Like a lot of the beaches on the north shore, there's not much parking. It's worth a walk to see this stunning beach. This is the end of the road on Kauai. We saw more sea turtles than we'd ever seen (we're scuba divers). Just be careful snorkeling and swimming if the water is choppy. We were there in the spring. I recommend an umbrella for shade (necessary for my pale husband and boys), unless you can find a spot by the treeline.

I grew up going here and I still love to visit. Kids of all ages will find something to see here. The farm area with the tractors kids can climb in, the submarine (costs extra), the train room with more than 30 models (my sons love trains!), the transportation gallery....the list goes on and on. Jim Henson's World exhibit is great if you have little ones. The live science experiences are great for school age kids. Everything in the museum is very interactive and the variety keeps it interesting. You could spend several days here, so I would look at the map and plan what your priorities are.

This is an easy hike with a flat, even trail that you can even take your jogging stroller on. It takes you on a scenic half-mile loop around the lake. There are a couple of easy hills. The crystal clear water is surrounded by mountain peaks, and you enjoy the view of Long's Peak. When we were there in October, there was a heavy snowfall, so the mountains were snow-capped. The parking lot was busy; there is a shuttle you can take if you park further out. There are several other trails you can take from here. This is a beautiful part of Rocky Mountain.

If you have kids who like trains, your family will love the Georgetown Loop. The "Loop" was known for its corkscrew route with hairpin turns, bridges and horseshoe curve. It's a fun way to take in some beautiful scenery as you slowly gain 600 feet in elevation. It opened the Rocky Mountains to tourists in the late 1800s. There is a silver mine you can tour, and the nearby cities are filled with Victorian buildings and little shops. We were there in the fall, but in warmer weather, they have open cars .

This is a great hotel if you want to be able to walk, shop and eat, and then get back to your room for nap time. We had a very nice, clean room with an amazing view of Lake Michigan. Marriott's beds are our favorite. Our young sons slept on a sleeper sofa. My husband was on business, but there were plenty of places nearby for me and the kids while he was working. We also enjoyed the pool with very nice locker area. We met friends in the lobby, where you can also order food.