5. Great Wolf Lodge, Williamsburg, Virginia
Sometimes the summer heat can keep you out of the water, but not in Virginia. At the Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg, an indoor all-season water park, the water stays a comfortable 84-degrees year-round. This 55,000-square-foot aqua extravaganza houses six pools, eight waterslides, and one great reason to suit up this season. While the kids participate in one of the laundry list of activities available, including story time by the fireplace and the Northern Lights Arcade, mom and dad can enjoy massages at the resort's Aveda Concept Spa. Book your reservations early. Rates begin at $259 and include unlimited use of the water park. 1-800 551-9653, www.greatwolflodge.com
6. Washington, D.C.
Traveling for the Fourth of July? Head to Washington, D.C., for breathtaking explosion of fireworks. Get to the National Mall early for a day of activities on the lawn. Cool off inside the surrounding museums, and then settle on your blanket or in a lawn chair underneath the looming Washington Monument for an evening of spectacular surprises synchronized to the sound of the National Symphony Orchestra. Enjoy the colorful display two-fold with a seat near the reflecting pool. Where better to enjoy our nation's birth than at its hub? Parking will be beastly, so take the Metro, if possible, and plan on a slow-moving trip home. www.kennedy-center.org
7. Blue Ridge WineWay Region Wine Country Tour, Virginia
Sit back and let the driver of your stretch limo navigate the hills of Virginia during the Blue Ridge WineWay Region Wine Country Tour. Virginia Wine Country Tours will pick up you and up to nine of your friends for an afternoon of wines and Champagnes from around the region. The limo, stocked with gourmet cheese plates, keeps the group moving to your choice of up to four of Virginia's best wineries. Tours start at $85 per hour, with a minimum of four hours, but it's worth it to enjoy an afternoon of reliving the finest Sideways moments and noting the soupçon of asparagus and woody flavors swirling in your glass. (540) 622-2505, www.virginiawinecountrytours.com
8. Lake Cumberland, Kentucky
If you're a homebody who likes to travel, check out the houseboat rentals on Kentucky's Lake Cumberland. Pack as heavy or light as you like for a few days or a full week, and chart your own course for a summer of lakeside fun. Take the Explorer out for a spin. Your home away from land comes equipped with gas grill, waterslide, and air conditioning—the basic summer essentials. This 64- x16-foot houseboat starts at $1,195 for five days and $2,195 for seven, and it sleeps up to 10. Stop off for some groceries, and then fire up the grill: Summer is about to set sail. Waterway Adventures: 1-800 844-8862, www.waterway-adventures.com
