By Lynn O’Rourke Hayes
From FamilyTravel.com
Are you ready to plan an adventure? These five places provide the perfect base camp for exploration.
Anchorage, Alaska
It’s a gateway to everything Alaska has to offer. Start your trip in this urban outpost and ease into the state’s vast wilderness. Sample local parks and trails, watch the more than 1,000 resident moose graze in Potter Marsh and beyond. Schedule a flight over Denali National Park, take a scenic drive to observe glaciers in the distance, or fly-fish in a nearby river. While in town, stay at the colorful Captain Cook Hotel, where the décor recounts the adventurer’s voyages of long ago and provides views of the local community and the Chugach Mountains. Go deeper with a trip to Katmai National Park and Preserve. Accessible only by float plane or boat, and located on the Alaskan Peninsula near Kodiak Island, Katmai spans nearly five million acres. Families visit to observe the dense population of brown bears and to fish for trophy rainbow trout, salmon, and Dolly Varden trout that run in Katmai’s streams and rivers.For more: www.AlaskaTravel.com; www.Anchorage.net; www.CaptainCook.com
Durango, Colorado
Visit this picturesque town in southwestern Colorado for an enjoyable blend of outdoor fun, historical sites, scenic beauty, and the chance to ride a 19th-century steam train through Cascade Canyon. Hike to a waterfall, cycle along the river, soak in a hot spring, forage for mushrooms, or pedal on a mountain trail. Be on the lookout for wildlife, tackle some whitewater, or go rock climbing. At the end of the day, sample craft beverages, farm to table offerings, or the local farmer’s market. During the winter months, snow sports abound. Visitors can enjoy downhill skiing, cross country, and snowshoeing.For more: www.Durango.org.
Sun Valley, Idaho
Adjacent to the vast expanse of Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, this vibrant high-altitude enclave serves as an ideal base camp for exploring the beauty of the Sawtooth Range and the nearby mountain lakes and trails. Then, return to town, where activities from horseback riding, mountain biking, fly fishing, tennis, golf, and shopping will keep your clan engaged. When planning, check dates for concerts, plus art and music festivals. Don’t miss the weekly ice skating shows at the Sun Valley Lodge featuring world-class figure skaters and Olympic medalists.For more: www.SunValley.com; www.VisitIdaho.org.
Cuenca, Ecuador
The old section of this charming, family-friendly city in the Andes has been designated a world cultural heritage site by UNESCO. Enjoy early morning bike tours through narrow streets, passing by flower and craft markets, colonial buildings, and more than 50 history-rich churches. Stroll along or float the Tomebamba River. Visit Inca ruins and expansive parks burgeoning with local families. Stop by the art gallery and workshop of famed ceramist Eduardo Vega, and hike in the nearby Caja National Park. Free and low-cost cultural and outdoor opportunities for families are plentiful. Visit during the holidays, when Cuencano children take the lead in Pase del Niño Viajero, Ecuador’s most significant Christmas pageant.Lynn O’Rourke Hayes (LOHayes.com) is an author, family travel expert, and enthusiastic explorer. Gather more travel intel on Twitter @lohayes, Facebook, or via FamilyTravel.com
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