Eighteen summers… at first it seems like you’ve got all the
time in the world. You spend years chasing toddlers, driving carpool, building
dioramas for the science fair. Countless hours of dance lessons, music recitals,
and ball games. What feels like endless arguments over homework, cleaning their
room, screen time, and more. The business of raising a family is work… and it
never ends.
Then one day, sooner than you thought it would happen,
you’re teaching them to drive, ordering a letterman jacket, shopping for a prom
dress… and then it happens. One day the college brochures start filling your mailbox
and you realize you’ve only got a few summers left.
Sure, they’ll be back from college on breaks, and you’ll
still see them after they start their new, more independent life… but it won’t
be the same.
Traveling with kids can be a challenge… but it’s worth it!
Those experiences on family vacations are the type of memories that are deeply
rooted and will be cherished for a lifetime.
Those 18 years go by quickly. It’s a bit cliché to say the
years go by in a blink, but like all clichés that’s because it’s true. The countdown
starts the day they were born, and no matter how much we may want to… we can’t
slow it down.
In that spirit, we’ll be sharing 18 of our favorite family vacation
suggestions over the next few weeks. Some are better suited for younger kids,
some for teens… but most are fun for all ages. We’d love to help you pick out
the perfect vacation for your family makeup for this year and beyond.
Here are a few of our favorite closer-to-home family vacation
options…
No
family vacation list is complete without Disney! A Walt Disney World vacation
is almost a right of passage. Disney does a great job of immersing families in a
carefree environment where everyone is a kid again. Whether you bring them when
they are little and the “Disney magic” is very real, or you visit when they are
older with more stamina for the parks and can enjoy seeing childhood favorites,
a Disney vacation is a family vacation fairy tale dream come true. Disney holds a special place in our hearts, as our many trips to WDW helped our eldest become a confident traveler. And a hidden unknown gem, Disney's Vero Beach Resort.
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| At one of the Beach Cottages at Disney's Vero Beach |
U.S.
National Parks
There are 412 National Parks in the US and
among them you’ll find some absolute “must-dos” for family vacations.
Yellowstone has geysers, hot springs, mountains lakes, and buffalo-filled valleys.
Yosemite is filled with waterfalls, and unique granite rock formations, In Volcanoes
National Park you can hike through a 500-year old lava tube or stand in awe of
the “Glow Show” after dark at the Jaggar Museum and Overlook. The oddly shaped
sandstone monuments that fill Arches National Park are
the perfect backdrop for a family photo. And that’s just 4 of the parks… there are
408 more to choose from!
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| Chain of Craters Volcano National Park Hawaii |
The most challenging thing about a trip to D.C. with the
kids is finding time to fit in all of the amazing attractions! The Smithsonian
Institute museums have something for every interest and enough activities to
keep the little ones engaged. The best piece of advice we can offer when planning
to visit the Washington D.C. is definitely to plan ahead! Especially if touring
the White House, visiting the National Archives to see the original Declaration
of Independence, or check out where our money comes from at the Bureau of Engraving
or Printing are on your wish list.
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| White House Tour |
Family Cruise
Sailing the high seas is one of the best options for a
stress-free vacation for families with kids of all ages. With almost all of
your activities and dining included in your stateroom price, cruising can be a
great value as well.
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| Pre Christmas cruise on Princess Cruises's Caribbean Princess |
Cruises offer the perfect balance of high energy fun and
relaxation. Crusing is an excellent way to see the world. While you may think
of the Bahamas or Caribbean, there are also options for more adventurous families.
Consider itineraries like Alaska, the Mediterranean, or the Baltics.
New York City
NYC is like a giant playground for kids of all ages. There
is something for every interest under the sun. Explore world-class museums,
zoos, iconic attractions, take in a Broadway show, take a food tour through
Chinatown, Little Italy, and a host of celebrity restaurants, have ice cream at
Serendipity and spend the afternoon wandering through Central Park. One thing is for sure, there will be no time
for boredom on this vacation.
New York City is the perfect place to take teenagers. Even
the most jaded teen won’t be able to resist posting selfies from iconic NYC
locations on Instagram and Snapchat.
Aloha! There’s no place quite like Hawaii. It’s the perfect
relaxing beach vacation. No matter which island, or islands you pick, you can’t
go wrong.
The Big Island of Hawaii is home to active volcanos, Kona
coffee plantations, and lush gardens. Maui is a popular choice for many
families with its abundance of gorgeous beaches, the scenic road to Hana, and
quaint fishing villages like Lahaina.
On Oahu you can take in the solemn history of Pearl Harbor, the world-famous Waikiki, and try your hand at surfing the iconic waves of the North Shore. Then there is the unspoiled beauty of the island of Kauai with the dramatic Waimea Canyon, the towering cliffs of the Napali coast, and the beauty of Poipu Beach.
On Oahu you can take in the solemn history of Pearl Harbor, the world-famous Waikiki, and try your hand at surfing the iconic waves of the North Shore. Then there is the unspoiled beauty of the island of Kauai with the dramatic Waimea Canyon, the towering cliffs of the Napali coast, and the beauty of Poipu Beach.
We’ve got 2 more weeks of suggestions to fill out your 18 summers of travel with your family. Be sure to check back next week to find out our top recommendations for European vacations with the family.
The perfect family vacation begins with scheduling your
complimentary consultation. Click here to request a time for us to chat. We’ll discuss the details and what your vacation priorities.
I’ll give you my suggestions and explain how we can best work together to plan
the vacation of your dreams.
