Adventure Travel Ideas
Find Adventure Travel Ideas You Didn’t Know to Ask For
These sample adventure travel ideas are starting points designed to help you imagine what may be possible. Each trip can be researched and adjusted around your travelers, timing, interests, comfort level, and budget. When an idea catches your attention, I’ll help you explore current options, availability, and pricing.
Alaska Adventure Ideas
From cruising through glacier-carved waterways to riding the rails toward Denali, Alaska can be as relaxing or adventurous as your family wants it to be. Here are two starting points to help you imagine the possibilities.
Alaska’s Inside Passage by Cruise
Suggested length: 7 nights
A good fit for: Families and first-time Alaska visitors who want an easy way to see several destinations while unpacking only once.
A possible journey may include:
• Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway
• Glacier or fjord viewing
• Whale-watching and wildlife excursions
• Scenic rail, cultural or family-friendly port activities
Possible cruise lines:
• Princess Cruises • Holland America Line • Royal Caribbean • Norwegian Cruise Line • Disney Cruise Line • MSC Cruises
Additional cruise lines may be available depending on your travel dates and departure port.
Alaska by Rail: Anchorage, Talkeetna & Denali
Routes, activities and availability vary by season.
Suggested length: 5–7 nights for the land journey, or longer when paired with a cruise.
A good fit for: Families, couples, and first-time Alaska visitors who want to experience Alaska’s interior at a comfortable pace.
A possible journey may include:
• Begin with time in Anchorage
• Ride the Alaska Railroad toward Talkeetna and Denali
• Spend two or more nights near Denali National Park
• Add wildlife viewing, scenic excursions or family activities
Possible planning options:
• An independent Alaska Railroad vacation
• A land-and-sea cruisetour through a participating cruise line
National Park Adventure Ideas
A national park vacation can be a road trip, a scenic rail getaway, or a comfortable lodge-based adventure. These ideas combine iconic landscapes with activities that can be adjusted for different ages, abilities, interests, and travel styles.
Yellowstone & Grand Teton Family Road Trip
Suggested length: 7–10 nights
A good fit for: Families who enjoy wildlife, scenic drives, unusual landscapes, easy walks and outdoor activities.
A possible journey may include:
• Begin with two or three nights near Jackson or Grand Teton
• Explore Jenny Lake, Colter Bay and scenic overlooks
• Continue into Yellowstone for Old Faithful and other thermal features
• Visit the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
• Look for wildlife from a safe distance
Possible planning options:
• Lodge, cabin or hotel accommodations
• Rental car and a customized driving route
• Guided wildlife or park sightseeing tours
Park roads, services and activities vary by season, and accommodations may fill early.
Grand Canyon Railway & Sedona Getaway
Suggested length: 5–7 nights
A good fit for: Families, couples and train lovers who want to combine red-rock scenery with an easy and memorable journey to the Grand Canyon.
A possible journey may include:
• Spend two or three nights exploring Sedona
• Enjoy a scenic drive, family-friendly hike or guided red-rock tour
• Continue to historic Williams, Arizona
• Ride the Grand Canyon Railway to the South Rim
• Explore canyon viewpoints and visitor areas
• Return to Williams or add an overnight stay inside the park
Possible planning options:
• Hotels or resorts in Sedona
• Rental car between Sedona and Williams
• Railway packages with lodging, meals or guided tours
Train schedules, package inclusions and activities vary by travel date, and advance reservations are recommended.
Kenai Fjords National Park & Seward Adventure
Suggested length: 4–6 nights
A good fit for: Families, couples and nature lovers who want glaciers, marine wildlife, mountain scenery and a memorable Alaska adventure.
A possible journey may include:
• Travel from Anchorage to Seward by train or rental car
• Stay several nights in the waterfront town of Seward
• Take a boat tour through Kenai Fjords National Park
• View glaciers and look for whales, sea otters, seals and puffins
• Visit Exit Glacier and explore an easy nature trail
• Enjoy the Alaska SeaLife Center or a ranger-led activity
Possible planning options:
• Hotel, lodge or cabin accommodations
• Alaska Railroad journey between Anchorage and Seward
• Wildlife and glacier-viewing boat excursion
• Guided kayaking, hiking or flightseeing experience
Boat tours, road access, wildlife sightings and activities vary by season and weather. Advance reservations are recommended.
Suggested length: 4–6 nights
A good fit for: Families, couples and multigenerational travelers who want mountain scenery, wildlife, easy outdoor adventures and nearby family attractions.
A possible journey may include:
• Stay in a cabin, lodge or family-friendly resort
• Drive the scenic Cades Cove Loop
• Look for black bears, deer and other wildlife from a safe distance
• Visit Newfound Gap and enjoy mountain overlooks
• Explore an easy nature trail, waterfall or historic homestead
• Spend a day enjoying Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg attractions
Possible planning options:
• Cabin, lodge or resort accommodations
• Rental car and a customized sightseeing route
• Guided wildlife, hiking or scenic tour
• Tickets for Dollywood or other family attractions
Great Smoky Mountains & Pigeon Forge Family Getaway
Roads, trails, attractions and activities vary by season. A parking tag is required when parking inside the national park for longer than 15 minutes.
European Adventure Ideas
From storybook Alpine villages to Italy’s celebrated cities, Europe offers countless ways to combine history, scenery, culture and unforgettable experiences. These two ideas are starting points that can be adjusted around your travelers and preferred pace.
Salzburg, Hallstatt & the Bavarian Alps
Suggested length: 7–9 nights
A good fit for: Families, couples and multigenerational travelers who enjoy storybook villages, mountain scenery, history, music and relaxed sightseeing.
A possible journey may include:
• Explore Salzburg’s Old Town, gardens and historic landmarks
• Visit locations connected to Mozart and The Sound of Music
• Spend time in Hallstatt beside its mountain lake
• Enjoy a lake cruise, scenic overlook or salt-mine experience when available
• Cross into Bavaria for Berchtesgaden and Königssee
• Ride a cable car, scenic train or boat through the Alpine landscape
Possible planning options:
• Hotels, guesthouses or family-friendly Alpine resorts
• Rail travel, private transfers or a rental car
• Guided Salzburg, Hallstatt or Bavarian Alps excursions
• Additional nights in Munich or Vienna
Transportation, mountain attractions, boat services and activities vary by season. Advance reservations may be recommended.
Rome, Florence & Venice by Rail
Suggested length: 9–12 nights
A good fit for: Families, couples and first-time visitors who want famous landmarks, art, history, food and the convenience of traveling between cities by
train.
A possible journey may include:
• Explore the Colosseum, Roman Forum and historic center of Rome
• Visit Vatican City and St. Peter’s Square
• Travel by high-speed train to Florence
• See Florence’s cathedral, bridges and Renaissance treasures
• Continue by train to Venice
• Explore St. Mark’s Square and experience Venice’s canals
Possible planning options:
• Centrally located hotels or family-friendly accommodations
• Reserved high-speed rail tickets between cities
• Private or small-group sightseeing tours
• Skip-the-line attraction tickets and food experiences
Train schedules, attraction hours and admission requirements vary. Advance reservations are recommended for popular museums, landmarks and guided tours.
Costa Rica & Nature Escape Ideas
Costa Rica brings volcanoes, rainforests, wildlife and beautiful coastlines together in one remarkable destination. These two ideas show how a nature-filled vacation can balance adventure, discovery and time to relax.
Suggested length: 8–10 nights
A good fit for: Families, couples and nature lovers who want volcanoes, wildlife, rainforest adventures and time to relax at the beach.
A possible journey may include:
• Stay near La Fortuna with views of Arenal Volcano
• Walk through the rainforest on hanging bridges
• Visit La Fortuna Waterfall or enjoy natural hot springs
• Look for monkeys, sloths, toucans and other wildlife
• Continue to Manuel Antonio on the Pacific Coast
• Explore the national park and enjoy a relaxing beach day
Possible planning options:
• Rainforest lodges, family resorts or boutique hotels
• Private transfers or a rental car between destinations
• Guided wildlife walks, zip-lining or river excursions
• Additional beach nights or a catamaran cruise
Wildlife sightings, park access and activities vary by season and weather. Advance reservations may be required.
Arenal Volcano & Manuel Antonio Family Adventure
Tortuguero Wildlife & Caribbean Coast Escape
Wildlife sightings, turtle activity, transportation and excursions vary by season and weather. Advance planning is recommended.
Suggested length: 7–9 nights
A good fit for: Families, couples and wildlife lovers who want rainforest canals, tropical animals, Caribbean culture and a slower-paced nature experience.
A possible journey may include:
• Travel by boat or small plane to Tortuguero
• Stay at a rainforest lodge surrounded by canals
• Take a guided boat tour looking for monkeys, sloths and tropical birds
• Visit Tortuguero village and learn about local conservation
• Join a seasonal, guided sea-turtle experience when available
• Continue south for Caribbean beaches, wildlife and local culture
Possible planning options:
• Rainforest lodge packages with meals and transportation
• Guided canal, wildlife and nature excursions
• Private transfers to Puerto Viejo or Cahuita
• Additional beach nights, a cacao tour or a cultural experience
