Ready to plan your next family vacation and wondering where to go? For 2023, I combined my favorite family vacation ideas with a few recommendations from fellow travel writer friends. From coast to coast, we’re ready to help you with our picks for the best family vacation spots in the US!
On this list, you’ll find a variety of family vacation ideas, some are popular spots that you’ve heard of before. Other destinations are places that might be new to you. Some are big cities, others small towns. For each of the vacation spots on the list, I’ve listed why it works for families, plus I’ve given you a headstart on planning with some recommended places to stay or things to do!
Why are Family Vacations Important?
Taking a family vacation isn’t just about having fun, there are some great benefits to family vacations.
The Benefits of Taking Family Vacations:
- Getting away helps you take a break from a high-stress lifestyle.
- You can model successful problem-solving and planning to your kids while on vacation.
- Family vacations provide an opportunity to learn new things.
- Traveling together can create a bond over shared experiences.
- You’ll create family memories that will last for many years.
How Much Does the Average Family Vacation Cost?
The cost of a family vacation varies based on many factors. Are you taking a road trip or flying? Are you planning to go to a lot of attractions with entrance fees or planning to do mostly free things? And, where are you staying? A five-star resort will obviously cost more than staying at a budget motel.
Based on my calculations, the average cost for a vacation is $5,197. You can use my vacation cost calculator (in my cost for vacation post) to determine your expected costs. And you can print off my vacation budget planner if you’d like to calculate your vacation cost on paper.
How Long Should a Family Vacation Last?
There are a few factors that will decide how long a family vacation should be. Some studies have suggested that a vacation should be eight days long to capture the full benefits of your time away.
But for some families, you might be limited based on how many vacation days you have from work or school. Hotel and food can also add up fast, so longer vacations will mean spending more money on the trip.
For our family, we typically like to plan our main family vacations to be seven to eight days long depending on travel time. If we’re flying for most of the first day, then we might need an extra day to experience the destination.
However, I’ll be honest that by day seven most of us are missing home and a bit tired. You don’t want to be so busy on vacation that you feel like you need a vacation AFTER your vacation!
How Often Should You Take a Family Vacation?
As often as you can! 🙂 Our family tries to take at least two family vacations a year, plus a couple of weekend getaways. But I’d say that you should try to plan at least one family vacation a year.
I know that responsibilities and finances can affect how often you can take a family vacation. But, even if you make time for a simple weekend getaway, you’ll be creating memories with your kids and experiencing something new!
What is the Best Family Vacation Spot in USA?
It’s impossible for me to actually tell you the BEST family vacation spot in the US. That will depend on whether you’re looking for something close to you or far away.
Are you looking for a beach or mountain escape? Perhaps you want to visit a big city, or maybe you’re looking to explore the great outdoors. All these factors will help you decide the best family vacation spot for your family.
Some of the most popular destinations for families include Florida, California, Hawaii, DC, Yellowstone, and New York. However, every state has amazing activities and natural beauty that will make for a great family trip.
I’ve created my list below based on my own family vacations and with the help of some of my travel writing friends. Each of these USA destinations is a great family vacation idea!
Does the US have All-Inclusive Resorts that are Family-Friendly?
While all-inclusives are popular in the Caribbean (check out our fun stay at the Moon Palace Jamaica), they’re not very common in the United States. There are a few all-inclusive resorts in the US that welcome families. Note that some simply have an all-inclusive package option that you can choose to add to your reservation.
- Club Med Sandpiper Bay in Port St. Lucie, Florida
- The Ranch at Rock Creek in Philipsburg, Montana
- Hana-Maui Resort (formerly Travaasa Hana), Maui in Hana, Hawaii
- Grand Hotel in Mackinac Island, Michigan
- Vista Verde Guest Ranch in Clark, Colorado
- Woodloch Pines Resort in Hawley, Pennsylvania
- Lodge on Little St. Simons Island in Little St. Simons Island, Georgia
- Club Med Sandpiper Bay in Port St. Lucie, Florida
- White Stallion Ranch in Tucson, Arizona
- Skytop Lodge in Skytop, Pennsylvania
- Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tennessee
- Kachemak Bay Wilderness Lodge in Homer, Alaska
What is the Best State to Visit in the US For Families?
All 50! I’m slightly joking here, but honestly, I think that all 50 states offer amazing discoveries that will benefit families. I think the best state for your family vacation is based on what kind of vacation you’re looking for.
The US offers states with amazing National Parks (like Montana and California), others have fabulous beaches on both the ocean or a lake (like Florida or Michigan), and still, others offer amazing historical educational opportunities (like DC and Alabama).
You might consider helping your kids get a start on a 50 State Bucket List Challenge and visit as many states as you can while your kids are young. Families who enjoy the outdoors might also get a National Parks checklist. And don’t miss my article about how you might be able to get a National Parks Pass for free!
Top 35 Family Vacation Ideas for a Perfect Family Holiday
Northern California
One of our family’s favorite trips has been a road trip down the California coast. We all fell in love with Northern California. The towering redwood trees in the Redwood National & State Parks are absolutely amazing. And there are so many family-friendly hikes that will put you deep into these giants.
Getting up close with Atlas, one of the widest coastal redwood trees in northern California. © Stuffed Suitcase
Glass Beach in Fort Bragg is a unique spot that makes for some fabulous family photos! The nearby MacKerricher State Park invites kids to get out, explore, and enjoy nature. And, you might even spot whales during the right season!
Northern California is also home to Lassen Volcanic National Park, where kids can see crazy thermal activity and beautiful waterfall hikes.
If you’re looking for a lake vacation, check out Shasta Lake or Whiskeytown Lake. Families will love paddling and splashing in the sun at one of these two large lakes.
Check out hotels in Northern California.
Estes Park, Colorado
Estes Park, Colorado is a fabulous vacation spot for families who are looking for a National Park trip with some small-town charm and big-city day trips thrown in. Estes Park is home to Rocky Mountain National Park, which is one of Mia’s favorite parks. It’s filled with fun hikes, beautiful views, and lots of wildlife.
Estes Park is a charming main street town with lots of tourist shops, including some great candy and ice cream shops. They also have a fun pika scavenger hunt that will keep kids entertained while you stroll up and down the main street.
And when you’re ready for some big-city thrills, head into Denver. It’s about an hour and a half drive and the perfect way to have a vacation with nature and city sights. If you have any NFL fans, they can even book a tour of Broncos stadium.
Check out where to stay in Estes Park.
Oahu, Hawaii
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’re wanting to get a good feel for Hawaii, Oahu is the place to find it.
It’s easy to reach the island since most major airlines fly into Honolulu, and east coasters might want to consider a short layover stop in California if they want to avoid the long flight.
Some of our favorite things to do in Oahu are to hike Diamond Head Monument, take a road trip around the island, eat a plate of shrimp, and of course, enjoy shave ice.
You’ll also find plenty of beaches and rocky overlooks to spend the day at. Popular spots include snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, watching the surfers on the north shore, and long walks along Kauloa Park and Secret Island.
Many families will choose to stay on Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, but some might prefer Disney Aulani which is about 45 minutes away from Honolulu. And you’ll want to catch a luau, either at the Polynesian Cultural Center or the Disney Aulani luau.
Check out hotel prices for Oahu.
Seattle, Washington
A little partial since we live in Seattle, but I do think it’s a fabulous city for a family vacation. Families will love exploring the Seattle Center area of the city where they can visit some of the top attractions.
The MoPop Museum should definitely be on your list. They have a lot of memorabilia of pop culture and some great hands-on music experiences, too. Currently, they have a Minecraft exhibit! It’s a museum all about pop culture!
Seattle also has a fabulous children’s museum, the Space Needle, a world-class zoo and aquarium, and the sea. Kids will love feeling the wind aboard a ferry, searching for crabs and shells along the beaches, and even going whale watching. And it’s easy to get to Olympic National Park from Seattle, where you’ll find amazing Pacific Northwest nature.
Parents will love all our great restaurants, breweries, and parks that offer amazing views and plenty of room to let kids run around. And if you’re a sports fan, Seattle has a football, baseball, soccer, and soon a hockey team all with fabulous fans!
Lots to see and do even if you only have a weekend in Seattle.
Check out hotels in Seattle.
Monterey, California
Many family travelers know all about the sunny destinations in Southern California, but central California also is great for families. Monterey, California offers sandy beaches along with some great outdoor hiking options and kayaking excursions.
Cannery Row is a popular tourist destination that is filled with some great hotels and restaurants, plus you can rent e-bikes to take a ride around the region. Most notably, Monterey is home to the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium which is filled with educational exhibits including a large touch tank.
Check out popular hotels in Monterey, California. One of our favorites is the Hyatt Regency, it’s perfect for families!
Moosehead Lake, Maine
If you’re looking for a relaxing lake vacation, Moosehead Lake, Maine could be the vacation spot for you. Moosehead Lake is the largest lake in Maine and the largest mountain lake in the eastern US.
The lake is home to many cabin rentals, offering families a home away from home that lets them relax and make themselves at home. I had a chance to stay at two on my Moosehead Lake weekend trip.
Lily Bay State Park has a great beach and campground that families will love. You can book a moose safari where you go at sunrise or sunset to go out looking for moose — we saw two! You’ll find many cabins and lodges that offer kayaks and/or canoes for paddling out and enjoying the water.
Moosehead Lake is also very popular for hiking. It’s located near the Appalachian Trail and has plenty of mountains for challenging you to climb. We loved hiking up the Little Kineo Mountain Trail but the Screw Auger Falls hike will be extremely popular with adventurous kiddos.
Check out hotels in Moosehead Lake and Airbnbs.
Glacier National Park
Looking for a National Park to visit on your family vacation? We visited Glacier National Park last summer and loved it! The park is large but offers a completely different feel from the West Glacier side to the East Glacier side. If you’re traveling during the summer, you’ll want to drive the Going to the Sun Road between the two park sections.
Taking in the view of Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park. © Kimberly Tate
We stayed at two really awesome places during our trip to the park. For two nights we glamped at Under Canvas. This is my kind of camping, you get a toilet, shower, and fireplace in your tent! We also stayed inside an old train caboose at the Izaak Walton Inn. That was such a fun experience!
Glacier is also near Whitefish, Montana which offers families some fun activities at their mountain resort. And you’ll find some great dining and shopping in their mountain town.
Check out hotels near Glacier National Park.
Santa Rosa, California
Santa Rosa is the home of Charles Schulz, the artist, and creator of the Peanuts comic. There is a Charles Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa that should appeal to kids and adults alike. Kids can even try to draw the Peanuts in the museum’s art room. And, there’s a skating rink and a children’s museum within walking distance.
Charles Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa, CA
Santa Rosa is also home to the Safari West wildlife park. Families who are interested in learning more about African animals can visit and go on a jeep tour. You can even stay onsite in one of their glamping tents, where you’ll fall asleep with the sounds of birds and lemurs calling into the night.
Santa Rosa also offers parents plenty of opportunities to enjoy wine tasting. Wineries are family-friendly, and some even offer activities on-site to keep kids entertained while parents sip away.
Check out hotels in Santa Rosa.
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans may be best known for beads and Bourbon Street, but there is another family-oriented side to this Louisiana city. Creole cuisine and live jazz aren’t just for grown-ups, with lots of kid-friendly restaurants and music venues. Festive king cakes drizzled with Mardi Gras-colored icing and beignets doused in powdered sugar are tasty local treats for all ages.
Kids will especially love playing at the Louisiana Children’s Museum, which was completely redesigned and reopened in a new location inside City Park in 2019. This expansive park is also home to Carousel Gardens and Storyland theme parks, the New Orleans Botanical Garden, and the City Putt miniature golf course.
For a more educational activity, take kids to the National WWII Museum for an important lesson in history. Meanwhile, families will always remember searching for alligators on an airboat swamp tour in the Big Easy.
Adventurous children and their parents can even touch a millipede’s legs and taste cricket cookies at the Audubon Insectarium. For more traditional animal experiences, head to the impressive Audubon Zoo and Audubon Aquarium of the Americas.
To get a different view of N’Awlins, be sure to take a mule-drawn carriage ride of the French Quarter and sail the Mississippi River from Steamboat Natchez during your visit to Crescent City. The unique flavors, architecture, and friendliness of New Orleans make this city a must-see for families in 2023.
Check out hotels in New Orleans.
Austin, Texas
It’s quirky and cool like Portland – but oh, so much warmer! This vibrant and youthful city is famous for food, festivals, and a fantastic live music scene (Austin is known as the Live Music Capital of America).
Families can easily spend a whole day exploring the 361-acre Zilker Metropolitan Park, which includes an excellent playground, a miniature passenger train, a popular Nature and Science Center (where kids can dig for dinosaur bones!), and the gigantic freshwater-fed Barton Springs Pool.
Thankfully, on those extra hot days when the mercury pushes past 90 degrees (July/August), you don’t have to venture far to have a good time in this city. Most Austin hotels have awesome pools to keep their guests happy and comfortable.
When it starts to cool off in the evening, join the crowds near the Congress Avenue Bridge to watch the bats take flight. From March through October, over a million bats make their home underneath the bridge and take to the skies just after dusk. It’s a pretty unique sight…and it’s free!
Check out hotels in Austin.
Chicago, Illinois
Looking for a big city family trip? Chicago, Illinois is the perfect place to go! They have some of the best museums in the country from The Shedd Aquarium to the Museum of Science and Industry and the Field Museum. All of these have plenty to do to keep the kids occupied. Plus, there is an awesome Children’s Museum on Navy Pier!
Beyond the museums, there are unbelievable parks at locations like Millenium Park where you have to check out the Bean. And don’t miss the FREE Lincoln Park Zoo!
We love that in Chicago you are in the middle of a busy city yet you are able to be outside enjoying so many different fun things from ice skating to parks to walking around downtown.
One of the cool things about Chicago is all of the different