One of the best ways to experience a destination is to do so like a local. This is even more true when traveling with children. The more that you can slow down and live in the moment, the better. Family travel planned with the assistance of local experts is authentic, cheaper, less stressful, and more fun.

To help you find those local experts, I’ve compiled a list of family travel blogs, sorted by region.

Please note that this list is a work-in-progress. Where available, topics, hometowns, and regional expertise are included.

USA Family Travel Blogs, By State

ALABAMA

ALASKA

ARIZONA

• TucsonTopia.com – Be in the know about where to go, what to do, and how to live your best life in Southern Arizona. Editor: Stephanie Sheaffer  Twitter: @TucsonTopia Also, find her on Metropolitan Mama – Family Travel, Food, & Fitness. @stephsday.

ARKANSAS

• nwaMotherlode.com – local events in Northwest Arkansas. Editors: Gwen Rockwood and Shannon Magsam. Twitter: @nwaMotherlode

CALIFORNIA

• AutisticGlobetrotting.com travel site created by a mother to a child with autism to inspire autistic families to explore the world. Editor: Margalit Francus @autiglobetrot
• CiaoBambino.com – inspiring families to explore the world. Writer: Dana Rebmann (San Francisco) @drebmann
• FriscoKids.net – guide to kid-friendly events and trips in the San Francisco Bay Area…and beyond. Editor: Debbie Abrams Kaplan
• LaJollaMom.com – A lifestyle site focusing on luxury travel, food, flying with kids and what’s happening around La Jolla/San Diego, CA. Editor: Katie Dillon (La Jolla) @lajollamom Additional Regional Expertise: Hong Kong Also frequent contributor to Have Family Will Travel, a Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.
• TheVacationGals.com – expert advice on family travel, romantic escapes, girlfriend getaways, as well as general travel tips and gear reviews. Editors: Beth Blair (Minnesota); Jennifer Miner (Southern CA); Kara Williams (Aspen, CO);  Twitter: @TheVacationGals
• TheWorldIsaBook.com – kid-tested adventures and tips to save time, money and sanity along the way. Editor: Mary Solio (San Diego) Twitter: @worldbooktravel
• Travel Mamas – printable packing lists, travel tips, giveaways and stories for anyone who wants to travel with children…and stay sane! Editor: Colleen Lanin @TravelMamas

COLORADO

• ColoradoMoms.com – calendar of events and community resource. Editor: Emily Vanek @ColoradoMom.
• MileHighMamas.com – Colorado’s largest social media site for moms with events, deals, contests, family travel, area activities, mama’s nights out and more. Editor: Amber Johnson @themilehighmama Also find her on Travel Mamas.
• MomOffTrack.com – special needs travel specifically specializing in wheelchair travel. Editor: Barb Likos (Denver) @barblikos Barb is also found at Wheeling Traveling.Mom.
• TheVacationGals.com – expert advice on family travel, romantic escapes, girlfriend getaways, as well as general travel tips and gear reviews. Editors: Beth Blair (Minnesota); Jennifer Miner (Southern CA); Kara Williams (Aspen, CO);  Twitter: @TheVacationGals
• TwoKidsandaMap.com – tips, tricks and thoughts about travel from a writer formerly based in Pensacola, FL, now in Denver, CO. Editor: Jennifer Close @twokidsandamap

CONNECTICUT

DELAWARE

• The Mother of all Trips – family travel tips, information about vacation destinations, and family adventure stories. Editor: Mara Gorman @motherofalltrip

FLORIDA

• PensacolawithKids.com – family-friendly places, activities, and events that take place in and around Pensacola, Florida. Editor: Jennifer Close @twokidsandamap
• TropicHomeandFamily.com – online home for tropically-hearted moms, Florida travel and events, and fun things for kids and families. Editor: Holly A. @Tropic_of_Mom

GEORGIA

• AtlantaWithKid.com – Free or cheap things to do with kids in Atlanta. Editor: Amy Querido @AtlantaWithKid
• Cumminglocal.com –  calendar of events and things to do with kids in Forsyth County, Georgia. Editor: Mandi Holcombe @cumminglocal
• ExpeditionMom.com – specializing in the Southeast, known for “KNOW before you go” approach and adventure guides. Editor: Lori Brown @expeditionmom
• FieldTripswithSue.com – things to do with kids in and around metro Atlanta and the Southeast. Editor: Sue Rodman (Atlanta)

HAWAII

IDAHO

• Off The Beaten Path TravelingMom – avid traveler, award-winning filmmaker and Los Angeles native who lives in Boise, Idaho. Writer: Elizabeth Rodgers @erodg

ILLINOIS

• GoWestYoungMom.com – sharing family-friendly events and resources in the far western suburbs of Chicago, particularly the Fox Valley. Editor: Tara Burghart.
• Suburban TravelingMom – useful and honest information for traveling families featuring destinations around the Midwest, Caribbean and North America. Editor: Jamie Bartosch @jsbartosch

INDIANA

• ArrowsSentForth.com – sharing a mom’s adventures with her two young sons. You’ll find posts about far-off destinations, outings they take within an hour or two of home, and plenty of tips and tricks they learn along the way. Editor: Nicole Wiltrout @arrowssentforth
• IndywithKids.com – emphasis on local travel in and around Indiana as well as travel destinations FOR Indiana families. Editor: Katy Mann @indywithkids Additional Regional Expertise: Southern California.

IOWA

• AllInAnIowaMomsDay.com – sharing Iowa, Travel, Teens, Agriculture, and life on an Iowa farm.
• FamilyRambling.com   – tips and destinations from a traveling family. Editor: Jody Halstead @iatraveler Additional Regional Expertise: Ireland – See IrelandWithKids.com

KANSAS

• The Procrastinating Mommy and Traveling Mom with Toddlers (TravelingMom.com) Editor: Amanda Topinka (Rose Hill/Wichita) @Amanda_AKA_Mom

KENTUCKY

• StatebyStateTravel.com – featuring real life reviews of museums, parks, attractions and vacation destinations all over the United States.  Editor: Sharon Williams @statetravel

LOUISIANA

MAINE

MARYLAND

MASSACHUSETTS

• FamilyTravelMagazine.com – family travel reviews and family travel tips for families planning a vacation with kids. Editor: Jodi Grundig (Natick, MA) @jodigrundig

MICHIGAN

• Travel Mamas – printable packing lists, travel tips, giveaways and stories for anyone who wants to travel with children…and stay sane! Contributor: Gabe Miller @thetraveldaddy
• WorkingTravelingMom.com – Tips and advice on family travel and vacations, as well as balancing work and family life. Editor: Teresa Shaw @teresashaw  Teresa also writes as Working TravelingMom on www.TravelingMom.com.

MINNESOTA

• Minnemom.com – Family, travel, farming, Minnesota, good cheap fun, and a whole lot more.Editor: Linda Wolfgram Kramer @minnemom
• TheVacationGals.com – expert advice on family travel, romantic escapes, girlfriend getaways, as well as general travel tips and gear reviews. Editors: Beth Blair (Minnesota); Jennifer Miner (Southern CA); Kara Williams (Aspen, CO);  Twitter: @TheVacationGals

MISSOURI

MONTANA

NEBRASKA

NEVADA

• RockStarMomlv.com – sophisticated family travel + lifestyle resource for those who live in and visit Las Vegas with or without their little entourage. Editor: Stefanie Van Aken @RockStarMomLV
• WanderingOff.com – kid-friendly adventures in Las Vegas and beyond. Editor: Sarah Vernetti @wandering_off

NEW HAMPSHIRE

NEW JERSEY

• GirlGoneTravel.com – formerly NYCityMama, Carol Cain shares the passion of discovery in travel and food. Editor: Carol Cain Twitter @CarolACain
• JerseyKids.net – guide to kid-friendly trips in the New Jersey & New York area…and beyond. Editor: Debbie Abrams Kaplan
• 100RoutesAcrossAmerica.com– family road trips, discovering the amazing, the quirky, the delicious, in New England and beyond. Editor: Shannon Entin Twitter: @shannonentin

NEW MEXICO

NEW YORK

• AdventuresbyDaddy.com – focused on travel, theme parks, and entertainment to help families navigate through life’s adventures. Editor: Dave Parfitt (Rochester, New York) @AdventuresByDad
• AlbanyKid.com – inspiring lifelong learners to travel.  Editor: Sandra Foyt (Albany, NY) Twitter: @sandrafoyt  Additional Regional Expertise: US Virgin Islands
• GoBigOrGoHomeBlog.com – what happens when a small-town family visits the “worlds largest” whatever. Editor: Traci L. Suppa @GoBIG_GoHome
• LuxuryTravelMom.com – reviews, stories, and inspiration for luxury travelers looking for the best with and without their children. Editor: Kim-Marie Evans @luxurytravelmom
• TheCultureMom.com  – accessible and fun cultural and travel experiences, in New York City and beyond.  Editor: Holly Rosen Fink @theculturemom
• WanderingWorkingMom.com – balancing family, travel, and career. Editor: Adrienne Veglia Mazeau @WandWorkMom

NORTH CAROLINA

NORTH DAKOTA

OHIO

• Travel50stateswithkids.com – parent-to-parent tips and family-friendly destinations all over the country, focusing on Cincinnati in www.adventuresaroundcincinnati.com.  Editor: Terri Weeks @Adventurecincy @Travel50States
• TheTravelingPraters.com – Fun, family friendly, sometimes educational travel primarily in the Eastern United States with an emphasis on Ohio. Editor: Tonya Prater @travelermom  Tonya is also the Ohio Traveling Mom for www.TravelingMom.com.

OKLAHOMA

OREGON

• MommyTravels.net – lots of info on Portland, Oregon, Las Vegas, Nevada, Disney World, The Finger Lakes region of NY and more. Editor: Meagan Shamy (Portland, OR) @MommyTravels Meagan is also the Portland Expert for 10Best.com and the Military TMOM for TravelingMom.com.

PENNSYLVANIA

RHODE ISLAND

SOUTH CAROLINA

SOUTH DAKOTA

TENNESSEE

TEXAS

• FamilyTravelEverythingEverywhere – believes that travel is an education for adults and children alike. Editor: Amy Moore (Fort Worth, Texas) @EverywhereAmy
• RWeThereYetMom.com – Family fun adventures in Central Texas and beyond. Editor: Rebecca Darling (Austin, Texas) @rwethereyetmom
• SuitcasesandSippycups.com – sharing the story of an average family with ordinary means making extraordinary memories one trip at a time. Editor: Jessica Bowers SCasesandSCups

UTAH

• TipsforFamilytrips.com – believes that travel makes families stronger, smarter and happier. Editor: Allison Laypath (Salt Lake City, UT) @tips4familytrip

VERMONT

• FindandGoSeek.net – Vermont’s Insider Guide to Kid Friendly Fun. Editor: Dana Freeman @missmagpiefgs

VIRGINIA

• Kidventurous – Family travel tips, advice and resources for parents that want to plan adventures for their children that are both educational and fun. Editor: Erin Gifford @kidventurous

WASHINGTON

• CascadiaKids.com – unbiased recommendations, interviews with experts, destination guides and travel planning advice for family trips in Washington, Oregon and British Columbia. Editor: Lora Shinn @cascadiakids Lora also authored , “Northwest Kid Trips.”
• Walkingontravels.com – working through a very long list of Pacific Northwest sights and attractions when not exploring the world one trip at a time. Editor: Keryn Means  (Seattle) @walkingontravel
• WildTalesof.com – Bringing up baby in a world of adventure; braving the skies, roads, rails, and water of the Pacific NW. Editor: Kate Spiller (Seattle) @wildtalesof

WEST VIRGINIA

WISCONSIN

• MadisonLovesKids.com – App guide to kid-friendly venues, ideas, events, and activities in Madison. Editor: Julie Henning @RoadTripsFeedMe Also, Midwest Editor on RoadTripsforFamilies.com and find her also on MadisonMamas.com and  WisconsinParent.com.

WYOMING

WASHINGTON DC

• AllOvertheMap.net – exploring food, art, customs, and nature.  Editors: Veronique Autphenne and Paige Conner Totaro @tweetthemap
  
• AParentInSilverSpring.com – activities for kids in Washington, D.C. and resources for families everywhere. Editor: Jessica McFadden @JessicaMcFadd

BEYOND USA

CANADA

• GlobetrottingMama.com – specializing in long term travel, world travel, family travel, mom travel. Editor: Heather Greenwood Davis (Toronto) @greenwooddavis
• Travel Mamas – printable packing lists, travel tips, giveaways and stories for anyone who wants to travel with children…and stay sane! Contributor: Claudia Laroye (Vancouver) @travelling_mo; Contributor: Lisa Goodmurphy (Toronto) @GoneWithFamily; Contributor: Jody Robbins (Calgary) @Jody_Robbins
• Travelswithbaggage.com – a guide to family-friend events and attractions around Calgary, the Canadian Rockies (including Banff) and other Canadian and international destinations. Editor: Jody Robbins @Jody_Robbins

CARIBBEAN

CENTRAL AMERICA

• TravelEXperta.com – advice, tips, recommendations on where to eat, stay and play with your family and kids in Central America. Editor: Marina Kuperman Villatoro @Marinavillatoro Additional Regional Specializations: Cuba and Florida

FRANCE

• AnnieAndre.com – aka Practical Adventure-ology, helping families and couples learn how to take a career break to pursue their dreams and travel. Editor: Annie Andre (South of France) Twitter: @AnnieAndreHacks

NETHERLANDS

• TheThreeUnder.com – Expat life; family travel in Europe with multiple young children (under 4.) Editor: Farrah Ritter @Momofthreeunder
• Travel Mamas – printable packing lists, travel tips, giveaways and stories for anyone who wants to travel with children…and stay sane! Contributor: Farrah Ritter @Momofthreeunder

NORWAY

• ToDestinationUnknown.com – outdoor life in Norway and adventures in Europe and further afield with a toddler and a husband in tow. Editor: Satu Vänskä-Westgarth @SatuVW

ROUND THE WORLD

• Laugh-Quotes.com – American expats, living in New Zealand and laughing their way around the globe. Editor: Rhonda Albom @Laugh_Quotes
• TravelwithBender.com – Fun tips on the best places to take your young kids on holiday from a real Aussie family traveling around the world. Editor: Erin Bender @TravelwitBender

Interested in appearing on this list? Email an introduction to sandrafoyt (at) gmail.com. Are you a brand or destination marketing organization looking for a family travel writer with other areas of expertise? We welcome requests and questions on the Family Travel Media Linkedin Group.  

Find Family Travel Blogs on Social Networks:

• 50+ Family Travel Blogs on Pinterest – Listing of family travel bloggers on Pinterest and on Twitter.
• Family Travel Media – Linkedin group for family travel industry professionals; it’s open to writers, brands, and destination marketing organizations.
• Family Travel Bloggers List for 2011 – Comprehensive list of family travel bloggers with link to additional information about the individual bloggers.