Adventure Traveling Guide

South Beach, Miami

Parties spill onto the sand form the many swanky beach-facing hotels. South Beach remains the top destination for the bronzed and beautiful. But, the beach is only part of the appeal, thanks to non-stop action offered at the restaurants, hotels, and bars lining Ocean Drive.

Fire Island, NY
Location: 60 miles east of New York City

It’s telling when so many hardened New Yorkers consider Fire Island a magical place. The island teems with lush gardens, timid deer, and the rarest of all: high-powered New Yorkers relaxing. Cars are restricted, and boardwalks wind through the 32-mile-long island through sunken forests and beachside retreats.

Bioluminescent Bay, Vieques, Puerto Rico
Location: 55 miles southwest of San Juan

Just off the eastern shore of Puerto Rico sits the island of Vieques, home to hundreds of unspoiled beaches. The real draw is the fluorescent light show in the bioluminescent bay. Millions of microscopic algae flash neon blue-green when disturbed, surrounding swimmers and boats in a halo of light. Make sure to visit on a moonless or cloudy night.

 Point Bennett, Channel Islands, Calif.
Location: 40 miles southwest of Santa Barbara

Pods of bottlenose dolphins vault through the air as your boat approaches the Channel Islands. Point Bennett, at the westernmost tip, is as far from California freeway culture as you can get. Home to newly pupped seals and sea lions and 145 unique species, the Channel Islands are also where Jackie and JFK honeymooned.

Papakolea Beach, Big Island, Hawaii
Location: 64 miles southeast of Kona

This rugged beach is a trek to get too, but well worth the effort. Situated in the remote Kau district, the unique olive-colored sand gets its hue from the olivine, a form of volcanic rock eroding from the surrounding cliffs.

 For just one season a year, America’s beaches come alive. Here’s a list of the best to help you choose a destination for a bit of a sunny respite.

Best Natural Wonder Beaches

John Pennekamp Coral Reef Beach, Key Largo, Fla.
Location: 52 miles south of Miami

While the beaches here are nice, it’s the coral reef that’s worth the trip. Home to more than 600 marine species, the reef is so vivid and colorful it’s been called an underwater rainforest. Diving lessons are available, as are glass-bottom boat tours for the kids.

Looking for a killer fireworks display this Fourth of July?
If you’re in the vicinity, try one of these pyrotechnic-crazy cities.

Washington, D.C.
Imagine a quintessentially American tradition set against the Washington monument.

Chicago
Even when it’s not Independence Day, Chicago love the fireworks.

NYC
It’s on of the greatest cities in the world, with a July Fourth display to match.

Philadelphia
Philly takes their Fourth celebrations seriously, what with being the cradle of the nation and all.

• Treat it like a real vacation and bring your camera along to take pictures.
• Pitch a tent in the backyard and have a family camp out. Light a campfire if it’s legal in your neighborhood, or if not, make s’mores in the microwave.
• Dig out favorite games and hold a family game night.
• Spend some time planning your next real vacation. If kids get involved in the planning, they won’t be so down about missing one this year, and they may want to help by decorating a jar to collect household change.

• Sit down, decide how many days will be staycation days, and plan events as a family. That way, your vacation won’t just feel like a bunch of days off.
• Ban all unnecessary chores for the duration of your staycation.
• Pick up a guidebook or a few travel brochures about your hair and visit the local attractions like water parks, zoos, pools, museums and beaches. 

Can’t afford a vacation this year? Are the kids totally bummed that they won’t be heading to a fun-filled destination this summer? Remember, going on a family vacation isn’t just about the destination; it’s about taking time out to be together as a family.

The following posts will be tips for planning your own family “staycation”.