Family vacations are about creating great memories. When thinking about where to spend a week with the family, Disney World may pop into your mind--or maybe a cruise or an all-inclusive resort. These are all fine ideas. But if you open your mind to a different kind of experience, you could have your traditional family getaway but in very unique surroundings.
Summer Camp
Montecito Sequoia Lodge, located in the Sequoia National Forest in California, provides year-round fun for families of any size. About four and a half hours north of Los Angeles, the lodge is situated in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Here, groups can enjoy a real summer-camp experience. Adventure weeks run all summer long. Go swimming, boating and waterskiing on Lake Homavalo. At night, there are theme parties, casino night mixers and campfire sing-alongs. During the fall, winter and spring months, families can stay in nearby hotels and spend the day doing various activities together like archery, guided nature hikes, rock climbing or snow tubing.
Dude Ranch
A week at a dude ranch could be a great bargain, especially if you go during off-peak times like mid-September through to the middle of May. Though your main focus will be horseback riding, many offer an array of activities like white-water rafting, fishing and arts and crafts. About two hours northwest of Denver, Colorado, you'll find the Sundance Trail Guest Ranch. A week-long adventure there offers all the regular dude ranch pastimes, plus treasure hunts, family murder-mystery weekends and a barnyard game room with horseshoes, foosball and ping-pong.
A Natural Wonder
Have your kids seen any of the natural wonders of the world? What about you and your spouse? The Grand Canyon is a great place to spend a few days with the family. Your photos will be extraordinary. There are several hotels near the Grand Canyon National Park, as well as camping, lodging and trailer villages on park grounds. Visit Phantom Ranch, a rustic camping ground with log cabins. It is only accessible by hiking or riding mules to the canyon floor. A visit to Phantom Ranch is a two-day adventure. One of the most popular destinations in the Canyon, reservations must be made in advance. There are also more than a dozen white-water rafting outfits that accommodate all adventurers, from novice to expert. The park also has the Grand Canyon Field Institute, a family favorite. You can take photography workshops taught by experienced instructors. Guides can take the family on hikes to landmark structures like the Hopi House and explain the canyon's geological wonders.
Tags: Grand Canyon, Phantom Ranch, white-water rafting, with family
