Summer is the ideal season for family vacations – School is out, the weather is perfect and the whole family wants to get outside after a cold winter and rainy spring so check these Summer Vacation Trips to Take with Your Family This Year.
We know travel is expensive right now, so we put together a list of various locations across the United States that provide beautiful and affordable vacation spots.
Table of Contents
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone has 900 miles of trails through Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana, providing a little something for everyone.
The tall forests, booming geysers and diverse wildlife make for memorable views, and the park offers car transportation to the biggest attractions, like Old Faithful.
The best part?
One day’s tour in a vehicle costs just $35.
Pile in and enjoy the show!
The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is breathtaking year-round, but it’s especially beautiful in the summer because the sparse greenery brings the landscape to life.
The South Rim area has restaurants, gift shops and other amenities for the kids.
If you’re feeling adventurous, try a river rafting trip or a day hike on one of the canyon’s many trails.
Everyone should visit the Grand Canyon at least once in their lives.
Ocean City, New Jersey
OC New Jersey, sometimes called “America’s Favorite Family Resort” by frequent visitors, has everything you could want in a family boardwalk beach town.
The water and sand quality always surprise new guests, and other secluded beaches like Rehoboth are just a brief distance away.
The boardwalk will keep your kids busy with arcade games, gift shops, live entertainment, and a small amusement park at the southern end.
Outer Banks, North Carolina
The Outer Banks are a group of barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina.
This unique geography makes for amazing oceanfront views, but the beaches aren’t the only attractions.
You can also explore the many pier towns with delicious seafood and picturesque waterfront homes.
It even has a little bit of history, with the Wright Brothers National Memorial (hint hint, if one of your kids loves airplanes).
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach is another fantastic place for a family vacation, and it’s not too far away from the Outer Banks.
However, this beach has some more entertainment options.
Water resorts like The Breakers have slides, lazy rivers, and similar attractions.
The town also has over 50 mini-golf courses and other fun games, so we guarantee your kids will never run out of things to do.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh has earned the nickname “Kidsburgh” for a reason.
It has everything an imaginative child could want, including the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, a zoo, aquarium, walking/bike tours and live entertainment in the town square.
You can also find meals below $10, helping you save on your trip.
It might not be in the most convenient location, but Pittsburgh is the real deal.
Fort Myers, Florida
Florida is a popular inexpensive summer destination, as the coasts are littered with beach towns that people of all ages can enjoy.
We decided to go with Fort Myers because the white sand beaches are quieter and cleaner than other options, like Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton.
Fort Myers also has the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, with free admission for children under five.
Mackinac Island, Michigan
Mackinac Island is one of the US’s national historic landmarks, but it still manages to be a hidden vacation gem.
It’s a small island on Lake Huron with no chain hotels or vehicles, creating an old-fashioned small-town experience.
The freshwater beaches are irreplaceable, and Grand Hotel is the central lodging location with an expansive pool and lawn games.
Bar Harbor, Maine
Bar Harbor in Maine has freshwater and saltwater swimming locations, both with calm waves that are friendly for kids.
The town also has a unique layout, featuring a Museum in the Streets that allows you to take a custom walking tour.
The nearby Acadia National Park is a gorgeous park, with some of the best forests in the country.
However, we recommend taking this trip in late July and August, since the water takes longer to warm up so far north.
The U.S. Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands are a small archipelago off the eastern coast of Puerto Rico and one of the most beautiful US territories in the Caribbean.
The beachfront resorts have tons of kid-friendly activities, including bowling, mini-golf, and other games.
You also have the Virgin Islands National Park, complete with snorkeling and kayaking adventures.
Of course, the beaches are also terrific.
Start Your Summer on a High Note
Family vacations should be memorable bonding experiences, and these ten locations will provide that experience and more.
You have beaches, mountains, forests and towns full of culture.
The food and lodging prices are also more than manageable.
Your kids will have no issue finding fun activities for the duration of your trip.
You’ll also find it easier getting them to bed, as they’ll be out and about from sunrise to sundown.
Start your summer on a high note and visit one of these Summer Vacation Trips to Take with Your Family This Year!
