Destinations Southwest
Got a case of wanderlust that won’t quit? Your next Southwest family holiday destination is a click away. Our moms have bounced around the globe testing out family vacation spots from campgrounds to African safaris and they’re dishing the dirt on what works, what doesn’t and what you need to know before you go. Get all the family travel information essentials you need (from a traveling mom's perspective, natch!) to dive into your next Southwest family vacation adventure.
Here you'll find family holiday ideas for Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and Oklahoma.
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Published on Monday, September 17, 2012 08:44
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Written by Vegetarian TravelingMom
In the summer of 2012, Dallas enjoyed/ suffered through an incredible string of 100 degree days. These were broken up by the occasional 100+ day, and on my recent trip, we got to experience heat and humidity in a way unaccustomed to Yankee constitution.
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Published on Friday, September 07, 2012 09:56
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Written by Midwest TravelingMom
As summer winds down in the
Midwest, I’m already thinking about where I’m going to escape to this winter. When I need my vitamin D fix, I head straight for the Valley of the Sun’s East Valley... Tempe,
Arizona.
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Published on Tuesday, September 04, 2012 11:12
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Written by Traveling Grandmom
The train whistles piercing the peaceful fall afternoon, but soon after, the giggles and shouts of happy children become sweetest music of all. I’m with my number one man, my grandson Ryland, and we’re enjoying every kid’s favorite number one engine, Thomas the Tank Engine™ at the
Colorado Railroad Museum. Every year, this-little-engine-that-could makes the rounds entertaining thousands of
Thomas the Tank fans across the United States, Canada and England.
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Published on Tuesday, July 10, 2012 12:22
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Written by China TravelingMom
You don’t have to look far to find kid-friendly summer activities in San Antonio, but if you want to get ideas, and save, check out
VisitSanAntonio.com. Their SAVE page has discounts on hotels and attractions in San Antonio.
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Published on Wednesday, May 09, 2012 15:46
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Written by Midwest TravelingMom
Like many
Midwesterners, we like to escape for a couple weekends in the winter. Unfortunately, in
Chicago winter can often last into spring. The recipe for our perfect warm weekend escape? Sun, the perfect pool and lots of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. We got all of that on our recent visit to the
Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak in Phoenix.
Here Comes the Sun
There’s good reason why it’s called the Valley of the Sun. Phoenix is one of sunniest cities in the U.S.A., averaging sunshine 85% of the time. That means you’re almost always guaranteed good winter and spring weather. What better way to enjoy the great weather than with an aquatic playground that everyone in the family can enjoy?
Cool Pool
You’ll feel right at home on the River Ranch. This pool playground is perfect for everyone, from babies to big boys like my sons, 11 and 13, who joined in on several games of pool basketball.
While they were getting their game on, my husband and daughter grabbed an inner tube and floated down the lazy river ride.
There’s also a slide, an enclosed toddler pool and a hot tub next to a waterfall.
Westward Ho!
Grab your partner and have fun exploring the Western theme at this resort, including the mock western town you’ll glide by on the lazy river ride. It’s a little kitschy, but brought a smile to everyone’s face as they floated by.
You'll find plenty of nods to Arizona's Old West heritage as you wonder the grounds of the Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak.
Take a Hike
Step out of your everyday routine and get your exercise the natural way. Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak is blessed to be right next to one of the most popular hiking destinations in Phoenix—Piestewa Peak, still known to most as Squaw Peak.
The area was recently renamed in memory of Lori Piestewa, the first Native American woman to die in combat in the U.S. Military.
The resort has a shuttle van that will deliver you to the mountain’s trailhead, a mile away. It’s a pretty strenuous hike— not dangerous, but the ascent leaves you feeling like you’re on a stairmaster. It’s definitely a workout. Although this hike is easy to do on your own, you can arrange for a resort guide to accompany you.
Room with a View After spending the day enjoying the outdoors, it was always nice to come back to our roomy two bedroom casita. The bedrooms are upstairs and the downstairs features an open concept living/dining room area with a small kitchenette, including a refrigerator and microwave.
My favorite feature? The upstairs balcony, looking out at Piestewa Peak.
A great way to start and end each day in the Valley of the Sun. Andrea Guthmann is a freelance journalist focusing on family travel. She spent many years as a writer/producer for WTTW-TV, the PBS station in Chicago. Here travel stories have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Parent and on-line travel sites. A native Floridian, Andrea's now a big (windy) city mom of 3, who range in age from tot to teen. After giving birth to two beautiful children she's had the joy of becoming a mom again through adoption. She loves sailing Lake Michigan and visiting the world class museums and restaurants in her sweet home Chicago. Being a scenery starved city girl she loves escaping to the outdoors during vacations and is working hard to raise 3 happy campers. Disclosure: Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak hosted my family during our stay, but the opinions here are all my own.
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Published on Saturday, February 11, 2012 00:28
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Written by Empty Nest TravelingMom
Scottsdale Arizona is one of my favorite places to relax and clear my head. So when my husband said he had a brilliant excursion for us, my mind jumped to spa treatments and a red rock excursion. What I didn’t expect was his desire to fly off to and over the
Grand Canyon in a tiny plane.
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