Last summer my family spent some time in the rainforest. No, I am not talking about the jungles of Hawaii or the Amazon, but rather the rainy yet temperate forests of the Pacific Northwest. Washington’s Olympic National Park is home to forests filled with towering spruce and fir dripping with moss as they reach up towards a sky thick with waterlogged clouds.
There are few places on the planet more isolated or biologically diverse than the Hawaiian Islands. The islands were built by volcanic activity and the very volcanoes that formed the islands still dominate the landscape.
For one week every summer, my home is invaded by teenagers- and I love it! I am lucky enough to be the aunt of two wonderful teens who actually don’t …
Southern California is one of the theme park capitals of the world, and for families trying to do it all (or all it’s possible to squeeze in before dropping in …
The reason why I love Disney travel so much is that there is truly something for everyone and every budget! As a Disney travel agent, I get asked all the …
Jackson, Wyoming is one of those rare vacation destinations that just seems to have it all: small town charm, breathtaking scenery, fine dining, and family-friendly activities around every corner, ski corral, or hitching post.
Usually lauded as a premiere ski town, Jackson is not to be outdone (even by itself) in the summer months. We spent a memorable 4th of July exploring the area this past month, and were never wanting for something to do.
Jackson’s city center is located along three to four main blocks on and around Cache Street, known for its bleached-by-the-sun elk antler archways, high-end shops, and fun eateries. The town is very pedestrian-friendly, so to save on those precious parking meter quarters, I suggest driving down Cache Street to Snow King Drive and parking in the large, free lot belonging to the Snow King Ski Resort. From there, you’ll have both the mountains (behind you) and the town (before you) at your disposal.
What to do: If you’re like us, you’ll spend your first five minutes arguing about whether the official city name is Jackson or Jackson Hole, and for good reason: locals seem to use the two interchangeably (To save you some time, here’s the scoop: the city is called Jackson, whereas the valley in which it resides is generally referred to as Jackson Hole.).
My family loves the laid back vibe and natural beauty of the North Shore, so no trip to Oahu is complete without a day exploring the mellower side of the island. Want to add a trip to the North Shore to your next Hawaii vacation but don’t know what to see and do? Check out Trekaroo’s top picks for North Shore exploration:
Tucked way up in the northwestern corner of the state is a different kind of California. Different from the palm tree fringed and sunshine soaked beaches of Southern California. Different from the rowhouse filled hillsides of San Francisco. Different from the cropped studded farm belt of the Central Valley.
As a self confessed National Park System junkie, I have spent hours of my life researching and visiting the places that are special enough to deserve NPS protection. I want my children to visit as many of these places as possible so they can learn about the history of this great nation and fully appreciate the incredible natural beauty that our country possesses. There are 100 areas in the US protected with the National Monument designation. Each one is definitely worth a visit but here are five of Trekaroo’s favorite standouts: