When I look back on our travels in 2015, some of our highlights took place far away from home, such as Italy, while others were close-by in our home state of New York. Something I always think of in regards to travel (particularly family travel), is that a great trip or adventure can happen anywhere, even 10 minutes away. While there is a long list of places and far-away countries I’m dying to see, the reality is life can make it hard to travel all the time. There’s jobs, school, commitments…not to mention traveling is expensive! Not that I’m complaining – we did go abroad this summer – but sometimes it’s overwhelming to think of all the exotic places I wish we could go. So I try to keep things in perspective for my family and focus on local trips as much as far away ones. Experiences are experiences, after all, and the more exposure my girls have to all sorts of places, the more I hope to fill and broaden their little minds.
Below is a list of some of our favorite places visited during 2015. Each of them is linked up to its respective post(s), so to read more, just click away.
Italy:
Rome: I’ve visited pre-kids, and was feeling a little overwhelmed at the prospect of taking our girls this summer, but Rome proved me wrong. It was surprisingly an amazing place to take the fam, and didn’t feel nearly as daunting as I thought it would. See my Top 8 Things to See and Do with Kids.
Tuscany: Tuscany is one of the most kid-friendly European regions around! See my posts on Pienza, Florence and Wine Tasting with the kids.
Colorado:
Steamboat Springs, CO (summertime): Who would think this Colorado ski town would be a place to visit during the summer. But with loads of outdoor activities, and a vibrant downtown, we can’t get enough. For more posts, see Adventure Time and Shopping + Hot Springs.
New York City Highlights:
The Highline: Everyone’s favorite public park and converted railway line.
The SeaGlass Carousel + Battery Park: this magical carousel is an other-worldly experience in one of New York’s greatest parks with spectacular views.
Classic New York: a tour of our NYC “whirlwind” and all places classic, including the Empire State building, Serendipity restaurant, the Plaza, MoMA, Grand Central and more.
Wave Hill: this public garden and art space overlooking the Hudson in the Bronx is a NYC gem and one of our favorite places in the city.
Hudson Valley, NY:
Storm King Art Center: With over 500 acres of beautiful fields and landscape in which to exhibit world-class sculptures, this is one of our favorite go-to’s.
Cold Spring, NY: Just 50 miles north of NYC, visiting this town for the day feels like you’ve gone on vacation.
Walkway Over the Hudson: World’s longest elevated pedestrian bridge!
Mount Peter: New York’s oldest ski mountain and the BEST place to start your kids on skis.
Westchester, NY:
Stone Barns: We love this farm, located in the bucolic setting of Pocantico Hills, NY.
Croton Dam: this thundering waterfall will please any kid.
Ward Pound Ridge: Westchester’s biggest park, and beautiful to explore year-round.
Connecticut:
Mystic: What’s not to love about this quaint New England sea side town!
Ridgefield: Another CT charmer
Pennsylvania:
Skytop Lodge: located in Skytop, Pennsylvania, this lodge epitomizes family-friendly hotels, with every activity under the sun awaiting you.
Florida:
Naples: an ideal place for families to visit, as there is just so much to do in this beautiful Gulf Shore town. If you want both beach and culture, you’ll love Naples. And if you’re a foodie, this is your town.
And that does it. Happy New Year and thanks for your readership!
Love this. I’m based in Scotland and I’ve spent months in Italy before children – heaven. Need to take them there. And thanks for all the ideas about America. Will bookmark page!
Author
Thank you! So nice you got to spend a lot of time in Italy pre-kids..while it’s never the same post-kids, I highly recommend Tuscany – it’s so naturally adventurous and beautiful and peaceful that it’s not overwhelming with the little ones in tow..
Well done, Corey. I have been to some of the places you wrote about, and can’t wait to visit the others
Author
Thanks LGC!
What a year! You certainly made the most of every season! Hope 2016 treats you just as well!
Author
Thanks so much and same to you – Happy New Year!!
Thank you!
No doubt about it- it was a good one! (though I had to skip swiftly around that snow- brrrhh!) 🙂 And where next? Big plans or small ones? I’m just as happy finding somewhere to explore at home… well, if the weather co-operates 🙂 Happy 2016, anyway!
Author
Happy New Year to you Jo! Hopefully a mini skiing vaca is in order next though we’ve had no snow. We were planning to take girls out west skiing for first time over spring break – where there is snow – but my husband just switched jobs and can’t go. Not sure I can do it on my own with two little ones who just learned last year. So lots to figure out and travel adjustments to be made..
Fantastic photos and great to get a recap of all your adventures last year. I couldn’t agree more that travels can be anywhere in the world and more often than not, closer to home. Happy new year and look forward to following in 2016!
Author
Thanks Ting and Happy New Year to you as well! With kids travels closer to home can be just as good. Looking forward to hearing all about your 2016 too:).
Loved reading about your 2015 travel adventures – the exotic and the local were equally fascinating for me!! Happy 2016, hope it’s a great one for you and your family.
Author
Thanks Joy! Yes sometimes you don’t realize how great something around the corner can be. Happy New Year to you and your family and best wishes! Look forward to following in 2016:).
Looks like you had a great year full of adventure. Hope you have as many happy travels this year.
Author
Thanks so much!
It looks like a great year!
Author
Thanks for stopping by!
That’s quite a year! Italy was my fave of the yeat as well, and my 7 year old announced that New York is at the top of her list for upcoming trips. Cheers to even more experiences ahead!
Author
Thank you! Love that your 7 yo wants to come to NYC..if you do feel free to reach out with any q’s or anything..there’s a few posts on my blog of fun things to do in the city with kids. More to come..
What a great year you have had! Wishing you many family adventures and travels in 2016.
Author
Thanks Sue! And same to you – hope you have another great year of travels in 2016:).
What a great year you had! Love all these beautiful photos of stunning locations 🙂
Author
Thanks so much Marcella!