Summer Vacation: California, Southwest, Alaska
8. Yosemite National Park, California
840 miles of hiking trails, unique wildlife, scenic Yosemite Falls-- no wonder Yosemite is a popular Park. Lodgings range from camping to The Ahwahnee Hotel, a Registered National Landmark. A favorite for families is
"Housekeeping Camp": camping without the hassle of setting up a tent, at a cost of about $70 per night. Units have three concrete walls, curtained doorway, canvas roof, covered patio, bunks and double bed. Also,
Curry Village tent cabins at similar rates have canvas walls, wood floors, electricity, screened windows, beds and linens. Curry Village has an outdoor amphitheater, pool, raft and bike rentals.
Other summer vacation fun at Yosemite: swim in the Merced River; pet the mules at the Yosemite Stables, explore the Ahwahnee Indian Village; take a free class at Yosemite's Art Activity Center; time-travel at the Pioneer History Center in Wawona; visit the Happy Isles Nature Center; see the Giant Sequoias at Mariposa Grove. Also: the National Parks Service offers several free or low-cost interpretive programs tailored for families.
9. Utah: Bryce Canyon National Park
Have a look at the otherworldly beauty of the "hoodoos" in these photos at About's web site for Western US for Visitors. At Bryce Canyon National Park, erosion has shaped stone into thousands of amazing shapes. Click above for info on lodging, dining, and saving money. Bryce Canyon offers auto touring, hiking, horseback riding, nature walks, stargazing, interpretive programs...
See the National Parks site for details about these activities, and be sure to click the "For Kids" section. During summer vacation months, hour-long "Just for Kids" programs are offered daily, with activities about the Park's cultural or natural history. This park also has a Junior Ranger Program: kids sign up, get a workbook, attend a ranger program, and when they've completed their activities, receive a patch and a Junior Ranger certificate.
10. Taos, New Mexico
Two hours drive north of Santa Fe, Taos New Mexico offers outdoor fun and
a unique mix of anglo-hispanic-and native cultures. Whitewater rafting, llama treks, and hot-air ballooning are available adventures. The Taos Pueblo, meanwhile, is one of the oldest in North America, and a World Heritage site. July offers the Taos Pueblo Pow-Wow, with native dancers and drummers from across the continent; visitors are welcome. Treat yourself to a stay at beautifully-decorated casitas (but even modest motels are attractively built adobe-style.)
11. Alaska Wildland Adventures: Family Safari
Raft the Kenai River, hike in Chugach National Forest, explore Kenai Fjords National Park by boat, learn about native cultures... This 6-day family adventure is offered several times over summer vacation months.
"Family Adventure" are high-end vacations with all-details handled: read more about Family Adventures .
Always check resort or tour company web sites for latest prices and details
back to p. 1, New England - Summer Vacations
lots more ideas for summer vacations
