Fun Family Resorts

It used to be difficult to find a vacation destination that would please the entire family. These days, family-friendly resorts provide a multitude of options, so that folks can entertain their tots, relax with their spouses and enjoy the fabulous North American outdoors-all from the creative comforts of man-made African safaris, lost continents and even a Wild West dude ranch.

Here are some top picks:

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. If a trip to the Serengeti is out of your price range, a visit to this wild lodge in Orlando, Florida will more than suffice.

Guests initially greet the 33-acre property through the lobby's awe-inspiring 65-foot window. Strolling throughout the property's savannahs are over 200 animals representing more than 100 different species, including antelopes and gazelles.

Many suites and rooms overlook the resort's savannahs, and balconies afford families an opportunity to come face to face with a giraffe. Rooms are decorated with a traditional African ambience: earth-tone walls, handcrafted furniture, tapestries and mosquito nets abound, but true historical value can be found in the 4,000 native handcrafts placed throughout the lodge. Featured within the lodge are 380 museum-quality works of art including authentic Kinta cloths, woodcarvings and a 16-foot, 240-lb. Nigerian ceremonial mask.

When it's time to dine, experience the tastes of Africa at one of the resort's two inspired restaurants, Jiko or Boma, which feature wood-burning ovens and thatched roofs.

La Costa Resort and Spa. The ultimate kid-friendly environment where parents can pursue their own activities without worry. Most commonly associated with its two PGA Championship golf courses and a world-class spa, La Costa Resort located in Carlsbad, California now earns itself a new reputation: Family Resort.

Tucked among the resort's rolling greens, Jim McLean Golf School and 21 tennis courts is a world of activities designed for little ones on retreat. At Camp La Costa, children experience the resort's magnificent facilities in a kid-friendly environment while parents pursue their own activities without worry. Kids ages 5-12 spend the day at the camp, where they engage in tennis, croquet, hiking, swimming, nature walks, crafts and ping-pong.

While the kids are making friends and having fun, parents indulge in the body- and soul-soothing luxury that defines La Costa. Whether taking yoga at health guru Deepak Chopra's Chopra Center or soaking away worries in Spa La Costa's Roman pools, adults relish the relaxing treatments. As darkness falls, parents can opt to spend a romantic evening together while sending their children off to Night Camp, which includes dinner, story hour and a scavenger hunt.

Club Med Ixtapa. A fun-filled family resort South of the Border in Zihuatenejo, Mexico. The charming Club Med Ixtapa Village quickly woos kids and parents with its seemingly endless roster of activities for all ages. Situated on 37 acres along Mexico's western coast, Ixtapa plays host to over 20,000 visitors a year, 60% of whom are under age 11!

A variety of "mini" clubs are designed to entertain children throughout the day. Divided by age groups, Baby Club, Petit Club and Mini Club keep kids ages 4 months-13 years busy with outdoor activities, shows and crafts. Even mealtime is a child's fantasy-Ixtapa features a kids-only dining area.

While the kids are away, the parents will play! Ixtapa offers adult activities including tennis, scuba, archery, kayaking, water polo, volleyball and picnics. Families venturing off the resort property can visit Ixtapa Island or take sunset cruises, fishing trips and even excursions into the Mexican fishing village of Zihuatenejo.

Out-‘n’About Treesort. Something extraordinary is afoot in the woods of Takilma, Oregon. Strung high above the earth, nestled into treetops and branches, is one of the world's most unique resorts: Treesort. This high-in-the-sky treehouse-resort proves that trees aren't just for the birds. Fourteen treehouses comprise Treesort, and sleep two-eight people. Getting to your room is half the adventure-guests climb stairs, ladders, even a 90-foot-long suspension bridge. Once there, the wonder begins.

Circus Circus. This Las Vegas resort lies on 70 acres of land, and with 3,800 rooms, it's the fifth largest resort-casino in Vegas. "Ooh's" and "ahh's" fill the air every half hour at Circus Circus, as performers engage in airborne stunts on the resort's center stage. Surrounding the stage is Midway, an enormous carnival filled with over 200 arcade games, carnival games and wandering clowns.

Possibly the world's biggest funhouse, the excitement continues at the indoor theme park Adventuredome, home to over 20 rides, miniature golf and laser tag. Take a spin on Canyon Blaster, the world's only indoor double-loop, double-corkscrew roller coaster.

After your family has worked up an appetite, check out The Steakhouse, one of nine resort restaurants, and voted "Best in Las Vegas" for 12 years running!

Kingsmill Resort. Stretching over 3,000 acres of Virginia wilderness, Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, boasts its own long list of recreational activities as well as close proximity to the fun found in nearby Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens.

Active families can enjoy the resort's three 18-hole golf courses, 15 tennis courts and Sports Club featuring indoor and outdoor pools, exercise classes, personal trainers and a billiards and game room. Stop by the concierge desk for special Junior Guest Registration: children receive a Kids Fun Pack introducing them to the resort.

Kids Camp is the perfect opportunity for 5-12 year olds to play tennis and golf, swim, fish, have theme days and make arts and crafts. Don't forget to sign little ones up for Kids Night Out, a pizza and game party that allows for a parents' romantic date night at one of the resort's six signature restaurants.

Hilton Waikoloa Village. This 64-acre paradise sprawls along the Kohala Coast (The Big Island, Hawaii) and offers families a tropical adventure. Parents hoping to find a child-friendly haven can sign their tykes up for Camp Menehune. This day and night camp allows kids to feed koi and swans, hunt for treasure and explore tidepools.

Tropical gardens, saltwater lagoons and two golf courses are tempting, but the resort's most popular retreat is Dolphin Quest, providing guests with a variety of interactive dolphin programs. The many activities include Dolphin Training Adventures, a Dolphin Family Program and a Dolphin Twilight Camp for kids. But the water games don't stop there. At Waikoloa's four-acre lagoon, water lovers can schedule kayak trips, snorkel sails and seasonal whale-watch sails. Feeling water-logged? Sign up for flower lei-making or hula classes. After dark, attend the Legends of the Pacific Luau to experience traditional island dancing and music, as well as a buffet dinner.

Tanque-Verde Ranch. This family-friendly ranch will give you the change to “ride ‘em cowboy.” Literally meaning "Green Pool," the 640-acre Tanque Verde Ranch in Tucson, Arizona, is a serene oasis nestled into the Sonoran Desert and adjacent to Saguaro National Park.

With over 120 horses, it's no surprise that this dude ranch offers ample riding opportunities. Specialty rides such as the Breakfast Ride (to a meal at the Old Homestead), six-hour-long Day Rides and Picnic Rides with lunch in Cottonwood Grove are all available. Newcomers can take riding lessons at a variety of levels.

Naturalist guides offer hikes through the desert wilds, exploring canyons, cacti and even secret waterfalls. The popular Kids Program offers little cowpokes (ages 4-11) the chance to "ride 'em cowboy!" From 7 a.m.-3 p.m. children are divided into two age groups-the Buckaroos and Wrangler Kids-and treated to riding lessons, tennis, swimming and arts and crafts.

Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort. The right place for a wonderful, wintry vacation awaits you in Snowbird, Utah. If the sight of snow gets your family excited, grab a pair of skis and head to Snowbird for a wonderful, wintry vacation. The resort rests in Little Cottonwood Canyon, which offers 3,240 feet and 5,000 acres of mountain to explore, and whose proximity to the Great Salt Lake ensures over 500 inches of snow falls annually. Thirty years after being founded, the resort now features 10 lifts, 85 runs and an uphill capacity of 16,000 people. Beginner skiers, from ages 3 to adult, can learn skiing and snowboarding at the Snowbird Mountain School. Love the outdoors but not a fan of the slopes? The resort offers ice skating, snow tubing, snowshoe tours and luge sleds. Parents can unwind with a stone massage or herbal wrap at the luxurious Cliff Spa, or hit Snowbird's shops, selling everything from ski clothes and boots to Chinese silk rugs. After working up an appetite on the mountain, families can chow down on a juicy steak or spicy southwestern fare at one of the resort's 12 tempting restaurants.

Atlantis Resort and Casino. A lost continent, filled with adventure, intrigue and plenty of water activities for the kids. The $850-million Atlantis Resort located in Paradise Island, Bahamas, recreates the infamous lost continent, filled with adventure and intrigue.

This mecca of family fun features over 20,000 guest rooms, 38 restaurants and countless activities, including 11 exhibit lagoons and over 50,000 animals such as sharks, lionfish and stingrays. Water enthusiasts can visit miles of Vacation on the Beach, take a dip in one of 11 pool areas or play on seven different water slides. Leave your fears at home, though...the Mayan Temple's Leap of Faith slide features a 60-foot drop into an acrylic tunnel submerged in a shark-infested lagoon.

Land lovers can send their kids to the Discovery Channel Camp where little ones seek treasures, explore stars with telescopes and even sculpt imitation fossils. Are you raising a little Jacques Cousteau? Check out The Dig - a replicated archaeological site featuring the ruins and treasure of the lost civilization Atlantis.

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