logo
Teens, screens, time pressure and other challenges to navigate on a family road trip

Teens, screens, time pressure and other challenges to navigate on a family road trip

If you're going to be road-tripping with your family this summer, get ready to embrace unexpected moments of both connection and inevitable chaos.
I found both when I packed up the car with my husband and two kids — one of them a teenager — for the eight-hour drive from Boston to Niagara Falls. We had taken long road trips as a family in the past, but our kids, now 8 and 14, were older. My son, firmly in his 'closed-door, don't talk to me' phase, wasn't exactly thrilled about spending over 460 miles trapped in our smallish Nissan Rogue. We also live in a part of the country where we don't spend much time in cars in our everyday life.
How would we all manage the close quarters?
Here's some of what I learned — along with advice from the experts — about not only surviving a family road trip but having a good time:
First, why do it?
Many road-trip veterans cite the chance to bond and create family memories. Eighteen-year-old Samara Worsham, for example, spent 30 days crossing 25 states with her family in 2022. Now preparing to leave for college, she says she cherishes that time on the road.
'There were long stretches with no cellular data, leaving us nothing to do but talk,' she said.
Along with visiting U.S. landmarks, Worsham's fondest memories include hotel pool swims with her siblings, and her father's mission to sample every fast-food chain across the country.
There are practical advantages to the family car trip too.
'It's more economical than flying, especially with a big family,' says Jamie Davis Smith, a lawyer and writer from Washington, D.C., who takes a road trip every year with her husband and children. 'Plus, you don't have to rent a car at the destination.'
Get family input on the itinerary
Alain Robert, founder of The Travelologist, a Canadian travel agency, recommends including the whole family in planning.
'Ask what they'd like to see or do. Build around everyone's interests,' he advised. 'Once you have a backbone itinerary, share it and manage expectations.'
My family, in particular the kids, wanted to get there as soon as possible. They had their eyes on the destination, not the journey.
Include some cheesy stops — if you can take the time
Davis Smith said her family loves to discover quirky roadside attractions; on one trip, they had fun stopping at the Unclaimed Baggage Center in Scottsboro, Alabama — a store that sells lost airline luggage.
Inspired, I downloaded the Roadtrippers app and mapped out a few detour-worthy stops. Our shortlist included the Jell-O Museum in LeRoy, New York, as well as the Schuyler Mansion (of 'Hamilton' fame) in Albany, New York.
But best-laid plans... We quickly realized that an eight-hour haul didn't leave much wiggle room for exploration. Lesson learned: Keep daily driving to six hours or less if you want time to explore. We didn't have time for either of those two stops.
We briefly considered bringing Rosie, our 2-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, but the hotel we'd booked at Niagara wasn't dog-friendly. No friends were available to watch her, so at the last minute, we boarded her at our vet — a first for Rosie.
We hadn't expected she would need two new vaccines, and we had to squeeze in a vet appointment two days before departure. This meant a steep bill the morning we left, and boarding costs awaiting us when we returned.
Travel journalist Kelly Burch, who road-tripped around the U.S. for seven months with her husband, two kids and senior dog, warned that pet policies on the road can be unpredictable. One budget hotel near Yellowstone National Park wouldn't even allow their dog to stay in their RV on the property.
'Triple check pet policies,' she advised.
Teens...
Knowing my teenager would need space, I splurged on a junior suite. He got his own bed, slept late and had the space to recharge. The suite came with a small kitchen and a breathtaking view of Horseshoe Falls — well worth the extra cost for three nights.
If we'd stayed longer, I would have reconsidered the splurge. But since we saved money by not flying, the room felt like a worthwhile tradeoff.
... and screens
If your kids are on the younger side, divert them with family car games.
'If you start the screen early, it can be difficult to convince them to do anything else,' says freelance journalist Stratton Lawrence, 43, who has written for Travel & Leisure about his family road trips — without devices. He's driven with his young kids and wife from South Carolina to the Pacific Coast twice, including one three-month stretch on the road.
Even older kids, he says, will appreciate something like a deck of cards or a paper atlas to see the geography.
'If you're going to be in a car for 100-plus hours, the kids aren't going to be entertained watching TV that whole time, so you have to have other things,' he said.
Overall, I think my teenager thought the trip was OK. His friend happened to be visiting Niagara Falls with her family and staying in the same hotel where we stayed. That was a welcome surprise. He also seemed to like our daytime outings, especially the boat ride into the Horseshoe Falls, where we got drenched with water.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Venezuela travel warning: Canadian government emphasizes more risks before July 27 elections
Venezuela travel warning: Canadian government emphasizes more risks before July 27 elections

Hamilton Spectator

timean hour ago

  • Hamilton Spectator

Venezuela travel warning: Canadian government emphasizes more risks before July 27 elections

The Canadian government has updated its travel advisory for Venezuela. While Canadian advice for the South American country was already to 'avoid all travel' due to the significant level of violent crime, unstable political and economic situations, the risk of arbitrary detention and the decline in basic living conditions — there's more reason for concern. Now, the Government of Canada is warning of further risk there related to municipal elections set to take place July 27. 'Demonstrations and social unrest may occur before, during and after the elections, especially in major cities. The security situation can deteriorate without warning,' the advisory, which was updated July 21, said. 'During past demonstrations, authorities have used excessive force, resulting in casualties. You could be arrested and detained without cause.' Additionally, the Canadian government said authorities may impose curfews and restrict movement without notice, and traffic and public transportation may be disrupted, including disrupted access to Simón Bolívar International Airport, outside of Caracas. If you are in Venezuela, the Canadian government advises you to: More information about the Canadian advisory for Venezuela can be found on the federal government's website . Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .

Experts advise packing lightly on cash when travelling
Experts advise packing lightly on cash when travelling

Hamilton Spectator

time4 hours ago

  • Hamilton Spectator

Experts advise packing lightly on cash when travelling

When was the last time you pulled out cash to pay for something? Many Canadians might have to think long and hard, especially if they're younger. Canada has gradually moved toward becoming a cashless society, with most people paying for purchases with smartphones or credit cards. However, whether or not you should carry cash — and how much — can still be a point of contention when travelling abroad. 'The question shouldn't be whether cash is still worth it, but it's how to use it wisely, especially when every dollar counts,' said Amra Durakovic, a spokesperson for Flight Centre Travel Group Canada Inc. She said the decision to carry cash and the amount depends on the destination, purpose of travel and how prepared a traveller wants to be. When Durakovic was travelling to Nicaragua, she knew the airport transfer cost and driver tips would likely be a cash-on-hand situation. For her Morocco trip not too long ago, she said she carried small bills in U.S. dollars when visiting local markets and to pay for taxis. Even if you're going on a cruise or to an all-inclusive resort, carry some cash for tipping staff, Durakovic suggested. 'We would recommend that you do carry a modest amount in bills, ideally in the currency that's most widely accepted locally,' she said. Durakovic said she personally takes at least US$100 in cash when travelling abroad, mostly in smaller bills. She also emphasized paying gratuities on all-inclusive trips in Canadian dollars ahead of time to avoid exchange rate surprises or finding out there are no ATMs on-site at the resort. Sometimes, all-inclusive resorts and cruises can include gratuities in a daily service charge, allowing travellers to account for tips in their budget ahead of time. Prepaid gratuities are typically broken down per night and per guest. For example, Disney Cruise recommends a prepaid gratuity of between US$16 and US$27.25 per night, per guest. When Nicole Hui was preparing to travel to Japan earlier this year, one of the first things she researched was whether it's a cash-reliant economy. The travel and lifestyle content creator said she brought some cash to cover the initial transit from the airport, meals and tipping. But she took out money she needed after that from an ATM at a Japanese 7-Eleven — with a better exchange rate than what she would have received at Canadian banks. But usually, Hui's go-to is her no-fee credit card. 'If it's a less cash-heavy place, I usually just stick with using (a credit) card, but still bring $100 to $200 of local currency for the trip, just in case it's needed,' Hui said. But experts say exchange rates should be kept top of mind when travelling abroad. 'My issue with cash going abroad is it's really expensive to exchange, depending on where you're going,' said personal finance and travel expert Barry Choi. Choi's turning point was when he travelled to Brazil and Argentina almost a decade ago and faced an exorbitant exchange fee at the bank. Ever since, Choi said he prefers either a no-fee credit or prepaid cards, or he will withdraw money at ATMs abroad, if needed. He advised looking for a travel card that allows charge-free ATM withdrawals, credit cards with no or lower exchange-rate fees or a multi-currency card, such as Wise. He does not recommend exchanging money at the airport. Choi's decision to carry cash and the amount comes down to researching what the acceptable currency is in the country he's visiting. He recalled travelling to the United States earlier this year and not using cash once during his trip. Another downside to getting cash is the leftover local currency you may never use, Choi said. 'Why I tell people to carry less cash is: Back in the day, you would keep exchanging all this money, you'd pay high fees to begin with, and then you're left with these random currencies that you may or may not use,' he said. There's a chance of losing money when exchanging leftover local currency for Canadian dollars, depending on the exchange rate fluctuations. But Choi said he still carries US$50 in local currency that can cover a meal or taxi ride, just in case. 'There are still a lot of stores that only take cash, so you could be in the middle of nowhere or even a country where you don't speak the language,' he said. 'You should always have some kind of backup cash, even if it's U.S. dollars, Canadian dollars, or whatever.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 22, 2025.

Hotel Dining Steps Into The Spotlight: OpenTable and KAYAK Debut The Top 50 Hotel Restaurants in Canada
Hotel Dining Steps Into The Spotlight: OpenTable and KAYAK Debut The Top 50 Hotel Restaurants in Canada

Hamilton Spectator

time4 hours ago

  • Hamilton Spectator

Hotel Dining Steps Into The Spotlight: OpenTable and KAYAK Debut The Top 50 Hotel Restaurants in Canada

TORONTO, July 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hotel restaurants are experiencing a revival among diners, evolving from convenient and comfortable options to refined dining destinations, as 61 per cent of Canadians believe hotels have gotten better restaurant offerings in recent years. 1 Canadian search data also shows the use of KAYAK's 'restaurant' hotel filter almost doubled within a year (+99%), highlighting how travel and dining are becoming increasingly connected. 3 To help diners and travellers find their ideal dining destination, OpenTable and KAYAK have joined forces to launch the Top 50 Hotel Restaurants across Canada in 2025. 4 The list is compiled by reviewing restaurants located in hotels and analyzing more than 1 million diner reviews and dining metrics, including diner ratings, reservation demand, among other factors. 'As hotel dining enters a new age with nearly two thirds (61%) of hotel restaurant diners being locals, 2 it's a chance to win over locals looking to dine out, not just overnight guests,' said Matt Davis, Senior Country Director, OpenTable Canada. 'For travellers and locals alike, our new Top 50 Hotel Restaurants list offers great inspiration for elevated meals in standout spots across the country, from Akira Back in Toronto's Bisha Hotel to The Courtney Room in the Magnolia Hotel in Victoria.' 'Travellers aren't just asking 'Where should I go?'—they're asking 'What's on the menu when I get there?'' said Kate Williams, Chief Communications Officer at KAYAK. 'Great dining experiences are an essential part of today's travel itineraries and hotels are rising to the occasion.' New research shows: For travellers hungry for more than just a place to stay, the top hotel restaurants offer innovative menus, top-notch service, and stylish interiors. To explore hotel room rates, average flight prices, and more, explore OpenTable & KAYAK's top hotel restaurant hub. The following restaurants, listed in alphabetical order by Province, comprise the Top 50 Hotel Restaurants . 3 Alberta 1888 Chop House, Banff Braven, Edmonton Castello Italiana, Banff Fonda Fora, Calgary Hawthorn Dining Room and Bar, Calgary Rundle Bar, Banff The Harvest Room - Fairmont Hotel Macdonald, Edmonton The Keg Steakhouse + Bar - Calgary 4th Ave, Calgary The Vermillion Room, Banff The Wilde On 27, Calgary Waldhaus Restaurant, Banff British Columbia ARC Restaurant, Vancouver ATLAS steak + fish - Burnaby, Burnaby Botanist, Vancouver Lakeside Dining Room - Hotel Eldorado, Kelowna Notch8, Vancouver Tea at The Empress, Victoria The Brickworks, Whistler The Courtney Room, Victoria The Victor – Parq Vancouver, Vancouver Manitoba Oval Room Brasserie – Fort Garry Hotel, Winnipeg Newfoundland and Labrador The Little Sparo, St. John's Newfoundland and Labrador Nova Scotia Darya, Halifax Salt & Ash - Halifax, Halifax Ontario Akira Back, Toronto Café Boulud, Toronto Cannery Restaurant, Niagara-on-the-Lake CLOCKWORK, Toronto Corso: Endless Family-Style Italian, Niagara Falls Inn on the Twenty, Jordan Isabelle Restaurant + Lounge, Burlington Joni Restaurant, Toronto KŌST, Toronto Langdon Hall Dining Room, Cambridge LOUIX LOUIS, Toronto Masaki, Niagara-on-the-Lake ONE Restaurant, Toronto REIGN, Toronto The Drawing Room - The Prince of Wales Hotel, Niagara-on-the-Lake The Shore Club - Ottawa, Ottawa The Tea Room - Windsor Arms Hotel, Toronto Tiara Restaurant - Queen's Landing Hotel, Niagara-on-the-Lake TOCA - The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto, Toronto Zoe's at Fairmont Chateau Laurier, Ottawa Quebec Bar George, Montréal Bistro le SAM - Fairmont Château Frontenac, Québec City Le Champlain Restaurant - Fairmont Château Frontenac, Québec City Llyod, Montréal Maison Boulud, Montréal Marcus, Montréal About OpenTable OpenTable , a global leader in restaurant tech and part of Booking Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG), helps more than 60,000 restaurants worldwide fill 1.8 billion seats a year. OpenTable's world-class technology empowers restaurants to focus on what matters most – their team, their guests, and their bottom line – while enabling diners to discover and book the perfect restaurant for every occasion. About KAYAK KAYAK , part of Booking Holdings (NASDAQ: BKNG), is the world's leading travel search engine. With billions of queries across our platforms, we help people find their perfect flight, stay, rental car and vacation package. Trusted by millions of travelers, the KAYAK app makes travel planning seamless on iOS and Android , and we also support business travelers with our corporate travel solution . Notes to Editors

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store