Can you share toddler-friendly itineraries for those trips?
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dont have time to write full report...
North Dakota trip: started in Milwaukee and road tripped to Rapid city SD. with stops in La Crosse WI (not much to do there), Blue Earth MN great park and small museum, Sioux Falls SD great park with falls. We also did Badlands (not kid friendly) but had some nice easy hikes and a beautiful scenic drive. Also did Mnt Rushmore, Custer, Crazy horse. then flew back to NY
Smokies: Flew NY to Asheville NC, rented Airbnb, did a zoo, Blueridge parkway, small easy hikes in the smokies (dont remember off hand which ones)