Active Vacations

Weekend Activities

Coeur d'Alene resort in northern Idaho is a quick trip in the Northwest, offering many activities, a relaxing spa and an array of dining options. The American Club Kohler in Wisconsin is famous both for its championship golf and extensive spa facilities.

The Pitcher Inn in Vermont is a quick getaway from New York, offering romantic guest rooms with a fireplace and unique decor.

Spas

Hotel Casa Del Mar in the seaside town of Santa Monica is a quick trip from Los Angeles. The wellness center offers an array of therapies designed by Howard Murad, M.D., renowned for his healthy skincare treatments featured on The Today Show, CNN and The View. Treatments to try include Shimmer and Shine designed to treat wrinkles, Ah, Radiance to treat acne, or Tide You Over for hydration. The spa features two Massage Cabanas with scenic views of the Pacific on the semi-circular outdoor patio next to Hotel Casa Del Mar's outdoor pool. Open daily from 9am to 9pm, the facility is located on the 4th floor of Hotel Casa Del Mar.

Canyon Ranch in the Berkshires offers a range of fitness classes, health & wellness programs, and rejuvenating treatments. Guests get to choose from an array of outdoor activities, including hiking, group biking, canoeing on lakes and ponds. While you are there, learn about healthy eating and dine on award-winning healthy cuisine, made with organic, local and sustainable ingredients. All-inclusive rates start at $1,921 for 3 nights. The rates include 40+ complimentary fitness classes and activities daily; daily selection of wellness presentations, workshops and cooking demonstrations; accommodations and all meals.

Family Activities

At the Equinox in Vermont, families will find plenty to do with activities that include golf, shopping, hiking, fishing and off-road driving.

Cannon Beach is sandy beach on the coast of Oregon which features the famous Haystack Rock. The area offers dramatic scenery, hiking trails and sunbathing in the summer. The Ocean Lodge, located right next to the beach, is a family-friendly beach vacation resort with scenic views. Cannon Beach village offers a selection of galleries, cafes, and boutique shops. Cannon Beach is about 70 miles from Portland, Oregon.

The Alisal Guest Ranch is located in the Santa Ynez Valley, about 35 miles Southwest of the Santa Barbara, California. A resort set on a 10,000 acre working cattle ranch offers guests golf, horseback riding, tennis, and fishing in a true ranch setting. The 73 ranch style accommodations at the ranch have no telephones or televisions, but the last thing you want the kids to do on a family vacation is watch television. Instead, the rooms have comfortable furniture, wood burning fireplaces, high ceilings and covered porches.

Family trips are made much easier when food is not a problem. At the Alisal Guest Ranch, both breakfast and dinner are included in the room rate. Breakfast is a large buffet, enjoy lunch at the pool side snack bar or the golf grill, dress up for dinner enjoy great food in "frontier sized" proportions. For kids, supervised activities offered by the ranch include: a petting zoo, an arts and crafts program, horseback riding and outdoor games. Kids can also take golf, tennis, and fishing lessons. Rates start at $425 with breakfast and dinner included.

Visit the Walt Disney World in Orlando and stay at Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, the Reunion Resort, Nickelodeon Family Suites or the new Waldorf Astoria Orlando.

For Honeymooners

Plan a quick honeymoon to the Sundance Resort in Utah which offers first class skiing in the winter, and many outdoor activities in the summer.

Windham Hill Inn in Vermont offers rooms with valley views, fireplaces and Jacuzzis (not all rooms have this feature, so ask before you book).