Hi Trip-Planning Buddies,

Trip planning is my favorite thing to do during the cold winter weather. If you’re itching to get out of town, this list has a little bit of everything including some great road trips and further out trips that are worth the distance.

Easy Driving Trips

Bentonville, Arkansas​
Trust me when I say, Bentonville, Arkansas is one of the coolest up-and-coming cities in the USA. In recent years, Bentonville has branded itself as the Mountain Biking Capital of the World. It’s also well-known as the home of Walmart. While both of those things play a role in what it has become, they are not the full picture. Bentonville has tons of great eateries, some of the best art museums in the world, and it’s basically like a big outdoor playground for families who like to bike.
👉Read the Bentonville guide here.

Omaha, Nebraska​
Omaha is an underrated city with a world-class zoo, fun children’s museum, amazing parks and great food. My kids especially loved playing in a treehouse next to monkeys at the zoo and playing at the new outdoor kids space at Lauritzen Gardens.
👉See more ideas in this post: Best Weekend Trips from KC

Springfield, Missouri​
Springfield is another great location with so many outdoor options like Fantastic Caverns, nature areas, and the Dickerson Park Zoo. There are also fun indoor options like the Discovery Center, Wonders of Wildlife Museum (which is the largest immersive wildlife attraction in the world) and a history museum. You can easily spend a week exploring all of their family-friendly options.
👉Check out the full Springfield guide here.

Trips Worth Flying For

Hot Springs in Idaho​
This is an AMAZING trip with incredible views. It’s best for a girls trip, couples getaway, or traveling with teens. These natural hot springs are remote enough to have them to yourself, but also only a short hike from the road.
👉Read the full Hot Springs Idaho blog here.

New Orleans & Jefferson Parish​
NOLA is such a fun destination for families. We loved watching alligators get fed marshmallows from a pontoon boat, catching races at the New Orleans Fair Grounds, and going in-shore fishing. I’ll also be heading back solo soon to speak at the Southern Travelers Explore Conference.
.👉Check out this video about all the family-friendly fun near New Orleans.

Central Florida ​
Winter is the season to swim with manatees, typically November through March. You can pair it with beautiful natural springs and beach days, making it a great mix of relaxing and memorable experiences. (This is where we are now!! Check out my social media pages to see what we are up to!)

Gulf Shores, Alabama​
We love the warm water and white sand beaches in Gulf Shores. Our favorite highlights include building with Sand Castle University, going on a dolphin cruise, and exploring Gulf State Park.

👉Read our Gulf Shores guides here and here.

Travel Gear We Love

Want to make travel smoother and more comfortable? These are our favorite tried-and-true travel essentials that we use again and again.
Shop our favorite travel gear here.

I would love to hear from you. Which of these trips is calling your name right now?

Keep exploring,
Amy