Things to do

Amalfi Coast · 3 to 4 hours · from $108

The best views on the coast, mostly downhill from Bomerano to Nocelle. Start early and bring water.

Aruba · Half day · from $99

Desert landscape, caves and the Natural Pool, reachable only by 4x4. Go with a guide or check your rental allows it.

Aspen · About 2 hours · $90 per adult

A naturalist-led walk on top of Aspen Mountain that includes the gondola ride and snowshoes, so non-skiers get the summit views too. Tours run daily at 10am and 1pm from Dec 14, and you should allow 30 minutes to buy tickets and ride up.

Aulani · 90 minutes to full day · from $63

The Jurassic Park valley on the windward side. The Movie Sites tour works for all ages, and UTV and zipline tours are there for thrill seekers. It's a long drive from Ko Olina, so plan a full day.

Big Island · 8 to 9 hours · from $330

Hawaii Forest & Trail drives you to nearly 14,000 feet for sunset, then sets up telescopes lower down. Warm clothes are provided. Ages 13 and up.

Big Island · 5 hours · from $139

A guided day in Volcanoes National Park with someone who knows where to look. Good if you're short on time or don't want the drive.

Disney Cruise Line · 1 hour · from $54

Kids 5 and up can feed and touch stingrays in shallow water. It's short, so you still have the rest of the beach day. $64 for ages 10 and up, $54 for ages 5 to 9.

Disney's Hollywood Studios · About 7 minutes · Included with admission; Lightning Lane Multi Pass eligible

A motion simulator with randomized planets, so it changes every time. Height is 40 inches, and the wait is usually reasonable in the afternoon.

EPCOT · About 5 minutes · Included with admission; Lightning Lane Multi Pass eligible (top tier)

A 3D trackless ride where you shrink down to rat size in Gusteau's kitchen. No height requirement, and it's a strong pick for families with mixed ages.

Hudson Valley · Half day · $25 per adult

Massive sculptures across 500 acres of fields and hills, and the single best outdoor art experience in the Northeast. The 2026 season ends November 30 and it's closed until spring, so buy timed tickets ahead and rent a bike to cover ground.

Hudson Valley · About 1.5 hours · from $71

A gentle walk around a 25-acre fiber farm in Hyde Park with a llama or alpaca on a lead, and it's an easy win for kids or anyone who wants a slower afternoon. Pair it with the Vanderbilt Mansion a few minutes away, and wear shoes you don't mind getting muddy.

Jackson Hole · About 4 hours · from $198

Jackson Hole Eco Tour Adventures puts you in a pop-top vehicle with a naturalist guide and scopes, timed for the hour when moose, elk and bison are actually out. Dusk is just as good as dawn for wildlife, so this is the one to book if you'd rather skip a 5 am alarm.

Jackson Hole · About 8 hours · from $219

A full winter day with a BrushBuck naturalist looking for bison, moose and bighorn sheep in Grand Teton, plus a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the National Elk Refuge herd. Dress warmer than you think you need, because the sleigh is open to the wind.

Kauai · About 1 hour · from $460

Most of Kauai can only be seen from the air. Doors off means clear photos of Nā Pali, Waimea Canyon and the waterfalls. Ages 10 and up.

Magic Kingdom · About 1 minute · Lightning Lane Single Pass $19-$25

The fastest launch in the park, on motorcycle-style seats under a glowing canopy. Height is 48 inches, and the bike seats don't fit every body type, so try the test seat out front before you wait.

Magic Kingdom · About 10 minutes · Included with admission; Lightning Lane Multi Pass eligible (temporarily closed until Dec. 18, 2026)

A log flume with great music and a 50-foot drop, and you will get wet (40 inches to ride). It's closed for refurbishment until December 18, 2026, so don't plan around it before then.

Maui · Early morning, half day · from $318

The tour handles the sunrise reservation and the drive up, then you coast down the mountain. Book well ahead.

Maui · About 50 minutes · from $419

Blue Hawaiian from Kahului. You'll see waterfalls and valleys you can't get to on foot.

New York City · Self-paced, 1 to 1.5 hours · from $48

Mirrored rooms, glass ledges and the best views of the Chrysler and Empire State buildings, with the entrance inside Grand Central. Book a weekday morning or sunset slot ahead, and wear pants rather than a skirt because the floors are mirrors.

Oahu · 2 hours · from $162

Off-road through the valley where Jurassic Park and dozens of other films were shot. It sells out weeks ahead.

Oahu · 2 to 3 hours · from $26

A botanical garden walk that ends with a swim at a lifeguarded waterfall. Pair it with lunch in Haleʻiwa.

Puerto Rico · 6.5 hours · from $75

Waterfalls and a river swim, with pickup, so you don't have to fight for parking.

Punta Cana · Full day · from $129

Ziplines, caves and the turquoise Hoyo Azul cenote in Cap Cana. Go early, before the tour buses.

Rome · 3 hours · from $93

The ancient road, the aqueducts and the catacombs on an e-bike. A good break from the crowds in the center.

Saint Lucia · 4 to 5 hours · from $90

A steep, rewarding climb with a required local guide, booked at the Fond Gens Libre trailhead. Start by 7 a.m.

Saint Lucia · 1 to 2 hours · from $132

Walk up to the drive-in volcano, then soak in the warm mud pools. Wear a dark swimsuit.

Saint Lucia · About 1 hour · from $7

Gardens, a mineral-streaked waterfall and old mineral baths, near Soufrière. Pay at the gate.

Saint Lucia · 2 to 3 hours · from $10

A short hike to an old British fort with views over Rodney Bay, plus two small beaches.

Saint Lucia · 2 hours · from $115

A tram through the canopy, then ziplines back down. Easy to fit into a morning.

Telluride · About 4 hours · from $141

Old mining roads up toward Imogene or Ophir Pass, with ghost towns and waterfalls you can't reach in a rental car. It's a summer trip and the route depends on road conditions, so book early for July and August.

Telluride · About 2.5 hours · from $168

A half day of splashy whitewater on the San Miguel just outside town, and it's the easiest adventure to fit into a summer trip. Late May and June bring the biggest water from snowmelt, so book a morning trip then if you want more thrills.

The Bahamas · Full day · from $329

Powerboat Adventures runs from Nassau to the Exuma cays with sharks, stingrays, iguanas, lunch and an open bar.

The Berkshires · About 2 hours · $150 per group

A private guided hike on the Greylock Glen trails at the foot of the highest peak in Massachusetts, with a local guide who picks the route and shows you spots like the old abandoned ski area. The price covers up to six people, so it's good value for a family or group of friends, and fall foliage weekends book up first.

Turks and Caicos · 4 hours · from $264

Conch Bar Caves, the largest dry cave system in the region, and the cliffs at Mudjin Harbour.

Vail · About 3.5 hours · from $95

A mellow half day on the Upper Colorado with a few fun rapids and big canyon views, and it's the best summer outing for mixed ages. The put-in is about an hour's drive from Vail, so book a morning trip and bring sunscreen and shoes that can get wet.

Yellowstone · About 13 hours · from $329

A BrushBuck naturalist drives you to Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, so you watch for wildlife instead of the road. It's a long day, so it's my pick only if you're based in Jackson with one day for Yellowstone, and it runs in the warmer months when the park roads are open.