Swimming Holes! The Perfect End to Summer
Ever since I was a kid I’ve had a thing for swimming holes. My criteria are pretty standard: cold, clear, water, big sun-warmed rocks to spread yourself out on, the rushing sound of nearby rapids to soothe your mind. But there’s one more requirement that makes finding the perfect swimming hole more of a challenge. [...]
10 Fun Things to Do with Teens in Chicago
Chicago’s a famously family-friendly town, but many of the top attractions, like Navy Pier and the Shedd Aquarium, are best for school-age kids and lack the “cool” factor that commits something to a teen’s memory banks. Here are ten things to do with teens in Chicago that they a) can’t do anywhere else b) won’t [...]
An Alternative Approach to Ashland Shakespeare Festival
For several years, my daughters and I have made an annual summer pilgrimage to Ashland, Oregon to catch as many plays at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival as we can possibly cram into a few days and nights. But thanks to our love of the outdoors and our extremely lean budget, we don’t “do Ashland” like [...]
Pool Pursuit in Phoenix: A Healthy Family Spring Break
Wish your kids were a tad more — well, active? Want a surefire weapon to combat couch potato syndrome? A great way to tempt kids outdoors and keep them active and engaged is to plan a family getaway around a hotel with a great kid-friendly pool. Add features like water slides and lazy rivers and [...]
Adventure Vacations Bring Parents and Teens Closer
In my opinion, absolutely the best vacation for a family with teenagers is an adventure-soaked trip full of unexpected challenges. Nothing helps parents and teens overcome the distance, dissing, and disrespect that divide us like clutching each other and screaming down class 3 rapids, or trying together to translate directions on a local bus in [...]
