Archive for July 2nd, 2007

Ideas for Family Vacations in Alaska with Your Kids

Monday, July 2nd, 2007

Family Vacation Ideas to Alaska with the Kids

Ideas for Family Summer Vacations in Alaska with Your Kids

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To give your kids a truly unique travel experience this summer, think Alaska. While all of the other kids in the neighborhood are doing the long family road trips to Grandma’s house, your kids can be gaining an entirely new perspective on what makes up the country that they call home. Whether you cruise or fly, do some major adventuring or merely check out the major sites, a family trip to

Alaska is something that will never be forgotten. And it’s a nice retreat from the summer heat, too!

 

Getting There

Even the experience of getting to Alaska makes for a wild adventures for most families. Children who haven’t traveled extensively by plane may be thrilled by the chance to fly to

Alaska. Families who are prepared for extensive road trips (especially those living in the Northwest Region of the United States) will find that a drive through British Columbia and up to Alaska offers stunning views and interesting road diversions along the way. But perhaps one of the most unique ways for families to travel to Alaska, and often the one that parents choose because it lets them relax the most, is to take an Alaskan family cruise. Numerous cruise ships offer deals to families so do your research.

 

Adventures Designed For Families

Most states are easy to explore alone with your family, but in the case of Alaska, it might be best to take a guided trip. There are just so many different adventures to be had in the state “ adventures which are safe for your family if you’re with someone who knows what they’re doing but which may not be wise to just take off and do on your own. If you’ve got a family that’s interested in doing some major outdoor activity, such as hiking the Alaskan wilderness or going out whale watching, you might consider taking a guided tour. You can do an entire vacation this way with a pre-set itinerary or you can enlist the help of a travel guide for just one or two days or specific activities. Look for spots that specifically advertise that they have

Alaska family travel plans for all ages.

The major cities�

Most families who travel to Alaska head to one of the three major cities there (Fairbanks, Juneau, or

Anchorage). These tend to be the safest locations as well as the spots that offer the most options in terms of all ages activities. Fairbanks offers much in the way of fishing, canoeing and other outdoor adventures while also featuring such attractions as gold mine tours and numerous museums. Juneau is the best city for families interested in getting close-up sightings of wildlife, including humpback whales (which cross nearby the area during the summer months) and bald eagles. And Anchorage is the spot where you can do more indoor things, such as many different kinds of museums and even an indoor water park. Any of these cities will offer the amenities that you’ll need during a family vacation to Alaska.

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Ideas for Family Summer Vacations in Colorado with Your Kids

Monday, July 2nd, 2007

Ideas for Summer Family Vacation in Colorado

Ideas for Family Summer Vacations in Colorado with Your Kids

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A family vacation to Colorado this summer can be summed up in one word: adventure!!� This is a state that has more opportunities for indoor and outdoor adventure than any family could possibly dream up.� For this reason, it’s a state that’s preferred for family vacations by families with older kids but even families that have young ones in tow can find stuff to do in Colorado that will be exciting and memorable.� This is a state to think about if you’re doing summer vacation planning and you want to make sure you leave the trip with an experience you (and your kids) will never forget.

Colorado Gators Farm

Want to be a Crocodile Hunter?� Okay, probably not.� And that’s certainly not what you want your kids doing the summer.� But you know that they’d love to check out the alligators and other exotic reptiles that are part of this farm.

 

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park

This is an adventure theme park that offers more than just the standard rides for your kids to enjoy.� It also has caverns on site so you get an outdoor experience along with the normal fun of a family theme park.� And the rides here are rides that your older kids will love - zip lines and rock climbing walls and things of that nature.

 

Royal Gorge

It’s indescribable.� It’s breath taking.� It’s picturesque.� And it’s filled with natural and man-made entertainment that is designed to offer something to all ages.� This is one of the biggest lesser-known family vacation destinations in the country.

Pikes Peak

Families that enjoy outdoor adventures should check out Pikes Peak.� It’s a perfect day trip getaway for people who are staying in Denver and a terrific destination on its own.� Hiking in these beautiful red rocks will make hiking an experience unlike any had by your family before now.

 

Amaze’n Mazes

This is a small spot but if you live or stay somewhere in Colorado, it’s a terrific place for your family to check out.� It’s a labyrinth, a huge maze that you can get lost in.� You’ll find laughter pouring out of everyone’s lips as you try to find your way out with your kids.

 

Train rides

There are several different opportunities for rail rides in Colorado.� Kids love them and they give you a chance to just sit back and relax and enjoy the view.� What more could you ask for from your summer vacation?

If adventure is on your agenda as you plan your family’s summer vacation, pick a spot in Colorado to realize those dreams.

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Ideas for Family Summer Vacations in Wyoming with Your Kids

Monday, July 2nd, 2007

Ideas for Summer Family Vacations in Wyoming

 

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Ideas for Family Summer Vacations in� Wyoming� with Your Kids

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Yellowstone is the reason to take your family to Wyoming this summer.� But while you’re in the state, you’ll find that there are plenty of other things that you and your kids can do there.� And you’ll also find that the people in the area are so friendly that you’re probably going to want to go back someday.

Yellowstone National Park

It’s just one of the most unique natural areas in the country and a spot that shouldn’t be missed out on during one’s childhood.� There’s not only Old Faithful to see but also other geysers, unique landscape, animals including buffalo and deer and plenty of picturesque opportunities to make this part of the family photo album a centerpiece of conversation for years to come.

The Grand Tetons

They’re the second biggest reason to head to Wyoming behind Yellowstone.� Twelve amazing Rocky Mountain peaks make for hiking, stunning views and an outdoor adventure opportunity for your family.� Canoeing is also an option in this area; if your kids are old enough, this is a terrific family experience. Fort Laramie

The history of the frontiersmen lies all over Wyoming but nowhere more than at Fort Laramie, an old fur-trading post where that history is still very much vibrant and alive.� For an educational exploration of

Wyoming, a stop here is a must.

 

The Old West

Wax Museum

 

Located in Thermopolis, Wyoming, this is one of the more unique ways of exploring the area’s history.� It is the home to more than 50 life-size figures depicting the history of the Old West.� You’ll like it as much as your kids do.

 

The Dinosaur Museum

 

Also located in Thermopolis is this dinosaur fossil museum.� What kid doesn’t like dinosaurs?

 

Casper

If you haven’t heard of the city of Casper, you haven’t heard it all yet.� It is the home to the

Wyoming Science Adventure Center - a science center that your kids will be entertained by all day - and the Discovery Center where you can all enjoy exploring your creative and artistic sides.� It also has two rodeos during the summer so if you plan right, your kids can experience a real Western rodeo.

Dinosaurs, the history of the Old West, the natural beauty of mountains and geysers “ a summer vacation to Wyoming gives your family the chance to explore sides of this country that aren’t experienced in cities across the nation.� Give it a chance as you make your summer vacation plans this year.

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Ideas for Family Summer Vacations in North Carolina with Your Kids

Monday, July 2nd, 2007
Ideas for Family Vacations in North Carolina Ideas for Family Summer Vacations in North Carolina with Your Kids � North Carolina is one of those states that you don’t ever really think about unless you’re given a reason to do so.� But if you go there, you’ll find that it’s surprisingly beautiful, friendly and fun.� The ocean is pleasant, the scenery inland is beautiful and the cities are good-sized for families that need urban amenities with all-ages activities.

The Coast

The North Carolina coast is surprisingly beautiful.� The beaches are pleasant, so you can build sandcastles with your kids.� Wading and swimming in the water are terrific ways to spend the day and fishing is something that can also be done here.� This is what summer vacation is all about.

 

Aquariums

Speaking of fishing, or of fish anyway, North Carolina is a state that offers a lot in the way of aquariums to visit.� Atlantic

Beach, Kure Beach and Roanoke Island each have their own aquariums where you can see all kinds of different marine life.� They have interactive exhibits and touch tanks so your kids will be mesmerized. Wright Brothers Museum

The story of the Wright Brothers is one that your kids learn early on in school.� It’s the story of human spirit and innovation and it’s a story that you can share with your kids as you explore this museum located in Kill Devil Hills where the flight trials of the Wright Brothers occurred.

See the starry skies�

Consider Chapel Hill as a North Carolina destination and think specifically about visiting the Morehead Planetarium.� Telescopes, a sundial, observation desks, interactive exhibits and a domed theater let your kids explore the imagination of space.� And the Chapel Hill area has a lot of other things to offer your family since it’s the home to a number of different leading universities.

 

Theme parks

Families that are more inclined to hit up amusement parks during the summer will find that North Carolina isn’t lacking for opportunities.� The big one is Paramount’s Carowinds, a water park and theme park that has more than one hundred rides geared towards all different ages.� But there are other theme parks in the state as well so you can find one that makes sense for your family’s preferences.

 

Asheville Asheville is a really unique town filled with neo-hippies and liberal arts college students.� If your family likes organic food, browsing old bookstores and exploring small town life, this can be a terrific destination for summer vacation.� This is especially true for people living in the surrounding area who are just looking to take a few days off together.

North Carolina is a state that can surprise you if you let it.� The beaches, the theme parks, the college town life “ they breed an opportunity for adventure, excitement, education and experience that simply doesn’t come to mind when you first think “ North Carolina”.� It’s a state that should go on your top ten list of places to consider as you plan summer vacation.

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Ideas for Family Summer Vacations in Texas with Your Kids

Monday, July 2nd, 2007
Ideas for Summer Vacations with Kids to Texas � � Ideas for Family Summer Vacations to Texas with Your Kids Texas.� It’s the biggest state in the country and so it offers a lot of different vacation opportunities.� And even families who think that Texas belongs in an entirely different category from the rest of the states will find that there’s something for everyone in the Lone Star state.� When making a list of places that you might want to take your family for this year’s summer vacation, consider the following draws of Texas. Dallas Dallas is a great family destination because it’s home to a major airport so it’s sometimes easy to get discounted flights to the city.� And it IS a city so there is plenty for your family to do while you’re enjoying the area.� Botanical gardens, museums, ranches and the zoo make for great activities.� The rodeo and the summer activities at White Rock Lake Park provide interesting events in the area.� And just wandering around, you’ll stumble upon lots of family-friendly spots where you can enjoy Texas life.

San Antonio The Riverwalk of San Antonio is one of the more amazing urban creations that you’ll find in the United States.� It’s got stores and restaurants and those paddle boats that your family can ride around - and it’s a lot bigger than you might expect if you haven’t seen it yet.� Families that seek an urban vacation that has some peaceful spots to it will find that San Antonio offers the best of both worlds “ because of the Riverwalk and the laidback life to be found in this city.

The Gulf Beaches

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The Gulf of Mexico offers some terrific warm water for your family to enjoy.� While the area does draw in a lot of tourists, it’s not nearly as packed as major summer vacation destinations on the

Atlantic and Pacific coasts and so provides a nice alternative for families that are interested in getting a beach vacation this summer without having to compete too much with the big crowds.

 

A Musical Destination

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Families that love music will love Texas.� Austin is the spot where the music scene is biggest but there are all types of events and locations for different kinds of live music all throughout the state.� All-ages events are common so do some research and find something that makes the melody in your family’s vacation start to sing.

 

National Parks

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If your family loves the outdoors, national parks are perfect for summer vacations.� And Texas has got them a’plenty.� Big Bend National Park, Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Rio Grande River are just a few of the spots that offer camping, wildlife and other summer fun in Texas. Texas is huge.� If you want to narrow down your summer family vacation planning to a single state without limiting your options for activities and adventures,

Texas is the state to choose.

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