Eight Great Family-Friendly Summer Destinations in the USA

A classic island beach resort for New Englanders. Leave the car at home and take the one-hour ferry from Hyannis on Cape Cod. Once there, you can get around via rental bikes on miles of paved paths, and by convenient shuttles—great ways to teach kids how to reduce their carbon footprints! The big news for families are the just opened private residences at the White Elephant Hotel (see our special offer). My Insider and business partner Janet Kraus recently took a sneak peek, and says they're the chicest and most luxurious hotel-serviced residences on on Nantucket. The one-, two-, or three-bedroom homes are for sale but some are available for rent, as are the inn's smaller but charming cottages. Also spacious for families are the Cottages at Boat Basin (but safer for those with older kids who can swim as they sit right on the water!) Come summer, Nantucket has an embarrassment of riches for the young and young at heart. Several nice beaches, especially one called "Children's Beach," have lifeguards and gentle waves ideal for little ones. Tweens and teens can head to Jetties Beach to rent kayaks, windsurfs and sunfish. Sign up little sailors for lessons at the Nantucket Yacht Club, which offers classes to kids from ages 7 up, and for adults too, and take them on a pirate adventure cruise on the Endeavor Sloop. Need some time to yourself? Send the kids to make new friends at the Strong Winds Adventure School day camp, or hire a vetted sitter from the Nantucket Babysitters' Service, so mom and dad can enjoy a romantic night strolling the town's cobblestone streets. Be sure to take the kids to see the huge sperm whale skeleton and captains' chests at the Whaling Museum, and then stop by the Juice Bar (12 Broad Street) for delicious homemade ice cream.

"There are few mountain settings in the world more spectacular than Lake Tahoe," says my Insider Amie O'Shaughnessy, founder of Ciao Bambino, a family travel guide to kid-friendly hotels around the world. "Located three-and-a-half hours east of San Francisco, Tahoe is paradise for kids and parents alike. Although the water is so cold it takes your breath away, it's so crystal clear and gorgeous that everyone goes in anyway! Rocky and sandy beaches are plentiful—little kids love both options. The best part of this area is the laundry list of incredible outdoor summer sports opportunities including sailing, waterskiing, fishing, hiking, biking (mountain and road), tennis, horseback riding, and golf." For a resort with great family amenities, Amie recommends the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe: "It offers waterfront accommodations and a Camp Hyatt club for ages 3 to 12," she says. My take? The Hyatt is a fine choice for families (wouldn't recommend it for couples), but I was most impressed by Amie's tip about Chez O'Neal, one of many luxury home rentals around the lake, ideal for families that want space and privacy. "I grew up going to Chez O'Neal in the private residential community of Dollar Point," says Amie. "This home sleeps more than 20 and is fabulous for a few families traveling together. The neighborhood has a private beach, swimming pool, and tennis courts. For additional wonderful home options, Tahoe Luxury Properties and Oliver Luxury Real Estate both offer an extensive selection."

New York City in the summer may not be an obvious choice for families, but in fact it's a sure thing when it comes to impressing children—especially if they're at least five years of age and it's their first time in the Big Apple. Pray that you're not there during a heatwave, but there's so much for everyone to see and do even indoors, and this summer, many hotels are offering recession-friendly rates, so put it on your list! Consider booking a family package at midtown's luxe St. Regis New York, walking distance from the world's finest playground—Central Park. The hotel is offering such packages as "Family Traditions": guests who reserve two nights in a two-bedroom suite receive a complimentary third night, as well as a children's welcome amenity of milk, cookies and teddy bears, and a "Pajama Night" with two in-suite movies, popcorn and an ice-cream sundae bar. Even more delightful, according my New York-based Insider Melissa Meyers of Ask Melissa, would be a slumber party at the American Museum of Natural History, which also has summer camp programs. According to Melissa, a day in "the park" is a must. Everyone knows about the carousel and zoo, but she told me about its adorable Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater, and Victorian Gardens at Wollman Rink, an old-fashioned amusement park operating from May 28 to September 1. Another must? NYC's great art museums. Melissa loves the interactive Children's Museum of the Arts, downtown, and I love the private art gallery and museum tours from ArtSmart (see their special offer). For brunch or lunch, take in the views from the Central Park Boathouse; it has room for strollers, and kids love watching the boats and the turtles paddling around the small lake. Another hot destination restaurant is Sweetiepie in the West Village, an imaginatively-hip ice-cream parlor style restaurant that offers massive ice cream sundaes, as well as a good menu and fun cocktails for grown-ups.

Beyond the South East, many people are unfamiliar with North Carolina's barrier islands, a beloved coastal retreat known as the Outer Banks, or OBX. I suspect that's because southerners want it to themselves! Last August, my editor Chantal spent a week there for a multi-generational family reunion, and recommends it for families seeking an affordable, low-key getaway. "The Outer Banks have miles of unspoiled beaches and nature preserves," she says. "It's the antithesis of the Hamptons in that it's not sophisticated or luxe—think mini-golf and ice cream parlors—but there are several historical sights and plenty of outdoorsy things to do. Other than the Sanderling Resort & Spa or the new Oasis Suites, there's little in the way of upscale hotels, so nearly everyone rents homes. I recommend staying in or near Corolla (pronounced "cah-rah-la," y'all!), on the less developed northern tip. There's barely any foliage and the homes tend to be rows of mini-McMansions, but they can fit the whole brood. Book one with a large kitchen so you can prepare most meals at home, a pleasant way to save money and bond in private. Highlights include climbing lighthouses, and visiting the Spanish Mustang wild horse preserve (only guided Range Rover trips are permitted in the dunes, and you'll be lucky if you spot horses, as their population is dwindling.) No traveler can leave OBX without paying homage to the Wright Brothers National Memorial at Kitty Hawk, where the duo launched their first flight. At sunset, head to the terrace of Aqua, a new seafood restaurant and day spa near the cute shops in the town of Duck, like Nags Head Hammocks with its handsomely sturdy rope furnishings. Be sure to kayak the sound with Hadley Twiddy of Coastal Explorations, a bubbly OBX native who knows everything about its flora and fauna. Her family happens to run Twiddy Realty, a good bet for rental homes, as are Élan and ResortQuest."

A little-known secret among travel insiders is how fabulous Hawaii is off-season, when flights there are less expensive, and you practically have the beaches to yourself. My Insider Amie from Ciao Bambino agrees that Hawaii is super summer option—especially this year. "The great part about summer travel to Hawaii is that the weather mild compared to other North America beach destinations," she says. "Accommodations and airfare are typically high in Hawaii year-round, but this season we are seeing unprecedented specials, including a new family package at one of my favorite luxury beach resorts, the Four Seasons Hualalai on the Big Island. Consistently rated one of the best hotels in the world, the grounds and amenities at this Four Seasons are gorgeous. What makes the property special for kids is the level of attention and detail that goes into offering comprehensive services to all ages from kid-sized chaise lounges by the pool to the toys on demand. The 'Kids for All Seasons' program for ages 5 to 12 is differentiated by local activities like hula-dancing lessons, Hawaiian crafts and lei-making—so the club offers creative and interesting things to do, not just a room with TV and video games. Meanwhile, parents will appreciate the top-notch spa and golf facilities." Even better? The property just announced a fantastic "Family Connecting Package" that includes daily breakfast, a nightly dinner, a guided family activity, and one Date Night with a babysitter included. Perfect, as what's a vacation without some alone time for parents?

In the Colorado Rockies every summer, the hills are alive with people enjoying the mountains while they're snow-free. Aspen in particular is a preferred perennial summer retreat for Texans and other southerners escaping the grueling sun and heat back home—neither ideal for kids staying active and playing outdoors, nor for parents chaperoning them. Head to the fresh air of the mountains and the historic mining town of Aspen, a huge outdoor playground with a level of sophistication that appeals to grown-ups. The amount of sporty activities to entertain older kids and adults is remarkable, among them hiking, paragliding, white water rafting, golf, clay target shooting, hot-air ballooning, mountain biking and more. Children and adults alike can learn about nature on the highly-recommended hikes and programs offered by the Aspen Center for Environmental Education. Another phenomenal resource for kids is the Aspen Recreational Center, where kids can be dropped off for day camp while parents golf or spa. You don't want philistine offspring, so don't miss the annual Aspen Music Festival, which features some family concerts. Where to stay? At the base of Aspen Mountain is the St. Regis Resort Aspen; not only is it within walking distance of chic shops and lively restaurants, but it also has larger residences for families in need of space (see our exclusive St. Regis offer). Another great—and more private—option for families is the Ritz-Carlton Club, Aspen Highlands, a five-minute drive from downtown at the base of Aspen Highlands Mountain. Kids will love the homestyle comfort food at the Club's Willow Creek Bistro, and the outdoor movies held on summer evenings. (Take advantage of an exclusive Ritz-Carlton Club offer to reside as a Member for three nights—third night is complimentary—at Aspen Highlands. Call a Ritz-Carlton Club Membership Advisor at 866.605.8683 to book your stay.) Be sure to take the kids over to the base of Snowmass Mountain for lunch or dinner at Junk, a new cool and whimsical upscale deli with a "good" junk food menu that children adore ... Mint Milano S'mores anyone?

I was tipped off to Sunriver by Nancy Soloman, a colleage of my Insider Amie O'Shaugnessy at Ciao Bambino. Nancy, a writer and mother of four, lives near Boston but recently took a holiday to this resort, a hidden gem in the wilderness of Orgeon. "Nestled at the base of the Cascade Mountains south of Bend, Sunriver is an incredible family destination offering an abundance of natural beauty and summer activities," says Nancy. "Our vacation there included three families and five children; it's rare that a group vacation like this is relaxing, but this trip was the exception and everyone loved their experience. Lodging options are excellent. We chose one of their luxury homes, which offered privacy and space, but we still had access to resort amenities. There's a wide variety of lodgings available—be sure to scan through the selection to get one that matches your taste and select one with an outstanding view. On-resort activities include terrific bike paths, nature guides, horseback riding, golf, tennis, boat rides, fishing, spa services and a pool that manages to have a water slide without being too tacky. There's also a kids program for ages 3 to 10, but we didn't use it because all the diversions were so fun to experience together as a family. Off-resort activities in the vicinity include extensive white water rafting, hiking, mountain biking and rock climbing."

Kids can live out their cowboy and cowgirl fantasies at the Resort at Paws Up, an upscale guest ranch in western Montana catering to city slickers yearning for a wilderness adventure. There's no shortage of space for the little ones to explore; the working cattle ranch sits on 37,000 acres of pristine wilderness, including over a hundred miles of hiking trails and a seven-mile stretch of the Blackfoot River, plus, just next door is the more than one million acre Bob Marshall Wilderness preserve. Families may have trouble reaching consensus on what to do—the extensive list of options includes horseback riding, mountain biking, clay target shooting, river rafting, kayaking, golf, water-skiing, all-terrain vehicle tours and fly fishing in the Blackfoot River, where A River Runs Through It was filmed. Parents headed to the spa or in need of their own "time-out" can enroll children between ages 5 to 12 in the Kids Corps of Discovery, offering full or half day programs of craft making, educational activities and outdoor excursions. Nanny services are also available. With room for only 80 guests accommodated in 26 two- and three-bedroom classic timber homesteads, Paws Up is a sophisticated hideaway that fuses a luxury resort experience with an untamed wilderness atmosphere. Large families have plenty of elbow room in the spacious log cabin style homes scattered about the property. In warmer months, check out the retreat's fabulous Tent City, which offers glam camping, or "glamping", with accommodations in butler-serviced safari-style tents. Love it!