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What are some great weekend destinations for families in the U.S.?
- From kid-friendly sandy beaches in Florida, the East Coast, and California to great adventure lodges in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Colorado, and the Southwest, families get to choose from many wonderful weekend destinations in the United States.
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1. Skytop Lodge in the Pocono Mountains
Skytop Lodge is set on 5,500 acres in the Pocono Mountains, offering families an active weekend escape from New York, Philadelphia or Washington D.C. Play golf on the Pocono Mountains Golf Course, get massages at the spa and head to the Adventure Center for a choice of activities, including a rock climbing wall, paintball course and a zipline challenge course. The resort has both indoor and outdoor pools, as well as a lake with a sandy shore, perfect for swimming and water sports from May through September. If you are planning a winter trip with kids, you will be able to go ice skating, cross-country skiing, dog sledding and snowshoeing.
During the fall season, visitors are treated to a stunning display of colors in the Poconos. Guests are accommodated at the Inn, Lodge and Cottages. Private porches, refrigerators and a shared washer/dryer facility make the Cottages a great choice for families. The resort offers elegant and casual dining options serving a variety of flavors.
One Skytop, Skytop, Pennsylvania 18357, Phone: 855-345-7759
2. Margaritaville Beach House Key West
Margaritaville Beach House Key West has all the essential ingredients for a fun family getaway. Located directly across the street from Smathers Beach and just moments away from all the attractions of Key West, this resort is a winning choice. Families can stay in one of the resort’s very comfortable 2-bedroom suites which boast spacious accommodation and a separate sitting area – some include a kitchen which is great if you have picky eaters in the family. On-site amenities include a large outdoor pool, scheduled activities for all ages. and easy access to the beach.
Margaritaville Beach House, 2001 S. Roosevelt Boulevard, Key West, FL 33040, 305 292 9800
3. The Crawford Hotel in Denver, Colorado
Train travel is fun for kids - it gives them the freedom to stretch their legs and enjoy the changing view through the windows. Take a train trip to Denver, Colorado and check into the Crawford Hotel located in a Beaux Arts building at Denver's Union Station. Kids can stay in one of the Pullman Guest Rooms which were designed to feel like a train sleeping car, complete with rich mahogany, neutral tones and art deco touches. Parents should book the stunning one-bedroom Crawford Suite with decor inspired by the Victorian era. The suite has soaring ceilings, a freestanding footed bath tub, a spacious master bedroom with a sitting area, powder room, Butler's pantry and separate dining and living rooms.
Guests receive free WiFi, a 46-inch TV, an in-room iPad, 24-hour Fitness Center, complimentary access to the Oxford Club, Spa & Salon, and complimentary Tesla car service within 2 miles of the hotel. The hotel has agreements with some of the best restaurants in Denver which provide a take-out style room service delivered in eco-friendly containers. You will be able to view unique Western art on display at the Crawford and at Union Station, including vintage family pictures, travel postcards and 1940s celebrity trading cards.
1701 Wynkoop Street, Denver, Colorado 80202, Phone: 720-460-3700
4. Evergreen Lodge at Yosemite
Memorable family moments begin at the Evergreen Lodge at Yosemite where the whole family and enjoy a wide range of fun activities. The resort offers a variety of comfortable cabins as well as spacious camping tents set among the trees for families who would like to get a little closer to nature. Exciting family activities include daily scheduled games and activities, several guided hiking excursions, (ranging from moderate to strenuous), Yosemite Flight Tours, Craft workshops and much more. There is a large outdoor swimming pool with hot tub, a kid’s zip line, forest disc golf and so much more to enjoy. Onsite dining is available at the main lodge, The Tavern and the Pool Bar.
Evergreen Lodge, 33160 Evergreen Road, Groveland, CA 95321, 209-379-2606
5. Big Cedar Lodge in Missouri
Snuggled deep in the magnificent Ozark Mountains of Missouri, Big Cedar Lodge is a secluded haven of beauty and tranquility that echoes a time gone by. Surrounded by an area steeped in history, this rustic resort epitomizes the American wilderness and offers guests a little slice of outback heaven. Big Cedar offers a variety of accommodations, ranging from cozy knotty pine cottages and log cabins in the woods to grand hillside cottages with spectacular views of the glassy Table Rock Lake below. Beautifully appointed for absolute privacy, guest accommodations are luxuriously furnished and boast private balconies, cozy fireplaces and modern amenities. Enjoy a variety of delicious fare at no less than four restaurants. Savor home-style fare in a historical setting at The Devil’s Pool Restaurant. For fine dining and breathtaking views, head to Top of the Rock, or try Buzzard’s Bar for light meals and drinks accompanied by cowboy singing. Guests have access to the full-service marina and an array of activities, such as horseback riding, fishing, golf, hiking and biking trails.
612 Devil's Pool Road, Ridgedale, Missouri 65739, Phone: 800-225-6343
6. Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village
The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village offers vacationers a choice of 263 guest rooms and suites and is one of the best vacations for kids in Florida. The lagoon-style outdoor pool is sure to be a favorite with kids, along with the marina where families have access to an array of watersports. The resort has a fitness studio with cardio and strength training equipment. The Esterra Spa & Salon adjacent to the resort offers seven treatment rooms and a diverse menu of services.
Guest rooms are furnished with Westin Heavenly Beds, plush robes and White Tea Aloe bath amenities. Marker 92 Waterfront Bar & Bistro serves American cuisine in a resort casual setting. The hotel is 18 miles from Southwest Florida International Airport between Tampa and Naples. Nearby you will find Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, Fort Myers Beach, the Ding Darling Nature Preserve and many golf courses.
5951 Silver King Boulevard, Cape Coral, Florida 33914, Phone: 239-541-5000
7. Hotel Zephyr, San Francisco
Located in the heart of San Francisco’s Fisherman's Wharf, a short walk from Pier 41, other prime tourist destinations, and ferries to Alcatraz, Angel Island, and Sausalito, Hotel Zephyr is one of San Francisco’s very few waterfront hotels. Modern and sleek, the hotel is decorated with colorful and cool nautical details and offers 361 spacious, sophisticated rooms and suites with all modern amenities such as free Wi-Fi, minifridges, HD TVs, and coffeemakers. Some rooms enjoy views of the city and the bay, and larger suites have sitting rooms and large floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city’s skyline. The hotel has a gym, a cozy lounge, and a game room with a popular pool table and a large outdoor terrace with fire pits.
250 Beach St, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA, Phone: 415-617-6565
8. WaterColor Inn in Florida
WaterColor Inn is a family getaway in Northwest Florida, offering activities for families and couples. The resort is located the Grayton Beach State Park and Seaside, overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Florida is a great place to visit with kids, home to some of the best family beach vacations on the East Cost. Visit the WaterColor Inn spa, play golf, relax on the beach and sample gourmet cuisine at the inn's restaurants. It's popular with families who want to spend a long weekend enjoying the beach and the sun.
The resort's flagship restaurant, Fish Out of Water, serves fresh seafood paired with delicious wines. Watch the water and the sand dunes while enjoying your breakfast, lunch and dinner.
34 Goldenrod Cir, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459, Phone: 888-991-8878
9. Grand Hotel Mackinac Island
If you are looking for weekend getaways with kids in the Midwest, Grand Hotel Mackinac Island, located in the center of the Great Lakes waterway, is an all-inclusive summer vacation destination, open from May through October. No cars are allowed on the island and there is plenty to do, from swimming in the pool to golf, walking and biking in the beautiful Mackinac Island State Park. Originally built in 1887, the property has 390 individually decorated guest rooms. Some of the rooms and suites are named after famous people. Six suites were designed in consultation with former first ladies. The Jacqueline Kennedy suite, for example, has gold-painted walls and features the gold presidential eagle.
Swim in the Esther Williams pool, detox in the sauna and have snacks by the pool. Activities the whole family can enjoy include tennis, horseback riding, carriage tours and children's programs from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Across the street lies the scenic Jewel golf course. The course is comprised of the Grand nine and the Woods nine, set in the interior of the island. The Grand nine was built in 1901 and redesigned in 1987. The Woods nine was added in 1994, designed by Jerry Matthews.
The island is accessible only by boat or plane. Ferries depart from Mackinaw City and St. Ignace, Michigan. Assistance is provided for transferring luggage on and off the ferry. The Mackinac Island Airport has a 3,500-foot runway that accommodates private and charter aircraft. For more information about flying here, contact the concierge. Once you arrive, you can get around on foot, by bike or a horse-drawn carriage. This is a popular summer getaway from Buffalo, Cleveland, Chicago and Detroit. The property is usually open open from the last week of April through October.
286 Grand Avenue, Mackinac Island, Mackinac Island 49757, Phone: 800-334-7263
Plan Your Trip
Table of Contents:
- 1. Skytop Lodge in the Pocono Mountains
- 2. Margaritaville Beach House Key West
- 3. The Crawford Hotel in Denver, Colorado
- 4. Evergreen Lodge at Yosemite
- 5. Big Cedar Lodge in Missouri
- 6. Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village
- 7. Hotel Zephyr, San Francisco
- 8. WaterColor Inn in Florida
- 9. Grand Hotel Mackinac Island