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Cortney Fries

Family Travel, Outdoor Adventure & Wellness

Family Travel, Outdoor Adventure & Wellness

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20 Free Things to Do in Chicago With Kids

The best things in life (and Chicago) are free. From a visit to “The Bean” to a world-renowned zoo, you’ll find plenty of free things to do in Chicago with kids.

Accomplishments

My AAA Explorer story "Breaking the Grass Ceiling" won a 2024 Mark Twain Travel Journalist Award.

My AAA Explorer story "Birds of a Feather" won a 2023 1st Place Mark Twain Travel Journalist Award.

I won a 2022 Society of American Travel Writers Central States Writing Contest award in the category of Best Magazine Travel Article on an International Destination.

I won 1st place in the 2022 Mark Twain Journalist Contest Awards in the Midwest category.

I won a national Parenting Media Association award for service feature.

I am a proud member of the following organizations:

cortneyfries
Mini family getaway to @grand_geneva Kids loved t Mini family getaway to @grand_geneva Kids loved the challenging rock wall. So many laughs dashing around the pickleball court. We were well fed with incredible pistachio pesto pasta and creamy tiramisu. I blissed out at the spa this morning. What’s your favorite thing to do at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa?
Toronto is a vibrant, multicultural city where I m Toronto is a vibrant, multicultural city where I met these fun friends 18 years ago. It was such a joy to introduce our kids to each other and share laughs around the city together. I’ll share articles soon, but pictured you’ll see: CN Tower @cntower Cafe Landwer @cafelandwercanada Arcadia Earth @arcadiaearth The Well outdoor mall Toronto Island Bike Tour @torbiketours . . . #toronto #toronto_insta #torontofood #torontophoto #torontocanada #torontolove @destination_toronto @dogofmoon #seetorontonow #travel #canada
It’s always such an honor to be recognized. The It’s always such an honor to be recognized. The judge said, “A clever headline frames the destination and its significance. The fact-filled piece is bookended by heart-warming quotes that give us an extra interest in cheering on the site and the players it hosts.” You can tap on the link in my bio to read the story. . . . #travelwriter #travelwritingawards #travelwriterslife #travelwritersofinstagram #travelwriting
Pura vida in Costa Rica. A visit to La Paz Waterfa Pura vida in Costa Rica. A visit to La Paz Waterfall Gardens also includes tropical animal sightings 🐸 #waterfalls #waterfall #costarica #lapazwaterfallgardens #costarica🇨🇷 #puravida #costaricapuravida #costaricatravel #costaricagram #costaricatraveler
An excellent mother-daughter trip for the memory b An excellent mother-daughter trip for the memory books! Thanks @clubmedpuntacana #travel #traveltheworld #puntacana #puntacanaadventures #clubmed #clubmedpuntacana #motherdaughter
A small taste of the moments we’ll cherish most A small taste of the moments we’ll cherish most from our trip to @clubmedpuntacana #travel #puntacana #clubmedpuntacana @scapepark #familytravel #travelgram #traveling #instatravel #travelawesome
There’s nothing quite like summers in Michigan. There’s nothing quite like summers in Michigan. Tom and I both spent a good portion of our childhoods in Michigan. So perhaps that’s part of the reason why we gravitate towards each other. I’m so glad we still cherish spending time in Michigan and am grateful we can share it with our kids now. There’s something about the simple pleasures of picturesque beaches and pastel sunsets. . . #michigan #puremichigan #michiganawesome #traversecity #lakemichigan @puremichigan #familytravel #midwest #travel #travelgram #travelwriter #midwestexplorers #midwesttravel #upnorth
We zip lined over Montmorency Falls, then enjoyed We zip lined over Montmorency Falls, then enjoyed an epicurean tour of the island near Quebec City with @conciergerieduterroir 🍓 🫐 🍦 Would you zip over these falls?
@stromspa was an exquisite way to cap off our Queb @stromspa was an exquisite way to cap off our Quebec City getaway. In warm and cold pools overlooking the St. Lawrence River, adults lounge, float and relax in this serene sanctuary. . . . #spa #spaday #nordicspa #stlawrenceriver #quebeccity #quebeccite #travel #travelwriter #relax @quebeccite
I love the cobblestone streets and European feel o I love the cobblestone streets and European feel of Quebec City. In summer, there is music and art everywhere and colorful umbrellas for dining on the sidewalks. I tried poutine for the first time and enjoyed the gravy. . . . #quebeccity #poutine #quebeccite #canada #travel #travelcouple #travelgram #travelling #traveling #travelgram @quebeccite #travelwriter
We zip lined over Montmorency Falls, which are hig We zip lined over Montmorency Falls, which are higher than Niagara Falls. Feeling the mist on our faces and seeing the rainbow at the bottom made us smile. . . #quebeccity #quebeccite @quebeccite #montmorencyfalls #waterfall #canada #travel #zipline #adventure #travelgram #traveling #instatravel
A fairytale weekend at @fairmontfrontenac We were A fairytale weekend at @fairmontfrontenac We were spoiled beyond measure with multi-course meals, afternoon 🫖, plush beds and gorgeous views . . . #quebeccity #quebeccite #canada #romanticgetaway #travel #travelwriter #travelgram #instatravel #momemtslcf #travelawesome #traveladdict #travelingram #traveltheworld #travelinspiration
More photos from our latest @puremichigan trip. Th More photos from our latest @puremichigan trip. The small town of Bellaire is absolutely adorable. These pool shots are from the picturesque @shantycreekresort The beautiful beach is in Elk Rapids. Can you believe the size of Tom’s ice cream cone? He was happy 😊 . . . #michigan #upnorth #lakemichigan #beach #vacation #travelwriter #puremichigan #destinationbellaire #lakelife #elkrapids #puremichiganpartner
Torch Lake was every bit as gorgeous and crystal c Torch Lake was every bit as gorgeous and crystal clear as I had hoped. Talk about a perfect day. What are your favorite Michigan destinations? . . . #torchlake #torchlakesandbar #torchlakemichigan #michigan #beach #boating #lakelife #upnorth #upnorthmichigan #destinationbellaire #puremichiganpartner #puremichigan #michiganawesome #michigansummer @puremichigan
We paddle boarded Lake Superior last night. Some o We paddle boarded Lake Superior last night. Some of us stand up paddle boarded, while I discovered the joys of sit down paddle boarding 😜 No wobbling and worrying about falling in! . . . #duluth #lakesuperior #paddleboard #minnesota #paddleboarding #familytravel #familyfun @visit_duluth #travelwithkids #outdooradventures

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