Considering a fun trip with your kids? Great! Of course, we all remember disastrous family vacations. To avoid those kinds of memories, here are some tips for creating a great getaway for you and your family.
Spend time planning
As the saying goes, “Planning makes perfect.” While you can’t plan for every eventuality, the more you consider before your trip, the more affordable everything will be. Do your research, look for reasonable prices, and compare available attractions. It’s also important to consider schedules and plan activities around your family’s limits. For example, if you have a young child, don’t plan a day of non-stop activities. Instead, consider a few breaks throughout the day to accommodate the calm energy of younger family members. This will make an incredible difference to the entire trip.
What’s fun for you
Remember that you want this vacation to be enjoyable and memorable for everyone. But that might not be the exact definition for everyone. One family’s vacation may be completely different from another’s. So take your friends’ recommendations with a grain of salt and keep in mind that their idea of fun may not match yours.
Involving children in the planning stage is a great way to ensure they have fun during your vacation. Obviously, you’ll have the final say and you don’t want to give them carte blanche. But it can be helpful to know their ideas. Choose a few acceptable destinations and let your children choose the one they like best from that list. Give older people a stronger voice in this process; younger ones will likely enjoy being away and will have their turn to make the decisions in a few years.
Unplug
It’s sometimes difficult for some people, especially teenagers, but taking a vacation from their devices will completely transform your vacation. We all need to disconnect sometimes, and if you’re on a family vacation, it’s the best time to take the plunge. Turn off your phones, put them in a safe, and disconnect in every possible way. You’ll have more time, energy, and focus on your family. You’ll be surprised at how much you enjoy spending time together when there are no media distractions.
Go with the flow
No matter how much you plan, setbacks are bound to happen. Take things easy, let yourself go, and let life flow. The calmer you are about everything, the more you’ll be able to face the unexpected with equanimity and a smile when it arises. And sometimes, the spontaneous decisions we make in the moment during a trip are the most enjoyable.
Best Family Vacations in the USA:
Our 10 Favorite Destinations. Even if you’ve already started researching, you know one thing for sure. there are tons of vacation destinations in this beautiful country! From Myrtle Beach to Sanibel Island, the United States is brimming with exciting vacation destinations for the whole family to enjoy. Here are our picks for ten of the best getaways in the U.S. has to offer. Can’t decide? The good news is, there’s always one next year!
1. Disney Adventures
Walt Disney left a legacy of animated films that will likely live on forever. He also left behind a vast network of theme parks, known as Disney Adventures, that no childhood would be complete without experiencing. From Magic Kingdom to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Universal Studios, and many more, Disney is a truly magical experience for children of all ages to enjoy. The parks are located in Florida and California, including Orlando and Anaheim. They offer an exciting combination of enchanting experiences, including children’s classics, thrilling adventure rides, exotic animal exploration, sensational light and sound shows and parades, and international appeal.
2. Yellowstone National
If you’re looking for a family vacation in close proximity to nature, a national park is the best option. Yellowstone is one of the most popular options in this category. Spanning three states (Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho), Yellowstone offers breathtaking scenery, spectacular hiking and adventure, and beautiful wildlife. The park is also home to more than half of the world’s geysers and hydrothermal vents, including Old Faithful. Yellowstone offers hiking, camping, boating, fishing, sightseeing, and much more. You’ll fill your lungs with fresh air and create exciting memories that will last a lifetime.
If you’re looking for more of the same experiences, Yosemite in California and the Grand Canyon in Arizona are also highly rated destinations. Washington National Park is also a must-see.
If you’re passionate about our beautiful country, perhaps a tour of its rich heritage would be a good fit for your family. Then you should visit Washington National Park. To start, you’ll see some of the country’s most famous monuments, including the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and Constitution Gardens. Every corner of this hour-long tour is filled with fascinating artifacts and insights into American history. There are also stunning botanical gardens.
Additionally, the National Park is home to the Smithsonian Institution, a museum complex that includes 17 wonderful museums across a wide range of themes, including the National Museum of Art and the Renwick Gallery, the National Air and Space Museum, the Museum of Natural History, and the National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Best of all, most of these exhibits are completely free.
4. The San Diego Zoo & Safari Park
If you thought it couldn’t offer this much excitement, think again. First and foremost, the San Diego Zoo allows both children and adults to get up close and personal with animals through guided tours, educational adventures, and a wonderful variety of wildlife, including over 3,500 animals from over 650 species. The zoo is clean, beautifully designed with animals in their natural habitats, and full of fun activities for everyone.
In addition, the zoo offers great entertainment, such as the Skyfari aerial tram, 4D cinema, kangaroo bus tours, and a botanical garden. If that wasn’t enough, the San Diego Zoo offers day passes, group passes, and annual passes that include other attractions. So, for one price, you and your family can visit over 35 attractions, plus the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park. And best of all, you’ll get free admission to LEGOLAND and SeaWorld, two of the country’s most exciting playgrounds.
5. IndianapChildren’sren’s
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis offers guaranteed fun for kids of all ages. The sprawling complex includes indoor and outdoor exhibits that span the spectrum. Indoor exhibits include themes like American POP, which pays homage to the exploration of pop culture, music, film, fashion, and more, as well as a fascinating showcase of the power of children. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis offers a full sports experience where kids can learn about sports at the National Sports Art Museum, explore the Avenue of Champions, and even have fun playing their favorite sports, from baseball to tennis, golf, track and field and more.
6. Sesame Place & Busch Gardens
Sesame Street is a cornerstone of many children’s childhoods. That’s why Sesame Street is a must-see for all kids. In addition to seeing life-size Sesame Street characters strolling the streets, hugging and clapping at happy and confused children, the amusement park is unparalleled. Sesame Street offers a variety of rides and games for the whole family, including roller coasters, inflatables, flying cars and the ever-popular Mini-Monster Clubhouse, a giant soft play area for little ones. There are also incredible water slides, such as Bird’s Eye’s Rambling River and Ernie’snie’s Waterworks, that kids will enjoy every second of their time there. And that’s not even counting the live entertainment, art exhibits and, most exciting of all, the Sesame Street Gang Parade.
Busch Gardens, in partnership with Sesame Place, is an enhanced version that awakens the spirit of adventure and play in children of all ages, even those who can no longer access SP. Busch Gardens is located in Tampa, Florida and Williamsburg, Virginia. If you’re in the area, you can also visit Gettysburg to see the actual battlefield live. If you’re in the mood for a historical getaway, be sure to visit Colonial Williamsburg, just an hour’s drive away.
7. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
This theme park is a must-visit for families with children. Haven’t you been captivated by the epic stories of Harry Potter and his gang? Now, kids and adults can experience the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in a magical world, an adventure theme park entirely dedicated to the cause. Tour Hogwarts, fly around the grounds on a hippogriff, and experience the entire world of Harry Potter through a motion simulator. There’s also a Hogsmeade tour, an exciting Triwizard Tournament, and a chance to dine on the Three Broomsticks. But most exciting for aspiring witches and wizards, you can visit Ollivanders and have your wand made.
8. Voyagaire
The Voyager is one of several houseboats you can rent. And let’s say you’re looking for an unforgettable family vacation. Then this little, quiet secret in the heart of Minnesota should definitely be at the top of your list. The idea is simple, but great: rent your own houseboat and enjoy your own family nature adventure. You can cruise through Voyageurs National Marine Park to see beautiful waterways, ancient rock formations, and uninhabited islands. You’ll also find great fishing spots, golf courses, and more. The boats come with fully equipped kitchens, bathrooms, grills, and a waterslide.
9. Hershey Park
We thought a theme park dedicated solely to chocolate would make everyone squeal with delight. Hershey’s Park’s biggest attraction is the Hershey’s Chocolate Tour, where you’ll learn about how these delicious chocolates are made, create your own chocolate bar, enjoy a 4D Chocolate Mystery Simulator show, and of course, get your own samples to enjoy.
But Hershey’s Park offers more than that: exciting American roller coasters like the Candymonium, Dry Gulch Railroad and Convoy, water rides, bumper cars and other fun attractions. You’ll also meet all the Hershey characters, including Kisses, Jolly Ranchers, Kit Kats and the Hershey’s chocolate bar.
10. US Space & Rocket Center
If you’re looking for a unique and unusual family vacation, we recommend a visit to the NASA Space and Rocket Center. Explore the fascinating reaches of our solar system and beyond at this fascinating museum dedicated to providing kids with hands-on, interactive space experiences. Visit the Lunar Crater exhibits, where kids can see a model of the Apollo 11 landing site; Spark! Lab, where they can learn to build, design, and manipulate technology and science to solve a variety of fun challenges; and the Mars Climbing Wall, where kids can learn about this rocky planet and use their muscles to scale a real planetary wall.
The US Space and Rocket Center also offers a great planetarium, featuring an 8K star show in a digital dome using Christie laser projectors for seamless viewing, and a wide range of simulators to immerse them in a space experience that no one will forget.
Domestic Vacationing, The Budget-Friendly Way to Have a Blast
It may surprise people that you’re planning a vacation in the United States. For some, it’s not a vacation if you’re not getting on a plane and don’t need your passport when you land. However, with the current health situation and strict travel regulations, domestic vacations are a growing trend. And believe it or not, people are loving the change. Domestic vacations are easier to plan and require less travel time (which means more vacation time). Best of all, domestic vacation destinations allow you to save money without sacrificing fun.
A study found that Americans spend five times more time traveling abroad than they do at home. Staying at home can reduce the cost of your vacation compared to traveling abroad in several ways, including:
- There are no currency exchange fees.
- Airfare is much cheaper.
- And other transportation costs for the trip.
- Don’t get ripped off by foreigners just because you don’t speak the language.
- You’ll spend less on food while you’re in the United States.
And if you want to save money on your family vacation in the United States, here are some helpful tips:
Comparison shop for deals
Part of the planning phase should include spending time comparing prices. You can save a lot of money just by doing a quick comparison. There are also special coupon sites like Groupon or Jetsetter that offer incredible discounts on vacation destinations and activities.
Get all-in-one deals
There are also plenty of hotels and resorts that can offer exciting vacations for families. All-inclusive resorts like Snow Mountain, RaSmuggler’s Notch, The Main Mindjammer Association, and the Greenbrier offer activities for all ages, so everyone will find something fun to do. If you’re looking to save money, bundling your accommodations with your activities can often reduce costs like transportation and entrance fees. If you’re looking for the best hotel, we’ve got you covered.
Consider local getaways
Sometimes, absolute wellness is just around the corner. Obviously, if you want to get away, you have to go a little further. There’s no hard and fast rule that says you have to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to enjoy a well-deserved vacation. Try camping in a nearby forest, visiting museums or tourist attractions you haven’t had time for, or trying out fun activities just a state or two away. For example, if you’re from New Jersey or Connecticut, Central Park can offer a fun day out for kids and parents alike, with 21 playgrounds, the Loeb Canal, an ice rink, and an amusement park. You’re not far from the incredible Bronx Zoo.
