Five Vacation Adventures with Children

Among the cooler weather, trees changing colors and holidays approaching, you're already starting to dream of vacation next summer when the kids are finally out of school.

1. The top of every list is inevitably Disney World . This quintessential vacation spot is a great place for kids of all ages and families of all budgets. The resort itself is divided into 4 distinct parks: The Magic Kingdom, Epcot Center, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. If you have little ones, you may want to splurge on one of the monorail resorts, which will take you directly to the entrance to the Magic Kingdom. These include the Grand Floridian, the Polynesian, and the Contemporary resorts. These are all deluxe resorts. If your budget is tighter, and whose aren't these days, you may want to consider a moderate or value resort. Disney transportation between resorts and parks is quite efficient and reliable. Park tickets are tiered so that the more days you purchase, the less expensive each day is. Another option you may want to consider is one of the dining plans. Any of the 3 choices - Quick Service, Dining Plus, and Dining Deluxe - will provide you with more food than you can possibly eat (with the possible exception of your teen-aged son). Click on the link above for additional information, exact quotes for your preferences, and to book your trip.

2. If you have kids 9 years and younger, my next recommendation is Dutch Wonderland, a park built and themed specifically for little ones. Rides range from kiddie rides to rides that will help your children transition to "big-kids" parks. The Kingdom Coaster helped my daughters get over their fear of roller coasters. They knew that every ride in this park was safe for them, and once they rode this coaster, it was, "one more time" for the rest of the day. One particular aspect of this park that we appreciated was the family atmosphere. No wild teens running around screaming obscenities and cutting in line! There are plenty of options for accommodations, but I recommend The Lancaster Host Resort and Conference Center. It is literally right across the street from the park, and my family enjoyed its amenities and room tremendously.

3. My kids adore Niagara Falls. The majesty and mesmerizing power of the falls keep you coming back for more. And it doesn't hurt that there's so much to do here. On our family's list of must-do activities each trip are the Maid of the Mist boat ride and the IMAX movie. Another great activity is the Butterfly Conservatory (I was very skeptical at first, as I am not an outdoorsy person at all. But since it rained the entire time on one of our trips, we went because it was indoors). It's amazing to watch a butterfly come up and land on your finger, or an unforgettable picture of your daughter/son with one perched on top of their head. Of course there are plenty of choices for accommodations. The further away you are from the falls, the less pricey the rooms. Keep in mind that even if a hotel description says "one block from the falls", that means one block down (and back up) a very steep hill. You can walk it, but it's not very pleasant after a tiring day of sightseeing. You will want a car or at least a hotel with a shuttle to the falls. If your wallet can afford it, you won't want to miss dinner at the Skylon Tower. It is a revolving dining room that makes one complete turn each hour. Be sure to reserve your table for after dark for the best viewing of the falls lit up at night.

A caveat: Don't forget now that to travel to the Canadian side of the falls (where most of the activities are), all American citizens need passports. So plan accordingly

4. My kids are water park fanatics, and they can't wait to go to Wisconsin Dells. There are more than 20 indoor and outdoor water parks here, so regardless of the season or weather, you're guaranteed to have a good time. Noah's Ark is the world's largest outdoor water park and sure to be a hit on a hot summer's day. The Wilderness Hotel and Golf Resort has the world's largest indoor/outdoor combination water park. In case your wrinkled skin needs a break from the water, other activities abound. Golf, miniature golf, go-carts, bowling, theaters and museums are only a few.

5. Pigeon Forge in the Great Smokey Mountains of Tennessee is best known for Dollywood the amusement park built by and named after the great country singer Dolly Parton. If you are a coaster enthusiast, you won't want to miss the Thunderhead, a first-class, old-fashioned wooden coaster. You can take a virtual ride here. Some of the more unusual attractions include Adventure Mountain (coming in 2010), Timber Tower, and the Sky Zip.

Other activities in Pigeon Forge include the Dinosaur Walk Museum, the Elvis Museum, the Smoky Mountain Car Museum and WonderWorks, an upside-down interactive museum. Outlet shopping, indoor sky diving, dinner theaters, laser tag, miniature golf, horseback riding and helicopter rides are just a few of other things to do that your family is sure to enjoy.