At Family Travels on a Budget, we love road trips in the United States! And, one of my favorite destinations growing up was Niagara Falls, US side. Taking my daughter for the first time reminded me why Niagara Falls for kids is a great summer vacation idea! Originally published September 2014. Updated March 2023 Besides […]
Frank Lloyd Wright houses in PA and New York
It’s been more than a year since I last traveled for this blog. When I got the invitation to return to Pennsylvania and see what’s happening in travel in 2021, I was excited to be back to work. Then, when I saw that the itinerary included tours of Frank Lloyd Wright houses in PA, including […]
5 reasons to visit Niagara Falls, NY
Ellie and I were hosted by the Niagara Falls CVB to learn about the area for purposes of writing these articles. All opinions are our own. Read my full disclosure policy here. To prepare Ellie for our trip to Niagara Falls, I showed her pictures of the falls. She thought they looked neat, but […]
Visiting the 9/11 Memorial: What you need to know
Those of us over age 25 remember the horrific attacks on the World Trade Center like it was yesterday. The Twin Towers, the explosions, the towers collapsing and the devastation left behind — all left imprints in our minds we can not erase. For many (myself included), visiting the 9/11 Memorial and Museum is on […]
What to do in NYC: A beginner’s guide
So, you’ve made the big decision — a vacation to New York City. But, what to do in NYC? How do you plan a vacation to New York City? I know the feeling. For years, I said I’d never go to New York City, specifically the island of Manhattan, because it’s just so overwhelming. But […]
Big Bus Tours: Our experience and review
For Rob’s birthday trip to New York City, I wanted to show him everything — not that you can see it all in three days. On my first trip to the city, I loved our bus tour. We saw the sites, learned some history and were entertained by stories of the people who call the city […]
Visiting the American Museum of Natural History
When Rob and I were in New York City for his birthday, we knew a visit to the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) was required. We’re both fans of the movie, Night at the Museum, so NOT visiting seemed wrong. The evening before our planned visit, we met a family at our hotel who told us […]
Yes, you can dine on a budget in NYC
Planning a trip to New York City can be a wild ride. There are so many things you want to do and see, but you have a limited amount of time and money. How do you squeeze it all in without going broke? Let’s start with food! My friend, and NYC local, Chad Gayle suggests […]
Cave of the Winds tour at Niagara Falls
When visiting Niagara Falls with kids, a Cave of the Winds tour is a MUST DO! The attraction, located on Goat Island in Niagara Falls State Park, is open May through October from 9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Cave of the Winds tickets can be purchased the day of your visit, as part of a […]
Maid of the Mist boat tour at Niagara Falls
The Maid of the Mist boat tour, a Niagara Falls attraction for more than 150 years, takes riders past the American Falls into the basin of the Horseshoe Falls. Guests on the Maid of the Mist tour get close to the falls ensuring the mist will drench them. They hear and feel the sheer power […]