With expensive ticket prices and flight delays complicating air travel, it’s no surprise that many Americans (myself included) are opting for shorter getaways within driving distance from home. Not so much a weekend getaway as a micro vacation (or “micro-cation”), the emerging trend is all about packing a big vacation punch into just a few days.
If you’ve got kids heading back to school, a micro-cation fits busy school-year schedules like a glove, especially now that crowds are often lighter than during the hectic summer travel season. From the California Coast to the Adirondacks, here are six micro-cations that are just right for families.
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Lake Placid, New York
The Adirondack Park encompasses more than six million acres of private and public land, a maze of freshwater lakes and mountains, and pine-perfumed air. Lake Placid, one the Adirondacks’ most storied towns, is a five-hour drive from NYC and four hours from Boston. Twice host of the Winter Olympics, it’s a skier’s dream, but also a four-season paradise: Fall is ablaze with color, delicate mountain wildflowers bloom each spring, and the town’s two lakes (Mirror and Lake Placid) beckon summertime swimmers and kayakers.
You can get acquainted with the town’s Olympic legacy at the Lake Placid Olympic Museum, where interactive exhibits give a deeper appreciation of the participant’s athletic accomplishments. And for outdoorsy families, head to Cobble Hill for a 1.6-mile trail that’s a short walk from the village, manageable for family members with tiny legs.
Stay: Mirror Lake Inn has its own private beach. Upscale rooms all face Mirror Lake and the High Peaks. Service is stellar, dining delightful at both upscale The View and casual The Cottage. Owned by two-time Olympic Medalist downhill skier Andrew Weibrecht and family, those medals behind the front desk are real.
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Carlsbad, California
In a state that’s bursting with cool coastal communities, San Diego County’s Carlsbad stands tall. If you crave an endless summer vibe, its seven-mile stretch of Pacific sand and surf is a jackpot. Carlsbad is approximately 90 miles from Los Angeles (keep freeway traffic in mind), but once you’ve arrived, you won’t need your car to explore the village.
Add a hobby-cation to your micro-cation and dip a candle at Candle Bar or build a terrarium at Rebel Villa. Spin Record’s eclectic collection of vinyl should be a hit with teens, too. And if you’re visiting with kids, the merits of Legoland need no introduction.
After a day at the beach, who doesn’t want ice-cream? The town is home to numerous scoop shops, including Handel’s, Crispy Cones, and Stella Jean’s. For Hawaiian-style shave ice, Aloha Ice doesn’t disappoint.
Stay: Beach Terrace Inn is so close to the water, the sound of the waves will lull you to sleep. Guest rooms have everything you need and nothing you don’t. The beach valet will set you up in comfy yellow chairs under a sun umbrella and lend the kids sand toys. A complimentary breakfast buffet, with goodies like fresh fruit served in an ice-cream cone, is an eye-opener.
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Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Jackson Hole is basecamp for breathtakingly beautiful Grand Teton National Park’s mountain scenery, crystal-clear lakes, and abundant wildlife such as moose, elk, and bison. It’s about a seven-hour drive from the metro Denver area, putting it just within micro-cation distance.
Winters are long here, bringing a smile to the faces of winter sports enthusiasts. Last December, I booked an unforgettable guided snowshoe excursion with Ecotour Adventures. In warmer months, try whitewater rafting down the Snake River. In autumn, the Aspen trees turn stunning shades of yellow. Stargazers can head to the state-of-the-art Snow King Observatory & Planetarium with immersive multimedia displays and guided night sky viewings. My favorite thing to do any time of year is soak in the six thermal pools at family-friendly Astoria Hot Springs.
Stay: The Lodge at Jackson Hole‘s guest rooms are spacious and modern, with Western-themed art adding sense of place. This town is pricey, but the Lodge at Jackson Hole does a fair job at keeping rates wallet-friendly. Families will enjoy the indoor-outdoor heated swimming pool, hot tub, and dozens of carved bears whimsically peaking out from nooks and crannies. Practical amenities include a free shuttle service, fitness center, and coin laundry.
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Manchester, Vermont
Manchester is a Southern Vermont town that’s a four-hour drive from NYC and three hours from Boston. Fall foliage is camera-ready, as a sweep of crimson, amber, and pumpkin-colored leaves ignite the Green Mountains. However, you’ll find fresh-air fun in all four seasons.
I like to hike or snowshoe the trails at Equinox Preservation Trust. Downhill skiing at Bromley is just 15 minutes away, and Hildene, a historic home that belonged to Abraham Lincoln’s son, has a gorgeous trail network and a goat dairy.
It’s a five-minute drive to the Dorset Quarry, the oldest marble quarry in the USA, open from late May through mid-October. Visitors and locals come to dive into this swimming hole lined with marble and filled with cold, blue water. It’s free, though you’ll pay to park. Take some time to explore Manchester’s independently-owned shops, including Northshire, a terrific bookstore with a large children’s section.
Stay: The Manchester View has been recently renovated. A small swimming pool refreshes in summer while a hot tub and fire pit are cozy year-round. Nestled in nature, each of the 36 guest rooms embrace local craftsmanship with wood furnishings; soft lighting has a calming effect. It’s the definition of comfort without excess. The complimentary breakfast buffet features delectable local baked goods and excellent coffee.
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Bastrop, Texas
Bastrop is an easy drive from Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston. People come from all over to enjoy its nostalgic Main Street dotted with fun shops. Part of the Lost Pines region, there are also fresh-air activities galore. Swim, canoe, geocache, and bird-watch among Bastrop State Park’s mosaic of pines, oaks, shrubs, and grasslands, which are punctuated by a carpet of bluebonnets each spring.
Adrenaline-seeking families may take a ride on the state’s longest dual zipline at Zip Lost Pines in McKinney Roughs Nature Park’s. The park is also home to hiking and mountain biking trails.
Stay: The Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa sits along the banks of the Lower Colorado River. The resort has its own waterpark with a freeform swimming pool, baby pool, two-story slide, and lazy river. Interactive experiences, including archery and the Cowboy art of lassoing, are available. Pedal over to the corral (kid-sized bikes are available) and say hello to the resident alpacas, goats, and bighorns.
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Shenandoah Valley, Virginia
Located approximately 100 miles from Washington, DC, the peaceful Shenandoah Valley feels a million miles from the Beltway. Shenandoah National Park is a hiker’s delight with hundreds of miles of trails and countless opportunities to commune with nature. Motorists can marvel at Blue Ridge Mountain views as they ramble along the 105-mile Skyline Drive.
There are numerous caverns where you can see otherworldly stalagmites and stalactites, always a favorite with families. At Shenandoah Caverns, the elevator makes it easy to descend and ascend with a stroller. My kids could never get enough of Dinosaur Land, a walk-through theme park with more than 50 life-sized replicas of these beloved prehistoric creatures made out of fiberglass. It’s also stroller and wheelchair friendly.
Stay: Sleep inside the park at Skyland, where you can reserve a simple room or cabin from early April through early November. The dining room serves homestyle meals made with farm-fresh ingredients.
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