Keyston, Colorado
DANIEL MILCHEV / KEYSTONE RESORT
If your family prefers snow to sand, Keystone Resort is one of the best kid-friendly ski destinations in the country. With over 3,000 acres of terrain across three peaks in the Rocky Mountains, skiers of all skill levels can find a trail to meet their fancy — but if your child is a first-time skier, you can sign them up for one, two, or three-day lessons at the resort’s Ski and Ride School.
When you’re ready to take off the skis, you can twirl your way around two ice skating venues: Lakeside Village and Dercum Square in River Run Village. Kids will also love climbing through the impressive snow forts that bring winter fantasies to life. Kidtopia, Keystone’s kids’ program (i.e. playground), also offers activities like family snowshoeing, face painting, and fireworks. After exploring the fun by the fort, finish your trek to the top of Dercum Mountain, where the whole family can enjoy eight lanes of snow tubing.
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Florida Keys, Florida
ANDYLID/GETTY IMAGES
If your kids can’t get enough of wildlife, the Florida Keys are sure to impress while you also enjoy a tropical beach vacation. Go to the Eco-Discovery Center for an introduction to the local marine ecosystem, followed by a trip to the Key West Aquarium, where kids can touch and hold starfish, sea cucumbers, and conches. Later, head to the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory to see 50 to 60 butterfly species, over 20 bird species, flamingos, and turtles.
But there are more to the Keys than marine animals. At Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, you can dive into Civil War history at the 153-year-old fort, and at the Key West Shipwreck Museum, kids can touch treasures salvaged from a sunken ship. If you’re craving adventure, consider taking a glassbottom boat or kayak through John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, snorkeling at Sombrero Reef, and parasailing in Key Largo.