Lynn O'Rourke Hayes | (TNS) FamilyTravel.com
Outdoor adventure and scenic views are often high on the list of vacation priorities. Here are five places that fit the bill:
1. Opt for Banff and Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada
For a top-notch opportunity to experience emerald lakes, snow-capped peaks and epic views in every direction, visit this alpine destination tucked within the majestic Canadian Rockies. Explore on foot, paddle, bike or hop in a golf cart to test your skills on the links. Stay at the Fairmont Banff Springs Resort, a caste-like landmark property inside Banff National Park. Offering stunning mountain, valley and winding-river views, the 745-room hotel is a destination in itself. Hiking, rafting, fly-fishing, championship golf, tennis, indoor and outdoor pool-time and horseback riding are all available within minutes. The Willow Stream Spa offers a full range of soothing options within 27 treatment rooms for those seeking a relaxing stay. Choose from more than a dozen on-site dining options, including an afternoon tea service, or wander into town for additional possibilities. Ask about the Kids in the Castle program and other adventure options for the younger set.
For more: https://www.fairmont.com/banff-springs/ ; https://www.banfflakelouise.com
2. Sample Idaho lake life
With a 25-mile-long lake as the centerpiece, the Idaho resort town of Coeur d'Alene lures families with the promise of beach days, a range of water sports, scenic boat rides, fishing and hiking on an assortment of nearby trails. Stay at the Coeur d'Alene Resort for easy access to amenities that include boat and jet ski rentals, spa time, outdoor dining, and a lakeside infinity pool. Play a round on the resort's golf course that is home to the world's only floating green. Families traveling with young children will appreciate easy access to multiple play areas and parks within walking distance. For a more laid-back vibe, visit Priest Lake, 90 miles to the north and tucked within the Selkirk Mountain Range. Check in to one of Elkins Resort's 30 cedar log cabins, on the tree-lined shores of the pristine lake and choose from the sports of the season or claim your Adirondacks on the grassy lawn. Hike through old-growth forests, discover local waterfalls, paddle a canoe, go kayaking or test your balance on a paddleboard.
Contact: www.VisitIdaho.org. www.cdaresort.com www.ElkinsResort.com
3. Explore Bar Harbor, Maine
Located on Mount Desert Island and the gateway to Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor provides opportunities to observe Humpback, Finback and Pilot whales along with puffins, dolphins, and seals during the warmer months. Sample tasty ice cream, stroll through quaint shops to discover locally made watercolors, sweetgrass baskets and gemstone jewelry and crack open a lobster during your stay. Spend the nights at Terramor, an outdoor resort, where you'll sleep in a luxurious platform tent, stroll through the trees on boardwalks and have the option to consult your onsite outfitter for hiking tips, trail options and even grilling basics.
For more: www.nps.gov/acad/index.htm; https://terramoroutdoorresort.com
4. Take in Traverse City, Mich.
This popular Michigan vacation spot is known for celebrating all things cherry with music, parades, tastings and art during the summer. Throughout the warmer months, family travelers enjoy the local freshwater lakes and streams, where searching for Petoskey stones, swimming, kayaking and paddling are favorite pastimes.
Visit the diverse ecosystem of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, stretching 35 miles along Lake Michigan, for miles of trails, shoreline and forested islands. Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes that encompass 20 percent of the world's fresh water. Adults might want to arrange time to visit a handful of the more than 50 wineries in the area.
For more: www.traversecity.com.
5. Choose your backcountry
For an outdoor lover's paradise, establish a pure connection with nature, off the beaten path. Hike, paddle or float into a pristine location where your family can learn or hone their wilderness skills. Choose a destination suitable for the ages and abilities of your crew. Encourage each person to take responsibility for the adventure whether that is early research, carrying a small pack, collecting kindling or serving as master storyteller around the fire. For the youngest set, get started with an overnight in the backyard or a nearby park. That way, should the weather or unforeseen forces create a kink in your plan, warm and dry shelter is nearby.
For more: www.Backcountry.com; www.NPS.gov.; http://www.huts.org
(Lynn O'Rourke Hayes (LOHayes.com) is an author, family travel expert and enthusiastic explorer. Gather more travel intel on Twitter @lohayes, Facebook, or via FamilyTravel.com)
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