Family Travel Destinations

Redwood National and State Parks

2012-02-25T13:39:00.004-08:00

Located just north of Eureka, along the Northern California coastline are a number of Redwood parks. There are actually three distinct redwood species found in the world: Dawn Redwood, Giant Sequoia, and Coast Redwood. At these parks in Northern California you will see Coast Redwoods and they are truly amazing to see. Between Redwood National Park, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park there are many opportunities to view these magnificent trees. These parks also provide many great opportunites to camp, hike and view Roosevelt Elk and other interesting wildlife. These parks are particularly nice because not only can you enjoy these beautiful, big trees, but they are also situated along a scenic part of the Pacific Ocean, so you can also enjoy the beach. We visited in the summer of 2011 and enjoyed some great time hiking and taking in the sights. If you are ever heading up the coast along Highway 101 be sure and stop in and see this magnificent area.

Colorado Ski Resorts

2012-01-03T20:02:00.001-08:00

Colorado has many fine ski resorts and this is a favorite destination for many. We took our first family ski trip right before Christmas and tried out Copper Mountain. It is located about 75 miles southwest of Denver and we had a great time there. Our kids learned how to snowboard and ski. The weather was great for both traveling and skiing, the scenery was spectacular, and the resort and instructors were great. All and all it was a wonderful trip and we enjoyed our time there just prior to Christmas.
Ski resort and snow report information

Family Ski Vacations

2011-11-11T18:34:00.000-08:00

It is getting to be that time of year and the ski resorts are beginning to see activity as families head up to the slopes. Enjoy a weekend getaway or extend your stay throughout the week. There are many wonderful family ski resorts throughout the United States, which are set up to handle kids of all ages. Whether you are an old pro or a novice a ski vacation can be great fun. Enjoy the slopes during the day and then relax by a roaring fire in your condo or vacation rental and share stories together about the days events. If you are new to skiing you may want to consider some lessons to help you feel confortable on the slopes and help you get off to the right start.

Here is some good information on Virginia Ski Resorts and Ski Resorts in New York that may be helpful.

Travel to Washington, DC

2011-11-01T19:30:00.000-07:00

Washington, DC is a good choice for a family vacation if you would like to combine fun with an educational experience. There are many fully guided, narrated tours that allow you to cover a lot of ground in a day or so. Take a tour of the US Capitol building and see many of the unique monuments and statues in the area. Here is a link to more information on trips to Washington, DC and other great east coast family vacation ideas. Enjoy!

Family Travel to Tucson

2011-10-24T18:36:00.000-07:00

Tucson, Arizona has many fine hotels and resorts and the fall is a wonderful time to visit. Here is a picture of the beautiful pool area at the Hilton El Conquistador located at the base of the mountains. This was taken in the early morning so it is still a bit hazy, but on a clear sunny day the view of the Santa Catalina Mountains is absolutely tremendous. This resort has several pools, one especially geared for kids. The pool area also has gas fire pits in the outdoor sitting areas near the pool that are very nice when things cool down a bit in the evening. Enjoy golf, tennis, horseback riding or pamper yourself with a massage or at the spa. While you are in Tucson be sure and take the family to the Pima Air Museum. They have a wonderful collection of all types of aircraft. If you enjoy history and the old west, then you may want to visit Tombstone, which is a little over an hour to the southeast. Have fun and stay safe!

Family Travel Ideas

2011-10-11T19:02:00.000-07:00

So, you are planning a family vacation and you are hoping to come up with some good ideas?
Well, a good place to start when looking for ideas for a family vacation is to check out the state tourism sites for areas in the United States that you may be considering. These are usually a great source to see what family attractions are available in different parts of a state, so you can see how they match up with your interests. As you narrow down the area that you want to travel to, these sites can also give you a feel for what type of accommodations are available, along with restaurants, shopping and other services. We have used the state tourism sites often when planning trips. Most of these sites provide a way to request a state tourism visitor guide to be sent to you or you can download one to your computer for easy reference. Either way, the visitor guide should be a great help when planning your next family vacation. Have a fun and safe trip!

Visiting Mount Rainier

2011-10-10T17:52:00.000-07:00

Just a short drive from Seattle, Mount Rainier is located to the southeast and on a clear day can be seen from many miles away. In fact, as you are driving around the Seattle area you may at first mistake the beautifully snow capped peak for cloud cover as it rises up 14,411 feet above sea level. Being this close to the ocean the rise in altitude appears to be even more dramatic than other mountains this tall where the surrounding area is already 5,000-6,000 feet. The picture shown here, was taken on the way up the mountain when we were at an altitude of about 4500 feet.

Mount Rainier is a great place to visit. The scenery is spectacular with pristine waterfalls, dense forest, rock formations and meadows filled with spring flowers. Even in the summer on a warm comfortable day you may come across an ice patch on a hiking trail. When we visited in the middle of summer we were very comfortable in shorts, but lakes part way up the mountain were still partially frozen and ice and snow was plentiful in many spots. We took the rode to Paradise, which I highly recommend, and enjoyed some good hiking and the wonderful view at Narada Falls on the way up. The historic Paradise Inn is a great place to relax and enjoy lunch or a snack and take in some of the mountain views. The nearby meadow can either be filled with spring flowers blooming or a snow playground to enjoy, depending on the year. Either way, it will be great fun and create special memories for you and your family. Enjoy!

Family Trips to Lake Tahoe

2011-09-05T14:24:00.001-07:00

Lake Tahoe lies on the border between Nevada and California, and is truly one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Pictures give you a small glimpse of what it is like, but in no way can do it justice. Carson City is a great base camp for any family vacation to visit this area. There are many other attractions in the area that are sure to please both you and your family. Have fun!

Gold Coast Theme Parks

2011-08-11T19:10:00.000-07:00

Gold Coast is a city on the southeast coast of Queensland, Australia. The area is home to beautiful white sandy beaches, fine restaurants, top resorts and many popular family theme parks. It is a wonderful place to get away from the office and enjoy a much needed family holiday. There are a wide range of Gold Coast Theme Parks to choose from. Depending on your family and their interests, one of them is bound to be just what you are looking for. Have fun!

Virginia City, Nevada

2011-07-28T17:24:00.000-07:00

Consider this vacation idea - take a step back in time and visit historic Virginia City, Nevada. This is the famous Comstock Lode mining area and just a short drive or train ride from Carson City, Nevada. Enjoy the false front buildings, wooden boardwalks and many unique restaurants and shops.

Disney Magic Remembered

2011-01-29T18:42:00.000-08:00

I know that in an earlier post I mentioned Disney World as a family vacation destination. However, I was just down there on a business trip and saw many young families with their children. Even though my kids are now older, this is a wonderful vacation destination that every family should one day enjoy. It was so neat to see the joy and excitement on the children's faces as they experienced this. It is truly a magical place!

Vacations to Disney World

2010-11-08T19:03:00.000-08:00

Whether you are young or old there is something about a visit to Disney World that brings out the little kid and imagination in all of us. I was in my early thirties the first time that I visited and it was truly a wonderful experience. Fall is a great time to visit to avoid the hot and humid summer weather. Enjoy!

Mount Rushmore

2010-10-28T18:05:00.000-07:00

Mount Rushmore is located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, and is a spot that every family should visit some time. This is a beautiful, mountainous, wooded area that has many fun things to do. Visit Bear Country, take the Big Thunder mine tour, or just enjoy the wonderful scenery. When you see Mount Rushmore up close and learn about how it was made you will be truly impressed.

Petit Jean State Park - Arkansas

2010-10-24T18:43:00.000-07:00

Petit Jean State Park is located just a few miles from Morrilton, Arkansas to the Northwest of Little Rock. It has crystal clear creeks, waterfalls, tons of caves and interesting rock formations and miles and miles of great hiking trails.

They have nice, clean campgrounds, cabin rentals, and even a lodge and a restaurant, so their are plenty of options to suit you. Have a safe and fun trip!

Pikes Peak - Colorado Springs

2010-09-27T19:59:00.000-07:00

Pikes Peak was the inspiration for the song "America the Beautiful." At over 14,000 feet above sea level , the view from the top of Pikes Peak is quite spectacular. A fun trip for the entire family is to ride the Pikes Peak Cog Railway up to the top and back. Enjoy!

The Grand Canyon

2010-09-14T19:46:00.000-07:00

The Grand Canyon is truly spectacular and a sight that everyone should experience. The Grand Canyon Railway provides service from Williams, AZ to the Grand Canyon. Everyone enjoys a train ride, and its a great way to make your family trip even more memorable.

Niagara Falls

2010-09-10T19:53:00.000-07:00

This picture was taken from Niagara Falls State Park in New York with a cheap, disposable camera. Obviously, there is no way that a single picture can do this justice. The falls are truly magnificent, and if you are ever nearby be sure and check them out.

Niagara Falls State Park

Bryce Canyon - Utah Vacation Destination

2010-09-08T17:49:00.001-07:00

Bryce Canyon is definitely a "must see" for every family. Enjoy lots of hiking trails and spectacular views from many different spots in this magnificent park.

Check out some of these other great

family vacation spots

Family Vacation Ideas

2008-05-07T09:44:00.000-07:00

Family vacations are important and they can create wonderful, lasting memories. The United States has so many vacation destinations that it is often hard to choose one. We've put together a site that may be helpful when planning your next family vacation:

http://www.FavoriteFamilyVacations.com