{"id":414,"date":"2008-04-23T13:35:36","date_gmt":"2008-04-23T18:35:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2008\/04\/cool-summer-vacation-spots-for-families\/"},"modified":"2017-03-15T16:02:25","modified_gmt":"2017-03-15T21:02:25","slug":"cool-summer-vacation-spots-for-families","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2008\/04\/cool-summer-vacation-spots-for-families\/","title":{"rendered":"Cool summer vacation spots for families"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Steamboatkidsclub\"<\/a>
\nBy Drew Miller<\/em><\/p>\n

There are so many fantastic family travel<\/a><\/strong> destinations in the U.S. to cool off when the heat starts to get you down. Here are a couple of my favorites:<\/p>\n

Steamboat Springs, Colorado<\/a><\/strong> — For a great Western town with low off-season prices, you can’t beat Steamboat Springs. A ski town with a huge lodging base, Steamboat is a bargain in the summer, when the mountains and grasslands of the Yampa Valley shine emerald green. There is a family vibe in Steamboat and plenty to keep everyone busy. It’s a real ranching town, so it’s probably one of the best places to teach yourkids (and maybe yourself!) to ride horses. Steamboat also offers excellent single-track mountain biking<\/strong>. The Gondola will take you to the top of the top of the mountain and you can ride back down, if you’re lazy like me! Steamboat also has a great program called Kids Adventure Club<\/strong>, which allows kids from 3-12 to enjoy each other’s company and age-appropriate activities in a safe and fun environment if you need a little parent time.<\/p>\n

You can fly into Hayden<\/strong> and make the short drive by rental car<\/strong><\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/strong> to “Ski-town USA” or fly into Denver<\/strong><\/a> and enjoy a breathtaking 3-hour drive. There are lots of family-friendly condominiums — many of which are luxurious enough to make you want to move in permanently — and everyone in the family will enjoy the extra space!<\/p>\n

\"Zipriderparkcity\"<\/a><\/em>Park City, Utah<\/strong> — For tons of activities that will thrill grade-schoolers though high-schoolers check out Park City. Fly into Salt Lake City<\/strong><\/a> and after less than an hour’s drive, you’ll be nestled in-between 3 world class mountain resorts. Park City Mountain Resort<\/strong> has cornered the market on thrill attractions. Among their summer offerings are a zip-line adventure (flying through the air tethered to a small wire), an Alpine Slide<\/strong> (think bobsled, but on wheels) and an Alpine Coaster<\/strong> (like a roller coaster on a track).\u00a0 Nearby Deer Valley<\/strong> delights with its free concert series where gourmet picnic baskets are available if you pre-order. They also have a great kids’ day program called Summer Adventure Camp<\/strong>. Last but not least, The Canyons<\/strong> offers many classic mountain activities like hiking, biking, fly-fishing, river rafting and disc golf. For the experience of a lifetime, consider booking a hot-air balloon trip.\u00a0 The early morning will be one you’ll never forget!<\/p>\n

Where am I heading to cool off this year?<\/p>\n

We’re heading up to Maine, to Bar Harbor<\/strong> and Acadia National Park<\/strong>. We can’t wait to spend a few days in the beauty of the Northeast. We’ll go sailing, take a sea-kayak tour and spend lots of time hiking and riding horses among the secluded trails of Acadia. And we really can’t wait to enjoy the quaint town of Bar Harbor … and eat lobster.<\/p>\n

Have a great summer!<\/p>\n

Related Orbitz resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n