By Heather Harrington
It’s that time of year again: Flowers are ready to bloom, kids are counting the days until the end of the school year, people are starting to wear less and less clothing, and families are starting to plan their next trips. The family vacation is a staple. Every year, thousands pack up their cars and head off for a long-awaited week filled with activities and relaxation (unless you happen to be part of the Griswold family—then you can expect nothing but frustration). Instead of spending another year at Disneyworld or Six Flags, check out one of these more affordable vacation spots that are sure to be fun for the whole family:
Catskill Mountains
When most people think of the Catskills, Dirty Dancing might come to mind. But the mountains have a lot more to offer than Patrick Swayze taking Baby out of the corner. Nestled in the New York State wilderness, the Catskill Mountains are the perfect peaceful getaway for any nature-loving family. There is a range of activities you won’t find on LI: take a hike in the thick dense forest, try your luck at fly-fishing in Beaverkill Stream, get lost in the breathtaking view of the Hudson River or take a trip back in time with the stone houses at Hurley. Each of the four Catskills regions offers its own special price packages that cover everything from lodging to daily activities. So turn off your cell phone—it’s OK, you won’t have service anyway, leave the busy work world behind and reconnect with your family and nature.
Poconos
While the rolling mountains of the Poconos are ideal for skiing- and snowboarding-filled winter vacations, they still offer a great getaway once the weather warms up. The popular spot offers four-star accommodations, delicious dining and a seemingly never-ending list of indoor and outdoor activities. Located in northeastern Pennsylvania near the sprawling Delaware River, it’s ideal for water sport activities like whitewater rafting and canoeing. Or hang up the bathing suit and admire the gorgeous views. If water sports and scenery aren’t your thing, head to the Poconos Raceway, which plays host to the Pocono 500 and the Pennsylvania 500 every summer.
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Hershey Park
If you have the kind of family that doesn’t like nature and would rather feel the rush of blood to the head, try a different kind of amusement park. One that combines thrill rides with everyone’s favorite thing—chocolate. Hershey Park originally opened in Hershey, Pa. in 1907 as a leisure park for the employees of the Hershey Chocolate Company, and soon turned into a place for the masses. Today, the park covers more than 110 acres and boosts more than 60 rides and attractions. As if that wasn’t enough to get your GPS pointed to the Keystone State, park goers can also get access to ZooAmerica, which is Hershey’s neighboring zoo, and the Hershey Visitor’s Center, where you can do all of your shopping and eating, and even go on chocolate-themed rides. The park also offers plenty of group discounts and packages, so you’ll be able to save some money for all those chocolate goodies in the souvenir store. So grab your bags and put the kids in the car: There’s a huge Hershey bar waiting to greet you for the start of your sweet vacation.
