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from FamilyTravel.com We believe that travel is one of the best ways to strengthen family bonds, create confidence, and learn about the world from direct, personal experience. Think back to your own childhood. Your fondest memories are probably of your first trip to Disneyland or that incredible trip to Hawaii. Our staff is dedicated to helping you pick the right destination for your next family getaway--a family vacation that will help your family develop a love and respect for nature, for adventure, for fun, and for togetherness. We have personally reviewed the following locations and believe that they represent some of the best accommodations and attractions available today.
Rancho de los Caballeros-Family Fun and Lifelong Memories
By Pam Plesons
Set on 20,000 acres of beautiful high Sonoran desert, northwest of Phoenix, this historic guest ranch opened its doors in 1948. There were times during a recent stay with my family, that I felt we had indeed stepped back in time. We enjoyed a wonderful blend of upscale creature comforts combined with a generous dose of the wild, wild west. The resort is well known for both its 18-hole championship golf course and its desert horseback riding and ranch activities. We needed to stay for a month! So many choices, so little time! Where to begin: golf on one of Arizona’s top courses; tennis lessons from the pro; horseback riding through the spectacular desert; poolside relaxation; a breathtaking jeep tour; mountain biking; a guided nature hike; trap and skeet shooting; a cattle penning competition; massage; and even a hot air balloon ride. read more...
A Family Road Trip to the Grand Canyon, Bryce, and Zion including:
Bryce Canyon Reviews Zion Reviews ________________________________________________________________
Family Colorado Road Trip FamilyTravel Reviews Great Family Destinations in Colorado... Westin Westminster ** Selected by FamilyTravel.com as a "Great Family Resort in Colorado" (November, 2003) The Westin Westminster is located just outside Denver and is within walking distance of Denver’s wonderful Butterfly Pavilion and a huge 15-theater movie complex. We chose this location, rather than a downtown Denver location because it is quieter in Westminster (a suburb of Denver) and yet still close to Denver’s wonderful family attractions. The Children’s museum of Denver is 1 mile away and the Denver zoo is 5 miles. Six Flags Elitch Gardens Amusement Park is 10 blocks away. The Westin is 4 blocks away from the Convention Center and just 3 blocks from the Denver Center for the performing arts. read more... Lost Valley Ranch Sedalia, Colorado ** Selected by FamilyTravel.com as a "Great Family Resort in Colorado" (November, 2003) Our Lost Valley Ranch experience was one of the nicest vacations my family and I have ever taken. This place is special. Mid-way through our week here my husband announced, "We’re coming here every year!" Lost Valley Ranch is located high in the Rockies, two hours from Denver. Guests stay for a full week and enjoy a variety of activities such as horseback riding, fly-fishing, hiking, and swimming. The kids program is incredible and families return year after year. On the Monday evening of our stay the guests gathered together after dinner for chocolate dipped strawberries, homemade cookies, and a slide show. At one point in the evening, the guests stood and introduced themselves and talked about how long they had been coming to the Lost Valley Ranch. We were the only guests who were visiting for the fist time! All the other guests had been coming for 5, 10 and some for even 20 years! There was also a young couple who had met each other at the ranch and was now returning with their own children. As I said, Lost Valley Ranch is a very special place. Guest accommodations are roomy and comfortable and you can choose from one, two, or three bedroom cabins. Like most ranches, there are no TVs or telephones in the room. But there is a fireplace, a front porch, a refrigerator, and great people. This truly is the best of ranch living. The Lost Valley Ranch has earned the 4 Diamond award from AAA and it is clear to me that they deserve it. The rooms were very clean and well maintained. We were provided wood for our fireplace every day. Every thing was taken care of smoothly and with comfortable ease that made us feel welcomed and extremely relaxed. read more... C Lazy U Granby, Colorado ** Selected by FamilyTravel.com as one of the "Top Family Resorts in Colorado" (November, 2003) The C Lazy U Ranch is Colorado’s premier 5-star ranch located 97 miles west of Denver. The ranch spreads out on 8,000 gorgeous acres and the C Lazy U offers stress-free family vacations that are luxurious and fun. Not long after we arrived I could see why it has been awarded the AAA Five-Diamond and the Mobil Four-Star Awards year after year. The accommodations are absolutely lovely and the staff is remarkable. As a mom I would add an extra star to their awards because of the exceptional kindness they showed to my children and I while we were guests. They say you really find out whom your friends are when the chips are down. When my children and I visited the C Lazy U, my seven-year-old came down with pneumonia and she spent the first two days at the ranch in our room fighting a 104 degree fever. We had to spend the third day in the emergency room. Thank goodness we were at the C Lazy U Ranch. My husband was not with me at the time and I didn’t know how I was going to take care of my youngest, while still looking after her brother and sister. Thankfully the staff at the C Lazy U saved the day. They sent popsicles and room service to my daughter and me, and then they graciously offered to involve my older children in the ranch’s program for children. My kids were thrilled to accept and I was relieved to know they were in good hands and enjoying their vacation while I tended their little sister. If we had been at a hotel, instead of at the ranch, they would have been stuck in the room for three days. It would have been difficult for all of us. Instead, they were able to ride horses, fish, and make new friends. The C Lazy U staff was very kind and I will always be grateful for their help. read more...
Cheyenne Mountain Resort Colorado Springs, Colorado ** Selected by FamilyTravel.com as a "Great Family Resort in Colorado" (November, 2003) The Cheyenne Mountain Resort is huge! The sports complex alone has four swimming pools, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, a complete fitness center, and a 35-acre lake for sailing and fishing. The location can’t be beat either. Colorado Springs is where you want to stay if you are traveling with a family and want to see Colorado’s best family attractions. The most famous attraction in the area is "Pike’s Peak" which inspired Katharine Lee Bates to pen the words to "America the Beautiful." Our favorite Colorado Springs’ based activities are the Flying W Ranch, Cave of the Winds, the Anasazi Cliff Dwellings, and the Garden of the Gods. A description of these activities is located on FamilyTravel.com in the "Colorado Attractions" section. The Cheyenne Mountain Resort is also surprisingly affordable. We are a rather large family (three children and two adults) so we stayed in adjoining rooms with a connecting door. This gave us plenty of beds and the kids loved having two TVs. My kids especially loved discovering that we had wild rabbits outside our hotel room. read more... Water World Denver, Colorado ** Selected by FamilyTravel.com as one of the "Top Family Attractions in Colorado" (November, 2003) The Water World in Denver, Colorado is one of the largest in the U.S. and is a great vacation destination for families visiting the area. The place is huge! Even after spending eight hours splashing and rafting around, there were still a lot of water rides that we just were not able to get to because we ran out of time. read more...
The Flying W Ranch Dinner Show Colorado Springs, Colorado ** Selected by FamilyTravel.com as one of the "Top Family Attractions in Colorado" (November, 2003) The Flying W Ranch is a working cattle ranch and dinner show located in beautiful Colorado Springs. The Flying W is a popular attraction for both tourists and locals and during the summer months, the ranch smoothly serves over 1,000 guests a night. They have been serving up western style food and entertainment since 1953. They have built a reputation that attracts people to keep coming back year after year. The Flying W ranch is decorated as a traditional old west town and kids love exploring the different booths and shops. When we toured the town we saw rugs being made by Navajo Indian women. The women were weaving the rugs in full view and we could all see the work being done. My children were fascinated by the process. read more... Garden of the Gods Colorado Springs, Colorado ** Selected by FamilyTravel.com as one of the "Top Family Attractions in Colorado" (November, 2003) When our family visited the Garden of the Gods we were struck by the majesty of the area. As a matter of fact our children were awestruck over the dirt! Admittedly, Garden of the Gods does have the prettiest dirt you’ve ever seen – a color that the children described as "sunset pink." You can drive through Garden of the Gods, but try to put aside an hour or so to walk the paths and trails. It’s worth it. The towering sandstone rock formations, set against the backdrop of snow-capped Pikes Peak, are something you won’t want to miss. While you are visiting you will have your choice of a few different ways to view the park. There is a free guided nature walk which takes about 45 minutes. The walk is on a paved trail so this should be easy and pleasant for most people. Check at the visitor center for times and frequency of these tours. Before or after your walk you can watch the multimedia presentation in the theater. It runs for about 12 minutes and gives a great over view of the history of the region. The presentation also shows gorgeous photos of the unique vegetation and rock formations. The cost for the presentation is $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for children 5 years of age and over. Children age 4 and under are free. You can check out the Garden of the Gods website before you visit to find discount coupons to use while on your trip. read more... Pikes Peak Colorado Springs, Colorado ** Selected by FamilyTravel.com as one of the "Top Family Attractions in Colorado" (November, 2003) Pikes Peak is the most visited mountain in North America and the second most visited mountain in the United States. (The most visited mountain is Mount Fuji in Japan). Pikes Peak is most famous as the symbol of the Colorado gold rush, "Pikes Peak or Bust!" read more...
The Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine Cripple Creek, Colorado (60 minutes from Colorado Springs) ** Selected by FamilyTravel.com as one of the "Top Family Attractions in Colorado" (November, 2003) The Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine is a great day trip for families vacationing in Colorado. The mines are located outside the historic town of Cripple Creek, which is approximately 60 minutes from Colorado Springs. Gold was discovered here in 1890 and over the next ten years over 50,000 people rushed to the Cripple Creek area to strike it rich. read more...
Rocky Mountain National Park Near Estes Park and Grand Lake, Colorado ** Selected by FamilyTravel.com as one of the "Top Family Attractions in Colorado" (November, 2003) After leaving the C Lazy U Ranch, which is in Granby, Colorado, we headed out to drive up through the Rocky Mountain National Park. The kids loved it! We visited the Continental Divide and shopped at the 14,000-foot elevation gift shop. We also learned first hand what altitude sickness feels like. If you have any health concerns, you may want to check with a doctor before driving up so high. Even if you are in good health, take time to acclimatize yourself to the high elevation. Staying hydrated and rested is essential to optimize your resistance to fatigue and the affects of higher altitudes. Gradual acclimation is the best way to enjoy the beautiful high mountain regions. read more...
The Butterfly Pavilion Westminster, Colorado (near Denver) ** Selected by FamilyTravel.com as one of the "Top Family Attractions in Colorado" (November, 2003) Imagine walking through a tropical jungle, with incredible butterflies fluttering all around you. We almost drove right past the Butterfly Pavilion, but I’m so glad we stopped. The Butterfly Pavilion ended up being one of the highlights of our trip. We expected our girls to enjoy the butterflies, but our 12-year-old son also had a wonderful time. He loved looking deeply at things and finding the iguana that was hiding in the tree and counting the koi in the pool. read more...
The Manitou Cliff Dwellings Manitou Springs, Colorado ** Selected by FamilyTravel.com as one of the "Top Family Attractions in Colorado" (November, 2003) The Anasazi Cliff Dwellings in Manitou Springs were built more than 700 years ago. The preserve and museum are located 5 miles west of Colorado Springs. The well cared for attraction offers families a chance to take a trip into the past. There are no "do not touch" signs here -- kids are free to climb about and explore these fascinating dwellings to their heart’s content. The cliff dwellings were first opened to the public in 1906. Visitors are allowed to walk through the preserved rooms that housed thousands of people in the walls of the cliff. Today’s visitor can truly get a sense of what life was like living three or more stories high on the edge of a cliff. There is a self guided tour which provides each person the opportunity to explore the structures and exhibits at their own pace. The tools, pottery and instruments of the village are on display in the museum read more...
Cave of the Winds Manitou Springs, Colorado ** Selected by FamilyTravel.com as one of the "Top Family Attractions in Colorado" (November, 2003) Located just outside Colorado Springs, Cave of the Winds is one of Colorado’s most scenic attractions. The caves were first opened in 1880 and are considered to be one of the oldest attractions in the Pike’s Peak area. There are three different tours to choose from and all are nice. The Discovery Tour is best for families. The caves are spacious and well lit and even those who are normally uncomfortable in small spaces will probably enjoy the tour. Our reviewer and her family visited during the summer and had to wait about 45 minutes for the next tour. But it was worth the wait. You can enjoy the view from the balcony while you wait or get a snack at the snack bar. The Cave of the Winds is definitely worth a visit. We think the Caves are one of the Top Family Attractions in Colorado! For Information Contact: Cave of the Winds Manitou Springs, Colorado 1-719-685-5444 Lake Tahoe
The Resort at Squaw Creek is located just 6 miles from Lake Tahoe and is a handy base for exploring the area (a great bike trail is just down the road). You can ski right from the hotel or take the "Tram" up to Squaw Valley's beautiful "High Camp." In the summer, you can hike up the mountain, rent horses from the nearby stable, or swim in the pool (Kids love the 100-foot water slide). more... SORENSON'S Cross Country Skiing, Llama Packing and Historical Walking Tours of the Emigrant Trail Sorenson's is located in the Hope Valley (20 miles south of Lake Tahoe) and is the perfect family spot for cross country skiing.more... Northern California Drakesbad Guest Ranch Drakesbad is so popular, there is a two-year waiting list for reservations (unless you travel off-season). Drakesbad is the perfect place to get away from it all and regroup as a family.more... Santa Barbara, Ca.
Carlsbad, Ca. La Costa Resort and Spa, Carlsbad, CA.
LegoLand (Carlsbad, California) LegoLand was a happy surprise for me. We expected the Park to be sickeningly commercial, but it was just the opposite. LegoLand is very respectful of children, and young visitors leave the park feeling confident, powerful and creative. Heck, even the food is healthy and LegoLand's eating venues offer top-notch healthy cuisine. more... San Diego The San Diego Wild Animal Park Owned and operated by the world-famous San Diego Zoo, the Wild Animal Park is the only American facility of its kind—-a rural preserve where different species mingle much as they do in the wild, and where rare and exotic animals on the edge of extinction are bred and studied. Over 3,000 animals inhabit the 2,200 acres, representing a fabulous opportunity for animal-lovers and photographers to view nature up close.more... The Hotel Del Coronado (San Diego, CA.) The Hotel Del Coronado is the largest beach resort on the North American Pacific Coast. The "Del" has hosted thousands of celebrities, dignitaries and travelers, but it is also a children's paradise. While parents pamper themselves, children are entertained in fully-supervised activities that are fun and educational. more...
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THE RESORT AT SQUAW CREEK 
The Bacara Resort and Spa is the newest luxury resort on the California Coast. Although not really known as a family resort, we were very pleasantly surprised by the friendly staff, the quality of the children's programs and the activities available for families. Upon our arrival our kids were each greeted with a Bacara Kid's Club Welcome Box filled with a hat, water bottle and all kinds of snacks. The kid's were thrilled and we were off to a great start. 
A Resort that delivers AA batteries to your room after hours to fix a toy and ease the tears of a disappointed 5 year old wins our approval!!! Combine this outstanding service with the industry's highest honors and you will understand why the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa was named one of the "Top 25 North American Resorts".
La Costa Resort and Spa is internationally recognized as a premier luxury resort. The Resort boasts world-class golf on two PGA championship courses, a renowned Racquet Club featuring 21 courts with three playing surfaces, and, the award-winning La Costa Spa. In addition to all this, it is located close to San Diego Zoo, Sea World, and LegoLand and offers a wonderful children's program at Camp La Costa 365 days a year. 
The Coronado Island Marriott Resort is nestled on 16 acres of waterfront property just across from the Coronado Bridge with incomparable views of Downtown San Diego and the Coronado Bay Bridge.