The 5 Best Family Friendly Things to Do in Erie, PA This Summer

 Planning a family getaway to Erie, Pennsylvania this summer? Add these 5 kid-friendly attractions & experiences to your must-do list while you are in the area...

This post was created in partnership with Visit Erie. As always, all opinions & thoughts expressed below are 100% my own.

This is our second summer (and sadly our last) living in Erie, Pennsylvania, and summertime is when this area most comes alive. The lake glows a bluish-green. The beaches at Presque Isle State Park open for swimming. All the rooftop bars and restaurants on the bay re-open. And every weekend, visitors from all directions make the drive on 79, 80, or 90 to spend the weekend on Erie's shores. 

I have to admit that the city of Erie and its surrounding neighborhoods have surprised me in many ways. I definitely had a completely different vision of what living in this northern Pennsylvania city would look like when my fiance first approached me with the possibility of us moving to the area for a career opportunity that he was considering pursuing.

Honestly, all I could think about is how awful the winters were probably going to be here because I am not a girl who enjoys much more than one or two snow days a year. I don't like the cold, and the thought of anything "lake effect" sounded like a deal breaker to me.

Loves Way Village: A Glampground Destination in the Potomac Highlands of West Virginia

Enjoy the very best of nature and camping combined with the amenities and comforts of a clean and comfortable hotel room when you go glamping at Loves Way Village in West Virginia...

This post was created in partnership with Loves Way Village. As always, all opinions & thoughts expressed below are 100% my own.

While I do consider myself somewhat of an outdoorsy person, I am not one that is much for "roughing" it. I love finding a good hiking trail or paddling down a river in a kayak, but sleeping on the ground in the middle of the woods with no bathroom (or shower!) in sight? No, thank you. It just really isn't my thing. I'd would MUCH rather commune with nature in comfort. ;)

That is why I was beyond thrilled when the folks at Loves Way Village invited my sister and I to stay in one of their glamping tents a few weeks ago. We were able to hike and kayak and enjoy all of the beauty and adventure that the Potomac Highlands of West Virginia has to offer, but we still got to come back to a comfortable bed, air conditioning, a hot shower, and a soak in our own private hot tub each evening of our two-night stay at Loves Way.

I know that glamping has definitely become all the rage lately. Some may even call it a novel trend in traveling. But I do think that this fad in accommodations is here to stay, folks. You get all the fun of camping (think s'mores over a campfire, rainfall hitting the fabric of the tent lulling you to sleep, being close to nature), but without all of the dirt, and grime, and dealing with the elements. 

Planning a Couple's Getaway to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Finally ready to plan an adults-only weekend escape? Be sure to check out my tips and recommendations for planning the perfect, socially distanced couple's getaway to rediscover Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...

This post was created in partnership with Visit Pittsburgh. As always, all opinions & thoughts expressed below are 100% my own.

I get it- you all might be a tad apprehensive about traveling at all during the time of Covid. For months now, I have been living a cooped-up existence with my daughter in our home. 

We have avoided large family gatherings and have kept a tight circle of close family and a few friends since this pandemic started. We have been opting to do small day trips here and there instead of a weeklong vacation like we would normally do. 

But let's face it, you all- I think we all need a little adults-only time away from the kiddos for a few days after months and months of seeing their precious little faces day in and day out. Am I right? ;) 

You may be wondering if right now is really the right time to start planning a couple's road trip. And I totally understand your hesitation. But with the right planning and a little bit of research on your part, you can plan a fun, safe, and socially distanced getaway with your significant other.

5 Places to Visit in the Finger Lakes (That Are Not Wineries)

The Finger Lakes region of New York is so much more than just wine country! From quaint downtown areas with wonderful local shops to waterfall chasing to a growing craft brewery scene, here are 5 Places to Visit in the Finger Lakes That Are Not Wineries...

The Corning Glass Museum tour, Watkins Glen State Park hike, & Farm Sanctuary tour were all provided courtesy of TBEX North America 2018. As always, all opinions & thoughts expressed below are 100% my own.

I obviously have nothing against wineries. In fact, I think most of you all know by now that I love myself a good winery tour & tasting while traveling. ;) 

But I do think that when most people consider planning a trip to the Finger Lakes that they assume that they have to be wine lovers in order to enjoy the area. Today's travel post is to show you all that the Finger Lakes region of New York has so much more to offer than just great local wineries.

From quaint downtown areas with wonderful local shops to waterfall chasing to a growing craft brewery scene, the Finger Lakes is so much more than just wine country.  Now that isn't to say that you couldn't pop into a winery or two (or four!) for a tasting while in the area, but you most certainly do not have to be a wine aficionado to truly appreciate the Finger Lakes of New York.

Although I only scraped the tip of the iceberg during the few days that I visited the area, I am sharing 5 of my favorite must-visit places in the Finger Lakes (sans the wineries) with you all below...

How to Eat & Drink Your Way Through Pittsburgh in 48 Hours

From the top of Mount Washington down to the Strip District, this is How to Eat & Drink Your Way Through Pittsburgh in 48 hours...

This post was created in partnership with Visit Pittsburgh. All thoughts & opinions expressed below are 100% my own.

I think that by now you all know that I am no stranger to the Pittsburgh area. Having lived most of my life just a short 2 hour drive away & having a husband who is a huge Pittsburgh Pirates fan, we make the little road trip to the Steel City quite a few times each year. One thing that I have been amazed and impressed by over the last 5 or 6 years is just how much the landscape of the local food scene in Pittsburgh has grown & changed! 

Last month I had the privilege to team up with Visit Pittsburgh once again to join them on their Taste of Pittsburgh tour. We spent two days eating and drinking our way through Pittsburgh. From a tasty stroll of Market Square, through the well known & ever growing Strip District area (so aptly named for the flat strip of land that it is built on- get your mind outta the gutter! ;) ), and finally to the top of Mount Washington for dessert and breathtaking views of the city...

The Best Resources for Planning a Summer Family Vacation

From deciding where to go, how to get there, & how to get the most bang for your buck, here are The Best Resources for Planning a Summer Family Vacation...

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Scholastic. The opinions and text are all mine.

Another school year is quickly coming to a close, and soon the kiddos will be home for summer school break. Time for long summer days at the pool, s'mores around the fire pit, weekend road trips, and the annual summer family vacation. 

Okay, so maybe you hadn't really thought about that last bit quite yet. But there is no need to panic, folks. I gathered up some of the best resources for planning a summer family vacation to share with you all today. So whether you need a little help deciding where to go or maybe you just need some tips for the actual traveling part, I got covered in today's post!

Deciding Where to Go.

If you haven't already pinpointed just where you and the family will be packing up and heading off to this summer, then this is where you need to start. 

Now you can either close your eyes and throw a dart at a map (hey, I am not necessarily ruling that one out ;) ), or you can start by asking yourself a few key questions-

How to Spend 24 Hours in Portland, Oregon

From where to eat, must-see sights, and local festivals, this is How to Spend 24 Hours in Portland, Oregon...

This post may contain affiliate links. Purchasing through them helps support this website.

I have to admit that this post has been long overdue, you all. I actually visited Portland, Oregon for the first time when I attended the Indulge conference last May, but this post kept getting pushed to the back burner. 

Not only was this trip my first time visiting the city of Portland, but it was also the first time that this East Coast gal traveled all the way to the West Coast. I ended up spending about 53 hours in the city before catching an overnight flight back to Pittsburgh. 

Can I just say that the 3-hour time difference is sort of brutal?? I didn't think that 3 hours could make such a profound difference, but I came back home exhausted. Like I crashed on the couch for a solid 3 hours. In the middle of the day. And I don't nap during the day, folks. Like ever.

But enough about the trials and tribulations of traveling across the country and through 3 different time zones. Let's talk about Portland, shall we? ;) 

Let's just say that you happen to find yourself with only 24 hours to spend in the city- an unexpected or planned layover, or maybe a free day during a work conference, or maybe you live within driving distance and want to spend the day in the city. 

I have gathered some of my best ideas for spending a whole day in Portland, Oregon, & I am sharing them all with you in today's post. Granted, I do not think that for 5 seconds that my 2 day+ experience in the city makes me an expert on all things Portland. But I will say that I was amazed at how much you could pack into a day while visiting there....

5 Unique Things to Do In & Around Harpers Ferry

Get off the beaten path and do something a little different during your visit with these 5 Unique Things to Do In & Around Harpers Ferry.  And bonus? Most of these are free to do!

The first time I visited Harpers Ferry, West Virginia was in May 2011. My husband & I had just got married, and we decided that a weekend getaway to this quaint, historical town would make the perfect little honeymoon. 

From our very first visit there almost 5 years ago, I think it is safe to say that I fell in love with the town, the breathtaking scenery, and the historical charm of Harpers Ferry. I have been back three times since, and I have two more trips to the area planned for this coming summer. 

Harpers Ferry is located at the confluence of the Potomac & Shenandoah Rivers making for breathtaking views and scenery from just about any viewpoint in the town. It is also conveniently located within walking/driving distance of three different states- Virginia, Maryland, & of course, West Virginia. 

The town is rich in American history serving as the site of the infamous John Brown's Raid in 1859 and playing a key role in the Civil War, changing hands between the Union & Confederate forces 8 times in 4 years.

If you have never been to Harpers Ferry before and are planning a visit soon, here are a few things you need to know about the town ahead of time:

5 Reasons to Travel with Your Preschooler Now

Come find out why there is no time like the present to get traveling with your little ones with these 5 Reasons to Travel with Your Preschooler Now...

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Disney. The opinions and text are all mine.

I speak from experience when I say that traveling with younger ones can be challenging and downright exhausting at times- we started traveling with Little Miss when she was about 5 months old. :) But even with all it's challenges (disrupted routines, missed naps, car sickness, etc), we have always believed that traveling with our kiddos from a young age was definitely doing them much more good than harm. 

You can only show and teach so much to your children from books or a television show. Sometimes you just have to take them to the source, let them get their hands in it all (yep, and sometimes that means getting a little dirty ;) ), and experience the world around them hands-on and in-person. 

While I am not really going to touch on solutions for the challenges and obstacles that traveling with a preschooler (and younger) can present, I am going to chat with you all about why you should shove those fears and concerns aside, pack up the car, and hit the road or head to the airport with your little ones. 

I will just let Scholastic.com and their Ultimate Preschool Travel Guide handle all of those other tips and advice on traveling with your younger kiddos for you. You can click on over to those once I have convinced you all that there is no time like the present to get traveling with your little ones with my 5 Reasons to Travel with Your Preschooler Now... 

7 Reasons You Need to Visit Puerto Vallarta in 2015

In partnership with Puerto Vallarta Tourism, I am sharing with you all the top 7 Reasons You Need to Visit Puerto Vallarta in 2015...

Traveling to Mexico has been on my travel bucket list for some time now. While Cancun seems to be one of the more popular tourist destinations there, I have had my eye on visiting Puerto Vallarta. And while its beaches with their deep blue waters is what first caught my eye and piqued my interest in this breathtaking resort town on Mexico's Pacific coast, there is so much more to Puerto Vallarta than what meets the eye. And this is especially true if you happen to be planning a trip there during the fall or for the holidays.

From the end of October right on through to the New Year, Puerto Vallarta hosts a myriad of festivals and exciting competitions that offer visitors to the area a true taste of the flavors, sights & sounds, history, and rich traditions of Mexico. Need a reason to plan a visit to Puerto Vallarta before the end of 2015? I have 7 of them for you below... ;)

10 Essentials for Your Carry-On Bag

Never leave home or board a plane again without these 10 Essentials for Your Carry-On Bag...

This “Flavor Your Adventure” post is sponsored by Blue Diamond Almonds. 

This post may contain affiliate links. Purchasing through them helps support this website.

When I first started blogging around 4 years ago, I never dreamed it would end up being a career for me. And I couldn't have possibly fathomed at the time that my blogging would one day open so many travel opportunity doors for me. In fact, I have flown more times in the past 7 months than I probably have in the last 5 years combined! 

From a fabulous opportunity to visit the Southern Living test kitchens in Birmingham to an amazing foodie adventure in Portland to my most recent trip to take part in the Food & Wine Conference in Orlando, I have experienced my share of great flights, bumpy flights, delayed flights (don't get me started on that one), and lost luggage this past year. I have also learned what I need, want, and don't necessarily need in my carry-on bag.

When you are limited to just two carry-on's and your purse is included in that number, you start getting very particular about what you put in those two bags. And you have to keep in mind that you will have at least limited access to one of those two bags as it will be stowed in an overhead compartment for the duration of the flight. So what are my 10 must-have, don't fly without them essentials for my carry-on bag? Check them out below... :)

Travel Budgeting Made Easy With Visa® Clear Prepaid

Staying on budget while traveling can be challenging. I am partnering with Green Dot® Reloadable Prepaid Visa® Card to stay on budget this travel season. While I was compensated for this post, all opinions below are 100% my own.

My family and I love to travel (I think you all have noticed this by now), but what we have learned from our recent travels is that it is not always cheap. In fact, traveling with a family of four can get downright expensive at times. But we have had to find ways to save money, cut corners, and budget better to get more bang from our buck, and in turn to be able to afford to squeeze in more family trips throughout the year. Our hardest challenge though when traveling is sticking to our budget. I can find all the deals on the internet, but we always seem to go over our allotted travel budget by just a smidgen almost every single time. That smidgen may not seem like a big deal by itself at the time, but those little budget overages can really add up throughout the year. When you are on vacation and away from the reality of home, work, and bills, it is easy to get caught up in the moment and splurge a little too much and a little too often. 

Our biggest travel budgeting weakness? Dining out for sure! 

5 Tips for Curbing Road Trip Motion Sickness

Kick nausea to the curb on that next road trip with these 5 Tips for Curbing Road Trip Motion Sickness...

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

I think that it goes without saying that I love to travel. Whether taking road trips with my family or flying solo across the country for a foodie adventure, I love the thrill of exploring a new place. :) But what many people probably don't know about me is that I have suffered from some serious motion sickness ever since I was a kid. 

In fact, I still vividly remember the summer that my grandparents embarked with my sister and I on a mission to visit a different area of West Virginia each week while we were off from school. Though I love the fun memories we made that summer, I mostly still remember those day trips because of how many times I had to ask my grandpa to pull the van over because I felt absolutely nauseous. 

You see, we do not have very many straight roads on the back hills of West Virginia. In fact, there are a lot of hairpin turns on our roads through the hills and mountains. We have another name for those types of turns, but I will spare you that term since I like to keep things PG-ish around here. ;)

Motion sickness has followed me into my adult travels as well. Mountain highways still make my stomach turn. Rough waters while in a small boat leave me darting for the side railing. And I once even had to grab that little white bag as the plane was landing on the runway in Denver. Talk about a walk of shame as I exited that plane!

Over the years, I have learned some methods and tips for helping to curb that motion sickness making for much more pleasant travels for all involved. The tips below are more specific to road trips, but you could employ almost all of these in any instance where you are experiencing nausea due to motion sickness...

5 Ways to Save Money on Day Trips

Get out and about and explore without breaking your travel budget with these 5 Ways to Save Money on Day Trips...

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Brita, but all my opinions are my own.

Though we tend to travel and take little road trips all year round, summer seems to be when we really get out there and hit the road for a little family vacation time. My oldest is out from school for a couple of months, and we are pretty much free to pick and go when an opportunity or urge arises. 

But one thing that I have learned about summer travel is that the expenses of taking a trip- even what seems like a little weekend getaway- can add up fast. I can snag a great deal on a hotel or B&B. We can find the best price on gas and fuel up before heading out. But what I was finding is that those little day trips we took to get out and about and explore once we arrived at our destination were just eating up our travel budget. 

Walk around a little town or explore an area of a city, and you will find that there all kinds of ways to spend money around every corner. I soon discovered that those little day trips were eating up our travel budget for that trip quick, so I implemented a few changes over the past year or so. These changes have saved us hundreds of dollars. And money saved means more stays in our travel fund for the year which equals more trips and family time! :) 

So, what haveI done to save my family money as we explore and discover the areas that we love traveling to? I gathered up my five top tips for you all below...

5 Easy Tips For Making the Road Trip Part of the Destination

Who says the road trip itself just has to be a means to an end? Not these 5 Easy Tips For Making the Road Trip Part of the Destination...

Photo Source & License

Summer is almost here, and with it's impending arrival I start to get the itch to get out there and travel. Soon my son will be out from school for the summer, and our usually packed schedule will be wide open. :) I am ready to pack up the car, grab the family, and head off on a road trip... to Virginia wine country, or to Harper's Ferry to hike and visit the historical sites, or to head down south for a sunny and sandy beach getaway. But why should the road trip itself just be a means to an end? Who says that you can't make the road trip become part of the destination? 

Resist the urge to just jet it to get where you are going on your next road trip and instead try making the journey there part of the overall getaway. Just like the old adage says- Not all those who wander are lost. ;)

But how can you accomplish this? It's easy! Just follow and put into action my 5 fun tips for making your next road trip part of your destination...

Pittsburgh is For Families- A Travel Guide

A big thank you to Visit Pittsburgh for arranging our travel accommodations and for helping us plan out a truly memorable family weekend getaway...

Living less than 2 hours away and with my husband being a die hard Pirates fan, we have visited the beautiful city of Pittsburgh on several occasions in the past 3 years.  The city itself is nestled among the convergence of 3 different mighty rivers- the Allegheny, the Monongahela, and the Ohio- making for breathtaking views of Pittsburgh no matter where you may be standing. Of course, for the best views of the city, you must take a ride on one of the two still operational inclines and visit Mount Washington (but more on that later ;) ).

Despite our many trips to Pittsburgh to root on the Buccos, there are still many places and areas of the city that we have not explored as a family yet.  With a little help from Visit Pittsburgh, we were able to cross off a few of the things still left on our Steel City travel bucket list.