Things to do

Amalfi Coast · Morning into lunch

A family cooking school in Ravello with a garden and a long lunch overlooking the sea.

Aspen · About 2 hours · $325 per snowmobile

The road to the Maroon Bells is closed to cars in winter, so this is the easiest way to stand at Maroon Lake with hot drinks and the peaks in front of you. Tours run Tuesday to Saturday, and weather can reroute you to a Pyramid Peak loop, so keep a backup day.

Aulani · Evening · from $175

Buffet, lei and drinks included, and you don't have to drive after dinner. Preferred seating costs more and gets you closer to the stage. Book it before you arrive.

Big Island · 2 to 2.5 hours · from $94

One of the best things to do in Hawaii. You float at the surface after dark while manta rays feed beneath you.

Big Island · Free

A working Kona coffee farm that's been run by the same family for generations. Free tours daily, with tastings.

Disney's Animal Kingdom · About 30 minutes · Included with admission; Lightning Lane Multi Pass eligible

A Broadway-style show with acrobats, music and huge puppets, and it's the best show in any Disney World park. Arrive 20 to 30 minutes early, since seating isn't guaranteed.

Disney's Animal Kingdom · 25 minutes · Included with admission

A colorful musical with big puppets, great for young kids and a good sit-down in the air conditioning. Check showtimes in the app, since it runs only a few times a day.

Disney's Animal Kingdom · About 20 to 30 minutes, self-paced · Included with admission

A walking trail through temple ruins with tigers, bats and huge birds. Morning is best, because the tigers are usually more active before the heat.

Disney's Hollywood Studios · About 5 minutes · Included with admission; Lightning Lane Multi Pass eligible

You fly the Falcon as pilot, gunner or engineer, and pilot is the role you want. Height is 38 inches, and single rider is a great shortcut if you don't care which seat you get.

Disney's Hollywood Studios · 30 minutes · Included with admission

Mickey battles the villains in a water, fire and fireworks show, and it's the best nighttime show at the Studios. Arrive 45 minutes early for good seats, and know the first rows can get wet.

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

A boat ride through Arendelle with a small backwards drop and great Elsa animatronics. It's one of the longest waits in the park, so use a Multi Pass pick or ride right at opening.

EPCOT · About 14 minutes · Included with admission; Lightning Lane Multi Pass eligible

A relaxing boat ride through EPCOT's greenhouses, where they grow food served in the park. From November 27 to December 30, 2026 it runs as Glimmering Greenhouses with holiday lights, which is worth doing at night.

EPCOT · About 15 minutes, self-paced · Included with admission

A walk-through water trail where the water reacts to you, and it's perfect for little kids. Go in the afternoon heat and expect to get a little wet.

Florence & Tuscany · 4.5 hours · from $192

Shop the market with Mama Florence, then cook and eat a full Tuscan menu. A good rainy-day pick.

Florence & Tuscany · Full day · from $108

Siena, San Gimignano and Pisa plus a winery lunch in Chianti, without having to drive.

Florence & Tuscany · 10.5 hours · from $261

Montalcino, Pienza and Montepulciano in a day, with two tastings and lunch. Better as an overnight if you have the time.

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.

Hudson Valley · About 5 to 6 hours · from $235

You walk the 1.28-mile Walkway Over the Hudson at your own pace, then a private driver takes you to two Hudson Valley wineries, so nobody has to drive after the tastings. Go on a clear fall day for the foliage, and bring a layer because it gets windy 212 feet above the river.

Hudson Valley · About 5 to 6 hours · from $235

A driver takes you to three wineries, including Benmarl, which bills itself as the oldest vineyard in America, so you can taste properly without worrying about the drive home. Book a few days ahead so they can set the tasting reservations, and eat a real breakfast first.

Kauai · 5.5 hours · from $260

A catamaran from Port Allen along the Nā Pali Coast with snorkeling and a barbecue lunch. Calmest from spring to fall.

Lake Como · from $296

Cook with a view at an old mill above Bellagio. Villa Melzi garden entry is included.

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.

Magic Kingdom · About 9 minutes · Included with admission; Lightning Lane Multi Pass eligible

A boat ride with a couple of small drops and some of Disney's best scenes. It's a great midday break from the heat, and the wait rarely gets bad.

Maui · About 3 hours

The most respected luau on Maui, focused on Hawaiian culture and hula rather than fire-knife spectacle. Book 2 to 3 months ahead, more for front seats.

New York City · About 3 hours · from $99

A walking tasting tour of Village classics like Joe's Pizza, Faicco's and Rocco's cannoli, with enough history that it doubles as a neighborhood orientation. Book it for an early-trip afternoon and skip lunch, because it's a full meal.

New York City · About 3 to 4 hours · from $31

Statue City Cruises is the official ferry that actually lands on Liberty and Ellis Islands, so you get both islands and the immigration museum on one ticket. Take the first boat from Battery Park to beat the security line, and if you want Pedestal or Crown access, book it weeks ahead because it sells out.

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.

Oahu · Afternoon and evening · from $216

Villages from six Pacific cultures, a luau and the evening show. It's an hour from Waikīkī and closed Sundays.

Puerto Rico · 6 hours · from $180

East Island Excursions sails to Culebra for snorkeling and lunch. Flamenco Beach depends on the sea that day.

Puerto Rico · 3 hours · from $179

Four or five tastings and a cocktail while you learn the old city. Do it on your first day.

Punta Cana · 4 to 5 hours · from $69

A replica 16th-century village above the river at Casa de Campo, with an amphitheater and views.

Rome · 3.5 hours · from $124

Seven stops in a neighborhood Romans actually eat in. Go on your first day so you know where to eat for the rest of the trip.

Saint Lucia · 7 hours · from $145

A full-day catamaran from the north down the coast to the Pitons, with snorkeling and lunch. The best way to see the island from the water.

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 3 hours per concert · $25 per adult

The Boston Symphony's summer home, where a picnic on the lawn with a concert is the classic Berkshires night; the 2026 season ran June 21 to September 2, and the 2027 lineup usually comes out in winter. Lawn seats are the cheapest way in; bring chairs and a picnic and arrive early for parking.

The Berkshires · About 2 to 3 hours · $20 per adult

A living history museum with the famous round stone barn, Shaker furniture and farm animals, about 10 minutes west of Pittsfield. It's open Friday to Sunday, 11am to 4pm, through November 29, then closes for winter until spring, so it's best May to October.

Venice · 3 hours · from $124

A small-group crawl through Venice's bacari (wine bars) for cicchetti and local wine.

Walt Disney World · 1 hour · from $39

The cheapest good tour on property. You walk through the greenhouses and fish farm in The Land. Kids actually like it, and it's a break from the heat.

Walt Disney World · About 1 hour · from $89

An open-air vehicle on the lodge savanna after dark, with night-vision goggles. Pair it with dinner at Jiko or Boma. Ages 8 and up.

Walt Disney World · Evening · from $104

Desserts and drinks, then a reserved fireworks spot without camping on Main Street for an hour. Seats & Sweets ($129+) is the one to book if anyone needs to sit.

Walt Disney World · About 5 hours · from $179

A walking tour of how Magic Kingdom works, including a stretch of the backstage areas. Lunch is included. Ages 16 and up with photo ID, and park admission is extra.