Naples Botanical Garden

We continued our day trip to Naples, Florida with a trip to the Naples Botanical Garden.  The easy 45-minute drive from Fort Myers Beach made it a good destination and we had such a fun time that we can’t wait to go back.  This large garden consists of 170 acres open to the public daily.  Often on vacation we spend too much time running around from attraction to attraction that we don’t stop to take a breath, looks around at the beauty in nature, and just enjoy being in the moment.  The Naples Botanical Garden makes you literally ‘stop and smell the roses.’  At first I wondered if my kids might lose interest quickly, but they loved it and could have stayed longer if we had the time.  There is something for everyone here and it would be a great trip to take with multi-generations.  Here are a few of our favorite spots in the garden:

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Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens

 Since we are staying in Fort Myers Beach for the week, we decided to make a day trip to beautiful Naples, Florida and explore some fun options for families.  My girls are animal lovers so they really enjoy going to zoos.  We decided to spend the morning at the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens.  The zoo is immaculately clean and easy to navigate.  The staff is knowledgeable and welcoming to guests.  The exhibits encourage you to ask questions and give you tips on how you can help save the environment.  It’s the perfect place to spend an afternoon.  Here are a few of our favorite moments from our day:

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Beach Fever

It’s official…I’ve got chronic beach fever.  Symptoms include irritability towards snow piles, sadness brought on by having to wear a coat, and anxiety brought on by looking at my flip-flops just sitting in my closet. It’s a miserable condition brought on by a long winter and spring snowstorms.  Luckily, this condition can be cured through putting your toes in the sand, swimming in salt water, and drinking a cocktail before noon.  Our next trip cannot come soon enough.  For now, I’m daydreaming about our top 10 family beach trips.

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Great Wolf Lodge New England

When we chose our dates for our stay at Great Wolf Lodge New England, I was disappointed that I chose a day during spring because I love being at an indoor water park while it’s snowing outside.  Well thank you Mother Nature because on the day we arrived we had a huge snowstorm brewing outside.  After a white-knuckle ride to the hotel we were greeted by a warm roaring fireplace in the main lobby and that’s when the fun began.  And see that tornado waterslide?  Yep…we rode it!

Read all about our adventures HERE!

Maple Express at Charmingfare Farms

 

When you think of March in New Hampshire, the first thing that comes to mind is maple syrup!!  In fact, the New Hampshire maple industry produces close to 90,000 gallons of maple syrup annually.  However, this phenomenon of Mother Nature is dictated by weather, not calendar.  It is the freezing nights and warm days that make sap flow, so it can begin in late February and run into early April.  The magic is that no one can predict what the season will bring.  Charmingfare Farms, in Candia, NH, offers a fun way for your family to experience sugaring on a working farm.  This farm has been a favorite spot for my family since our kids were young, but we had never done the Maple Express.  It was such a pleasant way to spend the afternoon and I would strongly recommend taking this tour.  Let me show you how we spent our day.

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Green Kid Craft

 

One of the biggest benefits of travel is being exposed to different experiences.  I am constantly looking for ways to spark the creativity and curiosity in the minds of my daughters, so I was thrilled that we were given the opportunity to review a Green Kid Craft box. I don’t usually do product reviews, and I only chose to do so if I could give an honest opinion of the product. 

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Just when you think you’ve seen every possible layout of a hotel room, you walk into one of the three suites at the Common Man Inn and Spa, in Plymouth, NH, and you realize you haven’t seen anything!  My daughter and I had an amazing experience in our “cabin in the woods” suite.  This is one room you need to see to believe. 

Read on to experience our night away at the Common Man Inn and Spa…

Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour NYC

 

NYC is filled with endless possibilities of family attractions.  So many, that it can seem overwhelming to plan how to get to and from all of them.  One solution to consider is a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour.  There are many options for passes and you can choose one that best fits your family’s needs.  The tour I took was the Grey Line bus tour and it had four options: downtown, uptown, Brooklyn/Bronx, and a night tour.  With this type of tour you can set your own itinerary at your own pace. 

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Hanover Inn

Hanover Inn overlooks the picturesque Dartmouth College Green in Hanover, New Hampshire.  The inn is filled with New England charm and as soon as you walk in your stress melts away.  The Hanover Inn is a wonderful place for families, businesses, and romantic getaways.  You will be blown away by how elegant, yet welcoming, the inn will make you feel.

 

Click here to read all about my experience.

A Perfect Day on Amelia Island

Beautiful Amelia Island is located just off the coast of Florida, about 30 miles from Jacksonville.  This barrier island has 13 miles of sandy beaches and true southern charm.  There are plenty of family activities that will keep everyone happy.  Here is one way to spend a perfect day on this unique island.

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