The Southwest
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, plus plain old fun like whitewater rafting, skiing, and hot-air balloons. For family resorts, check one in AZ 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.).
- See vacation ideas for the Southwest US
Midwest US
Wisconsin Dells is the world's top place 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.)
- See vacation ideas for the Midwest
Rocky Mountain States
Find ideas below for Colorado, Idaho, Utah, Montana, and Wyoming. (For other Rocky Mountain states, AZ, NM, NV, see "Southwest US" above.) Skiing, of course, is a top draw especially in Colorado and Utah. Other ideas include: dude ranches, whitewater rafting, Yellowstone National Park, summer fun at ski resorts (such as 3000-foot Alpine Slide), and a top spot for the Great Outdoors, the YMCA of the Rockies, in CO.
- See vacation ideas for the Rocky Mountain States
- continue to Family Vacation Ideas - California
