Jackie Jones

Latest posts by Jackie Jones

Sugar Sand Park: South Florida’s Best Kept Secret Playground Plus Free Science Museum

Submitted by Jackie Jones on Sun, 12/25/2022 - 9:00pm

Riding the carousel at Sugar Sand Park, photo by the author

There are parks and then there are parks, and Sugar Sand Park in Boca Raton definitely falls into the latter category—guaranteed to blow your kids away and keep them entertained for hours. Located right off I-95 between Miami and West Palm Beach, this park is truly a local gem. Features include a gigantic, all-inclusive playground with a splash pad in the middle, as well as a free science museum for children. But that's not all! The 132-acre park also has a carousel and a theater with regular family programming.

Here's more on why Sugar Sand Park is my family's new favorite play spot, and what you can expect when planning a visit.

Minneapolis with Kids: 30 Best Things To Do in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Submitted by Jackie Jones on Sat, 11/26/2022 - 12:00pm

Let kids' imaginations run wild at the Minnesota Children's Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum

If you're looking for a fun midwestern family getaway, Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota are a great choice. There are so many fun things to do in Minneapolis and St. Paul with kids. After all, the Twin Cities are home to the Mall of America and a Great Wolf Lodge. Seasons are for real in these Midwestern towns, leading to glorious landscapes in the fall and spring, when families flock to the area's gorgeous outdoor offerings. And when the "Mini Apple'"becomes a frozen tundra (in, say, January and February), there are plenty of fun things to do in Minneapolis indoors.

Here are 30 of our favorite things to do in Minneapolis and St. Paul with kids, including kid-friendly St. Paul and Minneapolis restaurants and hotels. For more family vacation ideas in this part of the US, check out our Midwest Family Travel Guide.

All Aboard South Florida's New Train: Riding the Brightline to Miami

Submitted by Jackie Jones on Sun, 11/06/2022 - 2:37pm

No traffic, comfy seats, and an element of adventurous fun—these are all reasons why my family has fallen in love with the Brightline train, the high-speed rail service that connects West Palm Beach to Miami (with a stop in Fort Lauderdale). Anyone who lives in South Florida can tell you that the roads between these cities get congested, especially on a Friday afternoon. The Brightline presents another option for travelers. For kids and their parents, it also means an experience they're unlikely to forget.

So what exactly can you expect aboard the Brightline? And when does this South Florida train service expand to other cities in Florida? Read on for all of the details, including a special Miami Polar Express Christmas Train. And to find out about more of our favorite train rides in Florida, check out our 10 favorite scenic train rides in Florida.

Las Vegas, Nevada: 50 Awesome Things To Do in Vegas with Kids

Submitted by Jackie Jones on Sat, 10/08/2022 - 12:00pm

Take a spin around the lazy river at Mandalay Bay.

"Kid-friendly" is probably not the first word that comes to mind when you think of Las Vegas, but America's playground for adults is increasingly becoming a popular family vacation destination. While there are plenty of casinos and other grown-up activities on the strip, there are also many fun things to do in Vegas with kids, including parks, museums, shows, and memorable restaurants. Many Las Vegas hotels also offer amenities specifically geared for children.

My kids and I had a blast on a recent trip to Sin City, and my youngest is already asking when we can go back. Here are 50 of the best things to do in Vegas with kids, including delicious restaurants and kid-friendly hotels in Las Vegas. You'll see why Las Vegas made our list of the 30 best warm and sunny family vacation ideas! Check out our Family Travel Guide for more great options for your family's next trip.

Chattanooga with Kids: 25 Best Things To Do in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Submitted by Jackie Jones on Sat, 08/27/2022 - 12:00pm

The Creative Discovery Museum is sure to delight kids of all ages.

Chattanooga, Tennessee is known as the Scenic City, and it's not hard for visitors to see why. Set along the Tennessee River in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, this southern town is brimming with beauty and fascinating attractions. Though not as high-profile as Nashville or Memphis, Chattanooga is an affordable and easily accessible place. And with so many family-friendly things to do in Chattanooga, it's a great destination for a trip with kids.

Here are 25 of the best things to do in Chattanooga with kids, including kid-friendly museums, fresh-air fun, delicious Chattanooga restaurants, and great Chattanooga hotels for families. Be sure to visit our Family Travel Guide for more great family vacation ideas.

Lion Country Safari: Drive-thru Zoo with Wildlife, Water Rides, & More in South Florida

Submitted by Jackie Jones on Sun, 07/24/2022 - 1:00pm

There are more than just lions at Lion Country Safari.

With more than 900 animals, a water park, and carnival rides, Lion Country Safari in Loxahatchee is a must-see attraction for visitors and locals in south Florida. Located 90 minutes north of Miami (30 minutes outside West Palm Beach), Lion Country is the kind of place where a family can spend the entire day and still not see everything this park has to offer. Its drive-through wildlife preserve is one of our favorite drive-through zoo experiences. Visitors can expect to see rhinos, giraffes, and lions up close. And I mean close. Last time my family visited, an ostrich approached our car and started pecking at a parking pass in the window (much to my daughters' delight!) Even more animals are on display in the park's walk-through zoo. And if you visit on a warm day, which is likely in south Florida, be sure to pack swimsuits; the splash pad and water slides here are some of the best in the area.

Here's more on what to do at Lion Country Safari—and for more ideas on Miami family activities, check out our South Florida and Miami guide.

Memphis with Kids: 25 Great Things To Do in Memphis, TN

Submitted by Jackie Jones on Sat, 07/02/2022 - 10:35am

Take a tour of Elvis Presley's Graceland mansion.

Memphis, Tennessee is a city known for its rich musical history, civil rights heritage, and amazing BBQ. This town on the Mississippi River beats with a distinctly American heart. Many people regard it as the birthplace of rock n' roll: Legendary artists like Johnny Cash, Otis Redding, and Elvis Presley all recorded hit songs in Memphis. But you don't have to be a music aficionado or history buff to love the "Bluff City." Like the city of Nashville, there are so many things to do in Memphis, TN with kids, such as great museums, gorgeous parks and gardens, and delicious food. (Did I mention BBQ?)

Here are 25 things to do in Memphis with kids, including Memphis restaurants kids will love and the best family-friendly hotels in Memphis, TN. For more awesome family vacation ideas, check out our Family Travel Guide.

Georgia Peach World Farm: The Sweetest Stop Along I95

Submitted by Jackie Jones on Fri, 05/06/2022 - 11:25am

Take a fun-filled break from the drive along I95 and let loose at the ultimate rest stop: Georgia Peach World Farm.

Georgia Peach World Farm is a must-see attraction for those traveling I95 in southeastern Georgia. After mile upon mile of boring rest stops and gas stations, Georgia Peach World beckons like a juicy oasis of family fun for weary road-trippers of all ages. Located directly off the highway at Exit 58 in Townsend, Georgia (between Savannah and Jacksonville, Florida), this travel respite offers bouncy houses, farm animals, an on-site cafe, and much more. The $12 wristband admission gets visitors all-day access!

With peach season starting this month, here's more on why this Georgia family farm should be scheduled on your next road trip! And enjoy more farms and fresh produce spots across our region with our helpful Pick Your Own Guide to Farms in Atlanta.