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Family Travel Files Ezine Family Vacations Resource
US: Southwest, Spring Break Family Vacations with Ball Games, Horseback Riding, and Storytelling. Whatever your family’s passion, we have a spring break vacation idea to fit your quest. Enjoy sunshine and watch a ball game in Frisco; try hiking Sandia Peak; shop in San Marcos; stargaze in Santa Fe; go horseback riding in Arizona.

We have features a few cheap, easy, fun spring fever cures found in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. The good stuff awaits – take a break. Our Vacation Directory has at least 101 more ideas for the perfect spring break.

Texas: Frisco - baseball, shopping, and Deuce the Prairie Dog. Just north of Dallas is a secret family getaway spot where easy uncomplicated fun is the whole idea. Enjoy an FC Dallas Major League Soccer game at Frisco’s Pizza Hut Park or spend an evening at the ballpark with the Frisco RoughRiders and their mascot Deuce the Prairie Dog. Parents and kids of all ages can watch the Dallas Stars practice sessions for free at the Dr. Pepper Star Center on selected days during March. The new Frisco Heritage Museum has oodles of (previously unseen) collector’s items from the Museum of the American Railroad. Splashdown at Frisco Athletic Center, which features an indoor-outdoor water park; go shopping at Stonebriar Centre or IKEA; climb the wall with your kids at The Canyons of Frisco; try a game of bowling or laser tag at the Main Event. Bonus points: The Shop Frisco Coupon Book includes real savings at IKEA, Dave & Buster’s, California Pizza Kitchen, Macy’s, GattiTown, TGI Fridays, Strikz Bowling, the Frisco Athletic Center and more. Location on the planet: Frisco Convention & Visitors Bureau 7601 Gaylord Parkway Suite 100 Frisco, Texas 75034. Make it happen. Toll-free 1-877-GoFrisco (1-877-463-7472) or www.visitfrisco.com)

Arizona: Salt River, bounce and slide down the Salt. Spring on the river is wild and pure fun and The Salt is no exception. The dry air and warm sun contrasts with the action of the spring rapids. Combining energy, action and beauty, the trip is a blast with school-aged kids. The stunning biological diversity makes Salt River Canyon truly one of the southwest's hidden treasures. When Mother Nature cooperates (meaning it takes spring rain to make the rapids), The Salt offers class III and IV whitewater rapids that drop an average 25 feet per mile for more than 50 miles through rocky, inaccessible canyons.  Here's the scoop. The best bet is to sleep in Show Low or Globe. Location on the planet: The Salt River is located 2 ¼ hours northeast of Phoenix and a similar distance north of Tucson, Arizona. Make it happen. Wilderness Aware Rafting 1-800-462-7238, (719) 395-2112 or www.inaraft.com.

Arizona: Patagonia, have an old time ranch adventure. The Circle Z Ranch, located on 6,500 acres at 4,000 feet altitude has operated continuously since 1926. It is one of our favorite spots because of the family friendly atmosphere and the exceptionally beautiful grounds. Everyone feels like family and time seems to stand still. Guests ride ranch-bred horses through the foothills of the historic Santa Rita Mountains and under huge cottonwood trees along the ever-flowing Sonoita Creek. It is a quiet place with an emphasis on riding and down-home hospitality. Families stay in adobe cottages furnished in colorful southwestern decor -- no distraction from televisions or in-room phones. In addition to riding, there is a heated pool, tennis court, adult cantina, game room, stargazing, bird watching and cook-outs. Three hearty meals served buffet style daily. Bonus points: The town of Patagonia, an artistic nest, is a pure delight and Tombstone is an easy daytrip. Location on the planet: Patagonia, AZ 85624. Make it happen.  Call (520) 394-2525, toll-free 1-888-854-2525 or www.circlez.com

New Mexico: Albuquerque - follow ancient pathways. Uniquely American experiences create timeless memories. Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa has created ways for families to experience the southwest and while learning about the customs and culture of the area’s original residents. Built on the Santa Ana Pueblo, a Native American reservation located halfway between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, this is the place to experience the history, architecture, culture and cuisine. Storytelling, pony rides, “Journey Through Tamaya” nature walks, and guided tours of the resort’s art collection are complimentary. However they offer a unique menu of cultural experiences for families -- Srai-Wi Family Experiences are vacation enhancements and several fall into the not-to-be-missed category. Bonus points: Guests at least 16 years of age may take advantage of the spa services.  Location on the planet:  1300 Tuyuna Trail, Albuquerque, 87004, USA. Make it happen.  Call (505) 867-1234, 1-800-55-HYATT or www.tamaya.hyatt.com

New Mexico: Albuquerque - Explore the Heritage of the Southwest. The Nativo Lodge in Albuquerque is a beautiful hotel, which combines the rich and vibrant culture of the Native Americans of the Southwest with contemporary metropolitan elements. The hotel is pet-friendly, has a pool and even a family fun package which offers families a great way to spend a night in together with pizza, soda and an in-movie of choice. Families with older children might want to check out the Nativo Lodge’s Native American Experience, which includes up to four tickets to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, one of Albuquerque's finest cultural attractions offering a variety of Native American traditional dances and museum events. Location on the planet: Nativo Lodge.6000 Pan American Freeway NE, Albuquerque 87109. Make it happen. (505) 798-4300, 1-888-628-4861 or www.nativolodge.com

Texas: Big Bend - try sleeping at the edge. Big Bend National Park, located on the border with Mexico has more than 118 miles of shared wilderness. The land is rugged with dramatic canyons, arid terrain and dramatic sunsets. This is an American wilderness that provides outstanding opportunities for stargazing, wildlife encounters and experiencing the quiet. Bonus points: There is a Big Bend Junior Ranger Program, designed for kids 6-11. Through activities, games, and puzzles, children can have fun as they learn about the park. They can also earn certificates, badges, patches, and stickers. Chisos Mountains Lodge is the only place to stay within the park. They have motel rooms, lodge rooms and historic stone cottages. Naturally, the best choice to enjoy the ambience of the area is a stone cottage. Here's the scoop. There are no TV's or telephones in any rooms. Location on  the planet: Big Bend National Park 79834.  Make it happen.  Call (432) 2291 or www.chisosmountainslodge.com or www.big.bend.national-park.com)

Texas: Boerne, get cozy on a ranch. The weather is mild in the spring along the Guadalupe River and the birds and wild flowers plentiful. Guadalupe River Ranch offers a pleasant spot for families to relax and regroup. In addition to a tennis court, swimming pools, a volleyball court, possibly croquet wickets, a Frisbee golf practice area, hammocks stretched between shady trees and chairs on well-manicured lawns near beautiful gardens the scenery is Hill Country gorgeous. The ranch has 45 guest rooms some are in cozy stone cottages and houses. Perfect for the younger crowd, an petting area with a miniature horse, sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens, various birds, and at different times puppies, fawns, or any other small animals. Kids may enjoy a buggy rides or a corral rides and the play area on the front lawn is always available. Bonus points: They have a spa onsite with an extensive menu of tempting choices, some mention chocolate. Location on the planet: Guadalupe River Ranch 605 FM 474 Boerne, Texas 78006. Make it happen.(803) 537-4837 or www.guadaluperiverranch.com)

Texas: Arlington - Go green as grass. The River Legacy Living Science Center offers lots of education programs to children of all ages (and even some for adults), with the goal of making ecological education fun, and passing ecological knowledge on to future generations. Tailored for individual age groups (kindergarten through eighth grade), the Center offers field investigations which look at the plant and animal life and the environments of River Legacy Park. Summer classes are also available, and are also tailored to age groups. Bonus points: Throughout the year the Center hosts special events, such as a Boat Building school and Cardboard Boat Regatta (March), a Caddy Shack Scramble (September) and the fun After Dark in the Park (October). Here's the scoop. The center also offers self-guided tour information for those who want to investigate the animal and plant life found along the paths and trails of River Legacy Park on their own. (The River Legacy Living Science Center 703 NW Green Oaks Blvd., 76006. (817) 860-6752 or www.riverlegacy.org) Arlington Texas is “Fun Central”. Go to their website and click on “Funtastic Family Packages. You see super family vacation packages for Six Flags, Texas Rangers, Hurricane Harbor, and more. Make it happen. For more family vacation ideas contact Arlington CVB toll-free 1-800-433-5374, 1-800-342-4305 or log on to www.Arlington.org

Content researched and created by FTF staff; images provide by locations. Copyright 2012.
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