Over the years, I’ve vacationed in some of the best family-friendly vacation spots in the United States. Taking a holiday is always fun, but a holiday with your family is one of the things you’ll remember for years to come. If you want to make sure you have a fun time with your family and create memories to last a lifetime, visit one of these five family friendly vacation spots. Each place has tons of things for your kids to do, fun places for Mom and Dad, and even a few places that Grandma and Grandpa will love.
Santa Monica, California – Okay, so I’m a bit biased as I lived in Santa Monica for so long, but it really is one of the best family friendly vacation spots in the country. Santa Monica has a soft, sandy beach that stretches for miles, a huge pier with amusement park rides, slot machines and fun restaurants, and the whole family can even rent rollerblades or skateboards and skate down the boardwalk. Santa Monica has tons of restaurants, comic book stores for the kids, outdoor chess on the beach for Dad, bookstores for Mom and Dad, and even a lawn bowling green for Grandma and Grandpa. It’s also an amazing hiking area, with trails that are suitable for every member of the family and only five minutes drive from downtown Santa Monica. You can even take a boat and go whale watching or head out into the ocean and visit Catalina Island.
Venice Beach, California – Right next door to Santa Monica is Venice Beach, California, another family friendly vacation spot, one which has a myriad of family friendly hotels to choose from. With some of the most interesting people in the world living in Venice, just a walk down Venice’s famed boardwalk and you’ll see sights you’ve never seen before. On the boardwalk there are artists who will paint your portrait, magicians, fortune tellers, jugglers, arts and crafts sellers, t-shirt hawkers and enough good restaurants to satisfy any family member. Walk along Venice’s famous beach and play volleyball or basketball, or rent a bike and go for a bike ride. Venice also has a farmers market, organic food shops, cool cafes and dessert shops. At night, you can check out one of the local art galleries, eat dinner at Rose Cafe, take the kids bowling, or Dad can take a break and go work out at the famous Gold’s Gym. Families are always welcome in Venice Beach and it’s a great place for a family vacation.
Orlando, Florida – My family and I visited Orlando, Florida a few years ago primarily to go to Disney World and Epcot Center. Orlando is probably the best place in the country for theme parks what with Epcot, Disney World, Sea World, and Universal Orlando all within a few miles of each other. Orlando, Florida, is also the quintessential family friendly vacation spot. With theme parks, the beach nearby, the Central Florida Zoo, Kennedy Space Center just a short drive away, top kid friendly restaurants, and family friendly hotels, Orlando has everything for the perfect family friendly vacation. Plus, it’s always sunny.
Hershey, Pennsylvania – Okay, so I grew up loving chocolate and pretty much anything to do with it. As a kid, I would have loved Hershey, Pennsylvania, and as an adult I’m liking it too. For a family friendly vacation, Hershey, Pennsylvania is actually a really cool place. Hershey’s Chocolate World is a fun place for all the family. You learn about chocolate and how it’s made and even get some freebies at the end of the tour. Then on to Hershey Park theme park with tons of rides, great (but unhealthy!) food, shops and more. There’s also an excellent zoo and wildlife park, the Indian Echo Caverns where you can go underground and see some very cool caverns, and the Hershey Gardens with one of the largest butterfly gardens in the U.S. At night, why not visit the Hershey Theatre for live theatre and shows – fun for all the family.
Memphis, Tennessee – I spent a week in Memphis a couple of years ago and was surprised at what a nice city it was and how much there was to do for families. Memphis is a wonderful family friendly vacation spot, not only because of what there is to do, but also because people are so friendly there. If you’re planning a vacation for your family in Memphis check out the Children’s Museum of Memphis, the Rock N Soul Museum (because of course Memphis is famous for blues and rock and roll), spend a day at the Memphis Zoo, and don’t miss the National Civil Rights Museum built on the site of the motel where Martin Luther King was assassinated. And, of course, you must join the 700,000 other people every year who visit Graceland, the home of the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley. At night, head to Beale Street for a party atmosphere (but still fun for kids), lots of live blues and some of the best food in the city.
These five family friendly vacation spots are great places to take your whole family. They’re chock full of things to do, great restaurants to eat at, historical places of interest, theme parks, beaches, shopping and more. You can’t go wrong with a family vacation at any of these family friendly vacation destinations.
SOURCES:
Memphis Visitors Bureau, Santa Monica Visitors and Convention Bureau, Venice Beach.com, Hershey Pennsylvania, and Orlando Travel and Visitors Bureau
