If your family’s like mine, half the fun of the start of summer is figuring out where we’ll take our family summer vacation.  The decision will be super-hard this year – there are so many great deals and options out there! 

No matter where you’re headed this summer, Homewood Suites has amazing deals, with a summer rate “great getaway” where guests receive 20% off select rates when booking and paying at least seven days in advance for stays May 28 – September 6, 2010. The brand has also brought back its popular “endless summer” offer where guests receive 15% off select weekend rates when booking two consecutive nights (Thursday arrivals only) for stays starting on June 1 and ending September 12, 2010. This upscale, yet value-packed all-suites hotel brand also offers “suite” deals for seniors who can save 15% this summer. Add to all of that the fact that Homewood includes in the room rate a free full breakfast, plus weekday dinner and drinks – you’ve got a bargain vacation going!

My daughter Zoe is all about keeping cool, so she’s advocating for heading north.  Alaska is a “hot” summer destination, and there is no better way for families to experience the best of Alaska than through a cruisetour – an adventure that allows you to see Alaska by sea, as well as takes you into the interior to experience the crown jewel of Alaska, Denali National Park, with exciting activities for all ages included. For more information on itineraries and pricing, click here.

The Smokey Mountains

My little one, Abby, isn’t as patient with long trips – she’d rather get there and start the vacation fun.  If you’re like Abby – love the outdoors, but don’t want to head all the way to Alaska – think nearby national parks.  The North Carolina side of the Great Smokey National Park is much less visited than the Tennessee side and offers nothing less than spectacular adventures without the crowds (especially in summer). Even better, there’s no entrance fee!  Open areas like Cataloochee and Cades Cove offer some of the best opportunities to see Elk (introduced to Catalooche in 1991) white-tailed deer, black bear, raccoon, turkeys, woodchucks, and other animals. The narrow, winding road of Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail encourages motorists to travel at a leisurely pace and sometimes yields sightings of bear and other wildlife. Ranger-guided programs are offered spring through fall in the park and most are free. The schedule of events page allows you to search for programs by topic or date. Ex: Kids between the ages of 5-12 can become a Junior Ranger (free) – schedule of ranger-led programs .

I love a good urban outing – I love theater, restaurants, museums – but the hardest part is finding the lesser known gems in every neighborhood.  If you’re like me and want an insider’s view of a city like New York, don’t just see it…play it! With NEW YORK: THE GAME, enjoy a scavenger hunt that transforms sightseeing from a passive experience into a fun, engaging exploration of New York’s sights and streets. Play using your very own cell phone, on your own schedule, and at your own pace.  See world-famous attractions, such as Times Square and the Chrysler Building, and discover hidden spots off the beaten path. Just pick a neighborhood (or museum) you want to “PLAY” and receive clues, tasks and other challenges right on your phone via text-message or mobile web browser. THE GAME is appropriate for people of all ages and groups of all sizes, and it’s enjoyed by locals and tourists alike.  Buy tickets now at $10 off and then activate them later in the summer or whenever you’d like.

And if you love theme parks, don’t miss Hersheypark’s special “Sweet Adventures” packages, as well as Six Flags’ season passes at the lowest price in 18 years.

Alaska Family Voyage (Photo Courtesy of National Geographic Expedition)

If it’s cruising you love, but you want the kids to learn something, there’s a new special offer for families on select National Geographic Expeditions. Bring one child for free and a second child for 50 percent off the expedition’s cost when two adults travel on the same expedition at full cost. This offer applies to select departures of the Alaska Family Voyage, Galapagos Family Odyssey, and Land of the Polar Bears trips.

Finally, one of the best budget-friendly finds on the market is CityPASS. CityPASS saves nearly half the cost of visiting the most popular big city attractions in New York, Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, Toronto, Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, Hollywood, Southern California, and Houston. CityPASS identifies great attractions that reflect the best of the best within each exciting city and puts it in your hands. CityPASS includes tickets to the great icons of America – Disneyland, Statue of Liberty, Georgia Aquarium, Empire State Building, Shedd Aquarium – and bundles them to cost about half of what you’d pay for individual tickets.