Fall Family Vacation Ideas

Where to Enjoy the Colors of Fall from Coast to Coast

By Donna Smith and Shelly Hemig

Animal lovers will also appreciate the local wildlife, including over 100 species of birds and 40 species of mammals. Children will love spotting mule deer, eagles, coyote and elk, who make the resort their home year-round.

Spring Creek Ranch, with condos and homes available in one-, two- and three-bedroom configurations, is an ideal family resort. For more information call 800-443- 6139, or visit www.springcreekranch.com.

Did you know that about 46 percent of Wisconsin is covered in forest? It's no wonder that it's a wonderful destination to enjoy the turning of the leaves. Families can mountain bike in Kettle Morraine State Forest, or visit the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center, where kids can hike in the pristine 185-acres nature preserve and climb the 60-foot tower for a view of Lake Michigan among the tops of trees colored red, gold and yellow. Just 35 minutes away is Old World Wisconsin, the largest outdoor museum of rural life in the Midwest.

Wisconsin is also the world's largest producer of cranberries in the nation. Children and adults will love watching the cranberry harvest, when the marshes are flooded to bring the cranberries to the surface, which starts in September. Another activity is a self-guided driving tour of the WI Cranberry Highway, where more than 60 miles of country roads snake their way along the banks of the Wisconsin River.

And that's jst scratching the surface of what Wisconsin can offer families this fall. Travelers can find free travel guides and more information about these and other great locations at www.travelwisconsin.com, or calling 800-432-8747.

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