When I told my sister in law that I was taking my eldest daughter to Sunny Arizona she scoffed at me and said, There is nothing to do there. I understood what she meant as, when she goes to Arizona, it is to visit family, not for a vacation. While I knew why her opinions were a bit negative I will admit I was thrilled to find so many fun family activities near Phoenix; some purely fun, some with sneaky education and many delicious. Superstition Mountains, Apache Junction Our trip took us to the communities of Tempe, Chandler, Mesa and Apache Junction; each town with its own unique flavor of fabulous. Family Fun in Chandler, Arizona My daughter would say that some of her best fun was in the pool at the Hampton Inn. This new hotel has all the amenities a family would want- including a refrigerator in the room and complimentary hot breakfast. Comfy beds and free wifi won top points with me. Chandler hosts a Third Friday Art Walk downtown which shouldnt be missed. Artisa...[more »]

Austin, Texas has many claims to fame. It’s the liberal hotbed of conservative Texas, the live music capitol of the world (or at least the country), and it’s proudly “weird”. It’s also been criticized for skyrocketing costs of living in recent years and an LA-like obsession with status and trendiness. Both the criticism and the most well-known characteristics, however, fail to touch on one of the things that makes Austin so attractive to residents and visitors alike: its natural beauty and the ample opportunities to enjoy it for little or no money. McKinney Falls State Park sits on the southeast corner of the city and can be enjoyed every day for just $5 per person. The park offers shaded campgrounds for tents and RVs, as well as plenty of outdoor recreation for the day visitor. Biking and bouldering are among the most popular – and will burn the health conscious the most calories – but long walks and fishing can keep the laid back crowd in tou...[more »]

Although it only takes a single look to be awed by the Grand Canyon, there are nearly 600 miles of rim ledge from which to gaze, each mile offering a new vantage point and unique perspective of the mighty crack. The Canyon itself is constantly changing with the seasons, one month offering the contrast of baked rock against muddy waters and another mixing white snow with green underbrush. It is no small thing to look at the Grand Canyon, and it would be impossible to see all of its wonders in one trip. As an American, I reassure myself that I can return to the Grand Canyon. But what if your trip was a once-in-a-lifetime event? What if you didn’t know you could return – and really, none of us is ever guaranteed another trip anywhere – and you wanted to make the most of your moment? Rather than pick one lookout point on one rim on one day, many international travelers choose to soar above and below the Grand Canyon, taking in the view with the gluttony of a Las Vegas buf...[more »]