10 Family Vacation Ideas That Will Knock Your Socks Off

One can spend hours and hours online researching the many different ideas to find the best 10 family vacation ideas around the world suitable for family vacations. Whether you are a seasoned traveler, or taking a family vacation for the first time, finding a place that is both affordable and unique can be like looking for a needle in the proverbial haystack.

More often than not, you may find that packing light layers of clothing, getting in the car, and traveling to bed and breakfasts within your state may not only be a surprising, but delightfully unexpected experience.

There are numerous activities and attractions that can be found in the near vicinity of these lodging establishments, ranging from bike trails to amusement parks. Furthermore, many bed and breakfasts offer discounts for families traveling together.

Vacationing with family can also provide a great opportunity to explore a more rural area. Many people may not be aware of the variety of activities available in rural areas, such as swimming holes, canoeing adventures, and camping.

If a family is looking to experience the great outdoors without having to go too far away from home, some of these types of trips can provide the perfect balance between comfort and adventure.

Exciting 10 Family Vacation Ideas You May Not Have Thought Of

So lets explore some family vacation ideas that are a bit off the beaten path.

1. Take a road trip

This is an oldie but a goodie! And of course you have heard of this one but have you done it? Even if you don’t have a specific destination in mind, just packing up the car and driving can be a great way to explore new places and bond with your family. The best part is that you don’t have to go far – even a day trip to explore nearby towns can be a great way to have fun and make memories together.

Many cities and towns have wonderful museums that can offer insight into the culture and history of the area. Or perhaps there is an interesting landmark or monument worth checking out! Exploring a nearby city or town can be a great way to explore a new area and experience something different than what you’re used to.

2. Nature hikes

Going for nature walks offers an opportunity to explore the outdoors and reconnect with nature. If you are able to get away for longer, camping is another great way to immerse yourself in nature.

Make it an adventure – pack a picnic, take your camera and binoculars for wildlife watching, or bring along a nature field guide to learn about the plants and animals you spot on your walk.

3. Do a Volunteer vacation with the kids

Instead of taking a traditional vacation, why not use your time to help others? Many people choose to volunteer in a particular area or country and find it to be an incredibly rewarding experience.

Best Countries for a Family Volunteer vacation include Thailand, Costa Rica, India and the United States. Research organizations that offer volunteer vacations – you may find one in your local area or abroad! Read about the 10 Best Volunteer Family Vacations

4. Take the Family Glamping

Camping doesn’t have to mean sleeping on the ground! Glamping is a fun, luxurious way of camping with all the comforts of home like air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and comfortable beds. In the USA the best spots for glamping include Colorado, California, and New York State. Check out Glamping Destinations for Families.

5. Stay in a Treehouse or Somewhere Unique

One of the the really unique family vacation ideas is a tree house resort. Yes you read that right, it is located in Oregon and there is even a 90 foot suspension bridge that leads to it. Not for the faint of heart but if you ever dreamed of playing Swiss Family Robinson or I guess George of the Jungle? Now is your chance to book that unique rental.

6. Stay in a B&B

There are a myriad of bed and breakfasts around the US which offer accommodations for kids. In fact, you can find B&B’s from New York to California online which offer you the opportunity to explore new areas within your state, which have a wide variety of activities specifically designed for families.

One such place is Santa’s Village in Chicago. This 55-acre theme park has been around for 40 years. It offers over 20 rides for kids and adults, and has recently added Coney Island, Santa’s World, and Old MacDonald’s Farm.

There is also a petting zoo, pony rides, and a host of other activities which your family can enjoy at an affordable price. In addition, next to Santa’s Village is the Racing Rapids Water Park which offers a wide variety of water rides for the entire family.

Best Rental Sites Similar to Airbnb:

Best Overall: VRBO
Best for Quality Control: Plum Guide
Best for Big City Vacations: Sonder
Best for Hotel-Level Service: Vacasa
Best for Small House Renters: Getaway House
Best for Multi-Stop Trips and RVs: Outdoorsy
Best for a Splurge: Marriot Homes & Villas
Best for Combining with Car Rentals and Flights: Priceline
Best for Also Planning Activities: TripAdvisor
Best for Any Type of Lodging: Booking.com
Best for a Home on the Road: RV Share

7. Family Vacation in Indianapolis

Indianapolis is another state which offers house rentals and family hotels and is home to the famous Indy 500. With its well-known Indianapolis Zoo, you can participate in the Dolphin Adventure and visit over 300 animals in their habitat, or walk through the indoor garden where you will come upon thousands of butterflies and tropical plants.

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This is just the beginning of an unexpected adventure. There are museums, the IMAX movie theatre, and an incredible array of foods that will soothe your taste buds and delight your kids as well. If any member of your family is a sports fan, a visit to Victory Field will leave them in awe.

There are lots of family activities to see and do in Indianapolis

8. Wilderness adventures can be an exciting family vacation

Get back to nature on a family wilderness adventure! Explore the outdoors while camping, hiking, kayaking, and more. If a more daring adventure is up your alley, try rock climbing or white water rafting.

Even if you have become a parent and have settled down, it doesn’t mean that your adventurous days are gone. There are plenty of opportunities to explore diverse places with family tours; this includes Morocco, Thailand, the Galápagos Islands, Vietnam and more!

Tour companies such as Gap Adventures create age-specific activities as well as provide safe and comfortable accommodations for your family’s next adventure.

9. Take a Family Cruise

Cruises can be the perfect combination of relaxation and fun. With on-board activities, excursions, delicious meals and more, your family will have plenty to do while floating around the world. Taking a cruise is one of the best family vacations you can take!

Cruises offer something for everyone – swimming pools, shopping areas, games decks, on-board entertainment and delicious meals. Plus, cruises make visiting multiple locations easy as your room travels with you!

Plus, the variety of destinations and the sheer convenience of a cruise makes it easy to customize your own unique family getaway. So why not take advantage of everything a cruise has to offer and book your next family vacation on the high seas?

Heck bring the grandparents – they will have a blast as well.

Some of the best cruise lines for families include the Disney Cruise Line , Royal Caribbean, and Carnival Cruise Line. Each of these cruise lines offers something unique that will satisfy even the pickiest of family members.

10. Do a Home exchange

If you’re looking for a change of scenery without spending too much money, why not try out a home exchange? You can stay in someone else’s home for a few days or even weeks and explore the area like a local. The awesome part about a home exchange is that you get to stay in a real home, not just a hotel room, and you get space for everyone.

Home exchanges are definitely one of the most unique family vacation ideas and could be the perfect way for your family to explore a new area. Some popular home exchange websites include HomeExchange and LoveHomeSwap

Overall, there are lots of ways to make family vacations more exciting and enjoyable. Whether it’s visiting different countries or staying closer to home, taking time out to explore all that the world has to offer together will make for lasting memories. So, get out there and have some fun!

Of Course Traditional Family Vacations Still Apply

On the flip side, you may come across some websites which are offering weekly specials to the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, and Asia. Travelzoo.com for example, offers incredible packages for families. For example: There is an all inclusive one week stay in Cancun with an upgrade to a family suite. Kids are free! At a price of $99.00, you can’t beat this vacation in the affordability category. Air fare is not included.

Read More >>> Quick Travel Guide for the Caribbean

Family-friendly resorts provide a multitude of options, so that parents can entertain their kids, relax with their spouses, and enjoy the fabulous North American outdoors. Modern family resorts have upped the ante in entertainment: swimming with dolphins, circus clown training and even sleeping in trees are real-life resort activities. We’ve left no stone unturned as we unearthed these amazing resorts filled with off-the-chart family fun. Let the games begin!

There are many roads that lead to surprising and unexpected results. Whether you decide to go camping, stay at B&B’s, go hiking or spend time in a city that has theme parks, water parks and an abundance of activities suited for the entire family, the most fun and pleasure can be derived when the planning stage is removed from the equation and you just wing it!

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Travelon Jo

Travelon Jo is a mom and travel blogger who believes that taking your kids travelling is one of the best things you can do for them. As a former travel agent, she knows all about the ins and outs of planning a trip, and loves nothing more than sharing her knowledge with others.