Best summer vacation spots for kids
What’s the best summer vacation spot for kids? Whether you’re eager to get away and ready to relax, or seeking a mind-boggling educational travel experience, there’s a perfectly kid-friendly spot to suit every family.
There is nothing more fun than summer vacation! Kids get to enjoy the freedom of having no school and we get to go on vacation at the same time. As a parent, your number one priority should be to have fun with your kids. This means you won’t put pressure on them for performing well or making the most of their time. You may take some special activities into task, of course, but you will regret it if you are constantly reminding them what they should be doing because they are not aware that it is their own decision to visit that beach or have ice cream. Now comes the hard part for parents: finding a place where both you and your children can enjoy fully. Below I will provide you with my top 5 best places to spend your vacation with kids this summer, with tips on how to make best use of it.
Summer is just around the corner, and if you’re a parent, like me, you’re probably looking for places to go on vacation that are always great choices. Not only that, but it is important to really make your kids enjoy themselves while keeping them busy throughout the entire trip. This article presents some very entertaining ideas and will list some of the best locations for an amazing summer trip to take with your family.
Looking for the best summer vacation spots for kids? Whether you’re planning a family trip or just want to get out of town with a group of friends, there are plenty of options for all ages. Here are our top picks:
- The beach: Whether you’re looking for calm waters or waves that will rock your boat, there’s a beach for everyone. Be sure to bring your sunscreen and water shoes!
- National parks: We’ve got quite a few national parks in this country, so there are plenty of options when it comes to exploring nature. If you’re looking to hike, check out Redwood National Park or Zion National Park. If you want to see wildlife, check out Yellowstone National Park or Glacier National Park.
- Theme parks: Theme parks offer tons of fun activities for families, including roller coasters and water rides. Some popular ones include Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood, but if those aren’t close enough for you then try Six Flags Great America or Busch Gardens Tampa Bay!
Summer is the perfect time to take your kids on a vacation. Whether you want to explore someplace new, or just spend some quality time with your family, there are plenty of amazing places to visit that will be sure to impress your kids.
Here’s a list of some of the best summer vacation spots for kids:
- Ziplining in Vermont
- The beach at New Smyrna Beach
- Dolphin cruises in Florida
- The Kennedy Space Center in Florida
1. Indianapolis, Indiana
One of the top vacation spots for toddlers is the picturesque city of Indianapolis, with glimmering waterways, green spaces and race cars during the world-famous Indy race.
Stay in one of the best all inclusive resorts for toddlers while visiting the city, then check out the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, which will hold your tyke’s attention—there’s quite a range of things to play with, build and learn from.
After that consider watching the local races and speeding cars—which are great for holding the attention of teens (and hubby dearest!).
If your tyke is on the adventurous side, give “shark petting” a hand at the Indianapolis Zoo.
17 Best Vacations for Toddlers
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After the excitement, kick back and enjoy a family picnic at one of the city’s many downtown gardens.
Recommended Hotel: Conrad Indianapolis
2. San Diego, California
In San Diego, there is seemingly no dearth to the things you can do and see with your little ones; right from the San Diego Zoo to SeaWorld, kids and parents alike love San Diego for being a feast to all the senses!
Enjoy one of the many kid-friendly tours of the city; pitstops include excitement such as boarding an aircraft carrier from World War 2!
For a bit of fun in the water, give kayaking into the La Jolla Sea Caves a shot or just enjoy strolling through the lovely, lush Balboa Park.
Recommended Hotel: The US Grant, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Diego
Related: Good Restaurants in San Diego
3. Sanibel Island, Florida
For the quintessential family summer getaway to the beach, try Florida’s Sanibel Island with its gorgeous beaches strewn with seashells and calm, azure waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Less crowded and therefore, more peaceful than the spots on/closer to mainland Florida, the shores of Sanibel Island are a great spot to just relax and soak in the sun.
Build sandcastles with your little one or help him/her start a seashell collection.
End the day on a relaxing note by watching the sun sink into the waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Recommended Hotel: Sundial Beach Resort & Spa
4. Port Aransas, Texas
At Port Aransas, you’ll find an old-school vacation that teaches you and the tots to get in touch with nature and have fun the traditional way.
Give the kids a lesson on baiting a hook—you have over 18 miles of beautiful sands to conduct your lessons.
Once the lessons are done, reward the tots with playtime and yourself with a sunbathing sesh!
Older kids can try surfing; the relatively calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico make it great for beginners; you’ll find even calmer waters that your toddler can splash around in the area’s many sheltered beaches.
Recommended Hotel: Hampton Inn and Suites Port Aransas
5. Durham, New York
Another toddler-friendly getaway that offers a ton of old-school fun, Durham is among the top family-favorite destinations to visit with toddlers.
Nestled amid the peaks of the breathtaking Catskill Mountains in New York, families vacationing at Durham have a variety of activities on offer—if you’re an “outdoors” family, try one of the many kid-friendly hikes or visit the ultra-cute Hull-O petting farm!
It’s not all old-school at Durham, though; visit the Zoom Flume Water Park for fun and thrilling rides that’ll have the kids screaming their lungs out (in the best way)!
Recommended Hotel: Best Western New Baltimore Inn