This contest is now closed. Congratulations Jen, number 183! We know you will love the resort.

Although many families travel in the summer to their vacation destinations, a winning argument can be made that more fun activities are available for guests during the snowy winter months at the Tenaya Lodge. This lodge, located near the southern entrance to Yosemite, is chock full of family activities that will make any kid or parent happy to spend as much time at the Sierra resort as possible.

When the snow glistens on the pine trees and the sky is brilliantly blue, families at the Tenaya Lodge will likely be found ice skating in the open air rink, riding sleds down the sled run, or sipping hot chocolate next to the grated bonfire on the north side of the lodge.  In the grand conference rooms, special events are hosted by Tenaya where families can participate in gingerbread building contests, dinners with Santa, and making holiday crafts.  An open air sleigh ride pulled by horses would be an amazing treat and snow shoes, cross country skis, and evening flashlight hikes await the adventurous.  Nearby in Yosemite National Park, visitors can ski downhill at BadgerPass or visit the beautiful Yosemite Valley with it’s frozen waterfalls and ice-covered cliffs.  I know my kids would be so happy and content at the lodge with its large indoor pool and arcade that we would probably have to convince them to try all the other fun activities!

During the spring, summer, and fall, when the snow has melted away, the Tenaya Lodge comes alive with it’s many outdoor activities.  Our kids loved climbing the 25-foot rock wall, shooting arrows at the archery range, and swimming in the large outdoor pool.  Bikes of many sizes and fishing gear are available to rent.  Families can strike out on their own for a 1 mile nature walk to Big Creek or a 5 mile hike to a nearby waterfall.  Guided hikes and flashlight hikes are also available.  During the summer months, the outdoor Chuck-Wagon Jamboree and Summerdale BBQ both offer outdoor eating, live music, a campfire, and S’mores.

Even with all the things that the Tenaya Lodge has to offer to families, it’s location to Yosemite National Park is one of the most amazing things about this resort.  Within a one hour drive, families will be taking in one of the most breathtaking views of a mountain valley framed by 4,000 foot high cliffs and towering waterfalls.  There is nothing like it on earth and should be on every family’s “must-see-list”.

The Steal: Win a 2 night vacation package at The Tenaya Lodge in Yosemite, CA valued at $1,100!

• 2 night stay at the Tenaya Lodge
• Breakfast for four for two days
• Two 60 minute Ascent Spa treatments
• One in-house activity for four

This summer, Twizzlers is sending ten bloggers across the country to visit some great American landmarks as part of their Twizzlers Landmark Summer promotion.  As each blogger completes their leg of the journey, we hope to encourage you to take your own road trips by giving you ideas on how to enjoy these landmark vacations with your own kids. Our first stop is our nation’s capital, Washington DC.

I am a firm believer that every family should visit Washington DC.  I didn’t visit our nation’s capital for the first time until I was 22 years old, and my time there made me realize how more interesting history class would have been if I had made the journey about a decade earlier.  If you are thinking about visiting Washington DC with kids and want to know the top things to see, museums you can’t miss, and hotels that cater to families, look no further.

MUST SEE MONUMENTS

Lincoln Memorial:

How many historical speeches, rallies, and moments have been captured by film  in front of the Lincoln Memorial?  Why not add your kids making goofy faces for the camera to that list of iconic moments?  Fun and games aside, this is monument honors one of our nation’s greatest presidents and having school aged children complete the Junior Ranger program while at this monument will help them learn about the man, his life, and his presidency.

Washington Monument: There is so much more to the Washington Monument that staring at it across the National Mall.  A ride inside a special elevator to the observation deck at the top of the monument which offers some amazing DC views.  Trekaroo Superoo fernswife warns that “by ten in the morning, most of the tickets are already spoken for, so plan to stop by and reserve your slot early in the morning. Tickets are free, but there is usually a long line waiting ahead of you to get in, so make sure to allot plenty of time to see the memorial.” The monument is another spot for your kids to learn while earning another coveted Junior Ranger badge.

Read about more great DC monuments your family should visit.

MUSEUMS YOUR FAMILY WON”T WANT TO MISS

National Air and Space Museum: Kids that love airplanes, rockets, or just have dreams of their own moments in the sky will love this free museum. Viewing the Wright Brother’s first plane in the same museum as modern airplanes and rockets definitely puts great perspective on 107 years of flight.  Be sure to stop in the gift shop to check out the freeze dried astronaut food.

National Museum of Natural History: This massive Smithsonian museum houses galleries filled with dinosaurs, mammals, oceania, gemstones (Hope Diamond anyone?), and much, much more.  Its easy to spend all day here, and the summer crowds can be a bit overwhelming, so plan your time here accordingly.

National Museum of American History: Dorothy’s ruby slippers. Oscar the Grouch. Kermit the Frog. Abe Lincoln’s stovepipe hat.  What do all the icons have in common? They all call this museum housing important bits of Americana home.   While some of the pop culture references in the museum may go over the head of some of the younger visitors, little ones will appreciate the hands-on Invention at Play section.

Read reviews of several other great Washington DC museums.

OTHER FUN STOPS IN DC

The White House: It is the most famous residence in America and has been home to presidential families since the early 1800s,  so you why take your family to see how where the first family lives? Lines can be long for tours offered to the general public but Trekaroo Superoo, jennstec, offers some great advice- book a congressional visit through your local congressman’s office.

“Be sure to call WELL in advance to get this type of tour. They have limited availability and book quickly. They are free.  When we arrived that morning (one hour early), we saw a ridiculously long line to the White House entrance.  I asked a Park Ranger if this was the line for the Congressional tour. She said no, our entrance was literally AT the entrance.  So we walked past this “public tour” line (which was about 2 hours long) and right into the White House.  This tour is exclusive, so it is appropriate to dress up in your “Sunday best.””

The National Zoo:

This FREE zoo is the most popular DC attraction with Trekaroo members. Over 50 families have shared their zoo tips and experiences, and the majority give it 5 brilliantly orange stars. Strollers are recommend for exploring this 163 acre zoo with young children- you don’t want tots to poop out before you get a chance to see the pandas!  Pack your own water and snacks because refreshments inside the zoo aren’t cheap and be sure to bring some money for parking, its one aspect of the zoo that is not free.

WHERE TO REST YOUR WEARY HEADS

There are several lodging options in DC, but not all are kid friendly. Here are some of Trekaroo family’s picks for top kid-friendly hotels in Washington DC:

Grand Hyatt at Metro Center:  If you are looking for convenience, the Grand Hyatt is your hotel.  The metro stops at the hotel so taking advantage of DC’s great public transportation system is a breeze.  This large hotel (over 800 rooms) also features several restaurants and a service which will deliver baby gear and supplies right to your room, allowing you to travel light.

Hotel Palomar Washington DC: This boutique hotel located in Dupont Circle offers special touches that are sure make your stay memorable.  Prizes out of a treasure chest upon check-in, afternoon popsicles, and milk and cookies delivered to your room are just some of the special touches that go a long way in the eyes of a child. Parents will love the luxury accommodations and multiple suite options which all them some alone time after the kids go to bed.

Read more reviews of kid friendly lodging in Washington DC.

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Sharlene Earnshaw (aka doubleadventure) is Blogger-in-chief for Trekaroo and the blogger behind Double the Adventure.

Travel with kids to: CA | CO | DC | FL | HI | IL | MA | NC | NY | OR | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA

While Yosemite tends to get the most fame and park attendance of the Sierra Nevada national parks, Sequoia and Kings Canyon are just as beautiful and family friendly as their sister to the north.  While the trails is Yosemite are often crowded, there a plenty of kids friendly hikes in Sequoia and Kings Canyon that offer stunning scenery without as many fellow hikers sharing the trails.  Here are Trekaroo’s picks for the best kid friendly hikes in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

1. Zumwalt Meadow in Kings Canyon National Park:

This hike has it all- big trees, a suspension bridge for pedestrians only, a gorgeous meadow framed by towering canyon walls, and plenty of great rocks to scramble on. The hike is 1.5 miles loop and mostly level, a great distance for all age groups. On warm summer days, families will love splashing in the Kings River which flanks portions of the trail. Its easy to pack a picnic and enjoy an entire afternoon in this gorgeous location.

2. Sheep Creek Cascade in Kings Canyon National Park:

This 2 mile roundtrip hike starts on the  floor of the canyon and heads up the south face of the canyon wall to the small and glided cascades of Sheep Creek.  Beautiful views of the Monarch Divide across the canyon are visible.  The trail is moderately wide, smooth, and shaded, but not paved.  600′ elevation gain.  The trail (Don Cecil Trail) starts across the road from Cedar Grove.  Ask a ranger for specific directions to the trail head or look carefully for the hiking road sign after you pass the turn out for Cedar Grove.

3. Grant Grove in Kings Canyon National Park:

Take a walk amongst the giants and visit the widest tree in the world, the General Grant Tree.  Calvin Coolidge proclaimed the General Grant to be the nation’s Christmas Tree in 1926, and the honor still stands.  Visitors have the opportunity to walk through a fallen Sequoia Tree on this 1/3 mile loop.  Those seeking to extend their walk among the big trees can continue on the 1 1/2 mile North Grove Loop which begins in the grove.

Looking for the best place to camp in Kings Canyon National Park? Check out our list of family friendly campgrounds in Kings Canyon.

4.  Tokopah Falls in Sequoia National Park:

This hike begins behind the Lodgepole Campground  and follows the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River for 1.7 miles (3.4 miles round trip)to Tokopah Falls, which plummet 1200 feet.  There are plenty of opportunities to play in the frigid but refreshing Kaweah River as it runs over slabs of granite and through the Lodgepole Pine forest along the way.  Bears, deer, and marmots frequent the area.  The falls are at their most impressive in early summer but the hike is beautiful any time.

5. General Sherman Tree Trail in Sequoia National Park:

This 1/2 mile loop winds visitors through the Giant Forest with General Sherman, the largest tree in the world, standing as its behemoth centerpiece.  The route is downhill from the parking lot so be prepared for an uphill jaunt on the way back.  Pictures will never do these massive trees justice. You truly have to see them in person to understand just how gargantuan Giant Sequoias really are.

Looking for a four walled option? Check out lodging reviews in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

6. Moro Rock in Sequoia National Park:

This 1/4 mile trail is less of a hike and more of a climb.  Visitors basically climb up the side of massive Moro Rock on a series of stairs which are carved into the rock. Families with young children should definitely hold their little ones’ hands tight, this climb takes you 300 feet above the ground.  The views are spectacular from the top but people with a fear of heights, like myself, should expect their legs to turn to jello and their time on top of the rock to be short before the waves of panic begin to settle in.  That being said, I would have really regretted it if my family didn’t make the climb because the 360 degree views really do seem to go on forever.

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Sharlene Earnshaw (aka doubleadventure) is Blogger-in-chief for Trekaroo and the blogger behind Double the Adventure.

Travel with kids to: CA | CO | DC | FL | HI | IL | MA | NC | NY | OR | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA

Florida is well known for many family friendly vacation spots.  One of my favorites is the Everglades National Park.  This park is the third largest in the lower 48 (behind Death Valley and Yosemite National Parks) and has such a variety of plant and animal species that a walk through this “river of grass” really feels like you’ve stepped back in time!  Whenever friends and family visit Florida, they always want to explore this amazing national treasure and designated World Heritage Site.  Of course, they want to see alligators and we always do!  There are park access points on Florida’s Gulf Coast near Everglades City and also on the east coast near Miami in Homestead and Key Largo.

Coming to the Everglades from the west? Check out these kid friendly hotel reviews in Southwest Florida.

Making it a day trip from in or around Miami? Be sure to read these kid friendly hotel reviews in Southeast Florida.

The visitor’s information centers offer a great introduction to the park.  Families really enjoy the interactive exhibits where you can hear recorded sounds of park animals and match them up with their photos.  From the visitor’s centers, you can take guided tours in boats, on foot or bicycle and even by tram.  If you decide to take a walk on one of the many trails, please keep your kiddos close by.  There are wild animals and sometimes the trails get flooded in sudden downpours.

The park is open every day of the year and is busiest during the dry season from December through April when the weather is most pleasant.  Typically, we start our Everglades family travel adventure in Everglades City on a guided boat tour.  As we troll through the mangrove islands, we see so many alligators and beautiful birds that we lose count!   If you prefer to canoe at your own pace, there are plenty of challenging canoe trails that wind through a variety of habitats.  You can see nesting birds, alligators, and might even spot a manatee!  Be prepared with lots of water, sunscreen, and bug spray.  Because the water levels are higher during the wet season which runs from May through November, it will be more difficult to spot some animals.  This also means that the mosquitoes and biting flies are more plentiful.  Be prepared by wearing lightweight long sleeves and pants and plenty of bug spray.

So, pack your sense of adventure, a fully charged digital camera and plenty of bug spray to capture some amazing family vacation memories that you all will cherish for years to come.  The alligators are waiting!

Looking for more family fun in South Florida? Read about kid friendly activities in Southeast and Southwest Florida.

Lisa-Marie Leihy (aka: Cavalletta) and her family, always up for diverse outdoor adventures, have been known to kayak with alligators, swim with manatees, frolic on white sand beaches in her native state of Florida as well as try their luck skiing down fresh powder mountain slopes.  They also enjoy attending professional sports, arts and cultural events, especially when cheering on Lisa-Marie as she plays her tuba in the annual Tuba Christmas concerts. A graduate of Florida State University with a degree in arts management, Lisa-Marie was fortunate to study in London with the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre and London Symphony Orchestra and currently serves as the Southern Florida Destination Guroo for Trekaroo.

Trekaroo is a reviews  website dedicated to exploring and traveling with kids.

Travel with kids to: CA | CO | DC | FL | HI | IL | MA | NC | NY | OR | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA

One of our country’s greatest treasures is our National Park system- 394 extraordinary places to explore and enjoy.  Its no secret that Trekaroo is a huge proponent of our National Parks.  We have encouraged families to check out the Junior Rangers program, highlighted some amazing National Park adventures, and worked hard to create detailed family review pages for popular parks such as Yosemite and Yellowstone.  National Parks are such great destinations for families because they are inexpensive to visit, get families outside, and provide plenty of great educational opportunities.

This year, the National Park system is offering several free entry days. As a matter of fact, there is an entire week this year that parks will be waiving the entrance fee! From April 16-24, all visitors will be able to enter the parks for free, making for some great daytrip or Spring Break opportunities.  The parks system will also offer free entry on June 21 (the first day of summer), September 21 (National Public Lands Day), and November 11-13 (Veterans Day Weekend).  Be sure to mark those dates on your calendar and start planning your vacations accordingly.

Do you have an outing that you would like to spotlight this week?

Perhaps its a post about a vacation you just took or a day trip that you think our readers should know about.  Or maybe its a post about the vacation you are currently planning and going to book through Trekaroo!  Link up something fresh from your blog using the Mr Linky below.

PLEASE READ AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS.

Step 1: Pick a recent post (past couple of days)

Step 2: Under “Name” write: “Title of your blog post (blog name)” – blog name in parenthesis
Under “url” paste: the link to your blog post (not your home page)

Step 3: Grab the Spotlight Thursday image and link to this post so your readers can see who else is playing along this week.

We want to be sure that everyone who participates in Spotlight Thursdays gets their moment in the spotlight so blogs that don’t link back will unfortunately have to be removed.

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Sharlene Earnshaw (aka doubleadventure) is Blogger-in-chief for Trekaroo and the blogger behind Double the Adventure.

Travel with kids to: CA | CO | DC | FL | HI | IL | MA | NC | NY | OR | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA