt like I didn’t even have a summer break. It was like one day school dismissed for three months, and I blinked and was back at work. I mean, it usually already feels that way, but when you’re gone the majority of the summer, it’s even worse!
I Didn’t Spend Time with Family & Friends
Unless family or friends were traveling with me, I didn’t see anyone that summer. At least not in the good quality time kind of way that we all need together. My kids missed out on spending time with their friends, too.
I Got Homesick
Believe it or not, we actually really like being home. Besides being at the ballfields with our boys, you can usually find us at home when we aren’t traveling. So, when I was away the majority of the summer, I really started missing home and our typical routines.
Nothing Got Accomplished
If you’re anything like me, you might have a big to-do list for your weekends or work breaks. I always have a ton of things I want to get accomplished during the summer breaks. None of it is ever fun stuff, that list usually consists of cleaning out closets and doing yardwork. But none of that got done this particular summer and it left me feeling stressed when school started back up again in the fall.
I Got Behind on Housework
It felt like when I was home I was there to unpack, do laundry, and repack us again. Laundry was just about the only housework that was done. So, when it was all said and done and summer was over, I had a lot of catch up work to do!
I Didn’t Eat Well or Exercise
Eating on the road is often something that I really enjoy. I mean, who doesn’t like it trying new foods and not having to cook and do dishes? But, I found myself really missing a good, home cooked meal. We love to spend our time at home grilling outside and trying new recipes. I really missed that. Not to mention, I ended up not making very healthy food choices and didn’t feel very good. And, I didn’t get any exercise in. I gained at least ten extra pounds traveling this summer.
I Was Extremely Tired
I never sleep the best when traveling. I love coming home to my own bed for a good night’s rest. So, being away the majority of summer left me feeling extremely exhausted and fatigued.
I Spent Way too Much Money
I definitely spent way more money than I typically ever spend on traveling. While I am pretty good at finding budget hotels and free activities, a lot of our funds went to feeding us while we were gone. If you’re wanting to save money, then I suggest not spending the whole summer traveling!
What to Do Instead
I still believe that traveling is such a valuable pastime and I have big dreams to see and do it all! But instead of traveling all summer, I recommend taking about half the number of trips or less. What we do now is usually only one big family trip. And if we can swing it, we’ll take a trip with friends or family, and we try to get away every other year on a couple’s trip. This gives us the majority of the summer at home, but we still get our feel of adventures during our break!
We also take trips throughout the year, during our school breaks and over long weekends. We love traveling over the slow season! Traveling throughout the year prevents us from trying to pack in too much over the summer.
And even though I did have a blast while I was away, I felt like I needed a vacation from all of the vacations! If you’re curious about those six trips I took, you can find them all below! I was not blogging at this time, so I don’t have a post about every one of these trips, but am linking the ones I did write about.
It’s true, road tripping is not for the faint of heart. And then you add in kids and it becomes a whole other level! But, there are so many advantages to taking a road trip over flying, especially with kids. I love that we can see and do more along the route and that I can bring along everything we need with no restrictions or limits! Keep reading to learn all of my tried and true tips for how to survive road tripping with your kids!
Tips for Road Tripping with Kids:
Choose Your Destination – If you’re planning your first road trip with kids, I suggest choosing a closer destination first to see how they do. Then you can add more time and farther distances based on how the first trip goes. We started road tripping with our boys when they were really young. Jett was only four months old when we made the nine hour drive to the mountains! Jake was only two months old when we road tripped down to the beach six hours away. So mine don’t know life any other way. If you are able to, start them out young and longer road trips will be easier.
Have a Plan – I recommend having a plan for your route, especially since your kids will be with you! I would love to be someone that could take a spontaneous road trip with no plan or destination in mind, maybe someday! But, I just feel so much better with a plan in place when the kids are road tripping with us. This means, knowing the route you plan to take and pre-booking your accommodations before you leave.
Check Your Vehicle Before the Road Trip – Make sure your vehicle’s tires are in good condition before you head out on a road trip. Get your oil changed if it’s time. Pack the jumper cables and portable battery charger if you have one! Take it from me, it is not fun to have car trouble on a road trip!
Set a Max Drive Time for Each Day – We are not the best at doing this, often times we like to hurry to our destination so that we have more time to explore there. But, we’ve recently started setting a six hour max drive time for each day. We all seem to feel better when we actually go by this rule! This can be tricky, especially if you’re limited on how much time you have for your entire trip. Ultimately, you know your kids best, so you can judge how far and long they’ll be able to make it. Our longest road trip has been a total of fifteen hours in one day and that was on the way home. We decided to power through and just get back to our house and it actually went better than I thought it would. I only suggest this if your kids are used to longer road trips!
Bring Plenty of Snacks and Drinks – There is nothing worse than hangry kids and no stores or restaurants in sight! Trust me, I learned the hard way. We have a basket that fits nicely in the floorboard of the back seat and I fill it with all of our favorite snacks. I recommend bringing less sugary snacks and instead bringing salty snacks and things like beef jerky, nuts, or peanut butter crackers for some protein. We also bring Gatorade bottles of various flavors with us.
Wear Comfy Clothes – If you plan to be in the car for a long period of time, wear comfortable clothes and shoes. This will make the journey a lot more enjoyable for everyone!
Make it Cozy with Pillows and Blankets – My boys like to bring along their own blankets and pillows for the road trip. They also have cute, little neck pillows that are way less bulky than their bed pillows. Mine like to sleep on part of the drive, so we try to make it as cozy as we can for them!
Allow Technology – Technology rules go out the window when we’re road tripping! We pretty much allow them to play games on their devices as long as they’re staying entertained and until they lose their charge! My advice, make sure all the kids have their own devices because sharing never goes well. And charge all devices the night before your trip so they’re fully charged and ready to go!
Stop for Breaks Often – If you or your kiddos are getting restless, it’s time to stop for a break! We either stop at a gas station or at a scenic overlook. Sometimes just getting out of the car to stretch your legs or get fresh air can make a big difference. Make sure you stop somewhere safe, don’t just get out on the side of the highway!
Find Playgrounds or Other Fun Stops – If you’re traveling with kids, stopping for something fun along the drive is a must! I have recently started using the Roadtrippers app and love how easy it is to find stops along the way!
Read Riddles and Random Facts for Kids – This might seem silly, but my boys love for me to read them riddles or weird facts while we’re on the road! Save this activity for when you notice your kids are getting restless. Click here for some of my go to random facts for kids!
Leave Early – We are a family that likes to sleep! We are not early risers and never have been. But, when we are road tripping, we go to bed early the night before and we try to get up earlier than we usually do to start the journey. This almost always ensures that our boys will sleep at some point along the drive!
Bring Medications – Make sure you bring all necessary medications that you or your family might need. I also bring headache medicine, Dramamine for carsickness, Pepto and gas pills for tummy trouble, and Benadryl. Our pediatrician told me that Benadryl is like a cure-all and recommended that I take it along on our cruise for seasickness for the kids. Obviously you should discuss with your doctor first and make sure you have the correct dosage. Ours gave us a sheet for the correct dosage based on age and weight that came in very handy when they were younger. I actually suffer from vertigo and have a prescription that I take, but often I find that Benadryl works faster for me!
Let the Kids Create a Playlist – We love jamming to our favorite songs while we’re driving. And at some point, there’s always a stretch of highway that gets maybe one or two radio stations. So, the boys have created a playlist on my phone that we save just for this! Am I totally sick of their favorite songs on repeat, absolutely! But we will do almost anything to keep the drive sane!
Friendly Competitions – We all love a little competition in our family! I offer an extra $5 on souvenir spending for various tasks, like which kid will have the cleanest area or for who has the best attitude on the drive. This has worked wonders for our boys now that they are older!
Road Tripping Products that We Use and Love!
I am not one to buy things just to buy things. But I do have some items that I truly love for road tripping, mainly because they have made the journey a lot easier!
The following items are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission, at no extra charge to you, if you purchase any items using the links provided. Thank you!
Most importantly, I hope you have fun along the way! Road trips are some of our favorite adventures and often are a more budget friendly option for us. In this case, the highway is the limit! Just remember to be patient, plan for delays and emergencies, and drive safe. I’d love to hear any of your road tripping tips, so leave a comment. Happy travels, my friends!
Summer is right around the corner! I’m an elementary teacher, so I might be counting down the days until our school break and our first summer trip. While finalizing some of our vacation details today, I thought sharing my list of dos and don’ts could come in handy for some of you!
The Dos for Planning Your Trip:
Do: Start planning your summer trip right now! I just finished reserving our hotels for our summer trip and some options that I had saved to come back to were already completely sold out in just under a week. So, if you have a destination in mind, I suggest you get busy with your travel plans sooner rather than later.
Do: Set a budget and stick to it! Talk with your partner and set a reasonable budget and then begin researching your accommodations and flights. Don’t sway and pay more for airfare or lodging than you planned for. That might mean rethinking your destination, but you’ll be much happier if you stay under budget and have more funds for activities on your vacation!
Do: Choose a destination! This is always the fun part. Decide what activities you want to do and what you’d like to see this summer and go from there.
Do: Set your dates. You should do this fairly quickly so that you can take off work if that’s needed and make arrangements for your pets or plants!
Do: Check travel advisories. Make sure that the destination you plan to visit is safe and if there are serious advisories, then you should plan a new destination. Click here for all current travel advisories.
Do: Book flights and hotels right away. I recommend booking your arrangements as quickly as you can before rates go up or hotels become sold out. I usually start with Google Flights when booking our airfare to compare rates across all airlines. If you have flexible dates, this is also a great website to use because it provides different rates for various dates.
Do: Ensure your passport or identification card is valid. Know passport rules, most destinations will not allow entry to their country unless the passport is set to expire at least six months from the last travel day. This means that you will need to get your passport renewed if it will expire within 6 months of your vacation just to be on the safe side!
Do: Research the destination you settle on. I spend tons of time learning more about the places we’ll be traveling to. I typically visit travel blogs, like mine, and google search for ideas and images. Don’t forget to request free travel brochures or magazines about your destination, too. I am happy to help if you have any questions or need some ideas for a destination!
Do: Look for deals. While you’re researching, check to see if there are any deals or special offers for your destination. We love the CityPASS when we’re traveling to a city destination. Often times, museums will have free days or entrance times. If you set aside some time for planning, you will find some good deals!
Do: Start saving up for your trip. This might mean less stops for coffee, or in my case, less Door Dash deliveries for lunch. But, it’s so worth it in the end and makes spending money on special activities and excursions less stressful!
Do: Create an itinerary. We like to have a plan for how we will spend our days on vacation. Plus, it’s always a good idea to book activities and make reservations ahead of time. I do like to be flexible, so that we can have some downtime and change plans based on weather. But, we always have a list of things we want to do and we usually know what days will be best to do each activity!
Do: Create a Pinterest board for your trip. I love to create boards and add pins so I have an easy place to refer back to when we finally arrive at the destination. I pin things to help us plan activities, to know where to park, for various tips and recommendations, and for suggestions on where to eat!
The Don’ts for Planning Your Summer Trip:
Don’t procrastinate. If you wait too late, rates will likely increase and you risk hotels or activities being unavailable or sold out.
Don’t book with a budget airline. In my personal experience, it’s never ended well. The last time we booked with a budget airline we had to cancel and rebook with a major airline. After booking a nonstop, early morning flight with the budget airline, our flight time kept changing until the departure time was 1:oo am and a layover was added. Honestly, the prices were not that different with the major airline because we didn’t have to pay for seats and baggage prices were much lower.
Don’t skip the travel insurance. Airlines and hotels are not as easy to cancel or change plans as they were during the most extreme times of the pandemic. You never can be too prepared for an emergency, whether that be from illness or bad weather.
Don’t over plan too many activities. I know I have a hard time with this because I want to see and do it all. But the truth is, nobody is having fun if the day is too jam-packed and everyone is tired. I have learned in all my travels that well fed and well rested kids make all the difference!
Don’t travel to dangerous locations. It’s always best to err on the side of caution. Be smart and stay safe.
With the right planning, I have no doubt that your summer vacation will be a blast! Don’t forget to pack your patience, summer is the busiest travel months of the year. Stick to your budget, have an itinerary in mind, keep a positive attitude, and have fun making memories with your loved ones!
Have you been thinking about taking your kids to a city destination, but you aren’t sure which one is best? I am here to help! I’ve had the opportunity to take my boys to both Washington, DC and New York City twice now, and I have tons of tips and recommendations. Both cities are truly remarkable in their own way, so keep reading to learn more about which city is best for you to visit with kids!
I have always wanted to take my boys to New York City, but my husband wasn’t really sure it would be a great idea when they were younger. We decided to try Washington, DC with them first, just to see how they’d handle long days of walking and riding public transportation. We had traveled to DC together, just the two of us, so we had a good idea of the city layout and points of interest before venturing there with our boys.
I truly feel that Washington, DC is a great “starter city” to try out with your children, especially if they are younger. My boys were six and nine on our first family trip to DC.
Washington, DC
We have visited Washington, DC over our fall break in November and also over our spring break in March. We loved the fall colors, but there’s also something magical about the cherry blossoms in the spring! The weather was awesome during both of our visits. We did spend more time in DC over our fall break than we did in the spring. The city is less crowded over the week of Thanksgiving, as businesses usually close for the holiday and people leave to visit their families. The downside is that the White House is closed for tours this week because it’s being decorated for Christmas.
Washington, DC Highlights
Family-friendly
Educational
World class museums
Walkable
Historical monuments and statues
Theatre and shows
Amazing outdoor parks
Nearby day trips
More affordable
What We’ve Done in DC
You’ll never run out of things to do in Washington, DC! My boys were so excited to learn more about the Presidents and early American history since they were also studying these things in school. And I will admit, it is really cool seeing the things that I grew up learning about in person. I mean, I got to see the actual Declaration of Independence, the original US flag, the bed that Lincoln died in, plus so much more!
Visit the National Mall
Monument Tour at Night
White House Tour
Ford’s Theatre & Petersen House Tour
Day at Mount Vernon (George Washington’s House)
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Smithsonian National Museum of American History
National Archives Museum
Arlington Cemetery
Went to the Top of the Washington Monument
Capital Building Tour
Cherry Blossoms
Click here for my complete guide to visiting Washington, DC!
Click here for tips on securing a White House tour!
New York City
We also visited New York City over our fall break this past November and in the summer, too. We absolutely loved our fall visit because we got to experience the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and we got to see all of the amazing holiday décor around the city! The only downside to visiting during this week is that it’s crowded! So many people are here to either watch the parade or be in the parade. The Rockefeller tree is also not complete, so that is one of thing that I will have to return to see in person! This city does the holidays BIG and that was our favorite part! We even witnessed Elton John perform outside of Macy’s, right in the middle of the street, for their holiday light display. This was an experience that I will never, ever forget!
New York City Highlights
Family-friendly
Educational
World class museums
Walkable
Excellent nightlife
Fantastic shopping
Amazing playgrounds
Theatre and shows
Holiday décor/events
What We’ve Done in NYC
It is true, you will never be able to do all of the amazing things you have on your New York City bucket list in one visit! My boys thought it was so fun to see those famous landmarks and the NYC skyline that are often featured on television and in the movies! I was so excited to go inside of the Statue of the Liberty for the first time on our past visit. There are still several things on our list that we just didn’t have the time for. I hope we’re able to return soon to knock those things off the list!
Statue of Liberty
Statue of Liberty Museum
Times Square
Empire State Building
9/11 Museum & Memorial
Top of the Rock
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Floats Inflation
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (from hotel)
Central Park
American Museum of Natural History
Christmas Outside Radio City Music Hall
Naked Cowboy
Click here for my complete guide to visiting NYC with kids!
Click here for my complete guide on visiting NYC over Thanksgiving break!
Our Take Away
There are several factors involved when planning your trip besides just all of the touristy things that your family will want to explore. Along with activities and experiences, you need to consider costs for lodging, food, and transportation. Also, the ease of maneuvering around each city is also a factor. Below, I’ve broken down our biggest considerations that we discussed when deciding the best time to visit both Washington, DC and New York City!
Cost
In our experience, visiting DC has been a little more budget friendly than our trips to New York City. This goes for flights, hotels, dining, and activities!
Lodging – We stayed in a great place in Washington Circle in DC that had once been an apartment complex that was converted into hotel rooms. (I’m not linking this property because it’s undergoing renovations right now, but will update soon.) Here, we had a living room, bedroom, two bathrooms, and a kitchen for the same rate as a traditional hotel room. Lodging in NYC is often older, smaller, and pricier depending on what time of year you’re visiting and what area you’re staying in.
Transportation – I will say that both cities are both walkable and you do not need to rent a car to experience either destination. We found that we mostly walked everywhere in DC. Occasionally, we would use an uber, mostly at the end of a long day when our youngest would get tired. In New York, we also mostly walked, but did use the subway several times, too. It was a little quicker to venture around NYC using the subway system and much cheaper than taxis or ubers.
Activities – Both cities are jam packed with amazing activities that anyone can enjoy! We never ran out of ideas on things to do. In fact, we usually found ourselves running out of time to get everything accomplished that we wanted to see and do in both places. I love both DC and NYC, but in my experience, we found that most of the touristy things we decided to do in DC were free!
Free Activities
Speaking of those free activities, DC has tons of free things to do and see! The Smithsonian Museums are free and so are all of the historical memorials and monuments. We enjoyed walking around the National Mall and taking in the historical sites, both during the day and at nighttime. And of course, touring the White House is also free and a must do activity if you’re in the city!
Click here for a list of the best free things to do in DC!
You can also enjoy free activities in NYC. Times Square is one of my boys’ favorite places in the city and it’s free to walk around and take in the lights and different street performers. Central Park is another free location in NYC. And on Monday afternoons, you can visit the 9/11 Museum for free as well, if you request tickets the same day and early in the morning. The Staten Island Ferry is free and you can take in the Statue of Liberty from the boat ride. And there are also other free museum days here, too!
Click here for a list of the best free things to do in NYC!
Getting Around
Again, you can visit both cities without needing to rent a car. In fact, I have actually driven in both cities and I don’t recommend it! We did a lot of walking in both destinations, I am talking about eight to ten miles each day. So, I highly recommend making sure that your kids can handle that. We did find that walking around DC was less crowded and easier for us to maneuver. There just didn’t seem to be the same amount of people or vehicles to watch out for in DC as there is in New York.
Food
Both DC and New York have so many amazing restaurants to choose from! We had no problem finding places to eat at either destination. We didn’t particularly enjoy everywhere we ate, you know kids can be kind of picky. I do think we saw more fast food places in New York than I remember seeing in DC, which came in handy for us with the boys. We also found ourselves grabbing donuts and random snacks in NYC, even pretty late at night!
More Tips
Travel during the slow season.
Find hotels that offer free breakfast.
Hotel rates are more expensive on Friday and Saturday nights.
Have a plan for both destinations – some places will need reservations ahead of time.
You can visit both cities over a weekend or for a whole entire week.
Make sure to plan for the right weather, check the forecasts ahead of time & pack accordingly.
Allow some down time during a visit to the city. Kids (and adults) can experience some sensory overload in all the hustle and bustle.
Expect some crowds and wait times.
Keep a positive attitude & have fun!
I truly feel that you cannot go wrong with either destination. Both cities are extremely family-friendly and you’re guaranteed to make memories that will last a lifetime! I asked my boys which city that liked the best, and they both said New York City! I am not sure if this because we visited just a few months ago and it has been a few years since we’ve traveled to DC. They both agreed that they love both cities, they just really had a great time in NYC!
If I were traveling with my kids to a new city, I would probably choose Washington, DC first and wait until my kids were a little older for New York City. If this is a once in a lifetime trip for your family, then I would probably choose to visit New York City, there’s just no other place like it!
I hope you find these tips and personal experiences helpful. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!
Galveston, TX is one our closest beaches and one of our favorite family road trip destinations! We like to venture down to the coast at least once a year, but we’ve been known to make the drive several times in under a year, too. Traveling to Galveston brings so much joy to my family and this destination holds such a special place in my heart. Growing up, I looked forward to our annual summer vacation to Galveston and I’ve kept the tradition going with my boys! Keep reading to learn more about these 30 awesome things to do in Galveston.
30 Awesome Things to do in Galveston
Be sure to click on each link for more information!
You can’t make the trip to Galveston without visiting the beach! We love spending the days splashing in the ocean and lounging under an umbrella while our boys play. There are several different beach areas in Galveston, the most popular seems to be along the Seawall Blvd.
If you’re looking for a change of scenery, head to the Historic Pleasure right on the Seawall. There are restaurants, rollercoasters, rocking bands, and more! We love to go at nighttime when the sun goes down and the rollercoasters are all lit up with bright lights!
If you feel like a bike ride along the Seawall with views of the ocean next to you, then check out the four to six seater bike rentals right on the Seawall!
The Strand is the downtown area of Galveston and known as the heart of the island. Here, you can find even more restaurants, bars, shopping and entertainment. I love walking along the streets, admiring the ornate buildings dating back to the 1800s.
For some reason, Galveston is the one place that I can build really good sandcastles! If you’re headed to the beach, bring some sand buckets and shovels for the kiddos! Be sure to check out the sandcastle competition if you’re visiting in August!
Murdoch’s is my favorite souvenir shop in the whole world! And I am being completely honest about this. This was one of my favorite shops to visit as a child and I love taking my boys here, too. They sell everything from beach gear to t-shirts, shoes to toys, and even alcoholic beverages! You may even come home with a hermit crab or two!
We have never found crabs at night like the ones we’ve caught here in Galveston! Grab a flashlight and head to the sand, you’ll be sure to find a few. If you wade in the waters, you might even stumble across some really big ones, so keep your eyes open!
I don’t think I’ve ever been to Galveston and not seen at least one dolphin! We’ve watched them from our condo balcony, from the beach, and at dinner! Last weekend we watched them play in the bay right outside of the restaurant we were at (Fisherman’s Wharf).
There are also several different dolphin watching boat tours in the area, as well. Research shows the best time to spot dolphins in Galveston is June-September, but again we saw several in April!
If you’re in the mood for a sweet treat, then look no further than LaKing’s Confectionery! From old fashioned sodas, to candy, to ice cream, they have it all. You can even watch salt water taffy being made here or try a new flavor if you’re feeling adventurous!
My boys have loved each time we’ve taken them fishing on the Pier! We haven’t been lucky enough to catch anything too big, but it’s always fun to watch the regulars around the pier reel in something!
I haven’t gone on a mansion tour since I was a kid, but I still remember the time we did this! These mansions are very impressive and well kept. I highly recommend a tour if you’re looking for something historical away from the hustle and bustle of the beach!
For just a dollar (kids free), take a ride around Galveston on a trolley! There are two loops, one around downtown, the other travels from Stewart Beach to Moody Gardens!
There are so many fun photo ops around Galveston! We love the Galveston postcard down near the Strand! The link above has several photo op recommendations for the best instagramable spots around the island!
This is a quick and fun activity for anyone that likes pirates! Here, you’ll learn all about the myths and legends of some of the pirates that were once in Galveston!
This is the perfect place to visit if there’s a rainy day at the beach or you’re recovering from a sunburn! Here you’ll find an aquarium, a rainforest, dining options, and more! We especially enjoyed the sharks, stingrays, and the jellyfish!
My favorite activity anywhere on the coast is eating fresh seafood! There are so many dining options in Galveston! Our favorite is Fisherman’s Wharf! We love to come here for dinner and take in the sunset and watch dolphins play in the bay!
My boys really enjoyed this a few years ago! I sat it out because I get super motion sick, but they had a blast. It also makes a fun photo op at the beach! This is located across the street from the Pleasure Pier and this is also where we purchased the tickets!
Several cruise ships depart from the port in Galveston. Sunday is a popular day to watch the cruise ships depart. Head to the port area or grab an outdoor dinner and watch one set sail!
We haven’t surfed in Galveston ourselves, but we’ve watched several try it out! We prefer to boogie board. Whether you surf or prefer to chill on a boogie board, the waves here in Galveston are excellent to ride!
Mini golf at the beach is one of our absolute favorites! This course is so much fun and we love all of the fun beach themes. Plus, the views of the ocean while you’re playing can’t be beat!
Waterparks are some of the best summertime entertainment options, especially in the Texas heat. Rent a cabana and have a blast on the many waterpark rides while beating the heat!
Take a walk around the historic seaport and tour the 1877 Elissa. My boys loved exploring the tall ship! If you like history, you’ll love this stop. The Texas Seaport Museum is very educational, too!
You can find Seawolf Park on Pelican Island. This park has a fishing pier, picnic areas, and a playground. You can also see a WWII submarine, the USS Cavalla!
The ferry to Bolivar Peninsula takes about 18 minutes and is completely free! It’s a very peaceful ride and you might even spot dolphins on the journey! You can hit the beach in Bolivar, hunt for shark teeth, and even shop or enjoy the local restaurants!
Tour a submarine and destroyer from WWII right at the Galveston Naval Museum! Tickets are $13.00 for adults, $8.00 for kids.
Where to Stay
We love to stay at Seascape Condos when we visit! We’ve been staying here for over ten years and I can’t imagine visiting Galveston and staying anywhere else. These condos sit right on the beach side and are so spacious and well kept.
Address: 10811 Termini-San Luis Pass Rd, Galveston, TX 77554
Phone Number: (409) 740-1245
What to Expect
It’s very true that Galveston Island is not known for white sand beaches and clear blue waters. It’s often pretty hot and humid here in the summers, it is Texas after all. But, it is still a fun family destination! We’ve taken our boys to beaches all across the US and even in the Caribbean. They will tell anyone that asks that Galveston is their number one favorite beach destination! It can get really crowded in the summertime, especially around the holidays (Memorial Weekend, July 4th, and Labor Day Weekend). I prefer visiting in April, when the humidity is lower and the crowds are smaller. My boys like the summer better because the water is warmer! This is a place that is fairly close to us, so we keep going back year after year. I have forty years of cherished memories here and hope to make many more! If you haven’t been, you should give it a chance. Just lower those expectations, Texas doesn’t have beaches like Florida does.
Galveston Island is the closest beach to us in north Texas. We like to travel down to the coast a couple of times a year. And we only stay at one place, Seascape Condominiums! It’s the best place to stay in Galveston!
The view from the balcony!
We’ve been staying at Seascape for over ten years now. Our first visit was when my oldest was almost two. Now he’s twelve! My boys LOVE this place. It holds so many special memories for us.
Galveston is our happy place!
What Makes Seascape So Great?
Beach Access – The location to the beach is the absolute best! If you’re familiar with Galveston, then you know that most of the hotels are located across the street from the beach. So on beach day, if you’re staying anywhere else, you have to lug all of your stuff across the busy Seawall to get access to the beach. Seascape Condominiums is actually one of the few places that sits right on the beach side! That means, you simply walk outside and over the boardwalk, and you’re on the beach!
The boardwalk from the grounds to the beach!
I love the convenience of being just a short walk back to our room or the restrooms by the pool. I cannot imagine having to go back and forth across the four lane road. There’s many reasons that we love Seascape Condos, but the location right on the beach is number one for me!
Seascape Condos sits right on the beach!
Space – Staying in a condo is always much more spacious than a hotel room! The units have several different floor options, but the one we return to year after year has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room and full kitchen, plus two balconies! It’s very spacious for our family of four and we’ve even stayed there with friends and have easily slept up to eight with the bunk beds in the hallway and the sleeper sofa!
One of the two balconies in this unit!
Living room
Kitchen
Bunks in the hallway
Master bedroom
Master bathroom
Bathroom
Second bedroom
Bathroom
An added bonus is having a washer and dryer! I don’t particularly like doing laundry on vacation, but having a dryer is a game changer! We use the dryer for our beach towels, so each day they are nice and dry for us. We sometimes even throw our swimsuits in the dryer to remove sand and dry them for the day. There is nothing worse than putting on wet swimsuits in the morning!
Washer and dryer in the master closet
Pools – Our favorite place at Seascape Condos is the pool area! There is a large swimming pool and it’s even heated in the winter! There’s a kids pool and two hot tubs. One hot tub is open to anyone above the age of six. The other hot tub is more secluded and is only for adults age twenty-one and older. The landscape around the pool is beautifully maintained and there are plenty of lounge chairs and picnic tables! You’ll also find restrooms and vending machines near the pool area.
We love the pools!
I’ve taught both of my boys how to swim in this pool!
Safety – Finally, we always feel really safe when staying here! There is a guard that is stationed at the entrance of Seascape. These guards are on sight twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. They monitor the vehicles coming in and out and only registered guests or condo owners are permitted. They also walk the grounds several times per day to ensure that everyone is safe and behaving appropriately.
You cannot get onto the grounds without a special gate code!
The pool area and beach area are only accessed with a special gate code that you receive upon check in. So, the beach in front of the hotel is essentially only used by guests from Seascape Condos. And guests are required to wear a bracelet while staying at Seascape to ensure that only registered guests/owners are on site and using the facilities and pools.
Address: 10811 Termini-San Luis Pass Rd, Galveston, TX 77554
Phone Number: (409) – 740 – 1245
If you’re looking for the best place to stay in Galveston, be sure to check out Seascape Condominiums! This is one of the few destinations that we keep returning to. The units are the perfect size for families of all sizes. The grounds are stunning and the location on the beach is ideal!
Nothing is better than a gorgeous Texas sunset at the beach!
Week long school breaks are my absolute favorite! I love the time we have off together and the memories we are able to make. For us, we have a fall break, winter break, and spring break. These have been fantastic times to travel for our family! Even though we don’t have as many week long breaks during the school year as we do long weekend breaks, I still try to plan some kind of getaway for each of them. Some things to keep in mind for week long travel is the weather, especially if you’re traveling in the winter (snow/ice) or spring (rain/thunderstorms). Week long breaks can also draw more crowds, so keep that in mind when choosing your destination!
More Things to Consider for Travel Over School Breaks:
Fall break tends to be a more budget friendly time to travel
Winter/Spring break travel tend to be more expensive
Pay attention to the weather during all seasons of travel & pack accordingly
Expect airports, roads, destinations to be more crowded during holiday travel
Week long travel equals more time exploring your destination
You can visit farther away destinations over week long breaks
Week long travel allows a day or two of down time before returning to school/work
Fall Break Destination Recommendations:
The week during Thanksgiving break is an excellent time to take a quick trip with the family! We like to head out over the weekend and return on Thanksgiving Day so that we don’t miss any time, or delicious food, with our families. Traveling during this week seems to be very budget friendly and the locations are not as crowded, either!
For us, returning home on Thanksgiving Day has worked out very well! We try to avoid those busy airports and road conditions the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. We like to book morning flights on Thanksgiving Day. We make it home in the early afternoon, just in time for dinner! Below are some of our favorite fall break travel destinations.
Our first family trip to DC!
Washington DC – Visiting DC over Thanksgiving break was a dream come true for my family! The weather was amazing and the crowds were small. I hear that a lot of people that work in DC leave the city for the holiday, so it’s an ideal time to visit. This is one of my most favorite family trips to date! We packed in so much during the week and saw so many historical sites. The only downside to traveling to DC during this week is that the White House is closed to tours because they are decorating for Christmas.
We couldn’t wait to show the boys all the monuments!
Grand Canyon, AZ – Another fantastic destination for fall break is Grand Canyon National Park! It’s a lot less crowded this time of year since it’s considered the off season. We didn’t have to fight many crowds at the viewpoints and the lodging was a lot less costly in November. We really enjoyed the weather and cooler temps while hiking, too!
We were all so excited to finally see the Grand Canyon in person!
New York, NY – Visiting the Big Apple over fall break is the most ideal time to go! Not only did we get to explore the entire city and all the famous landmarks, we also got to check out the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons being inflated, we got to watch the parade from our hotel room, and the entire city was also decorated for Christmas! I feel like we got the best of both worlds in regards to Thanksgiving and Christmas. This trip was truly magical and we made some memories that we will never forget!
I can’t believe we got to see the parade floats this close!
Traveling over the two week winter break can be a fun change of scenery and sometimes our trips are even a part of our Christmas gifts to our family! We love to hit the slopes and snowboard, but we’ve also traveled to other parts of the US over the holiday break and had tons of fun! Below is one of our favorite winter break destinations.
It never looks like this at Christmastime in Texas!
Winter Park, CO – Since we live in Texas, I love to hit the road and head north to the mountains to get that feel of having a white Christmas! We also love to snowboard together and my boys are having a blast learning each year we visit! Winter Park has some excellent ski and snowboarding conditions, plus there’s plenty of activities like tubing, snowshoeing, snow mobile rentals, and even dogsledding! If you’re looking for a fun winter getaway, this is the place to go!
Spring break is one of our favorite times of the year to travel! Usually for us, spring fever has set in and it’s so fun to get away with the family to regroup and recharge! We’ve traveled to several destinations over this school break, but below are my three favorites!
Utah rocks!
Moab, UT – Moab has been on my bucket list forever and I am so, so happy that we decided to visit over our spring break a few years ago. The weather was a little chilly, but it was perfect since we did a lot of hiking! We didn’t have to worry about timed-entry permits for Arches National Park and there weren’t too many crowds at all. This was our first trip Utah and it definitely won’t be our last!
California to Oregon – We spent an unforgettable week traveling from San Francisco to Cannon Beach over spring break last year. It was everything we hoped it would be and more. On our road trip, we explored San Francisco, Redwoods National Park, and Cannon Beach, Oregon. We got really lucky and had gorgeous weather the entire week. I highly recommend road tripping along the Pacific Coast Highway and I think spring break is an excellent time to go! Nothing was crowded at all and I cannot even describe the landscapes in each of these places!
Orange Beach, AL – Our most recent family trip was to Orange Beach, just last month! Again, we got extremely lucky with unseasonably warm weather so early in the season. This trip was so relaxing, we didn’t do much besides play at the beach and eat delicious food at night! If you’re looking for something a little more relaxing, check this beach destination out!
These boys had the best time!
Plan Like a Pro!
Whether you’re traveling over a weekend or for an entire week, you should plan your trip like a pro! Here are some ways to do that!
Since Jereme and I both work, and our kiddos keep us busy with school and sports, we aren’t a full time traveling family. But, I have become an expert at taking advantage of school breaks! I have several tips for squeezing in travel when the kids are not in school that I hope you find helpful!
We’ve created so many wonderful family memories traveling over school breaks!
Now, I’m not saying that you have to travel every single time your kids are on a school break. Sometimes it is so nice to rest and recharge at home. But there are several different times throughout the school year that taking a trip might be fun for you and your family, besides just during the summer! Below, I’ve included some tips and things to keep in mind when traveling over a long weekend. I’m also sharing some of our favorite travels over different school breaks that we’ve recently taken!
Tips for Traveling Over a Long Weekend
Finding the time to travel over a long weekend does involve some planning ahead, but it can be a lot more budget friendly than a longer trip! So, first things first. Get your school calendar at the beginning of the school year and take note of when you’ll have long weekends for possible travel and start making plans. When thinking about the destination you’d like to visit, the biggest consideration will be the amount of time that will be spent on the travel days. Do you have time for a road trip or will flying be the better and faster option? There are several pros and cons to weigh when traveling over a long weekend. One pro is that you don’t have to pack as much, but a con is not having a ton of time in the location you’re visiting! Below are more things to think about when taking advantage of school breaks and traveling over a long weekend.
Choose closer destinations to reduce the amount of time spent on traveling
Plan a Staycation
Take a day trip
Camping can be a fun and easy weekend getaway
Keep it simple – don’t try to pack in too many activities
Off season travel (fall/winter) can be less crowded & more budget friendly
Think about the weather at your destination
Remember that attractions are typically busier on weekends
Hotels can be more expensive on Friday and Saturday nights
Visit a National or State Park
National Parks also have free entrance on certain days throughout the year. Below is the list of days for the year (2023) that you can visit the Parks for free!
Jan. 16 — Martin Luther King Day.
April 22 — First day of National Park Week.
Aug. 4 — Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act.
Sept. 23 — National Public Lands Day.
Nov. 11 — Veterans Day.
Weekend travel bonus: The shorter the trip, the less you have to pack!
Weekend Travel Destination Recommendations:
I really have become an expert at planning weekend trips! We’ve taken advantage of several school breaks and squeezed in some amazing places, just over a long weekend. Below are some of my favorite long weekend getaways!
We had no idea just how amazingly unique this National Park is!
Winter: Carlsbad Caverns, NM – This is our most recent long weekend family trip that we were able to make over our school break for the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday! This is the perfect weekend destination because you don’t need too many days to really explore these impressive caverns and the temps inside the caverns stays the same year round!! The drive for us was about seven hours, so we left out early on Saturday morning and arrived in the early afternoon. Then we explored the caverns for most of the day on Sunday and drove back home on Monday. We all were amazed inside the caverns and Jake participated in the Jr. Ranger program while we were there and earned a badge.
Inside the caverns is like what I imagine being on another planetis like!
Spring: Chicago, IL – Chicago is a great weekend destination! I’ve been lucky to find reasonable airfare to the Windy City using both Google Flights and Skyscanner. I also feel like this destination can be more budget friendly since you don’t need to rent a car! I’ve visited Chicago over the weekend, both with my boys and on a girl’s trip! The city in the spring is absolutely wonderful, the weather is perfect and the flowers are in bloom everywhere. There are so many great places to eat, some of the most impressive museums I’ve ever visited, and so many fun outdoor adventures.
I really couldn’t get over the flowers that were everywhere!
Anytime: Dallas, TX – Our Dallas Staycation has been one of my favorite weekend trips to date! We’ve lived close to Dallas my whole life, and I had no clue how much fun exploring our nearest city would be. My family took advantage of the CityPASS and it made exploring Dallas not only fun, but extremely easy! With the CityPASS, we got ideas of where to go and then were able to skip all the entry lines with the PASS. This trip was also extremely budget friendly, since it was so close and didn’t require a lot of gas to get there. Plus, we went with friends and split the cost of parking and the hotel.
These kids thoroughly enjoyed a “fancy” hotel with a rooftop pool!
Dream Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park really is a dream!
Fall: Estes Park, CO – Last fall, I traveled to Estes Park, CO on a solo road trip to the mountains. Even teachers need a break sometimes, and the long weekend we had off in October was just the time I needed to recharge. I met up with some of my girlfriends there, and together we spent our weekend hiking, watching wildlife, and being pampered! I highly recommend this destination for a long weekend getaway, either with your family or with your friends!
Check out Pinterest for more information specific to your destination.
If flying – find flights under 2-3 hours max.
If driving – don’t go farther than 4-6 hours unless you’re a road trip pro!
Google search free activities or “best attractions” at your destination.
If you’re visiting a city, look into the CityPASS for additional savings.
Have a plan in mind, choose at least one thing to do or see each day.
Make sure you pack for the right weather, check the forecasts ahead of time.
Allow some down time, either before, during, or after your trip.
Expect some travel delays and keep a positive attitude.
Take tons of photos!
I hope you have found these tips helpful and that you’re able to squeeze in some amazing adventures over the next school break! Be sure to check back soon for more tips about traveling over longer school breaks!
I get a lot of questions about how I plan my family’s coordinating outfits when we travel or take family photos together. I credit my knack for coordinating outfits to my love of fashion, working as a stylist for Stitch Fix, and always paying attention to the small details.
Obviously, I try to coordinate our outfits for professional family photo shoots, but also when we’re on vacation because I know that I’ll want to frame some of the pictures from our trip. I don’t go overboard, but I do try to plan one day of coordinating outfits. Lucky for me, my kiddos and husband are pretty easy going and are used to my antics by now! Below is my complete guide to coordinating family outfits, plus tips and other things to keep in mind before you travel and/or take family photos!
Most of our photos are taken outdoors, so this guide really focuses on tips and recommendations geared for outdoor photography. Also, many of the links I’ve included are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission, at no extra charge to you, if you purchase items using any of the links provided. Thank you!
Follow These Steps to Coordinate Your Family Outfits:
1. Seasons
First, I always suggest thinking about the season you’ll be taking photos in, especially if you’ll be outside. Most of the time, we opt for outdoor photos, so this information is important for choosing the right colors and the right style of clothing for the season!
Fall photos – I went with warmer tones like dark yellow and dark green and a hint of maroon.
Fall– If you’re taking photos in the fall, you might want to choose deeper fall tones, like mustard yellows or maroons. Pay attention to the current trends, like booties vs. tall boots.
Winter – Winter photoshoots can be so fun! We finally had family photos done in Winter Park when we visited last year. I opted for navy blue because it’s easy to find and navy is often considered a neutral color. I went with beige instead of white since most of the background would be snowy!
Spring – Spring time is a very popular time for outdoor photos, especially since flowers are in bloom! Neutrals are a great choice if you’re going to have lots of colors in the background.
Summer – I’ve only had summer photos taken once, I mean the heat in Texas is almost unbearable to be outdoors for too long! But, we opted for shorts, neutral colors, and only spent about 10-15 minutes on this sunflower photo shoot.
2. Ladies First
Once you know what season you’re working with, I highly recommend all the ladies in the group find their outfit first! Then you can coordinate the men’s and children’s outfits after you nail down your pieces. I always feel like I am the hardest to shop for, so getting my outfit and shoes picked out first is always super helpful and eases the stress!
Example: For our winter photos, I started with my sweater first! As soon as I found it online (Old Navy), I began looking for complimentary colors for the boys. They are so much easier to shop for! I knew it would be easy to find navy and beige for them. Then I added in the hats, gloves, and snow boots!
Example: When shopping for our recent beach trip, I found the green maxi dress. I was drawn to that color because I know the waters in Orange Beach are often emerald green. Once I purchased my dress (Amazon) I started looking for tops for the boys that would match. I found Jake’s first (Old Navy) and was able to use it to add more colors for Jereme and Jett. I made this screenshot to double check how the colors would look together
Even though certain colors are associated with certain seasons (I’m thinking of those warm fall tones here), I cannot recommend enough to wear the colors that you feel your best in! I love wearing black, so we’ve had several photos in blacks and grays. Keep in mind what colors look best with your skin tone and eye color. If you’re wearing pastel colors, make sure everyone in the photo is also in pastels. Do the same with warm and light color tones, too.
4. Styles
Sometimes I feel like all photos start to look the same. Adding in a trendy hat can change the feel of a photo! Fall Hat | Similar Style Sweater
If you’re like me, then you’re probably already up to date on the current styles and trends! I know that I prefer to be very trendy and wear the current styles of each season. But, sometimes keeping a more classic look for photos will pay off in the end since these trends are constantly changing! Ultimately, you should always wear what makes you feel your best, and be mindful of everyone’s style preferences in your group! And, can you continue wearing these outfits or pieces even after the trip or photoshoot?
For me, I think this is a personal choice. I tend to stick with solids for photoshoots with a photographer, but we wear prints and dress more casually when we’re taking photos on vacation. I try to envision the background when deciding on going with prints or solids! If the background is going to be busy, stick with solids. Often, my boys will wear solids and I’ll wear a matching colored top with print!
6. Background/Scenery
Continuing on with choosing solids, prints, and colors, you need to know what the background is going to be. Think about what colors will be in the photo and then plan your outfits based on the landscape and prints that will complement the background. Helpful tip, it’s better to stand out than blend in with your surroundings!
7. Printing & Framing
The colors in these photos go perfectly with our home decor!
This may sound crazy, but I also plan outfits based on what colors will go with our home décor. I love to print our family photos! But I want everything to match the aesthetic of our house.
8. Accessories
Oh geez, this necklace! Ha!!
This is a big one! Sometimes less is more. I cringe at some of my past photos and the accessories that I wore. Keep in mind that styles are constantly changing and those colorful, chunky necklaces and bracelets may not be “in” for long!
9. Be YOU!
Most importantly, be yourself! You are beautiful and your family is precious. No matter what outfits you go with, you are going to cherish these memories and these photos forever! Let your true style and personality shine!
More Outfit & Color Ideas
Below are more of our favorite color combos and coordinating outfits for your viewing pleasure! I hope these ideas and color schemes help you coordinate the perfect outfits for your next vacation or family photo shoot!
I love these paperbag shorts from Loft! I completed my outfit of tangerine shorts, a white top, Miller sandals and then added in khaki shorts for the boys with similar colored tops that matched my shorts!
While exploring the beaches in San Francisco, we all wore jeans and navy tops. My top is the only one with print.
While exploring the Redwoods, we all wore maroon. It started with my top first, I love this print! I then completed my outfit with maroon hiking pants and a hat. From there, the boys wore different shades of gray hiking pants with maroon sweatshirts.
While hiking in Moab, we wore bright blue and black. I actually started coordinating these outfits with Jereme’s jacket first. Then I found matching hiking pants for me and the vests for the boys. Sometimes it’s easy to match a few pieces when you begin coordinating your outfits with things you already have in your closet!
I based the boy’s outfits on colors from this maxi dress. Each one is wearing a different color from the dress, but we all match very well together!
Other Important Tips & Recommendations:
Shoes matter, even on your kids! Make sure they’re clean and match the style of the outfits.
It’s perfectly fine to wear white after Labor Day.
Make sure that bra straps aren’t visible.
Don’t wear hair bands around your wrist, they can be really hard to Photoshop out!
You can’t go wrong in neutrals!
This is not, and I repeat NOT the time to cut your bangs, cut your hair off, or change your hair color just for family photos or an upcoming trip!
I love using Mixtiles to print our vacation photos!
I love using Smallwoods to print our professional family photos!
I hope you find some of these outfit examples and tips helpful! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.