Pennington, NJ – September 14, 2011 – Just because school is back in session, families don’t need to pack their adventures away until next summer. Family Vacation Critic(R) — the new family travel site from the publishers of Cruise Critic(R) — has selected eight great fall destinations and paired them with fantastic family hotel packages, to combine school work and family fun, within a few hours’ drive from home.
“If you want to take one last road trip before the winter weather hits, take a look at your child’s school schedule for inspiration,” recommends Lissa Poirot, editor of Family Vacation Critic. “Identify subjects with which your child struggles and plan a field trip that will help to get them enthused. Check local hotels for money-saving deals and discounted attraction tickets.”
Eight fall family escapes that bring lessons to life:
SUBJECT: EARTH SCIENCE – GEOLOGY
Lackawanna Coal Mine, Lackawanna County, PA
Take a ride 300 feet below the earth in a coal car to explore a once-active coal mine, originally opened in 1860, while learning about the life of a coal miner.
HOTEL: Great Wolf Lodge
FAMILY DEAL: Fall into Savings Package or Novemburr Savings Package – Packages include accommodations; four water park passes to use the entire stay; daily Wolf Walk, Great Clock Tower Shows, nightly Story Time in the Grand Lobby; and daily activities in the Cub Club. Rates start at $239.99.
SUBJECT: BIOLOGY – MARINE LIFE
Mystic Aquarium Mystic, CT
Come face-to-face with beluga whales, penguins, jellyfish, and sea lions which regale guests with their antics at regular shows.
HOTEL: Mohegan Sun
FAMILY DEAL: Fins and Family Package – Package includes an overnight stay for a family of four, a family four-pack of tickets to Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Explorations, two $10 vouchers to Kids Quest and Cyber Quest, and breakfast for two adults and two children at Sunburst Buffet. Rates start at $308 per package, per night.
SUBJECT: HISTORY – NATIVE AMERICANS AND PILGRIMS
Plimouth Plantation – Plymouth, MA
Families travel back in time with tours of the Mayflower II, strolls around a Pilgrim village, traditional foods from the time period, and costumed interpreters.
HOTEL: Cape Codder Resort & Spa
FAMILY DEAL: Family Vacation Package – Package includes two nights for a family of four, up to $40 meal allowance, admission to the resort’s spectacular Indoor Wave Pool and heated outdoor pool. Rates start at $166 per night.
SUBJECT: DRAMA – MUSICAL THEATRE
Behind the Emerald Curtain New York, NY
Take an exclusive tour of the Behind the Emerald Curtain Museum and end the visit with a Q & A session with cast members to learn more about Wicked and show business in general.
HOTEL: Affinia Dumont
FAMILY DEAL: My Family Getaways! Package – Package includes Affinia Hotels backpack with Frommer’s New York guidebook for kids, a deck of 52 city adventure cards, kid’s digital camera and pouch, a scrapbook with city stickers, and access to a “Fun-For-Family” chest to use during the stay. Rates start at $369.
SUBJECT: PHYS. ED. – BASEBALL
Fenway Park – Boston, MA
Tour the historic Fenway Park with a 50-minute walking tour of the ballpark, led by an official Fenway Park Tour guide.
HOTEL: Hotel Commonwealth
FAMILY DEAL: Fenway Family Fun Package – Package includes family accommodations for two adults and two children in a Fenway Room overlooking the ballpark, four tickets for a behind the scenes tour of Fenway Park, Red Sox-inspired baseball amenity, board game and family-friendly DVD selection with complimentary popcorn, and access to the hotel’s Family Concierge. Rates start at $319.
SUBJECT: HISTORY – FOUNDING FATHERS
Freedom Trail – Boston, MA
Travel along a 2.5-mile brick path to visit some 16 of Boston’s most important sites, including the Paul Revere House and the U.S.S. Constitution.
HOTEL: Omni Parker House
FAMILY DEAL: Freedom Trail Package – Package includes one night’s accommodation, full breakfast buffet, a costumed guided walk, Omni Kids Backpack, Kids Guide to the Freedom Trail and milk and cookies. Rates start at $172.20 per night.
SUBJECT: AMERICAN LITERATURE – THE GREAT GATSBY
Newport Mansions – Newport, RI
Get a behind-the-scenes look at how the country’s elite spent their summers in the 20th century. See what life was like for a Vanderbilt child at The Breakers and step foot into the famed Rosecliff mansion, seen in the film The Great Gatsby.
HOTEL: Newport Marriott
FAMILY DEAL: Family Fun Package – Package includes a deluxe king or double room, one complimentary in-room movie, one large cheese pizza delivered to the room, and breakfast for two adults and children age 12 and under in Fathoms Restaurant. Rates start at $175.
For more information on any of the destinations, deals and hotels mentioned above, visit www.familyvacationcritic.com. Family Vacation Critic features reviews of family-friendly resorts and hotels, as well as family travel deals and destination guides for planning kid-friendly vacations. The site also provides a forum for swapping tips on all aspects of traveling with kids.
About Family Vacation Critic
Family Vacation Critic(R) is a comprehensive online travel resource for families that offers reviews of family hotels, resort and destinations. The site features vacation ideas, family travel tips and an online forum for family travelers. Family Vacation Critic was launched in June 2009 by The Independent Traveler, Inc., a subsidiary of TripAdvisor, Inc.
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