Don’t have a ton of time to get away, but still want to put a little spring in your family’s footsteps this month? We have four trips within two to eight hours’ drive that can easily be made to fit your family’s interests.
In about two hours –
Kohler, Wis.
Five star luxury awaits at Destination Kohler. Check into Inn On Woodlake or The American Club Resort and check out lots of fun family activities like tennis, swimming and the fabulous spa, Kohler Waters Spa–a great spot for teens and tweens. Kohler offers free weekday Industry in Action Factory Tours for those 14 and older. The food is yummy, too. The super-cozy Horse And Plow, the historic worker’s taproom, is my favorite, with to-die-for Wisconsin bites. Can you say one more round of cheese curds, please?
In about four hours –
St. Louis, Mo.
The Gateway to the West is your gateway to family fun. Check out The Gateway Arch, go aboard the Becky Thatcher or The Tom Sawyer for a riverboat cruise or visit my crazy-absolute favorite spot–The City Museum, a 600,000-square-foot eclectic funhouse made out of unique objects like old chimneys, salvaged bridges, even abandoned planes. We love staying right downtown–the recently renovated Drury Plaza Hotel at the Arch is a great choice for walking to all things cool. And you get a free hot breakfast.
In about six hours –
Lexington, Ky.
There’s lots of horsing around at the Horse Capitol of the World. In Lexington, you’ll find Kentucky Horse Park with more than 1,200 acres of exhibits, museums, pastures and competition facilities; The American Saddlebred Museum, which explores the heritage of America’s oldest registered breed of horse; and The Thoroughbred Center, where tomorrow’s champions in training–about 1,000 young horses–learn how to behave like race horses.
In about eight hours –
Branson, Mo.
Great music awaits at the Live Music Show Capital of the World. This is a terrific spot for an extended family trip with lots for everyone from Grandma and Pops to the little ones. You will find shows galore. I just loved watching the Eagles, John Denver and Patsy Kline tribute shows. Close your eyes and they sound just like the original. You’ll even find waiters and waitresses who will sing with your dinner in Branson. And beautiful Ozark Mountain vistas, wilderness and waterways await for those who want to get their outdoor adventure on. I loved cruising the Showboat Branson Belle and the visiting The World’s Largest Toy Museum with a collection of more than one million gone but not forgotten vintage toys.
