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We didn’t plan on falling in love with Denver but after several visits it’s just happened.  The Mile High City is really family friendly and beautiful, and being smack in the middle of the USA it’s pretty easily accessible from nearly anywhere in the States or Canada. Denver with kids is always a good idea, so here’s how you can create the perfect trip that is full of kid fun that adults will love too.

Like with any travel plan we make, it’s not all encompassing of every single thing that a destination has to offer, but highlights our favorite spots and activities.  So here we go; here’s four days worth of fun in Denver with kids.

Four Day Itinerary for Denver with Kids

Before you head to Denver, you need to figure out where you’re going to stay. Denver isn’t short on nice hotels or budget friendly options.  We’ve stayed a few times and have some solid recommendations.

The Inverness Hotel, part of the Hilton Family of Hotels, is a very nice property located just outside Denver proper, but it’s close enough to be convenient for nearly all of our recommended activities. It’s also got a shockingly good hotel restaurant (if you aren’t down for exploring Denver’s awesome food scene), so for families it’s an easy option.

Our most recent visit to Denver with kids brought us to the Capitol Hill Mansion Bed and Breakfast. With guest rooms or varying sizes and layouts, it’s got lots of character and charm. A very well maintained historic home in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, it’s just a few blocks from the capitol building and the Golden Triangle Cultural District.

Tip: we were booked into the Bluebell Room which had plenty of space for our family of four, including a private sun room/living area, ideal for when the kids go to bed and the dads want to stay up.

Day 1:  City Park and all its wonders

Every great city has a great park and Denver’s City Park is no exception. Home to the Denver Zoo, Denver Museum of Nature & Science and more, it’s a full day of fun.

Start at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science

The reason we say to start inside at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science is because depending on the time of year, you might need to let the day get nicer. You be the judge though and if there’s foul weather in the afternoon forecast swap up the day’s plan.

Once inside, you’ll discover some incredible exhibits. The two biggest hits with our kids, remember we’re talking about Denver with kids, were the space exploration and dinosaur fossil exhibits. Who doesn’t want to learn about the stars and play astronaut for a day? And the collection of dinosaur skeletons is impressive. We’ve been to the Smithsonian in Washington DC and the Museum of Natural History in New York City and the collection here in Denver surpassed them both.

Also to check out at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science is the geology and rare crystals. You haven’t seen a crystal until you’ve seen some of the huge gems in the collection here.

An afternoon at the Denver Zoo

We only recently have started visiting zoos with the kids and we’re very careful about which ones we visit. For us to visit a zoo it needs to have a strong conservation program that you don’t have to try to discover, but is blatantly visible OR the zoo needs to be a refuge for rescued animals with high standards for taking care of them. The Denver Zoo meets these requirements, particularly with its new tiger exhibit, which is very impressive and for a zoo, gives the tigers more space than we’ve seen in other zoos, including an awesome catwalk for the tigers to watch over their zoo.

The tropical house at the Denver Zoo is also very cool and well put together. Here you can experience birds, frogs, snakes, vegetation… and lot’s of fish and sea creatures. It’s like a combo of zoo and aquarium.

There is a lot of staff available throughout the zoo to talk to kids about animals, conservation and rescue, and to inspire young people to be world-conscious.

Parking: there is quite a large parking garage at the Denver Zoo as well as the Museum of Science & Nature. If these are full, there is street parking available in select parts of the park. Pay close attention to parking signs so you don’t get towed!

Day 2:  hiking in hills, exploring Red Rocks and more

Can you actually visit Denver with kids without getting them out into nature? I think not. An easy twenty to thirty minute drive outside of downtown Denver you’ll find two awesome hiking areas, both are ideal with kids.

Hiking Dinosaur Ridge: fossils and fragments

We totally are dinosaur geeks in our family and we’re proud of it! After doing the Museum of Nature & Science, you really do need to get the kids out into the real world where paleontologists actually do their work. Dinosaur Ridge is perfect for this!

With all kinds of fossils from raptor tracks in the rocks to partial dinosaur skeletons embedded in the cliff-side, Dinosaur Ridge is just the coolest, for kids and adults. The hike from the eastern Dinosaur Ridge visitors center to the dig site on the west side is a steady 1.5 miles. There are loads of cool dino-sites and views along the way, so the hike flies by.

Exploring Red Rocks Park

If you’re a big concert goer then you know of Red Rocks for its incredible outdoor amphitheater. It’s also an area loaded with hiking trails, both difficult and easy. There are many trail heads throughout Red Rocks Park, so before you head out hiking double check which trail you’re doing and be prepared. Things to look for when choosing a hiking trail at Red Rocks Park include:

Trail length / distance

Is the trail a loop? Double check because you don’t want to wander forever

Are there notices posted about rattlesnakes or other wildlife?

Do you have enough water? The elevation of Denver really can impact people and drinking twice as much water as you normally would is a great way to combat the elevation sickness some may experience.

Our trail pick: for hiking at Red Rocks Park with kids, we recommend the Trading Post Trail. It’s easy to find, there is ample parking, the elevation gains are totally manageable with kids, and you get to experience a variety of the fascinating rock formations Red Rocks is known for. And there are bunnies.

Day 3:  getting cultured downtown Denver with kids

Are our kids the only ones that see a sign for a library and have to go? Well, right smack downtown Denver is the Golden Triangle: a district full of galleries, creative spaces, the public library and several museums. It’s pretty great.

The Denver Art Museum with Kids

We don’t often visit art museums with the kids because all too often they’re arranged in a very scholarly way with a focus on adults appreciating art. That’s not entirely the case at the Denver Art Museum.

This is the most family friendly art museum we’ve ever been to. On the entry level there is an entire art lab set up for kids to create their own pieces, and then as you proceed through the exhibits, there are all kinds of interactive areas for kids to be a part of the art or to try their hands at different mediums, including costuming. Really, the Denver Art Museum is amazing with kids.

History Colorado

OMG, it’s so Colorado. If you haven’t yet been to Colorado you’ll see what I mean when you get there. Colorado is this incredible blend of the outdoors, wild west history, art, sports and Native American culture. History Colorado pays tribute to each of these unique aspects in a genuine, interactive way.

The kids love the baseball history exhibit, Play Ball!, and getting to dress up in uniforms. I love the 100 pieces of Colorado, Zoom In – the Centennial State in 100 Objects, which showcased John Denver’s guitar, Wild Bill’s buckskin coat, head dresses and more. And we saw that they were setting up LEGOrado to open up right after we left. Next time…

Parking in the Golden Triangle:  there is a large parking garage adjacent to the Denver Art Museum with really good parking rates. It’s easy to park there and traverse all of downtown.

BONUS ACTIVITY:  if you still have time and energy, leave the downtown area and head to the Denver Botanic Gardens. They’re beautiful and there’s lots of outdoor space and kid friendly exhibits (loved the science pyramid!). Also, there’s a children’s garden that the kids will never want to leave!

Day 4:  pure kid-fun in and around Denver

Sometimes you need a day that’s all about the little ones. Denver with kids is awesome when you look at the options, including insect zoos… cuz yeah. #kids.

The Butterfly Pavilion

Located just outside of Denver in the city of Westminster, the Butterfly Pavilion is one of the coolest butterfly gardens we’ve ever visited. It’s much more than butterflies with an entire insect zoo and aquarium area, including touch tanks. Speaking of touching, I held a tarantula here at the Butterfly Pavilion, so if that’s your thing….

The actual butterfly conservatory area was stunning. The plants were well taken care of and the butterflies were everywhere. We could’ve set up shop in the conservatory and the whole family could’ve been happy for the whole day.

Note: if you’re on the lookout for the best butterfly gardens, check out the Desert Botanical Gardens in Tempe, AZ or the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, TN. Both have impressive butterfly conservatories that kids (and adults) love.

Denver Children’s Museum

One of our favorite children’s museums ever, the Denver Children’s Museum is a must if you’re traveling with the family. It’s loaded with awesome exhibits for kids and countless cute photo ops. We loved the fire fighting displays, bubble room, and giant rocket climbing structure.  The Denver Children’s Museum is huge, so if you’re adding this to your day, be sure to allot about two hours.

Tip: if you’re doing Denver with kids and any of them don’t do well in high-stress / high-stimulation environments, check with the museum about low sensory days or special hours for kids that need that.

Note: our other favorite children’s museum is in Madison, WI. It’s located right by the Wisconsin capitol building and is tons of fun, particularly for the parents.

Denver’s Downtown Aquarium

Before we ever recommend an aquarium, we like to understand their mission and practices. We haven’t deeply researched Denver’s Downtown Aquarium, but we did visit it since we were nearby. It was actually awesome to explore with really cool theming for each area. Entering was like getting on board Captain Nemo’s Nautilus and then you’re in the sea caves and then dock and…

Yes, the Downtown Aquarium has some weird aspects that we don’t think are necessary, such as animatronic animals, a mermaid show and tigers, but overall the displays and exhibits were well put together, very informative and had the kids totally captivated.

Tip: if mermaid shows are your thing, you can eat dinner at the Aquarium Restaurant and enjoy the show.

Easy day or weekend trips from Denver include Vail, Aspen, Boulder or, our favorite, Estes Park.  A visit to Colorado can be non-stop adventure of every sort. Denver with kids is super easy, as you can see, so if you have additional ideas that you think we need to add to our plan or hit up next time we’re there, let us know!  Go have fun!!

Want to pin this for later when you’re planning and booking your own trip to Denver with kids? Go for it!!!

The Perfect Four Day Itinerary for Denver with Kids: museums & outdoors We didn’t plan on falling in love with Denver but after several visits it’s just happened.  The Mile High City is really family friendly and beautiful, and being smack in the middle of the USA it’s pretty easily accessible from nearly anywhere in the States or Canada.

#aquarium #art museum #children&039;s museum #Colorado #Denver #dinosaurs #Red Rocks

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While we could easily spend a week at the Universal Orlando Resort, most families are only going to get a few days to explore and enjoy the parks. We brainstormed and polled the kids on what their favorite activities were and came up with this fool-proof plan for making the most of two days at Universal Orlando.

We’ll cover some other important points too, like where to stay and why, but our goal is to equip you with a loose itinerary for enjoying Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay water theme park.

How to make the most of two days at Universal Orlando

Let’s actually start with what you can skip or save for later, as the best way to make the most of two days at Universal Orlando is actually by not wasting time.  Here are our top attractions or activities to stick a pin in for next time or if you have more than two days at the parks:

Universal City Walk – yes, you’ll need to walk through at least a portion of the Universal City Walk to access the parks, but don’t linger or shop during park hours.

Stage or audience participation shows – even though they may be fun and funny, save the shows for the random rainy day or when you’re super tired and want to just sit.

Commonplace attractions – even though the carousel in Seuss Landing is fun and full of great Dr. Seuss creatures, you can go for a spin anywhere. Same with playground areas. (unless your kids really need to let loose)

By cutting these pieces out of your plan or just not getting distracted by them, you’ll save yourself hours of waiting, wading through crowds and just general sitting. Don’t get me wrong, all of these things have a place and time, but not when you only have two days at Universal Orlando.

Note: for those of you visiting Universal Orlando Resort with little kids, check out our full article about doing the parks with small children. We highlight the best attractions and areas with little ones and for families with kids 6 and under, our guide is pretty much a life-saver.

Tips for skipping line at Universal Orlando

There are three super easy ways to not get caught up in lines during your two days at Universal Orlando. One will cost you (potentially) and the other two are just smart time management.

Take advantage of Early Entry

Whether your goal is to be the first one to enter Diagon Alley or you want to start your day racing around San Francisco on the newest attraction, Fast & Furious: Supercharged!, early entry into either Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure will help you knock out a few goals on your two days at Universal Orlando list.

Who gets early entry? Well, guests at the different Universal Orlando Resort hotels do. Some travel agency tickets may also offer early entry passes with ticket purchase, but the best way to get to the parks early and into them before everyone else is by staying on property. Example: specific early entry to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is available to those at Sapphire Falls, Hard Rock, Portofino and Royal Pacific hotels.

Recommendation: Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, Hard Rock Hotel, Royal Pacific, and Portofino Bay all have water taxi service to the entrance of the parks, so for the fastest route AND to skip Universal City Walk in the morning, stay at one of these properties.  Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort is directly adjacent to Volcano Bay, so staying there will give you the most direct access for early entry into Volcano Bay.

View of Volcano Bay from Cabana Bay Universal Orlando Resort

Leverage the Tapu Tapu system in Volcano Bay

I’m just assuming that you plan on spending some time in Volcano Bay while you’re at the Universal Orlando Resort, because it’s totally awesome and by far the most fun waterpark we’ve ever been to. Upon entering Universal’s Volcano Bay each guest is given a Tapu Tapu wristband. This can be used to pay for things inside the park, to activate fun water features as you explore, and most importantly, to check you into the queue for some of the most popular water slides.

Before you enter Volcano Bay, do a little research about which slides you really want to hit so that you know where to tap into.  We recommend Krakatau (the aquacoaster), Ko’okiri Body Plunge (the biggest drop-slide) or Honu (the funnest raft slide). Tapping into any of these and then enjoying the Fearless River or a smaller slide is a great way to maximize fun in the water and is definitely key to making the most of two days at Universal Orlando.

Note: if you’re tapped into one slide and then tap into another, it’ll pull you out of the virtual queue for the first, so don’t go tapping everything thinking that you’ll beat the system, cuz no, you won’t.

Get the Universal Express pass

This is an additional cost to the general tickets into the Universal Orlando parks, unless you’re staying at either Portofino Bay, Hard Rock Hotel, or Royal Pacific hotels.  The Express Pass might not be needed or that valuable to you and your family, but if you just have two days at Universal Orlando and the parks are busy (think Spring Break, Summer, or Christmas) the Express Pass will save you loads of time and stress.  Nearly all attractions have an Express entrance or line, and each time you going through the Express line you’ll save anywhere from five minutes to an hour.

Example: you do the Express Pass line from Kings Cross Station in Universal Studios and ride the Hogwarts Express into Islands of Adventure, and not only do you save time by not having to walk out of one park and over to the other, and you don’t have to go through the entry plazas and walk through several areas to get to Hogsmeade, but you get a cool attraction experience and avoid lots of crowds. It’s genius and just one example of using the Express Pass.

The Must-see Attractions for two days at Universal Orlando

The following are our favorite rides and what we’d hit up before anything else. If you only have two days to have the maximum fun, then trust our recommendations.

Note:  many of the attractions in both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure function off of simulated motion. If you aren’t great at things whizzing by you while you wear (or don’t wear) 3-D glasses, you need to consider that before you wait in line for an attraction of that sort.

Top attractions in Universal Studios Florida

We’ll break this down for you by area so it’s the easiest, starting with the busiest attraction and working our way down.

Inside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley

The biggest draw in Universal Studios Florida, for us and most of our friends, is Diagon Alley. While there are some shows on the stage in the Alley, there are some really cool experiences to have too. Escape from Gringotts is the primary attraction, and it’s AWESOME, but the other side of the fun is casting spells all around, including within Knockturn Alley.

Tip: there are a few super secret spells that you can cast in Diagon Alley. Look for the dragon poop or the blank parchment, just to name a few. You have to find the magic in you to cast the proper spell. 😉

Best Action Attractions in Universal Studios

The newest attraction in Universal Studios Florida is Fast & Furious: Supercharged! While the attraction itself wasn’t my favorite (not really into cars, I guess), the technology is kind of amazing and it draws a good crowd. If you can cross this one off your list early, do it!

Being a child of the 80s, Transformers: the Ride 3D, is one of my favorite rides. The effects are awesome and the queue is pretty cool, but as a heads up, the ride is INTENSE. If you’re sensitive to the simulated motion I mentioned previously, this ride will get you, but it’s worth it if you can stomach it. Really fun and then you can actually meet Bumble Bee or Optimus Prime (and maybe even Megatron) afterwards.

Tip: if intense motion isn’t your thing, it’s totally okay to settle for getting a picture with Optimus Prime. 🙂

Another very popular attraction, but again, not my favorite, is Jimmy Fallon’s Race Through New York. The queue is the best part, particularly the live performance of barbershop rap. Love it!  If you do have time, try to hit up Jimmy Fallon before heading to Islands of Adventure.

MUST DO:  Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. This attraction is amazeballs. It’s the ultimate roller coaster in my book, with some intense speed, G-force and awesome music. It is a roller coaster in the truest sense, so if you’ve been itching for the real, intense motion of an amusement park ride, this is your ticket!

Tip: do the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit at night for an extra cool view and fun way to close out your day.

Best Universal Studios Attractions not to miss WITH KIDS

Minion Mayhem. Seriously. If ever you wanted to be a part of the Despicable Me world, this is your chance. The queue is cute and gets pretty involved, and then the actual attraction is really well done with great effects.

Note: with small kids, this may be a bit too intense. The motion, both real and simulated, can be pretty scary for little kids.

The other must-see area in Universal Studios Florida for your two days at Universal Orlando is Curious George Goes to Town. Heck, even as an adult I love this area. Located behind the Simpsons’ area of Springfield is a whole collection of kid attractions, including a small roller coaster. Beyond this is the storybook land of Curious George. It’s one big water park attraction, so if you head this way prepare for you and your family to get soaked. It’s a must-see if you’ve got kids with you and if it’s a hot day, let’s just say that you’ll thank us for this tip.

Top Attractions in Islands of Adventure

I could just say that EVERYTHING within Universal’s Islands of Adventure is a must-see, as most of it is, but these are really the best of the best for your two days at Universal Orlando.

Highlights of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Hogsmeade

If there’s one attraction not to miss in Hogsmeade it’s the light show on Hogwarts Castle – Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts… or the actual ride within Hogwarts. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey combines all sorts of theater and animatronics to create a unique attraction experience. Totally scary for little kids, but totally awesome for any true Harry Potter fan.

Note: there is no shame in sitting in Hogsmeade relaxing and enjoying a Butterbeer or actual beer from the Hogs Head Tavern. This experience is also a must-do and it’s the only time we’ll tell you that sitting will help you make the most of your two days at Universal Orlando.

Best Water-rides in Islands of Adventure

It’s funny to have done Universal Orlando with just adults and then also with just our kids. Our dudes don’t like to be surprise soaked, but our adult friends do! With several attractions on or involving water, you’ve got options, but the two BEST water-rides are NOT Jurassic Park River Adventure.

The two most awesome water-rides I’ve ever done in any theme or amusement park in any country are both located in Toon Lagoon: Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls and Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge Rat Barges. Wow. Both of these attractions perfectly combine the element of surprise with fun theming and a truly ridiculous amount of water. Never have I ever gotten this soaked except when I was pushed into the lake as a kid. Seriously. So awesome!

Tip: only wear the most necessary clothing for either of these rides because every person will get utterly drenched. I can’t imagine that the ponchos Universal sells even help.

Can’t-miss Action Rides in Islands of Adventure

Ask ten different people and you’ll get ten different answers what their favorite attraction is in Islands of Adventure.  Chris will tell you that the Incredible Hulk is the greatest roller coaster around, hence the favorite here. If you ask me (Rob) I’m going to send you directly to Skull Island: Reign of Kong. I love the story, the production, the thrill, everything.

I know, we still haven’t sent you to Jurassic Park, well now’s your chance to ride. Yes, you’ll get wet on this attraction (the most wet in the front row) but the coolest aspect of it is actually the dinosaurs. The featured creatures and action are a bit different on this ride than at Universal Studios Hollywood, but it’s similar enough that if you’ve done the one in California and only have two days at Universal Orlando, we’ll tell you to hit up Jurassic Park if you have the time or the line is nice and short.

Best Rides for Kids in Islands of Adventure

Seuss Landing is a really fun area with some rides that are ideal for small kids (go read our article about Universal Orlando with Small Kids), but our favorite, hands down, was the The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride.  It has two different tracks so if you do it a few times you’ll have different experiences. The view from the train is also beautiful, especially at night when Islands of Adventure is all lit up.

How to add Volcano Bay into your schedule

I know, there are so many things to do in Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, but if you want to throw Volcano Bay into the mix you totally can. Here’s how:

Start each of your two days at Universal Orlando in one of the theme parks

Be dressed to easily transition to Volcano Bay (have your swimwear on already)

When it’s lunch time grab a bite and make the switch to Volcano Bay for about three hours

After sufficient water fun, head back to your hotel to change or just go back into the parks (you will dry off eventually)

It really is as easy as this. We did this two days straight and loved every moment of it. Mixing Volcano Bay into our time in the Universal Orlando Resort parks gave us a change of pace while still ensuring we maximized our time. It made the kids extra happy because, well, water park.

Enjoying Volcano Bay Universal Orlando Resort

Putting a priority on fun over doing absolutely everything in your two days at Universal Orlando, you’ll feel good about the memories you’re creating with your family and friends; you’ll keep everybody’s spirits up instead of stressing to do it all; you’ll know what you loved and what you want to check out next time and you’ll be ready to plan your next Universal Orlando adventure!

Want to pin this for your own Florida vacation planning? Go for it!  And don’t hesitate to ask us questions or send us a note if you like!

Making the Most of Two Days at Universal Orlando Resort While we could easily spend a week at the Universal Orlando Resort, most families are only going to get a few days to explore and enjoy the parks.

#family travel #Orlando #Universal #Universal Orlando Resort #Wizarding World of Harry Potter

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The Yucatan Peninsula is full of unique experiences from Mayan ruins and swimming with sea turtles to jumping into enormous natural swimming pools: cenotes.  Cenotes are really a highlight to any Cancun vacation or road trip around the Yucatan and we’ve chosen our favorites, the best cenotes to visit in Mexico.

This handy how-to guide is also full of information about what you need to bring for a day in the cenotes, what to expect with the many types of cenotes, and our top tips for photographing cenotes and all the fun you can have.

What is a cenote and how do I visit?

Cenotes are a type of cave or sinkhole. They are typically formed in the same manner as caves with fresh water percolating through the earth and meeting up with the aquifer, or underground river. This erosion creates small and large holes in the earth’s surface and gives access to the beautiful, crystal clear waters of the aquifer.

What to expect at different cenotes

Because each cenote is different from the next, you’ll have totally different experiences. The cenotes near Cancun and Playa del Carmen are more built up around the exterior to make it easier for tourists to visit, but then as you go inland you’ll find cenotes that are much more rugged and surrounded by jungle.

One cenote near Playa del Carmen, Cenote Azul, is very open with many different fresh water pools surrounding a large one, yet Cenote Dos Ojos near Tulum are very dark caves with a slow flowing river moving you through the caverns. Some cenotes have fish in them and bats flying overhead and others are just a grand bubbling spring like you might find in Florida.

As you read our reviews and recommendations of cenotes near Cancun and around the Yucatan, take note of factors such as cenote size, darkness, wildlife, and swimming access.  This will help you decide which of the many cenotes you want to experience.

Note: if you are easily claustrophobic you need to be cautious in choosing which of the Yucatan cenotes you want to visit, as some are very dark and have narrow passageways.

What to bring on a cenote adventure

When it comes to the cenotes near Cancun, you’ll find that there are vendors at most of them ready to outfit you for whatever experience you want. You can save money by bringing your own supplies, so here’s how to pack for your day at the cenotes:

Snorkel and mask

Towels

Waterproof camera / GoPro *telephone or lowlight camera is good for certain environments

Snacks / water / lunch

Waterproof or underwater flashlight for the darker cenotes

Life preserver – some cenotes provide for free and some don’t require use

Tips for Photographing cenotes

There are some really unusual cenotes around the Cancun area, some with very complex lighting. What does this mean for the hobby photographer or vacation goer? It means that you need to be aware of the lighting if you want any of your photos to turn out.

For the best underwater or cavern pictures, we recommend a GoPro or similar waterproof camera that has a setting for low-light photography. For dry photos, a newer camera phone or digital camera with a wide angle lens should be fine to capture great, fascinating shots.

Things to remember:

The coolest shot you can get jumping into a cenote is from the POV of somebody else already in the water

Light distortion underwater can make for very dark, ill-defined shots so try to get underwater shots with light all around above water

The shadows within a cenote will look nearly black if there is a large bright area in your frame

Bats don’t photograph well

Best Cenotes to visit outside of Cancun

The following are what we’d consider the best cenotes to visit near Cancun. We’ve selected these ones for their beauty, intrigue, and diversity. Each of these sites is very different from the last and all are worth visiting and enjoying.

Cenotes Siete Bocas

After driving inland on the Ruta de Cenotes from Puerto Morelos quite a ways and then down a realllly bad dirt road, I arrived at Cenotes Siete Bocas. It’s a collection of seven small cenotes all connected by tunnels with the aquifer flowing through. Cenotes Siete Bocas makes our list of must-visit cenotes near Cancun for two reasons:

The maze of cenotes and going between them through tunnels is a really unusual experience

There’s a large cenote with a great cliff for jumping off of

I enjoyed checking out the caves and their formations both above and below water, swimming around in the cool aquifer and even taking a few 20 foot jumps into the largest of the cenotes.

The area above ground is kind of funny, with some landscaping and even a watchtower to climb up into the jungle top, but the highlight is for sure the quiet, dark passageways between the pools.

Note:  if you’re traveling through the Yucatan visiting cenotes, know that each one has a cost ranging from $5 USD to $25 USD. Some have swings and ziplines, some are just perfect pools in the jungle. ALWAYS BE READY WITH CASH.

Bring:  water shoes or good sandals you can wear when you jump in. You may choose to walk above ground from cenote to cenote, and shoes are pleasant in the jungle.

Cenote Azul

Located just outside of Playa Del Carmen, Cenote Azul is really easy to visit and it would be silly not to. Very different from our first recommendation, but maybe with just as many pool areas, Cenote Azul is a natural spring area straight out of a Grecian mythic scene. Rocks in turquoise pools with tropical fish swimming around, pockets of jungle with colorful birds and iguanas, places to lounge in the sun between dips into the cool water. Perfect.

Cenote Azul has a great jumping cliff where the water is plenty deep for even the most cautious swimmer to feel safe jumping in. Here’s how you jump into a cenote safely:

Make sure the area below you is free of swimmers and you have enough space to clear the rock walls as you descend

Cross your arms and legs as you jump to prevent smacking sensitive areas on the water

Quickly get out of the way so the next jumper can go.

Bring:  a towel for lounging and a picnic lunch. There are lots of great places to relax around Cenote Azul.

Cenotes Dos Ojos

Less touristy than Cenote Azul, Cenotes Dos Ojos is one of the most incredible sights I’ve seen near Cancun.  Again, it’s easily accessible from the main highway, but there are fewer visitors here than other cenotes. Check out our full article on Cenotes Dos Ojos here!

The big draw of Cenotes Dos Ojos is the depth of the water in certain areas paired with the beautiful cave formations.  At Dos Ojos you’ll find scuba divers in addition to snorkelers as there is access to the larger aquifer that continues on for quite a ways. This is one of the easiest cave diving destinations near Cancun.

For the average cave snorkeling visitor, the two cenotes offer really beautiful columns, stalactites and stalagmite formations, areas for jumping in, good enough light for exploring underwater but also low enough light for lots of bats! That’s right! The bats are really amazing to watch, whether they’re crawling across the cave ceiling or flying around catching bugs. They are amazing.

Tip:  for snorkeling in Dos Ojos and other cenotes near Cancun, bring an underwater/waterproof flashlight for the best experience. It’s not required, but will help you see a lot of the caves as well as could be useful for photography.

Bring:  life preserver for easy floating while you explore below the surface.

Cenote Yal Ku

I went here against the recommendation of several people and I’m so glad I didn’t listen. It was totally different from Siete Bocas or Dos Ojos, and this was very easy to add onto a day in Akumal. An open cenote that joins with the lagoon and eventually the bay at Akumal, Cenote Yal Ku is FULL of tropical fish, including the largest parrot fish I’ve ever seen.  A visit here feels more like snorkeling around a reef than a cenote.

Top reasons for snorkeling Cenote Yal Ku:

Fascinating wildlife / colorful fish

Unusual rock formations

Mangroves protruding into the water making mysterious fish habitats

Such a cool experience and a complete contrast to Dos Ojos.

Tip:  visiting Cenote Yal Ku is very easy to add to a planned visit to snorkel with sea turtles. It’s just around the corner and worth the time.

Bring: snorkel and fins. Since Cenote Yal Ku attaches to the salt water lagoon, you’ll want to explore beyond the immediate limestone rocks and mangroves.

Cenote Zaci

Right smack in the middle of Valladolid is the largest ceonte that I’ve ever seen.  Cenote Zaci is just three blocks or so from the center of town and it’s a world away. Like something right out of Journey to the Center of the Earth it’s a sight to behold.  The town of Valladolid itself is beautiful and worth exploring on foot, and then you add this incredible cavern and it’s Cancun vacation gold.

Note: Valladolid is about two hours from Cancun, but the drive is beautiful and very easy and a well paved, safe road.

Cenote Zaci has a path that leads all around the cave offering several points to jump off, some being thirty feet high+.  If you’re going to jump in from one of these, you’ll need to swim across the whole pool to get out of the water. #cliffs

After exploring the circumference of the cenote and checking out the stalactites, miniature caves, and bat colonies, I picked my jumping spot and started to really enjoy Cenote Zaci.  After a few jumps in, chatting with some French tourists and shooting some cool video it was time for my exit, so I made sure to take the long way out and enjoy the view of the massive cenote for a few extra moments.

Bring: telephoto lens for photographing bats and wide angle camera (a phone will do) for capturing the whole Cenote Zaci sphere.

Cenote Yum Balam

Our last stop we strongly recommend is Cenote Yum Balam.  A part of the larger Yum Balam nature preserve, this cenote is in the middle of a mangrove forest just on the edge of the Yucatan Peninsula. The location is more difficult to get to, but the overall Yum Balam Preserve experience makes it worth it.

Within the Yum Balam Preseve there are several outposts accessible by boat.  The cenote is one of them, then there is the bird refuge with observation towers to bring you up to the birds’ level, and then there’s another island/sandbar area where flamingo congregate. It’s the perfect Caribbean collection of nature, and at two hours north, it’s near enough Cancun that adding it to your plans if very doable.

At Cenote Yum Balam itself you’ll find:

A forest lookout to climb

A cenote to jump into

A very strong spring bubbling in the middle of the cenote

A family run open air kitchen/snack shack

Great boardwalk space for relaxing in the sun or shade

Bring:  binoculars for bird watching at the many Yum Balam sites, including the lookout at Cenote Yum Balam.

There are many, many more cenotes near Cancun and across the whole of the Yucatan Peninsula.  We haven’t been to all of them, but have been to many, and these ones here are great, diverse examples of what you can find when you go on a cenote adventure.

If you want to experience even more cenotes that we haven’t listed, we recommend traveling on the Ruta de Cenotes out of Puerto Morelos. There are around twenty different sites you can visit, some way off the road and some easily accessible, but each with its own cost.

Things to remember for Cenote Adventures

Visiting the more built up cenotes will cost more per person — Cenote Xin Ha (not listed above)

Not every cenote is a perfect turquoise swimming pool — Cenote Siete Bocas is very still, but also very clean despite not being perfectly clear

If you’re claustrophobic choose to visit cenotes in bright daylight areas — opt for Cenote Azul or Yal Ku

Cenotes near Cancun are busier during Spring and Fall breaks so head to less popular ones for better experiences — Dos Ojos and Zaci (in Valladolid) receive fewer visitors

Planning a day trip is a great way to see more of the Yucatan — visit Yum Balam or head to the Coba Ruins for a different Cancun vacation experience

Are you ready to plan your next adventure? We totally are!! If we find more cenotes near Cancun that we think need to be added to this list, we’ll update it.

Please feel free to pin this article for you own travel planning and research.

13 Cenotes near Cancun: cave swimming on the Yucatan Peninsula The Yucatan Peninsula is full of unique experiences from Mayan ruins and swimming with sea turtles to jumping into enormous natural swimming pools: cenotes. 

#Akumal #Cenote Azul #Cenotes #Dos Ojos #Siete Bocas #Valladolid #Ya Kul #Yucatan

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We’re back in Southern California, aka SoCal! What are we doing here? Great question! We’ve got lots of fun plans in store, from having some fun in Disneyland with the kids to visiting with friends and just relaxing at the beach. Follow along on our summertime in SoCal travel journal to see what’s new and exciting in Southern California!

Our Summertime in SoCal itinerary

Of course we’re heading to California with a plan, even though it’s always fun to just go with the flow when it’s summertime in SoCal. Here’s what we’ve got on the docket for five days of sunshine and fun:

Fly to Los Angeles and head straight to Disneyland! – we’re bringing Grampa with us and it’ll be his first time. The kids are super excited to show him the ropes and teach him exactly what fun means when you’re in the Happiest Place on Earth.

Disney’s Pixar Pier Premiere event at Disney’s California adventure – the whole Paradise Pier area has been updated and redone to celebrate all things Pixar, so we get a super special preview and get to crash at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel.

Riding with Amtrak to San Diego for a beach filled weekend – we’re excited to ride the train down the coast and have a fun experience on the rails with the kids.

Stay at the Hotel Indigo San Diego Gaslamp – woot woot for IHG Rewards points! (we used points for NYC over Christmas too)

Explore San Diego’s Beaches and history – from Mission Beach to Mission San Diego, we’ve got all kinds of adventures planned (and we’ll be at Cabrillo National Monument too)!

Follow along on Instagram and Facebook for the most up-to-date fun and tips for doing Disneyland and San Diego this summer!

  Disneyland with the kids (and Grampa)

The Premiere of the Pixar Pier in Disney’s California Adventure

Summertime in SoCal travel by train with Amtrak

Staying at the Hotel Indigo San Diego Gaslamp

Chillin’ at Ocean Beach, Sunset Cliffs and Cabrillo National Monument

Playing at Mission Beach and the Boardwalk

Exploring Old Town San Diego

Perfect Summertime in SoCal at Pacific Beach

Want to pin this for your own vacation planning for an awesome summertime in SoCal? Go for it!!!

Summertime in SoCal travel journal: Disney’s Pixar Pier Premiere and exploring San Diego We're back in Southern California, aka SoCal! What are we doing here? Great question! We've got lots of fun plans in store, from having some fun in Disneyland with the kids to visiting with friends and just relaxing at the beach.

#Amtrak #disneyland #Disneys Grand Californian

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Summer is here! Huzzah!  We’ve shared before about ways the we keep the kids safe while we’re traveling, including sun protection. You may know that we’ve partnered with Know Your OTCs to ensure everybody has good information about keeping yourself and your family healthy, but with that know that we’re not advocating any one brand of sunblock or even telling you that you need to be using it, just giving good, solid tips for sun protection while traveling.

Traveling with kids takes you into all kinds of environments and sun protection for kids is extremely important, including alternatives to using sunblock on children. From thoughtful activity planning to packing, tips for keeping kids safe from sunburns. 2traveldads.com

Sun Protection without lotions or skin products

We really don’t like to put sunblock or lotions on our kids or medicate them without due cause, as the human body is a strong machine that comes equipped to handle the elements and interference to a certain point. It’s absolutely true that we will sooner go without sunblock for an outing than lather the kids up with chemicals and goo. Yep, other parents and travelers we meet will quite openly criticize us for this but that’s okay. We are confident in how we look out for our kids (and ourselves) when it comes to sun protection.

So, how do we make sure we all have proper sun protection while traveling and at home? Easy!!  These are the tools we leverage everyday and that we’re always sure to have with us on the road:

Hats that offer broad sun protection for faces and necks (also helps to keep cool)

Thin shirts that guard against too many rays (long and short sleeve)

Collapsible sun protection structures

Sunglasses for everyone

This basic toolkit is a great way to actively protect your family from too much sun exposure. And the collapsible sun protection structure we mentioned above, it’s great to keep in you car or to carry on a plane. Easy solutions, right?!

Tips for sun protection and limiting exposure

When you’re traveling it can be difficult to plan out your days and time out of the sun. I mean, a day walking around an international city is going to keep you on your feet and out and about for hours on end. #Dubrovnik2018 – OMG, so much sun. The same goes though for adventures in the great outdoors.

Travel Tips for staying cool in a city

If you’re traveling with kids, it’s really important to consider time in the city and to make an effort to plan time in the shade. True, many cities have some towering building that give lots of shade, but more often than not you’ll find the hot sun still can break through to the sidewalks.  Here’s how we do it when touring cities:

Plan outdoor activities, such as parks and botanical gardens, for the morning before the sun is too intense

Alternate between indoor museums and outdoor experiences throughout the day

Break up the day with nap time (if age appropriate) or pool time, still considering how much sun exposure will occur

Depending on the city your traveling through, this may be very easy. We love being able to break up a day by visiting an aquarium or children’s museum vs walking through one historic neighborhood after another.

Sun protection during outdoor travel

Just like how walking around a city requires some breaks from the sun, the same goes for being out in nature. It can be really difficult to break away from the beach or get into wooded areas when hiking, but it’s totally doable and very important for keeping the family protected from the sun. Check out the following tips for sun protection in the great outdoors before your next adventure:

Require kids to wear hats and sunglasses when in constant sun

Carry an umbrella for portable shade, particularly when hiking

Even though the view can be beautiful, take rest breaks from activity in the shade

Leverage beach shelters, your own or provided at the beach, to break up the constant sun exposure

Keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be able to enjoy more time outside uninterrupted and keep sun protection a paramount consideration while still enjoying your sunny destination.

Proper use of sun block for kids and adults

For many of us, using sunblock is just how we roll. There are ways to make sure that if you’re using it for your sun protection, that you’re making the righ choices in terms of type of product and application.

Note: we are NOT recommending extended use of any sun protection product, as sunblock does contain chemicals that may be harmful over time, so like with anything relating to health and proper usage, check with your trusted doctor to validate your own use and processes.

When you look at the shelves for sun block at the store, you may be a bit overwhelmed with the many types of block and the different characteristics each has. Here’s what you need to be watching for to make a good choice in getting the sunblock that’s right for you and your family:

Reef-safe sunblock choices – we start here because this is extremely important to us. Sunblock is a chemical compound (as is tanning oil) and you don’t want that going into the ocean to be ingested by fish and other creatures. Choose a sunblock product that calls out its reef-safe nature and avoid products with oxybenzone and octinoxate. Also, if you’re using a tanning oil of some sort, be kind to the earth and don’t go swimming in the ocean or lake.

Broad spectrum sun block– this means that it protects against UV A + B rays. The UVA rays can cause premature aging, wrinkles, and damage that can lead to skin cancer. The UVB rays can cause your skin to burn.

SPF – the sun protection factor refers to how well the product is supposed to block the UVB rays to prevent burning. The recommendation from Know Your OTCs is that a minimum of 30 SPF be used

Sun block amount – of course the size of the person is going to impact this, but for an average sized person it’s about 1 oz per application (a golf ball sized glob) **wearing a bit more clothing reduces the amount you need to apply

When to apply sun protection – sun block should be applied 30 minutes prior to being out in the sunshine to allow it to set. As the day goes on, reapplying every two hours or sooner is recommended.

Remember, we always are referring to your doctor for recommendation about any sort of product you apply to your body or ingest, and that goes for sunblock too. If you have small children, confirm with their pediatrician when it’s appropriate to start using sunblock, as it’s not typically recommended to be used younger than six months.

How to make applying sunblock easier

Ha ha ha! I’m so glad we don’t have to deal with squirmy sunblock moments anymore. As our kids have gotten older and we’ve worked in more thoughtful practices to limit sun exposure, we’ve had to apply sun block less and less. With that though, there still are times we choose to use it.

To make it easier to apply sunblock, or any sort of product, to a child’s skin, get them involved in the process. This both educates them about sun protection and gives them something to do besides fidget. Let your kids apply to their legs, arms and tummy, while you do the shoulders, chest, back and neck. For applying sunblock to the face NEVER spray it on, but spray into your hands and then carefully apply to the skin. And be sure if you’re using a spray sun protection that nobody breathes it in. Chemicals, right?

Our friends at Know Your OTCs made this fun comic showing just how real the struggle of sunblocking your kids is.. For realz.

We hope this is all very helpful and provides some good options for sun protection for you and your family. Everybody manages their health differently, but I think we can all agree that sunburns and sun damage isn’t fun.  For more information about sun protection and also sun burn treatment tips, check out KnowYourOTCs.com. They’re a pretty cool group of people helping families get information about health, so take a look at what else they recommend.

We here at 2TravelDads are blogging ambassadors for the CHPA Educational Foundation’s KnowYourOTCs program, but our opinions are our own.

Sun Protection for traveling: from travel planning to sun block guidelines Summer is here! Huzzah!  We’ve shared before about ways the we keep the kids safe while we’re traveling, including sun protection.

#family travel #parenting #reef safe #sun protection #sunblock alternatives #sunscreen #travel tips

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What a gorgeous hike!!! Epic roads to travel in Portugal’s magical back country.

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We do love using AirBNB when we travel, particularly in Europe.  Check it out!

[2traveldads-blog]

Colorado is full of all kinds of wonderful small towns, from old mining towns to ski villages, the prairie and the mountains. Our favorite Colorado mountain town is Estes Park. It’s cute, surrounded by epic landscapes and is the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. We escaped the bustle of Denver for four days and have come up with our best activities for families planning to do Estes Park with kids.

If you aren’t into lounging by the pool, Estes Park is going to be your new favorite getaway (and I’m sure there are a few pools to lounge by there too).  Check out our top things to do in Estes Park with kids.

Locale of Estes Park, Colorado

Let’s just say this now, no matter what day you’re heading to Estes Park with kids (or for a grown up getaway) be sure to leave early in the day before rush hour. You’ll no doubt be coming from Denver, and while traffic isn’t half as bad as LA or Seattle, driving on the 25 during peak traffic hours is a lengthy, irritating experience.  If you can do the drive against traffic or in off-hours, it should take less than 1.5 hours to get to Estes Park.

Estes Park is set just up into the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The Big Thompson River runs through the town as several small forks, converging just east of the city.  This makes getting your bearings in town a little tricky at first, but once you’ve driven through a few times you’re good to go.

Tip:  pay attention to where the visitors centers for Rocky Mountain National Park are, as that’ll help you understand where you are and what you’re close to. Driving from one place to another in Estes Park often includes what feels like back-tracking, so taking note of key landmarks and potential stops will save you time.

Exploring Downtown Estes Park with Kids

In Washington State we have a great town called Leavenworth that’s really great to wander through and explore, and it’s done up in a Bavarian style which just adds to the fun.  Estes Park is a little like that in that it’s been built and designed to echo some of the picturesque mountain villages of Europe while still being characteristically Colorado. And Estes Park with kids is great.

All through the cute downtown core there are pathways and art installations, including 12 bronze pikas (rodents). Stopping into the visitors center at the east end of town, you can pick up a map of downtown showing where to find the pikas, including clues, and then let the scavenger hunt begin. From the park by the old waterwheel to the benches along the Big Thompson River, you’ll get to explore the whole town.

Also great in downtown Estes Park are the fun shops. Several vintage candy shops, complete with taffy pullers, are open for sampling and buying sweets. Restaurants cater to both the seasoned traveler and to the Denver native that knows about great food and cutting edge cuisine. Our favorite spots for dining in Estes Park with kids were Smokin’ Dave’s BBQ and Brew and Ed’s Cantina, where we found the awesome blend of Mexican and Coloradoan.

When it comes to the most delicious spot for adults (and kids too, I guess) Bird & Jim took the cake. Where else can you get a great selection of vegetarian options as well as the ultimate Rocky Mountain carnivore meal? Seriously, wild boar sausage and elk with a tart cherry sauce. So good.

Enjoy downtime in the mountains

How can you even begin to tell somebody about Estes Park without talking about Rocky Mountain National Park? Although there are plenty of trail heads directly around the downtown area of Estes Park, going into the National Park will provide some wonderful, iconic views and even more wildlife viewing. While visiting in the off-season is a great way to experience the Park with fewer tourists, the main road through the park isn’t fully open to the west side. There are still lots of options for enjoying time in RMNP though. Easy east side hikes include:

Alberta Falls

Bear Lake

Cub Lake (valley)

Adams Falls

Be sure to ALWAYS keep your eyes peeled for elk, deer, moose, bighorn sheep, bear and bobcats. Being a National Park, Rocky Mountain is a protected area where animal populations have flourished in recent years, so for both enjoyment and wildlife safety be sure to always pay attention to your surroundings.

Tip: stop into either the Beaver Meadows or Fall River Visitors Center to check about road closure

Green Jeep Tours of Rocky Mountain National Park

We don’t do a lot of guided tours in National Parks. We’ve done the Yosemite Valley tram tour, but that’s about it. The Green Jeep tour of RMNP was awesome! Starting downtown Estes Park, we got to hear all about the town, the National Park’s history and all kinds of cool stories about animals and hiking in the Park. Being the one who typically drives, I really appreciated being able to enjoy the scenery and watch for wildlife without having to watch the road.

The jeep was able to be uncovered and open air or with the top on. Also, it was stocked with blankets and snacks for the whole family just in case anybody got cold or hungry.  Really, it was a great family experience and one we’d recommend to guests of any age.

Take an outdoors survival class as a family

You read that correctly. We had a great afternoon at the YMCA of the Rockies learning about outdoor survival with the kids. Situated right on the border of Rocky Mountain National Park, YMCA of the Rockies is a huge property with lots of great family accommodations and activities, one of which is a family survival class.

Led by one of the summer counselors, we started our class in the rec center to get the kids focused and interested and then made our way into the wood to practice building natural shelters and campfires. With all of the fun stuff we did and saw in Denver and Estes Park with kids over the course of a week, I think this was the kids’ favorite activity. We’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Where to stay in Estes Park with Kids

Depending on your taste and budget, you’ll find several great options for staying in Estes Park with kids. From hotels to vacation rentals, they’ve got it all, but you need to book your stay as far in advance as you know you’ll be visiting Estes Park.

The Stanley Hotel of Estes Park

Ask anybody who’s heard of Estes Park and yet hasn’t been and they can tell you exactly why Estes Park is famous:  Stephen King checked into the Stanley Hotel one day after suffering from writer’s block and was so creeped out and inspired by the spooky old hotel that he wrote The Shining. Yep, the Stanley Hotel is considered one of the most haunted hotels in America and its fame was only flamed by The Shining. My aunt stayed there and reported that her faucet kept getting turned on while she was in her room. Spoookkyyy!!!

Note:  if you want to stay at the hotel where The Shining was actually filmed, that would be the Timberline Lodge at Mt. Hood in Oregon. Creepy too.

The McGregor Mountain Lodge

The McGregor Mountain Lodge was our choice in Estes Park. What an awesome property! A collection of 19 cabins set on the mountainside, it’s just what you’d want to find at the entrance to one of the most visited, pristine National Parks.

We stayed in a two bedroom cabin at the McGregor Mountain Lodge which was perfect for our family of four. Equipt with a pullout sofa as well, we could’ve comfortably had two more in our group and been set. Highlights of our cabin include a full kitchen, fireplace, patio w/ bbq and picnic table and elk outside our windows. We’d happily return anytime!

Note: we love when we get to support LGBT business when traveling and at home, and the McGregor Mountain lodge is one of those places. We enjoyed dinner with the owner and his husband and they are genuinely the coolest, kindest inn keepers we’ve had the pleasure of meeting.

Vacation Rentals in Estes Park

Like with any destination, vacation rentals can really offer a cool and different type of stay in Estes Park. We checked out the options via VRBO/HomeAway and there were quite a few options ranging from budget ($100/nt) up to grand mountain homes (ummm, out of our budget). One particularly cool location for a vacation rental we came across was an upstairs apartment looking over the river right in downtown Estes Park. We didn’t stay there, but the location and atmosphere looked awesome.  Next time…

Tip: when you looking for a vacation rental, pay attention to minimum nights stay, pet policies and cleaning fees. The additional fees may surprise you, so looking for one with a small cleaning fee or low mid-week prices can help save money on a vacation rental. 

Estes Park with kids is such a great weekend getaway out of Denver or an easy add-on to a work trip to the Mile High City. We’ll be back again at the end of summer most likely and we aim to visit in the winter too. No matter the time of year, Estes Park established itself as the favorite Colorado mountain destination for our family.

Want to pin this for you own travel planning to visit Estes Park with kids? Go for it!

Estes Park with Kids: planning the perfect Rocky Mountain weekend Colorado is full of all kinds of wonderful small towns, from old mining towns to ski villages, the prairie and the mountains.

#Estes Park #McGregor Mountain Lodge #Rocky Mountain National Park #YMCA of the Rockies

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It’s finally time! We’re in Europe and sailing through the Dalmatian Isles of Croatia! I kind of can’t believe it.  Follow along as we explore Frankfurt, Germany on a long stopover, Split in Croatia before we set sail, seven different ports of call, Dubrovnik for our Game of Thrones fix and finally Amsterdam. Sailing Croatia is going to be amazing!

Even though we’re supposed to have consistent internet over the next ten days, I feel like our updates are going to be spotty. We’ll try to keep things updated though, so enjoy our Travel Journal of sailing Croatia and Beyond.

Day by Day Travel Journal of sailing Croatia and Touring Frankfurt and Amsterdam

We started our journey in Seattle, our home base. Due to schedules and flight availability, Chris and I flew separately to Europe. We flew via Thomas Cook Airlines / Condor Air and it wasn’t bad. Flying coach is never exciting, particularly when you have a ten hour flight, but the flight crew onboard Condor Air was the friendliest and most attentive I’ve ever experienced.

How to book cheap flights with mileage and regional airlines

How did we afford our tickets to Croatia from Seattle? Because we each travel so much for work, we were able to book our flights using our Alaska Airlines mileage. To be sure that we could get the best deal without terrible flight schedules, we booked the following itineraries:

Rob – Seattle to Frankfurt (used Alaska Airlines miles) -> 24 hour stopover to explore Frankfurt (used IHG Rewards points for hotel) -> Frankfurt to Split (used Alaska Airlines miles) —> SAILING CROATIA Split to Dubrovnik —> Dubrovnik to Amsterdam (purchased cheap EasyJet ticket) -> 24 hour stopover to explore Amsterdam (used IHG Rewards points for hotel) -> Amsterdam to Seattle (used Alaska Airline miles)

Chris (flew out a day later) – Seattle to Frankfurt (used Alaska Airlines miles) -> Frankfurt to Split (purchased Croatia Air ticket to accommodate schedule, mileage didn’t work properly here) —> SAILING CROATIA Split to Dubrovnik —> Dubrovnik to Frankfurt (purchased Croatia Air ticket) -> Frankfurt to Seattle (used Alaska Airline miles)

Seriously, we saved thousands of dollars by booking using miles and supplementing them with cheap regional airline tickets. This is how you can visit cool places like Croatia or Bulgaria without paying through the nose!

  Stop 1:  exploring Frankfurt – colorful old world charm

After I landed in Frankfurt I hopped on the S-Bahn to get into the city. It was super easy and dropped me off at the main, old train station, Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof. You know, it reminded me of Gare du Lyon in Paris or the train station in Marseilles. It was full of shops and cafes and an incredible wrought iron atrium platform. Really cool first impression of Frankfurt.

I walked from there to my hotel for the night (remember, just a 24 hour stopover). I booked a night at the Holiday Inn Express using our IHG Rewards Club points, and luckily the location was perfect for my plan.  After taking a shower to wash off airplane germs, I headed out exploring. Ummm, while the S-Bahn was easy from the airport, in the city it was much more difficult for me and I ended up walking everywhere. My struggle came from getting on one train in the wrong direction and then getting on a train that changed routes and I didn’t understand German so missed the call to get off the train, and then I was just done.

But I did make it to Römerberg! Römerberg is the Old Town area of Frankfurt. It’s centered around the town square and includes a variety of colorful buildings set on narrow, cobblestone streets. It was exactly what I wanted to see on my short stay in Frankfurt. I also checked out the cathedral and wandered through alleyways, just loving the ever-present violin music and the smell of sausages.

Moving on from Römerberg I strolled along the Main (the river running through Frankfurt) and crossed the Eiserner Steg, which is the Frankfurt answer to Paris’s Pont des Arts. So many locks and such a beautiful view of the city. Moving through museum row (but not actually visiting any of them 😦 ) I headed to Sachsenhausen, which is another wonderfully old neighborhood. This was where I sought out my dinner.

The goal was sausages of every kind, but after not speaking German and the servers at Zum Gemalten Haus not speaking English, we settled on speaking Spanish together and the language gap ended up with me having an enormous corned ham steak served with loads of saur kraut and mustard. It was the most delicious mistake I’ve ever made. Go, Germany! You’re winning me over with every minute!

The next morning started with non-stop thunder and lightning turning into a beautiful day. After a run through town and a quick bite, it’s off to the airport. Next stop: Split, Croatia!!! Chris will meet me there (I can’t wait to see him!)

PS: apparently we will never travel to/from Europe together… because we always go separately and if we do tour together, we fly separately. Good times.

Keep checking back for more journal updates as we start sailing Croatia and exploring some incredible new places!!

Travel Journal of sailing Croatia and Beyond: Frankfurt, the Dalmatian Isles, Dubrovnik and Amsterdam It’s finally time! We’re in Europe and sailing through the Dalmatian Isles of Croatia! I kind of can’t believe it.  

#Amsterdam #boating #Dubrovnik #Frankfurt #sailing #Split #travel journal

[2traveldads-blog]

With so many ways to do a road trip you can take almost any approach. We just did it with two kids so we are ready to share exactly how to get the most from the Oregon Coast. Doing an Oregon Coast road trip is really fun and very easy. There are zero chances to get lost and 1000 opportunities to fall in love with the nature and nautical sights along the way.

Have you done the Oregon Coast with kids? Want to see what we did to keep them entertained as well as give us parents things to look forward to with each stop? Here’s how you do an Oregon Coast road trip with kids that’s good for the whole family no matter the season.

Packing for an Oregon Coast road trip

The Oregon Coast is gorgeous… even in the foggy rain which you might experience any time of year. When you’re packing for an Oregon Coast road trip be sure to plan for hot sun as well as chilling wet.  As a rule when we’re touring around Western Washington or Oregon we always pack equally for rain or sun, erroring on the side of the time of year. This includes activities we bring with us. Here’s what our Oregon Coast road trip packing list looks like (clothing is per person):

Jacket

Warm hat

Sweatshirt

T-shirts and tanks (3:1 ratio)

Swim shorts and hiking shorts

PANTS

Sandals AND shoes

Kites

Beach gear (including boogie board in summer)

Cribbage, dominoes and Yahtzee

Camera gear

Portable vacuum (the Oregon Coast is sandy and you’ll thank us later)

You know your own travel style and crew, but having done the Oregon Coast road trip thing seven times now, I can confidently say that this list is what will keep you happy and sane all along the coast.

Complete Oregon Coast Road Trip Itinerary

Like with any itinerary, take this one with a grain of salt and update it for your own family. We like to visit beaches, breweries and lighthouses, so this Oregon Coast road trip itinerary has a healthy mixture of nature and culture. And like any jaunt through small town America, you’ll be tempted to stop in places we don’t mention and to find your own foodie spots. Go for it! Road tripping is all about fun and new experiences and the Oregon Coast is no exception!

The rugged coastline of an Oregon Coast road trip is the perfect American vacation plan. From Portland and hiking in the city to the relaxed southern coast, driving the Oregon Coast is an ideal travel plan. 2traveldads.com

Portland, Oregon to start the road trip

In the last few years Portland, Oregon has really grown in popularity. Is it the food or the beer or the wine or the hipsters?  I don’t know, but we love it for lots of reasons. Portland is an ideal place to start your Oregon Coast road trip. Before you head out to the beaches, spend a day or two exploring the city and enjoying Portland’s food scene. FYI, there’s more to Portland than Voodoo Doughnuts.

If you’re all about the city, Portland’s downtown has a nice shopping core and lots of great dining (loved Bamboo Sushi), but the neighborhoods is where it’s at! Check out northeast Portland for more great food, neighborhoods you can stroll through and even book a spa day at the local Finnish spa (without kids though).

Family friendly Portland activities include the Oregon Zoo and Portland Children’s Museum (right next to each other), exploring the Pearl District and markets in Old Town, and hiking in MacLeahey Park.  

Hiking idea:  The Witch’s Castle hike is really fun and beautiful and it’s just outside of downtown.  Easy 1.5 miles round trip and full of moss, streams and the ruins of what looks like a forgotten fortress.  Trail-head is in Macleay Park from the UPPER trail area.

Note: you don’t see us recommend a lot of zoos because many are not up to date and have exhibits that don’t give the animals much space. The Oregon Zoo has made many improvements over the years, including a lot of construction right now, and boasts some of the best habitats we’ve seen in any zoo.  Also, the Oregon Zoo is a part of several conservation programs, including the California Condor breeding program and the Pond Turtle release program, both of which are a huge part of re-establishing species back into their native territory.

There’s more to Portland, but these ideas will get your Oregon Coast road trip off to a great start!

Bonus plan:  for some extra time and beauty in the Portland area, do the Columbia Gorge Waterfall Area. This mini-road trip takes you along historic Route 30 and and is full of waterfalls, including Multnomah Falls, and lots of great hikes.

Exploring Oregon’s North Coast

We’re diving into where we hit the coast on our most recent trip, but you can also alter our route and head to the very northern tip of the Oregon Coast to visit Astoria, Lewis and Clark National Historic Park and Seaside, Oregon. There are some great spots to stop for getting your Goonies fix and enjoying the sleepy side of the coast.

Cannon Beach, Oregon: views and brews

We always think of Cannon Beach as the place where One Eyed Willy’s boat set sail at the end of the Goonies, so naturally that’s where we started.  Ecola State Park is just north of downtown Cannon Beach. It’s a must-visit.  

In addition to the beautiful view of the sea stacks off Cannon Beach and beyond (epic sea mist for photos), there are some awesome hikes and beautiful beaches. While the weather erosion on the point at Ecola State Park has damaged many of the trails to the end, there are still hiking opportunities out of the Indian Beach area. And Indian Beach is actually our first beach stop on our Oregon Coast road trip.

Beach stop:  Indian Beach at Ecola State Park in Cannon Beach is at the end of a two mile winding road through the coastal forest. You can hike the trails to other beaches or just head down the boardwalk trail to the beach. It’s full of driftwood, shells and a few streams, so it’s beautiful and perfect Oregon Coast. The sand is gorgeous and the cove makes for a great kid-friendly beach.

Note:  if you see what looks like thousands of plastic pieces on the beaches of Oregon and Washington, know that they are actually dead jellyfish, not trash. They will sometimes swarm and get washed ashore, drying up and dying. It’s gross and cool at the same time.

Views not to miss:  from the main viewpoint area at Ecola State Park watch the sunset facing south to see the shadows the sea stacks cast. Also from the same area, veer to the north a few hundred yards and sneak a view of the Tillamook Head Lighthouse 1.2 miles off shore (sorry, you can’t visit it)

Public Coast Brewing in Cannon Beach

Every town in Oregon has a brewery, I swear, and some have ten.  Our pick for great micro brews in Cannon Beach is Public Coast Brewing. It’s just outside of the main touristy area of Cannon Beach, but not too far. Walk the block and a half to enjoy their IPAs and burgers.

FYI, dining in Cannon Beach is more expensive than you expect because it’s the closest beach town to Portland, but most places will make sure the value matches the cost. At Public Coast Brewing we had $13 hamburgers that came with nothing but the burger on its own was worth every penny.

Recommendation:  the Sitka Burger and an Imperial IPA. Delicious combo and a perfect example of Oregon Coast brew houses.

Cape Meares Lighthouse

Heading out from Cannon Beach on our Oregon Coast road trip, our next stop is the Cape Meares Lighthouse.  If you’re looking at lighthouse stats and features comparing them all around the USA, you’ll not think twice about visiting Cape Meares Lighthouse.  Here’s why you need to make the stop: you can get right up close to the beautiful, intricate first order Fresnel lens. It’s awesome, especially with kids that like to see how things work.

Also to check out: the tiny town of Garibaldi has some great little seafood shops and places for nautical knickknacks.

Local activity:  whale watching out of Garibaldi is ideal in the spring and fall when the grey whales are going past. If you’re lucky, you might get to see minke whales, transient orcas or even the random blue whale (with crazy good luck!).

Tillamook and all the cheese

Find me somebody that grew up on the West Coast and you can bet they’ve been to the Tillamook Cheese Factory. Tillamook Cheese and ice cream and butter and everything else are staples in West Coast homes. They are delicious and pretty darn wholesome.  And you can visit the factory for bottomless samples! #cheesedork

Our favorite thing to try and buy (every time) are the cheddar cheese curds.  When we went to Wisconsin the cheese curds were always fried and served with dipping sauces. On the Oregon Coast (and up in Washington too) we like our curds fresh, squeaky and cold. Delicious.  On our most recent trip we got to try a new cheese, the first new cheese offering from Tillamook in many years: Cape Meares Cheddar. It was like a tangy Gruyere and for a cheese lover, it was to die for.

Note: as of Spring 2018 the new visitors center at the Tillamook Cheese Factory was still not open. It’s slated to open Fall of 2018, but you know, construction timelines…

Pacific City: the gem of the Oregon Coast road trip

Once upon a time in my teens I thought it would be cool to take a little detour on my own crazy Oregon Coast road trip and drive on the beach when I got to Pacific City. It was perfect! Designated areas for driving, very flat beach area, gorgeous view to enjoy… and then the tide came in and I sank and had to wait, full of anxiety, as the winch truck drove from an hour away to rescue me… as the waves lapped at my Blazer’s tires. Everything turned out okay, but I ended up staying in Pacific City.

Fast forward twenty years and Pacific City, Oregon is the perfect Oregon Coast destination with kids! We like to break up our road trips with downtime and having a home base, so Pacific City served for that on our most recent Oregon Coast road trip. We rented a VRBO right downtown and enjoyed beach time, tide pools, kite flying, and sunsets.

Cape Kiwanda and picturesque Oregon Coast views

Pacific City is located just to the south of Cape Kiwanda, a breathtaking cape jutting out into the Pacific Ocean. It is a protected area, but you can climb its dunes, hike its trails and explore the tide pools all around the base.  The best time to sit and appreciate this perfect site is at sunrise. With the sun coming up behind you, Cape Kiwanda glows orange unlike any other piece of coast we’ve seen. It’s beautiful and romantic (if you’re into that).

  Brews at the Beach in Pacific City

Of course we enjoyed the local brewery in Pacific City! Our VRBO was less than a block from the Pelican Brewery so we took full advantage of it for our weekend of relaxation. With more than 15 beers under their label, Pelican Brewing Co has some great standards and seasonal options at all times.  The Umbrella IPA was our favorite.

Tip:  if you stop at a brewery you love, get a growler of your favorite beer on tap to enjoy at your place or the beach (confirm open container laws before drinking in public).  You can reuse your growler as you continue on your Oregon Coast road trip! NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE.

Yaquina Head Lighthouse

As you leave Pacific City you start to head down into the more rugged parts of the Oregon Coast.  The Yaquina Head Lighthouse is a state protected area inclusive of hiking trails, cliffs, tide pools, an interpretive center and, of course, the tallest lighthouse in Oregon. A stop into the visitors center is required to get the lowdown on Oregon’s lighthouse history as well as to learn about the wildlife of the area, including the migrating whales.

Tip:  you MUST stop into the visitors center if you want to get onto one of the lighthouse tours. The Yaquina Head Lighthouse is only open to the public via tour. They do have a height restriction of 42” to participate (small kids can’t go up). This is common with tall lighthouses (check out our visit to the St Augustine Lighthouse).

Even without going up into the lighthouse, stopping at Yaquina Head is really cool. Watching for whales, visiting the tide pools and observing the harbor seal colony below all make it a great stop with kids. Make sure you bring your binoculars to spy whales both up close and on the horizon.

Newport, Oregon

Newport, Oregon is a pretty large town and has a cute bayfront area to explore. It’s another great option for a homebase on your Oregon Coast road trip (but we’ll share a different one) as it’s close to beaches, shopping, lots of dining, the Oregon Coast Aquarium, the Undersea Gardens, a few tourist traps (Hello, Ripley’s…), and it’s own lighthouse.

If you’re into festivals, Seafood Fest takes place in February each year and is the place to experience Oregon Coastal Cuisine, Oregon wine, and more.  Newport also tends to have a bit better weather than some of its northern neighbors, so plan on hitting the beach and festivals with your classiest Oregon summer fashion (aka socks and sandals) and sunblock.

Yaquina Bay Lighthouse

It’s easy to miss the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse if you’re just driving right through Newport on your Oregon Coast road trip, but stopping is actually a great use of time. Built in 1871, the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse is cute, wheelchair accessible (around the grounds) and not far off your course.  It is open to the public most days, but you’ll want to confirm online or locally before making it a part of your primary road trip plan.

Cape Perpetua, Thor’s Well and Devil’s Churn

Rock formations and crashing waves are a big part of what an Oregon Coast road trip is all about. Driving south on Highway 101 from Newport you’ll notice that the road starts to swerve and wind.  That’s because the coastline went from jagged mixed with sandy beaches, to rocky and untamed. If you’re easily distracted have somebody else drive so you can enjoy the views.

THE stop you have to make in this stretch of the drive is at Cape Perpetua. Part of Oregon State Parks, you have a few ways to enjoy the area. If you head up the hill you have several hiking options to get breathtaking views up and down the coast. Pulling into the Devil’s Churn area, you can see some intense coastal water features including the churn, more tide pools, Thor’s Well (a hike around two points) and even a spout/blowhole.

Tip:  to see the spout you don’t have to do the big hike to Thor’s Well, but can simply head down the trail to the tide pool area and watch across the cove. A big wave will make a burst of water across the way just like a whale spout.

Haceta Head and the best view on the Oregon Coast

We’re suckers for beautiful views. I mean, who isn’t? Just past Cape Perpetua there are several pull out areas to admire the picturesque Haceta Head Lighthouse and beach below. Really, it’s the most beautiful view on the whole Oregon Coast.  Be sure to stop and enjoy the crashing waves and sea lions below.

Haceta Head Lighthouse

There are two ways to enjoy a stop at the Haceta Head Lighthouse: 1.) relax in the beautiful cove area and have a beach/tide pool day OR 2.) do the ~0.5 mile hike up the hill to the actual Haceta Head Lighthouse and check it out up close. You can even stay in the keepers quarters at the lighthouse.

Tip: if you do want to stay in the keepers quarters, be sure to make the inquiry and reserve it the second you know you’re interested. Such cool and unusual accommodations book far in advance.

Florence, Oregon: a perfect Central Oregon Coast home base

Upon first approach or even driving through, Florence doesn’t seem like the dream Oregon Coast road trip stop or homebase. Rethink that right now! The town of Florence is set directly between the most jagged and beautiful parts of the Oregon Coast, it’s directly adjacent to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and it has an adorable Old Town area that has lots of cute shops and some great dining options.

We stayed at the Old Town Inn just off Highway 101 and it was great for our family of four. It was clean and quiet and located right next to the Old Town area and riverfront. Really, staying someplace small and unique made for a different travel experience and it felt good to support a small business.

Tip: the Oregon Coast, including Florence, doesn’t have many well known or top rated hotel brands. That said, “Inns” and seaside motels are actually quite nice sometimes and most are family run. READ REVIEWS of lodging before booking, but feel confident going off-brand for your road trip.

Easy road trip stop: going between Florence and the southern destinations, make a stop in Reedsport and check out the Umpqua River Lighthouse. It’s your stereotypical lighthouse, set nicely at the mouth of the Umpqua River and looks both charming and extra historic when it’s the afternoon golden hour (perfect for photo ops).

Activities near Florence, Oregon

We really had a great time all around Florence, Oregon. We took advantage of the town’s close proximity to beaches for fun relaxation in the sun paired with beachcombing. We also had a great time kayaking the freshwater lakes and hiking the dunes at Honeyman State Park… and then the dune buggies! There are several tour operators around Florence to take guests out on the epic sand dunes (we had a great time with Sand Dunes Frontier).

And if dune buggies aren’t your thing, there is also the option to ride horses through the dunes and to the beach. Due to weather and our littlest’s age, we just stuck around C&M Stables for a fun cow poke ride but there was another crew totally excited to head out for a full ride, no matter the weather.

One last spot that’s pretty cool and worth checking out if you’re interested is Sea Lion Caves. The largest sea cave in North America, it’s the go-to spot to observe hundreds of sea lions and beautiful sea birds. There is an admission fee per person, so families will have to fork out around $50 or so (depending on group size) and it really is pretty neat, but if you are doing your Oregon Coast road trip on a budget, you can observe sea lions lots of other places along the coast.

Coos Bay for epic coastlines and Lighthouse views

If you’re driving Highway 101 down the Oregon Coast you’ll have to go through Coos Bay. Upon first look, it might seem like a quiet logging town without much going on, but it’s actually a bustling place. Between some of the cool art deco buildings and the coastal themed street art, Coos Bay is a great stop for lunch or dinner as you continue on your road trip.

Coos Bay is also the gateway to some of the most aggressive waves and breathtaking strips of coast. To get to Sunset Bay and Shore Acres State Park, follow the signs to the Cape Arago Highway and head to the beach… or the cliffs. Sunset Bay is a great cove/beach area for picnicking and playing in the water. There’s a stream the kids can play in too, and even some tide pools at low tide.

Shore Acres State Park is perhaps the most fascinating place on the coast. The erosion of the coastline over time has formed some interesting features, not to mention that the luxury estate that was once there can still be seen falling into the sea. Also, you can visit the botanic gardens within the park, which do some really cool light displays during the holidays (or so we’re told).

Tip: due to its remote location, the State Park entrance fee machines in the area only take cash, so be prepared with some fives or ones, cuz that’s cheaper than a citation.

How to see the Cape Arago Lighthouse

The Cape Arago Lighthouse is out in the middle of the water, about three hundred yards off the shore. You cannot access it unless you’re doing something coast guard-ish, but you can see it and dream about being an old-timey lighthouse keeper (because that’s one of my three wishes in the event I meet a genie). So, how do you see the Cape Arago Lighthouse?

At Sunset Bay, skirt along the base of the cliffs at low tide until you get to the mouth of the bay and can see the lighthouse (slippery tide pool warning)

Pull over when driving between Sunset Beach and Shore Acres and walk down the clearly marked trail to the viewpoint

It really is a beautiful lighthouse and is my favorite to spy on the Oregon Coast road trip route, so take a few minutes to enjoy it.

Chillin’ out in Bandon, Oregon

Not Brandon; Bandon. Bandon, Oregon is another town that makes for a good homebase while you’re doing an Oregon Coast road trip. There are many small inns and even a couple resorts (with world class golf, if that’s your thing) that serve for an overnight or two.

Located on a small bay, Bandon has a cute little old town area similar to Florence. Restaurants, galleries and maritime shops dot the area so it’s perfect for an afternoon or evening stroll.  There are also plenty of beaches on either side of the town, so if the plan is just to relax for a few days, this is the spot.

Tip:  there are several options for whale watching out of Bandon, Oregon along the marina if you’d like to plan or go for an impromptu jaunt (depending on the season). Whale season tends to be April through September.

Coquille River Lighthouse

A highlight for us in Bandon was the Coquille River Lighthouse. This lighthouse is particularly interesting because it’s located ON the Coquille River instead of on a head or rock.  No longer in operation, but still open for tours, the Coquille River Lighthouse is colorful and unique, surrounded by dunes and beaches. It is located within Bullards Beach State Park, so there are plenty of day use sites for picnicking or beach access.

Tip: plan a visit to Coquille River Lighthouse in the late morning so you can grab a picnic table or good beach spot for lunch.

Also, if your Oregon Coast road trip is going to be a camping trip, Bullards Beach State Park has a fair number of campsites.  This is a great way to be close to Bandon without staying directly in the town.

Gold Beach for relaxing to the max

Gold Beach, Oregon is almost to the California border, but not quite. It’s a quiet town, very similar to Rockaway Beach, OR or Ocean Shores, WA, so its population and popularity changes with the good weather. While there isn’t a ton to do in Gold Beach specifically (except relax and fly kites), there are some cool sites to make for fun day trips.

Cape Blanco Lighthouse is just to the north of Gold Beach. It’s a pretty tall lighthouse and there are fun beach activities nearby if you’d like to make a day of it.  Also a short drive (about 1.5 hours) from Gold Beach is Oregon Caves National Monument. It’s a really cool cave system to go through with an awesome National Park lodge, the Oregon Caves Chateau, where you can have a nice lunch or dinner in the hills.

Tip: if you want to continue your Oregon Coast road trip all the way into California, check out our itinerary for a full NorCal coast trip covering everything from the southern Oregon coast to San Francisco.

Are you totally ready to plan and enjoy your full Oregon Coast road trip?!? We could do this route any time of year and have a blast, but late spring or September are the best times to go. If you have any questions or recommendations, don’t hesitate to ask or tell us.  Leave a comment below or email us!

Want to pin this for planning your own Oregon Coast road trip? Go for it!!!

The Complete Oregon Coast Road Trip Itinerary, from tip to tip With so many ways to do a road trip you can take almost any approach. We just did it with two kids so we are ready to share exactly how to get the most from the Oregon Coast.

#Bandon #beach vacation #Haceta Head #itinerary #lighthouses #Oregon Coast #Pacific City #Portland #road trip #sea lion caves #Tillamook #Yaquina Head

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There’s nothing like experiencing the beaches of Oahu and having unforgettable wildlife encounters. We’ve been around and I’ll tell ya’, snorkeling and lounging on all sides of Oahu is awesome. We’ve done the foot work and visited several locations to find our favorite, most family friendly beaches on Oahu which are sure to wow you.

Family friendly beaches on Oahu? What beach isn’t family friendly? Well, remember that all kinds of people visit Hawaii for all kinds of reasons. Our family friendly beach recommendations are places you can go with kids with safe waves, fun wildlife, and that AREN’T hosting epic surf competitions. True, if you’re there for the Vans Cup, Pipe Pro competitions or another surfing bonanza, spend some time enjoying the spectacle, but also go seek our these great family friendly beaches on Oahu for a different side of Hawaii.

Favorite family friendly beaches on Oahu

We will bend over backwards to make sure we get a beach day no matter where we are. Thankfully Oahu is an island and it’s surrounded by perfect sand and warm water. We did Oahu without ever hitting Waikiki or Honolulu. I know: crazy. But it was perfect for our family and we were able to enjoy the beach without the typical Waikiki experience.

West Side – Ko Olina, Oahu

For the first part of our stay on Oahu we were at Diseny’s Aulani. A beautiful resort with all kinds of fun, including its own water park, it is set just off the beach. The Ko Olina area has several coves with beaches perfect for young kids, including a public beach park. The crater-shaped coves of the area provide calm, warm waters and super chill beach days; some of the most family friendly beaches on Oahu.

Note:  like Washington State, nearly all beaches in Hawaii are public access, save a few that are federally protected (for military and such). This doesn’t mean the land leading up to the beach is public, but if you’re walking the beach, chances are very good that you have the right to nearly all the way around each island (where accessible).

Accommodations in Ko Olina

There is, of course, Disney Aulani in Ko Olina, but there are also several other properties and private rentals. When looking for accommodations on the West Side, be sure to confirm what sort of beach access your booking includes. Public beach access is plentiful if you know where to look, but being able to walk right out of your home-away-from-home is priceless.

For your lodging perusal and booking convenience… Booking.com (function(d, sc, u) { var s = d.createElement(sc), p = d.getElementsByTagName(sc)[0]; s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.async = true; s.src = u + '?v=' + (+new Date()); p.parentNode.insertBefore(s,p); })(document, 'script', '//aff.bstatic.com/static/affiliate_base/js/flexiproduct.js');

The North Shore – Haleiwa and Pupukea

Say “the North Shore” and you immediately think of surfing competitions, huge waves, and stories of locals giving visitors the cold shoulder (or worse). True, the North Shore is real Hawaii and it’s a very special place to those who get to call it home, but it’s not just what you initially think of.

The North Shore is home to a variety of beach types and countless access spots, but we found two spots that were perfect for playing and exploring with kids. Truly, some of the best beaches on Oahu are on the North Shore.

Sunset Beach – Pupukea

Aptly named Sunset Beach is just what you expect to find on Oahu, and particularly on the North Shore. The beach slopes down to the waves pretty steeply but then peters out underwater. You can actually walk into the surf pretty far, and with a watchful eye on a calm day, it’s an ideal family beach.  Heads up if you’re visiting in the winter though, this is where you’ll catch the many surfing competitions. It’s both awesome and not the Hawaii you may be hoping for.

Note: be wary of both rocks and a reef not too far into the waves. There is a lot of coral around Sunset Beach and you don’t want to leave with an injury.

Accommodations on the North Shore

We opted for a really wonderful AirBNB one block from Sunset Beach. We loved being in a neighborhood and hearing kids, as well as the flexibility of dining out or cooking at our place. Our particular accommodations provided us with all the beach equipment we needed: beach towels, chairs, umbrella, snorkel gear, sand toys… It was perfect for our family.

There are other options on the North Shore too, including the Turtle Bay Resort and a variety of hotels within Haleiwa. Really, book what fits your travel style and know that you’re on Oahu and you’ll probably spend minimal time there because there’s so much else to do.

Or if you’re looking for non-AirBNB lodging…

Booking.com (function(d, sc, u) { var s = d.createElement(sc), p = d.getElementsByTagName(sc)[0]; s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.async = true; s.src = u + '?v=' + (+new Date()); p.parentNode.insertBefore(s,p); })(document, 'script', '//aff.bstatic.com/static/affiliate_base/js/flexiproduct.js');

East Side – Kanehoe Bay and Lanikai

If your accommodations on Oahu are up on the North Shore, be sure to take the scenic route to get to Lanikai. You’ll wind past crashing waves and steep green mountains. They’re the views Jurassic Park is made of (and you can stop at the Kualoa Ranch where it was filmed). This will also give you the chance to stop off at a local shop or Foodland to get beach snacks and delicious Oahu food… cuz you’ll never want to leave the beaches of Lanikai.

Parking at Oahu’s Lanikai Beach is easiest in the morning. The beach is accessed through Kailua Beach Park or via one of the neighborhood thru-ways. Once there you’ll be in love with the soft sand and the perfect view. Lanikai Beach is so beautiful because it’s on an open bay with green sloping mountains at its mouth. Gorgeous.

Highlight: while apparently it’s not an everyday occurrence, we saw four or five young sea turtles at Lanikai. Immediately upon arriving at the beach we saw young hones (Hawaiian green sea turtles) surfacing and diving. We got in the water to swim and they would show up next to us. Amazing nature experience!

Accommodations on the East Side of Oahu

The towns of Kanahoe Bay, Lanikai, and Waimanolo all have hotels for a variety of budgets. You actually can book some pretty mainstream brands in one of these East Side towns to make your Oahu vacation more budget friendly. Booking.com (function(d, sc, u) { var s = d.createElement(sc), p = d.getElementsByTagName(sc)[0]; s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.async = true; s.src = u + '?v=' + (+new Date()); p.parentNode.insertBefore(s,p); })(document, 'script', '//aff.bstatic.com/static/affiliate_base/js/flexiproduct.js');

Family friendly snorkeling around Oahu

If I didn’t know better I’d guess that the word “Oahu” meant “Plentiful waters full of colorful fish and turtles.” Like with our recommendations for beachs, snorkeling can be enjoyed all around Oahu.

Rocky Coves of the West Coast – Waianae

The west side, from Waianae up to Keawaula is ideal for snorkeling on a calm day. There aren’t a lot of protected bays (with breakers) on this side of the island but if you find a nice beach access point with safe parking off the highway, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the wide variety of fish you’ll find. Remember, the Hawaiian Island are the tops of volcanoes so there are lots of rocky area for coral reefs to form and life to flourish.

Another highlight of the area was the honu, Hawaiian green sea turtle, population. They were visible even before we were watching them underwater. Hawaiian green sea turtles like to dine on algae, undersea grasses and sea weed, so fining a cove with just the right mix of rocks and plant life made for some incredible underwater moments.

Note: there is an appropriate/safe way to observe sea turtles underwater. The following are NOAA’s guidelines for swimming around or observing sea turtles.

do not actively approach sea turtles

do not attempt to feed the animals

do not encircle a turtle

limit viewing/observation time to less than 30 minutes

Sharks Cove – Haleiwa

One of our friend’s said that we shouldn’t include Sharks Cove in our suggestions for visiting Oahu so that it doesn’t get all crazy with tourists, and I can respect that. So here’s all I’ll say:

Sharks Cove isn’t much of a beach, but its lagoon is worth a visit. A long line of breaker rocks forms a boundary between the open ocean and crazy waves of the North Shore, and on the land side of the breaker is an idyllic lagoon. It’s got all kinds of fish and sea life to discover, some nice swimming holes, and it was great to visit with kids.

Due to limited parking and wanting to keep the area mellow, plan a short visit in the morning and then head up the road a bit to get your actual beach time, either at Sunset Beach or Waimea Bay Beach Park.

Tip: across the street from Sharks Cove is an awesome food truck depot. It’s got its own parking and is an ideal lunch spot.

East Side snorkeling – Kailua and Lanikai

The very same beach we enjoyed with kids, Lanikai, also proved to be pretty good for snorkeling. Primarily we were observing the young honu population (Hawaiian green sea turtles) but we also were watching for humuhumunukunukuapua’a and pufferfish. There were all sorts of small fish, but these were the big ticket species.

Tip: if you head further south from Lanikai you’ll come to Kaupō Beach Park in Waimanalo. The coves and reefs in this area are much rockier than Lanikai and may have a wider variety of fish.

Getting on the water off Oahu

Getting out onto the water is a must if you’re in a tropical location, particularly Hawaii. While you won’t find as many tour operators or boats for hire off Oahu as you do in a place like Cabo San Lucas, but there are still plenty of choices. We did a catamaran sailing adventure with Hawaii Nautical.

The highlights of getting out on the water vs just hitting the beach were watching the Hawaiian green sea turtles surfacing all around us and the Hawaiian spinner dolphins jumping and chasing everywhere we looked. The wildlife was really incredible and easy for the kids to enjoy without getting into the open water.

Another highlight of going on a catamaran was the crew providing unique experiences. We loved it when one of the guys on board dove into the water to bring up urchins, sea stars and even an octopus to show the kids. Also, a great Hawaiian lunch of kalua pork finished off our time on the water, so score there!

It’s amazing how writing about the beaches on Oahu and all of the fun water activities makes it almost okay that we’re in the Pacific Northwest most of the rest of the year. Really, you can’t go wrong with spending time as a family, a couple, or solo walking the beaches and exploring the nature around the Island of Oahu.

We’re excited to go back when the kids are better snorkelers, but in the meantime, anybody up for letting us dads hide in your suitcases when you head to Oahu? Seriously, let us know. 😉

Want to pin this for planning your own adventure lounging on and exploring the beaches on Oahu?  Go for it!

Experiencing tropical waters: boats and beaches on Oahu There's nothing like experiencing the beaches of Oahu and having unforgettable wildlife encounters. We've been around and I'll tell ya', snorkeling and lounging on all sides of Oahu is awesome.

#beaches #boating #catamaran #hawaii #Oahu #sea turtles #snorkeling #tropical

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We will never not appreciate how colorful Mexico is. From our trips around Baja California Sur to road trippin’ on the Yucatan, there are always new places to enjoy. The colorful towns of the Yucatan are exceptionally cool and fun, and each is so different! OMG, road trip theme: colorful towns and street art. Okay, here you go!

Your complete Yucatan road trip itinerary (with bonus plans)

Starting in Cancun, since that’s where you fly into usually, grab your rental car and plan your stops.  The plan I’ve made here is good for a four to six day road trip focusing on towns and relaxation, but it could easily be stretched out to ten days if you wanted. And know that this plan doesn’t include every cenote or Mayan ruins site, but you can add those in too.

First stop: Puerto Morelos

South of Cancun about forty minutes, this colorful little town is at the start of the Ruta de Cenotes: the Cenotes Road.  While it isn’t a resort town, per se, it’s very much centered around tourism and the beach. The town square is just off the beach and it’s surrounded by small hotels and open air restaurants. There is some beautiful street art, plenty of colorful buildings, and a small malecon for strolling

This town is great for a day trip if you’re in the mood to relax and people watch, or if you are looking for a quiet town to escape to for a few days.  There are tourists here, but not many. Puerto Morelos feels like the town locals probably visit when they’re having their own beach days…

Note: near the beach the prices of EVERYTHING are crazy.  It’s not that I’m an American that wants to haggle or something, but I was looking for an inexpensive beach towel and the only options were very cheap small towels for $27 or $36 USD. And there was no compromise. The prices and mood here are very different from more touristy areas.

Ideas for activities around Puerto Morelos include boat tours to get out on the water, chillin’ on the beach, driving the Ruta de Cenotes (love Cenotes Siete Bocas!), or using this as a home base for visits to Cancun or Playa del Carmen.

Chillin’ in Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen has been one of my favorite spots in Mexico for a few years. Yes, it’s totally built up now and there are tourists and vacationers EVERYWHERE, but it’s still awesome. The town itself is colorful and fun with the feel of a small city.  The beach is easily accessible from nearly everywhere, the residents are welcoming, and the food is stellar. Can you go wrong mixing Mexican food and super fresh seafood? No.

Staying at Club Yebo Hotel – Playa del Carmen

An ideal spot for overnighting in Playa del Carmen, the Club Yebo Hotel was super cool. Nestled into one of the more quiet streets just off the main strip in Playa del Carmen, it was exactly what I’d hoped. The courtyard was kind of a jungle with huge trees and elevated walkways, the pool area was beautiful and calm, and my room was simple with plenty of space and amenities.

At night, despite being right between the beach and the party scene of Playa del Carmen, it was very quiet. In the morning, I was able to grab coffee and breakfast just outside the hotel at the little cafe. It was kind of perfect.

Tip:  follow Club Yebo Hotel on Instagram to get ideas for visiting Playa del Carmen, to get inspiration to plan a trip, or to watch for deals that they share through social media.

Playa del Carmen at night

Who knew Playa del Carmen was such a crazy place? Until this last trip I’d only visited Playa in the daytime and now I know where Mexico goes to party. There were more people out in Playa after dark than I’ve seen anywhere else, including the Castro of San Francisco. Shoulder to shoulder people in some spots. There were countless restaurants with outdoor seating, lots of bars, there were break dancers, street performers and so much more. The spectacle of Playa del Carmen at night is something to experience. And street tacos too.

Akumal: colorful nature

This is one of my favorite places in Mexico. I’ve been here before (check out my article) and it was incredible. This most recent visit was just as incredible as before.

The town site of Akumal is built around the beach, as this is the prime destination on the Yucatan for spotting and swimming with sea turtles. Little pockets of restaurants and small hotels are all within a two minute walk to the playa. If you’re into larger resorts, there are a few options here in Akumal, but even those are mellow in comparison to what you’ll find in Cancun.

When it comes to experiencing wildlife in Akumal, that’s where I start to ramble. On this last trip, I saw seven sea turtles swimming, eating sea grass on the floor, and resting. One even swam over to investigate me!  I’ve seen stingrays, loads of tropical fish, and just enjoyed laying in the sand. It’s perfect.

Note:  there are times that Turtle Cove at Akumal is closed due to too many tourists or a lot of turtles laying in the area. Getting to swim with the turtles isn’t a guarantee, but if you do, you need to exercise caution and respect.

Also in Akumal is Cenote Yal Ku. At the end of the beach road you’ll find a small parking area and an attendant in a palapa style structure. You pay your entry fee ($15 USD as of Feb 2017) and make your way to the most unique cenote. Hugely open and full of mangroves, Cenote Yal Ku is unlike any other I’ve visited. The fish population was off the charts and the direct connection to the Caribbean made for an interesting flow of water as I snorkeled. So fun and colorful!

Valladolid:  colorful Mexico

This is my new favorite city in Mexico. Valladolid was so colorful and full of amazing sights! I hate to play to the millennial vibe, but it’s seriously the most Instagramable place I’ve ever visited. Between the towering church in El Centro to the colorful buildings lining the narrow streets, to the plethora of old VW beetles, it’s a photographer’s dream.

Valladolid still feels rather undiscovered when you consider the larger Yucatan towns like Cancun or Playa. Unlike the main tourist areas, you do actually need to speak Spanish in Valladolid. Primarily, the town is a residential one and also home to the local Universidad de Valladolid. If I wanted to stay someplace totally chill and beautiful that the whole family would enjoy, Valladolid would be it. Yes, not close to any beaches, but there’s a cenote right in the middle of town, so…

Yes! There is an enormous cenote directly in downtown Valladolid. Cenote Xin Ha is one of the largest cenotes on the Yucatan and is, hands down, one of the coolest natural wonders I’ve ever seen. There’s a fee for entry of course, but find me a cenote that doesn’t cost something. Once you’re scaling the steps down into the grand cavern, you have the option of doing the full loop or just jumping in off any given cliff. I did the loop and checked out the bat caves and stalactites, but eventually found a small cliff to jump off of that didn’t make me terrified. After relaxing for a bit, I hiked back out and continued to explore the town. Lovely time in Valladolid!

Tip: the city is very walkable and safe, but you need to be sure you’re parking legally, as Valladolid doesn’t have clearly marked parking areas/signs. I had to chat with the police upon returning to my car, and they were awesome and hilarious about my parking job, but it could’ve gone a different path.

Bonus city: Merida on the Western Yucatan

If you have time, spend a day or two in Merida. We haven’t visited yet, but everybody says it’s beautiful and its Spanish colonial heritage makes for some interesting historic sites.  This is also where you can stay if you plan on visiting Rio Lagartos or Los Colorados for flamingo viewing. Just an idea…

And think of all the colorful VWs you can spot on your drive across the Yucatan…

Next colorful Yucatan stop: Isla Holbox

I returned my car to Alamo Rent a Car at the Cancun airport and headed to the international arrivals terminal to meet a friend. We found our driver with Transfer Holbox and buckled up.  This was a mini road trip itself.

A couple of hours in the shuttle and a few Coronas later we made it to Chiquila, a tiny town on the water where we would be catching the ferry to Isla Holbox. It was a beautiful Caribbean night so we sat on the upper deck and enjoyed the ride while a local busted out his amp and microphone and sang for tips.  It was all too fun to be true, but it was.

Note: there are different boats that do the ferry service, and depending on the model of boat and the roughness of the waters, sitting outside may not be an option due to the huge waves/spray.

Exploring Isla Holbox

This cool little island is off the northern tip of the Yucatan and it’s still fairly chill for being a Caribbean destination. It’s a strange place, I’ll be honest. And FYI, it’s said “Hole-bosh.”

You arrive by boat and that in itself is kind of an adventure. Once you’re on the island, the only transportation is via golf cart taxis or bikes that you rent. Actually, you could also rent your own golf cart if you really wanted. There isn’t pavement except for some areas of the town with paved sidewalks.

The town of Holbox is very similar to other Mexican towns in that it’s pretty colorful and is 60% restaurants. What makes it different (in addition to the golf carts) is that it’s full of street art and hammocks. Yeah, both in the water and in the town you can use or rent hammocks to chill out randomly.

We ate at several different restaurants in town, but my favorite was El Champlin. This small restaurant in the heart of downtown, just off the main square, has no menu. Each day the chef sees what’s fresh and available and makes four dishes. When we went, the options were stewed shrimps, bone-in tenderloin, lobster and cream sauce, and grouper (fish) with poblano peppers. I had the grouper and it was remarkable. Delicious with a really subtle heat.

Overall, the food of Isla Holbox really seemed to be Mexican inspired but big-city trendy. It was not what I was expecting.

Isla Holbox has plenty of hotels to choose from (we stayed at Villa Flamingos) and pricing is still fairly inexpensive for being the Caribbean. It seemed that most of the visitors to the island were either from Canada or Europe. There weren’t a ton of Americans in town.

Tip: if you can be on Isla Holbox for Carnival, do it! It’s not like Carnival in Venice or Mardi Gras in Mobile, but it’s fun and the whole town is in on the party.

Gah, there is so much more that we could share about visiting the colorful towns of the Yucatan, but this is good for now.  Be sure to check out our other articles about Quintana Roo, including:

Playa del Carmen

Swimming with Sea Turtles in Akumal

The Coba Ruins

Travel for Yoga: Isla Holbox Yoga Retreat

Cenotes of the Yucatan / Cenotes Dos Ojos (my fav)

…and so much more!!!

And you should for sure pin this for planning your own colorful towns of the Yucatan road trip. It’ll be so much fun!!!

Yucatan Peninsula road trip: colorful towns of the Yucatan We will never not appreciate how colorful Mexico is. From our trips around Baja California Sur…

#Akumal #Cancun #Club Yebo Hotel #Isla Holbox #Playa Del Carmen #Puerto Morelos #road trip #Scenic Route #Valladolid #Yucatan

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We’ve been really fortunate to get to partner with the Universal Orlando Resort this year. With so many fun trips to Orlando, it’s given us loads of insight into how to visit Universal Orlando with small kids and have an amazing time doing it. We’ve got tips for having the most fun as a family as well as a few expectations you can set for yourself around what your kids may or may not be up for. It’s all about fun and being together, so make the most of it!

Universal Orlando with small kids is non-stop fun and completely doable even though there are so many attractions for big kids. From resort pools to meeting favorite characters, there is something for every age and every family at Universal Studios Orlando, Florida. 2traveldads.com

Universal Orlando with Small Kids: “how to” enjoy to the max

I’ll be the first to say that upon my first visit to the Universal Orlando Resort I didn’t think it would be a great place for our kids. You know, we have a 3 and a 6 year old and they’re all about nature and get spooked easily, so after going around the parks with adults I could see just how much fun big kids and adults could have, but not our small kids.  I was wrong.  Here’s how to ensure your whole family has a blast all around the Universal Orlando Resort.

Universal Orlando Hotel recommendations for families

Having stayed at four of the hotels at the Universal Orlando Resort, both with and without the kids, I can confidently say that the hotels are each very different but are great for any family of any age.  Below are our preferences having done Universal Orlando with small kids already and we loved our experiences.

Staying at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort

I love this hotel. Love love love it.  Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort is the coolest hotel transported right out of space-race 1960s Florida. Visually, it’s stunning and nails every vintage element down to the bars of Zest soap in the guest rooms. There are two enormous pools on the property, one with a water slide and kid zone and the other with a lazy river and lounge space galore.  And there’s a bowling alley, because what would the 1960s have been (or our grandparents’ free time) without bowling.

The rooms are great with plenty of space for families.  We’ve had two different room types and both were ideal. The two queen room overlooking Volcano Bay was ideal for getting the kids inspired each day to move a little faster, but the family suites with separate living room area and kitchenette were perfect for extra space and having separation from the sleeping area.

Tip: for the fastest access to Volcano Bay, request to be in the Bayside Tower

Dining at Cabana Bay is pretty easy. The Bayliner Diner is a huge dining room with several types of food, both on-demand and grab-and-go, perfect for families with a variety of tastes. Our favorite dining though was at Galaxy Bowl (the bowling alley), both because of the great food (and allergen-free options) and the atmosphere. Universal Orlando with small kids is a breeze when you can feed and entertain the littles at the same time.

Book a family suite (pictured below w/ couch) here!  Or book any other Cabana Bay room here.

Getting to the Universal Orlando Resort Parks from Cabana Bay

Access to Universal Studios and Universal Islands of Adventure is easy from Cabana Bay with several options:

Walk along the pathways to Universal City Walk –  25 minutes

Cross the street to Sapphire Falls to take the water taxi to Universal City Walk – 20 minutes

Take the provided shuttle bus to Universal City Walk – 15 minutes

Loews Sapphire Falls Resort

Sapphire Falls is a beautiful hotel themed after a Caribbean island house. It’s very bright, simple and beachy.  The rooms are spacious and very quiet which makes for great nap time if you’re visiting Universal Orlando with small kids; that’s a big help!  The pools are large with a fun island theme, including a water slide and poolside dining. And super special bonus, the gym at Sapphire Falls is large and centrally located making it easy for parents to switch off watching the kids and to sneak in a workout.   Book a room at Sapphire Falls here!

Dining at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort is easy with several options depending on your needs:

The New Dutch Trading Co. for coffee and grab-and-go meals/snacks

Strong Water for rum and Caribbean cuisine

Amatista Cookhouse for an awesome breakfast spread and really delicious seafood (and more) for dinner

Poolside, The Drhum Club Kantine is great for grabbing lunch during downtime outside of the parks

Getting to the Universal Orlando Resort parks is very quick and easy from Loews Sapphire Falls Resort: catch the water taxi directly to Universal City Walk (about 10 minutes).

Character Dining fun at Universal Orlando with kids

Something we’ll appreciate and cherish as long as we can is how our kids love characters and meeting their favorites in person. If you have the time and the budget, plan on doing a character dining experience. Universal Orlando with small kids gets even better when they come face to face with characters they love.

On certain days (check with the front desk for availability) at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort there is a lovely yet despicable breakfast served… WITH MINIONS! The Despicable Me Character Breakfast was really fun. There were, of course, Minions and Gru and the little girls and pancakes and breakfast treats… The boys loved it, albeit they were a bit cautious about the Minions at first.

Another fun character dining at Universal Orlando was the Marvel Character Dinner in Universal Islands of Adventure. While they haven’t been fully immersed in X-Men culture just yet, they thought meeting superheros was totally the coolest thing ever… And then Captain America showed up, and he was cool… like, the coolest.  AND THEN SPIDERMAN!!! Spidey was absolutely awesome and the kids were in complete superhero heaven.

While the actual food at the Marvel Character Dinner wasn’t amazing (it was also served on plastic plates with plastic cutlery), the one on one time each of the characters spent with each family was incredible. They didn’t just waltz by and do a quick picture. Every character came by, got down to the kids’ level, talked about the tough life of superheros, shared some special skills and taught them how to pose. They hung out, we all chatted; it was perfect.

Having done character dining in other places, including at Universal, I can confidently say that the Marvel Character Dinner was the best experience in character interaction we’ve ever had anywhere. Such a special time!

Tip:  character dining can be expensive for a family, so if it’s not in the budget spend some time in Marvel’s Superhero Island during mid-day when the X-Men, Captain America and Spiderman are out and about for pics.

Best fun in Universal Studios with Small Kids

Head up, this IS NOT a guide to roller coasters and thrills in the parks, but the best fun you can have in Universal Orlando with small kids. Big kids can handle more thrills and excitement, suspense and surprise, most little kids (ours included) don’t like that, so this is our guide to ensure they, and in turn you, have the best time possible.

NOTE: we’ll only say this once, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF CHILD SWAP WHEN IT’S AVAILABLE FOR AN ATTRACTION. Whether due to height or bravery there will be several attractions small kids can’t or won’t do, but you can still enjoy them by leveraging the Child Swap areas and policies.

Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone (and more!)

Located between Hollywood Boulevard and Springfield (The Simpsons), there’s a land meant for small kids and it’s awesome. If you don’t know to look for it, you’ll totally walk past this awesome spot and miss out on a memorable time with your little ones.  From themed play areas full of slides to small scale attractions like the Woody Woodpecker Nuthouse Coaster, small kids could hang out here all day and be completely blissful.

But go beyond the cartoon fun and you arrive at Curious George Goes to Town. Wow! This is the best spot in all of Universal Studios Florida with small kids. A cartoon town straight out of the Curious George stories, this attraction/area is a water park meant for wild and crazy kids. There are activities all through the Town from water cannons to huge buckets dumping water all around. There are fun areas to explore and a few soaking surprises to watch out for. It’s just the best!

Note: if you enter the attraction area of Curious George Goes to Town YOU WILL GET WET. Kids must keep their clothes and shoes on, so be prepared for drippy children. Seriously, soaked.

Little Moments, Big Fun for Families in Universal Studios

For me as an adult, I just love to wander through the different city scenes that make up Universal Studios. It’s just like being on a movie set (and they’re sometimes used for them too). The kids also enjoyed this. The best part of the city scenes though are the great characters that are wandering around. Our favorites were, of course, Scooby Doo and Marilyn Monroe, but there are many more. Watch for Beetlejuice, Betty Boop, Lucille Ball, Doc Brown, the Simpsons, the Mystery Machine (w/ the gang) and more.

Note:  while a highlight for me was getting to meet Bumble Bee and Optimus Prime of the Transformers, our small kids were genuinely freaked out by them. Just a heads up: you may be surprised by what startles little kids.

Other fun we had as we wandered, since the boys weren’t into riding attractions, was sharing the Big Pink Donut available in Springfield. This might not sound that great, but OMG, it’s the best doughnut ever and one is big enough for a family to share. Small kids see special treats with different eyes than parents sometimes, and if you’re going to choose one special sugary treat to share, go for the Big Pink Donut.

How to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter with small kids

Without a doubt the most popular areas of either Universal Studios Florida or Universal Islands of Adventure are the Wizarding World of Harry Potter sections.  Each park has a very different experience for guests and really, they’re so magical!

The Diagon Alley Experience with kids

As you enter London you can feel the excitement build. You’ve got Kings Cross Station, the Knight Bus, a characteristic red telephone booth… and then the secret entrance to Diagon Alley. Amazing! …but here’s what happened with our small kids and here’s how to experience Diagon Alley in the most peaceful and pleasant way.

Our first experience:  we entered Diagon Alley through the brick wall, wands at the ready, and immediately the fire breathing dragon came to life directly in front of us. Elliott (3 years old) freaked out and has never been more terrified in his life. We then left.

How to enjoy Diagon Alley with Small Kids

If you have little ones that are easily spooked, we recommend entering Diagon Alley through the wood framed entrance to the right of the brick entrance. This will bring you to a side-street within Diagon Alley and it’s beautiful and fun and not scary in the slightest. There are plenty of spots to cast spells and check out shops right in this spot, and there are fewer people. Also, you can’t see the dragon, which is what we needed.

Tip: because the whole of Diagon Alley is awesome and there are lots of spells to cast and things to see, explore the area and learn to listen for the dragon warming up her fire. The growl is unmistakable and when it starts you’ve got a minute or so to move to a sheltered area out of view.

For our oldest son, Oliver (6 years old), he LOVED everything about Diagon Alley and was quite good at casting spells. At 6 years old he was still too scared to ride Escape from Gringotts (which is super cool!) but enjoyed the performances on the stage, the spell casting, and window shopping in Fred and George’s shop. Oh, and he was very proud to tell everyone that he’s a Hufflepuff.

Tip: Knockturn Alley is just off Diagon Alley and there are some fun spells to cast within the dark spaces. Again, be aware as you enter with small kids that it’s dark and there are noises, but if they can get past the dark, it’s an incredible space to hang out.

To keep exploring the Wizarding World of Harry Potter head to Kings Cross Station with the kids.  Riding the Hogwarts Express is fun and even though it’s got some surprises, small kids can handle it pretty well.

Tip: have the kids ask how to get to Platform 9 ¾. The station workers have no clue what or where that is… and they have never heard of the Hogwarts Express.  This show element makes getting to the train and walking through the wall even more special (and darn funny to watch their faces).

Kids in Hogsmeade and Hogwarts

If you’re not well versed in all things Harry Potter, Hogsmeade is the little village near Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It’s adorable and walking through is really cool.  This portion of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is great with small kids because it’s not all surprises all the time, but just fun around every corner.

There are quite a few spells to cast and some great spots for relaxing. Dining at the Three Broomsticks is an easy lunch option with both air conditioned dining space inside and patio seating out back. Perfect for grabbing a Butterbeer and a few minutes of downtime.

Tip:  if your kids aren’t used to drinking soda pop don’t get the soda version of Butterbeer, get the frozen one. The regular soda style is really sweet and quite fizzy and will go to waste if they don’t dig it.

Also fun in Hogsmeade is Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey inside Hogwarts Castle and the Flight of the Hippogriff. The Hippogriff is a small roller coaster that doesn’t seem daunting, but it’s a bit rough, so just know that as you hop on it with small kids.

Tip: if you want to share the really neat, really magical queue experience of walking through Hogwarts but not actually ride the ride, it’s totally worth it. The talking portraits are incredible and it might even snow…

Top Universal Islands of Adventure Activities with Small Kids

I wish we could say that the kids are going to love riding Kong, but no. Not likely for young kids even if they’re tall enough to ride. But don’t worry! Universal Islands of Adventure is loaded with activities and spaces perfect for a family trip with small kids.

Enjoying Seuss Landing with the Fam

I’m pretty sure reading Dr. Seuss books is an activity every family enjoys at some stage of life, so whether you can recite the Cat in the Hat or only just remember something about rotten eggs and rancid ham, you’ll have a great time and so will the kids! With several attractions designed to make Universal Orlando with small kids extra fun, Seuss Landing is a sure-fire way to make the youngest of your crew happy.

The High In the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride! that goes above Seuss Landing and through the Circus McGurkus Cafe is fun and funny and gives some great views of the whole Islands of Adventure park. If I Ran the Zoo is a great maze full of fun (and some water features) that will get the kids burning off energy. Watching the Seuss Landing team whip up the biggest, craziest cotton candy poofs entertained our kids for nearly a half hour.  So many great ways to relax and have fun as a family.

Note: the Cat in the Hat attraction is intense. While the story is great and the attraction is very well laid out, for small kids (and me) it can be sensory overload like they may not have experienced before. Both our boys buried their heads in their hands and couldn’t watch. Not scary, but A TON going on.

Burning off Energy at Camp Jurassic

We love dinosaurs in our family so spending time in Jurassic Park was a must. The Jurassic Park River Adventure is one of my favorite attractions of all time, ever since I first rode it at Universal Studios Hollywood when I was a kid, but between height requirements and the fear factor it wasn’t an option for us. Never fear though, Camp Jurassic is across the path!

Camp Jurassic is a series of rope bridges, ladders, slides, water cannons, fountains, dinosaur bones and caves. It’s a little kid’s dream playground. With the Pteranodon Flyers circling Camp Jurassic, you feel immersed in a dinosaur experience but without the thrill of a T-Rex ready to eat you.  BRAVE KID IDEA:  see if any brave kids want to go meet a velociraptor up close and personal… cuz that’s an option for the bravest of kids. 

Tip:  if you’re looking to get out of the sun for a while, Camp Jurassic is fully shaded and great for cooling off without getting soaked on a water ride.

Toon Lagoon for Downtime

I always loved reading the comics in the newspaper growing up and walking through Toon Lagoon totally took me back to those moments. With crazy stores, fun fountains, and tasty treats Toon Lagoon is perfect for that late afternoon time when you just need to chill.

Universal Orlando is great about spots like Toon Lagoon mixing big thrills for big kids with play space for young ones. Popeye’s Boat – Me Ship, The Olive – was a great find here. Almost like a rubber bounce house, Popeye’s Boat is safe for running around and climbing and playing, equipped with slides, water cannons for shooting the river ride below, and great views.  Us Dads always love when we find these quiet, nearly undiscovered areas. Our family takes full advantage of spaces like this to make our travels easier.

Tip:  also in Toon Lagoon is Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls flume ride. OMG. Never before have I gotten so soaked on an attraction. USE THE CHILD SWAP at Ripsaw to make sure that adults and big kids can cool off on this completely awesome ride.

Doing Universal’s Volcano Bay with Small Kids

I’ll just say it now, Universal’s Volcano Bay is the ultimate water park.  We love water slides and the kids don’t. We love relaxing in the sun and the kids don’t. Volcano Bay is the perfect blend of all these things.

The kid zone play areas of Runamukka Reef and Tot Tiki Reef are more fun than you can imagine. With very small slides that a three year old can do over and over on his own to bigger slides that have more thrill than the kids might expect, it’s easy to hang out here all day. The area is kind of a maze of fountains and water cannons and slides, so we recommend accompanying the kids through the whole thing, but use your best judgement.

Tip: if your kids are staying in one particular part of the kid zone, take advantage of the lounge chairs that sit at the water’s edge. Relax, get some sun. Chill.

Our other favorite part of Volcano Bay that was perfect with small kids was the Kopiko Wai Winding River. A slow flowing river of fountains and waterfalls, it was great to do as a family over and over. Universal Orlando Resort is great about providing plenty of life jackets for small kids at all of the pools and Volcano Bay is no exception.  We got the kids secured in life jackets before getting in the lazy river and it made it stress free. Our big guy (6 yo) loved having the freedom of floating the river separate of us (but always in view) and Elliott (3 yo) just loved holding hands and splashing as we went.

Note:  there is a second river in Volcano Bay that’s NOT lazy, called TeAwa the Fearless River. That river has a height requirement and even the adults must wear life jackets. It’s a raging river with rapids and waves. Truly, not a lazy river at all and not for small kids.

To make sure the adults have just as much fun as the kids, rotate who’s watching over them in the kid zone while one of you goes off to do the drop slides or some of the larger tube rides.  We loved doing the Krakatau Aquacoaster and the Ohyah and Ohno slides, but there are so many, you could spend all day and not do the same slide twice.

Planning for a Day in the Waterpark

There are a few approaches you can take to a family day at Volcano Bay (or any water park). We like to show up in our swimsuits with sunblock already on so that we can get into the water immediately.  We have our standard supplies we bring and set a time limit for our day in the sun and water. Here’s our packing list for a water park day with small kids:

Towels – can be rented at Volcano Bay if needed

Waterproof Sunblock – most gentle with minimum safe SPF for weather conditions

Water – bring your own reusable water bottles so you’re not generating trash

Snacks – arriving with your own snacks is a great way to stay on budget

Hats – keeping the kids heads out of the sun helps them last longer for playing

Sunglasses – bring some you don’t mind getting water spots on

Water shoes – aqua-socks are great when you spend all day running around on concrete, sand and rubber

Universal’s Volcano Bay has plenty of lockers to rent if you like or you can leave your backpack someplace you feel is safe while you and your family do slides and such. We are more trusting than some so we felt comfortable leaving all of our stuff at our lounge chairs.

Volcano Bay really is one of the most fun things to do in Universal Orlando with small kids. It’s worth getting the 3-Park ticket or even just planning time there. We loved it so much!

Enjoying Volcano Bay Universal Orlando Resort

Wow! That was a lot of information but really, now you know how to plan out your time and what to expect when doing Universal Orlando with small kids. There is tons of fun to be had and Universal has put a lot of thought into many different ways to ensure that both adults and little kids can have equally good times.

Universal Orlando with small kids is non-stop fun and completely doable even though there are so many attractions for big kids. From resort pools to meeting favorite characters, there is something for every age and every family at Universal Studios Orlando, Florida. 2traveldads.com

Want to pin this for when you’re planning and booking your own Universal Orlando Resort Vacation? Go for it!!!

Universal Orlando with Small Kids: how to make sure everyone has a blast We’ve been really fortunate to get to partner with the Universal Orlando Resort this year. With so many fun trips to Orlando, it's given us loads of insight into how to visit…

#Cabana Bay #family travel #Islands of Adventure #Sapphire Falls #theme park #Universal Orlando Resort #Universal Studios

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We love time in the Rocky Mountains, but it’s rare that we get to enjoy it in Colorado. We’re exploring Denver and beyond this week and it’s started with a bang! Planning for the family to visit Colorado was as simple as Googling “Denver + hiking + kids + science”. OMG.  Let’s just say that it’s given us the perfect Denver area itinerary for the week.

We’ve partnered up with Visit Colorado, Visit Denver and Visit Estes Park to make sure that we can experience and share our most interesting and totally Colorado sites.  If you have some ideas for places for us to visit or any insider tips, please share!

Follow our travel journal as we Visit Colorado and explore the neighborhoods of Denver, find kid friendly hikes all around, experience the arts and sciences of Colorado’s top museums and venture to Estes Park for some relaxed time and hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park. Colorado with kids is a fun, unique trip.

Starting in Denver: lunch at Steuben’s

We landed in Denver to blue skies and no traffic. Score!  After picking up our car and heading into the city, we immediately sought out lunch (even if it was a bit earlier than normal).  We headed right to Steuben’s Uptown on the recommendation of a friend and it was ideal for the family. Straight out of the 60s, it was a great taste of Denver with healthy options as a standard for kids and craft beer at the ready for the dads. With roasted chicken, Philly cheese and edamame with cucumbers, we were set. And driving around the neighborhood we saw many more cool foodie spots that we MUST come back to. Just another reason to Visit Colorado more often.

Staying at Capitol Hill Mansion B&B downtown

The kids always love it when we check into a new hotel. Like, it’s the highlight of the trip. When we pulled up to the Capitol Hill Mansion Bed and Breakfast, they were totally stoked.  Built in the 1890s and pretty monumental in the neighborhood, the Mansion had the perfect spot for us. We’re in a two room suite with our own entrance and plenty of room for the kids. It’s great for relaxing, sleeping and getting a bit of work done. And it’s walking distance to everything.

Hiking at Dinosaur Ridge and Red Rocks Park

Of course we’re going hiking when we visit Colorado! Dinosaur Ridge was our starting point. We headed up the hill, checking out the fossils all up the hillside and in the rocks and the kids were just as wowed as any adult. Really cool.  The highlight of Dinosaur Ridge though is actually the dinosaur bones still in the rocks and dirt. Oliver (our oldest) was really excited to spot a few dinosaur bones that weren’t labled. #paleantologist

Red Rocks is really cool.  Just past Dinosaur Ridge it’s more than the famous amphitheater. With endless hiking trails and the Colorado Music Hall of Fame, there’s something for everyone at Red Rocks Park.  Because the kids were a bit tired and we’d already hiked 2.5 miles in the warm sun, we just did the simlple Trading Post Trail Loop. It was short, really dramatically beautiful and there were bunnies.  It was a hit!

Coolest dining experience: Avanti F&B

We didn’t completely understand the concept of Avanti F&B when we arrived, but it was really incredible. A whole bunch of restauarateurs got together in this big cooperative space with some bars, outdoor seating, dining rooms, lounge space and beautiful views of downtown Denver and they created the most delicious collection of diverse food.  We enjoyed poke (we love poke), Mexican food, Peruvian sandwiches, deep fried risotto, gelato and more. It was a really fun way to dine with kids and we ate a bit too much goodness. When you visit Colorado, be sure to stop into Avanti F&B for a truly unusual experience.

Continue to follow along as we continue to explore some of the lesser known Denver sites and go beyond the city. And don’t forget to leave us you best tips for a Visit to Denver or beyond.

Follow our travel journal as we Visit Colorado and explore the neighborhoods of Denver, find kid friendly hikes all around, experience the arts and sciences of Colorado’s top museums and venture to Estes Park for some relaxed time and hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park. Colorado with kids is a fun, unique trip.

Follow our travel journal as we Visit Colorado and explore the neighborhoods of Denver, find kid friendly hikes all around, experience the arts and sciences of Colorado’s top museums and venture to Estes Park for some relaxed time and hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park. Colorado with kids is a fun, unique trip.

Follow our travel journal as we Visit Colorado and explore the neighborhoods of Denver, find kid friendly hikes all around, experience the arts and sciences of Colorado’s top museums and venture to Estes Park for some relaxed time and hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park. Colorado with kids is a fun, unique trip.

Visit Colorado: our crazy fun travel journal of Denver and beyond We love time in the Rocky Mountains, but it's rare that we get to enjoy it in Colorado.

#art museum #Avanti F&B #botanical garden #children&039;s museum #Denver #dinosaurs #Estes Park #hiking #Red Rocks #Rocky Mountain National Park #Rocky Mountains #zoo

[2traveldads-blog]

We share a lot about staying healthy while traveling and keeping the kids’s learning wherever we are, and that’s because we know how important it is and because we love to give out free advice. 😉 Well here’s another helping of advice that’s extremely useful, both for parents and for those who might have to watch over somebody else’s kids at home or on the road. Keeping kids healthy involves everything from ensuring they have proper nutrition to maintaining a clean home environment.

As part of our partnership with Know Your OTCs, we’re sharing our top five tips for keeping kids healthy, particularly when traveling.  Also, take note of some of the retro advice that we call out, as it’s nice to check what you know vs what’s actually doctor recommended.

Top Tips for Keeping Kids Healthy While Traveling

To get it started, take a sec to watch this fun video we were a part of for sharing tips and recommendations for ensure kids stay healthy and safe in the sun and more.

Tip 1:  physical activity does a world of good

It doesn’t take much to make your body feel better when you wake up a bit sore or when you think you’ve been sitting too long on an airplane.  Physical activity gets the blood moving and helps your body recover by moving vitamins and nutrients where it’s needed. The same goes for kids’ bodies. Keeping kids healthy while traveling starts with keeping them moving.

In addition to the benefit of good circulation, keeping kids physically active teaches them good, healthy habits that with sustain them and keep them physically fit all life long. This doesn’t mean that you take you nephews on a trip with you and then figure out where they can do Cross-fit for Kids, but it’s ensuring that when you’re the adult in charge that you don’t just plop the kids in front of a screen. They’ll have their whole live for that.

Easy activities to keep kids healthy and active when traveling

Plan time outside – going for walks or to the park is easy, doesn’t cost anything and can happen nearly anywhere.  We love visiting National Parks and historic places.

Go for a hike – you don’t have to climb Kilimanjaro with kids to teach them the value of a nice hike; mild, easy hikes are great to inspire future hiking habits. Check out great Washington state hikes with kids.

Biking – most kids love it and most destinations have cheap and easy bike rental options; if a child is too small for biking or doesn’t know how yet, child carriers and double bikes are often available.  We love biking in the Golden Isles of Georgia or Seattle.

Paddling – watch for Groupons and other travel deals for where you’re heading to score inexpensive kayak rentals that are great exercise for any age.  Kayaking in Florida and around Washington is fun and available nearly everywhere.

Taylor Family Kayaking in Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo Obispo County, CA

Tip 2:  proper sleep has big benefits

Whenever we travel without our kids we always are sure to give clear but flexible instructions around sleeping schedules.  We know what they need and how they behave when we through their regular sleep times out the window, so communicating that with whomever is watching over the kids is very important.  Example: kids go to auntie’s how for the weekend and stay up until 10pm and the youngest skips naps, two days after we’re all together again we still have cranky kids, worn out kids susceptible to getting sick more easily.

Retro advice:  kids don’t need naps after they’re two or three.

Actual advice:  you know your kids’ needs and what they can handle and still remain healthy and human; share those needs with their caregiver or if you’re traveling with your kids, keep in mind what you know is good for them.  If you know your kids need naps or just downtime in general to stay happy and healthy, build that into your travel schedule.

Tip 3:  sunscreen even on the gray days

Traveling or at home, sunscreen is something we’re sure to use for keeping kids healthy.  We know that there is a lot of value to getting sunshine, particularly in teaching young bodies how to produce Vitamin D, but we also know that too much sun exposure can both cause sunburns and make kids physically ill.

We are careful about using sunblock with the kids in a few different ways.

We want our kids to be protected from sunburns, particularly when we travel to tropical locations where the sun is extra intense

We only use reef-safe/fish safe sunblocks because we need to be thoughtful about the impact we have on the world

We apply sunscreen on warm gray days too; overcast skies sometimes produce some of the most intense and unexpected sunburns.

We don’t use TOO MUCH sunblock on the kids or TOO HARSH of products; they still need to get sun for healthy Vitamin D production and we don’t want to coat our children in chemicals. No thank you.

We’re not doctors, so we’re going to refer you to your own pediatrician for advice around how much time in the sun is good for keeping kids healthy. Like with anything, researching on the internet can be helpful, but when you have a live resource who you know and trust, like a family doctor, they can be the most help.

Retro advice: block that sun; lather kids up and don’t let them get too tan.

Actual advice: using a gentle, environmentally responsible sunblock in moderation helps to protect kids’ skin as well as allow them to benefit from natural sunlight.

Tip 4:  follow instructions for medications and remedies

Most kids don’t need to be taking medications on the regular, but there are times when a cold or allergies sneak up on them and you choose to give them a remedy or over-the-counter drug (OTC), or even if they become ill and the doctor prescribes something for them and you’ve been instructed to see the medication through to completion. Whenever you are using a medication or remedy, with yourself or your children, always follow the dosing instructions provided. And this may seem odd to call out, but use the measurement tool provided with children’s medications. You don’t want to just eye it when you’re giving your child something to help them feel better.

Retro advice:  using a kitchen spoon is fine for dosing cough syrup and such.

Actual advice:  pay attention to the clearly written dosage on any medication or remedy and use the tool provided; some are listed in mililiters (mL) and some in ounces (oz).

And don’t be afraid to remind the babysitter or grandparent of this too. Even though it is logical to follow instructions, some people have their own ideas of what works. FYI, this goes for vitamins too.  FYI, gummy vitamins aren’t a treat and they DO HAVE dosing instructions to make sure kids don’t get too much and become ill.

Tip 5:  good hygiene has lasting effects

Keeping kids healthy is as easy as good hygiene.  We travel a ton, A TON, with the kids and whenever we’re in airports, train stations, theme parks, National Parks, restaurants, ferry terminals, elevators, forts, museums… we always make certain that they’re washing they’re hands and not touching their faces. This goes back to our article on flu prevention while traveling. Keeping clean keeps kids healthy.

This also goes for teaching young kids to be sanitary/hygienic. This one falls more to parents or primary caregivers than to babysitters or the random friend who watches your kids for the night so you can have a nice dinner in a new city (always do that). Teaching kids to mind their bums and wash themselves well when bathing is very important. We’ve all known or been around the stinky kid in school and often it came down to them not bathing well or wearing clean clothes, and sadly that kid was probably made fun of and didn’t have a good sense of self esteem or positivity. Outfit your kids with the skills to take care of themselves personally and they’ll grow up to be healthy, happy, confident individuals who in turn with raise their own little healthy kids.

Retro advice: kids will be kids and they’ll make fun of other kids for one thing if it’s not another.

Actual advice:  teach your kids self-care and how to be a part of society so they can have a positive impact on others, starting with teaching them to take pride in themselves. It’s true that you can’t control other children and how they might hurt your own kids’ feelings, but setting your children up for success as best as possible is a step toward keeping kids healthy into adulthood, both mentally and physically.

Whether you’re taking care of your own or watching over somebody else’s children, keeping kids healthy is easy and shows them just how much you care and love them.  The tips above apply to traveling with kids just as much as being home with them or leaving them with a trusted friend or family member. Being active, getting sleep, being mindful of the sun, using medications as directed, and proper hygiene are simple and effective ways to keep kids healthy (and yourself too!).

Want to pin this for later when you need leave your kids with a sitter, or when you know you’ll be watching somebody else’s children? Go for it!  Parenting and childcare is hard enough, so good and simple advice can go a long way in making it easier. 🙂

Keeping kids healthy while traveling (and at home too!) We share a lot about staying healthy while traveling and keeping the kids’s learning wherever we are, and that’s because we know how important it is and because we love to give out free advice.

#family travel #Know Your OTCs #parenting #travel tips

[2traveldads-blog]

One of the most cool and unique aspects of touring the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico is the abundance of Mayan ruins. The Mayans were spread all across the Yucatan and down into Belize, Guatemala and beyond. They left behind thousands of small and large structures on the beaches and in the jungles. I spent several days exploring the Yucatan Peninsula and can recommend, what I’m confident are, the four best Mayan ruins sites on the Yucatan and each is completely worth the visit.

Planning your visit to the Yucatan Mayan Ruins

Most people visiting the Yucatan will be staying in one of the larger tourist areas, such as Cancun, Playa del Carmen or Tulum. As you make your decision about where to stay, consider the following activities that you’ll want to be close to:  the Yucatan Mayan ruins, beaches, and cenotes.

You’ll find beaches all along the Caribbean side of the Yucatan and most are picture perfect, but to find the perfect spot that puts you close to endless opportunities for exploring ruins and more is tricky.  Playa del Carmen is the most centrally located place to stay and there is plenty of fun and wonderful food to be had there, so that’s my top pick for a home base when you’re touring the Peninsula, particularly if you’re planning to visit the best Yucatan ruins.

Tip:  I stayed at the Club Yebo Hotel in downtown Playa del Carmen and really enjoyed both the accommodations and the location of the hotel. With kitchenettes and plenty of quiet relaxation space, it’s a great find.

I recommend planning an itinerary that allows you to have ample beach time, including at Akumal where you’re nearly guaranteed to see sea turtles, as well as where you can easily do a day trip to the Mayan ruins of your choice.  You’ll find cenotes everywhere, so research which ones you want to visit to be sure you’re not wasting your time at a lame one when you can swim at an awesome cenote.

Photographing Mayan Ruins: tips and ideas for awesome shots

Spending a whole day going from ruins to ruins is tiring, so it’s best to plan your days visiting just one per day.  This is where you have the opportunity to plan your itineraries to get the best lighting at each of the archaeological sites.  Low light, meaning light coming from a lower point in the sky, will give the best shadows and prevent each of the Yucatan Mayan ruins sites from being completely washed out in your photographs.

No, I’m not talking about shooting with 35mm film, but with a basic digital camera or even a camera phone. Strong direct light from above will do two things:

reflect bright white light directly off the ruins causing unbalanced photos

make the site a hot one and all of the iguanas will be in hiding

Photographing ruins is a real treat and planning your visit to ensure the best lighting, temperatures and crowds is all to your benefit.  The best of the Yucatan is waiting and we all owe it genuinely good photography to preserve it through the years.

El Rey Mayan Ruins, Cancun

Before arriving in Mexico I had asked several friends about my itinerary and they’d given ample feedback. One note was to skip El Rey Archaeological Zone in Cancun. They said that since it’s in the hotel zone it’ll be crowded and not very impressive. Not true. And nope: don’t skip it.

Note:  parking at El Rey is complicated, as there is only a small lot on the side of the road just north of the entrance. The lot isn’t well marked, so if you miss the entrance drive a bit and do a U-Turn to get back to it.

Yes, the El Rey Mayan Ruins are directly in the hotel zone of Cancun, but it’s actually wonderful. I was THE ONLY ONE THERE when I arrived and for most of my visit. Well, it was me and a hundred iguanas. As far as a photography paradise goes, El Rey is a perfect 10.

While the overall structures weren’t towering and impressive like you think of when you hear the term “Mayan Ruins” the site was beautiful and ideal for a calming, relaxing stroll and taking beautiful pictures of wildlife and small-scale structures.

Tip:  arriving first thing in the morning you’ll get the best light for photographing the ruins. Also, the iguanas haven’t been scared away by any tourists yet, so there’ll be lots out!

Cost:  El Rey is about $5 USD for entry (as of Feb 2017). It’s well worth it, particularly if you can be there when nobody else is.

Also in Cancun:  Ruinas San Miguel is another, smaller archaeological site directly in the hotel zone of Cancun. It’s not as comprehensive or withdrawn as the El Rey ruins, but if you’re staying in Cancun, you might as well pay them a visit.

Book a hotel in Cancun here!

Tulum National Park Archaeological Zone

A little over an hour south of Cancun, past Playa del Carmen, is the town of Tulum. The Mayan ruins of Tulum are very different from what I saw at El Rey in Cancun. Tulum is an enormous site with many well preserved and strong standing structures. They’re exceptionally beautiful, particularly set against the Caribbean Sea.

Arriving, you’ll park your car and then have the option of renting bikes or walking to the ruins. It’s a twenty minute walk from the parking area to the start of the Mayan ruins, so be prepared.  Once at the actual national park entrance you can head directly into the compound or walk to the right and do the loop through the Mayan ruins backwards. There’s no wrong way.

The majority of the structures are small, but clearly set up in the layout of a community. There are broad lawns between the structures and lot’s of benches for sitting and taking it all in.

Tip:  be sure that you do all of the trails along the bluff, as you’ll get to enjoy both the gorgeous Caribbean view as well as snap some cool photos of the ruins juxtaposed against the sea. Really something to behold!

Tour option:  If you’re staying in Cancun, this tour is a great option to visit Tulum.

In addition to the ruins of Tulum, there is also beach access.  Upon completing the loop through the ruins, head south (to the left). The beach is a long stretch and it’s got several sandy restaurants along it. It’s quite the walk from the ruins though, so be prepared for the walk there are back.

Tulum National Park is a beautiful and fascinating place, so take your time to enjoy it, but it’s not worth an entire day. I would recommend three hours tops if you’re including beach time.

Tip:  rent the bikes at the entrance to the Tulum National Park site. It’s well worth it due to the distance from the parking area to the actual ruins and then the beach.  You’ll be glad you did, especially when you’ve been walking for a long while with sand in your shoes.

Tip 2:  while we are usually about doing activities early in the day, Tulum National Park is best in the afternoon.  The glow of the golden hour is gorgeous and makes for unforgettable views.

Cost:  the Mayan ruins at Tulum are about $10 per person to visit. This can be paid just before you enter the actual ruins site or as part of a tour if you are not visiting on your own.

Also in Tulum:  Muyil Archaeological Site has some very impressive structures and it’s not as well known as Tulum. If you have extra time and cannot get enough of the other Yucatan Mayan ruins, plan a morning visit to Muyil for a different sort of Mayan site.

Visiting the Ruins of Coba

After visiting El Rey in Cancun and then the National Park in Tulum, I was really excited to visit the Mayan ruins at Coba.  I’d heard that they were really different from Tulum’s ruins and it was true. They were amazing. Much different than the other two sights I had visited this week, as Coba had several pyramids a very different layout… and the site was HUGE.

Without giving away the farm, let’s just say that the site at Coba was incredible and I would recommend it to anybody visiting Cancun, Playa del Carmen or Tulum. And I can’t say for myself, but several friends have recommended Coba over Chichen Itza, and I think I know why.  For a more detailed account of what to expect at Coba, check out this article and video from my visit.

Tip: get to Coba as early in the day as possible. If you’re climbing the great pyramid, it gets hot and if you’re out of shape, you’ll be extra glad to climb it in cooler temperatures.

Note: if you’re heading to Coba and don’t want to read the full article I published, take heed – rent a bike at the start of the park or jump on a bicitaxi. From the entrance back to the Great Pyramid is much much farther than you expect.

Visiting Chichen Itza

Of all the Yucatan Mayan ruins, Chichen Itza may be the most famous, and also it’s one of the best sites.  Being an enormous temple and structure complex, visiting Chichen Itza is a half-day activity.  It does get a TON of tourist traffic, but it is famous for a reason. Being very grand, well manicured and full of tourist friendly exhibits, Chichen Itza is a very good option.

While it is incredible, it’s the last of the recommendations due to its location.  It can indeed be a Yucatan day trip, but heading so far inland, it would make sense to visit Chichen Itza as part of a larger tour plan and to include some wonderful Mexican towns and natural beauty, such as the many cenotes you’ll pass on your way to the grandest of all Mayan ruins.

Travel tip: If Chichen Itza is on your bucket list and you want as much time there as possible, consider staying in Valladolid or Merida overnight. Valladolid is very close and is itself a beautiful town with lots of great sights to see. Merida is much larger and is more of the picturesque Spanish colonial city, but it’s also more touristy, so you pick.

Wandering Wagars at Chichen Itza

Did you know there were so many Mayan ruins to explore on the Yucatan Peninsula? I know! Crazy and so cool!  Exploring the ruins is a very unique experience if you’ve not traveled to Greece or Italy, so be sure to plan a visit to at least one of the sites, as these are the best around and ideal to add some history to your Cancun vacation.

If you have any questions or suggestions, leave a comment below so others can hear your advice or inquiry. And you can always send us a note with your own Mayan ruins ideas too!

Want to pin this for later when it’s time to plan your own Yucatan road trip? Go for it!

The Four Best Yucatan Mayan Ruins of Caribbean Mexico One of the most cool and unique aspects of touring the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico is the abundance of Mayan ruins.

#Chichen Itza #Coba ruins #El Rey ruins #history #Mayan ruins #road trip #ruins #Tulum ruins #Yucatan #Yucatan day trips

[2traveldads-blog]

It’s time for some exploring and what could be better than an Oregon Coast road trip in the off-season? We’ll be starting in Portland and heading out to the coast, stopping at hiking spots, lighthouses, cheese factories and sea caves. The kids are excited, but not half as much as us Dads!

Oregon Coast road trips are awesome family adventures. From the Tillamook Cheese factory to looking for glass floats on the beach, lighthouses to kid-friendly hiking, there’s never a dull moment. And going to the Oregon Coast in the off-season is smart for smaller crowds and moody skies. 2traveldads.com

Our Oregon Coast Road Trip plan

There are a few ways to experience the Oregon Coast. Since we’re doing it with kids and when it’s not summer, we’re going for the sightseeing and relaxing method vs the adventurous surfing and hiking route. We’ll be staying in Portland, Pacific City and Florence, so we’ll be sure to have plenty of great tips after this trip (and lots of cute kids pics too!).

Oregon Coast road trips are awesome family adventures. From the Tillamook Cheese factory to looking for glass floats on the beach, lighthouses to kid-friendly hiking, there’s never a dull moment. And going to the Oregon Coast in the off-season is smart for smaller crowds and moody skies. 2traveldads.com

Spending a day in Portland, Oregon, we’ll do a little exploring.  We normally head east to do the incredible Columbia Gorge waterfall area, but this time we’re actually going to see what Portland has to offer for a trip with kids.  Moving on from PDX, we’ll head to Seaside. It’s a cute little town right on the beach. Think Coney Island but on the West Coast and without an amusement park.

Next up we’ll chill in Cannon Beach for a bit and watch for One Eyed Willie’s boat to sail out (the end of Goonies… Cannon Beach…). From there we’ll seek out some lighthouses, taste some cheese, and eventually check into our lovely VRBO in Pacific City. Having a home base here for a few days, we’ll do some kayaking with the kids, enjoy the local brewery scene, and explore tidepools.

From Pacific City we’ll head south through Newport to Florence. Here we’ll stay for the next week. We’ve got plans for exploring the Honeyman Sand Dunes, visiting the Haceta Head Lighthouse, Sea Lion Caves and much more.  If you have any other recommendations please let us know!!!

Oregon Coast Road Trip Travel Journal

…check back for updates throughout the week!

Oregon Coast Road Trip Travel Journal: Portland to Coos Bay, Oregon It's time for some exploring and what could be better than an Oregon Coast road trip in the off-season?

#beach combing #family travel #journal #lighthouses #Oregon Coast #road trip #travel journal