Scotland

Bed and Breakfasts often are thought of as a spot for romance, but don’t let that dissaude you from bringing the whole family along for the trip. Many inns offer kid-friendly accomodations and the unique setting will enchant youngsters more than any cookie-cutter motel. Here are some choices for your next family vacation.

The Wildflower Inn, rated as “New England’s Best Family Resort,” by Yankee Magazine, will charm your family with its country setting and myriad of activities. In the mornings, the innkeepers at this Lyndonville, Vermont bed and breakfast offer supervised activities for children, which include anything from games to crafts to nature walks. There are activities to suit every age group, from toddlers to teenagers. In the evenings, children enjoy fun at Daisy’s Diner, which includes both kid-friendly meals as well as entertainment. There are a variety of accommodations, from spacious bed and breakfast room to three-room suites with kitchenettes and washers and dryers. The breakfasts are a delight for the whole family, a three-course spread that include such delights as teddy bear pancakes.

A stay at Villa Park House, just four block from the Jersey Shore in the town of Spring Lake, is sure to please the whole family. The kids will enjoy the close access to the beach, boardwalk and nearby Six Flags amusement park. Parents will appreciate the historic charm and romance of a restored Victorian. The innkeepers provide many thoughtful amenities, as well as serving a delectable full breakfast each morning. Beachgoers will appreciate use of beach tags, towels, umbrellas and chairs. Guests also can borrow the innkeepers bicycles. There is badminton and croquet available at the inn, and several parks nearby. The Historic Village at Allaire is special treat, and allows families to go back in time and experience life in the early 19th century.

If you’ve ever dreamed of life at a home on the range, the Vee Bar Guest Ranch will be a perfect spot for your next family vacation. Located in Laramie, Wyoming and set on 800 acres, the ranch offers guests a myriad of outdoor activities. Go tubing in the river, enjoy a horseback ride through the untamed Wyoming countryside, or even take part in cattle work. The kids also will love the expansive ground where they can run and play for hours. Hayrides and cookouts are among the other fun activities. Guests stay either in the main lodge or in country cabins or suites that rest along the river’s edge.

For the cowboys and cowgirls in your crew, chose the western-themed the Las Palomas B&B in Santa Fe, NM. It is made of authentic adobe bricks to provide a true cowboy feel and to fit in with the nearby Historic District of the city. But don’t let Las Palomas’ charm fool you: This is a modern B&B complete with a bistro and fitness center. Kids are welcome at Las Palomas, and the innkeepers have a few special things waiting for them. There is an outdoor play area with swings and slides for small children. The innkeepers “Kids Box” includes items such as outlet safety plugs, high chairs, kids chairs and tables, games, books, videos, toys, safety gates, cribs, and night lights.”

Relax and enjoy your vacation, country style, at the Sunrise Farm Bed and Breakfast in Salem, South Carolina. The 10-acre grounds are fun for kids to explore, and there are plenty of farm animals to meet. Say hello to Lady and Sunshine, the miniature horses, or spend some time with Muffin, the pot-bellied pig. A goat, sheep, llamas and barn cats are other charming four-legged friends. Kids and parents alike will enjoy the hearty, country breakfasts as well as the comfortable, country dcor that makes everyone feel at home. Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Sunrise Farm is near to plenty of fun activities, from whitewater rafting to fishing and boating.

Surrounded by mountains and rolling hills, the Capay Valley Bed and Breakfast is an ideal spot to get away from it all and enjoy a nature-filled family getaway. The B&B is located a short drive from Sacramento in its namesake town of Capay. The grounds include a real zoo, with a variety of beautiful creatures, such as zebras, a tortoise, ostrich and plenty of farm animals. The grounds include a swimming pool and walking and hiking trails, and there is badminton and croquet available. In addition to rooms in the main house, there are two 880-square foot cottages with private porches and kitchenettes. Within a half-hour or less of the inn, you’ll find whitewater rafting, a nature preserve and plenty of parks.