Whale Watching

What it is: Get up-close and personal with the mammoth mammals in their natural habitat from the safety of a boat’s indoor or outdoor viewing deck.

Why your family will love it: The whales’ sheer size alone is awe-inspiring, and there’s so much to learn about these surprisingly agile sea monsters. This is also an outstanding, albeit challenging, outing for burgeoning young photographers.

Locations we love: You can whale-watch off Provincetown, Massachusetts at the tip of Cape Cod from April to October, but July and August are peak months. San Juan Island, Washington near Seattle is also known for whale-spotting success.