L.A. Family Travel

24/10/2025

🎃👻 Looking for a TRULY spooky Halloween getaway?

Forget the fake cobwebs and plastic skeletons... how about spending the night in a room where Marilyn Monroe's ghost still appears in the mirror? Or checking into a hotel where friendly spirits might tuck you into bed? 😱

California is home to some of America's most haunted hotels, and they're not just scary in October—these spirits stick around ALL YEAR LONG! From Hollywood legends who never checked out to Victorian-era headmistresses still roaming the halls, these real-life ghost stories will give you chills.

We're talking:
✨ John Belushi's spirit in a West Hollywood bungalow
✨ A brothel ghost who literally pushes intruders out of the building
✨ Over 100 spirits haunting a historic ocean liner
✨ A heartbroken woman from 1892 still waiting for her lost love

Would YOU be brave enough to book room 410 at the Queen Anne Hotel? Or request the most haunted room at the Union Hotel?

Read about California's 9 most terrifying hotels and decide if you dare... 👇

https://lafamilytravel.com/9-most-haunted-hotels-in-california-for-brave-families/

Here are the 9 most haunted hotels in Callifornia. Are you brave enough to stay in one of these spooky rooms?

21/10/2025

🎃 PSA: Halloweentown is REAL and I'm not emotionally prepared for this information 🎃

Remember that Disney Channel movie we all watched 47 times as kids? Yeah, well someone decided to make it a whole VIBE in St. Helens, Oregon, and now we need to book a flight immediately.

From September 17th to October 31st, this town goes FULL Halloweentown mode with:

👻 Giant light-up pumpkins (like, GIANT)
🏴‍☠️ Pirates shooting cannons at the river (as one does)
🎭 Costume contests where literally EVERYONE is dressed up
🏚️ A haunted house that had someone's "too cool for school" teenager holding their hand in fear (no judgment, we've all been there)

The best part? Most of it is FREE. Just walk around, take 800 Instagram photos, and pretend you're about to help Grandma Aggie save Halloween.

Who's ready for a spooky season road trip? ✈️👻🍂

P.S. — Watch the movie first with your kids. It hits different when you're actually standing where Debbie Reynolds stood. 😭

https://lafamilytravel.com/celebrate-halloween-all-october-long-in-halloweentown-oregon/

Parades, costume contests, haunted houses, and more make Halloweentown, Oregon the spookiest spot to bring your family this Halloween season!

16/10/2025

❄️☀️WINTER VACATION PLANNING: Are you Team Snowman or Team Sandcastle? 🌨️🏖️

Because guess what? Whether your dream winter involves hot cocoa by the fireplace or sipping fruity drinks with tiny umbrellas under a palm tree, we’ve got options that’ll make even your moody teen crack a smile. Maybe. 😎

👇 Check out 7 of the BEST winter family getaways that include:
🎿 Park City’s Olympic-level slopes & Snowga (yes, snow yoga is a thing)
🐬 San Diego’s sunny beaches & splashy fun at SeaWorld
🥧 Key West’s tropical vibes & 37 variations of Key Lime everything (lip balm included)
🌆 New York’s twinkly lights, ice rinks, and just enough chaos to feel alive
🐒 Costa Rica’s rainforests, volcanoes, AND hotel-visiting monkeys
💃 Dominican Republic’s dance-your-snowpants-off beaches & rainforest hikes
🌌 Canada’s northern lights & more maple syrup than your waffle can handle

So go ahead, skip shoveling your driveway this winter and make some actual family memories (bonus: you might even survive a board game night without flipping the table). 😂

📲 Check out the full list here and start planning the winter getaway your group chat will actually agree on.

👉https://lafamilytravel.com/7-best-winter-family-vacations-from-hot-tubs-to-northern-lights/

08/10/2025

There is so much fun to be had in Hanalei Bay on Kauai. The teens started out off with some dares.

Don’t miss this area when you visit. One of our favorite beaches on the island.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

06/10/2025

🎸 **Nashville calling all parents of teens!** 🎸

Just dropped the ULTIMATE guide to Music City adventures your teenagers will actually want to do (and might even thank you for later 😉).

From dancing honky-tonk at Robert's Western World to creating custom candles at Paddywax, visiting the jaw-dropping National Museum of African American Music, and yes—devouring that legendary Nashville hot chicken 🔥🍗

This isn't your typical boring family vacation guide. We're talking:
✨ Celebrity-owned bars they can actually visit (before 6pm!)
✨ Interactive museums where they walk away with their own soundtrack
✨ Zip lines, obstacle courses, and ninja warrior challenges
✨ Instagram-worthy street art photo shoots
✨ The REAL stories behind Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, and Elvis

**BONUS:** Money-saving tips including tour bundles and the best shoulder season months to visit (hello, affordable hotels! 👋)

Whether your teen is a music lover, history buff, adventure seeker, or all of the above—Nashville has something that'll actually get them off their phone and excited about family time.

📍 Read the full guide: https://lafamilytravel.com/nashville-for-teens/

**Pro tip from the article:** Spring and Fall are *chef's kiss* for visiting. Mid-70s weather, fewer crowds, and way better prices!

Who's ready for a Nashville adventure? Tag your travel buddy! 👇

Explore how Nashville for teens can be the perfect getaway. Enjoy music, food, and activities tailored for young adventurers.

28/09/2025

❄️ **Winter vacation planning but your family doesn't ski?** No problem!

We've discovered 9 incredible destinations across North America where families can create magical winter memories WITHOUT hitting the slopes! 🏔️

From dog sledding through Jackson Hole's snowy wilderness to exploring New Hampshire's enchanting Ice Castles, these destinations prove that winter adventures go way beyond skiing. Your kids will be talking about these experiences for years!

**Our favorite non-skiing winter activities:**
🐕 Dog sledding tours with lunch and hot springs
🛷 Horse-drawn sleigh rides through elk refuges
🧊 Ice skating under mountain stars
🎢 Olympic bobsled experiences (yes, really!)
🏰 Magical frozen ice castles with slides and tunnels
🔥 Cozy fire pits and natural hot springs

**Featured destinations include:**
• Jackson Hole, Wyoming
• White Mountains, New Hampshire
• Beaver Creek, Colorado
• Salt Lake City, Utah
• Lake Tahoe, California
• Sun Valley, Idaho
• Taos, New Mexico
• Vermont
• Whistler, British Columbia

Each destination offers family-friendly lodging with heated pools, game rooms, and activities for all ages - because let's be honest, après-ski hot chocolate tastes just as good after snow tubing! ☕

**Parents:** Which winter activity would your kids be most excited about? Drop a comment below! 👇

https://lafamilytravel.com/family-vacations-for-non-skiers/

Looking to join your skiers for a winter holiday but want to find things to do for non-skier? Here are 9 great alternatives!

20/09/2025

🎄 Just discovered that European Christmas markets are basically the perfect combo of holiday magic, mulled wine, and the constant threat of losing your commemorative mug! 🍷

Turns out Germany isn't hogging all the Christmas magic (shocking, I know). From Prague's legendary stick bread (yes, that's a thing and YES you need it in your life) to Vienna's ice skating extravaganza, Europe is serving up holiday vibes harder than your aunt serves unsolicited life advice at Thanksgiving.
My favorite fun fact: These markets shut down tighter than your wallet after Black Friday shopping - most close by Christmas Eve! So if you're planning to snag post-Christmas deals like we do at Target, think again. The magic disappears faster than cookies left out for Santa.

Pro tip from someone who learned the hard way: Research before you go, unless you want to end up at what London calls a "Christmas Market" but is actually just a bunch of drunk people in Leicester Square. 😅

Can't make it to Europe? Don't worry! America has jumped on the Christmas market bandwagon too. Because if there's one thing we're good at, it's taking European traditions and adding our own special twist (probably involving food trucks and credit card readers).

Who's ready to pack their stretchy pants and hunt down some stick bread? 🥖✨

https://lafamilytravel.com/a-quick-guide-to-europes-best-christmas-markets/

Inspired by our family travel adventures, L.A. Family Travel writers share the best family travel guides & tips for the best family vacation!