Summer travel is a peak experience, especially for families with schoolkids who've been counting down the days to v-a-c-a-t-i-o-n time. Find many ideas below for summer travel, including affordable getaways.
Summer Travel - Ideas by Region
Photo courtesy of Smuggler's Notch, VT
For those of us with school-age kids, June, July and August offer the chance to have a longer, more leisurely family holiday. See suggestions in ten popular regions.
Summer Travel: Affordable Getaway Ideas
Photo courtesy of Salt Fort State Park Resort.
Surveys suggest that even when families need to economize, parents are determined to have a summer vacation with their kids. They just try harder to plan a one that's affordable.
Family Camps
photo courtesy of Medomak Family Camp.
Very different from family camping! Like camps for kids, but for the whole family: stay in simple lodgings, meals included, lots of fun outdoors and other activities. Some family camps get very creative: stilt-walking, gourd-painting... And for grown-ups, cheese tasting and art gallery trips.
Family Camping and Camping Resorts
My favorite things about family camping: the Great Outdoors; a low-cost getaway; bringing along the family dog; getting off the internet/wireless/tv-media grid (- though that's harder to do these days, with wider wireless service, iPhones, etc.) Meanwhile, those who don't really want to rough it can try Camping Resorts.
Summer Travel National Parks - Programs for Kids and Families
Photo © Teresa Plowright.
National Parks are awesome destinations for summer travel. Not only do you get the Great Outdoors, many Parks have special features for families, such as Junior Ranger programs for kids, free hikes with a Ranger, and multi-day family programs.
White Water River Rafting
Photo courtesy of O.A.R.S.
River rafting is exciting fun for families: great scenery from the river, plus the excitement of white water. Pick the right Class of river rafting, and even young kids can enjoy the ride. As the season progresses, the rafting gets calmer... Families can even opt out entirely from any "white water" -- most river rafting companies offer an alternative calm river float.
Dude Ranches
Photo courtesy of Tony Conboy III.
Horse-riding, the Great Outdoors, home-cooked meals; cookout under the stars; and maybe a massage and spa treatment... Dude Ranches these days range from rustic working ranches to resort-style luxuries. Many have kids' programs. Pricing typically includes meals and some activities. (Price doesn't always include horse-riding, though!)
Summer Travel: Road Trips
For many families, summer travel is defined as a road trip: load up the car or minivan, pack in the gear and snacks and kids, and pull onto the highway for a family road trip. Check out tips.
Summer Travel: Ski Resorts Take The Heat
Photo courtesy of Winter Park ski resort.
Ski resorts try hard to woo summer travelers, with jazz festivals, food festivals — and, always, plenty of fun for families. Some ski resorts run Family Adventures, with activities in the Great Outdoors (hiking, biking, wilderness challenges...) Or how about a 3030-ft. giant Alpine Slide?
Summer Travel in Europe
Summer travel means an opportunity for festivals. Photo © Teresa Plowright.
The summer travel months are when Europe's in full bloom: flower boxes bright with color, ice-cream shops doing business day and night, cafe's spilling out onto sidewalks and into squares.. Also prime season for colorful festivals.
