Annabelle,
Thanks for sharing about your Alcatraz vacation. I've always been fascinated by that place and the stories and legends that grew up around it. I hope to get there someday!

The Double JJ Ranch, in Rothbury, Michigan is a great place to take the kids, the whole family, extended family, and friends! We've gone 4 years in a row now. You can camp, or rent a cabin, there are other accomodations as well. They have an outddor pool, hot tub, big slide, spray pool for little ones. There is a little old wetsern town, where you can get old photos taken, go to the General Store, short skits are performed, rent bikes, tennis courts, playground, several spots to eat, take free shuttle to the rodeo, take a hayride to a smores campfire, indoor waterpark with some of the best slides (innertubes for 4), golfing, archery, horse lessons, trail rides, a petting farm..the list goes on. In fact our youngest was born while we were on our weekend trip here 2 years ago, on Labor Day.

I lived very close to the Royal Gorge, located just west of Canon City, Colorado. The park has the world's highest suspension bridge. You can walk or drive across it, and since it is a suspension bridge, you can feel it swaying at times. The river below looks so tiny, and they've had people para sail or base jump off of it. (illegally of course). There is a steep railway tram that takes you to the bottom to see the river and look up at the bridge so far above. There is a Gondola that crosses on a cable. For the most part, its very safe, and kids can't really get in too much trouble. They have the typical venues, restaurant, gift shop, etc. The view is gorgeous, spotlighting the Sangre De Cristo Mountain range.