I’m Amy– your Midwest Travel Guide

Hi, I’m Amy! I’m the voice behind Everyday Outdoor Family, a Midwest family travel blog dedicated to helping families discover the best road trips, outdoor adventures, and hidden gems across Kansas City, the Midwest, and beyond.

I didn’t grow up outdoorsy, but after having premature twins who faced ongoing health challenges, our family turned to the outdoors as a way to stay healthy and connected. What started as short walks and local outings has grown into a lifestyle of hiking, backpacking, bikepacking, paddling, and road-tripping with three little kids in tow.

Now, after exploring 20+ states and several countries with my children, I share our journey so you can see that family travel doesn’t have to be complicated. Through itineraries, destination guides, and honest tips, I hope to make planning your own adventures easier — and inspire you to get outdoors with your kids, even if you don’t think of yourself as “outdoorsy.”

  • Midwestern adventure mom

What You’ll Find on Everyday Outdoor Family

At Everyday Outdoor Family, my goal is to make family travel easier, more fun, and more memorable. On the blog, you’ll discover:

  • 🚗 Road Trip Itineraries – step-by-step guides for Midwest and beyond, with family-friendly stops along the way
  • 🌲 State & National Park Guides – tips for hiking, camping, and exploring with kids
  • 🏞️ Midwest Hidden Gems – waterfalls, small towns, and unique attractions you won’t want to miss
  • 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Traveling with Kids Tips – real advice from a mom who adventures with three little ones
  • 🗺️ Interactive & Custom Maps – explore our free Midwest travel map or grab my detailed Kansas & Missouri maps with over 1,500 pins

I know how overwhelming family travel can feel, but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you just want a quick escape close to Kansas City or a bigger trip to look forward to, I share the itineraries, tips, and encouragement I wish I’d had when we first started. My hope is that it helps your family get outside, explore more, and have a little fun along the way.

How to Get Started with Everyday Outdoor Family

  • Be the first to get new itineraries, hidden gems, and family travel ideas by signing up for my email newsletter. When you sign up, you will be sent a Best of the Midwest e-book with travel ideas for all 12 Midwest states
  • Looking to explore by map? Check out my free interactive map, where you can find unique places linked to my blog posts for more detailed trip information
  • My Kansas and Missouri maps make finding interesting spots in these states easy. Search over 1,500+ pinned locations, searchable by activity type like waterfalls, hikes, attractions, places to stay, and more
  • Look for travel and outdoor family inspiration by Destination

  • Amy Eastin, the mom behind Everyday Outdoor Family standing on a glacier in Alaska

Fun Facts About Me!

  • I’m left-handed. 
  • I speak Bulgarian. 
  • I have Celiac Disease and cannot eat gluten. 
  • My husband is from Canada. 
  • I have been to 45 countries and the 49 continental US States. 
  • I would like to take my kids to all the States. 
  • Although we mostly tour the US now, I would love to travel internationally with my children as they grow. 
My favorite:

Midwest State Parks: 

  • Elephant Rocks State Park, MO
  • Starved Rock State Park, IL
  • Turkey Run State Park, IN
  • Maquoketa Caves State Park, IA
  • Hocking Hills, OH 

Family-Friendly Cities: 

  • St. Louis, MO
  • Omaha, NE
  • Bentonville, AR
  • Des Moines, IA 
  • Chicago, IL

Midwest Destinations

  • North Shore, MN
  • Apostle Islands, WI 
  • Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, MI 
  • Mark Twain National Forest, MO 
  • Lucas, Kansas and Wilson Lake

Kansas City Hiking Spots: 

  • Cave Spring 
  • Carl Chinnery Trail 
  • Green Hills of Platte County 
  • Burr Oak Woods 
  • Mill Creek Streamway 

Most popular posts

TraveI hope these help you plan your next adventure around the Midwest!