Family Vacation Ideas

By Steff from NY - I have been to a few places outside of the United States. Places that I have loved, and were life changing. However, my all-time favorite family place to vacation is the Outer Banks in North Carolina. You can rent a beach house for reasonable prices, which proves to be much cheaper than hotel stays.

But the biggest reason I love the Outer Banks is that I have such great memories of my family together there.

We rent houses near each other, and share dinners going back and forth from one house to another.

We all meet at the same spot on the beach, and joke about how much we look like the “Clampetts” taking up the whole beach!

There are countless counties that you can choose along the Outer Banks, each charming in its own right. And there are many things to keep the entire family from shopping, to outlets, to antiques store, boutiques, and restaurants.

But the best thing about your stay will no doubt be the same as mine; memories of the family relaxing with their feet buried in the sand, no e-mail, work, school, or other stressors.

A great family adventure vacation idea is a bike ride on the Rallarvergen, also known as The Old Navy Road. Located in Norway, this 34-mile long former railway maintenance road provides the perfect venue for an adventurous bike ride.

It is one of the most beautiful scenic bike routes anywhere, running parallel with the Bergen railway from high in the Norwegian mountains down to the Flam at Norway's largest fjord.

It is accessible from the Bergen railway. This bike road is becoming more and more popular with both experienced and more casual bike riders. 
 

Across the Puget Sound from Seattle, Washington is Port Ludlow. This former lumber mill turned family vacation destination has wonderful views of the Olympic Mountains and fantastic recreation choices. The Port Ludlow Golf Resort provides top accommodations and excellent dining. Their championship golf course is rated one the best in the country.

The Port Ludlow Marina is very active with sailing, recreation cruises, fishing charters, clamming and crabbing all awaiting the family looking for some vacation fun.

You can hike to Ludlow Falls on the interpretive trail. Grab a couple kayaks at the Marina and explore around the islands in Puget Sound. The kids will love Teal Lake which is well stocked for some fun 'catch & release' trout fishing. Hop on Captain Jack’s Sea Charters and head out for some great whale watching.

Philadelphia is a great place for a family vacation and one of the best places to go is the Franklin Institute. The kids will love the place and probably won't even realize that they are getting a history and science lesson.

The Franklin Institute pays homage to the great scientist, philosopher and statesman, Benjamin Franklin. Hands-on exhibits are everywhere as well as fun demonstrations by the museum's staff. There's a huge human heart that you can actually walk inside. The Electric Gallery is exhilerating and will make your hand stand on on end. Kid Science demonstrates basic science in a way that is fun for young children. The museum is interactive in so many ways and offers so many fascinating and fun things to do.

Northeast of Grand Bahama Island is The Little Bahamas Banks. This is a large area of shallow water that is one of the best places anywhere to spot, swim and play with dolphins. Apparently the dolphins like this stretch of ocean and are not afraid of people.

Who knows, they may even enjoy the contact. The best way to enjoy a dolphin interactive vacation is to hookup with an experienced guide. The Dolphin Dream Team, Bottom Time Adventures and Encounters With Wild Spotted Dolphins are outfitters that can arrange for your dolphin encounter and make this a very special Bahamas family vacation spot.

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