Family reunions can be a lot of fun. You get to see family members you may not have seen for a couple of years. Perhaps, there are ‘new’ family members you haven’t met. The good news is there are plenty of family reunion locations throughout the U.S. The possibilities are endless!

It’s important to make arrangements early and find a place that works for everyone. This is a good way to prevent family feuds! If you wait too long to plan your family reunion, your favorite hotel or resort could be booked solid. Also, family members may not be able to attend due to previous travel plans.

How to Plan a Family Reunion, Cut Costs, and Have a Good Time

Book Your Family Reunion Locations Early! Photo credit: Stock exchange-Sign-Helen Bobis

Book early

Beach family reunion locations are popular. The most popular beach vacation destination is Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. If you have your heart set on having your family reunion in SC then you better book your location early. Otherwise, the entire family will be left out in the cold.

Tie your family reunion to an important date

If grandma and grandpa are celebrating 65 years of marriage, celebrate their special day at the family reunion. Building your family reunion around a holiday could be tricky. Big holiday’s like Memorial Day and the Fourth of July are during the travel ‘high season.’ You may not be able to find accommodations or someone may not be able to attend.

Hold your family reunion in the off-season

It may be cost effective to hold your family reunion in the off-season. Family reunion locations such as Florida, North and South Carolina, Georgia, and other popular destinations can be expensive during the ‘high season’ which is usually during the summer. Some family members may not be able to afford to attend. Take this into consideration when planning your family reunion. Holding in the off-season could work for everyone.

Meet at a family member’s home

Holding your family reunion at a family member’s home is another way to cut costs. Perhaps, a family member with five or more acres of land will be willing to host the family reunion. Everyone can bring something, a hot meal, desert, or soft drinks. Of course, cash would probably be accepted too!

Decide on the size of your family reunion

Your family reunion doesn’t have to be large. A small and intimate family reunion could be more inviting. First-time family reunion planners may want to plan a smaller affair. You’ll get a sense of what it’s like to plan reunion.

Raise money for your family reunion 

Send out an email blast and ask family members to have garage sales, silent auctions, raffles, car washes, rummage sales, etc. to raise money for your family reunion.

Plan cost-effective family activities

Ask family members what they like to do. Ask family members what their kids like to do. You can’t please everyone. But you can plan activities ahead of time to keep people entertained. Ideas are:

• Renting a karaoke machine.
• Set up a sound system outside (if you’re holding at your home).
• Booking golf outing.
• Swimming
• Hiking
• Going to the park.
• Renting a ‘bouncy castle’ or other inflatable rentals.

Now you know how to plan a family reunion, cut costs, and have a good time! Keep the lines of communication open. Correspond via email or Facebook. Keep in mind that everyone may not have a computer or Facebook page. Contact family members when you have the date, time, and location settled. Keep family up-to-date with the latest information. Happy planning!

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The dazzling décor, fabulous facilities, splendid services and delectable dining are appreciated by the corporate and leisure traveler at Hotel Ruby Foo’s.

Hotel Ruby Foo’s is located 10 minutes from Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, 15 minutes from downtown Montreal, near shops, restaurants, synagogues and cultural centres.

Guests enjoy complimentary parking, wireless Internet, business center, 24-hour fitness center, heated outdoor swimming pool with terrace (seasonal) and much more. The hotel complex also includes a spa, barbershop, beauty salon and 2 restaurants, Mahjongg China Bistro and Café dLUX. The newly redesigned deluxe bedrooms offer a choice of one king-size or two queen-size beds, with Beautyrest Excellence pillow-top mattresses and 100% white goose-down duvets.

Kitchenette studio-suites are also available.

The Singapore Ballroom accommodates 300 people in a theater style or 180 people in a banquet style.

Book online with promo code GuestQuest to receive a special rate.

Hotel Ruby Foo’s
7655 Decarie Boulevard
Montreal, Quebec
514-731-7701

Toll free 1(800) 361-5419
www.hotelrubyfoos.com

2010 Trip Advisor Recommended Hotel.

This Suite Hotel is centrally located one block from the Rideau Canaland the trendy boutique area of Elgin Street, in Ottawa, Ontario. The Cartier Place Suite Hotel is a favourite among families and business travelers alike. There are 250 spacious one and two bedroom suites, complete with kitchens, separate bedrooms and private balconies. Each suite offers complimentary WIFI. Laundry facilities are conveniently located on each guest floor. The deluxe banquet facilities have floor to ceiling windows overlooking the gardens. Savour the delectable Italian cuisine of the Café Mezzaluna Restaurant. Guests may also enjoy the games room, children’s playroom, the private outdoor garden patio and the playground complete with shuffleboard court. The indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna, exercise room and the friendly atmosphere all contribute to a memorable stay. Pet Friendly!

For reservations, please call 1-800-236-8399 or visit our website at www.suitedreams.com for more information on special rates and packages.

Casa Loma, Toronto’s Castle

On the brow of a hill overlooking Toronto, Ontario a 98-room castle dominates the skyline – Casa Loma. As seen on A&E’s America’s Castles, this renowned landmark features unique architecture, soaring ceilings, rich woodcarving, sumptuous marble and luminous stained glass. 

Casa Loma is the unique legacy of Sir Henry Mill Pellatt, a prominent Canadian financier, industrialist and military officer of the early twentieth century. Knighted by King Edward VII, Sir Henry amassed his fortune in such diverse fields as transportation, real estate, hydro-electricity and insurance.

Begun in 1911, Casa Loma took 300 men nearly three years to complete and cost $3,500,000 at that time. You can explore secret passages, view the city from one of two towers, and traverse an 800-foot tunnel to luxurious stables. Five acres of beautiful estate gardens surround the castle and offer sparkling fountains, unique sculpture and dazzling displays of rare annuals and perennials that change with the seasons.

(416) 923-1171   www.casaloma.org

Visit the St. James Cathedral during your next family vacation in Toronto, Canada.

There are so many great tourism opportunities in Toronto for the whole family. Check out these top tourist attractions, suggested by 10Best.com, for a fun family vacation in Canada.

St. James Cathedral: Built in 1807, this beautiful cathedral features Canada’s tallest steeple, breathtaking stained glass windows and tributes to Toronto’s Anglican faith. This is a must-see in Toronto and the history behind this building will astound the whole family.

Royal Ontario Museum: This is Canada’s largest museum and research facility. It houses over six million pieces of art, archaeology and natural science. The exhibits include everything from bats and dinosaur bones to Chinese art and antiques. There’s something the whole family will enjoy here, don’t miss out on this awesome Canadian tourism opportunity.

Art Gallery of Ontario: This museum has 50 galleries and represents all media and traditions of Western art. The Impressionist paintings are especially impressive as well as the works of the Canadian Group of Seven, landscape painters from the 1920’s who influenced much of Ontario’s painting.

CN Tower: Originally built as a TV transmission antenna, the CN Tower has become known as a main Canadian tourism attraction. It’s 1815 feet tall, and known as the tallest tower in the world. Visitors can explore the tower which features a digital animation program, a laser tag game, nightclub, an award-winning restaurant with the world’s highest wine cellar, shops and an observation deck.

To find out about more must-see attractions to visit during your family vacation in Toronto, Canada, visit 10Best.com.

Going on a Canada vacation in the winter? Don't miss the Festival of Lights.

While some people dream of sunny beaches in the winter, others take advantage of the beauty of snowy Canada to partake in winter sports and take in majestic mountains. If you’re traveling to Canada this winter, you may want to stop at one of these fun holiday events!

Festival of Lights, Niagara Falls
This luminous event takes place from November to the end of January. See over 125 animated lighted displays as you stroll through Niagara Parks Winter Wonderland. This event has been a family tradition for many over the years.

Christmas Train Rides
Throughout Canada, many of the nation’s scenic railways have holiday train rides, such as the Christmas Express Train in British Columbia and the Santa Treats Train in Ontario.

Milner Christmas Magic, Victoria
Visit Milner Gardens in Victoria, British Columbia for a festival of lights with music and fun for the whole family. There will also be storytelling, a silent auction, and more!

Christmas at Canada Place, Vancouver
This annual event is fun for the whole family. Events include the popular Breakfast with Santa, which usually sells out quite quickly! Christmas at Canada Place helps support local charities that help children in need.

This is only a sample of all that Canada’s tourism has to offer. Visit Canada’s Official Tourism Website for more information.

Experience some family fun during your next Canadian vacation. Visit the Stanley Park Halloween Ghost Train.

If you’re traveling to British Columbia, Canada this fall to check out the fall colors, you may want to experience some scares while you’re there. British Columbia has a host of Halloween events for all ages.

Stanley Park Ghost Train – Take a train ride through Vancouver and experience thrilling scenes along the way. There is a different theme each year, with this year’s theme being Alice in Nightmareland. This ride is fun for all ages.

Annual Children’s Halloween Festival – This event in Surrey includes a train ride through the Halloween Forest Display, crafts, games, and more!

The Haunted Village – Visit the Burnaby Village Museum and tour the Haunted Village, complete with carousel rides, circus sideshow, fortune tellers, and more at this living history museum.

The Ghosts of Victoria Festival – Experience a host of activities in Victoria, including ghost walks, haunted trolley tours, spooky plays, and much more. Learn about the haunted history of the town, and have a few chills along the way!

This is only a sample of what British Columbia has to offer. For more information on Canadian tourism, contact us!