As summer is underway, the thought of vacation is very appealing to most people. The warm sun, combined with the rambunctious children, combined with the pent up cabin fever feeling leftover from the long winter, has most people itching to get out and go somewhere. Planning a summer vacation that works well for your family is a lot easier than it seems. All it takes is a little research, determination to have fun and a little $$. Not all vacations have to be pricey and expensive, or be drawn out over weeks. Some of the best vacations are short, simple and inexpensive. Several varieties of vacations are available depending on you interest and ages of your children. The top vacation choices for almost every summer fit into 5 categories; BEACHES, THEME PARKS, RESORTS, OUTDOOR, and HISTORICAL PLACES.

There are several options depending on family size and $$ that you are looking to spend in each category. Below is a guide to the categories and some options in each one. More important than where you go, is who you are with and the fact that you enjoy yourself.

There are several OUTDOOR options such as Dude Ranches, State Parks and Campgrounds. These vacations can be very inexpensive to quite expensive depending on your tastes. But regardless of the cost they are great fun for the whole family. While they are most appealing to families with school age children, they can be enjoyed by others as well. They may not be ideal for infants and small toddlers because of the heat and the lack of activities for their age. Some popular choices are highlighted below.

Starting in Williams, the Grand Canyon Railway is an entertaining and environmentally friendly way to visit the South Rim -- the most popular tourist spot and vista point of the Canyon. But don't restrict your visit to a quick look from there. Many explore the Grand Canyon National Park on a trusty packhorse, but if you and your kids want to get the most exciting perspective, try a white-water rafting trip. You don't have to be a die-hard thrill seeker to do it, either. Plenty of guides offer safe group rafting trips that will delight the kids.

Try a relaxing vacation down on the farm or kick up your heels at a dude ranch. A great idea if you want to go, have fun, pay for it in advance, and then just enjoy. If your kids love horses or are enthralled by Westerns, a ranch vacation may be for you. But even if they show no inclination to wear cowboy boots and yodel around the campfire, if blue jeans and flannel shirts are your kind of dress code, a week on a ranch may surprise you. Today's ranch resorts offer a variety of activities for all ages, including hiking, tennis, golf, fishing, swimming, white-water rafting, or just lazing by the pool with a good book. While rates may seem high, remember when you're shopping around that they generally include all your meals and activities. Some resorts offer special children's programs including overnight camp-outs and arts and crafts projects, and can help you arrange for a baby-sitter. So, if evenings spent watching for shooting stars and listening for owls and coyotes around a blazing camp fire are tempting, check out one of several dude ranches in the US or Canada.

Perfect for that late summer vacation, to avoid crowds and if you have preschool age children. Camp is not just for big kids. To help families enjoy the experience together, often complete with nighttime sing-along, dozens of camps open their gates to families during off-peak times when big kids have gone back to school. You'll stay in bunks or tents provided by the camp and chow down with other campers, so there's no need to own or know how to use equipment. Call the American Camping Association or the chamber of commerce or tourist board of an area you'd like to see to find out about family-style camps.

A popular summer choice for families is a THEME PARK. Theme parks offer a variety of activities for a variety of ages. Most have activities for toddlers through adults. Be prepared to spend a fair amount on admission but usually they include everything inside, other than food and souvenirs. They are a great way to spend a day or two as most require that long or longer to really enjoy. Food is generally available in the parks but some places allow you to pack your own and picnic while there. It is best to travel to these locations very early or very late in the summer, also arrive when the park opens so to avoid long lines. Be prepared for waiting in line at popular attractions and set a plan ahead of time of what things are a MUST DO and hit those areas first. Remember the sunscreen and sturdy shoes as most of your day will be spend walking around the park in the sun. Stroller rentals are often available for free or a small cost, but you may want to bring your own to avoid getting there and finding none are available. With a toddler or infant a stroller is a MUST. It provides shade, rest and a place to eat in a crowded park. Popular theme parks for the whole family are spread throughout the country. Some of the more popular choices are highlighted below.

2005 will be a special year at Sesame Place, the nation's only theme park based on the award winning television show Sesame Street, with a celebration to honor the innovative theme park's 25th birthday. This year, Sesame Place®, is celebrating 25 years of making families smile with an ultimate birthday party that lasts all season long! Come check out our exciting birthday parade, great special events, and all the rides, shows, play areas and dining with furry friends that make this the only place where Sesame Street® comes to life! Sesame Place is located 30 minutes north of Philadelphia and 90 minutes south of New York City. See all your favorite Sesame Street Characters LIVE and enjoy water rides, roller coasters, shows and much more. Enjoy character dining and parades that have you, as guests, participate. Also there are several, wonderful nearby attractions in Philadelphia for the whole family to enjoy.

Dedicated chocolate lovers should make a pilgrimage to this family-friendly chocolate capital of the U.S. The mystery of chocolate production is revealed through tours and tasting at Hershey's Chocolate World. After the tour, spend some time at Hershey Park, an amusement park and garden both built for the factory's workers and families. If you have time after your tour of Hershey, take a short drive to see the grand stalactite formations at Indian Echo Caverns in Hummelstown.

LEGOLAND, where creativity meets fun! Discover kid-powered rides, cool building challenges, a unique mix of interactive attractions, exhilarating coasters, shows that pull the audience into the action and so much more. It's a land of surprise around every colorful corner, lively music, both whimsical and astonishingly accurate LEGO brick models and a chance to let everyone's imagination run free. LEGOLAND puts the "fun" in family trips with something geared towards every family member, and dozens of things to enjoy together. Older kids will head straight to the coasters, each themed with elements from popular LEGO sets. They'll also get their hands on state-of-the-art robotics components as they build, program and test their own robots. Youngsters will push themselves to achieve as they hoist their chairs to the top of the Kid Power Towers, pedal a monorail car around an elevated track, or earn their very first license at the popular Driving School. Toddlers will delight in their very own Playtown, with a scaled-for-them village jam-packed with rides, activities and fun. The LEGOLAND must-see Miniland attraction will capture the whole family's imagination with its incredibly detailed and animated depictions of life in recognizable cities and regions. Throughout the park, tempting restaurants, lush landscape and spotless walkways beckon families to discover still more adventures awaiting them around each turn.

Of all the destinations in the US over the summer BEACHES would have to be the most popular. Whether it is the local beach downtown or across the country, beaches provide an awesome getaway from daily life. A beach trip can last one day or a several days, depending on your preference. While there are not always scheduled activities on the beach, some do provide them. From sand sculpture contests, to beach volleyball, to surfing and windsailing, to just hanging out on the beach; most people find something to peak their interest. Beaches are good choices for families that have several age groups of kids. The babies can play in the sand and nap under little huts on the beach; other kids can get into the activities and play in the water. Also several of the towns surrounding these beaches are just as fun as the beach. They have boardwalks with shopping and food and all sorts of activities to keep you busy. Just remember to pack the sand toys, sunscreen and layers of clothes. The sun may be hot and welcoming by day but it can get quite cool with an ocean breeze in the evenings and at night. Some popular beach spots are highlighted below.

Located in the Cape Fear region of North Carolina, Wilmington is a big-hearted port city with a waterfront historic district. But if you're reading this feature, you're headed for the beaches. Take a quick drive to Paradise Island, only about 30 minutes via Snow's Cut Bridge, where you'll find the friendly oceanside towns of Carolina Beach and Kure Beach. The island's lovely public ocean beach stretches between these two family-oriented villages. Check out the welcoming bustle, boardwalk and restaurants in Carolina Beach. If you're looking for tranquility, go to Kure Beach, at the island's southern end. Stroll Carolina Beach State Park's Flytrap Trail, where you'll discover the thriving Venus Flytrap, a carnivorous plant native only to a small area around Wilmington. Fort Fisher, located in Kure Beach, is also worth visiting for its storied Civil War fort and quiet, undeveloped beach.

Your family will want to hang out on the beach, where you can go horseback riding, search tide pools for sea creatures, or rent a three-wheeled funcycle. Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Coast Mountain Range, this locale is known for its forested headlands and miles of pristine sand. In the spring, spot gray whales from the cliffs or on a boat tour. Get more bang for your buck at the oceanfront Hallmark Resort. Rates start at $79.

One of the most family-friendly beaches in the country, this up-and-coming hot spot offers all the big-beach fun of Florida and California without the large crowds or high prices. The main attraction is the 60-mile-long area known as the Grand Strand, where kids will have their run of amusement parks, mini-golf courses, water slides, and crazy museums. With more than 115 courses, it's also a golf-lover's paradise. The Sands Resorts offer a popular beach club for kids, a water park, family-friendly restaurants, and more. Rates start at $81.

For those that are looking for an all inclusive way to relax with scheduled activities available to you throughout the day, a RESORT may be the vacation you’re looking for. These generally are pricier than other types of vacations, but some really great deals are out there if you do your homework. Resorts often have programs for the whole family that are available throughout the day. Some are very family focused, and do not offer programs for kids, but rather activities for parents and kids to do together. Others provide programs from infants to teens. There is always time for family and generally anything you could need is available on site, or nearby. This is a great choice for families that span generations, or just have one or two children. Parents can get some couple time while their children are engaged in activities. Some popular resort choices for families are highlighted below.

Tyler Place is on Lake Champlain in Vermont, 45 minutes from BurlingtonVT, 3 miles from the Quebec border, and an hour from Montreal. The drive from Boston is 280 miles; from New York, 350 miles. With many farms, state parks, and historic museums and settlements, there is more than just the resort to be visited in the area. The resort features 29 family cottages with fireplaces; a country inn with a dozen suites; lakefront family studios and suites. (60 units, total.) The Tyler Place has a mile of shoreline and wetlands, and 165 acres of woods and meadows.

• 8 different kids' programs
• Family retreats that combine fun, fitness, and learning about nature, Vermont farm life...
• All-inclusive pricing for meals, snacks, lodging, most activities, housekeeping.
• Cottages and suites have kids' bedrooms
• Family reunions are a specialty

On the lake, families can sail, canoe, kayak, water-ski, windsurf, have fun with Sunfish, paddleboats, bumper tube rides, banana boats, and lots more. On land, there's tennis, mountain biking, lawn games, ball games, indoor and outdoor pool, wading pool, and again-- lots more. Adults can hike, bike, canoe on a river with a naturalist guides, visit sheep and dairy farms, take art, yoga and aerobics classes, visit towns and vineyards in Quebec.

• Newborn and infant care
• Eight separate programs for different age groups

• Tyler Place is open from late May until early September.
• There's no tipping at Tyler Place
• Emphasis is on fun, not ritzy accommodations

Located in Hawley, PA;. you'll find all the splashy features of a big lakefront resort but with a warm, relaxed atmosphere. Daily activities include: Indoor and outdoor pools, bikes, batting cages, a climbing wall, tennis, and water-skiing. There are also optional group activities, such as family Olympic Games. There's no organized children's program (except a supervised children's hour after breakfast each day) because the emphasis here is on family togetherness. Kids particularly love the battery-operated kiddie cars and the shallow swimming area, which features a huge slide. Families with young children often stay in the main inn so they're close to the dining room. Basic rooms have a semi luxurious feel, and a handy divider affords parents some privacy. Guests are served hearty American food at communal tables in the dining room. Once a week, there's an adults-only evening featuring a comedian or a staff-produced Broadway-style show (baby-sitting is available at all times for an extra charge).

Experience Minnesota's Classic Resort with the whole family! Located on over 1,000 acres on the Gull Lake shoreline, you'll find a unique blend of quaintly picturesque or luxuriously contemporary accommodations, unrivaled recreation, and excellent dining. The children’s activity programs are designed to give parents time to enjoy our facilities without worrying about their kids, who will return to them with loads of fun filled stories. Madden's offers 63 holes of golf, including The Classic, the 33rd ranked course in the nation by Golf Digest and numerous other recreational activities.

For families with school age children, HISTORIC PLACES are a sure bet for a summer vacation. Children can connect what they have learned in school to the real world. Visiting historic places is equally exciting for parents and children. Several options are available and the visits can be short and sweet or more drawn out and lengthy. Also historic places are often located near other popular destinations and therefore you could make a combined vacation out of your trip. Some popular historic places to visit are listed below.

The Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home, where Laura lived when she wrote her famous books is a great choice for families. In 1894, Laura, her husband, Almanzo, and daughter, Rose, settled in this community in the wooded Ozark hills (40 miles east of Springfield). After the author died in 1957, friends and neighbors formed an association to preserve the home. It's now a museum celebrating Laura and the pioneer history contained in her books. You'll find pictures of the house, the Ingalls and Wilder families and family artifacts. One section of the museum documents the life and career of Laura's daughter, Rose Wilder Lane, herself a journalist, author, and world traveler. The Laura Ingalls Wilder Library contains a collection of character dolls representing people in Laura's books. You also can tour the Rock House, an elegant Tudor-style home Rose had built for her parents in the 1920s.

The Nation’s Capitol is FULL of history, adventure and FUN. There are several day trips packed into one area, with a variety of activities from zoos, to museums to historic buildings and famous walking trials. There is something for everyone and it can all be discovered in one area. Below is a list of popular spots in DC for families.