“The List,” an Emmy-award-winning TV show, features TravelingMom Editor Cindy Richards talking about hacks to get the best travel deals, secrets for traveling with kids and more. The show airs in 44 markets.

Family Travel Hacks on ‘The List’

When “The List” called to ask me to fly to Phoenix to talk about family travel, I was thrilled. It is my favorite subject, after all. And a trip to Phoenix? Yes. Time with a professional hair and make up artist? Yes, please. Talking on camera about family travel? You bet.

Here’s my list of the best tips for that:

1. Travel in the off season. Known as the “shoulder season” in the travel business, it means traveling at less popular times. For example, consider traveling to the mountains of Colorado in the summer rather than during snow ski season. You can hike, bike, fish, swim, and do all sorts of outdoor activities for less than half of the cost of visiting the mountains when the snow is flying.
2. Do the free stuff. Everywhere you go, there are free things to do. We have a whole list of free things to do with kids in the 50 states. If you’re headed somewhere not listed here, call the local Chamber of Commerce and ask about the best free things to do with kids. If whoever answers can’t help, ask to talk to a mom there. Chances are she will have some recommendations for you.
3. Be flexible. If you are headed to Milwaukee but the flights are too expensive, check nearby airports, like O’Hare. It could be cheaper to fly into O’Hare, rent a car and drive to Milwaukee, especially if you’re traveling with a family. Likewise, if you really want to stay at a certain place—like the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa, where we filmed the segment—then consider going in the off-season. In Phoenix that would in the height of a desert summer, when the resort offers an all-inclusive deal starting at $215 per night.

Find out where to watch “The List.”