Top Ten US Family Destinations

Disney World and Universal Studios
Orlando, Florida

Walt Disney World is the pacesetter among theme parks: it goes way beyond Disneyland, which opened in Anaheim, California, in 1955 - delivering escapism at its most technologically advanced and psychologically brilliant across an area twice the size of Manhattan. Its four main theme parks are quite separate entities and, ideally, you should allow a full day for each. The Magic Kingdom is the Disney park of popular imagination, where Mickey mingles with the crowds - very much the park for kids, though at its high-tech best capable of thrilling even the most jaded of adults. Known for its giant, golfball-like geosphere, EPCOT Center is Disney's celebration of science and technology; this sprawling area involves a lot of walking, and may bore young children. Disney-MGM Studios suits almost everyone: its special effects are enjoyable even if you've never seen the movies they're based on. The newest of the four, Disney's Animal Kingdom , brings all manner of African and Asian wildlife to the theme park setting, perhaps the lone entry that can be explored fairly quickly.

An escape to nearby (free) Cocoa beach can break up the vacation. Other educational day trips can be taken to the Kennedy Space Center or Busch Gardens. Orlando makes planning a family vacation practically free of failure.

Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone, Wyoming

Yellowstone amounts to an extraordinary experience, combining the colors of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, limpid Yellowstone Lake, the wild flower meadows and the rainbow-hued geyser pools; the sounds of subterranean rumblings, belching mud pools, and steam hissing from the mountainsides; and the constant smells of drifting sulphurous fumes, with the presence of browsing bull moose, shambling bears, heavy-bearded bison, herds of elk and ubiquitous scurrying marmots . It is, however, very popular; if you let yourself get frustrated by the inevitable crowds and expense, you risk missing something very special. The key to appreciating the park is to take your time, and to plan carefully; above all, try to allow for a stay of at least three days.

The park is enormous and offers much more; boating, camping, horseback riding, roller skiing, and hiking are just a few of the activities. Ranger-guided walks and tours can be as interesting to adults as to children. One word of warning: Check the calendar before leaving. Arriving at the east and south entrances of Yellowstone too early in the spring can make for a detour around the park that no one in the car will forget.

Jellystone Campgrounds See Park Locations

Yogi, Boo Boo and Cindy Bear are alive and well across the Yogi Bear's Jellystone Campgrounds. Jellystone has waterslides, pools, bike trails, volleyball tournaments, mini-golf contests, prizes, and outdoor movies starring Yogi and the Ranger at night. Splashgrounds, Rivers, Streams, Lakes, Beaches, Paddle Boats and Motor Boats, Gem Mining, Fishing, Hiking, Campfires, Mini-Golf, "Hey" Rides, Playgrounds, Pavilions, Volleyball, Theatres, Gamerooms, Pedal Carts, Golf Carts, Train Rides, and more!

Military Family discounts offered.

Six Flags Fiesta
San Antonio, Texas

Although there are Six Flag theme parks in many states, a trip to Six Flags Fiesta in San Antonio, Texas can allow for a day or two visiting the Alamo, the River Walk and the Buckhorn Saloon & Museum before you take the kids to Splashtown.

And if you like Tex Mex food, you will think that you have just landed in food heaven. San Antonio has good Tex-Mex food in all price ranges. Many visitors head straight for the Mexican restaurants on the River Walk, but, charming as it is to eat alfresco beside the river, don't be seduced to such an extent that you never venture above ground. There are many good places downtown and the floor of the Rivercenter Mall is packed with assorted fast-food stalls (head straight for Ninfa's Express ).

Wisconsin Dells and Noah's Ark
Madison, Wisconsin

Residing on 70 acres in the heart of Wisconsin Dells, Noah's Ark, America's Largest Waterpark, boasts 45 waterslides, 2 huge wave pools, 2 endless rivers, 4 childrens water play areas, Paradise Lagoon activity pool, 3 group amusement rides, 18-hole mini golf, 3 arcades, shopping, gourmet desserts and much more! Noah's Ark is continually evolving, offering the most variety of water rides anywhere in the nation.

Summer just isn't summer without a trip to Noah's Ark. So for a guaranteed great vacation that the whole family is sure to love, plan a trip to Noah's Ark this summer. Whether you enjoy extreme thrill rides or relaxing in the sun, there is definitely something for everyone!

Fantastic Museums
Washington D.C.

Our nation's capital is a terrific place to jumpstart your children's appreciation for learning. Washington D.C. has far more things for kids to see than stodgy marble government buildings. Parents and kids can get lost in the museums alone, starting with the National Air & Space Museum. Walking the lengthy National Mall, which goes from the U.S. Capitol to the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial, can introduce history to children.

Legoland
San Diego, California

Seventy miles of coastline are a good place to start, followed by Balboa Park and the best zoo in America. Not far away in Mission Bay is Sea World, where the famous killer whales do their dance. The U.S. Navy has a huge presence in San Diego; it even gives tours. You may see a few "Hollywood" Marines strolling on the beaches.

At Legoland® California everyone in the family becomes a hero. There are more than 50 rides, shows and attractions. They need pirates to sail a galleon in the new Splash Battle, Brave Knights for the Knights’ Tournament, and Firefighters to put out fires at Fun Town Fire Academy.

Pikes Peak
Colorado Springs, Colorado

At 14,110 feet, Pikes Peak towers over Colorado Springs. You can get the family to the top by any one of three ways: horseback, cogwheel train or by driving up a switchback road. People come here to feel rejuvenated and to breathe the mountain air, so the tourist resorts are first-class.

Also located in Colorado Springs is the Air Force Academy and U.S. Space Command, as well as the U.S. Olympic Team's headquarters. The natural scenery is awesome. Places like the Garden of the Gods, the Seven Falls and the Cave of the Winds are all aptly named. There is a long list of fun things to do here, from hot-air ballooning to whitewater rafting.

Carlsbad Caverns
Carlsbad, New Mexico

As you pass through southeastern New Mexico and west Texas, you might never guess there are more than 300 known caves beneath the surface. Up to 28 miles of underground area have been explored. The Green Lake Room, the Rock of Ages and the Temple of the Sun are a few of the best spaces. The Caverns are at the foot of the Guadalupe mountain range, which allows for camping and hiking escapes.

You can see another amazing spot called White Sands National Park, near Alamogordo. And if you are into ufo theories, Roswell is full of alien attractions. New Mexico is also rich in Apache and Comanche Native American history..

Hershey’s Chocolate World
Hershey, Pennsylvania

In the United States, Hershey's is the closest thing available to the fantasy world of Willy Wonka. Hershey's Chocolate Worlk offers fun and excitement for every member of the family! Hersheypark is home to over 60 rides and attractions, including 10 thrilling roller coasters, 6 drenching water rides, and over two dozen kiddie rides. Hershey Chocolate World (daily 9am-4.45pm; longer hours in summer; 717-534-4900) also offers a free mini-train ride through a simulated chocolate factory (accompanied by sugary, piped warblings of It's a Chocolate, Chocolate World ). Those not content with the free sample given out at the end can gorge themselves in the vast gift and souvenir shops and cafés.

Hersheypark , which began in 1907 as a picnic ground for Hershey factory workers, is now a huge, if poorly organized amusement park with roller coasters and sundry other rides (mid-May to Sept daily hours vary; $27.95; tel 717-534-3090 or 1-800-HERSHEY). The adjacent Hershey Museum of American Life has exhibits on the Pennsylvania Dutch and tells the Milton S. Hershey story (daily 10am-5pm; $6).

Twenty-five miles south of Harrisburg, the blue-collar town of YORK is home to the final assembly plant of Harley-Davidson . The company runs free tours of its factory and is set to open a full-scale museum in late 2002 (Mon-Fri; call 1-877-746-7937).