As school starts back up, America’s national parks often empty out as visitors get back to their real-life routines.  

Leslie Garrett, The Virtuous Traveler, reports on one organization that chooses to bring the classroom to the park.

The instructors and students who choose Yellowstone National Park as their classroom argue that little is more real than the geography, geology, biology, and history they see, touch and hear in the park.

Amie O’Shaughnessy, editor of family travel site Ciao Bambino, explains why back to school doesn’t have to mean the end of family travel, and shares six great options for fall getaways.

For most parents, the end of summer elicits conflicting emotions. On one hand, kids back in school means more freedom to get work done, but it also means that rigorous schedules are back, and worse, family vacation season is over.

However, I’ve found that scheduling at least one fall getaway gives the family something to look forward to and alleviates some of those back-to-school blues.

There may only be one month left of summer, but even if you haven’t managed to hit the road yet for some R&R there’s still time to pull a vacation together.

Instead of Yosemite, Myrtle Beach, the Hamptons or any of those other well-trod, time-honored favorites, why not make a beeline to somewhere a little less predictable?

To give you some inspiration, we’ve gathered a few ideas of our own.

Even though some may seem counter-intuitive—and others may seem downright crazy—you may be surprised at how much fun you can have (and how great the deals are) in these unexpected summer destinations.

Veteran traveler Margot Black took her family to Loews Regency Hotel in New York with high expectations, and went straight to work putting the hotel concierge to the test.

I spent two nights at the Loews Regency Hotel in New York with my husband and 22-month-old toddler for some quality catch-up time with family members.

OK, I’m no longer 21 and scouting the trendiest clubs and bars; instead, I’m a mom with a needy toddler, but I still want to be able to take advantage of all that the city has to offer.

And for that I need help.

Traveling through national and state parks is a great option for affordable family travel—but why not get your kids involved in the educational aspect? Many parks have naturalist programs designed just for kids.

One of the things that make larger resorts appealing for families is well-managed and comprehensive kids’ clubs and activities.

With her 6-year-old son in tow, Amie O’Shaughnessy can’t imagine going to a resort for a week without one—having a fun place that is just for him is key to giving us the chance to have some adult downtime.

Kids’ programs vary widely and the challenge is not finding resorts that have them, but rather identifying the elements that work for you and your family.

Amie O’Shaughnessy, editor of Ciao Bambino, has visited many countries, but some of her most memorable and amazing vacations have been spent in her own backyard in the western United States. She shares her top seven reasons to choose a family ranch vacation this summer.

Many parents fear that a vacation with kids means more work in a new location instead of a relaxing and refreshing holiday. The beauty of the ranch experience is the long list of amenities and services provided in a single place; guests don’t have to worry about the details and logistics of day-to-day meals and activities.

If you’re thinking about skipping the museums while traveling with your kids you might want to think again.