The Eco-Vacation
Montana
The wilds of Montana are the perfect place to get up close
and personal with nature.
As part of a program run by the Bob Marshall Wilderness
Foundation, families can go on day- or week-long backpacking trips and help
maintain the trails and restore campsites (thebmwf.org). Or, take an
old-fashioned rail tour and enjoy rolling through breathtaking landscapes in
the Rockies and Great Plains—try the Charlie Russell Chew Choo, a three-hour
narrated scenic train ride (montanacharlierussellchewchoo.com).
Costa Rica
With its pristine
beaches and tropical rainforests, Costa Rica has long been a favorite destination
of nature lovers. There are plenty of ways for families to enjoy the scenery,
from rainforest canopy tours to whitewater rafting to horseback riding through
a national park. Be sure to visit Tortuguero National Park, known for the sea
turtle nesting that takes place there every year. As for where to stay, the The
Si Como No Resort Spa
and Wildlife Refuge offers a family
pool with a waterslide and a private wildlife refuge with a butterfly
botanical garden and crocodile lagoon. Kids under six are free (sicomono.com)!
South Africa
Go on a South African wildlife safari and meet lions and
wildebeests. At the world-renowned Kruger National Park, families can see rhinos, leopards, buffalos,
African wild dogs, and learn about bush craft, animal tracking and game capture
(krugerpark.co.za). For lodging, check out the Honeyguide Khoka Moya Camp,
which offers a children’s program that lets kids to go on their own game drives
and ranger-led walks (honeyguidecamp.com).
—
Amanda Ferris
The Great American Experience
Vacation
The Grand Canyon, AZ
The
famous Grand Canyon Park hosts free ranger-led programs
throughout the year, plus campfire programs and nature talks for children. Plan
a family hike, stop by the Yavapai Observation Station and visit the Tusayan
Museum to see how the Pueblo Native American tribe lived some 800 years ago. The
nearby Grand Hotel has an indoor pool, a restaurant and saloon and nightly entertainment (grandcanyongrandhotel.com).
Walt
Disney World, Orlando, FL
What kid doesn’t dream of going to Walt Disney World and
meeting all their favorite characters? Visit Cinderella’s castle, get spooked
by the ghosts of the Haunted Mansion and roar with the wildlife in the Animal
Kingdom. Harry Potter fans will insist on a trip to nearby Universal Studios,
which recently opened The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Choose from one of
Disney’s resorts, or opt for one of the many lodging options offered throughout
the Orlando area; visit orlandoinfo.com to learn more.
— Amanda
Ferris
The ‘City To See’ Vacation
Philadelphia, PA
Not
only does Philadelphia have museums and restaurants and great city walks, but
it has a bunch of “must” visits for families, including the Franklin Institute
Science Museum, where you can take a stroll through the famous Giant Heart or
take the Sports Challenge (a virtual reality that uses visitors’ own bodies to
teach physics concepts; and the Please Touch Museum, which is chock full of
exhibits perfect for kids ages 1-6, like Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. And
then there’s all that history to be had at places like the Liberty Bell and
Independence Hall. For more info, visit gophila.com.
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta truly offers something for every member of the
family. Coca-Cola is one of Atlanta’s claims to fame, and the World of Coca-Cola
traces the beverage’s history and lets visitors sample Coca-Cola beverages from
around the world. News hounds will flip for the Inside CNN Studio Tour. Little
ones will love the storytime at The Wren’s Nest, which preserves the legacy of
author Joel Chandler Harris and African-American folklore. And don’t forget to
pay a visit to the Georgia Aquarium—it’s the largest in the world and features
a glass tunnel with whale sharks swimming overhead! For more info, visit atlanta.net.
Chicago, IL
In addition to a stunning skyline and shopping that rivals
New York City, Chicago features some the world’s premiere museums. Marvel at
Sue the T. Rex at The Field Museum, catch the spirit of human enterprise at the
Museum of Science and Industry, experience the Touch Gallery at The Art
Institute of Chicago and gawk at constellations from inside the Adler
Planetarium. Spectacular views of the city (and neighboring states!) from 1,000
feet are an elevator-ride away at the John Hancock Observatory; starting
January 1, visitors to the Observatory can skate on the world’s highest ice
rink! For more info, visit explorechicago.org.
— Rachael Horowitz
The Education
Vacation
Colonial
Williamsburg, VA
Headed back in time to Colonial Williamsburg? In addition
to all the famous reenactments, the nation’s largest living history museum lets
kids don period costumes, apprentice themselves to a local blacksmith, printer
or tailor and even get dirty making bricks the old-fashioned way. For a place to
stay, try the Williamsburg Lodge, an artfully restored hotel that oozes
Southern hospitality. For more info, visit history.org.
Rome, Italy
With an incomparable array of beautiful and historic
monuments and attractions—from the Pantheon to the Colosseum to the Spanish
Steps and the Piazza Navona—Rome is a perfect destination for families with
kids who are a bit older (and not averse to walking). Explore the Vatican, the
Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica; throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain;
take a walk through the Villa Borghese and Pincio Gardens; and eat gelato!
Located near the Via Veneto, the Westin Excelsior is one of the few hotels in
Rome with a pool (it’s indoors).
— Rachael Horowitz
The ‘Really Far Away And Worth It’ Vacation
London, England
Take a trip across the pond to the most visited city in the
world: London. Take in the beautiful architecture of St. Paul’s Cathedral and
or Big Ben; ride the London Eye; and visit the Sea Life London Aquarium. The
city is teeming with cultural and popular landmarks, like the Royal
Observatory, Buckingham Palace and London Bridge. Kid-friendly museums include
the Science Museum, the V&A Museum of Childhood and the National Army
Museum, with its “KidZone.” Don’t forget to stop by Hamley’s, the most famous
toy shop in the world. For family-friendly lodgings, check out the St. James
Hotel and Club (stjamesclubandhotel.co.uk) or Premier Inn County Hall
(premierinn.com).
Beijing, China
With its wide-open green spaces, ancient attractions and
modern conveniences, Beijing is a location the whole family can enjoy. Take
trips to the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven and the Great Wall; make
stops at the Beijing Aquarium, the Fundazzle indoor playground and the Beijing
World Park, complete with miniature recreations of world landmarks. The
Five-Color Earth Craft Center will provide hours of hands-on fun, and Milu Park
will entrance the animal lovers in your family with its endangered species
sanctuary. As for where to stay, check out the RJ Brown Hotel (rjbrownhotelbeijing.cn)
or the Lee Garden Service Apartments (lgapartment.com).
Auckland, New Zealand
Once you recover from the 20-hour plane ride, you’ll rejoice
to find yourself in this sunny, cosmopolitan New Zealand city. Auckland has
more yachts per capita than any city in the world, so be sure to take a trip
out of the harbor to survey the beautiful coast. The Auckland Zoo and Kelly
Tarlton’s Underwater World are full of exotic creatures, and the Stardome
Observatory will stimulate your senses in 360. The Sky Tower sends you 1000
feet in the air to survey the views for miles around. Families will be
comfortable in the Dutchman’s Retreat in Mairangi Bay or the Bribanc Apartments.
—
Amy Spiro
