Denver has hundreds of things to do this summer and we dare you to discover for yourself! The Mile High City is the perfect place to plan a summer vacation, whether you’re looking for a family friendly trip, an outdoor adventure or a romantic getaway.

Denver summer weekends are packed with fun, free festivals and events for the whole family. Over Memorial Day Weekend, rock out at Denver Day of Rock (May 25), a free music festival with dozens of great acts, enjoy the new ArtStir (May 24-27) and the Downtown Denver Arts Festival (May 24-26). During Independence Day weekend, watch the Colorado Symphony and fireworks at Civic Center Park (July 3) and join fellow art lovers at the Cherry Creek Arts Festival (July 5-7). On August 25, head downtown for pro cycling thrills at the finish of the USA Pro Challenge.

Don’t miss the Denver Zoo’s astounding Toyota Elephant Passage, where you’ll get up-close-and-personal with elephants, rhinos and more in North America’s largest bull elephant habitat. Uncover Colorado’s rich heritage at the new, interactive History Colorado Center, including the irreverent Denver A to Z exhibit. Through September 22, the Denver Art Museum hosts world-renowned contemporary artist Nick Cave, and he’s bringing his specially created Soundsuits, which have to be seen (and heard) to be believed.

The Mile High City’s fresh, cool night air encourages all kinds of after-hours summer activity, including live music at such legendary venues as Red Rocks Amphitheatre and the Denver Botanic Gardens, outdoor cinema, and rooftop patio dining. Denver’s culinary world offers diversity, innovation and farm-to-table ingredients. Elegant eateries line Larimer Square, while gourmet food trucks patrol the streets and parks, and superstar chefs concoct unique twists on classic dishes all around the city. And the city’s craft beer scene continues to expand, with new breweries and taprooms popping up every month.

Thanks to Denver B-cycle, the city’s pioneering bike sharing program, explore 850 miles of paved, off-road bike trails. Outdoor attractions like the Denver Botanic Gardens, Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre, Rocky Mountain National Park and dozens of lush city parks feature hiking trails, jogging paths and recreation opportunities. Love sports? Denver’s the place to be. Cheer on Major League Baseball’s Colorado Rockies at Coors Field and Major League Soccer’s Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Field. Get your pulse racing on a roller coaster at Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park.

Take the dares!

Calling all story lovers. Gather ‘round. The 31st annual Storytelling Festival is headed back to downtown Decatur on January 25-26, 2013. The Storytelling Festival is presented by Southern Order of Storytellers, an Atlanta-based organization of professional storytellers from around the South.

The two-day Storytelling Festival features a cast of 30 colorful, national, local and regional storytellers who will present a line-up of 14 events and activities that will appeal to storytelling fans of all ages. These events include concerts for children, families and grownups. To appeal to young people, the Festival offers a chance for school children to create their own stories and present them in a workshop designed for K-3 and grades 4 and up.

For aspiring and practicing storytellers, there are four workshops geared toward educators, librarians, and those interested in enhancing their leadership and managerial skills through the art of storytelling.

The annual event opens with Stories on the Edge of Night, a pre-festival storytelling concert for grown ups on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 7:30pm at Manuel’s Tavern, 602 N Highland Avenue Northeast Atlanta, GA 30307. This “Moth-up” style concert for adults features real stories told by real folks.

Headlining the two-day, family-friendly festival is Elizabeth Ellis, who has been named an American Masterpiece Touring Artist by the National Endowment for the Arts. Ellis’ hilarious and poignant storytelling style has made her an award-winning favorite at national storytelling festivals around the USA.

Ellis opens the festival on Friday at 2:30pm with a storytelling workshop titled “Telling Our Bodies” and continues on Saturday at 10:00am with a second workshop titled “Folktales: The Original Worldwide Web.” The Storytelling Festival culminates on Saturday with Ellis’performance for all ages at 8:00pm.

The Storytelling Festival will be held at First Baptist Church of Decatur, 308 Clairemont Ave, Decatur, GA 30030. For full festival schedule and bios of featured storytellers; prices for tickets and festival passes; venue and parking information, go to: www.SouthernOrderofStorytellers.org. For more information, contact the SOS Festival Team at 404-226-7896.

1. Winter Wonderland: Stroll through the museum as you enjoy dozens of trees decorated by their cultural partners to celebrate holidays and traditions around the world. Be sure to also check out special artwork created by local branches of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta.

2. Santa-saurus: This Santa has claws! Look for their new holiday mascot Santa-Saurus on select days during the holiday season.  Giggy A. Dinosaur and his giant Santa hat help spread some joy to the world.

3. Santa-saurus Express Train Rides: All aboard this special dinosaur-themed holiday train for a merry ride around Fernbank’s Dinosaur Plaza. (Train ride is additional $3)

4. Genghis Khan: Where would your holiday cards be without Genghis? He’s not usually referred to as “jolly,” but Genghis Khan did impart some gifts to the modern world—from hamburgers to passports, and from pants to postal delivery. See this incredible exhibition before Khan is Gone!

5. To the Arctic: ‘Tis the season for polar bears on the IMAX® screen!

6. Holiday Photo Opps: Forget waiting in long lines for that typical pic of St. Nick awkwardly holding a crying baby. Instead come to Fernbank for a holiday photo with a variety of backdrops—from sledding with Santa–saurus to standing under the mistletoe with Giganotosaurus. (Photo is additional $15)

7. Laughing Pizza Holiday Concert: Don’t miss this award-winning family band performing a variety of original holiday tunes on December 8. Fernbank will also feature special performances by the Atlanta Circus Camp and ornament-making crafts.

8. Holiday Membership Sale: Now through Dec. 24, Family Advantage and IMAX Advantage Memberships are on sale. More fun. Less cost. Great gift.

9. Salsa Night: On December 21, Fernbank adds an extra Martinis & IMAX Salsa Night to the schedule. There’s no better way to burn off those extra holiday nibbles and entertain your out-of-town guests.

10. Appy Holidays: Free Wi-Fi and the new Fernbank Meridian App are now available to add some extra cheer to your Museum visit!

Fernbank Museum of Natural History is located at 767 Clifton Road, NE in Atlanta. For tickets and visitor information, visit fernbankmuseum.org or call 404.929.6300.

July means beach time — basking under the sun and floating in the waves. Take some time away from the hustle and bustle and escape to The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel, a Floridian paradise. Relive your childhood joy of going to the beach and cherish time with your family spent making new memories.

The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel offers about 50 miles of coastline for you to discover. There's plenty of room to spread out your blankets and set up your umbrellas. No need to fight the crowds, just lots of clean, white sand for digging and creating amazing new castles with everyone. The whole family will enjoy hunting for treasure or just beautiful sea shells.  

Although relaxing on the beach at Fort Myers & Sanibel is the perfect way to spend your time on a much-needed relaxing trip, sometimes local wonders beckon you to explore. Discover animals on land and at sea — manatees in the Great Calusa Blueway or bird-watching in the the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the United States — you can spot over 220 species. There's plenty to discover for even the most dedicated bird watcher. Take the time to spy for graceful dolphins swimming along the coast too, and enjoy their playful, carefree spirits.

After you've experienced the glorious beaches and fantastic fauna of Fort Myers & Sanibel, you'll want to discover its culture and local art through its many galleries. The Imaginarium is a perfect museum for kids of all ages to learn about science and marine life — forget hands-off, stuffy musuems! Here, kids are encouraged to learn by exploring and experimenting. In the same way, touring Thomas Edison and Henry Ford's winter homes will give a glimpse into living history that can only be experienced by stepping into their shoes. From history to science to art, Fort Myers & Sanibel has you covered.

Planning your Fort Myers & Sanibel vacation is only a click or call away. Just visit www.FortMyers-Sanibel.com to start planning your vacation today or call 888-231-3077 for a free Lonely Planet guidebook. Start your planning and see how your family will love their time in beautiful Fort Myers & Sanibel.

Looking for a fascinating educational experience this summer? Look no further than the highly-anticipated Mummies of the World exhibition. The exhibition debuted at the Museum of Science & Industry in Tampa, on Friday, April 27, 2012. Running through September 9, 2012, the exhibition offers a wide view into mummies beyond what you've ever experienced before. With an astounding collection of 150 specimens and objects, Mummies of the World is the largest exhibition of real human and animal mummies and related artifacts ever assembled. Whether your interest is art, science, anthropology, history, or sociology, this exhibit has something for you.

The Mummies of the World exhibition offers visitors to the museum a rare chance to discover both naturally and intentionally preserved mummies from around the globe – some dating as far back as 6,500 years. Think mummies only come from Ancient Egypt? Think again! In this exhibition, visitors can see mummies from places as far-flung as South America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania. Through modern-day science and engaging interactive and multi-media components, Mummies of the World reveals how the scientific study of mummies provides a window into the lives of ancient people, offering unprecedented insights into past cultures and civilizations and showcasing how recent technology has dramatically changed the way scientists study mummies. Guaranteed fun for families and children of all ages!

For more information and details on purchasing tickets, visit www.mosi.org.

If you are seeking a destination with plenty to offer for all tastes — from outdoors excitement to shopping thrills, West Virginia has everything you want and more. This great state is ideally located and is prepared to welcome you and provide activities for all your interests.

For outdoor recreation, West Virginia has you covered. The timid can take a jaunt on Class 1 rapids. The braver folks can try the Class VI rapids and feel the adrenaline rush that accompanies some of the best whitewater rafting in the U.S. Once you've had your fill of narrow escapes in the water, take a hike on foot or explore state parks on horseback.

Perhaps your ideal vacation involves more indoor entertainment and less rough-and-tumble thrills. West Virginia also has perfect opportunities for inside fun. From great concerts and theatrical productions, to a wide variety of spectator sports, you won't lack any ideas to make your stay in West Virginia an amazing and unforgettable trip.

Beyond incredible outdoors activities and wonderful dining and shopping options, West Virginia also offers history buffs a fascinating view into Civil War history in the area. Visit battlefields and cemeteries to relive that chapter of our nation's past. You can even follow Civil War Trails as you explore history. As the only state created as a result of the war, West Virginia has a truly unique view of the Civil War.

There is even more to learn, so discover your own West Virginia by visiting WVtourism.com.

North Carolina has it all: rolling hills, rugged mountain range, miles of shoreline, lakes and bays. From big cities to small town charms, it's a great state for anyone to visit. One of its most enduring and popular destinations is Asheville, a eclectic and fun town that has a lot of offer. If you're near Asheville, a visit to the Biltmore Estate is a necessity!

The Biltmore has long been an exciting destination for travelers in the area. Its 8,000+ acres contain a myriad of activities and areas to explore. A winery, inn, farm, restaurants and more all delight visitors of all ages. Of course, the biggest feature of the Biltmore Estate is the historic home of the Vanderbilts, the 250-room chateau.

Starting April 7, 2012, visitors can discover the new exhibit, "The Vanderbilts at Home and Abroad", which will feature some of the family's treasures, as well as important events in the lives of George and Edith Vanderbilt and their daughter, Cordelia. Afficiandoes of history and fans of Downton Abbey will find plenty of antique valuables to examine. 

The collection contains more than just family heirlooms; visitors will see a collection of Samurai armor and a document signed by Queen Elizabeth I. If the history of the Titanic tragedy is more in your line of interest, you can learn more about how the Vanderbilts escaped perishing with the victims of the iceberg disaster.

Even more treasures will be on display as well, including a chess set owned by Napoleon Bonaparte. The exhibition is a must-see; catch it while it is open starting April 7.

Charming Flagler County, Florida, has so much to offer any leisure traveler - beautiful coasts, fun shopping, great hotels, pet-friendly beaches and more. The First Friday events are full of great food and music, and Flagler Auditorium produces top-notch theatrical productions. But did you know that Flagler County is also home to 72 miles of trails where you and your family can experience the glories of nature? On your next vacation, plan to do more than just walk or sunbathe on the beach - cycle, kayak or hike your way around Flagler.

Why not check out the 3,084 acres of Graham Swamp Preserve & Conservation Area? More than 2,500 acres of the land are covered by swamps, but you can still explore quit a bit of the grounds. Take a leisurely ramble through the hilly hiking trail or cycle through the 6.5 biking trail, which also includes log runs and jumps. If you'd rather take a less ambulatory approach to your visit to the Graham Swamp Preserve & Conservation Area, enjoy spotting the creatures that make the swamp their habitat: alligators, foxes, otter, deer, water fowl and more. 

Or, take out your paddles and travel down the intercoastal waterway! Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreational Area is open 365 days a year and offers easy water access in addition to walking, camping, fishing and picnic areas. Better yet, you can rent kayaks, canoes and bikes right on the premises if you don't want to bring your own. Renting the equipment is a great way to try out a new outdoor activity - and even achieve those 2012 resolutions about being more active! 

Whether you prefer to get your feet wet or trek through swampland trails, Flagler has a wonderful outdoor adventure waiting for you. To learn more about all these options and more, check out the Complete Nature and Trails Guide PDF download:

http://www.visitflagler.org/files/completenatureandtrailsguideweb1.pdf