As summer is approaching and the high temperature is on its way, now it’s time to slow down and perhaps plan a short trip here and there. Kids are about to finish school for the summer; it is just right to take them on a family vacation. Spending some time as a family can be both relaxing and rewarding. And weekend getaways are less stressful and affordable this time of year. Here are five fun weekend travel ideas to make your summer days more adventurous.

San Diego

Beyond the beaches and the sea life, there’s a world of activities for the whole family in San Diego. 

• San Diego Zoo Safari Park– It provides up-close experiences with the wildlife. There are different safari options to choose from: Wildlife Safari, Behind-The-Scenes Safari, Cart Safari, Sun Up Cheetah Safari, Ultimate Safari, Roar and Snore Safaris and Flightline Safari.
• USS Midway Museum– The USS Midway Museum, located in downtown San Diego at Navy Pier, served from 1945 to 1992 and was the longest-serving U.S. aircraft carrier of the 20th century.
• Balboa Park– At Balboa Park, you can find museums, performing arts, attractions such as the San Diego Zoo, multiple gardens and restaurants.
  

  San Diego’s Balboa Park (©Leslie Yu)

Seattle

Don’t be deterred by the rainy reputation—Seattle has a multitude of fun activities and attractions. 

• Space Needle– Built between 1960 and 1962, the Space Needle is an observation tower in Seattle, Washington.
• Pike Place Market– Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington, is a public market as well as one of the oldest operating ones in the United States.
• Chihuly Garden and Glass– Chihuly Garden and Glass at Seattle Center displays the creative work of glass artist Dale Chihuly from Tacoma.
  

  Pensacola Lighthouse (©Kevin Dunlap)

Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach and the surrounding areas are full of history and fun things to see and do.

• First Landing State Park– First Landing State Park is the most-visited state park in Virginia. In 1607, English colonists first landed here.
• Norfolk Botanical Garden– Norfolk Botanical Garden, Virginia’s largest botanical garden, consists of themed gardens, Butterflies House and many different species of birds.
• Military Aviation Museum– The Military Aviation Museum houses a large collection of military aircraft from WWI and WWII. There are some good family activities at the mission.
  

  Virginia Beach (©Daniel Halseth)

Pensacola

Situated on the Gulf Coast, Pensacola has plenty of fun things to do both on and off the water.

• Pensacola Lighthouse and Maritime Museum– Pensacola Lighthouse and Maritime Museum are located on Naval Air Station Pensacola. Civilians need to visit the Events Page for information to get access to enter the military base for tours.
• Fort Pickens– Fort Pickens, in Pensacola, Florida, is a historical U.S. military fort. Today, visitors can take self-guided tours here.
• Gulf Breeze Zoo– At Gulf Breeze Zoo, you can bring your family to observe the animals closely through animal encounters, animal feeding and a visit to the farm.
  

  Pensacola Lighthouse (©Kevin Dunlap)

Tucson

If you’ve ever wanted to see the real Wild West, make a visit to Tucson for all the cacti you could possibly imagine.

• Saguaro National Park– Saguaro National Park, which houses the nation’s largest cacti, is in Southwest Tucson, Arizona.
• Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum– Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson, Arizona, has an aquarium, art gallery, 98-acre zoo, botanical garden and natural history museum all in one place.
• Mission San Xavier Del Bac– San Xavier del Bac Mission, located about 10 miles south of downtown Tucson, Arizona, is a historic Spanish Catholic mission.
  

  Saguaro National Park (©James Lee)