Now is the time to start planning your family summer vacation. If the thought of another trip to a mega theme park leaves you uninspired, consider these five ideas for a unique family vacation you’ll all remember for decades to come.
Dude Ranches, or Guest Ranches as they’re sometimes called, are usually working cattle ranches that allow guest to participate in and/or observe the day to day operations of the ranch. Dude Ranches offer the opportunity to ride horses, learn to rope, and even how to herd cattle. Most Dude Ranches offer on site accommodations and great food and some even give you the opportunity to relax by the pool or in a hot tub after your long day on the prairie. Dude ranches give parents and kids alike the opportunity to experience the real West and spend quality time together while sharing a truly unique experience.
Dude Ranches are scattered across the Western US and they vary greatly in the available activities and accommodations for your family vacation. You might want to consider The Running-R Guest Ranch near Bandera, Texas. They offer western-style lodging, hearty western cuisine and a healthy dose of Texas hospitality.
Genealogy Trip
More and more people are getting interested in genealogy and what better way to combine two hobbies than to take a family genealogy vacation? If you or someone in your family has done some genealogy work, it’s usually not hard to find an interesting or unique location where you can combine some research on your ancestors while taking in the local attractions. This trip can be as simple as a weekend a few hours from home to an epic family vacation tracing your ancestor’s footsteps through Europe or some other exotic location where you have roots.
A twist on this idea is to make a road trip out of the travels of a specific person or family in your tree. You might start with their arrival somewhere on the East coast and trace their path to the West stopping along the way to see the sights. No matter how you decide to do it, with careful planning, this could be one of your most memorable, educational and personally rewarding family vacations ever.
Foreign language immersion programs are one of the quickest and most effective ways to build new language skills. Immersion programs are offered for almost any language and they give you the opportunity to not only learn valuable language skills, but also to experience the local culture in a way that few outsiders have access to.
There are many reputable companies offering language immersions programs, but it’s best to find one that specializes in programs for families. One such program is offered by Spanish Abroad, Inc. They have a family program to learn Spanish in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. The program offers lessons for adults and children over the age of 6. Like most immersion programs, you have the option of staying with a local host family. This is a highly recommended option as it’s not only very cost effective, it gives you the chance to live the way the locals live, make new friends and practice your new language. An added bonus for a language immersion program is that they are usually offered in or near destinations that are attractive in their own right. Perhaps you could stay an extra few days in your chosen country before you go home? You’ll get to experience a more traditional family vacation and you’ll get a few more days of practice with your new language.
Agricultural Tourism
For a city kid, a day spent on a farm is as exciting and fun as it is educational. Agricultural Tourism, or Agri-Tourism, is one of the fastest growing types of travel in America and it is ideal for family vacations, especially if you have younger kids. The idea is that farmers open their farms up to the public for tours and activities. It creates an additional revenue stream for the family farmers and gives people from the city a chance to see how their food is raised.
While there are agricultural tourism opportunities in just about every state, you might consider Busy Barns Adventure Farm near Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. They offer a variety of activities for kids and their parents including interacting with farm animals, playing in piles of corn and straw and if you visit at the right time of the year, a corn maze or the opportunity to pick your own pumpkin.
RV Rental
What better way to enjoy some family togetherness than hitting the road in your own RV? While the cost and storage requirements of RVs put them out of reach for many Americans, there are opportunities to rent an RV for a few days to explore near or far.
Cruise America offers Motor Home rentals at 131 locations nationwide. This unique vacation option gives you the flexibility to go just about anywhere and travel in style. Many RV dealers also have rental units available, so you might try calling your local dealer to see what they have available.
Hopefully these ideas have inspired you to try something a little different this year. Whatever you decide to do and wherever you decide to go, I hope you have a great family vacation this summer!
The author has no relationship with the companies listed in this article and is receiving no compensation whatsoever for including them in the article. These companies are just a few of many great companies offering similar services. Research all travel opportunities thoroughly before booking your trip.
