• About
  • Blog
  • Working together
  • Testimonials
  • Contact

Girl Gone Travel

Girl Gone Travel

Travel
/
July 3, 2015

Enjoying the Major Holidays in A Small Way

Enjoyed this post? Give it some love and share!
Share

As another holiday weekend approaches, kicking-off a series of summer festivities enjoyed by travelers near and far, my family and I are planning in two ways: either staying close to home and celebrating in our small New Jersey suburb or by traveling to smaller towns with less crowds but big festivities as well.

Over the years, and I can’t blame my kids for this because it started to happen before they came along, I have lost an interest in traveling to be among the crowd just to watch the fireworks, or the parades, or the ball drop at the beginning of the year. And as our family grew larger, I find myself with almost a zero interest to even try.

That’s not at all to say that we don’t enjoy the festivals and parades and all the fun that the holidays bring. It’s just that we really like to keep it simple and stress-free (as much as possible), and even affordable.

Now, if you have never, ever been to Times Square to watch the ball drop at the mark of the New Year and its on your bucket list, or if you have never been to the country’s capital city of Washington, DC to watch the 4th of July fireworks on Independence Mall, or if you have never been to the Rose Parade in California or the Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, well, I can’t in my right mind tell you to never try.

But, if traveling to busy, crowded, popular events in major cities with your large family isn’t your thing, don’t feel bad. Going small can be fun too.

Some things we have tried have been:

Theme Parties

Hosting BBQs or parties around the holidays while the televised festivities play themselves out in the living room are our favorite ways of celebrating because we get to do so we people we love. Some would think that it’s a party full of kids and parents – and there’s definitely some of that. But, we also have a nice mix of people who might not have kids, or are married, but who like the chill vibe of backyard parties too.

Downsize

We’re heading to Colorado to celebrate our 4th of July. The festivities in Steamboat promise to be spectacular and well-attended by residents and visitors a like. But, after many years of looking for the perfect spot and waiting around for the fireworks in New York City, I know that what awaits us all is a lot less hassle and crowds and a more laid back atmosphere.

girl gone travel _familyWe’re heading to celebrate…where it’s a bit less crowded.

Escape the noise

One of my favorite memories in holiday travel, was venturing to Yellowstone National Park and camping out. There were no fireworks or parades, no large crowds or bands playing. Just my family and nature. It was quiet, beautiful, and I didn’t feel for a second like I was missing a thing. Instead, we created new traditions.

So, next time that big holiday comes your way and your celebratory spirit is feeling like maybe it could tone it down a bit, consider any three of the suggestions above. In the end, what makes a day special are the people you share them with and the special places that give you a reason to smile and help you relax.

 

 

Disclosure: I am a proud ambassador of the #PrettyGreat Family Travel Hacks. To view the latest hacks, visit the #PrettyGreat Family Travel Hacks Online Community at embassytravelhacks.hilton.com. Connect with Embassy Suites on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest using the hashtags #prettygreat and #travelhacks.

 

Related

Enjoyed this post? Give it some love and share!
Share
Pin this Post
Share this Post
Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

You May Also Like...

Christmas Tree Hunting in Long Island, NY

December 12, 2008

Fort Tryon Park, Washington Heights, NY

December 10, 2008

Winter afternoon in the Bronx Zoo, NY

December 16, 2008

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Previous Post
Speaking Out on What’s Happening In Dominican Republic
Next Post
24 Wonderful Hours in Paris

About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons and 2 puppies. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

Categories

  • Asia5 Post(s)
  • Caribbean17 Post(s)
  • Central America4 Post(s)
  • Europe53 Post(s)
  • North America316 Post(s)
  • Oceana1 Post(s)

Contact

  • carol@girlgonetravel.com

Follow @girlgonetravel

Celebrating some of the best of this first year in Celebrating some of the best of this first year in the Finger Lakes! More on my blog, GirlGoneTravel.com. 🎉

#fingerlakes #lifeintheflx #myflx #thisissoflx #soflx #relocation #upstateny #lifeinupstateny
NEW ON GIRLGONETRAVEL.COM: It's hard to believe by NEW ON GIRLGONETRAVEL.COM: It's hard to believe by it's officially been one year since we moved to the Finger Lakes! So much has happened, I really couldn't put it all into words! If my latest blog left you wondering,  I am happy to answer any questions you may have about life here or a move like ours! Thanks for reading!

#relocation #Lifeinflx #movetoflx #fingerlakes
Hello world. I’d like to introduce you to a new Hello world. I’d like to introduce you to a new angel to this world, my beautiful little niece, Solénn 🥰

Did I cry? Of course. She is precious and as the oldest of 10 kids, I got to carry almost all of my siblings when they were this age too and care for them as they grew up. So, it is surreal to now have my “first babies” having babies! ♥️ It’s so sweet and beautiful and man, I can’t wait to see them give it to their parents as much as their parents gave it to me 😂. Being a Titi is the best!

#titi #auntie #iwanttoseethebaby #cutebabies
One of the coolest brewery vibes I’ve experience One of the coolest brewery vibes I’ve experienced has been in @bigalicebrewing in Brooklyn, NY (they also have an Queens location). So you know I was excited when they opened up a spot in the Finger Lakes (Geneva)! 

It’s been a minute since I’ve visited and they’ve expanded their outdoor space (shown here) and now regularly host music as well as a food truck to pair goodies with your brew.

The sunsets here are pretty epic too, and it’s such a cool place to chill and be with friends. The staff is also super friendly. Definitely add them to your list of places to check out! Also, kinda have to have a special place in my heart for fellow city-folk who fell in love with this magical place too and are doing awesome things here. 🍻

#flxbrew #fingerlakes #brewery #myflx #beer #geneva
To think I went so much of my life unaware of all To think I went so much of my life unaware of all the beauty right at my finger tips. I will forever to my core be proud to be born and raised in New York City, and for a moment I thought nothing could ever be greater. Turns out the world is filled with endless pockets of beauty and breathtaking spots. Some of them don’t always make it onto TikTok or Insta but they really are special.

I was out and about shooting for work in Tompkins County, and love that I get to experience beautiful places daily. 

I didn’t filter, and I edited only to fit this video, a glimpse into a day in the life here. I wish and hope people appreciate how this truly is a wonderful place to be. 

Featured are: Views of Dryden Lake (in the rain!), scenes from @underhill.farm (for a country stay, blueberry picking, and sheep!), @hopshirebrews (for photos but also a drink to cool off!), then we stopped at the super cute @thebigsbymarket where we got the sweetest peaches ever! 

#fingerlakes #myoffice #worklife #photographer #fingerlakes #drydenny #tompkinscounty
Molly and I have the same attitude when it comes t Molly and I have the same attitude when it comes to being woken up from our slumber. We get this attitude every night when it’s time for her to get up from the couch and go to her bed. 😂🐾

#maxabdmolly #dogsofinstagram #sleepydogs

Copyright © 2022 Girl Gone Travel | Privacy Policy | Copyright Notice