Branson first began attracting visitors in the 1880’s with a unique attraction; descending into a cavern via a rope 200 feet below the Earth’s surface. For many years this was the main attraction in the city and several caves are open to visitors. When Harold Bell published his famous novel about the Ozarks, “The Shepherd of the Hills,” the area was merely farms and frontier. It wasn’t until the 1960’s that Branson really began to grow as an entertainment center and tourist destination. Today Continue Reading
Spring break on a Budget #BayouTravel
Guest Post written by Kate Voss When the winter finally begins to thaw and the kids get a week or two off of school, it’s the perfect time to plan a family vacation. For many of us spring break travel is a luxury, but you don’t need an all-inclusive tropical resort to make a memorable family vacation. Here are a few tips on how to plan a remarkable and budget-friendly spring break. Spend time researching flights With the hundreds of search sites for finding a flight, from Expedia to Continue Reading
Beyond Bikinis & Margaritas: Cultural Cozumel + Cruise Ship Scavenger Hunt Printable
Spring-breakers, cruise ship stop-overs, and beach bums are at the top of the list of those who visit the Mexican island of Cozumel. But, there’s so much more to do on this island than sipping margaritas or lounging in your bikini. Traditional beach activities like scuba diving, snorkeling and dolphin swimming are all available. But, you can also mix up your tropical vacation with a stop at some of these cultural and historical sites that make Cozumel a destination for all types of vacation Continue Reading
Spring Break Destinations without the College Crowd #BayouTravel
Thousands of co-eds take to beaches around the country over the next few weeks to celebrate “spring break.” But if you want to take a vacation around the same time, and aren’t interested in participating in a 24 hour a day party, here are four destinations that guarantee you’ll still have a great time. San Diego, CA You may not complete escape the college-set in San Diego but with loads of beaches and other activities you can be sure to carve out a space all your own. You can also avoid the Continue Reading
Visit Your Own State Parks – Adventure into Connecticut State Parks #BayouTravel
Today we include Connecticut in our A Walk In the Park, State Park Spotlight. For those of you not familiar with our 50 week series, Blogging Babies and the Bayou will take readers into a new state every week and feature local State Parks. My mission is to open the eyes of many readers and give a small glimpse of what your own state may offer. If you haven't included Connecticut into your U.S travel bucket list, then get ready to brag a pen and paper to make it official! Enjoy our Walk in the Continue Reading
Should we tent camp or RV camp? Pros and Cons #BayouTravel
Should we tent camp or RV camp? Pros and Cons If you’re new to camping you may be surprised to find how many different options are available. While this is a good thing, it also can feel overwhelming. The two most common types of camping are tent camping and RV camping. Taking some time to understand the pros and cons to each scenario will help you make the best decisions. Tent Camping When you think of “going camping” the image of a popped up vinyl tent in a forest is most likely to come Continue Reading
Visit Your Own State Parks – Colorado State Parks #BayouTravel
Today we include Colorado in our A Walk In the Park, State Park Spotlight. For those of you not familiar with our 50 week series, Blogging Babies and the Bayou will take readers into a new state every week and feature local State Parks. My mission is to open the eyes of many readers and give a small glimpse of what your own state may offer. If you haven't included Colorado into your U.S travel bucket list, then get ready to brag a pen and paper to make it official! Enjoy our Walk in the Continue Reading
Respecting the Locals While You’re on Vacation #BayouTravel
One of the reasons people travel is to see new places and meet new people. There is an opportunity to see another way of life and experience cultures that are different from our own. We want to bottle up our experience (or capture it on video/image) and take it home with us to share with others. But, how often have you stopped to wonder if you’re crossing a line with the people that call that place home? Be Respectful Before visiting any location some care should be taken to understand what Continue Reading
Visit Your Own State Parks – California State Parks #BayouTravel
Today we include California into our A Walk In the Park, State Park Spotlight. For those of you not familiar with our 50 week series, Blogging Babies and the Bayou will take readers into a new state every week and feature local State Parks. My mission is to open the eyes of many readers and give a small glimpse of what your own state may offer. Having lived in California for 12 years of my life, as a child I visited several State Parks through the Girl Scout Program. Enjoy our Walk in the Continue Reading
NYC with Kids on a Budget #BayouTravel
If your travel plans have you landing in New York City don’t wring your hands at the thought of how expensive this vacation could cost. It’s true that NYC is notoriously expensive, but that doesn’t mean you have to pay top dollar to have the best experiences. There are a lot of free and inexpensive activities for families to enjoy in the city. When you begin planning your vacation, take some time to do some research and make a list of everything your family wants to see and do. It might make Continue Reading
6 Reasons to Visit St. Augustine Florida #BayouTravel
Florida isn’t all about Orlando or Miami, there are lots of great cities up and down the coastline. In 3 weeks my family and I will be traveling to St. Augustine, Florida in hopes of adding more excitement into our educational, family travels. St. Augustine is one of the most historical cities is the Gulf Coast area and a short 8 hours drive from the New Orleans, Louisiana area. The area offers traditional tourist attractions, yet infused with historical elements your family is looking for in a Continue Reading
Cruise Chat: Souvenirs Worth Bringing Home #BayouTravel
Souvenirs Worth Bringing Home Embroidered sombreros and traditional dresses are alluring souvenirs when you’re on location in somewhere new. There’s a whole industry that’s dedicated to turning out kitschy souvenirs that tourists just can’t “live without.” But, chances are once you arrive home you’ll be scratching your head and wondering, why in the world did I buy this? It’s ok, we all have done it. But the next time you’re visiting somewhere new consider these souvenirs Continue Reading