I love exploring new places as much as anyone else, but hitting the road often means overlooking amazing experiences in our own backyards. My daughters have yet to visit the Statue of Liberty or the Empire State Building, even though we live a short 20-minute drive from New York City and regularly take them to the Big Apple for other adventures. It wasn’t even until I was assigned a story on Niagara Falls for Family Vacation Critic that I finally took the amazing Maid of the Mist boat tour, even though I grew up right near the natural wonder.

With this in mind, my daughters and I are taking a girls’ weekend trip to Lancaster, Pa. to enjoy the delights of Amish country. Even though my in-laws live less than an hour from there, we’ve never visited!

We’ll be touring Amish Village, where we’ll get a sense of what it’s like to live the simple life today—no iPads and Internet! Next, we’re heading to the Strasburg Railroad, where we’ll be taking in a vintage baseball game (no gloves!) and heading out on a 45-minute train ride through the countryside on a real steam engine train (my six-year-old can’t wait). We’re staying at the Bird-in-Hand Hotel, which features everything from mini golf to a petting zoo on the grounds. I still think my girls will be most excited about the S’mores and the pools! But we’ll finish off our trip with a visit to the Choo-Choo Barn, which has a massive model train setup showcasing the entire area.

Follow Family Vacation Critic on Facebook and Twitter this weekend to keep up on our adventures during the trip! And let us know what’s on your to-do list from your own neighborhood.

–Lisa Milbrand

Summer is around the corner and if you’re traveling somewhere new this year, make sure you or the kids don’t get lost! Ted Florence, creator of Avenza’s PDF Maps app, shares a few tips when traveling to new areas:

1. Designate a Meeting Spot: Whether you’re traveling alone or with a group, always designate a meeting spot and make others aware this is where to go in case of emergency. This is especially a good idea if in a crowded or remote place where cell service may not be working as well as needed. Being somewhat familiar with the area you’ll be visiting is key to being prepared.

2. Create an ICE ID on your Phone: Emergency personnel often look to a patient’s phone to find more information should a patient be unable to call for help themselves. An ICE, or “In Case of Emergency” number, should be included on your phone’s contact list along with medical insurance, if possible. Apps like ICE or Emergency Contact can also be downloaded.

3. Map Your Route: In the city, we take it for granted that a Google-type app with turn-by turn directions will get us anywhere. The fact is, if cell service shuts down or you’re in a foreign country where cell reception isn’t available, you might be left to your own devices — literally. Apps such as Avenza’s PDF Maps app allows a traveler to download a map ahead of time from various map publishers. Once it’s on your device, it works offline working with your phone’s GPS to locate current positioning and relaying information such as coordinates and distance with no need for cell reception. Perfect in emergency situations or when you’re in the wilderness.

4. Know International Emergency Numbers: 9-1-1 is Not Universal; if you’re traveling internationally, it’s always best to spend a few minutes researching the emergency numbers for a foreign country you’ll be visiting. Or, search the app store for the many apps that include the medical, police and fire emergency numbers for various countries around the world.

5. Be Fully Charged: Whether you’re traveling abroad or taking a weekend camping trip in the mountains, make sure your mobile device is fully-charged. Having an extra phone battery, or better yet, a solar charger is helpful when there isn’t an outlet to recharge. The extra boost might sound like an unneeded expense, but it’s a worthwhile investment in an emergency.