FAMILY FUN:

TOP 20 FAMILY ADVENTURES

BY DIANE BAIR & PAMELA WRIGHT

Theme parks and kid-friendly museums are great, but why not ratchet up the excitement with an outdoor adventure? Think fresh air, gorgeous scenery and the chance to bond in the great outdoors. Bonus: Once they’ve seen Mom at the helm of a sailboat or Dad “hanging 10” on a surfboard, the kids will have a whole new respect for you. If not, at least you’ll have some funny memories.

PADDLE WITH GATORS

SARASOTA, FL

Artsy, sophisticated Sarasota has an untamed side. Head to the east edge of the county, and you’ll encounter lush Myakka River State Park (www.foridastateparks.org/myakkariver), where a state designated Wild and Scenic River flows through 58 miles of wilderness.

PADDLE AN URBAN RIVER

BOSTON

When it comes to urban adventures, this one’s “wicked awesome.” A DIY tour of the placid Charles River offers views of colleges, parklands and the city skyline. Rent from Charles River Canoe & Kayak (www.paddleboston.com), which opens for the season in May, and glide past turtles basking on logs, with the heart of the city in the background. Bonus: Memorial Drive, on the Cambridge side of the river, is closed to traffic on Sundays in the summer, making it a cool zone for a family bike ride.

TAKE A WALK ON GEORGIA’S WILD SIDE

CUMBERLAND ISLAND, GA (45 MILES FROM JACKSONVILLE)

This sleepy sea isle is a wildlife wonderland of wild horses, manatees, dolphins, deer and birds. Home to 17-mile Cumberland Island National Seashore (www.nps.gov/cuis), the island is laced with hiking trails that lead into a mysterious moss-shrouded maritime forest atwitter with tree frogs. Other pursuits include biking and collecting shark’s teeth on the beach. Camp, or stay at the classic, circa-1900 Greyfield Inn (www.greyfieldinn.com).

LLAMA TREK THROUGH A NATIONAL FOREST

ASHEVILLE, NC (130 MILES FROM CHARLOTTE)

Take a llama trek into the Great Smoky Mountain range through English Mountain Llama Treks (www..hikinginthesmokies.com). You don’t actually ride the llamas—they carry the gear, and you walk beside them—but they’re engaging companions, humming as they go. Treks range from day hikes to two-day trips.

KAYAK WITH ORCA WHALES

SAN JUAN ISLANDS, WA (107 MILES FROM SEATTLE)

Whale-watching is great, but how much more thrilling would it be if you could see the orcas at eye-level? Kids as young as 5 can join guided group kayak trips with Sea Quest Expeditions (www.sea-quest-kayak.com) out of Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. Half- and full-day trips are offered, as well as overnight camping trips in the San Juans (ages 8 and older).

If safety is a concern, it shouldn’t be—paddling with orca whales is not something to fear. “These intelligent predators have never injured a human in the wild. Orca whales are extremely aware of their surroundings and never collide with boats,” says Martine Springer, Sea Quest’s expedition director.

Some sightings are brief or distant, while others involve whales swimming beneath your kayak or lingering nearby for over an hour. Springer says, “When orcas are sighted, we keep a respectful distance. Many times they will approach us so that we have excellent encounters.”

SNORKEL AN UNDERWATER PARK

KEY LARGO, FL

(56 MILES FROM MIAMI)

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (www.pennekamppark.com) is a portal to the wondrous Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, a living coral reef located a few miles offshore. The underwater show features more than 150 species of tropical fish, plus sea fans, whips, plumes and sponges. The park’s concessionaire runs snorkel trips to the reef, along with PADI scuba certification (which takes three or four days), resort courses and glass-bottom boat tours.

“The beauty of the coral reef is an awesome sight to see,” says Elena

Muratori, a park services specialist.

“If your little ones or you have not snorkeled recently, you can get used to breathing by mouth with your snorkel at the Cannon Beach swimming area. There, you can see cannons and an anchor underwater that are artifacts from a 1715 Spanish shipwreck.”

HIKE AND PADDLE IN THE WHITE MOUNTAINS

NORTH CONWAY, NH (56 MILES FROM PORTLAND, ME)

Hiking boots and fleece are always in style in North Conway, near the Presidential mountain range in the White Mountain National Forest. Most families can’t resist a drive to the summit of Mount Washington, the state’s tallest peak, or a tour on the Cog Railway, but there’s plenty of action at lower elevations. A hike to the summit of Mount Willard will reward you with great views, and a canoe trip on the Saco River with Saco Bound (www.sacobound.com) puts you up close to local wildlife.

HIKE IN THE VALLEY OF FIRE

OVERTON, NV (55 MILES FROM LAS VEGAS)

Towering red sandstone formations make Valley of Fire State Park (www.parks. nv.gov/vf.htm) an otherworldly landscape for hiking, with the added intrigue of Anasazi petroglyphs (at right). Camp in the park and explore its wonders in spring or fall (it gets very hot in the summer). And Lake Mead National Recreation Area borders the park, and has swimming, fishing, boating and camping.

HANG TEN IN SURF CITY
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA (40 MILES FROM LOS ANGELES)

Host to more than 30 surfing events a year, this city earned the nickname “Surf City USA.” If your kids are begging to try the sport— and, hey, wouldn’t you secretly love to ride a monster wave?—this is the place. Local surfing schools provide instruction (for a list, see www..surfcityusa.com/discover). Another cool thing about this quintessential SoCal beach town: There are 600 fire rings on the sand, perfect for post-surfing s’mores.

HIKE AMONG WATERFALLS IN THE RAIN FOREST

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO

San Juan’s deep-green heart is revealed in 28,000-acre El Yunque National Forest (www.fs.fed.us/r8/caribbean). Families love Big Tree Trail, a short trek with twisty, snake-like vines, and water cascading at nearly every turn. The highlight is Cascada La Mina, a splendid 35-foot waterfall, with pools at its base. Wear a swimsuit and splash around in Mother Nature’s spa tub.

HORSEBACK RIDE IN A NATIONAL PARK

SHENANDOAH VALLEY, VA (70 MILES FROM WASHINGTON, DC)

There are lots of reasons to love Shenandoah National Park (www.nps.gov/shen), including the (very tame) deer, 500 miles of hiking trails and guided horseback rides. Leaving from Skyland Stables, rides last about an hour. (Riders must be at least 4 feet, 10 inches tall.) If your brood really takes to the saddle, visit one of the local stables, such as Highlander Horses (www.highlanderhorses.com) near Front Royal, where you can pony up for a longer ride.

HIKE IN ELK COUNTRY

ESTES PARK, CO (75 MILES FROM DENVER)

Your kids will look puny against the backdrop of Rocky Mountain National Park (www.nps.gov/romo), where 60 peaks rise higher than 12,000 feet. The mammals are mega, too, including elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep and moose. Ranger-led walks offer a great intro to this wildflower-studded landscape. Or, on your own, follow lakeside trails to waterfalls and other beautiful spots. Estes Park has loads of lodging, including rustic lodges and cabins.

LEARN TO SAIL AT SEA

CAPTIVA ISLAND, fl(32 MILES FROM FT. MYERS)

Want to make sailors of your kids? Get them out in a boat, where it’s all about wind and water. “The idea of everyone learning equally together is very appealing to those who treasure family adventure opportunities,” says Doris Colgate of Offshore Sailing School (www.offshoresailingschool.com). There are cool coves and a gorgeous coastline to explore. Offshore offers three- to five-day courses for families and kids 9 and older. This learning adventure is fun and chilllaxing, as your kids would say.

How to PICK AN ADVENTURE that fits your family

Naturally, you want to plan a trip that’s memorable for the right reasons. You can’t micromanage everything, but you can stack the deck in your favor. Here’s some expert advice from John Connelly, manager of L.L. Bean Outdoor Discovery Schools.

“Get everyone in the family involved in the trip-planning process, and seek agreement about what is chosen,” Connelly says. Beyond that, the first step is to “know thyself and thy children.” Here are some important things to consider as you start researching your adventure vacation:

AGE Activities should be appropriate for other children their age. They should be able to make new friends.

EXPERIENCE Have you tried the activities you’re considering, or are they new? Can you do a trial run near home or in the backyard?

APPETITE FOR TRYING NEW THINGS There’s safety in staying within your comfort zone, but kids love trying new things— if facilitated correctly.

INTERPERSONAL DYNAMICS Can you handle being together for a few hours or days?

APPETITE FOR DISCOMFORT Some trips are more rugged than others. If family members require modern conveniences and amenities to get through the day and are miserable without them, consider this when planning activities and the duration of your trip.

ACTIVITY LEVEL If your children range in age, make sure all of them are able to participate in planned activities. Don’t place kids, especially younger ones, in situations where it is challenging for them to keep up or they are made to feel like they can’t do it as well as the others.

TRIPPIN’ with the experts

Planning a family getaway is hard enough, without worrying about the camping gear or attire that an adventure trip may require. No one will think you’re a wimp if you let someone else deal with the packing list, room reservations and other pesky details. Here are four family-friendly tour companies that can do the dirty work for you.

Backroads (www.backroads.com) offers multisport trips for families, such as hiking and biking in California’s Yosemite National Park or biking, walking and kayaking the San Juan Islands, for kids as young as 3.

Bikeriders (www.bikeriderstours.com) offers cycling tours of New England (an island-hopping trip on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket is a family favorite). Rides generally cover 15 to 35 miles per day; age range is from 6 to 16.

L.L. Bean Outdoor Discovery Schools (www.llbean.com/ods) is the go-to outfit for East Coast adventures. The current menu includes camping and kayaking in Casco Bay, Maine, island-hopping by kayak in the Chesapeake Bay (both ages 12 and older) and a Maine coastal camping bike tour (10-30 miles per day, ages 10 and older).

REI Adventures (www.rei.com/adventures) cover a lot of turf, from mountaineering in California to ice-climbing in New England. Its family trips are special versions of tried-and-true REI adventure trips; minimum age is typically 5 to 8 years.

RAFT THE KENNEBEC RIVER

THE FORKS, ME (134 MILES FROM PORTLAND, ME)

The Kennebec River Gorge is one of the most scenic spots in Maine. On a whitewater rafting trip with Magic Falls Rafting Co. (www.magicfalls.com), you’ll paddle into rapids with names like Big Mama, and past steep rock walls and waves that rise up to 6 feet high—definitely an adrenalin rush!

“Rafting on the Kennebec is like a natural Disney World ride, but the thrills are the real thing—high rock walls and towering 100-year-old pine trees, eagles and osprey,” says owner Dave Neddeau. Kids must be 10 and older, but if yours aren’t or you prefer a mellower ride, opt for a float trip on the Lower Kennebec.

BIKE THE BAYOU

ST. TAMMANY PARISH, LA (30 MILES FROM NEW ORLEANS)

Visiting the Big Easy? Check out long and easy Tammany Trace (www.tammanytrace.org), a 31-mile converted rail path that runs from Slidell to Covington. Strap on your bike helmet, pack some beignets, and pedal along the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain, across from New Orleans. The route is a microcosm of all things Louisiana: historic towns, horse farms, bayous, streams, rivers, trestle bridges and parks.

CANOE IN CAVE COUNTRY

MILLTOWN, IN (98 MILES FROM INDIANAPOLIS)

Southern Indiana has more than 2,600 known caves, including some of the longest in the US. Kids discovered a biggie, Marengo Cave (www.marengocave.com), in 1883. Tour this limestone wonder and nearby Wyandotte Cave, and then go on a real adventure: a canoe trip through Cave Country Canoes (www.cavecountrycanoes.com) on the Blue River. This spring-fed stretch of Class I water is lined with limestone bluffs and hidden caves.

HIKE, BIKE AND PADDLE IN GATOR COUNTRY

NEEDVILLE, TX (30 MILES FROM HOUSTON)

Dotted with lakes and leafy hardwoods, and crawling with gators, 5,000-acre Brazos Bend State Park (www.tpwd.state.tx.us) is a multisport bonanza. Hike or bike a web of trails (best gator viewing is from the 40-Acre and Elm Lake trail system), paddle the Brazos River, fish from piers and even join a stargazing program.

WANDER A SINGING BEACH

PORTER, IN (50 MILES FROM CHICAGO)

The beach at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore (www.nps.gov/indu) seems to sing—or, more accurately, ring. The combination of quartz crystals, pressure and friction from your feet creates this phenomenon. But the 15,000-acre park has more to it than a 15-mile musical beach. Hike and camp in dunes that rise 180 feet above Lake Michigan, pedal the Calumet Bike Trail, and watch hang-gliders launch from Mount Baldy. Tip: The summit is also a great place to watch the sunset.

FLOAT OVER THE DESERT

PHOENIX, AZ Hot Air Expeditions (www.hotairexpeditions.com) takes families up, up and away, at speeds of up to 6 mph and heights of 400 feet or less (the better to see jackrabbits, javelinas and other desert wildlife) on a floating adventure that your brood will remember for a lifetime. After your sunrise flight, plan a desert hike to Tom’s Thumb, a rock formation in Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve (www.scottsdaleaz.gov/preserve) that offers stunning views.

PADDLE SEA CAVES AND COVES

CHANNEL ISLANDS, CA (50 MILES FROM LOS ANGELES)

You’ll feel like you’re on the Discovery Channel as you paddle the Scorpion Anchorage caves and coves of Santa Cruz Island in sit-atop kayaks. This day trip, run by Paddle Sports of Santa Barbara (www.kayaksb.com) out of Ventura Harbor, features enchanting scenery, including sea caves, archways and blowholes. Dolphins and sea lions are common sights, so be sure to bring along some binoculars. Kids as young as 5 are welcome, but this is best enjoyed by older ones.