My six year old just discovered pirate ships, so when I saw the Maritime Museum on MiniTime, it seemed like a great new destination for our third annual trip to Sea World... and kids under 5 are free! My little one was a bit scared to go below decks on the sailing ships, but otherwise we had a great time. The Soviet sub offers lots of late 20th Century history for the grown ups -- if you're into that sort of thing.

This hotel is in such a great location. They even have a water shuttle that takes you directly to Sea World! The shuttle only runs during high season, so if you visit off-peak it's still super easy. The park is less than a 5 min. drive from the hotel. It's also just 10 min from the San Diego Zoo. The hotel itself is great. Nice pools with a couple of slides- one for bigger kids and one for little ones. You can usually find a good rate with breakfast included at their on-site restaurant called the Red Marlin. Good buffet style breakfast with all the kids' favorites. The restaurant staff is so friendly and we always have a great experience. Staff at the hotel is great- very accommodating and gave me some great tips on how to save money at both Sea World and Lego Land. They also offer discounted tickets. Highly recommend it for an easy family weekend trip.

Chichen Itza can be overwhelming for kids due to its size and heat and crowds. But if you can get there early in the morning -- and ideally not in peak season -- the main pyramid can be a source of wonder for kids 5 and up. Also keep in mind that there are few guard rails and other safety features you would expect at a kids attraction in the states. For younger kids, be sure to bring a back pack carrier, water, hats and sun screen and take it easy! If you only get to the main pyramid and the ball court, its still worth the trip from Cancun or Playa del Carmen.

The Riviera Maya is anchored by Cancun and to a lessor extent, Playa del Carmen. But if your kids can handle slightly more down-market accommodations, Tulum is well worth the 1.5 hour trek south. Back in the day, accommodations in Tulum were literally beach huts, but now those "huts" are increasingly up-market and more expensive. Anna y Jose leads the way, but there are many others. For kids 5 and up, the Mayan ruins are wondrous, like a scene from Pirates of the Caribbean. For younger kids, consider a back pack carrier and get there early or late to avoid the midday heat and lack of shade.

Something for everyone- but maybe not teenagers. My 2 small kids ages 3 and 5 had a blast and my husband and I enjoyed seeing the intricate lego creations. The park is big and we could not get to everything in our first visit which I think is great because we can see new things next time. I don't think the kids will outgrow this part until they are 10 and 12.