Eco-Vacations: The New Family Road Trip
On your next family trip, visit a farm or stay in a treehouse.
March 2, 2009 -- There's a new way to vacation these days, one that's easy on the environment, and relaxing and fun for the whole family.
"Good Morning America" life and family contributor Lee Woodruff shared a few economically and environmentally friendly trips, courtesy of Budget Travel magazine.
Handsome Brook Farm
It's perfect for a vacation with the kids and families can journey across Handsome Brook Farm in Franklin, N.Y. At this farm stay, you can help feed and groom the many animals, pick berries and work in the vegetable garden.
Double rooms start at $89/night.
Good Hotel
If it is more of a city experience you are hoping for, head up to San Francisco and book a stay at Good Hotel. The hotel is eco-conscious, right down to the furniture in your guest room. Bed headboards are made from 100 percent reclaimed wood, lamps from recycled water bottles and the concierge service is designed for philanthropic opportunities. Phones in the lobby answer directly at One Brick, a local nonprofit that will provide you with a list of spots to volunteer during your time in San Fran.
Weekday double rooms start at $89/night.
Snowmass Inn
Looking to embrace your inner snow bunny? Hit the slopes at Aspen, Colo.'s green ski resort Snowmass. Using 100 percent renewable energy, the ski resort was the first of its kind to become a wind-power, "green"-certified buildings. The inn even has a nonprofit employee group whose mission is to raise funds to protect the mountain ecosystems.
Rooms start at $95/night; children younger than 6 ski/snowboard for free. Check out aspensnowmass.com for further info.
Treehouse Point
Issaquah, Wash., may be the greenest of all these eco-vacations because you can literally stay in a treehouse. At Treehouse Point, you are housed in suspended cedar rooms that can only be reached by bridge. Each guest room, however, maintains all the qualities of typical fine hotels, with electric lighting, leather furniture and an adjacent bathroom.
Double rooms start at $149/night. Visit treehousepoint.com for more details.
