Vacationing with Kids

Travelling with children can be both intimidating and daunting, but it can also be fun and full of memories. Here are 5 of my favorite places to take kids whether it be for a week or a weekend.

1. Orlando, Florida
Probably the best place to take kids on vacation is Orlando, Florida. The under the sea experience at Sea World to the out of this world experience at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, will keep you coming back for more. One option is the 4 parks at Walt Disney World. That is a wonderful place for kids of all ages due to the wide range of things Disney offers. Choose to stay in one of their amazing resorts for easy access to the parks as well as their buy 4 get 3 nights free offer. You can stay for as little as around $1,700.00 for a family of 4. If you enjoy sea creatures, another option is the 3 parks of Sea World. If your children dream of getting up close and personal with dolphins, they would enjoy Discovery Cove, but if you are a waterpark family, try the new Aquatica where you ride the slides through shark tanks. Sea World is offering a buy 3 get 2 free offer. Another great place to go in Orlando is Universal Studios, which is geared more to older children with their many large roller coasters, though there are some rides and attractions for the younger set. Here you can take on the Hulk roller coaster and save the world with Spider-Man. Packages are available for as low as $99.99. A short hour away from the city or Orlando is Kennedy Space Center where you can tour the Saturn V rocket facility and see them launch a space shuttle on a good day. Price per person start at $38.00/adult and $28.00/child.

2. Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Wisconsin Dells, where there is a waterpark on every corner. Okay, not quite every corner, but there is a reason why it is called "Waterpark Capital of the World". There are both outdoor waterparks for summer enjoyment and indoor waterparks for the three other seasons. Not only are there many waterparks, but there are other activities as well such as boat rides, mini golf, go karts, roller coasters, and the Ripley's Believe it or Not museum. Three of the top indoor water parks are the African themed Kalahari Resort, the backwoods themed Great Wolf Lodge, and the Southwest themed Chula Vista Resort. Packages are available and Winter boasts of off season pricing. Wisconsin Dells is also home to the "largest waterpark in America", Noah's Ark waterpark, which is open during the Summer months.

3. Los Angeles, California
If your kids want to see the stars in Hollywood or see the mouse in Disneyland, Los Angeles, California is the place for you to go. If your children are younger and you think that Walt Disney World in Orlando is too intimidating, visit Walt Disney's original, Disneyland. It is a smaller version and packages are available which include lodging in one of three Disney resorts and tickets to the sister park, Disney's California Adventure. Disneyland also has the buy 4 get 3 free nights free special rate packages. If the kids are older, they may enjoy strolling through the lands of the rich and famous such as the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, where they may find their favorite star's name engraved on the sidewalk forever, or a drive through the streets of Beverly Hills to see the majestic homes of their favorite stars.

4. Six Flags Theme Parks (several locations)
Whether you live in Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, or Los Angeles, more than likely, there is a Six Flags theme park near you. Well known for some of the best roller coasters in the worls, Six Flags is a great place for all ages. Many of these parks offer special events such as "Fright Fest" for Halloween and "Holiday in the Park" from November to January. In Northern regions, such as Six Flags Great America in Chicago, the park may close for the season after Halloween. Some of the parks have partner animal parks and water parks for varying types of entertainment. Season tickets as well as multi-day tickets are available. Prices are $54.99/adult and $34.99/children (Six Flags Great America pricing). Discounted tickets are available online and coupons are offered on occasion.

5. Mall of America, Bloomington, Minnesota
The Mall of America, a place where you will find a Nickelodean play place, aquarium, mini golf, and three floors of shopping all under one roof, is a great place for the whole family. Not only are those entertainment options, but also there is an American Girl store for those dainty little girls, Magiquest role playing game theatre for the little magicians, and a Legoland store for the little builders. The mall itself is free, but there is a fee for the aquarium, the attractions in the Nickelodeon play place, mini golf, and Magiquest. There are ample hotels in the area for all price ranges.

Pack up those kids and have a great vacation.