Three of the Best Family Vacation Spots in the USA

The most enjoyable vacation spots are those that have something for the parents and for the children as well. There are many family-friendly vacation spots around the country that offer enjoyment for kids and adults alike. Check out some of them and have the best family vacation ever:

Martha’s Vineyard, Mass.

Enjoy the Black Dog tall ship cruise on New England’s coast or let your kids get a kick out of the interactive tank at Waters of the World Aquarium where they can pet different kinds of marine animals. This island is also home to six towns booming with activities and restaurants.

Squaw Valley, Calif.

If you want a taste of adventure, this vacation spot is perfect. Here, you’ll experience outdoor sports such as fishing, parasailing, river rafting, and skiing. Stay at The Village where your kids will have fun at the the Adventure Center. They have large ropes courses there, as well as a climbing wall, bungee trampoline and a miniature golf.

Palm Beach, Fla.

Palm Beach is home to miles of pristine beaches, as well as outdoor recreation activities such as sailing, snorkeling, and fishing. You may also take your kids to the 23-acre Palm Beach Zoo at Dreher Park which houses about 1,700 animals.

Family vacations are meant to be enjoyable. If not, then you’re better off playing video games with your kids at home. If you are planning a family vacation, check out these family vacation spots and have a memorable and exciting experience.

A Family Vacation for ALL

“You’re going on a vacation with your little children? Are you insane?”

That’s probably one of the things you’re going to hear when you start asking about good family vacation spots and activities. You can’t blame them. Traveling with children can be quite a challenging feat. The good news, however, is that it’s not impossible and your options are many and varied.

My family traveled a lot when my siblings and I were little, so there were like three children to look after and keep entertained. I believe the secret to having a family vacation that both kids and adults can enjoy is to find places where activities appeal to both parties. My parents achieved that. Among places I can suggest (it’s a pretty unusual list) are:

Disneyland/Disneyworld – Even if you are a cynical adult, you have to admit that you have a soft spot for the Magic Kingdom. It’s because the memories you forged there as a child were so good it’s ingrained in you forever. Why not do it for your kids? You can ride the teacups, the cable cars, Magic Mountain, among others. The “It’s A Small World” ride still appeals to me even as an adult. Older children may like the thrill (or mini heart attack) that the Twilight Zone ride gives. You can watch the parade on Main Street and then the light and fireworks show later on. It’s reliving your childhood while sharing it with your children. Win-win.

Universal Studios – I’d go have a future family vacation in Universal if only to hear E.T. say my name once again (note: The E.T. ride is now only available in Universal Studios Florida). Any of the Universal Studios locations are good picks. You can interact with your children and explain to them what that talking car was about or why there is a giant shark with its mouth open. If you are a movie-watching family, this place will really keep kids entertained.

Las Vegas – Yes, you read that right. As a child, I loved Las Vegas. I loved seeing the lights. I loved eating as much mashed potatoes as I wanted. I loved winning tickets and exchanging them for prizes. My parents utilized the Midway to keep kids happy while they sat on slots. Of course it wasn’t all about fun and games. Las Vegas has a lot of shows and I’ve watched many great magic shows and circus acts as a child. Cirque du Soleil is breathtaking to watch no matter what age you are.

Historic Places – Personally I think these are great places for kids to visit because they’ll actually be in places most people would only read about in books. It also helps that you are interested in things like that because children will ask questions. My parents took us to the Statue of Liberty and I never saw it the same way again. My parents took us to see the pyramids up close, which would mean I was horseback riding in the Sahara. How many children can say they’ve been to Egypt. These kinds of places are a great way to teach your kids something else aside from the usual school stuff.

The Beach – Come on, you’re going on a vacation, might as well go to the beach right? The beach is all kinds of perfect, and resorts have all sorts of activities planned for both adults and kids, or even the family as a whole. The children can play on the sand while you relax and sip your drink. You can try something new and get surfing lessons and what-not.

See? A family vacation isn’t that hard to plan. You don’t need to stress about it. Just remember, enjoy yourself and take photos. Take lots of photos.

Traveling with Teenagers & Kids

He rolls his eyes. She pouts. And you wonder whatever happened to the kid who couldn’t wait to go on vacation. What happened is that child turned into a teenager. Teens are often difficult to please and as a parent you probably understand this. Heading out on a vacation with teens can be an experience that you don’t want to remember. Many times a teen will become bored and unhappy. This is why it’s important to pick a destination that your teenager will enjoy.

When you’re selecting a destination, see if it’s geared toward your teenager. Perhaps there are video games – but make sure that your teen enjoys the activities that are there. Also, will your teen enjoy the available activities?

Amusement and theme parks are perhaps a good destination for your teenager. Some possibilities are Disneyland, Six Flags and Orlando Studios. Some of these resorts even offer onsite camping (which will reduce the cost of the vacation.)

Some teens might enjoy such adventures as white water rafting or mountain biking. There are white water rafting vacations offered in Colorado, Idaho, Utah and West Virginia. If you’re interested in a white water rafting vacation, take a look at your child’s age, athletic ability and age. If your family is inexperienced, then book a guided white water rafting tour.

Another vacation possibility for teenagers is a cruise ship. Since cruises are offered all over the world, this gives you the ability to vacation throughout the world in a safe, carefree way. Many cruises are geared and emphasize families and offer onboard activities that appeal especially to teenagers. There are video games, movies, swimming, dancing and even rock climbing.

There are cities throughout the world who cater to tourists and have a lot of available activities. These cities include Hollywood, Paris, New York and London. Often there are events and attractions that might be appealing to your teen.

When planning your vacation with your teenager, it’s important to figure out what your teen and your family enjoys. Consider asking your kids what they would like to do on their vacation and allow they to help plan it. This will make them not only enjoy the planning but will bring your family together and this activity will be time well spent.