While a family vacation can be daunting to plan, these destinations will inspire you:
Summer is just around the corner, and with the vacation season in full swing, it would be a pity not to plan a nice trip with your family! I have compiled a list of the top family-friendly vacation destinations in the United States, ranging from natural wonders to seaside towns and theme parks. It’s going to be tough to pick just one!
You’ll agree that there is something for everyone on the following list of travel places, regardless of whether you’re planning a summer road trip, a family summer vacation, or just a fast-day adventure. To help you out with planning, I organized the destinations based on region. Let’s start!
Wisconsin Dells
My first choice for a family vacation is the one and only Wisconsin Dells. What’s not to like about this destination? The Rick Wilcox Magic Theater, Wisconsin Deer Park, Noah’s Ark Water Park, Witches Gulch, Timbavati Wildlife Park, and the Kalahari Indoor Waterpark are a few of the top family-friendly activities in the Wisconsin Dells.
Looking for more activities that take you off the beaten path? For a guided hike into the state’s longest and deepest canyon, we suggest Lost Canyon Horse Tours.
Do you want to create an unforgettable experience for your children or grandchildren? Choose camping! Wisconsin Dells offers a wide range of camping options, including fully equipped RV facilities, exquisite camping experiences, basic woodland campsites, cottages, and camp resorts.
This is not for the faint of heart, but here in the Wisconsin Dells, you can find a hybrid roller coaster at Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park. Adrenaline awaits!
Branson, Missouri
You’ll be happy to discover that Branson, Missouri, has plenty of activities for visitors of all kinds if you’re thinking about planning a trip there. Do you have a passion for fishing? There are tons of large bass in Table Rock Lake.
Do you and your family members enjoy feeling the blood rush through the veins? Then I have a great recommendation for you: the exhilarating thrills in Silver Dollar City will not let you down!
Have you ever tried zipping? In the heart of the Ozark Mountains, Branson Zipline at Wolfe Mountain provides real eco-adventures. Exciting choices include a range of guided canopy excursions that take you over sky bridges, high platforms, and several zip lines.
Are your children competitive in the slightest? Take the family to some go-kart races, and then make the most of your time by going shopping in the downtown area.
Since Branson is regarded as America’s Top Live Music Show Destination, you should also check out which live music events are coming to town. What are you waiting for? Branson is one of the greatest destinations in which you can spend your family vacation!
Hershey, Pennsylvania
Not many folks know that Hershey can be an incredible family vacation spot because it is so underrated. But it’s time to change that! Experience the world-class roller coasters at Hersheypark, along with the town’s zoo, resorts, concerts, and incredible cuisine. This is something that visitors of all ages will adore.
And the fact that this place has been nicknamed The Sweetest Place On Earth shouldn’t be ignored either. Chocolate and candy lovers, listen up!
No adventurous spirit will go on a family vacation without a good camera on hand. I know that you will be tempted to say that you have a smartphone, and probably a good one given how much technology has evolved in the past year, but an instant camera allows you to capture and print memories on the spot, perfect for sharing with relatives who are not tech-savvy. Plus, it’s super affordable on Amazon. The Fujifilm Instax Mini 40 Instant Camera costs just $96.98 at the moment of speaking.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
If you and your family are looking for a destination that has both waterfalls and mountains, Gatlinburg has both. It comes as no surprise that Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is among the top destinations for family vacations.
Admire the scenery as you visit Anakeesta, which has an amazing observation tower and treetop skywalk. There are over 150 hiking paths and over 100 waterfalls in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, so if you’re looking for an unforgettable adventure, go there.
Following that, if you’re looking for something to do indoors if the weather isn’t that friendly, the kids will be impressed with Ripley’s Aquarium.
Cape Charles, Virginia
Have you ever been to Cape Charles? It’s one of my go-to favorite destinations for a family vacation. This stunning beach village is located on the southernmost point of Virginia’s Eastern Shore and is relatively overlooked, making it an ideal getaway for anyone seeking solitude from the bustle of the city.
Take a golf cart ride through the town, shop on Mason Avenue, rent jet skis at Poseidon Watersports on the Chesapeake Bay and browse the selections at one of the several Little Free Libraries tucked away in the town. And while you’re at it, make sure to stuff yourself with plenty of fresh seafood! It’s delicious!
San Diego, California
The variety of family-friendly attractions in San Diego is so great that you may have a hard time deciding what to do! A must-see, if it’s your first trip, is the 100-acre San Diego Zoo, which is home to 12,000 rare and endangered species.
The San Diego Botanic Garden, Belmont Park, Oma’s Family Farm, LEGOLAND, La Jolla Cove, SeaWorld, Plunge San Diego, and the Balboa Park Carousel are a few other well-known attractions.
Not sure where to get food? At Seabird Resort, there’s a fantastic family-friendly restaurant called Piper. Everything they have on the menu is tasty, but my favorite is the homemade pasta. Mmm…now I am hungry!
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Of course, I was going to put Grand Canyon on the list of the best family vacation destinations! I am completely in love with this place and if you’ve been here at least once you know why.
Families looking for a somewhat easy outdoor excursion can ride the Rim Trail’s paved greenway section between the Grand Canyon Visitor Center and the South Kaibab Trailhead.
If you love hiking, as an alternative to other walks dropping below the South Rim, I would suggest the Wide and Easy Bright Angel Trail. But if you visit in the summer, you should avoid trekking in the park during the warmest hours of the day.
To hide from the scorching heat, head to the Yavapai Geology Museum. Here, both adults and kids will have fun, learn new things, and enjoy the time spent together. Also, don’t forget to take a group picture at Shoshone Point! It’s going to be a blast, for sure!
Lake Tahoe, Northern California
Last, but certainly not least, we got to Lake Tahoe. Bring hiking boots and take everybody on family-friendly hikes like the 0.7-mile Eagle Rock Trail or the 1.5-mile paved Rabe Meadows Trail. Trust me, you won’t regret it! After this “warm-up,” go to Van Sickle Bi-State Park, which is at the border of Nevada and California.
You’ll probably be exhausted and hungry after this tenacious adventure, so make sure you stop by Base Camp Pizza Co. Make your taste buds happy by trying out their famous pie. If you already did, drop me a comment and tell me your opinion.
Have you decided upon the destination of your next family vacation? That’s great! Now check out the Safest Low-Cost Airlines to Fly in 2024.
