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Here’s what to pack

For Mom and Dad:

Casual outfits for each day: shorts, pants, shirts, and skirts
One or two dressy outfits
Socks, undergarments
Shoes to fit multiple occasions--dinner, the beach, tennis, etc.
Blazer, sweater, and/or coat
Business cards
Shower shoes
Pajamas
Sweatshirt
Hat and/or visor
Toiletries: brush, comb, deodorant, razor, lotion, toothbrush, soap, etc.
Tums
Aspirin (made inaccessible to youngsters)
Small flashlight for the car
Camera and film
Stamps
Laptop computer (if you take one)
A book or magazine

Especially for women:

Hair items--barrettes, headbands, etc.
Curling irons (most of the hotels listed here have blow-dryers)
Hair gel, hair spray, and gloss
Face creams, cotton, q-tips, and eye makeup remover
Makeup
Perfume

Especially for men

Dress shirt
Tie, belt
Slacks
Blazer
Shoes—dress, casual, and sports
Shorts—casual and recreational
Sports shirt
Warm jacket
Umbrella
Flashlight
Pajamas

Items to be kept accessible during the drive and at arrival:

Glasses
Sunglasses
Wallet
Cell phone
Camera
Diaper bag which includes a thermos with hot water for warming formula
Keys
Maps
Water and snack
Confirmation papers
Specific directions to your destination
Car seat
Sunshade for babies

Optional: Easy snacks including breakfast items such as bagels and ground coffee. (Most hotels in this site provide in-room coffee pots, but if you don’t like the filtered coffee packets, bring your own.) If you want to save some money by avoiding the expensive in-room snack bars, bring some alternatives: dried fruit, crackers, cheese, and muffins, whatever you like to eat.

I did not find one room with “good” in-room coffee. I recommend bringing your favorite roast. If coffee in the morning is important to you, consider bringing a small coffee maker for those destinations that do not provide one in the room. The coffee maker is also very useful for making hot water for baby bottles.

If you have an inconspicuous cooler, fill it with soda, cheese, sandwiches, and fruit. This will save you time and money by avoiding the necessity of stopping at a restaurant during your car ride. When you arrive at your destination, you can store the leftovers in the in-room refrigerator.