Summer vacation is just around the corner and, if you’re like us, you’re already thinking of packing your bags. Travel is a great family bonding experience and creates memories that your kids can keep for the rest of their lives. Sometimes, the hardest part of travel can be deciding where to go. Here are our top 5 picks for domestic trips that are out of the ordinary and out of this world. Central Florida Orlando, in central Florida, is pretty much the obvious sweet spot for family travel in the USA. With an assortment of theme parks, each catering to a slightly different audience, it’s easy to find something for everyone in the family. But we want to get you off of the beaten path. So, just for now, let’s avoid going the Disney route. Instead, we really like the gulf coast beaches as a destination. We particularly like Sanibel and Captiva Islands. They’re just off the coast, but far enough away from the theme parks to offer a break from the larger tourist day crowds. The atmosphere is relaxed, and the islands are a pedestrian’s best friend - thus reducing the need for a rental car. Rocking Horse Ranch, NY What kiddo doesn’t love the idea of a horse? This themed dude ranch in Highland, New York, offers all-inclusive pricing for families. On top of horse adventures, families will find an indoor waterpark, live shows daily, an all-inclusive dining experience, and a range of other indoor and outdoor activities that vary by season. The property boasts playgrounds and a family-focused staff to help coordinate the perfect family experience for all guests. Tyler Place Family Resort, VT Another all-inclusive pick, this best-kept secret is on a massive lake in Vermont. The resort books out up to a year in advance, so check your dates early, but only allows a few families per week. This ensures excellent staff to guest ratio with attention to detail and impeccable customer service. With family-friendly activities for every age group, everyone will be engaged, well fed, and happy. Activities include lake activities like swimming and kayaking, while land activities include hiking and biking. The resort even offers kids activities into the evenings so mom and dad can have some time off. Denver, Colorado Looking for something a bit more rustic? Get the kids into the great outdoors in the American West. While there are lots of destinations to choose from, we particularly like Denver for families. The airport is sprawling and plays host to plenty of discount carriers. This means you’re far more likely to find family-friendly airfare. The great outdoors and national parks start at just a 30-minute drive from the airport, which means you could plan to pack and use camping materials to stay at the parks or rent a car for easy day trips to the wilderness with the comforts of a resort at night. If you want to get more adventurous, venture out to the Mesa Verde cave dwellings in the southwest corner of the state, or to Colorado’s version of the Grand Canyon, the Black Canyon of Gunnison. You’ll find that in the eastern part of the state. Palm Springs, CA Yes, once upon a time this may have been seen as a grown-ups only destination. But these days, we are really liking the family-friendly options in California’s high desert. With plenty of sun-drenched parks and an abundance of restaurants and culture, this is our pick for the place you were least likely to consider. Particularly, we like the Omni Rancho Las Palmas. It offers a ton of family-friendly amenities like kid’s clubs, a spray pool, and even free bicycles to use around town. QALO’s stackable silicone rings are a great way to remember your trip. A thin, stackable QALO ring given at the start of the trip becomes an inexpensive keepsake of your epic family vacation. With sizes starting small, at a 4, even older kids can get in on the fun and start stacking their QALO silicone rings.