A Family Respite at The Residence Inn Minneapolis-St. Paul/Roseville in Minnesota

**Disclosure: Thank you to Visit Roseville for hosting our incredible visit to Roseville, Minnesota! Views are 100% my own.

We began our exploration of the Roseville, Minnesota area by checking into our weekend home base at Residence Inn Minneapolis-St.Paul/Roseville. Immediately upon entering, we could tell that it was a place perfect for relaxing. The lobby and breakfast area looked  like a nice place to relax in and of itself. Doesn't this look just like your own living room?

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Family Weekend in Roseville, Minnesota: Perfectly Positioned to Explore

**Disclosure: Thank you to Visit Roseville for hosting our incredible visit to Roseville, Minnesota! Views are 100% my own.

Over the holiday weekend, we escaped for a family adventure in and around delightful Roseville, Minnesota. Roseville is situated just minutes from so many experiences including the downtowns of both Minneapolis and Saint Paul. We were immediately impressed by the variety of choices we had for our family adventure. We put together an itinerary that allowed us to explore a little bit of everything including amusements, shopping, history, art, fabulous food and more. With such a packed schedule, we needed a spot to rest and we were very fortunate to be staying at the relaxing Residence Inn Minneapolis St. Paul/Roseville!

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A Snapshot of Tacoma, Washington {For Families}

Tacoma is a key family destination on Puget Sound. Photo courtesy of Julie Henning

This summer, my family will be visiting Washington for a few days before heading on an Alaskan cruise. When my friend Julie Henning over at Road Trips for Families shared with me that she had recently visited Tacoma, I was eager to here about it as a travel option. Thank you to Julie for putting together a little write up about Tacoma so we call all learn more about treasures in Washington!

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Grand Rapids Eats {Our Dining Discoveries in Grand Rapids}

One really fun aspect of travel is the ability to have some new foodie adventures! Travel invites exploration and new discoveries. During our visit to Grand Rapids we found a few places that we liked quite a bit! Each of our culinary adventures were recommended to us by travel writers and they were really spot on!

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Inspirational Walk through the Grand Rapids Art Museum

One of the biggest and most pleasant surprises of our Grand Rapids vacation was our discovery of the Grand Rapids Art Museum. The museum is steps away from the downtown hotels, so very convenient for a visit on any trip to Grand Rapids.

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Family Weekend in Grand Rapids, Michigan

This past weekend we headed up to Grand Rapids, Michigan for a little summer exploration. Grand Rapids is about 3.5 - 4 hours from the Chicago area making it great for a long weekend. As the second largest city in Michigan, you can imagine there is a lot to experience in the city! This week, we will be talking about our Grand Rapids discoveries as well as our fun at nearby Grand Haven for a little beach time.

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On Top of the World at Wind Point Lighthouse in Racine, Wisconsin

**Disclosure: We receive complimentary tickets to Wind Point Lighthouse for the purpose of this review. No compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

Over the past year, I have truly fallen in love with Racine's view of Lake Michigan. Entirely spectacular! Once summer weather returned to the region, our family knew that we needed to spend at least one summer day in Racine. We learned about Wind Point Lighthouse on a previous trip and since we had never climbed a lighthouse before, we immediately added the landmark to our "need to visit list." We were thrilled to find a day this summer to visit the treasure last weekend!

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Louisville Eats and Other Finds

We always eat well when we are in Louisville and there never is a shortage of wonderful establishments to try. On this trip, we visited two of our favorites and tried a sampling of other restaurants which I must say are now new favorites. We also discovered some great areas for shopping for local products near some of these eateries as well.

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Exploring Under Louisville at Louisville Mega Cavern

**Disclosure: Thank you to Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau for providing us with museum and attractions visits so that we can bring these reviews to you. No compensation was received for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

Ropes course. Underground. Sign me up! That is what I felt when I learned about Louisville Mega Cavern! When we travel, we are always on the hunt for the unusual and unique attractions and Louisville Mega Cavern is certainly one of them!

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Kentucky Derby Museum and Churchill Downs for Families

**Disclosure: Thank you to Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau for providing us with museum and attractions visits so that we can bring these reviews to you. No compensation was received for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

For five weeks of the year, 3-year-old thoroughbreds take center stage during the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. The races are quick but they do generate magnificent fanfare. The Kentucky Derby is an important part of the pulse of Louisville, so a visit to the Kentucky Derby Museum and Churchill Downs was on our agenda for our Louisville vacation.

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A Family Visit to the Louisville Slugger Museum is a Home Run!

**Disclosure: Thank you to Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau for providing us with museum and attractions visits so that we can bring these reviews to you. No compensation was received for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

You don't get any more American than baseball! While in Louisville, families can experience firsthand an American creation that has helped many a legend in their journeys towards greatness--the Louisville Slugger!

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Step Into History at the Frazier History Museum {Louisville}

The Frazier History Museum has a partnership with the Royal Armouries Museum

**Disclosure: We did receive complimentary admission to the Frazier History Museum in order to bring you this review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

When traveling, we love to visit historic museums that establish a foundation of the history and culture of the region. Throughout the course of my adventures, I have found that you can often miss quite a bit about an area without some understanding of how the region evolved.

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Old Time Charm at the Seelbach Hilton in Louisville

Sometimes, the hotel is part of the adventure. During our Louisville vacation, we seized the opportunity to stay at the Seelbach Hilton which quickly brought us back to 1900's splendor. Brothers and German immigrants Otto and Louis Seelbach envisioned a hotel transporting the grandeur of European hotels to America. They were able to capture this magnificence by importing the finest marbles, bronzes, textiles and hardwoods from Europe and the West Indies. The hotel opened with a 5-hour public inspection in 1905 that drew an incredible crowd of 25,000 people.

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A Weekend Family Getaway in Racine, Wisconsin

**Disclosure: Thank you to Real Racine for hosting our recent visit. No compensation was received for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

Recently, my family and I escaped the grind to enjoy majestic views of Lake Michigan, a wealth of family fun and the interesting history of Racine, Wisconsin. Racine is only about an hour from our home in the Northwest Suburbs, so it makes the town an easy choice when looking for a quick getaway. Plus, the friendly atmosphere, idyllic views, fascinating architecture, relaxing spots for meals, and engaging yet not overwhelming family activities will really allow you a much needed escape.

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A Day in Savannah: Summer Road Trip Day 3

**Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

Ahhhhhh.....Savannah! Such a beautiful, captivating city. We found so much peace walking through tranquil squares and along streets lined with graceful trees. We stayed in the Historic District, near the City Market, which proved to be an ideal launching point. We took a real relaxed approach to our visit and did not try to pound out too many attractions. If you allow it, Savannah is really a city that allows you to unwind and appreciate picturesque surroundings.

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Summer Road Trip Day 1: Stop in Nashville, Tennessee

** Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

Nashville, Tennessee is only about a 7-8 hour drive from the Chicagoland area. Since we have never been to Nashville before and we knew that arriving there would mean we had made a big leap towards our ultimate destination, the city seemed to be the ideal stop on our first evening. Now mind you, Nashville truly deserves much more time for a visit. However, we had a couple of Nashville attractions on our list for quite some time, so we thought we would take advantage.

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Meeting Makers in Martinsville, Indiana: Martinsville Candy Kitchen and Homestead Primitives

**Disclosure: Thank you to Pam and John Badger and Ann Lankford for showing us some of the treasures of Martinsville! Thank you to the Hendricks County Visitors Bureau for sponsoring our trip to Hendricks and Morgan Counties. No compensation was received for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.


Side trip: Martinsville, Indiana:

Our journey through Morgan and Hendricks Counties in Indiana took us to the delightful small town of Martinsville. The lovely old brick buildings with edifices telling the stories of old America will invite you to explore in search of hidden treasures. Across the street from the town's prominent court house, we found two discoveries worthy of a side trip to any vacation in the area. We were thrilled to experience the real flavor of the creativity of the area by meeting the makers behind the sweet treats at the Martinsville Candy Kitchen as well as the intricately hand painted gourds of Ann Lankford.

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A Taste of Hendricks and Morgan Counties in Indiana {A View of What is to Come}

Last weekend, my family and I spent a weekend discovering the places, people, creations and food of Hendricks and Morgan Counties in Indiana. While only 4 hours away from Chicagoland, we really felt whisked away from the humdrum of our regular lives and came back recharged and renewed. We were able to pack in a lot in a short weekend but had a blast the entire time. We experienced nature, art, history, celebration, nostalgia and more. Everything we found not only delighted us but inspired us as well. Next week, I will be beginning a more in depth series on our discoveries. However, I wanted to give you a little bit of a sneak peek of what to expect. I am sure that many of you are busy planning summer trips and Hendricks and Morgan Counties are truly worth the drive!

On our trip, we learned about glass blowing:

Hot Blown Glass by Lisa Pelo

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Get Out There: Work on your Travel Planning with the Best of the Midwest Blog Hop

Thinking about warmer days of travel ahead! Picture of the Morton Arboretum.

This month, the Best of the Midwest Blog Hop is focusing on collecting travel planning tips culled  from our experience. With mounds and mounds snow still on the ground here in the Midwest (yikes---it's March!!!!), I am sure that we are all busy dreaming of breaking out of our houses and getting out on the road! If we have to be stuck in our homes a little longer (UGH!), why not work on some travel planning? Follow along in our blog hop for some tips and ideas! Plus, don't forget to add some of your own by adding a link to the hop or sharing in comments.

Right now, I am in the final stages of planning a trip and am working on my bucket list for that trip. I like to itemize the essential goals of the trip so I do not miss the big things.

• Build in pockets of time to rest: I am overzealous when I travel and want to do everything! However, everyone needs a little time to breath and enjoy being away. I like to build in a little time for us to enjoy the hotel or not feel rushed so we can revel in our time away from obligations.
• Organize your travel goals and prioritize attractions: Ok, let's face it, you may not be able to see everything you intended on no matter how well your trip is planned. Make sure you know what your must-sees are before leaving and put them on a list so you can be sure to hit those first.
• Assemble relaxation items: The object of vacation is manifold--to explore, have fun and relax. I like to bring some of my creature comforts with me to help me relax. I pick up a couple of good books, put together a nice selection of tea (there may be a selection of tea on the road but it is often lacking), nice comfy socks and--dare I say--a manicure kit. I almost never get to do my nails at home, so I find it to be a treat to do them when on vacay. Sad, I know!

We have written several posts with family travel ideas, so I thought that I would take this opportunity to share them again. Some of our newer readers may have not seen these posts and other readers may need a refresher! Bon voyage!

• 6 Tips For When You Are On The Road With The Kids During A Holiday
• Surviving a Road Trip with a First Grader
• How to Eat Healthy while on the Road

We'd love to see where you've been visiting!

Please read the following guidelines for sharing:

• Share posts related to the monthly topic.
• By linking up, you are giving me permission to share your post including one photo in any feature posts and on social media channels.
• Visit 2-3 other posts that have linked up, find some new places to visit & meet new friends!

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6 Tips for When You Are on the Road with the Kids during a Holiday

This year, we were on the road exploring during a holiday on two occasions. With an 8-year-old along for the journey, being away from home on a holiday can be a wee bit challenging. While our daughter thoroughly enjoyed our adventures, she also missed her normal holiday festivities. With some planning, we were able to bring some of the holiday magic to her. There are some simple things that you can do to help your child still have some holiday sparkle while on the road!

• Bring some beloved holiday items with you. If you are traveling during Christmas, how about bringing along your stockings? Gone for Halloween? Bring  your child's treat basket and costume along for some trick-or-treating. You can check area malls and museums for safe trick-or-treating options on the road.
• Play a holiday-themed game. You can easily create some fun for the car ride or hotel room yourself. Devise an inspired Mad Lib, word search or I Spy game. Be sure to bring clipboards and markers in fun colors.
• Use holiday plates and cups for meals. A plate with cute pink and purple hearts can lighten up Valentine's Day for a child missing their school party!
• Give a gift. Whether big or small, a little surprise can make the day special. A red, white and blue headband or a flag bandanna can put some spirit into Fourth of July away from the usual round of picnics! Gone on Valentine's Day? Don't forget the heart box of chocolates!
• Don't forget the tasty treats! Find a portable food option perfect for the holiday. Or, find a restaurant where you can have a holiday-inspired meal.
• Scout ahead for holiday events at your destination or along the route. With some advance preparation, you can find some holiday events for your child during your trip. On our most recent trip, we were away from home during Halloween. I located a Whole Foods Market as well as a mall that had trick-or-treating for my daughter. We also were able to catch a Halloween parade. A little planning goes a long way!

When we were on the road during the Fourth of July and Halloween this year, I was a little worried that my daughter would never forgive us. By peppering our trips with some holiday fun, my daughter barely mentioned missing home! And, we had mounds of fun along the way!

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