12 Best Family Vacations Destination in the USA
It's
easy to be caught in the stresses of life — work, school, sports, playing,
piano lessons, etc. You're getting the gist. Why not stop what you are doing
for a family holiday? Whether you prefer a relaxing tropical holiday, an
extravagance theme park or a big city tour, a family holiday is the perfect way
to strengthen your connection and create new and lasting memories. Where to go,
however? The last thing you want to do is to drag an unhappy, unwilling child
through your next vacation, so look through this list of top family holidays
and choose one that appeals to all. Pack your bags and look not back. Your
children thank you.
1. Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL
You will never forget a trip to Walt Disney World. It can
also take a day or two to recover from the endless rollercoaster ride, walk
thousands of enchanted streets and watch your children laugh at the magic
around them. Take a live performance, meet a princess, eat at Epcot worldwide
or test your nerves at the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Whatever you choose,
you will need days (or even a week) to get your list through. Take a favor
while you're here: take a break outside the park and check out the other top
tourist attractions in Orlando.
2. Yosemite National Park, CA
For generations, this park has been a favorite family vacation
destination. With 1,200 square miles of protected land, the Yosemite National
Park has plenty to offer outdoors (and children) to the avid person. Would you
like to see a waterfall? It won't disappoint with nine major falls. Craving a
fantastic view? Yosemite offers to count too many of them. Some favorites
include: Glacier Point (an unbelievable place to watch the sunset), Tunnel View
(for, you guessed, an impressive view of the "tunnel "through the
mountains) and the Lower Yosemite Fall Walk (a short walk to the Yosemite Falls
base).
Children will also enjoy a photo tour of the
children at Ansel Adams Gallery. Get ready for a bike ride, hike or whitewater rafting
tour–all great ways to really enjoy the incredible gifts of Yosemite. I'm not
sure where to begin? Try one of the best walks in the park. When it's time to
rest your fatiguing head, perhaps it's time to take your family vacation to the
next level and camp. Here are the best campsites in the national park of
Yosemite.
3. Disneyland, Anaheim, CA
It is no shock that a trip to Disneyland is at the top of our
list of family holidays. After all, it has a magical kingdom, a fairy tale
castle and endless rides through theme park. Check in at one of the plush
resorts and relax in the spa, enjoy a meal at one of the restaurants or catch
an outdoor movie by the pool. Do not forget about fireworks, parades and live
shows. From babies to elderly, Disney leaves nobody out. While you're here, why
not check out California's other amazing sights from the Golden Gate Bridge to
Death Valley National Park?
4. Universal Studios Florida, Orlando
Harry Potter fans will
go Hagrid-wild in Harry Potter 's Wizarding World. Take the Hogwarts Express to
the village of Hogsmeade, dine at the Three Broomsticks and try your own wand.
Beat the heat on the Kopiko Wai Winding River or one of the many ruts. Join
Fear Factor Live for an exciting performance or join the Caribbean Carnival in
your groove.
When night approaches, find a place at Hogwarts Castle for the
amazing Nighttime Lights. Plan a few days spent in this park. If there's time
left, head to Cape Canaveral 's Kennedy Space Center–it's just a 75-minute
drive and worth the extra trip. Catch a launch of a rocket, meet an astronaut
and see a real shuttle here.
5. Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Myrtle Beach is like a children's paradise. The first thing to
do here is to have a fun day at the beach. Burl in the sand, boogey board, or
sprinkle through the waves. If you haven't had enough excitement, head to the
Wild Water & Wheels, where you can run down waterslides, try to stay in the
wave pool or have a swimming pool lounge. When your toes are wrinkled, head to
the Hollywood Wax Museum Entertainment Center to meet the lifelong models of
your favorite celebrities and make your way through Hannah's Mirror Maze or the
slightly more scarce outbreak-fear the dead.
Animal fans will love the Lowcountry Zoo in
Brookgreen Gardens and Ripley 's Aquarium, while the more energetic the
WonderWorks will enjoy, where they can play laser tags, climb a ropes course,
slide down ziplines and go through an anti-gravity tunnel. Keep everyone at the
Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament for dinner. Remember: with your hands
you can only eat, so bring a wet wipe or two. Take your trip with a perfect stay
in one of the top family resorts in Myrtle Beach.
6. San Diego, CA
Without San Diego, no family getaway list is complete. This
sunny destination has everything –theme parks (we see you, LEGOLAND), an
impressive zoo (who didn't know about the San Diego Zoo?) and outdoor adventures
(swimming in Mission Bay, anyone?). Check out the wilderness and breathe the
fresh ocean air into one of the most famous outdoor adventures in San Diego.
There are many ways to enjoy this spectacular place, from cycling to walking
and kayaking.
When you're finished adventuring, spend some time at SeaWorld,
stroll through Old Town San Diego,
and picnic in Balboa Park. Rainy
days are perfect for a visit to the city's Natural History, Railroad,
and Air
and Space Museums. When it's time to relax, stay in one of San
Diego's top-rated family resorts.
7. Niagara Falls
There's something magical about witnessing six million cubic
feet of water gush over the crestline of Niagara Falls each minute. Be sure to
top on the Maid of the Mist for an
up-close-and-personal view of the falls. For more ideas, check out our list of
other fun things to do in Niagara Falls, USA.
Go to Niagara Falls,
Canada, and spend some time in the eclectic Clifton Hill District. Ride the
Niagara sky wheel for a panoramic view of this wonderful world. Visit the
Ripley Museum for an experience about which the children will not complain.
Don't forget to pack a suit for bathing. Waves Indoor Waterpark offers every
child 25,000 square meters of fun. Do you want to explore further? Or hop in
the car for a quick journey to the busy town of Toronto.
8. Las Vegas, NV
Think Vegas is just a festive destination? Then you were not in
Vegas. Do you not think that you can find sea creatures in the desert? Wrong!
Wrong again! More than 1200 aquatic creatures live in the Mandalay Bay Shark
Reef. There is plenty to enjoy for children in this famous lights town. View
the city from the top of the Eiffel Tower, ride the biggest observation wheel
in the world, or spend a few hours brushing your gangster history in the Mob
Museum.
If your children were not at the top, bring
them to the Circus Circus — home to the largest permanent circus in the world.
You will be thanked for days after a trip to Adventuredome (the biggest indoor
theme park in America). Say you're in Venice riding a gondola in St. Square of
Mark. Then treat the children (and you) on a trip to the Chocolate World of
Hershey. Where else can you find a statue of Liberty chocolate of 800 pounds?
If you want more adventure, don't miss the Red Rock Canyon nearby or another
fun day trip from Las Vegas.
9. Maui, HI
Fantastic weather, lovely beaches, amazing sunsets and fantastic
food. What's not Hawaii to love? Take the children to see a real volcano (don't
worry, it's sleeping) in Haleakala National Park, swim and build sand castles
at Wailea Beach or challenge each other to a golf game on one of the many
courses on the island. Another must: look for a sea turtle in a snorkeling
adventure for the family.
One of the best ways you can see Maui is by
air, so book a helicopter tour. There's no fan of flying? Drive along the coast
along the picturesque Hana road. Stop at Waianapanapa Beach in a special way to
enjoy its black sand. It is made up of volcanic sediment, so shoes are
essential. If you have time for a walk, freshwater caves that are perfect for
swimming will reward you. Once you are back, add one of the impressive beaches
of Maui to your list of must see.
10. Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson, AZ
Who wouldn't be a cowboy when they were a child? A stay at this
luxurious ranch allows you to unleash your Will Rogers internally while riding
through the mountains. Other activities include guided walks or jeep trips to
the canyons and secret waterfalls through the desert. Children's programs are
great. From watercolor painting to holding a snake in the center of nature to
fishing in the 1.5 acre catch-and-release lake, children will not have a chance
to say, "I'm angry. "
While they're entertained, you can relax with a blueberry bliss
body wrap and massage at the La Sonora Spa. Want to
explore further? Check out some of the other top-rated attractions and
places to visit in Arizona.
11. Sandusky, Ohio
Water parks and airboats, oh my, roller coasters. This little
town offers each family member a one-stop shop. From the impressive Cedar Point
amusement park to a more relaxed cruise on the island of Lake Erie, Sandusky is
a great starting point for an adventurous day. Play Wizard's miniature golf
tour at the Ghostly Manor Thrill Centre, slide down one of the Great Wolf
Lodgeor waterslides on the ferry to Put-in-Bay. Do not miss the Merry-Go-Round
Museum, which attracts your child.
12. Minneapolis, MN
Let's be honest, not a lot of people would pick Minneapolis for
a family vacation. That means they're missing out! As stated on the city's
website, Minneapolis is "the biggest underestimated place in the
north." It boasts the impressive Minneapolis Institute of Art,
multiple theaters, and a variety of great dining options.
Rent a canoe, feed
ducks or take a walk in the picturesque chain of lakes by the water. Take the
children fishing or spend a few hours at the Minnesota Science Museum. Stop at
the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden for some interesting holiday pictures — ever
seen a 7,000 pound bent spoon with a cherry? How about a humorous blue
cockroach? You'll capture all of them, plus 38 more unique sculptures. Reward
the children on a trip to the Mall of America's Nikelodeon amusement park. Or
you can opt out of the scooters for retail therapy.
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