One of my favorite memories is taking my kids to Disney World for the first time. They were both young (younger than I would have wanted them to be for their first trip), but at the time I was working in public television, and our annual industry conference was being held in Orlando. It was May-one of Disney’s more moderate months for attendance-and the weather in Florida feels deliciously like summer in the Northeast. In my view, it was an ideal time to visit the theme parks.

While we could have saved some money by having my family join me in a room at the conference hotel, we decided instead to book an apartment at the Hilton-owned timeshare property within walking distance from the conference center. This was a more comfortable arrangement for my husband and boys (with a full kitchen and living room, there was plenty of space to play when they were in the room) and it offered me a brief respite from the evening hoopla that usually accompanies industry conferences.

The conference ran about three days. We stayed in Orlando through the weekend and explored all that the city has to offer its tourists. The Magic Kingdom was the only Disney park we visited on this trip, and it was more than enough with a preschooler and toddler in tow. With the help of Orlando’s babysitting services (I recommend Kids’ Nite Out), my husband and I were able to sneak away for a tasty dinner in the Dr. Phillips neighborhood. Next time you’re in Orlando, try Seasons 52 on West Sand Lake Road. On our last day, we grabbed breakfast at the little boys’ favorite road trip joint, Denny’s, and made our way over to Universal Studios.

Combining business and leisure travel is a no-brainer in this economy. If you’re going to travel to a new city, make it an adventure, with or without your family! If you’re traveling for pleasure, see if there’s a way to get some business done at the same time. Whenever I travel for leisure or family vacations, I always try to meet a business contact for either lunch or drinks. As a small business owner, there can be tax advantages to conducting business while traveling, and the fact that you are in town for only a couple of days can be a door opener. It’s easy to dash off a note to someone you’re trying to do business with to say, “I’m going to be in town next week on business. Is there a chance we could find time to meet in person?” Just last month I was in Rochester, New York, visiting the in-laws when I called up a former client and asked her to coffee.

Combining your trips also creates an opportunity for your children to see you at work and perhaps even meet some of your colleagues. While young children have no place at, say, a shareholder’s meeting, there may be other, more casual gatherings where kids would be welcome. If you’re traveling alone, take some time to explore the city’s sites and restaurants. Sure it’s easier to cuddle up in your room with food and a movie, but you have enough of those memories, don’t you? Get out and visit a historical landmark. Tour a museum. Experience something that’s totally unique to the city you’re in (like the Tattered Cover bookstore in Denver or Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco). Check out Yelp and Open Table for restaurant suggestions and reserve a table for one. Why not?

I surveyed my friends on Facebook and asked them to share their favorite travel destinations for business. San Francisco (with a side trip to Napa) was mentioned a number of times, followed by Washington, D.C., New York and, perhaps surprisingly, Las Vegas.

Do you ever combine your business and leisure travel? What cities do you most like to spend time in? Do you ever bring your kids with you?