Late Summer Family Travel Deals: Dorney Park, Atlantic City, Vermont, a Single Parent Special and More

7/29/12 - By Allison Tibaldi

It’s not too late to plan an impromptu family getaway and enjoy  summer's last stand for a bargain price.  August is prime vacation time, but there are last minute deals to be found in the scenic mountains of New England, beach-side in Atlantic City, at a popular Lehigh Valley amusement park, in the desert resort Palm Springs and a special deal at Beaches Resorts in Jamaica and Turks & Caicos for single parent families.

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The Hanover Inn at Dartmouth, Hanover New Hampshire
Hanover is a perfect destination for families who like outdoor activities combined with culture.  This quaint town borders the Connecticut River, giving you kayaking and canoeing options.  There are loads of hiking trails for all levels, with the Appalachian Trail passing directly in front of the Hanover Inn.  Storrs Pond Recreation Area has swimming and tennis possibilities.  The Dartmouth Campus and shop-filled downtown are nice places to stroll and window shop. The Hood Museum of Art is next door, offering the perfect family-sized short course in great art. The Hopkins Center for the Arts, immediately adjacent to the Inn, has programming suitable for families year round.  The Montshire Museum of Science, across the river in Norwich, Vermont, is a terrific interactive family destination.  All 94 rooms at this elegant, historic inn are newly renovated.  The Family Fun Package includes accommodation, breakfast for a family of four, milk and cookies on arrival and complimentary admission for a family of four to one of several local attractions, including the Montshire or Splash Park.  Prices start at $294 per night thru August 31, with special low rates if you want an adjoining room for the kids. 

Topnotch Resort and Spa, Stowe, Vermont
This gorgeous resort is nestled in the stunning Green Mountains of Vermont.  There are tons of activities for families here, including tennis, horseback riding and swimming.  Lots of kids-only activities means that adults will have time to pamper themselves by indulging in one of the 120 treatments available at the properties heavenly spa.  If you have a teen in your family, note that the spa has several services just for this hard-to-please age group.  Stowe has lots of delicious dining options, but this summer it pays to eat on-site, as kids 12 and under eat free at breakfast and dinner from the diverse kid’s menu that has lots of healthy options.  The mid-week rate starts at $239 nightly, plus families who want more space can enjoy a second room for only $100 more.  Check out the Kids Eat Free package

The Chelsea, Atlantic City
If you thought a beach vacation was out of your budget range, try surprisingly kid-friendly Atlantic City.  The Chelsea is the perfect non-gaming spot for families to unpack their swimsuits.  Enjoy a dip in the hotel’s saltwater pool before hitting the only full service beach in town, providing lounge chairs, umbrellas, towels and sand toys.  Through September 20, The Chelsea has a midweek deal for families starting at an unbeatable $140 per night with the Never Bored on the Boardwalk! Kids Eat Free package.  It includes a room, 2 rolling chair rides on the Boardwalk, free meals for kids 10 and under, and 2 all day ride passes at the Steel Pier amusement park.

 Dorney Park, Leigh Valley, PA
Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom is home to more than 100 rides and attractions, including Planet Snoopy, a retro favorite for parents who grew up loving Charlie Brown, Linus and Lucy.  The giant water park is the perfect place to cool off, plus the Lehigh Valley is full of family-friendly attractions, such as The Crayola Experience and the Da Vinci Science Center.  All of this fun is only a 2-hour car ride from New York City.  Over a dozen local properties are featuring Stay & Scream packages until September 3. The Allentown Comfort Suites package includes a deluxe room, two regular tickets to Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, one large pizza and pitcher of soda, and a hot breakfast the following morning, with rates starting at $149 per night. Click here for the complete list of hotels offering Stay & Scream specials

The Saguaro, Palm Springs, CA
West Coast families may already be familiar with the family-friendly pleasures of Palm Springs, but in summertime the bargains come out to play in the desert.  The Saguaro enjoys rainbow-colored décor and a giant swimming pool, where toddlers comfortably romp next to Hollywood heavyweights.  It is a scene that somehow perfectly blends family with hipster. This summer’s biggest bargain is the Eat, Drink, Sleep In package, starting at $149 per night midweek.  It includes a modern, comfy room and a $100 resort credit, so the kids will be able to order lots of poolside snacks without putting a dent in your wallet.

Beaches Resorts, Jamaica and Turks and Caicos
Beaches Resorts are a Mommy Poppins favorite choice for families looking for the ease of an all-inclusive getaway in Jamaica or Turks & Caicos. They are known for luxurious amenities and loads of activities, but with one-sum pricing that includes all tips and gratuities, so you don’t need to worry about costly add-ons and sticker shock when it comes time to settle your bill and kiss paradise good bye. If you are able to travel in September or October, these tropical properties are offering single parent families a good deal by waiving the nightly single supplement fee of up to $220 per night for stays of at least 3 nights.  The resorts are catering to single parents and their kids with special bonding activities and events that include beach Olympics, bonfires and dive-in movies.  Beaches all-inclusive resorts provide an endless array of amenities like water sports, supervised kid’s activities and terrific dining options. Enter reference code SPF124 to qualify for this promotion by clicking on the Beaches website.