Great Ideas for a Fall Family Vacation

Okay, maybe your job or the kids sports or band camps are keeping the family from taking a traditional family summer vacation.  But that doesn't mean you can't take a family getaway.  Just because summer is over, doesn't mean the fun is over.  There is no better time than the fall to get away for a few days or even a week to savor our kids, laugh with our spouse and just enjoy time as a family.  Here are some great Fall getaway ideas that the whole family will love and always remember.

Exercise Your Ski Legs at Mountain Resorts

Before the snow falls, mountain resorts have lots of activities and lodging bargains, making them a great choice.  Mountain bike, hike together and leave some road trip time to watch the aspen change color.

Aspen, Colorado is the place to hike, mountain bike, fly fish, golf, disc golf on the highest disc golf course in North America and indulge at a spa when hotel rates are as much as 50% off in one of the most spectacular times of the year in Aspen.  Check out the guided hikes at the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, enjoy yoga on Aspen Mountain, and enjoy some of the best food and shopping around.

This fall make Sugarbush Resort in Warren,VT part of your scenic foliage getaway.  Daily activities include golf at Sugarbush's Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed course, lunch and apres at Hogan's Pub, and hiking  along the Long Trail in the majestic Green Mountains.  Weekend and holidays through Columbus Day bring scenic lift rides on top of Dadd Peak, disc golf on two 18-hole courses and over 20 miles of lift-served mountain biking.  Kids activities include splinting and bouncing - both on the bungee trampoline and in the inflatable course.

Jackson, Wyoming is the gateway to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks and fall is an ideal time to visit - after the summer crowds are gone.  Unlike other snow resorts, Jackson is busier in the summer the the winter.  Explore Grand Teton National Park with an expert from the Teton Science Schools and see the wildlife in Yellowstone.  Go horseback riding and experience the authentic Wyoming ranching culture.  Ride the tram up at Jackson Hole snow resort and mountain bike or hike down.

Kick Back at a Island Resort

You'll find top values, warm weather, world class beaches, and fun seasonal festivals on the major Caribbean islands, and lower cost flights in the shoulder season between Labor day and Thanksgiving. The combination makes traveling to the islands a great family getaway, whether for a quick weekend or even for a week during a fall school break.

With three locations in Turks & Caicos and Jamaica, Beaches Resorts is the ultimate family getaway with waterparks, XBOX Play Lounge, the Scratch DJ Academy, exclusive Kids Camps, teen nightclubs, Certified Nannies, Butler service, and Red Lane Spas.  Beaches has been partnered with Sesame Street - little ones can spend time with their favorite friends from the Sesame Street gang with daily activities and weekly stage shows.

Take the whole family for a long weekend in Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands - no passports are required.  A little closer to home, the city of Nassau in the Bahamas is serviced from most major U.S. airports, and allows you quick access to world class Atlantis Resort, which offers something great for the entire family, and is located on Paradise Island.  For something more exotic, head for an outer island of the Bahamas and  "Two Fly Free from Nassau".

Just be mindful that Fall is also the height of the Caribbean hurricane season.  Don't let that ruin your family vacation plans. Check what kind of hurricane plan your hotel has, and look into purchasing low cost travel insurance; which will cover your costs if something did happen.

Cruise From a Home Port Near Your Home

You have some 30 ports to choose from and you can go for a long weekend or  a week, whether you want to head to Bermuda from New Jersey, up to Canada from Boston or New York, the Caribbean from Galveston or Florida or Mexico from California.  Check with your travel professional; great shoulder season deal are available and you might still be able to snare a deal for Thanksgiving or Christmas.

And whether your kids are not in school yet or you're looking for an adult getaway, opt for a cruise  on a luxury liner instead of a driving trip to see the best of the fall foliage.  With luxurious dining, accommodations, entertainment and activities in the price, it is an experience you will truly love.  Many of the major cruise lines sail special New England and Canada itineraries at this of year.  Princess Cruises offers great and really memorable 7 on the Regal Princess and 10 night itineraries on the Caribbean Princess from New York in the Fall.

Norwegian Cruise Line is a great way for a family to enjoy a cruise.  The cruise line's newest ships; the Norwegian Breakaway sailing from New York to Bermuda and the Caribbean and the Norwegian Getaway; sail year-round from Miami to the Caribbean are made for families.  Both have some of the largest water parks at sea complete with a splash zone for the littlest cruisers, huge sports complexes, Broadway productions, Nickelodeon Characters and over two dozen different dining options.

Disney Cruise Line sets the standard for family cruises.  Sailing from Galveston as well as Florida and the West Coast some at certain times during the Fall.  You'll find a nursery at sea, all the characters and princesses your kids want to see and first-rate kids and teen facilities and programming including for Halloween this year.  Plus you get the accommodations and service which Disney is known for, and everyone loves Disney's private island.

Caribbean All-Inclusives for Families

   

 If you are a couple planning your honeymoon, or just a couple who are romantic at heart,  chances are good you will discover the benefits of All-Inclusive resorts; when planning your Caribbean dream trip.  The idea of staying and playing in a tropical paradise, where all you food, beverages, entertainment and often even your other activities are included in the price of your stay; is a fast and growing trend.  Now the travel industry is expanding the all-inclusive experience, with multiple brands dedicated to families that offer dedicated resorts that cater to family members of all ages, with a special emphasis to the younger members of your family.  While these resorts focus on family activities; they also allow mom and dad to still enjoy some fantastic adult time while their children have the time of their lives.   The resort brands featured may be different, but what they have in common is allowing all members of you family, no matter what their age, to have a great vacation were all your costs are included, and you have the peace of mind of knowing up front want the total cost of your trip will be.

       The most famous family all-inclusive resort brand are the Beaches Resorts.  The three Beaches resorts, (located in the Turks & Caicos, Negril Jamaica, and Ocho Rios Jamaica), can be described as upscale quality family fun.  In addition to spectacular beach locations and free unlimited and free land and water activities; what makes Beaches so special is is the care and treatment they provide to the younger members of your family.  From climate controlled nurseries with all day accredited nannies for infants, to daily activities with characters from Sesame Street for your 3 to 4 year olds, to free snorkeling and sailing classes for your older kids; your children will have unlimited fun all day, every day.  For teens, they have their own world with beach activities, theme parties, water parks, scuba lessons, and even their own hot night club.  For mom and dad, world class golf, spas, and restaurants allow you to relax and reconnect.

       For Generations Resorts, the focus is on today's blended and extended families.  These premiere all suite, all butler, all gourmet resorts; located on the best beaches in Mexico's Riviera Maya, where designed to create the best family beach vacation for a new generation.  While your children enjoy a variety of fun and engaging supervised programs, you are free to slip away and indulge in the resorts award winning spa and resort facilities.  For the foodies, the world class "Gourmet Inclusive" dinning experiences will satisfy your every taste.  And if that is not enough, just ask you personnel butler, who are their to serve your family's needs and help make sure your vacation is everything you want it to be.

       At the Sunscape Resorts, located on the beautiful islands of Curacao and Cozumel,  the focus is on offering an "Unlimited-Fun" getaway to families. The resorts "Unlimited-Fun" experience is complete with endless dining options, unlimited international and domestic beverages, and countless daytime activities and nightly entertainment for the whole family. With their Explorer's Club for the kids and Core Zone for teens,
a number of room and suite options to meet your family requirements, and located on some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Sunscape offers some of the best value in a family all-inclusive resorts.

       The new generation of family oriented all-inclusive resorts offer many options for your family's next Caribbean getaway.  These resorts are designed to meet all of your vacation needs; for everybody in your family.  No matter what your budget or your vacation tastes; their is a fantastic Caribbean resort  that is ready to help your family relax, have fun, and reconnect.