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Everybody
with kids in school knows how important summer vacation
is for spending quality time together. Pick the right vacation
that will allow you to bond with your kids, explore new places
and perhaps even relax. Family
vacation ideas in this article include short adventure
trips, ranch vacations, city getaways and beach resorts.
Family Dude Ranch Vacations
Dude ranches in the United States and Canada
offer many programs that your children can enjoy. There is horseback
riding, river rafting, fishing, swimming and wildlife watching.
If you have time to spend a full week on a dude ranch, your family
can develop lasting relationships with other ranch guests and
ranch owners. In the evenings, join a cook-out while your kids
roast marshmallows over a campfire.
There are numerous ranches to choose from based on vacation activities
and prices. You can find information about western ranches at
the Dude Ranchers' Association web site at www.duderanch.org.
This association only accepts ranches that pass its two year screening
process. On their web site, you can look up ranches by state,
read about activities offered at each ranch and compare prices.
You can order a free dude ranch directory by calling 307-587-2339.
Another web site you can use is www.ranchweb.com.
This web site lists ranches in the United States and Canada.
It lets you find ranches that offer kid's programs, luxury accommodations,
golf, fishing
and other activities.
Whale
Watching
Some of the best summer whale watching destinations are: Cape
Cod, California
Coast, Baja California and Vancouver
Island. Many tour operators offer boat tours that last several
hours during which you will have a chance to spot whales. Choose
a boat tour that provides a whale specialist to tell you more
about whales and answer your questions.
Visiting
National Parks, Recreation Areas and Historic Sites
Whether you like camping or day trips, take a look at the National
Park Service web site to find parks near you. The web site
lets you search for parks by activity interests and location.
You can also browse interactive maps of all U.S. states, view
photo galleries of individual parks and find detailed information
about getting there.  For
family vacationers, it usually makes sense to purchase a National
Parks Pass for $50. The pass will admit you and any accompanying
passengers in a private vehicle. You can call 888-GO-PARKS or
order the Pass online at the National Park Service web site.
Resort Vacations - Hawaii
A Hawaiian islands vacation can be relaxing for parents and fun
for kids. Kids can swim, hike, snorkel, or join an arts and crafts
program at a resort. In the evenings, put your kids to bed and
have a romantic dinner overlooking the ocean. Hawaii
has an abundance of vacation resorts that cater to families.
Summer is low season in Hawaii.
Although airplane ticket prices remain high this summer due to
fewer flights to the islands, you can expect to find a few accommodation
deals. The following beach resorts offer programs for kids: Mauna
Kea Beach Hotel, Grand
Wailea Resort Hotel and Spa, Kona
Village Resort and Hilton
Waikoloa Village.
City Vacations
According to the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA),
travelers’ interest in visiting large cities is down 4%
from last summer. This means that you should be able to find better
hotel rates and fewer crowds. Large cities like New
York City or Washington DC offer many museums, theater
performances and famous sites. In New York, see a Broadway show,
visit the Zoo in Central Park and tour the Natural History Museum.
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