Places To Take The Family On Vacation – Ready to plan your next family vacation and wondering where to go? For 2023, I’ve combined my favorite family vacation ideas with some recommendations from travel friends. From coast to coast, we’re here to help you choose the best family vacation spots in the US!
This list contains a variety of family vacation ideas, some of which are popular places you’ve heard of before. Other destinations are places that may be new to you. Some are big cities, some are small cities. For each vacation spot on the list, I’ve mentioned why it’s great for families and given you some advance planning with recommended places to stay or things to do!
Places To Take The Family On Vacation
The cost of a family vacation depends on many factors. Are you traveling or flying? Are you planning on going to a lot of tourist attractions with admission or are you planning on doing most of the things for free. And where do you live; A five-star resort may be more expensive than staying at a budget motel.
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Based on my calculations, the average cost of a vacation is $5,197. You can use the My Vacation Cost Calculator (in the Cost of My Vacation box) to calculate approximate costs. And you can print my vacation budget planner if you want to calculate your vacation costs on paper.
There are several factors that determine the length of a family vacation. Some studies suggest that a vacation should last eight days to get the most out of your time.
But for some families, there may be limits based on the number of days off work or school they get. Hotels and meals can also add up quickly, so a longer vacation means you’ll spend more money on your trip.
As a family, we usually plan a basic family vacation of seven to eight days, depending on travel time. If we fly most of the first day, we may need an extra day to explore the destination.
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But, let’s be honest, by day seven, most of us are out of the house and a little tired. You don’t want to be so busy on vacation that you feel like you need a vacation AFTER!
As often as possible! 🙂 Our family tries to take at least two family vacations a year, plus a few weekends away. But I think you should try to plan at least one family vacation a year.
I know that responsibilities and finances can impact how often you can vacation with your family. But even if you make time for a simple weekend getaway, you’ll create memories with your kids and experience something new!
It’s impossible for me to say which is the BEST place for a family vacation in the US. It depends on whether you are looking for something close or far.
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Are you looking for a holiday on the beach or in the mountains? Maybe you want to visit a big city or maybe you want to explore the beautiful countryside. All these factors will help you choose the best family vacation destination for your family.
Some of the most popular destinations for families include Florida, California, Hawaii, DC, Yellowstone, and New York. However, each state has amazing activities and natural beauty that make it a great family trip.
I compiled my list below based on my family vacations and with the help of some of my travel writer friends. All of these US destinations are great ideas for a family vacation!
I have included affiliate links in this post, if you choose to purchase through my links, I may earn a commission.
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While all-inclusive packages are popular in the Caribbean (check out our wonderful stay at Moon Palace Jamaica), all-inclusive packages are not very common in the United States. There are several all-inclusive resorts in the US that welcome families. Note that some only have complete packages that you can add to your booking.
All 50! I’m kidding here, but honestly, I think all 50 states offer amazing discoveries that benefit families. I think the best situation for your family vacation is based on the type of vacation you are looking for.
America offers states with amazing national parks (like Montana and California), other states have beautiful beaches on the ocean and lakes (like Florida or Michigan), and other states offer incredible history education opportunities (like DC and Alabama) .
You can help your kids get started with the 50 State Bucket List Challenge and visit as many states as possible while your kids are still young. Families who love the outdoors can also get on the National Parks List. And don’t miss my article on how to get free National Park passes!
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One of our family’s favorite trips is a road trip along the California coast. We all fell in love with Northern California. The towering redwood trees in Redwood National and State Park are truly stunning. And there are so many family hikes that take you deep into these giants.
Meet Atlas, one of the largest coastal sequoia trees in Northern California. © Suitcase full
Fort Bragg’s Glass Beach is a unique spot that makes for great family photos! Nearby MacKerricher State Park invites kids to get out, explore and enjoy nature. And you might even spot a whale in time!
Northern California is also home to Lassen Volcanic National Park, where kids can see amazing thermal activity and beautiful waterfall hikes.
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If you’re looking for a lake vacation, check out Shasta Lake or Whiskeytown Lake. Families will enjoy paddling and soaking up the sun on one of these two large lakes.
Estes Park, Colorado is a great vacation spot for families looking for small-town charm and big-city day trips to national parks. Estes Park is home to Rocky Mountain National Park, one of Mia’s favorite parks. Full of fun hikes, beautiful views, and lots of wildlife.
Estes Park is a charming Main Street town with many tourist shops, including delicious candy and ice cream shops. They also have a fun Long Scavenger Hunt that keeps the kids entertained as you walk down the highway.
And when you’re ready for big city excitement, head to Denver. It’s about an hour and a half by car and is the perfect way to relax with nature and city attractions. If you’re an NFL fan, they can even book a Broncos Stadium Tour.
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One of my top picks for the best family vacation spots in the US is Oahu. This Hawaiian island is home to Honolulu, but offers families so much more to explore. If you want to get comfortable with Hawaii, Oahu is the place to go.
Mapuas’u Lookout is the perfect place to stay on Oahu for beautiful views and a fun hike / @ Stuffed Suitcase
Getting to the island is easy, with most major airlines flying to Honolulu, East Coast residents can consider a short stopover in California if they want to avoid a long flight.
Some of our favorite things to do on Oahu are climbing Diamond Head, taking a road trip around the island, eating a plate of shrimp, and of course enjoying shaved ice.
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You’ll also find plenty of beaches and cliffs to spend the day. Popular spots include snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, watching surfers at North Beach, and strolling around Kauloa Park and Secret Island.
Many families choose to stay at Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, but some may prefer Disney’s Aulan, which is about 45 minutes from Honolulu. And you want to enjoy a luau at the Polynesian Cultural Center or Disney’s Luau Hall.
Since we live in Seattle, it’s a bit of a partial city, but I think it’s a great city for a family vacation. Families will love exploring the city’s Seattle Center area, where they can visit some of the top attractions.
The MoPop Museum is definitely on your list. They have lots of pop culture memorabilia as well as a great live music experience. They currently have a Minecraft exhibit! This is a pop culture museum!
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Seattle also has a wonderful children’s museum, the Space Needle, a world-class zoo and aquarium, and the ocean. Kids will love feeling the breeze on the ferry, looking for crabs and shells on the beach, and even spotting whales. Seattle is an easy drive to Olympic National Park, where you’ll discover the stunning nature of the Pacific Northwest.
Parents will love all our great restaurants, breweries and parks with amazing views and plenty of room for the kids to run wild. And if you’re a sports fan, Seattle has football, baseball, soccer, and soon hockey teams with amazing fans!
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