by melvisflickr

Article by Chris Adema

As a child, overnight trips with my family were usually spent in some cookie-cutter version of a Holiday Inn, Marriot, Best Western, etc. We stayed at the McDonalds and Burger King of the lodging industry in most cases. These little hotel adventures were always great fun, though not entirely separable from one another or especially memorable. However, on one special summer trip to Washington State, we ventured out of our comfort zone and stayed for two nights at an old farm complex converted to a cozy Victorian Bed and Breakfast. Our first Bed and Breakfast experience, including the barn cats, hot (luke warm) tub, pancake breakfast, and our host (dubbed “the black widow,” thanks to her deceased farmer husband and poorly dyed hair), has been revisited warmly in many family strolls down memory lane. Even 15 years later, recalling both the good and the unexpected of that long ago visit always brings laughter. For my family, a single “Black Widow” was worth a dozen Holiday Inns.

Unique accommodations can be found in virtually every town in America. It takes a little more effort, and the Expedias of the present won’t be of much help, but finding lodging at warm and welcoming bed and breakfasts, comfortable cottages, boutique hotels, historic inns, cabin and vacation home rentals will often yield great experiences and lasting memories for the entire family. The vacation lodging can end up being the best part of the vacation!

Reserve a Pentwater Bed and Breakfast on the sandy shores of Lake Michigan, book a private Ruidoso vacation rental for a week in the mountains of New Mexico, step back in time at the historic Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs, or experience beautiful New England at a Victorian Inn in Belfast, Maine. Whichever corner of the country your travels take you, theres sure to be an opportunity for a unique overnight adventure that will remain memorable for decades to come. In the end, memories worth having are why we leave home to begin with.