Family Vacation Deals

Daytona Beach, A Perfect Family Destination

2009-07-27T13:35:00.023-04:00

Daytona Beach is a perfect family-friendly vacation destination, featuring sandy beaches stretching for more than 20 miles. Daytona Beach holds claim to the “World’s Most Famous Beach” and is devoted to the normal seaside pleasures with glitter of a fun resort. Daytona Beach is the perfect location to escape from the stresses of everyday life. You will find numerous activities for everyone in your family to keep you occupied so you will never be bored while you are soaking up some rays and taking in the breathtaking vistas of this paradise setting.

Daytona Beach has numerous attractions, but it all starts along the beach. At low tide the hard packed surface invites cycling, jogging, fishing, and vehicle traffic is permitted on 11 of the 23-mile long beach area with a posted 10 mph speed limit. At times the beach can reach up to 500 feet wide at low tide, which makes it appealing to beach goers to play a game of beach volleyball or practice sand-surf skimming at the edge of the waves. Take a ride on the Sky Lift to the end of the Daytona Beach Pier or enjoy the view from the top of the 180-foot space needle on the beach at the end of Main Street. To get a great view of beach life try parasailing and for a real adrenaline rush try the Daytona Beach Slingshot which launches riders 300 feet in the air at about 100 mph. For a more traditional beach experience consider fishing at the Pier.

The best time to travel to Daytona Beach depends on what you value most. If you prefer fewer visitors, but still great weather then consider visiting April to May and September to November. You will also find better accommodation value. If you want to be in with the crowd the peak period is May to September. The accommodation prices will be at their peak and this is also the rainy season, but typically showers will only marginally affect vacations. The off-peak period is December to April. Hotel and motel rates will be at their lowest, but the weather will be colder.

The Daytona Beach area has over 14,000 accommodations available including hotels, motels, inns, condominiums, and bed and breakfasts. Making your reservations early insures you will have your choice!

Daytona Beach makes a family fun and exciting vacation destination so much to do. Start making your plans today!

Chicago, A Great Vacation Destination

2009-07-24T12:51:00.005-04:00

Chicago is one of the best family vacation destinations in America. The "Windy City" or "Chi-Town" as Chicago is sometimes referred to has everything a family could want from beaches, museums, both cultural and historical, educational things to see and do, excellent zoos, amusement parks, great food, shopping, nightlife, and not to mention something for every type of sports fan.

From the beauty of Lake Michigan and Grant Park to riverboat rides on the Chicago River, Chicago is a fantastic place for a family to visit. You might think that seeing the sights in one of the world's most exciting, sophisticated cities would be expensive...but you'd be wrong.

Chicago has such an astounding number of free things to do throughout the year - including many of the city's best attractions - that you could easily fill several weeks with fascinating fun which won't cost you a penny. Along the lakefront, Chicago has 33 beaches and miles of jogging and bike paths that are always free. Discover the fun for kids of every age.

Chicago is a very friendly city and is a destination you could visit over and over and always see something different. With so many things to see and do involve the entire family in planning this trip. It will be exciting and an educational experience. Chicago makes for an outstanding family vacation that you will always remember!

Visit Portland Maine For a Budget -Conscious Family Vacation

2009-07-21T10:28:00.007-04:00

Portland is located in Maine's southern coast is the state's largest city with plenty of things to do for the budget-conscious travelers. Visitors can take boat rides off the coast for a nominal fee, see a professional baseball game at a fraction of the coast to see a major league game, and enjoy the miles of white sandy beaches , absolutely free.

Maine has a rocky coast and what better way to see it than from the water. Portland has ferry service to the six islands in Casco Bay. There are many things to see and do. You will see lobster boats, oil tankers, yachts, sea birds, seals, historic island forts and rocky ledges. If you stop at Peaks Island you can enjoy lunch, visit craft shops, rent a bicycle, kayak or just take a walk.

A popular tourist destination is the town of Old Orchard Beach, which is an ocean side city twenty minutes south of Portland. It has carnival rides, food stands, water slides, arcades and unique shops. The seven mile wide sandy beach is the main attraction and it is free. A pier shoots out into the water roughly 500 feet, which dates back to 1898.

In Portland if you want to see a great view of the city and surrounding area then you want to visit the top of the historic Eastland Park Hotel. Here at the Top of the East Lounge you can enjoy a beverage and see a panoramic view of Portland Harbor, the downtown and suburbs and the countryside.

In the Portland area there is no shortage of lighthouses. Some of the nearby lighthouses are: Portland Head Light, Two Lights Lighthouses or the Portland Breakwater Lighthouse. The Portland Head Light Lighthouse can has a museum that can be toured.

If you want to take a self-guided tour of Portland, there are four available with maps for free. The Greater Portland Landmarks organization offers paid walking tours as well. Information on these tours can be obtained for free by visiting the Greater Portland Landmarks office.

For a great place to eat is at Becky's Diner. This waterfront eatery has typical breakfast and lunch cuisine, but there is also a selection of seafood including scallops, haddock, shrimp and lobster dishes. Another excellent waterfront diner is Gilbert's Chowder House. This restaurant is famous for its five different kinds of chowder that can be ordered in a bread bowl. Fresh seafood is also on the menu.

Portland makes for a nice sightseeing family vacation on a budget. You will treasure your trip to Portland and one thing you want to make sure to do, take plenty of pictures!

Lake Tahoe - A Great Family Vacation Destination

2009-07-19T11:46:00.024-04:00

Lake Tahoe is a great destination for your next family vacation. From exploring the outdoors to organized camps and classes, there are numerous activities for kids and their families at Lake Tahoe. And, perhaps the biggest surprise, the majority of these activities are available at little to no cost.

Lake Tahoe is an American treasure with its stunning beauty, crisp and clear air, and the sun shines roughly 80% of the time. Lake Tahoe is a large alpine lake surrounded by the high Sierra Nevada Mountains, straddling the borders of Nevada and California.

In the summer you can partake of boating and water sports, the sandy beaches, bicycling, golf, tennis, hiking, camping, ballooning, hiking, horse back riding, rock climbing, bungee jumping, para sailing and more with seemingly endless possibilities.

In the winter the area receives on average of 409" of snow, which makes Lake Tahoe one of the premier skiing destinations in America. The area includes 15 downhill resorts, 10 cross-country ski centers, and facilities for snowboarding, ice skating, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, sledding, sleigh riding and of course just playing in the snow.

Year round activities include fishing, Vegas style gambling and big name entertainment in the casinos. And, then there is the lake. Lake Tahoe is famous for its crystal clear water and enormous size. the lake measures 12 miles wide and 22 miles long and it is said that you can see a white dinner plate 75 feet below the surface. The lake's average depth is 989 feet with its deepest point being 1645 feet. Lake Tahoe contains enough water to cover the entire state of California 15 inches deep. It is the largest alpine lake in North America.

When deciding on where to stay you must decide on the North or South shores of Lake Tahoe. If you prefer gambling and entertainment then you want to go to the South Shores. It features better casinos, entertainment and lodging choices, often with better rates. if you want a more relaxing, outdoor atmosphere then head to the North Shore. You will find a better selection of high-quality resorts and vacation rentals. the West Shore is very woodsy and has the most campsites, while the East Shore is protected from development and has no commercial activity. Where ever you stay you will find plenty of water and mountain sports.

If you are looking for an outdoor retreat, then Lake Tahoe is a great place to spend your next family vacation!

Family Beach Vacation at Myrtle Beach

2009-07-15T14:13:00.017-04:00

Play in the sand, count the waves or savor the refreshing cool breeze, Myrtle Beach makes for an enjoyable family vacation. Myrtle Beach features some of the most entertaining beach activities for the entire family.

With 60 miles of pristine beach, the Myrtle Beach area is great for relaxing in the sand and soaking up the sun. learn how to surf, go kayaking or even try scuba diving. To make your family vacation even more exciting by chartering a fishing boat.

Here are a few suggestions when visiting Myrtle Beach that you won't want to miss.

Ripley's Aquarium - An aquarium and dining complex that features restaurants, rides, shops and the 85,000 square foot Ripley's Aquarium.

Family Kingdom Amusement Park - Family Kingdom features more than 30 rides including a thrilling wooden roller coaster and South Carolina's largest Ferris wheel.

Battleship North Carolina - The Battleship North Carolina is a proud reminder of the efforts to protect the free world. Come aboard and experience first-hand the patriotic pride that carried her brave crew to victory.

Children's Museum of South Carolina - Touch, Explore, and Play while learning about your world through interactive exhibits and programs.

Wild Water & Wheels - A 16-acre water park filled with rides and slides.

And, let us not forget about the numerous golf courses Myrtle Beach is home to. If you like to golf then you will be sure to find a course to your liking.

If you are looking for a relaxing family vacation on the beach or prefer a filled schedule of attractions then Myrtle Beach is the place for you.

Make Your Next Family Vacation Silver Dollar City and Branson MO.

2009-07-12T10:04:00.012-04:00

With numerous exciting rides and more than 40 daily live shows and a historical atmosphere it's easy to see why Silver Dollar City theme park is one of Branson's top attractions. Whether you're enjoying one of the shows, watching craft demonstrations, riding one of the thrilling roller coasters or shopping in one of the many shops, you're sure to have an exciting time.

Silver Dollar City is also host to many nationally known festivals. These would include World-Fest, National Kids' Fest, Southern Gospel Picnic Days, and National Harvest Festival. Bring the entire family out to Silver Dollar City and experience authentic Ozarks culture through endless family fun.

Here are some of the favorite shows to see.

Horsecreek Band - This show serves up country, bluegrass and gospel tunes.
Great American Country Nights - At the Echo Hollow amphitheater on GAC Nights enjoy country song and dance.
Cajun Connection - The Cajun Connection plays traditional bayou music.
Choctaw Charlie's Frontier Follies - This hilarious comedy features two big city folk that arrive in town and try to direct the evening entertainment at the local saloons.

After a show or two and your ready for some thrilling rides here are some that will get your heart pumping.

The Wildfire - Experience twists and turns on this coaster , which reaches spedds over 60 mph.
The GIANT Swing - Your launched out of the swing's barn at speed approaching 45 mph as you ascend over 7 stories, nearly being flipped upside down before gravity takes its course and whips you in the other direction!
PowderKeg - Experience this coaster that features compressed air-launch technology, gravitational force and thundering speeds in excess of 60 mph
The Flooded Mine - Float through The Flooded Mine as you attempt to clear it of runaway prisoners with arcade-style shooting.
Other rides and attractions include Geyser Gulch, Tom Sawyer's Landing, Becky's Carousel, Fire in the Hole, Runaway Ore Cart, Steam Train, Marvel Cave Tour, WaterWorks Waterboggan, and more.

In Branson, Missouri Silver Dollar City is just one of the many attractions to plan your family vacation around. This vacation experience will be one that you will remember for many years!

Williamsburg, VA: A Family Vacation Destination Full of History and Excitement!

2009-07-09T09:05:00.012-04:00

Are you looking for a family vacation that has a mix of history and excitement in the same location? Then Williamsburg, VA is the place!

Colonial Williamsburg is the nation's largest living history museum covering 301 acres including some 500 buildings, homes, stores and taverns that are restored to their 18th century appearances. The streets of Colonial Williamsburg are closed to traffic except for horse-drawn carriages. Take a walking or carriage tour through this area and this will give your family a feel for what it was like back in this time.

If you walk consider a trip down historic Duke of Gloucester Street. This mile long walk through Colonial Williamsburg will take you back to the 18th century, past modern shops, by beautiful gardens and end up at the Capitol Building, where Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson and George Washington once debated. Stop and visit with interpreters and tradesmen demonstrating historic crafts along the way.

Also consider visiting the Jamestown Settlement and the Yorktown Victory Center where the struggles, adventures and hopes of those early years are brought to life in detail through engaging exhibits and dramatic living history. See three tall-masted ships that are anchored in the James River and visit a re-created fort. At the Yorktown Victory Center you will see outdoor history interpretations, many original artifacts, and a film titled "A Time of Revolution", which all paint a picture of the times Surrounding the wars end.

Besides so much history in the area your family vacation would not be complete without visiting the theme parks. Busch Gardens Europe offers your family an opportunity to travel all over the world. Visit Germany, Italy, England, Ireland and France without having to board a flight. Experience each country's local cuisine and themed rides.

If a water park is in your plans then visit Water Country USA. This is one of the best water parks in the country. Everyone in your family will find something to enjoy. There are activity pools with slides and small rides for very age. Unlike other water parks most smaller children can ride most rides with a you if they wear a life jacket.

Of course this is by no means everything to experience on your Williamsburg family vacation. Their is golf, beaches, museums, a zoo, an aquarium and great shopping. So why wait, start your planning for your Williamsburg family vacation today!

Chattanooga TN - A Great Family Vacation Especially For Kids

2009-07-06T13:45:00.026-04:00

When planning a family vacation make sure to include Chattanooga in your plans. Our family has visited Chattanooga TN twice. Both times when we were making the trip to Florida to visit relatives and see Mickey Mouse.

Chattanooga is a great destination for a vacation with kids. There is so much to see and do with allot of history. Here are some notable attractions I highly recommend you include during your visit:

Chattanooga Choo Choo
This attraction features shops, gardens, a trolley and a model railroad to name a few. You can actually stay in a hotel room that is in a railroad car. there are also restaurants in the area that have dining on railroad cars. Even if you don't stay here it is worth the trip to walk through the hotel and the surrounding area.

The Tennessee Aquarium
This is one of the original big aquariums in the South, which features both fresh and saltwater exhibits. This is located on the Chattanooga Riverfront. Don't forget to pay a visit to the IMAX theater that is attached to the aquarium.

Lookout Mountain
There are several attractions located in this area, which is 5 - 6 miles from the downtown. Here are a three that highly recommend. The famous Incline Railroad is a railroad ride to the top of Lookout Mountain. The "Incline" as it is called is the world's steepest trolley-style train ride and near the top the incline reaches a breathtaking 72.7% grade of the track.

Once at the top of Lookout Mountain make sure you visit Rock City. Rock City is a walk through attraction with gardens and rock formations. The views from Rock City are are spectacular and it is said on a clear day you can see 7 states.

Another attraction atop Lookout Mountain is Ruby Falls. This consists of a massive cave with a large waterfall with some spectacular rock formations. On your way to the waterfall you will view many geological wonders that are located throughout the cave inside the heart of Lookout Mountain.

There is also a military park atop Lookout Mountain where you can see many points of interest of the Civil War. On your walk back to the Incline Railway you will see several shops for you to browse and pick up something in remembrance of your visit to Lookout Mountain. Also at the top of the Incline you will find things for the kids and food services with dining areas.

And this is just some of the things Chattanooga has to offer!

Wisconsin Dells Is a Fun Family Vacation Destination

2009-07-03T12:02:00.011-04:00

Wisconsin Dells is a fun destination for your next family vacation and with some advance research and planning the vacation can be easy on your budget. There is nothing like taking your family on a fun-filled vacation with a new adventure around every turn. Wisconsin Dells makes for that type of vacation.

Wisconsin Dells is located about an hour north of Madison, Wisconsin. Traveling to this family destination by air you will have to fly into Madison and drive the rest of the way. Amtrak has service to the Dells, but if you are making the trek by car you can get their by following Interstate 90/94.

There are so many family friendly things to do in the Wisconsin Dells makes it a difficult decision on what to do first. In Wisconsin Dells water parks and theme parks are aplenty. For consideration of some must visit parks include Noah's Ark Water Park, Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park, Timber Falls Adventure Park and Riverview Park & Waterworld. Other attractions to consider is a Wildthing Jet Boat ride or visit Monster Truck World and take a ride on a Monster truck. And, you must not pass up a ride on an Original Wisconsin Duck, a land/water vehicle made by the Army.

In a vacation hot spot like the Wisconsin Dells, you have plenty of choices for family accommodations. From inexpensive hotels and motels to deluxe accommodations, whatever your budget permits you can find exactly what you need. Click here to help with selecting your accommodations.

Wisconsin Dells' combination of unlimited things to do and exceptional value make it a great place for a memorable family vacation!

The Grand Canyon National Park Makes a Great Family Vacation Destination

2009-06-30T16:34:00.011-04:00

The Grand Canyon in Arizona is enormous in size. You can't just drive to the gorge, spend some time looking around and then leave. To really make the most of a visit to the Grand Canyon, you must take a few hikes, ride the Colorado River and explore each corner open to tourists. The many different views the Grand Canyon can give you will certainly be a surprise.

Here are some ways you can take in the mystique of the Grand Canyon:

The South Rim. Aside from the view of this magnificent gorge, you get a close look at some historical buildings and ruins.

Toroweap Overlook. This popular overlook is on the North Rim and is 3,000 feet straight up from the river. This gives you a breath-taking view due to the steepness of the gorge.

Grand Canyon Skywalk. This gives you quite a scary view and really gets your heart pounding since it is a glass-bottom walkway that extends out from the edge of the gorge.

Lipan Point. Also at the South Rim, this marks the starting point of the Tanner Trail. Take some time to grasp the beauty of the Canyon from Lipan Point before heading down the trail.

Tanner Trail. This trail heads towards the floor of the gorge and can be a challenging hike. The view of the Canyon from this trail is overwhelming.

Whitewater Rafting. Some visitors prefer to go down to the bottom of the river by foot, while others prefer to ride the river. Being at the Grand Canyon bottom where you are thrown by the water, and surrounded by huge rocks can be an astounding experience.

Aerial View. Some people prefer the aerial view from a small plane or helicopter from one of the many charter services that will give you a bird's eye view of the Grand Canyon.

The Grand Canyon can be quite a family vacation adventure on a budget. If you like camping The North Rim is open for campers free of charge. Also there are plenty of benches and tables set up for eating. So make sure you pack your sleeping bags, tents and food so you won't need to spend any money for lodging or dining while visiting the Grand Canyon!

Washington DC - A Family Vacation on a Budget

2009-06-27T12:32:00.014-04:00

Washington D.C. is our capital city full of markers and monuments of our great nation’s beginning, plus the ever present wheeling & dealing of democracy in action. There are more than just the buildings and monuments to see. The city is also known as a major tourist attraction for families and especially if your on a budget.

There is actually never a bad time to visit Washington DC with kids. Every season offers many fun activities and events that can be enjoyed by the entire family. Deciding what you want to do can be a real challenge. The best thing to do before visiting is check out Washington DC online with your family and carefully plan your visit. With so much to see and do it is impossible to do it all in one family vacation. So you may decide to make a few trips and not try to over extend your family in seeing as much as possible and not able to fully enjoy your vacation.

One thing is for sure, when you are looking for fun stuff to see and do most our free. Whether you want to visit the monuments and the seat of our government, leaning toward museums, kids want to go the National Zoo I have pulled together a list of attractions that will help you in planning your family vacation visit to Washington DC.

Here are some locations and of course they are free:

The White House, The US Capitol, The National Mall, The National Zoo, Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum, Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, Bureau of Engraving & Printing, National Museum of American History & the International Spy Museum to name a few.

When considering at trip to Washington DC with the family and lodging is a concern, hotel rates drop on weekends, during holidays, and in late July and August when Congress is not in session make a great time to visit. With rates in DC being the highest you may wish to consider staying in surrounding cities of Arlington or Alexandria for your hotel stay. Wherever you plan to stay make sure your hotel is near a Metrorail station. Parking in DC can be hard to find and costly traveling on the Metrorail is very economical.

For more information on Washington DC visit the Convention and Visitors Association. Start planning your next family vacation today!

Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge, Tennessee Make an Excellent Family Vacation Destination

2009-06-24T14:22:00.009-04:00

Located in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park in Tennessee Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge have been a family vacation destination for decades. Nestled in the Smokies these two locations have shows and attractions that include theme parks, thrill rides, family-friendly recreation, live entertainment theaters and variety shows. With the numerous number of activities everyone in the family will find something that is enjoyable and at the same time is affordable.

No matter what time of year you plan to visit these cities are great family vacation destinations. A great time to visit is in the Fall to take in spectacular views of the changing colors that paint the mountainside.

As attractions go in Pigeon Forge probably the top one is Dollywood. This theme park includes 125 acres of lively music, spectacular shows, thrilling amusement park rides and much more. Pigeon Forge also has 6 outlet malls for the shopping enthusiasts in the family. Visit here for more visitor and travel information on Pigeon Forge.

As for Gatlinburg one of the best attractions is Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies. This 1.4 million gallon aquarium features over 10,000 creatures from around the world including twelve-foot sharks. Plan to spend at least two hours here to take in this attraction. And if aerial views are in your plans, then make your way to Ober Gatlinburg for a spectacular ride up the side of the mountain to a small amusement park at the top. For the official site of Gatlinburg visit here for a complete listing of entertainment, lodging choices and much more.

Regardless of your age, people who come to experience Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge will find something to enjoy. It's all here waiting for you and your family so start your planning today!

Planning a Family Vacation - Don't Exclude Water Parks

2009-06-21T09:31:00.013-04:00

When planning a family vacation be sure to include water parks in your planning options. In the past water parks consisted of swimming pools and water slides offering a great way to stay cool on a hot day. However with the advancement of theme parks so to have water parks evolved mixing heart-pumping thrills with family-style fun.

Water parks have plenty of entertainment for the entire family including water rides with eighty-foot drops, lazy rivers, white-water rapids, lazy pools, arcades and outdoor games such as miniature golf and go-carts, which all can be found in today's water parks. There are slides for all levels and ages including water pools for the very youngest of family members.

Of course, some water parks do it better than others with mixing the family-style fun with the heart-pumping thrills. Here are the top 8 water park picks in the United States as selected by the Travel Channel for you to consider for your family vacation:

Family Vacation at Yellowstone National Park

2009-06-20T14:24:00.018-04:00

A family vacation to Yellowstone National Park is fun and attractive destination for many people, especially families. It became a national park in 1872 that consisted of over 3,400 square miles with many geysers, hot springs, wildlife, rivers, lakes and other attractions. The park is actually situated in three different states that include Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. Visitors can do many things following the rules of the park like wildlife watching, fishing, sightseeing, camping, skiing and other activities.

Here are some tips to consider when planning a family vacation to Yellowstone National Park:

Begin by visiting the website of Yellowstone National Park. This site has a vast amount of information about park wildlife, current issues to trip planning and information on making reservations in the park's campgrounds or other lodging. Involve the family in the planning stages through the online field trips and education resources available.
Yellowstone is 3.2 million acres big and it is best to select a home base, otherwise without careful planning you could spend most of your trip in the car. Select one or maybe two locations and plan to spend a few days in one area. The lodging in the park fills up first, but if you are looking for the best values you will want to consider the neighboring communities. Shop around and make sure you understand your lodging choices and especially where they are located.
Build plenty of time into your schedule. Nothing is more discouraging than having to try to do or see to much in too littler time. It takes time to maneuver around the park since the roads are narrow and mountainous and the average speed is usually around 30 mph.
Don't try to see everything. Yellowstone National Park is extremely large so you will want to try to get a little of everything that you are interested in and maybe a few things you are not. It is a good idea to keep a family trip log of what you have seen.
Plan to attend at least one ranger program during your visit to the park. Programs vary and are designed for families. Evening programs are offered at most of the campgrounds and developed areas.
Don't depend on cell phones or other technology. Many cell phones don't work with limited coverage and internet access is very hard to come by.

AND, Don't forget to have fun!

Family Vacation Deals: Busch Gardens Tampa

2009-06-20T10:01:00.021-04:00

Family vacation deals are numerous, but one sure to get your attention is a trip to Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida. While Disney may have put theme into theme park, but when it comes to re-creating the wild in a safe environment Busch Gardens does it better than anyone. Since it's opening over 42 years ago as a bird sanctuary and visitors center Busch Gardens Tampa this theme park has expanded to 335 acres and includes over 2,700 creatures from 320 different species. And, let's not forget the thrill rides and entertainment. Busch Gardens is considered Florida's largest zoo, and is home to a host of free-roaming animals, which many are threatened or endangered in the wild.

With animals roaming the grounds of the 70-acres Serengeti Plain attraction visitors can travel through and observe giraffes, zebras, wild beasts, antelopes, and gazelles aboard a monorail, chug along train or in a safari truck. The Edge of Africa is a walking safari that allows visitors to stroll through abandoned African villages and into the natural habitats of lions, hippos, vultures, a Nile crocodile and other wild creatures. Meanwhile, The Myombe reserve, which hosts the Great Ape Domain allows visitors a glimpse into the world of chimps and gorillas, while making a trek through rugged terrain, thick vegetation and clouds of mist. In other areas of the park visitors can see birds, koalas, kangaroos, elephant and yellow and white Bengal tigers.

A new attraction to Busch Gardens is Rhino Rally, an eight-minute off road river safari with a Survivor theme. With a blend of thrill seeking and animal watching, Rhino Rally takes visitors on a guided course through 16-acres of African wilds and ends with a raging river ride. Different from other rides, this one attempts to turn spectators into competitors. 17 visitors ride in each land Rover and compete for the "world's off road trophy."

For more thrills, visitors have their selection of roller coasters from four steel track and one dual-track coasters. The Gwazi is a wooden duel-track coaster that features dueling trains that travel at speeds of 50 mph through 7,000 feet of track that includes six flyby encounters in which the two dueling trains come within feet of each other. Of the park's steel coasters, the Montu is the largest and fastest inverted steel coaster in the Southeast.

For those who aren't excited about being whisked through the air at high speeds or meeting up with a lion face-to-face there are numerous entertainment and food options, plus Adventure Island, a 30-acre water park. This definitely is one of the best in family vacation deals. Visit family vacation deals and begin your planning today for and exciting vacation to Busch Gardens Tampa!