In today’s hectic world of keeping up with the neighbors, family vacations have become another form of superiority, which means exotic destinations and following business trends.
However, it’s important to remember that family vacations shouldn’t be about the location, the gimmicks, or the amount of money you spend. A family vacation should be about spending time together as a family doing something that everyone can enjoy. A family vacation should be about bonding as a family rather than splurging or going into debt.
When I was a child, my family took several vacations, and I have fond memories of each one. My family was not well-to-do, so most of our getaways consisted of camping trips, but we still managed to visit several different places in various states and Canada. We made friends, learned about history and different cultures, and spent time together.
While I’m not a huge fan of camping (this is my vacation, after all) as a mom, my family has found a wonderful compromise that offers many of the advantages of camping and eliminates many of the disadvantages. Our commitment is to the Kentucky State Resort Park.
We live in Kentucky, but even if you don’t, this is a great state for vacationers. Kentucky offers a wonderfully temperate climate with warm summers and mild springs, autumns, and winters. Our friends and family love to visit Kentucky in the spring and fall, as our spring comes much earlier and fall lasts much longer than in the northern states where they live. Kentucky also offers beautiful scenery from rolling horse farms, forested mountains, and calm lakes and rivers.
Kentucky’s state park system offers 18 resort parks throughout the state, more than any other state. Each resort park offers a full-service lodge that includes rooms and dining. In addition, many also offer cabins or cabins that can be rented by the night or by the week. The cabins include a fully equipped kitchen so you can enjoy family-style meals, although you can also eat at the lodge if you wish. Some of the resort parks located on the lakes also offer houseboat rentals.
Each park also offers a variety of activities including hiking, swimming, playgrounds, picnic areas, and nature appreciation. Most parks have a staffed nature center that offers programming for all ages. You can usually enjoy the outdoors and water in a variety of ways, from golf to horseback riding to tennis. Water sports are often available with indoor and outdoor pools, as well as beaches and marinas.
Kentucky State Resort Parks offers a great family vacation opportunity without the distractions and added costs of a more commercial resort.
