Great Summer Vacations for Time Consumed Families

With the kids getting out of school over the next month, now is the traditional time many families would  traditionally be finalizing their summer trips.  But with hectic work schedules, youth travel teams, computer camps, and a myriad of other activities; their summer has become the busiest time of the year for both parents and their kids.  It has become more difficult for us to find the time to just get away from it all and pack up the car and head out for a traditional family vacation.  If you still want to take summer vacation with your family, but schedule is up in the air or you thing you will not find a decent flight or hotel to stay in for a last-minute vacation; here are some great options for a fantastic summer vacation that is flexible, and available for last-minute getaways.

Colonial Willamsburg
More than a museum, more than a town, Colonial Williamsburg is the largest living-history museum in the U.S.  The 300-acre historic area in the heart of Williamsburg, Virginia, requires a ticket to enter.  But once inside, you can visit the historic buildings ans see a number of daily recreations.  For the kids, that includes playing the "spy" game RevQuest, building bricks, trying out historic games, or training with the militia.  Parents hope their kids have fun and learn things.  Colonial Williamsburg is the place for both.

Smithsonian Institution
Established in 1846, the Smithsonian Institution, in Washington, DC is the standard by which all other museums in the country are measured.  In fact, it used to be known as the United States National Museum.  With over 137 million items, the Smithsonian includes 19 museums and galleries and the National Zoological Park.  The main campus is situated right on the Mall in our nation's capital, and admission is free.  But know in advance what you might want to see - history, air and space, portraits - or the kids could easily get overwhelmed.

San Diego Zoo
San Diego is a popular spot for a family trip, with its warm weather and sunny beaches.  There's no place more families head to than the massive San Diego Zoo.  The zoo houses more than 3700 animals of 650 species.  While many animals are more active in the morning, you'll want to stay all day to get the full zoo experience.

Yosemite National Park
Almost 4 million people make the trip every year to Yosemite, in the middle of California.  The vast majority of those people spend their whole trip in Yosemite Valley, where there is park lodging, a visitors' center, and popular day hikes,  If you want to travel out of the gorgeous valley, there are thousands of miles of wilderness to explore.  For a family wilderness vacation, nothing beats Yosemite.

Myrtle Beach
If you want a dreamy beach vacation, you haven't missed the boat!  Myrtle Beach's miles of sand. wildly popular boardwalk, charter fishing expeditions, and Ripley's Aquarium will keep you busy while the sun shines, and its world-class eateries roll out an irresistible southern-style welcome.

Chicago
A major American city that is as affordable as it is friendly.  Chicago welcomes families from around the world with its second-to-none theater, improv comedy clubs, unparalleled Art Institute museum, blues venues like the House of Blues, and its rollicking Navy Pier along Lake Michigan.  And its a great time to take the kids for a day game at Rigley Field.

Atlantis Resort
If you want a family resort, nothing can beat the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island in the Bahamas.  Atlantis is a massive resort and water park that has kept adding towers and attractions since it opened in 1997.  It's most popular attraction is Aquaventure, a 141-acre water park.  Aquaventure's most popular ride, the Current, is a mile long and includes fake waves, tides, and rapids.  The resort also houses a lagoon and a number of aquariums.  Oh, and there are some regular beaches too.