1 Rocky Mountain HighEstes Park, Colorado

One great option is Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes Park, less than a two-hour drive from Denver. Pack your hiking boots: there are 350 miles of alpine hiking trails promising photo-ops of high-country lakes, waterfalls, aspen forests, wildflower-splashed meadows and glacier-carved summits. Expect to spot elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, and maybe a moose—as well as many of the 60 smaller species that inhabit the park. A typical day might involve river rafting, rock climbing, biking, horseback riding or, for the younger set, a day in the junior ranger program.

You’ll find no shortage of lodging options in Estes Park, known for its old-school fudge shops, aerial tram and century-old Stanley Hotel (www.stanleyhotel.com). The landmark was the inspiration for Stephen King’s novel The Shining (which he penned in Room 217) and is believed by some to be haunted. Judge for yourself with a spine-tingling ghost tour—be sure to reserve two weeks ahead. For an economical lodging alternative, check out the many cabin and cottage rentals, like the themed cabins in Brynwood on the River (www.brynwood.com), the Valhalla Resort (www.valhallaresort.com) or the huge, well equipped YMCA of the Rockies (www.ymcarockies.org).

In the summertime, you will be sharing the Park (and the town) with lots of other tourists—but you’ll also be just in time to enjoy seasonal perks like the Rooftop Rodeo, free concerts, complimentary shuttle service to the hiking trails and access to scenic drives that close in late fall.

Fact: Bull elk, which can weigh up to 700 pounds, “bugle” to assert dominance and attract mates.

2 Up, Down and All AroundSeattle, Washington

Whether it’s up (the Space Needle’s famous O Deck), down (a guided underground city tour) or somewhere in the middle, Seattle is a beacon for family fun—and summer’s the perfect time to visit. Start at the top: take the Needle’s high-speed elevator 520 feet up for a bird’s-eye view of the sparkling waters of Puget Sound, the city skyline and the three surrounding mountain ranges, dominated by ghostly Mt. Rainier to the south. Use the O Deck’s telescopes to zoom in on the many attractions you might add to your itinerary, from the Seattle Aquarium to the Woodland Park Zoo.

For a different perspective, take Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour: a guided stroll through Seattle’s historic subterranean passages. Other unique venues worth flocking to include the International Fountain, where the water spurts are choreographed to music (everything from Irish jigs to classical to contemporary) and the Experience Music Project, an interactive exhibit housed in a cavernous Frank Gehry-designed building. And lucky you: the elegant MarQueen Hotel (www.marqueen.com), tucked away in this very neighborhood, has amenities aplenty for mom and dad—but its central location and spacious kitchenette suites make it perfect for the little ones, too.

When you’ve seen the city from all angles, literally and figuratively, rent a car and head to Port Townsend, less than a two-hour drive away. July and August are the prime months of the year for orca viewing. P.S. Express offers a full-day whale-watching trip that includes a stop at lovely San Juan Island, just across from Canada, where you can happily spend a couple of hours—or, better yet, a couple of nights. a car and head to Port Townsend, less than a two-hour drive away. July and August are the prime months of the Canada, where you can happily spend a couple of hours—or, better yet, a couple of nights.

Fact: Orcas are the ocean’s fastest swimmers—capable of speeds up to 30 miles per hour.

3 Wild TimesSan Diego, California

Camp out on an African savannah, surrounded by giraffes, gazelles, impalas, rhinos and wildebeests. Kayak and snorkel among leopard sharks in an ecological preserve. Watch a swashbuckling adventure film on the deck of an 1863 windjammer. Simulate a heart-pounding aerial combat ride onboard an aircraft carrier. Learn to “hang ten.” Go nose-to-nose with a dolphin or a beluga whale. Welcome to a week in San Diego!

With a host of animal attractions and more than its share of top-tier theme parks, San Diego has long appealed to families—but if you think you’ve “been there, done that,” you’ve barely scratched the surface. Consider a kayak-and-snorkel tour through the caves of beautiful La Jolla Cove, home to a marine refuge and seal colony. Discover the Chula Vista Nature Center, where you can get up-closeand-personal with eagles, rays, sharks, sea turtles and many other animals. And the already world-class San Diego Zoo has just outdone itself again, pouring a cool $45 million into its one-of-a-kind Elephant Odyssey—an unprecedented 7.5-acre, multispecies habitat that enables viewers to get closer than ever before.

For nighttime adventure, forgo your comfy bed and experience the “Roar & Snore” family sleepover at the San Diego Wild Animal Park, or bunk as the sailors did on the USS Midway, a decommissioned aircraft carrier-turned-museum. And, speaking of ships, there’s no more unique movie theater than the deck of the Star of India, the world’s oldest active sailing vessel (also a floating museum), where monthly sea-themed films unfurl on a special sail above the rigging.

Consider using Loews Coronado Bay Resort (www.loewshotels.com) as your home base; family activities are free from July 3 through September 7. Choose from grunion runs, “dive-in” movies, cooking classes, Guitar Hero® “Battle of the Bands” tournaments, and more. Teen-specific programs, such as spa treatments and surfing lessons, are also available; additional fees apply.

Fact: A surfer is “hanging ten” when all 10 toes are curled over the nose of the surfboard.

4 Rapids and RainforestsCosta Rica

Costa Rica is one of the smallest countries in the Americas (it’s roughly the size of Massachusetts), but don’t be fooled by its modest size. Within this tiny footprint, you’ll find one of the most richly varied geographies in the world—including lush rainforests, cascading rivers, pristine beaches, towering mountains, and five active volcanoes. Thanks to a variety of fertile microclimates and a unique position as a land bridge between North and South America, it’s also a virtual melting pot for flora and fauna; many exotic species evolved here, and migrating animals are pulled here as if by some magnetic force. So, too, are nature-loving families looking for the vacation of a lifetime.

With so much to experience, you’ll need a specialized outfitter that can customize your trip. Costa Rica Expeditions (www.costaricaexpeditions.com), a pioneer in adventure travel and ecotourism, is one of several local companies that understand the tricky balance between staying still for too long and trying to do too much. Simply tell them how much time and money you want to spend, who will be participating, and how active you want to be—they’ll take care of the rest.

A typical itinerary begins with whitewater rafting (kids’ ages will dictate the river and thrill factor) and moves on to Tortuguero National Park, a protected tropical rainforest that’s home to more than 350 species of birds and mammals. From July to October, you can watch the giant Green Sea Turtles make their way ashore, lay their eggs, cover their nests and return to the sea. You might also visit Arenal (an active volcano near the charming town of La Fortuna), hike in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve or enjoy some beach time on the Pacific or Caribbean coasts. With the help of boats, kayaks, horses, ziplines, surfboards, snorkels and your own trusty two feet, you’ll come face-to-face with almost every kind of creature imaginable. And, if you’re lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of that most rare specimen: the genuinely cheerful teenager.

Fact: The three-toed sloth is so sedentary that algae grows on its furry coat.

5 Authentically NativeSanta Ana Pueblo, New Mexico

What happens when a Native American pueblo joins forces with a familyfriendly luxury hotel chain? Find out at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa (tamaya.hyatt.com), located on the Santa Ana Pueblo, 20 minutes north of Albuquerque. This secluded, one-of-a-kind resort was created by Native Americans whose ancestors have dwelled here for hundreds of years. Its rustic adobe architecture, expansive collection of native artifacts and unique recreational offerings provide guests with a genuinely immersive cultural experience. Tribal members offer dance performances and teach workshops in traditional crafts—and in the evening, a pueblo storyteller spins colorful native tales of nature and the constellations around a cozy fire pit (accompanied, of course, by the deliciously non-native delicacy of s’mores).

There are a variety of ways to explore the resort’s 500 acres: horseback riding, guided walks and bike rides through the cottonwoods along the Rio Grande, hot air balloon excursions and two golf courses. Onsite, there are three swimming pools, two tennis courts, a Camp Hyatt for ages 3¬12, a large fitness room, family yoga and Pilates, and the Tamaya Mist Spa and Salon—featuring heavenly treatments inspired by the local environment and culture.

To complete your experience, consider a couple of day trips: Petroglyph National Park, just 30 minutes away, contains a stunning display of prehistoric Native American rock carvings. An hour’s drive takes you to Bandelier National Monument, where you can climb inside cliff dwellings and ceremonial kivas built by the Ancestral Pueblo people 10,000 years ago. There are great hiking trails, incredible vistas and a visitors’ center that provides a helpful historical perspective.

Fact: Traditional Tamayame women baked bread in hurunas—large outdoor clay ovens.