Hi, I’m Jen — welcome, I’m so glad you found your way here.
My fight-or-flight is broken. Flight wins every time. So I book the trip & bring the kids.
I was born and raised in Las Vegas, and these days I’m a proud (self-proclaimed) Texan, living just outside Dallas and about fifteen miles from Fort Worth. Small Towns Big City is where I share the places I love most: tiny American towns with one good main street, storybook villages in the Cotswolds, castles with centuries of history — and the occasional big city, because New York and London will always have my heart.
I travel with my kids (mainly Harper because the older ones now think I am not-so-cool), which means I notice the things guidebooks don’t — where to find a good bathroom near the castle, which village keeps a nine-year-old happy past the first hour, and how much time you really need in a place.
When I’m not planning the next trip, you’ll find me at a farmers’ market, perfecting yet another box cake, or eating tortilla chips — every single day, no regrets. A little bit city, a little bit country, and forever a Hello Kitty fan.
The Line Up
Morgan, 27 — my oldest. Witty, funny, and a brilliant writer. She lives in Maryland with her husband, Angel, fosters shelter animals, and is slowly exploring Maryland, Virginia, DC, and West Virginia.
Tayla, 21 — my travel and eating buddy, my ride-or-die, and my favorite New York City companion. If I’m at a great restaurant in Manhattan, she’s usually across the table.
AJ, 15 — my only boy, and the kindest person on the planet with the best hugs. He’s my Texas road-trip partner, happiest with a cozy movie and a hot chocolate at the end of a long driving day.
Harper, 9 — the baby and the boss. Active, sarcastic, and the reason so much of this site is kid-tested. If an activity can’t hold her attention, it doesn’t make the blog.
Yes, I have generations of kids — and honestly, it’s my favorite thing. It means every trip here has been tested across every age, from elementary school to all grown up.
What You’ll Find Here
Small-town America (Texas is home turf — ask me anything), the Cotswolds and English countryside, Tudor history, and family travel planned by a solo mom who really does take the kids on the big trips. When we’re home, the tiny adventures continue — co-parenting, homeschool life, and easy recipes simple enough that if I can pull them off, you absolutely can too.
We visit Las Vegas often to see family, and next up: France, Switzerland and more England (always.)
We’d love for you to come along. Here’s to small towns and the big city!
