Looking for summer fun and family bonding? With a little adventurous spirit (and some logistical help from us), you can stage a getaway that’s truly memorable. Take a look at the possibilities (way beyond Disney)….
Plan a haycation. Farmstays, where you move onto an actual working farm and pitch in with the chores, are growing in popularity. The website SleepInTheHay.com lists 80 opportunities in 27 states. It’s not only affordable but also a good learning experience for the kids—you’ll get to help with things like milking a cow and growing vegetables. Just remember that roosters crow at dawn.
Try aerobic training. Traveling by train is cheaper and less stressful than flying, plus the scenery along many routes will get your heart pumping. Amtrak has service between many U.S. cities, but there are also vintage trains and luxury liners that are destinations in themselves. Peruse the possibilities at VacationsByRail.com.
Use your passport. A National Parks Passport, that is! Kids can stamp each site you visit in this clever booklet—whether you want to hike spectacular trails of Zion National Park in Utah or learn about the Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania. With nearly 400 parks in the system, the options are endless. And many will give you a good workout with hiking, walking, or bicycling. Check out nps.gov to get started. And for a great deal, consider getting a National Park pass for the year, which will let you into all the parks for the price of the pass ($80).
Go to camp. Don’t let your kids have all the fun—adults can go back to summer camp too, by attending an intergenerational camp for families. The YMCA is a big sponsor of these sorts of camps in states including Pennsylvania, Colorado, and New York, though private camps exist, too. To find a camp in a particular state, check out kidscamps.com/family_camps/family_camps.html.
Search for gems. What other family activity holds out the possibility of striking it rich? Believe it or not, there are mines across the country where you and the kids can go and look for treasures. Arkansas and North Carolina are standout locations, but Googling “gem mining” will turn up other locations as well.
Take a lighthouse challenge. If your family likes to be on the move, consider spending a weekend going from one lighthouse to another. These lighthouse challenges are organized by local groups in locations including New Jersey, Maryland, and Martha’s Vineyard. If you’d rather stay in a lighthouse than see several in a swoop, check in with the U.S. Lighthouse Society (uslhs.org)—some lighthouses offer overnight accommodations. Way better than the Budget Inn!
Dress Up a Plain Suit
