National Geographic Guide to Family Adventure Vacations: Wildlife Encounters, Cultural Explorations, and Learning Escapes in the U.S. and Canada [Paperback]

Candyce H. Stapen (Author)

Book Description

Series: National Geographic Guide to Family Adventure Vacations | Publication Date: May 1, 2000

You and your children of any age can learn to play toe-tapping fiddle tunes, join in a Hawaiian luau, go dogsledding in the North Woods, sleep in a hogan on a Navajo reservation, take a polar-bear safari, or cross the prairie in a wagon train. These are just a few of the more than 300 exciting learning vacations this guide presents.

* Author Candyce H. Stapen, who reports for Expedia, AOL's Family Travel Network, and "FamilyFun, Vacations," and "Child" magazines, is an award-winning writer and expert on family travel.
* Tips with each entry give parents the sort of insider information that makes family vacations a success.
* Regional maps pinpoint every site in the guide.

USE THIS BOOK TO...

* Find an anchor, or main focus, for a multi-day vacation with your family.
* Add the fun of a day outing to a family vacation, a resort or condominium stay, a visit with relatives, or a business trip with the kids.
* Act as a guide to great but little-known day trips, inexpensive outings, and overnights offered by museums, aquariums, and zoos in your city and neighboring towns.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Award-wining travel writer Stapen is the author of eight previous travel books, including 50 Great Family Vacations and Cruise Vacations with Kids. Organized by region in the United States and Canada, her new book offers 327 top family recreational ideas that also have educational value-a refreshing change from the usual tourist attractions. Experiences range from dogsledding in Minnesota to a wildlife safari in Texas to gold panning in Canada's Yukon territory, and many of the sites are recommended for children over eight years old. Stapen warns about weather hazards, discusses the strain of various adventures and the appropriate attire, and provides names and phone numbers of tours and lodging. One concludes that hese trips are not for the idle; nor are they cheap. For lower-priced vacations try The Best Bargain Family Vacations in the U.S.A. (LJ 2/15/97). Another similar book that costs less but is divided by activity rather than region is Fodor's Family Adventures (1998). Recommended for all libraries.
Kimberly Bateman, Broward Cty. Libs., Deerfield Beach, FL
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: National Geographic (May 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 079227590X
• ISBN-13: 978-0792275909
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,534,108 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't judge this book by its cover!, April 29, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: National Geographic Guide to Family Adventure Vacations: Wildlife Encounters, Cultural Explorations, and Learning Escapes in the U.S. and Canada (Paperback)

As the mother of two active and intellectually curious boys, I was so disappointed with this National Geographic book that I am sorely tempted to return it to the publisher. My aim: to find some suggestions for hikes in the White Mountains and family resorts in New Hampshire for this summer and an exciting, wilderness approach to seeing the West for next summer. The cover: a healthy, athletic father and son, in a kayak on a pristine lake. The subtitle: wildlife encounters, cultural explorations and learning escapes in the US and Canada. The inside: Connecticut's only entry is an Indian museum at the Mohegan Sun gambling casino; four of Massachusett's five entries are museums in downtown Boston and the fifth a small recreation of the Plymouth Colony; New York's six entries include three museums in New York City, two adult continuing education programs in upstate NY and a weekend workshop on Indian culture in the Catskills. I could go on ,but it would only bore you. In short, every entry I read (and I quote only those states I am familiar with) could have been found in literally any run- of -the- mill (free) guidebook found in any hotel loby, restaurant or Chamber of Commerce office. (SeaWorld and Busch Gardens in Florida?? Give me a break!). I implore you to save your money and pass on this book!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Guide for truly novel vacations!!!, August 27, 2000

By 

Wayne Poverstein (Morris Plains, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: National Geographic Guide to Family Adventure Vacations: Wildlife Encounters, Cultural Explorations, and Learning Escapes in the U.S. and Canada (Paperback)

This guide was a wonderful breath of fresh air. As parents of a 14 yr old we were really tired of the same old vacations and really had no idea that exploring North America could be so interesting. Our family used this book as a guide on a recent trip to Montana and South Dakota. It was a terific trip--from the Blackfeet tours to Little Big Horn to Lakota Pony Rides, we truly had a unique experience. Ms. Stapen's guide helped us navigate and explore the most interesting sites these states had to offer. The guide was very informative, especially pointing out those places that are "kid friendly". The book was even helpful in pointing out certain tours not especially suited for kids.---ie. the tour at Little Bighorn. While this did not stop us from going on tour, it did prepare us for the " are we finished yet" complaints of our 14 yr. old. I highly recommend this guide for anyone considering vacationing anywhere in the U.S. From the Pacific Northwest to the East Coast and throughout Canada, this book will help you if you are truly looking for a different type of vacation. I urge anyone to consult this guide---- it will open up a whole new world!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun with the family, October 3, 2000

A Kid's Review

This review is from: National Geographic Guide to Family Adventure Vacations: Wildlife Encounters, Cultural Explorations, and Learning Escapes in the U.S. and Canada (Paperback)

Stapen's book on family adventure travel is one of the best of its kind. Our family was looking for new types of vacations (other than the usual places like DisneyWorld, the beach, etc) that would cater to children of different ages. We are looking forward to trying out several of the recommendations, such as a night at the zoo, space camp, dogsledding, llama trekking and exploring native american culture. The writeups are well done and the book is very enjoyable. A must for families. I am over 50 but could not put that in Box 5 for some reason .