All-Inclusive Resorts

City folks looking to let loose in the wild, wild West? Make reservations at a dude ranch. They offer parents and kiddos a getaway full of fresh air and wide-open spaces and offer lessons in how to ride horses, round up cattle, fish in salmon-filled rivers and enjoy life the western way.

Like all-inclusive beach resorts, these down-home vacations include lodging, drinks, meals and entertainment, only here the entertainment includes guided horseback riding, rock climbing, white-water rafting and fishing. Activities differ depending on the type of facility you go to — some are more like resorts with pools and spas — while others are full working ranches that breed and train horses year-round.

To see some of the ranches catering to families, read more

There are two kinds of parents: those who take trips and those who go on vacation. Every mom and pop deserves a break with their wee ones, but sometimes planning and plotting the excursion is more exhausting than just opting for a recession-friendly staycation. For family's looking to get the most bang for their buck and have things taken care of for them, all-inclusive resorts offer it all.

In the continental US and abroad, these one stop resorts have built-in facilities for lil ones — like pools with elaborate water slides, day-camp programs and kid-friendly restaurants that cater to picky eaters. Unlike a-la-carte vacations, these resorts allow parents to abide by their budgets, with only tips excluded from the fees. While staying at such a resort may prevent you from exploring a destination beyond the getaway's boundaries, most have ample on-site activities.

To see some of the resorts offering unbelievable deals right now, read more