Virtual Adventures

Austin Adventures will be hosting a series of virtual adventures for your children. These online adventures will be taught by Kasey Austin, who has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and was recently promoted to President of Austin Adventures! They are designed for children ages 6-12, but all ages are encouraged to join. The first virtual adventure is about Yellowstone National Park with other topics ranging from simple bike maintenance to a virtual zoo tour. Lessons will last anywhere between 30 minutes to one hour and are tentatively planned for each Tuesday and Thursday at 2:00 p.m. Eastern. Each lesson will have interactive elements throughout, including Q&A’s and viewer polls.  All virtual adventures will be recorded for future viewing. The first one was released on March 26.  For more information, visit www.austinadventures.com/virtual-adventures-for-kids.

Teen Departures from Austin Adventures

Active adventure tour company Austin Adventures has revealed its lineup of 2020 Teen Departures. These are scheduled group family trips with a higher minimum age that cater to families with young adults (who don’t quite meet the minimum age of 16+ for an adult trip). While Austin Adventures’ family trips are open to all children aged 7+, Teen Departures offer a quicker pace and the activities and difficulty levels are geared towards this older age group. Scheduled 2020 Teen Departures include:

San Juan Islands: Scheduled June 14-19, this tour caters
to families with teens ages 13+. Families can kayak the beautiful waters of San
Juan Island and trek to Mount Constitution, the highest point on the islands.

Yellowstone: Scheduled June 19-24, this tour caters
to families with teens ages 13+. Families can go zip-lining, whitewater
rafting, hiking and horseback riding during an action-packed family adventure.

Alaska: Scheduled July 19-24, this tour caters to families with teens ages 16+. The program is perfect for families with older teens, offering natural beauty and opportunities for adventure around every corner.

We recommend booking early for the best availability!  Contact us for more details.

Atari Hotels

Atari, the biggest name in video games in the early 1980s, is being revived as a hotel brand. The first Atari Hotels property is due to break ground later this year in Phoenix. The game-themed hotel aims to offer “fully immersive experiences for every age and gaming ability, including the latest in VR and AR (virtual and augmented reality).” It also plans to attract e-sports events, in which gamers compete in tournaments, sometimes for big prize money. Expect “nostalgic and retro meets modern” for a unique hotel experience!  Atari Hotels is exploring other markets, including Las Vegas, Denver, Chicago, Austin, Seattle, San Francisco and San Jose.

Salamander’s Resort Credits

Do you have horse lovers in your family?  The Salamander Resort offers an array of unique horse experiences for their guests (including children as young as 5) such as Equine Communication, Essential Horsemanship and Paint-a-Pony (where children learn about horse markings and breeds).  This upscale resort is located an hour west of Washington, DC and showcases a world class equestrian center.  Activities abound for the entire family including zip lining, fishing, archery, art classes, indoor pool, biking, supervised children’s program, falconry, tennis and more! Their current Stay & Play promotion provides resort credits based on how long you stay that can be used toward dining, outdoor adventures, spa and more!   Get $150 for 2-nights, $300 for 3-nights and $600 for 4-nights or more.

Cartoon Network Hotel Opening

The Cartoon Network Hotel has officially opened in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, right next to Dutch Wonderland (where hotel guests enjoy discounted admission). The themed hotel features outdoor and indoor pools, outdoor movie screenings, an arcade with virtual reality games, a full-service restaurant, a cafe with grab-and-go options and a Cartoon Network Store with exclusive souvenirs.  There are whimsically colorful spaces throughout. Themed guestrooms include a Powerpuff Girls Dream Suite and Ben 10 Dream Suite, both of which have kitchenettes and sleep six guests.

KidZania Arrives in the US

KidZania, an international company that literally puts children to work with role-playing attractions in a city designed just for children, recently opened its first U.S. location! The company now has 28 facilities in 21 countries with plans to open two additional U.S. locations in New York and Chicago soon. The newest KidZania is in Stonebriar Centre in Frisco, a Dallas suburb. Your children can role-play more than 100 authentic professions across 50 industries, including healthcare, technology, food and beverage, music and media, transportation, banking, civil service and more! The experience is designed to educate, empower and entertain children ages 6-14, bridging the gap between school and their future. 

Star Wars Hotel

An overnight stay in a galaxy is now not that far, far away.  Disney’s new Star Wars themed hotel is slated to open in 2021 at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.  Called the Galactic Starcruiser, it actually borrows from various cruise ship concepts.  Rather than individual check-in, your family will board the Starcruiser together.  That’s when the immersive Star Wars storyline begins with a launch pod to transport you into space.  Your family will get the chance to wield light sabers and visit the starship’s bridge to learn about ship navigational systems. Each of the hotel windows has a view of the galaxy and changes as the storyline progresses. There are also various interactive character encounters throughout the stay which each family member can control to develop your own personalized narrative. Just like a conventional cruise, hotel stay durations are fixed at two nights.  More details to follow!

Save on Air to Jackson Hole

Jackson Hole Central Reservations is once again offering a $200 per person air credit for travel from November 28, 2019 to April 12, 2020. Just fly on American, Delta or United and purchase a qualifying winter activity such as lift tickets or a wildlife adventure along with a at least 5 nights of lodging.  Up to 8 people can take advantage of the savings!  Blackout dates include December 28-January 4 and February 9-28. You may also qualify for a free night of lodging and a free day of skiing with the Get Snowed In package that is valid on certain dates as well (November 28-December 19, 2019, January 5-17, 2020 and March 22-April 12, 2020) and at particular properties.  Just book by December 19 for either promotion.  Let us help you plan a great winter getaway at the edge of Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks!

Charlie Numbers in Boston

The Ritz Carlton Boston has teamed with Charlie Numbers for a special package for fans of the books and of math!  The story is based on the popular Charlie Numbers and the Main in the Moon where Charlie uses his mathematical prowess to discover what happened to a box of stolen moon rocks, some of the most valuable objects on Earth.  Your package includes a signed copy of the book, an in-room scavenger hunt for the “stolen” moon rocks, a paper airplane kit when the rocks are found, a welcome themed pastry amenity and a relaxing stay in a recently renovated and Deluxe room.  The book is enjoyable for children of many of ages whether it be read to younger children or independent reading for those of middle-school age.  The Ritz Carlton is ideally located for exploring Boston next to Theater District, and less than a block from Boston Common.

Toy Themed Suite in NYC

Just in time for the holiday season, FAO Schwarz is partnering with the newly opened Conrad New York Midtown to offer a toy-themed suite. The whimsical suite will feature oversized toys—including a Giant Floor Piano Dance Mat—and lots of other treats. The FAO Schwarz Holiday Suite is available for stays between November 18 and January 5.  Your family will be treated to breakfast for four, $100 gift card to spend at FAO, FAO Schweetz Gift Basket, private shopping tour with the iconic Toy Soldier prior to opening and the opportunity to “shop” your suite and have items shipped direct to your home.  Located in Midtown West, the all-suites hotel from the Hilton family (formerly The London) opened this month after a full renovation.  The property features 54 floors and 562 spacious suites with up to two bedrooms and 3,000 sq. ft!