Spring Break is just around the corner, and for those longing for days of sunshine, it’s time to start planning that warm weather getaway. We’ve helped kick-start your family vacation planning by rounding up a list of family-friendly activities at every AutoCamp.
AutoCamp Catskills
Take a weekend trip from the city and on your way out of town to explore Storm King Art Center – both kids and adults alike love this outdoor art park. If you’ve worked up an appetite, stop by a new burger spot in Kingston: Moonburger. This fifties-meets-futuristic spot was inspired by classic American drive-thrus, but with welcome twists. All the burgers are meat-free, the milkshakes are made with oat milk, and many ingredients are sourced locally.
The charming town of Woodstock is just 10 minutes from AutoCamp and is full of things to explore. Browse through the shops and bookstores in town, and head to Bread Alone Bakery for lunch or pastries and artisanal bread. If you’re craving something sweet, Sweet Dreams Organic Ice Cream is a must.
Other kid-friendly activities include visiting the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum (free entry), Rail Explorers, the Catskills Animal Sanctuary, or visiting some of the local farms in the Hudson Valley. Take the family out for some fresh mountain air and hit the Ashokan Rail Trail, Plattekill Falls, Vernooykill Falls via Long Path, or Onteora Lake Trail – all easy to moderate hikes for all ages and levels.
On property, explore the AutoCamp 1-mile trail loop on foot or on our complimentary rental bikes. Spend your evening fireside back at AutoCamp – grab one of our artisan s’mores kits and gourmet grill kits and enjoy time together cooking over the fire.
AutoCamp Cape Cod
Spring on Cape Cod is probably one of our favorite times of year in New England – the weather is warming up and the beaches are empty. You don’t need to venture far from AutoCamp to have experiences that the whole family will enjoy. Rent bikes, kayaks, and SUPs rentals right on property, plus enjoy guided experiences including kayaking, biking and more with our friends at Rideaway Adventures.
Rent our complimentary kids and adults bikes and take them for a spin down the shining sea bike path and explore Woods Hole. From Woods Hole, you can even take a day trip to Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket Island, which are just a short ferry ride away.
Take a scenic drive to see the blooming spring flowers dotting the landscape, explore a historic Cape Cod lighthouse, or pack a picnic and enjoy a wine tasting at Cape Cod Winery in Falmouth, just 10 minutes from AutoCamp Cape Cod.
Other local kid-friendly activities include the Chatham Shark Center, Cape Cod Children’s Museum, Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises, Whydah Pirate Museum, Cap’n Kids Fishing Adventures, and don’t forget Seafood Sam’s right in Falmouth for some classic New England seafood.
AutoCamp Yosemite
Spring in Yosemite Valley is the ideal season for waterfalls, warmer weather, plentiful rivers and creeks, blooming flowers, reopened trails and roads, and fewer crowds. There is so much to do for it being considered the “off-season”, and even more to see and do with kids.
A few activities include stopping by the Mariposa Grove to gaze up at the Giant Sequoias, getting sworn in as a junior ranger, or swimming in the AutoCamp pool and roasting s’mores over the fire after a day of adventure.
Some of our favorite kid-friendly hikes in Yosemite National park include:
-Glacier Point Trail (.6 miles)
-Lower Yosemite Falls Trail (1.2 miles)
-Vernall Fall Foot Bridge via John Muir Trail (1.7 miles)
-Mirror Lake Paved Trail (2 miles)
-Mirror Lake via Valley Loop Trail (4 mile loop)
Other family-friendly activities to do in the area include Yosemite E-biking, visiting the Yosemite History Center, going on a farm tour near the park, or perhaps paying a visit to the Fresno Chaffee Zoo.
AutoCamp Russian River
Sonoma County in the springtime is truly magical. The rolling hills are an electric green, dotted with beautiful wildflowers. The rivers are fresh and flowing with all of the recent rains. The sun is shining and the temperature is a perfect 70 degrees. It’s one of our absolute favorite times to visit.
Make a picnic, grab the kids, and head to the nearby wineries in Guerneville or broader Sonoma for some wine tasting, lawn games, and lounging in the sun.
Rent a tube from Autocamp and float down the Russian River – Johnson’s Beach to Lucky Bend Lookout is about 1.5 miles and takes 1.5 hours to float and ends right at the dock. It’s perfect for groups with kids. If floating isn’t your thing, rent a kayak and kayak down the Russian River or head to some of our favorite family-friendly beaches for swimming and lounging including Sunset Beach or Monte Rio.
Fly high through the famous California Coastal Redwoods with Sonoma Zip Line Adventures – an activity the whole family can enjoy or visit Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve to walk among the giant Redwoods.
AutoCamp Joshua Tree
Spring in Joshua Tree National Park is the best with temperatures warming to the mid 80s, cool nights, reduced crowds, abundant sunshine, and long nights for stargazing.
A few of our favorite kid-friendly hikes and spots in Joshua Tree National park include:
-Hidden Valley Nature Trail
-Barker Dam Nature Trail
-Skull Rock Nature Trail
-Keys View
-Oasis of Mara
-Jumbo Rocks
-Indian Cove
-Cholla Cactus Garden Trail
After a day of adventure, head back to AutoCamp and cool down in the pool (parents – now is your moment to grab a drink from the AutoCamp bar). Stargazing in Joshua Tree is one of our favorite activities to do as a family. You have amazing views of the night sky right from camp. Grab a s’mores kit and a grill kit from the AutoCamp general store, and get cozy for a beautiful night under the stars.
Other activities include the Hi-Desert Nature Museum, Pappy & Harriets for live music, Pioneertown, and the Observatory & Nature Center.
