FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
United

Take the Kids to Martha’s Vineyard

by Barbara Rogers

Jun 7, 2022

© Michael Gordon | Dreamstime.com

Kids

With all the excitement of an island getaway, but only a short ferry ride from the Massachusetts mainland, Martha’s Vineyard is ideal for family travel.

 

Begin having fun upon arrival at the ferry dock in Oak Bluffs, as Inkwell Beach lies just a short walk away. The water is shallow and safe for small children to play in, and the sandy beach has a lifeguard on duty in the summer.

 

Apart from the beach, the kids’ favorite attraction in Oak Bluffs will be the historic Flying Horses Carousel. Built in 1876, it’s been an Oak Bluffs institution since moving here from Coney Island in 1884. The oldest of its kind in the country, the carousel was restored to its original condition; the horses have glass eyes and real horsehair manes and tails.

 

Take a stroll through Ocean Park to see the fanciful “Gingerbread” cottages. Kids will delight at these colorful, fairy tale-looking houses. You can even rent one for your Martha’s Vineyard vacation, but you’ll need to reserve early. You’ll also find lots of green grassy spots for a picnic in Ocean Park.

 

State Beach is a long stretch of soft sand, and across the street are kayaks and paddleboards to rent for exploring the large Sengekontacket Pond and its coves and islands.

 

Don’t miss Edgartown, with its streets of historic homes and its smart boutiques. Be sure to take a ride on the “Chappy On-Time” ferry, shuttling back and forth across the narrow body of water separating Chappaquiddick from the main island. The on-time title signifies only that it has no schedule, so it is always on time. It is constantly in motion, transferring bicyclists, walkers and a few cars to the idyllic island.

 

The Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge covers miles of fragile sand dunes along the outer eastern end of Chappaquiddick island. More than 14 miles of trails wind through the reservation with views of the Atlantic beaches and Cape Poge Bay.

 

You can drive to the reservation, park at the gatehouse and take one of the frequent guided tours to get the most out of the visit. In addition to an 1895 lighthouse, the reservation also offers guided kayak tours and maintains the Japanese-style Mytoi Garden near the entrance.

 

You can get to Martha’s Vineyard by ferry from New Bedford, Massachusetts, in 50 minutes; from Woods Hole on Cape Cod in 45 minutes; and from New York City in five hours.

#WhereverFamily

Insta Feed
Destinations / North America
Jun 1, 2023

Hit the Streets of Chattanooga, Tennessee, for Non-Stop Music Events in 2023

This year, Chattanooga, Tennessee, takes center stage with a full lineup of music events, offering family travelers more than one chance to visit this town. Here are some of the upcoming music festivals and events coming to Chattanooga:

United Airlines Celebrates its First Class of United Aviate Graduates

As the only major U.S. airline to own a flight school, United Airlines already hit a major milestone, and now the carrier celebrates another important — and historic — step as the inaugural class of United Aviate Academy pilots graduates, leading the next generation of aviators. The 51 students in the graduating class were majority, at 80 percent, women and people of color — another stride toward United’s goal of training 5,000 new pilots by 2030 with half women or POC.

Destinations / North America
Jun 1, 2023

3 Summer Festivals to Experience in New Orleans This Summer

If you think a New Orleans vacation means walking the streets of the French Quarter, eating beignets and drinking chicory coffee, you are only partially right. The city is ripe with fun activities that make it one of the most fascinating destinations for all types of family travelers, including what seems like a never-ending calendar of festivals where visitors can experience fun, food and culture year-round. If you plan to head to the Big Easy this summer, be sure to check out these great festivals that should definitely be on your must-do list.

Slideshow
Jun 1, 2023

8 Tel Aviv, Israel, Destinations for Family Travel

It’s time to start dreaming of your next family trip. Here’s some destination inspiration for you. Take a visual journey through Tel Aviv, Israel, with us.

Destinations / North America
May 31, 2023

The Desert of Maine: A Natural Wonder Great for Kids

The Desert of Maine, near the shopping mecca of Freeport, has been an icon since it opened in 1925. Children of family travelers along Maine’s coast were fascinated by road-side signs showing camels, sand dunes and colorful Arabian tents. At times, live camels were added to the desert landscapes.

Destinations
May 31, 2023

Top 10 Summer Travel Destinations

Travel insurance company Allianz Partners recently revealed the results of its Top 10 Summer Travel Destinations study, just in time for family travelers looking for some inspiration. The team at Allianz analyzed more than 1.6 million flight itineraries of five–eight days in length booked between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Of those flight itineraries, 73 percent were for domestic trips and 27 percent were for international destinations.