Family Travel

Ideas for Family Vacations in Missouri with your Kids



What would you do in Missouri if that was where you were heading for your summer family vacation? There are any number of things that you might do, actually, and you can plan them easily because the official website of Missouri provides a handy little trip planner. This tool lets you create an itinerary based on your specific family vacation desires. But, if you’d rather do it the old-fashioned way and plan the trip yourself (or at least get an idea of what you might do with your family while you’re there), take a look at these Missouri family vacation choices:

Lake Activities

While Missouri may not be known for its lakes, what you’ll find when you get there is that the state is underrated when it comes to this area of nature. There are many different lakes in Missouri which are worth your time for a family vacation. Families who enjoy the large and popular spots where hiking, camping and numerous activities are available will find that the Lake of the Ozarks and Bull Shoals Lake are the best bets. The former is within Ozark State Park where hiking and camping abound. And the latter has eighteen different public parks located around it so the amount of time you can spend there is seemingly endless. Families who would rather spend their summer vacation at a smaller lake that still offers amenities should consider Table Rock Lake in the Mark Twain National Forest or Long Branch Lake on Highway 36.

Branson

If you’ve never heard of Branson, Missouri, then you’ve never thought much about where the amusement parks of the state are located. If you’re up for spending the bulk of your family vacation on the rides and the water slides, this is your city. Branson USA Amusement Park is the big one for rides and White Water is where the family can go to escape the heat. For a more laidback place, go to Silver Dollar City where there are not only rides but also shows and festival events.

Kansas City

Perhaps your family is more interested in a range of activities than a specific spot like a lake or an amusement park. In that case, Kansas City is a terrific city for your family vacation. The Kansas City Zoo, the Toy and Miniature Museum, the Children’s Peace Pavilion, and the Googols of Fun family center are all popular stops for families visiting the area. In terms of outdoor activities, Cave Springs Interpretive Center is a good bet. And just north of Kansas City, you’re family can easily spend a full day at the Shatto Milk Company farm.

Touch Other States

Families that are in love with road trips will find that there’s a unique chance to explore the road during a trip to Missouri. That’s because road trips go best when you have destination points along the way. And since Missouri touches eight of the other states in the U.S., you can easily plan to cross the state lines as part of the trip. Your kids will not only have great pictures for their scrapbooks but will be able to say their summer was spent in nine different states. It’s a great lesson in geography and a great way to explore Missouri together.

Technorati Tags: Missouri, Missouri vacations, Missouri ideas, destinations in Missouri, family travel in Missouri, family vacations in Missouri, Missouri Tourism, travel to Missouri, MO vacations, MO, MO tourism, MO travel, family travel ideas, family vacations, family travel

Ideas for Family Vacations in Mississippi with your Kids



It may take your kids a little while to learn to spell the name of the state but that doesn’t mean it should take you a little while to take them there. In fact, it shouldn’t take you any longer than a One-Mississippi, Two-Mississippi count to decide that this makes a terrific state for a destination for your family summer vacation. From the Fun Factory in Biloxi to McLeod Water Park in Kiln, Mississippi is brimming with opportunities for keeping the kids happily busy no matter how much time you spend in the state.

Biloxi

This city may not be the capital of the state but it’s got more opportunities than anywhere else in Mississippi for really giving your kids a terrific summer vacation (and one that you can enjoy as well). The first thing that the kids will want to know about is what fun spots can be found here. Start at the Fun Factory where there are over 35,000 square feet of video games and activities to keep the kids occupied. Then head to Gulf Coast Motor Sports Park for some racing action and Gulf Island WaterPark for family water fun. After that, head to more outdoor and educational activities in Biloxi. For example, the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center and the Scott Aquarium are good indoor spots to get some fun learning in. Outdoors, explore the opportunities at the Gulf Shores or along the Wolf River. The Hurricane Katrina Memorial and Tree Sculptures are also located here.

Jackson

Of course, Biloxi is great but you can’t beat a capital city for things to do with your family. The Jackson Zoo, the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, and the Rapids on the Reservoir water park are just a few of the major attractions in the capital city of Mississippi. There are also plenty of more off-the-beaten path spots for families in this city where you can explore the rich history and culture of the area. For example, drive the self-guided Civil Rights Driving Tour to give your kids an education in this important part of our country’s history.

Summer at the Lake

The fact that Mississippi is a bit hot in the summer is undeniable. But that’s what summer is all about. And more than that, escaping the heat with activities on the water is what summer means for most family vacations. The Gulf Shore of Mississippi is terrific but it’s not the only place in the state for water activities. There are a number of lakes located in the state where you can enjoy boating, fishing, swimming and other water activities as well as camping, hiking and picnicking with your family. Top choices include Arkabutla Lake, Grenada Lake, Okatibbee Lake and Sardis Lake.

Hodge Podge

For a really unique family vacation, you could put together an itinerary featuring visits to any number of interesting spots located all throughout Mississippi. Some of the activities on that list might be swimming with the dolphins at Marine Life Oceanarium, a summer craft festival at Natchez Trace Parkway, a day at McLeod Water Park and a walk along the nature trails of the Mississippi Petrified Forest.

Technorati Tags: Mississippi, Mississippi vacations, Mississippi ideas, destinations in Mississippi, family travel in Mississippi, family vacations in Mississippi, Mississippi Tourism, travel to Mississippi, MS vacations, MS, MS tourism, MS travel, family travel ideas, family vacations, family travel

Ideas for Family Vacations in Oregon with your Kids



You want to take your family to the Pacific Coast this year to experience all of the history of the Old West and all of the beauty of the area’s nature. You thought about spending your family summer vacation in California but there are just so many other families traveling there at this time of year that you ruled out that plan. Then you thought about heading up to Washington to see the Northwest but the culture there is different from what you’d really wanted to share with your family. So where should you go? Oregon, of course. It offers the perfect chance to explore the West Coast without having to deal with the major tourist crowds of California. And it is a state that gives your family plenty of choices in terms of what you want to spend your summer vacation doing.

Portland

Portland is a city which could use an entire site of its own to describe all of the family travel options it contains. And of course, there are plenty of sites that you can check out to get the details, such as The Official Tourism Site for the city, The Portland Travel and Tourism Page, and The Portland Family Travel Guide. You should explore these sites to get detailed information on what there is to do in the city. But know that some of Portland’s family fun highlights include:

“�� Chinese and Japanese Gardens “�� Hoyt Arboretum “�� Nob Hill Neighborhood “�� Oregon Sports Hall of Fame “�� Oregon Zoo “�� Pearl District “�� Portland Children’s Museum “�� Portland Corn Maze “�� World Forestry Center Discovery Museum

Columbia River Gorge

Located near Portland is the Columbia River Gorge, a National Scenic Area that your family shouldn’t miss out on during a summer vacation to Oregon. This breathtaking river canyon provides opportunities for active endeavors such as hiking, mountain biking and boating as well as more relaxing activities such as camping, wildlife watching and picnicking. This area is also home to Mt. Hood where the beauty of West Coast mountains can be further explored.

Oregon Coast

Why head all the way to the West and then not reach the coast? The Oregon Coast is absolutely beautiful, with scenic drives, beach fun and coastal hiking opportunities all throughout the state. Some of the specific highlights of the state include Sea Lion Caves, Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and the Oregon Coast Aquarium.

Willamette Valley

Of course, there’s more to Oregon than just Portland the Pacific Coast. The Willamette Valley is a truly unique part of the state where the history of the Old West is still very much alive. A tour of the area’s historic covered bridges conjures up tales of the frontier travelers who first came to the area. Other attractions in the Willamette Valley include The Enchanted Forest, Discovery Village, and Eugene’s Science Factory. Outdoor activities to be enjoyed in this area include canoeing at Waldo Lake, hiking at Mary’s Peak and seeing waterfalls at Silver Falls State Park.

Technorati Tags: Oregon, Oregon vacations, Oregon ideas, destinations in Oregon, family travel in Oregon, family vacations in Oregon, Oregon Tourism, travel to Oregon, OR vacations, OR, OR tourism, OR travel, family travel ideas, family vacations, family travel

Ideas for Family Vacations in Oklahoma with your Kids



Oklahoma! It’s more than just a musical; it’s a state that deserves your consideration when you’re making your family summer vacation plans. There are activities, annual events and tourist attractions happening all throughout the state, all summer long. Many of these are specifically geared towards families and many of the others are good for families with certain interests and travel styles. Here are a few travel ideas for your family’s summer spent in Oklahoma:

Activities

Activities in Oklahoma range from casual exploration of the outdoors to wildlife viewing and interesting transportation tours. State parks are the best place to start when trying to narrow down your options for outdoor activities in Oklahoma. There are many to choose from, but consider a few big ones if you’re looking to limit your choices. The few to make the list should include Alabaster Caverns (where your kids can explore a well-lit cave), Beaver Dunes State Park (for family sand dune activities like ATV riding), Boiling Springs State Park (filled with lots of cool springs for swimming and escaping the summer heat), and Great Salt Plains State Park which offers one of the most unique natural landscapes in Oklahoma.

Families that are looking for activities that aren’t centered on exploration of the outdoors might consider taking a specialty tour that gives a look at some of the other sides of scenic Oklahoma. For example, the Tulsa Ghost Tour will show you the history of the city as well as some of its supposed spirits. The Tornado Alley Safari Storm Tours will take your family safely on an exploration of tornado activity in Oklahoma. The Heritage Express Trolley takes you through historic El Reno and to a free area museum. And The Water Taxi of Oklahoma gives you an up close experience of Bricktown Canal in Oklahoma City.

Annual Events

Perhaps your family is more interested in a summer vacation that is centered on events in the destination area. If that’s the case, get out your calendar and plan for Oklahoma’s many annual events. Visit the Festivals and Events Association of Oklahoma� for an updated list of current events in the area.

Tourist Attractions

Activities and events are all well and good, but if you are going to bother to take your family to a new state, then you probably want to see some of the major tourist attractions of the area. One of the favorite things for families is theme parks. Major theme parks in Oklahoma include White Water Bay in Oklahoma City, Pawnee Bath House and Water Park in Pawnee, Pole Position Raceway in Oklahoma City, and Quartz Mountain Fun Park in Lone Wolf. But the biggest draw for families visiting Oklahoma is Six Flags Frontier City in Oklahoma City.

In addition to theme parks, Oklahoma has other attractions that families may enjoy. There are major zoos in Tulsa and Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City also has a number of impressive museums including the Omniplex Science Museum, the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum and the Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum. Finally, the state is home to a historic portion of Route 66. Families visiting Oklahoma frequently enjoy road trips along this highway which features numerous different roadside attractions and pleasant day stops.

Technorati Tags: Oklahoma, Oklahoma vacations, Oklahoma ideas, destinations in Oklahoma, family travel in Oklahoma, family vacations in Oklahoma, Oklahoma Tourism, travel to Oklahoma, OK vacations, OK, OK tourism, OK travel, family travel ideas, family vacations, family travel

Ideas for Family Vacations in Minnesota with your Kids



A trip to Minnesota during the summer can include everything from enjoying the serenity of camping outdoors with your family to indulging in the near-over-stimulation of adventure at theme parks and the country’s largest mall. Here are just a few of the attractions and highlights that you might want to consider when planning your summer family vacation to this state:

Lutsen Mountains

The area to make sure to check out here is Sawtooth Mountain Park and the thing to make sure the kids see is Alpine Slide. Older kids will love the adventure of riding solo in summertime sleds down this mountain and parents can enjoy the fun too, taking little ones along in their laps. Other adventures in this area include horseback riding, picnicking, camping, hiking, and scenic cable car rides. The Poplar River runs through this area so families that enjoy swimming, fishing and things like canoeing will also find plenty to do. The mountain overlooks all of the activity taking place own below at Lake Superior.

Lake Superior

This largest of freshwater lakes has miles and miles of beach for your family to enjoy this summer. Start at Park Point, located in Duluth, and make your way up the North Shore to enjoy all of the various activities and scenic vistas that the area offers. State parks are located all throughout the area, offering camping and other outdoor adventures as well as the chance to see lighthouses and explore nature’s wonders. Favorites include Split Rock Lighthouse, Gooseberry Falls, and Brighton Beach.

Lake of the Woods

This northernmost part of the continental United States provides your family the chance to explore the outdoors away from the summer crowds at Lake Superior. It also provides an interesting look at the culture of the area, from the influence of nearby Canada to the history of such area legends as Paul Bunyon. Other state parks and wooded areas are located all throughout this area so it’s a good location for families planning week-long summer trips as well as those just looking for a weekend getaway.

Valley Fair

Located in Apple Valley, this amusement park is the largest one in the state so it offers plenty of fun to keep the kids entertained and to help burn off some of that excess energy that they’re likely to have during your summer vacation. If the rides of Valley Fair alone aren’t enough to keep your family occupied, you can visit the real adventures over within Valley Fair at Challenge Park or enjoy the summertime fun of water rides at Whitewater Country Waterpark. The theme park just started offering a family dinner special called Backyard BBQ and also offers plenty of special discounts so you should be able to afford this summer fun if you plan your trip properly.

Mall of America

You can’t take a trip to the state with your kids and miss seeing the biggest mall in the country. After all, back-to-school shopping is one thing but experiencing all of the non-shopping things that this place has to offer is another entirely. While here, your kids can enjoy attractions like The Park at MOA (”the largest indoor family amusement park in the nation”�), the Underwater Adventures Aquarium and the four story LEGO fun spot. There are also plenty of events and activities happening throughout this megamall all summer long.

Technorati Tags: Minnesota, Minnesota vacations, Minnesota ideas, destinations in Minnesota, family travel in Minnesota, family vacations in Minnesota, Minnesota Tourism, travel to Minnesota, MN vacations, MN, MN tourism, MN travel, family travel ideas, family vacations, family travel

Family Travel Ideas for Vacations to Michigan with your Kids



A trip to Michigan is a trip so summer paradise. There are so many lakes and opportunities to enjoy beaches in the area that you are virtually guaranteed to get that relaxing feeling that really tells you that you’re on summer vacation. But the swimming and other water activities aren’t all that you can enjoy in Michigan. Theme parks, zoos and interesting cities like Flint make a trip to the Michigan complete.

Enjoy the water

The tourism site for Michigan lets you know right away that when you are in the state, “you are never more than six miles from a body of water and 85 miles from a Great Lake.”� Considering this, taking your family on a trip to Michigan without visiting some of the water of the area is virtually impossible. You may as well dive in! There are two peninsulas, touching multiple Great Lakes (including, of course, Lake Michigan). There are supposedly 11,000 inland lakes throughout the state where you can go swimming, canoeing, kayaking, fishing or boating. Basically, whatever your family likes to do on the water as part of your summer vacation, you can do it in Michigan.

Theme parks

Kids love going to theme parks and Michigan offers several to choose from. Of course, it’s a state that loves water, so there are plenty of water parks as well. Some of the top choices for families include the period costume parks of Crossroads Village and Dutch Village, the big amusement park called Michigan’s Adventure and the two parks specifically geared towards little kids, Deer Forest Fun Park and Deer Acres Storybook Amusement Park. Water parks can be found all throughout the state but favorites include Avalanche Bay, Full Blast, Splash Universe and WildWater. The latter is near Michigan’s Adventure and is the big one chosen by families who want to do the real amusement park thing instead of just the smaller family fun parks.

Zoos

Plan your Michigan trip around a tour of the state’s zoos. The road trips in between the four major zoo locations will give your family a chance to spend some quality time together and the zoos will give you an activity that everyone can enjoy. The big zoo that should be the highlight of this kind of trip is the Detroit Zoo. The other three to check out are John Ball in Grand Rapids, Potter Park in Lansing, and Binder Park in Battle Creek.

Flint

For an interesting experience on your family summer vacation, head to Flint. This town once used to bustle with activity but after that major factories closed down and the economy took a turn for the worse, it became a rather quiet place. The people of Flint didn’t let their energy go to waste. So, even though it’s not bustling these days, there are plenty of neat things to experience on a trip here. And it’s a relatively cheap place to stay with your family! The Flint Children’s Museum, which is part of the larger Flint Cultural Center, is a favorite stop for families visiting the area. The Huckleberry Railroad, The Chesaning Showboat, and Riverbank Park are other common stops.

Technorati Tags: Michigan, Michigan vacations, Michigan ideas, destinations in Michigan, family travel in Michigan, family vacations in Michigan, Michigan Tourism, travel to Michigan, MI vacations, MI, MI tourism, MI travel, family travel ideas, family vacations, family travel

Ideas for Family Summer Vacations in Tennessee with your Kids



Tennessee is a state that basically screams summer fun. After all, it’s the home to Elvis, the hot spot for modern country music (as well as many other kinds of music) and the location of Pigeon Forge where Dollywood reigns supreme. But is Tennessee a state where you want to take your family on summer vacation? After all, Elvis is a little outdated and Dolly isn’t exactly kid-fare, right? Wrong. The entire state is geared towards making visitors - including the young ones - feel welcome. So, think about spending your family summer vacation in Tennessee. Just be prepared for your kids to start moving their hips and curling their lips like Elvis before the trip is over.

Elvis

The main place that you’ll go to check out Elvis is obviously Graceland. Take a tour of the mansion located in Memphis if you’d like. But be aware that there are Elvis shows and museums located all throughout Tennessee. So if Elvis interests you but isn’t a reason alone to take your family to Tennessee, plan on just stopping at one of the small spots wherever else in the state you might spend your time.

Memphis

Of course, the Graceland Mansion is hardly the only thing to see in Memphis so you might want to take your summer family vacation in this area after all. Even the Memphis Zoo has lots to offer, featuring not only the typical animal exhibits but also shows, rides and a discovery center. Also located in Memphis is The Pink Palace Family of Museums which is home to all sorts of different exhibits as well as IMAX theater. Another set of museums and exhibits, one which focuses more on the history of the area, can be found at the Mud Island River Park.

Pigeon Forge

Another major destination city in Tennessee is Pigeon Forge. If the name doesn’t ring a bell, this is the city where Dollywood is located (right next to the Dolly Splash Country Water Park). These two theme parks offer days full of fun with shows, rides and games that are good for all ages. Sure, there’s a lot of country music, but if that’s not your thing, the water slides, rollercoasters, and birds of prey events should all help keep you entertained. And this isn’t all that there is to do in Pigeon Forge. The entire little city is as flashy as Dolly herself and every other storefront has some sort of mini golf course, kids’ race track, batting cages or laser tag rooms to fill the time.

Nashville

Of course, you can always cut through the rest of Tennessee and head straight for the capital, the city known for its music. It’s more than just country happening there these days (maybe because country now has everything from folk to pop tinting the genre). And it’s not all in the bars so your kids can see it too. A family summer vacation filled with music - maybe even including one of the city’s many music festivals - is a family summer vacation which is filled with good times and good memories.�

Technorati Tags: Tennessee, VT, Tennessee vacations, Tennessee ideas, destinations in Tennessee, family travel in Tennessee, family vacations in Tennessee, Tennessee Tourism, travel to Tennessee, TN vacations, TN, TN tourism, TN travel, family travel ideas, family vacations, family travel