Your Family’s Passport to Epic Road Trips, National Parks, and Real-World Adventures
Table of Contents
Hi there! We’re the Fawleys—a not-so-ordinary family of six (plus our very opinionated dog) chasing adventure across the U.S., one unplugged mile at a time. Our crew includes Jenna, her husband, and our four curious, energetic kids ranging in age from 10 to 13. We’re on a mission to show that family travel is not only doable—it’s one of the most rewarding ways to explore the world, connect as a family, and create unforgettable memories.
We know firsthand that traveling with kids can be chaotic, hilarious, exhausting, and completely magical—sometimes all in the same hour. And that’s exactly why we started Family Travels Unplugged. This blog is a celebration of real family adventures: the misadventures, the breathtaking moments, and everything in between.
🛣️ How It All Began: From Weekend Warriors to Full-On Road Trippers
We’ve always had the travel bug. What started as weekend camping trips and spontaneous long weekends turned into full-blown road trip obsessions. In the summer of 2024, we finally took the plunge—embarking on a 4-week family road trip through the Midwest and Western U.S.
It was a whirlwind of national parks, roadside oddities, mountain hikes, late-night campfires, and gas station snacks (so many snacks). From the geysers of Yellowstone to the towering peaks of Grand Teton, from the historic charm of Deadwood to the sprawling beauty of the Badlands—we soaked up every experience and learned a ton along the way.
That trip lit a spark. We realized that family travel doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive—it just needs to be intentional. It’s about being together, being present, and embracing the adventure (even when it rains on your tent or someone forgets their shoes at the last campsite—yes, that happened).
🌄 Our Big Dream: Every Park, Every Mile, Every Memory
In 2025, we’re taking things to a whole new level: a three-month road trip to visit every national park in the continental U.S. We’re packing up, schooling on the go, and fully leaning into the slow-travel lifestyle to experience the incredible diversity of America’s landscapes—from desert canyons to alpine forests.
Our goal? To inspire other families to realize that you don’t have to wait for “someday” to travel. Whether it’s a weekend getaway or a coast-to-coast road trip, family travel is one of the most powerful ways to grow closer, spark curiosity, and raise kids who are brave, flexible, and full of wonder.
🧭 What You’ll Find at Family Travels Unplugged
Family Travels Unplugged is your one-stop hub for real, practical, and fun family travel inspiration. Whether you’re planning your first road trip with kids or you’re seasoned family adventurers, our goal is to help you travel smarter, stress less, and enjoy more.
Here’s what you can expect:
🚙 Road Trip Itineraries
Kid-Tested, Parent-Approved Routes for Every Family Adventure
Planning a road trip with kids can feel overwhelming—but we’re here to make it fun, stress-free, and totally doable. At Family Travels Unplugged, we share detailed, flexible, and family-focused road trip itineraries that we’ve personally tested on the road with our four kids (ages 10–13) and our dog in tow. These aren’t generic routes—they’re real-world guides crafted for families who love adventure and need practical tips that work.
Each of our road trip itineraries includes:
- ✅ Mileage and Timing Suggestions
We break down daily drive times and distances to keep travel manageable for families with kids. Whether you’re planning a long-haul journey or a weekend escape, you’ll know what to expect and how to pace the trip for fun, not frustration. - 🗺️ Top Attractions for Families
From iconic landmarks to off-the-beaten-path gems, we highlight kid-friendly attractions that spark curiosity and keep kids engaged. Think geysers, caves, quirky roadside stops, historical reenactments, splash zones, and ice cream parlors you have to try. - 🏞️ National Park & Scenic Byway Stops
Because we’re obsessed with national parks, many of our itineraries include visits to the most family-friendly parks in the U.S. You’ll find suggestions for hikes, picnic spots, junior ranger programs, and wildlife viewing—all perfect for traveling with kids. - 🧃 Kid-Approved Breaks & Pit Stops
Long drives don’t have to mean long faces. Our guides include fun roadside attractions, quirky diners, scenic overlooks, and playgrounds that offer much-needed energy breaks during your family road trip. - 🛏️ Overnight Stay Options
Whether your family prefers camping, glamping, hotels, or a mix of everything, we suggest overnight stops that work for different travel styles and budgets—with a focus on clean, convenient, and comfortable places families love. - 💡 Parent Pro Tips
Real-life advice from parents who’ve been there: when to leave early, what to pack for long car rides with kids, how to keep screen time in check (even when you’re tempted), and ways to turn even a gas station stop into a mini adventure.
Every itinerary is written with family travel in mind—designed to make road tripping not just easier, but truly memorable. Whether you’re heading out for a week-long tour of the Southwest, chasing waterfalls in the Smokies, or embarking on a cross-country national park adventure, we’ve got a route to help your family hit the road with confidence and excitement.
🏕️ Camping & Lodging Reviews
Where to Stay When You’re Traveling with Kids—Tested by Real Families
One of the biggest challenges in family travel? Finding places to stay that are safe, clean, comfortable, and kid-friendly—without breaking the budget. From rustic tent camping under the stars to boutique hotel stays in small towns, we’ve experienced it all firsthand as a family of six (plus a dog!) on the road.
At Family Travels Unplugged, our camping and lodging reviews are designed specifically for families who love road trips, value comfort, and want to create amazing memories while being smart about where they rest their heads at night.
Here’s what you’ll find in every review:
- 🏕️ Family-Friendly Campgrounds
Whether it’s a KOA with a pool and pancake breakfasts, a national park campground with epic views, or a private campsite with extra space to run around, we break down the details families care about—like bathroom access, quiet hours, proximity to trails, and kid-approved extras. - 🛌 Hotel & Motel Reviews
Not all hotels are created equal when you’re traveling with kids. We share our experiences with family suites, free breakfast perks, pet-friendly options, and hotels with amenities that make road trip nights easier—like laundry rooms, mini-fridges, and places to recharge (literally and figuratively). - 🏡 Cabins, Airbnbs & Unique Stays
Looking for something a little cozier or more off the beaten path? We’ve stayed in everything from treehouses to desert domes. We’ll tell you which ones are worth the splurge, which offer family-friendly layouts, and how to find lodging that fits your style and budget during your family road trip. - 🔍 Honest, No-Fluff Feedback
We’re not sponsored by the places we stay—we just want to help other families find great spots, avoid surprises, and feel confident booking their own family travel adventures. If a place is awesome, we’ll rave about it. If it didn’t work for us? We’ll tell you why. - 🧺 Packing & Planning Tips
Learn what to bring for camping with kids, how to prep for multi-night hotel stays on the road, and what we’ve learned about keeping things organized when you’re constantly on the move.
We know that lodging can make or break a family trip—so we share the real story behind every stay. From saving money by cooking over a campfire to discovering cozy cabins near national parks, our reviews are here to help families like yours find the perfect places to unwind after a day of exploring.
👉 Check out our lodging and camping reviews before you book your next family road trip!
🎒 Kid-Friendly Adventures
Adventures That Keep Kids Curious, Active, and Smiling (Most of the Time 😄)
When it comes to family travel, one of the biggest wins is finding activities that the whole family actually enjoys. At Family Travels Unplugged, we’re all about building trips around kid-friendly adventures that spark imagination, encourage exploration, and keep even the most restless kids excited to keep going.
As a family of six traveling together—four kids, two grownups, and one enthusiastic dog—we’ve learned that the best road trips with kids combine learning, fun, movement, and just the right amount of unpredictability. That’s why every destination we visit is carefully explored through a kid-first lens.
Here’s what we feature in this section of the blog:
- 🥾 Easy, Epic Hikes for Families
Whether it’s chasing waterfalls in national parks or hiking to overlooks with big payoff views, we highlight trails that are doable for kids (without sacrificing the wow-factor for adults). We include trail length, difficulty, terrain, and bathroom availability—because let’s be real, that matters when you’re traveling with kids. - 🏛️ Interactive Museums & Historic Sites
Hands-on, not hands-off. We spotlight museums, science centers, living history sites, and cultural attractions that make learning fun. From fossil digs to frontier forts, these are places that turn “boring” into “can we stay longer?” - 🎢 Amusement Parks & Quirky Roadside Stops
Sometimes the best part of a family road trip is the unexpected—a giant roadside dinosaur, a slide built into a hill, or a 1950s-themed soda shop with homemade root beer floats. We scout out the quirky, the retro, and the just-plain-fun stops that turn long drives into memorable experiences. - 🌳 National & State Park Programs for Kids
From earning Junior Ranger badges to joining ranger-led night hikes, we dive deep into kid-friendly park experiences. These moments build appreciation for nature, history, and travel—all while letting kids move, question, and explore. - 🧩 Activities That Build Family Connection
The best family travel adventures aren’t just about where you go—they’re about what you do together. We include group games for long drives, scavenger hunts, audio book recommendations, and ways to spark meaningful conversations on the road.
We believe that traveling with kids should be enriching—not exhausting. That’s why every activity we recommend is kid-tested, parent-approved, and aimed at helping families connect while exploring the world around them.
👉 Browse our kid-friendly adventures for your next family trip, and start building an itinerary your kids will talk about long after you’ve unpacked the car.
💡 Travel Tips & Hacks
Smart, Sanity-Saving Strategies for Family Travel That Actually Work
Let’s face it—family travel isn’t always smooth sailing. Between packing for six people, juggling bathroom breaks, navigating long car rides, and keeping everyone fed and happy, there’s a lot to think about. But over the miles (and meltdowns), we’ve picked up some serious tricks for making travel with kids not just manageable—but memorable in the best ways.
Whether you’re heading out on your first weekend road trip or planning a cross-country adventure, this section is packed with practical family travel tips and real-life hacks we use every time we hit the road.
Here’s what you’ll find:
- 🎒 Packing Lists for Real Families
No fluff here—just smart, streamlined checklists for road trips with kids. We share what’s actually worth bringing, what you can skip, and how to pack for car space, convenience, and comfort (because digging through bags in the dark = not fun). - 🚗 Road Trip Essentials
From the best snacks to must-have car organizers and tech-free boredom busters, we’ve road-tested it all. Discover the items that help make long drives smoother, cleaner, and quieter—yes, even with four kids on board. - 💰 Budget-Friendly Family Travel Tips
Traveling with a big family doesn’t have to break the bank. We cover how to save on food, lodging, park fees, and gas—plus ways to score discounts and free experiences during your family travel adventures. - 🧠 Planning & Timing Hacks
Learn when to leave, how to structure your travel days for fewer tantrums (and more smiles), and ways to keep your trip flexible while still feeling organized. We’ll help you find your rhythm on the road. - 📱 Screen Time Alternatives
We believe in unplugged family travel, so we’re all about finding creative ways to keep kids engaged without relying on devices. From travel journals and audio stories to map challenges and road trip bingo, we’ve got tons of ideas to make the journey just as fun as the destination. - 💬 Parent-to-Parent Real Talk
No sugar-coating here. We share the wins, the oops moments, and everything we’ve learned from traveling with kids—because helping another family avoid a meltdown in a gas station parking lot? That’s what community is all about.
These family travel hacks are all about helping you stress less, laugh more, and build epic memories together. Because when you’re prepared, even the hiccups turn into great stories.
👉 Check out our travel tips & hacks section for your next trip—and make your next family road trip your best one yet!
📸 Real Moments & Memories
Capturing the Heart of Family Travel—The Good, the Messy, and the Magical
At Family Travels Unplugged, we believe the best part of family travel isn’t always found in the perfect photo op or carefully curated itinerary. It’s in the real moments—muddy hiking boots after a long trail, messy s’mores smiles, unexpected roadside stops, and belly laughs echoing through the backseat. Those are the memories that stick, the ones we hold close, and the stories we love to share.
In this section, we take you behind the scenes of our road trips with kids, offering an honest and heartfelt look at what it’s really like to explore the world as a family of six.
Here’s what you’ll find:
- 📷 Candid Travel Stories
From hilarious travel fails to unexpected wins, we share the stories that don’t always make the highlight reel—but definitely deserve to be remembered. Because traveling with kids is a beautiful mess, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. - 🛻 Family Road Trip Highlights
See the places that made us gasp, the stops that made us laugh, and the views that made us fall in love with the open road all over again. We pair travel photography with personal reflections to give you a window into what these adventures truly felt like. - 💖 Moments of Connection
We spotlight the small but powerful moments—like a family game around the campfire, a quiet hike at sunrise, or the first time our kids saw the Milky Way. These are the pieces of family travel that deepen relationships and build lasting bonds. - 📝 Memory-Making Ideas
Looking to create your own unforgettable experiences? We’ll share journaling prompts, scrapbooking inspiration, and family traditions you can start on your next trip to capture your own special moments. - 📲 #UnpluggedTravel Snapshots
While we love sharing on social, we also embrace time off screens. We’ll show you how we document our travels without losing presence—and how to balance capturing the moment with living in it when you’re traveling with kids.
Because in the end, it’s not just about where you go—it’s about how you feel, what you discover together, and the memories that become part of your family’s story forever.
👉 Browse our Real Moments & Memories section for inspiration, laughs, and the true spirit of family travel.
🌍 Why We Travel as a Family
For us, family travel is about so much more than destinations. It’s about transformation. It’s about watching your kids climb their first mountain, solve their first campground chore without a complaint, or ask deep questions after visiting a historical site.
We travel to unplug from distractions and reconnect with each other. We travel to teach our kids about the world—not just through textbooks, but through experience. And most of all, we travel because the best conversations, lessons, laughs, and memories come when you’re squeezed together in a car for hours on end with nothing but a map, a playlist, and the open road.
✨ Let’s Hit the Road—Together
We’re so glad you’re here. Whether you’re dreaming of your first national park trip or just looking for some solid tips on traveling with kids, you’re part of the Family Travels Unplugged community now.
Join our journey by subscribing to our newsletter, following us on social media, and diving into our blog for road trip guides, family-friendly destinations, travel gear reviews, and stories from the road.
Let’s unplug. Let’s explore. Let’s make memories that last forever.
See you out there,
– The Fawley Family
Family Travels Unplugged – Where Every Mile is a Memory