Episode 194: Halloween-Themed Family Travel

Pumpkin patches, ghost stories, trick-or-treating at Disney… Halloween has become more than just a night—it’s a whole travel season! In this episode of The Family Vacationer, Rob and Traci share the best family-friendly destinations and tips for celebrating Halloween in ways that are fun, memorable, and not-too-spooky.

Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode:

Historic Halloween Towns – Salem, Massachusetts and Sleepy Hollow, New York, where history and legend come alive every October.

• Theme Park Magic – From Disney’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party to Universal Studios’ daytime family options, plus the fall magic of Dollywood’s Harvest Fest and Great Pumpkin LumiNights.
• Local Adventures – Pumpkin patches, flashlight corn mazes, haunted history tours, and small-town parades that make for easy weekend getaways.
• Practical Tips – Packing costumes in carry-ons, layering for chilly nights, keeping kids safe with glow sticks, and candy-collection hacks to keep little arms from getting tired.

Big News!

• Rob’s book, The Family Vacationer: A Parent’s Guide to Meaningful Travel, is coming out in December! Pre-orders open soon—stay tuned for details.
• We’re celebrating our 200th episode in Orlando at the Caribe Royale the second weekend in December. If you’ll be in Orlando, let us know—we’d love to connect!

Halloween is the perfect excuse to add a little travel to your fall calendar. Whether you’re heading to New England, a theme park, or just the local pumpkin patch, the memories you’ll make will last far longer than the candy.

Listen now and get inspired to plan your family’s spooktacular getaway!

Episode 193: Chasing the Sun to Tybee Island GA with Mayor Brian West

When cooler weather hits, many families put away the swimsuits—but what if you packed them for a little extra sunshine instead? In this episode, Rob kicks off our Chasing the Sun series with a trip to Tybee Island, Georgia, a laid-back beach town just minutes from Savannah. Known for wide sandy beaches, small-town charm, and family-run restaurants, Tybee is the perfect place to escape the cold.

Joining us is Mayor Brian West, who shares insider tips on:

• Why Tybee feels worlds away from bigger beach destinations
• Family-friendly activities like lighthouse climbs, dolphin tours, kayaking, and surfing lessons
• Seasonal highlights including Pirates Fest, the Christmas parade, and the springtime Beach Bum Parade (a massive island-wide water fight!)
• Local restaurants that make Tybee a food lover’s paradise—think fresh-off-the-dock seafood, pizza joints with live music, and creative coastal dining
• Where to stay, from 1950s-style family hotels to unique vacation rentals

Whether you’ve got little ones, adventurous teens, or just need a slower coastal pace, Tybee has something for everyone.

📖 Don’t forget: Rob’s upcoming book The Family Vacationer: A Parent’s Guide to Meaningful Travel releases this December. Packed with stories and strategies, it’s your guide to making every trip more intentional and rewarding.

👉 Resources & Links:

• Visit Tybee – Tourism site with events, lodging, and planning info
• City of Tybee – Local updates and community events
• Follow The Family Vacationer on Instagram

Episode 192: Vacationing With Teens – How to Stay Connected with Parenting Coach Janine Mushwar

Vacationing with teens can be magical—or maddening. In this episode, Rob talks with parenting coach Janine Mushwar about how to move from conflict to connection with your teenager, both at home and while traveling. If you’ve ever felt your teen slipping away, or if vacations bring out more eye-rolls than smiles, this conversation is for you.

Janine shares her own journey as a mom of three very different kids and the parenting shifts she had to make when rewards, punishments, and “the old ways” stopped working. Now, as a parenting coach, she helps families find practical strategies to reduce conflict, strengthen communication, and make family trips less stressful and more meaningful.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why vacations with teens can be both magical and challenging
• The importance of shifting your parenting approach during the teenage years
• How to balance teens’ independence with family togetherness on trips
• Tools to de-escalate conflict in the moment (without turning the trip into a battle)
• Why involving teens in the planning process makes a huge difference
• Ways travel can strengthen connection during family transitions—like divorce, blending families, or big moves
• Simple but powerful mindset shifts that help parents prioritize connection over chasing a “perfect” trip

About Our Guest

Janine Mushwar is a parenting coach who helps moms and dads move from conflict to connection with their teens. Drawing on her own experience raising three children and supporting hundreds of families, Janine provides practical, compassionate strategies that help parents build stronger relationships with their kids. Learn more at JanineMushwar.com and check out her short, actionable videos on YouTube.

Resources & Links

• Visit Janine’s website: JanineMushwar.com
• Follow Janine on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube (@JanineMushwar)
• Connect with The Family Vacationer on Instagram and Substack

Don’t Miss

Stay tuned for Rob’s upcoming book, The Family Vacationer: A Parent’s Guide to Meaningful Travel, coming soon! Plus, we’re headed toward our 200th episode—with some fun surprises along the way.