Category: Other Destinations

  • Rides at Brookfield Zoo Chicago: 3 Fun Attractions to Try

    Rides at Brookfield Zoo Chicago: 3 Fun Attractions to Try

    From peeking at pangolins to talking with tapirs, our family loves visiting Brookfield Zoo Chicago. The almost 3500 animal residents are the highlights of our visits, but we also enjoy the three rides at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. All three rides connect us to both the animals and the history of the zoo. We want to…

  • Visit Brookfield Zoo Chicago for Free This Winter

    Visit Brookfield Zoo Chicago for Free This Winter

    Chicago-area families have a world-class zoo in Brookfield, Illinois. Located just west of the city of Chicago, Brookfield Zoo Chicago has over 3000 animals from all over the world. The animals’ indoor and outdoor habitats are nestled among lush landscaping and wide walkways. With plenty of interactive and interesting exhibits, an all-day visit for all…

  • 10 of Our Favorite Family Games for Screen-Free Fun

    10 of Our Favorite Family Games for Screen-Free Fun

    Hanukkah has arrived, Christmas is just a week away and Kwanza soon after. As the weather cools and the holidays roll-in, I am thinking about cozy games our family will enjoy over the coming cold months. In the spirit of this season, I am sharing favorite games our family loves and a few I am…

  • Bring This Easy Christmas Tradition Home on a Small Budget

    Bring This Easy Christmas Tradition Home on a Small Budget

    Have you see those charming photos or window displays with model trains chugging around the base of a Christmas tree? A few years ago, we wanted to create one of those scenes in our own home. Our goal for any new Christmas traditions is to keep them easy and low cost, and there was one…

  • Christkindlmarket 2025, Opening Weekend in Aurora

    Christkindlmarket 2025, Opening Weekend in Aurora

    The Christkindlmarket in Aurora, Illinois is now open for the 2025 holiday season! We have created a guide for this perennial Chicagoland favorite. You can find that guide here: Christkindlmarket Aurora 2025: Tips for Your Visit. While that guide has lots of tips pulled together over our many family visits to Christkindlmarket in years past,…

  • Kids’ Travel Essentials: What to Pack For Your Family Trip

    Kids’ Travel Essentials: What to Pack For Your Family Trip

    Sometimes it feels like the time it takes to pack for a family trip lasts longer than the trip itself. We want to save you some time and, hopefully, some stress. We have tinkered with our packing list over the years, and we have come up with suggestions we would like to share. In part…