We had a terrific three-day trip to Woodstock, Vermont and here's why you should explore this cool Vermont town on your next summer getaway: It's packed with family-friendly fun, is blessed with natural splendor and it's really easy to navigate with kids. Related: Family fun at ...read more
History comes alive in Vermont at the Billings Farm. Our family loved our tour of this 19th century farm--meeting the animals and seeing the glorious sunflowers. Though, ideal for younger kids, my teen girls thought the combination of culture and pasture was perfect. Let me help ...read more
My summer of exploring New England continues, this time our destination was even closer to our new home. Since our original travel plans were scrapped, we've been checking out the best of the Green Mountain State. FYI: Vermont, my adopted state, is allowing travel to adjacent ...read more
The Clark Art is tucked into the valley between the Green Mountains and the Berkshires. There are four main buildings, plus a huge outdoor expanse. If you are wondering why you should make a family visit to the Clark Art Institute in Massachusetts, rest assured, you'll be able to ...read more
Getting your culture fix is hard right now. Museums need to be smart about how they share art with the community. With a bit of planning, you can still connect in person with artists who are bringing beauty and ideas to the world. There are a few reasons why you should plan a ...read more
If your family is like ours, you've really missed travel. Thankfully, there are parts of the country that are safe for families to visit. New England took an early COVID-19 hit, but thanks to some careful management things are looking up. Vermont, my adopted state, is allowing ...read more
We've been laying low for most of this summer. All of our anticipated travels were canceled (Alaska, Sweden and Paris...sigh) and while we briefly were searching flights to the Bahamas, we decided that flying just wasn't in the cards for us. Picking a spot that taking COVID ...read more
Summer is here, which normally means it’s time to take a vacation. In the age of the Coronavirus Pandemic, many plans are being changed or curtailed. No matter where you’re going, if you’re not prepared, a potentially amazing holiday can turn out to be the worst. Here are our ...read more
This is going to be an unusual summer for travel. Some states are wide open and others are partially back to normal with many COVID-19 precautions in effect. We've noticed a few summer travel trends emerging and are sharing the top summer travel trends for families to inspire you ...read more
It's getting to be that point in the season - the hunt for the perfect swimsuit is on. Maybe there isn't a perfect one, but today there are so many styles that are incredible for a variety of body types while also being stylish and comfortable. Miraclesuit makes some of my ...read more
Thinking of bringing your family to South Africa? Here are some family friendly ideas on where to stay and what to see. These photos are from a trip a few years ago. Our daughter was a 2 and I was pregnant. Some people found this trip very adventurous. I thought it was an ...read more
This will undoubtedly be a summer like no other my kids and I have ever experienced. Camps look like they'll be canceled, vacations are in question, and we are all stuck at home on top of each other. Suffice to say, COVID-19 is cramping our usual summer style. We are going to ...read more
We’re already planning for our 2020-21 Family Ski Guide and praying that COVID-19 doesn't keep us all from enjoying the pow. As we are all reeling from the new reality, I'm starting to see offers come in from the multi-mountain passes. To make life easier for ski parents, I'm ...read more
I don't think I'm alone in my love of podcasts. Millions of moms use them to fill the void in soccer practices, school pickup lines and our commutes. In fact, I've been boring my kids with them for years (for some reason they just don't connect with Terry Gross of Fresh Air). ...read more
Just about every urban family I know dreams of having a wide open space to escape to. While we all love the conveniences and excitement of city life, having a retreat where we can refuel and reconnect with nature is the ultimate luxury. This winter I was fortunate to travel to ...read more
Whether you are coming to Utah in the summer or winter, it's a fabulous place to play outdoors with your family. The Park City area is blessed with the best weather and natural resources, making it a go-to family destination. I'm always on the hunt for family-friendly hotel ...read more
Kids seem to be welcome just about everywhere in Vermont, especially in the Mad River Valley. With world-class skiing available at Sugarbush and Mad River Glen, kids can work up quite an appetite. In the Mad River Valley, family time begins on the mountain and carries on to some ...read more
There are 15 ski resorts in Utah. Part of my travel "bucket list" is to get to all of them. On my recent research trip, I paid a visit to Snowbasin. This Utah resort is a perfect combination of sublime snow quality and excellent resort management. It's a dreamy spot for families ...read more
In the winter, families flock to Park City for the reliable snow. Each season they record more than 300" making it a haven for those of us who love snow sports. But even in Utah with the "Greatest Snow on Earth," it's fabulous to have weather-proof options for how and where to ...read more
My Vermont weekends are fueling my love of winter. With every trip north, I find another reason to adore this great little state. My latest passion is cross country skiing, and there’s really no better place to cross country ski than the Trapp Family Lodge. Related: What you ...read more
How do you capture your travel memories? If you love travel, as our family does, you've likely amassed a huge amount of photos, ticket stubs and souvenirs from your journeys. The default system is to pile the memories into a shoe box or a computer file and never enjoy them ...read more
When my youngest baby girl was just four months old, we went on our first beach vacation as a family of five. She spent her revitalizing vacay days napping on the beach in a tent and her relaxing evenings snoozing at restaurants and ice-cream shops. It was so easy, and I got a ...read more
If you've skied on the East Coast, it's likely you've heard of Killington. But you may not of heard of Pico Mountain, the sister property of the Killington aka "The Beast." While Killington may get the lion's share of the attention thanks to the World Cup Races, steep pitch and ...read more
It’s always good to go into a new experience with little or no expectations. Mr.Momtrends did his best not to oversell skiing in Europe before our trip there. He just said, “You’ll see. It’s just different.” Right he was. I will do my best to not compare St. Moritz to anything in ...read more
On our recent ski trip to Switzerland we were treated to a Swiss Travel Pass. It was one of the best travel bargains I've experienced in a while and it opened up our eyes to some less traditional options for playing in the snow. Thanks to the Swiss Rail system we were able to get ...read more
Thanks to the EarthRoamer, even the fussiest mom could imagine camping this summer. Designed for up to four people, this built from a basic Ford 550 model and then souped up. When set up as a camper it has 6' 5" stand-up height in camper and a California King-size over-cab bunk. ...read more
Finding the best winter experiences for families is my life's work. My latest assignment took me to Switzerland to investigate how the Europeans embrace ski life. My home base for this visit was the family friendly and effortlessly chic Giardino Mountain Resort in St. Moritz. ...read more
My girls have been to more than 40 countries. They had passports at age 3 months. I know a thing or two about traveling with tots. I've decided to take a break from recapping my travels to share my knowledge about the inherent challenges of traveling with children. I'm starting ...read more
Stratton Mountain is a gem. It's a well-situated, perfectly staffed, pretty spot: the perfect place to get your family hooked on skiing without having to make the big investment of a trip to Colorado or Utah. This year we were lucky enough to host our annual Momtrends Ski Moms ...read more
Did you know Pennsylvania has more than 20 mountains where families can learn to ski? The Snowpass program provides every 4th and 5th grader the opportunity to ski or snowboard for free, up to three times. The Keystone state is an amazing place to start skiing or riding. They've ...read more
Martin Luther King Weekend is traditionally one of the biggest and busiest ski weekends of the year. Since we're all about having "snow much fun" here at Momtrends, I've put together a guide to help you navigate this weekend. I call it the "Ski Moms Guide to Avoiding Crowds and ...read more
For many families, spring break is a rare opportunity to bring the family together. As the kids get older, the family gets pulled in many directions. A posh family ski break is a no-fail way to make teens and parents happy. The trick is picking the perfect spot. Living ...read more
"Real skiers ski uphill" is an old expression in Vermont, where cross country skiing is as much a winter tradition as hot chocolate and making snow angels. Cross-Country skiing in the mountains of Vermont can be a wonderful way to embrace winter. Need inspiration to give it a ...read more
We've been taking our kids to Vermont for the past six years. We have few family favorites. "My new favorite state is Vermont," said my 6 year old when she first skied at Okemo Mountain in Ludlow Vermont. The photo was from her first trip here. We've been back six times and the ...read more
As a dedicated ski mom, I'm all about providing more kids access to snow. Just because you live in an urban area like New York City, doesn't mean you can't find a way to the slopes. I've tapped my ski mom friends from the tristate area to come up with a list of 10 places where to ...read more
A world class ski resort needs a few things. First, great reliable snow. Second, luxurious lodgings. Third, they need great food. If you're heading to Big Sky anytime soon, I've got a slew of great ideas on where to eat in Big Sky Montana. Related; Luxury mountain life at ...read more
We picked Mont Tremblant in Quebec, Canada for our family ski trip for three reasons: location, snow and off-mountain fun. At Mont Tremblant in Canada, you can get a feel of being in a European ski village with great snow quality without having to fly across the Atlantic. Plus, ...read more
I've been a huge fan of Copper Mountain for years. We made our first ski trip to Copper Mountain Colorado back in 2013 and it remains one of my top picks for families who ski with teens and tweens. It's also fantastic for snowboarding families. I've been back for the past six ...read more
Winter is here and we're talking about skiing in Utah. Here's what you need to know about the Ski Utah Passport for 5th and 6th graders -- it's the best way to make skiing with kids affordable. It's great for local Utah families and for those of us who have to fly to the powder. ...read more
American Girl...love it or hate it you simply have to admire the empire. We're fans of this brand--it promotes reading and a knowledge of history. Plus, we find the fashions irresistible. For die-hard fans, a visit to NYC's American Girl store is a must-see. Even if your ...read more
NYC is a magical place at the holidays. The lights and displays are glorious and the city is never more full of cheer (and people!). Our family tries to mix culture and charity into the season. I don't want it to be all about CONSUMING and SPENDING. Each year we set aside an ...read more
I had little knowledge of Come From Away until my Broadway-loving mom put it on my radar. Being a New Yorker who was in the city on 9/11, I'm a reluctant participant in 9/11 memorializing. I still haven't been to the museum in NYC, though I do walk by the 9/11 Memorial on a ...read more
Winter is coming, and I couldn't be more excited. I have a treasure trove of recommendations for your next family ski trip. Today, I'm answering the question: Is Sun Valley, Idaho a good place to ski with kids? The answer is an enthusiastic YES! Is Sun Valley Idaho a Good Place ...read more
There’s never been a better time to share the historic Empire State Building (ESB) with your family. Soaring 1,454 feet above Midtown Manhattan, the ESB is New York City’s most recognizable and celebrated attraction. Thanks to a new top-to-bottom redesign, this should be on the ...read more
Travel fuels me. I think my brain just loves the stimulation. It's not that I'm looking for loud showy things, but I long for experiences that remind me it's darn good to be a human. When I'm out in nature during the winter, this is when I collect the moments that make my soul ...read more
When you travel as much as I do, you get incredibly picky about gear. I’ve been working and playing in my new Arctica Women’s Classic Down Packet Jacket and want to share my review of why I love this versatile piece of outerwear. Whether you're planning a fall trip to Vermont or ...read more
This is how I roll, I like to keep things simple and organized. I travel EVERY week. Car, plane, train, you name it, I’m on it. I’ve mastered the art of packing light and embracing the carry-on. I need luggage that is even smarter than I am. Packing is made easy with this cool ...read more
Here's the bottom line about Big Sky: every time we visit I end up looking at property there. There are a lot of reasons why Big Sky Resort is getting more popular in the past decade. The parent company is investing a ton of money in the on-mountain experience, the aprés scene is ...read more
San Francisco is great city to visit with your family. From cable cars and Chinatown to the Golden Gate Bridge and Ghirardelli Square, there are sights and activities to keep the whole family entertained. We've rounded up our favorite tips for exploring San Francisco with kids. ...read more
The trend of taking popular young adult books and turning them into Broaday shows is pretty hot. We've currently got two shows running, Harry Potter & the Cursed Child and Be More Chill; and then Dear Evan Hansen was flipped, they turned the musical into a book! No matter the ...read more
