| Everyone loves a great vacation, but given the current | | | | slowly float down stream, across the white sandy |
| economic crunch, finding an amazing vacation spot, | | | | beach, and right into Lake Michigan. Be sure to repeat |
| that is also affordable, is a real challenge. The fact is; | | | | the short ride, over and over again - it's great! |
| most families can't afford to spend a week touring | | | | Fairs and Festivals: Sleeping Bear Dunes is a great |
| Europe's hotspots, Asia's wonders, or staying at | | | | base-camp for local festivals and fairs, too. The |
| America's top resorts. So what are your options? | | | | National Cherry Festival in Traverse City is a regional |
| Most people think it's a choice between spending | | | | favorite, as is the Lilac Festival on Mackinaw Island, and |
| money you don't have, or wasting your valuable | | | | Muskegon's Summer Celebration. For more information |
| vacation time on a destination that promises to bore | | | | visit: |
| you to tears. If those were the only options available, I'd | | | | Nearby Places to See: The Leelanau Peninsula is an |
| stay home, too. But fortunately for all of us, they're not. | | | | amazing place to see, and a drive your whole family |
| So cheer up, because it's time to reveal some | | | | will enjoy. Be sure to check out some of the |
| amazing vacation spots the whole family can enjoy, | | | | lighthouses in the area. They are very photogenic, but |
| and best of all, they won't break your budget in the | | | | they also provide great picnic, swimming and hiking |
| process. | | | | opportunities. What else to see? I recommend visiting |
| 1. Gatlinburg, Tennessee | | | | Empire, Fishtown, Glen Arbor, Frankfurt, North Point, |
| This tiny town, picturesquely nestled in the Smoky | | | | Glen Haven and Sutton's Bay. They may be small, but |
| Mountains is my family's all-time favorite vacation spot. | | | | you'll find lots of fun things to do and see, in them. |
| Not only is Gatlinburg conveniently located, and | | | | Shopping: Traverse City is not far away, and offers |
| affordable, but best of all, your family will never run out | | | | lots of shopping opportunities (a nice outlet mall and an |
| of exciting, adventurous and entertaining things to do. | | | | indoor mall), and are perfect solutions on a rainy day. |
| Where to begin: Park your car, and check out | | | | When to go? Summer is the most popular time, and |
| Gatlinburg's ever-bustling Main Street. You'll be amazed | | | | will provide you with limitless fun-n-sun outdoor |
| by how many fun things are available to kids of all | | | | opportunities. But don't overlook the other seasons of |
| ages. Play arcades, buy candy, go up the Space | | | | the year. Autumn at Sleeping Bear is splendid, with |
| Needle, shop, play an exciting round of mountainside | | | | some of the best fall colors, anywhere. One of my |
| mini-golf, or dine at some surprisingly nice restaurants, | | | | favorite times to visit Sleeping Bear is in the middle of |
| too. But wait, the fun is just beginning; be sure to check | | | | winter. What is there to see and do in winter? While |
| out the Star Car Museum, Ripley's Aquarium, and the | | | | some places will be closed, some great ski resorts are |
| Believe It or Not Museum, which are always popular | | | | nearby. Of course, you can always rent snowmobiles, |
| spots for everyone. Of course, no trip to Gatlinburg | | | | cross-country skis, or do more restful things, like rent a |
| would be complete without riding a chair lift, or gondola | | | | cabin with a great view, pour yourself a steaming cup |
| high up the mountainside for a breathtaking view. | | | | of hot chocolate, and enjoy watching the snow fall. |
| Need a break from the endless activities of this | | | | Any time you decide to go to Sleeping Bear Dunes |
| mountain paradise? An easy solution to that dilemma is | | | | National Lakeshore, though, you will meet friendly |
| waiting for you right on the edge of town. All you need | | | | people, experience breathtaking scenery, and enjoy |
| to do is pack a basket lunch, and drive a couple blocks | | | | more fun stuff than you and your family will have time |
| to the edge of town, where you'll immediately be | | | | for anyway! |
| surrounded by an incredible wild place, called the Great | | | | 3. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania |
| Smoky Mountains National Park. | | | | You can relive history in Gettysburg, home of the |
| Some of my favorite "natural" destinations include: | | | | famous Civil War battlefield, site of Abraham Lincoln's |
| Chimney Tops Picnic Area, Newfound Gap Scenic | | | | Gettysburg Address, and one of the prettiest, historical |
| Overlook, and Cades Cove. Before you go, however, | | | | small towns in the USA. Nestled serenely in the gently |
| I'd recommend stopping at the Sugarland Visitors | | | | rolling hills of Central Pennsylvania, Gettysburg offers |
| Center along the way, to pick up maps, discover the | | | | history buffs an excellent glimpse of the past. |
| history of the area, and get some helpful tips and | | | | Surprisingly, however, Gettysburg is much more than |
| suggestions to insure a safe and exciting time | | | | an epithet to days gone by. It's a great place to |
| outdoors. | | | | experience nature, shop, dine, relax, or enjoy local |
| Nearby Places to See: Pigeon Forge is just a short | | | | festivals and fairs. |
| drive away from Gatlinburg, and that means go-karts, | | | | Shopping: Gettysburg is a great place to shop for |
| helicopter rides, and Dollywood! Never been to | | | | books, antiques, and war paraphernalia. But it also has |
| Dollywood? Then you're in for a treat, because this | | | | an excellent outlet mall, and sports a nice variety of |
| theme park is 100% family friendly, offers more rides | | | | specialty stores, too. |
| than you can "shake a stick at," offers excellent | | | | Solitude: Hoping to find some peace and quiet? Then |
| musical entertainment, down-home cooking, and | | | | Gettysburg won't disappoint you. Though it is a bustling |
| "laughs by the bushel," around every turn. | | | | little town during the summer months, the Pennsylvania |
| Shopping: Shopaholics and budget-conscious parents | | | | countryside harbors scores of out-of-the-way places |
| will be delighted to find numerous outlet malls awaiting | | | | for much-needed rest and relaxation. |
| them in Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. | | | | Tour: Whether you're a history buff, or not, I believe |
| Solitude: Looking for a little quieter place? Then | | | | every American should tour the Gettysburg Battlefield |
| Townsend is definitely the spot for you. Tubing, hiking, | | | | National Park. What's the best way to do it? Buy a |
| and relaxation top the list of things to do on the | | | | Driving Tour CD at one of the local shops, hop in the |
| "quieter side of the mountain," as it is locally known. | | | | van, and drive through this amazing place. There are |
| Another great out-of-the-way place my wife and I | | | | some great sites to see along the route. One of my |
| love spending at least one day, is the Great Smoky | | | | favorites is Little Round Top, the Peach Orchard and |
| Arts & Crafts Community. Not only can you buy | | | | the Devil's Den. |
| great pottery, paintings, and woodcrafts, but in several | | | | A word to the wise: Please respect the battlefield |
| shops, you can actually watch them being made (Be | | | | memorials and monuments. Remember; brave |
| sure to get a map/ brochure before you head out). | | | | Americans gave their lives to preserve this union, so |
| Nature: Adventure-seeking families will find excitement | | | | it's the least we can do to respect the place that |
| galore in Gatlinburg. Hundreds of miles of trails give | | | | honors them. Don't think of Gettysburg as a giant |
| hikers many options to choose from, including a lengthy | | | | cemetery, for it is a place of living history that reminds |
| section of the Appalachian Trail. (Advice: Talk to | | | | us of the cost and value of our freedom, but at the |
| Ranger, or visit a local hiking shop before heading | | | | same time, let's not desecrate such hallowed ground. |
| down the trail, so you're properly prepared for the | | | | Nature: Gettysburg offers ample opportunities for |
| adventure). Whitewater enthusiasts will find world class | | | | day-hikers. Rolling hills, gentle streams, and open |
| rafting opportunities, just a short drive from town, on | | | | pastures reward hikers with wonderful views, and lots |
| the Big Pigeon, Ocoee, Nantahala, and French Broad | | | | of wildlife. A less-strenuous section of the Appalachian |
| Rivers. Nature-lovers who want to see bear, deer, | | | | Trail is nearby. |
| turkeys, fox, elk and maybe even a wolf, are in luck, | | | | Canoeing, fishing and nature-viewing enthusiasts will be |
| because the GSMNP is a great place for viewing | | | | delighted with the possibilities that abound in this region. |
| nature in natural habitat. (A good rule of thumb: don't | | | | Deer, turkeys, fox, and plenty of small game abound |
| disturb the wildlife - just enjoy the view) | | | | here. |
| Fairs and Festivals: Gatlinburg hosts some great | | | | Fairs and Festivals: Gettysburg is a great place to take |
| events, fairs and festivals too. Like the Craftsmen's | | | | in some great festivals and fairs, too. As it is home to |
| Fair (July and October), Harvest Festival, Winter | | | | The Gettysburg Festival, the Gettysburg Bluegrass |
| Festival, and many more. My wife and I have | | | | Festival, and Apple Blossom Festival. The area also |
| vacationed in Gatlinburg for many years, and we've | | | | plays host to Antique Shows, Quilt Shows, and Car |
| never grown tired of it, in fact, the more we go, the | | | | Shows. |
| more we fall in love with this amazing vacation | | | | Nearby Places to See: A better question to ask might |
| destination. For more information visit: When to go? | | | | be; what's NOT nearby? Need proof? Pull out an atlas |
| July, August, October and December are some of the | | | | and take a look at the region surrounding Gettysburg. |
| most popular months. But June provides cooler | | | | What will you find? Less than two hours away, you will |
| temperatures, and fewer crowds. My wife and I love | | | | find Philadelphia, with it's amazing history, great food, |
| going anytime of the year, and always find plenty of | | | | and lots of fun things to see and do. Baltimore and a |
| things to do and see. If you decide to go off-season, | | | | dozen Chesapeake Bay towns are only an hour's |
| be sure to check schedules for Dollywood, and other | | | | drive away, as is Lancaster County and Amish |
| area attractions, as they do have limited days/ hours | | | | country. |
| of operation. | | | | But why stop there? When Washington D.C., the |
| Whenever you decide to go, be forewarned: | | | | Atlantic coast, and New York City are so close by. |
| Gatlinburg is addictive. Extremely addictive! I don't know | | | | Before you go wandering too far away from |
| if it's something they put in the water, or the bazzilions | | | | Gettysburg, however, I'd like to point out some local |
| of fun things to do, but a single visit can hook you for | | | | places to see, that will make traveling further afield |
| life! | | | | unnecessary. Like what? The town of Hershey, PA |
| 2. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan | | | | comes to mind. It is known as the "sweetest place on |
| What's so special about huge piles of sand along the | | | | earth," and just one visit to Chocolate World, Hershey |
| shores of Lake Michigan? If that's all you expect to | | | | Park or the Outlet Malls is sufficient to keep you |
| find when you venture into Michigan's beautiful north | | | | coming back for more. |
| country, you'll be pleasantly surprised, because the | | | | History: While Gettysburg is arguably the premier |
| whole area is literally jam-packed with exciting and fun | | | | battlefield memorial park, there are others in the area |
| things for the whole family to do. | | | | that Civil War enthusiasts won't want to miss. |
| While swimming and water-sports monopolize the | | | | Antietam, Harpers Ferry, and many others, are close |
| spotlight; hiking and fishing opportunities don't trail by | | | | by, and well worth touring. |
| much. The Sleeping Bear Dunes shoreline features | | | | When to go? An excellent time to go, of course, is |
| some of the best beaches I've ever seen. And best of | | | | during the summer. It can get pretty hot and muggy in |
| all, this land of white sand and cerulean blue waters is | | | | August, but if you're like me, hot weather is just fine. |
| far less crowded than most resort areas. | | | | But I've been there during every season, and there's |
| Island hopping: Ever been on an island? Take the ferry | | | | always plenty to do and see. |
| across to North Manitou Island, and discover a great | | | | If you and your family are history-lovers, then be sure |
| little paradise. Not an island adventurer? That's no | | | | to map out your adventure before going, because the |
| problem, since the mainland has more than enough | | | | area abounds with history, and you don't want to miss |
| activities to keep you and the family busy for weeks | | | | something great. That's why I rate Gettysburg as a |
| on end. | | | | can't-miss vacation option, because it offers something |
| Nature: If you and your family love the great outdoors, | | | | for everyone, regardless of individual vacation tastes. |
| enjoy camping, hiking, fishing, biking, canoeing, swimming, | | | | Final word: Now that you've had a chance to read |
| or just love scenic places, then Sleeping Bear Dunes is | | | | about these amazing vacation destinations, the choice |
| a must-do vacation option, because it offers something | | | | belongs to you. Having personally been to them all, I |
| for every outdoor enthusiast. | | | | can assure you how amazing each of them will be for |
| Want a little fun in the sun? Pack a picnic basket, and | | | | you and your family. So what are you waiting for? |
| head for Platte Beach. The beach is a great place to | | | | Start making plans for your family right away - |
| catch some rays, read a book, or build sandcastles. On | | | | because vacation time, in one of these amazing |
| Platte Beach, there's a surprise that's sure to please; | | | | places, will be here before you know it. |
| while you're relaxing in the sun nearby, the kids can | | | | |