Whether you favor a quiet paddle, a deep dive or a shriek-inducing water park, why not center your next vacation around H2O? Here are five ideas to consider.
Seabreeze Amusement Park, Rochester, N.Y.
Lazy rivers, wave pools, log chutes and rip-tide slides. What more could a water-loving clan desire? And still, there is more for your family to enjoy with a visit to this park that also includes a view of Rochester’s Irondequoit Bay, an inlet of Lake Ontario. The more than 70 rides are designed to thrill toddling adventure seekers (think the Tad Pool and kiddie slides) as well the most experienced adrenaline fan, and you won’t want to miss a family train ride or a whirl in the teacups. Look to center stage to catch Cirque en Vol, an acrobatic show designed for guests of all ages. You’ll also find a Carousel Museum, an arcade and old-fashioned games where you can test your skills to win a stuffed animal.
For more: www.seabreeze.com
Family Dive Trips, various locations
The pros at Family Dive Adventures have been encouraging families to explore our underwater world for decades. Now some of their earliest guests are returning with multiple members of their own expanding clans. And of course, learning to scuba dive is a great way to discover all that lives in the deep blue sea and to gain an understanding of the challenges our world’s waters face. The owners of Family Dive Adventures advise new families to choose family-friendly destinations where the water is warm, clear and there is no current. Bonaire, Grand Cayman and St. Lucia are often recommended for beginners and early diving practice. Other trip options for the more experienced include the Galapagos, Sea of Cortez, Palau, Indonesia, and a multi-island tour in the Philippines. When not exploring the underwater world, families can opt for volcano hiking, jungle biking, getting involved in citizen science projects and local outreach.
For more: www.familydivers.com
Aquatica, Orlando, Fla.
Offering dozens of water slides, rides, rivers and lagoons, this award-winning water park in Orlando is part of the United Parks & Resorts family that also includes SeaWorld. Check out the Walhalla Wave, a family raft ride that includes more than 600 feet of drenching twists, turns and drops into darkness. The Turi’s Kid Cove features watering palms, tipping buckets and spraying jets, while the Tamariki Twirl water slide sports a pint-sized half pipe designed for junior explorers. Aquatica is also the only waterpark with two side-by-side wave pools – Cutback Cove and Big Surf Shores. Aquatica Orlando was among the world’s first water parks to be recognized as a certified autism center, with the ability to offer resources and tools for families with special needs.
For more: www.aquaticaorlando.com.
Baltimore's Inner Harbor, Baltimore
Decades ago, this spirited Maryland city bolstered a movement to transform industrial waterfronts into tourist meccas where restaurants, shops and appealing attractions would soon energize the local economy. Today, visitors flock to the Inner Harbor, which serves the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the U.S., bordered by the Susquehanna River on the north and the Atlantic Ocean on the south. Family travel plans often include a visit to the National Aquarium, kayaking, sailing, windsurfing and feasting on the region's famous blue crabs, oysters and clams.
For more: www.baltimore.org; www.aqua.org
The Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Missouri
In Missouri, you’ll find America’s first congressionally designated national park for the preservation of a wild river system. There is plenty to compel families in this scenic area that boasts two of America’s clearest and most beautiful spring-fed rivers: the Current River and its major tributary, the Jacks Fork River. Plan to fish, float, paddle, marvel at historic sites, explore caves and hike within this extraordinary 80,000-acre park. Kids can get a free Junior Ranger book filled with activities to do on their own, or participate in Ranger-guided activities. River Exploration Kits are also available to borrow at no cost.
For more: https://www.nps.gov/ozar/index.htm
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