Slap a bow on one of these and consider your holiday shopping done!
To: Thrill-Seekers, From: Santa
This holiday season give the gift of flight to the thrill-seeker in your family. At iFly Indoor Skydiving, participants age 3 and up can experience the feeling of free fall as they float on a smooth cushion of air inside a vertical wind tunnel. No parachute or jumping out of an airplane required, making it safe and fun. iFly has locations coast to coast - find the location nearest you by clicking HERE.
Experience the “Sport of Kings!”
Macaroni Kid is a fan of putting lessons under the tree. This year, surprise every member of the family with falconry lessons at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, CO. Guests will experience the 4,000-year-old sport of falconry - working with majestic birds of prey including owls and falcons… don’t worry, they are trained! After learning appropriate techniques from professional guides, guests age 5 and over will don gloves and gear to allow the bird fly to and from their arms.
Hike Hut-to-Hut
Nature-loving families will love to see a visit to Maine Huts & Trails under the tree. Hike, bike, ski or snowshoe from hut-to-hut, while exploring the great outdoors in western Maine. And don’t let the name fool you! These huts feature state of the art kitchens, modern bathrooms, crackling wood stoves, vaulted ceilings, and space for all in a heated bunk room.
Sleigh What?!
This winter season the Sleeping Lady Resort in Leavenworth, WA, is partnering with Icicle Outfitters to take guests over the river and through the woods via horse-drawn sleighs! Warm up after with spiced cider, hot chocolate and coffee in front of the wood stove. Still not warm enough? Take a dip in the woodland hot rock pool or find peace in the sauna.
Go Big or Go Home
The Azores of Portugal, an unspoiled gem in the heart of the Atlantic Ocean, offers an abundance of adventure for families. This winter, escape to the Azores for 7 days of family-friendly fun that includes a Jeep Safari, plenty of hiking and exploring, and whale watching. At $1299 a person (including round trip flights from Boston), this all-inclusive getaway is a bit of a splurge, but the memories you bring home will be priceless.
Rise Above It All
All kids love balloons. Take it up a notch - a really BIG notch - with passes to the Conner Prairie Interactive History Park (located just north of Indianapolis, IN), where kids can take a ride in a helium balloon at the 1859 Balloon Voyage. After coming back down, enter 1836 Prairietown - a land where technology doesn’t exist! - and interact with characters in the village, like the blacksmith, the school teacher and the farmer.
Go Fish!
Families have made annual trips to Waterfall Resort in Ketchikan, AK, for generations. Why? For the adventure of course! The historical fishing lodge spans 5 acres on Prince of Wales Island near Alask’s famed Inside Passage, draws people from near and far in pursuit of salmon, halibut, lingcod, and more than 20 other fish species. Through the end of the year, Waterfall Resort invites you to gift wrap an all-inclusive fishing trip. They’ll even cover the airfare!
Christmas in a Cabin
What’s even better than finding a getaway under the tree on Christmas morning? Waking up on Christmas morning at your getaway destination! This year, spend the holidays at Big Cedar Lodge in the Ozarks of Missouri. Christmas brings twinkling lights, elf visits, a larger-than-life Gingerbread Village, ice skating and more to the award-winning wilderness resort. Cabins include a beautifully decorated tree so you and your loved ones can enjoy the magic of the holiday spirit at your home away from home. It’s not too late to book your stay.
Under the Sea is the Place to Be
Photo: Santa Catalina Island Company
This winter, escape to Catalina Island for some fun under the sun - and sea! New, Unlimited Fun Packages offer three days of island adventure with unlimited tours and activities, such as mini golf, glass bottom boat tours, Seawolf Undersea Expedition, Ocean Runner tours in search of dolphins, ziplining, and so much more. With so many options, you’ll want to extend your stay!
Take Me Out to the Ball…PARK!
Sure, you could get your baseball fan another team shirt or tickets to a game, but why not hit a homerun with a Triple Crown Travel Baseball Tour instead? These 5-6 day tours take you from stadium to stadium via luxury transportation to enjoy ballgames between stays at upscale area hotels. The cost for crossing stadiums off of your sports fan’s bucket list starts at $1695 to $1895 per person based on double occupancy. Not exactly peanuts, but sure to be a grand slam gift.
