13 Best Family Vacation Ideas for All Ages

Planning a family vacation can be stressful. There’s so much to consider, from finding family-friendly accommodations to choosing a destination with activities that your whole crew will love. With a lot of thought, we’ve narrowed it down to the 13 best family vacation ideas, so you can stop stressing and start getting excited about all the incredible memories you’ll make while traveling together.

Whether you’re planning an intimate getaway for your kids and partner or a multigenerational trip with your entire family, we’ve rounded up some of the best trips that everyone — from toddlers to grandparents — will love.

Visit the “Most Magical Place on Earth” in Orlando.

The young and young-at-heart can’t resist a theme park vacation. Florida and California are home to some of the world’s best theme parks, and Orlando’s Disney World is really the ultimate theme park destination, with four amusement parks, two water parks, perfectly themed on-site hotels, and an expansive shopping and dining district. Rides and attractions for all ages, interactive dining experiences, and the unforgettable Disney magic will make this a trip to remember.

Explore the nation’s capital.

Washington D.C. combines fun and education with tons of kid-friendly activities, like museums, the National Mall, and the United States Botanic Garden. If you go in the spring, you can catch the National Cherry Blossom Festival from late March to early April, when the city is awash in pink thanks to its 3,800 cherry blossom trees. There are several D.C. hotels that cater to families with various budgets, like the Fairmont Washington D.C. and the Four Seasons, both in Georgetown.

Splash around at a water park.

The best water parks can be just as thrilling for parents as they are for kids, making them an all-around good time for families. These days, you don’t have to wait for summer to enjoy water parks, with indoor complexes like New Jersey’s DreamWorks Water Park offering year-round fun. While Wisconsin Dells is called the “water park capital of the world” and home to favorites like Noah’s Ark Waterpark, you can find special parks all over the country. Texas’s award-winning Schlitterbahn has the world’s largest collection of water rides, for example, and California’s Legoland Water Park merges rides and play in unique ways (like letting guests build their own Lego rafts to float on).

Camp under the stars.

A great way to bond is to spend time in nature, and camping overnight with loved ones can be truly special. Use the trip as a time to slow down and digitally detox, unwinding together as you bask in the warmth of a camp fire and each other’s company. If your bunch isn’t the type to rough it, you can find a campsite that offers amenities, like Wi-Fi, or opt for more of a glamping experience. Whether you want to swim at a beach, hike high peaks, or take up a water sport, there are no shortage of scenic sites in the U.S. where you can camp.

Get adventurous on an African safari.

Africa has several countries famous for their wildlife, with some of Travel+Leisure readers’ favorite safari lodges and outfitters in South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda. Think about what animals your kids would be most excited to see plus what other activities they may enjoy (like swimming, boat rides, biking, and cultural interactions), and choose your location from there. Many camps only accommodate kids five and up, so an African safari is a trip you may want to save to enjoy with older children.

Giddy up at a dude ranch.

Yellowstone helped propel Western culture into the spotlight, romanticizing the idea of a simpler way of life — and your family can experience a dose of that by visiting a dude ranch. Usually operating similarly to all-inclusive resorts with a flat fee covering food and activities, the best dude ranch vacations will transport you to another time. Choose how rustic or luxurious you want to get, and gear up for some horseback riding, delicious meals, and relaxation in wide-open spaces.

Indulge your sweet tooth in Hersey, Pennsylvania.

Hershey Chocolate World has rides, tours, and treats all dedicated to the popular chocolate company. Some activities are free, while other special exhibits, like the interactive Unwrapped show, require tickets. To round out your trip to the area, Hershey’s Chocolate World is down the street from the Hersheypark amusement park, so you can visit both family-loved destinations in one weekend.

Set sail on a cruise.

With lots of family-friendly excursions and onboard activities, multiple options for dining, supervised kids clubs, and more, cruises can ensure everyone in your crew makes the most of their vacation while spending time together. For mega family fun, check out T+L readers’ favorite mega-ship cruise lines as voted in the World’s Best Awards.

Relax at an all-inclusive resort.

Like cruises, family-friendly all-inclusive resorts are a fantastic option for multigenerational travel because they have something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a tropical escape in the Caribbean or a domestic resort with a fun, camp-like atmosphere, the best all-inclusive family resorts offer a range of activities that the whole family will love (along with kids clubs for the days when everyone wants to do their own thing). With meals, activities, and more included in one price, all-inclusives are an ideal family vacation for those seeking a totally relaxing getaway.

Hit the slopes.

Get outside and hit the slopes with your family on a ski vacation. With so many family-friendly ski resorts in the United States, you might be just a drive (or short flight) away from a great destination. Look for resorts with good ski school programs, terrain for all ski levels (and plenty of bunny slopes for beginners), and activities for all ages — Beaver Creek, Whiteface, and Park City Mountain Resort are among the country’s best.

Take a classic American road trip.

Hit the road with your crew in tow and check national parks and iconic roadside attractions off your family’s travel list. See the Grand Canyon and the red rocks of Sedona on a road trip through Arizona, ride down Route 66, or even drive across the country. Of course, if you’re traveling with kids, you’ll want to invest in some seat organizers and other essentials and stock their favorite snacks to make the journey as smooth as possible.

Soak up the sun on a relaxing beach vacation.

Families of all sizes love a low-key beach vacation. Whether you fly to the Caribbean to soak in turquoise waters at a five-star resort or rent a house somewhere on the coast of the continental United States, there’s a beach vacation for every budget and travel style. Georgia’s Golden Isles, Hilton Head Island, the Florida Keys, and Martha’s Vineyard are among the nation’s best island destinations.

Jet off to somewhere new.

Want to go a little farther afield? Planning a family trip abroad can seem daunting, but the memories you’ll create while exploring a new part of the world together will last forever (and potentially inspire a lifetime love of travel for your kids). Learn about ancient history and snack on gelato in Rome or go to the extremes of the Earth on a family-friendly Antarctica cruise. There are so many places worth traveling with kids, and wherever you go, you’ll give your children the opportunity to learn about culture and history through local experiences.