Oahu Kayaking – Best Places to Go – 2TravelDads

Oahu Kayaking - Best Places to Go - 2TravelDads

With each visit, we fall in love with the Hawaiian Islands a little more. There are only few places on Earth as beautiful as Hawaii, and kayaking in Hawaii is an experience like no other. Oahu is home to some of the most popular kayaking spots in the islands, and paddlers of all skill levels can enjoy stunning views and incredible wildlife encounters. We really enjoy visiting friends and exploring Oahu, so adding kayaking to an Oahu itinerary just combines the best of all worlds.

Whether you’re a seasoned kayaker or a first-time paddler, Oahu kayaking is an unforgettable experience. The mountains spilling down into the sea make for epic views from the water, and the wildlife is incredible. It can be dangerous too though, so always approach kayaking on Oahu or any other Hawaiian island with a “Safety First” mindset and go with a guide when possible. Since the eastern side of Oahu is more mellow, most of the kayaking options are on this side.

If you have any questions about kayaking on Oahu, our favorite snorkeling spots or anything else related to the other islands in Hawaii, feel free to leave a comment or send us a note. And if you have your own recommendations, please share them! We love seeing people plan exciting, unforgettable adventures!

By Chris and Rob – Full Story at the 2TravelDads

Oahu Gay Travel Resources

Planning a Florida Keys for Gay Families Vacation – 2TravelDads

Florida Keys for Gay Families - 2TravelDads

I had dreamed of a Florida Keys vacation since I was a teenager and first saw pictures of Key West and all the places to visit in the Florida Keys for gay families. Well, we’ve finally taken a family trip to the Keys (several actually!) and worked really hard to create the best Keys itinerary with kids in mind.

We stayed in several tropical resorts, including some vacation rental options, and have great recommendations for where to stay as you explore. Also, keeping in mind smaller crowds and the abundance of nature in this beautiful archipelago, this vacation plan is great for having a one-of-a-kind experience beyond the busier spots in the Keys.

No matter how you slice it, the Florida Keys is a road trip. Sure, you can fly into Key West, but you can also fly into other Florida airports and then drive the Overseas Highway as far as you can. And that’s when we get to the big questions about planning your vacation here.

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Florida Keys Gay Travel Resources

A Bryson City Christmas in North Carolina’s Smoky Mountains – 2Travel Dads

Bryson City Christmas - 2TravelDads

If you haven’t heard of Bryson City, North Carolina before, I wouldn’t be surprised, but you no doubt have heard of all the reasons it’s a famous vacation destination. Located in the Smoky Mountains, and including an entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Bryson City is both an outdoorsy destination and THE Christmas town you didn’t know you needed. We’re going to tell you all about enjoying a Bryson City Christmas, including the Polar Express train.

A Bryson City Christmas in North Carolina’s Smoky Mountains

We’ve got our favorite Christmassy activities for you and some tips for visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the off-season. You’ll find that Bryson City is a great destination in fall and winter for just relaxing, and it’ll really put you into the holiday spirit if you’re planning a visit in December.

Our family always enjoys doing a corn maze and visiting farms during the fall, but did you know that some farms go full-holiday for Christmas? Christmas in Bryson City stretches from the decorated downtown to the local farms, and Darnell Farms is awesome for holiday lights and activities.

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Bryson City Gay Travel Resources

Visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park – 2TravelDads

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - 2TravelDads

Have you ever wanted to see what’s happening inside the earth below your feet? Being a total geology geek I have always wanted to and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was an amazing first experience with lava, volcanic morphology and geologic time. And if that’s not your bag or you’re like “Um, who cares?” just know that it’s also crazy beautiful and one of the most unusual landscapes you’ll ever see.

This unique park is a very unique place to visit. From hiking in lava tubes to watching the glowing, hot lava flowing through the dark, these are our top tips for visiting Hawaii Volcanoes NPS and having an unforgettable time on the Big Island. If you have additional things to do in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park that we didn’t include here, feel free to leave a comment or send us a note!

10 Things to Do in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park – Kīlauea Unit

Something wonderful about visiting this Hawaiian gem is how accessible it is. There is, of course, lots of hiking (it is a mountain park, after all) but all of the options in our primary list of things to do in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park are both stroller and wheelchair accessible to a significant point.

By Chris and Rob – Full Story at the 2TravelDads

Hawaii Big Island Gay Travel Resources

Visiting Door County for Gay Families – 2TravelDads

Visiting Door County for Gay Families - 2TravelDads

Things to Do in Door County for Gay Families

So what exactly is there to do in Door County for gay families? So much! We’ve broken down our top picks for activities by theme / style. We’ve got foodie ideas, the arts, getting on the water and exploring nature. Even though it can be a chilly place to be in the winter, the rest of the year Door County is awesome, albeit a little wild for weather in spring and fall.

My heart breaks for those who cannot eat cheese, especially if they’re in Wisconsin. Eating cheese is one of the best things to do in Door County. Whether you’re ordering fried cheese curds in a restaurant or bar, or you’re doing a guided cheese tasting (yes, like a wine tasting) you’re going to love it. PS: it’s also okay just to buy a block of Wisconsin cheese and sit alone in your car eating it… I may have done that on more than one occasion.

We’ll start with Renard’s Artisan Cheese because it is my favorite cheese shop of all that I’ve been to in Door County. Located in Sturgeon Bay, Renard’s Artisan Cheese has everything you could want, from cheese curds of all sorts to cheese spreads. What I really love about it here though is the guided cheese tasting. Knowledgeable staff explain the different cheeses and are quite generous with the samples.

By Chris and Rob – Full Story at the 2TravelDads

Sturgeon Bay Gay Travel Resources

Visiting Lake Geneva for Gay Families – 2TravelDads

Visiting Lake Geneva for Gay Families - 2TravelDads

Visiting Lake Geneva for Gay Families

Lake Geneva, Wisconsin is a popular destination for people who grew up or live in the Midwest, but if you’re not from the area, it may be totally unfamiliar. We really enjoyed our visit and found some of the best things to do with kids at Lake Geneva and Wisconsin farm country. Near Madison, WI and Milwaukee, it’s a great destination for getting away from city life, and is the perfect stop on a Wisconsin road trip. It’s even an easy weekend getaway from Chicago.

Being a historic summer town, a lot of the fun things to do in Lake Geneva are available primarily from May to October. As fall sets in, the lake goes quiet and those who visit shift into ski-season mode. For summer visitors though, it’s a Midwest paradise that’s perfect for families. June is the best time to visit, before it’s too hot. You can pair a trip to Lake Geneva with visiting Madison, WI for Pride. Perfect plan!

Here are some great activities to show you the best of southern Wisconsin while visiting Lake Geneva for gay families. If you have anything to add or have any questions, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re happy to share more.

By Chris and Rob – Full Story at the 2TravelDads

Wisconsin Gay Travel Resources

Best Beaches for Gay Families on Oahu – 2Traveldads

Best Beaches for Gay Families on Oahu - 2Traveldads

There’s nothing like experiencing the beaches of Oahu and having unforgettable wildlife encounters. We’ve been around and I’ll tell ya’, snorkeling and lounging on all sides of Oahu is awesome. We’ve done the foot work and visited several locations to find our favorite, most family friendly beaches on Oahu which are sure to wow you.

Finding the Best Beaches for Gay Families on Oahu

So what are the best beaches for gay families on Oahu? What beach isn’t family friendly? Well, remember that all kinds of people visit Hawaii for all kinds of reasons. Our family friendly beach recommendations are places you can go with kids with safe waves, fun wildlife, and that AREN’T hosting epic surf competitions.

True, if you’re there for the Vans Cup, Pipe Pro competitions or another surfing bonanza, spend some time enjoying the spectacle, but also go seek our these great family friendly beaches on Oahu for a different side of Hawaii.

By Chris and Rob – Full Story at the 2TravelDads

Oahu Gay Travel Resources

Go Bavarian in Gay Leavenworth, Washington – 2TravelDads

Go Bavarian in Gay Leavenworth, Washington - 2TravelDads

Even though Leavenworth may not be a legit Bavarian settlement, the German culture paired with the Swiss and a few Scandinavian influences and everything else alpine make it a wonderful getaway to feel like you’re in another world. These are the best Bavarian activities in Leavenworth to get into the spirit of Oktoberfest year-round and to have a great trip to Washington’s favorite small town.

If you’re not too interested in the Bavarian/German fun that’s available, there are plenty of other great things to do in gay Leavenworth to enjoy on your getaway to Eastern Washington. Whether it’s summer or winter, you’ll have a great trip!

Gay Leavenworth, The Bavarian Hub of the PNW

I love telling the story of Leavenworth, Washington because it’s remarkable, and it’s not just “Oktoberfest needed a home in the Pacific Northwest.” It’s much more interesting and unusual than that. A logging boom town in Eastern Washington, Leavenworth started to fail and its economy crumbled as the timber industry changed and moved away from the area. Not wanting Leavenworth to turn into another ghost town like so many others in Washington had, the town pooled their resources and hired a marketing firm to help them out.

By Chris and Rob – Full Story at the 2TravelDads

Gay Travel Resources

Take a Northern Baja Road Trip – 2Travel Dads

Take a Northern Baja Road Trip - 2Travel Dads

When you say Baja California, I think most people are instantly going to think “Off-roading and military car inspections…” Well, yes, that’s totally possible and I’m sure you’ll come across that, but we’ve had some pretty incredible local road trips, both in Northern Baja and Baja California Sur. The Baja is one of our favorite Mexican destinations!

Doing a Northern Baja road trip is a really fun and interesting option for either family travel or adventurous adults. A drive through Northern Baja is all about the rugged coast and beautiful valleys, and if you continue south, a Baja California Sur road trip gives you picturesque towns and amazing snorkeling experiences.

Planning a Northern Baja Road Trip

This road trip plan takes you from Tijuana to Bahia de Los Angeles. It includes wine country, lots of great food and beach time, and whale watching. A less touristy experience than the south, you’ll need to speak and understand Spanish better than you might expect. English is not widely spoken, so exercise your language skills and patience as you explore.

Full Story at 2TravelDads

Mexico Gay Travel Resources

3 Days in Balboa Park for Gay Families – Our Taste for Life

Balboa Park for Gay Families - 2TravelDads

Balboa Park has long been a favorite spot for our family, and no matter how many times we visit San Diego we always go back. Whether it’s a rainy day or the best San Diego weather possible, there is loads to do in Balboa Park for gay families.

We tend to spend at least one afternoon visiting the Park, usually doing a museum or two, or spend the whole day wandering the San Diego Zoo. Honestly, you could spend three days just doing everything in Balboa Park, but if that’s not what you want to do, choose a few interesting activities and call it good. From scenic walks to fine art, we’ve picked our favorite things to do in Balboa Park.

Balboa Park for Gay Families – The San Diego Zoo

I need to start here because the San Diego Zoo is world renowned and it’s what many people are visiting San Diego to experience. We are cautious with zoos and recommending them, but we see the value they provide, in preserving species, but more so in developing a love of animals and nature in the younger generations so that they will protect animals and the earth going forward.

Full Story at 2TravelDads

San Diego Gay Travel Resources