Do you have young kids? Thinking your vacation-loving days are over? It’s all a matter of picking the right destination so everyone can have a relaxing and entertaining getaway. Here are your top 10 travel ideas for families. Because it’s not always about the heavy work of sharing feelings, sometimes you need a light break from the norm. These are a few favorite travel destinations to bring you ideas for family-friendly vacations that won’t break the bank.
- Williams, Arizona – Don’t miss the historic Grand Canyon Railway with its old-school railroad depot. The famous Route 66 passes through Williams. You can visit the Great Plane Air Museum or the Grand Canyon Deer Farm. Drive through Bearizona Wildlife park to see wolf and bear cubs. Located just an hour from the Grand Canyon, Williams offers small town entertainment for everyone as well as outdoor adventures like biking, hiking, and zip lines. This city, self-named the Gateway to the Grand Canyon packs lots of fun.
- Indianapolis, Indiana – Picturesque and littered with destinations including sparkling waterways, including the White River State Park running through the center of town, green spaces, race cars (to entertain young and old alike), the Children’s museum of Indianapolis, and shark petting at the Indianapolis Zoo. Also find Connie Prairie, and interactive history museum and the Indianapolis Zoo.
- San Diego, California – Ocean breezes, the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, sea lion watching, and Balboa Park, as well as the beaches, make San Diego an amazing destination for parents and kids alike. Named the city of beaches this city boasts many water sport activities. Also don’t miss Seaworld San Diego or the Aquatica water park.
- Sanibel Island, Florida – With amazing beaches your family can spend the whole day ocean side, searching for shells, and making sand castles. Maybe you can even catch a relaxing read on the beach. Sanibel tends to be less crowded and the warm gulf clear waters are magnificent. Take a pirate cruise, do some fishing, or tour the mangroves.
- Carlsbad, California – If you’re the more city type of family, enjoy Legoland California and all the other theme parks the area has to offer including an aquarium. Don’t miss The Flower Fields of California with wagon rides or the Museum of Making Music. Take a ride down the historic highway 101.
- Port Aransas, Texas – Think traditional summer vacation with beaches along the Gulf of Mexico to enjoy surfing and fishing opportunities in calm waters on sheltered coves. Take a dolphin watching cruise or experience wildlife on the boardwalks.
- Durham, New York – Nestled in the Catskill Mountains, Durham offers outdoor fun along with some city sights. Enjoy kid-friendly hikes and a visit to the Hull-O petting farm, as well as the exciting Zoom Flume Water Park. Go horseback riding in the Catskills and visit one of the many quaint pubs.
- Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri – With over a thousand miles of lake shore, you can not only explore the Lake of the Ozarks State Park, but Miner Mike’s Adventure Town, Bridal Cave and Thunder Mountain Park, as well as take pack a picnic for an afternoon lakeside with its many hiking opportunities. Enjoy a multitude of water parks including Bear Bottom Water Slide.
- Port Angeles, Washington – From Olympic National Park to the scenic tide pools overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fica, kids and adults can enjoy hiking, playing in the ocean, and discovering nature. Stroll the mural walk in downtown, hike to water falls, or spend a day at the beach.
- Atlanta, Georgia – With the amazing Georgia Aquarium, Six Flags, and Stone Mountain all within thirty minutes of the city, Atlanta is a wonderful destination for families with young kids. You can even catch a baseball game or go tubing down the Chatahoochie (yeah, that’s a real thing). And bonus, you can visit the Atlanta Zoo, botanical gardens, or Atlanta Science Museum sporting huge dinosaurs and great space exhibits.
For a local trip… Thinking of something closer to home? Cleveland boasts Cedar Point Amusement Park, a children’s museum, the Cleveland Botanical Gardens, a zoo. aquarium, and natural history museum.
Need more ideas or travel tips? Use these links.
Family Vacation Critic Best Vacations with Toddlers
Vacation Map Best Travel Tips for Families with Small Children
Upgrade Points Best Tips for Travel with Kids
Parents.com Best Tips for Stress Free Air Travel with Kids
All the best,
Danielle Older, MSW, LISW-S, CCTP
Owner/Therapist
330-595-4575
River Root Counseling, LLC