5 Dreamy Vacations with Kids

Plenty of things changed when we had kids. A lot of previously accepted parts of my life were suddenly viewed through a new lens, one that included a baby girl. One thing that never changed? My desire to travel and take our kids along for the ride. Sure we get less sleep, but it's made up for tenfold when we get to experience a place through their eyes and make new memories as a family.

Looking for a summer adventure? Here are 5 of our favorite places to travel with kids...

1. Oahu, Hawaii

Where to Stay: Turtle Bay Resort

What we Love: Hawaii with kids is always a good idea! There's plenty to do and see and almost all of it is outdoors. I've found that my kids often times need more downtime on vacation and it's a great place to sneak in a beach nap or poolside slumber in the afternoon without having to plan your whole day around it. We've been to three of the Hawaiian islands with the kids and a fourth just ourselves. Personally I've found Oahu to be the most kid-friendly. It has the most direct flights which is a huge bonus when traveling with kids. Plus, it has great food options with reliable hours.

2. Santa Fe, New Mexico

Where to Stay: Four Seasons Rancho Encantado

What we Love: Santa Fe is truly a magical place. Every time we are there we tell ourselves we need to make it an annual trip! There are beautiful, kid-friendly hikes, delicious food, and great art. (You can see a full blog post of what we love there here!) We love the Four Seasons with kids because of how warm and accommodating everyone is there. We stay in a suite where the kids have their own room with a sofa bed and bathroom and they love having their own space! Each casita has an outdoor patio which makes for the perfect spot to enjoy your morning coffee or a glass of wine after the kids go to bed.

3. Paris, France

Where to Stay: The Westin Paris Vendome

What we Love: Our web developer is currently visiting Paris with her family. She sent a recent dispatch about the macaron making class she took with her daughter and I've been dreaming of bringing the girls to the City of Light ever since. While I like a boutique hotel experience when traveling solo, I appreciate the flexibility and amenities of larger chains when traveling abroad with kids. This Westin is centrally located near the Louvre and the Tuileries Garden with some rooms boasting Eiffel Tower views. We would likely do two connecting rooms since there aren't very many suite options available for a family of four. 

4. Washington D.C.

Where to Stay: The Darcy

What we Love: There are so many things to see and do with kids in Washington D.C. I love making each day here a mix of indoor things like the National Gallery of Art, the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History or the National Air and Space Museum and outdoor things like Dumbarton Oaks Garden (my favorite!), Paddle Boats at the Tidal Basin or the National Zoo. The Darcy is centrally located to so many thing and has available suites with stand alone bath tubs. It's also a very quick walk to a Shake Shack which is clutch if you end up with hangry kids!

5. New York, New York

Where to Stay: Essex House

What we Love: If I'm staying in the city alone or with Aaron, you can find me downtown in a boutique hotel, but with kids I always book the Essex House! They have spacious suites that are ideal for kids with views that overlook Central Park. You can easily walk to the Plaza food court for quick, convenient meals in a pinch, spend a day in the park and have so many public transit options at your finger tips. We always avoid a stroller here and have found it better to use a carrier with smaller babes. As long as we take regular breaks for snacks and carousel rides, everyone is usually excited to walk and explore most the day. 

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