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Fourth of July festivities and packages abound across America
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Nearly every city in America is celebrating the Fourth of July this week, meaning that most of the country’s favorite resort and destinations are joining in the fun.
And there’s no place better to start for Fourth fun than in Chicago, where the Marriott Oak Hills Resort is celebrating the nation’s birthday with a Family Escape package ($159 per night) that includes a room, a meal at its Mulligan’s restaurant for two adults and two children 12, access to the July 4 VIP tent with Amazing Ice Cream Sundae Bar, seating to watch the Village of Westmont fireworks and a breakfast buffet for two adults and two children 12 and under the following morning
What, no deep dish pizza?
“Vacations are Chicago is a really big trend right now,’’ said Vicki Poulos, marketing manager for the Marriott and Renaissance hotels in the ChicagoLand area. “We have tons to offer within Chicago. A lot of people from nearby states drive in and experience Chicago. And even within suburban Chicago, our properties have a lot offer.’’
The Marriott Oak Hills Resort is a good example. Spread over 150 acres, the 386-room resort features the Willow Crest Golf Club, two pools, three restaurants, fitness center, basketball and sand volleyball court, jogging trail, and two lounges.
“It’s a gorgeous property,’’ Poulos said. “And the fireworks display actually happens right off the golf course. So immediately, even before we promoted the package we had 20 rooms booked. People were just calling in and asking what w
e had and were booking immediately. It’s a great deal for a family of four. You get fed twice and you get housed.’’
Farther south, the fabled Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Fla., is using its legendary 700,000 gallon pool (the largest hotel pool in the country) to host Fourth celebrations that include a performance by Rose Max and “Brazilian Bossa Bliss,” followed by Classic American Rock with Ludwig and the Druids Acoustic Duo. The evening of the Fourth continues with Motown melodies by Ike Woods & Co in the grand Country Club Ballroom. Throughout the weekend, families will be treated to fun activities including an outdoor movie, live animal show, game room and scavenger hunt.
Across the state at Fort Myers Beach, guests the Pink Shell Beach Resort & Spa easily can see the city’s fireworks from the nearby pier. The fireworks displays from Sanibel Island and Naples also are visible from the Fort Myers Beach pier.
“You can actually see all of those fireworks from our beach here because of the way Naples curves around, so our guests get three shows,’’ said Bill Waichulis, general manager of the Pink Shell Beach Resort & Spa. “We don’t need to do any packages because it’s a very busy weekend for us but we do have more activities on the pool deck for our guests.
“We’ll do a barbecue on the pool deck before the fireworks; we’ll set up chairs on the beach for guests. We have a Wii game we bring out on the pool deck with a flat screen TV by the pool.’’
At the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, W.V., legendary property is hosting several Fourth-related activities with Fourth of July family vacations that begin at $499 per night, based on a family of four that includes the Greenbrier’s Summer Lawn Party with live music, picnics and the annual Grand Parade.
At Jekyll Island’s (Ga.) Beach Deck, the Fourth festivities includes kids’ entertainment that will feature a reverse bungee as well s the usual Fourth fare hot dogs, hamburgers, funnel cakes, shaved ice, soda and more.
The fireworks display can be been anywhere around Jekyll Island.
For families looking for something more on the light side for the Fourth, the Doral (Fla.) Golf Resort & Spa, a Marriott Resort, and the Marco Island (Fla.) Marriott Beach Resort are the first two resorts in Florida to offer Nickelodeon Getaway package weekends this summer. The package features character breakfasts with SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer, as well as a Nickelodeon interactive poolside game show in the afternoon and yes, a chance to get slimed.
The package includes a two-night stay, a SpongeBob or Dora the Explorer sleepover kit (no Squidward?) with pillow case, Nickelodeon-themed gifts, and a character breakfast for the family. The package price begins at $159 per night at Doral and $239 per night at the Marco Island Marriott.
Happy Birthday America.
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