Hello!

Can you believe Memorial Day weekend is already around the corner?

It always feels like the first real marker of summer for me.

School is wrapping up, schedules are out of control, and suddenly everyone starts asking… what are we doing for Memorial Day weekend?

It can start to feel like the long weekend needs to be something big.

A trip.
A hotel stay.
A big kickoff to summer.

But honestly?

Sometimes the best trips are a whole lot closer to home.

A lake town an hour away.
A small downtown you’ve been meaning to explore.
A state park you keep saying you should visit.
Even just one night away at a family-friendly hotel with a pool.

And sometimes, something simple like that is exactly what everyone needs.

Living in Iowa, it’s easy to think we need to leave the state to have a real trip.

But there are so many great places right here.

Lake towns.
College towns.
Historic small towns.
River towns.
State parks.
Weekend festivals.

Places like Pella, Winterset, Ames, Okoboji, Clear Lake, Iowa City, Dubuque, Decorah, Maquoketa State Park, and even simple overnights in Des Moines can feel like a real getaway when you let them.

It doesn’t have to be complicated to be memorable.

I think sometimes we overlook what’s close to home because it feels too familiar.

We think the “real” trip has to be farther away.

But some of our favorite family memories have come from simple weekends that didn’t require flights, huge planning, or a giant budget.

Just a little adventure.

A little change of scenery.

A little reminder that getting away doesn’t always have to mean going far.

And honestly, for Memorial Day weekend?

That kind of trip can be perfect.

Less pressure.
Less packing.
Less stress.

More room to actually enjoy it.

So before you book the big trip, ask yourself…

What’s close by that you’ve been meaning to explore?

Because sometimes the best family adventure is the one that’s been right in front of you the whole time. 💕

Stay tuned for more packing tips, behind-the-scenes travel hacks, and inspiration to make your trips feel doable and fun. I’m all about helping you make family travel as smooth as possible, so you can create memories without the headache.

Thanks for being part of the Travel Tuesday community, and I can’t wait to connect again soon!💕

✨ Want to make trip planning feel more doable?

My Travel Itinerary Planner gives you a simple way to organize your trip—from ideas to daily plans—so everything feels easier and more put together. Click below to grab it! 👇

If you’ve found a favorite close-to-home getaway, hit reply. I’d love to hear about it 💛

May you LOVE your adventure!

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