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Family Trip Ideas: Heartland Corn Mazes

USA: Heartland, Best Corn Mazes and Fall Festivals for Families 2008. From Wisconsin to Minnesota and Iowa to Indiana the idea is simple, enjoy the season. Sometimes with a pumpkin patch and sometimes haunted on weekend nights, mazes provide unique signatures as the lunar calendar ends the calendar year. Taste sweet apple butter or corncob jelly; carve a pumpkin or stuff a scarecrow; ride on a wagon full of hay or bob for apples; pretend at a RenFest; enjoy a film in Chicago. Make time for fun with your kids.

Minnesota: Rochester, Tweite's Fall Harvest Festival and Corn Maze (09/20/2008 to 10/26/2008). Located 12 minutes West of Rochester off of US Hwy 14 Tweite's has been planting memories and harvesting fun for the past 19 years. We offer quality family enjoyment for the young and young-at-heart. Each weekend enjoy 10 acres of amusements including live entertainment. Enjoy wagon rides, an Enchanted Forest, the western town called Dodge City, Harvest Town with a back forty play area, more than 24,000 square-feet of permanent mazes including a six-acre corn maze, a tire dragon and the Indiana Bones Dino Dig. Bonus points: Many areas are interactive. Check out our remodeled dairy barn loaded with tasty treats like our homemade caramel apples, cotton candy and kettle korn, just to name a few. Gate fee charged. (Tweite's Pumpkin Patch 1821 Frontier Rd SW Byron, MN 55920. (507) 365-8035 or www.tweite.com)

Minnesota: Belle Plaine, 24th Annual Emma Krumbee's Scarecrow Festival (09/13/2008 -10/31/2008). During the fall, the 45-acre orchard is alive with activity. Starting in September, the Apple Jubilee event celebrates the harvest season. From mid-September through October, the orchard is filled with more than one hundred unique handcrafted scarecrows during the Great Scarecrow Festival. There are pony, wagon rides and camel rides. Find the perfect jack-o-lantern in the Great Pumpkin Patch. Try out the all-terrain farm trikes, visit the Giant Hay Stack Jump and expanded petting zoo. Count bees in the bee observatory, walk amid the Tombstone Forest. Sample Fizzy's Ice Cream, caramel apples and pumpkin pie. Bonus points: June through October, pick your own hydroponic strawberries suspended in the air. U-Pick Apples open daily, Mid-August through October. (Emma Krumbee's Restaurant, Belle Plaine 56011. (952) 873-3006 www.emmakrumbees.com)

Illinois: Chicago International Children's Film Festival (10/23/2008-11/2/2008). For a city event this one is splendid. CICFF is celebrating it 25th anniversary this year! It is the largest competitive festival of children's films in the United States and is hailed as the Cannes for Kids; the festival presents the very best in non-violent multicultural films for children ages 3 to 13. At every screening, a panel of kids cast their votes for the Best of the Fest Award as well as other awards and prizes for excellence. There will be post-screening discussions with more than 100 directors, producers, and actors in attendance. Bonus points:  This year's festival will feature 200 animated and live action films from 40 countries. (1 (773) 281-9075 or www.cicff.org)

Ohio: Lebanon, Pumpkin Patch Express (09/27/2008 – 11/02/2008). Every autumn the Lebanon Mason Monroe (LM&M) Railroad runs a special Pumpkin Patch Express through Warrant County to Schappacher Farm in Mason, where special homemade snacks are for sale. Ticket price includes a petting zoo, pumpkin pie and admittance to a corn maze on a real working farm. Need to know: Trains sell out quickly and a limited number of tickets are available on event days on a first-come-first served basis, so advance ticket purchase is recommended. (Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad, 127 S. Mechanic Street, Lebanon 45036. 1(513) 933-8022 or www.lebanonrr.com)

Wisconsin: Sturgeon Bay, Schopf's Corn Maze and Cookie's Pirate Adventure (08/20/2008 - 10/31/2008). This year checkout Dairy View Farm and enjoy the season Door County's famous "Cookie" the Cow. With three separate mazes rolled up into one, the 2007 maze has a trail for everyone; the Orange Maze route runs for two miles, the Black Maze runs for two and a half miles, and the Green Maze comes in at 3.3 miles of winding trail. Also within the maze are three optional games based on finding hidden maze stations - a great game for the whole family to play together. Uniquely shaped paper punches await the players at each of the destination points and participants are expected to find all of the stations and punch as proof. The season ends with a special Halloween Maze event. Bonus points: Make time for a free, working dairy farm tour. Watch milking operations, milk "Cookie" the cow and then stop at the ice cream shop and browse the flavors. Staff note: We visited Cookie when the maze was very young but it looked quite promising. It is a neat place with fun people and terrific ice cream. (5169 County I, Sturgeon Bay, 54235. 1 (920) 743-9779 or www.dairyview.com)

Iowa: St. Urbandale, Corn Harvest (10/04/2008 - 10/05/2008). The smell of apple butter wafts through the air in the 1875 town of Walnut Hill as you sample some of the bountiful harvest Iowa has produced. At the farm sites, learn about the history of corn with hands-on activities and a horse-drawn wagon ride into the fields to watch demonstrations of the machinery used to harvest corn from 1910 to the 1950. Learn the correct techniques for hand-picking corn beside a horse-drawn wagon, pitching the husked ears of corn against a bang-board and into the wagon bed. Corn is more than food. Learn about modern varieties and uses of corn in cars, airplanes, and other staples of 21st-Century life. Stop by the Visitor Center to sample products produced by Iowa companies. Bonus points: On the 4th you can attend an authentic barn dance where you can learn traditional dances while enjoying the live Flying Pig Fiddle and Banjo band. (Living History Farms, 2600 111th St. Urbandale, 50322. or 1(515)278-5286 or www.lhf.org)

Indiana: Hobart, County Line Orchard Fall Harvest Festival and Corn Maze (08/30/2008 - 10/31/2008). Enjoy the season with orchard tours and you-pick apples and pumpkins, Kid's Farm and petting zoo, 8-acre corn maze, bee barn and picnic area. See working bees at observation hives in the orchard, baby chicks hatching everyday and goats up in the trees and Peter Pumpkin Eater getting his teeth cleaned after munching on pumpkins. The Little Kid's Barnyard has miniature tractors, tools, wheelbarrows, and even a kid-sized barn and a Moo Choo just for little kids. Bonus points: Past the apple trees near the MAiZE, begins the Trio of Fears not for the faint-hearted. It all begins at the end of a long wagon ride sits a rustic shack at the edge of the woods. There awaits the gatekeeper, who sets you on a dimly lit path through the trees. The way is narrow and uneven, and haunted things abound. You'll have to crawl through one part, and feel your way through pitch-black passages and experience Nocturnia the haunted barn. (County Line Orchard & The Barn: 200 County Line Rd., Hobart (219) 947-4477 or www.countylineorchard.com)

Michigan: Michigan Renaissance Festival (08/16/2008 - 09/29/2008). Discover an enchanted realm of wizards and warriors amongst gourmet treats and unforgettable entertainment. Wander past eight lively stages and street theater featuring jugglers, magicians, fire eaters, and specialty acts. Check out live armored contact jousting three times daily, human chess matches, minstrels, maidens faire, peasants, fools, and royalty. Bonus points: The festival also has special theme weekends like Highland Weekend, featuring the US/Canadian Highland Games and Bagpipe Blowout as well as International Talk Like a Pirate Day, which is recommended for grandparents and children. There is also a "Sweet Endings" Chocolate Festival. See the website for more details. (12500 Dixie Highway, Holly, 48442. 1-800-779-4910 or www.michrenfest.com)

Minnesota: Minneapolis, Sever's Corn Maze (9/20/2008 - 11/2/2008). Sever's Corn Maze and Fall Festival delights maze-goers with a fun and challenging 14-acre corn maze. Again this year, Sever's Corn Maze and Fall Festival will boast the world's largest straw bale maze-1/3 of an acre in size; a huge, exotic petting zoo with animals from around the world including lemurs and camels, kangaroos, etc. There will also be pumpkin slinger; a corn pit, hay rides; pig races; camel rides; live music; and much more. Bonus points: There is a discount coupon at their website. (Just south of the Twin Cities next to Canterbury Park, Shakopee 1 (952) 974-5000 or www.severscornmaze.com)

Minnesota: Shakopee, Minnesota Renaissance Festival (08/16/2008 - 09/28/2008). Discover an enchanted realm of wizards and warriors amongst gourmet treats and unforgettable entertainment. Wander past eight lively stages and street theater featuring jugglers, magicians, fire eaters, and specialty acts. Check out live armored contact jousting three times daily, human chess matches, minstrels, maidens faire, peasants, fools, and royalty. Bonus points: You can also enjoy special theme weekends including ones dedicated to Scottish and Irish culture as well as a special Italian Carnivale weekend! (12364 Chestnut Blvd, Shakopee. 1-800-779-4910 or www.renaissancefest.com)

Nebraska: Denton, Benson Farms MAiZE (9/26/2008 - 10/31/2008). Imagine green and gold cornstalks towering 12 feet high set in a deliberately confusing pattern by an agro-artist, it's a challenge to master. Camp fires and mini mazes are only part of what you'll find at Benson Farms - there's also a pumpkin patch, a corn box, a hay jump, hay rides, and a corn tunnel which is really a maze tunnel constructed from corn that's great for those with a penchant for exploration. Bonus points: On Friday and Saturday night you can enjoy Fright Nights. Recommended for ages 12 and up you can take a walk through a spooky, haunted maze. This event is very popular so expect to stand in line. (6000 SW 140th Street, Denton. 1 (402) 795-3276 or www.bensonfarms.com)

Ohio: Germantown, Tom Eby Farm Maze (08/30/2008-11/02/2008). A rural wonder, the 8-acre natural puzzle game features three miles of paths to navigate. The challenge- to find 12 puzzle pieces located throughout the maze. The American flag flies proudly over the Victory Bridge at the end of the hunt. For night owls, the site is open after dark. Bonus points: As a bonus the maze complex has a unique hands-on area with toys and musical instruments made of homegrown hard-shelled gourds. You might also enjoy Tom's Pumpkin Cannon. (Tom Eby Farm 8295 Farmersville-W. Carrollton Rd. Germantown, 45327. 1(937) 866-2777 or www.tomsmaze.com)

More Resources

Haunted Wisconsin. For families in or near Wisconsin this is a delightful resource for Halloween happenings. The innovative site provides up-to-date information on commercial haunted houses, corn mazes, spooky trails, pumpkin patch locations, and fun for the season. (Go to www.hauntedwisconsin.com)

Maze Play. This directory with listings across the United States and Canada is easy to navigate; each listing provides the essentials to make a corn adventure happen. Just reviewing the listing is entertaining. Maze themes include the Green Bay Packers at Schoph farms in Wisconsin to Indian themes at Uncle Shucks in Georgia. (Go to www.Mazeplay.com)

Corn Field Maze. A delightful resource for maze locations and information, including location maps for USA, Canada, Italy Mexico, and England. (Go to www.cornfieldmaze.com)

Information compiled from theFamilyTravelFiles.com database as of July 2008. Sometimes things change, so please confirm details before making plans. Images provided by respective venues. Copyright 2008.

Florida: Kissimmee, Fun, Learning, and More Fun

Central Florida family vacation activities are dominated by Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld. But as family vacation learning becomes more and more popular combining theme park action with learning experiences is becoming easier.  In Kissimmee it is possible for families to practice golf; join a tennis clinic; learn to fish; enjoy an art tour or take flight.

Checkout our suggestions for learning while having fun in Kissimmee. 

Learn to swing, chip, and putt. Anyone with a set of golf clubs knows that the sport of golf is a journey marked by miles of fairways, roughs, sand traps, always leading to a challenge on the green; almost anyone can benefit from a lesson or two. Parents wishing to build on a family golf tradition have two options in the Kissimmee area - Tee to Green Golf School at Kissimmee Golf club and The Golf Academy at Celebration Golf Club.

At Tee to Green make use of the skills, energy, and patience of a staff that love golf and take advantage of any opportunity to share their passion. They talk about gloves and posture, shoes and balance. The clinic atmosphere is family friendly; most importantly they analyze each golfer with success in mind. Learning points: Tee to Green conducts 1/2 day schools which include afternoon of practice or 18 holes of golf. They also have one- three- and five-day programs year-round which combine video analysis, one-on-one teaching, practice drills and playing.  Beginners receive instruction in the game’s fundamentals, including etiquette, rules, scoring, posture, and insider tips. Students learn special golf exercises, how select the ideal club, how to develop swing power, how to chip, and focus a putt. Cost of learning: A series of five lessons begins at $150 and junior rates (for ages 6 - 17) are available upon request.

The Golf Academy at Celebration Golf Club has created several options so that students experience all aspects of the game in an efficient, encouraging atmosphere. Learning points: The structure and outline of each golf school is tailored to the individual or in the case of families to each individual within the family.  For example Golf “101” for new golfers includes game fundamentals, grip, swing, posture and techniques for the short game as well as club selection, pitching, lobbing, and putting. Lessons focus on course management skills and how to lower scores. Golf Academy pros analyze individual golf swings using a state of the art video/launch monitor. The Golf “101” program series also includes advanced player levels so every family member will have the right fit. During the summer months there are junior golf camps and Saturday junior golf clinics and they offer private lessons for junior golfers throughout the year. Each lesson maximizes one-on-one time utilizing the practice facility and exclusive three-hole Celebration Junior Course. Cost of learning: Private lessons begin at $95 per hour and private lessons for children younger than 12 cost $35 per 1/2 hour. Golf “101” lesson packages begin at $269 per student.

Learn to swing, serve, and score. Tennis is more fun with a partner – true? And when your partner is your child the opportunities for fun are endless but growing a tennis player takes time and lessons. Victory Tennis, located at Star Island Resort & Club in Kissimmee conducts private and group lessons for all ages and abilities. All lessons are pay-as-you-go with no contracts or commitments so for vacationers it’s easy to set up sessions as part of a vacation plan. In fact if you are undecided about lessons it makes sense to take advantage of their free tennis clinic held each Tuesday 8AM to 9AM or 6PM to 9PM - all ages (yup kids included) and abilities welcome. The evening focuses on basic techniques taught with drills and games so everyone can have fun while learning and improving. It’s easy and the coaches at Victory Tennis love to share their passion for the sport so the atmosphere is lively and energizing. Learning points: Victory’s staff can create a series of sessions so that each family member feels at home on the court. For advanced players they offer instruction on the finer points of hand-eye coordination, balance, footwork and game strategy in addition to match play and/or use of ball machine. For little tykes Quickstart Tennis - designed by the United States Professional Tennis Association - is an option. Geared to ages 3 through 10 the program includes lessons and play designed to move children quickly through the transitional stages to full-court tennis while having fun. Cost of learning: Private lessons start at $40.00 per hour with discounted prices for children. Friday afternoon Pee Wee Tennis for ages 3-12 costs $10.00 per hour.

Learn to cast, hook, and catch fish. Lake Tohopekaliga in Kissimmee is an impressive body of water and geared to a variety of “green” activities perhaps the best of which is fishing. It’s the spot to catch largemouth bass, crappie, specks, bluegill, shellcrackers, catfish, and pickerel. For anyone with an appreciation of Mother Nature’s quirky sense of humor fishing is fun and makes a terrific day adventure with kids. If freshwater fishing sounds fun but you know absolutely nothing about, Captain Rick Brothers has the perfect outing ideal for families wishing to learn the art of fishing together. Learn how to read the lake; what signs of nature mean fish are at hand; what bait works best for which fish; how to cast; learn not to rock the boat, and learn how to catch a fish in Florida. Located at Big Toho Marina in Lakefront Park near the historic downtown, the The Miss Toho is 24 foot tri-toon, USCG Registered vessel licensed to carry 14 persons, of which six may fish on each trip. Bring your own equipment or use the rods, reels and tackle is provided. Bonus points: None anglers ride free. Cost of learning: Florida freshwater fishing licenses are required for those 16 years or older. Rates for bass fishing in Kissimmee on Lake Toho for 2 anglers ½ day $250, ¾ day $350, full day $450, add $50 per additional angler. Bait is extra.

Learn about Da Vinci, Monet, Degas, Van Gogh and More. Stay at the Mona Lisa Suite Hotel and enjoy time with the masters. Any parent with a passion for art will love the Mona Lisa. The gallery like ambiance of this new hotel includes oversized interpretations of well-known masters' artwork meticulously recreated by professional artists in China. The paintings are showcased on each floor throughout the hotel. Each contemporary room features a hand-painted artist interpretation of a master work and the property's namesake, Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa adorns the hotel lobby. The hotel staff will provide information on the different interpretations and are happy to give a personal tour to guests who are interested in learning more about the artwork and the masters who originally created the masterpieces. The new 240-room Mona Lisa Suite Hotel is an all-suite, luxury hotel located in Celebration, a unique and charming master-planned community within the Metro Orlando area. Cost of learning: The artwork of the Mona Lisa Suite Hotel is complimentary to anyone who visits.  Room rates span $229 to $525 per night/double occupancy.

Learn to fly the legendary "Pilot-Maker". In Kissimmee it is possible to actually take the controls of a restored World War II fighter trainer – the T-6 Texan – even with no prior flying experience. What you will need to know the pros at Warbird Adventures will teach you – but not in a simulator. The aircraft used is the T-6 TEXAN also known as the SNJ or Harvard because more than 70% of the Allied pilots received their fighter training in the aircraft. Learning points: After the standard briefing participants are invited to take the controls in the front seat and just follow instructions. The flying adventure can be whatever you want based on your aptitude for the cockpit – thrilling, erratic, and aerobatic or a smooth, straight, and level. If you purchase and schedule two or three flights together, you can go up and fly in formation as well. They’ll show you how it's done! Formation flying really adds to the experience and there is no extra charge for this as long as you schedule your flights together. Cost of learning: Prices span from $220 for a 15-minute basic flight to $500 for a 30-minute flight which also includes aerobatics, still photos, and your own DVD proof. For a 60-minute session with aerobatics, still photos, and DVD the cost is $745. 

In addition to theme park thrills, Kissimmee offers visitors plenty of unforgettable “real Florida” learning experiences to make any family vacation or holiday getaway super. Create your own family learning vacation in Central Florida – the choices are many from clinics and classes to excursions and adventures. From golf and tennis to fishing and flying it’s about having fun and learning together. Imagine watching alligators, skimming to marsh on an airboat, seeing a working cattle ranch, taking a sunset cruise, horseback riding and feeding goats. To discover more about Kissimmee’s learning and fun vacation choices log on to www.ChooseKissimmee.com

Planning Details
Scenic/Eco Lake Tours/Fishing Charters, Inc. (407) 908-5688 or www.fishingchartersinc.com
Mona Lisa Suite Hotel 225 Celebration Place Celebration, Orlando, Florida 34747. Toll-free 1-866.404.MONA (6662) or www.monalisasuitehotel.com

Warbird Adventures, Inc. 233 N. Hoagland Blvd. Kissimmee, FL, 34741. (407) 870-7366 or www.warbirdadventures.com/t-6_page.htm

Victory Tennis at Star Island 5000 Avenue of the Stars Kissimmee, FL 34746. Further tennis program information, you may contact John at (407) 997-5155 or www.star-island.com/victorytennis.html

Kissimmee Golf Club 3103 Florida Coach Dr. Kissimmee, FL 34741. Pro Shop (407) 847-2816, (407) 847-2816 or www.teetogreengolfschool.com or www.kissgolfclub.com

Celebration Golf Academy at Celebration Golf Club 701 Golf Park Drive Celebration, Florida 34747. 407.566.GOLF ext. 4 or www.celebrationgolfacademy.com

Content created by FamilyTravelFiles and images provided by Kissimmee/St. Cloud CVB. Copyright 2008.

Florida: Kissimmee, A Mother/Daughter Girlfriend Getaway - – Shopping, Spa Time, and a Fun Night Out

For moms and daughters who  want  to share one-on-one time away from the crazy schedules of home Kissimmee is an easy place to enjoy down time together. From golf and tennis to antiquing, and chilling by the pool the options are many. At the core of any mother/daughter bonding time – shopping, a spa, and a fun night out doing girl stuff.

Eat chocolate; drink wine; share a malt; shop for bargains; practice yoga; enjoy a massage; share secrets, and have fun together – no boys allowed.

Unique shopping opportunities meant to be shared. Kissimmee has a place to fit every shopping personality from souvenir and outlet bargain hunters to trendy fashionistas. From one-of-a-kind boutiques and nostalgic shops to air conditioned mega malls and outlet centers, the options for a unique shopping adventure are endless.

Start anywhere along Main Street in Old Town.  The tree-lined streets offers more than 75 specialty shops. From resort wear to sports apparel, jewelry to shoes and old-fashioned collectibles, you'll find some specialty items here that you won't find anywhere else. The atmosphere in Old Town is right out of “Happy Days”- vintage cars on the weekends, sock-hop music and friendly people. At Good Luck Rice Company visitors can have their names written on a tiny single grain of rice and made into a rice necklace – a definite keepsake.  Girls of all ages will love the Marilyn Monroe, I Love Lucy, and Beatles collectibles at Wound 'n Around, the perfect puppets at Sunny and Company and the awesome bead collection at Black Market Minerals. Other must-do activities include: having an old-time portrait taken, learning how to pull taffy, and visiting a petrified rock forest.

If antiques and vintage items are your thing, then the historic downtown streets of Kissimmee and St. Cloud will not disappoint. One spot that is not-to-be-missed is Lanier’s Historic Marketplace in Downtown Kissimmee, a clever place showcasing antiques, decorating accessories, tempting jewelry and interesting gifts. They always have friendly conversation waiting and a fresh pot of coffee brewing. For bargains Kissimmee’s open-air shopping complex, The Loop and Loop West, have Belk, JC Penney, Old Navy, Kohl’s Department Store, Pier 1 Imports, Ross, PetCo, Claire’s, Michael’s, Kirkland’s and Bed, Bath & Beyond plus many restaurants with outdoor dining.

Market Street at Celebration is the place for children’s clothing, paint-your-own-pottery and exclusive, collectible pieces plus delightful cafés and restaurants along the downtown lakefront area. Also in the area Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores, Orlando Premium Outlets, The Mall at Millenia, and The Florida Mall so a shopping agenda is easy to create.  Bonus points: The Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores provides a free scheduled shopping shuttle to and from 55 participating area hotels and special scheduled free VIP group shuttle service is also available.

Being pampered together is simply the best. Sometimes even better than shopping, a day at the spa can be the ideal way to enjoy mother/daughter time. Sit side by side and experience a luxurious foot soak, stress relieving facial, or hand massage.  Massageworks just off Main Street in Historic Downtown Kissimmee has several unique ways for guests to relax and be revived. Located in restored 1900's schoolhouse the updated atmosphere has warm and relaxing Mediterranean-style. This spunky day spa has five private treatment rooms - serene and softly lit with candlelight. If you are undecided the best bet is the “Mini Spa Retreat” a sampling of services which includes a 30-minute introductory facial, a 30-minute aroma relaxation massage followed by a soothing dry sauna. Cost is $105 and an upgrade to one hour each is only $140. They also offer a “Detox Facial” ideal for drawing out impurities during a unique detoxification process.  Bonus points: The Studio of Movement onsite doubles as a yoga studio by night. Classes blend stretching, postures, Pranayama, mantra, music, meditation and relaxation. Drop-ins are welcomed and no previous experience in Yoga is required.  Just say Namaste!

Stay in and still get pampered. After a busy day of shopping nothing compares to a gentle relaxing massage that soothes away stresses and body fatigue. Luckily, if you are in Kissimmee, A-Team Massage will provide a custom massage in your vacation location any day of the week – a recipe for pure bliss. Select from their menu of wonderful services including Swedish, aromatherapy, relaxation, deep tissue, and therapeutic massages then relax in the comfort of your vacation base. Spa treatments include soothing hot paraffin wax for hands and feet along with educational manicures and pedicures.  Prices for 24-hour advanced scheduling begin at $95.00 for a 60-minute massage and an aroma experience (lavender/eucalyptus for tranquility or peppermint for rejuvenation) is only $20 more.

For a quirky evening consider the haunted side of town. The Haunted Grimm House of Old Town features live actors, special effects, and two floors with more than 20 rooms of scary stuff presented with a sense of humor. In Historic Downtown Kissimmee it is possible to take hair-raising ninety-minute tour into the spirit realm with guides from Kissimmee Ghost Tours as they spin tales of murder, unexplained phenomena, and mystery.

Share a fairy tale together. Horses, knights in shining armor, conflicts, love stories, surreal lighting, and no dinner dishes – sounds like a fairy tale evening for sure. Arabian Nights Dinner Theater in Kissimmee has created a surreal dining experience – like stepping into the pages of Scheherazade. With the use of surreal lighting techniques, magical costumes, engaging music, and beautiful horses, skilled riders create a show which is both dreamlike and enchanting. Daughter’s note: My mom and I celebrated her birthday within the magic of Arabian Nights complex. It was a blast. We arrived early enough to go behind the scenes. The early entry option allows visitors to wander within the arena; meet the actor/riders; and walk back stage; see the holding stalls; talk with the trainers; to where the horses stay.  The opportunity was worth the extra cost and effort because during the show we felt connected to several of the riders and their horses making the experience even better. Add to that a surprisingly top quality dinner served with speed and efficiency - our evening was truly perfect and we have a framed photo to prove it. Bonus points: Before the show it is possible to take photos with both the actors and the horses in the arena and back stage – a really cool opportunity.

Who doesn’t want to have dinner in a castle? Medieval Times Theater with its fairy tale atmosphere offers a perfect escape from reality. The movie set castle just off Irlo Bronson Highway successfully transitions from reality into an ethereal event. Mom’s note: I have been there with my daughter to celebrate her birthday in princess-like style. We arrived early enough to browse the medieval village where several crafts folks were demonstrating typical crafts of the 11th Century, and then it was off to the entrance line for a photo take and to enjoy the chaotic atmosphere of the Hall of Arms. Wearing our golden (cardboard) crowns we found our way into the theater. The feast was served; the lights dim, and using stroboscopic and pyrotechnic effects a story of six knights in shining armor was told with tournament jousts and other tests of skill. Swords clashed and everyone in the audience cheered for their favorite knight – good old fashioned fun. Bonus points: During the evening it is possible to purchase the photo taken at the entrance. Maybe a little odd but it makes a nice souvenir.

Kissimmee offers plenty of terrific mother/daughter girlfriend activities to share. Create your getaway in Central Florida – the choices are many from spa time and yoga classes to shopping and dining out. To discover more fun vacation choices, call toll-free 1-800-333-KISS or log on to www.FloridaKiss.com

Planning Details
MassageWorks 405 Church St. Kissimmee, FL 34741. (407) 932-0300 or www.massageworksdayspa.com

A-Team Massage (321) 251-8267 or a-teammassage.com

Arabian Nights 3081 Arabian Nights Blvd. Kissimmee, FL 34747. (407) 239-9223 or www.Arabian-Nights.com

Medieval Times Dinner Theater1W. Irlo Bronson Hwy. Kissimmee, Florida 34746. Toll-free 1- 888-WE-JOUST or 1-888-935-6878 or www.medievaltimes.com/home.aspx

Content created by FamilyTravelFiles and images provided by Kissimmee CVB. Copyright 2008.

Ensenada and Oaxaca: Summer Things To Do In Mexico

If you are looking for summer things to do outside the United States, Mexico is just there waiting for you. Mexico is a very lively country with a multi-ethnic society of Spanish, Native American and American traditions. This ethnic diversity is very much reflected on the country's culture and food, and here are two places in Mexico that greatly illustrates the fact:

Ensenada

Ensanada is located in the Mexican state of Baja California and is just 84 miles south of San Diego. From San Diego, you can join an Ensenada Day Tour, which is a great way to start your summer vacation. The tour gives an amazing introduction to the things to do in Ensenada and its Spanish atmosphere with its alluring shops, authentic restaurants and more. Learn more about the people's culture and heritage at the Cultural Center of Ensenada and find out how they are greatly influenced by the Spaniards.

Join Ensenada locals and other visitors at the Ensenada Summer Wine Festival for some wine tasting. The festival is an annual international event that is taking place on the first ten days of August this year! Aside from the regular wine tasting event, the festival also holds a paella cooking contest, a gala dinner and a sunset musical performance. If you wish to experience the wine in Ensenada with a relatively smaller crowd, you can also go to Bodegas De Santo Tomas. It is Baja California's oldest winery, and still conducts demonstrations of wine-making traditions. Bodega De Santo Tomas also offers samples of wines from their vineyard as well as samples of their bread and cheese.

A visit to a new place always includes shopping for souvenirs or memorabilia that you would want to bring home to remember the summer vacation by. Avenida Lopez Mateos is Ensenada's main shopping street  lined with retail stores selling everything that shouts a genuine Mexican identity, such as straw hats and wood carvings. If you are looking for something more refined, Avenida Ruiz is the place to go. It is the stretch where you will find the more polished shops and cafes.

There are so many dining options to choose from in Ensenada. One of the most popular ones is the oldest cantina in Baja California, Hussong's Cantina. Dating back to the late 1800's, Hussong's Cantina was the hang out of some of the world's literary geniuses and is said to have been the place where Margaritas originated.

Oaxaca

The province of Oaxaca is located in the southern part of Mexico and is named after its largest city. The best thing to do to get to know the city is to visit Plaza de la Constitucion de Oaxaca, more popularly known as Zocalo. The plaza has been the heart of Oaxaca for over 500 years. Surrounded by stores, the dominating feature of Zocalo is the very grand old Cathedral that dates back to the 18th century.

Seasons Of My Heart offers an extraordinary Culinary Cultural Travels , and Mexican Cuisine Events and Oaxacan Food Holidays. This is great for those who love to cook, want to learn how to cook or those who simply enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine. They have tours available almost the entire year, with recipes and menus appropriate for each season.

Visit the world-renowned archaeological site of Milta, combining both Zapotec and Mixtec structures, the San Pablo Villa de Milta. It is among the constant in every visitor's things to do in Mexico list. The ancient ruins are just so inviting.

Looking for accommodations in Oaxaca is a walk in the park as there are very many lodging options to choose from. The hostels, such as the Casa de Don Pablo Hostel, have very affordable nightly rates, making you enjoy more of the numerous summer things to do in Mexico.

Fun and Exciting Summer Things To Do In Yellowstone National Park

The list of summer things to do in Yellowstone National Park makes it one of the best weekend getaways this season.  The national park is visited by millions of visitors during holidays because of its magnificent beauty as well as the wide variety of summer and winter activities it offers.

Yellowstone National Park stretches across Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, that has an intact ecosystem with a diverse and numerous wildlife. Within the park is a collection of some of the most extraordinary geysers, hot springs and the world-famous Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. It is home to various animals such as elk, buffalo, bison, grizzly bears and wolves.

Kick off your summer by going out to experience the hundreds of geysers and hot springs in Yellowstone National Park. The Old Faithful geyser erupts more frequently than any of the big geysers in the park, which is one of the reasons why it is the most popular geyser in the world. Check out the very colorful Grand Canyon of Yellowstone where you can drive around. Hiking the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone is even more rewarding as you get to see breathtaking vantage points of the canyon and the waterfalls. The Canyon Village visitor center for any inquiries and tips you might need before the hike. The Canyon also has an evening program that will educate its visitors with a narration of Yellowstone's natural and cultural history.

Get your cameras ready for wildlife sighting as you wander around Hayden Valley, which is part of the Yellowstone River and sits between Yellowstone Lake and Upper Falls. It is a natural prairie with plenty of opportunity to see the animals that reside in the park. Find yourself a comfortable spot along the Yellowstone River and explore the history of the Fishing Bridge area as well as the polka-dotted cutthroat trout.

Yellowstone National Park is rich with a lot of amazing gifts of nature. Visit the Mud Volcano where you can view colorful and interesting mudpots and hot springs. You can also have the opportunity to find out the explosive past and future of Yellowstone. There is also the Morning Glory Pool that resembles the morning glory flower, and is arguably the most beautiful pool in all of Yellowstone. Then, discover Yellowstone's geographic past and learn about its present through the colorful hues of the Mammoth Hot Springs. In the evening, an illustrated lecture on Yellowstone's history takes place at the Mammoth Campground amphitheater. Other things you can find in the park worth noting are the Fountain Paint Pot and the Biscuit Basin.

All the above mentioned activities can be explored by joining the Ranger-led programs if it makes you more comfortable discovering the park with a guide rather than on your own. No matter how you choose to go around, though, you are certainly going to marvel over everything there is in the park while fishing, hiking, camping and viewing exhibits and films. Yellowstone National Park is definitely filled with adventurous summer things to do that defines an amazing vacation.

Things To Do In Toronto In The Summer

There is a multitude of summer things to do in Toronto. The city is located in the province of Ontario, one of the well-known travel destinations in Canada, and is certainly the most visited city in the province.  Toronto is full of vibrant and multicultural attractions that are waiting for you to discover.

Kick off your vacation at the Canadian National Tower, more popularly known as the CN Tower. The tower has three different observation levels – Look Out Level, Sky Pod and the Glass Floor – that allow you to have a bird's eye view of Toronto and, with the nice summer weather, the distant Niagara Falls. There are other things you can find within the CN Tower that are well worth stopping for. The tower's arcade is a sure hit to the kids, with its state-of-the-art interactive games. Equally interesting for the kids is the fairly new ride-film, Himalamazon. If you are an architect, engineer or just simply intrigued about the CN Tower's concept and construction, a stop at the tower's Maple Leaf Cinema gives you a fifteen-minute documentary showing the tower's impressive building process.

The distinct and friendly neighborhoods of Toronto make walking tours the most common choice of visitors to explore the city, especially during the summer.  You always have the option of joining a guided tour or wandering around on your own.  The best route to take is the Yonge Street stretch that runs from northern Ontario down to Toronto's harbor. To the west, there are the Korea town and the Little Italy.  The east side, on the other hand, takes you to Little India and Greektown. Whether you veer east or west, you will find yourself with a wide variety of restaurants and/or cafes to stop for lunch and coffee, and shops for your holiday shopping.

The huge Ontario Place gives all the fun things to do during the summer for people traveling to Toronto with children, with their friends or by themselves. The complex consists of a funfair, an IMAX cinema with the latest movie releases, a maze, a water park, an amphitheater for evening concerts and the H2O Generation Station.

No trip to Ontario is ever complete without a Niagara Falls experience. Just more or less a two-hour drive from Toronto  allows you to witness a marvelous, breathtaking natural wonder! Book yourself a Maid of the Mist boat trip for an up close look  of the falls. The Niagara area itself is full of interesting things to see and do. Some of the must-visit places are the Bird Kingdom, Marineland, the Guinness World of Records Museum, and a number of horror and "unusual" attractions like the Nightmares Fear Factory and the Alien Encounter.

Dining options are well spread all throughout Toronto and its surrounding areas. Some of the best restaurants in the city are the Sotto Sotto Restaurant, La Bodega and Crush Wine Bar. Lodging is also abundant. There are dozens of accommodation options that you can find suited for your taste and budget such as the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, Comfort Suites City Centre and the Ramada Plaza Toronto. Wherever you choose to dine and stay, you are sure to find lots of amazing summer things to do in Toronto nearby. 

Alaska Experience with All Alaska Tours

The best way to fully grasp the things you hear and read about the beauty of Alaska  is to experience an Alaska family vacation for yourself. A state so big and so full of wonderful sights, it would take a lifetime to discover all the things that Alaska contributes to the world. Taking a guided vacation with your family to Alaska with All Alaska Tours provides you with more than just a handful of once-in-a-lifetime experiences as there are things to explore and experience in Alaska that are rarely found anywhere else in the world - fjords, glaciers, flight-seeing and fishing, sled dog races, grizzly bears, Orcas and moose.

Listening to stories and looking into the itineraries of other people who have visited Alaska will give you an idea of what Alaska is all about. At the same time, these will make you want to tell your own stories about the 49th state. So you plan your vacation to Alaska with your family as carefully as possible. Going to new places can be quite daunting. It is a relief to know that there are two very accommodating Alaskans, Bob and Carolyn of All Alaska Tours, to show you around the place they know by heart. With sets of activities included in their itineraries, discovering Alaska with Bob and Carolyn will guarantee you a family vacation that will certainly be etched in your memories as well as your children's.

Get ready to discover Alaska through The Alaska Family Vacation, an 11 day-10 night itinerary, that All Alaska Tours has prepared. Bob and Carolyn are very well-experienced in handling group tours, and they will let you enjoy Alaska as if it were your family's vast playground. The tour has activities that will allow you to discover the natural world, participate in outdoor activities, and meet new people - locals and fellow travelers alike.

Your family vacation to Alaska starts as soon as you step foot on Alaskan soil, Anchorage, to be exact. All Alaska Tours takes care of your transfer from the airport to Hotel Alyeska in Girdwood. The Hotel Alyeska has all the amenities you would want every hotel to have... and more. More being the aerial tram ride, which will certainly be something the kids will love, and the Seven Glaciers Restaurant, which sits 2,300 feet above the Hotel Alyeska on a mountain ridge accessible only through the aerial tram!

This Alaska family vacation offers you everything but the ordinary. You get to experience unique activities like gold panning at the Crow Creek gold mine (keeping all the gold you find) and cruising through Prince William Sound from Whittier. The island hop to Cordova brims with wildlife and brings you to a hospitable lodge affiliated with All Alaska Tours, the Orca Adventure Lodge.  Here, you will experience the kind of bliss you rarely feel in the city. Having a glacier excursion is something you should not miss to do in Alaska. The hike in the shadows of Mt. Blackburn is an incredible glacier experience for the family. Not only is it thrilling for the kids, but it is also informative as a naturalist guide specifically points out the effects of global warming to the glaciers. Be sure to stay alert on your visits to Wrangell-St. Elias Park and Denali National Park as you will surely chance upon some wildlife! Also, it is only in Alaska that you get to experience the world famous Iditarod Sled Dog Race.

The tour is tailored to have an easy schedule to give the chance to have quality time with your family.  After all, that is what family vacations are all about - enjoying each other's company.  You can do outdoor activities such as sea kayaking in Cordova, biking, or just walking around and exploring Anchorage on your own.  There are other activities not included in the tour that you might want to do with your family, and All Alaska Tours will be happy to organize for you like bear viewing at the Big River Lakes or Brooks Falls and guided salmon fishing off the side of the road at Ship Creek or fly-in fishing across Yetna River, Clear Creek or Talachalitna rivers.  In addition, if you wish to spice up your Alaska family vacation with something cultural and historical, your tour guides will lead you to the accessible shops, restaurants and trail systems in Anchorage, and also visit the Anchorage Museum of History and Art.

Whether you are on board a plane, train or bus, just getting to the destinations included in the tour are already scenic gifts. You will see such graphic historical landmarks like the Million Dollar Bridge constructed in the early 1900's. The amazing scenery along the Denali Highway and Alaska Railroads will definitely put you in awe.

As warm as the welcome was, so is the farewell.  Allow All Alaska Tours to indulge your family and the rest of your Alaskan vacation group with a sumptuous farewell dinner. Take this opportunity to share all that you have seen and experienced during your stay. More importantly, reflect on how your relationship with your family, your fellow travelers and tour guides have flourished into a new level of friendship. With some open time before your return flight the next day, you have the opportunity to conclude your Alaska family vacation by exploring Anchorage on your own or with one last activity with your tour guides.

Discovering Alaska with the help of All Alaska Tours will make your trip a breeze. The route, hotels, and activities are already conveniently planned for you, and with the option to add activities that specifically appeal to your family.  Your memories of this Alaska family vacation will not only be filled with all things Alaska, but also with the new friends who shared the experience with you.

Rejuvenating Romantic Weekend Getaway to Key West, Florida

Key West is definitely the key to a great romantic weekend getaway. Located at the southernmost part of Florida, it is a great escape for everyone who wants to break away from the ordinary.

Although you can fly straight to Key West International Airport, you can also choose Miami as a landing destination instead and begin your weekend getaway with a romantic drive along the US1 (nicknamed The Overseas Highway) over the vast waters. The drive gives you impeccable views of the ocean, with the wide variety of hotels, seafood restaurants, dive shops and boats as a preview of how much of an amazing trip you are about to have.

Couples often prefer a quiet getaway for a romantic weekend. Make the most of each other's company by spending the whole day at the beach, lying on the sand or swinging on a hammock with good food and good drinks. You can also take the seventy-mile ferry or chartered plane ride to the island of Dry Tortugas for an extraordinary diving experience, or simply enjoy the cool breeze brushing up your hair on a cruise ship. Spend some quality time walking around Key West. Enjoy strolling the palm tree-lined streets hand-in-hand with your spouse or boyfriend/girlfriend and watch the sunset.

Spend your romantic weekend at the luxurious Marquesa Hotel right in the center of the historic district. Just in the same street, the Eden House offers the same historic atmosphere with a more affordable rate.  Lingering over local cuisine is one of the essentials of weekend getaways. On Duval Street, you will find many of Key West's top restaurants for your romantic dining. On this strip, restaurants have an area with porches where you can just watch the world go by over a sumptuous meal and a glass of wine. These restaurants serve seafood as their specialty with fresh catches from the surrounding waters, and of course served in many different ways.  My favorite is the Conch burger.  If you want your fish raw, the Japanese cuisine-serving Origami is highly recommended. Other top picks include the Seven Fish and Bagatelle for those who prefer their fish cooked.  Last but not the least is Sloppy Joe's, a long time local favorite. During spring break, resorts and bars throw parties that promise everyone in attendance a good time. November activities, on the other hand, include Halloween costume parties and the Key West Power Boat Race. Water sport enthusiasts fly in to Key West every year to witness this event.

Key West is said to be the haven of writers. Authors obviously draw inspiration from all the beauty the island possesses. Since the mood for this particular weekend getaway is romantic, visit the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum and explore the very walls where Ernest Hemingway wrote his emotional novels. Those fascinated to the underwater can have a self- or guided-tour at the Key West Aquarium, which features diverse exhibits of sea life in the Florida waters. Check the Aquarium's daily schedule for feeding if you wish to have a close encounter with the sharks.

Whether you want it quiet and private or loud and wild, Key West has something for you to break loose from the routine. It is the perfect vacation spot for couples to unwind and relish a romantic weekend getaway.

Guided Alaska Family Vacation

The best way to fully grasp the things you hear and read about the hypnotizing beauty of Alaska is to have an Alaska family vacation yourself. A state so big and full of wonderful sights and sounds, it will take an entire lifetime to discover everything that Alaska contributes to the world. Taking a guided Alaska vacation with a reputable company like All Alaska Tours provides you more than just a handful once-in-a-lifetime experiences as there are so many things to explore in Alaska that you can rarely find anywhere else in the world - fjords, glaciers, flight-seeing and flight-fishing, sled dog races, grizzly bears, orcas and moose.

Listening to stories and looking into the itineraries of travelers who have visited Alaska would only give you an idea of what Alaska really is, and would make you yearn to be able to describe it using your own words as seen by your own eyes. So you plan your Alaska family vacation as carefully as possible, making sure the only thing you worry about when you get there is to absorb and enjoy everything. Going to unfamiliar places can be quite stressful and dreadful. That is why there is nothing more relieving than knowing that there are two friendly long time Alaskans, Bob and Carolyn of All Alaska Tours, to show you around the place they know by heart. With sets of fun-filled activities included in their itineraries, discovering Alaska with Bob and Carolyn will guarantee you a family vacation that will certainly be carved in your memory and your children's as well.

Get ready to know Alaska the way you should through this 11 days-10 nights itinerary that All Alaska Tours prepared for you. Well-experienced in handling group tours, Bob and Carolyn will let you enjoy Alaska as if it were your family's playground with activities that will allow you to discover the natural world, participate in outdoor activities, meet new people - locals and fellow travelers alike, and, most of all, have a fun Alaska vacation with your family.

All Alaska Tours promises that your family vacation to Alaska starts as soon as you step foot on Alaskan soil, Anchorage, to be precise as they take care of your transfer from the airport to the very reputable Hotel Alyeska in Girdwood. The Hotel Alyeska has amenities you would want any hotel to have and more. More being the aerial tram ride, which is something the children would really want to do, and the Seven Glaciers Restaurant that sits a good 2,300 feet above the Hotel Alyeska on a mountain ridge accessible only through, you guessed it, the aerial tram!

The entirety of this Alaska family vacation offers you everything but the ordinary. You get to experience not the usual relaxation as you share tables with fellow Alaska adventurers for meals, gold panning at the Crow Creek gold mine where you keep all the gold you find, cruising through Prince William Sound via the Alaska Ferry, island hopping to Cordova that brims with wildlife and a very hospitable lodge affiliated with All Alaska Tours, informative glacier excursions where a naturalist specifically points out the effects of global warming to the glaciers, park visits to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Denali National Park and a dog race popularly known as the Iditarod Sled Dog Race.

The tour is tailored with an easy schedule to allow you to enjoy this vacation to Alaska stress-free and more alone-time with your family compared to any other tours in the world. You get to enjoy outdoor activities such as sea kayaking, biking or just walking around and exploring the vicinity on your own. There are still some more activities not included in the tour that you might want to do with your family that Bob and Carolyn will be most happy to organize for you like bear viewing and guided salmon fishing. In addition to that, if you wish to spice up your Alaska family vacation with something cultural and historical, your tour guides will not only organize a walking tour for you, but also lead the tour to the accessible shops, restaurants and trail systems in Anchorage, and also a visit to the Anchorage Museum of History and Art.

As warm the welcome was, so is the farewell. Allow Bob and Carolyn to indulge your family and the rest of your Alaska vacation group with a very sumptuous farewell dinner. Take this opportunity to take in all of Alaska that you have seen and experienced during your stay. More importantly, reflect on how your relationship with, not only your family but your fellow travelers and tour guides as well, flourished into a new level of friendship. Still with enough time to spare before your flight the next day, you have a choice to conclude your Alaska family vacation to explore Anchorage by yourselves or with one last activity with your tour guides.

Discovering Alaska with the help of All Alaska Tours will definitely make your family vacation such a breeze. Your memories of this Alaska family vacation will not only be filled with all things Alaska, but also with the new friends who shared the experience with you.

Perfect Alaska Family Vacation with All Alaska Tours

The best way to fully grasp the things you hear and read about the beauty of Alaska  is to experience an Alaska family vacation for yourself.  A state so big and so full of wonderful sights, it would take a lifetime to discover everything Alaska offers.  Taking a vacation with your family to Alaska provides you with more than just a handful of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, as there are things to explore in Alaska that are rarely found anywhere else in the world:   Fjords, glaciers, flight-seeing and fishing, sled dog races, grizzly bears, orcas and moose.

Listening to stories and looking into the itineraries of travelers who have visited Alaska will give you an idea of what it is to experience Alaska and entice you to plan your own trip there.  If you plan your vacation with your family carefully, you'll be able to enjoy more of what Alaska offers.   

But going to unfamiliar places, while exciting, can be daunting.  That is why it's a relief to know that there are two friendly Alaskans, Bob and Carolyn of All Alaska Tours, to show you around the place they know by heart.  With sets of activities included in their itineraries, discovering Alaska with Bob and Carolyn will guarantee you a family vacation that will carve lifelong memories.

Get ready to know Alaska the way you should through this 11 day/10 night itinerary, The Alaska Family Vacation,  that All Alaska Tours prepared for you. Well-experienced in handling group tours, Bob and Carolyn will let you enjoy Alaska as if it were your family's playground with activities that allow you to discover the natural world, participate in outdoor activities, and meet new people - locals and fellow travelers alike.

Your family vacation to Alaska starts as soon as you step foot on Alaskan soil in the city of Anchorage.  All Alaska Tours takes care of your transfer from the airport to the reputable Hotel Alyeska in Girdwood.  The Hotel Alyeska has amenities you would want at any hotel... and more; the more being the aerial tram ride, which is something children love to do, and the Seven Glaciers Restaurant that sits 2,300 feet above the Hotel Alyeska on a mountain ridge accessible only through the aerial tram!

This Alaska family vacation offers you everything but the ordinary.  You get to experience unique activities like gold panning at the Crow Creek gold mine (keeping all the gold you find) and cruising through Prince William Sound from Whittier.   The island hop to Cordova brims with wildlife and brings you to a hospitable lodge affiliated with Alaska Tours, the Orca Adventure Lodge.  Here you'll experience  a bliss rarely felt in the cities.  Glacier excursions is a must when you are in Alaska.  The hike in the shadows of Mt. Blackburn is a family activity you should not miss.  Not only is it thrilling for the kids, but it's also informative as your naturalist guide specifically points out the effects of global warming to the glaciers.  Be sure to stay alert on your visits to Wrangell-St. Elias Park and Denali National Park as you will surely chance upon wildlife!   Also, you get to experience the world famous Iditarod Sled Dog Race.

The tour is tailored with an easy schedule to give ample free time with your family.  After all, that is what family vacations are all about, enjoying each other's company.  You can do outdoor activities such as sea kayaking in Cordova, biking, or just walking around and exploring Anchorage on your own.  There are other activities not included in the tour that you might want to do with your family that Alaska Tours will be happy to organize for you like bear viewing at the Big River Lakes or Brooks Falls and guided salmon fishing off the side of the road at Ship Creek or fly-in fishing across Yetna River, Clear Creek or Talachalitna rivers.  In addition, if you wish to spice up your Alaska family vacation with something cultural and historical, your tour guides will lead you to the accessible shops, restaurants and trail systems in Anchorage, and also visit the Anchorage Museum of History and Art.

Just getting to your tour destinations are scenic gifts, whether you arrive via plane, train or bus.  You'll see historical landmarks like the Million Dollar Bridge built in the early 1900's (an entertaining anecdote to your kids).  Your family will be awed by the amazing scenery as your bus takes you along the Denali Highway and Alaska Railroads.

As warm as the welcome felt, so is the farewell.  Allow All Alaska Tours to indulge your family and the rest of your Alaskan vacation group with a sumptuous farewell dinner.  Take this opportunity to share all that you've seen and experienced during your stay.   More importantly, reflect on how your relationship with your family, your fellow travelers and tour guides flourished into a new level of friendship. 

With some open time before your return flight the next day, you have a choice to conclude your Alaska family vacation by exploring Anchorage on your own or with one last activity with your tour guides.

Discovering Alaska with the help of All Alaska Tours will make planning your trip a breeze. The route, hotels, and activities are already mapped out for you, with options to add activities that specifically appeal to your family.  Your memories of this Alaska family vacation will not only be filled with all things Alaska, but also with the new friends who shared the experience with you.