Blog — A Mom Explores | Family Travel Tips, Destination Guides with Kids, Family Vacation Ideas, and more!

where to stay in Tampa Bay: Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park Hotel review

When I traveled the world as a young adult, I didn't care where I slept. It could be a hostel, the floor of a friend's bedroom, or a couch. Now that I'm a 30-year-old with three little kids, I'm much more aware of our accommodations when we travel. We need somewhere quiet, with a spot for the baby to sleep peacefully where the 2- and 5-year-old won't wake him up. It also has to be kid-friendly and a great location. On our recent trip to Tampa Bay, the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park was the perfect choice for serenity and calm after a crazy day of travel and exploration.

TravelEmily KrauseJuly 9, 2018hotel review, Florida Comment

how to make road trip binders for your kids

The first time I took a really long road trip with a toddler I was 9 months pregnant with my second and moving across the country. I basically let her watch as many movies as she wanted because I didn't have the mental space to think of other activities nor the physical agility to turn and help her out in the back seat.

Now that I'm a mom of three, and I have taken countless road trips ranging from 1 hour to 20 hours with my little ones, I am determined not to get out of the car ready to pull my hair out or have my kids be movie zombies.

TravelEmily KrauseJuly 4, 2018road trip, travel tips, travel gearComment

Things to Do in Sarasota with Kids

My family lives on the east coast of Florida, so we are no stranger to beaches, palm trees, and warm weather. But driving across the state to visit Sarasota felt like the perfect tropical getaway with my two youngest. My boys are 2 and 13 months, so I'm always on the lookout for kid-friendly locations whenever I travel, and Sarasota was bursting at the seams!

TravelEmily KrauseJune 29, 2018destinations, travel guide, Florida, Sarasota Comments

Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel Experience and Review

So you're planning a family trip to Disney World, but you're overwhelmed by all the options for places to stay. I personally find it helpful to read first-hand experiences and reviews of what a hotel is like so I can make an informed decision. I had the opportunity to stay at the Walt Disney World Dolphin hotel to facilitate a recent article I wrote for TravelPulse. I thought it would be helpful to share my experience here!

TravelEmily KrauseApril 18, 2018destinations, Disney, hotel review Comments

50 Road Trip Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers

The prospect of entertaining toddlers and preschoolers on a long road trip is enough to deter even the bravest parent from traveling. Kids can go stir crazy, whine incessantly, drop things a million times, and refuse to nap.

If you're traveling with a 2 year old by car, you'll need activities to keep them entertained. In my experience, a cross country road trip with a 2 year old isn't so bad if you're prepared. The best road trip activities for little kids are simple, mess-free, and something they can do without supervision. Here are the best road trip activities for 2 year olds, 3 year olds, and preschoolers that I've come up with!Schedule

TravelEmily KrauseApril 12, 2018travel tips, travel gear, road trip Comments

The Best Stylish Backpack for Travel

I am forever on the hunt for the perfect multi-use bag or backpack. You know why? Because I hate buying bags. Just hate it. I already have way too many purses, backpacks, tote bags, canvas bags, laptop bags, grocery bags, and overnight bags in my house and I seriously can't stand it. The last thing I need is another bag I can only use for one specific situation, then have no idea where to store it when it's not in use.

TravelEmily KrauseMarch 6, 2018travel, mom style, travel gear Comments

our visit to the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens

Ever since moving to Florida I've kept a running list of places I would like to visit with the kids. My entire life I've lived in the midwest (aside from my semester in Quito, Ecuador), so I want to take in everything this state has to offer while we live here.

TravelEmily KrauseDecember 6, 2017travel, destinationsComment

packing for a road trip with young kids

Just over two years ago, my husband, my daughter, and I packed up everything we owned and moved from Minnesota to Florida. Since that move, we have added two more little boys to the family, and have made the drive back to the midwest 3 times. We opt to drive straight through, because we usually have our dog with us, and because unpacking multiple children, suitcases, and bags for a few hours of sleep in an unfamiliar hotel seems like a waste of time and money. The drive would be around 18 hours with no stops, but often ends up being closer to 20 or 21. Yes, you read that right. Almost a full day in the car with an infant, a toddler, and a preschooler. Yikes.

TravelEmily KrauseJuly 31, 2017travel, travel tips, road tripComment

a day trip to Jacksonville with kids

Ever since our family moved to Florida, we've had the urge to discover all of the fun destinations our state has to offer. Since we've had two babies in our 2 years of living here, travel options have been somewhat limited, so we've been starting with easy day trips to the surrounding cities.

TravelEmily KrauseJune 19, 2017travel, Family, JacksonvilleComment

st. augustine, florida - st. george street

I have big dreams of traveling around the world with my kids. In fact, Pippa at the age of 3 has already been to England, France, and Mexico. We've taken a brief hiatus from globetrotting since moving across the country, starting new jobs, and having 2 more babies, but that doesn't mean we can't be explorers in our own city and state!

TravelEmily KrauseApril 25, 2017travel, destinationsComment