Family vacations

Winter, spring, summer, and fall: this region has so much to offer families. Find great places in NYC with kids; family resorts with extensive kids' programs, in New York state, Vermont, and more; family-friendly classic hotels; Hershey PA; resorts with indoor waterpark; Colonial Williamsburg, in VA...

^{Photo courtesy of Smuggler's Notch.}

Caribbean vacations are hugely popular with families, not only during high season --January to April-- but year-round. All-inclusive resorts are de rigeur for many families, and dominate on some islands; but there are other choices, too. Find top resorts for families, intro to different islands, and more.

^{Photo © Teresa Plowright}

Mexico is another popular place for all-inclusive beach resorts. Popular areas include Cancun, on the Caribbean sea; the Riviera Maya south of Cancun (- a terrific area for outings, with Mayan ruins, coral reef, unique eco-theme park, caves, and more); and Los Cabos, on the west side of Mexico.

^{* photo © Teresa Plowright}

Hawaii remains a destination of legendary beauty and unique culture. Families won't find the all-inclusives of the Caribbean, but will find many resorts that welcome families with kids' programs and special activities. Many are deluxe, but value-priced options can be found as well.

^{* photo © Teresa Plowright}

Orlando, of course, is the family vacation mecca of the universe: a triumph, considering it's an inland town in a state lined with beaches (- though artificial beaches and even surfing can be found in the big "O".) Meanwhile, Florida has many family-friendly beach zones: Amelia Island, the Space Coast, Clearwater Beach... and stand-out resorts such as Disney's Vero Beach on the Treasure Coast, and Sandestin in the northwest.

^{* photo © Teresa Plowright}

Though overshadowed by uber-destination Florida, the Southeast US has vacation hotspots (such as Myrtle Beach SC), renowned beach resort areas such as Hilton Head SC, legendary resorts such as Sea Island GA, and much more. See also a history+fun tour in the South with focus on Memphis and Atlanta.

^{Photo courtesy of Sea Island Resorts.}

Wisconsin is a leader in a big family travel trend: the small town of Wisconsin Dells is tops for resorts with indoor (and outdoor) waterparks. Two leading players -- Great Wolf Lodge and the Kalahari-- have been colonizing other locations, too. Sandusky OH is now another "node" for waterpark resorts -- adding winter fun to a city that's a hotspot in summer due to Cedar Point Amusement Park (aka roller coaster paradise.)

Find ideas for Colorado, Idaho, Utah, Montana, and Wyoming. (For other Rocky Mountain states, AZ, NM, NV, see "Southwest US".) Skiing, of course, is a top draw especially in Colorado and Utah. Other vacation ideas include: dude ranches, whitewater rafting, Yellowstone National Park, summer fun at ski resorts (such as human mazes, climbing walls, and 3000-foot Alpine Slide), and a top spot for the Great Outdoors, the YMCA of the Rockies, in CO.

Big tourist draws in Arizona include the Grand Canyon, Lake Havasu (with the original London Bridge), and Lake Mead, for houseboating; AZ is good for dude ranches, too. New Mexico, meanwhile, has a unique mix of Native American, hispanic, and anglo cultures: take an "edu-cation" (i.e. vacation with some education as part of the fun.) See also, family resorts such as: a resort near Phoenix with its own waterpark; 4000 acre resort, near Austin TX; a Hyatt Regency on native land that highlights Native American culture in kids activities (plus horse-riding, golf, etc.).

^{* photo © Teresa Plowright}

California has some well-known draws for families, such as Disneyland, and the San Diego zoo; Legoland California is another great spot, a theme park designed for 2 to 12-year-olds.

^{photo courtesy of Legoland}