Road trips can be stressful, there’s no doubt about it. When you’re trying to remember if you packed everything for everyone and the kids are getting restless in the backseat, you can’t wait to get that OBX vacation started. With these 10 family travel apps, the traveling process from packing to pit-stops will be seamless!
This travel app will help you find the closest rest stops along your route on the closest highway or interstate. The app shows traditional rest areas as well as welcome centers. The app also allows you to mark rest stops as favorites, gives you notifications when you’re in range of a rest stop, and lets you leave reviews and see other reviews of the rest area.
Do you remember your favorite childhood book? This app is perfect for the kiddos that need entertainment. This family travel app has many beautifully animated animals that offer storylines to keep them at bay. Petting Zoo was created by illustrator Christoph Niemann and is perfect entertainment for ages 3 and up. This app does come with a $4 price tag, but it’s well worth it!
Are you or your kids interested in Art? The app, Drawing Pad is the perfect app to keep your kids entertained for hours. The app features a clean whiteboard and several basic colors making it the perfect family travel app for kids ages 4 and up.
What’s a road trip without some quality music? Spotify is free to use and features music from every artist you can think of. If you search “kids” in the search bar, you’ll find kid-friendly songs that everyone will love. While you’re at it, search for Resort Realty, give us a follow, and listen to our monthly Music Monday playlists to put you in that summer vacation mode! Don’t worry, our playlists are family friendly too!
The Kids World Atlas is a free app that’s perfect for kids to learn about places all over the world. The free version of this family travel app allows you to learn about animals all over the world with text and video along with quizzes that test your child’s animal knowledge.
Remember playing Mad Libs in the car and it was so hard to write when the car was moving? Now there’s an app for that! The free Mad Libs app has 21 free stories that allow you to save the stories to re-read and laugh at them for hours. The app is kid-friendly and you can play solo or with friends and family. The app is suitable for ages 9 to 11, but let’s be real, you’ll probably play Mad Libs as much as the kids will!
GasBuddy is the app you need if you’re trying to find the cheapest gas anywhere. You can choose to view gas stations by distance or price, report gas prices to help others find cheap gas, and you can enter to win $100 in free gas every day!
Accidents happen, hopefully not during your travel or on vacation, but they happen. Just to be prepared, the American Red Cross has provided an app that helps you in situations from anaphylactic shock to CPR chest compressions. The First Aid App also gives you tips on how to prepare for emergencies, can call 911, and locate the nearest hospital making it the perfect family travel app to keep you safe and prepared.
Waze is like the wonder app of traffic. Seriously. This family travel app helps you avoid accidents, road closures, police traps, and gives you real-time traffic updates. It also gives you turn by turn voice guided navigation. You can also send your ETA and real-time drive to update people you’re meeting at your Outer Banks vacation rental.
Oh good old Candy Crush. This game will work on problem solving with your child but you’ll probably end up wanting to play a couple of rounds too! This family travel app is sure to keep everyone, no matter their age entertained on your Outer Banks road trip.
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Vacation just wouldn’t be the same without your four-legged best friend, right? Make sure you and your pet are well prepared with our how-to guide on traveling with a dog.
1 – Know Your Dog
Do you know if your dog has travel anxiety or gets car sick? Take them out for test drives if they don’t like to ride around already. Start with short rides of 10 to 15 minutes to help your dog acclimatize to your car and the motion of the vehicle. Then, increase the time daily or weekly until it’s time for your trip. If your pet does exhibit anxiety or car sickness, talk to your vet and they may be able to prescribe them a light sedative or something to help nausea.
2 – Stay Safe
According to AAA, 30,000 accidents a year are caused by unrestrained pets roaming freely around the vehicle. Keep your dog secure by either using a pet barrier, crate, or pet seatbelt.
3 – Plan Your Pit Stops
Plan to stop every 2-3 hours so your dog can get out and exercise, use the bathroom, or have a snack!
4 – Hydrate
The ASPCA recommends you should have a gallon of cold water handy so your pet doesn’t dehydrate on the road trip.
5 – Don’t Leave Your Pet Alone
On an 85 degree day, a car can reach 110 degrees in 10 minutes. If you have to stop somewhere that isn’t pet-friendly, like a restaurant, leave the windows down at least an inch and order your food to go. If it’s available, go through the drive through.
6 – Don’t Let Your Pup Hang Out Of the Window
As much as they love the wind flying through their fur, please don’t let your dog hang his head out of the window. High wind speeds can cause damage to the dogs’ already sensitive ears and lungs. Flying debris and cars driving too closely also can pose dangers to your pup.
7. Have Documents Handy (Just In Case)
Just in case the unimaginable happens, happens, make sure you have important documents handy. Proof of vaccination, microchip registration, and insurance are just a few examples of what you should bring along.
Just a few more tips:
Now that you know how to travel with your four-legged family member, check out the array of pet-friendly vacation homes Resort Realty has to offer you! Between this checklist and our awesome homes, you and your pet will have the best vacation yet!
The chilly weather that’s been impacting everyone has got minds wandering towards June 21st, the first day of summer. Sunscreen, sunglasses, bathing suits, and beaches are the only things that are on the brain so when the time comes, why not book an Outer Banks vacation?!
If you’re thinking a vacation to the Outer Banks is financially unrealistic, take a look at some of our affordable, but amazing vacation homes! Resort Realty offers vacation homes with Saturday check-in and check-out for as low as $27 per night per person! Take a look at some of our affordable vacation homes and start planning your summer getaway.
Saltaire (2600) – Duck
This soundside home is perfect for enjoying the first days of summer. Saltaire is only about 500 yards away from the beach access conveniently located across the street. The sound is literally your backyard so enjoy it and go on a kayaking adventure with the kayak provided for you in the house, just make sure to bring your own life preservers! At only $36 a night per person*, grab 6 of your closest friends or family and spend a week in Duck!
Dolphin’s Den (1878) – Corolla
Spend your first week of summer at Dolphin’s Den in Corolla! This oceanside home provides you with a little over 500 yard walk to the beach so you can spend all day in the surf and sand. With access to tennis courts you can stay active and still have fun in the sun. With a Saturday arrival and 8 people in your group, this vacation home is only $27 per night per person!
Nepenthe (7850) – Frisco
Discover Frisco and make memories that’ll last you a lifetime. Nepenthe is a 3 bedroom 2 bathroom home that boasts ocean and soundside views. With only about a 200 yard walk to the beach, there’s no reason you shouldn’t kick off your summer in thee sand. Nepenthe is also conveniently located within walking distance to dining and shopping. This home is a perfect price. With 6 people in your party, you’ll only be spending $30 a day!
The Sea Ranch (5476) – Nags Head
The Sea Ranch is the place to be to start your summer off right. This 4 bedroom 2 bathroom home has recently been updated with a brand new kitchen and floors to make your Outer Banks vacation that much sweeter. Situated between highways, The Sea Ranch is almost 400 yards to the beach, a short walk for a long, salty day. With 8 people in your group, you’ll only be spending $24 a day during you week-long visit. With all that extra cash saved, you can take advantage of the go-karts and mini golfing that are right down the street!
Margaret’s Sunrise (2962) – Duck
Perfect for a small group of 4, Margaret’s Sunrise has the perfect view of the ocean. Wake up early and witness the beauty of and Outer Banks summer sunrise over the sea. This oceanfront condo offers access to a community pool, basketball court, volleyball court, tennis court and more. There’s also a walkway connecting the condo to the beach so not hot sand to burn up those feet. Margaret’s Sunrise is conveniently located near shops and restaurants, and with only spending $50 a night per person, you’ll be able to take full advantage of that luxury.
In addition to these affordable vacation homes, Resort Realty also offers an EZ Pay Plan. With EZ Pay, you can break up the cost of your vacation into three easy installments! To show our appreciation to our veterans and active duty, we also offer a Hometown Heroes and Military Discount on a number of different homes for additional savings. Turn that vacation dream into a reality, pack your bathing suit, and celebrate the first day of summer on the Outer Banks with Resort Realty.
*Pricing per person is based on max occupancy of the home, which is noted in the description. Pricing includes rent, tax, and administrative fees. Additional linen services and travel insurance not included. Total pricing is quoted for the week of June 17th – 21st
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