Planning a big trip can be daunting. A simple internet search for any location will return endless lists of “top attractions.” But these lists are just that, lists. Places of interest are usually spread over a city or region, so how are you supposed to plan your time? I will share my simple and free method of organizing attractions and making my itinerary using Google Maps.

Plotting points of interest and planning your time (at least loosely) is essential when traveling with children. Impatient little bodies don’t want to sit around while you figure out where to go or what to do next. Plus, during peak travel times, you often need to book tickets for activities in advance. I know there are apps out there with the sole purpose of helping you plan trips by populating lists of potential points of interest. However, I like the freedom of researching in multiple places and saving my choices in one central location conveniently already on my phone.

My method is simple. I begin researching places to visit by reading travel publications, websites, travel blogs, social media, etc. If something sounds interesting, I go to Google Maps, find the place and save it in a list made specifically for my trip.

Easy peasy lemon squeezy!

Do you use Google Maps when you travel plan, or do you have something else that works for you? Let me know. I’m always looking to learn new methods!

P.S. taking note of quiet areas or parks can be great for planning naps on the go! See my post about Travel and Sleep Schedules for more!