ArcaMax

Got your “pocket food”? That’s what snow- loving kids (and adults) stuff in their pockets when they’re on the slopes so they don’t have to stop — or spring for overpriced eats. Think hot chocolate packets, tea bags, energy bars, Skittles and M&Ms.

Besides pocket food, you want to make sure your gang is properly equipped, wearing ...Read more

Got a holiday tradition? When my kids were small and we lived in Chicago we always made a trek to the Museum of Science and Industry to see Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light— more than 50 trees, including one that’s four stories, ...Read more

Are you ready? Not for the holiday hoopla, but for something that in these troubled times can give everyone something to look forward to — and make your gift- giving easier.

Black Friday-Cyber Monday is nearly upon us complete with many great travel deals whether you want to take the kids to an all-inclusive resort, gather your siblings for a...Read more

The days are long gone when the kids just go along. To be fair, they may not always have been happy with your choices. Mine certainly weren’t. By the time they were in high school and certainly college and beyond, the proposed trip had to be something they really were interested in doing (skiing in Austria for one daughter; hiking along the ...Read more

As if we didn’t already have enough worries about traveling. The U.S. State Department recently issued a “ worldwide caution” for Americans traveling overseas.

“Due to increased tensions in various locations around the world...Read more

Have you got your costumes ready? In case you missed the memo, Halloween is celebrated throughout October. In some cases, the celebrations have already started. Let’s not forget celebrating Dia de los Muertos, Nov 1 to 2. Translated literally as “Day of the Dead,” it’s the Mexican tradition in which families honor departed loved ones.

...Read more

Let’s get outdoors! If your kids aren’t in school yet, or you are new empty-nesters, late summer and fall is a great time to get away, especially to mountain towns.

How about Park City, Utah, a short hop from ...Read more

I get it. The last thing you want to discuss is how your trip may go awry — through no fault of your own.

But as recent events have shown, that’s an important conversation to have. Of course, you don’t expect to be caught in a war zone. Consider that a half-million Americans are in Israel at any given time, following the recent terrorist ...Read more

Got your special glasses ready? On Oct. 14, 2023, an annular solar eclipse will create a “ring of fire” in the sky from Oregon to Texas. On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will darken the skies from Texas to Maine. On both dates, all 48 contiguous states in the U.S. will experience a partial solar eclipse (as will Mexico and most of ...Read more

Lucky you. Your kids aren’t in school yet and the grandparents want to treat you to a fall getaway. Or maybe the kids have a fall break, or you are a new empty-nester. What if your grown kids are willing to join a family fall getaway?

Whatever your circumstances and budget, fall is a terrific time to get away, whether for a long weekend ...Read more

Let’s celebrate! Fall is festival season and promises good times, good music, and good eats, whether you want to celebrate apples or pumpkins; cranberries, chiles or wine, chicken or hot-air balloons.

Don’t forget Oktoberfest. Besides beer, there’s polka music, games, fall foliage and many are kid friendly. If you can’t make it to ...Read more

The clock is ticking. If you want to see the Giant Pandas at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute (aka The National Zoo in Washington, DC), it’s time to plan a trip.

The zoo’s enormously popular in-residence giant panda family — 24-year-old male Tian Tian (tee-YEN), ...Read more

Playground or museum? Of course, when you are visiting a new city, you want to show the kids the top cultural attractions.

But there’s also a lot to be said about taking time to explore some local playgrounds. You can connect with local parents who can give you ideas on where to eat and what to do. Your kids can connect with local kids, ...Read more

Let’s get outdoors! If your kids aren’t in school yet, or you are new empty-nesters, late summer and fall is a great time to get away, especially to mountain towns.

How about Park City, Utah, a short hop from ...Read more

The loud cars cruising down San Luis Obispo’s Higuera Street suddenly became a trend — driving away shoppers and diners from downtown.

The solution: Close the main drag to traffic on Thursday evenings and invite local merchants to set up tables outside in the street.

What started as a ribs cook-off in July 1983 has morphed into the ...Read more

No yelling or sticking your fingers in the baby goats’ mouths!

The Lil’ Wranglers at Brush Creek Ranch near Saratoga, Wyoming, have been invited to play with the ranch’s herd of baby goats.

“This is my favorite thing we’ve done so far,” declares Joshua, 8, who is from Florida.

This ...Read more

Laura Croghan never had any interest in camping.

“After 35 years of marriage, I finally ran out of excuses not to go camping,” said Croghan, who works in human resources for the Veterans Administration in Tennessee.

“She’s totally out of her comfort zone,” added her husband, Jerry, a retired Army officer.

But despite her reticence, ...Read more