13 Best Family Vacation Ideas for All Ages

Top 3 Can’t Miss

• Disney World is a classic family vacation for a reason, with crowd-pleasing variety and accessible amenities.
• Combine education and fun on a trip to Washington, D.C., where you can visit a new museum every day.
• Nothing beats a good waterslide, and thanks to indoor water parks, you don’t even have to wait for summer.
  

Planning a family vacation can be stressful. Not only do you have to find affordable family-friendly accommodations, but you also have to be sure your destination will have something for everybody. Whether you’re organizing an intimate getaway for your kids and partner or a multigenerational trip with your entire family, these suggestions are adaptable and fun for the whole crew. Here are 13 of the best family vacation ideas so you can stop stressing and start getting excited about all the new memories you’ll be making together.

Visit the “Most Magical Place on Earth” in Orlando.

The young and young-at-heart can’t resist a theme park vacation. When it comes to the best theme parks in Florida, it’s hard to top Orlando’s Disney World. You may even need multiple trips to visit all four amusement parks and two water parks, not to mention trying the different themed hotels and exploring the expansive shopping and restaurant districts. There are rides for all ages, as well as interactive dining experiences with your favorite Disney characters. Plus, if you have any low-mobility family members, services like wheelchair rentals are available to help them get around and enjoy the parks.

Explore the nation’s capital.

Washington, D.C., combines fun and education with tons of kid-friendly attractions, like museums, the National Mall, and the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. During the National Cherry Blossom Festival, typically in mid-to-late March or early April (it changes each year), the Tidal Basin is awash in pink thanks to thousands of cherry trees in blossom. If you have little ones, take them to the National Children’s Museum, or keep things simple with a trolley tour that passes all the major landmarks in just a few hours.

Splash around at a water park.

The best water parks can be just as thrilling for parents as they are for kids, making them an all-around good time for families. These days, you don’t even have to wait for summer to enjoy them, with incredible indoor water parks offering year-round fun. You can find water parks all over the country, but if you really want variety, check out the “water park capital of the world,” Wisconsin Dells, which boasts more per capita than any other city. Even if you stay closer to home, a water park is a great option for families as it offers a range of thrills from the relaxing turns of a lazy river to the heart-pounding anticipation of a drop slide.

Camp under the stars.

With so many scenic places to camp in the United States, an overnight immersion in nature can be a special way to bring loved ones closer together. Use the trip as a time to slow down and digitally detox, unwinding as you bask in the warmth of a campfire and each other’s company. If your bunch isn’t the type to rough it, glamping is a great middle ground that works for all ages. Typically, glamping hotels will provide real beds and Wi-Fi in a gorgeous natural setting so everyone will be comfortable in between activities like swimming, hiking, and stargazing.

Get adventurous on an African safari.

For many people, a safari is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure and an experience that’s worth sharing with the whole family. Everyone will feel like a kid again when they’re face-to-face with their favorite animal. When it comes to African safaris, there are so many destinations to choose from, so think about the wildlife your kids would be most excited to see. Some of T+L readers’ favorite safari lodges and outfitters are in South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda. When selecting a location, consider other activities your family will enjoy, such as swimming, boat rides, biking, and cultural experiences. Many camps only accommodate children five and up, so this is a trip you may want to save for when your kids are older. However, bringing a baby on safari can be done if you find the perfect lodge.

Giddy up at a dude ranch.

Dude ranches help travelers experience classic Western culture, with days dedicated to riding horses and nights spent around a bonfire or chatting on the porch. Usually operating similarly to all-inclusive resorts with a flat fee covering food and activities, the best dude ranch vacations will transport you to another time. Choose how rustic or luxurious you want to get, and gear up for some delicious meals and quality time in wide-open spaces. Kids can look forward to pony rides and nighttime s’mores, while older family members might opt for a fishing excursion or even enjoy learning how to handle a lasso.

Indulge your sweet tooth in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Hershey’s Chocolate World has rides, tours, and treats that tie in with the popular chocolate company. Some activities are free, while other special experiences, like the interactive “Hershey’s Unwrapped” show, require tickets. Rounding out your trip to the area, Hershey’s Chocolate World is down the street from the Hersheypark amusement park, so you can visit both family-loved destinations in one weekend. Adults can realize their childhood fantasies at The Spa at the Hotel Hershey, where chocolate-inspired treatments like whipped cocoa baths and chocolate fondue wraps will leave them feeling refreshed and smelling sweet enough to eat.

Set sail on a cruise.

With lots of family-friendly excursions, onboard activities, supervised kids clubs, and more, cruises can ensure everyone in your family makes the most of their vacation while spending time together. Once you decide on your destination, picking one of the best cruise lines for families will come down to the amenities your family will enjoy most. Norwegian Cruise Lines brings the fun with its epic extras like race-car tracks and waterslides, but an expedition cruise liner like Hurtigruten might be a better fit if the average age of your family skews a bit older. River cruises, typically associated with more mature demographics, are a great way to see Europe, and there are even Disney-branded river cruises, which will keep things fresh and exciting for younger cruisers.

Relax at an all-inclusive resort.

Like cruises, family-friendly all-inclusive resorts are a fantastic option for multigenerational travel because they have something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a tropical escape in the Caribbean or a domestic resort with a fun, camp-like atmosphere, the best all-inclusive family resorts offer a range of activities that the whole family will love (along with kids clubs for the days when everyone wants to do their own thing). With meals, activities, and more included in one price, all-inclusives are an ideal family vacation for those seeking a totally relaxing getaway.

Hit the slopes.

Get outside and enjoy some mountain air with your family on a ski vacation. With so many family-friendly ski resorts in the United States, you might be just a drive (or a short flight) away from a great destination. Look for resorts with good ski school programs, terrain for all ski levels (including bunny slopes for beginners), and activities for all ages—Beaver Creek, Whiteface, and Park City Mountain Resort are among the country’s best. Learning to ski together is a great bonding experience, but nothing beats the cozy feeling of gathering afterward for dinner and reminiscing on a great ski day.

Take a classic American road trip.

Pack up the car, get the playlist going, and hit the road with the whole family for an adventure to visit national parks and iconic roadside attractions. There are great ideas for family road trips in every U.S. region if you prefer to stay relatively close to home with a short jaunt. Alternatively, embark on a longer journey like Route 66; you can hop on wherever is most convenient, but if you want to do the whole thing, start from Chicago and make your way through seven states until you arrive for the big finale in Los Angeles at the Santa Monica Pier.

Chill out on a beach vacation.

Whether you fly to the Caribbean to float in turquoise waters at a five-star resort or rent a house somewhere on the coast of the continental United States, there’s a beach vacation for every budget and travel style. Families can have a great time in big beach towns, which usually have a boardwalk at the center of all the entertainment, or travel somewhere more remote for long walks on the beach away from the crowds. From the dunes of the Great Lakes to secluded Southern islands, choose the patch of sand to suit your group.

Go abroad.

Want to go a little farther afield? Planning a family trip abroad can seem daunting, especially if it’s a new culture and language, but the memories you’ll create will last forever and potentially inspire a lifetime love of travel for your kids. In Europe, you can learn about ancient and medieval history, or take your family to the ends of the Earth on a cruise to Antarctica. There are so many places worth traveling with kids, and wherever you go, you’ll give your children the opportunity to learn about culture and history through local experiences.