Traveling! Traveling is such an enjoyable and educational experience. It allows you time to discover new things, try new foods, and see new places. It gives you a chance to relax, rewind, and rejuvenate. The benefits of traveling go far beyond just adding pictures to your scrapbook or social media app. You create memories! You experience things you never have before! You can even visit the same place every time you travel because you enjoy that location and atmosphere so much!

What’s even better is that traveling is possible for anyone! Budgets can be used, coupons can be clipped, and travel arrangements can be made. It takes planning, but it is well worth the effort!

Palm trees are always a win in my book!
You get to meet cool people!
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You can interact with nature!
You can become up-close and personal with your environment!

Welcome to our new Mountainside Hideaway

October 23, 2022 Melissa A Jones, PhD | 2 Comments

My husband and I have played with the idea of owning vacation property for well over ten years. However, we…

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what is there to do at Holiday World

The Best Attractions at Holiday World for Little Ones

July 11, 2022 Melissa A Jones, PhD | Leave a comment

If you’re looking for a great place to take your young child for some summer fun, Holiday World is the…

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ultimate road trip scavenger hunt

The Ultimate Road Trip Scavenger Hunt for Young Kids

June 16, 2022 Kristyn Jones | Leave a comment

Traveling with kiddos is a great way for them to learn new things and have new experiences! However, long road…

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Family activities in Gatlinburg

The Best Family Activities in Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge

June 10, 2022 Melissa A Jones, PhD | Leave a comment

If you’ve not made the trip to Gatlinburg and/or Pigeon Forge yet, you are missing out! The area is beautiful…

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What is there to do at Anakeesta

Exciting Family Adventures at Anakeesta in Gatlinburg

May 28, 2022 Melissa A Jones, PhD | Leave a comment

Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee are fantastic family destinations in the midwest. There is so much to see and do…

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what is Top Jump

The Top Six Reasons You Need to Visit Top Jump

May 16, 2022 Melissa A Jones, PhD | Leave a comment

We love visiting Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge in Tennessee! There is so much to see and do for everyone of…

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The Ultimate Packing List for Your Next Ski Vacation

February 15, 2022 Melissa A Jones, PhD | Leave a comment

My eighteen-year-old son asked to go skiing for his 18th birthday and I thought why not! I had never planned…

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what to expect on a Carnival cruise ship

The Best of Carnival Magic

February 13, 2022 Melissa A Jones, PhD | Leave a comment

My husband and I originally booked our cruise on Carnival’s Magic in 2019 to celebrate my husband’s 50th birthday in…

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Traveling the US: 20 out of 50 States in One Year!

January 22, 2022 Melissa A Jones, PhD | Leave a comment

My goal for 2021 was to see how many states I could visit. Let’s see what I’ve been able to…

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What You Need to Know About Crystal Mountain’s Cottages

January 17, 2022 Melissa A Jones, PhD | Leave a comment

We had the pleasure of spending a few weeks at Crystal Mountain Resort in Michigan recently. My boys had a…

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What You Need to Know About Crystal Mountain Michigan!

January 13, 2022 Melissa A Jones, PhD | Leave a comment

If you are looking for a fun and family-friendly ski resort in the midwest, then Crystal Mountain, Michigan is a…

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The Most Amazing Route 66 Stops in Arizona

January 6, 2022 Melissa A Jones, PhD | 22 Comments

We had an amazing out west adventure this past summer! We saw and learned so much. I definitely believe that…

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Family activities in Nashville, TN

The Best Reasons to Visit The Opryland Resort

December 23, 2021 Melissa A Jones, PhD | Leave a comment

Nashville, Tennessee is one of my favorite cities to visit. It’s less than three hours from our home and has…

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Top Reasons Not To Skip Petrified Forest in Arizona

September 5, 2021 Melissa A Jones, PhD | Leave a comment

We have visited several National Parks recently and my favorite so far is the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona!…

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The Best Stops in Yellowstone National Park

August 4, 2021 Melissa A Jones, PhD | 34 Comments

My husband, youngest son, and I went on a two-week out west road trip this past summer! It was absolutely…

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Buffalo Bill Dam is Amazing and Worth the Stop

July 31, 2021 Melissa A Jones, PhD | Leave a comment

If you are heading from South Dakota to Yellow Stone, make sure to stop by Buffalo Bill Dam! It’s a…

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Activities Your Teen Will Actually Enjoy in Vegas

July 5, 2021 Melissa A Jones, PhD | Leave a comment

Las Vegas is an amazing city that is known worldwide for casinos and alcohol, as well as dazzling views and…

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Your Ultimate Guide to Disney’s Vero Beach Resort

July 2, 2021 Melissa A Jones, PhD | Leave a comment

With over thirty years of traveling experience behind me, I believe I’m very good about finding amazing places to visit…

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Must-See Roadside Attractions in South Dakota!

June 17, 2021 Melissa A Jones, PhD | Leave a comment

If you are heading down I-90 through South Dakota, there are several can’t-miss roadside stops you have to hit! The…

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The Ultimate Packing List for Your Next Road Trip

June 7, 2021 Melissa A Jones, PhD | 44 Comments

Road trips can be an amazing adventure! You can go anywhere and see just about anything you want to see!…

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The Top Waterpark in Indiana: Splashin’ Safari

May 25, 2021 Melissa A Jones, PhD | Leave a comment

Splashin’ Safari is located inside Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana. You pay one ticket price and get admission to…

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Family Fun at Holiday World in Santa Claus, IN!

Melissa A Jones, PhD | Leave a comment

Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari is a family-owned amusement park in Southern Indiana. It’s been around for 75 years and…

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Lions, Zebras, Pandas, and More at Zoo Atlanta!

April 25, 2021 Melissa A Jones, PhD | Leave a comment

We ventured to the Atlanta area recently and spent the day at Zoo Atlanta! It was a large and beautiful…

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Pandas! Twin Pandas!! Need I say anymore?!?!

Melissa A Jones, PhD | Leave a comment

I was excited to be able to visit Zoo Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia recently! The main attraction I was looking…

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The Most Amazing Activities in Atlanta!

Melissa A Jones, PhD | Leave a comment

Ready for a fun weekend stop? Check out some of the many fun things to do in Atlanta, Georgia! There…

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History, Secrets, Milestones, & More at World of Coke

April 18, 2021 Melissa A Jones, PhD | Leave a comment

There are so many fun activities to do in Atlanta! We used City Pass to be able to do several…

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Top Reasons for Visiting The Georgia Aquarium

April 17, 2021 Melissa A Jones, PhD | 40 Comments

The Georgia Aquarium is one of the best and largest aquariums we have been to! One of the best ways…

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History and Family Fun in Southeast Virginia

March 29, 2021 Melissa A Jones, PhD | Leave a comment

Guest post by: Daphne Reznik There are so many wonderful, historic locations to visit in Virginia and some of our…

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Ripley’s Life, Exhibits, Oddities, and More!

March 25, 2021 Melissa A Jones, PhD | Leave a comment

I have always been a fan of Robert Ripley and Ripley’s Believe It or Not museums! They have such fun…

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Fun for All Ages at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies

March 21, 2021 Melissa A Jones, PhD | Leave a comment

If you are looking for something fun the entire family will love when you are visiting Gatlinburg, then check out…

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Stroll the Boardwalk & Swim the Beaches in Ocean City, NJ

March 13, 2021 Melissa A Jones, PhD | 10 Comments

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You need to find the time to Stroll the Boardwalk and Swim the Beaches in Ocean City, NJ! It’s an…

The Best SeaWorld Deals for 2021

March 1, 2021 Melissa A Jones, PhD | Leave a comment

SeaWorld is one of our favorite theme parks! Like Disney’s Animal Kingdom, SeaWorld is a combination of the things I…

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The Best Free Wine Trails in Tennessee

February 28, 2021 Melissa A Jones, PhD | 18 Comments

Are looking for a relaxing vacation spot? Somewhere where you can be close to nature and enjoy free activities? We…

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The 5 Best Activities in Gatlinburg

February 6, 2021 Melissa A Jones, PhD | 38 Comments

So, what is there to do in Gatlinburg?!? What is there for adults to do in Gatlinburg? Are there things…

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The Amazing Gatlinburg SkyLift Park

Melissa A Jones, PhD | 10 Comments

Are you looking for amazing views of the Smoky Mountains? How about adding a little adventure to those views?? My…

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10 Things We LOVE about Disney’s Animal Kingdom

January 27, 2021 Melissa A Jones, PhD | Leave a comment

There are endless reasons why we love Disney’s Animal Kingdom, even though it always feels about 10 degrees warmer there…

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The Cheesecake Factory: So much more than just amazing cheesecake!

January 18, 2021 Melissa A Jones, PhD | Leave a comment

The Cheesecake Factory is WAY more than just cheesecake. The cheesecake is amazing, but the entrees are even better! They…

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Gatlinburg & More: Fun for Adults

January 4, 2021 Melissa A Jones, PhD | 46 Comments

Looking for a great weekend getaway for adults only? How about a fun week-long adults-only trip? Check out Gatlinburg, Pigeon…

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Your Ultimate Guide to Disney’s BoardWalk Resort

December 7, 2020 Melissa A Jones, PhD | 32 Comments

There are endless things to love about Disney’s Boardwalk Resort! It is a very nice resort that has great proximity…

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Everything You Want to Know Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort

November 15, 2020 Melissa A Jones, PhD | 2 Comments

We loved Walt Disney World and all it has to offer! Some of our most enjoyable times outside the parks…

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The BEST of Disney’s Magic Kingdom

September 27, 2020 Melissa A Jones, PhD | 36 Comments

Magic Kingdom is just that…Magical! It’s often the first place people think of when someone says Disney World and the…

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My Favorite Disney Magic Shots and More

September 20, 2020 Melissa A Jones, PhD | 26 Comments

Magic Shots are just one of the benefits of Memory Maker. Many people debate about whether or not Disney’s Memory…

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What You Need to Know About Disney World after COVID-19 Shut-Down

August 10, 2020 Melissa A Jones, PhD | 33 Comments

It really is still magical! I had the opportunity to visit Walt Disney World with my second youngest son in…

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7 Easy Ways to Travel For Less

July 16, 2020 Melissa A Jones, PhD | 14 Comments

I love traveling and I have raised my children to enjoy traveling, but it can get expensive fast! With having…

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What Do I Pack to Disney This Trip??

July 7, 2020 Melissa A Jones, PhD | 31 Comments

I am so excited that Disney World is about to reopen! I have three trips planned during the rest of…

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Disney Springs

June 14, 2020 Melissa A Jones, PhD | Leave a comment

Disney Springs opening is a start! We have not been here for almost nine months and after three canceled/rescheduled trips…

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5 Things We LOVE Near Clearwater Beach, Florida

June 12, 2020 Melissa A Jones, PhD | Leave a comment

We live in Indiana but have been to Florida several times. We have tried various beaches and found the beaches…

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Niagara Falls Fun

June 3, 2020 Melissa A Jones, PhD | Leave a comment

We arrived in the rain We weren’t sure what to think about it. It was raining when we arrived. The…

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Disney World REOPENING

May 27, 2020 Melissa A Jones, PhD | Leave a comment

UPDATED 7/14/2020 The Governor of Florida has confirmed Disney World will be reopening as scheduled!! We have UPDATED information about…

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Disney Re-Opening Begins

May 7, 2020 Melissa A Jones, PhD | Leave a comment

Disney Springs will begin phased reopening May 20, 2020. We are super excited! It’s a first step!! Disney Springs will…

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My 10 Favorite Things About Disney World!

May 2, 2020 Melissa A Jones, PhD | 41 Comments

We have been taking family vacations to Disney World for over ten years. We have made amazing memories! There are…

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Disney Face Masks!

Melissa A Jones, PhD | Leave a comment

Here is the information Disney has shared about their face masks! Disney is committed to serving the communities where we live…

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Fun Favorites–Great Disney Restaurants for kids

April 11, 2020 Melissa A Jones, PhD | 3 Comments

Here are some of my family’s favorite Disney World restaurants! They all offer great food and a fun atmosphere and…

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Seaworld Deals

February 9, 2020, Melissa A Jones, PhD | Leave a comment

I love to travel. I love seeing new things and doing new things and showing all of these new things…

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Why Do You Travel So Much?

February 6, 2020, Melissa A Jones, PhD | 30 Comments

I get asked this all the time! Why do you travel so much? Where are you going this time? You’re…

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Boma at Animal Kingdom Lodge

January 6, 2020, Melissa A Jones, Ph.D. | Leave a comment

Boma is the sit-down (table service) restaurant at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. It is a buffet that offers a wide…

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Disney’s 1900 Park Fair Breakfast

January 1, 2020, Melissa A Jones, Ph.D. | 30 Comments

Our last trip to Disney World was amazing! Disney’s 1900 Park Fair has a wide variety of offerings…both with food…

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The Characters at Hollywood and Vine at Disney Studios

December 26, 2019, Melissa A Jones, Ph.D. | Leave a comment

Minnie’s Hollywood and Vine is a character buffet that is perfect for all ages! This has been a staple during…

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DisneyStore.com

The Grand Floridian’s Two-Story Gingerbread House

December 15, 2019, Melissa A Jones, Ph.D. | Leave a comment

During the Christmas season, the cast members at the Grand Floridian in Walt Disney World builds a two-story gingerbread house…

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Five Benefits of Trying New Foods

July 21, 2019, Melissa A Jones, Ph.D. | 2 Comments

I’m a picky eater, but I’m also a believer in trying new things and trying new things includes trying new…

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What do you do when the Mom of Boys doesn’t like camping?

June 15, 2019, Melissa A Jones, Ph.D. | Leave a comment

I was a single mother when my children were very young. Due to that, I decided I must make sure I…


My Disney Backpack

June 8, 2019, Melissa A Jones, Ph.D. | Leave a comment

I often hear people in various Disney Facebook groups and other social media outlets asking about what they need to…


When Rain Does Not Go Away on Vacation

May 27, 2019, Melissa A Jones, Ph.D. | Leave a comment

So you made plans months in advance, traveled a long distance to arrive at your vacation destination, and…..then it rains…


How can I make my money stretch further?

May 20, 2019, Melissa A Jones, Ph.D. | Leave a comment

My husband and I have seven biological children between the two of us so stretching our finances has always been…


How do you travel so much with so many kids???

May 20, 2019, Melissa A Jones, Ph.D. | Leave a comment

First and foremost…I LOVE TO TRAVEL! Seeing new things, trying new foods, and enjoying the drive or flight on the…


yes…we really did take that many kids to Disney!

How do you pack for so many people?

May 20, 2019, Melissa A Jones, Ph.D. | Leave a comment

I have a ton of kids and love to travel! I have always loved traveling, leaving the country for the first…

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