Where do families like to flock? Below are some of the most popular vacation spots. (See also, Personal Faves, and Ideas by Region, links below.)
1. Orlando, Florida
Orlando is the world's top vacation spot for families-- an impressive feat, for a town that doesn't even have a beach (-and this is Florida.) Orlando is the mecca of theme park fun, with giant Disney World, plus Universal Orlando and other attractions. See top things to do, Orlando at Christmas, Spring Break, top Orlando resorts for families.
Photo © Teresa Plowright
2. New York City
New York City never stopped being a great place to visit, especially with teens, and now It's Baaack, and you may find that hotels are packed. Click for over a dozen fun places to go: Top of the Rock, Harbor Tour on a crazy fast boat, Natural History Museum (real dinosaur skeletons, full size!), Blue Man Group perfomance, movie tours, and much, much, more.
3. Hershey PA: Hersheypark and more
hree hours from NYC, 90 mins from Phillie, "Chocolate Town USA" offers Hersheypark (voted top amusement park by FamilyFun Magazine); Dutch Wonderland Family Amusement Park; the Hotel Hershey, a grand old hotel with kid's club; Hershey Lodge; Hershey's Chocolate World Visitors Center; and more.
Photo courtesy of Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company.
4. Williamsburg, VA
Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia takes your family back in time: not only to stroll past historic buildings, but to see real-live people of the period too, with a cast of hundreds who bring the Revolutionary years of the US to life.
Photo courtesy of Colonial Williamsburg site.
5. Anaheim - San Diego, California
This southern part of the Golden State offers the chance to combine a beach vacation with theme park fun (at Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood in Anaheim, and also at LEGOLAND, built for ages two to 12.)6. Myrtle Beach SC
South Carolina is the #2 state for tourism after Florida, with Myrtle Beach the biggest vacation spot with over 13M visitors a year. Myrtle Beach sits in a 60-mile stretch of beaches called the Grand Strand, and is a budget-friendly, family-friendly place; many hotels have kids activities. The area has water parks, amusement park, dinner shows (such as Medieval Times), and other family entertainment; the Hard Rock Park will open in 2008.
7. Cancun, Mexico
Cancun gets some 20% of Mexico's tourism, thanks to its 25-kilometre Hotel Zone of double waterfront (ocean and lagoon), and is wildly popular with night-club-goers, shoppers, and diners-out. Cancun also has many all-inclusives that welcome families, and is a convenient launch-pad for day-trips in the Mayan Riviera (see below.)
Photo © Teresa Plowright
8. Riviera Maya, Mexico - Highlights and Resorts
A top vacation spot for families, the Riviera Maya (in the Yucatan Peninsula, south of Cancun) has all-inclusives resorts plus so much to explore: Mayan ruins; barrier coral reef; "eco-archeological" theme park Xcaret; cenotes, caves, lagoons....
Photo © Teresa Plowright
9. Atlantis Bahamas
This mega-resort is a high-volume destination for families, with two areas of thrill waterslides, AQUAVENTURE waterpark with river float; large kids pool area, and also a kiddie water play zone; kids camp, designed with Discovery Channel, kids clubhouse for ages 3 to 5; Gentle Travel welcome for families with babies, and more. (In the Caribbean, but not an all-inclusive!)
Photo © Teresa Plowright
10. Caribbean Beach Resorts
Families -- especially those in the northeast US -- love to do getaways at a Caribbean resort; all-inclusives are a popular choice, but some non-all-inclusive choices stand out too (such as mega-resort The Atlantis Bahamas, which has plenty for kids.)
Photo © Teresa Plowright
11. Hawaii
Hawaii -- one of the most beautiful places on earth -- has many different faces to show visitors. Oahu is the busiest island, with the bustle and high-rises of Waikiki Beach, but also the much different and quieter north coast. All the islands have impressive family-friendly resorts (-don't look for all-inclusives, though); many are high-end; one family resort stands out with its kids programs. Vacation home rentals and condos are popular too.
Photo © Teresa Plowright
12. London England
London often ranks first as families' top choice of destination in Europe: well, for one thing, they speak English there! London has great sightseeing that kids will enjoy, such as the Tower of London (actually acres of towers and ramparts), wonderful free museums (Science Museum, Museum of Natural History), the London Eye. With older kids, be sure to see a show at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. (And by the way... don't be shy about visiting Paris or Rome, just because of a language thing.)
