After delaying their trips for an entire year, families all around the country are now starting to think about where they want to go on vacation together now that travel is making a comeback. And they aren’t simply thinking about family holidays that are easy on the wallet or the top destinations in the United States for families to visit on vacation. After a few years of staying at home for their vacations and doing road trips, many people are now considering taking their families on more extravagant vacations.
Ideas for Vacations with the Family in 2022 and 2023
Here are some of the best family holiday ideas to help fuel your travel ambitions, including kid-friendly national park lodges, all-inclusive resorts in the United States, family cruises, kid-friendly national park lodges, and the theme parks in Orlando.
Visit the following sections to learn about the various vacation options available to families:
o All-Inclusive Vacations in the U.S.
o All-Inclusive Vacations in Mexico and the Caribbean
o Cruise Vacations
o Theme Park and Water Park Vacations
o National Park and Camping Vacations
o Staycations
o Road Trip Vacations
o Group Tours and Guided Family Vacations
Ideas for All-Inclusive Family Vacations in the United States
Because they remove a significant portion of the anxiety associated with the process of trip preparation, staying at an all-inclusive resort is one of the most stress-free ways to take a vacation with your family. When most people think of an all-inclusive vacation, they picture a family resort in the Caribbean or a beautiful beach in the Caribbean. However, there are also plenty of options that do not require a passport and are geared specifically toward families that are located right here in the United States. Here are some suggestions for all-inclusive holidays in the United States that are suitable for families.
The Sandpiper Bay Club at Club Med in Port St. Lucie, Florida
The Club Med Sandpiper Bay in Port St. Lucie, Florida, is a resort that caters to the needs of the whole family by providing amenities such as numerous swimming pools, a variety of water sports, golf, a spa, a kids’ club, and direct access to a private beach. In the off chance that you do decide to leave the all-inclusive oasis, you will find that Walt Disney World and Universal Studios in Orlando are only a two-hour drive away from the resort.
New Paltz, New York is the location of the Mohonk Mountain House.
Mohonk Mountain House is the ideal place for families who enjoy water sports such as swimming, kayaking, and row boating to spend their holiday in New York. The property’s breathtaking setting on the shores of Lake Mohonk makes it an ideal vacation spot. This all-inclusive resort is an especially great fall family vacation option for hiking and picnicking when the weather is crisp and the leaves are changing because the resort is surrounded by thousands of acres of woodland and there are changing leaves.
On Mackinac Island, in the state of Michigan, the Grand Hotel
Since it first opened its doors in 1887, a vacation at the almost all-inclusive Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island has been one of the most well-liked ways for families to spend their time away from home in the United States. These family holidays in the Midwest at “America’s Summer Place” are only accessible by ferry (no cars are allowed), and the historic island hotel offers family vacation packages that normally include meals (breakfast and dinner) as well as resort amenities for guests.
Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa, is located on the island of Oahu in Hawaii.
Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa, located on the island of Oahu in Hawaii, gives family vacations a distinctly Disney twist. The resort’s mostly all-inclusive rates include nightly bonfires, character experiences, live entertainment, walking tours, ukulele lessons, a kids’ club, and a game room, in addition to the resort’s many kid-friendly pools, lazy rivers, and splash pad.
Rio Grande, Puerto Rico is the location of the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf and Beach Resort.
Another possibility for a tropical family vacation that does not require a passport is the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar in Puerto Rico. This large resort is situated on the northeastern coast of the island of Puerto Rico, adjacent to the El Yunque jungle. The resort features three lagoon-style swimming pools, each of which includes a waterslide and a waterfall. The all-inclusive meal plan package that this establishment offers consists of three meals each day, unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and usage of the tennis courts.
Hawley, Pennsylvania’s Woodloch Pines Resort was our destination.
You could be excused for believing that the kids club at Woodloch Pines Resort is an actual theme park considering that it features activities such as bumper cars, go-karts, splash pools, and a jungle gym as just the beginning. The kid-friendly features at this family-run resort in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania go well beyond what is often found at other places. Hayrides, pony rides, and bowling are some of the activities that are suitable for families and can be enjoyed here. So don’t worry about missing out on the fun.
Granby, Colorado‘s very own C Lazy U Ranch
The world-famous C Lazy U Ranch is located in Granby, Colorado, and is an all-inclusive guest ranch that offers both traditional dude ranch activities (such trail rides) and contemporary kid-friendly facilities. The ranch is located not far from Rocky Mountain National Park (like zip lining and a ropes course). Because it offers a seasonal children’s program for children aged three to seventeen, it is an especially good option for family holidays where the adults could benefit from some time to themselves while the children are off having fun.
Family Vacation Ideas That Are Completely Taken Care Of in Mexico and the Caribbean
When you add these all-inclusive beach resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean to your list of possible destinations for your next family trip, you immediately increase the number of options available to you.
St. Lucia’s Vieux Fort is home to the luxurious Coconut Bay Beach Resort and Spa.
The Coconut Bay Beach Resort and Spa on the island of St. Lucia is home to the island’s largest water park, known as Splash Water Park. The park features two enormous water slides in addition to a lazy river. Separate lodging sections and swimming pools for families (called “Splash”) and adults exclusively (called “Harmony”) are part of what makes this place so remarkable.
In addition to its nine restaurants and seven bars, the resort also features a kids’ club, a paintball facility, a center for kitesurfing and windsurfing, a kids’ club, and five pools, two of which are reserved exclusively for adults. In addition, the rooms at Coconut Bay may be connected to form larger suites that have enough space for up to six people to sleep comfortably. These suites also include living areas, sleeping sofas, and private balconies.
Club Med Punta Cana – Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Club Med Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic provides children aged 11 to 17 with their very own place known as Club Med Passworld. This space provides a variety of activities such as horseback riding, water sports, archery, and even the opportunity to learn how to swing on a flying trapeze. It is a fantastic plan for vacationing for families with teens and tweens who are notoriously difficult to amuse.
Nickelodeon Hotels and Resorts Riviera Maya – Playa del Carmen, Mexico
SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles come to life at the kid-friendly Nickelodeon Hotels and Resorts Riviera Maya in Playa del Carmen (about 30 minutes from the international airport and a host of other Cancun family resorts). The resort is a five-star all-inclusive property where every room is a swim-up oceanfront suite.
At this resort, the highlights of a family trip include character breakfasts, live Nick-themed performances and entertainment, and an outdoor water park that spans six acres and features slides, rides, and splash pads.
Runaway Bay, Jamaica is the location of the Jewel Runaway Bay Beach Resort and Waterpark.
At the Jewel Runaway Bay Beach Resort in Jamaica, where everything is included, the sea is the main attraction. The Jewel Lagoon Water Park at the resort features a number of water slides, raft rides, and a lazy river that has rock grottos and waterfalls throughout its course. The pool and the beach are favorites of adults and children alike, and in the evenings, there is live entertainment and drive-in movies for the whole family to enjoy.
Costa Rica’s Planet Hollywood Beach Resort is located in Culebra.
Planet Hollywood Beach Resort in Costa Rica is a favored destination for family vacations among children of all ages, particularly those in the younger age groups. This is because the resort features movie memorabilia, a walk-of-fame, a red carpet, and a Stars Kids Club. This Costa Rica family vacation hotspot is known for its various swimming pools, a splash zone, a spa, as well as its seven on-site dining establishments, all of which are popular facilities. The all-inclusive resort offers arranges for guests to participate in unique activities such as horseback riding, zip line, canopy tours, and canopy tours, as well as water sports such as snorkeling and sailing excursions.
Club Med Columbus is located on San Salvador Island in the Bahamas.
Active families frequently choose to stay at the beachfront Club Med Columbus, which is part of the resort brand that was instrumental in the development of the concept of all-inclusive family holiday ideas. Participating in activities such as kayaking, paddle boarding, learning to sail or windsurf, attending a fitness class, or enjoying scuba diving are all a part of the all-inclusive experience here. In addition, there are spaces designated for bocce, beach volleyball, basketball, and soccer. And older children and teenagers can take some time apart from their families to participate in resort-sponsored activities instead of hanging out with the adults.
Holiday Inn Resort Aruba – Oranjestad, Aruba
The all-inclusive vacation package at the Holiday Inn Resort Aruba, which is located on a gorgeous stretch of Aruba’s world-famous Palm Beach, provides complimentary meals for children, as well as unlimited drinks and a $75 credit toward spa services for the adults traveling with the family. A discount is also applied to the cost of renting a kayak or paddle boat, going on a sunset cruise, and participating in any of the other activities provided by Pelican Adventures. Additionally well-liked by families are the resort’s à la carte dining selections, as well as the resort’s big accommodations with ocean views.
Both the Ocean Club and the Ocean Club West are located in Providenciales, Turks & Caicos.
You can choose to stay at either Ocean Club or Ocean Club West in Providenciales and still take advantage of all the amenities offered by the other resort. There is lots for families to do on Providenciales at the two Ocean Club Resorts. The shallow reefs at Grace Bay Beach, which are considered to be among the best in the Caribbean, are ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving. There is also horseback riding available on the beach for those members of the family who have a passion for horses.
Located in Hopkins, Belize is the Bocawina Rainforest Resort.
The Bocawina Rainforest Resort is located within Belize’s Mayflower Bocawina National Park, and guests staying at the resort are given an all-access permit to the national park, allowing them to participate in an unlimited number of guided and unguided excursions within the park. This all-inclusive resort on Belize’s Caribbean coast features sports such as ziplining, waterfall rappelling, horseback riding, and cave tubing; as a result, it is an excellent choice for families that enjoy a sense of adventure.
Cruise Vacations
Theme parks, water parks, private tour operators, and floating all-inclusive resorts are all components that are included in cruises, making them an ideal choice for families looking for a vacation that will be remembered for a lifetime. The following are some of the most desirable options for taking your family on vacation via cruise.
Cruise Lines That Are Suitable for Families
The most crucial decision that needs to be made when taking a trip with children is which cruise company would best suit the needs of the family. Since it first set sail in 1998, Disney Cruise Line has been the industry leader when it comes to holiday ideas for families that take place at sea. However, in today’s day and age, many other cruise lines also cater to families by providing kid-friendly amenities.
When planning a cruise vacation for your family, it is important to look at cruise lines that include amenities such as kids’ clubs, waterslides, age-appropriate stage shows, kid-friendly dining experiences, and discounted tickets for small children. There are a number of reputable cruise companies that cater to families, including Princess, Norwegian, Carnival, and MSC, in addition to Disney.
Your First Family Vacation Aboard a Cruise Ship
The Disney Wonder and the Disney Magic are the two ships in the Disney Cruise Line fleet that are the smallest. These ships are perfect for first-time cruisers and families with younger children since they are enchanting without being overpowering. You will be able to experience live shows of the caliber of Broadway on all of its ships, including the brand-new Disney Wish, as well as dining venues themed after Marvel and Frozen, exclusive new Star Wars areas for children and adults, and some of the most impressive cruise ship water slides in the world. Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island, is also sure to be a highlight for families visiting the Caribbean resort.
Cruises with Reduced Rates and Offers for Free Travel for Children
It’s hard to find a better deal than “free,” which is precisely what you receive on select itineraries from certain family cruise lines. If you’re looking for a family vacation, this is the way to go. There are a lot of others, and many of them offer drastically reduced fares for young children. Deals like these are frequently available on family-friendly cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, MSC, and Holland America. These cruise lines cater to the younger set by providing kids clubs, family-oriented entertainment options, pools and water play areas, menus built with kids’ palates in mind, and even kid-centered spa options.
Ships at Sea That Have Their Own Water Parks
When it comes to keeping everyone happy and refreshed during days spent at sea, nothing beats a water park on a cruise ship. This is especially true for families with younger children and tweens. Even though swimming pools and water slides are common features on many cruise ships these days, not all of them are designed to cater to families with preteens or children who are younger than 10 years old. In this regard, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Disney Cruise Line, and Carnival Cruises are the cruise lines that go above and above for families. Norwegian Cruise Line also excels in this regard.
Cruises on the Rivers
If your idea of a family cruise is less about water slides and buffets and more about cultural appreciation, then one of the best family vacations you can ever give your kids is a journey through Europe by river boat. This is especially true when the trip is an all-inclusive family vacation that is geared toward children and virtually every expense is included in the initial cost of the trip.
That is precisely what you get with the Castles on the Rhine: Family Riverboat Adventure from Tauck, whose family vacation packages include private shore excursions, all gratuities, port taxes, and accommodations. Tauck is a travel company whose family vacation packages include private shore excursions (when staying on land).
Tauck’s eight-day European river cruise gets you on shore each day for family travel experiences such as cycling along the Rhine riverside, sampling fondue in Switzerland, riding the world’s steepest cogwheel train in the Swiss Alps, exploring the medieval hilltop ruins of Heidelberg Castle, and enjoying a private dinner and tour at the historic moated castle of Burg Satzvey. The cruise begins in Amsterdam and visits the cities of Basel, Lucerne, Koblenz, Cologne, and Stra Activities with the themes “French for a Day” and “Carnival night” are going to take place on the river.
These family holiday packages include everything from airfare to lodging and start at $4,690 per person for river cruises in 2022 and $4,890 per person for river cruises in 2023. They will leave on certain days during the months of June and July, and they are currently taking reservations for family vacations in 2023.
Vacations That Include Both Theme Parks and Water Parks
A trip to a theme park, which is one of the most tried-and-true ideas for a family holiday, is a foolproof method to make everyone happy in your family. The festivities for Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary, which kicked off in 2021 and continue through 2022, will include extensive refurbishments, the addition of brand-new attractions, and epic celebrations. (The most exciting news is that Disney’s much awaited Star Wars hotel has finally opened its doors and is now accepting visitors from all over the galaxy.)
Look forward to the completely renovated Spaceship Earth, the new Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure ride, the roller coaster based on the animated film Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Journey of Water, a water ride based on the film Moana, and more at EPCOT. As Universal Studios prepares to enter its second year, the new Jurassic World Velocicoaster continues to excite guests of all ages, particularly families.
If you want to beat the crowds at Disney World on your next visit, make sure to book a room at one of the Disney World Resort hotels in Orlando so you can take advantage of Extra Magic Hours. The Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is an all-time favorite among children, while the Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is likewise very family-friendly and has a price tag that is (slightly) more affordable. Families adore the cost, location, and retro-chic atmosphere of Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, which is one of the several hotels located within Universal Studios Florida. This resort is perfect for a vacation based around the Universal Studios theme parks.