When it comes to meeting furry and feathered friends, there’s nothing like getting up close and personal with primates, pups, pigs and more. Luckily, LA (and the surrounding area) offers plenty of exciting, educational animal encounter opportunities—you could even spend the night at these California farm stays. Whether it’s you that loves to love on llamas or your animal-obsessed kid, here are the best places—from sanctuaries and rescue centers to farms—to interact with animals in the Los Angeles area.
Have you ever hugged or kissed an alpaca? This might be your best chance! Southeast of Santa Barbara, this easy day trip (1.5 hours from DTLA) is worth the drive once you see all the alpacas (plus llamas, horses, sheep, buffalo and now chickens!) on this farm. Advance reservations required for the 1-hour tour.
PS: Carpinteria is known for the annual avocado festival that takes place annually in Oct.
Hours: Fri.-Sun. Rates: $30 for adults; $25 for kids, under 2 are free
Best Place to Milk a Goat & Try Archery: Gilchrist Farm
Your little farmer can milk a goat, ride a pony, tour the farm by wagon or barrel train, or try their hand at archery and axe-throwing at Gilchrist family farm tucked into the hills of Santa Clarita. The menagerie of friendly critters includes goats, ducks, chickens, peacocks, geese, pigs, sheep, cows, bunnies and an African tortoise—and all of them are available for visits.
Hours: Sat. & Sun. from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; Goat milking takes place at 10 a.m. & noon Jun.-Dec. Cost: $5 and includes meet-and-greets with the farm's menagerie of animals (including the petting zoo). All other activities must be booked separately, and prices vary. Archery and axe throwing are $15 each; Wagon & train rides are $5 each; Pony and horse rides are $7-25 (ponies and horses are not available if it's too hot out).
Calling all Fido and feline fans! Wallis Annenberg PetSpace is filled with animal fun. There's an education center, kids can observe training demonstrations, visit the Health Center, meet adoptable pets Wed.-Sun. as well as read to furry friends Sat. & Sun. at noon.
Don't miss Critter Corner—a special spot that highlights animal friends like rabbits, hamsters and birds that also need forever homes.
Hours: Wed.-Sun. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost: Free admission although some programs may have a fee and require advance reservations.
Best Place to Peep a Porcupine: Wildlife Learning Center
If feeding a giraffe or getting up-close with a porcupine is on your bucket list, now's the time to check off those boxes. The sanctuary houses more than 50 different species of zoo-born and rescued animals, from a Bermese python and an American alligator to a bald eagle and two-toed sloth.
Want something more personal? Book the "Zoofari Tour" which includes a 45-minute guided walk around the grounds plus the chance to have at least one special encounter with an animal (you get to choose between touching an armadillo or feeding a giraffe or porcupine). The pricier 90-minute "Adventure Tour" offers a guided walk plus the chance to do all of the above experiences and more (sloths are involved!). Both tours are led by one of the center's biologists.
Good to Know: The Wildlife Learning Center recently re-opened to visitors Tues. & Thurs. Advanced reservations recommended but not required.
Hours: Tues. & Thurs. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Cost: Adults $15; Children $13; kids under 3 are free
Best Place for a Playdate with Ponies: Peter Weber Equestrian Center
If you're in the South Bay and you've got a little one who loves horses (or goats, pigs, alpacas, tortoises, bunnies, and sheep!), a visit to Peter Weber Equestrian Center makes the perfect playdate.
You can hang with a menagerie for $50 for up to three kids. For that, you'll have the entire petting zoo area all to yourselves for 30 minutes, which means your little animal-lovers can pet the goats and sheep, feed the bunnies, touch the tortoise—then play in the enclosed play area that includes a small slide perched on bales of hay, two giant rocking-horses, and a make-believe Wild West jail facade that's perfect for Instagram (#Jailbirds).
Hours: Open by appointment only, seven days a week Cost: $50 for three kids to mingle with the farm animals in the petting zoo for 30 minutes; $50 for a pony ride for up to three children
6401 Crenshaw Blvd. Rolling Hills Estates Online: pwecent.com
Best Place to Whisper with Wolves: Shadowland Foundation
Shadowland Foundation, a sanctuary dedicated to preserving and honoring wolves and their contribution to the environment, and what one of our editor's called, "life-changing"—includes a personalized tour and an opportunity to meet, pet and take pictures of (and with!) one or more of Shadowland's nine Alaskan Timber wolves.
Hours: Advance reservations for private sessions, which take place at 10 a.m. on Tues., Wed. and Thurs. Cost: $300 for five people (additional guests, $60 each). Recommended for children 8 and up due to the length of the tour/talk.
Best Place to Linger with Lorikeets: Aquarium of the Pacific
At the Aquarium of the Pacific, kids can explore exhibits like the Shark & Ray Lagoon, Seals & Sea Lion habitat, the Lorikeet Forest and the June Keyes Penguin Habitat. Kids will love the close encounters and you'll love watching the joy on your child's face when, for example, a colorful (and hungry!) Lorikeet lands on their arm, making it all worth it.
Best Place to Lounge with Lions: Moorpark Teaching Zoo
Calling itself "the living, breathing classroom for the Exotic Animal Training and Management program," the zoo (a part of Moorpark College) exists to educate its students on animal husbandry, training and care. Purchase advance reservations to be able to see more than 200 animals live at the 5-acre zoo, including alligators, geckos, monkeys, tigers, camels, snakes, lions and more.
Hours: Sat. & Sun. 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. with special live presentations at noon, 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Cost: $9 for adults, $7 for kids, under 2 are free
The Gentle Barn offers private tours along with cow hug therapy in addition to their virtual tours. The two-hour private tours will give you and your household a close-up look at all the animals that live at the Barn (as well as sharing their stories of rescue and recovery). Visitors will also learn about the history of the organization and its goals of teaching kindness and compassion to animals.
Hours: Open to the public on Sun.; Tickets much be reserved in advance Cost: Adults $22; Kids $12; children under 2 are free
Best Place to Sit with Sea Lions: Marine Mammal Care Center
The Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro is a hospital with a very different kind of patient: Inhabitants here are mostly baby seals who have lost their moms and cannot feed themselves, along with other sick or injured sea mammals. Your little animal lovers can see (from behind the fence line) a plethora of adorable harbor seals and California sea lions, learn how they are cared for and how helpers here prepare to return them to the wild. A docent leads a 15-minute tour of the center, tell you about the animals, and answers any questions that come up. Advance reservations, face coverings and social distancing will be required during your entire visit and there is a maximum of 8 people in each party per 15 minute tour.
Hours: Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost: Admission is free but $5+ per person donations are encouraged
Best Place to Giggle with Gibbons: Gibbon Conservation Center
The Gibbon Conservation Center is a nonprofit center dedicated to the study and conservation of gibbons, small apes from the forests of Asia. More than 40 gibbons live here in family groups, which allows kids to see up close how these animals live and take care of their young. Please note there is no physical contact with the animals allowed.
Hours: Guided tours are available on Sat. & Sun. at 10 a.m. Cost: Adults, $18; students & teens, $15; kids 3-12, $7; Children under 3 are not allowed at this time.
Visit the 26-acre Farm Sanctuary to meet rescued cows, pigs, turkeys, and other farm animals. Tour reservations are currently required, and visitors can expect to learn about the importance of humane treatment for farm animals and the effects of animal farming to the world's ecosystem during the hour-long tour.
Hours: Fri.-Sun.; 11 a.m-2 p.m. Cost: Adults, $15; kids $8; kids under 3 are free
Best Place to Pal around with Pythons: STAR Eco Station
Meet parrots and pythons and piranhas—oh my! Kids, from babies to teens, can tour Eco Station to see a host of exotic rescued wildlife. Tours are required for admission, and each is led by an expert Eco Station staff member who explains the habits and history of hundreds of rescued exotic animals. The tour also features exhibits on the current challenges facing the environment and offers tips on how to help save the planet through small changes at home and at school.
Hours: Tours start every hour on Sat. & Sun. from 10 a.m. with the last tour starting at 3 p.m. Cost: Adults, $12; Kids, $10
10101 Jefferson Blvd. Culver City Online: ecostation.org
A family vacation where the planning is done by experts and your kids get to make new friends along the way? Where do we sign up?
If you think meal planning and after-school activity juggling is hard enough—try planning an epic family vacation. Thankfully, you don’t have to do it alone! Family-focused group tour companies like National Geographic Expeditions and Adventures by Disney are there to handle all the travel planning details—from where you’ll stay and how you’ll get there to what you’ll see and do while you’re exploring the world. All you and your globe-trotting brood will have to do is pack your bags and go!
Group tours are also perfect friend-finders, with families being placed together so that kids have instant BFFs (which, let’s be honest, makes things easier for everyone!). So whether you want to climb Machu Picchu, horseback ride in the Wild West, or stay in a 13th century castle in Wales, here are some small group tour companies for families that can make it happen:
National Geographic Expeditions Family Journeys
Photo Courtesy of G Adventures
It's only fitting that the company that brought nature up close and personal to the world with its stunning photographs and stories would also want to bring people up close and personal to nature...in real life! National Geographic Expeditions' Family Journeys aim to give multigenerational families "a meaningful way to discover the world together," with epic itineraries that will give travelers a front-row seat to nature's (and mankind's) majesty. All of its trips are inspired by National Geographic’s photography and storytelling as well as its focus on culture, history, wildlife, and geography.
Group size: No more than 20 people.
Destinations include: France, Costa Rica, Peru, Japan, Southeast Asia, Southern Africa, Iceland, Morocco, Alaska, Yellowstone & Grand Teton.
Coolest-Sounding Trips: The Alaska Family Vacation takes families on a catamaran cruise to watch massive ice chunks crash into the sea while scanning for orcas, humpbacks, and other local sea life. This, before walking a winding boardwalk through the northernmost rainforest in North America; pulling a hand-operated tram high above a rushing river; taking a wildlife safari in Denali Park; touring quirky local towns; and snuggling with sled dogs. Another fave is the Peru Family Vacation, which leads intrepid explorers through the bustling local markets of several Peruvian cities to the peaks of the famed Lost City, where you'll arrive at sunrise to admire the views and end the day with a train ride back to the town of Cusco (which, your kids will learn, was once lined with Inca gold!). The trip also includes a motorized canoe ride through the jungle and three days In the Amazon rainforest, where you can all be on the lookout for toucans, monkeys, and anacondas while learning from experts about the medicinal uses for local plants.
Cost: Prices range from about $1,800 per person to $5,300 per person, depending on the trip and date.
What's included: Accommodations, arrival transfer, transportation for scheduled activities, breakfast daily, some lunches and dinners, snacks, water, and scheduled activities, as well as the services of two CEOs (Chief Experience Officers).
Hiking with kids can be a gamble. The question is always: Will they get tired after 20 minutes and demand to be carried, sherpa-style, the rest of the way? Backroads, a luxury adventure tour company, wants to make sure all goes well with your active travel goals—even with the littles in tow. Their family journeys specialize in trips that center on hiking, biking, kayaking, and sailing—with adventures designed to be suitable for the smaller set but thrilling for all. You'll be joined by other families as well as three experienced trip leaders who will keep everyone motivated and learning as they explore Backroads' various destinations around the globe.
Group Size: Up to 26 people (with an average of 18)
Destinations include: Costa Rica, Czech Republic & Austria, Dolomites (Italy), Galápagos, Germany to Austria, Ireland, Thailand, the Great Smoky Mountains, Mount Rushmore & the Black Hills, North America, and Hawaii.
Coolest-Sounding trips: The Dolomites Multi-Adventure Tour takes families on a bike ride between majestic mountain peaks and through the countryside on the twisting-turning trails of old railroad lines before ascending the hills to make like a Von Trapp and hike the mountaintops. Travelers will take a scenic chairlift ride to see the Dolomites' famous stone pinnacles—as well as explore historic World War I trenches and dine at a traditional hiker’s hut along the way. Kids will get a rock-climbing lesson from an expert mountaineer; grown-ups will enjoy an Italian wine tasting.
Want to stay closer to home? Another popular trip is the Yellowstone & Tetons Montana's Big Sky Multi-Adventure Tour. This adventure, which is suitable for kids 6 and up, will take you and your fam on a multi-state trip across the canyons, rivers, and gorges of the Wild West by way of raft, bikes, horse, and hike. You'll see a menagerie of local wildlife (it's where the buffalo roam!) as you make your way past the Tetons, up into the hills, and past erupting geysers including Old Faithful himself.
Note: There are always sag wagons driving alongside during bike rides in case anyone gets too tired to bike. Also, families can decide ahead of time what route they want to take to make sure their biking or hiking itinerary isn't too tough for little legs.
Cost: Trips start at about $3,000 a person.
What's included: Three trip leaders, including a dedicated "Kids Adventure Leader" who orchestrates children's activities (including an hour or two per day of kids-only fun!); van shuttles to support a variety of route options; private guided tours; gratuities at hotels and restaurants; snacks, drinks, breakfasts, four lunches and four dinners (one lunch and one dinner are on your own); comprehensive travel planner with detailed pre-trip information. For biking and multi-adventure trips, all equipment is provided (including a Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories—as well as trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for kids).
Ages: 4+ (kids have to be 9+ to ride their own bike, and some activities, such as zip-lining, horseback riding, rafting, and rock climbing have age restrictions).
Ah, Disney. You just know how to do things right. The company's expertly-curated adventures offer a first-class traveling experience like no other. From being treated to a private showing of the Royal Crown Jewels to spending the night in a 16th-century castle, Disney gives families adventures that go beyond the thrills of its theme parks—with the same attention to detail that the brand is known for. You'll also get dedicated guides trained by Disney to be kid-approved. That means that while one of your guides is telling you about a destination, another is finding a super-fun way to make it cool for your kids. As for the excursions, expect immersive, authentic experiences that entrench you into faraway cultures, with local experts called upon to help groups engage with the people and traditions of each destination.
Group size: 35-40 people
Destinations include: Egypt, South Africa, England & France, Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, Argentina, Spain, Danube River (stops in four countries), Iceland, Italy, Norway, Antarctica & Patagonia, and various areas of the U.S. and Canada.
Coolest-Sounding trips: Want a whirlwind tour of four countries? Disney's Danube River Cruise offers an eight-day float down the Danube River aboard a luxury river cruise ship—with eight stops in Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, and Germany. Explore castles, hike mountains, bike along the Danube River, and learn to waltz in the ballroom of a Slovakian palace. Highlights include a boat ride across the underground lake of a 7,000-year-old salt mine; and a walk across the Tree Path Kopving, where you'll get to traipse above the trees and get a panoramic view of the Austrian Alps via a network of connected wooden bridges.
Devoted Disney fans might want to book the Disneyland Resort & Southern California trip, where they'll get a VIP behind-the-scenes tour of California Adventure and Disneyland (including getting front-of-the-line passes and VIP seating for all parades and shows). The trip also includes VIP tours of Disney Studios, Disney Imagineering, and the Jim Henson Company Lot in Hollywood—as well as a walking tour of Hollywood and lunch at the century-old Tam O'Shanter, Walt's favorite Hollywood restaurant.
Cost: Trips start at about $4,000 per person.
What's included: All accommodations, transportation (excluding airfare) and transfers; admission fees to museums and attractions; most meals, snacks, drinks, and tips; two adventure guides plus local experts; activities (including zip-lining, rock climbing, art lessons, etc.).
Ages: 5+ (though the recommended age varies by destination)
This family-focused travel company became the first of its kind when it opened in 1998, with its mission being to create travel experiences that could thrill the kids as much as their parents and grandparents. Its unique "Friends Across Borders" program aims to broaden perspectives by connecting travelers with local families, scheduling meetups so kids of different backgrounds can play soccer, share a meal, or just hang out (kids can also become pen pals before even meeting in person!). Groups of 8 or more will also get a "Rafiki" (it's the Swahili word for friend), whose main job Is to engage the kids to socialize with each other, learn the local language, and learn about the local plants and wildlife.
Group size: About 6-10 people.
Destinations include: Italy, the Azores, Morocco, Tanzania, Baja, Costa Rica, Ecuador/Galapagos, Peru, Japan, Thailand, Canada, Hawaii, and Yellowstone.
Coolest-Sounding trips: Active families will love the Galapagos Multisport Adventure, which will take you and your family snorkeling around the mangroves of Santa Cruz Island, trying surf lessons in island water swells, kayaking Academy Bay, hiking the Sierra Negra Volcano, planting a tree in the Santa Cruz Highlands, and learning about the local plants and animals of the Galapagos (including spotting the lumbering and adorable giant tortoises!).
Want a more urban escape? The Japan Family Vacation offers a jam-packed whirlwind through Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and the KII Peninsula, where families will experience an astounding array of Japanese history and culture. Highlights include touring the trendy city of Harajuku (and singing in a traditional "karaoke box"); taking a bullet train to Osaka; riding bikes through the rural town of Asuka; learning taiko drumming from a world-famous drumming troupe; walking the Kumano Ancient Trail; taking a jet boat ride through emerald waters; touring the 17th-century Nijo Castle; and meeting local students for games.
Cost: Trips start at $3,790 per person.
What's included: A pre-departure specialist who can answer questions before the trip; a private guide during the trip (plus a "Rafiki" for groups of 8 or more); hotel accommodations, including tax and service charges; private transfers; ground transportation; local flights; most meals (varies by itinerary), snacks and water; all activities; entrance fees to parks or museums.
Intrepid Travel prides itself in what its North American Director Matt Berna calls "a way for families to use the power of tourism as a force for good.” That means that while families are zip-lining over rainforests, catching an overnight train in Egypt, or traveling via tuk-tuk through the streets of Bangkok—they're also learning how they can help make the world a better place.
Destinations include: Gambia, Ghana Namibia, Zanzibar, Armenia, Pakistan, China, Belize, Honduras, Panama, Egypt, Turkey, North America, Antarctica, Greenland, Brazil, Argentina, the U.S., and across Europe.
Coolest-Sounding trips: The Borneo Family Holiday takes families to Batu Puteh, a small village on the banks of the Kinabatangan River., where the hosts for the night are the local community-run conservation organization KOPEL (whose aim is to provide villagers with the means of making a sustainable living from the forest). You'll stay in stilt houses made of upcycled wood. deep in the jungle—with no electricity or generator so as not to disturb the wildlife. Families also get to visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center, which works to re-introduce domesticated or orphaned orangutans back into the wild.
Another popular tour is the Morocco Family Holiday. Families will get to visit a traditional mountain village in the High Atlas Mountain of Aroumd, where they'll learn a little of the Berber language, gain insight into a traditional Berber family and help cook bread in the traditional way on an open wood fire. They'll also get to explore colorful marketplaces of Marrakech (they have real, live snake charmers!), and ride atop a camel along the beach.
Sierra Club Outings offers what it calls "environmentally-friendly adventure travel," with its mission being to bring families up close and personal with the beauty of nature so that they can then go off into the world and protect it. The outings are led by Sierra Club volunteers and take groups on active trips that include rafting, hiking, canoeing, and volunteering—as well as service trips that'll have you helping rebuild villages, restoring native plant habitats, and picking up trash at wildlife refuges. Accommodations range from shared lodges to basic camping tents and mountain huts.
Group size: 10 to 12 people.
Destinations include: Botswana, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Antarctica, New Zealand, Vietnam, Australia, India, Canada, Israel, Europe, The Caribbean, U.S. (many National Parks), Panama, and many more.
Coolest-Sounding trips: The Sun, Service & Whales trip to Maui gives travelers a taste of island life while also giving back. The work aspect of the trip includes weeding, planting, and clearing invasive species as well as picking up trash or doing other projects. On the non-service day, volunteers get a chance to go out on a Zodiac to observe the migrating humpback whales—who come to the islands between November and April to breed and give birth—and snorkel and swim in a protected cove. Swimming and snorkeling is also possible after the work portion of the day on other days as well. Note: The condo you'll stay in is shared with other travelers—mainly adults—so this trip is recommended for older kids (12+).
Ski families will want to try the Gliding Through Glacier National Park trip, which takes adventurers on a cross-country and downhill ski journey through the mountains of Montana, where they'll view local wildlife with expert guides and stay in luxurious lodge accommodations (this is one of the few Sierra Club outings that doesn't have shared accommodations!). The trip requires a minimum skiing ability of advanced beginner to intermediate.
Cost: Trips start at about $595 per person.
What's included: Accommodations (which are often shared with other travelers); airport transfers; meals and snacks; activities.
Ages: Varies by trip, but we recommend 12+ due to the physical difficulty of many of the active adventures. Many of the trips are adult-only, but teens are welcome, and family trips are offered periodically. Check the website for details.
A century-old travel company, Tauck launched its Bridges family venture in 2004 to cater to globe-trotting grown-ups who didn't want to slow down just because they had a few kids in tow. The company now offers family trips designed to build deeper connections to local cultures while keeping multi-generations of travelers entertained. Whether via snorkeling, zip-lining, hot air ballooning, horseback riding, or river cruising, expeditions aim to give travelers a unique look at the world through immersive hands-on activities. Families are grouped together and accompanied by two guides (three plus a host family on river cruises) who stay with the group throughout the trip.
Group size: Up to 40 for land adventures; up to 130 on river cruises.
Destinations include: Tauck operates in 65 countries, including Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, India, Nepal, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Israel, Jordan, Peru, Costa Rica, and throughout the U.S. and Europe.
Coolest-Sounding trip: The Italia Bella tour gives families everything they'd want in an Italy vacation—Rome! Pisa! Venice! Florence!—with exclusive experiences Tauck has developed over its many years of traveling the region. Families will get an after-hours tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel; experience dinner board a pirate ship on the Venice waterways; learn to make gelato at a 17th-century cooking school in Rome; and spend two nights on a private island in the Venetian Lagoon at San Clemente Palace Kempinski Venice, winner of Condé Nast Traveler's 2018 "Top Hotels in Italy/Venice."
The Castles & Kings tour of London and Paris is also a bucket lister, with wow factors including an after-hours tour of the Louvre; a visit to the Palace of Versailles; a speedboat ride down the River Thames, a private double-decker bus tour of London, an interactive London "Spy Walk," a peek into the Windsor Castle, a private capsule aboard the towering London Eye, tickets to a hit show in London's West End theater district. The tour also includes travel aboard the Eurostar train from London to Paris.
Cost: Trips start at about $3,000 per person.
What's included: Private guides, accommodations, transportation/transfers, gratuities, most meals & drinks, activities, and museum/attraction fees.
Ages: 3+ (with some exceptions—the minimum age for river cruises is 4; safaris is 5+; Galápagos cruises, 6+).
If you're an outdoorsy family looking for a smaller group experience, this may be your best bet. Austin Adventures aims to keep its groups at a 6:1 guest-to-guide ratio, with guides trained to keep kids (and their parents) entertained throughout the journey. You'll be paired with one or two other families and taken to the Great Outdoors on trips that include horseback riding, glacier trekking, kayaking, trail biking, and hiking—while visiting destinations around the world. Personalized touches abound: You'll even get a call before you leave to ask about your kids' favorite foods, so you can rest assured your tiny explorers will be sufficiently fueled for the journey.
Destinations include: North America, Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Austria, France, Iceland, Botswana, South Africa, and New Zealand.
Group size: Average of 12 people
Coolest-Sounding trips: The popular Yellowstone and Grand Teton Family Adventure gives families everything they'd want in a trip to these two treasured national parks. You'll pedal winding bike paths, raft Wyoming’s finest whitewater rapids, kayak between mountain ranges and hike to high overlooks of Yellowstone's own Grand Canyon—while by night you'll stay in luxurious lodges where the views of the sky are unparalleled.
Want to try something more exotic? The Croatia Family Vacation takes families to the often-overlooked "Pearl of the Mediterranean," where they'll get to bike through picturesque villages, hike mountainous coastlines, sea kayak the peaceful emerald-colored waters, and take a private boat ride to an island vineyard.
Cost: Trips start at about $3,800 per person.
What's included: Accommodations; all meals, snacks, and receptions (except one dinner on own your own); two guides and knowledgeable local partners; equipment for active travel (bikes, helmets, etc.); Vehicle support and land transportation during the trip; Austin Adventures T-shirt, water bottle, luggage tags, and luggage service; pre-departure and packing information; taxes, dining and housekeeping gratuities, local partner and expert gratuities, and national park entrance and permit fees.
If you've been wondering when your little adventurer is old enough to try white water rafting, the answer is: Probably younger than you think! OARS has been offering rafting and kayaking adventures for families for more than 50 years, with paddlers as young as 4 enjoying the ride. You'll be joined by experienced guides (with a 1:4 guest-to-guide ratio!) and matched with other families for multi-day adventures that include rafting or kayaking by day and hiking, cookouts, and camping by the riverside in the afternoons and evenings. Want just a taste of adventure? There are one-day trips as well!
Destinations include: Rivers in the U.S. and Canada as well as waterways of Croatia, Cuba, Fiji, Galapagos, Botswana, Costa Rica, and Peru.
Coolest-Sounding trip: The Lower Klamath River trip is the perfect intro to river rafting that's great for kids as young as 4. With gently bubbling waters through scenic canyons and warm waters just right for swimming, it's enough of a thrill for the littles without making any parents nervous about the whitewater. When they're not in the water, families will spend their time on gentle hikes, picking blackberries, or enjoying meals and campouts by the river.
If your kids are a little older and you want a little more adrenaline flowing, the Lower Salmon River 4 or 5-day expedition snakes its way through gorgeous Idaho river gorges via Class III rapids that are thrilling while still being safe for kids 7+, according to OARS. Families will camp out on sprawling sandy beaches with stargazing galore (they're some of the darkest skies in the nation!). In the calmer parts of the river, kids can choose from a whole fleet of boats, including paddle rafts, dories, inflatable kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards.
Cost: Trips range from $120 per person for 1-day trips to $7,000 per person for a 13-day trip.
What's included: All rafting/kayaking equipment (including life jackets); All meals, desserts, and drinks; guides (including, for family trips, a designated ”Fun Director” who helps keep the kids entertained); a “Fun bag” stocked with games and toys for all ages; accommodations (including all camping equipment); sleep kits for camping.
Ages: 4+ (varies by trip, based on difficulty/risk)
Trafalgar prides itself on making a positive impact on the communities it visits. As a founding partner of the TreadRight Foundation, a nonprofit devoted to helping underprivileged communities and supporting sustainable tourism, it has donated more than $2 million to the cause since 2008. Its tours take families almost everywhere you'd want to travel, with destinations on all continents of the planet except Antarctica—with unforgettable touches the kids will appreciate. From becoming a Roman gladiator in Italy to ziplining down the side of a volcano in Costa Rica, there are adventures for all ages to be had.
Destinations include: Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Hungary, Italy, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Botswana, Namibia, Egypt, Kenya, Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, and throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Coolest-sounding trips: On the 8-day, Monkeys, Jungles and Volcanoes trip, families can embark on the ultimate jungle adventure The journey takes guests through the beaches and rainforests of Costa Rica, where they'll zipline through a cloud forest, float through canals and hike a volcano. Kids will learn about wildlife as they seek to spot sloths, monkeys, crocodiles, and more. They'll travel to the district of Horquetas, where they’ll have the opportunity to connect with a local family before traveling to Sarapiquí, where they’ll visit a wildlife rehabilitation center. Later, guests will hike up the Arenal Volcano and then relax in the thermal springs.
Want to go back in time for a week? The Pioneer Adventures of the Old West is an 8-day adventure through Arizona and Utah’s Canyon Country that will transport families back to the Wild West. You'll explore the majestic sights of the deserts, lakes, and canyons—including trekking through the Sonoran Desert, traveling by train to the Grand Canyon (where you’ll wake up the next day to see the sunrise!), horseback riding Zion National Park, hiking Bryce Canyon, and taking a boat ride on Lake Powell before flying out of Las Vegas (where you can choose to extend your stay!).
Group size: Average of 30 people.
Cost: Trips start at about $2,000 per person.
What's included: A private travel director and driver; all accommodations; sightseeing activities; porterage and restaurant gratuities as well as hotel tips, charges, and taxes; breakfast daily and up to half of evening meals; audio headsets for flexible sightseeing; all transport and transfers; a luxury, air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi (in most countries) or alternative transportation (including rail journeys).
As more vaccines meet more arms, many people are taking the first tentative steps back to vacation planning. Possibilities abound for a post-pandemic vacation, even for would-be travelers who don’t feel quite ready to plunge back into close quarters and shared airspace. That’s because hotels, tour companies, and other travel providers are actively crafting bubble travel options for people seeking a vacation experience while limiting contact outside their immediate group.
While no vacation offers an airtight bubble, keeping within a trusted group can reduce both stress and risk. These so-called bubble trips provide another bonus as well: the chance to reconnect with friends and family after extended separations.
Book Your Bubble with Private Tours
Once outside the realm of financial possibility for most travelers, private tours are making their way into the mainstream—at least for now. Prices are still higher than equivalent larger-group tours, but there’s a way to balance out the bump in cost: build your own tour group. Bubble up with a few families, close friends, or couples, or extend your bubble to include multiple generations of family. Match your group to a tour and you’ll get your own itinerary, tour director, transportation, and private trip.
And when you take the private tour path back to travel, you’ll have plenty of choices. Adventures by Disney recently debuted its new-for-2021 Private Adventures. Groups of up to 12 people can book itineraries in Costa Rica, Egypt, Greece, Italy, and Peru—some of the most popular itineraries the company offers—with travel dates starting in April. There’s no age minimum (except for the Peru trip), and you can choose your own travel dates. Best of all, on a private tour, your group gets more dedicated time with the local Private Adventure guide. That means more immersive storytelling, which families say lends a special and authentic connection to the destination.
Adventure tour operator G Adventures recently unveiled its Book Your Bubble Collection, consisting of 80 private tours designed for bubbles that offer the same benefits of a small group trip—including in-depth itinerary, accommodations, and local guides. This collection of private tours has flexible booking conditions and discounted tours for trip organizers. The eighth spot is 50% off, the 12th spot is complimentary, and discounts can be spread across individuals, making the tours even more affordable.
Back in 2018, Globus launched Private Touring, and more recently, its sister brand Cosmos joined in with private tours too. Both brands offer a private option on all their European itineraries. Structured for groups ranging from two to 24 (though clearly, in the time of the bubble, less is more), private tours come complete with private transportation and driver, tour director, professional local guides, and the chance to move at the pace you choose.
Sustainable tour operator Intrepid Travel, best known for its small group trips around the globe, isn’t new to the private tour game either. Its “Tailor-Made” tours have long been popular with families and groups who want to travel together on an entirely private and customizable adventure. But, says Matt Berna, Intrepid Travel’s managing director in North America, in the past year “our Tailor-Made product has become more popular as exploring within your ‘bubble’ is increasingly interesting to groups of travelers.” In fact, Intrepid saw a 41% bump month over month in the last three months of 2020, a trend that looks likely to continue in the new year.
Even if you’re not ready to commit to a private tour, there are still plenty of creative ways to vacation with your bubble. Outdoors-focused accommodations, inns and B&Bs, luxury properties, and vacation rentals are often well-suited to cater safely to bubble groups.
Social Distancing at State and National Parks
National and state parks offer a fresh-air backdrop for families and groups looking for inspiring nature and the built-in safety of social distancing outdoors. Many parks offer private, rustic cabins that not only help to accommodate budget-conscious vacationers, but also offer isolation and social distancing to continue to keep families safe.
With a prime location next to Grand Teton National Forest, Yellowstone National Park, and Bridger Teton National Forest, Togwotee Mountain Lodge has 54 rustic cabins with kitchenettes. In Washington’s Olympic National Park and Forest, Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort has 32 cabins, access to natural hot springs, and plenty of room for safe social distancing. In Shenandoah National Park, Skyland, Big Meadows Lodge, and Lewis Mountain Cabins all offer individual cabin accommodations.
And happily for those who prefer comfort over roughing it, rustic is not the only option. Just outside Yosemite National Park, for example, Rush Creek Lodge’s accommodations include standalone cabins and villas with hundreds of acres of open space to let everyone spread out. Even better, the lodge’s Rush Creek Spa is offering takeovers of its Yosemite-inspired experiential spa. Couples or groups can reserve the spa—with features like a granite waterfall hot tub, cool mist showers Himalayan salt sauna, and warm river rock immersion beds—for private use.
Camping and RV Travel
If affordability and flexibility are at the top of your bubble-trip wish list, camping or RV travel might be the perfect fit. Ashley Rossi, managing editor of Togo RV, notes that “traveling with your travel bubble to a campground is one of the easiest ways to follow social distancing and maximize your time outside—you can avoid indoor dining, bring everything you need with you, socialize comfortably outdoors, and get direct access to hiking trails and other outdoor activities.”
Camping doesn’t have to mean sleeping on the ground, either. “So many campgrounds now offer cabins and other glamping experiences,” Rossi adds, noting that if you’ve never tried RV travel, this might be the year to give it a go. “Traveling by RV gives you your own space and bathroom, and it’s easier than ever to rent an RV with platforms like RVshare and Outdoorsy.”
All packed up with no where to go? Exodus Travels is here to save the day.
The leading small-group adventure tour operator is now offering its first ever Dateless 1st Departures voucher! Once a country opens back up to North American travelers you can purchase the voucher and be guaranteed a spot on the very first Exodus Travels tour scheduled to re-enter the country.
photo: Exodus Travels
If you aren’t able to make the dates due to a schedule conflict, Exodus Travels will work with you to reschedule. The voucher program is designed to give all of us wanderlusters something to look forward to.
So far, Exodus Travels is giving access to 20 newly reopened countries (check out the entire list here), and the first 100 people to book a voucher will receive a $300 rebate on their deposit. Dateless 1st Departures vouchers include benefits such as:
Virtual pre-trip briefing and Q&A with Exodus Destination Experts, a Health + Safety representative, a local guide and fellow travelers
Travel planning assistance with Exodus Destination Experts
Professional photographer to document travelers’ trip
Eek! Somehow August is flying by. Before you know it, you’ll be preparing to fall back into the school routine and those dreaded early morning tantrums. Before the lazy days of summer become just a distant memory, drop everything, get outside and pack in as much summer as you possibly can. Scroll down for 50 fun ideas to make your family’s last days of summer as memorable as the first.
12. Pack a picnic lunch and find your end-of-summer zen at one of these botanical gardens.
photo: Allison Sutcliffe
13. Take your crew to Crystal Mountain Resort to ride the Mount Rainier Gondola, hike the trails, picnic under the snow-capped mountain peaks, play a round of disc golf and enjoy a tasty treat or meal on the Summit House Restaurant’s outdoor patio.
14. Dial up the sitter and give one of these new Seattle attractions a try with your sweetie!
15. Take your little monkeys to one of these active indoor spots to burn off the summer stir-crazies
18. Seattle is full of cool fountains to explore. The best part? They’re totally free!
photo: Remlinger Farms
19. Ride the kiddie amusement park rides at Remlinger Farms. While you’re there, pet the farm animals, take a steam train ride, jump in the hay and enjoy plenty of old-fashioned farm fun.
21. Throw in the towels and head to Jetty Island, just a 30-minute drive north of Seattle, before it closes for the season.
23. Two words: ice cream! Grab a scoop (or two!) at one of our favorite shops around the city.
24. Dig out your hiking poles and strap your sidekick into the carrier, the Naches Loop Trail is the everything bagel of family hikes. Psst! Clocking in around three miles means even mini hikers can make this trek.
photo: Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce
25. Take an easy summer day trip and pack in as much family time as you possibly can!
26. Satisfy your taste buds and take in some of the best views of Mount Rainier and Puget Sound from the downtown Seattle waterfront at The Fisherman’s Restaurant & Bar.
27. Grab your comfy chairs, blankets and movie snacks and settle in for a free or super cheap outdoor movie under the Seattle starry skies.
photo: Katie Cotterill
28. Head to Northwest Trek Wildlife Park to see the brand-new Eagle Passage exhibit and experience the park’s other fantastic attractions. Want to get up close and personal with the resident wildlife? Book a 90-minute Keeper Adventure Tour aboard a specially equipped four-wheel-drive jeep and get ready to blow your kids’ minds!
29. Channel your inner pirate aboard the Queen Anne’s Revenge—Seattle’s only full-time pirate ship cruise.
30. Need a break from the sun? Chill out at an indoor theater. The Regal Summer Movie Express is only $1 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays through the end of August.
photo: Kristina Moy
31. Head to the Henry Moses Aquatic Center to ride the lazy river and zip down the speedy water slides before it closes for the season.
33. Take your crew to Bumbershoot to experience great tunes from all music genres, urban craft vendors and interactive programming and activities for the whole family.
photo: Patrick Hagerty
34. End summer with a trip to the Washington State Fair. Psst! Be sure to get a bag of Fisher scones for the car ride home.
44. Experience a Rainiers game with your little sluggers.
45. See how many of our favorite parks and playgrounds you can visit before school starts. Ready, set, go!
46. Hop on a ferry and spend a night or two at the beautiful Alderbrook Resort & Spa. Paddle around Hood Canal in kayaks, swim in the huge indoor pool, rejuvenate at the spa and celebrate National S’mores Month with a complimentary evening roast around the waterfront fire pit. It’s the perfect place to celebrate the end of summer!
photo: Kristina Moy
47. Take your kids on an easy waterfall hike to an outstanding vista that promises post-worthy pics and memories that’ll last you through the rainy season.
48. Take the fam to one of our favorite bowling alleys that will have everyone shouting for strikes, spares and gutter balls!
49. This year’s Evergreen State Fair will feature tons of farm fun along with carnival rides, games and an awesome rodeo.
Gorgeous calm waters, predictable rain-free weather, constant refreshing breeze, and welcoming locals. . . it’s no wonder travelers tend to put Aruba on repeat once they visit this One Happy Island. Aruba Marriott Resort invites you to immerse yourself in all the island has to offer, and even rewards guests who are up for the challenge of unplugging. Take the plunge and hear how a trip to Aruba will make for One Happy Family.
The Basics
As great as family time can be, plenty of personal space is an absolute necessity. Aruba Marriott Resort has the largest rooms on the island, at 500-square-feet, with an additional 100-square-foot balcony that overlooks the mesmerizing blues of the Caribbean Sea.
The Digital Detox
Think you’re up for the challenge of a digital detox? Aruba Marriott Resort is sweetening the pie by rewarding guests who are willing to ditch their phones for the majority of their stay. Pony up your phone, which will be stored in a safe, and the resort will give you a disposable camera to capture memories old-school style, plus bonus Marriott Bonvoy points to redeem for a future stay.
On-Property Entertainment
Enhance your cultural travel experience by opting to visit Aruba during their month-long Carnival season and you’ll quickly see why they call themselves One Happy Island. You’ll experience a colorful celebration full of exciting dances, cheerful music and over-the-top costumery that celebrates the bright spirits of the local culture. If you can’t make it to the official Carnival, Aruba Marriot Resort has you covered with a mini Carnival at their beachside La Vista restaurant every Thursday night.
All the kids really care about is the size of the pool and whether or not there’s sand to bury a sibling, or maybe you. To answer both, the pool does not disappoint with a cascading waterfall, hot tub and swim-up bar with kiddie cocktails on command and the sand is prime for castle-making and moat-digging. As a parent, you’ll appreciate the calmness of the water that makes for a low-key ocean experience.
At a kiosk next to the resort, you can rent floats, paddleboards, kayaks and (we highly recommend for big laughs) schedule a 4- or 8-person tubing ride. You get to dictate the speed and excitement level to the driver via hand gestures and if you give your kids that control, just hang on for dear life!
photo: Donkey Sanctuary Aruba via Maria Chambers
Off-Property Play
At one time donkeys were an important mode of transportation on the island. But, as cars replaced donkey-powered transport, some 1,400 of these four-legged friends were left to roam aimlessly where they were often hit by the cars, fell prey to disease or were turned into lion food for visiting circuses. Donkey Sanctuary Aruba was created as a safe haven where each donkey was given a name, nourishment, a cozy place to take a snooze and an abundance of all-important love. Now, travelers can have playdates with the donkeys and, for a small fee, try a hand at feeding the sweeties.
photo: De Palms Snorkel Adventure via Maria Chambers
For a truly unforgettable experience, take the kids to swim with the fishes on a De Palms Snorkel Adventure tour via a 70-foot-long catamaran. You’ll explore three fish-filled snorkeling spots, including swimming above one of the largest sunken cargo ships in the world, the German’s SS Antilla. Your per-person fee includes lunch, drinks (including alcoholic beverages for adults), and snorkel gear. Pro tip: If your kid has their own snorkel gear, bring it. With so many people in the water all using the same gear, it’s helpful when your kid’s snorkel looks different to help track them in the water.
Where to Dine
All this play will leave tummies grumbling, for sure. If you’re looking for on-property convenience, you’ll find a Ruth’s Chris Steak House with 5-star steak and seafood options, the beachside Atardi which specializes in seafood and stellar ocean and sunset views, La Vista makes friends with the pickiest of eaters with a wide array of buffet options all day, The Lobby is your answer for the inevitable island sushi crave, and Waves Beach Bar and Grill comes through with the casual pool-side lite bites and cocktails.
Oh, and for your morning fuel, mosey on down to the Starbucks for a caffeine fix or Gelato and Co. for an acai bowl or smoothie (and then cruise back by for a late-night gelato feast).
With so many options at the resort, you don’t technically need to ever leave. But, if you want to swap one beautiful scene for another, make a date with The West Deck. It’s set outdoors on a large wooden deck overlooking a white sandy beach, where fidgety kids can play bags and architect sand castles or be entertained watching planes and departing cruise ships with live music floating in the background.
photo: Linda’s Dutch Pancakes via Maria Chambers
Some would say it’s rude to not at least try Dutch cuisine while on a Dutch island, and it may as well be a pancake. Savory or sweet, let your taste buds guide you at Linda’s Dutch Pancakes, where you can plant your face in a 20-inch Dutch pancake. If you’re unfamiliar, Dutch pancakes are thinner than a pancake, and ingredients requiring cooking are cooked into the pancake. Choose from preset combinations, like Strawberries & Whipped Cream or Brie, Walnuts & Honey, or imagine your own creation.
When to Go
The island has an average rainfall of under 20 inches a year and sits completely outside the hurricane belt. These truths, coupled with the fact the average daytime temp is a temperate 82 degrees, makes it an ideal tropical destination year-round.
Airport Information
Book your flight into the Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA), which is about a 20-minute drive to the hotel. Give yourself a bit of extra time when you depart because you will go through both Aruba security and U.S. Customs, which saves you time when you land into the U.S.
photo: Maria Chambers
Good to Know
We’ll answer the #1 question every American asks when leaving the country. Yes, you can drink the water. It’s actually one of the safest waters to drink on any island.
US dollars and Aruba’s local currency (florin) are accepted across the islands.
The local language is called Papiamento, but English is widely used.
There’s a fully-stocked shop near the lobby where you can purchase essentials like sunscreen, and the selection is good, so no worries about packing your own.
There is a nice 24-hour workout facility with free weights and machines, for those that like to keep up their exercise routine on the road.
Fun fact: Aloe is Aruba’s largest export, so give an aloe-infused cocktail a whirl in The Lobby Bar.
Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino L.G. Smith Blvd. #101, Palm Beach, Aruba Online: marriott.com
— Maria Chambers
Photos provided by Aruba Marriot Resort, unless otherwise noted.
This trip was paid for by Aruba Marriott Resort and all opinions expressed here belong to the writer.
Louisville kids know how to spot a winning horse and a proper baseball bat, and we guarantee they know how to say Muhammad Ali before they turn three. They’re as comfortable chilling on the Waterfront as they are at the Kentucky Science Center and they’ve sped through the Speed Art Museum since they were tots. There’s so much to love about raising a kid in Derby City, we’ve gathered up a slew of our favorite family activities below, plus find all the seasonal events on our Louisville calendar.
Louisville River Cruises
Learn all the history of this area when you take a harbor history tour aboard the Mary M. Miller. This one-hour narrated cruise is a unique way to learn more about river and steamboat history, and connections to local history, as well. It’s all open seating, with both inside and outside decks and a concession stand for snacks.
Louisville Mega Cavern
While visiting Louisville, Kentucky, you won’t want to miss MEGA ZIPS, the world’s only underground zipline adventure tour! Featuring six ziplines nearly 100 feet off the cavern floor and two challenge bridges, MEGA ZIPS is 2.5 hours of adrenaline-fueled adventure! Though fun for the whole family, the kids will especially love MEGA QUEST, the only underground ropes challenge course in the world. MEGA QUEST features two levels and 76 challenge elements including mini-ziplines and rope walls.
The Parklands of Floyds Fork
The Parklands is a systemic, world-class addition to Louisville’s parks system that includes four major parks linked by a park drive, a first-rate urban trail system and a remarkable water trail, all tracing Floyds Fork, a classic Kentucky stream. This public/private project is unique in the region and unlike anything currently in development across the country—truly a city-shaping model.
Cherokee Park
Less hilly and grassier than its local cousins, Cherokee Park is mostly open meadows and woods. It’s a great spot to let the kids run around.
Louisville Zoo
Founded in 1969, the Louisville Zoo is a 134-acre zoo in Louisville, Kentucky, situated in the city’s Poplar Level neighborhood. The “State Zoo of Kentucky” currently exhibits over 1,700 animals in naturalistic and mixed animal settings representing both geographical areas and biomes or habitats. Kids will love checking out the new snow leopard pass and colobus crossing.
Kentucky Kingdom
Kentucky Kingdom and Hurricane Bay offers more than 70 thrilling rides, coasters and water attractions for a day of family fun. In 2014, Hurricane Bay Water Park doubled in size, adding eight new attractions and the world’s tallest body slide.
Iroquois Park
The more rugged of the Louisville parks, Iroquois Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, has plenty of forested hillsides and scenic vistas for those willing to walk the extra mile. The road to the top of the park may be used by pedestrians and cyclists daily throughout the year. It is only opened to motorists from April-November on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Kentucky Science Center
Explore three floors of exhibit experiences offering interactive science fun for the whole family! Plus, enjoy amazing movies in the new four-story digital theater. Kids will love a visit to the Makerplace where they can use their STEAM skills to build all sorts of cool creations.
Seneca Park
Take a walk around the perimeter of this park to tire the kids out or head to the playground before you nab one of the picnic tables for your lunch spread.
Derby Dinner Playhouse
Derby Dinner Playhouse is one of the oldest and largest continually-operating professional dinner theatres in the country. Family-friendly musicals are on the bill throughout the year.
The Best Upcoming Events for Kids in Louisville
If you’re looking for events and activities, don’t miss our local Louisville events calendar, which has everything from story times to seasonal activities like apple picking, pumpkin patches and Christmas tree farms.
We’re a big fan of zoos and aquariums but wouldn’t it be great to experience animals in a more up close and personal way? We’ve rounded up some of the best animal adventures here at home and across the globe. How about a nice dinner with a polar bear? A conversation with a kangaroo? Ever feed a lemur before? Now’s your chance. And, you can bet that no two encounters will be exactly the same. Keep reading to see them all.
Truly unique, Discovery Place Nature is half zoo, half museum. There are plenty of live animals to visit, daily shows to watch, hands-on demonstrations to partake in and creative play areas to burn off extra energy. Some of the highlights here include visiting Louis, a juvenile American alligator during feeding time, take a walk through the Butterfly Pavilion, exploring Insect Alley, or getting up close and personal with a number of wild animals while also learning about their native diets, habits and habitats with a museum naturalist.
While most families go to Orlando for the theme parks, we encourage you to take a little detour and visit the Safari Wilderness Ranch which is about 45 minutes away from the big city. There are no crowds or lines here, which can be a nice change from your usual hustle and bustle trip. Within the 260 acres, you’ll find hundreds of animals including zebras, goats, ostriches, llama, camels, lemurs, red lechwes, elands and more while being driven around by an experienced guide. The safari vehicles are fitted with shade canopies and stadium seating for extra comfort and better viewing. Or, you can view the animals by camelback.
Costa Rica is home to five of the seven species of sea turtle, and since they lay their eggs on the Pacific and Caribbean shores every month, it is possible to spot the creatures on the shoreline all year round. One of the best places to take a “turtle tour” is the Las Baulas National Park during the nesting season which runs roughly from mid-Oct. to mid-Feb. Tours to see nesting leatherback turtles are always at night and restricted to just 30 people per tour so you’ll be able to get a good look at them! You can register up to eight days before your tour date to make a reservation.
Set sail on a schooner for a whale watching voyage off the coast of Massachusets (yellow slicker not required, but perfect for holiday card photos). In addition to the rich whaling history of the area, the Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary—a rich feeding ground for whales, dolphins, sea birds and other marine creatures—practically guarantees you'll catch sight of humpbacks, finbacks, minkes, pilot whales or the critically endangered right whales.
While cruising with Boston Whale Watch Tours, you’ll learn about whales from New England Aquarium naturalists who are always on board to share what they know about these magnificent mammals.
Located outside the big city of Tacoma you’ll find Northwest Trek which is home to over 40 species of native Northwest animals including bison, bears, moose, elk, bighorn sheep, caribou, beavers, wolves, otters and more all living in their natural habitats. Admission includes the 40-minute Discovery Tram Tour which covers the 435 acres of the free-roaming area.
Other attractions include Animal Walking Tours (where your family can view the animals from a safe distance), Keeper Chats (where you can learn more in-depth animal behavior stuff), the Cheney Family Discovery Center (a hands-on animal museum), the E.H. Baker Cabin (where you can get up close to a gray wolf) and the Trek Fairy Trail (where tiny houses are on display). Adventure seekers may want to spring for the Keeper Adventure Tour (a 90-minute off-road jeep tour) or the Zip Wild Deep Forest Challenge (five zip lines between various obstacles).
How would you like to go on a walk with a polar bear or sit down for a nice dinner with them? You can! Churchill Wild offers the only remote fly-in ecolodges on the planet located on the Hudson Bay coast, deep in the heart of the polar bear country. While there, you can take in a polar bear walking tour, a photo safari and if the weather is right, viewing the northern lights. Unlike other nature tours, this company boasts that in its 25-year history, every tour group has seen bears. Just don’t expect to get a hug.
Good to know: The minimum age for children on tours is eight-years-old.
As if a trip to Hawaii wasn’t enough, this resort steps it up a notch for animal lovers. Located on the North Shore of Oahu, Turtle Bay Resort offers a variety of animal adventures throughout its 800 acres of property. Here you can kayak among sea turtles in glass-bottomed kayaks and then stop by the “sea turtle cleaning station” on your way back! Other adventures include HorSea Yoga which is a combo of horseback riding and yoga, “hang ten” with a surfing dog, climb in a shark cage (we’ll skip this one, but you go right ahead), view the monk seals on the shoreline or take a dolphin tour.
The Marine Mammal Center is one of the largest marine mammal facilities in the world to combine animal rehabilitation and research lab, and the only one authorized by the National Marine Fisheries Service to rescue and treat marine mammals along the Central and Northern California coast. It can care for up to 200 seals, sea lions and other marine mammals at once, and since the center annually treats, on average, 800 or more mammals, any time of year is a good time to visit. The Marine Mammal Center is open to the public and offers docent-led tours that are ideal for individuals and families (nine people or fewer) that want to learn more about the work of the Center.
You don’t have to go “down under” to get up close to a kangaroo. Located about an hour north of Seattle, the Outback Kangaroo Farm offers 40-minute wildlife tours featuring not only kangaroos but also wallabies, tortoises, wallaroos, lemurs, llamas, alpacas, peacocks, Nigerian dwarf goats, mini donkeys, parrots and emus. Unlike your local zoo, you’ll be able to interact with many of the animals while asking the experts everything you ever wanted to know about these creatures.
Teton Raptor Center began in 1991 when two field biologists began caring for injured raptors out of their home. Now they care for over 130 injured birds per year! In addition to onsite programs (which are actually limited this year due to renovations), the center offers some special events. Feathered Float with Friends is described as a tranquil mid-day float on a vintage wooden boat down the Snake River to discover raptors and other wildlife. The tour includes an hour-long, up-close learning experience at the center. Flights and Feathers is a meet-and-greet with birds at the Jackson Hole Airport offered on various Saturdays throughout the year.
In the picturesque waters of Crystal River in Florida's nature coast, families can enjoy the sunshine and company of manatees—gentle giants that make the river's headwaters their home because of a constant 72-degree temperature. In the winter more manatees migrate to the river, but some stick around as year-round residents. Crystal River is one of the only rivers in Florida where people can legally interact and swim with the manatees in their natural habitat.
Multiple touring outfitters provide river cruises and snorkeling/swimming options for visitors (ages three and up). Not sure you want to get in the water with these lovable sea cows? They surface regularly for air, so a river cruise or a viewing from the Three Sisters Springs will still afford an exciting encounter.
Noah’s Ark is a nonprofit that provides care and treatment for over 1,500 animals, including exotic, wildlife and domestic animals that arrive from the Department of Natural Resources, zoos, educational institutions and from the general public. By creating habitats that mimic the animal's natural environment, Noah’s Ark promotes humane, responsible animal treatment and ownership. Located just 40 minutes from Atlanta, this Georgia animal sanctuary offers self-guided tours, private tours and keeper for the day experiences.
See Wild Horses on the Beach – Chincoteague Island, VA
Two herds of wild horses make their home on Assateague Island, separated by a fence at the Maryland-Virginia line. Small but sturdy, these shaggy horses eat dune and marsh grasses and drink fresh water from ponds, and are the descendants of the survivors of a Spanish galleon which wrecked off the coast of Assateague in 1750. That's one story. The other is that they're offspring from the horses of early settlers. Either way, they're wild now, and amazing to watch as they roam free on the island.
The best way to view Chincoteague Ponies is from a charter boat tour, offering pontoon or kayak access to the north end of Assateague and the more highly populated end of the island.
If you think California wine country is just for adults the Sonoma Serengeti—filled with herds of exotic African wildlife and luxury safari camps—begs to differ. Promoting conservational and education to guests, Safari West is not a drive-through park. Rather, it is a wildlife preserve nestled on 400 acres of explorable terrain.
Good to know: If you can't wait to learn more about the African animals at this wildlife preserve, be sure to book a "Talk Nerdy to Me" expedition. You'll have a customized, intimate interaction with an ambassador of the animals and the park.
Feed Birds, Turtles, Nursing Sharks and More — Nassau, Bahamas
Mimi O'Connor
There are animals at every turn (in a good way) at Baha Mar in Nassau, Bahamas. You might see some fish while out snorkeling, and you'll definitely see the friendly (and big!) koi in a pond on site, but this resort offers numerous ways to get up close and personal with creatures finned, feathered, and otherwise. Head to the BEACH Sanctuary for interactive, hands-on encounters with sea turtles, nurse sharks, stingrays, and more. (The morning kids' club session includes a visit to this property perk at no extra cost.) Bird lovers will flock to Flamingo Cay and The Aviary, where they can meet, greet, and feed the birds. There's also a free, daily "Flamingo Parade" with the resort's Chief Flamingo Officer (real title). And that's not even counting the wading pool that offers an underwater view of the Sanctuary's fish, turtles, stingrays and sharks as they gracefully swim by.
