Whether you’re dreaming big with a #bestsummer Bucket List adventure to the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, Japan, or fancy a charming weekend escape to Pennsylvania Dutch country, we’ve got wallet-friendly and super easy-to-plan options for everyone.

TL;DR Dive into the list below and zoom in on whatever sparks your interest! But first, we’ve got some handy tips for smooth sailing with special needs on your trip, plus all the insider info on snagging those sweet, sweet airfare deals. Let’s make this summer legendary!

1. Fantastic Family Fun: Vacations for Everyone

Traveling with loved ones who have special needs can be incredibly rewarding, and with a little planning, it can be a breeze! Understanding and preparing for everyone’s needs ensures a happy and smooth experience for all. Amazing organizations like Special Needs Group and Flying Wheels Travel are experts in providing tailored services and equipment.

Flying? The TSA Cares helpline is there to assist travelers with disabilities – just give them TSA notification card, which can be a real time-saver during security.

There’s also a growing world of support for families with members on the autism spectrum. Check out travel agencies like Travel Able Vacations and Magical Storybook Travels, both founded by moms who truly understand accessible travel. And for fantastic, supported getaways, Autism on the Seas offers “staffed cruises” on Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruises, along with resort stays designed for families with kids, teens, and adults with autism and other developmental differences.

Even airlines are stepping up! Many have dedicated accessibility teams to help with boarding and airport navigation. Some even offer sensory kits packed with noise-canceling headphones, fidget toys, and calming cards for travelers with autism. When it comes to where you’ll be staying, don’t hesitate to call the front desk and ask for exactly what you need. Loads of hotels now have accessible rooms with features like wheelchair-friendly bathrooms and lower counters. Just be sure to request these when you book.

Your best summer vacation idea may be a family reunion at the beach. Go for it! Photo by Tyler Nix for unsplash.

2. Soar into Savings: Finding the Best Airfare Deals

Get ready to embrace the wonderful world of low-cost carriers (LCCs)! If a road trip or vacation deal isn’t in the cards, these budget-friendly airlines can make flying to your dream destination super affordable. To really stretch your airfare dollars, set up price alerts on handy websites like Hopper, Kayak, and Google Flights. Timing is key too! A recent study by NerdWallet revealed that the cheapest day to buy a domestic flight is often Sunday for a Saturday departure, while for international trips, aim for a Saturday or Wednesday departure.Keep an eye on deals from Spirit, Frontier, and Breeze Airways. For Caribbean and Central/South American adventures from Boston, check out Arajet. Celebrate savings with JetBlue, which just turned 25! They fly to over 100 destinations and were pioneers of cool perks like seatback TVs with live entertainment, free Wi-Fi, and yummy brand-name snacks. A family favorite? Their in-flight Pantry is usually open for drinks and extra treats throughout your flight.

Globetrotters should explore PLAY, connecting Baltimore, Boston, and New York to 33 European and Turkish cities via Iceland. French Bee, Norse Atlantic, and Neos also offer low-cost flights to Europe from select US cities. Within Europe, budget giants like Ryanair and EasyJet, along with many smaller carriers, provide affordable travel options.

Pro Tip: Before you cash in those credit card points for tickets, see if you can snag an even better deal by transferring them to an airline and using those airline miles instead!us.

USA! USA! Awesome American Adventures Await!

The good ol’ US of A is the top pick for American families this summer, with beach getaways leading the charge. But there’s so much more to explore, from relaxing barge trips to epic road adventures and charming mountain towns where you can splash around without emptying your wallet. Let’s dive in!

Classic red canal boat on the Erie Canal, New York. Photo c. Erie Canal Adventures.

3. History Afloat: Celebrating 200 Years on the Erie Canal

History buffs, even non-cruise fans, will find the Erie Canal in upstate New York special. This summer, Erie Canal Adventures offers 3-7 night rentals of fully equipped 1BR or 2BR barges, allowing families to explore the New York State canal. Prices start at $2,625 for three nights (varying by date and boat size). Their team teaches steering and lock navigation to adults and responsible teens (16+). Enjoy onboard cooking and explore nearby port towns with restaurants, breweries, and bakeries (bikes included). Pack comfy clothes and games for a unique, historical vacation. Read more about our Erie Canal barge vacation.

For a faster pace, consider the annual Parks & Trails Cycle the Erie Canal Trail ride (July 12-20, 2025). All cycling levels can ride the 400-mile route from Albany to Buffalo with supported camping. The four-day tour to Syracuse costs $800 (adult), $500 (ages 6-17), and $200 (under 6). Alternatively, Discovery Bicycle Tours offers inn-to-inn cycling on the Ohio to Erie Trail.

City explorers will enjoy Buffalo celebrations, including museum exhibits and a replica Canal boat. During the World Canals Conference (September 20-24, 2025), the replica Seneca Chief will recreate Governor Clinton’s 1825 Bicentennial journey, stopping at 28 ports from Buffalo to New York Harbor.

For 48 more summer vacation ideas, please visit our #bestsummer roundup of the latest travel deals and savings packages at Family Travel Forum! 

Orange is the New Cool - New York’s OC

Orange has become the new cool, as Orange County announces the 2020 opening of a LEGOLAND New York themepark.

Rendering of LEGOLAND New York, with announced opening of 2020.

The 170-acre LEGOLAND New York resort is expected to attract approximately two million visitors annually to Goshen, a small town in the foothills of the Catskills – a region that has undergone a lot of development in recent years.

According to Empire State Development President, CEO, and Commissioner Howard Zemsky, “LEGOLAND New York’s commitment to community partnership – including donating a portion of its revenue to the community, strong educational opportunities… and workforce training – make this project a win-win for Orange County.”

LEGOLAND New York, which will receive approximately $25 million in support from the Regional Economic Development Council, the Upstate Revitalization Initiative and New York State for projects such as off-site road infrastructure improvements and traffic mitigation measures on already busy Route 17, is forecast to create 800 construction jobs and 1,300 full-time, part-time, and seasonal jobs during its anticipated April 1 to November 1 season.

Merlin Entertainments plc, owner of the LEGOLAND franchise, now operates more than 100 attractions – including LEGOLAND themeparks in California, Florida, United Kingdom, Germany, Malaysia, Denmark, Dubai and Japan – and 15 hotels and six holiday villages in 24 countries. At the October 25, 2017 announcement ceremony Merlin CEO Nick Varney said, “We have spent a lot of time building relationships in the community, listening and responding to concerns, and we are looking forward to building a themepark that will enhance the community and be a tremendous neighbor…I can pledge to you that LEGOLAND New York will be a trusted and valued member of this community.”

As part of the development deal, every year, LEGOLAND New York will host two “Community Days” and donate 50% of the park’s ticket sale revenue to the Town of Goshen. All Goshen residents will be offered a 50% discount on standard one-day themepark tickets as well.

According to Merlin Entertainments, the Goshen themepark anticipates generating $283 million in sales tax and hotel occupancy tax for Orange County over the period of 30 years. Additionally, they estimate that the Town of Goshen would receive about $71 million in revenue from the host community fee, plus its share of PILOT payments and tax payments.

The park’s management will also provide educational program for ages 2-12, including year-round programs focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) education. They plan to partner with local schools and colleges to train and employ students interested in careers in hospitality, business, and mechanical engineering and offer special programs and discounted tickets to area schools, including all school districts within Orange County.

Until LEGOLAND opens, The OC can claim that Orange is the New Black in Halloween events.

The Corn Estate in Orange County, New York is open this Halloween.

The county’s many scare parks and haunted farms are said to make this part of the Hudson Valley home to some of the most terrifying Halloween attractions in the country, attracting thousands of people each year from Philadelphia to Boston – perhaps, all future LEGOLAND customers.

So, grab your grown ones and check out the outdoor and indoor frights of Terror Dome in Newburgh; or catch the live performers and special effects wizardry at the Forest of Fear in Sterling Forest, 600 Route 17A in Tuxedo.

There’s more: the Pure Terror Scream Park in Monroe holds the Guinness World Record for the longest haunted attraction in the world. Fright Nights at Pierson’s Farm has both big boy and little kid thrills, with a non-haunted petting zoo and baby corn maze as well as a haunted graveyard.

And the Corn Estate Haunted House really puts on a family show the last weekend of October and Halloween night, in Cornwall on Hudson.  Check attraction websites for annual schedules and special pricing and have yourself a scare!

For more information on now and upcoming Orange County attractions, lodging, and events, visit OrangeTourism.org and iloveny.com

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5 Places to Ring In the New Year with Your Kids

If you’re a parent whose first New Year’s resolution is “spend more quality time with the kids,” there’s no need to wait until January 1st to act. Here are five favorite destinations that celebrate the arrival of the New Year with early and, often, alcohol-free public events designed for families.

MoonPie Drop over Mobile, Alabama. Photo Courtesy Tad Denson, MyShotz.com. 

First Night in Boston, Massachusetts

The city of Boston was the first to produce a fee-free, alcohol-free, civic-minded First Night focused on performing arts more than 40 years ago, a tradition that has spread to more than 200 cities around the world. For 2017, First Night First Day festivities will take place indoors and out around Boston Common and Copley Square. All day into the night, families can see concerts, dance performances, holiday lights and ice sculptors at work. Art gallery tours begin at noon. At 6:00 p.m. there’s the annual People’s Procession and, at 7:00 p.m., family fireworks at Boston Common. Revelers can stay on till midnight for the even bigger Countdown to Copley fireworks illuminating the sky over Copley Square, or watch it live on NBC Boston from their hotels. On January 1, family and children’s entertainment will be live in Copley Square from noon to 4:00 p.m.

Sunset on Clearwater Beach, Florida

Don't expect much bubbly to flow on the sugar sand beaches of family-focused Clearwater Beach. On New Year’s Eve, like most other nights, everyone strolls over to Pier 60 on the Gulf of Mexico shoreline to admire the sunset, listen to live music, shop for crafts and watch fire-throwers perform daring feats. The free, nightly Sunsets at Pier 60 Festival takes place from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., after which most families head over to Frenchy's Original. In the past 45 years, the Quebec, Canada expat known as “Frenchy” has opened five very popular seafood cafes. Kids love the beer-battered grouper, garlic fries sprinkled with crabmeat, and key lime pie; a special menu will be available New Year’s Eve. If everyone’s still awake, lay your blanket out on the beach to wait for Light It Up Clearwater, the annual fireworks show amplified in spectacular fashion by reflections from the calm Gulf waters.

Twice the Fireworks in Denver, Colorado

The Mile High City of Denver is situated above 5,000 feet in altitude, and its thin air is ideal to view fireworks. Fortunately, New Year's Eve Fireworks Downtown are done twice:  at 9:00 p.m. for families and at the traditional stroke of midnight for night owls. Get to the 16th Street Mall by 8:00 p.m. for a good viewing spot, and enjoy the costumed characters, stilt walkers and balloon-making artists while you wait. If you’re traveling with preschoolers, start the last day of 2016 at the Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. for running-around fun like confetti showers, bouncing on bubble wrap, and art projects. The Denver Zoo Year’s Eve party welcomes families to view its extensive holiday lights and enjoy a 9:00 p.m. countdown party.

The Big Orange over Miami, Florida

Whether you’re fans of Justin Bieber or Billy Joel, Miami has you covered, with private New Year’s Eve concerts by both superstars plus dozens of world-class DJ parties at area nightclubs. Families should head to downtown Coconut Grove at 2:00 p.m. December 31 for the King Mango Strut Parade, a silly parade of costumed locals whose first float features the winner of the Little Miss Mango Pageant. Hit the beach, have some Cuban food, then be at Pitbull's New Year Revolution at Bayfront Park by 10:00 p.m. Queen Latifah and Snoop Dogg are hosting the free outdoor countdown concert that will thrill teens. (Younger kids can get in their PJs and watch it live on Fox TV in your hotel.) Keep an eye out for the 35-foot-wide Big Orange being hoisted up the side of the InterContinental Hotel. As it reaches the roof at midnight, fireworks illuminate the city, the park and Biscayne Bay -- where hundreds of party boats are waiting to host the city’s famed after-parties.

MoonPie Drop in Mobile, Alabama

They’re expecting 50,000 people for the Mobile New Year, which begins at 3:00 p.m. with the live broadcast of the National College Football Championship play-off game on big screens off Bienville Square. Mobile is known more for MoonPies marshmallow sandwiches than football – it’s the favorite treat thrown out by Mardi Gras maskers in the very first city to celebrate Mardi Gras, back in 1703. During New Year’s Eve, a 12-foot-tall, 600 lb. electric MoonPie hovers over the square while spectators chow down on the world’s largest edible MoonPie baked by the original Chattanooga Bakery. While awaiting midnight, dance to the live music of En Vogue, parade around with painted umbrellas, and find a viewing spot for the laser light show, fireworks and of course, the MoonPie drop.

Visit our colleagues at Family Travel Forum for more ideas on where to spend New Year's Eve with the whole family.

Happy New Year's!

10 Unexpected Places to Find Amazing Holiday Celebrations

Although 44% of Americans say they’d rather visit a dentist than an airport over Christmas, most families enjoy holiday travel, especially a drive to see over-the-top décor. 

Amazing Thompson House illuminated in Glen Allen, VA, c. TackyLightTour.com

This tradition is facilitated by TackyLightTour.com, a directory founded by Matt Burgess to help travelers find places with a minimum 10,000 lights within a 10, 25 or 50-mile drive. Imagine sights like the remarkable Thompson house in Glen Allen, Virginia, which glows beyond its lot lines. To enjoy 10 other unusual celebrations, plus dozens more starry lights displays, take a car, bus, train, boat or plane -- and an extra memory card – and we guarantee fun.

A Dollhouse at Winterthur, Delaware

 

Prep Kitchen in Dollhouse, photo courtesy Jim Schneck/Wintherthur.org

Explore an extraordinary dollhouse at the 175-room estate of Henry Francis du Pont in Delaware’s Brandywine Valley, now the Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library. Yuletide at Winterthur (Nov. 19-Jan. 8) includes "Currier & Ives Christmas,” jazz concerts, wine tastings and festive tours. The American decorative arts collection will premiere a six-foot, 17-room home with working lighting and needlepoint rugs handmade by former owner Nancy B. McDaniel. Marvel at more than 1,000 objects including miniature wreaths, trees and new toys for the toddler playing in the nursery. Strolling carolers, daily sing-alongs, and special performances take place in the Longwood Gardens Conservatory nearby.

A Boat Parade in Tempe, Arizona

 

Holiday Boat on Town Lake in Tempe, Arizona. Photo: courtesy Downtown Tempe Authority

The land-locked university town of Tempe, Arizona hosts an unexpected event Dec. 10, the Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade. Food trucks stand by as locals set up lawn chairs around Tempe Town Lake. The Santa boat is one of 50 illuminated, ornamented canoes, speedboats and sailboats parading at 7 p.m., accompanied by carolers and fireworks. Drive around to catch the glittery, spray-painted 25-foot-tall tumbleweed tree in Chandler (tree lighting Dec. 3); miniature 1880s Freestone Railroad in Gilbert; 8,000 hand-lit luminarias at Desert Botanical Garden; and the fun for kids ZooLights at Phoenix Zoo (Nov. 23-Jan.8).

Chocolate and Cactus Holidays in Nevada

 

Holiday Chocolate Tins from Ethel M. Chocolates, Henderson, Nevada

What happens at Ethel M. Chocolates' Botanical Cactus Garden in Henderson, Nevada doesn’t stay there – glittering lights and chocolate are a free treat Nov. 15-Jan. 1. Visit the redone chocolate factory, founded in 1981 by Forrest Mars after retiring from the famous candy company. A viewing aisle overlooks the production of preservative-free, gourmet chocolates; stop for a sample; then walk out to the three-acre Ethel M. garden, where 300 species of drought-resistant cacti and ornamentals are adorned with lights. The Nov. 15 lighting ceremony features several performers, and local choirs and Santa entertain each weekend.

Lights On and Around the Bay, Annapolis, Maryland

 

Jolly Express Reindeer Ferry in Annapolis Harbor; photo courtesy Sabrina Raymond

The colonial heart of Annapolis, Maryland exudes holiday cheer on water as well as land. From Nov. 22-Jan. 1, families love to drive by 60 animated and stationary “Lights on the Bay” displays, whose designs reflect on the gentle waves of Chesapeake Bay. Dec. 10 is the 34^th annual Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade, when thousands gather at the City Dock and U.S. Naval Academy sea wall to watch intricately lit and decorated boats pass by. Downtown stores encourage the giving spirit till midnight Dec. 1, 8 and 15; offering live music and refreshments to passersby.

Parade the Tractors in Napa Valley, California

 

The Berryessa Best in Show Tractor at the Calistoga Tractor Parade, photo: Olof Carmel Gallery

Celebrate over fine food and Cabernet in Napa Valley before the Annual Lighted Tractor Parade, honoring Calistoga’s agricultural heritage Dec. 3. Dress warmly to watch decorated vintage and modern tractors, antique trucks and choral groups riding construction equipment. Nov. 26, Napa’s 50th Holiday Parade of ornamented residents and pets kicks off the free, hop-on hop-off Holiday Trolley service running weekends. The Festival of Lights occurs Nov. 25, and downtown Yountville remains Napa’s pilgrimage site for celebrity chef followers throughout the season.

Cruise New Mexico’s Pecos River to See Holiday Lights

 

The Pecos River "Christmas on the Pecos" festival; photo courtesy New Mexico Tourism

Residents of Carlsbad’s Pecos River waterfront celebrate the holidays by decorating backyards and boat docks seen only from the river. During the 25th Christmas on the Pecos (Nov. 25-Dec. 31), nightly ferries will do 40-minute guided tours of New Mexico’s biggest celebration. Carlsbad also boasts the Calico Xmas Market, an arts n’ crafts fair for shoppers; and the festive Main Street's Electric Light Parade, both held Thanksgiving weekend. The charming children’s book, “Rocko, the Christmas Bat” is a fun souvenir of your Carlsbad Caverns visit.

Layover in the Christmas Capital of Texas

A Vintage North Pole Express in Texas; photo courtesy Grapevine, TX C&VB

Grapevine hotels love holidays: the enormous Gaylord Texan has ice slides and a skating rink, and Great Wolf Lodge has an indoor waterpark and falling snow. Yet this Texas town is so close to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport that you can feel the spirit during a brief layover. More than 1 million visitors attend 1,400 events between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, including a scuba diving Santa at the local aquarium, light show on historic Main Street, talking reindeer at the visitor’s center, and the vintage railroad’s North Pole Express to Santa’s Workshop.

Lakeside Holidays in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Dragon Slayer Lights Display, courtesy: Coeur D'Alene Resort, Idaho

Join the Nov. 25 Lighting Ceremony Parade as it marches to the Coeur d’Alene Resort, whose floating boardwalk overlooks this lake, mountains, and the evergreen forests of Idaho. Visitors carry candles, sing carols and watch fireworks until the resort’s 1.5 million strong Holiday Light Show is illuminated. Be sure to get tickets for daily cruises past a soaring, animated floating Christmas tree and a fire-breathing dragon. On the way to Santa’s North Pole Toy Workshop, Santa recites the names of each “nice” child on board.

European Traditions in Manchester, England

The main Chistmas Market in Albert Square; photo courtesy Mark Waugh/VisitManchester.com

You may picture wreaths on Big Ben, but England’s real holiday cheerio is Manchester. The 350 vendors of Manchester Christmas Market are at 10 central sites, Nov. 10-Dec. 20. Albert Square Market is unmistakable, with pan-European food and drink stalls and a huge illuminated Santa in front of historic Town Hall. St. Ann’s Square features grilled bratwurst, hand-carved wooden ornaments and gingerbread – much of it brought in by German purveyors. There’s a French Noel and a World Christmas Market, too. Known as birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, Manchester’s edgy Ancoats neighborhood, IMAX Virtual Reality Centre, burgeoning foodie scene and nearby Lakes and Peaks Districts will keep holidaymakers busy.

26 Days of Christmas in Iceland

RVK Jolastemning Church, Rekjavik; photo courtesy: Ragnar Th Siggurdson, VisitIceland.com

Icelanders begin Christmas 13 nights prior to 6 p.m. Dec. 24, and celebrate 13 days afterwards. Advent wreaths with candles and triangular lights burn against the long nights. Shoes sit in every window, so 13 Yule Lads can leave nice children a gift and naughty ones, a potato. Reykjavik’s holiday ice rink and small Christmas Market light up Ingolfstorg Square. The Christmas Village in downtown Hafnarfjordur, open weekends through Dec. 23, offers live entertainment, handcrafted items and homemade Icelandic delicacies. See more of this tiny island nation by whale watching, skiing Akureyri, and looking beyond holiday decor for the spectacular Northern Lights.

Can you share your favorite places for holiday lights?

West (San Diego) Meets East (Miami) for Fall Travel Deals

We always say autumn brings great travel bargains, and the fun cities of San Diego and Miami, among others highlighted by Family Travel Forum's fall getaways roundup, are aiming to prove us right.

In October, both family-friendly destinations have partnered with local attractions to make big discounts available to visitors.

San Diego Kids Free Month

San Diego, California calls itself "Kid Kingdom" in October because kids eat, sleep and play at no charge at more than 100 businesses. Restaurants, select hotels and the city's major attractions are either free or heavily discounted for visitors ages 12 and under.

While rooms are not free, families will find great extra perks at the Omni and Hilton Hotels, among others. Many restaurants serve kids at no charge for meals off their children's menu, including at tourist favorites in the colorful Mexican section of Old Town. Dozens of  attractions open their doors to kids free.

Among the 35 participating museums, for example, are the Birch Aquarium at Scripps, Maritime Museum of San Diego, The New Children's Museum, The San Diego Museum of Art, San Diego Air & Space Museum, Museum of Making Music and the Fleet Science Center.

It will cost you something, but the local SeaWorld Spooktacular (Sept. 24-25 plus weekends through October) welcomes little ones to show off their costumes at special Halloween events such as an underwater “fantasia,” trick-or-treating throughout the park, photo ops with whimsical characters and sea-creature encounters. We guarantee a great time; check out the details at the San Diego tourism site.

October is the month to make new friends in Miami's Jungle Island. photo: courtesy Jungle Island

Miami Attractions Month

In the heart of south Florida, October brings big savings at attractions in Miami, as negotiated by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Through October 31, 20 of Miami’s best known and most family-friendly attractions are offering a BOGO promotion -- Buy One, Get One Free -- on admissions tickets. Choose from the Black Police Precinct and Courthouse Museum, a Coopertown Everglades Airboat Tour, the Deering Estate, Jungle Island, Miami Seaquarium among many more outings.

Plus there are special offers, hotel packages and unique experiences available all month. Through sponsor Citibank, visitors who pay with a Citi credit card can take another 10% off at select attraction gift shops and 10% off food and beverage at select partners.

October also features cooler weather and way fewer crowds than the winter season, and that means less traffic. With Uber in town, you won't even need a rental car to sightsee.

Go off the beaten path to tour heritage neighborhoods such as ‘Domino Park’ in Little Havana, the D.A. Dorsey House in Historic Overtown, Little Haiti’s Caribbean Marketplace, or the Coconut Grove Cemetery in Coconut Grove. You'll get to know the Miami that locals appreciate.


For more information, check out the Miami C&VB special website.

K-Pop & K-Culture Star in Korea's Busan One Asia Festival

Among the many fall festivals this season is the world’s largest "K-culture" celebration taking place October 1-23 in Busan, Korea. Known for its long and welcoming Haeundae beach, Busan is a modern city that still has a traditional Korean feel at heart.

Traditional Korean Market in Haeundae, one of Busan's popular tourist sites.

Officially known as the 2016 Busan One Asia Festival, there will be programs, live shows, concerts and a conference focused on K-pop (music), K-food, K-beauty and a variety of popular Korean media content, all in one location. Here's a look at what visitors can expect in a video by the BOF.

The three-week event centers around Hallyu content, a term referring to the very fast and widespread popularity of Korean popular culture, what we would call viral. BOF kicks off with a big K-Pop concert and fan events, as well as a Taste Busan food festival featuring cooking classes by star Asian chefs.

The Korean Wave Star & Beauty Collection runs through October 9, and visitors can virtually meet Korean pop culture stars through holograms, VR or 3D and learn about their beauty secrets. Artists will be on hand to do makeup demonstrations, show off new cosmetics, and present a K-beauty marketplace.


The One Asia Cultural Conference, One Asia Platform and the Running Man Hands on Experience Program take place in the following weeks.

Main stage at the recent Busan Rock Festival, photos courtesy Busan Tourism Office.

On October 23, the last day of the festival, the One Asia Dream Concert will take place as the event’s grand finale.

K-fans can expect to catch Psy (megastar of "Gangnam Style" fame), CNBLUE, B1A4, Apink, Girls’ Day, B.A.P, AOA, BTS, SE7EN, Hwang Chi Yeul, INFINITE, U-Kiss, TWICE, SHINee, GFrined, Gummy and T-ara.


Check out the official BOF website and Facebook page for more details on the schedule and star appearances.

10 Mountain Resorts for Summer Savings

“I came for the winter and stayed for the summer.” I hear it all the time when I visit North America’s top ski resorts. Mountain townies swear by the cool temperatures, clean air and natural beauty of an environment that changes from the stark white of long winters to the lush greenery of all too brief summers. 

Since travelers find lodging and activity rates at 30% to 50% off the peak winter season at these resorts, summer is a great time to try out the mountain lifestyle yourself.  Here are my 10 picks in alphabetical order, and why I chose them from the 51 summer vacation ideas we put together.

 

Jazz Aspen Snowmass Festival, c. Jason Dewey, AspenChamber.org

ASPEN, COLORADO

Aspen, founded in 1880 on the site of a huge silver lode, is the pinnacle of chic mountain resorts, the place where you can join the 1% and play in the fresh air, hike, fish, mountain bike and enjoy the arts. Since 1949, the summertime Aspen Music Festival has brought in more than 300 classical music events (many orchestras are comprised of top students, and there are workshop classes for kids as well.) There are lots of galleries in this pretty Western town, and arts workshops at the celebrated Anderson Ranch for all ages and skill levels – everything from bookmaking to ceramics to furniture making. There’s music at outdoor cafes, lectures and open air concerts; even the produce displayed at the weekly farmer’s market is an aesthetic treasure. Take advantage of the free RFTA transportation between Aspen and Snowmass (6 miles away and itself a famous family ski resort) – especially if you have kids in tow – because there’s another 90 miles of hiking and biking trails, fly-fishing, Class V white-water rafting and kayaking, free Thursday night concerts and special weekend performances. Note that early bookers can score a bargain at the 50 local lodges, where half off winter prices start at $129 per night; rates at Snowmass and outside Aspen village are even more reasonable.

Downtown Breckenridge, photo c. Bob Winsett

BRECKENRIDGE, COLORADO

Like Aspen, Breckenridge is an authentic Old West town – founded by gold prospectors in 1859 -- that just happens to have world-class slopes looming above Main Street. Given the young population, success of the Vail Resorts-owned mountain, casual boutiques, and farm to fork eateries, summer in Breck is a non-stop party. The town is comprised of low rise condos, fun dining like Giampietro’s where calzones compete with a video game arcade, ice cream shops, craft breweries like Broken Compass, and health food markets. There’s local hiking, fly fishing (Breckenridge Outfitters beat out 524 other shops to become the Orvis Shop of the Year); cooking classes at Colorado Mountain College, and an on-mountain Summer Fun Park with zip lines, a coaster, and Segway tours. The Breckenridge Ski Resort kids summer camp for ages 5-13 runs June 10 - August 19, 2016; Meta Yoga teaches yoga asanas on standup paddleboards all summer long. The Breck Rec Center, where visiting families pay only $38 for four day passes, has a climbing wall, great pool and waterslide, ball courts, classes and much more. New and casual define the entertainment scene:  the Light + Sound + Water multimedia festival and Bike Week take place in June; the Street Arts Festival is over July 4^th weekend, there’s the Breckenridge International Festival of Arts in August, and Labor Day brings Rubber Duck Races, more arts, and the Sidewalk Sale Days where summer athletes shed their well-used gear. Best yet, free electric buses loop around town, making cars a luxury rather than a necessity. From July 4- October 1, the large Beaver Run Resort on Peak 9 lets you save 25% off when you stay 3 or 4 nights; some restrictions apply.  Checkout the many deals on Adventure Pass activity booklets and  BreckConnection.com is packed with local insight from the passionate townies.

Omni Mt. Washington Hotel at Bretton Woods, New Hampshire

BRETTON WOODS, NEW HAMPSHIRE

The rugged trails of the Presidential Range -- especially Mt. Washington, the tallest peak in the Northeast – have lured hikers since the 1800s. Tucked into the dense forest is Bretton Woods, a ski area and mountain resort that has welcomed presidents and dignitaries since its 1902 opening. Today, the Omni Mount Washington Resort maintains that classy mountain experience, with fine service and formal dining awaiting those who hike, fish, mountain bike on the BMX trails, join a guided Polaris Ranger Mountain Tour, golf on the original Donald Ross course, or play on the landscaped grounds. Alternatively, shop in local antique stores, indulge in the new Spa, or partake of afternoon tea and watch brown bears cross the lawn. Saturday afternoons, drop by the hotel’s Prohibition “Tea” Party and learn more about the history of the 19^th Amendment; read up on the 1944 Bretton Woods conference and learn how the World Bank was founded. At night there’s live cabaret after supper. Lincoln, New Hampshire, a half hour’s drive in the Western White Mountains, is the place for souvenirs, zip lines, water parks, mini golf and homemade ice cream; pick up a free Basecamp Card for discounts at local attractions. To save on lodging, book the Omni Bretton Arms Inn where a two-night stay earns 15% off the best available rates plus free breakfast. There are also many BnBs and small motels. 

Outdoor dining in view of the Tetons, from Deck @Piste Restaurant, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort

JACKSON HOLE, WYOMING

For more than 50 years, a red gondola flying over the Tetons has symbolized the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and some of the best skiing in the world. In summer, the same aerial tram takes mountain bikes, paragliders, rock climbers and hikers up to Rendevous Mountain for unforgettable 360-degree views of the 50 mile-long Jackson Hole valley, Teton Mountain range, Snake River and Grand Teton National Park. Several lifts serve the slopes for hiking, on-mountain dining and sightseeing in Teton Village, the resort base about 12 miles from Jackson. Sunday afternoons, there’s free music near the playground and pop-jet fountain.  Active visitors will want a Grand Adventure Park Pass ($79) to access the aerial tram, ropes course, bike park, bungee, climbing wall, and the Drop Tower’s 30 and 60-foot high platforms (reached by multiple auto-belay and freefall drop options). July 28-30, enroll in Eric Orto’s Mountain Running Academy and train for the Rendevous Hill Climb in August. This is one of the few mountain towns where summer is busier than winter and prices rise. Make a day trip to Yellowstone, and check out the galleries, saloons, Elk Refuge and log cabin lodges around sleepy Jackson for value, and discover that authentic Wild West feel the area is known for.

Swimming in Mirror Lake, Lake Placid, photo: C. Roost

LAKE PLACID, NEW YORK

Although Lake Placid is best known for hosting the Winter Olympics at Whiteface Mountain (1932 and 1980), summer is the best time to visit. The bustling commercial Main Street circles Mirror Lake in a village surrounded by waterways and the old growth evergreens of stunning Adirondack Park, established by New York State in 1892 and greater in size than Yellowstone, Everglades, Glacier, and Grand Canyon National Parks combined. Get out of town to explore hundreds of hiking trails, ranging from the mild Cobble Hill to the challenging hikes across the 46 High Peaks. Beyond the Cascade Lakes lie the granite walls that draw rock climbers. Dozens of lakes (Lake Placid is actually just north) including Tupper (site of the Tinman Triathlon each June, followed by the Lake Placid Ironman) and Saranac (site of many luxurious Adirondack style estates) are used for canoeing, SUP and whitewater rafting. Golf is popular everywhere, as is fly-fishing on the West Branch of the Ausable River. The whole region is thick with small farm towns, local museums, antique shops selling plaid blankets and plush bears, coffee bars and outdoors outfitters, making Cycle Adirondacks, a weeklong, fully supported bike tour (August 20-27), a great way to see everything. Prefer to relax on a hotel porch in your Adirondack chair? Check out the seasonal specials and pick between free nights or activity packages.

Yoga and Standup Paddleboarding for the ultimate Lake Tahoe workout; photo Chris Bartowski, Tahoe North.

LAKE TAHOE, SQUAW VALLEY

The largest alpine lake in North America, Lake Tahoe Is nestled in the Sierra Madre Mountains on the California / Nevada border. Most of the action is along the north shore, North Lake Tahoe, at 12 mountain resorts, more than 20 beaches and 126 miles of singletrack biking trails, many above 8, 700 feet. The largest resort, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, also called Olympic Valley since hosting the 1960 Winter Olympics, is easily accessed from the Reno, Nevada Airport or Sacramento. In fact, the mountain resort famous for its powder skiing and freestyle snowboarding, skate skiing and kiting, has contributed an athlete to every Winter Olympics since 1964. Repeat visitors head to the many small lakefront communities to enjoy weekend athletic events, races and festivals such as Memorial Days “Made in Tahoe” festival celebrating local artisans, to “Tough Mudder” for bikers, the weeklong “Alpenglow Mountain” exhibit of the latest in outdoor gear, and Wanderlust, combining Zen yoga, wellness and music. Other events celebrate boats, beer and dogs; there’s scheduled SUP classes and yoga on paddleboards, swimming in the crystalline green waters, serene places to kayak, boat rentals, fly-fishing, and an Ironman triathlon. In addition to the supervised Squaw Kids club for ages 5-13, families can partake of yoga in Squaw Village each Wednesday and blues concerts on Tuesday, among the many free Tahoe events. First-timers should take advantage of the facilities and bargain accommodations found in the base villages of North Lake Tahoe’s 12 mountain resorts. The pedestrian-only, purpose built Village in Squaw Valley, for example, offers condo studios starting from $160 per night up to three bedroom suites and posh hotels, like the Resort at Squaw Creek or the Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe at nearby Northstar California. mountain resort. That’s the launchpad for nightly Tahoe Star Tours, a guided viewing of five planets seen with Celestron telescopes using astro imaging technology – a unique opportunity in an environment free of light pollution.

Ride a Bobsled in summer at Utah Olympic Park; courtesy Park City Chamber

PARK CITY, UTAH 

Park City is home to the newly combined Canyons and Park City Mountain Resorts, now the largest skiable acreage in the U.S. Summer, however, kicks off June 18 on Main Street in this historic Western town, when every restaurant sets it tables outdoors so that 1,500 can celebrate the season’s bounty with locally sourced, gourmet cuisine at the Savor the Summit festival. In addition to 400 miles of trails maintained for hiking and mountain biking, visitors come to fly over a curved mountain track at 60 mph on the Utah Olympic Park’s signature feature, the Comet Bobsled ride – trained pilot included. Park City lodging ranges from the Sundance crowd’s glamor hotels to bargain condos in town that rent for 40% less than in ski season. Don’t miss the weekly Park Silly Sunday Market where live bands and costumed street buskers entertain chefs, food vendors, craftsmen and tourists. The St. Regis Big Stars Bright Nights concert series featuring Emmylou Harris and Jewel this summer, takes place outdoors at Deer Valley’s amphitheater, where picnics are welcome.

Ziplining at Stowe, Vermont. Photo: Greg Petrics, c. Spruce Peak Realty

STOWE, VERMONT

Stowe is a Vermont favorite for its hip, picturesque town and topnotch ski resort blanketing Spruce Peak and Mt. Mansfield (the highest in the Green Mountains). Hike spectacular views off the unpaved Mt. Mansfield Auto Toll Road, as others have done for the past 150 years. With successful ski, snowboard and leaf peeping seasons, the Stowe Mountain Resort has invested $80 million dollars in summer. Welcome to the Adventure Center and Stowe Rocks climbing gym which add a ZipTour (served by the Skyride Gondola) and a very fun TreeTop Adventure Course (divided into six ability levels) to the activities available at the kids camp, open daily except Sunday for ages 3 to 12. Around town there’s the posh Stoweflake Spa, and small crafts places, markets, pubs and local eateries. Within a 20-minue drive on picture-perfect New England lanes is little Waterbury, home to antiques shops, the Vermont Annex cheddar cheese and maple products store, and small BnBs. Head over to the Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory for 20-minute tours and tastings that are well worth the stop, and pay your respects at the Flavor Graveyard where unsuccessful flavors have been laid to rest. Bikers use the lifts at nearby Sugarbush; hikers of all abilities enjoy the scenic 5.3-mile Stowe Recreation Path where there’s room for biking and in-line skating. The region has golf at an altitude of 1,800 feet and minigolf, tennis, an Alpine slide and more to keep everyone busy.

Le Fete de la Musique, Mont Tremblant, Quebec. Photo courtesy Tremblant.ca

TREMBLANT, QUEBEC

May is start of summer at Tremblant, the stylish resort at the foot of Mont-Tremblant voted #1 Ski Resort in Eastern North America by Ski magazine readers for 18 years in a row. Low rise townhouses with 1,900 units, chic bistros and patisseries, outfitters, an indoor pool complex and casino circle Place Saint-Bernard, the heart of this French Canadian pedestrian village built to serve the ski resort. Outdoor barbecues, live music, and friendly bilingual counselors toting campers to the lake for swim class are typical summer scenes; when it rains, visitors head to Mission Liberte, an escape game with three themed rooms. Tremblant draws weekend crowds to its Gourmand food and wine celebration, Ironman race, Wanderlust concerts and International Blues Festival. From July 22-31, Rythmes Tremblant brings in live rock, country, disco and Latino music. Because it’s located just 90 minutes from Montreal, you’ll save on Tremblant hotels booked weekdays and, if you buy before June 21, take 30% off lodgings, plus unlimited free access to the scenic gondola, at participating establishments. Canada prices have fallen 30% against the American dollar so Tremblant is currently a great value. Another bonus: resort guests will be able to observe the Perseid meteor shower August 12-13 from the village gondola.

Stopping for ice cream at Whistler. Photo c. Mike Crane, Tourism Whistler

WHISTLER, BRITISH COLUMBIA

Canada’s Olympic mountain provides the trails, slopes and gear for hiking, mountain biking, zip lining, canoeing, fishing, and golf on one of four championship courses (pick between greens designed by Robert Cupp, Robert Trent Jones Jr., Jack Nicklaus or Arnold Palmer). What visitors love about Whistler is the cobblestoned car-free, base village packed with comfortable condos and luxury hotels, hip bars and elegant shops. Not sure where to dine, join a Whistler Tasting Tour for stops at four popular eateries. Spa Scandinave combines traditional sweat lodges with frozen plunge pools to kickstart your circulation, likely not needed after your float plane trip, bungee jump, jet boat ride, tree trek or side by side ATV jaunt. Families love the safety of the Peak 2 Peak Gondola for bear-spotting, plus sweeping views of the resort’s lakes and sand beaches. Count on live music nightly, a weekly Farmers Market, and huge events that range from Tough Mudder (June) to Ironman Canada (July) and Cranxworx (August) for freestyle mountain bikers. Take kids to the arts workshops and multimedia performances during Children’s Festival, July 8 – 10. Through October, visitors who stay four nights can save 40% on their condo or hotel (more if they commit to some activities and buy in advance) so, with the 30% discount Americans already enjoy thanks to the strong dollar, this place is an adventurers’ bargain.