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May 27 Twitter Party: Summer Travel Planning

Summertime's almost here – time to start planning your summer travels! We've taken the guesswork out of your planning by seeking out advice from top family travel writers from across...

Summer Vacation at the Boar's Head Inn in Charlottesville, Virginia

Summer vacations for some families mean active adventures, while for others the summer is a perfect time to start exploring college campuses.  Imagine being able to do both in one...

Stress-Free Travel is Right Under Your Nose

Air travel can be stressful nowadays with long lines, flight delays and cramped seating.  Add luggage, children, strollers and even pets to the mix and you have a veritable powder...

Join In Our Instagram #TMOMphoto Meme

This month we are hosting our first Traveling Moms Instagram meme and we would love to have you join in the fun!

Summer Fun at Midwest Lake Resorts

Midwest winters can seem endless. The payoff? Perfect summer temperatures! Each year I vow to savor every minute of the warm weather. Although I can’t put everything on hold, I...

A Jersey Girl’s Ode to the Jersey Shore

“’Cause down the shore everything’s all right.” ---Tom Waits, JERSEY GIRL Some see the Jersey Shore as a travel destination, a place to take the family for a couple of...

5 Summer Vacation Ideas for Teens

Teens sometimes get a bad rap. People think they’re hard to please and harder to travel with. But the key to traveling with teens—and keeping the whole family happy—is to...

Best Advice for Planning Your Summer Vacation

Planning your family vacation can be overwhelming--where to go, what to do, how to get there, you name it. There are a lot of details to planning a summer vacation....

2013 Toyota Highlander Hybrid: More Space, Luxury, and Better Gas Mileage, Too

Thomas Jefferson advised the we should have a revolution every 20 years. He meant government, but the idea applies to anything: If we don’t continually rethink how we do what...

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Family Travel Experts

Family Travel Stories and Ideas

A Close Encounter with Devil's Tower, WY
World TravelingMomA Close Encounter with Devil's Tower, WY

When planning out your summer road trip don't overlook Devil's Tower, Wyoming. It is one of my favorite side trips and possibly one of the most overlooked National Parks. 

The first time I drove through Wyoming was in the summer of 1981 on a road trip with my my Mom. Somehow, in a pre-Internet  [ ... ]

Experiencing the Everglades by Airboat
TravelingMom with TeensExperiencing the Everglades by Airboat

You could visit South Florida without paying homage to the Everglades, but why would you want to? And paying proper homage to the Florida Everglades requires an airboat ride.

Tips for Replacing a US Passport Abroad
Media TravelingMomTips for Replacing a US Passport Abroad

Your passport is gone and you are in another county. What are you going to do? Misplacing your passport is enough to strike terror in the hearts of any traveler but imagine you are 15, traveling with your aunt to Paris on your first-ever international trip, and you set down your airplane ticket and [ ... ]

Mac n’ Cheese Inspired by Travel
Kristen KucharMac n’ Cheese Inspired by Travel

One of the best ways to experience new places is to eat the local favorite. Each country, state, region and even city has a dish that allows you to have a unique culinary experience while visiting. It tells me about the destination and the people who call it home.

Unfortunately, I can’t travel all [ ... ]

Las Vegas Summer Vacation Ideas
Las Vegas TravelingMomLas Vegas Summer Vacation Ideas

Heading to Las Vegas with the family this summer? Not to worry, here's a quick list of my Top 5 picks to keep all ages satisfied: Wet-N-Wild Las Vegas is the place to be this summer. Nevada's premier water park will offer over 25 slides and attractions. Several of the attractions are named after fa [ ... ]

Family Indulgence: Grand Hyatt New York
Vegetarian TravelingMomFamily Indulgence: Grand Hyatt New York

Train travel is often associated with romance and air travel (at least nowadays) with hassle. Similarly, hotel airports have a seedy reputation, while a hotel in a train station sounds elegant.

My kids and I have stayed at the Crowne Plaza Indianapolis Downtown Union Station, with rooms in an actual [ ... ]

5 Fun Runs to Try This Summer
Marathon TravelingMom5 Fun Runs to Try This Summer

Playing in the mud, getting splashed with paint, lighting up the night or getting chased by zombies all add a little excitement to the typical 5K race. Fun runs are all the rage and a great way to get newbies involved in running; or to give veteran runners a change of pace. Most fun runs remove the  [ ... ]

Luxury Movie Theaters: Worth the Extra Money?

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lux-theater1It’s hard not to be wooed by the chic lobbies, big fully reclining chairs, and in-theater waiter service at the new luxury movie theaters around the U.S. But, for families, are they worth the extra money?

I’m on the fence about it.
My kids and I recently saw a movie at the South Barrington, Ill. iPic, a luxury movie theater chain. We went on New Year’s Day, when the weather was terrible and I was desperate to find someplace for us to go. Desperate enough that I coughed up $80 for us to see “Monsters, Inc. 3-D” and have a snack.

The tickets for our three deluxe seats -- which we got to choose in advance, online -- were $55.50 (that was the discounted price, because I joined their free club). It included popcorn, but not the $11 mozzarella sticks I ordered from the waiter inside the theater. (plus tax and tip).

lux-theater3The darkened space was half sports bar, half modern restaurant. A hostess took us to our seats in the theater, after we walked past the pool tables, fast-casual restaurant, and an area filled with digital wine dispensers.

Ridiculous, right? And a total ripoff? Not a place for kids?

I wasn’t impressed by the cleanliness of our deluxe seats. For $55, should I have to brush popcorn off the chair and blanket? The kids were gasping with excitement over everything, but I was silently bemoaning how ridiculous it all was.

Then something strange happened: I started liking it.

We put our seats in full bed-like recline, covered ourselves in the provided blankets, and watched the movie. It was more comfy than watching a movie together at home, and definitely better than regular movie theater seats. I even snuck in a quick nap at one point. Our nice waiter brought us large waters with straws.

Not only did I start liking it -- I started rationalizing the expense. Really, wasn’t this added comfort, service and atmosphere worth an extra $20 over what I would have spent at a regular theater?

For every trip to the movies? No. But for a special day out? Absolutely.

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Author Profile: Suburban TravelingMom  - Website

Jamie Bartosch is an award-winning newspaper reporter, a freelance writer, and the mother of two. She lives in suburban Chicago, and writes as Suburban TravelingMom.

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#4 Gina St. Aubin 2013-01-16 00:19
I actually have liked the 'deluxe' seating. Near me it didn't seem to cost that much more.. .I think it was mere dollars. It also makes dinner and a movie much easier to get in without travel time, etc.
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#3 Jenny Ford 2013-01-14 11:22
I already have a hard time staying awake through movies, I cannot imagine if I was super comfy in one of those chairs. I think I'd try it out though!
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#2 Suburban TravelingMom 2013-01-11 14:15
You'll see, Jodi. You'll groan about the expense, but then think, "This is kinda awesome."
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#1 Jodi 2013-01-10 19:19
I have wanted to try one of these out - maybe for a special occasion!
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Family Freebies

Five Free Family Friendly Attractions in Skagway, Alaska
Five Free Family Friendly Attractions in Skagway, Alaska

One glimpse of Skagway and it’s easy to see why this quaint Alaskan town is a popular port for cruise ships sailing along Alaska’s Inside Passage. Skagway offers beautiful [ ... ]

Summer in Rhode Island: FREE Family Fun
Summer in Rhode Island: FREE Family Fun

Rhode Island may be a small state, but it celebrates summer in a huge, family-friendly way.

One of the best known free warm weather events is the annual Waterfire celebration, [ ... ]

Free in May: LEGOLAND Florida!
Free in May: LEGOLAND Florida!

Police, Fire and EMS Appreciation Days return in May. Police officers, fire fighters and EMS employees can receive a free single day admission to LEGOLAND Florida, along with  [ ... ]