The Orbitz Family Travel Guide
Meet the new Orbitz Parent Panel, a group of Orbitz moms and dads coming together to share experiences and advice to help you plan an affordable, stress-free family vacation.
This month, our focus is on Big City travel:
- Atlanta and Philly: Bloggers shine their spotlight on these two cities.
- Navigating an urban adventure: Using public transportation to save money and sanity.
- Hot topic: Two moms give their views on child harnesses and tethers.
- The not-so-sinful city: Family vacations in Las Vegas.
We went looking for travel experts who were also doting parents and found them right under our nose. These Orbitz parents have plenty of experience traveling to a variety of destinations with children of all ages. Join them as they share their vacation adventures, mistakes and successes -- as well as personal strategies, tips, and opinions.
Liz Lippow is a working mom with a 5-year-old son and a 2-year-old daughter. She enjoys traveling with her husband and kids, despite wistful memories of the days when she only had to pack for herself.
One urban adventure took us to downtown Atlanta. We carefully chose our hotel to be within walking distance of some excellent Atlanta attractions. Our first stop was the Georgia Aquarium. More
posted by Parent Panel | September 2008
When she’s not at Orbitz Emily Beerhalter enjoys spending time with her husband, 3 year old daughter, and 1 year old son, but also takes part in the occasional “Mom’s Night Out” in her ongoing attempt to balance work, family, and self.
One of our favorite big cities to visit is Philadelphia. Besides the obvious benefits of numerous historical places, it also has some of the best big-city features like the ability to walk everywhere and sample diverse ethnic restaurants. More
posted by Parent Panel | September 2008
Cheap and convenient, public transportation offers a unique way to explore a big city. Believe it or not, a $2 adventure may be the highlight of your child’s vacation, as what could be cooler to a 4-year-old than zipping through the skyscrapers of Chicago on an elevated train?
Chicago: Trolleys, water taxis, buses and elevated trains make Chicago one of the easiest cities to maneuver via public transportation. A one-day visitor pass will run you $5 and provide unlimited access to public transportation. If you like to plan ahead, the CTA Trip Planner and Google Transit™ allow you to find the most efficient way to get from point A to point B.
Boston: With 12 ways to get to and from Logan International Airport, Boston is by far one of the most compact and accessible cities on the eastern seaboard. If you can’t get to your destination by foot, it’s most likely a short “T” ride away. Like Chicago, Boston also offers water taxis, a bus service, and comprehensive train system.
San Francisco: If your idea of a fun vacation doesn’t involve dragging your children up and down the hills of San Francisco, consider taking public transportation. Jump aboard BART and avoid the traffic and pricey cab fare from San Francisco International Airport. Once you’re in the city, a mere three dollars will get you anywhere you need to go on the historic cable cars that navigate the steep terrain at a comfortable (and safe) 7 mph. For those looking for a faster commute around the city, the MUNI will take you everywhere you need to go for only a couple of dollars per person.
Washington DC: Leave the hand sanitizer at home! Besides being our nation’s capital, Washington D.C. is also famous for having one of the best-kept train systems in the United States. Passengers are not allowed to eat or drink on the train, which means you don’t have to worry about your children getting their hands on “leftovers.” A visitor pass runs $7.80 a day, and is a small price to pay for picture-perfect public transportation.
Excalibur’s Tournament of Kings; Mandalay Bay’s Shark Reef; Planet Hollywood’s pet theater; Circus Circus’ Adventuredome indoor amusement park; The Venetian’s gondola rides; Flamingo’s free bird sanctuary ….
This partial laundry list may help put aside any doubts to the claim that Las Vegas has something to offer parents and children. Many families find adventure off the Strip too, exploring the natural beauty of the surrounding desert and the wealth of “Wild West” museums in the area.
Plus, with many hotels providing day care and nanny services, parents have the unique opportunity to spend their days participating in kid-friendly adventures, and their nights letting loose at the casinos.
Read more about all Las Vegas has to offer families
"Thumbs up"
"I have two toddlers, and even though I haven’t gotten around to buying one, I can see the need.
When you’re out in crowds it’s nice to be able to allow your children to room around a bit. It’s their nature to be free. The harness allows your kids the opportunity to leave your side, but not stray too far.
And it offers you a sense of security. With the harness, you can take your eye off your kids for a second or two and rest assured that they will still be within arms reach.
I also like that the harness is easier to lug around than a stroller or other types of carriers and it can save your arms! If your kids feel like they’re on their own, they may not want to be carried around as much."
Geri Robinson
"Thumbs Down"
"During the times we probably could have used a leash, we’ve had the benefit of two parents working man-to-man defense to keep our kids corralled.
With tiny kids who don’t understand the reasons for sticking close to Mom & Dad we’ve successfully used slings, carriers, and strollers to keep our kids safe.
With my 3-year-old we do a lot of preparation (especially before the airport) about how busy it’s going to be and how important it is to hold hands with mom or dad.
So far our strategy has worked for us, but if our circumstances were different -- and I were outnumbered by my children or had other special needs to consider -- I might make a different decision."
Emily Beerhalter
Orbitz parents rated these family-friendly hotels hotels on a scale of 1 to 5, based on:
- Service
- Amenities
- Comfort
- Location
- Value
Read their reviews to get first-hand observations, as well as practical tips on what to do, where to eat and how to get around.
Family getaways and reunions
With lots of onboard activities, tons of shore excursions and plenty of meal options to choose from, cruising is a fun and affordable family vacation.
Explore Europe, Alaska, the Caribbean, Hawaii or Mexico. You and your family will see it all, and unpack only once!