Tag Archives: summer vacations

The Wildwoods, NJ Offers ‘Safecation’ Beach Destination

The Wildwoods, NJ – The Wildwoods, NJ has so much to offer, from beautiful free and spacious beaches with plenty of room to spread out and a world-famous boardwalk with lots of fun attractions. As families venture out to enjoy summer vacations, the Wildwoods offer the ultimate ‘safecation’ destination to ensure a worry-free getaway.

Drive in

The most popular way to reach the destination, especially in the summer 2020, is via car. Load up and hop in your vehicle and head ‘down the shore!’ Vacationers will know when they are close to the Wildwoods without looking at their GPS – with the sea air, signs and excitement in the air signifying their arrival is near.

The Wildwoods have rolled out the red carpet for vacationers with a fabulous new Grand Gateway, an all-new visitor experience designed to greet all visitors and launch them into vacation mode from the moment they arrive. As they make their way over the bridge and onto the island, vacationers are greeted by a new ‘Welcome to the Wildwoods’ Doo Wop style sign in the shape of a surfboard. With its vivid colors and lighting, it can be seen upon approach day or night, setting the tone for the fun that lies ahead. The new Gateway also features a digital billboard announcing the latest events and information. Visitors will also notice colorful beach ball bollards along the entranceway, leading straight to the world-famous Wildwoods sign.

‘Sparkling’ Hotel Accommodations

Once on the island, visitors may check in to the lodging destination of their choice offering over 8,000 hotel-motel rooms and 3,000 vacation rentals, many of which appear to ‘sparkle’ with Doo Wop themed architecture, décor and bright colors. Inside, social distancing practices, enhanced sanitizing and cleaning protocols are being followed. Hotel and motel swimming pools are following safety practices by including screenings upon entering the swimming pool area; social distancing while in the water and on pool decks, and non-sharing of pool furniture and equipment, except among families and partners.

Beach Therapy

Stretching for five miles across North Wildwood, Wildwood and Wildwood Crest, the Wildwoods beaches are clean and free for all visitors to enjoy. With today’s ever-changing world, we sometimes need a safe escape. The Wildwoods beaches are the ideal location for visitors to clear their minds, escape the chaos, and enjoy the calming ‘Beach Therapy’. Our wide spacious beaches allow plenty of room to stretch out. Beach goers have the option of choosing to enjoy a relaxing day in the sun, or a more adventurous day of activities on the water, such as surfing, boogie boarding, fishing, power boating, jet-skiing, sailing, kayaking, and whale watching.

Boardwalk Fun

Along with our award-winning beaches, another ‘must do’ is our world-famous Wildwoods Boardwalk. Known as ‘2-½ miles of smiles,’ the boardwalk has fun for everyone, whether you’re looking for relaxtion, shopping and dining, or thrills and adventure. Amusement piers, arcades, games, waterparks, shops and outdoor dining can all be enjoyed safely on our boardwalk – with social distancing, facemask requirements and sanitizing protocols in place. For a more peaceful day, take a ride on the 140-foot Ferris Wheel that overlooks the beach and ocean, go for a bike ride, take a stroll, fly a kite, or take a ride on the famous Wildwoods Boardwalk ‘Sightseer’ Tram Cars. For more action and adventure, go on any of the Boardwalk’s world-class roller coasters, take monster truck rides on the beach, or plunge to the bottom of a huge waterslide, and more!

Watch the Tram Car, please!

The Wildwoods Sightseer Tram Cars provide a leisurely cruise down the Boardwalk. First introduced on the Wildwoods’ Boardwalk in 1949, the Tram Cars are an iconic part of the Wildwoods Boardwalk experience, transporting tens of thousands of guests along the two-mile Wildwoods Boardwalk each year. The four original Tram Car trains are some of the oldest, continually operating modes of public transportation in the United States. Today’s Tram Cars are environmentally friendly, running on battery power. Each Tram Car can run for up to 12 hours on a single charge from their 2,000-pound electric batteries.

The Tram Cars require riders to follow social distance guidelines and are employing enhanced sanitizing protocols. Modifications include plexiglass dividers and plastic shields between seating areas; and a sanitizing regimen with quick-drying disinfectant every half-hour. Tram employees are also wearing masks while interacting with visitors and passengers.

Bikeability

Bike riding is a favorite pastime and no town seems to do biking better than the Wildwoods. The Wildwoods have coined the word ‘Bikeability’ to capture all of the amazing opportunities for biking. Right now, there is no better way to recharge, get physical exercise and enjoy the beautiful salty air – all while keeping a safe distance from fellow visitors – than a leisurely bike ride. From lengthy and scenic bike paths, to bike lanes along popular roads, to biking along the boardwalk, there are many ways to enjoy the Wildwoods on two wheels.

Cap off your family vacation with a shopping spree in the many shops and boutiques on the Boardwalk and Downtown Wildwood. Don’t forget to wear your mask and stay safe in the Wildwoods.

For additional information about the Wildwoods, visit www.WildwoodsNJ.com or call 800-992-9732.

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Six National Park Getaways this Summer

Red Reflet Ranch is a 28,000-acre luxury resort and working ranch on the west slope of the Bighorn Mountains, minutes from the Bighorn National Forest and a scenic three hour drive from Yellowstone National Park.

National parks across the country are in the process of reopening, with iconic destinations like the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone already accessible to visitors. The National Park Service system received more than 327.5 million visits in 2019, and based on recent travel data, the parks could be even more desirable this summer as people look to get away after spending weeks under stay-at-home orders. Travelers are pivoting away from metropolitan areas and heading to the great outdoors. Here are six vacation ideas that include easy access to some of America’s greatest national parks: 

Hike & Bike North Rim of the Grand Canyon: Providing gently rolling terrain of lung-expanding dimensions, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon has been long-held as sacred ground to hikers and cyclists. Escape Adventures offers an amazing 5-day tour of the North Rim that includes mountain biking, trekking and camping. Trails brimming with wildflowers lead guests to exhilarating hikes along the rim. Crossing over to the west side of the plateau, guests camp alongside one of the most scenic mountain bike paths in the world, the Rainbow Rim Trail. (https://escapeadventures.com/tour/grand-canyon-north-rim-mountain-bike-tour/)

Remote Dude Ranch Getaway: Red Reflet Ranch is a 28,000-acre luxury resort and working ranch on the west slope of the Bighorn Mountains, just minutes from the Bighorn National Forest. It is a scenic three hour drive from Yellowstone National Park. The closest sign of civilization is Ten Sleep, Wyoming, with a population of about 260. Guests stay in their own private chalets, and family-friendly activities include horseback riding, ATVing, ziplining, swimming, fishing, shooting, and indulging in gourmet farm-to-table cuisine. The ranch is open for business now. (https://red-reflet-ranch.net/)

Grand Teton Tiny House Retreat:  Just minutes from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Fireside Resort capitalizes on the tiny house craze and the classic appeal of rustic cottages by offering 25 pint-size, luxuriously outfitted tiny house rental units designed by Wheelhaus. The resort is located a stone’s throw from Grand Teton National Park and the Jackson Hole ski slopes. It is a great place to post up for a ski trip or a summer getaway.  (https://www.firesidejacksonhole.com/)

Big Sky Base Camp: If outdoor adventures like hiking, mountain biking, and fly fishing are your style, look to visit Big Sky, Montana and stay at The Wilson Hotel. Located on the edge of Yellowstone National Park, the town is home to Big Sky Resort and its 5,850 acres of ski terrain, as well as shaded forests, wildflower-filled meadows, rocky mountaintops and clear, cool rivers and streams. (bigskyresort.com)

Bryce & Zion by MTB: Soaring red stone spires and ancient citadels of rich Navajo sandstone give way to haunting hoodoos and curving arches of rock  a geologist’s dream and a mountain biker’s paradise. The rides on this 6-day Escape Adventures tour offer swift lines that wind and wend through deep Alpine meadows and Aspen forests only to spill out onto yawning mesas and buttes. The world-famous trails of Red Canyon’s Thunder Mountain, Cassidy, and Casto Canyon, are but a few of this tour’s many highlights. (https://escapeadventures.com/tour/bryce-and-zion-mountain-bike-tour/)

Great Parks North: Join the Adventure Cycling Association on its Great Parks North Route. This tour follows the Rocky Mountains from Missoula, Montana, to Jasper, Alberta, exploring some the most spectacular national parks the U.S. and Canada has to offer. Great Parks North will highlight Glacier NP, Waterton NP, Banff NP, and Jasper NP. (https://www.adventurecycling.org/guided-tours/self-contained-tours/2020-great-parks-north/

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Backroads Unveils Robust Program to Most Popular Family Travel Summer Destinations

Iceland is one of the most popular destinations for family adventure travel this summer © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Alaska, Yellowstone and the Tetons, Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast and Italy’s Dolomites top the list of the most popular summer travel destinations for families, according to Backroads, one of the world’s leading active travel companies that has focused more intently on family travel in recent years.

“The trend of immediate and extended families traveling together continues to grow, as families of all ages look to collect shared authentic experiences, while also doing more with limited vacation time,” the company stated.

This summer Backroads is offering nearly 450 family trip departures. This summer’s top-selling Backroads trips include easily accessible domestic destinations for those looking for an immersive vacation that is a quick flight or short drive from home. Following last year’s centennial celebrations in the US National Parks, the company’s camping trips continue to sell well.

The strong US dollar is also positively impacting growth in Europe with must-see regions like the Loire Valley, and off-the-beaten path destinations, including Sweden are trending hotter than ever.

Backroads top trips in the US this summer include:

Alaska: Family: Alaska’s Prince William Sound to Denali Multisport Adventure Tour; Family Breakaway: Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula Adventure Tour

Utah & Arizona: Family and Family Breakaway: Bryce, Zion & Grand Canyon Multisport Adventure Tour; Yellowstone & Tetons; Family: Discover the Wonders of Wyoming’s Wild Preserves Multisport Adventure Tour; Family Breakaway: Exploring the Wyoming Wilderness Walking & Hiking Tour

For families looking to travel internationally, Backroads offers many departures from European gateway cities for easy travel and extended stays on either end of a trip.

European top-selling Backroads trips to international destinations include:

Croatia: Family: 101 Ways to Play in Croatia’s Dalmatian Islands Multisport Tour; Family Breakaway: From Split to Dubrovnik via Croatia’s Island Paradise Bike Tour

Iceland: Family: Exploration at the Edge of the Arctic Circle Multisport Adventure Tour; Family Breakaway: Coastal Fishing Villages of Northern Iceland Walking & Hiking Tour

Spain and Portugal: Family: From Barcelona to Catalonia’s Peaks & Beaches Bike Tour; Family Breakaway: A Taste of Camino de Santiago Walking & Hiking Tour

Switzerland: Family: Massif Thrills in the Swiss Alps Multisport Adventure Tour; Family Breakaway: A Summer Adventure in the Swiss Alps Walking & Hiking Tour

“There is something very special about the tradition of family summer trips. Not only are they a chance to explore and discover new or favorite locations, but they are also a chance for families to spend unforgettable quality time together,” said Tom Hale, Backroads founder and president. “Our goal at Backroads is to enable people to take full advantage of their vacation time and not sweat any of the details. In many cases we have spent years in these regions and know the most beautiful hikes, the best bike rides, and which campground has the most spectacular view. We offer family trips people often dream of, but in reality know they are typically too difficult to plan on their own.”

A leader in family travel, Backroads has been designing active vacations for almost 40 years and offers Family Trips for kids of all ages all the way up to older teens and 20-somethings. With daily route options and a range of activities, including those designed just for kids, Backroads adventures are geared toward multigenerational travelers and for families of mixed ages, interests, and abilities. The company emphasizes fun, dynamic and safety-focused travel crafted to immerse guests in a place and culture with authentic interactions and highly skilled leaders.

Backroads has nearly 450 family and family breakaway (designed for families with older teens and 20-something aged kids) departures available this summer, including options for private trips. Trip Consultants help match families with kids of similar ages and provide details on activity age restrictions and recommendations.

For more information, visit www.backroads.com or call 800-462-2848 daily, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Pacific time.
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