If you have enough trouble getting your kids out of the house in the morning, dragging them thousands of miles away may seem like an insurmountable challenge. But family travel can be immensely rewarding, allowing you to see the world through the eyes of children.
Utah is a very family-friendly state, due in large part to the strong influence of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which is totally family-oriented. Many tourist attractions offer family prices that are considerably lower than the per-person rate, and also frequently schedule family events. Throughout this book, you'll find numerous attractions, lodgings, and even restaurants that are especially well suited to kids.
Additionally, state and national parks are great places for family vacations, and the national parks usually have excellent children's programs (be sure to ask about Junior Ranger programs). The state's many ski resorts all have special programs for kids.
Recommended family travel websites include Family Travel Forum (www.familytravelforum.com), a comprehensive site that offers customized trip planning; Family Travel Network (www.familytravelnetwork.com), an online magazine providing travel tips; and TravelWithYourKids.com, a comprehensive site written by parents for parents offering sound advice for long-distance and international travel with children.
An especially good resource for families planning national park vacations is Frommer's National Parks with Kids (Wiley Publishing, Inc.).
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
