New, hot family vacation spots By: Grace Riley If your family wants to venture off the beaten

path, look to several under-the-radar vacation hotspots that are brimming with excitement but are not yet the destinations of choice for the masses. Each location offers adventure and excitement for every member of the family, from parents to toddlers to teens. New Orleans, Louisiana New Orleans has far more to offer than the French Quarter alone, though you would be remiss to skip the legendary neighborhood. It is perfectly safe for children of all ages during the day when street artists and jazz musicians offer nonstop, family-friendly entertainment. Beyond the French Quarter, New Orleans boasts the Audubon Park Nature Institute, which includes a zoo, aquarium and insectarium that celebrate the wild residents of Louisiana, in addition to housing standard zoo denizens. The grounds also feature a golf course and theater. In the French Quarter and the quieter Garden District, you can find an endless roster of hotels that accommodate the needs of a travelling family. The citys legendary culinary tradition is likely to leave you dreaming of NOLA long after your family returns home. Most restaurants offer a kid-friendly menu so that youngsters can avoid the spicier fare. Perhaps best of all, charitable organizations like Habitat for Humanity offer vacationing families the chance to participate in day-long service projects in the ongoing effort to rebuild neighborhoods that still have Hurricane Katrina damage. No city offers your family as many opportunities to celebrate a local culture and enrich it at the same time. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania The City of Brotherly Love experienced a new millennium rebirth. Philly cleaned up its streets and reinvigorated a proud culture that dates back to the countrys founding. The National Constitution Center is a four-block expanse that includes the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, where the founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The Franklin Institute Science Museum is interactive and contains everything from a walkthrough heart to a squadron of historic and modern airplanes. The nearby Philadelphia Museum of Art is the third largest fine arts museum in America. Numerous other art museums and galleries populate the city, making it an art lovers paradise. To the delight of parents with young children, Philly is also home to the Please Touch Museum, which encourages kids to take a hands-on approach their visit. From history to science to art, there are so many options for tourists in Philadelphia that any family can tailor a custom itinerary to satisfy each member. If your family does not mind a twohour road trip away from the city, Hershey, Pennsylvania revolves around its namesake chocolate company and open taste testings await eager visitors.

Big Sur and Monterrey, California The stretch of coast-hugging Highway 1 between Big Sur and Monterrey, California is so stunning that it is worth taking an entire trip to witness. The 45-minute drive between the two towns is also full of things to do. Rocky cliffs dominate that section of the California coast, which makes most beaches inaccessible. However, hiking, kayaking and horseback riding opportunities abound. Parents and teens who enjoy golf will thrill to play on the storied links at Pebble Beach. The area boasts some notable indoor wonders, as well. Architecture buffs cannot miss a tour of the 90,000-square-foot Hearst Castle in San Simeon. To the north, the stunning Monterrey Bay Aquarium is without equal; travel experts rank it as the best aquarium in the country. Small art galleries and shops feature prominently in the area, which has a rich artistic and literary history. The regional focus on fresh and simple cuisine is a delicious relief for parents who worry about the familys vacation diet. Even the road itself is worthy of attention. The Bixby Creek Bridge is iconic, and family snapshots with the bridge and the crashing ocean as a backdrop will remain on your mantle for years. Bed and breakfasts punctuate the highway, offering plenty of places to stay amidst the breathtaking scenery. If you have concerns about staying in a small inn, especially with younger children, the region has inclusive resorts, too. If communing with nature is more of a day trip for your family rather than an entire vacation, San Francisco is only two hours away from Monterrey. Coastal Maine On the back of the Maine state quarter, a wooden sailboat called Victory Chimes sails toward the shore of Americas northernmost continental state. Booking a three-day cruise on that same boat is just one of the opportunities that await your family in Maine. It is an area that is shrouded in mystery and misconception for many people outside of New England, who often imagine the area to be heavily forested and covered in snow. In truth, Maine has vibrant and welcoming scenery throughout the summer. On the northern end of the coast, Bar Harbor is one the nations best spots for whale-watching. Educational centers offer marine biology programs that allow young children to investigate tide pools among other activities. Bar Harbor is also home to Acadia National Park and customary park endeavors like hiking and kayaking. Area lodging options range from camping to inclusive resorts. Maines largest city Portland is on the southern end of the coastline. The city blends small town charm with cosmopolitan diversity, which is an endearing quality for families who want to have new experiences while still traveling comfortably with kids. At the Childrens Museum and Theater of Maine, young visitors can practice grown-up occupations or operate a kid-sized diner. Your familys star-in-the-making can take the stage in the theater where make believe receives a real venue and audience. The beaches immediately south of the city are warm enough for

familial fun in the sun during the summer, and they have a noteworthy team of lifeguards on hand, as well. Sources
New Orleans Online http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/fq/ Audubon Nature Institute http://www.auduboninstitute.org/ New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity: Volunteer Opportunities http://www.habitat-nola.org/involved/volunteer National Park Service: Independence National Historical Park http://www.nps.gov/inde/index.htm Franklin Science Institute http://www2.fi.edu/ Philadelphia Museum of Art http://www.philamuseum.org/ Americas Byways: Big Sur Coast Highway http://byways.org/explore/byways/2301 Pebble Beach Golf http://www.pebblebeach.com/golf Hearst Castle http://www.hearstcastle.org/ Monterrey Bay Aquarium http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/ Victory Chimes Americas Windjammer http://www.victorychimes.com/ Main Office of Tourism: Bar Harbor http://www.visitmaine.com/region/downeast/bar_harbor/ National Park Service: Acadia http://www.nps.gov/acad/index.htm Childrens Museum & Theater of Maine http://www.kitetails.org/

Writer Bio: Grace Riley is a veteran journalist who work has taken her from coast to coast. She is also a school teacher who is certified to teach at every grade level.