How a Sustainable Traveler Picks Destinations for Her Family

Stephanie Frias, a content creator who focuses on family and sustainable travel, believes in spending as much time as possible out in nature, together as a family, and without all the distractions of the modern world. But is this possible for many of us? If so, how do you accomplish it?

Throughout the years, Stephanie has discovered the secrets to building connections with family, spending time outdoors, and experiencing sustainable travel with her entire family. Here, at Only In Your State, we talked with Stephanie about her sustainability journey, how families can plan road trips with big impacts, and to gather ideas and inspiration for eco-friendly destinations in the U.S.

Ways to Practice Sustainability and Eco-Friendliness as a Family

Balancing sustainability with convenience can be hard for a family. However, Stephanie has mastered it. She teaches her children and practices the following principles:

Prioritize Time Outdoors

When you leave everything behind and spend time in nature, Stephanie says it can impact you and the people around you. However, she reminds us that time in nature will look different throughout the years. In fact, she’s had to make changes as her own children have grown.

“When they were younger, as long as they were outside playing, it was fun. But as they’ve gotten older, it’s evolved. Each phase gives us the opportunity to reassess travel as a family,” she says.

Be Respectful of Mother Nature’s Creations

While removing modern world distractions and immersing yourself in nature allows you to experience a deeper connection with those you care about, it also allows you to teach your children the importance of taking care of the world we live in. Some of the sustainability practices Stephanie teaches her kids include Leave No Trace principles, biking over driving, and being careful not to drop non-native plant seeds.

Be Selective About Where You Stay and Shop

When planning your upcoming adventures, prioritize supporting local businesses and think about diversity. Stephanie’s family loves to pack their own food when traveling. They prefer to grocery shop at local stores and prioritize local sources. “For example,” she said, “if we’re going to a cabin and want to grill, I research a local butcher.”

Stephanie’s Eco-Friendly Destination Recommendations for Families

The Midwest is Stephanie’s home, and a terrific region for sustainability because it’s less well-known. Destinations like state and national parks in this area of the country simply don’t receive the traffic that other places do—it’s a place where you can easily spend time outside, find some quiet, and explore. Stephanie recommends the following eco-friendly destinations in the Midwest if you’re searching for a little travel inspiration:

“I love Michigan; there’s so much wilderness and the lake access is incredible.” She also loves the blue waters and the ocean-like expanses that you can find here. “My favorite place in the Midwest is the Keweenaw Peninsula in Upper Michigan. It’s a hidden gem.” Thanks to its lack of cities, you can really go off the grid, she says.

Another state favorite in the Midwest for Stephanie is Wisconsin and its old-growth forests. And one fascinating feature of the Midwest? Shuttered mines, which have surprisingly fascinated her. “[They’ve] become sources of information and history,” she says, and “an inspiring example of rehabilitation and natural regrowth.”

And in general, Stephanie notes the strong European heritage found in the Midwest, “if you follow the Mississippi River, all the way down, you find so much historic relevance and charming towns.”

When it comes to lodging, Stephanie and her family prefer cabins over camping, and they make sure to bring along eco-conscious items like a canvas tent, eco-friendly bug spray, and coolers for water.

Practicing sustainability while traveling may overwhelm some individuals, but Stephanie reminds us to start with ourselves. We simply need to model the behavior we want our children to learn. “For us, sustainability has become a way of life, both on and off the road. … They watch the journey, and they see me try. We do the best we can.”

This article is part of our Known Traveler series where we highlight creators who share inspiring travel and lifestyle content. Check out the full edition for Eco Explorers.