Las Vegas, Nevada is a surprisingly good travel destination for families. While its reputation of ‘Sin City’ may turn some parents away, it really shouldn’t, because Las Vegas has many other attractions which can be enjoyed by the entire family. What I’m saying is, forget the bars, clubs, and strip joints. Instead, look for family-friendly hot spots like the wax museum, which displays wax replicas of celebrities past and present, often in stunning detail and realism. I thought, I was really standing next to Brad Pitt for a minute! Kids will love being able to see their favorite singers and sports figures. Mom can pretend to be in a wedding with George Clooney and Dad can get his picture taken with Richard Petty and other racing greats.

This is just one small example of the massive locus of family entertainment which some would say is hidden in Las Vegas beneath the lens of adult entertainment. Something else to consider for the budget-minded family is the amount of free attractions offered at the different hotels on the strip. It’s easy to pay hundreds of dollars for shows in Las Vegas, but did you know that there are dozens which cost absolutely nothing to see? The Pirates of the Caribbean show, which takes place outdoors every night, is free and fun for the whole family. Another that can’t be missed is the Caesar’s Palace show in which the statues come to life and speak to the audience directly, which is surprising and wonderful for the onlooker. Most of the hotels on the Las Vegas strip feature such attractions, and it’s worth exploring them all at your leisure, with or without a guidebook. You never know what you will discover around the corner in one of the massive hotels, and the exploratory aspect is one of the most rewarding parts.

Of course, all of these examples discount the general feel of walking the strip: seemingly endless shops, hotels, and entertainment. M&M World is a great place to stop with the kids, featuring custom candy and M&M gear like guitars. There are several floors to this massive, bright store, and children and adults love it. Simply seeing the sights makes walking the strip worth it. You may find that you have walked for what seems like minutes and are still next to the same hotel! It’s amazing to take in the architecture, and the best part is that it is free and easy to go into any and every interesting building on the strip and see things from the inside as well. There are innumerable sights and sounds to take in at each of the hotels.

Another benefit to going into each hotel is that it gets the family out of the hot sun. One potential downside to Las Vegas for families used to a northern or mid-west climate is that it is hot! However, most hotels are conveniently connected by walkways, so there is no need to wait for traffic to cross the street. Many are also connected by indoor walkways, so often you can avoid going outside altogether. It’s an easy walk to go from the Luxor to New York, New York, to the MGM Grand, for example. If the kids get really hot, there are many vendors selling drinks at all points of the strip. Fortunately, the shops and hotels are numerous and air-conditioned. Once you go into one of the attractive hotels, like Caesar’s Palace, which has seemingly endless things to do, you might not want to leave for hours!

There are also many smaller attractions which work well on a budget. There are traveling displays, such as the Titanic exhibit at the Luxor when I last went. There is always something new to see, and these exhibits do not cost hundreds of dollars for a family to visit (the big shows get pricey, but are worth it). There are also attractive mainstays, like the aquarium at the Mandalay Bay, which cannot be missed. This offers visitors a chance to be up close and personal with sharks and other marine life, all behind the safety of glass. The highlight of the exhibit is a section in which visitors walk through a tunnel that is glass on every side; sharks swim above, below, and around them. It’s thrilling, and a great way to cap off a trip to Mandalay Bay.

Another benefit to Las Vegas is its proximity to other great destinations. Despite its reputation for being out in the middle of the desert, Vegas is actually only a short trip to some other major destinations. The Hoover Dam is a very short drive away, and is an amazing sight for those unfamiliar with the area. The massive concrete structure is a sight to behold, and there are also tours available for those who wish to see some of the inner workings of this wonder of technology.

Of course, the biggest nearby attraction (literally) is the Grand Canyon. This is perhaps the most amazing natural sight in the United States, and its proximity to Vegas makes it something that cannot be missed on a family trip. There is no way to overstate how massive this formation is: when you see a little white dot below you, and then realize that it is a helicopter flying in the canyon, the realization of its immensity washes over you like a wave. It is truly an incredible sight, and there are countless vantage points to take advantage of. Young and old alike will be awed. There are also many sights to see in the area around the canyon, like old structures built during the time of United States expansion into the west. There are also tours available. For the very adventurous, mules can be rode into the canyon. An equally amazing, and likely safer and family-friendly route, though, is to take one of the helicopter tours. Like the big shows in Las Vegas, these can be somewhat pricey, but are worth it if the money is there. Of course, after the outdoor adventure at the Grand Canyon, it’s a short drive back to Las Vegas!

Sometimes you need to get the heck out of Dodge, but don’t have the time or money to spare for a big trip. Have faith: a weekend trip that is planned right can feel like a full vacation. You’d be amazed at how far away you can get, or at any rate how far away you can feel, in just two days. I’ve compiled below a few trip ideas for weekend getaways. What you do depends on how much money you want to spend and what you feel like doing.

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Explore the Great Outdoors: Pick up a map and find the closest National Parks, National Forests, or State Parks. I bet there is at least one you didn’t even realize existed. Why not go check it out? Click through their website to get a sense of the activities available to you. Your local outdoor outfitter store is also a good place to go for ideas. See if they carry a guidebook for the park, and don’t be afraid to ask the staff about the best things to do and see during your visit. You should definitely also swing by a ranger station or the visitor center when you arrive; the staff there will be able to answer all your questions. Get in a hike, go fishing, or even a horse packing or rafting trip with a local guide. Don’t forget to pack your cooler with a good hearty Sunday morning breakfast and to remember the trip, bring your camera! Nothing will refuel your spirits for Monday morning like conquering a tough hike or taking in the beautiful scenery.

Road Trip: Grab your significant other or a friend and hit the road! Here’s the plan: rent the most fun and outrageous ride you can afford, grab plenty of good music, and pick a spot on the map that will take you through some good scenery and isn’t too far. (You don’t want to spend the whole weekend driving, after all.) Give yourself lots of time to stop along the way; you never know when you might pass the world’s largest yarn ball, after all. Plan to arrive in time to grab some dinner and a drink if you’re staying in a hotel. Or plan to camp, in which case you’ll want to arrive before dark. On Sunday morning, explore the area, take some pictures, and then blaze off down the road in a cloud of dust and glory.

Tour a vineyard or brewery: If you live within a short drive of wine country or some local breweries, you might be amazed at how fun it can be to take a tour. Most people have heard of vineyard tours, but if you’re a beer connoisseur, finding a great micro-brewery (or two) to visit can be a fantastic time. You’ll learn a lot about the process of making beer or wine while touring the facilities. Then during the tasting portion, you’ll gain a whole new appreciation for what you’re drinking and develop your palate to boot. A word to the wise: in your newfound enthusiasm for wine, try to avoid signing up for the ten cases of wine they’ll try to sell you. But definitely bring home a bottle or two as a special memento. I once rented bikes with a friend and spent an afternoon riding around Mendoza, Argentina, which is prime Malbec country. We visited three different vineyards and had a blast. Monitor your intake and definitely don’t drive (or bike!) tipsy. Sleep late on Sunday and then grab a big brunch to soak up all that alcohol. Then head home and impress all your friends with your new expertise.

The Self-Improvement Getaway: If you’ve been too busy and stressed-out to take any time for yourself, why not use a weekend getaway to do just that? Here’s one possible weekend plan. On Saturday morning, sign up for a bike race, a 5k run, a golf tournament, or some other challenge. It doesn’t matter if you come in last place or walk the entire five kilometers – the idea is to do something you wouldn’t do normally. You could also sign up for a Pilates class at the local gym or find a tough hike. Book yourself a room at a hotel that night and treat yourself to a good meal, a good book or movie, and a good night’s rest. In the morning, get a massage to work out the kinks and cramps from yesterday’s challenge. Go to church, a yoga class, or whatever else gets you feeling spiritually connected. Set aside your entire afternoon for some passion that you feel you don’t have time for – whether that’s visiting an art museum, calling old friends, or practicing a musical instrument. By the time you get home on Sunday night, you’ll feel like a whole new person.

Find a Film or Music Festival: Feeling a little stir-crazy? Look for film or music festivals that pique your interest. These usually run over a weekend and appeal to a range of interests. I once flew to New Orleans for the weekend to catch a bit of its annual Jazz Fest, and it remains one of my favorite trips of all time. You’ll get exposed to some great culture and cut loose a little. If the festival is outside, remember to wear comfortable shoes, bring a raincoat, and stay hydrated.

A few more tips: Don’t try to cram too much into a weekend or you won’t find it relaxing. Be careful in allotting travel time – if you’re spending half your day getting to your destination, that’s too much. I personally don’t like to spend more than two hours en route, or three hours at the max. If you’re traveling with a friend, especially on a road trip, I am a big believer in the ‘kitty’ method. At the start of the trip, everyone puts an equivalent amount of cash into an envelope (the kitty) and when you stop for gas or pay for lunch or hotel rooms; you draw from this communal fund. When it gets low, everyone refills it. This will save you a lot of hassle in dealing with money as a group. Have fun!

As someone who happily forgoes new electronic gadget or pair of jeans in favor of adding to my ‘Adventure Fund’, I’ve managed to go on quite a few amazing trips in my life. Along the way, I’ve gotten better at understanding what makes for a memorable vacation. I’ve compiled below a few of the kinds of tourism that appeal to me.

Tourism that Kicks Your Butt

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I understand that not everyone feels this way. Aren’t vacations supposed to be a chance to just sit on your butt on the beach, not get your butt kicked? But when I look back on great trips, the common thread was being physically active. Vacation can be a great opportunity to get in shape. You finally have some free time and energy. What’s more, you’re in a new place surrounded by new people, and this can take some of the pressure of trying an unfamiliar new sport or activity. I never would have gotten into yoga if I hadn’t wandered into a class off the beach in Mexico. I had two weeks to look like an idiot around strangers I’d never see again, and by the time I got back home and went to the local yoga studio, I felt light years more confident. If you live in the suburbs and are vacationing by the mountains, all the more reason to get out the door. Go on a hike, take a rock-climbing class, or sign up for a white-water rafting tour. You’ll have a great time and work up an appetite for dinner.

In fact, I try to think of my trips as less ‘vacations’, more adventures. I have a running list of adventures I can’t wait to go on: trekking the Inca Trail all the way to Macchu Picchu in Peru, kayaking in Alaska’s Glacier Bay past icebergs and penguins, hiking in New Zealand’s South Island (where they shot the Lord of the Rings movies!), or whitewater rafting the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon in the U.S. A great thing about these kinds of trips is you get to draw out the experience for weeks even before leaving, as you plan logistics, buy gear, and pore over maps.

Volunteer or Work Tourism

Often when you visit a place, you feel as much a stranger when you leave as when you arrived. Where there’s a big culture difference, a language barrier, or a significant economic gap between you and the locals, you may feel especially disconnected. I think often the response is to stick around the resort and only interact with other tourists. This dynamic has always really bothered me.

The idea of volunteering or working while on vacation sounds like a wonderful way around this. You’ll meet people and see places you wouldn’t have otherwise. There are a lot of ways to do this. You can volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, teach English, volunteer as an assistant on a science research expedition, or just about anything else you can think of – just do a quick Internet search! I once worked on a trail crew in the backcountry areas of New Mexico and Arizona. We worked in National Parks and Forests cleaning up trails. It was hard work but an incredible experience. I learned so much about desert ecology and Native American history in the region.

I also like this idea because it lets you give something back to the community that’s hosting you. Not to mention that it lets you try out an interest or live vicariously as a teacher, scientist, Park Ranger, or whatever other shoes you think you’d like to step into. Maybe you’ve always loved wine. Why not spend a week harvesting grapes at a vineyard in France? They’re always looking for short-term help.

The Cultural Challenge

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Another type of tourism that appeals to me is the trip where I’m deeply challenged as a person. It can be really difficult to visit a country that’s very different culturally from what you’re used to, and where you share no common language with the people around you. But that’s no reason not to go! I traveled to China a few years back and spent a lot of time far out in the country where no one had ever met an American. My Chinese was limited to ordering lunch and haggling at the market. The stares took some getting used to, as did children touching my hair or tugging on my clothing. I remember being on a fourteen hour overnight train trip on a train that was unbelievably crowded. I was crammed with seven other people into four seats. It was too uncomfortable to sleep but I had no way of communicating with my fellow travelers. Until, that is, one of them pulled out a deck of cards. With some trial and error, hand gestures, and laughter, I eventually figured out the rules of the game (it was a bit like a combination of poker and War) and spent the entire night playing cards with these new friends. Tourism like this can be stressful and difficult (a few days later I sprained my ankle and had a very frustrating time trying to find an ankle brace) but you’ll certainly never forget the trip. Even if it’s just once in your life, I think there’s a lot of value in visiting a place that is very, very different from your home, and trying to keep an open mind and positive attitude toward what you encounter there.

Trips that are Truly an Escape

Finally, any trip you take should really feel like a departure from whatever you’ve been doing. I like the ‘rule of opposites’ in thinking about tourism. Save the trip to the tropics for February, and see if you can go skiing in July. Whatever you do, search out those opportunities where you really are getting away from it all. When I leave for a trip, I like to feel like I’m really leaving everything behind. That sense of escape lets you be open to learning new things, both about the place you’re visiting, and about yourself.

As the largest city in Switzerland, Zürich offers visitors an unparalleled variety of activities and attractions to enjoy. Whether they are here to appreciate the city’s internationally recognised opera house, sample the eclectic mix of big brand shopping outlets and local farmer’s markets, or explore the glorious hills and lakes surrounding the city’s municipalities, each visitor will find an activity of interest.

This is no less true for the city’s many younger visitors. Whilst Zürich’s main tourist attractions welcome children of all ages, there are several places of interest which offer a particularly wonderful environment for younger visitors to have fun.

The easily-accessible Zürich Zoo allows parents and little ones the opportunity to dive into an extremely family-friendly adventure – they can see The Exotarium’s reptiles, frogs, and aquariums, sneak into the Rainforest Dome to see monkeys and flying foxes, or pay their respects to the King of the Jungle at the large cat enclosures.

A family trip to Zürich also allows children to learn more about the rich cultural history of the region, and other subjects of educational interest, by visiting one of the city’s 150 museums and art galleries. There’s the small but fascinating Toy Museum, or the Swiss National Museum, which offers a seasonal, ever-changing programme of interesting exhibitions. For young visitors who would like know more about the progress of science and technology, the Technorama Center boasts of giving children a “true feast for all the senses” – however, if mums and dads want an inexpensive excursion just a short drive out of the city, there is also the free Lindt & Sprüngli Chocolate Factory Museum to consider, which offers a selection of chocolate treats to its visitors – always a hit with the kids!

For getting around, the city’s public transportation network is reliable, convenient and extremely family-friendly, with Under 6’s usually travelling free; older children up to age 16 are eligible for heavily discounted fares.

Similarly, the city’s family-friendly ethos extends to the selection of local accommodation. There are a number of family hotels in Zürich which offer a high standard of rooms and suites to provide all the amenities any younger guests require (such as free ice-cream!). For example, the Mövenpick Hotel Zürich-Airport offers a seven-night break package which is suited towards an extended holiday. However, for shorter trips, there are also several Zürich weekend breaks promotions available to take advantage of.