Family First

Geographic diversity, multiple careers and busy school schedules make it a challenge to gather the clan for traditional holidays. So when grandparents, their adult children and grandkids convene in one destination, it’s a chance to make memories that matter. Sharing passions and adventures like a round of late-afternoon golf, horseback riding, hiking or floating down a lazy river combine to create an unforgettable trip. The key? Choose the right itinerary. Plan activities for all ages, as well as time apart for rest and relaxation.

Here are four surefire family-friendly destinations.

The Oasis at Death Valley – Death Valley, California

Prepare your extended family for a one-of-a-kind adventure. Truly an oasis in the desert, The Oasis at Death Valley offers an exhilarating landscape in one of America’s largest national parks. During the day, explore the vast mountainous landscape of the Death Valley National Park; be sure to tell the kids this is the desert that served as the setting for the original “Star Wars” films.

Return to the resort in time to float in a spring-fed pool before enjoying dinner at one of the restaurants on the property. Fresh from a multimillion-dollar 2017 renovation, the resort offers two properties: the historic AAA Four Diamond Inn at Death Valley and the more family-oriented Ranch at Death Valley. With the whole family staying on the property, enjoy activities for every age, including an 18-hole golf course; horseback riding; natural spring-fed pools; sport courts, the Borax Museum and an authentic Western saloon.

The Oasis at Death Valley is two hours west of Las Vegas by car and a four-hour drive from Los Angeles.

Visit oasisatdeathvalley.com or call 844-236-7916.

Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel – Williams, Arizona

Soon after the sheriff wins a show-down with the town’s scoundrels, board the historic 1901 Grand Canyon Railway in Williams for the two-hour trip to the iconic Grand Canyon National Park. The train provides the luxury of relaxing instead of driving and the ability to enjoy the views of the Ponderosa pinewoods and sage-brush-dotted fields. Kids (and grown-ups) like the guitar-playing and singing cowboys who pause long enough to allow the faux train robbery by the dastardly Cataract Creek Gang to steal the show. Conveniently, the train pulls into the park aside the historic El Tovar Hotel, a legendary place for lunch and, remarkably, just steps from the south rim of the Grand Canyon.

Packages can include one night at the park’s Maswik Lodge North, which gives you a day to explore the canyon’s wonders on your own, and a return trip departing at 3:30 p.m. for another night in Williams.

Visit thetrain.com or call 844-843-8724.

Sea Island Resort – Sea Island, Georgia

Part of Georgia’s Golden Isles, Sea Island Resort — a collection that includes The Cloister and The Lodge, both Mobil Five-Star rated, and the Beach Club and Cottages — is known for championship golf courses, an award-winning spa, as well as the kid-friendly dune-bordered beach and Camp Cloister activities for ages 3 to 14. The resort’s family reunion specialist can assist you with selecting the right combination of outings, adventures and experiences for your family. Choose from dock fishing, eco-tours, kayaking, biking, horse-back riding and stargazing. Witness a sea turtle hatch on the beach, go sailing, or get away for an afternoon of clay shooting or pheasant hunting at Broadfield.

Sea Island is an expansive property with the variety of activities to match. Crafted with Southern charm, you’ll want to consider the plantation suppers and Low Country boils where family games and music are on the menu.

Visit seaisland.com/family or call 877-437-3214 to learn more.

The Broadmoor – Colorado Springs, Colorado

Situated at the foot of the Colorado Rockies, The Broadmoor offers families unforgettable mountain adventures couched in the trappings of a luxurious, Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond resort. While the main campus features award-winning dining, amenities and activities, The Broadmoor goes far beyond the expected with three all-inclusive mountain retreats. Perched 3,000 feet above The Broadmoor, Cloud Camp is the perfect place for families to reconnect away from the distractions of modern life. The Orvis-endorsed Broadmoor Fly Fishing Camp is set on a private five-mile stretch of river with dedicated guides, a beautiful main lodge and seven guest cabins. And The Ranch at Emerald Valley — chosen as the #1 resort in Colorado by the Condé Nast Readers Awards — provides endless opportunities for family fun with horseback riding, fishing, archery and hiking. Enjoy the tradition of cowboy coffee at sunrise or a glass of wine at sunset overlooking two mountain lakes.

Visit Broadmoor.com or call 855-686-5538.