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Family Travels on a Budget

Family travel blog focused on adventure, culture, and foodie destinations. Money saving tips for all budgets, luxury to cheap.

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12 Days of Christmas Magic in Lancaster County, PA

November 30, 2018 by Karen Dawkins Leave a Comment

When my husband’s mom moved to Lancaster County, PA I was thrilled. I’ve always been intrigued by the historic charm of Amish country and looked forward to doing all the touristy things one does in Lancaster County. What I didn’t anticipate was all the other wonderful things there are to do in Lancaster County! At […]

Filed Under: Pennsylvania


Riverboat cruises: See Pittsburgh from a new perspective

October 16, 2018 by Karen Dawkins Leave a Comment

On a trip to Pittsburgh last month, I took my first riverboat cruise in the Steel City! Our group was hosted by the Gateway Clipper located in Pittsburgh’s historic Station Square. Riverboat cruises are the perfect way to see this beautiful city by water. We took our trip, a historical perspective of Pittsburgh, down the […]

Filed Under: Pennsylvania


Conquering fears: Take two!

October 11, 2018 by Karen Dawkins 4 Comments

A couple months ago, we went to a high ropes course close to home. Rob and Ellie attacked it with gusto. I looked at the first obstacle and froze. Totally. Chickened. Out! That kind of thing used to stop me in my tracks. Fear would keep me from trying new things. But, I’m a new […]

Filed Under: Adventure, Pennsylvania


Visiting the whimsical gardens of Phipps Conservatory

October 2, 2018 by Karen Dawkins Leave a Comment

This post contains links to products for which I might receive a small commission. Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens at Schenley Park in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood (near the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon), has been entertaining visitors with world-class gardens since 1893. It has expanded through the years, most recently adding the LEED certified […]

Filed Under: Arts/Culture, Kid Fun, Pennsylvania


Forget pumpkin! Make mine maple! (cookie recipe)

November 13, 2017 by Karen Dawkins 1 Comment

Pumpkin spice latte might be the social media darling of October and November. But, it’s spot at the top of the fall flavor world may be coming to an end. And maple is to blame! Personally, I’m not a big pumpkin spice latte fan. I like pumpkin pie, pumpkin rolls, and even pumpkin cheesecake. But, […]

Filed Under: At home, Food, Interests, Pennsylvania, Recipes, USA


Lancaster’s Longhouse: Discovering Native American culture

October 19, 2017 by Karen Dawkins Leave a Comment

When visiting the Hans Herr House, admission also includes a tour of a Native American Longhouse. The longhouse was the heart of Native American culture for hundreds of years. Longhouses were common to the Eastern Woodland Indians between 1570 and 1770. The Lancaster Longhouse, as it’s known, is based on a Susquehannock longhouse that was […]

Filed Under: History, Pennsylvania


German architecture: Touring Lancaster’s Hans Herr House

October 15, 2017 by Karen Dawkins Leave a Comment

Lancaster County, Pennsylvania is well known for its connection to the Amish community. People come by the bus load to see the large, plain homes on massive farms with plain blue and gray clothes hanging on clotheslines and buggies pulled by horses. Others come for the down-home Amish cooking (me, too!) If you go back […]

Filed Under: History, Pennsylvania


Take a trip back in time with Strasburg Railroad

September 22, 2017 by Karen Dawkins Leave a Comment

In the heart of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Strasburg Railroad takes families back in time on rides through the rolling countryside. Enjoy the serene farmland on this 9-mile roundtrip journey to Paradise (yes, that’s a real place). Riders can choose from a number of experiences. The cheapest fare is standard “coach,” where guests ride in a […]

Filed Under: Interests, Kid Fun, Pennsylvania


5 reasons to vacation in Gettysburg

April 4, 2017 by Karen Dawkins 4 Comments

When I think of Gettysburg, three things come to mind: The Gettysburg Address, President Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War. This vague image comes to mind of a vast battlefield. But this place is so much more than a monument to history — it’s a vibrant town as relevant in the 21st century as it is […]

Filed Under: Destinations, Pennsylvania, USA


Historic Pine Creek Gorge

December 28, 2016 by Karen Dawkins 1 Comment

Northeastern Pennsylvania is home to quaint towns like Wellsboro and expansive farmland. But, it is also an outdoor paradise, with expansive state parks, rivers and the famous Pine Creek Gorge. Dubbed the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, the gorge runs an impressive 47 miles through the Allegheny Plateau of the region. At its deepest point the canyon […]

Filed Under: Adventure, Destinations, Pennsylvania

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