Make your travel dreams come alive. Here are five family vacation ideas to consider:
The Ozarks, Van Buren, Mo.
There is plenty to compel families in this scenic area that boasts two of America’s clearest and most beautiful spring-fed rivers: the Current River and its major tributary, the Jacks Fork River. The Ozark National Scenic Riverways is America’s first congressionally designated national park for the preservation of a wild river system. Plan to fish, float, paddle, explore caves and hike within this 80,000-acre park.
Contact: https://www.nps.gov/ozar/index.htm
Brooks Lake Lodge, Dubois, Wyo.
Sample a dose of Western hospitality at this historic guest ranch tucked deep in the wilderness. The nearly century-old, all-inclusive lakeside retreat boasts a full roster of activities in every season. Summer travelers can opt for horseback riding, hiking, canoeing, archery and fishing. When the temperatures dip, look forward to snowmobiling, snowshoeing, sledding and ice fishing. Choose from lodge rooms or cabins, each adorned with authentic rustic touches. Revel in the blanket of stars from the warmth of the outdoor hot tub.
Contact: www.BrooksLake.com
The Whiteface Lodge, Lake Placid, N.Y.
Relax in luxury amid the Adirondack wilderness. Check in and allow the lodge concierge to help you and your clan mix hiking, fly fishing, canoeing, tennis, pickleball and rock climbing into your holiday. Splash in the pools, bowl, play platform tennis or enjoy the spa. After sunset, a fine dining experience awaits the parents while the youth crew enjoys a pizza dinner as well as themed activities. End the evening roasting marshmallows with your family around the campfire.
Contact: www.thewhitefacelodge.com
Boston, Mass.
If you are ready for an urban adventure, splash into town aboard a history-filled, narrated Boston Duck Tour. Take the sports fans in your crew to Fenway Park for old-timey baseball stories. Visit the Franklin Park Zoo and stroll through Boston Common, a 40-acre green space that once served as a cow pasture for local residents. Spend time on the historic Freedom Trail, where you can tour Paul Revere’s home as well as other landmarks.
Contact: www.bostonusa.com
Grand View Lodge, Brainerd, Minn.
A four-season family favorite, this historic resort on Gull Lake is a place to make memories. Choose from a range of water sports, including banana boat rides, paddle boarding and kayaking. Tee it up on one of two championship golf courses, test the clan’s competitive instincts with lawn games or simply relax on a sandy beach. Stay in the lodge, a cabin or garden cottage.
Contact: www.grandviewlodge.com
