Los Angeles is a very popular vacation town year-round, but in summer it especially seems to be crawling with tourists from all over the world.

If you’re in Los Angeles now, and thinking about going, Broadway LA is offering $20 savings on selected seats until August 22. Are you here? Enjoy the rest of your Southern California summer vacation!

One of our latest emails concerns Disney and  Universal Orlando in Florida:

My husband and I (both retired) are looking for tickets to Disney and Universal. I’ve looked online and they are so expensive! Any suggestions for less expensive admission tickets would be appreciated! Thanks, Donna

I feel your pain, Donna. A one-day Magic Your Way ticket (admission to just one of the Disney’s four theme parks) is $79 on the online Walt Disney World Ticket Store. That said, if you buy multiple days worth of Magic Your Way or ParkHopper (allowing you to go to multiple parks in one day) tickets, the daily price drops up to 50% when you plan a week’s worth theme park visits. (But, frankly, do you really want to spend 7 days at Disney World? I doubt it!)

Here are some Disney ticket tips I gathered from a little online research and some posts on the Traveling Mamas Twitter account and my personal Facebook page. Thanks to everyone who offered advice!

A high-school classmate who lives in Florida noted that for the remainder of 2009,  you can register online and visit Disney World (or Disneyland) for FREE on your birthday. (Very cool – I hadn’t heard of this.)

She also suggested you find a hotel you’d like to stay at and ask if they have room packages that include discounted park tickets

DeliciousBaby’s Debbie Dubrow recommended checking for tickets through your membership at Costco.

One warning: do not buy park tickets from a third party on eBay. Apparently you cannot confirm how many days are left at the park on the ticket AND there is some sort of high-tech fingerprinting scan (!) used to determine if the ticket has been transferred (which is verboten). Just sounds too risky to me. (Thanks, Suzanne Rowan Kelleher of WeJustGotBack.com, for chiming in on that!)

Writing Travel’s Lanora Mueller says her go-to resource for anything Disney is Mary Waring’s Mousesavers.com. “It’s been my bible for Disney travel for nearly 10 years.” Indeed, Mary’s section on Disney World Tickets & Passes is chock full of advice, tips and tricks.

Lanora also recommends wdwinfo.com, passporter.com and allears.net for more Disney advice.

Regarding Universal Orlando (comprised of Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure), @tsekuech on Twitter says that auto association members can get discounts at the ticket window, so pack your AAA card. According to the ticket page on the official Universal Orlando site, you can save a few bucks by purchasing in advance online and printing tickets at home. And, like Disney, the more you commit — here, to a two-park pass that can be used for up to a week’s time — the more you save.

Good luck, Donna. We hope you have a GREAT vacation!

multigenerational

Very, it turns out. Travel planners just have to do a little research before piling the kids and all their assorted accoutrements (Nintendo DS, iPod, etc) into the family car. As there are carbon offset for air travel, so there are carbon credits available for road trips. The following are reputable organizations that help concerned travelers calculate their automobile’s CO2 output, and purchase offsets accordingly.

NativeEnery – Native Energy helps travelers buy carbon offsets to make their vacations more carbon neutral. Monies spent offsetting the CO2 output of car-based travel are put towards supporting Native Americans, farmers, and sustainable projects. The current portfolio includes the Kasigluk Alaska Native Village Wind Turbines, Boulder Creek Hydro Project, and Farmer-Owned Distributed Wind. The website is easy to use: NativeEnergy guides travel planners through calculating their cars’ carbon emissions and makes purchasing offsets as easy as clicking a button.

Terrapass – This green organization is prominent in its field. Offering air travel and home energy carbon offsets as well as for cars, Terrapass is an easily navigatable site. To estimate a planned car trip’s carbon output, the “carbon footprint calculator” asks for a given car’s year, make, and model. Then, input  “miles per year”  as the estimated mileage of the road trip (instead of the yearly CO2 emission). The same webpage then allows users to see results and buy offsets.

Carbonfund – Carbonfund offers “carbon free certification” for products, information about climate change, and carbon offset programs for individuals and businesses. In terms of planning a carbon neutral car trip, users can measure their cars’ CO2 output (hint: SUVs have a heavier carbon footprint than do hybrids and other efficient autos) with either preset values or for specific miles. The car calculator is similar to that used by Terrapass, with an added detail asking for specs such as automatic transmission.

Sustainable Travel International – STI has a carbon offset calculator for travel, along with an eco-directory and a program of travel philanthropy, Altruistic Travel.  Much like NativeEnergy, STI puts purchased carbon credits to good use with green projects in the US, China, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, and South Africa. STI’s carbon calculator is a bit simplified, compared to the details required above. The emission calculator may be more of a rounded estimation as a result.

Car trips are a great way for families to experience travel together, with the ride being as memorable as the destination. Families concerned about their relative carbon footprint can trust these programs to put their offsets to good, green use. Clean energy investment and support for tourism and sustainable development is key towards becoming carbon neutral.

Many families are reducing or even eliminating their travel budgets this year.  What are the benefits of vacation rental properties for families?

With vacation rentals, the space is key for families:  Kids can run freely. Parents can enjoy their own room and don’t have to split the kids between two double beds and if you’re traveling with older kids you are saved the expense of booking multiple hotel rooms.   I personally find having a kitchen the best feature in vacation rentals.  Kitchens allow you to save a lot of money by avoiding the outrageous costs of mini bars, room service and eating out for every meal. Staying in for breakfast and letting the kids stay in their pajamas is just so much easier and more fun.  Plus, when you recall your favorite family vacations you never picture your family crammed into a hotel room.  But if you stay in a vacation rental, I bet you will have lasting memories of your family sitting around the table during a meal, talking, laughing and feeling a true sense of relaxation and contentment.

HomeAway offers these cost-cutting tips for that family vacation:

* Stay closer to home- drive instead of fly
* Stay in a vacation rental instead of a hotel
* Travel with extended family or another family to split costs and double the fun
* Save money and your sanity by preparing meals in your vacation rental instead of always going to a restaurant
* Check HomeAway.com for Special Offers and VacationRentals.com for deals and freebies

What are some of the most popular places for HomeAway vacation homes for families?

Vacation rentals are always a better option in accommodations for traveling families because they get come with more privacy, amenities and multiple bedrooms. However, some of the most-popular destinations for family travel include: Destin and Orlando, FL (Disney is always tops for families), Hilton Head SC, Cape Cod MA, San Diego CA and Outer Banks, NC.  Here’s a list of vacation rentals that show the perks and variety of family-friendly vacation rentals on HomAway.

What are some tips or suggestions you’d give to first-time vacation home renters?

Here are a few helpful tips for first-time renters, but for a full breakdown of how to rent a vacation rental check out our how-to list.

* Book with a reputable site with a substantial inventory.  Using sites like HomeAway.com, VRBO.com or VacationRentals.com, travelers can easily find and compare thousands of properties from around the globe.  The more choices that are available, the more likely you’ll be able to find a property that has availability and meets your needs and budget.
* Talk to the homeowner—Once you find a home that you think may work, contact the property owner or manager directly to ask questions about the rental and the area to make sure its suitable for your group.  Having a conversation with the owner may enable you to negotiate a price that’s more within your budget, find out great local spots to check out while visiting, or if it turns out they’re booked, they may be able to refer you to another property nearby.
* Read reviews—Sites like HomeAway.com feature reviews from previous guests, which can come in handy for getting a first-hand account of the property
* Register your trip—All of the properties listed on the HomeAway sites are protected by the HomeAway Rental Guarantee.  Travelers who register for the free-guarantee are covered up to $5,000 in the event that the vacation rental book is determined to be not-legitimate.
* Get it in writing—Make sure you have a rental agreement that clearly states the homeowner’s rules and policies regarding check-in/out times, cancellations, etc.
* If possible, pay by credit card.

These are some valuable tips, Justin. Thank you for describing the advantages of renting vacation houses for family travel planners on a budget.

Dazzled by Twilight is a store and tour bus operated by Annette Root, and she’s as passionate a Twilight fan as they come (Team Edward, I believe, but I’m not sure). She hired a fantastic Twilight guide, Travis, to show my group around. Yes, the group was all women – coincidence? I think not. Twilight fans skew strongly female. Check out the video below: Since the Dazzled by Twilight Tour is sure to be every teenager’s highlight of an Olympic National Park family vacation, I don’t give too much away.

Twilight may be why your surly teenager suddenly wants to visit Olympic National Park, but Forks is not only the setting for the incredibly popular vampire romance series. A true story, passed down orally throughout the years, was retold by my group’s travel guide in the Forks Timber Museum – yes, a dose of reality for the family may just cure that sense of being overpowered by vampire lore. For someone like me, that’s just what the doctor ordered.

Congrats, Reginald! I’ll email you to get your snail mail address.

Talking with Addison was a lot of fun; the podcast (click here) regarding Sedona summer vacation activities came out well as a result. It may sound counterintuitive to plan a summer trip to Arizona, but my kids loved it last August, and I wouldn’t change a thing.

See the Santa Monica Pier During Your Los Angeles Vacation

Top 5 Best Free or Cheap Activities in LA, California

The Santa Monica Pier has a fun, old-timey carousel and small amusement park, making it a great spot for families to take their young kids. An all-day wristband for the Pacific Park on the pier is available there or cheaper online, though you can walk around the amusement park without going on any rides (yeah, right!) for free. Under the Santa Monica Pier is a no-frills touch tank style aquarium, run by the nonprofit Heal the Bay. Local marine life are featured here, and donations are appreciated.

The beach is, needless to say, really crowed in the summer right around the pier, but walk a little bit north or south of it, and the crowds thin out quickly. Parking is free on some streets, and there’s a fee (varies, but around 10 bucks) for beach lot parking. Venice Beach is a healthy walk south, and the best for people-watching. The Will Rogers State Beach is just a couple miles north of Santa Monica, and a lot less crowded. Drive north a few more miles, and you’re in Malibu. Goggling at surfers is free, though the beach equipment rentals will cost you a few bucks.

He's Sure an Iconic Hollywood Star

Hollywood Walk of Fame is free to walk around, and plenty of those stores have cheap touristy stuff for sale too. There are over 2,300 stars’ names inlaid along the walk here, and all sorts of characters strolling around for photo ops. (If you pose with one of them, it’s nice to give a tip.) The Walk of Fame is along Hollywood and Vine, itself an iconic intersection. There are fictional stars with stars on the Walk of Fame too; my kids got a kick out of finding The Simpsons’ star.

Grauman’s Chinese Theater is a landmark that tourists like to see; it’s right on the Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard. The large red pagoda, Chinese dragon across the front, makes this an unmistakable spot: The footprints and handprints in front of Grauman’s are a fun place to take photos too. The oldest handprints include Mary Pickford’s in 1927, and more recent ones include Will Smith and Hugh Jackman. Anyone who wants to see a movie while on a Southern California vacation can see one here, though many grouse that ticket prices aren’t so cheap!

Television show tapings often need people to fill up the seats, especially talk shows and game shows. Grauman’s Theater is a good place to get free tickets to TV shows; other places to score free tickets to TV shows are the Glendale Galleria and Universal Studios Hollywood. Where else, besides New York City, can people on vacation have a chance to see some of their favorite TV personalities live at work? If you’re planning a trip to LA and really don’t want to leave this to chance, call Paramount Television Audience Show Guest Relations (323) 956-1777, Audience Associates (323) 467-4697, or Fox Television’s Audience Unlimited (818) 506-0043.

Griffith Observatory

Griffith Park is the biggest city park in the United States. It’s probably most famous for the Griffith Observatory, and admission to the Observatory is free. There’s a fee to get into the planetarium, but this is also pretty cheap. Griffith Park as a whole is over 4,000 acres of trails and parkland, so obviously there’s lots to do. There are hiking paths and bridle trails, picnic areas and canyons. It’s a great place to take kids during a family vacation; the LA Zoo is here, as well as the Autry Center (for cowboy lovin’ kids), pony rides and “Travel Town.” The Greek Theater is also right in Griffith Park – this outdoor theater hosts year-round concerts.

Needless to say, these are just my picks for the top 5 free or cheap things to do in Los Angeles, California. What’s best for one vacationing couple or family may not be the top activity chosen by another. Have your own favorite cheap or free Los Angeles activities? I’d love to hear them – leave your comments below.

Easy Green Travel for Earth Day (wikicommons)

On Earth Day, it’s important to consider the potential benefits of traveling on the earth, as well as how to mitigate negative consequences. No doubt about it; travel leaves a carbon footprint. The CO2 emitted by airplanes is a greenhouse gas, as we (mostly) all know. Further, biodiversity (important for the health of any habitat) is affected by the construction of hotels and resorts. What can an eco-conscious travel lover do? Plenty. And on Earth Day, it’s important to consider the potential benefits of traveling on the earth, as well as how to mitigate negative consequences. Here are the Traveling Mamas’ Top 5 Easy Green Travel Tips!

Don’t worry; our level of commitment can vary. Not just between person, but between trips as well. Awareness of the environment doesn’t have to equal staying in yurts and other no-indoor-plumbing types of lodging. Eco-travel is not a forced choice. There are many small ways in which any type of travel, from budget to luxury, can be made more environmentally responsible.

1) Getting There by Plane: In terms of getting to our vacation destinations, we don’t have to sacrifice air travel for leaving a lighter carbon footprint. There are click-through carbon offset purchase options available online. I like NativeEnergy for this, because its benefits aren’t just environmental, but economic as well. NativeEnergy builds positive businesses for family farmers and Native Americans by taking those carbon offsets and putting them towards farmer-owned renewable projects.

2) Getting There by Car (or otherwise): It’s good green thinking to research whether we can forgo car rentals. Some hotels offer free shuttles to and from the airport and local activities. Since these shuttles are running regardless, using them cuts down on CO2 emissions. Bikes and public transportation are also great alternatives.  When it’s necessary to rent a car, we can ask if there are hybrids available. Some hotels offer rebates on parking for guests who pull up in hybrids.  The Better World Club is an eco-friendly alternative to AAA.

3) Once You’re There: Sure, there’s camping, and there are yurts and ecolodges. Environmentally Friendly Hotels has a list. No matter the destination, though, there are easy choices we can make to travel “greener” without giving up accommodations we want on our vacations. For example, we can still turn off the lights in our hotel room before we leave for the day (it’s surprising how many people don’t bother). Ask if a hotel has a linen reuse program. These hotels usually have signs in the bathrooms that say something like, “If you want us to wash the towels, leave them on the floor.”  Also, we can check if there is a hotel at our destination of choice that participates in a water recycling or conservation program.

4) Time to Eat: Some hotels – notably the Fairmont family of hotels -  have restaurants that use locally grown, organic ingredients for their menu offerings. This not only cuts down on transportation costs, but assures a fresher quality of food too.  Eating locally but outside of the hotel is still more ecologically sensitive than, say, a Happy Meal at McDonald’s. The 100 Mile Diet promotes locally grown produce. Inquiring about which of your destination’s restaurants participate in this earth-friendly concept is an easy way to affect positive change while traveling.

5) What to Buy: No matter where you take your vacation, remember to take only photos, leave only memories (as they say). The broken-up a’a lava rock looks plentiful and free to take as a souvenir in Hawaii, but it’s illegal to do so for a reason: Can you imagine if everyone took some? While buying unique crafts from local artisans is more expensive than buying that cheapo t-shirt at the airport, doing so invests back in the community. It supports traditional craft-making as a sustainable job in the travel destination’s economy. Sustainable tourism money translates into vacation destinations promoting the protection of their habitats’ biodiversity.

Making informed choices as a travel consumer is easy. Green travel is also easy, once we realize we don’t have to forgo our favorite vacation amenities to do so. Every little bit helps, after all. And who knows? Maybe next Earth Day, we’ll be game for that backpacking-camping-no indoor plumbing-ecotrip. Until then, incorporating easy green concepts into our vacations is painless, and great for the planet.

Bell Buckle, TN is a charming little town set amidst the Tennessee Walking Horse farm area. I visited there while antique shopping with my family and found some great bargains, as well as nostalgia. It makes a great stop for families, couples, or travelers just wanting to explore.

The main building of Bell Buckle’s antique district was purchased for $750. This included all of the contents, which were WWII era. The owner, Mr. Phillips, refurbished the building and opened Phillips General Store and Antiques. The General Store offers antiques and gifts, but if you look above, the orginal items that were in the store hang as a memorial to a bygone time, where women wore dresses and men dressed up to go to “town”. Around the corner is Bluebird Antiques and Ice Cream Parlor that offers homemade fudge by the pound and hand-dipped ice cream in delicious waffle cones. They are all served up at the original ice cream and soda counter. An interesting fact about the place: the Ice Cream Parlor was voted Tennessee’s Ice Cream Shop of the Year. They also offer a special flavor, White Chocolate Raspberry that is made just for the shop.

I walked through downtown and admired the handmade crafts and the Southern Hospitality. I even went into the Bell Buckle Antique Mall and found out that it is owned and operated by the mayor at the time.

The kids were getting hungry, so we stopped in at the Bell Buckle Cafe to get some lunch. Every Friday and Saturday evening they offer live music with no admission charge and Thursday is songwriters’ night. This is where some of the great country music artists get their start. The ostrich burger and white chili was pretty good too. Get there early if you want a table on the weekends.

Bell Buckle was a charming weekend retreat and I am planning on visiting again to do some shopping. I may even visit for one of the annual festivals that they celebrate.

Festivals

March – Daffodil Day Celebration of Spring and Arbor Day
May - Mayfest Outdoor Tribute to Music
June – RC and MoonPie Festival A Celebration of one of the South’s Finest Traditions, Moonpies and an RC Cola
September – Quilt Walk A Walking tour of Bell Buckle. View a display of quilts at churches and in homes
October – Webb School Art and Craft Festival The #1 Arts and Crafts Show in Tennessee
December – Christmas in Bell Buckle Lights and old-fashioned wreaths decorate the town.

Where to Stay

Mingle House Bed and Breakfast – A Victorian house that serves up a coutry-style breakfast. 931.389.9453 (recent traveler has slideshow available)

Arrowlet Bed and Breakfast - Located 2 blocks from the Antique District.

The Cumberland House – A new, upscale Bed and Breakfast on Cumberland Street. 931.389.9223 (couldn’t find web listing)

Main Street Inn – Located in Wartrace, TN this B&B has a fantastic breakfast.

How to Get There

Interstate I-24
Exit 97, between Murfreesboro and
Manchester, Hwy 64 to Hwy 82

Interstate 40
Near Lebanon, I-840 to I-24 to
Hwy 231 to Shelbyville, to Hwy 82

Interstate 65
Exit at Cornersville to Lewisburg,
to Shelbyville, to Hwy 231 to Hwy 82

If you can’t get enough of the area, you can visit nearby Shelbyville, TN or Lynchburg, TN. Lynchburg is the home of the famous Jack Daniels Distillery. Bell Buckle also makes a great family day trip from Nashville, TN or Huntsville, AL areas. For more information, visit the Bell Buckle Chamber Website.