United States Archives – Page 3 of 6

Top 10 kid-friendly things to do on Big Island, Hawaii

September 16, 2023July 4, 2023 by

We recently spent a week on the Island of Hawai’i, also known as the Big Island, the largest and the youngest in the Hawaiian island chain. Although we had been to Hawaii five times before, this was our first time on the Big Island, and we were really eager to explore a new destination. What we had already learned after visiting 3 other Hawaiian islands is that all of them are breathtaking and have something unique to offer.

The Island of Hawai’i is 4,028 square miles big but, in fact, is the least populated island in the chain, comprising only 14% of the state population. Also, it’s not a secret that the Big Island has a feature distinguishing it from other Hawaiian islands – it is home to five separate shield volcanoes, with three of the volcanoes still active!

Did you know the island has four different climate zones, ranging from tropical wet to tundra, making it one of the most ecologically diverse places on the planet?

Undoubtedly, this incredible island is a great travel destination for any traveler, including the little ones. So let’s dive into the top 10 kid-friendly things to do on Big Island, Hawaii.

Hyatt Regency Seattle, the Hotel Review

July 23, 2023June 11, 2023 by

We recently went on a quick trip to Seattle, Washington, and opted to stay at the Hyatt Regency Seattle. This 45-story hotel is located in the heart of the city and welcomed its first guests in 2018. While Seattle has quite a few Hyatt choices, we were looking for a less worn-out hotel with great breakfast options and within walking distance of all the main city attractions; Hyatt Regency Seattle seemed to fit all the criteria.

Top 10 kid-friendly things to do in Seattle, Washington

June 28, 2023June 5, 2023 by

Recently our family spent a few days in Seattle, Washington. We can’t believe that after ten years of living in Northern California, we just made our way up to Emerald City. Seattle is famously known as the birthplace of Starbucks and grunge music, and it’s a major technology hub with the headquarters of Amazon and Microsoft. It’s located in the Northwest part of the U.S. and is beautifully surrounded by mountains, evergreen forests, and water.

We only had three days to explore the city, yet tried to squeeze in as many popular tourist attractions as possible (and did a pretty good job, I must say). So let’s take a look at some family-friendly activities in Seattle!

Top 10 Things to Do in San Juan Bautista, California

May 30, 2023 by

San Juan Bautista, California, is a charming town with early California history landmarks. It is home to one of California’s most scenic and well-preserved Spanish-era missions, Mission San Juan Bautista. Surrounded by Galilan Mountain Range and Flint Hills and located on San Andreas Fault, San Juan Bautista has a nationally registered historic district, a quaint Main Street, and historic adobes. It’s a true gem for history buffs and architecture enthusiasts!

We absolutely fell in love with the little town and had the pleasure of visiting it multiple times throughout the years. We think it is a perfect destination for a day trip from the San Francisco Bay Area and one of the towns not to miss when you are in that part of California. In this blog post, we will highlight the top 10 things to do in San Juan Bautista.

Visiting Pinnacles National Park with kids

April 26, 2024May 20, 2023 by

Pinnacles National Park is the newest National Park in California (a former National Monument), established in 2013. Interestingly, it is one of California’s least visited National Parks (along with Lassen Volcanic National Park, which we visited last year).

The unique rock formations – pinnacles – that dominate Pinnacles National Park were formed 23 million years ago due to volcanic activity and tectonic plate shifts. Today, this National Park spans across 26,000 acres of mostly wilderness.

Undoubtedly, Pinnacles is the perfect place to go if you’re looking for peace and relaxation. Surrounded by untouched nature, you can explore the area by hiking, rock climbing, or walking through the caves.

The Seabird Resort – Destination by Hyatt, the Hotel Review

May 9, 2023May 8, 2023 by

Recently we took a short weekend trip to Southern California and stayed at one of the beachfront Hyatt properties, The Seabird Resort. This hotel is located in Oceanside, right by the historic Oceanside Pier. In addition to its prime location, The Seabird Resort is a relatively new property and welcomed its first guests in 2021.

After hearing glowing reviews in the last two years, we were excited to stay at this new Hyatt property and see for ourselves what this hotel had to offer. Join us as we take a closer look at The Seabird Resort and its amenities.

Carmel Valley Ranch, a Hotel Review, 2023 Edition

March 26, 2023 by

Carmel Valley Ranch is a 500-acre property in Carmel Valley, California. It is located only 15 minutes away from the famous little town of Carmel-by-the-Sea and 20 minutes from Monterey.

The Ranch has a perfect location overlooking the Santa Lucia Mountains and is surrounded by vineyards, lavender fields, and a golf course. Not only it has excellent amenities, such as a saltwater infinity hot tub and a pool, but it also offers a great experience along with guided hikes, complimentary classes and is perfect for a family getaway.

Hyatt Centric Park City, the Hotel Review

February 4, 2023 by

One of the most popular winter destinations in Utah is the little town of Park City, just outside of Salt Lake City. Famous for its ski resorts, good food, and museums, Park City is definitely a great place to visit.

We stayed at Hyatt Centric Park City, located at the base of the Canyons Village. It’s a ski-in ski-out resort with standard rooms and one to four bedroom residences. This Hyatt’s great location, just 10 minutes away from the charming Main Street, is perfect for accessing everything you need and exploring Park City.

Top 10 kid-friendly things to do in Park City, Utah in winter

November 22, 2024January 29, 2023 by

We spent a few days in the little town of Park City, Utah, located in the Wasatch Mountain Range, and fell in love with this winter wonderland. Founded in 1869, Park City has a population of only about 8,500 people. Yet, this little town attracts thousands of tourists. Ironically, the number of tourists visiting yearly is actually bigger than the town’s population 😃.

Interestingly, only 20 years ago, Park City looked different and completely changed after the 2002 Winter Olympics Games, adding new properties to the valley. Park City’s ski resorts were the locations for skiing and snowboarding in the Winter Olympics Games!

Besides, each January, Park City hosts the Sundance Film Festival – one of the largest independent film festivals in the world. So you can imagine how busy it gets during that time.

If you are wondering if it is worth visiting a ski resort town when you are not skiing (or have little ones that aren’t ready yet to hit the slopes), the answer is yes, absolutely it is! You would be surprised at how many winter activities there are for the whole family. So let’s dive into family-friendly things to do in Park City in winter.

Hounds Tooth Inn, the Hotel Review

January 11, 2023January 10, 2023 by

We were happy to discover this small rustic boutique inn from the Small Luxury Hotels of the World chain called Hounds Tooth Inn. Hounds Tooth Inn is a cozy and stylish property situated on 3.5 acres in the little town of Oakhurst, California. It’s located at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains and is only a short drive from Yosemite National Park.

We have to admit, there are not so many properties that you can stay on points in proximity to National Parks. And we could not miss a chance to stay at one of them.