10 Great Family Vacations and Trips for Kids
On the hunt for the best family vacations and places to take kids on your next trip? When you’re planning your next excursion, make a point not to limit yourself to the typical tourist destinations. After all, a drive to the beach or a quick trip to the mountains is all well and good – but why not make some memories in unforgettable locales instead? We’ve rounded up a mix of top domestic and international spots that you should add to your “must-see” list, including both urban escapes and outdoor adventures for every type of traveler. So round up your passports and start scanning your favorite site: Here’s a closer look at some of the best family vacations and places to take kids around the entire globe.
Toronto is just a short jaunt from the United States and provides access to a smorgasbord of cultural experiences. One of its landmarks, the famed CN Tower, will give you gorgeous views of the city, while the Hockey Hall of Fame will appeal to sports fanatics. Don’t forget to pay a visit to Toronto’s own castle, Casa Loma, either.
The Emerald Isle beckons with folklore, grassy green countryside, and more sheep than people! In Dublin, highlights include Phoenix Park (and the zoo!), the Leprechaun Museum, and Dublin Castle. Outside the capital city, you’ll find the Ring of Kerry, Cliffs of Moher, and dolphin watching on the Dingle Peninsula.
Niagara Falls offers two sides to pick from (U.S. and Canada), and they’re both worth seeing. From the U.S. side you can embark on Maid of the Mist to see the falls up close. Across the border, there’s the Butterfly Conservatory and Niagara-on-the-Lake a little ways up the road.
Honolulu welcomes your family with gorgeous beaches and sun-soaked days. Iolani Palace is a must-see along with Pearl Harbor. As for outdoor activities, Diamond Head and Koko Head are two volcanoes with hiking opportunities and thrilling views that you’ll want to take in.
Auckland, New Zealand
Auckland blends the convenience of big city life with the serenity of the outdoors. Its Zoo is a crowd-pleaser along with Sky Tower. Be sure to take a journey out of the city to Devonport or Goat Island Marine Reserve as well.
The Dominican Republic is an outdoor paradise with hundreds of miles of coastline to prove it. In Santo Domingo, you can’t miss Zona Colonial while your travels to Punta Cana will treat you to thrills at Scape Park. Be sure to take an ATV or adventure tour too: You’ll be glad you did.
Kyoto is a sanctuary of calm and repose, but not without things to do for travelers of all ages. Temples and shrines reign supreme in terms of attractions, but you’ll also find outdoor fun to be had in the lush gardens that surround its spaces.
Yellowstone is a nature lover’s paradise, featuring more wildlife than you can shake a stick at (from a safe distance) and natural wonders galore like geysers, hot springs, waterfalls, and canyons. In summer, venture out by horseback, and in winter, start your expedition by snowmobile.
This destination has been branded as a romantic getaway, but there’s more to do than candlelit dinners and walks along the Seine. Kid-friendly sites include Parc Zoologique, Notre Dame, and of course, a trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower and Disneyland Paris.
Not the typically family vacation destination, Botswana’s remarkable landscape and breathtaking wildlife will delight visitors of all ages, though. Okavango Delta is where you’ll find the most amazing sites, but don’t forget to visit one of many conservation centers like Khutse Game Reserve or Moremi Game Reserve either.