Summertime is the perfect time for family trips. From cruises to amusement parks, national parks to state parks, and so much more, there are many different options when it comes to planning the best family vacation.
To help you out with your family travel getaway, we’ve come up with some of the best family vacation ideas. Get ready to add these family vacation destinations to your bucket list, alongside Niagara Falls and Myrtle Beach.
1. Holiday Inn Resort Oceanfront at Surfside Beach
Myrtle Beach in South Carolina is notorious for being one of the most vibrant and fun places on the East Coast. The beach is famous for its unique attractions, like celebrity-designed golf courses and one of the country’s tallest Ferris wheels, the SkyWheel, which reaches 187 feet. You can also partake in a volleyball tournament or try your hand at water sports.
If you’re looking for a spot to relax after a day full of excitement, check out the Holiday Inn Oceanfront at Surfside Beach. This resort is so committed to creating a soothing seaside retreat for its guests that its most popular poolside beverage is called “The Beach Relaxer.”
Aside from sipping on yummy drinks, you can also dance to live music by the fire pit, take a nap on the pool deck, or try a creative dish at the Saltatire Coastal Kitchen.
Take a break from the chaos and go for a ride on the lazy river, soak your troubles away in the hot tub, or lounge on the lawn looking out on the Atlantic Ocean. Visitors of all ages are welcome to go for swims in both the indoor and outdoor pools. While enjoying all the different amenities, don’t forget to grab a snack from the seasonal poolside cabana bar.
2. The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark
The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark, located in Monticello, New York, features one of the most innovative water parks in the USA.
This indoor waterpark, covered in lush vegetation, is jam-packed with fun. Hang out in the Affinity Springs hot tub, ride the adventure rafting river, try bodyboarding on the Flowrider surf simulation, relax through the lazy river, and go down the thrilling water slides.
Most of the Kartrite Resort and Waterpark is filled with family fun. That said, many of the rides and slides require kids to be a certain height. Thankfully, the tiniest visitors have an area of their own called The Puddle Ducks. This spot is safely equipped with shallow water and small slides.
During the winter months, stop by Holiday Mountain Ski & Fun Park. Similar to the Karite Waterpark, this place is fun for the whole family.
Guests of all ages are welcome to get active by skiing, snowboarding, and tubing. Visiting during the off-season? That’s not a problem. You will be able to enjoy go-karts, mini golf, and the arcade instead.
3. Camelback Resort Poconos
The Camelback Resort Poconos is a Pennsylvania hotel famous for its jaw-dropping indoor and outdoor waterpark.
Aquatopia, the indoor waterpark, is kept at 84 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, so the fun never stops. Adults and children will both have the opportunity to enjoy the multi-level aqua play structure, 13 wild water slides, lazy river, wave pool, cozy cabanas, poolside shops, and a swim-up bar for yummy snacks and beverages.
But the water theme park is just where the fun begins. Camelback Resort has just as many action-packed activities out of the water. Families can enjoy laser tag, a bumper car ride, and rock wall sessions.
Then, head outside to Camelback Mountain Adventures for some zip lining, a mountain coaster, treetop adventures, and a mountain segway tour.
If you are interested in seeing historical sites, head to Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm. This kid-friendly living history museum shows guests what it was like to live and work on a farm back in the 1800s. For a little added fun, you will also be able to interact with farm animals!
4. Princess Family Club Bavaro Resort
If you’re looking to travel outside the United States, look no further than the Princess Family Club Bavaro Resort in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. This five-star resort is specifically designed with families in mind and features amenities for children and adults.
For kids, the world is their oyster at this hotel. In addition to the outdoor pool, there are also water slides, climbing structures, and a kid’s pool just for them. For the little ones, a recreation and play area will keep them entertained and safe. There’s also a kid’s club with various activities and events that are sure to delight.
Don’t worry, the Princess Family Club hasn’t forgotten about the parents. The resort includes direct beach access and lounge chairs by the pool to get much-needed R&R. The on-site restaurants and bars provide unlimited food and drinks, while a sports court offers soccer, volleyball, tennis, and basketball. There are even non-motorized water sports rentals!
5. Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa
The Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa is situated on 22 acres of Monterey Pines in California. This gorgeous resort, surrounded by tall trees and greenery, is the perfect escape from the city.
Swim in one of the two outdoor pools or relax in the hot tub. Clear your head with a workout at the fitness center, or better yet, hit the courts and play a competitive game of pickleball or tennis.
Kids will enjoy playing foosball, ping pong, bocce ball, cornhole, mega chess, and connect four by the pool. Then, let Mom enjoy a visit to the full-service spa while Dad has his fun on the Del Monte Golf Course, one of the oldest golf courses in American history!
There are lots of additional activities to check out near the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel! You can visit Monterey State Beach and enjoy a picnic with the family by the Pacific Ocean.
Then, travel nearby to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, where you can learn about marine life and enjoy interactive displays. Older kids will even have the opportunity to surface scuba dive in the Great Tide Pool!
6. Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
The Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort is a beautiful open-air, 24-acre oceanfront oasis in Santa Barbara, California. This vacation destination is especially great for families looking to slow things down over the summer. Go for a soothing swim in the outdoor heated pool, chill out in the hot tub, or sunbathe in lounge chairs with a drink in hand.
Pick up a new skill as a family and take a private family-friendly lesson over on the tennis courts. You will also be able to take a fitness class or rent bikes for up to two hours. Adults can choose from a variety of body treatments and facials at Spa del Mar.
When you get hungry, pay a visit to The Set. This beautiful oceanfront American bistro serves up classic cuisine and unique cocktails. In the evening, have your dessert gathered around a fire pit as you tell stories and cook up delicious s’mores.
Continue to embrace the great outdoors and visit the Santa Barbara Botanical Garden. This tranquil location features various hiking trails where you can spot native California wildlife and plant life.
For younger visitors, head to the Santa Barbara Zoo. The small landscape makes it walkable for little legs, there is a carousel, and there are train rides offered throughout the day. And if you’re feeling ambitious, a day trip to Disneyland is about two and a half hours away.
7. Family Selection at Grand Palladium Kantenah Resort & Spa
The Family Selection at Grand Palladium Kantenah Resort & Spa is an all-inclusive resort located in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
Take your family to a getaway on the Mayan Riviera and get the party started! Everyone at the resort has beach access, complimentary water sports rentals, and access to the outdoor pool featuring a swim-up bar. You’ll also be able to enjoy food and drink services on the beach!
At the resort, you can expect to find all-day entertainment. Head to the CHIC Cabaret & Restaurant for a show or dance outside to the live DJs.
Get athletic and play a game of water polo, mini golf, ping-pong, tennis, or paddle tennis. Kids aged six to 14 can join the Real Madrid Football Clinic and get the experience of training like a professional soccer player.
If Mom and Dad want to spend some time alone, that’s not a problem at all! The resort has a supervised kids’ club with a kids-only pool. In the meantime, parents can head over to the spa & wellness center for a couples massage.
While staying at the Grand Palladium Resort, take a family trip to Akumal, a popular coastal town in Mexico. At Akumal, you will have the opportunity to go snorkeling and diving. The coast serves as a sea turtle nesting ground, so chances are, you will have the opportunity to swim alongside turtles and other colorful sea creatures.
Other activities to do in Akumal include exploring underground caverns and caves, going on fishing tours, interacting with rescued animals at the Akumal Monkey Sanctuary, and visiting the preserved Mayan Tulum ruins overlooking the Caribbean.
Have More Fun With ResortPass
Instead of having to choose just one destination for the best summer vacation, use ResortPass to keep the fun going all summer long.
With ResortPass you can browse through over a thousand hotels, see what amenities they have to offer, and purchase Day Passes, Spa Passes, and Cabanas without paying to spend the night.
Your family will be thrilled to discover that the best summer vacation is the summer of daycations.
