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New Jersey's guide to places and events for children,
teens and families
For even more info...pick up a copy of New Jersey's Kids Guide
FREE at libraries, stores, schools, real estate and professional
offices in northcentral New Jersey and at tourist info centers throughout
the state for a complete calendar and guide to children and family events,
programs and services!
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Travel articles below are reprinted from previously
published Kids' Guides.
Please consult the attached website links for the most up-to-date information.
FAMILY VACATION DEALS & TRAVEL NEWS
SELECTED FEATURES
Tucson, Arizona
Charleston, South Carolina
Disney Update
Miami Beach, Florida
San Diego, California
Smugglers' Notch, Vermont
Tanque Verde Ranch, Arizona
KIDS' GUIDE FAVORITE
VACATIONS
TRIP
PLANNER
Helpful websites to plan your next family vacation
Family Vacation Deals
and Travel News
Family Vacation Deals are updated
in January and June with the release of the new print version of the Kids'
Guide.
The website is updated periodically between those dates.
PLEASE NOTE: Special packages are offered for a limited time and
may be discontinued at any time. Rates and dates are subject to change without
notice. Please use links to individual destinations for current prices and
availability and to see new packages and offers.
FLORIDA | HAWAII | CARIBBEAN | EAST | WEST | SKIING | U.S./INTERNATIONAL
ORLANDO
The Orlando Magicard, valid for up to six people (excluding accommodations),
allows vacationers to save at 95 area establishments from attractions, accommodations,
restaurants and dinner theaters to ground transportation and shopping malls.
The card is available free of charge through the Orlando/Orange County Convention
and Visitors Bureau. Travel counselors can be reached for vacation-planning
information by calling 407-363-5872.
www.orlandoinfo.com, 800-551-0181
RESORTQUEST (Aston Hotels & Resorts) KIDS STAY, PLAY & EAT
FREE PROGRAM
ResortQuest Hawaii's family program, ResortQuest Kids Stay, Play & Eat
Free, gives guests exclusive free offers at nearly 40 attractions, restaurants
and retailers across Hawaii's four major islands. The yearround program
entitles children (12 & under) to free activities, meals and merchandise
when staying at any ResortQuest Hawaii property when accompanied by one
paying adult. For a complete listing of offers by island, visit www.ResortQuestHawaiiKids.com.
www.ResortQuestHawaii.com,
866-774-2924
BAHAMAS
Stella Maris Resort,
on Long Island in the southern Bahamas, offers spectacular diving, snorkeling
and fishing year round in its crystal clear, warm waters. Family-friendly
accommodations include ocean-view hotel rooms, one-bedroom cottages (both
with mini fridge) and 2, 3 and 4-bedroom bungalows (with full kitchen),
some with private pool. Children 7 years and younger always stay free. Children
from 8-12 sharing an accommodation with their parents are $25 per child
per night. Cribs and babysitters are available and the resort offers a special
kid's menu.
800-426-0466
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC & MEXICO
Dreams & Sunscape Resorts & Spas, seven luxury family-focused
resorts in Mexico and the Dominican Republic offer a fully-supervised Explorer's
Club for ages 3-12 as part of their all-inclusive packages. Accommodation
options for families include swim-out suites or two-bedroom master oceanfront
suites as well as connecting rooms or other room categories. All-inclusive
rates at Dreams and Sunscape Resorts & Spas include accommodations,
meals, premium brand drinks, 24-hour room service, Explorer's Club, pools,
sports facilities, water sports equipment and instruction, entertainment,
taxes and gratuities. Babysitting is available but charged additional.
Dreams Resorts & Spas offer
luxury accommodations and extensive facilities, activities and programs
geared towards families and friends.
866-2DREAMS
Sunscape Resorts & Spas
offer family-oriented accommodations, plus a comprehensive line-up of facilities,
activities and programs to enhance family vacation experiences.
866-SUNSCAPE
JAMAICA
Club Mongoose, a children's program for ages 2-12, is complimentary
as part of the all-inclusive plans at Sunset
Resorts in Jamaica. The Resorts include Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort
in Ocho Rios, Sunset Beach Resort & Spa in Montego Bay, and Sunset at the Palms in Negril,
a newly renovated eco-friendly all-inclusive resort featuring whimsical
stilt houses scattered throughout a 10-acre tropical garden bordering the
Negril Royal Palm Preserve.
800-234-1707
MEXICO
Cabo La Estancia,
a luxury beach resort and spa in Cabo San Lucas Mexico, offers spacious,
private villas located on Mendano Beach, the only swimmable beach in Cabo
San Lucas. Families can choose from three types of villas-two bedroom-three
baths, three bedroom-four baths or penthouse units offering 5,500 square
feet occupying the entire eighth floor. Resort amenities include the Desert
Spa, infinity edge pool, kids program and babysitting services. Packages
and last-minute deals are posted on the resort's website.
310-577-8600
The Hilton Los Cabos Beach
& Golf Resort is a AAA Four Diamond resort featuring 375 luxuriously
appointed guest rooms and suites offering views of the Sea of Cortes, four
recently renovated ocean view dining venues, new Spa Oasis, draped beach
front palapas, two lighted tennis courts, "Vacation Station" children's
program, a full service fitness center and infinity edge swimming pool.
800-HILTONS
ROATAN
Anthony's Key Resort, a
PADI 5-Star Gold Palm Resort in Roatan, offers a popular Dolphin/Scuba Camp
in the summer for children ages 5-9 and 10-14. While parents enjoy scheduled
boat dives or snorkel trips to Roatan's world-class underwater sites, children
learn about interacting with bottlenose dolphins and will be exposed to
diving and snorkeling skills according to their age and skill level. Camp
begins on Sunday and ends on Friday. Children join parents for lunch daily
and parents are welcome to observe and participate in most activities.
800-227-3483
ST. JOHN, USVI
Cinnamon Bay Campground is
an unspoiled island refuge set on the northern coast of St. John, USVI,
operated by Caneel Bay, a Rosewood
Resort. Surrounded by Virgin Islands National Park and located just steps
from the longest beach on the island, Cinnamon Bay offers rates from $30
per night based on double occupancy. Cinnamon Bay offers a range of accommodations,
including 40 screen-lined coattages, 55 durable pre-erected tents, and 31
bare sites for camp-it-yourselfers with space enough for one large tent
or two smaller tents. All accommodations are private and less than a five-minute
walk from the sands of Cinnamon Bay Beach.
Cinnamon Bay can be reached
from St. Thomas via ferries from Red Hook or Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay,
St. John, and then a 15-minute taxi ride to the campground.
800-539-9998
ST. LUCIA
Coconut Bay Beach
Resort & Spa along St. Lucia's south coast allows adults to
enjoy quiet time without kids, families to spend time together and kids
and teens to spend time away from the adults in their own supervised areas.
Families stay in rooms close to the action of the recently launched CocoLand
featuring a water park and Kidz Klub. A wing for adults is situated near
the Kai Mer Spa and tranquil adult-only area, complete with cabana beds
and hammocks. At CocoLand, youngsters take nature hikes on Coconut Bay's
85 palm-fringed acres and participate in supervised arts and crafts. Teens
spend time with their peers at Da Buzz, the resort's club for 13-17 year
olds, complete with X-Box 360s, soda and snack bar, oversized bean bag furniture,
movies and organized activities.
MAINE
Hog Island Audubon Center
in Muscongus Bay offers special youth and family camps during the
summer. Set on a private island and run by Maine Audubon, the 330-acre preserve
in midcoast Maine provides an intimate setting for exploring nature.
888-325-5261 ext 215
Linekin Bay Resort is
a family sailing resort that is virtually unchanged from its start over
60 years ago, offering a very family friendly, laid back, rustic environment
of years gones by. Groups range from families with young children to large
multigenerational groups. Special kids camp and discounted kids rates are
offered.
866-847-2103
MARYLAND
Baltimore
Harbor Magic Hotels (Pier 5 Hotel, Admiral Fell Inn and Brookshire Suites)
offer a Family Adventure Package which includes deluxe overnight
accommodations at the Harbor Magic Hotel of your choice with breakfast for
two adults and two children. The package also includes a Harbor Magic camera
and frame along wth a Harborplace & The Gallery discount book, a choice
of two ESPN Zone 40 point game cards, two adult and two child passes to
Ed Kane's Water Taxi, Top of the World Observation Level, or the USS Constellation.
www.harbormagic.com, 866-583-4162
MASSACHUSETTS
For a family adventure close to home, Zoar
Outdoor offers whitewater raft trips, canoe and kayak instruction,
rock climbing and camping/lodging in the Berkshire Mountains of western
Massachusetts along the Deerfield River. The area features many acres of
state land for hiking, biking, water sports and backroad driving and is
also a popular destination due to its growing number of artist's studios,
galleries, performing arts and restaurants. The Zoar Gap trip, featuring
class II and III rapids, is ideal for families (minimum age 7) and first-time
rafters. Half-day guided float trips are available for families and groups
with children 5 and over. Spring trips begin mid-April and continue throughout
the summer. A fly fishing program was added last year with guided float
fishing trips.
800-532-7483
The Inn at The Oaks,
steps from the Cape Cod National Seashore and the Cape Cod Rail Trail offers
family suites including pet friendly accommodations in the carriage house,
as well as king and queen size rooms. All guest rooms and suites have private
baths, A/C, TV/DVD, sitting area or activity table, telephone and wireless
internet access. Additional amenities include fireplaces, claw-foot soaking
tubs and refrigerators.
877-255-1886
Boston
Visit www.bostonusa.com
for a complete set of Family Friendly hotel packages. For publications/brochures,
value cards and family-friendly discounts, visit the website.
888-733-2678
The Colonnade Hotel , a
285-room boutique hotel located in Boston's fashionable Back Bay, offers
a Kids See & Do package and Family Connection Package.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
The Appalachian Mountain Club
offers week-long Family Adventure Camps during the summer, plus year-round
all-inclusive stays at AMC's Highland Lodge in the White Mountains, New
Hampshire, featuring expert-led activities, outdoor gear, meals and lodging.
A more rustic closer-to-home destination is AMC's Mohican Outdoor Center
in Sussex County, New Jersey, which is operated on a self-service basis
all year. See listing under Outdoors for more info about the Mohican
Outdoor Center.
NORTH CAROLINA
The Outer Banks Official Travel Guide & Getaway Card is available from
the Outer Banks official travel web site at www.outerbanks.org
or call the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau toll free at 877-OBX-4FUN (629-4386).
The guide includes sections highlighting cycling, the Civil War trail, and
running along the Outer Banks as well as information about campgrounds,
beach access, public boat ramps, fishing, lifeguard locations and more.
877-OBX-4FUN
ARIZONA
Arizona Tourism Center
with resorts in Sedona and Scottsdale offers packages of 4 days/3 nights
in a one bedroom suite (sleeps four) for $349. Five days/4 nights in a one
bedroom suite are available for $449. All resorts feature full kitchens
in one bedroom suites and larger. Amenities include pool, hot tub, fitness,
barbecue areas and an on-site activity center offering arts and crafts for
kids. Prices are subject to availability. Holiday and black-out dates may
apply. Travel, taxes and incidentals are not included.
877-444-8044
For parents traveling with kids, the Pointe
Hilton Squaw Peak Resort has many attractive amenities. An all-suite
resort, guests can choose from a standard two-room suite, a one- or two-
bedroom casita, a Grande Suite or mountainside Palacio, a 3-bedroom fully
furnished home overlooking the resort. The resort's Hole-in-the-Wall River
Ranch features four acres of cascading waterfalls, secluded waterways, three
new swimming pools, and a 130-foot waterslide. Located on 27-acres the property
is surrounded by the Sonoran Desert and bordered by the 3,000-acre Phoenix
Mountain Preserve offering immediate access to hiking, jogging and biking
trails. The Coyote Camp children's program is available for children ages
4-12.
800-876-4683
Xanterra South Rim, LLC,
operator of the lodges and other services in Grand
Canyon National Park at the South Rim, and the Grand
Canyon Field Institute offers a two-day, two-night "Learning
& Lodging" program which combines in-field adventures with naturalist
guides, comfortable accommodations in park lodges, in-park transportation,
one dinner, two breakfasts, two box lunches, retail coupons and a course
completion certificate. Group size is limited to 12. Children 10 and older
are welcome to participate when accompanied by an adult.
www.grandcanyonlodges.com,
click on the "promotions" link.
COLORADO
Wilderness Trails Ranch
in the San Juan Mountains of Southwest Colorado has been operating continuously
as a guest ranch since 1950. Horseback riding instruction includes all day
and half day rides, trailblazing, cattle work and clinics for grown-ups
and an award-winning children's and teen program for ages 3-17. Week-long
all-inclusive vacations include accommodations in historic yet elegant log
cabins, all meals from ranch fare to gourmet cuisine, swimming, horse-drawn
hay rides, fishing, lake activities and evening entertainment. Spa services,
white-water rafting, guided fly fishing, guided excursions to Mesa Verde
National Park, and discounted rides on the historic Durango & Silverton
Narrow Gauge Railroad are available optional activities.
800-527-2624
Estes Park is the location of one of YMCA of the Rockies properties suited
to family travelers with facilities to accommodate family reunions. Outdoor
recreation includes fly fishing, rock climbing, hiking, rafting, outdoor
education programs and day camps.
www.ymcarockies.org
GRAND CANYON
Grand Canyon Expeditions offers
all-inclusive 8- and 14-day adventures through the Grand Canyon, including
special-interest excursions that focus on archaeology, history, ecology,
geology and photography. Guests ride the Colorado River's rapids, explore
side canyons and camp on the river's beaches. Tours are all-inclusive including
meals, beverages, sleeping gear, dry bags, tents, personal storage boxes
and transportation to and from Las Vegas, the point of origin. Trips are
scheduled May-August and are recommended for ages 8 and up.
800-544-2691
IDAHO
Warren River Expeditions, providing
white water rafting trips on Idaho's Main Salmon and Middle Fork of the
Salmon River, offers a 25% discount for kids 14 and younger.
800-765-0421
Destination Wilderness
of Idaho offers guided family trips, inflatable kayaks and kayaks
support trips on the Main Salmon River. Legendary whitewater, pristine scenery,
abundant wildlife, sandy beaches and hot springs are samples of what this
magnificent canyon has to offer.
866-872-5666
MONTANA
Resort Property Management has
a large selection of luxurious vacation homes and condos in Big Sky, Montana,
just 45 minutes from Yellowstone National Park. The Kid-cation Vacation
Package includes the family's choice of a summer vacation home or condominium
in Big Sky's Meadow Village or up on Lone Peak; two-hour trail ride on horseback
at an area rance, fly-fishing in well-stocked trout ponds, a hayride and
BBQ down by the Gallatin River and a half day scenic float down the Gallatin.
The Kid-cation Vacation package also includes a Montana Kids Pack with area
maps, visors, games, snacks, water bottles and "moose trail mix."
To learn more, call 866-995-4455 or visit the website.
For a downloadable travel guide, packages and deals and vacation planning info about family-friendly activities in western Montana's Glacier Country, including Glacier National Park and Flathead Lake area, visit www.glaciermt.com.
SOUTHWEST U.S.
Dvorak Expeditions
offers kayak and rafting trips from a half-day to 10 days covering 9 rivers
and 29 canyons in five states. Specific dates are reserved for family rafting
trips where each adult paying full price may bring a child free or larger
families can participate on the trip at one special price. Exclusive 22-day
teenage (13-17 years) Whitewater Skills Course is available. Guide training
courses (minimum age 18 years) are offered in spring; spring break trips
for college students; custom fly-fishing expeditions; youth group trips;
kayak, canoe and raft instruction are also offered throughout the season.
800-824-3795
WYOMING
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
Programs offered by the Yellowstone Association Institute include multi-day
Lodging & Learning programs at park hotels and Field Seminars at the
organization's field campus. A complete listing is available at www.YellowstoneAssociation.org
307-344-5566
ADVENTURE U.S. & ABROAD
Boundless Journeys,
an operator of high-quality, small group adventure trips worldwide, offers
many trips appropriate for families. Their most popular is the 8 day/7
night Costa Rica: Rainforests and Volcanoes Family Adventure. 2009 dates
are February 15-22 and April 12-19. Peaceful and stable, Costa Rica is recommended
as an ideal first family adventure to an exotic location. The wildlife,
culture and geography offer phenomenal learning opportunities and fun activities
abound at swimming pools, butterfly farms, swing bridges and zipline tours.
Accommodations, expert local guides, transportation in Costa Rica and meals
are included. Normally priced at $2895 per person for adults and $2595 per
child 7-11 years old, Boundless Journeys is offering a $100 per person discount
for Kids' Guide readers on 2009 trips. Other trips recommended for families
include Tanzania: Migration Safari and Peru: The Sacred Valley
and Machu Picchu.
$100 per person discount for Kids' Guide readers
800-941-8010
COSTA RICA
NatureAir is the world's first
carbon neutral airline and the only domestic airline in Costa Rica that
offers children ages two to 11 a 25% discount off the listed ticket price.
NatureAir's vacation department can also create a family package for all
fitness levels, personal tastes and budgets. For a complete list of schedules
and prices, visit www.natureair.com
TRUSTED
ADVENTURES
Trusted Adventures is a group of seven experienced, like-minded, owner-involved
adventure travel companies who formed an alliance in 2005 to offer a way
for families to identify and book top quality adventure travel vacations.
The group is dedicated to the promotion of ecologically sensitive and responsible
travel and collectively offers over 300 trips to 80 destinations worldwide.
Members include:
· Austin-Lehman Adventures,
offering luxury multi-sport adventures throughout the Americas, Europe and
South Africa, 800-575-1540
· Euro-Bike & Walking Tours,
has been leading active cycling tours and guided walking trips in Europe
for over 30 years. 800-321-6060
· Myths and Mountains,
offers cultural journey to Asia, South America, Antarctica and Africa.
800-670-6984, www.mythsandmountains.com
· ROW Adventures,
offers rafting and active travel in Idaho, Oregon and Montana since
1979. 800-451-6034, www.rowadventures.com
· The Wayfarers,
offers worldwide walking vacations since 1984. 800-249-4620, www.thewayfarers.com
· Western River Expeditions,
offering whitewater rafting vacations in Grand Canyon, Arizona, Utah and
Idaho for over 45 years.
· Wildland Adventures, offering
authentic cultural and natural history explorations worldwide. 800-345-4453,
www.wildland.com
For more information, visit Trusted
Adventures online at www.trustedadventures.com
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
Ecoventura, a family-owned
small-ship adventure company, offers designated departures over school breaks
and during the summer for families to explore the Galapago Islands. Supervised
water games, snorkeling and sea kayaking instruction are geared toward the
younger set. Children can visit the bridge and learn about astronomy, navigational
charts and knot tying. Naturalist guides present information on Ecuador
ecology, geology, marine mammals and reptiles and the history of the Galapagos
Islands and Charles Darwi
n. Kid-friendly food is available
and special parties are planned.
International Expeditions, a leader in nature travel, is offering 10-day journeys to the Amazon and the Galapagos for families. Among the assets that make International Expeditions Family Voyages special are IE's Family Directors, custom-crafted, family-friendly itineraries, special pre-trip materials for young explorers, and IE's hallmark guides who know and love their destination. A kid-centric menu with favorites like chicken fingers, pasta and waffles will appease even the fussiest eaters, while adults dine on international and local cuisine.
WALKING & CYCLING VACATIONS
Many parents cross taking a vacation to Europe off their list of things
to do at least until their children are teens. But Breakaway
Adventures, a tour company specializing in walking and cycling overseas
vacations, regularly has families with children of all ages travel on its
more than 200 tours. For more information and detailed itineraries, visit
www.breakaway-adventures.com
or call 800-567-6286.
See Websites & Trip Planner below.
March 2008
FEATURE ARTICLES
Arizona, particularly Tucson, has always been one of our family's favorite vacation destinations. The dramatic landscapes of America's southwest are worlds away from our typical scenery at home and with more than 300 days of sunshine a year, a sunny vacation is virtually guaranteed (except perhaps during "monsoon" season in August and September when violent afternoon thunderstorms are known to pass through).
Metropolitan Tucson lies in a flat valley, but is surrounded by five mountain ranges, three with peaks of 9,000 feet and higher. To the west and east lie the saguaro-studded hills of Saguaro National Park. The city has grown rapidly and redevelopment surrounds its original adobe fortress or presidio downtown, which marks Tucson's formal founding in 1775. A car is essential for sightseeing, but the area is easily navigated on a few major roads and many sights can be reached within an hour or less.
Tucson's accommodations range from hotels and motels, historic bed and breakfasts and guest ranches to luxurious resorts and world-renowned wellness spas. The major resort area lies about 10 miles north of the city, where many award-winning destinations are tucked against the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains. Resorts include Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Resort, Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Golf and Tennis Resort, The Lodge at Ventana Canyon, Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, Omni Tucson National Golf Resort and Spa, Tanque Verde Ranch, The Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa, and Westward Look Resort.
Stretched over 500 acres under the sheer red
granite cliffs of Pusch Ridge in the Santa Catalina Mountains, the setting
for the Hilton El Conquistador
Golf & Tennis Resort is truly spectacular. The El Conquistador
was built in 1982 and is one of the area's early resorts. It came under
the Hilton brand in 2002 and has undergone major renovation since then.
428 guest rooms include 92 one, two and three bedroom casitas, ideal accommodations
for families. A one-bedroom master suite can be joined on one side or both
with another bedroom with bath to make a spacious 2 or 3-bedroom unit with
shared living room with fireplace and tv, dining room, and efficiency kitchen
equipped with a sink, microwave, mini-refrigerator, counter and cabinet
space.
All rooms have a private balcony or patio with sweeping mountain, desert or courtyard views. Some casitas offer lawn space off the patio convenient for children to play outside or patios that border the casita pool. Natural vegetation and flowering plants line the winding pathways that lead through the casita complex and to the casita pool and hot tubs.
Outside the main hotel, the Desert Springs Water Oasis fulfills every kid's dream and consists of a large traditional pool, a 143-foot water slide, hot tub and children's splash pool with water fountains. The pool area is well designed utilizing rock features and waterfalls to separate elements and mirrors the cliffs of Pusch Ridge that rise dramatically behind the resort. The Desert Springs outdoor cafe serves lunch and tropical drinks poolside. While typical December temperatures only approach the mid-60s, by mid-afternoon, the sun can be warm enough to swim, lounge in the hot tub and cool off on the waterslide.
The El Conquistador is the only Tucson resort
with its own equestrian center on property. The resort borders Coronado
National Forest and miles of trails are accessible for horseback riding
as well as hiking, biking and bird watching without the need to pack up
the car. Horse rentals and guided rides for all levels are available. The
one and a half hour sunset ride leads up Pusch Ridge on a narrow, rocky
and steep path, and offers riders stunning views of the iridescent mountains
and valley below. Wranglers are particularly attentive to children and use
a lead line to assist them when necessary.
If golf is your game, Tucson is an ideal destination, offering year round play on desert-target courses and traditional parkland layouts designed by notable architects including Tom Fazio, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Tom Weiskopf. The Hilton El Conquistador features 45 holes of championship golf on three different courses and a golf academy. The 9-hole Pusch Ridge Course is located at the resort and winds, dips and climbs through a 175-foot vertical drop in the foothills. The Cañada, a desert-style design, and the Conquistador courses are located seven minutes west of the hotel via hotel shuttle. Rolling terrain, emerald fairways and greens combined with spectacular mountain views and a perfect climate make for a fabulous day. Be aware when making tee times in winter: Tucson is a high desert, so does get cold, and early morning frost can delay play for several hours.
Another one of our group's favorite courses was the very challenging and beautifully designed Canyon Course by Tom Fazio at The Lodge at Ventana Canyon. A newer luxury resort along the foothills, The Lodge at Ventana Canyon is notable for its exquisite design seamlessly incorporated into the natural mountain and desert landscapes.
In addition to golf, horseback riding and the Desert Oasis pool at the Hilton El Conquistador, amenities include 31 lighted tennis courts, a fitness center with custom spa services, full-service salon and Kids Camp during the summer. On-site restaurants include Dos Locos offering Latin fusion cuisine and outdoor seating; Sundance, serving traditional breakfast, lunch and dinner; and The Last Territory Steakhouse, serving mesquite grilled entrees picnic-style in an outside courtyard or family-style inside with live music and dancing. Children's menus are offered in Sundance and Dos Locos restaurants. The Hilton Breakfast is complimentary for a child five years of age or younger when accompanied by a paying adult.
With all this, a family could easily hole up here for the week and never leave the premises. Besides resort life, however, Tucson has a great number of attractions and activities that are unique to the area and well worth a visit.
For sightseeing, there's no better place to
start than the Arizona-Sonora
Desert Museum. It is the best introduction to the unusual and complex
environment surrounding you-the Sonoran Desert-an area encompassing parts
of Arizona and California in the United States and the Mexican states of
Sonora, Baja California, Baja California Sur and the Sea of Cortez. It is
the only place in the world where the giant saguaro cactus grows. Experiencing
the Desert Museum is just like taking a walk through the desert, except
this is a controlled outdoor environment with interpretive signs and docents
on hand to introduce you to the plants and animals you see. Almost two miles
of winding paths traverse 21 acres through mountain woodlands, desert grasslands,
a riparian corridor, desert cave and walk-in aviaries with plenty of opportunities
for hands-on action. Invisinet mesh is used to create strong, safe, nearly
transparent enclosures in large, open exhibits. You will see coati, beaver,
river otters, desert fishes, black-tailed prairie dogs, bighorn sheep, reptiles
and spiders, bobcats, coyotes, birds and leave with a much better understanding
of the unique world of the Sonoran Desert. Gardens identify commonly seen
cacti, succulents and trees. The gift shop at the Museum is one of the best
we visited, carrying souvenirs, natural history books and fine native crafts.
Check back soon for more Tucson sightseeing attractions...
Quick Reference:
Tucson Visitors Center
La Placita Village, 100 S. Church Ave., downtown Tucson, 800-638-8350
Hilton El Conquistador
Golf & Tennis Resort
10000 N. Oracle Rd., 800-325-7832
Loews Ventana Canyon Resort
7000 N. Resort Dr., 800-234-5117
Arizona Dude Ranch Association
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
2021 N. Kinney Rd., 520-883-2702
Saguaro National Park (East & West)
Sabino Canyon Recreation Area
5900 N. Sabino Canyon Rd., 520-749-2861
Pima Air & Space Museum
6000 E. Valencia Rd., 520-574-0462
Titan Missile Museum
1580 W. Duval Mine Rd., Sahuarita, 520-625-7736
Old Tucson Studios
201 S. Kinney Rd., 520-883-0100
Hotel Congress
311 E. Congress St., 800-722-8848
Kartchner Caverns State Park
520-584-4100
Kitt Peak National Observatory
520-318-8726
-December 2008
Mention Charleston, South Carolina, to anyone who has been there and you always hear good things. It is a city renowned for its southern charm and hospitality, historic preservation, stately homes and gardens and host of family-friendly activities. We set out last spring to discover its charms for ourselves and learn why it consistently ranks as a top ten travel destination in the U.S. by readers of Conde Nast Traveler magazine. In October, 2008, Charleston was honored with the number two position by the magazine.
JAMES ISLAND COUNTY
PARK
Our first stop was James Island County Park. From downtown Charleston,
it is a 15 minute drive across the Ashley River. The Charleston area is
naturally divided into distinct regions by the many rivers and waterways
that wind through the lowlands. Historic Charleston is located in a sheltered
harbor off the Atlantic at the junction of the Cooper and Ashley Rivers,
a strategic location which accounts for its important role in so many key
events in American history.
We checked into one of ten vacation cottages available for rent at James Island County Park, ideal accommodations for nature lovers and campers. The kids were immediately distracted by the anoles sunning themselves on the side of our cottage and, so began what would become a major preoccupation of this leg of our trip -- the quest for lizards. Each cottage has three bedrooms, a living room, kitchen and bath and sleeps up to eight people. Two bedrooms have queen size beds and one small bedroom has just enough room for a bunk bed. Our cottage was clean and in good condition, furnished with heavy duty pine furniture and equipped with TV, telephone, cooking utensils, flatware, dishes, bed linens, blankets and bath towels. The cottages are built on stilts and overlook the Stono River marsh. Relaxing in the rocker on the screened porch, watching the sunset and the burnt orange, brown and golden sawgrass sweeping across the lowlands was the perfect end to the mild spring days. Our mornings usually began with a walk out on the dry marsh. The hard sand was perforated with small holes made by fiddler crabs and we found neat piles of oyster shells and tracks, telltale signs of a raccoon who had visited during the night.
The park facilities are superb and include several miles of walking and hiking trails, freshwater lagoons for boating and fishing, paved trails for rollerblading or biking, playgrounds and a spray play area and SplashZone family water park. Bicycles, pedal boats, kayaks and hydrobikes are all available for rent. The green trail from the cottages leads to a picturesque floating fishing/crabbing dock on the creek. The park also contains a full-service campground. Round trip shuttle service is provided to the downtown Charleston Visitor's Center, nearby Folly Beach County Park, and the Folly Beach Fishing Pier for $5 per person.
FOLLY
BEACH
Folly Beach, at the west end of Folly Island just twenty minutes
from downtown Charleston, is an offbeat, laid back beach town that bills
itself as the "Edge of America." The fishing
pier, another facility operated by the Charleston County Park and
Recreation Commission, is an impressive sight, extending more than 1,045
feet into the Atlantic Ocean and rising 23 feet above sea level. Fishing
passes, rods and shelter rentals are available. You can't help but notice
the unusual brown color of the ocean, particularly against the backdrop
of a clear blue sky and white sand. We learned later that this is always
the case due to the silt flowing from the rivers, creeks and lowlands, and
is a vital ingredient to the area's ecology.
KIAWAH ISLAND
The posh, gated refuges of Seabrook and Kiawah Islands are further down
the coast. Most of the 10-mile-long barrier island is private, but luxury
accommodations include 600 private villas and homes and The Sanctuary at
Kiawah Island, a 255-room oceanfront hotel and spa. An expertly designed
community, Kiawah Island has won awards for conservation and use of the
natural environment in its development. The stunning homes are hidden among
the live oaks, pines and palmetto palms of the maritime forest. Kiawah Island's golf courses along
with those at Seabrook Island and Wild Dunes have established Charleston
as a premier golf destination. Kiawah Island boasts five professional golf
courses by Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio, Gary Player and Clyde Johnston
and will be host to the Senior PGA in 2007 and APAGA Championships in 2012.
More than 30 miles of bike trails, marsh creek canoeing and kayaking and
a nationally acclaimed tennis program are also available.
If you're not staying at a villa or home here, you can catch a glimpse of them if you visit Beachwalker County Park, another Charleston County Park facility, that provides public access to the island's gorgeous, pristine beach.
ANGEL OAK
On your way to Kiawah and Seabrook Islands, a short detour to the Angel
Oak is a worthwhile stop. Owned and operated by the City of Charleston Department
of Parks, the Angel Oak is a live oak tree estimated to be 1,400 years old,
America's oldest living tree east of the Mississippi. Live oaks do not grow
particularly tall, but have wide spreading canopies. The angel oak stands
65 feet high and provides 17,000 square feet of shade under its massive
limbs that gracefully arch to the ground and are braced with metal bars.
A small visitors center and gift shop is on site.
MOUNT PLEASANT
We continued our tour of the area by crossing the newly constructed Cooper
River bridge which connects downtown Charleston to Mount Pleasant, Sullivan's
Island and Isle of Palms to the north. The new 3.5 mile bridge is the longest
cable-stayed bridge span in North America and offers spectacular views of
the harbor. Bike rentals are available accompanied by EZ-Read maps or take
a "Tour at Your Own Pace" MP3 historic guided tour offered by
the Charleston Area Convention
and Visitors Bureau. Patriots
Point Naval and Maritime Museum is just on the other side of the
bridge in Mount Pleasant. The imposing 888-foot. aircraft carrier Yorktown
is the flagship of the battle group with a destroyer, Coast Guard cutter
and submarine also on display along with 25 aircraft, Congressional Medal
of Honor Museum and Cold War Submarine Memorial. Veterans lead guided tours
of the museum.
BARRIER ISLAND ECO-TOURS
One of our family's favorite activites was the Barrier
Island Eco-Tours leaving from the Isle of Palms marina. Naturalist-guided
boat excursions range from 2-5 hours and accommodate groups from 2-49 people.
Fishing trips, blue crabbing clinics, kayak trips and dolphin discovery
tours are options. We chose the Capers Island Wildlife Exploration which
took us to Capers Island Heritage Preserve, the closest undeveloped barrier
island to Charleston. Along the way, we cruised through a winding maze of
salt marsh creeks and learned about the rich marine environment along the
tidal creek beds. At high tide, the marsh meadows teem with fish, shrimp
and crabs. As the tide ebbs, fish find shelter in the creeks and inlets,
while scores of fiddler crabs scuttle across the exposed muddy flats. Oysters
line the sides of the creek. Our naturalist/captain pulled a crab trap and
net from the water and the kids clamored to see the marine creatures up
close. Once at Capers Island, we walked an inland trail and passed a freshwater
pond where an alligator pair and many babies lounged at water's edge. Our
naturalist pointed out evidence of a bobcat and otters and explained the
unique maritime vegetation. He also noted that heat and bugs often prevent
summer visitors from walking in the interior of the island. Past the forest
and dunes, the trail opened onto a beautiful beach known as the "bone-yard,"
named because of the old bleached tree skeletons and stumps rising up out
of the smooth white sand. On the way back to Charleston, Shems Creek in
Mount Pleasant's Old Village is a good stop for outdoor dining on fresh
fish sandwiches or other seafood and watching the sunset and returning shrimp
and fishing boat fleets.
PLANTATIONS
We would not have considered our trip to the old South complete without
a visit to a plantation. There are several nearby that offer different degrees
of preservation and focus. While the history of many plantations begins
prior to the Revolutionary War, almost all plantation houses were burned
down during the Civil War, so few structures are original today. Some of
the area's best preserved plantations are located west on Highway 61 on
the Ashley River.
Drayton Hall is the only surviving plantation house. It was saved from destruction during the Civil War because a small pox flag was hung outside the house. Today, the house, whose construction began in 1738, remains in nearly original condition, without running water, electric lighting or central heating. It is not furnished so its architectural elements are clearly visible. Admission includes a guided tour of the house, self-guided nature walks and an African-American focus program.
Middleton Place boasts America's oldest formal landscaped gardens, with the original garden dating from 1776. A gentleman's guest wing beside the family residence serves as a house museum. Carriage tours of the elaborate gardens and grounds, house tours, and craft demonstrations in the Plantation Stableyards are offered.
Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens in Mount Pleasant is America's only working plantation. Fruits and vegetables are still sold at the Farmers Market on Highway 17. Nine original slave cabins are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The current plantation house was built in 1936 and is open for tours.
Magnolia
Plantation and Gardens is still home to the Drayton family, now
in its eleventh generation. Thirty-minute tours of the restored house are
available as well as self-guided walking tours and tram tours of the grounds,
Once a 500-acre rice plantation, it is now an incredible wildlife preserve
abundant with alligators, turtles, herons, snowy egrets-and lizards.
The Audubon Swamp Garden is adjacent to Magnolia Plantation. Entrance is included in Magnolia Plantation's admission fee. Visitors traverse the blackwater swamp over a series of boardwalks and bridges. Moss-draped cypress and tupelo gum trees rise up from the eerie blackwater which conceals an occasional alligator speckled with bright green algae. Binoculars would have been helpful here. You'll see many nesting herons and egrets, alligators and keep an eye out for turtles and otters.
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN
From the cottages at James Island, we moved to the moderately priced boutique-style
Holiday Inn Historic District
in downtown Charleston. There we could park the car for the next few days
and just walk--by far the best way to explore the city's historic neighborhoods,
shops and hidden streets and alleys. The City Market, an open air market,
is on North and South Market Streets. Vendors sell everything from new merchandise
to antiques, handmade art and crafts to sundries and souvenirs. There you
can see local women weaving exquisite seagrass baskets, an art form that
has been passed down since Colonial times when the coiled baskets were used
for winnowing rice. South of Broad Street you will find the city's most
affluent neighborhood, some of Charleston's oldest and grandest houses and
a good place to view the harbor. Downtown accommodations range from inns
and bed and breakfasts to full-service hotels, but you won't find any highrises
here. Charleston retains its historic charm because visionary planners allowed
nothing to be built higher than the many church steeples that dot the skyline,
one of the reasons for Charleston's nickname of "The Holy City."
Originating in 1670, Charleston has a rich and colorful history and, today, everyone seems to be an eager guide. Local residents and professional tour guides alike share stories of the colony, plantations, wars, earthquake and hurricanes, architecture and food. You can choose a boat, carriage or walking tour. Topics range from gullah tours which explore the history and stories of African-American Charlestonians to history, architecture, pirate and ghost tours. Our family chose a daytime ghost tour given by Tour Charleston LLC. Based on the local best selling book, The Ghosts of Charleston, the walking tour captivated even our 10- and 16-year-olds. Our theatrical tour guide clearly enjoyed his job as he recounted fascinating stories about strange happenings at historic buildings and graveyards all within an area of a few blocks.
If you are in Charleston in the spring, be sure to check out the Historic Charleston Foundation's Annual Festival of Houses and Gardens, scheduled for March 19-April 18, 2009. The Historic Charleston Foundation has been instrumental in preserving the city's architecture and historic treasures, largely through proceeds generated by the Festival tours. A month-long schedule of special events includes afternoon and candlelight evening walking tours, a rare opportunity to tour the interiors and gardens of approximately 150 historic private houses in twelve colonial and antebellum neighborhoods during the peak of the city's blooming season. Each tour focuses on a different neighborhood or street, encompassing townhouses and mansions of all different architectural styles. Our tour focused on Tradd Street, one of the original carriage ways laid out in the 1680 "Grand Model" of Charles Town. Today, it holds the greatest concentration of early 18th century houses in the city. One home was more extraordinary than the next and it was fascinating to see how these historic buildings have been preserved while they have been adapted to contemporary living. Well supervised children over the age of 6 are welcomed on the house tours. The Historic Charleston Foundation on 40 E. Bay Street has a fine gift shop, books, brochures and maps for self-paced walking tours.
Another good stop for families is the South Carolina Aquarium, located in a new complex on Charleston Harbor, also the site for the Fort Sumter Visitors Center and tours. Through interactive exhibits and a 350,000 gallon Great Ocean Tank, the Aquarium tells the story of South Carolina's diverse aquatic habitats following a trail that begins in mountain streams and travels down to piedmont rivers, coastal swamps and salt marshes into ocean waters.
There are so many outstanding restaurants in Charleston you will never be at a loss for a memorable meal. From kid-friendly barbecue at Sticky Fingers or outdoor dining at Fleet Landing on Charleston Harbor to down home southern cooking at the Hominy Grill or Jestine's Kitchen to creative, gourmet fare by renowned chefs at Peninsula Grill, Fig, Charleston Grill, Hanks Seafood Restaurant and so many more, deciding where to eat may be your hardest decision of the day.
-April 2007
MONSTERS, INC.
Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor Comedy Club is open in Tomorrowland in the Magic
Kingdom. The attraction brings Disney's animation technology to the next
level with Mike Wazowski, the one-eyed hero from Monsters, Inc. acting as
host, engaging audience members in the comedy routine and selecting text
messaged jokes from the crowd.
FINDING NEMO
The film "Finding Nemo" comes to life in a musical stage show,
"Finding NemoThe Musical" at Disney's Animal Kingdom.
Featuring original songs by Tony Award-winning "Avenue Q" co-composer-creator
Robert Lopez and a cappella musical "Along the Way" co-creator
Kristen Anderson-Lopez, the 30-minute show immerses guests of all ages in
the story of Nemo through a dazzling production that combines puppets, dancers,
aerialists and animated backdrops.
The theme park's enclosed Theater in the Wild becomes an undersea environment through innovative lighting, sound, special effects and the theatrical puppetry of Michael Curry, who co-designed the detailed character puppets seen in the Broadway version of Disney's "The Lion King."
"The Seas with Nemo & Friends" pavilion (formerly The Living Seas) at Epcot continues the Nemo story. Guests enter the pavilion and board "clamobiles" for an undersea voyage in a colorful world of coral and amazing animation technology that makes Nemo appear to be swimming with real marine life inside the pavilion's 5.7-million-gallon saltwater aquarium. Inside the pavilion, "Turtle Talk with Crush" features Disney's new, interactive animation that has the laid-back sea turtle talking with the audience in live, unscripted conversations. Crush calls on guests and asks them questions about themselves and the human world in this first-of-its kind real-time animated show.
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL
Guests learn cheers and dance moves, wave pom-poms and sing along to the
hit songs of "High School Musical" in the "High School Musical"
pep rally at MGM Studios. The show turns the whole street into a rockin'
party as music fills the air.
HOTEL MAKEOVERS
Three "deluxe"-category resorts--Disney's Polynesian Resort,
Contemporary Resort and Wilderness Lodge--received major refurbishments
and remodeling to guest rooms in 2007. 400 guestrooms at the All-Star Music
Resort were transformed into 214 suites that offer a new "value"-category
option to guests. The family suites comfortably sleep up to six persons
and feature a master bedroom, generously sized kitchenette, two full baths,
microwave, coffeemaker and counter refrigerator, two 27" flat-screen
TVs, privacy vanity drapes, pack and play cribs and custom furniture.
DISNEY TRAVEL
Disney Cruise Line repositions the Disney Magic cruise ship to the West
Coast for the summer, offering seven-night cruise vacations to the Mexican
Riviera.
With Disney's Magical Express, guests of Disney hotels check their bags at their hometown airport, bypass baggage claim at Orlando International Airport and board motor coaches to Walt Disney World Resort, while their bags are delivered directly to their resort room, after check-in. This year, over 90% of Disney airline partners will enable passengers leaving Orlando on domestic flights to check their luggage and receive a boarding pass before departing their Disney hotel, thus avoiding airport check-in lines.
Following the success of the Disney Cruise Line in the family vacation
market, DIsney now offers Adventures by Disney, a selection of 12
guided family land vacations to destinations in Europe, Central America
and the United States. Itineraries include excursions in Ireland, Austria,
the Czech Republic, Spain, Italy, England, France, Costa Rica and the United
States. For information, contact your travel agent, visit www.adventuresbydisney.com
or call 866-242-8740.
www.disneyworld.com
407/W-DISNEY or visit local travel agent
June 2007
Miami Beach Area
A Culture and
Beach Combo
If you want to combine some culture with your beach vacation, then Miami Beach may be a perfect destination for your family. The beaches rival those on many islands. They are wide with fine, sugar-white sand and the Atlantic Ocean takes on the blue and green hues of the tropics. The city itself has undergone a renaissance as outdated landmark hotels have been renovated and expanded to meet today's resort needs or replaced by ultra-modern high-rise condominiums. Magnificent homes carrying multi-million dollar price tags line the Intracoastal Waterway, one more breathtaking than the other. Miami is a mosaic of cultures, sites and sounds, a lively blend of Cuban, Caribbean, South American, Jewish and European cultures.
SOUTH BEACH
Back in the 1930s and 40s, more than 800 Art Deco structures were built
on the southern tip of Miami Beach. Today, the historically designated Art
Deco District represents the largest collection of Art Deco architecture
in the world. Displaying pastel colors, neon lights and sleek, geometric
lines, the Art Deco district, known as South
Beach, serves as the backdrop for one of the world's most eccentric
and in-vogue neighborhoods. Buildings once in disrepair have been restored
and converted into restaurants, hotels, clubs and boutiques. For families,
it's worth a trip in the morning while the partyers sleep and when you can
clearly see the wonderful architecture and actually get a seat in one of
the many outdoor cafes on Ocean Drive. A beautiful beach and oceanfront
park are directly across the street.
COCONUT GROVE
Settled in 1873, early Coconut
Grove was built by West Indian craftsmen from the Bahamas. Their
influence is evident in the many Caribbean style houses, tropical landscaping
and street names found in the neighborhood. As the area gained recognition
by the upper class, many Northerners built their winter residences there.
In the 1950's, Coconut Grove began to attract artists from the U.S. and
Europe and the Grove soon had an international reputation as an artists'
colony. Like the rest of the city, Coconut Grove has undergone a renaissance
in recent years. Under a dense canopy of lush trees, the area is noted for
its whimsical homes, busy marinas and many cafes, art galleries, restaurants,
antique shops and fashion boutiques.
VIZCAYA MUSEUM AND GARDENS
A tour of Vizcaya Museum and
Gardens, the winter home of International Harvester vice president
James Deering, provides a fabulous glimpse into the lifestyle of the super-wealthy
in the early 1900s. Built between 1914 and 1916, Vizcaya was designed in
the style of Italian Renaissance villas Deering had visited, then adapted
to the subtropical climate of South Florida. Now a National Historic Landmark,
the villa features more than 10 acres of formal gardens, terraces and fountains
overlooking Biscayne Bay and 34 rooms of 15th through 19th century antique
furnishings and decorative arts. Virtually all of the decorative elements
including furniture, lighting fixtures, doors and fireplaces were purchased
by Deering on shopping expeditions in Europe. Adults and older children
will be amazed to see the opulent lifestyle and architecture of bygone days.
Other excursions for families include:
· Miami Metrozoo,
voted one of the top ten zoos in the country for service and curriculum
by Travel and Leisure magazine, is five times larger than the average U.S.
zoo with 300 acres showcasing more than 1,300 animals in cageless, naturalistic
environments.
· Miami Museum of Science and Space Transit Planetarium, located across from Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, features changing, hands-on science exhibitions, planetarium shows, a Wildlife Center for birds of prey and reptiles, and an exhibition displaying artifacts from the Smithsonian.
· Miami Seaquarium, one of South Florida's premier attractions, features marine life shows with Killer Whale Lolita and TV star Flipper, exhibits and attractions in a landscaped park overlooking Biscayne Bay. The Seaquarium offers a Water and Dolphin Exploration program which includes a swim with the dolphins for an additional fee (52 in. height minimum). A new children's wet/dry playground area called "Salty's Pirate Playground" consists of a two-level pirate ship located at the center of a shark-filled moat.
· Monkey Jungle, now in its 3rd generation of family ownership, is home to nearly 400 primates, most running free in a 30 acre preserve.
· Parrot
Jungle Island is located along the MacArthur Causeway connecting
downtown Miami and South Beach. The 18.6 acre park with over 500 species
of plants and 3,000 animals features a trained bird show, Everglades habitat,
Serpentarium (reptile facility), petting barn and aviaries.
· Everglades National Park
The Everglades, the only subtropical wilderness preserve in North
America, lies just to the west of Miami Beach. The "river of grass"
is made up of vast expanses of sawgrass prairie and hardwood hammocks, providing
a sanctuary, as well as breeding and feeding ground for many species of
birds. The great egret, snowy egret, great blue heron, roseate spoonbill,
anhinga, endangered wood stork, bald eagle, and 170 specids of birds have
been observed here. The habitat provides shelter for many threatened and
endangered animals and is the only place in the world where crocodiles and
alligators coexist. In fact, because of its great variety of plant and animal
life, the Everglades has been designated a World Heritage Site, an International
Biosphere Reserve and a Wetland of International Importance. You can learn
about the area's rich diversity at the Everglades National Park main Visitors
Center located at the park entrance. Exhibits, brochures, activity schedules
and information on boat tours and canoe rentals are available. The Anhinga
Trail at the Royal Palm Visitor Center winds through a saw grass marsh and
is less than a half mile long, 30 minutes round trip. It is a wonderful
trail for both children and adults to easily see a good variety of Everglades
wildlife. Those with patience and a keen eye can see even more if they look
carefully for the fish, alligators, turtles, and birds hidden in the water,
sawgrass, and trees. December to April is the best time to visit to avoid
the hordes of mosquitoes that can make outdoor activities difficult at other
times of year.
Grass
River Adventures takes private parties deep into the Everglades
Conservation area on smaller airboats which enable them to go farther and
offer longer tours than typical airboat tours. Their airboats are 14' long
and can carry up to 6 passengers. A standard trip is 2 hours. Half day,
full day and night rides are also offered.
Key Biscayne
Key Biscayne is just a few miles east of downtown Miami across the Rickenbacker
Causeway. It is a secluded community and natural refuge encompassing only
two square miles in all. Technically, one of the first islands in the Florida
keys archipelago, much of the marsh, mangrove forests, dunes and beachfront
have been preserved as parkland. Bill
Baggs Cape Florida State Park is located on the southern tip of
Key Biscayne. The beach there is consistently ranked among the top ten beaches
in the United States. The park offers biking and hiking trails and free
tours of the restored 1825 lighthouse, the oldest standing structure in
Miami. Crandon Beach in Crandon Park also lays claim to being named one
of the best beaches in America for kids because the multiple sandbars offshore
make the water shallow for a long distance and there are no riptides. Turtle
walks are held annually in August or September when sea turtles hatchlings
are released back into the sea. Guided canoe trips, kayak and snorkel trips,
bike and beach tours can be arranged through the Eco
Adventures Tour office at Crandon Park, 305-365-3018. Key Biscayne
is also home to the famous Biltmore Hotel of the 1920s and is within five
minutes of the Miami Seaquarium and close proximity to all the attractions
of Miami Beach.
May 2005
Against a backdrop of natural beauty, surrounded by beaches, mountains and desert, and graced with average year-round temperatures of 70 degrees, San Diego makes a great vacation destination with many unique attractions for families. It has several major regions for lodging, each offering a different perspective on the city.
Coronado Island is a seaside community with some of the most beautiful
beaches in southern California. It is a low, narrow peninsula that separates
San Diego Bay from the Pacific Ocean and is easily accessible from downtown
San Diego by a 2.3 mile bridge or ferry service. The U.S. Navy Air Station
occupies the northern tip of the Island, and the remainder is made up of
miles of powdery white sand beaches, charming homes on quiet tree-lined
streets, and specialty shops and restaurants in its historic downtown. The
island has a long history as a resort
community
that began with the building of the grand Hotel
del Coronado in 1888. Its developers, Elisha
Babcock and Hampton Story, set out to create a resort that would be the
"talk of the western world." At that time, California was separated
from the rest of the country by vast unsettled territories and wealthy travelers
would journey for seven days by train to stay there. The Del was one of
many luxurious railroad resorts, but today it is one of the few that has
survived and still flourishes as a world-class hotel. It is a living legend
having hosted countless celebrities and dignitaries including fourteen U.S.
presidents.
The Victorian hotel with its white clapboard and distinctive red-roofed turrets is a landmark on Coronado Island. White wicker rockers grace the front porch and a staff of bellmen in derbies and topcoats greet guests. The two-story lobby is dark with vintage paneling and is adjoined by a library on one side and two dramatic banquet rooms on the other. Their vaulted ceilings are architectural marvels, constructed of tongue and groove pine fastened without the use of any nails. The original Otis #61 elevator in the lobby is one of the first fully functioning electric elevators manufactured in America. The antique brass cage is still hand-operated by men wearing uniforms similar to those worn by the monkeys in "The Wizard of Oz." The rear of the lobby opens onto a sunny courtyard garden.
The Hotel del Coronado will be strangely familiar to fans of the classic Billy Wilder movie, "Some Like It Hot," or even to those who have seen or stayed at the Grand Floridian in Disney World. The Disney hotel is a replica of the Del, only two times larger. A three-year $55 million restoration of the hotel has been recently completed and the original Victorian building is pristine--polished and gleaming from floor to ceiling. As you walk down the freshly carpeted hallways, however, you can still feel the undulating floors beneath and can't help but feel reverence for the rich history that surrounds you. Rooms are light and airy with Victorian decor and ceiling fans. Oceanfront rooms have balconies looking over the pool, tennis, dining terraces, and out to the expansive beach beyond. The atmosphere is warm and friendly to families. In season, there are family pool activities, kids arts and crafts, and Tent City Kids Camp which offers supervised afternoon and evening programs for children ages 4-12. Additional resort amenities include a spa and fitness center, tennis courts with lessons and clinics, boat rentals and instruction, and other activities. The Sheerwater seaside restaurant offers fine dining at the hotel and features a children's menu. Downtown Coronado is just a short walk away and offers a variety of casual and fine dining.
The Loews
Coronado Bay Resort is another popular destination
for families. The low-rise resort occupies its own private peninsula on
the San Diego Bay about four miles outside of downtown Coronado. Silver
Strand State Beach on the Pacific is across the highway and is accessible
by guests via an underpass or complimentary shuttle. Loews Resorts nationwide
have reached out to families with their "Loews Loves Kids" program
and, in addition, the Loews Coronado Bay offers a supervised kids program
for ages 4-12 on holiday weekends and in summer. Half day and full day programs
are available with evening programs on Fridays and Saturdays. Activities
include marshmallow roasts, family cooking classes, dance lessons, ice cream
socials, basketball shootouts, family snorkeling, and Dive-In Movies, where
both kids and parents enjoy a family movie from a lounge chair or innertube
in the pool. The resort's marina offers wave runner, sailboat, and paddle
boat rentals. And if you can ditch the kids, the Gondola Company offers
romantic cruises through nearby canals accompanied by a serenading gondolier.
Roller blades and bicycles are also available for rent to take advantage
of Coronado Island's 15-mile bike path that extends the entire length of
Coronado, from the Bridge, past the Loews, to Imperial Beach. The resort's
pool area features an adults only pool, whirlpool, and two long interconnected
pools surrounded by lounge chairs and attractive gardens. There are two
restaurants, a poolside eatery, and a small general store offering deli
sandwiches, picnic lunches, coffee, sundries and snacks.
Mission Valley, another lodging region, is minutes from Old Town San Diego, Sea World, and Balboa Park. Hotel Circle Drive, located at the intersection of several major arteries to the city in the heart of Mission Valley, is a collection of moderately priced accommodations offering more than 6,000 hotel rooms. At the Handlery Resort, rooms are available surrounding a new courtyard pool or in detached motel buildings. Guests have access to an adjoining swim and tennis club with an Olympic sized heated pool and children's pool.
Mission Beach and Pacific Beach define the stereotypical southern California
beach scene. Teens and college students will enjoy the young crowd and non-stop
beach action. A three-mile concrete boardwalk connects Mission Beach and
Pacific Beach and teems with people biking, rollerblading, skateboarding,
jogging or just plain strolling. Surfers fill the water and volleyball and
sun enthusiasts fill the beach. The area is densely packed with tiny beach
bungalows, and eateries, shops, and clubs dot the boardwalk and surrounding
blocks. The Catamaran
Resort offers
a unique location one block from Mission Beach and right on Mission Bay.
Multi-colored parrots perch in the trees along the resort's lush garden
walkways and the rooms are furnished in dark wood and tropical motifs. The
heated pool is small considering the size of the resort, but water activities
focus on either Mission Beach or Mission Bay where the resort offers surfboard
and many boat rentals and lessons. Bayside rooms feature patios and walk-out
access to a 27-mile bike path that encircles Mission Bay Park, a once marshy
mud flat turned major aquatic playground.
Sea World was our first stop on the sightseeing agenda. We enjoyed Sea World's focus on education and the kids loved the opportunity to interact with the animals and view them so closely. At each exhibit, a staff member gave an introductory talk and was available to answer questions. We found the extra cost of a behind-the-scenes "turtle feeding tour" unnecessary as it didn't offer much more than that included in the regular admission fee. Feeding stations are open to purchase food at different times throughout the day for the bat rays, bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions and harbor seals. Stand-out exhibits were the Wild Arctic, Shark Encounter, and the shows, especially the Shamu Adventure, which highlighted the spectacular natural behaviors of killer whales. The Wild Arctic is an elaborate recreation of an Arctic expedition beginning with a simulated jet helicopter ride, disembarking onto a realistic arctic research station that brings you face to face with polar bears, beluga whales, walruses, arctic foxes and seals. The Shark Encounter leads visitors underwater in a 57-foot acrylic tube while sharks, rays and tropical fish swim overhead. Shamu's Happy Harbor, a playland, was a welcome addition to the park as it gave our 5-yr. old a chance to unwind and revitalize.
Legoland in California is one of only four Legolands in the world.
The original is in Denmark with others in England and Germany. It is a colorful
theme park designed for families with children between the ages of 2 and
12. Rides and scenery are crafted to look like Legos and throughout the
park, you will find huge, real Lego masterpieces like Albert Einstein's
head or a 15-ft. giraffe. Miniland USA depicts life from Washington D.C.
to the California coast in detailed, animated reproductions of American
landmarks and cities built from 20 million Lego bricks. The Coast Cruise
takes you around the lake near MiniLand to view Lego recreations of the
Wonders of the World. Many rides are "kid-powered," with the kids
pedaling, driving, steering, and pulling to make them work. Our favorite
ride was the Dragon, a gentle roller coaster that first winds through a
medieval castle of Lego dragons, knights and wizards. The Lego Adventure
was also notable, a walk-through search for keys on an imaginary archeological
expedition to ancient Egypt and the Arctic. With the exception of two roller
coasters, the majority of rides at Legoland appeal to preschoolers and young
elementary ages. Master Model Builders can be seen at work in their headquarters
at Miniland, and they are available for questions at the Lego Clubhouse,
where children can build with Legos or ages 10 and up can sign up for a
free Mindstorms workshop. The gift shop is a treat for Lego enthusiasts
because it has the largest assortment of Legos and Lego merchandise in the
country.
San Diego's Balboa Park is a vacation unto itself. Encompassing 1,200 acres, the park is a mecca of horticulture and cultural arts. Fifteen museums are housed in beautiful Spanish Baroque-style buildings constructed for two expositions held in 1915-16 and 1935-36. It is also home to the San Diego Zoo, one of the world's best zoos, featuring nearly 800 species of animals in its 10 acres. Our family appreciated the bus tour, a 40-minute guided trip that gave us a good overview of the zoo, and allowed us to return to exhibits of interest and take the walkways through climate zones not accessible by bus. The express bus allows you to hop on and off at five locations around the zoo. Hua Mei, the first surviving giant panda born in North America, is a miracle of science and represents hope for the survival of giant pandas in the world. She and her parents are on exhibit here while on loan from the Republic of China.
The San Diego Wild Animal Park, another facility of the Zoological Society of San Diego, is located 30 miles north of the city and is well worth the drive. Established 25 years ago as a large animal breeding facility for the San Diego Zoo, the 2,100 acre sanctuary is home to 2,500 animals, many from rare and endangered species. A 50-minute guided monorail tour lets you observe the wild animals as they roam free over the rolling hillsides and rocky slopes, similar to their native habitats in Africa and Asia. Walking trails through lush botanical gardens with exotic plant species lead to animal habitats in the rain forest or on the Kilamanjaro Trail. In the aviary, visitors can hand feed nectar to lorikeets, beautiful rainbow-colored parakeets. Two-Park Tickets can be purchased for both the Zoo and Wild Animal Park.
Birch Aquarium, the public education center for Scripps Institution of Oceanography is a small, but beautiful aquarium and oceanography museum on the rugged cliffs overlooking La Jolla and the coastline. The Hall of Fishes exhibits marine life from the cold-water Pacific Northwest to the tropical south Pacific. Oceanography is explained through hands-on exhibits that allow children to ride an earthquake machine, read a seismograph, explore how waves are made, and shop in the ocean supermarket, a scanner that identifies hundreds of items containing ingredients from the sea. A climb to the beach below yields wonderful tidepools to explore at low tide. Sunset Cliffs on the Pacific side of Point Loma peninsula is another exceptional spot for tidepooling. The rocky shoreline is ideal for discovering flowery anemones, shore crabs, elusive octopus, spongy deadman's fingers and many other sea creatures. Cabrillo National Monument on the top of Point Loma commemorates the European discovery of San Diego Bay in 1542 by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo and also provides a spectacular 360 degree view of the area.
Old Town State Historic Park marks the first mission established in San Diego in 1769. Free walking tours begin at the Visitors Information Center. Original and restored buildings now house period and souvenir shops. The area is best known for its Mexican restaurants, giant margaritas, and strolling mariachi bands.
Ticket packages and discount tickets for all major attractions are available through the Visitors Bureau in San Diego and Coronado Island.
-June
2002
Western adventure at Tanque Verde Ranch
When the last dreary days of winter
linger, there's nothing better than a trip that promises warm sun and clear
blue skies. Arizona fit the bill for our family this spring. Tucson,
our first stop, is renowned for its superb weather, boasting over 300
days of sunshine a year, more than any city in the U.S. The air is remarkably
dry with low humidity and even though daytime temperatures can get high,
the temperature drops at sunset providing cool, comfortable evenings.
Tucson lies in the Sonoran Desert, a lush desert as far as deserts go due to the eleven inches of rain the area receives on average annually.
As a result, over 1,300 kinds of plants and 300 species of animals are indigenous to the Sonoran Desert, most notable of them, the magnificent saguaro cactus. This sentinel-like cactus has come to symbolize the southwest and is native only to Arizona and Sonora, Mexico. A saguaro cactus is 50 years old before it produces its first arm and some are over 50 feet tall and over 200 years old.
Saguaro National Park, encompassing over 90,000 acres east and west of Tucson, is a preserve for the largest concentration of saguaro. Visitors Centers tell its story and both east and west sides of the park offer loop drives, hiking and bike trails, and interpretive programs.
The vast desert landscape cries out for horses, cowboys, ranches and such, and we found them all at the historic Tanque Verde Ranch just outside Tucson. Speedway Avenue, a major thoroughfare, narrows a few miles past town, then abruptly ends at the Douglas Spring trailhead for the Saguaro National Park and a small sign marks the entrance to the Tanque Verde Ranch. The setting could not be more spectacular. We were in the foothills of the Rincon Mountains, bordered by the Saguaro National Park and Coronado National Forest, and the desert lay before us dressed in its spectacular colors of spring-blossoms of magenta, orange, purple and gold burst from the cactuses.
The Tanque Verde Ranch was founded in 1868 and
now serves the tourist industry as a four star resort. The main buildings
retain their rustic charm with high ceilings, timber beams, and wide plank
floors. Seventy-four adobe casitas in clusters of three and four are built
up the desert hillside. Accommodations are comfortable, many with fireplaces,
all with porches or patios and bird feeders, and, pleasantly, no TV. Ranch
facilities include outdoor and indoor pools, children's outdoor wading pool,
tennis courts, whirlpool, sauna, exercise room, nature center, group meeting
rooms and Arizona's largest riding stable.
There are over 120 trained horses at the ranch. Morning and afternoon rides are offered daily divided into slow, scenic rides and advanced loping rides. The scenic ride is a walking ride and the loping ride is a combination of walking, trotting, and cantering. Beginning, intermediate and loping instruction is also offered as well as a two-part "Horse Sense" program that features a talk on horse psychology and live demonstrations. The instruction was excellent and we all left as better riders with a much greater understanding of horses.
All riders who want to join the loping ride, regardless of previous riding experience, must pass a lope check given by the wranglers. So began the challenge for my husband and a group of other experienced riders. While they had hoped for a stress-free vacation, passing the lope check proved to be much more difficult than they anticipated. The wranglers were tough and some seemed to revel in failing all the Easterners who thought they were cowboys. Lope checks were offered every morning and afternoon and it took the group four attempts until they were finally approved. While this was potentially a frustrating experience, the struggling lopers became a tight group who shared a great sense of humor and many riding adventures.
Miles of riding and hiking trails wind through the ranch's 640 acres and adjacent National Park. The horses are capable of steep climbs to majestic overlooks. Loping rides journey off the narrow desert trails into river beds and forests. The caution exercised by the wranglers on the lope check was not unfounded as the horses are spirited and responsive and the trails challenging. Riders can request a favorite horse if available. During peak times, the ranch does not guarantee a horse for every rider. Horses are then assigned first-come first-served.
The ranch also offers many non-riding activities including tennis lessons, tennis tournaments and mixers, guided mountain hikes, exercise hikes, trail biking, nature walks and programs, catch and release fishing, and art workshops. Upon check-in, guests receive a schedule of activities for the week.
A supervised children's program runs 8am-3:30pm and 6-8:15pm daily for ages 4-11. Summer hours are 7am-3pm with no evening program. Children are divided into Buckaroos for ages 4-6 and Wranglers for ages 7-11. Twelve-year-olds have the option of participating in the children's program or in adult lessons and rides. Buckaroo Kids have basic riding lessons in the morning and afternoon in the children's arena. Depending on the level and ability of the child, parents may be asked to assist their children during scheduled corral riding times. Since it was our 4-year-old's first experience on a horse, I walked next to her the first day, but after that, she was happy to be on her own.
Wrangler Kids have a more active riding program with daily riding lessons as well as basic and advanced rides. Children cannot go on adult rides, but parents are welcome to ride with their children. Children are not given lope tests, but may be advanced into loping lessons by the counselors. In addition to riding, the children's program offers arts and crafts, tennis lessons, summer swimming activities, games, fishing, treasure hunts and nature programs. Our 11-year-old's mission of spotting reptiles of any kind was fulfilled when he found two rattlesnakes, many lizards, horned toads and gila monsters on the trail.
The food at the ranch was delicious and abundant. Breakfast consists of a buffet of juices, fruits, yogurts, breads and cereals plus standard breakfast items ordered from a menu. Lunch is always a buffet with choice of four entrees, usually a beef, chicken, vegetarian and fish dish, fresh vegetables, soup, extensive salad bar and dessert table. The extravagant lunch is popular with Tucson residents. For dinner, the chef prepares four entrees and restaurant service is provided. An outdoor barbecue, breakfast ride and Mexican Fiesta buffet is scheduled weekly. Guests share large tables in the dining room which made meals especially enjoyable and enhanced the ranch's warm, friendly environment. Every evening after dinner, a family nature program or other event is scheduled.
A children's dining room, next to the main dining room, is supervised by a counselor for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Movies are shown and a children's menu is offered at dinner. The first night we arrived the children's room was empty, but after a day of camp, our children were eager to leave us and join their new friends in their own dining room.
Rates at Tanque Verde Ranch are all inclusive. They range from $260-$435 per day double and include meals, riding, tennis, and all ranch activities.
For more guest ranches, consult the Arizona Dude Ranch Association, www.coloradoranch.com or www.duderanch.org.
-June 2001
Smugglers' Notch offers year 'round family fun
It would be difficult to find a resort
more dedicated to families than Smugglers'
Notch in Vermont. In fact, if you are single or without children,
the number of children occupying the village at times might even start to
annoy you. (Better to visit when school is in session.) For our family,
however, two adults and an eleven and four-year-old, Smugglers' Notch handily
earned its title of "#1 Family Ski Resort."
The resort, situated in the Green Mountains just north of Stowe Ski Area, is a seven hour drive from northern New Jersey. Smugglers' Notch Pass, a four-mile stretch of road that conveniently connects Stowe and Smugglers' Notch Resort, is closed from mid-October through May because the narrow, winding road is too difficult to maintain. In winter, access to the resort is via Route 15 to 108 South, adding an additional thirty minutes to the trip.
Smugglers' Notch Resort is a village unto itself, nestled at the base of three mountains that comprise the ski area. Accommodations range from studio condominiums to five-bedroom townhouses. All have kitchens, living and dining rooms. Many have fireplaces, balconies, and scenic mountain or woodland views. You can walk to the village core and all activities from most lodgings. Many accommodations are slopeside offering ski-in and ski-out capabilities. A shuttle service also operates continuously every day.
All dining in the village is casual and, of course, family-friendly. The resort has two full-service restaurants, a pizzeria, an ice cream shop with deli and small, country grocery store. The Hearth and Candle Restaurant, a privately operated finer dining establishment, offers an adults-only dining room. There are other restaurants down the valley and in Jeffersonville, five miles away. Kitchens in all accommodations are also fully stocked with dishes, pots and pans and utensils for meals at home.
We were surprised to find that the ski area, while offering plenty of gentle slopes and groomed cruisers, also offers some of the most challenging terrain in the east. With a 2,610-foot vertical rise, nine lifts and sixty-seven trails, 22% of the terrain is easier, 53% more difficult, 19% most difficult and 6% for experts only. There are some beautiful glades, serious bump runs, and a gnarly triple black diamond. For a unique adventure, Snuffy's Trail at the top of the Sterling Mountain lift connects Smugglers' Notch Ski Area to Stowe. After a short traverse across a frozen pond, skiers and snowboarders can ski an intermediate trail down to Stowe's Spruce Peak.
Ski and snowboard programs are offered for adults and children starting at age 3 (children must be out of diapers). Children are grouped in camps by age and ability. Our 11-year old started out as an advanced beginner in need of some formal lessons. He had an excellent instructor who played lots of games on the mountain and whose enthusiasm was contagious. After 2 1/2 days, Brad was anxious to take us all down the mogul run he had mastered with confidence. His skiing had improved tremendously.
This was the first time on skis for our 4-year old, Kate. She eagerly packed her backpack for camp each day and by her third day, we watched as she confidently negotiated the bunny hill, stopping, starting and turning on command.
Children in camp go out to ski in the morning and afternoon. Parents are welcome to pick up their children between 2:15 and 2:45 if they would like to ski together for the rest of the afternoon or children can remain in camp until 4pm. After 2:15, a movie, live show or other entertainment is provided.
Other instruction programs include group and private alpine ski, telemark, snow blade and snowboard lessons for adults; group and private instruction for children; Mom & Me and Dad & Me private lessons on skis or snowboards; cross-country and snowshoe lessons; and a night school for boarding.
Smugglers' Notch has developed many programs for teens and has adapted the mountain for snowboarders. The ski area has two terrain parks and a 400-foot half pipe with lift service and music. Ski and snowboard fun sessions and lessons are offered daily for ages 15-17. A teen center is open for 13-18 year-olds only from 5pm-midnight nightly.
For babies six-weeks and up and non-skiers, care is provided at Alice's Wonderland, a fully certified child care center. The well-equipped facility includes separate rooms and playgrounds for three age ranges and a supervised crib room. On Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday evenings, Alice's hosts Parents' Night Out, an optional program for ages 3-12 from 6-10pm. Reservations are required at the child care center. Programs are available on a space-available basis. Alice's will also help arrange private babysitting in the evenings in your condo.
After skiing, families can choose from many activities-- tubing, ice skating, bonfires, and swimming. The kids will, no doubt, want to visit the new Fun Zone, formerly an indoor tennis center, now a huge indoor playland with a 22-foot double inflatable slide, a 45-foot obstacle course, a bouncy house, kid climbing wall, crawl-through whale, basketball hoop, miniature golf, and loud music.
For non-skiers, the resort offers a series of art workshops, sightseeing trips, fly tying workshops and ice fishing trips.
Summer at Smugglers' Notch is an entirely different experience, but an equally beautiful time to visit the mountains. The resort is transformed into a giant family playground with eight heated pools, three children's pools, three waterslides, twelve tennis courts, and a ten-acre lake for swimming, fishing, boating, and picnicking. Mountain bikes are fun on the cross-country ski trails and also on a paved trail from Stowe Ski Area to the town of Stowe.
Activities intensify in the summer with kids' camp plus many optional programs to choose from. Daily canoe and fishing trips, golf instruction, tennis school, hikes and walks, and children's special interest programs are offered. For adults who hate to miss out on the camp experience, Big Kids' Camp is offered for ages 18 and up and includes mountain hikes, walk-hikes, interpretive nature walks, and scheduled games and activities at the pool and around the village. This year, the Resort is adding a new program in response to families' requests for more time together. Instead of day camp on Wednesday, the resort will offer a Peak of the Week Festival for the entire family. The day begins with a breakfast buffet, followed by scavenger hunts, guided nature walks, and afternoon games, crafts, and entertainment on the Village Green.
FamilyFest packages are the best value for families with children ages 3-14. In winter, the package includes lodging, full-day children's camp, and ski or snowboard equipment rental. In summer, FamilyFest packages include lodging, unlimited use of pools, waterslides, hot tubbing, evening entertainment for families and adults, and full-day camp programs for ages 3 to adult. Significant discounts are offered during June and off-season as well as for early booking. Smugglers' Notch is so confident in the quality of their programs, they offer a Family Fun Guarantee and will refund the program portion of any family member who participates in one of their programs and doesn't have fun.
-June 2001
Summaries of some of our favorites from previously featured destinations:
Cape Cod has long been a favorite destination for New England families.
Its gentle lapping bay waters, vast marsh lands and misty harbors soothe
the spirit. It is easy to see why people who come to know the Cape develop
such a strong connection to it, especially during the serene days outside
of peak season. Described as an arm, the cape is divided into the upper
arm, or upper cape, encompassing Barnstable, Hyannis, Yarmouth and other
towns closest to the mainland; the elbow where the pristine village of Chatham
is located; and the lower cape made up of Eastham, Wellfleet, and Truro
with Provincetown at the fist. While there are two bridges that cross Cape
Cod Canal onto the Cape, there is only one major highway (Highway 6) that
traverses the peninsula. Two smaller two-lane highways traverse the Cape
north and south, each area possessing a clearly distinct personality. Route
6A to the north was originally a stagecoach route and is now a two-lane
road that winds through small towns steeped in history and classic New England
architecture. This north side is the "quiet side of the Cape"
with grand homes of former sea captains, antique shops, art galleries, and
inns. If you travel the roads just off the highway, you will discover small
cottages, sleepy harbors and quiet beaches. Route 28 on the south side contains
the commercial areas and malls as well as the golf centers, water parks
and entertainment centers that kids love. Families will find accommodations
on the Cape to suit any size and preference. They include historic inns,
bed and breakfasts, resorts, motor lodges, houses, cottages and bungelos.
Water is the theme of a Cape Cod vacation.
From swimming to beachcombing, clamming to fishing, outdoor activities fill
the day. The Cape Cod National Seashore
extends 40 miles from Chatham to Provincetown. The Coast Guard Beach there
is consistently ranked as one of the ten best beaches in the United States.
The coastline stretches unspoiled for miles along the Atlantic. Visitors
Centers in Eastham and Provincetown have orientation movies, exhibits, and
information services. Ranger-led expeditions, hikes, history programs, and
family programs are held throughout the year.
The Cape offers at least five major
cycling trails and dozens of lesser trails to enjoy. Bicycle rentals are
available near trail access points. The Cape Cod Rail Trail, a former Penn-Central
right-of-way, travels for 25 miles from Wellfleet on the lower Cape to Dennis
mid-Cape.
Whale watching is a major Cape Cod industry
with fierce competition among fleets. Stellwagen Bank, an underwater plateau
of sand and gravel located a few miles from the tip of Cape Cod, provides
an outstanding habitat for sea life and plankton and attracts large numbers
of fish, humpback whales, fin whales, right whales and minke whales. Excursions
depart from Plymouth, Barnstable and Provincetown Harbors. Provincetown
is the closest port to Stellwagen Bank. Dolphin
Fleet of Provincetown is operated by the Center
for Coastal Studies, a private, non-profit organization started
in 1976 by scientists and citizens whose goal is education, research and
conservation of whales, seabirds and coastal ecosystems. They are also authorized
by the National Marine Fisheries Service to assist whales entangled in fishing
gear at sea. On a fall sunset cruise, we saw dozens of humpback and minke
whales and were awestruck to see a humpback breach.

Notable websites to help plan your trip
ACCOMMODATIONS WORLDWIDE
As an alternative to hotel stays, Homeaway.com features more than 95,000 vacation rental properties across 100 countries, ranging from traditional condos, homes and villas to the more exotic cabooses, teepees, castles and yurts. Search "special offers" for travel deals.
Families can find an affordable and personal vacation experience by browsing
this online directory representing 27,000 B&Bs worldwide.
www.bedandbreakfast.com
Elderhostel , a non-profit educational travel organization started at the University of New Hampshire in1975, provides low-cost vacation opportunities for ages 55 and over in the U.S. and over 90 countries. Grandparent programs are open to grandparents and their grandchildren (suggested age 8-12, one child per adult). 877-426-8056
Access Caribbean Hotel Association's website at www.caribbeanhotels.org for special values.
Elite Island Resorts, a collection of resorts on Antigua, St. Lucia,
Tortola and Palm Island in the Grenadines, offer special values under
Hot Deals on their website. 800-858-4618
www.eliteislandresorts.com
For villa rentals and distinctive hotels in the Caribbean, Europe,
Hawaii and Mexico, 800-449-1553
www.wimco.com.
More private villas in Caribbean island destinations can be seen at www.passportvillas.com. Each
villa features 2 to 8 bedrooms, luxury living quarters, pool and staff according
to your vacation desires.
The Montreal-based company, Caribbean Way, offers villa rentals for travelers
that encompass entire private islands and personalized concierge services.
www.caribbeanway.com, 877-953-7400
Planning a ski vacation? For info and packages, visit www.SkiTown.com, www.mountaindestination.com.
Moguls Mountain Travel has packaged participating airline and resort information on their website at www.moguls.com under "Vacation Deals" or call 800-666-4857.
Discounted pre-packaged vacation deals for the Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York are continuously updated on adirondacks.org, LakePlacid.com, HotNewYorkDeals.com. Getaway packages for the Lake George area in the Adirondacks are available at www.visit lakegeorge.com.
For information about whitewater rafting nationwide, Canada and South America, visit www.raftingamerica.com
Big Five Tours & Expeditions promotes several soft adventure
programs tailored specifically for family travel. They include Family Retreat
Safari (Kenya), Family Outing in Africa (Kenya), Family Fun in the Tropics
(Costa Rica), Best of Japan and Galapagos Islands Discovery (Ecuador). The
Galapagos Islands tour offers 13 family departures a year to coincide with
school vacation periods and offers additional activities for children, minimum
age 7.
800-BIG-FIVE
www.bigfive.com
African Travel Inc., based in Glendale, Calif., have been operating
African safaris for 28 years and offer several family-oriented safaris to
South Africa.
800-421-8907.
www.africantravelinc.com
Asia Transpacific Journeys has been crafting private custom journeys
and small group trips to the Asia/Pacific region since 1987 with special
family trips offered during school holidays.
800-642-2742
www.asiatranspacific.com
Copyright 2009 Kids' Guide. All rights reserved. Reproduction
prohibited without written permission of publisher.
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