West Coast
Embassy Suites, San Diego, Calif.
San Diego is a fabulous family-friendly city. Visit the 1,400-acre Balboa Park and its 15 museums and the San Diego Zoo, visit Legoland in nearby Carlsbad, get splashed on by performing wildlife at SeaWorld, and hit the Pacific shores of Coronado Beach. Then, rest your weary heads on the soft, fluffy pillows of the . Its Zoo and SeaWorld packages include a choice of two adult SeaWorld or San Diego Zoo tickets, discounted tickets for the kids, accommodations, breakfast and a 10 percent discount at the hotel restaurant for lunch or dinner. Rates begin at $199 per night and run through October 25.
Southeast
Atlanta
"Hot-lanta" cools off in the fall and becomes its best season. Atlanta can introduce kids to America's southern history with museums and plantation homes, as well as family fun like aquariums, zoos and Broadway-worthy shows. The Four Seasons Hotel is offering a third night free after a two-night stay through December 31. Use it on for a three-day weekend, or combine it for two free nights during a six-night visit to the Capital of the South. Rates start at $200 per night.
Southwest
Sheraton South Padre Island Beach Hotels & Condos, South Padre, Texas
Don't mess with Texas, but enjoy a family vacation there. The southwestern state has dude ranches for horseback riding, beaches for swimming, cities for cultural and historical exploration, and attractions for kids of all ages. For every night you stay at the Sheraton South Padre Island, your family will get the next night at half off. This fall special actually runs through the end of the year for a great getaway at any time.
Florida
Amelia Island Plantation, Florida
Fall is a fantastic time to visit northern Florida, where temperatures are, well, temperate, but the beaches still beckon with warm waters. Amelia Island is a throwback to yesteryear, a small, beachside community where families can truly sit back and relax. Through the end of the year, Amelia Island Plantation is running its Family Value Days, where families will save big on accommodations, dining and recreation. Kids under 12 will dine free off the kid's menu, and kids 15 and under will enjoy complimentary recreation, including tennis, golf, biking, youth programs and the Just for Kids program. Rooms begin as low as $159 per night.
Northeast
Chatham Bars Inn, Cape Cod
Falls in New England have been frozen in time. Leaves in hues of red, orange and gold dot the landscape and yet Cape Cod's beaches are still meant to enjoy under blue skies. Walk Chatham's charming Main Street and picnic and shell seek on its beaches, then tuck in for the night at Chatham Bars Inn. The Family Escape Package includes a reduced price for three night's accommodations for a family of four, daily breakfast for four and welcome amenities through October 31. (Leave the kids with dad for an afternoon and enjoy 10 percent off in the spa.)
Midwest
The James Hotel, Chicago
Back to school means the family has to wait for weekends for getaways, and what better getaway than a weekend exploring a big city? Chicago's James Hotel features a Family Adventurer Weekend that includes two Chicago City Pass tickets to attractions like the Field Museum, the Shedd Aquarium and the Museum of Science and Industry. The package also include four passes to the Chicago Children's Museum at Navy Pier, a pair of children's pajamas, milk-and-cookie turndown service, and American breakfast for two. The package, which runs through the end of the year, starts at $279 per night, depending on the room type selected.
International
Pan Pacific Vancouver, Vancouver, Canada
Still want an international getaway? Consider crossing the border into Canada, where prices are lower and the attractions are just as exciting. After the Winter Olympics, Vancouver remains a worldly destination, complete with kid-friendly attractions, such as the Kids' Only Market at Granville Island and the Museum of Anthropology's collection of totem poles. The Pan Pacific's Family Getaway Package starts at $269 (Canadian dollars) and includes accommodations for a family of four, free breakfast buffet, and free in-room movies, board games and popcorn to enjoy summer evenings together after splashing around in the resort's outdoor pool. Oh yes, and cookies and chocolate milk for the kids before bedtime. (Book a second room for 50 percent off!)
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