During the season of love, add these destinations to your possibilities list. The mere mention of their names will warm your heart. Here are five to consider:
1 Valentine, Neb. The "Heart City" is home to waterfalls, sandstone cliffs, wide valleys and steep canyons that host to two wildlife refuges. Visitors can enjoy canoeing and tubing on the Niobrara National Scenic River. The waterway winds through the dunes of the Nebraska Sandhills, a unique region once home to thousands of buffalo. Today, shallow water and the river's slow flow make it a good choice for families eager to test their paddling skills.
Contact: 800-658-4024; heartcity.com.
2 Kissimmee, Fla. There is a lot for a family to love in this Central Florida destination. A hub of family-focused activities and attractions, your crew can choose from nearby Disney, Universal and SeaWorld theme parks, golf, zip lines, water sports, shopping and hiking, biking and horseback trails. Check out the reptiles at the region's oldest family attraction - Gatorland, the "Alligator Capital of the World," where you'll spy hundreds of the chill-inducing creatures. Later, take an airboat ride or swamp tour to see the animals in their natural habitat.
Contact: 407-742-8200; visitkissimmee .com .
3 Ski Loveland, Loveland, Colo. Visit this gateway to the Rockies, 53 miles west of Denver, and take in the free Family Race Day on Feb. 25; it's open to skiers and snowboarders of all abilities and ages, and medals will be awarded for speed in various age categories.
Contact: 303-569-3203; skiloveland .com .
4 Ski Kissing Bridge, Glenwood, N.Y. Ski, board and tube on more than 700 acres of terrain within New York's Colden Snowbelt, known for an average snowfall of 180 inches. Access two base lodges, pint-size rentals, lessons and race programs for kids. Downhill fun can be found at western New York's largest tubing park, Colden Tubing Co., adjacent to the ski area. Children 7 and older can ride to the top and then slide 10 stories to the bottom.
Contact: 716-592-4963; kbski.com
5 Share your family's love story. Take the kids to the place where you and your spouse shared your first date. Consider a return trip to the mountains, city or beach where you spent your honeymoon. Did the grandparents meet someplace special? Perhaps special friends or family members have a memorable destination or landmark that symbolizes their own tale of courtship and love. Sharing these family stories and visiting the destinations where your clan's history unfolded can make for a meaningful time.
